Chapter 3: To Protect the world from Devastation The cool, still air of the night gave no indication that anything was wrong. The sentinel spotted a thin trail of black smoke, coiling its way lazily into the sky, but that was all, the darkness concealed everything. The mortal human was not used to it, and did not even suspect that the darkness could hide his worst fear of all. Rill stood at the head of the group of soldiers, roughly clad and prepared for battle. The small army had subjected to his leadership after their captain had and unfortunate 'accident'. They had always assumed he was next in line to lead them, and would blindly follow anyone, so long as they got paid on time. "Uh, sir? We gonna be waitin' till dawn to start the fightin'?" a gruff voice asked. Rill gracefully lowered his arm to silence the man and smiled. "No, we attack on my word, just be ready," he said and drew the best crossbow he could find at the camp from under his green cloak. He knocked an arrow into it, and raised it to his shoulder. "Sneak assaults are the best kind," he mused squeezing the trigger. The arrow whizzed through the still strata and found its mark expertly, landing with a sickening thud in the chest of the resistance guard. He never even had time to scream before clutching at the wooden shaft and toppling from the tower to the ground. "Now we move, when the first light warms the land, we strike." @->->- Jessie lead the way through the forest, all companions dressed and present, armed and ready to defend the small town. James flew high above the canopy, searching for any sign of which way the alliance had moved. No one had any clue where the town actually was, but they would try their hardest to save it. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, unaware of the actions that were to take place, Rhianna pressed closer into her husband's side, anxious for the warmth and security he brought to her. Aaron wrapped his arm around her, still staring blankly at the ceiling. The alliance had been spotted in the forest, and he was concerned that Vinetra had sent the smaller band of ruffians specifically for his village. He hadn't set up a defense line to stand sentinel that night, and he couldn't help but worry. Jasper, also, lay awake that night with worry. He stared out his window wistfully, wondering whatever would become of his village now that the elder was gone. He sighed and closed his eyes for what seemed like the fortieth time to try and sleep that night, but found them instantly open again. A red flurry slammed suddenly against the windowpane and Jasper jumped out of bed, restraining his voice as not to scream. "Kid! Lemme in!" he exhaled in relief as he realized it was Tierry. He moved stiffly to the window and opened it, letting the terrified bird into the room. "Geez you scared me! What's up?" he asked picking him up. "Yous guys has gotta get outta here! There's a whole big army an they took out the guard an they're headed this way! They're all armed an everything!" the bird squawked. Jasper shook his head in disbelief. "My dad wouldn't let that happen!" he breathed. "Look kid, who can fly, an who was outside jus now!" Tierry yelled. The boy, suddenly realizing the truth of his friend's words, picked up his clothes from the floor and changed quickly. Grabbing the bird from the windowsill in one fluid motion, he fled the safety of his room. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him to his parents bedroom, throwing the door open as loudly as he could. "Mom! Dad!" he cried leaping onto the bed with them. They both jumped and sat bolt upright as he did so, searching for what had disturbed their sleep. Rhianna , recognizing what it had been, took her son into her arms, breathing a sigh of relief. "Jasper dear, what's wrong?" she asked quietly. "Vinetra's army! They're coming after us!" he replied. This sentence got Aaron's attention. "What? How do you know?" he was answered by the warning bells tolling in distance. Rhianna cast a nervous glance to her husband, which he returned. "We'll talk about it later," he said and they both leapt out of bed to ready their plans for defense. Jasper merely sat where he had been, cradling the lump of ruffled crimson feathers in his hands. "What's gonna happen now?" he asked never taking his eyes from his parents. "I dunno kid." James sailed effortlessly above the forest as he searched frantically for any sign of army movement or a town. He looked down and spotted his friends, still making their way as best they could to follow his path. He scowled at his own inability and looked to the horizon, where the golden rays of dawn were just beginning to filter over the peaks of the mountains, and as James strained his eyes further, the silhouettes of the tallest buildings of a town. He smiled and stopped his flight midair, allowing the gentle breezes to assist him in gliding to the ground, and he lighted with ease in front of his group of friends. "Well?" Jessie asked. "I found it, follow me," he said triumphantly and rocketed back into the steadily paling strata. It was one of those mornings where everything seemed suspended in time. The light mist locking in every sound, every ray of light, every movement. Everything, even the most colorful spring flowers budding in the grass seemed a dull gray color and everything was created out of the same shades of it. Rill's army was no object to the curious placidity of that morning. Perhaps it was because the world knew of the impending doom of an innocent people, or perhaps it was creating the atmosphere for a slaughter, but all Rill knew, was that this was a quite unusual morning for Aradain. He stood up slowly from the tree stump he had been resting on, wiped the dew that had collected on the glossy metal of his armor and cleared his throat. "Light, has come, and so has the time for battle!" he cried raising an arm victoriously. The newly disciplined army, more out of fear than respect, groggily rose to their feet and brandished their weapons eagerly. They'd been waiting for what seemed like forever, and even ravaging a defenseless town would be better than sitting in wet grass for hours. Rill mounted his sketchy black and white horse and adjusted the saddle appropriately. The other soldiers lucky enough to have steeds of their own mounted as well, and Rill lead the group slowly down the winding path to the village. He took his time, fully confident that he was infallible, and this mission would not be failed. It was a shame that the two messengers had escaped, but they were no match for an army. The psychic girl had only barely been able to break the locks, and what good were wings? Other than fleeing he saw no practical use for them. He smiled to himself, and hardly noticed when the sun broke over the mountains fully, bathing the landscape in pale gold light. Rill enjoyed the thought of battle so, that he was able to occupy himself with it the last mile to the gates of the city. They came slowly into view, no guards posted as to prepare the defense, and Aaron had neglected to tell anyone to stay there. He wasn't very organized, and all his energy now was devoted to rousing his own troops and at least attempting to ward off the enemy. Rill yawned exaggeratedly, and pointed a thin wiry hand to the gate. "Break this annoyance down," he mused thumbing the stubble on his chin and promising himself that the first thing he'd do when he was done was shave. The troops did as they were instructed, parting the masses to allow several of the stronger men to charge at the heavy wooden gates with a roughly crafted ram. They slammed into it once, the knoll of the loud pound it made echoing against the tallest mountain in Aradain's face. No one really had a name for it, it was always just known as "The Devil". "Ah! The Devil has a voice today!" Rill called cheerfully, "let it ring with screams as well." The ram sounded again, this time, accompanied by the faintest crack of splitting wood. One last slam with the dismembered tree trunk, and the ancient doors succumbed to the greater force, greater even than the time and weather they had withstood, and fell. There was a general cheer of glee amongst the soldiers as they poured through the opening like a crazed swarm of insects. Rill let them flow around him as he kept his horse steady, watching as several of the unfortunates who had been nearest to the gate met their gruesome fates. "Leave nothing! Take no prisoners!" he called above the steadily rising din. A nearby cottage caught fire quickly as a well-aimed arrow lit ablaze landed neatly in the thatched roof. Shrieks were heard from inside and Rill smiled as he finally charged into the assault, drawing his sword as he did so. "Resistance is futile!" he cried sharply as he plunged his thick blade into the chest of the nearest man. Aaron stared out the window of the church tower of the town in utter terror. He winced as several of his very own men fell just in front of the sanctuary, wailing in pain. He covered his mouth and looked away sharply, lifting his eyes to the statue of the seven messengers mournfully. "Why do you desert us in this time of need?" he asked spitefully, "the legends are all wrong! You weren't real at all, ever! My father lied to me!" A single tear ran down his cheek as he remembered the day his father, Jasper's Grandfather, and the village elder had been brutally murdered. "Why would he lie?" he whispered, fingering the intricately carved flames on the leader's head, "why?" He jumped suddenly as the door whipped open and slammed hard on the wall next to it. Aaron gasped in surprise as he looked up to his Rhianna standing in the doorway. "Aaron! They're too much! No one can survive! We don't have a chance! We have to go!" she cried breathlessly. Aaron closed his eyes remorsefully and turned back to the window. He looked out and saw his wife was correct. Everything was being destroyed effortlessly, and he couldn't even see any of his men fighting anymore, he knew then he had lost. "What about Jasper?" he asked finally becoming assertive about escape. "I'm here Dad!" he didn't even have to see him before he nodded the affirmative to Rhianna and all three of them started down the stairs. Jasper, for one, was thoroughly confused, simply running blindly as his parents instructed him, and he nearly ran into the door before Aaron and Rhianna stopped dead in their tracks. "Someone search that run down temple!" Both Aaron's and Rhianna's stomachs twisted at the muffled cry from outside. "Jasper, when we tell you to, I want you to run out of town as fast as you can. Hide in the woods somewhere and we'll come find you later," Aaron said. "But Dad, I wanna stay with-" "I mean it son, don't question it," Aaron cut him off as the doorknob slowly began to swivel. Jasper tensed as he felt his father's hand on his back, and his other grip the silver knob. "When I open the door, run," he said quietly, and drew the long blade that hung at his side. Jasper nodded and straddled his feet in preparation. Aaron drew in a shaky breath and flung the door open with a loud cry. The startled alliance soldiers jumped back in alarm and Aaron shoved the dazed boy out of the doorframe. "Run!" was his only word before Jasper sprang to life, sprinting with a purpose towards the edge of town. He didn't bother to look back, all he heard were Aaron's and Rhianna's screams of agony, before they were silenced forever. He didn't stop, though he knew his parents had been killed, he ran in terror. Everything that he held dear was gone in just one morning, and now in fear of losing his own life, he fled. "Hey! There goes a kid! Someone get him!" He forced his legs to move faster at this. "I'll take care of him," that was the last thing he heard before he felt a sharp, excruciating pain in his left shoulder. He cried out and fell, landing tangled in a large bush at the base of a tree, and the last thing he saw before his vision clouded and finally went black, was a small pool of his own blood flowing from beneath him. @->->- Jessie scowled as she shielded her eyes from the steadily increasing light and looked up to where James was slowly sinking lower below the trees. She sighed dejectedly and kicked a rock to the side of the road. "Damn it! The whole town's probably dead by now!" she spat. "Well, if that's true, then we can help any survivors," Brock added optimistically. Jessie rolled her eyes and looked down the road they were travelling to see James emerge sullenly from the shadows. "James? What happened?" she called. He stayed silent until he reached his friends and they all stopped to listen to what he had to say. He looked disappointed, his wings drooping so low they brushed in the dirt, and his eyes directed towards the ground. There was an unnerving silence as he approached, the only sound made by his boots crunching slightly in the dead leaves strewn about the path, and all could not take their eyes off him in apprehension. "What is it?" Misty dared to ask, her gaze softening. "We're too late," was all he mumbled and motioned for the group to follow. He led them just mere feet out of the forest and everyone gasped in terror. The ruins of a once beautiful city lay before them, bodies strewn haphazardly about in puddles of their own blood, mingling with nearby neighbors, friends, and relatives. Ash was forced to look away as he attempted to create a plan. "Just...Uh...," he winced before he could finish, "look for any survivors, keep your swords ready, just in case, and meet back here in about half an hour, we'll go from there." The group nodded in tacit agreement and the last Ash heard of them was the hiss of metal against leather sheaths as six swords were drawn. The friends went separate ways, each too horrified to want to share their reactions of this slaughter with anyone else. Jessie and James in particular felt the utter remorse and loss of the town. They had been responsible to rouse help in the form of their friends, and they had not made it back to Vertigo in time. The events played back in James' mind as he gently picked his way around bodies. He scowled, noting that not one person left was alive, and prayed that at least some had escaped Vinetra's wrath. James stopped suddenly in his tracks at a rustling in the nearby bushes. Frightened that alliance soldiers had remained to pick off any loners, he pointed his sword defensively at the bush that seemed the center of movement. It seemed to respond, rustling vaguely until it stopped suddenly, something glinting in the sunlight just at the base of it. James lowered his blade, curious, and stepped cautiously toward the object, shielding his vision from the bright glare emanating from it. He bent down cautiously a few feet away from it and squinted to get a better view. What he saw perked his curiosity even more, yet terrified him at the same time. Sprawled out from the base of the bush was a hand, and in it, a bloody arrow was tightly clenched. He put one hand to his mouth and gently parted the foliage with one hand, looking beneath it. A pair of eyes as green as his own peered back at him, and he simply stared back in amazement and shock. The little boy smiled warmly at him and finally relaxed after what had seemed like hours of pain. "Finally, the angels have come for me, now I can be with my mom and dad," he whispered. James finally snapped out of his trance, shaking his head to clear his dulling senses and parted the bushes swiftly. "Hang on kid," he promised and gently lifted the boy from the ground, revealing a large red stain in the soil beneath him. He stirred, and looked up at James with the same loving smile on his face. "Hi, do angels have names?" he asked weakly. James raised an eyebrow, and suddenly remembered his newest addition to his body, spreading them slightly. "Shh, I'll explain everything later, just rest and don't strain yourself," James replied and carried the child to the entrance of the town where Ash still stood, fingers only now beginning to grip the sword. James rolled his eyes as he stepped over to him. "Wimp," he said smirking. Ash took the comment to heart, glaring at the young man vindictively, until he saw the boy who rested in his arms. "Damn it James! Don't joke like that when there's a child's life on the line! We've gotta get him back to Vertigo!" he shouted angrily. James sensed the nervousness and apprehension in his voice and was sympathetic to it, remembering exactly what it felt like to be truly afraid. "I'll fly him back, you guys leave when you can," he assured him with a gentle and kind smile. Ash sighed heavily and pointed back down the road. "Just...Just go, we'll catch up," he said rubbing his temples ruefully. James nodded in tacit agreement and gently spread his wings to ease himself into the sky, not launch as he normally did. After all, he was carrying precious cargo. The boy squirmed in pain and James felt a small, hot trickle of blood run down his arms as he slowly glided back to Vertigo. James bit his lip remembering what the child had said about being with his parents, and realized that he must be alone now. "Hey kid, you awake?" he asked gently. The emerald eyes opened again, only slightly, and they gazed up at James with blind admiration. "Hi," he whispered. James smiled back at him dipping lower in the sky where the wind was not as fierce to hear him better. "Don't worry, you'll be alright, I'll clean your shoulder up and you can rest just as soon as we land," he promised. The boy looked to the ground, and winced at the persistent pain in his shoulder. "So I'm not dead," he mused, "but who are you?" James picked up speed as the spires of Vertigo palace slowly began to appear over the tops of the trees. "My name's James, what about you?" he asked tenderly. "My name?" the boy asked. James nodded. "Jasper." @->->- Later that evening, Ash and the rest of the group, minus James, returned to Vertigo downtrodden and empty handed. They had found no other survivors, not even a Pokemon had been spared. They had even gone so far as to bury a few of the more mutilated bodies, including two in particular found in the stairwell of the church in the center of the town. The rest they had left and returned to see if James was successful in saving the little boy. Upon arriving at the palace, Cerise received them solemnly, leading them into the dining hall to speak. They took their usual seats, Jessie wincing at James' empty spot next to her, as Cerise seated herself at the head, sighing and rubbing her temples. Misty put a hand to her back and motioned for a servant to bring some water. Cerise smiled, but indicated that she was fine, seated Misty, and began what she had planned to say. "What happened today, was nothing short of a tragedy. Innocent people were killed, and uselessly. They died for no other purpose than Vinetra's fear of losing her influence on the good People of Aradain, and for this we have paid. You'll be happy to know, James made it back here unharmed, and the boy is alright, his name is Jasper, as James told us, and he's in the guestroom nearest James' chamber. Now, we can rejoice at this small victory later, more important events have begun to take place. You all have been trained on your weapons since you arrived here, and as well as your powers, and the army that had been sighted is too much of a risk to leave alone, they must be stopped, before any other towns as defenseless as that one was are destroyed." There was a disconcerting cessation of sound as Cerise's words slowly made their impact on the small group. Nervous glances were exchanged, hands were held, as the need for more information grew stronger. "W...When do we start?" Pikachu asked, his throat tight with anxiety. "As soon as possible, I will alarm the Vertigan army in the morning, and I'll send messengers out to friendly towns to rally some more help, we'll need all of it we can get," Cerise replied. Jessie stuck a fingernail in her mouth and bit it apprehensively as Meowth gently eased his way into her lap. "We should tell James," he whispered. Jessie nodded silently, and scratched the cat absent-mindedly behind the ears. "Cerise, we should all get some rest, I'll tell James," she said. Cerise smiled. "And be sure to tell him to sleep too, we'll need his wings tomorrow," she said. Jessie chuckled as she excused herself from the table and left the room, Meowth close at her heels. They wound their way up the staircase that led up the tower James' room was situated at the top of, stopping halfway at the door they recognized as the guestroom. "Shhh," Jessie whispered, putting a finger to her lips and making eye contact with Meowth, as she slowly turned the knob. She slid her thin frame into the smallest crack the door would allow it to pass through, and Meowth slipped in afterward. James sat sentinel on a low wooden stool at the bedside and Jessie smiled warmly, mirroring the grin on his face as he gazed at the little boy, who now slept peacefully. He didn't notice her as she walked in, and Jessie frowned at the white bandages stained lightly with red binding Jasper's wounded shoulder. "So, you saved your first life today?" she whispered reverently. James looked up from Jasper startled, but upon seeing his friend, beckoned her to join him. Jessie took a seat next to her James and patted him lightly on the shoulder. "He called me an angel," he whispered. "Really?" Jessie replied resting her chin on his shoulder. "Yeah, and that's what I'm going to be for him, his guardian angel," he said, running a hand lightly through Jasper's ebony hair. "What do you mean?" Jessie asked frowning. "He lost his parents, he needs someone, and I feel it should be me," James whispered and tucked the blankets more tightly around Jasper's chin. Jessie smiled at the first show of paternal instincts from James and stood up quietly. "I need to talk to you, privately, but that can wait until morning, just promise me you'll sleep," she said. James nodded. "Sure," was all he muttered. "No really, promise me," Jessie said forcefully. James turned around, and smirked crookedly. "No really, I promise," he said mockingly. Jessie flicked his shoulder lightly with a claw and grinned. "I know you want to stay here, but I'm going back to my room, see you in the morning, you've got one hell of a busy day tomorrow," she said, and both she and the cat left the room soundlessly. James raised an eyebrow and sighed as he watched Jessie leave. "Sleep well Jess," he whispered wistfully to himself and stood. A larger, overstuffed chair intended to provide as much comfort for guests as was needed stood in the corner of the room and he took it. It caused him a small struggle with his wings, but he eventually got them adjusted comfortably. He sighed contentedly and closed his eyes, falling asleep quickly. Ash awoke early that morning, for a reason unknown to him, and looked to the window. The gray early light just barely illuminated his room, and he scowled as he roused himself to dress. He then opened his window completely, scattering a few bird-like Pokemon whom had decided it would make a suitable perch to sleep, and breathed in deeply, the flames on his limbs and tail flaring slightly with the sudden rush of oxygen. The castle courtyard looked serene in the mist of early morning, everything seemingly gray in color, save for the grass, which still retained a hint of the lush green it would be at noon. Ash frowned at it, though it seemed peaceful, something was amiss, and he could sense it. He searched fruitlessly for anything out of place, and shrugged, beginning to turn away, until a flash of red in the corner of his vision caught his attention and Jessie appeared from a corner of the courtyard still hidden in the shadows left over from the night. "Hey Ash, could you come down here? I want to talk to you," he jumped as he heard the voice not in his ears as he was accustomed to, but inside his mind. He put a hand to his forehead as he broke into a cold sweat, but nodded dumbly to her and proceeded down to the main courtyard. Jessie smiled at him as he approached, and put her arm around his shoulders, leading him to the front gate. The sun had just begun its steady ascent into Aradain's sky, combing the landscape with narrow fingers of golden light, and both friends sighed at its beauty. "Kinda hard to believe this beautiful place is so divided by conflict, isn't it?" Jessie breathed. Ash simply nodded in response. "I've done a lot of thinking since we've been here," she added quietly. "Oh really?" Ash replied nonchalantly. Jessie bit her lip and sighed shakily. "And I need to ask you something, and I want an honest answer, and don't bother lying, I can sense it," she said forcefully. Ash's features twisted in confusion as he placed his hands neatly on his hips. "I thought you and James were so incredibly close, why don't you ask him?" he said nervously, afraid of what Jessie could ask of him. Jessie closed her eyes, and turned her back to the sun, leaning against the gate gently. "Because it's about him," she whispered. Ash swallowed hard. "What about him? You guys having problems?" he asked quickly. Jessie raised her claws defensively and shook her head. "Oh no! No, we're closer than ever, it's just that, I'm scared to death that we'll get...Too close, if you know what I mean," she said. Ash felt his heart sink at Jessie's words, and could practically already see James' heart break and crumble in front of his eyes. "Yes, I know what you mean, now, what did you want to ask?" he said as calmly as was possible at that moment. "I want you to promise me something. Promise me you won't let James fall in love with me. I wouldn't be able to stand it, please don't ask me to explain, just promise me," she said taking Ash's hands. He cleared his throat to stall Jessie slightly and gather his composure, then, rubbing the backs of the young woman's claws with his thumbs affectionately, he met her eyes with an honest gaze. "I promise you," he whispered. Jessie grinned and embraced the boy with a small gasp of relief. "Thank you Ash, thank you from the bottom of my heart," she whispered. "Uh...You're welcome," Ash replied, hiding his remorse guilefully. Jessie released Ash and looked back to the rising sun smiling vaguely. "Well, I'd better rouse James, he's got a busy day," she said. Ash frowned slightly as he saw her lips move, but could not decipher what she had said, but Jessie brushed past him before he could inquire, and was gone. He remained standing at the gate in perplexity, running through the movements of her lips again in his mind, and frowned more deeply as he attained a vague image of the short phrase, which to him, looked like, "If I could turn back time." Jessie reached James' tower shortly, and debated whether or not he had returned to his chamber to sleep, or had stayed with Jasper, then recalling the previous nights events, she turned and gingerly opened the door to the guestroom. As she had fully expected, James lay asleep in the large chair in the corner, Jasper still in the bed. Deciding to let the boy sleep longer, Jessie bent down and gently shook James. "Wake up James," she whispered as he began to stir. He opened one eye a small emerald slit, and promptly closed it again, mumbling something as he turned over into the pillows lining the chair. "Come on pal, get up, we need your help," Jessie chided. "Mmm, what for?" James muttered sleepily. "We need your wings," Jessie replied lifting James' slim form from the chair by his shoulders. James opened both eyes fully at this, the emeralds laced with fear. "What's so serious that I have to fly for?" he asked. Jessie sat next to him, the foreboding feeling she had ever since they had been captured by the alliance returning swiftly, and she began to tremble. "Yeah, Cerise has declared that the army that captured us is to be gotten rid of, and you know what that means," she said leaning closer to the warmth and security her friend brought her. "Jessie you're shaking," James said pulling her close into him. She didn't object, and even wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm scared, and I have no clue why. Something just feels wrong, screw Cerise, you're not going anywhere!" she said, her voice quavering. James ran a hand through her hair reassuringly and held her close. "Why?" he asked. "Something bad's going to happen, that's definite, when, I don't know exactly, but very soon, and what, I don't have a clue," she replied, trembling more at verbally confessing her feelings. "Well, you do have the psychic powers, and if you think something's up, I'm staying here, I should take care of Jasper anyway," James replied. "We'd better tell Cerise," Jessie said, wrinkling her nose. James nodded and helped her up, and glanced over his shoulder one last time at Jasper as they headed down to the dining hall where Cerise most likely was at the moment. They were correct in their assumption, finding her sitting sullenly hunched over a small stack of scrolls. Jessie cleared her throat to get her attention, and both she and James didn't dare move past the other end of the table. Cerise looked up, and smiled vaguely at them. "Why are you standing over there? Come James, you've got plenty of scrolls to deliver today," she said groggily. James started to nod, but crossed his arms over his chest stubbornly as Jessie gripped his arm tightly. "No, not today," he said forcefully. Cerise raised one eyebrow in shock and stood up. "What do you mean no? I'm a princess! You don't refuse a princess!" she screeched indignantly. "Well! Excuuuse me princess if I'm worried about my best friend's life! I'll have you know, I've been having premonitions in the form of feelings, something big is going down, and James is not leaving!" she said her azure eyes flashing purple. Cerise rubbed the prickling hairs on the back of her neck and scowled. "I don't care what you feel, it's what's best for the resistance, nothing is wrong, James will be fine, now get over here so I can tell you where to deliver these messages!" she yelled. "No!" Jessie and James shot simultaneously. "Yes!" Cerise shot back slamming her palms down on the smooth wooden table. Jessie and James leaned forward onto the table, nearly literally snarling, their teeth clenched and bared. "Cerise, no one is going anywhere today! Unless you want to get them all killed!" Jessie yelled. "Yeah? Well who are you to give orders you stuck up selfish little brat!" Cerise replied. "Me? A stuck up little brat? Looked in the mirror lately your bitchness?" Jessie yelled back. "Bitch? Well I'm not the one sacrificing the resistance for her pathetic little boyfriend!" "Boyfriend?" Jessie and James replied, enraged. The argument continued heatedly, until all three were red in the face, but they stopped as they heard a frantic beating on the dining hall door. Jessie turned swiftly and proceeded to open it. "Don't bother straining yourself your royal wimp, I will traverse the deadly smooth tile, to open the infamous nail breaking door," she hissed. "Why you ungrateful little-" she stared, but an icy emerald glare from James kept her in her chair. Jessie opened the door and raised an eyebrow at the absence of anyone standing behind it, until she felt two sharp tugs at her tail. She looked down and smiled at Riley who stood at her feet. She scooped the little dragon from the floor, patting him on the crests adorning the top of his head lovingly. "Hey little guy, what's up?" she asked. Riley gripped his chest, attempting to catch his breath and Jessie took him back to the table. "I...I...I'm glad...I found you two!" he sputtered. James joined his friend as Riley finally found the air to speak. "It's big you guys, I've never seen anything like it!" he chirped excitedly. "What? What? Tell us!" James said bringing his head to eye level with the dragons. He lowered his slitted eyes seductively, and flicked his long forked tongue out tickling the end of James' nose furtively. "Two of the scrolls have opened," he said. Cerise jumped from her seat at those few poignant words and instantly joined in the conversation. Riley enjoyed being the center of attention, increasing the drama of his demeanor drastically. "And it's got a bit of a twist to it," he added, then stopped. There was a silence while Riley surveyed his captivated audience through half-open and presumptuous eyes. "Tell us you little winged twig lizard!" Jessie finally yelled startling Riley from his noble stature. "The first one, was the symbol of the mind, and the second was the symbol of the wind."