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Hi everyone! ^_^

I hope you enjoyed this series! I really enjoyed writing it!! :) and now I'm on to another one!!! (no really?? hahaha!!)
So here ya go!! there's not much on it yet, and I realize that some of it is cutting it a little close to other things, but I'll do my best to make it my own!! ^_^ ENJOY!!!!!

http://worldsconnected.blogspot.com

Epilogue ~ Dreams and Hopes

Epilogue:

    Dreams and Hopes

Zaydie:

Two years is a lot of time...
That's how much time has passed... since that final battle... that battle where so many fates were fought, freedom was bought. By a high price. To high of a price.
I just hope... we won't have to go through something like that again.

Now all four of us live in Nibraca. The little town on the ocean. Kylun and I have our own house that we share with our two kids.
Lynn, and Havrin.

Lynn is two. She looks more like me then she does her father, her hair is brown, and her eyes are green. Like mine use to be, it's Havrin that looks like Kylun. Same blond hair, same blue eyes. Haha. he'll be a real charmer once he grows up. But... I suspect... every mother says that about her child... doesn't she?

I'm sitting on the roof of my house as I write this final entry. I'm watching Lynn and Havrin play with their little one year old cousin Jey.
Haha. yes. Quorra and Savrin did get married. Finally. Haha. it took them a little while to figure out their feelings and all, but now they have an adorable little boy.
They only live across the little river that separates the two sides of Nibraca. So it's nice for the kids to have someone close to their age.
We never forget people.
Quorra still has Havrin's light shard and occasionally you can catch her looking at it.
But it's like how I'll never forget how many people I killed, or how many people died because of me.
I pray about them each night before I go to bed. I know the Creator has already forgiven me. But I still do it anyway.

Life is a...funny thing...Together, the four of us have seen lives die...but also...we've seen lives being.
Seeing the new life begin,...I think is worth going through the pain of the one that has ended...
Because with every life that begins...a hope is born...and with every hope comes a dream...and that dream is spread unto millions of people...giving them a reason to keep on living...and who knows?...maybe that dream...will one day become a reality.

Good-bye....Dear friends....May the Creator bless you, and keep you. And remember!
Never loose hope.

Chapter ~ Fourteen

Chapter ~ Fourteen

             A Treasure to Keep

Quorra:

So we're backtracking here. Back to where Zaydie and the other two leave us to fight Willa and the two buffoons. Just thought I'd let you know so there's no confusion going on. Apparently that's bad.
[yeah it's bad if you want the reader to actually sympathize your story, or care about you. You know that kind of stuff.]
yeah I know, I know. Just means more typing for me.
[yes and I'm sure you can't stand that]
Oh shut up little Miss 'Smarty pants'.

So backtracking....

I took out my guns again, Kigo pulled his spiked disks out of the flames, Lexi produced stars, same as Willa. And Havrin pulled out his reaper.
"so, where do we start?" he asked with a cocky grin. Oh boy
"let's start with the fact that you killed my mother." Willa said, sweeping her hair off her shoulders, and settling us with a steady stair.
"No. Lets start with the fact that you've made my life nothing but miserable." I contradicted.
"Good enough for me." Kigo stated. Then we all dove in.
Lexi and I took care of the two buffoons easily. And so that way the boys could "soften up"  Willa.

We ran over to the boys who seemed to have their hands full.
Lexi and I quickly jumped in and did what we could.
Lexi was good with punches, as well as her stars, I was good with earth along with guns. Which are mostly long range.
But I did what I could.
Willa was good. We thought her mom was good, apparently she's a chip off the old block.
She was quick, fast and flexible.

We didn't stand much of a chance, she kept jumping around too much!! It was the same way with her mom. She doesn't stay long enough in one spot for us to do any serious damage.
"Quorra!" Kigo called. I did a horizonal spin to miss flying stars that missed me by a hair's length. They  cut off some of my hair too!!
"Oh thanks for the hair cut!!" I cried out in anger as several off my blond curls dropped to the glass.
"Quorra!!' Kigo yelled again. Fending off some stars with his blade, then he swooped in and sent fire at her along with blade!
She was quickly overwhelmed and jumped off the roof.
She was weak when it came to direct combat. She was the hamster!! She couldn't stay in one place for more then a few seconds!!!
We all dove off the roof after her.

On the ground, the battle was worse then I thought. People were falling down everywhere. All of them never got back up again.
I saw friends fall too. It was the saddest thing I had ever seen.
Tears slid down my cheek when I saw Juwela's mother fall to the ground as she died protecting Jinx. Who died immediately after she did. The tears coursed down my cheeks as friends parted from this world to Paradise.
"This can't go on like this." I said to the ground. My hands balled up in fists  and I punched the ground.
"It won't!!" I cried. I rose to my feet in a hurry and I ran after Willa, who was running.
I ran faster, and faster. I used the ground under me to propel me across the ground.
I rammed myself into Willa who screamed.
We rustled around in the dirt for a while. I bloodied up her nose, and messed up her pretty face, while she scratched at mine and pulled at my hair. I finally got enough and had the ground come up and pin her down.
"I control the earth Willa." I said. Standing up over her, wiping blood from my lips. "You can't do anything that doesn't involve the earth."
She pulled and tugged against her bonds.
"It's no use! The earth is almost, limitless. And then through it so am I. In away. Give yourself up Willa." I said. "We'll give you a fair trial-"
She let out a nerves laugh.
"do you really think their going to set me on trial? No! With the simulation chamber I can go back, and kill you before you even meet my mother!"
I pulled out the tablet from my pocket.
"You mean this? Once you set eyes on it, it'll be nothing but ashes."
Her eyes grew wide.
"No don't!" Rix cried.
"Sorry Rix. But it's better for everyone." I said, looking back at him. "Think of it as a blessing. You can have more adventures this way." I compromised with a smile.
"What are you doing?"
I turned back to Willa.
"I'm saving people." I pressed the button. There was a loud boom from inside the mansion. Rix hung his head and sighed, Willa got furious.
"How could you?!" She cried.
"Easily."
"You could have gone back! you could have saved your mother!! You could have kept her from dying!!"
Her words hit me like a sledge hammer.
I stumbled backwards, and my grip on the earth broke, setting her loose.
I was in a daze and wasn't able to function right.
I could have saved mom? And now I had just destroyed the one thing that....

"Quorra!!!"
I snapped out of my daze just in time to hear my sister yell at me, and just in time to see a flash of silver headed toward my heart.
There was a flash and suddenly Havrin was in front of me.
I watched hopelessly as he fell in slow motion at my feet.
He landed with a soft thud and I saw three stars perching his chest right where his heart was.
"Havrin!!" I cried.
That got people mobile. They all simultaneously jumped for Willa.
"No!!" I cried. I ran over to them. They all backed off. "I'll do it."
Zaydie nodded.
I put my hand on the ground.
"What are you doing?" Willa cried.
"Returning you to the Creator." I answered. The earth came up around her like seaweed. Wrapping around her tightly.
Fear spread across her face as she tried to break free.
"Don't worry it'll be painless." I said. "Which isn't what you deserve. But, I guess... I'm not the one to decide." She then blacked out and the earth swallowed her up.

I collapsed on the ground. My energy taken away from me.
"The battle is over!!!" Zaydie cried. All of the fighting stopped. Everyone looked around to see what had just happened.
"The Captain is dead! Willa is dead!! Stop fighting!!!" Zaydie said again.
"it's over..." I whispered. "It's actually over."
That was hard to compute. we had been going on like this for what seems like forever!
And now...it's over... just like that.
I jumped to my feet and ran back over to Havrin. Who was lying there bleeding.
"Havrin."
"Yeah. I'm still here..." He groaned.
"don't talk would ya? that'll only make it harder." I said. Sitting down next to him.
"Figured I'm doomed anyway. So who cares now? No one will miss me."
"That's not true!"
He rolled his eyes, and held up a shaky hand.
"Give me... one example." He said. I racked my brain. Well Kylun definitely wouldn't!! Neither would Zaydie seeing as Havrin caused her a lot of pain. Same for Savrin.
"I would." I said quietly.
"Huh?" Well that clearly shocked everybody.
"I would!" I said more definitely. "I know it wasn't a long period of time when you changed all of a sudden. But you definitely became more likable once you did." I said. Havrin's eyebrows rose in shock. "Zaydie once told me about you, and that Kylun said that there wasn't just darkness in you. But light as well. And I guess your proof that there's light in everyone! even if it's just hidden deep in their heart. it's still there." I said with a kind, sincere smile.
Havrin's breathing was slowing down and I think I was crying.
"I knew...I had made...a good choice." He said. His eyes started to close.
"For what?" I asked. He opened his eyes and gave me a smile.
"A friend." Then his eyes closed and he passed away to the Paradise.
Those must have been the most touching words anyone had ever said to me.

"Quorra?" Lexi sat down on her knees next to me and put a gentle hand on my shoulder.
I watched as Havrin's body was washed by light and disappeared into sparkles that rose up into a clear blue sky.
"he's a treasure." she said quietly with a smile. I looked from the sky to her.
"how do you mean?" I asked.
"Look." she pointed up at the sky again. I followed her finger and saw that one of the sparkles of light float down toward the ground again.
As it got closer, I saw it was actually headed for me.
I cupped my hands together and the light hovered above my palms.
"He's not a person you meet everyday. He first seemed cold and mean. But like you said. Every heart has light. It's just hidden deeper in others. And now, he's given you his light. See?" I gazed at the small orb of light floating in my hand.
"He's a special treasure that only you have."
I smiled.
"A treasure, only I have..." A smile crossed my face.
Thank you Creator. Thank you.

****

The aftermath of a battle. It's never pretty. The fallen bodies. The destruction. The sorrow. The sadness. But it's also accompanied by hope of a new day, the relief it brings, and most importantly... new dreams.

Chapter ~ Thirteen

Chapter ~ Thirteen

          A battle for freedom

Zaydie:

I watched as Quorra teamed up with Havrin in order to beat a Fallen. I was shocked that she had taken his hand, and help so quickly. I had a feeling that several events led up to her trusting him enough to want his help in battle.
Sav gave up trying to get to her, and concentrated on cutting down as many Fallen as he could.
Lexi was jumping her way in and out of fights, using her throwing stars to slice throats or gut stomachs quickly. No one ever knew what had hit them.
Kigo was in the heart of the battle with his disks of fire spinning around so quickly it was hard to see anything but a blur.
Kylun was fighting right along side me. Keeping me out of trouble, and making sure I stayed out of direct combat as much as possible. Which meant Takara spent most of her time in shield form.

Kylun stayed on offensive, while I was defensive. I spent most of my time healing people, or protecting them from death blows with whirls of wind.
Kylun would usually take care of them once they were off their feet with ice shards, or even just by hitting them hard with Shiro.
It wasn't a perfected strategy, but it worked.

"Kylun!" I shouted, I dashed over, pulling up my blue armor, and taking the death blow for him. It didn't hurt me a bit, but it sure did rattle both The Fallen that tried to give it to him, and Kylun.
"Zaydie!"
I ran The Fallen through with Takara, in sword form obviously.
"What? I just saved your life, so get over it dude." I said with a grin. He rolled his eyes, and pulled up a shield just in time to stop arrows from hitting either of us.
"And I just saved yours."
'yeah, yeah. Come on dude let's go."
"Stop calling me dude."
"I will once you stop needing to be saved."
He groaned. And I laughed.
We moved through the countless battles raging on. Healing what people that needed, protecting people that were about to die, killing Fallen as we went.
"What are you two still doing here?" Lexi asked, jumping up next to us.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"You two and Sav need to go get The Captain! Only the three of you are strong enough to do it, and only when your together. Now go!! Don't worry, there aren't as many now, thanks to you guys, we can take care of them. Now go!! Shoo!! Be gone!!! Poof!!!" Lexi pushed us with each farewell.
Kylun nodded to me and we took off through the battles. Picking up Sav along the way.

We found Captain up on the glass roof of the mansion, with ever so faithful Willa by his side, along with two other Fallen.
Holding hands, Kylun quickly teleported us to the roof.
The Captain laughed at us.
"Look at you, so willingly facing your doom in the face."
"The only doom we're facing, is fixing this place up after we finish you off." Sav tossed back.
"Humph. Willa my dear. I believe you said something about taking revenge for your fallen mother?"
Willa nodded and looked us all down.
Suddenly we weren't the only good guys on the roof.
Havrin, Kigo, Lexi and Quorra were up there with us too.
"We'll take on Willa and her buffoons. You go take care of The Captain alright?" Quorra asked.
I gave her a concerned look, and she flashed me a smile.
"Ok. Come on you two!" I called. I dashed past Willa and made my way to The Captain.
He stopped at the far edge of the roof, giving us plenty of space to battle.
I was just slightly worried about what would happen if the glass broke.

"Ah, so we fight again I see." Captain said through a sneer.
"Yup. And this time, your going down just the same as you did last time!" I shouted.
"We'll see about that my dear." He spun his polearm around, showing us the sharp bladed tips at the two ends.
"But enough talk. Let's see what you got when your together." He challenged.
"Deal!" we all shouted, summoning our weapons out, and bracing ourselves.
I can't say we practiced for this battle, but with what we've all gone through, I had a feeling we knew each other well enough to know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and to help cover each other.
I can't say we were ready, we were tired from the dozens of battles we had fought a little while ago, but we were willing to pull through the pain if it meant getting rid of him. For good.

We moved together as a team. Kylun joined the battle so we would have more power that would hurt The Captain.
But Savrin and I laid the most blows.
[which is to be expected. Kylun's fighting with a STICK!]
a magic stick Quorra. There's a difference.
[.....]
really you had to take the holoscript away just so you could type in that?!?!

Savrin and I moved in on the Captain by what we called the "glide stance". We slid forward on our right foot with our swords braced. With us on each side of him, it was easy for him to get hurt, seeing as he only had one weapon.
He did some quick maneuvering though.
He spun his pole around and blocked mine, while he did that he did get cut by Sav but not severally, and he quickly spun around and sparred with Savrin.
The Captain and Sav fought each other for quiet some time with the occasional help of Kylun and I.
We jumped in just when it looked like he was about to loose.

I knocked the Captain back with a wind tunnel as Sav fell to his knees. Kylun quickly covered me as I ran forward and healed Savrin's body from wounds.
"You rest a moment. I'll take the dude from here." I said with a smile.
Savrin nodded and tried to get his breathing to com easier.
I rose to my feet and dove for The Captian.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting. I had fought him before, and he had proven difficult. But now, it looked like he had taken up training as a hobby.
We clashed left and right. Sparks flew around us, along with ice shards that Kylun sent to help me fight against The Captain.

I dodged his polearm, and quickly took spun around on my toe. I came up behind him and tried to hit his back with Takara. But he was quick and he flicked his pole around, hitting me in the ribs and sending me flying across the roof.
I skidded to a stop on my feet and I immediately dove back into the fight.
Savrin came in next to me and we fought the Captain together.
I quickly figured out that team work and numbers would be what defeated The Captain. And it seems that everyone else figured that out too.

"Savrin! Remember that trick?" I called as I blocked a hit from the Captain with Takara in shield form. I quickly flipped her and she turned back into a sword.
"Yeah!" he answered. I ran up to him and nodded.
"Then go for it!"
He nodded and we held hands.
Opening ourselves up to each other as Kylun put a force shield around us, we tapped into one another's powers.
"Now!" We both yelled. Kylun under stood and dropped the shield. The two of us dove forward and I used his sense of timing, and the ability to see what the opponent was going to do next, to send attacks of my own, of both wind and Takara. I also used what ever objects around me that I could find. rocks from the ground, trees. hahaha. With out cracking the glass to bad.
But even that didn't seem to stop The Captain.

We gave up that approach because we were running out of energy to fast.
We then dove in head on and tried to wear him down.
I got several cuts on my arms but nothing serious or that I couldn't heal. Kylun was still working on the magic. He seemed to have higher stamina then the rest of us seeing as most of his techniques relied on magic heavily. Which was good of course.

Kylun made the glass slippery underneith The Captain's feet, causing him to fall. I quickly jumped him and sliced downward.
He parried with his polearm and then it became a struggle of strength. Which I had more of seeing as I had the upper hand. He groaned and looked for a way to get out of the situation. he finally shoved me off and drove his spear into the glass, causing it to shatter, and soon all of us were falling into the mansion.

The battle had driven us to the opposite edge of the roof, and Quorra's battle with Willa seemed to have gone down to the ground. don't know how that happened.
So that would explain, why I hit the grand stair case and rolled down all of them to the bottom.
"This time we take him together." Kylun said from next to me. I looked over and saw him standing above me, he offered a hand and I took it.
I nodded. As Savrin came up next to me.
"Together." With linked hands we opened ourselves up again, sharpening each other's senses, and Powers. We also created a link between all three of us. Giving us the ability to communicate easier.

Kylun teleported us to the top of the stairs where The Captain was waiting, and we all dove in side by side.
Kylun and switched Shiro out for his old sword Ultima. But he didn't keep it for very long. He used a Power I had completely forgotten about!

Savrin and I took the full blunt force of The Captain's attacks, while Kylun did the stab-and-run as we called it. He would teleport close by, and stab the opponent, then teleport to a different place again. He did this real fast so as to confuse The Captain. And it worked out pretty good.

I dove under the pole and Savrin protected my back by stepping in front of me and blocking the pole completely with the blue sword of Ryota.
I spun over him and came down hard on The Captain from the front, while Kylun did one of his ninja attacks and pierced his back.
The man cried out in frustration. he spun around and caught Kylun in midteleportation. His speed was amazingly quick, and now he held Kylun by the neck and suspended him above the air.
"No! don't!" I cried. Kylun squirmed and I searched around desperately.
"Tell me where the simulation chamber is! Now!!" The Captain cried.
"No don't!" Kylun shouted at us.
"Tell me now or he dies!" The Captain threatened. "And we wouldn't want that now would we? No of course not, because that means all three of you would loose apiece of yourselves."
At first I was confused.
"All. Three." He pointed his pole at my stomach. I placed my hands over it protectively.
"it's in-" Sav started.
"No. Wait." I cried. I walked over to Sav and whispered something in his ear.
"Stop whispering! tell me. NOW!!!"
I looked back over at him. A few seconds ago I had noticed a silver bracelet around his left hand. The hand that he was using to hold Kylun by.
I reached out with my Power and made the bracelet shrink in size.
The Captain jerked and threw Kylun to the ground. He grasped his left arm and cried out in pain.
I ran over to Kylun and helped him to his feet.
"Are you ok?"
He nodded and we looked at the old man as he tried to pull the bracelet off.
I let the bracelet go from my Powers and Savrin ran up to us.
"Z." I said placing my hand in between all of us. Smiles flashed all around as they figured out what I was doing.
"S." Sav placed his hand on top of mine.
"K." Kylun placed his on top of Sav's.
"All the way!" We all shouted in unison as we threw our hands up. We pulled out our weapons and charged the man at the same time, for the exact same spot.

The Captain defended himself as best as he could from our best attacks. But he was old. And growing tired. We finally just, over powered him.
We used our final Powers to shove his polearm away from us, and to shove him away from us. He slammed into a wall so hard there was a dent.
The three of us were left standing. Panting hard as we tried to get our breath and energy back.
I examined everybody for wounds. There wasn't any major ones, just a few that were minor.
We walked over to The Captain who was more banged up then anything I had ever seen.
His breathing was coming hard.
"It's...not...possible." He muttered.
There was suddenly a loud boom. And the mansion shook. I knew what it was immediately.
Quorra had pressed the button for the simulation chamber.
"It's over Captain." I said. Then I delivered the final blow, and erased him from Dresher. For good!!

We all let out a sigh of relief but that was it. If Quorra had set that off, then she probably needed help.
With one look at each other we dashed off down the entrance hall and outside to help my sister.
What I saw outside, was the last thing I wanted to see.

Chapter ~ Twelve

Chapter ~ Twelve

       Let the battle begin!

Quorra:

Trains are suppose to be soothing! Not stressful!!!!
[says who?]
Me!!

For the first half of the train ride, we did nothing but lay out battle plans.
So apparently, Matrix was able to get most of The Averse together, and they were now on their way to Konsor.
Matrix never said how many exactly, but he said their was going to be a big number. Amongst the hundreds, kind of big.
It was hard to believe that soon the streets of Konsor would be flooded with Averse members. It was funny, but at least it would be safe. Of course that also depended on how many Fallen members where there... this might prove to be the most difficult thing we've done yet!
But the trouble started even before we got to Konsor.

"I will be right back." I stated, rising from the edge of the bench in our blocked off section of the train.
"And where are you going?" Sav asked from right next to me. I looked at him like he was asking a very dumb question.
"The bathroom. And no. I don't need an escort." I chuckled at flushed cheeks and opened the sliding glass door and walked down the short hall.

After using the restroom, I was on my way back, humming a little song when a chill went down my back.
"Well aren't you little 'Miss Above It All'"
I spun on my heel, sending my blond hair in my face.
Stepping out from one of the compartments, was a Fallen.
I had never seen this member before, from what little knowledge I have about them. He didn't ring a bell with me.
"What do you want?" I asked. Giving him a glare. "Come to pick a fight?" I asked, my guns appearing in my hands as I braced myself. He laughed.
"Careful." He pointed a finger to either side of him. "Don't want to frighten the very people your trying to protect now do we?" I looked past him and saw that we were standing right in front of my compartment. I watched as Kylun said something that sent everyone laughing, Zaydie smacked him playfully and he gave her an apologizing kiss.
I was confused, why didn't they notice us?
"What's wrong with them? why don't they see me?" I asked, still a little confused.
The boy chuckled.
"People are gullible, they only see what they want to see."
I groaned.
"I came to give a warning, and maybe a peaceful solution." I scoffed. He cocked an eyebrow. "You hand over the Three Chosen Ones, and the simulation room freely, and well spare everyone in Konsor."
I gave him a look that told him I didn't believe a word he said.
"Think about it Quorra." I was slightly shocked hat he knew my name. He pushed himself off the opposite wall and took a step closer. "If you did that you could be anything you wanted. With out having to point a gun at someone's head."
My fingers flexed around my pistols.
Don't be fooled Quorra. I told myself.
"You could be with how ever you wanted to be."
Ok that hit a nerve. I couldn't help the side glance to back in the compartment.
It was weird to see how they acted with out me there.
Savrin was laughing really hard, Kigo was breaking out jokes left and right, which was sending everyone into one fit of laughter after another.
They looked happy... content almost.
But...
"your not going to fall for that old trick are you?"
I can't say i was to terribly shocked when I heard his voice again. I suspected that he'd come around again...sooner or latter.
I turned my head and found Havrin leaning against the window beside me with his arms crossed over his chest, and his eyes closed.
"Nah. I was just making you ask questions." I stated. I turned my attention back to the boy.
"Forget it!" I called out. "Why even ask such a dumb question? My own sister is a Chosen One, and her husband. Not to mention my best friend is. That would be betraying my whole family!! And who may I ask would be left after I handed them over to "be with"?!" I demanded with my hands on my hips.
The boy's mouth slacked, and I saw that sideways glance he gave to Havrin.
"Don't look at me dude. She'd kill me if I even thought about it." Havrin said with an amused tone.
"So beat it. Before I make you." I warned.
The boy sighed.
"So much for the diplomatic approach." He said to himself. "Well fine, you've chosen your path. I can only hope that the god you worship will spare you a painful death. Though I highly doubt it."
Then he disappeared.

I sighed and slumped against the wall. My guns disappeared, and so did my hard face and tough wit.
"Are you ok?" I was shocked by this question, from Havrin.
[your right that is a little out of character for him]

"To be completely honest? no." I said as I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.
"What's up?" I opened my eyes and looked at him. I studied him for a minute. He looked the same. Same set jaw, same black hair that hung in his red eyes, same Havrin as I've always seen him. But... somehow... he'd changed a little. His eyes seemed kinder, and more considerate. Like now he might actually be able to care for someone other then himself! Now there's a thought!
"Maybe I should be asking you that question. What's gotten into you?" I asked suspicously.
"What do you mean?!" He looked offended! He was actually capable of displaying an emotion other then hatred!!
"You! Your...different." I said.
"is... that a good thing? or a bad thing?"
"I don't know. I haven't decided yet."
He rolled his eyes and muttered something along the line of "girls"
"You still didn't answer my question." He said. Getting back on topic.
"which one?"
"The first one."
"'What's up?'"
He nodded.
"Well... that's vague, and it covers a lot seeing as there's tons 'up' with me." I stated.
"Ok... why are you down?"
"Ah..." I let out another sigh and rubbed my arms, trying to get warmth back in them.
"well, my sister's leaving me behind, I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up like a stooge or something.-"
Havrin actually laughed!!!!! It was just down right freaky!!
"You worry to much Quorra. If you keep on doing that, your going to get worry lines." did he just give a joke? What is going on?!
"Ok now I have a question for you." I stated. "Why are you so... different? all of a sudden?"
He rubbed the back of his head like he was nerves or something.
"Well.... I guess I figured out that I don't have to be so cold all the time."
My jaw dropped and I just starred at him.
"What?"
"Are you sure your Havrin? I mean sure you kind of look like him, but definately don't act like him!"
He laughed.
"I'll see you soon Quorra." And he started to walk off.
"How soon is 'soon'?" I called after him. He paused, and glanced at me over his shoulder.
"Soon."
I rolled my eyes.
"That's not an answer!"
"Ok how about this. When you need me most, I'll be there."
"Uh... ok. See ya then... I guess."
He gave me a lazy two fingered salute and a smile that was still strange to see.
"Yup! See ya around. Latter." Then he too was gone.
"Oi, that was just weird." I muttered to myself.
There was a knock on glass, and I looked up to see Savrin becoming for me to come in.
I forced a smile and stepped in.
Though it's safe to say I was moody the rest of the trip.

****

"...Quorra?....Quorra....Quorra!"
I jerked and looked around.
"Huh?"
Zaydie was standing over me with a concerned look. I noticed that everyone else in the compartment had left. So it was just Zaydie and I.
"Are you ok? you fell asleep. We didn't want to wake you, but the train's stopped, and we're here." my sister explained.
I nodded and rubbed my eyes.
"Yeah.... just a little tired that's all..." I wished it was that simple.
My sister knew I was lying, but she didn't push it.
"Well come on then. Lets get going. We've got a lot to do!" she said, giving me a hand from the bench.

Outside in the train station we met the rest of the gang. Sav handed me an ice cream bar with a grin.
"Something to wake you up." He said.
I gave him a weak smile and took the frozen bar.
"Thanks!" Chocolate mixed with strawberry. Yummy!
I noticed that everyone had one, only different flavors.
"How did you know my favorite flavors were chocolate and strawberry?" I asked as I started to lick the ice cream.
Savrin laughed.
"How long have I known you Quorra?" He asked.
"Um...." My tongue froze the bar, with a gentle tug it came loose. "probably sense I was three."
"Exactly. And you don't think that with thin that extremely long time of knowing you, that I wouldn't figure out what your favorite ice cream flavors are?"
I burst out laughing. Kigo and Lexi were slightly taken aback, but Kylun and Zaydie smiled at me. Savrin started to laugh along and it was as if we were the kids we use to be. With no worries in the world, and all we did each and every day was fool around and eat ice cream under a shady tree. Aw now wouldn't that be nice!
"Well come on. You can eat your ice cream bars on the way there." Kylun said, as he led the way out of the busy train station.
Outside we stepped out into the familiar streets of Konsor.
Home sweet home.
Not so much.

Konsor was in ruin! I'm not kidding!! we all stood and gapped.
"this can't be..." Zaydie muttered quietly.
"What...happened?" I asked in astonishment.
Konsor's buildings looked like they had just been bombed, and badly!
The people walked around in rags and most of them had scars and bruises, and all of them were dirty with ash.
There was an aura that rolled off this place. A sad one, full of despair, sorrow, loss, and hopelessness.
"This is... way to familiar." Sav said as we made our way down the streets toward the President mansion.
"How could Kaleb let this happen?" Kylun muttered as he looked around at the wreckage.
Zaydie slipped her hand in his and squeezed tight.
Another reminder that I probably was going to end up a boring old maid.
I focused my attention on the city.
How in the Creator's creation did this happen??
Some homes were burnt to the ground, which left families with out a place to stay. Some of them were camped out on the side of the streets. Lots of them were.

"come on honey, we need to get to the mansion." I turned to see a father pulling his little daughter down the street as they made their way to the mansion.
"Excuse me, but why are you headed to the mansion?" I asked. The man looked me over before answering.
"The President is kind enough to give us a place to stay for those who's homes have been reduced to nothing." he gestured to the houses around us that were just large piles of ash.
"Ah. Thank you for your time." I said kindly. Forgetting to ask the big question.

"So at least Kaleb is doing something." Kylun commented when I told them what I had just found out.
I nodded. "but how did this happen? And what if it happens again?"
We all turned grave.
'Come on, let's hurry." I said and ran off down the streets, and across the black snow. That had been mixed with ashes.
I could hear them following after me so I didn't stop till I came to gates of the mansion.
People were flooding in to the gates like a river. They were coming from all over the place! and more and more of them came every minute!
"We have to evacuate all these people!" I exclaimed as we wove our way through the crowds.
"I know, I know!" Kylun shouted. "Ok here's the deal." He pulled all of us off to one side so people could go by. "Zaydie and I will go and talk to Kaleb, while the rest of you get to the dudgeons and see if The Fallen have figured out where the thing is."
We all glanced around nervously.
"Ok, meet back in the grass square just in front of the mansion." Matrix said.
We all agreed and Kylun quickly said a prayer and a blessing on all of us.
Then we went our separate ways.

Sav and I led the way through the halls, and down to the dudgeons with the rest of the gang following behind us quickly.
"The Averse should be here soon." Matrix said, as we slid around a corner to avoid knocking into people.
"Along with The Fallen." Vegg reminded. We jumped over people that were sprawled out on the floor.
"Ok. Sav! Watch it!" I jumped forward and pulled him out of the way just as a small child was about to be stepped on by him. Kultzy boy. "Be more careful." I said quietly. Not letting go of his hand, and taking the lead. Dragging him along with me but making sure he didn't step on anyone else.

We came to the dudgeons and I tried to remember which cell.
I finally picked the right one,
[the one with all the bones on the ground right?]
haha yeah.

And quickly stepped in.
"Uh Quorra...why are there bones on the ground?" Lexi asked as we stepped over them.
"Their fake. it was Kylun's brilliant idea of keeping intruders out."
"Oh. So it's an idiotic idea is that what your saying?" she asked. I chuckled.
"Yup."
I found the door at the other end in the dark. I quickly threw it open and everyone stepped in.
After I quickly closed the door behind them, we swept Kylun's old appartment.
It was clean.
And still looked exactly the same as when we left.

I led the way into the computer room and walked over to the simulation chamber that sat in the corner.
"Whoa. So this is the one and only that can go back in time huh?" Rix asked. I nodded as I tapped away on the key board.
"Hey Vegg, come here." I called. She stepped over and together we set the simulation chamber for self destruct mode.
"Here." Vegg said, giving me a small tablet. "push the 'yes' and the simulation chamber will explode."
I nodded.
"But don't destroy it if you don't have to." Rix piped up. "just think of all the history we could uncover, that is still not clear to us." he exclaimed. We all just stared at him.
"Think of all the things we could change!"
"Rix get that out of your head. The past is something that has already unfolded. Hence the reason why they call it 'history'. Because it's happened in the past. And no one can, or should, change the past. what's done is done. If we look to far in the past, we loose the future." I said.
"But if we learn from the past we can change the future-"
"Enough Matrix. If the situation calls for me to destroy it, then that's exactly what I'll do." I stated.
I could see that he was agitated, but hew knew I was right. Not that he was happy about that.
I shook my head and moved into the kitchen. I was shocked to see that their was still food in here! not that I'd be eating any of it! it's probably bad by now.
I grabbed a cup, and grabbed some water.
"You ok?" Sav asked, coming up beside me. I sighed in fustration and set the glass down on the counter with a clatter.
"No I am not ok. We're going into battle where we might not live through. I'm stressed because I have to keep my sister safe and make sure she doesn't do something stupid and hurt the baby, I'm depressed because she is having a baby. those good enough for you?" I asked. My anger getting the better of me.
Sav looked shocked at my sudden out burst.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you" I apologized. Sav shook his head.
"It's fine, I expected you to jump at me some time soon."
"Really?"
"yeah, you usually do when your under a lot of stress."
I sighed.
"That doesn't really make me feel any better."
"Well I can't say that right now is the best time to feel better. We've got a big battle coming, and we need our wits about us. But I forgive you."
I nodded grimly, I finally gained control over my anger again and we moved out into the black and red living room.
"Well come on then! we had better get going and meet up with the others." I said. Everyone nodded and we all ran back out of the room, careful to close and lock the door behind us.

Back out in the courtyard, we watched as people started to flood out of the mansion.
In fact the noise level was decreasing in the whole city all together!
"Looks like they were able to get every evacuated. Well at least... you know... they started to." I stumbled. Everyone nodded, but didn't say anything.
Zaydie and Kylun ran out of the mansion and over to us. They both looked a little winded, but at least they accomplished something.
"Ok their evacuating the city to the other Areas. They should be safe. Now all we have to do is...wait...for the...." She was starring past us when she failed to form a sentence.
[meanie]
Ha!

We all turned and our jaws dropped. Coming at us where dozens, and dozens of people!!
Some of them were even familiar!
Like Jinx, and Juwela's mother where were leading the large, and I mean large group of people.
I even saw Mama Bear with them!
I grinned as the big army of people made it's way down the evacuated streets.
Soon they all came into the courtyard, and as i looked at them all, hope sprouted up inside me.
"We might actually stand a chance." I said with a grin. crossing my arms over my chest and shifting my weight.
"Are you kidding?' Sav asked, taking up my stance. "We stand way more then a chance." He got a warm grin on his face. "we're going to cream 'em!"
We all agreed and a few of The Averse agreed with us
I grinned.
"Yes we are Savrin... yes we are. Let's do this!!!" I cried. This time everyone cheered out, raising their fists and pumping them in the air.
"Quiet the little cheerleader aren't we?" Sav asked with a grin. I ignored him.

****

Sav took over, making sure everybody knew what they were suppose to be doing, and the rest of us readied ourselves. Sharpening blades, getting more magazines. Well except me, my guns don't run out of bullets. Lucky me huh? hahaha.
I found Zaydie in a quiet corner on her knees with her hands folded in front of her. My guns disappeared in the familiar wash of light, and I knelt down next to her and prayed right along side her.

Dear Creator, please help all of us. We're going into a large battle, and I don't know if all of us will make it out. I know there will be sacrifices... And I'm willing to make them if it means keeping my sister safe, and to spare the world The Fallen's cruelty. But please... I'm begging you Creator. Keep Zaydie and the baby safe.

We opened our eyes at the same time and gazed at each other. Zaydie was on the verge of tears. She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed. I could feel her trembling, but I was doing the same.
"Don't do anything reckless ok?" I asked. She laughed to get rid of the tension.
"Ok. Just so long as you do the same."
"ha! I'm not the one who's pregnant, I can be reckless, you however, can not. Because Kylun won't let you.-"
"And you promised me that you'd stay out of direct combat." Kylun chimed in, coming up behind us.
Zaydie nodded.
"Alright, alright. No recklessness. But the same goes for you Quorra."
I laughed.
"We'll see about that sister." I said with an evil grin.
"Quorra!"
"Alright!" It really pained her even when I just made jokes like that. "I won't do anything that'll get me killed...at least not intentionally."
Zaydie figured that was the best she was going to get out of me, so she just went with it.
There was a loud cry and we all jumped to our feet.
"Their here!!"
"Their here!!"
"Their here!!"
It echoed through the camp we had made on the grass. Everyone jumped to their feet and we all barred our weapons, and braced ourselves.

Sure enough, coming down the abandoned streets was two darkly dressed people. One was taller, with his hands clasped behind his back, and his grey hair slicked back. The other was shorter and wore a short skirt. Her long blond hair was swept around her dramatically by the wind.
At first it was just two of them. Then another joined. And another, and another. Until they had become a huge army as big as The Averse! maybe even bigger!!

They spilled out into the courtyard, half taken up by Averse, the other, by The Fallen.
We starred daggers at each other, while we sized each other up.
"I see you have now multiplied in strength. it's no longer just the four of you. Of course I already knew about the traitors that joined your ranks," The Captain gestured to Kigo and Lexi. Who's faces grew harder and we all stepped in front of them defensively.
The Captain scoffed.
"I'll deal with you two latter. But it's you three," He gestured to my sister and the two boys. We all tensed. "That will be dying today."
"No one's dying but you and your lot." I stated through gritted teeth. Captain laughed.
"So I take it that you have refused the offer."
Everybody's eyes turned to me.
I bit my bottom lip and didn't answer.
"Ah... so they are blissfully unaware. How quaint. Well don't blame me if your love ones die today."
I groaned.
"your exactly the person I'm going to blame bonehead. It's you that wants all the power and glory."
"Ha! you sure are one smart girl when it comes to pinning the blame on someone."
"What's that suppose to mean?!" Savrin shouted.
Captain held up his hand to silence him.
"I suppose we are now to fight and see who ever is last standing wins?"
We all nodded.
"Very well. But I guarantee that it will be me."
"We'll see about that." Kylun stated.
"Prepare yourselves!" The Captain's long pole came into his hand and he held it behind his back. Willa smeared at us and the two of them disappeared into the back of their crowd.
Then... it began.

The courtyard was quickly transformed into a battle ground, which in turn would probably turn into a graveyard.
[well aren't you little Miss Optimistic?]
I'm just saying!

It was a darn good thing we had The Averse! Or we would have died with in the first ten minutes!!
There was so many Fallen!! It was insane!!!! When ever we struck down one, another would pop back up in his place.

I struck down my opponent with both a bullet and a rock simultaneously. He fell to the ground, dead. but like I said, another one took up his place.
I took a deep breath and I quickly brought him down with a giant rock.
"Someone's become cold." Lexi said from behind me as she warded off attacks from a boy wielding a polearm.
"Well sorry if I skip the formalities." I said. She laughed as she sliced the boy's throat.
"Fine by me. Seeing as I'm doing the same. A girls got to do what a girls got to do."
I nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. Duck!!" She fell to her knees as I shot someone that was sneaking up behind her.
She turned around, still on her knees.
"Oh! thanks! Holler if you need help! I'm going to go check on Zaydie. See if she's been able to stay out of trouble."
"Let me give you a hand." She knew exactly what I meant.
We turned back to back and linked our arms. I started to spin fast, and it sounded like she was kicking people in the head. Once I got enough momentum, I let her go and shot her as far as i could. Next thing I saw from her was she was walking on top of people's heads!
Freaky ninja person. Hahaha! But she was awesome I've got to say.

My attention quickly turned to a bigger opponent.
He was a large, large man. His head was shaved, and covered in what looked like tribal tattoos. His big beefy hands held a HUGE saber that looked like something you'd see in the East.
He gave me a toothy grin and I chuckled.
"Right." I muttered.
He started to swing his sword around real fancy and I pulled up several decent size rocks from the ground and had them levitate around him.
He was the first to make a move.
Being so large I expected him to be slower.
My bad.

He jumped in the air while swinging his sword around like a propeller. I barely dodged it, my left arm go cut up pretty bad, but I didn't worry about it, I could still move it.
He landed on one knee and the ground shook. I used the grounds momentum to propel myself over the mans head. I spun acrobatically over him, while shooting down at him simultaneously.
I got him several times in various parts of his body, but that wasn't enough to stop him. While I was in midair, he reached up and grabbed my ankle.
I gasped as he spun me around just like I had done to Lexi. He swung me up and down, hitting my head on the rocks I had kept levitated. Which I quickly forced down. When he was done, he threw me, he threw me strait for a wall.
I quickly flipped over and landed in a crouch on the wall. Not getting hurt a bit. You know, other then hitting rocks with my head. All I got from that though was a bloody lip. I wiped the blood away with my fist.
I was using the earth in the wall as a gravity pull. Keeping me anchored.
I glanced around and laid eyes a pillar that had fallen. That would be big enough.
I found Savrin fighting a girl a little ways off. He glanced up at me and looked for my opponent as he finished his off.
He spotted him and started to make his way to him, but he had to fight through several people in order to get to me.
I "rose" to my full height. Though I was standing sideways which was weird. I ran along the walls, and jumped from building to building.
I kept the man in my sights as I quickly made my way to the fallen pillar.
"Stop running around like a hamster." the man called.
Haha! yeah right.
I flipped off the wall and landed behind the pillar.
I didn't have much time the man was closing in.
I quickly sent a few rocks his way, hoping to slow him down, not by much though. But I quickly turned my full attention to the pillar.
Using the Power I had over the earth, I focused on the dirt inside the pillar. Gathering up all the strength I could spare, I tried to move it. My first attempt failed. It was really, REALLY heavy!!
I gave more strength over to the Power, I was able to move the pillar a little. But like I said it was very heavy.
I had only been able to move it a few inches before the man was back onto me again. I quickly brought up a wall of rock in between the two of us to ward off some of his fast swordsmanship. That made it hard to defend myself. But indo that I also didn't have enough strength to move the pillar.
I groaned in frustration, and let the wall down. I moved in close to the man and knocked him about a little. But then with several close calls, I moved off and got far enough away to use my guns. It's annoying when you just have long range weapons.


I  let him get to close and he lashed down on the ground, causing what seemed like a ripple. If it had been a body of water.
Using the earth's momentum again, I propelled myself up into the air, hovering momentarily as the wave passed under me. But it was only momentarily. I soon fell down to the ground again, but the after shock of the wave hit me and threw me backwards, causing me to roll across the ground. It had hit my chest, and caused all the air to leave me.
I groaned as I tried to pick myself up off the ground. Black splotches ran across my field of vision, and a massive headache split my head open.
My arms started to shake as they supported my upper body weight. Through my blurred vision as the man walked up to me and grabbed me by my shirt, lifting me up off the ground.
"Quorra!" I glanced over and saw Savrin but he was still fighting someone, and it didn't look like she'd wear out soon.
I looked back at the man as he grinned and raised his sword to my neck.
"Say good bye pretty girl."
I grittend my teeth and reached out my hand for the pillar. giving it everything I had, it finally decided to move for me.
The man was unaware of what I was doing, thank goodness! so I was able to get it quiet close behind him before he noticed anything.
When he did, he turned around and was smacked in the face with a concrete pillar!!
He fell to the ground, taking me with him.
But not for long. He fell to his bum, and rubbed his head.
"That hurt!!" He cried at me. Taking up his sword again.
I had fallen to the ground on my face, I watched him as he swung that huge sword around.
I let out a defeated sigh.
That last stunt had cost me tons and tons of energy, I was starting to get washed over by fatigue. It was hard just to hold my head up to watch the man!
I dropped my head to the ground and accepted my fate. If this was how I was going to die, so be it.
I closed my eyes and waited for the pain.
"Hey! Giving up already?" I looked up in shock has Havrin stood over me with a grin. His reaper was slung over his shoulder lazily, and I noticed that the man I had been fighting was knocked out on the ground.
"Come on. Let's get you back to your feet." He said, offering me a hand. At that moment I probably would have accepted anybody's help.
I took his hand and he pulled me up to my feet.
I stood there for a minute, but my full energy wasn't back yet, and my legs gave way.
"Whoa! easy does it." Havrin caught me and I had to use him as support.
Juwela's mother came over to me and handed me a vile.
"Here dear. It's an energy booster. Your energy should return soon. And this one's for the cuts."
"Thank you." I took them both quickly and cringed. "They taste awefull!"
"well what did you expect? Strawberry and chocolate?" She asked with a wink. I smiled.
"Thank you."
"Now hurry! I see you have business to tend to."
Havrin and I glanced over out shoulders to see the guy coming around again.
I groaned.
"Don't you ever die?!"
Havrin laughed.
"Let's find out shall we?" He asked.
I nodded and summoned my guns.
"Let's."

Chapter ~ Eleven

Chapter ~ Eleven

         Preparation

Zaydie:

It was nice to see Matrix and Vegg again, but it was a little frightening as well.
Because that tells me that we're all going to be in a lot of danger.

We all put our boots back on and started on our way back to Juwela's house to say goodbye.
"So where are they heading?" Kylun asked Matrix, as we cut trenches through the drifts of snow.
Vegg pulled out a tablet from her pack. She did a few things on it and then stopped us so we could look at it.
"We're here. In Ulrikima." She pointed to a green dot. We all nodded in understanding. "This," she pointed to a red dot. "Is The Fallen." Something was off. A lot of was off. Actually.
"Wait, why are they moving... away from us?" I asked.
"Well that's what we couldn't figure out till we got tipped off." Vegg explained.
"So...where are they going?" Sav cut in.
She looked up at us with a sad look.
Why do I feel like I'm not going to like what she's about to say?
"Their headed back to Konsor."
We were all dead silent. Not sure if what she was saying was just something we had miss-heard. But it was soon evident that it wasn't.
"What's for them there? I mean come on." Kylun started. "We're not there. Valadamir is dead, and there's nothing there."
"Ah but that's where all of us were wrong." Rix jumped in. He grabbed the tablet from his sister and brought something else up. "does this look familiar?" He held up the tablet for all of us to see.
I gasped and everyone's jaw dropped.
"Yeah... that's my simulation chamber." Kylun answered. Rix nodded and handed the tablet back.
"Uh-huh. And have you ever done strange, unusual, not-natural things in that particular simulation chamber?"
We all froze.
Quorra turned pale as if she had stolen a cookie and had been caught.
"Y-yeah." She said in a shaky tone.
"Then you already know the reason." Rix said, giving us a disapproving look.
"Hey what'd we do?" Quorra shouted. Becoming fire it's self. "It's not like we built it! It just happens to do that so don't blame us!"
"No one's.. blaming you Quorra." Vegg said kindly. Trying to comfort my sister.
"So...what do they plan to do with it?" I piped up.
Matrix stalled.
[hahaha!!!]

"We... have no idea...." We all sighed. "Yet! but we will...hopefully."
Quorra rolled her eyes and we all sighed.
"well come on then. We had better get going." I said. I quickly snapped out of the daze that held us all, and moved off towards Juwela's house. I heard people start to shuffle behind me and I stepped inside the house.

I found Juwela and Hakeam on the floor in the living room while their mother was cooking.
As soon as we stepped in she looked at us with a set face. She already knew.
"it's time isn't it my dears?" She asked with a grave face.
I nodded.
"I'm afraid so ma'am."
She sighed.
"I knew i was foolish to hope this would not happen in my life time." She hoisted herself to her feet. "I'm an old maid now children." Everyone protested. She wasn't that old... granted she does have some grey hair. But not that much!
She put up a hand. "That's nice of you but I'm afraid I can't do much in a fight."
"Oh we would never ask you to fight for us. Not when you have kids that need taking care of." I said in shock. She smiled.
"Your to kind. However, I shall help with the healing. I will be there for the battle when the time comes. But now, I have business to take care of. I bless you children. Now please, go in peace."
We all thanked her for her kindness and hospitality. Juwela sent us away with food incase we got hungry on the train ride back.
Hakeam looked like he was on the virge of tears but was trying to hold them back.
"Hey." I said soothingly. Bending down to his eye level. "What's up?"
"Are you going to be ok?" He asked, rubbing the tears away with his fist.
"Oh of course I will."
He peered at me from under the brim of his hat.
"But your a Chosen One. You always get hurt."
Well that's a true statment. Not that I told him that!
"Don't worry about me buddy ok? you look out for you sister. Because that's what a brother's for. Got it?"
He gave a curt nod.
"Good. Now don't you worry about me. See all those people behind me?"
he looked over my shoulder and nodded.
"They'll make sure nothing happens to me, alright?"
He nodded an threw his arms around my neck.
"Just don't die. Ok? You have a baby growing inside you. You have to live so he can. Ok?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Alright Hakeam. I won't die. I have a few tricks up my sleeve." I said with a wink. He giggled and ran off to say bye to everyone else.

Kylun helped me to my feet and we headed out.
"so how are we going to do this?" I asked. Turning to everyone else.
"How do you mean?" Lexi asked. Puling her jacket closer to her body.
"Well are we teleporting? or are we taking the train?"
"The train." We all jumped and looked around.
We found Tasin standing behind us, wearing a blue hat, and a blue winter coat lined with white fur and white buttons running down the front. She wore matching boots, and white gloves.
"Tasin!" We all shouted.
She grinned and gave us a meek wave. Then she pointed to the north. Where the train station was.
"I believe we take the train." She repeated. I nodded.
"Aright. That's good enough for me. Come on." I said enthusastically. Kylun shrugged and linked his hands behind his head while he leaned back on his left foot.
"Well i guess it's decided for us." He said.
"M-hmm." Savrin agreed, crossing his arms over his chest.
I smiled back at them and realized, just how big our group had gotten.
My sister came along almost a the very beginning. Kigo and Lexi had joined a little while back, and Matrix and his younger sister Vegg were with us too!
And to think it had just started with the three of us.

Chapter ~ Ten

Chapter ~ Ten

          A cool-down

Quorra:

Ok... that was not expected!!
Everybody starred at Venila, then to me.
Trying to decide if what Zaydie had just said was true, or if she was pulling our legs.
Even Venila looked a little startled. But not that much.

"Wait... what? A... clone?" Lexi asked.
Zaydie nodded slowly. I looked down at myself. My hands, my hair, my face, they were all mirrored on her. Almost exactly.
The two of us turned and studied the other.
She wasn't real.
She was just a clone.
Well. At least my identity wasn't stolen... really. In a way I guess it was.

"Why did Reese call me Venila?" I asked, turning to my sister... at least who I thought was my sister.
She hesitated, and pain washed over her face. Like it was a real touchy subject.
We heard commotion up stairs and we all tensed.
"We'll talk more latter." Zaydie said. "For now, lets get out of here. Are you coming?" She turned to Venila.
She shook her head.
"No I have to go get everyone settled down and find out what's going on and all."
Zaydie nodded and motioned for the rest of us to go.
I was the last one to jog out of the room.
I glanced back for a moment and met the gaze of Venila. She was examining her right hand, as if it didn't belong to her. She then looked up at me and gave me a kind,... yet sad... smile.
I didn't return it, I was to confused and a little hurt to be nice to her. So I just turned and ran out the door to catch up.

****

Creator... why?... what's going on?.... I'm only human... I don't understand everything you do....
So you've got to help me.... I don't understand.... I'm lost.... it's dark.... I can't see the end of the tunnel.... show me what I'm missing.... show me why it's all messed up....

****

Everybody else went back inside, but not me.
No not me.
I stayed outside on the roof of Hakeam's roof.
My leg dangled over the rim of the roof while I wrapped my arms around my other.
I gazed absently over the city as the snow fell on my eyelashes and my hair.
The hum of the city became dull, as I tuned them out of my mind. Soon it was peaceful as people started to go to sleep. Lights turned off, and soon the city was quiet on it's own.
I could hear the wind whip past my ears and it made music of it's own.

"You and your sister." I turned to see Sav come up next to me and sit down in the cold snow.
"You've always been attracted to really tall heights haven't you?" He asked with a chuckle.
I smiled but didn't say anything.
"So what's eating you this time?" He asked, looking at the dark city as well.
"Did Zaydie tell you?"
I saw him nod out of the corner of my eye.
"Then I guess you already know the answer to that question." I stated.
He nodded slowly.
"Alright. So Venila's a clone. Boo-hoo. Tough for her. But why does that have you down?" He asked.
I sighed.
"Reese called me 'Venila.'"
"He was old. He was dying. He probably had you mixed up." Sav defended.
I shook my head.
"There was... clerity. He knew what he was talking about. He didn't have us mixed up."  I said quietly.
Sav groaned and turned to look at me.
"Are you for real?"
I met his hard gaze.
"Yeah... why?"
He shook his head.
"Why won't you just ignore the facts and go with what you feel? I mean you know your Quorra. Zaydie's rambunctious sister that always gets in trouble, the one that's always happy and hyper, the one who always looks at the bright side of things!"
His eyes were full of fire... but why? What did he have to loose? it was me that should be fighting back, not him. Yet here I am... giving in.
"I can't find the bright side of this problem Savrin." I said quietly. Looking back out at the city. Sav jerked back in shock.
"I've only been able to see the bright side because I knew I would figure the answer out in the end... but now.. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's just been draggin down on me so bad... Everything has been wearing on forever. I can't seem to get a break. It all just keeps coming back over and over again. And I think... It's finally caught up with me." I confessed quietly.
It was true. But I had never said it to anyone. It was just something I bottled up and didn't let out.
But it made sense to tell Savrin. Ha!

I didn't dare look Sav in the eye. I didn't want to loose what little self-control I had left.
But I could tell he was watching me.
"There's a silver linning in everything Quorra. It just takes a little courage to find it." Sav said kindly. "And I know that you have that courage. So where'd it go huh?" He bumped into my shoulder playfully. I chuckled and moved a strand of hair behind my ear, while wiping a tear away at the same time.
"it's crazy... but... I think I know where it is." I said with a smile.
"Well why don't you just get it?"
I looked him in the eye and gave him a cocky grin.
"Well that's just the trick isn't it?"
yeah... I knew where it was...
"Well at least your smiling again. Even if I have no clue what your saying."
I laughed.
"Yeah. I figured. Come on. It's getting cold, and I'm freezing." I said standing up and wiping the snow off my pants.
Sav jumped to his feet and suddenly pulled me into a hug.
I was too shocked to react at the moment.
"I'll keep my promise. Ok? Just holler if you need a helping hand." He let me go and gave me that smile that sent butterflies to go crazy.
I chuckled and nodded.
"Same here."
He nodded and we jumped down from the roof.
Zaydie and Kylun met us in the door way. She wore a face that made me worry.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"You want to know why he called you 'Venila'?" Zaydie asked quietly.
I nodded. I felt Sav slip his hand in mine supportively as Zaydie prepared to give me the full story.
I grinned on the inside when I watched Kylun do the same to my sister.

"Well... he knew what he was talking about."
I cocked my head and waited for her to continue.
"Sixteen years ago, Ulrikima was attacked. Reese was still the Governor and he was married as well."
My eyebrows rose.
"His wife died in the battle, and after that, he sent his infant daughter away from the city. He told the messenger to get her as far from Ulrikima as possible... The city didn't know that the princess had been sent away from the city. So he improvised. He didn't want to bring the daughter back because it wasn't safe. The Fallen was watching him extremely close.
So... he made a clone. No one was the wiser, and he called her by his daughter's name, so no one never knew the mix up."
As Zaydie had been talking, my grip on Savrin's hand had tightened as I tried to make sense of this all.
"So... your saying... that I'm a princess?! And I'm not even related to you?!" I asked.
Zaydie nodded.
"Yes you are a princess. And you might not be related to me by blood, but we opened our arms to you and welcomed you into our home, our family. Your as much as related to me as anybody else in this world." Zaydie said with a kind smile as she took a step forward and grasped my shoulders gently.
"Even though your adopted. That doesn't change anything. Your still my sister. And I'm still yours. You just found out that you have a new path you can take. One that might turn out better. You can start a new life here." She looked around with a smile on her face. I looked up at her, then around at the dark city. "In peace and quiet. With no chance of dying in the morning by a dark figure. And who knows. You might even have kids of your own someday. When your old enough."
I couldn't believe this. Zaydie was offering me a tick out. She was saying that I could take up my old life and have a new shot at everything. But then...

I looked up at Zaydie who was trying to hold back tears with a smile. Then to Kylun behind her who looked like the old glum Kylun I use to know before he was taken over by this blondie.
Kigo and Lexi were leaning inside the door way giving me smiles. Saying they'll support me in what ever decision I choose.
And finally I turned to Sav right next to me. He tried to mask the fear and loss in his eyes, and he gave me a reassuring smile.
"But then... I would loose all of the things I have in this life." I said, turning back to my sis.
"All of the things I've worked for. All of my family. The ones I actually consider family. All of my friends."
[I noticed that side glance.]
So? haha your point?

"And I don't want to loose that. That would be to much. I'm staying right where I am." I said with a determined smile. Zaydie let out what seemed to be a mix of a laugh, sob, and a sigh.
The tension between the four of us evaporaited. Kylun gave me a wink and a thumbs up and Sav scooped me up and spun me around. Causing Zaydie to jump back in order to avoid getting hit in the face.
We were both laughing as I kept my grip around his neck.
"You freaked me out for a minute there." He said, coming to a stop. My feet swung around till I pulled them under me.
"I have a promise to keep. Remember?" I said with a grin. He looked at me for a minute and nodded.
"Yup. And I don't think I would let you break it."
I laughed.
"No. Some how I don't think so either."
He let me go and I turned back to my sister who was grinning with a cocked eyebrow.
I stuck my tongue out and everyone laughed.
"Time for a cool down." Lexi stated, jumping up next Zaydie. "A well deserved cool down I might add." She said. We all chuckled again and nodded.
"What did ya have in mind?" I asked. Lexi got a sneaky look in her eye. Uh-oh

****

It's hard to tell where your sense of balance is when your on skates, on slippery ice.
Hahaha. yup. That was Lexi's evil idea.
Ice skating.
Us girls were naturals... naturally. Ha! But the boys... well that was a different story.

I spun around Sav who was still trying to get the hang of it.
"would you stop that? It's freaking me out." He stated. I laughed and came up next to him, offering my hand.
He glanced up at me and took it.
"Why?" I asked as I pulled him a long the frozen lake.
"Because I keep waiting for you to fall." He answered.
"Look, push, and glide. Real easy." I demonstrated. "But look where your going!" I cried, jerking his arm closer to me as I wove my way through the crowd.
We came to an open space and I slowed down. He looked winded slightly, and also, slightly startled.
"don't do that either."
I laughed.
"spoil sport."
He shot me a look. Which just made me chuckle more.

I looked around and saw Havrin sitting in the snow near the lake. His eyes were on me.
I looked up at Savrin with a smile.
"I'll be right back."
"where are you going?"
I glanced back at Havrin.
"To help a friend. Your doing fine." I said with a smile. I then let go of his hand and skated off toward Havrin.
I skidded to a stop in front of him and bent down, with my hands on my knees.
"Need help?" I asked.
Havrin glanced up at me with that gloomy look.
"What are you looking for?"
He took a minute to answer, but he did.
"Peace."
I was a little shocked by his answer. But I understood.
"You'll be leaving soon won't you?"
He looked up at me in shock, like I had just guessed his best secret.
His face turned grave again, and he gave me a curt nod.
"Hmm...." I stood upright and held my chin in my hand.
"Well there's only one place I know to get that. And that's in Paradise."
"Pfft. Well that's not going to help me." He muttered.
"Maybe not right at this moment. But do you believe in the Creator?"
He gave another curt nod.
"Then your all set!" I exclaimed.
He shot me another look.
I groaned.
"Pessimist." I muttered. That made him crack a smile. "Look. So long as you know your going to Paradise, there's nothing to fear here in this world. Nothing can hurt you, there for your at peace. Granted... that's hard sometimes, but the only way I've found peace is when I know that I'm doing something right. Like the Creator himself is behind me whispering 'Good job.'"
He dazed off and seemed to be thinking. I waited quietly as he seemed to be miles away.
"Does that help?"
He then turned to me with a smile growing on his face. A sincere smile!!!!
"yeah! It does!! Thanks Quorra" He jumped to his feet and threw his arms around my neck.
I gasped as gripped his arms to keep my balance.
"Don't change. 'kay?" He asked, pulling me away and giving me a smile. Which was really weird to see on him I must say.
I got over the shock and returned the smile and nodded.
"Sure. I'll do my best."
He nodded and then ran off.
Leaving me there with a fuzzy feeling. Like I had just done something right, and the Creator was standing behind me saying. 'Good job Quorra.'

****

I skated over to Zaydie and Kylun.
"What do we do now?" I asked.
Zaydie sighed and clutched her stomach again.
"I knew it wouldn't last long. Well-"
She was cut off by an ear-piercing whistle.
I leaned backwards and looked toward the edge of the lake. My eyebrows shot up, and my jaw dropped.
Zaydie chuckled, and Sav laughed.
"You've got to be kidding. He's got one heck of timing." He said.
I skated off to the edge of the lake and jumped the boy.
He was startled and we fell backwards into the snow.
"Sheesh Quorra!" He groaned. I giggled and rolled off him. Careful to not cut him with my skates.
He sat up and I grinned.
A girl came over and smiled down at both of us.
Her brown hair fell into her eyes, but it didn't cover her smile.
"Vegg!!" I cried pulling her down into a hug.
She giggled and hugged me back.
"Hey Quorra. I see you found Matrix again. Haha."
I grinned and looked over at her brother.
He rolled his eyes but that didn't keep the smile off his face. He fixed his hat that covered his brown hair.
"Humph." He muttered, looking up at me with blue eyes.
I smiled at him and pushed myself back to my feet and back out onto the ice.
"Welcome back!" Zaydie cried. Coming up next to me.
"Hey man. Haha! I see you bumped into Quorra already." Sav said lending a hand to Matrix.
"yeah." He said as Sav pulled him to his feet. "Who are they?" He asked, gesturing to the rest of the gang.
"This is Lexi, that's Kigo. And this," I swung my arm around Kylun's shoulder. "Is my sister's husband. Yes!" I shouted stopping them from saying anything. "She got married after you left. Well... not right after you left, see when you left we then had to go and see-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ok thanks Quorra." Kylun interrupted. I chuckled and let go of him.
"So what are you guys doing here?" Zaydie asked.
"Well... we wanted to beat the traffic." Vegg explained.
"Traffic?" the rest of us asked. The two of them nodded solemnly.
"Better sharpen your blades, cock your guns. What ever. We're going to have a big long battle ahead." Rix said grimly.
The group went quiet and we all prayed silently.
Protect us... keep us safe.