A/N: For those of you having trouble visualizing Amber's power think of Dontnod's Remember Me's Nilin Cartier-Wells Remembrane ability.
Disclaimer: I do not own R.O.D, R.O.D the TV series or any of its characters.
October 2019
She had clung fiercely to her brave knight fearing that she might lose her again. It had been like that all throughout the evening and the movie. As much as her Mother and Aunt Tori had tried to pry the pair apart, the little girl had gripped her companion even tighter.
"Amber honey I'm sure Kay is uncomfortable by now, why don't you let her go for a bit" Max tried again hoping the words would reach her daughter.
"I won't" Amber mumbled out against Kay's shoulder.
Of course she won't Max thought as she felt her stomach churn again.
It felt unsettling, the ability to manipulate time now existed outside her threshold. Just like with Kate she couldn't rewind.
It's...different...being on the other side of a rewind, my daughter managed to do the impossible...and yet something feels...weird Max pondered as her stomach churned again.
Unknown to both time travelers another set of eyes had witnessed the strange events of the day.
"While I really don't mind you clinging to me Amber, your bear like hug is really making it a bit difficult to breath" Kay said squirming from Amber's hold.
"So since you intend on not letting me go, I think this will work better for the both of us" Kay said as she intertwined their hands together.
"Alright you two I already finished laying out your sleep gear" Victoria said as she entered the living room.
"Let's go Amber" Kay said as she tugged Amber off the couch and up the stairs.
Max and Victoria watched the pair proceed up the stairs.
"I think with some time she'll be alright" Max said breaking the silence.
"Will you?" Victoria asked.
"Maybe, it's too soon to tell" Max answered.
"I'm more concerned about Nathan than me to be honest" Max added.
"Nathan will chill the instant he's assured that Warren won't be a bother" Victoria sighed heavily.
"Frankly, I'm not sure of the whole ordeal" Victoria added.
"But, if you say you're fine then I can't argue" Victoria said as she headed to the front door.
"Thanks Victoria" Max responded with a smile.
"Don't mention it Caulfield" Victoria winked as she exited.
As Max heard both Nathan and Victoria speed off she looked in the direction of Amber's room.
Will those two really be alright Max brooded as she sat down to digest the day's events.
Upstairs Kay was at a complete loss. The instant they entered Amber had tackled Kay to the ground in a tight embrace. Kay had tried to reason and squirm her way out, but Amber refused all the while silently sobbing uncontrollably against her shoulder.
What am I supposed to do Kay thought.
Everything was different, she knew. The unease from before had increased and lingered. Her memory felt adrift. The afternoon's events still troubled Kay.
Darkness...and then...I was right there...right beside her...my head spins...Is this all for real...It must be...that's what I remember Kay brooded trying to sort out what happened earlier.
It doesn't matter, real or not, Amber needs me now, the issue is how can I help her Kay thought as she gently held the sobbing girl.
The slight unintended tug of her locket anchored Kay's drifting thoughts.
This...is real...Amber did the impossible...I saw it, I felt it...even before any of it happened...and it all rests here Kay thought as she cupped the delicate hand that firmly gripped her locket.
That older girl said to hug Amber gently and to rub her back when she's upset Kay recollected as Amber absently tugged at the locket again.
Kay could feel Amber begin to calm as she traced circular patterns on her back. Amber's iron grip on the locket remained. As Kay continued stroking patterns she thought about the girl who had entrusted the locket and Amber to her.
The girl she met in the forest was tall and had cobalt eyes that seemed to pierce through one's soul. As paralyzing as they were their was no sense of malice behind them. They were wholehearted, ardently fervent with an emotion that seemed almost like...love Kay pondered as Amber's sobbing ceased.
There was something unnaturally familiar about her, but Kay couldn't place where she met her. It felt almost like she was staring at an older version of...
"Kay" Amber whisper out as she tugged at the locket again.
"I'm here" Kay whispered back.
"I'll always be here for you" Kay added.
"You're lying!" Amber raised her voice.
"W-what do you mean?" Kay asked some-what knowing the answer.
"Everybody lies...even you" Amber said her voice wavering.
Kay couldn't argue, she could remember her disembodied voice in the darkness saying '...you got to let go...Amber...I'm sorry'.
The mere memory sent a chill through her body.
'THERE'S NO TIME! Who I am doesn't matter I need you to listen, No matter what happens...you need to be there for Amber. You are her shield...her keeper, and this...is your beacon...to always find her' The forest girl's words rang out in her head solidifying her resolve.
"I'm serious Amber about being there for you" Kay said as she sat herself and Amber up.
"There might be times when we can't be together, but a part of me will always be with you" Kay said as she took off her locket.
"That's why whenever it feels like will be separated I'll have you wear this" Kay said as she put the locket on Amber.
"This locket is special...because I'm its keeper" Kay said avoiding Amber's gaze.
"So since you're wearing it, I'm kinda your keeper too" Kay added quietly.
"Promise?" Amber asked.
"Y-yeah" Kay said a bit flustered.
"Promise me Kay" Amber said as she gripped her hand.
"Promise me that as long as I wear this you'll always look for me" Amber said as cobalt eyes fiercely stared into chestnut eyes.
"I promise" Kay said unintentionally out loud.
"Hmm, promise what Kay" Amber said as she looked up at her.
"I promise that I will always be your punk in shining armor no matter how badly you may or may not mess up in the future" Kay quickly said wanting to avoid the opening for embarrassing topics.
"Liar, that expression says you've been doing some deep thinking" Amber said as she sat up to face Kay.
"Come on Ward tell me" Amber said poking Kay's side.
"If you must know, I was reflecting on how your bust hasn't changed since we were twelve" Kay said with a faint smirk.
"You ass, seriously what has you so worked up? Come on tell me" Amber said as she gently slugged Kay's arm.
"I-It's nothing really" Kay said averting Amber's gaze.
"Then tell me" Amber said as she cornered Kay between herself and the bed.
"OK" Kay sighed seeing nowhere else to crawl in retreat.
Crap, it's even more embarrassing when you're this eager to listen Kay thought as Amber sat at attention.
The close proximity made it hard for Kay to avert Amber as cobalt eyes locked on to chestnut ones.
Being her protector was as natural as breathing, and yet the more she thought about it the more her heart ached.
I'm her shield but am I really her keeper Kay pondered the memory still vivid in her mind.
'She's my best friend! Of course I'll be there for her!' That was her response to the forest girl all those years ago.
Friendship the word left a bitter sweet taste in her mouth.
It felt somewhat relatable to R.O.D's character pairings.
Bitter because their relationship was as complex as Nenene's and Yomiko's, sweet because their relationship was as intimate and close as Anita's and Hisami's.
It started out as friendship, but it then transformed into love Kay reflected.
"Kay are you OK?" Amber asked.
Pulling away from her thoughts Kay realized that the words were caught in her throat. She could feel her own heart beating loudly against her ears as she focused on the girl before her. She noticed that Amber was intently staring at her. It was the same intense gaze she had thirteen years ago.
We're still the same in a way, we will always be the best of friends and maybe a little more someday Kay thought as she mustered her courage.
"I promised to be your keeper" Kay quietly mumbled out as a fresh wave of crimson tinted her cheeks.
"Promise?" Amber asked as she leaned close to remove the locket.
"Do you promise me Kay" Amber continued as she slipped the locket on.
"That as long as I wear this you'll always look for me" Amber finished as she tightly gripped both of Kay's hands.
"Of course I do, you know I do" Kay answered.
"But the way you said it, it almost sounds like a marriage proposal" Kay added.
"You dork, that would be sealed with a kiss" Amber mumbled as her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"Then let's make it official" Kay said as she pulled Amber towards her.
Amber tensed up at the sudden action, with eyes shut she anxiously awaited the kiss. Her eyes fluttered open as she was taken aback in confusion by the subtle kiss that Kay placed on the crown of her head.
"Huh?" Amber gasped out as Kay released her.
"I already stole your first kiss, I'd feel pretty rotten if I stole your bridal kiss too" Kay mumbled out as fresh crimson tinted her cheeks.
Would it really be stolen if the the one who took it was you Amber thought as she settled down next to Kay.
"You already stole two kisses, how would this be any different" Amber said as she leaned her head on Kay's shoulder.
"Bridal kisses are special,it's more than a kiss, it's more than a sign of affection, it's..." Kay fumbled out the words as her heart caught in her throat.
"It's best friend forever pirates, being by your side forever and always" Amber said as she gave Kay a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You dork" Kay mumbled out as a fresh shade of red flushed her cheeks.
"Yeah but I'm your dork" Amber said as she embraced Kay in a tight hug.
"I wouldn't have it any other way" Kay said as she reciprocated the hug.
A soft silence hung around the pair. Each breath slowed to match the pace of the other. Almost as if to synchronize with the rhythmic beat of the others heart. They were content in each other's arms, the outside world seemed like some far off dream but they both knew that wasn't the case. Both wishing for the moment to last just a bit longer.
Just a little more time Amber thought as she tried to discreetly rewind time.
"I know it seems ideal, and it is a tempting thought but we'd both be in dire straights if you did that" Kay said as she intertwined their hands together preventing Amber from turning back time.
"But it's just for a bit" Amber mumbled against Kay's shoulder trying to hide a forming blush.
"Just a bit soon turns into a time echo" Kay countered.
"But I know what you mean, I wish we could stay like this a bit longer and keep the world out" Kay sighed releasing Amber.
"All dreams come to an end" Amber sighed as she rolled to her side.
"Dreams end but we will last" Kay said as she poked Amber's side causing the young girl to burst in a fit of giggles.
"You promise" Amber gasped out as she countered.
"Always" Kay said as she attempted to block Amber's counter.
"Do you want to try again" Kay asked as their giggles subsided.
"I don't know, I might mess up again" Amber answered as she stood.
"All the more reason to try" Kay said as she stood next to her.
"I'll be here every step of the way" Kay added as she faced Amber.
"OK, I'll give it another shot" Amber said as cobalt eyes gazed at honey colored ones.
"So where do we start Watson" Amber asked.
"Well for starters I think I have your new ability figured out" Kay answered.
"Really!?" Amber said excitedly.
"Yeah, so this time we're not going in blind" Kay responded with a grin.
"Well tell me already" Amber said exasperated.
"OK-OK, give me a sec" Kay said as she pulled out a Polaroid from the journal.
"I'm not sure how to explain it but the gist is this, photographs are like time capsules, so..." Kay said as she showed Amber the Polaroid.
"Go on" Amber said as she took the photo from Kay.
"Well it's like they have..." Kay stopped as she noticed the sudden shift in the air around them.
It's a picture of Chloe, it's probably the first one Mom took of her that week, she looks so... "Happy" Amber said aloud.
'Can't dance, hippie? Come on! Rawk out, girl!' the photo echoed out as it dimly glowed.
"W-What?!" Amber flustered out as she dropped the Polaroid.
"...life" Kay said quietly still entranced by the sudden turn of events.
"What was that? Kay?" Amber asked as the photo stopped glowing.
"Life, well in a way" Kay said as she picked up the photo.
"Life?" Amber asked confused.
"Yes and No, have you ever heard of stone tapes?" Kay asked as she lightly wiped some dust from the photo.
"Ghosts and hauntings, how can I forget that's how every conversation with the Tobanga ends" Amber said as she calmed her nerves down.
"Well ghost's aside I was thinking more of the electrical mental impressions that can somehow be 'stored' and 'replayed' under certain conditions" Kay answered.
"Wasn't it dismissed for lack of scientific evidence" Amber questioned.
"Obviously they never heard the phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words' sure it's not VHS but it does record a moment of time" Kay answered as she handed back the photo.
"OK, so how does it work exactly" Amber asked as she studied the photo.
"Think of it as tuning into a radio frequency, you're the transceiver and the photo is the frequency" Kay answered.
"Good visual but I'm still lost here" Amber responded looking at the photo.
"Like I said before you're over thinking it, none of it is a fluke" Kay assured her.
"Say's the girl who can feel and see said electrical impressions" Amber retorted.
"Sense not feel and I can't actually see them at first but after awhile I get some sort of visual impression" Kay defended.
"But I get it, you want to guide you until you've got it down" Kay added.
"The first time we talked about your powers you said it felt like the air was moving around you" Kay said as she faced Amber.
"It feels electrified actually" Amber responded.
"Amber look" Kay pointed to the photo.
The Polaroid was faintly pulsing in Amber's hands.
"Now what?" Amber asked.
"Just try tapping into its frequency" Kay answered.
"That's not much help" Amber countered.
"S-sorry, just relax and um see if you can feel the energy it's giving off and I don't know maybe adjust yours to match it maybe?" Kay answered flustered.
"I know you're trying hard, maybe I'm not explaining things right, maybe I'm wrong" Kay said trying to comfort Amber.
"No I'm sorry Kay, this is just so frustrating it feels like I'm letting you down you know" Amber said dejectedly.
"It's more than that isn't it, Amber are you scared?" Kay asked.
"Yes" Amber said quietly.
"What's wrong" Kay asked.
"What if I trigger something else without trying" Amber answered.
"You're afraid you might time jump" Kay responded.
"I know that seems irrational but my Mom did the same thing you know" Amber said as she faced Kay.
"What if by trying I end up braking time or worse, what if..." Amber added.
"What if you end up killing me" Kay said as she looked into cobalt eyes.
"Kay I lost you once, I don't want to lose you again" Amber said as tears began to fall.
"You won't, I won't let that happen" Kay said as she gave Amber a reassuring hug.
"How can you be so sure?" Amber said as her sobs began to subside.
"Cause you mean a lot to me, I'll stay by your side no matter what" Kay said as she wiped away Amber's tears.
"Thanks Kay" Amber said as she hugged her.
"Here lets put this back" Kay said as she grabbed for the photo.
"Wait, I want to try again" Amber said as she took the photo from Kay.
"Are you sure?" Kay asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure" Amber said as she focused on the photo.
Okay, I can do this...just relax...just... Amber thought to herself as the photo began to glow.
The room began to materialize around them. Both her Mom and Chloe were in front of them.
"Oh my god, Kay" Amber said in awe.
"I'm here I see it too, wow this place was mess compared to now" Kay said taking in the view.
"This is actually clearer than your last attempt, you can't even see the boundary lines" Kay said as she observed the area the boxes occupied.
"I, er, know it was your birthday last month..." Chloe spoke to Max.
"This was my real father's camera...I want you to have it" Chloe said as she stood and offered the camera to Max.
"That's so cool you remembered my birthday. But I can't take this" Max said as she handed the camera back to Chloe.
"Of course you can. My dad would be pissed if I never used it, and now I know it will be used awesomely" Chloe said as she stopped Max from handing the camera back.
"And I'll snag this picture as a symbol of our reunion. Cool?" Chloe said gleefully as she picked up the photo.
"Yes, of course it's cool! Thank you... This camera is so sweet" Max said overjoyed.
"Ahh, their so cute when they're awkward with each other don't ya think" Kay said as she poked Amber's side.
"Hmm, that's practically us now you know" Amber countered.
"Not that we got the mushy shit out of the way, I feel like stage diving! Let's thrash this place" Chloe said as she flipped on the Hi-Fi.
Sparklehorse blared out of the speakers.
"Your crazy" Max responded.
"Yep yep, I'm fucking insane in the brain! Let's dance! Shake that bony white ass! Or take my picture with your new camera!" Chloe excitedly said as she danced her way towards her bed.
Max giggled out as the blue haired punk began dancing while smoking. Not missing a beat Max took a quick snap shot of Chloe.
"This song fucking rules! Can't dance, hippie? Come on! Rawk out girl!" Chloe said as she took another drag.
Max getting caught up in Chloe's explosive energy began to dance along with the music.
"Yes! Break it down, Max!" Chloe cheered on the photographer.
"Chloe, are you up there?" David's voice roared from downstairs as the front door slammed shut.
"Yo, turn it off, turn it off!" Chloe frantically said to Max.
"How many times have I told you to stop blasting that punk shit?" David yelled from downstairs.
"Dude, the music is not even on!" Chloe yelled back.
"Asshole" Chloe quietly added.
"I'm coming up, we need to talk!" David yelled back.
"Argh, no fucking way. You need to hide. Now! My stepdad will kill me if he finds you here!" Chloe said as she rushed to her desk to set down the weed.
"Chloe, what's going on? Open this door,please" David said on the other side of the door.
"Chill, I'm changing, is that okay?" Chloe said as she barricaded herself against the door.
"Max, find a place to hide, NOW!" Chloe whispered.
"Chloe... what are you doing?" David asked letting out an angry sigh.
"I'm coming!" Chloe responded still stalling for time.
"Chloe, you're stalling" David said as he tried the door knob.
"I'm changing! Give me a minute!" Chloe yelled back.
"Don't get smart, just let me in. Now. Please" David retorted as he began knocking.
"One second... my bra is stuck" Chloe countered.
"Why is this door locked? Amber what's going on in there?" David said from outside the room.
"Where changing in here?" Kay said trying to stall.
"What's that smell? Is that grass?!" David said baffled.
"I'm not screwing around, soldier. Chloe. Open this door" the projected David said frustration lining his voice as he continued knocking.
"Amber open this door!" David said twisting the knob.
"I'll give you exactly three seconds to open this door" the two David's threatened in unison.
"Shit" Amber said under her breath.
A/N: What will happen now? Who's the mysterious girl? All this and more coming in Chapter 10. In response to .roy's query I have posted on my profile a rough outline of future chapters and their status. Thanks for sticking with me, please don't forget to review. See you all in the next chapter :)