Time Skip II - Homecoming: The Returning
The remainder of their time on Chroma was filled with constant activity.
Meagan, in order to mix things up, occasionally tried to come up with new and inventive ways for the three of them to train. In the process, they each became stronger, faster and even developed new techniques.
In addition to training, Meagan kept her promise and continued to teach her students. Nearing the end of her time there, she singled out the most talented and gave them lessons in teaching. They would keep the others continually training and teach new students. In time, she fully expected that this would spread enough to make her people stronger.
Then there were the social and political events, meetings or other situations that required her attendance. Mostly she was there as a courtesy, simply watching and listening as others talked or argued. Occasionally one would ask her for an opinion, or even advice. When they did, she responded as best she could. It was hard to tell if they welcomed what she said, or if they were just being polite. Either way, it did not matter so much. They knew more about this than she did, still it was a learning experience.
In the final month of training, she made sure to visit the other city-states, to check on the progress of repairs and to reassure herself that they would be alright without her. Often she would take Cyanna and/or Dash with her.
One week before the departure date, Meagan finally brought Cyanna and Dash to the garden.
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Looking out over the flowers, Dash scratched the side of her face before whistling, "I ain't never seen so many flowers, inside a building before." She then looked up and saw the sky, "Guess it ain't inside after all."
Cyanna smiled as she took in the scents, "This place smells amazing." then she pouted a little, "Why did you hide this from us? We've been everywhere, but we never found this place before." Smiling again, "Is this Lady Iris' garden? Come on, let's go inside."
Meagan gave them a look, "Yes, this is Lady Iris' garden, so show some respect. Follow me and don't wander off."
It wasn't long before they reached the statue.
"Is that Lady Iris? She shore looks pretty."
Meagan nodded, "She was very beautiful."
"Wait, what do you mean by was? Sister, isn't she coming back home? I thought we were going to find her."
With a sad sigh, "I'm afraid not. It was a very long time ago. the odds of her still being alive weren't that great." Meagan then stepped up to the statue, "But she is still with us in spirit."
Placing a hand on the statue, "Lady Iris, I brought the two I spoke of earlier. I hope you will find them as worthy as I do."
She then stepped aside, "One of you, go to the statue and place you hand on it then introduce yourself to Lady Iris."
Dash looked a bit uncomfortable, but Cyanna moved quickly to do so, her excitement was evident. Placing her hand on the base of the statue, "Lady Iris, Hi! I'm Meagan's sister, well foster sister, but that doesn't matter. Oh, right, my name is Cyanna Tur'quoise and I'm 17. It's an honor to meet you."
"That's fine, Cyanna, now let Dash take her turn." Meagan then motioned to her.
Ambling up to the statue, she placed her hand on it, "Um, hello. I'm Rayne Bowine Dashiell, though everyone just calls me Dash. I'm not from here, I'm from Earth. I guess you already know that. It's an honor to kinda meet you and all." She then dropped her hand and backed quickly. Turning to Meagan, "Okay, now what?"
"Be patient."
Soon they all heard her voice, "[I]Cyanna Tur'quoise, you overflow with energy and enthusiasm. Yet you still lack maturity. Why do you fight?[/I]"
Cyanna thought about it, "Well, I wanted to be like my sister. I didn't want her to leave me behind, so I wanted to be like her so that we could be together. I mean, that was then. Now, I'm not sure what I want. Maybe I'm still trying to figure that out. But I definitely want to be one of the good guys. I'll probably never be as strong as Meagan, but that's okay. Until I decide, I'll just keep training and when someone needs help I'll be string enough to help them."
The voice considered this, then spoke again, "[I]Rayne Bowine Dashiell, why do you fight?[/I]"
"Well now, I fight to become stronger. My clan, they never thought much of me. Said my head was in the clouds, that I daydreamed too much and trained too little. So, I a, just wanted to prove them wrong. I kept training until I was string enough to enter the tournament. Then I met a guy, named Zaofan, and he showed me what real strength is. He showed me what it meant to be a true hero. Since then, I decided that I wanted to be a hero too, just like him."
After a moment, Lady Iris spoke again, "[I]Place your hands upon me once more. Do so and you will be Meagan's apprentices and mine as well.[/I]"
Cyanna nearly jumped for joy, but contained herself as she placed her hand on the statue. Dash, however, was reluctant, "I don'na know about this."
Turning to look at her, "If you don't, I won't." Cyanna smiled, "You said you wanted to be a hero, now's your chance. Come on."
Meagan then spoke up, "If at any time you change your mind, you will be free to give it up. I have come to know the both of you. If I had thought you weren't worthy, I would not have brought you here. And don't worry, next week we will be going to Earth. There is still much to be done before settling down."
"Yeah, alright, I'll do it." Dash then places her hand on the statue. As she does, the statue glows, then fades, "[I]I have placed my sigil upon your hand. With that mark, you will have free access to the Temple and all that is here. If the time should come where one of you inherits the position of Guardian, that sigil will be the gateway to the power that comes with it.[/I]"
The two take their hands away and looks at the mark. As they do, it begins to fade.
"That's okay, the symbol will be there for you if you need it." Meagan then bowed to the statue, "Thank you, Lady Iris." Cyanna and Dash also bowed, then the three headed back out into the temple.
One week alter, the Temple is cleaned and sealed up. The magic that protects it will keep it as they left it, no matter how long they are gone.
Saying their goodbyes, the three board the spaceship Meagan used to arrive on Chroma, and took of back to Earth.