Ch.5

Disclaimer: We do not own any of the characters save for Jessica, Adrianna, and any other character that isn't from an anime, game, or comic series. They are used solely for entertainment, and we owe much thanks to the creators of these wonderful characters. Fluffy

The Earth lay just a short distance ahead, swimming in the vastness of space, as a vessel more powerful than anything in the known Universe traveled in the emptiness towards the blue and white planet. The Palace of the High Ones, the legendary ship that brought the elves to the world of Abode, gleamed bright as a star as it raced faster than the speed of light to its destination. Inside the Scroll Room stood the Palace's master, Skywise. He smiled, able to see the beautiful planet come into view. To ensure his approached wasn't noticed by the Hubble telescope, he dipped into the endless pool of magic the vessel possessed and cloaked the entire thing.

Effortlessly skimming past the Moon and Earth's orbital satellites, he turned towards the daylight side of the planet and to Japan, aware that one of his beloved now lived there. Almost there. He slowed down as he entered the atmosphere, the Palace still cloaked and easily avoiding any air traffic on the way down. A few seconds more, and the Palace floated above an area close to Tokyo, where the trees were thick.

Meanwhile, Jessica, Addy, Sonic, and the Ronins were all enjoying the morning with a few exercises after breakfast. Jessica practiced what she could with Ryo while the others faced off in pairs. Just then, all but Sonic felt their sixth senses go off. Alerted of a great power headed their way, they all trained their eyes to the sky. Addy narrowed her eyes in suspicion, as did Sonic. On the other hand, Jessica studied the aura's signature very carefully. It was familiar, that much she could tell right off.

As the Palace came closer to its landing place, they all followed with their heads as it descended into a clearing not far from the house. Finally, just when Ryo was about to order the four others to action, Jessica widened her eyes when she realized who it was.

"Oh my god...!" she said aloud. Everyone else curiously turned to her.

"Do you know that power?" Seiji asked.

"It ... it–! Yeah, I know it!" Jessica replaced her contemplative frown with a grin and immediately began running towards the source. "Come on!"

It didn't take long to get to the vessel, and by then Skywise was already emerging from the door of the Palace. He had taken off the invisibility cloak, certain that it wouldn't be noticed by very many. Once he spotted Jessica he couldn't hide his grin.

"It is you, Skywise! And you're my size!" Jessica called, waving.

"Yes, I'm your size. I knew you'd recognize the Palace's magic!" he called back, running up to her and hugging her tightly in her arms. "Oh, how I missed you! Heh, and you're pregnant I see."

Jessica blushed, putting a hand behind her head. "Yeah, well, I've been busy." Skywise chuckled evilly at the joke as the others approached. All of them, even Addy, had a look of wonder on their faces. Skywise met them with a smile.

"Hello."

"You speak English," Ryo responded, blinking.

"Mm-hm, I've known for a while how to speak English. It's now a common language on my homeworld. Among the humans, anyway." Sonic put a hand to his chin.

"You're an elf," he stated. The guys all widened their eyes as if they had just noticed that fact. Skywise nodded again.

"And you're not completely human, are you?" Sonic sadly shook his head.

"No, I never was. I was ... given this form." Jessica put a hand on Sonic's shoulder, who put his hand over hers with a slight smile. "It's okay, though. I've decided to make this my new home."

"So ... who are you?" Addy asked, stepping up to Skywise and giving him a good looking over. Skywise chuckled.

"My name is Skywise." He turned to Jessica. "Jessica and I have known each other for a long time. I was the one that taught her to send and to use magic."

"You're him?!" Touma exclaimed, pointing.

"Yeah, Jess told us all about you! I mean, how you taught her sending and stuff," Shu added. Addy only lifted an eyebrow.

Ryo smiled and said, "Lemme guess ... you were in her heart before us." Skywise smiled apologetically and nodded.

"I'm afraid so, though I am thrilled she's finally chosen to settle down with one of her kind. I hoped she would, because we both knew I would be gone for a long time." He grunted when Jessica roughly hugged him a second time.

"And I missed you so much!" she said excitedly, "I was wondering when you'd come back, and whether I'd have someone else by then or you'd have someone else–!"

"Lovemate, enough," the elf soothed, grinning, "not in front of your husband."

"Hey!"

"It's fine by me," Ryo replied with a casual shrug. He then proceeded to introduce the others.

"My name is Ryo Sanada. My friends here are Seiji Date, Shin Mori, Shu Lei Fan, and Touma Hashiba. The little girl is Adrianna Sanada, my sister, and this last dude here is Sonic the Hedgehog." Skywise blinked in surprise.

"The Sonic the Hedgehog?" Sonic nodded. Skywise frowned. "Let me guess. The Eggman did that to you." Sonic nodded again. "I'm sorry, Sonic."

"Nah, it's cool. I'll learn to live with it. It ain' t so bad bein' human. An' I still got my speed, so it's all good."

"Good."

"Please, come back to the house with us," Jessica politely offered, dragging Skywise by both hands. Skywise laughed as he let himself be led on.

"So, how long have you known Jess?" Shin asked. The elf grinned.

"Since she was twelve. And when we first saw each other I wasn't too happy about it."

"Hee, nope!" Jessica chimed with a giggle, "He freaked out when I told him that I knew him because of a comic book: ElfQuest."

"No way, there's a comic about him?" Addy asked, pointing to Skywise. Jessica nodded.

"Yup, about him and his tribe, the Wolfriders."

"Then how did you end up falling for her?" Touma asked, curious as Addy was.

"After we first met, I could not get her off my mind. So, I saw her again, and again, and again. Eventually I taught her all she knows about swordsmanship and magic. Oh! That reminds me! I have a gift for you, beloved."

He reached behind and under his wine-colored cloak and pulled a sword from his belt. It was a perfect replica of his own, designed for human hands. "I had the trolls forge it for me."

"So it's brightmetal?! Wow!" The young woman took her new sword carefully and withdrew the blade from the scabbard, then administered a few clean swings. Seiji noted her perfect form.

"You haven't lost your touch," Skywise mentioned. Jessica grinned proudly.

"This is wonderful! Thank you so much, Skywise! You know, Addy's got some skill, too. 'Cept she uses a dagger instead of a sword."

"Ah..." He looked down at Addy. "I'd like to see you in action sometime." Addy gave him a smile. "A bit shy today?"

"No, not really," Addy answered.

"It's just that so many strangers are showing up now, right?" Ryo responded in a wise tone. Sonic chuckled behind his hand while Addy nodded.

"We're lucky these strangers are people Jess knows," she answered.