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Part 1: Groupings She was a runner, she always hadbeen, and always would be. But, whathumans called an"Apocalypse," had struck theworld, Demons beginning a ravagingassault on the land. She couldn'trun from this. She'd been in a tempest ofattacks, and defense until,blackness. Nest Freemark, currentlyfloating in a dull nexus between worlds,used to be a middle-aged woman whompossessed magic. She had lived a human life,yes, but that was just the sheeting over thewindow. Nest came from a long lineof magic wielders, her mother, thenher grandmother. But, it seemed to havedied out in that generation. "Hello?" Nest called inconfusion. Where was she? What was this place? "Greetings, Nest Freemark.It is good to finally see you'veawoken." came a gentle voice. "Who are you?" she called. "We have no known name, though wedo have a purpose for asking you here." "Where is, here?" "All will be answered." "What purpose do you need me?" "The Emissaries are missing,Ms. Freemark. There are 16known Emissaries, and we need themto go forth, to save Earth." "What happened to Earth?" sheasked, immediately confused again. But, there was no response, notimmediately. "What, Nest Freemark, was yourlife's goal?" This caught her off guard, but sheanswered nonetheless. "To free the world,to bring peace to the lands." "Seek out the missingEmissaries, and combine your strengthwith the Sealed Medallions, and thisdream will come true." Then the vortex opened in frontof her floating form, and the voicefaded. Nest was now faced with onedecision. Would she go through this portal, to seewhat would happen? Or, would shestay here, to wait out the storm? But, there was some warning bell ringingin her ears, and she seemed to sensethat the resolution was through that portal.So, she let herself float forward,drawn on an invisible current ofair, through the portal, and into anotherworld.
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Elmindreda Farshaw, Min forshort, did not expect herself to beexperiencing one of her own viewings. Yes, they came very often, butrarely, no, never, was there one thatdirectly involved her, one she'dseen while looking into a mirror onemorning. Her first sisters, QueenElayne, and Wise One,Aviendha, were still asleep in nearbybeds, while Rand had taken his timeto leave the house. After a while Min had found herselfslumbering again. She did not intendto have done so, but she fell asleepagain. In front of her was a Portal,standing on its side, about as tall asherself. "Where am I?" she asked. "That is a question we will be hearingquite often, isn't it, ElmindredaFarshaw, Doom Seer?" "Who are you? How do you know me?" "Just listen to our story." came thevoice, and Min nodded. "I saw myself here, and aPortal," she started, lookingaround. "I'm required to do something." "Again, Elmindreda Fa," "Min." Min corrected, continuingto survey the area. "Please, just listen to our plight.We will not hold you, and force you,to join the Emisaries we seek forour cause." "What is your cause?" The voice paused, as if itwere contemplating how much to tell her. "We cannot tell you as much. Manyof our kind are telling yourcompanions the same thing of themselves.Join, and aid us, for the safety ofEarth itself." Min nodded, looking at the ground,expecting the next thing to come. A Portal soon appeared,cracking the ground in front of her,a wormhole leading down into darkness. "I will aid you." Min decided,and she entered the Portal, lettingherself fall into the Nexus which wouldbecome their base of operations.
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The hallway was calm, Jodieand Aiden on one end, shadowedfigures at the other. A girlstood before them, a hammer held in herright hand. Aiden growled slightly, shiftinga pile of dirt in the cavern, andJodie nodded. He was uneasy as well, shecould tell. "What are we to do about this?" "Don't shoot!" the girlshouted. "And why not?" "I am Nora Valkyrie,student, and Huntress in Trainingat Beacon Academy." "That's your reasoning, kid?" "I do have a hammer." Noracalled, a gleeful grin on herface. "And Grimm." "Grimm?" "I repeat, do not shoot, andintroduce yourself." The ground gave way in between thetwo girls, and Aiden hissed indiscomfort. Beyond the gaping maw of thechasm was darkness, completeblackness. "Jodie Holmes, NoraValkyrie, Aiden Holmes.You must come, and save the world." "What are you talking about?"Jodie called into the darkness. "Join your Emissaries." theplacid voice boomed. THAT was when a wind pickedup, scattering dirt and dust alike.Jodie's hair obscured hervision, though she didn't need to seeto know Nora had leaped into the void. "Let's go, Aiden." Jodie fell through the air,Aiden a shapeless spirit behind her,keeping track of her safety. Jodie had come across herbrother's spirit at a young age. He had not left her sidesince, throughout many CIAassignments, and other assortedmissions. Jodie shivered, brought from herreverie by the violent landing and the cold. She rolled, quickly getting to herfeet again. Nora stood not ten feet away,examining her surroundings intently. "Through time, and through space, allshall be drawn together." came themysterious voice. "Generations apartsome may be, but they have to come,to save us all. Go now, join yourcomrades at The Nexus."
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"Chan, Professor Yana,tho!" Chantho called, feartingeing her voice. That day, Chantho that she had died. But, the blue-skinned alien wasin fact saved by a higher power thanthe Master. She found herself lying on the ground,her arms tinged with red markings. "Chan, where am I, tho?" "Chantho. You survived." "Chan, the professor turnedon me, tho." "Yes. It is regrettable,but the Master, as he's called,did betray you. That doesn't makeyou bad, Chantho." The voice was calm, soothing.It almost made Chantho drowsy, butshe blinked that feeling away. "Chan, where am I, tho?" sherepeated. "All will be explained when the timecomes, Chantho. The Emissariesmust be gathered. They must be broughtto save the world." "Chan, I'm no hero, tho." "But, you are necessary. Theprophecies stated that you'd beneeded, all of you." She blinked, "Chan,prophecies, tho?" She waited, but there was noresponse. "Chan, where do I go then, tho?" Gold lettering appeared, hangingin thin air: Bound together, they must save the world, The darkness it lurks once again, It seeks to rise in full force, But, the Emissaries of Heavenand Hell will fight back. From blue skin, To winged noblewoman, They possess the true abilitiesto win the waged war. A vortex of darkness appearedbefore Chantho seconds after the letteringdisappeared. "In answer to your second question,you must seek your companions.Take The Nexus as your base.Win this war, and save the world." The winds which seemed nonexistentuntil that moment, decided forChantho, throwing her into the vortex,and into darkness. She cried out insurprise, but she couldn'tbreak free of the air's current.She pinwheeled her arms in anattempt to catch at something,anything, but the ultimate task of thewind was to lead her through the vortex. After she was through, it completelydisappeared.
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Mirai Leah looked at heroddly dressed opponent. He was garbed in black, with aweapon's belt stocked up ondaggers and knives, one of which hepulled from the belt, and mouthed somethingto. The blade flashed brightly, asif coming to life, and Mirai questionedwhether this guy was human or not. "Well then, come at me!" shecalled to him, unstrapping the Swordof Leah as she marched forward. Her life with the Rovers, and theHighlanders, as well as Railing,Ohmsford her husband, had helpedher gain experience with swords. "It'd be my pleasure." the manresponded in a thick accent, smilingbroadly. The two launched themselves at eachother, while beneath their feet the groundsimply fell away into nothingness. When she landed, Mirai rolled,striking out with her foot at the man.It missed, and she saw whyseconds later. Mirai looked around the area theyhad landed within, and blinked. The manhad disappeared. "William Herondale,Shadowhunter of the LondonInstitute, and Mirai Leah,Highlander of Leah, come forth." "Who are you?" both asked,looking toward where the voice hadcome from. "My name is unimportant.We need your help, that is whatis important." "How are we to help?" Miraiasked, cocking her head to one side. "The Emissaries must gather.For that, I need the two of you." "Why us?" "That's a question too often asked.But, there's no time for the answer.Enter the Nexus, and meet yournew comrades." Mirai felt an odd feelingin her head, a compulsion to sayyes, to comply with this strange,bodiless voice. She looked at the man,William, and then forward again.She saw a portal openinginto darkness. "You are wished the best ofluck on your journey."
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The vortex closed, allfive angles cutting off thepalacade the seven people had entered. Each stood, looked around, andfinally, in a circle they stood,looking at each other in wonderment. It truly was a rag-tag bandof misfits, put together by fate, and avortex none of them wanted to enter. "If we're going to get anywhere,"Nest started, immediately taking charge,"I believe we'll have to introduceourselves, and exchange information." "What are you talking about?"Jodie asked, peering from Nest,to Min, and onward. Nest looked at Min, as shegasped, staring wide-eyed atW. "I've seen you." sheproclaimed, turning to Nest. "Andyou! I've seen all of you!" "Would you mind explaining yourself?"Mirai asked, crossing her arms. "I don't know how I can explainthis, but, I can see the future,or, events which will occur." "How can you be so certain?"Nest asked tentatively. "It's happened before. You, you're,"she peered at Nest. "A very goodrunner, Nest Freemark?" "Yes." "Lucky guess?" Will asked,flipping a blade through the air, anddeftly catching it again. "Possible." Jodie concured. "Jodie Holmes, WilliamHerondale," Will nearly droppedthe blade he held, "MiraiLeah, Nora Valkyrie. AndI am, Min Farshaw." Minpointed at each respectively,speaking the names swiftly. "I suppose we've seen thesame thing then?" "Enter the Nexus, save the world,that stuff? Yes." Will saidsarcastically, sheathing the dagger. "Well then, welcome, to us,to the Nexus." "Are we the only ones to be here?"Nora asked, speaking for the first timesince they had arrived. "There's only one way to find out."Nest remarked, starting for a marblestaircase. "Let's check out therest of this place." When the group had ascended, androunded a corner, leaving the roomcompletely empty, anothervortex emptied, leaving asprawled heap on the floor,a figure in dark robes.
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On the ground, a man layunconscious. His body was curledin a crumpled heap, his blackrobes wrapped about him. "Wake, Rimmer Dall. Youhave been given one final chance atlife." came a voice. He stirred, looking about theroom. It was silent. The voice did not come again. Racing down the stairs camethe group of seven, each finallyspotting him. "Who are you?" one asked, ajirl standing with her hair tied back. "I should ask the same of you."he rasped. His throat was raw, having justescaped death. "We're the Emissaries."the girl remarked. "My name isMin." "Rimmer Dall." "You've been brought here to servethe same purpose as us." Minremarked. "And what is that purpose?" "To save the world. You, thevillain brought to his knees by aboy. A boy with the song of wishes." "How do you know about that?!" hedemanded. "We'll find out everything as timepasses by." Min remarked, placingher hand against his cheek. "Well, Min, what have you gotplanned for us?" a boy with an oddaccent states, standing beside a girlwho looked like one of the Leahs. "We work on our destiny." "Our destiny?" Rimmer Dallasked. "We have the task of saving the world,I've told you." Min remarked. "I have a feeling we're not goingto be the only ones working on this."Nest replied, biting her lower lip. As if on cue, a five-sidedvortex opened into the Nexus.Out fell figure after figure. Heroes and villains alike,the Emissaries of Heaven and Hellhad been brought back together.
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The Emissaries of Heaven andHell had been brought together. Standinghand in hand, they choose a destinyfor the world. They are the voice ofplanets, worlds, even wholeuniverses. Decided by the creator of all,they shall rise to power, and seek outa storm, seek out a universalthreat. And, one by one, powers feedingoff of each other, they will destroy it. Nest looked up from the paper. It made no sense, none atall that she could make out anyway. Min sat to her right, her feetup on a desk in the largelibrary, her eyes scanning thebook she held. She and Nest had chosen this job,to scour this large room in search ofwhat they had to do. Min stood then, starting for the doorsthat led deeper into the library, andexited just as an impish creaturewearing a revealing skin tight suit,and a helmet made of marble, rushedinto the room. Nest looked at her curiously. "I come with news." she spoke ina clipped British accent. "Wehave a cry for help." "Who all is going to answerthis, call?" "Mirai Leah, and I. The restof the group thought you should go too." Nest nodded. "Is anyone awareof who it is that calls for us?" The imp-girl, Midna was hername, shook her head. Nest nodded once more. She, Midna, and Mirai,a slim girl wearing a belt thatheld knives, and a sword,walked out onto the ramparts of thelarge sanctuary that would be theirhaven, the place they'd come to call,The Nexus. "A team of five would bebetter," came a soft voice andLucina, a girl about as tall asMirai, stepped forward, anotherat her side. The two seemedto be polar opposites, the onewho had spoken, calm andcollected, whereas the other wassmiling brightly. "You wish to join us," Nesttried to think of their names. "Lucina." "And Lux!" Lux remarked. "But, yes, we wish to join you." Nest nodded, and started off towardan open portal. One by one, they stepped through theportal's glowing transparentsurface, and it rippled, signalingtheir passage through. They had set outto search for this distress call.
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Nora Valkyrie held herhammer as she and the boy, shecouldn't quite remember his name, walkeda road as they excavated theNexus. "Bloody ashes, do you have to carrythat thing, everywhere?" he asked,stopping suddenly. Nora blinked, then focused onhim, lowering the hammer to her thigh. "Sorry, Huntresshabits." "Light, Perrin carried abloody belt to hold his hammer!" Nora just continued walking,humming slightly, as if she could nothear a word he said. But, a thought occurred to her, andshe stopped, then looked back atMat. "Why are we here?" she asked,looking at him intently. "Why are we here?" he repeated,looking dumbfounded. "Yes, why are we here, rightnow?" "Why are you asking me? Idon't know." A girl that was encased in metalexited the building, and stepped ontothe balcony, her gaze curiousas she spotted the two. "I've heard about both of you,the great general, and the girl, whatis it they called it? Viking."Fiora remarked, stepping beside thetwo. "I'm not a general." "The man who resents beingreferred to as a nobleman." Mat tilted his head at the commentsFiora was making, then sighed. "Even complete strangersbloody look to me as a general."he muttered, starting off. "And Nora Valkyrie,Huntress." "That's me." Nora smiled."And you are?" "I'm Fiora, sorry, mustnot have introduced myself earlier." "You might have, but there's so many peoplehere." Fiora nodded. The closing of a door markedMat's exit, re-entering theNexus. Fiora leaned against a wall,looking around the area. She sighedas Nora came to lean next to her. "Well," Nora stated,breaking the silence tentatively.This was a large contrast to her usualpersonality, which was easygoing, and verytalkative. "Well, what?" Fiora asked. "I suppose you're not the onlyone that's done research on others.What's your friend like, back on,"Nora tapped the side of her headquickly, attempting to remember. (Bionis." Fiora finished."Yes, that's Shulk." Her gaze grew distant for amoment, and she smiled. "But, Imstn't go into too much detailabout that." "No, go ahead." Fiora shrugged, blushingslightly. "What's he like?" Nora asked,perking up. "Well," Fiora started. The two stood for moments, chattingabout first Shulk, then Nora's own,Ren, and then, why they'd beensummoned. It seemed a mysteryto all. But, mysteries, enigmatic,disembodied voices aside, thetwo felt a bond growing, onethat would soon be very, very strong.
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Midna grumbled as she wandered throughthe large hallways, which seemedto mock her for her small size. She touched a wall gently, thenlooked upward to the ceiling high above. The first day had not even halfwayfinished, and she was already worried forwhatever would happen to her, thePalace of Twilight, and this groupshe'd randomly been thrown into. She looked back to the point intime where, as she had left Link,traveling back through the Mirror ofTwilight, she had been pulledinto an unconscious state of mind.When she'd awoken she was here.It was as if she'd just, appeared, outof thin air, right next to everyoneelse. And, indeed she had. Midna began to walk again,following the maze of corridorsback to the main entry of the Nexus.She glanced at the ground, andnoticed a marking that seemed veryfamiliar. Something that the Twilihad used quite a few times. Itseemed that beneath this very floor was somethinghidden by the Twili themselves. The imp knelt down, not that sheneeded to be much lower to see thenarkings, and scrawled something on thehard marble floor, over the symbolin the ground. Snick. A door had unlocked. They'd explored this entireroom, opening, and closing, eachdoor, and not one of them had beenlocked before. So, what was this about? Midna wandered over to the door,and leaped toward the handle, just barelygrabbing onto the knob. Suspended in the air, it tookall of Midna's might to turnthe lock, and push open the door,to reveal a narrow staircaseleading down into darkness. There was enough light to see by, butMidna didn't need light, soshe closed the door behind her, andstarted down the stairs. On the wall, as if glowing with afaint light's glow, Midnacould make out the words: Each of the members of theEmissaries of Heaven and Hell,are provided with quarters in theNexus especially designed to fittheir lifestyle, and habitat,to make them feel more at home whilesaving the world. Please, enjoy yourstay. Midna blinked, then continued,letting the words echo in her mind,reverberating, as if throughout anempty cavern of a room. At the bottom, Midna wassurprised at what she saw, somuch so, that her mouth dropped open. For moments, she stood, observingthe room, thinking over and over,"This can't be real. This just can't bereal!" But, Midna's own throneroom, and sleeping quartersseemed to have matwerialized in theplace known as the Nexus. If they were recognizing heras the true Princess ofTwilight, then maybe this staywouldn't be as bad as she first thoughtit would be. Midna, the TwilightPrincess, wandered back up thesecret set of stairs, a widesmile plastered across her lips, forwhat seemed the first time in forever.
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Melia Antiqua, theEmpress of Alcamoth, stood,the small pair of wings on herhead fluttering, showing how nervousshe was. She gulped as Ginny Weasley,a girl that Melia envied for herbeauty, stepped forward. "Would you like to train with me?"she asked, a welcoming smileplaying across her lips. "Sure," Melia saidsoftly. She stood from where she'd takenherself, a seat in the corner of thelarge library, somewhere quiet.She followed Ginny into a largeroom, what looked like a fullarmory, set against one wall. "I suppose that this would be thetraining room, so I thought, whata better way to plan for what wemust do, than bettering ourselves inbattle?" Ginny explained shyly. Melia nodded mutely, andpulls from her back a staff,the staff she'd chosen to fight with,as she had inherited. Ginny pulled her wand sheepishlyfrom her pocket. She looksto Melia, and the two smile shyly. "Well, how should we begin?" Melia shrugs. The two advanced on each other,Melia raising the staff, andpreparing to attack. Ginny flicksthe wand in her hand, and an invisiblegust of wind tugs at Melia'sweapon. Melia slashed forward, but Ginnyblocked the attack deftly.She attempted to disarm Melia,but this time it worked, and the gust wasstronger, this time it knocked herto the ground. The opening, and closing of a doorindicated the entrance of someone else,and the two stopped, just as Meliawas standing. "Well, a good training match,I see you've already started?"William Herondale remarked,flashing a grin at the two. "We were ju," Will cut Melia off, but smiledreassuringly. "I know, I know.In the Institute of London,we trained, somewhat like this. Well,not like this, but, like this." Will pulled aknife from his belt, and threw itat a wall. The two watched as the knifesailed through the air, across the room,and it thunked into a mounted target. "Now, anyone mind my joiningthis little fray?" Will asked, raisinga second knife. Neither girl objected as a newbattle began, Will included.
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Nest tapped Midna's shoulderas the transportation vehicale theyused, took them through to Earth. Midna looked up, blinking. "We're here." Nest informedher, as Mirai stepped off of thevehicle. The others followed her, allfive examining the world that Nestwas sure, none of them thought they'dsee again. Midna gasped, and spoke inher clipped English, which Nestbarely understood. "It's like, the Light World.It's always so, fascinating!" Nest sighed in agreement as herother companions circled outward,starting to scan the area. Midna stood beside the trackrunner, remembering, again, whathad happened before she had entered thelibrary, before she'd been told to gothere, to warn Nest. She'd seen themagnificient thing that these, puppetmasters, had done to convince themto stay. Midna bit her lip. Shehad to stay silent about her marveling,about her excitement for the days to come.She'd have to stay silent on that. She looked to Nest, then to thethree ahead of them. "Is there anything intriguing?" Midna shrugged as Nest spoke,the group coming to a halt. Each member of the small partystood, each examining the world aroundthem. They advanced once more, sideby side this time, none of them speakingfor a long while. Edinja Orle, a sorceressbrought through time, just before her death,and brought through space to her currentposition, sat on the window sillof a building. She watched the party of fivetraverse by her hiding place, noneof them noticing her. She was frustrated. How _everythis happened? She was so close to whatshe wanted! But, she was not like someof these whiny people, always complainingabout one thing or another. Edinja felt her fingers tingle,magic coming to life, as if on cuewith her rage. Oh, she would have her promisedrevenge. But, first, she'd haveto recruit a few, helpers. Despite her reluctanceto do so, Edinja Orle, a verypowerful sorceress, had to recruitsome very, very evil people to help carryout her death sentences. Nest heard a rustling, thenfelt something, as if a tingling onthe back of her neck. Almost asif someone were watching her. She stopped, and brieflylooked around. There was nothing there. She continued to walk, catchingpace with her companions, and continuingto walk the empty streets. One question that ran through her mind,before the attack, was: Where hadeveryone gone?
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"We're under attack!" thevoice called through a communicationssystem, and to Nest's group. "There's someone attacking!"Min cried, standing from her positionin the library. Midna couldn't remember whathad happened, but she saw Neston the ground, a cat pinning herto the ground. "It's a moor cat!" Miraicalled, raising the sword she'dbrought with her. But, Mirai was brought down aswell, by a flying figure wholooked almost as if she were levitatingthrough the air, toward the Highlandgirl. Mirai wrestled with a largemass of fur, the moor cathaving aimed its attack for her. Nest looked at Mirai asshe stood, coming face to face with awoman of striking beauty. Nest glared at the sorceressbefore her: but the latter did notback down. "What do you want with us?" Edinja Orle did not answer,just stared at Nest. Mirai, and Lucina stood,battling sword and knives,to claws, and jaws. They battledthe moor cat, both swordswomendeftly maneuvering to blockattacks which could have been fatal. Nest, and Lux, however, werebattling the sorceress herself, thelarger threat in their eyes. It was magic to magic on bothfronts, Edinja blocking whatevershe could, which was three fourths of theattacks aimed for her. First, a burst of light, whichdissipated, then she came backwith a jerk of the hand. Nest raisedher own hand, pushing forward with herpalm outward, as if that were heronly source of protection. A sword slash seemed to cutthrough the air, in the wrong direction,then Edinja fell, and so did hercat. Midna held up a sword,looking sheepishly around as thestruggle ended. "Midna, what happened?" Midna shook slightly as shelooked to the ground before her. Nest followed her gaze, whichcame to rest on Mirai's form.A large gash in her shoulderpulsated, blood flowing freelyfrom it. "We need evacuation. Weneed to leave, now!" "We've only started this,"Midna argued, sheathing the swordalongside Mirai'sunconscious form. "We have an injured member,we're going back!" As they entered the transportvehicle, Nest bit her lip. Once Mirai was healed they'dreturn, they would have to. They would find what had happenedto the people of Earth, and what they hadto do to save them. That is, if they could save thehuman race. They were greeted by Mat,Nora, and Fiora. When they staggered into what would bethe infirmary for the large base,Nest cllapsed, convulsingslightly. But, nobody was looking ather, to notice that not only hadshe hit Edinja with magic, butthe same had happened in return. The magics were not compatible witheach other, thus rendering NestFreemark unconscious.
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In what seemed a differentdimension entirely, a groupstood, at the edge of a precipice,none of the five looking to theircompanions. Mike, a teenager with multiplepersonalities, looked around thechasm's edge the sun slowlyfalling beneath the horizon, glintingoff of Cameron's glasses, andmaking Zoey look absolutelybeautiful. Next to Cam stood Dawn,and Ella, the latter lessfamiliar than Dawn, though shelooked sort of like a Snow Whiteprincess. She had introduced herselfas Ella. After countless moments of silence,Mike finally stirred from hisposition. He leaned backslightly, stretching his arms outbehind him. It had been a long day,especially with the traveling he'dhad to endure. Zoey touched his shoulder tenderly,but neither spoke. Nobody wantedto speak, to break the silence they hadattempted, and succeeded, in making.It wasn't tense, nor was itawkward, but the silence was there, abarrier of sound between them all. Finally, they stirred, all as one,moving away from the chasm they'd beentransfixed by. "We've made a call forhelp, but now we must wait for ourrescuers." Ella spoke. "Our rescuers must be of someimportance." Dawn respondedwistfully, letting her hair blowin the faint breeze. Mike sighed as Zoey linkedher hand in his, smiling at himslowly. Cameron stood alone, lookingdown at his hands. Each of the fivehad separated, all but Ella,Dawn, Mike and Zoey, leavingthe brainiac to think by himself. Finally, they noticed a beam oflight shooting high into the sky, ageyser of pure energy. "Everyone!" Cameronexclaimed, noticing the light first."This could be our way out of here!" Each of them was alert immediately,Zoey and Mike having nearlykissed, they run to his side,closely followed by Ella, andDawn. "Excitement seems to fill you,"Dawn said slowly, examining themysterious light. "It is because ofthis?" Cameron nodded eagerly. "Itcould be our way out of here." "But, how do we test it? How dowe know?" Zoey asked. Mike looked from her, to Cam,then to the light. "There's only one way to find out." Zoey shook her head eagerly."No, Mike! You can't!" "Zoey," he attemptedto protest, but she shook her headvigorously. "I can't lose you, again, Mike,please." Her plea struck him, like a fistin the face. So, he nodded slowly. Manwhile, Cameron, Ella,and Dawn eyed each other, as ifthree minds were attempting to connect. Finally, all three spoke inunison, bringing a gasp from bothMike and Zoey. "I'll go." The air was silent, as the grouplooked at each other, the triostaring at one another once more, almostas if willing the others to back down.Mike couldn't tell which was more braveto risk their life. Then, again they spokesimultaneously their voicesharmonious together. "We will go."
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Melia felt very odd, after takinga beating during the training with Will, andGinny. Her body ached, not withphysical wounds, but with the strainshe'd put on during the match. Shecould barely fend for herself when Willcame at her, a dull knife inhis hands. After the match had ended, each hadparted, Will claiming he had somethingto do, Ginny turning into her room,leaving Melia in the library. She had known Fiora had comealong with her, from the Bionis, butshe had not seen Fiora quite yet.She had no clue whether she andShulk, she couldn't think about that rightnow, she had to think about this time, rightnow. Melia stepped forward, lookingat a terminal's monitor. Itread: The Lost Seven Find them fast. In the Citadel, in a trap, If they're not found, the bond will snap Melia blinked, then scanned themessage again. Nest, revitalized, steppedinto the room, and surveyed itcuriously. "Miss, Antiqua." shestated formally bowing to her. "Please, don't. I'm notthat important, not here." "Nonsense!" Nest replied,"I'm only famous for running, andI've learned to go with it." Melia nodded, then turned to themessage once more. "I found something, something that mayhelp us in the mission you went on."she replied, biting her lower lip. She ushered Nest over, indicatingthe only lit screen in the room. "This group's not completelyassembled." "Does this message mean sevenother Emissaries will join?" "That is a possibility, but myguess is that we have to find them." "Let's confer." An intercom whirred into life,startling Midna from her reverie. "The Emissaries are needed inthe library, as soon as possible.A conference about our next move mustbe made." Midna looked at it, then asmall display beside it, one which shehadn't noticed before. A message cycled across thedisplay's screen, over and over. "I 1suppose this is whatneeds to be taken care of." sheremarked as she stood from where shewas, and exited her room. Will entered the library, wearing hisShadowhunter garb, Seraphblades strapped to his waist. "What's the emergency?" heasked Nest, the runner, as hesat down along the large roundtable. It looked like he was the lastto arrive, so Nest started to speak. "We have some research, andexcavation, to do." she stated,looking from one face to the next. It was only then that NestFreemark found herself wonderingfully, why this unknown person,had brought them together? Their mixedpersonalities. Take Will forexample: Brash, a fighter.Now, what use could come of him,other than killing demons? Then there was Nora Valkyrie.She wasn't the most intelligentof the group, but she had some fightingskills. She had a hammerstrapped to her back, and the mostenthusiastic personality one couldask for. So, why choose some of them thatweren't fighters, like Midna,a royal princess? Like, Min,a simple girl. Yes she hadfighting skills, knives rolledin her sleeves. Finally, she spoke again. "Who feels able to take theBlack Portal out and into the worldbeyond?" The Black Portal was whatthey'd come to call the swirlingblackness that was their exit to somewhere.But, they had no idea where. After a moment's hesitation,a few hands went up. Jodie Holmes, MatrimCauthon, Lucina, and RimmerDall.
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"Amy!" Snow was all that he could see. "Amy!" He called his sister's namefutilely. But, there was noresponse, naturally. Why did snowstorms have to beso hard to hear through? "Amy!" He felt his muscles weaken,and his body slump over, and into thedeep banks of snow, almost astall as he was. "Bloody ashes!" came amale's voice. "Who's yelling?" Wind whipped at MatrimCauthon's hat, which he washolding onto for dear life. He'd taken his steps through theBlack Portal, and had nearlydied for it. But, then again, that's whathis luck was for. That's what the dicewere for. He'd heard a boy's voice,no doubt, but from where. All hecould see was white snow, flittingpassed him, wind pushing himbackward. He pushed back, steppingforward, slowly making his wayalong the snow. Finally, heknelt down, finding something in thewhite substance. It was a limp body, a strangeobject held in their hand. Longlocks of dark hair blew about theface of this unfortunate person,which gave away the gender as afemale. "Amy!" came the voice again."Amy, where are you?!" This was a distinctly malevoice, and Mat did not have enough timeto react as said male plowed rightinto him, sending both of them into the largebanks of snow. "Hey!" Mat growled, pushing thescrawny boy off of him. "What did you do with Amy?"Dan Cahill asked, looking atthe stranger before him. The two locked gazes, Dannot backing dow, and his current foestanding determinedly. "I don't know what you'rebloody talking about!" heexclaimed. "I found this in the snow,and my guess is, it's not mine."Mat proffered the object to the boy. "Will you help me find my sister?We got lost in the snow." Danpleaded with the older man. "There was a girl, half buriedback a ways." Mat said. Atthis, the boy's eyes lit up. Andbefore Mat could do anything else, hesnatched the object from his hand, anddashed off. "Amy!" Dan called into thewind, his lungs burning. "No," he wheezed, feelingan asthma attack coming on."Amy!" Bloody portals, Matgrumbled, stalking off into the snow.Why did it have to be snow? Now he had to find his way back. But, when he came across anodd barrier, turning him back.Back toward the boy kneeling inthe swirling snow storm. A girl stood beside him, leaningagainst his shoulder as they limped towardhim. This must have been the girl,Amy. What do you have in store for us?Mat pondered as he stepped forward. And what indeed, would they bring?