Phoenix: Hi everyone! I'm doing the introduction today! GM was in a good mood because she has 121 reviews for this story.
This has turned out to be a much longer story than we had planned, but we're happy with it.
I was supposed to tell you that a new poll is up. Vote for your favorite character in this story!
Anyways, happy reading!
Piper's rescuers were getting a bit discouraged.
"Dude!" Finn whined. "I am so tired! We've been walking for hours!"
Aerrow sighed and rubbed his face. "We can't stop looking. Piper needs us."
"But I'm hungry! And my feet hurt!"
Suddenly, a crash was heard from around the corner of the corridor. Finn screamed and jumped into Phoenix's arms. Aerrow drew his energy blades. (what are those things called?!) Radarr got into a karate pose. Junko activated his knuckle busters.
Putting a finger to his lips, Aerrow peaked around the corner.
"What do you see?" Junko asked.
Aerrow turned to them and laughed. "It was just a cat, guys."
"Really?" Phoenix walked around the corner, dropping Finn along the way.
It was true. A gray cat with black paws and stripes was sitting in the middle of the hallway licking her paws.
Radarr started growling.
"Hey, Radarr? What's wrong?" Aerrow asked his buddy.
"Aw! Aren't you the cutest thing?" Finn cooed, scratching the cat under the chin. The cat glared at him and then, quick as lightning, left four scratch marks on his cheek.
"Ah! Stupid cat!" Finn clutched his cheek and moaned.
Junko was at his side in an instant. "Are you okay, little buddy?"
"My beautiful cheek."
Phoenix rolled his eyes. "Your cheek will be fine Finn." He turned his attention back to the cat. "Now who do you belong to? Let's see if we can bring you back to your owner." He reached down to pick up thee cat, but the cat scratched his hand.
Phoenix jumped back. "Feisty little thing."
"I can do much worse, I assure you."
The five of them jumped five feet in the air.
"D-did that cat just t-talk?!" Finn stammered.
"Yes I did." The cat retorted. "But that's the least of your worries. For I am going to kill you in a minute."
GM: Umm…creepy.
Phoenix: (holds on to GM) Don't let me die this way!
GM: Maybe I should let the readers decide if you die or not…
Phoenix: NO!
Dark Ace escorted Piper into a large room. Dark red tapestries hung on the walls, and in the middle of the room was a long table with two chairs-one on either end. The room was lit by candles.
Dark Ace held the chair for Piper and pushed her in. He settled himself on the other end and rang a bell that was at his right side. Servants rushed in carrying plates loaded with foods made of blueberries- pie, custard, muffins, yoghurt, cobblers, and smoothies.
"We couldn't possibly eat all off that." Piper said as her mouth watered.
"Oh that's all right. Eat as much as you want." Dark Ace helped himself to some cobbler.
As hungry as Piper was, she forced herself to hide the food in a napkin to throw away later.
It might be poisoned. She thought grimly.
Dark Ace cleared his throat. "You know, Piper, the food is fine. You can stop filling your napkin."
Piper stiffened.
"Think of it this way." Dark Ace continued. "Aren't I eating the same food as you? So doesn't that mean that I would be poisoning myself as well? You know I'm not that stupid."
Grudgingly, Piper had to agree. So she picked up her fork and took a bite of the blueberry pie. She was shocked by how good it was.
Not even Junko's pie is this good! she thought in astonishment.
Dark Ace was grinning at her. "It's good, isn't it?"
Piper nodded and went back to eating.
They ate in silence until Dark Ace looked at his watch. (A/N: I have no idea if they even have watches there, but this is my story, so deal with it!)
"I have a meeting in five minutes. You still have to pick out your wedding dress, so I'll leave you in the care of Mrs. Waters." He snapped his fingers and the woman came in through the door.
"Mother, Piper needs to pick out her dress still. Please send for the seamstress so she can do measurements."
"Umm, excuse me. Did you just say…mother?!" Piper choked out.
Dark Ace slapped his forehead. "Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you that she's my mom! Piper, darling, meet your future mother-in-law!"
Mrs. Waters a.k.a. Mrs. Ace didn't even crack a smile. "Come along now Piper. We need to get your measurements for your dress." She turned briskly and stalked out of the room.
Piper followed meekly behind. Aerrow! Hurry!
"What's taking them so long?" Stork paced restlessly around the ball room. Everyone had long since left, after all thee gossip had been exchanged. Queen Paula woke up shortly after she fainted, and kept herself busy cleaning the mess from the party. King Peter kept looking out the windows every few minutes. Stork had tried to convince him to get some sleep, but he simply stated that a king never sleeps during a crisis such as this.
"Let me do the cleaning Paula. The king attempted to take the broom from his wife, but she held firm.
"No. Cleaning is the only thing keeping me from acting like you two fools. Now I suggest you do the same and find something to keep you busy."
King Peter went back to looking out the window.
"Such a tiny girl!" The seamstress looked at the tape measure in surprise. "Why, I don't think I've ever done a dress this small before."
Piper blushed. She always knew she was skinny, but for some reason, it embarrassed her to hear someone else say it.
"We'll need to fatten her up." said Mrs. Waters. "We can't have her fainting all the time because she doesn't eat enough."
"I've never fainted!" Piper retorted. "I'm perfectly fine the way I am!"
That was a big mistake. Mrs. Waters glared at Piper. "A child does not speak out of turn. And until you are married , you are still a child! And when you are married, you will obey your husband at all costs. That is the duty of a wife! Now do not speak until spoken to. Is that understood?" Mrs. Waters turned her back on Piper and began speaking to the seamstress once again.
Piper glowered at the back of her future mother-in-law. I understand now. she thought They are trying to break me by intimidation. Well, I am not going down that easily. I'm not married yet, and I will do everything I can to keep it that way.
GM: Sorry for the wait guys! Terrible writer's block...
GM: I'm happy that Stork is finally back along with the king and queen. I was getting kind of worried about Queen Paula. She was out for a while. :D
Phoenix: You know... I think Piper and Dark Ace would make a lovely couple.
Piper: (faints)
Aerrow: WHAT?!
Dark Ace: You really think so? :D
GM: You are so going to be killed for that...