Chapter 1

The clouds were bruises on skin tinted coral.

That was what Brick first registered when opening his eyes, second being that he didn't recognize wherever he was.

He turned to his surroundings; a vast field with a dirt road slithering through the middle of nowhere as it curved over a hill that hovered over the horizon like a wave about to collapse. As he dashed down the road, a warm breeze swooned past him, carrying a filthy polluted odour that left a dusty taste in his mouth.

Upon reaching the peak of the hill, a town even farther out in the horizon stuck out against the hazy sky. His feet lifted from the hill, he headed for it in a streak of red.

A light alarm went off in his head as he neared the city and he lowered himself to the ground, walking the rest of the way in order to blend in with the crowds of people. He silently trekked along, his gaze curiously flitting around.

He registered that each and every one of them was wearing a black metal bracelet along with what appeared to be a metal collar. Brick shoved his hands into his pockets, ducking his head. He watched the rest with sideways glances.

They all appeared so broken. Each and every one with their own reaction to whatever fear that was eating away at them; they did however all have a few things in common. No one willing to make eye contact, and their heads downcast.

Eventually moving on from the zombie-like citizens, he began to take notice of just where he was headed. Poor, hut-like homes in dire conditions increased as the sky blackened.

Brick was contemplating on whether or not to risk being caught flying when a damp, hairy hand slapped at his face, snaking in from behind.

Blossom slipped through the doors of her small home, casting Him and Mojo a polite smile before narrowing her eyes at the sight of a handsome red-haired man seated on her small, pull-out couch.

Crimson eyes bore into hers behind entwined hands, eyes that glared into your very soul. On his head was a worn, red baseball cap that needless to say clashed with his intense, mature persona. His fiery red hair ended just at the back of his neck, and angled spikes poked out from underneath his cap, framing his face. As he pushed himself off the couch she came to realize he was no more than a head taller than her.

"Long time no see, Brick." She greeted in monotone. He didn't even care to respond.

"What exactly is going on?" He asked in a deep, steady voice.

Blossom sighed in response, "I can always count on you to get right to the point."

Cherry pink clashed against crimson as she met his eyes, "welcome to Bersana. A land ruled by a manipulating dictator who uses torture as a means to subdue her people." Blossom paused, letting it sink in.

"Great intro" Him whispered to Mojo, who nodded in agreement.

"I came here six years ago, and it's still not clear how or why. All I know is that I've been trapped for all this time, and have been trying to blend in with the citizens and stay inconspicuous. Unfortunately, that's really all you're getting from my side of this story." Blossom held Brick in a strong gaze, urging him to tell his own.

After a brief moment he broke their gaze, letting out an aggravated sigh in understanding.

"There's not much from my side either. I woke into this world less than twenty four hours ago."

Blossom's expression didn't shift, "so there's nothing."

"Why have they stopped talking?" Mojo asked Him, who bonked him on the head. Flashing a smile at the two as he turned their way. His eyes quickly darted away from two pairs of hostile eyes shooting them sideways glances.

"Ouch!"

Casting a glance at the living room clock Blossom quickly put a spin on the conversation, "Needless to say we're not really going anywhere, and it's getting late. We can talk about this tomorrow." She turned on her heel and had reached the foot of a narrow staircase when she caught Brick, Him and Mojo still seated in the living room from the corner of her eye.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she met Him and Mojo's confused expressions, "what?"

Him was the first of the two to collect himself, "well" his feminine voice spoke up as his mouth split into a smile, "we'd assumed you would be the one to give him a place to stay, considering me and Mojo are already filling up most of our cramped hut."

"We would not have that problem if you were to rid that small hole we call a home of those ridiculous amounts of hair products."

Blossom ignored him, peering at Him with narrowed eyes; but quickly masked her bemusement as they landed on Brick's now turned face.

"Oh." She corrected herself, "You could have the couch."

Author's Note

Well what'd I tell ya? SW is making a comeback!

See, I'm trying to speed up the process a bit.

I hope you enjoyed, this is more or less the layout I'll be having for each chapter. Reds, blues or greens. Not all at once.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed, chapter two is well on it's way.

You know how to show your support. ;]