Little note from me, the author:

I know that ebony is a mary-sue-ish character and there are plenty of people out there who don't like that. However, I needed to do that to accurately show that contrast between her 14-year-old self and her 18-year-old self. She becomes much less mary-sue later on you just have to be patient with me.

I would also like to give a big thanks to all my reviewers!

Quietly, Ebony hummed to herself. It was an old tune, and she didn't quite know where it was from. She closed her eyes and envisioned the world behind the song. She saw a bunch of people. Ebony was one of them. They were having a picnic and playing tag. These people weren't that young though. A young man came up to her and kissed her softly. He had lovely black locks of hair and stunning blue eyes. This man was gorgeous. People were calling his name. She saw a cell phone fall to the ground flashing a name. She was straining to see it. Blinding pain shot through her entire body.

"Relax, young one. You were just dreaming," soothed Tulpa. Ebony's mouth twitched, just like the dark lord had expected. She knew that the vision had been real. She didn't have dreams anymore. She couldn't even remember what they were like. Maybe it was something from before the time of the armor? She didn't remember much before that. Lord Talpa was all that mattered. He had given her power. Strength. It seemed like that's all she had.

Tulpa was so predictable. Maybe that's why she had stayed. No. That too was a lie. She wasn't sure at all. She had hated this castle and all its inhabitants at first. However, now it was different. Tulpa was… likable enough. She didn't hate this place. It was home.

Once again, she tried to remember the things in her vision. Frustrated, she remembered that she couldn't. Tulpa had said that memories would be too distracting. All she knew was this life. Ebony felt tears fill her eyes. With effort, she held them down. She hadn't cried since her first night there and she wasn't about to start now. For the first time in a long time, she sat down to think. It's not like she didn't think, she just always followed Tulpa's orders. Tulpa! She had to move. The Ronins were scheduled to see her in less than an hour and she had to get to the mortal realm.

It was two hours before dawn. Usually, the only one up at the hour was Sage. However, the dreams had pulled everyone out of sleep. Thusly, they had a conference in the living room. Ryo had walked in looking incredibly sad and haunted at the same time. Cye looked guilty and sorry. Kento looked horribly annoyed and miffed. Sage looked disappointed. Rowen had come in last and looking broken. There were tearstains on his cheeks and he was shaking slightly. The guys made to help, but Rowen shook his head and sat down.

"Okay, so obviously I'm not the only one who had a weird dream. In mine, I was on the edge of a volcano and Ebby saved me. Then we were suddenly in the Fire room. She said something about waiting and sort of faded into the Time room. I'm still sort of confused," admitted Ryo.

"I'm more confused than you. I was at the pool and Eb dunked me in the water; I dunked her back. She got mad at me for something about "not looking for her." Suddenly, she ran off and disappeared into the time room. I kept calling to her and apologizing, but she wouldn't listen. I didn't get at all," explained Cye.

"You think your dream was weird? Ebony punched me in the face and k'o-ed me but before I passed out, I saw the Time room behind her. Now that is what I'd call beyond weird," laughed Kento.

Sage was deep in thought. Normally, he and Rowen would have adopted the deep thoughtful glare, however, his best friend was just too distraught to concentrate much. There's something terribly wrong with this. Ebony, she... she has something to do with this but I don't know what it is. Maybe, maybe if I just test the link. I'm sure it has to do with the link! What the...-

"Arhhhhhhhhhhh!" Sage suddenly yelled. The bearer of Halo suddenly collapsed as though hit by a boulder. Stars exploded behind his eyes. Unbearable pain coursed through him. Blood was pounding in his ears. The link rejected him! He had sensed another part to it. He had found something, but just as Sage tried to explore, the link shut his mind out. As a result, his head felt like it had been split in two.

"Sage!" cried the Ronins who were crowding around their fallen friend. Ryo and Cye managed to haul Sage to his feet and get him to the couch. Angrily, the halo-bearer demanded a cup of water and some aspirin. Seeing him with such a sour attitude made them back off.

"Geez what's your problem?" growled Kento who was both sleepy and hungry. Sage frowned and started to yell something, but stopped and took a deep breath before continuing in a calmer fashion.

"Sorry. I'm just a little annoyed about this whole thing. I mean the armor link doesn't work and the connection between our dreams doesn't make a lot of sense. Ebony and the Time room are not the most normal things to have in common. Argh! I just feel so confused- like maybe there's something that's bigger in this that none of us can figure out yet," he apologized.

Kento still looked rather annoyed but kept his thoughts to himself. There was something going on and now wasn't good time to argue. Everyone was thinking hard and reluctantly. No one except Sage was used to getting up this early. Unexpectedly, Ryo snapped his fingers.

"We gotta go to the Time room!"

This seems kinda short to me but whatever. Wow chapter four! I've never made it this far before!