Disclaimer: I give up. Refer to the last 21 chaps for it.
Author's Note: I've decided to start answering to reviews. Why? Because I'm always the last to jump on the train, that's why! Lol. So, here we go:
Magicman/Smokegirl: I'm so glad you like the cookies! Should it be something I do regularly? Because I can. shows huge plate of cookies Yeah, the Fanellians are smarter then the rest. Why? Because they don't have several different schemes going on. Just one mission compared to the others who have, like, twenty I think. Don't you love being a fox in a chicken coop?
Neithan02: You know, you and Magicman/Smokegirl are my only reviewers. Thank you sooo much! You don't like cliffhangers? I'll try to avoid them for the rest of the chaps but I can't promise anything… my muse likes to taunt me. glares at muse I'm so happy you really want to see the end of this story. You're the best!
Sisters till the End
This is dedicated to Pablo/Cecil because he is such an awesome writer and he has inspired me to go farther. Thank you Pablo/Cecil for your awesome story and your awesome talent!
Sitting alone where dead wood and browning leaves continued to curl up and fall from old branches, trees long gone or dead, lumps of blackened coal in the cold dawn, grass scattered in patches that reminded her of an old mutt's patchy fur with the occasional chirping of the lonely cricket, Kat wondered idly if they would come. After all she pulled she wondered if this time she had gone too far. Nicole had seen it and surely Alex had noticed something. Why should they come to help a friend in need when she had become the monster they despised?
"Because friends can see through that," came Alex's voice, echoing all around her. "We still come when you call."
"Even though we disagree with your actions," Nicole added, appearing like magic out of the brush. Jumping up, Kat greeted the woman with a powerful hug, relieved to see her best friends. She had thought she could do it all by herself but reality had hit her hard upon the head-she needed her friends. Alex appeared next and was greeted with the same enthusiasm as Nicole had been.
"It's good to see you Kat," Nicole said fondly, watching as relief flooded her friend's face. She knew that sooner or later Kat would come to her senses. If only she could still say that. "You too, both of you," Kat said, smiling. "Now come on, we've got a mission."
"What?" Alex asked, a little shocked. She had not suddenly up and left her family with only a vague message from Kat as her reason, to go on a mission that she had not been approached about. She glanced over at Nicole and saw the same expression on her friend's face. "Kat, you said that you needed to see us. We weren't expecting a mission," Nicole said.
"Well, we don't expect a lot of things to happen, do we? Remember going to Gaea?"
"I admit things happen without reason to us, but come on. It's strange that you call us and then suddenly say we're going on a mission. What mission?"
"Did you honestly think I would call you out here for a chat?"
Now Nicole and Alex were extremely surprised. This was not the Kat they knew. It was as if she as possessed. By a hard ass bitch demon, Alex thought as Kat started walking off. Sending an infamous look to Nicole, they followed their friend.
They walked through the forest, the scenery never truly changing. Alex and Nicole conversed mentally through their link about Kat's actions-she was right on the money when she said she hadn't called them out for a visit. So far the only thing their best friend had said were directions or warnings of low hanging branches. Nicole was right, Alex remembered thinking. Kat really has changed.
It was that thought that brought about Alex's short temper. She knew where they were, whether or not Kat knew it. She was taking them into the heart of the Fanellian forest and there could only be one possible reason for that. To break into the Queen's Palace. Annoyed, Alex stopped and Nicole halted behind her. Kat didn't seem to notice.
Alex cleared her throat, which caught Kat's attention. She turned to them with a quizzical look on her face. "Okay, you've taken us far enough Kat. What the hell is going on?" Alex demanded. That was probably a bad start.
Kat heard Alex's tone and instantly went on the offensive. What were they doing? They were friends and she was the leader-they should be following her not questioning her! "This isn't the time or the place, Alex. Keep moving," she growled.
"I'm not moving another inch until you answer me. What the hell is going on Kat? You disappear and then we try to get you come back and you act like we're trying to kill you. Then you go all Rambo on us. What the hell is with these changes? You were never like this before!"
Crossing her arms, Kat glared at Alex and Nicole. How dare they try and do this to her! "If you're scared to go on then you can leave, cowards."
"See? That isn't you talking Kat!"
"It sounds strangely like Dilandau," Nicole commented.
That did it. "This is not the time to be accusing me of things that I am not! The world is about to be destroyed and we need to save it! So keep all that "you're changing" crap to yourself for now! Unless you want to discuss it while we're being blown up!" She hollered.
"I think I will. Answer us this Kat-things were the same until Dilandau started slipping away from you! It's like ever since Kalirice showed up she was more of a match for Dilandau so you're trying to be more like her to get him back. Well, he isn't coming back Kat so you can give up!"
"SHUT UP!"
"It's true! You say you want to save the world but how can we save it together when we're not wholly together? Answer that!"
Kat turned her back to the two and started to walk off. Inside she knew she was being childish, throwing a tantrum, but for now it felt good. Maybe they are right, she thought. Maybe I am changing… Maybe, for once, Gaea can't count on her Protectors to save her…
Author's Note: Just because I'm mean and evil, and the author, I am going to put up a challenge. I refuse to post the next chapter until I get at least… oh, let's say… 2 reviews! -- I don't have very high expectations for this story, do I? Well, review and you'll get the next chap, okay?
The Shadow That Takes Form as a Kat
ShadowKat