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For lunch I grabbed a can of spaghetti and some bread with some preserved milk. I did not want to keep Quin Shun waiting long, but I also wanted to try out the charm he gave me. Of course, I will be using it for my training as well as to materialize a bowl and spoon to eat with. What kid wouldn't want to try out something new and interesting, right? It is not every day where you can become a potential superhero just by getting some green slime splashed on you. What is even weirder now that I think about it is that the green toxins disappeared after that flash of light and surge of energy I felt. I am not sure if anyone else felt it, but I am sure to have been recognized as missing by now.

*Sigh*Anea must be wondering where I am, I think as I sit down on the floor in front of my bed to prepare to activate the materializing charm. Taking a deep breath and sitting cross legged, I grasp the charm in my right palm while setting aside my opened can of warm spaghetti. Quin Shun said I had to extend my consciousness near or around the pendent to observe the flow of energy. Well, I do sometimes feel like I can imagine my mind moving in one direction, or an ethereal part of me moving separate to my body. Guess I will have to try it.

Closing my eyes and holding in a deep breath, I slowly let it out as I release the pendent from my grasp and focus on the floor ahead of me. Nervously, I speak the words: "Virtutem animus affero bowl." As I invoke the spell, I imagine moving my consciousness down to hover over the pendent. Once I finish the incantation, I feel a flicker of energy come from the charm. It grows stronger with each passing second and I try to memorize the feeling and flow of energy so I can do it without the charm next time.

After about ten seconds, the energy hits a peak; not as much as when I used the plasma ball of course and with a much lower energy pulse. I continue to stare straight ahead at the ground as I wait for a bowl to appear. A small glint catches my eye like a distant sparkling star. My eyes widen as a plain wooden bowl slowly starts to appear right in front of my eyes where I am looking. Not detailed or obsessive, the bowl is just a dried up piece of oak carved to the owner's desire.

After about a minute, the wooden bowl shimmers into existence and makes a small thump on the wooden floor. I hesitantly reach for the wooden bowl as it had just appeared out of nowhere. A big smile forms on my face as my left hand touches the smooth surface of the bowl. No dents, scraps, or marks of any kind. I pull the bowl closer to me while pulling the charm into my right hand palm once again. I stare in awe at what I could do once I learn how to control my powers. A gentle laugh starts to emanate from my mouth as I fall backwards onto the floor. The bowl clatters to the floor and rolls away from me as I exhaust myself. Now, I think I can start to believe in magic and everything else that I have read in fantasy. Where there is one thing that's real, there is another.

Emptied of laughter, I pull myself back up and reach for the bowl which had rolled slightly out of my reach to the left. I stretch to pick it up and set it right in front of me, picking up my now moderately cool can of spaghetti, I poor it into the materialized bowl. I set the can down away to the right and ready myself to materialize a spoon. Thinking logically to use the charm a bit more to observe and memorize the flow of energy better, I straighten myself and say the words again.

"Virtutem animus affero spoon." I say confidently while resting my gaze to the right side of the bowl and fervently observing the flow of energy. Appearing much quicker, a plain, unornate silver spoon materializes with a thunk on the floor next to the plain wooden bowl. A wide smile dresses my face again as I pick up the silver spoon. Turning it around, I once again spot no blemishes or marks on the surface.

Satisfied, I dig into my spaghetti and meat ball soup. With gusto, I pause to un-wrap the bread from its packaging and dip a small portion of it into the sauce before biting a chunk off of it. I then take my milk and materialize some water into the cup and a stick to stir it with.

"Virtutem animus affero cup, water, plastic stick." Like before, the water splashes into the cup with some concentration on my part to direct the flow and the stick appears just a few inches above, dropping down to mix the water and milk. It would not be a good choice to put regular milk down in my storage basement even if I did have a refrigerator or freezer. Preserved milk only requires some water and a stick to mix the contents, just like hydrated food in space.

After ten or so minutes of eating, I stand and pick up the empty can of spaghetti and bag of left over bread. Leaving my bedroom, I pause and turn back to eye the bowl and spoon. I must ask Quin Shun how to get rid of them, I think, concerned that materializing too many things for too long will wear out the charm. Shrugging, I turn back around and deposit the can of empty spaghetti in the trash can near the front door, eyeing how full it is quickly getting. I then walk back down and tie the bag with a string on a table, then put it in a sectioned area for left over's.

Sighing, I walk back up and head to the front door. Before I reach it, I pause again to look to my right at the blank frame of the missing T.V. screen. I grasp the charm and casually fondle it around in my hand. Looking back up at the blank spot, I drop the charm, letting it fall back into place as I strode forward and open the door.

Once outside in the cool refreshing air, I spot Quin Shun in the same exact spot he was in the last time; nature staff slowly spinning in front of him while levitating off the ground. For an instant, I take a step forward before stopping as my eyes go wide. Doing a double take, I blink my eyes; he is floating off the ground! As I slowly walk forward, I can see that not only is his staff floating before him, but he himself is floating above the ground with his kimono dangling in the air beneath him.

Shaking my head, I walk forward to where he is and stand directly in front of him, waiting for him to do something. Both excited and a little nervous, I speak to announce my presence; not like he could not probably sense I am here already. Just as I thought, he speaks before I can say a word.

Mouth open and hand up, Quin Shun opens his eyes and looks directly at me. "No need young Protector, your training begins as of now." Quin Shun says while gently drifting lower to the ground, his staff floating to his side as he touches down.

"What do I do first?" I ask, casually sitting down in the lotus position in front of Quin Shun. Straightening out his robes and putting his staff by his right side, he looks up at me with the confidence of an experienced teacher.

"First, you show me your ability of flight," Quin Shun requests. "By showing me what you have accomplished between the first time you spoke with me and now, I will better be able to understand where to begin your training."

"Oh, ok," I answer, looking around the clearing, not knowing where to start. "But, I have a question first, if that is ok."

"It is." Quin Shun responds kindly.

"Uhhm...How do you get the objects you have materialized with this charm to...disappear?" I ask uncertainly.

"Aaah," Quin Shun says in amazement. "They will naturally disappear after one hour, or after you say the words: Dispareo."

"Just on word, _Dispareo,_Vanish?" I say. Unnoticed, the charm faintly sparkles gray as the bowl; cup, spoon, and stick vanish inside the cabin as if they were never there.

"Yes," Quin Shun says simply. "Now, show me your ability of flight."

"Uuhmm," I say again. "Is there any place high I can do it?" I ask nervously.

Quin Shun just chuckles and shakes his head. "Climb a tree, but I bet that is not high enough for you is it? No, just coil you muscles in your thighs and do whatever felt natural last time."

I hesitantly stand up and backtrack to the middle of the clearing till I have nothing close to me. Quin Shun also stands up and moves back an additional few feet with his flaming mossy staff by his side.

I close my eyes and look down. I try to activate the power I felt last time when I flew from the Hospital to the bank. Swallowing, I calm my breathing and try to empty my head. Hoping the buzzing does not come back now, or, maybe I do need it to fly. Anyway, best try on my own as I might need it when the buzzing is not there.

I settle my thoughts and gently reach for the power hidden within my mind. A bright light appears before my eyes and I grimace, trying to hide from the dazzling display. To no avail, it fades as I push deeper into my mind. After a few minutes, I feel a faint trickle of energy in a deep recess of my mind. I firmly grasp it, preparing myself to wrestle for the power. Surprisingly, it comes willingly.

Light as a feather yet as heavy as diamond, the power starts to flow freely within my veins. My mind opens up once again to the flow of memories as my adrenaline starts pumping and my heart rate goes up. Amazed as to how easily I found and activated my power, I now start to draw more of it throughout my body.

The same memories as before start to flash through my mind, visions that are not my own; images of long ages past flow freely through my head, giving me confidence and power. The same pressure beneath my eyes returns as Quin Shun looks on with a face of interest. As it reaches a certain peak, I open my eyes and my pupils shift into draconic slits. My eyes keep their emerald green hue, but gain small flecks of white around them.

Looking back at Quin Shun, he nods reassuringly and a look down at my arms while raising them outstretched with palm up. My draconic eyes catch faint slivers of swirling energy dancing all around me. They gradually grow stronger as I steadily increase the flow and power of my energy. The ground around me starts to vibrate like before in my room at the hospital. Instead of panicking, my breathing slows down even more as I slowly lower myself to the ground in a crouching position.

Watching the proceedings cautiously and with the beginnings of fearful apprehension, Quin Shun spectates the show as my power level slowly rises to that of before. He backs up a few more steps, nervous as to what will happen.

My gray robes begin to flap in an unnatural wind. My hair waves back and forth as I stop bending, remaining still like sitting on an invisible chair with my arms stretched forwards for balance. As my energy reaches a peak, I look up to see a glimpse of Quin Shuns worried face before I take off. All the tension in my muscles is released in one instant as I jump for the sky.

I push off quickly, accelerating to that of a jet on takeoff on an aircraft carrier. The shock wave from the launch ruffles Quin Shuns robes as he covers his eyes and continues to watch me. I fling my head backwards as I race up into the sky, robes flapping wildly in the breeze. I rapidly rise higher and higher into the azure sky while keeping my arms at my side. I close my eyes and lean back, enjoying the feeling of the wind on my face and the exhilaration of flying. Slowly, I start to fly upside down. When I open my eyes again, I quickly twist my body to re-orientate myself to that my chest faces the ground. Breathing slightly heavy, I look around to see where I am.

I spot forest for as far as the eye can see. My enhanced dragon sight allows me to see unnervingly great detail on each of the trees. Each drop of water on the leaves which travel lethargically down with gravity, each protrusion of the bark on the trees in the calm May air. Every detail of every bird, animal and insect with my sight is greatly enhanced as I continue to fly lazily through the sky.

This is how it must be to see as a dragon, I think as I spot no sight of Quin Shun anywhere. Dismissing the thought of having draconic eyesight, I immediately bank right, turning around to try and see where Quin Shun could be. I am a good ways up, about fifteen hundred or so feet up if I had to guess. I soon spot the clearing in which my cabin is in again. Not having the foggiest idea on how to land properly, since my last attempt ended in disaster, I carefully reduce my speed and angle myself lower till I am a hundred feet above the trees.

Quin Shun eyes me warily as I make my approach. Yelling out instructions that resonate clearly within my head, he tells me how to land. _"Imagine yourself landing. Decrease your speed almost entirely once you clear the trees and then rise up like the front end of a plane. Try and hover for a few seconds before decreasing your power. Do not do it too fast or you will fall the last few feet to the ground. Do not worry; I will catch you if anything should go amiss."_Quin Shun says reassuringly in my mind as I approach the edge of the forest and the beginning of the clearing.

Doing what Quin Shun said, I lower my speed further once I am over the clearing. I rise up and put on the breaks so that I am hovering just above the tree line over the clearing. Lowering my power by increments, I slowly float back down to the ground a ways from Quin Shun.

Once I am back on the ground, Quin Shun comes over and congratulates me on my show of flying.

"Hahaha," Quin Shun chuckles. "That is some flying me boy." Quin Shun says appraisingly. I just blush and ask what is next.

"So, how did I do?" I ask nervously while wiping away a stray bead or two of sweat on my forehead.

"Very good young protector. I must say, that is a remarkable improvement from last time." Quin Shun says in praise.

I stop fixing my hair and robes when I hear that. "Last time? You saw me crash?" I ask in confusion.

"Yes, much better than most other warriors who do it for their first time." Quin Shun says.

"Ooook," I say slowly. "What now?" I ask.

"Now you train. Please, follow me." Quin Shun replies nicely. I politely follow him into the forest as he uses his staff as a walking stick, not relying on it at all.

I then remember something Quin Shun said awhile back and question him about it. "Didn't you say you wanted to see me use my other powers too?" I ask.

"Yes I did. Your flying is show enough to let me see what I need to start on first." Quin Shun replies. I nod my head in confused understanding, I may never know how he thinks but I will follow him to the ends of the earth, I think silently to myself.

Back in the forest, I look around while Quin Shun continues to walk to some unknown destination with me. The birds all flitter around happily, singing their merry tune. The residents of the forest go on with their day, ignoring the old wizened warrior and his new prodigy. The leaves on the trees flow smoothly and with grace while the sound of a distant waterfall still echoes somewhere within the forest.

A small portion of my power remains as my eyes had not yet changed back. Everything appears crystal clear as we traverse the forest. I gaze in wonder and beauty at the trees around me. Every tiny pore in the wood, every vein in a leaf and every blade of grass on the ground is so immersed in a world of detail that I almost bump into Quin Shun when he stops in a small clearing in the middle; a miniature version of where I put my cabin.

Muttering a word of apology, I step to the right to look at where Quin Shun has brought me. "It is all right young protector, no harm done" Quin Shun replies to my apology.

"Why are we here?" I ask curiously.

"To begin your meditation training. Every young warrior must learn to feel the world around them. They must learn to see and hear everything at the same time." Quin Shun answers. Turning around he stares at me through questioning eyes.

"Your eyes...They are different, did you know that?" Quin Shun asks me hesitantly. Shocked, I reply.

"Um...n-no, I did not know that." I respond while walking into the clearing. Quin Shun turns around, watching me as I search for something. Tapping his staff lightly on the ground, a perfectly rounded stump rises up from the ground seemingly out of nowhere.

As I turn around, I jump in surprise as I spot the round stump that appeared out of thin air. Looking at Quin Shun, he gives me a weary smile and nods his head. I nod back and sit on the stump which is surprisingly comfy.

I take a deep breath and say the words of materializing. "Virtutem animus affero bowl...water." Soon after the same wooden bowl appears while the water materializes inside the bowl. I must be getting better at this, I think to myself. That almost felt natural to me. I then place the bowl onto my lap and prepare myself for what I might find.

I cautiously look down at the bowl and at my own reflection. The first thing I notice before I see the draconic irises staring back at me is that I do not have my glasses.

"M-My glasses!" I exclaim in surprise. "They must have been knocked off when I battled that bank robber, how could I have not noticed all this time?!" I shout in panic. Quin Shun calmly walks forward as I raise my head to look at him. All he does is wave his left hand as if doing a magic trick.

"Look again." Quin Shun says. Obeying, I look down to find a new pair of glasses, perfectly identical to the ones I lost on my face. I look and at Quin Shun in amazement.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome." Quin Shun says politely.

I look back down at my reflection to stare at my eyes. It takes me a few seconds but my eyes open wide as I find that my irises had changed into draconic slits.

"Ho-How did this happen?" I ask in confusion. Quin Shun replies, trying to guess what could have changed my eyes to that of a reptiles.

"Maybe your hidden powers have activated something within you." Quin Shun says, interested in what could be responsible himself.

"Is this going to happen every time?" I ask.

"Maybe. Did the bank robber do anything to you to hurt you?" Quin Shun asks thoughtfully.

"Mmmmm, now that I think of it, besides nearly suffocating me, she did say 'Now, let us see who you really are,' and 'Hmm, seems like your one of those stupid protectors, well, not for long.' What did she mean by that?" I ask while shaking slightly out of fear.

Thinking, Quin Shun walks a few steps to the edge of the clearing before turning around. "Stand up. Tell me what she did, exactly." Quin Shun requests.

"W-well, she picked me up by my neck and choked me, then stared into my eyes. I could feel my power flickering as if it did not like whatever or whoever she was." I answer truthfully.

"Mmmmm," Quin Shun replies, deep in thought. "Would you mind letting me check out your energy?" Quin Shun asks, confusing me even more.

"You are not going to choke me, are you?" I ask warily.

"No, heavens no. I am just going to stare into your eyes, like the bank robber did. It is said you could tell a person's soul and energy by looking into their eyes." Quin Shun responds.

"Oh. Umm, sure, I guess" I reply, carefully setting the bowl of water down on the cushy grass and standing up. Quin Shun walks forward and widens his eyes slowly while staring into mine. I stare back as he examines my energy.

~~~~~~~~~~

As I stare into his eyes, a faint white glow gradually appears around Colby in a wide oval, encompassing his whole being. I frown as I look closer at the white energy field around him. This must be what is changing his eyes into a reptilian. It sure looks to be unique, even different than my aura. It has sort of an animalistic feel or sense to it I can't quite describe. It feels wild, acting purely on instinct.

With the ability to fly naturally, enhanced eyesight and probably hearing too as well as his other senses, this kid could be something special indeed. Even just talking to him in the hospital, I could tell he would be destined for something great. What that was, I did not know, but whatever it was, I knew I had to prepare him for the worst case scenario.

There are other protectors on this planet I can tell, a retired earth elemental, an illusionist and a healer, definitely more than enough to handle a threat. But still, what concerns me is the increase in crime in Russia and Europe. The disappearance of 'terrorists' also concerns me as well.

Sighing, I also think of the ease in which he triggered his powers. Even as a Protector, a prodigy takes some time and practice to even defeat an evil villain scant hours after they were told who they were. Only defenders can fly, except for a few exceptions like Thor, Superman, and Green Lantern. And a plasma bolt; he must be really skilled or dreamed of this his whole life.

Deciding on a course of action, I slowly exit my trance like state. His white aura continues to flicker occasionally like fire around his frame. Another thing that might hint as to what causes his eyes to change is the shape his aura takes when he is flying; the shape of a dragon. That may be the answer as to why his energy feels so, wild. I best keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything rash. As I finally exit my trance, I casually blink my eyes and nod my head, signaling to Colby that I have completed my inspection.

~~~~~~~~~~

After what seemed like hours, Quin Shun returns from his trance like state. Blinking and nodding his head, he gathers his posture and clears his throat.

"So? What did you find?" I ask, Eager to find out what is causing my eyes to change into draconic irises.

"Interesting...Very, interesting." Quin Shun replies nonchalantly.

"What do you mean by that?" I ask, confused on the meaning of such simple words.

"Oh, nothing. Your energy field is very faint, but present enough for me to see it. It is also unique, not unlike my own in any way." Quin Shun responds, choosing his words carefully.

"So my energy is doing this to my eyes?" I ask while pointing to my eyes with both hands.

"It would appear so, yes. It would seem you are very...special among other Protectors." Quin Shun answers.

"How so?"

"In the way that means you will surpass whoever is the current Protector here."

"And who is that? Do I know him?" I ask curiously

"In a way," Quin Shun says slowly after a moment of thought. "But the important thing right now is for you to meditate. Focus your mind all around you like how you observed the flow of energy from the charm I gave you."

"Like Eragon?" I ask.

Pausing me a moment before responding, Quin Shun thinks. "Yeesss, like Eragon." Quin Shun says finally.

"Ok" I reply. I turn back around and sit cross legged on the circular tree trunk. I breathe in a few deep breaths then quickly say Dispareo to make the bowl and water disappear. I then promptly look at Quin Shun.

"Uuuhh, how long do I have to do this for?" I inquire.

"Until you have achieved the ability to see and hear everything at once, yet nothing at all." Quin Shun answers methodically.

Nodding, I close my eyes and deepen my breathing, calming my mind before I extend it as far as I can to every part of the forest like an expanding veil of sunlight. Quin Shun watches me for a few more seconds before turning and walking out of the clearing, disappearing for whatever reason.

_ ~~~~~Anea and Paul~~~~~ _

4:28 PM: Same Day

"How much further till we get to our destination?" I ask through the biting hot wind of the town. The humid sun beats down on us as we make our way across the landscape. Spots of clouds sail by lethargically in the sky while a few hardy birds journey to and fro.

"Not much further. Once we reach Apache junction, we will then head to Fountain Hills to get the rest of the equipment and then head back to Rainbow Valley." Paul says while we traverse the pleasant town of Phoenix Arizona. Not much can be said about the town as it is maintaining a good rate of growth and has plenty of resources.

"And what is this equipment we are getting? I heard you talk about what we will do once something like that happens, but how are we going to deal with it?" I question Paul while covering up my face through my blue/green robes, guarding against the biting hot wind and sand.

Paul only chuckles and turns another corner on Dreamland villa, a straight shot to Apache junction from there. "Secrets are hard to maintain and hold Anea, but, very well. The equipment we are getting is ancient shield technology." Paul answers reluctantly. Not something every apprentice needs to know, something to tell as a story to scare them, not get them involved.

"Don't we have superior shields than back then?" I reply, confused as to why we need ancient shields that might not even stand up to a standard laser blast.

"Yes, we do, but we need them to combine with the technology we have at Fountain Hills, by doing that, the new weapon will be vastly improved and superior to whatever our villain has up her sleeve, given that she isn't using something far more complex." Paul responds while walking through the mostly deserted streets of the hot and humid May afternoon.

"And what kind of technology do we have there?" I ask, staring at Paul with my misty turquoise eyes, unconsciously batting my eyebrows. Looking back, Paul frowns upon seeing me looking at him with those big pleading eyes, wanting to help in any way I can.

Sighing, he explains what it is. "The technology we need to get from Fountain Hills is even older than Alessio. It was obtained when a stray alien ship of advanced beings crashed down in the Bermuda triangle. We fished them out and they gave us some...unique weaponry that I hope will be able to punch through whatever armor our dinosaur friends may have in store for us." Paul says, finishing his explanation.

"Oh," I say, awestruck that something could be older than the wise earth dragon. "How old is Papa anyway Paul?" I ask in a curious tone, blue/green cape fluttering behind me as we steadily approach our first destination.

"Uuuuhhm," Paul hesitates, unsure whether or not to say what he knows. Behind his tattered beggars robe, his navy blue eyes twinkle, knowing he cannot lie to his daughter anymore. "I would say about forty thousand years, give or take a few millennium." Paul says while waiting to hear my reaction.

"Forty...Wow," I just say in amazement. "Are we there yet?" I ask yet again, wondering when I am going to see the ancient shield technology.

Sighing, Paul answers. "Soon, just up there," Paul says, pointing straight ahead to a two story line of hotels. In a mixture of tan and red, they stand as if built by sediment and rock. "Actually, we are heading for that short range of mountains."

"Does it have a name?" I ask, unperturbed about the change in direction and the added mile.

"Yes, it is called Superstition Mountain. We are heading for The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine on the east side of the mountains. That is where we will collect the equipment we need." Paul replies courteously.

As the two walk on in silence, a lone figure dressed in a bandit outfit watches them from a distant mountain top. Eagle eyes spot the two easily from the rather dreary and dry surroundings. They soon vanish and a whirlwind of debris is all that is left.

A buzzards call sounds in the lone air as Anea and Paul finally make it to the site of The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. Paul enters first and cautions Anea to be careful. "I will, you don't have to worry over me like a squalling infant father." I reply bashfully.

"I know, but with evil on the rise, I cannot be too careful now, can I?" Paul responds protectively.

The two travel within the confines of the mine, dodging hanging stalactites and moving around the rising stalagmites. An odd coppery smell permeates the air, not unlike the smell of blood in some ways. After some careful traversing, the two stumble out into a wider cave, almost oval and with a weird sparkle.

The cave is about two foot ball fields wide and one field long. Paul expertly navigates the remaining stalagmites and arrives at the border of the sparkling field.

"What is that?" I ask in fascination while coming up next to Paul. Looking down, Paul answers in a wise tone.

"These are the shields. This is a cloaking device so that other people would not steal them." Paul answers dutifully.

"But won't they wonder why everything is sparkling?" I respond.

"No, it only does that when a Protector is near, so we can find out where they are. Neat is it not?" Paul replies in his own tone of awe. I just look on in amazement as Paul approaches the sparkling border.

Rubbing his hands together, he takes a step forward and presses both of his palms against the seemingly smooth surface of the cloaking device. The other side must contain the shields, I wonder. While I watch from a safe distance, Paul begins to chant a phrase in an ancient tongue, even puzzling me to what it means.

"Ha na roo-aa. Keja arao. Li-ba arao. Mugo pilashi." Paul begins to chant that phrase over and over in his Russian accent. His tattered brown cape begins to blow in an unnatural wind as a faint purple mist starts to envelope his muscular frame.

Over and over Paul chants, the purple mist growing stronger and ever more present. After a good five minutes the wall starts to shimmer and flicker in a wide variety of colors; pink, green, red, blue, white, black, gold, silver, brown and back to pink. The flashing increases in speed and intensity until it grows to the power of movie lights on Broadway.

I turn to my left and raise my cape to cover my eyes from the blinding spectacle. As soon as it had started, the room dims; darker than what it was before. I cautiously raise my eyes as Paul steps back a few paces to admire his work. His breathing is slightly heavy from the exertion of the work as he wipes a hand across his brow.

"This," Paul says while turning his head to me and smiles at the same time as he raises a hand in a dramatic gesture of revealing. "is the ancient shield technology."

"Wow," I mutter as I step forward to gaze upon heaps and mountains of a wide variety of shields. Titanic, diamond, wood, brass, copper, steel, molten lava, tin, glass, etc, it just goes on and on. "How many are there?" I ask in wonder, stopping short of stepping on a brittle limestone shield as Paul backs me away a little.

"I would have to say about, eight thousand five hundred and sixty-two shields, all of varying variety." Paul says, taking his time saying 'say' and 'about'.

"So many, how are we going to carry them all?" I ask in amazement while scanning the piles of glittering and shining shields. It looks just like a vault where a king would hoard his treasure, except its shields and not gems and rubies.

"With this," Paul says while bringing out a medium sized duffle bag from under his cape of Santa's size, but with a mystical array of browns, gold's and blues. "We will be able to pick the ones we need and still travel light." Paul replies.

"Ok, well, let's get started." I say with enthusiasm.

Paul then begins to name all the type of shields they will need; some of these dating back to the end of prehistoric times.

1. Diamond (x8)

2. Alloy (x5)

3. Carbonate (x10)

4. Viridian (x2)

5. Elfin (x4)

6. Dwarvern (x16)

7. Dragon scale (x8)

8. Sensory (x3)

9. Electrical (x12)

10. Power-strip (x1)

"Is that all?" I ask, exhausted over after an hour's search and haul of countless shields.

"Yes, were done." Paul says, hefting the slightly heavy duffle bag over his strong shoulder.

"I thought you said it was going to be light?" I ask in confusion.

"I did, but we need a lot of shields to make what we are creating." Paul answers warily, also half exhausted from the work. I just shrug my shoulders as we head out into the now chilly air. The sky by now has turned an exotic shade of orange/red and dark blues. A few wisps of clouds sail over our heads as we head down from The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine and head over to Fountain Hills.

10:52 PM: Same Day

Arriving at Fountain Hills, I gaze upon the extravagant lake where a dazzling display of waterworks is going on. Paul and I continue to walk down the red and rusty hill top towards the enchanting town. Paul had only a while ago stashed away the old shields into a seemingly bottomless bag. Only with Paul's kind of magic would that be possible.

As we walk into the town at night, I in my blue/green robe with loose fitting attire and Paul in his dirty beggar's cape, no one is in sight as we strode down the empty streets. An owl hoots in a distant tree, but it is ignored as I continue to look upon the sparkling lake that has for now fallen quiet.

Paul leads me through various twists and turns, down some alleyways that stink and around some gorgeous houses with a full manicured lawn. As we near a particular rugged and old section of the town, not that it seems old of broken down thanks to the seemingly recent renovations, Paul stops and lets out a short and brief whistle. He cups his right hand within his left and breathes out low while hunching over, producing a tone that goes from low to high to medium...high to medium to high to low again.

He straightens back out and then looks around cautiously. "Paul, what are yo-?"

"Not now." Paul says in a short and decisive tone, cutting me off short.

Seconds later a brief shadow appears overhead and lands on the building in front of us. A clattering noise can be heard as something walks on the roof tiles and soon a feminine figure appears in the shadows to our left.

"You called?" She says while positioning her legs in a casual resting position against a wall. Her frame is very moderate, dressed in fair clothing that looks to be from when humans still traveled instead of settling down.

I step back in surprise, partially huddling behind Paul as the lanky figure pushes off the wall and slowly walks forward to greet Paul. She has on simple leather pants tied together with strong, thin coils of rope. She has various green marking on some parts of her body. Strong leather wrist guards, like those from protecting against the backlash of a bow, adorn both her hands and end partway up to her elbow. Identical blue/green markings wrap around her upper arm near her shoulder. One ring wraps around her arm while another ring rests just above it. It curls around but does not connect, opting to rise and reverse upon itself. A blue/green circles rests a few inches above the display, shown on both her left and right arms. An intricate piece of hard leather jerkin lightly protects her chest and shoulders. Another design marks both her cheeks that touch the outside of her eye, simple yet important. Another marking is on each end of her forehead, coming down like a number two to rest above her eyebrows. Her black hair is curly and unkempt, as if she has lived in the wilds all her life.

She walks forward with an air of expertise. Once standing in front of Paul, she scowls before saying again: "You called?" while talking with a smooth, Hippie/African voice.

"It is good to see you again Song'he," Paul exclaims while holding out a hand like a sailor's arm shake. "We have come to retrieve the ancient weapons to battle the oncoming threat of the dinosaurs brought on by the black one."

"The black one?" Song'he replies, returning the arm shake of good faith, as it is called by her people.

"Yes, we need the power of the ancient weapons to pierce through the thick hide of the dinosaurs she brings." Paul responds, dropping the shake after a few seconds.

"Hmmm, yes, and who is this." Song'he asks, backing up to look me up and down as she crosses her arms in thought. I slink further behind Paul as she scrutinizes me from top to bottom.

"Oh, this. This is Anea, she is my daughter. I have brought her with me to meet you." Paul answers, moving away to reveal my form.

Song'he frowns and then moves forth, extending her right arm in an arm shake of good faith. I just stand there, looking confused and small. With a nudge, Paul whispers within my head.

"Shake Anea, it is their way of trusting someone else."

"Who is she?" I ask uncertain.

"She is a good friend of mine. I have known her for years. Shake and I will explain more later." Paul responds quickly.

Looking up into Song'he's surprisingly warm sunset eyes, I step forward and firmly grasp her arm, mimicking what Paul did a few moments ago. Satisfied, Song'he lets go and moves back over to Paul to swing a hand over his shoulder.

"How have you been? I have not seen you in a while Paul." Song'he says while smiling.

"As I suppose you know, I have been working a lot. Times are getting tougher, as you should well know." Paul replies kind heartily.

"Aye, I do," Song'he says, oddly changing to a Celtic accent for a second. Changing back, she continues. "Follow me, I will show you to the vault."

She then proceeds to turn around and expose her well armored backside, her leather jerkin only joining at her back with moderately thick straps. The green tattoos are more scattered and numerous, and yet also represent a picture of sorts. Tilting my head to try and understand the lines and curves, Paul brings an arm around my back and brings me forth, following after Song'he.

"Be nice," He says, whispering into my ear. "She is a valuable ally. The sooner we can get back to headquarters, the sooner we can put our defense plans into motion." Paul says, unraveling his arm from around me and hurrying up to catch Song'he.

I look on, perplexed and shake my head. I hope you get back soon Colby, I miss you.