On the Notepad:

1. Very confused right now! To all the Mannen lovers out there, sorry but I think good friends are about the extent of MannenxOC . I still don't know about Kei or Goh. Let me know who y'all like in the reviews! I am leaning towards Goh.

2. Thanks to the reviewers from last chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pretear or anything else except Alyssa. I am not doing this for any profit, or any other reason except I had an idea I wanted to write down.

The Emerald Princess

Chapter Two

All eyes turned towards Hayate. Slowly, it dawned on Alyssa that Hayate was the Knights unofficial leader. Great, she thought, I've just made enemies with the person who could've helped me the most, just great.

Meanwhile, the Knight of Wind merely turned up his nose, and folded his arms reclusively into himself. It was apparent that he was still seething at the insult from earlier.

Noting that Alyssa still looked confused and lost, Kei took pity on her and decided to at least answer her question.

"In order to become the Pretear," he said, "you must combine your Leafe with the Leafe of a Knight."

However, instead of clearing things up, the girl's face seemed only to grow more befuddled. Sasame also watched Alyssa, and suppressed a chuckle at the poor girl's confusion.

"You understand what Leafe is, right?" he asked her. She nodded in reply. "Good. Now, when a Knight combines with the Pretear, through a process we call preting, the Pretear gains his powers and the ability to create new Leafe."

Alyssa didn't speak again, but everyone was able to tell that she still didn't really comprehend what the Knight of Sound was saying.

"I think, in order for you to understand, I really must show you." Sasame came closer to her.

"All right! Are we going to practice Sasame?" Hajime bounced excitedly.

"Yes, Hajime, we are." Sasame turned back to Alyssa and gave a reassuring smile. He extended his arm. "Take my hand," he murmured.

Tentatively, Alyssa reached out, and placed her hand in his. His fingers closed around hers as a bright light surrounded them both.

Alyssa felt her whole body relax. She went into some sort of trance, fully aware of what was happening to her, but unable to control any of it. She was a bystander in her own body.

Her free arm came up around herself, and then she realized that she was naked. The light made it almost impossible to see, but when she looked closely, she could tell. Alyssa wanted to scream, but she couldn't. She looked towards Sasame, and saw that he was too. She didn't dare look further than his face. His body was surrounded by a bright purple aura, as he pulled her closer to himself, so close that they were almost touching.

She didn't have time to think anymore, because her eyes closed of their own violation. She felt Sasame's hand leave hers, and her body curled up into a fetal position.

Suddenly, Alyssa felt herself come out of the trance, and realized that she was standing where she had been before. She looked down at herself, and saw that she was now in some frilly dress, that was much too revealing for such a cold day.

Her eyes were wide in shock, and for a minute she simply stood there, frozen in place. Then, instinct took over. Turning, she fled, not caring where she went, but running as fast as she could away from the people who had just turned her life upside-down.

She didn't hear the other Knights calling her, confused and bewildered. All she knew was panic, and she ran, blood pumping through her frozen veins.

Sasame didn't know what to think. In all his years as a Knight, he had never heard of a Pretear running away from a prêt. He brushed away his thoughts. First, he had to calm the Pretear, if they wanted to get anything done.

Sending a mental call to the other Knights, he let them know that he would handle it. Alyssa didn't need the others around her just yet. They might scare her even more

Alyssa, he called, calm down.

"Sasame!" she cried out, as she stopped, her eyes rolling in panic. "Sasame, what did you do to me?! Where are you?!" She began to cry hysterically.

Easy, easy, he soothed. I will explain everything to you, but you must relax. You'll be okay. When he felt her Leafe quiet within him, he began to speak calmly to her.

What we just did is preting. I am currently inside you, and you are hearing my voice in your head. Our Leafe has combined, and you are now the Pretear of Sound.

"Why was I naked?!" He felt her terror rise again.

It is merely a part of the prêt. Why does it scare you so?

She turned away and didn't reply. Sasame felt shame and embarrassment emitting from her. Sasame probed, and realized why she felt that way.

Ah, so you are ashamed of your body. It was not accusing her, simply stating a fact. You feel that you are not beautiful; not fit for a male.

Her Leafe repulsed him. "Get out of my head!" she screamed.

Stop trying to expel me. We are one and you will only succeed in hurting yourself if you continue. Both sides must wish to disengage the prêt at the same time.

She shivered and fell silent, finally succumbing to the prêt and giving in, allowing him to fully meld with her. Sasame sent her a small portion of Leafe, to keep her warm, and to comfort her.

Are you calm now? She nodded, but refused to say more. Sasame knew she couldn't accept the prêt like this, or she would never want to prêt again.

Preting is not all bad, you know. He coaxed her. You forget that you have many new powers to explore, and sometimes it can be fun.

"I doubt it," she muttered.

I'm telling the truth! I am the Knight of Sound, just close your eyes and listen.

She did as he said, reluctantly.

Breathe in, and listen to the sounds around you.

The trees whispered with the wind, and creaked around her. Images flashed into Alyssa's mind of the area around her and herself. Sasame felt her wonder and amazement.

"Sasame," she gasped, "look at all the things I can see!"

You are not seeing them. You're hearing them. The images in your mind are made from the sounds around you.

"Wow," she said in awe, and opened her eyes. "That was amazing!"

Inside, Sasame smiled, realizing that she had forgotten for the moment about the prêt.

I think we should go back to the others now. They are getting worried about us.

"Oh, I guess you're right." Alyssa began to walk.

Why walk, when you can fly.

"I can fly?" Alyssa said her disbelief evident.

With any Knight you can fly. Just jump in the air and trust me. I'll take care of the rest.

"Umm…"

What's wrong?

"I'm kinda afraid of heights." She blushed, embarrassed.

We won't go too high. I promise. Don't be afraid.

She took a deep breath, and sprang into the air with her eyes tightly shut. Sasame let them rise into the air, to a height she would be comfortable with, and sped them towards the other Knights.

Alyssa opened her eyes, and gasped with the exhilaration of freedom. She laughed with delight and Sasame smiled.

Finally, they came into the view of the other Knights. They had all changed into their uniforms, and watched her touch down in front of them. Alyssa closed her eyes, as she floated gently to the ground.

She opened her eyes and looked at the circle around her. The Knights watched her worriedly. Suddenly, without warning, she burst out laughing. The Knights stared at each other in confusion, and waited for her to stop and inform them what was so hilarious. Alyssa managed to compose herself. Still chuckling, she told them,

"Nice outfits."

Quote Me:

"I BRAKE FOR PROCRASTINATORS!"

The One and Only, Emerald Princess