Sky Pirates vs Sky Ninjas

Grif had a talent for multi-tasking that had been developed over many years and hundreds of boring moderator meetings. So it was that when the meeting entered the introduction phase, he ignored it and instead imagined warm beaches, puppies, and other warm things. Meanwhile, Rydia, the ninjas, and the pirates were talking.

"What do you think Grif?"

"Let's get on with it," Grif said decisively, before going on to daydream about unicorns and bunnies playing together in cleverly hidden minefields. The minefields were essential to deter the predators that would kill the cute creatures that would otherwise take advantage of their gay assembly. The ninja lady was talking more and then glared at Grif.

"I suppose you've been too busy daydreaming and haven't been listening to a single word I've said!" she snapped at Grif.

"It is essential that we set aside our differences to face the new threat that the whisps represent," Grif said, mimicking Nym's voice and perfectly repeating the sentence she had said before. He smiled at her and the butterflies he imagined on her hair. Nym's glare would have melted steel, but Grif simply ignored it.

"I can read your mind," she said flatly.

"Whisp, you of all people know how false perception can be. I can control my mind well enough to keep my thoughts private; why do you think I wouldn't use that ability to feed you any image I want?" Grif said; before drifting off into a big fluffy cloud.

"Okay then Grif, since you seem to know what's happening: how do we fight an enemy that is immortal and formless?" Rydia asked.

"We're writers, we don't have to fight anyone while we have our persuasive talents," Grif said.

Spoiler

Grif is a bit of a brat right here, so please be annoyed with him. What can be even more annoying is that he's correct. Before jumping into war and fighting (a very pirate/ninja thing to do) why not try and talk with the angry whisps?

Kiera

It was night and no one was watching us. A few days have passed. We had to get out and there was only one way, when the guards leave.

I heard today that there was this meeting between the Pirates and the Ninjas and Rydia's team. That's something new. But that gave us the opportunity to escape.

"Johnny, get up." I smiled.

Opening his eyes, he stood up with a questioning look.

"What's going on?"

"We're getting the hell out of here."

"And how are you going to do that?"

Walking up to him, I pulled him to the front of the jail cell. Right there on the floor were keys, laying a foot in front of us. The moonlight shown against it, the keys bright like a dream.

"How'd that happen?" he pointed at them.

"Don't ask, it did."

I quickly gave him a peck on the lips and fell flat to the floor. Extending my arm through the bars, I grabbed the keys and stood right back up. His cheeks were a soft pink once I saw his face.

"Stop blushing, let's get a move on."

Shaking his head, he tried his best to wipe it off. I slid the key into the hole, opening our jail.

With a smile, I pushed it open and held Johnny's hand. We started to run through the building, looking for any exit.

Spoiler

I don't know if they escaped or not before, so I just did this.

Chiana

Nobody tells us apprentices anything important, I thought, my sword cutting into the practice dummy. Sure, they dropped hints, but never gave us enough to put it together. Something about Nym's race coming to kill us. I really wished my mother was alive to explain this to me.

My sword swung in a violet arc, severing the dummy's head from it's shoulders and scattering fluff everywhere. I kicked it in annoyance. They said I should learn to control my anger, to stop letting myself go. Easier said than done.

Then I heard a voice in my head, and dismissed my anger issues as unimportant at the moment. Looking around in bewilderment, I asked aloud, "Nym?"

But the voice was...different, somehow, and I knew it wasn't Nym. The voice seemed to be speaking to Ruiz, judging by the words spoken. It seemed unaware of me.

The room faded to black and vanished. I looked about in confusion, until I materialized in a room with Auden and Ruiz. I raised my hand and, with a sheepish smile, said, "Um, hi?"

Spoiler

please tell me if anything needs changing.

Auden Marle.
Who was she again? A young apprentice, I remembered. Chiana?
Her confusion was apparent by her wide eyes and the uneasiness in her voice.
"Hi...," she said. Ruiz, tense beside me, stared at her.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, probably uncomfortable.
"Did you encounter that man, too? Did you hear him in your mind?" he wondered.
"What man?" she asked in genuine confusion. "What are you talking about? I mean, yeah, I heard a voice. But..."
I wondered for a moment what they might be talking about until a memory came running back. I did hear a voice. I assumed it was Ruiz or somebody. I didn't know who else it could have been, though. It hadn't occurred to me that somebody was in my mind speaking. I gulped.
I twisted the ring around my finger, listening to their conversation. This sucked. What was going on?
I heard Chiana gasp suddenly and I turned in time to see the wall move. It moved up revealing a steel door. It opened and hooded people stepped out. At least I thought they were people. I was getting suspicious. The only other person I knew who had those kinds of powers was Nym. Were these "people" really Whisps? Were they allies? Or foes?
I felt Ruiz stand close by me, touching my arm.
One of them pulled back their hood. A bald woman smiled back at our wary expressions.
"Welcome," she said.

Spoiler

That's all I have.

Bianca Froza - Jaqurin Homeworld Palace

Being a princess was freaking awesome, not only did we get special permit to land behind the palace, but we had guards lining up at the exit to welcome us, then came my mother. She basically looked like an older version of me, the weather itself was nice out today, and by nice, I mean below zero temperatures for any human, and nearly impossible for normal humans to inhabit. But for us Jaqurins, it was easy for us to inhabit this frozen barren wasteland. Mercury followed in close behind the crew walked down the red carpet that was laid out for us, the guards standing at the position of attention with there weapons in hand. Until finally, I come to my mother we was dressed in royal clothing, the only person who had more power than me, I drop to one knee, placing my hands together and tieing my fingers together and looking down to the ground. Mercury quickly followed suit, along with the rest of my crew.

"Mother, I have returned to our frozen home world, in hopes to preserve and further our ever dominate royal family that sits on the throne above all other Jaqurins," I said.

"Rise my child, we will honor you and your crew with a celebratory feast in your honor, my daughter," she said.

I rose back to my feet, with my crew as well, we followed my mother into the palace the Jaqurin Palace was made of entirely ice, the structure of it was sound, with a mixture of Chill and Tempera Snow. The palace was forged, and regular snow piled on around the structure that kept it from ever melting away. I soon found myself in the throne room with Mercury at my side again, my mother sat on her throne.

"Bianca, have you chosen your husband?" she asked.

"Yes, I have, mother," I said

"Then come forward, announce who you have chosen, my daughter," my mother said.

I walked forward, climbing the steps to the thrones of the King and Queen of Jaqurin Home World. I stood there breathing deeply, I turned dramatically and looked out to my crew and other royal Jaqurins who have gathered to watch.

"I name Rhys Marx, to be my Husband-to-be, Rhys, please, join me here and stand as the Prince of the Jaqurin Home World, and future king of a glorious world where the cold gave birth to masters that would tame and control the worlds frozen conditions," I said.

Mercury, rose from his bow, and quickly took his place along side me, I quickly grab his hands placing my right hand on top of his left hand, and my right on top of his left with his right hand finalizing our soon to be marriage. We looked out to those who have gathered, a round of applause went up as everyone clapped, I look to my mother and have no clue what she is thinking.

"Mother, we must leave, me and Mercury have a war meeting to attend to," I said.

"Go my daughter, you have much to do," she said.

"Let's go Mercury," I said.

"Right," he said soon following behind me.

"Crew of the Ice Star, you are dismissed, return to the ship at once until further notice!" I order.

Me and Mercury were quick to make way to meeting room, travaling though the halls, he seemed really happy about what was happening, I read human males were not so quick to commit to something that took years and years before finally dying. I wonder what was going though his mind. We finally arrived at the War Meeting, the frozen door slid open easily, just in time to hear someones voice.

"We're writers, we don't have to fight anyone while we have our persuasive talents," a male voice said.

"The problem is with that," I said quickly.

"Is that our enemy is more mentally powerful than some writers, write all you like, they will not respond to any of what you write, I've fought along side Sky Ninja Queen Nym during a rare situation or two, and I know exactly how she fights. And if I'm right, then our enemy will fight exactly like her," I said as I walked in.

"Sorry I am late, I had Jaqurin duties to attend to, which reminds me Captain Rydia, Captain Nym, here on the Jaqurin Homeworld, you will refer to me as Princess Bianca and this guy over here-"

I pull Mercury to my side who was still gawking around at the place.

"As Prince Mercury," I said completing my sentence.

"Uhhh hi, I'm Bianca's official Husband-to-be," he said happily.

Riuz

"Welcome." Was the first thing I had heard from them, and already, I was suspicious. I still had my weapons, which was good, although, if they're anything like Nym, it won't matter at all.

"I can hear your thoughts. All of you, and I express nothing but my warm welcome to this place. I would tell you the name, but I cannot afford for you to be captured by the enemy and they find our whereabouts." She stepped aside and showed us the three other people behind her. One was a dark skinned man, the second a short woman with almond skin and thin eyes, and the last was an almost snow white man. All of their heads were shaved. "These will be your companions. They will be with you at all times, either in body or in mind. They will guide you if ever you need help or you feel like you are lost."

They all nodded simultaniously. "Come now, and let them Imprint themselves onto you."

"What is Imprinting?" Chiana, the young apprentice asked. She was extremely bright, but given her position, no one paid any heed to her. I pitied her.

"It is the art of bonding oneself to an animate being."

"Why would you want to do that? Nym has said little about her race, but I gather that you are all beings that hate ones lower to you." I said, rage filling me. Why did they capture us? Why us? Why?

"We have much to explain, I see. Let me say this before I explain anything. I mean no offense to Nym, but she is young, and inexperienced in the political natures of us, for she has been out of contact for a long while. We are the Spir'wii, the 'good guys' if you will." She held out her hand, and Auden took it gingerly. She looked scared, but her expression calmed as the woman smiled. The woman guided her to the dark man, and the man took Auden's hand, interlocking their fingers. He then pressed the index finger of his other hand on her forehead, and the room went deadly silent. I found myself not breathing, and I could tell that Chiana was doing the same.

The man took his finger off of her forehead. She looked at me, and I could see a subtle impression of his finger. "You are now bonded, forever and until the end." The mysterious woman nodded to the dark skinned man, and he disappeared. She gazed down at me. "It's quite alright, Ruiz. None of us here will harm you." She held out her hand to me. I hesitated for a second. She smiled, and her mind penetrated mine, sending a flood of warming emotions, filling my soul. There is no reason to worry, Riuz. I assure you, we will discuss this later, but you must be bonded first. I had never felt like this before. I had never felt so comfortable, so sereen. I stood, almost in a daze.

The almond skinned woman smiled at me and took my hand, crisscrossing my fingers with her own, and she placed her finger on my forehead. Her thoughts entered mine. My name is Cri. I will be stalking you for the next, oh, lifetime. Her attitude was monotone, but in between the lines, she had a bubbly personality. The woman nodded at her, and she disappeared as well.

It was Chiana's turn, and it happened quickly. I could feel Cri's emotions flowing into my own, overwhelming me for a second. She then closed off for a time, apologizing. I was trying to pay attention, but it was hard with another person trying to buy your time, and the other person being inside your head.

Before I knew it, the third man left, and Chiana had the same impression that Auden, and possibly I, had. The woman looked at all three of us with a new gleem. "Follow me. I think it's time we explain things to you." We looked at each other. If we were going to make it out of here at all, we needed to go along and stick together, so I nodded, and we followed the woman.

Spoiler

So, these are supposed to be the good guys, and they will explain how the Whisps can be destroyed (From the mind of Aria herself)

Perseus Wolfe

A thought stuck my mind that even if we learn how to block these creatures, we won't still able to kill them. What would stop them from getting to other people and killing them. I was just wandering about the planet when two men dressed in assassin's robe approached me. I thought I was the only one who dressed like that and that I was the only one left of the clan. Both of them bowed in front of me and said, "Monsieur!"

I was a bit surprised. Why were they addressing me as 'Monsieur'. I said, "Do I know you?"

The taller one said, "Absolutely not. But I do know you. The clan has kept a track of you for years."

"Oh!", I said in a shock.

"Rumors has it that the Whisps are planning to take over the universe. And we were sent here to assist you. Are you sure that the Whisps rumors are true."

"I am positive."

The man took out a blue colored cube and pressed something on it and a virtual device featured itself in front of him. He then did something and a voice came. 'Connection established to the Clan Command Center'.

While he was talking, the shorter man said, "You know what is this?" I shook my head and he continued, "This is a Clan Connector Computer or CCC or C3 or like I put it, C-Cube." It looked that he was very energetic and he loved fun and he continued, "I was on the team to design this. It has everything and I mean everything- satellite..." he went on with his chatter.

After sometime, the taller man said, "I reported it to the Office and they want us to stay nearby and watch. And here is something for you." He handed me the blue cube and said, "We shall go now." he bowed and left. I was surprised.

**********************************************************

5 HOURS LATER...

I woke up. I was dreaming, it was a nightmare. It was a dream about the Whisps. Those dream where you are trapped. There was a gate in front of me with the Assassins Symbol. I was going towards it. Soon, the Whisps followed me and I was running towards the door. It was a dream where you run and run but you still can't reach where you want to go.

Now, I needed to get my mind distracted but the Whisps were at the back of my mind. I couldn't help thinking about the Whisps. I distracted my mind by thinking of the meeting. I liked that guy from the YWS Fleet named Grif. And how he had the guts to make fun of Nym. No one talks to Nym like that. I chuckled thinking of the meeting. I looked out of the window but because of the snow and cold, I couldn't make out the time. I took the tiny blue cube from my pocket and it showed the time, it was evening.

Spoiler

Well...How to defeat the Whisps and when are they coming...?

"If you insist, Princess, we shall call you by your titles, if your own name is lacking in deeds," Grif said. "Personally, I see little need to stand on formality at a time like this."

The room suddenly became a lot colder.

Rydia

Sometimes Rydia wondered how Grif had ever passed the examination on diplomacy, and then she remembered he hadn't.

"If you insist, Princess, we shall call you by your titles, if your own name is lacking in deeds," Grif said. "Personally, I see little need to stand on formality at a time like this."

The room grew colder. At the side of the princess, her new husband-to-be bristled and he reached for a weapon he'd forgotten he didn't have. Rydia had insisted nobody come armed to the conference, though she knew some, Grif included, were bound to have misinterpreted her ruling.

Before the situation could get any more out of hand then it already was, Rydia put a firm hand on Grif's arm and slowly rose.

"We are glad you could join us, Princess. I hope you will forgive my colleague for his words, but your late arrival has caused us a considerable delay we cannot afford. If we are to establish this alliance, it must be now: the Fleet are already preparing to engage the enemy and await our order on how best to mobilise."

There was a pause of this was taken in and then the Princess placed a gentle hand on Mercury's arm and gave one tight, controlled nod. "That was not within my control and you understand I have already apologised for the delay. If you are going to be involving yourselves in this battle, then you will follow my rules."

Grif slowly shook his head. "We can not agree to that. Each of our Captains has the freedom of thought to enable them to react immediately and resourcefully to any given situation. If they see an opening, they will not hesitate to infiltrate the foe, or wait on our instruction. Any information you can provide us which will help to better equip our writers will be utilised, but they are not mindless soldiers-" Rydia's fingers pressed gently into Grif's arm as she anticipated where that sentence might end, but he turned to her with a gracious and questioning smile. He said nothing more.

"Let us share information," Rydia pleaded. "Tell us all you know of this new threat and we will make available to you our finest researchers and archivists, back at the YWS station. We shall open up a port of communication, should they uncover information which proves vital to our success."

Auden.
His name was Bren and the thoughts he sent to my mind were calming and tranquil.
You are safe here. Trust me. I know you’re afraid. his thoughts chimed as I followed the woman with Ruiz and Chiana. We were led down a hallway that was colorless. The walls were white and, looking up, I noticed the lights were also white. It frightened me for a moment and I stayed close to Ruiz who glanced back at me for a moment and smiled as if to comfort me.
“We’re very glad you made it here,” the woman said.
Made it here? I thought. Like it was our choice...
Then Bren’s soothing voice crept to my mind again, you’re forgetting that I’m still here.
Grimacing to myself I shook my head. I’d have to be more careful with my thoughts.
The woman stopped suddenly and raised her arm. We watched in amazement as, with a flick of her wrist, the walls parted revealing a white room with four chairs. Three smaller chairs facing a taller one. She motioned for us to sit as she glided to the larger chair. When we were all seated she regarded us with a composed expression.
“We wish to be of assistance to you. We understand the coming danger. Let me explain something that I believe will be helpful. We, the Whisps, are complex, as you have probably guessed.” She paused and watched us. “What I am about to explain to you is crucial so pay close attention. Ruiz, you want to know the Whisps’ secret, correct?”
I could tell Ruiz didn’t like someone in his thoughts but he nodded anyway.
“We don't have a weakness in a classical sense. We can't do our illusions on people who aren't smart enough - because we can't extract enough from their imagination - and we can't possess somebody unless they have consented to it. If we enter a body without consent it damages us and we are vulnerable. If the body of the person dies, so do we.”
“So...there is no weakness for you?” Chiana asked.
“Well,” she started again. “Other than that, we are each other's greatest weakness. We can block each other's way of thoughts.”
Nym would probably know all of this.
“Don’t be so sure of yourself, Auden. Allow me to finish and I will tell you why you need to know this.”
I lowered my head feeling scorned.
“It is possible for us to make illusions for each other that allow us to turn everything around touchable including people and weapons like the ones on you right now.”
I resisted touching the blade concealed in my boot. She must have known this because she smiled at me.
“How do I explain this in a way you will understand?” She stared at us for a moment before speaking again. “Everybody’s consciousness would shift. Everything and everyone, including Whisps, would become tangible. We would become just as vulnerable as you. But, while in this state, memories would return to you. Unpleasant ones. We would not be affected.”
“So...why have you told us this?” Ruiz probed.
She leaned forward and her mouth was now a straight hard line.
“Your friends are in danger. It is vital that you speak to your captain. To Nym.”
I sat back. Doesn’t she already know this stuff? She’s a Whisp...unless...
“You’re all catching on.” Her expression was blank.
Were we all thinking the same thing?
“You need to return very soon,” she ordered. As she stood she said, “Tell me when you’re ready to leave.” And she was gone. I gazed at Ruiz and we locked eyes. It was sort of funny. We wanted to leave and there we were about to go back.
“So.” Chiana hopped up from her seat. “When are we going?”

Spoiler

With help from Aria!

Chiana

“So.” I hopped up from my seat. “When are we going?” The world faded the way it had when we came her, and I groaned inwardly. I didn't mean right this second, Lee, I thought, wondering if it would even reach the Whisp. Probably not.

We just appeared in a room filled with people. I looked around and immediately recognized several ninjas, including Nym. Some of the others wore the uniform of the fleet, which I had learned to recognize after all those battles. Then I locked eyes with a pirate I recognized to have killed my mother. Memories of him standing over her, blood dripping from his sword...I pulled the only weapon I had with me, a small dagger, and rushed at him.

Someone grabbed me from behind and twisted my hand, forcing me to drop my weapon. The stranger, a Fleet operative, held me still and said, "Nym, I demand to know why three of your ninjas have suddenly appeared in our midst."

Spoiler

It doesn't really matter to me which pirate she attacked, so whoever wants to can claim she attacked them. Same for the fleet operative.

Auden.
Nym stared down at us. We were brought to our knees by operatives before her.
Her eyes scanned us carefully. Her eyes focused on Chiana's forehead. Then Ruiz's. Then mine. Her eyes grew wide in what I hoped was recognition.
"We can explain," I tried to say despite my shaking voice.
"I'd like to hear it then. Release them," she ordered and the strong hands that held my arms back let go of me. I rose with Ruiz and Chiana, who were also released.
"Start with the marks on your foreheads," she demanded.

Spoiler

This is a short post but I was just hoping to poke the SB to life.

Chiana

I grinned thinking of the look that would be on everybody's faces as we explained this one. "Well, we were kidnapped by Whisps, and they put these funny marks on our heads and spoke to us and told us the one weakness of the Whisps, Nym. We'll be able to beat them!"

As the room erupted into discussion and Nym stared at us, her face really pale, Riuz just shook his head. "You couldn't have made that any less confusing for them?"

"I thought it was pretty clear."

He groaned. "Which ninja taught you again? Before White and Black?"

"My mother. You talk to Nymif you think you can do better than a girl trained by woman who died for her cause, a woman that meant more to her than anything."I turned away and stormed off into the crowd. Let them deal with their own shouting.