Chapter 2

I figured it out, the only answer to why we were changed. The book had been very helpful. Power, control, and supreme dominate force. That is what father had wanted, and he had sacrificed his children do obtain it. The book, once fully deciphered, was a journal stating our abilities as creatures of legend. I never told Leon about the Draco thing though, didn't feel right to. I myself still didn't know what it had meant. But now we knew where to get the information we needed. Problem was the only way to get it, was to be a State Alchemist.

" Forget it Terra, there's no way in hell I'm letting you go!" a temper tantrum is not what I had needed. Ricca had looked for every, or any loophole there may have been, no such luck. I wasn't fond of the idea, but to get the answers I wanted, I had to become what I hated. The lab where Father's research was accessible only to State Alchemists, they didn't have any security alarms either. It was all manual. Ricca, the hi-tech queen, was defeated by low-tech tactics.

" But Leon, there's no other way, I looked for days. I don't want her to go either." She mumbled the last part; She knew why it had to be me. As it was explained in The Book of Forgotten Fairies, Because of my mixed dose of LD (Legendary D.N.A.) I could control my appearance with practice. It still hurt like hell when I changed, but I knew more then enough to travel safely among people.

" Leon…" I had to word this carefully; he'd never allow me to leave if he thought it was too risky. Of course it was too risky but it's all we had right now, as far as we knew it could be the answer. But arguments like that would not work on my hot-tempered brother. " I'm the only one who can go safely, I know you don't want to admit it, but you know I right." I gave him the 'concerned little sister look' that he always fell for, a dirty trick I know. But this was no time for fair play.

" You may have to deal with the rebellion that's starting up in the west. You'd have to kill people, a lot of them. You may never get even close to that lab, you'd become their lapdog for nothing!" His imagination was getting the better for him. I knew what could happen, But I also new how to keep it from happening. I explained to him my plain to stay out of trouble.

The main idea was to keep my head down and not bring to much attention to myself. Make friends in high places and do anything to keep me away from unwanted attention. Once again, Leon's imagination got the better of him. When I said anything, I didn't mean anything. A few more tantrums and puppy dog looks later, I was packing to leave to central for the upcoming exams. It felt strange, packing to leave this place. We had been here for years. Four years to be exact, I felt so much longer. That's when it hit me; my birthday was in a month. 19 years old.

And I'd celebrate with out my brother, or my friend.

I didn't want these thought right now, I may back down. I threw random clothes into my suite case; along with money Leon gave me for an apartment. I really didn't want to know where he got it. The next day, I left quietly early in the morning. Leon may have dreamt up more crazy reasons for me not to go.

I bought a ticket for central and waited for the train.

" And where do you think your going?" Why was I surprised? Of course Leon would come after me, he's so overprotective. He came to give me a letter from Ricca. "Ya know, since she couldn't be here." He almost looked as if he were in pain. Ricca couldn't change like I could. I hated that she was cooped up a home all the time. There was little choice however. Leon hated it too, he hated father more for it.

" Leon, I...well...I'm sorry." I'm thankful he knew what I meant. I was sorry for leaving, making them worry for me, for there being no other way. He just smiled and gave me a hug. He saw me onto the train and left, it was very out of character for Leon. Normally he'd try to drag me back. It felt strange riding the train; sure we rode in a train on the way back from stealing that book. But that was in the cargo part of the train, so I guess it doesn't count. My back hurt too; whenever I changed my wings were sort of sucked into my back. Not too terribly comfortable as you can imagine.

The ride was uneventful, long, and if I had to spend five more minutes on that train I would have gone crazy. I practically ran from the station and found a nearby hotel. After I got my things unpacked in my room I figured why not look around town before I register. After wondering into a café, I bought a paper and some coffee. Caffeine is a wonderful thing. And that is where I saw the ad. "The head bank in central has been the victim on an unknown hacker(s). The computer systems had been overwritten and several thousand dollars had been stolen electronically." I almost spit out my coffee. There was no way that…. Ricca would have had to…. Oh god. My brother was so going to have a good story for this one. I knew it was him, thanks to the next line. "Also, several computers randomly exploded causing severe fire damage to the banks archives. Police are still not sure if the two events are connected." I was going to kill him.

End Chapter 2