Yay! New chapter! And it didn't take until June. See I keep my word. Most of the time. Anyway, read on my fellow shippers.
Disclaimer: Don't own Tin Man. It's sad, isn't it?
Chapter 8: Some Things Never Change
It wasn't too long before they were able to get on the road. Everyone was quiet, caught up in their own head, turning over what they had learned. DG wasn't too worried; everyone seemed to accept the story and took the news really well. She was beginning to feel a new hope.
Before this had been just a daunting task, with impossible odds, that she had to do, no matter what. But now it had changed. She had saved the Mystic Man; they weren't captured at the Northern Palace; she actually had help now. She was beginning to feel like she was actually going to be able to succeed. She was allowing herself to just bask in the happiness that her friends were alive.
That was probably her first mistake.
They had been walking through the trees, trying to stay a ways from the road for safety, when a thick yellowy-brown fog quickly descended on them.
"What is this?" Glitch called through the mist.
"Everyone, get –" Cain started when Raw yelled, "LONGCOATS!"
But it was too late. DG heard the gun shots and clashing of the metal arm plates against trees and just reacted. Her first thoughts were to protect her friends. She knew that, if captured, they'd be taken to the Tower, and the Witch didn't need any more play things. Particularly a Viewer already tortured ex-Tin Man, or the rest of Glitch's brain. Not when DG cared about them this much.
So her magic just snapped, determined to get them to safety. It was able to locate them through the fog and forcibly pull them into the underbrush.
Three out of the four yelled out at the sudden motion, fighting against it, and another spell flashed out, silencing and holding them where they were.
But what she didn't think about was herself. Almost the second that her friends were secure, DG was taken completely off guard by ropes that came flying at her out of nowhere. They wrapped themselves tight around her legs and torso, pinning her arms to her sides. The force of the unexpected blow and confinement threw DG to the ground with a startled yell, knocking the wind out of her.
She hit the ground hard and the smoke was sucked away like a vacuum. DG stared up into the dense tree tops, trying to catch her breathe. This is really, really bad.
Soon, men in long rubbery leather jackets surrounded her. Zero appeared in her field of vision and roughly pulled her up. She struggled more out of principle than hope of escape. She was outnumbered and she knew it.
DG was forced forwards a short ways, before she was faced with the beautiful face of her sister. The harsh facial expression was foreign, but it was enough to make her want to cry. A few tears did fall but it was easily passed off as the smoke or being roughhoused. It had been a long. Lonely two and a half months without he sister.
"Well, well… If it isn't the sister I thought I no longer had." But the witch she could do without.
DG grunted as she pushed against the hands that held her, to stand in a more erect position, "What do you want?"
As she gave the automatic response, something else dawned on her, "How did you find me?"
The Witch stepped closer, reaching out with one long blood red nail to trace DG's jawline, "I've always wondered what you'd look like."
DG gritted her teeth, "How. Did. You. Find. Me?"
The thing that was wearing the Heir Apparent's face dropped her hand and smiled sickly sweet, "Oh, my innocent naïve little sister. Did you really think that I would just let you have the Mystic Man, without reason? I am tracking his magic. I am keeping an eye on you, like any good big sister should."
DG was sure to keep her blank, wide-eyed stare in place. The Witch was trying to bait her, but she wasn't going to rise to it. DG would deal with this little tidbit of information later. She looked straight into her sister's eyes and couldn't find the lavender flecks that used to be so prominent, "Well, you've found me, so… why don't you let me go and then find me again? Like a really big game of hide and seek? It's been so long since we've played…."
DG watched as The Witch clenched her Jaw. The predator didn't like her food playing with her. She turned away and paced the dirt in front of them for a moment, before speaking again, "Mother never could leave well enough alone. Always loved to play favorites, she did. Horrible, really, but I'm here to rectify that."
The Witch turned on her heel to look DG in the eye, malice gleaming like crazy, "Where is the Emerald?"
The Witch was satisfied to see the millisecond of shock flash in those clear blue eyes, even if she didn't get a response, "Don't tell me that you haven't dreamed of it? Heard it calling to you to be found from its dark hiding place."
"No, I haven't," the Witch was surprised to see complete honesty in her Princess of Light's eyes. But it didn't sway her; she clearly could get people to do as she pleased. Skillful lying would not be outside her skillset.
"No? That's a shame… Very well…." The Witch turned away again, and walked back towards her horse, "Take her. And where are her companions?"
"It appears they fled when you produced the smoke screen," a lower soldier reported, shaking slightly.
The Witch tsked and she swung her leg and gown over her saddle, "Cowards… Isn't it sad, little sister, what has become of the once proud people of the OZ? But don't worry; I am in the process of changing all of that. And you shall help me."
DG was dragged after the Witch as they rode out, forcing herself not to glance back at the bushes.
It was hours before Cain was able to move again. Part of him was keenly aware of the fact that he should be having a claustrophobic attack; this was all too like the suit and he had barely been able to handle Demilo's van.
But he wasn't. He was just fine. It was strange actually. When in the suit, it had been cold, dark and cramped. Now felt like he was wrapped up in a very comfortable, warm blanket. He even felt lov –
Well, anyway, it was different. He knew he was going to be let up eventually, and he was fine with that. It was… Well, the magic was telling him it would free him.
Finally, it made good on its promise, and he shot up out of the foliage. The Headcase soon followed and Raw helped Evan stand.
"What the hell was that?" Cain demanded, "Did you use magic to hide us? Why not DG?"
Evan looked disparagingly at him, "No, Wyatt. Have you ever known me to run? Besides, there was a long buffer after they left. There was no need for that. I daresay that was DG and she doesn't have full grips on her magic."
Cain growled at no one in particular, "What was that about tracking your magic? Is that even possible?"
Evan sighed and nodded, "Magic leaves minute traces on everything. Only unbelievably powerful mage can detect their presences without assistance, and even then it's extremely difficult to use those seeds to find someone. As powerful as the Sorceress is she does not possess that much. There is an ancient spell that if she had a sample of my magical energy, which I assume, she took while I was… incapacitated, she could find me and, perhaps, see what I see for a brief moment. But that would work only once, so we should be in the clear now."
Glitch glanced between the two for half a second, before speaking, "Well, what are we going to do? Get her back?"
"Obviously," Cain barked.
"Well I meant, how? And what if Azkadee had already killed her?"
"DG live. Feel her. Sleep. Longcoats transport," Raw told them.
"Well, where would they take her?" Glitch asked, oddly the temporary voice of reason.
"I would guess Azkadillia's headquarters. Her tower in the west," Evan told them.
"Well, let's go. It's not too far from here. We should get there by morning," Cain said, already walking in that direction. He wanted to get her out of there, and as quickly as possible. He wasn't going to think about why.
It was nearly midnight before Evan was able to talk Cain into stopping.
They didn't even really make a camp, Raw and Glitch just dropping down and falling asleep. Despite his insistence, Cain gave Evan the first watch, while he tried to sleep. In reality, he planned on only dozing, not all too fond of the nightmares and really weird dreams he's been having lately. But his body betrayed him.
He could feel what was going on around him but it was like there was a layer of… something between him and the world.
He was cold. And something was broken. So much snow. White.
He felt confirmation, not shock. He already knew. In fact he explained it. Explained what?
Then he was angry. But he was always angry now. But this was different.
"No wife and child crying for years…"
His own breathless voice floated in and out, "My family's… My family's alive… my Family's alive…"
Then he was cold again, so much colder. And wet. Falling… falling…
Cain jerked awake, reaching for his gun out of habit. No one was around, Evan facing the opposite direction.
He laid his head back on the tree he was leaning against and watched the moons. What the hell was that?
DG awoke as Longcoats dragged her through the labyrinth of tunnels and cells. Whatever they had used to knock her out was wearing off and she knew that she was in some serious trouble.
She didn't struggle as she was carried to her cell. She was outnumbered and quite at a disadvantage. She needed a moment to gather her head.
She was unceremoniously dumped onto the floor of her cell and the door slammed behind her. DG listened to the chuckling as the men walked away and got comfortable. She had to wait until she came up with a plan.
DG gazed over at the empty cell and smiled. She remembered her encounter with the Mystic Man, as odd as it was. She was glad to not have a repeat even if it was going to give them some trouble. So the Witch can track Evan's magic… That's new. DG hadn't known that that was possible but she didn't doubt it. She'd talk to Evan about it later, but right now she wasn't going to worry about it. So, they'd have to deal with the Witch breathing down their necks. Not ideal, but they had done it before.
Her current worry was about getting out of here. She knew Tutor was around here somewhere. She figured that she'd have to break him out. If the Witch were able to track them through Evan, she'd have no reason to plant a spy. But Toto had that training doll and after she had used it, her magic was more available. It didn't make any sense to her, but she was willing to try anything at this point.
She sat for hours just thinking, remembering the better times here in the OZ and how much she wanted to get back to that and stay there. Her musings were interrupted when two Longcoats approached and entered her cell. Before she was even able to stand, the men ambushed her with a vital of something and the second the injection was put in her, her eye got droopy.
DG was barely able to register she was being moved, until she was brought into what she remembered at the initialization room. She could barely make out her sister sanding off to the side, talking with her robo-rents. Well, that didn't work.
Then she started to feel really weird. She felt weird to begin with – being drugged does that – but now if felt like little tiny… things were traveling through her body eating up the medication. She felt her mind getting clearer and clearer. Gotta love magic.
She lazily watched as the Alchemist started to reeve up the projection machine and knew she had to say something.
"It won't work," She said groggily. You could have heard a pin drop, the room was so quiet. She worked to sit up, rolling her head and shoulders, trying to rid herself of the weird sensation, "I know this isn't a dream and they aren't my real parents."
The Sorceress stared directly at the infuriating girl, "Well, aren't we just full of surprises… But I suppose the more direct approach will suffice."
DG chuckled, "You are so twisted."
"Why? Because with a little rewiring I could get something I've missed out on for too long? A father's love? Mother's affection?" DG could see a bit of her sister shining through in the statement, the scared little girl left alone for too long.
But she spoke directly to the parasite that inhabited the body, "Oh, kill the pity party, sick old hag."
The Witch's eyes widened a fraction. She couldn't know about me…. There is no way…
DG continued, "Where are our parents? Where are you holding our mother?"
"Daddy, the theft, abandoned us after…" Dark eyes traveled up the length of DG's body, "died. Mother had his name banished from the lands. Ever the drama queen..."
"That hasn't answered my question."
"There came a time where she had to be isolated." The Witch walked over to her imaging tank, and the haggard face of the Queen appeared, calling for her youngest daughter.
When DG looked away from the tank and back towards her captor, the face was sweeter, softer, closer to that of the real Az, "DG… Just tell me where the Emerald is. Tell where it is and I'll take you to her. She wants to see you…"
"I don't remember. That was a long time ago," DG looked deep into the woman's eyes and could tell that Az was close to the surface. She had to be, there was no way that the Sorceress alone could even pretend to sound that innocent and caring.
"We could pry the memories out of her," Zero suggested from his corner, and it took every bit of DG's limited self-control not to strike the man down where he stood.
"Zero, she's my sister…" The Witch sighed and stepped closer. When she looked at DG again, DG saw her eyes were shining slightly. Az was so close. Maybe I could talk to her. Tell her to hold on for a little bit longer, "I have really made this much of a family reunion, have I?"
DG couldn't say anything. She didn't know how to proceed. She wanted to be snarky and rude to the Witch, but comfort her big sister. She couldn't do both.
But Az continued anyway, "I want to show you something. Share something with you."
They made their way out on to the balcony where they had – and will – defeat the Witch. Az guided them towards the edge, overlooking the vastness that was the OZ. DG worked on keeping her breathing normal. She really didn't want to fall off again.
"The Majestic Queen of the OZ has two lovely Daughters she. Double Eclipse, it is foreseen, light meets dark and the stillness between. But one and one alone will hold the Emerald and take the thrown."
Az let the silence fall between them.
"You missed part," DG spoke softly.
"What?" Az's inquisitive nature shone through as she turned around.
"The Majestic Queen of the OZ has two lovely Daughters she. One to darkness she be drawn, and one to light she be shown…. That's the whole prophecy. You skip that part because Az doesn't like it. She doesn't like thinking she's the one 'drawn to darkness'. And even as you try to take her completely, you are not in total control."
DG watched as Az looked on with surprise, until the Witch firmly took control again, "What do you know, little sister."
"That you are not my sister. You have taken over my sister's body and have subjected her mind to your cruelty, because of my mistake. You are afraid of me because you killed me and yet I'm here. You are realizing that I am more powerful than you and will defeat you."
"You... You… Little Wench! How dare-"
"I will get my sister back and we will defeat you."
"Guards! Guards, take her away!"
"Az, I know you can hear me! Hold on, Az! I'm coming for you!"
"GUARDS!" The Sorceress screeched. She felt the little Gale bitch fighting against her now, trying to get to her little sister that was reaching out to her, that knew she was there and that this wasn't her doing.
The Longcoats finally got out there and took a hold of the girl, but DG just continued on, "Az, Mother and Father have sent me to get you. They still love you, and sent me to fix my mistake! This is all my fault! I'm so sorry!"
The Witch was infuriated and yelled, blasting a force of magic at the insolent princess. The moment it hit the young women's chest, she flailed backwards, unconscious.
"Strap her to the viewing chair and got get Lilo," The Witch said through gritted teeth, clenching and unclenching her fists and jaw, trying to desperately stay in control.
When DG bounced back from the blast, she heard the Witch yelling at Lilo.
"Lilo can't find! Aarrraghhhh!"
"FOCUS!"
"Something! Something protecting memories!"
"Break through!"
She didn't try to fight this time. She knew that there was no way for the Witch to get at the information. All she wanted to do was protect the poor viewer. He was the only one that was there to take care of Kalm. She reached out will her magic and used her light to sustain him, as he got closer and closer to the barrier and the more they used that damn cattle prod.
"Emerald… Stop Azkadillia… Hall is grey. Emerald in the Grey Gale!"
"The Grey Gale? What's the Grey Gale?"
"Lilo doesn't know… Memories blocked by… Magic…" Then he passed out. DG was able to send out her magic again and saw that, while he was hurting, the damage wasn't fatal or permanent. Right now. They would need to get out of here, and take some time in the peace and quiet of nature to be fully healed.
The Witch mumbled as she stalked out of the room and DG was untied and dragged off. DG would have smiled at the fact she seemed to through the Witch so off balance, but she was tired.
The group of men had woken up early and made haste towards the tower. Currently the four were crouching behind dirt embankments, Cain trying to figure out how they were going to get into the heavily fortified base and Glitch rambling on about some story about a dance.
Evan quietly made has way over towards the contemplative Tin Man, "So, what is the plan?"
"I have no idea… Any possible entrance is heavily covered. Even the Central City Palace was never this heavily guarded…" Cain was trying hard to come up with something, but the Headcase wouldn't shut up, and he snapped.
"She may have taken my brain, but rhythm! That comes directly from the –"
"If you have any bright ideas about how to get in there…"
"I mean I don't mind taxing my half a brain for DG, but just once I wish someone would acknowledge me for my rhythm. Which I was trying to say, before I was so rudely interrupted, comes directly from the soul!"
When Glitch completed his monologue, he could feel Cain's eye drilling into the back of his head and he risked glancing back at him. He looked thoroughly exasperated as he said, "You know, Cain, sometimes you make me feel just like those ladies at the dance did. Like I blend right into the wallpaper."
The comment struck a cord with the Tin Man and he looked back out over the plethora of troops. He stole a glance at the Mystic Man and saw the wheels turning in his mind too, "That could work."
"Indeed, it may. But I would have to suggest that Master Raw and I stay here. I would slow you down, and the malicious emotion all trapped in there could be deprecating to a viewer. Besides, two would be the easiest to sneak in."
Glitch got a cocky smile, "You wanna dance?"
Wyatt looked at him warily, "I'll lead, you follow."
DG was taken to her cell and she knew that she had to make her escape. How she was going to do that, she had no idea. She couldn't count on Toto to open the door, and she was afraid to use anymore of her magic if she didn't have to.
Just as she was starting to stress over what she was going to do, her dinner of – quite literally – trough slop fell through the ceiling and that rat showed up again. DG eyed it warily. It hadn't worked the first time, but then she had had the rat on the wrong side… Maybe she could do. It was worth a try.
DG bent down and scooped up some of the nasty yellow stuff. She took it over towards the door and prepared to throw it.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," she mumbled as the piece hit its mark.
Slowly she worked the rat up the wall and onto the locking mechanism. She carefully got it next to the right side of the wheel. She tossed the kernel on the handle, the rat lunged for it, and….
The door to her right opened, instead of the left one like last time.
DG let her head fall to the metal bars of her cell door, "Why am I not surprised?"
She stayed like that for a couple minutes, trying to catch her breath. She had been using her magic over the last day and a half or so and it was starting to catch up with her.
She was trying to figure out what she was going to do and not fall asleep, when she was startled by a bark. A small dog ran into the tunnel and scared away the rat. This time she wasn't so mad about it. Indeed she was shocked.
The dog barked at her, and she smiled slightly, "Hey, do I know you?" she said breathily, still too winded for her liking.
The dog scampered up the railing and quickly turned the wheel, opening her cell door.
She smiled, "Thanks."
Than an idea hit her and she went quickly off towards her left. Toto barked warningly at her. She popped her around the corner, "I have to go this way," and disappeared down the hall.
DG used a low level tracking spell and was able to locate the spell she placed on Lilo. She moved deftly, avoiding Longcoats. She made it to the cell where the viewers were being held and saw Kalm crouched over Lilo. She went over to the only wheel mechanism thing in this cross section and began to spin it. This gained the young viewer's attention, and she saw the hurt and fear in his eyes.
She had gotten to know the young viewer after the Eclipse and when he and Raw had come back from their village. She really liked him. He was sweet and shy at first, but after gaining his trust, he showed to be every bit of the normal rambunctious 12 year-old that he was. The pair of them had caused the Tin Man and Raw headaches and heart attacks. It was awesome.
But she focus on getting him and the older Viewer out. She spun the device a few time but it kept opening the wrong doors. Finally she gave a frustrated growl, and stalked towards the door. She held her palm towards the door and pushed her light, under the door and up. The locking mechanism snapped and the door shot up.
She moved slowly, entering the cell as Kalm backed up and tried to muster up a ferocious growl. She lifted her hands up in a subservient motion, "I'm not going to hurt you Kalm."
"How – How do you know my name?" the young boy asked, crowding next to his father.
"I know one of your tribe members. He told me a lot about you and how you guys were stuck here. I want to help."
She took another small step forward, but Kalm still flinched away from her. Lilo groaned, and moved slightly. His head lulled to the side and she found herself looking into another set of deep brown eyes.
"Have magic. Protect Lilo from pain."
"Yes. I wanted to help. I still do."
"Not enough magic to do that."
DG smiled sweetly, "I wouldn't jump to conclusions."
Dark eyes flickered back to her, and hazed out for a moment. DG recognized the use of a Viewer gift, "You are Lost Princess."
"Yes."
"Save us from Sorceress… And save sister."
"That's the overall plan. But right now I'm concerned with saving you guys. If you'll let me," DG said smiling kindly at Kalm.
"Take Kalm, please. Get him to village in Eastern Guild. Not home but Viewers there take him."
"Nope. It's all or nothing. I'm not leaving you here."
"Must. Can't go. Hurt."
"Ahh… Details, details," DG said with a smile. She finished entering the room and crouched beside Kalm. He squirmed a little, and DG didn't know it that was because he wasn't used to trusting humans or the fact that she was a girl. But she smiled at him and began her work. She placed her hands gingerly on his chest and forehead and closed her eyes. She nudged her light towards his magic and felt the cooling feeling of Sight. It was snarled and twisted from the pain that the Alchemists used to induce their gift. She sent a wash of light over him and it helped smooth out the knots and fix his external wounds, but it would only tie him over until they got out. He would have to do some deep meditation.
She pulled back slowly, so that he wouldn't feel the loss of her magic so keenly, and opened her eyes. She was breathing deeper now, but the job was done. She watch as Lilo sat up, watching her with no small amount of awe.
She sucked in some air before speaking, "If you'll let me, I can hide you from the guards. You will be able to slip out undetected. They won't know you are missing until you are long gone."
Lilo was opening his mouth to speak, but Kalm beat him to it, "You can do that?" Curiosity, excitement, and hope shown in his eyes.
"I can. Want me to?" DG smiled at the boy and reached her hand out. He hesitantly leant forward, and DG rested her hand on the side of his hand, fingers tangling in his mane. She let out a wave of magic, wrapping him in protective spell and a glamor spell. She also threw in a calming spell to ease his nerves.
After she opened her eyes, she smiled brightly at him, "Now, that wasn't so bad, right?" he smiled hesitantly at her, as she moved to repeat the process on Lilo.
When they were done, they all stood and DG stumbled only slightly.
"Can we repay you?" Lilo grumbled, softly.
DG looked at him for a moment before speaking, "I'd hate to ask, but yes. I need your help. After the Eclipse, after the Witch is stopped, we will still have a lot to fix. I was hoping that you may be able to get the Viewer to pledge their loyalty back to the Royal House of Gale. I would be forever in your debt."
Lilo was thoughtful, "Viewers mistrust humans for long time. House of Gale fail and use Viewers. May not be willing."
DG visibly deflated, but Lilo continued to speak, "But when told of Princess rise and goodness, will reconsider, Lilo sure."
DG smiled, "Thank you, Master Lilo." Lilo cocked his head, but bowed to her. He and Kalm rushed down the hallway she had indicated they should use and disappeared from sight. Her reverie was broken by a bark.
She looked down the long hallway to where Toto was waiting, out of ear shot, but watching for Longcoats, "Alright, I'm comin', I'm comin'."
She followed Toto through the labyrinth of pipes and machinery. She was getting dizzier and dizzier with every step, tunnel vision now a prominent problem. She had stopped think about four stair wells ago and was just going, wanting to get out of here.
But she had to stop every now and then to get her bearings. When she'd do this, Toto would bark incessantly at her. Like now.
She needed to catch her breath or she was going to fall down. She leaned against the wall as Toto barked at her from around the corner. When he suddenly stopped, she had thought he decided to go on without her. She wouldn't put it past her Tutor. His patience level was incredibly low when it came to her. It was hilarious. Most of the time.
Not now. Now, she figured she needed to follow him. So she charged after him, rounding the corner and bounced off a warm body. She didn't even have the energy to process that, because she was in enemy territory that it was probably a bad guy and she should run. Actually, all she thought about how that was rude, she was already having a hard enough time standing on her own, she didn't need anyone pushing her down.
Sluggishly she drew her eyes up to try and glare evilly at the intruder. She was surprised to hear a gruff voice fill her ears and smiled tiredly.
"Hey there, Princess."
She smiled a little bit wider, as darkness engulfed her.
"Wyatt," she said softly as she fell.
It had been easy enough to get in and get disguises. Or rather to say it was easy for Glitch. He did most of the work. Cain had to admit that he was impressed. They were currently making their way through the Tower trying to figure out how they were going to find DG. It probably wouldn't have been such a bad thing to bring along the Furball.
They were in the middle of a quiet argument when they heard hurried footsteps. They fell silent as they tried to act casual. Because of his training at the Academy, Cain knew that they were around the corner they were approaching and they would see them soon.
What he didn't expect was to have the person come flying around said corner and run right into his chest. Out of habit, his hand shot out and held on to the person so they wouldn't fall, and was surprised to find that they were soft warm and short. As he looked down, he realized it was exactly who they were looking for.
As she looked up at him, he couldn't resist giving her a crooked smile, "Hey there, Princess."
She smiled up at him and he noticed how sluggish her movements were, despite the fact she had just been running. Her eyes were cloudy and her hand came up to grip his on her shoulder extremely slow.
She breathed out his name and his eyes flew open. He hadn't been aware that she knew his full name, let alone how she said it with such familiarity, or how it was familiar to him.
He didn't get too much time to dwell on it, because her eyes slid closed and she started to fall back.
"Whoa," he quickly wrapped his arms around her, slowing her descent to the floor.
Glitch was behind his shoulder in a second, "What's wrong with her? Is she okay?"
Cain pulled her closer to him and checked her pulse, "I don't know. I think that she's just asleep. Azkadillia must have done something to her."
Suddenly a little dog appeared out of nowhere and bit Glitch. Thankfully, it's teeth weren't able to break through leather material, but it still got his attention.
"Ouch! What was for?" Glitch cried, trying to shake of the small creature.
The dog lost interest in him and lunged for Cain, who pulled out his gun which had the dog shrinking back. Probably the only reason it didn't get shot on the spot was the fact that DG had twitched and began to murmur unhappily, distracting Cain.
But when it started barking up a storm, that refocused him pretty fast, "Hush, you."
But he just ignored him. Instead it bit onto DG's pant leg and tried to pull her in the direction that it appeared she had been heading.
"What is it doing?" Glitch asked.
"I think it wants us to take her that way."
Glitch blinked, "Follow a dog?"
"It wouldn't surprise me if DG had been, and she got out somehow," Cain gathered the frowning girl up in his arms, "Come on. At any rate we have to get out of here."
It was touch and go there for a little bit, but the dog did show them a way to get out through some piping. Cain was starting to get nervous about the Kid, she kept twitching strangely, mumbling and had started to tremble about ten minutes ago. He wanted to get her to Raw, and soon. But they had to make it back up the hill. And if anything there were more Longcoats out now, with the sirens sounding.
It was a slow progress, but they made it.
"Oh, good you've made it. We heard the sirens sound and began to think the worst. Now, we – DG!" Evan rushed forward as Cain crested the hill behind Glitch, Raw following him.
Cain knelt down and lowered DG to the ground, but kept her propped up against him. He pushed her hair back as he pulled her head forward from where it had been lulling lifelessly. He could see a faint sheen of sweat that had broken out on her very pale brow. He knew from plenty of his own nightmares that her sleep was not a restful one and she was fighting hard against some of her demons. And that just made him want to hold her tight.
"Raw, can you figure out what's wrong with her?" Cain asked briskly.
The Healer got to work, and Evan knelt beside them on the other side, "What in Glinda's name happened?"
"We're not sure. We had been tryin' to figure out how to find where she was being held when she came flyin' around the corner. She just passed out shortly after that," Cain explained.
Raw removed his hands and shook his head, "DG body fine. Sleep, but won't wake."
Cain was getting worried, but he saw a light spark in Evan's eyes, "Let me try something."
Evan then laid a hand on the side of DG's face and one on her ribcage. He closed his eyes and his hands began to glow a soft green. Cain started slightly, staring at his hands. He had worked for the Mystic Man for quite some time, seen him do a good bit of magic, but he had never seen his magical doings glow green. Maybe it was a side effect of the vapors. But he doubted that. Something had changed though…
Suddenly Evan pulled his hands away roughly, as they glowed a brilliant emerald green, and DG's whole body flashed white. She then stopped shivering and was moving more naturally.
They were all silent until Cain spoke, "What was that?"
Evan stared at the girl, wide eyed, "I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"I have never experienced anything like that before. Her magic was replenishing itself so fast… I think it even refreshed mine," Evan said is disbelief, flexing his fingers.
DG then groaned and everyone watched as her eyes fluttered open.
DG felt like she was floating in that oblivion again, but was rapidly coming aware of the world around her. It took her a moment, but vaguely remembered that this was what it felt like when she had purposefully put herself into a full on drain.
She remembered the last time it had taken a long time for her to be able to drag herself from out of that place. It was grueling work, with pins and needles prodding her forward, but a dark heavy blackness holding her down. Now it felt like someone had taken her hand and was not only helping her push through the barrier, but gently pulling her to the surface.
Before long, DG found herself blinking against the daylight. Even when it was overcast, it was too bright.
"Deeg? Kiddo, can you hear me?" She squinted, tilting her head back and met with a pair of worried ice blue eyes.
"Yeah," DG let her head drop down and rest comfortable against his chest as she looked around. And boy did that catch her off guard.
Everyone was glowing. Not like flashing neon glowing, but giving off a subtle colored aura. Well, Evan's wasn't so subtle. It was a good foot of a thick emerald green mist surrounding him. The others weren't so bad, though Raw was toting six inches of the worst burnt orange DG's ever seen and Glitch was shimmering a nice burgundy color. Even Toto in dog form was glowing magenta. And all DG could do was stare at them.
"DG? Dorothy, are you all right?" Evan finally broke through.
DG shook her head slightly, "Umm… I think I need to stand up."
Then she was gently being maneuvered up by Wyatt and DG took the opportunity to peek at him. Yep, he was glowing too. But his was different. It was very thin and legitly subtle. Described as only a very fine mist and less than half an inch wide, Cain had a white outline around his body.
Once she was placed firmly on her feet she realized that was a bad idea.
"Whoa…" DG doubled over, hands pressed against her eyes.
"Doll, are you okay?" Glitch jumped forward.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm good, just head rush," DG rubbed her eyes a few times as she straightened up. When she opened up her eyes, the colors were gone. That was strange…
"Are you sure? Because – " Evan was cut off by a bark.
Everyone's attention shifted and the dog transformed into middle aged man.
In hindsight, DG's not all that surprised to see Wyatt's gun pointed straight at the man.
So, not much to say. Hope you like the chapter; tell me what you like, what you loved, what could have been done without. I hope that the next chapter will come out soon, but no promises. This next one seems to be a doozy.
I'm going to try something different. To try and get some conversation with my readers going. Review Challenge! Predict what you think will happen at certain points of the mini-series or what you'd like to see!
Next Chapter: Finaqua
