Arthur Odysseus Ruler's Story

“Ugh… I understand your concerns, Councilwoman, but I assure you I know what I saw.” Desmond was being firm as he spoke into the phone with barely contained aggravation, “That was definitely a Doppelganger, no doubts about it, the aura and the figure was absolutely unmistakable.”

Desmond continued with his conversation as Kalen rolled her eyes standing by the stove, the water was about to boil so she removed it from the heat and poured it into her cup, “Jeez, he’s been at it all morning…” she commented as she submerged the tea into her cup and let it stoup, “She is never going to admit it you know!” she called out to him. He just frowned deeper, if that was possible, considering the situation. Finally she took the tea from the brew and took a sip, smiling at the flavor.
“Look, I don’t care if you are willing to admit it or not, but the fact is a doppelganger killed and replaced a student of my son’s-“ the line was louder as the other side shot back, “they killed and replaced a student at my son’s school and attempted to assassinate him. Whether or not you had a hand in it isn’t the issue here, fact is that the captured assailant has named two of your representatives as the backers for the attack. That is, before he was killed… suicide my ass.” More retorts, however in the meantime Desmond’s coffee was finished and Kalen brought it to him, taking a sip as the other person continued to produce excuses and Desmond placed the cup down rather hard and broke in again, “This is not a discussion, Councilwoman, I am calling to inform you that I will be pressing an investigation on these events and that’s all. Now if you’ll excuse me.” with that he hung up the phone and took in a deep breath.

“It’s alright dear,” Kalen cooed as she stood beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, “Arthur is fine, he can handle himself after all. And don’t forget what today is.” She added as she walked back to the main stair, “I’ve got to go get ready; it’ll be nice to see the old gang again… Desmond, could you get Arthur up please? He always sleeps in so late on Saturdays.”

“Huh, oh, right the reunion!” Desmond, for a moment, took a trip down memory lane before letting himself relax more, he’d been under a great deal of stress recently but he was actually looking forward to today, “I’ll get him, Hun, you just leave it to me.” He assure as his typical smile returned to his face again.

“I’m counting on you!” she called down the stairs.

“Sure! No problem…” he replied while inwardly he thought how he would ever get the kid to wake up this early. “Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into this time… hmmm, guess I’ll finish my coffee while I strategize.

---

While his parents were down stairs getting their morning coffee and, most definitely in his mother’s case, tea Arthur was still snoozing in his room. Or normally he would have been on a Saturday but unfortunately for him he’d forgotten the previous night to flip the alarm clock to his weekend setting the night before so he was already awake. Oh well, he vaguely remembered that there was something they were going to do today. “But what was it?” the boy wondered aloud.

“Meow!”

The cat on his bed complained at this sudden outburst that had awoken it from its gentle slumber and looked up at him. He glanced away from his hand held game and too the animal. The creature stepped up onto his chest and pawed at his face, must to his disapproval. He loved his cat but the thing had sharp claws! Given the quiet moment to think more on the day however he felt the sleepiness that he’d been fighting all morning after waking up early slip further away, What was it?

Knock, knock, knock!

“Come in!” he called.

Desmond opened the door with a look of relief on his face, “Ah, good, you’re up, that’s the first good news I’ve had this morning.”

“Morning, Pops, eh… wait… are you trying to say I’m difficult in the mornings?”

Insert Desmond’s devious grin, “No, I’m not trying to say that I am saying it.”

“Gee, thanks…” the youth returned to his game as his cat hopped down and moved over to Desmond, sashaying between the man’s legs as it rubbed against him. Reaching down the Hirule picked up the mammal and gave it a pat, to which it just meowed loudly. “Okay, okay, I hear you; I’ll get your breakfast!” Arthur directed to his pet that jumped from Desmond’s arms onto the nearby dresser.

“Well, while you’re up grab a shower, son, and get dressed. We’ve got to go to the reunion today.” he explained while leaning in on the door jam, “Kage and a few other kids your age should be there so it shouldn’t be too boring.” He added.

Getting off his bed and stretching Arthur yawned once and then nodded to his father, “ok, I guess, it’s not like I’ve got anything better to do.” He surmised, “But do we have to leave this early? Carnes is just down the mountain.”

“Your mother is already in the shower, that mean you’ve got two hours before she’ll be ready… I hope…”

Resolving himself he just nodded again and went to collect and feed his cat, “Yes, sir.” Glancing into the small mirror atop his dresser, however, the boy’s calm face broke into one of dismay, “Wha! Aah!” he dropped the cat, not that it had any problems landing on it’s feet, though the swishing of its tail indicated it wasn’t happy as the animal growled slightly and exited the room, sitting in the hall with its back to them both.

“What is it?”

“A-a pimple, come on, today of all days!” the pubescent preteen exclaimed ash e he grabbed the mirror and brought it closer to his face, staring angrily at the white head that had appeared on his otherwise perfect forehead.

Desmond had for a moment tensed, being on guard since the attack a few days earlier, but relaxed and sighed in relief and embarrassment at the standard preteen problem the boy was showing. But of course that would be his problem wouldn’t it, he had yet to be told about how one of his school mates was dead in that attack. Desmond decided now was not a good time to tell him either, and so just laughed, “You know, pimples are just the start there kid, soon you’ll have to deal with a whole mess of other issues, like- .”

“Ugh! Dad, just stop right there, now is not the time for ‘the talk!’” the youth yelled making Desmond laugh even harder as he stepped up to the boy.

Still chuckling he patted the young boy’s head, “Oh, thanks son, I needed that.” he brought his hand down to the boy’s face and pointed at the blemish. A moment later a blue spark arced across his fingers and into the sore, causing it to shrink and shrink until it could not be seen, simple but meaningful magic, “There, better?”

Rubbing the spot against the ingle of the energy still found beneath the skin the kid smiled, “Much, thanks Pops! It would have been impossible to treat that thing in such short time.” And with that the kid gave Desmond a quick hug and hurried off down the hall, shoeing the cat along to the kitchen to be fed.

The older Hirule just stood there smiling, thinking of how care free the young boy was, and then his smile faded as he realized the truth he’d yet to learn. This would be the first death of many though. The young boy was destined for this though, for he was the bridge between two worlds that couldn’t or perhaps shouldn’t touch. And the worse part of this all was that Desmond was the one setting him on that path, predestined or not. Will he take it as a gift or a curse I wonder?

---

“Wow, this place sure has changed… and just think, kiddo, you’ll be here in a few short years too!” Kalen commented as they walked down the tree lined street next to the school. “I mean, the old buildings remain but those dorms are new, aren’t they Desmond?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, I got some letter about it from the school Alumni Foundation, they’re supposed to be individual rooms now instead of the shared dorms from back in our day.”

Arthur puzzled for a moment at that comment, “I thought you two didn’t stay in the dorms?” as he walked along behind them, hands behind his head looking about to take in the school he’d soon be attending.

“Yeah but we had some special circumstances.” Glancing ahead he spotted a few other families and moved up to walk next to his parents, “Hey, who’s that?”

“Looks like Jamie and company to me, dear.” Kalen commented. Desmond just nodded and waved with a smile to the figures in the distance as they approached the gate themselves.

With a slight increase in pace the Rulers moved forward, Arthur still scanning the others who were approaching and waving to them; a group of four total adults and the same number of kids, at least one of which appeared his age, all seemingly pleasant. Course Arthur knew the Flynns, and their son Rayburn, fairly well. They were always coming over for dinner and such. Mom liked having Arabella drop by or going to the city and shopping together, and Dad was always interested in what Jamie had to say about the latest stories in the Human world… specifically things that were being seen as regular events but were really monsters behaving badly. But seeing the other group he had to think back a little ways to when they had last stopped by. According to Dad they kept a ‘low profile’ which was pretty common in the monster world. But as he looked at the various people from his dad’s stories of the old days a thought occurred to him, “Dad?”

“Hmm?”

“These guys were the people from all your stories about those fights in high school right?”

“That’s right.”

“So who’s the strongest?”

Desmond nearly tripped at that question, “Well, uh, son, that’s a difficult question to place. I mean it wasn’t really a competition we were in.” a diplomatic answer as Kalen chuckled to herself about the sudden outburst her boy had made. It was just like Arthur, always assessing, always curious, always decisive, and Desmond really shouldn’t have been caught off guard there.

“But aren’t you the strongest there is?” he asked again as he looked to the rather large man to the left of them (Aiden) and his wife with a slightly cocked head.

Before Desmond could tell his son a flat nope his loving wife intervened, “Why don’t you judge for yourself?”

Taking her at her word Arthur nodded and moved to the head of the trio as he reached into his collar and withdrew the necklace that hid beneath his shirt. The pendant was warm to the touch despite its steely construction, pulsing with a light beat in harmony with that of his own heart. A brilliantly intricate piece of jewelry. He grasp the pendant and closed his eyes for a moment, his Parents stopping behind him.

“Don’t overdo it now, Arthur.” His pops advised as he stood slightly back with Kalen, watching.

“I won’t.” he assured as he drew form the pendant a small droplet of power. His feet felt lighter as a small circle of air escaped from him, his sports coat blown back slightly as his bangs rose in the air a fraction of an inch. The wind however was minimal and died down after a single burst as his full weight returned to his feet. Opening his eyes he looked about again. A sparkle now rested within those deep green orbs, and with that small drop of power he viewed the world anew.

Looking about he saw each figure as little more than a silhouette, however the surrounding air that was typically boring in the normal spectrum, was on fire in every color of the rainbow. Glancing about he was astounded by what he saw, the kids had some huge aura’s of their own but those two monsters, Arabella and Aiden… they were a whole different thing all together. Heck, the two humans were extraordinary in their own right, each with an Aura as four times larger than any human he knew. By contrast when he looked over his shoulder his mom, Kalen, had no aura what so ever save a slight glowing trail emanating form where her eyes would be. And Desmond’s aura was barely larger than a human’s right now. Guess he’s keeping a low profile too…

He closed his eyes again as he stowed the pendant back in his shirt and began moving again with his parents. “So, what do you think? Have an answer yet?” his mom asked.

“No…” he commented back, “give me a hint?”

“No way, Sport, I’m having too much fun with this.” Desmond chuckled.

Kalen elbowed him lightly, though her strength almost pushed him over as they walked forward, at last meeting at the gate with the other couples. Having come from three directions the three families met simultaneously at the entrance to the school.

“Hello there strangers, I don’t suppose you’re here for the reunion party too?” Desmond said jovially as he and Kalen moved forward for the greetings. Desmond shaking Jamie’s and Aiden’s hands and Kalen pulling Amber and Arabella into a hug, whether or not they wanted it. Arthur, meanwhile, walked straight up to Rayburn.

“Sup, Blaze, how you been?” he asked as he presented his fist calmly in a more youthful greeting. Desmond always said name your children whatever you like, and their friends will call them whatever they want. Rayburn and Arthur knew one another well enough, but didn’t go to the same school. Perhaps a good thing since the young phoenix might torch the place on a whim. Lord knows Arthur had to fight that urge without magical powers. “School out for you too?”

“yeah, school’s out so things have been more fun.” Rayburn smirked at Arthur’s nickname for him and gave him a bro fist in return. He felt a tugging on his shirt from behind him as Ashton held onto him with her steel grip. “huh?” he slowly turned to her and began to peel off her fingers

“Ashton, it’s Arthur, remember? The human prince?” He chuckled remembering one of the imaginary games the three of them tried to play. The phoenix’s powers made the games more interesting as save the princess from the fireballs turns into save the prince because the princess doesn’t burn.

"Come on, we're not kids anymore..." Arthur griped quietly as he kicked a bit of dust. Looking for a perfect opening however as he feigned attitude he smirked and sprung, his right hand flying up as he flicked the phoenix on the tip of his nose with a devious grin. "Well, Maybe not too grown up, eh, Hot-head?"

“Not fair!” Rayburn laughed as he rubbed his nose. “I’ll show you hot-head!” he smiled and flames licked his hair again as he dove at the human to tackle him to the ground, all in good fun of course.

Tackled to the ground by the flaming headed boy Arthur grunted as he hit the floor but never let his smile fade, "Oh yeah! Take this!" and with that pushed up with his knee to try and roll them over, hopping to get himself on top and in control of the wrestling match.

Desmond chuckled as he looked on at the two young boys being... well... boys. Kalen however was shaking her head and rubbing the bridge of her nose, "They'll get their clothes all dirty... or worse burned off!"

Arthur easily over powered Rayburn as he was older and bigger making it tough for the phoenix to win the upper hand. He had the air knocked out of him as Arthur pinned him. “Not fair! You’re bigger!” Rayburn whined he didn’t dare use fire to fight back because he knew he wasn’t supposed to and his parents were right there.

(Elrith wrote the Arthur parts...I'm trying to respond to everyone at the moment X_X)

Just a few feet from the entrance to Carnes-High, an explosion of thick, black smoke disturbed the mountain air. Once it partly cleared, four figures were revealed, a man and woman and a boy and a girl who shared a chilling similarity. One of the man's hands instantly drifted towards the woman protectively as they began to walk.

Lin swept Freezer's hand away like a cobweb. "Stop! I'm fine, honestly" she snapped irritably at him before giving her high-school sweetheart a softer approach. "It's not like I'm inexperienced" she murmured gesturing towards the two children in front of them.

Freezer observed his wife with a small smile, she was wearing a deep blue Maxi-dress, with her miles of thick wavy hair left tumbling down her back. It made her look like a Greek deity. Freezer sighed and held his hands up in defeat. It wasn't her delicate looking body that made him fuss so much, it was the bulging pregnancy bump that expanded out from beneath the dress that concerned him.

Their two children huffed and sighed as the couple realised they'd stopped the group from walking any further. "Come on, at this rate we'll miss the reunion" Lin added giving the children and Freezer a push forwards. Freezer gave a scowl and linked an arm around her waist. "Didn't even want to come. Not when you're like this." he muttered under his breath. 'there are people here who would see to you having a stillborn' He thought the last part, but didn't say it, knowing it would only leave him getting beaten by a heavily pregnant woman.

Elle, one of their children, marched ahead confidently whilst giving her surroundings wide, curious eyes. She had heard stories about this place, about the people in it and now she was here it was difficult to believe her parents actually went to school. That the people in the stories were real.
"Elle not too far ahead!" Lin moaned, knowing the angelic 'looking' little girl would cause nothing but devilish trouble when out of sight.

Falcon on the other hand, their son and Elle's twin, clung to her hand like leech. She smiled down at his gorgeous face as Freezer scowled down at him. "Falcon don't cling to your mother like that, you'll trip her up!"

"I'm helping her walk" Falcon retorted.

Closing in on the school gates, Lin and Freezer actually paid attention to their surroundings and found that they needn't look far for the people they once knew at school. Pretty much all the them stood in a small group just inside the school gates, with children too!!
Lin gave the group a wicked smile and glanced up at Freezer, who couldn't help but give a charming smile, knowing full well he'd missed the sight of the people they used to mess around with. The only problem they faced was how everyone would remember them...

Lin decided to select the most closest individual to her kind. "Well, well if it isn't Arabella..."

Jaimie squeezed Arabella's hand as Lin greeted her, he recognized the two witches instantly and had to stop himself from staring daggers at them. He looked at Freezer briefly with hate, he still didn't take the resort trip they all took in school lightly, the warlock had gone crazy and Jaimie considered him one of the more dangerous monsters in the area. Forgetting that people still may have grudges against him, Jaimie didn't dig out his old enchanted dagger and bow for the occasion and began to feel unsafe without them.

Arabella handled Lin well, but he would just have to hope the pregnant Lin wouldn't take it the wrong way. She seemed to have the situation under control so he let his hand slip out of hers as he turned his attention to the fighting boys. Regardless of the walking burn kit that was his wife, Kalen was right, the boys' game could heat up at any time.

"Boys, can you play tag with the others or something, well, safer?" Jaimie suggested lightly with a smile.

"Why?" Rayburn whined. "We're having fun! No one is going to get hurt! He can't hurt me and I'm not going to burn him." Rayburn argued while shoving some more to try to get Arthur off of him.

"Fine! Uncle uncle!" Rayburn finally choked out as Arthur trapped him in a head lock, he guessed the game was over as his only chance of getting out of the headlock was well timed fire which, honestly, he was too lazy to deal with because of the repercussions. He was released suddenly and rubbed his neck. But he laughed it off and didn't seem disheartened by the surrender at all.

The two witches approached and Rayburn looked a bit like a deer in the headlights. The flames that tickled his dark red hair vanished as his nerves kicked in. He wasn't the most out-going of people, with Arthur it was different, because Arthur was, well Arthur, he didn't know who these kids were. There was a hint of distrust too, Rayburn wasn't stupid, he saw through some of the holes in his parents stories, he knew his father was a human and there would have been monsters that threatened him. Since he hadn't met these kids before it was only safe to assume they might not be as human friendly as himself.

As the boy, Falcon, spoke Rayburn relaxed, the stutter made him seem less threatening. With the initial fight or flight symptoms gone Rayburn smiled at the pair.

"I'm Rayburn, and Yeah I've heard a few stories about this place, my Mom and Dad met here and hopefully I'll go here one day." He responded with some enthusiasm. There was no danger in talking to these two.

Freezer laughed openly at Desmond when he saddled up beside him. "I can't say the journey was smooth, what with Lin's morning sickness and the children squabbling, as for letting them drive the teleportation...well I can't say we'd get very far with one wanting to go forwards and the other wanting to go back. That's twins for you."

On the other hand Lin was talking to Kalen and her eyes widened slightly when the human gave her a mixed handshake and light hug. She smiled anyway, her pregnancy bump getting in the way. "Yes I imagine we will be coming this winter as long as nothing at the council occurs. The improvements you've made only make it more inviting." She looked over at her children's to check they were playing nice. Her lips thinned at Falcon's stutter.

---

Falcon thought for a moment that the others weren't going to talk to him, they seemed panicked and one walked away but the flame haired boy seemed to relax after a minute. His parents met a the school too and he'd be going to Carnes too.
Falcon grinned impishly. "Y-yeah? Me and Elle too!" He exclaimed. "D-dad said wer-were gonna rock the s-school just like him and mum did. I-I bet our p-parent were friends."

Elle rolled her eyes at her brother. She couldn't imagine any of these old foegies being friends with her parents, without any display of their power she felt like all the excitement and build up had been for nothing.

---

Desmond gestured to his boy and said they should judge his sons strength for themselves. Freezer stopped and observed as Desmond shot a rather large amount of raw power at his own son. At first freezer gripped his hands together anxiously. Desmond's power wasn't anything to laugh about if you were too weak to defend yourself or understand it. He worried for the young boy, but it seemed the lad had a few tricks up his own sleeve and defended himself marvellously.

Freezer clapped Arthur gladly. "Well I think that was quite a show. I'm ashamed I didn't think of you training him up sooner Desmond." He gave the hircule a slap on the back and nodded at Kalen. "I wouldn't mind a sword like that myself. Where on earth did you get that." Freezer said that more to himself.

Desmond asked for them to pass their judgement. Freezer shrugged with a charming smile. "What can I say, the boy can hold his own. You must be proud, and quite out of pocket!"

Lin on the other hand smiled less sincerely. With a hand rubbing her bump she eyed the young human thoughtfully as he approached her son and daughter with confidence. "Well at least he'll be able to defend against magical attacks. How's his stamina? He can take more than one hit right?" Lin added to her husbands enthused reply.

Freezer hurried to Kalen and Lin's side where he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Well he's a young boy. I'm sure if he sparred with the children he'd get better, I'm sure Desmond has trained him to handle more than one hit, and that was a decent hit we just saw. I'm sure we can relax. We're all monsters here...mostly."

---

Elle and Falcon watched the display. It left Elle with her eyes as wide as saucers. Her cat eyes grew large and fascinated. That man could of been a friend of her parents. Her eyes turned to his son who had managed the attack. She immediately saw a good opponent that would be worth fighting. Falcon saw the twinkle in his sisters eyes and eyed the boy who walked back towards them. Great. Now she was interested.

Elle thrusted her hand towards the human like her father did to worthy individuals. "Elle Mackrell. I'd sure like to fight you..." She paused waiting for his name.

Amber shook her head. "I just don't think it's a good idea to tell them. Dad can have the same temper Kivan has, you know." Where else would hthat thought off as Demsons attacked his son, to show what he was capable of. As long as he could defend himself, she supposed, it didn't matter too much. Still, she couldn't imagine attacking him to prove a point was the best idea. At the very least, they all knew what the human was capable of.

"Well, it certainly looks like they can all take care of themselves." The small fire the young phoenix created, though, also held her attention. It was expected, she supposed; she was young and hadn't learned to control her power just yet. That wold take more time and practice. But she wasn't the only one, she knew.



Arlayna hesitated, clinging to her brother, as the older girl led them off. Sure, she had wanted an adventure, and yes, it would be a chance to make more friends, but now they were a little outnumbered. At first, it had only been the four of them. Now it was much more, and she wasn't entirely sure she wanted that. But still, she followed without much fuss, glancing around as they went. She had to be able to remember how to get back to her parents, if she needed to, right? At the very least, she supposed, she wasn't going to be on her own. And it would be a new place to explore; that didn't happen often. She hesitated when another asked where they were going; the boy that had been talking to them.

"...I want to know...where we're going, too...and...how far is it?" she asked, hesitantly.

Desmond couldn’t help but overhear Freezers comment on the sword as he watched the young boy return to his group of friends and he huffed a bit, “You and me both, but that blade is one of a kind, and unfortunately I doubt it would let either of us so much as hold it now… it’s found its owner.” He commented much as Freezer had – that is to say more to himself than anyone else. Aiden's comment, however, brought bout a more direct response, "Last thing that kid needs is more artifacts for him to cause trouble with..."

“Ahem, anyway,” Kalen coughed and returned her attentions to Lin, “You are practically glowing! When’s the newest addition due to make an appearance?” she began the pleasantries again when a nearby tree burst into flames, not that she was very surprised, “Woah! Light show.” She commented before returning to the pregnant witch.

Desmond also drew his eyes away from those with whom he was conversing and noting the tree bursting into flames, “Hello! That’s the good ol’ days.” Looking to Shad however he shrugged, “Well, we never really burned the place, just smashed up a courtyard… or three… and we certainly never destroyed an entire spa.” He added the last bit to Freezer but with a more playful note, not really pointing blame but more just reminiscing.

Arthur, meanwhile had returned to the group of children and Ashton torched a nearby tree trying to impress him. He laughed lightly and knelt as she buried her face with embarrassment in Rayburn’s shirt. Reaching out he patted her head, “Wow, Ash, you really got some fire in ya’ eh?” the tween chuckled as he smiled to the young and impressionable girl before standing and stepping back, letting Mrs. Knight talk to the young Phoenixes, and turning to Falcon whom he’d brushed aside, “Sorry about that, that was really rude of me… I’m Arthur Ruler!” he said with a smile presenting his hand to the young boy. The kids were getting along fine it seemed, at least all over the place, the two were children had met the vampire kitsune kids and lived to tell about it and Rayburn had lost to Arthur… again… so it was all going rather well, or seemed to be. The Gargoyle that watched on from afar, it’s head just barely tilted out of place form the perch it had occupied for decades upon the room turned it’s gaze away from the gateway, returning it forward to its original position.

But Desmond had not gone without noticing such creatures and as he caught the slight movement from the corner of his eye he looked back to the two before him with a more business like face. He’d taken notice of Aiden and Amber’s children earlier with a smile on his face but it was one held in spite of truth, the truth that they were much like his son in that they were some of the top priority targets of the Isolationist movement. And it was for them and others that this extra security was being activated. Freezer, Shad, and Desmond were all in a small grouping of their own, the others having gone about other conversations or actions just slightly away and so he spoke more candidly, “So much for a quiet reunion, eh? Here stand some of the most powerful monsters in the entire world… and still I wouldn’t be surprised if at any second the Isolationists came storming this place, trying to catch us off guard.”

As if on cue, such a commotion burst into life at that moment, though admittedly with a great deal less evil intentions that what Desmond had suggested, “Greeting, Alumni!” a familiar voice boomed form the school side of the courtyard as a good looking man, with blonde hair, and a name plate stating he was the Assistant Principal stepped out toward the groups, “It’s been too long!” Jacob called with his arms outstretched in welcome.