'Notch be with us…Notch be with us all'

Ty smiled as the rain slid down the window. It was calming, the smell reminding him of days spent cuddled up with his friends in front of the TV. He chided himself for thinking of the past. He should be thinking about the present, for instance, he should be thinking about how Sky's arms felt around his waist, how his head felt on Ty's shoulder, how his hair lay gently against the side of Ty's neck and face. Ty's smile grew wider and he sighed softly. His eyes closed slowly, head bumping against the side of the window pane.

A thump against the window startled Ty out of his half asleep daze. His eyes turned to focus on what had made the sound. His eyes widened at the red splatter, drops of the red liquid now streaking down the window and mixing with the rain. Ty jumped up and ran towards the door, ringing in his ears and the blood splatter on his mind. He didn't hear the yelp that a startled Sky let out, he didn't hear the thundering steps that came after him, nor the flapping of wings. The torrential downpour outside a distant thought as Ty ran through it. He could hear yelling as he ran around to the window, his feet slipping as they came in contact with the cold mud. He fell but was able to get up quickly. His eyes landed on the window, blood now completely gone from the transparent material. Ty's eyes searched the ground, rain washing away small splatters of mud from his drenched shirt. His eyes landed on something grey and feathery. His hands reached out immediately and he gently scooped the bird into his cupped hands. His mind whirled with a million thoughts, his heart thundering. One thought finally registered in his mind, though, 'Get the bird inside, or it will die'. He stopped for a second before a hand gripped his shoulder, he started and looked up at Sky.

Sky looked down, Ty's expression was frenzied and wild, it sort of scared him. He pulled Ty into a hug, before beginning the 'laborious' task of dragging Ty back inside. When they got back into the dry and the warmth Husky wrapped them in a large, warm towel each, before telling them to go upstairs and change. Sky hastily walked up the stairs, but he stopped when he didn't hear footsteps behind him. He looked back to see everyone watching Ty, who was clasping something in his hands. Sky took a step-down and then another until he reached the bottom of the stairs. Ty still didn't look up from his hands. Sky moved closer to Ty and gently took Ty's hands into his own. Wet feathers greeted his hands, cold, soaked and a little red. Sky stopped breathing for a little as the small, grey, mud splattered bird was finally revealed. Something warm, hot even, dropped onto Sky's hand. Sky looked up slightly as the tears rolled down Ty's face. Sky sighed slightly and reached a frozen hand up to Ty's cheek, he smiled a little as Ty moved into his touch.

'I'm sorry…I can't do more for you…'

Ty's head lifted as looked around, accidentally shaking Sky's hand away. Sky looked quizzically as Ty's eyes scanned the room. But both of them looked down suddenly as a small chirp was emitted from the bird in their hands. The others gathered around to have a look at the small bird. Seto put a hand on Ty's wrist and reached a hand towards the small bird. The bird started a bit but relaxed when the hand softly ran down its back. Seto smiled as a small amount of mauve tinged magic faded into existence around his hand, slowly engulfing the bird. When the magic had faded out of existence the bird opened its wings and flew up towards the roof. It began to do little flips and tricks in the air, chirping, swooping, doing little loops and twirls. After a few minutes, it flew lower and landed on the edge of the counter, ruffling its feather back into place.

Songbird looked at the smaller bird, there was something familiar about those feathers, that colour, those…those bright green eyes. He almost lost it, squawking and flapping his wings at the other bird.

"Songbird, what's wrong?", Ty asked, his hand wandering to Songbird's back, stroking the silky feathers.

Songbird looked at Ty, then began to squawk, his wings trying to stretch out and point to the other bird.

"What do you think he wants?", Sky asked, leaning down to look at Songbird more closely.

Songbird huffed and hopped over to the other bird. He reached a talon out and pointed at the other bird.

"Yeah, what about him?", Ty asked Songbird.

Songbird squawked and pointed at the other bird's eyes. Ty looked at the other bird as it tried to shy away. Ty frowned and bent down trying to observe the grey bird. He looked closer and almost gasped when the bright green eyes flashed his way. He kept his gasp in, though, transforming his surprise into a gulp.

"What? What's wrong Ty?", Sky asked as he bent down with Ty.

"It's nothing, just...Songbird seems to- uh recognise this bird", Ty said, laughing at his own pathetic excuse, how was he going to explain his surprise?

"Oh, okay then…Um…Hey I know, what should we call it?", Sky asked.

"Call what?", Jason asked.

"The bird, stupid", Tyler answered.

Ty sighed and silently prayed that his plan would work.

"What about 'Alkiz'?", Ty asked.

"Why?", Sky asked back.

"Because…because the name is exotic, like the bird", Ty tried.

"I guess, but how is the bird exotic?", Mitch asked.

"Uh…oh, it's eyes. They're like, neon green and stuff", Ty said.

"Oh, I guess. But still why Alkiz?", Jerome asked.

"It's uh, like a nice name…I guess…", Ty said, looking down at the floor.

"Hey, guys if Ty wants to call the new bird Alkiz, I don't see why not. I mean, he did find it, saved its life even. If Ty wants to name his new bird Alkiz, why not?", Seto said.

Ty smiled at Seto, and gently cupped his hands in front of 'Alkiz' and waited patiently for the little bird to hop in. Once Alkiz was in Ty slowly lifted his hands stopping every time the bird wobbled, threatening to slip over the edge of his hands. Everyone said their good nights and left to go back to their bedrooms.

Sky smiled as he watched Ty walk slowly up the stairs, the small bird cradled close to his chest. Songbird flapped over and Sky flinched a little as talons gently gripped his shoulder. He smiled wider and began the journey up the stairs to return Songbird, maybe he could talk to Ty some more about what had caused him to be so scared that he would go outside without hesitation.

Ty looked up from his lap, where Alkiz was now sleeping, to see Sky and Songbird enter the room. He smiled, they looked perfect together, like an eagle sitting on a warrior's shoulder. They looked like one nether of a picture. Sky smiled back, this smile was small but so soft and gentle. It was a special smile, the sort that he reserved only for the best of times, and for the best of people. Ty smiled back as Sky wandered over to sit down next to him.

"You look much better now. Feeling much better then, I guess", Sky said, grunting as he sat down next to Ty, Songbird chirping at the movement.

"Yeah, now that Alkiz is feeling better, I guess I do too", Ty said softly, stroking Alkiz' back, the little bid now almost asleep.

Sky took Ty's other hand, the one that was left on his knee. He gently stroked a thumb across the top of Ty's knuckles.

"You know, I was scared when you left", Sky said, chuckling at the after thought, "I thought that you might have been possessed or something. It's good to have you back."

Ty hummed, took the small bid into his hands and let his body fall to the side, landing on Sky's shoulder.

"Yeah…", Ty said.

"Tired?", Sky asked.

"Yeah…", came the reply.

Sky chuckled softly and lifted his hands, falling back with Ty falling onto his chest. Ty held the small bird so that he didn't get squished. Alkiz gently nudged at Ty's hand and Ty let him go. Alkiz flapped his wings and landed on the window sill, Songbird following him not long after. The two watched Sky and Ty, waiting for their breathing to even out. When this had happened Songbird used his talons to open the window. The pair flew out into the night.

"Why are you here?", Songbird asked, his shadowy form returning.

"Because…I needed to warn you of something", Alkiz said, standing a few feet away from Songbird with his back turned.

"What?"

Alkiz breathed deeply.

"Notch, this is so hard to say…", Alkiz whispered, "Look, Ty's going to die."

"What?! No, there has to be some mistake?!"

"No, it's been written in his 'human' fate. He's going to die in three days."

"No…no, no I- I won't…I- I'll save him, he can't die yet! He- he just can't…"

"I'm sorry, but he- he has to…"

Alkiz swallowed and waited for Songbird to hit him. To storm over and yell at him. To try and threaten him. But it never came. What did happen though was quiet sobbing. Alkiz turned around and walked towards Songbird, his normal form, a white, misty shadow, around his bird form. Alkiz stretched his arms out towards Songbird. Songbird grit his teeth and let his head rise, tears streaming down his face.

"I wish I didn't have to tell you this. You know if it were up to me I would let him live here till he died of more natural causes, but that's not how this works. I'm so sorry", Alkiz said as he hugged Songbird.

Songbird was upset, angry, and Alkiz would understand if he wanted to be left alone. Songbird sunk slightly into Alkiz embrace before his anger got the best of him. He threw Alkiz off him.

"Why can't you try to stop them?! You have just as much power!", Songbird yelled.

Alikz had fallen to the ground when Songbird had pushed him off and now he looked up at the other.

"Please, Songbird. You know I can't. I don't have that kind of power", Alikz said slowly, trying to calm Songbird down.

"Yes, you do! Don't lie to me! You could take out all of them in one fell swoop!", Songbird yelled.

"Songbird please, calm down", Alkiz said softly.

"You could kill them all! You could save Ty!", Songbird screamed.

"Songbird…", Alkiz whimpered, tears welling in his eyes.

"I know you can do it! You could rewind time if you just tried!"

"Songbird…"

"You're just too selfish! That's it, isn't it?! You're just too selfish to put your own neck on the line!"

Alkiz let the tears fall. He wasn't selfish, was he? Maybe Songbird was right. Maybe he had been selfish this whole time. He was brought out of his mind by a slap to his face. Songbird had slapped him. Alkiz felt his lip tear, blood welling in the wound. The tears streamed down his face as he looked into Songbird's face, anger now fading as he stared at Alkiz' frightened face.

"Okay…I- I'll try my best to save Ty", Alkiz whispered.

Songbird stayed silent. He had never hit anyone, not even his enemies. His heart was shattering. He had hit his best friend, one of the only people wo actually understood him. He swallowed, but his throat felt like it was closing in on itself. Guilt flooded his heart and mind, erasing all other emotions.

"Alkiz…I- I", Songbird tried.

"No, you- you were right", Alkiz said as he began to stand, "I've ben selfish, I'll save Ty. Don't worry."

"Alkiz…", Songbird whimpered softly.

"I-…I guess I'll see you around", Alkiz whispered before flying off into the night sky.

"No…please come back", Songbird whispered as he watched helplessly from the ground.