"Well, here we are." Tiamatt sighed, pointing down at the city of Des Moines from the cockpit window. She turned back to look at the full room, everyone looking uncomfortable from the cramped space since most of the Symphonians agreed to come along too. Kayla and Vincent decided to stay back to Garden along with Raine, Regal, and Presea. "You know some of you could have gone to the lower deck. Theres a lot more room down there."
"Oh well." Zelos shrugged. "Too late now."
"Wow..." Aya gasped, looking down from her window seat, Hiro sitting beside her. "It almost looks like its from our world."
"But its not." Tiamatt laughed, before turning towards Jo and pointing over his shoulder to a landing place nearby. 'Land there. Then maybe I can finish seperating our minds and you can finally meet my creator."
"Yes! Fresh air!" Nightfire and Marth cheered, causing everyone to laugh. The two of them were already heading down the elevator before the ship landed.
Everyone surprisingly got out of the ship quickly and were all relieved to be out of the cramped cockpit. Even Eria and Terrance seemed happy to be out of the ship, the twins giggling in Lloyd's and Colette's arms as Kratos watched. Aya was still looking at the city nearby as Hiro kept giving Zelos warning glances after the red haired Chosen attempted to grope Aya which resulted in Sheena slapping him.
"You guys ready?" Tiamatt asked, taking a deep breath. The others turned and watched in interest as energy could be felt building around her. A white swirling mass of energy seemed to come from her before a teenage girl came flying out of the vortex and was sent crashing to the ground...
Madison POV
It was strange watching the engery building infront of me and then suddenly feel myself pulled through it. But why do I always have to crash into something?
"Ow..." I moaned sitting up, rubbing my head which had made contact with the strangely hard ground.
"Sorry about that." Tiamatt said just a few feet away. "I didn't think that would happen again."
"Uh huh. Right Tia." I answered back looking at my OC and ignoring the strange looks I was recieving from some of the others. I stood up and looked at myself, noticing that once more, my clothes were different. I still had my black Vans and blue jeans but I now had a white t-shirt with a bright green dress shirt over it. I also noticed that my hair was suddenly in a braid. "Thats odd..." I muttered to myself, examining my clothes till I felt someone poke my shoulder.
"So your the one that created Tiamatt?" Marth asked, still poking my shoulder.
"Yes and I created you, Nightfire, and Jo too." I replied, clenching my fist as he continued to poke my shoulder. I was pretty sure he was doing that just to annoy me and finally turned around and swatted at his arm. "Stop that!"
Hiro looked at me and then at Tiamatt. "And I thought you were just crazy Tia." Tiamatt laughed as Hiro turned towards me again. "So what's your name?"
"Madison but you can call me Fishie." I grinned. I noticed Marth and Nightfire's eyes widen.
"You were that girl at that battle place!" Nightfire gasped. I only continued to girn and nodded. "But how?"
"I don't know. I'm not psychic." I shrugged before turning towards the city. "Come on!" I took off toward Des Moines and could hear the others behind me. I knew that I probably should've waited till the others were ready but I wanted to see my friends again.
It didn't take long to crossed the strange border that seperated Theth'ella and Des Moines. I quickly realized that I was on the north side of town and quickly found 2nd Ave and started following it towards AJ's again.
"Wait up!" I skidded to a stop and looked behind to the see everyone trying to catch up. Tiamatt and Kratos were the furthest behind due to the fact that they had their kids back and were trying to keep them from crying. It took them a minute but eventually everyone had caught up.
"Sorry..." I mumbled looking at the ground to avoid both Aurion's disapproving glares. "I guess I just got over excited..."
"I understand your excited but please keep in mind that we now have Eria and Terrance to look after. We can't be rushing everywhere." Tiamatt sighed.
"Sorry..." I still looked at the ground and continued to feel Kratos continue to look at me.
I didn't look back at him or the others as I turned back towards AJ's house. It didn't take long to get down the hill and while I was happy to see my friend again, I instantly wanted to turn around and leave as AJ's twin brother opened the door.
"Uh...hey Andrew!" I said, trying to resist the urge to kick and run. "Is AJ here?"
Andrew looked confused and shocked at the same time before he started to grin. "Never thought I'd see you again Fishie."
"Hmph, whatever. Just answer my question Perv." I sighed, trying to see behind him.
"Thomas get off!" someone screamed from inside. Andrew turned to look behind him, allowing me to peek inside too and see 6 year old Thomas jumping on AJ's lap, Glenna beside him, laughing before pulling the younger boy off his brother.
"Arthur and Glenna sitting in a tree! K. I. S. S. I. N. G.!" Thomas sang, jumping up and down infront of the two.
Glenna let out an annoyed sigh and shook her head. "For the last time, we are not in a tree and we aren't kissing!"
I couldn't help but laugh as I pushed past Andrew into the house.
"Hey!"
I laughed again as I walked into the living room. "Both your mom and your dad said I was welcome over any time so shut it Perv. Everyone else come on in!"
"Fishie!" AJ tackled me, followed by Glenna, causing me to fall into Hiro who had entered right after me with the others close behind. Both of my friends quickly let go and let me stand back up.
"Guess you were missed." Hiro laughed. I laughed too till someone else hugged me.
"Madison!"
"UH! EUGENE! GET AWAY!" I shouted, trying to push the Cleary's oldest sibling away. Being hugged by Eugene was like Andrew hugging me. Damn perverts...
"Aw! didn't you mess me?" Eugene whined, grabbing my leg when I attempted to kick him as I was still being crushed in his arms. "And why so violent?"
"AJ and Glenna? Yes! You and Andrew? Never! And I don't want yout touching me!" I answered before twisting my arms so that I could dig my nails into his arm. Eugene yelped and dropped me to the floor. I turned away from him as soon as I was standing again and faced Glenna. "Its kind of crowded in here. Let's head down to Birdland."
"The pool?" Glenna asked. I grinned and nodded. "Ok. I want to race you anyways!"
"Let's go up to Fareway first and get some energy drinks!" AJ cheered, running upstairs for a moment before he came back down.
I laughed and looked back at Tiamatt. "Are you going to join us in a round of energy shots this time Tia?"
"Please don't Tiamatt." Kratos asked.
Tiamatt laughed and shook her head. "Don't worry. I'm not going to do that again."
"Again?" Hiro asked, giving her an odd look. Tiamatt gave a nervous cough as some of the others laughed.
"Her and Fishie drank too much Mountain Dew and were running around the hallways backwards. It was hillarious!" AJ laughed. "Even better, Glenna got it on her digital camera!"
"What!?" Tiamatt's head snapped up and she looked at Glenna.
"I have to see that!" Hiro grinned.
Glenna nodded and went to where her backpack was near the end of the couch that AJ and her were sitting on when we first got there. Next thing I knew, Eria was placed in my arms as Tiamatt tried to grab Glenna's camera so she could most likely delete the video.
"Give me that camera!" Tiamatt yelled, still trying to grab the camera. Glenna threw the camera to AJ causing Tiamatt to switch targets.
"Ok, I really need to see that video now." Hiro laughed. Aj grinned and threw the camera to him.
"Hiro, just hand that to me." Tiamatt asked, turning towards him. The blonde just grinned as he turned the camera on. "Hiro!"
"Relax Tia. Its not on here." Hiro laughed, sounding slightly disappointed.
"I deleted it after I copied it to my computer and put it on a CD." Glenna explained. Tiamatt spun around again. "Its got a couple other videos on there too that Fishie and AJ made. 'The Culprit' is still the funniest!"
Everyone looked at me, probably wondering what I did to make a video called 'The Culprit'. "What? Glenna should know not to trust me with her backpack before I leave for Cetral."
"And what exactly did you do to her backpack?" Sheena asked causing me to grin again.
"I've got a small clip thing in my backpack and Fishie always tries to clip everything to it. Blackberry, hairties, pop tabs, notebooks, pencil bag, iPod, markers, wallet, etc. She even recorded herself doing that and the camera strap was also on the clip." Glenna explained. "It was a three minute video and it took me half an hour just untangle it all."
"Hehe. That was fun!" I laughed causing Glenna to sigh. "And 'The Culprit' is funny."
"'And theres the culprit, with those big big eyes!'" AJ quoted from the video, pointing at me. Glenna, AJ, Andrew, Eugene, and I all started laughing, all of us having seen the video.
"I don't get it." Aya said quietly. The others seemed a little confused too but after Glenna found the CD and allowed the others to see it, they couldn't repress a laugh either.
'You look like you're trying to look innocent but can't keep from laughing!" Zelos pointed out, replaying the video. I could only laugh at that.
"Um, weren't you planing to go to the pool?" Colette asked, interrupting everything.
"Oh yeah." I nodded, Tiamatt taking her daughter back before I turned to Glenna and AJ. "You don't by chance have a bike do you?"
Aj nodded back. "Yep. Why?"
"I know we have to go by North on the way to Birdland but I need to stop at the school to get a few things." I explained. "I hope drill or rifle is there so I can get into the building."
"Yeah." AJ answered back as I signaled for the others to wait as I followed him out the back door. My mouth just about fell open when I saw my bike in his backyard. "You forgot it at school and the janitors let Glenna bring it up here."
"Thank you Glenna." I said quietly, even though she was still inside. I checked it over quickly before I rode it around the block to the front of the house where everyone else was waiting. "I'm going ahead. You just follow Glenna and AJ to Birdland and I'll meet you there."
I didn't even wait for the others to respond as I started downhill on 2nd towards the school, crouching over the handlebars to help gain speed and thankful that this wasn't deadman's hill. I slowed slightly and turned quickly onto Holcomb before turning away and coasting into the parking lot. To my luck, drill team had practice and 1st Sergeant Jackson was just unlocking the door.
"Hi 1st Sergeant!" I said cheerfuly, parking my bike and running up the stair.
The short man turned and gave one of his classic goofy little grins that he always wore. "Hey there Megan!'
"It's Madison, sir." I corrected.
"Sorry. You'd think after 4 years I'd know that." Jackson laughed as we walked into the building and the hallway by the gym. "What do you need?"
"I was wondering if you could unlock the pool locker room so I could get something real quick."
1st Sergeant nodded and turned into another hallway and unlocked a door at the end of it. "Just close the door when you leave."
"Thanks." I said as I went into the locker room and turned the lights on.
It didn't take long to find what I needed and I soon has my black meet suit with a green stripe down each side on under my clothes though I stuffed my shoes in a bag I used to carry my swimming gear in. With everything I needed in hand, I left the locker room and headed outside.
"Fishie!" AJ yelled from across the street where Birdland was located.
I waved back and decided to leave the bike at the school before I ran across the school parking lot and then the street. Probably not the smartest thing to do because the lot had a little bit of glass in it and the pavement was starting to break apart so I had rocks digging into my bare feet The grass infront of the pool was a welcome relief.
"Ok, now what events?" I asked, trying to catch my breath from the short run. "The only one I'm putting up is the 500."
Glenna and AJ both sighed. "50 free and 100 breast." I noticed Zelos look up a little, a smirk across his face.
"Its a swimming stroke you pervert." I growled.
"Yeah and it sounds fun!" Zelos grinned. The red haired chosen suffered from a double hit as Sheena smacked the back of his head and my foot hit its intended target.
"How many times must we clarify this Zelos? I kick, you bow." I crouched down to where Zelos had fallen. "Please keep that in mind and keep any perverted thoughts to yourself." Zelos nodded before I stood up and turned around to see the odd looks I was getting from Hiro, Marth, Nightfire, Jo, and Aya. "What?"
"That was a little extreme wasn't it?" Marth said, watching Zelos slowly get back to his feet.
I shrugged and started walking towards the pool. "Eh, it worked on Andrew. But forget about that. I want to get in the water!"
I heard the others sigh as we seperated for a moment before regrouping on the pool deck, most of the group having swim suits from their stay in Altamira. I let Aya borrow one of my extra suits that I had brought from the school and Hiro already had his own. In the end, only Tiamatt, Kratos, and Nightfire were still in their normal clothes. Tiamatt and Kratos didn't change, one because they had to watch over their children, and two, they wouldn't be caught dead playing in the pool. Nightfire didn't want to be in the water mostly for the fact that he was a phoenix and even in his human form, hated it.
We all sat our stuff down in a shady area before heading for the deep end of the pool, minus Tiamatt and Kratos who stayed in the shade with the twins.
"I just thought of something. What about our cards?"
"Er...well...maybe there are somehere?" Glenna said, looking around. The pool was luckily mostly empty but it was also a relatively cool day and there were no diving blocks so we were either going to have to dive off the edge or start from the wall. "Guess we'll have to keep track of the laps in our head."
I nodded and looked around too before spotting , suprisingly, all three of the friends I had wanted to see before I left. One was sitting against the fencing the surrounded the pool while a short kid was trying to push a taller one into the water.
"Come on Chris! Get in the water!"
"NO!"
The short one laughed, still trying to push the other into the pool as the third watched quietly, sighing before returning his attention toa notebook in his lap. "Don't tell me your afraid of the water?"
"I am not afraid of the water! I just don't want to swim right now!" Chris yelled back, fighting against him.
Me, Glenna, and AJ all sighed. "Thats what you said at last year's swim qual. And the year before that and the year before that. When are you gonna get the guts to get in the water?" I was tempted to push Chris into the pool but as soon as Midget, Chris, and Joe saw me, their jaws dropped and the first two ran towards me.
"FISHIE!"
My eyes widened and I knew I didn't feel like being tackled again so I ran for the pool, barely getting my goggles on in time. The water, though cold, felt good, almost welcoming and I was quickly comfortable in the water especially as I looked behind me for a split second and saw Midget jump in after me. I couldn't help but grin at his attempt to follow me. He was in my element now.
"Come on!" I yelled before diving back down.
I heard several people jump in after Robert (Midget) and darted off towards the other end of the pool. When I reached the other end, I surfaced to see that only Midget, Glenna, AJ, Lloyd, Colette, Zelos, Shenna, and Genis were following me. Hiro was helping Aya into the pool while Marth, Nightfire, and Jo were still on the deck watching the scene.
Chris and Joe looked at my OCs for a moment before Chris went wide eyed. "I can't believe it!" Everyone looked up and Midget finally noticed, his mouth dropping. "Madison, they aren't...they can't be...can they?"
I laughed as I climbed out of the pool and grabbed my towel. "They're the real deal, Chris. You are actually seeing Nightfire, Marth, and Jo!" I walked around the pool as the others simply swam across. "Marth, meet Robert, also known as Midget. Nightfire, meet Chris, AKA Anger Management. And finally, Jo, meet, er...Joe."
They all just looked at their other selves before the tension was broken and they all started to talk. I sighed before turning to Glenna and AJ who both nodded. Before too long, we were doing a simple warm up before We climbed back out of the pool and waited for Midget, who often helped time at meets, started us.
"Take your marks!" All three of us bent down, grabbing the edge of the pool, staying as still as possible out of habit. "GO!"
There was no hesitation, we all dove in at the same time but it didn't take long for me to get to a comfortable racing pace where I knew I wouldn't wear myself out right away. And like most times when I saw the 500, my body basically went to autopilot, waiting for the red sign that meant the final lap but without it, I had to keep track myself, meaning distraction and a slightly slower time. By the end though, I had passed Glenna once and AJ several times but it didn't take them long to finish.
"What next?" I huffed, still slightly out of breath from the 6 minute race. Glenna looked at me and raised one finger, signalling to give her a second more of rest.
"100 breaststroke."
I nodded and before long, we were ready to start again. However, AJ now sat to the side. By the end, Glenna touched me out, her glide pulling her just ahead of me when she touched the wall.
"100 fly?" Glenna asked, grinning a little after her win. I moaned, and put my face in the water as I let my arms and legs sink. "Um, ok...IM?"
I turned my head out of the water and looked at her like she was crazy. "Glenna, you don't like butterfly either. Why do you want to race it?" She just shrugged. "Fine, IM."
"Um, can I race too?" we both looked up to see Aya at the edge of the pool. "I think it looks fun!"
"Do you know how to swim?" I asked. Aya nodded. "What about the strokes? Do you know those?"
"Well, no but if you show me how then I think I can do it." Glenna and I both nodded and before too long, Aya, who luckily was a quick learner, had the strokes down.
"Now remember, its butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. You must touch the wall with both hands on butterfly and breast. You can only do dolphin kick with butterly except when you push off a turn or when you do your pull out for breaststroke but thats only one kick. You are not allowed more then one stroke when you flip on your stomach to do a turn on backstroke. You pulls after the intitial pull out on breaststroke can not go past your waist. And finally do not stop and restart by pushing off the bottom." Aya nodded, mentally recording all the things that could get someone disqualified and even though this wasn't an offical race, we still followed the rules. "One more thing, false starts are an automatic disqualification. There is no redo. You will be allowed to swim your event normally though your time and place will not count. Got it?"
Aya nodded again. "There are so many rules but I think I understand them all."
Soon, the race was on and to make it short in sweet, Aya left me and Glenna in her wake. I securely claimed second only after I did the open turn from breaststroke to freestyle and sprinted the last 50 yards. Glenna claimed third after having stay ahead for the butterfly and then with me on the back and breast only to be passed on freestyle.
"Did I do good?" Aya asked as we climbed out of the pool, exhausted. I merely nodded, rubbing my sore shoulders. The teal haired girl gave a small smile before looking concerned as I flinched and a wave of pain shot through my shoulders when I pushed myself off the deck. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah. Butterfly just tears my shoulders up though. I'll be fine in a bit." I nodded, pulling my arm in front of me and attempting to stretch it. "Good job though on the race. I think you could probably give our best IMer a run for her money."
Aya's face brightened at this as we went back to get our stuff. Everyone was tired after spending the day at the pool and we were all hungry. AJ quickly solved the food problem by inviting all of us to his place for pizza but due to the size of our group, we ate outside. AJ also brought out a stereo, audio adapter, and Glenna hooked her iPod to the system. This of course, lead to some failed and yet some successful attempts at singing and before too long, one of me, Glenna, and AJ's favorite songs come on, resulting in all three of us singing it.
"I took a walk around the world
To ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
In the sands of time
But I watched the world float
To the dark side of the moon
I feel there is nothing I can do, yeah
I watched the world float
To the dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be
Something to do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end
If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
There a-holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite
You called me strong, you called me weak,
But still your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times
I never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head,
If not for me then you'd be dead
I picked you up and put you back
On solid ground
If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well,
Will you be there a-holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite
Yeah!!" AJ rocked his head back and forth causing his long hair to fly up and down in the same motion as he screamed the "yeah!!'
"If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be there
Holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite
If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well,
Will you be there a-holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite"
Some of the group clapped politely even though I knew we weren't very good. Chris, Midget, and Perv 1(Eugene) and 2(Andrew) laughed though. Both Jo and er...Joe sat quietly as Tiamatt and Kratos just gave small smiles. After singing 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite", the others joined in in a mini almost karoke party which ended up being really fun. It was mainly between me, Glenna, AJ and sometimes Midget that sang, mainly cause we knew the songs. And it seemed like we went through everything. AFI's "Miss Murder", Creed's "Higher", a song called "Run Around", even Queen's "Bicycle Race"! Then of course, me being me and having basically been rasied listening to country music, I had to sing a couple of those, some of which Glenna and AJ knew too but before we knew it, the sky was starting to get dark.
"Tiamatt, we should head back to Garden before too long." Kratos pointed out as the street lights started to come on.
Tiamatt nodded, shifting Terrance in her arms slightly before looking at me. "As much as I hate to say this, you must say good bye to your friends, Madison." I nodded saddly, looking at the ground.
"Fishie, what does she mean?" Midget asked, looking confused along with my other friends.
"I...have to leave...I don't know if I'll ever see you guys again..." I answered slowly, recieving only more confused looks. "AJ, I already told you that my mind was combined with Tiamatt's for a while and well, our mind's have to recombine again. After that, I won't be just Fishie anymore. I'll be Tiamatt too."
"So you think this might be good bye for good?" AJ asked quietly.
I continued to look down. "I don't know...I almost don't want to leave but I have no place in this world anymore. I'm supposedly dead and my mind has been combined with Tia's for so long that its like I'm not whole anymore when our minds aren't combined..."
I gasped as I felt several pairs of arms embrace me and I looked up. "We understand Fishie and we'll miss you."
"Just promise not to forget us!" Midget grinned, hugging be before stepping back. "At least we know you'll be safe."
"hehe, yeah I guess so." I laughed, getting hugs from the last of my friends. "Tell the others good bye for me too ok?"
"Don't worry Fishie!" Chris nodded. "We will."
"Madison, its time to go." Tiamatt said quietly, putting a hand on my shoulder. I felt a sob rise in the back of my throat as I forced myself to turn away from my friends. I could full the power that would allow me to recombine with Tiamatt and hoping that it would keep the tears from coming, I accepted it...
Third Person POV
Madison slowly turned away but as she did so, a sob could be heard before a glow emited from her and she suddenly disappeared, the light being absorbed into Tiamatt. The Cetran woman blinked in surprise before looking over her shoulder and giving the group of teenagers a sad smile before turning the other way and starting to walk away.
"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life."
It was quiet, barely audible but clear to those with angelic hearing or enhanced senses which half the group possessed. Kratos looked at his wife in shock by the song but saying nothing, waiting for her to continue but her voice died down.
"Hey Fishie!" Tiamatt stopped but didn't look back at Glenna who had yelled at her. "Flush the semi!" Tiamatt laughed, looking over her shoulder for a second before shaking her head and continued to walk away, waving over her shoulder.
"Flush the what?" Hiro asked, confused by the random nonsense that Glenna had just yelled out.
"Inside joke. You wouldn't understand." Tiamatt laughed, as they started to get near the edge of town. "Thank you for allowing me to see them again and coming with me."
"Its not a problem. You needed to see them again anyways to say good bye." Lloyd said, giving a reassuring smile to his step mother. Tiamatt returned the smile as they finally crossed the border between the real world and Theth'ella and they headed back to the Ragnorok.
"Again, thank you."
Ok, there it was, the last real world chapter and the final good byes to the friends of that world. To those that are curious, yes, we did make a video called "The Culprit" and yes, I did clip everything in Glenna's backpack together. As proof, I will put the youtube links up on my profile. Be warned, the video's were filmed during on of my now classic sugar rushes, probably one of my worst because I couldn't stop laughing. You've been warned...read and review please!