A/N: Sorry for the delay; the holidays were much more crazy than I anticipated and took up a lot of time and energy. Luckily that's all over, so I should be able to stay on schedule from now on. Thank you for your patience, and enjoy the next chapter! (*cue "A Whole New World" from the Aladdin soundtrack*)

Chapter 34: Fly (Heart of Hope)

Alexa awoke with a start. She was staring up at the ceiling of the hermit's cottage. She felt oddly refreshed, even though she had no idea what time it was, or how long she had been out.

There was a weight on the bed beside her. She glanced over to see Kolton, fast asleep, his arms folded on the bed and his head resting atop of them.

She shakily sat up. It was strange being back in her body again. She tried to flex her fingertips, only to realize that in her right hand, a warm, glowing red orb was clenched. And in the left, three blue, glowing petals. She had no idea what they were, but she carefully tucked them into her coat pocket for safekeeping.

"Mmm…" Kolton murmured, moving slightly. His eyelids cracked a bit open, and then he blinked.

"A-Alexa!" He bolted upright immediately. "You're back!"

"Uh…yeah, I guess I am." She rubbed her head. "Kolton, how many—"

"Oi! Lickety-Lex!" Tiny hopped over moments after, beaming. "You're up and at 'em! Finally!"

"Yeah…how many hours was I asleep?"

"Hours?! Thinking too small, lickety-Lex! More like three whole days. Three! I've been helpin' old hermit face clear up his house. Mistress Bastelle even had time to go back to the camp and help with the rod research! But Panda never left that chair, he didn't."

"Really?" Alexa glanced to Kolton. He immediately looked away, his cheeks flushed.

"I-I just wanted to make sure you weren't stuck in there!" he amended. "I mean, it was three days…I wanted to make sure the hermit was playing tricks on what the antidote really did, y'know?"

"Heh, thanks, Kolton," Alexa said, with a genuine smile. "I really appreciate it."

"I'll fetch 'im, then." Tiny decided. He returned moments later with the hermit in tow.

"Ah, excellent!" he exclaimed when he saw Alexa sitting up. "You made it back in one piece! Did you find a wand core?"

Alexa held it out to him. He took it from here and examined it.

"Yes…excellent! This will do perfectly! Making the wand will take me about one full day and night, but if you return tomorrow, I'll have it all ready for you."

He went over to his cabinet and returned with a glass of water.

"Here. You must still be feeling a bit out of sorts. A few sips of this will help."

"Thanks," Alexa breathed, taking a few gulps of the icy water and handing it back. Then, she pushed herself out of the bed, grabbing the desk beside it for balance. Her legs tingled from disuse.

"What even happened in there, lickety-Lex?" Tiny wondered. "You were out like a magicless lamp the whole time! Didn't move, didn't mumble, nothing!"

"A…lot," she admitted. She realized that her father had experienced something similar before; when his soul was temporarily snapped up by the soul snare, and his body lay unconscious in Perdida. She had never imagined that was what it felt like to be free from her body…but now that she was back, she had no desire to ever experience it again.

"Eh, didn't expect a full answer anyways. Just glad we got all this sorted out! I suppose we should be on our way." He climbed onto Kolton's shoulder. "You good to walk?"

"I think so." Alexa let go of the desk and taking a few hesitant steps towards the doorway. She readjusted enough to stand up fully by the time they got outside. Bastelle standing amidst the mist, waiting for them patiently. Alexa noticed she had a red resistance band wrapped around her arm.

"Ah! The sorceress has risen," Bastelle greeted. "Thank goodness. We were becoming quite worried. And she has a new wand?"

"I will tomorrow," Alexa explained. Mistress Bastelle nodded.

"How goes the rod research then, spottedface?" Tiny asked.

"Quite good! We believe we have helped them understand the mechanics of our rods to the best of our abilities. We can also put up a bronze-preventing shield over some for a limited time, which they say will be essential in their Morriban infiltration. We explained to them that un-bronzing is possible, but only wolf Zoorians can learn such a spell."

"So Master Garmr knows it," Kolton muttered.

"Indeed," Bastelle purred. "But if we successfully capture Morriban, we can make him use it. Garmr is not one for surrendering, but he will have no choice." Her rod began to glow. "Shall we travel back to Yule? Chief Swaine can better explain the plan than us." The trio nodded, holding onto a piece of her cloak. Alexa took one final glance around the marshes where Shadar—Lucien— used to live, before being whisked away in a familiar flash of white light.

"I see Bastelle explained the gist to you three," Swaine told them. They were sitting in the inn with a meal laid out; Alexa had an unsurprisingly large appetite, and was currently on her fourth piece of toast.
"She has been a huge asset to the resistance movement, and her assistance has largely sped up the entire process. In fact, we have plans to infiltrate Morriban in exactly one week's time. The night before, I will assign everyone roles, as I did during the Lupelin raid. Until then, I expect you all to train as much as you can in preparation for the final fight."

He sighed, although it was of content rather than exhaustion. "Never really thought we'd get this far, to be honest with you lot. Feels like just yesterday the resistance was on the Isle, trying our best to hold onto hope. We couldn't have gotten here without any of you. So, from the bottom of my heart: thank you." He gave them a broad smile that they couldn't help but return.

"Just doin' our best," Tiny replied. "Ahh, we're so close to freeing Lord Drippy…I just know he's there with the rest! I can feel it in my antennae, mun!"

"My father, too," Kolton muttered.

"And Marcassin." Swaine nodded.

"And…my dad." Alexa clenched her fist. There was only a week left…but there was something she had to do first. Something she had been thinking about since she first awoke on the hermit's bed.

"Swaine," she started. "Do you know where Kieran is?"

"Kieran? I think he's out by the dragons. Why?"

"I have something I want to ask him."

"Alright. Well, anyways, I trust you three will be spending your time wisely these next few days. Keep at it with your training, ok?"

Alexa nodded, already beginning to stand.

"Aw, crikey, this again?" Tiny grumbled. "Lickety-Lex, I know you've been inspired to live up to your nickname as of late, but feels like we just sat down!"

"But I have to find Kieran," she said with certainty. "You two can catch up later if you want."

"Nah, I'm coming," Kolton decided, standing as well.

"Really, mun? You, too?" Tiny stared longingly at his half-eaten pear before tossing it aside. "Bah, fine! Onwards we go." He begrudgingly climbed up onto to Alexa's shoulder.

After bidding Swaine farewell, they headed out to the sky pirate camp, and to the dragon's caves. Just as Swaine had said, Kieran was there, filling up a few large buckets with fish.

"Greetings, lads and lass!" He nodded offhandedly to them. "Just giving the dragons' their afternoon feed! What can I help you three with today?"

"It's about Alkira," Alexa started.

"What 'bout her, lass?"

"I thought a lot about it, and…I want to try," she said. "I want to try and teach her how to fly again."

Kolton and Tiny stared incredulously.

"You…do?" Tiny repeated.

"I think I should." Alexa looked towards the dragon caves. "I can't do much for the resistance this week as long as I'm wandless, but…this is something I can do. Or at least that I'd like to try and do. I think it would be good for her…and me."

It wasn't that Alexa was feeling brave after her time in the palace; in fact, she was even more terrified. The idea of flying, much less on a dragon who hadn't had experience in years, made her feel a bit sick.

But she knew she'd been through far too much to back down now. She wasn't going to Morriban until Alkira knew how to fly…and she knew how, too.

"I'll help you," Kolton decided. "I know a lot about young dragon training. We can practice together, so long as I can secure a dragon for myself."

"I'd like that." Alexa nodded. "Thanks."

"Aye, we can wrangle you a dragon, Kolton." Kieran nodded. "Anything if it means getting Alkira up in the skies again! I'll have 'em all ready for ya come the evening. Check back 'ere then, ya hear?"

Alexa spent the remainder of the day training her familiars. Smolder was almost caught up to Eve, but Alexa had a better idea of what she wanted the dragon to become in its final stage. Even then, though, she was beginning to understand what Esther meant by having an instinct on what a familiar's final form is. She wasn't completely sure yet…but she had a feeling she'd know Eve's after she conquered her flying lesson.

After dinner, they prepared to make their way out to the dragon caves.

"Do I really have to join this escapade, mun?" Tiny wondered, glancing off in the direction of Yule. "I mean, don't get me wrong, you two are my dearest butties, but…"

"Nah, Tiny, it's fine," Kolton answered. "It's pretty cold this late out, anyways. Go ahead and head back to the inn, if you want."

"Ah, perfect! In that case, I'll leave you two to it," Tiny determined, sliding off Alexa's shoulder. "I'll be hittin' the sack. See you in the morning, then!" Tiny hopped away throw the snow. Kolton turned to Alexa.

"Ready?" Alexa just managed a nod. She hoped Kolton wrote off her tremble as being from the cold.

"As I'll ever be."

When they arrived at the caves, Alexa saw a large, forest green dragon being pulled out at Kieran's command. Alkira, however, remained hidden in the shadows of her cave.

"' 'Ere you are, lad." Kieran pulled Kolton over, first. "Esemar is all set for the flight."

"Wow, he's really grown," Kolton commented. "He was almost a drakeling last I saw him!"

"Aye. Might grow to be the biggest of the herd someday!" He gave the dragon's neck a pat. "Having a bit of trouble getting Alkira out, though…"

"I can try," Alexa said, approaching the cave. Her gaze met the identical pair of blue eyes in an instant.

"Hey, Alkira," she started, "get out here." Alkira snorted indignantly and didn't move. Alexa put up her hands.

"Alright. That's fine. I'll just learn how to overcome my fear of heights with Kolton. I don't really need you around anyways."

Sure enough, Alkira gave a painstaking groan, but forced herself into a sitting position. She slowly lumbered out of the cave, watching Alexa the entire time.

"By the skies…." He shook his head. "You do have some kind of kinship with her, lass! You'll be teaching her how to fly, yet." He glanced to Kolton. "You can take it from here?"

"Ay—er, y-yeah," Kolton replied, a bit sheepish. Keiran laughed.

"Garharhar! Finally picking up the sky pirate slang, eh, lad? Turning into your father by the day!" He laughed some more, and Kolton turned a bit red and coughed awkwardly. Alexa couldn't help but chuckle as well, her nerves abating for just the moment.

"Alrighty then, I'll you two to it! Hope to see a flying black dragon come the morning!" He waved to them and headed back to the camp. Alexa glanced over to Kolton, who was saying something to Esemar. Moments later, the dragon took off into the sky.

"Where's he going?" Alexa asked. Kolton didn't answer. Instead, he just smiled, and then took off running towards the edge of the cliff.

"K-Kolton! Wait!" Moments later, she saw him jump right off of it.

"Kolton!" She shouted, but was interrupted as Esemar fly up from behind the cliff, Kolton atop his back.

"Hey, Alexa!" he called down to her, grinning. "Come on and join!"

"W-wait! How?" she asked against the chilly night air.

"Feel it!" was all he replied, as Esemar flew a wide circle around the camp.

"How is that helpful?" she yelled to him, but he was too far to hear her. "It's completely bogue," she muttered. She turned to Alkira.

"So…wanna try?" She pointed up to the sky. Alkira huffed and backed away.

"Alright, yeah. I…don't really want to, either." She sighed. "Here, um…can I start by climbing on your back?"

Alkira just stared her down. In retrospect, Alexa probably should have waited for wand so she could talk to Alkira with Nature's Tongue…but watching Kolton careen around the sky atop his own dragon, and remembering Kieran's hopeful smile, she knew she couldn't back down now.

"Ok. I'm going to try, alright?" Alexa hesitantly approached Alkira. Alkira just stared, making no motion to move. Carefully, Alexa put her hand on her wing and tried to climb up. A moment later, Alkira whipped around and she got dumped into the snow.

"O-ow…really?" She glared up, but a sudden tingling in her arm stopped her from saying more.

"O-oh…that was your formerly injured wing, right?"

Alkira snorted.

"Ah…sorry." Alexa stood back up and brushed the snow off her jacket. "I'll try the other side, ok?" Alkira once again stared. Alexa carefully made her way to the other wing, and grabbed on. She didn't climb, instead checking to see if Alkira would dump her again. But the dragons gaze stayed firmly ahead.

After a moment, Alexa climbed up and onto her back. The scales on her back acted like grips, with a few convenient crest spikes on her neck to help assist Alexa's balance further.

"Ok…start by walking forward?"

Alkira did not move. Alexa sighed.

"I mean…the view over by the cliff looks kind of nice. We don't have to fly. But wanna take a look?"

Alkira lashed her tail against the snow and began to walk, Alexa swaying back and forth in time to her movement. It was like a more jarring version of the pony Alexa rode at a petting zoo when she was small.

The dragon stopped at the cliff's edge. Alexa saw Kolton flying loops with Esemar over the water in the distance.

"Show off," she muttered.

Alkira gave a huff of apparent agreement.

She peered over the ledge. Below, a vast stretch of freezing water churned. Alexa swallowed, her throat feeling rough.

"So…flying."

Alkira did not budge, although Alexa could feel the dragon's heartbeat accelerate beneath her.

Kolton made another loop before flying above them in tight circles.

"You guys coming?" he called.

"We can't!" Alexa answered. "The whole point of this is for us to learn, remember?"

"Not exactly! Alkira knows how to fly, and you weren't always afraid of heights, right? So you just have to dive right back in!"

"It's not that simple," Alexa grumbled, folding her arms.

"The trick is to look up, not down!" He hovered just above them now.

"Easier said than done!"

"Once you're in the sky, you'll know what I mean!"

"If I can't even get up, it's useless!"

Kolton stopped talking for a moment. Then, a sudden, knowing smile crossed his face. He whispered something in his dragon's ear and then looked down at the duo.

"Hey, Alexa?" he started

"W-what?"

"Do you trust me?"

Alexa paused.

"What?"

"Well? Do you?" Kolton gave her his best innocent simper.

"I-I mean…I guess I do, yeah."

"Cool." Esemar swooped up for a moment. "Also, I'm sorry for this!"

"S-sorry for—?!"

Before Alexa could finish, Esemar dove right down to her and plucked her off Alkira's back.

"K-KOLTON!" she shrieked as she was carried up and over the water. "WHAT THE ACTUAL HE—'"

"Sorry!" he called again. "You gotta trust me!" They flew higher and higher. Alexa kept her eyes squeezed shut, terrified of opening them and seeing the yawning blue abyss below.

"Ok, Esemar, NOW!"

And then, Alexa was dropped.

She tried to scream, but it wouldn't leave her throat. A rush of horrible nostalgia pulsed through her. It was just like the tree…just like the tree, just like—

Thump!

The water never came. Alexa landed atop something sturdy. She put a hand to her chest, breathing heavy.

"Kolton, what the hell was that about?! I swear you are the single most obnoxious…" she started, but stopped midway. Kolton had not been the one to save her.

Black scales glittered beneath her palms. Alkira was a bit wobbly in the air, her wing occasionally twitching, and Alexa could feel her tremble, but she kept them up and over the water.

"See!" Kolton called from beside her. "It worked!"

"Warn me next time!" Alexa snapped, her heart still hammering in her chest.

"Then you would have known, and by extension, so would Alkira, and it wouldn't work! Besides, I was going to catch you if she didn't do anything. That's what I put such a distance between you and the water."

Alexa had to begrudgingly give him credit. The plan was well-thought out….

In fact, a bit too well-thought out.

"Kolton, jow…how long did you plan this?!"

Kolton just grinned.

"I'll answer if you can catch me." Before Alexa could react, the sky pirate and dragon sped off.

"Ugh, honestly."

She risked a glance over the side, and saw the gleaming water below. The wooziness began to return, and Alkira felt a bit wobblier.

"C'mon! I know Hierophants who move faster than you two!" Kolton chided.

"I-I can't!" Alexa managed. Her fear was escalating by the second.

"Alright, alright that's fine! Didn't think you were brave enough anyways. I mean, you almost got bronzed in Morriban if it wasn't for me!"

"W-what?" Her thoughts faltered.

"And gobbled up by a giant pigeon." Kolton looked up thoughtfully. "And, well, I entered this tournament once…"

The thoughts spent on her fear were promptly allotted to her annoyance.

"Don't. say. it.' Kolton laughed.
"Try and stop me before I tell all of Yule, lingering-Lex!" Esemar flew off towards the city. Alexa's gaze narrowed. Her grip on Alkira's crest tightened.

"After him."

It was the first time the dragon obeyed her direct command. They sped off over the water in hot pursuit of the most infuriating sky pirate apprentice Alexa had ever met. Just when she thought they had caught up, Kolton made a sudden upwards turn. Alkira followed…and suddenly, Alexa was upside down.

She threw her arms around the dragon's neck and held on for dear life. Alkira completed the loop a bit sloppily, but managed to stay in the air.

"Nice loop!" Kolton called.

"Shut up," Alexa snapped, although she felt a smile tug at the corners of her lips. Kolton just laughed. He swooped in beside her and gestured above them.

"Hey, check it out!" Alexa did as she was told: and saw they were just beneath the rainbow lights. They danced above their heads in mismatched choreography.

"Pretty, hm?"

"Very," she agreed with little thought. She recalled that this was the kind of sight she would have loved to share with her dad.

The kind she would share with him, the moment she saved him in the coming week.

"Wanna get closer?" Kolton didn't wait for her reply and flew up and into them. Alexa followed without a thought. The colors tingled with magic, wrapping around her coat and sending a chilling sensation to her skin, although it wasn't uncomfortable. Even Alkira seemed transfixed by the display, giving only the occasional flap to stay aloft.

Alexa wasn't sure how long they stayed in the lights. Nor was she sure at what point she stopped carrying about the gaping space between her and the ground. All that was above and below were was brilliant color. And sitting there with her soul mate beneath her, and the sky pirated she loved to hate and hated to love at her side, she was filled with a calm, contented peace.

It was interrupted by a sudden, hot sensation in her coat pocket. She pulled out one of the petals and nearly dropped it; it was scalding to the touch.

"What've you got there?" Kolton wondered.

"I'm...not sure," Alexa admitted, holding the blue petal out to him. "I had it in my hand when I returned, along with the core." Kolton peered at it, and his eyes widened slightly.

"Oh."

"W-what? What is it?"

"It's a Past Petal," he said. "Part of a Memory Flower. They can replay a memory or memories related to a specific location or object...so long as the one who experienced them is nearby to trigger it." He shook his head. "Er, this is a bit awkward...but it doesn't look like I have much of a choice."

"What is…?" Alexa started, but stopped as the colors began to fade. Although her soul remained in her body this time, the colors surrounding the two of them began to fade. Before she could ask Kolton what was going on, they, too, were whisked off into the whiteness...

...and into the memories of the Pirate King's son.