Note: I've been thinking about this one for a while! And it's been so long since i used Seth this was so much fun to write! And Azera's here too! So this is my idea of Harmony...
We stood on a hill, just above the city and looked out over it's vastness. Giant skyscrapers mingled with quaint homes. Specks of people, or should I say Halfers, could be seen in the streets.
"It's real..." I couldn't help but whisper.
My friends stood staring as well. Nobody made a move. We crowded like a sea around the city, waiting. It just felt like we were supposed to. Nobody spoke, nobody moved. Sky was on my left, Ariel on my right. Kasumi was directly behind me. Asuka stood next to Ariel and Lucy was on the other side of Sky. Dani and Gray were on either side of Kasumi. The eight of us stood together, we the original group. This is how we started our journey, together, and now it was coming to an end.
"Sky..." I whispered.
"I know." She answered.
"We're here," Said Ariel.
All of our friends stood behind us, as they had for a long while. Even Tamotsu gave Kasumi room.
Then, before anyone could make any Rash decisions, a small group of what appeared to be people and animals alike were coming up the hill, directly toward us. Two stood out in particular.
"SETH! AZERA!" I cried, running toward the group and breaking the mesmerizing silence.
My shout of joy was soon followed by, "MOTHER!" That was sky. I looked over my shoulder to see her run and morph fluidly to greet her mother. I refocused on the outstretched arms of Seth. I crashed into him, almost driving him into the ground. He was real, alive, and with me.
"Io," He said soothingly, holding me in an embrace. The smell of smoke still lingered on his clothing. Whispering erupted from the crowd behind us. I felt hot tears roll down my cheeks only to be liked off by a slobbery dog tongue.
"Azera!" I squealed in joy, tackling the large dog.
"Hello sister." She said nuzzling my face.
I also felt a tap on my shoulder and looked up to see Kara. I gasped and erupted into tears again. Happiness was swelling inside me as a pulled my lost friend into a tight hug.
"Kara! You're alive!" I said. After a moment, I finally let go, looking around at my family. Kasumi was with a person I did not recognize as was Lucy, Ariel and Dani. Gray...he was on his knees, crying at the feet of a beautiful woman. The woman who changed his life. The Deer Halfer.
She gently pulled him to his feet. We were all met by those we loved, lost, or needed. The 16 of us stood proud, turned to face the others, the ones from the journey. We parted into two groups of eight though as one person in particular rounded the top of the hill. Maki passed through the opening of our small group and stood in front of us.
"Harmony!" She shouted, "Is Open!"
I felt a huge swell of pride and happiness and at that moment I transformed, letting out a huge roar of triumph, joined by Seth, then Gray. Slowly, the others began to do the same. I heard Ariel's fierce growl accompanied by Zero's. Several of the jungle cats were chiming in as well. I heard howls from the wolves(and Azera) and cries of all assortments.
When the cheering died down, I looked down to see Pierce Running toward Maki, catching her in an embrace that was sure to be bone-crushing.
I looked and the larger group was descending down the hill, to meet us. When Tamotsu spotted Kasumi he sprinted forward.
Then something unexplainable happened. The instant they connected, in what was meant to be a hug, he began to transform, dissolving away, but yet taking a new form. Kasumi let out a startled cry and I morphed back to a human and ran to their side. A blinding light flashed and resting in Kasumi's outstretched hands was a small but beautiful blue jay. It cocked its head slightly, ruffled it's feathers, then spoke.
"Kasumi...U look really big."
"TAMOTSU!" she yelled pushing her face into his feathers.
"Umm, Kass, that hurts! OW! KASUMI!" Her shoulders were shaking but I wasn't sure if she was crying or laughing. My question was answered when she threw her head back and began laughing with sheer joy, tears of happiness rolling off her chin.
I felt a hand take mine and looked to my right, expecting to see Seth. Instead there stood a strange looking girl with mousy brown hair, a dark brown jacket with fur around the hood, and zebra striped skinny jeans on.
She noticed me looking at her and grinned. "Hey!" She said.
I looked at her quizzically.
"Don't tell me you don't know who I am." She said in mock annoyance.
"Azera?" I asked in awe.
She nodded, still grinning.
"OH MY GOD!" I said hugging her.
......
After all of us had reunited with our friends and all the miracles of the day had been preformed, Seth, Azera, Sky's mother, the Deer Halfer(who's name was Gelda), Dani's sister, Ariel's old friend, Lucy's grandfather, Maki and Kara led the group proudly into the city with us at their sides.
......
*years later*
I sat in the Cafe, Tokine in a high chair next to me, waiting for my friends. Today was the tenth anniversary of the beginning of our journey. It had been ten years. Ten whole years and most of us were still living happily in what we had called Harmony back then but now referred to as Concordia, the city's actual name.
Me and my seven-year-old daughter were the first ones there so i gave her a napkin and a small pack of crayons to keep her busy. The table was set for 15, Me, Tokine, Kasumi, Tamotsu, Sky, Ariel, Seth, Azera, Kara, Lucy, Asuka, Ben, Zero, Dani, and Gray. Though not all of us were here from the beginning we tried to keep it as close to the original group as possible.
I heard doorbells chime and In came Kasumi, followed very shortly after by Tamotsu. She sat down beside me and Tamotsu took a seat next to her.
"Hi Aunt Kassy, Hi Uncle Tamo!" Tokine said looking up from her scribbles with a smile.
"Hi there Tokineee!" Kasumi cooed and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Tamotsu waved with a smile.
"Did you see Seth outside?" I asked Them.
"Yep," Tamotsu answered, "He said he'd be right in, just finishing up his smoke."
I smiled warmly, "Good."
Then In came Sky with Ariel and Zero. They sat down, greeted us and we all began to chat. Seth came int shortly after and soon everybody was here.
"AUNT DANIIII! DADDY'S REALLY STINKY! WILL YOU SIT NEXT TO ME INSTEAD!" Tokine complained to Dani.
"Hey!" Seth said pretending to be offended but he had a warm smile on his face.
"Hey Gray," He said getting up to greet his friend. Dani snuck into his now empty seat next to Tokine and began talking with her, being overly dramatic to make her giggle. The guys sat down again and we were all quiet.
Sky stood up from her seat and took a deep breath and grinned.
"Ten years have passed, but our friendship is as strong as ever. I hope we will remain this way for as long as we live. Though our journey is long since over, we continue the job we started. Happiness for all Halfers!" She finished with a joyous shout and we all joined in.
When she sat back down, Dani stood up.
"I have one quick announcement." She looked down at Gray with a look of pure love. "Gray and I are engaged!"
I gasped. "WAY TO GO DANI!" I cheered. And was accompanied by the others. She returned to her seat and we all began to order our food, arguing and discussing trivial matters as good friends do. Our lives were at peace.
When dinner was over I cleared my throat and said, "I have something I'd like to ask you guys."
"Go on," Kara urged.
"I'm sure you all remember how our journey started out. We were unhappy and wanted change. And look where we are now, look how many others we brought with us."
"Yeah," Ariel said waiting for more.
"I'm sure there are others out there that are just like we were." I continued.
"What are you saying?" Zero said suspiciously.
"I want to go back into the human world and lead them here."
