"What if Ruby never shows?"
"Can't we just leave without her?"
"That may seem small in your eyes, but..."
*BOOM*
"Who said something about small?
I may be small, young.....a bit arrogant, immamutre, slow, and maybe hostile.....but I will never turn my back."
"But you shut your eyes out. We heard you say it."
"Did I? You really think my eyes are the only eyes that see you?"
"What did they see when you were taken?"
"Ummmmm."
"So we really are going back? You three barely…."
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"The forest is not alive. The trees are unmoving. And the creatures...…although I had a bag over my head.....it felt like they too had something over their….."
"Necklaces."
"Huh?"
"Headmasters Illusionists. He creates monsters from everything, but none of them are real.
Do you know how hard it is to get a Necklace on an animal, let alone force them to wear anything? The moment you turn your back, their friend is there helping naw it off."
"Then how'd you get through? This Forest tests your fears and brings them to light."
"First time I closed my eyes and just floated over. Or, you can be Rainbow and sleep your way across. Or…..just do me and plow your way through.
Whatever way, none of us are good role models though. My shield...i just air, and since everything is dead in the forest; Ruby has nothing to use to bounce off of. Just herself.
These Illusions may look fake, but trust me; they are definitely real and can break through. Rainbow's blood on her sword is a testament to that."
"So they are real to a certain degree? But that...…"
"Guess Tai wasn't the only one who set his kids free."
"This is crazy. Absolutely, utterly nonsense crazy. Who would attack the same Fortitude that held you a day prior? And during the day no less. Schools getting out by the time we arrive, so all the Kids will be on high alert. Why don't we wait until….."
"I don't think Ariel can wait that long. I tracked her, and she.....her pulse is fainter than last. I don't know why, nor what that could mean. Has she been captured; is she afraid; has she shrunk....or.....barely holding on with her last breath?
The sooner the better."
"If this goes on record, I still hate this plan.
Tank, love does not mean never showing hate nor anger. Those emotions are good to warn you. Love means never letting go of them.....even when you do accidentally lash out. I may love you, but I don't love that you train boys to be the buffest, strongest, most handsome warriors a girl could ever."
"What was that, Ruby?"
"Ummm. I said nothing."
"No. Please. Go on, I want you to keep complimenting me."
"I wasn't trying to."
"Guys. Girls. We can sit around and joke in peace, but my friend is not a joke. Who cares why she wants to be free. All I know is that she does, and as her friend; I am going to make sure that happens.
Who's with me?"
"Uhmmmmmm."
"Come on. Please don't back down now.
I promise when you get back, your Kingdoms will be safe. Kain will be here."
"I will?
But I want to…"
"That's not what scares me, Jacklyn."
"It's the forest?"
*Gulp*
"Well, if she attacks you again; then just like last; you will know she is not the real Ruby.
Now hands in."
"Hands in."
"Hands in."
"Hands in."
"Hands in."
"Ariel on three. One, two, three….."
"ARIEL!!!!!!"