FCGS - Chapter 10

"Someone created that Doppelganger?" Tadakono said sitting with Phenomenon and Syaoran watching the mirror. The three felt more at ease now with Lack and Chibi there helping Minna, illusions and brighteyes. "But who? And why?"

"Aside from that," Syaoran said looking around. "Do you get the feeling that we're being watched?" He drew his sword and rested it on his lap. Phenomenon turned into a Champion and summoned spheres.

"Now that you mention it," Phenomenon replied. "I do feel it. I can't see anything though. We're in a very bad position here. It's hard to defend and it's way too open. If we're attacked…"

Something howled faintly. Tadakono summoned a fireball and kept it. "There's something there alright." Colored lights flashed in the distance. Metal hitting metal rang out. Howling continued getting louder. The three stood facing towards the sound. A flutter of wings and a large gust of wind forced them backwards.

"Stay back! This isn't an enemy you can face by yourselves." Tadakono was first too look up. Large bat-like wings blocked his view. Metal rang out and an arrow flew past them hitting something causing light to flood the room.

"Shadow?" Syaoran said slowly in surprise. He looked around to where the arrow came from. He could only see a pair of eyes. "Blackrose?"

"The mediators are here," Phenomenon said his eyes finding Balos. "But why?"

~~~

Lack smashed the last gem with a well aimed throw of his blade. The Doppelganger screamed and exploded into many berries. Without a word, he transformed into a Champion and created a Warp Portal to headquarters. They leapt through.

"It's too quiet," illusions said as they walked towards the front doors. Stepping inside, they met Tadakono in the hallway.

"Where's Syao?" Tadakono asked surprised. "What happened? You all look really worn out." illusions opened her mouth to say something but Chibi took a hold of her wrist and gave her a sharp look. Lack noticed Chibi's look and understood.

We can't trust anyone here at the moment. Two doppelgangers are here and could be anyone. "Syao is running an errand for me at the moment. He was glad we were ok." Lack replied to Tadakono. "I would like to rest a bit before he gets back." He walked off deep in thought towards his room. He spun and snapped to a pillar close to where Chibi and the others stood.

"We'd like to train a bit," Minna said quickly dragging illusions and brighteyes towards the Training Room. They too doubled back and waited near Lack. "Are you sure it should be Chibi who determines if he is a Doppelganger or not?" She whispered to Lack.

"I'm sure," he replied. "Chibi is the only one who can sense Alchemical properties of things. If this person isn't truly Tadakono then she'd know. Although, I know it puts her in a very vulnerable position. She gave me this just in case." He held up an Yggdrasil leaf. They turned and watched Chibi and Tadakono quietly.

Chibi looked up at Tadakono. Her eyes seeing through his chemical structure. "Can I ask you something?" she said suddenly. She felt he wasn't the true Tadakono but she had to make sure. "What did you do to Phenomenon during the battle with Contra? I've never seen a wizard-class do that before."

Tadakono looked confused. "It was nothing really. I've always been able to do that." Lack could see Tadakono trying to answer Chibi's questions evasively. "Let me ask you something now."

Chibi blinked in surprise. "Go ahead." I can't give Lack the signal if I don't know for sure. His alchemical structure is confusing. He isn't human… I don't think. Though it could be someone trying to hide as Tadakono.

"Your Lif," Tadakono began. "Is it able to resurrect?" Chibi narrowed her eyes at him. That's it. It isn't Tadakono. Tadakono and I have had the discussion on my Lif before. He asked the same thing back then too. I doubt it's a guild member either. We know each other's abilities like me know our own. But is it a Doppelganger… Chibi pulled at her pouch signaling to Lack that the person in front of her isn't the true Tadakono. Only one way to find out now...

"Hold your position," Lack whispered to Minna, illusions and brighteyes. "She hasn't told me yet that he's a doppelganger. Only that he's not Tadakono."

"You've asked me that before…" Chibi said in a low voice. "Are you trying to trick me? I know what you are." Tadakono stepped back. "I am a Creator. Just like your master. I can see through Alchemical creations."

"What is she doing!" Lack said annoyed. "She's going to get herself killed." Lack stepped out from behind the pole. Minna, illusions and brighteyes followed suit.

"You will show me what you truly are," Chibi raised Azoth. Lack's eyes widened, he didn't know Chibi possessed Azoth. Chibi leapt and slashed Tadakono across the chest. The outer skin fell away revealing a doppelganger.

The doppelganger screamed. A yellow circle grew outwards from it's feet and spreading until it encompassed the entire room. Lack and the others froze in place. The doppelganger looked down at Chibi. "A fight between us. I won't let anyone interfere." It drew its sword and brought it down against Chibi. Blocking with her Azoth, Chibi leapt back and darted towards to back of the room. Lack struggled against the freeze spell. "Come out little Alchemist!" The doppelganger called hunting around for her.

"She's going to die if we don't do something," Minna murmured struggling. Her eyes opened wide. Lack stared at her questioningly. "I just felt something move near me."

"It's cause I'm here," Chibi whispered. "I'm going to set you all free but... It will cost me my life. I knew this from the start. A doppelganger won't show itself unless someone like it's master challenges it or it finds the target of it's mission. We weren't it's target so it didn't reveal itself. So I had to challenge it. If someone was in disguise, my Azoth would of broken their disguise spell. I gave Lack the Yggdrasil leaf knowing this."

Lack looked at where her voice was coming from. His eyes concerned that she didn't relay that piece of information to him. "There’s was no way around this?" he asked quietly. "Or is there something else that you've left out?"

Chibi softly sighed. "A doppelganger usually has only one spell that they can use. A specialty granted to them by their creator. There is no telling what spell it would be. I guess that with the blue gems that it would be a mage spell. The possibility of it being a freezing spell was high. What I need you to do is change your armor to be resistant to freeze spells. I can hold out til you get back but you need to be quick."

"Alright," Lack sighed. "I wish you told me this sooner. The armor we need is in the Training Room. I'll snap us there and back. I assume that's why you changed your armor earlier. I was wondering why you did that."

"Hmm," Chibi murmured in acknowledgement. "Get ready." Chibi leapt out from behind the pole breaking her Cloaking spell. The doppelganger leapt at her swinging his sword wildly. Chibi threw a Bomb straight at it and jumped backwards landing in a crouch position next to the pole. Using Azoth, she nicked her thumb and placed a drop of her blood into four Alchemical coating bottles. She coated Lack and the others with the bottles granting them temporary immunity from freeze.

"Take care til we get back," Lack murmured to her snapping away with Minna, Illusions and brighteyes. Chibi nodded and focused back to the doppelganger.

~~~

Tadakono, Syaoran and Phenomenon stood before the three Mediators. "You're saying what?!" Syaoran cried. "We got to get back to Headquarters fast then!" Tadakono and Phenomenon nodded in agreement. Shadow, Balos and Blackrose took a hold of them and flew up out of the Labyrinth.

"I don't know if Lack and the others made it there yet," Blackrose told them. "But there are two more doppelgangers within Fight Club headquarters. They have your appearances. You were placed here to make their job easier. The one Minna, illusions and brighteyes were fighting was the one that took on Syaoran's appearance."

"We'll get there soon," Balos added as they flew over the Sograt Desert. "And hopefully we'll get there before the doppelgangers run riot within Fight Club."

~~~

Chibi flew backwards across the room. What am I going to do now? It's stronger than I thought. I'm already reaching my limit. Standing shakily, she leaned on her sword and faced the doppelganger determined not to let it pass her into Fight Club.

"What's wrong little Alchemist?" the doppelganger asked menacingly. "You're mates won't get here to save you. They're dead already. My partner is going to be here soon and we'll wipe this castle clean!" It darted towards her, sword high above its head. Chibi flicked two Bombs at it and braced herself. The explosion forced the doppelganger away from her. "That," it said moving towards her again. "Didn't hurt a bit!"

Chibi stood, her entire body hurt from the explosion. Where are they? They're taking too long. The doppelganger charged again bringing its sword down across her body. Chibi cried out in pain. Her eyed blurred as she stood and readied her sword. It's going to kill everyone if they don't get here soon.

"How about I tell you something good?" the doppelganger grabbed her neck before she could move. "It's not like you'll be able to relay this to anyone after you're dead." Raising it's sword, it smiled at her. "My Creator is…" It plunged it sword deep into Chibi's chest. "Loki!"

~~~

Lack skidded backwards breathing hard. "So your mission was to kill me?" The doppelganger ran at him sword level to Lack's chest. Lack summoned spheres and threw them forcing it backwards. It only has one gem. Good. Lack continued to force it away from him while he thought of a plan. Glancing at the girls, he noticed them running towards the doppelganger.

Illusions and brighteyes Meteor Striked and Minna brought her daggers hard onto the single blue gem on it's back. The doppelganger fell with a moan and turned to Moth Dust. Lack, without thinking about what happened, grabbed a hold of the three girls and snapped down the hall to where they left Chibi.

A scream rang out down the hall. "Lack!!"

~~~

The mediators reached Fight Club headquarters. Setting down in front of the main door, Shadow sensed something was really wrong. Upon touching the door they heard someone inside scream. Tadakono, Phenomenon and Syaoran burst inside. Blackrose held onto Shadow and Balos, her eyes towards the sky.

"We have company," she replied. "Not welcome company either." The three watched a man descend from the sky with a mischievous smile on his face. "Loki…"

~~~

Chibi stood, her hands holding the sword deep in her chest. Her eyes glazed over not seeing both the main door open and Lack snap into the room. The doppelganger smiled. "You're mine!" Chibi drew out a Bomb and threw it at the doppelgangers face. The explosion caused her to fly backwards hitting the wall near Lack.

Tadakono cast Lord of Vermillion and both Syaoran and Phenomenon darted at the doppelganger. Syaoran cast Berserk and slashed at the doppelganger. Phenomenon threw spheres and from the corner of his eye saw illusions and brighteyes leap in to join Syaoran. Minna turned into a High Priest and supported everyone against the doppelganger.

"I heard you," Lack said crouching down close to Chibi. "We found the other doppelganger. It's mission was to kill me. It had only one blue gem so I guess that means this one will have two." Chibi smiled and shut her eyes. "You did well." He held the Yggdrasil Leaf between his index and middle fingers and focused his power into it. Bright light surrounded Chibi restoring her life power. Her wounds, however, didn't heal. "I don't understand."

"It's alright for now," Chibi replied sitting up and leaning against the wall. "It's because of the freeze spell it cast earlier. It used it on me through it's sword. You'll need to kill it to break it's spell. So for now, it'll be alright."

"I hope so," Lack replied getting up. He turned to face the doppelganger. "If you die on me, I won't forgive you." he added before walking towards the doppelganger. The doppelganger cast freeze and sent everyone flying. "You have some nerve," Lack said to it in a low voice. "Harming my guildsmen like this and almost killing my second in command."

"She's not dead?" The doppelganger asked. "I failed? I don't think so. She can still die I see." The doppelganger looked up to the sky. "Master…?" Light surrounded it causing everyone to shield their eyes. The doppelganger laughed as the light died away. "Master gave me more power!" It threw spheres back at Phenomenon and cast Stone Curse. "Fight Club must die once and for all!" Lack snapped away from the spells and spheres coming closer and closer to the doppelganger.

Chibi 's eyes began to blur once more. I'm losing too much blood. She looked up and caught Tadakono's eyes. He darted over and cast Safety Wall around himself and Chibi. "Tada…" Chibi said softly. "I couldn't tell Lack. But I think he knows already. This wound will kill me faster than it will take to kill that doppelganger. I…"

"Chibs," Tadakono replied casting Resurrection. "I already understand what you're asking. It's alright. Just rest and I'll take care of it." Chibi leaned back and relaxed letting Tadakono's spell wash over her.

~~~

Sitting in the meeting room, Fight Club members waited for Lack to come. Syaoran, Tadakono and Phenomenon sat in their usual chairs. They glanced every now and then at Chibi's empty chair. Lack entered the room. A blue ribbon wrapped around his wrist in place of one of his gloves.

"Right then," he said to the seated Fight Club members. "Everyone knows now about the doppelgangers that invaded our headquarters. Let me give you all the details incase you all face similar situations. Loki, has declared war against the gods. Because we fought on the side of the Gods, and because we were victorious over Contra, Loki has decided to wipe us off the planet first. The doppelgangers were part of his plan. I'm unsure whether Loki himself created them or if there is an alchemist-class somewhere that created them for him. Velvet Touch of Enishi also seems to be under his control. I'm unsure as yet whether it is voluntary or not on their part."

Trelawney stood. Her eyes glistening. "We're not all here. Chibi, illusions, and brighteyes aren't here. Something happened to them didn't it?"

Lack nodded. "They fell during the battle that took place in the Foyer. Chibi is in her room…" His voice trailed off and fingered the ribbon around his wrist. "illusions and brighteyes are in the infirmary. All three are doing alright and will take some time to recover even with Healing."

After the meeting, Tadakono, Syaoran and Phenomenon stayed back. They were worried about Lack's reaction when he mentioned Chibi. Lack tugged on the blue ribbon around his wrist, lost in thought.

"Lack," Tadakono started. "Are those three really ok? Or is something wrong?"

"illusions and brighteyes need to go through a tougher training regime to get stronger," Lack replied. "Chibi, on the other hand, worries me a bit. That wound she received during that last battle isn't healing as well as it should. She keeps telling me it's alright and she'll be good as new in no time…"

"Don't you worry Lack," Tadakono said with a smile. "Phenomenon and I will give her our special treatment. Right?" Tadakono winked at Phenomenon trying to get the hint across.

"Don't worry Lack," Phenomenon added picking up where Tadakono left off. "We'll take care of Chibi." He got up and dragged Tadakono with him out of the room and halfway down the hallway before bursting out. "Are you crazy? If something happens to Chibs and we've said that Lack will murder us both."

"It's alright," Tadakono said with a smile steering Phenomenon towards Chibi's room. "We just have to make sure she gets better." Tadakono knocked on Chibi's bedroom door.

"She's not answering," Phenomenon said giving a small knock as well. "Maybe she's asleep. She gets really angry if we enter her room without her permission."

"She's in no position to get angry at the moment," Tadakono opened the door. Chibi looked up from her desk. Her clothes stained with blood. "You shouldn't be moving!" Tadakono cried as Phenomenon cast Heal.

"Been working on something," Chibi replied. "The doppelgangers got me thinking. If a doppelganger can be created with basic ingredients and a blue gem. Then many can be produced at once, right? There's got to be an easier way to kill them. One on one is ok but if there was three or four we'd all be dead."

"Even so," Phenomenon said to her. "You should leave that up to Lack to work out." He kept up his healing, draining his spiritual power.

"Lack doesn't have all the information," Chibi replied dipping her quill into the ink pot nearby. "I wanted to write down the alchemical stuff in an easy-to-understand format for him to analyze. I know you're both worried but I want to do this then let myself recover."

"Chibs," Tadakono sat near her. "Lack's worried too. He's carrying around one of your ribbons for some strange reason." Chibi gave him a small smile.

"So he was the one who took it off my door," Chibi said with a smile. "Finished!" Turning to Tadakono, she added "I left it hanging on my door because there was blood on it. He's probably using it as a reminder on how badly a doppelganger can hurt one of his Guildsmen. Don't worry. Look, after I get into bed, use you're duo treatment on me and by tomorrow afternoon I should be all healed." She got up causing her wound to break open again. Picking up a blue potion she flicked it at Phenomenon. "Ah, can you give that notebook to Lack."

FCGS - Doppelganger Arc - Chapter 9

Syaoran, Tadakono and Phenomenon awoke in a dark room filled with light from hundreds of fireflies. The room appeared to stretch on forever in every direction.

"So you're woken up?" a soft almost alluring disembodied voice sounded through the room. "Welcome to the labyrinth of Yggdrasil. You'll learn the price for entering Velvet Touch of Enishi headquarters with a cat and disrupting our precious plans."

"Jemini!" Syaoran roared in anger. "Let us out of here!" He stared up towards the light covered ceiling. Phenomenon helped Tadakono up and the three stood staring at each other waiting for her reply. Only silence filled the room and the three wondered what they were going to do.

~~~

"Where are we going Syao?" illusions asked. Minna and brighteyes looked worriedly at each other. Syaoran's behavior was different from normal. Syao's sense of direction was much more better than this. "Syao! Do you hear me?" Minna took illusions arm and the three stopped walking.

Syaoran turned around and looked wonderingly at the three. "Want to rest? Though we're almost there." Minna shook her head and looked at Syaoran's eyes again. She gave illusions and brighteyes a small pinch and blinked at both of them.

"You're not Syao are you?" brighteyes said angrily. Her jurs flashed in front of her. Syaoran smiled and a line appeared down his face revealing glowing blue skin. "What are you?" illusions and Minna prepared to fight .

"Me?" The line on Syaoran's face split, increasing in size until the image of Syaoran fell on either side of the creature within. Minna gasped in fright. Illusions and brighteyes shook slightly as they stood their ground. "I'm a doppelganger. Not your usual run-of-the-mill doppelganger either. If you defeat me, I'll tell you more." An evil smile played on the doppelganger's face.

~~~

A shining orb appeared suddenly in front of Syaoran, Tadakono and Phenomenon. "You can watch as your guild dies slowly. Member by member." the voice sounded through the room once more. The orb expanded into the shape of a mirror. A scream sounded from the mirror. The mirror's image slowly revealed brighteyes being thrown a great distance.

The three watched on as the scene unfolded in front of their eyes. Tadakono fell to his knees feeling helpless. Syaoran gripped his sword, his spirit within burned angrily. Phenomenon covered his eyes fearing the worst.

~~~

"Where are we going now?" Lack asked Blackrose. Mt Mjolnir grew closer and closer. Blackrose shook her head and set him down near a large sunflower. Screams could be heard from a distance. "What's going on?"

"Chibi," Blackrose said softly. "You'll need these." Chibi transformed back to her Creator self and took the pouch from Blackrose, almost dropping them on the ground. "Potions. You'll need them. And Yggdrasil leaves too." Turning to Lack, she added "Loki has declared war on the Gods and those who side with them. Because of your guild's victory over Contra, he's decided to wipe Fight Club off the face of the earth first. Myself, Balos and Shadow have been given permission by Forseti to search Yggdrasil for your members who were with you at Velvet Touch of Enishi. You need to help the three here then go back to Headquarters before those who are there are lost too."

Lack closed his eyes. "Right… Ready Chibs?" Chibi nodded and attached the pouch to her belt. "Anything else I need to know, Blackrose?"

"Don't under estimate you're enemy. They aren't who they appear to be." Blackrose said flapping her wings. "Over estimate their power. Fight on instinct not strategy." She flew off into the distance.

Lack grabbed Chibi's arm. "Get ready to fly." Chibi shrieked as Lack snapped towards the screams. Chibi's eyes darkened. In her mind's eye, she saw Lack walking alone through an island. Silence was heavy in the air. Something steps out of the shadows and brandishes its sword at him. Coming to her senses, she could feel his aura changing. "I'm going to be a Stalker for this. I need you to revive and heal whoever is there and tell them to fight by instinct, and fall back to you before they die. I want you to take the stance of a priest in this battle."

"Lack," Chibi said her voice shaking. "Why don't you let me fight?" Lack looked back at her. "Is it because I am a Creator? Or some other reason?"

"Because you're at you're strongest as support." Lack replied suddenly stopping. Light surrounded him and his clothing changed to Stalker-class. "And because you're not physically strong enough yet. I like when you're supporting me and the other in the guildsmen like it also. You're stronger than a priest in some ways."

"Sorry...," Chibi replied softly. "I didn't mean…" Lack ruffled her hair.

"Ready to go?" Lack said with a smile. "I won't go easy on you if you die." Chibi smiled back and nodded.

~~~

"There's no way they can win against that!" Syaoran cried punching the ground hard. "Not even Lack would have enough strength to defeat it." Tadakono watched in horror as brighteyes fell into a crumpled heap.

"There's nothing we can do," Tadakono said, his voice shaking. Tears came to his eyes and he shook all over. "Why is this happening? Why!" A feral roar sounded though the mirror. Phenomenon uncovered his eyes.

"What was that?" Phenomenon asked, his hands shaking. His shaking turned into surprise as a dark figure jumped into view landing in front of the doppelganger. A blue figure separated from the dark figure in mid-flight and landed near brighteyes. "It's Lack!"

"And Chibi!" Syaoran cried. "They'll be alright now won't they?" Syaoran turned to face Phenomenon and Tadakono. "They'll be alright… Won't they?"

~~~

"Lack," Minna breathed heavily. "Thank god!" She fell backwards into a crumpled heap. Illusions gratefully sat down hard, her heart pounding in her chest from over exertion. Lack looked at the two quickly, then at Chibi and brighteyes before launching an attack on the doppelganger.

"Chi… bi…" brighteyes murmured slightly mesmerized by the white light coming from what Chibi was holding. "What… are… you… doing?"

"Don't talk," Chibi said quickly. She shut her eyes and murmured to herself. "Under the light of Yggdrasil, restore this soldier's strength and life. Link this person's life thread with mine and we shall walk the path of this battle together." White light surrounded brighteyes restoring her life power. Brighteyes sat up and looked at Chibi in surprise. "That was a fabled Yggdrasil leaf and I've made it so I can see your life thread. I'll explain where I got it later. Lack said to fight by instinct and I will pitch you a potion if your life goes into the red." brighteyes nodded. "Go help Lack. I'll attend to illu and Minna."

"So the Leader of Fight Club shows himself at last," the Doppelganger hissed. "I knew you would come. Did your poor guild members summon you?" Lack didn't reply. He focused his power and cast Sightless Raid multiple times before disappearing into Chasewalk allowing brighteyes to leap in and Meteor Strike. "What's this!" The Doppelganger cried. "How are you able to move again?" Looking around, he saw Chibi with Minna. "The creator…" Lack leaped out and swiped at the Doppelganger with his twin blades. "Your second in command is here too…" The doppelganger darted away from brighteyes' Grimtooth and ran towards Chibi.

"Chibi!" Lack called out. Chibi looked up and cast a circle of flames around herself then an Alchemical coating on both Minna and herself. Minna changed to a Stalker and blocked the Doppelganger's attack. A loud cracking sounded, the sword and armor of the doppelganger fell to the ground in pieces. Minna leapt over the fire and swiped at the Doppelganger with her blades forcing it back. Chibi waited in the ring of fire to make sure the doppelganger wasn't going to come after her again before running over to illusions.

On her way, she brought out her embryo. "Grant me my homunculus for this battle!" Her Lif appeared and bowed to her. "Flyte I need you to monitor the life status of Lack, brighteyes and Minna. Keep out of the Doppelganger's way. I allow you to use your heal on them until I get there." The Lif nodded and flew off towards Lack. Chibi ran to illusions side, rummaging through the pouch for another Yggdrasil leaf.

Lack noticed a spiral of white light encircle him spinning from his feet to his head and then disappear. Glancing around quickly, he saw Chibi's Lif floating nearby. Good thinking Chibi. He slashed quickly at the Doppelganger and jumped backwards as brighteyes Meteor Striked. It doesn't look like it's dying even after it's lost it's armor. In the corner of his eye, he saw Chibi and illusions running towards the Doppelganger. What Is Chibi doing? Getting that close could kill her.

Illusions leapt and brought her jurs down hard onto the doppelganger forcing it down onto it's knees. "Now Chibs!" Chibi drew her sword and smashed the blue gem on it's forehead. The doppelganger screamed and threw illusions at brighteyes sending them both flying. Chibi jumped backwards and landed in a crouching position near Lack.

"Are you insane?" he asked. "You could of gotten killed!" Chibi looked up innocently and flicked a blue potion at him.

"Not insane," she replied standing up. "I just realized this Doppelganger's weakness. This Doppelganger was created with an Yggdrasil Berry. The blue gems on his body connect him to his creator. It's just like the blue ribbon my Lif wears connects it to me. As long as the gems are there, it won't die."

"I see," Lack replied watching Minna, brighteyes and illusions swiping at the blue gems. "But why so many?"

"Blue gems are used by Mage classes for spells correct? Acolyte classes use them too." Lack nodded. "The person who created this Doppelganger wanted it to be strong against those classes. Thus, using blue gems makes it immune to the spells used by blue gems. The number of blue gems relates to what number Doppelganger this is. Since it has three, it means there are two others somewhere else. That's probably what Blackrose meant. The two others must be in Headquarters."

"Then let's defeat this one and get there," Lack roared and ran towards the Doppelganger. "Chibi… Don't scare me like that again."

FCGS - Doppelganger Arc - Chapter 8

Chibi sat still in Lack's lap. Her eyes watched Kashy pace up and down between them and MikeRex. Her small black ears twitched slightly irritated at the silence and the fact that Lack was still bound. Her tail tapping against Lack's leg letting Lack know of her irritation too.

MikeRex sat glaring at Lack as if to project anything he had done onto him. The chains that held him not budging an inch. MikeRex could of sworn that they were actually getting tighter if anything.

Lack sat calmly. The tickle of fur on his arm and the slight tapping on his leg told him Chibi was ready to attack Kashy out of frustration. He looked up at Kashy and asked again, "What are you going to do?"

"When Forseti and Eir get here, your question will be answered." Kashy replied looking over to Balos, Shadow and Palidor. "You… " Kashy looked at Lack before deciding to unbind him. "You'll need to explain why you were at Velvet Touch of Enishi. My concern is more over the possibility that a Seed of Life being used for evil intentions rather than it's true purpose."

"Why is he unbound and not me?!" MikeRex yelled angrily. "Why does he get his questions answered and not mine?" Kashy slapped a mute spell on MikeRex before leaning in close to MikeRex's ear and replied in a low dangerous voice. "Because Lack has proven his reliability through a case we were working on previously. And because I don't trust anyone who is going after the Seed of Life, even if they're an Alchemist or Creator."

"Then why isn't Chibi bound?" MikeRex murmured with difficulty as the Mute spell strengthened the more he spoke. "She has a Lif which proves she's had the Seed of Life in her possession before."

"Because she's already bound in that form. Due to a past mistake of hers, she's permanently bound to being a cat whenever she's here," Lack replied petting Chibi in an attempt to calm her. "I can hear you from over here by the way. Your voice is as loud as a Dullahan."

Kashy nodded. "It was her choice to stay as a cat rather than have experiences taken away because of her mistake with an Assassin Cross by the name of athan. I gave her the choice because I understood her troubles gaining experience and the fact that Alchemy itself is an expensive profession."

MikeRex stared at Chibi who stared back. Her ears pulled back and eyes narrowed gave her the impression of telling him to say something stupid so she had an excuse to come attack him. MikeRex just blinked and gave her a sympathetic smile.

~~~

"They're not back yet?" Tadakono asked Phenomenon over breakfast. "It's been almost a week, hasn't it? Usually if they use Warpra it would take them a day, two at most. I hope nothing has happened."

"I doubt it but Syao is taking illusions, brighteyes and Minna out on a scouting mission just to be sure." Phenomenon replied concentrating on his bacon. "If something has happened, Lack would of made Chibs run for it to come get us. Even if she didn't want to leave him."

"But knowing Lack too, he's strong and unafraid. It's have to be really close to death and out of potions before he would ask for help. And if he had Chibi's endless potion making and pitching in a battle with them could take forever. Or at least until Chibi ran out of herbs and potions to pitch. Then it would come down to Lack's Healing and Magical Power level." Tadakono poked a hole in his egg causing the yolk to run out onto his toast. "But then again, if you put someone like Chibi, I mean an expert at potion making, with anyone and a battle could go on forever. It just goes longer with those from Acolyte classes because if an Alchemist class was interrupted or something happened, they're able to heal themselves and the Alchemist could pick up again afterwards."

"We'll see what Syao finds out after his mission," Phenomenon said with a sigh and wolfed down the rest of his breakfast. "I'm off for a morning workout." With a wink he added, "Too bad Chibi's not here so I can beat down some Paladins today."

~~~

"What was the Seed of Life going to be used for?" Forseti asked MikeRex for what Lack thought was the 8th time. "And why were you going to get a Creator whom had already used it once to attain it for you. For one, she wouldn't be able to see it if her Homunculus is still alive." Glancing quickly over to Chibi's Lif, he added "Which I see it is. And another, all Alchemist class know that it is a bindable offence to attain the Seed of Life for anyone else but themselves."

Lack gave a small yawn, which was mimicked by Chibi's Lif, and twirled a piece of string in front of Chibi. Chibi swatted at the string lazily. She was bored from listening to MikeRex being questioned. Both had answered Forseti's questions honestly and were free to go when possible. Eir glanced at Chibi and closed her eyes briefly before opening them again.

Chibi… Chibi looked up at Eir, her ears pulling back to form sharp points. You can hear me, yes? Chibi twitched her ears in reply. You feeling alright at the moment? The holy aura in this place must be hurting you. Eir knelt down and pet Chibi on the head. Lack raised an eyebrow at the familiarity between Eir and Chibi. You haven't been experimenting again? Chibi purred and rubbed her head against Eir's hand. I see. Nothing beyond your abilities? Good. I'll get BlackRose to take you and Lack to another scene that is developing elsewhere. Eir got up and spoke to BlackRose.

Lack leaned over and whispered in Chibi's ear. "You know Eir well?" Chibi gave a small mew and watched BlackRose walk towards them with a pouch in her hand that she received from Eir.

Blackrose knelt down beside Lack and whispered, "You want to go?" Kashy looked at her and Blackrose gazed back before giving a smile and a nod. "I need to take you somewhere before I can take you back to Fight Club headquarters though."

Lack nodded and picked up Chibi, whose fur stood on end at the sudden movement. Chibi ordered her Lif to go back to being an embryo for a while and sunk her claws carefully into Lack's sleeve. Blackrose placed her arm around Lack and flew off towards Mt Mjolnir.

~~~

Loki paced Hel's bedroom. "Contra was useless! MikeRex is getting questioned by Forseti… Maybe I can get his brother to get the Seed of Life." Hel sat on her bed watching her father work up a little storm.

"Maybe, instead of his brother, try an alchemist class?" Hel asked trying to be helpful, hoping he doesn't see what she had done to Morgue. Loki gave her a withering look. "Well, it's better that way because an alchemist class can attain it without too much trouble. What do you want the Seed of Life for anyway, father?"

"I want to create some competent soldiers rather than rely on these useless puppets. I've taken blood from those who I believe are strong and I'll create my soldiers from them."

FCGS - Doppelganger Arc - Chapter 7

"So what now?" Blackrose asked quietly as she played with a black feather that had fallen from her one of her wings. "Contra is sealed but there's still an air of trouble."

"You feel it too." Shadow sighed. Her eyes focused on a looking glass. "I have my followers looking out of anything suspicious but they've found nothing as yet. Tho they do say that MikeRex is acting oddly."

"How so?" asked Balos. "MikeRex is always acting oddly at time. How is this any different?" He stroked the wolf beside him absently. "Or is this more to do with his grievances with Chibi?"

"Not to do with Chibi, i don't think." Shadow replied reaching into the looking glass to pull out a scroll with a wax seal on it. "I think Loki is trying a different method this time. Rather than playing on those who want power, he'll take control of a guild with power."

Blackrose took the scroll from Shadow. Breaking the seal she read it softly to the others.

"Shadow,

We have infiltrated the Velvet Touch of Enishi headquarters and found something that may be of use to you. The headquarters itself is under construction, it's creating a hallway that leads to the heart of Yggdrasil. We feel that MikeRex is looking for something that no other class but Alchemists should look for... A Seed of Life.

He had helped Chibi attain one for her Homunculus in the past but now he appears to want to attain one for his own purposes. To what purpose that is we don't know as yet but we feel he wants to create something living. Possibly an artificial human.

That's all we have for you for now, Rena."

"A Seed of Life," Balos repeated leaning forward to take the scroll from Blackrose. "This is serious. The only class able to touch a Seed of Life with pure intentions are Alchemists and Creators. If MikeRex touches it... I wonder what he'll use it for."

"We better let Kashy know of this right now." Shadow added standing up and stretching her wings. "He should be able to stop it no problem." Blackrose and Balos nodded and together they flew towards Kashy's tower.

~~~

"Stay in formation!" bellowed Lack. "We aren't giving up this castle to anyone!" Blue light surrounded him from Chibi's pitched potion. "When this war is over i will personally put those who keep dying into rigorous training!"

Chibi squeaked in fright. She remembered when he trained her before she married MikeRex. She felt sorry for anyone who had to undergo his harsh training regime. She pitched more potions to Lack and noticed the back of her right hand was glowing. Pausing, she looked at it.

Lack noticed her pause and gave her a pinch on the arm. "You want training eh?" Chibi shook her head and showed him her hand. "We'll talk about this after." He added in a serious tone. Chibi nodded and they launched into a renewed attack.

~~~

"I'm busy at the moment." Kashy replied to the three Mediators "Unless it's something you can't solve yourselves, don't bother me." His hands kept the light over the castles going. Kashy's light symbolized when the Guild Wars were happening. Only when that light was on could a guild enter a castle owned by another guild.

"Seed of Life," Balos said. Kashy spun causing the light to go out. "MikeRex is searching for it and is conducting his search in Yggdrasil itself." Kashy's eyes narrowed, Balos continued. "He's creating a hole down to it's heart. If Loki is controlling MikeRex then Loki can easily kill Yggdrasil. If not, MikeRex will become the next Contra once he touches a Seed of Life."

"I'll see what i can do," Kashy replied, his voice deeper than normal. "However, even this issue isn't something i can fix easily either. When Yggdrasil is involved, only the Gods can do something."

~~~

The light over the castles disappeared and non-Fight Club guildsman began to disappear from the castle grounds. "War of Emperium is over?" Chibi asked poking her head out of the door that lead to the Emperium.

"I think so." Lack replied a little confused. "That was much shorter than usual. I wonder if something's happened to Kashy." Turning to Chibi, he added "But now that there's quiet, we can talk." The two walked down towards one of the large meeting room, taking Tadakono, Syaoran and Phenomenon with them.

"It's glowing," Chibi replied pulling back her sleeve to reveal her Velvet Touch of Enishi tattoo. "It's glowing and it shouldn't be. The last time it glowed so bright was after i divorced Mike."

"Then we should pay a visit to Velvet Touch of Enishi to find out what's going on." Phenomenon said quickly. Syaoran and Tadakono nodded in agreement. Chibi looked sideways at Lack, her eyes questioning his ability to be civil with MikeRex.

"We'll go together," Lack replied not looking at Chibi. "If something really bad is happening, we can protect each other there easily." Chibi coughed and turned into a cat. Lack nodded and helped her up onto his shoulder. "Good idea."

They set off towards Alde Baran.

~~~

"What do you want?" Jemini stood at the doorway to Velvet Touch of Enishi headquarters. "Lack, come to steal me away again?" Her voice dripping with sarcasm and seductive tones.

"I never have tried in the first place." Lack replied his eyes glanced at the glowing butterfly on her collar bone."I actually wish to speak to Mike."

"You can come in," Jemini stepped aside. "But, your furball needs to stay outside." She gestures towards Chibi. "Mike doesn't like cats. He kills them on sight actually."

"Black is coming in with me." Lack said firmly. "She isn't going anywhere." Chibi sunk her claws into his clothing for emphasis. Jemini sighed and led them to MikeRex's chamber.

"Here we are," Jemini said cheerfully. "Oh dear!" she exclaimed with false surprise. "Looks like your entourage got lost within the halls. I'll find them and bring them here." Lack spun and watched Jemini skip off merrily back down the hallway.

"You came..." MikeRex said in a low voice, looking up he noticed it was Lack, not Chibi, he was sure he felt Chibi's aura. "And you brought a cat. Why are you here?" Lack clenched his fists and felt a claw touch his skin in warning.

"I'm here because Chibi's tattoo began to glow. I want to make sure you aren't going to do anything against her will again." Lack replied sitting down in front of MikeRex. Chibi jumped down and wandered over to MikeRex's Peco and settled next to it.

"Against her will? I did more for that bitch than she gives me credit for." His eyes wandered over to the cat. "Why did you bring a cat?"

"Black? She's a mascot for Fight Club. I left her brother, White, at headquarters. She's usually with me when i leave HQ." Lack replied calmly. Chibi lifted her head impressed by his fluid lying.

"The feeling i get from her is very familiar." MikeRex added. "Like i knew her or something." Looking back to Lack, he continued "Chibi's tattoo glowed because i need her to attain something for me. I hoped that once she'd saw it that she'd come but instead you did. Did she send you?"

"Not exactly." Lack replied patting the floor. Chibi came and sat next to him and looked up. "It's alright now. You can change back. I don't think Mike is going to harm you in any way."

Chibi stood up. Her fur rippled and changed as she grew bigger and bigger. MikeRex fell backwards staring at her transformation. "If you made me stay a cat any longer, Lack, my cat instincts would of taken over and i'd of gone outside to play." Chibi sat back down and leaned on Lack. "What was it that you were hoping for me to attain for you. Perhaps we can make a deal since Lack is here."

"Seed of Life." MikeRex replied. "I want the Seed of Life." Chibi sat bolt upright and stared at MikeRex like he had been talking nonsense. "I want the Seed of Life for my brother. I won't make a deal because you owe me so much already."

"She owes you nothing now." Lack interrupted bringing his fist down hard onto the floor. "I've paid what she owes you two-fold. If anything, you owe us." a shiver ran down Lack's spine. Glancing at Chibi, he noticed she had shrunk back into being a cat.

"I'll be taking you in MikeRex." a deep voice sounded from behind Lack. "No one but Alchemist and Creators may attain the Seed of Life. No one keeps the Seed of Life. Listening to this conversation is more than enough to take you in for questioning."

"K-K-K-Kashy!" MikeRex stammered. He scrambled for his Poleaxe. Kashy lifted his hand and bound him with golden chains. Shadow and Blackrose moved in to take MikeRex to the palace. "Noo! I won't go! You can't make me!"

Lack and Kashy stared at each other. Balos picked up Chibi, who sunk her claws into his arm, and stood near Kashy. "What are you going to do?" Lack asked Kashy in a level voice.

Kashy lifted his hand once more and bound Lack in golden chains and without a word, took him to the palace.

FCGS - Doppelganger Arc - Chapter 6

Kashy stood on the topmost point of the castle and spread his hands wide. His creation hovered infront of him for a second before streatching as far as the eye could see. It blanketed Midgard with a light grey mist.

Far below the castle in the clouds, paladins found their Sacrifice Ritual diminishing in power. Champions and Monks were unable to Snap as fast or Asura as hard as they use to.

As the mist seeped into the ground and surrounded everyone and everything, the change took effect. Kashy relaxed and smiled. Power within Midgard was now balanced.

~~~

BlackRose stepped out onto the balcony with Shadow and Balos. Together the three watched as the light grey mist spread out around the castle. The mist wrapped itself around them tightly. BlackRose cried out in pain, Shadow knelt down holding her head, and Balos began to tremble uncontrolably. When the mist had settled, the three sat on the ground looking at each other. Shadow grasped around her body looking for her Jurs and was shocked when she found none.

"Lets go to Kashy," Balos said softly when he noticed their wings were missing. Getting up they ran to the topmost tower.

~~~

"Yes i rolled the world back," Kashy said calmly. "That means powers you had before you became Mediators have disappeared." He turned to face them. "I'll restore them now though." Spreading his fingers out wide, he sent power at the three.

Shadow's and Balos' bat wings grew fast and streatched. The leathery webs on the wings billowing slightly from the rush of power from Kashy. Blood tricked down their backs from where the wings had sprouted out of their backs. They kneeled blocking their ears to BlackRose's scream as her own wings grew a bit more slower. Her black feather wing tips were laced with blood and she shook gripping onto anything she could find. The three knelt with their heads bowed in front of Kashy. Touching each one on the head in turn, he restored their weapons and powers. However, a few problems occurred.

"It seems Rudra will only appear for you," Kashy said puzzled looking at BlackRose. The rudra hovered and glittered in front of her. He looked over to Balos, two weapons hovered in front of him. "An Angra Mainyu and a Balmung." Kashy mused to himself. Strangest of all was Shadow, no longer did her jurs appear but instead two strange new swords hovered in front of her. "Tirfing's..." Kashy said in surprise.

"Tirfings?" Shadow asked taking both by the grip. Light glowed and the weapons sealed themselves to her. BlackRose leaned across to touch one and it melted to her touch. Shadow placed her hand on the puddle of the Tirfing and it returned to it's sword form. "Isn't a Tirfing a monster?"

"A Tirfing Sword," Kashy began "Is a one-handed sword which is rumored to bring a horrible fate to its owner. Be wary about it and don't use them too often."

Shadow nodded and sheathed them into her belt. Balos sheathed the Balmung and Angra Mainyu. BlackRose fumbled a bit before finding a way to sling the Rudra over her body with it's leather pouch of various arrow types.

~~~

Tadakono sat twitching as Phenomenon thanked him for the millionth time. Lack sat watching them. Chibi laughed as Lack rolled his eyes.

Lack looked around the dining room and sighed. He wondered how much of their strength has been dimished. He looked side-long and Chibi. She gained new stronger skills, which in his mind, was all well and good but it didn't make up for all those who have been weakened. Blinking he noticed all the assassin crosses were missing.

"Lack!" brighteys cried running into the dining room with illusions, FerrariSin and Trelawney. "Come! Look!" She dragged Lack from his chair and out of the dining room. Ever curious Chibi, followed with Tadakono and Phenomenon following after her.

Reaching the assassin training room, brighteyes pulled Lack over to the benches while Trelawney ran into the middle. Illusions ran to one of the two baskets on the opposite side of the room.

"Awww!" she cried. "There's no more dead branches." Picking up a strange red skull shaped bottle she tossed it to Trelawney. "Tre! Catch!"

"What's the point?" Trelawney asked. "There's no dead branches to show him what this does."

"We have a creator here," FerrariSin said softly. "Chibs, summon some Parasit." Chibi made a face and walked into the middle of the room. Pulling a Plant Bottle from her pouch she threw it onto the ground.

Summon Flora!

Two Parasit appeared and proptly began to throw seeds at Trelawney. Chibi shook her head. "I don't get why 'Summon Flora' still activates it when it's all different plant monsters now..."

Trewlawney shrugged and drank the contents of the red skull bottle. Lack's eyes widened as he saw Trelawney becoming obviously poisoned.

"She's killing herself!" he said suprised. brighteyes put a finger on his lips. And smiled before looking back to Trelawney.

Trelawney darted between the Parasit with amazing speed. Her eyes clear and focused dispite being poisoned. Knowing she only had a little bit of time before she needed to rest and heal, she attacked the Parasit.

Meteor Strike!

Soul Breaker!

Soul Breaker!

Lack fell off his seat. The damage and speed from her being poisoned was increadible. Smiling to himself as he got up he knew this made up for the decreases in power on some other classes.

The Story Behind "The Garden of the Black Roses"

I've always had a fascination for black roses. Often they seem mysterious, sometimes almost in the realm of mythical. A true black rose, not a pseudo-deep red that looks black rose, is almost a rare if not non-existent flower.

It's how I view my life in general sometimes. I'm often in a fantasy world populated by mythical creatures and unusual objects. My imagination is stronger than my reality at times and my dreams can be very vivid. 

But I'm no fool. I know that in order to survive, some touch with reality needs to be present. Hence the Garden of the Black Roses was born. The Garden is my imagination is my retreat from the outside world. It is where my wildest thoughts and ideas for the subset projects that are created within congregate.

So what is the Wellspring of Roses?

Originally the Wellspring of Roses was the only project running within the Garden. The name is relatively new as I needed to differentiate it from the other two projects. 

The imagery of a wellspring or a fountain where writing flows from gave an almost tranquil quality which I often need in order to write anything. I'm easily distracted, particularly when English is being spoken around me. Times, when I am able to just sit and write without distraction, are becoming far and few between.

So where to from here?

The Wellspring is going to hopefully become more active over the coming months. I've developed a blogging calendar that encompasses all three blogs. Sometimes, the topic + content will be the exact same between all three, and sometimes the topic will be the same but the content will be tailored more to that project.

My hope is that Monday's will be regular blogging day with the rest of the week being more for random content and updates. We'll see how I go.

Website Redesign

Welcome to the new Garden of the Black Roses, where the imagination grows wild!

You are currently viewing Wellspring of Roses, home of all things imaginative and the written word.

With the assistance of both Wix and Blogger, I've recreated my website on a, hopefully, more stable platform. So what does this mean for you?

My new landing page is: Garden of the Black Roses and so please adjust your links to that page. This means that from this landing page you will be able to choose which area you wish to view.

Each area, once the Wix site is completed, will contain only items pertaining to that particular area. The only exception is Wellspring of Roses which has the old blog posts from all three sections and I don't plan on moving them so for anything older than the date of this post, please see that blog.

Hopefully this arrangement will work out well, and if not... well then back to the drawing board.