Aika: What happened to "After the christmas holidays?"

Sabie: Shut it, will ya? I admit, it's taking longer than it should to write this. I also haven't played SoAL in a while, because of Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga.

Fawful: I HAVE FURY!

Sabie: Anyways, thanks to ShadowWolf97 and The Right Hand Of Fate for the reviews. I'm glad you like it, and I hope you like the next chapter!

Fawful: Review, fink-rats, or face the mustard of your doom!

I don't own Skies of Arcadia. Any characters not from the game are created by me.

EDIT: Wow... My story's getting constructive critisism! (Is happy) Well, ShadowWolf97, I've edited, and I hope things make more sence now.

Shadows of Arcadia

Chapter 4

Location: Nasrad airspace.

"So, what are we gonna do now?" Mila asked Stella, as the ship that had rescued them flew over the desert.

"We? I'M going to get a new ship, then check the Sailor's Guild. Why should I care what you do?" The redhead stated.

"But... you said I was on your crew!"

"I did? Call that temporary insanity." Stella was back to her loner self, and started walking back towards the cabins.

"What's your problem! And here I though you were a decent person!" Mila called after her.

You don't get it... Stella thought as she headed to the spare bunks. You can't be with me... so I won't lose anyone ever again.

"Grr... that double-crossing... ARRGH!" Mila moaned to herself later, walking through the Nasrad bazzar. "I can't believe she'd say that! After we'd told each other our stories and everything!"

Fingering some gun barrel polish, the Valuan paused. "Wait... maybe she didn't. She never said who she got her arm and stuff from... Or why she was going to the sailor's guild." Mila looked in the direction she knew the guild was in. "What are you hiding, Stella?"

"Ah, greetings. You're Stella, Fist of Ice, correct?"

"Yeah." Stella leaned on the guildmaster's desk. "You got any information on the Dark Rift?"

"Not since the last time you came." The man shuffled some papers on his desk. "I've heard rumors, though, that Vyse the Legend is planning to explore that area..."

"WHAT?" Stella slammed down her robotic arm. "When? How long ago did you hear this?"

"P-please, miss! I overheard them mention it a few weeks ago. They may have already left..."

He was answered by the slam of a door, as Stella stormed outside.

"Shards!" Stella cursed. "The Dark Rift is MY responsibility! I'm the one who has to face it!" She punched the stone wall, leaving a small crater in the stone. "I've stalled long enough. I'm going... and I will get revenge." She decided this as she walked towards the tavern.

"Evening, Miss Stella. The usual?"

"Yes, Tuyin. You have my seat ready?"

"Of course. Your meal will be ready soon."

Stella sat down at her seat in the remodeled tavern. They had done a pretty good job on the place, and Tuyin, the new help, kept the place running smoothly. She had claimed this spot as her own, mainly because of the painting overhead: a view of a sunset in Esperanza. Stella came back out of her thoughts in time to pick up her drink from the table.

The pirate gave a small sigh as she took a swig of juice. She didn't care for loqua that much: although many teens her age had tried it, she didn't like how it clouded her thoughts. No matter how much she wanted it to, forgetting about her past wouldn't make things better. Stella looked back up as she heard footsteps, then gave a double take as Mila sat down in front of her. The Valuan slung her rifle onto the table and gave Stella a serious look.

"Alright, Stella, just what are you so afraid of?"

"Me, afraid?" Stella leaned back as Tuyin came to the table, confused. Stella took her meal and ordered another one for Mila. "What do you think I'm afraid of?"

"You never said anything to me other than 'oh, boo hoo, my island and everyone I care about's destroyed,' when we were in the desert. Whatever did it, you're looking for it, right?"

"Yeah. So what?"

"You don't want me near you because you don't want to feel like that again, right?"

Stella jumped up from her chair, furious. "Just WHAT is your problem?" She shouted. "Yeah, I may have said some wrong things to you, but just accept that I do things on my own, you got that?"

"You see it as your problem, so you don't want others to get involved, right?" Mila continued, taking her dish from Tuyin as if this was perfectly normal. But here's the deal: If that THING can do that to your home, what do you think it could do to the rest of Arcadia? This is EVERYONE'S problem, Stella."

The pirate slumped back into her seat, defeated. "What is it you want?" She grumbled.

"You told me that I was on your crew. So I want you to honor that promise." Mila gave a large grin. "That, and I gotta make sure you don't go blowing up other innocent evil renegade battleships!"

"Heh... alright." Stella placed a few coins onto the table. "I guess I've lost. But no more lip, or I'm throwing you overboard."