Will of Siders chapter 7

~Chapter Seven~
Time to Explain







Prowling outside of Emery's room probably made him look like some creeper, but Derek didn't really care. Pacing was too gentle of a word for the long, pronounced strides he was taking. Emery had blacked out in the strangest way possible. He had passed out like the before, of course, but not in a while now, and usually never so intensely. Derek had dragged his friend back to the house, the only thing he could think to do, and May had quickly ushered them inside. Derek had asked if they should go to the hospital but May had shaken her head and said that he would wake on his own like he always did. She had also said, though, that if he didn't wake by the next morning, they were going to have to take him to the hospital to get checked out because maybe Marouq had caused some damage or something.

It shocked him, still, to know that May knew of the Other Side. She had learned about it the day Emery's mom had been put in the hospital…

Derek shook those thoughts away and instead focused on his intense pacing….prowling. He was worried about his friend, but that wasn't all of it, he knew. He just couldn't place it. Shaking his head, he debated about whether or not waking May. It was nearly midnight now and Emery still hadn't woken up, at least not that Derek knew of. He and May had gotten Emery to his room and had left him alone, but he hadn't heard anything from his friend's room thus far.

Combing his fingers through his hair, he wasn't sure why he was feeling like this, so out of place with his heart stuttering with worry. Yeah, he was concerned, but yet it felt like more than that. Mentally shaking the thoughts from his head, he tapped lightly at Emery's door, somehow hoping that maybe his friend was awake and willing to talk, but he didn't hear anything in response to his light taps. He twisted the knob and slowly opened Emery's door. The door gave a low creak as it slid open, and Derek scowled. Emery's door had always been somewhat noisy, at least for him. Emery seemed to have a way of slipping out of his room without Derek's knowledge.

Not that he listened for when his friend left the room or anything. It was just that he'd noticed it.

He peered into the dark room. The only thing he could hear was the sound of Emery's deep, even breaths, which was a lot better than before, when his friend's breaths had been shaky and uneven, his gaze unfocused and his pulse racing…

Derek quickly shook the images from his head. He certainly hadn't liked seeing his friend like that, and he prayed it never happened again, even though some small part of him whispered that maybe it would, and maybe it would be worse.

Worse? That had been bad enough! He certainly didn't want to see it get worse.

He released a slow sigh and closed Emery's door, allowing his friend to continue sleeping even though a part of him urged him to wake him, or at least try to do so. It was normal for Emery to sleep so long, nor was it normal for him to randomly pass out as he had on the way home. He had been fine one minute, just a little pale, and then he'd suddenly been confused. Then he'd toppled over.

Derek had to admit it been one of the his more unnerving experiences on Earth. On the Other Side, though, that was another matter entirely. Some of the things he'd experienced over there…he couldn't even describe them, nor did he wish to try doing so.

He tiptoed down the hall and toward the kitchen, not wanting to disturb May's sleep even though he was sure he himself wouldn't be getting any rest tonight, not after what had happened to his friend.

Thinking back on the day, it had probably been wrong from the start. Maybe if he had allowed Emery to attend school, none of this would have happened. He wouldn't have felt like he was being watched and wouldn't have gone to the park. Robby wouldn't have shown up and stayed with him until Derek got there, and none of them would have been pulled into the Other Side. Then Marouq and Crono wouldn't have attacked them and Derek wouldn't have been forced to take Robby and Sam away to safety, leaving Emery on his own against those crazy, violent, cruel people. Marouq wouldn't have been able to try and darken Emery, then.

He'd tried before, once. Derek had intervened then too--of course he had. He wasn't going to let Emery's insane father take him and turn him as he had done to Darien. No way in hell. Just the thought of it made him want to punch someone into a wall and smash their face in.

He scrubbed a hand over his face as he sat heavily at the kitchen table. The room was dark due to the fact that he hadn't bothered to turn any of the lights on, despite the fact that he was still awake and moving around. Sleep wouldn't come and turning the lights on might bother May, and he didn't want to disturb her unless he had to.

Sometimes it was nice, having May there. She knew about the Other Side and who Emery and Derek were, that they were Siders and that they made trips to the Other Side somewhat frequently. She knew about it and helped Derek when she could, helped him with Emery. Emery needed people to look after him--he was so busy looking after everyone else he neglected to do show himself the same courtesy. So that fell to Derek. He didn't mind doing it, though. He certainly owed Emery much more than that.

"What the heck, man?" a familiar, welcome voice asked suddenly, causing Derek to jerk in surprise as he turned to see Emery entering the kitchen. "Sulking in the dark? Did you turn into an angst-y teenage girl behind my back or something?"

Derek smiled despite himself, feeling vast relief at the fact that Emery was awake and more like himself. "Maybe," he said. "Or maybe I just ate your cheesecake and I was trying to hide the evidence of the mutilation."

Emery's eyes widened in mock horror. "You what?" he gasped, immediately moving toward the refrigerator. He pried it open and breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, the cheesecake is still intact. I thought I was going to have to smite you or something." He grinned at Derek and sat next to him at the kitchen table, allowing the refrigerator door to slide closed on its own. "So…wanna tell me why you're really sulking in the dark?"

Derek sighed heavily. "Are you okay?"

"Um…yeah, I'm fine."

"You had to think about it," Derek pointed out.

Emery scowled. "Shut up. I'm fine, man, really. I have a headache, sure, but that's not unusual. I live with a constant headache most of the time." He shrugged lazily as though it were no big deal. "Are you okay? It's not like you to sulk in the dark, in the kitchen of all places." Emery's worried, deep brown eyes settled on him, causing Derek to shift a little uneasily as he averted his gaze.

"I'm fine. Just worried, man. And you won't tell me what's going on."

Emery paused. "That's because I don't know what's going on," he told him. "I'd tell you if I knew, but…" He shook his head slowly, releasing a slow sigh as Derek glanced at him again. "But I don't know. It was just another black out, man, nothing to get freaked out about."

Derek shook his head silently. Maybe to Emery, it was just another black out. But to Derek, who'd had to watch and worry while it happened, it had been an unnerving experience. He hadn't known if Emery was going to be okay or not, if he was just going to pass out and stop breathing right there or anything. All he'd known was that he'd wanted his friend to be awake and aware again, but then Emery had gone and blacked out, leaving him to panic on his own.

"But I feel okay now," Emery told him softly, "honest."

Derek frowned at him. "Are you sure? Because last time you said that, you went and passed out on me and I had to carry your heavy ass home."

Emery rolled his eyes. "I'm sure. Sheesh. Heavy? Weren't you the one complaining 'cause of my weight in the first place? Now I'm heavy?" He jabbed Derek teasingly in the side.

The blonde shifted. "Don't joke about this…I'm serious."

Emery sighed and slumped in his chair. "I know. I know. But I'm fine. Honest. It was just another black out. I've had them like that before, you know."

"I know, I just…it's been a while." Derek shook his head. And I've always hated those black outs… he thought to himself silently.

Emery froze suddenly and scrubbed a hand across his face. "Shit, I'm an idiot…"

"What?" Derek frowned and leaned forward in concern, resting his hand lightly on his friend's shoulder. "Em? What's wrong? Are you okay? Do you feel like you're going to black out again?" He hoped not. It was far too early for another black out…right?

Emery shook his head and gave a low chuckle. "I'm fine, man, I'm just a moron."

"I could have told you that," Derek said jokingly even as he scanned his eyes across his friend's face, looking for signs as to what was wrong.

He didn't see anything, though, except faint amusement and a bit of annoyance. At him? He wasn't sure.

"Do you remember why I used to get black outs like this?" Emery asked slowly, watching him with those intense eyes of his. Derek averted his gaze to the table as he thought about it. Then he released Emery's shoulder and combed his fingers through his hair.

"Shit," he breathed. "You think…?"

"I know," Emery corrected him. His gaze narrowed into certain slits. "Robby is the cause of these black outs."


*        *        *        *       *


Robby entered first period with a racing heart, her thoughts scattered mostly throughout her mind. What was going to happen? She couldn't even believe she'd gone to school today, but she had felt strange being in her new house. It was close to the park where everything had happened, where they had gone to that place and had come back. The members of Emery's lunch table had left her almost immediately after Derek and Emery had walked off--more like Derek had dragged him off, but whatever--and she and Sam had gone home.

Despite the fact that there had been a fight in that place and it had been a terrifying experience for her, Sam had been rather amazed with everything. For hours that night, he talked nonstop about it until Robby threatened to shove a shoe up his nose lest he quiet himself on the matter. Then he'd shut up about it and Robby had all but locked herself in her room for the rest of the night, not even coming out for dinner.

Now, she was at school and she was going to have to face Emery and Derek. What was she going to say? How was everyone going to act now? She had so many questions and even though she didn't like to admit it, Emery and Derek both kind of scared her a little, now. Derek had been rather hostile in that place, the Other Side as he'd called it, and Emery had been…well, mostly Emery, but a part of her wondered if maybe she and everyone else was just crazy, that they were seeing things. That was a much more logical and reasonable explanation that any of this was, this stuff with the Other Side.

Emery and Derek were already in class, to her surprise because she had gotten there early herself. They were seated in their usual seats, conversing quietly amongst themselves. Emery looked up when she approached her seat next to him. He offered a faint smile with guarded eyes while Derek narrowed his blue eyes at her, looking rather untrusting despite the fact that she had been sitting here for a few days now.

She took her seat and focused forward even though there was nothing to see. The teacher wasn't in the room yet and they were the only students in class at the moment.

Emery turned to her suddenly. "Hey," he said softly with a smile as she glanced at him, "I found some of my note cards, if you want them. They might help you in class if you don't understand."

She blinked at him. He was really offering to help her, even after everything that had happened yesterday? In fact, he was sort of acting as though nothing had ever happened in the first place, so maybe he was crazy…but Robby would rather have it this way than have him constantly talking about it like her brother did. So she nodded and smiled back. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Emery said before turning to Derek. "Now. As I was saying. I still don't think you're right about the whole 'relaxation' thing. It's too…boring to me."

"That's because you'd be relaxing," Derek said slowly, as though to make Emery understand the concept. "You wouldn't be up and moving around like you are all the damn time."

"I can't be still, it's not in my nature," Emery said with a laugh. "I can't even picture it."

Derek rolled his eyes. "Of course not."

"Besides, like you're one to talk about resting! You're the one who was sulking in the dark kitchen at midnight! Normal people don't do that." Emery shook his head with a faint chuckle.

Watching the two of them bicker like normal was a great relief to Robby. She felt herself relaxing somewhat in her seat, despite the fact that her muscles were still a little tense.

"Relaxation is important," Derek said as though stressing the issue.

"So is cheesecake," Emery replied with a dead-serious face.

For a moment, Derek appeared almost speechless and Robby just had to laugh, unable to hold it in, causing Emery to smirk at her with delight.

"You see? Robby agrees with me," Emery said.

Derek sighed heavily. "Then you're both insane."

"You should join the crazy side," Emery said with a laugh, "there's cheesecake."


*        *        *        *        *


Getting Robby to agree to meet them later in the park near Emery's house was more difficult than Derek would have thought. Then again, Robby had been through a lot yesterday, what with being introduced to the Other Side as she had been. His first trip there hadn't been all that great either, though--and he'd been nine at the time. Nine. Just a little kid introduced to a world of evil and fear…but then again, Emery had been with him every step of the way, also introduced to the horrors of the Other Side at the same age and same time.

Robby had finally agreed to meet them there, though, but she'd said it was only so she could get answers. Emery had immediately promised her what she wanted while Derek felt that familiar anger stirring within him, even though he wasn't sure as to why. There was just something about Robby that he obviously didn't like, but what it was, he didn't know.

He didn't want to really think on it, though. A part of him warned him against it and he wasn't sure why, but he listened to that part at the moment.

Currently, it was lunch. He was on his way to the lunchroom to tell the others what he and Emery had discussed last night, the reason for his black outs, or at least the one that had happened yesterday. Those only happened during certain times, and there was a reason it hadn't happened in a while now. There was a reason why it was different than the other black outs, more intense.

When he got to the lunchroom, Emery and Cherish were already at the table. Emery was poking at his food with a bored expression on his face, and Derek frowned, wondering why his friend wasn't eating. When he moved toward the table and opened his mouth to say something, Emery looked up and smiled. "Hey, Der."

Derek sighed. "Are you going to eat that or play with it all day?" He gestured at Emery's food.

"Can I play with it while I eat it?" Emery asked back with a smirk as Derek took his seat beside him. "How's tricks with you?"

That was Emery-speak for 'what's up', though why he said it like that, Derek didn't quite know.

He shrugged. "Not much. I'm so glad it's Friday."

Friday meant he could sleep in and stay up late, and that he didn't have to worry about school while also trying to not worry about Emery…but then again, the distraction of school would be gone, too, which meant he would worry more…

Even though Emery hated being the center of attention and hated being worried about by anyone, least of all Derek. Derek couldn't quite help it, though.

"Any plans for this weekend?" Cherish asked as she sipped at her juice box. "Besides the obvious of explaining to Robby what happened…"

Derek and Emery showed looks. It was clear to Derek that Emery hadn't told Cherish yet of what they had discussed last night, about how Robby was the cause of the black outs and what that meant.

"What?" Cherish asked, sensing that they weren't telling her something.

Derek shook his head. "We're meeting with Robby after school today in the park."

"To explain everything?" Cherish questioned as though just to be sure as she took a bite of food.

"Yeah," Derek told her, nodding before he frowned at Emery, who was rubbing at his head. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Head hurts." Emery's words were clipped which meant he was in pain. Derek frowned and looked around. Sure enough, Robby had finally entered the lunchroom and was sitting at her usual table. He narrowed his eyes at her momentarily and then turned back toward Emery.

"What?" Cherish asked, looking around as though to find who Derek was narrowing his eyes at.

Derek shook his head. "We'll tell you later today, in the park, when Robby's there," he assured her.

Cherish looked at Emery as though for confirmation on Derek's words. Emery gave a slow nod and closed his eyes as he leaned forward and rested his forehead against the cool surface of the table.

Cherish, who was sitting across from them, frowned. "Is he okay?" she asked Derek.

Derek paused. He was worried for his friend, yes, but Emery was okay. It was just his warning system and now that they knew why the headaches and black outs were becoming more common, it put his mind at ease a little. So he nodded. "Yeah. We'll explain later."

The others joined them then,  having been in the lunch line getting food. That reminded him of something else he had a problem with. He sighed and stood, snatching hold of Emery's arm and hauling him to his feet.

Emery groaned. "What now, man?"

Derek drug him toward a line. "You're eating. You didn't eat yesterday or this morning."

"Dude, my head-"

"I know. Maybe food will help--and I mean actual food, not cheesecake," Derek corrected himself, shaking his head. He kept his hold on Emery's arm long after they had entered the line, partially because part of him thought Emery would walk away if given the chance. The rest of him argued differently and he couldn't figure out what it was.

So he ignored it.

Derek chewed on his lower lip as a worrying thought entered his mind. He had been thinking about it on and off since he and Emery had discussed it last night, but hadn't voiced concerns yet.. "Do you…think Robby will accept it?"

Emery paused. "You mean like with Rubyn?" His voice was soft and quiet, causing dread to consume the blonde.

"Yeah…do you think it will…be like that?"

"I don't know, man…I wish I did."

"But if she doesn't accept it…you'll die."

Emery went quiet and didn't bother answering. They both knew Derek was right.

Derek couldn't let that happen, though. He couldn't let Robby's decisions kill his friend.

The two of them got their food and returned to their table, sitting between Shyloh and Rubyn with Emery next to Rubyn and Derek next to Shyloh. They always sat on one side of the rectangular table while the girls sat on the other.

"We're supposed to meet at the park after school today," Cherish announced to the others.

They nodded, not questioning it.


*        *        *        *        *


Robby wasn't quite sure what prompted her to go to the park after school as planned. Part of her wanted to stay home or run away and never come back after what she had witnessed the day before, but she knew she wanted answers more than anything. This was her chance to get them and understand what was happening, and why. So she would be stupid not to take it, as far as she was concerned.

So she entered the park fifteen minutes after she got home after a long debate in her mind about whether or not she should go at all. The others were already there, Derek standing next to Emery who was seated comfortably on the ground. Actually, the black-haired boy just looked drained, his face still a little pale and his eyes too bright for comfort.

"Hey," she said awkwardly, unsure as to what to say as she approached them and stopped in front of them. Everyone was standing except the long haired twin and Emery.

"Hey," Emery said back kindly as he got to his feet. Derek grabbed his arm. Whether it was to steady him or for his own comfort, Robby didn't know. "Everyone, this is Robby." He looked at her. "You already know Derek." The blonde gave a curt nod, his jaw clenched and she wondered what she had done to piss him off already. "This is Cherish," --he pointed at the long haired twin-- "Salem," --the short haired twin-- "Rubyn, and Shyloh." He pointed at the tall, skinny guy.

"Hey," Robby said again, slowly.

Cherish smiled at her. "We thought you weren't going to show up for a minute there."

Robby hesitated. "For a minute, I wasn't sure I would either." She shifted somewhat nervously and looked over when Emery smirked.

"I believe we owe you some explanations," he said in a smooth voice that seemed to easily calm her.

She nodded, not saying anything. She didn't want to sound rude by demanding answers, but that was exactly what she wanted to do at the moment. Demanding answers seemed simple.

Emery scrubbed a hand at the back of his head, chewing on his lower lip as though deep in thought. "Well…we are Siders." He glanced at the others. "At least, that's the appropriate name for us."

"Siders?" Robby thought back on it. She remembered hearing the word before. "What's that, exactly? What does it mean?"

"Well…we were on the Other Side," Emery explained. "Since we are supposed to be like…guardians or something, we are called Siders."

"Guardians?" Robby asked, confused. "What does that mean?" She was seriously thinking these guys were crazy and that the sooner she got out of here, the better.

Emery paused. "I don't think I'm explaining this very well," he said with a sigh. "We are Siders. It's not that easy to explain…but it sometimes easier to show. We each have certain…abilities."

"Abilities?" Robby scoffed. "Like what?"

Yeah…definitely crazy, she thought.

Emery scratched absently at the back of his head. "Well…It's easier to show you, I guess. Anyone want to go first?" He looked around at the others.

Cherish smiled. "I'll go." She looked at Robby kindly. "I can open portals.'

"Portals?" Robby questioned, frowning.

"Yeah. You know, how we got back home after yesterday. I created a portal and we stepped through it. As far as we know, portals are the only way to go to the Other Side," Cherish explained. "Sometimes they are created by accident, a rip in the air or something…it's hard to explain…but I can create them and close them as well."

Robby didn't quite believe her, but then again, she'd seen it with her own eyes yesterday. That thing…portal…had appeared out of nowhere when Cherish had set her mind to it. Despite the fact that Robby wished it wasn't true, she kind of had to believe it because she'd seen it with her own eyes.

"I can also control electricity," Cherish continued.

Now that was going a little overboard, wasn't it? Robby narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What?"

Cherish glanced at Emery. Emery shrugged. "Go ahead--prove it to her. But be careful," he cautioned.

Cherish nodded, smiling. Then she closed her eyes in concentration. Almost immediately, there was thrumming energy surrounding her with that same deep purple glow that had appeared with the portal. Cherish's dark hair stood on end as though by static, like someone had rubbed a balloon and held it to her head. Sparks of electricity sprang to life around her hands, flickering before fading out again. Robby stared, transfixed, until Cherish opened her eyes and it all stopped, the sparks vanishing as quickly as they had come.

"Wow," Robby managed to breathe, her eyes wide as she continued to stare.

"I can also, as I said, create portals…I would demonstrate but really, it's not safe to just go around opening them. There is balance, after all," Cherish explained.

"Balance?" she asked when she finally found her voice.

"Yes, there is always a balance," Emery said, causing Robby to shift her attention toward him. "Everything, no matter how big or small, has a balance. Earth has a balance and the Other Side is no different."

"I don't understand."

"All will be explained in time," Derek told her. Then he looked at Shyloh.

Next to her, Shyloh grinned. "Guess it's my turn, then." He paused as though thinking. Robby frowned at him. Shyloh suddenly outstretched his arm and opened it toward her, the palm facing her. She was just about to ask him what he was doing when a jet of cool water suddenly shot out of his open palm, squirting all over her face. Blinking back the water, she stared at him, spluttering.

"W-What…?" she stammered, because surely none of this was possible, right?

"I can control water," Shyloh told her with a shrug. "We each have an element…and another ability. I can ease tension…although, not among Siders…" His gaze shifted toward Rubyn and Derek.

Rubyn scowled as though annoyed before he paused. "I can control the element of earth," he said slowly, his eyes narrowed. Robby could almost feel his hatred burning through her. "I can also levitate things…" He paused again. Rubyn flicked his wrist at her and she felt herself yanked off of her feet as though by a physical force. She flew lightly into the air like she was nothing but a little feather, and hovered there for a moment, a few feet off the ground. Startled, she couldn't even breathe as she looked around with wide eyes. Rubyn let her down slowly and with a stagger, and she narrowed her eyes at him because she wasn't entirely sure that was accidental.

"W-What?" she stuttered breathlessly. "How is this possible?"

It couldn't have been possible.

"This is crazy!" she said with ample eyes.

Rubyn shrugged. "Yet here we are. Now for my elemental ability…hmm…look at that bush."

Robby frowned momentarily but did as he asked, glancing at the bush in question, which was standing a few feet away from them. Then she scowled. Why did she have to look at a bush?

Then suddenly, the bush seemed to shrink in on itself before it expanded past its original length, flowers beginning to blossom on it. Just as he was staring at the beauty, the flowers vanished and the bush went back to its normal size. Taking in a deep breath, he turned to face Rubyn. Rubyn shrugged and looked at Salem.

Salem stepped forward slightly. "You might want to avert your eyes a little," she warned before closing her own eyes. Robby did just as she asked, confused, just when a bright light suddenly surrounded the twin girl. It was like she was a glow in the dark light stick or something. Even as Robby looked off to the side, she was still nearly blinded. Finally, the light dispersed and she could see again.

'None of this is possible,' she thought frantically. But yet it was, because she was, again, seeing it with her own eyes.

Salem looked at Derek.

Derek glanced at Emery for a moment. Emery nodded at him, giving him a sudden, stern look. Derek's expression shifted into something dark and guarded, which made Robby wonder what she had missed between the two of them and whether or not it had something to do with her.

"Be careful," Emery cautioned, watching Derek.

Derek sighed and looked at Robby. His expression went guarded and his voice went flat, causing Robby to be reminded of the tone Derek had used with the nurse. "Walk forward three steps."

Before Robby knew what she was doing, she was taking three steps forward. Once she stopped, she seemed to snap out of the daze. Staring at Derek with wide, ample eyes, she stuttered, "H-How did you…?"

"I can do a lot of things with the mind," Derek explained. "It is hard to explain and even harder to demonstrate. Trust me when I say the mind can be a scary place." Derek paused. "I can also control air."

"Air?"

"Yeah--air." Derek paused for a moment as though to think before he glanced at Emery. Emery shrugged at him and Derek sighed before looking back at Robby. Suddenly a large gust of wind rammed into Robby, nearly knocking her off of her feet. She narrowed her eyes because she wasn't entirely sure that was completely accidental. Derek smirked at her and then looked back to Emery.

"I don't think I can demonstrate mine," Emery admitted. "I mean, warnings, black-outs…it's all very complicated and likes to come at odd times," Emery said.

"You've seen a black-out," Derek told Robby.

Robby nodded again, frowning deeply as she bit down on her lower lip, thoughts racing through her mind.

"So I guess I will just have to demonstrate my elemental ability, eh?" Emery smirked. "This'll be fun."

Tendrils of crimson fire licked at Emery's sides as he closed his eyes as though in concentration. As Robby watched, sparks of flame danced above his head as though bending to his will. As suddenly as the flames began, they ended, dispersing into thin air as though they had never been there to begin with. Emery opened his eyes and smiled at Robby, though the smile appeared tired and exhausted, more so than before. Robby had a feeling it was draining. If that was so, then why weren't the others as tired? She wondered.

"How is this possible?" Robby asked, finally able to speak. "How is that you can do all of this? It's crazy!"

"We are Siders," Emery said again.

"So you've said before. What does it mean? How is this possible?" Robby asked once more.

Emery and Derek shared looks. "Well," Derek started, "Emery and I were the first."

"The what?"

"The first. We both went to the Other Side, by accident, when we were nine."

"Nine?" Robby asked. "Jesus."

"I got my first black-out when I was nine," Emery said. "I didn't realize it at first, but it was because of Derek. He was a Sider as well and it was just my warning system kicking in. It can be a real pain in the ass, and not the good kind, either."

She didn't miss the way everyone's eyes widened--well, everyone's but Emery's and Derek's. What was that all about? It was as though they had all come to the same conclusion simultaneously or something.

Derek snorted and rolled his eyes. "There was a portal…made by someone on the Other Side. We were just outside playing, like usual, and found ourselves in a different world with a red sky and a burning sun."

"Not to mention deadly people," Emery added helpfully.

Derek nodded. "Yeah, that too."

"Deadly people?" Robby asked.

"Such as Crono and Marouq, for starters," Emery said, averting her gaze. Robby stared at him because wasn't Marouq his father? She was about to open her mouth and say something but the look Derek was giving her had her snapping her mouth shut tight.

"Oh," Robby said instead, barely able to get the word out. "So how did you get these…abilities?"

"We're not exactly sure," Derek said, taking over. "We think we were born with them but only came to realize it later, at different times. Well, the same time for Emery and I."

Emery nodded. "Yeah. He nearly killed me with a small tornado. He's insane, don't get on his bad side."

"I apologized for that," Derek said with a scowl.

"A small, five foot high tornado changes a person," Emery said solemnly, but the grin was present in his eyes, the way they crinkled a little as though he were suppressing a smile.

Derek rolled his eyes. "That's just because you were a midget at the time."

"So were you," Emery said.

"Touché."

"We just each sort of…came into them one day," Shyloh said, taking over as he gave Derek and Emery a look that clearly meant for them to quit bickering for the moment. "When the time was right, we just…knew what to do. Of course, that was after Emery found us."

"More like kept blacking out until I confronted you about it," Emery said with a smirk. "I was angry."

"Angry?" Rubyn scoffed. "You nearly bit my head off!"

"So did you! We'd both be headless," Emery laughed. "Wouldn't that be a sight!"

"Focus," Derek chided his friend.

Emery sighed. "Yes, Mother."

Derek sent him a small glare.

"The Other Side was once a part of Earth," Emery said, suddenly serious as he glanced at Robby, the smile and laughter vanishing. "They used to be connected, centuries ago. But then we think the Other Side grew hostile and violent and thus they separated themselves from Earth through a portal, something made by a group of Siders who banded together. They used the last of their strength and sacrificed themselves to keep Earth safe. Through the centuries, only a rare few have been called upon to be the Siders."

Emery and Derek suddenly shared looks, somber and serious.

"What?" Robby asked, dying to know.

Emery sighed and looked at Robby. "The thing is, Robby…these black outs I've been having…I figured out why they're happening."

"Why?" Robby questioned, feeling as though she was missing something.

Emery paused momentarily. "Because," he said, "you're one of us."