Kimi walked into an old abandoned train station, Wally and Sam beside her, "so…you signed up for the same job?" Kimi asked Wally.

"Yeah," Wally said, "signed up for it the same day you did."

"Huh…" Kimi said, and then looked around, "this place is kinda old and abandoned…not really a great place to start a job."

"That's why we use it, if it were bustling with ordinary people, then they would be kinda confused and scared when someone walks in with a sword."

"True."

"Quit complainin' girl." Trevor said, appearing behind them from the shadows with Sean right beside him, "you should be happy you got the damn job."

"What the hell do you mean?" Wally asked, "All you have to do is sign up!"

"Shut it wally."

"Yeah shut it," someone else said, jumping down from the ceiling, he had on a black form fitting black shirt with blue jeans on, his black hair was long, past his shoulders, and his grey eyes were unseeing. "No one likes to listen to an idiot."

"Who's this?" Kimi asked.

"His name is Malcolm," Wally whispered, "he's an Alchemist."

"a what?"

"An alchemist, someone who manipulates and modifies matter with natural energy, with the help of a transmutation circle, I can make anything I want with the right ingredients." Malcolm said, moving his head into the direction of Kimi and Wally.

"Oh…thanks…" Kimi said.

"Welcome," he said, "now, like I was saying, no one wants to listen to you talk Trevor."

"Shut it Alchemist." Trevor said, 'I can kill you like that." He snapped his fingers.

"Sure you can," he said, putting on gloves with weird circles on them, "you mean like I can?" he snapped his fingers and lightning flew out of his finger tips, landing right in front of Trevor, making him jump back, "I'm the thunder alchemist, don't forget that."

"Thunder alchemist?"

"Yeah, alchemists have their own system of rank, when you become a master they give you a title, for him it was the thunder alchemist because of the way he uses his alchemy in battle, the gloves he has on, are specially made to make a large amount of static electricity every time he snaps, then he uses any piece of metal to transfer the static across the air, as it goes it gathers more static or electricity nearby and it creates a deadly bolt of lightning.

"That's amazing."

"Yes it is." Malcolm said, "best at what I do."

"Is this all that's coming?" Sean growled, looking around.

"No it's not." Malcolm said, "Angelica, Suzie, get out here."

"Why do you always have to ruin my dramatic entrance Malcolm!" Angelica shouted angrily walking in, her golden blonde hair came half-way down her back; she had on a tank top and blue jeans, along with black cowboy boots.

"Calm down Angelica," Suzie said, the ebony skinned girl had her arms crossed as she glared at her friend, "sheesh, like we don't have enough problems."

"Who are they?" Kimi asked.

"Angelica pickles and Suzie Carmichael," Wally said, "angelica's a fire mage, and Suzie is a sound mage."

"Sound mage?"

"Yeah, she can make and amplify sound."

"Oh…"

"Wally, how's it been?" Suzie asked, walking over to her old friend and giving her a hug.

It's been good Suzie," she said, returning the hug.

"Who's the newbie?" Suzie asked, looking at Kimi.

'This is Kimi Finster, ice mage."

"Nice to meet you." Suzie said.

Kimi nodded with a smile, "what guild are you apart of?"

"Sunriders guild." Suzie said, "Angelica, come meet Kimi!"

"Why should I?"

"Just come meet her."

Angelica walked over and looked at Kimi up and down, "Rachel lied, you're not ugly beyond all reason."

"Why is it that I hate that girl more and more every day?" Kimi asked.

"She's not that bad," Angelica said, "so you're new to the Elfheim guild."

'Yep, newest member…so…are you related to Tommy."

"I'm his cousin." She said.

"Really? You don't sound Irish."

"They lived in Ireland I lived in America, figure it out."

"Quit talking about your personal lives," Malcolm said, walking over, "our ride is coming."

They all turned as a large train came into the station.

"How…the tracks have been torn up…"

"You don't really understand magic do you?" Angelica asked.

The doors to the train opened and five mages walked out, floating in mid-air behind them were four coffins.

Wally bowed her head in respect, the others doing the same.

"Wally," hermit's voice said, making Wally look up, the dark-cladded man walked up to her.

"Hermit…what happened?"

"Three bandits tried to attack the train, we held them off, but four mages were killed," he looked at her, "you need to be careful, all of you." He looked at everyone, "These bandits are not to be trifled with."

"Thanks for the warning Hermit." Wally said.

He nodded and disappeared into the shadows.

"Anyone else having second thoughts?" Trevor asked nervously.

'No, are you?" Malcolm asked.

"No of course not!" He said triumphantly, his mood changing completely.

"Lets go in Kimi." Wally said.

Kimi wasn't listening, she was watching the four coffins, how many will die in our group?

A large hand grabbed her firmly by the shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze; she looked back and saw Sam standing behind her.

"Do not worry, we have many strong mages, no one will be lost."

"He's right Kimi, just relax." Wally said.

"Y-your right." Kimi said.

"Yeah, now come on, we need to meet our employers."

The six mages, the alchemist, and Sam all walked onto the train, "wow…" Kimi whispered, seeing the inside of the train looked more like a house then a train, at the doors there were two people standing at attention, their ears were pointed and they had spears in their hands, they wore suits of armor that seemed to thin to really protect them.

"Elves," Wally said softly to Kimi, "one of the oldest races on the earth."

"Wow…"

"Respected mages!" someone said, making all of them turn around, standing in the doorway to the kitchen was another elf, his hair was snow white and his blue eyes sparkled, unlike the other armored elves, he wore a simple robe, an elegant curved sword strapped to his side, "I am Dagda."

"it is a pleasure to meet you again," Wally said, walking forward and giving a respectful bow, Kimi followed her example.

"Ah Ms. Ramone," he said, "Fare you well?"

"Yes sir."

He nodded to her with a smile, "Now, on to business."

"Why do you need us?" Trevor asked rudely.

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"Why do you need us? This damn place is armed to the teeth, guards at every door, armed with spears and swords, why would you need us?"

"Because what I am escorting across this country is precious, it must be protected at all costs."

"And what is it? Diamonds? Gold!"

"No." he walked in front of them, "As you might know, elves don't often have children, and when we do, the children are treated as gifts from god."

"Yeah, so?"

"The cargo is an elfin child, isn't it?" Kimi asked.

"Yes, the last elf child, the only one born in over two hundred years.'

Wally's eyes widened.

"You know, if you want more kids, why don't you just start screwing?" Sean grumbled.

Wally hit him across the back of the head, "Elves can't just sleep with anyone, they wait for their true love."

"Yes, and it's harder than it sounds," Dagda said, "now, my guards are here to fight, but you mages will be the first line of defense, once we get to San Francisco, you will no longer be needed."

"Why?" Kimi asked.

"There is a fort," one of the elven guards said, walking forward, "that is open for only a week every three years, within four days it will close, we are to deliver the child to that fort to protect him."

"Why does an elf child need so much protection, shit it's just a kid." Trevor said.

"Elfin children are the most powerful magic users in the world," Dagda said. "and the most influential, if the wrong person were to take the child and raise her….she could destroy this world easily."

"So…how long are they kid?" Trevor asked nervously.

"They reach maturity around 100."

'A hundred years!" Trevor exclaimed dumbfounded, "we gotta guard this brat for a hundred years!'

"Didn't you hear him!" Angelica said angrily, punching him, "we drop the kid off at the fort and he's protected there!"

"And you get to go home with your rewards, 20,000 dracheons each." Dagda said.

"20,000!" Trevor said dumbfounded.

"You really didn't pay attention to the job offer did you?" Suzie said.

Dagda shook his head, "please tell me he's not the brains of this group," he said.

"No, he's not," Malcolm said, "and I promise you good elfin sir, we shall protect your child!"

Dagda nodded, "thank you my friend."

Wally turned to Kimi, "this is going to be easy!"

"I know right? By tomorrow night we'll be rolling in money!"

Next day at noon

"Dear god I'm about to tear Trevor's head off!" Kimi grumbled, she and Wally were walking along the outside of the train, " He won't stop saying the stupidest of crap, and he can't stay on one topic for more than two seconds!"

"Told you the power he had has driven him crazy." Wally said.

"I'm just so glad it's almost over." Kimi muttered, leaning against the railing. "I just want to curl up in my bed and sleep."

"Can't do that until tonight." Wally said.

"I know," Kimi groaned.

"You two doing alright back here?" Suzie asked, coming out from inside.

"We're fine Suzie," Wally said, "How are things with you?"

"Good," she said, "Nothing's happened so far…makes me wonder what happened with the first team."

"Hermit said three strong bandits attacked. But we haven't seen any bandits yet."

"None at all actually." An elfin soldier named balefire said, they had met him last night, he was the youngest soldier at age 143, and he was also one of the only soldiers who was trying to get to know the mages, "we haven't gotten any bandits attacking this leg of the journey at all, before we picked you up, we were attacked almost daily by different bandits, the last day we lost three mages to three powerful bandits…they almost got to the little babe until that shadow mage blew them off the train."

"Hmm…who is powerful enough to kill three mages and even give Hermit trouble?"

an explosion at the end of the train made everyone grab onto the railing, trying not to fall, "what was that?!" Kimi screamed.

"Come on!" Wally shouted, running back inside and towards the end of the train.

Kimi followed, pulling out her Schiavona, Suzie and Balefire followed too, Balefire keeping his spear ready.

Wally kicked the door opened and found Trevor and Sean fighting three masked figures, one of the figures she knew, "Jimmy…" she muttered.

Deastro and the two with him (Phil and Lil)were fighting and easily overwhelming Trevor and Sean.

Wally jumped in and swung at Deastro, making him jump away from Trevor, "ah, we meet again," he said, "this time, I can't let you off scott free." He held up his sword and it changed into a large scimitar, he charged at wally, swinging the dark blade.

Wally caught the attack on Lucem; the bright blade shooting sparks off as it hit it's other half.

Kimi jumped and kicked the smallest of the trio back, bringing her sword down after her. She jumped back getting into a defensive stance against Kimi, then her eyes widened, "K-Kimi…" she whispered.

Kimi looked at her, trying to figure out who she was.

Before Lil could say anything there was a loud screech behind them, Kimi turned around, seeing Balefire on the ground and Sean being held down by Phil, claws coming out of his hands.

"Sean!" Trevor shouted, jumping over.

The Phil turned and punched Trevor across the cart, making Trevor slam into the wall.

Kimi threw her sword at Phil, catching his shirt and pulling him away from Sean, he snarled, pulling the sword out of the wall and throwing it to the side, his eyes settled on Kimi, his eyes wild and feral.

Kimi held her hand up, a magic circle appeared and icicles shot at the man.

"NO!" Lil screamed lifting her hands, as soon as she did, a rumbling was heard and a large column of earth ripped through the floor, effectively stopping the train and the icicles, sending everyone flying through the air, Kimi and Wally slammed into the wall by the door, Sean, Trevor and Suzie landed in a pile, with Suzie on top, the three bandits fell back a little, but recovered quickly.

"Kimi, Wally, Balefire go make sure the passenger is alright," Suzie said, shaking her head and standing, "me, Trevor and Sean will hold them off."

"alright." Kimi grumbled, slowly getting up, helping up the wounded balefire, as she walked towards the door she grabbed her sword and pulled it out.

Suzie reached into her pocket and pulled out six metal hoops, she put them on her wrist and started shaking them, making a jingling noise, the noise started to intensify and make the air shake.

"Damn!" Trevor shouted, covering his ears.

"run!" Deastro shouted, jumping out of the window,

"What?" Lil asked confused.

Phil let out a groan, covering his ears.

"Sound blast." Suzie said, sending a sonic boom straight at Lil and Phil.

The blast completely destroyed the back cart and sent Lil and Phil flying.

"Go!" Suzie shouted at Kimi and Wally, "That only stunned them."

"did more to Sean then anything." Trevor said, looking at his buddy still holding his ears in pain.

Kimi opened the door and got through with balefire, Wally right behind her, Deastro jumped into the cart, pulling out his sword, "Dark slicer," he said, slashing his sword, a large slice of dark magic flew out of the blade at Suzie, she jumped to the side, 'Missed.'

'wasn't aiming at you," he said.

Suzie heard a dull clink and looked down, her six hoops on the ground, split in half, "oh no…'

Kimi and Wally ran through the train cars, going towards the front, they past Malcolm and Sam, 'what's going on?" Malcolm asked.

"Bandits…dark sword…earth pillars…whoo…" Wally gasped out.

"bandits?" Malcolm asked.

"Yes…Suzie, Trevor and Sean are engaging them," Balefire said, leaning against the wall, holding his bleeding arm.

"who was it?" Malcolm asked, taking his gloves out and putting them on.

"I don't know, three bandits, ones the guy we fought a few days ago named Deastro…the other two…ones an earth mage the other is a beast mage, and there strong."

A crash sounded, making them all look at the door, "Do you think they got through?"

The door burst open and sean was thrown in, Trevor right beside him, both were thoroughly beaten, Deastro walked in, holding Suzie by the back of her shirt, dragging her behind him, "this is the best you got?" he asked, tossing her to the floor.

Malcolm moved his head in the direction of Deastro's voice, "Kimi, Wally, Help Balefire into the next cart, me and Sam can take care of this guy.

"what about Trevor and Suzie." Wally asked.

"they'll be fine, just warn the other guards that there is a team of bandits going for the child."

"okay," Kimi said, running out again, wally helped Balefire up and they ran out.

Deastro held his sword up, it changed into a gladius and glowed eerily," you signed your own death warrant."

"I don't think so," Malcolm said, snapping his fingers together.