Jaden stood in awe taking in the incredible city that the Rat's nest was. The massive doors behind him clinking as the massive gear and pulley system that operated them toiled away. The doors hit the ground with a massive impact that drew the attention of every inhabitant.

"The King has arrived!" A rising crescendo of shrill screeches echoed through the city like a wave as more of the rat people joined in. Once every inhabitant knew, silence reigned for all of four seconds. They had been waiting for this day all of their lives. They screeched in unison as they knelt facing Jaden. From wall to wall, ground to ceiling the air filled with a single unified sentence from thousands of voices: "We welcome our King!"

Jaden took a step back. Was that rehearsed? Everywhere he looked in the city, there was no movement, even the wind was still. Three crisp claps rang loud and clear throughout the city. The spell was broken. There was no idle chatter, just a well-oiled machine that had paused momentarily and restarted without a hitch; rats bustled and toiled, carrying out their business and what they needed to do in the most efficient manner possible.

A rat was approaching him in an elegant if rushed, manner. Jaden spared a few moments to take in the glorious view of the city. The passing of time had seen a once magnificent castle fall to ruin and disrepair. He could only imagine how beautiful the weathered and drab gray arched windows once were. Jaden envisioned the withered and decayed pillars which supported the current structure were once ornate and brightly colored. The weathered crests that appeared abundantly indicated just how prosperous the age in which this castle was originally built was. Gems inlaid in the crests still glittered faintly, only adding to how malicious the years had been to the foundation that the current rat nest had incorporated and expanded upon.  The rats had toiled endlessly; building around and incorporating the old castle structure they built a grand city.  Huge castle halls transformed into markets with peddlers of every good and service the population would ever need.

"They don't use money here?" the Liralau asked in shock, she'd watched the rats walking from stall to stall, noting all exchanges were in one direction.

"It would seem there's no place for greed in races that struggle just to maintain a foothold," Jaden replied, finally turning his attention to the approaching figure.

"A moment please," the rat stated hunched over as he heaved deep breaths.

"Take your time, that was a long run." Jaden replied casually, "I'm not quite done admiring the city, anyway."

"Queen will be happy to hear it is to your liking." the rat-man straightened himself up, "I'll take you to her when you are ready."

"No, I'm afraid that won't do." Jaden stated, "She can come find me when she's ready.  Instead, you're going to take me to my people."

The rat-man felt a cold sweat engulf him, "Y-yes, of course.  This way."

Rat Race: Unnamed Queen's Fixer.  A man ran ragged cleaning up after the Queen's countless blunders.  He abandoned the position of Queen's Advisor countless years ago when his wisdom fell upon deaf ears.  He's found it much easier to clean up the mess than to try to convince Queen to take more suitable action.  He works silently behind the Queen's schemes making it appear she's far more brilliant in ruling.

Jaden shook his head and dismissed the information.  "How long has this queen been in power?"

"Since the previous Queen fell ill and passed on.  That'd be... 11 years ago." Fixer replied.

"She must have been young at the time, and had to grow up entirely too fast," Jaden stated.

"We all grow up too fast." Fixer replied with a sigh, "The ruling family often passes power to the next generation by the time the child can think rationally."

"What age is that typically?"

"Usually 14 to 15, this Queen was an exception, she took power at five."

"...That must have been rough."

"You have no idea." Fixer shook his head.

"I meant for her." Jaden clarified.

"Ah, right, for her too.  Queen and the entire race suffered for it." Fixer had just shaken that cold sweat off, and it engulfed him again.

Fixer led them through a series of twists and turns through catacombs laced throughout the city.  "We'll get there shortly."

"Are we lost?" the Liralau asked worriedly.  Jaden raised an eyebrow at her.

"You think I'd get lost in my own home?" Fixer scoffed, turned and knocked on a door.

"Who'sh here?" Emily threw the door open, all dolled up wearing a fancy dress.  Jaden blanked, if he didn't know better he'd say she was royalty.

"Emily?" she jumped at him and gave him a hearty squeeze. "Where have you been little bro?  I wash worried shick!"

"Could have fooled me, dressed up like that." Jaden chuckled, "I bet I was the furthest thing from your mind."

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"N-never!" Emily averted her shining eyes coyly.

"You are missing something though," Jaden smirked as he looked her over.

"What?" Emily cocked her head to the side.

"The flower princess is missing her crown."

"Oh!  But... Anya...I don't know where she ish." Emily frowned.

"Not far," Jaden assured her as he scooped her up in his arms.

"Okay!" Emily's huge smile beamed.

"You don't mind if I lead?" Jaden asked, heading straight for Anya's room, which was the closest of everyone.

"So, not lost, just took the long way to get here?" the Liralau jabbed.

"It wasn't on purpose... there are new pathways carved out all the time." Fixer defended, "I swear we're living in a hive with the way it's turning out."

"Best to let me go first." Jaden set Emily down and opened the door.  He raised his hand and deflected a thorned vine away from his face. "Anya, didn't I ask you to calm down?"

Ja...den... Anya's calm and sweet voice had turned venomous, her body had turned into a living breathing weapon covered in bark and thorns.

"Let's go see Mother together." Jaden soothed as he entered the room, "and we'll all go back home."

Home... Anya gradually recovered her calm, and she swept her eyes over Emily.  That brought some relief to the Dryad, her body gradually discarded the thorns and vines.  Her hair returned to its fragile grass-like state.

"Mish Anya!" Emily tackled her, "I need more flowers to make a new crown!"

Anya frowned slightly.  I'm not in my territory, I can't...

"Soon," Jaden reminded, "now come.  Let's go see the others."

Jaden backed out of the room, followed by Anya with Emily riding her shoulders.  Some twists and turns, Jaden guided them through the swiss cheese of the residential area.  "This would be easier to navigate if this area was just wide open," he complained.

He pushed open the door to the infirmary, startling Queen and Alchemist in the process.  "I've said time and again, this room is off-limits; the patient..."

Jaden's cold glare silenced the alchemist.  "I'm here for my mother.  As thanks for stabilizing her condition, I'll overlook the fact that you attacked my people."

"And you are the queen?" Jaden's eyes betrayed no emotion as he looked her over.  On the surface, he did not react to seeing this woman whatsoever.  In the depths, something within him stirred, long unused emotions boiled into action.  He shrugged them off, but they'd already taken hold.

"I am." her heartbeat fluttered to his voice.  She turned to look at this young man before her.  Her voice caught in her throat.  She stood up from the chair she was sitting, clumsily.  She lost her footing and tripped.  An instant was all it took, she squeaked in surprise.  Her good first impression ruined.  She was on a collision course with the floor.

A gentle wind brushed past her face, a soft embrace stopped her descent.  A warmth she'd never experienced before filled her heart and started it racing.  Then it was gone.  He'd set her on her feet and backed away.  "Fate can be cruel, wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed." she pouted.

"I'm going to tell you straight.  I don't love you.  You don't love me either, the feelings you have are forced upon you."

She frowned.  "My feelings and my actions that brought us together may have been sparked by prophecy, but they are genuinely mine.  Don't reject them or me so casually."

He looked at her blankly, she felt herself getting devoured in his deep onyx eyes, "Do you truly believe they are your feelings?"

Her throat dried, her body refused to obey her thoughts.  It was incredibly difficult, but she managed to nod.  Jaden raised his eyebrow, slight emotion returned to his eyes.  Queen found herself able to breathe again.

"Very well,"  he stated and turned to walk toward his mother.  He wouldn't admit it, but she just earned his interest.

"What did you do to me just then?"

"I separated your soul from your body, took you to a place where fate and destiny hold no sway, where even emotions freeze.  You just confirmed they are your feelings."

"You doubted me?"

"You attacked my people, you're a puppet to the preordained, and you doubted they were your feelings as well; why should I have believed you, exactly?"

"I..." Queen had no response.  Why is this so difficult?  Why is he so difficult?

"Anya, do you want to stay here with Mother?  I need to go round up the others unless Queen will have them brought here instead?"

"Of course." Queen found her voice, grateful for the change of topic, and the ability to earn some favor with him.

That could have gone better.  A lot better.  Still, she managed to get her foot in the door.  Fixer nodded to Queen and left to make Jaden's request happen.

"We've been preparing a feast for your arrival, I hope you can attend," Queen stated as Jaden and Anya looked over Vivian.

"Yeah, that sounds great.  Sure." Jaden replied absently, "Is there any way we can get some sunlight in here?"

"Sunlight?" Queen's excitement over his acceptance, halfhearted as it was, was evident in her voice.

"My mother has an ability, she heals faster in direct sunlight."

"Interesting..." Alchemist mumbled to himself, "What other abilities does she have?"

"...Mother isn't for you to experiment on." Jaden and Queen both turned a cold glare on the rat alchemist.

"I want her to recover, not experiment on her!" Alchemist defended, but his words were hollow.

"Are you sure about that?" Jaden smiled, but nothing was comforting about it.

"Okay, I'll concede, I do wish to do extensive testing on her," he admitted.

"I apologize for the delay," Fixer stated after opening the door.  He held it open as Lulu, Molli, Evan, Bayne, and Daryl filed through the door.

Jaden looked them over one by one, after seeing Emily, Anya and his mother he was confident they were fine, but seeing them fine in person was a whole magnitude of relief higher.

Two additional figures followed shortly behind.

"Brains and Brawn," Jaden stated flatly.

"King," they saluted.

"..." Jaden chose to ignore that, and turned his attention back to his clan, "You all sure are dressed nicely."

"We have a selection of clothes for you as well..." Queen interjected, smiling inwardly that while he didn't accept being called 'King' by her subjects, he didn't reject it outright either.

"Anya, I know you're not comfortable here.  Would you like to return home?" Jaden asked.

Anya took a moment to look at each of them, the clothes they wore had accentuated each of their looks.  I'm still disoriented not being in my territory, not knowing what is going on.  But seeing everyone as they are now.  Seeing them well, and so beautiful, I want to dress up too.  I have a request if I may.  I ask that everyone stay where I can see them.  Not knowing is something I never want to experience again.

"That should be simple enough." Jaden agreed, "Queen, she'd like a change of clothes as well."

"As would I." the Liralau spoke up for the first time.  Queen glared at her, seeing her for the first time.  "I'm sure we can find something appropriate for you."

"Do you know each other?" Jaden asked.

"No." they both replied trying to put on a calm demeanor, Queen added, "But I'm sure we'll quickly become the best of friends."

Molli and Lulu looked pityingly at Jaden as he looked on cluelessly to the spark of rivalry that ignited.