Rythian sighed. He didn`t want to go see his father. The last time they had seen each other... it hadn`t ended well, let`s just leave it at that.

But he couldn`t let this happen. His own father couldn`t hate him when he died. It just wasn`t right.

So Rythian got prepared, and made a flying ring for his brother, so that they could travel quickly and not run into many problems.

"Let`s go, Gulf." Rythian said. "Bye, guys." He smiled at his friends as he flew away.

Zoey grinned as soon as he was out of sight. "We should do something fun! Like a party, or prank Sips Co!"

Tech smiled at her enthusiasm, but gently pointed some things out to her. "Who would we even invite to a party? And why should we prank Sips Co? They`ve done nothing to us."

"We should prank Sips Co to make Rythian happy!" Zoey smiled.

"Why would that make him happy?" Tech asked.

"Because he hates Sips Co!" Zoey`s smile grew.

Tech shook his head. "Well you do whatever you want. I have things to do."

Zoey pouted. "But Techy!"

"No, Zoey. I have things to do." Tech told her, before flying off.

Zoey frowned, then brightened again. "Maybe Hex will prank Sips and Sjin with me!" With that thought, she went off to find Hex.

LINEBREAK

Tech entered the cave slowly, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Are you in here?" He called out.

"Yeah! Come on in!" A voice said from the darkness.

Tech grinned and walked farther into the cave. A girl sat on a bed in the only spot of light within the cave, right next to a pool of lava. Tech hugged her. "You have no idea how much I`ve missed you!"

She smiled. "I missed you just as much, brother."

"Oh, Tabitha. It`s so good to see you." Tech said with a wistful smile.

"I hope your trip was safe." Tabitha held her brother`s hand, still smiling.

"Come back to the castle with me, Tabitha!" Tech insisted.

"I can`t, Tech. I`m too tired and hungry." Tabitha said sadly.

Tech frowned. "I will carry you."

Tabitha kissed his cheek. "That`s sweet of you, brother, but you don`t have to."

"I want to, Tabby. I want you to stay there with me." Tech insists again.

"No, Tech." Tabitha says sternly.

"Fine." Tech huffs, but he has a plan.

ANOTHER LINEBREAK

The rest of the day passes quite uneventfully, and Tech hangs out with his sister. By the time night rolls around, Rythian is just now starting home, and so were Zoey and Hex, but from a different place.

Tabitha yawns deeply. "It`s getting late, Tech. You should get home."

Tech nods, and flies out, but hides and waits until he hears her quiet snoring. He flies back in and grabs her, then flies quickly back to the castle, all the while laughing to himself.

They all arrive home at about the same time, with Zoey and Hex getting home just moments before Rythian touches down, somber and drunk. He stumbles inside just as Tech lands, yelling for everyone to come and meet someone.

Tech wakes Tabitha up, and she is surprised and angry, but brightens when she sees that Tech didn`t just make up these friends of his.

Tech sweeps his arms at Tabitha. "Guys, this is my sister, Tabitha."

They stare at her, and Rythian starts to chuckle drunkenly, while Zoey and Hex whisper to each other.

"Hey, Tech. You do know that there isn`t- mmph!" Rythian`s statement is interrupted by Hex putting her hand over his mouth.

"So, um, Tech. Are you sure that you brought Tabitha? You might`ve forgotten her." Zoey suggested.

"What do you mean? She`s standing right here! You should get your vision checked!" Tech argued, confused.

Zoey stared at where he was pointing, then laid her arm gently on his arm. "Tech. There isn`t anyone there."

Tech laughed, and then looked over at Tabitha. "Hey Tabby, do you hear that? Tabby? Where did you go?" Tech`s smile faded. "...Tabby?" He sounded so crushed.

Zoey closed her eyes. "I`m sorry Tech." She murmured, then took Rythian and Hex back into the castle.

Tech stared numbly at the spot where Tabitha had been standing. He fell to his knees and crawled over to it. "Tabitha." He whispered. "Why must you leave me?"

Tech started to cry for the first time since he had arrived. Little did he know that it definitely wouldn`t be his last.