A Christmas Wish Author Pskyorabbit2000 Scene 1 Aldebaran Royal Palace FELICIA spins around by the window and stops with her elbows on the ledge. She looks out at the falling snow and smiles. JENNY and QUEEN KATRINA watch her as she looks out the window. Jenny (quietly) ”She is in high spirits.” Queen Katrina (smiling) ”Yes she is. I am glad to see her like this. I just wonder if it because of the Festival starts soon or is it because Lance is going to be here.” Jenny (smiling) ”She isn’t a little kitten anymore.” (looks at the Queen) ”It would seem that you two have similar taste in males.” Queen Katrina (blushing) ”Master Jenny!” Jenny laughs at the sight and Felicia turns to the two females. She smiles and runs over to a door. She darts down the hall and opens another door. Inside is a library and ALEXANDER is reading through a book. Felicia runs up to him and he nods to her, closing the book. Alexander (calmly) ”Is there something I can do to assist you, Princess?” Felicia just smiles evilly at him as mischief dances in her eyes. Across space at a toad base… KINJITE bounces across the hallway spins around. He barely ducks from a savage blow. TOADBORG yanks his arm back and prepares another swipe. Kinjite (taunting) ”What’s wrong rust bucket? Did we forget to eat your Oilies today?” Kinjite quickly flips over backwards several times as Toadborg slashes at him. Toadborg (seething with rage) ”You worthless mammal! I’m going to kill you!” Kinjite lands beside the wall. He places a paw on his hip and one behind his head, taking a mock sexy pose. He flicks his tail at Toadborg a couple of times. Kinjite (mocking seductively) ”You know Borgie, if you keep talking like that you won’t even reach first base with me, let along get your paws on me.” He quickly ducks to the side as Toadborg’s fist smashes into the wall. Toadborg (screaming now) ”I have no plans on reaching bases! I will kill you!!” Down the damaged hall… Keys on a keyboard quickly rise and fall as an invisible figure types on it. There is an attachment in the drive that is flashing red. Codes of information quickly flash across the screen. Figure (thinking) Kinjite leaps up and Toadborg’s fist smashes into the wall again. Kinjite lands on the arm in a crouch position. He quickly taps Toadborg on the nose. Kinjite (playfully) ”Tag! You’re it!” He dives over Toadborg’s head and rolls across the ground, coming up to his feet. He barely glides out of the way as Toadborg lunges at him. Toadborg slams into a weakened part of the wall and falls through. Kinjite runs down the hall and stops at the keyboard. Kinjite (quickly) ”Cassie, are you almost down?” Suddenly the dives spits out a disk and it floats into the air. There is a shimmer of light and CASSIE appears, wearing a black body suit with metal bands and some wiring on it. Cassie (smiling) ”Like taking candy from a kitten!” Kinjite (playfully) ”You big bully!” Kinjite grabs her arm and turns. Toadborg is climbing out of the hole and charging towards them. Kinjite (waving) ”Can’t play anymore! Bye-bye!” Suddenly a pillar of black flames wraps around Kinjite and Cassie. Toadborg dives through it and slams into the keyboard on the other side. He rolls over and sees that both Cats are gone Scene 2 In Kinjite’s shuttle Kinjite and Cassie appear in the hallway. Kinjite leans back against the wall, panting. Cassie stands there watching him. Kinjite (standing up) ”Looks like the stealth suit came in useful. Otherwise I would have had to do that mission alone.” Cassie (smirking) ”Sheesh, seems like you did more flirting with Toadborg that actually doing the mission.” Kinjite (walking down the hall) ”Alright, you can distract him next time and I will use the stealth suit..” Cassie (following) ”No thanks, you two make a cute couple.” They walk into the cockpit and Kinjite sits in the pilot seat. He quickly punches a few keys and the shuttle takes off, as Cassie sits in the copilot seat. Kinjite (looking at her) ”No thanks, I prefer my ladies with fur, not metal on the outside!” (smiles a little) “Got the disk still? Fritz is offering a lot for that info.” Cassie laughs as she hands him the disk. The shuttle streaks away form the small base. It uncloaks once it is a safe distance away. On Aldebaran… Alexander wipes the snow from his face as Felicia laughs at him. Alexander (mildly confused) ”I fail to see how this is suppose to be like training.” Felicia (shaking her head) ”Think of it as hand-paw coordination. You practice throwing things at a moving target. Using a snowball keeps you from hurting your practice partner.” Alexander stops and starts contemplating what Felicia said. Felicia smiles and crouches down. She quickly scoops up another ball of snow and stands up, backing away. Alexander (nodding) ”I see your point, Princess. A mock battle with non lethal equipment does make sense. There would be-“ He is cut off as another snowball slams into his face. Felicia doubles over laughing as he spits out the snow. He reaches down and scoops up a snowball. Felicia looks up and realizes the size of the snowball. Felicia (turning to run) ”Not that big!” Suddenly a snowball of a diameter of two feet slams into her and plows her into a snow drift. Alexander walks up and stands before the half buried Aldebaran. Felicia unburies her face and starts shivering. Alexander (smiling) ”I figured that I had to throw a ball of snow that was appropriate for my size and skill. You were throwing a ball of snow that was about six inches in diameter and obviously you are not as skilled as I am. So after a quick calculation, I figured the appropriate size of ball for me was twenty-four inches in diameter. Was my aim good enough?” Felicia (shivering) ”Bulls…eye.” In the castle Queen Katrina and Jenny are watching the small snowball fight outside, through a window. They both laugh as they see the giant snowball take Felicia off her feet. Jenny (snickering) ”She had that one coming.” Queen Katrina turns while laughing and faces a servant. Queen Katrina (snickering) ”Have a couple of warm drinks ready for Princess Felicia and Alexander when they come in. I believe my grand daughter will need it.” The servant nods and turns down a hall. Queen Katrina walks over to her throne and sits down. Her eyes trace along the decorations along the throne room. There were snow white roses mixed with red roses, various paintings and ornaments made by kittens. In the corner near the throne, she watched a couple of males help a group of females stand up a giant tree. One of the females walks over to her and handed her a report. Female “The tree has been selected and retrieved for this year. We also have a small crew working on the tree in the courtyard. They will both be decorated in time for the lighting ceremony, your highness.” Katrina (smiling) ”Good. And has there been any word on our guests yet?” Female (shaking her head) ”Not yet, your highness. I will inform you as soon as I hear.” The female bows and returns to the work on the tree. Jenny walks up and stands by Queen Katrina. Jenny (quietly) ”Don’t worry, mom. I’m sure he will make it here.” Queen Katrina nods as she turns to the door, as Felicia staggers in, dripping wet with melted snow. Queen Katrina raises her paw to hide her smile. Scene 3 Kinjite’s house, Atlantis ALLURA slides down the rail of the stairs and hops off at the end. She walks into the living room as there is a knock on the door. She walks over and opens it. ANDREW walks in, with his arms full of boxes. Allura (raising an eyebrow) ”What is all this?” She takes a couple from him and sets them on the floor by the couch. Andrew sets the rest down and sits on the couch. Andrew (shaking his head) ”My sister sent me a *few* things for the holidays.” Allura smiles as she looks down at the packages. She looks up at Andrew and smiles sweetly. Andrew (raising an eyebrow) ”What did you do?” Allura “Nothing. King Hwang and Queen Mei Lin wish for us to accompany them to Aldebaran. I said we would.” Andrew nods and leans back into the couch. Andrew (laying his head down on the back of the couch) ”How long until we leave anyways?” Allura (leaning against him) ”We leave this evening. We’ll be there in the morning.” Andrew looks at her and smiles. He sits up and picks up a small package. Andrew (smiling mischievously) ”My sister sent you a gift as well.” (he hands her a box) ”She advises that you don’t wear it outside of your bedroom.” Allura raised an eyebrow as she took the box. Andrew nodded and she opened it. Her eyes widen and her face blushed. Allura (blushing) ”Me wear something that lacey?” Andrew started laughing and put his arm around her. He peeks in the box and almost laughs again. Andrew (trying not to laugh) ”I can see what she means!” On Kinjite’s shuttle Kinjite watches as Warren comes into view. He punches a few buttons and FRITZ WARNERS face appears on the screen. Kinjite (cheerfully) ”Hey Fritz. Got that info you wanted.” Fritz (nodding) ”Good. I have the money for you. Look forward to paying you.” The screen goes blank, as Cassie walks into the cockpit. Cassie (sitting in the copilot) ”Will we be done in time to get to Aldebaran?” Kinjite (nodding) ”That and have a chance to pick up a couple of presents as well.” Cassie smiles as she leans back in her seat. She looks over at Kinjite. Cassie (smiling) ”You know, I don’t really even know what you like.” Kinjite just smiles as he guides the shuttle in. Scene 4 Aldebaran Royal Palace, the next day Felicia runs into the throne room. King Hwang and Queen Mei Lin look over as she tackles Allura. Felicia (squeezing her tightly) ”ALLURA! You made it!” Allura gasps as the air is squeezed out of her. Felicia lets go of her and she staggers around a little bit. Andrew puts a paw on her shoulder to hold her up. He looks at Felicia and smiles. Andrew (calmly) ”It is good to see that you were looking forward to her being here.” Felicia smiles and rocks back and forth on her feet. Suddenly a small group of kittens run in and surround Felicia. Female Kitten #1 (excitedly) ”He’s here, Princess! We saw his shuttle approaching the landing pad! Are we going to get him?” Felicia smiles and nods. She runs out of the throne room with the kittens, leaving the guest confused and Queen Katrina shaking her head. Everyone looks at her and raises an eyebrow. Queen Katrina (smiling) ”Their going to learn just how good Lance really is.” Outside… Kinjite steps out of the hatch and takes a deep breath. The cold air slaps him across the face and he picks up the bag. Cassie steps up behind him, pulling her coat shut. She wipes a few snowflakes off her face as they walk. Cassie (as they walk) ”Do you think that the-“ She is cut off as there are several high pitch battle cries from around them. Kinjite looks one way and Cassie looks the other way. Kittens leap up from the snow drifts and start fling snowballs at them. Felicia leaps up as well, throwing the snowballs. Several black tendrils erupt from Kinjite and catch the snowballs, while other tendrils scoop snow off the ground. Kinjite (smirking) ”An ambush, eh?” Felicia (swallowing hard) ”Quick run to the castle!” The kittens turn and run with her, as a storm of snowballs quickly follow them. Inside the castle… The others watch as the group runs to the castle with snowballs hitting around them. Felicia yanks open the doors and the kittens run inside. Several snowballs slap around her as she shuts the door. She turns and sees Queen Katrina standing there, arms crossed and shaking her head. There is a knock on the door and Felicia steps away from it. Felicia (shaking her head) ”I’m not opening it!” Allura smiles as she opens the door. Kinjite and Cassie walk in, shaking the snow off. A tendril catches the snow, before it hits the ground. Queen Katrina walks up and hugs both of them. Queen Katrina (kindly) ”I’m glad you could make it.” Kinjite (smiling) ”Wouldn’t have missed it for any reason.” Felicia watches from behind her grandmother, waiting for something to happen. Suddenly something taps on her shoulder and she turns around. A pair of black tendrils are sticking out of the curtains. One pulls the front of her shirt open and the other drops a snowball down the opening quickly. Felicia gasp as the cold snow hits her chest. She squeals in shock as she tries to dig it out. Queen Katrina (turning around) ”What is going on?” Kinjite (smirking) ”Oh, just teaching someone how to do an ambush properly.” Everyone laughs as Felicia hops around, trying to get the snowball out of her shirt. She darts out of the room and into a nearby room, slamming the door shut quickly. King Hwang and Queen Mei Lin laugh at the sight. Kinjite turns to them and bows gently. Kinjite (politely) ”Your majesties, it is good to see you both here as well and in good health.” Queen Mei Lin (smiling at him) ”It is good to see you again Master Oni Lance. How are you holding up?” Kinjite (quietly) ”I will make do. How are the affairs of the planet?” King Hwang “They are going smoothly.” Kinjite (nodding) ”That is good. I look forward to the day I can return.” Before anyone can say anything, the doors barge open and a Female comes running through them, drenched in snow, and carrying a small bundle. She runs up the Queen and drops to a knee in front of her. Female (almost hysterical) ”Your highness! I need your help! My daughter was bitten by a Noki fly!” Queen Katrina’s eyes opened wide. She turns to a guard and nods. The Guard quickly takes the bundle and runs down the hall, with the Female following. Queen Katrina quickly follows as well. Kinjite (handing the bag to Cassie) ”Here, takes this.” He quickly follows. King Hwang looks at Jenny and raises an eyebrow. King Hwang (confused) ”What is a Noki Fly?” Jenny (quietly) ”They are a small breed of fly. There isn’t suppose to be any of them, but Aldebarans have a severely fatal reaction to their venom.” Queen Mei LIin (worried) ”You mean that child might die?” (Jenny nods) ”Poor kitten.” At the Healer’s room Queen Katrina looks up as Kinjite walks in. The Female looks up as well, but turns her head back to the Healing Sister as she works on her daughter. Kinjite walks up and stands beside the Queen. Kinjite (quietly) “Did she get here in time?” Queen Katrina (quietly) ”Don’t know. We are waiting for the Healing Sister to finish.” The Healing Sister slowly sits up and faces the small group. Her face is grim. Healing Sister (sadly) ”It is to late. The venom is already in her blood and spreading through her body. Her only hope is the Antitoxin.” Kinjite (confused) ”Why haven’t you given it to her then?” The Healing Sister glares at him and he quickly takes a step back. Her gaze softens and she looks down. Healing Sister (quietly) ”Due to the lack of incidents with the Noki Fly, we laxed the production of the Antitoxin. There isn’t any.” Kinjite (shocked) ”What?! There isn’t any?” Queen Katrina (quietly) ”The last case was about sixty five years ago. We thought we killed all of them. So we got rid of the Antitoxin.” Kinjite (looking around) ”Can’t the Healing Sisters counter the venom or is there something than can be used?” Healing Sister (quietly) ”Thought the Noki Fly venom is a natural venom, it is extremely complex. We don’t have enough time to create the spell to counter it. There is one thing that can be used, but it is to risky to try and retrieve it.” Kinjite (fixing his gaze on her) ”Bull! What is it?” Healing Sister (looking at him) ”The water from the Fountain of the Suffering Spirit.” Kinjite raises and eyebrow and looks at the group. Queen Katrina (understanding the look) ”It is in the Wailing Cave that is located in the Mourning Mountains. The Cave is above the Burial grounds where we bury our deceased Sisters.” Healing Sister (nodding) :That is correct. By a speeder, we could reach them a couple of hours, but in this weather, the mountains are to treacherous and the winds would tear a speeder apart against the mountain side.” Kinjite nods and looks down at the Female clutching the young female kitten to her chest, sobbing into the blanket. A grim and determined look washes over his face. Kinjite (quietly) ”How long does she have?” Healing Sister (quietly) ”She will pass on by tomorrow night at the latest. I can make her last that long and ease the suffering she will feel, but I can’t do anything past that.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Keep her alive until then.” With that, he turns around and walks out the door. Queen Katrina turns and follows him out. Queen Katrina (following him down the hall) “Lance! You can’t be serious! You can’t use *any* magic in that area and there is a spiritual guardian at the Fountain!” Kinjite (looking at a guard) ”I need a speeder bike around front.” The guard immediately disappeared down the hall. Kinjite walked up to the front door, where everyone still was. Queen Katrina finally catches up with him and spins him around. Queen Katrina (facing him) ”Are you even listening to me?” Kinjite (nodding) ”Yes I am. Think of this, that mother is spending tonight, the festival of wishes, wishing for her daughter to receive a cure. Then she will get to spend tomorrow, the Festival of Rejoicing preparing to bury her daughter, because her wish didn’t come true. What do you want me to do? Just sit here and let her die?” Queen Katrina (quietly) ”No, but you’re not a super being. You could be killed easily during this. You heard me say you cant use magic in the Mourning Mountains, right.” Kinjite (pulling on his coat) ”Yes, I heard all of that. No, I am not a super being. Super? No, Stubborn? Yes. I’m going.” Katrina and the group watch as he walks out the door, into the blowing snow. There is a speeder bike waiting for him. He climbs onto it and starts it up. In a spray of snow, he shoots into the snowstorm and vanishes from sight. Queen Katrina watches as the snow settles behind him. She shuts the door and walks towards the throne room, shoulders drooping. Everyone else follows her. They get twenty feet from the door and there is a banging sound. Allura (turning) ”I’ll get it.” She pulls the door open and looks out into the snow. Her eyes widen in shock. Allura (shocked) ”It can’t be…!” Scene 5 Aldebaran Castle Allura is standing in front of the door, shocked. Female Voice (screaming) ”ALLURA!” Suddenly a grey bundle tackles her and drives her to the ground, clinging around her neck. Everyone stands there stunned, as they realize it is a younger kitten who looks just like Allura. King Hwang (stunned) ”Is that…? Suddenly a crystal blue furred feline with snow white hair steps through the door and shuts it. Queen Mei Lin (stunned) ”Tenchi Ayami? Is it really you?” Queen Mei Lin slowly walks forward and gently touches Ayami’s cheek. She suddenly grabs Ayami in a tight hug. Ayami hugs her back tightly. Allura finally stands up with Younger Allura still clinging to her Allura sets her younger sister on the ground and looks at her mom. Ayami quickly hugs her as well. Allura (confused) ”I thought you weren’t going to be back for twenty years?!” Ayami (holding her tightly) ”There was another there who could cast a spell to get us here for a short period of time.” (takes a step back) ”Where’s Lance?” The room goes silent and Ayami looks around. Ayami (worried) ”Where is he? Is he…?” Queen Katrina (shaking her head) ”No, he isn’t dead.” (she looks down) ”He left maybe not even five minutes ago, trying to save the life of a young kitten, who was bitten by a Noki fly.” Ayami stands there and looks around. Ayami (quietly) ”How long will he be gone?” Queen Katrina (quietly) ”If he is successful, he should be back before tomorrow night. If not…” Younger Allura (stepping up) ”Don’t even say that! My dad is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there will ever be! He’s invincible!” Ayami gently places a paw on Younger Allura’s shoulder and squeezes it. Queen Katrina looks down at the young kitten. She sees the fire dancing in her eyes, the same fire that dances in Kinjite’s eye. She smiles and nods. Queen Katrina (smiling) ”He is the best, isn’t he?” Ayami smiles and looks around. Her eyes widen as she sees Andrew and his arm around Allura’s waist. Ayami (smiling at Andrew) ”And just who might you be?” Outside in the storm Kinjite races at top speed across the plains. He looks down at the digital map on the bike. He looks up and sees the mountains in the distance. He wipes the snow from his face and throttles the bike even faster. Snow flies up behind in a giant wake as he zips across the snow. Kinjite (thinking) He races up into the beginning of the foothills. Scene 6 Aldebaran Royal Palace that evening Everyone is seated around a long table. There is several different types of food set on the table. Sitting in front of each person is a silver crystal. Queen Katrina (speaking gently) ”This ritual is easy. This is what we call the Festival of Wishes. These are Wishing Crystals. “ (she gently picks up the one in front of her) ”You take it in your paws and hold it gently. You think of your dearest wish you want to make. Then silently in your mind you make your wish. When this is complete, the crystal will glow. When the crystal begins glowing, your ritual is over. The Crystals are then taking to your sleeping chambers and placed in their holders. Tomorrow is known as the Festival of Rejoice. This is the day that those whose wishes are granted by the Crystals, celebrate their wishes. Those whose wishes aren’t granted for some reason, celebrate the beginning of the new cycle.” Everyone gently takes their crystals in their paws and silently closes their eyes. One by one, the crystals begin to glow Servants step up and gently take the Crystals from the guest as they glow and walk from the dining area with them Queen Katrina opens her eyes and looks around. Her eyes fall on an empty space at the table. There is still a crystal sitting there. The others see her looking at the spot. She bows her head for a second and looks up. The other servants step forward and start uncovering the trays of food. Queen Katrina (forcing warmness) ”Well, he wouldn’t want us to ruin the Festival.” There is gentle murmur of agreement, as the Servants begin dishing up the food. At the Mourning Mountains Kinjite physically wrestles the steering bar and barely avoids slamming into the mountain side. The bike skids as it lurches forward. His paws are numb from the cold as he focuses on the trail ahead of him. Suddenly there is a rumbling sound. He hits the throttle and the bike suddenly just dies. Kinjite (muttering) “Crap!” He looks up and sees the ice chunk tumbling towards him. He quickly leaps forward and barely avoids the ice chunks. They smash down on the bike and tear the path away. Kinjite slowly stands up and looks around. His eye narrows as he spots a cave up ahead. He staggers forward and into the cave. He feels the wind let up on him and the snow quits blowing in his face. His ear twitches as he hears a wailing sound. He walks down the tunnel and enters a large ice cavern. He hears dripping sounds from all around. There is a light bioluminescence glowing around the cave, creating a gentle glow. He looks around and spots the fountain in the middle. Standing in the middle of the fountain is a crystalline statue of a female Aldebaran in a kneeling position; cover her eyes with her paws. The positioning of the statue gives the impression of her bent over crying. There is a crystal clear liquid dripping steadily from between her fingers, into the fountain. Kinjite feels an overwhelming sadness wash over him as he takes all this in. Kinjite (quietly) ”Truly a place of sorrow and sadness.” He gently walks forward. He feels the moisture in the air cling to his fur. The wailing sounds grow louder and the sadness grows in the area. Kinjite stops and gently drops to his knees, as the sadness grows in him as well. All of the feelings of loss and regret course through his mind. Memories of Ariel as a little kitten, Ayami telling him that she and their daughter will be gone for several years, being banished from Aldebaran the first time, and then being banished from Atlantis. The faces of Brahma and Alissa flow through his mind as well. A tear rolls down his cheek and drops to the floor with a gentle splash. A Voice (from all around him) ”You have suffered much as well?” Kinjite looks up and sees the Crystalline statue slowly stand up and walking towards him. On its face is an expression of pure sadness and tears flowing from its eyes. It stops before him and kneels down again. Statue (sadly) ”Then we are kindred souls.” Scene 7 The Cave Of the Suffering Spirit Kinjite looks into the face of the statue as it looks into his eye. He feels pure sadness pouring from this statue. Kinjite (quietly) ”Who are you?” Statue (lowering its head) ”I am the Sister who was condemned to be stuck here forever, because of a betrayal that tore my heart in half. Who are you?” Kinjite (lowering his head as well) ”I am called Kinjite, the Forbidden One. Yes, I know true pain and suffering.” Statue (looking at him) ”A male? Why have you come here?” Kinjite (looking into the Statue’s face) ”I came to retrieve the water, to save a kitten’s life. She was bitten by a Noki fly.” Statue (standing up and turning away from him) ”The water is forbidden. I’m sorry, but you may not retrieve my tears. They are mine.” Kinjite (standing up, anger welling up) ”You would let an innocent kitten die? Why?” Statue (looking at him) ”I will only let those who know pain and suffering as I have drink from the Fountain.” Kinjite (quietly now) ”You think you know pain and suffering. Then prove it. Tell me of this suffering you claim to have to deal with.” The Statue turns around and faces him. Kinjite sees a flint of light in its could eyes and memories flow back into its mind. Statue (quietly) ”Then listen and learn.” Several hundreds years in the past… A young female Aldebaran is running up the path towards the cave. It is a sunny day out. She looks just like the Statue, only her face bears an expression of happiness and joy. She runs up to the cave and into it. Female (to herself) ”He’ll be up here soon! Then we can truly be together! No one ever comes up here and we don’t have to worry about those Traditions! From here we can slip onto a shuttle and start our lives elsewhere!” She runs down the tunnel and into the large cavern. There is a large fountain basin, but no water in it. She spins around and her tail swings out around her. She is humming to herself as she sits on the edge of the Fountain. Time passes and minutes become hours. She sees the sun beginning to set outside of the cave. She then hears some approaching footsteps and stands up. A male Aldebaran walks in and stands at the end of the tunnel. The Female smiles brightly and starts towards him. He holds up his paw. Male (firmly) ”Don’t touch me, Carrie!” Carrie (stopping) ”What? What do you mean? Why are you late?” Another female Aldebaran steps up behind him. Carrie’s eyes narrow as she recognizes the female as one she hates. Carrie (growling) ”What is she doing here?” Male (flatly) ”She is here to stop me from making the largest mistake in my life!” Female (running her paw on the male’s shoulder) ”That’s right. He realized just how much I mean to him. Apparently more than you, Carrie. I mean after all, he would be a fool to run off with a female who doesn’t even possess a partial set of Gems.” Carrie just stands there, stunned by what she heard. She looks at the male desperately. Carrie (tears beginning to form) ”This can’t be true! Tell me it isn’t true! We’re suppose to be leaving this planet together! I purposely failed the test so we could be together!” Male (sneering) ”Sheesh! They say that us males are stupid! Doesn’t it click? You were tricked! She and I played you for a fool for the last six months!” Carrie (crying) ”No! You’re lying!” She runs forward and tries to grab the male. He brings his arm back and there is a resound WHACK! Carrie staggers backward and falls over the side of the Fountain. She lands in the bottom and lays there, sobbing. The male and Female both laugh at the sight. Female (laughing) ”Come on, let’s leave the foolish baby here to cry. I have plans for us tonight.” She kisses the male and they walk from the cave. Carrie just lays in the bottom of the Fountain, crying. Her tears begin flowing to the center of the Fountain. As the tears flow, a few red trickles of blood appear from under her stomach, where a sharp rock was sticking into her stomach. Carrie just crying, more from the betrayal than the pain. She slowly pulls her self up, off the rock and crawls towards the center of the Fountain. She kneels down and covers her faces as she cries even harder. She feels the warmth flow from her heart and her body grows colder. Her flesh begins hardening and soon become crystalline. In the present… Kinjite looks at the Statue. Kinjite (quietly) ”Why made you crawl into the center and what turned your body into this statue?” Satue (quietly) ”It was what made me realize the betrayal. There was a spell on the male’s paw that he struck me with. I felt it as soon as he struck me. I felt my body beginning to change, so I crawled into the center of the Fountain, instead of trying to break the spell. I lost my love, my heart and my will on that day. I lost the Warmth that day and I have forever been without it. I only have the pain. That is why I keep crying. I filled this fountain with my tears of sorrow and Aldebarans keep coming up here for them. Not one of them cares about my sorrow or my feelings.” (the Statue looks at him) ”What night is it?” Kinjite walks over and sits on the fountain by the Statue. Kinjite (quietly) ”It is the night of the Festival of Wishes.” The Statue looks at him and gently touches his shoulder. Kinjite doesn’t flinch as he feels the ice could touch. Statue (quietly) ”You are holding back your sadness. I can feel it in you. It is severe. What could cause sadness like this?” Kinjite (quietly) ”You shared with me, so it is right I share my pains with you.” He takes a deep breath before looking at the statue. He can already feel the tears forming. Scene 8 Aldebaran Royal Palace Everyone is gathered in the Throne room. Several Kittens are running around and looking up at the lit up tree. Katrina is sitting on the throne watching them. Andrew and Allura are sitting by a window sharing a drink. Jenny is sitting by the throne on the steps watching al this. Ayami and Younger Allura walk up to the Throne. Queen Katrina looks down at the young kitten holding Ayami’s paw and sighs. Younger Allura (noticing this) ”Did I do something wrong, Your majesty?” Queen Katrina (smiling) ”No, kitten. You just make me remember dreams I had at one time.” Ayami and Younger Allura sit on the steps by the Throne. Younger Allura (curious) ”Dreams? What kind of dreams? Do they involve my dad?” Ayami (embarrassed) ”Allura! You don’t ask questions like that.” Queen Katrina (smiling) ”It is alright Ayami. She is right. I dreamed of Lance a lot when I was younger.” (looks at Younger Allura) ”Did your dad ever tell you how he lost his eye?” Younger Allura (shaking her head) ”No, I wanted to ask him, but was afraid to.” Queen Katrina (smiling) ”I know how he lost it. He lost it saving me, when I was a teenager. Your dad was an amazing cat back then. All he wanted to do was help protect the throne and me. If a couple of things would have gone different….” (Ayami and Younger Allura both watch her waiting) “I shouldn’t be talking about Lance like this in front of his wife and youngest daughter.” Ayami (gently) ”It is alright, your Majesty. You loved him back then didn’t you?” Queen Katrina (nodding) ”Very much and I still do, but we lost so much time because of my grandmother and the Sister Hood of back then.” (Looks at Jenny and then back at the other two) ”If things would have went different back then, there is a good chance that Lance might have been her father or I might have been your mother Allura.” Younger Allura sat there for a second and looked at the Queen. She scrunched up her face as she thought about it deeply. Younger Allura (eyes opening wide) ”If you married dad back then, then he would have never met mom. Then I would be about as old as Older Allura and….” She stops in mid sentence and shakes her head. Queen Katrina (nodding) ”I see you know some of your dad’s history. He left a mark in Aldebaran history as well.” Voice (from the side) ”Yes he did and unfortunately it was a very bloody one as well. The mark caused a small ripple, that even affected myself to the point of keeping a secret as to what happened back then.” Everyone turns and sees the Eldest Sister walking towards them. A servant brings in a thick pillow for her and she sits on it slowly. Queen Katrina (watching her) ”What do you mean, Eldest Sister? You and I both were there during the ritual.” Eldest Sister (nodding slowly) ”Yes your highness, we both were there, but there was a betrayal that you were not away of.” Queen Katrina (confused) ”What do you mean?” Eldest Sister (smiling gently) ”Allow me to give you my gift, your highness. The truth to the Sealing Ritual and why it failed.” She took a deep breath and her eyes took a distant look. Four hundred years ago… A teen age Princess Katrina is sitting on the Throne. She is nervous as she sits there. Katrina (quietly, as she watches the door) ”I don’t want to be here!” Suddenly the door fly open and the black furred cat wearing an eye patch made from cloth walks in. Two Royal Guards step up beside Katrina as Assassin Sisters step out from various hiding places. The Cat looks around and glares up at Katrina. Cat (anger in his voice) ”I save your life, come here to offer my abilities to the throne and this is how I get repaid for it?” Katrina (fear in her voice) ”Lance, this isn’t my doing! It is my Grandmother’s doing!” Suddenly her grandmother steps out form behind a hanging cloth, as does several members of the Sister Hood. One of them is a much younger Eldest Sister. Grandmother (coldly) ”Lance, you have betrayed our Traditions. You know as well as Katrina, that no male shall possess powers. You are no longer known as Lance! You will, for as long as you live, be known as Kinjite, The Forbidden One! Assassin, kill this betrayer!” Katrina watches in horror as the Assassin Sisters attack Lance. He didn’t just stand there. Several black tendril shot from his body and ripped into the flesh of the Assassin Sisters. His claws ripped the flesh of throats as he began wading into them. They landed blows against him and drew blood, but he ignored the pain as he went. Katrina turned her head as she heard chanting and realized that the Sister hood was casting a powerful spell. Katrina (rising form her seat) ”NO!” A Guard grabs her shoulder and shoves her down into the Throne, holding her there. The Chanting grew louder and a black void opened in the middle of the room. The Assassin Sisters drew back and formed a circle around Lance. He looked around as he held the remains of a helmet in his paw. It bent and formed, as if being shaped by unseen hands. As it became a certain shape, he raised it to his eye patch. In a fluid movement, the eye patch was tossed aside and the metal was shoved into place. It melded into shape and sealed itself in place. As the chanting reached a high point, a pair of black chains swung from the void and wrapped around Lance. He struggled against them. Lance (yelling) ”Katrina! Don’t let them do this! I came to help you!” The Chains began pulling him towards it . Tendrils shot from him and sank into whatever they could, Assassin Sisters, the wall, and members of the Sister Hood. During all this commotion, no one notice the Eldest Sister slightly chanting the last few words in a different accent. The tendrils rip free and Lance is sucked into the Void. As the Void seals shut, Katrina drops from the Throne crying into her paws. In the Throne room in the present… Queen Katrina looks at The Eldest in stunned shock. Queen Katrina (quietly) ”You purposely mispronounced the spell at the end? Why?” Eldest Sister (gently) ”I did not agree with your grandmother’s choice. I knew how much he meant to you and how much it would tear you apart being used as the bait. So I altered the end to only seal him away in that world until he would be needed. I only regret it was so long, your highness.” (she yawns a little and slowly stands up) ”I wish I could stay and talk, but I am very old and I don’t have the energy of youthfulness. Good night, your highness.” Queen Katrina nods and watches as the Eldest Sister walks into a door. Scene 9 In the Cave of the Suffering Spirit Kinjite just finished his story and the Statue sat there in silence. IT looked at him and sighed. Statue (quietly) ”I guess you do know what it is like to suffer. Why do you keep going on though?” Kinjite (wiping a few tears away) ”I have asked my self that same question many times. Stars is the pain worse every time and the price is greater each time.” (he looks down at the water) ”Now if I can’t get this water, another will feel pain worse than she deserves.” The Statue turns and sees him looking into the water. It also sees the fact that he hasn’t made an attempt to sneak any of the water either. It looks out the cave tunnel. Statue (quietly) ”You say it is the night of the Festival of Wishes?” (Kinjite nods and looks at the Statue) ”I remember that night. I remember the wishes I use to make, and they would never come true.” (It looks at Kinjite) ”Did you make a wish tonight?” Kinjite (shaking his head) ”No, my wish wouldn’t come true anyways.” Statue (stepping up beside him) ”What would your wish be?” Kinjite (quietly) ”To see my wife and daughter again.” In the castle.. Unseen by anyone, the Wishing Crystal in the empty spot begins to glow. In the Cave… The Statue nods and looks into the water as well. Kinjite (quietly) ”What would your wish be?” Statue (quietly) ”To feel the Warmth again. The Warmth that left my heart on that day.” Kinjite looks up and sees a slight glow in the center of the Fountain. He smiles as he realizes that there is a Wishing Crystal there. Kinjite (putting his paw on the Statue’s shoulder) ”I get the feeling that you have made that wish several times.” Statue (nodding) ”Yes, but the Wishing Crystal doesn’t respond to it.” Kinjite (pointing) ”Is that so?” The Statue looks up and sees the glowing light. It smiles and looks back into the water as tears begin flowing from its eyes. Statue (sniffling) ”After all these years, it actually is glowing again.” Kinjite gently tips it head up and looks into its eyes. Kinjite (quietly) ”I guess that is why I never gave up. I kept hoping that life would get better, Carrie.” To his surprise, the Statue wrapped its arms around him and hugged him gently. He could feel the cold of the touch, but didn’t pull away. It stepped back and smiled for the first time that Kinjite saw. Carrie (smiling) ”Thatnk you Kinjite. You are the first to call me by my name and make me smile. I ask a favor of you.” Kinjite (smiling) ”Of course.” Carrie (pointing to the water) ”I will give you the Tears, in exchange for one kiss. It has been centuries since I was kissed and I truly do want to feel the Warmth again.” Kinjite steps up and nods. He gently takes her in his arms and gently kisses her. He can feel the heat being pulled out of him by their connection. A slight numbing flows into his body as they kiss. After a few seconds, the Statue steps back. Kinjite staggers a little and places a paw on the edge of the fountain. He glances down and stops at what he sees. Right in the front of his hair, a tuft of hair became snow white, creating a strip of pure white among his midnight blue hair. He looked up at the Statue. Carrie (quietly) ”I am sorry for that. It is a curse on me. With your kiss, I felt the Warmth again, but it took some of your Warmth as well. Your hair will never go back to its natural color there.” Kinjite (standing up) ”It is alright At least I was able to grant your wish.” Carrie nodded and walked over to the Fountain. As the statue raised its hand over the water, a small pillar of crystal rose from the water and formed into a smooth faceted bottle. The Statue gently picks up the bottle and hands it to Kinjite. He gently takes it and slips it into a small pouch, hanging down from his neck. Kinjite (warmly) ”Thank you Carrie. Is there anything I can do to show my thanks for this.” Carrie (smiling) ”Aside from granting my wish, I do have one thing to ask. Please come back here next Festival of Wishes. It would mean a great deal to me to spend the Festival with another around to talk with.” Kinjite (bowing gently) ”I will do me best to do that.” Carrie (smiling) ”You should go, the night is no longer young and you have a kitten to save.” Kinjite nods and turns to the door. He darts down the tunnel and into the freezing night. He pulls the coat tight around him, protecting him from the cold and shielding the pouch with the bottle. Without even hesitating, Kinjite leaps off the cliff and slides down the sharp incline of the ice covered cliff. Scene 10 The frozen plains Aldebaran Kinjite is racing across the frozen plains in the darkness of night. His limbs are growing sore and stiff from the running, but he won’t let himself stop. He stumbles and falls face first into the snow. He tries to get up, but can’t. His limbs are like rubber and won’t support his weight. Kinjite (shivering like crazy) ”I have to get to the castle. That kitten needs this water!” He tries again, but falls into the snow. He can feel what little strength he has left seeping out from his body. He can feel his body temperature plummeting dramatically. His eye slowly shuts and his head falls into the snow. At the Castle Quenn Katrina walks into the Healing Sister Room. The Mother is still by her kitten. She looks up as Queen Katrina walks up. Queen Katrina (quietly) ”How is she doing?” Mother (quietly) ”She is asleep right now. The Healing Sisters are trying to keep her from discomfort.” (looks at the Queen) ”Has he returned yet?” Queen Katrina (shaking her head) ”Not yet I’m afraid. Don’t worry though, if anyone can pull this off, Kinjite can do it. If he can’t, he’ll die trying.” The mother nods and looks down at the sleeping form of her daughter. Queen Katrina turns and quietly walks from the room. A guard walks up to her as she walks down the hall. Queen Katrina (hopeful) ”Is there any word form him yet?” Guard (shaking her head) ”No and the storm is getting worse I am afraid, your highness.” Queen Katrina (nodding) ”Then let us pray that he makes it or the kitten feels no pain as she passes on.” In the Frozen plains Kinjite is laying in the snow, motionless. There is a slight galloping sound. Kinjite slowly opens his eye as he feels something nudge him. He looks around and sees a blurry form beside him on all four. It lowers its head and taps his hand with a hard object. Kinjite weakly grabs for it and feels a spiral shape in his paw. It pulls upward and drags his arm up with it. It keeps tugging and starts pulling Kinjite out of the snow. He slowly rises to his knees and then to his feet, wobbly. He staggers to the side and bumps into a warm body. He drapes his arm over the body. He can feel the warmth flowing into him a little. Kinjite (weakly) ”So…cold. Have…to reach…the…castle.” He feels something tugging on his arm, as if trying to get him to climb up. He looks over and sees a white tendril motioning him up. He does so, slowly. He drapes a leg over one side of the body and leans forward. He feels a strong neck, covered in smooth soft hair. He wraps his arms around the neck and feels more warmth flowing into him. He then feels himself moving at high speed across the plains. He reaches up into his coat and pulls out the pouch with the bottle in it. Kinjite (weakly) ”please…carry this.” He feels it being taken from his paw and smiles. He nestles his face into the hair and tightens his arms around the neck. He glances up and sees Tendrils of white energy rising up and wrapping around him gently. He smiles again and then blacks out. Scene 11 Aldebaran Palace A Guard rushes into Queen Katrina’s room. She quickly wakes up the Queen. Guard (quickly) ”Your Highness! Please come to the front doors, immediately. We’ve sent for Tenchi Ayami and her daughters as well!” Queen Katrina quickly gets up and pulls on a robe over her nightgown. She follows the Guard down the hall, quickly. They meet up with Ayami, both Alluras, and Andrew. They head to the front door and yank them open. The cold wind shocks them all, but not as much as what they see. Standing there in the driving snow is a pure white horse on all four. Rising form its head is a spiral horn. Draped across its back is an unconscious Kinjite. What really catches Ayami’s eyes are the white tendrils of energy wrapped around her husband. The Horse nods to them and the tendrils withdraw. Kinjite flops off the horses back and lands in the snow with a thud. Several Guards quickly rush forward and Andrew does as well. He quickly checks for a pulse and finds a very weak one. He nods to the Guards and they bring a stretcher over. They quickly load him onto it and carry him towards the castle. Ayami and both of her daughters follow. Queen Katrina turns, but stops when she feels something poke her in the back. She turns and the horse is right behind her. It gently pushes her paw up with its horn. It lowers its head and Queen Katrina feels something placed in her paw. The horse takes a couple of steps back and rears up on its back legs. It turns and darts into the driving snow. Queen Katrina looks down and sees a pouch in her paw. She opens it and finds a small crystal bottle in it, holding the liquid she recognizes. She turns and runs into the castle. The next morning Queen Mei Lin slowly opens her eyes and stretches. She leans over and kisses her husband. King Hwang wakes up smiling. King Hwang (smiling as he yawns) ”I like that method of waking up.” Queen Mei Lin (smiling) ”As much as your method of helping us go to sleep?” King Hwang chuckles as he slips out of bed. He looks around and notices that the Wishing Crystals are gone. Queen Mei Lin notices as well. There is a slight knock on the door. A few seconds later, a young female servant walks in and bows to them. Servant (politely) ”I was asked to bring you to the medical facilities.” Queen Mei Lin (nodding) ”Very well. I have a question for you. Were the Crystals removed from here last night?” The servant looks up and then at the holders. She smiles when she sees them gone. Servant (looking at the couple) ”No. If your wish is granted, the crystals will disappear during the night. They are turned into energy and help create your wish. I can see your wishes were granted. I will wait for you out in the hall.” She steps back out in the hall to wait. King Hwang looks at his wife and sees her smiling. King Hwang (curious) ”What did you wish for?” Queen Mei Lin (smiling) ”Not now. We are needed for some reason. I’ll tell you later.” In the medical facilities… Kinjite feels the warmth of another beside him. He slowly moves his head around, but not opening his eye. He feels fur and hair brush past his nose. He breathes deeply and smells a familiar scent. He slowly opens his eye and sees Ayami sitting beside him. Kinjite (stunned) ”Ayami? Is it really you?” She looks at him and smiles warmly. She leans over and gently kisses him on the lips. Ayami (as she hugs him tightly) ”I missed you so much!” Kinjite wraps his arms around her and hold her tightly. Unseen by him, in the doorway, Queen Katrina is standing beside King Hwang and Queen Mei Lin. They watch the couple hold each other for a few seconds and steps out in the hallway. Queen Mei Lin (looking at Queen Katrina) ”Did he make it in time?” Queen Katrina (smiling) ”The young kitten is sitting with her mom right now eating a breakfast together.” The royal couple both smile and put an arm around each other. They walk with Queen Katrina to the dining room, where several Aldebarns are excitedly talking about their wishes and the plans of the Celebration. In the Medical Facilites… Ayami pulls back and gently brushes Kinjite’s face with her paw. Ayami (quietly) ”You had all of us so scared last night when you got back. Your body was so cold and you were unconscious.” Kinjite (nodding) ”I remember falling in the snow, then something showed up and helped me, but I don’t’ remember what it was. I just remember that it used some kind of white tendrils to help me out.” Ayami (nodding) ”We saw it. It was using tendrils, like yours, but white. It had you tied on its back. It looked like a pure white horse, but on all four hooves. It had a spiral horn rising form its forehead. It gave the pouch to the Queen and ran back into the snow storm. There was no tracks anywhere.” (gently flips the white hair on his forehead) ”What is this?” Kinjite (taking her paw gently) ”It is a reminder of a wish I granted for someone and a wish I will keep granting for her.” Ayami raises an eyebrow. Kinjite slowly sits up and swings his feet to the ground. He stands slowly and stretches. He walks around the bed and pulls Ayami to her feet. They link their arms and walk out the door together. Kinjite (as they walk) ”So are you back for good?” Ayami (quietly) ”No, we were given a temporary spell. We return tomorrow morning.” Kinjite nods and pulls her up against him as they walk. Kinjite (quietly) ”At least I get to spend sometime with you and Younger Allura.” That evening There is a large dinner and everyone is enjoying themselves. Queen Katrina stands and clears her thought. Everyone turns to her and falls silent. Queen Katrina (warmly) ”Once again, we are here to welcome in the start of a new cycle. I pray that this cycle will have many good things for the Aldebaran race…” (looks at King Hwang and Queen Mei Lin) ”as well for the Atlantean race as well. I am glad to say that the young kitten who was bitten by a Noki fly is making a complete recovery, thanks to Kinjite risking his tail and charging up the Mourning Mountains like a mad cat.” She nods to Kinjite, who has Younger Allura sitting on his lap. He nods back. Queen Katrina (smiling as she continues) ”I heard that many of the Wishing Crystals vanished. That is good, since it means that many wishes were granted. One wish I was curious about, I heard was granted.” (turns to Queen Mei Lin) “Would you care to tell us?” Queen Mei Lin slowly stands and nods to Queen Katrina. Queen Mei Lin (warmly) ”As you know, my husband and I are the Rulers of Atlantis. What most of you don’t know is that we don’t have a child. We had one, but he died due to an accident when he was younger. My wish wasn’t for me, but for our people.” (she gently places a paw on her stomach) ”I wished for a child to pass the throne on to and yes, the Wishing Crystal was gone when I woke up this morning.” King Hwang’s jaw dropped at this and he just stared at his wife in shock. King Hwang (stunned) ”Are you saying…?” Queen Mei Lin nods and gently hugs him. A loud cheer goes up from several Aldebaran females. Kinjite (calling to King Hwang) ”Looks like someone did his job right!” A loud laughter broke out all over as King Hwang blushed. Cassie watched from the back of the crowd. She smiled at the sight of Kinjite with his wife and daughters around him. Cassie (thinking) (she smiles and licks her lips, tasting the wine on them) Scene 12 Aldebaran Palace the next day Kinjite is standing in the snow, by his shuttle. Ayami and Younger Allura are standing by him. Kinjite (quietly) ”How long until you can come back?” Ayami (quietly) ”I’m not sure. They actually use a little of their life to cast the spell.” Kinjite (nodding) ”I understand. Just be careful. I want you both to return to me.” Ayami nods and hugs him. She gently kisses him and steps back. Younger Allura steps up and he kneels down to her height. She hugs him tightly. He feels the tears on his neck. Kinjite (softly as he strokes her hair) ”Don’t worry, kitten. I will be here for you to come home to. Alright?” He feels Younger Allura nod into his neck. She kisses him on the cheek and steps back. Kinjite stands up and waves to them, as a sphere of light slowly envelopes them. It flashes once and there gone, again. Kinjite takes a deep breath and lowers his head. He feels a paw on his shoulder and looks over. Jenny is standing there. Jenny (quietly) ”At least you got to see them.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Yeah, but it doesn’t make it any easier.” Jenny nods and turns to leave. Kinjite gently catches her arm and turns her around. Kinjite (smiling) ”Jenny, I have a small surprise for you. I know you’ve been through a lot lately, so I pulled this off for you.” Jenny stands there waiting, as Kinjite pulls a small device out of his pocket. He looks at it and nods. He points over her shoulder and smiles. Jenny turns and sees a shuttle landing. Kinjite steps up beside her and nods. Kinjite (jokingly) ”I’m not as fancy or good as a Wishing Crystal, but…” Jenny’s eyes open wide as Bucky O’hare steps off the shuttle. Kinjite (smiling) ”I do my best.” He gives her a little shove. Jenny runs over and throws her arms around Bucky’s neck. Kinjite stands there watching them. Cassie walks up and stands beside him. Kinjite (looking at her) ”Everything set?” Cassie (nodding) ”Yeah. The Atlantean shuttle took off about ten minutes ago. I went over a check off list with the landing pad crew and made sure we are fully stocked and fueled.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Good. Did you get your wish?” Cassie (shrugging) ”The crystal was gone, but we’ll see what happens.” Kinjite nods and pats her on the shoulder. He slides his arm around her shoulders and they walk onto the shuttle. Cassie (thinking as they walk) On a nearby hill The white horse is standing there watching as Kinjite’s shuttle lifts off and streaks towards space. It nods and looks over its shoulder as a Female Feline walks towards it. Her fur is pitch black as is her hair. Her eyes are completely white. As she walks, it looks like a shadow gliding through the air. She walks up and stands by the horse. Black Furred Female (crossing her arms over her chest) ”Yeah, yeah. You helped him out. How long are you going to stay in that stupid form?” The horse shakes its head. The body glows and shrinks in on its self. It takes the shape a of a female Feline. She has snow white fur and hair. Her eyes are completely black. She looks at the other female. White female (smiling) ”I wish you would relax on the mortal plane and have some fun, sister.” Black Female (growling) ”You know what will happen if they find out that you keep helping him. How long are you going to keep playing with this one?” White female (turning to walk) ”As long as he remains interesting. Besides, he doesn’t know that it was me anyways. No one recognizes that form and we aren’t on Atlantis, so we don’t need to worry about the Chosen catching on.” Black Female (shaking her head) ”A Tenchi Chosen, one of *your* chosen, saw you!” White female (shrugging) ”Details. Nothing happened yet. IF we were going to be in trouble for this, it would have happened already. So relax, Ahsika!” Ahsika (following her sister) ”I wish you would get serious once in awhile, Akisha!” They take a couple of steps and stop. Akisha looks around and smiles with mischief. Ahsika (looking around) “What are you doi-?” She gets cut off as a snowball slaps into her face. She wipes it away in time to see her sister vanish in a flash of light. Ahsika quickly melts into the ground, to give chase. The End