InuYasha Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Minds, Shattered Hearts ❯ Plots ( Chapter 11 )

I watched as he sighed, then sat down, staff stuck into the ground, head resting on it. “She told me everything. Well, she showed me most of it. The rest of it is just there, like memories that belong to someone else.”

 

I remained standing, and just listened.

 

“This Unicorn—our ancestor—she is Moridiko. She showed me what happened at Patternfall, and everything leading up to it. I know what they did to you. Not just your siblings, but that Dara woman. She certainly was a beauty!” His eyes glazed over, thinking about that bitch of a woman.

 

“Go on.” I urged.

 

“Of course. She told me what the Jewel really was, and what Brand intends for it. He is going to complete it, and then feed it to the Serpent of Chaos. If he does that, then all of Amber will fall.”

 

I had suspected as much. Knowing it for sure, though, certainly put a heavy weight on my shoulders and in my gut. I could not let Brand destroy the Immortal City.

 

He continued after a moment, his voice darkening. “She spoke of another like herself. A second Pattern. Do you know anything of it?”

 

I took a seat facing him. “I do know of it. I am its creator, the same way Dworkin is of Amber.” I felt as if he was examining me, seeing how far to trust me.

 

He nodded. “She explained as much, indicating that without her medallion, her Heart, all of Amber is weakened. She told me to walk this other as well.” He looked as if someone had just struck him. “Corwin, does Brand know about your Pattern?”

 

“Yes, he does. He was there when I made it.” I didn't understand where he was going with this.

 

“Do you think it possible that he would try to destroy not just Amber, but this other world as well?”

 

Oh, shit. “What else did she tell you?” I probed.

 

He hesitated. “I am your grandson, but also your brother. I am unsure of how I feel about that, exactly.”

 

I had to chuckle at that. “Think of it this way—you're stronger in the Pattern than I am. I wonder: our father was able to shapeshift; do you know if you are capable? It would be a great boon to us.”

 

“She spoke nothing about my abilities, save for telling me that I must figure out on my own what I can do. I will try, though.”

 

I waited, and watched. His face screwed up in concentration, and I let out an excited gasp when his features began to waiver. Soon, I stared into the eyes of an exact replica of a lady—she looked a lot like me, though somewhat like Deirdre. I couldn't help the gasp that escaped. She was beautiful.

 

“This is what my mother looked like, or at least, how I remember her. I may be biased, though. I tend to like pretty women.” The voice was soft, and feminine, but held a little spice in it.

 

Almost immediately, he reverted back to his normal appearance. I wondered how hard it was, and if, using the powers of my pattern, if I could shapeshift. I tried, to no avail.

 

“The Unicorn also showed me how to free her body from the statue in the cave. I will need Fiona's help with that.”

 

I nodded. “I can see that easily. She is the best Sorceress among us. Just, don't get her mad, okay?”

 

“What happens if I do?” he asked warily.

 

“Let's just say… her power rivals that of both Brand and Oberon. She was the one that helped mastermind the plot to get rid of Dad in the first place, and she was essential in banishing our brother into the Abyss. Unfortunately, it proved not enough to keep him dead.”

 

“I see. Good to know.”

 

“Is there anything else of up-most importance; if not, we should head back—the other might worry if we are gone overlong.”

 

“Other than I think we should hurry, no… Oh, wait—She mentioned something about a Ghost?”

 

“A ghost? Like a spirit?” This was new.

 

“No, something related to your son, Merlin. She said I should consult a think called Ghost… She implied it might be able to help us. Do you know about what I am speaking?”

 

I nodded. “I believe She's referring to Ghostwheel, a thing my son created, and it turned sentient. One could think of it as my grandson.” I chuckled. “It calls him `Dad'.”

 

“What exactly is it… or him?” He looked utterly confused.

 

“Ghost is a machine on a distant Shadow that monitors other Shadows. It's almost like a video encyclopedia of all of the Shadows, and it can act as a Trump. It also acts like a teenager sometimes, though.”

 

“How could it help?”

 

“I don't know exactly, but Merlin would know.”

 

He nodded. “We shall make it a point to ask… Oh, and, She said something else—it confuses me. She said not to trust relatives unless there is no other choice, and even then to be wary. I had the impression from Her and from Flora that things had gotten quite a bit calmer since Patternfall. Why the warning?”

 

I laughed, then. “Do not be naïve. Do not think we do not plot and scheme, even in peaceful times. I am convinced some of us plot in our sleep. Be cordial, be polite, do not let any of us Amberites see your fears—they will be acted on and used against you. Also, always keep your mind working. If you want to survive, this will become instinct to you. Even when I was stranded on Shadow Earth for 600 years with no memories or knowledge of who I was, I still did this.”

 

He got up then. “Shall we return before the other get suspicious?”

 

I started to reply when Kagome's voice carried through the woods; “Inuyasha, there are jewel shards nearby—closing in on us fast!”

 

We glanced at each other then dashed back towards camp.