Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters, sometimes the setting, and a few of my own creations.

Authors Beginning Note: For the sake of livening up this story, I shall add a time appearance of the POV of a different character. A ONE-time appearance. Keep this in mind.

I hope you enjoy!

Shout it outs!

Shitza: Last chapter was a definate tease. I am a coy one.:)

Velf: She is, I hope to bring out more of the reasons behind her world-weary (stupendouse way of putting it) ways.

Chelsea: Teasers are soo much fun! I should have mroe Cliff hangers!As for the end of this...hmmm...haven't the slightest clue. Once I think I'm almost finished, I start on something else.

Aharah Musici: Hmmm...what you know could be wrong...

KatsyKat: I'm glad you liked my take on them. It took a dream and three showers to come up with that idea. (Hey, what ever inspires you know!) Yes, Haku's freedom would be a wonderous event. Thanx for the review!

Chapter 39

The Lost World

Chihiro's POV
"Sen!"

"Chihiro!"

"Chi."

I couldn't help but stand frozen. Tentatively I stepped forward, my vision immensely blurred.

"Can it be? Is it really?" My throat was like a drainpipe clogged with gum, because I couldn't even breathe.

Rin came and hugged me fiercely. I clutched on to her, not wanting to let go. She kissed me on the cheek and stood back a foot or two. I didn't want her to move so far away.

"Hey there. Miss us?" I felt Enuresis punch my shoulder in a Tomboy fashion that I knew her so well by. I took her by complete surprise as I hugged her tightly.

"Okay, you can let go of me, I don't plan on leaving anytime soon." She said. Sentimental moment over. Then I turned to Vai and hugged him around the neck too.

"I missed you."

"We all miss you. I glad you safe."

I stepped back to examine every last one of them. Rin stilled looked as fired up as ever. Her clothes were the same ones we first started out in our journey. Her hair was still braided into a high ponytail, her sword was at her waist and she looked only slightly malnourished, if not tired.

Vai was wearing a completely new ensemble of clothes. A pair of loose pants that tied at the ankles, and a tank top that tied at the side with a long sleeved shirt underneath. His striking white hair was shorter than last time I saw, but just as tangled as jungle vines. He looked fine; except for his skin has a tinge of green to it as well asw the normal blue.

Enuresis probably looked the best of all three for ware. Her hair was loosely swept into a ponytail at the nape of her neck. She wore a strange outfit of soft white pants and a loose white tank top tied at the waist by a sash; reminding me of the clothes that Seleena wore, only in a more male fashion.

"But, how?" My voice shook and I felt more tears threatening to tumble over.

"Long story short, we got lost, talked to the right people, who talked to the right people, and got put into the right place." Enuresis said plainly. Rin elbowed her in the ribs.

"And what about Beast and Fox? Where are they?" I turned to Seleena. She smiled.

"TheKitsune is doing quite well. He will be grateful to see you."

"And beast?" Her smiled waned a little and her eyes were full of sympathy.

"Come. You shall see." My gut twisted and I looked over my shoulder. Enuresis avoided my gaze, Vai cocked his head in a confused knowing manner, and Rin nodded. I tread closely behind Seleena's feet and was followed by my friends. We flew up many disks and walked many halls and through many walls until we stopped at one door. It had a tree decorated elaborately in front of it. Seleena pressed a leaf, and the door slid open.

"You may walk in first." I nodded and took slow steps to the middle of the room, where a glass-cased bed was, along with many wires streaming in and out of it. I pressed my nose against the glass and watched as Beast's small Komodo like body fought for life.

"We are doing all we can. It is strange, his illness. It takes all of his energy and magic. It's a miracle he was able to carry you and the Fox this far. He is a dear friend of our city. It will be a great loss loosing him."

"You mean, he's really going to die?"

"Unless this illness can be stopped, there is no other way. We can detect nothing wrong."

"The shards. There were shards, are you sure…"

"We couldn't find any. Not even with our advanced technology." I felt my body sway, and was fast held up by a pair of arms.

"Come one Chihiro! Don't black out girl!" Enuresis said loudly. She touched my forehead as Rin held me. I heard a soft whispery musical sound in the room. I began to feel more life in me and slowly rose.

'Thank you Vai'.

'You learn mind talk well.'

'I had a good friend to teach me' He blushed, pleased with himself.

"Princess Seleena, I…" I looked up to see another being like Seleena, a man with wings. His loose shirt and tight pants, both held at his waist by a soft blue with a green sash. His eyes and hair both a dark chocolate. An earring swayed from his left lobe. He bowed low to Seleena.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to intrude, but The Queen and King wish the presence of you and your guests." Seleena sighed and nodded.

"Very well. Tell them we are on our way." He stood up and backed away, before taking leave. Seleena turned to us a smiled.

"We must go. Mother is not very patient." I was the last one out, and looked back.

If I leave…when I come back…will you still be okay…or is this the last…I'm going to see you…my beautiful Beast…

"Chihiro." Rin held my wrist and I gave her a fake smile as I followed. We walked town many hallways and across many bridges. I looked down at a few of the court yards we passed above to find many men, woman, and children training either in combat, watering gardens, or walking gracefully across other bridges or open halls. Vai however did not find the view fascinating. I put a hand on his shoulder, but he remained nervous.

'What's so bad about them?'

'They high… In water, one can swim high…but no fall painfully…here…above water…one can…'

'I don't think you'll fall…and if you do…I'm sure someone will catch you…I haven't seen a single person without wings…besides us…' He shook his head and no amount of convincing was going to get him to calm down any.

Every Arielis we passed by said a greeting of some sort as they bowed to Seleena. She would nod and say something politely back. As we would pass, they would stop and look at the rest of us curiously.

Finally, we came to two large marble doors with flowering ivy spread all over nearby columns the and door edge.

How can they open those doors…they must weigh at least a ton…

Two Arielis'ins stood guard of the door, each holding a sword and a shield.

"Princess Seleena." The bowed only so far. She curtsied without flaw.

"The presence of my guests and I are requested in the Royal court. I ask that you let us in."

"As you wish." They both stood up. With their backs turned to us, they raised their swords above their heads and stood, chanting in unison.

"What do you think they're doing?"

"Looks like they're talking to the doors."

"I know that."

"Than why did you ask?"

"You know, you are really looking for a pounding."

"Rin! Enuresis!" I hissed, they glared at each other for a moment then mellowed out. I turned my attention back just in time to see them swing their swords down, and the marble disintegrate into thousands of shiny dust particles.

"How did they do that!"? Enuresis looked in amazement. I shook my head in just as much awe.

Each guard stood back. Seleena began to walk forwards and we followed.

This place is huge…and beautiful…flowers…plants…marble…water fountains and pools…its like a paradise…

Vai seemed comforted by the sight of water. Enuresis seemed awed. Rin just shook her head in wonder.

"Oh my goodness." I gasped. Seleena left our sides and walked up to the thrones where she kissed two beautiful creatures on the cheek. The woman held herself straight and seemed to have a proud and knowledgeable air about her. Her flaxen gold hair was swept back into a Grecian style, her skin was a flawless honey cream, her eyes a sharp blue, her cheekbones high, and her face held an aristocratic nose. A circlet of silver gently swept across her forehead. She was adorned in a flawless and flowing white dress that paled in contrast to her wings.

The man was a symbol of strength. He held a commanding and strongly gentle impression. He had large muscles and ivory skin. His jet-black hair was detained at the nape of his neck. His face was very pleasing to the eye, with his soft green eyes, a seemingly perfect nose, and a smile that seemed to grace his mouth under all circumstances. Every movement he seemed to make was graceful. He wore robes of a pure white, and they too paled to his majestic wings. However, one thing that made him different to his queen was his pointed ears that were hardly noticeable, except for the light that would catch the reflective precious metal of his circlet and drew attention to them. It was obvious as to whose looks Seleena was endowed with.

"Mother, Father. How pleasing it is to see you."

"Chihiro." Rin hissed.

"What? Oh." Following example, I bowed to the king and queen.

"Please, stand. You are our guests." I did as such upon hearing a strong bass voice.

"Welcome to our world among worlds. I am Queen Aleessandra."

"And I am King Alastar."

Oh dear…what to do now…I've never been in front of Royalty before…should I be forward…and say my name…or curtsy…or bow first…

"We are pleased to make your acquaintance your majesties. I am Rin, Head Mistress of the Bath House. My companions here are Enuresis, Assistant Mechanic of the Bath House; Chihiro the Head Worker of the Bathhouse; and Vai of the Water Realm."

"As we said, we welcome you. Your travels must have been long and hard. Please, won't you stay here for a while?"

"Though your offer is tempting, we are on a mission of dire emergency and would request immediate departure from your realm, with all due respect."

Wow…Rin has definitely brushed up on her social skills…I have never seen her…so…so…humble…

"Tell us, what is so important that you feel the need to rush?"

"Aikia and Ahrima are rising in power. We have reason to believe that the former water spirit, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi is the catalyst to bring such a course into completion."

That's right…she doesn't know…how could she…I haven't told her…its possible…that since his river was being moved…wait his river…but I thought…we thought…that his river had completely been filled…but then…wait…this is…oh my…why didn't I ask him…could that be why he was different…because…he really did have a river…and it is being moved…but…

"Chihiro, the King asked you a question." I felt my cheeks burn.

"I'm sorry. Could you please repeat yourself?" He didn't seem offended, in fact I thought I saw a twinkle in his eye, but the Queen seemed affronted.

"I asked you why you were daydreaming. Is it that being here bores you?"

"No! That's not it at all!"

"Well then?" Queen Aleessandra's voice was frosty. The king looked over at her and she frowned, but a small smile finally seemed to touch the corners of her lips as he held her hand. My throat caught and it took me a moment before I could answer.

"I just have a lot on my mind. I did not mean to insult you your majesties."

"So, you originate from the human world, is that not true?"

"Yes."

"It has been a while since our people have made any contact from there."

"What?"

Since her people have…had contact there…maybe they really are…were…angles…well…we called them angels…but…

"Perhaps you will recognize the name of our world and its people from its original name. We are Atlantians. Our home was once known as Atlantis." That was a blow of surprise.

"A-Atlantis?" I squeaked. She nodded in amusement.

"But, it's a legend, how can?"

"Most legends have a speck of truth behind them, do they not?" The king smiled.

"Stupid!" I felt a tendril of power rise and leave through my hand as I scorched the floor. I looked into the mirror and watched the dismal world that was to be mine.

"Aikia!" He appeared at my beck and call, though not fast enough. I swung my fist and he fell against the wall.

"What have I done to displease you sister?"

That's right brother…you are in my control…I control your thoughts and memories…you can hide nothing from me…

"Have you finished repairing that worthless dragon's river?"

"The task has neared completion."

"Nearing completion isn't good enough! I need more power! As it is both worlds have stopped their progression. How do you expect me to bring them together with only the puny amount I'm given?"

Stupid…stupid…slow…arrogant…good for nothing…lazy…all he does is…go and kill a few people here…blow up a town there…stupid…lazy…I don't see why I don't destroy him now…what real use is he to me…I plan to end his pathetic life as soon as I become ruler over both of the worlds…that's right…I'll need him to do all of the dirty work…killing…destroying…forcing all to obey me…but then again…that would be letting him take too much fun…

"I'm sorry, but the proceedings of such a process will take a while for results to show." I leveled my hand to his face, feeling the intoxicating sensation of the power gather and tingle in my fingertips.

"Give me one good reason not to destroy you?" I felt my body ripple with pleasure. I could see beyond his cold eyes a trickle of fear as he raced against the lethargic blockades in his thick skull to come up with an answer.

My mouth opened and I laughed, letting my arm drop and the magic faded.

"I still have my uses for you yet." I couldn't help my body from shaking out of shear pleasure.

"I'm in such a good mood, I think everyone should be able to share it with me!" I twisted to my mirror and without effort, found a suitable image.

"Ah yes. Alakazeem. Homeland of the darling Azzlebrands. I shall enjoy seeing them shriek!" Ripples of excitement ran up and down my spine as I cast a spell that sent images of demons into the city. Thousands upon thousands of round little dolls with pudgy legs and flaming hair ran from their houses built out of grass. Black shadowed figures of scared faces and bodily fluids crawled on whatever limbs carried them. The faces of the round-eyed innocents as they realized they were no match against my creation was ecstasy. Seeing them die from fright or kill one another for sacrifices. The wonders of stupidity.

I looked over at Aikia as I felt a little slip in energy, which was quickly replenished. He didn't seem to notice a thing.

"Why don't you go have some fun brother. I'll take care of all other preparations."

"As you wish." He bowed, swiftly disappearing.

I swept the image to that of another.

"Stupid Spirits. Not even you who had called yourselves thestrongestare a match for me." I watched as Kamikakushi's strong guardian spirits struggled to save their nearest territories.

With them out of the way…there are none to oppose me…now…for something a bit more pleasant…

"So now, my little dragon." The image swept aside until I could see my new energy source.

"Aren't you lucky? Such a unique specimen. A real dragon, not merely a changeable spirit. You too shall become apart in the joining of the two worlds." I watched its labored breathes. Tubes flowed in and out of the filthy demon with wings. I felt his energy flow through my veins and it brought a sense of supremacy. Any better and its liquid hot blood would be pumping through my veins as well.

"Don't die on me too soon. Until that rivers power is mine again, I'm going to use you for a little bit longer." I couldn't help but bare a smile.

Authors Ending Note: I feel absolutely Giddy! SO many of you thought it was going to be Haku! Ha! Than what kinda story would it be? Well, dreamers will be, I suppose.