Aster POV

I felt a hot liquid running down my back as I lied subconsciously awake on the hard dirt floor. My clothes were caked in mud, and I could see that the tips of my once sterling hair, was now mucky brown. The left side of my face was lying firmly in a patch of muck that oozed to fit the indent of my head.

The pain tore throughout my body making the tips of my toes and fingers numb. Every tissue inside my body writhed in pain, willing me to stay down, but I wouldn't cower at the feet of some flock of overgrown pigeons. Take it one step at a time Aster, I told myself. I got on my hands and knees. I could do it; I could stand. As I went to raise myself further, I felt a sharp blow to my ribs that knocked me back down. The wet dirt hitting the raw skin on my back would be enough to make me cry any day. I would normally scream in pain, as my blood mixed with the soil, but I was done crying, I was done screaming, and I was done with giving Thorn the satisfaction.

I could hear the goons above me laughing and quacking out remarks that I couldn't make out. My ears just didn't seem to function properly anymore, as I slowly slipped out of consciousness. I knew I wouldn't be out for long, but the rest would be well needed. I awoke to the sound of voices being raised. I could make out Thorn's coldblooded screech anywhere. "Why knock him out you fools? We need him to answer some questions." He crowed.

"Eh, like what boss? What we need the little punk to tells us? He is just a worthless maggot, like the rest of em'! What could the little brat knows that we don't knows?" A green beaked follower chirped

A few birds nodded their heads in agreement, and I heard one mutter, "Youse said it, Pip!"

"That boy wasn't one of our prisoners," Thorn interrupted, "He came from somewhere else. We had successfully captured all the mountain people, or so we thought. That means there could be more in high places. We missed a few, and the Supreme King insisted we capture everyone. So this little maggot is of great importance." Thorn snapped. His tone grew less patient with each second.

"Smart boss, good thinking. That's why you are da boss. Always thinkin' see." The other minions all squawked in approval. I thought to myself, my eyes still shut. There must be a way to make this situation work to my advantage. But how? I was still unsure; however, a plan was forming in my head. I had decided what was the next step, and it was time to advance. I slowly opened my eyes. I could see that I was in some kind of building. There were bars that arced upward. It was some kind of cage palace. One of the birds noticed my being awake; it was the one they called Pip.

The henchmen squealed in excitement. "Look boss, the mountain boy is awake. See, we can get hims to tells us now!" It was as if their soul purpose was to please this Thorn character. I had met many posers back on earth. That's pretty much what the whole planet is composed of: posers, wannabes, and losers. But seeing these morons, put a new light on the subject. Gee, It was almost pathetic. Nay, It was very pathetic

"Ugh," Thorn groaned, "Shut up, you armature." He strode over to where I was laying and hoisted me up onto my feet. It took me a minute, but I regained composure and was capable of standing now. "What is your name?" Thorn asked. His voice was less impatient with me, than with his birdbrain goons. I still didn't respond. "Your age?" Still, I said nothing. Thorn thought I had others back up the pass. He thought they were going to strike. "How many others are there like you?" I looked up through my dirty hair, now crusted with dried mud. I grinned to myself, but Thorn and the others saw my gesture and assumed the worst. "Talk boy! Now!" Thorn commanded, grabbing the collar of my dirty white jacket and shaking me roughly. He was worried, and at the sight of Thorn so shaken and unconfident, the birdbrains began to doubt him.

My slight grin now stretched further across my face and I began to laugh. The sight of him in such turmoil made me ecstatic. "You don't know what you are up against." I seemed to be able to unnerve him. When I wanted to, I could unnerve anyone. I had that effect. It held true to everyone, everyone except Zane. That was why I was smiling: Zane was still out there. He may just be one man against an army of birds, but Zane was capable of extraordinary things. I trusted him, and I knew that he wouldn't fail me.

He looked toward his henchman, "Put him in shackles with the boys on level six. He looks about sixteen." The birds then grabbed me and ripped my white jacked and tie off, leaving only my black collard shirt to hang loosely around my body and my stained white pants. They dug their claws into my arms, drawing blood. They were sharp and pierced my skin like needles piercing fabric. But all I could do was smile, as I was dragged away from a livid Thorn. Most people would call me crazy, but I wasn't sorry for helping the girl. It was the right thing to do. I saved her the agony that I was forced to endure. Besides, phase one was complete: Oh who was I kidding, I was making this up as I went along.

They dragged me outside and threw me to the ground. Before I had time to get up they kicked me in the side again. It would be a miracle if I didn't bruise. I got to my feet and continued moving. As I passed, other slaves stared at me. Women and young children were in horror as I was pushed onward. My back must have been a sight to see. The pain was no longer unbearable. It existed, but I had long since gotten use to it.

As I walked passed the section where the red haired girl was last night, I noticed that she was staring at me wide-eyed. Her hands were in chains, like all the others, and her blue, old fashioned dress was tattered and ripped in many places. I smiled at her, not wanting to upset the girl. She gave a weak smile back and mouthed "Thank You," Before I could respond, the birds grabbed my head and shoved it forward, knocking me off balance. I continued up until I reached section six: my section.

As I approached, I saw about five boys, all dirty, depressed, and down for the count. I could change that, I thought to myself. I always liked being the hero, and I promised myself, I would be their hero. I would save them. When I finally reached my level, the birds gave me a pick and ax and put me to work. A more intelligent looking bird spoke up. "Use the ax and pick to mine the coal. Then, put it in the cart. When the cart is full, load it on the track and it will be taken away. It is that simple, so you better not screw it up." The bird spoke.

I was good at faking my own emotions. When I was tired after a long day of dueling and simply wanted to lie down, fan girls seemed to come out of no where. I had to be creative and cute in order to make them go away.. This was a similar case. It was time to be friendly with the man who just whipped me, "So," I said, letting the word hang long as if feeling the sound, "have you always liked working with Thorn? He seems really pleasant."

"Yes he is, just as a cat is before it pounces on its bird prey." The bird returned my sarcastic yet joking nature.

"If you hate him so much, then why listen to him? You deserve respect and to the stars with those who think differently. Do you always want to be a follower? Because, I think you would make a great leader of this realm." I gave him one of my famous Aster Phoenix smiles.

"You really think so?" The bird asked. He seemed enthralled that someone thought highly of him. It must have been a nice change with the way Thorn treated him all the time, "Thorn always told me that I wasn't smart enough to lead."

"You know what I think? I think he is intimidated by you. I think he is scared you'll take his position. You would make a great leader. My name is Aster Phoenix, by the way." After I said that, I faked a look of worry. I needed to make him think he successfully attained my name by pure wit. Upon hearing my confession, his eyes lit up. "Damn it, I was supposed to keep that a secret. It was crucial for the plan." Again, I looked upset about releasing that information. I then brushed it off. He was so smug, he didn't seem to notice. "You see, you got information out of me in less than five minutes, and Thorn had over three hours. You were born to lead, to call the shots, and to be in control. Because lets face it, once the rebel army comes down through the mountain pass and forges war on this place, you guys are going to need a good leader." The bird gasped. "I probably shouldn't of said that." I stated meekly.

"Thanks Aster, I'm Tiedo." And, with that said, he flew off to most likely tell Thorn of his latest discovery...poser. I watched him go, and I couldn't help but smile to myself. My charm works every time. I spun back to mine and noticed six pairs of eyes just staring at me. I flashed a smile. It was best to keep their hopes up.

"Is what you said true? You know, about the army?" A boy slightly smaller than me asked. He sounded so young, his voice immature and controlled by fear. His trousers were ripped and patched in many places. Dirt was smeared on his knees, and cuts were all over his arms, hands, and legs. I noticed, with a shudder, that he was barefoot. His feet were a bloody mess.

"What we got, it's way better than a mere army." I faked a smile, and I looked down. Yes, what a hero I am: lying to a bunch of kids about troops I don't have. Giving them false hope that they would be saved even though I knew it would never happen. However, I did have Zane, and maybe, just maybe he was all I needed.

The commotion seemed to die down, and everyone got back to work as well. I picked up my ax and began to smack the ground. How the hell do you do this? Nothing seamed to happen. No matter how hard I struck, I couldn't get the coal to budge. Just great, this was not what I needed right now. I frowned in concentration. I was used to being able to do everything. I was good at everything I did, and digging a stupid rock out of the dirt should be no different.

Zane POV

A bird flew in and landed right next to Thorn. His voice was full of excitement as he screeched, " His name is Aster Phoenix, and he does have an army up the pass. They are preparing to strike." With this confirmed, all the minions began to freak out.

"What we gonna do boss?" Multiple blue feathered birds squawked at the one they called Thorn. He looked like he was going to explode. "I got a plan- see. What if we gets him here and we beats him till him tells us?"

"Shut up! Just Shut up! I come up with the plans here, and I can't think with your annoying squawks." Thorn screamed, "Besides, didn't you already try that? We got nothing out of him."

"Oh, now I remember. Your so smart boss, dat's why you're da boss doh. Cause you're always tinkin." The tallest bird chirped. I would be annoyed to if I had to be around those goons all the time. "So, what we gonna do, boss?"

No way would Aster carelessly tell them information like he did. He must have a plan. I leaned towards the birds, in an attempt to try and get a better look, by using my arms to lower myself on the bars of the cage palace. I could hang up here for hours and not break a sweat. My movement must have attracted Thorn's attention, his eyes were gazing around the bird sanctuary. I instinctively stopped moving. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea. If I was caught, I couldn't save Aster. I wanted Aster. I needed Aster. So, failure wasn't an option.

One of the birds quickly moved to stand right next to Thorn. He tilted his head awkwardly and stared exactly where Thorn was. His cheek was less than a centimeter from Thorn's. "Doh, What you looking at?" The distraction was enough for Thorn to have abandoned the thought of my eavesdropping. I guess not all birds had eyes like a hawk. Then again, they weren't exactly hawks: more like pigeons.

"I thought I told you to shut-," Thorn had stopped in sentence, now staring at the small runt of a bird. It had its wing up in the air, as though a student would when asking a question. Thorn seemed pretty pissed. A sarcastic smile ran across his face. "Yes, Pip?"

"Hey boss I was thinking we should tells da highest king bout mountain boy and his army. He'd knows whats to dos, Right?" Pip squeaked. Despite his size he did maintain the thuggish, yet stupid quality all the others had.

"Now listen up you stupid, insolent little runt!" I wasn't surprised he cracked, I would have. His explosion didn't come without warning, "You answer to me, and no one else!" Thorn lost control as he screamed out to them all. "That goes for all of you! No one tells Thorn, Harpie's Brother, what to do. I'm my own boss! I make my own rules, and I don't need some pompous, egotistical, self centered boar to tell me how to run my mine. You got that?" Thorn's breathing was ragged as he stared down the henchmen in front of him. The cronies before Thorn were scared. You could see it in their eyes. They hated him, but were afraid to stand up to him. He kept their allegiance by using fear, cruelty and restraint. Thorn's downfall would be his inability to treat his bird flock with respect, dignity, and kindness. That is, only if his downfall wasn't Aster and I. I might be able to work something out, but I would need Aster's help. He and I could devise a plan. If only I could reach him.

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