Starry Skies

By Gold Sparrow

FOURTH ARC: Begin Again

CHAPTER 8: Broken Toys


Disclaimer: Magi doesn't belongs to Shinobu Ohtaka (my favorite Sempai). This story is based off another one called 'Children of Solomon' which is awesome, go read it. I own my characters and plot-stuff other than that.


Many times in her life has Centola De Coverna question herself.

She questioned her ability to protect others. She questioned her ability to soothe pain, and she questioned what she could do to save her friends.

But now she questions another part of herself.

Am I trustworthy?

Khadeja, her right-hand woman who followed her all the way from Rayide, would say absolutely.

Catrina would get a worried look and ask her why she would ever say she wasn't.

Eren would shake his head and smile, patting her hair and telling her that he trusts her completely.

Asad might roll his eyes and whisper something about women always worrying about something.

Bad would merely grin, but it would be a sad grin. Centola could almost hear the words slipping off her tongue:

"I guess that's the downside of your power."

And it was. Centola tries to stick to her word, but can't help but worry about losing the people around her.

Why would she lose them?

Because they might realize that she…Centola could use her magic on them. She could charm them into doing something for her, into becoming her servants, and that scares her.

Why would she want a power that instantly makes her an enemy to those around her? Once someone realizes that she could do it then…Then…

They'll leave her alone, right?

So Centola De Coverna realizes something very important. She isn't questioning herself.

No, this is far worse than something trivial like that.

She's scared of herself.


"Mistress, I'm not sure about this…" Khadeja fidgets anxiously, trying to adjust the clothes placed on her in the mirror. Mistress Centola merely laughs, a sound so much like bells Khadeja relaxes despite herself.

"Do not worry! You look wonderful." The green dress was alright. Simple, and she appeared as she is; Mistress Centola's attendant. But then her Mistress added a white sash from her right shoulder to left hip. Okay…

Then came the nice sandals and gold earings, a choker collar and her black curls being brushed so carefully that the tightly wound ringlets relaxed and eased themselves to her shoulders. A pretty black headband helped hold her bangs out of her eyes, and by the end she no longer looked like an attendant but close friend.

"B-but I'm merely your personal servant Miss! I cannot wear such clothes-"

"You can, and I want you to." Her Mistress can be so stubborn sometimes.

"I...I feel uncomfortable-"

"Please Khadeja," She asks, smiling. Khadeja sighs and finally nods. "Thank you. Besides, we are going to be meeting some important people today."

"Eh?"


Bad has come to really enjoy the company of Kassim. For some unknown reason, the man continues to lie about everything.

"Hey Kassim! How are ya?"

"The usual."

Depressed, right?

"Hi Kassim~ What are you doing later?"

"Hopefully I'll be around you sweetheart."

To distract yourself?

"Are you ready for the raid soon?"

"When am I not?"

Hurting others lessens the pain. For a while, at least.

Bad continually enjoys listening to these little white lies, as they remind her of something she has forgotten. It's rather interesting, actually, to see it in action after the longest time around good, honest people.

Oh, the complications of lying to yourself. It has been a while since she's seen someone filled with with so much pain, and her utter fascination with him has caused the man to believe she has formed a idolization out of him, which is in no way true.

I just want to see how I can use your anger.

Now, in Mrs. Gamela (a woman she has never met but heard about from Centola)'s bar, she watches as the four people plan for their next raid, Kassim talking about the intel from the palace about the two noblemen with a low amount of security.

"I'm thinking we should hit this man's house…" Kassim tells them, and the map placed on the table shows the main roads and houses of Balbadd. Several of the larger ones were crossed off, and now Kassim points to another, giving his comrades sly grins.

Bad almost giggles at the absurdity of their conversation.

"What is the strategy?" Bad asks, tilting her head.

"Every group consists of teams of ten but we attack with no less than one hundred. And we take out the guards on every side and raid the treasury. Which reminds me, the treasure room is located here…" rolling her eyes, Bad continues despite Kassim's explanation.

"No, I mean what is the order in which you take out the guards?"

"Huh?" Comes Alibaba's stupid reply, and Bad glares at him. What? She was talking to Kassim, not him.

"Zaynab and Hassan will use their magic swords to distract and take out the guards and then the rest of us will-"

"Isn't that what you do every time?"

"Yes-"

"So what if something goes wrong?" Irritation flashes across his eyes, but it's covered up with astounding speed that surprises even Bad.

"Like what?" Arrogance. Explains one of the reasons you died in the Other.

"Like what if the weapons don't work? What if the King finally realized he has been a dumb ass and leaked false information? What if perhaps other people with magic weapons show up and beat you at your own game? This is why you people need me." Alibaba opens his mouth to refute her claim, but one more intense glare shuts him up completely. "So, because you definitely don't have a strategy whatsoever, we need to make one."

Alibaba once again becomes upset by her taking control, but Kassim holds his hand up and narrows his eyes.

"What do you have planned?"

"Three waves of twenty, hitting from each side. Zaynab leads the first, Hassan the second, Alibaba and Kassim the final. The first waves takes out the guards, the second secures the area, the third plunders or whatever. Sounds good?"

The leaders exchange looks.

"We'll try it."


Sinbad would think of himself as a clever man who isn't easily tricked, but unfortunately that is not the case today. After all, he got robbed of everything. Including his clothes, money, and his Djinn metal vessels.

Oh God. He lost his Djinns.

Ja'far is going to be pissed.

In a stroke of luck, however, he was found by a bright youth and cute redhead, thus ensuring that he has clothes (no matter how small) to wear back into the city. He ignores the stares that follow him into Balbadd.

The youth, Aladdin, is a nice boy and Sinbad hears himself telling him and his companion Morgiana that he will cover the bill.

Ja'far is going to be double pissed.

With his head full of that joyous thought, he ushers the two into the luxurious hotel. That is, until he is stopped at the door by five guards. They yell at him for being suspicious, and he hopes that his advisor comes to convince these gentlemen that he is not in anyway suspicious. However, a young woman beats them to the punch.

"Ah, excuse me?" She asks, her voice sweet like sugar yet soothing like the spring breeze. The guards instantly take notice of her, and their eyes turn glazed once they stare into her pretty eyes. Even Sinbad can feel the pull of her beauty, but he forces himself to remain strong.

"Yes, Miss?" A guard asks, completely ignoring Sinbad. "Is there something you need?"

"I appreciate your concern," Her lips form the most gentle, caring smile he's ever seen on a woman. "However this man here is a friend of mine, and I would be grateful if you let him go."

"Of course." The instant reply shocks the King as all four guards bow lowly to the beauty, heading back to their positions.

"I guess I owe you my thanks," Sinbad tells her, cringing internally at how thankful he actually sounds. The woman, a girl, he realizes with shock, gives an elegant hand wave.

"No need, good sir. I am surprised that the guards did not recognize you." She smiles again, and she's so gorgeous he almost didn't realize what she said.

Almost.

"Excuse me?"

"You are Sinbad of Sindria, correct?" Flabberghasted, he thinks through his memories. Has he seen this girl before? No, someone with looks like hers would undoubtedly be burned into his mind. So how does she know who he is while most people in Balbadd have no clue? But instead of questioning her, he merely lets his own looks take control.

"I am honored you know my name, young maiden," He takes her hand and kisses her knuckles, and when he pulls back he strokes her soft skin. Aladdin and Morgiana watch in wonder at his seduction tactics, both blinking owlishly.

"Do not touch my Mistress, you suspicious weirdo!" Someone yells, stomping over to the duo. He freezes for a moment as the black haired woman smacks his hand away from the beauty, and then takes her place in front of her, glaring with amethyst eyes. This new woman is good-looking as well, but next to the girl her looks pale in comparison.

Pale.

Pale like his advisor who materializes by his side, glaring with those sharp black eyes of his.

"H-Hi Ja'far, Masrur."

"Hello Sin."

"Hm," Ja'far takes one look at the two women, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of the young girl. He's having the same reaction as his King did, the shock and the pulling at his very being. Hell, even Masrur appears surprised at the level of the girl's beauty and he isn't interested in anyone.

Literally not a single person.

For a while Sin was convinced he swung for the other team-

"What appears to be the problem?" Ja'far asks, his tone calming and intervening.

"The problem is that this pervert has laid his filthy hands on my Mistress!" The black haired woman exclaims, reaching out and poking Sinbad's chest. It didn't hurt, but the insulting component of the action shocks him. Didn't the pretty girl tell her friend who he was? This woman really doesn't seem to care whether or not he's a King, does she?

"Please, I'm sure my Master didn't mean to touch your Mistress, it was a misunderstanding." Ja'far says, stepping in front of Sinbad.

"You think he can just-" A very ominous look crosses the woman's face, one of dark annoyance.

"Khadeja," The girl interjects, placing one thin hand gently on Khadeja's shoulder, taking her place by her servant's side once again. "Please do not show anger toward these men, Mr. Sinbad was merely showing his thanks for my help."

Khadeja instantly relaxes and nods, taking a step back with a barely noticeable bow.

"As you wish, Lady Centola," If that is not a personality change, Sinbad doesn't know what is. The girl, Centola, curtsies to Sinbad and once again graces him with her awe-inspiring smile.

"I'm glad to be able to speak with you today, Mr. Sinbad, and I hope we meet again in the future." Before she turns to leave, he's talking.

"Wait! To apologize for my rudeness, may I treat you and your friend-"

"Attendant." Khadeja interrupts, glaring at him. Huh. So maybe she was only pretending to be submissive before.

"Sorry, may I treat you and your attendant to lunch tomorrow?" Khadeja opens her mouth, probably to refuse and sneer at him when Centola says,

"That sounds wonderful, we would be delighted!" Sinbad beams like a little kid. Ja'far and Masrur roll their eyes at their King's antics, and Sinbad remembers the two he promised to get rooms for. He motions for them to step forward, and they comply.

"I hope you don't mind my two companions joining us."

"Of course not," Centola gives Aladdin and Morgiana a once over, her smile widening. "How do you do?"

"I'm fine~" Aladdin singsongs, his eyes glassy and cheeks flushed. Sin doesn't miss how he is staring straight at the girl's not-so-small chest. Morgiana herself blushes as well, nodding embarrassedly.

"Ja'far, these two helped get me back into the city after I...lost my way. I told them I would pay for their stay in the hotel."

"...I see...So our master has caused you some trouble." Jafar glares at Sinbad and smiles at Aladdin and Morgiana, continuing, "In accordance with our master's wishes, leave the hotel charges to us."

"Thank you! Subordinate brothers!"

"Now, please don't stray from us again." As Sinbad is being pulled away by Ja'far, he looks back at the four he's leaving.

"See ya later, Aladdin, Morgiana, Khadeja and Centola! I can't wait until tomorrow!"

"IT'S LADY CENTOLA TO YOU, YOU PERVERTED FREAK!"


"Mistress, why agree to lunch with that buffoon-"

"Do you know who he is, Khadeja?"

"Probably a drunk that got his clothes stolen when he took a nap on the side of the-"

"That buffoon is King Sinbad of Sindria,"

"W-What?!"

"I know, I too was a bit surprised in his choice of clothing…"

"Well...He is a King."

"The Emperor's New Clothes~"

"What?"

"Oh...nothing."


Lunch is at a fancy restaurant, and just like in the manga the fish is presented in front of Khadeja, Aladdin, Morgiana and Centola. Centola listens as Sinbad gives a little spiel about the fish and it's history, which she ignores mostly.

At times like this it's hard to pretend to be interested in the words he's saying and not the two right next to her.

Aladdin (the main character *squeal*) and Morgiana (Alibaba's love interest. Wonderful. *sarcasm*). She tries really hard to keep her calm, gentle face on and not let her inner fangirl loose on the unsuspecting five. Well, technically six if you count Khadeja.

"By the way, I haven't introduced my subordinates yet," Sinbad points to the pale, freckled man and then to the tall, muscular guy "My subordinates are Ja'far and Masrur. Morgiana! Masrur is a Fanalis." Centola morphs her face into one of confirmation. Hopefully they'll catch it and her next words will make more sense.

"Did that surprise you? Actually, yesterday he also noticed. Your eyes are exactly alike."

"Hello."

"Hello." Both look uncomfortable (well, Morgiana does), and Centola uses this tiny pause to her advantage.

"Actually," she speaks up, patting her lips with a napkin. "I noticed that as well."

"You did?" Sinbad grins, and Masrur flickers his red eyes toward her.

"Yes. I happen to have a friend who is a Fanalis," Both redheads have their attention on her now, and she daintily flickers a piece of hair over her shoulder. "I believe she is in the city somewhere, but knowing her, she will not show up for a while." Laughing at the sentiment, Khadeja nods.

"Miss Catrina is a bit of a free spirit."

"I bet she's getting into trouble as we speak." They laugh once more and Aladdin pulls Morgiana up. They begin to talk to Masrur, Aladdin introducing himself with his cute boyish voice. Sinbad gives her a look that while it appears handsome and soothing, a calculation is undoubtably going on. He's piecing it together, Centola can tell, and she knows that once the truth comes out it will be hard to convince-

GIANT BLUE ARMS OH MY GOD.

Well, at least the shock must look real.

Khadeja squeals and bumps into Jafar's chair. They both go tumbling down and the drink Jafar had in his hand spills all over them. Centola luckily managed to avoid getting droplets on her dress and she hops in the opposite direction of Khadeja.

Hopefully Catrina must be having more fun than I am.


"I'm borrrrrrreeeeeeed." Catrina mumbles, snuggling deeper into the armchair and wrapping the blanket tighter around her form. The house was the same as the one she stayed in when she was ten, and the homey nature has only intensified over the many years spent away. But as she already said, she's really bored. As a Fanalis and soon-to-be-introduced-character, she has to stay out of sight and out of mind for those who are fulfilling their part (cough Centola and Bad cough). Which is sort of annoying. Of course, she supposes that it makes sense.

Centola and Bad were the ones who came up with this whole plan for the Balbadd Arc, so in a way this means more to them. Balbadd honestly doesn't mean anything to her. She understands that saying that is cruel and rude, but her mother taught her to be honest, and so she will tell the truth:

Saving Balbadd isn't something she would do herself. In fact, if it wasn't for Centola and Bad she wouldn't even try to stop the events that will come to pass. Actually, Bad probably wouldn't try to change the Balbadd arc either if it wasn't for Centola. Bad's all about changing this world's Fate, but she doesn't believe in changing too much of the original path. She says it's because there is just one thing she truly needs to change from the past life that matters to her. Centola is her reason.

Maybe it was the bitterness within herself that would stop her. Catrina would never admit it, but somehow, in a twisted and pitch-black way, this seemed like Balbadd's just desserts. Because of a cruel King, a slightly bonkers slum rat reeked havic on the place he thought to save. How disgusting that people can be so naive.

Centola cares about Balbadd. For the life of Catrina she doesn't know why, but Centola loves it. Perhaps it's a twisted form of Stockholm syndrome. In Balbadd Centola starved, lost, and was put through an emotional rollercoaster. But then again, it's also the place she loved, learned and lived, right?

For Centola, Catrina will save Balbadd. For her big sister, she will become a saving grace and take down all in her path.

The floors are cool to the touch but she doesn't care, and instead flings the blanket off her and walks with purpose into the kitchen where Yamu is working on some formulas with Yunan and Eren sharpens his arrow tips. They look up when she enters, and then the smiles slip off their faces and their eyes blaze.

"It's time."


"Aladdin…You're also a magi?!"

"Also?" Aladdin asks, tilting his head to the side "Do you know other magi?"

"Yes...I know another Magi…" Sinbad pats Ugo, looking over him with wonder and excitement. Centola and Khadeja stand next to Aladdin and Morgiana (who told them they can just call her Mor if they want, Aladdin already does). "Although our relationship isn't the best..."

"Do you mean Al Thamen's or the Reim Empire's 'High Priestess'?" Centola asks, and Sinbad whips his head around to look into her eyes. The initial gentleness in his gaze is gone, replaced by a steady, sharp look that could be interpreted in a thousand different ways.

He is beginning to understand who I am, but the pieces of the puzzle don't fit right.

"Al Thamen's…" He says slowly, and Centola wonders if she said the right thing. However, going through the manga pages in her memories, these words will make her relationship with the magi of the Kou Empire more understandable. For right now, she just seems secretive. Khadeja, still scowling at the stain on 'Mistress's pretty sash she gave me!' quickly shoots Centola a 'should-he-know-this-much?' look.

"Ah, I see…"

"Just who are you people?" Aladdin questions, and Centola is actually a bit surprised he was pointing the question toward both Sin and her. Sinbad goes first, giving a speech he undoubtedly has done before, and Centola goes after him. With a twinkle in her eye, she says soothingly,

"My name is Centola De Coverna, I am the sixteen year old niece of Zeina De Coverna," Sinbad's shocked face is really amusing. "I believe you know her, King Sinbad?"

"I do." He says gruffly, but the playfulness of his face tells her of the plans spinning into action within his mind.

"De...Coverna?" Mor asks slowly, concentrating hard on the name. "I think I've heard that name before."

"Ah well, my family isn't that big, and we're not very showy about our...dealings." She notes Ja'far's sudden tenseness and Masrur's unsure expression, as if debating hurling her out of Balbadd. Aunt Zeina's past with Sindria must be very long, huh?

"Oh."

"Hey, Mr. Sinbad, there's one thing I want you to teach me," Aladdin begins to talk about his want for more knowledge about who he is and Centola really can't get over that mysterious look in his eyes. Aladdin himself is just too cute. Looking at the young boy, she can't believe all he's done in such a short period of time. He even helped Alibaba capture a Dungeon! His long blue hair is neat and silky, and his big azure eyes are calming yet innocent and naive. He looks...He looks…

A bit like Bad when she thinks nobody is looking, docile and naturally sweet. A real child.

"Can I ask a favor of the amazing Aladdin and beautiful Centola?" Arch an eyebrow elegantly, Centola. Look welcoming yet unsure whether or not to accept.

"What is it?"

"To tell you the truth, there is a certain battle going on right now but...Because of certain circumstances...Right now I do not have any metal vessels!" He says it with the very same grin he uses in the manga, and Centola almost bust out laughing.

She doesn't though, because that would be unlady like.

"All seven were stolen from him." Jafar deadpans, and Khadeja chuckles a bit.

"Would you be willing to lend us your powers?"

What did Aunt Zeina say when I left?

"Don't trust Sinbad my dear, he will make you serious. And…"

"I would be glad to help, Sinbad." She smiles widely.

"Seriousness leaves a scar."


Alibaba is tired. He can't help it, after the past days with that brat Bad, he's feeling pretty down in the dumps. There hasn't been a single day since she came that he hasn't wanted to strangle her because of the constant teasing and sneering. Why does she hate him so much?

She's such a little twerp.

Sighing, he continues his stroll through Junkyard Street, finding the place he called home just as dirty as before, despite being an empty lot. Maybe his father meant to do something with the plot of land, but never got to it because of his untimely death...That Alibaba caused.

His older brothers probably never got around to finishing his father's project. Or never cared, since it was the birthplace of their bastard brother.

There! Right there, that was the place where his house (tent) was! Oh he remembers so much! From his kind mother holding after he fell, to Kassim and Mariam and him working the jobs of the Slum Rats. Shining shoes, guiding tourists around, helping with little construction projects here and there. Once he was a messenger!

He leans down and takes the dirt between his fingers, watching as the silt slides back to the earth from the gaps between the digits.

Lilliana's house was over there. Smart, nice Lilliana, who was a singer in Mrs. Gamela's bar.

He misses them all so much.

"Mom...Auntie...Mariam..." He can hear the emotion in his voice. The defeat, the anxiety. "What do I do?"

All that's left is him and Kassim, and it doesn't even feel like Kassim is even there anymore. What is he suppose to do, when he is alone and uncared for? Stuck in a situation he couldn't have ever dreamed of, in a world that no longer cares? Is there any hope left for a boy in a man's world?

Rayide.

The name of a far off city echoes in his brain, and the memories pour back through his head like a waterfall.

"Kassim...If this is Centola's house, then where is she?" It wasn't a very nice house. One bedroom, a sturdy yet dusty kitchen that the rats had found their way into through hard work clawing at the boards of the floor. The Centola he knew, clean and motherly, would never let such a thing occur and get the problem fixed as soon as she got the money to do so.

So why didn't she?

There was a lack of...Life from the home. Here and there a few nicknacks lay, but the hollow echoes made him ache for something to prove that his friend was here.

He'd missed the sweet dancer from the Slums.

"She's gone, Alibaba." It was an echo, he was sure of it. There was no way...yet, it made sense.

"What? Where did Cent go?" Kassim gave him dead, cold eyes that to this day burn in his memory.

"When she heard about the Treasury..." Alibaba winced. The incident, while two years old, was still fresh in the Prince's mind. "She blew up at me, and then announced that she had a Aunt in Rayide. Then off she went, leaving the Slums."

There was no hate in his voice. There couldn't be, because Alibaba knew that Kassim could never hate Centola, no matter what may occur between the two. No, there was just anger and betrayal and a hint of jealousy.

Jealousy?

Well, it makes sense. The Slums had always been a horrible place, yet no resident had up and left so easily before. Centola had done it, and thats what made Kassim so jealous. Kassim believed he could never leave the junkyard of a place.

"Isn't she coming back?" It was a foolish question, but hope flooded him at the prospect of seeing her again. He flash backed to the time when he first saw her in the bar after so long. He didn't know who was singing that night, but vaguely remembers thinking that the song was cheerful, uplifting and bright. He was too wrapped up in Kassim to notice, but the moment the dreadlocked boy's eyes widened, and a flicker of admiration crossed the brown orbs, he felt the arms encircle him and a cheek mold into his own.

The thought that had crossed his mind, while far off and lost within the deep recesses of his subconscious, was something like this:

It feels like home.

"Alibaba!" Falling to the floor was probably the most idiotic thing he had ever done, but it had happened and even now a flicker of mortification rose up in his chest.

Her hair, strawberry blond had been put up in a skilled bun and her green mirrors for eyes showed him that yes, he was blushing. Her fourteen year old appearance looked nothing like when she was nine, and while he was able to recognize the full lips and rosy cheeks, Centola had become incredibly...not cute, not adorable, but beautiful.

And Kassim got to see her every day like that.

"No, Alibaba. I don't think she is." Well...who would want to return to a place like this? And if she did have a aunt in Rayide, wouldn't her aunt's life provide a much more stable place for her? It was unfair to hope she would return to Balbadd, and in a flash of realization, he didn't want her to return to a place so filled with strife and despair.

"...Why didn't you tell two tell me about Mariam?"

"The year after you left the slums...There was a sickness. They quarantined the Slums so it wouldn't spread to the Palace. We didn't have any doctors or medicine. Many died in horrible agony, including my sister Mariam...As she suffered and grew cold, there was nothing...There was nothing I could do! You want to know what happened Alibaba?!" Kassim was shouting by the end, teeth clenched and jaw tense, he was pulling on his hair as he paced in the small kitchen.

"I-I-"

"I left Centola at the house, and went to beg for food. I had to fight people who were once friends for the scraps I got. And when I returned home, for the first time in days feeling like I had sort of accomplishment, Centola was there, wailing over Mariam's cold dead body!" Spit flew from his mouth and hot angry tears gathered within his icy eyes. "It felt like time stopped, I couldn't even force myself to look at her body...and Centola, Centola just sobbed and sobbed and it broke my heart to hear her piercing cries. I held her in my arms and tried to think of a way to stop the pain, but my sister was dead. And in the end I just cried with her."

Something wet fell onto his tunic, and Alibaba quickly swiped at his face, staring at his friend's back.

"I tried so hard Alibaba. Centola was the only person left who I even gave a damn about and I couldn't fix her. The reason I lied to that night was because I already decided to change the Slums and enlighten the people about the cruel monarchy, but the reason Centola lied to you, even if you couldn't see it, was because she was- she was broken."

Alibaba shakes his head.

"No, Centola isn't-"

"She is!" Kassim roared, turning on him "Centola tried to hide it, and she did it well, but I could always see the bags under her eyes and hear hoarseness of her throat. I tried to protect her but she wouldn't let me...And now I can't even make it right..."

"Kassim..."

"That's why I formed the Fog Troop! Hearing about the tunnel helped. After that raid, the Fog Troop was powerful! I gathered troops and weapons...and we fought the soldiers of King Ahbmad Saluja! But something's missing! We're just a motley crew of Slum rats! If nothing changes, they'll hunt us down like mere thieves!"

Kassim had gone on to convince him to become the leader of the Fog Troop, though Alibaba feels more like a figurehead set up to convince people that they aren't all bad. Kassim isn't bad! Some of the people in the Fog Troop however...

Kassim is family, no matter what happens. Even if he is the reason Centola left, even if he is the cause behind Alibaba's anxieties. Friends are friends, and Alibaba knows Kassim is doing his very best. So Alibaba needs to as well. With that thought in mind, he leaves the broken junkyard behind him, and returns to his base. They have a raid tonight, after all.


"Bad."

"Ali-dork." Alibaba huffs and turns red while glaring at the child, who smugly smiles and stokes her staff lovingly. Why does she have such a devotion to that thing anyway? It's like the staff is human or something.

She probably named it and insists people call her by that name.

The thought almost makes him smile, and he tries to move past the...is she ten?

...A ten year old magician, traveling on her own. That reminds him of- No. No more thinking about him.

"What's wrong Prince-y?"

"Prince-y?" He deadpans, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. How come this one little brat gets under his skin so much?

"Yup. Decided on it myself, you little munchkin."

"Mu-munch- You're shorter than me!"

"Yeah but girls are ALLOWED to be short. Your DNA must be wacky."

"My what?"

"And here I thought you had an education!"

I hate her so much.


DONE! Thank God I finished today, writers block sucks. Alright, as y'all know, school starts tomorrow (for me anyway) so I won't be able to post as much or often as I have been in the summer :(. But when I do, they will be long! Promise! So um, yeah. Stuff happened :P Lol, Eren barely got any screen time! But then again neither did Judal, Asad and Kougyoku and they will be very important soon. Heh, I'll just have to make the next chappie about them! LOL!

The next chapter will cover a lot of shieße~

Also I posted another story called Beneath the Stars, which holds a bunch of short stories based on the events in this story! Read it if you have a chance, most of them are going to be funny but there will be a few sad ones.

Got any questions? Something wrong about the chapter? Grammatical errors, something you didn't like? PM me or leave it in the reviews, I will reply and see what I can do to make the story better/clearer for y'all to understand. ILY MY DARLING READERS!

BYE~~~~~~~