A/N 2/5/06: Thanks to all who reviewed. I seriously wouldn't be updating right now if it wasn't for you. I will introduce a new character in this chapter. I know, I've got a lot of new characters, deal with it. Here's the 15th chapter of this fic.

-ARK

CHAP. 15: A New Face

POV: Alex

We walked down to the palace. I was thinking, lost in my own thoughts the whole way there. Even Zack, who tripped numerous times along the way, wasn't enough to shake me from my thoughts. Not even the time when he walked straight into the side of that building. I wasn't sure why he was so...uncoordinated. He played basketball really well, and this was very unlike him. I put it aside and thought about other things. Why was Patrick meant to be drug into this? He didn't deserve it. No way...there must be some reason for this. I'll probably find out later...

"ALEX!" I heard a shout, and then a hand was vigorously waving in front of my face.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"We're kinda here." Cody said.

"Oh, right. Let's go, then."

POV: Cody

They'd both been losing it lately. Especially Zack, though I didn't know why... I shrugged it off, and headed inside with the others.

POV: Third Person

The trio stepped into the palace, and headed up to His Majesty's chamber. Once inside, they bowed low, and waited for acknowledgment.

"No need to be formal." Paul said.

They stood up.

"Now, then. On with business. Zack, step forward."

Cody stepped forward.

"No, I said Zack. Not you, Cody."

"You can tell us apart?"

"Yeah...it's not THAT hard."

"Oh. Damn." Cody said, stepping back, and Zack took his brother's place.

"Now, then, Zack, this is for you." Paul said as he handed Zack the gun-thing again. It was painted with a cool flame design.

"This isn't really an upgrade. I like the design, though!" Zack commented.

"Pull the trigger."

Zack did so, and a burst of fire shot out of the end, lightly torching the carpet.

"AH! S-Sorry."

"It's alright. We can get new carpeting anytime. Cody, step forward now."

Cody stepped forward and waited patiently. A sword about a foot long was thrown at him. Cody caught it easily, then realized it was the same sword as before. There was only one difference. A blue stripe had been wrapped around the hilt, followed by a white stripe about a centimeter up.

"Um...thanks..." Cody responded.

"You're welcome. And lastly, will you step forward, Alex."

Alex stepped forward. "You know all of our names. Even the twins'. You can also tell the twins apart. It's creepy."

"That's the objective. I think...oh well. Here's your upgrade."

A black sword about two feet long was chucked from behind Paul's chair, and it flew right at Alex's head. Alex caught it easily, and inspected it.

"Hmm...black blade...nice touch."

"Formed from the finest obsidian on the planet. It can cut through nearly anything."

"Thanks. We should probably go." Alex said

"Very well, then you may depart. I wish you luck on your journey." Paul said.

The three left, out of the village, and into the harsh desert. When they were about a mile out, they came to a cliff. Somebody who looked very familiar hung from it's edge.

"Hey, is that...Zack?" Cody wondered out loud.

"I think it is, but then who is..." Alex trailed off. "I hate you, now. You know that right."

Zack nodded, and began to shape shift. He morphed into the one person they all loathed.

"KIMITSU! How did you- oh, never mind that, you're still gonna die." Cody responded.

Kimitsu's eyes widened as he looked at the cliff, which caused Cody to look up as well.

"Hey, who the hell is that?" Cody wondered

"I'm not really sure..." Alex responded.

The stranger formed a blade of ice, cut Zack's bindings, then jumped off the cliff. The stranger landed, rolling forward to nullify some of the pain that would have been felt from the fifteen foot drop. The fighter then knocked Zack's gun from Kimitsu's hands, caught it, and handed it to Zack, who had ended up face planting on the ground.

"Thanks...ow..." Zack moaned in pain as he took the gun from the stranger. The stranger then formed some ice-type throwing knives, and chucked them at Kimtisu, then ran forward. As Kimitsu was distracted with the throwing knives, she ran in and slashed him with her sword, also made out of ice. She then turned to face them, her brown, wavy hair blowing in the slight breeze. As she looked at Alex with brown eyes, that faded from light brown to dark brown from top to bottom.

"Umm...who are you?"

"Me? I'm Amy? Who are you guys?"

"I'm Cody. Nice to meet you." Cody responded

"Hey there, sweet thang!" Zack said. Amy then smacked him.

"Heh, Zack, when will you learn? I'm Alex. Nice to meet you."

"We need to go. Up there, to the top of the cliff." Amy responded.

"And...why?" Alex questioned.

"I...I dunno. It just feels like we should." Amy responded.

"Well, then, what are we waiting around here for? It's not like there's anything better to do." Zack said.

They begin to head up towards the cliff, and start to climb up it. They reach the top, and see a cae that has a black light coming from it.

"I've got a bad feeling about this, guys..." Alex said.

"Let's check it out." Amy said.

They enter the cave, and one by one, fall into the realm of unconsciousness.

There's another chapter. I hope you liked it! Please review, and other than that, I don't have much else to say. I thank the three who reviewed my story.

-ARK