Go on, read it. Hopefully updates will be coming sooner with the beginning
of summer and more free time for me (yay!!) Anyways, enjoy!
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Genki rolled over and moaned, waking to the smell of smoke and the sounds of others near by stirring as well. He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he tried to get them to focus and figure out where he was. His hand hit something beside him, an empty bowl with a spoon.... that's right. He had been eating dinner, then everything was hazy.........he had heard a scream, but who had it been...
"Holly!" he cried suddenly, everything becoming crystal clear. He looked frantically around for her, seeing her body near by next to that of a lizard. "Oh gosh, no, Holly!"
He stumbled over to her, falling at her side. She was paler than ever, her skin covered with red dots and her eyes glassy and unseeing. "Genki..." she barely whispered, her lips turning blue as she did. "I'm sorry...he.... got me...." He looked down and saw a dart in her arm, the poison completely absorbed into her blood stream.
"No! Holly!"
Lili showed up at his side, shoving him slightly out of the way. She looked at the dart and the monster and cursed, immediately turning around. "Z! Get over here now! We have to do a healing purge right-"
"No!" cut in Allen from where he was sitting. "You're not even at full power, it'll kill you Lilianne!"
"I have to try. We've been through this before, Allen, you can't stop me. Z! Get over here now!" The huge dog monster struggled over to her side, quickly powering himself to full level and giving it to her, the blazing light making everyone look away.
"What's going on?" murmured Pixie as the light revived her from the drugged soup. "What the- Ahh!" She shielded her eyes from the light and turned away, wondering if she was dead.
When Genki could see again, Holly's skin color was back to normal and her breathing was regular, as she lie there fast asleep. Lili lay beside her; hands still clasped are Holly's and completely passed out.
"Dang it, Lili!" cried Allen, getting up and rushing over to her side. He checked her pulse and breathing, relieved to find that she was still alive, but just barely. Zephyr was out cold near by, and neither one would probably wake up for days, if ever at all.
"What's going on?" he heard Temi mumble as the sleeping potion finally wore off her and her family. "There was all that yelling, and then a bright flash of light...."
Genki inspected the lizard; not knowing how to make sure it was dead. "I think this thing was trying to kill us, and Holly was able to stop him..." he said slowly, trying to piece together the events of the night before. "The soup, it must've been drugged some how. Holly was the only one who didn't eat any."
"Hmn...." Genki looked down as Holly stirred from her rest, her eyes opening slowly as they adjusted to the sunlight. "What..."
"Shh, you're safe now," said Genki gently, hugging her to his chest. "Everyone's just fine..."
"Except maybe Lili," growled Allen, going and getting his things together. Golem and Big Blue woke up right about then, shaking their head dazedly and trying to focus on everyone around them.
"You ok, bid guy?" asked Pixie, who was sitting next to Big Blue.
"Yeah, what happened?"
"There's no time for that," said Allen, picking up Lili carefully, his pack on his back. "Golem, could you carry Zephyr until he wakes up?"
"Hai."
"And could you get their things, Big Blue?"
"Sure."
"Hey, where's Slip?" asked Stormy, having made sure she and her family were ok.
"Right here," said sleepy voice next to Golem.
"Come on, I'll carry you," said Genki. "Do you think you'll be able to walk, Holly?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine." She got up and went over to her bag, pulling out her roller blades and strapping them on. "Let's go."
"Are you sure you're all right?" asked Genki, noticing the haunting look on her face.
"Um, yeah," she murmured, standing next him with her head down. "I'll be all right."
Genki didn't believe her, but there was no time to argue about it right now. With Allen in the lead and Golem and Big Blue in the back, the group set out once more, wondering what the day would bring them.
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Camo lay there as if he were dead, a sudden rain-washing his muddies scales clean and waking him up. He looked down and pulled the dagger that had been left in his chest out, looking at his curiously. It was a pretty thing, and its blade was still sharp and useful, he would use it on them next time, especially that girl.
A quick glance around confirmed his suspicions; they had gotten away and left him for dead. Passing a hand over his wound, he grinned maniacally as it healed instantly, leaving no traces of a scar. It would take more to kill Camo than a little dagger would, yes, much more.
"Camo will not fail the massster," he hissed to himself, getting up and following the Rebel's tracks. "Camo will never fail again..."
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"SHE DID WHAT?!?!?!" Zephyr sweated as he tried to explain it to Allen again, speaking slowly as he was talking to a young pup.
"Lili refused all of my power, she only took about half of it. I don't know why, but I can't force it on her, she's strong than me. That's why I woke up right away and she's not gonna wake up for sometime yet." Allen got up and began to pace, wondering who hated him so much as to put him through so much at once. Lili lay completely still near by, hardly breathing and her skin pale and clammy.
"No, no, no, not again, Lili, not again," he muttered to himself, trying to remain somewhat calm. "We've almost lost you before, not again, not again..."
"She's in trouble, isn't she?" said Holly sadly, sitting next to Zephyr on the ground. "This is all my fault, if only I hadn't-"
"If you hadn't, we'd all be dead," cut in Zephyr gently, nuzzling her. "It's a good thing you did what you did." Holly nodded and buried her head in his mane of fur, taking comfort from his warmth and calm presence. "She'll be fine, don't you worry about her a bit." He felt her drift to sleep and shifted so she would be more comfortable, adding to himself, 'I hope....'
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Lili looked around the haven of fire that she sat in, noticing a small bird hopping towards her. "Hey," she murmured thickly, feeling drugged. "I know you. You're that birdie that was bugging me the other night. Wada ya want?"
"Learn some respect for higher powers, multi-breed," said the bird sharply, tapping her hand with a claw. "I was the one who brought you here and your cousin as well."
Lili's eyes widened. "Phoenix?"
"Yes."
Lili sighed, this was not her day. "What do you want?"
"For you to stop being a fool."
This time Lili growled. "What did I do now?"
"If you had checked the poison, it was a simple concoction that you could've healed on your own without doing a power purge."
"Really? If I had had the time, I would've checked. But there was not time. She would've died if I hadn't."
"How do you know?" challenged the Phoenix. "I was keeping her alive, just as I've kept you alive numerous times when you almost killed yourself."
"Sure you did."
"Do you remember last time when you used a power purge, or when you took all those needles for Allen? Do you remember flashes of fire across your vision, ones that you couldn't explain?"
"Um, yeah...those things. But what do those have to do with you?"
"They were from me. My traces of power that were replacing your life force as you used it."
"Oh.... so?"
The Phoenix's eye twitched, a view appearing on his head. "HAVE YOU NOT BEEN LISTENING FOR THE PAST FEW MINUTES???"
"Yeah, so?"
"Look, you can't keep throwing your life around, Lilianne," said the Phoenix gravely. "You have a key part in my plan. The Rebels, they will not prevail without you."
"Your plan?" snorted Lili, beginning to feel all light and fuzzy.
"Listen to me!" thundered the Phoenix, catching her attention. "There is not much time left, one of yours is bringing you back. Take every precaution you can from now on, no one can die! All of you are needed, and you the most. Watch out for your cousin and his friends, they are the answer. Lead them to the man who made you, help them defeat his minions, and above all: find the Phoenix Stone...."
Lili's world faded into a swirl of colors as she fell through a dark pit, back into her own body...
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Lili woke up to see the moon high over head, everyone asleep around her except for Slip who sat there with his hands on her arm. "Whoa...." was all he could say, his eyes huge.
"Hey, kiddo," she said, patting his hands. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I.... I wished for you to be back...well, awake and well again...so the rest wouldn't be worried, you've been out for a week. And then there was this flash of fire and-"
"Hang on," said Lili, trying to remember the Phoenix's last words. One of her own was calling her back, did he mean Slip? "Did the flash come from you or me?"
"...um...me."
"Well, thanks, Slip," she said, giving the surprised gel a hug. "You may've saved my life."
"But, you won't.......tell the others......will you?"
"Why not?" asked Lili, confusion in her eyes.
"I.... don't know what I did. If they know...they may try to make me do it again. I don't want to, not before I've figured it all out."
Lili shrugged, settling back down and letting him snuggled next to her to sleep. "If that's what you want, Slip..."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
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**the next morning**
Allen woke up, surprised to see Lili tending to the fire and Slip helping her. "What the- Lili?"
She looked up, smiling slightly. "Yeah?"
"You're...you're..."
"Alive and fine as always," she said quickly, smiling as she saw others waking up. "Hey Z, hope I wasn't too heavy to carry."
He grinned, walking over and licking her face. "I wasn't the one who carried you," he said mischievously, glancing over in Allen's direction.
"Lili!" cried Temi and Ice as one, launching themselves at the young woman. Lili just laughed, accepting them with open arms as they wet her face with kisses. She glanced over at her cousin, who was still sound asleep with an arm around Holly by the fire. They were leaning on a slumbering Golem, who was just waking up.
"Golem," said Lili softly, getting his attention. "I need you to do something for me."
"Lili," he said in surprise. "You're awake."
"Yes, will you please move your leg quickly so Holly and Genki fall back? I'm gonna catch Holly, but Genki needs something drastic to get him going.
"Um.... sure."
He moved his leg quickly, causing both young adults to fall backwards quickly from the unexpected move. Holly's eyes opened from the lack of substance behind her and was surprised with a strong set of arms caught her from the front. "Hey," said Lili as Genki groaned from hitting the ground. "Miss me?"
Holly stared at her for a while, not sure if this was a dream or not. Genki moaned and sat up, looking at her through squinted eyes. "Ow....Lili, what was that- Lili!" He threw himself at her, squeezing the air out of her lungs as he did.
"Genki.... *gasp*.... can't.... *gasp*...breath...*gasp*..."
"Oh, sorry." He let her go, smiling happily. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you awake."
"Oh, I don't know about that." Lili waved a hand across Holly's face; the girl had just been staring at her sadly since she had realized who it was. "What's with you girl? I'm no ghost, if that's what you're thinking." They were all surprised when Holly buried her head into Lili's shoulder, crying softly. "Hey now! What's this all about?" cried Lili in surprise, doing her best to comfort Holly.
"I'm sorry I almost killed you," sobbed Holly softly, "I'm so sorry, it was all my fault..."
"Shh, settle down, Holly," said Lili soothingly. "It was more my fault than yours, trust me on that one. There was nothing you could do to change what had happened, understand." Holly quieted down and sniffed, wiping her eyes on a hankie Genki gave her. "You've been keeping that inside for a week?" asked Lili, remembering what Slip had said. "Sweetie, you must've felt awful..." She gave Holly one last hug before letting her go to Genki's arms for a while. (she looked a bit happier there (:)
"How've you been, Pixie?" she asked quietly, watching Genki and Holly as the monster came up beside her.
"Ok, I guess," murmured Pixie. "I have a question, though. What was that thing that attacked us? I still don't understand exactly what happened."
"His name is Camo, he's that guy's best assassin. He tried to kill me and Zephyr and few years ago, and obviously failed. I thought that guy would've killed him for botching the plan, but I guess not and now he's back for more."
"What was that he used to put us to sleep? I didn't taste a thing and normally I can tell when my food is drugged."
"So can I," countered Lili, "And I missed it too. It's a form of Styr syrup that's altered until it has no taste and is twice as potent. You can't even tell if it's in your drinking water."
"Great," said Pixie sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "And we had a lizard following us with unlimited supplies of it. Don't I feel safe."
"What? You guys knew to slice off his head?" asked Lili in surprise, her eyebrows raised. "How did you-"
"What do you mean, slice off his head?" cut in Pixie, looking worried. "Holly's dagger was plunder through his heart, wasn't he dead?"
"That doesn't kill him," said Lili softly, quickly scanning the area around them. "You have to slice of their heads to kill those kinds. Last time he had an older brother who worked with him, I plunged my sword through his middle three times and still he just healed himself and kept on fighting. If you don't take off the head, they keep right on living. My guess is he'll be coming back to try his luck again real soon...."
"How clever of you, traitor," hissed a voice from the rocks above them. It was Camo, sitting there casually with his darts beside him. "Now you will sssee that I too have learned some new trickssss from lasssst time. Nightmare Missst! Muahahahahah!!!" His laughed echoed around them, waking the rest of the Rebels as a black mist rolled out of nowhere, engulfing them in their worst dreams ever....
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Lili found herself back in the lab, lights flashing as she struggled against her chains, watching as one by one her friends and those close to her were forced to become like her, monsters melded into their bodies, the seed of darkness planted in their brains, never to be the same...
"No! Genki! Holly! Slip! Temi! Ice! René! Meg! Jake! Allen! No! Not them! Anyone but my friends! Anyone but them!"
"Quiet, traitor!" yelled a familiar voice, a claw slashing across her face. It was Zelda, standing before a bloody heap. "Look what we've done to your precious friend." She moved aside, letting Lili see the face.
"NO! Zephyr! NO!" Lili fell back against the wall as a blast hit her, leaving her completely defenseless, and all she could do was weep...
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Genki stood before a strange man, one he could not see that face of. "So we meet, Phoenix boy," he hissed, his voice strangely unpleasant. "Let's see just how wonderful you are, shall we?"
He pulled a cord next to him, lowering two cages with in his view. In one was Holly, blood covering her from several cuts and bruises showing on her face. In the other was Lili, completely bound and gagged and knocked out as well.
"Which shall you choose? For you only can save one," said the man is a teasing voice, acting as if it were just a game. Below them was a river of lava; they would die instantly if their cages were lowered into it. "Which one? Which one? What's wrong, Phoenix boy? Can't choose between your family and your lover?"
Genki stood there silently, breathing heavily as he tried to think of something to do, there had to be a way to save both...
"No? Oh well, then they both die."
"What? No!" cried Genki, rushing forward, but he was too late. He watched in horror as the cages plunged into the lava and their occupants were burned alive....
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Allen was forced to watch as his village was torn to shreds by the tri- breeds, frozen in place for some reason. No matter what he did or said, he could not move and those being hurt could not hear him. He saw a captain walk into his house and come back out, dragging his mother by the hair.
Jake, his dad, came running out after her, but his head was cut off by another tri-breed. His sisters, his brother, all dead and strewn out before him as his home continued to burn...and he could do nothing....
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Ice and Temi stood back to back, trying to make sense of the swirls of black around them. "Temi?" said Ice, back up closer to his sister.
"Yeah, Ice?"
"I'm scared."
"Me too."
The black swirls lessened a little, letting two looming shapes tower over them as they shrank back even farther. "Look what we have here," said their father, his eyes glowing red. "Two little snacks, ready to be eaten."
"F-father?" stuttered Ice, tears beginning to form in his eyes.
"I think you're right, dear," said Stormy, appearing beside her mate. "I'm famished for some pup chow." Both of them drooled as they came closer, and all the pups could do was tower in fear...
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Stormy sat there silently, waiting for whatever may come next. Her surroundings left her in the snow, her pups and Tiger lying near by. "Honey, pups," she said, going over and nudging them. "Get up, we have to-" She stopped short as the snow around them turned crimson with their blood.... they were dead...
"NNNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"
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Tiger threw himself against his cage bars, doing his best not to give up. He had to get to them; he had to save his family...
"Having fun yet?" asked an eerie voice. Something grabbed his head and forced him to watch, as his family was slow put to death in the most tortuous ways possible.
"NO!" he cried, thrashing against his holds again. "No! Not them! Please! Let them go! I'll do anything! Anything!"
But he was powerless to stop them.
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Zephyr stood alone in the black mists, scanning the areas around him as best he could. "Oh, dear brother," said familiar voice, turning his attention elsewhere. "Look what I have for you!"
He scanned where the voice was coming from, his worst fears realized. Lili was lying there, dead, his sister the one who had killed her. Tears flowed from his eyes as he rushed to her body, howling with sadness as his sister's laughter echoed around him.
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Golem was back at the fight, watching as from above as he fought his way through the soldiers, trying to get to his friends. But he was able to this time, the soldiers fled, leaving him with those he lived with.
That's when it hit him. The hate and rage that had been hidden for so long that he let it lash out.... right at those he cared about most. He mercilessly slaughtered them, friend and foe alike, only stopping when he had run out of people to take his anger out on...but then it was to late.... his friends were dead....
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Hare watched from above as his village of hares of attacked again, and this time couldn't hold their own. Hare breeds fell left and right, old and young alike. They weren't taking any prisoners; it was just a senseless slaughter. Old friends he had fought beside, little ones he had played with, gone.
The smoke cleared and he saw a dead hare laying there, her hands still clasped around her spear. Hare gasped as he recognized her. "GRACE!!!"
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Pixie stared at the figure before her, cowering in fear. "No," she whispered, her hands holding her head. "Leave me alone, just leave me alone..."
"Why would I do that?" boomed the figure, stretching out a clawed hand. "You were one of my best servants. You have been a naughty little girl, Pixie, it's time to punish you!"
"NO!" screamed Pixie as she began to glow and felt his mind pressing down on hers. "Just go away, Moo! Leave my mind alone! NO!"
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Big Blue looked around him, the darkness revealing a familiar person. "Blue," said Pixie, her eyes hidden by her bangs. "Master Moo has given me an offer I can't refuse. There's just one thing that has to go.... YOU!" She blasted him in the chest with a fireball, the force knocking him completely over.
He watched her retreating for into the darkness, tears spilling from his eyes as he struggled to rise. "Pixie..."
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Slip looked around him in the haze, seeing his parents come forward. "You're not them," he said suddenly, looking them in the eyes. "Who are you? You're not my parents."
"You're right," said the one that looked like his mother, "We're not." Both morphed into monsters, charging at him.
"You're not real," said Slip, closing his eyes and hoping with his heart that he was right. "My parents are no where near here, you can't hurt me." The air rushed around him, and he opened his eyes to see that the images had disappeared. Shaking slightly, he wandered through the haze, and tried to find the others.
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Holly stood before her father as Moo, seeing her friends lying before him in a heap. Tears ran down her face as she watched him kill and destroy others, she could do nothing to stop him.
A hand slipped into hers, and she turned to see Slip standing next to her, a sad look on his face. "Slip?" she said quietly. "Is that really you? I just saw you...die..."
"If you believe its not real, it can't hurt you," he said quietly, closing his eyes. "That's what I did. It was my parents, and they turned into monsters that tried to attack me. I believed they weren't real, and they vanished."
"I don't know if I can do that, Slip," whispered Holly, shaking her head as she continued to watch. "It's so real, I can feel their pain...."
"You have to believe, Holly," said Slip. "Do you believe that I am real, and that I am here?"
"Yes."
"Then believe me that they aren't."
"...ok..." She closed her eyes and turned away from the sight. "You're not real," she whispered. "Moo is dead, I saw him killed myself. He can never return. My friends are safe, nothing can harm the. You aren't real. None of this is real." The wind blew past them again, taking the images with it and leaving them standing there.
"Let's go find that guy who did this to us and save our friends," said Slip, plunging into the mist with a smile.
"Yes," said Holly, her face turning hard. "Let's."
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Camo sat at top a rock, looking at the sun. Just a bit longer, maybe another ten or 15 minutes, and they'd be ready. He grinned to himself; assassinations were easier to deal with when the targets were completely drained of any energy or emotion.
What he didn't feel was Slip skillfully lifting Holly's dagger from his belt and give it back to his friend. She went up and stuck it through his back without a second thought. Pulling it out, she growled and said, "How dare you make me and my friends relive those things. No one should ever have to go through that sort of pain, ever."
"Yet," said Camo, healing himself before her eyes. "Several go through that pain daily, when working directly under the Master or being the ones who must watch their loved ones suffer in the dungeons below. You barely scratched me, girl, prepare to die."
Holly backed off a little, unsure of what to do. Slip stood protectively at her side, forming his arm into a whip. With Camo's concentration broken, the mists below him began to break up, freeing the others of their tormenting dreams.
"Arm whip!" cried Slip, jumping at the lizard like monster out of the blue. Camo moved out of the way and dodged the hits, swinging his tail at the young gel.
"Tail hit!" Holly cried out and jumped in the way, taking the full force of the attack on her stomach.
"Holly!" cried Slip, kneeling beside her.
"Ha! You thought you could beat me?" snarled Camo, taking the dagger from Holly with ease and towering over the pair. "Now you will pay." A flash of silver to his right caught Camo's eye, distracting him for a minute. "Huh?"
"DIE!!!" screamed Lili, tears running down her face as she sliced off his head with her sword. Never would his treacherous ways bother them or any other person again.
Genki, Allen, and the rest rushed up the hill the moment they were free, making sure the other three were ok. Lili was kneeling by Holly, checking to make sure the hit had left no permanent damage.
"You're sure you're alright?" she asked for a third time, helping the young woman to her feet.
"Yeah," replied Holly, an odd look on her face. "Hey, Lili?"
"Yeah?"
"I think I understand now."
Lili frowned. "Understand what?"
"How you are able to protect the ones you love, even if it means taking others lives."
"Really?" Lili smiled, the wind blowing her hair in her eyes. "How?"
"Well, twice I tried to kill Camo, not because he had angered me, but because the lives of those I loved were in trouble. I didn't think about him or the consequences of my actions, just saving those who were close to me."
"Then you won't have as much trouble fighting anymore?" asked Lili, raising an eyebrow.
Holly shuddered slightly. "No. I still will have trouble killing, its not in my nature, I just don't like taking others lives. But now, I will do what I have to to keep my friends safe."
"I'm glad to hear that," said Lili as she gave the younger woman a hug. "I really am."
There it is! That was a completely unplanned, totally off the top of my head chapter. I wasn't planning on putting an assassin in, but he just seemed to fit in right there, you know? Tell me what you think in your reviews, please.
And here's the question I asked last time at the beginning and no one responded to: Should I do a prequel involving Lili's time in the MR world before Genki came, or should I do a sequel that follows with some of the characters kids going on another adventure unlike anything you've seen yet? Or should I just not write anymore at all because y'all are tired of it and need a break??? Please, let me know.
~crosseyedbutterfly~
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Genki rolled over and moaned, waking to the smell of smoke and the sounds of others near by stirring as well. He sat up, rubbing his eyes as he tried to get them to focus and figure out where he was. His hand hit something beside him, an empty bowl with a spoon.... that's right. He had been eating dinner, then everything was hazy.........he had heard a scream, but who had it been...
"Holly!" he cried suddenly, everything becoming crystal clear. He looked frantically around for her, seeing her body near by next to that of a lizard. "Oh gosh, no, Holly!"
He stumbled over to her, falling at her side. She was paler than ever, her skin covered with red dots and her eyes glassy and unseeing. "Genki..." she barely whispered, her lips turning blue as she did. "I'm sorry...he.... got me...." He looked down and saw a dart in her arm, the poison completely absorbed into her blood stream.
"No! Holly!"
Lili showed up at his side, shoving him slightly out of the way. She looked at the dart and the monster and cursed, immediately turning around. "Z! Get over here now! We have to do a healing purge right-"
"No!" cut in Allen from where he was sitting. "You're not even at full power, it'll kill you Lilianne!"
"I have to try. We've been through this before, Allen, you can't stop me. Z! Get over here now!" The huge dog monster struggled over to her side, quickly powering himself to full level and giving it to her, the blazing light making everyone look away.
"What's going on?" murmured Pixie as the light revived her from the drugged soup. "What the- Ahh!" She shielded her eyes from the light and turned away, wondering if she was dead.
When Genki could see again, Holly's skin color was back to normal and her breathing was regular, as she lie there fast asleep. Lili lay beside her; hands still clasped are Holly's and completely passed out.
"Dang it, Lili!" cried Allen, getting up and rushing over to her side. He checked her pulse and breathing, relieved to find that she was still alive, but just barely. Zephyr was out cold near by, and neither one would probably wake up for days, if ever at all.
"What's going on?" he heard Temi mumble as the sleeping potion finally wore off her and her family. "There was all that yelling, and then a bright flash of light...."
Genki inspected the lizard; not knowing how to make sure it was dead. "I think this thing was trying to kill us, and Holly was able to stop him..." he said slowly, trying to piece together the events of the night before. "The soup, it must've been drugged some how. Holly was the only one who didn't eat any."
"Hmn...." Genki looked down as Holly stirred from her rest, her eyes opening slowly as they adjusted to the sunlight. "What..."
"Shh, you're safe now," said Genki gently, hugging her to his chest. "Everyone's just fine..."
"Except maybe Lili," growled Allen, going and getting his things together. Golem and Big Blue woke up right about then, shaking their head dazedly and trying to focus on everyone around them.
"You ok, bid guy?" asked Pixie, who was sitting next to Big Blue.
"Yeah, what happened?"
"There's no time for that," said Allen, picking up Lili carefully, his pack on his back. "Golem, could you carry Zephyr until he wakes up?"
"Hai."
"And could you get their things, Big Blue?"
"Sure."
"Hey, where's Slip?" asked Stormy, having made sure she and her family were ok.
"Right here," said sleepy voice next to Golem.
"Come on, I'll carry you," said Genki. "Do you think you'll be able to walk, Holly?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine." She got up and went over to her bag, pulling out her roller blades and strapping them on. "Let's go."
"Are you sure you're all right?" asked Genki, noticing the haunting look on her face.
"Um, yeah," she murmured, standing next him with her head down. "I'll be all right."
Genki didn't believe her, but there was no time to argue about it right now. With Allen in the lead and Golem and Big Blue in the back, the group set out once more, wondering what the day would bring them.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Camo lay there as if he were dead, a sudden rain-washing his muddies scales clean and waking him up. He looked down and pulled the dagger that had been left in his chest out, looking at his curiously. It was a pretty thing, and its blade was still sharp and useful, he would use it on them next time, especially that girl.
A quick glance around confirmed his suspicions; they had gotten away and left him for dead. Passing a hand over his wound, he grinned maniacally as it healed instantly, leaving no traces of a scar. It would take more to kill Camo than a little dagger would, yes, much more.
"Camo will not fail the massster," he hissed to himself, getting up and following the Rebel's tracks. "Camo will never fail again..."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
"SHE DID WHAT?!?!?!" Zephyr sweated as he tried to explain it to Allen again, speaking slowly as he was talking to a young pup.
"Lili refused all of my power, she only took about half of it. I don't know why, but I can't force it on her, she's strong than me. That's why I woke up right away and she's not gonna wake up for sometime yet." Allen got up and began to pace, wondering who hated him so much as to put him through so much at once. Lili lay completely still near by, hardly breathing and her skin pale and clammy.
"No, no, no, not again, Lili, not again," he muttered to himself, trying to remain somewhat calm. "We've almost lost you before, not again, not again..."
"She's in trouble, isn't she?" said Holly sadly, sitting next to Zephyr on the ground. "This is all my fault, if only I hadn't-"
"If you hadn't, we'd all be dead," cut in Zephyr gently, nuzzling her. "It's a good thing you did what you did." Holly nodded and buried her head in his mane of fur, taking comfort from his warmth and calm presence. "She'll be fine, don't you worry about her a bit." He felt her drift to sleep and shifted so she would be more comfortable, adding to himself, 'I hope....'
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Lili looked around the haven of fire that she sat in, noticing a small bird hopping towards her. "Hey," she murmured thickly, feeling drugged. "I know you. You're that birdie that was bugging me the other night. Wada ya want?"
"Learn some respect for higher powers, multi-breed," said the bird sharply, tapping her hand with a claw. "I was the one who brought you here and your cousin as well."
Lili's eyes widened. "Phoenix?"
"Yes."
Lili sighed, this was not her day. "What do you want?"
"For you to stop being a fool."
This time Lili growled. "What did I do now?"
"If you had checked the poison, it was a simple concoction that you could've healed on your own without doing a power purge."
"Really? If I had had the time, I would've checked. But there was not time. She would've died if I hadn't."
"How do you know?" challenged the Phoenix. "I was keeping her alive, just as I've kept you alive numerous times when you almost killed yourself."
"Sure you did."
"Do you remember last time when you used a power purge, or when you took all those needles for Allen? Do you remember flashes of fire across your vision, ones that you couldn't explain?"
"Um, yeah...those things. But what do those have to do with you?"
"They were from me. My traces of power that were replacing your life force as you used it."
"Oh.... so?"
The Phoenix's eye twitched, a view appearing on his head. "HAVE YOU NOT BEEN LISTENING FOR THE PAST FEW MINUTES???"
"Yeah, so?"
"Look, you can't keep throwing your life around, Lilianne," said the Phoenix gravely. "You have a key part in my plan. The Rebels, they will not prevail without you."
"Your plan?" snorted Lili, beginning to feel all light and fuzzy.
"Listen to me!" thundered the Phoenix, catching her attention. "There is not much time left, one of yours is bringing you back. Take every precaution you can from now on, no one can die! All of you are needed, and you the most. Watch out for your cousin and his friends, they are the answer. Lead them to the man who made you, help them defeat his minions, and above all: find the Phoenix Stone...."
Lili's world faded into a swirl of colors as she fell through a dark pit, back into her own body...
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Lili woke up to see the moon high over head, everyone asleep around her except for Slip who sat there with his hands on her arm. "Whoa...." was all he could say, his eyes huge.
"Hey, kiddo," she said, patting his hands. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I.... I wished for you to be back...well, awake and well again...so the rest wouldn't be worried, you've been out for a week. And then there was this flash of fire and-"
"Hang on," said Lili, trying to remember the Phoenix's last words. One of her own was calling her back, did he mean Slip? "Did the flash come from you or me?"
"...um...me."
"Well, thanks, Slip," she said, giving the surprised gel a hug. "You may've saved my life."
"But, you won't.......tell the others......will you?"
"Why not?" asked Lili, confusion in her eyes.
"I.... don't know what I did. If they know...they may try to make me do it again. I don't want to, not before I've figured it all out."
Lili shrugged, settling back down and letting him snuggled next to her to sleep. "If that's what you want, Slip..."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
**the next morning**
Allen woke up, surprised to see Lili tending to the fire and Slip helping her. "What the- Lili?"
She looked up, smiling slightly. "Yeah?"
"You're...you're..."
"Alive and fine as always," she said quickly, smiling as she saw others waking up. "Hey Z, hope I wasn't too heavy to carry."
He grinned, walking over and licking her face. "I wasn't the one who carried you," he said mischievously, glancing over in Allen's direction.
"Lili!" cried Temi and Ice as one, launching themselves at the young woman. Lili just laughed, accepting them with open arms as they wet her face with kisses. She glanced over at her cousin, who was still sound asleep with an arm around Holly by the fire. They were leaning on a slumbering Golem, who was just waking up.
"Golem," said Lili softly, getting his attention. "I need you to do something for me."
"Lili," he said in surprise. "You're awake."
"Yes, will you please move your leg quickly so Holly and Genki fall back? I'm gonna catch Holly, but Genki needs something drastic to get him going.
"Um.... sure."
He moved his leg quickly, causing both young adults to fall backwards quickly from the unexpected move. Holly's eyes opened from the lack of substance behind her and was surprised with a strong set of arms caught her from the front. "Hey," said Lili as Genki groaned from hitting the ground. "Miss me?"
Holly stared at her for a while, not sure if this was a dream or not. Genki moaned and sat up, looking at her through squinted eyes. "Ow....Lili, what was that- Lili!" He threw himself at her, squeezing the air out of her lungs as he did.
"Genki.... *gasp*.... can't.... *gasp*...breath...*gasp*..."
"Oh, sorry." He let her go, smiling happily. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you awake."
"Oh, I don't know about that." Lili waved a hand across Holly's face; the girl had just been staring at her sadly since she had realized who it was. "What's with you girl? I'm no ghost, if that's what you're thinking." They were all surprised when Holly buried her head into Lili's shoulder, crying softly. "Hey now! What's this all about?" cried Lili in surprise, doing her best to comfort Holly.
"I'm sorry I almost killed you," sobbed Holly softly, "I'm so sorry, it was all my fault..."
"Shh, settle down, Holly," said Lili soothingly. "It was more my fault than yours, trust me on that one. There was nothing you could do to change what had happened, understand." Holly quieted down and sniffed, wiping her eyes on a hankie Genki gave her. "You've been keeping that inside for a week?" asked Lili, remembering what Slip had said. "Sweetie, you must've felt awful..." She gave Holly one last hug before letting her go to Genki's arms for a while. (she looked a bit happier there (:)
"How've you been, Pixie?" she asked quietly, watching Genki and Holly as the monster came up beside her.
"Ok, I guess," murmured Pixie. "I have a question, though. What was that thing that attacked us? I still don't understand exactly what happened."
"His name is Camo, he's that guy's best assassin. He tried to kill me and Zephyr and few years ago, and obviously failed. I thought that guy would've killed him for botching the plan, but I guess not and now he's back for more."
"What was that he used to put us to sleep? I didn't taste a thing and normally I can tell when my food is drugged."
"So can I," countered Lili, "And I missed it too. It's a form of Styr syrup that's altered until it has no taste and is twice as potent. You can't even tell if it's in your drinking water."
"Great," said Pixie sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "And we had a lizard following us with unlimited supplies of it. Don't I feel safe."
"What? You guys knew to slice off his head?" asked Lili in surprise, her eyebrows raised. "How did you-"
"What do you mean, slice off his head?" cut in Pixie, looking worried. "Holly's dagger was plunder through his heart, wasn't he dead?"
"That doesn't kill him," said Lili softly, quickly scanning the area around them. "You have to slice of their heads to kill those kinds. Last time he had an older brother who worked with him, I plunged my sword through his middle three times and still he just healed himself and kept on fighting. If you don't take off the head, they keep right on living. My guess is he'll be coming back to try his luck again real soon...."
"How clever of you, traitor," hissed a voice from the rocks above them. It was Camo, sitting there casually with his darts beside him. "Now you will sssee that I too have learned some new trickssss from lasssst time. Nightmare Missst! Muahahahahah!!!" His laughed echoed around them, waking the rest of the Rebels as a black mist rolled out of nowhere, engulfing them in their worst dreams ever....
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Lili found herself back in the lab, lights flashing as she struggled against her chains, watching as one by one her friends and those close to her were forced to become like her, monsters melded into their bodies, the seed of darkness planted in their brains, never to be the same...
"No! Genki! Holly! Slip! Temi! Ice! René! Meg! Jake! Allen! No! Not them! Anyone but my friends! Anyone but them!"
"Quiet, traitor!" yelled a familiar voice, a claw slashing across her face. It was Zelda, standing before a bloody heap. "Look what we've done to your precious friend." She moved aside, letting Lili see the face.
"NO! Zephyr! NO!" Lili fell back against the wall as a blast hit her, leaving her completely defenseless, and all she could do was weep...
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Genki stood before a strange man, one he could not see that face of. "So we meet, Phoenix boy," he hissed, his voice strangely unpleasant. "Let's see just how wonderful you are, shall we?"
He pulled a cord next to him, lowering two cages with in his view. In one was Holly, blood covering her from several cuts and bruises showing on her face. In the other was Lili, completely bound and gagged and knocked out as well.
"Which shall you choose? For you only can save one," said the man is a teasing voice, acting as if it were just a game. Below them was a river of lava; they would die instantly if their cages were lowered into it. "Which one? Which one? What's wrong, Phoenix boy? Can't choose between your family and your lover?"
Genki stood there silently, breathing heavily as he tried to think of something to do, there had to be a way to save both...
"No? Oh well, then they both die."
"What? No!" cried Genki, rushing forward, but he was too late. He watched in horror as the cages plunged into the lava and their occupants were burned alive....
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Allen was forced to watch as his village was torn to shreds by the tri- breeds, frozen in place for some reason. No matter what he did or said, he could not move and those being hurt could not hear him. He saw a captain walk into his house and come back out, dragging his mother by the hair.
Jake, his dad, came running out after her, but his head was cut off by another tri-breed. His sisters, his brother, all dead and strewn out before him as his home continued to burn...and he could do nothing....
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Ice and Temi stood back to back, trying to make sense of the swirls of black around them. "Temi?" said Ice, back up closer to his sister.
"Yeah, Ice?"
"I'm scared."
"Me too."
The black swirls lessened a little, letting two looming shapes tower over them as they shrank back even farther. "Look what we have here," said their father, his eyes glowing red. "Two little snacks, ready to be eaten."
"F-father?" stuttered Ice, tears beginning to form in his eyes.
"I think you're right, dear," said Stormy, appearing beside her mate. "I'm famished for some pup chow." Both of them drooled as they came closer, and all the pups could do was tower in fear...
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Stormy sat there silently, waiting for whatever may come next. Her surroundings left her in the snow, her pups and Tiger lying near by. "Honey, pups," she said, going over and nudging them. "Get up, we have to-" She stopped short as the snow around them turned crimson with their blood.... they were dead...
"NNNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Tiger threw himself against his cage bars, doing his best not to give up. He had to get to them; he had to save his family...
"Having fun yet?" asked an eerie voice. Something grabbed his head and forced him to watch, as his family was slow put to death in the most tortuous ways possible.
"NO!" he cried, thrashing against his holds again. "No! Not them! Please! Let them go! I'll do anything! Anything!"
But he was powerless to stop them.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Zephyr stood alone in the black mists, scanning the areas around him as best he could. "Oh, dear brother," said familiar voice, turning his attention elsewhere. "Look what I have for you!"
He scanned where the voice was coming from, his worst fears realized. Lili was lying there, dead, his sister the one who had killed her. Tears flowed from his eyes as he rushed to her body, howling with sadness as his sister's laughter echoed around him.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Golem was back at the fight, watching as from above as he fought his way through the soldiers, trying to get to his friends. But he was able to this time, the soldiers fled, leaving him with those he lived with.
That's when it hit him. The hate and rage that had been hidden for so long that he let it lash out.... right at those he cared about most. He mercilessly slaughtered them, friend and foe alike, only stopping when he had run out of people to take his anger out on...but then it was to late.... his friends were dead....
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Hare watched from above as his village of hares of attacked again, and this time couldn't hold their own. Hare breeds fell left and right, old and young alike. They weren't taking any prisoners; it was just a senseless slaughter. Old friends he had fought beside, little ones he had played with, gone.
The smoke cleared and he saw a dead hare laying there, her hands still clasped around her spear. Hare gasped as he recognized her. "GRACE!!!"
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Pixie stared at the figure before her, cowering in fear. "No," she whispered, her hands holding her head. "Leave me alone, just leave me alone..."
"Why would I do that?" boomed the figure, stretching out a clawed hand. "You were one of my best servants. You have been a naughty little girl, Pixie, it's time to punish you!"
"NO!" screamed Pixie as she began to glow and felt his mind pressing down on hers. "Just go away, Moo! Leave my mind alone! NO!"
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Big Blue looked around him, the darkness revealing a familiar person. "Blue," said Pixie, her eyes hidden by her bangs. "Master Moo has given me an offer I can't refuse. There's just one thing that has to go.... YOU!" She blasted him in the chest with a fireball, the force knocking him completely over.
He watched her retreating for into the darkness, tears spilling from his eyes as he struggled to rise. "Pixie..."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Slip looked around him in the haze, seeing his parents come forward. "You're not them," he said suddenly, looking them in the eyes. "Who are you? You're not my parents."
"You're right," said the one that looked like his mother, "We're not." Both morphed into monsters, charging at him.
"You're not real," said Slip, closing his eyes and hoping with his heart that he was right. "My parents are no where near here, you can't hurt me." The air rushed around him, and he opened his eyes to see that the images had disappeared. Shaking slightly, he wandered through the haze, and tried to find the others.
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Holly stood before her father as Moo, seeing her friends lying before him in a heap. Tears ran down her face as she watched him kill and destroy others, she could do nothing to stop him.
A hand slipped into hers, and she turned to see Slip standing next to her, a sad look on his face. "Slip?" she said quietly. "Is that really you? I just saw you...die..."
"If you believe its not real, it can't hurt you," he said quietly, closing his eyes. "That's what I did. It was my parents, and they turned into monsters that tried to attack me. I believed they weren't real, and they vanished."
"I don't know if I can do that, Slip," whispered Holly, shaking her head as she continued to watch. "It's so real, I can feel their pain...."
"You have to believe, Holly," said Slip. "Do you believe that I am real, and that I am here?"
"Yes."
"Then believe me that they aren't."
"...ok..." She closed her eyes and turned away from the sight. "You're not real," she whispered. "Moo is dead, I saw him killed myself. He can never return. My friends are safe, nothing can harm the. You aren't real. None of this is real." The wind blew past them again, taking the images with it and leaving them standing there.
"Let's go find that guy who did this to us and save our friends," said Slip, plunging into the mist with a smile.
"Yes," said Holly, her face turning hard. "Let's."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Camo sat at top a rock, looking at the sun. Just a bit longer, maybe another ten or 15 minutes, and they'd be ready. He grinned to himself; assassinations were easier to deal with when the targets were completely drained of any energy or emotion.
What he didn't feel was Slip skillfully lifting Holly's dagger from his belt and give it back to his friend. She went up and stuck it through his back without a second thought. Pulling it out, she growled and said, "How dare you make me and my friends relive those things. No one should ever have to go through that sort of pain, ever."
"Yet," said Camo, healing himself before her eyes. "Several go through that pain daily, when working directly under the Master or being the ones who must watch their loved ones suffer in the dungeons below. You barely scratched me, girl, prepare to die."
Holly backed off a little, unsure of what to do. Slip stood protectively at her side, forming his arm into a whip. With Camo's concentration broken, the mists below him began to break up, freeing the others of their tormenting dreams.
"Arm whip!" cried Slip, jumping at the lizard like monster out of the blue. Camo moved out of the way and dodged the hits, swinging his tail at the young gel.
"Tail hit!" Holly cried out and jumped in the way, taking the full force of the attack on her stomach.
"Holly!" cried Slip, kneeling beside her.
"Ha! You thought you could beat me?" snarled Camo, taking the dagger from Holly with ease and towering over the pair. "Now you will pay." A flash of silver to his right caught Camo's eye, distracting him for a minute. "Huh?"
"DIE!!!" screamed Lili, tears running down her face as she sliced off his head with her sword. Never would his treacherous ways bother them or any other person again.
Genki, Allen, and the rest rushed up the hill the moment they were free, making sure the other three were ok. Lili was kneeling by Holly, checking to make sure the hit had left no permanent damage.
"You're sure you're alright?" she asked for a third time, helping the young woman to her feet.
"Yeah," replied Holly, an odd look on her face. "Hey, Lili?"
"Yeah?"
"I think I understand now."
Lili frowned. "Understand what?"
"How you are able to protect the ones you love, even if it means taking others lives."
"Really?" Lili smiled, the wind blowing her hair in her eyes. "How?"
"Well, twice I tried to kill Camo, not because he had angered me, but because the lives of those I loved were in trouble. I didn't think about him or the consequences of my actions, just saving those who were close to me."
"Then you won't have as much trouble fighting anymore?" asked Lili, raising an eyebrow.
Holly shuddered slightly. "No. I still will have trouble killing, its not in my nature, I just don't like taking others lives. But now, I will do what I have to to keep my friends safe."
"I'm glad to hear that," said Lili as she gave the younger woman a hug. "I really am."
There it is! That was a completely unplanned, totally off the top of my head chapter. I wasn't planning on putting an assassin in, but he just seemed to fit in right there, you know? Tell me what you think in your reviews, please.
And here's the question I asked last time at the beginning and no one responded to: Should I do a prequel involving Lili's time in the MR world before Genki came, or should I do a sequel that follows with some of the characters kids going on another adventure unlike anything you've seen yet? Or should I just not write anymore at all because y'all are tired of it and need a break??? Please, let me know.
~crosseyedbutterfly~