Vokteren: I'm awfully sorry that it has taken us such a long time to
update.
Pikachu: Don't worry about that. Neither you nor I could write anything considering we have been without internet connection for a long time. Just start now and everyone will be happy.
Vokteren: There is another problem though. I'm starting to lose interest in this story. I will continue to write, but it isn't as fun as it was before.
Pikachu: That'll pass. Can I do the review answers?
Vokteren: Sure. Go ahead.
Evan: Sorry, Shadow is NOT all right, as you'll see in this chapter. Actually, we have made a new system. Gone is the old point system. Instead we sometimes have special quizzes that yield prizes for those who answer right. They appear at random.
Procne: I couldn't find the places where we forgot the view change. Can you please specify where? Also, I'm sorry for the many Point Of View changes, but we felt that they where needed in order to give the story more depth. The purpose was that you where to find out what happened through three pair of eyes. Don't worry, Aspen haven't forgotten. It's just that so much have happened so she hasn't given it too much thought.
Ice-phoenix-chan: The name of the song was stated in the disclaimer, but it wasn't all that clear. You didn't need the name of the song in order to guess the quiz answer. You just had to say verse one, two or three. I'm happy that you liked my battle scene. We had a nice trip, but I caught a cold.
Vokteren: Now, for the disclaimer.
Pikachu: "We do not own Golden Sun or pokemon. Aspen was submitted by Procne." Here comes the chapter.
"Speech" ¤Thought¤ [Telepathy] (A/N: Author Note) (P/N: Pika Note)
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The other boys slept clean through the night, but Garet didn't. After the strange dream he had, he just couldn't find a comfortable position. So when dawn came, Garet was very tired. This did not go unnoticed on the others, so when they came down to breakfast, they asked him why he was so tired. Garet acted as if he didn't hear and left the three other boys sitting in wonder.
"What do you think has happened to Garet?" Ivan asked Isaac. Ivan had never experienced Garet being so impolite before.
"I don't have any idea. I've never seen him behaving in such a manner." Isaac answered.
[I wouldn't mind it to much. I'm sure that Garet will tell us when the time is right. Either that or he is just worrying about Torchic.] Vaporeon said.
"We worry about her too, but we don't behave like that. So why do you think that is the reason. No offence, but Garet isn't among the most emotional in the world." Ivan replied with a curios undertone.
[I think that Isaac can answer that question.] Vaporeon answered.
"Honestly I don't have any idea either. What would the reason be?" Isaac asked.
[Please, have neither of you noticed? I'm pretty oblivious, but this is ridiculous. Have you really not noticed that there is a strong bond between those two? Even I noticed early that Garet cared especially much about her.]
"What?" The two others responded in surprise.
[Honestly, I'm surprised that you two haven't noticed. This is clear as crystal.] Vaporeon sounded astonished.
"I never thought of it that way. For me it would seem like he didn't like her considering the way he treats her." Ivan said.
[Have you really not noticed that he blushes when she is near? And have you really not noticed that he stutters when he talks to her? Almost like he is...] a smile crept onto Vaporeon's face.
"He is?" Isaac and Ivan looked expectantly at Vaporeon until the solution dawned upon them. "No way." They said in unison, making Vaporeon explode in a fit of laughter.
[Don't worry. I don't mean that.] Vaporeon said between laughs, before finally getting a grip on himself. [Joke to matter. I mean it when I say that Garet really cares about Torchic, but I understand that it isn't as clear for you. I have a "sixth sense" that makes me able to feel emotions between living beings. Of course it isn't an ability in the same series as psynergy, but useful nonetheless.]
"Well if you say so, but one thing. That joke of yours was NOT funny." Ivan said in a bit angry voice.
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Mia walked out of the room Torchic lay in. She didn't feel good. Torchic's temperature was stable, but it was way too low. If they didn't do anything quick, Torchic would die of her extremely low body temperature. Pikachu and Skitty were sleeping next to Torchic, so Mia felt that it wouldn't be wrong of her to go out on deck and take a breath of fresh air. When she came out, she noticed that the sun was slowly rising up and that the town was slowly waking to life.
She took a deep breath, and sighed. ¤Poor Torchic. This is entirely my fault. If I hadn't opened that shrine, Torchic wouldn't have touched that key, and then she wouldn't have this terrible curse upon herself. If there only was something I could do. Something to make her feel well or even better, cures her completely. But I don't know what I can do for her. If only I knew.¤
Since she was in such deep thoughts, she didn't notice Garet that came towards her from behind. "How is Torchic?" She suddenly heard.
She turned around quickly from the surprise. "Oh, Garet. Torchic is OK, but..."
"But what?" Garet half snapped, half asked
Mia broke down crying, and Garet quickly caught her in his arms. "I'm afraid that the cold has started having an effect on her. I can't get any response from her. I'm afraid that she won't have much time left unless we hurry and find a cure or at least something that can make her warmer."
"Don't worry Mia." Garet comforted. "I think I know how to find a cure for Torchic. Let's go down and find the other girls and then I'll tell you why I think so."
Garet dragged Mia after him down into the room where the three others where. Pikachu and Skitty woke up when Garet rushed in. Garet seated Mia on the bed before he told them about what had happened that night. He told them about the strange dream he had and about the idea it had given him. The others didn't become convinced by it, but they were so desperate that they were willing to try out any idea. Moments later they five of them where headed towards the inn where they would pick up the others before they entered the desert.
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Aspen, Rainbow and Spirit did they best to find out what those gemstones had done to Aspen, but every effort was futile. After many tests and theories they where still at square one. By now, Spirit was the only one who still had a positive attitude. Finally Rainbow broke out "I give up."
"What is it Rainbow?" Spirit asked.
"I give up I said. There's no way we're ever going to figure this thing out." She said with anger.
"What's gotten into you Rainbow?" Aspen got up and walked over to her friend. "I know that we haven't found out anything yet, but pouting won't help us a bit. Beside, I'm positive that we can find something out."
"You sure?" Rainbow said as she looked up into Aspen's eyes.
"I'm sure." She smiled to Rainbow before continuing. "And I'm something else too. Dizzy." Aspen passed out on the floor.
"Aspen." Rainbow grabs her seconds before she hits the floor. Spirit grabs a nearby bucket with water and sprinkles it over Aspen's face. The cold water wakes her up again. "Aspen are you all right?"
"Sure. It's just that I'm hungry, nothing else." Aspen smiles meekly.
"Ops." Rainbow put her hands together, forgetting that she was holding Aspen. As a result, Aspen knocked her head into the floor. "Sorry Aspen. I'm sorry that I didn't think that you might have been hungry. Just rest. I'll get you something to eat." Rainbow got to her feet and turned to Spirit. "Can you take care of her while I'm away?"
"Sure Rainbow. I'll take care of her." Rainbow walked out of the cave they where inside off. When Spirit no longer could see her, he turned to Aspen. "I suggest that you go to sleep. We don't know how long it is before she gets back." Aspen nodded in response and closed her eyes. It didn't take long before she was fast asleep. Spirit checked to make sure that she was asleep before he placed his left hand on her right. As the two hands made contact, yellow light flowed between them. ¤It isn't what I'm good at, but I'm grateful that I have some spiritual abilities.¤ Spirit thought.
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The adepts and the pokemon had reached the desert known as Yampi desert in search of something that Garet claimed could save Torchic. None of the others had put much faith in this, but they were getting desperate, and were trying every possible solution. Ivan was the one who had least faith in this and it didn't take long before he started to complain.
"Are you really sure about this?" he moaned.
"I'm perfectly sure. Don't worry. We're there soon." Garet replied.
"You said the same three minutes ago." Ivan replied.
"And do you consider three minutes to be a long time? Shut up and follow." Ivan was taken a bit back by Garet's harsh words, but kept quiet and followed sulkily. After three more minutes they found the oasis that marked the middle of the desert. Garet went close to the water and looked down into the dark depths. After a little while he rose up again and turned to Vaporeon, "Can you swim down there and tell me what you see?" He asked.
Vaporeon nodded in response and dived into the water. The others waited expectantly close to the water edge, with exception of Skitty who were taking care of Torchic. The heat of the desert seemed to slightly heat up Torchic, but Skitty didn't feel any notably difference.
Finally Vaporeon surfaced and reported what he had seen. "There seems to be steps hacked out into the side of this lake. They lead far down till a door with a picture of fire on it. My guess is that there used to be some kind of psynergetic gathering place there since I felt traces of fire psynergy from behind the door."
"Can you take me down there?" Garet asked.
[If you are good at holding your breath. Grab my tail and I'll lead you down there.] Vaporeon replied.
Garet went out into the water and took a deep breath before grabbing Vaporeon's tail. Vaporeon dived down as soon as he felt Garet's tight grip around his tail. Vaporeon dived as quickly as he could and reached the door with the fire symbol before a minute had passed. When Garet saw the door, he pressed his right hand over the symbol. Vaporeon saw a bright red light before he heard a rumbling and felt a stream drawing further down into the lake. Garet felt it too and grabbed Vaporeon by his tail making sure that they were both safe on the final step of the stairs. Vaporeon looked up and saw that the surface was rapidly closing in on them. He also saw that the others were hurrying down the uncovered stairs. Mia was the first one to get down.
"Are you all right?" She asked the two swimmers with worry in her voice.
[I'm OK.] Vaporeon answered.
Garet couched up some water before he got on his feet. "I'm all right." He replied as he leaned on the door. As he leaned on it, the fire symbol glowed again and parted on the middle as if it was a door. Since Garet were still leaning on the door he fell through it and down the stairs that were hidden behind the door. "Correction, I'm NOT all right." Garet replied from down the stairs.
The others hurried down the stairs to find Garet standing in front of a chamber filled with bright red light. "Can you give Torchic to me?" Garet asked Isaac.
"Garet... what are you doing?" Isaac said as he gently put Torchic in his best friend's arms.
"Just trust me on this one Isaac. I know what I'm doing." Garet turned away from the group and headed for the center of the chamber. "I hope." He added silently to himself.
Garet stepped into the center of the chamber and, along with Torchic, was completely engulfed in red light. The other six felt that the temperature of this room rose to dangerously high levels. When the light faded, Garet and Torchic where gone. Where they had once stood, seven charred fire Djinn lay.
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Spirit noticed that Aspen was about to wake up and made the yellow light fade away. Just as the last traces of the light faded, Aspen opened her eyes. "Have you slept well?" Spirit asked Aspen.
"Yes. I feel much better now. Thanks for the advice." Aspen smiled at the brown boy.
"No problem. Everything for a friend of Rainbow." Spirit answered.
"Thanks anyway." Aspen sat up. "By the way, there is something I have wanted to ask about."
"Just ask." Spirit encouraged.
"Well, it's just that I'm curios about what you're skill is. I know that Rainbow has her power from colors, but do you have anything similar?" Aspen wondered.
"As a matter of fact yes. I have a unique skill too. My power is physical performance." Spirit said.
"Physical performance?" Aspen wondered.
"Yes. It means that I can get extreme strength, speed or control over my own body. Not that I wanted it." Spirit said the last so silent that Aspen didn't hear it.
"Really? Interesting. Do you have any family?" Aspen suddenly asked.
"What?" Spirit didn't register the question.
"I asked if you have any family." Aspen bit her lip when she saw how the expression on Spirit's face changed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You couldn't know that I don't remember my family." Spirit said.
"I don't remember my family either." Aspen said as she stared down on the cave floor.
"You don't? But Rainbow said that you had recently lost your mother when she met you." Spirit immediately bit himself because of his rapid, uncomforting voice.
Aspen didn't seem to notice the voice Spirit spoke in, but she catched the words. "She was only my adoptive mother. I don't remember my real family. I only remember that I woke up in my adoptive mother's house. She had found me unconscious on the beach about three months before I met Rainbow. I don't remember anything from before that." Aspen broke down crying from shame and sorrow about her family. Spirit hugged her hard as tears fell from her eyes.
"Please help me." Rainbow's voice broke them out of it.
"What is it?" Aspen said.
"It's Shadow." Rainbow said with a shaking voice.
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Vokteren: Finally finished with this chapter. I'm so sorry for the way too long wait.
Pikachu: We'll try to get next chapter up much quicker. Three weeks are way too long between updates.
Vokteren: I think you already know this, but constructive critic is greatly appreciated.
Quiz answer: Verse three is the right answer.
Quiz: Who are the adepts going to meet at Magma Rock? The answer is already given.
Pikachu: Don't worry about that. Neither you nor I could write anything considering we have been without internet connection for a long time. Just start now and everyone will be happy.
Vokteren: There is another problem though. I'm starting to lose interest in this story. I will continue to write, but it isn't as fun as it was before.
Pikachu: That'll pass. Can I do the review answers?
Vokteren: Sure. Go ahead.
Evan: Sorry, Shadow is NOT all right, as you'll see in this chapter. Actually, we have made a new system. Gone is the old point system. Instead we sometimes have special quizzes that yield prizes for those who answer right. They appear at random.
Procne: I couldn't find the places where we forgot the view change. Can you please specify where? Also, I'm sorry for the many Point Of View changes, but we felt that they where needed in order to give the story more depth. The purpose was that you where to find out what happened through three pair of eyes. Don't worry, Aspen haven't forgotten. It's just that so much have happened so she hasn't given it too much thought.
Ice-phoenix-chan: The name of the song was stated in the disclaimer, but it wasn't all that clear. You didn't need the name of the song in order to guess the quiz answer. You just had to say verse one, two or three. I'm happy that you liked my battle scene. We had a nice trip, but I caught a cold.
Vokteren: Now, for the disclaimer.
Pikachu: "We do not own Golden Sun or pokemon. Aspen was submitted by Procne." Here comes the chapter.
"Speech" ¤Thought¤ [Telepathy] (A/N: Author Note) (P/N: Pika Note)
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The other boys slept clean through the night, but Garet didn't. After the strange dream he had, he just couldn't find a comfortable position. So when dawn came, Garet was very tired. This did not go unnoticed on the others, so when they came down to breakfast, they asked him why he was so tired. Garet acted as if he didn't hear and left the three other boys sitting in wonder.
"What do you think has happened to Garet?" Ivan asked Isaac. Ivan had never experienced Garet being so impolite before.
"I don't have any idea. I've never seen him behaving in such a manner." Isaac answered.
[I wouldn't mind it to much. I'm sure that Garet will tell us when the time is right. Either that or he is just worrying about Torchic.] Vaporeon said.
"We worry about her too, but we don't behave like that. So why do you think that is the reason. No offence, but Garet isn't among the most emotional in the world." Ivan replied with a curios undertone.
[I think that Isaac can answer that question.] Vaporeon answered.
"Honestly I don't have any idea either. What would the reason be?" Isaac asked.
[Please, have neither of you noticed? I'm pretty oblivious, but this is ridiculous. Have you really not noticed that there is a strong bond between those two? Even I noticed early that Garet cared especially much about her.]
"What?" The two others responded in surprise.
[Honestly, I'm surprised that you two haven't noticed. This is clear as crystal.] Vaporeon sounded astonished.
"I never thought of it that way. For me it would seem like he didn't like her considering the way he treats her." Ivan said.
[Have you really not noticed that he blushes when she is near? And have you really not noticed that he stutters when he talks to her? Almost like he is...] a smile crept onto Vaporeon's face.
"He is?" Isaac and Ivan looked expectantly at Vaporeon until the solution dawned upon them. "No way." They said in unison, making Vaporeon explode in a fit of laughter.
[Don't worry. I don't mean that.] Vaporeon said between laughs, before finally getting a grip on himself. [Joke to matter. I mean it when I say that Garet really cares about Torchic, but I understand that it isn't as clear for you. I have a "sixth sense" that makes me able to feel emotions between living beings. Of course it isn't an ability in the same series as psynergy, but useful nonetheless.]
"Well if you say so, but one thing. That joke of yours was NOT funny." Ivan said in a bit angry voice.
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Mia walked out of the room Torchic lay in. She didn't feel good. Torchic's temperature was stable, but it was way too low. If they didn't do anything quick, Torchic would die of her extremely low body temperature. Pikachu and Skitty were sleeping next to Torchic, so Mia felt that it wouldn't be wrong of her to go out on deck and take a breath of fresh air. When she came out, she noticed that the sun was slowly rising up and that the town was slowly waking to life.
She took a deep breath, and sighed. ¤Poor Torchic. This is entirely my fault. If I hadn't opened that shrine, Torchic wouldn't have touched that key, and then she wouldn't have this terrible curse upon herself. If there only was something I could do. Something to make her feel well or even better, cures her completely. But I don't know what I can do for her. If only I knew.¤
Since she was in such deep thoughts, she didn't notice Garet that came towards her from behind. "How is Torchic?" She suddenly heard.
She turned around quickly from the surprise. "Oh, Garet. Torchic is OK, but..."
"But what?" Garet half snapped, half asked
Mia broke down crying, and Garet quickly caught her in his arms. "I'm afraid that the cold has started having an effect on her. I can't get any response from her. I'm afraid that she won't have much time left unless we hurry and find a cure or at least something that can make her warmer."
"Don't worry Mia." Garet comforted. "I think I know how to find a cure for Torchic. Let's go down and find the other girls and then I'll tell you why I think so."
Garet dragged Mia after him down into the room where the three others where. Pikachu and Skitty woke up when Garet rushed in. Garet seated Mia on the bed before he told them about what had happened that night. He told them about the strange dream he had and about the idea it had given him. The others didn't become convinced by it, but they were so desperate that they were willing to try out any idea. Moments later they five of them where headed towards the inn where they would pick up the others before they entered the desert.
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Aspen, Rainbow and Spirit did they best to find out what those gemstones had done to Aspen, but every effort was futile. After many tests and theories they where still at square one. By now, Spirit was the only one who still had a positive attitude. Finally Rainbow broke out "I give up."
"What is it Rainbow?" Spirit asked.
"I give up I said. There's no way we're ever going to figure this thing out." She said with anger.
"What's gotten into you Rainbow?" Aspen got up and walked over to her friend. "I know that we haven't found out anything yet, but pouting won't help us a bit. Beside, I'm positive that we can find something out."
"You sure?" Rainbow said as she looked up into Aspen's eyes.
"I'm sure." She smiled to Rainbow before continuing. "And I'm something else too. Dizzy." Aspen passed out on the floor.
"Aspen." Rainbow grabs her seconds before she hits the floor. Spirit grabs a nearby bucket with water and sprinkles it over Aspen's face. The cold water wakes her up again. "Aspen are you all right?"
"Sure. It's just that I'm hungry, nothing else." Aspen smiles meekly.
"Ops." Rainbow put her hands together, forgetting that she was holding Aspen. As a result, Aspen knocked her head into the floor. "Sorry Aspen. I'm sorry that I didn't think that you might have been hungry. Just rest. I'll get you something to eat." Rainbow got to her feet and turned to Spirit. "Can you take care of her while I'm away?"
"Sure Rainbow. I'll take care of her." Rainbow walked out of the cave they where inside off. When Spirit no longer could see her, he turned to Aspen. "I suggest that you go to sleep. We don't know how long it is before she gets back." Aspen nodded in response and closed her eyes. It didn't take long before she was fast asleep. Spirit checked to make sure that she was asleep before he placed his left hand on her right. As the two hands made contact, yellow light flowed between them. ¤It isn't what I'm good at, but I'm grateful that I have some spiritual abilities.¤ Spirit thought.
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The adepts and the pokemon had reached the desert known as Yampi desert in search of something that Garet claimed could save Torchic. None of the others had put much faith in this, but they were getting desperate, and were trying every possible solution. Ivan was the one who had least faith in this and it didn't take long before he started to complain.
"Are you really sure about this?" he moaned.
"I'm perfectly sure. Don't worry. We're there soon." Garet replied.
"You said the same three minutes ago." Ivan replied.
"And do you consider three minutes to be a long time? Shut up and follow." Ivan was taken a bit back by Garet's harsh words, but kept quiet and followed sulkily. After three more minutes they found the oasis that marked the middle of the desert. Garet went close to the water and looked down into the dark depths. After a little while he rose up again and turned to Vaporeon, "Can you swim down there and tell me what you see?" He asked.
Vaporeon nodded in response and dived into the water. The others waited expectantly close to the water edge, with exception of Skitty who were taking care of Torchic. The heat of the desert seemed to slightly heat up Torchic, but Skitty didn't feel any notably difference.
Finally Vaporeon surfaced and reported what he had seen. "There seems to be steps hacked out into the side of this lake. They lead far down till a door with a picture of fire on it. My guess is that there used to be some kind of psynergetic gathering place there since I felt traces of fire psynergy from behind the door."
"Can you take me down there?" Garet asked.
[If you are good at holding your breath. Grab my tail and I'll lead you down there.] Vaporeon replied.
Garet went out into the water and took a deep breath before grabbing Vaporeon's tail. Vaporeon dived down as soon as he felt Garet's tight grip around his tail. Vaporeon dived as quickly as he could and reached the door with the fire symbol before a minute had passed. When Garet saw the door, he pressed his right hand over the symbol. Vaporeon saw a bright red light before he heard a rumbling and felt a stream drawing further down into the lake. Garet felt it too and grabbed Vaporeon by his tail making sure that they were both safe on the final step of the stairs. Vaporeon looked up and saw that the surface was rapidly closing in on them. He also saw that the others were hurrying down the uncovered stairs. Mia was the first one to get down.
"Are you all right?" She asked the two swimmers with worry in her voice.
[I'm OK.] Vaporeon answered.
Garet couched up some water before he got on his feet. "I'm all right." He replied as he leaned on the door. As he leaned on it, the fire symbol glowed again and parted on the middle as if it was a door. Since Garet were still leaning on the door he fell through it and down the stairs that were hidden behind the door. "Correction, I'm NOT all right." Garet replied from down the stairs.
The others hurried down the stairs to find Garet standing in front of a chamber filled with bright red light. "Can you give Torchic to me?" Garet asked Isaac.
"Garet... what are you doing?" Isaac said as he gently put Torchic in his best friend's arms.
"Just trust me on this one Isaac. I know what I'm doing." Garet turned away from the group and headed for the center of the chamber. "I hope." He added silently to himself.
Garet stepped into the center of the chamber and, along with Torchic, was completely engulfed in red light. The other six felt that the temperature of this room rose to dangerously high levels. When the light faded, Garet and Torchic where gone. Where they had once stood, seven charred fire Djinn lay.
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Spirit noticed that Aspen was about to wake up and made the yellow light fade away. Just as the last traces of the light faded, Aspen opened her eyes. "Have you slept well?" Spirit asked Aspen.
"Yes. I feel much better now. Thanks for the advice." Aspen smiled at the brown boy.
"No problem. Everything for a friend of Rainbow." Spirit answered.
"Thanks anyway." Aspen sat up. "By the way, there is something I have wanted to ask about."
"Just ask." Spirit encouraged.
"Well, it's just that I'm curios about what you're skill is. I know that Rainbow has her power from colors, but do you have anything similar?" Aspen wondered.
"As a matter of fact yes. I have a unique skill too. My power is physical performance." Spirit said.
"Physical performance?" Aspen wondered.
"Yes. It means that I can get extreme strength, speed or control over my own body. Not that I wanted it." Spirit said the last so silent that Aspen didn't hear it.
"Really? Interesting. Do you have any family?" Aspen suddenly asked.
"What?" Spirit didn't register the question.
"I asked if you have any family." Aspen bit her lip when she saw how the expression on Spirit's face changed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You couldn't know that I don't remember my family." Spirit said.
"I don't remember my family either." Aspen said as she stared down on the cave floor.
"You don't? But Rainbow said that you had recently lost your mother when she met you." Spirit immediately bit himself because of his rapid, uncomforting voice.
Aspen didn't seem to notice the voice Spirit spoke in, but she catched the words. "She was only my adoptive mother. I don't remember my real family. I only remember that I woke up in my adoptive mother's house. She had found me unconscious on the beach about three months before I met Rainbow. I don't remember anything from before that." Aspen broke down crying from shame and sorrow about her family. Spirit hugged her hard as tears fell from her eyes.
"Please help me." Rainbow's voice broke them out of it.
"What is it?" Aspen said.
"It's Shadow." Rainbow said with a shaking voice.
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Vokteren: Finally finished with this chapter. I'm so sorry for the way too long wait.
Pikachu: We'll try to get next chapter up much quicker. Three weeks are way too long between updates.
Vokteren: I think you already know this, but constructive critic is greatly appreciated.
Quiz answer: Verse three is the right answer.
Quiz: Who are the adepts going to meet at Magma Rock? The answer is already given.