A/N: same old dont own anything but the plot and characters which you dont recognize from tribe. love you all!


LAST CHAPTER OF NEW TIMES!:
"I guess life is just FULL of surprises. Good and bad." said one of the men across the fire, throwing Jay a dirty look.


Old Friends?

They walked through the city's thriving market place. The mallrats noticed how well the various tribes of the city co-operated and traded with each other, peacefully.

"We'll have to take you to the city leader and tribal council." Said Mac, while waving to a group of young women gathered around a fruit stall.

"What's the city leader's name?" inquired Amber hugging little bray close.

"Her name is Summer. The council consists of the leader of each of the city's tribe's leader…or in some cases leaders. Summer will fill you in on their names when the time comes." Replied Mac

"ok." Said Amber noticing Jays face had clouded over at the mention of Summer's name. "Jay, Jay…are you ok?"

"Hey…oh, yeah I'm fine." He smiled reassuringly

"Are you sure?" questioned Amber concerned.

"Yes Amber, don't worry alright." Replied Jay, somewhat half-heartedly, but Amber let it drop anyway.

The group approached a large building towards the centre of the city.

"You lot wait here!" commanded who had spoken harshly to Jay the night before.

"What's his problem? Stupid jerk." Said Lex

"Just cool it Lex, we don't know these people and from the looks of this city…I want to be able to stay, to live here. The tribes all co-operate with each other, it's clean and organised. So don't blow our chance Lex!" fumed Amber

"Well, soooorry your worship!" replied Lex

"Just stay calm people. Volatile lot aren't you!" laughed Mac as he returned from the warehouse.

"MAC…here I'll go ahead and warn Summer that she has guests. And tell everyone else as well!" the girl was there then she was gone, quickly handing Mac a clipboard and running off.

"Don't forget to tell here to cancel that scouting mission!!1" yelled Mac to her retreating back. She raised a hand and waved before rounding the corner to let him know she had heard.

Five minutes later they arrived at the cities mall.

"You're still in the mall." Said Jay

"Besides a few other official buildings, where the tribes conduct business, this is where our tribe decided to stay. Along with a few others who don't have territory, they're like you really…you know looking for a new start. Or just passing through." Replied Mac, before turning to the other guards. "I've got them from here. Our tribe can handle it…you're free to go home."

They nodded and then turned and left.

"Come on, in we go." Said Mac cheerfully leading the way inside, knowing they'd follow close behind.

Inside the mall the sound of laughter greeted their ears. It was joyous laughter, a child's carefree giggle mixed with a parent's proud laugh.

"Mac you're here, finally. Have you got the report?" asked a voice to the groups left.

"Ahh…chief, yeah here." Replied Mac handing the clipboard to a tall blonde boy.

"Good. I'll go tell Summer her guests have arrived." With that he ran up the stairs to the upper floors.

Jay was stock still with shock.

"Was…was that Ved?" he asked. "But he's…he's dead!"

"Well then it can't be. Dead men definitely can't run around the way the chief does. Helps Summer out to no end, glad he came here really!" replied Mac smiling

"Mac, it's good to see you home safe!" called a light, female voice from the top of the stairs.

"Summer, you should worry about me less, I can handle myself!" said Mac

"I can't help but worry about my friends Mac, you know that! Especially since you all tend to worry about me so much." Replied summer coming down the stairs. She was Amber's height (give or take a few centimetres) wit dark brown lustrous hair; ribbons of various bright colours were pinned into/ through it. She wore black leather pants and lace up knee high boots. Her top was a midnight blue with two silver streaks running from the low cut collar to the loose hem over her left breast. The tribe's tattoo on her hand was identical to Mac's. The markings on her face were simple, in silver and blue's, and focused around her temples, stretching from the corners or her eyes to the beginnings of her hair line. They consisted of lines, arrows and three dots along the right brow bone and left upper cheek bone, just below the eye. Her lips were a natural shade with a clear light gloss on, her eyelids and cheeks were lightly dusted with a mix of gold and silver. Around her neck she wore a thin silver chain, which held a male's silver ring, and a leather chocker with a phoenix pendant attached. Simple sleepers were her earrings and a silver bracelet graced each wrist.

Amber heard Jay's breath hitch and risked a glance at him. She didn't like what she saw. Jay looked close to tears as he stared at this city's leader. It scared Amber beyond reason, what was going on in his head?

"Jay…JAY! What's wrong?" asked Amber

Jay looked at Amber and shook his head, at Jay's name Summer's eyes had snapped up to his face then back to Mac's. It had been a brief glance but the pain evident in her eyes was easy for anyone to see.

Amber sighed in resignation, she knew something was wrong, but now was neither the time nor the place tor raise a fuss…or possibly create a scene when asking what.

"Can you hold Bray please Jay?" asked Amber.

"Sure."

"Thanks"

Amber passed Bray to Jay, and then stepped forward to greet the city leader.

"Oh, sorry Summer, this is Amber the leader of the mallrats." Introduced Mac

"Nice to meet you Amber. I'm Summer, leader of the firebird tribe and city leader." Said Summer smiling and extending a hand for Amber to shake.

Amber smiled in return and shook the offered hand.

"It's nice to meet you too." She replied sincerely.

"Welcome to our city."


Fifteen minutes later upstairs in the malls café…

"You can probably stay here for a while till your familiar with the city and we can find somewhere for your tribe to call home." Said Summer from the head of the table.

"Sounds great to me, especially on such short notice." Said Amber happily.

"Not to mention not knowing us!" commented Ebony sarcastically.

"Ebony!" admonished Summer playfully. "Don't tell me you don't remember me!"

"Ahh…"managed a shocked Ebony.

"Geez cherry, life may have been hard on us, and I know we weren't the best of friends, but we did look out for each other!"

"OMG, cute?" asked Ebony unbelievingly

"Who else?" smiled Summer, flashing a perfect set of pearly whites.

"I don't believe it, toughest looking sweet chick in the school, actually survived the chaos!" Ebony smirked.

"You know it! Though I may still be sweet. I'm neither as sweet…nor anywhere near as innocent, as I was back then." Summer grinned while Ebony laughed.

"Innocent, you were the only innocent one left!"

"And I was damn proud of it!" replied Summer. "And if I remember correctly it was you who scared most of my guys off!"

"What can I say, I'm protective of my territory!" commented Ebony shrugging.

Summer just laughed.

"Well dear owner" said Summer. "I'm afraid that I am now a mother of twins, a boy and girl. They are about…five or six years old. Without calendars it's almost impossible to keep an accurate record. So I guess that makes you an aunt!"

"Wow, really? Cool!" replied Ebony awestruck, for once.

"Ok, so that was…" started Trudy.

"Weird?" finished Ellie

"Yeah!" agreed everyone.

"What?" snapped Ebony.

The door to the dining room suddenly opened and an eerily familiar face poked in.

"Ummmm, Sorry to disturb you, but the Twins are fussing and nothing we've done is helping. They want their mum." Then the head was gone.

"Damn." Muttered Summer. "Well I'll leave Mac to show you all your rooms. A meeting will be called soon so you can meet everyone." With a nod and a smile she strode from the room.

"Let's get you lot settled then!" Said Mac happily.