The Adventures of the SOL

 "Well she's breathing."

 "Where'd she come from?"

 "Couldn't say.  Strange things happen around here anyway.  We'll have to wait for her to wake up to ask her."

 "When will that be?"

 "Huh?" Lita Barrall blinked twice and looked around herself.

 "Right now!" said someone right above her pointing down at her with a wide grin.  Another person stared at her but didn't say anything.

 "Wh-Where am I?" she asked.

 "Um, Ret Forest," the first, a girl said.  Lita looked at her.  She had wavy black hair and sharp green eyes alight with magic.  She looked at the other, a boy, who had straight brown hair, hazel eyes and large glasses.

 "Wow, you're cute," Lita said then snapped her attention back to the girl, "Ret Forest, that's at the very southern tip of the continent!"

 "So it is," the girl smiled.  She obviously wasn't easily troubled.

 "So who are you guys?" Lita asked sitting up.

 "My name is Sarah Boosv," she smiled, "And that's my partner Robin.  You sort of just popped into existence while we were having a little talk next to the river."

 "I'm sorry," she said, "My name is Lita."

 "Nice to meet you Lita," Sarah said and offered a hand.  She helped Lita stand and stood up herself.  Lita offered her hand to Robin who took it shyly gave it a quick shake.  He smirked but didn't say anything.

 "That's Robin for you," Sarah shrugged, "Ready to talk when you're alone but won't say a word when someone else is nearby."

 "That's not true," Robin replied, "I just have nothing to say."

 "Yeah," Sarah nodded, grinning at him, "So what brings you this way, especially since you seem to be far from home?"

 "It's a long story," Lita said quickly.

 "Ah, come on," Sarah said and sat back down hard, "It's so boring around here, I just want something to happen."
 "Something did happen," Robin pointed out and received a glance from Sarah.

 "Yeah but now it's over and back to boredom for me," she sighed, "There isn't a thing to do in this forest or anywhere else for that matter."

 "Adventurers?" Lita asked.

 "Hardly," Robin replied shoving his glasses up his nose, "Maybe if Sarah wasn't scared of everything."

 "I'm not scared of everything!" Sarah protested, "Just heights, sharp objects, needles, wasps, any other hovering insect, scorpions..."

 "The list goes on," Robin smiled at Lita.

 "I like snakes!" Sarah pointed out.

 Lita laughed a little. "I, um, should be going, have long days ahead of me.  Got to uh, go where I'm needed."

 "Where's that?" Sarah asked.

 "Evilopolis," Lita replied.  Robin's eyes widened and he blinked twice and Sarah gave a great shudder.

"I may be scared of most things but at least I'm sane enough to be scared of Evilopolis," Sarah told Robin, then began to consider Lita.

 "I have to agree, who would willingly go to Evilopolis?" Robin nodded, "I hear the king down that way is a real bad guy."

 "Bad guy doesn't even begin to explain it," Lita sighed, "But I still have to go."

 "But you don't seem like a demon or minion of some kind," Sarah said, standing up and walking a circle around Lita, "In fact you're pretty nice, now why would anyone like you go to Evilopolis, unless… Are you trying to fight Creton…?"

 "Sort of," Lita scratched the back of her head.

 "I'm inclined to agree with Sarah," Robin frowned, "You are insane."

 "He has my friends okay!" Lita replied, a little indignant, "It's not like I can stay here."  She covered her mouth.  Now she was committed to telling them the story, not one she really wanted to relive.

 "Your friends?" Sarah softened, "Are you sure you can't tell us the story?"  Lita sighed and sat down.  She told them what had happened and they listened with no interruption.  When she had finished Sarah was sitting with her fists clenched against her knees.

 "How terrible," she said, a tight scowl on her face, "All the Princess ever did was be born.  I won't stand for this, we're going to…"

 "Don't say it Sarah," Robin interrupted, "There's no way we could ever take that on and you aren't even out of school yet, you don't have all the basics of magic down.  And I haven't been using a sword long enough to put a scratch on a tree."

 "That was a mouthful for you," Sarah said looking at him, "Either way, we have to help, I mean, it's my duty."
 "As a pacifist?" Robin asked dully.

 "You don't make a very good adventurist," Lita said, looking right at Sarah, "If you're scared of everything and you don't fight."

 "For your information I'm learning the art of healing, not dark magic, which is used for fighting," Sarah pointed to herself, "I could be of use to them.  As for you Robin…"

 "At least I'm slightly able to defend myself," he said adjusting his glasses again, "What are you gonna do if you get attacked?"

 "Robin's right," Lita looked back over at Sarah, giving her a small shrug, "You can't exactly heal them to death."

 "Or talk them to death," Robin said, "Though I wonder."  Sarah scowled at him but he kept a straight face.

 "Well, still," she said, "This is our planet too.  And this Queen apparently plans to take over, though why is still beyond me."

 "I didn't say I knew why she wanted to take over," Lita shrugged, "All I know is that she does.  Anyway if you plan to come you're welcome but I need to leave."

 "Oh, right," Sarah said, "Well I'm going, what about you Robin?"

 He sighed.  "Who else is going to keep you out of trouble?  I suppose I'll go but I want it known that we are making a mistake."

 "Yes, yes," Sarah nodded absently, "A mistake.  So what's your plan?  Are we going for a straight on attack just the three of us?"

 "If I could talk to the others I could tell you but…"

 "So what are we going to do?" Robin asked following them as they began to walk out of the forest.  Sarah looked at Lita for the answer.

 "I suppose we should find the rest of them," Lita shrugged, "But I have no idea where they are.  How are we suppose to get back together if we can't even communicate with each other?"

 "I hate to say this, but how do you know they're even alive?" Sarah asked gently, "And if they are, how do you know they'll go back?"

 "I know my friends," Lita smiled, "That's how.  We'll all get back together somehow and fight this.  We have to for Rei's sake."

 "What's she like?" Sarah asked, walking next to her, "Princess Rei?  I mean I hear all sorts of stories but those aren't ever true."

 "Brave, smart," Lita said, "A little sad, a little lonely I think.  She keeps to herself and boy does she have a temper, but…"

 Sarah smiled.  "You really are good friends aren't you?"

 "We all are even if we don't seem like it," Lita laughed a little, "I mean we argue all the time, and we've said things to each other that we didn't really mean, but that doesn't change the fact that we'll all be friends forever."

 "It's nice to hear about such wonderful relationships," Sarah smiled, "Well, if you seem to believe that they're okay then I will too.  I think I can trust your judgement."

 Lita nodded.  "I hope it won't come down to me fighting alone."

 "What's the big deal?" Sarah asked, "If you're one of the SOL then you'd have to be pretty strong."

 "Um, well, yes, physically I'm probably the best fighter out of everyone else in my group but…" she smiled, "I can't use half an ounce of magic.  I am an Amazon after all."

 "What?" Robin spoke up, "So we're heading towards Evilopolis, of all places, to fight Creton and some Queen, of all people, with a pacifist healer, a swordsman in training, and a non magical Amazon?"

 "Come on, Robin," Sarah coaxed, "Don't you want to save her friends?"

 "Yes, but there's no point in getting ourselves killed or in the least captured," Robin said, shoving his glasses up his nose, "Doesn't help us or them."

 "He's right," Lita paused, "There isn't any way that we could beat Creton with just the three of us.  I mean in the group I act more as a defense than an offense person."

 "So what are we going to do?" Sarah asked.

 "Find her friends who aren't captured and regroup," Robin said, "What else can we do?  I mean apparently all together you guys pack a heavy punch."

 "Quite right," Lita smiled, "And that wouldn't be a problem if I knew where to find them.  But where on Dania could we regroup without actually alerting them?"

 "Well," Robin pondered a moment, "If I've studied my maps right, we should go through a string of various towns where we'll hit a fork.  We can either go through Lizerton and Reptopia to get to Evilopolis or we can go a little longer and go to a small town called Wet.  It's probably the closest town to Evilopolis than any other civilization, but I'd bet your friends will be in either/or."

 Lita stared.  "That's very smart.  You know Robin you don't say much but you certainly do make it count when you do."

 "Thank you," he said, "So which is it, through Lizerton or to Wet?"

 Lita stopped to think.  "Well," she said full of uncertainty, "It makes more sense to go to Lizerton, after all that is where we live and probably where everyone else will go if they don't head to Evilopolis, but my heart is saying that we should go to Wet."

 "Your heart versus common sense," Sarah nodded, "A long waged battle in my experience but only one can be right."

 "What do you say?" Lita asked her.

 "Listen to your heart," Sarah shrugged, "It often has more convincing answers than your head, even if they don't always make sense."

"Okay, we're going to Wet," Lita smiled and nodded.

 "If you say so," was the last thing Robin said for a long time during the trip.

Charlie watched Rais from the opposite side of the dungeon cell.  Rais hadn't so much as moved from where he had last sat down in the cell.  He just stared, eyes glazed over, into nothingness.

 He heard the sound of her footsteps before he saw her, but he was aware of someone entering the dungeon.  He turned his head sharply that way.  He saw the hem of a silk black skirt and looked up into a face that he had seen hundreds of times before, but not quite the same.  He saw Rei's face looking down at him, unsmiling and skeptical of his presence.  She looked very different.  Her hair was twisted up and the dress she wore was not at all like something she would normally have worn.  And her eyes were a different color; instead of the gray they had once been they were a dull green.

 "Hmm," she said, "Reese, former heir to the great throne of Darkness.  What a great pleasure it is to finally meet you.  By yourself I mean."  He stared up at her, unsure what to say.  The voice wasn't Rei's either.  But all the same she still looked almost alike to Rei.

 He snapped out of his reverie.  "You must be the queen I've heard so much about," he said, "And I should tell you that you won't get away with what you have done to the Princess."

 "Will I not?" she smiled, "You either underestimate me or are too bold for your own good.  Either way, it makes no difference."  Her eyes flickered over to where Rais lay in his traumatized state in the corner.  Charlie saw that he had moved, closing his eyes tight so he would not have to look at the Queen.

 Charlie watched carefully as her eyes flickered from dull green to gray when she saw Rais, a brief expression of worry crossing over her face.

 "So Rei is still in there somewhere," he said.

 The Queen smiled at him, her eyes switching to green very quickly.  "You noticed," she nodded, "Smart boy, but you mistake that little falter in control as a sign of hope for you and your friends.  I have sure control for now and when I find my own body your Princess will be of no use to me."

 "What will you do?" Charlie asked her.

 "What can I do?" the Queen smiled, "She can oppose me.  She might be the only person on this pitiful planet capable of gathering enough of those to fight me and win.  Her will power strengthens her.  I will not lie; this girl could perhaps beat me.  I say perhaps because it's doubtful, but I am no fool, I will not chance it."

 "You can't do that!" they both heard and Rais was up and at the bars of the cell, "You can't do that to Rei!"

 She frowned down at Rais.  "How dare you tell me what it is that I can and cannot do," she replied, glaring at him contemptuously, "While you are behind those bars you have very little authority give orders."

 "But she… She never did anything to you," Rais said helplessly.

 The Queen reached through the bars and lifted Rais's chin up leaning in close.  "You are very cowardly and young," she said, "But I can see it in those eyes, you are Sarcuse.  No wonder you are in such agony at your situation."  She leaned in very close to his face smiling.  "I seem to remember Creton telling me of your debt to him.  No wonder your mind is so bewildered and lost.  It must be difficult to remember all those years with him."

 Charlie didn't like what he was seeing.  "Stop it!" he growled and she turned to him.  She removed her hand from under Rais's chin and his head immediately sank to his chest.

 "I, as well as your Rei, am surprised at your protectiveness of the boy," she said, "I can hear her thoughts and see her memories, I know all about you.  Tell me, does it bother you to see me increase such vulnerability in the boy?"

 "If you did not have the body of my little sister I would tear you apart or die trying," he growled back as a response.

 She stared for a moment and began to laugh.  "Your little sister?  Is that what you said?  I suppose that would describe your relationship with her, but it's rather strange that you would say it."

 "What is it you want, or did you come here to see if you could lower our egos and bruise our pride?" Charlie asked simply.

 "Alas, it's true, my intentions aren't exactly as I have played them out to be," she said, "So I will tell you why I have come here.  I suspect that one of you knows what I want to know."  Charlie was silent, hoping it demonstrated what his answer would be when she asked her question but she kept on anyway.  "Where would the others of your Society regroup if they were separated?" she asked and Charlie could see the hidden strain the question was giving her, "I have seen none of them in your Lizerton but I sense they are all alive."

 "How would I know?" Charlie asked.

 "You better hope you do," she smiled, "Because if you don't, I won't kill you, because Creton might need your body as I need Rei's, but you would not have time to say farewell to your friend here."

 Charlie glanced over at Rais.  "How dare you allow such obscene things go through Rei's mouth and mind," he said.

 "Answer, I already grow weary of your stalling," she said.

 "I do not know," Charlie answered correctly, "I would have made the same assumption as you, that they would have all headed for Lizerton, but if they aren't there then I haven't a clue."

 "That's too bad," the Queen said and aimed a hand at Rais.

"I'm telling you the truth!" Charlie cried.

 "And it was not the truth I wanted to hear," she said nonchalantly, "And I remember also saying that I wanted to hear a where, not an I don't know.  Got any other ideas?"  Charlie clenched his fists.  He could have lied but she would have wanted a why to go with his where and he could think of none.  To say an actual town would doom it's citizens' lives and as much as he resented it, if he told her more people would die than if he didn't.

 But Rais…

 "So be it," she said and an attack began to build in her hands.  Charlie was about to cry out when he saw her eyes change to gray again.  She let out a strangled cry and the blast went up into the ceiling, going straight through it.  Her eye color flickered madly.  Rei had seen enough and was fighting for control.  She stepped back into the wall.  Debris from the ceiling rained down on top of her, filling the room with dust.

 "He will die!" the queen's voice said still trying to attack Rais.

 "You can't!" Rei's voice then said, "I won't let you!"

 "Rei?" Charlie asked, "Rei, stay strong, we'll help you!  Rei!"  Her face rose up to him and Charlie saw her gray eyes staring back.  There was a faint and weak smile on her face.  Charlie closed his eyes feeling as though he couldn't look.

 Finally the Queen regained control and instead of attempting to destroy Rais again, she stalked out of the dungeon without another word.  Charlie breathed a sigh of relief and looked over at Rais.  His whole body was shaking and Charlie dared to move a little closer.

 "Rais?" he asked softly.

"I'll stop her," Rais said quietly.  His trembling was because he was frightened and angry all at the same time.  His hands were clenched into tight fists and sweat ran down his forehead.  Charlie suspected he was running a fever.

 "We both will," Charlie said.

"I think we're lost," Sarah said loudly and Robin grew irritated at the tone which she said it.  She was trying to annoy him.

 "I told you already we are not lost," he said, "You just don't know where we are exactly because you never studied the maps and things."

 "Those maps are wrong more often than their right," Lita pointed out, "They exclude several villages including mine and there are places that are blank where there should be mountains or deserts or lakes."

 "I take enjoyment in map studying," Robin said, "And I know exactly where we are going even if you aren't sure."

 "Where are we going?" Sarah asked.

 "Leron," Robin said, "It's a farming town.  If we're going to Wet we have to go through Leron, Carma, then Dinia.  It's a pretty long way."

 "Great, how long will it take?" Sarah asked.

 "Um, well, we left Ret about two hours ago, so… including today probably four maybe five days," Robin said.

 "That's a long time," Lita said.

 "Well, you said Wet," Robin reminded her, "Therefore that is where we are going.  If we went through Lizerton it would only take about three days."

 "I still say Wet," Lita said, "It just feels right."

 Robin didn't reply.  He had gone back into the silence Lita had found that he went into until directly asked a question.  He was a rather quiet fellow.  Sarah on the other hand didn't claim to be, nor was she very quiet at all.

"So when we find your friends, what are we going to do?" Sarah asked.

 "We'll have to talk to them and decide together," Lita said, "So it isn't really up to me."

 "Your friends, what are they like?" Sarah then asked.

 "Oh well, there's Mina, and she's kind of quiet, maybe a little bossy, but she's very responsible," Lita said, "Um, then Serena, she's all for  justice, but sometimes she's a little whiny.  She's really likeable and easy to talk to.  Then there's Amy, she's responsible but not in the same way Mina is, it's like she claims responsibility for all of us.  And she's protective.  Oh and Hotaru.  She's really nice until you get her angry.  She doesn’t always make the best decisions and she's an eavesdropper, but if you give her a chance she's really great.  Oh and Chiru.  We haven't known her that long but she's really cool and funny.  And she's really pretty.  Maybe a little too sarcastic though…"

 "Miss them?" Sarah asked.

 "Yeah," Lita sighed, "I hope their alright.  What about you do you have any friends like that?  Really good ones?"

 "No one besides Robin," Sarah smiled.

 "I'm touched," was all he said.

 "That's too bad," Lita smiled, "Well, I'm sure everyone will think you two are really great.  Hey I wonder if the others found anyone like you guys?"

 "It's doubtful that anyone would actually go willingly into a battle like this," Sarah said, "Well, besides us, but we don't count."

 Lita shrugged.  Suddenly Robin stopped and Sarah ran right in to him causing her to fall backwards.  "Hey, what's the big deal?"

 "Do you sense that?" Robin asked.

 They paused.  Lita blinked.  "Yeah I do," Sarah said, "There's someone else out here."

 "What are you talking about?" Lita asked, "I don't sense a thing.  And who's out there?  How do you know?"

 "Some forms of magic that you learn allows you to sense when another person is nearby," Robin explained, "I don't do it as well as Sarah… Well as well as Sarah when she's paying attention but I can every now and then."

 "Why are you so special?" Lita asked Sarah.

 "Because I'm a healer," Sarah smiled, "That's kind of the way it works.  Things like that just go better with certain kinds of magic."

 "Should we see who it is?" Robin asked.

 "Maybe so," Sarah said, "It couldn't hurt."

 "Which direction?" Lita asked, "Nothing out there is faster than I am, I could be in and out faster than you could say 'Amazon.'"

 "That way," Robin said, pointing to his left, "Are you sure you don't want us to come?"

 "I'll call you if I need help," Lita said.  She smiled and ran towards the direction Robin pointed.  Instead of running down the sloping ground in front of her she jumped over it.  She ran back up the other side.  For some reason the landscape had made a small hemisphere, almost like a large bowl, in the earth.  She climbed up to the edge and looked over.

 She saw a lake, which Robin had not mentioned it's presence, making her believe that it was unmapped.  She looked around for a moment, expecting to see some tall dark person standing at the water's edge.  She didn't see anyone standing at the edge.

 She frowned and crept a little bit closer.

 "Yah!" she heard and looked up just in time to see something come down and attack her.  They began to roll down the slope trading places as to who was on top and who was on bottom.  Finally they hit to bottom and Lita was left on top.  She was about to lay a hit on her attacker when she stopped.

 "Hotaru?"

 "Lita?"

 Lita looked at her fist and put it down quickly.  She backed off of Hotaru in great surprise.  "Is it really you?"

 "Well, yeah, who else would it be?" Hotaru asked rubbing the back of her head, "What are you doing here?"

 "I was on my way to Wet and these two people I met said there was someone down here so I cam to check and…" Lita's expression changed to a scowl, "Why did you attack me?"

 "Well, how was I suppose to know who you were?" Hotaru asked her, "I wasn't entirely sure where I was.  I just woke up a few hours ago and was going to leave when I saw someone standing at the edge.  I didn't know it was you."

 "So why tackle them?" Lita asked.

 "I don't know!" Hotaru cried, "Look let it go, can we just leave?"  Here she paused.  "Why are we going to Wet I thought we were going to Evilopolis?"

 "I have reason to believe that we can meet up with the others at Wet," Lita said, standing up and helping Hotaru up.

 "Yeah, and what's that reason?" Hotaru had to ask.

"I'll make up one later," Lita said, "Come on, come meet Sarah and Robin."

 "Sarah and Robin?" Hotaru asked as Lita took hold of her wrist and led her away from the lake, "Are they the ones you met on your way down here?"

 "Actually they found me unconscious in a forest, but yeah, they're the ones I met," Lita nodded, "Robin's gonna take us to Wet."  Hotaru allowed herself to be led to where Robin and Sarah were waiting for Lita's return.  She came over and smiled with a wave.

 "Um, who's this?" Sarah asked.

 "This is one of my friends Hotaru," Lita smiled, "She came here when we were transported.  Lucky you sensed something, huh Robin?"

 "A little too lucky," Robin muttered.

Sarah cast him a quick glance but didn't respond.  Instead she said, "A pleasure to meet you.  Lita can seem to talk of nothing else but you and the rest of her friends."

 "Really?" Hotaru asked and scratched the back of her head, "Um, so we're going to Wet?"

 "Yes," Sarah nodded, "It seems like the right thing to do and I must say that this mission seems to be guided by something more than intuition."

 "Huh?" Lita asked.

 "There are just too many coincidences," Robin translate for Sarah, "I wouldn't be surprised if when we reach Wet we find some more of your friends."

 "What do you think it is?" Hotaru asked.

 "Something greater is working here," Sarah smiled, "Something wants you to retaliate against this Queen."

 "And retaliate we will," Hotaru growled, making a fist, "No one does that to one of my friends and gets away with it!"

 "Calm down, 'Taru," Lita said, "So should we continue?"

 "We should," Robin said, "The sooner we arrive the better."

 "He always this serious?" Hotaru asked Sarah.

 "No," Sarah replied, "But when he's not he can be a very cynical person.  I find him funny but people who can't take a joke wouldn't."

 "Well, just as long as he isn't like this all the time," Hotaru said.  They continued to follow him without a word.  They walked several hours and Lita began to yawn.  She looked up at the sky and saw the sun was going to be setting soon but they walked well into the night.

 "Robin," Sarah spoke suddenly, "Maybe we should break for the night."

 "We should probably get the Leron first," Robin said, "Then the longest stretch between towns will be covered."  All three girls following Robin sighed and Robin shook his head.  They continued until Lita finally caught sight of light ahead.

 "What is that?" Lita asked of the light.

 "Looks like Leron to me," Robin said, "Yep, come on there's an inn there where I have some connections."

 "Oh no, not Uncle Bob," Sarah rolled her eyes and Robin offered no answer.  Lita and Hotaru looked at each other.

 "Who, may I ask, is Uncle Bob?" Hotaru asked.

 "His wacky uncle," Sarah said, "He's a man who appreciates the female race way too much, but Robin's probably right, he owns the inn there."  Lita glanced over at Robin and saw there was a small blush on his face.

"What would you mean by 'appreciates the female race?'" she asked.

 "You'll see," Sarah said.  They approached the town and it was dark but there were still a few late nighters wondering the town.

 "This way," Robin said leading them down a street that went to a humble looking inn.  He walked in the front door and approached the desk.  There was a chubby and balding man marking in his guest log.

 "Who is it?" they heard, "Oh, it's my favorite nephew, Robin!"  He grinned and waggled his eyebrows.  "And what have you with you today?"

 Robin sighed.  He was ashamed of his Uncle's behavior towards woman.  "You've met Sarah.  This is Lita and her friend Hotaru."

 "My pleasure," Uncle Bob said, kissing Lita's hand.  Then his eyes fell squarely on her chest.  Lita's eyes widened and she took her hand away.

 "Stop it!" Hotaru said, catching this action and taking the moment to whack the man over his head.

 "Oh, so you're a feisty one," Bob smiled, "Lovely." He smiled at Hotaru and she was staring unsure as to what she should do.

 "What have I told you about harassing women, Uncle?" Robin said, attempting to pull him away, "It's very rude."

 "Quite right," Bob said, "What can I do for you, Robin?"

 "I was wondering if we could please have a room?" Robin asked.

 "For these ladies and my favorite nephew?" Bob asked, smiling at Sarah, "Anything.  Have you been well Sarah?"

 Sarah turned the other way and gave him a cold shoulder.  He didn't seem surprised which led Hotaru and Lita to believe that she had come across him before.  With a big dumb grin Bob showed them a large room.  It had a couch and two beds.

 "It's the best I can do, seems like a lot of people from Carma have come here all of a sudden and it's all I have left," Bob said.

 "It's fine," Robin smiled, "See you in the morning Uncle."  Before Bob could reply Robin shut the door and sighed.

 "Nice uncle you have there!" Hotaru started in suddenly, "Just be glad he only looked and didn't touch or I might have had to tag him back the hard way."

 "I admit, my Uncle's behavior is very demeaning to you girls, but it's a free place to stay and we should make the most of it," Robin said.

 "If you say so," Lita said, "But if he looks at my chest again he's going to get drop kicked."  With that she surveyed the room.  "Um where's everyone going to sleep?"

 "I don't mind sharing a bed with Lita if she doesn't," Hotaru said and Lita nodded.

 "I'll sleep on the couch and Sarah can have the other bed then," Robin said, giving them a nod and walking over to the sofa.

 "Wow, what a gentleman," Lita told Hotaru.  Hotaru nodded and they smiled at each other.  Robin was rather cute.  Robin kicked off his shoes and took his place on the sofa, his glasses lying on the floor next to the couch.  As Lita and Hotaru readied for bed Hotaru smiled at Sarah.

 "He's uh, nice for a guy," Hotaru smiled, "Are you two, um… You know?"  She looked at Sarah expectantly but Sarah stared back with mock confusion.

 "I don't know, do I?" Sarah asked with a smile.  She was teasing Hotaru.

 "Are you two going out?" Lita asked.

 Sarah laughed at Lita's abruptness.  "No, but we get that a lot," she said, "Nope, he's up for grabs if that's what you mean."

 Lita and Hotaru looked at each other.  "He likes me better!" Hotaru said.

 "You have a boyfriend!" Lita answered.

 "Uh, well," Hotaru blushed, "So what, you can never have too many boyfriends."  Sarah smiled and went to sleep.

Amy woke up lying in the middle of a street in a town.  She blinked a few times and felt her neck.  It was incredibly sore.  She must have hit it on her descent from Evilopolis to wherever she was now.

 In fact she wasn't sure as to where she was just then.  She looked around but the town she was in had the look and feel of a ghost town.  She could see no sign of life in the place.  Her heart felt hallowed as she looked around herself, something nagging at her.  She walked over to a nearby store and saw a sign proclaiming the building to be the best pub in North Crete.

 She had seen North Crete on the map before.  It was to the far east of the continent but she could not remember what all stood in her path between there and Evilopolis.  She closed her eyes.

 "I'm telling, not asking.  If something happens to me, you will be leader, understand?"

 She heard Rei's voice echoing in her head.  "Oh Rei," she muttered to herself, "You knew didn't you?"  She sighed.  She could do nothing for Rei here in this town.  She would have to make her way back to Evilopolis if she were to have a chance of winning her back.  And what about Charlie and poor Rais?  What had become of them?

 Rais was almost certainly dead.  What reason did the heartless new Queen of Evilopolis have to spare his life?  For him to be dead by Rei's own unwilling hands, it was more than the girl could bear.

  She heaved another large sigh.  The only dragon that she currently had with wings that was large enough to carry a human passenger was Sady and to ensure her safety, Amy had left her at the castle.  So it looked like she would have to walk.

 Her bag was still with her, it had gone through the transportation with her apparently and Amy was thankful for it.  She gathered herself and used the sun to decipher which direction she needed to go in order to reach Evilopolis.  She would have to go Southwest in order to reach her destination.  She made her way through the town, which was still empty.  She wondered what she knew about North Crete and found that she had never even heard of it outside of a few maps.  So why was it completely empty?  There was nothing wrong with it.  The buildings were intact and there were no natural barriers that hurt it in anyway.  It was suspicious.

 She walked until she was out of the town and continued through the field of grass.  As she walked she began to notice that it became hotter and drier the farther she got.  Soon she was sweating and removed the over shirt of the outfit she was wearing and stuffed it into her bag.  She had a sleeveless white top underneath.  The grass became more and more yellow as she progressed and the sun rose higher into the sky.  Soon the grass only came in small patches among sand.  Amy realized that she had walked into a desert.

 With a sigh she reflected that she only had a bunch of empty dragon stones in which the Sand Dragons belonged.  None of the other dragons could survive in the heat.  She continued on, hot and thirsty, into the desert.

 She wandered, losing track of the time.  She only made sure she was wondering southwest and thought of nothing else until finally the heat got to her and she began to think deliriously.

 "Hey Amy, got any good dragons lately?"

 She heard the voice of a boy she used to know back before she had met Rei.  They were both Dragon Trainers and had met when they both just started.  His name was Von.

 "I can't believe you found a black dragon your first try," he once told her, "Well, I'll tell you what, I'm going to go out and find a Black Dragon Healer type.  I'll find two and give you one, okay?"

 Amy had laughed and he had gone in the mountains, the only place where you could find almost all the different types of dragons.  Unfortunately sand dragons could only be found in the Fish Desert on the very Northwest tip on the continent and Amy had never ventured there.

 Von had told her he was going to go find them but she never actually saw him again.  She had to leave the Dragon Village and she knew that it should have been okay because they had an agreement that they should never wait around for one another.  Amy reflected that it had been years since she had seen him and sometimes she wondered if he was lost in the mountains or if he had returned to Dragon Village to find her gone.

 But I bet he didn't find a Black Dragon Healer for the both of us, she thought as she walked through the desert.
 Thoughts of her parents went through her head.  Parents she hadn't known all that well.  Parents that had neglected their only child to be adventurers.  Amy was never sure what became of them either but she was unbothered, having met her parents a total of eight times, six when she was too young to really remember what had happened.

 She began to image when she had first gone into the mountains to find her first Dragon.  She hadn't seen so much as one dragon and she had sat down in a depressed heap at the foot of a tree.  All she had was a bag filled with empty stones.

 Then she heard a strange sound and realized it was a sneeze.  She turned to her right and saw a black dragon scratching at it nose.

 Amy was so surprised that she didn't react at first, then she cursed herself for not buying any black stones.  But how did she know she would find one of the rarest Dragons in the world?  She knew by its wings that it was a Black Dragon Fighter.  Not the rarest but the second rarest.

Even more to Amy's surprise when Sady saw her, instead of running like most Dragons would do she ran up to her and sniffed her.  Amy was very surprised.  Then it jumped up on her and licked her, starting a long lasting friendship.

 Amy realized that she missed Sady.  Sady could have flown her over this desert very quickly with no trouble at all.  Instead she was walking thinking about things she hadn't reflected on in months.  She walked until the sun began to set and found some relief but she was dehydrated and hungry.  She was tired but not sleepy.

 She walked into the night.

 She found the night was almost as bad as the day because after the sand had cooled off she was freezing.  She traveled all night, not able to think straight enough to stop.  Just as the morning dawned she saw some grass clumping as it had when she had first started.  She managed to go past it and wandered until she hit green grass.  She had cleared the desert.

 She went a little farther, and just before she would have left the desert behind her forever she collapsed.  She closed her eyes and slept.

When Amy woke up again she found she was in a bed.  She sat up suddenly in shock.  Hadn't she been outside the desert?  Where was she?

 "I have to admit, you must be tough if you crossed that desert," she heard, "But it wasn't the most intelligent thing you could have done."  Amy sat up but she felt hands reach forward and gently push her back down again.  "Hey, don't get up just yet, save your strength," the voice said, "Here, drink.  I tried to give you water but it's hard to do when you're unconscious."

 Amy felt the cup in her hands and sat up just enough to drink.  When the cup was empty it was taken from her then whoever had given it to her walked around a corner before she could get a good look.  The voice sounded male.

 "Who are you?' she asked.

 "My name is Ace," came the answer, "I live nearby the Cristo Desert.  You should be more careful.  I saved your life you know."

 "Are you bragging?" she had to ask.

 "No, I'm telling you that you almost died," he said, "That wasn't smart.  Crossing the desert wasn't worth it; you should have gone around.  It only took a day longer anyway."

 "I don't need the lecture," she muttered.  He walked over to her she saw his face.  His hair was dark green and tossed to one side.  He was frowning down at her.

 "Do you feel better?" he asked.

 "Yes, how long was I out?" she asked.

 "When I found you I wasn't sure how long you'd been there but you've been at my house for about three days now," he said.

 "That long?" she asked, then shook her head, "Some leader I turned out to be, I bet the girls are wondering where I am."

 "Excuse me?" he asked, handing her another glass of water.

 "Nothing," she said, taking a drink, "Thank you for your hospitality."

 "No problem," he smiled, "I was beginning to wonder if you had any manners at all."  She took a drink and looked at him.  She sat up again and he made no attempt to prevent her from it this time.  The house they were in was small and humble.  Amy inhaled and smelled the smell of food.  She noticed that Ace was cooking something.

 "So what is it, I wonder," he asked leaving and coming back with a plate full, "That would make you cross a desert like that in the first place?  Got someplace you need to be?"

 "Yes, but I'm not sure I should tell you," she retorted.

 "That was cold," he smiled as he put the plate in her lap.  She didn't answer, only ate.  The food was gone in a matter of minutes and Ace stood by, watching with an impressed expression.

 "If you must know," she said at last, "I have some friends who are in trouble.  I have to go help them."

 "Very skimpy about the details aren't you," he said taking her now empty plate and walking out of the room, "Oh well, it's your business."

 "Um, yeah," she said, then suddenly realized she didn't have her bag.  She looked around. "Where is the bag that I had, the white one?"

 "This," he asked, returning and lifting up the bag, "Yeah I noticed it, but I resisted temptation and didn't go through it."

 "May I see it?" she asked and he shrugged, handing it to her.  She dug through it making sure none of the stones were damaged or missing.  When she had finished she shouldered it.  "I should be going now, thank you for your hospitality."  She gave a bow and walked towards the door.

 "Alright then," he said, "Feel free to come back anytime."  She walked out and he smiled over his shoulder at the door.

"That's Wet?" Hotaru asked Robin, "Doesn't look very big does it?  Are you sure that's where everyone else is, it doesn't even look like there's anyone there."

 "Of course I'm not sure," Lita said, "It was a hunch."

 "Well, we should check," Sarah said, "Just in case."  They began to make their way towards the town.  They paused and looked at it, just outside of it.

 "Hey who's that?" Robin said suddenly and they all looked in the same direction he was turned in.  There was a lone figure walking towards them.  The sun was just setting and all they could see was a silhouette in the distance.

 "Is that…?" Lita squinted into the distance, "I think its Amy!"

 "Amy?" Hotaru asked, "Are you sure?"  The figure began to wave.

 "It is Amy!" Lita said.  They ran that direction.  Amy met up with them halfway.  Her cheeks were flushed from a long walk but she was smiling.

 "Where have you been," Lita asked, hugging her.

 "I ended up in some place name North Crete," she explained, "What are you doing, I was on my way to Evilopolis."

 "We were going to go to Wet," Hotaru told her, "Lita seems to think that everyone else might be there."

 "Why do you think that?" Amy asked.

 "I just do," Lita sighed, tired of everyone asking that, "By the way, this is Sarah and this is Robin, they've come to help us.  You guys, this is Amy."

 Robin gave a nod and Sarah said, "Hi."

 "Well, come on," Hotaru said impatiently, "Let's go see if everyone else is down there or not."  They nodded and walked to the small town.  It appeared to be empty and Lita heaved a great sigh as they walked through the town.

 "I guess I was wrong," Lita said.

 "Stop right there!" they heard and everyone jumped.  They turned and saw a tall red headed girl dressed all witches clothes.

 "Jade?" Amy asked and Jade blinked.

 "Oh it's you guys!" she said, "Hey, all three of you!  That means that everyone's here."  She jumped up.  "Yes!"

 "What?" Hotaru asked, "Everyone?"

 "Yep," Jade nodded, "Come on."  She led them to the cellar where they had been staying.  They walked down the stairs, looking around.

 "Amy, Lita, and Hotaru are here!" Jade called.

 "Yip yip?" came the reply and Amy laughed as she saw Sady before anyone else come bounding towards her, her tongue lolling out of her mouth.  She jumped on Amy licking her face all over.

 "Sady!" Amy said happily.

 "Really?" came another answer and when they came into the cellar they all saw several faces both familiar and not.
 "Wow, it looks like you were right," Sarah said to Lita.  They all said their hellos, Serena hugging all of them.  But of course they were curious to know who everyone else was.

 "This is Ellen," Mina explained, "This Garnet and Coral, maybe you remember Rei's brother Luke, and these are her sisters, Lynda and Lacey.  Oh yes and that's Joe." Lita looked at all of them in order of introduction.  Her gaze fell on Joe and she stared.

 "Um, Lita?" Mina asked.  Lita was staring right at Joe.  He smiled.

 "Who are these people?" Ran asked of the two with them.

 Lita didn't answer even though Ran had directed the question at her.  Hotaru stared and sighed.  "Sarah and Robin, meet everyone else."

 "A pleasure," Sarah bowed.  Robin once again only nodded but didn't say anything.

 "What about Koty?" Amy asked suddenly, "Isn't he with you?"

 "Yes but he's asleep," Omi said, putting a finger to his lips.

 "Oh, good," Amy smiled, "It looks like we're all here.  So now what do we do?  Anyone have a clue?"

 "Not a very good one," Donavan retorted, "We haven't been able to do much research."

 "But that's okay," Jade said, "Because everyone here is determined to save Rei, right guys?"  She turned and everyone nodded.

 "Welcome guys," Chiru nodded, "It looks like we have everyone we need."

 "I still wonder," Ellen said, "If it will be enough.  I mean, you'd think so between all of us, but… Can we beat both Creton and this Queen?"

 "We'll have to try," Luke said, "For Rei."

 "Actually for all of Dania," Garnet said, "Because this Queen means business.  Of course we don't mind, we get to be in a cellar with a lot of cute girls before we die."

 "Yes, and look we have four more," Coral smiled at Amy, Lita, Hotaru, and Sarah who all gave a little blush.

 "Yeah, well don't forget the men," Joe said, casting strange glances at Lita then puffing out his chest, "Better keep your distance."

 "Men, what men?" Garnet asked.

 "Yes, I believe we're mice," Coral said.

 "Look, either way we're going to try," Lacey nodded.

 "For Dania and for Rei," Jade smiled and Cloud nodded behind her.

 "Wow, so it looks like maybe we can pull this off," Hotaru said, "With all of us together I'll bet Creton doesn't stand a chance."

Chapter 28