Project Lodestar - A KOTLC Fanfiction

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== Chapter One - Hypnotized  ==
Sophie plucked out an eyelash with her free hand as she leaned against Fitz. Her hand intertwined with his own. Last year, after finding out who her mother was, she and Fitz had broken up. When Sophie found out that her father was someone named Xeon Link, Mr. Forkle had agreed to let her put down Wraith’s and Squall’s names as her parents. Of course, Sophie had no clue who Wraith was, and Juline already had enough scandal for a lifetime so, they had written the names down as Wraith and Squall. 
The day Sophie re-registered was one of the best moments of her life. The next month, she started filling out her match packet, and six months later, she was ready to pick up her first match list. She knew Fitz still hadn’t picked up even his first after the two of them had broken up so she’d decided to surprise him with the news. The only people who knew that Sophie was ready for her first match list and who her genetic parents were were Edaline, Grady, Mr. Forkle, the Collective, and Biana. 
Sophie had told Biana the day she’d found out about her match list and Biana had helped Sophie set up a surprise for Fitz. 
On that day, Sophie had been wearing a teal dress that was long with a large, poofed skirt. It was flecked with silver and her silver eyeliner matched. She was wearing the teal heart necklace Fitz had given to her which she hadn’t worn since the day they had broken up. Her hair was in a side braid and she wore her Cognate rings. 
Fitz arrived at Havenfield in a shimmer of light and he looked perfect, as always. He flashed a small smile and walked over to her. 
“So, what did you want to show me?” Fitz asked. 
Sophie almost laughed at how nervous he sounded. The two of them had worked their way back to being close Cognates but this would be the last time that there would be any apprehension. 
“Follow me,” said Sophie and made a noise that sounded remotely like a giggle. 
She grabbed Fitz’s hand and felt him give her the slightest squeeze. She missed that. She pulled out a pink leaping crystal and pulled herself and Fitz into it. They appeared in a spot with a raging waterfall that sent flecks of water glistening into Sophie’s hair. 
She looked at Fitz and said softly, “There’s something I need to tell you,” 
Fitz looked concerned. “What?” He asked. 
“Well,” Sophie twisted her fingers. “I don’t know what’s going to happen after I tell you this but… I was able to register for the match.” she finished. 
Fitz froze. Then he spluttered. “I- what? How? Sophie. You didn’t have to do that,” 
Sophie’s heart broke at the way he looked almost shameful. 
“Fitz,” she said and he looked into her eyes. “Fitz, listen to me. I found out both of my genetic parents. I couldn’t tell you because- because my mother is Councillor Oralie.”
       Fitz continued to look at her. “Is she going to get removed from the Council?” he asked.
       “No. When I found out that my father was someone named Xeon Link six months ago, Mr. Forkle and the Back Swan decided I could register. They put the names Squall and Wraith as my parents’ first names and the Matchmakers registered me. Fitz,” she said. “I have my first match list ready.”
       “You’re kidding!” Fitz exclaimed after the words had sunken in.
       He picked her up and twirled her around. She hugged him tightly. Then, she reached up and did something she’d been waiting to do for the past month. She pulled his face closer and kissed him. His fingers twined into her left hand and he pulled her closer. When they finally pulled away, both of their eyes were glistening.
       “I’ve been wanting to do that for four years,” he told her.
       “So have I. So,” said Sophie. “Do you want to go pick up our match lists?” 
⇄⇄⇄
Fitz and Sophie walked into the Matchmaking waiting area and picked up their match lists. They held hands and went back to Everglen and up to Fitz’s room. Sophie and Fitz opened their envelopes at the same time and read the top ten matches. 
“Who’s your number one?” Sophie asked tentatively. 
“Say it together,” Fitz said. 
On the count of three, both Sophie and Fitz said, “You!” 
Sophie kissed him again. The two of them lay on his bed and Sophie hugged him. Biana came into the room and made a gagging noise as Fitz and Sophie kissed again. 
“Ew. Looks like Fitzphie is official then! Who was your number one’s?” Biana asked. 
Sophie sat up. “Each other,” she said. 
Biana smiled. “I figured. At least you two aren’t benign weird anymore but man, I don’t want you to start smooching in front of us all,” she added.
“Don’t worry, we’ll keep things private,” Sophie promised. 
“You’d better,” Biana threatened before she left the room. 
Fitz gave her hand a gentle squeeze and Sophie looked at him gratefully. Fitz and Sophie getting back together wasn’t the most shocking romance news though and no one thought much of it. They were a perfect couple. 
They, along with Dex, Keefe, Marella, Lihn, Tam, Maruca, Biana, Wylie, and Stina were waiting outside of Havenfield for the Collective. Mr. Forkle had hailed Sophie a few minutes ago telling her there was urgent news he needed to discuss with everyone. Out of nowhere, Mr. Forkle, Squall, Granite, Wraith, and Blur shimmered into view. 
“Thank you for coming, everyone. I am here to inform you all that we have recovered a very important memory from Fintan.” Mr. Forkle said. 
“What was it?” Fitz asked. 
“When the Neverseen got wind of Sophie and Project Moonlark, they decided to make their own child. We have found the location of a girl named Ilssie Ovenfeld who matches the exact DNA as the one in Fintan’s memory. This is the child Fintan created when he created something he calls, Project Lodestar.” Mr. Forkle finished. ‘
“Another kid with crazy powers?” asked Tam and he shook his head. 
“I can’t believe Fintan would do that to an innocent child!” Sophie said furiously. 
“You do realize he did the same thing that the Black Swan did to you,” Wylie pointed out. 
“Yeah, but Fintan’s evil!” Sophie defended. 
“How about we ask the more important question,” said Stina. “When are we gonna go get this Ilissie girl?” 
“Right now, if you are willing.” Mr. Forkle said. 
Everyone began saying they should be the ones to go and Mr. Forkle held up a hand. 
“I have already chosen who is going to come with me. Sophie, Fitz, Keefe, and Biana.” Mr. Forkle said. 
“Okay. I get taking me because I’m an Empath and obviously we bring Team Fitzphie but why Biana?” Keefe asked. 
“Because Miss Vacker can be our proof. If Miss Ovenfeld doesn’t believe us, Miss Vacker will be able to prove it.” Mr. Forkle explained. 
Biana flashed a smirk in Keefe’s direction. “Let’s not waste more precious time,” Mr. Forkle urged. 
Mr. Forkle pulled out a leaping crystal and held it up to the sky. When they arrived at the destination, Sophie took a look around. The houses here were large, white, and had neat gardens. 
“Would you and Mr. Vacker please track Miss. Ovenfeld’s thoughts?” Mr. Forkle asked Sophie. Sophie nodded and grabbed Fitz’s hand. 
Their Cognate rings snapped together as they both searched for any nearby thoughts. Sophie stopped searching when she caught wind of something nearby. She dug deeper and listened. 
A thirteen-year-old girl sat in the corner of an alleyway, shrouded in shadows. 
“I found her!” Sophie shouted. 
Fitz looked up and followed her with the others as she led the way down an old alleyway. In the corner, a girl sat by a dumpster bin. She looked thirteen and was curled up in a ball. Her skin was white and her wavy black hair covered up all of her face. 
“Ilissie?” Sophie called. 
The girl looked up in fright and with surprise, a blast of wind knocked them all back. 
“Ilissie!” Biana said and Ilissie froze. “We’re here to help! We’re just like you!” 
Biana stood up and vanished into thin air. Ilissie looked around in surprise before Biana reappeared.
Ilissie slowly stood up and said, “You don’t understand. I’m not- I’m not…. Normal.” 
“We do understand,” Sophie said. “I’m just like you. A group of elves-” 
“Ooh,” Ilissie said and she fell to her knees. 
Keefe ran over and stood her up.
“Ooh,” Ilissie whispered again. “I- I can… remember. I know it all! I’m Project Lodestar, aren’t I? But- I don’t want to be bad,” she finished in a small voice.
Then she realized Keefe was touching her and she backed into the corner. “You’re going to capture me, aren’t you?” she asked. 
“No. Do you remember who I am? Sophie?” Sophie asked. 
“Yes… the memories… they’re planted?” Ilssie asked hesitantly. 
“They are,” Sophie said. “By the Neverseen. But, you don’t have to be like them.” 
“Yes, she does,” said a familiar voice. 
Gethen. She had to run. But Mr. Forkle asked, “What are you talking about?” 
“Well, we can control Miss Ilssie here, now that you’ve brought the memories I implanted to her brain. We gave her a simple little elixir that will control anything and everything she does this morning.” Gethen laughed. 
Gethen snapped his fingers and Ilssie’s eye’s filled with black. 
“You’re a monster!” Fitz screamed as Ilssie’s face got paler. 
“No, no. Miss Ovenfeld is the real monster,” Gethen said and he laughed. 
Ilissie lunged forward when Gethen snapped his fingers again and grabbed Biana’s neck. Biana struggled and Ilssie sedated her quickly. 
“Biana!” Fitz screamed 
“Here,” Gethen said to Ilssie and he handed her a lavender crystal with only one simple facet.
Ilssie walked over to Sophie and whispered with menace in her voice, “Have fun,” For one second, Sophie saw the milky blackness fade to hazel eyes and saw Ilssie wink before her eyes turned black again and she lept away. 
“Biana!” Fitz screamed and Sophie hugged him tightly as they lept back to Havenfield. 
Edaline, Grady, Sandor, and the others were waiting outside when they arrived and Edaline looked around for Biana and Ilssie. Mr. Forkle started to explain what had happened and Sophie hugged Fitz goodbye who was going to Everglen to explain to his parents.
Sophie headed upstairs and threw off her cloak. She flopped onto her bed as Flori came into her bedroom to grab the discarded cloak. Flori searched the pockets and as Sophie was grabbing Iggy Flori asked, “Do you want this piece of crystal, Sophie?” 
“Crystal? I don’t…” Sophie started. She walked over to Flori and took the small chunk of lavender crystal from Flori’s green hand. 
“Ahh, Ilssie! You mad genius!” Sophie muttered as she studied the crystal. 
“Thank you so much, Flori,” said Sophie as she hugged the small gnome. 
“My pleasure, Sophie,” said Flori. “I’m guessing this has something to do with what Mr. Forkle was chatting about downstairs?” 
“Oh! Right! I’ve gotta go tell the others!” Sophie said and she ran outside. “Mr. Forkle! Guys!” she shouted. 
Everyone looked up and Sophie noticed that Fitz, Alden, and Della were in the group that was talking now. Della’s and Alden’s eyes were red but Fitz immediately ran over to Sophie and grabbed her into a hug. When she pulled away, she ran over to everyone else. 
“Guys,” she said. “Ilssie isn’t fully hypnotized!” 
“How?” Keefe asked. 
“When she took the leaping crystal, she came over to me and said ‘Have fun’. Then, her eyes faded for a second and turned back their normal color and she winked at me before she got hypnotized again. When Flori was looking through my cloak, she found a chunk of the leaping crystal!” Sophie finished. 
“So that’s where Ilssie and Biana are?” Dex asked.
“I think so!” Sophie exclaimed. 
“We’ll have to go on a rescue mission. Tonight.” Mr. Forkle decided. “Would Sophie, Fitz, Lihn, Tam, Maruca, and Marella come? I need Stina, Wylie, and Keefe to stay here with the Collective in case anything happens and we need backup.” He finished and Sophie nodded along with everyone else. 
“I’ll also contact Elwin and see if he and I can come up with a cure for the hypnosis,” Livvy added from where she was now standing with Della and Alden. 
“Now,” said Sophie. “Let’s get ready.”
== Chapter Two - Forgotten ==
       Biana opened her eyes and looked around. She was trapped in a cell and her ankles were tied. Another girl was slumped in the corner and Biana realized with a jolt, Ilssie. Ilssie was being controlled and was forced to sedate Biana. Biana supposed this was where Ilssie had brought her but it seemed as though the Neverseen had no use for her now.
       Voices drew nearer and Biana closed her eyes and slumped backward, pretending to still be asleep. 
       “We can take away the hypnosis now. We will get rid of Ilssie tomorrow,” said Gethen’s voice. 
       The footsteps drew nearer and Biana felt Gethen shaking her. “Wake up, Biana,” he said. 
       She opened her eyes and let Gethen drag her to a table where he tied her down. He pressed his cold fingers against her temples and she resisted the urge to try and run as far away as possible. 
       “Time to forget…” came Gethen’s voice. 
       “No!” Biana screamed. She squirmed and writhed as Gethen erased it all. She didn’t want to forget. She didn’t want to forget Fitz. Her brother. But who was Fitz? Who was Ilssie? Who, who, who? What was happening? And then… darkness. Blank. All wiped clean. 
⇄⇄⇄
Ilssie woke with a start. She was Ilssie again. She wasn’t a monster. She had helped Sophie. Sophie would find her. She would save her. Save Biana. Biana. Ilssie ripped her eyes open and then shut them quickly at the sound of voices. 
“Her memory is completely wiped,” said Gethen. 
“Remind me why we need to go to so much trouble?” A huskier voice said. 
“Because, when I erased it, I added… something extra.” His voice turned dark. “Something with a little more… pain.” 
“Ah,” said the second person. “And, Ilssie?” 
“Her hypnosis is gone. She will be disposed of tomorrow. Now, it is late.” Gethen finished and the footsteps faded. 
Ilssie felt a wave of panic. If Sophie didn’t come tonight, she’d be dead. And what did Gethen mean by wiping Biana and adding something extra painful? What did this all mean? Her questions were saved by a faint flickering light coming closer. A group of seven figures shoved into the cell.
“Sophie?” Ilssie asked. 
       The female in a silver cloak hesitated before throwing back her hood. Sophie stared into her eyes and sighed with relief. 
“Good. You aren’t hypnotized,” she said. 
“Yeah. Gethen completely removed it. I heard him tell someone else.” Ilssie said. Sophie nodded. 
“Where’s Biana?” A crisp, accented voice said. That must be the boy Sophie kept holding hands with. Just like she was doing right now, Ilssie noticed. 
“They took her away earlier. Gethen was just her a few minutes ago and he said that he had wiped Biana’s mind and added something else that would be painful. That’s all I know.” Ilssie answered. 
“I can faintly feel her thoughts but her mind is completely blank,” Sophie told Fitz. 
Fitz threw back his hood and followed Sophie down the opposite hall. A different girl threw back her hood and smiled. She had jet-black hair with silver tips, soft features, and silver-blue eyes. She held out her hand and helped Ilssie up. 
“I’m Lihn,” she said. 
“You weren’t there last time,” Ilssie said as she stood on wobbly legs. 
“Well, we wanted to keep that group small. But, this is a rescue mission.” Lihn said. 
“Oh,” Ilssie wobbled and someone caught her. She twisted around to see who it was. She didn’t like being touched. Another boy who looked like Lihn was holding her up by the waist. His bangs were gagged and the tips were also silver but his features were sharper. 
Ilssie backed over to the wall and then asked, “You’re twins aren’t you?” 
“Yeah. Is that a problem?” The second boy asked begrudgingly. 
“No! I mean, in the orphanage I lived in, my best friends were a pair of twins! Gethen erased me. Didn’t he?”  
“Don’t mind my brother, Tam. And yes, he did. You said you lived in an orphanage?” Lihn asked. 
“Yeah. My best friends were twins named Penelope and Cierra.” Ilssie said. 
She tried to walk forward and almost fell again. Tam caught her again and she tried to push away. She really didn’t like being touched. 
“Just let him help you,” Lihn said softly. “Why don’t you like people touching you?” she asked. 
“Because some people used to hurt me when they touched me,” Ilssie said quietly. 
Lihn reached forward and gave Ilssie a gentle squeeze. Ilssie wasn’t sure what to do. She had never had loving parents and this was her first real hug. Lihn pulled back and Ilssie let Lihn pull her over to the most heavy set figure. 
“Are you… Mr. Forkle?” she asked. 
He threw back his hood and she took a closer look. How could this wrinkly old man be an elf? “It’s a disguise,” Lihn explained. Ilssie nodded. 
Sophie and Fitz came running back towards them. Fitz was carrying someone else. A person. Biana. 
“Is she…?” Ilssie asked. 
“She’s alive,” Sophie said as she panted. “We have to leave though,” 
She held up a small bottle of Lucelliant and lept everyone back to Havenfield. Two figures ran over to Sophie and hugged her. A memory flashed and Ilssie realized, Her adoptive parents. The woman had long, wavy auburn hair and turquoise eyes and the man had ruffled blonde hair and icy blue eyes. 
“Those are your adoptive parents?” Ilssie asked Sophie. 
“Yeah. That’s Grady and Edaline,” Sophie replied. 
“Who are the other people?” Ilssie asked. 
“Guys!” called Sophie. “Come introduce yourselves!” 
A cute boy with dimples and strawberry blonde hair waved and said, “I’m Dex,” 
A girl with blonde hair said she was named Marella and the girls next to her were Stina and Maruca. She also met the Collective, Keefe, Wylie, Della, and Alden. Then, the attention turned to Biana. Two physicians went over and started treating her while Sophie gave Ilssie a few colorful elixirs. Fitz, Tam, and the physicians Elwin and Physic were bent over Biana. 
“Is Tam Biana’s boyfriend?” Ilssie asked. 
“Kinda. Why?” Sophie asked. 
“Because he keeps holding her hand,” Ilssie said bluntly. 
“Yeah, because he likes her,” said Sophie. Ilssie nodded. 
Ilssie chugged the elixirs and watched Elwin wake up Biana. 
“Biana?” Tam asked. 
“Who are you?” Biana asked. 
“The Neverseen did erase her mind then!” Elwin said. 
“WHAT are you talking about?” Biana screamed. 
Then she began thrashing around in pain and she screamed. 
“Biana! It’s me! Your brother!” Fitz yelled. 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” she sobbed. 
“Fitz and Sophie,” Mr. Forkle shouted. “Go into her mind and bring her memories back!” 
“Wait!” Ilssie screamed. “When you bring all of her memories back, I think it’s going to hurt her as Gethen said!” 
“Well, we need to get my sister back,” Fitz said. 
And two pairs of fingers pressed onto Biana’s temples.
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