My Morphine

Chapter Sixteen: These Precious Things.

(Abridged Version.)

((a/n: The format for this is a little weird; It's also long (9pgs of chapter) please, stick with me. In case you couldn't tell, these are all flashbacks, and they jump around a lot…I'll give some kind of key or something at the end…NOTE: THIS IS THE ABRIDGED VERSION, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE UNABRIDGED VERSION POSTED OUTSIDE OF MY MORPHINE ENTITLED "PRECIOUS THINGS"… thank you for sticking with me.))

The little girl did a spin in front of the full length mirror, then turned to her older brother, smiling widely.

"Mizu? How do I look?" She asked as he nodded approvingly.

"Absolutely fabulous. I'm sure you'll be the best and prettiest ballerina out there, Meara."

"Really?!" She squealed with childish joy as he nodded again. "Mizu…will Daddy be there?"

"Yup, he told me this morning." He said, though he bit his lip, not knowing if he really would come.

"Will he bring flowers? All the other girls Mommies and Daddies are gonna bring them flowers."

"I'm sure he will. I foresee a dozen roses." He teased as she grinned. Her brother checked his watch and noted they still had some time before her class went on.

Meara spun a few more times then practiced the routine.

"Mizu?"

"Do we have a Mommy?" she asked, looking to him with her big, innocent seeming green eyes.

He bit his lip slightly. "We did. She died when you were only three."

"How come?"

"Don't know. Dad wouldn't tell me."

"Is she comin' back?"

He shook his head. "No, people don't come back when they die."

"Why?"
"They just don't okay?"

"Okay." She continued dancing. "Mizu?"
"Yes?"
"Was she perty?"

"Yeah."

"What'd she look like?"
"Well, she had blonde hair--"

"Like you?"
"Uh-huh. And green eyes--"
"Like us?"

"Yes, like us."

"Was she nice?"

"Yup."

"Oh." She spun more in a circle till she got dizzy.

"Mizu?"

"Yes?"

"What was she like?"
"Huh?…well…She was special like us?"
"Special?"

"Yeah. We're not like other kids, Meara. We can do many, many things they can't."

"Like this?" She swayed and held a little ball of fire in her hands.

"Yeah, one of many."
"Why?"

"Don't know that either. But, we can't use our magic when we're with normal people."

"Why?"

"Because."

By the time she'd finished asking questions, the curtain call came. Mizuno shooed her into the line of pint-sized ballerinas and wished her luck.

Meara stood amongst the minuscule ballerinas and their parents, looking for her father. Mizuno made his way through the crowd and picked her up, as requested.

"Where's Daddy?" She asked as he gave her a big hug.

"You were the best ballerina out there." he said, changing the subject.

"Where's Daddy, Mizu?"
"Well…" He thought, "Dad was here, and he watched your whole act, but he had to leave right after. He said you were great, and sent me to tell you that."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh, and he had two-dozen roses for you, but he dropped them out in the snow, right before he came in!" He took a tiny look over his shoulder and spied a bouquet of pink roses. "But…" He reached back unnoticed and plucked one from the bunch. "He saved one for you."

"Really?"

"Yup!" He smiled and removed the thorns, cut down the stem and tucked it behind her ear.

——

The slender black haired boy, pushed open the door to his house with a huff, letting it slam shut. He stormed into the kitchen and saw his mother, Lorelei, drying her hands on a dishtowel. She smiled sweetly to him, using her willowy fingers to sweep her long dark curls from her face. She wore a pale blue dress that set off the colour of her blue-violet eyes. She opened her arms for a hug.

"Julian, how was your day? What did you learn in school?" She pouted almost seeing his wrinkled nose and cantankerous expression. "Julian? What's wrong?"

"It's not fair, Mama! Don't like my hair long!"

"Since when? What happened?"
"Some other boy at recess thought I was a girl!" He scowled.

"Oh, Julian--" She held back a soft chuckle.

"It's not funny, Mama! Why you do you make me have long hair?!"

"Now, now. It's not that bad--" She reached out a hand to brush his soft, dark tresses from his face but his small hands smacked hers away. She let out a gasp and held a hand to her temple, wincing at the sudden pain. "Hate you, Mama!" He shouted, sniffling as he looked up to see her eyes clouded with a vision. "Mama…?" he whimpered as her eyelids slowly fell shut. "Mama…I didn't mean it…" he said as she pulled back, opening her eyes again.

Lorelei ran to her room and shut the door, leaving Julian to himself. His father came up the steps, with a displeased look.

"Julian." he said sternly. "What was that all about?"
"Didn't mean it, Daddy…" he said, big fat tears rolling down his grubby cheeks.

"Whether you did or not, Julian, I'd like you to go to your room and think about what you said and how it hurt your mother."

Julian sulked to his room and watched his father standing before their bedroom door, knocking softly.

"Lorelei? Open up…"

Their son slowly crept to the door and peeked inside. His mother sat on the bed, her husband's arms around her.

"Lora, come on, it's okay. You know he didn't mean it…"

"Why aren't you listening to me?" She whispered. "I saw what's going to happen, I saw who are son is to become. My little Julian…" she sobbed as he smoothed her hair.

"Shh…I think you're just a little tired…take a nap, okay? I'll cook dinner, don't worry."

"Aiden, don't leave--"

"Oh, will you calm down? You're being a little melodramatic. I'm not going anywhere." he said, kissing her on the lips. Lorelei only looked up at him and shook her head. Aiden left and she lay back against the pillows, wiping her eyes.

Julian hesitated then tiptoed into the room.

"Mama?" He said quietly as she looked to him. He climbed onto the bed and curled up in her arms. "I'm sorry, mama, I didn't mean it…don't hate you."

She sniffled and held him tight, kissing him on the forehead. "I know, love, I know."

"Why are you sad?"

"Nothing, my little one, it's nothing…" She sighed, picking him up and cradling him in her arms. She carried him to the bathroom and sat him on the sink.

"Huh?" He said as she found a pair of scissors.

"You said you wanted your hair cut, right?"

"Don't have to, mama."

"It's all right." She said, removing the red hair band and pulling his hair behind his back.

She snipped carefully and black strands of silky hair floated to the tiled floor.

"There," she said when she was finished. It hung to his shoulder blades. He grinned and hugged her tight.

"Thank you, Mama, I love you."

——

Mizuno lay on his bed reading a book, his little sister prancing around in a tutu. She bit her lip in concentration as she tired to stand on her toes, but only managed to topple over.

"Will you be careful! You're still a little too young to do Pointe." He warned as she sulked.

"Not fair." She moped as she got up, straightening the layers of tulle. "Daddy's comin' come today? Right?"

"Yeah, he said so in his last letter."

"What was he doin' this time?"

"Doing," he corrected as she rolled her eyes.

"What was he doing this time?"
"Investigating ruins. They're still searching for Organoids."

"Don't like Daddy leaving to look for stinky ole Organoids." She commented as Mizuno sighed.

"Yeah, I know."

"When's he comin'?"

"Coming," He told her. "Soon."

A few minutes later she pounced onto the bed, jumping up and down.

"He's here!" She squealed, leaping off and running out of the room with Mizuno in tow at a slower pace.

"Daddy!!" She cried happily, bounding up to a tall, stocky General who stood at the hangar door. She hugged his leg telling him how much she missed him and asking if he got her any presents. His dark eyes, now cold, drifted down to her as Mizuno entered. "Daddy?" She said tugging on his jacket. "Daddy?" She let go of his leg and stared up at him as his hand came down on her cheek.

Her brother stood there shocked, then pulled his sister away from him. "What are you doing!?" He demanded as she wailed.

"Hate Daddy! Not nice!" She held her reddened cheek and clung to the teen.

His look turned cruel and he sized them up. "Meara. Can you summon your staff yet?" She only continued to howl. "Do as I say or I'll hit you again!" She trembled and hiccupped between each dry sob. She nodded fearfully and slowly brought her hands over her head. A tall rod -taller than triple her height- appeared in them as she struggled to hold it up. "Good…" He said as the blonde grasped the staff for her.

"What is the meaning of this!? Tell me, now!"

"You two are to change into the uniforms to be provided and follow the Major to your new home." He sneered the word.

"W-what?!" The two could not protest since they were dragged into a small room and had two gray and red uniforms thrown at them.

"Dress, now." The soldiers said and shut the door.

Something told Mizuno to follow their orders and he changed quickly, then helped Meara with the row of buttons.

"Mizu…don't wanna go to no new home…" She cried as he looked to the door.

"I know, I know…but I think it's best that we do as they say."

"W-why? Don't wanna! Don't like mean ole Daddy who went all mean!" She bawled as he picked her up.

"Shh…come on…please don't cry…you're a big girl…" He said as they opened the door.

The two were lead down a few hallways to a large room with a bench set into one side of the wall and door on the rear wall. The soldiers threw in a few rough blankets and shut and locked the door. Mizuno let Meara down to the floor and heard another set of sniffling. Curled up on the bench, was a slender young boy, his sister's age, pulling on the ends of his chin length hair. The little girl wiped her nose on the back of her hand and crept closer.
He gasped when he saw them and shrunk away.

"Did mean ole Daddy put you here too?" She asked as he shook his head.

"Don't think so…" his voice was small and quiet.

"Who are you?"

"Don't know. The all-white man in the car called me 'Raven'…don't know who I am…"

She cooed to him and curled up next to him, nuzzling at his shoulder. "I'm Meara and I wanna be a ballerina not a stinky ole soldier. That's my brother Mizu!"

"Why are we here?" He asked as Mizuno shook his head.

"I don't know…"

"But Mizu knows everything…" his sister said as he sighed.

"Not this time." The blond teen sat down on the floor and leant against the bench. "Just go to sleep. Maybe this'll work out in the morning…"

A military officer looked hard at the three.

"I'm here to take you two to lessons--"

"No! Don't wanna go!" The tiny brown haired girl said, crinkling her nose.

"You don't have a choice, young lady." The officer said as she ran to her older brother who was 14 at the time, hugging his leg.

"Mizu! Don't wanna go! Make 'm go away!" She yelled as he bit on his lip, watching the soldier take hold of a petite boy's arm, who drew away quickly and followed the girl's lead.

He sighed angrily and glared at the teen.

"You've got 10 minutes to get them to obey, or else--"

"Yes, sir." He said , kneeling to his little sister and the other child he was in care of.

"Mizu! Don't wanna go!" the girl whimpered, the boy following in suit.

"Don't wanna…"

"Listen, Meara, Raven, please, you have to do as you are told." He pleaded as she wrinkled her nose again.

"Why!? Don't wanna!"

"Don't wanna go in no mean ole Zoid…"

"I know, I know…but around here if you don't mind your superiors you get in trouble. You hear me? It's not trouble like not being allowed to have dessert or a time out…please, do as your told."

"No! Mizu mean! Don't wanna go!" She wailed as the boy followed her lead again.

"Hello." Mizuno turned his head and another young soldier knelt beside him. "What's the matter?"

"D-don't wanna be no stinky ole Soldier! Wanna be a ballerina!" She bawled, clinging to Raven.

"D-don't wanna be no soldier, dun wanna be in no mean ole Zoid!" He howled as the teen hugged them both.

"Now, now, you don't want to get in trouble, do you? You don't want to get your brother in trouble either, right?"

"N-no…" They sniffled, rubbing their small fists against their eyes.

"See? It's not so bad…you'll be fine."

"But…" Meara hiccupped between her dry sobs.

"Shh…you'll be fine."

Meara's dark green eyes shifted to her brother. "Okay…Bye…" She sulked, holding tight onto Raven's hand. He hugged them both, his sister hanging on his neck. He went to shoot a annoyed look to the unfamiliar soldier, but instead blushed, looking into his lime-green eyes.

The little girl giggled and poked her bother's cheek. "Ooh, Mizu is pinking!"

Before he could react, the officer returned and took them away. Meara looked over her shoulder to him, watching him blush moreso as he shook the trainee's hand.

"I'm Karl Lichten Schubaltz, I take it you're Mizuno?"

"Y-yeah…" He said shyly. "Ahm, thank you for getting them to go…"

"No problem. I have a little brother back at home." he smiled proudly. "The kid's a real genius." he looked like he would have said more but caught a glimpse at his watch. "Verdammt! We're late, come on."

A whole year had gone by with no hopes of getting out. Mizuno lay on the floor while Karl sat on the bench, reading aloud from a textbook in his lap.

"You're not paying attention even a bit, right?" the Cadet asked as the other smiled shyly.

"Sorry…"

"It's okay. We'll take a break." He slid to the floor and sat beside him.

"…Karl?"

"Yeah?"

"We're never getting out of here, are we?"

"I'm not saying anything, since I don't know."

"I just can't understand why we're here and why our father would do this to us…Karl, he was never like this, ever! What could have made him change so suddenly?"

"Shh, it's okay. Things will work out somehow…" His svelte fingers brushed across his cheek. Their lips touched gently in their first kiss. Mizuno's fingers weaved in Karl's golden hair as he increased the pressure.

"Will you two quit running around!" a soldier yelled as they pulled apart quickly before the door opened, both of them bright red.

"Mizu, Karl!" the two kids said, running in and hugging them both.

A stocky, somewhat short 8 year old walked into the base, following his parents. He saw his older brother in the hall waiting for them, with another blonde beside him. A little girl and boy ran around playing tag.

"Karl!" The middle-aged woman said, embracing him tightly.

"Hello, Mutter." He said as his Vater smacked him on the back, beaming of how proud he was. Thomas fidgeted, holding the present he'd made for his brother. When his parents were done, Karl scooped him into a bear hug.

"How's my little bruder doing? Built anything new?"
"Uh-huh!" He presented the gift he'd made and Karl smiled brightly, kissing him on the cheek.

"Why, thank you. I promise to keep it in sight, always!" He ruffled his already messy hair. "Vater, Mutter, Bruder. This is my friend, Mizuno, his schwester, Meara and Raven."

Sensing praise, the little brunette stopped playing and curtsied, giving her sweetest smile.

"Hello, Mr. And Mrs. Schubaltz it's a pleasure to meet you." She looked to Thomas who was staring at Raven who was hiding shyly behind Meara. "You too, Thomas. That's Raven, he's shy. Wanna go play?"

He looked to Karl for approval. "Of course you can." The cadet said, letting him down. "Don't get into any trouble, though."

"We won't." They said in unison.

Meara grinned and touched Thomas' shoulder. "Tag! You're it!"

The three ran around the room trying to catch one another. Raven chased Thomas and brushed hands with him. Meara stopped and watched Raven go rigid with a vision clouding his eyes. She stood before him smiling, while Thomas lingered with a confused look.

"Ooh, ooh, whatcha see? Whatcha see?" She inquired as he blinked and turned pink.

"N-nothing."

"Aw, c'mon you had to have seen something!"

"I-I didn't." He defended as she huffed.

"Fi~ne! Tag!"

Three more years went by, then two more. Mizuno was all grown up and Meara and Raven were about 14.

The blonde waited up, sitting by the locked door. A key turned and the door opened, revealing a handsome Major. He stood and hugged him.

"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing his saddened look.

"I've got some bad news…"

"What…?" he almost didn't want to know.

"I'm being transferred to Dragonhead. I can't refuse."
"Karl…"

"I know…" He held the other in his arms, kissing his cheek. "Mizuno, it's time for you three to get out of here. When I leave, this base will have little defense left. I'm not the only one being reassigned. You all have to get out of here. I heard General Holden talking about what they plan to do with you. I have a really bad feeling…"

"What did you hear, please--"
"I don't know, but the feeling of the meeting was just…I don't know, but you're not safe anymore…" Karl looked down into Mizuno's emerald eyes that still held a child-like innocence. "You have three days to prepare to escape."

Raven stared at Mizuno who fiddled with the key to the door.

"I've split the provisions into two bags. In case we get separated. If somehow everything starts to fall apart, I want you to leave me and get yourself and Meara out of here, do you hear me?" He knelt and opened one of the pouches.
"Yes, I understand."

"Don't let her out of your sight. Now…" He unfolded a map Karl had given him. "If we just get separated we'll meet here." he pointed to an 'X' on the paper. "If we get separated by force do not, I repeat, do not, come here. The Imperials will know to find you there. Our best bet is to head into Republican territory. Do not by any means feel safe until you are. Don't stop for anything." Raven nodded and took the second pack, heavier than the first. "Now wake Meara."

He gently nudged her shoulder and she groaned lightly.

"What…?" She whined as he handed her a pair of civilian clothes.

"Get dressed."

"Why?"
"Because, we're getting out of here."

"Huh…?" She shrugged, still half asleep and crawled behind the curtain to dress. She pulled on the pants and jacket, leaving her nightshirt beneath it. Raven grabbed her hand and yanked her out the door which Mizuno had opened.

The three stole through the dim hallways till they finally reached the outside. Mizuno lead the way, into the shadows, tucked close against the walls. The rain poured down on the fleeing prisoners. The oldest of them watched a guard standing by the gate.

"All right…stay still." He rubbed his hands together, white-hot electricity crackling and forming a little ball. He threw the orb and it illuminated the area, lightning crashing down. The sentry ran over to investigate the flare as Mizuno pushed at them.

"Go!" They dashed to the gateway as the guard turned.

'There! Get them!" He yelled as the tall gates shut before them.

"Damnit!" Mizuno growled, revealing his staff. "Get going! Start climbing!"

"B-but!" Meara said as he turned his head slightly.

"Get going!"

The garnet orb glowed brightly and the Imperial fire bounced easily off his shield.

"Mizuno, what about you?"

"Don't worry about me, I'll get out somehow. Just go!"

"No! Mizu!" Meara protested as Raven hesitated, then pulled her over the wall, kicking and screaming.

Reese stood near Hiltz, watching the rain pour down on the two approaching figures. Prozen stood ahead of them and watched the boy carefully.

"P-Prozen…please help us…" He pleaded, his voice hoarse and his black hair plastered to his head. He almost crawled to the Dark Kaiser, begging solace and protection. He half-dragged a girl with him who only sobbed and shivered. The boy couldn't have been more than 15 and the girl 14. She was beautiful even covered in mud, blood and tears. They mewed for help, reaching up to grab his robes. Reese watched him smile and draw them into his arms, Hiltz kneeling and wrapping them in a warm blanket.

Reese watched them recover in the lair. The boy, Raven, did whatever Prozen wished while the girl, Meara, sat huddled into a corner. The only one who could touch her was her companion. She cried and cried for her brother, rocking back and forth. The Zoidian nervously crept to her.

"Aren't you hungry?" She only stared with wide eyes filled with pain and terror. "Let me help you." Her slender fingers touched the girl's bare arm and she let out a bloodcurdling shriek as if the contact burned.

Prozen took both Raven and Meara alone into his company and told them of Elise Lynette's evils. Meara instantly changed and turned into the perfect soldier, harboring a unfathomable hate for everyone, especially Imperials like her father.

Raven stood hastily, at the sound of an approaching Zoid. The Blade Liger halted and its pilot warily jumped down, stepping a little closer.

"You are alive…" he almost whispered as the other snorted.

"Of course I am, I will never die as long as you live." He hissed as Van furrowed his brows and reached out a hand.

"Raven, why? Why do you hate me so? I have done nothing to you."

"Nothing? Nothing!?" He pulled off his gloves, displaying his marred palm, pulling his shirt over his head, presenting his chest and stomach, covered in burns and scars. "Tell me, Van, you call this nothing!"
The pilot faltered slightly, blushing a bit. He hesitated then pressed his lips to the maverick's, throwing his arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry…." he whispered as Raven blushed, absolutely speechless.

Meara sat, chained to the wall, bound tight in a straitjacket and muzzled.

/They think the war is over…they think they are safe…but they aren't not while I'm alive! Raven will rescue me…he'll save me…and together we shall exact our revenge against this godforsaken world…/

A loud crash sounded and a hole was in her prison wall.

"Itzf afout fime!" She screamed against the gag. Raven pulled himself into the opening.

"What'd you say?" he asked as she glared. "Hello, love, it's great to see you." He said giving her a kiss on the cheek as she did her best to lash out.

"Gut zuh cgrap!" she growled as he gently cut off the muzzle.

"What was that?"

"You son of a bitch! What the hell took you so fucking long!" She shrieked as he freed her.

"I was a little pre-occupied."

Reese stood behind Meara who used her keen eyes to stare down at the base.

"I don't see the Blade Liger, or Freiheit." She declared, standing easily. "I'm going to search for him." She said, slipping the strap to her quiver over her shoulder.

"I'll come too." She said, as Meara shrugged.

"Suit yourself." She told her before moving down the rocky slope. Reese followed as quickly as she could, aiming to keep the brunette in her sights.

After a while her tired legs and the malevolent rocks and tree-roots that appeared from no-where betrayed her.

Meara stopped and rolled her eyes. "Clumsy Oaf." She mumbled before jogging back to her. Reese stood shakily, her face burning in embarrassment.

"Sorry…I'm fine…" She winced as she put pressure on her foot.

"Sit down." Meara told her, removing her shoe and examining her foot. "I think it's just sprained. Stay off it though." She took off the tattered white dress-shirt she wore over her tank-top and bound her foot with it. She sighed and turned around, taking her arms around her neck, holding behind her knees. Even carrying Reese, her pace was quick and her footing sure. After a mile or two, traveling on tiny paths and switchbacks Meara needed a break. She sat Reese on a rock and gave the Zoidian her staff.

"I hear water, I'll go check it out." And with that, she was gone.

Her bare feet caught the rocks easily, giving her speed. She stopped and listened for the water again, hearing it and soft voices as well. She quickly notched an arrow in her bow, creeping stealthily to the pool. Her grip on the bow tightened as she took in the scene. Raven sat on an outcropping with his back against the rock and Van stood over him. They were both shirtless and in swim-shorts. Van's fingers gently traced his scars as he touched his lips to the Raven's, his hands resting at his neck.

Her face grew hot with rage as she pulled back on the bowstring, taking aim on Freiheit. A pair of slender hands grasped her wrists.

"What are you doing?!" Reese hissed, pulling her down and pinning her against the pebbly dirt.

"What do you mean?! I'm eliminating Freiheit once and for all!" the brunette growled, struggling against her companion.

"Meara! Please, stop! Think about this…Raven may be luring him in--"

"So? I'll finish the job--"

"No! Come on!" She said, literally dragging her away.

"What was that…?" Van asked as Raven craned his neck lazily to scan trough the brush.

"I don't know…It was probably a bird, or a squirrel…" He considered, resuming his kiss with the other pilot.

Meara stood at the entrance to the lair, glaring hard at Raven who was just sneaking in.

"I saw you." Her voice was cold and icy.

"W-what are you talking about…?" He asked nervously, his cheeks flushing.

"I saw you and Freiheit." His eyes widened as she growled. "I don't believe you…it's a disgrace. You allowed him to kiss you! Van Freiheit, your enemy, my enemy, our enemy!"

"M-Meara! He's not any part of this--he doesn't know what's going on! Once we vanquish Elise Lynette, he'll be free."

"Tell me now, tell me that you are using him to get to her. Tell me, now!" She demanded, on the verge of yelling. He bit his lip, unable to speak. "Fine." She said, bitterly. "You'll see what you receive…absolutely nothing--I swear it! I'll tell Prozen on you." She hissed as he touched her wrist and she drew away. "I'll show you what you'll get for lying to me. You said you'd love only me, you would replace Mizuno and heal my pain. You're a liar--"

"I am not!" He countered, her words cutting into him like thorns. "I do love you, you are all I have, but Van…he loves me too…I need a different kind of love, Meara…why can't you understand?!"

"You think he loves you? Fine, you'll see. I won't tell, we'll see how this works out, I'll predict your sordid fate." She said acrimoniously as he chewed on his bottom lip helplessly.

"Enough! Meara, please…I'm sorry, I am, please don't hate me…you're all I have…" He said, holding her tight, kissing both of her cheeks. "Please, please, please….I promise…I'll never think of him again…never see him without the intent to kill him…I promise…" he said, giving her his best smile which ended out being lopsided.

"Do you really mean it…?" She asked quietly, sniffling softly. He nodded into her shoulder, but they both knew he didn't.

"These precious things,

Let them bleed,

Let them wash away.

These Precious things,

Let them break,

Their hold on me…"

-Tori Amos

[ to be continued…]

(a/n) Wow. Long, I know. =_=; I'm very sorry if I lost anyone during this- you see I had to cut a lot out. BUT I WILL BE POSTING AN UNABRIDGED VERSION OUTSIDE OF THE FIC ENTITLED "PRECIOUS THINGS". STAY TUNED IF YOU WANT MORE OF A CLARIFICATION, OR MORE FLUFFYNES. ^^. The key I promised to help clear up some confusion. 1st ¶: pre-Chaotic Cent. When Mea & Mizu were "happy", 2nd ¶ : Before Raven's parents died (soon before; Lorelei (mom) had a vision, seeing Raven's future. Raven=Julian) 3rd ¶ : when Mea & Mizu's dad went under Fiona's control. 4th ¶: They meet Karl; you've seen that in ch 14, I needed to re-include it for a timeline. 5th ¶: Karl-x-Mizu fluff. ^^ time explained. 6th ¶: Mr. & Mrs. Schubaltz with little Thomas visit. The German I used was minute Mutter: Mother, Vater: Father, Bruder: Brother. No biggie, a major danke (^^) to Colonel Karl L Schubaltz (the author) for teaching me inadvertently all the German I know…wow and there it is, in that one little blurb. ^^; Raven's vision: just guess what he saw, okay? Mental scarring, ;p 7th ¶: time explained; Mizu's about 21 there and Karl's about 22-23. This is the beginning line of Chaotic Century since Karl started off at Dragonhead. *sniffles* I'm an angst writer, I had to make them part, but why does it feel so wrong!? (*laughs*) 8th ¶: their escape, dull I know. Bite me. Thanks to said cutbacks I had to leave out what happens to Mizu. -.- 9th and 10th ¶: Meara and Raven fall back on Hiltz, Prozen and Reese, (this is still Chaotic timeline) and Reese mainly watches. Mea spends some time devastated then fixes a little /too/ quickly. AH!, 11&12th ¶: the most confusing. 11 is the start of the Raven-x-Van part (epi: Raven--a bit after) This is Guardian Force timeline. You know how Raven traveled around like a Zombie. Well the Imperials and Republicans decided to lock her up in an asylum, basically. She spent 2 full years there, brooding. Oh the brooding! 12th ¶: during G.F. 13th ¶: That was NOT a Meara-x-Raven pairing, think emotional here. I'm not going to explain it. V_V

R&R please, thank you!