You can see it from the title; Aleena's back. At least, for this co write.

It's always a blast having Aleena and Dash together. The space elves added a sci-fi influence that would have mostly been absent, otherwise. I was surprised that we were able to fit it into the world without much issue.

Some of that is illustrated in this very piece. It also.. well, I'll let you get to the readin, don't wanna hold you up here forever. See you at the end (unless you just skip the comments and hit next, but then again, if you did that, you probably wouldn't see this anyway. Still- for shame!)

 
Strange and peculiar days fell over the Loathing Kingdom, the kingdom known for strange and peculiar things. Jen and Dash met up south of Degrassi Knoll next to a run down, long ago abandoned hut to plot their next move and discuss what they had learned.

"My subordinates tell me that you want us to rescue Catrina? Pray tell, why would we do such a thing?" Jen asked. She planted her hands on her hips, and shifted over to one foot.

"I can rescue her," Dash said curtly. "I just need help getting to Hey Daze." Dash paused, sighed, and continued. "I did want to fill you in on what I've learned, though. I’ve talked to Cattaras. You’ll recall Catrina was an ally at one point, right? Probably my closest ally since my years in Honorburg.”

Jen nodded. Dash continued. "I can’t count the number of times she’s saved my life. I mean, I’ve told Aleena a little about it, so I assume you know that much. There’s a lot more I haven’t told Aleena. This change in Catrina seemed to come out of nowhere. Turns out, there was a lot to the story I didn't know."

Dash paused briefly to collect his thoughts. "Cattaras says there was a curse - or spell or something- involved. He, Daisuke and Jester King of Beasts were behind it. Apparently, they wanted to 'nudge' Catrina back into getting with Daisuke, one of her own, but the spell warped her totally. Cattaras claims that was never the intent."

"I see what you mean. Very well, we are at your service. What needs to be done?" Jen asked.

"This whole thing seems to be tied to the Dark Ones," Dash said. "I'll need any help you can get working my way into Hey Daze. I'd also like your help analyzing whatever information we can come up with. Something tells me it'll be our key to dealing with Kadlin. And.." Dash paused. "Thank you. You can't imagine how badly we need allies for this."

"Who, or what, are the Dark Ones?" Jen asked.

"The short version," Dash answered without hesitation, "is that they're the dark counterparts to Catrina's Goddess, and a potential threat to the world itself, and infinite worlds beyond."

"We haven't observed anything of this world capable of extending its reach to the stars. And that is for the better. There are a lot of bad things out there that would eagerly swoop down on your heads if this world gets noticed." Jen frowned, then searched for a place to sit down. She found a pair of moldy chairs and placed them facing each other. Jen took one of the chairs and motioned for Dash to sit. Dash reluctantly sat, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.

"Technically," he finally said, "they're not 'of' this world, or dimension. And I'll admit I might be overstating the threat here. Hopefully I am, but everything we've heard of these Dark Ones, and the other threats beyond, indicate if they were ever to breach the veil protecting our worlds.." Dash again paused. "Well, what is it Konall said? 'It would be better for this world to end. For all worlds to end.' If he's right, though, and this is tied to the Dark Ones, the threat goes beyond just the blade and the spirit within.

"If it's nothing," Dash said. "I still want to get to Catrina and get her out of that horrible dimension. If there's something to it, well, then it's up to us to see it never comes to pass. Either way, it starts with me getting Catrina out of Hey Daze."

Dash felt fingers alight on his shoulders. "Hello, Sebastian, Jen."

Jen bowed her head quickly. "My Queen. It is a pleasure to see you."

"Aleena?" Dash's confusion was obvious. "When'd you get back?"

"I'm not actually here. Only you and Jen can see me." Aleena walked around Dash, clad in a beautiful shimmering dress whose colours could only be described as the coral shallows in the ocean at midday. Greens and blues seemed to flow over the fabric as she moved and the cut of the gown showed her finely toned and muscled legs. Her bare arms were adorned with golden circlets around her biceps. She also wore a glittering tiara in her hair which was done up.

"Wow," Dash said with an appreciative smile. "And what a sight, too."

Aleena smiled and draped her arm around Dash's neck as she sat in his lap, pressing a kiss to his lips. Her touch, her weight, her scent seemed so very real. "I've missed you."

"Same." Dash smiled broadly. His whole expression seemed to change at Aleena's presence, virtual or otherwise. He just looked more relaxed.

"I'll let you two catch up," Jen excused herself.

"Maybe we should get to business first," Dash said. "Aleena might be able to help with our little.. problem."

"Hmm, yes. Jen, you are excused. I've got a few things to show Sebastian." And suddenly, Dash's world fell away to blackness. Dash could still feel Aleena's presence however. The world came into focus again, and he found himself standing next to a building that stank of sweat and alcohol, next to a crowded market.

She smiled and pulled Dash into a close hug, kissing him passionately. Having her in his arms, even if it wasn't 'real,' Dash began to realize how much he missed her graceful presence. The smell of her, her swift mind, her unwaveringly pure sense of right and wrong. And her body, ohh the feeling of her body against him, hot and strong and passionate. A familiar feeling of electricity and desire coursed through Dash's blood; he couldn't help but lose himself in the kiss for a good long while.

As the kiss ended, Aleena and Dash smiled, taking a moment to gaze into each other's eyes. But all too soon, the moment ended. The space elf Glyn approached, dressed in a scarf that alternated between bright and dark blues, black cotton long-sleeved shirt, and camo-blue jean shorts. But he didn't appear to notice the two lovers and passed through the entrance into the bar.

"You're viewing events as they occurred a few days ago in South Degrassi, Sebastian," Aleena narrated. She took Dash's arm and led him in to observe the events.

"There. Privacy," Konall said with a smirk, as he easily started a bar brawl.

The pair listened to Konall and Glyn speak. Kadlin's sword was inhabited by an evil being. It is a manipulator, and it wants freedom. "If it gets loose, well it'd be better if the world were to end. If all worlds were to end," Konall said.

Dash began to speak and the world stopped in response, eager to hear the man's words.

"Yeah, end of the worlds and all that bad mojo." Dash said. "I covered that earlier. Jen doesn't seem sold on it, though."

"We are not entirely convinced Sebastian," Aleena admitted. "It's bad for our new friends in the Kingdom of Loathing, but we are not convinced these 'Dark Ones' are a threat to anyone else."

"Honestly," Dash answered. "They're still a threat with or without your belief, but if you're not convinced, why'd you contact me to relay the information?" Dash smiled weakly. "Just missing me?"

Aleena laughed. "A bit, yes. There are some discussions on our end as to how to connect the dots. Some wonder if Kadlin's sword contains a 'Dark One'."

"It isn't quite a dark one, if I understand correctly. It's another variation. There's others that we suspect of being tied to the same forces behind the dark ones, an even more dangerous force known.. as.. the.." Dash's voice trailed off into contemplative silence. "Since you were stranded on our planet, is it safe to assume no one from your sector had been monitoring us?"

"Loathing is in non-aligned space. No-one but us is paying attention to your neighborhood right now."

"There was an incident maybe six years ago," Dash said. "I'll summarize, since it's a long and involved tale. It started with a group known as Old Guard, leftovers from the earlier war eras, battling The Munitionists, a temporary coalition of Ireacan, Catalina, and other major mob groups. Long story short, several other groups got involved, including Contessa Gray's group. It was the technology of her Council of Gray that lead a bunch of heroes, including myself and Cyber Sunset, being 'pushed' into.. I don't know, another dimension. Where we first came in contact with another race known as the Raruall."

Dash bowed his head, then looked her in the eyes again. "Since those early days, we've found several links between them and the Dark Ones. I know from personal experience how dangerous they were. I hope I'm wrong, but honestly, I think the 'end of all worlds' might have something to it."

"What do you need from us?" Aleena asked.

Dash smiled. "You got the easy part. I just need help getting there. I can take it from there. I'm hoping the forests are susceptible to us finding a way, magic, technology or other, to force our way into Hey Daze. But to be honest, I have no idea where to start. And of course, I'd like you to take a look at any information we gather on this threat as soon as you're able."

"We have a few pieces of tech that may be of use, Sebastian. I'll have them sent along."

Aleena grinned. The virtual world, and her image, faded from view.

Fun lil piece, huh? It pushes the threat of the Dark ones, a big theme of the season. Beyond that, it's just always cool to see Dash and Aleena united. And of course, a lil more story for Jen and Aleena for the mission!