Of Fairytales

[Reno]

When Ven shot up with a cry everyone jumped. Gin's hands clenched looking away, Riri gave a start of surprise, Runa cried out like Jet, and Soran seemed to pale, watching his brother. Then he fainted against. Both Jet and Artios reached out for the blonde, holding the limp boy up in a sitting position.

He glanced up at his king at the question, frowning somewhat. He wasn't sure how to adequately answer that one. They slowly laid the boy down and he turned Ven's head carefully, seeing the matted blonde and the small wound. It wasn't too bad but the scalp was badly bruised. He placed his hand carefully over the mark. "Cura." He murmured, soft green magic wrapping around the wound, healing it.

He looked up then. "Sire, I'm not completely sure.... but I do know that Xehanort was the cause of your son's current condition. He... had a mimic charm of your son's and somehow it was manipulated to form a link between that one and his own... just like your sons charms are linked. I broke the connection, so hopefully he will not be able to do so again." His eyes were contemplative. "It was odd however... the charm seemed to have Falknir's magical signature on it. I'm not sure how Xehanort was able to... obtain it." He frowned further. "I was however able to pinpoint his location. He was... on Atteris sire."

Runa gasped sharply, her eyes widening. No... already he was turning the Atterians against them. She knew they wouldn't have a choice. Xehanort wielded monsters that even Atterians couldn't face without the risk of poisoning themselves...

Soran's eyes became further troubled and he looked down with an almost guilt conscience. He reached out, curling his hand around one of his brother's, trying to support him even if he couldn't feel it. He knew that it was not a charm Xehanort had made... but the one Ven had given to Terra. What... what had become of the brunette? Was he...?

Suddenly sick at the idea, Soran quickly wiggled his way between all the adults and hurried out of the room, feeling positively scared for the Atterian that had taken his brother's heart.
"Prince Soran...?" Kitchi called after the brunette, but received no answer. He hurried after the brunette, wanting to ask about the yells and the screams and if Prince Ventus was alright, but he could tell the other was no in the mood to talk.
The young prince took in some deep breathes as he clenched and unclenched his fingers to maintain control and quickly stole away to his room, locking Kitchi out, not in any malicious way, but he really needed some alone time.

He paced the whole of his room, once, twice, thrice... yet he felt no better. Why? Why was this happening? First Roxas runs away claiming he has to find his lost balance and but now Ventus was hurting and the person he loved could possibly be... be...
"AAAARGH!" The brunette screamed, his wings bursting onto his back. He whirled around and with as much force as possible, slammed his fist into the wall. It hurt and his knuckles scraped hard against the stone. His blue wings, normally brilliant bright and full of cheer, where dim and dark, full of the pains of sorrow.
He fell to his knees placing his head against the wall and sobbed, shoulders shaking. He couldn't help but hurt... hurt for his brothers.

Kitchi jumped when he heard the scream from inside, his heart jumping into his throat. "Prince Soran!?" He called reaching for the doorknob.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
His fingers froze, shocked at the tone. He bit his lip. Not having brothers himself he did not know how Soran must be feeling right now...


Hatori merely watched Xehanort take his leave, growling in fury. Once the man and his pathetic son were gone he shaking got to his feet, shaking his head. He glanced back at the Atterian before disregarding them with a flick of his tail and quickly walked for home.

Terra grunted as he was lifted up, making a noise of pain - before he was suddenly and carelessly tossed through a portal. He was overcome, for just a second, in pure, restricting cold, before he slammed into cold hard ground. He yelped, the impact jarred his battered and hurting body, and he made no attempts at getting up this time. He needed rest...

His eyes however snapped open when he heard claws clicking towards him and felt things sniffing at him, poking at him. His eyes widened at the sight of all different sorts of beats of all shapes and sizes. "GET AWAY!" He barked loudly, and with energy and adrenalin he didn't know he had he shot to his feet and rushed to the back of the room, pressing his back against the wall. He snarled at the beasts, body shaking with the intent to fight. "What?! You want me?! Fuckers come and try me!"

[Rikugurl]

Ventus shivered a bit as he laid on the table, not sure or knowing what was going on around him. He had fallen into a deep sleep... All he knew was that he could no longer feel Terra's warmth... breath Terra's kisses or kiss Terra's tears.

Terra was gone.
Terra was in trouble.

And all he could do was wait till... he awoke. What he would do... he didn't know... He wanted to bust out, head right to the portal and into Atteris... but he knew that Terra couldn't be there any longer.

"I love you, Terra"

Jet sighed as he heard the news. Xehanort wasn't wasting time... The moment the spell broke, he was making up for all the years he lost.

He didn't know how long they had before the mage came after Norn again... but it wasn't going to be too far away.
They would need to train harder... and get ready for the worst.

The king looked up, frowning but sighed. "Runa.... please find Falknir and get all the information you can from him about this charm. Gin, lecture your men that a war will be starting soon... and take them out of training. We need to get them fitted for combat armor and then into one on one combat training. Lady Riri, I need you to start making extra potions and elixirs along with remedies. Sir Artios, please start making Light based potion and any other majickal potions that we would need against this army. I'll call a group of volunteers to take on the project of finding Roxas."

He slowly looked out, seeing that Soran was gone. He must of left... but he couldn't blame his boy. He knew Kitchi was watching him for now.
"Also Sir Artios, since Roxas is still missing... I must ask you to take Soran as your apprentice for the time being." He looked down at his blonde son, a hand at his forehead once more. "And Ventus... will be the heir to the throne until my son comes back..."


"You're quite a coward for being an Atterian."
The elder voice broke the tension of the room, making all the black beast looked towards the old man with the crooked back. Yellow eyes peered over them at the blue eyed man against the wall. "You hide away where no one could find you, ate nothing but birds that you stole from others, only killed for the love of your mother and mated with a Shee. Not just any Shee, one of the three princes, no less. My, you're a rare one."

A grin arose as he pointed to the wall next to him. A door suddenly appeared and seemed to unlock. "In that room is a bed, bandages, food and fresh water. I want all my soldiers to be in best health." He turned, some of the beast getting up and walking to him. "Get some rest Terra Tellis... training will start tomorrow." He slowly started to walk off, the beast following him. "And don't worry... the charm might be broken... but you will see Prince Ventus soon enough."

The door slammed closed, only a few beast sniffing around. They were vicious looking but didn't seem to have any interest in Terra at all as they laid around lazily.
Especially the back wolf who was sleeping in the corner. His snores had a soft whimper to them.

[Reno]

The four in the room instantly turned to Jet as he started giving orders. By the end of his commands the fur each had a job to do.

Runa soared a glance to her sleeping son, the new heir until Roxas returned, before turning to Artios. "Train Soran well." She hesitated for only a moment before sighing and hurrying from the room. This was what Falknir told her:
"A second charm like Ven's? Ah yes I did happen to make one, upon the boy's request. Pure gold it was and slightly bigger then his own. A true beauty if I do say so myself."
"Did he say why he wanted it?"
"Ah, no Queen Runa he did not specify that and I apologize but it was not my business to pry. However I do get the feeling it was meant for a special someone. He wanted it right away."
"I see..." The queen sighed. "Thank you Falknir." She turned to leave.
"Ah, Queen Runa!" She paused. "I do not know if this helps, but I do recall that when I was just getting around to polishing the charm off, he mentioned something about a.. a wolf."
"A wolf?"
"Yes, I believe he stated I hope that wolf likes it."
"Wolf..." She gasped. "Thank you!" And out the door she went.
"Ah it is so refreshing to have such an eccentric queen."

Gin shut his eyes and nodded to his friend. "Understood." He knew that tone in his friend's voice. That ominous tone of something terrible is going to happen. It was... the same one he had the day that his mother ran off.
This was basically his speech:
"Everyone, training will not be held today." Cheers erupted across the army, red-wings practically bursting with silence.
"Training will not be held because we are preparing for combat."
Dead silence.
"Today it has been confirmed. Xehanort has risen again." Sharp gasps, wide yes, confused glances. "For all you who do remember, he was a tyrannical man bent on universal power and, during Sorias' reign, was our greatest enemy. Sorias sealed him away - but it has broken and now he is after us once more." He took a breath. "It also has been confirmed he is beginning to collect his army. We do now know the numbers he has gathered already but we do know he is enlisting the Atterians to his side." Outrageous roars broke out.
The silver-wing raised his hands, silencing them all. "We do not know when he will begin his attacks or where that is why we must get ready for the worst." His wings fluttered before he stretched them out, making himself look both imposing and strong. "Yet, when the time comes we will be ready! I have trained you all and I'm confident in each and every one of your skills. We will not allow this man to take us down. We will persevere. We will protect the crown, Norn and the very Balance of this world!"
Cheers, and the chant of his name greeted him. He knew they would need more confidence, more speeches in the future... would need every hopeful word he has and more. But for now... it was time to get new clothes.

Riri was silent as Jet gave her her orders. Her eyes were melancoly but she nodded in silence. She said few words that day, because she knew by the time this war was over, there would be much grieving and pain.
"Do not worry King Jet. I will watch after prince Ventus." Was the only thing she said as he left, before promptly getting to work on her potions.

Artios however, looked uneasy as everyone left. He looked at Jet, murmuring softly. "I understand your order Sire, but... you do know what this means for Prince Soran right?" Jet gave him a look that made the mage blush a little and he bowed his head. "I understand sorry." He turned and left the room.
Soran took the news fairly well:
"Prince Sora, your father has asked me to teach you the magical arts."
"He... he has?!"
"Yes."
"Just like you did for Roxas?!"
"Yes, the very same regime - though we'll have to speed it up a bit. You won't learn all the spells probably in time for the war to begin, but I will show you what I can."
"I can;t believe it!" Soran cried excitedly.
"Prince Soran... you do realize that not only will you be learnign spells... you will also be taking your brother's place."
"His place... y-you mean I get to be part of the army!"
"Only if needed Soran." Artios chuckled, surprised at how overjoyed the brunette was. "You won't be ranked the same as Roxas either, but you will have a placement in it."
"WHOO!" Soran cried, throwing his pillow up in the air, "let's get started now!!"
Artios nodded. "Alright, follow me." Unfortunately, he knew... that they would definitely be needed in the war.


That night, however, wasn't a bustle of activity for all. For two, ironically both water specialists, had already felt the trajedy of war.

Demyx sighed staring down at the water. Everyone and awhile his reflection would ripple a a drop of liquid unsettled its surface. Tjhe blonde sniffled, rubbing his scratched up cheek with care, ignoring the burn of salt in his wounds. He was scratched up all over from his many trips in the forest, searching and searching for Puppy. He;d asked all around town even went to the castle, spoke with the queen herself (actually she sought him out first, asking about a charm but he had had no idea much to her disappointment) and now the moon was high in the sky and Demyx could no longer see into the forests for a wolf he knew he would not be able to find.

He rubbed his eyes again. He knew what had happened - they had been split apart. The darkness had taken Puppy away again and as luck would have it he hadn't been nearby like the last time... so now... he was alone.

"I see the movement of the moon,
Time passing by innnn the daaaark
And I wonder where... you are tooooonight.
No answer to my caaaalling,
and this night issss going by much. to. slow!
Oh I hope it doesn't end with me being here alllll aloooone.
I wonder where...
I wonder where....
I wonder whereeeeee youuuu arrrrre tooooo~niiiiiiiiiiiiiight."

He laid down on the grass, not because he was tired but because he was cold, and sighed to the night air. "Good night.... puppy."


The armor was placed with care atop the barren bed, before soft footsteps left the dark room, shutting the door almost soundlessly. The woman issued a sad slow sigh, sounding almost wretched as she walked down the hall. "Alone again." She whispered, sounding none too happy.

The metal of her own armor creaked together loudly as she laid down on the couch - and there she dozed off.
An hour later she snapped awake, a hazy dream still in place that she hardly remembered the details of - only a smoky darkness, the back of her best friend getting further away and the words 'Follow me, follow me' echoing in the nothingness.

Aqua breathed hard, before she snatched up her spear carelessly laying on the floor and tore out of the house - not even careing to shut the door.


Hiss and groans echoed in a small room, so distorted and strange it was like the noises of a dying animal. However from the disregarded clothes strewn about on the floor and the lumbering form on the bed, it was obvious it was quite human.

Terra pulled his wet feet out of the water basin he was currently using as a bath. He patted his feet down very, very carefully with the edge of his sheets before grabbing the bandages and wrapping them around his broken, scabbing feet. He had burnt them badly, and running around on them for even that short amount of time had caused them more harm then good. His hands were the same only mildly better.

Strips of bandages covered several parts of his body, mostly where the blisters had popped up. He had been able to cure some of the damage done with his tongue and healing ability, but after walking through a desert all day and having that fight with his father, he had no energy left to finish the job.

He sprawled out on the bed once his feet were taken care off, feeling like he was just one big ache. A fucking piece of meat that didn't get burnt all the way. With each heartbeat he felt a new rush of pain, and the intensity of it was starting to make his eyes water. What he wouldn't do for some painkillers - whatever those were, or that numbing stuff the humans used. Novocaine? Or maybe that was just for teeth.

He had to figure out what to do. He didn't want to be part of Xehanort's army - but he obviously couldn't go home, lest he be killed again by his father. But... But Xehanort wanted to... to KILL the Shee...

He turned on his side, groaning. If he had his charm he could have warned Ven. Now... Now he was stuck her and would watch it be destroyed...

No! He suddenly fought against himself. I won't be a coward... No matter what it takes... I'll save Ven's planet! He had to... because Ven loved his home and he would protect that... because he... he...

"I'll make it to you Ven." Terra whispered. "I need to tell you something." In the end, is was pure exhaustion and not comfort that lulled the burnt Atterian to sleep that night.


The next morning...
"So what CAN you do?"
"Uh... I'm really good at defense spells."
Artios sighed a little. "I'll be the judge of that. Call up a shield."
Soran blinked but nodded. "Okay..." He lifted his hands, and with a call of 'protect!' a blue barrier covered his body protectively. It was thin and fragile looking.
Artios tilted his head before he approached the brunette, placed his fingers against the barrier and mumbled "Thunder."

Soran watched in amazement as the lightning split off in a thousand directions on his shield, crackling with amusement as if this was a game.
Artios tilted his head then smirked appreciatively. No burn marks. "I'm going to try some strong spells, so give it all you got."
"Right!" He watched his teacher flutter off to a farther distance and, without warning turned around and shot off a high level ice spell. The frozen water shattered upon impact with the barrier. Soran continued to smile. Nothing was getting through his barrier!


"Traversing sun moon and stars,
swallowed by the inky blackness of space,
Darkness I beseech you!
Lead me from this place!" The words were chanted and then there was a sharp glint of metal as it flashed through the air. there was the sound of something ripping like fine paper, and then a flowing, like water. A portal.

The creator only smiled triumphantly, htiched up her things and without further adieu, walked through the blackness. She left behind her house, ransacked of the important things like food and what not, and left behind also a spellbook she had discovered in the old temple.

"I'm coming after you jackass."


Runa sighed tiredly as she stood at the threshold of the castle, plans of the world in her hands. It had a map of all the buildings, the occupancy per building and even the outskirts of the forest. Red marks were all made onto it marking points of entry way that Xehanort could take as well as escape routes they would have to teach to all the Shee.

What would they do with all their people... could they hold them all in the castle if it came to that...?

A yell broke her from her musings and suddenly she looked only, only to gasp in shock as she saw something big and bulky standing atop the fountain. It had wings but they weren't that of a Shee - no they were scaly... like a dragon's. The figure was completely in blue from head to foot and in its hands... a spear. "Guards!" Runa called, panicked.

[Rikugurl]

Ventus slept under the watchful eyes of the medic while she tried her best at making the best potions possible. His fingers twitched as he shivered, cold from the room and the spell that Artios had put on him. He had no idea that when he awoke, he would be showered with questions about this charm... and that he would take Roxas's place as the heir to the throne.

He would have to learn much... and fight harder in the next few days.


When Jet left, he had the horn sound. It summoned the palace, all the Shee that were on Norn. When they gathered around the stairs of the palace, the king started to tell them the grave news:
"My people!" He stopped, remembering when he stood there with his father and mother that day.... delivering the blow that eleven Shee had died.
"Today... I will not deliver good news. I know that the Balance has been upset since the prince disappeared... and I know how you all feel the weight. Well.... unfortunately, Prince Roxas left a note, telling us to be aware of Master Xehanort's return."
The elders gasped in shock, their fear running through the crowd. It made those who didn't understand quite worried.

"When my father reigned, Norn was threatened by a dark power. King Sorias made it a private fight, getting his best men to make a separate and elite army. This army wasn't made due to the reason that my father put a curse on this man. I... will not keep this hidden like he. Master Xehanort is the third most powerful being in the universe. And... he is coming after Norn.'

There was a gasp as the Shee held onto their loved ones in fear.
"Our army will train harder... those who have one in the army might not see their loved one as much as they would like... but the men and women will have as much spare time to visit as I deem possible."
His blue eyes looked over his people before frowning.
"I want to tell this to all of you because everyone will have to work extra and together for the future war to protect Norn. More food needs to be produced and more helping hand will be needed for the castle as we prepare. Guards will keep eye at every corner, so do not be alarmed."

He sighed before smiling softly. "As king... I promise that nothing... nothing will destroy our home."
He bowed before turning and walking back to the palace.


Whimpering could be heard softly at the back of the throne. The cold atmosphere was one that he had wished to forget. He was hoping... that this curse would stay put. Sure... he didn't want to be in this form forever... but he learned how to get use to it... and now that he had found a dear friend... being a wolf wasn't so bad.
He... missed Demyx so much...

Golden eyes opened, looking up slightly as his head rested on his paws. He saw the sleeping bodied around him, all with black fur no matter what animal they might be. Bears, foxes, big cats of all sorts. All black... all swarming with Darkness.
Master Xehanort's Beasts of Darkness.

He closed his eyes and whimpered again before burring his face in his own fur. He could remember it like it was yesterday.

The waves crashed loudly as more dark figures with glowing yellow eyes came from it. One couldn't tell here this army stopped and where the ocean began. The sounds of people screaming in the back and the crackling of fire could be heard all around. People panicked, dropping their lanterns in the dark, making them break and catch on fire.

People ran away from the creatures, no matter how fast they ran though, the creatures would always catch up or jump on them, knocking them down. Moments later they would jump off, only to reveal a new creature of the same looks. People were turned into these monsters... and it was all happening in the blink of an eye.

A young boy with blue hair had just pushed the doors shut from the temple, trapping a girl inside for her own safety.
He looked back, seeing the town turn inside out.
"NOOO!"
A cry pushed out of his lungs as claws and fangs started to appear. The 'X' marked scar across his face tore open as his eyes started to glow.

He was the Berserker of this world, the ancient guardians of both dragon and people of Dragoon. Each region had one... and he was the one for Regole's region. Even if he was the youngest, he still had to protect those that he could.

He rushed out, ripping is claws through the creatures. He ran towards the town... but there were so many of them... that he could no longer push through. He suddenly tripped... but before a creature could take him like the rest, a dark portal pulled him in.

He fell through Darkness, the power of it soaking into his pores as he fell. His bones started to crack as his body started to change. Screams of pain filled the Darkness as black fur started to overtake him.
More and more his body deformed into something new. Something dark and powerful.

He suddenly landed on something cold and hard. His rips buckled under the force as he slammed down onto his side. Panting came out of the canine as he just laid there. His body was too weak... and his limps to alien for him to even figure out how to manage them. Slowly his golden eyes looked out, seeing boots walking over to him. "A wolf... how interesting."


The dark beast seemed like nothing compared to what was held in the next room. Larger creatures laid on the floor, all sorts of earth tones in their fur as some sort of horn came from their heads. All were different, none the same. It looked as if someone grabbed body parts from other animals and fused them into one.

One in particular didn't seem to be much too tired. He paced the back wall, keeping a good distance from the others. He was a black panther, jet black like the beast next door. His one yellow eye looked out at the others as he paced, trying to see if anyone would make a move. The ram horns that wrapped around his furry ears though blocked no sound. A heavy club at the end of his tail wagged back and forth.

The wound that had taken his other eye was easily seen now, along with his other many scars.
Unlike the one that took his eye though, the other scars were signs of a winning match... and everyone in this room knew it.
This Atterian wasn't like the others. No... he was Tellis... a long lost member of the strongest family on Atteris.
Xigbar Tellis.

The large paws suddenly stopped as he sat down. His tail wrapped around his front feet as he sighed.
Aqua....


"Terra......Terra.......Terra....?"
Darkness swallowed the young Atterian in his dreams as a voice called out to him.
It wasn't Ven's.... it wasn't Hatori's.... it wasn't even Xehanort's.
It was his mother's.
"Terra... Remember when you were little...and we would pretend around your father...? Now is the time to pretend to survive once again.... Your heart will not fail you, Terra..."



In the morning, the blonde that was now covered in some comfortable blankets shifted... and slowly blue eyes opened. A soft moan caught the attention of someone close by. The figure came in blurry at first, but after he blinked a few times, he recognized who it was. "L-lady Riri...?" A muffled voice came from the young prince.

He could feel a bandage around his head and an ache all over his body... but what was worse was... a connection felt like it was missing. A very.... important one. "W-w-what happened...?"


In one of the rooms, the king was busy at work, looking at the blue print of the castle and spotting the old dungeons. No Shee in the Golden Age ever stepped down there... there was no need to. There were no crimes to lock anyone up for. So... he was planning on making this space into safety areas for those of the castle and for the other Shee of the kingdom. They all needed one area to head for if separated... and this one would be it.

Brown wings around the table also looked at their copies, writing things down and drawing things out. Whatever they planned on doing, they all knew that they had to work quickly.
One was about to issue an idea when a red wing suddenly flew pass the window in a hurry. "Your majesty! The guards!" He pointed out.

Jet blinked and quickly stood from his chair. No... not already....
He rushed to the window to look out, seeing some guards heading towards the front of the palace. "Stay here!" He called as he rushed from the room and to the stairway down to the first floor. He rushed to the throne room and out the door to almost collide with his wife.

His eyes widened as he looked out, seeing some red wings surrounding the large fountain and pointing their spears at a figure that was at the top. A yellow wing was close by, a brown winged girl in her arms. "Hey you! Get off the fountain!" She cried up to the figure.

"HOLD IT! HOLD IT!" The king suddenly called as he walked down the stairs. "Put your weapons down."
The red wings looked over, slowly putting their spears down as the king came close and made some room for him. The brunette looked up, seeing the figure look at him. Jet suddenly bowed his head. "I am sorry about all that... but may I ask why a Dragoon is here on Norn?"

Latium had taught Jet about the Dragoons and Berserkers that looked over the well being of Dragoon. He also remembered commenting on how unoriginal the name of the guardians were.

[Reno]

The nurse was just grinding down herbs into powder for her next set of potions when she heard a soft groan from the bed. She looked up, black circles under her tired eyes. She say Ven shifted on the bed and gasped, hurrying to the bedside.

She perched over the blonde, watching his eyes opened and when he recognized her she couldn't help but smile. It looked like he didn't have too many bad after-effects to the head wound.

"You hit your head when you fighting Gin." she said before hesitating. "He said you 'faltered' and stumbled backwards and he pushed you over... and so he brought you here and you started having nightmares. So Artios had to come in." She nibbled on her lip before finally telling him. "Apparently Xehanort had... had contacted you through your charm by some sort of duplicate so Artios had to break the connection."


Aqua opened her eyes shivering in her armor. The pathway had been extraordinarily cold. She blinked, looking around in wonderment Not even realizing how precarious a position she was in - though it did strike her as odd how much higher up she was then the other... people. Were they people? They all had WINGS

Then again so did she but hers were fake. She had a very unnerving notion that these were not. The next thing she knew was a call for 'guards' and suddenly ten or so red-winged things were surrounding her, pointed spears at all from all directions and some annoying woman was yelling at her.

Well, her plan didn't work so well. She growled some, holding her spear - the joke was on them. SHE was on a fountain - and that was the besat place she could be for a fight.
However before she could call up a devastating water spell to knock these creatures out of the way a new person came onto the scene, the men easily breaking away from the rest. From the way he walked and talked and commanded respect, it was easy to see he was the leader of this world.

At the man's question she reached up pulling off her helmet, revealing blue hair and blue eyes and the face of a woman - much to the shock and horror to the men surrounding her. "So you know where I'm from - but I'm sorry to say I have no idea where the fuck I am." She looked around a bit before jumping from the fountain landing on it's edge. "I'm looking for a friend of mine." She said simply. "His name's Xigbar, got an eye-patch, ass face, and a tendency to say 'as if' you seen him?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven looked at Riri as she talked. Fell over? There was no way Gin could of pushed him down like that! He was a lot stronger than one would think... and... it just didn't make any sense!

However, when she mentioned Xehanort, his heart froze. Connected...
Charm!?
His eyes widened as he sat up. The pressure from the blood made him dizzy but he still cried out. "TERRA!" That was Terra's charm! No one else! Why had....
NO!
The blonde gripped his hair, starting to pull it. He could no longer feel Terra's warm... or kisses....

He could be DEAD!

"No! No! NO!" He cried, tears running down his face. "We have to go save him!"


Jet blinked as the figure pulled off the helmet, revealing a woman. Some of the guards gasped and swallowed, lowering their spears more.

Dragoon was a yellow world. The Shee had made bonds with the dragons themselves... but not the humans who lived there. All human worlds were yellow...

Jet swallowed a bit as the woman landed in front of him. That language was a bit harsh on the ears and from the corner of his eye, he could see Firi covering Lilo's ears and growling.
"Uh... well, miss.... you're on a world called Norn... and I am the king. King Jet's the name." He smiled softly and nodded. "I haven't seen your friend you talk of though. No one here has an eye patch."

He looked around before looking back at the woman. "You've come quite far to go looking for him... maybe we could help?"

[Reno]

Riri jumped a little at the blonde's outburst quickly sitting on the bed and wrapping an arm around his shoulders to steady him. Ven. Ven calm down!" She rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. "It;s okay, everything's okay." But who was Terra? She didn't recognize the name... It was certainly not one they would give their own. Had Ven made friends with someone else on one of the other blue worlds?

If only she knew...

But she really was beginning to wish she had an assistant. She needed to inform the king that his son was awake.


"King?" She repeated with a soft laugh. "Wow, you guys live in the stone age" Haven't they ever heard of democracy?! "The name's Aqua Umi, the best damn Dragoon Guardian to Regole you'll ever know." She spun her spear on her fingers more in a show of power then anything before placing the tip on the ground in a show of good faith.

"You're going to help a stranger?" She asked suddenly, sounding suspicious. "You people are rather... peculiar."

[Rikugurl]

Footsteps padded outside the medic ward as a dark skinned Shee passed. He stopped before blushing a bit. Some flowers were in his hand. This was it... Gin let them take a 10 minute break...
He was more of a messenger than a fighter... but Sir Gin had called for help to any red wing who was willing to fight...

This might be his only chance to finally tell Riri how he felt.
He hardly saw her... only when he was running messages... but her compassion and talent... made his heart pound.

He took deep breath before reaching for the handle and--
"NO!"
His eyes widened as the flowers dropped. Something was wrong!
Dyre burst into the room, looking around to see that Riri was ok... but the wounded prince seemed out of it. "I-is everything already Lady Riri...?"


Firi continued to frown as her daughter wiggled in her arms... but her hand were NOT letting go... and it didn't seem like any time soon either.

Jet blinked and raised his eyebrow a bit.
Humans... no respect at all.
He tilted his head and sighed, nodding a bit though. "I see... well, it's a pleasure to meet you Aqua. And yes... you seem peculiar to us as well." He laughed whole heartily before shaking his hand. "We Shee wish to help those in need... so we would be glad to find your friend."

His face became trouble though. "Unfortunately... we have a crisis of our own. Finding your friend won't be our top priority I am afraid...and I am sorry since you used my strength to come looking for him."

[Reno]

Riri jumped as well at Ven's loud yell, quickly backing away. She knew she shouldn't be afraid, that the prince was really quite a humble and sweet boy - not very gentle but still. Yet, he was not acting quite like himself. She didn't want to anesthetic him though - not when he had just woke up!

She turned around, hearing the yell and tear of relief filled her eyes. Dyre! By Norn, she couldn't of asked for better luck! "I'm not sure! Oh Dyre please could you get Queen Runa or King Jet?" She turned suddenly to see Ven trying to get out of better. "Oh no you stay put Prince Ven! You need to rest!" She said, reaching for his arm and yanking him back.


She looked around at the faces staring at her, smirking. Unlike Jet, she was liking this - the uncertainty, the disappointment, the anger, the shock. Even if it were she who should be freaking out considering she was in a sea of winged weirdos. Winged weirdos. Hey they were fairies!

"Heh, what do you mean 'used all my strength' Mr. Fairy King?" She held up her head proudly. "I've got a lot to spare. If he's not here I'll just have to lo-"

A dizzy spell overcame her and she stumbled backwards suddenly, her spear slipping from her grasp. She caught herself on the rim of the fountain, blinking some. She waved her hand as some of the other Fairies started to move forward. She didn't want their help. "Okay... I lied."


"And that's the jist of it." Roxas explained as he pulled on his shirt, glancing back at Axel. "When I came to this world at first and fell in love with you, somehow it ruptured my inner Balance. When I'm at home, I feel... well mentally sick I guess." He shrugged his shoulders before sitting on the window ledge. "This world really did get to me."

"If I'm ever going to be a good heir... or a good brother... or a good lover... I need to find my Balance again Axel. Or die trying." He sighed. "And I need to do it soon... before He comes back. Xehanort."


Terra stepped out of his room on uneasy feet, but his eyes were narrowed with a sharp determination, his mother's dream words ringing in his head and a plan of betrayal wandering in his head. He had to... pretend to survive.

He could do that.

He stepped into the throne room - and rolled his eyes as he saw the beast fighting over their morning meal like lesser Atterians commonly did. He put his hands in his pockets and stepped forward, effortlessly kicking down a fox and a coyote fighting over a bowl and picked it up, eating from it himself.

[Rikugurl]

Dyre blinked as he saw the look on Riri's face. She was... happy to see him? A blush came over his dark skin but he blinked, seeing that she indeed needed help... and was only happy because... she needed a message to be sent. His wings drooped a bit but he nodded. "Of course, Lady Riri! I'll call them at once!" With a swift flap, he was gone and down the hallway.

He quickly flew over maids and the like, trying to pick up the power of either the king or queen. It seemed like they were both outside.
He flew through the doors, landing next to it and looked out, seeing some guards and the kind talking to... a human?

But he shook his head as he noticed the queen watching from afar. He rushed to her and fell to one knee and bowed his head. "My Queen, Lady Riri has asked for your presence at the medic. It seems that Prince Ventus has awoken from his slumber."

Back in the room, the boy yelped as he was pulled back. He whimpered in defeat, his strength not with him as his head ached. small tears started to form as he just shook his head. "Terra..."


Jet's eye started to twitch. He had never met such a rude person in his life... and mind you, he had met many people being king and all. He was starting to wonder how decent this friend of hers was.

His eyes widened though as the woman started to fumble and he reached out, but she caught herself. This wouldn't do.
He looked at some of the guards, seeing their unease and fear that they would have to help something so rude.
"Alp, Klahan... please help our guest to a room for her to rest."
The two swallowed and looked at each other before slowly walking up to the woman and helping her stand.


Bat wings flapped as narrow eyes watched the other dress. He himself was still in the nude, laying on his stomach as his tail wagged back and forth in the air slowly. He frowned though, having listened to the very odd story.
So... Xan had come to him in a dream along with his super great grandfather, Isa. He didn't know much about the history of the Shee... but Roxas had filled him in.

Slowly he shifted out of bed and caught his footing. With a wince from a pain that ran up his spine, he limped a bit towards the window and leaned up against the rocky wall.
Green eyes looked down at the other and frowned. "How will you find this Balance though?" He looked out at the world; red, orange, black. There was no balance here.


On another planet far away, the ocean waters crashed on the shore. They also crashed around a set of ankles.
Silver hair blew in the tropical sun as a hand cupped over aquatic eyes so the sun wouldn't get in the way as he looked out into the horizon.

He had looked far and wide, all over his house and the island for a letter... but he came back empty handed. Had he forgotten? Was he too busy with something?
Worry ran over him... stronger than the worry he had once felt when Kairi didn't show up to school because she was sick.

He sighed before shaking his head. He would have to wait until tomorrow. He looked back, seeing the empty raft that need some more work. Maybe... he wasn't looking hard enough.
The last two were easy to find...
He slowly walked off, trying to think of all the places that he might of missed.


The the darkness of the Twilight, the throne room was full of sounds of small fights and hungry beast. The lower part of the room was occupied by the very few Atterians who had come through the portal, about ten was 30 Beast of Darkness ate near the throne.

Even the 'X' marked wolf was trying his best to get what food he could. He snarled as he tried to chomp down some raw meat as a bear tried to grab it. This wasn't the way it was suppose to be. That kind sharing that he was once so use to.
It felt like... he was back home... only 10 times worse.
He didn't flinch as a more powerful vibe came from a new figure... all he cared about was getting something in his empty stomach. It wasn't use to starving anymore.

In the back of the room, a yellow eye watched the figure walk in...and nonchalantly kick two dogs who were fighting over meat. At first he just shrugged it off, wondering why a human was here... and why they were interested in raw meat... when the coldness of the room brought a scent.

His eye widened, licking his chops from blood as he swallowed a piece of fat. He too wasn't use to the slimy feeling of raw meat anymore. Oddly enough, he had become quite the cook. He favored cook meat over cannibalism plus it would keep him sane. He already had something else to push at the limits of his sanity. Something with blue hair.

The smell however made him growl. It was familiar in a way... but not in another. He continued studying the boy eating the meat. He even looked...
A Tellis?

All of this was bringing back memories of Atteris. All the memories that he tried to forget.
Tried to forget... that he was an Atterian himself.
Not just any Atterian... one that was once feared more than his little brother was now. He was a... pure monster back then.

His tail wagged as he slowly started to leave the room. That boy was a Tellis... therefore he could only come from another. His brother. That boy must of been his nephew... and what was worse was that... if things stayed the same after he left... that boy was also Ida's son.
He couldn't imagine something coming from Ida and surviving this long...

[Reno]

Runa was watching the strange human girl that ended up on their world. Her attitude was nothing to admire that was for certain, but... Dragoon was noted for it's poor colonies and weak govenmental system, so her personality while a little more over the top then most of her people was nothing truly exceptional. the harsher the conditions, the more unpleasant they were.

This one nevertheless seemed to have a lot of strength (and for a girl at that!) - the fact that she could conjure up magic at all in itself was a feat that most of her species never did pick up or only acquired second-hand. Most humans didn't believe in the existence of magic, nor did they try out it's arts. But Dragoon had always been recognized as a... special world... one that previous kings had talked of joining alliances with but unifying with humans was typically a forbidden endeavor. Too many risks.

It seemed... all sorts of odd events were happening all of a sudden. Was it possible the appearance of this girl, 'Aqua' was not all completely coincidental?

Before her thoughts could get too far, her eyes grew concerned at seeing the girl stumble and she was about to step forward to make sure all was alright when a the sight of the red-wing she froze, then she faltered a little at the news. "Thank you Dyre." She said gratiously, before off she went for her son's room

Riri watched Dyre go before looking back at Ven, seeing the look in his eyes. She... did not know what she could do...
Just as she was starting to become frantic about the tears she say forming in the boy's eyes, her ray of light showed up in the form of the queen.

She looked back, but the red-wing did not bother to ask any questions. Mothers all over knew one universal truth - when their baby was crying, they needed someone to cry on. So when Runa just sat down and embraced her son, asking him whatever the matter was, she respectfully left the two alone, walking out the door.

And found a pile of flowers not two feet from the threshold. It was not an unusual sight for her to see. She had seen flowers being given to her patients many, many times before - what was odd was that they had been left there to be stepped on and crushed. She wondnered who had come to leave them for Ven - possibly a nervous admirer who had backed out at the last second.
She leant down to scoop them up, feeling the softness in their petals and the freshness of their stems. Petals had fallen off, their stems were broken and their leaves sadly torn - they were nothing beautiful like what they once where. "Poor dears..." Riri whispered, her eyes sorrowful. "You've been forgotten too huh?"


Aqua's eyes narrowed a bit as the two men approached her. She gave both of them an unnerving stare that seemed to make them hesitate.

Accepting help... was not an easy thing for her to do. No one had ever offered it when she was little. No one took her in, no one taught her, no one offered her a home after she had lost everyone in her life.

There was only one who came to her aid. He gave her what she couldn't afford and fed her what she couldn't make herself - which at the time was nearby everything. But his distance in her early years also gave her independence. She learned how to fight by herself, how to cook, how to sew, how to farm, how to mend things...
And in the end, she stopped needing him less and less, and instead started to enjoy the gifts given to her. In her teenage years she had written a note or two, telling him she was fine, she could make it on her own, but the gifts kept coming - he being the stubborn fool he was.
And eventually... it was her who held out the helping hand back to him. She took him in, taught, gave him the home. And they were happy - messed up but happy.

And now, she had someone else trying to steal that happiness. When she five, all she could do was sit back and be along for the ride. But now, at eighteen, she was no longer helpless or weak. She wasn't going to stand back and let her happiness be taken away again.

But to do that...
She glanced towards Jet, her eyes suddenly full of a strange melancoly as her thoughts wavered down memory lane. She said nothing as the men took her arms and started to take her away.

She was walked down white walls with odd paintings and weird sculptures that looked deformed and unnatural. The colors were too bright for her eyes (jeez were these people doped up on optimism something?) and was lead to... a rather nice-looking room. and very... very large. About four tiems the size of her own quaters. "Sure don't waste space, do ya?" she mumbled, but the words were harsh. She saw the faces of the guards twist, both of them looking ready to defend their king. She just waved them off, walking over to the bed by her own power.

The two were only too happy to leave. Then and only then did she allow herself to collaspe again, this time atop the bed. She shut her eyes, breathing softly - when noises from outside made her eyes open.

She stared out an ornate window, large and arch-framed with crystal clear glass as if a speck of dirt had never touched them - to see a boy with blue wings and brunette hair hands held out in front of him as if he were surrendering against another fairy with purple wings. She saw a flash of flames come from the purple-winged one that made her hair stand on end - and it smacked against the boy. "Holy shit!" There was a rocketing explosion and suddenly the boys body twisted threw the air and fell into the ground.

It remained motionless for a moment or two, long enough to make her believe the boy was dead, when there was a movements from the wings and with a soft flutter the boy picked himself up, brushing off his clothes like it was nothing. They seemed to be saying something, then they laughed - and Aqua understood. Sparring.

So this world wasn't all pretty flowers and over-gratious kings. There WAS a dark side.


"In the middle of chaos, the man who stands without screaming is the strongest of all." Roxas quoted, no doubt from someone from many years past in his world, before looking at Axel, cocnerned about his limp but knowing the other would brush it off as nothing if he asked - or would beg him for a butt massage.
...
Eh, he was better off not asking.

He looked off towards the horizen again. "Once when I was a kid, there was a big thunderstorm during the night and Ventus, Soran and I all snuck out of our bedrooms. We were scared and wanted to go to our parents rooms - Ven had heard that what other Shee children did when they were afraid of something, and we always tried... to be normal. So, we snuck off. But we were young, barely four at the time and we had trouble remembering the halls. Before then, we had always had someone to lead us. Naturally we got lost."
Roxas said, chuckling in amusement. "We just kept walking in circles again and again - so much so we couldn't remember the way back to our rooms either. I remember how much bigger everything seemed that night; how dark and scary. The shadows kept moving with every bolt of lightning and pretty soon I had convinced myself that there were monsters in the halls with us. I remember crying and begging my brothers to hurry and find mom and dad and pretty soon Ven was crying with me too - but Soran dragged us into the nearest room. It was some old, durty guest room that the cleaning crew must of been negleting for quite awhile. We couldn't turn on the lightswitch, we were too little. I only got a very small look at it - I saw in one of the flashes. Lots of webs and dust and scary looking things and started to panic. So Soran hugged me... and pretty soon Ven too. And there we were, crying our eyes out while the thunderstorm kept roaring outside."
The blonde looked up towards the window frame, silent and contemplative for a moment before he ccotinued. "... I'll never forget what Soran told us that day. He said 'That even in the deepest darkness, there will always be a light that never goes out'."

The orince looked at Axel then, smiling a little. "When I... did that Danza... I felt it for just a second. My balance - that light I lost sight of. It's still there, I just haven't been looking because I've been on Norn where the light always is. To look at all, first I have to be in the darkness." He shut his eyes. "And then... I'll find my way to it again. And I think the key... is in doing some of your guy's customs."


Terra wandered to another spot in the room, something more solitary and deserted then the rest of the room, and ate his captured food, wondering when the 'training; would begin.

He liked his meat cooked as well - he had put culinary books to good work, even if he couldn't find most of the herbs or seasonings necessary. He used what he could find. He'd even tried cinnamon chicken. Not the best of combinations, truly. Too... sweet.

He hated sweet. Unless that sweetness was-
Get him out of your head. He scolded himself, his eyes darting towards the ceiling. He was glad the room was dark because it hid the tinting of his cheeks.

He had to be careful here. He didn't know how, but when Xehanort's eyes had pierced him, he felt soemthing ivnading his brain, invading his thoughts and his life. That... was not good. He wasn;t going to let him see anything else if he could help it. Especailly not Ven. Ven was for his eyes only and thats how ti was going to stay.

[Rikugurl]

Ven continued to sniffle, trying to hold back his tears. For being so brave and smart... he had to admit that he cried the most out of all his brothers... even Roxas was getting better at it. His mother said that crying actually made you stronger. It got out what you needed to clean your mind when fighting. All that pressure wasn't build inside to effect your concentration.

He whimpered until he saw familiar hair... and red wings. That was when he couldn't hold it anymore. "MOTHER!" He suddenly cried out, more tears running down his face. He wrapped his arms around his mother's neck as she held him. His shoulders shifted and he continued a muffle cry on her shoulder. His arms started to shake, the coldness of his charm making him feel sick.

He needed... to tell her.

He pulled away, not bothering to wipe his face from tears and snot that was running down it. "M-mother...I..." He gulped as he whimpered some more. "T-terra's in trouble! I-I gave him a charm so that I could make sure he was ok since he's so far away... and and Artios broke it! NOW I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S OK! I DON'T!" He cried out before he started to cry again and the wings on his back started to glow brightly.


Dyre watched the queen go back inside before seeing two men he knew well take the woman. He frowned, seeing the look on her face. He too was a bit uneasy having a human on Norn... but it was alright with the king. Sometimes he wished the king wasn't so generous...

He blinked though as he looked up, seeing the sun's position. It had definitely been longer than 10 minutes. Gin was going to KILL him. He frowned as he rushed back inside and was about to head back to the field when he stopped. The flowers!
ACK! What was he suppose to do!?
He closed his eyes and pulled at his black hair before blinking. Maybe he could use the excuse about having to tell the queen the news to buy him some extra time.

With that, he flapped his red wings and flew up the stairs as quickly as possible... but his worse fear came true. He landed, his cloak fluttering down around him as he swallowed. Lady Riri had already picked up the flowers... and they looked horrible from being dropped. He looked down, about to walk off when he stopped himself. It was... now or never and he knew it.

Blue eyes looked back, highlighted from his darker skin. There was only one family with dark skin on Norn. They were from a very small tribe that was the only remaining tribe on Norn. They were on the other side of the world and were known to be mostly black winged... therefore not wanting to associate with the kingdom. This is where Jet's mother must of gone off too whens he abandoned her duty as queen...

Slowly he moved down the hallway towards the medic and stopped close by.
"I...I'm sorry Lady Riri... those flowers were... for you. I-I'll buy new ones for you." He stated bashfully.


Jet sighed as he watched the woman walk off, seeing that look on her face. Runa knew more about those from other worlds... and probably understood Aqua's behavior better than himself. She seemed troubled... and more independent for her own good. The kind of feeling that she wanted to hand more than what was on her plate.

He shook his head and looked around at the other guards. "I believe you have training to do?"
They all saluted and quickly flew off towards the field.
Jet turned and blinked, noticing that Runa was gone from where she was once standing. He quickly ran up the stairs and looked around. The door to the west wing was open. She must be up there.


Axel cocked his head as he listened to Roxas. All these stories... he couldn't relate to them. He didn't know what lightning was... or thunder. There was no ice in the clouds for lightning to occur. He also didn't understand the bond between siblings. Sure... he had a brother... but they didn't grow up together. His brother was already off onto his impish ways when he was born.

Imps... grew up fast.

There was no cute moments... no pictures, no videos.... no family gatherings. Once an imp was done weening and knew how to fly, their mother would leave them to themselves. This is why imps became such good watchers and caught onto things quickly. They had to for survival.

He sighed a bit but blinked as Roxas pointed out something.
"Our customs?" He frowned a bit as he thought. "Well... we like dancing... a lot." He looked out the window and around the town. "There's sex in public..." He pointed to two in the act. "Then there's lying and stealing" He pointed to a boy who had an apple behind his back, shaking his head at another who seemed to be asking a question.

"There's also cheating." He pointed to some imps playing a game with dice and bones, only for one to hide one under his butt. "And greed." He looked back at Roxas with a frown. "OH!" His face lightened. "And then of course, there's wearing leather pants!"


The panther walked out... only to bump into a pair of legs. His yellow eye widened as he backed up a bit, looking up. Yellow eyes looked down at him, a grin on the owner's face. "Going somewhere?" He pushed aside, walking into the room with the other beast and the panther growled, having a urge to follow.

[Reno]

Runa held onto her boys like mothers over the centuries had done many, many times before. It was rather ironic that her little fighter was also the one who cried the most, well her son that wasn't meant to fight at all, never did. Or well, tried never too.

She ruffled the blonde spikes of hair, murmured the occasional soft 'shhh' and 'it'll be okay' when her son decided to drop a bombshell on her as he suddenly started to talk about some friend she hadn;t known he had made. Suddenly it was like finding the rest of the pages to a story...

Terra....
Atteris.
Of course why hadn't she pieced it together before?!

She slowly pulled away, only to take her son;s shoulders in a comforting grasp, looking him straight in the eyes. "Wait Ven, wait. You mean to tell me... these past few weeks, Atteris is where you've been sneaking off too? And you made friends with an Atterian?" Her son, surprised she had already figured it out, could only nod.
"I'm so proud of you!" She said, delightedly as she pulled her boy in a hug. Well that wasn't a typical reaction... but how often did one get to see one their greatest ambitions being lived through her own child? "You really did do something no other Shee has done before!"

She got a whine of complaint and remembered the issue at hand. She blushed, embarrassed. At least now she knew the 'special someone' the charm had been made for. They must be really close! "Alright, alright, honey, you need to give me more details." And the story just kept coming out. She heard about Terra and the fight against his father - she heard mentions of revenge and a death toll ('How terrible!'), had even gotten the hint that Ven took Terra to fabled oasis of Atteris to recover from a venom wound. Learned about the stolen cloak and blue vials and interesting discovery...

By the end she was amazed to the point of disbelief. Someone like Terra existed on Atteris... so divided from his world he wasn't a cannibal, had a soft spot for books and only fought when he had too. It rebuilt her hope for the Atterians.... confirming a little something she had always known.

By the end of the story, Runa lent back. "Well the way I see it honey... now that you don't have the charm to tell you, the only option you have at this point," And here she gave him a small, mischievous smile, "Is to put on the cloak and go back to Atteris and see if you can find him, or gather information about what is going on."


Riri was just beginning to consider taking the flowers back inside to see if she could treat them - when suddenly she was approached once more by the familiar messenger. She looked up, before blinked, in shock. "Th... f-for me?" She stuttered, disbelieving. In all her years as a medic, she had watched thousands of patients be given flowers... and yet not one was ever spared for her. Call her jealous, but she felt wronged in some away. Especially after her mother had told her how beautiful she would grow and how all the boys would be falling all over each other to get her to fall in love with them - what a silly story...

She shook her head, when he mentioned getting new ones. "No!" She blushed darkly, realizing from his startled and hurt expression how bad that sounded and pet the flower petals nervously. "I mean... it's okay you don't have to get me new ones, I can take care of these. After all, that's what I do... tend to the hurt." She blushed more before looked at Dyre smiling unsure. "Dyre do you... do you really like me?"


Aqua, meanwhile, had made herself comfortable on her bed, a pillow in her lap as she watched the fight going on outside with interest. She had a feeling it wasn't anywhere near being finished. And she was proven right when magic flared and sizzled in the sky and the two leapt back into action - one on defense the other on offense. What a match!


Roxas listened to the list Axel made. At the whole sex in public thing his cheeks went rosy at the idea... but he couldn;t help the shot of excitement that made his gut twist.
No, no! It did NOT sound fun. If he had to beat that into his groin he would!

Cheating - well he could try that... if his conscience didn't get to him. Stealing well...

By the last one however Roxas laughed, smiling teasingly. "Are you actually telling me wearing leather is a RULE?" He couldn't believe it. "Come on Ax... I wouldn't look good in leather.... I don't exactly have um... anything to show."

[Rikugurl]

Ventus blinked as his mother looked at him, his cheeks red from embarrassment. He wasn't suppose to tell... but he couldn't keep a secret that might even hurt Terra. A nod was given before he closed his eyes. He yelped though as Runa pulled him close... into... a hug.

He knew that her life long dream was to make peace with the Atterians. She even got his father to start believing in it too.
Everyone thought they were both nuts.

He swallowed as he looked into her blue eyes, seeing that she was dead serious.
"W-well..." He sniffled and started to wipe the snot and tears away. "I decided to go to Atteris... because I wanted to see if you were right. I took the majickal cloak that held our power so that they wouldn't know I was a Shee... So I found a Atterian named Terra. He was having a hard time because he got stung by a venomous bite. I-I got him some water and helped him a bit. I found out that he lived in the library and that he liked reading. One day, I stumbled upon a list that had crossed out names and he told me that they were the ones that killed his mother. His father made him kill all these people and that he would be the last one Terra had to kill before his 20th birthday."

He sniffled more and shook his head. "W-we got pretty close... so I decided to bring him to the oasis... because it was so beautiful... I wanted to show him. So we crossed the desert and I made the charm for him to get him some of my strength to make it. We reached it... and..." He blushed a bit but smiled. "We played in the water... but that was when we were grounded..." He sighed uneasily as he shook his head. "And now... I can't even tell if he's ok..."

"Well the way I see it honey... now that you don't have the charm to tell you, the only option you have at this point,"
Ventus frowned. He knew what his mother was going to say. 'You can only hope and wait.'
"Is to put on the cloak and go back to Atteris and see if you can find him, or gather information about what is going on."

Blue eyes widened, still shining from the crying before. A smile started to form, and got bigger and bigger. "You- you really mean it!?"


The red wing Shee swallowed and looked down as she stuttered. However, he jumped and looked away as she suddenly declined. M-maybe this wasn't such a good idea...

When she spoke again, his uneasiness started to mend, picking up his head slowly as his blue eyes met hers. Her words... melted his heart. This would be... the first time he really TALKED to her outside of bringing a message to someone. She was as sweet and kind... as he had thought.

He bit his lower lip, blush coloring his dark cheeks.
"I... I do, Lady Riri. I-I've seen you every now and then. You have such a great talent... so soft and charming..." His cheeks flushed more. "I-I always felt bad... that... everyone seems to overlook your talent to help others... b-but I don't... a-a-and I-I th-think you're real beautiful..."


Axel blinked but grinned. "What do you mean! You can totally stuff your pants if you want. That's called tricking and us imps are good at that too." He gave the Shee a wink before spreading his wings. "Wait here." He suddenly jumped out the window in all his glory and soared over the tops of some homes.

A few minutes later, he came back, holding a pair of new pants. He handed it over and grinned. "There. And I'll just claim that you stole these." He nudged the other before eying him. "Try them on..."

[Reno]

Runa smiled, seeing her boy's excitement, and slowly she nodded. After hearing that incredibly story she knew that her son did have the capabilities to take care of himself - even amongst their enemy. And maybe she had forgotten that...

"Yes, I mean it. Protecting a friend is a very noble task... Of course your going to be careful now aren't you?" She said, falling into her strict mother mode.


Riri blushed more and more as his stuttering compliments, finding it honest and sweet. Words that she had never heard directed at her before became reality.... She couldn't help was she did next as she threw her arms around the other, hugging him tightly.

"You just have to wait for the right one to come along?"
"But How will I know if he's the right one Ma?"
"He'll be the one telling you he cares a little more each and every day. He's the one who never hesitates to share a smile. He'll be the one you'll known you can never let go..."

"I can't believe..." she whispered softly, flushed, "My Ma always said you'd... you'd find me but I had started to lose hope..."

Out of all the people she had been expecting, Dyre was far from it. Not because of his status or his skin or anything like that - although it was a bit peculiar that he liked her of all - but just simply because they hardly knew some another. She was a doctor, he was the main messenger for the king and queen and now, as the clothing told her, going to be part of the main firces that would defend their town soon...

The war... it seems it would not only be producing negative events....


Stuffing...? Roxas didn't ask because A, he didn't want to look like an idiot and B, he had a feeling he knew what it meant but didn;t want to ask exactly WHAT he would 'stuff'.

He blinked in surprise however When Axel suddenly announced for him to wait there and without further ado flew from the window, disregarding the fact he was completely naked. Roxas didn't find this extremely odd - though he was a little jealous - he did worry that the strain of moving around so much might hurt his uhhh... his ass.

When he heard the noise of wings returning he stepped away, letting the other fly into the roost. The landing wasn;t as perfected as it usually was, due to the limp in his legs, but for the most part he seemed okay - and had a pair of black leather pants in his hands. Oh joy.

"Where did you guys slaughter enough cows...." He mumbled more to himself as he took the garment. He took a few steps back, toeing off his shoes and started to unbutton his current pair of baggy jeans, he noticed two emerald eyes watching him intensity like he was putting on a show. Roxas blushed and scoffed at the redhead before showing his backside to the other - which in retrospect probably in creased his chances of getting jumped.

He kicked off the pants before slowly tugging on the new pair. Or at least he tried to. he struggled to get his legs in the tight confines - it wasn't uncomfortably so, they were obviously his size they were just more... huggy then he was used to. He wondered it he was going to crush himself, as he pulled the leather up his hips.