Chapter one: Prologue
The sun was shining brightly in Budehuc Castle. While some people actually liked the hot afternoon sun like Anne, who thought of this as an opportunity to sell more drinks, some people considered it a setback like Barts, who wanted rain to help his garden grow.
For one young girl, lying out in the sun was all she wanted to do at the moment. Her curly brown hair seemed to shine under the sun, and her red jacket and dress were neatly pressed. A staff was lying on the ground next to her as she lay on a hill near the lake.
Alanis sighed to herself. She was getting so bored. Melville had gone with Hugo and a team to search the Northern Cavern for rare runes, and Elliot had been chosen to be in one of Nadir's play and was being forced to spend the whole day memorizing the play. This left Alanis with very little to do.
"Well, I guess I should get up and find something to do." Alanis thought out loud. "No use just lying around on a beautiful day like this when I could be doing stuff."
"CANNONBALL!!!!!"
Alanis' eyes widened as she looked straight ahead, which turned out to be up. Hallec leapt from the ledge above and was soaring towards the lake, curled up in a ball. When Hallec hit the lake, water was sent out in all directions, a whole wave of it coming down on Alanis.
A giant sweatdrop hung over Alanis' head as the water cleared away, leaving her soaking wet. Well, at least she could hang her clothes out to dry.
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After her clothes were dry, Alanis walked through Budehuc, looking for something to do. Without Melville and Elliot around, Alanis was always looking for something that could pass the time.
Alanis soon found herself walking towards the front gate, where Cecile was. Alanis also spotted Koroku and Kosanji standing with her. Alanis decided to walk over to her.
Hearing someone coming, Cecile turned her head to look over her shoulder and saw Alanis coming. She smiled as she turned around completely.
"Hey, Alanis!" Cecile greeted. "Lovely afternoon, isn't it?"
Alanis nodded. "Yeah. It sure is a great day out."
Suddenly, Cecile noticed Alanis' slightly wet hair. "Um...If I may ask, did you just come out of the bathhouse? You're hair is wet."
Alanis sighed with a slight smirk. "No. I was relaxing by the lake and Hallec showed me one of his trademark cannonballs."
Cecile chuckled. "So what brings you here, Alanis?" She asked.
Alanis sighed again. "I'm bored and I'm looking for something to do." She explained. "Melville's out on this treasure run with Hugo and Elliot's in this play of Nadir's."
Cecile pondered this for a second. "Why not try the bathhouse?" She asked. "If you go in there, you'll be sure to meet up with some of the other residents here. Maybe you'll get to know them more."
Alanis rubbed her chin. That actually didn't sound like a bad idea. "I might just do that. Thanks, Cecile!"
After saying goodbye, Alanis turned tail and ran off towards the mansion so she could get to the ship.
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Alanis looked around as she sat in the female's side of the bathhouse. Cecile was right in saying that she might meet up with some of the other residents. Queen, Shabon and Yuiri were all in the bath as well. Alanis decided to listen as the other three females were having a conversation.
"You mean that Jacques might actually have a crush on Aila?" Yuiri asked, slightly wide eyed.
Queen nodded with a sly grin. "Yeah. He's been taking Aila on little strolls lately to talk to her" She paused for a few seconds to think about what she had just said. "Well, Aila does most of the talking. Anyway," She looked towards Shabon. "I believe you noticed something that hinted at that yourself, didn't you?"
Shabon looked at Queen questioningly. "I did?"
"Yeah! You told me! Remember when you went on a mission with Hugo, Jacques, Aila, Nicolas and Leo up the Mountain Path and you were fighting that Rock Golem?"
Shabon's eyes went wide in remembrance. "Oh, yeah! Jacques jumped in front of Aila and protected her from the Golem's fist!"
Yuiri smirked. "Well, I guess it's safe to assume that he likes her."
Queen chuckled as she looked in Alanis' direction, realizing that she had been quiet the whole time. "Hey, Alanis? Why are you being so quiet?" The elder woman asked as she moved over towards Alanis to hear her out.
Alanis looked down. "It's just that I feel left out." She replied.
The Alma Kinan woman turned her attention towards the brown-haired girl. "Left out?" She asked.
The young girl nodded. "Yeah. When my friends aren't around, I feel like I'm alone." She looked up as her eyes became misty. "Have you guys ever felt like that when some of your team leaves you behind while they go on a mission?"
Queen bit her lip. She wasn't expecting this question. "Well, normally, at least Ace gets left behind with me, but when I find myself the lone member of the 12th Unit still hanging around, I guess I do get kind of lonely." She admitted.
"How could you be lonely?" Yuiri asked Queen. "There are a lot of people hanging around."
"But a lot of them are either nothing like me or have some sort of rivalry against me." The elder woman replied. "Like Elaine."
Shabon sighed. "I get real lonely when Toppo and Nei leave on a mission. I can't practice the music by myself and I get bored easier, but at least I have plenty of other friends to hang around with. You do too, Alanis." She added.
"I know. But it's just not the same." Alanis shook her head.
"When Yumi goes on a mission without me, I find the best thing to do is go to the library and read a book. It passes the time a lot quicker." Yuiri added.
"Hey, but don't worry, Alanis." Queen assured, placing a comforting hand on the young girl's shoulder. "If anything happens, the three of us will be there for you to cheer you up, because we know what it feels like to be alone sometimes."
Yuiri nodded with a warm smile. "Yes. We should stick up for each other. After all, we're in this together."
Shabon jumped up and down excitedly. "We can come up with a Combo Attack!"
"WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Hallec's distinctive roar came from the men's side of the bathhouse.
"Was that Hallec?" Alanis asked as she turned towards the wall.
Queen shook her head in hopelessness. "The water's too hot for him. He did this a couple days ago." She replied.
"Then why does he keep doing it if he knows that water's going to be hot?" Yuiri asked curiously.
Queen shrugged. "Short term memory I guess."
All four of them quickly dropped the subject and started planning their future combo attack.
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Alanis left the bathhouse, feeling way more cheerful than when she went in. Cecile was definitely right about getting to know the others that were in the bathhouse. She had become fast friends with Queen, Shabon and Yuiri quicker than what seemed like humanly possible and had even scheduled the date for the training for their combo attack to see what happened.
The young girl decided to walk around a little more and see where she ended up. Alanis walked out into the graveyard, walking past Twaikin and Bazba. After reaching the hallway, Alanis decided to walk to the right and pay Muto a visit at the vault.
Seeing the girl coming, the tall Kobold grinned as his tail started wagging. "Alanis! What a surprise!"
"Hey, Muto." Alanis replied with a smile. "How're things?"
"Great! I haven't forgotten where anything is yet, I have lots of things stored for all sorts of different people," A sly smirk gloated across his face. "And I helped a new couple find love."
Alanis raised an eyebrow. "Another couple? Man, it seems like people are falling in love left and right around here." She started counting with her fingers. "Thomas and Cecile, Reed and Kathy, Edge and Mamie, Rody and Belle, the list just keeps going." A smirk came to her face as well. "Who's the lucky couple this time?"
"Arthur and Rico." Muto replied. "Reed and Duke also helped get those two together."
"Arthur and Rico?" Alanis repeated. "They don't look like they have much in common."
"Then again, neither do Rody and Belle."
"You have a point there."
Muto grinned. "Thank you!"
"Hey Muto? I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions for something to do." Alanis explained. "I'm getting bored since Melville and Elliot aren't around."
Muto scratched his chin. "Go for a swim in the lake?" He suggested.
"I just came from the bathhouse, thanks."
"Check out the library?"
"I don't really feel like reading at the moment. But thanks anyway."
"Help Landis play practical jokes on Lilly?"
"It sounds tempting, but I'm not the type to do those sorts of things."
"Go to the ranch and take a ride?"
Alanis paused and thought about this for a moment. "You know? I might just do that. Thanks, Muto!"
Bidding farewell to Muto, Alanis turned around and walked towards the stairs leading to the main floor of the castle.
Alanis walked through the castle, passing by several of the other residents on the way. The young girl quickly arrived at the front door and walked through it, going outside and back into the afternoon sunlight. She breathed in the fresh air and walked down the steps leading towards the courtyard.
Walking into the main area of Budehuc, Alanis looked around. Several of the residents were scattered around, talking with each other. She quickly noticed Lilly walking her way, and she looked real ticked off. Alanis backed up slightly, wondering if Lilly was mad at her for some reason.
Lilly walked over to Alanis and looked down at her. "Have you seen Landis around here lately?" She asked.
"Um...I'm sorry, Lilly. I haven't seen him all day." Alanis admitted.
Lilly sighed as she started walking off. "Boy, when I get my hands on that one-eyed wierdo..." Alanis couldn't make out the rest, but as Lilly was walking away, the younger girl noticed that a stool was glued to the seat of her pants.
Alanis suddenly decided to get over to the ranch before Landis started playing his practical jokes on her. Turning around, Alanis charged down the stairs leading to the Bujitsu Center.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Alanis quickly hung a left, running towards the ranch. Juan was sound asleep, snoring like a train while Peggi stood alone in his Blacksmith room, dancing slowly to non-existent music.
Although confused at the sight of Peggi doing the robot, Alanis kept running, charging down the path leading to the ranch.
When Alanis arrived at the ranch, she saw Kathy tending to her horses. She smiled as she walked over to her.
Before she could get far, Alanis heard a distinctive chuckle coming from a tree above. Looking up, Alanis saw a very familiar Winger perched on a branch.
Alanis smirked. "Hey Landis? I don't think you'll be laughing when Lilly finds you." She said.
Landis suddenly stopped laughing as his good eye widened. "If you need me, I'll be on the ship." He said before spreading his wings and flying away.
The young girl chuckled as she continued walking over to Kathy. The blonde girl turned from Gage, her favourite horse, and saw Alanis coming. She grinned. "Heya, Alanis!" She greeted. "What brings you out here?"
"I think I'd like to try my hand on the race course." Alanis replied.
Kathy nodded. "Great! What difficulty would you like?" She asked.
Alanis thought for a second. She knew that she wasn't ready for the course to be littered with obstacles, but having no obstacles would be too boring. "I'll ride the course with some obstacles." She replied.
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Alanis sat on a Karayan horse as she waited at the starting line for Kathy to tell her to go. There were a few obstacles on the course, but nothing too major.
"Ready, Alanis?" Kathy called out from the sidelines. Alanis nodded. "Okay, here we go! 3...2...1..."
"GO!!"
Alanis took off on the horse after being given the signal. She figured that Percival had the top time for too long, and was determined to knock him out of the top slot.
The Karayan horse flew down the course, either running around the obstacles or leaping over them. Alanis could feel the light breeze turn into a strong wind for her as she flew through the course, gripping the horse for dear life to make sure that she didn't fall off.
One lap was quickly over and Alanis' horse kept on going. It seemed like the horse wanted the top time as well.
"Keep going, boy!" Alanis told the horse. "We can do this!"
The horse neighed as it seemed like it went a little faster. It seemed like what Alanis had said gave the horse a little extra energy.
Alanis continued to ride through the course at top speed while Kathy watched her from the sidelines, amazed at how fast she was going. Seeing the young girl fly past the finish line to end the second lap, she figured that Alanis would have the top time away from Percival with no problem.
"One more lap, boy!" Alanis told the horse. "Let's show Percival what you can do!"
This little talk gave the horse the added energy to keep going, despite starting to get tired.
Leaping over three crates in a row, Alanis could feel the horse starting to get tired. "Don't let us down, boy!" She told it. "I know you can do this!"
The Karayan horse, with Alanis perched on top of it, flew past the finish line for the final time. The horse kept running.
"Whoa, boy! Whoa!" Alanis said. "We did it! We're done!"
After Alanis said that the horse screeched to a halt. Unfortunately, the horse was going so fast and the fact that it didn't have any reigns for Alanis to hold onto, that when the horse slowed down dramatically, Alanis was sent flying forward. Alanis cried in terror as she flew through the air and slammed headfirst into a crate.
"ALANIS!" Kathy cried as she charged onto the racetrack and rushed over to the fallen girl.
But Kathy was too late. Alanis was already out cold.
To be continued...
Author's notes: Now, you guys may think that this fic may not be deserving of a PG-13 rating, but it'll be explained in later chapters. Please read and review!
The sun was shining brightly in Budehuc Castle. While some people actually liked the hot afternoon sun like Anne, who thought of this as an opportunity to sell more drinks, some people considered it a setback like Barts, who wanted rain to help his garden grow.
For one young girl, lying out in the sun was all she wanted to do at the moment. Her curly brown hair seemed to shine under the sun, and her red jacket and dress were neatly pressed. A staff was lying on the ground next to her as she lay on a hill near the lake.
Alanis sighed to herself. She was getting so bored. Melville had gone with Hugo and a team to search the Northern Cavern for rare runes, and Elliot had been chosen to be in one of Nadir's play and was being forced to spend the whole day memorizing the play. This left Alanis with very little to do.
"Well, I guess I should get up and find something to do." Alanis thought out loud. "No use just lying around on a beautiful day like this when I could be doing stuff."
"CANNONBALL!!!!!"
Alanis' eyes widened as she looked straight ahead, which turned out to be up. Hallec leapt from the ledge above and was soaring towards the lake, curled up in a ball. When Hallec hit the lake, water was sent out in all directions, a whole wave of it coming down on Alanis.
A giant sweatdrop hung over Alanis' head as the water cleared away, leaving her soaking wet. Well, at least she could hang her clothes out to dry.
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After her clothes were dry, Alanis walked through Budehuc, looking for something to do. Without Melville and Elliot around, Alanis was always looking for something that could pass the time.
Alanis soon found herself walking towards the front gate, where Cecile was. Alanis also spotted Koroku and Kosanji standing with her. Alanis decided to walk over to her.
Hearing someone coming, Cecile turned her head to look over her shoulder and saw Alanis coming. She smiled as she turned around completely.
"Hey, Alanis!" Cecile greeted. "Lovely afternoon, isn't it?"
Alanis nodded. "Yeah. It sure is a great day out."
Suddenly, Cecile noticed Alanis' slightly wet hair. "Um...If I may ask, did you just come out of the bathhouse? You're hair is wet."
Alanis sighed with a slight smirk. "No. I was relaxing by the lake and Hallec showed me one of his trademark cannonballs."
Cecile chuckled. "So what brings you here, Alanis?" She asked.
Alanis sighed again. "I'm bored and I'm looking for something to do." She explained. "Melville's out on this treasure run with Hugo and Elliot's in this play of Nadir's."
Cecile pondered this for a second. "Why not try the bathhouse?" She asked. "If you go in there, you'll be sure to meet up with some of the other residents here. Maybe you'll get to know them more."
Alanis rubbed her chin. That actually didn't sound like a bad idea. "I might just do that. Thanks, Cecile!"
After saying goodbye, Alanis turned tail and ran off towards the mansion so she could get to the ship.
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Alanis looked around as she sat in the female's side of the bathhouse. Cecile was right in saying that she might meet up with some of the other residents. Queen, Shabon and Yuiri were all in the bath as well. Alanis decided to listen as the other three females were having a conversation.
"You mean that Jacques might actually have a crush on Aila?" Yuiri asked, slightly wide eyed.
Queen nodded with a sly grin. "Yeah. He's been taking Aila on little strolls lately to talk to her" She paused for a few seconds to think about what she had just said. "Well, Aila does most of the talking. Anyway," She looked towards Shabon. "I believe you noticed something that hinted at that yourself, didn't you?"
Shabon looked at Queen questioningly. "I did?"
"Yeah! You told me! Remember when you went on a mission with Hugo, Jacques, Aila, Nicolas and Leo up the Mountain Path and you were fighting that Rock Golem?"
Shabon's eyes went wide in remembrance. "Oh, yeah! Jacques jumped in front of Aila and protected her from the Golem's fist!"
Yuiri smirked. "Well, I guess it's safe to assume that he likes her."
Queen chuckled as she looked in Alanis' direction, realizing that she had been quiet the whole time. "Hey, Alanis? Why are you being so quiet?" The elder woman asked as she moved over towards Alanis to hear her out.
Alanis looked down. "It's just that I feel left out." She replied.
The Alma Kinan woman turned her attention towards the brown-haired girl. "Left out?" She asked.
The young girl nodded. "Yeah. When my friends aren't around, I feel like I'm alone." She looked up as her eyes became misty. "Have you guys ever felt like that when some of your team leaves you behind while they go on a mission?"
Queen bit her lip. She wasn't expecting this question. "Well, normally, at least Ace gets left behind with me, but when I find myself the lone member of the 12th Unit still hanging around, I guess I do get kind of lonely." She admitted.
"How could you be lonely?" Yuiri asked Queen. "There are a lot of people hanging around."
"But a lot of them are either nothing like me or have some sort of rivalry against me." The elder woman replied. "Like Elaine."
Shabon sighed. "I get real lonely when Toppo and Nei leave on a mission. I can't practice the music by myself and I get bored easier, but at least I have plenty of other friends to hang around with. You do too, Alanis." She added.
"I know. But it's just not the same." Alanis shook her head.
"When Yumi goes on a mission without me, I find the best thing to do is go to the library and read a book. It passes the time a lot quicker." Yuiri added.
"Hey, but don't worry, Alanis." Queen assured, placing a comforting hand on the young girl's shoulder. "If anything happens, the three of us will be there for you to cheer you up, because we know what it feels like to be alone sometimes."
Yuiri nodded with a warm smile. "Yes. We should stick up for each other. After all, we're in this together."
Shabon jumped up and down excitedly. "We can come up with a Combo Attack!"
"WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Hallec's distinctive roar came from the men's side of the bathhouse.
"Was that Hallec?" Alanis asked as she turned towards the wall.
Queen shook her head in hopelessness. "The water's too hot for him. He did this a couple days ago." She replied.
"Then why does he keep doing it if he knows that water's going to be hot?" Yuiri asked curiously.
Queen shrugged. "Short term memory I guess."
All four of them quickly dropped the subject and started planning their future combo attack.
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Alanis left the bathhouse, feeling way more cheerful than when she went in. Cecile was definitely right about getting to know the others that were in the bathhouse. She had become fast friends with Queen, Shabon and Yuiri quicker than what seemed like humanly possible and had even scheduled the date for the training for their combo attack to see what happened.
The young girl decided to walk around a little more and see where she ended up. Alanis walked out into the graveyard, walking past Twaikin and Bazba. After reaching the hallway, Alanis decided to walk to the right and pay Muto a visit at the vault.
Seeing the girl coming, the tall Kobold grinned as his tail started wagging. "Alanis! What a surprise!"
"Hey, Muto." Alanis replied with a smile. "How're things?"
"Great! I haven't forgotten where anything is yet, I have lots of things stored for all sorts of different people," A sly smirk gloated across his face. "And I helped a new couple find love."
Alanis raised an eyebrow. "Another couple? Man, it seems like people are falling in love left and right around here." She started counting with her fingers. "Thomas and Cecile, Reed and Kathy, Edge and Mamie, Rody and Belle, the list just keeps going." A smirk came to her face as well. "Who's the lucky couple this time?"
"Arthur and Rico." Muto replied. "Reed and Duke also helped get those two together."
"Arthur and Rico?" Alanis repeated. "They don't look like they have much in common."
"Then again, neither do Rody and Belle."
"You have a point there."
Muto grinned. "Thank you!"
"Hey Muto? I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions for something to do." Alanis explained. "I'm getting bored since Melville and Elliot aren't around."
Muto scratched his chin. "Go for a swim in the lake?" He suggested.
"I just came from the bathhouse, thanks."
"Check out the library?"
"I don't really feel like reading at the moment. But thanks anyway."
"Help Landis play practical jokes on Lilly?"
"It sounds tempting, but I'm not the type to do those sorts of things."
"Go to the ranch and take a ride?"
Alanis paused and thought about this for a moment. "You know? I might just do that. Thanks, Muto!"
Bidding farewell to Muto, Alanis turned around and walked towards the stairs leading to the main floor of the castle.
Alanis walked through the castle, passing by several of the other residents on the way. The young girl quickly arrived at the front door and walked through it, going outside and back into the afternoon sunlight. She breathed in the fresh air and walked down the steps leading towards the courtyard.
Walking into the main area of Budehuc, Alanis looked around. Several of the residents were scattered around, talking with each other. She quickly noticed Lilly walking her way, and she looked real ticked off. Alanis backed up slightly, wondering if Lilly was mad at her for some reason.
Lilly walked over to Alanis and looked down at her. "Have you seen Landis around here lately?" She asked.
"Um...I'm sorry, Lilly. I haven't seen him all day." Alanis admitted.
Lilly sighed as she started walking off. "Boy, when I get my hands on that one-eyed wierdo..." Alanis couldn't make out the rest, but as Lilly was walking away, the younger girl noticed that a stool was glued to the seat of her pants.
Alanis suddenly decided to get over to the ranch before Landis started playing his practical jokes on her. Turning around, Alanis charged down the stairs leading to the Bujitsu Center.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Alanis quickly hung a left, running towards the ranch. Juan was sound asleep, snoring like a train while Peggi stood alone in his Blacksmith room, dancing slowly to non-existent music.
Although confused at the sight of Peggi doing the robot, Alanis kept running, charging down the path leading to the ranch.
When Alanis arrived at the ranch, she saw Kathy tending to her horses. She smiled as she walked over to her.
Before she could get far, Alanis heard a distinctive chuckle coming from a tree above. Looking up, Alanis saw a very familiar Winger perched on a branch.
Alanis smirked. "Hey Landis? I don't think you'll be laughing when Lilly finds you." She said.
Landis suddenly stopped laughing as his good eye widened. "If you need me, I'll be on the ship." He said before spreading his wings and flying away.
The young girl chuckled as she continued walking over to Kathy. The blonde girl turned from Gage, her favourite horse, and saw Alanis coming. She grinned. "Heya, Alanis!" She greeted. "What brings you out here?"
"I think I'd like to try my hand on the race course." Alanis replied.
Kathy nodded. "Great! What difficulty would you like?" She asked.
Alanis thought for a second. She knew that she wasn't ready for the course to be littered with obstacles, but having no obstacles would be too boring. "I'll ride the course with some obstacles." She replied.
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Alanis sat on a Karayan horse as she waited at the starting line for Kathy to tell her to go. There were a few obstacles on the course, but nothing too major.
"Ready, Alanis?" Kathy called out from the sidelines. Alanis nodded. "Okay, here we go! 3...2...1..."
"GO!!"
Alanis took off on the horse after being given the signal. She figured that Percival had the top time for too long, and was determined to knock him out of the top slot.
The Karayan horse flew down the course, either running around the obstacles or leaping over them. Alanis could feel the light breeze turn into a strong wind for her as she flew through the course, gripping the horse for dear life to make sure that she didn't fall off.
One lap was quickly over and Alanis' horse kept on going. It seemed like the horse wanted the top time as well.
"Keep going, boy!" Alanis told the horse. "We can do this!"
The horse neighed as it seemed like it went a little faster. It seemed like what Alanis had said gave the horse a little extra energy.
Alanis continued to ride through the course at top speed while Kathy watched her from the sidelines, amazed at how fast she was going. Seeing the young girl fly past the finish line to end the second lap, she figured that Alanis would have the top time away from Percival with no problem.
"One more lap, boy!" Alanis told the horse. "Let's show Percival what you can do!"
This little talk gave the horse the added energy to keep going, despite starting to get tired.
Leaping over three crates in a row, Alanis could feel the horse starting to get tired. "Don't let us down, boy!" She told it. "I know you can do this!"
The Karayan horse, with Alanis perched on top of it, flew past the finish line for the final time. The horse kept running.
"Whoa, boy! Whoa!" Alanis said. "We did it! We're done!"
After Alanis said that the horse screeched to a halt. Unfortunately, the horse was going so fast and the fact that it didn't have any reigns for Alanis to hold onto, that when the horse slowed down dramatically, Alanis was sent flying forward. Alanis cried in terror as she flew through the air and slammed headfirst into a crate.
"ALANIS!" Kathy cried as she charged onto the racetrack and rushed over to the fallen girl.
But Kathy was too late. Alanis was already out cold.
To be continued...
Author's notes: Now, you guys may think that this fic may not be deserving of a PG-13 rating, but it'll be explained in later chapters. Please read and review!