Chapter 25

The snow had cleared just as Alfonse said, and Artemis was able to make it across the border without being seen. Breathing in a sigh of relief at being on the warmer side of Pixie Hollow, the animal fairy flew home. All was quiet and nothing stopped her from reaching her house, until she saw the lights from within. Opening her house, she was immediately enveloped in the arms of her friends.

"Oh my gosh hun, you've had us scared to death!" Rosetta exclaimed, looking Artemis over for any signs of injury.

"Are you okay?" Both Iredessa and Silvermist ask at the same time.

"What in the world were you thinking?" Vidia questions with suspicion in her voice.

While being surrounded by the girls, Artemis took a glance and saw both Dash and Terrence in the background. As if feeling his sister's stress, Terrence came to her rescue.

"Guys give her some air!" Terrence exclaimed, and the girls backed off, all feeling sheepish. "You okay?"

Catching her breath from all of the excitement, Artemis hugged her brother and answered "Of course, I'm sorry for worrying everyone."

"So what were you doing? Dash wouldn't say." Tinkerbell asked.

The fast flying fairy shrugged once Artemis glanced at him, and all she stated was "Dash was showing me around the Winter Woods and it had started to get late, but I wanted to see some glaciers and so I let my stubbornness get the better of me which resulted in my getting caught in the snow storm. Luckily there was a small cave for me to stay in until the storm passed, otherwise I'd have froze to death."

Rosetta's face seemed to get excited at the mention of her spending time with Dash, and then Vidia being Vidia muttered "Well that was dumb of you."

Artemis was about to respond to the retort, until Terrence beat her to it "Alright guys, I think it's time for everyone to leave so my sister can get some rest." and with this, everybody slowly began leaving the house, except for the dust keeper.

"Is it just me, or does Rosetta got some hidden agenda she hasn't been sharing with me." Artemis asks, which she was received with a chuckle from her brother.

"Rosetta's always up to something, my guess is she's playing matchmaker again. If she is, you and Dash have my sympathy." He comments.

Shocked by this information, Artemis had a brief image of her and Dash together as a couple. Shaking her head uncertainly at the thought, she then watched as Terrence sat himself at her table. She could tell there was something on his mind and she sat next to him, to let him know she was listening.

"Artemis, I know we've only known each other for almost a week, but I want you to feel like you can tell me anything no matter how crazy it is. As your brother I'd like to know more about you, especially what it is you do when no one is watching."

Touched by this, Artemis wanted to tell him so much, but remembering Alfonse's rule, all she said was "If I were able to tell you, I would. However, I made a promise not to tell anyone and so I must keep it. All you need to know is that I'm trying to find my place in the world and all I ask of you, is to trust me no matter how difficult it may seem."

Sighing, Terrence reached forward, patted her hand and replied "I trust you." and Artemis then knew she couldn't have picked a better person to be her brother.

On the second day after Artemis had met Alfonse, the young Hawk Rider prepared both herself and Strider for their future. Sitting on the hawks back, they took off towards the direction Alfonse had given. Most of the time, the animal fairy would be skeptical to trust an complete stranger, but logic could not sway the unknown connection both fairies shared. It wasn't as strong of a connection as she shared with Strider or Terrence, but it was strong enough for her to know her teacher would be someone she could trust and fight alongside with.

Reaching their destination, Artemis couldn't believe where they were. It was the thicket of thorns she and Strider almost flew into the day the crow chased them. Thinking she must be in the wrong place, the thorns then began to shake and then spread themselves apart from each other. Then Alfonse walked out and the animal fairy then knew she wasn't wrong at all.

"You're early." Alfonse said, looking more cleaned up since the last time they saw each other.

"You didn't say when I should come, so I figured coming at dawn would be best. Is that a problem?" Artemis replied.

"No, in fact an early riser almost always ends up being the best students, but we shall see. Now let me get a good look at your hawk."

Sliding off Strider's back, Artemis stepped away from him as Alfonse began circling the bird as he studied him. Alfonse then began making some hand gestures, which seemed to mesmerize the hawk into doing things like spreading out his wings or bowing his head to get a better look at him.

"You have a red-tail." Alfonse muttered, examining Strider's eyes as they blinked dazedly at him.

"I know, but what does that have to do with anything?" Artemis questioned, watching him curiously.

The water fairy began feeling the hawk's beak as he states "The red-tail's are the largest in the hawk breed, they are stronger, and are the most stubborn to work with. Even as I'm studying him now, his true nature is trying to fight my connection."

"I've always wondered about the connection I seem to have with him."

"Unlike the other fairy's, the Hawk Riders have a strong connection with not only their hawks, but also each other. Although the connection with a hawk and its rider is stronger than if a hawk was ridden by one it had not chosen, it doesn't mean the non chosen rider can't feel the connection as well. We all rely on one another to do the impossible task of protecting the entirety of Neverland from the darkness known as Morpheus and those who follow him."

A coldness spread down Artemis's back at the mention of the name, but she didn't know why and she had to question it. "Morpheus?"

Stepping away from Strider, Alfonse turned to the animal fairy, "I'll explain everything in moment, but not out here. Come, it's time you see the safest place for any Hawk Rider." and then he began walking through the thicket.

Looking at each other, Artemis and Strider followed him.

Author's Note: Hello again, I'm pretty pleased with myself of how many chapters have been coming out lately. I made myself a list of things I want to happen in each chapter and it has really helped me to fight off my writer's block and I think you all should try it. I may write another chapter tonight, but we shall see. Life is really crazy for me right now, but I do plan to finish this story before the year's end. Anyways I want to thank Laurel Vincent again for your review of the last chapter as reviews really let me know just how much you guys like this story. Also do not hesitate to share your ideas or some critiques as it all helps me become a better writer! Well thanks again and until the next chapter!