Ailsa was in the forest, flying around looking for supplies for the village. Soon, she was trapped in a net. She fought against it and even tried to use magic on it but she couldn't get free.
"Stop fighting or you'll regret it."
"What do you want?"
"You're a healer. Figure it out." The net was filled with green gas.
She tried to avoid it but couldn't. Soon her eyes were closing.
"Ailsa?" A voice called her name softly.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
Gaelin gave her a small smile. "Are you alright?"
"What happened? There was a net..?"
"Some of my subjects have decided to stray from the straight and narrow. They got in trouble and needed a healer. Not sure how they found out about you unless they mind probed me while I was out." He winced as he shifted position on the bed beside her, his face a collage of cuts and bruises.
She frowned and covered him in light. "Subjects? You're royal too?"
"First born son of the dark rulers." He took a slow breath as his pain receded. "What's the plan?"
She shook her head and was about to speak when the door opened.
A man came in and grabbed her by the arm, dragging her out of the room.
She was pushed in front of a few beds, "Heal them."
She shook her head defiantly.
"You better listen or you'll regret it."
"I'm not healing them."
The man growled and backhanded her, knocking her to the floor. Fire danced in the man's hand before he threw a ball of it at her. She tried to block but it ran up her arms. She let out a pained noise before the fire disappeared.
"You going to listen yet?"
She shook her head again, making the man growl.
Dark light filled his hands before he pulled her up and pushed her against the wall. The light caused more pain where he grabbed her, and she finally got a deep breath in as he released before he began hitting her repeatedly. She soon slid to the floor, barely conscious.
"You bastards!" Gaelin attacked the one standing over her as he was brought into the room. He got one punch in before he was restrained.
"You'll heal them or he's going to get it next," The man said to Ailsa. She looked up weakly before nodding and pushing herself off the ground. She focused light into the men on the beds.
"Ailsa, don't!" Gaelin cried out, attempting to get free.
She looked at him a moment, "Don't want.. you hurt."
"I don't care about that! They can't be allowed to hurt anyone!" Gaelin got free and tried to reach her.
He was roughly shoved away from her. Ailsa's eyes began glowing. A box of light surrounded Gaelin before everything else in the room went dark. When the darkness disappeared, the light dissipated and Ailsa was the only one left besides Gaelin.
"Ailsa?" He looked around at the bodies on the floor. "Are you alright?"
She met his eyes and was about to speak when she swayed and started to fall.
He rushed to catch her, cradling her worriedly. He carried her back to the room they'd been in before and placed her on the bed. Then he returned to the other room and extended his hands.
Ailsa woke a while later, still feeling weak. Her bruises had darkened considerably and one eye was almost swollen shut.
Gaelin winced when he saw her awake. "Is there something I can do?"
She shook her head,"I'll be fine. How are you?"
"Give me a minute." He turned and did something out of sight, but she glimpsed a syringe. He finally turned back to her, rubbing one elbow. "Are you sure you don't want me to call Kei?"
She shrugged, "Don't want to bother him."
"You're hurt bad though." Gaelin sat on the edge of the bed.
She moved slightly and winced. "Maybe if he's not busy.."
He chuckled slightly, then his eyes unfocused and began to glow. A moment later, it stopped. "He'll be here in a few hours."
"Where are we exactly?"
"Actually, it's my house. They broke in."
She nodded slowly.
"I'm really sorry. I should have stopped them before they grabbed you." He dropped his eyes to the quilt.
"It's alright. Thanks for helping me."
He shook his head. "I'm a failure. I can't even control the few of us left! I should just let us die out."
"Maybe don't try to control them. Listen to them and then work together on a compromise? You shouldn't let your people die out."
"There's not much of a choice. There's only three of us left now that I know of and we're on borrowed time already even without the shadow council."
"What do you mean?"
"We're..sick. Our genetics have been damaged by various things and it's just a matter of time." He winced slightly and pushed himself to stand. "Excuse me." He took a few steps, then sank to the floor.
She moved to his side quickly and began checking him over. She poured light into him, assessing his DNA.
It was badly splintered, in some places almost nonexistent. He was raging with fever, his body fighting with itself.
She moved him to the bed before working on building a new cell with proper DNA. She finally did and replicated it with magic, filling him with fresh new cells. She hoped it would help his issues and that his body would continue to produce the new cells. She finally finished up before closing her eyes and dozing off.
A few hours later, Gaelin blinked his eyes open. He laid there in shock as he evaluated his body, then glanced over at the sleeping Ailsa. He shook his head in amazement, then rose and covered her with a blanket.
A knock on the door made him leave the room, returning with Kei. "I'll leave you two alone." He closed the door behind him.
Ailsa woke feeling better than before. She sat up and looked around quickly.
"Hi. Are you okay now?" Kei gave her a soft smile.
She assessed herself and nodded, "Thank you."
"You'd do the same. Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
"Is Gaelin alright? He's been really quiet, but won't let me look at him."
"I think he's fine, but I'll check with him about it."
Kei nodded. "Your brother is awake. He was afraid you'd been taken by the Council."
She shook her head, "They probably won't be after me until they take out the other fairies. They said I'm last."
Kei scowled. "Like hell. I won't allow them to hurt anyone. Even if I have to sacrifice myself to do it."
She sighed, "I just don't know how to go about fighting them.."
The door opened and Gaelin entered. "Let us dark ones fight them. You concentrate on rebuilding your home. There's only three of us and it won't matter if we disappear."
"It's because there's only three of you that you shouldn't fight. It does matter if you disappear."
Gaelin snorted. "The world doesn't need us. All we do is cause destruction. But it needs the light fairies. You make the world better."
"You do more than cause destruction. And if you're not needed, why did you exist in the first place? I think you're just making excuses."
He stared at her. "You don't know?"
Kei looked uncomfortable.
She sighed, "Sorry, I don't know what?"
"Dark Fairies are descended from Light ones corrupted by an ancient Mahoutsukai. We aren't natural." Gaelin gave Kei an apologetic smile.
"My ancestor." Kei supplied softly. "That's why I help them now, to the best of my ability anyway."
She nodded before looking back at Gaelin, "It doesn't matter if dark fairies aren't natural. Your lives still matter."
"You're such a caring person. But the fact is the light fairies matter more and I will not allow the Council to destroy you and yours."
"That's not a fact, it's an opinion. I'm going to fight them, so why don't we agree to work together instead of arguing who should be the ones fighting?"
He looked amused for a moment. "You won't listen to me, will you?"
"Probably not, no."
Kei chuckled and looked at him. "Probably should give up now. If she's anything like Kaito, she can and will outlast you in the stubbornness department."
She chuckled slightly in response.
Gaelin snorted and looked away. "I..I don't know how to work together. Used to being hated and rejected."
"It'll be okay. We can make plans of attack or go try to find information on them. Whatever you think is the best way to go about defeating them." She sighed, "I'm sorry you are used to being treated like that. But maybe things will change?"
"Already getting information. Just waiting for my two's return." He looked at Kei. "They didn't go to the Sanctuary did they?"
Kei shook his head. "Haven't seen them for a few days actually."
"Do you think we should look for them?"
The dark fairy looked worried. "Normally I'd say no. They tend to stay absent until they decide to put in appearances. But with the situation.. I just have no idea where to start."
She frowned, "There has to be a way to find them. Have you ever done searches using your powers? Like focusing on them and letting it lead you?"
"We don't have that ability."
She sighed, "Do you have a picture or something?"
Gaelin went to a dresser, returning with a picture of Jack and Zal proudly displaying detective badges. He handed it over with a sigh.
She analyzed it before closing her eyes. A ball of light soon appeared, slowly starting to float away. "We'll follow it."
Gaelin stared in amazement before opening the door.
Kei went out first, his hands on his phone rapidly texting someone.
"After you." The dark fairy looked at her.
She gave him a small smile before following the light.
"Car or flight?"
"We'll fly, in case it goes off road."
He nodded, black wings appearing as he rose into the air.
Her wings appeared as she followed.
After following the ball for several minutes, it moved into a grove of dead and blackened trees. Gaelin gave a cry as two small figures appeared unmoving on the ground.
Ailsa quickly knelt beside them, checking them over.
Both were dead, their cells destroyed by magic.
"I'm alone.." Gaelin's voice shook in anguish.
She silently moved close and wrapped her arms around him. After a few minutes, she said, "Let me try something, okay?" She moved back to the two fairies and began covering them in light. She tried to rebuild the cells then duplicated them. Her light continued to shine around them, their bodies absorbing it.
"Nothing matters anymore." Gaelin said somberly before rising into the air. "All that's left is to make it count for something."
"Please don't go."
"I have to destroy the Council. That way, you'll live in peace. I won't let them hurt anyone else. Just..would you bury them like your people do? They don't deserve our rites." Gaelin's tear streaked face was sad.
"Please.. just wait a few more minutes before you go anywhere.." she said slowly, her focus still on the bodies.
"Why?" He hovered, his face uncertain.
"I'm trying something. Just wait until I'm done?"
He reluctantly returned to the ground, his hands clenched tight.
She continued her work, finally getting their cells rebuilt. She continued forcing energy into them even though she felt herself weakening.
There was a flash of purple light, then both men began breathing.
Gaelin stumbled back in shock, landing in a heap behind her as he blinked rapidly.
She gave a small smile before closing her eyes for a moment.
"Are-are you okay?" His voice was worried as he warily watched the other men.
"I'll be fine. Healing and reviving just takes a lot of energy."
A black light encased her as he extended a hand. "Have some of mine."
She chuckled, opening her eyes to look at him. "You aren't alone anymore. Though, even without them, you still had the rest of us who care about you."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but your people don't accept us. If they knew about you, there would be issues as well. Another reason you should focus on rebuilding and not the council."
"If they can't accept all of me, they don't need me. Maybe I'll tell them to stir up trouble.. Anyway, at least Kaito and I accept you."
Gaelin began to laugh. "You certainly like causing drama, don't you? Did you forget, we're big bad destroyers?"
She shrugged, "You don't seem so bad to me."
He stood and bowed. "Much appreciated. Seriously though, we are feared for valid reasons. You're safer staying away from us." He took the other men in his arms, rising into the air and disappearing.
She shook her head, heading to search for any information she could find on the Council.
"You are determined to involve yourself, I see." Kei rolled his eyes, another man quiet beside him.
"I want to protect my people."
"I understand that desire, Lady Ailsa. But have you not heard the phrase discretion is the better form of valor? Sometimes retreat is the correct thing to do." The stranger met her gaze without blinking.
She sighed, "My people are busy rebuilding the village and their lives. They don't need the Council looming over them as a threat. If we all retreat, we're probably looking at another attack on the village. If I can find more information, or even just distract them from the others, I'll be helping my people. They can retreat and hide, but it's my duty to do what I can for them."
The stranger sighed, exchanging a glance with Kei before withdrawing.
Kei took a deep breath. "The Shadow Council were originally created to oversee the magickal realm. They issued laws, judging lawbreakers and generally the final arbiter of decisions regarding us. But over the centuries, they became corrupt. Now they only wish to rule everyone in darkness."
She nodded slowly, "Anything else you know?"
"No one who has actively stood against them has ever triumphed. Several people of different races have tried. All have either died or themselves been lost to the darkness. Thus we have waged a guerrilla war in secret."
"Alright."
Kei bowed, withdrawing from view.
A laugh sounded in her mind. "You are brave, Ailsa of the Light. But your hope will soon extinguish."
"Who are you?"
"Trevan of the Council."
She growled, "You won't win. Even if you beat me, someone will eventually win against you."
"Do you have any idea how many times we have heard that?" The voice sounded bored. "Surely you have a better speech? I'll even come in person to hear it."
"My words don't matter anyway. My actions do."
"Does that mean I shouldn't come?" The voice became petulant. "I was so looking forward to introducing myself properly."
"Come if you want a fight."
There was silence for a moment, then the voice returned. "I'll be waiting at the circle in the woods near the Druid stones."
She took a deep breath then flew off. She landed near the stones and looked around.
"You actually came. I'm impressed." A tall male jumped off the top of the stones with a sneer. His eyes were green, his hair red. Pointed ears showed his origin as elvish, but his clothing was a corroded suit of armor. A sword hung at his waist.
"Why do you guys want to destroy us? What did we do to you?"
"You resist. Even the ones created in darkness resist! But you will all learn there is no standing against our power. Just as I did."
"You might be powerful, but the good and light will persist."
"There will be no light when we are done." Trevan extended a hand and vines burst from the earth to wrap tightly around her.
She struggled against them, trying to figure a way out.
He laughed loudly, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. "It is useless to resist. You will be ours." An orb of dark energy swirled in his palm as he began to approach.
A bolt of electricity suddenly coursed through him and he screamed. The orb winked out as the elf fell to his knees, then onto his side.
"Take that, you bastard." Gaelin landed beside her, a dagger flashing as he cut through the vines.
She avoided his gaze, looking at the man on the ground. She approached him, a ball of light forming in her hand. She crouched beside him and then forced the light into him.
He recoiled, screaming and thrashing violently as he was enveloped.
"What are you doing?!" Gaelin watched in apprehension.
She ignored him, continuing to force the light into the man.
Suddenly a wave of darkness entered her as her light went out. The elf lay unconscious, now dressed in a red robe and white pants. The sword was gone.
"What the hell?!" Gaelin shook the dazed Ailsa. "Talk to me! Are you alright?"
Her eyes flashed black a few times before settling back on her normal blue. "I cleansed him." She said simply before standing and going to walk away.
"Cleansed him?" Gaelin ran after her. "I don't think you should be going anywhere alone right now."
"Not all light fairies have the powers of light. I do. I cleansed him of the darkness." She answered. "And I'm fine. Why do you care anyway? You want me to stay away from you, why don't you stay away from me?"
"I..I don't want to see you hurt. I like you. But you're right. You shouldn't have to deal with me. What about him?"
"I don't want to see you hurt either." She sighed and turned away, "Did you ever think maybe pushing me away is hurting me more?" She shook her head, "Doesn't matter. Take care of him." She started to walk away again.
"I never had anyone care before." His voice was soft. His hands shook as he texted someone, then he dropped the phone and ran.
She looked back, picking up the phone and catching up to him. She grabbed his arm, "You have people who care now. Get used to it."
"Don't force yourself. I'm not worth it. Simply a twisted experiment who can't be redeemed. I hope you can destroy the council and live in peace. Forget about me." He removed her hand with downcast eyes. "Go back to your people."
Her eyes were flashing black again as she slapped him. "You are worth it. And I might have been raised as a light fairy, but I'm half dark. You are my people too."
He flinched, shaking his head. "I'm a failure. I couldn't prevent the council from all but destroying us. I would ask you to take in the others. I will stay away as you ask. You will never have to see me again." He began to turn away, his voice shaky with tears.
"Don't go.." she said quietly, her own eyes filled with tears. "I don't know why I said stay away.. I was just so angry.."
"I deserve it." He stared at the ground in despair. "No one should be associated with me.." He turned back to her. His dagger handle was suddenly slid into one of her hands and the blade buried in his chest in one smooth motion.
She shook her head, tears streaking her face. "You idiot.." She pulled it out gently and began forcing light into him.
He shook with pain. "You..better ruler than me.."
"Shh." She said softly as she continued to try to heal him.
His eyes began to close, tears on his lashes.
"Stay with me, okay?"
He gave her a tight smile, fumbling for her hand. "Not..important."
"You're important to me. Why don't you see that?"
"Stubborn..woman." He arched his back and gritted his teeth.
She forced light into him faster, praying to save him.
The wound healed just as he slumped in her arms. His breathing was slow but steady.
"Ailsa?" Kei crouched beside her, his eyes locked on Gaelin. "What happened? He said I needed to take someone to Sanctuary."
She pointed at the other man. "Him. He's been cleansed." She looked back down at Gaelin. "I'll take care of this idiot."
Kei nodded slowly, going to the elf and lifting him. The two disappeared down the path silently.
Ailsa took Gaelin to her tree, laying him down gently before sitting beside him.
A while later, his eyes opened and he stared around in confusion.
"Never do that again."
"Why did you save me?" He answered quietly. "You could have been free of my annoyance."
"Are you that stupid?" She asked softly before moving and gently kissing his lips.
He tensed for a moment, then buried his hands in her hair and deepened the kiss.
When they finally parted, she smiled slightly but stayed quiet.
"I'm sorry..Forgive me?" His eyes were hooded as he prepared himself for her answer.
"Of course. I'm still sorry I got angry at you before. And for slapping you."
"I deserved it for being an ass." He exhaled softly. "I'm worried about you. I've never heard of anyone cleansing a soul of darkness before."
She shrugged, "There's a first for everything, I guess."
"It could have killed you. Or worse.." His eyes were frightened.
"Don't worry about me," she gave him a small smile.
"Can't help it." He chuckled quietly. "Don't want my sun to disappear."
She blushed slightly. "So, what now? Are we going in search of more Council members or are we going to see how that elf is doing?"
He sat up, looking thoughtful. "How the hell did you lure one of them out anyway?"
"He started talking to me first, honestly."
"Are they spying on you? Or was he just taunting you?"
"I have a feeling that even if they aren't actively following me, they're spying on me somehow. He seemed to know we had been talking about them."
Gaelin scowled. "Would it have been smarter to destroy him?"
She shrugged, "I figured he should have a chance."
Gaelin's phone began to ring, making him jump slightly. He answered, his jaw tensing before he spoke. "We'll be right there. Keep everyone away."
"What's wrong?"
"The council retaliated. Both Tet's and the fairie's apartments were firebombed. The elf is awake and panicking."
"Alright.. let's go."