Alright, this is a fic I started a while back, and I'm finally posting it. It might turn out to have romance hints (No sappy soap opera crap, I promise.) Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but this computer, a large box of pop rocks, a Full Throttle, and Johnny Depp's soul. (I won it in a poker game, but they haven't paid up yet. I'll tell you all when they do.)

Redefining Darkness

Chapter 1
-Stowaway-

"…" said; --...-- thought; dream-vision

"Sisters, the elementals are challenging our decisions with the dark one." "Foolish narcissistic mortals. Who are they to challenge us? We are the Fates!" "Yes, well, perhaps we have been harsh." "Rho!" "Consider the times we've interferred and driven him from anything remotely good for him, Epsilon! Especially now." "The crash is necessary." "I know that, Zeta, but all those deaths are not." "...What would you propose, Rho?" "An ally. One to make him care." "That's impossible. The dark one is not capable of caring." "Do not assume to know his heart, Epsilon." "Hmph." "Epsilon. Rho. Please." "...Fine. One ally. But they will not remember him." "Your ability's use is yours to determine."

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A teenage girl snuck onto the ship under the cover of darkness.

--Ironic, I used to be so afraid of the one thing that protects me…--

She crept along the main isle, gazing into the empty cryotubes. Her black windbreaker rustled, making her cringe at the noise.

A whimper came from a dark corner, making the girl jump. She cautiously approached the corner, her senses fully alert. As she got closer, the whimper became a growl. Behind a large barrel she found a small, spiky ball. A flash of light from a passing gravi-sled let her see the young hellhound.

The puppy flushed red and stood to defend itself. It cradled one paw, limping on the other three. The girl quickly rummaged through the pockets of what appeared to be cut-off military cargos, pulling out a piece of shredded meat. The hellhound returned to its normal gray coloring and sniffed the meat, snatching it away when offered. The girl slowly moved one hand towards the puppy, stroking its back. Then she tied a small scrap of her pants on its paw. When finished with the meat, it walked around the girl, now using the paw.

Footsteps fell on the ramp nearest them and the girl grabbed the puppy and climbed into the barrel. The puppy curled up in her lap, twitching every once in a while. The footsteps came closer and the girl realized there were two people inside the ship, with many others just outside.

"See that armored cryotube, Riddik? That'll be your home for the next 57 days." A cocky male voice penetrated her barrel. Then another man spoke, a low rumbling growl that echoed throughout her barrel, vibrating up her spine. "A back route, Johns? That's a long time between stops. A long time for somethin' to go wrong…" this voice said, making her shiver.

--Okay, remember to stay outta his way for sure… wait, haven't I heard that voice before?--

Johns muttered something in Riddik's ear and shoved him in the armored cryotube, practically running off the ship.

Much later, the girl fell asleep in the barrel. "A stowaway, huh? This'll almost be fun…" said the deep, growling voice of Riddik.

""""""""""""""""""""""""

Syra stood on an empty plain, where a battle had recently occurred. Bodies were strewn everywhere, the enemies right beside each other. Tombstones were also abundant, and Syra assumed the war was not a new one. A woman strode towards her from across the field. The woman's dark hair was in long matted dreadlocks, and she was wearing a strange dress that looked like it was made to fight in. The woman's chest glowed with a blue handprint, catching Syra's attention. "You'll have one like it soon." Syra tried to speak, but couldn't. The woman chuckled. "You won't be able to speak yet. Just listen." The woman looked over her shoulder. "You'll be back."

"""""""""""""""""""""""""

The girl woke up to passengers loading the ship. "It ain't right, travlin' with a man that dangerous." Muttered a woman with a Kyrainian accent. "We'll be fine, if that bloody cop Johns does his job…" Responded a man with the same accent.

--Probably prospectors. They always travel cheap. Let's hope the pilot's not.--

"I think it's cool!"

--High, energetic voice. Can't tell if it's a guy or girl. But it is young.--

"Well I for one am very happy just to be getting out of this port. I've been waiting since my flight was delayed almost a week ago."

--Whiny, high, but definitely masculine… I think.--

"Allah, keep us safe on this our Hadjj, and in our lives afterward. Praise Allah." "Praise Allah."

--Whoa! Stereo much? Oh, wait, that's three people. Heh heh. One holy man and three holy boys, apparently on Hadjj. Wait, what's Hadjj?--

"C'mon. Can we get going faster? The sooner we're off the ground, the sooner we can all stop worrying about 'Big Bad' back there."

--The same voice as last night. What was it, Johns? Yea, Johns. Weirdo. Sounds hyped, almost like he's on somethin'…--

"If we go any faster we won't be leaving at all, Mr. John's, so please give our pilot some time. We'll get up soon enough."

--Male, seems nice enough, but then again, so did a lot of the scumbags I had to run from…--

Johns' footsteps retreated towards his cryotube. "Thanks, Owens."

--Woman, guessing she's the pilot Owens was defending.--

"It was nothing. Besides, Fry, you're worth it!"

--What does he mean by that? Footsteps, heavy, most likely Owens'.--

"Owens, I thought we said," "Aw, come off it. As long as nobody sees, Cap' doesn't care. You know that." "I know but,"

--Okay, her voice suddenly ended, why?--

In the background were the distinct noises of two people kissing.

--Oh… now I get it. Alright then, let's review. Two prospectors, man and woman; one gender-blended kid; one strange whiny man; one holy man; three holy boys; one psycho druggie cop; one captain; one crew couple; and one mass murderer. Well, my chances seem just dandy! What to do…--

"Alright, we're finally getting off this rock. We'll be seeing some turbulence, so everybody into their tubes."

A deep male voice boomed over the loudspeaker.

--Oh great, toss around time. What now? They conduct a security search?! God my luck sucks!--

Okay, hope you guys enjoyed it. I'll have more chapters up soon. Tell me if you liked, disliked, or have any criticism for it. Thanks!

--Red--