"Generaters are everywhere but the bedrooms and main rooms. The counicel
room is also without power. The kitchen however, has found other uses so their
generater when to the childrens dinning hall." Heidi looked back down at the pad in her hands.
"The uniforms are being made as quick as possible, with suit variations for every craft hall."
I propped my head on my fist, listening with half an ear. "Your own... Are you even listening to me?"
Heidi got up real close tomy face, nose to nose. "You are now." I blinked dully back at her.
"Yeah.. I was listening... Generaters are up and runnning for most every
important place, the trainnees are getting along well without guns. Guns malfunction
everytime we try and use em.... Healers got new things with science and magic..." I
blinked again dully, like a cow. Bad thought... "Anything I missed?"
"You have a meeting with the Prophets come noon, Mandies, Sean and Eva
arrived last night, Karla is no where to be found, as well as some other people. Michigan
has had no 'surivers' so far reported. Rumors that they started a Outpost like ours..."
Heidi pulled away and paced a bit in front of my desk. "The weathers getting worse
outside and more of our Magics are being used to create a form of artifical light for
plants..."
Her voice trailed off as she looked at me. "Moral is high.." I smiled a bit, just to
have her feel remotely scure about me listening, which once again, I wasn't. "Ciao..."
She smiled and bounded out.
My chin hit the desk, and I rubbed my eyes. I hated being in charge.. It was so..
Boring.. I wanted to help train the soliders, the mages, the fucken COOKS... anything but
these endless meetings... "oi..." I rubbed my chin and sat up, forcing myself to listen.
Three weeks had past, and both of the 'other' sides, which were really set in 'Dark' and
"light' groups, made up of smaller groups. "GAH!" I screamed, throwing up my hands.
"Can't things be simple?"
'Finding your soulmate at such a young age should of warned you...' Duncan
perched on the back of a chair. His beard nearly dragging on the cushion seat. We had
spirits like him all around, and now, thanks to those barriers breaking, high nigh, most
everyone saw them. Though Hearing them was another matter.
"It did..." I scowled propping myself back into the chair, heels kicking up onto
the desk. "And I knew I was going to end up like this, half of my work just a figure
head..." I smiled, just at the corners of my mouth. It quickly turned into a frown. "Only I
thought He would be here...."
'You knew you both had jobs to do....' Duncan waved a hand in the air. 'You also
know Teddy vanished at the same time, and I don't see you freting about him...'
"Damnit Duncan, Teddy's a baby, My baby... And I'm as worried about his
happyass as I am about my heart.." I scowled at the ghost. "But Teddy can merge
through walls and astral plane like it was surfing.. I'm not worried about him. My Heart,
however, does not have such ease at leaving places."
'Still touchy...' Duncan chided softly.
"Bite me..." More stinging of the eyes, he always would ask 'where'... "Damnit.." I
shoved myself out of my desk and moved toward the window, that looked down into the
training grounds. "Damnit.." I pressed my palms to the glass. I had chosen, family over
love. My people, instead of my soul. My other half. My face soon followed my palms onto
the cool glass. "Duncan..."
'Yes?' The specter floated toward me with no malice. 'Your forgiven...'
"Thanks.... I just needed to fight a bit... I feel so Bedamned Helpless..."
'You will always have me to fight with...' Duncan's fingers sent chills to my skin.
"I know... I just miss him..." I closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift.
I jumpped a good foot when someone knocked, and kicked onto the stone door.
Then it shot open off it's hinges. Mandies stood there, fire engine red hair curling around
her face like an angry halo. "There you are! Mopen around!" She smiled and stepped in,
green eyes, contacts, darting to duncan. "Who's the old fart?"
"Duncan, Meet Mandies." I turned, back pressed againest the tinted glass.
"Mandies, meet Duncan, my old advisor..."
She snorted at Duncan then smiled her hellos, before jumpping over my desk and
pouncing me againest the glass. "IEeeeeaaahhhhh" I yelped giggling at my dear sisters
affection. "Seen Heidi?"
"Course!" she smiled brightly. "You'll never guess who I saw in the hall!" I huggd
her as she babbled on about some music group...
"Wait a second.." I blinked and looked at her. "Did you just say Backstreet?" I
blinked again as her curls showered my face. "Ack ack... I'll take that as a Yes.."
"yep! and Aj is So cute upclose!" I blinked, this coming from an 18 year old... She
was so excited. I smiled and shook my head. She went on about the people she had
seen, from online.
"I got a meeting.." I broke in as she took a breath. "with some Prophets.. Wanta
come?"
"Course..." She smiled brightly and latched onto my arm. I tossed a grin at
Duncan and stepped out, first, meet the 'boys.. Second, find the meeting... But first....
Chapter 6
A man sat on his throne, shadows flowing onto the ground. "Damnit to hell.." He
muttered, in a surprisingly musical voice. "The barriers are still up... But How?" His eyes
were shaded by a set of small lensed sunglasses. He was in a black pinstripe suit, with a
crimson/bloodred shirt underneath. "Damnit..." He turned and motioned a figure
forward. Justin bowed only slightly. "Well?"
"I could only think She's holding it up..." His voice was strained, he didn't ilke
'helping' this dark lord. "She's the only one with power. Which would explain the flux
when she used it in our encounter." His fingers clasped together, drawing his eyes up to
those shades. This jerk just stepped up and said he was in control, and he had the power
to stay there.
"She?" The strong face smirked openly. "A Lone Girl is holding up the barriers
that time wore away?"
"She isn't holding all of them, just some of them..." Justin kept calm, he had
waited along time, he wasn't going to blow it cuz this guy couldn't hold his emotions in.
"And she is very powerful, consistering the people's faith rests with her. Faith and Will
are the two most powerful things in Reality..."
The figure rubed his chin, his hair sparkled almost red in the light, it was short,
close cut to his skull. "And you say she has the faith of the people behind her? And This
little whore demanded we return to her control? Like obenant puppydogs? Doesn't
sound like Free will to me..." THe figure sat back, large hands clasping at the very edge
of the arm chair.
Justin nodded, the words making sense. "Your right, we should be able to make
our own choice... And we of course, live to serve the power to keep this place alive... The
people hardly matter, they would of killed themselves out long ago..." Justin smiled and
touched his fingers to his forehead.
"Go, bring this girl to me, I want to see this power for myself."
"As you wish... Black King..."
"It is what I wish... Now get going!"
Mike sat brushing a finger down his wings, his orders were clear, Robert, Danny
and himself were to go to earth and bring back the girl who dare say God is not the true
way. For she will be judged and sent to the pit of doom. But something nagged, she had
accepted Christ as the one true savior for a large portian of her life, and yet she's evil
now? Mike shook his head, looking up for his compaions. Something stunk down in the
'yard and he was going to find out what it was.
Mike crept down the railing to the main gardens, once known as Town Square.
He moved quietly, his deep blue melding into the scenery. New York was one of the
places the head angels had taken over. He shook his head, the light had rules they lived
by, and it looked like someone wasn't doing them.
Two young men leaned on the satute whispering in soft voices. One was tall,
wide shoulders, dressed in midnight blue hues. Rugged light brown hair flew lightly in
the breeze. Hazel eyes not unlike Her's. Mike smiled slightly and waved to him. He was
Danny, Her little brother, and the commanding officer of the Stratigists. The rumor was
he was one of the best.
The other had simlar looks only he was less bulky in this shoulders and ribs. His
hair was a darker brown and his eyes completely brown. Though they looked familar,
could of been brothers. Robert was the brains of the outfit, also a stratigists, he was also
one of the best scouts. Mike moved over to them. Robert's clothes were more of the
greens and browns the armys favored.
"Sup?" Mike plopped down againest the statue of some general. "Hear the word
yet?"
"We're to find away to bring her to ourside?" Danny scowled. "I don't get it,
somethings' fishy.." Danny brushed a hand down his jeans. "I mean, people are
supposed to want to be on our side, and if what your sayin is right...." Danny looked over
at Mike, who nodded in response. "Then she is seeing somethign we aren't. Joy Isn't a
fool. "
"Caro... They called her Caro..." Mike trailed his fingers down his chin. "Why are
we calling her two different things?"
"Three... Cj, Caro and Joy..." Robert spoke up for the first time since Mike had
joined them. "Intellience says they call her Cj at the outpost. What I don't get is why she
won't join us. She grew up with us, hell, she beleived the same things as us." Robert's
calm features showed no outward emotion.
"Wonder if they brain washed her?" Mike tugged on his chin, looking over at
Danny.
"She's not alligned with anyone but the humans. All her mystical connacts are the
beings who watch and not act." Danny shook his head. "I don't get it, this isn't like Joy at
all..."
"She demanded we come back, to tell God himself, to get off his royal ass and let
us go." Mike shook his head.
"We aren't being held prisoners..." Danny shifted uneasily on the stone. "How
many people do we have?"
"About 2 Million, scattered of course, but about that, give or take a hundred."
Mike shifted, tucking his arms across his chest. "The main cities have about 3 thousand
each. New York and Paris both have twice that. "
"And the others?" Danny listened, shoulders slumpped slightly, eyes closed.
"The Dark King has about the same numbers as us, capitals in London and Los
Angeles. The Neturals took over Swiserland, as usual, and Tokyo. " Robert half closed
his eyes, as if seeing the lists of people from his intelligance reports. "Scatterings of
outposts have shown up in various places. The Gray King has set up shop in Michigan
and New Orleans. Red King set up shop in Egypt."
"Blue in Africa, Yellow in China, and Green Mother in Russia." Mike finshed.
"Blue, Yellow, Red and Gray kings have about 5,000 humans, twice that Celestrials or
Guardians. Green Mother has more of an occult following with 50,000 and less
Celstrials." Mike shook his head. "But to rally the whole world away from the new
powers? Your sister is nuts..."
"Maybe.." Danny trailed his finger in the air. "Maybe not..."
"Gah... We got a job to do, and we all don't wanta do it." Robert shoved himself
off the Statue. "Lets do it. First the Green mother."
"Oh." Danny opened his eyes looking at them. "She's going to be known as Iris."
"Iris, rainbow goddess... Cute.." Mike shook his head and chuckled. "Iris...
Poetic.."
"Bite me. It came from God's mouth, not mine." Danny moved off the statue.
"After you.."
Chapter 7
I pressed my fingers to the table top. This meeting was so boring, and everytime I
glanced, I could swear I saw my protectors face giving me the 'look'. I smiled tomyself
and forced myself to pay attention to the prophets, who ranged in age from 5 to 95. They
were sitting in comfortable chairs, all murmuring together about some thing.
"I don't beleive this... Aren't they supposed to say something?" Mandies
whispered in my ear. I smiled and shook my head, pressing a finger to my lips. "Awww
but Mum, I wanta talk some more." Mandies grinned impishly, and I had to bite my
tongue to keep from laughing.
"Lady..." The youngest stepped forward, a five year old girl with pigtails. Jana I
think her name was. "We called and you answered. Thank you." She bowed slightly, she
seemed so old. Her eyes were like small black marbles, seeking into my soul. I shivered
and forced myself to straighten.
"I always listen to the peoples voice." I bowed my head in return.
"As you always have... Iris." The oldest, an old man, looking, strangely, alot like
duncan, stepped forward. "We have need of you again."
"I always come when i'm needed." I lowered my gaze, the words fell from my
tongue in anicent rite, where the hell I learned it was beyond me. "As I was created."
"The time has come. The barriers are only up by your will, and only in this little
region. For our will, you were made, for our need, he was made. You both are needed to
win this fight, and yet..."
"He has given up the will." Another voice, a middle aged woman stepped from
the shadows. "To protect you."
I drew in a sharp breath, the black thing, living in the middle of my stomach
turned. He was alive, and he was againest us.. Against Me. The voices continued, as if
not noticing my sudden attention. "You must gather the people, you are Iris, rainbow
goddess. Lady of the people."
"You must bring them back to us. If they chose, knowing all the sides, then slay
them, for they have become beasts." The old man waved a hand. "We await the final
coming of the master. But this is not the time. We must remember first. We must hold the
ground he gave us."
My eyes flickered away from the floor, the walls were bluring. Is that the training
yard? There's the Dorms.. Somehow the prophets are sending this to every part of the
outpost. Holy...
"Iris." The three lifted their hands. "Rise, and accept your duty. You, are our
Avatar. You, and only you, can bring our world in harmony, before we destory it." I stood,
without much thought. I had been born, to do this, had done it for ages. This, was my
fate, and I could turn, and walk away. It was my choice.
The world pressed close on all sides, I just wanted to fall to my knees and
scream. I didn't want this, and yet... My eyes took in the faces, hope, fear, love, worry. All
these things and more, mirrored from face to face. Mothers clutched their children to
their chests. Jewls looked at me, she would accept whatever desision I made. Scott too,
though he might rise up to lead if I didn't. How many would suffer because I shuned my
duty? How many would suffer anyway....
"My People. My honor and soul lie with you. I fight." I bowed my head, dropping to
my knees, and offering my arms up to the heavens. "From this day forth, my honor, my
love, and my faith all go to your hands. Should the day Come I fail, You will chose a New
Iris, and continue our fight for Freedom."
"So It Is Said." The young girl bowed her head and vanished, becoming a raven.
"So it is Done" The middle aged woman smiled and vanished, leaving a unicorn
in her place.
"So smote it be." The old man vanished, leaving behind a sword.
"So smote it be..." I whispered, picking up the sword and standing slowly. They
had voiced the peoples choices. Cheers sent the mountian shuddering. I looked over my
shoulder at Mandies. Who shook her head and smiled. "Well... Damnit. We got a World to
save."
"Mommy" A voice screamed, diving from out of nowhere and into my arms. I
blinked over the brown head of hair. "Mommy!!!" He clung to my knees. I looked around
my office. Another baby was crawling toward me on her stomach. Her hair was almost
white blond. The small boy clinging to my legs must of been eight or so. "Mommy!!! I was
so scared... The earth shook and poof! I was here!"
"Muuumy!" Two red-brown pigtails attatched to the body of a squirming four
year old, also latched small hands to my leg. I blinked again. Another cry of Mommy and
another child was plastered to the backs of my legs. That one was two. I mouthed the
word.
"Mommy" I whispered finally past dried lips. My eyebrows shot into my hair, first
off, though I was no virgin, I had *no* Children. None... "Teddy? Anna? Usagi? Kelsi?" I
blinked down at them. "But your... Your.. Physical.." They had been children who had
died, that were atracted to me since I was eleven. But.. they were dead...
"Mommy" Teddy nuzzled his face into my thighs. "The world shook. And Duncan
got us, put us in the office from the dark place, and left again. Saying he was looking for
Daddy..."
I slowly pried Kelsi off the back of my legs, holding the two year old close, I
saught the confines of the nearest couch. To much, to soon. Mandies, standing near the
door way of the office, was blinking herself. Mandies soon moved over and claimed the
still crawling baby, cuddling Usagi close. "Her names Usagi.. Or Bunny." I smiled over at
Mandies. "Thanks..." I lifted Teddy onto the couch near me, and Annabelle was soon to
follow.
I slowly calmed them down, lord of lords, I had kids.. What the hell... I hummed
softly, rocking Teddy and his sisters gently. They were so scared, where ever they had
been had been horrible. What if my love was still there? "Teddy..." I moved to ask my
eldest, who was already fast asleep. I smiled, tomarrow was a new day... And by the look
of it, I was going to need tonight to think things out.
Like, what do you do with a Unicorn, a Sword and a Raven? Not to metion, an
outpost, who knows how many sides againest you and a whole world? I felt the
headache just start inching up. "Find beds first for the kids.. Think later. Worry after this
is all over." I smiled to myself, and started to figure out how to move three kids without
waking them up.
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