NOTE--This first story is a story line I’ve had in my head for years and a few of us chatters got together and played a game reaching for more and expanding upon the story line, I enjoyed that very much. For this purpose I’ve went back to just the dull story line and started expanding all new *S*. AND please note that I am writing it into the codes, I haven’t done editing between writing it and posting it SO if there are many errors or typos, my apologies *S*. --
How It Happened…
The Year 2032, ten years after the Great Storms swept through the lands all around the globe leaving none untouched by their wrath. Cities and governments destroyed in a single night, what took centuries to build demolished in a flash of lightening or the twist of a tornado. Hurricanes built tremendous energies upon the oceans before heading inland to sweep up the coasts of every land, every storm known to man came alive those years ago and they ruled the lands for 72 horrible hours. Seventy-two hours of hell for those fighting for their lives and the lives of their families, and those who did survive began not to rebuild the cities, but their beliefs and so they began to revert to the “old ways”.
By now most had rethought their ways of thinking and begun to travel away from the ruins of the cities to inland forests, most of those who stayed in the ruined cities stayed for selfish reasons. No longer was witchery and sorcery scoffed at and ridiculed, but now was looked upon as a gift of the storms, something they left behind in return for their destruction. The greatest of all the storms hit North America with all it’s might sending down lightening bolts more powerful than any other conductor in the world, powerful enough to keep the once bright lights of Las Vegas Nevada burning for weeks. One of these lightening bolts hit something that split it four ways, these four beams shot for miles, building up more charge with each passing second, finally striking in four of the fifty states at once. In each of the four states -Alaska, Michigan, California & Texas- it struck four young girls and at once they were given the powers of nature and the knowledge of the other three was put into each of their minds.
These four ladies, now known through out the lands as the Sisters of Storm, realize that to complete their destinies they must gather together at least once. Texas Storm inherited the powers to shift the winds and hear their voices, Alaska Storm the power to communicate with animals and bring forth the rains, California Storm the power to shift the arid sands and read their messages and Michigan Storm the power to shift tides and heal plants. The four together would return Mother Nature to her full health.
The Sisters of Storm were not the only ones effected by these great storms. Now many a mutant walk the land showing themselves freely some with great abilities of reading human nature -or remembering it- others with only hatred for the humans. Lioness, half cat half woman, walks the lands on the feet of a lion with her head held high and her auburn mane flowing over her shoulders with Lion’s Crest, her personal bodyguard by her side. Lioness is the leader of the Pride, the Feline Clan. Leading hundreds of mutants like her, including Ocey & tigress. PUPPY led the KaNine to their alliance with the Pride, this union was meant to show the survivors that peace is the key to survival. Both clans searching for only acceptance, safety and survival.
August 7, 2032 Our story begins in the ruins now known as The Next Level.
The winds began to accelerate making their sounds unreadable for the young girl perched upon the stones. The sounds echoed inside her mind, she knew that she had to hear the words carried upon the winds or she would never locate her true family, her true sisters of nature, the other Storms. She was as still as the stone upon which she sat as she listened for any warnings or messages carried to her ears upon the arid winds. The only movement to those who watched was her long blonde hair flowing wildly in the winds, they sat quietly by hoping to witness Texas Storm read the words the wind spoke to her, each of them secretly hoping that one may carry a message to them. The men in the group pretended to not be taken by her beauty or her powers of shifting the arid winds and hearing their words of warning and truth. The women on the other hand listened until they could hear their wary hearts beating in their own ears from concentration and did not try to hide their awe at this statuesque creature of nature.
The eyes of the innocent were set in her face graced with long lashes and aged with confusion and suffering. Her lips, full of smile and words yet unspoken, no were set in a line of complete thought. The flowing mane of thick blond hair was set to a glow by the lightening, the light show a pure shine of golden twine as it struck behind her. The hot breath that fill her lungs wait there listening for her to exhale as she watched the lightening bounce through the charged skies and the winds carry messages of threat within their voices.
At this exact same moment miles away Michigan Storm stood upon the remaining stones of what was once the beginning of a great expansion bridge with her companion, the great warrior and protector, Soupedupman by her side. Together they watched the lightening in the far south skies with the knowledge that her sister of nature, Texas Storm, was seeing the same great show of natural powers. She felt herself shiver and was immediately warmed by the cloak Soupedupman wrapped around her shoulders.
In what remained of Southern California the one known to few as California Storm kept her head down and hood up for her own safety. Refusing to look up at the sky she knew that she would see signs of a great electrical storm off to the east, still she kept her head down. If she were to be recognized here, walking alone through the ruins of the city she would surely be killed for everyone knew that the Walkers were to stay outside of the cities -or what was left of them- unless they came to sell or buy goods. She continued to walk with her once man pet, her bald cat, Mr.Bigglesworth.
Nearing the edge of Alaskan territory beginning her journey south to find those who called to her in her dreams, those who also called themselves Storm, Alaska Storm tossed her pack to the side and began gathering some smaller pieces of wood to start a fire with. ‘Here we will camp for the night’, she said mentally, but never aloud, as she stroked the fur of TeDdY BeAr, a large grizzly she’d found and befriended as she had crossed the Wrangell Mountains. ‘As odd as it is, I know there’s a light show in the south right this minute.’ The grizzly nodded and together they settled in for the night.
Texas Storm felt her body tighten with one last gust of wind before the familiar weakness that always followed a session of conversing with the winds set in upon her. Barely holding herself up on the stones she motioned for her love, RiderOfTxStorm, letting him know the reading was over. Rider reached her just as she fell limply into his arms and worry began to fill his every pore for she’d never collapsed like this before, ever. She always kept on her feet beneath her and regained her strength to able herself for giving the news to the proper clan by only resting for an hour or so, always. But this time she just fell and she felt lifeless in his arms, her breath shallow and her eyes glazed.
He turned to the gathered crowd and stared among them, the worry evident in their faces reflected his own. “We must seek help, my precious Storm has gone ill.” He stared into the face that so filled his every day and watched as a tear escaped her motionless eyes.
A woman adorn all in white robes stepped out from the crowd and looked into the eyes of Rider as she spoke. “You, sir, carry the only strength needed to heal her but, how to use it is as a riddle to you.” Her voice softer than the gentle breeze now blowing in off the Golf told him he could trust her. “I am the one they call Fantasy Girl, because most only see me in their dreams, but you… You have brought me here, your heart called out to me from deep in your chest, the same heart that will soon cure your lady bride.”
“She is my bride, my heart tells me this,” Rider lowered his voice to barely a whisper, “but it does not tell me now what I need to know. How might I, only a mortal man unblessed by the Days of the Great Storms, cure what ails my love.”
“My dear sir,” Fantasy Girl smiled brightly, “you have the answer, but if you can not see it clearly then you must seek LadyGreenEyes the Magi, Queen of the Progenitor Tribe, she will tell you all you must know to save this woman.” A deep line of worry set about her lips, “you do realize that if you fail and Texas Storm is not united as one with the other Sisters of Storm that Mother Nature will surely die by the end of this year? She has laid ill for the past ten years with only the hope that when her four true daughters realized their significance and their fate and united that then, and only then, her health and powers would then be restored.”
Rider stood as if in a trance as her words drifted over him when suddenly a handsome man stepped forth from the crowd, “my sister speaks the truth.”
Rider instantly recognized the man from a resident clan, his clan had originally lived in the woods of Kansas but like many others chose to escape the never ending tornadoes that still after ten years plagued that area. Old Romantic was his name, everyone in the tribe called him Romy for short. “Romy, you speak of this vision as your sister? How can that be kind sir? She is not real, as she has said herself she is a vision in many a dream.”
“But once,” Old Romantic began, “she was alive as you and I are alive. But she held life at bay, she did not let herself LIVE enough… But the Great Storms took that from her and in return gave her the power to dreamscape. And you are right, she is a vision," he smiled softly, “a vision of loveliness and of beauty. A vision of peace and happiness… A vision of truth and honesty, you must believe her. She will not disregard your trust.” Romy waved a few other men forward who brought with them a team of horses and a wagon. He and Rider settled Texas Storm onto the wagon keeping her as comfortable as possible as another man began loading goods for the trip.
When Rider turned to thank Fantasy Girl she had already faded to nothing but a star in the night sky. But he smiled knowing that although she spoke in riddles she’d given him the most important answers and now they must set out in search of this LadyGreenEyes, for only she could help them. A young man began loading food supplies that were preserved and donated by the tribes people, he loaded more than enough for the two of them.
Before Rider could question his actions the man spoke, “I am Sangulant, I know of the one who leads the Pride and she is nearly sister to the one you seek.” Sangulant smiled, “LadyGreenEyes is who Fantasy Girl said you must see and she is who Lioness will lead us to.” He finished loading the carriage without another word until they were headed away from the tribe’s village and into the deep forest.
“The Pride will be joining us shortly, but I can feel Lioness here,” he paused patting his chest where his heart would be, “and she would not lead me wrong.”
Rider turned to him, “this Lioness, is she a cat?”
“Like your love she was once a woman and she too was changed by the Storms those years ago. She holds the form of a Lioness by day, though some days the change does not complete itself and she walks on the legs of the lion but has the face of an angel.” Sangulant looked into the woods, “she is near.”
Rider could not stop himself from asking, “and at night?”
Sangulant laughed heartily, “why, by night she is woman, unless a situation calls for her to be a feline. While the sun burns in the sky she has no choice about her form, but during the night when the stars sparkle in her eyes as well as the sky she can morph.” He jerked the reigns bringing the horses to a halt; “we wait here.”
Their wait lasted only minutes but they passed like hours for Rider who felt his love slipping away. But finally a man-dog stepped forth from the shadows of the forest, “I am PUPPY, leader of the KaNine’s.” He nodded to Rider then turned to take Sangulants hand in his firm grip, “nice to see you again Sang.” The two shook hands before turning to face the forest around them; Sangulants eyes’ narrowed in an attempt to see into the darkness. “Sangulant, you should not worry,” PUPPY chuckled, “she is coming.”
“PUPPY, what reason would I have to worry? It is Lioness, she is an adult and she does not belong to me, I do not worry.” He began rummaging through a few of the boxes of supplies as if to busy himself and deny the others a glance of the worry in his eyes.
The three of them brought out jars of preserved meat and packages of dried meat, or jerky, and a jug of water. Prepared the carriage so that they would be ready once the Felines and KaNines were fed a small meal to pull out and head for their final destination, the Progenitor Tribe’s village. Rider had ventured beyond the village boundaries so few times that he was not sure what to expect of the mutants behaviors or of the forest and the travel, but he did somehow know that he and his love would never return to the place they’d called home.
From the woods stepped forth a lovely woman who’s lips parted with a smile as Sangulants eyes lit up and his lips curved into a smile at last. The Felines and KaNines come out from the forest surrounding the carriage and began feeding on the food that had been set out and Lion’s Crest stepped between Lioness and Sangulant. Lioness lowered her head and stepped to the carriage to look in on the young Storm who lay in the back. “One of the Storms? Do you know of the riches we could make just taking her to the cities and letting the Survivors take her?” Lioness let forth a small laugh, “but then they’d kill us as well.” She turned to Rider, “do you know of the Survivors?”
”Of course, my family was driven to this village by Survivors. Our home had been on the edge of a city but after the storms those who stayed in the ruins, those you call the Survivors, drove us from our home for it was one of few houses that still stood untouched. The Survivors are greedy and their hearts do not live, I’d much rather be the poor Walker I am than a rich Survivor.” He looked from Lioness to Texas Storm, “in the end it is us who have left the ruins to surround ourselves with the reality of what’s happened that are the survivors!”
Lioness smiled and chanced a glance in Sangulants direction, “yes, it us who allow ourselves to live life that are the survivors and I see you, you will survive even after she has completed her destiny,” she said as she nodded at the girl laying limp before her. “Now we depart as soon as the others arrive.”
“The others?”
Before Lioness could explain a young couple emerged from the woods holding hands. The woman smiled softly and lowered her eyes from the appreciative looks of the KaNines and Felines and the man nodded to Lions Crest before stepping forward towards Rider. “I am Parthanon, I will walk before your carriage as a protector. Lioness had called out for us and we have come to help. The Felines and KaNines will accompany us but they will be hidden in the forest secretly walking beside us the entire way, but I will walk ahead to keep an eye.” He turned and took the hand of the beautiful blond who had been at his side, “this is my wife, Kimber, she will care for your lady in the carriage as we travel. I understand that you are a mortal?” Parthanon gave Rider no time to reply before continuing, “I am a Paladin, considered a great warrior of my people, a healer of men and of mine self. You may be wondering why I do not just heal your lady, though she is mortal she also has powers, thus I can not help her. You, sir, shall follow the carriage on foot for security. If either you or I have trouble or even sense trouble we should call for the Clans to come in from the forest, understand?” Again he did not wait for a reply, instead he turned and helped his wife into the back of the carriage. “Kimber you try to keep an eye outside of the carriage as well as on our Storm and take with you my love until we are able to stop again.”
Kimber reached up and kissed her husband, “my love, we are only parting until we stop for drink,” she smiled brightly then turned to Rider. “If we are to get your lady to the village and repair her health we must do as my husband and Lioness instruct, this is Mother Natures only hope!” She then turned to face the gathered crowd of KaNines, Felines and those who’d driven the carriage to this point. “God bless each of you and know that though the Sisters of Storm have their given powers there are being more powerful than the four of them who do now want Mother Nature to be healed. Once she is healed the fierce destruction of the weathers will finally reach an end and then our faiths will be rebuilt by the sunshine and starlit nights.”
With that she lifted herself into the carriage and instructed a few members of the KaNine clan to bring her a few leaves and roots of the trees and began going through the supplies that had been packed. Parthanon went to his place in front and without a word the KaNines and the Pride seemed to have faded into the trees and they began to move on with Sangulant guiding the carriage following both Parthanon and Lioness’ voice in his heart. Rider walked close behind the carriage with long hardwood staff in his hand, the only weapon he’d ever learned to use.
With those words hanging in the air as if it were a promise everyone was afraid to depend upon, the Pride and KaNine clans headed for the woods. Invisibly they swept through the forest only to make those who knew of their location feel an unmistakable feeling of safety. As dawn began to creep in on them and the skies took on the familiar overcast gray Sangulant slowed the carriage as a small hut began to come into view. Slowly, cautiously, Parth began to approach the old hut motioning for Sang to follow him at a safe distance.
Suddenly Sang seen Parth grab his butt, rubbing it as if he’d been bitten but he’d seen nothing. Suddenly Rider ran past the stopped carriage and stepped in front of Parth motioning for everyone to stop moving. Turning to Parth he whispered, “sir, it only burns momentarily and then goes away.” Chuckling he added, “it’s the only thing young wizardess has learned to do with her wand is zap people in the bottom. It’s her new defense!” Rider tried to keep from laughing at the look on Parthanons face as he turned back towards the house. “Wizardess!!!” he shouted, “Wizzy it’s Rider… We need only water.”
Suddenly, as if from no where, a young lady with long lush curls of ebony appeared before them upon the front porch, “had I known you were with them Rider I’d have struck you instead.” She grinned mischievously before motioning them all to a pump off to the side of the house. “It’s an old hand pump, but it’s great water. Please help yourself,” she laughed a little before shouting “and all you kitties and dogs come out of the woods for a drink as well!!!!” As the Pride and the KaNines began to emerge from the woods she turned to Rider and whispered, “let them wonder how I know.”
“Ah,” he replied, “you were in the upper limbs again weren’t you?”
Once they’d all drank and fed from the supplies the horses rested in the yard being tended to by those PUPPY directed to them. Wizardess sent a message ahead with her pigeon asking for help as Kimber seen Texas Storm. The men and members of both clans rested behind the small hut in the shade of the trees. Though the day was not as bright as it could be the heat was outrageous for the longer Mother Nature lay ill the worse condition the Ozone layer and the atmosphere as a whole slipped into. It seem a shame to those involved in the current discussion behind Wizardess’ home that Mother Nature be held responsible by so many, especially the Survivors who called the ruins home. Man had destroyed so much of the Ozone that there was little or nothing they could do about it as it were, then the Great Storms struck and again she lay to blame. But she lay weak even before the storms had hit; trying to rebuild the atmosphere had taken their toll. Now her only hope was that her daughters of nature come together in a union to restore her health. If this happens the world would begin to heal and rebuild, that’s why the Survivors don’t want it to happen.
If it happened they’d lose control of all perished food and of the ruins. You can buy anything you might want in the ruins, and anything you buy with or trade with goes to which ever clan of survivors you’re dealing with, this is how they get even more riches than what they’d stole from the ruins themselves.
As they gathered to leave and the Pride and KaNine headed for the woods a sudden burst in the clouds let a ray of sunshine through and a scroll fell from the skies landing in Kimbers lap. After unrolling it and giving it quick read she stood in the carriage and shouted for silence. Everyone stopped in their tracks and stared to see what she’d have to say. “This scroll has just been dropped from the heavens into my lap,” she gulped down a swig of water before continuing. “It is from b®e®, from England and she writes Today we looked in upon our Mother and her health is fading quickly. I’m sure you all understand that, like Fantasy Girl I can not tell you directly anything but I can give you answers in which you yourselves may find truths. We know what it is you are all helping to accomplish even if you yourselves are unsure and we thank you. If our Mother were to pass all of mankind would suffer. The Survivors do not realize that her every breath is what is keeping the Ozone layer in one piece, that without her they too would parish. Selfishness and greed will be the fall of all mankind, it has been in the past and I see no change in the near future. Please be careful in your journeys and know that the end may not be what you are expecting, but it will be what’s best and our Mother shall rule the winds again!” After taking a breath Kimber addressed everyone with her own words, “b®e® has used her magic to deliver this scroll, yet her magic is not strong enough to heal our mother! Part of this is obviously up to us, we must get this girl healed to do our part.”
Thanks to a message delivered and returned by Wizardess’ pigeon they knew that by nightfall they’d arrive at the home of a couple willing to help them for the night and so they moved on. Trudging through the forest making their way along the rarely used trail that headed North East towards the ruins the old interstate 20, upon which they will continue east traveling in the open like that only at night. But that would not happen until tomorrow night, for now they must travel until the horses call out for them to stop or until they reach the next Village in which help was promised.
After hours of foot travel the horses began to slow and glisten in the evening light with sweat of a hard days travel, and just as Sangulant was about to call out to Parthanon to stop for the night he heard voices ahead in the mist. He slowed the horses to a stop and crept down from his seat at the reigns walking on his toes to see what lay ahead. There was no danger, Lions Crest, Lioness or PUPPY would have sensed that by now and warned him back, instead he found Parth speaking to a man in front of a wooden gate. They noticed Sang immediately and nodded to him that it was OK to approach. After minutes of discussing situation Baxy, the guard, explained to them where they were to put all of the Clans and where to find water and food for the horses. Then he motioned to another man in a tree on the opposite side of the fence to open that gate, he in turn motioned to someone they could not see and the gate opened just wide enough to permit their entrance. Baxy followed them inside speaking to Rider as they entered the village.
“I am Baxy, I was sent to watch the gate for you by a couple too kind for words. They have taken in a many weary traveler, most who pay with some kind of good or trade but you, I am told, are not to pay only to be cleaned, fed and rested. I was sent to see to it, however you will meet these people who replied so anxiously to Wizzys scroll later tonight in the village circle when we feast on the days hunt. Until then I suggest you clean up and ready yourself for the meeting, perhaps even nap.” He shown them to a large building that Rider assumed was one of the few houses to remain standing after the storms and Baxy confirmed his thoughts when he stepped up on the porch and spoke to their group.
“This house was once a summer lodge owned by fair maiden and Mater, a lovely couple who are willing to shelter and feed you for the night. This lodge was their summer get away and ten years ago they were lucky they had come here, because being here they truly had gotten away! Their full time home was totally demolished but they were here and they had stayed safe the entire three days and now use this vacation home as a hide away or a safe house for those with powers, for those wanted by the Survivors. They are again risking their lives for your group, I expect you will show them the respect they deserve.” He looked the group over and heaved a sigh, “inside you will meet others taking refuge, please be courteous and no fighting. No use of powers is allowed inside!” With that he opened the front doors and moved aside letting them come in, the Storm carried inside by Rider.
The moment they stepped through the doors a young girl stepped almost ran right into them, “my apologies I was just taking my pet outside.” She nodded at her man-dog MDOGG23, “he really needs to stretch after… Well he really needs to stretch,” she grinned. “I am Seether by the way, I’m sure we will meet again later.” She stood staring at them for a moment then nodded and excused herself as she walked her pet outside.
The group had no idea what else might await them inside the huge lodge but they did know that fresh water was one of them. They all began to enter when ‘a black clad warrior appears high above..his emotionless face painted a grim and ghostly white..streaks of black seemingly drip dark tears from his eyes, where as two simple up~turned lines form an eerie smile. Perched on his forearm a crow’. The man cocked his head to one side then the other looking the entire group over. “You are traveling to see LadyGreenEyes?” He spoke softly, his eyes look out from a behind a painted mask, where black accents at eyes and mouth highlight white flesh. It is a mask of irony-laughter and despair and pain and love and sorrow are all intermingled in its simple lines, its upturned smile, and its hash-marked eyes that drip dark tears. “I know this, as my woman-teacher has told me so. She is wise and old at heart, but younger than her thoughts.” The curiosity showed very little upon his face as he took each of them in with his eyes. “My woman-teacher is the Lady’s sister,” he motioned them past him where they could all see a very young beautiful girl, with tresses of brown hair trailing down her back. “We call her Angelface,” he turned back towards everyone, “she teaches me the good and in return I protect her and guide her. They call me ShatterStar.”
Everyone stood rooted to his or her spot, the girl he motioned them to appeared to be about 21 and yet he’d said she was his teacher? He’d also said that she was LadyGreenEyes sister and that was very important news to them. Sangulant stepped forward and spoke their thoughts, “you, sir, are to say that your woman-teacher is the sister to LadyGreenEyes?” ShatterStar’s eyes did not move though he did nod and Sang continued, “does she then also know of Lioness?” Again ShatterStar only nodded as Sang continued, “does she speak of a mutant half-sister?”
Finally a voice broke the silence, it was not the voice of young ShatterStar, but the voice of Angelface. “Yes, of course I know of my half-sister, the mutant woman known as Lioness. Does she come with you?” The group watched as ShatterStar walked to her and took her by the gently by the hand, guiding her towards them. “I can see each of your souls, I know where each of your feet touch the floor but I am blind to outward appearances. I fear that an ugly heart beats among you, but I also see so much beauty and love and I hope that my half-sister is the one who’s heart I see beating true, filled to the rim with a pure love. Is it she that stands there?” she asked as she pointed to the exact spot where Lioness stood.
Lioness, who now stood in woman form, stepped forward and took her half-sisters hands in her own looking at her face carefully as if to memorize it. “This is the first we have met dear Angelface, and it may be the last, I must stare at you for a moment.” Lioness whispered.
Angelface nodded, “of course Lioness, just as I am staring at your soul as we speak, memorizing it’s every inch. The love in your heart that is aching to be given away, the aches of losing your humanity, the scars of the past ten years.” A tear slid from Angel’s eye, “the worst part of this so called gift I have been given is that I can not only see your pain, but I feel it as well. But with this also comes with an advantage, I can also feel ones happiness. It isn’t as if I can see inside everyone’s soul, for if their heart too dark or their emotional walls too high I can not see beyond the darkness.” She turned to lean against ShatterStar who held her protectively.
Lioness, letting her half-sisters hands drop knew what must happen, she knew then that Angelface must accompany them to see LGE (LadyGreenEyes). The three sisters needed to be together as a family before Angelfaces power made her to weak as it was obvious that feeling other peoples fears, pains and even their elation was aging Angelface. Turning to the Pride Lioness said, ‘find floor and get plenty of rest. The journey is long and rough that lay ahead and we are now taking a few more people that will need to be protected and led.”
PUPPY stepped up and addressed the KaNines, “you heard her. We’ve much to do and little time to do it. We will feast once we have been cleaned and rested, move on, find floor.” With that the members of both clans began to take up empty space on the floors.
Lions Crest’s booming voice awoke all those that slept only a few hours later. “Word of our assisting the young man’s love has gotten out, our village is under attack. If we are to save anything we must go now!” The sleepy members of the KaNines and the Pride got to their feet as the murmured among themselves.
Lioness stood and met the eyes of her fellow Pride members, “I can not go. This war has to be fought and you Ocey are capable or leading the Pride with the aid of Lions Crest, but I have a war of my own to fight and it’s here. If the Storms do not unite who’s to say we’d live to defend our village the next time? And if I do not unite at least once in my life with both of my ‘sisters’ in my life…” her voice trailed off. “This is something that I must do.”
Lions Crest shook his head, “you stay for yourself, but we fight for the entire Pride. Where is the fairness in that?”
Lioness sighed, “where is the fairness in making me keep my true heart buried beneath the deception that I could never care for a mortal man? Where is the fairness to make my eyes see you and your family together when I can not even meet my own?” She hung her head and began to walk away when she heard other members of the Pride stating their opinions on the issue. They all felt she should stay, not only for the sake of the ill girl, but to follow her heart.
PUPPY stepped forward, "Lions Crest, the KaNines and I are willing to help you fight the Survivors for the sake of the Pride and your village." The KaNines all nodded and spoke in agreement, "but you must stop to think that Lioness has been leading the Pride and fighting for their sake since she was a very young girl and as she said, how do we know for sure that we'll have anything to fight for in the future. You must let her carry out her fate as well."
Seether then stepped forward and released her man-dog, "MDOGG would like to go with your clan, he feels that is where he truely belongs." As she turned to walk away Lioness thought she seen a glimpse of evil in her eye and looked to angelface for some sort of clue as to what she may feel about this woman, for though magic was not allowed inside this safe house, Angel had no control the images just over came her. Angel's face shown no sign of emotion at all, she sat quietly as her student, ShatterStar read to her from a book of poetry. Seether then walked out the door and across the fenced in yard to the main gate where she readied herself for her travels as Lioness watched her guts began to turn.
Lions Crest looked at MDOGG and PUPPY before turning to Lioness, "Lioness you do what you must, and know that the Pride will always be with you in spirit, for I am sure we will never see you again." Without another word or a backward glance he turned and walked out the door followed by the clans, the members of which all stopped to give Lioness their best wishes on her travel.
As Lioness sat staring out the window watching the only family she'd known for ten years walk throu the main gates to fight the biggest battle any of them had ever faced she wondered where Seether had disapeared to. As she thought back on Angels words she recalled Angel's words, someone who'd been in the house earlier that day had a black soul and dark heart, perhaps it wasn't anyone with her group at all? Maybe it had actually been Seether, maybe it had taken their arrival for Seether to show her true soul? There were many explanations she was sure, but for some reason not one of them made her feel better with the thought of Seether she was experiencing. She knew that Angel couldn't tell her who's soul she'd been hurt by, but maybe she could tell her if that person was gone?
Sangulant watched Lioness from across the room, every movement in her face was committed to memory, though most were already there. He'd already memorized the shape of her lips and color of her eyes the last time they'd been together, he knew that she was not for him but he also felt she was made for him. They would be together eventually and that is what would make him happy and she would love him too, he knew she would if she didn't already. He could see the look of aprehension on her face and the look of fear, something he did not recognize on her. Finally he stood and walked to her, "Lioness?" His heart began to melt as she looked up and smiled at him. He offered her his hand, "shall we head to the circle for the feast?" She nodded and together they strode out the door and across the lush carpet of grass.
At the feast the entire community gathered and fed and talked and drank of the wine. The newest group of travellors; Lioness, Sang, Kim, and Parth sat together in a small circle while Rider refused to move from his post at Texas Storms side. They finally met the owners of their hideaway, fair maiden and Mater and gave them their thanks while fair told them a little of her history. "There once was something that many of you would be too young to recall, it was called the internet. Via the internet I made many a friend such as E, Perk, Pammie and some others... One of them was called Tedy," she smiled softly. "Now, Tedy is known to the world as Texas Storm. Do you all understand now why I did not hesitate? Don't get me wrong, I would have helped any Walker, but Texas Storm is of much importance not only to me, but to everyone." She watched them for a moment as she sipped her drink, "once you've reached LGE and Texas is healed she must then find her way to meet the other three Storms, this isn't just a small journey that will end at the Progenitor Village you know? I have word, from there you will have new guides as Lioness and Sangulant will stay there."
Lioness and Sangulant looked at her with surprise and in unison said, "how can you say that as if you know?"
Fair answered, "do you really think that once her sisters arrive she is going to just let you and Angel out of her site again? Surely you must at least know your sisters is more stubborn than that." She laughed, "LGE has sent a scroll, you are not far from her you know? She expects to send a few people from her village with them from there to meet the other Storms, she wants you and Angel there with her, I can't blame her."
Following the feast Storm, Kim, and Angelface all climbed into the wagon while Sang prepared the horses. Kim made sure Angel and Storm were comfortable and Parth led the way to the gate while ShatterStar sat perched upon the wagon and Rider followed. Darkness had filled the skies and their minds with the unknown shadows of what could happen, but together they set out upon their journey. Each of them burdoned with their own nightmares of what was lurking past the light of the wagons lantern.
Cali Storm trudged for hours without stopping, the hours had turned to days without her realizing and she found herself inside what used to be Texas before she allowed herself another rest. She'd been lucky in Southern California, just prior to leaving what would have once been the State of California she had found a man trying to sell a car. One of few autos that still ran and had four tires, he did not know how it worked, he'd found it with the keys still in it inside a garage that stood untouched and wanted food. Either trading the car for goods he could trade for food or food itself and Cali knew that this was something she needed, transportation. She traded what little bit of gold jewelry she had for the car and all the gas that was found in the garage in cans, she'd also found herself to be incredibly lucky when the car started right up and the gauge registered the tank to be full of gas.
She'd driven until she'd used every bit of gas in the car and then fell back on the reserves that she'd had stored in the gas cans then she stepped out on foot and found herself within only a mile or so of the Proginator Village and finished her journey on foot. Once she'd reached the gate she only had to send word to LGE with the young man at the gate that it was she and he was ordered at once to open the gate but before she could walk all the way through it she noticed that many a trap had to be disabled for her to pass. As she neered the hut in which LGE lived a scroll fell from the sky into her path, she bent and picked it up deciding this would be the first thing she and LGE would discuss. Once inside she opened the scroll and spoke aloud to LGE, "It is from b®e®, from England and she writes Our Mother has weakened, however you must know there is still a chance. Your 'Sisters' will be meeting you soon and then it is up to the four of you, you must fulfill your destinies and not have second thoughts, do not back away from all of this."
"That's right," LGE smiled, they will be here soon. "Texas Storm is on her way now, they will be here within the hour if you'd like to feed and rest a bit?" LGE watched her as the minutes past and she did not move from her spot. "Cali Storm, you must be starving, you've been travelling for days without food or rest and now I offer you both, please eat and rest." LGE stared into her eyes unblinkingly until finally Pammie come into the hut and took her had leading her out into the village and into another hut where a tub of hot water awaited her.
Pammie herself awaited the arival of Texas Storm as well, they'd been good friends when the great storms had distroyed all that had existed of civilization. She missed her dearly and needed to see for herself that she was alright, to see that she would make it at least to fulfill her destiny. Pammie watched as her girls helped Cali bath and cleaned her clothes before showing her to a cot and letting her rest while they prepared a meal for her and the other travellors they expected. Pammie looked around at her four walls and knew at that moment that she'd never give up these four walls for another house,no matter how much better it might look from her side of the fence. The love and warmth of Pammies house could be felt by all who entered, perhaps that is what finally let Cali feel comfortable enough to drift into a deep sleep. As Pammie watched her girls work and peeked out the window to see her husband working the grounds with the rest of the men she smiled to herself and thought of how happy she would be to see the reunion of all the Storms in one place but deep in her she knew that even an event that great could not draw her from her family and the love that her home was built from.
Alaska Storm had only travelled half a day into Canadian territory when she come across a small village built around what had once been an old charter plane airstrip. Those who had known how to fly the small planes all those years ago had then passed the knowledge down to some of the younger villagers in time. Most of the planes as well as the inground gas tanks and the strip had gone untouched by the storms and the village was full of Walkers, none of the Survivors had travelled this far from the cities to ruin it for them yet. Here she met CanadianGuy and offered him the remainder of her goods she'd brought from home as well as the skins she'd trapped on her way to this point to fly her as far south as his gas permitted. They finally reached an agreement, he'd fly her as far as the ruins of Chicago where she'd in turn meet Michigan Storm and from there a man named KenShabby would explain to them the rest of their journey.
Alaska Storm looked completely confused, "how could you possibly know that I am going to meet Michigan there? Do you see the future or something?"
He shook his head, "not exactly. You, yourself sent word ahead, in a way. They come here and told me your location and kept me updated on your travells. You see I too have the gift of communication, however I can only listen to the animals where as you might speak to them in a two way conversation."
Alaska stared at him unblinkingly. "So the birds come and told you I was coming? That does not explain why you are so sure that I will be meeting Michigan in this villlage where you plan to take me, can you explain that?" She shook her head, "somehow I doubt you can."
He grinned at her with his normal cocky look, "does it really mater? The fact is I do know, and I also know that once you and she meet up Ken Shabby will be flying you south, the four Storms must meet again if you are to heal our Mother." He shook his head, "just believe me and trust me on this, OK? We leave in less than an hour, I suggest you feed and decide what to do with your bear."
Alaska took TeDdY aside and had a conversation with him, she left the decision of his future up to him. He could go with her in search of his only love Jules in the south or he could stay in these forrests where he'd been comfortable this long. Once he'd decided to join her and to follow his heart to the remains of Florida together they boarded the small plane and took off for the ruins of Chicago.
Once they landed in Chicago they were met by Ken Shabby who immediatly took them both into hiding for the night while they awaited Michigan's arrival. He made them feel comfortable and let Alaska bath and fed them both. Once they'd gone to sleep he prepared his small plane for the next day's flight. He packed as much food and water as he could without risking going over the weight limitations. He packed many different survivalist tools and first aid kits, he knew they had a rather tough journey ahead of them.
Around one A.M. Michigan Storm and Soupedupman arrived to find a hot meal on the table and a bed prepared on the floor. Ken sat at the windows where he'd fallen asleep watching for them and they were careful to not wake him. Once they'd bathed they then fed on the meal left waiting for them, but before retiring to the floor Michigan felt the need to see Alaska with her own two eyes. She felt as if she needed proof that she wasn't the only one. She knew that there were thousands of others who had developed powers after the storms, however she also knew that only four had powers of nature and they were the Storms. This would be the first time she'd ever seen another like her and she couldn't help but be curious what the others would look like and sound like, she wanted to know everything about them.
Next to the bed where Alaska lay sleeping was a small house plant that was nearly dead, Michigan cocked her head to the side and stared at it. She could almost feel what it was going through, starving and thirsting beyond survival for she too thirsted and hungered for things that she would possibly never get in her life. She turned to smile at Soup, he nodded at her and she turned and put her right index finger to the dirt in the pot and together the two of them watched the plant slowly come back to life. A plant so small did not take much of her energy but still Soup come to her side and took her hand helping her to her feet and walked her to the other room where they laid down to rest for the following days journey.
The next morning the Storms met for the first time, both eyed each other nervously at first and then embraced. They hugged each other tightly and then walked hand in hand to the hanger where the small plane sat waiting. Ken helped them get TeDdY into the small plane and gave him a small tranquilizer for the flight before the four of them climbed aboard and belted themselves in. Soup sat up front with Ken to lend him a hand if needed while the two storms sat in the back and shared their stories of their pasts and of what could be in the future. They talked of many things to calm their nerves, for whatever lie ahead would be total a surprise to them.
The weary travellors stood before LGE in the Progenitor Village, waiting for her to speak as she looked upon them smiling. "I'm so glad to see that you have all made it here safely. I've been expecting you, and I'm so happy to see you're here. Cali Storm is at Pammies hut being fed breakfast as we speak, she'll be ecstatic to see you all." LGE walked from one of them to another touching each of their foreheads lightly, as she stood before Rider she said to him "lay her upon the alter there," she pointed to an alter covered in satin. She then moved to ShatterStar, "you dear sir have found your heart but are now hiding from it." She then turned to Angelface and grinned, "though you are blind now my sister, I still see a smile playing upon you're lips and shining in your eyes. You can see the love in your students soul can you not? And thus you feel it too, you feel his love."
Lioness stepped inside the small hut with Sang at her side and the three sisters all joined hands forming a little circle. LGE and Lioness all looked at each other and then at Angelface who stood with staring straight ahead. Then a tear fell from Angel's eye. Lioness squeezed her hand and LGE reached up to wipe the tear from her cheek when Angel's hand stopped her and Angel began sobbing. "Let me cry," she said. "They are tears of joy for I can feel our love, the love of our family as sisters. Not only can I feel it," she said as she lifted her eyes to each of theirs, "but I can now see it in your eyes."
"What do you mean you can see it in our eyes?" Lioness asked carefully.
"Our meeting has restored her sight," LGE smiled. "Fantasy Girl had been here yesterday and told me that the both of you were coming, she had told me then that 'the absence of unconditional family love has blinded many from seeing real love in other forms' I did not know what she meant then, but now... Now I understand, the three of us together at last has restored Angels sight."
"It has also exhausted her," ShatterStar said as he took her hand and led her to a small cot where she lay staring at them all and continued to cry her tears of joy.
"She has also lost her gift," Kimber said as she stood before them all with a scroll in her hand. "Unless I misunderstand what I am reading here, the three of you have lost your powers the moment you took hands and looked into each other's eyes. The scroll from b®e® reads 'once the sisters three have joined hands and their hearts again are whole the Sisters Storm shall do the same rebuilding our Mother's strength, it is necessary that the Storm of Texas be healed first and foremost.' I think what this means is that you'll lose your powers, thus LGE will not be able to heal Texas now and Mother Nature would have no chance."
LGE began to laugh, "dear girl, I am not nor was I ever going to heal Texas Storm." Everyone looked at her as if in shock. "I was only to decypher the riddles and tell Rider how he could heal her, HE is the one who must do it. It is his love that will heal her." She motioned everyone except Rider outside. "Rider, you must profess your love."
"That's it? I've been professing my love, I've been..."
LGE cut him off midsentence, "you've been proving it my dear and doing so well, but now you must profess your love in a new way. You must wed her." She motioned everyone back inside. "Now before this ceremony takes place I need to tell everyone a small part of what the future holds for you all." Sang, Lioness, Parth, Kimber, Shatter, Angel, Pammie and the other three storms stood around her. "For each of the four storms and anyone who might care about them," she paused looking out the window to where some of the others waited, "everything you know of life will change. As for myself and my two sisters we have now lost all our powers and will no longer able to lead anything. We will now be free to follow our hearts and live happily as a family." She turned to direct her words to Lioness, "and you my sister never thought that your morphing was a gift or a power, but that it was. Now however you will be a normal woman for always."
Then another man, Humble God walked through the doors and to the alter. He placed his hand on Texas's head and her eyes opened, he leaned down and whispered to her. Somehow, somewhere she found the strength to nodd and sit up. Rider took his place next to her and told her of his love and the pain he'd shared when she was hurting. He told her of the other three Storms and called them all forward but Texas was still too weak for them to attempt what they must do so they were careful to keep from the four of them touching at the same time.
Rider then told her of his love once more and asked her to be his bride not only in heart but in love and spirit and name as well. Once she agreed Humble scooped up Texas in his arms and carried her to the small chapel in the middle of their village where an audience awaited to watch the first marriage of a Storm. Inside the church sat sillygirl, Missy, ch@tgirl, rori, Nikola, siswai'man, TROUBLE, and many others that though they had not been seen throughout the travels of these people from the next level all played an important part in the way things happen here in the Next Level. They sat together giggling as they watched the wedding party enter the church bringing back memories of Missy and sis' wedding. They all served at witnesses as well, enjoying the ceremony.
Humble God stepped in front of the crowd gathered in the small chapel and began the ceremony be welcoming everyone. Already Texas health had improved and she stood on her own without the aid of others. She turned to Humble and asked him who it was that healed her he simply replied, "Rider's heart healed you, that all. Though some may think this ceremony is what is helping it along, it is not. This ceremony itself has little to do with it. By professing his love AFTER proving it he had filled the small gap in your own heart. THEN you were joined by your Sister's of Storm which increased the healing power of love as well now the joining of your souls by this ceremony will be the final additive in your medicine brewed from love."
Texas nodded and turned to Rider and the ceremony then began. They exchanged vows and then shared that sacred kiss of wedded bliss letting their souls mingle for a short time but when it was all over they knew what was left to happen.
The four Storms now had to join in their own ceremony and return Mother Nature to health, though they had no idea how it would work nor IF it would work. Everyone left the church leaving them to themselves. The four of them sat in a small circle with one candle sitting in the center unlit and each of them holding a lit one. They shared a few stories of their travels and told each other what powers they each had. As the time passed they finally realized that they had to do something, there must be something specific they had to do. They all looked at each other and as if synchronized they each used the flames of their candle to light the one standing between them all then blew out their seperate candles.
Smoke began to fill the church, a colorful smoke full of the colors of the winds, plants, waters and the sparkles of stars. They then joined hands as if by some order of nature and looked from one to the other and began to feel their strengths fade from them. At first the feeling was exhilarating but then it became almost painful as they watched new colors begin to twist together with the other colors of smoke. Within minutes the four of them sat limply in their seats, the only thing saving them from this episode being thier strong hearts. Rider, Soup, Sang and a few other men come in and carried the four Storms out of the church and across the village to Pammies home where they were put into the beds that were waiting for them where they would be looked after by Pammie and her girls.
The four Storms slept for seventy-two hours, the same amount of time that the great storms of ten years ago had lasted. At the end of these three days the four of them woke one at a time, first was Cali Storms who rose and feeling a strange new feeling inside she bathed and ate a large meal before taking a short walk outside. She walked to the center of the gardens where some of the vegtables had been harvested leaving only sands, she picked up a handful of sand and let it sift between her fingers trying to read it, but all she could see was sand. Shaking her head and wondering what was wrong she went back to the hut to help the young girls see after the other Storms.
Next Texas Storm awoke and before even moving she listened intently to the winds but she heard nothing but the winds themselves. Each of the Storms woke and tried to use their powers as soon as they had a chance but to no avail. The four of them sat around discussing this when they come to an agreement. The four of them would settle somewhere new, together with their pets and their loves and start a new village and begin making new memories together and perhaps even travel. The more they discussed it the more they all discovered the truth of what happened. They didn't necessarily lose their powers but they would no longer be looked at as if they were different, they wouldn't be accepted or rejected because of it ever again. They were normal women who would now be treated as such, they now had nothing that could be held over their head anymore. These were normal women with full hearts and their own individual minds, they were full of love and life as any other human being. THere was nothing different about these women, in all actuality there never had been but people had always treated them as such. These were four women who wanted only what any other woman would want. A life full of love, family and to experience life not just watch it pass by. They're just people, as real as anyone else that they passed or seen on their journeys.
The four of them felt as if they'd gained more than they'd lost. They gained their true lives back and their true identities and their hearts were now full of family and love.
In TWO weeks another floor will be visited in this tale of the future.