Hey guys! Sorry for the sudden absence. I was... Man. I don't even have an excuse for why I was gone so long. I guess I was just lazy. Anyway... I got some reviews that I would like to go over before you rush off to see what happens after they jumped into the water.

Paris actually didn't review this time, but I got 2 others:

Bookworm: Oh, it'll differ quite a bit. If you reread the summary, you'll see that I updated it a little bit, and it'll give you a slight idea of how I'm taking my spin. And, sorry, but no. It was not the entrance to Jist's house. I like to write cute stuff and sometimes emotional, but emotions aren't really my expertise, so I'm working on that. I hope to see your name around frequently! :D

Aqua Foster: Awww. Thanks! I'm glad you think that way. You'll find out what happens now! You don't have to wait on the edge of your seat! :P

-READ PLEASE-

OH, AND GUYS. I GOT A PIC THAT REPRESENTS THE LOST PRODIGY! I DREW IT MYSELF. AND I WON'T BE AROUND FOR A LITTLE WHILE, SO DON'T EXPECT MANY UPDATES, THOUGH I WILL TRY TO GET IN AS MANY AS I CAN. THANKS!


It was cold. The current of the pool pulled them down, the pressure feeling and getting heavier against Carmen's chest. She kept her eyelids shut tightly, unwilling to take the risk of opening them.

But she did anyway.

She blinked a few times to clear her vision. The salty water didn't even sting her eyes. Her surprise was too much to contain; it was like a jack in the box. Once it's trigger was twisted enough times, it exploded out of her as she saw the beauty of the water.

They were in a thin spiral of air, and all around them there were swirls of teals, sea greens, ceruleans, and an oceanic blue like Jist's eyes.

Past the swirls were small, turquoise fish darting around, and every now and then, Carmen caught a glimpse of a sea turtle. They went low enough to see a coral reef.

Even more fish swam around, squeezing through coral and bush-like plants. They looked like they were playing hide and seek.

She turned her head straight into Jist's chest. She'd almost forgotten he was holding her. Carmen looked up at his face, her gaze meeting closed eyes, his breathing felt steady against her head. He looked so calm and peaceful, like the two weren't even underwater. She kept her head there, closing her eyes against the oceanic beauties.

Jist's breathing stayed steady and peaceful. It was so peaceful that it calmed Carmen. All her worries disappeared. Nothing problematic in the world affected her or even mattered. Nothing troubled her, and everything made sense, all in that one moment.

Carmen was so serene that she didn't even notice that the ride stopped.

"Carmen."

She opened her eyes slowly, her vision a little blurry, but she could still make out Jist's chest.

"Carmen."

She blinked a few more times to rid her sight of blurriness and looked up, meeting his oceanic blue irises.

"I'm assuming you're fine and that you enjoyed the ride down?" he asked, chuckling a bit.

Carmen scrunched her shoulders up so that they touched the sides of her face, wishing she could hide her flushing cheeks.

Jist snickered. "It's okay to have been a little nervous." He leaned down so he could whisper into her ear, "I was too when I first went down."

"You were?" Carmen asked, trying to keep the slight tone of surprise out of her voice. "How were you nervous from that?"

"Probably for the same reason as you. I mean, I was only four when my dad told me to go with him to Nova. I was excited at the time. Nova was always a city I wanted to visit and see. But when we leaped to the island, he told me to jump into that pool he'd formed. Since I was so small, it looked like it would just consume me and I would be lost to the waters."

"But you knew that your dad wouldn't let anything happen to you," Carmen guessed. "What did he do? Did he do anything to calm you or say anything about it?"

"He told me to pretend that I was at home in bed, safely tucked under the covers so that nothing would be able to get to me."

"Did it help?"

"Yes. I've only opened my eyes once, and I saw the fish, colors and plant life and stuff." Jist stepped away, still looking Carmen in the eyes and talking. "The one time was enough," he said.

"You still use that technique, don't you?" Carmen asked, wondering if that was why Jist had his eyes closed.

"Yeah. How'd you know?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Carmen grinned. "I was there in the pool too, you know. It's not everyday you get pulled into situations like this. But I guess if you want to pretend I'm not here, that you never found me and brought me into your life then that's fine by me. I'll just walk along with you and stay silent, or I could find another way home."

Jist took the exaggerated hint and rolled his eyes. "All you have to say is that you opened your eyes."

Carmen nodded, still smiling. "I mean, I wasn't going to, but I did anyway. It was like something was telling me to relax and just look."

Jist nodded, putting a hand on his chin like he was thinking about what she said.

"Come on." He motioned with his head to where Carden stood. "We've got somewhere to be."


Sorry I know that was short, but I hope it was enough to satisfy you guys for a little bit. I suggest that you go check out KOTLC 1 Fan's Double Trouble, Xylia Neo's Payback's a Nightmare, and Saphara's Found, if you haven't already. All are KotLC based, and two of them are the second generation.

Hang in there while I'm gone though, guys! I'll try to get in as many chapters as I can, and I hope you'll be ready for me when I return. I'm actually already gone.

*wraps cloak around figure and sinks to the ground. wind blows it off, yet the author is nowhere to be found*