Hi everyone! I'm sort of aggravated...I hate how the documents don't save your progress if you accidentally tap something else. Talk about annoying. But anyways, I have reviews to answer, and maybe later, shout outs to say. But anyways,
Legendoffun (The SpellCheck Warrior): I went back over the previous chapter and corrected those errors. Thanks for pointing them out. If you see any in this chapter, don't be afraid - you never have been, but you never know - to point them out. Especially if they are capitalization problems. I hate saying/writing 'kiara' unless that's something that actually isn't related to 'Kiara' my character. Anyways, hope to see you in Ponydale, or in the next chapter :)
Libby8980 (The Friendly Reviewer): Glad you could make it/review in the previous chapter! It's always nice to answer those kind/refreshing/brilliant reviews! Ah, to end a awkward conversation, a cat must fall out of the sky. Honestly, since I'm rolling with this story being post-Skywayd Sword, I'm hoping that isn't Mia, that 'devil' cat from Skyloft. That thing is nuts...Or maybe it is the Nyan Cat...anyways, thanks for reviewing, oh Friendly Reviewer :D
And with that over, we begin are next chapter.
Chapter 14
Fauna and Kiara walked to the shower room to clean off the sweat that had accumulated after three hours of dancing and getting every detail straight. It was either Ziri was still controlling the pairings, or Hylia just thought Kiara and Chad made a cute couple, because, apparently, they were in one pair, while Fauna was with Felix, the boy from the test, were the other group. Kiara didn't like to ponder with all the disasters that could happen with Kiara and her dancing together. Maybe he'd toss her into the punch. Or drop her at the end like he did in practice. Or fall on her. The last one was the most dreadful of all for Kiara.
She was brought out of her thoughts when someone shouted out them.
"Hey! You two! Let's have a battle!"
They whirled around and came face to face with Ira, Raven, and Nova.
"Yeah, me and you Fauna." Nova announced, "let's see who has practiced more since the split?"
"Oh, Nova, if this is about the dance -"
"It has nothing to do with the dance! Now get ready."
"Ugh, fine."
For one thing, she's gotten more stubborn...
"It's a spell battle. First opponent to knock out someone out of this ring," Nova made a giant circle by magic, and then a middle line, "wins."
"Alright."
"The rules are simple, once you fall out, you lose. Spells are allowed for close combat. No interferences," Nova sent a nasty look Kiara's way, "and best of all, the winner gets one thing from the loser."
Kiara looked horrified. "What are you offering?"
"Oh, only a couple rupees."
"Sounds more like trouble if you ask me." Kiara muttered.
"Oh, in that case, I'll guess I'll give you...hmm, I don't have anything to give!" Fauna gasped, covering her face.
"That necklace of yours will look just fine on me." Nova declared.
"That...wait...what? I can't give that!"
"And why not?"
"It's just..."
"Alright, that's what you have to offer. Let's begin."
Fauna looked mortified. Even if she didn't know what the necklace was doing, she knew full well that handing someone a magic object was probably not a good idea. Apparently, Nova recognized her even though her hair had changed. Well, she was still hanging out with Chad and Kiara, so that's probably how she guessed.
Fauna and Nova stepped into the circle. Suddenly, the ground began to quake. Fauna stumbled forward and the platform hovered a few feet above the ground.
"Let's test who's better in three..."
Keep it together Fauna, keep it together.
"Two..."
We can do this...
"One!"
Nova darted towards Fauna and used a Magic barrier to push her back. Fauna fell backwards, and the platform tilted. Fauna began to slowly slide down.
So it's a balance platform! I see!
Fauna jumped up and pushed Nova away and bounded towards the other part of the platform. She whirled around to see a couple of energy blasts coming her way. She skipped, hopped, back-flipped, and somersaulted to stay away from the destructive things. She launched herself up by a handstand and kicked Nova out of the sky, earning her a good bruise on the right cheek. Nova bit her lip, but stood back up.
"Your regular attacks aren't going to do much Fawn, I'll take you down! Hylia's Sphere!" A red glow formed in her hand and slowly began to get bigger. Fauna stopped. She could try to dodge it, but it would probably come back since Nova was so experienced. But what she didn't get, was why Nova's magic was red.
Fauna hadn't paid much attention, therefore she didn't see the energy blast fly towards her. She was knocked onto the edge, and was slightly paralyzed by shock. She tried to move, but her body wouldn't react. It was like she was somewhere else.
"Space matter!" Nova yelled, jumping down. Petrified, Fauna let out a shriek. A ferocious breeze flew by, pushing Fauna out of the way in the nick of time. She stood up, the spell finally wearing off.
"You got something up your sleeve, but fleeing won't help now! Arena trap!"
The ground around Fauna rose, and she was stuck or in others words, trapped by tall spikes. She couldn't jump over them. They parted as Nova came closer with her 'space matter' magic sphere. She watched it come towards her. Fauna jumped. Time slowed down. Everything seemed to freeze. Fauna felt odd. She heard something. Tiny voices.
"Fauna, Fauna! You should know what to do! The secret was always inside of you! What did you fear most...and why?"
She was no longer in the arena, but in a dark room. Light peeped in from a small crack.
"Fauna, the darkness is creeping further into Hyrule. You must find the source and destroy it before it overwhelms Hyrule! The hero may already be on the job, but eventually the evil shall seep into your precious land and destroy. There will be pain and suffering...Losses. Memories of joy and happiness will be forgotten...if...you don't unlock the true power that was inside of you and prevent everything that is to come from these visions. The drought of Lake Lulu, and the destruction of Hyrule Castle. The kidnapping of Princess Zelda...the destruction of your village...the rise of Ganondorf and his dark sorceress..."
Fauna was shocked by the information. The kidnapping of Princess Zelda? The rise of Ganondorf? A dark sorceress? Who, when, and why would this happen?
Before she could answer the questions, the world came flooding back. Nova's magic missed it's target. Fauna landed on the ground by the open door, but it shut.
"Trying to escape? That won't work! Starswirl!" Magic energy bolts began to circle Nova until they had become bright and powerful. They came in hordes. It was hard for Fauna to keep up. Eventually the arena trap spell wore off, and Fauna had more room to move in. She rolled out of the way only to get hit with another. Fauna bit her lip as the burn coursed through her body. It was nothing major, but it hurt...it stung.
"How's that taste? Bitter? I thought so. Now let's end this match. Dark power!" She jumped up, and was encased in a dark crystal.
A dark sorceress...
Fauna gasped. The crystal shattered, Nova was surrounded by red and black specks that hovered around her like dark energy. But it was the spell Dark Power. When was anyone allowed to learn that? Fauna crept backwards.
"You're already afraid. This isn't even my full power, only a mere speck."
Fauna expected her to babble on about when she would reach her peak and what she would do, but instead, a sly grin resided on her face.
"You give up Fawns?" She teased, walking around Fauna, "or should we end this...permanently."
Fauna's eyes widened. She wasn't going to...kill her! Fauna leapt up and began to run towards the edge.
"Forfeit?" Fauna stopped and whirled around.
"You're not going to take away my old friend!" Fauna yelled, she darted across the ground towards Nova. Nova smirked.
So that's how it will end.
"Fauna!" A yell was heard from below. Fauna stopped a few feet away from Nova. The dark spell vanished. Nova clutched her head lightly.
"Fauna! There's no time for a battle, we have to go!" Kiara shouted. The battle was so intense, that Kiara had began to doubt that Fauna should be up there. Not only that, but Nova's power, and Fauna was magic less.
"Kiara? What do you mean?"
"There's only an hour until the festival starts!"
"Yeah Nova! Call it off! I have things to do, people to ask!" Ira began to trailed on about other stuff.
"Fine." Nova said. "Until next time Fauna, you know I'll win. Until next time..."
The platform landed back in the earth and the groups dispersed.
The girls had just finished their showers when Kiara glanced at the clock. She quickly dried herself off.
"We really have to hurry up and change into our dresses. Remember, we are to be at the Academy for roll call. They need to make sure they don't need any sudden replacements." Kiara said.
"Ki?"
"Yes?"
The vision Fauna had came flooding back. She stopped.
"I-it's nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"No..."
"What is it Fauna?"
"I'm sorry, Kiara, we should really hurry. Maybe later." Fauna said, waving as she left. Fauna was going to check on her parents real quick. Kiara dried off her hair and put a black ribbon in her hair. Was she the only one seeing things? She could have swore she saw Fauna encased in white energy, and Nova in dark matter. It was strange, like opposites clashing. But Nova...the strangest was her. She hadn't exactly heard the last spell she cast...but it was dark. Real dark.
I have to find out what is up with that. Maybe I can sneak into her home an hour before the wishing ceremony, maybe I'll know what's going on...and where she learned those spells.
Chad walked to the academy slowly. He hadn't seen the others lately, but he wasn't worried. They were probably taking a last minute shower. Chad stopped. His hair was on edge, and his mind started feeling woozy. Things started to swirl about. He looked at the ground. Dark dust showed scorch marks and a battle. He felt dizzy. He fell down.
W-what's going on?
His muscles suddenly ached, and pain whirled through his body when he moved. Breathing was tough. Was he about to die? Or was this some sort of spell?
"Dark matter. It's dark matter, Chad."
Who was reading his mind?
He couldn't see who he was talking to, but he knew it was female. Before him stood sleek, shiny black boots with red designs.
"You can't fight it back even if you wanted too. It's inside of you, no matter how long you try to deny it and hide it. But there's a man. A man who can help you. Help you unleash it and use it wisely. To make you more powerful. What do you say?"
Chad groaned, trying to look up.
"You could get up if you would stop focusing on the little light energy left in you. You should know that you have dark energy inside of you."
"I...I don't know what you're talking about!" Chad managed to shout. A sharp pain in his throat made him growl.
"Yes you do. You probably have been noticing those markings. Haven't showed up in a while...have they? Nobody told you who you really are...haven't they? Or should I say...what you really are supposed to be..."
"Just leave me alone." He mumbled, taking shaky breaths in between.
"Alright Chad, I will. But you know, if you ever need help...come to us."
There was a whooshing sound, and he felt himself able to move again. He whirled around, but the figure was gone. Chad gasped for air and collapsed on the ground, the loss of air made his mind blur and the last thing he saw was dark specks hopping off the ground. Dark matter...dark energy...
Fauna finally found her parents preparing a large cake.
"Oh? Fauna? Aren't you supposed to be at the academy?"
"In a few moments, I just wanted to see how you were faring."
"We're fine dear, but you should really hurry back. I don't want you to be late."
"I know...alright, I will." Fauna gave each of them a hug and rushed back.
She decided to take a shortcut through the woods. She hopped over fallen logs and avoided scaring the wildlife by stepping on old leaves or twigs. She jumped over the small streams and dodged the branches that stuck out in the path. She was feeling refreshed with the forest air. When she emerged, she was back at their old training area. It was quiet, except for the birds. Fauna blinked. She could see mist swirling about in one spot, and when she blinked again, a woman covered in a pale green dress was there. Her brown eyes looked as if they were laughing in delight, and her blonde hair was braided into a side ponytail.
"So, you're the girl with my amulet? Ah..." She sighed contently. She sat on the old stump. "Poor tree, you didn't deserve this...it wasn't your fault that lightning struck you down...but to be taken away to be made into a chair...so sad."
"Y-you're Gaia?"
The woman laughed, "yes, my name is Gaia. And you are?"
"F-Fauna miss..."
"I can tell that you weren't expecting me."
"No...I was not. Gaia, would you tell me why I've been given strange visions?"
She laughed, "I wouldn't know, but I'm sure Hylia, or maybe Farore herself could explain. I don't have as much power as they do," her face turned serious, "but they aren't just visions, they are future images."
"Isn't that a vision?" Fauna asked, completely puzzled
Gaia laughed. "Of course! Most would think I was talking about two different things." She smiled. "Have you figured out what to do with my magic object yet?"
"No...I don't get it?"
"Have you ever thought about it? Just think...Stone of Gaia. What comes to your head?"
"Nature."
"Exactly. Gaia means 'earth'. Nature comes from the earth, or rather, this surface."
"What do you mean?"
Gaia looked about. "Dear, I really have to go. Someone's going to be here to see you, and aren't you supposed to be heading off to dance? Don't forget sweetie...nature!"
She smiled and vanished. Where she once stood, a blue flower was now. It shimmered.
Something tells me that when I come back to talk to this flower, Gaia will come back. But she's right. I have to go. But who's going to visit?
"Fauna! There you are!"
Fauna turned around to see Kiara rushing up to her.
"Oh, Ki, you didn't have to come get me."
"Why not? I couldn't find Chad. Come on, let's not be late." Kiara urged, grabbing her arm and tugging her down the hill, "we don't want to be late, now do we?"
"Of course not!" Fauna said, running after her.
Maybe Gaia is right, Fauna thought.
Chad woke up. The smell of the earth was strong. He opened his eyes. He was lying on the ground, but why? He stood up. His legs seemed stiff, like he had been lying there very long. He stretched. He did feel a bit odd, but nothing out of the usual. Until Chad felt a sharp pain in his right arm. He looked at his sleeve and rolled it up. A few red markings glowed. Chad covered it back up with his sleeve and took a sharp breath. He hadn't seen this thing since his parents disappeared. No...not since there was a dark night, and the yell...the yell of his mother in the dark night, and then there was silence.
He had been awakened that night because he had a horrible dream. He had gone downstairs after he heard whispers. The steps creak. There was a horrible scream. He darted down the stairs. His mother vanished. She wasn't in the chair sowing. Instead, there was a trail of string leading outside. When Zack came downstairs as well, the string had vanished. It was a horrible, dark night.
Chad shivered. He didn't like to think of that night. He probably should head to the academy as well to see if he wasn't late. Slowly, he made his way towards the stone building. Eventually, he made it to building and walked inside. He still heard some people in the room they were meeting, and he sighed. He wasn't late. Whatever it was, it wasn't long that he was out. Chad walked into the room.
"Ah, Chad!" Ira said smiling, "you made it, so where's the shadows?"
"The - oh, them, I don't know. And since when do you speak to me?"
"OH, we've always been speaking to each other." She winked, "say, since Kiara isn't here, I'll be her replacement."
Chad stiffened. "Whatever. I don't care."
Fauna and Kiara arrived a few minutes later, so in the end, Ira wasn't going to replace Kiara. After roll call, every did a practice run. This time it was good. Chad didn't drop Kiara, or throw her into some else. It wasn't like he was going to do that anyways.
"Perfect." Ziri said, sitting in one of the chairs. She smiled. "Looks like this dance will be even better than last time."
"Depends." Ire said, shrugging, "that is, if no one fails during the live dance. We aren't restarting because of that, we just have to continue."
"They know." Ziri said, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
Fauna and Kiara snickered.
"And what, may I ask, are you two laughing at?" Ziri snapped.
Fauna covered her mouth and Kiara coughed.
"I'm sorry, it was just -" Kiara looked at Fauna and burst out into laughter. She never finished that sentence.
"Anyways, stop laughing, it's nothing but distracting. Alright everyone, grab your dress attire, it's time to change."
This was probably the longest chapter I ever wrote, it's over 3,000 words. If you like that long, say so, I'll try to think of something. And yes, Ira likes Chad. Maybe I should add some 'fun facts' after each chapter. I'll try it know.
Fun Facts
Gaia does mean earth.
Someone was reading Chad's thoughts.
Something is happening with Nova.
Fauna's visions aren't jokes.
Gaia will appear every now and then.
Ire was teasing Ziri.
Fauna and Kiara were laughing at Ire and Ziri.
Yes, Arena Trap is originally a Pokemon ability.
Anyways, I'll try to add more later. Don't forget to visit my page on progress of my story and other things. Yes, I need you all to vote on a poll on my page, please. Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a review!
Edit:
And for those who were confused, when I wrote Ire, I meant the teacher Ire, not Ira, don't worry, I'll make sure you can easily tell who. Anyways, Ire is usually talking to Ziri and Ira is complaining about things.
I went back and corrected the errors!
See you in Hyrule!
Yours truly,
AuthorPen11