Karen slowly opened her eyes, letting out a small yawn. She rubbed her eyes, taken aback by her surroundings. She was in Rebecca's room, but... how did she get in here? Karen walked over to the bed, staring in awe at the individual peacefully sleeping there. She reached out to touch Rebecca's face, stopping when she heard a noise coming from behind her. She quickly turned around and got into a fighting position as she waited for the cause of the sound to appear. The closet door slid open suddenly and Peruru poked his head out.
Coming out of the closet, Peruru finally spoke. "I apologize if I alarmed you."
"What were you doing in Rebecca's closet?" Karen quickly glanced at Rebecca to see if she was still asleep. ".. What are you doing here?"
"There's something I must tell you..."
"And this happened to be the perfect time...? You can't be in here...!" Karen noticed Rebecca move slightly and she dropped to her knees by the bed. "Please don't wake up...!" She tried to grab Rebecca's hand, but hers went through it. She gasped crawling backwards and accidentally bumping into Peruru's legs. "What's going on?"
"This may be only a dream, but she can't see or hear us."
"This is a dream..?"
"Yes."
"Why do you keep on appearing in my dreams?"
"Well.. I'm a dream elf, it's a power of mine." Peruru walked around Karen and pulled her onto her feet. "I thought it'd be best to carry out a conversation this way."
"So, you can get into people's dreams.. Wish I knew how to do it."
"I wish I could teach you..."
Karen looked at Peruru and then to the floor. "... What did you want to tell me?"
Peruru opened his mouth to speak, but just shook his head. He pulled Karen into a tight embrace as he softly kissed her. Karen felt her heart skip a beat and she blushed fiercely, part of her wanting it to be over. Peruru broke away, muttering an apology and turning away. Karen felt herself moving in to return his action, yet managed to keep herself from doing so. She was speechless, what could she say to that? He was pouring out his feelings to her and she... wanted to be with Rebecca.
"Peruru... I don't know what to say. There's so much happening lately and then there's Rebecca... But what do I know, I'm still just a kid. We all are... I guess the best thing to do is wait 'till after we beat our enemy to start thinking about... these things. I'm sorry, I really am..."
"I understand."
Karen inched over to Peruru and hugged him. "You'll still help me fight, right?"
Peruru nodded and Karen smiled, closing her eyes.
-.-
"Karen!"
The voice echoed in her mind and she awoke with a start.
Rebecca sat on the bed, hands on Karen's shoulders and a worried expression on her face. Karen saw that she was back in her room, which proved her meeting with Peruru was all in a dream. Rebecca just clung onto Karen's waist, obviously relieved to see the girl was conscious.
"Is something wrong Rebecca?"
The mini Sea Goddess just gazed up at Karen, tears forming in her marine blue eyes. "I thought they had taken you away from me... It felt so real and I was so scared." She recklessly cried into Karen's shirt, quiet sobs sounding in the uncomfortable silence.
"It's alright... it was just a dream." In all honesty, Karen didn't want to know who 'they' were. If it was enough to wake Rebecca and get her to cry a river, it must have been bad. She just rubbed her partner's back as an attempt to pacify her. It seemed to be working, since Rebecca wasn't crying as much. Karen mentally sighed, relieved that no one had been roused. "Don't worry Becca, I won't leave you. I'm here and that's how I plan to stay."
Her assuring words ceased Rebecca's weeping and Rebecca sniffled, drying her eyes. "Sorry about your shirt."
"That's okay, I care more about you than the shirt."
"Thanks Karen, I feel better now."
"That's a relief. Wanna stay in here for the night...?"
Rebecca shook her head and stood up. "I'll be okay."
An energy blast struck Rebecca, knocking her into a nearby wall.
"Rebecca...!" Karen tried to jump to her friend's aid, but a hand had grabbed her from behind. "Let me go..!"
"You're such a bother." Kaori, with all of her might, tossed Karen into an adjacent wall face first. "Stay out of the way." She floated over to Rebecca, picking up the unconscious girl. Letting out an annoying cackle, she vanished before Karen could tackle her.
"No! Rebecca..." Karen was on her knees, violently punching her carpet.
The door slammed open and Amara and Trista ran in. Karen ceased pummeling the ground, trying desperately to fight her tears back.
"Are you alright, Kat?" Amara called out to her sister.
"They took her... I couldn't stop them."
"It's alright, we'll get her back, I promise."
-.-
Karen lay on the couch, lifelessly staring at the muted television. Trista watched her, trying to think of a way to snap the girl out of her trance. It was clear the only simple method was finding out where Rebecca had been taken. Unfortunately, it wasn't a simple task, they didn't even know where to start looking. Amara had made the promise out of mixed emotions of anger and depression. The Witches had kidnapped Michelle, which Amara had found out a little too late.
"Rebecca was the only one who I could tell anything to. She's always there for me and believes in me when no one else does. I don't know what I'd do without her... The world just doesn't seem worth saving if I can't even protect her." Karen spoke to Trista, eyes still on the TV. "You know, most of the time... she's hurt because of me... and now this.."
"That's it...! I know what the Witches are after...!" Trista ran over to the stairs. "Amara!"
"What are you talking about?" Karen glanced over to Trista when she came back into the room.
"Isn't it obvious...?"
"No... all I know is that they seem to enjoy making my life miserable..... You don't think..."
"Something wrong?" Amara quickly came down the stairs and entered the room.
"They're after me." Karen answered. "But it didn't seem like they were trying very hard to get rid of me."
"Maybe they aren't aware you're their real target." Trista replied. "Whoever they're working for probably didn't want it to seem obvious."
"You just said..."
"It wasn't clear to me until half-way through that little speech of yours and then it was so hard not to see."
"Great, Rebecca got kidnapped because of me..."
"What about Michelle?" Amara questioned.
"... I don't know, them taking Michelle is a little fishy."
"Well, there's only one way to find out." Trista remarked.
"Where do we start looking though?" Karen debated.
"We don't have to worry about that, they'll come to us." Amara declared as she and Trista turned to Karen.
-.-
Karen and Rini walked through the park in silence, paying attention to nothing but straight ahead of them. Some rustling of bushes was heard and the two just continued their stroll, not sparing the slightest glance. Eudial and Mimet followed the two after jumping out of some trees. Cyprine and Telulu were posted some feet in front of them. Karen was the first to halt, Rini soon repeating her action.
"Hm... you're short one Witch, guess it doesn't matter though. She didn't do much of the fighting." Karen folded her arms over her chest. "No Kaori either, guess I'll just take my anger out on you four."
"You're crazy if you think the two of you can beat us." Telulu flashed a mocking smile, something she seem to enjoy doing.
"Who said there's only two of us?" Rini spat out and the Inners, old and new appeared in back of Telulu and Cyprine. The remaining Outers, past and present, were blocking Eudial and Mimet's only means of escape. The kids were transformed and the others were ready to fight.
"Where's Rebecca?" Karen demanded.
"You don't scare us!" Eudial shouted.
"Fine.. have it your way."
From out of the blue came two BonBon Babies, one knocking over Cyprine and the other taking down Mimet. Peruru fell down from somewhere in the sky and landed next to Karen and Rini with flute in hand.
"Last chance."
"Fine... we'll take you to her..." Eudial muttered.
"We're going too." Amara announced as she and Trista stepped forward.
"So am I." Peruru stated, gaining a displeased expression from Karen. "I don't trust them."
"That's what Amara and Trista are for..."
-.-
Karen and Peruru walked down a hallway with Amara and Trista following them closely. "I have a bad feeling about this." Karen stopped to search the area, not finding the four Witches anywhere. "I thought they would ditch us... probably planning a trap."
"I see a light ahead." Peruru informed and the four hurried towards it.
They came to a room with two doorways ahead, both identical and leading into darkness. Karen observed the two, hoping some psychic link or something would kick in. When nothing happened, she sighed then closed her eyes, listening for some kind of sound. Footsteps were coming from the opposing direction she faced. It must have been the Witches or some monster sent out to attack them.
"Let's split up. There's no use in coming here just to get captured." Amara ordered and left with Trista through the right doorway.
"Split up? What kind of plan is..?" Before she could finish, Peruru grabbed Karen's arm and led her into the left opening. "You could have told me to come... or give me a warning that you were going to try and pull my arm off."
Peruru slowed to a stop, his grip loosening and his hand falling to his side. Karen quickly knew where they were, it was Hotaru's old house. She had never been in this place, but by the description she was given, this place fit it perfectly. She went to the end of the hall and peeked her head around the corner. Another hall with some rooms and stairs leading down at the end of it. No Witches, no Kaori, no Tomoe.. just her and the fairy. Karen leaned against the wall and slid down into a sitting position. She got out her wand and gazed at it, not sure whether she should transform or not.
"How are we going to find Rebecca?" Peruru inquired.
"Well... we could get caught or find a way out of here and to wherever she is..." A door opened and closed around the corner, causing Karen to get up and take a second glimpse. She noticed the doorknob rattling a bit and sneaked over to the door. She swung the door open and waited for the person or thing that had entered it to come out. Finally, someone stepped out and Karen let her guard down. "Sorry Trista. I thought you were someone else.. or something. Where's Amara?"
There was no response, just an indescribable facial cast on the Time Guardian.
"Trista...?"
One of Trista's hands clutched Karen's neck, pinning the girl to the wall. Karen tried to speak, her elder's grip was too tight however. Peruru was mere feet away, getting held back by Eudial and Cyprine. Karen closed her eyes, she knew struggling was useless. She cursed herself for being so weak and let herself fall unconscious.
-.-
"Karen, where are we going?" Rebecca called out to her friend, who was busy keeping her focus on where she was heading.
"Stop asking me, I told you it was a surprise. Besides, we're almost there." Karen paused, glancing back at Rebecca, "Close your eyes."
"Okay..." She did as told and felt Karen's hand take one of hers. They hiked for some more minutes until Karen let go of Rebecca's hand and said she could open her eyes.
They were on a hill, looking over some part of the city. Karen was sitting on the grass, motioning for Rebecca to come join her. Rebecca did so and they viewed the scenery for a few moments.
"Karen, where are we?"
"My secret place. And the city isn't the only beautiful view. Look..." She pointed at the setting sun over the city.
"It's gorgeous..." Rebecca whispered, in awe of the sight.
"Becca...?"
"Hm?"
Karen moved closer to Rebecca and kissed her. Rebecca blushed, seeing Karen was doing the same, though the tomboy was trying to hide it. Rebecca leaned against Karen and they continued to watch the sun go down.
-.-
Karen awoke, finding herself face-down on a cold floor. She got onto her knees and looked around the room... nothing other than darkness Lights suddenly flickered on and Karen shielded her eyes from the brightness. She was all alone, Peruru was gone and Amara and Trista had got separated from them a while before that. Her eyes fell upon a body laying a distance away, it was Rebecca. Karen scrambled over to her partner, about to shake her until she heard a masculine voice.
"Don't wake her..."
Karen glanced up, seeing a cloaked figure on a throne. "Who are you and what do you want with me?!"
"Kat!" Karen turned, Amara, Trista, and Peruru across the large room. The Witches were surrounding them, each holding some sort of weapon.
"... Let them go!"
"It's not that simple..."
"Who are you really? I know you aren't some death dealer." Karen glared at the shadow.
"If you really wish to know.."
Out of one of the sleeves came some kind of device, crashing onto the floor. Karen guessed it was a voice changer by the its appearance. The person stood, one hand rising to remove the hood. Karen and Trista gasped as soon as the hood fell.
"No... it can't be..." Amara spoke, deep hurt in her expression as she was on the verge of tears.
Michelle stepped over to Karen and Rebecca, a smile on her face. "I didn't actually think you of all people would be surprised, Karen."
Coming out of the closet, Peruru finally spoke. "I apologize if I alarmed you."
"What were you doing in Rebecca's closet?" Karen quickly glanced at Rebecca to see if she was still asleep. ".. What are you doing here?"
"There's something I must tell you..."
"And this happened to be the perfect time...? You can't be in here...!" Karen noticed Rebecca move slightly and she dropped to her knees by the bed. "Please don't wake up...!" She tried to grab Rebecca's hand, but hers went through it. She gasped crawling backwards and accidentally bumping into Peruru's legs. "What's going on?"
"This may be only a dream, but she can't see or hear us."
"This is a dream..?"
"Yes."
"Why do you keep on appearing in my dreams?"
"Well.. I'm a dream elf, it's a power of mine." Peruru walked around Karen and pulled her onto her feet. "I thought it'd be best to carry out a conversation this way."
"So, you can get into people's dreams.. Wish I knew how to do it."
"I wish I could teach you..."
Karen looked at Peruru and then to the floor. "... What did you want to tell me?"
Peruru opened his mouth to speak, but just shook his head. He pulled Karen into a tight embrace as he softly kissed her. Karen felt her heart skip a beat and she blushed fiercely, part of her wanting it to be over. Peruru broke away, muttering an apology and turning away. Karen felt herself moving in to return his action, yet managed to keep herself from doing so. She was speechless, what could she say to that? He was pouring out his feelings to her and she... wanted to be with Rebecca.
"Peruru... I don't know what to say. There's so much happening lately and then there's Rebecca... But what do I know, I'm still just a kid. We all are... I guess the best thing to do is wait 'till after we beat our enemy to start thinking about... these things. I'm sorry, I really am..."
"I understand."
Karen inched over to Peruru and hugged him. "You'll still help me fight, right?"
Peruru nodded and Karen smiled, closing her eyes.
-.-
"Karen!"
The voice echoed in her mind and she awoke with a start.
Rebecca sat on the bed, hands on Karen's shoulders and a worried expression on her face. Karen saw that she was back in her room, which proved her meeting with Peruru was all in a dream. Rebecca just clung onto Karen's waist, obviously relieved to see the girl was conscious.
"Is something wrong Rebecca?"
The mini Sea Goddess just gazed up at Karen, tears forming in her marine blue eyes. "I thought they had taken you away from me... It felt so real and I was so scared." She recklessly cried into Karen's shirt, quiet sobs sounding in the uncomfortable silence.
"It's alright... it was just a dream." In all honesty, Karen didn't want to know who 'they' were. If it was enough to wake Rebecca and get her to cry a river, it must have been bad. She just rubbed her partner's back as an attempt to pacify her. It seemed to be working, since Rebecca wasn't crying as much. Karen mentally sighed, relieved that no one had been roused. "Don't worry Becca, I won't leave you. I'm here and that's how I plan to stay."
Her assuring words ceased Rebecca's weeping and Rebecca sniffled, drying her eyes. "Sorry about your shirt."
"That's okay, I care more about you than the shirt."
"Thanks Karen, I feel better now."
"That's a relief. Wanna stay in here for the night...?"
Rebecca shook her head and stood up. "I'll be okay."
An energy blast struck Rebecca, knocking her into a nearby wall.
"Rebecca...!" Karen tried to jump to her friend's aid, but a hand had grabbed her from behind. "Let me go..!"
"You're such a bother." Kaori, with all of her might, tossed Karen into an adjacent wall face first. "Stay out of the way." She floated over to Rebecca, picking up the unconscious girl. Letting out an annoying cackle, she vanished before Karen could tackle her.
"No! Rebecca..." Karen was on her knees, violently punching her carpet.
The door slammed open and Amara and Trista ran in. Karen ceased pummeling the ground, trying desperately to fight her tears back.
"Are you alright, Kat?" Amara called out to her sister.
"They took her... I couldn't stop them."
"It's alright, we'll get her back, I promise."
-.-
Karen lay on the couch, lifelessly staring at the muted television. Trista watched her, trying to think of a way to snap the girl out of her trance. It was clear the only simple method was finding out where Rebecca had been taken. Unfortunately, it wasn't a simple task, they didn't even know where to start looking. Amara had made the promise out of mixed emotions of anger and depression. The Witches had kidnapped Michelle, which Amara had found out a little too late.
"Rebecca was the only one who I could tell anything to. She's always there for me and believes in me when no one else does. I don't know what I'd do without her... The world just doesn't seem worth saving if I can't even protect her." Karen spoke to Trista, eyes still on the TV. "You know, most of the time... she's hurt because of me... and now this.."
"That's it...! I know what the Witches are after...!" Trista ran over to the stairs. "Amara!"
"What are you talking about?" Karen glanced over to Trista when she came back into the room.
"Isn't it obvious...?"
"No... all I know is that they seem to enjoy making my life miserable..... You don't think..."
"Something wrong?" Amara quickly came down the stairs and entered the room.
"They're after me." Karen answered. "But it didn't seem like they were trying very hard to get rid of me."
"Maybe they aren't aware you're their real target." Trista replied. "Whoever they're working for probably didn't want it to seem obvious."
"You just said..."
"It wasn't clear to me until half-way through that little speech of yours and then it was so hard not to see."
"Great, Rebecca got kidnapped because of me..."
"What about Michelle?" Amara questioned.
"... I don't know, them taking Michelle is a little fishy."
"Well, there's only one way to find out." Trista remarked.
"Where do we start looking though?" Karen debated.
"We don't have to worry about that, they'll come to us." Amara declared as she and Trista turned to Karen.
-.-
Karen and Rini walked through the park in silence, paying attention to nothing but straight ahead of them. Some rustling of bushes was heard and the two just continued their stroll, not sparing the slightest glance. Eudial and Mimet followed the two after jumping out of some trees. Cyprine and Telulu were posted some feet in front of them. Karen was the first to halt, Rini soon repeating her action.
"Hm... you're short one Witch, guess it doesn't matter though. She didn't do much of the fighting." Karen folded her arms over her chest. "No Kaori either, guess I'll just take my anger out on you four."
"You're crazy if you think the two of you can beat us." Telulu flashed a mocking smile, something she seem to enjoy doing.
"Who said there's only two of us?" Rini spat out and the Inners, old and new appeared in back of Telulu and Cyprine. The remaining Outers, past and present, were blocking Eudial and Mimet's only means of escape. The kids were transformed and the others were ready to fight.
"Where's Rebecca?" Karen demanded.
"You don't scare us!" Eudial shouted.
"Fine.. have it your way."
From out of the blue came two BonBon Babies, one knocking over Cyprine and the other taking down Mimet. Peruru fell down from somewhere in the sky and landed next to Karen and Rini with flute in hand.
"Last chance."
"Fine... we'll take you to her..." Eudial muttered.
"We're going too." Amara announced as she and Trista stepped forward.
"So am I." Peruru stated, gaining a displeased expression from Karen. "I don't trust them."
"That's what Amara and Trista are for..."
-.-
Karen and Peruru walked down a hallway with Amara and Trista following them closely. "I have a bad feeling about this." Karen stopped to search the area, not finding the four Witches anywhere. "I thought they would ditch us... probably planning a trap."
"I see a light ahead." Peruru informed and the four hurried towards it.
They came to a room with two doorways ahead, both identical and leading into darkness. Karen observed the two, hoping some psychic link or something would kick in. When nothing happened, she sighed then closed her eyes, listening for some kind of sound. Footsteps were coming from the opposing direction she faced. It must have been the Witches or some monster sent out to attack them.
"Let's split up. There's no use in coming here just to get captured." Amara ordered and left with Trista through the right doorway.
"Split up? What kind of plan is..?" Before she could finish, Peruru grabbed Karen's arm and led her into the left opening. "You could have told me to come... or give me a warning that you were going to try and pull my arm off."
Peruru slowed to a stop, his grip loosening and his hand falling to his side. Karen quickly knew where they were, it was Hotaru's old house. She had never been in this place, but by the description she was given, this place fit it perfectly. She went to the end of the hall and peeked her head around the corner. Another hall with some rooms and stairs leading down at the end of it. No Witches, no Kaori, no Tomoe.. just her and the fairy. Karen leaned against the wall and slid down into a sitting position. She got out her wand and gazed at it, not sure whether she should transform or not.
"How are we going to find Rebecca?" Peruru inquired.
"Well... we could get caught or find a way out of here and to wherever she is..." A door opened and closed around the corner, causing Karen to get up and take a second glimpse. She noticed the doorknob rattling a bit and sneaked over to the door. She swung the door open and waited for the person or thing that had entered it to come out. Finally, someone stepped out and Karen let her guard down. "Sorry Trista. I thought you were someone else.. or something. Where's Amara?"
There was no response, just an indescribable facial cast on the Time Guardian.
"Trista...?"
One of Trista's hands clutched Karen's neck, pinning the girl to the wall. Karen tried to speak, her elder's grip was too tight however. Peruru was mere feet away, getting held back by Eudial and Cyprine. Karen closed her eyes, she knew struggling was useless. She cursed herself for being so weak and let herself fall unconscious.
-.-
"Karen, where are we going?" Rebecca called out to her friend, who was busy keeping her focus on where she was heading.
"Stop asking me, I told you it was a surprise. Besides, we're almost there." Karen paused, glancing back at Rebecca, "Close your eyes."
"Okay..." She did as told and felt Karen's hand take one of hers. They hiked for some more minutes until Karen let go of Rebecca's hand and said she could open her eyes.
They were on a hill, looking over some part of the city. Karen was sitting on the grass, motioning for Rebecca to come join her. Rebecca did so and they viewed the scenery for a few moments.
"Karen, where are we?"
"My secret place. And the city isn't the only beautiful view. Look..." She pointed at the setting sun over the city.
"It's gorgeous..." Rebecca whispered, in awe of the sight.
"Becca...?"
"Hm?"
Karen moved closer to Rebecca and kissed her. Rebecca blushed, seeing Karen was doing the same, though the tomboy was trying to hide it. Rebecca leaned against Karen and they continued to watch the sun go down.
-.-
Karen awoke, finding herself face-down on a cold floor. She got onto her knees and looked around the room... nothing other than darkness Lights suddenly flickered on and Karen shielded her eyes from the brightness. She was all alone, Peruru was gone and Amara and Trista had got separated from them a while before that. Her eyes fell upon a body laying a distance away, it was Rebecca. Karen scrambled over to her partner, about to shake her until she heard a masculine voice.
"Don't wake her..."
Karen glanced up, seeing a cloaked figure on a throne. "Who are you and what do you want with me?!"
"Kat!" Karen turned, Amara, Trista, and Peruru across the large room. The Witches were surrounding them, each holding some sort of weapon.
"... Let them go!"
"It's not that simple..."
"Who are you really? I know you aren't some death dealer." Karen glared at the shadow.
"If you really wish to know.."
Out of one of the sleeves came some kind of device, crashing onto the floor. Karen guessed it was a voice changer by the its appearance. The person stood, one hand rising to remove the hood. Karen and Trista gasped as soon as the hood fell.
"No... it can't be..." Amara spoke, deep hurt in her expression as she was on the verge of tears.
Michelle stepped over to Karen and Rebecca, a smile on her face. "I didn't actually think you of all people would be surprised, Karen."