A/N: Updates still going well. Wanted to get this up yesterday, but had to work and I wasn't quite finished.


I frowned, watching the horizon as it turned so many different colors. I think Mr. McCoy suspected, no, knew I was holding back information. But how do I tell some people I've known for more than half a year that I knew exactly what was happening, or rather, a whole heap more than they did, and that if we didn't move fast one of our group was going to become a virgin sacrifice for the 'Soul king' and that was somehow going to royally screw up the world as we knew it?

Very carefully, I think.

A lot of things were just so confusing. Okay, the motives for the bad guy weren't that hard to figure out. If I were Mr. Logan, I would have jumped from point A straight to point W and went to go take out the bad guy. But as it is, I'm not, so going off to go beat up a guy isn't really an option. And what about the hooded man with no name? What exactly did he have to gain? And what about this magic build up? What would it end up doing left unchecked? If a little invisible wall that sails across the ocean is just the beginning, what's the next step?

My head was beginning to hurt. I closed my eyes for a moment and let my mind wander out. The background noise was there, but no one stood out to answer. They were still afraid of something they, and I, didn't fully understand.

I spent most of the day dodging Mr. McCoy, who was trying to corner me into telling him what I knew. Now I know how Kurt and Bobby feel after they know they've done something wrong, but don't want to tell anyone just yet.
Ah well. The truth, whether I wanted it to or not, would come out sooner or later. Besides, once we got onto dry land, I'd be able to pinpoint more of my friends, and maybe that would throw him off.

But once I get all of my friends, what was I going to do with them? It's not exactly smart to run around with a bunch of otherworld mutants in a large group, especially if someone wants to sacrifice them.

Not smart at all.

Thinking deep thoughts? His voice purred into my mind.

(Sort of. And you?)

A cat's thoughts are always deep, no matter what anyone says. What is your problem?

(I'm confused. I know things, but none of them make any sense. And it doesn't get any easier.)

Who told you it would?

(I see your point. So what do you know about everything that's happening?)

I know that magic builds and the carriers grow agitated.

My eyes snapped open and I looked down at the cat curled around my ankles.

(Carriers?)

The carriers of magic, of course. You don't think it moves through this world on it's own, do you?

(I don't know anything about this world.)

Of course you do. You're just not skilled enough to access the knowledge.

(Alright, what is that supposed to mean?)

You'll see.

(I should have known better than trying to get a straight answer out of a cat.)

He twitched his ears but said nothing. I tried again.

(What are the carriers? What do they look like?)

They are in every world, yet overlooked by all.

I rose an eyebrow at him. (Flies?)

Close, but not quite. You'll figure it out.

(I hate getting confused.)

All humans say that but they're confused everyday.

(And you only contribute to the problem.)

Yes. You should get to sleep. We will reach the North continent in the morning.

(How do you know? Ivan said it would be several days at least, and we're going slow.)

Yes, but he did not count on true magic lending a helping claw.

(What do you mean?) I asked. (True magic? What is that?)

Humans and other creatures only cater to a watered down form of the magic that runs through the world. True magic belongs to the old ones.

(Who are the old ones?)

They are beings, and they are old. Honestly!

(Gee, that helps.)

Go to sleep. It won't happen while you are awake.

I turned hopelessly in the direction of the quarters where all of the mutants were cramped. (You make it sound like Santa is coming.)

Who?

(Never mind.)


I awoke to the hushed voices of thre crew outside the door. That, and Jean's snoring. Delicate flower my—

"It's some sort of powerful magic. One of the guards said he saw the sea rise up and take the form of the White Sea Guardian!"

"That's just a myth, it's been proven."

"A proven myth? Don't you know that the guardians can change their shape, become hideous beasts or beautiful maidens? Don't you think they could hide themselves?"

It sounded like three crewmembers outside the door. All of them sounded like three girls at a slumber party trading gossip.

"I bet it has something to do with those kids we brought aboard, I tell you, they aren't natural…"

"And what do you know about natural?" Another snorted. "You think it's unnatural if it proves to be smarter than you!"

"Then the whole crew must be the strangest thing you've ever seen!" The third voice chuckled.

"Don't make me show you—"

"Clam down there." A loud voice boomed. I jumped slightly.

The voices immediately quieted and a second later, a loud knock sounded on the door, waking up the rest of the mutants.

"Ow, I slept on my arm." Kitty mumbled, still half-asleep.

I got up and opened the door, and I had to look up at the large Dog man that stood in front of me.

"Yes?"

"The Captain says we will be docking in the hour, and he advises you to be up and awake on the deck."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He dipped his muzzle and strode off, tail swishing as he moved.

I closed the door. Our quarters were below deck, and cramped beyond belief.

"We're at the North Continent, we need to get up to the deck to get off the ship." I told the others. Immediately there was a flurry of activity and I barely got the door open again before Rahne and Jean tore out of it.

I quickly followed so Mr. McCoy wouldn't catch me. I didn't want to get collared into answering questions.

Kitty and Mr. McCoy followed me as I climbed up the ladder to the deck above. I took a deep breath of air and started over to Crepuscule, who had been sleeping on the deck all night. He seemed deep in thought.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Lady Danny. I was just…thinking." He got up onto all four legs and pointed his nose towards the large, forested woods. "I have not visited these woods. We will be walking blind."

"Not if you keep your eyes open!" I said cheerfully. "Besides, what are you worried about? You have all of us." I patted him on the shoulder.

"Danny." Ivan beckoned me over. I left Crepuscule and walked over to him.

"There's no way I can dock this ship close to this part of the continent. You'll have to swim."

"Alright."

"Do you have any idea about what happened last night?"

"Not really, but I have an inkling of something."

"I don't suppose you can tell me?"

"I don't know much about it myself right now. When I figure it out, I'll see if I can't fill you in."

"That would be appreciated."

"Well, it's been fun. Have fun going wherever it is you're going."

"Same to you." He said with the ghost of a smile. "Good luck."


I stepped into the shadows of the forest. Day immediately turned into dusk, as the trees shaded the forest floor from the light. Whispers betrayed the illusion of total silence, but those whispers were the kind only I could hear.

I'm sure to my friends and to Crepuscule it was a creepy place, they not being able to hear anything in the dark forest.

Even our steps were muffled by the strange gray moss that covered the floor of the forest.

"The flora is very strange in this forest. They all seem to point one way." Mr. McCoy said as he examined the large star shaped blue flower. It faced back the way we came. All of the flowers were the same kind, all looking out, back to the water. And they all were winding around the trees.

Except for one. One had a couple more points than the other flowers. It was poking out of the gray moss. I bent down to look at it. The stem that held it up seemed to be moving all of its own, though I couldn't tell exactly what it was doing.

Then, it suddenly snapped shut. I jerked back a little, and watched with amazement as it slowly slid underneath the moss.

"Oh my. I wonder if I scared it?" Mr. McCoy asked as his flower closed and hugged the tree. All of the flowers were doing the same thing, one after another.

"Perhaps it is a time of day sort of thing. The time of day determines when it blooms." Mr. McCoy speculated.

"I don't think so." Rahne said suddenly. She looked as if something was really wrong.

"What's wrong?" Kitty whispered.

"Don't you feel the hairs on the back of your neck standing up? Something's watching us…"

Crepuscule snorted and began to dig at the moss. I didn't get up. I got the sudden thought that whatever saw Rahne couldn't see me. Not until I moved.

I heard Jean gasp. I snuck a glance over at her. She had turned white and was staring at something I had my back to.

"What is that thing?" Kitty squeaked. Then she screamed. "RUN! IT'S COMING!"

Crepuscule snorted and reared clawing the air and showing off how bad he was. It was a diversionary tactic. The others ran off into the forest fast. I didn't look at what they were running from. I rolled forward and slipped between some trees, not looking back. When I had gotten about ten feet away, I snuck a glance behind. Crepuscule was backing up fast away from a large iron…thing.

I lost my footing and went tumbling down a small hill. I quickly got up and saw out of the corner of my eye a large black shape wing off above the trees. Crepuscule had gotten away from the monster.

Loud clanking caught my attention. I quickly started moving off into the forest again. What sounded like a low whine started behind me as something started coming down the hill I had tumbled down a minute ago.

I didn't look behind me as I ran. That would defeat the purpose of looking where I was going.

I heard a small river ahead of me and headed for it. Where there are rivers, there is usually a way to get away from predators.

The river was wide, but only knee deep. Which was alright, I wouldn't get my clothes wet. I tried to keep my balance while running downriver. The longer I followed the river, the harder it would be to keep up with me. Not only would that water mask my scent as I ran, it provided a clear way for me to use. And even if I fell and got soaked, I would still be fairly light. I didn't get a good look at the other guy, but I bet it's not too easy to swim when covered in metal. And not to easy to walk when there's water in the armor.

I stole a glance behind me as I dodged a sharp rock. The armored thing had plunged into the water and was following me, but at a much slower rate.

It was massive, eight feet tall with spikes and completely covered in armor. Attached to one arm there was a shield, with no markings on it. The other hand supported a club with spikes.

Great. Once again, I find myself in deep trouble.

Well, at least it didn't appear to be too smart. It just got stuck.

It was too heavy for to river bed, which was a lot of dirt. It was sinking.

I almost felt pity. That is, until it threw that club at me and totally disintegrated the tree beside me.

I turned and ran down the river again, not waiting for it to take off its shield and chuck it at me too.


Hmm, this chapter's a bit longer than the last few.

Asteria: I like this world too, so I probably won't leave it completely. I hope you like this chapter!

Chrissy: I love that movie! Jim Henson is so cool. Did I outline or make up….well…I have to say both. I have a very vague overall plot, but you see, my mind tends to jump from points really fast, and if I wrote like my mind thinks, then the plot wouldn't be confusing, it would be just awful. So the stuff I make up as I go along is the meat of the chapters, but the direction was planned out before hand. I hope you like the chapter! Oh, and Herman thanks you for the hat and patch!

Laureate: Chrissy already gave him a hat and an eye patch. Yes, I probably will try my hand at an original story soon. The only problem is, I don't know what I want to do. Hope you like this chapter!

Anon(girl): I'm sure I'll update one of the two soon!

asp: I can draw, I just can't draw well. I'll see if I can't draw a picture that looks like it's supposed too, and put it on my site. I'm glad you like the Cryers, and I hoped you like this chapter!

Raliena: I hope you like the chapter!

PrincessOfWildfire: Boring and uncreative? Of course not. I don't think I could. Heh. Thank you very much, I try to be at least a little different. Dark scribe? I'll have to check that out.

Herman will take the reviews yet again! Behold his new pirate costume hat and eye patch!