"Really? I never thought I could sing that well." Shard said happily, her ice blue eyes lighting up with happiness.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I grinned, "Honest. You bring emotion into your songs, and that's just incredible to me. Heck, you sound better than me.". I explained happily to her.

Shard was surprised. "No, you sound way better than me, in my opinion, I sound like a screeching cat sometimes.". she laughed.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I blushed heavily to hear that she complimented me for my singing voice, and disagreed with her opinion, "Flickers, there's no way that you sound bad like that, Shard. Why, when you sing, you are like a cricket, fresh and crisp, but never loud or annoying. That's what I think.".

Shard laughed, "Thanks, you're the first person to actually like my singing voice. You know, others just got annoyed at me, and yelled at me to stop.". she said.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I smiled as I heard Shard's soft laughter, her ears perking, and her ice blue eyes glittering brightly. I raised an eyebrow, "These other people don't know who you really are. I was judged like you. Trust me, I know.". I then sadly frowned, remembering 'him', and the whispers from people when I once upon a time terrorized many places.

They heard a group of people come in. "Ok, you outlaw, Shard! Where are you?!" A familiar voice asked, Shard turned around, it was Selenia. Shard flinched and looked away, her ears flattening against her head, and her tail hanging low, her eyes like a deer in headlights.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I winced and growled lowly as I grabbed Shard's hand, and she looked at me, "Come on, Shard. We must go to hide. Selenia doesn't sound happy. I'd rather avoid her right now until she calms down.". As I looked over to see the group distracted by the manager, I moved, dragging Shard quickly and quietly. I saw Thornstripe's eyes catch into mine, and she glanced over to see Shard behind me, her eyes widening, and she nodded as she had some sort of realization. She gestured to the exit door, and put a finger on her cheek, her thumb subtly touching her lips.

I blinked as I recognized her signal, and mouthed, 'Thanks', as I and Shard moved into the back to the exit door, and escaping into the fresh air. Shard touched my arm, "What was that about?".

I grimly said, "Thorn is saying that Selenia is in one of her pissed off moods and that Thorn is vouching up for us. Come, we must find a place far from here, luckily, Prientopolis is a big city to hide easily around.".

"Oh, I guess something must have happened to make her so angry, I wonder what.". Shard said, looking back, and was a bit concerned before running off with Darkos to hide away.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

"Sooner or later, we'll know anyway.". I muttered out loud to agree with her comment as we ran, into the alleys. Luckily, I have some idea where to find a hiding place to stay until things settle down. We went deeper into a small park, and I glanced around to see a old water-house where water used to be stored and where workers used to live in until Arthur's inventions came. Shard sniffed, a grimace on her face, then her eyes widened.

"What is it, Shard?". I asked. "I think I found a way in.". She took her turn to drag me, and we got into the water-house by heading into the basement by some trashed guard doors. I sighed heavily, replied, "I wonder how far we are.".

Shard was on edge as she walked carefully through the dark basement. "I have a very bad feeling about this, Darkos" she said.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I whispered incredulously, "We got away, and you got us in, and now you want to get out?". A look of confusion yet concern adorned my face as I looked at Shard, who has her ears somewhat backwards, and her tail twitching lowly, as her ice blue eyes darted around slowly while we walked quietly and carefully.

Shard heard someone come up behind her, and she whipped around, hissing, as she slashed at the person.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

My reflexes came in, my sword gliding out of my belt, as I grabbed the unknown person around the neck after Shard slashed narrowly at the person, and focusing my sword upwards to convince the person to cease their struggles when Shard gasped, her ice blue eyes wide, able to take the unknown person in midst view as I wasn't able to.

It was Betameche. "Why are you here?" Shard hissed, her claws unsheathing.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

"Uh, Darkos, can you please let me go so I can explain?". Beta spoke causally with a hint of nervousness. I let him go, and glanced at him, which was brushing off invisible dust on his clothes.

"Did you follow us, Beta?". I snorted lowly as I asked sharply. Beta sighed, "Thorn put me up to this, since she pointed out that I can explain the bad news better than her. By the way, Shard, nice dress.".

I narrowed my eyes curiously, "What bad news?". Beta grimaced. "Some of us know it wasn't you, Shard, since Darkos was with you all this time, but Selenia, she, well, took the narrow-minded and pissed off way since we found Father.".

"The king? Why do the bad news has to do with him?". I asked as a bad feeling came over me, and I almost didn't want to find out, but I had to know. Beta looked at us sorrowfully and sighed, "Father was murdered.". My eyes widened and I heard Shard gasp, putting a retracted hand to cover her mouth in shock.

I sputtered, "What, the k-king is dead?". Beta nodded alarmingly.

Shard's pupils thinned. "Red Ice", she growled, and her fur puffed out. "That b***...". she snapped and hissed.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I had to ask, "Who is Red Ice? You think this person killed the king?". I looked at Shard who looked at me with wary eyes, and Beta who was in wary anticipation, since he obviously wanted justice for his father.

"He is my brother,". Shard growled, "and he is a horrible thing if I have ever saw one, I bet Selenia blames me for it, doesn't she?" She snarls.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I gasped nearly silently as I heard that Shard had a brother, a evil one. Beta nodded, "I believe so. So, Red Ice is your brother?".

Shard nodded. "He needs to be stopped as soon as possible, if he is not stopped, then disaster will come.". she said.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I sighed,"Well, Prientopolis will be here when we get back, so what are we waiting for? No matter how long it takes, we must stop your brother. I just hope Selenia is calm right now, so we can explain the situation and the plan.". I replied to Shard and Beta.

Beta smiled, "Don't worry. Thorn is with her, and Selenia will be calm once we get there. I know Thorn well enough.". I nodded, remembering that Selenia can take a grudge one minute, then forgiving in the next minute.

Shard was a bit unsure, but went along with everyone, she had everything she wanted right here with her. And she was not going to let Red Ice take it away.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

My hope has grown up some as we explained the plan and the situation, and I realized that my friends are understanding for me, and my Shard since I was relieved to see that Selenia has calmed down, thanks to Thorn's help and support.

"Shard, what may be the best place for Red Ice to hide?". I asked curiously, mainly looking at Shard since I knew she knows her brother more than we do.

Shard raised an eyebrow, "Well, it must be well-sheltered, and protected.".

Beta replied, "It could be Apokolips, yet we don't know the city well, you do, Darkos.". I nodded at that, and we went to find transportation, knowing that it could help us get to Apokolips and perhaps find Red Ice for my Shard. I had never saw her so upset and angry about her brother like that, heck I wasn't like that for 'him'. I hope Red Ice would be found for her sake.

(Darkos's P.O.V.)

I knew Apokolips was in the opposite direction of Prientopolis, at least a couple of days away by foot, and so all of us, including Shard, we walked on with breaks, and took the night for rest upon some tulips. Beta and Thorn took one, Selenia took another, while I took the last one with Shard. I was nervous since we were actually alone. I didn't want to disrespect her so I knew the only respectable way is to sleep, just sleep.

Shard was curled up in a ball and looked pretty sad.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I heard a sniffle as I was halfway to sleep, and opened my eyes to see Shard looking sad, herself facing me. Her eyes looked unfocused. I gulped and asked quietly, "Hey, are you okay?".

"I am just sad that the only time that I meet my brother again, he is going to be a homicidal maniac.". Shard sighed and wiped away her tears.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I exhaled a breath to hear her sad confession. "What do you mean by that, Shard, 'again'?". I asked curiously and gently as I grasped her hand softly.

"We grew up together but I was forced away.". Shard said bluntly, her eyes sad.

(Darkos' P.O.V.)

I bit my lip as I understood what she meant, and I hate to see her looking this sad, and I really want to cheer her up. I bravely got closer and as she sighed heavily, I made my move. I kissed her quickly, just a short peck, and widened my eyes as I saw that I was too close, drew back, stammering, "Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to make you feel better. I went too far.". Then my hand was grabbed, and I startled up to see Shard staring at me with a emotion I couldn't decipher at the moment.