Chapter 8
"So, your telling me, your the leader of this mess?" Eva sat back againest Sean,
looking at me blankly. "With four kids, an old fucker, and about 7 major sides, all waiting
your hide for their walls? I love the odds..." A smile crept over her lips. "When does the
party start?"
I watched Sean nudge her slightly, before sliding his arms around her waist. "I
promised someone I wouldn't face this stuff alone, so I'm very glad you all have desided
to fight with us." I smiled at the commanding group. Eva was perched on Seans lap, both
on one chair. Mandies and Luke sat to one side, both holding books, rather threating i
might add, Scott was his normal seriously happy deprived person in the other chair. And
I was sitting on my desk, favorite perch, desks... Wandering thoughts again...
"Who is this mystery person who promised stuff to, and wait for? And How come
you never metion his name?" Sean spoke up in his soft voice. Which was slightly muffled
behind Eva, part of me wondered if it had been on purpose.
"Eh.. He's my um..." I stummbled over my words, how do you explain your
soulmate, who's also your protecter, who you love with all your heart, but its just silghtly
forbidden? "He's just.. a friend..." I shook my head. That was so graceful!... Not.
Sean was on the other end of an elbow, and I was tettering on my desk. "Anyway,
the first plan is to go to raid the camps of the enemy below, if the People fight, take
prisoners, if they fight that, defend yourselves, they made their choice." I trailed my
finger on the desk.
Justin fingered his staff, looking down at the last of the Green Mothers forces. A
bare handful at best. "Do you still chose this path?" He called to the lady dressed in
green, everything about her was green, hair, eyes, the very skin tone spoke of green
depths, though it really was more deep brown then anything.
"I fight for the animals, plants and people. You, of all people should know this."
Her voice was soft, with a ringing tone. "Do you forsake me now son of Terra?" Her
emerald orbs saught his with friece detrimnation. "Even you can not stop the course we
all have chosen."
"I can stop what is to come, Gaea." He tapped the staff againest the cliff face.
"Submit to our will, or be destroyed." Justin's white hair flew around his shoulders, one
hand grasped around the staff, once called unity. His sharp gaze meet hers in a contest
of wills.
"I will not submit to your will." She bowed her head and vanished into the very
depths of the earth. Justin cursed and motioned to the remaining mortals.
"She may have gotten away, but without followers and faith, she's crippled."
Justin turned to look at the cloaked figure to his right. "Whos' next?" Justin's men and
women, slid down the cliff to capture the people abandoned by the Green Mother.
"The Blue King... He is the one who controls the Seas..." The soft voice
whispered from the cowl. "Though the Gray king is getting rather adapt at twisting the
remaining strands open to our people."
"We shall get the blue king, then the Gray." Justin turned away from the cliff
edge and the screams of the mortals, who once had claimed faith to the Green Mother.
"What of the White king?"
"He strives over the Red and Yellow." The whisperer's hands motioned, a flare of
light, and the picture of armies of angels and other creatures, thought to be aligned with
Light, strive to conquer, those who don't admit their wrong doing, in beleiveing in
something else, being thrown into a black portal.
"Where do they go?" Justin turned his gaze from the horrible image, to the
people below. The ones their people captured, where being spoken to, telling them of
all the sides involved. Should they deside to remain with Green Mother, they will be
thrown in prison, until the civil unrest settles. But to be killed? For their choice... Justin
shivered at the thought.
"They are erased from Reality." As the hourse whisper faded, so did the image.
"Iris seeks out the knowledge of the Past..."
"She would..." Justin smiled softly, she had been many a mans lover, even his.
She still held part of his heart. "She's stubburn..."
"The white king nears..." The cloaked figure, almost withdrew upon itself,
vanishing into the shadows.
Justin cursed, calling to his people below. He stood there a moment more,
watching them all run for the portals to take them back to their cities. Then, with a flick
of his staff, he too left the scene. Green Mother would seek out Iris, as all the powers
would. Then he will have her... All for himself.
Chapter 9
I dived to the side, my breath came in gasps. "Shit..." I whispered, moving again,
just as quick. Jewls was on me in a heartbeat, her and that Damned staff. I winced,
another sharp blow smacked into my thigh. Magic, forbidden in our match, left me
seriously handicapped. I mean, I think I could of stayed alive long enough for bigger,
better fighters to save my ass, but... Hell. Whoops. Almost did it again.. I skidded into the
dirt, avoiding another close call, of her stick meeting my poor little head.
I swung up with the nearest thing in my area, which happened to have been a
bench. I dropped it the second she moved to the side and barreled into her, knocking
her to the ground. I panted as I sat on her. "Give up?" I smiled impishly down at her as
the gathered watchers cheered.
"Never" Jewls, who had, on some mircle, kept the staff. Slammed it into my
shoulder and smacked me right off her and over a couple feet. I yelped, scrambling as
fast as I could to my feet, only to find her staff end pressed to my throat. "You Give up?"
I just gave her my best 'Why' Look and pouted, crossing my arms on my chest.
The first person to start laughing was Luke, then Scott, and so on down the line, until
everyone was laughing, but Jewls, who was just chuckling.
"Mummmmmmmyyyy" A voice screamed out over the laughter. I clammered to
my feet, wincing as my knee almost gave out on me. I looked over the crowd, one of the
girls just screamed for me. But where...?
"MOMMMMMY" Another girl, another scream, another mother.
"The Nursery!" Jewls and I screamed at the same time, snagging up our staffs
and moving quickly out of the ring. People were already miles ahead of us, running to
the childrens center. I slid to a stop, of course, there was a very crowded hallway. I
could hear children crying for mothers and fathers.
I shoved my way through my people to the front. Mike, Danny and Robert stood
there, looking blankly at my son. Who was standing, arms folded, glaring at them.
Behind him were the other kids. "Theodore!" I whispered, trying to get his attention.
Danny whirled around to face me. "Erk.. Hi Boy." I smiled, trying to laugh this one off.
"Iris." His voice was cold. I shivered, something was very wrong with this picture.
"You don't teach your children much respect for their Elders. Nor do you teach them the
right ways." His hazel eyes were icy with distaste... Hate?
"I teach my Children to make their own desisions, and not depend on the status
Quo." I narrowed my gaze. "But, not even I sink to scaring young children into
submission."
"Oh? Then what about the boogie man? Or the evil monsters under the bed?"
Mike leaned lightly on a huge sword. Sword! I forgot my sword! Gah, some leader...
Damnit. Times like these... "Why don't you tell them about God..."
"She does! Mommy Tells us all about God, and how he was made to make us
good, he's just Faith and a Sea.. Sea..." Annabelle, dear little Annabelle, with her hair in
two pigtails, pug nose red from crying, stood next to her brother, scowling up at the
men. She was between us and them... The old ones who had been watching them, were
behind the children, even the babies seemed to be protecting the hurt ones.
"Celestral" I put in for my stuttering four year old. She had been listening then, I
knew I was glowing with pride. Damon was near her too, hand on her shoulder, offering
support. I blinked, side glance at Jewls, she saw it too. "You see, Brother... I do teach my
children. Just not to your liking. She is only 4 years old."
Danny blinked, something flashing behind his eyes. Did it just click,that these
were really my children. "It has been five weeks, and I have yet to see the White King
give me back my people. Have you come to join us, with the real side?" A flash struck up
my spine deja-vu'. I dived to the right just as a sword slashed through the air were I had
been. Another curse uttered past my lips.
"You speak with a forked tongue." Mike straightened from the sword stroke. Oh
boy, just what I wanted to do, fight with one of my bestfriends... yay... "You must join the
rest of your kind.."
"I deny nothing." I motioned for my people to get back, Jewls helped by pulilng
them away. These weren't lackys, they were mages, Generals for the White King, it
wasn't the time to play Hero. Teddy watched his aunt Jewls move, and told the other
children to do the same, words were over, now, it was action.
'Joy..' I blinked looking over at Danny, who had a ghost of a smile on his lips. He
did remember Teddy then. Oh shit... "NO!" I screamed, Danny moved faster then I had
ever seen his 6'3 form move. Teddy was in his arms, and about to be thrown into a wall.
"No.." I whispered, falling to my knees. "Danny, please.. he's just a child..."
"He's already Dead." Danny raised Teddy an inch higher.
I had flash backs of when Teddy was just a spirit, five, six years ago, Danny had
taken the body he liked the best and flung it repeatedly into a brick wall. I could see him
doing it now, to flesh and blood. I hissed softly. "No." I closed my eyes, opening them to
a world full of sparkles and points. I grasped onto four of them and yanked. The walls
twisted in strange swirls around Danny. His grip faltered on Teddy's shirt, letting Teddy
kick away.
I slowly rose to my feet, stepping closer to Danny. Nimbly dancing between
Robert and Mike's blades, I moved closer. Each step felt like forever. I could hear Jewls
screaming with Luke and Scott, to get my happyass back there. It seemed like they were
so far away. Danny was in reach now. I stretched my fingertips forward. The sword was
there, in my grip, I swung, missing his neck by a hair, leaving behind a thin line of blood.
"I'm not a Killer." I whispered, stepping back. "But you touch one hair on your nephews
body in malice, I will rip your head from your shoulders in a heartbeat."
"Don't threaten me..." Danny narrowed his eyes, reaching for the next child, only
to find my sword in his path.
"It wasn't a threat Danny." I smiled through my tears, each one trailing from my
eye to my chin. "If you want to kill something, try something like Me. But not the
children." I could hear His voice screaming at me, telling me I had promised not to do
exactly this. But he wasn't here, and I was, these were My babies, and I was damned if
Danny, or anyone else was going to hurt them again.
Robert stepped closer, touching my arm. I looked over at him. Both he and Mike
had looks mirroring horror and saddness. I smiled weakly and nodded. It was over. I
looked back at Danny. "Are you with us? Or againest us Brother. These are your family.
Your flesh and Blood. NO threats. No promises. But remember, we aren't the ones who
asked you to come here and kill children. Then your own family. Your people."
Danny looked flat out confused. HIs mind warred with his heart. I smiled a bit and
leaned forward whispering something in his ear. "she's here, you know, with us. Your
other half.." Danny blinked, he was won over, just that fast. Stubburn ole Danny was
back.
His arms encircled me, pulling me into a hug. Teddy just blinked up at us, then
started kicking the backs of Danny's legs. "Let go of my mommy!!" He screamed at the
top of his lungs.
"It's alright Teddy..." I slid out of Danny's arms and lifted my son up into my arms.
"Uncle Danny's better... He won't hurt you ever again.." Teddy buried his head in my
shoulder, letting out the pent up tears. He had been a brave little soilder. "I'm proud of
you Theodore.. you were very brave." I let my fingers circle his back as Danny leaned
over to murmur his apologies to Teddy.
"Three down... Millions to go." Mandies spoke up from my elbow. I blinked and
looked over at her. "Want me to show the new ones the ropes?" she smiled, I just started
laughing, only me and one other knew the past. And if was to repeat it'self, Mandies was
in for a wild ride with Heidi.
"Yeah." I chuckled shaking my head. "Go for it, but watch out for the tallest.
Mike's a lady killer."
"yeah.. Okay.." Mandies nodded and smiled fakely, then moved over to introduce
herself to Mike and Robert. Danny scanned the crowd, then ran for Scott. The criss was
over, and I would like to think we just made a good headway into the White Kings
domain.
Jewls had scooped up Damon and Annabelle, and had moved to my side. "Well..
their men are with them, family is everywhere in here. So we got another coupla hundred
thousand to feed and care for." I blinked and shook my head, not a moment of peace...
"Yeah.. and so many more to go." I craddled Teddy on one arm, while leaning
down and picking up Kelsi. Usagi... "Bunny... Where's Bunny?" I looked around franticly,
but with all the children and bodies, it was impossible to see her. I whirled around to
face Jewls. "Where's Usagi!?"
"She's gone..." Luke was at my side. "I looked everywhere, she and Rachel are
missing." Rachel was eleven, and Luke's apperantice and daughter. I muttered a curse.
"A couple other kids are also missing."
"Damnit!" I would of slammed a fist in the wall, but I was laiden with two sniffling
kids. "Damnit."
Chapter 10
"This is perfect..." Justin sat the children he had gotten from the Outpost.
Numbering 20, they were some of the most influencal kids. He had even managed to
locate and kidnap the Gray King's daughter. "She'll come, we will offer up the trade." He
rubbed his chin. "We'll get twenty some new recruits and two leaders." He smiled and
shook his head. "Sometimes, I amaze myself."
"Don't gloat to soon, you really think this is going to work?" The cloaked figure
was back again.
"I beleieve it will. I have other plans, should this one go astray..." Justin sat back
in his chair. Below red robed men were herding the children deeper into the sewers. "I
find it amusing, using New York Subways for our plans. And the White king doesn't even
know we are down here."
"He knows, but what can he do? Iris stole his generals away." The cloaked
figure leaned closer to Justin, brushing impossibly long and slender fingers down his
face. "When will you take over the Black Kings postion? Or are you going for Iris'?"
"My brother, has yet to appear. This 'black king' is merely a dummy." Justin
chuckled softly. "The bigger fish have yet to challenge Iris. And Myself."
"Beware Justin, lest that ego take an extra bite out of your cake." The fingers
with drew back into the cloak as the red robed figure appeared.
"Lord, there is a man to see you..." The red robe moved to show a black robed
figure, the robes were not unlike the Popes.
"The black Pope..." The cowl whispered from the darkness. "When were you
reinstated?"
"When the Generals failed. History is repeating it'self... I shall help you, Dark
Prince." He bowed his head, a faint smirk on his lips.
"Of course, I knew the White king would see it our way." Justin smiled, crossing
his fingers. "I will leave this in your hands. Now, the plans are like this..."
I rested my fingers on my forehead, looking up into the sun and the tall manor.
"You sure this is were they are?" I spoke, to my mount, a dark tan, with white mane,
unicorn. "I mean, this is like a miniture palace..."
'Of course I'm sure, I'm an oracle...' I chuckled at the mental response, which was
a husky woman sound to it, and motioned my group forward. Luke, Scott, Danny, Sean
and Eva all were in one group to my left, checking around the house. Heidi, Robert,
Mandies, Mike and Jewls were on the other side, looking for a way in. I sat back in my
saddle, Teddy had insisted on coming, him and a few other young boys, no one under 13,
stood near me. I was only to be used if I had too. "Blah..." I muttered
"Mommy..." Teddy looked up, shading his eyes. "Do we really gotta go in that
spooky place?" I leaned down and ruffled his hair.
"I do... But you can stay outside with your guard." Did I metion that they were his
guard, not mine? I had refused a guard... This was Jewls way of getting me back. Her
and Scott were an evil duo, outwitting me at every turn. Hmm.. duo... I smiled to myself,
humming matchmaker to myself, I glanced around my shoulder at a sparkle of light
hitting metal somewhere in the distance. "Oh hell.."
"Mommy.. I mean, Iris?" Teddy instictively moved closer to my leg. "Whats that?"
"Trouble." I whispered, my eyes looking at the dust clouds, of what must of been
lots of trucks, horses, and loaded veicles. "alot of trouble..." I shook my head and called
up on my magic. Gah, so little there to pull on, what the hell... I sent out a golden blast of
energy, signalling our troops back. Something was up.
"Gray King..." Jewls was at my other ankle, otherside of Teddy. "What the hell? I
thought he was out fighting the Black and White, why is he here?" Jewls looked up at
me, I knew that look, she wanted me to step back and let her take care of it. I shook my
head. "Please Cj... This is important, whatever brought him here, I doubt it was to make
friends with you."
"I don't care, I got a feeling the 'snatchers took something of the Gray Kings." I
threw a leg over my mount and slid off on the left side. I muttered a curse and forced
myself to stay on jellied legs. "Besides, its about time I met some of the other Leaders."
"Cj..." Jewls got that look on her face, the one that promised, if I surived this
mess, I would feel the staff alot harder during training. I sighed and smiled helplessly at
my biggest bodyguard. Big, not in body, she was just a bit taller then my 5'4" self. But
the biggest worry wart. I knew she just loved me, and wanted me safe, but some times...
grr... I think that grin just ticked her off more. More bruises in my future, I had no will to
die here.
"Yeah... Love ya too" I dodged the fist, falling on my ass. I forgot my legs were
jellfied. Kai, the unicorn, nuzzled my neck with her nose. I smiled, funny, the lengends
said you had to be a virgin to attract a unicorn, and yet, here i was with one. 'I'm not a
normal unicorn, not get out of that dust and look regal.' Kai chidded mercilessly at me. I
scowled again, getting to my feet.
"Here they come..." Sean spoke up from my left. Eva, I noted, was standing to his
other side, looking mildly pissed off. "Whats the plan?"
"Talk, then act." Scott spoke up before I could even open my mouth. Who was
leader again? I could of swore it was me... I giggled, earning more glares from my
friends. Yep, defently not me, I was just the jester, more giggles, and more glares. I
shuffled back on my feet. Teddy clasped my hand tightly.
"Could you try to act a bit more serious?" Mandies chimmed up. I glanced over
my shoulder at her. Oh, was that MIke she was holding hands with, damn i'm good. I
muffled the giggles this time. Why was I so happy? I lost a daughter, and yet, i can't stop
laughing at my poor friends.
Some leader. "I'm Trying..." I smiled helplessly at her and Mike, who was also
starting to give me 'the look.' What the hell? Are all my friends going to learn the look
and daily give it to me? I turned my gaze over to Luke, I had the sudden impluse to move
over to him and tickle his middle wings. "Evil thoughts.." I muttered under my breath,
straighting and trying to act serious.
"Just remember someone has Bunny, and lord knows what he's doing to her."
Danny helpfully added in, at a bare whisper. I blinked back sudden tears and anger.
Wouldn't you know it would be my little brother, who actully towered over me, to remind
me of the situation.
"Bite me..." I whispered back at him, then stepping forward. Teddy clung to my
pants. Danny still gave him the creeps. "Its okay luv... why don't you go over to Aunt
Heidi..." I motioned him over to her. "Mommy has to go deal with someone."
"Okay Mommy." Teddy slowly unclentched his hands and moved over to Heidi's
side. I straightened, calling on my power, the little trickle flowed in slowly but surely.
This was maddening, after centurys of having no magic, to have just a little. I used my
anger to force more out of the barriers. I gathered it into my palms, and waited for the
four main figures of the Gray King to near us.
Chapter 11
"I see you also have business here." I called out to the figures, stepping a bit
farther from my friends, I was ready to throw up a sheild, as soon as anything came at
me. "Do you come in Peace or War?"
"Who's speaking to us? Lady in Black?" A slightly bulky figure spoke up from his
seat on a dragon. Whoa, a dragon, with red, purple and blue scales, sweet. "I am known
as the Gray King, as my banners say, you have no such markings."
"I am Iris. I need no Markings." I curstied, as best as my shaking legs could
manage. "I am honored to meet you, gray king, even in these dire times. You have
treated my people fairly."
"I have heard of Iris." That voice, it was so familar, I just couldn't place it. "But
your not her, she's not so..."
"Thin?" I chuckled and motioned a hand. "I am she, reborn as Avatar for my
people." I bowed my head, the brown locks, streaked with most every color of the
rainbow... Wait a second, when did that happen? They weren't really brown either, more
like white or black... What the hell?
"Lady, the Iris I knew, had Brown hair..." The figure slid from the dragon, moving
closer. Luke and Eva were a hair faster then me in reconizing him.
"Ken?" They echoed softly.
I looked closer, yep, same blue eyes... But a bit older. "Ken?" I smiled. "I'm hurt,
you not reconizing me and all..."
"Cj? Then the rumors are true, you are Iris." Ken moved close, and I was swept
up in an embrace. I hugged him just as tight. "I don't beleive this, were you responisble
for the kidnapping? You could of just called.."
"My daughter was kidnapped as well.." I pulled away from him slightly.
"Daughter?" His jaw almost hit the ground. I felt like chuckling, i liked his
reaction.
"Daughter, I have three, and a son." I motioned behind me to Teddy. "He's with
Heidi, the other two are home."
He snorted at Heidi's name, they didn't get along to well. "Who else did you drag
into your side?"
I chuckled and turned, looking at my scattered band. "Scott, Robert, Mike" I
motioned to each one in turn. "Are old family friends. Danny, as you know, Mandies,
Heidi..." I pointed them out too, earning grins and waves. "And Sean and Eva."
Ken stepped out of my reach and went a greeting. Lord it was good to have
friends. And Ken had gotten a sizable army... "Ken, did you say your daughter was
kidnapped?"
"Yep, and a couple other kids."
"Shit.." I muttered looking at the house. It was huge, with collums in the front.
Huge windows, that looked like glass, but didn't seem glass, more like cut stone. The
steps leading up to it were marble, and the door was too. It had towers on every corner
of the house. "I don't wanta search that house.. It'd take weeks.."
"We really dont' have a choice, we both got kids in there..." Ken leaned over and
kissed my cheek. "it's good to see you though."
"yeah.." I rubbed my cheek absently, remembering my newly colored hair. I
shivered and motioned. "Well People, lets get going."
or
