Here it is! Part 12, and up about right on schedule!! YEAH! I'll be
updating every month or so from here on out, and my other story (All Alone)
will be updated every month as well on an alternating 2 week basis so that
you can have 2 updates a month, ok?? Thanks for being so patient! (Not like
you had choice though...)
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Genki, Lilianne, Zephyr, and the rest had been traveling at a good pace for a few days when they reached an ocean. It spread out to their right and in front of them as far as the eye could see, and they were forced to travel east along the edge of it for awhile or go back south. The map showed it was only a curve in the coast line, but it would take a lot more time to go around it that it would be to go straight and that thought only annoyed Lili to no end.
The pups, Slip, and Claw had never seen the ocean before and loved the time they got to travel along side of it. Claw caught them fish every night to eat, and Slip, Temi and Ice romped around in the sand like it the young ones they were.
They were making camp for the night when Genki noticed Lili was pacing around restlessly again, Zephyr lying nearby on guard as always. She had been doing that a lot lately, and he had noticed other changes about her as well from the Lilianne he had known as a child. When she spoke about her enemies it was with hate and malice, and she never showed any mercy to one who was against them. Truth be told, he was afraid of her sometimes.
He decided to get to the bottom of this once and for all, walking over to her saying, "Hey Lili, what's up?"
"Just the stars, and you?"
"I'm pretty good." A long silence was held for awhile between them, neither one sure what to say.
"Go spend your time with Holly," said Lili at last, "She's better company than I."
Genki sighed. "I'm worried about you, Lil," he said softly. "You were aggressive at times back on Earth, and would show no mercy when you needed to...but here you're just deadly."
"If you mean I should show mercy to the scum we're fighting, forget it," she growled, "They're all the same, each one planted with a seed of darkness that controls their mind. Nothing can save them. Or change them."
"What about your abilities to heal~"
"I've tried and failed, Genki," snapped Lili. "Trust me, I tried." She stalked off at this, leaving Genki to think about what she had said for awhile...
When Lili returned, she sat by Zephyr who was talking with Stormy about attacks.
"Do you have a favorite one?" he asked curiously, his blind eyes staring straight ahead.
"The 'Twisted Storm Winds' one I do with Tiger," she replied. "But if you mean alone, it would be 'Winds Warrior.'"
"What's that?"
"It's where I take all the available wind in the area, throw it together into the rough shape of a really huge Golem and make it attack whoever I'm fighting. It keeps going until it's out of energy, the only bad thing is it only works when it's windy."
"Cool."
The rest of the rebels settled down for the night, each one with his or her own thoughts as they fell asleep to the splash of the waves and the whisper of the winds...
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They got up the next morning bright and early, hugging the coast line once more as it still curved to the east. They stopped sometime around noon for lunch, settling down and getting out the food as a few of the rebels began to feel like something wasn't quite right...
Tiger stood up suddenly and ran to a near by hill, scanning the land they had just traveled over. "What's wrong, Tiger?" asked Holly, recognizing the agitated look on his face.
"I'm not sure-"
'CRACK-A-BOOM!!!!'
Tiger swung around to the ocean, his sharp eyes quickly spotting a ship that was under attack by a group of monsters as Lili and Zephyr instinctively grew out their wings and prepared to fly. Lili saw the monsters and eye flashed with anger, quickly recognizing what they were- other hybrids.
"Come on, Z, let's go!" she yelled, swooping off towards the ship. Zephyr prepared to fly when he felt a hand on his harness, it was Allen.
"Mind if I get a ride?" he asked, getting on without waiting for an answer. Zephyr took off once he was sure Allen was secure and went after Lili as fast as he could, wings pumping up and down in a blur.
"Hey!" Genki cried, "What about us?"
"Grab on, Kid," said Pixie, holding out a rope to him. He grinned a grabbed on, soon suspended a few feet above the group. "Good grief, you're heavy!"
"Gee, thanks Pixie." Pixie growled and began to fly after them, going much slower than they were. Luckily for Pixie, the boat wasn't that far away.
Back at the shore, the rest of the rebels were watching the scene in horror, concentrating mainly on Lili and Zephyr. Genki was right, Lili didn't show any mercy to anyone. The moment she had gotten with in range, her sword and a handful of disks were out and being used. By the time Allen and Zephyr had gotten there, she had personally taken care of 10 or more, the crew watching with weapons ready as she did.
A Horn(suezo/tiger) stood among them, a large hat with a feather in it on his head marking him as the Captain of the ship. "Grrr, mates," he said under his breath to those closest to them. "That there Pixie gal, she's no ordinary one. She doesn't use any attacks, but is even worse that those hybrids that were attacking us by her strength and weapons. One thing I'm afraid of is she gonna stop at those hybrids when they're all gone, or is she going to turn on us as well?"
Zephyr landed on the deck just then, Allen quickly getting off his back and walking up to the crew. "Hello there," said Allen, keeping his hands away from his sword to show that he meant no harm. "Are you all ok? My friend here should be done soon and she can heal any who've been wounded..."
"Allen, boy?" called the Horn, hopping through his men to get closer to the human. "Is that you?"
"How did you know-"
"Tis me! Cap'n Horn and crew from the battles of the Phoenix, remember?" said the Horn with a flourish of his hat. "It's good to see you're still up and about. How are the rest?"
"We're fine, Cap'n," said Allen, remembering him well. "There are several others of our group back on shore..."
Genki landed on deck just then with an exhausted Pixie in tow, having never carried anything that heavy in all her life. "Hello, Cap'n Horn!" said Genki as he recognized the suezo/tiger and helped Pixie stand. Pixie growled as Cap'n Horn sweated slightly, she didn't have too fond memories of him...suddenly something occurred to him. If the Phoenix boy was here...
"Is Miss Holly among them?" asked Cap'n Horn eagerly, leaning forward.
"Yeah, she-"
"They're gone," said Lili, landing beside Allen from nowhere. Her sword dripped with blood and it was spattered on her as well. The rest of the crew drew away from her as she pulled out a cloth and began to clean it, taking care not to miss any. "I'm going back to the others." Seeing the fear in the monster's eyes she snorted slightly. "Don't worry, y'all, I'm not gonna eat you."
Genki's face became grim as he looked her over, spattered with red and not carry that she now had another 20 names on the list of lives she had taken. To her it was a daily routine...She walked to the other end of the deck suddenly from there, brushing by Pixie as she did. Zephyr and her took off from there circling above the ship a few times before heading back to the others slowly.
Pixie stretched some and stepped a few feet away from Genki, walking on her own again and flying back a few moments later. "Would you go like to see everyone?" Genki offered, knowing he owed the Cap'n that much for the times he had helped them before.
"Can I see Miss Holly?"
"Sure, shall we go?"
"Men! Full steam ahead back to the shore, follow the tiger with wings and Pixie, ok?"
"Aye, aye, sir!" Allen stood beside the Cap'n with a grin as the boat began to move, the breeze feeling good in his face with the sun still well over head.
"I'll take that as a yes..."
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Holly and rest had been getting worried when time passed and none of them had come back into view. "There's Miss Lili and Zephyr!" said Slip suddenly from his post on Tiger's back, his eyes quickly scanning the horizon. "They're flying back!"
"The boat's starting to move as well," said Holly, seeing it quickly begin to draw closer. "I wonder who it is..."
"Hullo, Miss Holly!" called a familiar voice as Holly turned her back to the shore, hoping against hope that that wasn't who she thought it was. "It's me, Cap'n Horn and crew!"
'Oh no,' thought Holly, 'Anyone but him. Please, anyone but him...' She made a face that the others could see, forgetting about everything else for a moment, like the massacre she had just witnessed. She pasted a smile on her face and forced herself to turn around and forget all the memories she had of him trying to come on to her years ago flooding her brain.
"Hello, Cap'n Horn and Crew!" she called back, waving as she did. "I hope you're all ok?"
"A bit bruised and battered, but nothing that spending time with a lovely lady like you won't fix," replied the Cap'n, bowing from the small boat he and his crew were taking to shore, the bigger on anchored a few yards back. Genki and Allen were with him, trying not to laugh as they remembered what Holly was obviously remembering as well.
Lili had landed with Zephyr a few moments before, and Pixie came down beside them right about them with an odd look on her face. She whispered something to Lili, who just shrugged in return and kept her focus on the Cap'n and his men. Genki walked up to her the moment he was out of the boat, frowning as he said something to her. She quietly retorted something back at him that no one else could hear and would've said more if Zephyr hadn't nipped her none to gently.
"Milady, how've you been?" said Cap'n Horn, bowing low to her the moment he was on dry land. His crew gathered behind him quickly, all gazing at those they had once fought beside and the newcomers as well.
"I'm fine, thank you," replied Holly, bowing slightly and smiling gently at his battered mates. "I'm sure you all remember Tiger, Hare, Golem, and Big Blue from the Phoenix battles, and you've already met up with Genki, Pixie, and Allen..."
"Yes, but I see you have picked up some others as well," commented the Cap'n, looking over at Lili and Zephyr suspiciously before turning and grinning at the rest. "Mind introducing them?"
"Not at all." Holly motioned over to Tiger and his family, "This is Tiger's mate Stormy and their two pups, Temi and Ice."
"Hi," the pups chorused at the same time, staying between the legs of their parents.
"The young gel on Tiger's back is Slip-"
"Hey, mister."
"and the older gel beside him is Frost."
"Greetings."
"The mew is Claws-"
"Meow!" Claws leapt onto Horn's hat, batting at the feather playfully. Cap'n Horn sighed and grabbed the mew with his tongue, using it to turn her to he could look her in the eye.
"No playing with the hat, miss kitty." 'Slash!' Claw's claws had taken off about three inches of Cap'n Horn's hat and left it lying on the ground much to his surprise. He dropped her like a hot brick and she bounded over to Lili who held her gently.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" The Cap'n had finally found his tongue again and hid behind his mates as the rebels sweated slightly.
"He's fun to play with," Claw purred, flexing one pawful of claws innocently as Lili gently scolded her on the outside, but was undoubtedly holding another conversation with her on the inside full of praises and laughs.
Holly hid a smile behind her hand and she chocked down the chuckles that threatened to escape her throat. "The hybrids," she continued. "Are Lilianne-"
"It's just Lili."
"Lili, and Zephyr. Lili is Genki's older cousin."
"What? He's related to a halfsie?" cried the Cap'n from behind his crew. "But how???"
"We could explain it to you if we were given passage on your boat," said Pixie, seeing this as a way to get a free ride and a rest from flying or walking. Not that she was lazy, but you know how traveling gets.
"That could be arranged," said Cap'n Horn, beaming brightly at the prospect of getting a chance to spend time with Miss Holly. Holly glared at Pixie who just sweated slightly. "Where are you all headed, Miss Holly?"
"Just around this bay and then back North," she replied, pasting the fake smile back on her face. It was really starting to hurt...
"We could get you there in two days on the boat," said the Cap'n, brightening up even more. "Why are you all going that way, though? There's not much up that way anymore."
"We're on an adventure!" cried Slip, getting off Tiger's back.
"Another one?" Cap'n Horn turned and looked at Genki accusingly. "What have you done this time, Phoenix boy?"
"Me? I didn't do anything!" protested Genki, getting turning slightly red.
"Well, we'd better get going then, you can explain it all later." Cap'n Horn glanced over at Lili and Zephyr who stood there silently.
"Don't worry, Cap'n," said Lili softly as she picked up Slip and made sure Claws was secure on her shoulder. "We won't make any trouble." She spread her wings and took off towards the ship, Slip hanging onto her back in delight.
"Holly and Genki can get a ride on me," said Zephyr kindly, getting up and walking over to them. "You won't be able to fit everyone in your small canoe otherwise."
"We'll see you at the ship," Genki reassured Cap'n Horn as he accepted Zephyr's offer and climbed onto his back. Holly grinned and climbed on behind them, linking her arms around his waist. "Let's go, big guy!"
Zephyr nodded and took off, leaping into the air before his wings caught the wind and sent them soaring high into the air. He turned himself around flew after Lili, Claws, and Slip, heading over the ocean at a great speed. Holly's grip tightened considerably the higher they got, memories of flying up the cliff face flying back to her.
"Relax Holly," said Genki softly, taking one hand off of Zephyr's harness and placing it on hers. "Give me a little room to breath here."
Holly blushed as she tried to relax and let up on her grip a little, taking deep breaths to quiet her pounding heart. "Sorry about that..."
"That's alright." He turned and smiled at her, turning a little pink himself. "You never did like heights."
"Yeah..."
Lili was waiting for them on the deck of the ship, a small smile playing across her face. "Have a nice flight?"
"Much better than last time I went flying," said Holly tightly. She shuddered slightly at the memory of it, with the winds battering them around and rocks falling from above. "Definitely better."
'The fact Genki was there helped some too, right?' Lili added mentally, smiling as she saw Holly blush and turn away. She loved being able to mind- speak to others.
"I've got some rooms you all can share down in the hold," said Cap'n Horn, his crew having just made it in with everyone else as well.
"Wow!" cried Temi, having trouble standing up straight. Ice stumbled into her, not being used to the roll of the boat, and they fell over in a heap at Lili's feet.
"Careful, pups," she said gently, her wings shrunken and voice back to normal as she scooped the up with one arm and placed them on Zephyr's back. "I'd rather not have one of you knocked over board."
"Yes, ma'am," they chorused angelically, something Lili saw through immediately with a grin. Zephyr followed one of the crew members to the downstairs rooms they were to have at Lili's request and was soon gone.
"Miss Holly," said Cap'n Horn, bowing regally, "I believe you have yet to tell me the whole story as to why you're out here. Perhaps you'd like to do it now over a bottle of champagne I happen to have for just this sort of occasion."
Holly had her back to the Cap'n, and Genki bit his lap to keep from laughing as she visibly blanched at the thought of spending time alone with the suezo/tiger. She gulped and composed herself before she turned around. "Genki and Lili would have to come to," she said quickly, glancing at them for support. "Its more their story than my this time, and I wouldn't want to get any of it wrong."
Cap'n Horn's face fell as Lili chuckled lightly as she realized what was going on, her face turned away so he could see or hear them. "Well, alright," he consented slowly, sighing loudly for a minute like a balloon that had been deflated. "Shall we go and get started then?"
"Hai, Cap'n. Lead the way!" said Genki brightly, acting like his younger self for a moment as he walked beside the old monster. Lili, who was still chuckling quietly, and a very relieved Holly followed them down the hall.
"What's so funny?" Slip asked Claw as Pixie nearly fell over from laughing so hard the moment they were out of hearing range.
"I'm not sure..." replied Claw, looking very confused for a moment. "Eh, oh well. Let's go explore this huge, floating tub! I've never been on one before!"
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Frost found the ever adventurous Slip in the front of ship, hanging from a rope and laughing in the wind. "Come down from there," he said gruffly, not bothering to help the young gel get down from his spot. "We don't want you drowning after having made it this far."
"Yes sir," Slip said meekly, dropping to the deck with a soft 'thump.' He stood there nervously for a second wondering what he should do.
"You have a sliver center," said Frost suddenly, turning to look the young gel in then eye.
"Yes, sir, I do," replied Slip, puzzled as to why he would say such a thing.
"Did your parents, either one, have a silver one too?"
"No, sir. Ma's was blue and Pa's was red."
"I see." Frost stood there, staring the young gel down into the deck. Slip jutted out his chin and crossed his arms, opening defying the older gel. Much to his surprise, Frost grinned and backed off, his white teeth flashing softly. "Do you know what a silver center means?" he asked, turning his back on the young gel once more. "I'm waiting for an answer, young one."
"...um, no sir....why?"
"There are legends of gels with silver centers," explained Frost coolly, "They are said to have extraordinary powers, or their ancestors were extraordinary heroes. To have a silver center is something to be proud of, Slip, I hope you never forget that." Frost's face remained impassive, but his voice betrayed something more beneath the mask of ice.
"Um, sir?" asked Slip, scratching his head. "My parents are my only ancestors, they were both from stone disks."
"Then I guess you know what that means," said Frost lightly, disappearing into the hold. Slip stood there for a long while, a single phrase playing over and over in his mind...extraordinary powers...
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Cap'n Horn sat contemplatively in his study, trying to soak in everything the rebels had told him. I t had taken 3 days with breaks for meals and such to tell the whole thing, and now he almost wished he hadn't. The hybrid guy's army was growing, and not much could be done to stop it. Next his grip may move further south, and then to the sea...
He and his crew were by no means peaceful or weak, but no one stood a chance alone against this guy. Lili and Zephyr were proof enough of that, and they were only two of hundreds.
"Sir! We've run into a problem!" cried one of the sailors, running into the room suddenly.
"What is it, mate/" he replied calmly, used to such intrusions from this particular monster.
"We've reached the bay you wished to drop our guests off at, but the bay's too shallow and too chocked with plants to ferry them to shore!"
"Then go to the next suitable place to the north."
"But sir, there's a storm brewing in that direction and if we don't head south now it'll knock us around like a small tub! We could all drown!"
"You are not going to!" snapped Lili, rising to her feet. "Holly, Genki, do get the others on deck as quickly as possible. Cap'n, I'm going too need some rope..."
With in moments the ship sprang to life, crew members rushing around to find the lengths of requested rope and the rebels hurrying to group together on the deck and await Lili's next order. Between her, Pixie and Zephyr, they hauled everyone one to shore one or two at a time. Soon it was only the two stone giants left, and everyone wondered how in the world they were going to get them to shore.
Lili quickly fashioned a sling of types from the rope and, with her and Zephyr working together, managed to lift Golem and Big Blue to shore one at a time. Other when the sling began to slip out of Zephyr's mouth, then entire thing went along smoothly and soon everyone was safe on shore.
"Thanks for your help," said Lili as she returned to pick up her things and return the giant sling back to the crew for later use. "Holly said to tell you she appreciates what you and your crew have done for us."
Cap'n Horn's face went bright red and he did a little dance. "Miss Holly likes me, hey! Miss Holly likes me, hey! Miss Holly likes me, hey!" Zephyr sweated as they flew back.
'That is one weird guy,' said Zephyr in Lili's mind so as not to hurt the suezo/tiger's feelings or get any of the others mad at them.
'You said it,' replied Lili, grinning all the more. Holly was gonna die when she found out about that...
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There you are, chapter 12 as promised, and there's more coming up soon so stay tuned! Please be kind and review, it does help and if you have any suggestions, feel free to tell me! I will acknowledge you if you help me in any way, and having your name in another story is good publicity, right? Anyways, I hope this was enough to satisfy those who have been waiting for months. Genki action will come next chapter for those of you who I *KNOW* will ask. Thanks!
crosseyedbutterfly
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Genki, Lilianne, Zephyr, and the rest had been traveling at a good pace for a few days when they reached an ocean. It spread out to their right and in front of them as far as the eye could see, and they were forced to travel east along the edge of it for awhile or go back south. The map showed it was only a curve in the coast line, but it would take a lot more time to go around it that it would be to go straight and that thought only annoyed Lili to no end.
The pups, Slip, and Claw had never seen the ocean before and loved the time they got to travel along side of it. Claw caught them fish every night to eat, and Slip, Temi and Ice romped around in the sand like it the young ones they were.
They were making camp for the night when Genki noticed Lili was pacing around restlessly again, Zephyr lying nearby on guard as always. She had been doing that a lot lately, and he had noticed other changes about her as well from the Lilianne he had known as a child. When she spoke about her enemies it was with hate and malice, and she never showed any mercy to one who was against them. Truth be told, he was afraid of her sometimes.
He decided to get to the bottom of this once and for all, walking over to her saying, "Hey Lili, what's up?"
"Just the stars, and you?"
"I'm pretty good." A long silence was held for awhile between them, neither one sure what to say.
"Go spend your time with Holly," said Lili at last, "She's better company than I."
Genki sighed. "I'm worried about you, Lil," he said softly. "You were aggressive at times back on Earth, and would show no mercy when you needed to...but here you're just deadly."
"If you mean I should show mercy to the scum we're fighting, forget it," she growled, "They're all the same, each one planted with a seed of darkness that controls their mind. Nothing can save them. Or change them."
"What about your abilities to heal~"
"I've tried and failed, Genki," snapped Lili. "Trust me, I tried." She stalked off at this, leaving Genki to think about what she had said for awhile...
When Lili returned, she sat by Zephyr who was talking with Stormy about attacks.
"Do you have a favorite one?" he asked curiously, his blind eyes staring straight ahead.
"The 'Twisted Storm Winds' one I do with Tiger," she replied. "But if you mean alone, it would be 'Winds Warrior.'"
"What's that?"
"It's where I take all the available wind in the area, throw it together into the rough shape of a really huge Golem and make it attack whoever I'm fighting. It keeps going until it's out of energy, the only bad thing is it only works when it's windy."
"Cool."
The rest of the rebels settled down for the night, each one with his or her own thoughts as they fell asleep to the splash of the waves and the whisper of the winds...
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They got up the next morning bright and early, hugging the coast line once more as it still curved to the east. They stopped sometime around noon for lunch, settling down and getting out the food as a few of the rebels began to feel like something wasn't quite right...
Tiger stood up suddenly and ran to a near by hill, scanning the land they had just traveled over. "What's wrong, Tiger?" asked Holly, recognizing the agitated look on his face.
"I'm not sure-"
'CRACK-A-BOOM!!!!'
Tiger swung around to the ocean, his sharp eyes quickly spotting a ship that was under attack by a group of monsters as Lili and Zephyr instinctively grew out their wings and prepared to fly. Lili saw the monsters and eye flashed with anger, quickly recognizing what they were- other hybrids.
"Come on, Z, let's go!" she yelled, swooping off towards the ship. Zephyr prepared to fly when he felt a hand on his harness, it was Allen.
"Mind if I get a ride?" he asked, getting on without waiting for an answer. Zephyr took off once he was sure Allen was secure and went after Lili as fast as he could, wings pumping up and down in a blur.
"Hey!" Genki cried, "What about us?"
"Grab on, Kid," said Pixie, holding out a rope to him. He grinned a grabbed on, soon suspended a few feet above the group. "Good grief, you're heavy!"
"Gee, thanks Pixie." Pixie growled and began to fly after them, going much slower than they were. Luckily for Pixie, the boat wasn't that far away.
Back at the shore, the rest of the rebels were watching the scene in horror, concentrating mainly on Lili and Zephyr. Genki was right, Lili didn't show any mercy to anyone. The moment she had gotten with in range, her sword and a handful of disks were out and being used. By the time Allen and Zephyr had gotten there, she had personally taken care of 10 or more, the crew watching with weapons ready as she did.
A Horn(suezo/tiger) stood among them, a large hat with a feather in it on his head marking him as the Captain of the ship. "Grrr, mates," he said under his breath to those closest to them. "That there Pixie gal, she's no ordinary one. She doesn't use any attacks, but is even worse that those hybrids that were attacking us by her strength and weapons. One thing I'm afraid of is she gonna stop at those hybrids when they're all gone, or is she going to turn on us as well?"
Zephyr landed on the deck just then, Allen quickly getting off his back and walking up to the crew. "Hello there," said Allen, keeping his hands away from his sword to show that he meant no harm. "Are you all ok? My friend here should be done soon and she can heal any who've been wounded..."
"Allen, boy?" called the Horn, hopping through his men to get closer to the human. "Is that you?"
"How did you know-"
"Tis me! Cap'n Horn and crew from the battles of the Phoenix, remember?" said the Horn with a flourish of his hat. "It's good to see you're still up and about. How are the rest?"
"We're fine, Cap'n," said Allen, remembering him well. "There are several others of our group back on shore..."
Genki landed on deck just then with an exhausted Pixie in tow, having never carried anything that heavy in all her life. "Hello, Cap'n Horn!" said Genki as he recognized the suezo/tiger and helped Pixie stand. Pixie growled as Cap'n Horn sweated slightly, she didn't have too fond memories of him...suddenly something occurred to him. If the Phoenix boy was here...
"Is Miss Holly among them?" asked Cap'n Horn eagerly, leaning forward.
"Yeah, she-"
"They're gone," said Lili, landing beside Allen from nowhere. Her sword dripped with blood and it was spattered on her as well. The rest of the crew drew away from her as she pulled out a cloth and began to clean it, taking care not to miss any. "I'm going back to the others." Seeing the fear in the monster's eyes she snorted slightly. "Don't worry, y'all, I'm not gonna eat you."
Genki's face became grim as he looked her over, spattered with red and not carry that she now had another 20 names on the list of lives she had taken. To her it was a daily routine...She walked to the other end of the deck suddenly from there, brushing by Pixie as she did. Zephyr and her took off from there circling above the ship a few times before heading back to the others slowly.
Pixie stretched some and stepped a few feet away from Genki, walking on her own again and flying back a few moments later. "Would you go like to see everyone?" Genki offered, knowing he owed the Cap'n that much for the times he had helped them before.
"Can I see Miss Holly?"
"Sure, shall we go?"
"Men! Full steam ahead back to the shore, follow the tiger with wings and Pixie, ok?"
"Aye, aye, sir!" Allen stood beside the Cap'n with a grin as the boat began to move, the breeze feeling good in his face with the sun still well over head.
"I'll take that as a yes..."
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Holly and rest had been getting worried when time passed and none of them had come back into view. "There's Miss Lili and Zephyr!" said Slip suddenly from his post on Tiger's back, his eyes quickly scanning the horizon. "They're flying back!"
"The boat's starting to move as well," said Holly, seeing it quickly begin to draw closer. "I wonder who it is..."
"Hullo, Miss Holly!" called a familiar voice as Holly turned her back to the shore, hoping against hope that that wasn't who she thought it was. "It's me, Cap'n Horn and crew!"
'Oh no,' thought Holly, 'Anyone but him. Please, anyone but him...' She made a face that the others could see, forgetting about everything else for a moment, like the massacre she had just witnessed. She pasted a smile on her face and forced herself to turn around and forget all the memories she had of him trying to come on to her years ago flooding her brain.
"Hello, Cap'n Horn and Crew!" she called back, waving as she did. "I hope you're all ok?"
"A bit bruised and battered, but nothing that spending time with a lovely lady like you won't fix," replied the Cap'n, bowing from the small boat he and his crew were taking to shore, the bigger on anchored a few yards back. Genki and Allen were with him, trying not to laugh as they remembered what Holly was obviously remembering as well.
Lili had landed with Zephyr a few moments before, and Pixie came down beside them right about them with an odd look on her face. She whispered something to Lili, who just shrugged in return and kept her focus on the Cap'n and his men. Genki walked up to her the moment he was out of the boat, frowning as he said something to her. She quietly retorted something back at him that no one else could hear and would've said more if Zephyr hadn't nipped her none to gently.
"Milady, how've you been?" said Cap'n Horn, bowing low to her the moment he was on dry land. His crew gathered behind him quickly, all gazing at those they had once fought beside and the newcomers as well.
"I'm fine, thank you," replied Holly, bowing slightly and smiling gently at his battered mates. "I'm sure you all remember Tiger, Hare, Golem, and Big Blue from the Phoenix battles, and you've already met up with Genki, Pixie, and Allen..."
"Yes, but I see you have picked up some others as well," commented the Cap'n, looking over at Lili and Zephyr suspiciously before turning and grinning at the rest. "Mind introducing them?"
"Not at all." Holly motioned over to Tiger and his family, "This is Tiger's mate Stormy and their two pups, Temi and Ice."
"Hi," the pups chorused at the same time, staying between the legs of their parents.
"The young gel on Tiger's back is Slip-"
"Hey, mister."
"and the older gel beside him is Frost."
"Greetings."
"The mew is Claws-"
"Meow!" Claws leapt onto Horn's hat, batting at the feather playfully. Cap'n Horn sighed and grabbed the mew with his tongue, using it to turn her to he could look her in the eye.
"No playing with the hat, miss kitty." 'Slash!' Claw's claws had taken off about three inches of Cap'n Horn's hat and left it lying on the ground much to his surprise. He dropped her like a hot brick and she bounded over to Lili who held her gently.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" The Cap'n had finally found his tongue again and hid behind his mates as the rebels sweated slightly.
"He's fun to play with," Claw purred, flexing one pawful of claws innocently as Lili gently scolded her on the outside, but was undoubtedly holding another conversation with her on the inside full of praises and laughs.
Holly hid a smile behind her hand and she chocked down the chuckles that threatened to escape her throat. "The hybrids," she continued. "Are Lilianne-"
"It's just Lili."
"Lili, and Zephyr. Lili is Genki's older cousin."
"What? He's related to a halfsie?" cried the Cap'n from behind his crew. "But how???"
"We could explain it to you if we were given passage on your boat," said Pixie, seeing this as a way to get a free ride and a rest from flying or walking. Not that she was lazy, but you know how traveling gets.
"That could be arranged," said Cap'n Horn, beaming brightly at the prospect of getting a chance to spend time with Miss Holly. Holly glared at Pixie who just sweated slightly. "Where are you all headed, Miss Holly?"
"Just around this bay and then back North," she replied, pasting the fake smile back on her face. It was really starting to hurt...
"We could get you there in two days on the boat," said the Cap'n, brightening up even more. "Why are you all going that way, though? There's not much up that way anymore."
"We're on an adventure!" cried Slip, getting off Tiger's back.
"Another one?" Cap'n Horn turned and looked at Genki accusingly. "What have you done this time, Phoenix boy?"
"Me? I didn't do anything!" protested Genki, getting turning slightly red.
"Well, we'd better get going then, you can explain it all later." Cap'n Horn glanced over at Lili and Zephyr who stood there silently.
"Don't worry, Cap'n," said Lili softly as she picked up Slip and made sure Claws was secure on her shoulder. "We won't make any trouble." She spread her wings and took off towards the ship, Slip hanging onto her back in delight.
"Holly and Genki can get a ride on me," said Zephyr kindly, getting up and walking over to them. "You won't be able to fit everyone in your small canoe otherwise."
"We'll see you at the ship," Genki reassured Cap'n Horn as he accepted Zephyr's offer and climbed onto his back. Holly grinned and climbed on behind them, linking her arms around his waist. "Let's go, big guy!"
Zephyr nodded and took off, leaping into the air before his wings caught the wind and sent them soaring high into the air. He turned himself around flew after Lili, Claws, and Slip, heading over the ocean at a great speed. Holly's grip tightened considerably the higher they got, memories of flying up the cliff face flying back to her.
"Relax Holly," said Genki softly, taking one hand off of Zephyr's harness and placing it on hers. "Give me a little room to breath here."
Holly blushed as she tried to relax and let up on her grip a little, taking deep breaths to quiet her pounding heart. "Sorry about that..."
"That's alright." He turned and smiled at her, turning a little pink himself. "You never did like heights."
"Yeah..."
Lili was waiting for them on the deck of the ship, a small smile playing across her face. "Have a nice flight?"
"Much better than last time I went flying," said Holly tightly. She shuddered slightly at the memory of it, with the winds battering them around and rocks falling from above. "Definitely better."
'The fact Genki was there helped some too, right?' Lili added mentally, smiling as she saw Holly blush and turn away. She loved being able to mind- speak to others.
"I've got some rooms you all can share down in the hold," said Cap'n Horn, his crew having just made it in with everyone else as well.
"Wow!" cried Temi, having trouble standing up straight. Ice stumbled into her, not being used to the roll of the boat, and they fell over in a heap at Lili's feet.
"Careful, pups," she said gently, her wings shrunken and voice back to normal as she scooped the up with one arm and placed them on Zephyr's back. "I'd rather not have one of you knocked over board."
"Yes, ma'am," they chorused angelically, something Lili saw through immediately with a grin. Zephyr followed one of the crew members to the downstairs rooms they were to have at Lili's request and was soon gone.
"Miss Holly," said Cap'n Horn, bowing regally, "I believe you have yet to tell me the whole story as to why you're out here. Perhaps you'd like to do it now over a bottle of champagne I happen to have for just this sort of occasion."
Holly had her back to the Cap'n, and Genki bit his lap to keep from laughing as she visibly blanched at the thought of spending time alone with the suezo/tiger. She gulped and composed herself before she turned around. "Genki and Lili would have to come to," she said quickly, glancing at them for support. "Its more their story than my this time, and I wouldn't want to get any of it wrong."
Cap'n Horn's face fell as Lili chuckled lightly as she realized what was going on, her face turned away so he could see or hear them. "Well, alright," he consented slowly, sighing loudly for a minute like a balloon that had been deflated. "Shall we go and get started then?"
"Hai, Cap'n. Lead the way!" said Genki brightly, acting like his younger self for a moment as he walked beside the old monster. Lili, who was still chuckling quietly, and a very relieved Holly followed them down the hall.
"What's so funny?" Slip asked Claw as Pixie nearly fell over from laughing so hard the moment they were out of hearing range.
"I'm not sure..." replied Claw, looking very confused for a moment. "Eh, oh well. Let's go explore this huge, floating tub! I've never been on one before!"
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Frost found the ever adventurous Slip in the front of ship, hanging from a rope and laughing in the wind. "Come down from there," he said gruffly, not bothering to help the young gel get down from his spot. "We don't want you drowning after having made it this far."
"Yes sir," Slip said meekly, dropping to the deck with a soft 'thump.' He stood there nervously for a second wondering what he should do.
"You have a sliver center," said Frost suddenly, turning to look the young gel in then eye.
"Yes, sir, I do," replied Slip, puzzled as to why he would say such a thing.
"Did your parents, either one, have a silver one too?"
"No, sir. Ma's was blue and Pa's was red."
"I see." Frost stood there, staring the young gel down into the deck. Slip jutted out his chin and crossed his arms, opening defying the older gel. Much to his surprise, Frost grinned and backed off, his white teeth flashing softly. "Do you know what a silver center means?" he asked, turning his back on the young gel once more. "I'm waiting for an answer, young one."
"...um, no sir....why?"
"There are legends of gels with silver centers," explained Frost coolly, "They are said to have extraordinary powers, or their ancestors were extraordinary heroes. To have a silver center is something to be proud of, Slip, I hope you never forget that." Frost's face remained impassive, but his voice betrayed something more beneath the mask of ice.
"Um, sir?" asked Slip, scratching his head. "My parents are my only ancestors, they were both from stone disks."
"Then I guess you know what that means," said Frost lightly, disappearing into the hold. Slip stood there for a long while, a single phrase playing over and over in his mind...extraordinary powers...
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Cap'n Horn sat contemplatively in his study, trying to soak in everything the rebels had told him. I t had taken 3 days with breaks for meals and such to tell the whole thing, and now he almost wished he hadn't. The hybrid guy's army was growing, and not much could be done to stop it. Next his grip may move further south, and then to the sea...
He and his crew were by no means peaceful or weak, but no one stood a chance alone against this guy. Lili and Zephyr were proof enough of that, and they were only two of hundreds.
"Sir! We've run into a problem!" cried one of the sailors, running into the room suddenly.
"What is it, mate/" he replied calmly, used to such intrusions from this particular monster.
"We've reached the bay you wished to drop our guests off at, but the bay's too shallow and too chocked with plants to ferry them to shore!"
"Then go to the next suitable place to the north."
"But sir, there's a storm brewing in that direction and if we don't head south now it'll knock us around like a small tub! We could all drown!"
"You are not going to!" snapped Lili, rising to her feet. "Holly, Genki, do get the others on deck as quickly as possible. Cap'n, I'm going too need some rope..."
With in moments the ship sprang to life, crew members rushing around to find the lengths of requested rope and the rebels hurrying to group together on the deck and await Lili's next order. Between her, Pixie and Zephyr, they hauled everyone one to shore one or two at a time. Soon it was only the two stone giants left, and everyone wondered how in the world they were going to get them to shore.
Lili quickly fashioned a sling of types from the rope and, with her and Zephyr working together, managed to lift Golem and Big Blue to shore one at a time. Other when the sling began to slip out of Zephyr's mouth, then entire thing went along smoothly and soon everyone was safe on shore.
"Thanks for your help," said Lili as she returned to pick up her things and return the giant sling back to the crew for later use. "Holly said to tell you she appreciates what you and your crew have done for us."
Cap'n Horn's face went bright red and he did a little dance. "Miss Holly likes me, hey! Miss Holly likes me, hey! Miss Holly likes me, hey!" Zephyr sweated as they flew back.
'That is one weird guy,' said Zephyr in Lili's mind so as not to hurt the suezo/tiger's feelings or get any of the others mad at them.
'You said it,' replied Lili, grinning all the more. Holly was gonna die when she found out about that...
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There you are, chapter 12 as promised, and there's more coming up soon so stay tuned! Please be kind and review, it does help and if you have any suggestions, feel free to tell me! I will acknowledge you if you help me in any way, and having your name in another story is good publicity, right? Anyways, I hope this was enough to satisfy those who have been waiting for months. Genki action will come next chapter for those of you who I *KNOW* will ask. Thanks!
crosseyedbutterfly