Canyon stood still on her perch, unable to move. It was as if Alabastorm's words had petrified her. Now she knew Talios's story, and the sacrifices that he had made. Now she knew why he wasn't an evil Water-X. He was definitely the only Water-X in the army. A sudden question came to her. What was the Rising Sun's name? She realized that she never knew the name of it.

    "Alabastorm, what is the Rising Sun's name for their army?" Canyon asked him, after she had regained her ability to speak.

    "Oh, that," Alabastorm said, "We do not have an official name, but what we prefer to be called are The Legendary Phoenixes, for you know - the whole phoenix army. Others call us the Slayers of Ice, the Elite United Force, or this really weird name - the Commadons..." Alabastorm started to look thoughtful. "Though I have no idea where in the world the Commadons name originated from." He fell silent. In fact, it seemed as if the library had suddenly gone silent. Canyon could now hear the tick-tock of an old clock made of entirely electricity.

    "Oh, what may await us once Ice Talons comes here?" Canyon asked, breaking the silence. "What is King Falcon Claws doing? Is he raising his defenses higher, now that the Forbidden have broken free?" She didn't know what she was saying, and was thus surprised at Alabastorm's reaction.

    Alabastorm suddenly snapped back to attention. "What do you know about the Forbidden?" A more, vigorous amount of fire flew from his mouth.

    Canyon raised her head and neck, completely baffled at this question. "I read it in the Hunterless District Library. In the legends, they mention just a little bit about the Forbidden. It mentions a part of if the Ice Dragons are free, then the Forbiddens's spirits may as well be freed. My family helped clarify that part-" Canyon stopped short, choking on those last words. Mentioning about her family made her voice quiver. She felt guilt whispering inside of her head. She turned away, her back to Alabastorm, wrapping her wings over her head.

    She felt the woosh from Alabastorm's wings as he perched right next to her. She felt as his wings slowly extended to wrap around her to envelope her in his warmth from his wings. "It's all right, Canyon." He whispered. "We've all had to make sacrifices in order to do the right thing. To come here." Only wisps of flames came from his mouth. It was as if sharing sadness calmed his inner flames down.

    Canyon turned her head away, not wanting for Alabastorm to see those silent fire tears drip down her face.

    Alabastorm sighed. He knew the heartbreak that she was feeling. He knew that she wanted this conversation to be over. So he changed the topic. "We'll begin your battle whenever you want. And this time, it will be interruption free! No floppy little birds like Elixir, just you - and me." Was that her face peeking over her wing? Alabastorm could see her smiling a little bit.

   Canyon looked at Alabastorm warily. "And what will you do?" Was there a hint of friendliness in there?

    "I will think of what to do. You," He nudged her head up to look into his eyes, "will rest. At the crack of dawn, meet me at the Ring of Fire. We'll determine you. Night is coming in. I will be at the north end  of the Rising Sun, if you need anything. Guarding. Making sure that we are secure." Because I want to protect everyone.

    Grudgingly, Canyon flew out of the library, and soared to her nest that when she first came. She nuzzled her stuffed hawk that she had made earlier her at the Rising Sun. It always reminded her of her family. And this time, she cried softly. She weeped into her stuffed hawk, reliving those nice memories of home.

    It was a long, slow, deep silent night. Canyon eventually cried herself to sleep, her last thoughts of her first hunting expedition...

    She dreamed of her memories. She dreamed of all of those good times. She dreamed of her family.

                                                                                                     ~~~

    Canyon woke up the next day, refreshed. She had used up all of her supply of sorrow last night, and was ready.

    She tracked down a large, plump vole, killed it, and ate. Alone. By herself in the west end of the Rising Sun where that part was mostly forest. When she went down to the pavilion to eat her special Fire Phoenix meal, she had a vivid, blurry image from a memory of Strikimir. A warm, silver glow that quickly vanished. Canyon shook her head slightly, determined to not be shaken up today.

    Everyone at the phoenix pavilion were eating their special phoenix meals. Eyeing Canyon - almost mockingly. They whispered to each other about her. She couldn't see them do it, but she could hear them. Every time she turned in flight to a whispering phoenix pair, they'd just fall silent, held under gaze - frightful of her powers. She could hear them whispering about Strikimir, and Canyon. Their being related.

    Canyon felt a sudden blaze of anger build up inside of her. What was so bad about Strikimir that she should be involved with? She knew how he was bad, but at the same time now felt proud to be related to a powerful kite. But the whispering became louder, and louder, and louder...

    Finally, unable to contain her anger, she screeched, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU!" She twisted around in mid-flight, flames flaring angrily, "STOP! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW DIFFERENT HE IS COMPARED TO ME! AND IF YOU EVER TREAT ME LIKE THIS AGAIN, THEN YOU WILL SEE THE TRUE POWER OF WHAT A RELATIVE OF STRIKIMIR CAN DO!" As a dramatic effect, she shot a burst of red fire into the air, which exploded in mid-air, showering phoenixes under the explosion with embers. They were all screaming, panicked. Canyon was growling softly, flames behind her.

    They are all weak minded. They are not what the phoenixes stand for. I am different than them.

    Canyon soared out of there, leaving the screams behind. Canyon went to the Ring of Fire, where Alabastorm already was. He was in full body armor, perching on a fire branch - polishing and sharpening a double bladed axe.

    "I see that you've already beaten me to the Ring of Fire," Canyon said, from behind him.

    Alabastorm jumped, dropping his axe which clattered noisily to the stone floor. "Ha ha, Canyon!" He flew down to pick up his axe. "Ready to battle? 'Cause this will be a very lovely time to do a Test Battle." Flames curled around his beak that smirked.

    Canyon nodded, and went to the other side of the Ring of Fire, knowing that she will never be the same again. She was different now that she knew the truth. It didn't bother her now.

    Canyon was a Fire Phoenix. A phoenix with a different heart and mental power ability. Unique compared to others. Like the legends say about Strikimir.

    Strikimir. I'm coming for you - whether the legends are true or not. I don't care for your legendary acts. I just want to know the whole truth from you.