Okay... The paragraphs in my last chapter were all messed up. That made me just a little bit unhappy with it.... Not that I liked it before, though... I didn't like the way it turned out.... Hopefully this one will be better, though.... enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do I have ta say it again? I don't own legend of mana, don't sue, thanks! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 2: Uprise in Town

Dawn broke from the distant horizon. The deep cover of blackness known as night slowly drifted away until it disappeared altogether. In its place was a sky filled with vivid pinks and golds and yellows that embraced the girl with its warmth. It welcomed her and held her fast. It accepted her and threatened never to let her go.

It was a sight that the Guardian of White Pearl would never forget. It was innocence and purity that painted the sky. A sky that was often overlooked and taken for granted. It was like her. . . .

The Jumi shook her head. No, it wasn't like her. Not at all. She was not overlooked, at least not by Elazul and the beautiful Sprite that had decided to help them. To them, she was special, and might as well be considered more innocent and pure as the painting that was spread out before her.

Aurora. The name of the Sprite left her overwhelmed with awe. The young heroine had left them all in awe whenever one from their race thought of her sacrifice.

But Pearl's speculations were interrupted by a strong presence that came from behind her. Her core flashed, and Pearl knew instantly that it was not Elazul. It was a different person; a foriegn presence was flowing through the air. It was a feeling. She didn't like; it was evil. She turned slowly and cautiously. Trees that were illuminated by the early morning sunlight and a few blue and pink floweres was all that she could see. The sight of nothing behind her truly upset her. The sense, the certain feeling of evil, had disappeared, and it seemed that the world was at ease once more.

It just isn't right! The Guardian argued with herself. It's not right at all! I know that there was someone or something here, I know it! A voice cut through her inner thoughts and mystically brought her back to the awareness of the real world. The trees seemed alive once more, and there was a steady breeze that blew through them. That invisible breath from the goddess seemed to comfort her enough to the point where she could relax again.

Yet somewhere deep inside of her, a voice of caution, a voice of reasoning yelled at her; told her not to be so blind and try to understand why her core, the small jewel embedded in her chest, had reacted. It wouldn't have if no one was there. . . . Pearl decided. But the voice of Elazul called to her from afar a second time and forced her to wander over to where he stood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Later that day, as they entered the lively town of Polpota Harbor, the sun felt warm and soothing to Elazul as he walked down the wooden bridge that led into the town. It was probably noon, for the sun seemed to be directly above them, and no shadows were cast from the two Jumi's bodies.The air was sweet and fresh, coming in from the ocean current. It blew through the various palms and seemed to give them life. They swayed slightly and seemed to dance happily in the bright day.

Abrubtly, he stopped. Pearl was no longer following him. He pivoted on his heal to see that that the girl had stopped dead in her tracks and was now looking behind her, as if suspecting someone to come from the rocks that stood so firmly behind them. Her delicate features seemed upset, and worry shown through her body like the fire in the darkness the night before.

"Pearl?" he questioned. He was suddenly worried, and, despite his attempts to hide it, worry played a shaky melody in his deep, regal voice.

Pearl did not move, though. She stayed in that position for quite some time. The wind blew through the fine strands of blonde hair that ran down her back. If not for her breathing, she could have been a stone statue.Elazul walked up to her and took hold of her hand. Slowly he began to move down the dock pulling the stunned Guardian after him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The busy sound of people and merchants brought life into Pearl as she looked around with a look of surprise carved on her soft face. She giggled and spun around in delight. She had never been to this place before, and automatically, she loved it.

The breeze continued to weave it's way through the town and around the people. It was as though it gave everything the life and energy to move about and do what they willed....

....It was amazing here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elazul turned to Pearl. A young student from Geo's Academy of Magic had approached her. He examined the boy closely with a gaze that could've turned him to sotne. He seemed harmless. Elazul walked over anyway. There was no use in taking chances.

"Excuse me, young lady," he began. "I am selling minerals that I have mined from nearby, would you like to by some? I am sure that they could be of some use to you!" The student looked at the man coming toward him and smiled gleefully.

Harmless. Elazul concluded. I could bring him down with one hand; I wouldn't even have to use a sword!

Pearl looked to Elazul. She felt sorry for the young boy. Elazul knew she did. Still, they needed what little money they had. The Knight shook his head, causing Pearl to look down at the boy with a frown. "I am sorry," She said sorrowfully. "But I cannot buy anything from you right now, but perhaps another time?"

The student smiled. "Alright then!" he chimed, "Another time!" Then he gave Elazul another smiled and waddled off.

Pearl smiled in spite of herself and thoughts arised in her mind. At last she spoke. "Elazul, why are we here?"

Elazul looked at the girl. "I have my reasons..." was his only reply.

Pearl seemed upset by his response. Why is not telling me these things? she questioned. It seemed to hurt her when she wasn't told the truth. Though she really wasn't being lied to, she just wasn't being told anything.

The breeze picked up again and Pearl realized that she was angered by this truth that suddenly revealed itself to her.

Elazul led her down the road of merchants and townspeople that crowded the streets. Once, someone ran into Pearl, and Elazul glared at the man so evilly and so harshly that he had been almost forced to run away. The girl shook her head and began to follow her Knight down the busy streets once more.

At last, they reached the cliff that claimed it's place high above the crashing waves of the sea. The cliff was somewhat narrow, and it would have been abonded if not for the young woman that stood at the end of it.The girl was slender, though not as slim as Pearl. A dark purple amythest rested on her upper chest, and could be seen clearly from where the two Jumi stood. She had shoulder length black hair that was tied back in a loose braid. She turned slowly, her body moving gracefully and almost in tuned with the wind that blew past her. Her face was slight; a smile rested on it. Her eyes were a deep lavender that reflected her emotions as they played through her eyes. Surprise, caution, understanding. They all took form in the midst of them, then slowly they melted away and her feelings became unknown.

Elazul stepped in front of Pearl, though he seemed to trust the girl that stood before them. He did hot unsheathe his sword, nor did he push his Guardian away. He just stood there, his cold blue eyes staring blankly at the girl.

Pearl stayed where she was as Elazul moved slowly up the cliff.

"Hello, again..." the girl said. Her voice was soft and deep.

Elazul nodded his greeting, but did not say anything. Instead, he turned to Pearl and beckoned for her.

"Guardian, do hurry. We haven't time any for slow moving people." The girl spoke to Pearl as though she knew her, as though she had a right to order her around.

"Do not rush her..." Elazul said. His voice was calm and smooth. "She can do what she wants."

Pearl frowned and began to walk up to her Knight. She seemed troubled by this girl; she didn't like her.

Elazul grabbed Pearl's hand and held it in his own. He, too, had a bad feeling. "Amerina, let's just continue." Elazul urged after seeing the upset look in the stranger's eyes.

Amerina raised an eyebrow before nodding and walking over to the two. "Alright then," she said, "Let us get started."

Elazul confirmed the idea with a slight nod, and watched as Amerina walked past the Guardian and Knight.

"You remember the deal?" she questioned.

Elazul nodded, "I help you, and you will help us. It's simple enough to remember."

Pearl looked up at him. What did he agree to? What were they going to do? She thought to herself.

Elazul caught the questioning gaze in the Jumi's eyes, and smiled reassuringly. He rarely smiled, so it seemed to relieve her.

Amerina turned to them after a moment of thought. "Well, as I have told you, Elazul, my Guardian has run away, or, as I think, disappeared."

Elazul caught her troubled gaze. He didn't understand what she meant. "Disappeared?" he inquired. The word was running a course in his mind, and he couldn't begin to understand what the girl had meant by that word.

"You don't understand?" she asked He shook his head.

"Disappeared. Vanished. Ceased to exist," she began. "I could give out a million different meanings of the word. You shouldn't be confused."

Elazul shook his head. "Just continue," he urged.

Amerina did as she was told. "Very well then, I need your help to find her." She smiled, "Then, I shall help you."

A sudden yell of a young man and a crash distracted Pearl from her thoughts.They ran quickly back into the town and followed the sound of the commotion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At long last, they ended up in the middle of the market where a young mermaid sat. She seemed to be very upset with the people surrounding her, and she was protecting someone. That much, Elazul could tell.He remembered this Mermaid; the deep green eyes and they light brown hair that extended down to about her shoulders. She had a fin that was the color of a bright red ruby. It was Flameshe.

Who was behind her? It was a girl. Or at least of the female gender. She looked like a Siren, though. Elazul had not seen that Siren before. Who was it?

He looked down for a moment. Maybe he had seen her before. Was it Monique? No, it wasn't. She would be in Lumina, selling her lamps. Then who was it?

He looked up again to see his Guardian walking through the crowd of people. He suddenly had a bad feeling. Was there something behind him? Evil? Was that what he felt?

Elazul turned to find nothing but a small crowd from afar. They to watched the angry mob of people and Flowerings that gathered around the two figures.

Where was Pearl? He looked through the crowd to find his Guardian slowly approaching Flameshe and Siren.

The Siren, dressed in green and blue feathers, looked scared. The young mermaid, however, looked just as mad as the crowd. There was almost fire in her eyes that reflected itself in her body motions. She glared at the Guardian evilly and upset.

"Don't come any closer!!" She screeched. She wasn't about to let anyone come near the defenseless girl. But Pearl did not heed the warning. She carefully took a step. Then another, and another until she was almost in front of the two creatures.

"Pearl!" Elazul yelled, but she payed no attention to his call. The next moment, the Mermaid was on top of his Gaurdian.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pearl made her way through the crowd. Most would have found it as a difficult task, but it was easy for Pearl. He small frame helped her to move effortlesslly through the group. In a few moments, she was standing in front of the Mermaid and Siren.

"Don't come any closer!!" the Mermaid told her.

Though Pearl knew it might not be wise, she took a few steps closer to the pair.

"Pearl!" she heard her Knight call from afar. She knew he wanted her to back off, but she just couldn't help but to attempt another step.

Before the Jumi could retreat, Pearl saw the Mermaid react.

Flameshe shrieked and grabbed at Pearl, bringing her quickly to the ground. There was a scream from the Jumi as she hit the ground with a loud thud.

"I told you not to come near!" the mermaid cried. She was practically on top of Pearl now, her tail flicked up and down at times.

A hint of terror rested in Pearl's eyes. Her mouth gaped open, an she was unable to speak as the enraged Mermaid slapped her fiercely.

"Do you not listen to what you are told?" Flameshe inquired. She didn't seem to notice that the mob was coming down at her now.

One of the townspeople tried to hit her, but Pearl rolled over so that she and the fish-girl were out of harms way.

At first, Flamshe seemed upset. A few seconds later, she realized what the Jumi had done. She did not thank her, instead, she crawled quickly back in front of the Siren.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elazul pushed his way through the crowd, trying to make his way over to Pearl, but he didn't seem to move fast enough. The Guardian of White Pearl was once more making her way towards the two girls.

Amerina watched from a distance, unmoving and calm. She seemed unconcerned about the matter at hand, and she often looked up at the sky and then around the town, her lavender eyes ever-searching for something. Some of the men and women frowned upon this sight, but she didn't seem to care.

Elazul watched Pearl as he was shoved back a few feet by a tall man that was cought up in the moment. She was moving towards the two again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flameshe didn't seem to mind Pearl coming at them now. She simply moved aside and let the Jumi kneel down before the Siren before taking her place once more. It was almost as though she trusted the girl, for saving her from the angry people.

Pearl took hold of the Siren's hand, comforting her softly. She asked many sorts of questions, such as why she was here, and what she had done to deserve such harsh treatment.

"I live here..." the girl sobbed. "This is my home, and I did nothing but sing! I did not hurt anyone!" She had trouble catching her breath in between each word..

"What is your name?" Pearl questioned gently.

"Elle..." she breathed her name and coughed slightly afterwards.

"Elle," Pearl spoke the name with elegance, "I am Pearl, the Jumi." She smiled sweetly.

This seemed to calm Elle a bit, and she asked, "Are you a Knight?"

Pearl frowned, "No. I am a Guardian of white pearl."

The Siren nodded. "I see," was all she said before looking down in tears once more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a moment of arguing, Elazul pushed past the last people of the noisy gathering with little effort. He looked at Flameshe with a cold gaze.

"Don't come near," was all she said. Her voice low and cruel.

Still, Elazul did not care a moved her aside with little effort. She seemed to weakening a bit from so little water.

"Stay away!" she bellowed, but Elazul payed no attention.

He placed a hand on Pearl's shoulder and knelt down next to her.

"Pearl," He began.

But the Jumi cut him off and spoke quietly. "All she did was sing. Elle didn't do anything..." she said, she seemed saddened by this event.

He nodded and tightened his grip on her shoulder. "We should go," he urged.

Pearl refused, "No, not until we help her!" She gazed pleadingly at him, her eyes soft and gentle.

Elazul looked down before making his decision. They would help the girls. He would need to do something without shedding blood. But what?

Pearl smiled. An idea came to her mind, and quickly, she whispered it to Elazul. Making sure that Flameshe knew what to do, they began.

Elazul stood. "Come on, Pearl, we are going." He said, his voice cold and unkind.

Pearl shook her head, "No! I don't-"

Before the girl had finished, Flameshe was on top her, scratching at her mercilessly. Her green eyes were filled with the emotion of anger and hatred. The young girl screamed and covered the core that laid deep in her chest.

While the Mermaid carefully made sure not to hit the girl, she whispered to Elle. "Go when this crowd comes for me. Then I'll disappear, and you'll be free." Elle nodded and waited patiently as the crowd slowly closed in on the Jumi and Flameshe.

Elazul pretended to be enraged and quickly bolted towards the two girls. One of the townspeople held him back. Just as I thought. . .

"No. Don't go near her, she's gone mad!" the townsmen cried. Still, Elazul struggled.

Finally, the mob completely forgot about Elle, and the Siren took a sudden flight into the air. Looking down upon the people, she saw just how real the "fight" looked. A poor, defenseless girl being mauled by an angry Mermaid. It was the perfect scene.

When the crowd had completely surrounded the two girls, a bubble swiftly formed around Flameshe. She giggled and waved at the crowd. "Farewell!" she cried, and disappeared.

Elazul finally broke free and rushed over to Pearl, who was still acting, and held her close.

He whispered ever so quietly to her. He told her that soon, they would have to flee. "Soon," he urged, "we must go. We have caused enough trouble." His voice was a soft blow of wind in the girls ear, and Pearl had to struggle to keep from giggling.

Amerina understood what had happened, and beckoned to them from afar, but there was no way out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elle, who was still watching from high above, saw that there was no easy way to escape. I have to help them. . . she thought, they did help me, after all.

She landed then behind the crowd and began to sing. It was a lovely tune, one that she knew well. It was the Siren's song.

Everyone turned around, averting their attention to the Siren that had reappeared behind them. They were furious.

Pearl sat up in her Knight's arms and mouthed the words "thank you" to the brave Siren.

Elle smiled and watched as they rushed over to their new companion, Amerina.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amerina led them through the town, which was mostly deserted now, and soon over the bridge that had brought them into the harbor.

"I don't think we ought to go back there for a while," the Jumi of Amythest said. She looked upset as she recalled the recent event, and shook her head.

Elazul turned to Pearl, his eyes looking at her concerned. She hadn't said a thing scince they left, and that wasn't like her at all. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well. Long chapter, but mostly all just fluff and unimportant stuff.... I will have the two main characters in my story, but only the girl helped the Jumi. The boy did not. That won't be happening for at least another chapter or two, though! Does anyone actually read this story?? Am I talking to myself (again)?? Please REVIEW!! Let me know you actually read this story!! If you have any ideas or requests or flames or anything!! leave a review or e-mail me at the_jumi_pearl@yahoo.com okay? Thanks!! ^.^