Finals are on the horizon, but I'm typing this up for you guys anyways. :)
Thanks to those who took the time to review, and hopefully *more* of you
will begin to review as you read this.*hinthint* Now go on, and enjoy!
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**a week after the last time**
Holly kept her mind blank as she put on her light mail shirt and pulled a tunic on over it. Pixie had on made for her after last time, giving her the choice of wearing it or staying away from the frontlines for good. She agreed to wear it since nothing since nothing could ever keep her from fighting in the front.
She picked up her sword and secured it at her side, noticing Allen's sword's empty spot as she did. They had given it to Genki since there wasn't time to make him a blade like hers and it was just his length and weight. It felt odd not to see it sitting there next to her weapons and everyone's lost disks, a small reminder of his life and the help he had been to her and the army.
Holly sighed and buckled her boots before securing her cape, letting it fall about her shoulders. She quickly braided her hair down and went out the door. Clearing her mind of the memories, she focused on the battle ahead and allowed it consume her entire being. She needed to be calm, she needed to be strong, she needed to be ~and was~ a General.
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Genki put the leather jerkin in laid with mail he'd been given under his uniform, glad for the extra protection it gave him. Something nagged the back of his mind as he secured his sword ~no, Allen's sword~ to his belt. Was this really what he was supposed to be doing?
{The Phoenix said to free him...} said a small voice in his head. {Not take out the enemy...} He shook his head, trying to get rid of the voice. {What if you need him to defeat the enemy? What if all of this is in vain....}
"Knock it off," growled Genki, buckling his boots. "Last thing I need is for me to lose my focus and completely screw up this mission."
Tai stuck his head in the room, his stuff half put on. "Who are you talking to?" he asked, making sure no one else of in there. "I know I heard you saying something to someone..."
"Myself....I was talking to myself," snapped Genki, putting on his helmet as he turned away from his brother.
"Right..." Tai left and continued to struggle with the buckles on his outfit, but none of them seemed to fit anywhere. There was just no talking to his brother when he was in one of his moods.
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Pixie sat in her tent, staring at Big Blue's lost disk with her things already on and set to go. Her mind twisted and turned from one thing to another, never really stopping or staying on one particular point.
{The fight will be dangerous, we might lose ....they did the charge against the main fort, and only Holly survived....wonder if Blue can still think or if the last thing he remembers is the fight...he may come back, but the humans from that never will...Allen was among them, the strong second in command that greatly helped Holly...and now Genki is back and has taken that position...hopefully he'll have a different fate that his predecessor....Holly may not admit it, but I don't know if she would be able to take losing another so close to her...}
"Ma'am?" asked Tori, walking out of her room with her things on, armor and weapons put in their proper places. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," replied Pixie, her eyes still focused on the lost disk. "Go and make sure Genki and his brother are ready to go and meet me in the front as soon as they are in awhile, ok?"
"Yes, ma'am." Pixie didn't even glance up as the girl left, letting herself fall back into her swirling thoughts...
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Tai had just turned back to his room after Genki snapped at him when Tori walked in, frowning slightly. "Hey," he said, still struggling with the buckles and buttons that covered his clothes.
"Hey." She stood there for a minute, watching his struggle with a small smile. "Do you want some help?"
Tai gave her these 'lost puppy' eyes , something he had picked up from Genki back home. "Please?" She quickly crossed the space in between them and finished buttoning his thick under shirt, which would help blunt any arrows that got him. She was glad he had been able to at least manage his pants himself because there was no way she was going to help him with those. She then buckled his boots and helped him fix the straps on his round shield.
"Do you know how to secure your wrist guards?" she asked, picking them up from the table. He shook his head, to embarrassed to speak. "Come here." She took the right on and put in on his wrist, skillfully lacing it up and explaining it to him so he could do it next time.
"How do you know all this stuff?" asked Tai as she did the left one, being careful not to catch his skin in the straps.
"My dad always had me help him put on his stuff," explained Tori, shrugging as she did. "He said it was good practice for....well....the future..."
"You were gong to join the army?" asked Tai, his eyes getting huge. "I never though you'd be dong something like that~"
"I wasn't," cut in Tori, her voice hard and spiteful. "Father, he planned to....to marry me....to one of his friend....." Tai winced as Tori tightened the straps considerably, not realizing what she was doing.
"Ah....Tori? I'm sorry about that and all, but....I can't feel my hand...."
"Oh! I'm sorry Tai!" cried Tori, quickly undoing the straps and rubbing his hand to get the circulation going again. "Tai, I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking..."
"It's ok," replied Tai, shrugging his shoulders. "You were mad about your dad, which is completely understandable. You have a lot to be at from him." Tai stood there for a moment, letting the feeling return to his hand. "You know," he said suddenly, turning towards Genki's door. "I'm worried about my brother. He's not acting like his normal self..."
Tori shrugged, dropping his hand when she realized she was still holding it. "I wouldn't know," she said softly, picking up his over tunic, which was leather lined with metal plates. "I haven't gotten to know him that well. I am worried about the battle, though. I've never been in a real fight before..." She held the tunic over his head and he put his arms up, letting it slip on over his head.
"Genki has, he told me about the fights he and his friends were in last time. Some of them almost died..."
"Did he ever tell you about the Final Battle? When the Phoenix was revived and all the lost disks were made whole again?" asked Tori, adjusting some of his ties.
"No, he refuses to talk about it," sighed Tai, picking up the dirk that he had been given and attaching it to his belt. "I think something happened there, something hurts him too much to talking about." He furrowed his brow and looked at Tori. "But what it could be, I don't know."
"Maybe he lost something or someone close to him," she suggested, handing him the orange cap Genki had given him. Tai stared at it for a moment.
"Maybe he has lost something," he replied softly, putting it on. "Something had he the last time he was here..."
"Tai!" called Genki, walking into the room. "Come on, lets~ oh, hey Tori."
"Hey Genki." She smiled as he ruffled her hair.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, glancing at his brother. "Aren't you supposed to be with Pixie?"
"She told me to come get you," explained Tori, turning red as she realized what Genki was implying. "Tai didn't know how to put on his stuff, so I stopped and helped him. Now that you're both ready, though, we should probably get going."
"Hai," said Genki, heading to the door. "Let's go."
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Striker stood in line with the rest of his squad, receiving the weapons and armor that were standard issue to every foot soldier. Quickly attaching everything with practice, he was the first person ready and waited patiently for everyone else, getting lost in his thoughts as he did.
{Wonder when my first report in is....and who I'll be reporting to....maybe it'll be tat one cute Mint I saw....} He stood there with a small smile on his face, only snapping out of his daydream when a familiar clawed hand waved in front of his eyes.
"Huh?"
"Good to see you're paying attention," said Pixie, giving his a half-smile. Striker could feel his face turning red, and was glad his dark complexion hid it from view. Pixie raised an eyebrow, still studying him. "You're blushing." Then again...
"Wouldn't you if you were caught staring off into space?" he stammered, trying to gather himself together with out much hope. Baddie or not, she still had the ability to catch a guy unawares and knock down all his defenses.
"Hm, maybe."
"Soldiers! Line up and move out!" yelled Striker's sub-captain, getting everyone's attention quickly.
"Better go join your group," said Pixie, disappearing into the crowd.
"Hai," he said to himself as he tried to shake the feeling that this new feeling he had for the Advisor wouldn't please General Ironfist at all. "I guess I should."
'Weet!' Holly personally checked over everything that had been done, making sure that the liquid cubes knew exactly what their orders where and the groups of monsters and men with suezos were getting along well enough. Going over the supplies, she had some of the weapons and armor replaced as she noticed pieces that may be faulty or unreliable in the battle.
"Genki!" she called when she saw him walking towards her, Tori and Tai on either side. "Hurry up, we need to talk."
"Hai?" he said, keeping his face solemn an somber.
"You do know what you're doing, right?"
"Remind me, General."
Holly growled under her breath, wishing he wouldn't act like this was his last day alive. "You're to wait for my signal-"
"Which is?"
Holly checked the urge to slap him and replied. "Three short whistles like this." She stuck two fingers in her mouth. 'Weet!' 'Weet!' 'Weet!'
"Ok, go on."
"Grr....anyway, when you hear the signal, have them start transporting people in. As soon as your area and the gate house in secure, have them lower the draw bridge and have your suezo teleport you to the cells below. You must free the prisoners and give them weapons so they can fight as well. This is important Genki, without them or the outside forces getting in we may not have enough power to win."
"I understand."
"You'd better."
"General! The troops are ready to march! Supplies are set and back forces ready to go! Awaiting your orders, ma'am!"
"Get everyone quiet," said Holly coldly, turning away from Genki.
"Yes, ma'am. HEY EVERYBODY, SHUT UP!" Silence immediately settled over the parade grounds, eyes turning towards the monster. "GENERAL HOLLY WISHES TO SPEAK! Ma'am?"
"Today is an important day!" said Holly loudly, projecting her voice more than yelling. "This invasion could decided whether or not we win or lose this war. You know what that means. Everyone must do their best, no holding back! This is war, and we have no choice but to win- or die trying!"
Cheers filled the air, causing Genki to grimace as the Liquid cubes set out first with Holly, his group preparing to set out after them. "Ready?" he yelled, lifting his sword in the air to get everyone's attention.
"READY!"
"Then lets move!" He set out at an easy pace on his blades, Tai on his as well and blading beside him.
"Where's Tori and Pixie?" he asked, hoping to get his brother's mind off of whatever was bothering him.
"With the second wave of Suezos. They'll leave about 20 after we did," replied Genki evenly, his eyes still looking in the distance. "Why?"
"Just wondering." Tai fell behind some, seeing his brother's muscles tense up even more. This was going to be a long day...
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Striker stood at the back of his group of fighters as they were teleported in, keeping himself partially out of view of the sub-commander. He spotted Genki and Pixie the moment they were inside, holding the gate house with Tai and Tori between them and several freed prisoners surrounding them as well.
He strayed from his group and stuck close to their side, watching them with his peripheral vision. All he needed was one chance, one opening where he could show a bit of 'heroism' and get himself promoted. But it'd have to be something everyone would notice, especially those in the upper ranks.
His chance came sooner than he thought it would, and with someone he assumed would never need his help at all. Tori broke away from the group to help a small monster who had been badly wounded, left by his comrades to die.
He watched as she lifted him up in her arms, noticing a large Armor Dragon swooping low to grab both her and the monster. Still, he waited. The monster escaped, running into the shadows along the wall to hide.
Tori screamed as her feet left the ground, getting Pixie's attention quickly. "Tori! I'm coming!" Tai saw Tori and tried to go after her as well, only to be stopped by Genki who reminded him that he couldn't fly over the walls.
"But she may need help!" cried Tai, struggling in his brother's grip.
"I'll go," said Striker suddenly, taking off into the air before either could say a word or ask why he hadn't gone in the first place. He already knew that if he didn't do something both Pixie and the girl would die. He didn't care to remember much from the days of studying other monster types under his grandfather, but he did remember facts that could save his life. One fact that was always handy to keep in mind was the fact that Armored Dragons almost *always* traveled in groups.
He cleared the wall and was a few miles into the woods when he saw the Armored Dragon who took Tori and six others like him standing in a semi- circle around an unconscious Tori. She was a bit battered and bruised, but looked fine and had probably fainted from shock, he reasoned. A beat up Pixie stood in front of her, wings battered to bits and bleeding in several places.
"You won't get her," he heard her growl, an attack forming in her hands as she proudly stood her ground. "Giga-"
"Flaming Sword!" yelled the Armor Dragon, watching it consume and almost kill her. "That should keep her down. Brutus, grab her and fly back to General Ironfist. As for the girl-" He stopped suddenly when Striker ambled into view, a small medallion in his hands. "Who are you?"
"Ironfist's assassin."
"Shadow Striker, eh? I've heard of you." The Armored Dragon peered at the medallion, which pretty much gave Striker unlimited powers. "What do you want?"
"I need to take these two back alive so I can finish my mission," explained Striker, a wry smile on his face. "If the General objects, tell him it's that or he'll have to give me more time. I've done some asking around, and the easiest way to get promoted is to look like a hero. Alright?"
The Armor Dragon growled, but relented the two prisoners. "Take them, I'll give the General your message."
"Thank you." Striker took Tori and flung her over his shoulder before gently picking Pixie up from the ground and walking back to the fort. Her blood soaked into his clothes as he watched the color fade from her skin. {Hang in there, Pixie} he thought to himself, picking up the pace. {Don't you dare die on me now.....}
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Holly hit the roof when she found out that Pixie had been missing for an hour, and Tori with her. "Can't I trust you not to screw up just for an hour?!" she ranted, not caring who saw or heard her. "You know as well as I do that she's not as strong as she was before, one wrong hit...."
"Striker went after her," Genki defended himself sulkily, wishing Holly would stop yelling at him but knowing he could not do it. "He's strong enough to save her, all we have to do is wait..."
"You sent a new recruit out after her?" cried Holly, about ready to slap him across the face. "Of all the stupid-"
"General! Look!" cried one of the monsters, pointing to a hole in the wall. Striker materialized out of the mist, Tori still flung over his shoulder and Pixie still in his arms.
"Pixie!" cried Genki, running over and checking her vital signs, "She's just barely hanging on. what happened?"
"The Armor Dragon had some pals waiting for him out there. They blasted her pretty well before I got there and chased them off," lied Striker. "Do you want me to fly her back to the camp as quickly as possible, sir?"
"Yes, if you would. What about Tori?"
"Oh, her." Striker shifted his load, putting the girl in Genki's arms. "She's fine, just fainted, I think."
"I'm coming with you to the camp," said Holly, her armor stripped off and ridding a Trotter (centaur/???) who'd agreed to let her ride him. "Are you ready to go, or do you need to rest?"
"Hai, I am ready."
"Then let's go."
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Tai and Tori helped some others repair the holes in the walls, the attack having been successful and the enemy completely driven out of the area. Still, it had not come without it's costs. They had lost some soldiers and several of the buildings were damaged in the attacks, needing repairs before they could be used again.
Those two and Genki had been left in charge to help the fort until it was back on it's feet, working to put everything in order. It had been a few weeks since then, and with everyone, humans and monsters alike, working so hard everything would be finished sooner than they thought and the trio would return home.
"Hey! Watch those stones!" yelled Tai, catching one as it toppled over the edge. "I'd rather not get hit with one!"
"Sorry!" Tori yelled back, sticking her head over the edge. She and Tai were the only two small and agile enough to climb this stretch off wall and repair the gaps on top. She swung her feet over the edge and jumped, scaring Tai out of his wits as she landed next to him. "Your turn."
He looked at her dusty, mortar-smudged clothes and sighed. "You sure you don't want to take my shift too?" he asked, not being too overly fond of heights. He would've tried the puppy eyes as well, but she had learned how to resist those sometime ago (much to his annoyance).
"If you'd asked before I'd jumped I would've done it for you," replied Tori with a shrug. "But I'm not climbing back up there now, so you're on your own."
"I'll keep that in mind..." Tai pulled off his over tunic and began the climb, glancing down now and then to make sure he had reliable foot holds. His head swam every time he did, this was not his idea of fun.
Genki happened to be walking by then, come leaders from the fort behind him. "How's it going?" he asked Tori, watching his brother scramble clumsily up the uneven wall.
"Fine, we would have this part patched up by tonight, and the other crews sent word that they've finished or will finish by tonight a short while ago." She stopped and watched as Tai froze for a moment, trying to find a hand hold. "To your left, Tai!" she yelled, moving the thick mat they kept around in case they fell under him.
"Thanks!" he got up over the edge a few minutes later and looked down behind him, seeing the small group gathered below. "Hey, bro!"
"Hey, Tai You doing alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," lied Tai, shaking his head to clear it out.
"Good, then I'll come by later and check on you then, ok?"
"That's fine, bye!"
"Bye." Genki waved to Tori who smiled back, before going on to where ever it was he was headed. The men, women, and monsters followed him as they had been doing to a large building near the wall of the fort. Genki opened the door and stepped aside, letting all the other walk in first. Inside was a table surrounded by chairs and platforms.
Everyone quickly took their place and watched Genki expectantly, the only sound in the room coming from the ruffling of his papers. "Well, we're made a lot of progress in three weeks," he said, continuing to flip through the papers. "Let's just run through everything and make sure these reports are right. Mrs. Pots, how are the food and medical supplies coming along?"
A round, white haired lady smiled, reminding him of his grandmother. "Oh, they're just fine! The storage rooms are full, and the cellars are just bursting with everything we've made. The medicine chests are stuffed with treatments, and no one is short on anything. If put under siege right now, we could last for months with no problem!"
"Good. What about the fields and the gardens, Drumlin?" A zuum nodded his head, making signs to a green suezo beside him. He could not speak because his tongue had been cut out by General Ironfist years ago.
"Drumlin says they're fine," said the green suezo, keeping his eye focused on the zuum. "The fields were not affected at all and should bear a good harvest, the gardens are full of fresh vegetables, and were well tended while out of his control."
"Excellent. Causalities of humans, Mr. Sakura?"
"Only a few left who can't fight in a pinch," replied a thin, wiry man with curly brown hair. "Those healing pixies who came and helped saved many lives as well as time."
"Thanks. What about the monsters, Mrs. Sakura?"
"All healed and accounted for, other than those lost in the battle," said a small, slight woman beside Mr. Sakura. "There are a few that shouldn't be fighting for sometime, but if put to the test they could manage fairly well."
"Very good. Armor and weapons, Jackson?"
"Completely repaired and restocked, sir," said a burly man with wild hair and busy eyebrows. "The forget is completely operational and ready to pump out more at a moments notice, sir."
"Outstanding. Building repairs, Mo and Stonehead?" A well-built woman with short, blond hair and a young Battle Rocks looked at each other. "Finished sir. Everyone's back to their homes in the fort and no building hasn't been gone over as thoroughly as possible."
"Great. Well, ladies, gentlemen, and monsters: it appears you won't be needing me or my two helpers much longer. Wall repairs will be finished by tomorrow, so we will be leaving within the week."
"So soon?" asked Mrs. Sakura. "But you just started helping us get things back together."
"It doesn't feel like three weeks, does it?" Genki sighed and scratched his head. "Sorry, but my place isn't here, and I want to go check on Advisor Pixie."
"You're worried about her?" asked Jackson, eyebrows raised.
"Who wouldn't be? She took a couple hard hits, and we go back a ways."
"Right, sir."
Genki grinned, shaking his head. "If everything stays on schedule, we'll be leaving in 5 days, that is final."
"You will be missed among the young ones," said Miss Pots teasingly, her eyes twinkling. "They enjoy very much they games you play with them."
"They remind me of me and my friends when we were their age," replied Genki with grin. "I'll be sure to say good-bye to them before I go."
"That would be very nice of you."
"Sir," said a Hopper, sticking his head in the door. "A message from the General just arrived."
"Bring it here." Genki took the paper out of an envelope and read it. It said:
Commander Genki
I expect you to be returning soon after your last report. Keep those two assistants out of trouble as well as yourself, I won't send a rescue party out there for your sorry hides if you do. There are things you need to do, so get back as quickly as you can without leaving anything undone.
General Holly
Genki's face tightened slightly, what else could she have for him to do, more fighting? He had been happy working here with these folks, and had made many more friends, but could he continue to lead these campaigns? He remembered the killing and the screams....but he also remembered the reunited families and the happiness that came with making them free.
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Genki, Tai and Tori road off on Fairy Saurians who'd agreed to give them rides back to the camp. Several of the forts members watched them go off into the rising sun, waving to their backs.
"That's a fine young man, that is," said Mrs. Pots proudly. "He'll do a good job helping lead this army to victory."
"We can only hope," said Mo, furrowing her brow. "Really, that's all we can do."
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There you go, the next chapter. I know what you're all thinking: WHAT HAPPENED TO PIXIE??? You'll find out, I promise. Have I ever let you down before? Give me a week or two and you'll have your answer, ok? Thanks for reading and don't forget to review, please!
crosseyedbutterfly
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**a week after the last time**
Holly kept her mind blank as she put on her light mail shirt and pulled a tunic on over it. Pixie had on made for her after last time, giving her the choice of wearing it or staying away from the frontlines for good. She agreed to wear it since nothing since nothing could ever keep her from fighting in the front.
She picked up her sword and secured it at her side, noticing Allen's sword's empty spot as she did. They had given it to Genki since there wasn't time to make him a blade like hers and it was just his length and weight. It felt odd not to see it sitting there next to her weapons and everyone's lost disks, a small reminder of his life and the help he had been to her and the army.
Holly sighed and buckled her boots before securing her cape, letting it fall about her shoulders. She quickly braided her hair down and went out the door. Clearing her mind of the memories, she focused on the battle ahead and allowed it consume her entire being. She needed to be calm, she needed to be strong, she needed to be ~and was~ a General.
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Genki put the leather jerkin in laid with mail he'd been given under his uniform, glad for the extra protection it gave him. Something nagged the back of his mind as he secured his sword ~no, Allen's sword~ to his belt. Was this really what he was supposed to be doing?
{The Phoenix said to free him...} said a small voice in his head. {Not take out the enemy...} He shook his head, trying to get rid of the voice. {What if you need him to defeat the enemy? What if all of this is in vain....}
"Knock it off," growled Genki, buckling his boots. "Last thing I need is for me to lose my focus and completely screw up this mission."
Tai stuck his head in the room, his stuff half put on. "Who are you talking to?" he asked, making sure no one else of in there. "I know I heard you saying something to someone..."
"Myself....I was talking to myself," snapped Genki, putting on his helmet as he turned away from his brother.
"Right..." Tai left and continued to struggle with the buckles on his outfit, but none of them seemed to fit anywhere. There was just no talking to his brother when he was in one of his moods.
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Pixie sat in her tent, staring at Big Blue's lost disk with her things already on and set to go. Her mind twisted and turned from one thing to another, never really stopping or staying on one particular point.
{The fight will be dangerous, we might lose ....they did the charge against the main fort, and only Holly survived....wonder if Blue can still think or if the last thing he remembers is the fight...he may come back, but the humans from that never will...Allen was among them, the strong second in command that greatly helped Holly...and now Genki is back and has taken that position...hopefully he'll have a different fate that his predecessor....Holly may not admit it, but I don't know if she would be able to take losing another so close to her...}
"Ma'am?" asked Tori, walking out of her room with her things on, armor and weapons put in their proper places. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," replied Pixie, her eyes still focused on the lost disk. "Go and make sure Genki and his brother are ready to go and meet me in the front as soon as they are in awhile, ok?"
"Yes, ma'am." Pixie didn't even glance up as the girl left, letting herself fall back into her swirling thoughts...
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Tai had just turned back to his room after Genki snapped at him when Tori walked in, frowning slightly. "Hey," he said, still struggling with the buckles and buttons that covered his clothes.
"Hey." She stood there for a minute, watching his struggle with a small smile. "Do you want some help?"
Tai gave her these 'lost puppy' eyes , something he had picked up from Genki back home. "Please?" She quickly crossed the space in between them and finished buttoning his thick under shirt, which would help blunt any arrows that got him. She was glad he had been able to at least manage his pants himself because there was no way she was going to help him with those. She then buckled his boots and helped him fix the straps on his round shield.
"Do you know how to secure your wrist guards?" she asked, picking them up from the table. He shook his head, to embarrassed to speak. "Come here." She took the right on and put in on his wrist, skillfully lacing it up and explaining it to him so he could do it next time.
"How do you know all this stuff?" asked Tai as she did the left one, being careful not to catch his skin in the straps.
"My dad always had me help him put on his stuff," explained Tori, shrugging as she did. "He said it was good practice for....well....the future..."
"You were gong to join the army?" asked Tai, his eyes getting huge. "I never though you'd be dong something like that~"
"I wasn't," cut in Tori, her voice hard and spiteful. "Father, he planned to....to marry me....to one of his friend....." Tai winced as Tori tightened the straps considerably, not realizing what she was doing.
"Ah....Tori? I'm sorry about that and all, but....I can't feel my hand...."
"Oh! I'm sorry Tai!" cried Tori, quickly undoing the straps and rubbing his hand to get the circulation going again. "Tai, I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking..."
"It's ok," replied Tai, shrugging his shoulders. "You were mad about your dad, which is completely understandable. You have a lot to be at from him." Tai stood there for a moment, letting the feeling return to his hand. "You know," he said suddenly, turning towards Genki's door. "I'm worried about my brother. He's not acting like his normal self..."
Tori shrugged, dropping his hand when she realized she was still holding it. "I wouldn't know," she said softly, picking up his over tunic, which was leather lined with metal plates. "I haven't gotten to know him that well. I am worried about the battle, though. I've never been in a real fight before..." She held the tunic over his head and he put his arms up, letting it slip on over his head.
"Genki has, he told me about the fights he and his friends were in last time. Some of them almost died..."
"Did he ever tell you about the Final Battle? When the Phoenix was revived and all the lost disks were made whole again?" asked Tori, adjusting some of his ties.
"No, he refuses to talk about it," sighed Tai, picking up the dirk that he had been given and attaching it to his belt. "I think something happened there, something hurts him too much to talking about." He furrowed his brow and looked at Tori. "But what it could be, I don't know."
"Maybe he lost something or someone close to him," she suggested, handing him the orange cap Genki had given him. Tai stared at it for a moment.
"Maybe he has lost something," he replied softly, putting it on. "Something had he the last time he was here..."
"Tai!" called Genki, walking into the room. "Come on, lets~ oh, hey Tori."
"Hey Genki." She smiled as he ruffled her hair.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, glancing at his brother. "Aren't you supposed to be with Pixie?"
"She told me to come get you," explained Tori, turning red as she realized what Genki was implying. "Tai didn't know how to put on his stuff, so I stopped and helped him. Now that you're both ready, though, we should probably get going."
"Hai," said Genki, heading to the door. "Let's go."
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Striker stood in line with the rest of his squad, receiving the weapons and armor that were standard issue to every foot soldier. Quickly attaching everything with practice, he was the first person ready and waited patiently for everyone else, getting lost in his thoughts as he did.
{Wonder when my first report in is....and who I'll be reporting to....maybe it'll be tat one cute Mint I saw....} He stood there with a small smile on his face, only snapping out of his daydream when a familiar clawed hand waved in front of his eyes.
"Huh?"
"Good to see you're paying attention," said Pixie, giving his a half-smile. Striker could feel his face turning red, and was glad his dark complexion hid it from view. Pixie raised an eyebrow, still studying him. "You're blushing." Then again...
"Wouldn't you if you were caught staring off into space?" he stammered, trying to gather himself together with out much hope. Baddie or not, she still had the ability to catch a guy unawares and knock down all his defenses.
"Hm, maybe."
"Soldiers! Line up and move out!" yelled Striker's sub-captain, getting everyone's attention quickly.
"Better go join your group," said Pixie, disappearing into the crowd.
"Hai," he said to himself as he tried to shake the feeling that this new feeling he had for the Advisor wouldn't please General Ironfist at all. "I guess I should."
'Weet!' Holly personally checked over everything that had been done, making sure that the liquid cubes knew exactly what their orders where and the groups of monsters and men with suezos were getting along well enough. Going over the supplies, she had some of the weapons and armor replaced as she noticed pieces that may be faulty or unreliable in the battle.
"Genki!" she called when she saw him walking towards her, Tori and Tai on either side. "Hurry up, we need to talk."
"Hai?" he said, keeping his face solemn an somber.
"You do know what you're doing, right?"
"Remind me, General."
Holly growled under her breath, wishing he wouldn't act like this was his last day alive. "You're to wait for my signal-"
"Which is?"
Holly checked the urge to slap him and replied. "Three short whistles like this." She stuck two fingers in her mouth. 'Weet!' 'Weet!' 'Weet!'
"Ok, go on."
"Grr....anyway, when you hear the signal, have them start transporting people in. As soon as your area and the gate house in secure, have them lower the draw bridge and have your suezo teleport you to the cells below. You must free the prisoners and give them weapons so they can fight as well. This is important Genki, without them or the outside forces getting in we may not have enough power to win."
"I understand."
"You'd better."
"General! The troops are ready to march! Supplies are set and back forces ready to go! Awaiting your orders, ma'am!"
"Get everyone quiet," said Holly coldly, turning away from Genki.
"Yes, ma'am. HEY EVERYBODY, SHUT UP!" Silence immediately settled over the parade grounds, eyes turning towards the monster. "GENERAL HOLLY WISHES TO SPEAK! Ma'am?"
"Today is an important day!" said Holly loudly, projecting her voice more than yelling. "This invasion could decided whether or not we win or lose this war. You know what that means. Everyone must do their best, no holding back! This is war, and we have no choice but to win- or die trying!"
Cheers filled the air, causing Genki to grimace as the Liquid cubes set out first with Holly, his group preparing to set out after them. "Ready?" he yelled, lifting his sword in the air to get everyone's attention.
"READY!"
"Then lets move!" He set out at an easy pace on his blades, Tai on his as well and blading beside him.
"Where's Tori and Pixie?" he asked, hoping to get his brother's mind off of whatever was bothering him.
"With the second wave of Suezos. They'll leave about 20 after we did," replied Genki evenly, his eyes still looking in the distance. "Why?"
"Just wondering." Tai fell behind some, seeing his brother's muscles tense up even more. This was going to be a long day...
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Striker stood at the back of his group of fighters as they were teleported in, keeping himself partially out of view of the sub-commander. He spotted Genki and Pixie the moment they were inside, holding the gate house with Tai and Tori between them and several freed prisoners surrounding them as well.
He strayed from his group and stuck close to their side, watching them with his peripheral vision. All he needed was one chance, one opening where he could show a bit of 'heroism' and get himself promoted. But it'd have to be something everyone would notice, especially those in the upper ranks.
His chance came sooner than he thought it would, and with someone he assumed would never need his help at all. Tori broke away from the group to help a small monster who had been badly wounded, left by his comrades to die.
He watched as she lifted him up in her arms, noticing a large Armor Dragon swooping low to grab both her and the monster. Still, he waited. The monster escaped, running into the shadows along the wall to hide.
Tori screamed as her feet left the ground, getting Pixie's attention quickly. "Tori! I'm coming!" Tai saw Tori and tried to go after her as well, only to be stopped by Genki who reminded him that he couldn't fly over the walls.
"But she may need help!" cried Tai, struggling in his brother's grip.
"I'll go," said Striker suddenly, taking off into the air before either could say a word or ask why he hadn't gone in the first place. He already knew that if he didn't do something both Pixie and the girl would die. He didn't care to remember much from the days of studying other monster types under his grandfather, but he did remember facts that could save his life. One fact that was always handy to keep in mind was the fact that Armored Dragons almost *always* traveled in groups.
He cleared the wall and was a few miles into the woods when he saw the Armored Dragon who took Tori and six others like him standing in a semi- circle around an unconscious Tori. She was a bit battered and bruised, but looked fine and had probably fainted from shock, he reasoned. A beat up Pixie stood in front of her, wings battered to bits and bleeding in several places.
"You won't get her," he heard her growl, an attack forming in her hands as she proudly stood her ground. "Giga-"
"Flaming Sword!" yelled the Armor Dragon, watching it consume and almost kill her. "That should keep her down. Brutus, grab her and fly back to General Ironfist. As for the girl-" He stopped suddenly when Striker ambled into view, a small medallion in his hands. "Who are you?"
"Ironfist's assassin."
"Shadow Striker, eh? I've heard of you." The Armored Dragon peered at the medallion, which pretty much gave Striker unlimited powers. "What do you want?"
"I need to take these two back alive so I can finish my mission," explained Striker, a wry smile on his face. "If the General objects, tell him it's that or he'll have to give me more time. I've done some asking around, and the easiest way to get promoted is to look like a hero. Alright?"
The Armor Dragon growled, but relented the two prisoners. "Take them, I'll give the General your message."
"Thank you." Striker took Tori and flung her over his shoulder before gently picking Pixie up from the ground and walking back to the fort. Her blood soaked into his clothes as he watched the color fade from her skin. {Hang in there, Pixie} he thought to himself, picking up the pace. {Don't you dare die on me now.....}
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Holly hit the roof when she found out that Pixie had been missing for an hour, and Tori with her. "Can't I trust you not to screw up just for an hour?!" she ranted, not caring who saw or heard her. "You know as well as I do that she's not as strong as she was before, one wrong hit...."
"Striker went after her," Genki defended himself sulkily, wishing Holly would stop yelling at him but knowing he could not do it. "He's strong enough to save her, all we have to do is wait..."
"You sent a new recruit out after her?" cried Holly, about ready to slap him across the face. "Of all the stupid-"
"General! Look!" cried one of the monsters, pointing to a hole in the wall. Striker materialized out of the mist, Tori still flung over his shoulder and Pixie still in his arms.
"Pixie!" cried Genki, running over and checking her vital signs, "She's just barely hanging on. what happened?"
"The Armor Dragon had some pals waiting for him out there. They blasted her pretty well before I got there and chased them off," lied Striker. "Do you want me to fly her back to the camp as quickly as possible, sir?"
"Yes, if you would. What about Tori?"
"Oh, her." Striker shifted his load, putting the girl in Genki's arms. "She's fine, just fainted, I think."
"I'm coming with you to the camp," said Holly, her armor stripped off and ridding a Trotter (centaur/???) who'd agreed to let her ride him. "Are you ready to go, or do you need to rest?"
"Hai, I am ready."
"Then let's go."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Tai and Tori helped some others repair the holes in the walls, the attack having been successful and the enemy completely driven out of the area. Still, it had not come without it's costs. They had lost some soldiers and several of the buildings were damaged in the attacks, needing repairs before they could be used again.
Those two and Genki had been left in charge to help the fort until it was back on it's feet, working to put everything in order. It had been a few weeks since then, and with everyone, humans and monsters alike, working so hard everything would be finished sooner than they thought and the trio would return home.
"Hey! Watch those stones!" yelled Tai, catching one as it toppled over the edge. "I'd rather not get hit with one!"
"Sorry!" Tori yelled back, sticking her head over the edge. She and Tai were the only two small and agile enough to climb this stretch off wall and repair the gaps on top. She swung her feet over the edge and jumped, scaring Tai out of his wits as she landed next to him. "Your turn."
He looked at her dusty, mortar-smudged clothes and sighed. "You sure you don't want to take my shift too?" he asked, not being too overly fond of heights. He would've tried the puppy eyes as well, but she had learned how to resist those sometime ago (much to his annoyance).
"If you'd asked before I'd jumped I would've done it for you," replied Tori with a shrug. "But I'm not climbing back up there now, so you're on your own."
"I'll keep that in mind..." Tai pulled off his over tunic and began the climb, glancing down now and then to make sure he had reliable foot holds. His head swam every time he did, this was not his idea of fun.
Genki happened to be walking by then, come leaders from the fort behind him. "How's it going?" he asked Tori, watching his brother scramble clumsily up the uneven wall.
"Fine, we would have this part patched up by tonight, and the other crews sent word that they've finished or will finish by tonight a short while ago." She stopped and watched as Tai froze for a moment, trying to find a hand hold. "To your left, Tai!" she yelled, moving the thick mat they kept around in case they fell under him.
"Thanks!" he got up over the edge a few minutes later and looked down behind him, seeing the small group gathered below. "Hey, bro!"
"Hey, Tai You doing alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," lied Tai, shaking his head to clear it out.
"Good, then I'll come by later and check on you then, ok?"
"That's fine, bye!"
"Bye." Genki waved to Tori who smiled back, before going on to where ever it was he was headed. The men, women, and monsters followed him as they had been doing to a large building near the wall of the fort. Genki opened the door and stepped aside, letting all the other walk in first. Inside was a table surrounded by chairs and platforms.
Everyone quickly took their place and watched Genki expectantly, the only sound in the room coming from the ruffling of his papers. "Well, we're made a lot of progress in three weeks," he said, continuing to flip through the papers. "Let's just run through everything and make sure these reports are right. Mrs. Pots, how are the food and medical supplies coming along?"
A round, white haired lady smiled, reminding him of his grandmother. "Oh, they're just fine! The storage rooms are full, and the cellars are just bursting with everything we've made. The medicine chests are stuffed with treatments, and no one is short on anything. If put under siege right now, we could last for months with no problem!"
"Good. What about the fields and the gardens, Drumlin?" A zuum nodded his head, making signs to a green suezo beside him. He could not speak because his tongue had been cut out by General Ironfist years ago.
"Drumlin says they're fine," said the green suezo, keeping his eye focused on the zuum. "The fields were not affected at all and should bear a good harvest, the gardens are full of fresh vegetables, and were well tended while out of his control."
"Excellent. Causalities of humans, Mr. Sakura?"
"Only a few left who can't fight in a pinch," replied a thin, wiry man with curly brown hair. "Those healing pixies who came and helped saved many lives as well as time."
"Thanks. What about the monsters, Mrs. Sakura?"
"All healed and accounted for, other than those lost in the battle," said a small, slight woman beside Mr. Sakura. "There are a few that shouldn't be fighting for sometime, but if put to the test they could manage fairly well."
"Very good. Armor and weapons, Jackson?"
"Completely repaired and restocked, sir," said a burly man with wild hair and busy eyebrows. "The forget is completely operational and ready to pump out more at a moments notice, sir."
"Outstanding. Building repairs, Mo and Stonehead?" A well-built woman with short, blond hair and a young Battle Rocks looked at each other. "Finished sir. Everyone's back to their homes in the fort and no building hasn't been gone over as thoroughly as possible."
"Great. Well, ladies, gentlemen, and monsters: it appears you won't be needing me or my two helpers much longer. Wall repairs will be finished by tomorrow, so we will be leaving within the week."
"So soon?" asked Mrs. Sakura. "But you just started helping us get things back together."
"It doesn't feel like three weeks, does it?" Genki sighed and scratched his head. "Sorry, but my place isn't here, and I want to go check on Advisor Pixie."
"You're worried about her?" asked Jackson, eyebrows raised.
"Who wouldn't be? She took a couple hard hits, and we go back a ways."
"Right, sir."
Genki grinned, shaking his head. "If everything stays on schedule, we'll be leaving in 5 days, that is final."
"You will be missed among the young ones," said Miss Pots teasingly, her eyes twinkling. "They enjoy very much they games you play with them."
"They remind me of me and my friends when we were their age," replied Genki with grin. "I'll be sure to say good-bye to them before I go."
"That would be very nice of you."
"Sir," said a Hopper, sticking his head in the door. "A message from the General just arrived."
"Bring it here." Genki took the paper out of an envelope and read it. It said:
Commander Genki
I expect you to be returning soon after your last report. Keep those two assistants out of trouble as well as yourself, I won't send a rescue party out there for your sorry hides if you do. There are things you need to do, so get back as quickly as you can without leaving anything undone.
General Holly
Genki's face tightened slightly, what else could she have for him to do, more fighting? He had been happy working here with these folks, and had made many more friends, but could he continue to lead these campaigns? He remembered the killing and the screams....but he also remembered the reunited families and the happiness that came with making them free.
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Genki, Tai and Tori road off on Fairy Saurians who'd agreed to give them rides back to the camp. Several of the forts members watched them go off into the rising sun, waving to their backs.
"That's a fine young man, that is," said Mrs. Pots proudly. "He'll do a good job helping lead this army to victory."
"We can only hope," said Mo, furrowing her brow. "Really, that's all we can do."
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There you go, the next chapter. I know what you're all thinking: WHAT HAPPENED TO PIXIE??? You'll find out, I promise. Have I ever let you down before? Give me a week or two and you'll have your answer, ok? Thanks for reading and don't forget to review, please!
crosseyedbutterfly