ME: To my faithful reviewers…Happy New Year!!!
CS: A nice long chappie for everybody!!!
Rumi-Chan: ME: *glares at Kai* Just for insulting Rumi, Tala will have to kiss Tyson!! Kai: 0.0 WHAT!!!!!! No, please I'll take it back. Don't do that!!! Tala: YAY!! CS: Don't push your luck. ME: Good work CS! That'll show them to insult prestigious authors! Enjoy the extra long chappie!
Skittles the Sugar Fairy: ME: The chappie after this may take some time. This one TOOK forever!!! Luckily for me, I only post up my chappies when I've already started on the one after that. Problem is, I have a lot of stories on the line, so I'm kinda caught up….
SilveryKitsune: ME: Thanks. Happy New Year to you too!! CS: *grumbles* Bah, humbug….
Kai: 0.0 Hey, that's my line. Ebenezer Scrooge: You're both wrong. It's my line. I've got copyrights, see? *points to his book* CS/Kai: Damn.
Tina: ME: They're not fighting each other…but other forces might pull them apart. Read this chappie and you might see what I mean. If you're having trouble, please e-mail me at timmy_220@yahoo.co.in.
I luv Yugi and Daisuke so :p: ME: Aw…*hugs plushie* CS: Why does she get the talking plushie? ME: Because I'm writing the story. CT: Put it this way, be glad you got one at all!
Shad0wedEmerald: ME: Meep! *hides behind a rock* Don't kill me! If you do….Hey, what happens if a reviewer kills me? CS:-_-;; It means you can't continue the story. ME: HAH! SO you can't kill me!!! Nyah Nyah Nya Nyah!!!! CS: *sweatdrops* How amazingly mature…
ME: Let's party!!!
CS: First one to the punch is Tala!!!
Tala: Hey!!!!
ME: CS, don't be rude. I need Tala for my fic.
Kai: I pity you.
Tala: 0.o Kai pities me?! THAT'S IT!!!!*starts fighting with Kai*
CT: What a bunch of babies…
ME: I know. I haven't even chibified them yet…
Tala/Kai: …Yet?
ME: Oops. ^^*
Tala/Kai: Let's run while we still can.
CS: Let's get to the story, shall we?
Mythicals—Bit-beasts
The Brethren—Tribe of People who serve the Storm Lords
Fire-Born—Tribe of People who serve the Fire Lords
Earth's Children—Tribe of People who serve the Earth Lords
Water's Creations—Tribe of People who serve the Water Lords
Ice's Adepts—Tribe of People who serve the Ice LordsMetal's Brood—Tribe of People who serve the Metal Lords
Sky's Chosen—Tribe of People who serve the Sky Lords
All the Lords are Mythicals (Bit-beasts)
All the Tribes are human.
The Elders are the head of the Tribes
ME: I think we lost them…
Audience: @___@
CS: ~_~;;; You think?
Chapter Three
A Night To Remember
Tyson did his best to avoid a certain someone.
Namely Kai.
Although Farren and Hanna couldn't understand how Kai had gotten Tyson all
riled up. Tyson was literally like a puppet, jerking at the slightest touch or
sound.
"Hey Hans," Farren whispered to Hanna behind her back, "Does Tyson know Kai?"
Hanna stared at him, wide-eyed, "That's impossible. We're forbidden to communicate with the Fire-Born and Tyson knows better than to break the rules. Last year, wasn't it the Fire-Born that attacked the castle?"
Farren shook his head, "No, that was the Metal Brood, but the look Kai gave Tyson…it was like recognition."
Hanna dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand, "No, Its probably nothing."
Farren remained unconvinced, "Yeah," he said staring at Tyson's back, "Probably nothing."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tala was leaning onto the wall. He was bored and it was plain to see. Also, he was kinda preoccupied with something. He attacked Alia, a member of his tribe and his…friend.
It wasn't like him to do something like that.
Alia shouldn't have mentioned Kai, he thought bitterly, It's her fault not his.
But how was she supposed to know? His conscience retorted.
Tala groaned. Now he has a conscience? Just peachy.
He continued to grumble under his breath for five minutes straight.
"Umm…you okay?"
Tala looked up to see a pair of large stormy grey eyes.
His mother's eyes.
Tala's breath caught in his throat. Mother was dead, he saw it!! How…
Then he realized the pair of storm eyes belonged to a small boy whose hair was a wild mess of blue and black. The boy cocked his head, his eyes never leaving Tala, "Are you okay? You look kinda sad."
Tala managed to get the speaking capabilities back, "I'm fine," He croaked.
(ME: ~_~ Croaked? Tala: *glares at Timmy* You're writing this!!)
The boy nodded and skipped off happily to find his friends. Tala's sapphire never left him for an instant.
"Never knew you could make conversation."
Tala sniffed, "Back so soon? I was enjoying the peace."
Alia smiled. Then, "I'm sorry for bringing up Kai. I don't know what happened but," she paused, "I'll keep out of it, ok?"
Tala smirked, "Fine."
"So, who were you talking to?"
"Unless you swear you won't set me up, I'll tell you. No wait," Tala frowned, "I don't know his name. He had…" his voice broke, "Mother's eyes."
Mother?
Mother, don't go.
I love you.
I promise I'll never do it again.
I promise!!
Mother, please don't go…I don't wanna go without you…
Alia turned away. Tala's mother was her mother's sister. She had felt a profound connection between his mother, which she never had with her own. When the Ice Elder came to claim them, she was one of the first to leave. Tala came later. She never knew what happened, but the agreement for the New Ice Adepts must have ended…violently.
"I'll try and find him, k?" She tried to reassure him. Tala didn't like talking about the past. Come to think of it, neither did she.
"'Kay." Tala said, his voice hollow. She smiled and disappeared.
Mother…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~&*~*~*~*~ *~*
Chris noticed Kai was in a much better mood than he was for the past week. And the way he spoke to Tyson…
How did he know that Storm Brethren?
"Hey Kaleb! I'm going to go see where Kai went, all right?"
"Fine."
Kaleb mingled with the crowd. There were so many kinds of people. Adepts, Children, Creations…
Unintentionally, he banged into someone.
"Sorry," He muttered. Suddenly, he felt his body hit the ground.
"Don't say sorry 'cause you're not worth it!!"
Kaleb blinked and cursed himself. He ran into the Creations. And it is their genes to hate the Fire-born. And it didn't help that they were Water and he was Fire.
How does he get himself into these situations?
A tall boy with brown hair tied in a rat-braid raised his fist.
"Jason, don't!!"
A small blonde haired boy with wide blue eyes grabbed Jason's hand before he could throw the punch, "The Overlord is here. You can't risk fighting!!"
'Jason' struggled to get out of the boy's grip, "Look, the Fire-Born attacked our village once!!"
The boy spoke, picking out soothing words, "So does that mean you're justified in doing the same? We're here to stop the fighting, so stop Jason."
Jason stopped, lowering his hand, "If you say so Max. Hey, why aren't you with Ray? You were following him like a shadow."
Max blushed, "Jamal called him for something. Speaking of shadows, where's yours?"
"Huh?"
Max gave him an exasperated look, "Don't tell me you haven't missed Allison…"
Jason turned a bright red and fled the room. Max chuckled as he watched him go.
He saw Kaleb was still on the floor, "My apologies. We…all carry our grudges and they're hard to shed."
Kaleb smiled, "No biggie. My name is Kaleb Kryote."
Max smiled, "Kryote is your Mythical, I assume?"
"Yup."
"Pleased to meet you, Kaleb Kryote. My name is Max Draceil."
It was a start of a beautiful friendship.
Let's hope it lasts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tyson liked the party. He met all kinds of people. And the strange thing was that they were all so friendly with each other. He felt a twinge of sadness inside.
Will it go back to the way it was when all this is over?
Or will the endless fighting just get worse?
He felt a hand on his shoulder. The hand was…warm.
He spun around to see Kai.
Kai bowed low, "May I have this dance?"
Tyson hesitated. And took the hand.
After all, what harm can there be in a dance?
Kai held Tyson close to him as they twirled on the ballroom floor.
"I see you're getting along well with the others."
Tyson looked at him, "Yeah. I hope the fighting will end someday."
"Did you miss me?"
Tyson whirled in shock," I…don't know."
"Well, I did," Kai looked into Tyson's stormy grey, "I couldn't think of anything else. I drove everyone in my Keep up the wall with my bad mood."
Tyson blushed, "You missed me that much?"
"I missed you that much. And more."
Tyson sighed and laid his head on Kai's chest, "They'll stop us."
"I'd like to see them try."
Tyson whimpered, "No, Kai we can't…"
Kai's eyes were fierce, "Why should we sacrifice our happiness for their cause? All they brought us was suffering and death."
Tyson felt tears come. Is that what Dragoon brought me? He thought. Suffering and Death?
A melancholy voice broke their thoughts, "May I cut in?"
Kai bristled, "Tala."
Tyson turned around. It was that guy he saw at the punch table, looking depressed. He could feel waves of anger radiating off Kai. He apparently doesn't like this 'Tala'.
Kai pulled Tyson away, but Tyson broke from the Fire-Born, shaking his head.
Kai looked very lost and for a minute Tyson nearly changed his mind, but Tala swept him up and they started dancing.
"I see you made friends," Tala commented, "I never realized that those Fire-Born could be civilized."
Tyson flinched, "I thought we were here to close old feuds."
"Some feuds aren't meant to disappear just like that."
"With an attitude like that, I wouldn't be surprised."
Tala smirked and pulled Tyson closer, "Seriously, do you really think, after years of fighting, we can 'just' make up? Do you really think it would be that easy?"
Tyson shuddered.
Gramps, don't worry, I'll come back for you…
No you won't.
But, Gramps…!
Promise me, you won't come back. Your future lies with the Brethren now. Not with me.
Tyson remembered the people pawing at him, dragging him, taking him away…
Gramps, I can't…
Promise me.
I…promise.
The hands pulled him back. He watched as his grandfather was shrinking into the darkness.
It's a promise.
Tyson felt the bitter taste of the word on his tongue. Every year, they take children from the villages they offered protection.
There were some who protested…
Protests fall on deaf ears when you're dealing with beings like the Mythicals, who can bend the forces of nature to their will.
Give up your children every year if you want to live…
Can the Overlord really bring peace to the land?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Alia watched as Tala danced with Tyson. This isn't good, he deliberately trying to provoke Kai.
Wicca approached her, "You don't look very happy."
"It's Tala. He's…having a disagreement of sorts."
"Alia, speak English," Wicca said patiently, his silver blue eyes showing only a hint of displeasure.
Alia sighed, "He's giving Kai a hard time."
Wicca's brow furrowed, "Kai? The Fire-Born who has bonded with that Phoenix Dranzer?"
"The same."
Wicca whistled, "That one's strong. We ran into him once during patrol."
Alia whirled around, pinning Wicca to the wall, "What?"
"He and that phoenix were there. Beat the crap out of us. Tala came out the worst."
"How come?"
"Tala and Kai had the usual 'throw trash at each other' and then Kai said some nasty stuff about Tala's mom. That's when he flipped."
"So that's it…Thanks a load Wicca."
"No problem," He smiled, a little too brightly.
Alia walked off. This, Tala had to deal on his own.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dragoon looked out the window. The Feuds were at the climax now. But, only the Overlord can help us achieve true peace.
Maybe then, I can see Dranzer again…
*Flashback*
"Ooooohhh…butterfly!!"
Dragoon raced through the thick grass.
He leapt through the field, "Come back butterfly!!"
The butterfly fluttered into the forest. Dragoon's eyes twinkled.
"I'm going to get you butterfly!"
Suddenly, something flashed behind him. He spun around, but the light had vanished.
He turned to see a girl with blonde hair and sharp red eyes. Resting on her palm was the butterfly.
Dragoon pouted, "I wanted to catch the butterfly."
The girl smiled and slowly approached Dragoon.
"Here, you can have it." She said.
Dragoon jumped in the air, "YAY!! Thank you!"
"Dragoon!! Time for lunch."
"Coming!"
He turned to ask that girl her name, but she vanished.
*End Flashback*
Dragoon chuckled. When you're a child, your life is consumed with the childish pleasures. Then he sobered up.
No more though.
*Flashback*
"Hey Dragoon! Slow down!!" "Not my fault you're so slow Iris!!"
The female Storm Mythical stopped by a tree and tried to catch her breath. Dragoon grinned, "Whassamatter Iris? Can't catch your breath?"
Iris glared at him and lunged at him. Dragoon dodged the leap with ease.
"Ooof!!"
Iris landed flat on the ground. Dragoon laughed as Iris struggled to brush the dust off her face and clothes.
Dragoon leaned back on a tree trunk, "So, where's your boy-friend?"
Iris immediately blushed, making Dragoon smirk. She glared at him, her soft blue eyes flecked with gold becoming sharp and harsh.
"Dragoon!! He's not my boy friend!! Besides," she tilted her head towards him, "Aren't we engaged?"
Dragoon made a face, "That Myros is daft as a Earth Child. Since when have we shown any romantic interest towards each other?"
Iris turned to the sky wistfully, watching a particularly large bird fly by, "We haven't. We love each other, but not in---,"
"That way," Dragoon pointed out, making Iris grin.
"So, where is big man Cyro? He shouldn't be leaving his girl friend alone with me," he commented, earning him a jab in the stomach from Iris.
She sighed, "He went to speak to Myros about the engagement."
Dragoon looked at her in shock, "Is Cyro nuts? You know how testy the Elders can get!! And Myros is probably the equivalent of a jackass!"
"Dragoon!!" Iris hushed, blushing, "He might hear you!!"
He stared at her, "He isn't the Overlord Iris. He's not all knowing, you know."
"But he does know whatever goes in the castle," Iris retorted.
Dragoon leaned back against the trunk, his eyes closed, "Let Ol' Prickly [1] do what he want. I'm not the least bothered."
Iris looked at him exasperatedly, "I'm surprised you haven't landed into trouble for calling him that."
Dragoon bit his tongue. He didn't want Iris to know that Myros, the High Elder of all the Storm Brethren…is his uncle.
Dragoon opened one eye, "Pray that Cyro hasn't been executed by Myros yet."
Iris was shocked, "I hope not!!'
"Well, here's to life!"
Iris whirled around as Dragoon chuckled as he lifted his hand in salute, "Well, if it isn't the hero. Got any battle wounds from fighting with Ol' Prickly?"
Cyro laughed as he embraced Iris. He then kissed her deeply.
Dragoon mock-groaned and covered his eyes, "Geez, you two! Not in public!"
They both blushed. Dragoon delicately lifted an eyebrow at the sight.
"So, Cyro, what happened?"
"He agreed."
"He—WHAT!!!"
The shock was so great that Dragoon's jaw was hanging open for several moments.
"Close your mouth Dragoon, you're letting the flies in," Cyro said sniggering.
Dragoon recovered his senses and whacked his best friend, "How did you do it?"
"Not telling."
Dragoon pouted, "Awww…Come on! I'm your best friend!!"
"With the fastest tongue in the West. If I told you something, the whole world's bound to know!"
Dragoon sulked. Spoilsports…
Cyro turned towards, "Well, I'd better go spread the good news. Coming, Dragoon?"
"I'll hang out here for a while."
"You sure?" Iris hesitated.
Dragoon supplied her with a warm smile, "I'm sure."
Iris nodded and went with Cyro.
Dragoon watched the couple vanish. Then, "You can come out now Dranzer."
A flash of gold blinded him for a split second. Then, came a tall woman with blonde hair and piercing ruby eyes.
She huffed, causing her hair to fall on her face, "How did you know I was here?"
"My dear, I've never seen a bird as large as your phoenix form."
She pouted. Dragoon sighed, "Don't do that. Every time you do, it makes me want to grovel."
A light entered her eyes, "Hmm…"
Dragoon cringed, "Come on Dranzer, you can't…"
She laughed, the sound ringing through the trees. She put her arms around him, "Maybe later…"
And then she kissed him.
*End Flashback*
The times he shared with the firebird were more powerful than any experience or any feeling he has ever shared with anyone else. Every touch, every stroke, every loving kiss…
This wasn't supposed to happen.
But it did.
He fell in love with the Lady Dranzer.
Now they were both damned.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kenny watched how the tribes were getting along with glee.
Eden watched thoughtfully, "You know, we might just pull this off."
Pei was silent for a moment, "I wonder…do the Tribes really want peace?"
Kenny looked at her in shock, "Of course they do! Would they be here if they didn't?"
Pei's brown eyes glazed for a moment, "I smell the winds of dissent."
Eden and Kenny exchanged glances. Their sister had…unusual powers.
Eden placed a comforting hand on Pei's shoulder, "Don't worry sis. The Overlord will solve this whole problem. If he makes it a law, no one can override it."
Pei turned to Eden, "But we can break it."
Kenny spluttered, "But—that would mean…"
Eden said nothing.
They looked on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tala released Tyson as the music ended. He then bowed and vanished.
"Tyson?"
Tyson turned to Kai. Kai looked worried, he could see the concern in those soulful garnet eyes, and said, "I'm fine."
"No, you're not. What did he do?" Kai's hand was tightly placed on Tyson's shoulder.
Tyson refused to meet Kai's eyes, "Nothing."
Kai suddenly spun Tyson around to meet his eyes, "Tell me." he hissed, his face taunt with anger.
Tyson stiffened, "It's none of your business Kai. You don't own me. You don't tell me what to do."
"Oh, really?"
Tyson's eyes blazed, "Really."
And he walked off.
"You really put your foot in your mouth this time Kai,"
Kai whirled around. Chris was standing there, his lips tightly drawn together.
"You realize what you're getting yourself into?"
Kai stood firm, "I don't care."
Chris twitched, "Kai, you've only known him right now. Is he worth giving up everything? What would Dranzer say?"
"She would say, 'Go ahead.'"
Chris laughed, "I had a feeling she would say that too. Anything to get you out of her hair."
Kai looked away, "I think I…love him."
Chris was dumbfounded, "But-but you just met him!! How can you be so sure?"
"Chris…you know in the end. You know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~
"Having fun, cuz?"
"Go away Alia."
Alia frowned. She was getting fed up with his attitude. The party was ending now and everyone was heading to their quarters.
Except Tala. Who, so far has done nothing but mope.
"Give up, ok? He's Kai's."
"He was so scared."
"Huh?"
"He was so scared. Of this delegation. Of Kai. Of me. He was insecure and lost. Like Mother…" Tala trailed off, his eyes misting, "Mother hated this life. I hate this life. Why are we always treated as dirt? Half the people here are orphans. Every day, every month, we're forced to attack some helpless village while the Mythicals lean back and watch. I hate it!" Tala slammed his fist on the wall, not feeling the pain.
Alia was silent. Tala looked at her, "Damnit! Don't give me your pity!"
"Then I won't. Give up Tyson."
"I won't."
"Tala."
"I won't."
"He doesn't…"
"HE WILL!"
Alia flinched at the tone in his voice. She resigned himself to his fate.
Tala stared at the window mournfully, "He will…"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tyson leaned on to the balcony. The sky was alit with droplets of silver. The moon was nowhere to be seen. Tyson wondered whether he could just fall off the balcony and fall down to Earth.
"Tyson…"
Tyson whirled around, unable to remove the fear from his voice, "Kai."
Kai was standing there, impassive and tall.
Does he ever fell the twinge of fear inside him, Tyson wondered.
"Why are you out? You should be sleeping."
"So should you."
Kai chuckled. Tyson turned back to the stars.
"They're so lucky…" Tyson murmured.
"Whose so lucky?"
"The stars. They're never lonely and they never argue or fight or kill…"
Kai looked up, "The stars watch over us Tyson. They protect us."
"Protect us from what?"
"Ourselves."
Tyson looked down and swallowed. The ground looked so far down when you're in a floating castle.
Kai came closer, but Tyson edged away, "What's wrong?"
Tyson's voice was shaky, "I don't…Kai I don't know you. I don't know how I feel about you. I need time."
"I'm sorry, but time is something I can't give you." Kai's eyes were dark and sad.
Tyson stared into Kai's eyes, "This is too fast for me."
Kai leaned closer, "Don't be scared Tyson. Don't analyze your emotions. Just feel."
They kissed, forgetting everything else but themselves. They had each other.
They didn't see a black shadow slink off into the darkness.
Time is something precious. Moments vanish, but memories last forever.
ME: The longest chappie Ever!!!
CS: Now Tala and Kai are going to fight over Ty-kun!
ME: They've already started.
CS: 0.0 They have?
Tala: MINE! *grabs Tyson*
Kai: NO, MINE! *grabs Tyson back*
ME: *watches the tug-of-war match* Hopefully, Tyson's arms won't fall off…
CS: -__-; Here's hoping.
ME: Reviewers receive---
CS: Dragoon and Dranzer plushies!
ME: They can transform into their Dragon and Phoenix form.
CS: *rides on her phoenix plushie* Review!!!!!!!!!!
[1] Ol' Prickly = Nickname for Captain Hawthorn in Emma Bull's 'Finder' Go read it, it rox!!!!!!!!!