Hi everyone, SK here.

So I assume that everyone is not in shock anymore about Val's parentage?  You're all good?  

Well, let's see if Valerie's gonna be okay with it... or not because she's not in this chapter, hehe.  Anyway, let's just get going the chapter, shall we?  I hope you enjoy it. :)

!!! WARNINGS: Bad language

Verity

Walking into the Council's Court feels weird without my brother by my side.  Although he is with Valerie, so I don't really mind as much.  I just hope she's alright.

A couple hours ago, both Ministers brought an unconscious Valerie back to August's room, where he and I were eating.  To say we were shocked was an understatement.  We asked what had happened, but Heliux just said that a bout of terror got to her, and she passed out from that.  He was being very vague about the situation, but since he's Heliux, I let it slide.  He's not one to pass around information if he thinks it should be hidden.

I left August's room at quarter to four, leaving him with his friend.  I met up with Mom and Dad on the way, so I made sure to tell them what happened to excuse August's absence.  

Unease settles over me as I walk into the Council's Court.  Valerie has already voiced her concerns.  She said that she wants to go home.  But she isn't thinking!  Her adoptive dad clearly is not a good person, and if he was capable and wanted to kill her that night, what is stopping him from doing it again?

I get that you don't want to abandon your friends, Val, but if it's them or your own life, what would you choose?  Would you choose to sacrifice them all, or would you do the right thing and put yourself first?

Fixing my star-shaped pin, I tell myself that I need to fight for the safest future for Valerie, even if she doesn't agree at first.

"Places please," Heliux says in a monotone voice to the crowd of fairies waiting at the entrance.  "We will be using the Council's Table today, not the courtroom."

Everyone nods, including me, and we begin to shuffle into place.  

This place is divided into two sections.  The first half is essentially just one large table that the Leaders can use to call their monthly Council or emergency Council meetings- my parents haven't been using it for their monthly meetings so far though.  My guess is that they want to "initiate" it with a serious Council first, like this one.  The back half of the room is used when crimes have been committed and a fairy needs a trial.  

The Leaders have a position at the head of the table.  Two large chairs sitting right next to each other; very fitting.  The Ministers, I believe, have spots opposite each other sitting beside their respective Leaders.  Heliux sits on the left side of the table next to Mom, while Layra sits on the right side next to Dad.  The Advisors sit beside their Minister, depending if they are a Light or Dark fairy; Clemont and Gary are moving to their seats now.

The rest of the fairies can sit wherever they please.  I'm one of them, since Leader-to-be doesn't really have a special spot to sit at the table.  The chairs are all pearly-white, with the exception of the Leaders' chairs because they have small inscriptions carved into them to make them look prettier.  I heard that when a fairy sits in one of the chairs, their Element symbol floats over their head, and appears on the back of the chair.  It's so cool, well at least I imagine it'd be.

My suspicions are confirmed when Clemont takes his spot three seats away from the front.  I can't see the back of the chair from where I'm standing, but I can see a small golden translucent ball floating above his head with bright yellow and white sparks inside it.  His Element symbol for Electricity.  So cool!  I wonder what mine looks like?

The room is very narrow, but it's very long and very tall.  The arched ceiling seems to be miles above me.  The walls of the room are filled with blank space, so we can project things onto the walls for others to see if needed.  It's quite the convenient room, if I do say so myself.

I go to take my spot near the middle of the table, and I make sure to leave two spots next to me open for August and Valerie, if they arrive.  As soon as I sit down I instantly look above me; sure enough, a dark purple ball is floating above my head.  I can't really see what's inside; all I can make out are blobs that look like black ink splotches.  Is that really my symbol?  Really?  Maybe there's a super awesome part that I can't see because of the dark colours.  Yeah, that's it.

Mom and Dad take their seats at the head of the table, and both Ministers take their seats promptly after.  All four of their symbols appear in mere seconds.  Heliux's is obvious; it's some kind of galaxy I think.  Layra's resembles a heart but instead of being closed at the bottom point, the two sides just flow outwards like ribbons.  Dad's is the same as mine, of course.  Mom's is like ours, but it's almost white so that also makes it hard to see!  Dammit, I just wanna see what ours look like...

 Everyone begins to chat amongst themselves, and I find that I have no one to talk to.  I try searching for Lin, my best friend, and her brother, but they're sitting all the way at the other end of the table.  The blonde-haired girl catches my eye and waves, then turns back to her brother after I wave back.  I wish we were sitting closer so I could have someone to talk to.  Rolling my eyes, I think about what August would've said if he were here, probably something along the lines of, "Oh, you and Lin are so cute together, why don't you go sit near her?"

August is so dumb when it comes to love.  Why does he think I love Lin?  I don't.  She's my friend.  I don't really love anyone... besides, he shouldn't be one to talk.  He's a dense idiot.

Mom stands up, and everyone instantly quiets down.  "Hello everyone, and welcome to today's Council.  Thank you all for coming today!"

"As many of you know, we have a newcomer in the Colony who is not an Elemental," Dad adds.  I see Heliux open his mouth, but he closes it again a second later.  Does he know something that we don't?  "We are holding this Council to decide if she is to stay here, or if she can return to the human world."

Heliux stands up.  "Normally, the person in question would be here to explain their case, but seeing as there was an..." he pauses.  "An incident, she will be a short bit late."

If only August were here, he could've explained the situation she's in.  Maybe I should've stayed with Valerie... wait.  I can explain for her!  She told me a lot anyway.

I stand up, feeling all eyes turn to me.  "Valerie told me a lot about her situation," I explain, my voice resonating and echoing throughout the tall room.  "I might be able to give an analysis for everyone."

Dad's eyes are warm as he gazes at me.  "Go ahead, Verity."

Thanks Dad.  I return his warm gaze before I begin.

"Valerie is a human girl who is turning eighteen very soon.  She is kind and sweet, although I've noticed that she has a little bit of confidence issues.  If you haven't seen her, she has wavy, long chocolate-brown hair with these gorgeous purple eyes with golden flecks-"

"Verity."  Dad coughs, interrupting me.  I turn to see him staring at me with one eyebrow raised, but his eyes themselves are playful.  "I think we all get the picture."

I rub the underside of my nose.  "Oops," I say while letting out a small chuckle.  

"I believe that she is a student who is about to graduate school.  She mentioned having a full scholarship to a different school, a place called Wyndon University-"

"WYNDON UNIVERSITY!?" Lin exclaims, jumping out of her seat.  Everyone turns to stare at her, and she quickly begins to look sheepish.  Throwing on a nervous smile, she quickly apologizes for her outburst.  "Sorry.  It's just that place has been around even since before I was alive in the human world.  It's a very prestigious school for a variety of areas, including engineering, medical sciences, and journalism.  If this girl got a fully-paid scholarship..." she trails away.  "She must be at the top of her class- no, at the top of her whole region's class."

Huh.  I didn't know that Valerie was smart.  Not that I'm assuming she's dumb, it's just I didn't take her to be a smart-smart kinda person.  

"Wow, that's great news for her," Layra beams.  Her eyes glow bright purple and she turns to Heliux for a quick second; the other Minister simply rolls his eyes and smiles slightly.  I narrow my own.  They shouldn't really be talking in each other's heads during this.

"So, she has a rare opportunity in her life.  That's something we should take note of," Mom announces.  A chorus of nods follow her words, and following that, she gestures for me to continue.

"She also runs a club at her current school, I believe she calls it the Myths Club.  She didn't tell me much about it, but I would assume that they talk about myths there, just judging from the name.  Or maybe they discuss mythical Pokemon?"

"Myths you say.  Hmm..." Clemont leans back and goes into a thoughtful position.  "Fairies are a myth, you know."

I inwardly wince, not letting anyone see.  If the news about Valerie's club gets out, there's no way in hell that she is going back.  Other fairies start to murmur and I even hear some suggest that we should just ban her from leaving immediately.

"We can't be sure that they discuss fairies, and until she confirms or denies it herself, we shouldn't count that as a formal issue," I protest.  Dad catches my eye and nods.

The Dark Leader stands up.  "Verity is right.  Until Valerie comes and co-"

"Where is this Valerie girl anyway?" asks Gary, sounding bored.  "It's her trial, you'd think she'd at least have some decency to actually fucking show up."

I try not to look shifty.  "There was a small... er, medical emergency," I explain to Dad's Advisor.  I still don't know why this guy was picked, but oh well.  At least we got a Moon Elemental replacement after what's-his-name- er, Gladion died.

" A medical emergency?" echoes May, her eyes round.  "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine," Heliux replies instantly, looking at the Fire Elemental sternly.  "It was nothing serious.  Valerie was simply feeling a little light-headed.  When she is ready to come, August will escort her."

May nods, but I can tell that she still looks anxious.

I'll admit that I'm a little anxious too.  Why did Valerie faint in the first place?  Obviously Heliux and Layra were with her, because they brought her back.  Did they do something?  Why would they want to harm her?

"Oh, and, um," I speak up, waiting for the attention to shift to me again.  When it does, I continue.  "At this club, it seems she has a group of dear friends that are like her family; she hasn't elaborated much on that though."  I remain standing in case anyone wants to ask about her actual family; luckily, no one seems to notice, so I sit back down.

Mom tips her head thoughtfully.  "So, she has a life to go back to.  She has friends, plans- great plans might I add- this seems like a no brainer everyone.  What do you think, Ashy?"

Dad smiles at the nickname.  "I think she should get to go back, with a simple memory-erasing spell to eliminate her memories of the fairies of course.  Layra, you can do this later today before we return her home; if all of you agree with us of course."

The Dark Minister freezes at this.  "I... I don't think I can do that," she tells the Dark Leader, her voice wavering.  "Memory spells are very hard to perform and require intense amounts of focus.  I know that I am usually capable, but with the situation I don't think I will be able to do it properly.  I might mess up, and then something else might go wrong..."

What situation?  Did this have something to do with Valerie fainting?  Is there something that she's not telling us?

"I cannot perform it either," Heliux adds shortly after, his normally stone-faced expression beginning to crack a little at the edges.  I glance at both of them weirdly, trying to put the pieces together.  Okay so obviously something happened in the forest when Valerie ventured out to listen to their music.  I just need to answer the question of what exactly happened.

"But Heliux, you were the one who always told me to leave the tricky spells to you and Layra because there was a much higher chance that they would not go wrong," Mom protests.  "And now you're telling me that you're both not capable?"  Suddenly, something flashes in Mom's eyes, and her frustrated look turns into one of sincerity.  She gives a silent nod to both Ministers then continues.

So Mom knows whatever is up too?  Interesting... wait.  Is that why I heard her yelp in the Ministers' rooms earlier?  When I was eavesdropping?  Is it really something that startling?

From what I can gather, the Ministers have a secret.  A secret that makes Mom, usually calm and collected, loose her cool.  A secret that makes poor Valerie faint upon hearing it; or at least that is what I assume happened.

Wait.

They told Valerie.

Why would they tell Valerie?

Of course they told Mom and Dad because they're both the Leaders, and if the secret is really that important then they should know.  But Valerie?  Valerie just arrived here today.  She's really a nobody here, certainly not someone that the two most mysterious people I know would be pouring their secrets to-

Unless.

Unless the secret concerns Valerie somehow.

My lips slowly begin to curve upward to form a small smile.  At last this is getting somewhere!

"... so we will just have our most skilled fairies perform the spell."  Mom finishes the sentence that I missed half of because I'm in my own world.  "However, we can figure this all out later," she adds with a wave of her hand.  "What does everyone think-"

"Hold on, Your Lightness."  Heliux holds up his hand and promptly stands up.  "So, what you are suggesting is that we let this girl go home with her memories erased to live her life.  Is that correct?"

Mom, now looking uncertain, nods.

The Minister sighs.  "Have you forgotten about her father?"  His voice falters on the last word.

The Light Leader's eyes flash.  "Right.  Her father... but from what she said, it sounded like what happened to her was a one-time thing!"

Heliux quickly shakes his head.  "This morning, Layra and I had the pleasure of talking to her in the library.  She is a very sweet and gentle girl, but she explained something to us there.  She said her father hurts her.  Now, I cannot say whether it is physical or emotional pain-" his eyes flash.  Is he lying?  Does he really know, but isn't telling anyone to save her privacy? "- but pain is pain.  She was almost in tears as she told us.  A house like that is not a house that she should be going back to.  In addition to this..."

"... Valerie is an Elemental."

Shocked gasps echo around me.  To be honest, I'm fairly surprised myself.  I didn't think Valerie was going to be an Elemental either.

"How do you know?" Misty pipes up, turning her steely gaze toward the Minister.  "How do you know and not the Advisors?"

"She has a point you know," Clemont adds.  "I never saw that Valerie was an Elemental, regardless if she's a Light or Dark fairy.  As Advisors, we can sense it-"

"- and we can clearly see that she has no Elements," Gary finishes, crossing his arms while giving the Minister a pointed look.  "So tell me, how do you know?"

"I was with her at the library.  She could see all of the books," Heliux practically spits out.  The man doesn't like being questioned, and I don't blame him one bit.  Both Advisors lean back in their seats, thinking to themselves.  

Clemont opens his mouth to speak, then immediately closes it, shaking his head.  Mom notices though, so she makes him speak his mind.  "There is only one way that Valerie could be an Elemental and not have us sense her.  That is if-" Clemont cuts off, look at both Ministers with wide eyes.  Gary figures whatever it is out shortly after, and does the same with a smirk.

Heliux waves the Light Advisor's words off, looking stern.  "It does not matter if you can sense her or not, the point is is that she is an Elemental.  The spell that we- well, I- crafted to protect our library of texts does not lie.  She is almost eighteen.  She is meant to be joining us in about two years anyway.  Why not let her become Initiated now?  She can be safe here, and she does not have to go back to that wretched father of hers."

Silence echos around the court hall as the Minister's words sink in to everyone.  I have to admit, they make sense.  If she really is an Elemental she should stay here, no questions asked.  It's only two years; granted, two years is a lot of time for humans, but not to fairies.  Two years, ten years, a hundred years, they all pass in the blink of an eye.  If she were to stay-

No, no no no!  Verity get your head screwed on straight.  Valerie wants to go home.  She has a plan.  She is going to get away from her father and live her life!  She has friends to protect her.  She doesn't need to stay.

And yet... I want her to.  I want her to stay.  I don't want her to go back, because she will get hurt.

Why is this so hard?   Either way, something is lost.

"Heliux," Layra says in a warning tone.  "Valerie specified that she wanted to go home.  She told us that she had a plan-"

"I am aware.  You do not need to repeat it to me," interrupts Heliux.  "We should get her home, just not under her current circumstances."  His hands are hidden beneath the table, but I can tell that he's clenching his fists as his expression shifts into one of rage.

The other Minister winces.  "I know that you're concerned for her, I think all of us are; but Love, she specifically told us that she, in fact, wants to return home.  Even though she has to endure whatever it is her father puts her through, she is still choosing to go home-"

"Which is foolish, simply foolish!" the Light Minister stands up, angrily staring down at his beloved.  If I had popcorn, I'd definitely be munching on it right now because it's almost like I'm watching a soap opera.  I sneak a peak at the other fairies, including Mom and Dad, and they're all silently staring at the two that are starting to fight.  "Why would she choose to return to a broken home when she knows that she will suffer!?"

"She has friends," Layra emphasizes, clearly trying to remain calm.  She stands up to try and match Heliux's level.  "She has friends who she calls her family.  She has a family, Heliux.  She has a family.  She.  Has.  A.  Family.  Get that into your head."  Her voice breaks near the end, like she's upset by something.  She leans across the table as her eyes light up with purple flames.  "She doesn't need a new home, or a new family.  She has one.  She has a future, she doesn't need us.  She doesn't-"

"Stop it, both of you, that's enough!" Mom yells, standing up and placing her hands between the two.  "This isn't worth fighting over.  Now sit."

Both Ministers gaze at each other, their angry expressions fading away as they do.  Layra tosses an apologetic glance at Heliux, but he just looks down, not returning it.

As much as I'm interested in this trial, Layra's words stick in my head.  She has a family.  The Minister was repeating those words over and over.  She was trying to tell herself as much as him that Valerie has a family she can call her own, and she doesn't need a new one.  Were they hoping to become her new family when she joined us?  Or-

"She doesn't need us."

My eyes widen.  

Of course!

Layra was telling Heliux that they weren't her family not because they were hoping to become her family, but because that they were her family; well, at one point anyway.  It all makes sense.  The secret that the Ministers told Valerie, and why they even told Valerie in the first place.  Valerie's starry eyes, purple and gold.  The Star that Heliux and Layra were talking about- their Star, is Valerie.  Valerie is their Star; no,

Valerie is their daughter.

Star maybe was the name they gave her, before they obviously gave her away.  Well of course they did; I certainly didn't see her grow up, nor did I grow up with her.  

Suddenly, it makes sense why Heliux wants her to stay; he does not want that scum of a man to hurt his daughter anymore.  He is only trying to protect her.  Layra is also trying to protect her by giving her what she wants.  She is protecting Valerie from ever knowing that she's a fairy.  It also makes sense why they can't perform the memory spell; they wouldn't be able to concentrate if they were doing it to Valerie.  Also, now that I think about those looks that Clemont and Gary were giving the Ministers earlier, maybe they figured it out too?

I look at these two fairies, who so desperately want their daughter to be happy... and for once, I pity them.

Shaking my head, I try to get back and focus on reality.  Valerie's fate is being decided here.  I have to pay attention!  I attempt to listen to the words coming from Mom's mouth, but they are interrupted by the sound of the large heavy doors crashing open.

Everyone turns, and we are greeted with a sheepishly grinning August and an extremely nervous-looking Valerie.  Oh my goodness, seeing Valerie and her parents in the same room together... it's so obvious, why isn't anyone else making the connection!?

The human girl smiles nervously at everyone.  "Sorry I'm a little late... but I'm here now!  What did I miss?"

Sorry sorry sorry but there's a cliffhanger.  I hope you'll forgive me.

I ALSO hope that you enjoyed the chapter.  Verity's pretty smart, isn't she?

The Council will continue in the next chapter.  Stay tuned!! :)