I just realised yesterday that I posted chapter 3 and 4 on the same day, yet I don't remember doing so. *exaggerated clapping* GOOD JOB ME, JJ, WELL DONE.

Pain and confusion coursed through Ciara as she became aware of where she was. Her body was cold and stiff, her cheek pressed against the cruel cobblestones that served as her bed. As her vision focused, she could work out slender metal bars towering around her like a forest, the gaps between them far too thin for her to squeeze through. She placed her palms on the icy floor, shakily forcing herself into a sitting position, her fingers not properly responding when she tried to move them. There was a crisscross of shallow snow on the ground around her, and as she awkwardly drew her cloak closer around herself for warmth she noticed she was in a cage. To the people walking by on the streets, she must've looked like an animal, trapped and panicked as she was pointed and stared at, some even laughing at her sorry state. Her cage was elevated, stood on a platform only slightly bigger than what it held. The bars were freezing, so she avoided leaning on them for support, but from a few tugs and pokes she established that the material was incredibly strong and next to impossible to break out of. There wasn't enough room to stand up, so if she tried she would have to almost be bent double. Barely any children seemed to be here even though it seemed a nice enough street, pleasant buildings that all appeared to be shops, but opposite her she could see directly into a welcoming café. She breathed into her hands, rubbing them together, hoping for the feeling to return to them. A cheery family were walking down towards her, and for a moment she imagined her in the young girl's position, holding her parent's hands and walking next to her brother and sister, commenting innocently on 'how big mummy was getting'. It was almost scary how similar that family was to her own if everyone had lived. To her surprise, instead of just striding past, the kids came right up close, forcing the parents to semi-reluctantly follow. She gave a wave and a smile despite herself, before noticing that her fingers were going blue and pulling a panicked face then shoving her hands inside her cloak.

"Excuse me miss, but why are you in the cage?" The boy asked softly, before suddenly looking stricken. "I mean, if you are fine with telling us, I don't really mind either way..."

She gave a airy laugh, deciding to make the most of her rapidly diminishing time. "I'm a bad person and... And I'm going to go to the moon and stay there."

"Why are you a bad person?" He inquired, completely forgetting his manners once again.

"I sent other people to the moon, so I have to go after them and apologise. Though why the people who told me to apologise put me here instead of sending me to the moon first is beyond me." She explained, her breath coming out in a fog.

"Oh, that's silly." He paused before deciding on something else to say, the parents watching in confusion. "What's your name, miss?"

"My name is Ciara, what's yours?" She replied, unable to help herself thinking about whether she and Ridge would ever have had kids.

"Tommy!" He stated proudly, puffing out his chest in the most adorable gesture.

"And who are these two?" She questioned, genuinely curious of the answers.

The older sister smiled, though she seemed a little wary, clearly understanding a little more than her brother. "Clover, and she's Kaitlyn. She hasn't spoken a word before."

Ciara crawled a little closer to their side of the cage, not touching the bars, just examining little Kaitlyn, who's bright green eyes shone up at her. "Hey there Kaitlyn, how are you?"

"Um, Ciara, we just told you she doesn't speak..." Tommy pointed out, somewhat uncomfortably.

"I don't think you're a bad person." Kaitlyn's voice rang out as clear as a bell, her tone smooth and sweet.

Her mother burst into tears, hugging her tightly and mumbling things through happy sobs. Clover covered her mouth with a hand, seeming to be frozen in shock. Tommy, at first, didn't seem to understand the weight of the situation, but then he gave a shout of joy. Their father watched them, his kind, weathered features crinkled in a smile.

"T-thank you, so, so much Ciara!" The mother exclaimed tearfully, curling her gloved hands around the bars of the cage.

"It was nothing... I'm so happy for you." She responded, a tear trailing down her own cheek.

"You shouldn't be in here! They must've got the wrong person, you're far too sweet to be a cold blooded killer."

Ciara dropped her voice to a whisper too quiet for the kids to hear. "No, I belong here alright. But my brother and friend don't. Unfortunately, the authorities don't seem to understand that. Still, it's amazing to know there's still some good in the world. Take good care of them, because you never know what will happen."

"You don't deserve this... But thank you. I don't see you as most people do. You're different." She pulled away from the cage, passing a sad look back before setting off down the street with her family behind her.

Kaitlyn trailed behind, looking up at Ciara, big green eyes sparkling with some unknown knowledge, and for a moment she looked older than the universe itself. She didn't say a word, just took the striped scarf from around her neck and pushed it through the bars. Ciara cautiously put her cold hand on top of the younger's warm one, who didn't pull away, before taking the fluffy fabric and wrapping it around her own neck. The young girl gave a sad smile, then an apologetic nod, before drawing her hand away and trudging after her family. In that moment, she seemed far too mature. Ciara saw a twinkle of her own in the child's eyes. But before she could think about it further, Kaitlyn was gone, leaving the brunette alone with her deep thoughts.

"CC! You're awake!" A heartwarmingly familiar voice called out, sending heat raging through her frozen body as she turned to look at her brother.

"Toby! Ridge!" She called out, smiling, before she saw the armed police officers behind them with scowls.

The two guys bounded up to her cage, and only then did she notice how beaten they looked. Ridge appeared worse off, dirt and blood smudged on his face and cuts on his arms, but his golden eyes still had the playful glint that never seemed to leave.

"We missed you," Toby said, reaching through the bars, only to jerk back at her cold touch.

The demigod noticed her blue lips and pale skin, instantly taking off his coat and pushing it through to her. "These guys are sick. They just want to watch you suffer..."

"You can't say I don't deserve it, Ridge." She replied distantly, gratefully shrugging on the toasty fabric. She couldn't help but notice that it smelt of him, and only just refrained from burying her face in it.

"You've changed!" He burst out, making their guards tense, so he dropped his voice again. "You've changed..."

"Does changing my beliefs and personality change the past?"

"Well... No, but-"

"Exactly, no. When I'm dead and gone, the people will feel a victory, but the memory of me will remain for a while. People can forget what I did, but not forgive. I am one of those people." She stated philosophically, eyes locked on the sky, but in reality she wasn't staring at anything.

"B-but..." Ridge stuttered at the same time as Toby sadly whispered, "CC..."

One of the police officers stepped forwards, shoving the two away from the cage without so much as a thought for their feelings. He pressed his index finger to a scanner, making a green light emit from it before one side of the prison swung open. A second grabbed Ciara by the wrists, handcuffing her before dragging her out and carelessly dumping her on the ground. Ridge bristled, his hands in fists by his sides, his shoulders visibly rising and falling with each breath he took in an attempt to calm down. Chains were put around her ankles as she struggled to get back up, further restricting her movement, with every step jingling tauntingly. It was clear they weren't taking any chances.

"I thought this was the might Red Hand Murderer? Not just some wimpy girl. I thought she'd at least put up a fight," The first guard muttered with a scornful snigger.

"These two put up more of a fight than her!" The second one replied, kicking her in the back of her legs as she walked, making her fall into the snow.

She got back up with some difficulty, determined to stay controlled. Her feet seemed to carry her on their own accord as she walked behind the lead officer, keeping a steady pace as she held her head high. Toby and Ridge were behind her, wanting to help but knowing that if they did she'd be put through even worse. They were being led to a dark building, one that was emblazoned with the same symbol as the badges on the policemen's jackets, with the writing 'Hexxopolis Police Department' curving around it. She took in her surroundings, noting that all the windows were barred and glazed with bulletproof glass, her eyes darkening with temptation as she saw the keys gleaming on a fourth officer's belt as he came over and took the lead. Eventually, after being led down steps, they reached a long room lined with prison cells, getting glares from the burly inhabitants as they passed. Ciara was shoved forwards into an open jail, but she managed to keep her balance, turning around just as her two friends were forced in after her. The iron door slammed shut, and footsteps faded away.

After a short silence, Toby decided to lighten the mood. "At least we're in here together, eh?"

"Yeah, this way we get to figure out an escape plan!" The demigod said, only to be met with a challenging look from Ciara, so he sighed and shook his head. "Joking, I'm joking."

"Does this look like a joking situation to you? No! I'll bet we're to be executed when day breaks, and we'll die in front of an audience of thousands, maybe more! Does that sound cheerful? No! Did I want you to be in here? No! Do you know why? Do you?!" She spat, throwing herself on the plain stone ground and leaning her back against the wall. When they stayed silent, shocked from her bitter outburst, she continued more softly, "Because I don't want you to be in the same situation as me. I want you to be safe, to live your lives, enjoying the scenery in Tekkitopia with everyone else, not here with me to die. I don't want people to hate you because you were with me. I don't want people to say, 'Hey, remember that Ridgedog? Yeah, the one who helped that awful Red Hand Murderer'. I don't want you to be associated with a heartless murderer, I don't want you to be looked down upon, I don't want you to die!"

"That was a poetic, heartfelt outburst, missy." Came a strangely gentle voice from the cell next to them.

A face peered through the small, barred window at the top of the wall that separated them. The man had rather unruly blond hair and dull brown eyes. Stubble dotted his face, and glasses were perched on his rounded nose.

"Hello," She mumbled without properly looking his way, feeling that if she was cold towards him he would leave her alone. Besides, who was he to listen in on their conversation?

"I take it you're the famous Red Hand Murderer? I guess it's some sort of an honour to meet you. I'm Peter, a poet." He introduced himself, and all three couldn't help but state at him in disbelief.

"U-uh, hi, I'm Ciara, this is Ridgedog, and he's Toby. You're a poet? What's a poet doing in this place? I mean, no offence intended, but you don't exactly look like you belong here."

"Nor you," His face momentarily disappeared, for he was taking a quick look around to make sure no guards were nearby. "I don't belong here, the government has been corrupted for years, and it all started just before your 'career', if my memory serves me correctly."

"It was rather... Odd, let's say, the way the police officers were going at things. They were attacking us in the midst of all our friends. They even injected me with some chemicals so my demigod side was temporarily disabled..." Ridge mused, more to himself than anything else.

"Yeah, believe it or not, they're robots programmed to act like humans," He continued, almost seeming excited that he's finally managed to tell his discovery to someone who wasn't insane or on the border of being so.

"I can believe that. One of my best friends is a robot, and aside from looks, you wouldn't know the difference. I wonder what Bebop is up to now..."

The poet looked surprised. "Where are you from? Because nowhere I know is that technologically advanced."

"Tekkitopia, quite a way from anywhere." The demigod explained briefly.

"A secluded gem." Toby chipped in, absentmindedly rubbing his chin.

"A real diamond in the rough..." Ciara muttered, one hand propping up her head as she stared at the door.

"I think I've read a few poems about there... It seems that it's important to all of you, if you don't mind my asking, why is that so?"

A smile unknowingly slipped onto her features as she tilted her head up to look at the plain ceiling instead. "It's far more than important. Tekkitopia is the place where our fate's changed and where our destinies intertwined. It's the place where memories are made and held dear to us, it's the place where friends are made just through eye contact. It has magic and science, as well as those who like one and despise the other, yet they unknowingly love someone who is partial to both, whether that be as a friend or more. It's a place where no one is discriminated against, a place where everyone is welcome... The ideal place for many, the Aether of Minecraftia if you will."

Toby glanced at his hand, eyes running along the faint pink scar cutting across his palm. "It's a place where secrets are made, mistakes were made, and friendships were made."

Ciara looked down at her own scar, giving a sigh at the thought of the perfect life, one that was snatched from her more than once. While the men conversed, she stood up and peered out the barred window, having to go on her tip-toes to see. Outside, Hexxopolis expanded out before her, with all its dirty streets, empty buildings and homeless souls. It wasn't a place of beauty, it was a place of corruption, a place of ruin, a place of curses and death. Not a single speck of natural greenery was in her limited sight. Her hand subconsciously gripped the scarf, still around her neck, tighter at the thought of that happy family. Another example of a diamond in the rough. Not everyone was evil, not everyone was motivated by self-interest, she knew that now, but there was no way should go back in time to tell her past self that. Of course there were still some, like Herobrine. The sky darkened at the thought of him, clouds springing up out of nowhere. For the first time, she thought about how strange that was, how the weather always changed with her emotions. Perhaps it was just her imagining things, wishing for a better future, pleading to change her past. But another part of her knew it wasn't true, and she pounced on that idea hopefully, before concentrating. Her ears tuned in to Ridge's voice, not paying attention to what he was saying, but just enjoying his tone. She loved the way it was airy and husky at the same time, comforting yet commanding, gentle yet angry. She loved the way he sometimes said the most random things, made the most ridiculous noises, or pulled the most unusual face just to make people smile. He may be a demigod, but he still has feelings, he still loves and cries, he still protects and fights like any of them. The sky turned back to blue and the sun shone with a power more determined than before, glowing unusually brightly for early autumn. Then again, snow wasn't exactly normal at this time of year, but Hexxopolis had always been one of the colder places in Minecraftia. Cold air swept in, running over her face, as her thoughts drifted back to the fact that their death was imminent. She didn't mind dying, at least not too much as she knew Toby and Ridge would be safe, but she couldn't bear the thought if them dying too. The part of her that was glad for having someone by her side at her end was slightly comforting, but she thought it was unbelievably selfish so pushed it to the back of her mind.

There was a sudden clang against the door. "Keep it down in there or we'll separate you! I'd advise you to settle down, get a final night of rest before your eternal slumber."

A sudden thought struck her and she eagerly got up, facing Peter. "Was there anyone in particular who was possibly responsible for the corruption?"

"Well... There was a new guy who joined the government and began stirring up trouble. He had crazy ideals, yet for some reason, people still passed the insane laws that led us to be put here," He wrinkled his nose in thought, pushing up his glasses as they tried to slide down. "I believe his name was Enirboreh, apparently from somewhere further than Tekkitopia, far further. Not surprised with an exotic name like his."

"Of course..." She muttered under her breath, before beaming up at him. "Thanks for the information! But, uh, if you don't mind, I'll be grabbing the sleep I won't need again."

"Night, Ciara, Ridgedog, Toby. I wish you well, if we don't speak before... Well, goodnight." He disappeared from the bars, probably settling down himself.

Ciara found a corner and curled up in it, relishing the warmth and the comforting scent of Ridge in his coat. She suppressed a squeak of surprise as arms snaked around her waist and pulled her closer to a hot body. Her eyes opened and she tilted her head upwards slightly to look at his face, greeted by a grinning demigod. Toby, feeling a little dejected in a corner of his own, watched with narrowed eyes. He was protective of his sister, and despite knowing that Ridge would take good care of her, his gut still didn't like seeing her in someone's arms. But she was happy, and that was confirmation enough that she would be fine. He smiled at the sight of the two of them, Ciara comfortably laying next to the demigod, who appeared relaxed, before closing his own eyes and allowing his thoughts to drift off.