For The Soul of The Stars: Second Steps Into Trouble

Written By: Lynderia

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Outlaw Star Characters. However, I do own all new characters introduced to produce For The Soul of The Stars.

Gene couldn’t believe what Proteus had told him. Proteus was a bio android who would one day became human if he wished. Suzuka had said it was true because he was made out of Dragon Metallic-a metal which was magically based. The part he couldn’t believe was that Kat had made his body; she built a bio android. She had surprised him again.

Gene watched Melfina and Proteus in the kitchen. She seemed extremely happy to be around Proteus. ‘It must be because she doesn’t feel alone anymore, and maybe, through Proteus she could find out more about herself.’ Gene smiled. Proteus was really a nice person. “Hey, you two! Is lunch almost done? I’m starving.”

“Almost Gene.” Melfina smiled. She felt at ease. Proteus made her feel wanted, not that the others hadn’t, but it was a different type of wanted. She couldn’t quite explain it.

“I’m going to wake Kat up, so please excuse me.” Proteus said walking out the kitchen. He didn’t know how Kat would react seeing his friends in their home. He thought he had figured her out; Kat was still a mystery to him.

Proteus grabbed a bucket of cold water and headed up the stairs.

“Kat, it’s time to wake up.” He began to shake her.

“No, stop.” Kat grabbed the sheets tighter.

Was she in pain? “Kat, come on now. Stop acting like a big baby!! Get up, it’s lunch time!!” Proteus shouted pulling on the sheets.

“No…”

Proteus emptied the bucket of cold water on her then smiled.

“Proteus, what’s wrong with you?!” Kat said landing on the floor.

Proteus started to laugh. “It’s time you got up. And by the way, we have guests.”

Kat groaned. Her destiny lead to her fate, and it seems that her fate was to meet them. And now she couldn’t get rid of them.

They sat around the table in total silence.

Proteus began to speak, “Kat, are you sure you don’t want any? It’s really good.”

“You said you didn’t cook it yourself, right? Well, I’m not eating anything Nature’s Freak prepared.”

“Oh? Then you don’t want your favorite. It’s chocolate cake.” Proteus teased.

“Don’t you mean shit cake? I think Captain Shit-Face would like it more than I. Then again, Mutant Feline would eat just about anything.” What torture? Kat couldn’t believe Proteus was making her sit here. He had chained her to a metal chair. Kat cursed herself for being so sleepy.

“Kat, since you’re here,” Gene smiled, “we need your help.” She would be a great help in protecting Jim.

“Sorry, but I don’t deal with broke asses. “ Kat said staring at the window.

“You little bitch! Do you know how much pride we had to swallow just to think about asking you for your help?” Aisha screamed.

“Whose fault is that? Not mine. You people don’t have a single wong to your name. You wanna hire me you must make a down payment. Proteus should have told you that before chaining me to this metal chair.” Kat said still looking at the window.

Proteus blushed in embarrassment. “Kat, couldn’t you make an exception, just this once.” He wanted to be there for Melfina. She looked really worried, and sad.

Kat knew his intentions were good. He wanted to help Melfina and her friends. Kat knew this but she couldn’t stay around them too long. They were now the enemies of The Dark Stars. One slip up and that was it. Her life was gone-forever this time. “We’re leaving soon anyway. I’m working with a paying customer. I don’t have time for Uglies.” It had taken her a while but she was free. The chains fell, and Kat walked to the window and opened it. A blue bird flew to her hand.

“Is money the only issue here, or is there something else?” Suzuka asked. “When dressing your wounds I noticed something. Your birth mark, I believe. On your back, behind your heart, there is a baby dragon surrounding a star. Doesn’t it mean something?” Suzuka believed she recognized that mark. It was something important.

Kat turned around smiling at the blue bird feeding it. “It’s a tattoo. Did you like my body that much to study it? Did you, Ogre Lady?” That mark was none of their business.

Suzuka frowned in frustration. Kat insulted her again. “One day you will bite your tongue, little girl.”

“You should get out of here before Ogre Lady eats you to get revenge on me.” Kat spoke to the blue bird. The bird seemed to understand. Chirping happily, like it was laughing at a joke, the blue bird flew out the window. Kat sighed as she watched the bird fly away.

Gene had been watching her. He now knew they had met before. Yes, they had met a long time ago. Gene didn’t quite remember, but he knew he had met her, and her parents. “It’s fate that we meet. Our destines are intertwined. You can’t get rid of us.”

The statement was some how true. Why did Gene have to say that? Did he know something she didn’t? Kat didn’t want to think right now. She just wanted them to be quiet. They made things more complicated every time they opened their mouths.

“Kat, please. Why don’t you just stay with us for a little while? Stay with me.” Jim said. He didn’t want her to go away again. There was something inside of him that scared him, but it also wanted her to stay with it too.

“Jim. My life doesn’t revolve around you, and if you want someone to protect you that someone shouldn’t be me.”

“This is your fault. You said I was Uriel!! Then protect me!!” Jim shouted.

Everyone who sat around the table was shocked at Jim’s outburst, and the look in his eyes was hard to describe. Kat shook her head as she continued to stare out the window. True she had told his friends he could be Uriel, but they now believed that he was. It was the only explanation they had for Jaguar and the MacDougall Brothers coming after him. But in her mind there were still questions. ‘”Listen, I can’t protect you. Rock told Gene that he was the one to protect Uriel. Gene has the blood of the Guardian of Uriel on his hands, so he is the most qualified.” Kat tried to explain.

“Stupid girl. Rock couldn’t protect the so called Uriel and neither can the new guardian.” a voice laughed. It was dark and mocking, and it was coming from Jim. “The boy and I want you near us and so you shall be.” Jim laughed.

Kat quickly turned around and stared at Jim-his eyes. Again, whatever it was, was quickly going back to where it came from. “Who are you?”

“I’m your Uriel.” it whispered, not showing itself.

Kat stared at Jim. Jim seemed to wake up from a dream. “What? Why is everyone looking at me like that? All I asked is for Kat to protect me.” Jim was confused. Why was everyone looking at him? Especially Kat, she was staring straight at him.

“You better leave. Jaguar knows where you are now.” Kat suggested walking away. She didn’t know what she felt, but she didn’t like it. If she felt it, she knew Jaguar felt it too, and she didn’t need to get anymore involved.

Proteus frowned. What customer?! Kat had lied. She even lied about her birth mark, saying it was a tattoo. She had told him she was born with that mark. Kat was always hiding something, but he didn’t want to push her to tell him anything she didn’t want to. “Sorry, we can’t be of service to you, but I will help in anyway that I can.”

“Thanks for giving us a ride.” Melfina said. She was thankful to get out. Proteus had driven them around all day. The weather was nice and they seen around the city. She noticed fireworks, “Is today a holiday?”

“Yeah, today is Dragon’s Blue Moon Day; one of the reasons Kat came here. She said this is the only planet that seems to celebrate this day.” Proteus could never understand why Kat seem to always come to celebrate this holiday. If he asked, she would always shrug watching fireworks. Since the incident with Rock, she seemed to be…He didn’t know exactly what was happening to her, but she kept more to herself and would constantly zone out. Something was bothering her, haunting her thoughts and he couldn’t help. Proteus did know it had to do something with this whole Uriel thing. This situation always seemed to come back.

His Kitty was in town, how special was that? However, she wasn’t with his prey at the moment. Jaguar frowned, he had asked his superiors about the event with Rongo, but they said nothing. They told him get the boy; the boy was the key they had said. And here he was with the MacDougall Brothers. Even though, he had to admit they were good at tracking down Starwind. Jaguar laughed, Starwind was now weakened, physically and mentally. “We’re going to have red meat tonight boys!”

Aisha was watching the bright colors in the sky. Fireworks were always special; she could never get tried of them. Something looked wrong. A ball of orange was heading down toward them. “Everyone move out of the way!!!”

“Did you like my entrance?” a voice laughed.

“Jaguar.” Gene said in disgust pulling out his caster.

“You’re getting better, and by the way, you should try using your special caster shells. They might actually do you a bit of good.” Jaguar smiled. The Kei pirates were weak magic users. Calling themselves masters of Tao Magic. What a laugh! A disgraced at that; being beaten by Starwind. Jaguar began to laugh aloud.

“Have you found something that amuses you?” Suzuka said tightening her grip on her Bokuto. He seemed to always be one step ahead of them. They never got a chance to rest.

“Well, yes I have. Hand over the boy, or do you wish for him to be taken by force?” Jaguar said watching them. The negative emotion he was getting from them was making him want to laugh even more. They hated him that much? “Too slow.” Energy balls flew toward them from no where as Jaguar began to yawn with boredom.

They dodged the attack as best they could; it was no easy feat. The crew of the Outlaw Star was exhausted from the constant fighting with Jaguar and the MacDougall Brothers. They were worn out.

“I’m rather bored. Lets see who’s gonna die from this attack.” A fireball five feet in diameter had grown above Jaguar’s head as he sat on the rail. The crew of the Outlaw Star and Proteus seemed to be caught in their tracks, only being able to watch as the form of death headed towards them; Gene in front.

He heard them shouting his name; for him to move out of the way, but he was too tired to run, and he didn’t want to admit this, but he was scared; terrified. Gene watched as the fireball moved closer to him. It was getting hot and he could see the yellows and oranges of the attack. The fireball was so close, that if he pushed his head a little bit forward his nose would be the first to get burned. Soon there was nothing. No heat, no flame, nothing.

Jaguar smiled. How interesting.

Gene looked forward and saw Jaguar still sitting upon the rail with a smile plastered on his face. He then looked to the right and left sides his friends looking in shock. He smelled something, it was the scent of vanilla. Gene looked down to face black and gold. Kat?

What was she doing? Why was she here? Yes, she knew, she was here to save Proteus. Was that the only reason she was here? Kat stepped forward and stared at Jaguar.

Jaguar jumped off the rail, and walked towards Kat. He stopped a yard in front of her. “How I’ve missed you, my Kitty.” He missed her lovely face and those beautiful eyes. She was very intriguing, and she had a power like no other; none he had every seen before; one he couldn’t sense. “Give me Jim, my Kitty.” he ordered.

She didn’t belong here. This wasn’t her fight. Why the hell was she here? Proteus was her main concern. Gene was to protect Uriel; protect Jim. Yes, that was right she didn’t belong here. Kat turned away from Jaguar. “Proteus, lets go. We don’t belong here.”

Did she really believe that? Proteus was not about to leave. Kat had taught him better than that. He would stay. “Kat, I’m not leaving.” He would stay to protect his friends.

Jim didn’t want Kat to leave. He felt better when she was around. “Kat, stay. Help us, help me.” He knew Gene couldn’t protect him alone. “Why won’t you stay and protect me Kat? Am I not that important, is that it?”

Kat felt a wave of guilt over come her senses. Sure Jim and the others were worth her time, but she couldn’t stay. She could no longer exist as she was if they found her, and at this point in time it was as if she purposely wanted them to find her. Kat looked at the ground, “I’m sorry.” Kat’s body turned to stone and melted into the ground beneath her.

End

After Thoughts: I missed Jaguar!! Didn’t you?! Kat is not much help to the crew is she. She’s a flat-leaver! I suppose she has her reasons, but are they really good enough. If you have questions and/or comments please don’t hesitate to send them to me. ~~Lynderia