Finding a Friend (Shade)

At her speed and height, the bullets gave pitiful chase against Shade's technique of maneuvers. After spiraling upwind to thwart of yet another stream of rounds, her wings snapped in one hard downward swoop to send her body soaring straight for the ground and firing another full mag of arrows, but switching to fire this time to burn those who even came close to being struck. Due to the random eruptions of flames raining down by her crossbow weapon, Shade nearly missed what she found disbelieving to see. At first sight, Shade nearly believed her arrows somehow came too close to Raven and set him aflame, but as she soared even closer, she saw the fire to be his own! Yet another startling revelation to how his powers were triggered, but it was a matter they would have to broach at a another time.


Curbing her concerns for later, Shade jerked her direction in mid air just in time to avoid another round of fire. As she aimed her weapon again, a series of fire arrows flew down on a small group of soldiers with enough fire explosions to distract them. It gave her the few seconds needed to shift her direction and now soar down from behind them. At the last moment, she turned her body to the side to slam her arm against the closest one and knock him with such force, and straight against the others like a beaming boulder. Shade came to a sliding stop across the floor just in time to hear Raven's snarky comment just before he was flown backwards across the hanger. She stood perfectly still as his body and the hanger door zipped right across her chest to then slam against the opposite wall, bringing a faint smirk twitched at the corner of her mouth. "Who's saving who's ass?"


Before he stood up, she was off again with a resounding snap! of her wings against the air and straight for the newly awaiting targets. Oh how she hated Behemoths..... but she kept her flight low and directly towards it, so the soldiers behind it couldn't fire at her. And as the massive fiend reared back for whatever strike it was prepared to charge at her, Shade's arm aimed straight for it's head and fired her arrows unmercifully to strike at both of its eyes.


At the last second, her wings snapped through the air again with a sudden twist of her body to jerk straight up into twisting back flip in order to fire her arrows, and then her prod again while soaring backwards in the process to keep her distance until she landed. Her feet skid backwards a bit across the floor until she came to a stop beside her sibling, and as the mag of arrows ran out, Shade shot a glance back at Raven. "I guess I should let you have a shot of this too?"


There was sudden flash of gold across her silver hues as she bent her arm and brought the Gryphon beside her head, as if simply giving Raven an invention to join in the challenge.

Raven emerged from the rubble and glared at the behemoth through golden eyes. The thing seemed more than pissed off that Shade was flying around it's head, shooting arrows in it's thick skull. Of course, it didn't realize that Raven was just as pissed. While the door hadn't caused him any direct injuries, it did set him back quite a distance. It truly pissed him off because it was standing between him and where his daughter was... supossedly. He began to dig through the rubble just as Shade came back to make her own snarky comment. Damnit, that was his job!

Raven grabbed the door and bent the thing with a sceeching noise. He ripped a chunk of it out of the door and bent it down into a make-shift shield. He raised the shield up in front of himself and began walking towards the behemoth. As he walked, the behemoth charged up a spell. He had crossed half-way across the hangar when the behemoth unleashed a ball of magic toward Raven. Raven brought the shield up to block himself, but was shocked when the blast didn't even reach him. As he brought the shield down, he saw a tongue of fire leap out and strike the magic, sending it straight back at the behemoth. The spell struck the beast in its face and made it rear back, swinging it's massive head back and forth, knocking the guards flanking him over.

By the time the beast was stabble again, Raven was in the air in front of it's face. He landed on the being's nose and took two steps to place himself on it's neck. He raised the shield up in the air and brought it down on the creature's neck. The metal easily tore through the flesh of the neck and Raven heard the snapping of bone. The behemoth struggled for a moment before crashing to the ground. Raven pulled the shield out of the behemoth again and threw it at a guard that was just getting back to his feet. The shield cleaved straight through him, cutting him in half and then pinned another to the floor. He brought his pistol up to aim at another that was scrambling across the ground to reach a pistol. The man grabbed the pistol and spun around to shoot Raven, but as he squeezed the trigger, nothing happened. Raven smirked and brought his own pistol up and fired once, ending the man's life right then and there.

Raven just kept on walking down the hall, leaving the rest for Shade to handle. At least one of them was having fun with the situation. He arrived at a large door. The door led to where his wife and daughter would be if they were still alive. He waited there for Shade. He needed her to be there with him for this, because no matter what was on the other side of that door, there was going to be a fight to ensue.

Shade couldn't deny the admiration at seeing Raven take control of the situation when his turn came into play. What powers were awakening within him, he seemed to control with a skilled hand, even if some would call his tactics ruthless or brutal. But this was his family at stake. Anyone would do the same for the sake of their own. But Shade could also identify his maneuvers for what they were. He had a one track mind now, and was simply barging a straightforward path to get through any barrage of detours getting in the way, rather than wasting time on what remnants were left attempting to reign him back, or stop him with a deathblow. That's where Shade knew to come in.


Just as Raven set off, Shade shot into the air again, with three soldiers in her sights attempting to get back on their feet to give chase after him. Her body shot right above them to land with slide of her feet across the floor again, only to face the trio with her weapon aimed right at them. Even though they paused, the Gryphon's turbo whine was heard and the arrows raged out with electrical force, with each soldier taking five arrows each to the chest. Before any others had the foolish notion to follow, she fired the remaining mag to the top of the doorway of the hanger for the entire top section to come crashing down and blocking the exit all together with crumbling debris.


She spared a moment to sneer before turning abruptly and shifting her wings before stalking down the hallway toward her brother. When at his side, she placed her hand upon his shoulder without fear of the flames engulfing him. "Wait...." A hard request to ask of him, she knew. But whatever was on the other side of that door, Shade wasn't about to take any chances against what risks were involved. She was going to believe his family was still alive. She was going to be sure he found them, and got them back no matter what it took. With that thought alone, Shade reached under the collar of her shirt and pulled at leather necklace around her neck. The magnetic clasps at the back broke apart easily and she slowly revealed the pendant from beneath. Now more than ever, they both needed this summons by their side. This was a mission of family, therefor the spirit of the Leonharts was going to see them through this, and with a rage that was going to rip into whoever did this against them.


With no open sky to venture through, Shade tilted her head as she turned her body and shot her arm out to toss the pendant across the hall. With a bolt of painful flashing light, the Griever pendant exploded to then reveal thick storm clouds slowly swirling in random directions, taking the entire space of the hall. Ebony streams of mist entwined with silver as crimson lightning lashed out in various directions with violent thunder shuddering through the structure. The ear shattering roar filled the hall before Griever's massive paw and talons emerged from the clouds and mist. His crimson fur illuminated by the golden strands littered throughout his coat as his enormous form slowly emerged to reveal a near twenty foot tall lion with luminous flames encasing his eyes. After a mighty shake of his thick mane and four steel tipped wings, he reared back to release a roar that nearly took down the ceiling. Now seeing Shade, he approached with a gentle pace and bowed his head in interest to the form beside her, then peered closely at Raven with his nose nearly touching her brother's flaming form.


This wasn't how she intended for Griever to first discover Raven, or vice versa, but then again, when did anything ever go as planned when it came to Raven and Shade. But the summons recognized Raven for who he truly was, and with a rumbling growl of acceptance within his throat, the summons leaned away and straightened himself prepared to charge through that door on Raven's command. Shade looked back to Raven with a curt nod and slammed another mag of arrows in her weapon. "Let's go get my niece...."

Raven stopped when Shade told him to wait. The flames where her hand touched disapated, allowing her hand to reach him unscathed. While he was in a rage, he did still have rational thought. He turned to look at her though anxious eyes. He wanted to get this over with. Je wanted to just get in there and find out the truth, no matter the answer. Even if he found out that it was all a ruse to get him back in the game, Raven would be fine. Of course all involved in the ruse would die bery painful deaths, but he would be fine just the same.

As shade pulled the necklace out from under her shirt and away from her neck, Raven couldm't help but feel that he knew that symbol from somewhere. He could not dhake the feeling. And then it dawned on him. That symbol was similar to the one that was on the revolver section of the Grievance. As she tossed the pendant down the hall, Raven watched with slight interest. While it was intriguing to him, he did have a family to find. The pedant disappeared in the swirling mist and Raven glanced to Shade. What was she bringing in? Then the massive paw emerged from the veil of cloud and lightning. The massive lion roared a warning and Raven was awe-struck. The lion was an exact replica of the one on the revolver. The beast lowered his head to inspec Raven and Raven couldn't help but look into it's large golden eyes. He couldn't help but feel a connection to it. It was almost as if he had known the beast all his life. Raven reached up and rubbed the beast's muzzle before it pulled away and got down to business.

Raven turned and faced the door. This was it. After going through hell and back today, it all came down to this. Raven found his hand trembling as he pointed toward the doorway. He focused on what was going to happen and drew out his pistol. "Go." Griever lurched forward and crashed through the door. Raven rushed in after as the summon let out a large roar and spread it's wings in a threatening manner. Raven rushed in between the lion's legs and came out in the center of the room with his pistol raised at a target across from him. What he saw he almost couldn't comprehend.

Standing across from him was Grey. She stood in her normal black fatigues and her long hair pulled back into a tight pony tail before a long glass wall. She leaned on a console with many diferent buttons and gadgets. To both sides of her were PSI-COM Marauders. They each stood fast in their heavy armor encircling the room. There were twenty in all and each one had a sword the size of Shade in front of them. The corner of Grey's mouth twitched upward at seeing Raven. "My my, Johnathon Fletcher in the flesh. It took you a little longer than I thought it would but here you are. Better late than never, but I thought the risk of your family would have a stronger pull on you."

Raven glanced at each to the marauders around them. They didn't seem to be moving to attack, so Raven would stay calm. "Cut the bull, Grey. Where are they?"

Grey's smirk faded quickly. "You look different, but you are really just the same. Always straight to business whenever you are faced with something that scares you. It doesn't matter, I will keep true to my word. What's left of your family is right inside this room." Grey stepped out of the way so that Raven could better see what was inside the room.

What's left? the words stung Raven harder than any words ever had and probably ever would. Raven's jaw clenched as he stared past Grey and into the room beyond. Inside, there was a little girl of about five lyingon a bed in the center of the room. There were wires and I.V.'s hanging from the small child and doctors in all white suits around her busilly working on machines. That face... those blue eyes... that blonde hair. The girl lying on the bed was the spitting image of Raven's wife. She could be no one else but his daughter.

Raven felt a flood of emotion come over himself. He was overjoyed that his daughter still lived but at the same time torn because it meant his wife was indeed still dead. The flames that warped around him grew in size and intensity. Instead of the normal orangish-red glow, the flames turned a light blue and raged outward from himself. His emotions were flaring but he stayed rock-solid. He didn't so much as flinch at the sight of his daughter in that room.

Grey raised an eyebrow at the light show but other than that, seemed to ignore it. "You have a very special daghter, John. We found her standing in the wreckage of the train. She was the only one to survive the fall and the explosion. Two soldiers tried to kill her on sight but something stopped them. When they fired at her, their bullets were turned back on them and they were shredded to bits. Another recovery team was sent for her and they brought her back here. She was examined for l'cie markings, but none were found. There was no rational explanation as to why she could use magic. She just could. Simple as that. We believe she is the key to unlocking the human race's true potential. With a few more tests, we may even be able to replicate her power."

Grey spoke with a matter of fact tone that made Raven sick. They were doing the exact same thing to his daughter as Dr. Odine had done to him. The thought terrified him. He couldn't let them torture her the way he was tortured. He couldn't let that happen to her. "Grey. I am going to give you one chance to give me my daughter and leave us alone."

Grey rolled her eyes and placed her hand on her hip next to the pistol holster. "And what if I don't, John? What will happen th-" Grey was cut off by a bullet tearing into her chest, knocking the wind out of her and knocking her on her ass. All around the room, marauder picked up their massive swords and came charging in straight at them. Raven smirked, just twenty more thugs to get through and he would be with his baby again.

Shade followed through the doorway at the same time, and stood right beside Raven with her weapon poised to fire at an instant. Even Griever sensed their pause and waited in place above them until given the order he needed to tear into what threat stood against them. Shade could feel herself beginning to tremble, but not out of fear. Her adrenaline was coursing through her veins at a maddening pace, and her own rage was barely contained. For now, she struggled like hell to keep herself from twitching her fingers within the triggers of her Gryphon weapon as her eyes bore into the woman who spoke to Raven with mockery in her tone of voice. When her "what's left" words were spoken, Shade's own heart came to a slamming stand still.


But then she moved aside. The sight nearly caused Shade to lurch, and she had to mentally scream at herself to keep calm and in control. Every second mattered now to get that child out of here alive. And as this "Grey" woman went about her arrogant speech about Raven's daughter, and now harnessing her mysterious powers, all Shade could hear in her own mind was 'Just kill her, Raven! Shoot this bitch already! Shut her the hell up!' Within seconds, there came a single shot that echoed throughout the room and the cursed woman fell dead to the floor. There were times when Shade honestly wondered if there was a telepathic connection between herself and Raven, or perhaps they truly did think too much alike at the most appropriate times.


Apparently the thugs in uniform didn't expect such a brash approach, and now began moving in. The arrogance simply astounded Shade sometimes, but her mind focused on Raven's daughter. These soldiers coming for them now would buy those lab-coats time to flee with her niece while Shade and Raven were distracted trying to get through to reach her. She simply couldn't take that chance! Her free hand gripped into the thick fur of Griever's leg as she kept her sights and aim on those moving in towards them. "Just get to the child.... whatever it takes... you get to her and protect her... Now go!"


There was no roaring charge this time. Griever sensed an odd apprehension between her and Raven which he responded to in kind with a prowling step to his pace when moving forward to that room where the child was kept. His flaming eyes remained fixed on her small form strapped to the bed, but the summon's lips slowly snarled back against those who were surrounding her. Apparently the mere sight of a flaming beast towering over them with every step was enough to value their own lives and abandon the girl all together when they fled.


Meanwhile, some of these marauders attempted to attack Griever as the rest came Raven and Shade. The summons though, simply snapped all four of his massive wings out from his body for streams of endless steel arrow heads to soar from every feather tip like a rain of fire bullets to keep any pitiful attempt of attack at bay. Shade took the air and fired as well, adding to the multiple flames Griever already ignited with his attack. Still, Shade kept her sights on Raven as well, knowing his rage was going to consume him if he didn't reach his daughter soon.

Raven was already on the move once he pulled the trigger and watched Grey fall to the floor. He dashed across the room toward the glass wall in front of him. The two marauders that were flanking her stepped forward and brought their swords up to strike at him. He slid just as one brought the large sword down to crash where he was. Raven jumped up and grabbed a hold of the top of the man’s chest armor. Pulling himself up, Raven brought his pistol up under the guard’s helmet and fired once, twice, three times. Each time the trigger was pulled, Raven could feel the warm wetness of blood splattering his arm and heard the distinctive ping of the bullets striking the inside of the top of the helmet.

Raven felt himself be crushed against the marauder’s chest as the other marauder swung his sword and struck him in the back. Luckily, with all the armor Raven was wearing, plus the multiple protective spells encasing him, the most the sword did was bruise a few ribs, and Raven didn’t even notice that in his rage. As the marauder pulled his sword back, he felt that it was heavy. With the restrictive helmet on, he couldn’t see why. He brought the sword up to his face to inspect it. When he did, he saw something he wasn’t expecting. He found himself looking down the barrel of Raven’s pistol. Once again, Raven fired three shots into the visor. The marauder’s head jerked back and he collapsed to the ground.

Raven got up and kept heading towards the wall. By then, Griever had bound past him and was snarling at the scientists on the other side. Raven dashed between its legs and fired three more bullets at the glass. As they struck, the glass splintered. Damn, bullet proof glass. He reached the wall and grabbed Grey’s limp body. He picked her up and slammed her into the glass where he had shot it already. The glass splintered more. He smashed her again and the glass shattered. Raven rushed inside and brought his pistol up to aim at a scientist who hadn’t had enough brains to have left already. The man scrambled for the door, but took a bullet to the back just as he reached it.

Raven glanced around the room to make sure no one was there anymore. The only person there was the little girl sitting on the table, staring at him with large blue eyes. Raven lurched forward and quickly pulled the wires and tubes from her. He reached out and cupped her face, still not believing she was really there. Feeling her there, Raven smiled. He swept her up in his arms and hugged her tightly. After all this time and she was still alive. Raven was near tears. He pulled back to look at her face when he heard her make a quiet noise. ”Who…Who are you?”

Raven’s heart sank. He should have known she wouldn’t remember him. The last time he had seen her was two and a half years ago and she was herself two and a half. She had known nothing but the lab and for that, Raven made a silent promise to her, to never let her be taken away again. Raven would die before he allowed anything happen to her. He brushed a strand of her hair away from in front of her face before saying, ”I’m your father, Alivia. I’ve come to take you home, Sweety.”

Shade was once again on the ground, taking on what marauders weren't in Raven's direct line of path to his daughter. With her Haste still effect with her form, her movements were swift and fluid in motion without so much as a pause after each blow or attack delivered, This time, Shade wasn't holding back... Now, with her sword unsheathed and the blade's steel teeth exposed, she kept her accuracy with both weapons locked upon the most vulnerable locations just beneath the marauders' odd helmets. It wasn't the cleanest way to get the job done, but her only chance was the gap between their grossly thick body armor and the intimidating head piece they wore. Her Wolf's Bane lunged straight through, and with a violent twist of her wrist, the teeth ripped into the flesh of the neck as she turned to aim her Gryphon to fire the steel arrows upon another marauder charging at her.


Before Raven reached the glass room, Griever was weaving his form back and forth in frustration, unable to break through without causing harm to the child. His growls were endless while trying to nudge a wall with his head, or use his massive paw to push or scrape through the glass, but all to no avail. When Raven finally managed to attempt through, Griever remained perfectly still above him so not to hamper any chance of him breaking through safely. After witnessing Raven's methods finally prove successful, Griever turned about to keep guard against any threat that dared to try and follow through.


Shade managed to take down the remaining four guards before rushing towards the glass room herself just in time to see Raven crash through. Her feet came to a sudden halt while watching the scene unfold and unable to breath. please....please! let her be alright! Suddenly, the air rushed from her lungs with relief to see the child was coherent, and thus far, unharmed. Seeing the emotional reunion lowered Shade's defenses and simply drink in the sight of the moment that was far long over due. As Shade finally approached with trepidation to her step, she could only imagine what wave of emotions her brother must be enduring all at the same moment. Just hours ago, he approached her with his discoveries that led to the startling revelation of their relation. There was no telling how much more of an emotional toll Raven could bare, but surely, with the most precious gift returned to his arms, he would now find some peace in his life.


But that peace was about to be interfered once again. The sudden commotion from the entrance disrupted the momentary scene and led Shade to turn abruptly to find more heavily armed guards pouring into the room and taking positions in attempts to surround their targets. Griever hunched his shoulders and lowered his massive head while baring his teeth with a fiery warning glare just as Shade began to step backwards to assess the new confrontation. But it was her won rage that began to seethe to a boil and pulse through her veins before she could reign it back. She had enough with other powers meddling with her family. She already lost so much dear to her, or watched those she came to care about deeply have to suffer needlessly. And now, Shade just gained a brother she never knew she had.... stolen from her life completely. Just as was done to him with his daughter....


No more...

The golden flecks within her piercing gaze began to spread over the steel tone hues, engulfing the orbs entirely until her gaze virtually illuminated from the rise of power beginning to consume her.

No more....

The winds began to take form and whip fiercely throughout the entire room as Shade's wings began to arch high and wide with her glare locked upon the troops still pouring into the room and attempting to surround them. Griever's head slowly turned to each side, snarling in warning as his own four wings arched back against what was left of the glass walls to the medical room to shield Raven and his daughter from harm.

No more...

As the seconds slowly passed, now her golden eyes slowly narrowed upon them all with a growing sneer gently spreading across her lips. The base of her wings now began to turn pitch black, only for the ebony to spread to each feather like a disease. The winds erupted with even more velocity, slashing powerful currents that now toppled anything within the room as well as keeping pressure against the foreign troops from closing in. If they even dared to struggle a single step forward, Griever swung his mighty head in their direction with a resounding snap of his lethal jaws in their direction.

No more...

The fury of Shade's powers had reached the pinnacle of her control and now took hold of the room and all within it. The very foundation of the structure shuddered as the ceiling ripped apart with sickening cracks and broke apart. Instead of collapsing, the entire roof exploded with such force, the whole floating city felt the effects ripple through every inch of its structure. Now, the debris hovered for a brief moment before a gust of chaotic winds funneled to the ceiling with a quaking thunder and lashed the remains to the sky. Shade's lustrous gaze concentrated on the countless guards now struggling to keep their positions. The arm with her Gryphon strapped upon it now rose as her fingers reached out to them all. A soft whisper escaped her lips that only her own words would hear....

"No.....more...."


Her wrist flicked to raise her hand and arm to the skies to know ignite the depths of her powers, now causing each body that threatened her family to rise from the ground and completely out of control to their direction in the air. Her wrist then snapped again for the winds to wrap about each individual screaming their panic to deaf ears. Another lash of her hand through the air and they were plummeted against walls or against each others bodies with such force, each blow brought crushing bones through their thickened armor. Thrown about like rag dolls by the very whim of her hand. And with final thrust of her arm, the small army was thrown through the open ceiling to be scattered away like mere dust in the breeze.

"No more...."


Within moments, the room itself came to a subtle calm. Her wings drifted down to the floor to cascade behind her and trickle back to the stark white they were once before. By the time she slowly turned her body to face her family, Shade's eyes were rid of the golden remnants of her powers. Now at ease, Griever sat aside and awaited. There was only one thing Shade knew to say as she met Raven's gaze, unknowing of his thoughts to what he just witnessed. "Let's go home...."

Raven held Alivia tight to his chest as he watched Shade turn back to face the guards that rushed in and surrounded her. Griever didn’t pounce into action, so she mst have had a plan. Raven watched her back as her wings spread out and took on an ebony hue. Raven had only seen this from her once before, years ago, when he was on a mission in Zanarkand and she was assisting him. He and his partner were pinned down by impossible odds and she flew in on her usual white wings. She had been severely pissed off, to the point where her Sorceress powers were taking control of her. Raven didn’t need to see her eyes to know that they were a golden hue, so bright they even seemed to glow. Her arms reached out and her wings became total blackness.

As Griever spread his wings out to cover the remaining wall, Raven shielded Alivia from the sight. This was going to get really bad, really fast. But Alivia struggled to see against Raven’s best effort to stop her. ”But… I want to see the angel.”

Raven winced at that comment. Alivia looked at him with big blue eyes, waiting for his response. How could Raven say no to that face? How could he say no to his daughter that he practically just met? He brushed the hair back out of her face because the winds from Shade going crazy on the guards blew it back in her face. ”Sweetie… You see… The angel has to work now… and… what the angel does is very dangerous… so… we can’t go see the angel for a little bit, so she can get her work done.”

Alivia stared blankly at Raven as he watched Shade tear the roof off of the building over her shoulder. Raven couldn’t tell if the blank stare was her not believing him at all or her trying to stay really quiet so as to not disturb the angel. She clutched him tightly and buried her face in his chest as the screeching noise of the roof being pulled from the building echoed through the lab. Raven ran his fingers through her hair and jostled her up and down to calm her.

But just as soon as it began, a eerie calm returned to the room. Shade’s vile looking black wings, returned to white and the anxious Griever stepped out of the way. Raven gave Shade a quick glance over; just to make sure she was fine before meeting her gaze at him. He didn’t care that she just went nuts on some men and killed them with awesome powers. He cared about whether she was alright or not. Even with awesome Sorceress powers, one couldn’t do something like that without repercussions to their health.

But that was a question for a different time. Right now, he had a very special person who was eager to meet Shade. Raven looked at Alivia as she stared at Shade. ”Alivia, this is your Aunt Shade. She has come a long way to see you.”

Raven looked at Shade. ”Shade… I would like you to met Alivia… my daughter.”

Alivia stared at Shade for a moment, like she coukdn’t decide on whether to say something or not. Finally, she opened her mouth to speak, ”You’re a very pwetty angel. Will you take me flying?

Shade could feel every bit of what was left of her strength draining away. Her body wanted nothing more than to just collapse into a blissful sleep, but there was no way in hell she was missing this... and she going to see Raven and his daughter home safely as well. But now, as she looked into Raven's eyes, there was something different about them that she had never seen before. Hope? No... Joy. Such a rare thing to see these days....


Yet Shade now found herself face to face with this child when another fleeting thought suddenly slammed into her mind. Just as Raven introduced his daughter, Shade's eyes widened upon him with a gasp of breath. "I didn't.... I didn't mean to scare her...." But the following words came as a shocking a blow....


....You're a very pwetty angel


How one so innocent could simply see the beauty in something so atrocious. Powers that could so easily destroy lives.... just as Shade did, yet Alivia still saw her as something beautiful and pure. So why did such a comparison stab through Shade's chest?


The momentary numbness that captured Shade left her unknowing as to what to say or do. Sure, she had been around enough children while over seeing Balamb Garden, but not one on one like this, nor someone that pierced straight through her heart. Shade threw Raven a nervous glance before looking back at Alivia and taking a staggering step toward her. Realizing she still had her weapons out, Shade clumsily detached the Gryphon from her arm and strapped it to her hip, then sheathed her sword before reaching the little girl and bending down on one knee in front of her. All Shade could see was hope in those sky blue eyes, and Raven's strength behind them.


And somehow, a fleeting smile came across Shade's lips as she tilted her head and reached out to gently brush Alivia's hair behind her ear. "Hello Alivia....." Her pause led her to look up at Raven again before bringing her gaze back on her neice and answering her question. "I'm no angel.... but I will most certainly take you flying someday."


When Shade tried to rise, she found her legs trembling and reached out by instinct, having her hand clutch against Raven's wrist before toppling over. Without a word, she struggled to pull herself up so not to concern him or Alivia and turned her head to nod at Griever to dismiss. He was already behind the child with his nose stretched as close as he could get to her to learn Alivia's scent without frightening her, then leaned away slowly with what sounded like a protesting groan against Shade's order. Still, with a slight shake of his mane, the summons slowly dissipated away, leaving the trio to head home.


Shade could feel herself growing weaker by the moment. As much as she wanted to take in the reunion, she still felt it was unsafe for them them here and turned to Raven to suggest they hurry and head out before any more troops were to arrive.

Raven grinned as Shade stumbled to try and apologize for scaring her. He shook his head to let her know that she didn’t but Alivia did that herself. Raven couldn’t help but continue that grin as Shade shot him a glance for help. This was one thing Shade was going to need to handle on her own. Alivia was staring at her with eager eyes as she awaited the response from her aunt. But then Shade finally did respond and Raven smirked and nodded approvingly, that was a good response for someone who looked as lost as a kid in the woods.

But then she tried to stand and she faltered. She grabbed his wrist as she tumbled downward and almost dragged him along. He quickly pulled her up and looked her in the eyes. ”Come on. I can’t carry both you and her out of here. You can do this; it’s not that far away.”

Raven bent over and picked Alivia up. He placed her on his right hip before reaching down into his shirt and pulling out the cross with his left hand. He tossed the cross onto the floor and put his left arm under Shade’s right one to help her stay on her feet. In a moment, George galloped out of the light and turned on his steed to face them. Raven nodded towards the hallway that led to the hangar and yelled, ”Clear us a path!”

George, atop his mighty steed, began charging down the hallway with his lance pointed straight ahead. He charged straight towards the wall of soldiers who stood at the far end of the hall with great speed as they all open fired at him. He crashed through the two lines of troops, spearing one up in the air at the end of his lance. Others were crushed under the weight of his horse’s mighty feet. He stood up on the horse and turned around. He jumped from the horse, chucking the lance and skewering another before drawing his sword and landing on another man, crushing him. All the soldiers lost their sense of order at this point, all trying to fire upon George. He swung his sword in a large circle, cleaving through all of them with ease.

Meanwhile, Raven hurried down the corridor. He helped Shade stumble down the metal hallway while also trying to shield Alivia from the awful sight that was taking place down at the end. He looked at Shade. She seemed to be fading quickly. Maybe that attack of her really did do some serious damage. He tried to hurry her along, making her keep pace with him so she would stay awake. If he could just get her to the ship, he would be able to better help her out.

As they came into the large hangar, Raven was prepared to shield Alivia’s eyes from the wretched sight of the dead bodies, but to his surprise, there were no bodies in sight. George stood at attention as his horse lay lazily on the floor. Raven raised an eyebrow to him as his slyly slid a lower torso he had missed behind himself with his massive foot. He rolled his eyes at the thought of being snarky to the old friend. The large man might not even get the joke, so why waste it. Instead, he nodded his appreciation to him and hurried both Shade and Alivia into the Kestrel. He placed Shade in one of the many seats before placing Alivia in the one next to her. He strapped her in before rushing to the cockpit and starting the ignition. He charted the path back to Balamb and hit the auto-pilot button. The ship lurched up into the air and began to fly away.

Raven rushed back into the main cabin. He stared down out of the rear ramp as George and his horse disappeared into golden dust and flew up to him, forming a golden cross in his hand. He looked down again to see a pile of dead bodies behind where they were standing. Raven smirked to himself before closing the ramp and turning to look at his cargo.

He walked over to Shade and pulled out the medical kit that was mounted on the wall behind her. He crouched in front of her and pulled out a syringe. Pulling the safety cap off the needle, Raven looked up to her and said, ”All those times you made me mad by using magic to save my butt,” Raven rolled up her sleeve and jabbed the needle into her arm, pushing the nanites into her bloodstream. ”Well, how about we call it even, then.”

He sighed and sat down in the seat across from them. He unzipped the heavy armored vest he had on and dropped it to the floor. He looked up at Shade. ”Those nanites I injected you with will fix anything wrong with you, but you should probably stay awake. I don’t know how bad you really are.”

Raven bit his lip as he thought about how to word what he had to ask next. He had dumped quite a bit on her that day and considering her current state, he wasn’t sure whether she would be able to coherently make a good choice about the question. He glanced to Alivia, she was fast asleep already. Finally, he decided the best approach and spoke. ”Shade, since we have a while before we reach Balamb, and you have to stay awake anyway… I have… a favor to ask of you. I know I have asked a lot of you today, but this would mean a lot to me. I would like to know if I would be allowed to stay in Balamb.”

”I wouldn’t be there all the time, but… Pulse is no place to raise a child. I can’t condem her to a life of hiding because her father made a few bad choices. If we were to stay in Balamb, she would be safe and I could help you out where I can. I could continue looking for the answers. Maybe even help train your recruits. Of course, I would have to go through the program first myself, but I am willing to work for my stay. I want to help you and I need a way to keep Alivia… and Serenity safe.”

Raven winced as he said Serenity’s name. He hadn’t told her about her either and was ready to get an earful for that piece of missing information.

The fatigue and nausea that swamped over Shade tried to consume what senses she had left, but she concentrated every shred of her waning energy in order to at least remain focused. With one arm wrapped around Raven's and her gloved hand gripping tightly into his jacket, she forced her legs steady and her feet to keep up with his pace. One thought alone kept her driven.... Get out alive... Yet once down the hall, even more troops charged through to prevent their escape. It was expected. There was no way in hell any surprise attack on such a place would ever be easy, no matter how strong Raven and Shade were. Especially when the cost was so high. But what was nothing more than greed and power to their enemy, was the most priceless gift to Shade and her brother. Surely, even Raven's summons sensed this when he was called upon.


In her desperation to stay conscience and alert as possible, Shade managed well when the Guardian Knight appeared to take on the foes blocking their path. Out of instinct, her free arm slipped into the braces of her crossbow weapon to jerk the stock from her hip. Although she couldn;t secure the arm braces, her fingers slipped into the triggers beneath the prod to balance the weapon enough to aim and fire on whatever soldiers Raven's Guardian currently had its back to. The rest was much a blur after the last enemy fell to the ground. Shade could feel herself move, but could only hope she managed as much as she could on her own so not to burden Raven's desperate haste. When all went still, Shade felt the nausea begin to wash through her system. She should have known better, but there was no choice in doing what she did, nor was there any regret. Yet before she could utter a word in protest against Raven's attempts to help her, he already injected something into her arm. Shade winced, yet not by the needle jamming into her arm, but for being so stupid to never confide in who she trusted most.


For now, Shade concentrated on the moment at hand. With the airship now in flight and safely away, she felt her adrenaline come to a slow and leave her in a lethargic state that blanketed the already weakening effects from pushing her powers beyond their limits. As Raven spoke, Shade slowly turned her head to gaze upon Alivia, and was relieved by the site of her niece's peaceful state. An exhausted breath escaped her before she could speak while struggling to look back at Raven. "You honestly feel like you have to ask such a thing?" There was a stagger in her voice from the overwhelming rush of elation flooding through her at the thought of her newfound family always being with her. It was something Shade never dreamed of, let alone hope for, and although she was too weak to smile, at least it reached her eyes. "You think I'd let you live somewhere... away from me now?"


Her head rolled to the side again from the invading wave of dizziness that now blurred her vision as her consciousness began to wane. "Serenity.... Damn Raven.... How many kids... you got spread out.... in this universe?" Shade gave her head a hard shake while squeezing her eyes repeatedly in hopes to deter the blackout trying to creep over her. Her body felt like it was basking in a volcano as the pounding in her head felt as if it were about to split her skull wide open. With one last grasp of strength, Shade pushed herself forward in her seat and her hand lunged out until she felt Raven's jacket to pull against him. "Now listen up..." She tried to sound strong in her pitiful state. "My home is yours.... you know that... And once we get home... you get Brix... she...she'll know what to do..."


With the last word spent, Shade released him and collapsed back into the seat, simply hoping for complete oblivion to take her before Raven would start shaking her and demanding answers as to why the injection wasn't working at all.

Raven smirked as Shade continued to try and stay strong through her weakness, even enough to make a joke. And while he didn’t see the usual hidden smirk that she allowed to seep through when she did finally joke, he could see it in her grey eyes. They sparkled with something that Raven never thought he would see in Shade.

Contentment.

She seemed to finally be at peace, even through the gritting of her teeth to stay awake. The fact that she was even still alive was proof enough to Raven of her strength. He had always known that she was a strong woman, known it from countless times she had proven herself through trials of battle and mettle alike. But none were so eye opening as the state she was in now. She moved with lethargy and pain, but through it she continued to struggle to allow herself to keep going. She was an unmovable rock in the rapids and for that; Raven knew that he could always count on her. She had always been there for everyone, even if she didn’t particularly like the person.

Yet she had no one that she could lean on. She was the one that everyone could go to in time in need, but she never allowed anyone to help her. And though she may not like it, Raven made a silent promise to her as she was explaining to him what to do. He would be there for her whenever she needed it. He would be the shoulder she could lean on when she herself needed help. Because though she wouldn’t admit it, she carried everyone’s burdens, even if she wasn’t meant to.

Wait…

Brix? What the hell was she talking about? Raven looked at her as she slipped into unconsciousness. Her grasp on his jacket slipped and fell to her side as she went limp and slouched in her chair. Raven jumped up out of his chair and grabbed her by her shoulder. ”Shade. SHADE! Shade, stay awake. You have to stay awake.” Raven shook her, but it was too late. She was already gone.

He rushed to the cockpit. He quickly pulled up the navigation system and rerouted the ship’s landing zone to the hangar near the infirmary. Then he rushed back into the cargo area and checked Shade’s vitals again. They were there, but feint. He pulled out another dose of the nanites and injected them into her system. With double the amount in her system, they would be able to get their work done twice as fast. He sat back down across from her and allowed himself to slip into a half-sleep for the rest of the trip.

Balamb Garden:

Raven awoke as the ship began it’s decent. He checked Shade’s vitals again before unstrapping both her and Alivia from their seats. He left his weapons behind as he picked Shade up and tossed her over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Then, with his free hand, he picked Alivia up and held her to his chest. She woke up for only a moment as she was moved, but then fell fast asleep again, her head resting on his shoulder.

Raven barreled down the hallways as he made his way to the infirmary. Students going from class to class stared at the strange sight of Raven carrying both a child and their Headmaster. As he barged into the infirmary, the receptionist jumped in her seat. He looked at her and said, ”Go get Miss Dincht. Now.”

The girl nodded furiously before going off into a back room to summon Brix. Meanwhile, Raven waited impatiently in the lobby with both girls in his grasp.

Brix appeared more like a cat on the prowl, rather than a physician. In her usual flare of revealing attire beneath the open lab coat, she was leaning far too closely to her paitient who was currently sitting upon the exam table with a flirtation grin on his face. Miss Dincht was well aware he suffered from no muscle strain during his last mission, and Mr. Dexell was fully aware that she knew he was fibbing again. Still, any excuse for the GF Instructor to get scarce quality time with Brix had to be based on false health claims. After examining his lower back for the so called slipped disc, or pinched nerve, Brix grinned by her patient's flinching due to him being ticklish, rather than from pain due to a fibbed up injury.

"Hmmm.... I may have to suggest 4 days of bedrest this time, Mr. Dexell," She purred the words close to his ear before the sudden rapping at the door startled her and led her to scowl with irritation by the unwanted interruption. "WHAT!? I'm working in here!"

"Indeed you are working it in here, Dr. Brix..." Dexell chuckled and ducked from her playful swinging hand as he dove for his jacket resting on a nearby chair.

Finally, a rather timid voice spoke from the other side of the door. "Um... Miss Dincht? There's a man out here demanding your attention and it appears he has the Headmaster with him! She looks like she may be hurt!"

Brix simply grumbled as made her way to the door, but turned back to her patient as she opened it. "Remember Dr's orders..." She purred with a wink, then headed out to prepare herself for the grumpiest patient in Brix's medical history. Just as she came to the end of the hall and was rounding the corner to the waiting room, she was already barking out her irritation to her comrade and friend. "Alright Shadey... watcha do this time? Broken arm? Bloody nose? Or did your sword get stuck in someone;s ass again because I swear I'm gonna....." She stopped dead in her tracks at the site before her. "Who the hell are you!? What the....???"

Luckily, Brix knew when to be on her toes when the time called for it. And by seeing Shade slumped over this guy's shoulder like a potato sack was a frantic alarm to know this was a serious situation. Her arm pointed straight for the room she wanted him to take Shade to as she charged up to him to carefully take the sleeping girl from his arms to lighten the load. If it was one thing Brix cherished, it was kids, and by the look on this guy's face, he wasn't about to let go so easily. "Oh don't you even dare give me the evil eye and think I would hurt the kid..." She scolded him with a hushed voice so not to wake the girl. "Just get Shade back in that room before your back snaps in half!"


Brix led the way, while carrying the sleeping Alivia in one arm and her free hand snatching any nearby nurse to dish out her demands. She kept her voice hushed the entire time, but hissed her orders through her teeth to emphasize the urgency of the situation. It was moments like this where Brix proved her abilities of efficiency and authority when so many assumed she was ditzy chaotic manhunter. Now at the doorway, she pointed to the room for Raven to go that had a clean, empty bed awaiting. Once Raven got Shade situated, Brix handed him the child back and went to work, swiftly checking Shade's vitals. "Shyt... not again, damnit...." Her words muttered under her breath until she found the marks from Raven's injections on Shade's arm. A brief look of panic came over her eyes when she looked over at him. "Did you give her something? Didn't she stop you? Was it mana related?"


With a shake of her head, she waved her own questions off and gave the stranger a dismissive wave. "It doesn't matter, doesn't matter now. Her symptoms are far too severe as it is. She damn well knows better! She knows what these powers will do to her no matter how well cured she thinks she is!" In a startling display of frustration, Brix used the bottom of her palm to bop the unconscious Shade against the forehead. "I know you can still hear me, Shadey! Ya dumbass! Showing off again, weren't you!" Meanwhile, the nurses were scrambling to hook up the vital monitors, and the very moment they did, the alarms were sounding off. With a dramatic roll of her eyes, Brix whipped about and slapped each one them off with resounding smacks of her hand. "I knoooooooowwwwww already!"


At this point, she grew beyond impatient and stormed back to the doorway to shout down the hall. "Get my damn crisis bag in here STAT before I loose her!"

Raven waited rather impatiently as the receptionist went back to get Brix. Every second that went by was another second Shade lost in this weakened state. The seconds went by like hours as he stood there alone in the lobby. Finally, the doctor came out from around the bend, already spouting off to Shade. Raven gave her a quick glance over when she stopped dead in her tracks. Not even noticing the revealing attire beneath her lab coat, Raven could tell in her eys that this woman meant business. This was reinforced by the fact that she instantly done into said business.

But then she reached for Alivia and Raven retracted by reflex. With the powers still coursing through him, his emotions ran rampant. His want to keep everyone away from the girl instantly created a barrier between them. But what Brix said was true. She did not seem to be the kind of woman who would harm a child. If Shade trusted her with her life, Raven believed that the woman must be trustworthy enough. Besides, all Raven was doing by resisting was waste more time for Shade. So he relinquished the girl and rearranged Shade into both his arms, distributing the weight over his back more evenly.

Raven marched down the hallway with a set determination. He barged into the room and lay her down on the operating gurney before taking Alivia back and stepping out of the way. Brix began spouting orders and questions around the room as nurses scrambled to follow them to a “T”. When she turned to him and asked about the injections, Raven opened his mouth to answer, but was quickly cut off by her own thoughts. So, Raven went back to nervously watching and rocking Alivia.

The nurses hooked the machines up to Shade and Raven’s heart sank. He knew that sound for what it meant, Shade was dying. Brix rushed across the room to shout something down the hall and Raven stepped in closer. He stopped by her bed and placed Alivia on the bed next to her. He grabbed Shade’s hand in his and said, ”Listen here, you hard-ass. You made a promise to me and my daughter and I’ll be damned if I don’t make you keep it. Not to mention the fact that I made a promise to you and you’re turning me into a liar. I hate liars, Shade, you know I do.”

Raven looked to the machines, which all still blared alarms. He gritted his teeth and whispered to her, ”No…” Raven began to become bathed in flames again. They danced and flickered all around him, but turned a deep blue where his hand touched Shade. His eyes returned to a golden hue, but had a type of burning fire behind them. The flames leapt from his body and swirled around them in the form of a sprinting lion. The lion dashed about the room, licking the stunned nurses with flames that did not burn. Finally, he came to rest upon Shade. The Lion let out a large yawn and settled down, lying on top of her. As her lay down, though, the flames seemed to disappear. To the naked eye, it would seem that the flames had just disappeared, but what really happened was that the flames went into Shade.

The flames were a manifestation of Raven’s raw will-power and now that he had none left, he became very sleepy. He fought to keep his eyes open, but found each passing second an eternity without sleep. Finally, sleep’s embrace found him and whisked him off. He fell there, next to Shade’s bed, his hand in her’s, while Alivia lay sleeping on the other side of her.

There was no light here.... just complete pitch darkness. No sound.... and total void of feeling. Not even time reached this place. Her mind told her she was reaching, but Shade felt no limbs move, nor did she know what she was reaching for. It was an oblivion of existence where she was utterly alone. Her mind frantically grasped for what fleeting thoughts she could muster to make any sense of her current state, but her thoughts were nothing more than a downward spiral.

That alone revealed the truth to her.... her powers went too far, and in doing so, draining what was left of her. Such powers needed to feed in order to survive. A gift, yet a curse all in one. She failed... yet again, on her own to control them.

Power kept in check is power not truly controlled...

Her mind lashed out against the words she already knew so well. Words she defied when ever they tried haunting her. ...I have to... it nearly destroyed me once already...

Let it consume you and then find a way to consume it...Your power must flow uncheck, bending at your will....

If she could find her voice, she would scream her defiance. If only to block out the words, let alone scream out her own. But just as before, there was no sound. I can't risk it again... I can't risk those around me!

Anything less and you may find yourself fallen among the countless others. Alone and forgotten by time.....


If tears were existent here, they would have fallen as her own spirit began to wane by the weight of defeat. ....then how does one not become forgotten?"

Human existence is like foot prints. They are formed in an instant, and appear to have a lasting effect that will proceed throughout all time....

...I can't... I can't do this alone anymore...."

She could feel the emptiness seeping through her essence, draining what was left of her. In some way, Shade knew she was reaching again, yet unable to see what it was she was yearning. Perhaps a soul's last spark of effort to fight....

Know when the time comes, what is worth dying for…know what is your purpose....

...A purpose.... for others.... It's all I've ever known...

Is it not time to sever the strings and act on your own?

She thought she once did when first hearing those words so long ago, but only found herself restrung into an even grander web that led her astray. She never belonged within this place. She was never meant to exists in this realm. Was her only way out to be completely nonexistent?

Pride is a wondrous thing my friend....It alone can keep even a person on the brink of death alive...

Pride? ....or purpose?

The words began to fade. She had to strain herself to hear... to concentrate... Either Shade was fading, or the words spoken were abandoning her. But the final words erupted a slumbering strength her powers had yet to consume....

Your purpose.... It is your gift..."

The impact of realization came as blinding blow just as those words delivered the truth. Her newfound family was not only her gift, but also her purpose.... In this one single day, Shade not only gained a brother she never knew she had, but his daughter as well, who's imploring eyes looked upon Shade with awe and as something angelic... You're a very pwetty angel... will you take me flying?

But in truth, it was Alivia who was Shade's angel now, with her presence somehow giving Shade the focus; to not give into the swallowing dissolution trying to separate and drown her into oblivion. The child's own impeccable strength now fueled what all abandoned Shade, awakening that pride she had all but forgotten. Yet another was bound to see her through.... ”Listen here, you hard-ass. You made a promise to me and my daughter and I’ll be damned if I don’t make you keep it. Not to mention the fact that I made a promise to you and you’re turning me into a liar. I hate liars, Shade, you know I do.” Her mind desperately reached for Raven's voice, yet not knowing how to grasp it, or how to break free from the bonds still struggling to confine her. She refused to die on them now. They needed her just as she needed them! Now her strength and endurance struggled through the smoldering waves of darkness trying to suffocate what life was left within her


...where are you? Now she could feel the panic seeping through, as even lifelong fears began to claw against the determination Shade had left to cling to. Always loosing those close to you... the fear of being vulnerable or betrayed as she was as child... afraid she would be seen for the weaknesses she strived so well to hide... But now Shade didn't have to be afraid anymore. There was one who suffered the same, if not more, who knew exactly how to see through her mask, yet never scorn her for it. One who knew of harbored pain, but would never shame her for revealing it. One who understood the burdens of walls and being reclusive, but never judge her for it, nor want her to change. But was it too late for such a revelation.... ...Raven.... I can't....I'm trying...

Just as her last shred of hope began to fray, the warmth was first to embrace her. Somehow... Shade knew it was safe to let go and to trust. Not an easy feat for one who feared both for so long, but she knew this was Raven's presence and never paused when the last of her hold gave way. In that instant, the drowning void exploded into fiery flames, lashing out against any lingering shadow that posed a threat to her fading conscious. The flames encasing her were unlike their blazing counterparts, swarming her in shades of blue and white, giving her what strength and will she needed to break free on her own. Shade was free... she was alive... and most of all, Shade found her purpose....


The sudden impact from Raven's force of will and energy shot his sister straight up from the bed in a desperate and lunging grasp for breath. Those in the room shrieked from the unexpected action, all save for Brix, who stood absolutely stumped by what she was witnessing. She was about to dive after the guy who suddenly collapsed on the floor when Shade went and practically spooked everyone in the room. While giving the confusing moment pause, Brix could only watch on in dumbfounded silence as Shade was frantically catching her breath and as wide eyed as if she seen a ghost.

Once grasping her state of mind through the foggy remnants, Shade blinked several times caught unawares by her surroundings. She looked wildly about with her voice lodged silent within her constricting throat until her frantic gaze found Alivia lying beside her. Her blue eyes were beginning to flutter open, instantly assuring Shade she was fine and unharmed, but Raven came next to mind which led her looking wildly about again. Now seeing him collapsed on the floor, Shade scrambled from the bed and hollered out his name, but with a weakened voice even Brix nearly missed hearing it. Instead, Brix was now barking at her for ripping the monitors across the floor, with the wires still being connected to Shade.

Shade heard nothing of the chaos about the room with her focus set on her brother's unconscious state, and carefully rolling him onto his back. Her hands were visibly shaking and panic was rising again. She didn't know what to do...

"Is daddy sick, too?"

Looking up from the floor, Shade found Alivia peering over the side of the bed with a fearful expression and her blue orbs struggling to to keep the pent up tears at bay. She glanced at Shade before staring down at her father again, as if her words now struggled to come out. "Is...is he gonna die?"

Oh hell no... Shade wasn't about to let that child be scared one more day in her life....

"No, Alivia.... he's not dying.... I promise. He's just... he's just very tired... so we're going to let him get some sleep, alright?" It took a moment or two for the child to accept Shade's words before she gave a hesitant nod. Without a word, Brix approached and hunched down to grab Raven's legs as Shade hoisted him up from behind and under his arms. Her legs screamed against her, threatening to buckle out, but she forced them steady for just the brief moments she needed to get her brother safely into the bed. Alivia was already held by one of the nurses and watching with a forced brave face as they tried to situate her father more comfortably.

As Brix rushed to check his vitals and then switch the monitors from Shade to Raven, Shade's weary eyes then took in just how worse for wear Raven appeared. A faint twitch tugged at her lips when seeing his wounds, the dirt from their brawls, and even when past the point of exhaustion to where he dropped dead like a corpse, Raven still wore that set determination across his brow. With a faint nod, Shade motioned for the nurse to return Alivia to the bed at Raven's side, and then reached over to place his hand in his daughter's small palm. "All you have to do is just hold his hand, Alivia... and he'll be just fine..." The child's eyes blinked a few times before nodding, then watching her father's face intently for any sign that he would wake up. Shade took that moment to lean down close to his ear and whisper with a knowing smile no one would ever see. "Now don't you go and make a liar out of me... I hate liars, Raven. You know I do."

Raven found himself standing at a grand door to a large mansion. The mansion had an abandoned and eerie look about it as he slowly pushed the creaking door open. He could not remember how he ended up here. In fact, he could not remember anything about the place. No matter how many times he wracked his brain, all he could remember was being with Shade in the hospital. But he figured if he was here, there must be a reason for it.

As Raven walked through the eerie manner, he couldn’t help but feel a strong pull towards the center of the house. Since finding out who he really was, Raven had found a knack for sensing magical abilities. While he was no where near ability that most spell casters were at detecting magic, he could usually tell if someone was dangerous with magic or not. What was in the next room had a terribly powerful might. His hand reached down to his holster to draw his pistol before entering the place, but found it to be empty. He glanced over himself and realized that the only thing he carried was his rifle that he made, the Grievance. He drew it off of his back and grasped the stock with his right hand while his left reached out for the door handle. He slowly turned it and pushed open the door.

Pushing into the room, he brought his rifle up and swept from left to right. He was in a large library, but in the center, was a large tree. The tree was so big; it erupted through the high ceiling. Across the room and on the second balcony was a large window. Raven could see the outline of a man standing in front of the window, hunched over what looked like a book.

Being careful to keep his rifle trained on the man, Raven walked up a spiral staircase to the platform the man was on. Once closer, Raven could tell the man had dark red hair and wore a red jacket. The man was intently reading the book he gingerly held in his hands in front of him. Raven silently approached him but stayed a few feet back. Raising his rifle at the man he said, ”Don’t move. Turn around slowly and tell me who the hell you are.”

The man didn’t even twitch. In fact, the only indication the man gave was when he said, "My friend, the fates are cruel. There are no dreams, no honor remains" The man turned the page.

Raven looked at him with confusion and anger. ”I don’t have time for your cryptic bullshit. Tell me what the hell is going on… NOW!!!” Raven took a step closer and adjusted his rifle to aim at the man’s head.

The man turned around and looked up from his book. He gave Raven a quizzical look, like he wasn’t sure what he was saying. He opened his mouth to say something but paused, like he wasn’t sure if it was right. Finally, he spoke: ”Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess. We seek it thus, and take to the sky” The man seemed to stretch and in doing so, a great black wing emerged from his back.

Raven lowered his rifle slowly, transfigured with the view before him. He shook his head and said to the man, ”Why? Why won’t you just give me a straight answer?

The man looked straight into Raven’s eyes. But it wasn’t how one would normally look at another. No, his gaze seemed to go through Raven. It seemed to dissect him and pick him apart. After another long pause he said, ” There is no hate, only joy. For you are beloved by the goddess, Hero of the dawn, Healer of worlds.”

Raven lowered his rifle completely before stepping closer once more. ”I think you have the wrong guy. I’m nobody. I’m definitely not a healer of worlds.” But as he spoke, the room filled with flames. The place became a burning inferno in the blink of an eye. The flickering flames reflecting in the man’s eyes.

The man stepped closer to Raven. He raised his hands off to both sides and said, ”Tell Shade… She has finally allowed the gift of the goddess to be bestowed upon her.” Raven looked at him, puzzled. But before he could ask anything more, the man pulled a red gleaming sword from under his cloak and with one grand flourish, drove the blade deep into Raven’s chest. Raven looked at the man in disbelief. He tried to raise the rifle in his hand up to shoot the man, but it weighed so much. He tried with all his might, but it just would not budge. Raven’s free hand dashed for the point of impact. Warm blood trickled down his fingers as the flames from the room licked at his back. The man withdrew his sword and Raven fell backwards. As he fell, the world went dark around him. He fell for what seemed like an eternity.

But when at last his body struck the ground, it was soft and comforting, not hard and burning like he expected. His eyes opened and he was back in the hospital room. He lay on the bed while nurses stared at something to the side of the bed. He glanced over the side to see Shade kneeling over top of a body. He couldn’t tell who it was, but it seemed like someone of great importance.

”Is daddy sick too?”

Raven looked up to see his daughter staring down at Shade. He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder, saying, ”I was sweety but I’m better now.” She didn’t even seem to notice.

”Is… is he gonna die?’

A puzzled look splashed across Raven’s face as he stroked her hair, ”No, of course not, Alivia. Look at me, I’m fi-“ But Raven’s words were cut off by the sight he saw as Shade shifted to pick up the body. The body was his.

He sat in stunned silence as Brix and Shade picked him up and moved his body over to the bed. He couldn’t move. All he could do was sit there helplessly. As they placed the body over him, the world fell into darkness again.

Raven opened his eyes once more. This time, he was greeted by an open sky. The clouds rolled by as he sat up from where he was laying in a grove of flowers. Off to his right there was a small dirt path leading into a brush of rose bushes. Raven got to his feet and began walking down the path. He walked through the arch of roses for hours until he came to a small clearing.

In the clearing, Raven could see someone kneeling next to a white rose bush. This one stood out from all the others, not only because it was white, but because not a single thing grew near it. Raven moved closer, but every step he took sent him backwards two more. He broke into a dead sprint, trying as he might to reach the center of that grove, but he could not reach out to the girl.

The girl heard his struggle, though and turned to look at him. Raven knew who she was instantly. Those long locks of blonde hair, those giant blue orbs that bore straight through him, the woman could only be one person… Jesse. She stood and picked a rose from the bush before bringing it up and smelling it. As her gaze found him, he was able to move towards her. He walked straight up to her, trying to figure out if she was real.

She reached up and grasped his hand tightly. ”John… I am real, you don’t have to worry.” She reached down with her other hand and placed the rose down on top of the bush.

Raven looked at her incredulously. ”How… how is this possible? Am I dead?”

She giggled, the sound of which was like an angel’s song to Raven who had gone so long without hearing it, and said, ”No, you aren’t dead, but I do have something very important to tell you. Something that would only be allowed to told to you in a great time of need. That is why I am allowed to be here.”

Raven’s brow furrowed in confusion. ALLOWED to be here? ”Jesse, tell me who is keeping you. Tell me now so I can get rid of them and we can be together forever.” Raven pleaded with her trying to get her to tell him, but all she would say is, ”No, I can’t do that. You would never be allowed to leave then. I can’t have you do that. There is much you still have to do.”

Raven hung his head in defeat. ”Fine, then tell me what is so important that whoever it is allowed me this one good thing.”

Jesse bit her lip and looked away from him. He could tell she wasn’t happy about the news she had to give him. She always acted this way when she knew she had news that would upset him. ”John… You have discovered so much on your own. You have defeated countless trials just to carry on and move forward. You have discovered an entire life that was taken away from you on your own and saved our daughter from the clutches of darkness. But there is still something that is holding you back. Me…”

Raven opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off. ”John, don’t try and say anything. Let me finish. I am the one thing holding you back. I have your emotions pulling and prying at you like a scientist. I have you going off on long paths of vengeance and blood shed. John, you can’t live that way. It will get you killed.

“You have to let me go. You have to accept the fact that no matter what you do out there, I will never come back. If you don’t, those around you will continue to suffer. John… if you continue this… Alivia will die…”

Raven retracted a little. He had never thought about what happened to those he cared about when he went off on a path of destruction. He was always only worried about making those who had wronged him suffer. Raven looked at Jesse, ”So… you’re telling me…I have to choose between you and Alivia…” A tear rolled down Raven’s cheek. ”I… I can’t do that. I can’t make that decision. Why can’t I have both?”

Tears were rolling down Jesse’s face as she watched Raven. She knew how much this was tearing him apart. How hard a decision like this was for a man to make. But Raven had to make the right choice, and she had to convince him which one was the right one. ”John, you know which is the right choice. You have to let me go. You have to give Alivia a chance of normalcy. If not for her or yourself but for me. I can’t allow you to continue with the life you are leading. I won’t let it.”

Raven stood there in blatant disbelief. He couldn’t believe how much he had hurt her. He had been fighting all this time to revenge her and all she ever wanted was for him to come to peace. Raven nodded his head in submission. He looked her once more in the eyes before kissing her one more time. ”I will find a way to see you again.”

A smirk spread across her face as she said, “I know you will. In fact, I have put in a good word for you here. I have vouched for your validity, even when others say you are a warmongering murderer.” She leaned in to whisper in his ear, ”Now don’t you go and make a liar out of me… I hate liars, Raven. You know I do.”

Raven looked at her puzzlingly. She didn’t know him as Raven… but before anything could be done about it. Raven was once again tossed into darkness. But he knew why now. He knew exactly what he had to do…

Raven awoke in the bed. His eyes slowly opened to see his daughter fiercely gripping his hand. He smiled and pulled her into a hug as a lone tear rolled down his cheek. He hid it away from everyone, a lone solace he was determined to keep. By the time he looked up to see everyone staring at him, the evidence was gone.

He looked to Shade, who was by his bedside at that time. She looked like she had been dragged through hell and back, but she was stable. A grin cracked across his face as he said, ”How the hell did we switch places here?”

Sitting up in his place, he allowed Alivia to clamber onto his lap. ”Shade, I think I met a friend of yours… he told me to tell you that you have finally allowed the gift of the goddess to be bestowed upon you…. Whatever that means. Though I think you need to find some new friends. The guy was a bit of a stiff.”

Shade stepped back once she saw Raven awaken and take in the moment with his daughter. She even acted as if something else in the room caught her attention, such as the monitors he was still connected to and turned them off before moving them aside. She even positioned herself casually to block him and Alivia from the audience of nurses still within the room. But never in her wildest of thoughts did Shade expect to hear the words he spoke. Thankfully, she was turned away at that moment, or her stunned expression would've been seen, but it was the fact her chest now burned and her lungs were screaming for air. How did he....? How could he...? She knew exactly who and what Raven spoke of.... but it was impossible for him to know....


Just then, Brix's sudden outburst broke through the stunning moment. After silently witnessing the most recent of events that led her possibly missing a potential date, what little patience she even had to begin with finally snapped.

"Will someBODY PLEASE tell me what the HELL just happened all up in here!?!?" Then, her usual dramatic flare of body language kicked in as well her bright blue eyes widening as far they could go. As as she jerked herself around while talking and practically flailing about, her loppy curls and straight locks were just bouncing wildly around her head, "THIS guy just shows up at my doorstep with YOU half dead and thrown over his shoulder like a damn potato SACK! Then! THEN!!! While you're traipsing about at death's door because you OBVIOUSLY got all arrogant and went too far with those cursed powers of yours, THEN!! out of the clear blue comes this OH MY HYNE MINI LION running about the room scaring the hell out me and my staff!! OH! OH! OH! and THEN!! after it's little flaming marathon up and down the damn walls, THEN! Low and behold it decides to take a NAP on top of you! This some kind of new fancy Phoenix Down you all concocted up!? Cause I ain't ever seen one work like THAT!! Literally made your ass come FLYING outta that bed and scaring the bageebies outta me!! And what's with this dude??? Oh I need a little nap on the floor okay nightnight THUNK! Honest to HYNE Shadey!! I'm too old for this shit!"

Shade stood unamused with her arms crossed the entire time Brix went on with her flippant tantrum. She raised an eyebrow at the last remark and replied with a matter of fact tone. "You're only 22..."

"Oh SHUDAP!!"

There was pause of silence where Brix's face was scrunched up with a most comical scowl with her narrowed seething gaze locked on Shade, but her hand whipped the vitals instrument from her lab coat pocket to hold it up and click it on. She shuffled toward toward the bed to the opposite side of where Alivia sat and gave the child a wide sweet smile and a wink. "Gonna check your daddy out, sweetie! No worries.... Ol Brixxy gonna make sure he doesn't have any blots loose or anything scrambled up in his head!" She even knocked her knuckles against Raven's head a few times for emphasis, knowing it would more than likely piss the guy off. She pressed the device against the pulsing artery of his neck to check his pulse, then the bright little peep hole light came on where she then nearly poked each of Raven's eyeballs out with it. But before she checked his blood pressure, Brix pulled the device away and leaned extremely close to his face with a suspicious look in her gaze.

"You look aaaawwwwwwwwfully familiar...." Her head whipped about to look back at Shade, unaware that her mop of hair slapped over Raven's face. "Do I know him from somewhere?" Then her head whipped back around flying her hair away and face Raven up close again. "Do I know you from somewhere??"

Normally, Shade was rarely in the mood for Brix's obnoxious antics, and today bore even more impatience for it. With a roll of her eyes, she took Brix by the arm and led her grumbling friend out of the room as well as shooing the others out in a full blown run simply by her scowling at them all. She closed the door behind them, then turned her back and leaned against to slowly slide down until she sat on the floor. She released a pent up sigh and bowed her head while rubbing at her temples trying to sort out what just previously happened. The piercing stab of Raven's last words still lodged in her chest brought her mind back to the moment at hand.

She couldn't raise her head just yet, still trying to get the facts of his words to sink in, but Shade did manage to find her voice and force out the words that even her mind was too afraid to hear his answer to. "Raven.... what you said....who you saw.... what the hell just happened? Finally, she managed to find the strength to lift her head and rest it against the door and look over at her brother with weariness in her eyes. "Because I'm about to loose my damn mind..."

Raven looked up from Alivia just in time to see Brix freak out. She began to run off on a rant about the events that had just unfolded. He understood where she was coming from as she spoke If he had seen what she had from her point of view, He would be looking for answers. Though, he probably wouldn’t be going about it in the same way. He just sat there in silence as she flipped out on Shade, who in turn seemed to be just biding her time and looking for a point where she could interject and stop her.

Meanwhile, Alivia stared at Brix with huge eyes. She looked up at Raven and giggled, saying, ”She’s funny, Daddy.” Inching closer toward the edge o the bed to see her better, Alivia sat transfixed on Brix. Raven slowly reached out and pulled her closer to himself. While Alivia thought she was funny, Raven was still wary of her. He didn’t know how this person would react when upset and this person seemed like she was driven by emotions, which is a dangerous thing when a person is upset. Running his fingers through her hair Raven tried to hide the nervousness he had toward the woman. Anyone who wasn’t afraid of yelling at Shade would certainly not have a problem dealing with him.

Then Shade made the comment of her being young and Raven allowed a smirk to cross his face. Alivia giggled uncontrollably in Raven’s lap. Raven’s smirk turned into a genuine smile as he heard that sound. It had been a long time since he had heard it. But his smile quickly faded as the woman approached him with her tools. He didn’t even make a move as she knocked on his head to reassure Alivia, who continued to giggle at the joke. She finished the exam, but still stared into his eyes. She looked like she was looking for something, like searching for someone. She flipped her head back and forth, asking Shade and him who he was, smacking him in the face with her hair. Raven remained silent through it until she finally asked him. He opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by Shade.

Shade seemed to whisk everyone out the door, seeming to be extremely stressed about something. Raven remained silent to allow her to get everything out. Finally, she looked at him with heavy eyes and asked him. Raven remembered that look from just a day before, when he had revealed their heritage. She was hurting again, and Raven had no clue why. Could it have been what he had seen? Yes, it had to be that. Who he saw, what had happened, must be of great importance to her. He looked down at Aliva and said, ”Shade… Come over here.”

Raven waited for Shade to reluctantly walk over to sit on the bed before he spoke. ”Do you want the long version or the short version?” All he got in response was a blank stare. ”Right… Long version… Well, after blacking out, I uh… well, I think I was transported to another place. It was an old mansion. There I found a man, not too tall, red hair, red overcoat. The man seemed to speak in codes, rambling on about something called the goddess. Most of it didn’t make any sense to me, until the end. In the end, the only thing that made any sense was that he really wanted me to tell you what I did. He tried to drive his point home at the tip of a sword…” Raven rubbed his chest where the sword had punctured through. He felt nothing wrong, but the point felt sore. He looked up at Shade, expecting questions to follow.

Shade rubbed at her eyes and temples while trying to muster the strength just to get up again. It seemed now that the adrenaline from the whole situation had finally calmed, it left her feeling exhausted. But with a small grunt of stubbornness, Shade returned to her feet and approached the edge of the bed and sat down, Even in her weary state, she smiled faintly at Alivia and reached out to brush aside a few stray hairs that fell over the child's eyes as Raven questioned Shade which version of explanation she wanted. Only her eyes answered him, to which he proceeded to describe. With what direct descriptions Raven gave of his vision...or dream... every word sent chills down Shade's spine as she could only stare at floor and listen. Not only was such a thing impossible, but the only reasoning she could find for it was that somehow Raven found himself connected to her own void she was desperately trying to break free of. She knew that voice and those words for who it was, and challenged most of those words since the day she heard them so long ago, even though she understood the why to their significance. But Shade was reluctant to explain much to her brother.


With a somber sigh, she nodded to all he said. She knew that mansion, knew full well of who he described, and the code... which Shade once accused as riddles when she first heard such words. The last part though.... drive his point home at the tip of a sword.. It wasn't until Shade turned and saw Raven rubbing at his chest that she fully understood and rolled her eyes away from him. From what encounters she had with the arrogant SOLDIER, it came to no surprise to her that even in one's vision, Genesis would find a dramatic way to use weapon talents along with his words. "Yeah.... sounds like something he would do to get his message through to someone..."


She stood up and ventured to the sink, finding a stack of paper cups on the counter and filling one with water before returning to the bed and handing the cup to Alivia while still speaking to Raven with a rather grave tone in her voice. "It would seem you got a gist of my past, Raven. Who you saw, his name is Genesis. Someone who no longer exists, and most likely will never exists again for that matter...." Having finally spoke those words aloud for the first time drove a blade of reality straight though Shade's own chest, leading her to pause and painfully reflect for a moment. He was gone... for whatever reasons... he was never to return...


Within seconds, she shook it off for another time, then continued on. "As for his connection to me, it's nothing to concern yourself with. As for his message, I got it loud and clear..." She sounded more matter of fact now, as her last words nearly snapped out through her lips. It wasn't due to the message itself, for that alone Shade knew was her salvation. It was the sense of loss that jabbed painfully in which she was trying to shake off with her usual brooding manner.


For a brief moment, Shade turned away as her silent message that she done with the subject. She wasn't about to let her own personal afflictions ruin the moment where she now had a family. Instead, Shade sat on the edge of the bed again and crossed her arms before locking her gaze back onto Raven. "So.... you want to fill me in on who this Serenity is?"

Raven watched Shade as she reluctantly approached the bed and listened to him. Everything about her body language was text book Shade when faced with a difficult situation. A funny thought occurred to him, both of them were rock solid under extreme battlefield conditions, conditions that would make most men or women weep, but the second someone brings something up that even remotely resembled emotion they locked up. They just could not open up, each for entirely different reasons, but both relying on the same tactics: stay quiet, pay close attention, and ride it out. It was the only thing they could do in a situation like that.

She seemed quiet when he became silent to allow her to speak. Obviously she didn’t want to tell him everything, but Raven couldn’t put his finger on why. Was it because she thought she couldn’t trust him with it? Or was it that the memory was so painful that she could not bring herself to speak long on it? The fact that Shade had been more open over the past day than he had ever seen made him lean towards the second choice. No matter how close he was with her, there were things that even he wouldn’t tell her.

He wasn’t going to push it; he didn’t need to with the way she acted. How she seemed to dodge his gaze. The rigidness in which she held her body. Everything she was doing told him one thing; she had cared for this Genesis. Raven didn’t know to what extent, but he did know this: Shade didn’t care for people often and the fact that she was acting this way was proof that it was a great care. He would have to be delicate around the subject. Even if she was his sister, there were limits to everybody’s tolerance for pain when it came to one they care about.

Then she snapped back again to the brooding hard ass he knew so well. He knew it was a protective barrier, but it was refreshing to see her bounce back to her normal self. After the past day, Raven had seen enough of the emotional side of Shade. The side that scared the crap out of him. He knew she probably felt the same about him. Especially considering he had sort of blown up back in Eden. Something he hadn’t even been able to explain. Though, in truth, he wasn’t able to explain most of what was happening to him. It was all the damned magic.

Raven scratched the back of his head and avoided Shade’s gaze when she asked about Serenity. How was he going to explain her? Finally, he decided just coming out with it would probably be best. ”Serenity… Where to begin?... Well, I guess I should start at the beginning… I…uh… went on a little vacation for a little bit. I tried to get away from all the death. I went to the world of Spira because I was told it was a beautiful and peaceful place. While there I found a girl living off the streets, stealing to survive. For some reason, I just couldn’t let her go off on her own, so I took her along with me on my travels. When it came for me to leave, I asked her what she wanted and she said she wanted to go with me… so I sorta… adopted her…”

Shade held her breath for the few first moments of Raven's silence half expecting him to ask questions like most anybody else would, those who never respected the boundaries of privacy to satisfy their annoying curiosity. Anybody would naturally probe her for answers, but Raven wasn't just anybody. Even before the discovery of their relation, they shared a mutual respect of each other, an unspoken understanding, perhaps due to how they both viewed such things in the same manner. Because in the end, Raven didn't ask. Even though Shade could see he noticed more in his studious gaze, he abandoned the issue all together, and for that, Shade began to breath again.


But what she did find surprising was his sudden awkwardness. This wasn't the Raven she knew, for his hardass demeanor and stern focused mentality. Her mind began to race random possibilities as to what could have Raven be.... flustered? But as began to dive into his explanation, Raven slowly started to sound confident again. For a fleeting moment, Shade had a wild rampant thought that he was oddly nervous over some stray dog he snuck into the Garden.


Then he said it.... another little girl....


Shade blinked rather stunned for a few moments. He adopted a child? Her mouth opened to say something, but no words could be formed. Raven? Her mouth shut quickly as she just stared at him and slowly crossed her arms. She glanced at Alivia, who no doubt was surprised to hear she was going to have a new sister in her life. Shade had to silently admit that her brother was full of surprises thus far, but she paid him the same respect as he did her. She wasn't going to interrogate him over the matter. If he so chose to relinquishment more information on the matter, then she would willingly listen. For now, Shade leaned away from the bed and took the now empty cup from Alivia and tossed it in the sink before she carefully took the girl into her arms. She half expecting Alivia to flinch away from her with all she endured in one day, and heaven only knew what those scientists put her through. Not to mention, children normally shied away from Shade, sensing her intimidation and lack of a nurturing nature. But Alivia didn't seem to feel awkward, or timid by Shade at all and instinctively went to her aunt's hold as if she always knew her.


Now standing beside the bed and quickly brushing Alivia's hair aside from her eyes, Shade returned her stern gaze back upon her brother. There was one thing Shade was adamant to demand out Raven now, no matter how he felt at the moment, nor if cared or not to share such information. Her expression was the usual stern and placid approach as she spoke with a a cynical tone. "Well? When do you plan to introduce me to my other niece?"

Raven watched Shade as she picked up Alivia and slowly edged toward the door. She kept her placid expression on her face but Raven could see something in her grey eyes. Excitement? No, Shade never became excited about anything. Anxiousness? Yes, that had to be it. She seemed to be overflowing with the stuff. Raven kept a straight face as he realized what she was doing. She really wanted to meet her other niece and she was going to use the fact that she had Alivia in her arms as leverage to get what she wanted. Even when she was excited for something she always took the most tactical route.

Being sure to keep a straight face, Raven stood up and stretched. ”Shade, I don’t think that’s a good idea. She is safe where she is and we may still have people tailing us. Going to get her in our current states would only put both of my girls in even more danger and there is no way I am doing that.” He held her gaze for a moment before allowing a smirk to cross his face and saying, ”Shade, stop looking at me like you are gonna stab me in the chest. I’m joking. You know the thing normal people do… Anyway, Yeah, we can go now.”

Walking past Shade and toward the door, Raven couldn’t help but realize that even though Shade had that intimidating look to her, when she was holding Alivia, she seemed soft. Though she would probably never allow it to happen, Raven thought she would make a fine mother. Alivia obviously seemed attached to her already, the way she seamlessly clung to her without a care in the world. And though Shade seemed like she was holding something radioactive, something about the small mannerisms she gave off when holding and around her told Raven that she really would do fine with a child of her own… if she had ever let anybody close enough to have a kid…

Opening the door, he walked through, knowing that Shade would be following behind him. As he walked out through the lobby, it appeared that the doctor was over her grief and dealing with another patient. As he approached her to say thanks, he overheard the tail end of what the patient was saying. ”…And that’s when I got shot in the ass. Sooo…. You want to take a look?” The man was smiling at her and Raven assumed that he really wasn’t hurt. Ignoring him all together he tapped her once on the shoulder and said, ”I just wanted to say thank you for all you did.”

With that, he set off for the Kestrel once more. Once everyone was inside, he set off for Pulse once more. The flight was uneventful and within a few hours they were touching down in the colony of New Bodhum. Raven landed the ship and opened the back ramp for them to enter the village. As the Kestrel’s ramp came to a halt, Raven stepped out into the warm sun with Alivia in his arms.

Off to the side, Dusty stopped loading the crates to stop and watch the sight of Raven walking off with Shade behind him and Alivia in his arms. Dusty let out a high-pitched whistle before saying, ”He leaves for two days and already has a second spawn. Damn man is like a rabbit. It makes sense, though, I always knew those two sour pusses would end up together.” Dusty instantly felt a sharp pain at the back of his head as Angel’s hand made hard contact with it. He wheeled around to look at her as she stared at Raven and Shade unblinking. ”That’s his daughter.”

Rubbing the back of his head Dusty said, ”Yeah, I know, that was the joke.” Angel shook her head without looking away and said, No, you aren’t listening, that’s his daughter. The one from a before we went rouge.”

Dusty spun back around and squinted to see them better. After a moment, his eyes went wide with realization and he said, ”Well, I’ll be damned… I was right about them hooking up, though.” He looked over to Angel with a smile. Angel let out a loud sigh before saying, ”You’re an idiot,” and walking away.

Raven walked off the ramp and walked toward his house. It was one of the few actual buildings in the village, the rest were mostly shacks. He opened the door and placed Alivia down behind him and called out, ”SERENITY! I’m home!” Squeals of joy were heard as Serenity barreled in from another room. She bound into the room with a skip in her step, her long brown hair bouncing behind her. She looked up to Raven with her large blue eyes as he bent down to pick her up. He tossed her up in the air before catching her and setting her back down saying, ”Serenity, I have some people I want you to meet.”

Raven stepped aside to reveal both Shade and Alivia. ”Serenity, this is your Aunt Shade, we are going to go live with her in a beautiful place for a little while.” Serenity gave Shade a shy smile and a quick wave, but did not say anything. ”And this… This is your new sister, Alivia.” They both stared at each other for a minute before Alivia stepped in close and gave Serenity a hug.

True to his words, Shade's eyes widened just slightly when Raven stated they weren't going to retrieve Serenity, yet with Alivia still in her arms, she had to bite down on her tongue to reign back a verbal threat or two. Yet just as fast as her temper began to fume, his snide revelation that he was only joking left Shade seething with embarrassing. It was obvious, even after the newfound discovery of their relation, the snarky, sarcastic bantering they shared in the past wasn't about to change. Even if she couldn't speak her usual threatening retort, Shade could still spare an 'I'll get you later for that' glare as Raven passed her at the door. She followed him quietly with Alivia still sitting and carried within Shade's arm, yet Shade was stricken with slight shock at seeing Raven spare a moment to thank Brix for her help.

Brix was simply stricken in shock by someone startling her in the middle of her flirting, but recomposed herself immediately with her usual flashy smile and playful wink. "Yeah, yeah, yeah.... I know... I'm just that awesome..." Then she shoo'ed them off quickly so she could get back to examining her patient. “Just be more careful when you guys are getting your kicks outta blowing shit up! I got more important things to do than always having to patch you back to one piece all the damn time!” She slammed the examination door behind them, but her cooing, flirtatious tone could be heard as she addressed her current patient's needs again


When back within Raven's ship, Shade took it upon herself to buckle Alivia in while Raven handled the navigation system and started the engines. Alivia looked about the cockpit with wide curios eyes before looking back up at Shade and whispered. "Are we going back to the bad place?" She would see her new-found aunt appearing as if her question was never heard as Shade concentrating on adjusting the seat straps to the child's small frame to be absolutely sure the child was secure. But Shade did hear, and it was the trepidation in Alivia's voice that struck her far more deeply than the little girl's words. Her steel hues flickered over the awaiting face just as she locked the seat buckles before glancing over her shoulder to see Raven programming new coordinates into the navigational system. She then returned her attention back to her niece and braced her palms against the armrests of the seat to lean forward for Alivia to hear her soft tone over the igniting engines of the ship. "Alivia.... do you think your father would ever take you back to such a place?" The little girl slowly shook her head 'no', yet kept her widened gaze held to Shade's with a blink or two. With a playful twitch at the corner of Shade'a lips, she asked another question. "And what happens to bad people who take you a bad place?" Alivia pondered for just a second or two as her own hues glanced at her father's back before looking back at Shade as if a light bulb went off in her head and her own smile appeared. "Daddy gets mad and blows things up!"


Shade couldn't help the grin twitching across her lips as she reached up and brushed away what random blond strands fell over the child's face. With a slight nod and gentle tap to Alivia's nose, Shade spoke again before venturing to the co pilot's seat. "And never forget that..."


Now within her own seat, Shade tried to relax as Raven began the flight, but she didn't expect how exhausted she truly was and unexpectedly dozed right off in her chair through the entire duration of the flight. Awakened by the landing, Shade blinked several times for her vision to focus as she inhaled deeply while slowly sitting up to stand on her feet and stretch as Raven retrieved his daughter from her seat. She followed quietly while taking in her new humble surroundings, hearing a faint whistle in the distance, but paying no heed as her attentions were more centered on their approaching destination. When they ventired through the doorway, Shade was taken back by the excited tone within Raven's voice as he called out a name. It just wasn't a side of him Shade had ever witnessed or expected from him as squealing cry of excitement echoed from down the hall before another little girl came running into his arms with a beaming smile. With Alivia beside her, Shade blinked in startlement again when feeling the child's arm wrap around hers and take Shade's gloved hand into her own while Alivia's eyes scanned over Serenity with eager curiosity. Shade gave her a slight nudge when Raven gave the introductions to watch Alivia shuffle forward and hug her new sister.


It was a confusing wave of emotions for Shade, which she kept strictly hidden behind her well trained sense of control and serene expression. Raven had a family.... even before now, he was once married and had Alivia during the chaos of his type of lifestyle. But... how...? How was such a thing managed? Even Shade had sworn off such a possibility for herself a long time ago when so many responsibilities and lives were placed upon her shoulders. But it was also another realization of pride for her brother, where he exceeded in life even more so than Shade could ever possibly imagine for own self. Her steel hued gaze softened when watching the trio that reminded her of what all Raven endured of late. The fates blessing him with a family, yet tearing it away, and him somehow still retaining his sanity through the pain and keeping focused on his responsibilities all the same... discovering his true identity through such dangerous means and all on his own through uncharted and unpredictable time rifts....gaining the life of his daughter back, and taking on yet another who needed someone... anyone... just to love her. He was more of a Leonhart than Shade could ever dream to be and she was eternally proud of him for it.


She managed a subtle wave back to Serenity before taking in a breath and glancing at Raven, now giving a dismissive motion with her hand and nervous twitch at the corner of her mouth. "I'm... I'm going to get a breath of fresh air for a minute....give you time with your girls... and get them situated....and well... yeah..." Feeling foolish for fumbling with her words, Shade turned and stepped back outside and away from the doorway too take a deep breath and release it slowly in attempts to regain her composure.

Fury knelt down next to both of his girls. Looking into both of their big blue eyes he couldn't help but feel a rush of emotion he hadn't felt since the first time he had gotten to hold Alivia in his arms. His life had been so difficult and grueling through all the years of death, but this moment made it all worth it. He grabbed a girl in each arm and hugged them tightly and whispered, "I want you both to know that no matter what you do with your lives, I will always be there for you. And I will always love you with all my heart."

Neither Alivia nor Serenity truly understood why their dad was acting this way, but they didn't care. They hugged him back with a soft, “I love you too” from each of them. As Raven pulled back from them, Alivia leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. The move shocked him still. He wasn’t expecting anything like that from her. Especially after her not seeing him for so long. The fact that she still remembered him at all was a miracle. His right hand reached up and rubbed away the tear that was dangerously close to rolling down his face. He smiled at each of them and said, ”Alivia, why don’t you go with your sister and help her get packed up. We’re going to our new home soon.”

Both girls nodded and started to walk down the hall towards Serenity’s room. He stood there a moment watching them go. As they walked down the hall way, he overheard Serenity ask her sister, ”So do you like to play Army men?” He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself when he saw the back Alivia slowly shake back and forth just as they walked around the corner.

He stood there a moment lost in his own thoughts. Maybe this meant he could slow down. Obviously the path of revenge was closed and obviously he still had to take care of the people here, but hopefully this meant that he could just spend time with his family and get away from all the death. But then a thought occurred to him. No matter what he did, he was a soldier at heart and there was no escaping it. He had a select skill set and that meant he really didn’t have a lot of options. He would always be a soldier. It was a somber thought but one that he had to accept.

Raven turned to walk out the door after Shade. He found her leaned up against the porch railing and staring at the sunset. She looked like hell and she seemed extremely tense and nervous. He really hated dumping all that had happened over the past 48 hours on her, but he couldn’t find the right words to say it. ”Shade… I… I just want to thank you… for everything you did. You really didn’t need to do everything, but you did. You have no idea how… extremely grateful for it all. I… I am forever in your debt.”

"......We’re going to our new home soon.” When over hearing those words, Shade's breath took a sudden pause as the moment of clarity finally caught up with her. In just a matter of ...hours? days? The chaos of recent events and unexpected emotions that followed were a striking blow to Shade's strict disciplined composure, not to mention a part of her that she believed no longer existed.

She had a family... within such a short span of time, Shade found herself with a brother.... then his two daughters.... and such a realization not only startled Shade, but terrified her as well. It was an unexpected awakening to her most deep rooted fears. She already lost her parents... lost beloved friends time and time again, .... and here a brother she never knew she had, yet the knowing of him now infuriated what could have been... was forever lost to the both of them. Loosing the most cherished.... that was Shade's most haunting grief. It was why she kept herself so secluded from anyone, barely even allowing Brix or Jaya to get too close to her. And now, Fury and his girls were her family, and it was an internal struggle not to bolt from what terrified her most. And as the sun continued to set below the horizon, those very fears were already beginning to creep through her spine and into her mind. ....just as the sun is destined to fade each and every day....so will those around me....

With her eyes clenched shut, Shade silently scorned herself against such words just as she heard Raven's voice penetrate through her thoughts. With a slight confused expression across her brow, it took a moment or two for his appreciation to sink in. Why his thanks unnerved her, Shade didn't understand, but she shook off the uneasiness more or less from being exhausted. With a deep breath, Shade released it slowly as her hard rubbed against the dirt on her face, then attempted to run her fingers through her tussled hair. "There's no need to thank me, Raven, you know that. You never had to in the past. You don't have to start now." Her tone even revealed how tired she felt, yet she still found herself unable to look her brother straight in the eye. Instead, her steel shaded hues remained shrouded behind the frazzled curtain of dark hair as Shade stared down at the wooden planks of the porch; her tone dropping an octave as she added... "Especially now...."

There was an awkward moment of silence that followed, allowing Shade to hear the drifting echoes of laughter from the girls within the house. The sound of innocent merriment lifted her head while Shade blankly stared at the front door as her thoughts drifted to her own past when she once laughed at that age. Perhaps it was fatigue taking over her weary mind, or the shock of her new reality setting in. Whatever the reason, Shade's following words spilled out without any thought. "Don't let them grow up to be like us, Raven... Whatever it takes.... protect them from that."