The Adventures of the SOL

 But even that night was not normal, or at least as normal as roaming a forest at 4:00 was.  The first reason was because Rais didn't have the same dream of his broken childhood.  Now the dream was different.  It was about something important and something the same as everyone else had experienced.  Rais honestly didn't expect to have a dream of any kind, and was surprised when it came.

 He had been walking in a darkened room in the dream and saw two people talking.  One had been tall and straight, his dark hair cascading over one eye and his clear blue eyes full of wonder, but hardened at the same time, as though he had experienced too much in life and could feel for it no more.  The other had been a dark haired woman with the air of a warrior and the eye of a ruler.

 "The battle will begin," the man had said to the woman, "We must prepare the General for it and finish gathering our warriors."

 "Our warriors," the woman said, "Sarcuse, I wonder at our warriors."

 "They were hand picked by the prince and yourself, what could go wrong?" he asked her, "Sharondia, many people have entrusted their lives into your able hands.  If you have doubts speak them now, or hold them back and maybe discontinue the future of this planet."

 "They are strong, but they all suffer their own problems," Sharondia replied, "We all are preoccupied by this senseless war.  Diamond herself has captivated a dark overlord's attention.  He is in love with her."

 "Does she love him?" Sarcuse asked.

 Sharondia looked away.  "I think she might."

 "The vampire Willow, am I right?" Sarcuse stated, "You know, the rumors had it that Diamond meant to challenge you."

 "No such battle was ever planned by either of us," Sharondia was leaned against the wall and a long braid was thrown over her shoulder, "And Istris… Well, she would not have escaped her sacred temple had it not been for Len.  Arista is near suicidal over the loss of her people.  I'm glad I sent Forey to take care of her.  The General is of course preoccupied.  Rina… I'm not sure why I have recruited Rina honestly, but her power is pure, but that man Ayino won't leave her side.  A duke's daughter indeed."

 "And I?" Sarcuse asked, "Do you regret recruiting me?"

 "I do not know your story," Sharondia said simply, "I could not say whether you are preoccupied or not."

 "Cold words, love," Sarcuse smiled and she glanced over at him.

 "I regret recruiting you the most," she said, "For now that I have found you I fear losing you."  Her voice was a whisper and he took her hand.

 "If I die, I shall revive myself just to be with you," he replied and kissed it ever so softly.  Sharondia glanced back at him.

 "If you did not bear the mark of the scared warriors I would kill you," she said but seemed pleased by his attention.

 "I'm sure," he smiled.

 Rais had watched throughout the entire dream enthralled with what was happening.  It reminded him of something.  The only time he reacted at all in the dream was when there was a loud sound at the door.

 "Forey?" Sharondia asked, tension creeping upon her.

 "No," Sarcuse replied, "I think it is other news."

 And that was where he woke up.  The dream ended excruciatingly abruptly.  He had woken up as usual at four, got up, got dressed, and walked through the dark forest.  Now as he walked through the forest filled with thought, another thing happened that made the night less than normal.  He heard sounds of shouts and brief glimpses of fire in the forest.

 He raised an eyebrow and ran to discover the source of the disturbance in the always-peaceful Nymph Forest.  It was hard to tell where the sound was coming from.  The trees echoed the voices and reflected the light in the wrong places.  Rais simply followed his hunter's instinct to find the scene.  Who beside himself would be in this forest at night?  The dawn was breaking just a little so he could see but he was still distracted by the alternate light source that these strangers carried as he saw it flickering through the trees.

 All at once a person burst through the brush in front of him.  It was a girl with aqua green hair, a very pale complexion and dark clothing.  She seemed frightened and ran right into him.  He instinctively put his arms up and they ended up in a moment's embrace.  In her hurry she simply took a surprised glance at him and began to run again.

 "Wait!" Rais cried and she tripped over a tall tree root.

 Out of the same brush she had appeared, two men, each holding a lantern, burst through.  One wore all black and had a beard, but was young just the same.  He had a cross around his neck and his chest was broad and muscled.  His partner lingered behind him.  This man was tall and scrawny, with a very un-comely face.

 They were both as surprised as Rais.  Rais assessed the situation carefully.  The girl staring up at the two men seemed run down and even more frightened.  Rais understood that for some reason the men were chasing the girl, and by the look of her, she was not dangerous.  So why would they?

 "Halt!" Rais said placing a hand on his blade.

 "A boy?" the taller man murmured, "Stand aside boy, we have no time for you right now."  He began to pass Rais but Rais's blade was out and in front of the strange man before he could pass.  Rais stared at the man coldly.

 "You will not pass," he replied, holding his sword ready, "What is your business in my Princess's part of this forest?"

 "I believe this part is signed over to Reptopia," the man replied coolly, "Now move."  The girl was staring back and forth from Rais and the man.  Rais noticed she had not stood back up.

 Rais took a step back to stand between the man and the girl.  "Reptopia and Lizerton are in alliance," Rais growled, "And Princess Rei of Lizerton is a very close friend of mine.  So I think I shall ask the questions and give the orders.  Who are you and what is your purpose with this girl?"

 "Boy…!" the man started.

 "Man," Rais corrected and the man realized that the sword was pointed at his heart.  He took a step back with his hands in the air.

 "My name is Cron and this is my assistant, Squirrel," the man said, now suddenly pleasant and kind, "We mean you nor your princess any harm.  I request the girl."

 "Your request is denied until you explain yourself," Rais said.

 "Have you never heard of me?" Cron asked, "Well, may I then further my introduction?  I am Cron the Vampire Hunter."

 "And she is a vampire?" Rais asked of the girl behind him.  He tried to contain his rage at the man.  He had heard of people like this Cron who hunted down the Gothic species, but Rais was aware that Vampires, Witches, and Werewolves weren't all bad.  In fact, they could be as kind hearted as any other person.  Rais saw from the girl's face that she had assumed Rais against her race and a look of hopelessness crossed her face.

 "Yes, she is a rather nasty one," Cron looked over Rais's shoulder at her, "We have been on her trail for sometime.  Now if you please, we would…"

 "Leave," Rais said simply.

 "Excuse me?" the man said.

 "I said leave," Rais repeated, "Or I'll have to use force.  And when you go make sure you never return.  The girl is under my care now."

 "You gonna let that squirt talk to ya like that Boss?" the man named Squirrel asked.

 "Silence," Cron said to him, "Boy I don't think…"

 "Lizerton is a place of equal opportunity for any kind of person," Rais continued, "As long as he or she comes in peace.  You are not welcome.  Get out."

 "And the girl?" he asked, "May I have her?"

 "I said get out!" Rais replied.  His sword was placed towards the both of them.  Cron smiled and began to back away but at the last minute he lunged.  Before Rais could react a figure dropped on top of Cron.  Rais took a surprised step back.  It was the cat boy Ran.  He must have noticed the commotion and saw what Rais had seen.

 Cron landed on the ground and Ran jumped back next to Rais.  "A felinus sapien?" the man asked, "Your kingdom is over run with vermin boy.  You are a fool."  That was all he had to say before running away.

 "I just know he'll be back," Rais sighed.

 "Yeah, saw what was going on, thought I'd lend a hand," Ran smiled at Rais, "My kind have been terrorized by people like that for a long time."

 "What's the world got against Felinus Sapiens?" Rais asked, sheathing his sword.  He had never heard of Felinius Sapiens before he met Ran, but then again he had led a closed off life in Evilopolis.

 "We're a bit primal," Ran explained, "It comes from our animal instincts, so they naturally assume us primitive and dangerous beasts."

 Rais nodded and walked over to the girl.  The girl tried to move away in fright and Rais could see she was dragging her left foot.  "It's okay," Rais said, "I won't bite."  He paused.  "Um, no pun intended."

 Here the girl gave him a mistrusting but still hollow eyed glanced.  "A vampire joke, that makes me feel so much better."

 Run down or not, Rais could sense that she was very cynical.  "Did you hurt your ankle?" Rais asked.

 "I think so," she said, looking down at it, "I may have twisted it."  She paused.  "Thank you for saving me.  Not many would have."

 "I can't resist a damsel in distress," Rais winked, "My name is Rais Bluesword.  And you are…?"

 "Chiru Vaste."

 "Chiru huh?" Ran asked, peering over Rais's shoulder and smiling, "A pretty name for a pretty doll."

 She glanced at him and blushed.  Rais shook his head.  "Can you walk?" he asked, "Or do you need help?"

 "No, you don't have to," she said, "I'm not worth it…"

 "Not worth it?" Ran seemed appalled, "Trust me, Doll, I have yet to meet a girl who isn't worth it.  Well except the type that thinks like that man back there."

 "No really I…"

 "Can you walk or not?" Rais asked.

 "Oh, well, a little," she said.  Her pale cheeks were blushed a little and Rais helped her stand, "But where are we going?"

 "Besides Gothopic, the only other place a person such as yourself can go where they can be safe," Rais smiled, "Lizerton."

 "But they'll probably send me away," Chiru sighed, "Like all the others."

 "Not if Rei has anything to say about it," Rais grabbed her arm and stuck it over his shoulder, "Trust me, she won't send you away.  Besides, I doubt the people of Lizerton would send you away, that's just not why Lizerton was created."  Chiru seemed doubtful but didn't reply.  She leaned her weight against Rais instead of her left ankle.  "Coming Ran?" Rais asked and turned but Ran had disappeared.  Rais blinked and shook his head.  "Stupid cat boy."

"Rei, Rei, Rei!" Princess Rei heard and saw the little boy Koty come running up to her.  She smiled and picked him up.  "Guess what?" he asked and Rei looked up as though she was deep in thought.

 "You ate a frog?" she asked.

 "Ew," he stuck out his tongue and wrinkled his nose, "No!"

 "Well, what then?" Rei asked.

 "Rais brought home a girl!" Koty gossiped the way only a child can and he didn't notice as Rei's face paled and her eyes widened.

 "A… A girl Koty?"

 "Yeah, an' she's perty," he said, making wide hand gestures and smiling really wide, "She has green hair.  He walked in and they was hugging!"

 "They were hugging not was," Rei fretted and put him down, "Where is he?"  Koty took her by the hand and led her downstairs.  On their way down they passed Amy.

 "There you are Squirt, What have… Rei is something wrong?" Amy took a glance at Rei's tight-lipped expression and raised an eyebrow.

 "No, nothing at all," Rei said, "Not a God-blessed thing."  With that she walked by, Koty still leading her by the hand.  He led her to the castle lounge and Amy, filled with curiosity by Rei's even more curious behavior, followed.  They walked into the lounge together and Rei saw what Koty had said was true.  Rais had brought home beautiful milky skinned girl.  Rei's eyebrow twitched and she felt a jealousy demon inside of her begin to come out.

 "Rais?" she inquired more shrilly than she had intended.  He was sitting next to the girl and they were talking.

 "Huh?  Oh Rei!" Rais stood up quickly. An act of guilt, Rei thought, "Meet Chiru, I found her in the forest."  He coughed.

 "The forest eh?" Amy asked, giving Rei a cautious glance.  Rei just stared for a really long time and the room was filled with an awkward silence.

 Rais tilted his head.  "Is something wrong Rei, you look a little strange," he asked cautiously, wondering what could be bothering her?

 Oh so that's what the problem must have been.  She was strange looking!  "No, nothing at all.  In the forest?  How long ago?"

 "Just this morning," Rais replied, smiling, "I was up late again and I was walking around.  It's an interesting story."

 "I'm sure," Rei muttered.

 "Are you sure you're okay?" Rais asked.

 "I'm fine," Rei faked a smile, "Maybe a little surprised.  You're the last person I thought would ever find a girlfriend, especially so quickly."

 The reaction had Amy biting her tongue to keep from laughing.  Rais froze and blinked twice before he turned a lovely crimson shade.  Chiru behind him also blushed, perhaps seeing Rei's jealousy, and she looked away with a cough.

 "No, no, no!" Rais cried, waving his hands, "You don't understand, she isn't my girlfriend, she's someone I rescued.  From a vampire hunter."  Rei raised an eyebrow.  "She's a vampire."

 "Oh," Rei's face color matched Rais's, "Oh.  Ohhhh!  A Vampire!" she then laughed relief flooding her.  "Of course you don't have a girlfriend."

 Rais laughed with her until he took the meaning of her words.  "Um… Why wouldn't I be able to get a girlfriend?"

 "Huh?" Rei looked around, "Um, no reason.  I just… Eh… Not that you aren't worthy of a girlfriend, it's just that…"  Amy was looking at Rei expectantly, waiting for her to blurt something out.  She was disappointed.

 "Excuse me?" Chiru piped up suddenly and Rei was grateful for the change of subject matter, "If you'd like me to leave I will remove myself from your presence as soon as…"

 "Why would you leave?" Amy asked, "You just got here."  Chiru stared.  That hadn't been the response she had expected.

 "Yes, and when was the last time you had a proper meal?" Rei tsked, "I must insist you stay.  In fact I order it.  At least until you feel better and have proper food in your stomach."  Chiru seemed surprised.

 Koty scrambled forward, having been watching from a distance, and stared at Chiru.  The couch half hid him and she smiled at him.  Rei saw for a moment the sharpened points of her incisor teeth.  Yes, she was a Vampire.  Her experience (not a particularly good first one) with Vampires was that they could pretty much go either way.  This one was nice, but for some reason Rei suspected it was because she hadn't always been a Vampire.

 "You're pretty," Koty said quietly and a little shyly.

 Chiru blushed a little.  "Thank you," she said, "What's your name?"

 "Koty," he replied, "Why was you and Rais hugging when you walked in?"

 At this Amy and Rei turned their attention back to Rais.  "Yes, Rais, why was you and Chiru hugging?" Amy asked, slightly mocking Koty's bad grammar.

 "She hurt her ankle," Rais muttered a little embarrassed by the whole misunderstanding of the situation, "I was helping her walk."

 Rei and Amy cast each other glances and laughed a little.  "I'll send in a doctor to look at that," Amy said and picked up Koty, still awing over Chiru, then walked out.

 "How did you come to my neck of the woods?" Rei asked sitting next to Chiru, then gasped, "I didn't mean to say neck.  I meant... Uh..."  She paused.  "So how did you come to be in Lizerton?"  Chiru looked sadly away.  Bad memories shown through her eyes.

 "A Vampire hunter," Rais said, "And we might have a little bit of trouble with him from here on out, I wouldn't be surprised."

 "He's cake compared to what we normally have to deal with," Rei waved him away, "He'll find himself in a dungeon if he comes in here looking for trouble."

 "I wouldn't put it past you," Chiru smiled.  Those teeth were a little distracting but Rei felt that she would be used to it.

 "So anything we can help you with?" Rei asked her, "Besides idiot Vampire hunters.  I think the continent is starting to crack down on people like that.  Maybe we could call them, have this guy put away."

 "His name was Cron," Rais put in.

 Here Rei stared at him.  "The Cron?  Great we get the drama king of all Vampire hunters.  Have you never heard of this guy?"

 "Cron?  No," Rais shook his head, "but then again…"

 Rei nodded with understanding.  Rais had not been outside the walls of Evilopolis unless Creton prompted him to.  There were a lot of things that Rais had never heard about from the outside world.

 "Just our luck we get Cron," Rei rolled her eyes, "I'll deal with him if he shows his face here again.  I would love to deal with him."

 "Just your luck?" Chiru asked, "More like just my luck.  They say once you are targeted by Cron then you are never heard from again."

 Rei turned a serious eye to her.  "That probably has a lot of truth to it, but not as long as I'm around," Rei replied sincerely, "No one tells me what to do in my kingdom."  Chiru smirked.  She believed Rei and there weren't many that didn't believe her when she made such a claim.

 Rais was about to say something after sitting next to Rei when suddenly Serena ran into the room.  She stopped at the door when she saw Chiru.  Suddenly there was the sound of someone shouting "Tag you're it!" and Hotaru ran into Serena.  Lita then ran into Hotaru and they all stared at Chiru.

 "No fair!" Rei heard Mina cry as she ran right into Hotaru.  Serena was pushed too far ahead and fell over.  Mina looked down at Serena who was lying face flat on the floor then up at Chiru.

 "Hello," Lita smiled, "Someone we should meet Rei?"

 "Meet Chiru," Rais said, and waved towards the girl who gave a small wave.  She brushed her hair back and it fell softly on her shoulders.

 Everyone looked at each other and Serena sat up.  "Why does everyone pick on me!" she sobbed, sitting on the ground trying to look pathetic.

 "Is she okay?" Chiru asked and Rei rolled her eyes signaling for her to forget about it.  Serena had very rarely cried real tears in the time Rei knew her.

 "It's okay, Serena," Mina patted her on the head in a comforting manner, "We'll go to the kitchen later."

 "Okay!" Serena said happily and stood up.  She walked over to Chiru and put a hand out.  "The name is Serena."

 "A pleasure," Chiru took her hand delicately.  Serena leaned in close to Chiru's face.  Chiru blinked and backed away.

 "What are you doing Serena?" Rei asked, looking annoyed and embarrassed by her friend's reaction.  "Trying to pop her aura?"

 "You're really pretty," Serena said, and everyone gathered around.

 "She really is," Mina nodded, "My name is Mina."

 "I'm Hotaru," Hotaru flashed a peace sign and winked.

 "I'm Lita," Lita said, "I just love your hair.  How do you get it all wavy on top and straight at the bottom?  I would love to do that!"

 "It's just like that," Chiru shrugged, "Completely natural."  She smiled a little nervously as all of the girls stared.
 "What are you doing here?" Hotaru asked.

 "Girls," Rei interrupted their interrogation, "You are being really rude and haven't I always told you to be on your best behavior?"

 "As if you're one to talk," Mina started in, "You have turned down several appointments.  And you are behind schedule once again."  She scanned down her clipboard.

 "One of these days you'll tell us where you keep that," Lita said, pointing to the clipboard that Mina had not previously been holding.

"Calm down Mina," Rei said nervously, "Would you think that I, Princess Rei, would actually shun her duties."
 "Yes!" they all replied at once.

 "You are so cold!" Rei crossed her arms and looked away, "Things come up, there isn't a thing I can do about it."

 "Oh please," Hotaru said, "You sun bathe on the roof as soon as you think no one is watching.  I've watched you."

 "What about you, Ms. go-karts when she's suppose to be doing other things?  You know, school is going to start up soon, and we have to enroll!"

 "School?" Serena gasped, "That's right, we'll all be fifteen."  She looked terrified out of her mind at the word "school."

 "Not me," Hotaru said smiling smugly at all of them, receiving some glares, "I'll only be fourteen.  I'm still on break."

 The Dania school system was a little strange.  A child was enrolled at five and went to school until they were twelve, then when they turned sixteen they enrolled back into a different school.

 "But Mina's sixteen," Serena pointed right at her, causing her face to turn red as everyone stared, "She didn't go."

 "I had better things to do," Mina said nervously.

 "So this is what the world's most powerful kids without parental guardians do?" Chiru asked, "Shun school?"
 "You've already finished huh?"

 "Just last year," Chiru nodded, "It's not bad, it's only two years and then no more school for the rest of your life.  Some people don't even go."

 "I hate school," Serena sobbed, "And I can't return to Scout School, you can only go for the first years or the second, never both."

 "So go to school with us French-fry," Rei said simply, "I'm a Princess and I still have to go to school.  Well no one has to but it's a good idea.  Charlie didn't, but then again he's a genius without it."

 "What about you Rais?" Lita asked, "Did you go to school?"

 "Yeah, I did," Rais nodded, "The same one as Valerie actually.  But maybe the school here will be different."
 "One of the best," Rei grinned.

 "Tell me how it was," Hotaru grinned.

 "Brat!  I'm going to laugh on your last year when no one is there with you!" Rei growled, "And you'll graduate all alone."

 "What?" Hotaru said, "that's right, you guys won't be there my last year…"

 "And Mina's late," Lita tsked, "Oh well, to be honest without my mom around I forgot all about school.  No one to remind me, I guess."

 "You live in an Amazon village," Mina said, wondering in her direction, "What kind of school did you go to?"

 "Amazon School!" she grinned, thrusting a finger into the air proudly, and everyone else groaned.  "Whaaat?"

 "You know," Amy said at the doorway.  She had been listening, "Without our parents here it's hard to remember all these things."

 "When did you get here?" Hotaru asked, "And you're right, without my mom reminding me, I can't remember to do all sorts of things."  Everyone sighed.

 "Well, you know," Rei said, "We are past the age to leave home.  Well except Hotaru and she will soon.  We should be able to handle ourselves."

 "Come on," Hotaru grinned and slapped Mina on the shoulder, "You're it!"  She ran out the door followed by Lita and Amy who decided to join the game.

 "Math, science and English!" Serena pouted, "How will I survive?"

 "Um, Serena?  The second years are where you learn magic and fighting skills," Mina reminded her, "Some schools teach it in the first years but not mine.  I can't wait.  By the way."  She tapped Serena on the shoulder, "You're it!'  She ran out.

"No fair!" Serena shouted and ran after her.

 Cron looked out over Lizerton with a frown.  "We will catch that Vampire!" he growled, making a determined fist.

 "That stupid kid," Squirrel nodded, "No one talks to my boss that way!"  They were in the bushes watching.

 "He said he was a good friend of the Princess who lives here," Cron growled, "The Princess Rei.  She's suppose to be strong, but she's no match for Cron!"  He smiled.

 "No match!" Squirrel nodded.

 "Now all we have to do is lure the Vampire out," Cron told him, "And take her behind the Princess's back."

 "But I thought Rei was no match," Squirrel asked him.

 "Silence!" Cron held up his hand in a manner of importance, "And we should probably look for that Felinus Sapien."

 "Me?" they heard and looked up.  Ran was sitting in a tree and waved at them.  Cron stood up and glared.  Ran snickered.

 "Beast!  You shall no longer terrorize the poor victims of this brainwashed city!" he cried and Ran stared at him.

 "Are you all finished?" Ran asked.

 "Not remotely!  Hmm, think you're so smart, you violent and cruel beast," Cron shook his head, "I'll show you!"  He jumped towards him and Ran watched with some interest.  Cron couldn't reach the branch that Ran was sitting on.  Cron tried again but couldn't even touch the foot that Ran had left dangling over the edge.

 "He'll show you later," Squirrel said when it was evident that Cron's jumping up and down didn't help him get anywhere closer to catching Ran.

 "Sure he will," Ran smirked, "Just a warning, I would mess with that Princess if I was you.  She's one tough Gov'ness."

 "What would you know?" Cron sniffed and got back down in the bushes.

 "A lot," Ran said, and leaned forward.  Looked like he'd have to attempt to scare these guys away. "Have you ever heard of Creton of Darkness?"

 "Yes," Cron said slowly, "And what would you know of it?"

 "She's beaten him before," Ran said smugly, jumping from his place in the tree, "Kicked his rear end if you catch my meaning. I'd find another victim to harass if I were you."

 "Okay," Cron said and suddenly fired a net at Ran.

Ran stepped aside uncaught shaking his head at them.  He looked up with a glare on is face.  "Hey, what did I ever do to you?" Ran asked angrily, "I was just warning you!"  He scowled at them.

 "You were born, primitive scum!" Cron cried and then Squirrel rose again and fired an even bigger net at Ran.  It fell over Ran and he tripped.

 "Ha!  Thought I would give up so easily?" Cron asked, "Yes, you will make excellent bait.  Since you are such a good friend of Rei's."

 "Hey, you can't do this!" Ran yelled.

 "I can to," Cron said, "For I am Cron, Hunter of the Dark Forces and Evil.  I seek Justice where it isn't found, I give wealth to those who have none, I…"

 "If you're all finished," he heard and there was a click of a gun.  He turned to see a man taller than he was.  It was Donavan.  "Release my buddy or I'll do it myself."

 "Squirrel," Cron said and Squirrel cut the net.

 Ran hissed at Squirrel and stood next to Donavan.  "Thanks," he muttered, quite embarrassed at almost getting caught.

 "Don't mention it," Donavan said and frowned down at Cron, "What's you're business here, pops?"  Cron said nothing.  "You'll wanna answer, old man, before my trigger finger starts itching."

 "How disrespectful," he muttered, trying to cover his fear, "I am Cron, defender of the weak, lover of justice, giver of freedom…"

 "Enough!" Donavan shouted, "Leave already and don't come back, lest a tiny hole magically appear in your forehead."

 "I see," Cron said slowly, "But…"

 "No buts, no one messes with my buddies," Donavan replied, still holding the gun to Cron's head.  Cron took a step back.

 "I'm touched," Ran smirked.

 "I just saved you!" Donavan growled.

 "I could have gotten out by myself," Ran murmured.

 "Sure you could have," Donavan rolled his eyes, "Are we all finished here?"  He was watching the two of them warily.

 "I believe so," Ran said and Donavan put the gun down.  They walked away together and Cron gathered up their things.

 "Come Squirrel, we must devise elsewhere," Cron said.

 "But whats about the Vampire?" Squirrel asked.

 "We have bigger fish to fry," Cron smiled, "That thing said that it had seen Rei defeat Creton of Darkness.  We are more than likely more powerful than Rei; we must go after Creton ourselves.  We'll be heroes."

 "I dunno, Boss," Squirrel said, "What if she is more powerful than us?  Besides, isn't the King of Darkness suppose to be a real baddie?"

 "I doubt it, she's a child, and I am the most powerful being this world has ever seen.  Come, we will devise a way to destroy Creton."

 "This will be your room," Rais smiled, "Rei said to give it to you.  I think it used to be Twiggy's room.  It's dark enough."

 "I see," Chiru said, looking around, "I will not stay, but it will sustain me until then."  She sat down on the bed and looked around.

 Rais nodded, "If you're sure.  So how did you end up here?"

 "Luck," Chiru replied.

 "So you won’t tell me?" Rais smirked, "I see."

 "It's not that I won't, it's that I’d rather not," Chiru said, a little irritated, "I don't see how it's your business anyway."

 "You're right, just curious," Rais sat down next to her, "I mean, it's not everyday someone just comes running in chased by the most famous, or should I say infamous, hunter of all time."

 "Want to know?" she snapped, "Fine!  I was dating a Vampire." She sighed and looked off into the distance. "He was nice enough.  We used to have a lot of fun and they say when you found your true love a Vampire could become human again.  I was hoping that if we were married than he would become human, but he had an old girlfriend, one who wanted him to herself.  She interfered with our relationship, trying to tear us apart.  It wouldn't work; no rumor we heard could separate us.  I truly believe we were in love.  She then decided that if she could ruin my appearance than he would love me less, so she would fight me, try to hurt me.  Then she did the one thing I never saw coming.  She bit me."

 "You mean…?"

 "No I wasn't always a Vampire," she said bitterly, "Not until I felt her teeth on my hand."  She held up a hand and revealed two round scars there.  "She bit me and I was eventually doomed to live the rest of my life as a Vampire also, but I didn't care because my love was still my love.  He didn't care.  So in desperation, she…"  Chiru trailed off.

 "Go on," Rais said softly.

 "This is hard to remember," Chiru said, "But if you must know, in a last attempt to separate us she tried to kill me.  Instead, my love jumped in front of me in the blow that would have killed me.  She stabbed him instead.  He died that very day."

 "I'm sorry," Rais whispered.

 "How would you know?" she spat.

 "My parents, I lost them when I was little," he looked at his hands, "I tried to have them saved but all I won for myself was a lifetime of slavery.  They died anyway but I was too young to know that I could have backed out of my agreement to…"  He drifted off.  "But Rei, she saved me.  She opened my eyes," he laughed, "Even if she had to throw me in the dungeon to prove it."

 She stared.  "You love her don't you?" she asked Rais.

 "What?  No!  No, I mean, she's my friend and everything but we aren't… I mean I'm not… She doesn't…"  Rais's face had broken its record for the reddest it could be.

 "If you say so," Chiru replied and stretched out onto the bed.  Rais stared at the floor, unable to make himself stop blushing.

 "I um, have to go," he said, "I'll see you after awhile, okay?"

 She nodded and he left.

 "Rais!" he heard as soon as he was in the hall.  Lita ran up to him, "Ran and Donavan paid us a visit, they saw that Cron fellow outside of Lizerton.  He was apparently very rude to poor Ran."

 "That jerk!" Rais growled, "I told him not to come back but he didn't listen.  Do we know where they are?"

 "Yes, Rei says to get everyone together so we can find him and force him to leave," Lita sighed, "Are you coming?"

 "Yes," Rais nodded, "I am.  Come on."  They both went downstairs where everyone else was waiting.

 "Okay, come on," Rei said as soon as everyone was there, "I'll show him not to mess with Princess Rei."  She looked very annoyed.

 They all looked at each other.  "This should be good," Hotaru winked at Serena who nodded, smiling.  Rei was fun when she was angry.

 They made their way to where Donavan and Ran said they were.  The men weren't there any longer.  Rei became a little irritated and scratched her head with the same irritation.

 "Come on, I sense they went this way," Rei said.  They walked down the forest for a little while but couldn't find Cron or his assistant.  Rei frowned and was just about to call off the search when she heard talking in front of them.  Rei smiled and peaked over the next hill.  Cron and Squirrel were sitting at the bottom working out a plan to destroy someone, Rei gathered as she listened.

 "With these plans," they all heard, "We can destroy Creton."

 They cast each other glances and Rei stood at the top of the hill.  "Destroy Creton?" she asked and laughed, "You are fools."

 "Who are you?" Cron growled.

 "Get to know the owner of the land before you trespass on it," Rei frowned, "I am Princess Rei and this is my part of the forest."

 "So it is," Cron nodded, then waved her away, "If you'll excuse us, we were carrying on a conversation."  Rei's face went to stunned then to angry.

 "I will not excuse you!" Rei yelled, "I want you out of here and if you don't leave I'll make you leave.  You can't keep terrorizing my subjects this way!"

 "Your subject are terrors themselves," Cron said, "now if you'll excuse me…"

 "That's it!" Rei started towards them, rolling her sleeves up, "I want you out of here right this second!"

 "And if I won't?" Cron asked.

 "Come on, guys, let's show them what happens if they don't," Rei said and Cron saw the rest of the SOL come over the hill.  He laid his eyes on Rais who gave a smile and a wink.

 "So you must be the Society that protects Lizerton," Cron stood up, "But if you are truly the Princess here, I request a battle with you alone."

 "Well, I rise to your challenge," Rei grinned and raised a finger.  "I got this one guys."  She fired a small blue ball of light that Cron barely avoided.

 "Hey!" Cron cried, "That's it!"  He attacked back and Rei watched as it soared right over her head.  She raised her eyebrow at the weak and unaimed attack.

 "Ha!  I was just warming up!" Cron cried, "get ready for a real attack."

"I don't have time for this," Rei sighed and walked forward.

 "I… Hey wait what are you doing?" he asked as Rei came and stood right in front of him.  She raised a fist and knocked him across his head.  "GET OUT ALREADY!"  He fell to the ground, stared up at her and nodded silently.  Suddenly they heard a laughing from the trees and Rei looked up.  A man dropped down and laughed again.

 "Another one of Creton's demons," Serena asked, "Not now!"

 "Indeed," the man said, "I am one of Creton's demons and I am here to dispose of you."

 "Stand in line!" Hotaru called.

 "A demon!" Cron called happily, "Stand down fool, or I will kill you, for I am Cron, Distributor of all that if Right!"

 "Shut up, you!" Rei called, jerking a finger into his face, "Well, can we get this over with, as if this day isn’t already stressful..."

 Before the demon could answer Cron jumped at him.

 "No, you idiot!" Rei called and jumped to stop Cron from attacking the demon.  The demon smiled as he put a hand out and knocked Cron back and grabbed Rei by the shirt.

 "I have you now Princess," he said.

 "Do you now?" Rei asked and spit into his eyes.  In surprised he let go of her and she stepped back.  Everyone else ran up to her and stood by her side.  She smiled at each of them and nodded at the demon.  Lita ran forward using her excellent physical skill and kicking him in the jaw.  The demon was surprised again and fell back.  Charlie fired a blast at him and he flipped backwards.

 "Give up?" Rei asked.

 "So the SOL can work as a team these days, I see," the demon smiled and wiped his lower lip with his sleeve.

 "You bet," Hotaru said and transformed into a tiger.  She bounded forward, but like a matador against a bull, the demon sidestepped and kicked Hotaru in her stomach as she flew by, sending her into the air.  Amy called Sady forward, who fired a blast at him, but the demon jumped and the attack went under him.  Mina sent out TK who fired at the demon from his jewel but the demon dodged easily.

 He flew towards Rei who prepared but suddenly Rais was standing in front of her.  The demon tried to stop but instead impaled himself on the sword that Rais held in front of him.  His eyes widened and he fell as a pile of dust.

 "He wasn't so hard," Rais smiled.

 "Rais saves the day," Charlie winked, "Way to go."
 Rais scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.  "Aw, Charlie, you're making me blush."

 "Ha ha!" they heard and turned towards Cron, "Look Squirrel, I have single handedly defeated the demon!"  They all slowly turned to look at him.  He stood puffing his chest out.

 "All hail Cron!" Squirrel called.

 "What?" Rei growled suddenly she was trying to get at him.  Everyone reached forward and held her back, but she still struggled.  "I'll tear his head off!"

 "You did nothing," Lita yelled at Cron, angry too, "What do you mean single handedly?  Rais was the one who got him!"

 "If you had lifted a finger that might have been something but all you did was make a fool of yourself," Mina said and she held onto Rei's arm.

 "Let me at him!" Rei wriggled around still trying to attack the man.

 "Calm down Rei," Charlie scolded, "Let the fool have his illusion.  That's all he is, is a fool."  Charlie looked at her and she settled.

 "I want you out of here!" she yelled and fearing she would hurt him she marched back towards her own castle.

 "What a jerk," Hotaru said, "You'd think he was King."

 "He is King in his own imaginary world I suppose," Amy said, holding Sady in her arms.  Sady gave her reply also.

 "Yip yap yap yap!" she said.

 "I agree completely!" Mina nodded.

 They were coming back to the castle when Rei gasped and started to run.  "What's wrong?" they all asked but Rei didn’t answer so they followed.  When they reached the castle the sight that greeted them was an angry one.  There was another demon attacking the castle.  Chiru must have noticed and came out to defend it.  She was fighting against it as they spoke.  But even as they ran to help her she sent an attack straight through it and it crumpled to dust.

 "Whoa!" Rais said, skidding to a stop, "She is strong!"

 Rei blinked.  "I had no idea…  Hey Chiru!"  She continued to run down and Chiru turned to her.  "Are you okay?"

 "I think so," Chiru said, but she had an eye closed and had a hand cupped over an arm, "He got me pretty good but I managed off a lucky hit."

 "You aren’t bad," Rei smiled, "not bad at all.  Thanks a lot for defending the castle. If I had known..."

 "If we knew half the crap that was gonna happen there would be no room for regret," Chiru said, "And lord knows we have to have that regret."  She winked.  They led her inside and Charlie tended her wounds.

 "That was impressive," Charlie told her, "You'd make a really good addition to the SOL did you know that?"

 "Yeah, that's right.  Now we could definitely use someone like that on this team," Mina nodded, "If Rei gets any farther behind…"

 "Where'd you get that clipboard?" Chiru asked her suddenly, looking at the orange clipboard in Mina's lap.

 "I think what we want to know, is will you join us?" Rais asked and everyone nodded in agreement.

 "Um," she said, "Sure."

 "Wait a second!" Rei stood up, "As Princess I have final say as to who joins the SOL, especially since I created it."  She then smiled.  "Besides, I wanted to be the one who invited her."

 They laughed.  "Oh Rei," some of the girls said and Rei shrugged innocently.

 "I'm glad that I came here," Chiru said as Charlie finished bandaging her arm, "I sense something important will happen here."

 "Ask the prophets," Hotaru muttered.

 "Yes, we're involved in something large," Amy sighed, "But we aren't sure yet what it is.  Maybe we were a little selfish to ask your help."

 "No, I want to help," Chiru nodded.

 "Good, because we can use as much as we can get," Rei sighed, "But I can't help but think that something will happen soon."

 Lita put an arm around her.  "Don't worry about it Rei, whatever it is, we'll handle it together."

 "Yeah," Rei nodded, "Together."

 Rais watched as her eyes found him and he looked away with a blush.

Chapter 23