“This path I chose for myself, I will not let anyone else control it.”

Saturday,  month of April

I woke with a jolt, the sound of the bell still ringing stridently in my ears. 5 more minutes. I thought sleepily and burrowed deeper under my covers. Not long after there is a knock on the door.

“Are you up yet?” Rain asked as she stuck her head into the room.

“I'm up!” I call and roll out of bed, knowing better then to press the limits. Covering a yawn, I pad out of my room and join the line of kids waiting to wash their faces in the big stone basins.

“Morning Sky!” Rose chirped.

“Morn', Rose.” I mumbled backed and bumped into Annie as a way of greeting.

“Morning to you too, Sky.” My year mate replied.

Bending over a basin, I splashed my face a few times with cold water before heading back to my room. The door had been left open, so I strode in and something promptly slammed into my face.

“Ow!” I yelled.

“Oops...”

I turned and arched an eyebrow at the quiet voice coming from my left.

“Sorry, Sky.” Jenny grinned guiltily at me as she darted out the door.

I shrugged, not really bothered and not needing to ask who she'd been aiming at. Instead, I made my way over to the dresser to pull out my uniform.

“So...” Lygin started as she joined me at the dresser. “What do you want to do this afternoon?”

I cocked my head to the side pensively before suggesting “How about heading down to the lake?”

“I conquer! I conquer!”

I sent a quick grin over my shoulder at Jenny.

“Let's ask Romeo to come!” The older girl continued excitedly.

“Let's not.” I muttered with a frown, thinking, why must she be infatuated with that stiffy bluey guy?

“Come on!” Jenny poked me “It'll be fun!”

“Fine, fine.” I sighed. I rolled my shoulders and sat on my Lygin's bed to tie my shoes.

The bell for breakfast rang out then and we hastily finished dressing before grabbing our swords and heading down to the basement. As always, when we reached the first floor we bowed before jogging across the wood floor and taking the stairs down to the dining hall.

It was crowded at the bottom of the steps, but I expertly weaved my way through using my small size to my advantage, though as usual, Jenny beat me to Table 4.

“I win, again!” Jenny smirked at me.

“Yes, yes, you're awesome.” I huffed as I plopped down across from her and next to green belt, Briannah.

“You sound so impressed.” Lygin commented as she sat down to my left.

I ignored her, preferring to glance towards the head of the table. At a much anticipated signal from Fire, our unit commander,  we dug in.

“Alex, pass the mango juice, please.” I called, when I noticed that the pitcher of awesomeness was stubbornly staying in the blue belt section of the table.

“Here, Sky.” Alex returned the pitcher to circulation only to have it snagged by Romeo.

“Hey!” I yelped but the older belt just smirked.

“Less talking, more eating.” Nichole ordered.

With a snort I helped myself to some cheesy scrambled eggs as well as a couple of pieces of bacon. Once the pitcher had finally made it's way back into circulation, I poured myself I glass of juice. Once everyone had finished eating we stacked up our plates and bowls passing them down to the right end of the table.

“Whose on cleaning duty?” Lygin asked me.

I shrugged at her before leaning forward and asking orange belt Ryan “Whose turn is it to clean?”

“Unit 8.” Came his reply.

So after we gave our service sets to Unit 8 we headed up to the first floor.

“Whose group are we in?” I asked as I dropped my sword in it's alloted bin.

“I think we're with Rain.” Lygin replied.

I nodded and we trotted outside after Commander Fire.

“Split up!” The latter ordered. “Bryan. Alex, Triplets, you're with Rain. Romeo, Mark, Green Belts and Ryan you're with Nichole. The rest of you, with me!”

Poor Ryan, I couldn't help but think. It's got to be horrible being the only orange belt.

“Oof!” Jenny muttered in my ear.

I gave her an odd look.

“Poor babies.” The shepherdess added.

This time I followed her gaze and spotted Fire herding the white belts: James, Kleo, Sarah and Katie towards an empty batch of grass.

I nodded in sympathy before turning back towards Rain as she instructed us to start warming up. While watching Nichole's group jog off down the hill I absentmindedly rolled my arms back and forth, to Rain's “Ich, Ni, San, Shi..!” count.

“Pyramids!” Rain instructed then, “Down for 20!”

I obediently dropped to the ground to do 20 push-ups. This is still not my favorite thing! I thought, grumpily.

“Turtle!” Was the next command and I rolled over onto my back, knees bent up on my stomach with my feet resting on my thighs and my arms folded across my chest.

“Kick!”

I launched my feet out imagining that I was kicking somebody off and away from me. We did that 19 more times before Rain, hand-springing to a crouched position, called out “Up for Stars!”.

I immediately went to a crouched position and when she yelled “Star 1!” launched myself up into a jumping jack position. Before dropping back down to a crouched stance in time for “Star 2!”.

“Keeping up, okay?” I called teasingly to Lygin.

“Peaches and cream!” The smaller girl tossed back.

“Down for 19!”

I promptly fell down to do 19 more push-ups.

“Last Star!” Rain called.

“Finished!” I yelled and flopped down on my back, wiping the sweat off of my forehead.

“Hey, Celestial! You're in the way, move!” Romeo called.

With a groan, scrambled back up to my feet and caught up to my group who had already started jogging down the hill. I sighed, trying not to drag my feet or lose sight of the older belts while Jenny and Lygin conversed over my head.

“Run quieter!”

“You run quieter!”

“Bet you can't jump that!”

“Bet I can!”

“Let's see it then!”

Kersplat!

“You okay, Lygin?” I asked as she got to her feet having failed at jumping the tree log.

The dark haired girl waved me off, laughing “Yeah! I should know better then to bet with Elephante!”

“Hey! Hippotamia! Look at this!” Yelled the longer limbed Jenny as she easily cleared the log.

“Hurry up, you three!” Rain hollered up from up ahead.

“Race you!” Jenny challenged and took off sprinting, the two of us on her heels.

“Hey, wanna...?” I pointed at Bryan for emphasis.

“You wouldn't dare...!?” Lygin yelped.

I grinned and arched a challenging eyebrow.

“Challenge accepted.” Jenny replied and sprinted at Alex.

“Oh, it's on now.” I hissed and poured energy into my tired legs so that I could beat her to Bryan. Nearly there, I thought and prepare to jump. Now! I launched myself into the air and landed squarely on Bryan's back, wrapping my arms and legs around him like a back pack.

“Whoa!!” The 15 year old protested, as he staggered, staggered and staggered some more but amazingly kept his balance.

“Giddy up!” I cheered, forgetting momentarily the dangers of my surroundings.

“Sky! Get off!” Bryan protested.

“No way!” I hooted and glanced over at Jenny, who was clinging to Alex's back.

“If you don't get off, you're landing in the lake.” Bryan warned.

“You wouldn't!” I yelped, startled.

“Oh? What makes... you say that?” Bryan asked, slightly out of breath as he was still jogging.

“Cause you like me!” I replied, as innocently as I could.

“Break!” Rain called, sparing Bryan from having to reply.

There was a sudden splash, followed by a scandalized yell.

“Alexander!” Rain snapped. “What on earth?!”

“She wouldn't get off.” The 16 year old relied nonchalantly and shrugged.

“That's mean, Alex~” I pointed out with a huge smirk.

“What's that?” Lygin suddenly called out.

I slid off of Bryan's back, in order to join the others. Lygin was pointing to the far side of the lake where a strange light was flashing.

My vision went blank, and a sentence started resounding in my head, steadily growing louder. Trouble. Trouble is. Trouble is brewing. TROUBLE is brewing. TROUBLE IS brewing. TROUBLE IS BREWING!

“Jennifer! Get out of the lake! Bryan, Alex! Take the kids back to the dojo and inform Fire of a code violet! NOW!”

Rain's orders jerked me out of my daze and I staggered, glancing around wildly.

“Sky! C'mere!”

I obediently joined Lygin and Jenny and followed Alex away from the lake. Bryan had stayed behind to ask Rain something. Bryan soon caught up and the two blue belts proceeded to herd us back through the forest.

“Where's Rain?” I asked when I couldn't see her following us.

“Rain's busy, if you got breath to talk. Run faster.” Bryan replied.

“But I hate running!” I whined before continuing silently in my head, and unanswered questions. What's going on?

When we finally burst out of the fields and stopped in front of Fire, I plopped down in the shadows of the porch. Out of sight, out of mind. I thought happily.

“Sky? What...are...you...doing?” Jenny panted, as she joined me.

Or not. “Shush!” I hissed back. “Don't mind me, I'm just taking a breather.”

“A breather?” Jenny looked at me suspiciously.

“Yes!” I snapped. “A breather so I can find out what's going on, now, do you mind?”

“My bad.” Jenny replied with a huff and stalked off to join Lygin.

I'll apologize later. I thought, with a slight twinge of guilt, which rapidly evaporated, when I noticed Fire and Nichole walking off down the hill.

I left my hiding place and speed walked towards a giant oak I knew grew near the path. Once I'd reached it, I crawled into a burrow under it's roots and waited. I'd just managed to slow my breath when Fire and Nichole stopped a couple of meters away.

Fire gave a bored yawn, before crossing his arms and glancing around. Not long after Rain came out of the tree line followed by two shadows. Uh oh! I thought and opened my mouth to scream a warning.

Rain paused to wait for them.

I slammed my jaw shut and bit my lip to make sure no sound escaped. That was close. I thought, nervously.

The two strangers where dressed in long black cloaks, hence them looking like shadows.

I want a cloak like that! I couldn't help but think.

They stopped in front of Fire and pulled back they're hoods. I stared at them curiously. Nichole stepped forwards and greeted them with a hug. The shorter of the pair took a few uncertain steps towards Fire before swaying and collapsing. Before he, that is a he, right? I wondered thoughtfully, could hit the ground though, Fire took a step forwards and caught him. Gently, he set the boy on the ground before straightening up and asking, “Well Galysh? What's the news?”

The other shadowed figure, the one Fire had called Galysh, lowered his hood revealing brown hair and a frown.

“They press harder and harder each day. They seem to know that there are no reinforcements coming.” Galysh said quietly, and appeared to send Fire an accusing look. “We aren't going to last much longer.”

“You'll manage.” Fire replied with a nonchalant shrug.

“But Gal, you know we don't have anyone prepared for that kind of thing!” Rain protested after sending Fire a disapproving look.

Galysh rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.

“What was that?” Fire asked icily. “We should send the blue belts in?”

Galysh met his gaze evenly and snapped, “If you'd stuck to the old regiment, we wouldn't have this problem now!”

“And we wouldn't have any children now either.” Nichole interrupted quietly, her eyes fixed on the two men.

Fire didn’t even flinch but Galysh looked away with a humph before commenting “When I left, the orange was on a highway to Lavender.”

Isn’t lavender a flower? I thought confused. What's it got to do with an orange?

“If they break the front, we're going to need all of you back here.” Fire finished with a snort.

I shook my head to clear it and hissed, “concentrate, Sky!”

“Abort mission?!” Galysh yelped, and when Fire simply looked at him, he added in a slightly calmer tone, “Is that what you want us to do?!”

Fire looked away, before announcing “Rain, you'll take care of Star. Don't let her be seen, understood?”

“Crystal clear, sir.” Was the brown belt's response.

“Abort the mission?” A voice suddenly asked.

Whose that? I wondered.

“Hello, Shawn!” Galysh lifted his hand with a slight smile.

I heard pounding feet and then suddenly the blond in our Unit was in front of Galysh, asking excitedly “Does that mean you're coming home?”

Galysh ruffled his hair and replied, “Nope! 'Abort' means failure. I won't come home till the Commander declares 'Victory'.”

“Ah. okay so you'll wait for me then?” Shawn continued.

Galysh nodded “Yeah, kid, I’ll wait for you.” He then saluted Fire and spun off at a jog heading back down the hill.

Shawn crouched down next to the figure on the ground, and felt her forehead. “She's got a fever.” He announced, “did Galysh say what she got hit with?”

So it's a she? That make since with a name like 'Star'. I thought.

“No.” Fire replied, as he nudged Shawn out of the way with his foot, in order to pick the strange girl up.

“Aren't you going to take her belt off?” Rain asked. Fire glanced down with narrowed eyes, before untying the belt wrapped around Star's waist.

It was then that I noticed that the belt was an odd color of blue. I hid deeper under the tree as they passed me and even held my breath when Shawn glanced around almost as if he'd sensed me.

When they left, I scrambled out of the hole and headed back to the dojo at a fast walk, planning to sneak in through the back. Unit 6 was sprawled out in the grass near the back porch and I spotted Patrick play fighting with Shane.

“Patrick! Patrick!” I yelled as I ran up to him.

Startled, he jumped and turned towards me. “Wha? What's up, Sky?”

I bear hugged him and hissed quietly in his ear, “dead tree in 5.” I then made my escape back inside the dojo.

I immediately turned towards the stairs leading up to the girl's dorm and took them two at a time. I slowed to a walk in the hallway and forced myself to act normal, that is until I reached my room. Once there, I darted inside and jumped my best friends.

“Sky! Were where you?!” Lygin exclaimed.

“Lata!” I answered and pulled her off her bed, heading back towards the door. “C'mon! You too, Jenny!”

I dragged Lygin out to the hallway and retraced my steps, Jenny tagging along behind.

“Wha? Wha?” Protested Lygin.

“Where are we going, Sky...?” Jenny asked as we left the dojo.

“Dead oak! Now hurry up!” I ordered.

Spotting Patrick and Shane already waiting next to the old tree, I skidded up to them with an excited cry. “Guys! You'll never guess what I saw!”

“Really? Try me.” Shane stated, leaning back against the tree with an arched eyebrow

“Guess!” I snapped with a humph.

“A couple kissing?” Jenny asked with a smirk.

“Eww! No.” I replied impatiently.

“Why don’t you tell us?” Lygin suggested wisely.

“Okay! So me and the others were on our morning jog, right? When we saw some weird lights flashing across the lake!”

“You sure it wasn't your imagination?” Patrick asked.

“No! Besides Rain totally freaked out! She made us run all the way back to the dojo but she didn't come with us. So I wanted to know why.”

“Curiosity killed the cat.” Shane remarked.

“Shaddup Shane!” I glowered at him, but he just smiled back, innocently.

“Anyways! I was hiding under a tree where Fire and Nichole where, and Rain came followed by two figures wearing totally awesome cloaks! And then one of them like fell down, and Shawn showed up and then the other dude left!” I paused to breath.

“Wait! What?” Lygin interrupted “How'd he even know they were there?”

“What do you mean he just collapsed?” Patrick asked, looking confused.

“Dunno.” I replied, waving a hand about. “Shawn said she had a fever.”

“Yes, but, how did Shawn get there?” Lygin insisted.

“He's a green belt.” Jenny stated sensibly.

“But green isn’t much higher then yellow!” Lygin protested.

“Isn't Shawn sort of like a prodigy, anyway?” Patrick asked.

“Yeah.” I agreed.

“Which begs the question,” Shane said, “why is he only a green belt? From what I’ve heard he's been denied a least two promotions.”

“Where'd you hear that?” I asked. “He's only 12, right?”

“Dunno.” Shane shrugged, “Johnathan was talking about it a while back.”

“This doesn't make any sense.” Patrick growled out after a few minutes.

“Umm...” Jenny rubbed at her cheek awkwardly.

“Yeah, Jen?” I chirped.

“Why not just ask him?” The older girl asked.

“'Cause he'll want to know why we're asking.” Shane snapped, in his usual duh voice.

“No, not really.” I retorted, “He's sort of naive.”

“Who's naive?”

I glanced at the others with wide eyes before slowly turning around.

“Hi Romeo!” I chirped and putting a hand to my chest added “Boy, you scared me!”

The blue belt was leaning against a tree, arms folded across his chest. He lazily arched an eyebrow at us before drawling out “Rumor has it...”

“Why are you wearing your sword?” Jenny interrupted.

Romeo blinked at her, then said in a dead pan tone of voice, “you skipped the meeting.”

“What meeting?” I asked.

Romeo face palmed.

“What meeting? And why are you wearing your sword?” I insisted.

“I should march the five of you up to Fire's right now!” Romeo growled.

“Down to Fire's.” Shane corrected mildly.

“Ahh! No!” Lygin yelped.

“Yeah! Can't you just tell us what it's about?” Patrick added hopefully.

Romeo stared at us for a second and then a sly smirk crossed his face.

Uh oh. I thought, here it comes.

“Okay.” Romeo drawled, “but on one condition.”

“Sure!” I agreed instantly. Don't be anything too hard. I mentally begged.

Romeo sat down and we formed a semi-circle around him.

“What's the condition?” Patrick asked.

“You tell me what your up to and I won't bail you out to Commander Smoke-Pants.” Romeo replied instantly.

“Whose 'Commander Smoke-Pants'?” I stalled.

Romeo arched an eyebrow and made as if to get up.

“Okay! Okay!” I yelped. “I'll tell you!”

“Shake on it.” Romeo ordered.

I exchanged a glance with my friends before hesitantly shaking his hand. It's surprisingly rough, I thought, startled.

“Okay, now tell us about the meeting.” I decided.

Romeo just stared back at me.

“Please?” added Lygin.

Slowly Romeo raised his arm and then pointing his index finger at the sky, he stated slowly, “the sky is falling.”

2: Strange Names

Chapter 2: Strange Names version 2

 

 

“My hero is the only person I cannot talk about.”

 

“What!”

 

Who just yelled that? I wondered. Wait! Was it me?!

 

“What! What?”

 

Romeo just sat there, smirking at us.

 

“The sky ain't gonna fall like that. Get real!” I snapped, glaring at him.

 

“In the figurative sense, that is.” Romeo answered cryptically, with a shake of his head.

 

“Figu...hunh!” Jenny said.

 

“Figurative sense means the fake sense.”

 

“Whoa!” I yelped and scrambling to my feet, spun around.

 

“Hey Mark!” Romeo called out with a big smile. “Come to save me?”

 

“Stop picking on the little ones.” Mark replied, frowning down at him.

 

Romeo frowned right back at him and protested “But they were...”

 

“Come on,” Mark interrupted, “we have a meeting.” He stepped into our circle and held out a hand to Romeo. The brown haired teen promptly grabbed it and pulled himself up.

 

“Remind me to talk to Shawn later, will ya?” Romeo asked as he strode off.

 

“Well that was instructive...” Shane drawled as he stood up.

 

“Yeah, let's meet up tomorrow. Okay, folks?” I decided.

 

“Might be a bit tough, Sky.” Patrick stated. “Some of us actually go to class.”

 

“I go to class!” I yelped, offended. “I...I!”

 

“See ya tomorrow, Sky!” Patrick laughed as he took his leave with Shane.

 

“They're picking on me again!” I whined, as Jen, Lygin and I made our way back to the dojo.

 

“Of course not Sky.” Jenny soothed.

 

“I'm sure that they were only commenting on the fact that you tend to fall asleep during classes.” Lygin added with a slight cough.

 

“Hey!” I yelped.

 

Lygin coughed some more.

 

“You alright?” Jenny asked, patting her on the back.

 

“Just jiffy!” Lygin answered, smiling behind her raised hand.

 

“You're laughing at me!” I exclaimed.

 

Lygin and Jenny exchanged glances before cracking up.

 

“Why am I friends with you again?” I huffed as I headed into the dojo to get my sword. “C'mon gals, let's get our stuff before we're caught.”

 

I was just stepping back outside when a hand dropped on my shoulder.

 

“And where on earth, have you three been!?”

 

“Wha?” I yelped, jumping slightly.

 

“Hi Rain!” Lygin said nervously.

 

“How are you?” Jenny added innocently

 

Rain glowered down at the three of us, before snapping “Get in line!”

 

I obediently slid into place next to Ryan and started swinging my sword about.

 

“Set Three! Ich-Ni-San-Chi!” Fire ordered. I watched him, trying to mimic his positioning. Fire met my gaze, and his eyebrows furrowed, a clear sign that he was annoyed at my lateness.

 

“Sky, fix your hands.” Nichole instructed as she passed me.

 

I nodded, switching my hands around and concentrated on doing the forms correctly. As a result, Fire didn't pick on me.

 

“Shawn's not here.”

 

I glanced over to my left. Lygin motioned slightly towards Briannah, next to whom Shawn should have been standing.

 

“Huh! Why not?” I started to ask, but then jolted t a stop when I felt a pair of eyes drilling into the side of my head.

 

“I mean...! Later!” I yelped and faced forwards again.

 

Concentrate, Sky! I scolded myself but couldn't resist glancing around. Where'd Romeo go? I wondered. On second thought. How come none of the blue belts are here?!

 

“Dismissed.” Fire ordered. “Hit the showers.”

 

“Quick! Let's go.” I hissed at my friends and we made a break for the dojo.

 

“What's the plan, Sky? We can't hide forever.” Jenny stated with a frown, once we'd made it to our room.

 

“We're not going to.” I told her. “Besides, I want to shower and by then Commander should have forgotten about all this.”

 

“Really?” Lygin raised a skeptical eyebrow at me as she grabbed her shower caddy.

 

“Of course!” I chirped. “Besides as long as Romeo, doesn't tattle we should be fine.”

 

“Speaking of Rom', where was he anyways?” Jenny asked, with a sulky huff. “It's not fair that he was skipping training...”

 

“Oh?” I grinned at her. “Are you finally admitting that, precious Rommy isn't perfect?”

 

“Sky!” Jenny yelped, and flung her towel at me, only for it to land on Lygin.

 

“Hey...” The smallest girl muttered as she pulled it off.

 

“Uh oh.... Run, Jenny!” I snickered, backing away towards the door.

 

“Ah...Lygin, I didn't mean too.” Jenny added, also backing away.

 

“For constantly forgetting I'm here...” Lygin balled up the towel.

 

“Lyg...?” Jenny looked slightly unnerved.

 

I covered my mouth to keep from laughing and backed out the door.

 

“Someone... Has got to... Pay!” Lygin launched herself at Jenny a demented smirk cutting jagged edges across her face.

 

“Run! It's the return of Dark Lygin!” Jenny screeched and bolted out the door.

 

Laughing madly, I chased after her, Lygin on my heels.

 

“Quick hide!” Jenny hollered as she skidded into the shower room.

 

“It's coming!” I yelled as I entered.

 

“Ah?” Briannah, about to step into a stall, paused to stare at us. “What's coming? Is something wrong?”

 

“The Lygster!” I gasped out, diving for a stall.

 

“Hunh? A monster!” Someone screamed.

 

“Ah. No! Not a monster! A Lygster!” I corrected wagging a finger at Laura.

 

“Eh?” Sarah joined in only to be cut off by Lygin bursting in.

 

“Oops! Shower time!” I snickered.

 

“Hey! Don't leave me out here by myself! Sky!” Jenny protested as she defended herself from Lygin's towel attacks.

 

“Go Lyg! Go Jen!” I cheered.

 

“Gotch'ya!” Lygin crowed as she knocked Jenny to the floor.

 

“Not yet!” Jenny retorted and reaching out to grab a towel hanging near her she launched herself at Lygin. “C'mon, fight me! Midget!”

 

“WOULD YOU LOT, QUIET DOWN!”

 

“Waaa? There was a Rain in here!!” Lygin yelped, and sat down with a thump.

 

“Yes there's 'a rain' in here! What on earth are you three doing?!”

 

“Three?! I didn't do anything!” I protested from the safety of my shower.

 

“I don't care! You've done enough damage for today! Take your showers already and for go-”

 

“Umm... excuse me. Does anyone know where my towel is?”

 

“Hmm? Alice, you were in here too?” Rain asked.

 

“Yes. My unit just got back from field work. While your at it, would you mind telling your yellow belts to quit traumatizing my whites?” Alice replied.

 

“Sorry Alice,” Rain answered. “What's your towel look like?”

 

“It's the green one, your pigtailed yellow is holding...”

 

“Jennifer.” Rain growled.

 

“Ah? Me?” Jenny yelped, pointing at herself.

 

“I'd appreciate it if you'd bring me my towel, Jennifer.” Alice smiled peacefully.

 

“Ah... Sorry!” Jenny hastily handed, the older girl her towel and bolted back to Lygin.

 

“Thank you.” Alice pulled her head back into the shower.

 

Rain sighed.

 

“Shower time....” Jenny mumbled and padded over to me, Lygin on her heels.

 

“You have 20 minutes to shower and report to Fire's office.” Rain ordered and stalked off into the locker room.

 

“I don't wanna go!” I whined as I dragged my feet down the stairs.

 

“Should have thought of that before you skipped the meeting.” Lygin smirked at me.

 

“You skipped it too!” I protested. “You're just as guilty!”

 

“No we're not!” Jenny piped in. “You dragged us off. Else we would never have gone!”

 

“Hey!” I yelped, stopping in front of the licorice door. “Why do I have too knock?” I hissed at Jenny.

 

“If you don't you're a scaredy cat.” Jenny replied pragmatically.

 

“I am not!” I yelped and banged on the door.

 

“Sky?!” Lygin yelped, backing away.

 

“Oops! I didn't' mean to do that...” I also backed away rubbing my fist.

 

Jenny and Lygin frowned at me.

 

“It's your fault anyways!” I continued. “You said to knock!”

 

“Yes, knock not bang.”

 

“It was an acci~”

 

“I said ENTER.”

 

Silently, the three of us glanced towards the open door.

 

“Umm...?” I glanced at my friends for support.

 

“Can we enter?” Jenny asked. “Do you think it's a trap?”

 

“Fire wouldn't do that!” I protested. “He wouldn't right?”

 

“Right...” Lygin look skeptical all the same.

 

“You three...”

 

“Waa? Rain!” I yelped, jumping away from the door.

 

“Get in here...” Rain sighed and herded us in.

 

Fire was seated behind his desk playing idly with an orange belt that had seen better days.

 

Just how much trouble are we in? I wonder if that's his old belt? I thought to myself. I glanced to my right and then to my left as Jenny followed by Lygin, stepped up to my sides.

 

Rain flopped down into an armchair, to the left of Fire's desk. Nichole was seated in another one to his right. Fire frowned at us some more, than carefully folded up his belt and put it away. He steepled his fingers and resumed staring at us.

 

Waaa? I thought. Why are you staring? Its scary!

 

Fire kept staring. His eyebrows dug a bit further in, darkening his eyes.

 

What's he want?! I mentally wailed. He should be scolding by now, so why..? I didn't do... Oh!

 

“I'm sorry I banged on Licorice!” I announced and gave my best bow.

 

“Oh? Whose 'licorice'?” Rain smirked and quirked her fingers in the air.

 

“Do you three know why you're here?” Fire asked before I could reply.

 

“It's!” I started.

 

“No, sir!”

 

Hunh?! I glanced over at Lygin from the corner of my eye but she was fixated on Fire.

 

“Ah, well. Can't be helped.” Rain smiled innocently.

 

Uh oh. I thought, that's her 'evil smirk'.

 

“When I asked the blue belts to call all of you and to keep you all in the dojo for a mandatory meeting of utmost importance.” Rain continued.

 

“What's utmost?” interrupted Jenny.

 

“Extremely,” Nichole supplied and nodded at Rain to continue.

 

“I was informed...” Rain drew her eyebrows together in a most annoyed fashion. “That we had five missing yellow belts. Urgh. Eliza even accused me of letting you guys run amok, seriously! It's not my fault her boys are a bad influence!”

 

“Given the extreme circumstances, we sent out all the blue belts to look for you.” Nichole picked up the reins.

 

“Really?! Mark said they had a meeting?” Lygin pounced on this new info.

 

“He lied.” Rain informed her shortly.

 

“Was it Mark that found you?” Nichole asked unhappily

 

“No! No, Romeo did!” Jenny hastily reassured her, waving her hands about.

 

Rain gave a little yell and grinning, smugly turned towards Nichole with an outstretched hand. “Five bucks please!”

 

Nichole sighed, but pulled the requested candy out of her pocket and handed it over. Then they both turned towards us again.

 

“So your punishment for ditching the meeting, wasting the blue belts time, and insulting our green belts. You will personally apologize to ALL of the blue belts, as well as to Shawn.” Fire decided.

 

“What for?” Lygin protested, “we didn't say anything about him!”

 

“I know,” Rain soothed, apparently no longer mad at us, “it's just for making him worry”

 

“Then,” Fire continued, “you will be on cleaning duty for the next half month.”

 

“That makes no sense though!” I protested. “I mean I called him naive, but he has nothing to do with this!”

 

“You called Shawn an idiot?!” Rain interrupted, looking startled.

 

“No-not an idiot! Naive!” Jenny piped in, scooting closer to me.

 

“Ha!” For some reason, Rain sent a smug grin to Nichole who merely frowned back.

 

“You're on KP for the next 3 weeks. Dismissed.” Fire interfered.

 

“Waa~!” I yelped.

 

“Why'd it get longer?!” Jenny protested.

 

“4 weeks.”

 

“We're leaving! We're leaving!”

 

I felt Lygin grab my hand and I allowed myself to be dragged out, still half in shock.

 

“Not fair!” I whined, walking backwards so I could glare at the Licorice door.

 

“Sky! Watch out!” Lygin called.

 

“Hunh? Waa?” I yelped when I backed into something hard.

 

“Whoa! Easy 'Les!”

 

'Les? I thought. There's only one person that calls me that... Shawn! Why is he here?

 

“Waa?” I let out again just for show and hastily bounded forwards to the safety of Jenny's side. At a safe distance, I glanced up at Shawn nervously. The green belt was only a head taller than me, so it wasn't far. He really is short for his age, I thought.

 

“Hiya Shawn! Wach'ya up too?” Jenny grinned at him and tried to scoot past.

 

“Nothing much!” Shawn chirped back and casually took a step to block her path.

 

Liar. I thought feeling suspiciously, you were listening at the door, weren't you?

 

“Ah. Okay. Well me and the girls have stuff to do...” Jenny ventured and tried to scoot past again.

 

“Whoa! Hold it.” Shawn held out an arm and casually leaned against the opposite wall.

 

“Yes?” Jenny paused and looked up at him innocently.

 

“Rumor has it,” Shawn continued, “you lot wanted to talk to me?”

 

I knew it! He was spying! I gave a mental cheer for my own ingenuity. “Really?” I replied, “Who said that?”

 

“You think I'm dumb, donch'ya?” Shawn replied with a gentle smile before adding, “come on, let's head down to the peach orchard!”

 

Argh! I exchanged an exasperated glance with the other two.

 

<Thought you said he was naive?> Jenny's eyes read.

 

<Romeo probably tattled.> I thought back and stuck out my tong for emphasis.

 

Jenny stuck out hers right back and I translated that to mean; he did not!

 

Having no choice, we followed him out of the dojo and headed for the peach orchards just past Unit 3's victory gardens. We passed a bunch of people and Shawn paused to say hi to all of them. So it took us over an hour to reach the peach orchards planted by Unit 1. Shawn immediately plopped down on the raised root of a peach tree and motioned us to sit down. We did.

 

“So,” Shawn grinned, “what was it you needed my help with?”

 

I don't wanna tell you! I thought back sulkily.

 

“What's the belt color after blue?” Lygin asked.

 

“Brown.” Shawn answered in a puzzled tone of voice.

 

“Are you sure?” Lygin continued “Or maybe blue has more then one color?”

 

Something flickered deep in Shawn's eyes for a second but it went away too quickly for me to define it.

 

What was that? I wondered.

 

“Not that I know of.” Shawn chirped, cocking his head to the side.

 

“How long ago was Romeo an orange belt?” Jenny asked, like Lygin straight to the point.

 

Shawn blinked, and then blinked again before smirking. “Romeo? Isn't he a bit old for you?” He asked.

 

“It's not like that!” Jenny snapped, her face turning red.

 

Shawn laughed before replying, “I don't know, he's at least three years my elder.”

 

Ah ha! I thought and jumped on the chance. “So what belt were you three years ago?”

 

“Or--Yellow!” Shawn replied instantly.

 

“Orange-yellow? I didn't know about that belt!” Lygin smirked, putting her brains to good use.

 

Shawn's eyes narrowed for a second, before widening again and he answered sweetly “It doesn't exist. I said, oh! Yellow.” Then, he continued still smiling sweetly “Just cause I'm nice I gathered all the blue belts together in Unit Two's office so you could apologize.”

 

What? When'd he do that? I wondered. I glared as Shawn kept up his sweet but slightly scary smiling. What's he waiting for? I wondered. He can't expect us to say thank you, right?

 

“Thank you for your help.” I blurted out, wanting him to stop that scary smiling.

 

“Yes. Thank you.” Lygin's voice was neutral but I imagined that I could here a trace of sarcasm.

 

“Should I ask Romeo to pay you a visit?” Shawn smiled benevolently at Jenny.

 

“Ah! No! Don't-Argh!” The yellow belt flustered, turning red again.

 

Shawn got up and dusting himself off, started past us with a parting shot of “Don't be late!”

 

On a sudden burst of inspiration, I reached out and grabbed his hand. “Wait, please.”

 

Shawn paused and glanced down at me, waiting.

 

Wow! I thought. I take it back, you're actually a nice person.

 

I took a deep breath and blurted out, “I'm sorry if we've offended you but can you spare us one last question, please?”

 

Shawn grinned wryly and turned to face us again.

 

I took another deep breath, disengaged from his hand and stood up. “Who's Galysh?” I asked.

 

“Begging your pardon?” Shawn replied “But who is that?”

 

Maybe that wasn't that dude's name? I wondered, slightly lost. Shawn looked genuinely surprised but I knew he was faking. After all hadn't he hugged that shadowy person? Ah well, I'll just wait it out. I decided and kept staring back into Shawn's brown eyes.

 

Shawn finally huffed out a sigh, and said; “There is only one Galysh that I know of and he's from a series called Casting Crowns.” With that he spun on his heels and walked away, leaving us there stunned.

 

Well, that went well. I thought. “Let's regroup and plan some more.” I decided, stretching my arms up above my head.

 

“Let's bring the boys back in.” Jenny added, with a nod.

 

“Ah. Hate to be a wet blanket but we should probably get the blue belt thing out of the way first.” Lygin butted in mildly.

 

“Oh. Right.” I huffed. I led the way back into the dojo and took an immediate left heading for the basement stairs. Lygin opened the door and searched around with her hand for the light switch, she flicked it on and we shielded our eyes from the sudden light before heading downstairs. I took my time trying to avoid the steps that I knew were wired to break and those that simply creaked really loudly. I often wondered how the commanders got up and down so fast without making a sound, because I definitely sounded like an elephant.

 

I jumped down the last two steps and moved out of the way so Lygin and Jenny could get down. I then let Jenny take the lead as we walked single file down the hall and stopped in front of Unit Two's door. Jenny knocked and I shifted nervously from foot to foot.

 

A tall blue belt, with short cropped black hair opened the door.

 

Kevin. I thought.

 

Kevin stared down at us, looking annoyed. “Yes?” He growled.

 

“Ah? We're here too... umm... We're supposed too... We need to speak to everyone!” I stuttered.

 

“I guess I have no choice then, come in.” Kevin said with a sigh.

 

I glanced at my friends, puzzled by his words, before ducking under his arm to enter. Jenny and Lygin did the same. I glanced around wondering where to go.

 

“Follow me.” Kevin ordered as he shoved past.

 

“Waa! I mean, yes!” I yelped, for some reason, Kevin scared me.

 

Kevin took us down a long hallway which had a bunch of doors branching off it, sort of like Unit 4's hall office, I thought. Then, I literally ran into Kevin's back when he stopped short in front of a blue door. He glared down at me.

 

“Sorry.” I mumbled, backing away. Relax, Sky. I scolded myself, he's no worse then your blue belts.

 

Kevin opened the door and ushered us through. I stopped dead just past the entrance though with my mouth hanging open. There was blue everywhere, someone had spray painted the walls in a gradient of blues. The furniture was wooden of course but it still had a rough coat of paint over it. The room itself was pretty big and had three doors branching off of it. The door to my immediate left had a navy blue number “1” painted over a sky blue background. The door directly across from me had a water spout painted on it while the door to my right had a “3” over a blue cotton candy background.

 

Wow! I thought. So this is what an Ocean room looks like! Awesome, I can't wait to be a blue belt!

 

“Sit.” Kevin ordered.

 

Gaa! He's glaring again. I hastily seated myself on a couch. Jenny sat to my left, closer to the door and Lygin to my right.

 

I watched nervously as Kevin stalked over to a door, with a huge '1' painted on it. He yanked it open.

 

What's he doing? I wondered, and glanced around for the other unit 2 blue belt.

 

“Come on! Some yellows are here!” Leaving the door open, he expertly maneuvered through the room till he reached the door with a three on it. He opened that and hollered “Gabriel! Serin! And anyone before them, get your butts in here!”

 

I exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Lygin and instinctively scooted closer to Jenny,

 

“Sounds like a herd of buffalo.” Jenny whispered to me.

 

“Yeah, or maybe elephants.” I whispered back. “Depends on which one is bigger.”

 

“Should we run?” Jenny whispered to me.

 

“Too late, look behind you.” Lygin leaned forwards to hiss at us.

3: Dig or not do dig

Chapter 3: Dig or not to dig version 2

 

“Curiosity did not kill the cat, the dogs did.”

 

Curious, I glanced over my shoulder and came face to face with a black haired girl.

“Ah!” I yelped and fell backwards off the couch in a mixture of fear and surprise.

The black haired girl, whom I knew to be Kayla, just kept smirking evilly down at me.

“Kayla! Leave them be!” Rebecca, Unit 1's other blue belt said as she sauntered into the room.

Kayla frowned and walked around us to sit on the floor. Rebecca pulled up a chair and sat behind her. Lygin offered me a hand and I let her pull me up before sitting down on the couch again.

 

Looks like there all here. I thought nervously. Though I don't see Romeo or Mark or Liam for that matter. But Alex and Bryan are here. So there actually not all here, that's a good thing right? Less people to apologize to. I gave a relieved smile but it faded instantly when a more worrisome thought popped up. Did Shawn really warn them or was he making fun of us?

“Did Shawn actually warn them?” Lygin murmured to me. “I've got the odd impression that they have no idea what's going on...”

“Gee, what gave it away?” I muttered back. “The blank faces or the glares?”

“Think it's the empty look in Gabriel's face...”

I bit back a snort of laughter.

 

“Well?” Kevin snapped. “Spit it out.”

“Umm...” Jenny exchanged a quick glance with me. And then prove she was my best friend for a reason. “Did Shawn tell you we were coming?”

“Shawn?” A spiky haired boy with a headband over his left eye asked

“The green belt in Unit 4, he's the perpetually happy one.” Kevin replied.

“Uhh, no,” Johnathan from Unit 6, drawled out, “Why would he have done that?”

 

I exchanged glances with my friends.

“Never mind then.” Lygin said standing up. “We're sorry for bothering you. If you have any complaints please address them to Shawn.”

“So if you'll excuse us.” I struggled to hold back a grin as we made our way towards the door, leaving the blue belts in shock.

We were almost at the door when it burst open.

 

“Asher! Elana! Silver wants to see you!”

“Whoa!” Jenny yelped jumping backwards.

“What, why? We're on free time!” A girl with a braided ponytail protested.

“Dunno.” Liam answered. “But she said it was urgent.”

“Alright, thanks Liam.” The boy with the head band stood up.

Asher. My mind supplied.

“C'mon, Elana. Better go.” Asher walked out the door.

“Tis a pity.” Elana replied as she strode past us. “Things were just starting to get interesting.”

“Well, we'll be leaving too.” I added and also made my way out the door and walked into something hard for the second time that day.

 

“Ow!” I yelled. “Watch were you're going Rom-ulps.” I chocked back the rest of my sentence, when my brain caught up to the rest of my mouth. If Romeo was here, we couldn't escape. “Run!” I yelled and tried to bolt.

 

Romeo's hand snapped out as I darted past him and caught the collar of my uniform. With the other hand, he blocked Jenny's and Lygin's path.

“Where do you think you're going?” He growled out, glaring down at me with an ice blue gaze.

I just stared up at him, momentarily frozen. Did Romeo always have such a cold gaze? I wondered. Why is he so angry anyways? I only ran into him...

Romeo tsked and dragged me back into the room.

 

“Hey!” I protested. “I was just leaving you know? I have stuff to do! Important stuff!”

“Sit your behinds back down.” Romeo growled at Jen and Lygin before dropping me on the couch.

“What's with him? ” I whined sulkily. "He wasn't this mad earlier."

“It was worth a shot.” Lygin muttered to me.

“S'alright. Thanks for trying.” I hissed back.

“Yeah, it nearly worked.” Jenny added comfortingly. “Romeo showing up was just bad luck.”

 

“Hey! Where've you been?” A pale haired boy called.

Romeo shrugged noncommittally and dropped into a chair.

“Sorry, it was my fault.” Mark apologized as he also walked in.

“Bah! Obviously! It's never Romeo's fault.” Ashlin snorted.

“Thank you Ash, but it really was my fault.” Mark gave a gentle smile and also took a seat.

 

“Where are the boys?” Romeo asked. “Basil not have anything to say?”

“Ha! Did Basil have anything to say?” Johnathan snorted.

“He's real sweet our commander.” Ashlin laughed. “Be surprised if they pull a prank like this for a while, those pots can be brutal on small hands.”

Their scrubbing pots? I'm sorry Patrick, Shane. I thought guiltily.

Romeo laughed. “Ah well, mine will be scrubbing the floors so it evens out.”

 

“That's nice.” A blue belt with short auburn hair spoke up. Idly, she tucked two long strands back behind her ear. “But, why does this necessitate all of us being here?”

A slow smirk lit up Romeo's face.

Uh oh. Here it comes. I thought, tensing.

“Thank you for your question, Macy. It's these three brats here and two more from Ash's unit that we wasted 2 hours looking for.” The brown haired boy lazily waved a hand at us. “You know the emergency situation?”

“Emergency situation?” I whispered to Jenny. “Rain didn't say it was that bad...”

“They seem to think so.” Jenny hissed back.

Yeah. I agreed in my head. And sunk back into the sofa under the stony glares we were receiving. Except for Romeo. Romeo was smirking. Why is he smirking? I wondered. And why doesn't anyone else appear to care!

“Well...” A dark skinned girl sitting next to Macy, rubbed at her neck awkwardly. “I think we should be happy that they're alright, considering what's been going on.”

 

What does she mean? I wondered. What's been going on?

“True, true.” Romeo rested his chin on his fist and stared at Jenny. Jenny jumped and looked over to Lygin. Lygin nudged me. I glared at them.

Honestly! I gave a mental huff. Why do I always have to apologize? All the same I stood up and took a deep breath. Been doing that a lot today, haven't you 'Les? My brain piped up. Shaddup, this is your fault. I thought back. So you admit it's your fault? What! How is it my fault? Well, you're arguing with yourself aren't you, Celestial? I mean I am your brain, aren't I? I'm right. I thought, startled. Why am I even arguing with myself?

“We are terribly sorry for all the trouble we've caused you.” I announced and gave my best bow for the 2^nd time this day. “We-I was not aware there was a meeting and we are sorry that you had to waste two hours looking for us.” Even though, we weren't that far away so you mustn't have been looking hard. I finished mentally.

 

The blue belts exchanged glances, apparently having a silent conversation through shrugs, yawns and scowls.

“It's fine.” Gabriel eventually said. “Just remember for the next time though,” His lips quirked up into a one-sided smirk. “Don't get caught!”

“Gab!” His unit partner, Serin, snapped and cuffed him over the head.

“Ow!” Gabriel whined. “What did you do that for?”

“What he meant to say is, don't skip mandatory meetings and if you plan to leave the dojo remember to tell an adult.” Serin continued, ignoring his teammate.

“Hmm, bout time to wrap this up.” Romeo yawned and checked his watch. “Glenn, Ash, Logan, John, Kev, Alex, Bryan and Mark. Were supposed to check in with the uppers later. Say around...” He paused to think.

“How about after the afternoon walk?” Bryan butted in. “That will give us time to prepare.”

“Sounds fine.” Ashlin stood up and rolled her shoulders. “Kev, why haven't you escorted the brats out yet? Can't be good to leave them in the ocean for to long. They might drown.” She grinned and stalked out of the room.

 

Kevin gave a snort but stood up anyways and motioned at us with one hand.

Taking the hint I followed him back out into the hall, Lygin and Jenny on my heels.

Kevin opened the door out into the main corridor and we filed out. I turned around to thank him for his time but something in Kevin's expression stopped me.

“If you want answers, the 8 twins guard their tongs well. The boy of flames may tell you or the green city may fade. Unity is good but be wary of the mindless.” He slammed the door shut.

 

“Wha... what was that?” I asked the door, slightly perturbed.

“Let's go talk to the boys.” Jenny suggested.

“Aren't they scrubbing pots though?” Lygin asked with a frown.

“Mayhaps. Let's check the sun room first though.” I decided and headed down the hall towards Unit 4's door.

I entered the hall and then took the 2^nd door on the right, also known as our sun room. With practiced ease I tossed my sword on the couch and headed over to the door separating us from Unit 5.

 

“Hi!” I called to Annie as I strolled in.

The long haired girl didn't deign glance up from her book, but waved a foot at us.

“Hi.” Grunted Brooke from where he was splayed out on the floor.

Riel not here? I wondered, but didn't bother to ask seeing as how I was already at Unit six's door.

Like before I just waltzed in. Patrick and Shane were seated at the desk, writing something.

“Yay! You're not scrubbing pots!” I cheered.

 

“No longer scrubbing pots.” Patrick corrected and glanced over his shoulder.

“No thanks to you.” Shane added.

I shuffled my feet under his glower and tried to at least look guilty.

“That look does not work on you.” Shane snorted and went back to his study book.

“Hey!” I yelped. “Pay attention!”

“Where are Jen and Lygin?” Patrick asked.

“On their way.” I replied huffily. Should I wait for them? I wondered and then decided not too.

“You'll never guess what I found out!” I chirped and sat down on their desk.

 

“Where have I heard that before?” Shane groaned.

Patrick merely closed his study book and looked at me patiently.

“You didn't wait for us!” Lygin hollered as she entered and saw me seated with the boys.

“I haven't started yet!” I protested. Jenny followed Lygin in with a bowl of popcorn in her arms. She shut the door and the two came over to join us.

“So! What has she babbled about already?” Jenny asked.

“Nothing!” I whined back.

“Start already,” Shane complained, “It's almost dinner time.”

“Okay! Okay!” I answered “Here goes.”

 

“You know how Mark told Romeo they had a meeting, right?”

“Yeah.” Patrick replied slowly, while Shane looked interested.

“Well, he lied!” I said excitedly, “Apparently, all the blue belts were out looking for us, so there's no way they could have had a meeting! Mark showed up 'cause Romeo was talking to much!”

I was really happy with my theory until Shane asked, “How do you know he wasn't getting him for a meeting before the search?”

I opened my mouth to reply, then realized I didn't know.

Luckily, Patrick said, “Because from what I found out the meeting was only half an hour and we were gone for an hour and ten. Therefore, it took Romeo 40 minutes to find us.”

Shane nodded but he still didn't look convinced so Jenny piped in “Plus, Fire told us it wasn't true!” That settled it.

“Okay, okay!” Shane held his hands up, “Your theory still stands!”

 

I sent him a quick grin before continuing. “So, anyways like right after we got back to the dojo and got chewed out guess who we ran into?”

“Don't know.” Patrick replied quickly. I'm guessing that he said it in the interest of saving time.

“Sky ran right into Shawn!” Jenny announced with a wide grin.

That got the boys attention all right. They were mouth agape and everything.

I was about to continue my story when Brook popped his head through the door. I waved at him and the boys tilted their heads back to see who it was.

 

“Heya Brook!” Patrick greeted him with a smile, “Something you need?”

Brook gave a slow smirk before replying “I was gonna tell you that the dinner bell rang a couple of minutes ago. Though I hope I wasn't interrupting anything.”

I gaped upon realizing that that was Brook's away of telling us to keep it down.

“Basil has requested that we all bring our swords.” Brooke continued. “Ciao!” The brown haired boy walked back out the door.

Jenny sniffed at the air and her eyes lit up. “Pizza!” She hollered and bolted out the door faster than I could say mouse.

“Jeesh. I wasn't finished!” I complained but chased after her anyways, the others on my heels.

“Don't forget your sword, Sky.” Lygin reminded me as we bounded into our sun room.

“Right, thanks!” I veered off track to grab my sword before chasing after the others. We burst out of unit 1's sun room in time to join the last of the crowd. I purposefully sat with my back to yellow belt Jordan, with the intention of leaning back to talk to him once the meal had started. As soon as said meal had started I leaned backwards and gently bonked my head against Jordan's.

 

“Ow.” The older boy frowned at me.

“Yellow belt meeting before lights out. Pass it on.” I whispered back with an apologetic smile.

“Fine.” Jordan sighed and went back to eating.

“Whad'ya do that for?” Jenny asked.

“I was thinking about what Kevin said.” I replied “You know the thing about unity? I figured that if we put our heads together we could figure out want the rest means.

“Good thinking.” Lygin grinned at me.

 

I took a slice of pepperoni pizza and turned to socialize with the only orange belt in our Unit, Ryan.

“Hey Ryan!” I greeted him.

The russet haired boy nodded back.

“Do you mind if I pick your brains a bit?” I asked with my best smile.

Swallowing his mouthful of pizza Ryan replied, “nothing too hard please.”

“Okay here goes, question number 1 is how old is Shawn?” I grinned at him.

“12, right?” Ryan replied, eyebrows scrunching down.

“I think so, you joined up a year before I did, right?”

“Yeah, in 3008.” Ryan replied.

“Kay. Do you know what belt Shawn was, when you joined?” I asked.

“I'm pretty sure Shawn was an orange belt.” Ryan answered, his head titled to the side in thought.

So he was an orange belt, three years ago. That doesn't match what he said. So whose telling the truth? I wondered.

“Alright, then.” I smiled more to myself then at Ryan. “Last question, how old are you?”

“I'm 13, why?” Ryan helped himself to another slice of pizza, looking suspicious.

“And you don't find it odd that Shawn, whose 12, is a green belt but was an orange belt when you were a white belt?” I asked triumphantly.

“You said last question, Sky.” Ryan frowned at me.

“Sorry, sorry! This really is the last one.” I grinned at him.

“Okay then,” Ryan paused to think. “Shawn's a genius, but I have no idea as to why he's still a green belt. As I recall, he promoted to green when I turned yellow. Though, why don't~”

 

“Yo, Ry!”

“Ah. Yes, Romeo?” Ryan turned away to address the blue belt.

“Pass the cheese, will ya?” Romeo demanded rather than asked.

“Sure.” Ryan complied reaching past me to retrieve the cheese bowl.

“Thanks Ryan!” I bent forwards and kissed his cheek before going back to my pizza. I'd read somewhere that that made boys happy, so I figured I’d try it out. The cool thing about Ryan was that he didn't talk much, had good ears and was really smart.

 

After dinner, us yellows got our study books out and went to the library.

“I promised to help Rose out with her German, you okay by yourself?” Lygin asked as we set up at an empty table.

“Ja! Ja!” I waved her off and sat down.

“Going to go look something up.” Jenny informed me and also left.

 

I sighed as I got out my math homework. Why are you still here? I asked it. How come you haven't escaped while I wasn't paying attention? The blank sheet of question refused to provide an answer. I sighed again and thought, why must my least favorite things like running and math still exist but awesome stuff like the kingdom of Prussia dissapeared?

 

“May I be of assistance?

A breath of air trickled past my ear. I screamed, launching myself backwards and swung my math book around behind me.

“Whoa! Sky! It's just me!”

“Oh. Hello, Cassiel.”I huffed down at the boy who was now sitting on the ground arms raised to shield his face.

“Why must you try to mar my face each time, extend upon you my aid?” Cassiel wailed comically as he stood back up, one hand pressed to his chest.

“If you didn't try to scare me, each time. Your face wouldn't be in danger.” I resumed my seat with another huff. “Now, get over here and help me. I've got stuff to do.”

Cassiel laughed but sat down beside me.

“What don't you understand?” He asked.

“None of it.” I told him loftily. “Hold on a sec, I've got to write something down.

 

Cassiel sighed but started reading over the exercises, while I carefully printed out what Kevin had said on 8 separate pieces of paper.

“What are you writing?” Cassiel inquired.

“Some stuff, that Kev told me, you'll find out at the meeting.” I replied as I put the final period. “Finished!” I cheered.

“Good for you.” Cassiel snorted. “Now pay attention. I refuse to do all the work for you again.”

“Aww, c'mon.” I whined. “Why you so stingy?”

“Why you so stingy?” Cassiel repeated, looking confused.

“Yes, yes.” I waved a hand. “Why are you so stingy?”

“I am not stingy!” Cassiel huffed. “What is stingy anyways?”

“Ah.” I faltered, thinking. “How best to explain..? I know!”

“Yes?” Cassiel asked.

“Souji is stingy!” I told him cheerfully.

“Souji?” Cassiel looked startled. “I see, so Souji is stingy. I think I understand.”

 

“Yay!” I cheered. “So now, explain the exercises.”

“Sure.” Cassiel agreed, still looking thoughtful though.

After study hall, we left the library and met up with all the yellow belts at the dead oak.

“We shouldn't stay here.” Jenny remarked worriedly.

“Yeah, it's too cold.” Patrick complained.

“Never fear!” I chirped. “I am here!”

“That's exactly why were worried.” Shane grumbled.

“Hey!” I yelped. “That was mean!”

 

“Yes, yes, it's cold. What did you what to talk about?” Billy interrupted.

“Ah, right.” I shook my head to clear it, and took a deep breath. “Okay! This is really important, I'm going to give you all a sheet of paper per Unit and I'll need you to help me figure out what the puzzle means and who it's talking about.”

“I beg your pardon?” A dark haired boy, who bore a slight resemblance to Cassiel asked.

“What's it for?” Billy's partner, Dallas questioned. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the tree. “Some of us are pretty busy, we don't got time for kiddy games, Sky.”

 

I glared at him.

 

“It's not a kiddy game!” Jenny snapped coming to my defense. “Sky's correct, it's important. This is about what Kev said, right?” She glanced up at me.

“Yes, thank you, Jen. The rest of you, gimme a second to explain.” I replied before launching into the shortest recap, I could come up with. “Earlier, when we were talking to the blue belts, Kevin said something really interesting.”

“What did he say and which Kevin are we referring to?” Michael asked.

“If you'd stop interrupting!” I snapped at the 11 year old.

“The one from your unit, not mine.” Patrick cut in.

 

“Anyways!” I huffed. “Kevin said; that if we wanted answers, the 8 twins guard their tongs well. The boy of flames may tell you or the green city may fade. Unity is good but be wary of the mindless. Which is why I want your help.” Rapidly I handed a piece of paper to Cassiel, Souji, Patrick, Rose, Jordan, Annie and Billy.

“Curfew is in 5 minutes.” Shane commented.

“Great. Please refrain from telling anyone else about this.” I grinned around at my fellow yellow belts. “Oh and last thing, Rose?”

“Yeah?” The youngest yellow belt replied.

“Asher and Elana, ran out in the middle of the meeting. Could you find out what that was about, please?” I watched her reaction carefully.

“Sure! You got any bucks?” Rose grinned back, oblivious to my staring.

“5 bucks, okay?” I asked relieved that she apparently hadn't known.

“Sure!”

 

"Okay then, that was it thanks for coming everyone! Sweet dreams!” I chirped.

“Yeah, yeah.” Austin grumbled and muttered something to Billy who laughed.

“What's so funny?” I snapped, glowering at the 12 year olds.

“Nothing, kid.” Billy smiled back at me. “Be careful with this talent of sniffing around though, be troublesome if you got in trouble, wouldn't it?”

“Which would not happen because everyone can hold a secret right?” Cassiel demanded, stalking up to my side.

“ 'Course.” Billy waved a hand, that was not the trouble I was referring to though. G'night kiddos.” He and Austin left, the others followed them shortly after.

 

 

“Well that went well.” I sighed as Jen, Lygin and I walked back up to the dojo.

“It could have gone worse.” Lygin agreed.

“Austin's such a brat!” I complained.

“Perhaps.” Jenny murmured, looking thoughtful.

“Wach'ya thinking about?” I asked, glancing at her curiously.

“Nothing.” Jenny shook her head.

“You sure?” I asked, not quite believing her.

“Yes!” Jenny grinned at me. “Race ya to the dorms!” She took off.

“Hey!” I protested and charged after her, Lygin easily keeping pace besides me.

 

“G'night!” I called as I crawled under my covers.

“Night!” Jenny tossed back.

“Good night.” Lygin called from across the room.

 

I curled up tighter under my covers, unable to stop the feeling that something important was brewing and at the center was that strange blue belt.

4: The Teuton Express

Chapter 6: The Teuton Express

 

“If you get angry, you can bet on it that we'll win.”

 

I didn't mention to Jen and Lygin about what Fire told me but my guilt-o meter was sky high. I eventually caved and told that he'd been testing my horsemanship. I wondered what Souji had told his friends but I didn't see him at dinner.

 

“Meeting after dinner?” Jenny asked me.

 

“You run it.” I replied, shaking my head. “I'm cooked so I think I'll turn in early."

 

“You're tired?” Jenny looked surprised.

 

“Later.” I hissed at her.

 

“Alright.” Jenny frowned and went back to eating.

 

“If we hurry. We can still turn in early.” Jenny insisted as she dragged me towards the door.

 

“I said...that I was tired!” I protested.

 

“Which is why we're hurrying. Stop complaining.” Lygin retorted.

 

“Fine, alright, just this once.” I grumbled and stopped dragging my feet.

 

“Oy! Triplets, where are you off too?” Alex called after us.

 

“We're just going to the park, Alex. We won't be out long.” Lygin tossed back.

 

“Alright, looks like we all made it.” Jenny chirped as she counted heads.

 

“Except for Riel.” I corrected, sprawling myself out on the rope swing and grinning down at them.

 

“Yeah, but you said, he ran off somewhere, so...” Lygin shrugged as she took a seat.

 

“Okay guys and gals! Let's keep this short, Cassiel whad'ya learn?” I asked, once everyone had settled in.

 

Cassiel glanced up at me, then leaned over to confer with Souji before announcing, “Austin is Blade's little brother.”

 

“Wha?” Annie yelped.

 

“Where did that come from?” Shane asked. “They're never together!”

 

“Agreed.” Cassiel nodded. “Austin said that they were not that close and that the reason we train comes from the green.”

 

“So where back to green, hunh?” Lygin grumbled.

 

“Hey Sky, what did you three learn?” Jordan asked.

 

“Glad you asked!” I chirped. “So me an' my mates, learned a lot. First of all we got dragged into a commander meeting and discovered what Asteroides were!” I rapidly summarized how the meeting had gone.

 

The information on the Asteroides left us all stunned. Even though I'd already heard the stuff saying it out loud somehow made it feel more real.

 

“So you're saying that four armed monsters could be anywhere?” Patrick asked.

 

“Not exactly, I doubt they'd be this far in.” Billy countered, reasonably.

 

Depends on where the border is. I thought and remembered something. When I'd been talking about Asters, Billy and Dallas had been the only ones not to look shocked. Does that mean, they already knew? I wondered.

 

SHAPE SHIFTER

 

I jumped and nearly fell off my seat.

 

“You alright?”

 

I glanced to my left, Jenny was watching me worriedly.

 

“I'm fine, just zoned out for a second.” I assured her.

 

“You know there's a curfew for a reason.”

 

I jumped for a second time and glanced up.

 

A strange girl with curly brown hair and a smile, carefully stepped into the middle of our circle.

 

How'd she get there? I wondered. When..? How come nobody noticed?!

 

Like the girl from earlier, she was dressed in black but a silver whale adorned her chest.

 

My co-belts scrambled to their feet, moving so that the girl was facing us instead of being surrounded.

 

“Who are you?” Brooke asked sharply, one hand on his sword hilt.

 

“Hello Brooke.” The girl smiled back peaceably.

 

“How do you know my name?” The 11 year old questioned, taking a step back.

 

“What's your name?” Dallas asked sharply.

 

“My name is...” The stranger's smile faded for a brief moment.

 

Somethings wrong. I thought, alarmed. Who forgets their own name?

 

“Maggie!”

 

The girl spun around, facing the direction of the call. As she turned, I saw her eyes flash silver.

 

An ice covered horizon flashed before my eyes.

 

“No way... she can't be.” I murmured, feeling a drop of sweat slid down my forehead.

 

“Maggie and Nicholas are dead.”

 

“Run!” I yelled. “She's an Asteroide!”

 

The yellow belts screeched and ran in all directions.

 

Maggie snarled and turned towards me, her entire body glowing silver now. I jumped off the rope net and drew my sword. Jenny and Lygin stepped back to my sides.

 

“Shouldn't we be running?” Lygin asked conversationally, drawing her sword.

 

“I conquer to that plan.” Jenny replied as she widened her stance and fixed her grip.

 

“Now where's the fun in that?” I chirped, ignoring the majority of my brain that was screaming at me to run.

 

Maggie but not Maggie hissed something in a language that I didn't know and drew a curved sword.

 

Uh oh. I thought.

 

The wannabe Maggie took a step forwards.

 

“Hey ugly!” The voice from before hollered.

 

Maggie turned and her weapon clashed with Romeo's sword. Without sparing us a glance our senior belt ordered, “Run!”

 

I bolted, not needing to be told twice.

 

Somehow we made it back to the dojo and amazingly it looked like none of my friends had been eaten. Though Jordan was hopping around on one foot and Billy along with Dallas seemed to be getting chewed out by commander Dorian. We were ushered into the center of the dojo by Blue Belt Alexandra.

 

I looked around noting that all the exits had brown belts at them with their swords drawn. I felt of a wave of fear and promptly plopped down on the ground.

 

“All Clear!”

 

I looked up, Star was padding over from the direction of the girl's stair case.

 

“Clear.”

 

I glanced behind me, Mark was strolling over, a bored expression gracing his face.

 

I felt relieved but still I couldn't stop shaking. Jenny and Lygin sitting beside me were no better. I watched the entrance waiting for Romeo to come back and wondering if my latest stunt had got him in trouble. I mean I knew he and Mark were supposed to keep an eye on me and my friends but I was always trying to give them the slip. To my intense relief Romeo chose that moment to saunter back in.

 

His uniform was darker than before, but he was grinning when he called out; “I confirm Suzanne, Maggie is dead.”

 

“Why is that funny?” Lygin muttered.

 

“No clue.” I replied, shrugging and watched Romeo stretch as he sauntered over to Mark. I looked around and spotted Souji slipping into the bathroom with a strange bundle under his arm.

 

What's he carrying? I wondered. I was tempted to follow him but Fire turned then and called me over. Not out loud mind you but with his eyes. I stood up and walked over,.

 

“Sir?”

 

“There's been a change of plans. You're leaving now.” Fire ordered and handed me a bundle.

 

“Now?!” I yelped. “But...”

 

Fire ruffled my hair, a rare gesture from him so I stopped talking.

 

“The moon is full tonight, you'll be fine.” Fire murmured. All the same I couldn't stop shaking, so he added, “It's 6 o'clock now, the sun sets at 7:30 but the moon should give you enough light by 9 o'clock and you'll be there by midnight.”

 

“B-but what about-t Maggies and not-t M-Maggies.” I stuttered out.

 

Fire bit his lower lip and I realized that he really didn't want to send me anywhere. “I'll ask Romeo and Mark to scour the area but I can't afford to send them past the borders.” He eventually answered.

 

“Thanks.” I muttered whilst nodding even though I had no idea what scour meant. I went into the girl's bathroom and emptied the bundle on the floor. It turned out too be a bag wrapped in a black cloak. Out of the bag I pulled a uniform much like my own but it was all black and you pulled it on instead of wrapping it on. I changed into it pretty easily but the belt was really troublesome, not that it was hard to attach but, my fingers were numb and wouldn't work properly.

 

Get it together, Sky! I mentally snarled. You're not a baby! Fire's counting on you.

 

“It's alright. I got it.” A pair of hands settled over mine and moved mine out of the way. I jumped slightly, but Star just smiled gently at me.

 

The older girl fixed my uniform silently, attaching my belt and cloak. I inspected the silver wolf on my chest while I waited. When Star was done I opened my mouth to speak but she kissed my forehead and whispered, “You'll be fine.”

 

But will I? I wanted to whine. You can't know that. I don't even know how to use a sword! Plus Souji is a jerk, why can't I go with my sisters or even Pat and Shane. I didn't say anything though, just nodded mutely.

 

The brown haired girl then picked up the only remaining item and handed it over. It was a small black backpack that fit perfectly between my shoulder blades.

 

“You look good.” Star gave a nod of approval and walked out.

 

I chased after, doing my best to remain hidden by her shadow. I didn't dare glance around in case Jen or Lygin caught my gaze, but I still had the feeling of being watched. I scooted closer to Star but my back still felt like there was a huge red target painted on it.

 

Whom ever is glaring, kindly desist. I thought with a growl and glared over my shoulder. My eyes met Cassiel's and for a moment I was frozen. I couldn't see his eyes but I felt a wave of something wash over me through his gaze. I bolted.

 

What was that about? I wondered as I followed Star to the stables.

 

“Which horse are you riding?” Star asked.

 

“Blanco.” I replied, and did a double take when I noticed Souji's head over the stalls.

 

“I'll fetch his tack, you go brush him.” Star ordered.

 

When'd Souji get so tall? I thought as I jogged over to Blanco's stall, and quickly brushed his coat.

 

“Move over, Sky.”

 

I stepped aside and watched with awe as Star rapidly saddled Blanco.

 

“C'mere. I'll give you a lift.” Star motioned at me.

 

I nodded mutely again and joined her. Star gave me a leg up, took the brush from me and lead Blanco out of the stall.

 

“Duh! He's sitting on Toshiro.” I said, watching Souji follow us out.

 

“What?” Star glanced up at me.

 

“Hunh?” I glanced at her.

 

“You said something.” Star frowned.

 

“Oh, sorry I was thinking aloud.” I muttered, slightly embarrassed.

 

“No sweat, no sweat.” Star smiled. “I do that a lot too. It just means your thoughts are too big to keep to yourself. ” The older girl grinned at me.

 

“I like that logic!” I beamed back.

 

Star nodded and stopped besides the mounting fence. I checked my watch and gasped, the time read: 6:17. I’d never changed and tacked so fast in my life! I thought excitedly.

 

Souji and Suzanne joined us and the two purple belts walked us to a trail leading down into the forest only to stop again.

 

“What are we waiting for?” Souji asked.

 

“Romeo and Mark.” I replied, pleased that I knew the answer.

 

“They'll be here shortly.” Star confirmed, she rubbed at her left shoulder absentmindedly.

 

Two horses soon trotted up. Romeo sat astride a large gray mare named Megaplaude. Mark rode a black stallion called Kohiya? Hiyako? I was never sure.

 

“All clear.” Romeo said and I noticed then that their horses bore no tack. I was about too ask why when Romeo nudged Megaplaude forwards and removed two bracelets from his wrist. He gave me one and one to Souji, I looked at mine curiously. It seemed to be made of three leather bands entwined together, there was a small green stone set in what I guessed was the front. I put it on and sent Romeo an inquiring glance.

 

“Good luck charms.” The blue belt explained and rode past us.

 

Did he make these? I wondered but didn't dare ask.

 

Mark gave us a brief smile and reached ut to clap us on the back as he moved past. His horse though snapped his teeth threateningly. I felt Blanco flinch and barely had time to grab a handful of his mane before he leapt forwards.

 

I sat up straight and whoad Blanco until he slowed down snorting and tossing his head. I laughed though even to my ears it sounded awfully stressed. Souji also slowed down to a walk before stopping to wait for me. I trotted to catch up and we entered the forest.

 

I've been in here plenty of times before. I thought, glancing around. So why does it only now feel so scary? Was it always this dark? I continued looking around, wondering if I'd be able to tell if an Asteroide was near. My instincts had already warned me twice but I didn't know if they were always so accurate. I frowned, settling down in the saddle for a deep think.

 

“It's alright, we've ridden here plenty of times. I know the trail.” My partner commented.

 

I jumped slightly and glanced over at Souji.

 

Wow, he's being nice. I thought he didn't like me. I smiled back at him we both sunk into silence deep in our own thoughts.

 

I let Blanco have his head and hoped he wouldn't spook before thinking back onto what I knew about my, for lack of a better word, instincts and deja-viewing.

 

I was born on April 9^th in the year 3000. My Father was a black smith named Logan, I thought he was really good and neighboring villages often sent their sons to learn from him for a year or two. Though since William had moved in, my father didn't do that anymore instead he traveled or hosted day long lessons. I liked William a lot, he never tattled on me and always knew the answers to my questions. He was really strong too, though he wasn't interested in joining a dojo. Instead he wanted to join the city guards. Honestly. I gave a huff and ducked under a low branch.

 

“What's the difference, Blanco?” I muttered in my horse's ear. “They both teach swordsmanship.”

 

Blanco snorted and twitched his ear.

 

“Yeah, I know.” I grumbled. “It makes no sense to me either.”

 

I sat up straight again. My mother, whose name I was so jealous of because it was gorgeous, was a beer mistress. An a famous one at that, everybody knew the name Aimsíodh. Though for some reason people preferred to call her Amy. Anyways what was my first deja-view? Was it the one in the arena or in the blacksmith? I released the reigns and stretched my hands up above my head.

 

“The one in the smithy.” I decided. “Now what year was that?”

 

If I joined in 3008, was born in 3000 but can't remember anything before my 3^rd birthday, it must have been in 3004. Pleased with my math I pumped my fist in the air.

 

Good, Sky. I thought concentrating again.

 

Now what was it about, you were in the Smithy watching Dad and you saw something. What was it that you saw? Biting my lower lip, I tried to recall how the smithy looked in my head. I wasn't allowed in there since I'd accidentally dropped a hammer on Dad's foot. Concentrate! I scolded myself and shook my head. There had been somebody standing out the anvil but they were too thin to have been Dad. They turned and said something but I could never remember their face. Though I was positive it had been a girl, with skin a tad darker then mine.

 

“Did you ever regret coming here?”

 

“Hunh?” Was my superb response as I jerked out of my thoughts. Honestly, Souji! I growled mentally. I was thinking about important stuff!

 

Souji frowned at me almost as if he'd read my thought. “Did you, Sky, ever regret coming here, joining this dojo?” He repeated slowly.

 

He wasn't being rude but his way of talking down still rankled my skin. Two can play this game, I growled again in my head.

 

“Nope!” I chirped with my silliest grin. “I love it here! Though I do miss my parents a bit.”

 

Souji nodded.

 

“How about~”

 

“Do you want to trot?” Souji interrupted.

 

I frowned but glanced down at my watch. It was only 7 o'clock.

 

“Sure!” I conceded.

 

Back to my thoughts, I thought with a pleased smirk. Souji's not a talker so there's no way he'd want to have a conversation with me.

 

“How long have you known the other yellow belts in your unit?” Souji asked, once again startling me.

 

“Wha? You mean, Jen and Lygin?” I asked, surprised.

 

“Yes.” Souji nodded seriously.

 

“I dunno.” I shrugged. “We grew up in the same village. Jennifer's parents own the village sheep and Lygin's are the town Butchers. I've known them for as long as I can remember.”

 

“I see. How about Blanco?”

 

“No fair!” I protested. “My turn to ask a question!”

 

“Ah. Alright then.” Souji dipped his head in agreement. Though it was probably just to hide his frown. I thought.

 

“So whose your roommate?” I asked. “Since you're the only yellow in Unit 1.”

 

“Cassiel.” Souji answered with a slight smile.

 

Wow! I got him to smile! I thought with a pleased smile of my own.

 

“You're turn.” I motioned when Souji remained quiet for a bit too long.

 

“How long have you had Blanco?”

 

“Blanco? He's actually new to the fold. When I first joined my Dad gave him to me. He was the payment for a trade and since I ride...” I shrugged. “Fire wasn't to impressed with my sword play but he liked my horsemanship so he let me keep him.”

 

“I see. Somehow, I am not surprised.” Souji stated. “Still he is quite handsome.”

 

“Really? You think so?” I beamed and patted Blanco's neck. “Here that, Marshmallow? You're handsome!”

 

Blanco snorted and shook out his mane.

 

“Have you ever seen an Asteroide?” I asked.

 

“Not in person, no.” Souji answered.

 

“Ah. Okay.” I stretched and yawned widely.

 

“Did you...” Souji started but then stopped.

 

“What?” I asked, sending him an odd look.

 

“No, never mind.” Souji shook his head and went back to staring at the trees.

 

“Fine.” I huffed and went back to my own thoughts.

 

What's the difference between instinct and deja-viewing? I asked my inner self. Instinct is when you know somethings wrong, but you're not sure what. Deja-viewing is that weird thing you do with all the colored strings. True, I agreed. But then how can I explain the shape shifter thoughts or that weird echoing voice by the lake. Is that deja-viewing or is that instinct? How would I know? I thought back irritably. I don't know more then you. Which is why you're arguing with yourself again, right? True. I let out a snort, before thinking, I wish Jenny was here. Then I'd at least sound sane. Depends on how you would define sane. I laughed at my own humor. How many deja-views have I had since I joined PreuBisch? I don't know, do the math. I snorted again.

 

“Let's see.” I murmured. “There was the one with Fire and Ethan's brother, there was the one with the ice covered room/(still deciding between Fire and Rey) oh and that one when I'd been here for a month. What was it about again?” but as usual my mind drew up a blank, I only remembered waking up in the infirmary and being sore all over. Oh well, what ever. I thought grumpily, might as well change the subject. How about I work some more on that Scientific Dream story ark. I was just getting to the part where they had to build a portal when Blanco jumped.

 

“Waaa?!” I screeched grabbing a fistful of Blanco's mane and barely keeping my balance.

 

“You know...”

 

I looked at Souji who was, surprise, frowning at me.

 

“What was the point of warning you if you were going to scream anyways?” Souji asked with a sigh.

 

“Sorry.” I muttered embarrassed and after I’d managed to calm my beating heart down some added, “I didn't here you.”

 

“I noticed.” Souji replied. I glanced around noticing in turn that the sun had almost set.

 

“What time is it?” Souji asked me.

 

“8:15.” I answered, checking my watch.

 

“Which means we have a little under 4 hours left, correct?” Souji said.

 

“Yeah, till midnight.” I agreed.

 

We remained at a walk for the next half hour and the sun had set when we came out of the forest.

 

The ground seemed darker in front of me but I didn't realize that was a problem until Blanco hopped and splashed water everywhere. I yelped upon feeling the cold liquid sink into my pants.

 

“Blanco! You could have told me there was a river!” I scolded.

 

My pony ignored me and kept right on drinking occasionally pawing at the water's surface. I heard laughter behind me and turned to glare at Souji. The older boy was still safely on the bank but now he came down and joined me still snickering.

 

“What's so funny?” I snapped.

 

“That you actually expect your horse to tell you there was a stream.” Souji replied.

 

“So? He speaks English ya know!” I retorted with an embarrassed huff.

 

“Right.” Souji drawled “Come on let us cross.”

 

I nudged Blanco out into the water, luckily it didn't seem to deep so I wasn't getting wet. I glanced behind to stretch my back and saw a flash of silver.

 

“Asteroide!” I yelled and clapped my heels to Blanco's side, he took off like an arrow. I heard something splash in the waters behind me but I wasn't going to stop and check. Blanco scrambled up the opposite bank and I shifted into half-seat clinging to his mane. Toshiro was behind me for once. We didn't stop or slow our gallop until the moon had risen and even then it was only because Blanco stumbled.

 

All four of us where panting but when I read my watch it only read 11:15.

 

“Only an hour left!” I told Souji excitedly.

 

“I don't think we ran in a straight path, Commander Fire said there was a turn somewhere.” Souji replied, looking about.

 

I huffed at him and looked to my right. What's that flickering in the distance? I thought curiously. It looks an awful lot like... I halted Blanco and stood up in the stirrups in order to see better.

 

“What now?” Souji asked as he also stopped.

 

“Lights!” I yelled pointing happily.

 

I took off at a trot in that direction.

 

“Hey! Wait a minute!” Souji protested and trotted after me. “Where do you think you are going?”

 

“Towards the lights. Where else?” I replied with a huff.

 

“You don't know that!” Souji protested.

 

“Don't know that? Is that English?” I retorted, glancing over at him.

 

“You know what I meant!” Souji snapped with a glower.

 

“Did I?” I laughed. “Maybe I did, maybe I didn't!”

 

“Sky!” Souji snapped.

 

“Halt! Who goes there?”

 

How rude! I thought but halted Blanco anyways. Not far in front of me was a darker shadow, that was where the voice had come from.

 

“Souji and Sky of Dojo PreuBish!” Souji called back.

 

“With a message from Commander Fire to Commander Robin!” I added.

 

“Alright. Do not move.” A shadow detached itself from the rest and walked over carrying a red glow.

 

Where's the please? I thought, feeling my pet peeve start to growl. I don't mind it when my friends are rude but I'd never met this guy! I thought and huffed for good measure.

 

The guard finally reached us, he lifted the lantern and briefly scanned us before turning and walking away.

 

“Hey!” I yelped.

 

“Be patient, Sky.” Souji ordered.

 

“But!” I started to protest.

 

“Alright, you may enter.” The guard called back from his shadowy hole. “Ride forwards and mind the gate.”

 

Feeling just a tad bit nervous, I nudged Blanco forwards. He snorted but warily approached the shadows. The guard stepped aside, holding up his lantern so I wouldn't run into the gate. I stopped not far past the entrance when two more shadowy guards appeared holding lanterns. Souji maneuvered to my side before also halting.

 

“Dismount.” The tallest guard ordered.

 

What's the magic word? I thought automatically as I gingerly slid down Blanco's side.

 

“You're just a kid!”

 

“Why yes! Yes I am!” I snapped back at the smallest guard, feeling offended.

 

The guard had the guts to not look abashed, merely spinning on his heels and ordering, “Follow me. Your horses will be taken to the stables. Do try and keep up.”

 

Just how rude can you get! I thought and resisted the urge to ask him where he'd learned his manners. I stalked into the dojo but as soon as I crossed the doorway, I forgot my annoyance. I wanted to stop and gape but Souji was stepping on my heels and I didn't want to lose the guard. I did catch the fact though, that the main floor was circular with evenly spaced doors.

 

The guard led us to one in the back and opened it. I stalked past him with my nose in the air, in order to express my dissatisfaction with his hospitality. This at least looks like our dojo, I thought as I stared down the long hallway. The guard stalked past me and lead us too another door too our right. He knocked sharply on it. It opened after a few minutes and we came face to face with a boy a couple of years older then us.

 

That's a really weird uniform. Was my first thought. It's sort of like my black uniform but it had white sleeves and the cuffs of his sleeves as well as his shirt were of a dark color. He was also wearing a simple black belt.

 

“Yes?” The boy questioned, looking bored he idly gave us a once over before directing his gaze to the guard.

 

“Two messengers for Commander Robin.” The guard replied.

 

The boy nodded and spun on his heels, stalking back into his lair.

 

“Follow him.” The guard ordered and dismissed himself.

 

“Why is everyone so grumpy?” I hissed at Souji.

 

“Perhaps because it is a quarter to midnight?” Souji replied quietly.

 

The boy led us to a door at the end of a short hallway. He entered without waiting for us, so we did the same.

 

“Two for ya, Ryan.” The boy announced before plopping down in a chair and picking up a book.

 

“Ryan?” I repeated.

 

“I believe we were sent for Commander Robin!” Souji protested.

 

The Ryan in question looked up from a pile of paperwork, fixing us with sharp brown eyes.

 

He looks no older then Romeo, I thought surprised. Though I doubt Romeo would ever be caught doing paper work.

 

“You look tired, why are you doing paperwork?” I asked, snapping out of my thoughts.

 

Ryan blinked at me with a deer caught under the lantern look

 

“What?” I asked, surprised by his reaction. “Why are you looking at me oddly? My question was pretty straight forwards...?”

 

“Sky...” My partner sighed out in a disapproving tone.

 

I tensed and glanced over at Souji thinking, what? What I'd do now?

 

“He was just saying that Commander Robin was currently unavailable.” Souji continued, matching a disapproving look to his tone.

 

“Oh, okay.” I replied. “No need too glare, I don't mind if you continue.”

 

Souji made an odd sound that resembled somebody trying not to snort or humph.

 

“As I was saying,” Ryan continued. “The Commander is currently unavailable. How may I be of assistance?”

 

I glanced over at Souji in time to see him open his mouth so I stomped on his foot.

 

“Ow!” Yelped Souji, hopping in place. “What was that for?”

 

“You had your grouchy face on.” I replied in a duh tone of voice. “So I figured that you weren’t going to say something nice.”

 

Souji glowered at me, obviously at odds with my logic. I ignored him and spun back towards Ryan.

 

“We have an urgent message for the Teuton Express, my Commander said to remain until we get an answer. My companion and I are tired though, do you have anything to eat?” I announced as professionally as I could.

 

Ryan looked relieved and he smiled. Kind of like Mark or Ryan do when the questions I ask them aren't hard to answer. I thought, with a degree of amusement.

 

“That I can do, Grayson!” Ryan called.

 

The boy who had let us in looked up from his book, arching an eyebrow.

 

“Fetch food for this pair of hungry travelers, please.” Ryan requested.

 

“Must I?” Grayson sighed but got up anyways and padded into a side room.

 

“You may have a seat if you wish.” Ryan motioned at the armchairs before glancing back down at his paperwork.

Taking the hint, I said down in a green armchair. Souji did the same but his was blue.

 

Grayson soon came back with two plates containing sandwiches and chips.

 

It was then that I noticed that the coloring on his uniform was actually green.

 

“You're a green belt!” I exclaimed.

 

“And you're a yellow belt.” Grayson replied matter of factly as he set the food down on a low table.

 

“Am not!” I protested, easily picking up a banter friendly environment.

 

“Busted!” Souji said at the same time with an amused smile before digging into his food.

 

“Traitor.” I grumbled at him but decided I was to hungry to bother arguing.

 

“That was yummy!” I announced and licked my chops, regretting that I was not rude enough to ask for seconds.

 

“I agree, thank you for the meal.” Souji gave a respectful nod to Grayson.

 

“So how did you know?” I asked Grayson.

 

The green belt huffed and pointedly turned a page in his book.

 

“Oh! C'mon!” I whined. “Tell me! Tell me!”

 

“Figure it out for yourself.” Grayson replied.

 

“Grayson.”

 

Ryan had merely said his name but something in his tone reminded me of Lygin.

 

“All green belts and up visit different dojos.” Grayson snapped with a glower. “The fact that you were surprised marks you as an orange or yellow belt, since white belts are neither allowed to ride horses or carry swords.”

 

“I could have been an orange belt.” I grumbled, even though I knew it wasn't true. I was the third shortest yellow belt so that meant people often thought I was younger than 10.

 

“But you're not.” Grayson turned the next page in his book.

 

I opened my mouth to retort something but the sound of a door shutting made me close it.

 

“I hope I'm not interrupting something?”

 

I looked over and spotted an adult that I assumed to be Commander Robin since both Ryan and Grayson leapt to their feet.

 

“Welcome home, Commander.” Ryan snapped a salute before approaching to take his cloak.

 

“Get any Asters?” Grayson asked, his bored face lighting up with a smile.

 

“No. At ease.” Robin answered and made his way to his desk. He took the time to sit down before turning a sharp gaze on Souji and me.

 

I stared back, curiously. The commander had spiky black hair and steel gray eyes, there was a long scar on the left side of his face. His uniform was odd though. He was wearing a black shirt, like our uniforms but no judo jacket like my commanders. Odd, why are things different here? I wondered. And where'd he get that scar? It's huge!

 

“What have we here?” Robin questioned, apparently done assessing us.

 

I didn't answer, more interested in the scar. What could have made that? I thought. It's kind of curved and the width varies. What sort of weapon could do that? The appearance of a finger on the scar, disrupted my train of thought. I snapped back to the present and blinked curiously at Robin.

 

“An Asteroide gave this to me, your commander saved my life.” Robin commented lightly once he had my attention.

 

“Sorry.” I muttered, flushing.

 

Souji took the time to roll his eyes before continuing. “Commander Fire has a message for you and another for the Teuton Express. He says it's urgent.”

 

“Does he now?” Robin shook his head slightly, a lip twitching in what might have been a wry sense of amusement. “Deliver them then.” He ordered.

 

I picked up the backpack from where it rested by my feet and handed over the small package resting inside. Robin opened it, pulling out two envelopes one red and one black. He slit the seal on the first one and rapidly scanned it before moving on to the black one.

 

“Grayson, fetch Bastian and Bells.” Robin ordered, writing something out on the side.

 

The brown haired boy leapt to obey, racing out the door in complete contradiction to his earlier slowness. Robin then turned to Ryan and handed him the letter from the black envelope.

 

Ryan read it and glanced up with a frown. “Does this mean?” He asked.

 

“Yes. Tell me what you think.” Robin answered.

 

“Well,” Ryan's nose scrunched up as he thought. “The barrier has fallen, yet we've received no message from our purple belts. Though that could be easily explained since it sounded like an emergency situation. It would also explain the Teuton Express being called in.” He finished, glancing quickly at Robin.

 

The commander gave a nod, before asking, “What else?”

 

“Though...” Ryan frowned thoughtfully. “If I remember correctly, isn't Commander Fire's dojo one of the farthest from the front line? Did the purple belt bypass everyone else to reach her home dojo?” Ryan looked lost.

 

“You're logic is sound but not quite there yet, Ryan.” A voice spoke up from the doorway.

 

“Commander Isabella.” Ryan saluted.

 

The speaker nodded and walked up to the desk, followed by a large man.

 

“Pass me your map, Robby.” The female commander requested.

 

I want to have hair that long! I thought, staring at her gorgeous black, full, lush ponytail. It's the same color as Tanya's too and I've always loved that pony's coat.

 

Ryan hastily cleared the table as Robin spread out a map before sitting down beside Grayson who had gone back to his book.

 

“What did the punk brat say?” The other male commander asked. He leaned his bulk against Robin's desk and picked up the red envelope.

 

“Three of their purple belts have recently returned. Star and Suzzane are still at the dojo.” Robin answered. “Suzzane brought some interesting news.”

 

“Let me guess, the barrier has fallen.” The commander with short brown hair, cut him off.

 

“Yes.” Robin said. “As for Ryan's question. According to Fire, the part of the barrier that broke was closest to Preußisch, so Suzzane did go to the closest dojo.”

 

“Ah, finally an excuse to go hunting!” The bulky commander straightened up and let out a harsh laugh. “I'm sure, Cheyenne was overjoyed by the news.”

 

“He sent children to tell us something of so little insignificance?” Isabella asked, she frowned over her shoulder at us.

 

Why do I feel like I've been slighted? I thought and frowned right back at her.

 

“Is it not interesting that we've progressed so far, that a mere risk of invasion is hardly worth panicking about? Eh, Bells?” The large male bent towards her an almost mocking smirk on his face.

 

“Bugger off, Bastian. What else did he say, Robin? Fire may be a punk brat but he usually is more careful with his charges.” Isabella asked, rolling her eyes at Bastian.

 

“He scribbled something on the bottom.” Robin frowned at the paper. “It does appear though, that you two left in a hurry.” He looked up at Souji and me.

 

“We did.” I replied, resisting the urge to stick my nose in the air. “We had too, cause we were attacked by a Not-Maggie.”

 

“A Not-Maggie?” Isabella asked, arching an eyebrow.

 

“She means a shape-shifter.” Souji replied. “We were attacked by an Asteroide that had taken the shape of a recently deceased purple belt.”

 

“I see.” Isabella murmured, a pensive look crossing her face.

 

“So you see Bells, something interesting has happened.” Bastian smirked. “Now you'll be able to burn off that excess, what do you ladies call it? Puppy fat, was it?”

 

“Something interesting will happen to you, if you don't...” Isabella growled at him.

 

“If I don't...what?” Bastian grinned right back.

 

“Sky, was it?” Robin asked, ignoring the other two, so I did my best to do the same and nodded.

 

“How did you realize that it wasn't Maggie?” He continued.

 

“Well it looked like one of ours, but when it got mad it's eyes turned silver.” I replied, remembering how the Not-Maggie's eyes had flashed. “Then when it dropped the disguise, it's entire body started glowing silver and I think it started growing.”

 

“I see. Any ideas?” I thought he was asking me at first, but then I noticed that the other two had stopped arguing.

 

“Codes, passwords, and the like.” Isabella suggested.

 

“That won't work if they're injured.” Bastian argued. “Do we know if the Aster's gain the memories of the people they're are impersonating?”

 

“She-it knew Brook's name.” Souji answered. “But it could not remember its own so it might have overheard us before coming out.”

 

“Hmm, either way. Draw up some possible codes. Morse perhaps, Gertrude would get a kick out of that.” Isabella smiled.

 

“And if both theire arms are chopped off?” Bastian once again countered.

 

“Then they can use their feet.” Issabella retorted. “Besides if they've lost both arms, they might not be around for much longer.”

 

That's a morbid thought. I thought and sunk deeper into my armchair, listening to the adults advance plans and shoot each other down. Must be nice to have such good friends. I wonder what Jen and Lygin are doing? They'll be so jealous... I thought with a slight smirk and decided that this armchair was comfortable enough to take a nap in.

 

I blinked my way slowly back to reality and wondered why my pillow felt so odd. Actually, on second thought there was no way it could be my pillow. Mine wasn't lumpy like this one.

 

 

“Where am I?” I thought with a healthy dose of panic. “Have I been kidnapped by Asters? What was the last thing I remember? I was listening to Robby, Bells and Baste, no Paste bicker. Oh that's right.” I heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed. “I'm visiting another dojo for Fire. I wonder how I got in this bed though, I don't remember climbing in.”

 

“You fell asleep.” A voice commented.

 

I panicked.

5: A well kept secret

“I'm not crying! I'm laughing on the wrong side of my face!”

Sunday, Month of April

“Sky!”

Whose calling me, I wondered sleepily.

“Sky!”

I wish they'd go away. I grumbled mentally, I'm trying to sleep here.

“Celestial!”

“What!” I yelled, sitting up.

“Finally, you stubborn obstinate brat! I've been trying~”

A bell rang out stridently and I opened my eyes.

What a weird dream. I thought, and climbed down from my bed. Jenny and Lygin were still asleep so I left a note on Lygin's desk, got dressed quickly and headed out the door.

“Hi!” I called to Rain when I passed her a couple of doors down.

“Where are you going?” The 1st Lieutenant asked.

“Bye! Library!” I hollered back before bounding down the stairs. I barely paused to bow at the entrance to the dojo and jogged over to the library stairs. I took the steps two at a time, trying to warm up. I'm inside! Why is it so cold in here? I whined mentally. Anyways, Sky concentrate. I ordered myself and shook my head to clear it. Okay, I thought as I entered the library, what are you looking for? Find out whether Shawn was an orange belt or a yellow belt 3 years ago. Look up Star and Galysh.  

On my way to the records section, I glanced out the window. “Good, not breakfast time yet.” I murmured. “Okay, Sky. 3 years ago, that's the year before you got here. You got here in 3008 so that would be 3007.” I trailed my finger over the books looking for the year 3007.

 “Found it!” I cheered and reaching up carefully pulled down the book labeled '3007'.

I sat down and lifted it into my lap before opening the yearbook. The cover page read

I reached up and pulled the book labeled '3007' down and setting it carefully on the ground. I sat down and lifted it onto my lap before opening it. The cover page reads 'Happy 30th birthday Preußisch!' Underneath was a group picture.

Cool! A color pic! Those are so rare! I wonder where the got the camera from. I thought excitedly. Now then to see if Shawn was lying. I quickly scanned the yellow belt line and only found two blonds none of which were Shawn.

“Humph!” I muttered quietly to myself “Look who lied.” As Ryan had said Shawn was in the orange belt line up next to, no that couldn't be! I gasped in shock and looked more closely. Yes it was! On either side of Shawn where Romeo and Mark.

“Well, well, well,” I murmured, “look what we have here” For in the blue belt line I'd just spotted the girl named Star. I quickly scanned the lines of names but didn't find it, so I skipped to the blue belt section of the book and found out her name was Starshöne. Galysh was also a blue belt that year. I flipped back to the front page feeling rather proud of myself. What else did I want to look up? I wondered. Maybe, I should also check who were the white belts that year.

The ringing of the breakfast bell, dragged me out of my musings.

“Ah, phooey.” I huffed and scrambled to my feet. I carefully replaced the book and skipped down to breakfast, feeling very proud of myself.

Spotting my friends in front of the cafeteria doors, I jogged over, beaming.

“Where have you been?” Jenny hissed at me.

“Didn't you get my note?” I countered, too happy to stop smiling.

“Yeah it said, 'See you at breakfast.' ” Lygin rolled her eyes before asking, “What's with that dumb grin?”

“I'll tell you lata.” I replied with a mischievous smirk.

“When?” Jenny insisted.

“How about after chapel?” Patrick asked from behind us.

“Hi Pat! Hey Shane!” Lygin greeted them.

 “Chapel? But today is Saturday, right?”  I asked, surprised.

“No.” Shane replied sending me a weird look, “Come on, I smell bacon and I don't want to miss that.”

I followed him in and after sitting down asked Lygin, “But didn't we stayed up late yesterday?”

“Unhunh!” She replied.

“Then wasn't yesterday Friday?”

“Nuhunh! We can stay up late on Saturday's too silly!”

“Have some breakfast.” Jenny suggested.

“Okay.” I agreed still feeling confused.

“Ah! My head feels much better!” I chirped, sprawling back in my chair.

“Good, because you've got KP in five.” Rain ordered as she walked past.

I blinked after her back.

“Sky?” Jenny asked.

I kept blinking after Rain.

“Hello? Earth to Sky?” Jenny waved a hand in front of my face.

“Hello, Celestial. This is Earth. Come in. I repeat, this is Earth, please respond.” Lygin joined in.

“What's wrong with, 'Les?” I heard Shawn ask. “Doesn't she know, Cheyenne's in charge of KP?”

I snapped out of my days.

“He was serious!” I yelped, leaping to my feet.

“Who was serious?” Cassiel called, as he made his way past with a mop.

“Argh! I don't wanna do KP!” I whined, tossing my arms up in frustration.

Jenny and Lygin exchanged looks and heaved simultaneous sighs.

“Don't sigh at me!” I snapped. “You don't have KP... Wait a sec! Yes you do! Ha!”

“Yes, Sky. We also got KP.” Jenny rolled her eyes.

“That's fine then!” I chirped, striding off towards the kitchens. “Even if it's Chey, we can still have fun!”

“So... Tell me again, what exactly happened here.” The commander requested.

“Umm, there was a soap fight?” I offered with my straightest face, staring up at unit 8's commander.

“And it was epic?” Cassiel added, a grin barely emerging through the foam covering his face.

“Epically annoying.” Mustang growled as she stalked by with a arm full of rags.

“That's cause you didn't want to join in.” Jenny huffed at her.

“I see...” Cheyenne stated, idly she checked her watch and an ugly glower crossed her face. “Alright, runts. Get out and go take a shower.”

“They get to leave!” Austin yelped. “That's not-”

“Shaddup.” Cheyenne cut him off. “It will be easier to clean up, without them under foot. So, GET OUT.” She glowered down at us yellows.

“Yes, ma'am!” I yelped and took my leave, along with my friends.

“Jeesh. But it really was epic.” I complained, as Jenny, Lygin and I climbed the stairs leading up to the Chapel.

“True. I thought we got off surprisingly easy myself.” Lygin commented.

“Yeah, but now we can't do KP together.” I sighed and kicked off my shoes before entering the Chapel.

“Ah, well. Can't be helped.” Lygin arranged our shoes properly and followed me in.

“What are they doing?” I asked curiously, noting that the black belts were all gathered around the alter.

“Dunno...” Jenny murmured back and slid into the pew to sit next to Michael.

I slid in next.

“Maybe they're picking songs?” Lygin offered as she sat down on my other side.

“Perhaps.” I slumped down on the wooden bench and allowed my head to flop back, intending to take a nap.

“All Stand!”

My head snapped up and I huffed exasperatedly before standing up and obediently following Commander Jade in song.

“All sit!” Commander Justin ordered.

I flopped back down into my seat but sat up straight when I noticed Fire glaring at me.

Commander Basil took the podium next. The brown haired man, rubbed at his neck. Glared at Cheyenne some and then announced, “Kay, listen up soldiers. In the light of recent events.”

“What recent events?” I whispered to Lygin confused.

“Shush!” Lygin hissed back.

“It has come to our attention that there seems to be a current of inter unit solidarity going around.”

“What's so-li-da-rity?” I asked Lygin again.

She kicked me.

“Ouch!” I yelped.

“Do you have a question, Yellow Sky?” Basil asked.

I stood up. “Yeah, actually...Ow!”

Lygin had kicked me again.

“I mean, no sir. My apologizes for the interruption.” I promptly sat back down.

Basil shook his head slightly before continuing. “While we are all for unity among our members, your first duty is to your unit and not to your peer group. It is your unit that will defend you in battle, your unit that will assure that you are safe, fed and are passing your classes. While your peers may seem more adequate for certain tasks, it is your unit that is your family and whom you should rely on. I am not saying that you should forego your friendships but merely remember whose trust and friendships you should gain. That is all.” Basil stepped down from the podium.

“Umm, I'm confused.” I mumbled to Jenny.

“Me too.” The older girl assured me.

“All stand for the Pledge!”

I rose to my feet and rested a hand on my sword hilt.

“I pledge to work to the best of my abilities.
I pledge to never leave someone in need of aid.
I pledge to stand up for what I believe in.
I pledge to respect those who have gone before me.
I pledge to uphold my personal honor code.
I pledge to stand united with my unit against all adversity.
I pledge to respect the memory of those who have fallen.”

“All sit!”

“White through Orange. Dismissed!”

At the dismissal, I left my pew following Lygin as she lead our line back out the door. Grabbing my shoes, I bounded out the door.

“Wait up, Sky!” Jenny protested.

“Last yellow, to the park is a rotten egg!” I called back and stuffed my feet into my sneakers, before sprinting off down the hill.

“Jeesh! I said... Wait up!” Jenny hollered as she caught up and then passed me.

“Hey, I was winning!” I protested.

“And now you're losing.”

A voice commented idly before Dallas cut in front of me and passed Jenny within a few more strides.

“When he'd get there...?” I asked the air.

“Dallas' always...been fast.” Patrick said as he caught up.

“Ah. No fair.” I grumbled and slowed to a stop when I reached the park gate. “Well, third will do.” I reached out to touch the gate.

“MOVE!” An incoming voice hollered.

“Watch out, Sky!” Patrick grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the way.

“3rd!” Billy exclaimed as he vaulted the gate.

“4th!” Cassiel was barely 3 steps behind him.

“5th.” Souji muttered as he landed on the other side.

“6th!” Michael leapfrogged one of the wooden posts.

“7th again!” Jordan announced and slowed down in time to walk through the gate.

“Guess, I'm 8th then.” Patrick grinned ruefully and walked in.

“So slow, Sky!” Lygin laughed as she sauntered past with Rose.

“9th and 10th!” Rose cheered.

“11th, 12th and 13th.” Scorpion commented as he walked up with Brooke and Annie.

“14th.” Shane paused at the entrance, “or if you wish. You can be 14th.”

“Bleah.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“As, you wish.” Shane shrugged and entered.

I sighed and entered the park.

“Hey, where's your 15th?” Michael called out, smirking.

“She doesn't need one, cause she's last.” Jordan laughed.

“Which means, Sky's a rotten egg, right?” Rose blinked innocently at the older boy.

“I am not a rotten egg because I'm not last!” I snapped  and climbed up onto the rope swing so I could stare down at everyone.

“But you were last.” Shane commented, with a slight smirk.

“I was third!” I protested. “Anyways, Riel is technically last!”

“But Riel's not here, besides you never touched the gate.” Brooke shrugged pragmatically.

“Moving on, why'd you call us here?” Cassiel asked. “Surely you must have news?”

“True. I've got news!” I cheered for a second before growing serious again. “Do you people want to know what I found out or did someone solve the puzzle?”

“Overnight?” Questioned Souji, arching a skeptical eyebrow.

 I ignored him choosing  to answer Unit 3's Rosalie's raised hand instead.

“Yeah, Rose?”

“I looked up the twins currently in our dojo.” Rose shuffled about a bit and then pulled out a piece of paper. “Myrah and Max from Unit 1, Vice-captain Ethan from Unit 8 also has a twin but he's not recorded. I also looked up siblings,” she looked up at me. “Did you know Shawn has three older brothers here?”

“Really?” Annie asked. “Who?”

“Blue belt Alex from unit 4, Blue belt Johnathan from Unit 6 and there's third one but I couldn't find any info on him!”

“Alex and Shawn are brothers!” I exclaimed, startled. “But they look nothing alike!”

“Patrick, how old is John?” Lygin asked frowning.

“15, I think.” The brown haired boy replied.

“Odd. Alex is 16, right?” Jenny glanced up at me.

“Yeah, there only a year apart.” I answered.

“They might not be full brothers then.” Jenny shrugged.

 “What's the name of the third one?” Lygin inquired.

“Nicholas, he's only mentioned as being related to Shawn.” Rose replied. “And ya know that Galysh dude we were looking for? Well he might be related to Blue belt Gabriel from Unit 8!”

“Cool!” Lygin announced, “Anyone else have info?”

There were varying degrees of no.

“So let's recap,” Jordan started. “There aren't 8 pairs of twins, so that doesn't work, but what about the green city thing? Who is green city?”

We all sat still for a minute pondering. Eventually when everyone seemed stumped, Unit 7's Billy leapt up yelling, “Austin!”

We all sort of looked at him weird.

 “What about Austin? He's in Unit 8 right?” I asked.

 “Well, Austin is named after the city right?” Billy explained with a grin.

“Mayhaps,” I replied slowly.

“Well,” Billy continued, “a long time ago the city of Austin was green.”

“Wait a second!” Scorpion protested, “How do you know that?”

“'Cause I used to live in Texas, duh!” Billy snapped back.

“Texas? Where's that?” asked Lygin.

“It's in the United States of America.” Billy replied proudly. He then added “So that would make Austin green city.” He sat down again.

Not sure I got that. I thought, pity Grams isn't around she was from over there, I'm sure she would've known.

“Liege-lord? What belt rank is Austin?” Souji asked suddenly.

“Green, why?” Casseil replied.

“Just wondering,” Souji answered.

Billy, though, looked even smugger.

 “Thanks squirt! So even if you don't believe me about the city of Austin, Austin is a green belt so it's still Green city!” He leaned over and bumped Souji on the shoulder.

“What was that for?” Souji inquired, already frowning.

“Nice! Give me five!” Dallas demanded and Austin turned back to comply.

“Wait a second!” Patrick protested, “You're also named after a city!”

 “I got here in 3008 like the rest of ya, and Dallas was never a green city. You should know that, you're from California.” Dallas replied, giving him a weird look.

 “Well, you never know. Besides I was born here, my parents are from California.” Patrick replied with a shrug.

“Okay! Nice job Billy!” I said clapping my hands together, “You're in charge of talking to Austin.”

“Why?” Billy replied.

I blinked at him puzzled. “Because it's your idea?”

“Yes, but why me? Austin is in unit 8, I'm in 7. It would make more sense for Cassiel to ask around.”

“Good point,” I conceded, “In that case, Cassiel ,you take care of that!”

“Anyone else have ideas?” Jenny called. The others shook their heads.

Jordan called up to me, “So what did you find out?”

I grinned down, “Thanks for asking! First of all I learned that Mark, Shawn, and Romeo were all orange belts at the same time.”

“What year?” Brooke asked.

“3006-3007,” I answered “And Galysh and Starshöne where blue belts at the time!”

“How do you know?” Annie inquired.

“I looked it up in the library,” I explained. “Hey Rose, perhaps you could find Ethan's twin there?”

 “No can do,” she replied. “I'm in training this afternoon”

“Phooey!” I huffed.

 “Anything else?” asked Michael.

I shook my head before calling out “Okay, who wants to do what?”

“I'll take care of Austin.” Cassiel volunteered.

“Scorps and I will go to class” Rose reminded me.

“I will look up stuff on recent fire's” Souji offered.

 “Michael, Jordan? What are you two doing?”

Michael tilted his head to the side thinking before replying, “I think I'll go through my unit's records, but I've gotta help in the fields later”.

“Have fun!” snickered Jenny.

I glanced at Patrick and Shane, but the latter beat me too my question, “What will you be up to?”

“I'm gonna keep looking through the year books, you?” I replied.

“We're going to talk to the orange and green belts.” Patrick answered.

“Cool, thanks!” I said jumping down from the net before turning to look at my mates.

“We're with you.” Jenny replied instantly and I nodded.

“Can we leave yet?” Brooke asked.

I blinked at them and then blinked some more.

“Oh, no! It's the return of Celestial!” Jenny exclaimed.

“I forgot about you two, what's your plan?” I asked, ignoring her.

“Too be normal,” Annie answered, “so we'll be able to keep all of us out of trouble by warning people when there are meetings and such.”

“Finally someone with brains!” Dallas called out.

I knew he was being to nice! I thought, exasperated.

“Alright, dismissed!” Billy ordered and we all spun towards the gate.

“Sky!”

“Yeah, Rose?” I slowed down to wait for the 8 year old.

“About Asher and Elana.” She started.

“Oh! That's what I was forgetting!” I cut her off. “Thank you Rose!”

“Yes, yes.” Rose waved me off. “Apparently Daniel, fell off his horse and broke his leg. They went to go pick him up. It's nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks anyways, Rose. I'll get you your bucks by dinner.”

“Sure!” Rose jogged off to catch up with Scorpion.

“What time is it?” I asked Lygin.

“An hour till noon.” Lygin answered, glancing at her watch.

I nodded and, suddenly feeling unsure, questioned, “Are you guys sure you feel up to spending the rest of the day in the Lyb?”

“Nah!” Jenny replied easily, “But I was wonderin' about what happened to that girl, what's her name?”

“Star.” I supplied.

“Star! That's right,” Jenny continued. “You don't think we could sneak in to see her?”

“I don't see why not,” I replied. “Before or after lunch though?”

“After,” Lygin joined in. “Everyone will be in the lounges expect for unit 3 who will be training.”

We started climbing the stairs to the library and promptly ran into Brown belt Ethan who was coming down.

“Hi!” I chirped, pausing to let him pass but he barely gave me a nod. Confused, I followed him with my eyes. He seemed strangely preoccupied, stumbling on the last step. What's wrong with him? I wondered. I don't think I've ever seen him so grumpy.

“Sky! You coming?”

I took the stairs two at a time to catch up and promptly forgot all about Ethan in face of my two best friends trying to make each other submit via choking. Lygin had the upper hand seeing as how she was wrapped around Jenny's back.

“Mind the stairs.” I told them and entered the library.

“Back to the records!” I chirped and walked back to over to the yearbook section.  Lygin, apparently having defeated the Jenno-monsto, joined me as I was pulling down the 3006-3007 book.

“3007-3008, okay?” Lygin asked.

I nodded and we sprawled out side by side.

Jenny joined us a second later, grabbing the 3008-3009 book on her way down.

I opened my book and started flipping to the page I wanted to read.

“Oh! Wait!”

Confused, I glanced over at Jenny.

 The older yellow belt pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and spread it out in front of us.

“What's that?” Lygin asked curiously.

“List of people we're looking for.” Jen replied briskly.

“Good thinking.” I told her and flipped to the orange belt section of my book. There I found a folded blue paper. Hunh? I thought. When'd this get here? I picked it up and read aloud, “Look for Rainbow's buried Gold.”

“What was that Sky?” Lygin asked.

“Just this strange paper I found.” I replied, frowning and handed her the paper.

“Rainbow's buried gold?” Lygin chewed her lip thoughtfully, “I don't know anyone by the name of Rainbow...”

Jenny was flipping through her own book while we talked and suddenly gave a yelp of delight. I looked up. She was holding a blue slip.

I grinned and exclaimed, “Nice read!”

Jenny grinned back and replied “Loving your channel.”

Lygin, catching on, flipped through her yearbook and soon found another blue slip. We set them side by side in order of year and I read aloud:

“Look for Rainbow's buried gold”
“A Rainbow's hue contains the clue”
“Vulnerability comes when the smile flips”

“Humph!” I grumbled.

“Still not getting it?” Jenny teased.

I glared at her before replying, “Do explain, Professor”

 “A Rainbow's hue means the colors that a rainbow is made up of.” Jenny wasted no time in explaining.

“Okay...” I nodded.

 “So the belt color of the person we want is in there!” Jenny grinned triumphantly.

“How do we know it's a belt color?” Lygin retorted.

“Cause!” Jenny responded pragmatically looking smug. Having no other theory we looked at the other two clues.

“What's Vul-nera-bil-ty?” I mumbled.

“No clue!” Jenny replied before flipping through her book to the brown belt section. She traced the faces and stopped at Ethan's  requesting “Look Ethan up please”

We did. I found him in the Brown belt section and so did Lygin.

“So he's been brown since 3006?” I hazarded, glancing up at the other two. “How old is he now?”

“He's 18, I think. Ask Cassiel later.” Lygin replied.

I automatically looked for a kid that looked like Ethan, knowing Jenny was going to ask the question.

Sure enough, a couple of seconds later she started, “Can you?”

“On your line,” I interrupted.

“Get off it!” Jenny whined and I playfully stuck out my tongue at her.

“His name is Cameron.” Proclaimed Lygin.

“Hunh? How do you know that?” I asked.

“While you two goofed off I found him,” she answered, holding up the 3004-3005 year book. “Ethan was a blue belt at 12 and so was Cameron.”

We all bent over her book and, sure enough, in the blue belt section there was a boy standing next to Ethan and it wasn't Blade.  I looked in my book again but he didn't show up, I flipped back to the blue belt section and this time found him. Way at the bottom it read 'Missing from photo Cameron Schaefer.'

“Well that explains it.” I muttered to myself.

 “No it doesn't!” Jenny protested. “Why isn't he isn’t the brown belt section!”

“Only two brown belts per unit” Lygin reminded her calmly.

“But he's not in the blue belt section, either! It's not like he could have died in between, right?”

I shrugged and stood up, feeling pulled towards the window. I hopped up on the window sill and looked out at the kids playing and the adults relaxing. That's odd. I thought. Wasn't units 3 and 2 in training this afternoon? There shouldn't be that many people outside. I shook my head confused, it felt like I what I was seeing wasn't real, like it was something I'd seen a hundred times without actually having ever seen it.

I pressed a hand to the window pane to get a better look but it wasn't there. I tipped out the window, too shocked to scream, when a hand grabbed my uniform and heaved me back inside.

“This is why sitting on the sills is forbidden, Blödst.”

I gaped up at my savior from my new position on the floor and stuttered out “F-Fire?”

“So I'm called came the irked reply.” From the purple belt already walking away.

But that can't be, I thought. The Fire I know isn't some kid wearing a purple belt. That color doesn't even exist!

“Fire! Wait up!” I called without having thought the command, and I found myself running to catch up without having told myself to move.

My future commander paused glancing over his shoulder, “What do you want, Cameron?”

What! I yelled in what was apparently not my head.

“I'm gonna be a purple too one day, so don't you look down on me!” Cameron was saying.

 “Yeah, sure kid.” Fire replied in a bored tone of voice, walking away again.

Cameron sulked back to the window sill and sprawled out on the ground next to a book muttering, “Just you wait! This is one 10 year old who will show you up!”

I blinked and was suddenly back in my own body.

I lifted my head and found myself staring into Jenny's worried eyes. All I could think to say was, “Hunh?”

“You fell asleep.” Jenny explained, placing a platter of food in my lap. I looked at her arching an eyebrow. “You missed lunch,” came her 2nd explanation.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, diving into the barbecue chicken. With lunch done I took a deep breath and announced “I had another déjà-vue!”

Jenny and Lygin glanced up from their homework, matching looks of curiosity on their face.

“About what?” Jenny asked.

“Cameron and Fire.”

“Fire?” Lygin repeated clearly shocked, I nodded and sliding off the window sill, headed back into the yearbook section.

“What are you looking for?” Lygin asked.

“Eight years ago,” I replied. “Fire was a purple belt and Cameron was 10.”

“Purple? That doesn't exist!” Jenny protested.

I pulled down the 3002 book and flipped through it slowly, searching for the violet color I had seen.

 “I got it!”

Startled, I looked over at Lygin.

“A Rainbow's hue contains the clue!” Lygin pumped her fist in the air.

“So?” Jenny asked puzzled.

Lygin grinned proudly “Purple comes after blue.”

I instantly flipped to the blue section and soon enough a few pages later it said;
'Special ops year 3000 purple division'

“There's Fire!” Jenny pointed excitedly.

I nodded happily.

Lygin got down the dictionary for belts and looked up something.

 “Listen to this!” She exclaimed a moment later.

“Purple: a belt no longer in the current judo system. Symbolizes too young to be black. The same rank as a black belt. In the current era used as a special division against the Asteroides.” She paused for a breath, and we exchanged shocked glances.

“What's an Asteroide?” I asked.

 “Something little kids should not worry about.”

6: Secrets unveiled

“No one can be a Hero forever”

 

I turned and glanced upwards. A tall boy, with spiky brown hair stared back at me.

 

“Cameron?” I asked. The boy's eyes widened slightly but he didn't reply.

 

“Euh...no that's Ethan.” Jenny corrected me.

 

“Thank you Jennifer.” Ethan gave a slight smile but it was nowhere near his normal cheerfulness. “Would you three mind coming with me?” The brown belt asked.

 

“Why?” Lygin questioned, “are we in trouble again?”

 

“No, no someone wants to meet ya is all.” Ethan replied, giving a slight shake of his head. For a moment he looked amused by our worried faces but it faded rapidly.

 

If Ethan's sad then I should be at my happiest. I thought. That way he'll be cheered up!

 

“Who is it?” I asked with my brightest grin.

 

Ethan though merely smiled down at us and walked off. We put the books away and chased after him.

 

“Ethan?” I called.

 

“Hmm?” came his patient response.

 

“Where's Cameron?” Jenny butted in before I could ask my question.

 

Ethan glanced down at her but only shrugged his shoulders, his smile fading a little.

 

Phooey. I thought. That was a bad read, Jen

 

Jenny and I exchanged glances as we followed Ethan down out of the library and into the basement. He entered Unit 1's hall and walked down to the entrance of the Chocolate room. Ethan motioned us in and then made his way over to the a door in the wall.

 

“Isn't that a closet?” I asked, confused.

 

Ethan sent me a quick grin and opened the door.

 

“I knew it! That is a closet!” I yelled excitedly.

 

“Relax, Sky.” Lygin grumbled.

 

“Go on in.” Ethan ordered and stepped aside.

 

“But it's a closet...” Jenny frowned up at him.

 

Stick to the original plan, Sky. I reminded myself. Now what would make Ethan smile?

 

“Gray Wolf Sky pressing forwards!” I announced and bounded forwards into the row of hanging uniforms.

 

“Sky!”

 

I heard Jenny protest but ignored her in favor of fighting my way through the clothes. Ethan said to go in. I thought, that must mean that there's an exit. The question is, is it a door or just clothes?

 

My hand hit something hard.

 

“Door it is!” I cheered and started searching for the knob. I found it a few moments later, but it wouldn't open.

 

“Why won't it turn!” I yelled. “Stupid door knob! I command thee to open!” I put more weight against it, straining to turn the door knob. “Open already!” I put my hip into it.

 

The door opened.

 

“Waah!” I yelled as I fell out of the closet, heading for an impromptu meeting with the floor, only to be stopped by someone's arm.

 

“Honestly, why must I put up with you?”

 

That's Romeo's voice. I realized. Was he waiting?

 

“I'm fine! I should be asking that!” I yelped and pushed myself upright.

 

“Ja. Ja.” Romeo sighed.

 

“Wow!”

 

I glanced behind me, Jenny and Lygin had caught up to me and were now staring around the room.

 

“C'mon, let Ethan in.” Romeo ordered and let us farther in.

 

I followed him staring around with an open mouth. The walls where covered with floor to ceiling maps harboring colors ranging from hot red to ice blue. In the center of the room was a large wooden table, covered in files folders and loose papers. Nichole was at the table, pointing out something on a map to Alex. On the other side of the room, Fire was talking quietly to Justin. To my left was a couch and I was relieved to see Star sprawled out on it. To my right were a clump of Blue belts all frowning at me.

 

“They don't look happy.” Jenny whispered to me and grabbed my hand.

 

I squeezed her hand in reply feeling like an ant under some of the looks the older belts where giving us.

 

“Order! Order! So we can get this show on the road!” Ethan called out as he pushed out past us.

 

“But we already started the show!” Someone protested “This is act two, ya know?”

 

“Can it, Blade! You know what I meant.” Ethan grinned naturally as he padded over to join his black haired co-belt.

 

“Umm, Ethan?” Jenny called after him. The chestnut haired boy paused and glanced back at her.

 

“Why are we here?” Jenny asked.

 

Ethan gave a mysterious smile and resumed his path.

 

I exchanged another worried glance with my friends.

 

“You are here because asking questions gains one answers and since some people have decided to leave you hints, it was decided to just include you before you did something dumb.”

 

I blinked silently at Alex. What did he just say? I thought. I feel like I totally missed that.

 

“Oh.” Lygin said.

 

He said hints. I frowned, thinking back to anything said that could be considered a hint. Kevin gave us a warning. There was those blue slips in the yearbooks. “The blue slips!” I yelled.

 

“Very good, Sky.” Fire said.

 

I beamed.

 

“Now if you will kindly stop zoning out and come here like I asked.” Fire continued.

 

I stopped beaming, choosing to frown instead. “Yes, but who hid them? And how'd they know which yearbooks we were searching through.” I protested as I padded over to join my friends.”

 

“This is an Asteroide.” Fire replied and held up a drawing of a huge gray thing with four arms.

 

“Asta-Roy-De” I repeated trying to bend the word to my will.

 

“It looks like...” Lygin started.

 

“Ewish!” Jenny interrupted. “It doesn't look like anything!”

 

“It's a type of interplanetary alien.” Fire continued, ignoring my friends.

 

“Inter-hunh?” Lygin asked.

 

“Never mind that part.” Fire replied. “Their main attacks are...”

 

“Ice!” I chirped and then felt awkward when I gained the attention of everyone in the room.

“How'd you know that?” A brown belt with an eyepatch over his left eye asked.

 

“I...” I started but was unsure how to explain that the word had just popped up into my head. My stomach squeezed and my ears started ringing. Uh oh. I thought. I know this feeling. Time for another déjà-vue.

 

“Sky?”

 

I wanted to glance over at Fire but my gaze was transfixed by brown belt's eyepatch. I blinked and then blinked again.

 

Am I in a deja-vue? I wondered. Why can't I see? Where am I?

 

The body I was in seemed unable to move, but I wasn't alone. There was something warm pressed against my chest. That something stirred.

 

“Shh, don't move. You've got to stay put. Help is on the way.”

 

Whose voice is that? I wondered. It sounded really stifled. Why does my head hurt so much. I Mentally whined. It kinda feels like my skin is oozing off. Stop it Sky! I ordered myself. That's a disgusting thought!

 

“Mister...! I think it's coming closer.”

 

There was a voice coming from in front of me. If I hadn't felt the body pressed against my chest, I'd have thought she was far away. Why is my hearing so fuzzy? I railed. Host, what have you been up to?

 

“Mister, I'm cold.”

 

A third voice! So that means there's four people in this deja-vue. I calculated. One must be up ahead, one's to my right and one's leaning against my chest.

 

“Shh.” My host's throat vibrated. “Don't move, I'll check it out.”

 

That's odd. I thought. I felt my tongue and throat move, so why can I barely hear myself?

 

The body I was in unfolded and slowly struggled to it's feet.

 

“But mister!” The voice to my right protested. “You can't see!”

 

I can't see! I eternally yelped. That explains why it's so dark!

 

“Don't worry, I'll be right back.” My throat ground out.

 

This is a bad idea, host. I thought as loud as I could. A really bad idea...

 

But of course my host did not listen. I felt myself stumble over things and skid about until I felt a rush of fresh air on my face and just like that I could see.

 

I can see! I thought happily. Good host...

 

My host took a deep breath and looked around. All around me as far as I could see was a sheet of white.

 

Is that snow? I wondered.

 

“I hate ice.” My host's throat rumbled.

 

Ice?! All that is ice! I gave a shocked yelp and took a step back.

 

“Sky?”

 

I blinked, blinked again and then glanced up at Fire with my best grin.

 

“So... is it ice? I'm right, right?” I chirped, doing my best to ignore my sudden urge to shower.

 

Fire gazed unnervingly down at me for a couple of seconds before shrugging and turning back to the pictures.

 

“They also use..” He glanced down at my friends.

 

“Martial arts?” Lygin offered.

 

“Swords.” Commander Justin supplied when Jenny and I shrugged.

 

“If they have ice, why do they use swords?” I asked. “That doesn't seem very fair.”

 

“Who knows?” Fire shrugged.

 

“Is that why we train with swords?” Jenny inquired.

 

“No. that's something else entirely.” Fire replied shaking his head.

 

“So what else?” I asked feeling as if a bigger bomb was about to be dropped. Fire looked down at us silently, clearly assessing us. Apparently having reached a decision he started to say something when the door slammed open.

 

I jumped and spun around towards said door.

 

A girl I didn't know stood in the entrance. She was dressed all in black but there was a white splotch in the shape of a cat on her chest.

 

“Susanne?” I heard a voice call out from behind me.

 

The young lady glanced around the room. Her brown eyes darkened when they passed over me but she didn't say anything.

 

Who is she? I wondered. Why is she dressed so weird?

 

“The barrier has fallen.”

 

I glanced over at the new speaker. Star was sitting up, her gaze fixed on Suzanne.

 

“Hasn't it?” Star insisted.

 

“Yes.” The newcomer stated softly.

 

I had no idea what that meant but it caused total chaos to say the least. People were yelling questions, someone was snapping orders and general mayhem ensued.

 

“What's that mean?” I asked Jenny.

 

“What? I can't hear you!” Jenny replied.

 

We're standing ten feet apart, how can you not hear me? I thought, half bemused and half exasperated.

 

“I said~” I tried again.

 

“QUIET!”

 

There was instant and utter silence.

 

I glanced around to see who had spoken.

 

“Report, Susanne.” The voice came from Erwin, the oldest commander on base.

 

“Late yesterday evening we where hit with a larger wave then usual. They seemed to have a precise goal in mind which is rare and where clearly aiming for our most external building.” Suzzane replied instantly.

 

External? I thought to myself but didn't dare ask what it meant.

 

“We pushed them back of course but it did not come easily.” Suzzane continued, her face growing darker as she spoke.

 

“How many casualties?” Commander Dorian asked.

 

Suzzane hesitated for a moment before replying slowly. “Sam, Timothy and Azeriel where gravely wounded. Maggy and Nicholas are dead. Rhia has gone blind and no one escaped without minor cuts. Even Salysh got a couple of scratches.”

 

“I see.” Dorian nodded “What is...”

 

“What of my brother?” Ethan interrupted.

 

Susanne stared at him for a second and then nodded before asking, “Cameron, right?”

 

“Yeah, Cam's my kid brother.” Ethan answered.

“Last I saw of him, he was doing just fine. I think he took a hit to the side, but it was nothing major.” Suzzane replied, she stared at Ethan some more and added, “That kid has guts, you should be proud.”

 

“I'm always proud of my little brother.” Ethan gave a sharp laugh.

 

“Whose in charge?” Fire inquired.

 

Susanne hesitated.

 

“Is Salysh still in charge?” Fire insisted.

 

“Salysh is still our head-commander but Galysh has taken over field command with Owen as second in command.” Suzzane replied, not looking particularly pleased.

 

“I see...” Fire murmured and fell silent.

 

“How goes it?” Suzzane asked, turning slightly towards Star.

 

Star lifted one shoulder and dropped it again.

 

“Have you recovered?” Suzzane questioned, her face transforming into a worried look.

 

“Fine, I suppose.” Star sighed. “I get dumped here by my unit partner and now I find out he's gone on a rampage.”

 

“I did not say that Galysh had gone out of control.” Suzzane protested, frowning again.

 

Star laughed. “You did not have to, I know my partner at least that well!” She sighed and looked at Fire. “Well Commander, what's the plan?”

 

Fire didn't reply he was thoughtfully chewing on his lower lip as he stared at a map covered with stars and push-pins. I wondered what he was calculating.

 

“Fire?” Unit 6's commander Basil asked. Fire shook his head slowly seeming to come out of a daze.

 

He lazily looked about the room before announcing, “We can't afford to abandon the front line.”

 

“We can't afford to hold it either.” Dorian replied, frowning softly.

 

“We need to send out a message to the other border dojos and warn them as well as request reinforcements for the front.” Fire looked at Cheyenne.

 

Cheyenne grinned. “Oh? Are we starting this up again?” She elbowed Justin.

 

The older man sighed and ran a hand through his brown hair before exchanging a look with Dorian. Dorian in turn glanced quickly at Erwin who gave a small nod.

 

“All right.” Dorian stated softly. “Everyone out!”

 

“What? Why?” A blue belt protested.

 

“Black and Brown only.” Commander Erwin replied “All the others, you know where the door is.”

 

With much grumbling the room emptied out. I grabbed a hold of Jenny and Lygin's hands before letting myself be pulled along. We soon came to a halt amongst the milling of 14 other Blue belts. I tugged at my friends hands and we started slipping off towards our Sun room.

 

“Hey!”

 

I froze and urned around, making sure my best innocent face was up.

 

“Oh, it's just you Riel.” Jenny gave a relieved sigh from my left.

 

Just a fellow co-belt whom we haven't seen in a month. I thought, can't be anything bad.

 

The amber hair boy strode over to us with a glower and crossed his arms.

 

Okay, I thought, maybe not so good.

 

Jenny and Lygin though were happy to see him.

 

“Where have you been?” Lygin asked.

 

“You won't believe what's been happening!” Jenny gave a fierce grin.

 

“I've been out and about.” Riel gave a mysterious smile. He transferred his lime colored gaze to me.

 

“Hello, Riel.” I gave a polite smile.

 

Riel stared at me for a few seconds, not deigning to reply.

 

“Umm, Riel?” I stared back at him and tried not to squirm. “Are you hungry?” I tried again. “I'm not a mouse, you know...”

 

“Sky, you like horses right?” Riel asked eventually.

 

I nodded figuring that that was a safe answer.

 

“Good.” Riel commented, he spun on his heels and walked away. “Follow me.”

 

I glanced at Jenny, she shrugged so I glanced at Lygin.

 

“Might be interesting.” Lygin replied.

 

“Okay then, let's go.” I decided and chased after the unit 5 member.

 

Riel was the oldest yellow belt, at 13 he was slightly faster then us. So naturally we lost him in the crowd of blue belts that had been joined by orange and green belts. Luckily though we soon came out and spotted him climbing the stairs.

 

“Hey!” I hollered, Riel paused looking back down at us.

 

“Wait up!” Jenny panted.

 

But Riel just rolled his eyes.

 

“Don't roll your eyes!” I yelled up at him. “That's rude!”

 

“Hurry up!” Riel replied and headed for the staircase.

 

glowered after him but jogged to catch up anyways. Riel leapt up the wooden staircase, two steps at a time. That's odd, I thought. They aren't creaking.

 

We soon reached the main floor and I spotted the rest of the yellow belts sitting in a semi-circle with the white belts staring at an old black thing making an annoying buzzing sound.

 

“Movie!” Jenny yelled excitedly

 

“I didn't know those things still existed!” added Lygin as she stared at the TV. Indeed the television was old, dusty and the image was a little static but no one was complaining.

 

“Go join your friends.” Riel ordered. “Sky and I have a meeting to attend.”

 

“What?” Jenny protested. “No way! Where Sky goes, we go!”

 

“Not an option.” Riel replied. “Go watch the movie, Sky will be back shortly.”

 

“Sky!” Jenny protested.

 

“Umm, I'll be back shortly?” I offered guiltily.

 

“Yes, you will. Now come.” Riel spun on his heels and stalked off.

 

“What's with him?” Lygin growled.

 

“Just cause he's older, he's so bossy.” Jenny complained.

 

“I'll be back.” I promised and jogged after Riel.

 

I caught up to Riel outside and followed him down a side path that I knew lead to the stables.

 

“Did something happen to Blanco?” I asked. “What's wrong? Quit ignoring me!”

 

I hope nothings wrong with Blanco, I thought nervously as Riel pushed his way inside the barn.

 

“Souji! You there?” Riel called.

 

To my surprise Souji's black head popped out of a stall.

 

“C'mere!” Riel ordered and Souji sauntered over.

 

“Did you pick out a horse?” Riel asked

 

“Yes, Toshi” Souji replied with a nod.

 

“Hallo Souji, wach'ya doing here?” I asked.

 

“From now on, Souji is your partner.” Riel replied, turning to me, before the Japanese boy could.

 

“Umm?” I blinked up at him, confused.

 

Riel stared down at me for a moment and sighed.

 

“She is always like this.” Souji commented.

 

“I see.” Riel gave another sigh. “Fire will explain when he gets here. Go do something non-troublesome.”

 

“Excuse me?!” I yelped. “What exactly is your problem? You're as bad as Dallas!”

 

“Do you have an issue with Dallas?” Riel frowned at me.

 

“Yes! He's an insufferable brat!” I snapped and stormed off to go see my favorite horse. A large pony by the name of Blanco.

 

“Hey you.” I clucked softly at him and he lifted his white head too stare at me with his mismatched eyes. I rubbed his forehead and talked soft nonsense. He just huffed and kept nuzzling my shoulder for treats. I laughed and kissed his nose before walking back to the front in time to see Riel lead a black pony out of it's stall.

 

“Riel!” I called curiously.

 

“What now?” Riel grumbled.

 

“I'm sorry to interrupt you're obviously very busy life,” I started.

 

Riel arched an eyebrow.

 

“But I've got two questions. 1, where are you taking Tanya? And two, when was the last time you spoke to Brook and Annie?”

 

“Where she will bear me and that is none of your business.” Riel replied before walking off too the mounting barrier.

 

“Hey!” I protested and gave chase.

 

“Sky!”

 

I veered left and trotted over to Fire.

 

“Saddle up Blanco, you're going to get tested.” My commander ordered when I reached him.

 

“Wha?” I yelped but Fire's face said he wasn't joking in fact he looked down right scary. So I obediently jogged over to the tack room to fetch Blanco's tack and staggered back to his stall. On the way I spotted Souji saddling a black pony. I set my stuff down and unlocking Blanco's stall called softly to him. His ears pricked and he gently head butted me. I laughed and brushed him rapidly before saddling him up. 15 minutes later I was exiting the stall. I followed Souji to the ring and we both looked around for Fire.

 

“What's Justin doing here?” I asked, surprised.

 

“What is Commander Fire doing here?” Souji retorted.

 

“Mount up!” Fire called as he strode into the arena.

 

I automatically looked around for a mounting block and not seeing one led Blanco over to a fence. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Fire frown but he remained silent so I mounted off the fence. I rode to the center and halted next to Souji.

 

“Warm up.” instructed Fire.

 

“C'mon, Blanco let's go patrol a fence.” I clucked to my pony and set him off on a circular path.

 

“So what do you thinks going on?” I asked Souji, when the older boy joined me.

 

“I know not.” Souji shrugged. He clicked at Toshi and they picked up a trot.

 

I nudged Blanco gently with my heels and after some grumbling he started trotting. After a couple of laps we walked over to Fire who was now standing in the middle of the ring.

 

I looked around for Justin and spotted him moving poles. I glanced down at Fire, he was frowning again.

 

Does he ever stop frowning? I wondered. “I hope we're not jumping.” I muttered.

 

“What are we doing?” Souji was asking, when I looked down at Fire again.

 

“You've cantered before, right?” Fire asked in reply.

 

“Yep! I love cantering.” I replied giving an enthusiastic nod.

 

“Show me.” Fire ordered.

 

Souji turned Toshi towards the track.

 

“Both of you at once.” Fire corrected when he noticed I wasn't following.

 

I urged Blanco to catch up and then keep pace with the smaller pony. He tossed his head and picked up the trot, I glanced over at Souji catching his eye. He gave a slight nod and we asked for a canter. I saw Souji go into a half-seat so I left my seated canter and copied him. When I gave Blanco his head though he immediately veered off the track..

 

I straightened up and Blanco slowed down to a fast trot, Toshi kept going for a few more strides before slowing down.

 

“Come in!” I heard Fire call and I turned Blanco in towards him. Justin had joined Fire in the center and we stopped in front of them.

 

“Well?” asked Fire “What did you notice?”

 

“What do you mean?” I asked, frowning in confusion.

 

“Blanco is very slow.” Souji stated, also frowning.

 

Why does everyone frown around here? I thought and then realized Blanco had been insulted.

 

“Hey!” I protested “He just needs time to warm up!”

 

Souji harrumphed.

 

“What else?” Questioned Justin.

 

“I need to get Blanco to advance more?” I hazarded.

 

“And?”

 

This time Souji answered “I need to check Toshi's speed more often”

 

“Why is that?” Fire inquired.

 

“So Liege-Cassiel doesn't get mad at me.” Souji replied.

 

“Oh?” Was all Justin had to say.

 

“Cassiel? What's this got too do with Cheyenne's brat?” Fire asked, looking surprised.

 

“Cassiel's Chey's son?” I repeated confused. How'd I miss that? I wondered. They look nothing alike!

 

“Commander Cheyenne too you.” Fire snapped.

 

“And no he isn't, it's an expression to say he's in her unit.” Justin explained before looking at Souji “So, Cassiel?”

 

“Well,” Souji replied slowly, “if I where to lose Sky, Cassiel would be mad, see? And if I gave Toshiro his head I'd definitely lose her.”

 

“Two comments.” I grumbled holding up two fingers.

 

The older boys looked at me.

 

“One, should I be offended? And two, why would Cassiel care if I got lost?”

 

“Those are questions not comments. Go back to the track.” Fire replied.

 

“Hey!” I protested.

 

“Canter on 5!” Fire tossed back.

 

I sighed but thought anyways, 1...2...3...4...5! Let's go Marshmallow! Blanco picked up the canter again.

 

“Let them have their heads!” Fire instructed.

 

I obeyed and instantly felt Blanco fall behind Toshi, but I could feel him straining to keep up. His dark competitor though just unleashed his small legs, eating up the ground.

 

“Come on Blanco! You can do this.” I leaned forwards, murmuring in my horse's ear.

 

“Halt!”

 

“Already? That was only like two laps!” I whined but slowed Blanco down to a walk and led him back to the commanders.

 

“What did you learn?” Fire asked.

 

This went on for a good two hours, but by the end I knew how fast Toshi could gallop and how many strides he took in a length. I also knew what speed Blanco averaged and how best to conserve him. In addition, Fire had seemed pleased so bonus!

 

I leaned my head tiredly against Blanco's sweaty shoulder as I rubbed him down. I finished settling Blanco in and started back out of the stables.

 

“My knees hurt...” I whined aloud. “My back hurts...my arms hurt...why does everything hurt...? Jumping over logs is definitely not my favorite thing.”

 

I dragged my feet as I started the trek back to the dojo.

 

“Sky!”

 

“What now..?” I grumbled but veered right to join my commander by the mounting fence.

 

Souji and Justin arrived a few seconds after me.

 

Through have lidded eyes I watched Fire take a deep breath before saying, “The commanders and I have decided that it is time to trust the next generation.”

 

“Hunh?” Was my brilliant reaction and Justin gave an amused snort or at least I hope it was amused. “I'm too tired for this, kindly speak English.” I groaned out.

 

Souji drew in a sharp breath and started coughing.

 

“Whoa? You alright?” I asked, waking up some.

 

“I am...fine.” Souji replied hesitantly. “I just chocked.”

 

“On what air?” I asked incredulously.

 

Souji glared at me.

 

“Hey! Why are you glaring?” I yelped, offended.

 

“Concentrate Sky.” Fire interceded. “Tomorrow you and Souji will head out and ride on what is called the Teuton Express. Your job, yes Sky?”

 

“What's the Teuton thingy?” I asked, feeling more awake now that Souji had awoken my ire.

 

“It's a group of mounted messengers.” Justin explained.

 

“Sounds cool!” I grinned.

 

“Your job is to ride to the nearest dojo and deliver two letters to Commander Robin.” Fire continued.

 

“Where is it?” I interrupted again, “and what's it called?”

 

“Over in Germany, it's official title is the Dojo of Gefallen Engel”

 

“What is ours called? And where did Riel go?” Souji joined in.

 

“Preußisch and none of your business.” Fire replied swiftly.

 

Souji frowned.

 

“Okay so what will we be doing?” I asked sensing a risk of a tangent appearing.

 

“Like I said you will be carrying two letters to Commander Robin. You will wait for a couple of days and then ride back with the answers.” Fire awarded my diligence, with a faint smile.

 

“Ummm, whose Robin and what's...” I started.

 

“You will get a better explanation when you get there.” Justin cut me off. “It's a five hour ride if all goes well, do not stop for any reason unless it is too rest your horses but if you are just walking and trotting you shouldn't need too.”

 

“Also.” Fire cut in, “come straight here after breakfast, we will give you your uniforms.”

 

“Tell no one.” Justin added and I blinked.

 

“Not even Jenny and Lygin?” I asked, alarmed. This is not good. I thought. I can't lie to save my horse...

 

Fire and Justin exchanged glances.

 

“I have to tell them something!” I insisted.

 

“You may tell them that you are leaving but not why, go to dinner now.” Fire eventually replied and I could tell by his tone that he wasn't budging.

 

“Yes sir.” I gave a bow and headed back to the dojo with Souji.