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Image of Ike

I had forgotten I drew this one.

Artwork Drawn by me

Copyright © 2010 by qstarfire.

All rights reserved.

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I had found a hidden place I never seen before. It is a nice and peaceful little alcove within the forest, surrounded by low hanging weeping willow trees. I need some time to meditate and be alone for a while. I spent an entire day meditating and digging deep within my unconscious, looking for something, anything, that would help me get back home. During that entire day, nothing came to me, no matter how long I meditated and no matter what I found within my thoughts.

How would I even get back to my time? Mother never taught me a spell to open a rift within time to travel to other places. I am not skilled enough like this.

I look up at the dark evening sky and my hood falls on my shoulders so my hair falls out. My deep purple eyes focus on the full moon and I listen to the breezes of the night.

I will require assistance, from another skilled mage, but...

I look back down, at my hands. I pull out a little bit of my magic, and try to figure out how to focus it into a path back to my time. The only thing I manage to do is agitate my emotions and stress them out. I look back down at my hands.

I can't...I can't do this alone. But there is not anyone here who can help me though? Roy told me that he has not heard of such magic before, so it is likely there is not any here.

I look back up at the moon, trying not to fluster my emotion and trying not to shed any tears.

Then how would I get help here...I am an outcast. Nobody trusts me, it's terrible. I feel lonely. I cannot do anything on my own here. I do not know anywhere I could go. I do not have any information about this place.

After thinking those evil and non-helpful thoughts for a while, the only thing that appears in my mind is Ike. He would not get out of my random thoughts. However, I do have to admit to myself that...never mind. I need his help. That is what I was going to say...

Later that night, much time past midnight, I decide to search around, alone, within the shadows of the castle and around the forest. Before I depart, I pull my hood back over my head. The castle I see most resembles Ylisse castle in this time and the forest that resembles the forest I played in as a child right around the castle. I stand around the castle for a while, watching it and studying it.

I study the castle for maybe an hour and study how the castle is laid out. I find an area that most resembles the window of my room. I climb a tree nearby trying to stay hidden. I peer through the window and see an empty bedroom but it is nothing like my room though. I jump down, I near the wall and place my hand on the stone. I use my magic to embrace my hand and press through the wall. I disappear inside the walls and peer inside. I duck back outside and continue exploring around the outside walls. I find an outside courtyard around the back. I do not see many people around the castle, but that is better for me because that means I am less likely to be discovered.

My search came up short. The only thing I managed to accomplish was to explore a little, but I soon realize that I would not get anything done on my own here. I spin around and dart my eyes about.

I thought I saw something, but maybe not.

I find a small opening within the forest and sit down for a bit. I decide I need to do some more meditation before I lay down for a rest. However, before I get into my session of meditation, I hear light footsteps approaching me. My eyes snap open and I quickly stand. I see a tall and thin figure approaching. Once it gets closer, I see Lucina appear into view. I hide myself inside my cape and levitate slightly about the ground and make sure to watch her every move.

"Star, I have been searching for you,"

"Why? What do you want?" I ask sharply and quietly, trying to hide the annoyance in my voice. "I...no, Ike sent me Star, relax..." Lucina's voice was calm. I have never heard her sound this calm before.

"Okay, I'm listening," Lucina lets out a slight sigh.

"I have been following you. Ike asked me to find you and keep close watch over you,"

My expression did not look pleased. "Oh? Why did he send you? Why did he not come himself?"

Lucina puts up her arms in defeat. "Listen Star, I did not come to fight...I'm sorry okay? Ike asked me to. Ike explained to me why I should trust you. He wants to help you and said sorry to have pushed you to leave like that. I'm sorry okay, I wish to start over. He wants me to bring you back,"

I keep looking into her gaze. She looks quite serious. After a moment, I let out a sigh. I drop to my feet, close my eyes for a moment then open them again.

"Okay, Lucina take me to him,"

Once Ike sees me, his face lights up slightly and looks relived. I approach him and Roy, and exchange expressions with Roy as I pass him by going to greet Ike.

"Greetings, Roy,"

He nods. "Hello, Star,"

I turn to Ike and let out a smile without realizing. He is smiling back and gives me a short hug.

"Hey, Star,"

Oh, he just gave me a hug...and I just realized I am smiling.

"Hello, Ike," I say, then I drop the smile.

"I was hoping Lucina would find you. Listen, I wish to help you, Star," Ike pauses for a moment and exchanges glances with Roy like he was telling Ike to say what he was really thinking.

"And I would feel better if you stayed with us," I look between Ike and Roy, then to Lucina then back to Ike.

"Honestly, the only thing I found out while exploring around here is I need your help Ike. I realized I would get nowhere alone,"

I can't stay here though...I can't get attached...

A sad look sparks on my face and I could not hide that one. Ike finds my gaze and asks, "What is it, Star?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just...I can't stay here. It's not because I dislike it here...I just have to find a way home. Once I find a way home, I must go right away,"

Ike studies my face for a moment, then nods. "Okay,"

"But I have decided...I will stay with you," I pause for a moment. "Thank you for everything you have done for me. I do not feel I deserve this, so I appreciate it," I turn away.

I almost said too much. I must compress my emotions again soon. I keep telling them I cannot stay so I do not get attached. I tried to do this on my own keep my mind set on my goal....to not get sidetracked...and nothing more!

I realize I had gotten myself worked up enough to be expressing myself all over my face. I quickly hid my face and turn before anyone gets to say anything.

"Let's go, I need to meditate soon,"

It stays silent for a few moments. Then Ike breaks it, "Look, Star, Roy was speaking to me about a place he knows that might be able to help you. We wish to escort you there,"

I slowly nod, without looking towards them and still hides my face. "Okay... Thank you,"

I suddenly hear many angry footsteps coming from all directions around me. I let lose my magic without thinking and the see-through black orbs appear around my hands and my eyes turn dark like a black light was shining through them. I quickly throw a see-through black magic shield around me and I cross my arms across my chest.

I hear Ike behind me begin to ask if I was alright, then see the guards appear, surrounding me. Some of the guards mumble similar things the previous guards had said. They say things like, they must capture the girl with dark magic, and the word dangerous was thrown about.

Is dark magic an evil thing in this land? Are Ike, Roy and Lucina hiding things from me? Those guards act as though they feel threatened when I am in their presence and I do not have to do a thing.

The guards slowly approach me, as though they are taking caution, watching my every move. They act as though they do not see Ike, Roy or Lucina at all.

How strange...

Some of the guards' attempt to attack me, weaken me so they may have a change to capture me. One attack manages to strike my shield but it does nothing and I do not flinch at all. Then Ike appears between me and them, intercepting the attack, Roy was on the other side of me. The guards halt in their tracks once they see them, like they are surprised they were there. I drop my shield, however I keep my orbs out and my eyes are still darkened. I keep my eyes on them, watching for any sudden movements. I then look at Ike, standing in front of me.

He did not even hesitate to protect me at all...

"What is the meaning of this," Ike asks the guards, keeping a stern look on their gazes. Then Lucina appears in front of me. She places a hand on Ike's shoulder and he allows her to pass. The guards see her and appear stunned.

"Princess Lucina," the guards kneel in her presence.

She speaks, "What is the meaning of all this?" Repeating Ike's question, insisting they give her an answer. The bravest guard answers, "There is this dangerous female, with dark magic, milady,"

Ike does not hesitate at all and replies quietly, "She is not dangerous..."

The guard does not look over at him, keeping his gaze on Lucina and me. He mumbles he was ordered to capture this female. The guards charge past Lucina and Ike, right towards me.

Don't these guards belong to Lucina's castle? If they take orders from her father, then shouldn't they also obey Lucina? Well...then again my guards back home do not take orders from me...but I was much younger then when I realized that.

Before the guards get anywhere near me, I had already tossed my shield around me once again.

Lucina quickly spins around and yells towards them in frustration, "You must obey me at once!"

The guards do not obey and strike my shield several times. I do not flinch or show any signs of dropping the shield. Ike, Roy and Lucina jump into action, striking the guards and forcing them to retreat or fall where they stand.

I just realize...

Wait, if Lucina is forcing her guards, who must be ordered by her father, to disobey him and do as she wishes, isn't that...like...a bad thing? Why are they doing all of this for me? I must be a rebel in this land and they could easily send me away...but they do not...

The guards finally retreat, deciding they do not wish to fight the princess, I guess. Once they all have left the scene, I feel all eyes on me...

I drop my concentration and my shield drops. I lower my arms then, dropping my magic back to rest. My eyes go back to purple and the orbs disappear. I keep my arms across my chest though, holding the sides of my arms. I land back on my feet, then I find Ike's gaze on mine. My hood has covered my eyes again, shadowing them. I let my cape fall around me, covering my body and hiding my arms.

"I'm sorry...I cannot stay here. I should not. I might harm someone or someone might harm someone else if I stay. I do not wish to take that risk. Everyone here believes I am dangerous, so I should leave,"

Ike steps forward. "Star, please, stay with us. We will protect you as we escort you. We will do our best to keep you on the low side and keep you hidden,"

I look at Roy, then Lucina. Roy and Lucina both nod to me. "I will lead you to my land, Star. I have someone who can assist you. I agree with Ike, you should travel with us,"

"Come on Star, Ike and Roy are right. Stay with us,"

After a moment, I nod, surrendering to the discussion. I find Ike's gaze once more and say quietly, "Okay, I just do not like the feeling I feel while I'm here. I dislike it. I do not feel welcome,"

Except you guys...you guys seem to be the only ones that trust me...

I turn and begin to follow Roy, down the darkened path towards Lycia.