A Cause Without Rebels

Celestia: Stars and Blue Smoke

I had barely woken up when I hear knocking on my door in one of the many guest rooms in the palace. Last night Thalia had convinced me to stay with her for a few weeks. Not that there was much convincing anyway.

"Coming!" I shout rather groggily. He notices my frown. He's known me for nineteen years and he knows very well how violent I get when disturbed.

"What is it?!" I snap

I'm greeted with an all to familiar chuckle from Frabin.

"Good morning!" He greets cheerily.

"Morning" I grumble curtly.

"I FINISHED!"

And my response to his ecstasy:

"I thought your project was at home. How did you get it to come all the way to the palace?" I ask angrily.

He chuckles again "There's a little thing called magic. And it just so happens that my project required magic rather than anything physical."

"But I thought all the spells were discovered already"

"All the spells in Remoria, yes"

I frown at him. Does he mean there are other worlds? "Give me five minutes to get ready."

Without thinking I take out my tunic, armor and the Sword of the Archangel. After two years of being in the army it's become a habit for me to always wear armor, or at least clothes that will offer protection or ones that I can maneuver in. Old habits die hard I guess.

I put them on any way and comb my hair. Frabin notices this.

"Off saving the world again Celestia?"he asks.

I shrug "Old habits die hard."

He nods and leads me to his chamber.

Ashton is there too. His dark hair is a mess, he too is wearing armor. As soon he sees us he smiles like a Cheshire cat. I don't know why but it seems to make my heart skip a beat.

Ignoring the strange feelings in my heart I let the sense of Deja Vu overcome me.

Just like old times. The three of us trying to figure out how to save the world. Except this time our world doesn't need saving. This time we aren't brought together by danger or chaos, but something filled with peace and success.

I take a brief but intensely perceptive look around his room. The type of look that could only be taught by living in constant danger. Sometimes in the army you are thrown into a whole new landscape where the tables to could turn any second. You need to be perceptive and resourceful. This has helped us win countless battles.

Frabin's room is scattered with scrolls. Some probably tossed away in frustration, others lying near his bed as if he had fallen asleep while reading them. But I can't seem to see anything that would look like a project.

"I can't see anything" I mumble.

Frabin grins. He takes out his large staff.

"You see I've been wondering whether there has been a spell that allows to you reach other universes. In our history there have been figures who have come and gone in thin air, figures who are different from Remorians...you see I've done so much research and it all seems so logical..." he looks at us hoping that we understand. I gesture for him to continue. "I started studying the origins of spells. How each and every spell was made. How each gesture how each word effects the spell...then finally last night I found it."

"Did you visit other universes?" asks Ashton in awe.

"No..." answered Frabin slightly embarrased.

"Then how do you know...?"

Frabin gives Ashton a smile. "You'll see"

With that he mutters a few words, and waves his staff in a strange circular motion, then the spinning gets faster and faster and faster. Then it seems as if smoke is wafting from his spinning staff. But it is as if the tendrils of smoke are made from a million stars. Like snakes the starry tendrils slither about then coil together, creating a beautiful blue disk swirling with blue smoke and stars. I have never seen anything like it.

But within the stars and blue smoke there is picture. But wait its moving. It is a large glistening city with people bustling. But it's like nothing I've ever seen. Then it changes, to a green field with horses.

"It's beautiful." I whisper.

Frabin smiles, proudly I must add. His glasses slightly crooked, a large smile on his face. I can't help but think I am standing before a genius. The brightest mind in Remoria.

"Can we go in?" asks Ashton. I turn to him.

I don't like the expression his face. It too riveted. Too taken by the blue smoke and stars. Too taken by the moving pictures.

"You could...but I still haven't figured out a way to return." answered Frabin

"Maybe saying the spell backwards or something..." I say, my eyes trained on my former comrade.

Frabin frowns and nods. "Maybe..."

"I say we go in and figure it out" Ashton says, his voice hoarse yet enthusiastic. But it is also dead. As if he were possessed. He takes a step towards the blue smoke and stars.

I hold on to his wrist.

"No Ashton!" I say as if reprimanding a child.

He tries to wrench his hand free, but its useless. I am as strong as he is. 

He relaxes. Subconsciously so do I.

But that was my stupid mistake.

In a quick sudden motion he wrenches his hand free and leaps into the disk of blue smoke and stars. Straight into a picture of ruins of some sort.

There is a flash of blue. Then he is gone.

Without thinking I take a hold of Frabin's arm.

I go after him.

~~~~~

Hey! Sorry for not updating in ages. Its been a really busy term. Hope you liked this chapter. Please tell us what you think. Picture of Ashton Above.

Adios Amigos!

- Sargun