Serenity

Lost Valiance

|Light|

It was... bright out. Clouds drifted across the sky as I squinted, staring at the setting sun on the horizon above the rooftops. Was I? A voice grabs my attention, frantic. "What the- Ja'Lana?! I- WHAT?!" A blonde haired non-steve was regaining his bearings, while I swore I saw Galaxy Steve beside him. But as my eyes regained focus, I saw him as another non-steve. He mumbles to himself and his friend, seeming just as disoriented.

Slowly, I shift and see the familiar brown hair of a man holding me, and feel a sense of relief. "S-Sabre...?" I croak out, my throat dry as all get out. As I do, Sabre shifts me back to look me in the eyes, his blindfold missing, and green and blue crystalline eyes greeting me. As I slowly realize what happened, I give Sabre a gentle smile, a sign of my appreciation and gladness to be back. With a half sob-laugh, Sabre hugs me again, his hug tight. I simply hug him back as well, feeling some tears pricking at my eyes.

"By the Sands of Time- LIGHT!" My Lieutenant's voice calls out and I feel Time land near Sabre and I. I could see the worry and joy on his face. However, in a split moment of impulsity, I said something so cheesy, I thought I would become Sabre.

"Did you miss me?"

Time laughs a laugh of shock and disappointment as I help Sabre stand, feeling my strength returning to my limbs once again. Sabre also lets out a laugh and shakes his head, grinning. "Light! That was such a bad joke," My friend says, laughing, as he wipes away his tears. "I have to agree, that was absolutely horrid for this moment, Light. You were just revived," Time adds on to the banter, his face upturned into a smile. I just give him a shrug, then take in my surroundings more.

Hundreds of Steves from the kingdoms stood in shock, staring at me with looks of fear, terror, and amazement in their eyes. Whatever Sabre had done, was beyond anyone's understanding. For ambassador's sake, it was beyond even mine, and I was the one who was talking to the crystal in my mind.

"I... CAPTAIN!" A young voice calls out and I turn to see an orange blur moments before I was embraced by a hug, trembling horridly. "Mph-! G-Grace?!" It shocked me to see how horridly he was shaking, but with a small pause and noting his tears, I simply hug him and rub his back gently. He must have been terrified by all of this, considering that I had really barely taught him a whole lot about the leading the Colorless Guard. "Hey... Shh... It's ok Grace," I murmur to him quietly as the crowd started to murmur and Grace started to sob. But quietly, Sabre and Time both came over, joining in the hug.

We stayed there for a bit, until a voice cleared itself and spoke. "Welcome back, Light Steve." I twist my head as best as I could to see Orange Leader standing there with the other leaders, his face filled with a relieved smile and gentle look to his eyes. I give him a smile, then nod. "Good to be back, Orange leader." I split from the group hug, then go over to my leader, and embrace him. It was... good to be back with my real Orange Leader, and not my memories.

"Does... anyone have some water?" The question slipped out as I shift back from hugging Orange Leader and rub my neck gently. I was absolutely parched right now. Blue leader nods, then unclips a canteen from his belt and hands it. "Drink all of it. It's glad to see you back, Light." Blue gives me a nod and smiles, relief showing in everyone's faces.

But I heard Sabre's groan before I knew something was wrong.

Quicker than anyone could think, I whirled around and caught him as he fell, holding his right eye. I could just tell that something was off with him, before it started. But...

Everything fell to chaos as lightning struck me.

I wince harshly in pain before I whip my head around and see a figure standing on a rooftop, his cape flowing in the breeze and the sunlight reflecting off of his colorless guard helmet. But I knew... He was no guard. In a split moment, he unleashes more lightning, but Time draws his katana and creates a shield, blocking the blows.