There it stood in all it's beauty, a majestic bird radiating in fire and light. It's wings spread nearly ten feet each in length and at their tips the light shown so fiercely it stung Sapphire's eyes. The fire flared, angrily around it. The bird stood upwards, baring its blue sapphire eyes down at hers. She could hear the bird breathing, its feathers flickering as the fire consumed its whole being. She felt it's strong presence and then the fire began to simmer, as the bird began to reduce in size. Once it reached a size of approximately three feet the bird took a few steps closer to Sapphire, it's big, round, sapphire eyes shining up at her. Sapphire's heart melted at the sight. How could such a powerful, intimidating bird be so endearing. She bent down to its level, placing her hands over her knees and smiled.

"Hi."

"My dear Sapphire." It bowed.

Sapphire's eyes widened. It could talk!?

She smiled, amusingly. "How do you know me?"

It walked closer. "I am your guardian."

"My guardian?" She blinked confusedly.

The chibi phoenix nodded and hopped on her bed, indicating her to take a seat. Sapphire cautiously walked over to her bed and sat down.

The phoenix cleared his throat and began his story. "You see, many years ago, your family was attacked by someone who had a grudge against your kind, especially your father."

Sapphire gasped. "You knew my family?!"

His eyes softened. "Yes… I knew. Please allow me to finish."

She nodded, silently.

"Unfortunately, your family was killed but your mother gave me the task to protect you and guide you. You were but a mere newborn when I took you under my care. I had decided that giving you to a midgardian was the best choice. Midgard is the safest environment for raising children, compared to the other realms. With much regret, I left you there, in a freezing rainy night." He looked down, saddened. "Forgive me for abandoning you there."

Sapphire placed her hand over the phoenix's back and ran it downwards, petting him. "Don't apologize. I know you did it for my own good."

He stiffened but quickly relaxed at her touch and smiled. "I knew you would be safe. I waited, at a far distance and saw that an old lady picked you up and took you home. I've kept a close watch on you since. Up to this date, I have not taken my sight off of you and, I promise you, if that rotten prince Loki hurts you again, I will burn him to nothing!"

"Whoaa.. Calm there, boy." She patted him. "He may be trouble but he's a nice guy, deep down inside. I know he is."

"That boy will never learn to love." He stared at her. "You can trust me on that one."

She laughed. "I really want to trust you but I just met you and I need to know for sure that you are my guardian… Sent by my mother."

He nodded. "Fair enough…" The bird looked up as in recalling something from the past. A smile spread over his beak. "Ah yes." he said, "There was a time when you fell into a pool… You were around 6 years old and your grandmother threw herself into the pool to save you, even though she didn't know how to swim. She managed to get you out of there safe and sound. I swear I was about to intervene but she did a great job." He laughed as he said those last words.

"Hmm..." She looked away. "Yes, she did save me and caught a nasty cold afterwards."

"Yes," the bird nodded, "you were afraid she'd die from the fevers she was getting." His voice was soothing and, for some reason, Sapphire felt safe like she had never been before.

He cocked his head to the side. "Would you trust me with your life?"

"Yes." She said without a second thought.

"My loyalty resides with you, my dear Sapphire." It bowed.

"Don't bow! I'm not royalty, you know."

The phoenix smiled when a guard knocked on Sapphire's door.

"My lady, the All-Father asks for you at the throne room." He stepped in.

"Okay. Thank you!" She said.

"Come, I will escort- What is that?!" The guard unsheathed his sword, jumping in front of Sapphire and raising it towards the phoenix.

"Don't worry, my lady, I am here!" Said the guard, protectively.

The phoenix simply smiled. "I wouldn't do that, if I were you. I'm here under sworn oath to protect Sapphire." He jumped off the bed and slowly walked towards the guard who kept his grip tightly around the sword. "And I will not allow you to separate me from her."

"Stay back you beast!"

"Beast? No, I'm the legendary flamed phoenix!" His eyes gleamed, his stature growing and his body enveloping in beautiful red, yellow and orange flames.

The guard was shaking, at the sight but never lost his grip on the sword, nor did he lose his footing. "I-I warn you!" He cried.

Sapphire stepped around the guard. "Please stop." She told the two of them.

Immediately, the bird reduced to his small size and stood next to Sapphire.

"He's a friend." She spoke to the guard. "He will never hurt me."

The guard hesitated but decided to believe Sapphire and sheathed his sword.

"Very well but you will come with us." He ordered the phoenix.

"Yes, of course. Where she goes, I go." The phoenix followed them out the door.

"All-Father, I have brought you Lady Sapphire." The guard bowed with Sapphire and the phoenix closely behind him.

"Thank you. Now, please, leave us." Odin looked, curiously at the phoenix, as the guard nodded and left, taking with him the other guards who stood at the doors.

"Who is this?" The king asked Sapphire, pointing to her new friend.

"This is…. uh…" She turned to the phoenix and whispered. "I don't know your name."

"Just call me Phoenix."

She nodded and turned to Odin. "This is Phoenix! He says he knew my family and was asked, by my mother to protect me."

Odin nodded. "Yes, this I know."

"Then why did you ask?" Sapphire furrowed her brows.

Odin smiled. "Just making sure and, I have been so used to asking such questions as part of the status quo that they merely come out naturally without my approval." He let out a small laugh, standing up and walking down towards them.

Sapphire was almost going to pinch herself. The All-Father hardly smiled and he NEVER laughed. What had him so cheerful? Because Loki was locked away and less weight was over his shoulders? She could never understand the man.

The phoenix bowed. "At your service, my liege."

Phoenix tugged at Sapphire's dress. She looked down at him, confused.

"Bow!" He whispered.

"Oh!" She hastily bowed.

Phoenix snorted. He was going to have to teach her the manners of a noble. 'Have I got homework to do.' He thought to himself.

"You will need a new form. You can shape shift, correct?" Said Odin.

"Yes, your highness." Phoenix remained bowed.

"Very well. Let's see what you got."

Phoenix struggled but his face illuminated, once he had the perfect form in mind. A light radiated off of him as he took on his new form. He grew a foot or two taller than Sapphire, taking the form of a man. His eyes were blue, just like Sapphire's and his hair was cut neatly on the sides but he had a small mohawk going on, reminding Sapphire of his true phoenix form. His hair looked like a redhead, mixed with yellow and dark red streaks. He wore a dark blood red leather jacket, tightly buttoned to his lean, muscular figure and he wore black trousers with matching leather boots, strapped onto his feet.

Odin raised an eyebrow. "Interesting choice of clothing."

Phoenix grinned. "Thank you, majesty!"

Sapphire watched him, mouth open. "How'd you do that?"

Phoenixed turned to look at her. "What this?" He pointed to himself. "It's one of my many abilities. Would you like to learn, dear Sapphire?"

She nodded, eagerly. "Yes!"

"You may teach her later." Interrupted Odin. "I have brought you here to ask a favor of you." He directed his attention to the neko.

"Of course." She replied.

"I have been told you are quite the warrior."

Sapphire couldn't help but blush from the comment Odin had just given her. "I guess?"

Odin chuckled. "I need more warriors like you and I need you to be trained well. My question is this: Will you become an asgardian and fight along side my son, Thor, lady Sif, and the warriors three to settle the chaos that Loki has brought upon the nine realms?"

She couldn't believe her ears! Did Odin just ask her to be part of this beautiful place? Did he just has her to be part of these beautiful people? She was about to scream yes but Phoenix stopped her.

"Your highness, if I may." He placed a hand over his chest. "I am Sapphire's sworn guardian and I have something important to say." His face was stern.

"Go ahead." Said Odin.

"Sapphire has her own kind and they are still in existence. I have seen this with my own eyes. The nekos need her for they, too, are in a grave situation because of these wars. I plead, do not make her asgardian."

Odin was silent for a few minutes and then he said, "What say you, Sapphire?"

"I… I don't know… I love Asgard. I finally have friends here and I'd do anything to protect them and help them."

"Yes, I understand but your people are waiting for you, Sapphire." Phoenix placed a hand over her shoulder.

She looked at him. "But, Asgard needs my help. I want to help. Phoenix, the nine realms are at stake!"

Phoenix sighed. "You're stubborn… like your mother."

"Teach me to fight. Teach me to be stronger, inside and out!" She pleaded Phoenix.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, grumbling something to himself saying he would regret this but finally gave in. "Very well. I'll teach you."

"Thank you!" She gave him a big smile.

She melted him with that smile. "You're trouble, you know that?"

"Me? No way!" She laughed. 'Loki is trouble...' She thought to herself. She missed him and wished she could visit him at the dungeons.

"Very well, your full training begins tomorrow." Odin smiled, pleased with the result of the small meeting.

"Um… Your highness?" Sapphire asked, sheepishly.

"Yes?" Odin looked at her.

"Will you allow me to see Loki at the dungeons?" She forced herself to look at him.

Odin didn't reply but merely stared deep into her eyes. Sapphire continued to look at the All-Father, waiting for his reply.

"What for, young Sapphire? What business could you possibly have with him?" Said Odin.

Phoenix face-palmed. "Forgive her, your highness. I'll speak with her."

He took her arm and bowed to Odin. "Please, excuse us."

"What? Hey!" She protested.

Odin watched them as they left. He seemed to be deep in thought at Sapphire's request.

As soon as they were out of Odin's sight Phoenix turned her to face him, grabbing her shoulders. "Are you thinking straight?"

"Why'd you do that!?" She asked, tears in her eyes.

"Loki is dangerous and selfish! Haven't you noticed that yet? And what's going on in that little head of yours that you so desperately need to see him? Don't you remember he tried to kill you and nearly succeeded? I thought you'd learn by now to stay away from him." He pointed to her ribs.

"And where were you when he did that?" She looked down.

Phoenix took a step back, releasing her shoulders. "I'm sorry…"

She noticed he had tears at the rim of his eyes.

"I had been ordered by your mother not to be seen by anyone, unless it was a matter of life or death." He looked at her. "When you were suffering, I was suffering but I had to keep my word and I knew you would be alright. I couldn't just let myself be seen by all of these people. I'd never let Loki see me, anyways."

"Then you could've shape-shifted into someone else to save me!" Sapphire retorted angrily.

"It's not that simple, dear Sapphire…" He said softly. "Loki is the most powerful sorcerer in all nine realms. He'd see through my disguise and that wouldn't be good for you, your people and me. You see, my race is sacred and I am the last of my kind."

"What happened to the rest?" She asked, her anger subsiding.

"They were caught, imprisoned and tortured. They had their abilities, their power and their wisdom extracted from them, leaving them like a bunch of mindless beasts to wander around without a purpose. In their savageness, they killed each other. I was spared… I don't know why. All I remember was coming upon your people and they took me in. Your parents gave me a home and a purpose. I swear to you, I will never leave you." He stared deeply into her eyes.

As she heard his sorrowful story, Sapphire and embraced him tightly, a few tears running down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Phoenix. I understand how you feel!"

He smiled, patting her head. "There, there. No need to feel sorry."

She released the embrace and sniffed.

Phoenix laughed, lowering his head so she could see him. "Hey, cheer up." He dried her tears.

She smiled. "Okay."

"Promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"Don't ask to see Loki again."

She sighed. "Why?"

"Sapphire, trust me, okay?" He pleaded. "Don't ask to see him again."

"Okay." She closed her eyes.

"Good!" He smiled. "Now, show me around Asgard! This is the first time I've ever been here!"

"Oh, it's beautiful! I love the gardens!" She opened her eyes again, the glimmer that they always held returned to them.

"Then, lead the way!" He smiled.

The two friends took their leave to the gardens. Though Sapphire had just met him, she felt like she had known him her entire life. Not only had she found a new friend, she had found a brother, a best friend, who she knew would never abandon her.