The History of Smart-Boy, Arrow-Girl and Mr. Cuteface (by Fallon and Andalite)

## Prologue

Fly shook the bars as hard as she could. She was so mad that she felt she could break these bars off. “You’ve got the wrong person!” she yelled at the guards. “I didn’t steal it, that guy did!” *The sly snake!* She nearly yelled in her thoughts. *Stole what I wanted to steal yet I get caught when I* didn’t *steal it!*

The guard scoffed and laughed. “You’re an accomplice of his. Makes sense why you were so near to him.”

“I don’t even know the guy!” *Who would want to be partners with that sneak?* “Let me out!” The guards ignored her and walked away. She growled and paced around her ten foot wide and deep, twenty foot tall cell. “When I get out of here and find him,” she mumbled, “oh, he is going to regret what he did.” She grasped the bars of her small window that overlooked the town. “It’s a good thing I hid my bow and arrows before I was taken. I’ll need them.”

Birch sat against a tree near the market, looking peacefully rested with his eyes closed. But actually, he was listening intently to the sounds around him. Especially, the marketers. At the first sound of confusion and he’ll have breakfast.

But one sound managed to overpower the usual din and Birch opened his eyes. A tall, raven haired young man wearing a red coat seemed to be running away from maybe….ten soldiers, five of them probably Shapeshifts.

*Should I do something?* he thought.

Oak was running through the streets, Summer guards not far behind him. He glanced back, and immediately wished he hadn't. At least five more of the sword-wielding Shapeshifts had joined the group, already changing into various animal forms.

*Ten. Ten guards.* He thought, then he frowned. *Only ten?*

He stopped suddenly, using his momentum to spin towards the guards. "Only ten?" He said as they caught up and began to surround him. "*Really? Ten?* Now I'm just offended."

"Return the property you stole now!" Ordered one of the guards, a tall man with a beard.

Oak lifted his fist, swinging the heavy bag tauntingly. "What property?"

"Hand it over!" Growled another guard. *Well, he's rude.*

"What, you think I *stole* this?" He gasped, placing his empty hand over his heart. "Why would you think that? How do you know I wasn't just taking back *my own property*?"

"Ummm...Because it belongs to Queen July." The Beard said, after a moment. *Hmm, they don't seem very smart, time for some fun.*

Oak paused. "So, it belongs to Queen July, therefore, it doesn't belong to *you*, therefore if I were to give this to *you*, I'd be letting you *steal it*! How *dare* you! What do you take me for?!"

The guards frowned. "Uh...Just give it back!"

Oak smirked. "Okay! Catch!" He tossed them the bag. While they were diving for it, he ran, shoving past the Beard. His slitted eyes flashed with amusement.

When the guards looked in the bag, they sighed with relief. The Sunheart was there, shining and unbroken.

Oak shifted quickly, his skin becoming scales. No one would suspect a snake. And no one would notice keys missing from the bearded guard's pocket.

## Chapter 1

Oak stayed hidden most of the day. When night fell, he moved.

The prison was easy to find and easier to break into. After all, he'd broke out enough times to know the layout. He even knew the guards by name.

But they knew him too, so he had to be quick.

He slithered along the halls, the stone floor was warm against his scales, making him drowsy.

*I hate the Summer Kingdom.* Oak thought, shaking himself awake. *It's always so hot.*

Finally, he reached the cell block he was looking for. After waiting for the guards to pass by, he shifted back to human. The guards wouldn't come back for a few minutes. He had plenty of time.

Oak calmly strolled down the row of cells, sometimes nodding at a prisoner, his face never showing anything but mild curiosity.

When he reached the cell he was looking for, he dug out the keys. The door swung open with a screeching noise, but he knew the guards were too far to hear.

Oak slipped into the cell immediately went to the left corner. Reaching into his belt, he pulled out a dagger and began chipping away at the wall, whistling a random tune as he did.

"Hey, could you keep it down?" Came a voice from another cell.

"Yes, I could." Oak replied, before whistling once again. He smiled at the groan that followed.

Bits of stone and mud fell away easily until a hole was revealed. It was just big enough to reach into, and quite deep.

Reaching in up to his elbow, he felt around the large cavity in the wall. He had discovered it during his third visit to this prison, and, after confirming that the guards didn't know of it, began using it for storage.

"There you are..." He mumbled, finding his treasure. After shaking the rock dust off, it looked quite good.

A long coat, made of thick material, the color of ripe red apples.  It's long sleeves were perfect for hiding daggers in, and the bottom nearly reached the ground, making escapes look quite dramatic.  He felt in the pockets for a moment, checking that his items were still there.

Slipping it on, he left the cell. He was just about to leave when an angry voice yelled, "It's you!"

For a horrible moment, he thought the guards had come back early. But it was just some prisoner girl.

*Um. Forget that. It is a prisoner girl, with arrows. Arrows she's pointed at me.*

## Chapter 2

Fly had managed to take an Agell guard down and take his bow and arrows. It wasn’t the best, but it had to do until she retrieved her own. She decided to wait until dark to escape.

Before she got a chance, she had heard something and looked up to see the very person who got her in this mess.

She notched an arrow to the string of her bow and pulled it back, aiming for him. “It’s you!” she yelled at him.

He gave her a look of confusion. “Me?”

“Who else?”

“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.” he replied.

“*You’re* the one who got me into this mess. It’s *you’re* fault I’m in here.”

He smirked. “How do you know it was me?” he asked coyly.

“Don’t play smart,” Fly said with a slight growl in her voice. Her arms were tight, eager to let go of the string. “No one else has snake eyes like you.”

He put a hand to his chin, as if contemplating about it. “True.” He smiled at her. “So now that you figured out it was me….now what?”

She nearly broke the shaft in anger. She let go of the string. The arrow flew and hit the wall half foot away from his shoulder.

*Argh!* she screamed in her thoughts. *I knew these arrows were terrible.*

The guy sidestepped. “Quite the farewell gift, I see.”

“Would you like more?” she asked, notching two more arrows to the string.

“Was there a party I missed?” A different voice asked. “Bummer.” She looked down the hall to see a tall and lanky young man around her age with rainbow colored eyes.

## Chapter 3

Birch was curious about the commotion earlier and followed the young man to the prison. He even saw him shift into a snake.

But that’s how he lost him.

Birch would’ve been in complete confusion in the prison halls if he hadn’t heard an angry yell and followed the sound, hoping to not bump into any guards. He saw the same guy who he had been following and a girl in a cell with a bow and two arrows aimed at him. Being the perky jokester, he asked, “Was there a party I missed? Bummer.”

The guy smiled at him. “Hello.”

“Hi! So, uh…. What’s going on?”

“Let’s see…. I’m minding my own business, nearly got hit by an arrow from her,” he gestured to the girl in the cell, “and am talking with you now.”

Birch smiled. “Cool! So…. Need any—wait. Did you say you nearly got hit by an arrow?”

The guy looked at the girl. “Pretty dull, isn’t he?”

“Don’t change the subject.” she answered.

“…Kinda tense in here, isn’t it?” Birch asked, hoping to ease things down a bit, even if the other guy didn't look worried.

And to make matters probably worse, Birch heard the guards coming back. He noticed the guy had keys and snatched them, unlocking the girl's cell.

"What are you doing?" she asked in a calmer voice.

“Getting you out.”

“I’m sure that’s not necessary,” the guy said behind him. He sounded calm, but Birch could tell that he might be nervous.

And then a guard found them.

## Chapter 4

*Click.*

“Got it!” Birch opened the cell door and the girl rushed out, three arrows on her string already.

“You there! Stop!”

*Whoops.*

Oak didn't even need to turn to know who it was. "Well hello there Sunny!" He said to the guard in a pleasant voice. "And how are you tonight?"

"Great, now that I've caught you." Sunny said, lifting his bow.

Oak frowned. "Well, I'm sorry about this, really I am, but it looks like I'll have to ruin your night." He said. Without warning, Oak drew a dagger from his sleeve and threw it at the bow, cutting the bow string and leaving the arrows that were loaded clattering on the ground.

Without a word, Oak bolted. He didn't know if the other two were behind him, he really hoped the girl wasn't behind him, but right now he needed to get out, before Sunny-

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! Oak's blood ran cold. Sunny had shifted.

He kept running, not bothering to hide anymore. He shoved past guards and ducked under swords, but his real focus was behind him.

*Don't look back don't look back don't look back.*

Oak looked back. The huge angry rhino wasn't far behind him. On the plus side, the boy hadn't been caught yet. He caught the boy's rainbow eyes, and followed them up. Ah, the girl survived too. Her large white wings just barely fit in the hall, and she seemed to be flying backwards while shooting at the rhino, but the arrows fell off his thick skin.

"So, what's the plan?" The girl asked.

"Don't die." Oak replied, trying to think of an escape rout. The main exit was on the other end of the building, no chance of getting there. There was the tunnel in the basement, but that was still too far.

"Why don't we let him get us out?" The boy asked.

Oak looked back to tell him he was crazy, then understood. "That's perfect!" Oak and the boy ran to the nearest wall and stopped. The girl stayed in the air, frowning at them.

"Your going to get yourselves killed." She said.

"Or, we're going to get ourselves out." Oak countered.

The rhino came closer, never halting in it's charge. Not yet, not yet...

"Now!" Oak yelled, darting to the side. The rhino couldn't stop, and crashed through the wall, leaving a perfect exit.

"Goodnight Sunny." Oak said as he passed the dizzy animal, and left the prison.

## Chapter 5

Fly threw the useless bow and arrows away, when she heard a loud roar. She reached down and grabbed both boys’ wrists and pulled them behind her. They ran until the were on the other side of the village, hidden in the shadows. She let go of their wrists and pulled out her bow and quiver of arrows she hid there.

“Why’d you rush us?” The raven haired boy asked. “Things were going easy once Sunny was down.”

“Guess you’re not grateful I saved your skin from the lion.” Fly slightly snapped, crossing her arms. She raised an eyebrow at the rainbow eyed boy, who was slightly giggling. “What is wrong with you?”

“You didn’t figure it out that it was me who made that lion roar?” He asked, still giggling.

“Makes sense since you’re a Mimik.” the other said.

“So now what?”

Rainbow boy rubbed the back of his head. “Well, uh…. How about starting with names? I’m Birch Wood.”

Fly slightly smiled. “Fly Sharpshot.”

Before the other boy could answer, Birch looked at him and said….

“Oak Redleaf?”

Oak raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

Birch shrugged. “I’ve seen you come in and out here and there. How I know your name, that’s my secret to know.” He smirked. “Also, you seemed pretty popular in the prison.”

Fly narrowed her eyes, glaring at Oak. “Oh yeah…. The prison. Where *were* we on *that*?”  She slowly reached for an arrow.

“*Now* what’s going on?” Birch asked.

## Chapter 6

Oak smirked at Fly. "I think I made a friend."

Fly snorted. "I was put in that prison because of you! The guards thought I was an accomplice! And you stole the Sunheart before I could get to it."

"Well, you shouldn't have been stealing in the first place. It's illegal you know." He said in a scolding voice, even going so far as to shake his finger at her.

"Your one to talk." She said, readying the arrow.

"Hey, lets just calm down." Birch said, looking at Fly with slight fear. Oak lifted his hands in surrender, but Fly didn't move. "Okay, Oak? Maybe you could give her the Sunheart?"

Oak couldn't help but smile. "I can't." At a look from Fly he continued. "I gave it back."

"You WHAT?" Fly yelled, her arrow slipping in her outrage. "Why did you steal it if you were just going to give it back?!"

"It's a long and exhausting story, full of love and betrayal. I'll be sure to not tell you sometime." He said dramatically. However, his audience just looked at him with  equal parts of anger and confusion.

After a beat, Fly deadpanned. "It was for the coat wasn't it?"

"Yes, not that it's any of your business."

"Why would you give up the *Sunhart* for a *coat*?"  Fly demanded.

"Well why would you try to steal something that had *already been stolen*?"  Oak asked, mimicking her tone.  The growl he got in return made it all worth it.

Birch was pinching the bridge of his nose.  "We're getting nowhere here."

"True, but I'm having a wonderful time regardless."  Oak winked at Fly, and if looks could kill, he'd be dead ten times over.

Oak heard a faint howling in the distance, he strained his ears and winced.  "Night Patrol's coming."  He mumbled, before standing and brushing himself off.  He chose to ignore the fact that Fly followed his every movement with her bow.  "Well, as much as I'd love to stay and chat, I'm afraid I must go."

"Your not going anywhere."  Fly said, and she released an arrow.

## Chapter 7

Birch did one of the smartest, yet dumbest things he ever did. Reaching his left hand out, he stepped into the arrow’s path. He gritted his teeth as he felt the arrow pierced his hand. Oak covered his mouth to help stop him from screaming. Fly immediately set to work on the wound.

“Hurry,” Oak said. “I can hear and feel the vibrations of the Night Patrol.”

Fly broke the arrow and set to work extracting the arrow head.

“I can’t believe you would shoot someone at close range,” Oak told her.

“It was a warning shot for *you*. There’s still some time for you to redeem yourself. I’m just surprised that he was foolish enough to try to stop it.”

Birch rolled his eyes. He flinched as he felt the arrowhead being pulled out and something wet enter his wound. Whatever it was, it smelled sweet. Fly wrapped his hand with bandages.

“There.”

Oak released his mouth. Birch gasped and panted.

“Dude. That’s some grip you got there. You might want to ease it a bit or else next time, I’ll die of suffocation.”

“Well which one’s better: dying while your injured and in pain, or out of breath?”

Birch frowned. “Well aren’t you a little ray of sunshine.”

“How about we worry about getting out of here?” Fly said, looking around the corner. “The Night Patrol is only ten houses away.”

“You guys scat, I’ll distract them.” Birch said.

“Says the injured one,” Oak commented.

“It’s only my hand. It’s not like I really need it.” Birch thought for a moment. “Okay, maybe I do.”

## Chapter 8

Oak smirked.  "Yeah, it may come in *handy.*"

Fly rolled her eyes.  "I'm *really* starting to wish Birch hadn't stopped that arrow..."  She muttered.  Oak glared at her a moment, then gave a quick whistle.  Everyone flinched at the sound, and the echoes of the Night Patrol became louder.  "*What* do you think you-"

She fell silent as a golden mare appeared out of the trees, stopping near Oak.  "Hello Honey."  He cooed, stroking the horse gently.  He nodded to Birch to get on, before mounting the horse himself.

Fly stood, spreading her wings.  "I don't need a ride."

"I wasn't going to offer one anyway." Oak said cheerfully, earning another death-glare from the Agell.

They raced off into the woods, listening to the howls and roars of the Night Patrol as they went.  Oak didn't bother telling his companions where they were going.  One wrong sound could give away their position.

Soon they entered a thick wood, the trees grew close together and vines hung from above.  Almost no sky was visible, and with the leaves so thick, the lighting would probably stay the same night or day.

This was where Oak dismounted, still not daring to speak.  Birch and Fly gave him odd looks, but followed as he led them to a large boulder, far too big for any single person to lift.  Oak smirked at their expressions when he began to move it, revealing the 'rock' to be a hollow lid to a secret tunnel underground.

With Honey roaming free above, he led Fly and Birch down into a maze of tunnels, where he finally deemed it safe to speak.

"These tunnels lead all over the Four Kingdoms."  He said, conversationally.  "I don't know who made them, but they're abandoned now.  Except for me, no one knows they exist."

"So that's how you make all of your impossible escapes!"  Birch said, remembering some stories he'd overheard a few weeks back.  Oak's proud smile confirmed it.

After enough turns to make anyone dizzy, they reached a small shack.  It's walls and roof were made from mismatched boards and material and it's door was a bit too small for the door-frame.  "Yeah, I'm not much of a builder."  Oak said, as if reading their thoughts.  "But I do have a lovely collection."

Behind the shack was a large assortment of items.  There were weapons (with many, many daggers), clothes (lots of red coats, each a bit different from the one Oak was wearing), some food, and some random trinkets.  There were a few cloth sacks, bulging with objects that were likely coins.

"Fair warning: You steal from me, I steal from you.  And ditch you in the tunnels."  Oak's tone was playful but his eyes were serious.

## Chapter 9

Fly crossed her arms, looking around. “Pfft. Who would want to steal anything in here? It’s obviously a good place for a snake to hide.” She ignored the grin that crossed Oak’s face and watched Birch approach the front wall.

Birch lightly pushed the wall, which creaked horribly as it moved. “You obviously need help in fixing this.”

“You don’t say,” Oak said.

“I’d say about ten to fifteen, foot and a half wide with ten to fifteen feet high planks for the front wall. We could deal with the door-frame, probably just get five to seven, foot wide, ten feet high planks for the door itself. As for the side walls—“

“Sorry for interrupting you,” Fly said. Not. she thought. “But I think we probably have a little more important things to do than fix this…hobble.”

“Uh… What could be more important?” Birch asked.

Fly bit her lower lip and looked away.

“Okay!” Birch slightly exclaimed. “Oak, do you know where we can find some planks?”

“The lumber yard, but that would mean stealing the planks.”

Birch frowned and put his hand on his chin, pacing around. “What other way can we get wood?”

“The trees?” Oak pointed out, looking at Fly with a raised eyebrow. She only responded with a shake of her head and frown.

“That’s it!” Birch darted out of the shack without saying anything else. Oak and Fly followed him.

“You’re going to get yourself lost!” Oak called to him.

“Wouldn’t *that* be something?” Fly remarked. “If only *you* didn’t know your way around.” Oak gave her an annoyed “yeah yeah” face.

“That’s what you think!” Birch’s voice echoed back. “Wait… What’s this—“

A loud screech echoed and overpowered Birch’s voice, causing Oak and Fly to cover their ears.

## Chapter 10

Out of the darkness flew a large griffin. It's feathers were tan, becoming white on it's head and neck, and darker along it's wingtips. It's large black eyes studied them and it screeched again, the noise echoing off the cave walls.

Oak glared at it. "Back again?" Birch gave him a questioning look. "That griffin has been stealing from my stash for the past month."

"I thought you said no one knew about these tunnels." Birch said, watching the bird untustingly.

"Yeah, well, I can't very well keep the animals out." Oak admitted. "If I could, I wouldn't lose so many jewels. Don't worry, it won't hurt you."

Birch didn't look convinced.  "What do you call it?"

"Well that depends on what it stole."  Oak smirked.

The griffin made another loud noise and they all winced.  "I'd call it Screech."  Fly mumbled.

The animal stopped, mid-cry, and tilted it's head, the feathers along it's neck standing up.  Suddenly he leapt over to Fly and nudged her arm playfully.  Fly looked surprised and a bit annoyed.

Oak frowned.  "It doesn't let *me* pet it."  He pouted.

"He."  Fly stated.

"What?"

Fly rolled her eyes, the pointed at the griffin's beak.  "Hooked beak.  Means it's a male."

"I knew that."  Oak said, ignoring the doubting looks the others gave him.  "Well, *he* is *your* problem now.  Congratulations."

Fly tried to protest, but her words were muffled by Screech's head as he nuzzled her lovingly.

## Chapter 11

Birch was somehow trying to hide a smile as Fly tried pushing the large griffin's head away from her face.

"Knock it off," she said. The griff--*Screech* only rubbed his head on her back, squawking a little softer, but still loud.

“So where were you going, Birch?” Oak asked.

Birch widened his eyes like a light bulb turned on. “Oh yeah. Thanks for reminding me!” And he took off again.

“Seriously?” he heard Oak’s voice call as footsteps and wing-beats echoed behind him.

Birch turned a corner and ran smack into a door. He fell down with an “oof!” Rubbing his face he looked at the door. It looked ancient and seemed to have not been touch in decades.

“Birch, where are you?” Fly’s voice sounded slightly faint, but kind of close.

Birch looked around. It was dark, but not too dark. He felt around and noticed that he was in a small confined space.

*Where did this come from?*

“Guys? Oak? Fly? Where are *you*?”

“Birch! Answer or else face the wrath of Fly’s arrow again.” Birch heard something that sounded like a slap, for Oak slightly exclaimed… “What was *that* for?!” His voice sounded closer.

“No reason.” Birch heard Fly say in a calm tone. “Boy did it feel good though.”

Birch smiled at the thought of the expressions on Fly and Oak's faces. But he shook his head and started hitting the wall.

“Hey! Guys! I’m in here!”

“…Do you hear something, Oak?”

“Nope. Come on. He couldn’t have gotten that far.”

Birch literally heard their footsteps go by and he banged on the door. The door flung open and Birch found himself somewhere else that wasn’t the tunnel.

## Chapter 12

After wondering the tunnels for awhile, it became clear that Birch was missing.

"He better not have stole any of my stuff..." Oak muttered.

"*That's* what your worried about?!"  Fly exclaimed, Screech trailing behind her.

"It's *very nice* stuff!"  Oak said defensively.  Why did he run off?  Where did he think he was going?

Soon, they doubled back.  Birch was no where in sight.  Oak frowned.  "We couldn't have been *that* far behind him."

*EEEEEEEEEE!*

 The noise sounded like nails on a chalkboard.  Oak and Fly whirled toward the sound, and saw Screech dragging his talons down the stone wall.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"  Fly asked above the noise, hands over her ears.

Oak approached slowly and the griffin stopped, returning to Fly's side.  Oak studied the wall, he ran his fingers along the scratch marks.

And the wall vanished.

"Magic..?" Fly asked curiously.

"Very old magic." Oak agreed.  An old door stood behind it, still hanging open slightly from when Birch used it.  Oak peered through, not touching the door.  "Fly?"

The Agell came to his side and gasped.  Sunlight shined through the door, and the sky was a bright blue.  There were no stares leading up, but the door obviously lead to the world above.

Above, but not directly.  The trees were covered in ice, the ground was blanketed in white.

"Winter?"  Oak asked, half worried his time in the tunnels had drove him insane.  A nod from Fly proved him wrong.

Fresh footprints marked the ground, leading off into the woods.

Fly shoved past, the snow crunching beneath her feet.

"And where do you think you're going?"  Oak asked, following.  "The footprints lead that way!"

"I have a score to settle."  Fly's voice was as cold as the wind.  When Oak looked back, the door was gone.

## Chapter 13

Fly opened her wings and flew, stopping frequently to check her bearings.  *It shouldn’t be too far.*

“Fly!”  she heard Oak’s voice below her.  “What do you mean you have a score to settle?”

“It’s none of your business!” she replied harshly.  She looked to her left and halted, landing in a small grove of snow-covered, icicle-tipped trees.  She walked a few paces, holding her bow and arrow ready as she looked out of the grove.  In the distance, she could see the top of the battlements to the very place she was looking for.

“The Winter Palace?”  Oak’s voice said said beside her.

She yelped, and aimed her arrow at him.  Oak raised his hands up.

“Seriously?” she growled.  “Why are you following me?”

“What is at the Winter Palace that you need to settle a score with?”  he kept asking.

“I already told you it’s not your bus—“

Shouts in a distance were heard and Fly took to the sky.  Looking below, she saw a group of guards who were led by…

“Queen Sapphira,” she growled.  She dove and landed a few feet in front of Sapphira.

“Who are you?” the Winter queen asked.  Her blue eyes were cold and fierce but Fly gazed back at her just as hard.

“Where do you think you’re off to?”

“Is *that* how you address a queen?!  I’ll give you one more chance to call me by what I am.”

“What you are… is a murderer!”  She pulled back her bow and released the string.

## Chapter 14

Oak stood in shock as he watched the Winter Queen fall to the ground.  Obviously, Fly hadn't missed.

"What did you do?"  Oak asked, his voice shaking a little.  *She killed her, she killed her, she killed her...*

Fly's smile was cold, but triumphant  "I avenged my parents."

"But..."  Oak glanced at the Queen's crumpled form on the ground and felt sick.  There was no way anyone could survive that.

"But *what*?" She said, turning on him. "Don't start *preaching* to me about how *wrong* killing is.  You don't know what I've been through!  You have no right to judge me!"

Oak closed his mouth.  There was no point in arguing with her, not in the sate she was in.  He could very well end up like Her Late Majesty.  For now, it was best for him to keep his head down.  "I'm going to try to find Birch."  He said slowly, careful not to upset the armed girl.

"Birch, right."  Fly said, calming.  She looked at the Queen and smirked.  "Well, let's find him and tell him the good news!"

Fly was unusually cheerful as they followed the footprints, even commenting on how lovely the sky was.  Oak was officially terrified.  Finally, they came to the end of the tracks.  Birch lay in the snow, shivering.

Oak rushed to his side, giving the Mimik his red coat.  "He's freezing!"  Oak said, brushing some snow off the boy's skin.  "We need to get him warm."

Fly nodded.  "I'll start a fire."

Oak hesitated.  If they lit a fire, and there were Winter guards nearby, they could get caught.  But Birch did need warmth, and Oak really didn't want to set Fly off again.  Thankfully, the Agell didn't wait for him to respond, disappearing into the wood without a backward glance.

Oak turned his attention back to Birch, who was still unconscious.  *What am I going to do now?*

## Chapter 15

Birch slowly drifted back into consciousness, feeling half warm and half cold.  He opened his eyes to a bright light in front of him, wincing at it. He started to sit up.

"I'd take it slowly if I were you."

Birch looked around and saw Oak sitting near him, huddled up by what seemed to be a fire.  Birch raised an eyebrow at Oak's face.  Oak looked like he had seen a ghost or had a nightmare that wouldn't disappear from his mind at all.

"Are you--" Birch started in a hoarse voice when he heard humming and saw Fly come into view, pulling a freshly killed deer behind her.  She was unusually smiley as she looked at Birch.

"Hello, Birch. How are you feeling?” she asked, dropping the carcass and pulling her knife out to cut the meat.

“Fine,” Birch answered, giving Oak a confused look. Oak just stared at the fire.

Fly straightened up. “I’ll be right back. I saw a hut not too far from here. I’m going to check it out. See you guys later!” She hummed as she walked off, then Birch heard a flutter of wings.

Birch sat up, realizing Oak had his coat on top of him for warmth. Birch handed it back. “Thanks.” Oak took it without saying a word. “You wanna shed some light on what happened? Why is Fly so chirpy?”

Oak seemed to be in a trance of some sort. “She killed her. She actually killed her.”

“Oak? Birch to Oak?” Birch made a snowball and threw it at Oak’s head.

Oak shook his head, glaring at Birch. “What was *that* for?!”

“You didn’t answer me.” Birch sighed and held his hands out to the fire to dry them. “Sorry. Everything all seems to be wacko.”“You can say that again.” Oak said, his voice slightly calm yet shaky.

“Are you alright?”

## Chapter 16

Oak was about to answer when Fly returned.  Oak shook his head slightly, he'd explain later.

"You won't believe what I found!"  Fly said, smiling wide.  "It's...Well, just come see!"  She grabbed each of their hands and began dragging them behind her as she ran.  Only Birch noticed the way Oak flinched when she touched him.

She brought them to a small hut, only big enough for one or two rooms.  There was light shining from inside the windows and Oak could see the shapes of people moving around inside.

Oak dug his heels into the snow, trying to stop.  "I don't think this is a good idea, what if they find out you-"  He froze when the door opened.

A man and a woman with pale blond hair stood at the door.  The woman smiled at seeing them.  "Fly dear, are these your friends?"

"Mother,"  Fly said, causing Oak to frown.  "This is Oak and Birch.  They helped me find you!"

"How lovely!  Please, come in!"  Fly's mom said.

Oak hesitated.  What did Fly mean, find them?  She didn't know where her parents were?  And they just happened to come across them?

"Well, come on dears!  You'll freeze out there!"  The woman said, and Oak obeyed.

They were seated around a small table, Fly's mother busied herself with preparing warm food and drink for them, while her father passed around blankets.

They talked and laughed through dinner.  Fly's parents told embarrassing stories about her, her mother fussed over Birch, commenting on how cold he was and insisted the boys get seconds.  And thirds.  And dessert.  Oak was very polite, telling his own stories and offering comments when he could.

No one could tell how worried he was.  He'd made up the stories, giving the couple a chance to warm up to him without revealing any of his personal life.  He hadn't eaten a bite, secretly stuffing the warm rolls and sweets in his pockets to inspect later.  He had been watching the family all night, unable to shake the odd feeling that something was off.

Fly's parents insisted they stay the night.  Oak couldn't keep Birch and Fly from accepting.

With her parents in the other room, sleeping and Birch resting under a pile of blankets, Oak thought now would be the time to speak with Fly.  Choosing his words carefully, Oak said, "You seemed surprised to find your parents here."

Fly's smile grew.  "I thought...well, I thought Queen Sapphira killed them. That's why I attacked her out there.  But they got away!  Isn't it great?"

Oak nodded numbly.  "Great."

## Chapter 17

Fly slightly, just slightly, dropped her smile. “Are you okay, Oak? You seemed pretty quiet all evening.”

“…I’m fine.”

Fly shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She sighed. “I wish Screech was here.”

Oak looked at her, surprised. “Really?”

She nodded. “He wasn’t that bad. He was actually cute and quite fun to have around in that short amount of time. And I think he would’ve enjoyed it here with my parents. I think they would love him.” Fly looked towards the front door. “Maybe I should go get him.”

“No!” Oak lowered his voice as Birch stirred in his sleep. “You can’t.”

“Why not? He’s a part of the family now. I don’t want to leave him in those tunnels.”

“But that’s the thing.” Oak looked around. “The door that got us here in the Winter Kingdom disappeared the moment we went through.”

“Oh relax, Oak. You’re worrying too much. I can always fly back to the Summer Kingdom to get him. You’re welcome to come too if you want.” Fly went to the front door and opened it, stopping. “Uh. Oak?”

She heard Oak walk up behind her.

“What on earth?”

Fly and Oak stepped out of the house and looked around. The sky was bright not dark and there was not a single flake of snow around. The white snow, icicles, and pine trees were replaced with colors of red, orange, yellow, and brown maple, birch, and oak trees.

“Autumn?!” Fly asked, hoping that she fell asleep while talking to Oak and was now dreaming.

“…Yes.” Oak answered, shattering her hopes.

Fly turned around to go back in the house when she was faced with a large oak tree. “Where’s the door?! Where’s my parents?!”

## Chapter 18

A cool breeze blew, red, orange and yellow leaves fell from the trees and crunched under Oak's boots as he searched for the door.  Nothing.

"There's nothing here, we should move on."  Oak said.  "Maybe we'll find another door."  Fly looked frustrated, but nodded.

Oak picked a random direction and started walking, trying to cast aside his worries.  *Birch didn't come outside with us.  He's still with Fly's parents.*

*And that's good.* Chimed a part of his mind.  *They will keep him safe.*

"Oak, listen!"  Fly whispered, and Oak realized she had stopped.  The faint sound of laughter could be heard from nearby.  "Maybe they know what's going on."

Fly dashed off, leaving Oak no choice but to run after her.  Then he saw who was laughing, and he froze.

A young woman with wild, curly black hair was riding a white stallion.  She laughed as the horse leapt over logs and streams.  Her green eyes turned and saw him and she smiled.  "Well?  Are you gonna just stand there?"

Fly glanced between them curiously.  "You know her?"  Oak could only nod.

"Of course he knows me."  She said, rolling her eyes.  "He's my baby brother!"

Fly smirked at this, but Oak remained frozen.  "Your dead."  He breathed.

"Um, no, I'm not."  Oak's sister said.  "You gonna introduce me to your girlfriend or what?"

"Woah, I'm not his girlfriend!"  Fly said, but her protest was ignored.

"Uh huh, sure.  My name's Red.  This is Cloud."  She said, patting the horse's neck affectionately.  "And you already know my baby brother."

"Yeah, Oak never mentioned he had a sister."  Fly nodded at Oak, who was shaking his head as though he just woke up.

"Oh, now I'm just offended.  And why are you calling him Oak?  That's our father's-"

"Red!  Where are you?"  Came a man's voice from just beyond the trees.  He looked a lot like Oak, but his hair was curly like Red's.  When Oak saw him, all doubt and fear seemed to melt away.  He gladly followed his father back to a nearby cottage, and smiled as his mother, a tall woman with long black hair and a long red coat, hugged him tightly.

"And what's your name dear?" She asked Fly.  At her reply, the woman smiled.  "What a lovely name, please, call me Leaf, and this," She gestured to the man. "Is my husband, Oak."

## Chapter 19

*Hmm.*  He thought.  *Must’ve been blown open.*  He closed the door, just when Fly’s father Eagle opened their bedroom door.

“Oh!  Hello, Birch.”  He looked around.  “Where’s—oh!  Never mind.”  He smiled.  “I’m sure Fly and Oak are having a good time.”

Birch forced out a smile.  *I’m not so sure.*

“Well.  I have to run a few errands, but I think Sparrow won’t mind you helping her around.”

“Oh no he’s not,” Fly’s mother Sparrow voice said behind him.  Eagle sidestepped so she could walk out.  From what Birch could sense, Fly had her mother’s looks while inheriting her father’s personality....at least that was what Birch thought.

“He still needs to recover from yesterday.”

“I-if you don’t mind, Mrs. Sharpshot, “Birch started, “I’d rather help around than stay under blankets all day.”

Eagle laughed.  “You better let him help, darling.  He’s seems to be like Fly.  Doesn’t like staying in one place.”  He kissed her.  “I must go now.  I’m meeting the boys at the edge of Icebound Plains.”

“You will be careful?”  Sparrow asked worriedly.

Eagle smiled at her.  “Nothing we can’t handle.  I might send Arctic or Osprey back for a few things and a visit.”

“That’ll be good,” she said.  “They need to come home more often.  How’s Polar doing with his training?”

“I’ll find out.  Bye, dear.  Goodbye, Birch.”

“Bye, Mr. Sharpshot.”  Birch said as he left out the front door.

“So,” Sparrow started.  “While I get breakfast ready, do you mind getting some firewood out back, Birch?”

Birch nodded and headed for the backdoor.  Suddenly, Birch realized that it got extremely quiet in the hut.  He stopped and listened.  All he could hear was a crunching of something outside.

*Maybe Mrs. Sharpshot went outside,* He thought.  But I'm sure to have heard the front door. He reached the backdoor and opened it, widening his eyes.  *Great apples and acorns!*

## Chapter 20

Oak was happily grooming Cloud, all worries gone.  Fly found him and huffed.  "Please tell your family that we are not a couple!"  Oak laughed, a happy, carefree sound that surprised even him.  How long had it been since he really laughed out of joy?   Not cackled or snickered?  He couldn't even remember.

"I'm afraid once they've made up their minds, there is nothing you can do to change it."  He said with a smile.  "Looks like your stuck with me."

"Over my dead body!"  Oak's heart sped up suddenly.  His hands began to shake and a cold sweat broke out on his brow.  He felt scared and shocked and betrayed, though he couldn't figure out why.  He and Fly had both been joking.  So why were warning bells going off in his mind?  Was it something...something that had happened...not long ago...

"Hey!  Snake-Eyes!  Hows Cloud lookin'?"  Asked Red, coming up behind him.

Oak rolled his eyes.  "Cloud is fine, but tell me again why I'm grooming *your* horse?"

Red's smirk matched her brother's.  "Because I said so."

Fly giggled at Oak's pout.  "So, what were you saying about Oak's name?"

Oak stiffened.  No.  Not ready.  If he was found they would...what?  Why was he hiding his name again?  Something about a queen...or was it an assasin?  He couldn't remember.  Still, whatever it was, it had been important enough for him to change his name.  To adopt the names of his family.

Red seemed to notice his distress.  "Oh, nothing."  She said with that secret smile from when they were kids.  "Just a game we used to play."

Oak recognized the lie, and smirked.  She had taught him how to lie without getting caught.  How to convince others of things, without proof.  How to hide and wait and watch and never, ever tell one person all of his secrets.  That's why she and their parents were so good at their jobs. Whenever they almost let a secret slip, they would say it was just a game.

His family, the greatest spies in the Autumn Kingdom.  Not that anyone knew that of course, that was the whole point.

"Well, if your done with Cloud, I'll just put him back with the others."

"Others?"  Fly said curiously.

"'Course there are others."  Red said proudly.  "I raise horses from all over the Kingdoms."  She nodded to Oak.  "He's already claimed a young mare.  I call her Honey."

"I found you."  Said a voice behind them.  Oak turned around and saw Birch, covered in scratches and limping.  "We need to leave."

## Chapter 21

Fly was confused, and worried. *How did Birch find us? Why is he limping?*

“What happened to you?!” Oak asked.

“It’s not important,” Birch said. “We need to get out of here and get back to the Summer Kingdom.”

“What? Why the Summer Kingdom?” Red asked.

“Birch, you need to get taken care of,” Fly said. “Come on. Oak’s mom can help you with that limp and those scratches.” She reached to hold his arm, but Birch took a few steps back.

“Something’s not right about this. Don’t you guys feels it?”

Oak shifted uncomfortably and Fly held her arm, slightly avoiding Birch’s eyes.

“Uh… *Who* are you again?” Red asked Birch.

“Birch,” Birch answered impatiently. He looked back at Oak and Fly. “All this is wrong. I can feel it. I know it. Come on.” Birch turned.

“No.” Oak’s voice softly said. Birch froze and turned.

“What?”

“No,” Oak said again. “I’m not leaving.”

Birch looked like he couldn't believe his ears. “What?” he asked again.

“I’m going home, Birch.” Fly said. “I don’t want to leave my family again."

"You're welcome to stay with us," Red said.

Birch slightly frowned, and Fly felt a bit bad. "No thanks.” He looked at Oak and Fly. “Don’t come crying to me when everything falls apart.” He walked off.

Fly bit her lower lip and looked at Oak. Oak was just watching Birch.

“Fly!” a happy voice called. Fly looked around as an Agell landed and rushed over to her. His blonde hair slightly darker than Fly’s and his dark blue eyes sparkling with delight.

“Arctic—“ She couldn’t finish as he hugged her.

“It’s so good to see you, little sis!”

“What are you doing here? In Autumn?!” Fly asked.

“I was doing business here.” He looked at Oak. “Have you been taking care of my sister?” Fly wanted to smack the mischievous smile on her eldest brother’s face.

## Chapter 22

Oak hated to admit it, but Birch's warning had made him feel...odd.  Like he'd forgotten something.  Like things didn't make sense...

"We are NOT DAITING!"  Fly's protest broke through Oak's thoughts and he smirked.  "You really think I would date *him*?"

"Oh, now that hurts."  Oak held a hand to his heart.  Then he gave her a pitying look.  "You can't hide your feelings for me forever."  Her glare was enough to make him crack.  Fly was soon laughing with him.

By the time they calmed down, Oak had forgotten why he had been worried.

"Sooooo," Red said, rocking back and forth on her heels.  "You're not staying for pumpkin pie?"

Oak's mouth started watering.  "Pumpkin pie?" He squeaked.  Fly gave him an odd look but he ignored it.  Pumpkin pie was the only thing he cared about right then.

"You've got to stay for pumpkin pie!"  Red insisted.

"You've got to stay for pumpkin pie."  Oak agreed.  The only thing Oak liked better then pumpkin pie was apple pie, and at the moment, he didn't realize that if Fly and Arctic stayed, that would mean less pie for him.

"Fine.  One slice of pie, then I've got to get home."  Fly said.

"YES!"  Red's fist shot into the air.  "Now I can hear more about you and you're girlfriend!"  She shot Oak a sneaky grin and he rolled his eyes.

"We ARE NOT DATING!!!"

A few hours (and a few slices of pie) later, Oak and his family were standing outside.

"Thanks for helping me find my family."  Fly said with a smile.

"Anytime."

"You will visit right?  Don't want your boyfriend getting nabbed by someone else."  Red smirked.

"Not my boyfriend..."  Fly mumbled.

After a few hugs and good wishes, Fly and her brother were leaving.  Oak watched as they disappeared into the night sky.

And that's when everything went south.

## Chapter 23

Birch was wandering through the street of the village that was nearby Oak’s family. His hands were shoved into his coat pockets. He kicked a loose stone.

*I can’t believe this*. He thought. *They’re falling into this…whatever it is and not even knowing it. Now they’re ignoring me.*

Birch continued walking in silence when he heard something. It sounded pretty close. He looked around. “Is anyone there?” he called.

He turned his head to the left to be face-to-face with a large griffin head.

“AHHH!!” Birch fell back and slightly scrambled back when he realized that this griffin looked familiar. “Screech?” he asked hesitantly.

Screech cocked his head to the side. Birch was confused. In the street light, the only thing visible of Screech was his head.

*Where’s his body?* Birch got up, cautiously walking to the side and noticed that Screech’s head wasn’t attached to anything. *How is this possible?!* He then noticed that the scenery right behind Screech’s head, was different that the one a few feet away.

Birch closed his eyes and shook his head. When he opened his eyes back, Screech was gone!

“Huh?” He looked around but the griffin was nowhere. Birch put a hand to his head in confusion. “What is wrong with me? Am I seeing things?” He heard a clinking noise behind him and turned.

*Whack!* Birch fell down unconscious.

## Chapter 24

Oak was walking back home from the market, baskets and sacks of food and items in his arms. He was humming, it was a funny little tune that he couldn't remember all the words to.

He passed blacksmiths and bakeries and houses he had played by when he was small.  He listened to the laughter of children that ran by, enjoyed the crisp morning air on his face, not knowing how much danger he was in.

He let his mind wander to the night before. He'd found his family, after so long. Then there was...something that happened. Someone had shown up...warned them of...something. What happened again?

He frowned a bit, pausing. He was sure someone else had come, a boy. He'd said something...

*Oh yeah, Fly's brother.* Fly was back with her family as well, and, frankly, he was glad he didn't have to worry about her arrows anymore.

No longer frowning, Oak continued on his way. He waved to a few people as he passed them, not really looking at their faces.

If he had, he might have noticed they were all the same.

He was just reaching the edge of the town, when he felt an odd tingling in the back of his mind. He paused, it felt like he was forgetting something. He took another step and staggered.

Images flashed into his mind in a rush. Birch warning them that something was wrong. The tunnels under the kingdoms. The odd door that brought them here. The fact that his family were all dead. So many memories, he felt like his mind would bust.

Oak glanced around wildly, looking for an explanation. *This isn't right!* Cold fear gripped him. He turned to run, but the second he took his first step, the knowledge was gone.

He returned home.  Where those memories had been, there was now only a peaceful humming, a funny little tune he couldn't remember all the words to.

## Chapter 25

Fly pulled out the mouthwatering cherry pie from the oven and placed it on the windowsill to cool down, humming a tune she couldn’t quite remember the words to. She turned her back to clean up when she heard a slight sizzle and yelp behind her. She smirked and turned around, placing her hands on her hips.

“Just don’t know how to stay away from literally fresh-out-of-the-oven pie, huh Osprey?”

Her brother was sucking his finger where he burned himself touching the hot pie. His hair was just as pale yellow as hers, his silver eyes showing complete innocence.

“What are you talking about?” He asked, taking his finger out of his mouth. “I was only…observing it.”

She crossed her arms. “With your finger?”

He frowned. “So what if I like your pie so much, I can’t wait? Is it that bad to get an earlier picking?”

Arctic suddenly came crashing into Osprey, which cut off his sentence. “Did someone say p--oof!”

Fly leaned to look out the open window, laughing when she saw the way her older brothers were sprawled out in the snow. Sparrow came back with groceries in her arms, frowning at her sons.

“Honestly, I thought you boys knew better than that.”

“That’s why *I’m* the the *good* son, right Mom?” an Agell asked, coming from the opposite direction. His hair was really white blonde and his bright turquoise eyes gleamed.

“Polar!” Fly ran out of the hut and hugged him. She stood back, holding his arms. “What are you doing here?”

“Dad said that you came back, so I wanted to see my younger twin!” he answered, smiling.

Fly frowned and punched his arm. She didn’t like it when her brothers teased her for being the youngest…. But that was why she became so tough.

Polar rubbed his arm, laughing, as did Arctic and Osprey, who were on their feet and helping Sparrow. Fly smiled, but then felt something odd tugging the back of her mind. As she turned to go back into the hut, memories flashed in her mind like lightning: tunnels, a door in the wall, Birch telling her and Oak that something was wrong, her family actually dead... It was too much for her to handle.

She looked around, fear rising inside of her like a flash flood. *What's going on?! Why am I feeling this??* She took a stumbling step to the side, and all those memories immediately vanished.

Polar poked his head out the front door. "Uh... Arctic and Osprey are about to dig into the pie!"

Fly rushed in and scolded her older brothers, soon smiling as Eagle came inside. The family sat around the table, laughing and enjoying the pie. All memories that Fly had seen, were long gone and forgotten. She was softly humming a tune with words she mostly couldn't remember as she sliced the pie.

## Chapter 26

Wind roared past Oak's ears, causing his long black hair to whip around his face.  He was on horseback, Red riding just in front of him.

"Hurry up!"  She called over her shoulder.  "You ride like a three-year old!"  Oak stuck his snake-like tongue out at her, but said nothing.  He *was* a bit rusty.

He was just about to pass her when he heard a sound, almost like someone coughing or choking.  He paused.  "Did you hear that?"

"Huh?"  Red's horse slowed to a trot.  They strained their ears.

He heard it again, this time followed by a whimper.  "There!  Did you hear it?  Someone's hurt."

Red frowned at him.  "No....?  What are you talking about?"

"Help..."  Came a whispered voice.  It was a boy's voice, and it sounded familiar.

"I'm telling you, someone's hurt!  And he's nearby."  Oak said, glancing around wildly, but there were no bushes or trees to hide in.  Only large, open meadows.

"There's no one here.  Just look!  Where would they hide?  It must just be the wind."

Oak was getting frustrated.  He'd heard something!  "But I-"

"Just *listen*!  The only sound is the birds."

Oak listened, and indeed the human sounds were gone.  The birds were loud and clear, all singing the same song.

Oak found himself humming along, not realizing he'd been hearing that song all day.

He also didn't hear Birch's warnings, muted by the nameless tune.

## Chapter 27

Birch clenched his hand in pain as he held his side, blood staining his shirt and the grass underneath him. He didn’t know what happened. After being knocked out, Birch found himself in the grass, bleeding in his side.

*H…how?* he thought as he curled up tighter.

He thought he heard voices, but he didn’t bother calling for help again.

*What’s the use? No one listens to me anyway. Probably be better if I just died… No one would even care or notice that I’m gone. It’s always been that way. He closed his eyes. I’ll just accept my death.*

Suddenly, Birch felt soft hands touch him.

“Barely alive,” an unfamiliar voice said. It sounded slightly deep yet…familiar. But how was that possible? Birch went through all the voices and people in his head, but none of them matched.

“We’ll take him home,” another voice said. Again… The voice was unfamiliar…. So why did it sound faintly familiar to Birch.

Birch tightened his eyes and hand. *Argh, this is so frustrating!*

He felt his body being picked up and that’s when he passed out again.

## Chapter 28

Oak returned home that night with Red commenting on his poor riding skills.

"Really though, you've got to get more practice!  It's embarrassing!"  She said, snatching up a warm biscuit from the table and nibbling on it.  "What if someone saw us riding together?"

"They'd think, 'Who's that handsome guy?  Man, he's good-looking!  Oh, and there's a girl there too I guess.'"  He said, ducking as Red swung an arm at his head playfully.

"Be nice!"  Oak's mother said.

"Yeah, be nice!"  Oak smirked at Red, who stuck her tongue out at him.

As they sat down for dinner, Oak had a feeling something was off.  Like he had forgotten something important.  Something to do with a tree?  Or a fly?  Or something about a door?

Words from a song entered his mind,

*The door in the rocks, with magic around,
It knows what you've lost, and Something Something found,
The longer you stay there, the better things get,
Something you should stay there, Something Something.*

He could swear he'd heard that song before, maybe in town?  But for some reason, he couldn't remember all the words.

He shrugged.  *Seems like a happy tune anyway.*

 Oak didn't notice the way his family exchanged a secret nod at his thought.  And he didn't hear his father whisper.

"Almost got him."

## Chapter 29

Fly released her string, sending the arrow whizzing to the target.  “Bullseye.”

Arctic nodded approvingly.  “Not bad, sis. You’ve gotten better.”

Fly punched his arm. “We’re not Sharpshots for nothing.  It’s in our blood.”  As she said that, she pulled two more arrows out and let them fly, both of the splitting her first arrow.

“Okay okay.” Arctic said.  “You don’t need to show it off.  Not all of us inherited the whole sharpshooting in the family.”

As he went to go retrieve her arrows, Fly tightened the string to her bow, words to a song filling her head.

*The door in the rocks, with magic around,*
It knows what you've lost, and Something Something found,

The longer you stay there, the better things get,

Something you should stay there, Something Something.

*Hmph,* she thought.  *Seems familiar.*  She shrugged.  *Mother must’ve sung it to us before.*

“Dinner!”  Sparrow’s voice called out.

Osprey came out of the woods, grinning.  “Race ya!”  And he took off with Arctic and Fly not too far behind.

“Cheater!”  Arctic called to him as he tossed Fly her arrows and tackled Osprey down, both landing and causing the snow to fly up.

Fly landed and giggled, just to get hit by a snowball. She narrowed her eyes and smirked, getting a snowball ready. She threw it behind her and got Polar in the face. She laughed as she walked inside the hut, not noticing the secret nod exchanged between her brothers and mother.

“Won’t be long now.”

## Chapter 30

Oak woke up the next morning without a care in the world.  He ate breakfast with his parents, went riding with his sister, helped his mother make pie for later.  Everything seemed perfect.

Seemed.

Oak didn't notice that throughout the day, his family never let him out of their sight.  If he went to the market, his mother had errands to run too.  Out in the woods?  His father was hunting nearby.  Going to prank someone?  His sister declared herself the lookout.

And then there were the sounds.

All day long, in random locations, he could hear the sound of a boy in pain.  Once, the sound came from behind a large boulder in the woods, before he was distracted by bird-songs and forgot.

Later, he heard it again, coming from a house.  Red dragged him away quickly.

Then, at home, he heard it once more.  He glanced around but saw no person to make the sound, or any place for them to hide.  A whimper came from the air in front of him and he frowned, stepping closer to the noise...

...until his mother called him inside for lunch.

It was as if he'd never heard anything.  And that was exactly what they wanted.

However, they couldn't watch him all the time.  And that night, while everyone was sleeping, Oak was left alone just long enough to get a sign.

## Chapter 31

Birch couldn’t believe what had happened. When he came to that morning, he found himself on a bed, being taken care of by a long haired, light brunette woman. She had rainbow colored eyes and she smiled all the time. Later, when Birch was able to sit up and get some food in his body, a brunette man with rainbow colored eyes came in, smiling as well.

*Who are these people?* Birch thought. It was even more confusing, and creepy, when they both started calling him son in soothing voices. But it started getting even weirder when they came back in the afternoon, looking extremely different! The woman who was supposedly Birch’s mom, had short blonde hair and different rainbow colored eyes. The man, apparently Birch’s father, had slightly longer dirty blonde hair.

It was just too much for Birch to handle as the day slowly wore on, making him more confused than ever.

*My brain hurts ever more than usual.* He thought. And when he thought he would never see or hear the end of it, it was nighttime.

*I’m getting out of here.* Birch carefully got out of the bed, having to grab a nearby beam to steady himself. *Come on, Birch… You’ve got to get Oak and Fly out of this mess.*

Birch pushed himself forward, right into the arms of his “father”.

“Going somewhere?”

Birch jerked his arms away from the man’s grip. “I’m leaving.” He backed into his “mother”.

“What?! But we’ve been looking for you for years,” she exclaimed. “We can’t lose you again.”

*Rrrrooooaaaarrrrr!!!!*

The woman screamed and ran to hide while the man looked out the window to see where that came from. When he turned around, Birch was gone.

## Chapter 32

Oak had almost fell asleep when he saw it. It was like a window had opened in the air in front of him. And what he saw sent chills down his spine.

Birch. He was panting as though he had been running. He was talking to someone, a man. Oak's mind was flooded with memories as he watched.

"What are you?" Birch asked the man, seeming both scared and angry. He hadn't noticed Oak yet, or maybe it was a one-way view.

The man smiled a bit, Oak wasn't sure if the smile was comforting or threatening, maybe both. "I told you Birch, I'm your father." Birch shook his head and Oak stared as the man's appearance changed before his eyes. His hair became short and wavy, his skin a dark tan with freckles and his face rounded.

Birch seemed to notice too, backing away from the...whatever the man was.

"Oh dear," The man said with a little concern. "There's another glitch isn't there? That seems to happen a lot around you. No matter, you'll forget soon." The man glanced at Oak. "As will you."

The window shut and Birch was gone. Oak could hear his family shifting in the other room, likely coming to mess with his memory again.

Glancing around wildly, he found paper, a quill and ink, and began writing himself a message.

***These people are not your family. Escape.***

He quickly stuffed the note in a pocket. A second later, the door opened and his 'mother' came to sit by him. "Is everything all right?"

Oak opened his mouth to speak. Maybe he was going to demand answers, or ask about Birch and Fly's location. Maybe he was going to lie and play along. Whatever the case, he never got the chance.

A moment later, his memories were gone, hidden by the wordless lullaby his mother hummed.

Neither mother nor son knew about the warning in his pocket.

## Chapter 33

Fly was somehow having trouble sleeping. She kept on having small, broken dreams of two boys, especially one with rainbow eyes. She tossed and turned in her bed, frustrated she wasn’t getting the sleep she needed.

A soft knock sounded on her door and quietly opened. Sparrow sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed Fly’s back. “Can’t sleep, dear?” she asked in a soothing voice.

Fly nodded.

“I know something that will help you.” She started to hum.

Fly noticed the song sounded familiar and words burst into her mind like an explosion.

*The door in the rocks, with magic around,*

*It knows what you've lost, and Something Something found,

The longer you stay there, the better things get,

Something you should stay there, Something Something.*

As Sparrow hummed the song again, Fly’s eyes grew heavy and she soon fell asleep, oblivious of the smug smile Sparrow had on her face.

## Chapter 34

Oak's day went on as usual.  He woke up, ate with his family, teased Red, got teased by Red, teased her back, and so on.

He was out shopping with his mother in the market when he found the note.

Leaf was looking at some fabrics, while Oak had wondered off to check out the books.  He'd just found one he was interested in, a story about a thief, an archer and an orphan.  He reached in his pocket to pay when his hand found a piece paper.  He pulled it out and read the note with a frown.

He would have laughed at it, thinking Red was pulling a prank, if the handwriting hadn't been his own.  Only, he didn't remember writing the warning.  Why would he say they weren't his family?

And why was there fresh ink along the edge, saying:  ***They make you forget***  and  ***Fighting doesn't help***?

His heart beat faster.  Something wasn't right.  He glanced around the market, seeing his mother.  She was only a few shops away now.  His eyes landed on the book.

*Oh.*

He quickly added another message onto the paper.

***Don't forget Fly and Birch.***

He shoved the note back into his pocket.  He'd obviously found it before, he'd do it again.

When his mother called his name, his own instructions were forgotten.

## Chapter 35

Birch was miserable. His “parents” never let him out of their sight. They didn’t even let him take a step outside. He felt like he was under house arrest.

His parents kept on singing a song all day and it drove him crazy.

Birch was confined to his bed, holding his head in frustration, also due to a headache.

“Everything alright, sweetheart?” the sickening voice of the woman asked. Birch frowned and turned away. “Aww… My poor baby is upset. I brought something that’ll cheer you up.”

“Whatever it is, don’t bother,” Birch spitefully answered.

“Well. If you’re going to be this way.” She grabbed his shoulders and turned him to face her. Her eyes were sharp and fierce looking. “You *will* succumb to us.”

Birch tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. “You know, you’re a lot dumber than I remember.”

She tightened her grip, but Birch didn’t feel it. He didn’t even feel her touch. He reached to take her hand off his shoulder when his hand went through her arm! Birch widened his eyes, as did the woman.

“No!” she shrieked. “How is this possible?!”

Birch smirked and stood up, walking through her. “Adios.”

## Chapter 36

Soon, finding the note became a habit.  He would randomly reach into his pocket without any idea why, and find a paper that became more crowded with each glance.

***Don't let them find this.***

***Don't listen to the song.***

***Get out!***

And each time he read it, he'd have to put it away.  And he would forget.

Until one morning, he woke early and couldn't seem to fall asleep again.  His family were still snoring in the other room, so he decided to go out for a walk, alone.

About halfway to the market, he found the note again.  At this point, the paper was covered front and back with warnings.

And this time, there was no one around to stop him.

Oak bolted.  He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he had to get away from people.  And birds.

***The birds will make you forget.***

He covered his ears as the birdsong started, making noise to drown out the sounds.  His eyes scrunched shut as the song grew louder and more demanding.  Soon he was screaming in pain from the volume of it.

He was running blind, and soon payed for it.  His foot caught on a root and he hit the ground hard, his breath leaving his lungs.  He opened his eyes and froze.

The red and yellow leaves from the Autumn forests were gone, leaving the branches bare.  The ground was covered in white, reflecting the sunlight into his eyes.

He was in the Winter Kingdom.

He sat up, glancing around wildly, but every direction he looked was snow and ice.

Then he realized he was no longer covering his ears.  And the birds noticed too.

## Chapter 37

Fly was enjoying her time with her family.  She never wanted to leave.  Which was exactly what her family wanted.

They never let her out of their sights.  No matter where she went.  If she went to the village, her mother or Polar went with her.  Hunting or archery practice?  Arctic or Osprey would make sure she wouldn’t get hunted by animals, even though she could take care of herself, she loved the bonding time.

She hummed the same tune that she unknowingly was drawn to.

She was currently doing her favorite thing: icicle throwing. She loved looking for long icicles and throwing them at the targets.

She laughed as she threw three isles one after another, destroying the previous one either in the air or on the target. She laughed even harder when Arctic frowned at her and his feeble attempts to try to beat her.

Nothing could go wrong now…

Right?

## Chapter 38

The sound filled Oak's ears so suddenly, it caused him to stagger.  His hands went back to his ears, but he could already feel his memories fading.  It was like a fog was filling his mind, hiding his thoughts from him.

"No!"  He yelled.  He would not forget again.  Not this time.  If he wavered for even a moment, they would find him.

He couldn't think.  Any plans that formed in his mind were swept away by the song, and lost.  Oak did the only thing he could.

He ran.

He ran through the snow-covered trees, over the hills, past frozen lakes until his boots were soaked through.  And he kept running.

Through his fingers, he could still hear the birdsong growing louder, closer.  Once or twice, he felt he was going to pass out from the sheer volume of it.  How was it possible for something so small to make so much noise?  But he couldn't stop.  The birds were following him, and he wasn't sure what they'd do if they caught up.

He ran, and stumbled when he saw an icicle flying out of the trees ahead of him.

If Oak could hear himself think, he'd probably comment on how unfair that was.  Something along the lines of, 'Aren't insane memory-birds enough?!  Do we really need flying icicles too?'

Then he saw where the icicle came from.  *Fly!*  He was filled with relief at the sight of her.  She was alright.  Held prisoner, yes.  But alive.

Of course, she also had a sharp object, so, maybe relief wasn't the most appropriate emotion.

He wanted to tell her everything.  Help her escape her 'family' and remember.  But because there was still an angry flock birds singing violently behind him, he settled for yelling, "DON'T LISTEN TO THE BIRDS!  GET AWAY!  REMEMBER BIRCH!"  As he ran by.

Yeah, that didn't look crazy at all.  But when you're being chased by evil songbirds, looking dignified isn't really an option.

## Chapter 39

Birch was back to his normal self. His hands were in his pockets, and he was whistling the same little tune Oak and Fly were hearing, except that he knew the actual words, which he was singing in his head.

*The door in the rocks, with magic around,*

It knows what you've lost, and makes it seem found,

The longer you stay there, the better things get,

But if you should stay there, your life you'll forget.

He didn’t react when the scenery changed into the Winter Kingdom. He didn’t even feel the cold. *Well. Guess I need to find Fly and get her out of here.* he thought.

Birch was walking through some thick, snow covered trees when he was crashed into, falling back into the snow. The chirping of birds was annoying him.

## Chapter 40

Oak scrambled up off the ground.  *What did I hit?*

Looking down on the ground before him, he saw someone he'd feared he would never see again.

"BIRCH!"  He yelled over the birdsong, which was more like a loud screaming with a tune now.  "WE'VE GOT TO RUN!  THE BIRDS-"

Oak paused.  The birds...should have caught up to him by now.  He looked around.  "What...?"

A huge flock of multi-colored songbirds flew around them.  A few dived at Oak and Birch, only to bounce off of what appeared to be an invisible wall.

Oak carefully removed his hands from his ears.  The noise was almost unbearable, but his memory was intact.  "WHAT'S GOING ON?"

Birch shrugged.  "THIS PLACE DOESN'T LIKE ME,"  He answered.  Oak nodded mutely, staring at the circle of birds.

Then an icicle flew through the flock, easily passing through the barrier.  If Oak had been standing an inch to the left, he would have lost an ear.  Which would be a shame, he loved to hear himself talk.

"FLY!  COME HERE!  HURRY!"  The birds had noticed her.  The flock flew into the air as one, before swooping down on her like a screaming, feathery, rainbow cloud of death.

Birch ran for her, and Oak felt a wave of nausea as the barrier moved as well.  Somehow, the birds seemed louder, and his mind was growing foggy...

"No."  Oak said, darting after Birch and to the safety of the barrier.

As they neared the flock, the birds began to part, shoved away by Birch's wall.  After a few seconds, they reached Fly.

"FLY!"

Oak didn't know who said it, him or Birch.  Or maybe they both said it.  Fly was lying on the ground, her clothes ripped, her skin covered in talon-marks and feathers.  Her eyes were closed.   An icicle was clutched in her hand, and Oak could imagine her swinging it at the birds like a dagger.

Carefully, he picked her up, ignoring the 'tink' as the icicle hit the ground.  He looked to Birch.  They needed to move.

Birch gave a silent nod, but he hadn't made it three steps when a male voice called, "You're not getting away that easy."

Fly stirred at the voice of her brother.

## Chapter 41

Fly woke up on her bed, noticing how dark the outside was from her window.  Her mother was sitting on the bed, finishing bandaging her arm.

“You should’ve stayed with your brother,” she slightly chided her.  “Not go after two strange…and pretty decent looking boys.”

Fly sat up, slightly wincing.  “Where are they?”

“In the living room with your father and brothers,” her mother answered.

Fly got off the bed and opened the door.  If she was *really* paying attention, she would’ve noticed that Oak and Birch’s wrists and ankles were tied with thongs and sitting apart, on either side of the living room.  Birch looked slightly content, yet more worried, and Oak looked calm, but his eyes were darting back and forth from her brothers and father.

“Thank you for…um.  Helping me from the birds,” Fly said quietly, not recognizing them.  “Would you like any refreshments?”

“I’m good,” Oak said, his voice slightly shaking.  Fly looked at Birch, who now looked bored.  She ignored him. “Why don’t we listen to some music?”  She asked as she walked to the record player they had in the corner.

“NO!”  Oak’s voice shouted.  Fly turned around, confused.  Oak slightly turned red and cleared his throat.  “I meant…  No, thank you.”  Birch was shifting in his spot.

Fly shrugged as Arctic walked up.  “Oh you have to listen to it.  Apparently it’s a hit around all the Kingdoms.”

“I’ll get dinner ready,” Fly said as Arctic turned on the record.  She didn’t noticed Oak giving Birch a worried look while Birch now looked relaxed and calm, the worry that was previously on his face, gone.

## Chapter 42

Oak tugged against his bindings but couldn't break free.  When Fly left the room, Oak glared at Arctic.  "Why don't you just let us go?"

Arctic shrugged.  "I don't want to."  He said simply.  With a flick of his finger, the record began to play.

Oak shivered as he heard the opening notes of the song that had been haunting him from the moment he found that door.

As expected, his mind became foggy.  He could feel this memories slipping away...

And then snapping back.

Oak looked at Birch, who had shifted closer, allowing Oak to share the protection of his invisible wall.  *Got it.  Stick close to Birch.*

He glanced up at Arctic, who was watching them carefully.  Oak frowned.  "Do I know you?"  He asked, faking amnesia.  It seemed to work, because Arctic smiled.

"No, I just found you in the woods."

Oak tried to stand, his face full of surprise as he 'discovered' his hands were bound.  "Why am I tied up?!  Let me go!"  He said, even allowing his voice to waver.

He impressed himself sometimes.

Arctic put his hands up in a peaceful gesture.  "Like I was saying, I found you in the woods, your hands were already bound when I found you.  I suspect bandits."

"I...I don't remember any bandits?"  Birch said it like a question.  Oak glanced at him.  Birch looked genuinely confused.

*Not the best liar either...*  Oak sent him a quick wink, before turning his attention back to their captor.  He tried to cover Birch's relieved sigh with a wine.  "Well?  Let us go!  Or are you going to rob us too?"

"Rob you?  Of course not."  Arctic said, moving to untie them.  Oak caught the slight hesitation as he did so.

"The food will be ready soon."  Fly said, returning a moment after Arctic hid the bindings.

## Chapter 43

Birch was glad that someone knew how to lie and get away with it.  *Wait,* he thought.  *This is Oak I’m thinking about.  And even though we know each other briefly, he’s the type who can get away with mostly everything.*

He rubbed his wrists when Fly went back to the kitchen.  “Thanks,” he mumbled, making sure Oak was near him.  He noticed that Fly looked a little different though, but he couldn’t pin in his mind on what it was.  He had also noticed Arctic’s hesitation.  *Got to be careful.*  “Well we don’t want to intrude on your family time.  We can leave.”

“Oh, please stay,” Fly’s mother Sparrow said.  Birch had trouble shaking off the memory of her smile.  That was one thing he’ll definitely remember if they escaped from here.  *At least I now know that this is an illusion--wait…* *An illusion?!*  Birch was careful to not let his thoughts show.  Both Sparrow and Arctic didn’t seem to notice.

“You are most welcome here,” Arctic continued for his mother, crossing his arms.  “And there’s going to be a blizzard soon.  You won’t survive.”

Oak looked reluctant.  “Well…  We were planning to get to the Autumn Kingdom by nightfall—“

“We’ll stay.”  Birch decided, nodding ad slightly smiling.  “Thank you for your hospitality.”

Oak gave Birch a slightly confused, and concerned, face while Arctic narrowed his eyes at him.  Birch tried to remain calm.  Before Arctic could say anything…

“Dinner’s ready!” Fly shouted.

## Chapter 44

It took all of Oak's self-control and really great acting skills to keep from grabbing his daggers and blowing their cover.

Really, if he wasn't so impressive they would have died a long time ago.

Oak ate, calming himself with the knowledge that Fly had cooked, so the likelihood of getting poisoned went slightly down.  However, he couldn't help being suspicious of the tea served by Fly's parents, and was careful to only pretend to drink from his cup every few minutes.

Of course, Birch wasn't as unbelievably brilliant as he was.  He was very smart yes, but Oak was on a whole other level.  So when Birch lifted his own cup to his lips, Oak had no choice but to kick him in the shin.

"OW!"  Birch exclaimed, glaring at Oak.  "What was that for?"

Oak did his best not to shift under the 'family's' gaze.

"I remembered why we were ambushed by the bandits."  Oak lied easily, shooting the boy a glare of his own.  "That was for drinking that drugged 'milk'."

Birch paused only a moment before getting the message.  "But you said it would be fine!"

*Ah, he thinks I'm really drinking the tea.*  Oak said, decoding the message in a second.

"That was just so that phony merchant wouldn't know I was on to him.  Honestly, I'm surprised you can drink anything so soon after that."

Birch was catching on fast, because he glanced down at the tea in his hands and winced.  "Yeah..."

"Well, that sounds like an interesting story!  Why don't you tell us what happened?  You know, now that you've ruined the ending."  Fly said with an eye-roll.

Oak jumped at the opportunity, and began telling a grand story, even acting out some moments and dragging Birch into it for effect.

About three minutes into the story, Arctic and his 'parents' lost the suspicious frowns they had gained at the kick.

Yep.  Oak was just that good.

At least, that's what he thought.

## Chapter 45

Fly found Oak and Birch’s story entertaining and gasped, laughed, or narrowed her eyes whenever it was the right time.  When Oak was finished, she and her family clapped.

“I never would’ve guessed what an amazing storyteller you are, Oak!”  she exclaimed. He bowed dramatically, Birch clapping like he was bored of this already.

Fly stood up.  “I’ll get some more drinks.  After that story, it makes you really thirsty.”  She didn’t noticed the confused look Birch kept giving Oak when no one was looking.

Oak and Birch were helping Fly get some firewood, with Osprey sharpening his short sword nearby.  Fly noticed how Oak never left Birch’s side, and she was confused.  Why would he be so close to Birch when it slightly looked like that Oak could take care of himself?  She shrugged and looked at the amount of wood they gathered.

“There.  That should be enough.”  Fly noticed that Birch was getting closer to her.  “What are you doing?  Can’t a girl get some privacy?”

She noticed the perplexed look Birch gave Oak, who only looked at Fly with a charming smile.

“We’re just still unsure of everything after what happened to us, especially men.”  Oak added with emphasis.  Fly realized that they must be unsure of Osprey and slightly nodded.

“Well at least give me some space.”

Birch nodded and only took one step back.  Fly frowned.

“You didn’t say how far.”

## Chapter 46

Oak smirked at Birch's comment (and Fly's glare), but was inwardly worrying. *Why isn't Birch's wall working? Fly has got to be in range...*

He studied her face casually, checking for any hint of fear or confusion. Nothing.

*What am I missing? It worked with me...*

*...When I was already remembering.*

 His slitted eyes darted toward Osprey, who was still laughing at some of the finer points of Oak's story. Oak went through the day in his mind, Fly had never been alone. Someone from her 'family' was always with her, likely wiping her memory if she appeared to have doubts.

*So we just need to get her alone...*

Yeah, because that'll be a piece of pie.

An idea entered Oak's head and he began looking at Fly more obviously, allowing a small smile onto his face and tilting his head so the light caught his eyes just right.

*Thus far, all the 'people' have been hinting at it, they likely think it would help us get comfortable here. Why not play along? Maybe that will make them more trusting around me.*

Fly caught his eye and frowned a bit. "Why are you staring at me?"

Oak didn't break eye contact. "My apologies, I just hadn't realized how beautiful you are before now." He said, his voice as sweet as honey.

Birch's eyes went wide. He looked like he was in fear for Oak's life. Thank goodness Fly's bow was no where in sight.

Fly blinked in surprise, then glanced at the ground in a very un-Fly-like way, her cheeks pink. "Oh..." She murmured.

We need to get her out of here. Fast. *Oak thought.* This...whatever it is, is hitting her hard.

"Of course, it could be because of your amazing cooking. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, as my mother says." Oak continued, watching as Fly's blush deepened.

"I...It wasn't that great..." Fly denied modestly.

Osprey laughed loudly. "Oh come on! He's complimenting your cooking! Say 'Thank you' and ask him out!"

Fly looked like she wanted to smack her brother, but a glance Oak forced her to calm herself.

Oak had to keep himself from smiling with glee. He was so dead when she snapped out of it. But it was worth it! Oh, Fly was never going to hear the end of this!

"Does this mean I have your blessing?" Oak asked Osprey, who was smirking at the look on Fly's face. His tone hinted that he was only half-joking.

"You bet!" Osprey said, and Oak pretended not to see Fly's parents share a triumphant glance.

## Chapter 47

Birch was still staring at Oak like he wanted to die right away. *What. Is. He. Thinking?!*

But… Huh. Odd. Fly didn’t look like she wanted to kill Oak. Birch gave Oak a perplexed face. *Uh…*

Oak only returned his confusion with a charming smile which made Birch even more confused.

Oak offered his arm to Fly. “Shall we then? What’s the best place in the Winter Kingdom for a nice dinner?”

Birch just wanted to grab something hard and hit himself in the head for fear of going crazy and losing his mind. Fly had blushed even more as she slipped her arm under Oak’s.

“There is a nice place in a village nearby,” she said timidly.

Birch raised an eyebrow. Was it just him or did Fly look younger than before, plus…when was she ever shy and timid?!

*I am soooooooooo confused.* Birch frowned when Oak winked at him as he followed both of them away from the cottage. It didn’t help with that wink if he didn’t know what was going on.

He followed Oak and Fly like a pouty little boy, wondering what Oak had planned. When they were about three snow hills away from the cottage, Oak stopped, causing Birch to bump into him. As Birch backed up, rubbing his head…

“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!” A waaaaaaaaay to familiar voice screamed. Birch opened his eyes and widened them when he saw Fly on top of Oak, her face red with anger. Birch only reacted by instinct and lunged at Fly, pushing her off Oak and tumbling in the snow with her.

## Chapter 48

Oak sat up so quickly he felt dizzy.  Birch was trying to hold down a flailing Fly.  The Mimik put a hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming.

"Ow!"

Apparently, Fly didn't like that, if the bite mark on Birch's hand said anything about it.

"What are you DOING?!"  Fly demanded again and Oak moved as close as he dared, while remaining out of reach of course.

"Quiet!  The...*things*...will hear you!"

Fly glared at Oak in a way that left him feeling both terrified and relieved.

"You do remember them, don't you?"  Oak asked, worried.  Fly hesitated only a moment before giving a sharp nod.

"Get off."  She ordered.  Birch released her limbs slowly, only to get punched in the shoulder.  "That's for tackling me."  She said as he fell on the ground.

Oak made sure he was *waaaaaay* out of reach.  Just in case.

"What took you both so long?"  Fly asked with a frown.

Oak looked to Birch, hoping he would explain (and take the rest of her wrath), but the boy waved a hand at him in a 'Nope, I'm done' sort of way.  Oak sighed.

"Well, you weren't the only one who got trapped by those...whatever they ares.  After you left, I started forgetting.  I don't even know what happened to Birch."

Birch shuddered.  "It wasn't fun."

"So how do we get out?"  Fly asked.

The boys glanced at each other.  "Uhhh..."

Fly rolled her eyes with a growl and began pacing back and forth.  Oak may or may not have used Birch as a human shield when she got too close.

"The door!"  Birch said.  "We just have to find the door!"

Oak nodded.  "He's right."

"Didn't the door vanish after we entered?"  Fly pointed out.

"She's right."  Oak agreed.

"Well, this place is full of weird stuff, illusions and such, it's likely just hidden."  Birch pointed out.

"He's right."  Oak said.

"But we can't use it if we can't find it."  Fly argued.

"She's right."

"Cut it out!"  Fly yelled, making Birch jump and Oak smirk.

"Oh, that's not a very good attitude.  See if I ask you out again!"  Oak grinned and ducked out of the way of her fist.