Anniversary Party

[ℱirepelt]

This is a story dedicated to Hidden Clans and the members on it, or... were on it... Welcome~! Today is the 8th year anniversary for HC. The characters I am using for this are my OCs from HC I and HC II. It's a lot of characters, and the story is coming out to be rather long. You may not understand at first, but I tried to put everything in I can so that it would. I hope you enjoy it. And... I hope all my HC friends see this one day. I'll never forget any of you<3

Summary:

On May 13th, a girl named Rayna schedules a meeting with three other people. When they meet, she announces the idea of celebrating the anniversary of the community that created them and their past worlds: Hidden Clans. Hidden Clans was a community once occupied by many different beings that created their own tales and brought characters to life in an alternate dimension.

Rayna decides to use the old building to throw the party. She asks her friends to help her invite the ones that can be saved due to being created by the same author. She also intends to bring in Firepelt and a couple other cats from the actual clans of HC.

Here, she and her friends hope to recreate a life in the rundown building. They hope the ones they invite will become friends with each other, and gain the courage to move on from their previous life.

This anniversary will be filled with happiness, fun, new beginnings, endings, sadness, nostalgia, and many other emotions. That is what will make the day very meaningful, or so it is hoped.

It is on May 22nd, 2013. That will be the mark of the 8th year the community was very first created.

We hope you can attend.

Cast
(In order of creation, as well as the plot they were in):

Hidden Clans I

Ravenfur/Thunderclaw/Firepelt
Petitionspot/Treeclan/Lavaclan aka Smokeclan

Petripelt
Treeclan

Rayna
Can't Think of a Title

Sheina
\\ Gangster Life //

Akio
Those High School Years

Akane
NekoMundo

Firefur
Treeclan

Hidden Clans II

Natsuki
Children of Destiny III

Kastel
Gliese Effect & [Tiggey and Fire]

Relika
It Has a Plot... Maybe

Tahna
Take It to the Streets

Kana
Extra Clever Earthbound Spirit

Raiden
Extra Clever Earthbound Spirit

Rhenyph
I've Heard Legends of thet Person

Haku
God's Kisses

Tenshi
God's Kisses

Tenma
God's Kisses

Miya
Caught In Between [[Form Fusion]]

Arsen
No Longer Mediocre

Vahnahda
the Nineteenth Brother

Marisa
Epsilon

Louise
We're Gunna Make It Big & [Tiggey and Fire]

Sepia
Multi-Colored

The plots have been archived. Here's the general information for the characters. (You can skip this, but it's mostly to give an idea of what they look like.) I changed some of the appearances and some personalities from the original role plays merely because to me, it either just came out that way, or I felt it simply fit better.

Firepelt
Black cat with a diamond shaped mark on her forehead. Her eyes are an emerald green. Her name changed twice over the years, but it was originally Ravenfur. Some may even still refer to her by that name. Her clan is Lavaclan, but when it merged with Skyclan, she became the medicine cat. That was the last known status for her.

Petripelt
Black cat with grey tip on the tail. Not much is known about her, but she seems to have some relation with Firepelt. She doesn't bring up her past or anything, so she's a rather mysterious cat. Her clan is with Treeclan, or so it is believed.

Rayna
A human girl skilled in the martial arts. Her hair is brown and often styled in a braid that reaches a little past her shoulderblades. Her eyes are brown. She often wears light clothing that she can easily move it, so it usually consists of skirts and dress shirts.

Sheina
A human saved by a gang called The Bloods. When she joined, she was known for being easy to anger, and not easy to fight. This girl is pretty brave, and she enjoyed fights. These days though, she simply likes to joke around with others. Her hair is shoulder length and a light brown, while her eyes are a ruby red.

Akio
A human who likes dressing in gothic clothing. His hair is a short spikey black., and his eyes are an ice blue. He tends to wear dark clothes with some kind of dark indication on it.However, his personality is mostly that of a shy easily embarrassed boy. He is very caring of his friends, and isn't afraid to express it. He also wears a gold necklace his mother gave him before he passed on.

Akane
A red haired girl with two short braids that just barely touch her shoulders. She has red cat ears, a red cat tail, and paws. Her kind is what could be considered a mutation between cat and human. Her eyes are a sky blue. She is like how cats are as well as little girls. She is basically a playful innocent child with cat characteristics.

Firefur
Shiny red-orange pelt with a skinny white- tipped tail. Her fur is short and thin yet very soft. Her eyes are blue. Short, sharp claws. Warrior of Treeclan.

Natsuki
An albino girl from a planet called Umeia. She is shy and easily scared, but shows deeply she cares for anyone she befirends. Like all Umeians, she has a power. Hers is fire. There are friends she grew to trust and had been with them since. However, she had recently been taken hostage with her friends.

Kastel
A being called a Featherain. While she was born on Earth, her ancestors were from a different planet entirely. She has lavender wings, lavender hair, and lavender eyes. She grew up learning how to be a good mechanic. Lastly known, she was aboard a ship with crew members, before it seemed that ship was getting attacked.

Relika
A white haired witch with hazel colored eyes. She has a grey kitten for her familiar named Mint. She is hard to anger, and smiles a lot. However, a lot of those smiles are masks over her real feelings. She seems to have a lot of wisdom for a fifteen year old.

Tahna
Dark red hair and ocean blue eyes. A loner who lost her home and basically everything with it. Due to that, she is pretty cold and practically hating on others as she gets easily jealous. She has an inferiority complex that almost always gets the better of her. In the end, she only wants to be understood, but doesn't know how to express that anymore. So, she pretty much tries to make everyone hate her, and thus it gives more reason to hate herself.

Kana
An Elemental with ice blue wings, dark blue hair, and medium blue gray eyes. She has water and ice as her element of use. With that, she is quite polite and respectful. She is calm and thinks through situations, however, she doesn't speak that often.

Raiden
An Elemental with light yellow wings, light yellow hair, and yellow-gold eyes. His element is lightning. With that, he is pretty serious and isn't good to make jokes with. He can be angered easily, especially when those are not of his kind. He is rather specicist.

Rhenyph
Muscular man with light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He is a gentleman, but can come off as cold. While he is quiet, he tends to speak impulsively, making him appear more rude than he actually is. He is human, but has the power to make a shield if needed to.

Haku
A human boy with black hair wearing a newspaperboy hat. He is what is called a Chosen Child. Meaning, he has a power and a guardian angel. His power is wind. He trusts angels, but isn't very trusting of demons, especially one in particular...

Tenshi
An angel and Haku's guardian. As an angel: Her skin is fair along with her pure white long hair that reaches to the mid back. Her eyes are a bright yellow gold color. She has pure white wings. As a human, however, has light blonde hair and her wings are hidden from view. She wears a casual robe, or some form of a dress. She is very caring, trusting, and forgiving. She cares deeply for both Haku and her sister Tenma.

Tenma
A demon that was once human as Tenshi also use to be. She is Tenshi's younger half sibling in which she holds a grudge against for what happened when they were alive, and for the time they were together as simple ghosts; before becoming angel and demon. Her skin is also fair and her hair, that reaches down to the shoulderblades, is pure black in color. Her irises are crimson red. She has pure black bat like wings. As a human, however, only her wings are hidden from view.

Miya
A shapeshifter who can become a wolf. Her hair is grey silver and her eyes are a pretty medium blue. Those colors apply to her wolf form as well. She is basically a scaredy cat, especially around strangers. She is quiet and rather shy. She's very hesitant and carful with what she says.

Arsen
Dark red hair that stops before touching the shoulders. His eyes are an ice blue. For one who is twenty-five years old, he is only five feet tall. His bloodline is that of the Jerboa, and so adds to his shortness. He has the jerboa tail that is red like his hair. It is 2 1/2 feet long. He also owns a staff that can be used as defense if needed.

Vahnahda
Has light skin and dark curly hair that reaches an inch above the shoulders. Her eyes are a light green. Even though she is a princess of royalty, she is rather mannerless. Not to mention, she can be very loud. However, she is often respected by those she becomes friends with and annoying to those who aren't. She may even be considered insane by some.

Marisa
Has shoulderlength hair that is dyed blue and in a half ponytail. Eyes are green, but in one eye, that green is more pale. She is an amateur magician trying to learn more than just simple tricks. She can be very proud of her own works, and admires those better as her.

Louise
Hair is wavy and black with blue dyed ends. Her eyes are a calming gray. She usually wears sweaters and black slacks with brown gym shoes. This one is pretty mischievous and loves to prank and cause trouble. She could be a living poltergeist, but she is indeed a human. On the other hand, she can be rather friendly if one manages to get to know her personally, and also can be reliable with tasks. She loves music, and playing the flute, and at some point learned to play the violin.

Sepia
A girl with sepia brown hair and sienna colored eyes. She is a being experimented on along with others who were named after colors like she is. The experimentation for her caused an ability to jump as though she were gliding. Her climbing skills are excellent as well whereas it'd be impossible for the average human to do.

{Note, this story is still being written and is subject to being edited at any time. If changes are large, I'll announce that.}

It begins... ->

[ℱirepelt]

A car pulled up into a parking lot. It was infront of a well kept park. There were two swing sets and many other things such as slides and tunnels for kids to play in. Nearby, there were food stands, thus indicating this must be a popular park. Or rather, an event was going on. However, those in the car, and the brown haired girl waiting for them were not there to take part. They asked to meet, and a day such as this one was written down for.

The brown haired girl sat on a bench, brushing her hair, before putting it neatly into a braid. She looked up to see the car she was told to look for. With that, she smiled as three people got out.

Two girls, one with red hair tied in two braids that were shorter than the one waiting on the bench. She had cat ears and a cat tail that matched the color of her hair. All the while the other had shoulder length brown hair, and ruby red eyes. The last one was a boy, wearing simple clothing fit for the upcoming summer. All four looked to be somewhere in their teens.

"Glad you could make it." The one on the bench spoke, standing up to greet them. "Good afternoon: Akane, Sheina, Akio."

"Rayna." The brown haired girl, Sheina, smiled as she held out her hand. "It has been awhile. I didn't think I'd hear from you again."

Rayna shook Sheina's hand. "I cannot say this was thought of out of the blue."

"Ah, so you have been planning it for awhile. That's what I thought with the way you were talking to me before today. Actually, I still find it interesting how you were able to contact me."

"I guess so for when you and I were previously at each others throats. It's due to that though, I was able to guess where you would be."

"You should be lucky no one from the gang saw."

"Nothing wrong with old rivals getting together in peace. I thought this was rather important, so I had hoped you wouldn't mind."

"Not at all. Those intense days are over, The Bloods are well better organized than they use to be."

While the two girls spoke of the old days, Akio and Akane looked at eachother with puzzlement. In the end, they simply shrugged at eachother. Akio was usually quiet, but Akane liked to speak, so long as it annoyed no one. However, she joined the boy in the silence, not knowing what to say.

"Good to hear. I believe I noticed too, few times when I've walked around their area. I wonder if some remember me, probably as a nuisance like you did."

Sheina laughed knowingly. "Maybe so.."

At some point, it was figured all they spoke of was an act. Or some other event took place with those two involved. At least, that's what Akane and Akio were guessing at. Why not? The worlds they were first in were in an idle mode. All four currently standing there came from four different worlds, or possibly simply different locations on the same world for all they knew. Either way, It was assumed dead due to it being so many years since the first time the worlds froze over, and how much changed since. They counted themselves lucky they were still moving.

Sheina cleared her throat. "So, shall we speak business?"

"Aha, yes." Rayna drew in a deep breath, and looked as though sunshine was all that filled her soul. She was about to speak again until someone's stomach growled. ....Very loudly. To add, eyes fell upon Akane, whom of which drooped her ears and tail.

"N-nya... Sorry.. I was in a rush and I didn't eat breakfast."

"A rush?" Akio spoke questionably. "I did say I'd come around noon. Don't tell me you slept in?" He was actually more amused than angry. In fact, there was no trace of anger in him. He probably wanted to laugh, if anything, but held it all in.

Being sixteen, Akio learned to drive, and had done so to pick Sheina and Akane up. Akane was too young to drive, and Sheina was in a gang, but also homeless, so she had no license. Though, that didn't necessarily mean she couldn't drive, but if she did, she'd have risked everyone getting arrested. So, Akio took it in his hands to pick them up, except for Rayna of course.

"Sl-slept in...?" Akane's face was growing red in embarrassment. "I guess that's what happened, nya."

"..........Pfft-" Akio turned his head, trying to keep from laughter.

"Wha-what's so funny, nya?" Like a child, she puffed her cheeks. "I like my beauty rest."

Rayna smiled as she went to pet Akane's head. "No worries. We can discuss this over lunch. No one minds that, right?"

"Some food would be nice."

"I have no problem with that either."

"Great. This way then." Rayna smiled before leading the three toward the food stalls. "I hope you brought money, I wouldn't be able to pay for you all."

"I'm broke." Sheina commented. She didn't often use money. ....If needed, it was usually stolen by her or other members. Rayna figured that and spoke up soon after she did. "I could pay for you Sheina, so long as it's not too expensive. As for you two..."

"I... only have a little bit... nya..."

"Don't worry about it." Akio smiled as he pulled out a wallet. "I have us covered."

"Mrraw! Thank you Akio! Thank you!" She purred, and affectionetly rubbed her face against Akio's arm.

Akio blushed, and moved away. "Not in public...! People will think we're... together or something.. And were those whiskers I felt?"

"Oh, sorry..." Akane's ears drooped again.

"Hm, I wonder about that." Sheina smiled, a mischievous flare rising in her ruby eyes. "You're not usually so talkative Akio, so I wonder if you have gained something for little Akane."

Akio fell silent, blushed and looked down. He wanted to deny it, but thought that'd hurt Akane's feelings. However, he couldn't say it was true, because it actually wasn't. Akane herself was too absent minded about it. All she wanted was food.

"That silence makes you more guilty Akio."

"Sheina, stop teasing him and come pick what you want."

The brown haired girl giggled before running over to where Rayna was. She left Akio still blushing, while Akane pulled at his sleeve to bring him to a food stand with fish.

Once everyone got their own meals, they met at a table bench and sat there. Akane could hardly control eating like a real cat would, due to her hunger. However, she managed to use a fork at least. Akio sat across from her, and with mannerism, ate his food. Next to him was Rayna who calmly ate hers. Across from Rayna was Sheina who ate slightly more quickly than the others besides Akane, who sat next to her.

After a few minutes of silence, Rayna spoke up. "As we all know, the 22nd of May is coming up. As we discussed right before meeting here, that is HC's first creation. Its anniversary since 2005. When we joined the community in 2007 and 2008, we had a lot of fun. Don't all of you remember?"

"I do remember. Those were fun times, though it felt.. short lived."

"I agree, nyan.."

"You two came around the time the community moved. Still, I have to agree as well. No doubt to anyone living in the now wouldn't view the whole thing as short lived." Sheina spoke to Akio and Akane, then spoke in the general field. She and Rayna had been a part of HC a little longer than those two.

"Yes. So, I thought about throwing an anniversary party. I know it's sudden but, would you like to help me?"

"No problem. I was apart of the community once, and even though I haven't done anything since 2008, I still consider myself a member there."

"I'm in too. I'm still grief stricken over what happened, but least we could do is throw a party for the community's creation in general." Akio added.

"Nya! I'll be happy to partake and have all from HC proud, should they ever see this."

Rayna smiled in gratitude. "Glad to hear it. I do add that we four haven't done much due to our depressions over the loss of our worlds, and just... not knowing what to do really... while also building a different life in the end. ...Now though, this may be our last for HC. Who knows how much longer it will stand, or even if we ourselves decide to come back. I think this could also be a thank you party. ...Maybe even a farewell party..." She added the last part more quietly, but the others surely heard her. After all, for a moment, all was silent.

".....Rayna, where will this be?"

"I was thinking in the Assembly Hall and some of the rooms around it, mostly the Dining Room. I think it's the best place for the fact that this whole party is basically a nostalgia trip. Our old records should still be there for viewing as well."

"Sounds perfect a place. It'll be on the 22nd of course, a week from this coming Wednesday. So, we should start decorations as soon as possible." Sheina commented. "Also, invitations. I want to assume we'll be inviting our younger ones."

Rayna nodded. "That's right. All of whom can be brought back by us, we invite."

"....That's going to be a lot." Akio added. "Since this looks like it'll take awhile, I'm guessing that's why you're asking now." Rayna nodded, and Akio cleared his throat before continuing, "We'll have help with the invitations, right?"

It took a second, but Akane answered in Rayna's stead. "I think we can ask some of the first ones we give invites to. Nya, that should be enough. I think I can also ask the cats. I mean they are coming, nyan?"

Rayna agreed with Akane and added. "Of course. They were here long before us. They really should be the most special of us invited."

"Though they never leave their land." Sheina pointed out. "Unlike us, who can go from story to story; location to location; timeframe to timeframe, they are always in the same general location within different stories, and possibly only of different time frames. Not saying they can't leave their world, but would they know who to go to?"

"Even if they do," Akio squeezed in. "how many see warrior cats giving letters to 'twolegs'? Anyone from their clan, should they be seen, may get angry with that. Even though, we're all going through similar situations.."

"N-nya, guess you're right..."

"Somehow, I feel they themselves shouldn't be so accepting of 'twolegs' in that case either. However, same situation as you said, and they're invited. Why should it be so difficult for them and us to get along?"

"I already figured they at least know of us." Rayna shrugged. "Don't worry about it. We can just ask a few of the first as Akane originally suggested."

".....Shall we invite in order?"

"If you'd like Akio. It doesn't necessarily matter so long as everyone gets one. Though, for the ones to help us, I'd say the first few after Akane."

"Though aren't their stories idle, unlike ours that are actually dead?"

"Which is why we need something to help get them out of their current stories."

"Right, should have figured."

After a moment in thought, Sheina softly tapped her hand on the table to bring attention. "To add to Akio's earlier statement, I think we could use more help for other things besides inviting."

"I do agree. Now here are my questions. Who wants to recruit a few more to help? Who wants to help me make the invitations? Who wants to get the decorations, then go to the building to put them up?"

"I can find a few of our friends, mrrow!"

"Seems you'd be the best suited in all honesty." Akio said, thinking of all the possible running and acrobatics Akane would go through to find those few people. He wasn't cut out for that. "However, some may need rides. I should go with."

"I can help Rayna make the invitations in that case."

"Before official split up though, I should print the official document for you two to look at. Get the earliest after us, double the amount and make us eight. That should be enough. Akio, if you would be willing to lend your driving powers?" After a pleading show of face and hands, Rayna smiled after Akio stood up to head for the car.

"You don't even need to ask." He smiled back, and soon the three girls went to join him in the car. After all were in and buckled, he drove them to where Rayna directed him.

After a few minutes, Akio drove them into a sort of time and space loop. When all formed into a solid world, the small group was in a very large transparent hall room where 'stars' could be seen in literally all directions.

"Feels like awhile since I came here." Akio said as he drove through the wide hall. "All those glittering orbs past the walls; floor; and ceiling shine like stars, and are portals that take you to a different world."

"Wow!" Akane looked through the window, placing both paws on the glass as she peered out. She saw the tunnel they were all in, that separated them from the portals, and gave the car solid 'floor' to move on. The tunnel had a rainbow streak move back and forth to indicate where the hall led, how long, and how wide it was.

The hall they were in, technically it was a part of the Assembly Hall, but it was better to be called the Galactic Portal Room. No matter how far; small; or large the portal was, if someone wanted to get to it, they would. Any temporary power, if not having said power already, would be granted when in need of entering or leaving through a portal; to get to the glass hall or leave it.

"Not often we see this, but no matter how many times I'd come, I think I'll be amazed each time." Sheina added as she crossed her arms and sat back in relaxation while looking out the window as well.

Outside the glass, it really did look like a car doing space travel. It was a bizarre scene if anything.

The area wasn't necessarily pitch black, due to the glow of the portals. However, no one knew for certain if there was an end to the room, or if it was even a room these portals were in. It was better to go along with it though, as that was how the ones in the car felt.

After a few more minutes of driving, the arrival to the real Assembly Hall could be seen. From a glance, it looked like there was no end to the hall, but there of course was. The ceiling was fairly high, beautiful chandeliers lit what was below as they hung there. The width, one could say twenty average sized minivans could stand side by side in a straight line. When the car moved through the hallway, the rainbow of the glass from the other room above vanished.

Akio kept driving until arriving at a particular labeled door. It was the Day & Night Records Room. Rayna would leave to get the papers she wanted, and give them to Akane when she got back in the car.

After that, Akio drove to a different door. For awhile, all four had gotten out of the car, and were inside what was known as the experimental room. After leaving it, the group had glowing sticks on hand. They needed to be careful as to not drop them, and so kept them in a bag full of fluff that'd keep them from breaking if they do fall to the ground. Akio and Akane both took two, and put those in their pockets.

Next, they were back in the car and drove on to a different door. It was the art room. The place would give Rayna and Sheina all they needed to make the best kind of invitations.

Being their stop, the two girls got out.

"Thanks a lot Akio." Sheina grinned at him with her thumb up. She leaned forward as her arms crossed each other on the passenger side. Her elbows dangled a bit through the rolled down window. "Good luck getting the others. You know how they'll act right? They wont be happy once they see the truth."

"Yeah, thanks... I can't blame them if they act the way we all did when we first came back. It might take a bit to convince them to come."

"I don't doubt it will. Though, I think you should just trust that they'll have a vague idea of HC in general, and all else. See if it's possible to help their memory and tell them they're not alone in this. That's one of the reasons we want to do this anniversary in the first place. Right, Rayna?"

"Yes, that's right. This will be a chance for all of us to meet, and possibly start anew if we can or want."

"Still, to find out what happened to their world, friends, and even enemies... then suddenly be invited to a party.. I can't blame the fact they'd be hard to convince."

"Which is why you still might want to be careful, Akio. Mostly with Tahna. She's a little more like how I was back in my younger days."

Akio stared at the paper before looking up at her nervously. "I'm not sure I should like what you might be meaning."

"No, you shouldn't."

".......Wha-"

"Tahna's pretty hostile. In fact, I think she's the most hostile of all us who will be coming. She might beat you up with no questions in mind, and not even give you a chance to cry for help. After that, maybe she'll dump your body somewhere."

If it wasn't noticeable, Akio had his hands gripped on the steering wheel, shaking and turning pale. He might as well faint.

"Sheina." With a light punch to her shoulder, Rayna butted in. "Stop scaring the poor guy. Ahaha, Akio; Akane, don't worry. Everything will be fine. Let's go, Sheina, before you scare them to death."

The red eyed girl laughed before waving to the other two, then followed Rayna through the door. At the same time, Akio drew in a deep breath.

"Akio nyan? Will you be alright enough to drive?" Akane tilted her head to the side as she stared at his back.

".......H-huh? Yes, of course." He quickly said before turning the car around and going back into the GPR. "First on the list, after you of course, is Natsuki. The world she should be in is Umeia." After stating that, Akio called out to that world in his mind, and the glass that reappeared led to a distant portal.

...

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

It was a nice day out. Yet, time seemed frozen. Everyone and everything in this world seemed to be. Seemed was the wrong word though. It was a fact everything was frozen. It was not a pleasant sight to those who have seen such a result happen in their own world.

Akio and Akane looked around as they walked on through the motionless world. Seeing the place in such a state brought back memories. Painful ones. They were the only ones moving, but that wouldn't stay for long. They had approached the girl they wanted to, a young albino Umeiain who had been with a group of her own kind, as well as humans. In a model like state, the girl stood pointing at something on a map.

Akane threw one of the small glowing sticks at the girl. After doing so, the girl who had been frozen... moved. For a moment, she looked confused, but as she saw the world around her, memories would return. Then, she looked over her shoulder to see two strangers approaching. In instant fear the girl backed away a couple steps while watching warily.

Then, she touched her neck, feeling like something wasn't there when it should have been. After gasping, she looked over at the frozen people near her. The ones she looked at were her friends. They had on what she was missing, a Shilo Necklace.

"...Reiki...? Kano..? Nakia?" She tried saying their names in hopes to get a response. She looked over at the others who were allies to her, Amaya and Tanek. They didn't move either. When she looked at the ones keeping the group captive, Sonta and Sasha, they hadn't moved as well. Then, she tried lightly shaking Reiki's shoulder in hopes he'd respond, but he didn't. He was as stiff as stone. None of them moved, or said anything. It brought tears to the white haired girl's eyes.

"........Natsuki?"

"......Ah..." She responded after looking back at them, and moved away one more step. "H-how do you know my name?"

"Don't look so scared, nya. You're not in trouble or anything."

"You are strangers. The last strangers I knew hurt my friends and I."

Akane and Akio gave an apologetic look, and decided they should choose their next words carefully. Natsuki simply watched them, possibly making sure she herself was careful around these people.

"She really doesn't trust us..." The red haired girl whispered to her friend, noting the rising fear and suspicion coming from the white haired girl.

After a slight nod, Akio spoke again to Natsuki. "We're not like those people, I assure you."

"....You wont hurt me?"

"Not at all. We're HC buddies. Look, I'm Akio, and this is Akane."

"........."

"......I guess we do look a bit scary, huh?" Another apologetic look as Akio realized Akane's appearance as well as his own. While Akane appeared as a cute cat girl, she could also appear as some sort of monster to those who don't know her kind. While Akio, obviously wore goth clothes. ...The skull on his shirt couldn't possibly be very welcoming to others.

Akane saw both Akio and Natsuki fall silent. Akio started staring at the ground as though he were shy or embarrassed. Natsuki simply stared at them, watching their every move.

"Natsuki," Akane began, and Natsuki wasn't hesitant on eyeing her more with caution than Akio, now that Akane was speaking. "we may not be what you're use to, but it doesn't mean we can't be friendly. I assure you, nya, we are." When Akane grinned, she quickly closed her mouth, realizing her fangs showing got Natsuki to back away more. "I'm sorry, nyan. Think of me as a cute kitten wanting to be your friend."

"........You did that, to my friends and I? Even our kidnappers?"

"Huh? Natsu-"

"Stay back!" For a second, flames seemed to come out from Natsuki's shoulders and arms, as though giving a warning. She waited for Akio, who had taken a step forward, to retreat back that step. However, she kept herself on guard.

".....We would like you to give us a chance, and come with us."

"No." She backed away more. "I wont go with anyone unless it's my friends. I wont end up in the same situation we were in with Sasha and Sonta. And this time, I'd be alone." She turned around and ran away. Akio and Akane stood and only watched, confused by what she was talking about. However, they did understand that with whatever she went through, it's still clear in her mind.

"I'll take care of this." Akane said as she darted off at full speed. She was indeed going faster than a human. Due to that, she was able to catch up with Natsuki easily. And, after jumping infront of the girl, Akane had to quickly grab her arm before she could turn a different direction.

While panting, Natsuki struggled, but Akane's grip was strong. The cat girl was making sure not to let her claws hurt that arm she held either. Though, due to Akane's appearance, Natsuki felt even more frightened, and tried breaking free more aggressively.

"Stop Natsuki, please! I wont hurt you!"

"No, no! Let go! Please!" In tears, she raised her free arm, and it caught fire. Due to her element being fire, she would end up not burning herself. Of course, it was possible for her to burn others.

Akane gasped, and had to act quickly. "Wait, Natsuki! Please listen, I'm scared too now. Let's not be so afraid though. We want to be friends!"

"......My friends froze!"

"...So did ours... n-nya... and it has been years, but our stories are still in that state..."

Natsuki reacted in surprise and realization at her own actions as well as Akane's words. She lowered her arm and let the fire go out. She relaxed herself enough so that Akane would let go. However, Akane hugged her the first chance she could. While she was surprised, and frightened again, it was short lived. Natsuki simply accepted it and cried into her shoulder.

As she cried, she questioned why they were frozen in the first place. She asked why even her kidnappers were. In fact, the whole world was. She didn't understand, nor did she want to. She missed her friends, and responded she'd rather have stayed frozen with them.

All the while, Akane remained silent and listened. She was starting to cry, as her own memories filled her head, as well as the guilt and sadness for Natsuki. After awhile though, both girls had calmed their tears.

Akane smiled as she rubbed the albino girl's back. "Will you come with us please, nya? There's a party Akio and I are preparing for. However, nya, we need more assistance for preparations. There are others that we'll be meeting with as well as recruiting and inviting. Please, don't be afraid though. Everything will be explained better soon. I promise, nya."

"......O-okay.." Natsuki sadly smiled, and after Akane let her go, she wiped her eyes from the tears. Then, they both stood up and walked back to where Akio was waiting. After some kind words, everyone went inside the car. Akio drove them out of that world, and into a different one.

...

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

".......Nn.. huh?" A lavender winged girl vaguely recognized her own voice for a second. She felt dizzy, and rubbed her head as though to clear it. She looked up and noticed three people staring in her direction. Then, she realized that only she and they were moving. "....Wh-what is this?"

She stood up, looking uncertain as she stared at the three. "...Are you... the ones who attacked the ship?"

"No, but we are here to recruit you, Kastel." Akio explained.

"You know me, it seems..." She cautiously approached. "Please specify. Actually, more importantly, why is no one but us moving?"

"Your story is in a state of idle, nya. It may or may not be permanent.... It occurs when all that helped this story live, the creators of a world and those in it, leave for a certain time. If they don't come back, nor does the story, mew..."

"We used an exemption rule that allowed you out of the state everyone else in your world is in. We did the same with Natsuki in her world. We would try helping the others here, but we cant..."

"S-story? How dare you call this a story. That basically insults everyone here." Her wings rose and her shoulders shook in anger. In return of a response, Akio and Akane rose their hands in surrender. Natsuki simply hid behind them.

"It's the best way to describe and make sense of what happened. But, nya, like we really know..."

"It happened to us too. We'd just like you to come with, as all our situations relate."

"Why? I'll have to abandon everyone now, is what you're implying?"

"No. You don't have to come with us, but we would like it if you do."

"If I don't come with, I could try helping the others get out of... whatever state they're in."

"That's impossible, nya. Try if you'd like. It'll only hurt you more, as it was the same with us."

"......N-no... I- I don't like the sound of this. How is it you were able to bring me back, but none of them?" In sadness and even anger, Kastel gestured with both arm and wing pointing to those frozen around them.

"...They aren't.. nya, "related" to us. They have their own authors and we have ours. Only other 'relation' is they're all from HC. Other than that though... We can't interfere with them without permission, nya. Trust me, we would help them if we could."

"....I don't understand what you're talking about." Though, she didn't point out the abbreviation Akane said, gave a bit of a recognition feeling to Kastel's heart, and it was a bit calming.

"You will, if you'd come with us."

Kastel took a deep breath. For some reason, she took in everything as though saying all that were apart of the world she was in died. They weren't though. Yet, she nearly convinced herself of that. "....Staying here would be pointless, now that I am not frozen with them. I'd probably end up depressing myself over this more each day."

"So, please come with us, mrrow. It's rather sudden, but we are planning an anniversary party for the community, for the authors that were able to make all of our worlds happen. For our old worlds where friends, family, and everyone else are too. We need help with preparations. Please, nya, Kastel?"

After a bit of thinking about it, Kastel looked over at the world frozen around her. Her friends and allies... would they awaken? She was going to miss them, that was a certainty. "..........If I can still hold onto the hope that everyone here will awaken one day... I will go with." Kastel gave a hurt look as she crossed her arms, looking back at the three. "If it's just a party, and with real meaning, I don't mind. I can come back here when it's all over, right?"

"Of course." Akane smiled. "It's all a matter of choice. No one can force anyone to choose what they want."

"Not to mention, it will be full of meaning. We all can work together to create an even bigger meaning in the end."

"Still, even after, if you want to come back here, you can. Nyan, you might be refrozen, or who knows really..."

A bit of silence followed, before the winged girl sighed and nodded. "Then, let's go. If this is the last time I move, so be it. I'll be glad to help bring this party to life."

...

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

After getting Kastel to join them, Akio dropped her and Natsuki off at the room Rayna and Sheina were in. Then, he and Akane returned to find the last two. Even before getting the last two, Akane and Akio hadn't been too big on this whole idea. While they did want to give the ones they planned to reawaken a new start, it still felt wrong in some way. It was too late to back out though. Two had already been reawakened.

The anniversary wasn't being made to hurt anyone in the first place. However, it would still, as Natsuki and Kastel already demonstrated. In the end though, and when the actual event came to being, there was hope it'd have a ton more positive effects than negative ones.

The next on the list was Relika, a European witch who traveled with Nekomata, Necar and Siyamak; and with a different kind of witch, a Tsukimono-Suji, Eon. Their world was just as frozen, but only she was soon enough exempt as well.

The witch took a moment to realize what was going on. She stared at the motionless state her new friends were in, as well as that she and her familiar were able to be free of that. She soon enough looked at the ones who granted her liberty.

With a vague idea of what was really going on, she took a bit of her red dress in her hands and gave a curtsy to them. "I should thank you for getting me out of that state. I feel rather sore from it all. Don't you too, Mint?" The kitten on her shoulder responded with a stretch of agreement.

"Glad to have, nya. What an adorable kid." Akane was actually referring to the kitten.

"If you would like to greet each other, go ahead." She held out her arm for Mint to walk on and jump on to Akane's shoulder. He purred soon after as did she. Relika then turned around to face her still frozen friends, before looking back at the other two. "You will release them too, right? It may not have been long, but I consider them dear to me."

".......We're sorry... w-we can't help them, Relika."

"My, so you do know me." She smiled as she moved some of her white hair from her face, having had suspicions that they did, or she likely wouldn't have been awakened again like that. "And you say you cannot help them?"

"Not even for this world itself..." Akio looked down regretfully.

"Sorry, nya..."

Relika looked back over at her comrades, a bit of hope rising that will prove these strangers wrong. A part of her knew it wouldn't happen though, that these people were right. And yet... "It can't be true..."

She took out her wand, trying to believe she could, and soon enough convincing herself entirely. If anyone could awaken them, she would. And so, she cast every spell she knew that was suppose to help bring someone missed back. No one stopped her from doing this, thus it took a couple minutes. Nothing worked, and so she finally had to accept it. Even with magic, they weren't going to awaken.

Tears welled up in the witch's eyes, before freely starting down her cheeks. She was without family, and didn't get to form a long friendship with those in front of her. As if being targeted by witch hunters wasn't enough. She weakly fell to her knees, feeling sick. This couldn't be happening, none of it could! "...S-say something. Please..." She was asking her friends, but there was still no response. ".......After we just got to the point of becoming friends..."

Hazel eyes peered up at Necar, imagining her to look at Relika in annoyance and tell her to stand up and come with them to their next destination. Eon may come up to Necar and comment on what she said to Relika. Then Siyamak would drink its coffee, eyes still never opening, and change the subject by announcing who it really was.

Who knew if that'd really happen, but there was the fact it didn't. They... probably didn't even know they were frozen, just as Relika didn't at first.

".........Why... can they not be saved...?"

"....We're sorry... You're the only one we could for this world."

"......."

"......They're not dead, nya. Until HC dies completely, none of our stories will die entirely. Which means, we all still have a chance to return to our original stories. Our original worlds, and everyone we knew would be there waiting."

"...HC?" Some light seemed to rise in Relika's eyes as she turned her head slightly to the right, as though recalling something. "That... abbreviation somehow sounds familiar..."

Akio and Akane looked at each other, and exchanged small smiles for hearing Relika recognizing the abbreviation almost immediately.

Akane looked over there again, at the witch still on her knees, and not looking back at them. "That's right, it's the place we all originated from."

".........Why did you revive me?"

"The anniversary is coming up." Akio explained. "We'd like you to help us prepare, then attend it with us."

"You brought me back only for that?"

"It will be of use for everyone, I assure you. I think we all need it. As there is the fact it's not just to celebrate, but also to remember, and maybe to even recreate what we've lost."

"If you don't understand, nya, I think you will if you'll just come with us."

Relika coldly laughed. "Fine. I have nothing else to lose anymore."

She stood up and walked past the other two, Mint jumping back onto her shoulder at the right time in the process. He knew his master to be upset and tried purring and rubbing his face on her tear streaked cheek. Neither Mint nor the witch noticed Akio and Akane, their sorrowful regretting stares to them. They stayed silent though, and followed Relika to the car.

...

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

Last to be brought with them was Tahna. The thought of her and what Sheina said about her brought shivers to Akio's spine. He really didn't like the sound of this. He did not want to do this, he valued his life. Thank you.

Still, he had to do this. Why did it have to be him?

He would not stop worrying even after they entered the world. From where it froze, it was night time. He drove through the streets of the desolate world, looking for a particular person that matched the description on the paper. The location was said to be where he was now, so the target couldn't be so far away.

"A perfect place for a violent person to dump a body somewhere." Akio said before gulping.

"Don't believe Sheina, she was probably just trying to scare us." Akane hoped.

"She's good at it then. Too good."

"Don't be a baby, nya." Akane purred as the car stopped moving.

"Who's a baby?" He parked the car and turned it off. "Anyway, looks like that one's her." He pointed out the passenger side, indicating to three girls. "....Erm, the one getting her hair pulled."

"Oh, this world stopped them in the middle of a fight. Nya, wonder what happened."

Akio shrugged before looking in the backseat where Relika was. The girl and her cat were fast asleep, and the two having a conversation didn't seem to bother her at all. He knew he should let her rest, as Akane too understood that.

After having been in a frozen idle state, sometimes it was good to move right away. However, it was also good to rest a bit to help recovery before moving. Though, the resting could also be a way to escape the reality of certain truths for awhile.

Akio too got out of the car and went to join Akane. "Let's finish this. We'll have everyone after this." He watched her nod and went over to where the unmoving girls were. He soon enough threw the exemption rule at Tahna.

There was a gasp, and Tahna fell to the ground, rubbing her head as she felt the pain from her hair being pulled. She stared up then at the one who attacked her, Heloise. Then, she looked at the other girl, Adelaide, and remembered she was trying to get her to save Tahna from Heloise's wrath. "Tch, here's your dumb chocolate." She tossed it at Heloise's feet. Why was no one moving though?

"Tahna."

The dark red haired girl gave a startled look and stood up. "Who are you and how do you know me?" She gave an aggressive look. "What's going on? How is it no one is doing anything!?"

"Calm yourself, nya. Just come with us and you'll understand soon enough."

"Ha, as if I'd so happily agree to that. Get lost." She wanted to send a warning by pushing Akane, and so she did.

"Mew!" Akane stumbled back, but kept her balance.

"Hey, stop being so rude."

"I can be however I want." She went to punch Akio, but he quickly grabbed her arm and held it in place. She soon tried punching him with her other arm, but he held that one in place too once he grabbed it. "...Crap. Let me go!" She tried breaking free this time.

"Please hear us out."

"Why should I?"

"Look at the world around you. You have now been exempted from your own story. Meaning, you can do whatever you want, except interfere with the frozen world itself. That includes any living or dead, animate or inanimate objects. They cannot be messed with."

".....In other words, staying here would be a death sentence."

"Pretty much..."

"Really? Why don't you let me see if you're lieing."

Akio let her go then and awaited to see what she'd do. So, Tahna went to where she dumped the chocolate and tried picking it up. That wasn't happening though. She tried again and again, but it would not lift from the ground. She then tried pushing the girls, but they did nothing either.

"The candy bar 'froze' the moment you disregarded it. That usually means it wasn't yours to begin with. You're simply wasting energy over trying to pick it up as well as trying to interact with the girls."

Tahna sighed in frustration. "Great... Ugh.... Well, I have no choice seeing as I'd rather not die." She started heading for their car. "Assuming that vehicle is yours. With the girl in it?" Akio nodded, and Tahna rolled her eyes before going in the backseat.

"......That was easier and faster than I thought it'd go." He started heading for the driver's seat.

"See, nya?" Akane smiled as she followed him to go into the passenger seat. Once all were buckled in, it was time to return to the community building.

...

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

{to update this, first, there are some computer issues I've been having... The other computer I was using crashed or something, and it had all my files on it >< I was actually smoothly far in this, and planned to post it once I got to a certain point, but now I have to redo all that. *Sigh* My apologies... This is why I should have considered putting the story on Penzu or some other safe place on the internet, so that I could have still accessed it... It wont be hard, it'll simply take some time. Please be patient, I'll do my best to make up for it.}

[ℱirepelt]

“Welcome back.” Sheina said as she approached the stopped car. Akio and Akane had gotten out of the car, and Sheina noted the other two girls still in the car. “Good job getting everyone here, you two.”

“Yeah... wasn't completely easy.”

“Aha, but what is~?” Sheina chirped as she saw Tahna come out from the backseat, while Akane went to wake Relika up. She waited until all four were standing in front of her, before speaking again, though to Tahna and Relika. “Welcome girls, I am Sheina, one of those who wanted you here. I can explain everything, come with me.”

She left Akane and Akio there, and they assumed they could check on the others. The two went to where Rayna, Natsuki, and Kastel were.

“Hey, nya, how are you holding up?”

Natsuki looked up and smiled shyly. “Everything is... alright now.”

“That's right.” Kastel brushed away some feathered hair from her face. “While it's still a little hard for us, it just can't be helped. May as well do what we can to help the others, since no one else would be able to.”

“Does that mean... you're glad we awoke you?”

Natsuki sighed quietly and looked down. “In some way... I would have rather stayed frozen with them. So, I'm not really glad, but I do understand why you're doing this at all. That's why... I can tolerate it and help with what I can. And I don't actually want to die or be frozen, but I don't like that I may never see my friends again, nor can I join them anywhere...”

“It's hard...” Kastel put a gentle hand on Natsuki's shoulder, as she looked at the other two. “We'll get through it though. None of you did this to hurt us. You wanted to save us, because you knew you could awaken at least some of those who were frozen. Due to that, you must have thought it'd be wrong to keep those ones that you can unfreeze frozen.”

Akio nodded. “The biggest questions we have for ourselves is, is it really right to help them out? Wouldn't they have rather stayed frozen with their friends and family? Should we really do this, or keep as is?”

“You're doing what you believe will help not only yourselves, but everyone else. Besides... we have a choice to go back to being frozen again, don't we? So, while you may put up efforts to try telling us to give everything a chance, we in the end, have the right to officially decide.”

“That's correct. …........Thanks.. I wasn't really sure if we were helping at all by freeing you. I'm starting to reconsider that.”

“.......Akio, nya..?” Akane looked at him with worry, as he seemed to be recalling something. Something painful.

“….I know, that when I was first awakened, I felt the same way you two do. I wanted to be frozen again because I thought my friends and family, the whole world in fact, died that way right in front of me. I didn't know what to think, nor what to do. I just wished badly they'd wake up, or I'd at least be able to join them. That didn't happen though, and I basically fell into despair...”

“While, nya, we may have drowned out those sorrows over the years.. we still think back from time to time. We still get upset over what happened, nyan. It took all of us years to fully distract ourselves from breaking down in tears each time it's thought about. After all, we came to the belief we had nothing left, due to our worlds being frozen and soon enough dead to us....”

“Until you met one another?”

“That's right.” Akio smiled. “The four of us met and talked. We found out about each other and what happened. However, we were still rather depressed over it, so we were pretty distant toward one another. Yet, we still stuck together. We ended up entering other worlds together, discovering that there was more than one, and we could access them through here. Many times, we went our separate ways too, and for while we ended up that way. Until Rayna called us some time ago to make the meeting for this.”

“So... none of you met the day you were unfrozen..? Then, who awoke you?”

Akio and Akane looked at each other, before both giving away a shrug. Kastel and Natsuki exchanged puzzled expressions, before looking back at them, confused.

“We could take a guess, and say it was one of the cats.”

“...Cats?”

“The ones who have been here longest, nya. The cats of the clans.”

“Though, they're rather segregated from anyone not a cat like them. So, it is a little hard to believe they'd have been the ones to help us. We don't really know though.”

Silence fell as Natsuki and Kastel looked very confused. Yet, at the same time, it seemed familiar. ….Why was that? Was it due to what Rayna and Sheina explained by that they were all from the same place? And in their case, created by the same being...

“Heheh, nyan, you'll find out.” Akane blushed, unable to think of how to really explain it.

“That's right.” Rayna spoke up from her seat. “I especially want to invite Ravenfur. She was one of the first to be here since 2005. I think she'd enjoy this very much.”

Akio gave an amused look. “Except she goes by Firepelt now.”

Kastel raised an eyebrow. “Uh huh.. interesting names. Are they frozen too?”

“”Nope”” Rayna, Akio, and Akane answered at the same time; with a smile.

“Though, a lot has happened there, nya. Unfortunately...” Akane's ears drooped.

“Right. We were all figuring the cats like us could at least attend. They probably really need this, like the rest of us. If they even want to.”

“Glad to see you two finished, by the way.” Rayna clapped as she approached them. “The invitations are done, sort of, and we plan to get started officially by tomorrow. I'll need the others here so we can discuss plans. Where are they?”

“Nya, Sheina is talking to them.”

“Hm... I don't want to interrupt..”

“Though, we could still check on them, right?”

“Sure, Natsuki, if you really want to.”

“But, Rayna, that would be interrupting them.”

“Yes, but if Natsuki really wants to check on them she can. We shouldn't force her-”

“On second thought!” Natsuki hid behind Kastel, as everyone else looked to see Sheina approaching with the other two girls behind her.

“Natsuki, no need to hide. You know me.” Sheina spoke sweetly as she knelt down to pat the white haired girl. “Though, I guess it's them you don't know, right?”

“You being here has me assume they know enough for everything to make sense to them.”

“Kind of...” Tahna mumbled, her face clearly holding annoyance. Relika on the other hand simply gave a small smile with a shrug of her shoulders. After that, everyone introduced themselves, and settled down at a table.

...

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

“So, let me ask.” Rayna began as she poured everyone hot tea before sitting down with them. “Are you four alright with helping us? We promise we'll try making it meaningful, but you do not have to help, nor take a part in it if you really don't want to.”

“I'll help.” Kastel agreed. “There's not much else I can do. I guess this will award me in the end though, as you say.”

“Indeed, I am rather curious about this party and the meaning you intend to put in.” Relika added.

Natsuki sighed shyly. “I'll stay here to help, and see how it all goes.”

“........”

“....And your answer, Tahna?”

“.....You say I have a choice? Then, no.” She stood up and started heading for the door. Everyone looked at each other with mute expressions, before watching Sheina stand up and follow Tahna out the door.

“My, so she'll convince her?” Relika gave an amused smile as she stirred sugar into her tea. “So much for having a choice.”

“Sorry, nya. We are forcing it a bit by wanting everyone here to give it a chance first, before they'd decide not to take part at all...”

After a couple minutes of waiting, the two girls that left, came back in. Both sat down in the seats they were originally in. Tahna crossed her arms, while Sheina simply smiled as she sipped some tea. It was silent before Tahna gave an annoyed look.

“So, what are we to do already?”

“First, I do apologize. I will to the others as well. We are forcing everyone... or at least, if Relika allows it.” Rayna looked over at her, as did the others. The witch simply stared back in confusion. “You are capable of magic, right? I was wondering if you could put a spell or two into the invitations. While I did put the same chemicals in that will unfreeze them, set by a timer after the cards are opened, there's more I need.”

Sheina cleared her throat. “Rayna and I were discussing that earlier. It would be too much to explain to every single individual we unfreeze. There are a lot we can actually save, therefore a lot to invite. We'd rather gather the whole group without any issues and then explain. So, yes... sorry, but technically that will be forcing them.”

“Tch, I can't understand any of you at all. You say we have a choice, but then- ugh. Whatever.”

“You'll see, Tahna, be patient. Yes, we are technically not giving a choice, and yet we are.”

“For their own good, or so you believe~.” Relika took a drink of tea before setting the cup down and smiled knowingly. “If you ask that I add both sleep and teleportation spells into those cards, then fine. I can do that~. However, to take them out of their own worlds and such, it requires a different and stronger method, such as potions. If you give me the materials for that, I can have them ready in a matter of a few days to a week.”

“Yes, as long as it's done by the day of the party. Thank you Relika, thank you.”

“Glad to help~. What's next then?”

“Second, we need volunteers for work this week. Inviting, which can come the day before; buying decorations and putting them up; and getting food and drinks. Of course, the utensils for all of that too. I'll put myself up to send some of the invites.”

“I'll invite too, nya!”

“Tahna and I will get decorations and put them up.”

“What are you doing deciding things for me?”

“......Sheina and Tahna working together to get-”

“Don't worry Rayna. I promise we wont steal for this special occasion. That is, i~f you or someone gives me money.”

“Of course, Sheina.. of course.”

Akio cleared his throat. “I and Natsuki shall get food, drinks, and utensils. That's alright with you, is it Natsuki?”

“Hm.. sure...”

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Trust me, you wont want to be around Sheina and Tahna. While Tahna has unbridled anger, as I see it, Sheina can lose her patience easily. Probably better to stay safe from them when they work together.” Natsuki nodded quickly to him.

“The food and everything will be a lot for you two. Why don't I help?” Rayna suggested, and the two agreed to it.

“I could help send the invites, as you say there are a lot. I can also help Akio, Natsuki, and Rayna for their task.” Said the witch.

“As can I help with the invites. I'm willing to help with decorations too.” Kastel agreed.

“Nya, I don't mind to go with Sheina and her group for decorating also.”

“I'm glad to hear such cooperation. This all needs to be done by next week: Wednesday, the 22nd. For the time being though, I can give you four the tour.”

“We'll also show you to the bedrooms.” Sheina added. “We can all stay here in the room area of this building. Coming back and forth, world to world, we'll already be doing that enough.”

“Yeah... So, come on everyone, let's go!”

------

The tour took a little while. The building was huge after all. It was one story entirely. Thus, there was a lot of walking around and breaks, no stairs or elevators. What was introduced was the assembly hall that had all the rooms connecting; including the two high pillars that connected to the galactic portal room.

Soon enough though, everyone was at the hall that led to the bedrooms. At the end of that hall, it connected to the dining room. The door to the assembly hall would have to be blocked off so that, those who're invited, would be lured into the dining room. That way, they wouldn't get lost.

“This will be our final stop for the tour. I hope you enjoyed it.” Rayna nodded to them. “You may pick your rooms, but no fighting over one, or we will pick.”

The four newly recruited thanked her, though Tahna did grudgingly. After that, everyone separated from one another. Until the next day, everyone could relax and do as they pleased. After that though, they would work and it could all pay off in the end.

This was the true start of the buildup to the final event.

...

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

........

......

A group of eight stood in the hallway of the community building that held a bunch of rooms. They knew all who were invited were currently being unfrozen, and then put into a short sleep; while being teleported into one of the rooms.

After a bit of talking amongst one another, the group would split up. Rayna; Sheina; Akio; and Akane, carrying Relika's kitten familiar, would be making one final round of making sure all was going well. They would also stop by the real Hidden Clans, where the cats were, so that they could bring them to the party, or at least talk to them.

It was nearing midnight, which would mark the start of the 22nd day of May. The four left would make sure all made it, as well as keep everything comfortable and organized. They had the right to tell everyone everything, but as Sheina said some time ago, it'd be too annoying to having to repeat oneself. Not to mention the memories it brought.

So, while the four waited for the others, they decided to all come in at a different time. They had a small plan to play out, until the other four came back.

As Kastel decided to be the first of the temporary hosts, she wandered the vast building. It was quite huge, and without the decorations, a bit dull. The two pillars on the end of both sides of the Assembly Hall stood, and the glistening glow of the portals, like stars, made it an incredible scene to look at. Being in there was even more incredible. There were many many portals, perhaps hundreds to thousands. That meant for a lot of different worlds.

It was too bad. The only way out of the building itself was through the star portals. That didn't necessarily tell what was beyond the building itself though. Thinking too much on it wouldn't solve anything, of course, however.

Kastel made it to the dining room, where most of the decorations were. All of the food and drinks were placed on a long table. A second, empty, long table stood many ways away from the other one. Near both those tables was a coffee table surrounded by two cushion couches. On the coffee table, Kastel would gently place a list of names there, and sit on a couch.

The list had sixteen names on it. None of the cats from the clans had their names there, nor did the four that started the whole party. Kastel only figured it was their way of adding more life to this anniversary, by making some kind of mystery. She really didn't fully understand, but still went along with it.

The winged girl stood up and stretched, before taking another look at the list.

“Hm...”

Kastel looked up, frightened for a second at a man's sudden appearance. A dark red haired one with a long red tail. He looked over the list as well, leaning over a bit on his staff, and nodded to her.

“Mm, hello. I'm Arsen. Seems we've never met.” He held out a hand as a friendly greeting.

“......Kastel. Nice to meet you.” She shook it, and exchanged a friendly yet unsure smile. She watched as Arsen moved his tail from side to side while asking, “I see you're similar to me. Mm, my race is derived from the jerboa, as you may recognize from my tail. I come from a large family of the Muridae, but true and direct Muridae bloodline are the jerboa family pets we have. Mm, what might you be?”

“....Mine is more or less based from a rare species of purple birds. So.... you are a kind of mouse...?”

“Mm, strikingly similar aren't they? With the way I am, it explains my height, don't you think? I'm an adult, mid twenties, and yet...”

“I don't see what's wrong with being short.”

“Mm, nor do I of course. I was simply pointing it out.”

“Either way, I'm sure others would be able to see why when they'd notice the rodent tail and all.”

“I'm more human than rodent though, as you could tell.”

“Ah, looks aren't everything though.” Kastel smiled, starting to feel comfortable with one who was 'strange' like she. “I could travel through space without getting cold, or if anything, I'd need a sweater and that'd be it. I can also breath with the little oxygen it has out there. Yet, I look quite human other than these wings and small feather tufts on my ears, don't I? Ah, and the odd colors.”

“Mm, quite. Hahaha, I may not be able to survive cold climates that well, but I could through deserts. I was born in an oasis somewhere deep in the deserts.”

“Really? I resided in the alphs.”

“.....Cold.”

“For you, it may be.” Kastel giggled. “We'd certainly die in each others climates, wouldn't we?”

”Yes...” Arsen agreed with his own chuckle.

“....Aliens?” A young girl, with wavy black hair and blue dyed ends in that hair, spoke as she approached questionably.

“Well,” Arsen began, scratching the back of his head, albeit a bit nervously. “for starters, I'm no alien. Mm, more or less I'm a result from experiments done to my ancestors years ago.”

“Uh huh, whatever.” She smiled and shrugged. “I don't know why I am here. Did you kidnap me?”

Arsen shook his head, then gave her the list before shrugging. “I know no one on the list presented to us that are to come.”

“I see... Nor do I. Which ones are you?” She looked up from the paper, and gave a slight bow. “I'm Louise. Pleased to meet you.”

“Mm, I am Arsen. A pleasure to meet you too.”

“I am Kastel. Welcome. Since this is obviously set up for a party.” She took a quick look around the room.

“Hm... everyone here will do fine.” A mischievous grin crossed her face, before she went over to sit on a couch with a thoughtful gaze. She didn't fail to notice the other two staring in confusion. “Oh, don't mind me~. Yet. I wonder who'd invite me though, they may come to regret it.”

“.......What are you talking about?” Kastel watched her warily. “Not planning anything, are you? Seems like it...”

“Ah... you'll find out.” She winked, and watched as Kastel deepened her cold stare. “So then, everyone's a stranger? Why make such a party?”

“Obviously our hosts have some kind of relationship with all of us. Otherwise, none would have been invited.”

“I have no such person who knows me enough to invite me to a party. Heheh, and anyway, why are they not here?”

Arsen spoke up this time, in place of Kastel, who simply stared at Louise in suspicion. “Mm, no one's perfect. I'm sure they're probably still sleeping. It's quite early in the morning, don't you think?”

“Aren't the ones that invite you to a party suppose to be perfect?” Louise crossed her arms with a carefree smile, and listened as Arsen spoke in uncertainty, “It's also possible they are waiting for everyone else to arrive first. Some hosts prefer to show up last of everyone else. Mm, likely as a way of entertainment.”

“........Waiting is all we can do then. Go ahead and keep talking amongst yourselves, I'll be elsewhere.” Not even looking back, she went over to grab some food and juice, before sitting at the empty long table. She paid no attention to the other two present as she began to eat.

“........She's suspicious.” Kastel mumbled to the man.

“...She's scary."

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

It was only a few minutes later, and the three in the room looked up to hearing voices coming from the hall. After another few seconds, two girls came in: one with sepia brown hair, the other with dark curly hair and light green eyes. The first was named Sepia, the other was Vahnahda.

“Ah, so there are others.” Sepia announced with a smile.

“There's also food.” Vahnahda spoke rather loudly, then sprinted over to where the food was, causing Sepia to giggle. “My, you certainly are interesting, Vahnahda.”

“Why thank you!” Once more, a loud way of speaking.

Sepia only smiled in amusement as she nodded in acknowledgement to the other three. “I assume this is some kind of party, with the way everything is set up. All here?”

“Nope.” Kastel looked over at the newest to arrive. “There are sixteen names listed.”

Sepia gave a curious look, before walking over to where Kastel and Arsen sat. They were at the coffee table, apparently avoiding to sit near Louise. “May I?” She asked to see the list and was given it. She nodded after reading all the names, and was offered to sit down with them. She took the offer with gratitude and invited Vahnahda to sit with them as well, and they introduced themselves.

Louise smiled as she watched, waiting. It happened then: a sound that echoed through the room, as well as that smoke came out from where Sepia was sitting. Her eyes widened as she squeaked, quickly stood up and looked at the empty couch, before frowning to a laughing Louise.

“Ahahahahahahahaha, you blew the couch up with that! Have anymore gas you'd like to let out~? Be careful, don't want to burn your friends, do you? Hehehahahahaha!”

“Excuse me? Somehow I get the feeling it was all your doing.”

“Does it anger you~?” Her smile was mischievous indeed.

Sepia took a step forward as she raised her arm, before Arsen put a gentle hand on it. “Mm, don't worry about her. It's not worth creating a big fuss.” It took a couple seconds, as she was still angered, though she soon enough sat back down.

Louise winked at Arsen and Kastel. “Told you not to mind me, yet~. Maybe now's the time to.”

“Mm, please behave.”

“I think that's more up to me, and uh, hah, not up to you.” She shrugged with a giggle.

“.....Ignore her.” Kastel closed her eyes and waved her hand to Louise, as though that made her disappear.

“Do that a~ll you want, but it wont truly make me go away.” She flicked a piece of bread that landed in Kastel's hair. The lavender winged girl didn't look back as she simply removed the bread from her hair. She continued to ignore her, which bored Louise.

Sepia sighed to change the subject, by stating, “I'm guessing each of you woke up here too. ....Which is why I don't like this. None of us were brought here by our own free will. We had no choice but to accept it.”

“Who knows, it may actually have been meant for a surprise.” Arsen shrugged.

“At a time when I was in the middle of something important? …..Nice surprise.” She crossed her arms and leaned back in the seat.

“What was happening where I was, it was pretty important too.” Vahnahda admitted. “My siblings and I were in the middle of trying to stop a certain brother of ours from causing chaos...”

“A cruel sibling, never fun... I too was on a journey with others like me to get answers and stop a certain being like me....”

“.......?” The other three were puzzled by Sepia's lack of being specific.

“....Sorry. Those like me are named after colors. We have abilities beyond human capabilities due to... experiments from the government. Black is one of the.... corrupt ones, you could say. That's who we need to find... Needed now, for me anyway. They'll just have to continue without me.” Sepia shrugged uncertainly. She might not have been that helpful, so it may not make much a difference in the end. Still.... “I'd like to get back soon though...”

“Boo hoo, too bad.” Everyone looked over to see Tahna enter the room. She silently walked over to them, before continuing, “All your sob stories will never be complete.” She smiled coldly. “In fact, they wont even continue.”

Sepia raised an eyebrow, and Tahna continued as her cold smirk grew, “I'm saying don't fret over it.” She leaned closer to Sepia, in a rather ominous manner. “Just a bit of advice!” At that point, a noise like a foot scraping the ground was heard, and Tahna looked over at Kastel. She was sending a warning stare at her, silently telling Tahna to cut it out. Tahna stood up straight then, and directed her bitter smile at Kastel, asking, “Nothing wrong with a little suggestion, is there?”

“You could say so in a nicer way.” Sepia stressed, as she tapped her finger on the couch's arm. “As well as make more sense.”

“We should have met a couple more weeks ago, if you wanted nice.” She mocked, and Sepia glared.

It seemed Vahnahda spaced out to the point of ignoring them, while Kastel's hand reached to hold her forehead as though showing she had a headache. Arsen was the one who spoke up, “Who might you be, anyway?”

“I'd save the introduction for last, dear.” She looked at the list without picking it up. “Plenty more to come. I'd rather not introduce myself more than I have to.” She shrugged and crossed her arms. "Not that I even want to be here."

“....Suit yourself! Then we shall continue without including you!” Vahnahda said smiling as Tahna covered her ears by her shouting. Disregarding it, the dark haired girl continued to speak to the others. “I worry for my siblings safety... Our brother doesn't even have abilities beyond a human, but... royal families have their own kinds of powers. It would be worse if Leus had anything more.”

Kastel held a concerned expression toward her and Sepia. “Sounds complicated. …...Wait, royalty?”

“Did I forget to mention that!? Oh well, yup, I'm a princess!”

“Probably an annoying nuisance to your siblings, or so I'd think.” Tahna commented with a mocking shrug, after having covered and uncovered her ears a second time. “How could someone like you pass off to be royalty?”

Vahnahda failed to be offended and simply said, “At least I'm not a homeless peasant.”

That caused the red head to look very surprised. “H-how did you even-....?!?!” She bit back from saying more. How did Vahnahda know she was homeless? Was it what she wore? She never said anything else to indicate it! ….Now that she thought about it, her clothes were dirty and some parts were torn, mostly near the knee joints.

“If you really have a problem, you could always leave, peasant. Or stay quiet in a seat and ignore us. Those who cannot keep a roof over their head, insulting others out of jealousy and hate, and fail to have anyone to back them up is not worth being heard by royalty.”

“..........” There was no reply, and Tahna gave an annoyed 'hmph' as she started heading for the table Louise should be at. She didn't see Vahnahda spit out her tongue in her direction.

The other three had looked at their new friend in surprise, not expecting her to have spoken out like that. However, they learned by now, Vahnahda was pretty blunt. ….And mannerless. Yet, she could even handle a situation like she just had, if the time really called for it. She may have just ignored Tahna if she hadn't made a poor attempt to insult her.

Soon enough, Kastel smiled while holding back a laugh. While she didn't voice it, she disliked Tahna and had hated to work with her earlier during set up. So, she was glad here: Tahna had backed down, at least for a bit. She would enjoy that girl's silence while it lasted. Now, if only Louise would keep up that silence too. Arsen, meanwhile, merely shrugged, finding it a bit amusing himself. Sepia looked toward Vahnahda with praise for standing up to Tahna.

Their conversations of earlier didn't continue, once there was a yell and a crash. Everyone looked over to where the red head was. Tahna found she had slipped over an icecube. She fell down after losing all the balance she could have. After a pained look, she noticed Louise right next to her then, smiling.

“Better to watch where you're going next time, am I right?” She giggled. “Being careless hurts, doesn't it?”

“You....” Tahna glared as she quickly stood up, while everyone else watched. They looked prepared to butt in at any time. The red head took a deep breath then, while keeping an angered look, Louise was still smiling a challenge to her. “had better sit back down, at that table, and stay there.”

“Who's going to make me? You thin-” Louise had her sentence cut off after being slapped harshly by Tahna. She held her cheek and glared, while Kastel flew over and took Tahna's arm. Tahna grabbed Kastel's arm with her free hand, an attempt to have her let go. Noting all that, Louise gave her one last glare before going to sit back down, and continue her meal.

“Tch, I don't need to be stopped! Little brat deserved it.”

“Like you do, right?” Tahna's eyes had widened, and Kastel added, “You can stop squeezing my arm.” While saying so, the grip on Tahna's arm was loosened.

“.......I hate this.” She mumbled. “The others need to get back already.” Tahna released her grip on Kastel, and with a displeased look, she went to the table Louise was at. She sat across from her though, and further away down the seat. Her hand rested on her chin, thus placing her elbow on the table. Her irritated look toward the long table with the food and drinks on it, did not go unnoticed.

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

After a minute of odd silence, Arsen broke it as though the scenes earlier never happened. “........So, if this is a surprise party, it must be pretty important. To have taken two of the sixteen from important tasks they were a part of. Heh, some others likely too, were in the middle of something before this. Mm, like myself. I was with some friends and were getting ready to help stop a certain king's reign, once we all got to know each other more first.”

“What were you doing!?” Vahnahda asked loudly, wondering if she heard correctly.

“Mm, well, he's not your brother that you are trying to stop. This king goes by Tuluth.”

“That kingdom is at least a couple hundred miles from where I am! The reign there, I've heard terrible things about it! It wouldn't surprise me if Leus got an idea from that place.”

“Mm, all rather popular there I'd say.”

“Then, what about Kastel!?”

“.........Hm.......erm... I guess I was knocked unconscious at some point, but the ship I was in with a group of others starting shaking out of control. I'm not sure, but I think we were being attacked. …...I wonder what's happening now, I hope it didn't get driven off course to some part of space not yet known.”

“Like you don't know.” Tahna whispered, and Kastel didn't fail to hear it, but didn't get the time to say anything. Louise spoke up, her voice overpowering Tahna's as she spoke, “So, you are an alien!” The lavender haired girl simply commented back in a rude voice, while not even looking back at Louise, “I am to you and all here maybe, though it's more my ancestors that are. I was born here on Earth.”

Tahna snickered. “Pfft, amazing how you all survived this long.”

“......Please, do tell me why you think that.” Kastel asked in annoyance, not really wanting to know, but it was too late to take back.

“For having the brain of a chicken, obviously. A purple alien chicken,”

“Excuse me, I am not derived from chickens simply because I have bird DNA and other related. I don't understand how you got the idea in the first place, nor do I see how it is amusing so.”

“Oh ho, nothing's funny really. In fact, it's down right hilarious! Hahahahahahahaha!!!”

“.....” Kastel suppressed a growl. “Weren't you suppose to ignore us? What are you doing listening in?”

“Meh, I got bored, that's about it.” She smiled. “All your stories sound so great, it made my day!”

“......Excuse me?” Sepia raised an eyebrow, feeling offended by her words. Not to mention, the insults she kept putting on Kastel.

“Got a problem with it, miss color of the rainbow?” Tahna connected her fingers as she winked.

Sepia stood up, ready to teach the other girl a lesson. Tahna only held a smirk as though telling her to dare try it. Sepia started walking toward her then, but was halted with a gasp as a sword was put in front of her. She looked over to see a brown haired muscular man with dark brown eyes.

“...Let's not fight, girls....”

Sepia glared and pointed at Tahna. “She wont stop insulting us. If anyone should have a weapon pointed at, it should be her!” In reply, the man lowered his weapon and had his hand meet her chin.

“Shhh....” He said softly, having Sepia blush and back away from him.

“Wh-wha-what is your problem, boy!?”

“Wow, what a turn.” Louise laughed in surprise to the scene.

“Shut up.” Tahna told her irritably, before giving the man a cruel smirk. “Came here to ruin the fun I was having, boy?”

“Fun?” Sepia repeated with a glare, before the man stood between them again.

“Causing quite a fuss this early in the day. What terrible children....” He answered while connecting his twin swords together and putting them away. He could call them children too, he was twenty. The other two adults were Kastel, a couple years older than he, and Arsen who was twenty five. “I'm too old to be a boy though, child. Regardless of that, my name is Rhenyph.” He looked over at the hallway he came from.

He had been followed by some others. A timid girl with silver hair and medium blue eyes who went by Miya. The other girl had ice blue wings, and eyes that were a medium blue-grey with much darker blue-silver slivers going a full circle around the irises. She was best known as Kana.

“Whatever.” Tahna rolled her eyes before looking away again. After a minute or two, the others got back to their discussions; with Rhenyph, Miya, and Kana joining them. Louise and Tahna were ignored while they also ignored the group, as well as each other.

“...Are you two the same species?” Rhenyph asked, eyeing Kana and Kastel. The lavender haired girl looked over at Kana, who looked back curiously.

“I don't.... think we are.” Kana pointed out.

“We might be similar, but it doesn't look like the same necessarily. Unless your home planet isn't actually here and you can travel from here to there? Without the need of a spacesuit or spaceship that is.”

“.....I cannot do any of that. I sense a much different kind of power in you. I am but an Elemental in a world full of underground gardens, due to Earth having been destroyed by humanity about.... ten thousand years ago? It is some thousand years ago...”

“Mm, destroyed?” Arsen questioned, looking at Vahnahda who was just confused.

“Either there are different Earths or you're from the far future.” The girl of royal blood explained. “It sounds like Earth is just fine for everyone else.”

“....Hm, interesting. Though I meant after, as in the Earth was gaining life back.” Kana said upon thinking about it.

“Considering a majority of us aren't human, this doesn't surprise me much.” The brown haired man shrugged before taking a drink of orange juice. “I consider myself to be human though. I would do whatever I could to redeem the poor reputation humans likely got in your world.”

“My world... If it is the future, then it is the same world as yours. ….Perhaps, a majority of us are from different time periods, not just me..”

To Kana's comment, Rhennyph shrugged. “So, what were you doing in that futuristic world?”

“Another Elemental and I were helping create a storm so that certain villagers wouldn't see two of our allies who had to escape them. Once they were in the clear, Raiden and I had to go find them.” Kana sighed then. “Looks like they'll have to be on their own though, unless Raiden can find them. ….Unless they're all here too? May I see that list?” Once she was given the piece of paper, she saw that Raiden's name was on there, but no one else whom she knew. Once more, she sighed. “They will definitely have to be on their own then it seems. Raiden should be here too. I hope things turn out alright for Karis and Su in the end...”

“......What luck.” Rhenyph coughed. “Not much was going on for me that I'll miss.” He leaned back on the couch he, Arsen, and Miya were on. He relaxed both arms behind his head, and closed his eyes as though about to fall asleep.

No one said anything to him, and simply decided it best to continue some kind of conversation. While there were still others to come, the group would do what they could to keep themselves busy. The current number reached was nine.

“Seven left to yet awaken, huh?” Kana asked. “Once they do, I bet our special host will come to greet us.”

“Hosts should always be the first here. Or at least, that's how it is in royal families.” Vahnahda bluntly said. “I guess they want to be the mystery person until the end though. Must be high in power or think they're very special to us. Or something!”

Both Kastel and Tahna had to pick the latter of what Vahnahda said. However, the first may not be so far off either. They came before all of the ones invited, including themselves. There was certainly meaning to them even being presently absent, in which could raise the feeling of special and high in power.

Kastel hoped they would come soon though, or at least Relika and Natsuki. With Tahna's behavior, Kastel felt like she was the only one really keeping things in line. Not that anyone knew she was one of the temporary hosts, or whatever she was considered.

“I agree.” Sepia added. “This really had better be important.” She looked uneasy, thinking about what could possibly be going on with Blue and the others.

Vahnahda nodded. “To take me away from my siblings during an important mission, I hope this didn't cause any downfalls for them.”

“If you believe in them, I think they'll get through fine.” Rhenyph quietly said. “They probably were prepared for this sort of thing, or at least should have been. I doubt either of you two girls were important enough for the whole mission to go in jeopardy simply due to you disappearing.”

“Ouch.” Arsen gave a hurt look for both girls. That was rather harsh of Rhenyph. He said nothing else though, as Vahnahda simply shook her head at him, while Sepia looked at him with disbelief.

Tahna held a smug look on her face, the others weren't looking so happily toward Rhenyph for saying such a thing though.

“We all have importance. No matter what anyone else thinks.” Kana said, trying to lighten the mood. “We may not be the best nor the most special, but the fact we exist at all carries some meaning.”

After a minute, Sepia agreed out loud. “.......True. We may not have been important enough as Rhenyph said, but we still held some part in the whole thing. Even if it was a small part, it was still something.”

Rhenyph made a slight shrug. “The fact we are here also adds to that small importance. Even though we may have been doing certain tasks, we were still invited here.”

Tahna snorted. “Shut up already. All your sweet talking is making me sick. I may just die from the terrible sweetness.” She put a hand to her head, acting like the time of end to her was drawing near. She wore a fake look of worry.

“....Then, why don't you kindly leave?”

“Sorry, can't. However, I'd love to, muddy.”

“M-muddy!?” Sepia asked, giving an expression of great annoyance while Tahna only wore a smug smile.

“Sepia, an insult doesn't exist as long as you don't acknowledge it. You'll only tempt her to continue with the insults, when you do.”

“......Easier said...”

Tahna sighed, “To add about earlier though, we were all brought here for a reason.”

“A few reasons.” Kastel corrected in agreement. She hid surprise for Tahna's addition there, having believed that she saw no point in the party. “So yes, we definitely have some importance and roles in this.”

“Mm, still seems a bit badly timed.”

“You never know,” Kastel held back a smile. “maybe it was perfectly timed.”

..

.

[ℱirepelt]

{Happy June 1st! It appears that Louise was in another RP before [Tiggey & Fire], in which I completely forgot about. I'm very sorry I missed that, but the other plot is We're Gunna Make It Big. I'll have to edit that in the first post of this thread, it gives me an idea for later too. Due to that idea, I wont have to edit the previous posts, as it'd take too much time anyway. Regardless, I apologize again, I completely forgot I was in that role play until I looked at it and thought of how familiar the title looked. Louise isn't too much changed since the Tiggey and Fire rp. Like I stated though, it gave me an idea. In the end, hope whomever reading is enjoying this. It's not the best planned out or anything, but I hope it's still worth a read.}

[ℱirepelt]

{I apologize for the lack of posts in this. Surely, I shall somehow make it up. I assure whomever, I am certainly working on the story, it has not been forgotten, and neither shall HC.}

[ℱirepelt]

{Yay, an actual story update after a month of waiting! *Falls over* Of course, typically, I wait a few hours before posting the next instead of in a row. Firstly, to make any last minute edits. Second, double posting in a row within minutes isn't big here, nor in my head of options in the first place. I bet this post will be about a half hour or more apart from my next update. If I stop talking, at least... ^^;;; XD Anyway, be prepared!}