Heiya people... here's the next part... it's the, uh, 25 of November and I'm predicting to have it done in about a year... it was my birthday this weekend (I'm 16!!) and the muses are as exhausted as I am. But I went shopping with Chibi-chan earlier and she let me have Coke (Baaaaddd idea, Chibi) and they're bouncing around, begging to write something that has a plot line... why they picked this one, then, I have no idea. Okay. So here this goes. Shallest I summarize for all of you? Simply because I'm bored...
What's happened so far: Dart found his long lost best buddy, Ryu Kokoro, who has something to do with the Royal family of Denigrad (I'm getting to that). After some initial random skirmishes, you, my darling readers, found out that she was married to Zeig and had his daughter, the ever adorable Sayia, who really doesn't get it because she's... oh, five-ish, I think? Kokoro is also the reborn Dragoon of Dreams and was the one who betrayed Zeig to... the evil guy, whose name evades me. She also knows Rose as a close friend and really pissed off the Dragoon of Darkness by betraying Zeig, but Rose has had a few thousand years to work over her anger (thankfully) and has forgiven Kokoro and even made a pact that they'll stick it through this time (I think that was the pact...). Zeig attacked Kokoro and the others whilst they were hanging out in Seles with Kokoro's foster mom, and tried to kidnap Sayia. Bad idea. He ticked off Kokoro, amongst everyone else, and awoke the Dragoon of Dreams and caused a great big ruckus. Now Dart's mad at Kokoro for not telling him who she was (He's a guy, people, and it's in their genes to get
mad at a lot of the little things), but he doesn't exactly have a lot of time to talk things out (That'll happen though, believe me) because now the whole group has split up to stop Zeig from getting the Signet Spheres at Zenebatos and Mayfil. Now, just a note, being at this is a story mainly about Kokoro, I'm not planning on writing what happens to Dart and his group. Sorry, but I don't think I can. But let it be assumed that normal game-reality stuff happened and they failed and Zeig got the sphere, which really sucked by the way. Okay, here we go.
Curie: And would all believe she thought that up on her own?
Would you believe she's still here?
Curie: Of course I am. That's why they're here, all these readers... because they love me. So, are you going to defy the laws of nature again and post a disclaimer?
... um, I should do that, Huh? Okay, here it is: I don't own anything that was in the LoD game, including characters places and so forth, but Kokoro is mine and so is all that is attached to her, like Sayia and the Dragoon of Dreams and stuff.
Curie: Articulate, aren't we?
I have two other muses, you know. I don't NEED you.
Curie: Yes, you do... admit it.
... I hate you.
Pasts Returning, part One
Kokoro... Kokoro... I need you... Kokoro rolled over in her sleep and promptly fell onto the floor, more or less directly on top of Albert. The blonde prince gave an audible curse that she cut off by clapping her hand over her mouth.
"Shhh," she whispered. "Sorry."
"Ow, Koro," he said as she sat up on the floor next to him. "That was my side."
"I said sorry, Albert, let it go." She grinned and brushed her hair from her face. "So... have a nice sleep?" He nodded.
"I slept like a rock." He sat up slowly, so as not to jostle Meru who was spread out across the section of floor she had basically called the night before. Miranda was sound asleep in the bed that Kokoro had fallen from and Haschel was by the door, playing sentry, though Kokoro doubted they really needed it. It had been late enough by the time they had made it back to the city from the stables the night before and everyone had been too tired to get anything to eat, not that anyplace had been open. "Are you up for breakfast?"
"I'm starving," she told him with a grin. "And yes, I'll join you. Come on." She grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet.
"Wait, Koro," he insisted. "Let me get dressed-"
"Don't be such a prince, Al," she told him in a whisper. "We're travelers. No one knows who we actually are. Let's just go like this, in the same clothes from yesterday."
"Koro, I really-"
"Albert, one more word out of you and I'll make sure you end up walking around in the rest of this trip without any clean clothes at all." He gaped at her a moment, but she pulled him out of the room before he could reply. "There," she said when they were in the hallway. "No, is that so hard?" She closed the door softly and grinned at him. "Come on. Don't be such a prude. Now, let's go get some food!"
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"you're serious? He was your "protector"?" Kokoro nodded and poked her eggs with her fork.
"Dart never said it, but I knew... my father hired him to protect me. He was always doing that... just because I'm the blasted princess." She sighed and shook her head. "But I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"You were in Neet when the Black Monster attacked." Another nod and sigh.
"Yes... it wasn't... a good thing."
"But you didn't return."
"Why should I have?!" she demanded. "There was nothing there for me. I wasn't born to be a princess... even before I found out I was the bloody Dragoon of Dreams, I knew that I wasn't cut out to be a princess. And I knew, when it was over in Neet, that if I went back, I'd go insane. I had to leave." She shrugged and took a bite. "But you're a royal too. Why didn't you stay in your kingdom?"
"I knew that this journey was my destiny," he told her. "Well, at least, I sensed it was. But I didn't know it would come this far... or that so many people would be hurt." She glanced up at the sadness in his voice, then looked back down.
"Lavitz," she murmured. Albert nodded.
"Lavitz, my Uncle, countless people who've died in every battle resulting from the Dragoons and the past... and more have to die. More will die." Kokoro closed her eyes and swallowed a lump in her throat.
"But we keep fighting," she said. "And we can't stop. Because the world is depending on us now... we've made it that way." Suddenly, she was no longer hungry and the food on her plate didn't look so appetizing. All my life, I felt like I had no point... then, I learned the truth of my past and of the traitor I truly was... but I can't run from my destiny. I can't hide anymore. For Sayia, and for her future, I'll keep fighting.
"Koro?" She shook her head clear and smiled weakly.
"Come on. Let's go get everyone else up and we'll head to the docks. The earlier we start the better."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"Look," yawned Meru, rolling over onto her side. "The sun's not up and neither am I." Kokoro chuckled and poked the girl in the back.
"Yes you are, or we'll leave you here," she threatened.
"Sucha a pity," muttered Meru under her breath. "Lemme sleep, Koro. It's too early." She dragged the blanket over her head and curled up the on the floor. Miranda made a scoffing sound and Kokoro looked up at her with a small smile.
"Miranda, I know you remember me when I was younger and I was as bad as she is," she said. Miranda chuckled.
"Worse, Princess, worse." Kokoro laughed and yanked the blanket off of Meru.
"Up, my Winglie friend. We have a journey ahead of us and we need to start today." She rose and tossed the blanket on the bed. Meru groaned and pushed herself up on her hands with a dirty look towards her companion.
"That was really mean," she said. "Do you realize that you're really domineering?"
"Yes, I do," answered Kokoro. "Come on Meru. Please? Everyone else is up and around. We're waiting on you." Meru opened her mouth to say something then stopped.
"Did I miss breakfast?" she asked. Kokoro nodded briskly.
"Yes, you did," she said. "But if you get up now, we can get you something in the market before we head down to the dock."
"Sounds good to me." Meru jumped up and smiled at the two women. "Let's get this started!"
Chapter 2 - Sun, Sea, and Dragon Wings.
"Good Morning, companions!" said Carlais cheerfully, waving to them as they approached. "Did ya sleep well?"
"That we did, my friend," said Kokoro with a smile. "And we're all rested for the journey ahead."
"Most of us anyway," murmured Meru. Carlais grinned.
"If ye still be tired, miss, there's a cot below deck where ye can nap," he told her. Meru's face brightened.
"Thanks!" she said happily. Carlais smiled and jumped down into his boat.
"Miladies first," he said. "Watch your step." He offered a hand to Meru, who took it with a giggle as she stepped into the boat. "Alright then? Ye be next, milady." Kokoro took his help with a gracious smile and waited next to Meru as Miranda jumped down, barely glancing at the man who helped her. "Careful, gents. She can get a bit unsteady at times." Haschel and Albert both jumped down without a problem and Carlais smiled. "Ready?"
"Hold on a second," said Kokoro. She turned back towards shore and gave a sharp whistle. Keri-bird swooped down from where she had been perched on a market stall and landed on Kokoro's outstretched arm. Carlais made a small sound and seemed shocked, but his face quickly went back to a smile. "Is it alright if Keriaira joins us, sir?"
"Of course, Milady," answered Carlais with a small bow. "Be that it, then?"
"I believe so." A glance at her companions confirmed that everyone was ready. "Yes, we are set."
"Good." Carlais smiled. "Then let the journey begin!"
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"Fueno's just out there," said Albert, pointing towards lights on the dark horizon. "One more good day of sailing and we'll be there." Kokoro nodded and leaned on the side of the ship with a sigh. "Something wrong, Kokoro?"
"No," she said. "It just seems that something should be happening. Out here, we're open, we're vulnerable, and I'm bored enough to scream," she admitted. "It's the perfect time to attack us." Albert chuckled softly.
"You are in need of constant adventure, aren't you?" he asked, making her laugh.
"That I am," she said. "My entire life has been a constant adventure so far and you would think that a break like this would be nice but... it's not."
"We all know how you feel, Princess," said Miranda from where she sat at the table, involved in a card game with Carlais and Haschel, while Meru sat and watched. "But it is nice to relax." Haschel nodded.
"It is," agreed Meru. "Koro?"
"Hmm?"
"Where's Keri?" Kokoro straightened, then shrugged.
"Probably fishing," she answered. Keri... Keriaira, where are you? Her mind flashed with the image of the dark ocean and something shadowing the moon. It swooped down and pain shot through Kokoro like fire. She gasped and dug her fingernails into the wood she leaned on.
"Koro?" asked Albert, laying a hand on her shoulder.
"Something's coming," she whispered, trying to steady her nerves. "From the west. It attacked Keri."
"From the west?" asked Miranda, standing up. Kokoro nodded and swallowed a lump in her throat. Gods, but it hurt. "Are you well, Princess?"
"Milady be a bird bonder," said Carlais gravely. "That hawk of hers be bonded to her, mind and heart. If something happened to it, she knows." Kokoro nodded. Bird bonders were rare and Kokoro had been one since she was a child. Always to Keri. "You're sure the west, milady?"
"Yes. The west." Carlais made a sound in his throat and leapt up from his seat.
"The west be old dragon breeding grounds. Nothing lives out there now. But if it be coming from there, it be one of those flying monsters," he said. There was a loud screech and a gull swooped low from the sky, landing lightly on the man's head. "This be my friend," he said to the people. "My bond bird, Bone. He tells me there be something coming from the east as well. Another monster."
"Two dragons?" asked Miranda in surprise. "We'll never be able to take two-"
"No," said Kokoro. "Only the one from the west in the enemy. The other is a friend, from the mountains of Denigrad."
"And how do you know this?" asked Haschel. She shook her head and closed her eyes.
"Because it's Rion, the platinum dragon. The Dragon of Dreams."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Sunrise didn't come swift enough. They took turns on watch, keeping an eye out for either of the dragons, and for Keri. Bone flew away more then once and returned with no news of the owl hawk. But Kokoro would have known if she had died and the sporadic jolts of pain in her arm and shoulder were enough testament to the fact the bird lived.
"Here, milady. Have a cup of tea." Carlais offered the steaming cup to Kokoro, who had been up all night, keeping a vigilant watch for her friend. "I be sure your bird is alright. Bond birds be tougher than the ordinary common sort and yours be one of the strongest I seen in a while." She smiled weakly and accepted the drink with a nod of thanks.
"How many more are there?" she asked. "Other bonders, like us?"
"Oh, there be six I know of. And they each know one that I do not. They're the nicest lot of people I ever met. There be a lady, bonded to a raven. Oh, she's one of the cleverest people I ever did meet. You know, Every bird reflects the person they be bonded to." Kokoro nodded with a smirk.
"Except Keri isn't impossibly stubborn and bull headed," she muttered to herself. Oh Keri. Where are you?
"One from the west!" came Meru's yell from the crow's nest. "It's a yellow colored dragon!"
"Yellow?" asked Miranda. "I haven't heard of a yellow dragon." Kokoro stood up and dropped the blanket she had been wrapped in.
"I have," she said gravely. "Yellow is the power of the Sun. Like the fires of the red dragons, only stronger and thrice as hot."
"But then it be weakened by so much water," said Carlais. Kokoro shook her head.
"No," she said. "Unless it touches the water, it won't be that much weakened." Albert carefully took her elbow and led her a bit away from Carlais.
"There's five of us, Koro," he whispered. "Can we take it?" She nodded.
"But if we do, we'll be at a disadvantage. We haven't really done any aerial battles as dragoons. And aerial battles over water aren't easy."
"But we can do it?"
"Of course." Albert nodded. "I'll take that as you're going to?"
"From the east!" came Meru's yell again. "It is the platinum dragon!" There were two distant roars, one from each side and Kokoro smiled.
"Rion will take it," she said. "Rion's taking the yellow dragon!" she hollered to her companions. "Carlais, we need to move as soon as possible. Rion is one of the oldest and strongest dragons in around. If we're caught underneath they're battle, we will die." Carlais nodded grimly and rushed below deck to stoke the engine. Kokoro clamored up the ladder to the crow's nest and looked out towards the east. A large gray colored shape was making its way from the horizon and she could feel the dragon's annoyance.
Bloody upstart children. She laughed happily and walked around the crow's nest.
"Kokoro, is he dangerous?" asked Meru, pointing east.
"Only if you're that one," answered the other woman, pointing west. She climbed onto the edge of the crow's nest and stood up. "Meru, stay here and make sure Carlais gets this boat moving. If he doesn't, tell everyone to transform and fly to land. Take Carlais with you, obviously. It isn't safe here anymore." There was a flash of light before Meru could protest and Kokoro spread her dragoon wings wide. "I'm going to find Keri. I'll meet you where ever."
"Kokoro, wait!" Meru reached for the woman's arm, but missed as Kokoro dove off the crow's nest and glided off. "Oh, you psychopath!"
"Meru! Where is she going?!" Meru turned back towards the deck and the people below.
"After Keri!" answered Meru. "But she's flying on a crash course towards the dragon! She'll reach it before Rion does!" Miranda cursed and scaled the ladder. Kokoro was already too far away, barely visible over the ocean. The dragon was flying in the same line she was, going the opposite direction. If it ignored her, she would pass right underneath. But Miranda doubted it would ignore a dragoon. Unless...
"Come on," Miranda said to Meru. "We'll distract that thing long enough for her to get past. Then Rion can take care of it."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Both woman climbed the edge of the nest and transformed.
"Are they stupid?" asked Albert from the deck below. "They're going after her!" Haschel shook his head.
"No," he said. "They're going to distract the dragon until Rion comes."
"They're... what?"
Kokoro skimmed along the water, keeping a wary eye on the approaching beast. She could already see the claws, glinting in the rising sunlight. And she knew it had seen her.
"Try me." She pulled up and leveled paths with her new enemy. It roared loudly and deeply, the dragon roar of battle. Behind her, Rion answered the sound with his own.
Get out of the way, Ryu Kokoro.
Not on your wings, old friend. She raised her staff above her head and drew in all of her power she could.
"Dream-"
"Koro!"
"What in the-" Miranda and Meru halted beside her, both dragoon. "Get back to the boat!"
"Nah," said Meru with a grin. Kokoro frowned, making Miranda laugh.
"We can't let you have all of the fun, Princess," she said. "You go look for Keriaira. Meru and I will take care of the dragon until Rion shows up."
"But-"
"Go," urged Meru. "Come on. You're wasting daylight. It's not like that thing can beat us anyway. We're Dragoon, after all." Kokoro looked between the both of them, then nodded.
"Thank you. I'll be back as soon as I can." She took off, heading in the same path as before. The dragon roared again, throwing its head back and flaring its wings bigger. It was actually small for a dragon, only a teenage by their terms, but against two dragoons, one of whom was weak against fire, it would still be a trial to keep it occupied. Rion, hurry.
A/N: I'll put in the fight scene in the next part... no flames, please... I don't know why you would flame me, but don't anyway. :)