Chapter -5: The Worst First Christmas
Dnalevelc; Anti-Christmas Eve
It was a time for joy, it was a time for cheer… or have we already forgotten what world we're in now. Since the Negaverse was a 'godless' world, Christmas wasn't very celebratory; rather, they celebrated 'Anti-Christmas,' which was demonic to some people, but others only rose against the idea of such a happy holiday, mocking the fools who celebrated. Unfortunately for the EiznekCms, a lot of people seemed to be Christmas-freaks on their street, joyously building snowmen, setting up colorful Christmas lights, and vibrant Christmas Trees.
Lehcar detested any such ideals, and seeing the Christmas Tree across her street made her sick. A violet flame burning in her hand, she threw it forth and set fire to the wretched thing, the family gasping in horror. "DEMONS ALL THE WAY, MOTHER LOVERS." She went into her house and slammed the door with a dark magic circle. Upside-down Crosses and other such unholy ornaments made up her yard.
"Siiiiigh." Nerehc witnessed this walking up to his house, glancing away in anger.
"DENY HIIIIIIM!" He wasn't even startled by Sipa puffing out of smoke. "Unmerry Anti-Christmas, Prince of Sissies. Even though I guess you won't be celebrating."
"I kinda have to, for my mom's sake."
"Still haven't come out that you're a hetero?"
"'Course not, 'cause it'd crush my mom to know I wanna have sex with a woman. How's the party coming along?"
"Destructively Nefarious Kids' first ever Christmas Celebration is going horrifically flawless. I pray that now more than ever, I will be banished to Burning Hell for my hypocrisy."
"Yep, just like the FanFiction critics. But I think it would be a major step in making a difference, really. And I'll… bring my mom up when it's ready."
"Well, it's only fair you get to Hell before I do. See you in a couple hours?"
"Yah… later." With that, Sipa poofed away.
Unknown home
It might have been some kind of holiday for most people, but for Ydnew, it was like any other day: to go out and hang with friends at various clubs. After all, not many places closed on Anti-Christmas, so no one could stay around bored. The 10-year-old girl with ocean-blue hair, pointy ears, and clear blue eyes focused closely on her mirror reflection. She caught her chest area within a finger-frame and readied to stretch it. "YDNEW, WHAT are you doing?!" called the high, concerned voice of her father. The Man With the Blue Eye ran in. "You had BETTER not be running out NOW of all times."
"Or wut, I can't celebrate a holiday NO ONE gives a crap about?"
"It's not that, what you're doing just isn't normal. A girl your age shouldn't engage in these activities, drinking, smoking – what possessed you to think these were cool things?!"
"Awwww, well I'm sorry if my father-running-for-president is embarrassed by his daughter wanting to live life. If you CARE about me so much, why don't you use your matterbending to teach me a lesson?"
"Because a rare power such as that shouldn't be used for such a thing, as your father, I need to get control over you the old-fashioned way. And just because you're a spacebender, YOU shouldn't refashion your body in a manner I don't APPROVE."
"Well, I'm tired of all those 'hotties' jiggling their CANS above me all the time, so I'm showin' 'em they ain't the only ones who can be perky. See you after my OWN Christmas dinner, GOOD-BYE." And with a snap of her fingers, she warped.
"Siiiigh… I hope this plan works, Red Eye."
His Positive appeared in the mirror. "Oh, it should. You're certain of where she's going?"
"I might've eavesdropped, yeah."
"Okay. Then that's where I'll send her."
Bathroom somewhere in Dnalhsa
Ydnew splorped out of thin space and faced the mirror, floating up for a full-body view. Smirking happily, she locked her chest in a finger-frame, stretched it, and expanded her breasts to a desired radius. "Yeeeeaaah, these will look just fine." She felt all around the soft, round melons and approved of their proportion. "Ooooo, but probably should've stretched me first." So she stretched the length of her body to a good 6'3''. "Ewww, I look like a stick." She then stretched the width of her body area. She puffed each leg to a sleek, womanly form, and stretched her feet a few inches. "Oh, this too." No doubt she needed her pelvic area stretched a little. Her hands and arms were still pretty skimpy, and having to use one hand for each one, it was a little tedious, but she was satisfied in the end. "Hmmm…" Something else was amiss, and it was her pointed ears, so she smoothed and rounded them, like a good, natural grown human.
"Look out world, Ydnew Llevram is back in town!" She posed and studied her hot, 20-year-old self in the mirror, wearing only a cerulean top with flower-petal edges and a sky-blue bow, short in length as it exposed her waist and cleavage, a pair of white Capri shorts, and brown Greek sandals that were stretched with her feet. "Time to hit the club!"
She exited the bathroom of the barren fancy restaurant that was apparently closed this time of year. But the mirror she had just used rippled like liquid, and out came her very reflection, except she bore red eyes that appeared lost of all thought, and a dress of wide yellow and blue stripes. Stepping onto the sink table as she came out, she fell face-first on the floor. "Ow!" She helped herself up, shaking back to her senses. "What the-? H-How did I get here? W-Where am I?" She was panicking horrendously inside. As if she got herself drunk and winded up in the wrong side of town. "C-Can somebody help me?! Nnnnn!" She ran out of the bathroom and out the abandoned restaurant with wind-like speed, searching around desperately once on the snowy streets.
She shortly took notice of a woman who bore very little clothing, and because of the sudden blizzard that just erupted, she was shivering. "Bh-h-h-h-h, it's usually not so cold out. I'd go back for a coat, but not after-"
"HEEEEY! E-E-Excuse meeeee!" The woman turned as the little blue-haired girl ran over. "I-I don't know where I-" She stopped when she faced Ydnew up close. Both of them stared with stunned expressions. It was like looking at a silly mirror in an amusement park. "Y-You look… like me."
"Uhhhh… yeah, you do too." Oh my god, do not tell me she's my *** Positive.
"C-Can you please help me? I-I-I must've fallen asleep, a-and now I'm here, I-I-I don't know where I am, and I, I, sniff sniff.." The child began to sob.
No good leaving her here to get kidnapped. "Look, just calm down you brat, I'll take you someplace warm."
Sane Reboog's
This restaurant of healthy foods and dairies was one of the warmest places in town, good for recovering from blizzards that just show up under the eye of the already-inaccurate weather forecast (unless one watches Retlaw Slohcin, the greatest weatherman in Acirema). Ydnew purchased two steaming cups of coffee to warm herself and this child up. "Ugh, these stretched goosebumps look hideous. So where'd you come from again?"
"I told you, I don't remember, I-I got a little lost and I just fell asleep or something. Th-Thank you for helping me, I don't know what I'd do if I'd…"
"Yeah yeah, just stop sobbing. Look, I'm gonna hang out with some friends over here, so if you're gonna hang with me, just don't get in my way." Bet my stupid DAD got her here to "take care of myself" or some crap.
"O-Okay. My name's Wendy, by the way. What's your name?"
"Yd-…" She probably had no idea, though. Maybe she shouldn't tell her. "…Edola."
"Hi, Edola. Thanks again."
"Yeah, just stay in the corner, don't get in any trouble." She was about to walk away-
"WAIT!" Wendy chased as Ydnew turned to her with aggravation. "I-I wanna ask… a-are you, m-my mom?"
"What?"
"I-I was abandoned at an orphanage and no one knows who my parents were, but you, you look just like me, even my hair, s-so I thought, you could definitely be my mom. 'Course, you also look pretty young, s-so maybe you had me as a mistake and didn't wanna raise a child, so… you…" Edola's glaring eyes made her voice fade, "I-I take it back, forget I said that, I'm sorry if I offended you. But the similarities are JUST too… there!!"
"Well, I can safely assure you I'm no one's mother, and I certainly don't-"
"Then you're my sister or something, PLEASE don't leave!" She blurted out desperately. "I don't have anyone, no family no friends, you're WAY too similar to just. . ."
"…" This girl was even too pathetic to turn away. "Look, I said you can stay with me, just don't get too up in my business."
"I-I won't, promise. Oh, but um… there is a slight problem. I'm also an airbender that was born with really strong chi, so things might get… a little windy."
So that's what happened. "Oh, I see. Is it that bad?"
"In the same place for too long, yeah."
"Well then we're going to have to make some arran-"
"HEEEEEY, Ydnew, there you are!" Ydnew's heart bounced at the call of this voice, turning as three girls who looked in their 20s came in. They were Ycul Yelhsa – a blonde girl with a black zip-up top and black pants, Anac Anorebla – a beautiful girl in a frilly white shirt and long pink skirt, a bergère hat with a pink rose, and blackish-brown hair that matched her eyes, and Aivuj Reskcol – a girl with blue hair like Ydnew, except a lighter tone and big curls at their edges, with a white shirt tied in a knot above her belly, and short dark-blue skirt with brown leggings. "Didn't think you were showin' up-" Ydnew immediately zipped over and clapped Ycul's mouth shut.
"Ssssssss! You see that brat over there?" She nudged to Wendy. "She's…Sh-She's from the Posiverse, and her name is Wendy. But I don't want her to know where she is 'cause she might panic, so I told her my name's Edola, y'all will have to make up names for yourselves."
"Oh, for the love of-… wait… frontwards, YOUR name is Wendy." Ycul observed.
"Yes, it's a real coincidence, I know. A real uncanny coincidence."
"The poor thing." Anac said with a mopey face. "Are you sure she can't go back through a mirror?"
"Yeah, probably. Give me a sec." With that, she went back to Wendy and took her hand, leading her to the restrooms.
"Why did that lady call you 'Ednew'?" Wendy asked.
"It's my nickname, all right, don't call me it."
Once inside the women's restroom, they faced the mirror. "BACK YOU GO." She picked Wendy up and shoved her forcefully against it.
"AHH! HEY-! HEY-! What are you do-o-oi-i-ing?"
"Grrrr! Why! Won't. She. Go?" She banged Wendy against the glass several times.
"Uuuuuuueeeeee." The 10-year-old girl became dizzy.
"Um… THAT'S what'll happen if you get in my way too much. I'm not nice, you got that?"
"O-o-o-o-okay."
Dnalevelc Mall
"I can't believe we're shopping for Christmas supplies under Nerehc's orders." Sicnarf said as he, Inap, Nollid, Ydolem, and Nosam rode up an escalator.
"Me either. He changed so much since he went to Termina." Ininap smiled proudly. "And he got the Nimbi with him after all, Sicnarf."
"I guess that means we'll be working with them soon." Nollid sighed. "It's such a pain though."
"No it isn't, Nollid, it sounds wonderful." Ydolem sang quietly. "Two cultures sharing different values. They may even come to love Sapphire Happy."
"Ooooooh I must buy my lovely Lorac a hundred presents for all she's done." Nosam said with hearts in his eyes. "A soap and sponge to scrub her darling body clean after a day's work, a toothbrush and some paste, the freshest foods to keep her body healthy, perhaps I will buy her her own private-"
"And I'll buy you a brain that you'll just lose later." Nollid clutched Nosam's hood.
At the top of the escalator, they split into two groups, Sicnarf & Inap and Nollid, Nosam, and Ydolem. The latter three entered a toy store with toys of less-than-memorable characters, but if they wanted stuff to kick around, make something useful. "Hmmm." Ydolem sighed as she held a Sapphire Happy doll.
"What's wrong." Nollid said in a non-question form.
"I would always love to go shopping with my brother. This Christmas will feel so empty without him. I still can't imagine why he'd do this."
"Well uh, how 'bout for Christmas, I find your brother and turn him into a baby hippo?"
"Hm hm hm, generous, but I'm not sure where he is."
"Oh, he'll show himself eventually. …Until then though, maybe I can search for other agents, like during the Christmas party."
"If you just went around and checked everybody for DNKG markings, wouldn't that ruin the party?"
"Not the worst thing that could ruin it. But I see your point. If only there was a way…?" Out of the corner of his eye, Nollid saw a door in the shop's corner, a purple one with a fancy flashy design, making him question how he missed it coming in.
Nollid walked toward it slowly and creaked it open. The room inside was colored bright purple, further mesmerizing him as he went in. The walls on either side were made of glass, exposing the endless, rotating stars outside, an illusion Nollid thought. Hanging around the normal walls were rows of various masks. Nollid walked up to one that depicted a Mexican wrestler, taking and studying it. The room echoed with light footsteps when a tall man in a grinning, emotional face approached from behind. "Fascinated?"
Nollid turned with a quizzical look. "This is some… shop you have here."
"I thank you. Masks have always been my livelihood." He softly rubbed a frowning ghostly mask on the wall. "I just have… so many memories with them. But you wouldn't understand."
"Yes. But this is a magic shop."
He looked at Nollid with the same emotional grin. "Oh, is it?"
"It is. That's why it wasn't immediately visible coming in, and even the most novice wizard knows a weather or sky illusion."
"My… what a smart little boy."
"Then these are all magic masks. They each have a special power."
"Literally, yes. But each of them possesses a spiritual connection." He took a Goron Mask and felt it lovingly. "Why, if you knew what events these masks have been through… I encourage others to study and engage in the philosophy of masks, to understand what bonds they bring."
"Well, maybe I can start. Are there any X-ray masks of some kind?"
"I believe you want the Falcon's Eyes." The Mask Man took a pair of blood-red specs inside golden-brown frame and earpieces, the tops of said frames designed like furrowed, bushy eyebrows. "These special glasses allow one to see through anything. See for yourself." He gave them to Nollid, who put them on.
Standing before him was a tall, lean skeleton with grinning teeth and sad eyes. "But I don't want to see through flesh."
"Turn down the dial on the left." On his cue, Nollid felt for the tiny dial and turned counterclockwise, skin gradually appearing over the skeleton—"AAAAAHH misfire, misfire!" Nollid averted from the sight and turned it down the rest of the way, so the clothes were fully over his subject. "Sigh… yeah, this could work, though. Whaddo I owe you?"
"Just knowing my masks are making people happy is pay enough."
"That'll put bread on the table. I guess I'll see you later then." He began to walk out.
"Oh! If you flick the small lever on the right lens' top, the eyes can also see through illusions."
"Got it. Thanks!" Nollid was gone.
Having satisfied another customer, the man was happy. He turned back to his desk with his unchanging grin. I am thankful… he did not use the glasses to see through my disguise. This horrible face under my mask… how can anyone stomach it.
Dnalhsa; Kcuhc .E Beer's
"YEEEEEEEEAAAA, seven-hundred TICKEEETS, HIT ME, GIRLS!" Aivuj and Anac smiled and sprayed beer down Ycul's mouth. Yes, what was normally a fun children's restaurant in the Posiverse, it was STILL fun, with games and all, but instead of a free pizza, the prizes involved engorging heavy amounts of alcohol. So no way teenagers could be bored or annoyed here.
Ydnew leaned against a pole and exercised her lungs with smoke, catching glances with cute, hunky boys walking by. Finally, a cute Black boy approached her. "Hey, Doll. What's yours?"
"Ydnew. What's it to ya?"
"Is that your sister over there?" He indicated the child sitting on a chair by the entrance, a sign over her reading Child corner for children customers were forced to watch. Every time someone entered or left, a strong wind blew snow inside that made Wendy shudder.
"Uuuuuhh… yes."
"I like hanging with friends too, but maybe this isn't the place for her. You should take her to a place she likes."
"Say the word and I'll splorp you to another dimension."
"Just sayin'." He kept walking.
Ydnew blew another smoke as Anac approached her. "If you want, Ydnew, I can take her over to my place. I'm not really as active as you guys."
"No, we'll think of somethin'. I wish I coulda sent her back, though."
"Maybe she's looking for her Negative. Goodness, if it weren't for the age difference, I'd say that was you."
"She could be a time-traveler." Aivuj came and told them. "I heard Negatives don't go through time with 'em."
"So what Yds, does she look like your twerpy 10-year-old self or what?" asked Ycul with a smirk.
"Umm…" Ydnew was sweating inside, "I…"
"Niiiil, I told you to come BAAAAACK!" They all looked toward the entrance, finding two girls, a taller one with black hair and a flowing white dress – about 10 years old, and a shorter one with blackish-gray hair, 7 years, and a pink dress with a bow. The younger girl was forcefully tugging the older one.
"I don' wanna Us, I wanna play in the grown-up place!" Nil refuted.
"It's not for yooooouuuu, we're supposed to be finding…" Both girls spotted the tall, blue-haired girl with her friends. "YDNEW!" They excitedly ran over.
"Oh, geez." huffed Ydnew.
"Who are they again?" Aivuj asked.
"Couple of brats who come from Negatar Realms with some Veggie Ship. Nil and Niyus Gnofieb."
"Yddy, where have you BEEN. Your dad wants you back!" Niyus yelled.
"Tell him I ain't COMING back. Not 'til my merry Christmas is through."
"Yeah, US, let Yddy have fun. I wanna play, too!" Nil yelled.
"NOOOOOooooo! She's supposed to be coming BACK with us!" Us pushed Nil.
"I wanna PLAY!" Nil pushed back.
"Stop PUSHING me!"
"Stop pushing ME!"
"NNNNNN!" Both sisters grabbed and rolled around on the floor before they slammed into a wall. "Uuuuuhh dizzy dizzyyyyyy." They sat in place as their pale eyes spun.
"Girls got some weird eyes, ya know?" Ycul observed.
"That's because they're blind." Ydnew confirmed.
"Poor dears! But they sound like they can see." Anac replied.
"They're shadowbenders, and their shadows can see. 'Course, for shadowbenders, they're a lot more active than they're s'posed to be."
"Come on, Yddy, let's go play!" Nil shouted.
"Noooo, we're s'posed to go hooooome!" whined Us.
"Look, I don't wanna go with EITHER of you brats." Ydnew told them firmly. "Bad enough I gotta watch this… where did she go?" She looked at the barren chair beside the entrance.
"I guess she just got bored and ran off." Aivuj figured.
"What?! Are you sure?"
"Not too many twerps have blue hair like yours." Ycul replied, looking around the restaurant.
"Oh, dammit! Come on, we have to go out and find her. Twerps, you're helping too."
"Hide and seek, YAAAAAAAY!" Nil joyfully ran off first.
"Wait up, Niiiiiiil!" Niyus chased her.
DNK Moonbase
Almost every DNK operative on the planet had come to see Moonbase's first Christmas party. The base was always so dull and uninteresting, all of the colors and favors that now decorated it was blinding. Nerehc was never known to do anything so festive, they were just so curious what this would look like. "Hello, Nerehc. Merry First-Christmas-Ever." Nollid greeted, handing his leader a present.
"Hey, Nollid. Still in love with my cousin?"
"No, and she's not your cousin."
"We're moral cousins, that counts."
"Anyway, I visited a magic mask store and I bought these." Nollid showed him the Falcon's Eyes. "They're X-ray specs, and I wanted to use them to search for any DNKG spies." He put them on and viewed Nerehc's skeleton. "If that's alright with you."
"Those things won't give us cancer, right?"
"They're magic, so I can't imagine. I'm sure there're spells for it, anyway."
"I appreciate the help, but I don't want people feeling too uncomfortable. Just keep it subtle."
"Okay." When Nerehc walked away, Nollid began to adjust the dial on the glasses.
"I will never understand your fashion statements." He turned and viewed the skeleton of Ednolal Notselgge. "Even though this is Negaverse, the costumes are still on Halloween."
"Beat it, Edy, I'm doing somethin'."
"Just don't steal my soul with that thing." So she walked away.
Nollid continued to adjust the mode of sight. "…AAAH!" He ducked for cover. "Ugh… I gotta set it so I'm still outside their underwear." He frantically kept trying to adjust.
Dnalhsa outskirts
Wendy had already run miles away from town, a fierce blizzard left in her wake. There really was no reason for her to stay, and it would be dangerous if she did. "I'm just becoming a burden for Ms. Edola." she said to herself. "I should just get out of her way." But still… she looks so similar to me. I just can't except that we aren't related. Siiigh… but what can I do about it. I was abandoned for a reason.
She stopped for a breath after getting a good distance from town. She had no idea where to go… but that nearby glass building looked decent enough. It looked like a greenhouse, so she wondered if it would be any warm this time of year. She decided to go check it out.
This greenhouse was among the most vegetated areas in all the Negaverse. Plants and herbs of all kinds, diverse types of bugs from many countries of the world, all under the care of a single man. He was a charming gentleman with sleek black hair and cool yellow eyes, wearing a black tuxedo, pants, shoes, and a stern expression as he watered a purple rose garden. "Hoooo, what kind of world are we living in that insists on destroying itself. Denying itself the beauty of nature." He waved his free hand as a beanstalk quickly sprouted behind him. "Am I all the world has to let Earth live? No… I'm sure there are others. After all… a cruel world must have kindness. That's why… ours is no different from theirs."
A sudden wind blew inside, the man looking to the entrance as a blue-haired girl rushed in and shut the door. "S-Sorry! I need a place to stay for awhile, i-if it's inconvenient, I'll leave…"
"Nooo… please stay." He focused again on his roses. "To stay… to go… what is the human spirit?"
"S-…Sorry?" Wendy questionably approached him. "Um… my name's Wendy. May I have your name?"
"It's Raseac. Raseac Atnalamid. Botanist. Plantbender. What is a title."
"You have a very beautiful greenhouse."
"Yes… but invite all the humans here, why don't you. Sooner or later, a greenhouse is all we'll have. Our world is steadily climbing with poisons. The world is becoming far too unnatural. One day… they will beg me for shelter. Raseac Atnalamid, the savior of the Earth."
"It couldn't possibly be that bad. I've always found the Earth to be very… pretty."
"Mmmmm, I envy a child's innocence. So oblivious to all that occurs. 20 years ago, a child would not be acting so absurd. This greenhouse is only miles away from a dark mountain that used to stand. One that contained a very evil spirit. Yes… long has he been forgotten."
"Oh. Well, I'll try not to be too much a nuisance here. I promise to leave as soon as I can."
"Though clearly you are already a nuisance within your own soul, ergo you've broken both promises." Raseac looked at a single black lotus floating in a pond. "Ahhhh, but in this world of lies, what can one possibly do? Uhsorororororororor." He whirled his hand softly, the lotus spinning slowly. "If you're gonna stay though, pick up a watering can and help out."
"Okay."
Downtown Dnalhsa
"BLUE GIRLLLLL." Nil cried around the town.
"BLUE GIRRRLLLLLL!" Niyus cried with her.
"Where ARE yooooouuuu?"
"COOOOME OOOOOOUUUUUT!"
Ydnew was floating above and searching the town from bird's-eye view, but there was no sign of her Positive. The fierce wind that blew earlier uncontrollably had died down, so it led Ydnew to believe Wendy had gone away. Not that she was sure how fast airbenders were. "You SEE HER ANYWHERE?"
"NO, but I hooked me a couple of big ones." Ycul called back.
"It's so cold out here, can't we go in for some tea?" Anac cried.
"GET USED TO IT." Aivuj yelled.
The four girls eventually met back on a snow-covered street. "Look, why don't we just forget about ALL these brats and hit a casino or something?" Ycul asked. "For all we know, twerp probably got back to the Posiworld on her own."
"But she wouldn't go back when I… I still say we should keep looking for her." Ydnew insisted.
"Why? It's not like she really IS your Positive." Aivuj said. "You just found her on the street, why do you care if she. . ."
Ydnew just remained silent and looked at the ground. She could feel her friends' stares. Along with the pounding of her dimensionally-stretched heart. "Because she's… lost. If you were lost, wouldn't you want someone to help you? And a little twerp wouldn't understand being in another dimension."
"Don't a whole army of brats know about the Posiverse?" Ycul asked. "And didn't YOU send a brat to another universe a few weeks ago?"
"And what about those-" Aivuj began.
"Yddyyyyyy! YDDYYYYYY!" There came the two brats in question. "We found her, we found her!" Nil jumped.
"No we didn't, the SHADOWS did!" Niyus whined.
"NIY led us into a trashcan!"
"No I didn't, NIL did!" The two engaged in another shoving contest.
"WHERE DID you find her?" Ydnew demanded, pulling them apart.
"OUT THE-E-E-E-ERE!" They pointed outside of town, to a small distant light surrounded by a snowy whirlwind.
"Oh, I know that place!" Anac beamed. "It's the greenhouse Mr. Atnalamid owns."
"Little brat's gotta be fast to get all the way out there." Ycul mentioned.
"Let's go, girls." Ydnew flew ahead using her Space Floating while the other five chased.
Raseac's Greenhouse
Seven black lotuses floated in the pond as Raseac repositioned them in various orders and shapes with his plantbending. He held an unbudded white lotus in his left hand, holding his right above it, made the gesture of moving it up and opening, causing the lotus to bloom as he let it float with the black ones. He looked at one of the upper levels as Wendy watered some dangling bellplants, which jingled happily from the drink. "I see you're an airbender." he said.
"Y…Yes."
"No one else so agile could jump up that ladder. Be careful, because I have this place partly chi-blocked. Element benders, though aggressive, are natural-born entities. I must limit the use of chi to prevent any dangers to my garden, but not so much as to stop a natural flow. A bender that is unavailable to any use of their chi will grow unhealthy. They will be spiritually limp inside. But it's also unhealthy to make the wrong use of chi. This is why a balance must exist."
"I think my chi is a little too unbalanced, though. Everywhere I go, I leave a storm. No matter what, I can't control it."
"Doesn't everybody leave a storm wherever they go? Such is life. In order for a storm to pass, it must happen. As you grow, you will see that storm pass."
"Hmmm… grow…"
"THERE you are!" A sudden gust of wind blew in the entrance when Ydnew and her friends barged in and slammed the door. "Wendy, what are you doing here??"
"M-Miss Edola!" Wendy jumped off the walkway and fell softly using her air. "Y-You came looking for me?"
"Is that what you're calling yourself?" Raseac asked quizzically to Ydnew.
"Oh… it's you." Ydnew said with an unpleasant look.
"You know each other?" Wendy asked.
"I'm one of her father's friends." Raseac made two lotuses spin above his hand with his bending. "Rebellious child, isn't she? Edola?"
"So did you two… talk?" questioned Ydnew.
"A little. But I thought I'd leave you to the important parts."
"WAAAAAAOOOOO!" Nil's mouth stretched to an 'O'. "That girl looks JUST like-" Ydnew kicked her in the head.
"I know, it's uncanny."
"Miss Edola, I thought you didn't want me around." Wendy said with a frown. "I made you look bad w-with that guy, I thought I was ruining your night with your friends, so…"
"Well, you're still lost, aren't you? Gotta help you find your parents—I mean, your home- your orphanage."
"M-My orphanage kicked me out because of my wind curse." Wendy frowned. "I…I really don't have a home. I just run around and do… sigh, just about all I do is run."
"…" Ydnew felt a little sympathy for the girl. She only wanted to keep her safe to begin with 'cause she was her Positive and she might get hurt here. But now she felt a desire to comfort her; even if she was a different person, she was still Ydnew's reflection… er, she wasn't sure how the whole thing worked, but still. "Let's find a place to sit down then, wanna?"
She took Wendy's hand and led her up a small flight of stairs to a higher floor with many pots and plants. They had a seat on twin stools and faced out the glass wall, viewing the snowy expanse. "I'm sorry if I worried you any." Wendy said. "N-No one ever wanted to… have me around."
"So you… don't have any idea who your parents are."
"No. But you have parents, don't you? Mr. Atnala…something said you had a father."
"Yeah, I do. If you ask me, you're lucky." Ydnew said with her smug look. "Telling you what to do, what you CAN'T do, even when you're a grown woman, my father's a pain. You know what I'd give to run around like you? And I do, too. No one to control me, act like my owner, no one to…"
"No one to love you." Tears welled in Wendy's eyes, looking at the floor. "If your father didn't act that way, it means he wouldn't love you. If he doesn't want you to leave, it means he cares about you too much. It sounds annoying, but… you don't know how much I wish someone would do that with me. I'll become a grown woman, and my parents would be crushed to know I can survive on my own. That's the kind of life I…"
Ydnew hated seeing her upset. Maybe because she was watching herself cry, and Ydnew never cried. This twerp was so sensitive, even if Ydnew was actually 10 years old, she had the body and heart of a 20-year-old, she had the toughness to take on anything. Wendy was definitely her opposite.
The red-eyed child wiped the tears away with her arm, facing Ydnew with a brighter smile. "When I first saw you, Miss Edola, I could've sworn I was looking at myself. H-How I've always dreamed of being. Smart, mature, having friends, the desire to run away from my parents and make my own choices. But you look so much like me, it's as if… I've traveled through time, and you're trying to keep that a secret from me so I don't destroy the Space-Time Continuum. If not for the blue eyes and normal rounded ears, I would totally think that."
"I-I know. …" Ydnew looked outside. "In fact, when I look at you, I kinda see myself as a kid again. Sneaking out, running around on my own, being free from Mom and Dad's rules. And since I still do that, it's like I am… still a kid."
"He he he. Yeah. Life is really funny that way, huh? But I guess I can only hope to become as old and mature as you. And when I am older, I'll have control of my airbending too, I bet!"
"Yeah, maybe you will." Ydnew smiled. "Just… you know, learn to take care of yourself."
"I will. Hey, is your family having Christmas dinner??" she asked brightly.
"Uhhh… y-yeah, I think so."
"CAN I come too, oh pretty pretty pleeeeaaaase?" Her eyes never looked so pleading.
"I dunno. Your curse thing might be a little-"
"I won't stay long, I promise! Just for a little while, I just…I just wanna know what a real family dinner is like."
"Nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnnn-nnnnnnnnnnnnnn-" It was like staring at Medusa: Wendy's pretty face made Ydnew frozen.
"Hey, that makes me realize somethin'." Ycul said as she, Anac, and Aivuj came up. "How COME we never go to your house?"
"Because my father is an idiot, that's why."
"But 'e's gotta be away from home sometime!"
"And if you want to show him you're a grown woman, you need to bring some grown friends over to send him the message." Aivuj insisted.
"Oh, can we PLEASE, Ydnew?" pleaded Anac with folded hands. "I bet you have the LOVELIEST house! Any father that wants her daughter to behave like a lady should." ;)
"Weeeeeelllll-" moaned Ydnew.
"THEN it's settled!" Ycul fist-palmed. "We're ALL going to Yddy's for Christmas dinner!"
"Party at Yddy's, party at Yddy's!" Nil jumped.
"At least we're bringing her home." Us replied.
"That's so great!" Wendy smiled with pure joy. "I can't wait!"
"Hurry up and warp us, Yddy!" Aivuj encouraged.
"YES, take us RIGHT to your front door!" Anac cheered.
"We're ready when you are!" Ycul winked.
". . . . . . . . . . . . EEEEEEEeeeeeeehhhhhhhh." It seemed Ydnew was at an impasse.
"If you are unable to warp, I'd suggest going outside, as one of my chi-limits is any sort of teleportation." Raseac told them. "If there is still something wrong, I'd be more than happy to call your father-"
"OKAY, FINE, you all wanna come to my house, BE MY GUESTS, let the PARTY begin!" She began stomping down the stairs, toward the exit.
"Yaaaay! Party is on!" Nil jumped, joining her with Us.
"I call the first 10 chips!" Ycul called.
And as Ydnew led the 6 girls out into the snows, she thought to herself: what had she done.
Blue Eye's Home
It was such a beautiful night. No clouds… only stars. Endless galaxies. Red Eye and Blue Eye stood upon the roof, gazing at their marvel, their black and bright capes blowing in the breeze. "Blue Eye… have you ever heard the story of Guru Laghima?"
"Who is that?"
"He was a wise airbender who lived in the Avatar Realms. They say he was the first human airbender to fly without wings or aid. His heart was as light as a spirit's. He bore no woes."
"That's amazing. Was he a Logia?"
"I don't know. People called him a revolutionary. He once said that new growth cannot commence without the destruction of the old. Some believe that… he sensed what is going to happen."
"But if destruction like this were to happen… there won't be any new growth to commence."
"True. But I believe we are missing a crucial component: our children."
"Children?"
"The new growth that is commencing is our children. And this generation will carry our legacy when that cataclysm comes. In our destruction… our children will grow."
"Not unnaturally, I hope. I want my daughter to… find the right path."
"…Do you know how Guru Laghima achieved aidless flight?"
"How?"
"He let go of his earthly tether. Entered the void." Red Eye closed his eye. "Emptied… and became wind. He abandoned that which attached him to the world. Abandoned everything he loved or desired. His heart, light as a spirit… allowed him to fly."
"But… to sacrifice everything you love… who would choose such a life?"
"Such a life does not have to be. There are other ways to fly without aid." Eye still closed, he stepped toward the edge. "In spirituality and physicality in elements, there are two sides:" He was on his toes. "Light… and darkness." He fell over the roof, and at that moment, soared to the air. His arms spread out. Eye closed, feeling the chill on his face. He felt so free.
"Oooooh!" His Negative gaped. "So all along… you were-"
"To use Air is to know freedom. I want my daughter to know this freedom. That's why… I abandoned her."
"Well, I don't believe in true freedom. Children need control and discipline. Such a path will only create chaos."
"But to fight chaos is to know chaos. Perhaps that is the true path. Sniiiiiff…" The atmosphere possessed a lovely scent. "I think you were right, Blue Eye. Laghima might have well have been Air's first Logia."
DNK Moonbase
Half an hour passed as the operatives had to get a few more things ready, then the party could really begin. "Things look all right so far." Nerehc said to Sipa. "I sent Arorua and Sirhc to go get Mom. Nothing kicks off a party like an exploding head."
"It's no doubt, Nerehc, you are truly a revolutionary leader." Sipa remarked. "To think I'd be celebrating Christmas for you."
"Yeah…"
"Nerehc, Nerehc!" They saw Ikuyim jump happily. "Here come the Nimbi!"
A small fleet of ships parked in the hangar. Floating inside were the black-winged angels with pale skin and modern-style clothing – it's not like all they wore were crummy old robes, this ain't Greece. Naturally, both the humans and angels showed resentful looks toward the other, but not all of them, not Asia, Ydolem, or even Ibsej. The Nimbi Leader smiling, she landed on the floor a few feet from Nerehc. "Numbuh -27 B.C.E., we're honored that you could join us." He walked forward.
"Numbuh -3621, we are happy you invited us." The two Supreme Leaders shook hands.
From above all the action, Nollid skimmed the crowds with the Falcon's Eyes, using a central dial to zoom in closer. Seeing through the main clothes, outside the underwear, Nollid indeed found many concealed 'DNKG' inscriptions, making a list of all the names he knew. "I hate to crash Nerehc's party, but…"
And when passing his vision by Ibsej, that's when he saw it: a faint red laser, invisible to the naked eye. Easily hidden from everyone else… but not Nollid's Eyes. Moving his vision up the laser, his X-rays saw where it came from. "TRANSFIGURO!!" A spark in his brain made him whip out his wand and send a spell at Ibsej.
The Nimbi zapped into a tiny fly before Nerehc's wide, stunned eyes. The base erupted with panic, and the Nimbi guards immediately pulled out guns. Anger fueling his system, Nerehc looked up and positioned his fingers to shoot lightning. "Who-?!"
"STUPEFY!" Nollid blasted a spell at a nearby vent. More panic ensued when a round-shaped body with a sniper rifle plummeted to the lowest floor. "Ednolal." Nollid gritted his teeth. "I knew it."
He dropped to the floor below and whipped his wand to change Ibsej back to normal. "You two need to look at this." He showed both leaders his list.
After a quick skim, Ibsej was confused, but Nerehc never seemed more furious. "Will the following operatives, please come up to me NOW: Yrret Krots, Aenara Thgirbluf, Eel Nosyarg, Enaillihr Ztimelbod, and Yenmihc Ureku-"
The moment the latter's name was uttered, a blackish-green smokescreen swallowed the room, coughs all around. Asia took to the air and blew all the gas away with an expanding airball, and seeing her Sector Leader shuffling through crowds, Asia flew above and pinned her down with a powerful gust. In her struggle to get up, Ahcom came and made her body limp with Gentle Fist. Aenara punched many boys in the crotch as she fought through, but the moment her eyes met Ibyf's up close, she lost all sense of escaping and fell to her knees, begging for mercy to her captors. A great radius of crowd suddenly fell down from Yrret's psychic blast, but- "AAAAAH!" there would be no escaping from Eitra's grasp when he tackled. "You did NOT just psycho-push me!!" Eel used metalbending to uplift the floor and push several kids, but Ynned leapt and bashed him in the head with his baseball bat, leaving Ulul to tie him up with vines. Finally, Enaillihr sliced people away with waterbending, until his cousin, Noraa froze him solid in an ice cube.
With that, all 5 traitors were brought before Nerehc and Ibsej. "So why'd you all do it?" was all he could ask them.
"Goodness, you were irresponsible!" Yrret proclaimed. "Regardless of this change, it's a little too late."
"My sector was the most reliable one there was, but I wasn't planning to take all them on all by myself." Eel stated. "All you lazy idiots pushed me to this."
"Even you, Yenmihc?" Nerehc glared at the -W7 leader. "After you helped make the alliance?"
"Aluben… promised to show us God." Yenmihc uttered. "She was the only person that.. made me hope."
"She didn't have to be the only one. Lock them in prison." The respective captors nodded and carried the traitors away with some guards. "Sigh… what a party this became."
"To be honest, I was gonna show you later, 'til I saw the assassination attempt." Nollid said.
"No, Nollid. We can't really risk any of them running around. Thanks for your help."
"I thought the treaty would make people more hopeful, but even my operatives are still in unrest." Ibsej replied.
"Were there anymore?" Nerehc asked Nollid.
"I didn't know all their names, but I wrote down clothes and hair colors…"
"Oh, I see. Sigh… Merry Inspection Day, everybody. Everyone line up so Nollid can inspect you. Make sure all exits are closed until we're done. We're not risking anymore assassination attempts…"
Ydnew's House
The team of seven splorped out of space onto a snowy ground, standing before a small, shabby-looking house that was lodged into the mountainside. "Wow… no wonder you never took us here." Ycul said.
"It's like a… big dollhouse." Anac observed.
"I-It's not all bad. It's… serene." Wendy said modestly.
Ydnew faced them with a deadly glare as she pointed up. Their expressions changed from displeasure to astonishment: the mountain slanted up at a very steep angle, and many small buildings with windows or balconies stuck out at areas. It was clear that Ydnew implied her house stretched up many floors, which would hopefully leave much room for partying. "Yeah, my dad had our house built in the Naihcalappa Mountains. Well… let's go in."
"Oh, I am so excited!!" Wendy exclaimed with joy. "My first Christmas dinner!"
"Y-Yeah…" Worry still coursing through her mind, Ydnew opened the door with her key. "DAAAAD, I'm HOOOOME. And I brought some-"
"PARTYYYYYYYY!" Nil dashed between Ydnew's legs and past the living room.
"Niiiiiil!" Niyus chased her, going past Blue Eye just when he came in.
A tad startled, the ghostly-white man looked at his 20-year-old daughter, with her same-aged friends and a strange, young guest with red eyes. "Uhh… well, I see you brought company over." He spoke with a sheepish smile. "I wish you would've called before.."
"Hello, Sir!" Wendy greeted brightly. "My name is Wendy! I was lost, and Edola found me. I hope it's OK if I stay for dinner, I promise I won't be too long." She bowed.
"W…Wendy? Edola?" He looked between Wendy's ecstatic face and his daughter's sheepish grin. "…It's a pleasure to have you, Wendy! And you girls, um… feel free to make yourselves at home, but please behave yourselves, I must talk to my daughter."
"TO THE COUCH!!" Ycul flung off her boots and leaped rear-first toward said furniture, resting her feet on the table and flipping on the tele.
"I need to shower 'fore we get started." Aivuj ran off to the bathroom.
"Awwwwww check out Baby Ydneeeewwww!" Anac cooed at the picture of the baby in the sink. "Taking baths in the sink, I'd mistake her for a DOLL, she's so tiny!"
"I'll go find Nil and Niyus." Wendy smiled sheepishly, running off.
With each girl doing their own thing, Blue Eye led his daughter to an empty hallway. "You brought her to this world, didn't you." she stated firmly.
"No, I didn't, but you can't keep denying them the truth."
"I-…I don't want her to worry. If she's my Positive, I should know her better than anyone, and if she learns that we're connected, she might go crazy and worry about me dyin' or somethin'."
"And you aren't worried about her dying?"
"Of course I am, why d'you think I'm trying to protect her?? I mean, I don't WORRY about this Positive/Negative thing, that's how I know SHE will."
"If she does, I wouldn't blame her. Knowing the kind of things you do when you go out, I WOULD be afraid of dying."
"Dad, for the last time, what's the WORST that could happen, everyone does it!"
"Yes, everyone -18 and down does it, but you're only TEN. If you were an older, mature woman, I might let you make these choices, but you're still young, you just aren't smart enough, and I know you're as afraid for your survival as I am."
"And what makes you say that?"
"Your Positive. You were afraid for her running around in this world because if she were in danger, you were, weren't you?"
"Er…okay, maybe I was, but she… she… just doesn't have anyone looking out for her." She looked down.
"Then would she sleep well knowing her Negative's father is only looking out for her best interests, but all she can think of doing is risk both of their lives with drinking, smoking, and… God knows WHAT else?"
"… … . . I'm sorry, Dad. I was just tired of being so cooped up all the time."
"You're my daughter, and I want you to be happy. But I also want you to live a long, fulfilling life. And your daily activities… just will defeat that purpose."
"But…But what about Wendy? She doesn't have anyone."
"I don't believe her own father shares my views. At the same time… I believe he is watching over her. And won't let harm come. I also believe she will find her own friends one day, too. And they will look after her. As for your friends… you need to show them the real you. Tell the truth to Wendy."
"…Okay… I'll do it." Ydnew nervously walked to the nearest bathroom.
"I'm proud of you, Ydnew."
Other bathroom
"Hm hmmmmmm hm hm hm hm hmmmmmmm…" Aivuj was deeply enjoying her shower. After all the blistering cold outside, there was no greater pleasure than showing her sleek, slim body to steam.
"Can't CATCH me, Us!" Nil cheered, running in.
"Come BACK, Nil, Miss Aivuj is taking a SHOOOWEEEEEER!" The younger child chased her around in circles.
"Keh heh! Come back, you guys!" Wendy happily chased them in as well. "We have to go get ready for Christmas-" A bar of soap fell on the floor during their scuffle, and Wendy had the unfortunate pleasure of slipping on it. "WHOOOAA!" Her head slammed hard on the floor. She was out cold.
"WAAAAAAH!" Nil and Niyus screamed. "Wendy's DEEEEAAD!"
"No she isn't! Does she have any bruises?" Us asked. Both of their shadows examined the girl's head. There was a light bump.
"Hold her up by the mirror so she can see!" With that, both girls hoisted Wendy onto her feet, using what strength they possessed to make her face the mirror.
"She's heavy, Niiiil!"
"Come on, Wendyyyyy! Waaaake up-" Nil stepped on the soap. "WAAAAH!" Her sudden movements made both sisters unstable, and Wendy was thrown headfirst into the liquefied mirror. "Oooowww." Nil rubbed her rear. "Huh?… Where did Wendy go?"
"I don't knooow…"
Posiverse; Cullin's House of Mirrors
This dark, barren shop was closed for Christmas, so no one was around to witness a blue-haired girl tumble out of a large mirror on the wall. "Owww… oh?" She regained consciousness and looked with total confusion. This wasn't Edola's house. Not at all. She slipped and fell, and in a split second, she was here. "H-How… did I get here?"
She headed for the store's unlocked exit (security, much?) and viewed the snowy street outside. The street's seemed empty wherever she was this night, as people were likely home for Christmas. "W-Was I… dreaming? Did I run so much, I ended up sleeprunning?" Then I looked in the mirrors and dreamed of seeing my older self… It all made sense to her. Edola's striking appearance. A family Christmas dinner. It was never real…
Ydnew's House
After her shower, Aivuj joined her friends in the living room, Ycul munching chips on the couch and Anac giggling at Ydnew's baby pictures. Wendy walked in with a downtrodden look – in Ydnew's clothes. "Hey, Windgrl. Yddy showin' you the latest fashions?" Ycul asked.
"Actually, uh… I'm Ydnew."
"?" Ycul was skeptical. "Last I checked, Ydnew had cans."
Ydnew's whole face flushed a burning red. "WELL, I AM!! I used spacebending to stretch my body, THIS IS what I actually look like! Wendy was my Positive all along, I'M JUST A 10-YEAR-OLD TWERP!"
At first, they thought it was a joke. Easy to make, since the appearance was so similar. But the tears in Ydnew's clear blue eyes told them all they needed to. "You poor dearie!" Anac knelt down and embraced Ydnew in a hug. "After all this TIME!"
"So, you were a… child all this time?!" Aivuj gasped.
"Yes! I was sick of feeling small and cramped up, not like all the pretty, older women, so I stretched my body to look like a teenager! Sniff. Now can you please not patronize me and leave?"
"So what? You don't want us hangin' out with you anymore?" Ycul asked.
"Y-You don't want me to hang out with you, do you? Because I'm a shrimp."
"Shrimp? Yddy, you're our friend!" Anac hugged her warmly. "Big or small, we can't picture our group without you! We're so glad you were finally honest with us."
"B-But…"
"Honestly, if you came to us in Shrimp Mode, we woulda pushed you down and kept walkin'." Ycul confirmed. "But you know, I kinda like you. Even if you got wee titties."
"Maybe we can't do all the stuff we normally do with you," Aivuj said, "but we can still have a lot of fun together."
"Yeah, like playin' dollhouse!" Ycul smirked and pinched Ydnew's cheek with her toe. "And guess what your role is!"
Ydnew shook away. "So you… don't care that I'm a 10-year-old?"
"Regardless of your bad listening skills, no."
Ydnew forced a smile. "Thanks. I guess all I wanted was to… fit in. Oh! Where's Wendy, she needs to know, too."
"Last I heard, she was chasing Nil and Niyus in the bathroom." Aivuj replied.
So with that, the four of them and Blue Eye ventured to the bathroom, where the two blind girls crawled about the floor like cats searching for grub. "Where's Wendy?" Ydnew asked.
"Nil was running and made her fall!" Us yelled.
"I did noooooot!"
Ydnew glanced at the mirror—flinching at her reflection. She walked up and slowly placed her hand against its frame. Her cold blue eyes peered into her own. She was so… sad.
Posiverse
Wendy climbed onto the roof of the House of Mirrors, her stream of tears poking many tiny holes into the snow. Playing the dream over in her head… it was a nightmare. "I thought I finally had friends, hmf. A family, even. H-How could I be so… stupid?" The streets were clear of all life, no one to hear her cry. The pair of red eyes that watched her from the mist… even if he wanted to, he could never show himself now. Using an Imperius Curse on his own daughter.
DNK Moonbase
Several more DNKG agents were discovered amongst the crowd. Until he could schedule a date for questioning, Nerehc ordered them all locked in the dungeon. After that, the party officially begun, though with a lot less enthusiasm than Nerehc hoped. Eventually, he saw another R.E.P.M.A.C.S. coming to park in the hangar. "Arorua, Sirhc, you know I don't like surprises," Lehcar was blindfolded as her children escorted her in, "so if this is some kind of prank, I'll make you regret the day you ever-" They pulled the blindfold off, the woman devoid of any voice. The DNK Moonbase she once called her domain was bright and colorful with Christmas joy.
"Merry Christmas, Mom." Nerehc proclaimed, his voice as firm as his face. "Yes. THIS is what I am. A little demon that celebrates St. Nick and all that crap. I'm no Arceist, but I happen to like what they do, I visit Church every now and then without your knowledge. I won the Nimbi over with friendship, not force, I just can't get into the idea of chaos and mayhem, and if YOU can't stomach that, just-"
"Can it, Nerehc, Arorua already told me two weeks ago. I was just wondering when you'd crack." Lehcar explained.
"Grrrrr." Nerehc gave Arorua the deathglare, to which she smirked.
"Look, Nerehc, I really don't care. It's not the life I would've chosen, but if it's your forte, who'm I to judge. You're my son, and… I love you. At least now I won't have to worry about you slitting me in my sleep."
"Uuuum… thanks, Mom."
"But I will take no part in this. You can come down anytime, but I have a devil to worship." So with that, Lehcar returned to the R.E.P.M.A.C.S..
"Wow. She took it well." Hcaz said.
"Wait…" Nollid observed through his Falcon's Eyes.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" And Lehcar won the prize for 'Saddest Person on Christmas Day.' "NEEEEREEEEEEHHHHHHC!"
"Oh, Mother…" Arorua shook her head.
"Hehehe. And I thought I was sensitive." Sirhc chuckled.
"Mmm…" Nollid's heart became lighter at the sight, turning his Eyes' vision down. …His heart sank at an unpleasant sight through Arorua's clothes, quickly stashing his glasses. "Well, now that all that's straightened, what say we party?"
"Yeah." Nerehc said. "Can't let the whole night go to waste." He, Sipa, and Ibsej went to join the party.
Everyone began to exchange presents with one-another. Lorac was invited despite being a non-op, and Nosam gave her a mini ice-sculpture of himself and Lorac, dancing romantically. Akurah bought Ahcniea a new knife, Ahcom gave Asia new Super Squeak Sanitizer, Ynohtna gave Ibyf a smiley-face badge, Egroeg and AlyakAm bought each other voodoo dolls of themselves, and Sirhc gave Yddam some fish-fin gloves. In spite of all that's happened tonight, things never felt more warm between them.
"For my Supreme Leader." A child with a round head, orange hair, white shirt and shorts, and a creepy smile gave Nerehc a small wrapped box. "For all you've done for us."
"Uhhhh…thanks…uhhh…" He looked at the box, was about to ask the kid's name, but he was gone. Nerehc tore the wrapping off and picked out a silvery-white mask with white hair on its top – plastic like the mask, purple smiling lips, and slanted evil eyes. He turned it over and found a small parchment. The note read, Meet me on Dnalevelc Beach, -5 Yraunaj, -7:00m.p.. :) Nerehc knew by that smile whom it was from.
"Hey, Arorua, can I talk to you about somethin'?" Nollid asked his leader.
"Okay, sure."
Nollid led Arorua to a dark hallway, quiet from all the commotion. He faced the Sector Leader with a serious tone. "…I saw it on your foot. You're with them."
"W-w-with… who?" Arorua looked afraid.
"These are X-ray glasses, I saw through your boots. Listen… your brother's having a bad enough night, we locked up over 20 operatives during this party. I'm not going to turn you in, but I'm going to stop you if you try anything. Just… think about what really matters to you." He went to join the party without another word. Arorua faced down the dark, barren hallway thoughtfully. Her mother never made good choices… would she be any different?