Okay, here's the next chapter. I might be cutting it a little close to 'Bonds', but I'll try to keep it original. My originality seems to dwindle sometimes, in-depth novelizations aren't really my strong point.

All Disclaimers apply: Dragon Quest IX was created by Squaresoft.

Chapter VI: Visions and Dire Tidings

The Starflight Express flew higher then Conrad and Trent thought possible. Arianna, having seen it in action before was not surprised.

The train just kept on until it landed on a mysterious plateau with a large building not far from it.

"Whoa" gasped Conrad.

"We're about to disembark. Where we are now, it is called the Observatory" said Arianna.

Trent was astonished"Amazing."

"We've stopped, right?" said Conrad.

Arianna nodded"Just follow me, and don't do anything suspicious. I'm bending the rules enough just letting you two come with me."

The purple haired woman then addressed Stella"Thanks for the lift."

The three stepped out of the train and onto the plateau to be greeted by a short old man with wings. Behind him were several other winged people, though Trent and Conrad couldn't see them.

"Ah, Arianna, you've returned" said the old man in a relieved voice.

Arianna nodded, then replied in a respectful tone"Yes, Apus Major. How are things?"

"Unfortunate. Since the Earthquake, seven sacred Fyggs have fallen, some of our bretheren disappeared in search of them. But Arianna, where might Aquila be? He went looking for you, and what happened to your wings and halo?" inquired the old man.

Arianna replied"A lot has happened, my wings and halo were lost during my fall and I couldn't return without the use of the Starflight Express. While I'm at it, mind if I introduce two of the mortals who I met on the Protectorate? This is Trent and Conrad. Two others helped me as well, but they're still on the Protectorate."

Apus Major was shocked"Truly? You enlisted the aid of four mortals and brought two of them with you?"

"This is unheard of, what were you thinking, Arianna?" said one of the younger Celestrians.

Apus Major shook his head"Other unheard things had already come to pass, such as the disappearence of some of our bretheren and the light storm which struck this very Observatory. Arianna, I will put aside your transgression, for we have more pressing matters to attend."

Trent's eyes widened"So trouble has hit this place as well."

"No kidding" murmered Conrad.

Apus Major glanced at the two mortals, then spoke to Arianna"I advise you to pray at the Yagdrasil Tree, Arianna. Perhaps its power will restore to you your wings and halo."

"What of me, sir?" spoke Trent.

The elderly Celestrian replied"Never had a Celestrian such as I spoken to one of you, young man. I am grateful for you and your companion's aid, for you helped Arianna return. But while I am willing to make an exception on her behalf as mortals are not allowed here, nor were any of your people ever brought here. I only ask that you be careful how you act during your visit."

As Apus Major returned to the inside of the observatory, Arianna gave a blank look to Trent.

"What?" said the blond warrior.

Arianna spoke"Being brave is all well and good, Trent, and your conduct with Apus Major was commendable. But like he said, mortals aren't allowed here, hence that is why this Observatory is only accessable to Celestrians. Do your best to conduct yourself around here, okay?"

"Yeah, might have been better if Trent kept his mouth shut" remarked Conrad. Trent glared at him.

Arianna shook her head"I couldn't intervene too much, anyway. Trent, Conrad, there is a sort of church in one of the buildings in the residential area if you're interested. It's downstairs, outside the main Observatory."

Conrad shrugged"I'm a bit of an atheist, but I'll check it out."

Arianna gave the two directions to the 'church' before proceeding to the Yagdrasil Tree.

The Celestrian knelt and put her hands together, closing her eyes as she started to pray.

Conrad and Trent made their way downstairs through the halls of the Observatory.

Eventually, they found a building with a church sign.

"What's in there?" Trent started forward.

The two men entered the building to find that the church was an extention to one of the hallways of the Celestrians' home.

"Hm? Oh, good gracious. Who might you be?" said the being inside.

"Oh, I'm Trent. Conrad and I are from below" said said blond, not bothering to look for the source of the voice.

The woman was surprised"You're not kidding! I can't blame young Arianna, though. She was curious about the Protectorate and its inhabitants when she was but a child, before Aquila took her as his apprentice."

"How old is she?" wondered Trent.

The woman blinked, not bothered that Trent could not see her"Fell for her, huh? Arianna is... well, while she's not as old as most of the other apprentices were, Arianna is quite bright, she's eighteen years old. Why did you ask?"

Trent flushed"No reason, just curious. Well, I'll just leave."

"Before you go, would you like to confess your accomplishments to the Almighty?" inquired the woman.

"I'll pass this time" said the blond, walking out the door.

Conrad sighed"He really fancies her. Romeo needs to face the facts."

The Celestrian Priestess spoke"Do not judge so quickly, I would think that love between a Human and a Celestrian would be wonderful. But listen to me talk, would you like to join me in prayer for a bit?"

"I guess I'll try" sighed the brunette, reluctantly.

Back at the Yagdrasil, Arianna prayed long and hard.

Trent made his way back to the plateau of the Observatory's third floor to see her.

The young Celestrian was deeply engaged in prayer, when suddenly, the sound of voices echoed through her mind.

In the image, one force tried to wipe out the Protectorate, when another intervened.

One of the voices was female, which pleaded to the male'Please, father, stay your hand'.

'Why do you interfere?' said the male.

Soon, the Celestrian's eyes opened as the vision shortly ended. A voice spoke to Arianna for a moment before granting her a teleportation spell.

"Hey, what's up?" said Trent.

Arianna stood up"I must report to Apus Major."

As the Celestrian went downstairs, Trent went after her"What was it out?"

"Dosen't concern you. Well, it does since it revolves around the Protectorate, which is what we Celestrians call Earth. How was your visit so far?"

"This place is amazing" said Trent, as the two rushed to Apus Major's room.

There, Arianna spoke to the elderly Celestrian"Excuse me."

"Yes? Did your halo and wings return?" inquired Apus Major.

Arianna shook her head, then explained the vision she saw while praying.

While she was talking, Conrad entered the room"Hey."

"How was your praying session, Conrad?" smirked Trent.

The brunette just shrugged.

Arianna rolled her eyes at her two companions before finishing her report.

Apus Major thought for a moment'Hmm... one light which seeks to destroy the world, while another seeks to save it... I do not know what that entails.'

"What is really a vision?" said Conrad.

Arianna sighed"We can't afford to let our doubts get in the way. Both our worlds may be in trouble."

Trent squared his shoulders"So what? Whatever we're up against, we could prevent whatever disaster may be happening."

"Brigadoom, the Hexagon and the Quarantomb may be mere playgrounds compared to where I might have to go. Apus, I know what I must do" said Arianna.

Apus Major responded"You and your friends are our best hope. Arianna, you must help take charge of recovering the seven Fyggs that fell to the Protectorate. As for our missing comrades, surely they can be found, too."

Arianna nodded, then turned to Trent and Conrad"I'm sorry I keep dragging you into my affairs. I can't recover the sacred fruits, the Fyggs, on my own."

"You think we'll see who might have caused the earthquake? It can't be natural from what we learned" said Trent.

Arianna shook her head"I don't know, my vision revealed nothing like that, but it's possible. Trent, Conrad, we should return to the Express, pick up Raymond and Alicia, then embark on this quest."

Trent smiled"No problem. I bet I can get in some sword practice on the way. We are a team after all."

As Trent, Arianna and Conrad left, Apus Major bid them good luck.

When the three got back into the Starflight Express, Arianna spoke to Stella about her new mission.

The fairy smiled"I'm looking for someone, myself. Old Fatguts is missing, so I'm looking for him, my pay is overdue."

Trent interjected"Who is she, by the way? I heard her but I didn't see."

"Oh, Arianna's friend, right? I'm Stella, Stewardess of the Starflight Express!" interjected the fairy.

Arianna spoke"Trent, Conrad, you two take seats in the passager car behind. Stella, we're ready for takeoff."

"All right, I'm on a man-hunt. Wish you luck on your fruit hunt, let's get moving" smirked Stella.

With that, she revved up the Starflight Express, and they took off.

Okay, that wraps up this chapter. The Martial Artist OC will appear in the next chapter. My apologies of there was any OOCness.

Please feel free to review.