The Forgotten Girl

[Chloe]

Holli's inward smile vanished as Cherry's nails dug into her tanned skin. Fighting the urge to do the same to the fairy's eyes, she returned to her childhood habit of clenching and unclenching her fists, muttering random curses under her breath. Finally coming to her slightly more mature senses, she strode to the entrance of the cave and glared back at Cherry and Kat. "Whatever. Let's go already."

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat smiled slyly, and followed Holli on light feet. The red glow illuminated her face, giving it an evil appearance, but probably not noticable in the fading sunlight she approached. 'So, a cave further up, and then sleep. I don't think I'll be able to sleep, we're so close... And I don't see why you're still angry, Holli, you're closer to getting to the village then ever,' she stated, with knowledge beyond her years. It was true, they were very close to their goals now. And maybe it wouldn't be as scary as Kat thought, but she could feel a power pushing her further down. It was more powerful than her small ten year old mind, and felt slightly wrong, like it didn't belong but had always been there. The little of Kat that was still at the surface was worried, but the power hid it.

[Rosie]

Cherry walked over to the entrance to the cave silently, the candles extinguishing themselves behind her. Saying nothing she picked her way accross the ledge to a small path which wound it's way up the mountain and began to climb. Her dusty and hardened feet treading lightly on the rocks and boulders that lay in her path.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat followed wordlessly this time, knowing they had to proceed with causion from now onwards. The glow brightened as the sun set, and soon it would practically give them away. Getting impatient as they wore on, the young girl whispered, 'How far left?'

[Rosie]

"Only about one hour left." Cherry said as it slowly became too dark to see where they were treading. The fairy stopped for a moment and shut her eyes. A large glow appeared around her and lit up the path all around the three of them.

When complete darkness had come and the stars slept, scattered in the sky, Cherry led the way off the path and onto a smaller and more overgrown one. and then to a cave entrance. "We'll rest in here for a few hours." she said leading the way inside. Gesturing to some straw on the floor and sweeping over to some small berries, gathered in a pile. She handed a few to each of them. "This is all the food your getting this evening so make the most of it." Cherry said handing around a few berries to each of them and eating her own. The sweet, fruity taste soothed her. She wondered how the others would take to this strange taste, unlike any other in the world.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat settled herself on a small ledge on the cave wall to examine the damage the climb had done. Her body was still glowing, and when she examined her feet she only had to pick one large pebble out from between her toes to see that they were completely unharmed by the climb. She smiled. Dusting her hands off, she chose the largest berry of those offered to her and popped it in her mouth. The taste exploded in her mouth, making her eyes light up in surprise and bliss. Swallowing, she muttered, 'What is this stuff?' before taking the rest of her share and eating them slowly, savouring each fruity explosion.

[Rosie]

"Naberries" said Cherry, finishing her own and watching the others "found near the very top of the mountain. These ones are a bit bland. Do you like them? What about you Holli?" asked Cherry with a very fake smile.

[Chloe]

Holli tentatively popped one into her mouth and had to stop herself from spitting it out. Blugh. her inner voice said, momentarily unable to register anything else. She looked up at Cherry, and returned a forced smile of her own. "Wonderful," she said in the most sarcastic tone she could muster. She swept past the two and dumped her stuff beside one of the beds of straw, then got out a small bun with sweet custard paste inside. She broke off a third and ate it quickly, then offered the rest to Kat and Cherry, expecting the same reaction she'd had to the naberries.

[Rosie]

"No thank you" said Cherry just as sarcastically polite as Holli and helped herself to the ungrateful girl's berries before going lying down on some straw in the corner. Eventually she fell asleep but never stopped listening to all of the world around her for differences or any danger that may endanger her or those sitting around her.

[Chloe]

Holli shrugged and put it on top of her bag in case Kat wanted it. Then she sat on her bit of straw, back completely straight, and fell asleep in seconds.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat smiled at the two sleeping girls, and moved her own bed closer to the entrance. Sitting down cross-legged on it, she watched the few stars she could see through the overgrowth as the night wore on, wondering what she'd find at the top of the mountain. yes, she'd find her father, but who was the woman she'd seen in her visions? She must be related, they looked so much alike, but how? Was she a long lost sister? Cousin? Aunt? Kat had always known that she ressembled her father's side more than her mothers... But it was a very close ressemblance. Dwelling on these thoughts, she lay down, and drifted off to sleep to dream of her father and the mysterious woman.

[Rosie]

Cherry slept dreamlessly and woke a while before dawn. Slowly and silently she walked out of the cave and stretched in the dim but colourful light that always comes before dawn. Cherry stretched her arms, legs and even her wings seemed to move about an inch or two. She looked up at their destination and sighed deeply, meeting her past would be hard but she had two missions, one with the other girls and one for herself, to seek revenge. The fairy crept back into the cave and ate a few more naberries. Then smiling to herself she let out a window-shattering scream which filled the whole cave for no reason whatsoever.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat jerked awake, and a burst of dark red fire blasted its way from her sleeping place straight to the cave entrance, exploding on impact with the cave wall. Obviously it had been poorly aimed, but Kat had no memory of firing it. Oh well, whatever, she thought, and struggled to her feet when she realised there was nothing wrong. 'I guess it's time to get up then?' she said plainly, looking sideways at the fairy.

[Chloe]

Holli, who had been almost completely still throughout the night, opened one eye at Cherry's scream. "Charming," she muttered, and flipped herself onto her feet. "How far to the top?"

[Rosie]

"Glad to see you're awake" said Cherry with a small smile. "Only about forty-five minutes worth." and standing up again she walked outside of the cave. Once again she closed her eyes, this time her feet lifting off the floor and spinning in a purple light, slowly at first but slowly getting faster. When she began to slow down the light faded and the fairy emerged with a skin-tight, shimmering silver fairy suit. Embroidered patterns covered the suit, esspecially in the places needed most and when the sun shone on this magical garment it showed every colour of the rainbow. The material almost seemed to have scales and blend into the skin, esspecially where it ended at teh neck, hands and feet. Without a sound the fairy stepped back into the cave.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat eyed Zelda's new suit, and shrugged lightly. Walking over to the fairy, she looked her up and down, grinning. 'Nice clothes. I don't want any, mind, but I suppose you don't have any for me anyway,' she giggled, and stepped out of the cave. There was a red glow in the horizon, hinting a dawn not far away. She seemed to have grown overnight, in confidence and height. If anyone looked at her, not knowing her age, they could have sworn that she was at least 13, if not 14. Maybe even her family wouldn't be able to recognise her. But that wouldn't matter to her father, because he hadn't seen her in so long anyway... That revived the worried thoughts, but the sudden confidence swept through them, dismissing them as a parent would a child's worries. She knew her father would love her for who she was, and they were so close to findng him, she could feel it...

[Rosie]

"Lets go" Cherry said coldly, trying to get herself in the right frame of mind to face her past. Yet again she walked outside but this time did not stop, joining the path on it's winding way up to the top. Not looking back, only forward, her completely focused mind looking up to the village. As she did so her concentration lapsed and her appearance changed. A darker fairy emerged. Her sparkling suit changed to a black, ripped dress and her hair slowly became darker and darker. Her wings turned green and drooped slightly, tiny holes appearing in them too. A black moon was tattooed on her arm, but then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the image faded and the brighter fairy surfaced again.

OOC: someone just get them to the top...

[Chloe]

Raising an eyebrow at Cherry's blinking appearance, Holli strode swiftly ahead of her Tyrogue and followed the fairy to the top of the mountain, where the same few dwellings she had briefly seen the previous day came once again into view. Here we go, she said silently to herself. Tyrogue looked up at her and sent what comfort he could in a single gaze - Holli smiled and glanced at Cherry and Kat. Just because she was scared, didn't mean she was helpless.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat glanced at Cherry, and walked over to her as they approached the top. 'Angry?' she asked, grinning slyly. 'Personally, I can't wait.' Then, seeing the top getting closer, she ran the last few feet to be the first to see the top. Just as she reached it, the sun slowly rose over the lip of the mountain, lighting the scene below her in glorious fresh light. Small, circular thatched huts were built in a circle, surrounding a slightly larger stone building in the centre and a tree standing proud next to it. The forcefield surrounding the town obscured her overall view, however, and only served to feed her curiosity. Turning to Cherry, she gasped out, 'I never knew it'd be so beautiful...'

[Rosie]

"Beneath the surface it's not that great, believe me." the fairy said and watched the blue forcefield swirl for a moment or two. It had been her own creation, a thank you to the village for taking care of her. I should have destroyed it when I left she thought bitterly. Stepping forward slightly Cherry put her hand into the forcefield and felt it gently melting on her fingers. After a short while a hole appeared in the forcefield and before long it became large enough for the girls to clamber though. Once inside the fairy's eyes widened. She walked slowly over to the tree near the center of the village. The leaves were falling and the tree's bark turning near to a blackish colour. Mournfully Cherry gazed up into it's branches.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat watched the girl enter, and followed her through the hole. Looking around, it seemed pretty deserted, the small buildings seemingly empty. Walking down the streets, she approached the tree which Cherry was standing under. Coming to stand next to the fairy, she said, 'Why's it so empty? And what's with the tree?'

[Rosie]

"Nothing" Cherry spat, knowing all to well what the tree was doing there and what was wrong with it, and her. "They're probably all sleeping, or in the shrine." The fairy said, calming down slightly and looking at Holli, who was still standing outside the forcefield. "It's gonna close up soon, so get in if you want to find your parents."

[Chloe]

Holli stepped nimbly in, her Tyrogue somersulting after her. She took a deep breath and let her senses subconsciously explore her surroundings, trying to find the link to her parents that had first convinced her that they were still alive...
She followed Tyrogue to stand by the others. "Shrine?" she asked quietly.

[Rosie]

"They worship that thing in the vault and their leader. Waste of time if you ask me." Cherry said spitefully. At that moment the sun broke the horizon and showered them in ever strengthening light. Bells from the shrine rang out. Cherry quickly put her hands on the shoulders of the two girls, and a foot on the Tyrogue, and in a glow of dull purple light they were hidden. Top each other they looked semi-transparent, but to others invisible. Cherry took her hands off of the others and watched the figures coming out of the small entrance to the shrine, all of them adults, hopefully she wouldn't see who she was looking for.

[Prof. Cinders]

Kat watched the adults trooping past, returning to their homes and work. Each one of them seemed familiar somehow, but the young girl couldn't place any faces... Yet. Looking at the two beside her, she tried to shrug off a peculiar feeling. It seemed like it was half expectancy, half longing, yet it was different from both at the same time. Grunting quietly, she watched the faces again.

Suddenly, a small trail of red light caught her eye. It came from the midst of the adults, and followed a man as he came from the vault into the surrounding clearing. Starting forwards slightly, Kat tried to catch his eye, but of course this wouldn't do anything with Cherry's enchantment over her. Frowning, the girl's own trail of red intensified in brightness, spreading out around her. It caught the sun's bright rays, transforming them and using them as its secondary power source. The man stopped abuptly in his tracks, turning to see the light display seemingly surrounding a patch of nothing in the shape of a small girl. Shock filled his features, and he strode through the crowd to come to a rest in front of Kat. The two of them looked at each other in wonder, and the trails floated around each of them, trying to penetrate the other's. 'Can it be...' the man muttered, stretching a hand forwards to touch the girl inside the aura.