A/N: EDIT: Trolls all over the comments again. Its a pain, but I'm dealing with it T_T
Had to rewrite this a few times before I was satisfied. Sorry for the delay.
More of a focused chapter this time. Hope you enjoy it~!
Some folks aren't getting email notifications again, hopefully anyone reading this can see it.
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this, I'll not continue it. Working two jobs leaves me with precious little time to write, and I can't bear to write something no one likes. Moreover, I don't have the time to. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke!
Now onto your questions~!
Q: What're you updating next?!
A: Tell you what; for the next week -Monday through Saturday- it depends on you, the readers. Lemme know!
Q: Sooo...how much of a threat are the Grimm now?
A: Surely you're joking. They're a planet wide threat. Considering Salem controlled them for eons, kept them from changing, evolving as a race, and effectively culled the clever ones? She curtailed them, kept them on a leash. Now the leash has come off, their master is gone, and they're back to being what they were before Salem gained control over them.
In a word? BEASTS. Yeah, they're gonna go wild.
Q: When the reunion?!
A: Oi! It can't all happen at once, much as I might like it to. This chapter goes further into that.
Q: Will the main RWBY cast still exist?
A: Yes. Some of them might look a tad...different, but they'll still come to be. As for Tai...well. You'll see him when you see him.
When. Not if. I want his reveal to be done well.
Q: So who the hell are the villains now? Is Salem cured? Does she even realize it?
A: Preeeeetty sure I answered this one already, but sure. Salem effectively had her curse lifted because she fulfilled the terms the Brother Gods set on her. Her lifespan is...complicated at the moment. No one's sure how long she has left. Naruto could, in theory, but he doesn't want to look. She can die, and they all know it.
As she is now, Salem is still powerful, but far less of a threat.
Unfortunately...its a matter of getting Ozpin to believe it. Would he? Should he?
After so many years, he's right to think it a trap. Under any other circumstance he would be right to think so.
And then there's the Zealots each faction seems to have these days...oops, did I spoil that?
*winks*
Alright, then! I think I've kept you long enough.
Now I think I'm going to enjoy my first day off in forever.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. Not a wit or one~! They're merely tributes.
One last thing. You'd do well to remember Kakashi is a tricky, clever, trolling bastard when he wants to be. Many seem to have forgotten that...
"And they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks...
~?
Reasons to Reunite
"Hold fast! Drive them back to the ocean!"
"Fight! For the Lady of the Isles!"
"For the God of Darkness! "
...I despite that title.'
Sasuke snarled as he kicked yet another aquatic Grimm down into the water. The ghastly beast crashed into its fellows and floundered in the shallows, tentacles flailing for purchase - but only for a moment. Mindless aggression drove it forward anew; senseless hate forced it to thrash its way back onto the docks again, heedless of the danger. His sword flicked out and skewered it. Another took its place and he cut that one down too. Ever did he fight on, slashing his way through the lot of them. Honestly, he would have admired the abomination's tenacity...if only there weren't so many to slay!
All across the beach, the defenders fought hard to their last.
The people of Menagerie reaped a bloody tool on the invaders; with spears and shields they fought, rifles and swords waged war in tight phalanx. Not a single monster slipped through.
In his peripherals Duncan Taurus waded into the dark mass with a roar, sword swinging, swearing up a storm. His semblance flashed out countless times, bloody red arcs eviscerating Grimm in droves. High above him Sakura took flight once more and raised her hands; at her command skies darkened and the ocean boiled, cooking Grimm in the deep before they could reach the shore. Hundreds died in an instant. Duncan granted her a grave nod and lopped the head off two more Grimm as large as he was tall.
Say what you would about Maidens and Shinobi, but the Swordmaster was no less lethal for it. His offspring were going to be terrifying someday.
Another creature of the deep reared up behind Sasuke, grasping with countless arms. His sword flicked out to skewer it. It dissolved harmlessly on his blade. Raw lightning flashed down to eviscerate yet more of its kin, sparks jumping from body to body. A coruscating line of sparks chased it, leaving the smaller Grimm to twitch and spasm in the drink.
Not so their larger kin.
"Leviathan, m'lord!" A sentry called from one of the watchtowers! "Three of them!"
Sure enough, he pivoted to find yet another giant plodding forward from the deep ocean. His hand snapped outward again. The heavens, already roiled by heat and fire alike, answered him kind. Kirin crashed down with sound and fury, annihilating one such behemoth with callous ease. Two more remained. Blast. He'd need Susanoo for this. Thankfully he had plenty of chakra remaining. As if he'd run out now! Bah! They weren't close to shore yet, but they'd need to be dealt with. An soon.
If the people of Menagerie hadn't thought him a God before, they would after today.
More came. They always did. They'd been at this for the better part of a day, now. He didn't know where the swarm came or why. Frankly, he didn't care. Raven and the rest of the children -and Jinn!- were both safe and secure behind the walls, under heavy guard. They were free to fight as they pleasd. It felt...freeing to simply unleash himself against a proper enemy. All his anger and frustration cast out in simple, mindless combat.
Sakura landed beside him. Back to back they fought on against the horde. It heartened him more than he cared to admit. Just like old times.
Throw in Naruto and Kakashi and it would be just like the good 'ol days.
"So," she laughed, smacking away a Beowolf, "I guess now's not a good time to propose?"
Sasuke nearly choked on his tongue. "Did you just say...?"
"And why not?" a blazing green eye glanced at him as they foughton. Unless you have a problem with me?
"Wait." laughter bubbled out of him, low an unexpected. "When in blazes did you get this forward?"
"I didn't." she stomped an Ursa's skull and planted a fiston her hip. "I grew up. We all did."
...I suppose you're right."
Dark violet light bloomed around him as he summoned the full might of Susanoo.
With a roar, he too flight and flung himself at the Leviathans.
What a lovely day.
(.0.0.0.)
"General."
Cody marched into the office and snapped off a brisk salute.
It was that very moment that Hatake knew; this was going to be one of those days. Not just any day, but an awful, horrid, no good, bad-luck day.
"Thought I told you not to call me that." Only then did he realize his subordinate wasn't alone. "Who's this, then?"
Cody had his hand on the shoulder of a sheepish young man, more a boy than anything else. Flinty eyes met his as he was frog-marched in, framed by a mess of dark hair. The lad's unkempt appearance suggested he'd been subjected to a rigorous interrogation just recently...one he hadn't been made aware of. He couldn't be more than fifteen. Sixteen at a stretch. He wore a rumpled uniform, though one that denoted him as a lower rank than most.
And my, didn't this one look downright surly?
"Hunter caught this one trying to break into the armory, sir." His second gave the youth a shake for good measure. "Thought it best to bring him here."
Sure. Great. Lovely. Another headache to deal with. "Any particular reason why?"
Cody grimaced. "...Crosshair wanted to execute him."
Kakashi stifled a sigh. Maybe if he headbutted his desk hard enough he'd black out. Blast Atlas. Blast their soldiers, blast their bloody code names, and BLAST their overwhelming need to annihilate anyone who stood in their way. Why did everything have to be so heavy-handed in this kingdom? This wasn't a problem one could solve by throwing soldier at it; not like the recent resurgence of Grimm. Actually, no! That wasn't a problem they'd been able to solve, either!
Honestly, he was on the verge of cracking skulls together at this point.
Still, his second needed an answer and he was rather curious about this youth. "What do you have to say for yourself, son?"
The youngster raised his chin and didn't answer.
"He's just a boy, sir." Cody pleaded with him. "Barely past sixteen. He's an exceptional soldier. Go easy on him."
Steeping his fingers, Kakashi laid his chin atop them. "What's your name, son?"
"James." The private growled out the words. "James Ironwood."
Was that name familiar? Should it be? He couldn't bring himself to care. He had more names and numbers to memorize than anyone alive. Still, it sounded important. Meh. He scribbled it down on a post-it not for good measure and filed it away for later.
"You don't like the way I'm running things?"
The captured soldier bridled. "You took over Atlas."
"I did." Kakashi granted him a brisk nod, brandishing an eye-smile as his lips twitched behind his mask. "I believe I was rather clear on the reasoning for said takeover." And really, he was doing a shit job of thing, not to mention losing his mind, so thanks ever so much for that. "And you broke into my armory because...?"
The young man growled something under his breath.
Kakashi kept smiling, if only because he knew it would unnerve the young soldier before him. "Speak plainly, son. I don't bite."
Cody snorted. "Much."
"Oi!"
"Because no one understands you!" James exploded, face red. "We don't know if you're trying to save Atlas or smash it down into Mantle!"
"I would think its the former, given all that I've done so far." Kakshi retorted. "Still, I fail to see what good arming yourself would do." tugging his headband aside, he let his secondary Sharingan flare. Having them active in both eyes really did drain him at times. Blasted Obito. But the boy before knew none of this. It was enough to cow him. "Go on." he said. "Tell me."
The cadet chewed at his lower lip, looking positively harassed beneath his gaze. "I...I had intended to confront you. Demand answers."
Bold. Reckless. Surprising. "Well, there's no need for that." he spread his arms. If you have questions, I'll answer them."
...just like that?
"Just like that." Kakashi clapped his hands, drawing a flinch from the poor boy. "Send our new friend to the elite barracks, Cody. Tell Hunter to start training. James can "interrogate" me all he likes this weekend."
Ironwood faltered. "You're...not going to execute me, sir?"
"You think this is a reward? No, no, no." A shake of the head had the boy balking in his boots. "You'll wish for death once he's done training you. But you'll come out stronger for it, so that's a plus, I suppose." Ironwood perked up a bit at that, and he fought down a chuckle. "Ah, the blind arrogance of youth. How I'd missed it...
In the end he sent James on his way with Cody. Perhaps it was a good thing to have a dissenting voice.
Kakashi buried his head in one hand with a sigh. "Why do I put up with this again?"
Because the Kingdom needed him? Because he couldn't find a decent replacement? Because it would all fall apart if he walked away? The reasons came quickly.
Some days he missed the simple things.
He couldn't well approach Sasuke or Sakura now for fear of starting an international incident...or kicking off another Faunus War. Best give that mess time to blow over - then time again. Moreover, he didn't think they'd be happy to see Atlas soldiers after the mess they had made. No, they were off the table for the time being.
Which left one.
Naruto was in every way a different story; if only because Atlas hadn't managed to drag them into conflict. Yet.
Like it or not, he needed help. Not in the future, not later, but now. And who better to turn to than Team Seven's knucklehead ninja? His fingers drummed against the desk restlessly, recalling his wayward student. Maybe he just wanted to swap stories, to see someone else stewing in the same madness as him. Misery loved company after all. Besides, it was highly unlikely that silly boy had taken on any kids. No way. Not a chance. Him? He couldn't have.
He had a vague idea of where he'd wound up, enough to send a letter at the least. A call couldn't trusted, even with the towers; to be frank he'd much rather see him in person.
But how to go about it?
He couldn't well leave Atlas and go for a walk now, could he?
.
..
...could he?
He was the Warden General of Atlas, and his pupil Vale's God of Light. Like or not, they'd become legendary figures if not in name, then by deeds. Their reunion would be talked about all over the world. An alliance would do much to offset the negativity besieging their kingdoms, too.
But first he had to extend the proverbial olive branch unto him.
He kicked back in his chair and glared at the ceiling.
How to go about it?
An idea took root; then the glimmer of a sordid scheme bloomed in the back of his mind. Kakashi entertained it on a whim. The long he did, the more convoluted that simple seed became. Plans within plans. Webs within webs. Allying Atlas with Vale would have global implications. If he did this, Mistral and Vacuo would be furious with him; they'd feel snubbed. So would Menagerie.
Sakura might well be cross with him for this, but he was sure Sasuke would see through his plan. He certainly hoped so!
And Naruto? Naruto would probably welcome him with open arms.
If this worked, they'd all be reunite eventually, but not soon. It might take years. Decades, at the very least, before they could all sit down and share a meal together without fear of their kingdoms crumbling. The thought pained him, but he couldn't think of any other way.
Another knock echoed not a moment later. And another. Another still.
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. Would this never end? Right, screw this. He was writing that letter! Nicholas could take charge in his absence, and he'd bloody well like it!
"I think a vacation is order." he said the words aloud, letting them echo in his office, knowing the recording devices within would pick them up. "Don't you?"
Yes, the girls would appreciate a chance to get out of Atlas. Well, Willow would. He wasn't sure about little Cinder. She genuinely seemed to like the politics and intrigue of Atlas. That...was a little worrying, but if it made her half the schemer he was, he'd be a proud papa.
Aaaaaand he was thinking of her as his daughter again. If Jiraiya were still alive, he'd be laughing himself hoarse.
Within five minutes he had a rough draft drawn up. By ten, the letter was deemed satisfactory. It took another five to properly apply a chakra-embedded seal to the parchment then contain the true message -and a gift!- inside the tattered bate. Not his best work, seals never had been, but it would suffice. For now.
"Alright. All that's left is...
Humming softly to himself, the trickster tugged down his mask and bit his thumb hard enough to draw blood.
Pressing it into the edge of his desk, a web of dark ink bloomed, followed by smoke.
"Pakkun, my boy. I've got a job for you...
(.0.0.0.)
...we've taken the city, your excellency."
Ozma sat upon his throne. He would save the world. No matter the cost.
No matter how long it took. Months, years, decades, even.
He would not be fooled by this; he would be prepared.
"Good." he sighed a world weary sigh. "See to the rest. I have plans to make..."
(.0.0.0.)
A door crashed into the wall.
"Letter for you, m'lord! Its important!"
Naruto creaked an eye open with a low groan.
There is a saying passed down through time immemorial. Don't shoot the messenger; do not act as if the bearer of bad news is to blame for said news. But right now? He was honestly contemplating it. He'd been having such a lovely nap on the couch, too. He'd been quite warm at that, tucked between Maria and Salem -thankfully still clothed!- while Summer and the girls slept soundly in their room across the hall. Slow days were rare in Vale, peaceful ones few and far between.
And someone had just disturbed theirs.
Maria groaned into his shoulder as only a mother could. "The world better be ending...
...or someone's life WILL end." Salem raised her head with a sibilant hiss, lovely eyes flickering red in anger. "I was having such a pleasant dream, too. What do you want, boy? Speak quickly."
A tiny squeak fro the doors identified the soon-to-be-dead lad. "I...I was ordered to give you this letter, my lord and ladies...the guards let me through...
"Did they now?" her voice was a silken purr. "I'll need to have words with them...
"Don't mind her," Naruto wrestled himself upright, dragging a sleepy Maria with him before Salem could flay him with her words. "She's moody in the morning."
"Nay!" the former queen puffed out her cheeks. "I am not!"
Naruto quirked a brow, to which she batted his arm but didn't deny him further. Just as well; because his attention had fixed firmly on their messenger.
It was just a kid, probably one of the runners in the palace. He recognized him by the twins emblem sown into the hem of his white tunic and golden trousers. Bright blue eyes blinked back at him framed by a timid smile, a tan face and a mop of unruly blond hair. He looked a little older than Summer, but only just. Huh. Curiosity reared its head. And his brow shot into his hairline. A letter? Why not use a Scroll?
Salem beat him to it. "What's your name, dear boy?"
The boy bowed his head, quickly. "T-Taiyang, my lady."
Naruto's right ear twitched. Taiyang? Hmm. Sounded familiar...
"Enough of that "my lord" stuff." he waved him down, silencing his protest. "You said you had a letter for us?" when the boy nodded, he beckoned him over. "Give it here. You can have a snack while we read."
Tai's gaze strayed to a platter and biscuits and fruit on a nearby table. "I would not wish to impose-
His stomach growled, sending his face flaming an embarrassed shade of scarlet.
Maria laughed. "Don't just stand there. We've plenty to go around."
With faltering steps the little lad crept into their quarters. Wide eyes regarded the grand space, the flowing architecture, and the massive bed. Easily large enough for a child to run from one end to the other and leave them breathless. In truth, Naruto didn't much care for it; the size, or the furnishings. The mattress was soft and its blankets warm. That was all he really cared for. Taiyang knew none of this was and was thus struck by the grandeur of it all.
"Do you really live here, your godliness?"
Salem drank in his awe like a drug. "We do, when we care to. Impressive, no? Here. Have some grapes.
Didn't need to tell this one twice.
"I...yeah." Taiyang nodded slowly, mouth working around a bit of fruit, "Its huge!" shock loosened his tongue as much as the sweet treat. "You probably never go hungry, like, ever." He swallowed, then flushed once he realized what he'd said. "I'd kill to have a place like this...
"That can be arranged, the terms of your service amended." Salem was truly staring at him now, the faintest hint of a smile touching her lips. "The girls could use an attendant...
Maria hissed. "Oi! You can't just rope this poor kid into something like that!"
"Can't I? Tell me boy, how would you like to live here in the Palace?"
Rather than answer the woman's ever escalating argument, little Taiyang wisely ducked his head, scrambled forward, and pushed the letter into Naruto's hand. The older blond accepted it, fumbled for a moment, then caught it. His eyes raked over the envelope, taking every inch in. Crisp and white, bound with the seal of Atlas...and was that a leaf sigil below it?
Naruto held it up to the sunlight, considering it, feeling his throat close. "Who gave you this?"
The boy fidgeted. "A dog. He said you'd know the reason why."
His eyes narrowed. "You're telling me this dog...spoke?"
Taiyang nodded. "Had a headband, too. Like yours."
A frown. "And where is this dog now?"
"He left." the boy fidgeted. "Turned to smoke, he did...
Naruto's heart skipped three whole beats. He knew of only one man who dealt in talking hounds. Kakashi? Could it be? He wanted to know. No, he needed to know. His fingers trembled, itching to tear it open and devour whatever message lay within. Once so light in his hands, the parcel felt heavy, weighed down with expectation.
Kurama jabbed him. "Don't get your hopes up. Stay calm."
Calm?! How could he possibly be calm?! He was the furthest thing from calm!
Right, that settled it. Kiddo deserved a reward for this. He pressed two fingers to his lips and whistled.
"Girls!"
Across the hall, a door slammed open and streak of white light burst through. Not a moment later, she stood before him, long white cloak trailing in the breeze of her entrance. Taiyang yelped and stumbled back, terribly startled in her sudden presence. He'd be even more startled once Glynda and Tock woke up. They liked their sleep. Ah, but the little silver-eyed girl was looking up at him, swaying from side to side in excitement. No doubt she thought he'd called her for more training.
"Yes, daddy?"
"This is your new friend, Taiyang." he swept an arm at the baffled boy. "He'll be staying with us from now on. Why don't you go introduce him to your sisters?"
Silver eyes snapped to Tai. He waved at her, utterly poleaxed by her abrupt arrival and cheery grin. "Hello...?"
"Hello to you, too!" She clapsed his hands, grinning from ear to ear. "Wanna fight in the yard?"
"EH?! Do you mean spar?" he balked at her, agape. "I couldn't possibly-
"Of course you can! Its all in the wrist! C'mon! I'll introduce you to Glynda and Tock! They're great!"
Taiyang led himself be led away with a dopey grin as she babbled on. Poor boy. He didn't know what he was getting into.
"Well?" Maria prodded him as they scrambled away. "Aren't you going to open the letter?"
"Yes, please do." Salem tried to snatch it out his hands. "If you won't, I will."
Naruto did so at once, not once considering his own safety. Why would he? Poison meant nothing to him these days. Maria was a huntress. Salem was...well, Salem. She had magic for days. Good luck putting her down. A finger twitched toward the seal binding the letter within. Huh. It really was a letter. And now that he looked at it overlong...
"Hey!" his eyes widened at the familiar scrawl within. "Its from Kakashi!"
Salem wrinkled her nose. "What's a Kakashi?"
"My teacher, or mentor, I guess." he scratched the back of his head, recalling a fond memory. "I never really did tell you about him, did I?"
Maria hummed. "Go on, read the letter~!"
He did:
"Hello, Naruto.
I hope this finds you well.
I'm in Atlas. Or running it, I suppose. One of the two; Not really sure these days.
The ghost of a smile touched his mouth as his throat closed. "Yeah, that sounds like him."
"In any case, I asked Pakkun to give this message to whomever he deemed trustworthy. If you're reading this, well...there's a lot I'd like to say to you, but I haven't the time to pen it all down in this letter. Grimm attacks all over the world, madness in Menagerie -I'll get to that bit later- and runts to rear. You know how it is.
Send help. I'm losing my mind.
He stifled a laugh and kept reading.
"So in summary, I'll say this. What do you say to an alliance, that is, a meeting in...say...nine months? There's a lot I need to fill you in on, and it'd be good to see you again. I'd come over right now, but I'm afraid Atlas will fall to pieces without me."
"Could Vale make an alliance with Atlas? " he wondered aloud. "Is that legal?" paused. "Meh, I'll just make it legal...
Salem laughed softly.
"I'm sure you will."
Maria groaned. "Both of you!"
"Oh, and one last thing. I can't be there in person at the moment, but I can send the next best thing. A piece of my consciousness, as it were."
Regards,
~Kakashi.
He eyed the letter a little closer. Strange. There was a seal etched in there. On a whim he pressed his thumb into it.
Chakra flared. Smoke billowed.
Salem coughed harshly. "What in the world...?!"
"Finally." a familiar voice sighed as a gloved hand waved it away. "Do you have any idea how long I was in there? Weeks, I tell you!"
A familiar shadow clone stared back at him, masked face and all. It wasn't the real Kakashi, not really, but it was a damn sigh better than a letter. Shadow clones were a copy of whoever created them, personality and all. They were just...less solid than the original.
Didn't make him any less happy to see his old sensei, though.
"Yo." Kakashi waved. Blinked. Saw Salem and Maria, noted their hands on his pupil. "Seems you've been busy, Naruto."
"Hmm." Salem clicked her tongue in mild admonishment. "This is your teacher? I don't see it. He looks...weak."
"Oho?" his mentor granted her a bemused look, then Maria. "And whoever might the two of you be...?"
"Out of your league." Maria crossed both arms before her bosom.
"Well, well! I'm sensing a story here...
Naruto rose from the couch, stiffing a hiccup mixed with a laugh. That was it?! After all this time? That was all he had to say?! He was acting as if they'd only been apart for a few minutes. Cheeky prick. Of course he'd be blase about this. He didn't know any other way to be. He didn't know whether he wanted to hug him or thrash him.
Kakashi saw him coming and tutted. "...you look awful."
"Really?" Naruto frowned back. "You still look like a scarecrow."
A moment of silence passed between master and student. And then?
"C'mere, you lanky bastard!"
They both laughed, clapping one another on the back in a bruising embrace.
"Great." Maria groaned. "Oh gods, there's two of them now...one was bad enough!"
Salem settled in with a satisfied smile. "Dear girl, the gods have nothing to do with this...
A/N: Hope this made you smile.
To clarify, yes, that wasn't a typo. Kakashi's properly coming to Vale with a delegation to cement an alliance and all that...in nine months. Why that? Because it fits the narrative-not to mention the second major timeskip I've been promising.
Make no mistake, this timeskip is MINOR compared to those ahead.
There we go.
As ever, the Embers rule remains.
If folks don't like this story...well, that'll make me sad, and I'll not continue it. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke! I really don't have much time to write these days and feedback is the wind beneath my wings. Silence is a lead weight that just drags me down.
As ever, reviews/feedback keep me writing them. Without them, I lose all hope, creativity and imagination.
So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly!
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
(POTENTIAL PREVIEWS. Be sure and vote for what you want to see~!)
EDIT: To clarify, yes, this is Kakashi's infamous "Nani" line from waaaaaay back in Shippuden. Its a one-off~!
"NANI?! You have kids too?! How many?!"
"Well, technically four."
"And two wives?!"
"Eh, its complicated. Haven't really married them yet, sooo...
"Seems I underestimated you, Naruto...
"Happy Birthday, Summer!"
"Someone's got a cruuuuush...
Summer sputtered. "No! I do not!"
Really! Boys were icky! Even if Tai was kinda nice and-ack?! Treacherous thoughts!
"No!" His fist slammed down. "We're not going to war with anyone. Out of the question!"
Salem sat down beside him. Laid her head on his shoulder. "I request a child."
Naruto spat out his ramen and fell out his chair.
"No fair!" Maria cried!
Summer grinned. "Yes, yes, yes!"
"OI!"
Atlas arrived with no small amount of fanfare.
Battleships aside, they'd certainly brought no small amount of men.
Salem tutted. "And they call me arrogant...
"Welcome to the world, Sarada."
"Let there be war! Let there be madness! Let there be blood! Our god shall reign!"
The children stared one another down.
Summer tilted her head. "Who're you?"
Cinder stomped a little foot. "I asked you first!"
"Honesty, both of you!
"Behave!"
Willow took Cinder aside, while Glynda, Tock and Tai did the same to Summer.
STAY TUNED! R&R! =D