It was cold enough the next morning that the snow Crysta had created hadn't melted. The girls took advantage of the opportunity and played in the snow for hours. They headed inside laughing amongst themselves and smiling like nothing was wrong. Angelina made hot chocolate and brought them out on two tray, looking a little like a waitress. The girls graciously took the cocoa and finished it as quickly as the temperature of the drink allowed.
Amidst all the conversation, Amery laid her head back and started to fall asleep. Ever since they had came inside, she had a headaches that she was hoping a quick nap would take care off. Celese had also fallen asleep on the couch right next to Amery.
"Crysta, look at them." Floressa said smiling.
Crysta looked over at the pair and smiled, motioning for Mya to see them too. But something seemed off about the picture. Sure, it was perfectly normal for kids to get tired after playing for a longer period of time, but something didn't seem right about Amery. Crysta stood and knelt down in front of Amery. Amery cheeks were heavily flushed and her breathing seemed a little heavy. Crysta put her hand up to Amery's cheeks and forehead and confirmed her suspicions.
"Hey Angelina, do you have a thermometer?" Crysta asked.
"Yeah, I think so. Why?" Angelina asked.
"I think Amery's getting sick and I want to check and see if she has a fever." Crysta said.
Angelina nodded and left the room. Halese gently lifted Celese from next to Amery and sat down next to Floressa. Celese stirred and leaned against Halese. Angelina returned and handed Crysta an ear thermometer. Crysta took the child's temperature and her eyes widened.
"What's wrong?" Mya asked, moving quickly to Crysta's side.
"She has a nearly 105 degree fever." Crysta said. "We need to get it down fast."
Crysta picked Amery up and took her to her room, laying her on top of the covers. Amery shivered in her sleep. She may have felt cold but the darkening blush on her face said different. Crysta grabbed a rag from the bathroom, moistened it, and froze it, laying it against Amery's forehead. A light smile appeared on Amery's face and her eyes fluttered open.
"Mya, what happened?" Amery asked, trying to sit up.
"Amery, you need to lay down, you have a pretty high fever. How do you feel?" Mya asked.
"My head hurts and it's kinda hard to breathe." Amery said with a frown.
"Well keep that rag on your forehead and go back to sleep. By the time you wake up, your fever will probably be broken." Crysta said, running her fingers through Amery's hair.
Michelle stood in the doorway, concern lining her eyes. Amery leaned over to Mya.
"Why won't momma come in my room?" Amery asked innocently.
Mya looked a little confused. "Amery, that's not momma, that's Michelle."
Amery looked at her even more confused. Mya sighed, "Great, now she's delusional."
Michelle giggled and walked in the room, taking a seat next to Amery. "How are you feeling Princess?" she asked softly. "Just play along." she mouthed to Mya.
"Momma, I feel bad." Amery said, laying her head on Michelle's lap.
"I know baby, it'll get better though. Why don't you snuggle up under the covers and take a nap. I'll have Angeline bring you some soup later. How does that sound?" Michelle asked, smoothing down the child's hair.
Amery nodded and pulled the covers over herself. As soon as her breathing calmed, Michelle quietly left the room.
"Wow, you're really good with kids Michelle." Mya said.
"Well I have one back home about Amery's age." Michelle said with a slightly sad smile. "We're not blood related, but Amara and myself treat her like she's our own."
"You must really miss her." Mya said.
"Yeah, but at least when we went home, we got our communicators so we can talk to her whenever we want." Michelle said, trying to lighten the mood as they walked into the living room.
"How's she doing?" Celese asked, sitting up next to Halese.
Mya laughed a little. "Well, her fever is making her a little delusional. She thought Michelle was our mom."
"But rather than make her upset, I just played along." Michelle said with a shrug.
"And I'm sure it bothered you so much." Amara said teasingly, wrapping her arms around Michelle's waist.
"Ugh, get a room." Floressa said, turning away from the pair.
The group laughed and Angelina went to make soup.
Amery's room...
Amery tossed and turned in her sleep, a voice haunting her dreams.
"You don't belong here little princess. I was here first." she said.
"Who's there?" Amery asked, frantically running in the endless void she was trapped in.
Looking around, Amery saw something shining a few yards from her. She ran toward it, hoping it was a way out. She stopped before a mirror. They mirror reflected her, but not in her current age. Instead of looking about four, Amery looked about fourteen, the same age as Mya.
"That can't be me." Amery said, the reflection copying her every move.
Then the reflection smiled and stepped forward. Amery suppressed a scream with her hands and jumped back.
"I said, you don't belong here little princess. You're in my body." the older girl said.
"Who are you?" Amery asked.
"You haven't figured it out yet? I'm the original. I am the Princess of Tragedy." she said.
"No, that's not possible, I died, you died." Amery said in shock.
The Princess of Tragedy laughed. "I never died Princess of Rebirth. I was simply laid dormant in your body, my body actually. You never actually died, but I was so weak that I was nearly gone. Instead, Kenalia put you in here to keep this body alive, thinking I was gone."
"That's not possible." Amery said, hardly even a whisper.
"Why do you think you don't remember Aleana? I was the one who created her, shortly after you took over." Tragedy said. "I was even there when you tried to attack my old friends, and I encouraged you to do it."
(A/N: Instead of saying Princess of Tragedy every time, I'm just going to call her Tragedy.)
Amery gasped, suddenly remembering the voice she heard in the forest. "Why didn't you stop me? They're your friends."
"Were my friends. When it came down to my home being destroyed, they were no where to be found." Tragedy said bitterly.
"They couldn't leave, they had their kingdoms to protect too." Amery yelled back. "They would never abandon their friends."
Amery swayed and fell to her knees, holding her head.
"It's my turn to take control. You're weak from this petty human illness. Meanwhile, I'm stronger than ever. Good-bye Princess of Rebirth, I'll soon forget you." Tragedy said.
She turned and walked back through the mirror which was now a shining portal, leaving Amery in the dark void.
Amery snapped open her eyes. She sat up and looked down at her body which had transformed. The clothes she had been wearing were now tight on her body. She slid out of bed, testing her legs. When she was sure she could walk, she slipped out of her room and walked toward Mya's room with a smile on her face. She found a pair of jeans, a sweater, and boots and went back to her room.
After she changed, she slid her mother's cloak, which was still a little big on her, crossed her arms in front of her face, and jumped out the window, breaking the glass.
In the livingroom...
All conversation stopped at the sound of breaking glass. The group looked around at each other. Mya, Alicia, and Angelina were the first ones out of the room, followed by Michelle and the rest of the group behind her. Mya ran into her sister's room, freezing the instant she entered the room.
"Mya, what happened?" Michelle asked as she rounded the corner.
Mya turned to her, her face blank as she said "Amery's gone."
A/N: Surprise! So this was another short chapter, eventful, but short. I thought this would be the best place to stop. Call me evil if you want, but cliff hangers are fun! ;p