Carolyn's Comments:

I saw 'Shaun of the Dead' this week. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen, second only to 'Napolean Dynamite'. If you like zombies and you like to laugh SEE IT!

IMPORTANT NEWS! Remember when I asked for a script for 'Lord of the Rings'? (Thanks to Mediciner for finding one for me by the way) Here's why I needed it, ME, KATIE, AND CAITLIN ARE WORKING ON A LORD OF THE RINGS FANFIC! You can read it now, but it's under Caitlin's username. Her username is 'Catt of the Portal Passers'. I do all the writing, but it has me, Katie, and Caitlin in it! We pretty much drive the fellowship nuts. GO READ IT! IT'S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I'VE WRITTEN!


As Raphael walked, he pondered.

What had happened to Cronos? And what about Fredrick? What connection was there between the legendary warlock and Cronos punching himself in the face?

Raphael had heard the legend of the 'War of Light and Darkness' ever since he was a child. He knew it backwards and forward. He had been especially honored to meet Carolyn and Cronos. Carolyn was the reincarnation of the mighty Fiona, and Cronos was THE Cronos. The mightiest warrior Neopia had ever known. The leader of the chosen one's seven guardians... Raphael had idolized him from childhood. He had been the inspiration for Raphael to grow up to be a strong warrior like Cronos.

And what did Cronos turn out to be? A smart-ass, possessed, teenager, with a filthy mouth.

Still, his mighty battle aura was there, Raphael could sense it. Raphael knew that under the carefree shell, a mighty warrior hid. So he still had a great respect for Cronos.

Then the answer hit Raphael like a ton of bricks. Frederick's poison...Cronos's blood. It all made perfect sense now.

Raphael thought as he continued to walk. Maybe this could work out. Maybe he could find a way to change the situation to work in everyone's favor. His mind was already whirring with dozens of possibilities. If it worked, maybe he could spare everyone.

He started to smile, but then stopped. He could see Tira up ahead. She was sharpening a sword in her hand with a flat rock, leaning lazily against the wall.

Raphael stopped and stared at her. "Tira, what are you doing?

She looked up at him. "I'm just getting this sword ready for my fencing lesson tonight." She smiled as she spoke.

Raphael sighed. "Tira, I can't say I approve of you spending so much time with Cedric."

"Why not?" Tira asked as her smile melted into a frown. "I think he's pretty nice."

"I don't think he's good for you. His aura's off."

"He's a keyblade master-" Tira began to point out.

"That doesn't necessarily make him a saint." Raphael said. "Tira, I strongly encourage you to discontinue those lessons."

Tira shook her head. "Stop being so protective Raphael. I know when a person is good for me and when one isn't. Cedric's harmless, and he's a good teacher; I'm not going to stop the lessons. And anyway, you don't control me." She turned and began to walk away.

Raphael stared after her angrily. "Are you aware that your precious Cedric is the son of King Ansem?!"

Tira screeched to a halt. She spun to face him. Her electric-blue eyes were so wide, they seemed like they were about to pop out of her head. "What?"

"Cedric is Ansem's son," Raphael said gravely, "So you can see why I don't trust him."

"That isn't true." Tira stammered, "It can't be true! You're lying!"

"I'm not lying. Tira, it hurts me that you think I, your own twin, would deceive you. I understand that it's difficult to grasp, but Cedric is the son of the man that created the Heartless."

"No!" Tira cried, "I don't believe you! It's not true!" She turned and ran off, leaving Raphael to shake his head.

As everyone sat down to eat dinner that night, Carolyn was just finishing with the spell. It had taken all day, but she had finally memorized it. She pushed the scroll to the side and began to eat a bowl of stew that had been placed in front of her.

Riku stopped and looked around. "I don't see Mia anywhere, where is she?"

"She's still working on the spell," Carolyn said, "It's complicated. There's a lot of the scroll that was tough for me to translate."

Katie glanced over at Tira. Tira was staring at her plate, pushing her food around with her fork. "You're not eating. You sick or something?"

"Hmm?" Tira said looking up, "Oh! No, it's just…nerves."

Everyone looked up at Carolyn, who was trying to look calm as she ate. But inside, they all knew she was worried. Cronos was still recovering from his injury in his room. Word had spread fast around the temple about how Cronos had been attacked in the weapons room. However, they thought it was an intruder in the temple; only Carolyn and Raphael knew the true cause of his wound.

Kairi finally spoke up. "Carolyn? Are you feeling okay?"

"Not really, no." Carolyn said without looking up. "I felt a lot worse earlier though."

"Why?" Cedric asked raising an eyebrow.

"I was so worried about Cronos, that I felt sick to the stomach all afternoon. But it's alright now."

"What happened?"

"Cassius heard about it and made me a potion that took care of the problem," Carolyn said smiling weakly, "He may not look the type, but he's a very skilled alchemist."