Part 7 already!!! Thank you the whole (let me count that again) TWO OF YOU
that reviewed. At least someone loves me.*grumbles*.. Oh and this chapters
kind of slow because I need the filler chapter, the next'll be better I
promise, just please review!!!!
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Allen watched in horror as the needles sped towards him, no way to shield himself, and too many to dodge out of harm's way. He shut his eyes, ready to accept his fate.but the pain never came.
He opened his eyes hesitantly, feeling two hands grab his shoulders. Lili stood in front of him, eyes opened wide and jaw clenched shut as she looked him in the eye. Her wings dripped with blood from the hundreds of needles that were now stuck in them. "Dang you," Lili whispered hoarsely as she collapsed into his arms.
Zephyr angrily charged up an attack as Magic Shadow laughed spitefully. "Looks like the traitor did save your butt, boy," he smirked, "Too bad it will be short lived." His hand went back up pointing at Allen once more. "Black-"
"NO BODY HURTS LILI AND LIVES!!!!" roared Zephyr, his horns crackling with energy. "BLUE THUNDER!!!"
The lost disk that was left of Magic Shadow smoked slightly as it fell to the ground, looking rather burnt. "Serves him right," gasped Lili as she tried not to pass out from the pain.
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"General Zelda!" cried the zuum messenger as it ran up the General's tent. "General Zelda!"
"What is it you nincompoop?" sneered Zephyr's twin as she stepped out of the tent, fully garbed in her war gear.
"The prisoner's have escaped from Magic Shadow's fort and he himself was killed just minuets ago by your brother, the traitor Zephyr!" cried the zuum, falling face down before his commander.
Zelda smirked and began to laugh, her sides heaving as she tried to regain control of herself. The zuum stood at attention, shaking with fear as he wondered if she had finally cracked. "The fool probably tried to take him and his partner, that cursed Lili, on his own and ended up getting blasted, right?"
The zuum nodded, still standing at attention. "What are your orders, milady?" he asked smartly, a small quiver still in his voice.
"Pack up and head back, we'll leave the traitors alive for another day's play, wouldn't you agree?"
"But weren't our orders to seek and destroy the traitors and their friends, even if they escaped."
Zelda pinned the zuum to the floor with her paw, cutting off the air supply. "They escaped three days before we arrived and there was no trace of them so we headed back, right?" said Zelda evilly.
"Yes.milady." gasped the zuum, struggling to breath.
"Good. Now run along and tell them to pack up, we're heading back to the castle," said Zelda, her bright smile back in place. "Oh, and if any hear of this, you'll die," she added as the zuum left quickly.
"Yes. Milady," sighed the zuum, just glad to be out of her presence.
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"We have to get you back to the others so we can take out those needles," said Allen quickly, pulling her to her feet.
"But the others."
"Lili, we don't have time for this!" cried Allen in exasperation. "Your life is more important than the protection of some secret!" He ignored her protests as he lifted her gently onto Zephyr's back. She hung on, barely awake, as they sped towards the rest of their group.
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Genki was pacing again, walking from the firs to the edge of the clearing and back again. "Sit down and eat, Genki," said Holly, stepping in front of him so he had to stop.
"I can't." He pushed past her and resumed his pacing.
"You'd better listen to her, kid," said Tiger from beside the fire, "You'll be no good to anyone if you don't get some food and rest."
"I shouldn't have left them there," Genki muttered to himself, "I should've stayed and helped."
"We're fine, Genki," said Allen as he materialized out of the woods, Zephyr beside him. A pixie-looking monster sat in his back, it's wings pierced with needles and bleeding badly.
"Who's that and where's my cousin?" Genki asked urgently as he rushed forward.
"You don't recognized me, Genki?" gasped Lili, lifting her head up.
"What happened, Lili?" gasped Holly as she helped her off of Zephyr, the others too shocked to speak.
"Something that shouldn't have happened at all," replied Lili, her breathing ragged. Allen on one side and Holly on the other, they lead Lili over to the pool of water the group had camped by. Slip fetched Holly's bag; and Genki, having finally recovered his senses, swiftly walked over to help.
Lili sat at the edge of the water, Genki and Holly to her right, as Allen removed the needles from her wings and back. She made no sound, and hardly moved at all, but her clenched jaws and beads of sweat that rolled down her face betrayed the excruciating aching she was feeling.
Allen got to the base of her wings and couldn't pull them out because of her shirt. He tried to speak to her, but she was no longer responding, the pain having made her recede into the deep corners of her mind. He sighed, hoping it wouldn't hurt too much.
He grabbed the back of her shirt and yanked it slightly. Lili's eyes opened instantly, fully alert now. She grabbed behind her, catching his wrists and swinging him over her head with a slight grunt. 'SPLASH!' Allen landed on his back in the water, staring up into Lili's face.
"I hate you," growled Lili when she saw whom it was.
"It's nice to see you too," replied Allen, smiling devilishly, "Mind removing your top so I can get to the needles in your back."
"Absolutely not," retorted Lili, "I'll use a healing spell on myself."
"Yeah right," said Allen, easily trapping her hands with his own and he flipped over onto his stomach. "You're too weak to even get out of my grip. Now come on, I know you've got that pixie top underneath it and it's not like I haven't seen it before."
"I should've let him kill you," seethed Lili as she removed her tank top, revealing a top similar to the one pixie wore, only it was tan instead of pinkish-red. Allen worked quickly, pulling them out and wiping away the little blood there was from each puncture, her wings had finally stopped bleeding all together.
He stopped at the very base of her wings where the top went around the base in a circle. "Um, Lili? I can't get to the one's."
"No, no and no!" replied Lili stubbornly, I'd rather drain myself and be out for a week than to let you come anywhere near to undoing it!"
"You don't have the energy, Lili. Now come it, before they get infected. Genki? Holly? A little help here?" A short scuffle followed, in which Lili tried to escape but they managed to hold her still between Holly and Genki as Allen went back to work. It was a good thing Lili was in a weakened condition because normally she would've sent those two flying rather easily.
"I'll kill you for this one, Allen" growled Lili. "Just like I tried to last time."
'Trust the boy,' said Zephyr to Lili in her mind as he touched her nose with his own. 'He knows better now.'
'He'd better if he values his life,' replied Lili, glancing up at him. Holly saw the look that passed between them and wondered what they were saying.
Allen worked rapidly, not wanting to invoke anymore of Lili's wrath than he already had. As soon as he was done he said, "Into the water, Lili, so you can get all that blood off you."
"Re-hook my top before you get thrown in," snarled Lili. He did, and she dove in, Zephyr jumping in behind her. He licked the wounds clean, turning her rusty red wings and back to their normal color.
Holly went back to the fire with Genki, explaining Lili's story to everyone amid the many questions. "They dared lay a finger on her?" cried Genki right in the middle.
"Can I please finish the story?" asked Holly, quickly losing patience.
"Sorry, Holly." Genki still interrupted her every other sentence with the help of others, but by the time she was finished Lili was coming out of the water, dripping wet and shivering.
Allen offered her a towel as she walked by, but she ignored it and growled, "Burn in hell." She snagged her bag from the ground and stomped out to the woods with Zephyr right behind her as always.
"Hey Allen?" asked Genki when she was out of hearing, "What did Lili mean by 'the last time she tried to kill you'?"
"As I'm sure you already know, when someone grabs the back of Lili's shirt she automatically gets them in front of her in the fastest way possible before beating the crap out of them. Well, my mom asked me to change her bandages for her so I went up stairs and grabbed the back of her shirt."
"You got thrown, didn't ya?" asked Genki with a grin.
"Right into the wall. She was a little disoriented and wasn't sure which way was up. After having freed her hands from my shirt, she pulled out a dagger and plunged it in my side. I'm lucky to be alive after that one." He pulled up his shirt to reveal a pink scar that was just above his right hip, three inches long and a good inch and a half wide.
"You're lucky to be alive after what happened this afternoon," hissed Lili as she walked back up the clearing. He wings felt like they were on fire, putting her in not the best of moods. Still, she walked over to the fire and fell asleep beside Zephyr in spite of it, being completely exhausted from the day's events.
"I'd stay away from her for a few days," said Genki to Allen once he was sure she was out.
"If I haven't learned that by now, I haven't learned anything at all," murmured Allen, grinning boyishly.
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Holly, Genki, Allen and Lili sat around the morning fire, eating their breakfast and talking quietly.
"We should go visit my village," said Allen out of the blue, munching contentedly on a piece of bread and butter.
"And why, pray tell, would we do that?" asked Lili sarcastically.
"Because I need to stop by there and get some stuff before we continue with our journey. Such as a new whip and sword."
"Go ahead and go. We'll keep heading north ward and you can catch up later."
"No, you're coming with me."
"What?? Zephyr and I can manage quite well on our own, Allen."
"Not in this condition, you can't."
"I wouldn't be in this condition if it weren't for you."
"Then you're a fool."
"A fool, am I? Who's the moron who ran into battle without his shield, hmm? Let's just think about that, shall we??"
"You didn't have to act as one, you know."
"And have to tell your parents how you died? They'd kill me!"
"They wouldn't have blamed you."
"Wanna bet?" Lili crossed her arms and stuck out her chin stubbornly, she wasn't going to admit she'd saved Allen because her was her friend in front of others. Al last she sighed and said, "Fine, ask Holly and Genki if they want to go, I'm not the one in charge."
"I don't see why we shouldn't," said Holly slowly.
"We need the supplies and won't have to pay for rooms and meals," mused Genki, "I say we go."
"Then it' settled," said Allen, rising to his feet and avoiding Lili's smoldering eyes. He grabbed his bag and headed over to the spring, mumbling something about having to shave.
Genki followed him quietly, wanting to talk in private. "You must've given her quiet a scare," observed Genki once they were hidden by the trees.
"What do you mean?" asked Allen.
"Lili gets angry with those who scare her and she cares for. She wouldn't speak to me for a week after I jumped off the roof with my parachute," explained Genki quietly. "So what happened there after we escaped? How did Lili's wings get to looking like a pin cushion?"
Allen laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Let's just say I didn't listen to her again," he sighed, shaking his head.
"Oh," said Genki, smiling knowingly, "I know how that goes."
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Lili sat fuming on Genki's back as they walked down the road, her wings still drooping behind her.
'Why do I even bother? That brat'd be dead if I'd not gotten in the way. How did I get myself hurt like this? I'm never that careless.but then I'd never see him again. what do I care???'
'Thinking rather loud today, aren't we?' asked Zephyr as he broke into her thoughts.
Lili turned red, partially from anger and partially from embarrassment. 'Is there no such thing as privacy any more?' she replied huffily. She spread her wings quickly, intending to fly, but the pain that shot through them and her back caught her off guard, causing her to bite her lip to keep from screaming aloud.
Allen looked back in time to see her fly into the air, and was about to call out but stopped himself as she landed beside Holly, walking shakily. "Get back on Zephyr," ordered Allen as he walked back beside her.
"I can walk, Allen," said Lili coldly. "My legs are working just fine."
"But you're not feeling well."
"I said I'm fine, Allen," snapped Lili, causing him to quickly back off. He walked to the back of the group to be beside Golem, who was always at the very far end.
Around noon they came upon a town with some benches set outside an old deli. The group purchased some loaves of bread and meat and sat gratefully on the benches, resting their very sore feet and paws and munched away on the sandwiches they made with the stuff they bought.
Allen rummaged around in his sack as he ate, looking perseveringly for something. Finally, he unearthed a small clay pot with it's lid clamped tightly shut. "Hey Lili," he said, turning to, "I have."
"I don't care what you have," barked Lili, "Just leave me alone." The pain in her wings was almost unbearable, and a splitting headache from trying to fight the pain wasn't helping much either. The needles must've been more than just sharp, because she was also leeched of all her powers and strength.
Allen sighed and put the small pot on the table beside his. All soon as Lili and Zephyr had left the table he asked Holly and Mayfleur if they would do a favor for him. Of course, they agreed, and he quickly explained what he needed them to do.
"I have this healing slave that my mom makes, it's really strong and could help Lili with her wings," he said just above a whisper, "But Lili won't listen to me right now, so if you could go give it to her I'd be very grateful."
"Sure," said Holly quickly, "Anything for her."
"Thanks." He handed them the pot and headed in the opposite direction, hoping to pacify Lili by not being in sight.
"How are you feeling, Lilianne?" asked Holly gently as she and Mayfleur approached her.
"Like hell." Lili had had her eyes closed, resting her head on the trunk of the tree. She opened one eye slowly, squinting slightly from the sun.
"Well, I have this salve that might help." Holly trailed off, not being sure what to say.
"It'll help with the pain," said May hopefully.
"I'm willing to try anything by now," wheezed Lili as another wave of pain washed over her, making her feeling dizzy.
"You want us to put it on for you?" asked Holly.
"Well since I can't exactly reach the back of my wings."
"Oh, forgot about that." She quickly uncapped the jar and took the right wing while May took the left, rubbing the ointment gently into the tender flesh. Lili winced as is stung briefly, but then it cooled down and relieved a good deal of the soreness, much to her surprise.
"Can I see some of that stuff?" asked Lili, getting slightly suspicious.
"Sure," replied Holly, handing her the jar.
Lili sniffed it apprehensively before saying; "Allen gave this to you, right?"
"How did you know?" asked May, eyes opened wide in amazement.
"It smells of onions, and Allen's mom's the only healer I know of who believes in the healing power of onions," Lili replied. She allowed them to finish rubbing the slave over the rest of her sores before whistling for Zephyr. She got on his back, and he flew lazily over the group as they set out once more.
That night, the group found a small cave to sleep in. Golem stayed outside because he was too big, and Zephyr and Lili stayed out under a tree because they needed their space.
Holly put together some soup over the fire as the rest rested on the floor. Genki talked quietly to Hare as they waited.
"You wouldn't happen to have any sleeping powder or liquid, would ya?" Genki asked indifferently.
"Maybe, why?" asked Hare.
"Oh, no particular reason."
"Genki," said Hare kindly, "You're not very good at lying. You want to put Lili to sleep so you can bandage her wings and back, right?"
"Yeah," admitted Genki in surprise, "But can you knock her out for be?"
"There's nothing this hare can't do!" He reached for his tied up bandanna at the end of his stick. "Just let me see what I've got here." He rummaged around in the tied up bandanna for a while, taking out bottles and vials of various liquids and powders, only to put them right back in. At last he pulled out a blue vial filled with a clear liquid. "Here we go," said Hare as he handed it to Genki, "Just slip this into Lili's food and she'll be out like a light until morning."
Genki nodded and took it from his out stretched hand wordlessly, wandering if this was the right thing to do. He put the vial in his pocket and headed over to see if dinner was ready.
"Hey, Genki," said Holly as she tested the soup.
"Hey," replied Genki, trying to sneak in a taste without her seeing. "Ow!" He rubbed the back of his hand where her spoon had smacked it.
"No tasting the soup until it's ready," scolded Holly teasingly as she got the bowls out of the bag Golem carried. Testing her soup one last time, she deemed it done and began to ladle it into bowls, passing them around the group.
Genki took the bowls for Lili and Zephyr aside, quickly pouring the contents of the blue vial into Lili's. Holly noticed and asked him what he was doing.
"Oh, nothing," said Genki, trying to act casual.
"Let me see that," said Holly, taking the empty vial from his hand. She carefully dripped some of it on her finger and tasted it carefully, immediately spitting it out when she realized what it was.
"Who are you trying to put to sleep?" whispered Holly.
"But how did you."
"That stuff it Styr Syrup, the best stuff for putting a sick or injured monster or human out for hours. you're going to use it on Lili aren't you?"
"Yeah. If she's out she can't object to having her back and wings bandaged, now can she?" He quickly picked up the bowls and headed outside before she could protest.
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Zephyr lapped up his soup greedily as Lili stared at hers suspiciously. "Why aren't you eating?" asked Zephyr. "It's good and you need the food."
"I think they put something in it," said Lili, testing it again.
"Styr syrup?"
"Yep." Lili stared at the stars and sighed. "You'll take care of me, right Z?" He nodded, and she lifted the bowl to her lips. "Bottoms up," she whispered, draining the entire bowl in a single draught. "Mmmm.tasty.zzzzz." The syrup worked quickly, and within minutes she was in the deepest sleep she had ever experienced in her whole 25 or so years of living.
Genki and Holly went out as soon as they were sure she was asleep, taking the jar of healing balm and an old blanket cut up into strips with them.
"Hey Zephyr?" said Genki guiltily. "We're only doing this."
"I already know that you put her to sleep," said Zephyr quietly. "As long as you are helping her, I'll understand."
"We're going to make sure all the needles are gone and wrap up her back and wings with some clothe and ointment," explained Holly as she lay Lili on her stomach, wings outstretched.
Both humans took a wing, starting from it's tip and working to the base where it connected with her back, cleaning the sores and removing the stray needle that had escaped Allen's attention.
"Hey, guys. What'cha doing?" asked Allen, coming out of the cave.
"Helping Lili," said Genki shortly. "But I'd suggest you stay out of this one, she's not too fond of you right now and another screw up and she could explode."
"Let me help," said Allen persuasively.
"I dunno, Allen."
"Please?"
"But Lili."
"Pretty please?"
"But."
"Pretty please with sugar and on top and a cherry to boot?"
"Let him help," broke in Holly. "As long as he stops acting girly, it's scaring me."
Allen grinned and nodded eagerly; rolling up his sleeves t show he was ready. They let him spread the stuff from the jar onto the strip of cloth so they would be ready when they were needed.
"Hey Zeph, think you could get Lili to shrink her wings?" asked Holly when she and Genki were done.
"I'll try." said Zephyr, laying his head on top of Lili's.
'Lili.' said a voice that echoed around the chamber of her mind.
"Whose there?" cried Lili, struggling to keep the fear out of her voice.
1 'Lili.its me.Zephyr.'
"What is it, Z?" called Lili, feeling relief wash over her. Her companion was still watching over her.
"Of course," said Lili, immediately doing as he had bid her to. "Is that good Z?"
2 'Perfect.I'll see you when you wake up Lili.'
"See ya, Z." whispered Lili as she fell back into another dream.
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"Thanks, Zeph," said Genki as he scratched the monster behind the ear. Holly used the pre-salved strips to cover her wings and back with them, covering those with un-slaved ones so it wouldn't ooze out all over the place.
"Well, gentlemen," said Holly as she wiped her hands off in the grass. "I do believe our work here is done."
Allen reached for the bottom of Lili's shirt to see if he could get a reaction while she was completely out. Zephyr sensed this and leapt at him, knocking Allen onto his back and growling fiercely.
"If you touch Lili, you'll be in more pain that she was," said Zephyr threateningly.
"Alright! Alright!" gasped Allen, unable to breath from Zephyr's weight. "Just let me up and I'll head for the cave like a good boy!" Zephyr did, snarling slightly. Allen whimpered and ran as fast as he could to the relative safety of the cave amid the laughter of the rest.
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Lili woke up first the next morning, feeling completely refreshed and ready to face a new day. Stripping off the bandages revealed that all the holes made from the needles had closed up, and other than some soreness many scars she was completely healed.
"Thank God for Allen's mother and her healing knowledge," murmured Lili as she un-shrunk her wings and let fur and horns show for once.
Leaping into the air, she spread out her wings and flew, soaring over the tress and doing spins and loops to stretch them out. She winced slightly as the bones in her wings cracked fro not being used, but that was too be expected.
Allen opened his eyes as her shadow fell over his, the disturbance of air outside the cave waking him from his peaceful slumber. Looking up he saw Lili over ahead.
"Lili!" he yelled once he was out of the cave. "Quit flying before those wounds reopen!"
She did a few more tricks and dives just to spite him, but ended up landing soon after, knowing he was right.
"How are you feeling Lili?" asked Genki as he strolled out into the open.
"Better than I have I awhile, cuz," she declared merrily. "Slept like a baby on styr syrup." Seeing Hare blanch visibly, she added, "That was some good stuff, Hare. Where'd you get it?"
"Grace made it for emergencies," Hare replied timidly, ducking his head slightly.
"Tell her it's better than Allen's mom's, and that's saying something," said Lili, slapping Hare chummily on the back.
"Someone's in a good mood this morning," observed Holly as she rolled dup her blanket from the night before.
"What can I say?" laughed Lili, shrugging her shoulders, "That styr stuff always puts me in a good mood, at least for awhile."
"Are you feeling all better?" asked Temi as she put her paws on Lili's leg to get her attention.
"Why yes, pup, I am," chuckled Lili as she lifted the young monster onto her shoulder.
"That's good," said Temi solemnly. "'Cuz I didn't like seeing your wings all full a holes."
"Neither did I, Temi, neither did I." Lili looked over at Ice, who was preparing to jump op Zephyr who was 'asleep' by the fire.
"Are you sure that's a wise idea, Ice?" asked Lili softly.
"Why not?" replied Ice, shrugging his shoulder.
"Well, what if he wasn't really asleep?"
"You always like to ruin my fun, don't ya Lili?" sighed Zephyr in mock exasperation as he suddenly got up, trotting over by her. "I was gonna catch him in my mouth and see if he'd scream."
"You wouldn't eat us, would you Uncle Zeph?" giggled Temi as she jumped on him from Lili's shoulder.
Ice crashed into the older monster, causing all three to collapse in a pile of hysterics with Zephyr on the bottom.
"Leave poor Zephyr alone!" scolded Storm as she grabbed the twins by the scruff of the neck. She immediately took them over to May to feed next to Slip who had just woken up himself.
"It's ok, Storm," said Zephyr as he laughed. "I like playing with the younger ones."
"You're not helping me much here," said Storm severely, trying hard to hide her smile. "The twins have to learn some manners and to show respect to those older than them."
"I'm only 4 ½ years old, Storm," said Zephyr teasingly. "Barely old enough to call myself an adult."
"You are not 4 ½!" cried Storm, "You're a full head taller than Tiger."
"You're forgetting, Storm, I'm no ordinary monster," said Zephyr with a smile.
"Who was your mother, Zephyr?" asked Tiger form by the fire.
"I think her name was Swifty, why do you ask?"
"Just wondering. You remind me of someone, that's all." Tiger heaved himself to his feet and stretched out as his twins escaped from their mother and hurled them selves at him instead of Zephyr. "Oomph!"
"Come on, everyone!" yelled Allen as he swaggered into the clearing after having taken care of some 'business'. "IF we go now we can reach my house before noon!"
"Oh, joy," muttered Lili, rolling her eyes. Zephyr nudged her rebukingly and let her climb on his back.
"You know you're looking for ward to seeing his family," chided Zephyr, grinning as he did.
"Let's go," said Lili once everyone else was packed and ready. "The sooner we get there the sooner we can continue with our mission."
"Next stop," said Allen as he loped along at the front of the group, "Home."
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Hello, peeps! Well, I haven't been getting many reviews lately and just a short note from each reader would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks to those of you who are already doing a great job. Yeah, this chapter was a little slow and the nest may be too, but it does get better! I just need some reviews, they do help ya know!!!!
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Allen watched in horror as the needles sped towards him, no way to shield himself, and too many to dodge out of harm's way. He shut his eyes, ready to accept his fate.but the pain never came.
He opened his eyes hesitantly, feeling two hands grab his shoulders. Lili stood in front of him, eyes opened wide and jaw clenched shut as she looked him in the eye. Her wings dripped with blood from the hundreds of needles that were now stuck in them. "Dang you," Lili whispered hoarsely as she collapsed into his arms.
Zephyr angrily charged up an attack as Magic Shadow laughed spitefully. "Looks like the traitor did save your butt, boy," he smirked, "Too bad it will be short lived." His hand went back up pointing at Allen once more. "Black-"
"NO BODY HURTS LILI AND LIVES!!!!" roared Zephyr, his horns crackling with energy. "BLUE THUNDER!!!"
The lost disk that was left of Magic Shadow smoked slightly as it fell to the ground, looking rather burnt. "Serves him right," gasped Lili as she tried not to pass out from the pain.
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"General Zelda!" cried the zuum messenger as it ran up the General's tent. "General Zelda!"
"What is it you nincompoop?" sneered Zephyr's twin as she stepped out of the tent, fully garbed in her war gear.
"The prisoner's have escaped from Magic Shadow's fort and he himself was killed just minuets ago by your brother, the traitor Zephyr!" cried the zuum, falling face down before his commander.
Zelda smirked and began to laugh, her sides heaving as she tried to regain control of herself. The zuum stood at attention, shaking with fear as he wondered if she had finally cracked. "The fool probably tried to take him and his partner, that cursed Lili, on his own and ended up getting blasted, right?"
The zuum nodded, still standing at attention. "What are your orders, milady?" he asked smartly, a small quiver still in his voice.
"Pack up and head back, we'll leave the traitors alive for another day's play, wouldn't you agree?"
"But weren't our orders to seek and destroy the traitors and their friends, even if they escaped."
Zelda pinned the zuum to the floor with her paw, cutting off the air supply. "They escaped three days before we arrived and there was no trace of them so we headed back, right?" said Zelda evilly.
"Yes.milady." gasped the zuum, struggling to breath.
"Good. Now run along and tell them to pack up, we're heading back to the castle," said Zelda, her bright smile back in place. "Oh, and if any hear of this, you'll die," she added as the zuum left quickly.
"Yes. Milady," sighed the zuum, just glad to be out of her presence.
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"We have to get you back to the others so we can take out those needles," said Allen quickly, pulling her to her feet.
"But the others."
"Lili, we don't have time for this!" cried Allen in exasperation. "Your life is more important than the protection of some secret!" He ignored her protests as he lifted her gently onto Zephyr's back. She hung on, barely awake, as they sped towards the rest of their group.
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Genki was pacing again, walking from the firs to the edge of the clearing and back again. "Sit down and eat, Genki," said Holly, stepping in front of him so he had to stop.
"I can't." He pushed past her and resumed his pacing.
"You'd better listen to her, kid," said Tiger from beside the fire, "You'll be no good to anyone if you don't get some food and rest."
"I shouldn't have left them there," Genki muttered to himself, "I should've stayed and helped."
"We're fine, Genki," said Allen as he materialized out of the woods, Zephyr beside him. A pixie-looking monster sat in his back, it's wings pierced with needles and bleeding badly.
"Who's that and where's my cousin?" Genki asked urgently as he rushed forward.
"You don't recognized me, Genki?" gasped Lili, lifting her head up.
"What happened, Lili?" gasped Holly as she helped her off of Zephyr, the others too shocked to speak.
"Something that shouldn't have happened at all," replied Lili, her breathing ragged. Allen on one side and Holly on the other, they lead Lili over to the pool of water the group had camped by. Slip fetched Holly's bag; and Genki, having finally recovered his senses, swiftly walked over to help.
Lili sat at the edge of the water, Genki and Holly to her right, as Allen removed the needles from her wings and back. She made no sound, and hardly moved at all, but her clenched jaws and beads of sweat that rolled down her face betrayed the excruciating aching she was feeling.
Allen got to the base of her wings and couldn't pull them out because of her shirt. He tried to speak to her, but she was no longer responding, the pain having made her recede into the deep corners of her mind. He sighed, hoping it wouldn't hurt too much.
He grabbed the back of her shirt and yanked it slightly. Lili's eyes opened instantly, fully alert now. She grabbed behind her, catching his wrists and swinging him over her head with a slight grunt. 'SPLASH!' Allen landed on his back in the water, staring up into Lili's face.
"I hate you," growled Lili when she saw whom it was.
"It's nice to see you too," replied Allen, smiling devilishly, "Mind removing your top so I can get to the needles in your back."
"Absolutely not," retorted Lili, "I'll use a healing spell on myself."
"Yeah right," said Allen, easily trapping her hands with his own and he flipped over onto his stomach. "You're too weak to even get out of my grip. Now come on, I know you've got that pixie top underneath it and it's not like I haven't seen it before."
"I should've let him kill you," seethed Lili as she removed her tank top, revealing a top similar to the one pixie wore, only it was tan instead of pinkish-red. Allen worked quickly, pulling them out and wiping away the little blood there was from each puncture, her wings had finally stopped bleeding all together.
He stopped at the very base of her wings where the top went around the base in a circle. "Um, Lili? I can't get to the one's."
"No, no and no!" replied Lili stubbornly, I'd rather drain myself and be out for a week than to let you come anywhere near to undoing it!"
"You don't have the energy, Lili. Now come it, before they get infected. Genki? Holly? A little help here?" A short scuffle followed, in which Lili tried to escape but they managed to hold her still between Holly and Genki as Allen went back to work. It was a good thing Lili was in a weakened condition because normally she would've sent those two flying rather easily.
"I'll kill you for this one, Allen" growled Lili. "Just like I tried to last time."
'Trust the boy,' said Zephyr to Lili in her mind as he touched her nose with his own. 'He knows better now.'
'He'd better if he values his life,' replied Lili, glancing up at him. Holly saw the look that passed between them and wondered what they were saying.
Allen worked rapidly, not wanting to invoke anymore of Lili's wrath than he already had. As soon as he was done he said, "Into the water, Lili, so you can get all that blood off you."
"Re-hook my top before you get thrown in," snarled Lili. He did, and she dove in, Zephyr jumping in behind her. He licked the wounds clean, turning her rusty red wings and back to their normal color.
Holly went back to the fire with Genki, explaining Lili's story to everyone amid the many questions. "They dared lay a finger on her?" cried Genki right in the middle.
"Can I please finish the story?" asked Holly, quickly losing patience.
"Sorry, Holly." Genki still interrupted her every other sentence with the help of others, but by the time she was finished Lili was coming out of the water, dripping wet and shivering.
Allen offered her a towel as she walked by, but she ignored it and growled, "Burn in hell." She snagged her bag from the ground and stomped out to the woods with Zephyr right behind her as always.
"Hey Allen?" asked Genki when she was out of hearing, "What did Lili mean by 'the last time she tried to kill you'?"
"As I'm sure you already know, when someone grabs the back of Lili's shirt she automatically gets them in front of her in the fastest way possible before beating the crap out of them. Well, my mom asked me to change her bandages for her so I went up stairs and grabbed the back of her shirt."
"You got thrown, didn't ya?" asked Genki with a grin.
"Right into the wall. She was a little disoriented and wasn't sure which way was up. After having freed her hands from my shirt, she pulled out a dagger and plunged it in my side. I'm lucky to be alive after that one." He pulled up his shirt to reveal a pink scar that was just above his right hip, three inches long and a good inch and a half wide.
"You're lucky to be alive after what happened this afternoon," hissed Lili as she walked back up the clearing. He wings felt like they were on fire, putting her in not the best of moods. Still, she walked over to the fire and fell asleep beside Zephyr in spite of it, being completely exhausted from the day's events.
"I'd stay away from her for a few days," said Genki to Allen once he was sure she was out.
"If I haven't learned that by now, I haven't learned anything at all," murmured Allen, grinning boyishly.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Holly, Genki, Allen and Lili sat around the morning fire, eating their breakfast and talking quietly.
"We should go visit my village," said Allen out of the blue, munching contentedly on a piece of bread and butter.
"And why, pray tell, would we do that?" asked Lili sarcastically.
"Because I need to stop by there and get some stuff before we continue with our journey. Such as a new whip and sword."
"Go ahead and go. We'll keep heading north ward and you can catch up later."
"No, you're coming with me."
"What?? Zephyr and I can manage quite well on our own, Allen."
"Not in this condition, you can't."
"I wouldn't be in this condition if it weren't for you."
"Then you're a fool."
"A fool, am I? Who's the moron who ran into battle without his shield, hmm? Let's just think about that, shall we??"
"You didn't have to act as one, you know."
"And have to tell your parents how you died? They'd kill me!"
"They wouldn't have blamed you."
"Wanna bet?" Lili crossed her arms and stuck out her chin stubbornly, she wasn't going to admit she'd saved Allen because her was her friend in front of others. Al last she sighed and said, "Fine, ask Holly and Genki if they want to go, I'm not the one in charge."
"I don't see why we shouldn't," said Holly slowly.
"We need the supplies and won't have to pay for rooms and meals," mused Genki, "I say we go."
"Then it' settled," said Allen, rising to his feet and avoiding Lili's smoldering eyes. He grabbed his bag and headed over to the spring, mumbling something about having to shave.
Genki followed him quietly, wanting to talk in private. "You must've given her quiet a scare," observed Genki once they were hidden by the trees.
"What do you mean?" asked Allen.
"Lili gets angry with those who scare her and she cares for. She wouldn't speak to me for a week after I jumped off the roof with my parachute," explained Genki quietly. "So what happened there after we escaped? How did Lili's wings get to looking like a pin cushion?"
Allen laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Let's just say I didn't listen to her again," he sighed, shaking his head.
"Oh," said Genki, smiling knowingly, "I know how that goes."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Lili sat fuming on Genki's back as they walked down the road, her wings still drooping behind her.
'Why do I even bother? That brat'd be dead if I'd not gotten in the way. How did I get myself hurt like this? I'm never that careless.but then I'd never see him again. what do I care???'
'Thinking rather loud today, aren't we?' asked Zephyr as he broke into her thoughts.
Lili turned red, partially from anger and partially from embarrassment. 'Is there no such thing as privacy any more?' she replied huffily. She spread her wings quickly, intending to fly, but the pain that shot through them and her back caught her off guard, causing her to bite her lip to keep from screaming aloud.
Allen looked back in time to see her fly into the air, and was about to call out but stopped himself as she landed beside Holly, walking shakily. "Get back on Zephyr," ordered Allen as he walked back beside her.
"I can walk, Allen," said Lili coldly. "My legs are working just fine."
"But you're not feeling well."
"I said I'm fine, Allen," snapped Lili, causing him to quickly back off. He walked to the back of the group to be beside Golem, who was always at the very far end.
Around noon they came upon a town with some benches set outside an old deli. The group purchased some loaves of bread and meat and sat gratefully on the benches, resting their very sore feet and paws and munched away on the sandwiches they made with the stuff they bought.
Allen rummaged around in his sack as he ate, looking perseveringly for something. Finally, he unearthed a small clay pot with it's lid clamped tightly shut. "Hey Lili," he said, turning to, "I have."
"I don't care what you have," barked Lili, "Just leave me alone." The pain in her wings was almost unbearable, and a splitting headache from trying to fight the pain wasn't helping much either. The needles must've been more than just sharp, because she was also leeched of all her powers and strength.
Allen sighed and put the small pot on the table beside his. All soon as Lili and Zephyr had left the table he asked Holly and Mayfleur if they would do a favor for him. Of course, they agreed, and he quickly explained what he needed them to do.
"I have this healing slave that my mom makes, it's really strong and could help Lili with her wings," he said just above a whisper, "But Lili won't listen to me right now, so if you could go give it to her I'd be very grateful."
"Sure," said Holly quickly, "Anything for her."
"Thanks." He handed them the pot and headed in the opposite direction, hoping to pacify Lili by not being in sight.
"How are you feeling, Lilianne?" asked Holly gently as she and Mayfleur approached her.
"Like hell." Lili had had her eyes closed, resting her head on the trunk of the tree. She opened one eye slowly, squinting slightly from the sun.
"Well, I have this salve that might help." Holly trailed off, not being sure what to say.
"It'll help with the pain," said May hopefully.
"I'm willing to try anything by now," wheezed Lili as another wave of pain washed over her, making her feeling dizzy.
"You want us to put it on for you?" asked Holly.
"Well since I can't exactly reach the back of my wings."
"Oh, forgot about that." She quickly uncapped the jar and took the right wing while May took the left, rubbing the ointment gently into the tender flesh. Lili winced as is stung briefly, but then it cooled down and relieved a good deal of the soreness, much to her surprise.
"Can I see some of that stuff?" asked Lili, getting slightly suspicious.
"Sure," replied Holly, handing her the jar.
Lili sniffed it apprehensively before saying; "Allen gave this to you, right?"
"How did you know?" asked May, eyes opened wide in amazement.
"It smells of onions, and Allen's mom's the only healer I know of who believes in the healing power of onions," Lili replied. She allowed them to finish rubbing the slave over the rest of her sores before whistling for Zephyr. She got on his back, and he flew lazily over the group as they set out once more.
That night, the group found a small cave to sleep in. Golem stayed outside because he was too big, and Zephyr and Lili stayed out under a tree because they needed their space.
Holly put together some soup over the fire as the rest rested on the floor. Genki talked quietly to Hare as they waited.
"You wouldn't happen to have any sleeping powder or liquid, would ya?" Genki asked indifferently.
"Maybe, why?" asked Hare.
"Oh, no particular reason."
"Genki," said Hare kindly, "You're not very good at lying. You want to put Lili to sleep so you can bandage her wings and back, right?"
"Yeah," admitted Genki in surprise, "But can you knock her out for be?"
"There's nothing this hare can't do!" He reached for his tied up bandanna at the end of his stick. "Just let me see what I've got here." He rummaged around in the tied up bandanna for a while, taking out bottles and vials of various liquids and powders, only to put them right back in. At last he pulled out a blue vial filled with a clear liquid. "Here we go," said Hare as he handed it to Genki, "Just slip this into Lili's food and she'll be out like a light until morning."
Genki nodded and took it from his out stretched hand wordlessly, wandering if this was the right thing to do. He put the vial in his pocket and headed over to see if dinner was ready.
"Hey, Genki," said Holly as she tested the soup.
"Hey," replied Genki, trying to sneak in a taste without her seeing. "Ow!" He rubbed the back of his hand where her spoon had smacked it.
"No tasting the soup until it's ready," scolded Holly teasingly as she got the bowls out of the bag Golem carried. Testing her soup one last time, she deemed it done and began to ladle it into bowls, passing them around the group.
Genki took the bowls for Lili and Zephyr aside, quickly pouring the contents of the blue vial into Lili's. Holly noticed and asked him what he was doing.
"Oh, nothing," said Genki, trying to act casual.
"Let me see that," said Holly, taking the empty vial from his hand. She carefully dripped some of it on her finger and tasted it carefully, immediately spitting it out when she realized what it was.
"Who are you trying to put to sleep?" whispered Holly.
"But how did you."
"That stuff it Styr Syrup, the best stuff for putting a sick or injured monster or human out for hours. you're going to use it on Lili aren't you?"
"Yeah. If she's out she can't object to having her back and wings bandaged, now can she?" He quickly picked up the bowls and headed outside before she could protest.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Zephyr lapped up his soup greedily as Lili stared at hers suspiciously. "Why aren't you eating?" asked Zephyr. "It's good and you need the food."
"I think they put something in it," said Lili, testing it again.
"Styr syrup?"
"Yep." Lili stared at the stars and sighed. "You'll take care of me, right Z?" He nodded, and she lifted the bowl to her lips. "Bottoms up," she whispered, draining the entire bowl in a single draught. "Mmmm.tasty.zzzzz." The syrup worked quickly, and within minutes she was in the deepest sleep she had ever experienced in her whole 25 or so years of living.
Genki and Holly went out as soon as they were sure she was asleep, taking the jar of healing balm and an old blanket cut up into strips with them.
"Hey Zephyr?" said Genki guiltily. "We're only doing this."
"I already know that you put her to sleep," said Zephyr quietly. "As long as you are helping her, I'll understand."
"We're going to make sure all the needles are gone and wrap up her back and wings with some clothe and ointment," explained Holly as she lay Lili on her stomach, wings outstretched.
Both humans took a wing, starting from it's tip and working to the base where it connected with her back, cleaning the sores and removing the stray needle that had escaped Allen's attention.
"Hey, guys. What'cha doing?" asked Allen, coming out of the cave.
"Helping Lili," said Genki shortly. "But I'd suggest you stay out of this one, she's not too fond of you right now and another screw up and she could explode."
"Let me help," said Allen persuasively.
"I dunno, Allen."
"Please?"
"But Lili."
"Pretty please?"
"But."
"Pretty please with sugar and on top and a cherry to boot?"
"Let him help," broke in Holly. "As long as he stops acting girly, it's scaring me."
Allen grinned and nodded eagerly; rolling up his sleeves t show he was ready. They let him spread the stuff from the jar onto the strip of cloth so they would be ready when they were needed.
"Hey Zeph, think you could get Lili to shrink her wings?" asked Holly when she and Genki were done.
"I'll try." said Zephyr, laying his head on top of Lili's.
'Lili.' said a voice that echoed around the chamber of her mind.
"Whose there?" cried Lili, struggling to keep the fear out of her voice.
1 'Lili.its me.Zephyr.'
"What is it, Z?" called Lili, feeling relief wash over her. Her companion was still watching over her.
"Of course," said Lili, immediately doing as he had bid her to. "Is that good Z?"
2 'Perfect.I'll see you when you wake up Lili.'
"See ya, Z." whispered Lili as she fell back into another dream.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
"Thanks, Zeph," said Genki as he scratched the monster behind the ear. Holly used the pre-salved strips to cover her wings and back with them, covering those with un-slaved ones so it wouldn't ooze out all over the place.
"Well, gentlemen," said Holly as she wiped her hands off in the grass. "I do believe our work here is done."
Allen reached for the bottom of Lili's shirt to see if he could get a reaction while she was completely out. Zephyr sensed this and leapt at him, knocking Allen onto his back and growling fiercely.
"If you touch Lili, you'll be in more pain that she was," said Zephyr threateningly.
"Alright! Alright!" gasped Allen, unable to breath from Zephyr's weight. "Just let me up and I'll head for the cave like a good boy!" Zephyr did, snarling slightly. Allen whimpered and ran as fast as he could to the relative safety of the cave amid the laughter of the rest.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Lili woke up first the next morning, feeling completely refreshed and ready to face a new day. Stripping off the bandages revealed that all the holes made from the needles had closed up, and other than some soreness many scars she was completely healed.
"Thank God for Allen's mother and her healing knowledge," murmured Lili as she un-shrunk her wings and let fur and horns show for once.
Leaping into the air, she spread out her wings and flew, soaring over the tress and doing spins and loops to stretch them out. She winced slightly as the bones in her wings cracked fro not being used, but that was too be expected.
Allen opened his eyes as her shadow fell over his, the disturbance of air outside the cave waking him from his peaceful slumber. Looking up he saw Lili over ahead.
"Lili!" he yelled once he was out of the cave. "Quit flying before those wounds reopen!"
She did a few more tricks and dives just to spite him, but ended up landing soon after, knowing he was right.
"How are you feeling Lili?" asked Genki as he strolled out into the open.
"Better than I have I awhile, cuz," she declared merrily. "Slept like a baby on styr syrup." Seeing Hare blanch visibly, she added, "That was some good stuff, Hare. Where'd you get it?"
"Grace made it for emergencies," Hare replied timidly, ducking his head slightly.
"Tell her it's better than Allen's mom's, and that's saying something," said Lili, slapping Hare chummily on the back.
"Someone's in a good mood this morning," observed Holly as she rolled dup her blanket from the night before.
"What can I say?" laughed Lili, shrugging her shoulders, "That styr stuff always puts me in a good mood, at least for awhile."
"Are you feeling all better?" asked Temi as she put her paws on Lili's leg to get her attention.
"Why yes, pup, I am," chuckled Lili as she lifted the young monster onto her shoulder.
"That's good," said Temi solemnly. "'Cuz I didn't like seeing your wings all full a holes."
"Neither did I, Temi, neither did I." Lili looked over at Ice, who was preparing to jump op Zephyr who was 'asleep' by the fire.
"Are you sure that's a wise idea, Ice?" asked Lili softly.
"Why not?" replied Ice, shrugging his shoulder.
"Well, what if he wasn't really asleep?"
"You always like to ruin my fun, don't ya Lili?" sighed Zephyr in mock exasperation as he suddenly got up, trotting over by her. "I was gonna catch him in my mouth and see if he'd scream."
"You wouldn't eat us, would you Uncle Zeph?" giggled Temi as she jumped on him from Lili's shoulder.
Ice crashed into the older monster, causing all three to collapse in a pile of hysterics with Zephyr on the bottom.
"Leave poor Zephyr alone!" scolded Storm as she grabbed the twins by the scruff of the neck. She immediately took them over to May to feed next to Slip who had just woken up himself.
"It's ok, Storm," said Zephyr as he laughed. "I like playing with the younger ones."
"You're not helping me much here," said Storm severely, trying hard to hide her smile. "The twins have to learn some manners and to show respect to those older than them."
"I'm only 4 ½ years old, Storm," said Zephyr teasingly. "Barely old enough to call myself an adult."
"You are not 4 ½!" cried Storm, "You're a full head taller than Tiger."
"You're forgetting, Storm, I'm no ordinary monster," said Zephyr with a smile.
"Who was your mother, Zephyr?" asked Tiger form by the fire.
"I think her name was Swifty, why do you ask?"
"Just wondering. You remind me of someone, that's all." Tiger heaved himself to his feet and stretched out as his twins escaped from their mother and hurled them selves at him instead of Zephyr. "Oomph!"
"Come on, everyone!" yelled Allen as he swaggered into the clearing after having taken care of some 'business'. "IF we go now we can reach my house before noon!"
"Oh, joy," muttered Lili, rolling her eyes. Zephyr nudged her rebukingly and let her climb on his back.
"You know you're looking for ward to seeing his family," chided Zephyr, grinning as he did.
"Let's go," said Lili once everyone else was packed and ready. "The sooner we get there the sooner we can continue with our mission."
"Next stop," said Allen as he loped along at the front of the group, "Home."
************~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*************~~~~~~~~~~~********
Hello, peeps! Well, I haven't been getting many reviews lately and just a short note from each reader would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks to those of you who are already doing a great job. Yeah, this chapter was a little slow and the nest may be too, but it does get better! I just need some reviews, they do help ya know!!!!