End of Innocence part 4 By Kali The mystical island of Kalaki, located somewhere in the midst of the Bermuda Triangle, is home to a very unusual group of people. The country itself, has been torn apart by a vicious and calculating civil war for decades. But to a visiting tourist it would appear as peaceful as a sleeping babe. They would only see it's lush palm trees, vast flower gardens, cascading waterfalls, and elegant homes. The only thing visible that would shock outsiders is the sheer number of plants and animals that aren't indigenous to the Triangle. But then again, that would raise anyone's eyebrows. {In a private three-story stucco home, stands a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and ice blue eyes, whom is of an undeterminable age. Her companion, a seemingly young man with dark brown hair, chiseled features, and piercing emerald eyes is desperately trying to reason with her.} Billy: You're not going to go through with this, are you? Ariel: Yes I am. But perhaps, just perhaps, I should not have contacted Erik before. Billy: We had agreed upon it, it was the best way of warning him about Shaw Gardener. But, what you're planning now, ...... It's ludicrous! Think about what you're intending on doing?! You have no normal experience at life. You haven't step foot off Kalaki in more than a decade. How do you honestly expect to fit in with the X-Men? Ariel: Who's to say what is, and is not, normal in this world? {Ariel waves her hand, and suddenly she's transformed into a twenty something ebony haired woman with ice blue eyes. Wearing a tie-dyed tee-shirt and black denim shorts.} Ariel: Oh, I think I will fit in just fine. Thank you very much. I do not need advice from you, Mr. I spend my every waking moment in my laboratory and have no social life, Hayes. Billy: What are we supposed to do if Gardener starts up again while you're gone? You know he will. Ariel: Why dear heart, that's why you are staying here with your cousin Emily. I won't need Sandstorm's help just yet, so until then, she will stay here to help guard the proverbial fort. {Almost on cue, Emily Hayes, a young woman with curly blonde hair and sapphire eyes, walks in.} Emily: Someone mention my name? Ariel, is that you? {Ariel nods to her in her new form, while Emily's expression changes to mock disbelief.} Emily: Wow! Ari, I don't believe it! You're actually wearing something that isn't all black! Cool! Now this is a historic occasion. Why? Did someone die? {Ariel gives Emily a scornful look. Getting the hint, she stops her teasing smile.} Emily: {whispering to Billy} She's waaaaay to serious. Ariel: I heard that! {Billy shrugs in response to Emily's exasperated look.} Ariel: Sandstorm, I am leaving for awhile to take care of personal matters, please make sure to quell any coups Gardener may try in my absence. Emily: Aye, Capitain Ariel! But, why don't I just do this mission? Erik and I got along just fine in the past. and....... um...... Forgive me for saying this, but it was you he had a problem with. Ariel: How did you know that this was about........? Emily: I'm psychic, remember? Well sorta anyway, ......in a roundabout way..... (twiddles her thumbs while looking off to the distance.) Ariel: (softly) I remember. {She turns away and glances out of a large bay window at an Arabian stallion romping in his pasture. His fiery red coat gleaming in the afternoon sun.} Ariel: It is because of my past differences with Erik that I want to do this. I need to make things right between us. His current amnesiac state makes him particularly vulnerable to manipulation. That is why it is so important that I leave now. There really is no time to waste. So, Sandstorm, if you would be so kind as to teleport me to Sleepy Hollow, NY? Emily: No problemo, just don't forget to holler if you need me, and be sure to tell Magnus hi for me when he gets his memory back. {Waves of multicolored sand blow around Ariel until she disappears in a flash of brilliant blue light.} Gardener: (smiling wickedly) Now where is she off to now? {All the color drains from Billy and Emily's faces when Shaw Gardener enters the room. For Emily it's like she's a child again, a helpless, petrified prisoner. But never, never again will she let him see how he affects her. With a thought, she brings up a solid wave of sand out of thin air, and slams it into him as hard as she can.} Gardener: (spitting out sand) Testy, aren't we? But then you always were an unruly child. {He lunges at her arm, while she teleports away.} Gardener: Perhaps, you need another lesson. You've obviously forgotten what I taught you. {She stares at him with rage in her eyes and malice in her heart.} Emily: If you want to get into it here and now, I am more than ready Shaw. Gardener: But I'm not. For I have so much to do, and so little time to do it. I'm afraid that we'll have to continue this little tet a tet at a later time children. In regard to Ariel's little "mission". Well, I'll just have to find out for myself. Now won't I? Ciao. {He leaves, slamming the door behind him. The resulting tremor causes intricate crystal figurines to fall off their perches and shatter upon the cold marble floor. With a small gesture, Emily manages to remake all the figurines in a blink of an eye.} Emily: Now what? We've been lucky so far. He hasn't tried anything in months. Billy: I know, it's not a good sign. But we never expected to keep this a secret from him. Emily: No, but............We're going to need Foxfire's help on this. Please find her Billy, ASAP. {Billy nods, and heads off in grim determination.} {After her cousin's departure, Emily's facade of strength collapses as she falls to the floor, and curls up in a fetal position. Shaken to her very core, fearful of what the future may hold.} Emily: (Thinking) I'm not a helpless child anymore. I have the power to defend myself! Why can't I just forget about Shaw. Why must I always feel this terror?!? I can't let anyone see how I really feel inside. I have to be strong! Kalaki needs me to be! Winner sung by: Yukari Konno translated by: Lekha Matsumori Rao ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Donna koto mo yareba dekirutte mono ja nai Dakedo muri o shichaou jibun o koetai kara Kanarazu tsukamaeru saikou no shiawase If I try, there's nothing I can't do But I've got to do the impossible, I want to get over myself Surely I'll capture it - the greatest happiness Mae ni susumenai yo Kono mama no kibun ja Kinou no kyashisa ga Tachidomaraseru kara Guruguru mawatte Nukedasenai meiro Deguji ja nakute mo Uchi yabutte shimaou I can't set forth with this kind of mood Yesterday's vexation can stop Turning round and round in a labyrinth I can't escape from It's not the exit, but I'll force my way out Yo no nakatte konto ni Yawa ja kachinokorenai Hamukatte kuru no nara Uketetatsu made yo In this world there's truly those who can't be winners by being naive If you try to attack me, I'll stand up to you Ikujinashi ni natte Nakitai toki mo aru Dakedo muri o shichaou Shun to shitakunai kara Saigo no warau no wa Itsu datte watashi yo I've become spineless There's times I want to cry But I've got to do the impossible Because I don't want to hang my head in despair The last one laughing is always me SNAP VIDEO ni wa Odoketeiru watashi Nani yatteru no yo "katsu" Ireteyaritai Itsu demo "ii ko" wa Iikagen ni yamete Chotto gurai mawari bibi raseteyari na yo On the snap video, I'm joking What are you doing? I want to "resuscitate" you You're always the "good kid" Just cut it out Scare people around you a bit Kimochi o butsuketatte Kaette wa konai no ne Doushitara setsunasa wa urushisa ni kawaru? I threw away my feelings They won't come back, will they How will pain turn into happiness? Dare mo watashi no koto Wakatte wa kurenai Tsutaerarenai kimochi Mune no naka de hajikeru Modokashisa odaite Anata o mitsumeru No one can ever understand me My untold feelings bursts open in my heart I overcome my irritation I'm gazing at you *Repeat ...Nakitai toki mo aru Dakedo muri o shichaou Shun to shitakunai kara Saigo ni warau no wa Itsu datte watashi yo Kanarazu tsukamaeru Saikou no shiawase... ...There's times I want to cry But I've got to do the impossible Because I don't want to hang my head in despair The last one laughing is always me Surely I'll catch the greatest happiness...