Nights and related characters are copyright SEGA Enterprises LTD. Kaseth and related characters are copyright Delphine Kiminsu. The Baku are copyright Alethea. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I sit here on the bench, and think about 'Phelia Todd and Homer Buckland, and I don't necessarily wish I was where they are... but I still wish I was a smoking man. --Dave, from Stephen King's, "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- How it All Began --Delphine Kiminsu She looked down the long hallway. No one was there. she thought. She pulled the hood of her dark blue cloak over her head and walked down the dreary hallway towards the cell. At the moment there was only one with a prisoner. In this section. She came upon the correct cell. She took the keys out of her cloak, unlocked it, and flew in. The small female 'maren saw her and cowered in fear. "It's okay," she whispered. "I'm here to get you out." The 'maren stared at her. "Can you walk?" The 'maren shook her head. "Okay." She picked up the 'maren and flew down the hall. She looked around. "Nights!" she whispered. Someone tapped her on the shoulder. She gasped and turned. When she saw who it was, she sighed with relief. "Nights." "Is she okay?" he whispered. "I don't know. She fell asleep on our way here and hasn't awoke since." "...Oh" Nights shook his head. "I'll have 'Phelia look at her when I get back." Nights looked her in the eye. "Thank you." "You know you don't have to. But you're welcome anyway." She smiled. He smiled back. Then he took the other 'maren and flew back to Nightopia. She watched until they were out of sight. Then she flew back to the castle. Kaseth flew down the hall towards Clawz's quarters. "I wonder what he wants n--" Another 'maren bumped into her. She watched Zenny fly by. Memories flooded her head. Memories of blood, teeth, fighting, and near death. Kaseth sighed. "I wish she wouldn't be like that. I did save her life. Ungrateful little..." She continued flying. "Where is that stupid..." There was a knock on Clawz' door. "Come in!" he yelled. Kaseth opened the door and flew in. "You called for me, sir?" "Why else would you be in here!" Clawz growled. Kaseth glanced at the ground. "Sorry, sir..." "Why weren't your troops guarding the southern section of the prison last night?" "My troops guard the northern section! The southern belongs to Ja-- belongs to someone else!" "You should have been guarding it anyway!" "But..." "But WHAT?!" Kaseth sighed and looked at the floor. "Nothing, sir." "Whoever helped the 'maren escape last night also vandalized the area... You and your troops will go and restore everything." Kaseth sighed again. "Yes, sir." "Dismissed." Kaseth left. Clawz leaned back and growled to himself; Wizeman had blamed him and it had put him in a rather bad mood. Kaseth flew down the hallway, thinking about what had happened and not watching where she was going... "WATCH IT!" Kaseth stopped short and looked up to see none other that Reala glaring at her. "I-I I'm sorry sir, I wasn't watching where I was going!" Reala glared at her hard. She glanced at the ground. Then, she looked up and looked Reala right in the eyes without looking away. Reala blinked. Most 'maren would have hardly been able to hold off running from him. "See that it doesn't happen again." He flew down the hall. She watched him for a moment, then, with a sigh, headed to the prison. "What do we do with these?" "Just pile them up over there." Kaseth said. The 'maren nodded and went back to work. Kaseth sighed. "Kaseth!" Kaseth turned and saw Jayston. "Where have you been?!" She pointed to the mess. "Look at this! *I* have to clean it up because of YOUR incompetence!" She crossed her arms and gave him a look. He looked around. "Hmm. Did a good job, didn't they?" "Oh, yes. They did a good job because YOU DIDN'T! YOU are in charge of the Southern Section of the prison, and YOUR troops weren't here, so someone did this, helped a rebel escape, AND *I* have to clean it up!" Jayston shrugged. "Sorry." "Oh, when will you learn!" She stomped her foot in disgust. "What can I say? I am sorry." "And lazy," Kaseth muttered. For a few moments the only sound was that of the workers. Something tugged on Kaseth's leg. She looked down and saw a verol. "What is it Supine?" "Wizeman wants you to give the damage report to General Reala instead of Clawz." "What?! Why?!" Supine shrugged. "You shouldn't question Wizeman's doings." He left. "Kaseth-- I didn't think anything like THIS would happen..." "It's all right Jayston." She shrugged. "Actually, I'd rather it be ME reporting to him instead of you." "Why's that?" "Because I'm not scared to death of him." Kaseth smirked. "Neither am I!" "Yes you are." "I am not!" "You are." "Okay, fine. Who says YOU aren't?" "Because *I* don't cower in the corner in his presence." A guard snickered. Jayston glared at her. Kaseth looked at the guard in question. "Did I tell you to join this conversation? Mind your own business and tend to your work." "Yes'm." The guard dropped a piece of something into a pile and went back to work. Kaseth sighed. "See? This is why my troops weren't here. They don't listen worth half a Nightopian." "You're so gruesome, Jay." Kaseth grinned. "Bad to the bone. That's me." "Right-- the day THAT'S true is the day *I* become a blacksmith." "I guess that'll never happen, then. Oh well." Jayston patted her on the back, being careful to avoid her sword. "Don't worry about this reporting to Reala business. I'm sure--" "Yes, I know. Everything'll be fine. Your motto." "Exactly." "Yes, even when a Baku is about to eat you, everything'll be fine..." Kaseth murmured. Jayston grinned at her as she left to give her first report. "Everything'll be fine because you're around," Jayston whispered. Nights walked into the infirmary. Ophelia saw him and walked over. "She's okay; she's got a bump on her head and a broken wrist, but she'll be okay." "Can I see her?" "Sure." Ophelia gestured toward one of the rooms. Nights nodded and walked in. Shenala saw him and sat up. "Hi. How're you feeling?" "Okay, I guess. She lifted her broken wrist. "This cast is heavy." "Don't worry. It'll be off soon." "Not soon enough." Nights laughed. "What?" "You sound just like me." "Oh." After a moment, she said, "This is bad?" "Not exactly." "Okay, good." Ophelia walked in, carrying a cup. "You're going to have to take some more of this." "Oh, come on! That stuff tastes horrible!" "Good. That means it's working." Shenala made a face, but Ophelia made her drink it anyway. She felt drowsy afterwards. C'mon," Ophelia said to Nights. After they were outside, he said, "Are you sure she's gone to be okay?" "I'm positive. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to..." "NIGHTS!!" Someone yelled. Nights turned and saw a male human- like 'maren. "What is it, Cye?" "You have GOT to see this it's HILARIOUS!" Nights grinned. "What is?" "I'll show you! Just come!" "Okay, I'm coming." Nights grinned again, said goodbye to Ophelia, and followed Cye. Reala leaned back and sighed angrily. His schedule had been free, and he had been going to use the day to relax. But NOOOO. Now HE had to receive the reports and relay them to Wizeman. The door squeaked open. Kaseth took a few steps into the room and looked up at Reala. When he saw her, three things happened. First, he felt something inside of him stir. Something that he hadn't felt for so long, he didn't know what it was. Second, he remembered her from the hallway. Third, he groaned. "Report," he ordered, sighing. Kaseth slowly glid into Jayston's sight. "Are you all right?" "Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" "Well..." "You're not telling me you believe the rumors, are you?" "Well..." "Jayston! "Maybe... just a little..." Kaseth shook her head. "Sometimes, Jay, you are such a kid." "I am not." She laughed. "Yes you are." "Am not!" She laughed again and playfully punched him. "Sure you're not. Now get outa here and go do your job." "All right all right." Jayston smiled and flew down the hall and around the corner. Weeks went by; both Kaseth and Reala had gotten accustomed to the reports. Jayston was being more cautious about his work. Shenala had gotten better, and Ophelia was going to take her cast off very soon. Nights was watching the border daily with increasing worry; things had been quiet lately, ever since he had rescued Shenala. There had been one battle, but it had been pretty much meaningless and there hadn't been a sign of the Nightmaren army since. The Nightopian army hadn't even had any new recruits. Nights entered the infirmary, and found all of his closest friends chatting with each other. Silas. He had been Nights friend for a long, long time. They often thought on the same wavelength, which is why they got along so well. After Nights had left the Nightmaren, Silas soon followed. He agreed with his friends reasoning and would do anything to stop Wizeman.; Cye, the always friendly, charming, and spontaneous guy. He was one of the first to rebel. He decided he didn't agree with Wizeman anymore, and left. He was also the jokester of the army, and the most unpredictable 'maren around.; Ophelia, the local doctor, who was sarcastic sometimes but otherwise friendly, and deserved her title as head doctor; and Shenala, the petite, quiet 'maren, whose caring and love stirred things inside of Nights. To put it bluntly: he was in love with her. And she was in love with him. But neither knew the others claim, so for the moment, they were apart. "Hi! Where've you been?" Shenala asked him. "Thinking. Things don't seem right; it's much too quiet." "That's just fine with me. If it wasn't quiet, I'd be missing it all because of this." She tenderly lifted her wrist. "And I still think you shouldn't be flying around because of that," Ophelia cut in. "And I still think it's no big deal; you're taking it off two days from now, aren't you?" "Yes, but if something happens before then, it could be MONTHS before I can remove it. No, that's wrong. I'd have to take it off and put a new one on." "See? I'd be getting it off anyway." She grinned. "Oh, yes, funny." Ophelia smiled. "Just be careful." "Believe me, I will. I don't want to go back THERE again." She shuddered. Nights put a hand on her shoulder. "You won't. I'll make sure of it." Shenala blushed. "You know what that means, don't you?" Cye asked. "No, what?" "He's not letting you go ANYWHERE off this base. That's the only way to keep you from getting in trouble," Cye teased. "It is not!" "That's right; she's perfectly capable of getting herself in trouble while she's still at the base." Ophelia winked at her, then turned and went to the counter to put a few things away. "So it wouldn't matter if he made me stay on the base or not. So there." She stuck her tongue out at him. Nights grinned. Kaseth opened the door and flew into her room. She closed the door and flopped down on the bed. "Oh," she sighed. "I'm glad it's finally over." Then she groaned. "Oh yeah. My report." She rolled over and got up. "One more thing to do. Then I can rest." She flew off towards Reala's thrown room. Reala hovered in front of the window. Kaseth was late; he figured she wasn't coming. He was glad. Now was one of those times when he wanted to be alone. The door squeaked. Reala groaned. "Sorry I'm late, I was detain..." "Give me your report later," he interrupted. "How much later?" "Never would be nice." "What's wrong?" "None of your business. Leave." Kaseth furrowed her brow. "I'm not leaving until I give my report." "GO. NOW." "No." Kaseth flew over to him. "Not until I give my report." "I'm ordering you to leave." "No." Reala turned and glared at her. "I gave you an order now follow it." Kaseth narrowed her eyes. "I'm not going anywhere until you receive my report." Reala grabbed her arm. "Are you going to leave on your own or am I going to make you?" "Go ahead and try." "Don't tempt me." "I'm not afraid of you." "Liar." "If I was afraid of you then WHY AM I STILL HERE?" Reala opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find anything to say, so he shut it. "Look, I just..." she sighed. "Give me your report and then LEAVE." Kaseth sighed again. She relayed everything to him. "And we finished," she concluded. "Good. Your last report. Now don't come back here unless I call you here. Which I won't." He let go of her arm and turned back to the window. "I... are you sure you're okay?" "YES! I'M FINE! GO AWAY!" "...I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were okay," she murmured, hoping Reala didn't hear her. He did. "Why would you want to do that?" he asked without turning around. "Because I care about you," she whispered. Reala wasn't sure he heard her right. "Why? No one else does." "Maybe that's the reason," she said softly. "I'm not sure." She flew over to the window and hovered beside him. "If you care so much then leave me alone." "I just want to help." "I don't need..." Kaseth put a hand on his shoulder, and he stopped. She placed her other hand on the window sill and tried to look him in the eye. He looked away, outside at everything else. She sighed, removed her hand, and looked out the window with him. He didn't look at her at all; he couldn't. "I'm sorry," Kaseth whispered. Reala didn't answer. "... I'll leave." She turned to go. Reala grabbed her arm. "Don't." Kaseth looked at him. He was focusing on something in the distance. "What?" "Look." She did. She saw two figures moving; one dressed in dark blue, the other in purple... "Is that...? "Yes." "Are we going to..." "Yes. Let's go." Reala flew out the window. Kaseth followed. They flew low to the ground. Almost no one noticed them. Almost. Soon they were close enough to hear what was going on. They hid behind a boulder and watched. "--nd it's planned for tomorrow." "How many?" "Half the army, maybe more." "Great." Nights sighed. "What are they talking about?" Kaseth whispered. "There's a battle planned for tomorrow," Reala told her. He prepared to jump out at them. "No, wait. I have an idea." Reala looked at her. "Did you hear something?" the 'maren asked. "...No." Nights said. Kaseth opened her mouth to say something else and Reala clamped his hand over her mouth. He got as close to her as he could and whispered, "Quiet! Do you want to get us killed?" She shook her head. He took his hand away and peeked around the boulder again. She looked over the boulder as well. "Sorry," she whispered as quietly as she could. He almost didn't hear. "Thanks--" "Shush. Don't say my name, someone may be watching. And you're welcome." She flew off over their heads. She didn't see them. Nights flew off in the other direction. "I'm going after him," Reala growled. "Wait," Kaseth stopped him. "I told you I have an idea." "What?" "You go and suggest to Wizeman that we delay... or even cancel the attack. You could say that... you suspect a spy." "That... makes some sense." "I thought so." Kaseth smiled. "I'll go after our little friend while you do that." Reala shrugged, and the two of them went off to do their jobs. Kaseth caught sight of the 'maren right away. She followed her, close enough to see where she was going, but far enough so that she didn't suspect anything. All the 'maren did was fly through the halls. Suddenly, she stopped. Kaseth stopped and quickly flew back so that she wouldn't be seen. Then she looked around the corner and watched the 'maren. The 'maren looked around. she thought. The 'maren took off her cloak. Kaseth gasped. The 'maren whirled around, but Kaseth had gotten out of sight before she could see her. "I don't believe it," she whispered. She looked around the bend again, but no one was there. "What the--" The next thing she was aware of was a throbbing pain in her head. "Ooooh," she groaned. She sat up. She was in exactly the same place she was before she had been knocked out. She looked at herself. Her pouch and sword were still with her; she wasn't tied up. "I guess... she just wanted to get away..." Kaseth looked around again. The cloak was on the floor. She picked it up, then flew off to her room. Dizzily, she opened the door, tossed the cloak under her bed, and sat down. "I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life..." She lay herself down, and immediately fell asleep. "Come on, get up." Kaseth groaned and rolled over. "What is it? I'm tired Pumice. Go away." "I wouldn't be so tired if General Reala wanted to see me." "What?" Kaseth sat up and looked at the little snip. Then she remembered the days happenings. "All right... I'm coming... just five more minutes." Kaseth leaned back. "No no no! Up now!" "All right, all right!" Kaseth laughed at her little friend. "You won't be laughing if you're late. Fix your hat." Kaseth did so and followed Pumice through the halls towards Reala's thrown room. Kaseth opened the door. "You can leave now, Pumice." "You don't 'ave to tell ME twice." Pumice ran off back to Kaseth's room to wait for her. Kaseth chuckled at her friend, then walked in. "Did you find out who it is?" Kaseth paused before answering. "Kaseth?" "No," she lied. Reala sighed. "Wizeman heeded my suggestion. He's delaying the attack." "Well." She smiled. "I guess one of us didn't fail." "Dismissed." She left his throne room, went down the hall, and entered her own. She glided in and went to the window. "Did you tell him?" She whirled around. "Aeana." "Did you tell him?" Kaseth didn't answer. She took the cloak out from under her bed and tossed it to Aeana. "Kaseth!" Kaseth ignored her and flew back to the window. Aeana flew up to her. "Did you tell him?!" Kaseth ignored the question. Aeana forced her to turn around and look at her. "PLEASE!! DID YOU TELL HIM?!" "No." She pushed Aeana away and looked out the window again. Aeana practically collapsed from relief. "Thank you." Kaseth shrugged. Aeana flew up to her. "Are you all right?" "Not particularly." Kaseth turned around and sat on the window sill, letting her feet dangle in the room. "I didn't want to lie... not to Reala." "Why?" "...Because." "Come on, you can tell me." Kaseth shrugged and didn't say anything. Aeana sighed. "All right." She left. Kaseth flew out the window and wandered around Nightmare. Pumice came out from under the bed. "Now what was THAT all about?" "Are you sure the attack was supposed to be for today? What if she was misinformed?" Silas asked. "She wasn't," Nights said firmly. "What if she was caught?" Ophelia asked softly. Nights stopped arguing and looked at her. "You WERE in Nightmare... who says you weren't being watched somehow?" "She's always careful." "Sometimes, being careful isn't enough." Nights set his jaw and turned away from them. "Call off the troops. Tell them it was a false alarm." Silas nodded and flew off. "Are you all right?" Ophelia asked. "Yes. I'm just afraid she's not." Ophelia put an arm around him and said, "If she's not hurt, she'll tell you. You said she knows where the base is?" "Yeah. She does. Which makes me even more worried-- what if they beat it out of her?" "You're basing all this on an unknown fact. She might have gotten away. Or they might not even know who she is. Or they might have canceled the attack anyway. So don't worry about it." She smiled. "Now let's get back to the base before they begin wondering what we're doing out here." He smirked and they went back to the base. "I want you to meet Jenna." Reala watched as a small, child female 'maren walked out from behind Wizeman. She was holding a small, curved sword and was smiling shyly. "She is an unfortunate orphan." "Mom wasn't behaving," Jenna said. It sounded as if she had rehearsed it all day. "Her mother was a spy. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Reala nodded. "I learned a lot from Mom. I'm almost as good as she was." "And a wonderful actor," Wizeman commented. "What shall we do with her?" "You are going to lead her over to the border and into the forest. Then come back. She already knows her part. She's going to pretend she's lost. Nightopia will surely believe her and take her in. From there she will retrieve maps, plans, and other items of use." Reala nodded. "She may also help to trap Nights once again. And keep him there." "How?" "You will find out later; at the moment, nothing is set. Now go." Reala left with Jenna. "Yes... this shall be... interesting." "Battle's canceled all together," Kaseth told Jayston. He shrugged. "I didn't even know about it in the first place. No skin off my ba--" The door burst open. "Kaseth I have to te-- oh. You're busy." "A simple hello..." "Jayston... I'll talk to you later, okay?" Jayston looked at her. "All right... see ya later...." He left. Aeana flew up to Kaseth. "Okay, listen. Wizeman has something big planned. Something really bad. I don't know what it is, but Reala is involved. I need you to..." "Wait a minute. Since when am I helping you?" "Well... you didn't tell..." "That was because you're my friend, and I don't want you getting hurt. Doesn't mean I'm going to help you with everything else." "Kaseth!" Aeana whined. "Please! It'd be a big help." She gave her a pleading look. Kaseth groaned. "All right, look. I'm not going to make a big effort to find anything out... but if I do, I'll tell you." "Thanks Kaseth." Aeana left as Pumice came in. "Hello. Who was that?" "Hi. A friend." "The same friend that was here the other day?" Kaseth stared at her. Pumice closed the door. "What, are, you, talking, about?" "You know what I'm talking about. Do you know how much trouble you can get in for lying? Especially about this! You'll be imprisoned as a traitor!" "Quiet! Someone will here you!" "Someone is going to find out. And then you'll be in a lot of trouble." Kaseth looked at her. "You're not going to tell, are you?" she asked softly. The snip sighed. "No. Unless I'm asked. Then I might. But otherwise..." Kaseth sighed with relief. "Good." Ophelia listened. She knew that she could here someone crying. She listened again, and flew to her left. "Hello?" she ventured. The sobbing suddenly stopped. Ophelia stopped. "Is someone there?" "Help," was the simple answer. Ophelia flew towards the voice. She looked through the trees, and saw the 'maren. She seemed to be no older than twelve, with a red and pink costume. She was trapped upside down in a tangle of branches. Ophelia approached her. The 'maren gasped. "It's all right. I won't hurt you." The child relaxed slightly. Ophelia worked on getting her out. "Who are you? How did you get yourself in this mess?" "My name's Jenna. And I wasn't watching were I was going. I've been stuck here for hours." She was partially telling the truth. She hadn't been there longer than half an hour. But she was stuck. She and Reala had been flying through the forest looking for the right setting, when she flew right into it and couldn't get herself out. The two of them decided that this was as good a setting as any, and Reala had gone back to Nightmare. Ophelia pulled her out. "Why weren't you watching where you were going?" "I... was running." "From whom?" "The army. They killed my mother, and then I ran..." Jenna stopped and studied the ground. Ophelia interpreted it as an attempt not to cry. "It's all right. Look, you've got scratches and bruises all over. I think I'll bring you to the infirmary at the base. Is that okay?" Jenna sniffed. "Yeah." Reala saw Kaseth at the end of the hallway. She was leaning against the wall, lost in thought. Her arms where crossed and she was staring off into space. That feeling fluttered around inside him again. He remembered her green eyes. How kind they had been. How they had sparkled. He flew past her. "Hi," she said as he flew past. He stopped and glanced at her. She smiled. He looked at her suspiciously. "What, now it's against the rules to be friendly?" She sighed and turned away from him, about to fly off. "Wait." She turned towards him again. He glanced around. "Come on." He flew down the hall. She followed. Reala stopped at a dead end. "What--?" "Shh." He pushed against the wall, and a portion of it opened to show a hidden passageway. Kaseth gasped. Reala flew in, and she followed once again. He closed the entryway and looked at her. "...Reala? What is this? Where are we?" "It's a hidden passageway. When the castle was first built many passages were built and connect throughout the entire structure." "Wh... why are you showing me this?" Reala shrugged uncomfortably. "In case you need to use it sometime." He flew down the passage and exited before she could say more. Nights watched Jenna playing with Cye off in the distance. Something about this little girl wasn't right; he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach about her. But... she had been so nice. Everyone got along with her and pitied her. She had been there but a day and already half the base were friends with her. Nights sighed. Maybe he was just being paranoid, and there was nothing wrong with this girl... maybe he was just being... "Nights?" The general looked behind him and saw Shenala. She smiled at him. He smiled back. She walked over and sat down next to him. "Are you okay?" "Yes, why wouldn't I be?" "Well... you just haven't been the same since Jenna arrived." Nights looked at her. "... I'm just not so sure about having her around. It just seems... strange." Shenala looked at him. "Yeah. Strange." It was late that night. A small figure flew through the corridors of a building in the Nightopian base. She silently flew past the snoring guards and snickered at them. One stirred, but that was all. She entered the first room, and closed the door behind her. She took a small torch out of her pack and lit it. She looked around the room. She opened a small box and found a pile of back-up medicine for Ophelia to use when she simply didn't have the supplies in the infirmary. Jenna smiled. She took a small vial of poison out of her pack and poured half of it onto the contents. Then she closed the box and put it away. An evil grin spread across her face. About an hour later she entered the last room she was going to search tonight. She had found nothing of any importance yet, and was worried that the real stuff was hidden better than she had thought. Until she saw the contents of the room, and she grinned once again. Maps of the base in Mystic Forest, the supposedly abandoned base in Soft Museum, which really wasn't, and maps of a hidden safe house under the ground in Frozen Bell. She took a few maps, rolled them up, and put them in her pack. After a few minutes of shuffling papers, she found a map for a newly explored area. she thought. She scanned the map for any signs of a hidden base of supply hold or anything. The only thing she found was the name: Island Lake. Kaseth watched the troops bring in the prisoners. One was a large, white and black male 'maren cat. The other was a young girl 'maren, with a pale blue and dark purple costume. The first was snarling and biting at the guards; the latter was softly crying. Kaseth felt sorry for her. She was but a child, and a child should not have to know army life-- but apparently she did. The guards placed the child in the prison cell. She didn't fight back. But they had quite a bit of trouble with the cat. It took them a few minutes just to get him in the doorway, and by the time he was in and the door was locked, only one of the guards was free from scratches and one of them had a deep cut in his arm, whom Kaseth sent to the infirmary. The rest of the guards left, and Kaseth was about to leave as well when the 'maren cat spoke. "She didn't do anything. Let her go." Kaseth looked at him through the iron bars. "That's not my decision." "But you can get her out of here. You have the keys." Kaseth laughed. "Do you know how much trouble I'd get in if I did let her out? I'd be classified as a traitor and I'd be executed. No, I enjoy living, thank you." "How can you, you work for Wizeman." "I make do." Kaseth left, but not after a long glance at the child in the next cell. "A child? Are you serious?" "Yes." "And she's in my section. That's great." Aeana, Kaseth, and Jayston were in the Entertainment Hall. One or two trading posts were around, and there was a play going on at the corner of the room. A jester was in the center, surrounded by miscellaneous 'maren. And there was plenty of gambling. "How could they be so cruel? What could a child do?" "A lot." The three of them looked up at Jackle. "Sir?" Aeana asked. Jackle waved it away. "You needn't call me sir in here." "I thought the high officials didn't come here." Kaseth rolled her eyes at him. "Do you believe everything you here?" "Nope. Just most of it." Kaseth and Aeana looked at each other and grinned. "Not true. The only one of us who doesn't come is Reala." "Wonder why," Jayston snickered. Kaseth shrugged and ignored the statement. Aeana looked at her. "Oh my." "What?" Kaseth asked. "You know what." "Shush." Jayston and Jackle looked at each other, then looked at the women, then looked at each other again. A few other 'maren had got together and started playing music, cutting off any confused questions they may have asked. Jackle outstretched his hand towards Aeana. "Dance?" Aeana smiled. "Of course." She took his hand, and he pulled her out onto the dance floor with him. "Dance?" Jayston mocked when he was sure they were out of earshot. Kaseth laughed. "Did you see her? She was practically drooling when he asked her." "Yeah," Jayston said with a chuckle. "What was that you two were talking about before?" "Nothing." Kaseth felt herself getting red and couldn't help it. "Kase-eth. Tell me." "I can't." "Why?" "Because." "Okay." Sometimes it was like that; one didn't tell the other something and didn't need to explain. "I feel stupid standing out here my ourselves. Dance?" Jayston asked. "Sure." He took her hand and they walked onto the dance floor. Reala glanced into the Entertainment Hall. What he saw sent a pang of jealousy through him. He decided right then and there that he was going to have to start visiting the Hall more often. Jenna had decided to hide the maps in her room until she left Nightopia. And she wasn't going to leave until she had captured Nights one way or another. Wizeman had explained the plan to her, and he was going to tell Reala when he was sure that Jenna had had the time to plan. Now she had to search for a place to put it. "What do you mean, the map's missing?" "Just as I said, Nights-- the map of that new place is missing. Gone. Poof." Silas made a gesture as he said it. Nights sighed. "Are you sure?" "How many times must I say it? Yes!" Nights smirked. "Are you really, *really* sure?" "YES!" "Really, really, *really* sure?" "YES! YESYESYESYESYES!!" Nights laughed. "If you're sure..." Silas lunged at him and pinned him to the ground. "YES I'M SURE!!" "Okay okay! You're sure!" "Are you sure I'm sure?" Nights laughed in spite of himself. Silas let him up. "Sheesh... I feel like I'm taking care of children!" "In that case, could you clean my room, Mom?" Ophelia laughed and Cye looked at the others. "What was that all about, anyway?" "He was teasing me," Silas whined. Nights smirked. Cye grinned. "Awww, poor baby. Did he hurt your feewings?" "Oh be quiet, 'Phelia." The four of them laughed. It felt good to laugh. There were few moments they had to do so. "But still, the problem persists-- where the heck is the stupid map?" "Maybe some one of the younger troops did it on a dare." Nights looked at Cye. "We are crazy like that, you know." He grinned crazily and Nights shook his head. "No, I don't think it's something as simple as that. We may have a spy among us." "Just a theory," Nights added hastily when Cye and Ophelia started to stare at Silas. Cye nodded thoughtfully. "But-- it still makes a lot of sense. Let's say that there IS a spy among us; who're the suspects?" "There's quite a few new troops: Melanie, Himble, Trenton, Jacob,..." she listed the rest. "And Jenna," Nights added. "Jenna? But she's just a kid. What could she do?" Cye asked. Nights shrugged. "Just a thought." But his eyes said differently. "All right, I'd better get back to the infirmary." Ophelia gave a small wave and flew off. "I need to get going too. I have... plans." Cye grinned, gave a nod, then sped away. Nights was about to go wander around lost in thought, but Silas held him back. "What's up?" Nights looked at him. It wasn't one of Cye's 'cool' greetings; Silas really did want to know what was up. "It's nothing." Nights lowered his eyes, unable to lie to his friends face. "C'mon, Nights. I've been your friend forever. I've always respected your opinion." He paused. "It has something to do with Jenna, doesn't it?" He furrowed his brow. "I don't get it-- she's just a kid." "Next time you see her-- just WATCH her. She... I don't know, something about her just isn't right. Her movements. Her attitude. I don't know. Something's just not right." Nights looked at him, hoping he would understand. He didn't. Nights sighed. "I'll be back." He flew off. Silas watched him go. "Whatever's going on, I'm going to find out." "C'mon, this way." "No, we can't. Guards are still on duty over there." "Well where can we go?" "Over here, I'll show you-- shush child, it's all right. We know what we're doing." "Sorry," she whispered. Aeana, and Kaseth were looking for a way to get out of the castle secretly. Aeana had to see Nights. She hadn't seen him since she had been found out, and he still didn't know if she was alive or dead. They had the child with them. Kaseth had spirited the child away in the middle of the night, and now the two older 'maren where trying to get her away from here. Kaseth knew she could easily get into it, for that was Jayston's section during the night, hers during the day, since the one who had formerly had the job had left. Kaseth felt a guilty for taking advantage of her friend, but she figured he couldn't possibly get in too much trouble. Kaseth led Aeana through the hidden passageways until she found the doorway she wanted. "Here. Just open this door, and you're out of the castle." She handed her the child. "Be careful." "Don't worry. I'm always careful." Aeana held the child close to her, and Kaseth left her to her own. About an hour later, Aeana set the child down near a pond in Mystic forest. A Nightopian peeped quietly when it saw her. She smiled. "Hello Plum." "Meep!" The Nightopian returned. He flew to the child and studied her. The child stared at Aeana and ignored Plum. "Why... why did you let me go?" Aeana knelt down and put her hand on the child's shoulder. Plum, not wanting to be left out, mimicked Aeana with the child's other shoulder. "Not everyone is bad. I'm against Wizeman, and a spy for the Nightopian army." "Who're they?" "The greatest defense the world has against Wizeman." "Then they're the good guys?" Aeana smiled. "Yes." "Good." The child laughed as the Nightopian flew around upside down. "Are they always so funny?" "Nope. Sometimes they're funnier." They both laughed and Aeana stood up. Plum flew up to her and peeped in her face. She smiled and lightly batted at him. "Do you know where Nights is?" Plum shook his head, then went over to play with the child. Aeana sighed and flew off to find him. Nights was sitting on a hill, looking over the land. He wasn't in a good mood. His best friend didn't understand him, the map, along with a few others, were missing, they probably had a spy in their midst, and he still wasn't sure if Aeana was okay or not. He leaned back against a tree behind him and closed his eyes, hoping to get a quick nap. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up. He saw Aeana smiling down on him. "How's it going?" "AEANA!" He quickly sat up and looked at her. "Where have you been?! Why didn't you come before! I didn't know what to think! I thought you were dead! I thought..." "Hey! Calm down! I'm okay!" "I know that. NOW, anyway. You let me worry, and worry, and worry..." "Of course I did. It's fun." They grinned at each other. Then they became serious. "Any news?" he asked. "I'm afraid not. Things have been deathly quiet... I know something big's going on, but I don't have the slightest idea what. I keep trying and trying, but nothing'll come up. None of the officials know, except Reala. And I've never been able to get anything out of him, or anyone he's told." She didn't mention Kaseth; not yet anyway. "If anyone," Nights murmured. "All right, keep me posted. You know where to find me." "I certainly do." Jayston nervously entered Wizeman's thrown room. "You called for me, sir?" His voice did not shake, but his eyes were clouded over with fright. "I most certainly did. I suppose you know what happened in the prison last night." "Yes, sir." "And you DO know that your troops were on guard duty, correct?" Jayston's voice shook. "Yes, sir." "That leaves two explanations. Incompetence, and traitorism." "I'm not a traitor!" Jayston blabbed out before he could stop himself. The next second he found himself on the floor against the wall. He could no longer control himself and shook violently. "SPEAK ONLY WHEN I TELL YOU TO!" Jayston shuddered and huddled against the ground. "STAND UP." Jayston slowly pulled himself up, mostly out of fear of being slammed again. He leaned against the wall and stared up at Wizeman. "If you're not a traitor you'll still be punished for being stupid. Do you understand?" "Yes," Jayston whispered. "LOUDER!" "YES!" Jayston sobbed. Wizeman slammed him into the wall again. "DO NOT YELL AT ME! NOW STAND!" Jayston pulled himself up into a kneeling position and stared at the floor. "I can't," he whispered. "Stand now or you shall never stand again." The calm in Wizeman's voice scared enough adrenalin into Jayston, and he stood. He winced as Wizeman spoke. "Now go. And remember what I said." Jayston half glid, half limped out to the infirmary. He collapsed three times from fear and from pain before he made it into the infirmary. Tabib was in the middle of fixing him up when Kaseth raced into the room. "Jayston!" He looked up and tried to smile. "Hi Kaseth." Tabib finished up. "I'll leave the two of you alone." He left the room and Kaseth walked over to Jayston. "Are you all right? What happened?" "He beat me up. What else is there to say?" While he said that, Reala arrived at the door of the infirmary. "I wouldn't go in there right now," Tabib told him as he walked towards the room. "What else is there to say?! You didn't deserve that! It's not your fault! It's..." she stopped before she said "It's my fault". "It's not fair!" "You think I don't know that?" "Who're you to tell me what to do?" "No one; I'm just advising you." "Well you don't need to." Reala walked into the room. Kaseth and Jayston were talking, and they hadn't seen him yet. "See? You were right. You said that one of these days it was going to catch up to me. And it did." He shivered. "Oh Jayston," she murmured. She couldn't think of what else to say. Reala cleared his throat. Kaseth whirled and looked at him. "Whada YOU want?" "Wizeman sent m--" "I thinks Jay's had ENOUGH of Wizeman for one day," she spat. She felt Jayston's hand on her arm. "Calm down," he murmured. She glared at Reala, but said no more. Reala informed Jayston that he was off-duty for a month, and he was being moved from Clawz to Jackle. The mention of Clawz reminded Kaseth of her own job. "Shoot! I'm late!" She said good-bye to Jayston and left the infirmary. Reala followed her. "Kaseth," he called after her, but she ignored him. He flew up next to her. She still ignored him. "I need to talk to you." "I'm late enough as it is." "You're excused from all your duties for today. I need to talk to you." She glanced at him and slowed down. "About what?" "About Jayston." She rolled her eyes in disgust. "Can't you people just leave him alone for now? He's had enou--" "But I'm not talking to him. I'm talking to you." She looked him in the eye. "Okay. So you're talking to me. What do you want me to tell you? That he's a traitor? That he's been against Wizeman from day one? Is THAT what you want me to tell you? 'Cause if it is, go talk to someone else." He sighed. "I just want to know if anything-- ANYTHING-- he does or HAS done is suspicious at all." Kaseth thought it over. "This isn't the first time he's left his guard down, just because this is the first time he's been punished for it," Reala added. Kaseth looked at the ground. "Not anything you don't already know." "All right. If anything comes up, I want you to tell me, okay?" She nodded. "...And Kaseth? I don't want you to be mad at me. I'm only doing my job." She smiled at him. "I'm not mad." "And, since you've got the day off, how about going to the Entertainment Hall with me?" He was hoping for a "yes", but fully expected a negative answer. "Sure." "Look. I know what you're doing. And I know you can get me out of here." "I told you, we don't take care of defection. We only spy and deliver information If you want to leave, you're on your own." "What if I threaten to tell?" Aeana stared at Jayston. There was no doubt in her mind that he WOULD tell on her. "You can't!" She choked out. "Then help me." She thought for a moment. "All right. I'll help you leave. But you have to do something for us first." "Like what?" "Collect some information of uttermost importance." "...All right. How do I get it?" "Only Wizeman and Reala know about it. Take your pick." She flew off, feeling very satisfied. Jayston watched her go. "If that's what you want, I'll do it," he whispered. A week went by. Aeana and her organization hadn't found any new information, and Nights was a little worried about that. In the Entertainment Hall, Jayston and Reala took turns dancing with Kaseth. Aeana danced with Jackle almost everyday. But there would be no dancing today. An attack was planned. The Nightmaren Army was going to search Mystic Forest for the base. Reala saw no point in this, since in another month he was going back for Jenna and she would tell them where it was, but he didn't ask questions. It was also on this day that Reala realized that he had friends for the first time in a long while. He was in the behind the troops, saving himself for Nights, if Nights came. Jackle and Clawz were leading the troops into battle. Kaseth and Jayston where at the back with Reala. Aeana wasn't coming, although she had been ordered to. She had suddenly come down with the flu. Kaseth and Jayston suspected that she'd be better the next day. "Let's go, troops!" They flew across the border and into Mystic Forest. Shenala practically rammed into Nights. "WHOA!" "There you are! Wizeman's troops are coming this way, fast!" "What?! Go find Cye and tell him to get his troops." Shenala nodded and flew off in a hurry. Nights swore and looked for Silas. "They'll come. They always do." "What if they don't?" "Then we'll eventually find the base and burn them all." "Burn them? I thought we were supposed to take them back alive." "Not if they won't come." "True, true." "LISTEN UP! I want each and every one of you ready! No surprises!" "Yes sir!" They chorused out. "This should be fun," Kaseth muttered sarcastically. "No kidding," Jayston murmured. She looked at him. "What do you mean?" He shrugged. "Nothing. Just agreeing with you." "I see." Kaseth suddenly became very suspicious. Nights, Silas, and Cye, led the troops into the forest. "How are we supposed to know where they are?" "We'll hear them." "Yeah, and they're going to hear us f you don't pipe down and keep it quiet," Ophelia told them. Very suddenly they found the Nightmaren troops. "Nights," Reala hissed. "Let the battle begin." The battle had been going on for hours. Nightmare had twenty-seven 'maren down and fourteen casualties. Nightopia had thirty and sixteen. Tabib and Ophelia had their work cut out for them. Nights and Reala were fighting high above all the others. They both fought silently except for the sound of drill-dashing and para-looping. Neither was losing or winning. They were too perfectly matched. Jenna watched the battle from a distance with tainted amusement. She had found the spot to put the Ideya Palace and was waiting for the battle to be over to tell Reala about it. Kaseth and her opponent had somehow gotten themselves away from the battle and were fighting almost in secrecy. Her opponent was Silas. "You're a pretty good swordsman." "You're not so bad yourself. But I'm better," Kaseth said without bragging or immodesty. "We'll just see about that." Silas swiped at her head but she blocked in and almost put a gash in his arm. They went on like that for a few minutes, blocking and almost hitting. Until Silas lost hold of his sword. He fumbled for it, but Kaseth knocked it away. There was no way he could get it. She backed him into a tree and pressed the sword-point against his chest. "Told you I was better." Silas swore under his breath. "Go ahead and kill me. You made your cake, now eat it." Kaseth looked him in the eye. He looked right back. She backed off and put her sword away. "Cake. Yuck. Never touched the stuff." Silas stared at her. "...Are you letting me go?" "I think so. I'm pretty new at this letting the enemy live thing, but yeah. I'm pretty sure that's what it's called." Silas laughed in relief. "I think that's the closest to death I've ever been." "Remember it. And next time, hold your sword with both hands if you feel it slipping until you can grip it again." "Thanks." Silas picked his sword up and looked at her. "Who are you?" "Kaseth." "Thank you. Kaseth. For letting me live." He smiled. She smiled back. Then he flew back into the battle. There was a break in the folly of punches and kicks from Reala, and Nights took that time to look at the battle below. He found Silas, and Cye, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find Shenala. He became worried, but didn't have any more time for it, seeing as Reala suddenly dashed into him. Reala had been looking down at the battle as well, looking for Kaseth. He couldn't find her, either. But he did see Jenna off in the distance. He decided to end this fight quickly. Nights caught himself and flew back up to Reala. Reala punched him in the face, but then Nights grabbed his arm and threw him. Reala grabbed Nights, and sent the two tumbling down to the ground below. Nights caught himself a few feet from the ground. Reala had caught himself a few feet higher than him. He wasn't sure if it was an advantage or a disadvantage. Reala looked at Nights. Nights looked back. Reala very suddenly drill dashed Nights into the ground, then pinned him there and started punching before Nights new what was happening. Ophelia looked out the tent flap and saw Reala pummeling Nights. She grabbed her patients sword and shot over to them. "You jerk!" She slammed the sword hilt against Reala's head. He cried out in surprise and pain and rolled away. Nights sat up and kicked him further away, then stood up. Ophelia touched his bloody lip. "Don't get that infected." "I won't." Reala looked up at them. He wanted to beat the life out of Nights, but he had to find out what Jenna was doing. He unwittingly flew off to find her. Kaseth had started to go back to the battle, but she decided not to. She could just say she had chased a rebel, but he had gotten away. She wandered around, enjoying the scenery. She stepped in something wet. She looked down and saw blood. Kaseth followed the trail and found a dead 'maren cat. After a quick inspection she found it to be a Nightmaren troop. she thought. She walked around some more. She stepped on a root and heard a moan. She looked down and found that she had stepped on someone's leg, not a root. She took a step back and knelt down beside the figure. she concluded. Shenala looked at her and whimpered. She had a huge gash in her arm and another in her leg. "Are you going to kill me?" Her voice came out hoarse and whispery. Kaseth shook her head and whispered, "No. I have no reason to." The 'maren looked at her curiously. "You need help. I'll get you to the doctor Tent." Shenala gasped and stared. "I meant the Nightopian one!" She helped her sit up and thought it over. "I'll carry you...?" "Shenala," she managed. "Shenala. C'mon." Kaseth picked her up and flew up behind the tent, where it was facing the surrounding forest. She put Shenala down and started to leave. "Hey! You!" Kaseth gasped and dashed off. Silas and another 'maren flew up to Shenala. "I'm going after her," the other 'maren said. Silas held him back. "Leave her. She's not important." He picked up Shenala and brought her into the tent. Kaseth reentered the battle scene near the Nightmare Medic Tent. She glanced inside and saw Jayston lying on the ground. She gasped and was about to go inside, but then he moved and she knew that he was asleep. She left the tent and looked around the battle-field. Most of the 'maren had stopped fighting, although a few from both sides were still halfheartedly sword fighting. She didn't find Reala, so she took off into the forest. She found Reala a few minutes later, talking to a little girl. She moved closer. "--lace and I found it." "But... why didn't Wizeman tell me about it?" "He didn't want you to know yet. I think I shouldn't have told you yet, but it's to late now, isn't it?" Jenna grinned. Reala grinned his infamous grin and flew off. Kaseth gasped and got out of his way. "Kaseth! What're you... did you hear that conversation?" "... not all of it..." Reala became angry. "Why were you spying on me?!" "I wasn't! I couldn't find you and came looking! Sorry if I cared." She turned and flew away from him. He shook his head and flew back to the troops. Three days later. "I still hurt." "That's what you get for using a dagger against a 'maren cat," Kaseth told Jayston. "Yeah. And you shouldn't even be using a dagger anyway. You should be using a sword," Aeana added. "Look," Jayston said, "This dagger belonged to my father. If I want to use it, I will." "All right. I just don't want you getting hurt." Kaseth looked slyly at Jayston when Aeana said that. Jackle flew over to them. Without a word, he and Aeana took to the dance floor. "Sheesh, look at them. Do they do this every day?" "Yes," Kaseth said. "I think it's sweet." "I think it's sick." Jayston made gagging noises. Kaseth laughed at him. "Oh, come on Jayston." She grinned. "Or are you jealous?" "Me? Jealous? I don't even like Aeana!" "SUUURE you don't. I know that look in your eye." "What look? C'mon Kass, stop fooling around. I don't like her." "All right, if you say so..." "I do. Now..." "Kaseth?" Kaseth turned and smiled. "Hi Reala." She unconsciously brushed herself off and fixed her hat. Jayston rolled his eyes. "Kaseth, I need to talk to you." He glanced at Jayston. "Alone." "All right all right I'm going." Jayston glid off, muttering "I've been demoted from Chop Suey to half a noodle. Sheesh!" Kaseth rolled her eyes and looked at Reala. "Don't worry about him. HE's just kidding. Now," she said, "what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" "It's about Jenna. You haven't... told anyone, have you?" "No. I didn't see any reason to." "Good. Keep it up. It's supposed to be kept a secret. If you told someone, and then they told someone, and that person told someone..." He shook his head. "Just keep it to yourself, okay?" "Sure thing." Reala glanced around nervously, to make sure no one had heard them. He saw Jackle within earshot of his whispering, but decided he hadn't heard. "Want to dance?" "Sure." The two of them took to the dance floor. Mika watched them curiously. She was the piccolo player. There were five in the group: one who played the clarinet, one who played the flagolet, one who played the panpipe, one who played the cithara, and Mika. Mika wondered how any 'maren could get Reala to socialize, never-the-less dancing! She wasn't the only one. Almost every 'maren in the castle was wondering how it was so; Wizeman had gotten wind of it, and had been worried about his performance. But after the battle, he had forgotten all about it and was busy planning the next assault. "YOU!" he roared. The nearest guard looked up at Wizeman and bowed. "Sir?" "Collect Clawz for me IMMEDIATELY!" The guard bowed again and quickly left the room to find Clawz. "Sir! Wizeman requests your presence." "Oh, what does the old windbag want now..." Clawz leaped down from his perch and walked around the guard as a tiger would stalk his prey. The guard nervously shifted his feet and waited for Clawz to leave. "All right, I'll go see him." Clawz bounded off, and the guard dashed down the hall. Clawz entered the room and bowed. "You called for me, Sir?" "Yes. I want you and your troops to construct an Ideya Palace." "Sir?!" "In Mystic Forest," Wizeman said, as if Clawz hadn't spoked. He brought out a crude map and showed Clawz the place. Then he explained the plan. Clawz nodded, then went to his room to prepare. Aeana flew up to Kaseth in the hallway. "Why didn't you tell me as soon as you found out?" she asked angrily. "Aeana? What're you talking about?" "You know exactly what I'm talking about! Reala told you what's going on, and you didn't tell me!" "... Because I tol... wait a minute, how do you know?" "Someone whom I work with overheard. And you told him you wouldn't tell anyone?" Kaseth nodded. "So? This is Reala! Who cares if you lie to him or not? You've been putting on this charade for him for awhile, so I don't see..." "CHARADE?!" Kaseth exploded. "I LOVE HIM! THIS IS NO CHARADE YOU IDIOT!" Aeana stared at her. "How can you love him? He's so cruel and cold and childish..." "JUST SHUT UP YOU STUPID..." "DON'T YOU DARE!" They glared at each other. "You know something? Me helping you is treason. And I don't feel like getting in trouble. So maybe I should tell on you." Kaseth flew down the hall and around the corner. Aeana fell against the wall and swallowed hard. "She won't tell. She CAN'T tell! She wouldn't!" Aeana tried to convince herself. But she knew that Kaseth could. And would. And might. Jayston saw Aeana. He flew up to her. "You already found out, didn't you." Aeana looked at him. "Yes. I did. So I don't need you to find it out for me. And I won't be helping you." Aeana dashed down the hall. "Oh really?" Jayston murmured. "We'll see about that." He slowly flew down the hall, debating with himself. "Who is this 'maren? Is she with Aeana?" "No, she can't be. Aeana's people don't fight in any of the battles. This 'maren can't be a part of that." "You don't need to call her 'this 'maren'. Her name is Kaseth." Nights, Shenala, and Cye looked up at Silas. The three of them where sitting at a table inside "Personal Building #1", in which there were fifty personal quarters, three storage rooms, and the entertainment room. There were two more buildings very similar. "How do you know?" Cye asked him. "I met her." "How?" "Sword-fighting. She let me live after I lost my sword." Nights looked at him. "Why didn't you tell me?" Silas shrugged. "Forgot." Nights frowned. Silas didn't just forget these things. For some reason he hadn't said anything... "Well anyway... how come Kaseth is helping us?" "Let's not jump to conclusions," Nights said. "She's helped two of us. Not the entire army, or even a large portion of it." "Yet." Jayston circled around, waiting for Reala. He had decided that he wasn't going to keep it in any longer. He was going to tell Reala. He was in his thrown room. Reala was away in a meeting. Two guards were watching Jayston, making sure he didn't do anything he shouldn't. Reala walked towards his thrown room. The meeting had gone particularly well. Just then Jackle flew up in front of him. Reala furrowed his brow. "Yes?" "You really shouldn't keep matters of such importance from the other officials. Sir." "What are you talking about?" A grin flickered across Jackle's face. "Why, the child sir. The child and the spying and..." Reala threw him up against the wall and held him there. "I don't know how you found out, but keep your mouth shut about it, or you're going to regret it," Reala growled. Jackle laughed. Reala clenched his fist and flew down the hall in search of Kaseth. Kaseth was in the prison, rebricking a wall. One of her troops was supposed to do it, but he had gotten sick, so she was doing it instead. She didn't have anything to do that day, anyway. Reala saw her from far down the hall. He clenched his fist and dashed towards her. Kaseth stood up and brushed her hands off. She heard the sound of a dash, and looked up as Reala stopped in front of her. "Hi," she said. "You said you wouldn't tell." "About what?" "Don't play dumb with me. About Jenna." "I didn't tell. What are you talking about?" "If you didn't tell, then how does Jac-- someone know about it?" "I don't kn--" Reala pushed her into the wall. She caught herself and stared up at him. "Reala?" she whispered. Reala half raised his fist and glared at her. "Leave her alone." Reala looked over at Jackle. "She didn't say anything to anyone. I over heard when you were telling her." Jackle turned and flew off. Reala unclenched his fist and looked at Kaseth. She slowly stood up. He reached out to take her hand. "I--" "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Reala jumped back and his face crumpled in surprise. Kaseth stared at him in silence. After a moment of awkward silence, Reala slowly flew up to her. She shied away from him when he lightly touched her cheek. "Kaseth?" he whispered. She looked at him. "I... I'm..." "Sorry?" He nodded. "Are you?" "Yes." Reala flew into his thrown room and saw Jayston pacing. Jayston saw him and stopped pacing. "Sir." Reala nodded to the guards and they left. Jayston felt slightly nervous, but he shook it off. "What is it?" Reala snapped. Jayston paused. "I know of a traitor." Reala looked at him curiously. "Who?" "Aeana." Reala nodded. "Proof?" "I saw her helping a prisoner escape." Reala furrowed his brow. There hadn't been any escapes the night before-- or the night before that. "When?" Jayston swallowed. "A couple of nights ago." Reala looked him in the eye. "How long is, 'A couple of nights ago'?" "Over a month ago," Jayston whispered. Reala's eyes flashed. "WHAT?! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING BEFORE?!" Jayston studies the ground intently. Reala grabbed his collar and got in his face. "Do you know what she could gave DONE since then?" Reala growled. "THEY PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE PLAN!!" "What plan?" Jayston asked before he could stop himself. Reala slammed him into the ground. "If you were supposed to know, you would know by now." Jayston stared up at him in fear. Reala glared at the adjacent wall, thinking. "I'll report this to Wizeman. You're relieved of your duties for a week." Reala looked at him. "Don't mess up again. Who knows what Wizeman will do to you." He flew off. Jayston stood up and limped to his room. Kaseth flew away from the castle. She had heard it all. Aeana had left to tell Nights what was going on with Jenna. She had to warn her. An arrow embedded into the tree in front of her. Kaseth gasped and turned around. She saw what was happening and realized that the arrow had not been meant for her. "Why, Kaseth, how nice to see you." Aaron grinned at her. "Hello, Aaron." She looked at the Aaron, then looked at the 'maren on the ground. "Aiming a little high?" "I was playing. I didn't see you there." "Good thing for you," she murmured. Aaron aimed his crossbow at the 'maren on the ground. Kaseth looked at Aaron again. "Playing?" She thumbed at the 'maren. "What'd he do?" "Nothing in particular. He's part of the Nightopian army." "But you're not part of the Nightmaren army!" The 'maren exclaimed. "So? I'm against them to--" He stopped and looked up at Kaseth. "I mean..." Kaseth rammed into him. She took one of his steel-tipped arrows and placed it against his throat. "Sorry, Aaron. Looks like you won't be killing anyone today." She threw the arrow. "Leave, before I get mad." Aaron took off without a word. Kaseth threw a few vulgarities at him, then turned to look at the other 'maren... But he was gone. "What..." Someone's arm wrapped around her neck and the same someone put his sword against her throat. "Part of the Nightmaren army, are you?" "You won't kill me," she said calmly. "Who says?" "You have no reason too." "Who says?" She pulled the sword away from her neck and flipped him over her head and slammed him into the ground. Then she took her own sword and pressed it against his throat. "I say." He paled. "Don't kill me." "Why?" "C'mon! I was just fooling around!" "Where you? Well, you forget... we're on separate sides." "Please!" She smiled. "All right." She took her sword from his throat and sheathed it. He stood up and stared at her. "Waitaminute... didn't he call you Kaseth? "That he did. Heard of me?" "Yeah. You let Silas go and you helped Shenala." "Silas... the one with the sword?" "Yeah." "Yes, I helped them both." "Who was that?" "The leader of the Myriad." "The what?" "The Myriad. When I first met him, he said they were against Nightopia... but I guess they're against Nightmare, too." "What kind of loony would go against BOTH sides?" "THAT kind of loony." She suddenly remembered why she had come. "Do you know someone named Aeana?" "Yeah-- she tells Nights stuff about what's happening in the castle." "Yes well,... someone told on her, and I need to find her, fast. She went to tell Nights something." "I could bring you to Nights. Maybe she's still talking with him." "Hopefully." "Hey Nights!" Cye called out. Kaseth was gliding after him, but when she saw Nights and didn't see Aeana, she went a little slower. Nights looked over. He saw Cye, and some 'maren in blue and green. "What is it?" "She's looking for Aeana. Says she's in trouble," Cye said, gesturing at Kaseth. Nights eyed her. "What sort of trouble." "Um... someone found out what she's doing and told on her." "Who?" Kaseth shifted uneasily. "I don't know who he is," she lied. "Uh... Aeana was supposed to come here to tell you something, and that's why I came looking..." Kaseth stoped and looked at him. "Tell me what?" Kaseth swallowed. What was with all these questions? "About--" "Cye!" Cye looked over and saw Jenna. He smiled at her. She ran up to him and he knelt so that they were eye level. "Hi Jenna. What's up?" "Well, I found this flower, and I didn't know what it was, so I asked Ophelia, and SHE didn't know--" Kaseth tuned her out and looked off into the distance. "Well?" Nights asked expentantly. Kaseth shifted again. "About... well, I don't know what about." "Don't you, now." Nights watched her every move. Kaseth looked around nervously. "Um... I guess that since Aeana hasn't been here yet that she's either on her way or she's been caught, so... I better go find out..." Kaseth, satisfied with her exit line, turned to go. Nights grabbed her arm. "Not so fast," he said. She stared at him. "What now?" "Who are you?" "A friend of Aeana's." Nights looked at her. "I want proof." Kaseth stared at him. "I came here to make sure she doesn't get killed! Isn't that enough?" "How do I know that you're not the one who told on her, and you're just here to find out where the base is?" Kaseth kicked him in the chest and he fell back and let her go. Kaseth dashed off. Nights swore. "This is great... There's only one thing that could make this worse..." A shrill scream cut through the air. "Right on cue," Kaseth muttered. She turned and flew towards the scream. Clawz slammed her into a tree. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" Aeana screamed. Clawz pinned her to the ground, and pushed against her until she could hardly breath. "Aw, poor little 'maren," Clawz purred. "See what happens when you get caught?" "I didn't do anything," Aeana coughed. Clawz lifted her up, then slammed her into the ground. "DON'T LIE!" Aeana sobbed and huddled against the ground. "STOP IT! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Clawz swipped his paw across her face. She screamed in pain and terror and tried to crawl away from him. He ignored her and turned to two of his troops. "Bring her to the castle." Kaseth watched the two 'maren drag Aeana away. "Drat! I'm too late!" She hissed. She heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed behind her. She tensed. She heard two footsteps, paused a moment, then pulled out her own sword and swirled around in time to stop Silas' assault. "You!" Silas took his sword away and backed up a step. Kaseth lowered her sword and looked at him. "You ARE good." "Perhaps." Kaseth looked at the clearing again. It was empty. "I heard you attacked Nights." Kaseth looked at Silas. "If he had let go of my arm I wouldn't have needed to. And I probably would have gotten to Aeana on time, too." She sighed. "I have work to do. Apologize to Nights for me, okay?" "He was just making sure you weren't trying to hurt Aeana, you know." "I know. And I'm sure that if we had gone on talking longer he would have figured out that I wasn't. But I didn't have the time for that. I'm almost out of time as it is." She left for Nightmare, and Silas went back to the Nightopian base. Kaseth stared at the commotion. Aeana had been captured; everyone knew. She looked around for Jayston, but couldn't find him. So she went to the prisons. "I want double guard! No mistakes THIS time!" "Yessir!" All four 'maren corused. "Jayston!" she called out. "What's going on?!" "Kaseth! There you are! They couldn't find you." "Well, I'm here now. What's this all about?" Jayston grinned. "I assume you know that Aeana's a traitor and has been captured." "Yes. So?" "She's in this cell." Kaseth gasped and looked in. Aeana was huddled in the corner, hopeless and lost. Kaseth looked around the cell. "Oh. My. Oh my." She turned away from Jayston and fled the prison. Jayston figured she was upset and wanted to be on her own. Wrong. Kaseth smiled a secret smile. Aeana would escape tonight. "Marcus! Psst! Marcus!" Marcus jumped and whirled about. "Kaseth! Don't scare me like that!" "I have a plan. It's not very thought out yet, but I have one." "A plan to do what?" "A plan to free Aeana!" "You have a plan?! What is it?!" "I can't tell you all of it." She grinned. "All I need you to do is make sure that the guards aren't on watch tonight." "That's all I'm doing? That's it?" "What do you mean "that's all"? If you don't keep the guards from their watch, how are we supposed to escape?" "All right, all right... I'll make sure." "Good. Thank you, Marcus." She flew away from him, but when she was just about to turn the corner, she turned back and said, "Oh, and Marcus? You might want to lie low for awhile after this." Then she left. Aeana looked at her guards. Suddenly, she heard the sound of stone scraping against stone behind her. She crawled away from the wall a few inches, and it... ...opened up! Someone's hand clamped over her mouth, and then she was pulled into the wall. "Mmmph!" The hand was still clamped tightly over her mouth. She heard stone scrape against stone again, and then someone was dragging her. She struggled, but couldn't get away from whoever it was. After what seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes, the 'maren let her go. Aeana tried to see who it was, but everything was pitch black. "Don't say a word," the 'maren whispered. Aeana thought she recognized the voice, but couldn't quite place it... "What do you want with me?" she whispered back. There was a sigh, and a torch was lit. "Don't you realize this is an escape?" Kaseth hissed. Aeana stared at her. "K-kaseth?" Aeana stared at her. The she broke out into sobs. Kaseth hugged her, and Aeana cryed on her friends shoulder. "Shush. It's all right." Aeana sat back and leaned against the wall. "I thought-- I didn't know what to think." She hiccuped, the wiped her eyes. "What happened?" "Someone told on you." Aeana looked at her. "Not me. It was a male 'maren. I heard about it and went looking for you, but I was too late." Kaseth decided to leave out the part about meeting Nights. "And it looks like he just missed your eyes." Aeana put a hand to her face, feeling the three long claw marks, one of them just missing her right eye. "Yeah. Thank goodness." She looked at Kaseth. "Where am I going?" "The Nightopian base." They exited the secret passagway next to the front exit. "So that's where you went." The two female 'maren froze. "Oh no." "And I see you got someone to help you." Jayston raised the torch. "What the-- Kaseth?!" "Could you be a bit louder?" she muttered. Aeana glared at Jayston. She related him with a donkey's behind, then turned away from him. Kaseth just smiled sadly. "Hurry up. Call for security. Let's get it over with." Jayston sighed. "I can't do that to you." He put out the torch. "I'm coming with you." Aeana turned and stared at him. Kaseth did the same. After a moment of silence, "All right then. Let's go." Kaseth opened the door just a slit. The guards were gone. "Good job Marcus," she whispered. "C'mon." The three of them left the castle. Aaron was drinking at a river. Xender and Matt were sitting near by, playing poker. "I wonder if we'll see anybody worth killing today." "Dunno, my friend. Straight flush." "ARRG!" Xender threw down the cards. "I QUIT! I KEEP LOSING!" "You haven't lost yet." "You mean you haven't gotten all of my valuables yet." "How could you think such a thing?" Xender was about to knock Matt's head off when Aaron said, "Pipe down, you two. I think I see someone coming." Matt looked up with interest. Xender grumbled and sat down. "Who?" Aaron didn't answer. He had taken out his crossbow and was loading it with a steel-tipped arrow. "Who is it?" Matt asked. "Three 'maren. The one in the green and blue is MINE. Period. If one of you kills her, you're going with her. I don't care if she sticks her sword through your heart, don't touch her." "You got it, man." Matt flew up with Aaron and waited with him. Xender continued sulking. "As soon as we get into the forest, we should be safe," Kaseth told them. "I know that," Aeana snapped. "I should be turning you in right now instead of helping you, so shut up." Aeana sighed. Kaseth looked at her. "Sorry. I didn't mean that." "I know that," Aeana said again, but gently this time. Kaseth smiled. Jayston ignored them and kept his eyes ahead. Someone had to make sure they didn't run into trouble. Aeana started lagging behind. "Are you all right?" Kaseth asked her. "I... don't... know." Aeana collapsed. "AEANA!" Jayston looked at them this time. "Great." He flew over to Aeana and picked her up. Then he looked at Kaseth. "Can we get going?" Kaseth looked at both of her friends in distress. "Let's." "They're coming, Aaron." "I know." Xender had joined them by now and was watching with tainted amusement. "Well well, lookie who we have here," he murmered under his breath. "What?" Aaron asked. "Talking to myself." "What is this fascination of yours over the one in the forest colors?" Matt asked Aaron. "None of your business." "Suit yourself. But sometimes it hekos to, I dunno, talk these things out..." Aaron found his hands around Matt's neck. "Shut. Up." "Yes... sir," Matt managed. Aaron let him go and looked out at the approaching 'maren. Matt glared at him for a moment, then grinned and ignored it. "They're almost close enough. Get ready for a fight." Jayston and Kaseth entered the trees. "Okay, it's..." "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" "WHAT THE?!" "CRAP!!" Aaron, Matt and Xender had attacked. Kaseth drew her sword and swung it in a wide, blind arc. Someone screamed, and there was the sound of someone falling. "JAYSTON, RUN!" Something bit into her shoulder. She screamed and fell to her knees. Someone laughed. Jayston dashed off. He knew if he found the base, he could get help for Kaseth. He hoped. "Matt! Go get the other two!" Matt dashed off after Jayston. Aaron looked down at Kaseth. "Well, lookie here. And how are you today?" "Slimeball," she spat. He grinned. "How would you like to be my personal slave." "I'd rather swallow a gallon of poison." "That can be taken care of," he told her. She glared up at him. "What type? Something natural, or something Tabib concocted?" She swore at him. "No thank you, I think I'll wait until I want children." He laughed, then knelt down and took her chin in his hand. "Your children, perhaps?" He kissed her lips. Her fist came up and connected with the middle of his face. He fell away from her and laughed. She took the arrow out of her shoulder. "I'm friends with Reala. Watch yourself." She stood up and dashed off. Jayston stopped to rest. He looked down at Aeana in his arms. She was breathing slowly and lightly, muttering things in her sleep. Jayston muttered vulgarities towards Wizeman, Aeana, Aaron, and the world in general. "Strong words." Jayston looked up in fright. Standing in front of him was a male 'maren dressed in green and white, with a gray vest with gold trim, and he had dark brown eyes. "Who're you?" "Matters. Who're you?" "I asked first." The 'maren grinned. "I guess you did. Name's Cye, Major General of the Nightopian army." Jayston sighed with relief. "You were looking for me?" "Not you, inparticular. Doesn't matter to me WHO it is, as long as they're part of the Nightopian army." "A defector, huh?" Cye grinned again. Jayston smiled and stood up. Cye looked at the 'maren in his arms. "Is that Aeana?" "Yeah. We were attacked by... who KNOWS who it was. Here, take her." Jayston thrust Aeana into Cye's arms. "Where are you going?" "To see if my friend got away or not." "All right. I'll wait." Jayston dashed off. And rammed right into Matt. "Oof!" "Aug!" Matt drew his sword. Jayston drew his dagger. Matt swung. Jayston dodged ang threw the dagger at Matt. Matt screamed in pain and fell to the ground, unconscious. Jayston took his dagger out of Matt's side, then decided to take Matt's sword as well. He was about to tie it around his waist, then decided against it. He dashed off. Jayston saw Aaron through the trees. Aaron was kneeling next to Xender, trying to revive him. Kaseth was nowhere to be seen. Jayston dashed out and took Aaron by the throat. "WHERE IS SHE?!" "WHAT THE HECK?!" "WHERE IS KASETH?!" Aaron stared at Jayston, then grinned. "Your little friend has departed. And left me with a half-dead Lieutenant General. Maybe you'll find her. Maybe you won't. Now get out of my face." Jayston threw Aaron to the ground, then got up and started looking for Kaseth. Aaron watched him go. Then he thought of something. "Speaking of which, I wonder what happened to Matt." Jayston searched for half an hour. He finally found her. And Reala. Jayston froze and stayed hidden. Reala was kneeling beside Kaseth, and she was telling him some story or another. And he was swallowing it all. Jayston sighed with relief and dashed away. Kaseth had flown for Nightmare; she already had her story. All she had to do was make it in time. She had seen a male 'maren in the distance. One dressed in black and red. He had seen her, and had flown towards her. She had called out his name, then collapsed. She had opened her eyes, and had seen him kneeling over her with concern. When Reala saw Kaseth, the first thing he had thought was, The second thing he thought was, He had tried to brush that thought away, but it persisted. "Are you all right? What happened?" he asked her. She sat up and looked at him. "I had seen Jayston help Aeana out of the cell... I chased after them, all the way to the forest. Someone attacked... I think it was someone from the Nightopian army... and someone's arrow found my shoulder. I ran, and I guess you know the rest." she groaned and closed her eyes from the pain. Reala picked her up and flew back to Nightmare. She had passed out at least twice. The when she woke up the first time, the first thing she thought was, . The next time, she wondered if Reala didn't have some sort of majik. Now that she was in the infirmiry and things where a bit clearer, she realized what she had thought and what had happened, and laughed. Tabib was near the window, apparently talking to the air. She shook her head and decided she needed to take a nap. Tabib walked over to her. He whispered something. "What?" she murmered. "News travels fast. Aaron isn't very happy that you almost killed Xender." Kaseth's eyes flew open and she stared. Tabib took out a dagger and brought it down swiftly. Kaseth raised her arm in time to block the blade. They struggled, Kaseth pushing up, Tabib pushing down. She kicked his crotch, and he turned soprano, still holding the dagger. She got up off the bed and ran for the door. Just when she got to the doorway, he grabbed her ankle and she fell. He buried the dagger deep into her thigh. "AAAHHHH!!" she screamed. She kicked him in the face and yanked the dagger out of her. She cried without being able to help it and threw it at Tabib, missing by several feet. She hovered above the ground and drew her sword. He stood with his dagger in hand. "Sword against dagger? Not fair." He took several glass bottles and threw them at her. She blocked with her sword, but when the bottles smashed, pieces nicked her and teared her costume. She glared at him. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?! LEAVE ME ALONE!" "Hardly." He took one of the beds and threw it at her. She slammed into the floor. She wriggled out from under the bed and stood it on its' side, using it as a shield. "Oh please, someone come and help," she whispered. Reala was headed towards the infirmiry, going to see how Kaseth was. He heard a scream. Second later he heard glass smashing. He dashed for the infirmiry. Second later, he looked inside. Kaseth was behind an overturned bed, and Tabib was throwing glass bottles at her. Some were empty, some were not. "Aaron has instructed me to kill you. And I will kill you. So come out and let me finish my job." Kaseth looked over the top of the bed. He stopped and waited for an answer. "You know, you're making a terrible mess. Do you know how long it'll take someone to clean it up?" "ARG!" Kaseth ducked in time for a glass bottle to go flying over the bed. It slammed into Reala and he fell on his bottom. Kaseth glaced behind her when she didn't hear the glass smash. "Reala?!" He looked at her, then flew over her head and slammed into Tabib. Tabib screamed and backed away from him. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Reala screamed. Tabib stared at him with wide eyes. Kaseth stood up and flew up behind Reala. She held her sword ready for another attack from Tabib. Although she was sure it wouldn't come. "What's going on in here?" Someone demanded. Reala looked arouns a Jackle. "Nothing. Just a traitor." Reala grabbed Tabib by his upper arm and dragged him off to the prison. Jackle flew over to Kaseth. "Are you all right?" he asked. "Sort of..." She was about to fall, but Jackle caught her in time. He took a cloth out of a pocket in his cape and asked where she was hurt. She told him. He placed the cloth over the would and she held it there. Then he went over to the bed and set it right. "I think you better sit for awhile, at least until I find the other doctor." He nodded, then left. She sat on the bed. A few minutes later, Reala came back. "Where's Jackle?" "He went to find the other doctor." "That should take awhile." She smiled and he sat down next to her. "What happened?" "Tabib attacked me." "Why?" "Because he's a loony." She looked at him. Her eyes sparkled at him. He took her chin in his hand. They leaned towards each other. They closed their eyes. They were less than an inch away from each other when Reala's memories came flooding back. He stood up and brushed himself off. "I better go tell Wizeman what happened." He dashed off. She stared after him. "Reala?" "And that's what happened." Nights nodded. Silas stood up. That had been the end of the story. No more needed to be heard. "All right," Nights told Jayston. "If you're sure you didn't forget anything..." Jayston thought over the events one more time. "Nope. Didn't forget anything." "Good." Nights turned. Cye was waiting nearby. "Cye, shoe Jayston to his new quarters." Cye nodded. "Yes sir. C'mon, Jay." The two of them left for 'Personal Building #3'. Nights flew to the infirmiry. Silas followed. Ophelia and Shenala were inside. Ophelia was watching over Aeana, and Shenala was talking with Ophelia. "How is she?" Nights asked. Ophelia looked over at him. Shenala blushed. "Nothing's changed." "Nothing?" "Nothing. She's still out, and she's hardly moved since she arrived. I don't know what to do." Nights flew over to the bed Aeana was lying in. Shenala felt a pang of jealousy travel through her. She HATED the way he was looking at Aeana. Ophelia looked at Shenala, and nodded. Shenala would tell Nights of her love today. If she got the chance. Nights shook his head. "She was supposed to tell me something. I don't know what, but..." He shook hid head again. Silas looked at Nights. Then he looked at Shenala looking at Nights. Then he looked at Ophelia looking at Shenala looking at Nights. He grinned. "Well, don't worry Nights. I'm sure whatever it was, she'll tell you soon enough." "I hope so." Nights turned and left the infirmiry. Shenala followed. Silas didn't. "'Phelia?" "Yeah?" "Does Shenn love Nights?" Ophelia looked at him sharply. "I don't believe that that's your business." Silas frowned. "I didn't meant to intrude. Sorry." Ophelia smiled. "It's all right. I think you'll get the answer in a minute anyway." "What?" "You'll see." "Nights!" Shenala called out. Nights turned and looked at her. "What is it?" "I need to tell you something." "Hurry it up. I'm busy." Shenala stared at him How could he be cruel all of a sudden, when she was about to tell him what he wanted to hear? Or at least she hoped he wanted to hear it. "I've been trying to tell you this for forever and you don't know how hard it is for me to be telling you now, so don't you DARE tell me to hurry up!" He looked at her. "I'm sorry." Shenala took in a deep breath. "I have no other way to say this, so I'm just going to say it right out... I... Nights, I;ve loved since the day I've laid eyes on you. I've never been able to tell you." She stopped and stared at the ground, waiting for him to say something, anything! Nights couldn't believe it. Could the 'maren he loved really love him back. "Shenala?" She looked at him. "I feel the same way." A grin slowly spread over her face. "Really?" "YES!" He took her in his arms and kissed her. A month went by. Reala no longer went to the Entertainment Hall. After a while, neither did Kaseth. Aeana still hadn't woken up; Ophelia knew she was in a coma, and was going crazy trying to revive her. Everyone was worried, especially Jayston. He blamed himself entirely. Jenna hadn't caused much more trouble; she was saving herself for the capture. Wizeman's plan was coming together perfectly. A female human-like 'maren in black and white watched Kaseth move through the prison halls slowly, looking in on the prisoners and making sure the guards didn't hurt them. Since Jayston had left, she had full and complete control over the prison. Strangly, only two escapes had happened, and the second one was re-captured. Wizeman was thrilled. Zenny swooped down low and landed silently behind Kaseth. Kaseth didn't notice. "Two-hundred and ninety-one, two-hundred and ninety-two, two-hundred and ninety-three, two-hundred and--" Zenny tapped her on the shoulder. She cried out in surprise and whirled around, eyes wide. Zenny laughed. Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms. "Funny. Yes. What a jokester." Zenny grinned evily. "I thought it was rather amusing." She paused. "I guess since all of your friends have defected and your boy-friend has abandoned you, you have all the time in the world to count... what were you counting?" "Go away, Zenny." "But the fun's just begun! You wouldn't believe what I have in store for you!" "Just shut up." Kaseth turned away from her. "Is that why your boyfriend ignores you now? You told him to shut up?" "He's NOT my boyfriend! We're just friends." "You mean you WERE just friends. Now he doesn't want to have anything to do with you." Kaseth didn't reply. "Awww, did I hurt your feelings? I'm sorry. I was just wondering why you love the General." "For the same reason you love Andrew." "Sorry, wrong, I can't love a dead person." But there was pain in Zenny's voice. "Sure you can. Because you do. And you know it." "Stop trying to get me upset. It won't work, Kaseth. I'm not weak, like you." Kaseth looked at her. "If I'm so weak then why am I the only person in this castle besides Wizeman that will stand up to Reala?" "Because he's a moron." "I dare you to say that to his face." "I didn't say *I* was the moron." Kaseth laughed. "I'll say it to his face." "You will not. You can't. You love him too much." "You wanna make a bet? I'll say it to him the next time he does something stupid. And I'll make sure that someone sees it." "Right. That'll happen," Zenny murmered. She looked at Kaseth. "I bet you wouldn't have saved me from that Baku if you had known I hated you." Kaseth looked her in the eye. "You didn't hate me until I saved your life. We were friends. Best friends. And if you weren't such a moron, we'd still be friends." "Right. If you were really my friend, you would have let me die." "Why do you keep saying that? Why did you want to die?!" Zenny glared at her. "You know why," she spat. "You know I didn't come here because I wanted to join Wizeman! I came because I couldn't go anywhere else!" "You couldn've joined the other side." "THERE WAS NO OTHER SIDE!" Kaseth smiled coldly. "Maybe you really did kill them all." Zeny stared at her. "What?" "You heard me. I said maybe you did kill them, afterall." "Kaseth?! You KNOW I couldn't have!" "That was before, when we were friends. But we're not now." Kaseth glared at her. "Maybe I'll just tell everyone what you did. I'm sure that'll get you some attention." "ARG!" Zenny lunged at her. Kaseth dodged and took her dagger out of her boot. Zenny took out hers. "Don't do this Zenny. You know I'm better than you." "Just shut up and die." Zenny attacked again, and the dagger nicked Kaseth's shoulder. Kaseth reached around and plunged her dagger into Zenny's side. Zenny screamed and crumpled to the ground. Kaseth backed away from her. "Told you." She put her dagger away. Zenny knelt and looked at her side. "Go. Go to the infirmiry." "I hate you." "Yeah, well, feeling's mutual. Go." Zenny pulled herself up and dashed down the hall. "REALA," Wizeman's voice boomed. "Yes?" Reala answered. "Listen closely. I have constructed an Ideya Palace. It is finished, and you are to go there and meet Jenna. I will send two 'maren cat with you, and the four of you will capture Nights. Jenna will distract him with the Ideya Palace, you will stun him, and the two 'maren cats will tie him up." Wizeman told Reala where he would find the Ideya Palace. "But sir, why go to all the trouble of constructing an Ideya Palace? The rebels will just tear it down again." "True. But Nights will think that that is how we meant to capture him once and for all, when it really isn't. You will go tomorrow. Now go to your thrown room to prepare." Reala bowed, then left. The day turned, and tomorrow became today. Reala and two of the best 'maren cats left for Mystic Forest early in the morning. Jenna had told Ophelia that she wanted to talk to Nights, and to tell him so if she saw him. Then Jenna had flown to the place where the Ideya Palace was, and hid in a tree so that she could see Nights coming. And there she was, still waiting in the tree. "This could take all day," she murmered. "Why doesn't he hurry up? There's no fun in waiting." "Maybe not," someone murmered back, "but it'll be worth the wait when you see the look on his face." Jenna looked around wildly. "Who said that?!" "I did." Reala came out of the bushes, where he had been hidden from view. "Reala!" she giggled. "Gee, what are you doing here." "I thought I'd enjoy the clean air and the crisp sunlight." The two of them laughed. Reala flew up and sat down next to her. And they waited. Nights had just talked to Ophelia, and now he was looking for Jenna. When he neared the Ideya Palace, Jenna flew down from her perch and stood in front of it. She began acting. She stared at it, as if in awe. Then she very, very slowly took a small step towards it, then stared. She repeated the process. Nights saw Jenna standing in front of the Ideya Palace. "JENNA!" She acted as if she didn't hear, and suddenly just walked towards it normally. "JENNA! GET AWAY FROM THAT!" Nights dashed at her and pulled her back. She stared at him. "What? What's I do?" "Do you know what that is?!" "N..no," Jenna whispered. "That is an Ideya Palace. It's dangerous!" "I'm sorry," Jenna said, barely audible. Nights sighed. "It's all right." He let her go and stood up. She stood up with him. He looked at the Ideya Palace. "Why did they put this out here?" he asked himself. "Probably to capture me-- but do they really think I'll fall for that?" "Don't flatter yourself." Reala dashed into Nights. He slammed into the ground, his head smashing against the Palace. "Reala!!" "The one and only." Reala picked Nights up by his collar. "You're dead." "Not likely." Nights twisted out of his grasp and punched him in the face. Reala put out his foot to balance himself, then kicked Nights' stomach. Nights doubled over, then dashed into Reala. Reala hit the ground, and Nights stood up. Reala jumped up and retaliated. Nights grabbed his arm and twisted. Reala let out a grunt of pain and kicked Nights' feet out from under him. Before Nights knew what was happening, Reala was on top of him, started punching, and didn't stop. Nights threw Reala off of him. Reala rolled away, then stood up, grabbed Nights, and slammed him into a tree. Nights crumpled to the ground. Two 'maren cats came out of the bushes and tied Nights up. "Oooh, you fight wonderfully!" Jenna clapped with delight. Reala grinned. "I thought so too. Now... where's the base." Jenna giggled. "Shhh, it's a secret. Can't tell you, I'm going to tell Claws." Reala frowned. "Why?" Jenna giggled again. "Because kitty-cats are quieter." Reala furrowed his brow. "Fine." He turned to the others. "Give him to me. I'm carrying him back to the castle." The cats handed Nights over. Reala slung him over his shoulder, then started off for Castle Nightmare. The cats followed. Jenna went back to the base. When Ophelia asked her if she had talked to Nights, Jenna said she had never found him. Ophelia stared after Jenna. Something was not right. When Clawz saw Reala enter the castle, he left for Mystic Forest. Jenna was waiting. Reala took Nights straight to Wizeman. Nights woke up in time to get the daylights beaten out of him. Wizeman sentenced Nights to death. Reala would be the executioner. Kaseth looked in the cell at Nights. She felt bad for him; he had stood up for a good cause, and now he was going to be killed. Nights looked out at Kaseth. Despite his constant and extreme pain, he was still conscious. He knew he was going to die. He also knew he still had a chance. "I need medical treatment," he croaked out. Kaseth looked at him. "What's the point?" Nights coughed, and wasn't surprised to see blood on his hand. "Help me. I don't deserve to die." "That's not my desicion." Nights writhed in pain, and Kaseth started feeling sorry for him all over again. "Please! I don't want to die!" "I told you, it's not my desicion." Kaseth turned to her left and started down the hall. But the wheels in her head where already turning furiously. "Ophelia? Have you seen Nights?" "I saw him yesterday, but I haven't seen him since. And that was over twelve hours ago." "Hmmm." Silas rubbed his chin and stred off into the distance. "I think we should send spies to Nightmare." Ophelia gasped. "You don't think..." "I do." He looked at her. "Tell Shenala. I don't want her to be the last to know. Bring her to the infirmiry with you." "All right." Ophelia left to find her friend. Silas looked around. "Jayston!" he called out to Jay. Jayston turned and looked at him. "Yes?" "Do you know where Cye is?" 'Yeah, he's over..." "Go get him, and then both of you come to the infirmiry. Nights is missing." "What?!" "Just go. I'll explain later." Jayston nodded, then flew off to get Cye. Silas flew to the infirmiry, worried all the way. Jenna watched all of this. She giggled and quietly clapped her hands. "Yes, Nights IS in Nightmare. Send your spies. They're already planning an attack on you." She giggled again. "Run little 'maren, run." Silas, Cye, Jayston, Shenala, and Ophelia were all gathered in the infirmiry. "I've called all of you here because Nights is missing. And we all know where he probably went." "Wasn't on a vacation to the Bahamahs," Cye muttered. Silas ignored him. "So I need a plan of attack. Any suggestions?" "I say we take the whole army and storm the castle. Then we kill Wizeman, and all the high officials, and then we..." "SHENALA! Calm down!" Ophelia exclaimed. "I am calm! Isn't that a good idea?" Silas looked at her. "Seeing as they outnumber us three to one... uh, no." "But..." "No." "Darnit." She looked at Ophelia. "But it was a good idea, right?" "Perhaps." "Maybe we could-- no, nevermind." Silas looked at Jayston. "What is it?" "It's nothing. It was a stupid idea." "We don't have any ideas. A stupid idea is better than no idea." Jayston sighed. "Well, maybe we could have, like, a good portion of the army on a frontal assault, and while the Nightmaren Army is preoccupied, a small group of 'maren could go into the castle and find out where Nights is imprisioned. If he is." Jayston rubbed his arm and studied the ground. "That idea," Silas paused. Jayston sighed. Silas broke into a grin. "Is the best idea anyone could come up with!" Jayston looked up at him so suddenly that his hat almost came off. "Wh-what? Are you serious?" Jayston asked as he desperatly tried to fix his hat. "Yup. C'mon everyone, let's put this plan into action." Silas, Cye and Shenala left. Jayston watched them go. "Go with them." Jayston looked around at Ophelia. "What?" "Go. It was your idea. Make sure it goes the way it's supposed to." He grinned. "Okay." He flew off to join the others. Ophelia stood by the doorway and watched him until she couldn't see him anymore. "Hope it goes all right, Jay." She smiled to herself. Kaseth was wandering the prison halls. She had taken out her dagger, and was throwing it up in the air, getting it stuck in the ceiling. Then she would fly up, take it out, and do it all over again. Or, if it didn't go high enough, or if it didn't get stuck, she'd twirl around and catch it, then throw it up again. She certainly knew how to keep herself occupied. Reala grinned as he watched her. He was feeling a little guilty about what had happened in the infirmiry oh so long ago. He was going to tell her that he hadn't meant to lead her on like that, that he just wanted to be friends. It was a lie, of course, but he was didn't want to be hurt again. He was going to tell her what had happened. Kaseth listened to him. She didn't interupt, or think that he was stupid, or anything that he would have expected from someone else. Next he told her that someone would be helping her with the prison. "Who?" she asked. "Her name is Zenny. She..." "WHAT?!" "You know her?" "Unfortunately. Do I actually have to work with her?" "Yes, he said firmly. "Well I'm not going to like it," she muttered. "Why?" Kaseth sighed. "We used to be friends, but now she hates me. She pretty much tried to commit suicide, and I saved her. And she hates me for that." "That makes less sense than Nights rebbeling agaist Wizeman." Kaseth thought. Outloud, "No kidding." "How did she try to kill herself?" "She teased a baku. And it got mad." "What?! I thought baku were just legend!" "Well, that indivisual is. I killed it." "You can't kill a baku! They're huge! Besides, they EAT 'MAREN!" "Not when they're dead. And it helps to have a five foot long steel sword." "But... still, you couldn't have killed it." "You want proof?" Kaseth took a jar out of her pouch. "This is that baku's sedative. I'm not going to tell you how I got it out, just trust me on it." "How do I know that that's a baku's sedative?" "Would you like a test?" "No!" She grinned. "Let me get this straight. You don't believe me, but you don't want me to use it on you." "No, I.. I don't believe,.. I mean..." He cleared his throat. "I don't believe that one 'maren could kill a baku." Kaseth dipped her dagger into the sedative. "Here, I'll show you." She reached over for his arm. "Hey! No!" He backed away from her. "Aw, come on Reala! I just want to show you!" She grabbed his arm. "Let go! No! Stop it!" "Please?" "No!" He fell back into the wall. She grinned and put the jar away. "So you do believe me." "No! I mean yes! I mean..." She wiped the sedative off of her dagger and put it away. He watched her, making sure she wasn't going to go after him with the sedative again. She took his hand and pulled him up. "I was only fooling around, I wouldn't really have cut you with it." "I-- I knew that." "I know." Reala looked at her. "Well-- I have duties to attend to." She nodded, and he flew off. Instead of leaving the prison all together, he hid behind the next bend. He was close to Night's prison cell, and he wanted to see how Kaseth reacted to Nights' pleading. If at all. Kaseth resumed her dagger practices. This time she caught it every time, instead of trying to get it to stick in the ceiling. Nights looked out at her. The last couple of times he had tried to get her to help him, she had turned him down. He was going to try one more time. "Kaseth," he called out. She jumped and stared at him. "How do you know my name?" she asked furiously. "Reala was just here, and he used it." She shrugged, seeming to relax, and resumed her dagger tossing. "Please help me." Kaseth sighed. "You've already asked me to help you, and each time I've said no. What did you think I was going to say this time?" "Wait. I know you're worried about getting in trouble. You can join the Nightopian Arm--" "No is no is no. And if you don't leave me alone your execution is going to be re-sheduled." She glared at him. He stood up and came to the dorrway of his cell. "Please! You can talk to someone! Get me out of here..." "No." "I know you're friends with Reala." "You and everyone else. Even the walls have ears in this castle." She gave him a look. He stared at her. "You're not going to help me." "He sees the light!" She laughed and started walking away from him. Reala grinned and flew backwards down the hall awaya, to stay out of view. "Fine." Nights walked into the corner of his prison with the most light and sat down. he thought, It took three days to assemble the Nightopian Army. They took three fourths of the army for the frontal assault, and used six 'maren to search the prison for Nights. Jayston, Shenala, one other 'maren, and three 'maren cats. They started for Nightmare. "SIR!" Wizeman looked down at the messanger. "Speak." "The Nightopian Army is on the attack!!" "WHAT?! Send out the troops!" "Here they come," Silas murmered. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "We'll win," Cye told him. "We'll win." Silas smiled. "GO!" The two armies slammed into each other full force, Reala leading Nightmare, Silas leading Nightopia. Kaseth was still in the castle, checking to make sure there weren't any slackers. There were more people in this battle than there had been at any other time before. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many casualties. Kaseth thought. She turned at the noise. Nothing. She turned again. Another noise, but again nothing. Suddenly she thought of Nights. She dashed for the prison. When she heard screaming, she flew even faster. She turned the bend just in time for one of her guards to fall into her. "WHAT THE--?!" She caught him before the both of them fell. He was one of the younger troops. His face was as white as a sheet, and there was a hole in his chest. He looked down at himself. "Am I supposed to be seeing that?" He answered his own question and sobbed. Kaseth lowered him to the ground, then withdrew her five-foot long steel sword and glared at the six 'maren in front of her. Especially the 'maren cat. A few torches were lit, so it was easier to see. At Kaseth's feet, the dying 'maren. Directly in front of her, a male 'maren cat, white and black in coloring, had his claws exteded and his paw drenched with blood. Behind him were another male 'maren cat, this one orange and white, and a female cat, red and purple. To her left, Shenala was kneeling in front of Nights' cell, oblivious to everything but him. The two were holding hands. Another human like 'maren, in red and orange. And Jayston. He stood when he saw her and stared at her. "Kaseth." "He was only a kid." Her anger boiled up, and she exploded. "HE WAS ONLY A KID!" She dashed at the 'maren cat that had killed him. And returned the favor. The other male cat stared at her. "You killed him!" "You wanna be next?" The cat crouched low in an attack position. "You won't be killing anyone else." The cat leaped for her. She ducked and stuck her sword through his underbelly. He screamed, and his momentum slammed him into the wall. Kaseth stood up, covered in blood. She glared at the other four. "Anyone else wanna swing at it?" Jayston stared at her. "Kaseth..." "Don't. Just go. And don't look back." Jayston stared at her. The 'maren in red and orange shook him from his gaze. "Let's go, before she changes her mind." "But... we can't!" "You're leaving one way or another." Kaseth had her sword point touching the ground, and she was holding it up by it's handle. Jayston glared at her. "I thought we were friends." "We are. But there's a certain order to things." She looked at Nights. He and Shenala looked up at her. "Don't worry about him. He'll be taken care of. Now go. Get out of here." She sheathed her sword and turned away from them, pushing the 'maren cat off of the dead 'maren. Jayston sighed and looked at Shenala. "Let's go." Shenala looked at him, then at Nights. "Go," Nights said. "I'll be all right." She took his hand in hers and kissed it. "We'll get you out. I promise." Kaseth thought. But she didn't interupt. "I know. Be careful." Shenala started crying. "I don't want to leave you here!" He reached through the bars and gently covered her face with his hand. "Don't cry. I'll be okay." "I love you." "I know. I love you too." She sniffed and stood up. "All right. I'm ready." They left. Kaseth left the other way. And when she exited the castle, and saw Silas standing over Reala, -- whom had fallen on the ground -- about to skewer him, she flew as if her own life were at stake. Silas had targeted Reala from the beggining. It took him awhile to get to him, but he did. Silas had slashed at Reala, and Reala had jumped away from him. Then Reala had dashed into him and tried to knock the sword out of his hand. No go. Eventually, Silas got the upperhand. His sword dug into Reala's side. Reala screamed and fell to the ground. Silas stood over him. "Let Nights go." "You wish." Silas screamed his rage and raised his sword over and behind his head. Reala put his arm up to block the blade. But it never came. The sound of pure steel slashing against pure steel rang through the air, and sparks flew. Reala lowered his arm and looked at the swords. One slightly curved, two-foot sword. One very curved, five-foot sword. Silas backed up a few steps. Kaseth stood up. She had flown as fast as she could, and then had knelt in front of Reala and raised her sword to block Silas'. Now she slammed the broad side of her sword into Silas' hand, and he dropped his sword. "Oops." She swung her swoord in a wide arc. Silas ducked and rolled for his own sword. He had grabbed the handle when another 'maren stepped on the blade, and he couldn't get it. He swore and looked up at a female 'maren in black and white stripes. "Good, I needed a sword." Zenny kicked Silas in the face and took his sword. It started to rain. Silas turned over and looked up at Kaseth. She was glaring down at him, about to use her sword in the same fashion Silas had used it on Reala. Silas rolled out of the way a fraction of a second before it hit where he had been. The rain turned into a downpour. Lighting flashed through the sky, followed by thunder a second later. "Silas!" Someone called out. He didn't hear through the pelting rain. He held a rock up against Kaseth's sword. Still, she hit him quite a few times, and he was losing blood. A particularly hard hit had caused him to drop the rock against his chest. He grunted and pushed it off. She knelt next to him. "You can attack me," she whispered. "And I'd let you go. But Reala is my friend. And no one attacks my friends." She stood up. Someone called Silas' name again. She turned and saw Cye running towards them. And she knew Silas would be okay. She raised her sword, as if she were about to plunge it into Silas' chest. But when Silas peared at her face, the expression was different. Relief washed over him with the rain. Cye dashed into Kaseth. She had been ready for it, so she didn't lose her sword. "I thought you were a sort of good guy," he hissed. "I wouldn't have killed him," she whispered. She pushed Cye away and stood up. Cye helped Silas up and the two of them dashed off. Kaseth turned from them and towards Reala. She could see him through the fighting, sitting against a rock with his eyes shut. Kaseth tried to go to him, but people kept getting in her way. "REATREAT!!" rang through the air. She looked around. Nightopia was receeding. "Good," she said to herself. Someone slammed into her, and she fell to the ground. It was the female 'maren cat from the prison. "You killed them. I'm sure they'd want me to return the favor." The cat raised her paw, claws extended. The rain let up, turning into light sprinkles. Kaseth was pinned under the cat, unable to reach her sword. Just as the paw was coming down, the cat howled in pain and fell off of her. Kaseth looked at the cats side. A card was stuck into her side. Kaseth looked up. Jackle was standing in front of her. He looked at her, then looked at the cat. "Did I...?" "It pierced her heart," Kaseth said after a quick lookover. Jackle sighed. "Sometimes it can't be helped." He took her hand and pulled her up. "What do you mean?" He shook his head. "It's nothing." He flew off to an injured 'maren. Kaseth stared at him for awhile, then looked for Reala. He was in the same place she had seen him before. She flew over to him and knelt in front of him. By now the battle field was mostly empty, except for the doctors from both sides, injured and dead 'maren, and a few lone Nightopian members. "Reala?" she asked. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. His face was even whiter than usual. "What happened?" "He got away. One of his friends helped him, or something." She shrugged. Then she took his arm and draped it across her shoulder. She helped him stand, and held his hand over the wound in his side. He leaned against her, hardly able to stand on his own. "Reala, please. You're heavier than most." He didn't lean so much, but he was still a hassle. She sighed. "This should be fun." She helped him into the castle, and from there to the infirmiry. At least five times, maybe more, she almost tripped, but each time she kept her balance and stayed standing. It was a few hours later when she saw him next. She had to report to Clawz, who would take all the reports from his troops and turn them in to Wizeman. All the other high officials had to do the same. Jackle took Reala's reports for him, since he was injured. Kaseth flew to the infirmiry, exhausted. But she wanted to see Reala once more before turning in for the night, to make sure he was okay. When he saw her, he smiled and started to sit up. "Oh no you don't," said the doctor. This one was female, with a pale pink and white striped costume. She had a white face like Reala, and a star pattern on the front of her costume. Kaseth thought, and laughed. she thought and laughed harder. The doc, sure that Reala wasn't going to do anything but lie down, went to another patient. Kaseth walked over to him. "How're you doing?" "Okay. The doctor said I have to stay in bed for a few more days, until it heals enough to walk." He scowled. "I feel fine. I don't understand why I have to stay in here." Kaseth smiled. "Because if you die in her infirmiry, she'll get in quite a bit of trouble." He grinned. "Yeah." He looked at her. "About what happened... I... Anyone else would have let him kill me. And everyone else would have left me out there to die if he had left me the way I was. So..." He looked off to the side and lowered his eye-lids. "Thank you," he mumbled. "You don't need to. I would have done it for any of my friends." She looked at him a little longer, then left the infirmiry. Silas watched Jayston from his perch in the tree. Jayston would sit down on a rock, put his head in his hands, and moan. Then he would get up and pace for three minutes. Then he'd go to the pond, and splash water in his face. Then he'd take a tree branch and nervously rip it apart. Then he'd start all over again. Silas flew over to him and grabbed his shoulder. Jayston jumped two feet in the air -- knocking Silas over -- and stayed there. He looked down. "Oh. Silas. Sorry." Silas looked up at him. "What's wrong? You've been like this since..." "Since I failed to save Nights?" Silas sighed. "You didn't fail anything. I think what happened was just enough to push Kaseth into action. I don't believe that she'll let them execute Nights." "Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows? Who knows?" Nights knows. It was only a few days later when the Nightmaren Army, led by Reala, attacked the Nightopian Army Base. Almost every single member went. The only ones that didn't go were Wizeman, injured 'maren, guards, and the two head prison guards. Kaseth and Zenny. Zenny, leaning back in her chair and sporting a bandage on her side, was throwing darts at a dartboard on the door. The door opened, and when Zenny saw Kaseth, she threw a dart and it embeded into the doorframe. "Oops," she said. Kaseth took the dart out of the doorframe, and for a moment it looked like she was going to throw it. She grinned evily and made like she actually was going to throw it. Zenny imedietly dove out of her chair, and screamed when a stone dug into her wounded side. She looked up at Kaseth painfully, and when she saw the dart still in Kaseth's hand, she swore at her and sat up. "That was cruel." "Now you know what it's like," Kaseth muttered. She threw the dart down on the ground next to Zenny. Zenny stood up and glared at Kaseth. Zenny picked up a small bottle and took out a painkiller. The doctor had taken herbs and compressed them into small pills. The taste was the same, and it did the same thing, only it was more compact. Kaseth handed her a glass of water. Zenny took it without question and downed the medicine. Then she sat back down in the chair. Kaseth waited. Zenny was soon asleep. Kaseth flew down the hallway towards Nights' cell. No one had expected the Nightmaren attack. No one was ready. Each and every army member assembled as fast as they could, and fought as hard as they could. The Nightmaren Army ran through the base, torching everything they could, killing everyone they could. It was maddness. There were many injuries, and many deaths. And everyone wondered how they had found the base. Jenna watched the fighting with glee. She was sitting on a branch on the top of one of the huge trees in Mystic Forest. She could see every detail from her perch. "Hee, they look like tiny little ants! Tiny little ants that I can step on!" She laughed and clapped her hands as another building went up in flames. "And no one expects me at all! This..." "Is not a game." Jenna gasped and looked behind her. Aeana was standing in front of her. "Who're you?!" "Someone who knows about you. And I think you're about to have an accident." Aeana grabbed a screaming Jenna and dashed down to the base. "LET ME GO! I'LL BE GOOD!" "I doubt that." Aeana entered a building that had just started burning. The infirmiry. "What're you doing? We'll be killed!" "No. You'll be killed." Jenna screamed. Aeana opened a door, and through Jenna into the room. Then she closed the door, locked it, and hi-tailed it out of there. Jenna went to the door and tried to kick it open. When that didn't work, she went to the window. But it was locked. Something fell in the hallway. Jenna went to the door and felt the knob. It was hot. "Oh no! I'M GOING TO BURN ALIVE!" Jenna fell to the floor and sobbed. Aeana was near the door when she heard someone calling for help. And that someone was not Jenna. Aeana flew towards the shouting. She got to the door where the shouting was from. It was locked. "SOMEONE HELP ME!" Aeana backed into the opposite wall, then dashed into the door. Wood splintered, and the door cracked and broke. Aeana fell to the floor and shook her head. She looked up and saw a female 'maren with pale green eyes and wearing pale pink and pale yellow. And to top it all off, her face was pale, too. Her hands and feet were tied, and a gag was hanging around her neck. "Who're you?" "Aeana?" "How do you know me?" "You've helped Nights by spting on Nightmare, and, besides, I'm the doctor here." "Oh. Who tied you up?" "Jenna. I saw her with the maps, and..." "You don't need to say anymore. I already know about Jenna. She's been taken care of. Where're the maps?" "Over there, in the corner." Ophelia pointed with her tied feet, and Aeana went to the corner. Sure enough, here were the missing maps. "I think Jenna was going to give them to Wizeman once this happened. A lot of our supplies are still in Splash Garden. We only recently set up here, because it was closer to Nightmare and a lot bigger." "I guess you're going to have to move," Aeana muttered. She rolled the maps up and hid them in her boots. "AEANA!" Aeana turned. Flames were licking at the doorframe. Aeana swore and quickly untied Ophelia. The flames were slowly traveling into the room. "Now whada we do?" "The window!" Aeana tried to open it, but it was locked. "She locked it from the outside." "Deja vu," Aeana murmered. "Then we're going to have to dash through it." "All right." "One." "Two." "THREE!" They yelled together. They quickly dashed through the window. Shattered glass flew everywhere. They hit the ground and covered their heads. "Ophelia!" Someone shouted. The two 'maren looked up. "Aeana?! You're okay?!" She smiled. "Jayston." "I... look, what I did before..." "I know. You're sorry. It's all right, it happened over a month ago." Aeana stood up. Jayston helped Ophelia up. "Are you all right?" "I think so. We found out who our little spy is." "Who?" "Jenna. The little girl." "WHAT?" "Yeah. I knew about it awhile ago.. I fonly I had gotten a chance to tell Nights..." Aeana shrugged. "Well, that's the other thing," Ophelia said. "You see, Nightmare has Nights." "WHAT?!" "The seems to be the choice phrase today..." "Yeah. C'mon, let's get out of here before some Nightmaren troop realizes we're here." The three of them took off for the safety of the forest. Kaseth was standing in front of Nights' cell, fumbling with the keys. Nights was look out at her, grinning as best he could with the constant pain he was feeling. "Stupid key, stupid key, where is the stupid key!" "You'll find it," Nights croaked out. "I know I'll find it," Kaseth snapped, "but if i don't find it in time, the guards'll wake up." "They're asleep." "Yup," said a vaoice fromt he shadows. Kaseth whirled. "Who's there?!" "Chill. It's me." Marcus came out of the shadows. "Here, let me see the keys." She gave him the keys, and he quickly found the correct one and unlocked the cell. Kaseth looked at him. "How..." he shrugged. "Used to be a blacksmith. Hurry up, one of those guards up there is pratically immune to sleeping powder." He paused. "I'll miss you, Kaseth." Marcus dashed off. Kaseth sighed and helped Nights up. "I hope you can walk, 'cause I really don't think I can carry you to Mystic Forest." "I can walk. I just need help." "That's all right." She put his arm around her shoulders, and then helped him out of the prison, out of the castle, out of Nightmare, and into Mystic Forest. Silas looked around wildly. He and the members of the Nightopian army that weren't in hiding were surrounded by Nightmaren troops. He raised his sword, ready to defend himself. Next to him, Cye wished he still had his sword. He had lost it somewhere along the way, and now he couldn't defend himself against an attack. And there was one 'maren in the group with his eye on Cye. He wanted him dead. "Out of my way! Let me through!" Silas recognized the voice. What was Reala doing here? Wasn't he wounded? Of course he was. Reala wanted to be there for the attack. Even if he couldn't participate until the fighting was over. And now was the time to participate. Reala emerged through the crowd. He turned to one of the troops. "Give me your sword." "Yessir." The 'maren handed Reala his sword. Reala walked up to Silas. "You want a REAL swordfight this time?" "My pleasure," Silas growled. They brought their swords together with a clang. Reala came on with a flurry of attacks that Silas hadn't expected. He hadn't known that Reala could actually use a sword. Silas held onto his sword and when Reala let up even a little, Silas attacked just as savagely. They fought for almost an hour. Neither side interviened or fought with each other. The only sound was the fire roaring around them. Some of the Nightopian members had left to try and get it under control. Silas pushed his sword against Reala's bringing it closer and closer to his neck. "Swordsmanship doesn't just involve strength. You will lose." "You want me to lose. But I won't." Reala kicked Silas' legs out from under him. Silas cryed out and fell. Reala knocked Silas' sword away and put his own sword to Silas' neck. "Told you I wouldn't lose." Kaseth and Nights were nearby, watching through the trees. "I have to do something!" Nights hissed. "Neither of us can get there in time," Kaseth whispered. But she insheathed her sword anyway. "You won't bring your sword against Reala. You can't." Kaseth looked down. "So? Big deal." "You're probably the only 'maren that wouldn't kill him." "Is this going somewhere? Because if it isn't then you better shut up." Nights looked at her. "Sorry." He watched her for a moment. "You love him, don't you?" "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't." But she still didn't look him in the eye. He put a hand on her shoulder. She shook a little and a tear slid down her cheek. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." "No, it's all right. It's just the stress." She looked up at the fight. Cye had knocked Reala away from Silas, and now he was trying to get away from Reala since he didn't have a sword. Silas took his own sword and stabbed Reala. Reala whirled around and attacked Silas again. The others had started fighting their way through the surrounding troops, trying to get away. "Silas, c'mon! Let's go!" Silas kicked Reala in the stomach and dashed off with Cye. "They've left, they're okay," Kaseth whispered. "Let's go find someone." "I don't understand it... there's no way they could have found this place!" "Yes, there is." Silas looked up at Cye morbidly. "They can get information out of any 'maren. Even Nights." "No way! He wouldn't tell! ... would he?" "They may have abused him verbally instead of physically. I think..." "What if they did get the information out of him? And then they killed him?! What if he's lying dead in the junk pile and..." Shenala started sobbing and couldn't continue. Silas put his arm around her shoulders. Cye crossed his arms. "Or maybe it was a SPY." Silas looked at him. He didn't say anything. "MAYBE the same spy that stole our maps told them where our base was." "Is." "WAS. Does it look like it's there anymore?" He shook his head. "It's deffinitly a spy. I don't know who, but..." "We do!" Aeana, Ophelia and Jayston came into view. Silas sighed with relief, partly from the fact that most of his friends were okay, partly from the fact that they weren't from the other side. "What?! Who?" "Jenna. The little girl." The three stared at her. "Ah.. but how?" Aeana shrugged. "How do I know? I only know that she did." She sighed and murmered, "If only I had had the chance to tell Nights..." "Aeana... there's something you need to know..." "I told her," Jayston said. Silas offered a small smile. Then he looked at Aeana. "By the way... what happened to your face?" "Clawz. Lucky he didn't blind me." "Who's lucky? Him or you?" Aeana grinned at Cye. "I'm not sure." She looked around. "Shouldn't we find a place to hide out until most of this blows away?" "Yeah. The rest of you go. Cye knows where to take you. But I'm not leaving until I know that every one of our troops that's still alive is safe," Silas said. "But..." Cye sputtered. "That's an order." Cye sighed. "All right. C'mon, everyone." He flew off, and the rest followed. Silas flew the other way. There was no way he was going to let Wizeman win entirely. Kaseth dragged Nights into a bush. He had blacked out again. This had happened quite a few times. Most times Kaseth made an excuse for the fact that they had moved so far. It only looks that way. You just didn't notice the change while you were awake. You weren't really unconscious, just unaware. Nights groaned. He blinked and sat up. "How'd I get in a bush?" "That's where you fell." "Oh." He paused. "Why do I get the feeling that you're only saying most of this, that you actually dragged me a long way?" "You're delusional." Nights thought she was joking at first, but when he looked at her expression, all he saw was worry. Worry for him, worry for herself, and worry that they would be caught. "Kaseth?! NIGHTS?!" Kaseth shrieked and jumped up, sword withdrawn. Nights stared into the darkness. Silas stepped into the light. Kaseth fell to her knees in relief. "If you ever, EVER... do that again..." She sheathed her sword. "Could you tell me ahead of time next time you plan on giving me a heart attack?" Nights croaked. "Sorry. What's going on here?" Nights explained most everything. Kaseth filled in the missing details, when there were any. Silas kept looking at Nights, then Kaseth, and then back at Nights again. "And that's pretty much it." Nights shrugged. Silas stared at them. "Ah..." Silas was interupted by the sounds of snapping twigs and crunching leaves. Kaseth looked around, then peeked through the bushes. She saw Reala, and stared. He still had that sword, and it was absolutely covered in blood. She squinted. The blood was mostly dried. she thought with relief. She looked over at Silas and Nightt... and they weren't there. "Where..." She sighed sadly, and flew into a tree to hide from Reala and his troops. Reala stood below her perch in the tree. She froze. "Search the forest! Take every single one of them prisoners. You know what to do if they won't come." The troops nodded and quickly headed off. Reala crossed his arms and waited. she thought, She slowly crept backwards, then flew for her life. She was alone, and flying as fast as she could, when someone grabbed her arm and yanked her back. She shrieked and tried to get away. A hand clamped over her mouth and twisted her arm behind her back. She tried to scream and struggled more. "Kaseth! It's okay, it's me!" Silas whispered. He let Kaseth go and she collapsed to the ground. "Are you all right?" "I... I... I don't know!" She burst into tears. "Kaseth?" She sobbed. He knelt down and held her. "Shh, It's all right." "Where's Nights?" she asked after she had calmed down. "He passed out. He's hidden ovver there." Silas thumbed behin dhim. Kaseth stood. "Where is everyone else?" "They're hiding in a cave. Most of the troops know where it is, so anyone alive should be in there." He sighed. "If we had only known about this..." "There was no way you could have found out. Don't worry about it." Silas smiled at her. "Let's go get Nights." They walked over to where Silas had hid him. He was still unconscious. Silas started to pick Nights up, but he groaned and started to fall. Kaseth tried to catch him and Nights, and the three fell into a heap on the forest floor. Silas rolled away and Kaseth pulled herself out from under Nights. She walked over to Silas. "What happened? Are you all right?" "Look at ... my back..." She did so and gasped when she saw the would that stretched from his left shoulder blade to the top or his right hip bone. "Silas! Who did this?!" "I don't know, and I don't care." She helped him up. "I'll give you directions to the cave. Bring Nights there. I need to--" "Come with me. You shouldn't be walking around with this. You could pass out at any moment. And then you're pretty much dead, if you're alone. Which you will be, if you don't stay with me. So you're soming, whether you like it or not." Silas grinned. "I don't think I have much of a choice, do I?" "Nope. Now c'mon, I can't carry Nights by myself." "We'd better hurry, or you'll have to carry both of us," Silas said morbidly. Kaseth looked at him. It seemes that now that his wound wasn't so much of a "secret", Silas was finally feeling the pain. She wanted to feel bad for him, but there was no time. The two of them carried Nights between them, and headed for the cave. It was many hours later. The fire had mostly dwindled down, although there were still a few flames. Jackle had gathered most of the Nightmaren troops, although Reala and his troops were still missing. "There's nothing more here. All of the rebels have either gotten away, or been caught or killed. We will go back to Wizeman. Every single one of you is going to give a report," Jackle finished. Murmers went around the group, but nothing more. A group of six 'maren came out of the bushes. One of them was Reala. A 'maren was being carried between two other 'maren. "What happened?" Someone asked. Reala looked at them. "A group of rebels bigger than us attacked. We got rid of them." Reala looked at Jackle. "We're going back. There's nothing more here," Jackle said. Reala nodded with approval. The troops left. Jenna blinked. She pushed through the rubble. parently, the ceiling had caved in on her. And that had saved her life. She turned around. The wall was gone. "Well, at least I won't have a problem getting away." She flew outside. No one was around. She flew into the surrounding forest, heading for home. Kaseth watched the Nightmaren troops travel back to Nightmare from atop a cliff. Reala was leading the troops, with a wide grin on his face. She knew that that grin would soon be gone. A tear slid down her cheek. She still loved him, and would always love him. "Kaseth?" Kaseth looked over her shoulder. Jayston was standing aways behind her. "What is it?" "Are you all right?" She shrugged. "Sure." He came and sat down next to her. "Are you sure?" "Yes." "Really, really, really really really really sure?" "Yes!" she laughed. He grinned at her. "Kaseth?" "Yeah?" "Are you... going to join the rebels?" "I... I'm not sure. I'm not sure if I can." "Of course you can. What's going to stop you?" She looked at him. "Oh. Well..." He shrugged. She looked away from him. "I'm sorry. I just..." "It's okay. You don't need to be sorry." She didn't answer. "Kaseth? Are you okay over there?" Kaseth shook her head. He looked over at her and tried to wipe her tears away, but she turned away. So he took her and held her, and she cried against him. It was several hours later. Reala had just found out that Nights had escaped -- and that Kaseth was missing. "There was sleeping powder in my water. She was the only one who could have done it." Reala looked at Zenny coldly. It all made sense to him now; Kaseth had meant to do the same as the other. She had just been convinced by Nights to join the rebels instead. But that was all right. Nights could deal with her now. Reala forgot about her as soon as he left the room. Or at least, he tried. Aaron laughed at the rebel base. He had watched the battle; had watched the base burn. And he laughed. he thought with a grin. He saw someone flying away from the base. A girl, dressed in red and pink. He followed the girl through the forest until they were far away from the base. Then he dashed out of the bushes and grabbed her. She let out a shrill scream and struggled to get away. "LET ME GO LET ME GO!!" "Sorry kiddo. You came from the base." "I'M NOT WITH THEM! I WAS SPYING!" "You're with Nightmare." "YES!" "Same difference." "What?!" Aaron ignored her. He started walking, with Jenna in tow. "Who are you?!" "I'm against both sides. Now shutup, kid." "What? You're insane!" "Maybe." "But.. but.. I'll help you! I'm a spy! I can spy on someone for you!" Aaron stopped. "Can you now?" "Yes!" He shrugged. "Maybe." He walked on. "What're you going to do with me?" "Oh, we might kill you. But chances are you'll become a slave." "What? But I never did anything to you!" "You shouldn't be a part of this war. A lot of people die from it." "The only reason I am a part of it is because I was forced to!" "You were?" "Yes! They killed my mother and said if I didn't do this for them, they'd kill me too!" Aaron looked at her, then put her down. "You're only in this war because... they forced you?" "Yes," she sniffed. He sighed. "Do you want to fight back?" Jenna looked up at him. "Yes." "Good." He grinned. "C'mon, I'll show you your knew residence." Aaron turned and slowly flew off, waiting for her to follow. Jenna took flight with a private, triumphant smile on her face. "Well, I'll tell you one thing -- if you're not going to join Nights, you can come with me." "You're not going to join the rebels?" Kaseth asked. "Not yet, anyway," Aeana answered. "It's just too... finale. Before, I was with Nightmare, but I was against them, too. Now..." She shrugged. "It's just not the same, and I don't think I'm ready for it yet." She looked at her friend. "But you are. I know you are. You were ready for it a long time ago." Kaseth sighed. "Maybe. It's not like I want to go back to Nightmare... I just don't know if I DO want to join Nights." "Decisions, decisions." Kaseth gave a weak smile, sat on a rock, and put her face in her hands. "Are you okay?" "I'm looking for a handle on the moment," came the muffled reply. "Unfortunately that handle is extremely slippery." Aeana laughed and pulled her friend back up. "C'mon. Can you make a desicion by the time we get back to the others?" "No." "Good, should make things interesting." Kaseth shook her head, and they headed for the rest. Nights spread out his hands. "Are you going to join us?" "I... I.. yes." Nights grinned at her. "Good. We could really use some extra hands around here." He turned to Aeana. "What about you?" Aeana shrugged. "Not today." He looked at her. "Not today?" "Not today." "...Okay... uh..." Aeana grinned at him, then turned from him and looked at Kaseth. "You be careful, okay?" "Of course. I'm always careful." Aeana smiled and hugged her. "And don't worry about Reala," she whispered. "If you play it right, he'll come around." "What?" Kaseth whispered back. Aeana backed away and grinned at her. "Think about it." She was about to leave when she remembered something. "Oh!" She took out a small pack and gave it to Kaseth. "Here. Don't look at it until you're... alone." She glanced around, then was gone. "Wha..." Kaseth looked at the bag, then around at the rest. "Let's get going then," Nights said. "The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll finish."