Chapter 3

Lavender once again found herself in the girl's bathroom. She was sat on a toilet curled into a ball crying into her knees. She couldn't believe what she had done, it wasn't like her at all. Why had she done it? She had never wanted to hurt anyone, all she had wanted was to get her cards back. She continued to sob, stopping suddenly as she heard the door give a click.

"Lavender?" called a soft voice.

Lavender didn't respond but she couldn't help but sob a little. This was obviously enough for the owner of the voice to pin point her as she heard the door click again and then footsteps slowly crossing the room.

"Lavender?" said the voice again.

This time it was closer, right outside the cubical door for that matter and the door wasn't closed. Lavender slowly looked up to see Sabrina leaning on the doorframe looking at her with a soft gaze. Lavender's head returned to her knees and she started to cry again as Sabrina's arm fell across her shoulders. The young girl couldn't stop herself and turned to her side, wrapping her arms around Sabrina and sobbing into her chest. Sabrina responded by wrapping her own arms around Lavender and giving her a small squeeze.

"Lavender, why did you do that?" asked Sabrina slowly.

Lavender just sniffed for a moment, her face still buried in Sabrina's chest as she replied.

"I…I just wanted my cardies back." she replied.

"What happened?" asked Sabrina.

"They wanted to see my cardies so they took me somewhere were we wouldn't be disturbed….then they stole my cardies and pushed my in the rubbish bin."

Sabrina just gave a small nod to herself.

"Lavender do you realise what you did?" she asked.

"Yes….I didn't mean to hurt them, I didn't want to hurt them…I…"

"Lavender this is very serious, you used a spell technique inside the school! The entire faculty is in an uproar."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt them! I didn't mean to use that Foie spell. I just wanted my cardies back."

"They're special to you aren't they?"

"Uh huh, Unky Links gave them to me when we first went to Ragol. He said they would protect me from all the bad monsters. He…"

"Hush dear, I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"I felt the same way when my parents gave me my first weapon."

"You did?"

Sabrina just gave a nod and reached into her pocket, drawing out a small deck of cards. She held then up for Lavender to see and the small child froze.

"My cardies!" she cried, wrapping her hands around the cards for a moment and then wrapping her arms round Sabrina again, "Thank you!"

"It's ok Lavender." replied Sabrina slowly, "Now what say I take you home? Sitting here isn't going to make you feel any better."

Lavender just gave a nod, allowing the older human to take hold of her and help her to her feet. Sabrina kept hold of Lavender's right hand and slowly guided her out of the bathroom. The corridors were deserted, the rest of the school still in lessons, as they walked down them towards the exit. As they left the building Sabrina turned them both towards the staff car park where her own flyer was waiting. It wasn't big, barely big enough for two people but as Sabrina was the only one to ever use it it didn't matter and Lavender wasn't in a mood to notice.

Sabrina helped her inside and made sure she was strapped in before climbing in herself and starting the engine. A light hum filled the air as the photon engine started up and lifted the vehicle from the ground. Slowly Sabrina began the accent from the ground, and making sure she didn't hit anyone else, made her way into the lines of traffic that were filing along above them. Little was said during the journey, a grumble from Sabrina about the traffic, a mumble from Lavender. Lavender herself wasn't paying anything any attention and hardly noticed the trip, her senses only really returning when Sabrina tapped her on the shoulder.

"We're there." she said softly.

Lavender looked up at Sabrina and then around at her surroundings. The flyer was sat on the ground next to a large block of apartments, the one where Links and her had their home. For a moment she didn't want to go, she didn't know what she was going to say to Links, she didn't know how she was going to explain what happened. She gave a small sigh and slowly got out of the flyer, standing still facing the lobby entrance until Sabrina pushed her inside.

The trip up the elevator seemed to take forever and all the while Lavender was getting more and more worried and fidgety. As a ping that signalled their arrival at the correct floor sounded Lavender started to cry again. Sabrina placed a guiding arm around her and coaxed her out of the lift and down the hall. Sabrina had been to Links' apartment before, she had even worked with him on one quest for the Hunter's Guild, so she knew where she was going. Eventually the pair stopped in front of a door and Sabrina gave a small knock.

"Hmm? One second." came a reply a moment later.

There was a brief pause and then the door slid open, revealing Links standing in the doorway. He blinked quickly, looking a little puzzled at the pair on the doorstep.

"Lavender? What are you doing back from school so early? Sabrina?" asked Links giving Sabrina a questioning look.

"There's been some trouble at school Links, can we come in?" replied Sabrina.

"Oh, of course."

Links took a step to the side and watched as Sabrina and Lavender walked past. Sabrina gave Links a small nod as she passed and then quickly sat Lavender down in a chair before sitting down next to her. Links closed the door and crossed over to where they were sitting, placing himself opposite the pair. For a moment nothing was said and Lavender found herself staring at her knees.

"So what's going on?" asked Links finally.

"There's been some trouble involving Lavender at school today." replied Sabrina.

Lavender looked up slowly to find Links looking at her and quickly looked down again but this was enough for Links to jump to a conclusion.

"You been in trouble Lavender? You know I won't stand for that type of stuff! What did she do Sabrina?" he said in a rather gruff tone.

It took all of a split second for Lavender to burst into tears and jump to her feet. Ignoring the slightly shocked looks from Sabrina and Links she ran towards her room, the door opening automatically as she approached and shutting behind her. The small girl flung herself at the bed, her arms flying out to grab the covers and pull them close to her, as she started to cry into her pillow.

To her it felt like her whole world had come crashing down on her and she didn't have a clue what to do about it. As she continued to sob there was a small rustle from the far corner of the room followed by the small white form of Sato rising up from as pile of clothing. The mag had been resting in the pile when Lavender had stormed in and was curious as to what was going on.

The mag continued to rise, doing a small flip and flying towards the bed when it saw Lavender, however it soon stopped dead. Hovering in mid air, the mag watched Lavender cry for a moment before slowly approaching and floating down next to her face. The mag slowly tapped its nose against Lavender's tear stained cheek to announce its presence. Lavender slowly looked up and gave a sniff, looking back down and burying her face in her pillow again as she saw the mag.

Sato wasn't impressed and gave her another nudge, this time following it up by snuggling into her shoulder.

"Sato…" whimpered Lavender quietly.

The mag replied by wagging its tail energetically and snuggling into her shoulder more. Slowly Lavender brought a hand away from the covers and started to pat the mag on the head. Sato responded by nuzzling back against her hand and then letting out a small chirp as Lavender spun and brought it into a tight hug. Lavender broke into more tears as she hugged the mag and brought it close to her face to rub her cheek against. Sato slowly began to get used to the mauling and decided to accept it, allowing Lavender to hug it without resistance.

Finally, after a few more moment, Lavender looked up and met the mag's gaze. A small smile started to spread across her face before it quickly faded and her eyes went wide.

"Sato…" she said slowly, releasing the mag in the process.

Sato shook slightly and then rose from Lavender's arm and started to hover in front of her. The mag gave a small bounce, remembering something that had been said earlier. Lavender had also remembered which was the reason for her expression.

"I…I'm sorry Sato…I wasn't able to get you a Star Atomiser today." she said slowly, looking down from the mag.

Lavender was ashamed of herself, not only had she got into trouble but she had also let down a friend, and a good friend at that. She flopped back into her pillow, tears returning to her eyes as she began to cry once more.

"I'm sorry Sato, I've been a lousy hunter to you, you deserve someone better than me." she said softly, her words half muffled by the pillow.

Sato continued to hover for a moment and then slowly slid over to Lavender and nuzzled into her shoulder again. Lavender looked up slowly to see the mag settling into place next to her on the covers. Her expression changed to one of slight surprise as she looked at the critter beside her.

"You…you don't mind that I didn't get you one?" she asked.

Sato just wagged its tail and remained where it was, a smile passing over its face, at least in Lavender's eyes. Lavender slowly wiped her tears and started to run her hand over Sato's head causing Sato's tail to wag in approvement.

"Thank you Sato."

Just then there was a small knock at the door, which caused Lavender to look up.

"Lavender? Can I come in?" asked Links' voice slowly.

Lavender turned her head a little more to look at the door and then slumped back into her pillow without saying a word.

"Lavender?" came the call again.

Again Lavender didn't reply and choose to just lay still, her hand still resting on Sato's head. Just then she heard a small bleep and a whooshing sound as the door slid open behind her. There wasn't a sound for a moment, the floor being carpeted and absorbing the sound of Links' footsteps, and then a slight creek as Links' sat down on the edge of the bed. Lavender felt the bed shift as Links sat down but didn't move from her position. She didn't even move when Links reached out to place a hand on her shoulder.

"Lavender, Sabrina just told me what happened at school. I'm sorry I snapped as I did, I expected the worst." said Links slowly, sounding a little guilty.

Lavender just made a small murmuring sob and hugged Sato closer to her.

"I'm not mad with you Lavender, a little upset but not mad." continued Links.

"R…really?" squeaked Lavender as she gingerly looked round behind her.

Links just gave a nod and took a light hold of Lavender's arms, turning her around to face him.

"I'm a little disappointed that you took your cards to school with you. You should know better than that Lavender after all I've been trying to teach you."

Lavender shuffled slightly in her seat, she knew Links was right. She looked up slowly and caught Links' expression, he wasn't mad as he had said but he sure wasn't happy.

"And Lavender," he said sternly, "if you ever use your techniques anywhere else other than Ragol again there will be stiff consequences."

Lavender gave a small gulp and nodded slowly, she knew he was serious from the look in his eyes. As Lavender watched though the hard look in Links' eyes slowly faded and he brought the young girl forwards into a tight hug. Lavender was a little surprised at this and didn't know what to do for a moment before instincts kicked in and caused her to hug back tightly. Lavender couldn't help herself and broke into tears in Links' arms, Sato nuzzling into her side to try and comfort her.

"I'm just glad you're safe Lavender." said Links with a heavy sigh, "You could have been hurt doing what you did."

"I…I thought you'd be mad if I came home without my cardies so I…"

"There are other ways of dealing with problems without resorting to violence." cut in Links, "You could have told Sabrina and she would have sorted it for you."

"I…I wanted to do it myself. I didn't want to disappoint you."

"Lavender you've never disappointed me, you're the most skilled hunter trainee I've seen for quite some time."

"Really?"

"Yes really, Lavender, I just want you to be happy."

"I am Links."

The pair remained as they were for a moment, unaware that Sabrina was watching silently from the doorway. She smiled slightly and then turned away from the doorway and disappeared from view. It was about this time that Links broke the hug and pulled back, his hands folding Lavender's upper arms firmly.

"Well you should start getting ready." he said slowly.

"Ready? For what?" asked Lavender a little confused.

"Our trip to Ragol of course."

Lavender's eyes went wide, how could she have forgotten that?!

"You mean you're still going to take me after…"

"Yes I am. You are obviously sorry and upset about what you did so further punishment is not needed. Besides it's hard enough to organise these trips so I'm not going to cancel it after all the work I've had to do to get it."

Lavender quickly broke free of Links' grip and wrapped her arms around him in another hug. Links just patted her on the back with a smile.

"Thank you!" said Lavender, her voice shaking slightly as she spoke.

It was about an hour later that Links and Lavender stood side by side outside the Hunter's Guild. After Links had prised Lavender off himself earlier the two had gotten ready for their trip fairly quickly. They were both already dressed for the occasion, neither of them wearing anything other than their hunter clothing nearly one hundred percent of the time. Links was shouldering a small backpack which contained his weapon of choice, a small magical cane called a Summit Moon. The cane was not even a meter long and had a large glowing stone embedded at the end of it between a small set of rounded points. Links had found the stone purely by chance during a mission to Ragol and after it had been analysed he had had it embedded into a cane to harness it's magical properties.

The backpack also contained a pair of vulcan machine guns, a number of healing items and Lavender's Mahu cards. Links and Lavender's mags were hovering over their respective owner's shoulders calmly although Sato was a little more active. It was swaying slightly from side to side, occasionally bobbing up and down instead to reveal the monotony. Links' mag, on the other hand, was completely still and silent. The mag was a Soniti, an odd mag that looked like the head of a rabbit. It had a fairly roundish shaped white body with two green slits on either side that looked like eyes and two large "ears" sticking up from it that had blue tips.

Before arriving at the Hunter's Guild, the pair had made a stop at the local shops. Links had some business with the weapons merchant and Lavender had used the time to buy Sato a Star Atomiser, which the mag had devoured eagerly. The lady behind the counter had ended up talking to Lavender the whole time Links had been busy which had resulted in a small cue forming behind the chatting pair but the woman seemed not to mind.

Now stood outside the Guild the pair walked towards the doors and stepped inside. Almost immediately they were nearly sent flying as a male hunter, a HUmar, raced past them with an unevolved bright yellow coloured mag following him as best it could. Links shook his head and muttered something about inexperienced fools before continuing on inside.

The Guild was alive with action, a number of hunters of various types standing around or doing things. Leaning against the wall nearest them was a female android, a RAcaseal ranger, who's slim figure would have made most human women extremely jealous is she had been human. Near the window at the back of the room a short FOnewearl force and a HUcast were chatting idly. It was quite a comical site as the android hunter was at least twice the size of the force. Finally a RAmar, a male human ranger, stood at the Guild counter playing seven bells of hell at the lady behind the desk.

"You told me this mission would pay well!" he cried loudly, his hands planted firmly on the counter.

"Like I've already told you sir," replied the lady trying to remain calm and collected, "if you had followed the report like it had said without going off on your own it would. It's your own fault you messed up not ours, if you have a problem with that I suggest you go and talk to the client personally."

The RAmar raised a hand from the desk and clenched his hand as he tried to hold back a scream and then stormed from the room, Links and Lavender having to jump out of the way to avoid being bowled over. Links shook his head and approached the desk just as the woman was collapsing into a chair.

"Busy day?" he said with a chuckle.

"Links! Oh you're telling me!" replied the woman looking up slowly.

"Well you've always coped in the past eh Samantha."

Samantha was one of the many people who helped to keep the Hunter's Guild running smoothly. Like everyone else who worked for the Guild she wore a specific blue uniform consisting of a blouse, skirt and hat and then a few personal touches like a small red flower that was sticking out of her blouse pocket.

"So what can I do for you today Links?" she asked sitting up in her chair and straightening out her uniform.

"Myself and my niece here have a date with the planet Ragol." replied Links pushing Lavender into view.

The small FOmarl gave a shy wave, which caused Samantha to laugh slightly.

"Back again eh, just you stay out of trouble ok. One minute Links, I have to make sure it's all been cleared."

Links just gave a small nod and let Samantha do her work as she skimmed the computer screen in front of her. A moment later she raised her head and gave a nod.

"Seems everything is in order, you've been authorised for a trip to the forest area near the Central Dome although you've been asked to stay in the fringe areas of the forest. It seems there is some business going on near the Central Dome and all non involved people have been ordered to stay away."

"Is it about that Dragon?" asked Links with a questioning look.

"It doesn't say but it's most likely. That was quite a find Links and the central government wanted to investigate it further, this cordon probably has something to do with it."

"Hmm, very well, in that we'll take our leave."

"Don't have too much fun."

Samantha gave a smile and a wave as Links turned away ushering Lavender with him. As they approached the door the HUmar from earlier shot back into the Guild, his mag now nowhere to be seen, and nearly knocked the pair over again. Links pulled a face that showed his irritism and Lavender was glad they were inside or she was sure he'd have let off some sort of spell.

Finally Links looked away and took hold of Lavender's shoulder, guiding her to the right as they left the Guild. In front of them sat a large set of metal doors that must have been a good ten meters tall, in front of which stood two city guards. Links approached one of them and handed him a slip of paper, which the guard read and then nodded. There was a clang and the huge metal shutters slowly slid upwards revealing the blue flashing form of the planetary teleporter behind them.