Tloj: Here's a new chapter for Draven22! Enjoy!

*Smoke's POV*

I leap, and weave silently through the halls of the museum. The security had been shut down for repairs tonight so there are more guards in the hallways. That suits me fine.

Reaper's Wind, a technique mastered by each member of Poisoned Rose, lets me move around unseen for short bursts. Tranquilizing the guards as I go is child's play. It's not too long before I find the room, and the relic, I came for.

I speak into a headset, "This is Misting, I found it, over."

"Hrm, Me Atom Smasher still think relic in other hallway more interesting." A deep voice grunts.

"Ignore him boyo. Good job, check for traps before you grab it." A voice half as rasp as mine states.

"Roger, what about you Doll Face?"

"Sugah, I been waitn' for ya'll to actually get /started/ for a while now. I got the care on Jade, an' sixth ready, an' purrn'."

I nod, "Good job, Misting out."

I hop between the sides of the arch leading into the big room, and once I get to the top I release an extra burst of strength to fly across the room, landing nimbly on one of the brass pole holding a thick red rope around the relic. I slip a plastic coating over my gloves as I lift the case off. Normally that would trigger the alarms, but like I said they're down tonight.

Lucky me.

I take the replica of the relic out of my pocket, and set it beside the real one before nabbing it. I set the fake up just like the original was. It'll take them years to realize it's a fake, if they ever do.

With the real relic in the grasp of my tail I hop along more poles towards the exit.

"Misting to team, confirm escape route."

"Hrm, Down hall, turn left."

"That's... right, A.S." A smarter voice states.

"Me always right!"

"No, I mean he turns right."

"Just... don't get caught and you'll be fine. Should be simple for you." The gruff voice sighs.

"Thanks guys," I say as I flip into the hallway, releasing the relic from my tail, and deftly catching it with my hand. I glance out the window, and I know which way to go. I bolt down the hall, and hang a right. Sure as sugar the exit door is right there. After seeing the coast is clear I push it open enough to squeeze through, then use Reaper's Wind to make it to the bushes.

"Elvis has left the building people, rendezvous at the car."

"Confirmed, packing up now. Seis out."

"Doll Face out ya'll."

I chuckle as I dash across the road, the cars seemingly going in slow motion as I hop across them like rocks in a river. I make it to the alley where the car is parked. Inside is a blue fox with a crescent moon birthmark around her right eye. She looks like she stepped out of a western movie with her boots, rawhide pants, and hat. Her top just covers her breasts, and has tassels going down the sleeves. As she leans over to inspect the relic the moonlight glints off one of her pistols at her hip. When she speaks it's with a heavy country accent.

She gives a low whistle, "That really it?"

I nod, "Yup. How far out are the others?"

"They should be here in 'bout five minutes er less."

"Less." A black hedgehog a good five ten years older than me with blue highlights slides in with a briefcase. He wears dark blue jeans, a large open blue trench coat, and custom blue shoe-skates. Across his chest are two ammunition belts, and on his back he carries a huge sheathed sword.

He studies the relic from his spot. "Looks a bit underwhelming, kid."

"Hey, where's the other guy?"

Something thuds onto the roof, and the hedgehog grunts, "There he is."

A red bird steps in and shuts the door. He just screams nerd with all kinds of gadgets connected to blue suspenders and a tan T. "We're all here, let's go!"

I lean my seat back a little as the fox, Jane, drives us to the warehouse district. Once there we head for one near the old sewer tunnels, and step inside.

Jane flicks on a light, and I toss the relic up, catching it. It's about as long as my hand, and a half. It's a glass rod with crisscrossing stone making a helix over it, and bat wings on the top. Inside the handle the martial is a constant shifting of purple hues.

"Lady, and Gents... I present the Scepter of Darkness."

"Hrm, thing puny." A bulked out robotic hedgehog hops off the roof of the car and walks over.

"Chill, Atom Smasher." Nerdy says. "Remind us, what's that thing supposed to do?"

"Well according to Echidna legends there are three big deities, The Light, The Dark, and Enerjak the Proud. Before the Echidna Empire kicked off its world-wide dominion over two thousand years ago. The dark was sealed away in this little thing right here. After that they turned to The Light which is why they love their master Emerald so much."

Jane looks it over, "Two thousand years in that thing there? Sounds crapped."

I nod, "Yup, so imagine how ticked off he'd be if he got out. With the last Light sealed away in the Master Emerald the only person left to face him would be Enerjak, which he wouldn't do. Two forces of equal power colliding, destroying them both, yadda-yadda-yadda."

"Not only them, the world." Nerdy states.

"Hrm, Leg talk too much." Atom Smasher grunts.

"For the last time, it's Challenger Deep! Seriously, is it that hard to remember?!"

"It's ridiculously long and obviously fake." The black hedgehog states.

"Hrm, agree with Seis."

Challenger Deep scowls.

"Chill guys," I say. "Now that we've got something that would destroy the world if I dropped it, we should probably put this someplace that's not going to happen."

Jane draws a gun, and starts inspecting it, "Like where?"

I chuckle, "Well I for one would like to see someone try to get it away from Enerjak. He's been happy with his tribe for the last couple hundred years; I don't expect that to change anytime soon."

"Hrm, me Atom Smasher have place in middle of nowhere for stuff like that." Atom Smasher states.

"You ever tell anyone about it?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Just team." He motions to Seis and Challenger Deep. "They no tell no one."

I nod, "Alright then. Now once we get it there I suppose I gotta pay you guys since the knowledge you stopped the world from ending won't do, right?"

"It good enough for me." Atom Smasher grunts.

"But not the rest of us." Seis crosses his arms.

"Alright then, since I'm such a cat burglar I'll help you guys get a hold of a less dangerous, but way more expensive relic. Deal?"

"Deal." Sies unsheathes his broadsword and polishes it.

I toss it up, and catch it again, "Cool, then where are we headed?"

"To middle of nowhere." He reaches behind him and pulls out a white glowing gem, teleporting us all to the middle of a desert with a rundown shack in front of us.

I look around, "Hm... Sahara Desert, right?"

"Hrm, dunno. Just desert to me." He throws open the door, and inside is a technologically advanced secret base.

"It's the Sahara." Seis confirms, walking inside.

"Thought so, smelled right."

Jane stares, "Sugah, what is all this here?"

"This is our base. Since we do dangerous stuff, we located out here." Challenger Deep explains.

"Leg keep blowing shit up on accident." Atom Smasher grunts.

"Those are experiments for better technology for us, thank you." Challenger huffs.

"The explosive and pretty much anything else proof room is downstairs. Here is just where we relax and wait for employers." Seis says, walking into an elevator.

Smoke nods, and tosses the scepter to the black hedgehog. "So since you were so ready to jump on my deal, you got a relic in mind already?"

"Nope. Surprise me." He smirks as the elevator closes.

Smoke shrugs, "Well then I guess I'll leave you an I.O.U."

"Alrighty then." The doors open, and Seis walks past a bunch of nuclear warheads. At the last one, he stops at the butt of the rocket and pushes the back panel, the back panel swinging open. He closes it before touching a button. Whirring is heard before it stops. "There, secure as a bank or something."

"I keep a list of banks I've broken into," I deadpan.

"It's as safe as my alcohol stash then." He states, shrugging.

I laugh, and then my cell phone rings. I answer it, "Yo, this is Smoke."

"Yo Smoke, it's Spike!"

"Oh hey bro! How'd it go?"

"Not so great, Reave's sister showed up, and told us the Nage Clan wiped out their-"

"Hold up, who now?"

"The Nage Clan, bunch of ninjas. Anyways Crystal told us that they killed their entire family."

"...Ouch."

"That's what I said."

"I don't doubt it.

"Right, so can you pull up anything on these guys for me?"

"Just a sec," I take the phone away from my ear. "Hey Brainiac, got any data files on Nage Clan recent activity?"

Challenger Deep holds up a finger. "One second." He walks to a wall-to-wall holo-computer and starts typing. "Nage Clan... Here you go."

Reave looks it over, and puts the phone to his ear, "Alright man, Nage have been hitting a few different places lately. Right now I don't see a pattern to it, but I'll see what I can come up with."

"Thanks Smoke. Hero got here just fine though, and next we're on our way to the Sahara Tribe. Anything?"

"Yeah, Echidnas of the Sahara aren't real traditional. They use guns, and that crap all the time, and even have a hold on a few smuggling routes. I might not be too far from them, meet you guys here?"

"Sure man, anything from Cinder yet?"

"Nada, but she's a big girl, I wouldn't be too worried."

"Alright, thanks. See ya bro!"

"Later." I hang up, "Can you point me in the direction of the Sahara Echidnas? My bro is gonna be headed there soon, and I wanna be there to greet him."

Seis nods, "I'll take you there. Deep, keep an eye on our fearlessly brutish leader."

"Right. See you later!" He waves.

We take the elevator up, and Seis grabs a brown cloak exactly like the one he was wearing. "Here. I doubt you're used to this kind of temperature." He tosses it to me.

I snatch it, and Jane walks up, "I'll come with ya, i wanna see this brothah of yers."

I nod, "Alright, let's go."

...

*Cinder's POV*

*SNAP!*

*CRUNCH!*

*CRASH!*

I toss the last broken legionnaire off the island, and resume my post as the shrine steps. It's been a few days since I was tasked with guarding the epicenter of our civilization. A task that has not left me bored.

I look again at the shard Knuckles left me with, and silently pray for the strength to continue my duty. Yet again this shard pulses, and my slight wariness fades. I look over my shoulder at the Master Emerald.

"One question has plagued me from childhood," I say. "My clan is called the Sea Clan because at the Purge they fled to the oceans... Why were my ancestors spared? In open water they would have been all too easy a target."

The Master Emerald shone brightly in response.

I stand, and walk up to it, "Please... I wish to know."

Slowly, almost fearfully, I place a hand on the Master Emerald.

"Sup?"

I jump, and whirl, looking for the threat, "Who's there?!"

"In here. Hi."

I look back at the Master Emerald, and blink to make sure my eyes do not deceive me.

Inside staring back at me was a humanoid water creature with featureless green eyes and an exposed brain. Chaos.

"Yo. I heard you wanted to speak to me?" He tilts his head.

"I..." I blink again, "...Yes, I am Cinder of the Sea Clan."

This is the monster that destroyed most of our civilization?

"I'm the vessel that almost destroyed your civilization, yes. You can blame Pachamac for making me that vessel." He says simply.

I jump, so he can read my thoughts. I've killed a few mind readers so I know how to control my thoughts.

"So you are beyond reproach?"

"I've been in here since basically the dawn of civilization. You tell me."

I hesitate. "...In all you wrath...did you choose to spare my clan?"

"You're the last of the Sea Clan, right? Yeah, I did." He bobs his head.

"Why then? You are of water, the very method my family fled by."

"Your clan chose to face their demons, and cast their lots with the sea. For their bravery, I let them live." He says. "At least, that's what I remember. Everything's a bit sketchy after Sonic punched my brain a few times."

I blink, trying to process that. "It sounds as if my ancestors challenged you, and you let them live for it... I suppose I carry that same trait, I became strong so I would never bluff, or lose a challenge."

"And I bet you have excellent surfing skills." Chaos quips.

"I have never tried... Pardon, but did you just jest?"

He tilts his head. "Yeah... but apparently it wasn't that funny."

I shake my head, "It was fine I... You can imagine the last thing I expected was humor from Chaos himself. I do not have much experience in humor."

"Oh? Huh, I thought all echidnas were good at jokes... Maybe it's just Tikal... She always makes me laugh."

"The Sacred Princess?" I blink in surprise, "Forgive me... but from a puggle I was raised to believe she had sacrificed her freedom to seal away a great evil."

"Dudette, I was the great evil, and she sealed me in here. What else are we going to do with eternity, make funny faces?" He tilts his head comically.

I feel myself fighting a smile under my mask. "I... see. But, why do you two remain imprisoned? Our kind could greatly benefit if you have truly forgiven us."

"Because- Huh, now that I think about it, I have no idea. It used to be because I wanted to kill everything... but Sonic and Tikal solved that problem." He shrugs.

I stare, "Then... Pardon my prudence, but where is Sacred Princess Tikal?"

"In here. Why, do you want to consult her worldly wisdom?" He seems to attempt to rolls his eyes.

"...Please."

He fades out, and a peach echidna girl shows up. "Hello, you wish to speak to me?"

I bow my head, "Sacred Princess... has Chaos truly changed?"

"Yes. My father, Pachamac, had killed all of the chao and in his attempt to seize the Master Emerald, and that's what drove Chaos insane. When he broke free again, Sonic and I were able to reason with him by showing him that the chao race had survived. He is now a strong but peaceful creature, just as he was before." She giggles. "Albeit... he gained a taste for modern slang and stuff."

I close my eyes, "So would you both wish to be freed? Knuckles is away, and tasked me with protecting you until his return."

"We don't mind at all. I thank you for giving us the option." She bows.

I return the bow, and turn my head a bit when I sense.

"Forgive me My Lady, but apparently the Dark Egg Legion is providing me with ample exercise."

As I release contact I imagine the many ways I can break these fools...

*Hero's POV*

I wake to find Sarah lying against me, purring like a cat that just spent the last hour sunbathing.

I snuggle closer and murmur, "So, how'd I do for my first time?"

She looks up with a smile, and kisses the bottom of my jaw.

"I'll take that as a great." I chuckle. I reach into my hair and fumble for a second before pulling a glass rose from my hair and offering it to her.

She takes it, and tucks it behind her ear with a smile.

I kiss her before sighing, "I guess we should go back."

She nods, and puts on her bottoms again. She struggles a bit with her top, "Can you tie me up please?"

"Sure." I struggle just as much as she did, but I manage to get it on. "Please don't wear this again for a long time." I plead with a smile.

She smiles, "No innuendo? You really are a gentleman, aren't you?"

"You don't need to dress like this in order for me to love you." I kiss her again. "I love you just the way you are."

Sarah giggles, "I know, and I was talki9ng about the tying me up thing. I actually expected you to crack some joke about it." She kisses my cheek, and takes a nip at my ear.

"I'm too mature for that." I adjust the glass rose in her hair and smile.

She purrs again, and hugs me close. I hear Ari-El, and Mien-Dee return.

I take her hand and smile. "Thanks for giving us some time alone. We're ready to go back." I say.

They bow, and we make our way back to the tribe. Sarah looks to the side, and laughs when she sees Spike teaching some echidnas how to breakdance.

"That's either going to end badly, or they're never going to stop." I snicker.

Spike flips back onto his feet, "I swear dudes, that makes for some awesome dodge moves! Oh hey Hero! I called Smoke up a little while ago, he'll meet up with us in the Sahara Tribe!"

I nod in thanks. On the way in Ari-El had explained that some members of the Dark Egg Legion had gone rogue, and recently have been giving Julie-Su some trouble. With this great "Union" prophecy hanging over us we figure we might as well kill two birds with one stone.

"Let's get everyone ready to go." I say.

"Already working on it," Spike says, and dodges to the side as an echidna fails a headspin.

"All right. I'll get my stuff." I walk up to my room and grab my stuff and Aether.

He licks my cheek, and climbs on my head before Sarah can scoop him off. She's changed back into her usual clothes as we make our way to the truck.

We get into the truck, and I make sure we have everyone.

"Where's mom?"

"Here I am." She gets into the truck and sits next to me.

Antonio sits across from me, stabbing a knife into the wall.

"I almost forgot to do that, thanks bro." I anchor my hair to the wall.

"Sure!" He says cheerfully.

Spike laughs like a maniac as the truck roars to life.

I hug Mom and Sarah before bracing myself.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Just why do I keep allowing myself to be loaded into this thing?

...

Spike lands as we hit the edge of the desert, and then proceeds to start driving over the sand dunes at top speed while singing "Chitty-chitty Bang-bang."

Antonio cheers wildly.

Aether whimpers before puking on the floor.

"Hey Spike, Aether just made your interior better." I call.

"HEY! THAT'S WHY THEY MADE WINDOWS!" He uses a particularly large dude like a ramp to catch air, and pull an Evil Kenevil over a troupe of camels.

"They also made ROADS for a reason!" Lien-Da snaps.

"Do you see asphalt out here your majesty?! I DON'T!" Spike laughs, and goes back to singing.

"That's it! I'm walking!" I un-anchor and take Sarah into my arms, hopping through the window as I change into Ice Hero. I land, a patch of ice underneath me, and start skating at the same speed as the truck. A few seconds later, Sonic joins me by running.

Up ahead I see something... A sandstorm? No, it's more like a wave!

Suddenly a geyser of sand sends the truck skywards.

"Uh-oh." I spiral up the geyser, Sonic next to me, and chase the truck. I dive back through the window and land, holding Sarah close to me and Aether with my free arm.

Sonic spins through and calls, "Phew! We almost missed the ride!"

"Shut up!" I growl.

"Abandon ship-erm-TRUCK!" Spike dives out of the driver door. Reave, Crystal, and Ari-El dive out with ease, landing gracefully in the sand. Knuckles punches open the rear door, and Mien-Dee closes her eyes as she creates a wind tunnel for the others.

Sonic tucks into a Spin-Dash, and I look at Mom.

"Hang onto me!" I order, dashing to the edge of the truck and placing my heels on the edge. An ice path forms underneath me.

As long as I stay connected to the ice, I should be able to make a path.

She grabs my shoulders as I shoot forwards, creating an ice path but sliding on it like on a grind rail or something so that I don't trip her.

Soon everyone is safely on the ground as the truck crashes. Spike sniffles, and rubs his eyes as he quietly sobs, "My baby..."

"Don't worry. I'll help you build a better one." Antonio promises.

I look at Shade and ask, "How close are we to the tribe?"

"Pretty damn close I'd say," says a familiar voice behind me. High on a dune sits Smoke.

"Hey Smoke!" We walk over.

"Hmph, this kid is what all the hubbub is about? Seems a bit scrawny to me." A black hedgehog with blue highlights pops up from the other side of the dune.

Smoke slides down the dune, and pats my shoulder before high-fiving Spike. A blue fox climbs over the dune, and looks us over.

"Who are these two?" Despite my attachment to Sarah, I couldn't help but ogle the new girl a little.

"Just guys who helped me save the planet," Smoke replies. "Oh, and don't worry about Jane, she's lesbo."

Jane tips her hat at me with a smile.

"A hot lesbo." The black hedgehog agrees. "I'm Seis Apocalypse. Ex black ops for hire."

"I'm Hero." I greet.

"Sarah," she gives a little curtsey with her skirt.

"I am Reave."

"My name is Crystal."

"I'm Spike, Dudes!"

"I am Princess Shade, and this is Mine-Dee."

"Antonio!"

"I'm Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog!"

"Knuckles the Echidna."

"Princess Lien-Da."

"Ari-El."

Spike dashes over, and is about to feel Jane's chest when faster than I can blink she has a gun to his head.

"Reckon that's a bad idea pardner."

"But I always wanted to feel up a lesbian," Spike whines.

"Do it on your own time." I state. "We've got a job to do right now."

Smoke nods, "Alright. Erm, fair warning for those unaware, Princess Julie-Su is a firm believer in... girl power."

"That's my sister." Mom sighs.

"Right, also there isn't much tradition here." Smoke shrugs, "Alright, let's go!"

Shade raises an eyebrow at Lien-Da, "Will I be required to keep you two apart?"

"I'm not sure. Be close by, just in case." She suggests.

Shade nods as we trek over a few dunes, and off a ways I can see what looks like a large settlement of white tents.

Seis walks next to me and asks, "So boyo, what is it you do for a living?"

"Nothing, really. This is the first job I've ever had."

"Saving the world? Really?"

"Not the world; I haven't saved the world yet."

Spike tumbles past me going down the dune end over end. At the bottom he goes face-first into the bosom of a female Echidna. I feel like laughing... until I notice the double-barreled blaster on her hip.

Uh-oh.

I halt everyone and state, "Wait. We've got ourselves an active mine field."

She slowly turns around, glaring at Spike.

Spike's eyes go wide, "...I'm about to die, aren't I?"

"Yes. Yes you are." She hisses simply, drawing her pistol just as fast if not faster than Jane did, and blowing a few holes in his hair.

Spike yelps, and quickly digs downwards into the sand. Smoke grabs his ankle, and hauls him up.

"Julie-Su, meet my brother Thorn "Spike" Rose."

"Keep your brother in check." She glares at Spike hard enough to probably set him on fire before shooting a hole through his foot and holstering her gun.

"AH FOOTSIE!" Spike whimpers as he holds his foot until Mien-Dee comes over to heal it.

"Perhaps you should have put him down for good," Shade calls over. "Then at least we wouldn't have to endure his driving again."

"I'll consider it if he attempts to defile my body again." She says simply.

"Maybe if you put on some pants, guys'll stop." Lien-Da deadpans.

"Maybe if you stop dressing like a slut, guys'll stop paying you for some." Julie-Su counters.

"And perhaps if the both of you will attempt to not see who has the more clever insults we may actually accomplish something," Shade suggests with firm stares for the both of them.

Julie-Su crosses her arms. "Why are you here, anyways?"

"To unite the tribes." Knuckles explains.

Shade pats Knuckles's shoulder, "Julie-Su, meet Knuckles the Guardian."

She blinks before going to a knee and placing a fist on her heart. "Guardian? What do you mean?"

"Come, we need to discuss this." Knuckles says, leading the three princesses away.

"So... what's there to do around here?" Antonio looks around.

Smoke puts an arm around his neck, and mine, "One word dudes... party! It's mostly chicks here, and yeah they like to rumble, but we got us a gaggle of modern women here!"

Spike folds his ears down, "I really should apologize... but I don't wanna get shot... again..."

"I think I'll pass. I already lost a few moral points by looking at Jane." I pull Sarah closer to me.

Seis shrugs. "Suit yourself, boyo. I have a few gold rings that are going to Seis' personal happiness fund." He walks away.

"Wait for me," Jane trots after him.

Sarah nudges my chest with her cheek, "I don't doubt you, I know your heart." She leans up, and whispers in my ear, "...Master..." She giggles.

"I wouldn't mind seeing what kinds of fun we can together." I smile.

Crystal gives me a look, and I realize she just heard all that. Darn cat ears.

Ari-El, and Mien-Dee leave to explore the tribe, utterly curious.

"You know I meant nonsexual fun, right?" I check Sarah's face to make sure.

She fakes a pout, and pecks my cheek. "Uh-huh! Let's go!"

Aether clings to her back, panting up a storm.

We walk around under some cover from the sun.

Sarah looks in a few tents, and pops back out. A lot of them are filled with guns. One big one towards the center looks like a food hall, and some wooden stalls off to the side catch my eye. Judging from the sound of water, the hanging clothes, and discarded weapons I guess these are the showers. Spike looks like he's longing to cop a peek, but instead glares scornfully.

"I hate guns," he grumbles. "I can doge them yeah, but I still hate them."

Seis walks up and states, "Step aside boys." He walks right in.

"...Uh..." I blink. "Did he just..."

Spike's jaw drops.

Mien-Dee walks up, "Apparently here they have a "Look, but no touching" view on privacy."

Makes sense if your front door could blow open any moment by a strong wind.

I shake my head and sigh. "This is why girls think guys are animals."

Spike slumps, "Why universe hate Spike?"

Smoke slaps the back of his head, "Quit moping, what would Cinder to if she saw you like this?"

"She'd break me in half again." Spike stands, "Alright... I Spike the Hedgehog shall get laid before we leave!"

"Good luck with that." I look around for less... mature means of entertainment.

I see a few children teasing a scorpion with straw, and Aether licks his lips at it.

"No Aether. We all know you'll win." I smile. I spot a market and smile. "There we go. C'mon Sarah."

Sarah follows, and in the market we find other milling about. Children watch one lady carving toys, and another actually making rock candy. One is selling clothes, another jeweler, another books... It's very much a different take on a modern mall.

I purchase us each a rock candy and Aether a bone just in case he tries to eat one of our candies.

Sarah sucks on hers, and wraps an arm around mine while lacing our fingers. I spot Reave buying something from a swordsmith.

I walk over. "Hey Reave. What weapons are for sale?"

Reave turns, a stone in his hand. "Well this store creates customized blades, made to fit your own hand. There's a gun, and explosives store two tents down."

"Custom blades? Hm... That's sounds like something I could use without powers. How much for two?"

"Depends on the blade," the smith says. "What's your style?"

"Hm... I flow like elements?" I shrug. "I'm not entirely sure, I have differing styles."

She takes off her welder's mask, showing her eye tattoos. "So you want a magical blade?"

"You can do that?" I blink.

"Sure," she pulls out a measuring tape. "C'mere a sec."

I hand Aether to Sarah before walking over.

First she holds on end to my hip, and extends the other towards her. "Not much man here."

Sarah goes beet red as the echidna laughs, and start measuring my hands. "So sweetie, do you prefer single handed, double, or hand-and-a-half?"

"Single, since I want two. Could you make them able to be hidden in my gloves or shoes?"

She nods to herself slowly, "A pair of enchanted bracelets, made of metal. With the right spells they could morph at your will."

"Making them combine into a double-hand would probably help with fighting Fear." Antonio walks up.

"Agreed." I nod.

She smiles, and pulls a weapon off her wall. "Like this?"

It's three feet of wrapped wood with a four foot blade coming out of either end.

"Wow. Yeah, I think that'll work." I nod.

She nods, and measures my wrists. "Huh... Alright, now can you tell me what kind of style you'd like for the bracelet mode? I can do anything from thin bands to gauntlets, and get the same result. Go wild buddy."

"How about... two bracelets that can turn into rings?" I show her my ring finger. "Not many guys can say they killed someone with their wedding rings."

Sarah looks at me with a blank stare. The smith leans back, and looks at us.

"...I'll give you a buy two get one free deal. You buy two swords, and I'll give your girl a shield."

"Deal." I smile.

She nods, and shoos me away, "Step back, this can get ugly." She plops her mask down.

I stand back and pick up Aether again, licking my rock candy.

The smith goes below her desk, and starts pulling out lumped rocks. I count, and when she's done she's pulled out maybe fifteen different rocks, a few gems, and even a few lumps of coal.

I glance a Antonio, and he's observing her closely.

She looks down, and crosses her hands over the materials. I hear her muttering behind her mask, and the rocks start to glow with heat.

Antonio raises an eyebrow, and pulls a notepad, scribbling notes.

Some of the rocks melt, and others break into minerals. All the while they float into the air, and combine into one orange glowing ball of molten metal the size of a baseball.

"Wow, this girl's good." Antonio nods, impressed.

The ball splits into three parts, and condenses down into three burning rings. Before my eyes they cool into silver colored rings, and I see small symbols engraved in the bands. On each is a small gemstone, one blue, one red, one yellow.

One by one they drop to the table, and she raises her mask. "The yellow one is for her."

I nod and take the yellow one, smiling before going down to a knee.

Sarah actually drops Aether into the sand. "...Hero?"

"Sarah, we've known each other for the upside of almost a week." I say seriously. "But in that week alone... I've loved you more than anyone else in my life."

"Talk about whirlwind romance." Antonio murmurs.

I ignore him. "Sarah... will you marry me?"

Tloj: Dundundun! R&R, F&F!