::Chapter 11::

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.- Albert Einstein

Ivy's POV

Walking through the forests of the Nature Realm, I led the way as I went deep into my thoughts.I was honestly surprised. My old team, or some of them, here is the last thing I would've imagined. Although, I feel rather old. Dawn looks sixteen, and she's over twice that age! Geez, what else is new...

Reaching the city, everyone stared in absolute shock.

"Ivy, what exactly happened here?" Klaud asked me. She gestured to the Abandoned City as we now call it. It used to be thriving during the days. Time has certainly changed things. The ruins were what's left of the central buildings. The common villager homes were weathered down, only a skeleton of their former glory.

Noticing that confused stare, I forced myself to snap out of it. "We can talk up there." I said pointing up to the trees. Without wasting a second, Dawn quickly scaled the tree with no problem. I guess she is still agile just like I remember, but sixteen years old. -Sigh- Teenagers have so much more energy these days… Klaud stared at me disbelieving as if this was new.

"You expect us to climb?!" she choked out.

"No...unless you want to. There is another way up."

"Where?" I pointed to an elevator a ways off to the side. Without any forewarning, Klaud and the others pushed past me and into the elevator.

"Lazy bums!" I cried out. Oh, look at that face Klaud's giving me.~ Laughing, I scaled the trees with practiced ease. I was up within a few minutes while the others took a while reaching . However, the first thing we saw where we arrived was Dawn being followed by a group of people. After all, it's not everyday you see a sixteen year old other-worlder. I gestured to them to follow as I wretched Dawn away from the curious villagers. Soon enough, all of us gathered in the house within the 'village center'.

Pandora's POV

I have to admit, I was very impressed by Ivy. She built a completely new home within the forest canopy, and not just a few; it was like the entire kingdom was moved into the treetops, somewhat-similar placements like the original. It still looked like Nature Realm to me. We passed the largest house in the village, I didn't even need three guesses to know who lived in that; the royal family. I can practically sense the impending discussion to come.

Third person POV

Upon reaching what could be the Great Hall, the small group broke out into discussion.

"Ivy, what happened here?" Dawn asked first.

"Yeah!" Pandora interrupted. "And who was that who attacked us? Didn't he know we were friends with you?"

"Apparently not." Ivy said. "The attacker was Evan, my protégé. I adopted him a few years back."

"But seriously, what happened?"

Hesitant, Ivy explained in a quiet voice. "Nature realm was felled by the darkness. We were forewarned before the attack arrived, so we had enough time to build this place. I took the time to train Evan, but he still has no experience in a real battle."

"But you are fast, I'll give you that." Cloud spoke up. Ivy gave a slight smile in return.

"Anyways, Ivy, " Dawn huffed impatiently. "I've been searching for the next generation of Defenders. Since Pandora and my bloodline are tied in, Leon, Ember and Ash each have a role, as well as Ximara and Maria." Pandora nodded in confirmation. "We were hoping to find the Defender of Nature here."

"I suppose you don't mean..."

"Ah, he comes forth another..." Genesis smiled as said person entered the Great Hall. He could just sense the budding power within him.

"Yes, Evan, Defender of Nature." Dawn finished.

Genesis's POV

Evan was a strong young man, vibrant blue-green eyes and black hair accented his features. His skin color looked just like Ivy's, tanned, which distincts his love for nature. Ivy was calm overall, letting Evan come with us. Well, she had trained him in all she knew, but I can see she's still worried for his sake. Now, it's our obligation to train him as the masters in combat.

"Oh, Genesis?" Ivy asked before we left. "I think you guys should check up on Nova's son, James Aurora."

"Aurora? Isn't that Dawn and Klaud's last name?"

"True, but the Arc was the one who received the throne. The rest of the Auroras or Farroirs, decided to protect the light and darkness realms. Zack married Nova, Minda and Twila's half-sister."

Interesting. Another Aurora as a defender. It was like the Aurora family was bound to this duty. I want to tell Dawn once we arrived home, but it will have to wait. Dawn's still fretting over Skye and her beloved house…

Ash's POV

I looked out of the window, relieved that mum and dad were back. After slinging one of Kyle's arms around my shoulder, I struggled to the entrance of our house. I wasn't the only one. Leon was held steady by Riku and Ximara was tended to by Ikxur. Maria was helping Ember when she waved me over.

"Mwhahahaha!~ I found it~!"

Upon hearing that mad, cackling laughter, we all cringed.

"Aunt Skye," Ember said weakly. "... haven't you used all the potions in the house?"

"Nope, I left this one~!

Leon and I rolled our eyes. That, as far as we knew, was water. I mean, mum kinda have a habit keeping water in both fridges. Skye walked toward us in a stalking-like way and as she hurled the water at us. We parted in all directions, 'cept for one certain individual...

"Oppsie~…"

Dawn's POV

What's worse than being a teenage mum? Being splashed by the same person who caused the said problem

"SKYEEE!" I roared. Our kids were injured, my potions are across the floor and more importantly, my precious house was in shambles and ruins!

While Genesis, Cloud and Pandora took care of the healing, I gave Skye a sound scolding, she even burst into tears a few time but I couldn't stop. It was the only house I had ever been emotionally attached to. Of course, the next few days were spent repairing the house.

I smiled when I saw all the kids were getting along together and chatting. I could see Kyle and Ikxur had developed a crush on Ember and Ximara respectively. I'm a mother. I should be able to see these things. Looking over at the others, Leon and Ash were chatting with Evan finding out more about his power and his weapon happens to be a gun. Maria was taking a walk with Riku.

I smiled to myself. Pandora and Genesis stood beside me.

"I wonder how Zack is doing…" Pandora mumbled.

"Probably making a fool of himself…" I replied.

"That reminds me," Genesis said. "Ivy told me to check out his son."

"James? I guess that would be a good idea… Alright, next stop will be Lightning realm…"

"Where Minda is?"

I nodded. Minda had actually begged to rescue her from the palace. Well, since she IS my sister-in-law, it'll be a lot easier but we're not leaving until my house is fixed and that's that! No argument will be entertained!

Sky AN: I kinda wrote this when I was very depressed and it kinda turned out this way I was pretty glad the way it turned out. It's very gloomy and stuff.

AN: Did lots o' editing. *Yawn* I got a kickass skirt by courtesy of my dear mama~ ^w^. And Hope, I think Sky's ok now, and she's just exhausted for now. Thank you for your awesome motivation *COUGHCREEPERSKILLSCOUGH*. I wish I could do that when I needed it... JKJK I'm probably scaring my co-author right now ehehe...So, I gotta sleep. And find my cookies.
REMEMBER~! CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM! :D

Addition AN::(9-23-12)
To cope with the migraine-demands of reviewer Hope who stalks my co-author, I shall make a chapter tomorrow or next Friday and Saturday. I'm in a certain dilema known as cramming study so i can (pardonnez-moi francais) fucking pass my classes. I'm very stressed, and I NEED comfort food, but i CANT FUCKING HAVE IT BECAUSE I HAVE TRACK TRYOUTS BLODDY THIS TUESDAY! SO PLEASE, EXCUSEZ-MOI, I"M JUST A VERY EMOTIONAL PERSON WHO CAN'T EVER EXPRESS THEM BECAUSE THE PEOPLE AROUND HER ARE JUST BLOODY FUCKI-

Edited:: 10-7-12
Sorry for the stupid mistakes. I finally got around to fixing this. :P

RE-EDITED:: 10-8-12
WHAT"S WRONG WITH ME?!