Thanx bunches to all my reviewers! I got lots! ^_^ So happy! Keep reviewing, lol! FF.net wasn't working before so I had to wait to update!
**NOTE** I changed Willow's appearance and clothes in my prologue, so just go check and see how she is now! ^_^
Dark Ness: I update every five days, I think, I like your name, looks cool! ^_^
Mavrik: Thanks and thanks! Glad you like it!
Sweet Faith and Hope...And Charity: Thanx! Yup, you've figured out two, anyways, guess some more, lol! They'll become more obvious soon, but I'll mix it up somewhat.
Unknown: Uhhhhhh…do you have a reason for hating her? I like all my characters and she's NOT evil!
Girs Evil Cupcakes: Awww…thanks, I'm gonna read your fic!!! ^_^
Snowgren: Don't worry, there'll be plenty more fight scenes later, I'm glad I rated it PG-13…too much fighting…
zac: Oh well, I like my story line, ^_^, tee hee, it's fantasy!!!!!!
~*~Prodigious girl*~*: Sorry, but the monsters ARE completely and utterly evil, I've finally figured out your character's personality now, I think.
Dreamer_gurl: Sorry, but it was getting SOOOOOOOOOOOOO long, I had to end it somewhere!
Black Iris: I get the comma thingy now, but I prefer to write this way cuz I'm used to it, I'm too lazy to adopt a new style. And I changed the stuff for Willow on her appearance and personality! ^_^
Shelby: Do you know how fast wind is? Just ask Tala, lol!
~kai~: You were banned, I might as well be banned cuz my computer doesn't work that well! I'm going to try to capture Hru's personality, I'm still shaky about it, sorry about before!
Miekkie: Yup, two to go, you noticed the pattern, yay! ^_^ I'm kinda psyched myself, poor Johnny's always caught in the middle of everyone, lol!
Cyrus the Virus: Hope you recognize my sarcasm, cuz I can't figure out whether you're mocking me or actually being serious. Anyways, *smirks*, you forgot rule #10, 'Never hesitate to use sarcasm.'
Reioca: Course it's violent, I love fighting, don't you? I think it's way cool. ^_^
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Chapter 9: Agreeing to Destiny
-------Flash-------
* ~ * Cassandra's Destiny * ~ *
"The power of Water..." Cassandra's mind filled with images of tides and whirlpools...
"The Water Kingdom is rightfully yours...."
"You shall wield a trident...determined and majestic..."
"Gekiryu-oh will guide you through hard times..." Images of Cassandra's ferocious sea serpent Bit Beast flashed in her mind.
"And your squire will also aid you in whatever way it can..." A blue egg flashed.
"You will overcome Fire with ease..." Images of water toasting fire flashed.
"But beware of Thunder..." A loud thunderbolt shocked the water, electrocuting the waters.
"You are good-natured and easygoing, but you must learn to concentrate on the task before you instead of wandering your mind, there is a time for play and a time to be serious..."
-------End of Flash-------
"That was something," Cassandra commented, "I have Water powers, Enrique, pass me the egg rolls, I'm hungry again."
"How about demonstrating your strength?" Holly asked teasingly.
"After I fill my stomach!" Cassandra said.
"Kailee's last," Kai said, giving his sister firm push, "Go."
"Noooooooooooo!" Kailee wailed, "I don't wanna!"
"Kailee, what are you afraid of?" Kai demanded,
"It's just a machine."
Kailee folded her arms stubbornly, "I won't kill anyone!"
"Then don't if that suits your will," Kai said, exasperated, "At least go get the power!"
"Come on Kailee," Max said softly, "We need to finish this before those monster creeps come back, okay?"
"Okay..." Kailee said reluctantly.
"Why don't YOU be her brother?" Kai muttered, "Sure, listen to him not me."
"He wasn't yelling at me," Kailee pouted.
"I'm not yelling!" Kai snapped.
"Now you are," Holly remarked, "Don't mind Kai, go ahead Kailee."
-------Flash-------
* ~ * Kailee's Destiny * ~ *
"The power of Magic..." Kailee's mind filled with images of beautiful streams of fairy dust and swirling sparking stars.
"The Magic Kingdom is rightfully yours...."
"You shall wield a wand...gentle and caring..."
"And your squire will also aid you in whatever way it can..." A pink egg flashed.
"You are kind and sweet and animals adore you, but you must understand that sometime it's necessary to kill and to protect those we love."
-------End of Flash-------
"I don't like that!" Kailee announced, coming out and hugging Max tightly that he cringed, "I saw some weird things." She held up her wand and egg, "But I can't wait for this egg to hatch though and maybe I won't need to use this wand...ever."
The machine rumbled and shook, making all sorts of weird screeching noises, then it crumbled to a pile of rubble.
Ray gaped, "Wh-what happened?"
"The machine can only be used 12 times, then it automatically self-destructs," the Guardian said.
"Weird," Kai muttered.
"Carl,y what in the name of hell are you doing?" Johnny demanded.
"Practicing," Carly said matter-of-factly, letting her ice powers stream out of her hand, "Doesn't it look cool?"
"Maybe you should practice outside?" Holly recommended, "Before you accidentally freeze one of us."
"Tala's outside," Carly said, "And he's rousing up some windstorm and I'll choke if I get dust in my throat."
"He's what???!!!" Willow cried. They all looked out the window curiously.
"He's good at this," Carly whispered to Johnny, "Like he's meant to wield this kind of power."
Tala was concentrating hard and with a quick sweep of his hand, a large whirlwind roused up and slammed into some trees.
"Gosh, what a show-off," Hru muttered, "I can do something just as powerful. I just can't suck any spirits right now, unless I have to suck them outta Kai. I would like the drain Tala's though." She started outside, "I'll show you-"
"He's a natural," the Guardian said, "But it is important to understand your power and be able to control it as well as wield it. Please call your friend in, I have matters to discuss with you."
"You can show us later Hru," Kai said, beckoning and scowling at her, "Come on."
"TALA!!!!!!" Carly hollered, "GET IN HERE!!!!!!"
"I'm coming," Tala grumbled, "No need to shout."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Don't you feel weird using your power?" Willow asked Tala.
"No," Tala replied, "That's why we have it right? To use it."
"You're not going to kill anyone are you?" Kailee
asked timidly.
"Why not?" Tala asked, his face expressionless, "It's my power."
"Killing is wrong!" Kailee burst out, "It's cruel and inhumane."
"They're monsters, not humans," Tala scoffed, "They deserve whatever punishment we can dig out for them."
"I'm with him," Carly said, "We fight to protect and they fight to destroy, pick a side, any side."
"There must be another way though," Willow protested, "We could accidentally hurt one of our own."
"You think of another way," Tala said coldly, "Meanwhile, I'll just continue my way."
"If we could just exile those monsters, make them start a new life or something," Willow suggested.
"You weren't listening," Kai said impatiently, looking eager to start an adventure, "Didn't you hear what the Guardian said about those monsters? They aren't even living things, just machines and made-up creatures without any heart or soul. You can't compare them to us."
"As long as no one gets hurt…" Holly said slowly, "I'm going to fight to protect, not fight to murder."
"And I'm fighting to fight," Tala said dryly, his turquoise eyes glinting.
"Let's not get worked up over whether we should fight or not," the Guardian said, "While your opinions might contrast, you will only stand a chance if you worked together as one. While fighting is wrong and should be prevented, the reality is that there is no other choice if we wish to protect what is left of our land."
"Why is fighting wrong?" Tala demanded, "It's life, life is about fighting." He turned away.
Hru glanced at him and shuddered, //There's something creepy about that guy, but at the same time, he's kinda cute...//
"Life is about-" Willow started.
"FOOD!" Cassandra hollered.
"Girls," Enrique said with a grin.
"Life," Carly said flatly, "Life is about life, okay?"
Johnny snorted, "I see that you'd make a great philosopher."
Carly shook her head at him, "No, I'm serious Johnny, life is life, you live it, you breathe it, you work it, you fight it, you end it."
Johnny raised his eyebrows, "Well…you're definitely not someone I'd go to if I need cheering up."
"Lay off McGregor (A/N: For those of you who don't know, that's Johnny's last name ^_^)!" Carly snapped as Johnny held up his hands in surrender, grinning.
"I refuse to fight," Kailee said.
"And I refuse to stay here," Ray said, "I don't want to rule a Kingdom."
"And I refuse to work as part of a team," Tala said with narrowed eyes, "That's the most stupidest thing I've ever heard."
Holly groaned, "We're already fighting each other before the real fighting's began."
"Can we all just chill for a while?" Kai asked irritably, "We can state our objections later, let's find out what we have to do first."
"You haven't complained," Johnny said to Carly, "That's a surprise, I would've expected the first complaint from you."
"Oh, I'm fine with this whole thing, as long as we get to do something interesting, I'm all for it," Carly said shrugging, "Apart from the destiny lecture, I'm cool with this."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So anyways, the opinions were kind of divided now, everyone had their own valuable opinion and insight on the situation. But after hours of discussing and complaining and arguing, they all agreed to this adventure (after all, if they didn't I wouldn't be writing this story ^_^). But each of them had different reasons as to WHY they agreed and not one of them believed in the destiny that befell them. So after a night's sleep they were pretty much all set.
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"I can't believe I'm doing this," Kailee muttered, keeping up her whining.
"I can't believe I'm stuck with a bunch of pacifists!" Tala exclaimed loudly, receiving a few glares with a careless shrug, "This is pathetic!"
"And just WHO are you calling a pacifist?" Hru demanded.
"We're not ALL pacifists, it's not that bad," Carly said to Tala, "Just think, it could be worse! Cheer up buddy, no one ever agrees with my point of view either."
Tala couldn't help smiling a bit.
"What are you doing Guardian?" Kai asked curiously as the Guardian scrolled the screen and scanned the areas.
"Deciding where I should send you first," the Guardian replied, "The 12 Kingdoms are all in critical condition, but some are worse than others. I should send you to the kingdom that needs the most help first. But I can't choose..."
"I'll choose one for you!" Carly jumped in, "I'll close my eyes and-"
Just then a mild rumbling sound was heard, following by a quiet blast.
"Oh no," Kailee cried, "The monsters are back."
"No they aren't," Holly said, craning her neck to see, "I don't see no one!"
"It's not the Dream Realm," the Guardian said, "The Fire Kingdom has just erupted fire from its volcanoes. Oh no, the land is unstable."
"Fire IS supposed to erupt from volcanoes," Tala remarked airily, "It's their job."
Hru rolled her eyes, bit her lip to keep from
spitting out her own comment.
"Yes, true," the Guardian said, ignoring Tala's cocky tone, "But it's unnatural
for all the volcanoes on the Fire Kingdom
to erupt all at once, it's evil doing.
The Fire Kingdom is near crumbling and is in serious condition, you must
go there at once and restore it to its rightful glory."
"Who's the ruler for the Fire Kingdom
again?" Hru asked.
"I am," Ray replied slowly, "Why is my land dying first?"
"Because the evil chose to attack it first," the Guardian answered simply, "You must head over to the Fire Kingdom and restore things to the way they used to be."
"How?" Enrique asked, "The place looks wrecked if you'd pardon my expression."
"And is there another name for the 'evil' or do we have to keep calling it the 'evil'?" Carly asked, half snickering.
"The evil is called Chaotic Devil," the Guardian said, "He is a disgusting fiend who feeds on the lives of others and enjoys destroying things."
"So do I," Tala muttered, "What does that make me?"
"A sicko!" Hru snapped, unable to contain her anger any longer, "Feeding off the lives of others! That's just gross and weird."
Carly rolled her eyes at him, "Tala, back off, okay? Ew, how can you say that? Can you make it ANYmore obvious that you don't wanna work with us? Chaotic Devil, huh? Well, is he in for a real treat!"
"Chaotic Devil has 12 minions, each with the power of an element. These 12 minions are each ruling a kingdom right now, one that they have conquered. They sit in the throne of the Kingdom, once you kill the leader of the Kingdom, the Kingdom will be yours," the Guardian said.
"Where's the throne?" Kai asked.
"There are specific buildings in every Kingdom," the Guardian said, "For example, there is a palace in every Kingdom, that's where the throne is. There is also a Sanctuary in every Kingdom and so on."
"What's a Sanctuary?" Kailee asked.
"It's a place where you can heal your wounds and replenish your energy," the Guardian said, "It's like a hospital and those who feel weak and tired easily regain their strength there."
"How about a map so we won't get lost?" Enrique suggested.
"That's the first sensible thing I've heard you say," Carly remarked, grinning at her friend.
"Of course," the Guardian pressed the button on the screen and a red card shot out, "This Locater card will tell you exactly where you are in the Kingdom."
"Wonderful," Hru said sarcastically, "Only, the card is covered with flames." It was indeed, the red card looked as if it was burning, literally.
"Because only the ruler of the Fire Kingdom may look upon this map," the Guardian said apologetically, "When the galaxy was peaceful, the maps used to be available to everyone, now that Chaotic Devil has taken over, the old warriors encoded the maps with special powers to ensure absolute protection."
"Some good that did," Tala muttered.
Hru inched away from Tala, //Why is he being such a creep? The idiot probably thinks he can save the whole galaxy by himself!//
"Yeah, what's the point?" Kai asked, "You got
invaded anyways."
"Yes, but some of the greatest secrets and treasures still remain hidden," the
Guardian said, "Ray, when you go to the Fire Kingdom, it will be your job to
lead the others."
"We have to follow him!?!" Carly cried, "Ugh, I
want to be leader!"
"Lead us to our deaths you will," Johnny said, shaking his head.
"Can't we go and fight ourselves?" Tala asked in annoyance.
The Guardian looked alarmed, "Oh no. It is MUCH too dangerous for you to go out alone; you must depend upon and look after each other if you have any hopes of winning. Now Ray, listen carefully, the card is a map of the entire Fire Kingdom. The small palace-shaped figure is the Fire Palace, you will find your enemy there and if you shall defeat him, the Fire Kingdom will be yours."
"That's all?" Ray asked, "All I have to do is beat the guy?"
"It won't be easy," the Guardian said sternly, "The monster ruling the Fire Kingdom right now will be holding a Fire Scepter, whoever possesses that artifact has the power to rule that Kingdom and all the inhabitants will obey the keeper of the scepter. You must obtain the Fire Scepter and bring it back here. I will show you what to do with it later."
"Let's go already!" Tala said impatiently, "I have to try out my powers on some REAL victims!"
For once, Hru agreed with him, but silently.
"We never got to practice with our weapons and
powers," Holly said worriedly, "What if something terrible goes wrong?"
"There no doubt that you are the keepers of these elemental powers and if you
follow your heart, you will be able to control it just fine, you're
naturals. Please watch out for each
other and take care," the Guardian said, "Only when you defeat the enemy and
obtained the Fire Scepter will you be allowed the come back to the Dream
Realm."
"Sounds too scary," Kailee whimpered.
"Do we have to take our eggs along too?" Carly asked, "Mine's moving around a bit, I think it might hatch soon."
"Yes, do take it with you," the Guardian advised, "These creatures inside the eggs will grow up to serve you and watch your back."
"I'm not a babysitter," Tala grumbled, putting the egg in his bag.
"Sweet little egg," Kailee cooed, putting it lovingly in a blanket.
"Some of you are stronger than others," the Guardian said, "Some of you are born fighters while some of you prefer to settle things peacefully, nevertheless, you all will learn something that will be valuable to you. Carly, may I request that you be especially careful in the Fire Kingdom?"
"Me? Why me?" Carly asked.
"Because Ice's greatest weakness is Fire," the Guardian said, "And you, Carly, have a bright warrior's light in your eyes, your efforts may be strong, but they will not have much effect in this Kingdom."
"We'll see," Carly said confidently.
"Good luck," the Guardian said, "I will now teleport you to the Fire Kingdom, best of luck and be ready for anything. Goodbye for now."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This isn't that much of a cliffie, I'm glad FF.net is working again! ^_^ This chapter is LONG! To make up for a late day of updating even though it wasn't really my fault! Please review and they're heading off to the Fire Kingdom, first stop Ray's kingdom, enjoy the ride and get ready for some fighting! ^_^ I wonder if I can make 100 reviews by the next time I update, am I being too greedy? Lol! Maybe!
PS: If you like Beyblade, check out my site @ www.geocities.com/ice_archergirl/. Thanx!