The group soon gathered outside at the front of the house. The crystal Starbird looked down at them with violet eyes. It soon let out a few warbles and clicks. Nova and Merlin grew to her normal size and bowed to it. She let out a few clicks in return.

SkekSo sighed. "Will someone PLEASE translate this nonsense!" He flinched as Nova hissed at him, feathers flared.

SkekTek sighed. "I'm sorry to be rude, Nova but we need to work on your language more. I can't be your translator everytime." He ignored the warble coming from her. "She says that her queen has come with some…grave and interesting news."

Gurjin grimaced. "Those words alone mean this can't be good."

The Crystal gave off a lavender glow. It covered the white Starbird feathers. Then, the Starbird spoke. "Perhaps this'll help." The voice that came out was feminine and singsong.

Ghost's jaw slacked. Her eyes wide. She could even hear SkekMal let out a surprised growl. "Wh-h? Ho-How come I couldn't hear your voice until now crystal?"

"You weren't connected to me," The Crystal answered. "Or at least in the way they did." She glared at the Skeksis. The Skeksis squirmed slightly under the violet gaze."You allowed me to have my freedom and in turn, I was slowly able to bond with you."

Ghost stared at her hands. "N-now that you mention it. I did fly…but with your wings! I was practically over each territory. It was a little hard to tell what was going on." She spread her arms out wide, mimicking what she had just witnessed. "I also saw a flash of red."

"Flash of red?" SkekZok asked. His brows rose in confusion.

Frostcrystal's ears flicked up. "Wait…Don't tell me that The Crystal of Truth saw…"

The Crystal nodded. "I saw the Crimson Tornado."

Gurjin and Rian both exchanged confused looks. Deet tilted her head. Then, Brea stepped forward. The young Vapran's eyes glittered with recognition. "I remember Merlin saying something about that. While we were escaping, I saw a hint of red just north of where we were."

Merlin nodded. He let out a few coos. His feathers smoothed out. Once he was done, he preened his feathers.

Everyone turned their attention to Brea. Brea sighed. "The Crimson Tornado is a male Starbird. A powerful one at that. He's been known to give grief to the Bone Court on more than one occasion." She looked up at Merlin. "Merlin, we really need to find some way for everyone to understand you."

Orchid crossed her arms. "I think I can now understand what it's like not being able to understand another language."

Razz landed on Ghost's shoulder. Eyes wide. "He ok…"

Ghost turned her attention to him. "Razz? Do you know him?" Her curiosity only grew as Razz nervously shuffled on her shoulder.

Razz clacked his beak and was silent for a moment. Then, he nodded. "Razz knows him. Known him when chick. Grumpy. Keeps to self. Only opened to Black Briar and…" His feathers ruffled slightly. He cleared throat. "Anyway, not good around strangers."

Brea tilted her head. "Who's the Black Briar?"

Lazul was the one to answer. "A Djinn just like Amien and I. The three of us are considered a strong triad. Each with varying power. However, she's…defective."

The All Maudra raised a brow. "What do you mean by defective?"

Amein moved around slightly. His arms taking great care not to reveal Frostcrystal's eyes. "Well…Like Lazul said, we are very powerful Djinn compared to the others. It also means that we have to bond with someone worthy of our power. Or cope with it."

Ghost looked at Lazul. She did recall that there was something about her that attracted him. Something that was deep inside her. I wonder if it's my power?

Lazul shifted slightly. "The problem with her is that anyone that comes near the Black Briar or even touches her has met instant death."

Everyone went silent at this news. They each exchanged glances at one another. With each new information they have on the Djinn, they start to become more unnerving by the minute. Creatures that can defy the laws of creationWill they even have a place in Thra once it's over?

SkekMal was the first to speak. "So, where are they now?"

"Hunting," The crystal answered. "However, SkekSil is now bringing armed forces in your direction. The members of the Bone Court are also flexing their powers."

Everyone groaned in unison. A few even raised their arms to the sky as if cursing Thra for this terrible news.

"Great!" SkekLach yelled. "We're all going to die!"

"Just when I thought we can have a peaceful breakfast for once," SkekOk whimpered. The Scrollkeeper adjusted his glasses as he and the other walked inside.

Ghost was about to join them but was stopped by a wall of wing. Ghost turned to face the Crystal once more. She could see the purple eyes glow with concern. Ghost knew there was something else the Crystal wanted to say to her, but couldn't explain it.

"Ghost…" The Crystal said. "May I talk with you…" She briefly looked at the others. "Alone?"

Ghost nodded. "Razz, Lazul…Can you give us a moment?" She heard a whimper below her. Then, a nudge against her leg. She looked down to see Grumble and Fearless stare up at her with pleading eyes. "We'll play later. Go inside. Maybe give Orchid a few cuddles."

Grumble whimpered once more. Fearless grunted. The two exchanged a few barks, sharp and clear. After what seemed like hours, Grumble bowed his head and rolled off with Fearless. The Fizgigs rolled in just as the door was about to close.

Ghost felt Lazul and Razz get off her shoulders. She watched them go into the lower window that led into the kitchen. She nearly fell over as Merlin and Nova took to the skies. Her eyes followed them. "Where are they going?"

"They're going to patrol the skies to see if anyone from the Bone Court will be sending more monsters on us," The Crystal answered.

Ghost thought back to what Frostcrystal said earlier about Murkon. "Did you see Murkon? What about the other titans?"

The Crystal was silent for a moment. Then, she lowered down to Ghost's level. "Don't worry about them. All I can tell you right now is that it's not what it seems. As for your bond with me, there's another reason for it." She spread out her wings. "This body before you belonged to the former queen of the Starbirds."

Ghost's ears flicked back. "What?! How's that even possible?!"

The Crystal chuckled. "Do you remember that pendant? The one you dropped?"

Ghost nodded. Her heart began to sting as she remembered that it was Rian found right when Mira was attacked. She bit her lip as she fought back the tears.

"That was her body." The Crystal sighed. "It's drawn to a power that resides inside of you. One that is connected to Illuminia." She rose high. "Ghost, I don't know all the answers that come from within this body. However, you and the others must find the truth behind the world beyond the stars. She paid a huge price for her insolence as well as her child. Her kind needs to be united once more. End this nightmare."

With that, The Crystal took flight. Wind exploded around them. It whistled in Ghost's ears and whipped at her clothes. The white Starbird went higher and higher. Then, she disappeared into the trees.

Ghost stood there for a moment. The words of what was said rang through her mind. Her train of thought was interrupted by a growl. Hand to her stomach, she made her way back to the house. The smell of peach berries calling her name.

Once everyone had their fill, they were soon gathered around in a room filled with strange objects. Weapons of various kinds. Tapestries lined the wall, each with a colorful depiction of wild beasts. Dried out plants and pots litter one side of the floor. SkekAyuk unfortunately got his foot stuck in one.

SkekZok looked at the room in disgust. His one arm draped over SkekShod. "Tell us why we need to be here again?"

Frostcrystal was rummaging for a moment. She moved away a few pans and small statues out of the way. "This is a special treasury that Amein and I made to hold a special memory of our home. Since most of the clans don't remember the old days."

"Why's that?" Rian asked.

"Emotion," Drum answered. He stroked Peeper's back as the creature curled up happily in his paw. "This stuff trigger emotion."

Rian made a face. His spine chilled. He knows that Gelflings clans disagreed on certain things, but being denied to feel because of a few objects? Bile threatened to crawl out of his throat.

Frostcrystal muttered a moment longer. Then, she grunted. A strange scraping stretched out to the entire room. Frostcrystal soon emerged with a strange bundle in her arms. It let out a loud clunk as it was carefully placed on the table. The strange object was about as big as Rian. It seemed to have varying straps of leather tied together. One bar of metal was set in the middle, riddled with spikes.

"What in Thra is that?" SkekLi asked. The Satirist's eyes widened at the sight of the massive object.

SkekTek leaned forward. His robotic limbs ran along the side of the leather. "By the looks of it, it seems to be some sort of halter."

Frostcrystal nodded. "This is actually the reins we use to steer a Forest Saurio around." She picked up one end of the leather. "When we want to make them go left, we pull to the left. When we want to go to the right, vice versa." She moved the reins in the directions that she had explained with ease.

Ghost stared at the spiked metal. She pointed at it. Her mouth twisted into slight disgust. "What's that piece for?"

Frostcrystal lightly touched the spikes. "This is just to send a signal across to the Forest Saurio since their necks are long. All we have to do is place this in the mouth-"

"No!" Ghost and Deet shouted. Both of their eyes went wide with shock and horror.

Ghost marched over to the table. "I mean no disrespect Frostcrystal, but we're not putting this…torture device on Treesong!"

Frostcrystal grimace. "It's what was used to steer and we're short of time." She picked it up. "We need to hurry. Before we're discovered." She walked off with it.

Ghost soon noticed SkekEkt looking troubled. The pale Podling's dark eyes focused on the metal piece. A soft whimper escaped the lips. The plump fingers curling inward. It was subtle but there was a slight hint of shaking throughout the body.

Ghost's eyes lit up with realization. She once again walked over to Frostcrystal. Her hands began to take on an orange glow. She snatched the halter away from Frostcrystal, the material bursting into flames. It soon melted onto the floor. Her ears were filled with shocked gasps.

"Ghost!" SkekTek gaped. His eyes wide. "Why did you do that?"

Ghost was silent for a moment. Her eyes landed on SkekEkt, tears threatening to leak out once more. She took a breath, her hands began to steam as she calmed. "Ekty…They used a smaller version on you…didn't they?"

SkekEkt stared at Ghost once more. Then, finally wept. He fell onto his knees and let out a wordless sob. Tears soaked the floor. SkekAuyuk stared at his companion in pure shock.

SkekTek grimaced. "Now thinking about it, it did explain the wounds along the mouth."

Frostcrystal stared at the smoldering metal for a moment. She crossed her arms. Her face turned to SkekEkt. "I'm sorry Ornamentilst. I should've asked you about how much they've tortured you in advance before looking into-" Her words were cut by a loud crash. She whipped her head over to a broken window.

The entire glass was gone. Bits of a broken frame stuck out. Everyone gathered around. To their shock they saw none other than the Hunter run forward. SkekMal was only five feet away but his hunting pelt kept shrinking as he ran.

SkekSo gawked. He poked his head out of the window. "SkekMal! Come back here! That's an order!" The Emperor could only watch as his warrior vanished into the brush. He growled as he went back inside. "Great! Just great!" His claws went into the air. His cold eyes glared at Ghost. "Well I hope you're happy!"

Ghost gave him an unfeeling stare. "I'm sure SkekMal is simply going for revenge. He'll come back. He always does." She thought for a moment. Now, how do we get Treesong to move forward?

—-(SkekMal, Endless Forest)-

SkekMal could only see the world red at that moment. His anger burned inside him. He could only feel his own anger mirroring Ghost's. How dare they torture Ornamentalist! It was a true insult to the Skeksis. Not only because SkekEkt is too petty to do something that vulgar, but the tormentors were nothing more than mere cowards.

The brush tumbled away from him. His breathing went harsh. He pulled out his weapons as he went through the trees. SkekMal climbed up the nearest tree. He sniffed the air. Nothing to alert him. SkekMal continued this for several more hours. Every creature skittered by him. Not even a large Landstrider could pull his attention away.

He soon reached a clearing as dusk began to roll in. SkekMal's eyes peered in the patchy sunlight. He let out a roar that made the birds fly out. SkekMal stabbed the ground in frustration. "No! No! NO!" He began to pace. "How is it possible not to find them?! They've insulted Skeksis and now I can't find them! Let alone recognize this forest." As he said this, he soon realized that the brush and trees were very different. It looked as if everything moved on its own. More than normal.

He looked up at the nearest tree. It seemed to be one of the few trees that peaked out of the canopy. SkekMal began to climb when he heard something. A loud thumping noise that was coming towards him. He immediately took cover over some nearby brush. SkekMal angled himself to see what was coming in his direction. He soon caught a glimpse of something red. Then, it vanished.

Before he could move to get a closer look, SkekMal heard several voices. They were gruff and slightly lacking emotion. The footsteps grew louder, heavier. He leaned back further away. He reached for his belt and cursed himself. He'd forgotten to get them out of the ground.

"Wait." A harsh voice said. The footsteps halted almost at once.

"What is it? We need to get our cargo back to the Bone Court as soon as possible." The other voice was just as emotionless as the first but it seemed to be very strained. As if it was trying to regain control over whatever it was carrying.

SkekMal moved his head slightly, taking great care of not being seen. Standing a few feet from his hiding place, were some burly Flowerweavers. Their furs were dull brown. Dark eyes empty of any thought. One of them had a basket strapped onto its back. A faint rustling along with screams were heard. Suddenly, spikes suddenly appeared out of it. The Flowerweaver that was holding it let go, causing it to fall.

The lead Flowerweaver paid no mind. His mask covered his face. No doubt one of the members of the Bone Court. He picked up the weapon. Then, he sniffed them. He slowly moved his head toward the brush SkekMal is hiding in. "Come out, Skeksis. I know you're there."

SkekMal stayed where he was. His nostrils burned with the smell of death. He didn't know the name of this "Bone Lord" and he didn't care. All he could think about was how to fight them, survive and back into Ghost's embrace. His heart skipped at the last thought. Wait…Why would I want to be in Ghost's embrace? SkekMal shifted into a crouching position. Ready to fight them off.

A loud screech pierced the sky. A blur of red feathers flashed past his hiding place. It knocked over the Flowerweavers, the basket rolled away from a chaotic scene that was about to ensue. The Flowerweavers only grunted as they slowly got up. Their expressions remained blank at the sight before them.

It was none other than a Starbird. Its red feathers turned pure ruby in its own light. Orange eyes glared down at the Flowerweavers. The maroon beak clacking. Feathers raised almost into spikes. Then, it let out a shriek and burst into flame. Wings stretched out.

SkekMal found himself gaping in pure awe. "This must be the Crimson Tornado." He could feel something in his chest. A strange sense of excitement. One he hadn't felt in a long time. He watched as the Starbird fought the Flowerweavers with ease. The vines were burned to a crisp upon impact but it managed to avoid having the trees set ablaze. SkekMal could see it. The cunning. The intelligence. The ferocity that practically matched his own. I must fight it, he thought. He was about to come out when something bumped into his leg.

SkekMal growled. "Who's there?!" To his surprise, he saw the same black basket that he saw earlier. A few spikes peeked out from the holes. SkekMal tilted his head in confusion.

"Uh…Hello?"

SkekMal nearly jumped out of his skin. He tilted his head. "Who…What are you?"

"No time to explain," the voice said. It was sweet and feminine. "Can you be as so kind as to break this seal?"

SkekMal was a bit confused but soon saw that there was a strange marking on the lid of the basket. It resembled a star with a spear plunged into it. He couldn't explain it but it held a lot of power. SkekMal set the basket upright. His talons lightly etched the markings. He shivered as a weird sensation crawled up his arm.

"Do you see the mark where there's a spear in the star?" The voice asked.

"Yes," SkekMal answered. He shook himself. What is he doing? "Wait a minute? How can I trust you if you won't give me an answer?" He soon saw a lone red eye staring at his belt. He instinctively covered it.

The red eye moved for a while. "This is the first time I've seen a Life Charm on someone. Especially, since you don't look like the type to be carrying it."

SkekMal said nothing. He felt like he was being violated by this strange creature. He tightened his grip on the life charm. The woven braid of Ghost's hair gave a sense of comfort. Something from ripping the creature apart limb from limb.

"It has a very charming scent." The red eye giggled. "Is there a maiden you like?"

SkekMal scoffed, but his heart threatened to burst out of his chest. "N-no! It was a token of honor that a female Gelfling gave to me."

"OOOOO! A female Gelfling! I've seen a few around here. Quite pretty!" She gave a small chuckle. "What's her name?"

"Ghost." SkekMal covered his mouth. His cheeks began to flush more than ever. His heart grew louder that he was afraid someone else would hear.

"Aw! What a cute name." A giggle came again. "Seems like you have a crush on her."

"It's-It's not like that," SkekMal hissed. By Thra why am I like this?

"Break the seal and I'll help you," the creature said.

SkekMal raised a brow. "Help with what?"

"You're confused…about many things basically. Plus, I don't think you can't face Bone Lord Crunch alone."

SkekMal tried to hold back a laugh. "What a pathetic name."

"So, deal?"

SkekMal thought for a moment. It was bizarre that a small creature was trapped in here. He'd rather work alone, but he remembered how he was barely able to escape King Neco. The monster would have torn his arm off and his beast form nearly killed his emperor. If there was a creature that could even the odds. Let alone get better control of his distractions over Ghost. "Very well." He reached for the seal and tore it in two.

Arms, black and thorny wrapped around his arms. The mysterious occupant soon crawled out. A single red eye was staring back at him, filled with pure joy and wonder. The spines along the starfish body flexed quickly. It was none other than a Djinn.

SkekMal's eyes widened. He tried to smack her away, but it was too late. He felt the creature settle on his back. "Y-you! You're the Black Briar!" For some reason, fear crawled into his voice. His skin itched as he felt the dark Djinn melt into him. "Wha-what are you doing?!"

"I guess I need to have a proper introduction," The Black Briar said. "However, we have company!" With one arm, she knocked back a Flowerweaver that almost clobbered them both. She moved further up his spine covering his head. "Calm down! I'm not going to hurt you!"

"Then, what-" SkekMal instantly remembered what Lazul and Amein said. "You're…choosing me?"

The Djinn's eye landed on the center of his head. Her arms absorbed into his body. The spikes stretched and bended. A weapon grew out of one of the spikes. Armor formed around him. Before long, SkekMal began to take on a knight-like appearance. She gave a satisfied huff.

SkekMal felt strange. In a good way. His whole body felt lighter. He looked down to see the spikes aligned in a way that felt like his own spines. His tail has a large spike at the end. His moment of admiration soon ended as a screech soon sounded and a pair of orange eyes stared down at him. He flicked his gaze over to see that the other Flowerweavers and the Bone Lord had gone. No doubt retreated while he was distracted. "Just my luck." He was ready to pull a sword when the Djinn spoke.

"Warrior. I'd like you to meet Pryoun." Her voice grew giddy with excitement. "And I'm Magin. Starting today, we're your new partners!"

"The name's SkekMal and-" SkekMal arched his head in surprise. "What?!"

—-

Thought to end it there. Will Ghost figure out how to steer Treesong without a harness? Will SkekMal ever get the handle of his new partnerships? Stay tuned and please review!