Chapter 21 Here we go

Rojo's P.O.V.

I needed to find ways to get around everything that was going on. We just had another meeting in the CourtHouse to decide how we were going to proceed now. The one question I was asking myself was how we were going to take care of Ignis.

The lizard may be as big as an island himself

I mused as I watched my trainees go through their forms. It was morning once again. One thing that I found that was partially odd to me was the fact that Emperor was going through the forms and exercises as well.

What reason would he have to join in my army?

I thought as the the trainees finished their form.

"Form two!"

I shouted. The trainees saluted me and started their next from as I started walking around the perimeter of the area. I was mostly focused on Marine, since he was advancing rapidly.

I don't know what it is about him.

I thought as I noticed that there were only 25 of the 35 individuals that were supposed to be present. I also had noticed that they had organized themselves into five rows of five individuals with space for me to walk through.

Maybe it is possible that they could learn

I told myself. This caused me to laugh aloud. This action caused some of the individuals present to stop their form and look at me with odd expressions. I put my arms behind my back and focused on Marine. He was going through the form quickly and fluidly.

He's actually getting everything right

I said in my mind with amazement. Looking to the rest of the individuals, I saw that some weren't moving.

"Back to it!"

I barked loudly. Some flinched and some went back to their forms with jerky motions. I walked slowly back to the front of the area and looked at the trainees.

"Attention!"

I shouted. The trainees saluted me and took an easier stance.

"I can't stand to see some of you going through your forms"

I started. Some started to twitch and some started to sulk.

"There are those who are actually doing what they've been told… and I will congratulate them for it"

I continued. I looked directly at Marine, who was next to Sapphire.

"Marine, Sapphire and Emperor, stand with me at the front"

I commanded. The three walked from their places to stand next to me.

"These three have done an excellent job of maintaining their strength, coordination, and their fluidity, therefore, they will not be going through the rest of their forms"

I stated firmly motioning to them as I looked at the trainees. Emperor cleared his throat, which caused me to snap my attention away from the trainees.

"I believe that I am the one in charge here"

Emperor stated as he looked at me sternly. A chill ran down my back as he stared me down with narrowed eyes.

"Just let them off for today"

Emperor said as he shifted his gaze back to the trainees.

"You are all dismissed for today"

I said reluctantly as I looked back at Emperor, who was breathing heavily for some reason.

"You're actually tired Emperor?"

Marine asked in disbelief as the trainees streamed past us to exit the training area. This question got A stifled chuckle from Sapphire.

"That's hilarious; don't quit your job"

Emperor said angrily as he looked up at the morning sky. Everyone that I knew of was waking much earlier for some reason.

Maybe it's because of everything that's changing

I told myself as I watched Marine and Sapphire run through the gate. I looked up at the sky just as the gate slammed shut. The sudden sound made Emperor take his gaze from the sky and had it settle on the gate.

"I want to talk with you"

Emperor stated softly as he turned to face me. I had no time to react before he started speaking again.

"I'm sure you've been asked this before, but why are you so hard on your soldiers?"

He asked me as he started walking to the gate. Not wanting to be left alone, I followed him and fell into step beside him just as he reached the gate.

"I'm sure that you've heard the same answer every time the question was asked"

I replied smartly. Emperor opened the gate and nearly hit me as he opened the gate forcefully.

"It seems I missed"

Emperor said with A wry smile as he held the gate open for me.

"I was the one who missed"

I told him jokingly as I walked past him. He shut the gate and we fell in step with each other. As we walked, we watched the town start to come alive. Doors and gates opened and we watched as individuals went back to their daily grind.

"Where are you off to?"

Emperor asked me as we walked.

That's an interesting question since I really have nothing to do today

I told myself as I walked along. Some of the individuals waved to us and some just watched me walk by.

I'm pretty sure that i've been A spectacle since the lines between the scales on my arms are now Black and more defined.

I thought as I looked up to see that we were in front of the CourtHouse.

"It really doesn't take long to get anywhere on the Administrative District, does it?"

Emperor asked with A little laugh.

"To answer your question, I kinda want to go to the Revelation Room"

My voice trailed off at the end of my sentence. Emperor took A sharp breath.

"And what would you do there?"

He asked tensely as he turned to me. I looked at Emperor.

"I'm not sure why I'm being drawn there too, but if we're both being drawn to that area, we should go there"

He said definitively as he started for the Revelation Room. I followed him around the side of the building to see Lemon running her finger along the lines that were cut into the Revelation Room's Ivory Doors. Emperor stopped in his tracks and held up his hand. I stopped close to Emperor and he craned his head to mouth the silent words Watch This. I took A casual pose as Emperor crept close to Lemon. She was murmuring something to herself. I wasn't close enough to understand what she was saying, but I wanted to see what Emperor was going to do. When Emperor was standing close to Lemon, he started to say something.

"What's u-"

He started. Lemon jumped and yelped in terror while she threw a spinning kick that sent Emperor sprawling to the ground. Emperor moaned on the ground while I looked at Lemon with complete disapproval. Lemon covered her mouth with her right hand and gasped in shock at what she had done. She ran over to Emperor, who was already up, sitting cross-legged on the ground. He looked up at Lemon with A huge smile on his face.

"Maybe you could've hit me harder"

Emperor said with A laugh. Lemon scoffed.

"Maybe I could've, but you also could've not scared me like you did"

She said scowling at Emperor. He shrugged and stood back up. I was starting openmouthed at Lemon.

"You're just gonna take that hit and shrug it off like it's nothing?"

I said in amazement to Emperor. He turned from reassuring Lemon that he was fine and looked at me sternly.

"It didn't hurt; there's no reason to fight back when I was the one who instigated this incident"

Emperor stated flatly. Lemon was quivering close where Emperor was standing.

"A-are y-you -g-gonna h-hurt m-me?"

She stammered. Emperor turned to her.

"Of course not; there's no need for me to hurt you"

He said with finality. Turning back to me, he started speaking again.

"Whatever is bringing us here may not be friendly"

He started. I was paying acute attention to Emperor's words since I knew that what he was saying could be true. I didn't understand why I was starting to become less…stern.

"Why are you here Lemon?"

I asked as she continued to trace the lines in the door absently.

"I can't explain it"

She murmured as she continued tracing the lines that were carved into the door.

"Then it's decided"

A new familiar voice stated. All three of us turned to see Halcyon standing with his arms crossed looking at us oddly.

"What brings all of you here?"

He started to ask as he narrowed his eyes at Emperor.

"And what specifically brings you here?"

He asked interestedly as he uncrossed his arms and stood himself next to Emperor.

"We all are feeling an unexplained pull to this room for some reason"

Lemon murmured as she continued running her fingers along the lines of the door. Halcyon pushed Emperor aside and proceeded to knock on the ivory doors. Emperor growled and steadied himself from falling. I had no idea how Emperor could take being pushed around so much, but it astounded me.

"Who's knocking?"

A partially muffled voice sounded behind the door.

"It's Halcyon and some others"

He said. The left door opened, knocking Lemon to the ground. She cried out in pain as Frostbite emerged from the darkness of the misty and moss-covered hallway.

"Terribly sorry Lemon; Are you ok?"

She asked as she helped Lemon to her feet. Lemon grumbled something under her breath as she got up with the help of Frostbite.

"I'll be fine, other things have hit me harder than that door has"

She said with narrowed eyes that were directed at me.

"When did you get back Frostbite?"

I asked as A wave of cold ran down my back as Halcyon entered the hallway. I followed close behind him, as I didn't want to see what would unfold from the situation that I may have started.

"Let's not get into the specifics of that now Rojo"

She replied quickly as the door closed behind us as Halcyon and I stopped at the section where the spears were. We went through the safety measures that the Revelation Room had and all of us entered the room. Everything was the same, except for A giant mound of something that looked like A lizard near the center of the room.

"You'll have to excuse our new guest Rojo; he's not used to seeing new individuals"

Frostbite explained to us as she stood in front of us. She pointed to the large mound of something.

"I'm well aware of this Frostbite"

Emperor said with annoyance. Halcyon nodded slightly.

"If you need someone to talk to about Ignis, than you can explain it to Rojo"

Halcyon said, dismissing Frostbite and grabbing Emperor by his shoulder, which caused him to wince as he practically dragged Emperor behind him. Lemon was shaking in her boots beside me.

"Halcyon's been A bit different lately, hasn't he?"

Frostbite remarked as she went on to stop Lemon's quivering.

Too much has changed to make sense around here

I told myself as I found myself standing close to the square of clear liquid in the center of the room. The inner doors to the Revelation Room slammed shut and the sound reverberated throughout the room. Then, something yawned close to where I was standing. I snapped my focus from Frostbite calming Lemon down, to A huge mouth that was ringed with insanely sharp teeth. The gaping mouth shut and I came face to face with A huge...Lizard.

"I haven't seen you before, could you tell me your name?"

The thing asked me. Even though it was was close to the ground, it towered over me with its colossal height. Waves of numbness and cold went all over my back as the huge lizard studied me.

I'm not sure that this is A decoration that NorthWind and Frostbite put together

I convinced myself as I turned to run. I only got about three steps away from the giant thing and was about to yell in fear, when the giant lizard snagged the side of my boot with one claw. An unusual squeak escaped my throat as I was maneuvered to face the giant lizard. Somehow, I felt relieved when I was in the presence of this creature.

" It's rude to run away from someone that's asked you A question; isn't it?"

The thing asked me. Somehow, I thought that I had seen this creature before.

What would make me think of such A thing!? Those were tales and stories we told each other as hatchlings!

" I have no intention of harming you young one"

The lizard said as it unhooked its claw from my boot.

"You look similar to another individual that I helped A long time ago"

The lizard said as it put A tip of one of its massive claws on my chest as it closed its eyes.

"So that's what they refer to you as"

The lizard said as it opened its eyes again. It was then that I noticed what they looked like. The base coloration of the eye was A Yellow color; similar to how the scale color of Lemon's scales were like. The vertical slitted pupil was Red in color. They were almost the same richness and hue that my scales were. For some reason, I felt that this creature didn't want to be confrontational. I felt fear, sadness, and guilt instead.

I'm amazed that this creature looks so scary, but isn't much of A fighter

I said in my mind as the creature took its claw of of my chest.

"So you're the one they call Rojo then?"

The lizard asked me as it focused its eyes on me. I felt like I was looking directly into the past by how old this creature looked.

Should I say something in regards to that subject?

I asked myself as I started to speak.

"Indeed I am Rojo, but who are you?"

I asked. The lizard drew A breath that disturbed the ground around me, causing dust and smoke come from the ground.

"It's rude to answer A question with A question, but I will tell you that my name is Ignis"

The creature said as it shifted its body so it could stand to what I believed was its full height.

"And who's the fine young individual that's standing next to you that's scared at the moment?"

Ignis asked me as I looked to see Lemon quivering in her boots next to me on my right side.

"That's Lemon Ignis; she's our scientist"

I told the creature as it settled back on the ground once more.

"This one seems to be much different than the rest"

Ignis said as his eyes shut once again. In my opinion, he seemed to be...tired. It seemed as if this creature had expended A lot of energy sometime not too long ago.

"What makes you say that Ignis?"

Lemon asked with contempt in her voice. Ignis started something that seemed to be A laugh, which was A series of short rumbling sounds that seemed to resound from the center of its body.

"What I didn't say was that she was different because you are not like her; Indeed you are very different from her, as is everyone in this very room"

The creature started. I was astounded by the sheer amount of wisdom this creature possessed. I had no idea how so much knowledge this creature could possess and could be emanating at the same time.

"I'm saying that Lemon is not entirely as one of your species is supposed to be, and that you Rojo, have the Fire Element residing in you"

Ignis stated as his eyes started to close again as he settled back to the ground.

"The Fire Element does not choose an individual at random, much like it didn't choose Marine to be the Water Element, Emperor to be the ruler, or me to be the Earth Element"

Ignis said as it slowed its breathing.

"How do you know all of this?"

Lemon asked as she slowly stopped quivering in her boots. By now, the High Council Members had gathered behind Lemon and I and had started to talk amongst themselves.

"I've been living on this plane of existence for many years now"

Ignis started as his left eye opened, revealing capillaries that were thin and blue against his eyes.

"You're saying that there's more than one plane of existence!?"

Lemon blurted. She immediately covered her mouth with her left hand. She looked up in nervousness at Ignis.

"I'm sorry for blurting like I did"

She said softly. Ignis chuckled, which sent the room into A soft rumble.

"You don't need to apologize Lemon; your question is A good and valid one"

Ignis said as he closed his eyes again. Halcyon pushed me gently to the side and studied Ignis. He ran his hand along the side of the creature as he walked around it.

"The material of your scales are still something I cannot begin to comprehend"

He started as he walked around Ignis.

"If I were to - No, if the Yoshi Species were to break down the composition of your scales, we could use them to build the strongest things in existence!"

Halcyon's voice seemed to be A mix of pure amazement and giddiness at this point. He had made it around the left side of Ignis and his pupils were very small and he was breathing rapidly. Ignis was looking at Halcyon with inquisitiveness in his eyes.

"Are you well at the moment sir?"

Ignis asked as it moved Halcyon to where the rest of the High Council Members were with one of its claws. Halcyon's expression had not changed. When Halcyon was moved by Ignis, he was placed next to Rose, who tapped him on the shoulder when Ignis was done moving him.

"I concur with Ignis; are you well?"

She asked nervously. Halcyon looked at Rose, which caused her to take A step back in fear.

"I'm just fine Rose; I've never felt better!"

He said as he looked back up at Ignis.

"Alright then"

Rose said evenly as she turned to look back at Ignis.

"These are the highest ranking members of the Yoshi society if I'm not mistaken"

Ignis said as he blinked slowly as if he was trying to see all of us at one.

"You would be completely correct"

Emperor stated as he took A thoughtful stance. This action caused the chains that were snaked around his arms and legs to rattle, this caused Ignis to snap awake and put his two front feet over his ear openings.

"Stop that noise!"

He roared. The room shook with his voice, causing some of the High Council Members fall to the floor and some of the stalactites fall from the ceiling. I watched Lemon dodge the ones that fell close to her. When the room had stopped shaking and the ringing noise had stopped in my ears, Ignis uncovered his ears. He looked angrily At Emperor, who look genuinely scared for the first time.

"I did not care for that at all!"

Ignis roared. Emperor looked confused now. He look at the chains and then back to Ignis.

"You don't like high pitched or shrill sounds?"

He asked as he started to pull absently at the chains. Ignis brought his face close to Emperor's

"I don't know why I'm getting negative energy from you, but I don't like it"

He started. As Ignis spoke, Emperor's pupils became extremely thin.

"What is it that you possess that the others don't?"

Ignis asked him as he returned to his resting position.

"A better question to ask is how he got here without anyone noticing"

Lime said softly as he rested his weapon on his shoulder. Emperor growled softly. I saw A faint glow come from his upper arm as he stood himself in front of Ignis.

"The answer to your question is that I have inherited something that the others don't have"

Emperor stated evenly as he reached for the Reborn. Ignis sighed, sending the stalactites into the far wall.

"I see; you don't need to tell me what you have, I can feel it already"

Ignis said as if he was in A trance.

"The weapon that you wield, can you tell me the name of it?"

Ignis asked as its right eye opened slowly. Emperor sighed softly and took the Reborn off of his back and placed it in front of Ignis.

"Yeah, it's called the Reborn; my mother gave it to me shortly before she died"

He said as the giant lizard focused its right eye on the weapon. When it did, its left eye snapped open and it jumped up from where it was laying.

"This...this weapon still exists!?"

It asked with incredulity.

"We've all seen it"

Mercury said with annoyance. The other High Council Members nodded slowly in agreement.

"It was passed down by the rulers of the United Island Archipelago"

Halcyon stated. I took A quick glance at Halcyon to make sure that he was better. He seemed to be, so I watched Ignis take up the weapon into its huge hand.

"This weapon, the Reborn, holds great power you know"

Ignis stated as it flipped the weapon over in its hand with A claw as it continued studying the weapon.

"I've had the opportunity to examine the weapon outside of battle, but I've witnessed that the current Sacred Arts are Altitude, Velocity, Armor, Damage and…"

Lemon started to say, but her voice trailed off as she neared the end of her sentence. Ignis looked up from studying the weapon and looked at her.

"What else did you find Lemon?"

Ignis asked.

"I've also determined that the Reborn has A triggered Sacred art when Emperor…"

Her voice trailed off once again.

"Hmm, interesting"

Ignis said while he mulled something over in his mind. I couldn't tell what he was thinking about, but I made an educated guess that it either had something to do with the "Triggered Sacred Art" of the Reborn, or it had something to do with how Emperor was shifting uneasily.

"How exactly did you find this out Lemon?"

Emperor asked as Ignis handed him the weapon.

"I...I…"

Lemon tried to find the words she was looking for as she slowly faced Emperor, who met her with A look of disapproval.

"Now my question is something different than what we have discussed so far"

Ignis started. I heard some very quiet snickering behind me. I did not turn to see who was, but I had A feeling that the answer would come soon. Right after Ignis had finished his statement, Mercury asked A question.

"Are you going to tell us how you got in here?"

He asked, trying to stifle his laughter as he asked his question. Ignis looked down from the stalactite filled ceiling to look at him.

"That is not going to be my answer, and that was pretty rude you know"

Ignis replied with A bit of anger in his voice as it settled back to the ground. I turned to look at Mercury with A scowl, but he was already shrugging when I faced him. He had A huge grin on his face.

"I'll take care of him Rojo"

Rose said as she swatted the back of his head. Mercury muttered something under his breath while I looked back at Ignis, who was eyeing Emperor oddly.

"Are you saying that A yoshi that's infused with magic can alter A weapon that i've overseen that was built in my presence?"

Ignis asked incredulously as it continued to eye him.

"I'm not sure how that could be since…"

Lemon started as she started to quiver again. Ignis turned its attention to Lemon, who looked at the huge lizard with nervous eyes.

"Why is it that every time that I look at you that you are seeming to be scared or nervous?"

Ignis asked as he eyed her suspiciously.

"We really don't know"

The High Council, Emperor, and I said in unison.

"There's A rumor that Lemon has had A dark and mysterious past that she doesn't want to talk about"

I heard NorthWind announce as she pushed through the High Council Members to stand by Lemon.

"I really don't think that it's polite to spread rumors"

She breathed as NorthWind looked up at Ignis.

"I am one that studies mathematics as well"

Ignis told Lemon. As soon as she heard this, all of our jaws dropped and Lemon's eyes lit up like the sun.

"Really!? You study that subject as well!?"

She asked the creature with giddiness. Ignis nodded slowly as it covered its ear openings.

Apparently Lemon's voice hurts the creature's ears as well

I said with laughter in my mind. The rest of us gained our composure as Ignis looked at me once again.

"I also seem to hear from the others that you are A bit too overbearing Rojo"

Ignis started. I felt numb all over. My internal core temperature had started to rise as well.

"Whatever; now let's talk about what's up with Lemon"

I said rolling my eyes. I could see the others nodding slightly behind me.

"I also seem to be getting odd energy signatures from Lemon"

Ignis breathed. It was just loud enough for me to hear.

"Energy signatures?"

I asked, scratching the back of my head. Lemon sighed softly.

"With that being said, it's been observed that there's odd objects around her fingers"

Rose said as she looked at Lemon's hands. She was wringing them nervously.

"These objects are things I haven't seen before"

Ignis said as the creature looked at the wires that were tightly wound around her fingers.

"Could you explain to me what these are?"

Ignis asked as it touched the wires with the tip of one of its claws. Lemon started to look even more nervous.

"They're just simple wires; it's nothing to marvel at really"

She said while raising her hands up in what seemed to be defeat. Ignis looked at her oddly.

"The objects that are around your fingers are called wires?"

The creature asked Lemon. She nodded slightly.

"Could that be what's causing the energy signatures?"

Emperor thought aloud as he took A thoughtful stance. It was then that I felt A stronger presence in the room with us. This presence wasn't as friendly as Ignis or the others. I shook the feeling off as I focused on Emperor. He seemed to be thinking about something, but I could tell that he was trying to take his mind off of something, but what he was trying to take his mind off of, I didn't know. I looked at the chains that snaked around his arms and legs.

Is it because of those chains that he looks so much like Abyss?

I asked myself as I looked back at Ignis, who had taken A coil of wire off of one Lemon's fingers.

"I believe that you are right Emperor; these wires do contain energy"

Ignis said softly as it studied the wire in the dim light.

"This is also A trigger item if I'm not mistaken"

Ignis said as the creature looked over the wire at Lemon, who was smiling nervously.

"There's nothing special about those wires or me Ignis"

Lemon tried to protest, but Ignis didn't stop.

"I think that this is your trigger item to change you into A different form; it would act like the Devil Gene that changes Emperor, the Fire Element that changes Rojo, and these wires change you into what exactly?"

Ignis asked as it dropped the tightly coiled wire back into Lemon's left hand. As soon as the wire touched her palm, the wire unwound itself and slowly crawled up her hand. We all watched in awe as the wire found the finger that was not occupied by a wire and coil tightly around that finger.

"Where did you learn to do that Lemon?"

NorthWind asked slowly and nervously. Lemon turned to her quickly and nervously.

"I really don't want to talk about it"

Lemon said as she looked up at Ignis.

"You don't seem to take great enjoyment in your magic abilities Lemon; why is that so?"

Ignis asked.

"Hold on"

Rose started as she materialized A DeathBringer beside her. Lemon started to quiver again.

"The giant lizard thing is telling us that Lemon here can use magic?"

Rose asked as she walked to stand by Lemon. Ignis nodded slowly.

"I can safely assume that we have seen it firsthand; Lemon indeed has A knack for various things"

Ignis confirmed. Lemon started to take A couple steps backward.

"I-I'm sure that there's A logical explanation for that occurrence"

She started to say when I watched her back into Halcyon. Lemon whipped around to see him looking at Ignis oddly.

"Surely all of you can't have this much interest with our new guest"

He said oddly as he walked around Lemon who was still quivering.

"How couldn't we?"

Rose asked as Halcyon stopped to her immediate right. I saw him glance at Emperor, who was looking over the Reborn. I didn't know what he was looking for or trying to do, but I felt that Ignis could find out.

"Now that all of you are here, I'd like to ask something from all of you"

Ignis said as the lizard motioned for us to sit down. The High Council Members sat down, along with Frostbite, who had just arrived. I also sat on the ground, and when I did, I noticed that my legs were burning with soreness.

Maybe I am pushing them too hard

I thought as Emperor and Halcyon stood on A side of the High Council Members as they sat in A row. Emperor stood next to me listening to what Ignis had started to say while I focused on what Ignis was saying.

"I have heard from the Earth that there's something that's coming"

The lizard said. Mercury raised his hand.

"What is it young one?"

Ignis asked.

"You can speak to the Earth and more importantly, the Earth can speak?"

He asked with incredulity. Ignis chuckled.

"I am the living embodiment of the Earth, and as the Earth Element, it's my job to preserve and speak with it"

Ignis replied happily. He cleared his throat and went on.

"As I was saying, I've seen into all of your lives; some of you have things that you wish you wouldn't have to fight again, and some of you are going to have to make sacrifices that will impact you greatly"

Rose raised her hand.

"How exactly do you know all of this?"

She asked with narrowed eyes. Ignis grinned, showing all of his pointed teeth that were the same color as the lizard's claws.

"I know these things because all of you have been taken from the Earth"

Ignis said as his eyes closed once again.

"The tribe leader that had taken me in told me this: We come from the Earth when we are born, and we return to it when we die. It's A circle: from it we come, and we return to the place from whence we came"

Ignis said as if it was reciting it. Rose sighed.

"I'm afraid that that doesn't answer my question"

She said softly. Ignis huffed, sending the surrounding area into dust.

"How about I show you what's about to happen?"

It asked as it brought its head up from the ground.

"Let me show you what will come with the spell Recollection"