The shattered window of the CloudRunner Queen's prison was the first warning sign for her and Blade to escape, Blade had already broken the chains that bound the Queen, but her body was shaking. She knew that the guards would have heard the sounds and would be there very soon, and there would be no other escape but to get past them. There would be no way her mother could fit through the window as she did. They both waited in silence, and then there was a loud sound, the scraping of claws from the Sharpclaw guards that struggled to unlock the door. The Queen stood back and lowered her eyes.

"Don't hold back, they're fate was already sealed when they imprisoned me."

Blade nodded and stood her ground, a few more moments and the locks were no longer keeping them from the guards. The door flew open and Blade immediately noticed their cold stare, it sent a chill down her spine. The SharpClaw ran in with increasing agility, Blade dodged and unleashed a string of attacks from her claws, she would have used her gun had it not been out of bullets. The SharpClaw did not give up, they kept attacking as their rage was building, but nothing could stop the Queen CloudRunner. She raised her battered wings and beat them against the stale air, it sent a rush of wind across the room and caught some of the SharpClaw off guard, they lowered their weapons and hesitated for a moment, giving both Blade and her mother time to escape. The Queen furiously darted across to the heavy metal door, with one word escaping her mouth.

"Hurry."

Blade was not yet finished with the SharpClaw, she was enraged by the creatures that had imprisoned her mother. She almost unleashed her fire powers among them, but before she could, her mother reached back and pulled her forward by her jacket with her beak.

They ran on through the rusted hall, keeping close eye behind them for any more SharpClaw, the twists and turns of the building kept them busy. When they reached they end of the halls they both knew that they would be safe, for now. The setting sun created a haunting effect on the scenery. The two looked around and dashed across the path of broken down housing and found shelter in a nearby clearing, they both panted and tried to form a plan.

"So this is it, mother, they just stuck you in a jail like you're trash? I can't believe this, I'll do anything to get revenge."

Her mother looked at her thoughtfully.

"Don't be reckless."

Blade stopped, memories of Hikari came flooding back to her... she remembered their friendship, and what she had said to her...

"You don't want to be reckless..."

She struggled to bring her mind back to reality.

"Blade, I have to ask you something, it is very important."

The CloudRunner's stare caught Blade off guard.

"What is it?"

"Do you remember when you left this place?"

"This...place?" Blade was confused.

"This planet, when you were deemed a thief." Blade's eyes widened.

"I... I remember it briefly..."

"What was it that made you become a thief?"

The CloudRunner did not seemed phased at all by the subject of their discussion.

"I..."

Blade tried to get the words out, but she couldn't. The Queen raised her head and sighed.

"I know. You don't have to explain it to me, because frankly, I've known it all along."

Blade gasped and turned to her mother, she was in shock at what she was hearing.

"Yes, I must confess, All those years ago, I once had a vision, a faint vision, it spoke to me... and said, 'The cursed one would save the colony.' I hadn't known what that possibly could of meant, but when you had told me that you could no longer get close to me, that there was something keeping you from being close to anyone, I knew... I was sad I admit, I shed quite a few tears, but in my heart I knew that it was you...you Blade. You are the one destined to save us from tyranny..."

"I don't understand..."

"I knew you were the one who had the curse, I saw you at that temple, That is where the curse originally resided. I never said a word though, because interfering would change everything, If I wanted our tribe to be saved, then I had to let fate run its course."

"So...you knew that... all along..."

"I also know now that the only way to break the curse is true love."

Blade shivered at the thought.

"I haven't found that person yet..." Blade said.

She sighed. Her mother gazed at the direction behind her.

"I think... that you'll find the answers if you go back to where this all started."

Blade paused, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"The temple, you need to go there."

Blade thought for a moment, would this really fix everything, or even anything? At least her mother was safe, and she could breathe a little easier, but she still had work to do, if she was really "destined" to save her tribe, then maybe going back to the source of everything wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"Ok, if it's what I must do..."

Blade said and her mother nodded.

She got up and looked around her, trying to study her surroundings, then she followed a familar path that would lead her to the sacred temple.

The sun shone through and glossed the suface of a tall mossy building. the old bricks of a sacred temple lay out across a platform. There was a small opening with a carved out indentation and another platform inside it. Blade walked up the steps and focused her eyes on the platform in front of her. The silence burned her ears. One single feather lay on the surface. She struggled to settle the storm in her mind.

"This stupid feather...is what started it all..."

It started when she kitten, when she was curious as most kittens would be. She had stumbled onto the platform, not knowing that she sealed her fate. She had touched the feather, and it glowed bright white. The grotesque mark that she hated so much meshed into the surface of her hand.

"If you get close to anyone, you will eventually destroy them...and then they will bear this curse as well..."

She had heard it in her mind.

"The only way to break the curse is to find true love"

She had proceeded to push everyone away, even her best friend Scales, even her own mother. She turned to petty crime. wandering the streets and stealing food and goods from her fellow tribemembers. It was a horrible fate...

Suddenly a faint sound made Blade's ears twitch and bring her back to reality, she quickly turned her head around, still searching for the sound. It was coming above her.

"Not more CloudRunners..."

She thought, but the sound wasn't of wings flapping, but an engine. There was an aircraft coming her way. She looked in the direction of the sound and quickly saw the aircraft. It was heading straight for her. She stood her ground, the vehicle was coming closer and closer.

"Blade! Hurry, get in!"

She heard a familar voice. The craft hovered down just above her head and she saw a hand extended from the side. She hesitated, but then grabbed the hand and climbed aboard the aircraft. It started to accelerate and rise off the ground. Blade gasped at who she saw.

Blade, we don't have much time, Wolf is distracted, but not for long, I need to talk to you!"

It was Panther.

"What? Why are you here?"

Blade was shocked.

"I need to talk to you, Wolf is planning something awful, he got all these new weapons. And he's planning to destroy great civilizations... It's changed hi-"

"But why are you asking me of all people to do something?"

"I know you Blade, don't you remember me?"

Blade thought for a moment,

"I was with you when you went to Cornerian Flight Academy, we trained together...I mean, before they made you leave..."

Panther sighed. Suddenly a shadow appeared behind him.

"Panther, what are you doing?" Wolf stood behind him with an irratated look on his face, Blade's fur stood up and a chill ran down her spine. Wolf focused his eyes on Blade.

"Panther, what is she doing here?"

"You can't hurt her."

Panther said bravely as he grabbed Blade's hand, Blade growled and pulled away.

"Wolf! I don't understand..." Blade said.

Wolf got closer to her.

"You don't need to understand. My plans are my business, not yours." he raised his paw and grabbed Blade by her coat collar.

"What is the meaning of this, first you come here trying to join. then you invade our ship, with the help of Panther over there, you're pathetic."

Blade panicked and tried to get away.

Wolf, stop this! This is not like you!"

Panther growled and tried to stop him, but to no use, Wolf inched forward to the edge of the door of the ship. Blade's heart was pounding in her chest a million miles a minute. The cold air from outside brushed her fur and made her shiver.

"No! Don't!"

"This is the last you'll see me Blade Ellen,"

Wolf released his hand and watched Blade as she lost her balance and tipped over the edge. Blade reached out and tried to grab onto something, but failed.

The last, fleeting moment that Blade had of hope...was gone.

In her eyes the ship got smaller and smaller, she accelerated through the sky in a downward spiral, tears streaming endlessly from her eyes. The air pushed against her, she knew her fate, it was all over, just like that.

"Why did I ever think I'd make it further than this..." She looked below her, a mesh of green and brown lan got closer, and she braced for the quick impact that would soon come.