Phantom ~ A Changed Heart -1

4-1 A Changed Heart

   It was about three days after I'd gotten Mirage that I was sitting alone outside under the trees. My "death" had taken a lot out of me, so I was recovering. Though, that could also had been because I used Mirage to create that new body for Madam Jade. A younger one, no less. I was always told it was a hard spell to do.
I had learned from Jones that after Reggie sensed that ShadowLink was inside the ice castle, they hurried in to make sure I was alright. Come to find my body on the floor and ShadowLink about to take my power. Reggie fought ShadowLink and the three witches off alone while Jones got me out. That's how he was so beat up when I woke up.
Hey, I didn't say he was winning the fight.
I sighed and let the breeze blow through my hair. Luckily, I managed to get Madam Jade off my back about cutting my hair. She'd been getting comfortable at the Jet's house over the last three days. She now had Sarah's room. Sarah was more than happy to give her room and move in with Erica, who didn't mind sharing her big room.
Ted was still at the house. He was coming to really enjoy staying home with his family. Thomas sure seemed happy to have his dad around. They all did.
And then there was Talia. I felt myself blush just thinking about her. Sarah wouldn't leave me alone about it for two days. Talia now sleeps with Inez, seeing as Ted doesn't trust lovers to share a bedroom. Not that I'm so improper. Especially now with Madam Jade around. She seconded the notion. Besides, no one felt Talia should let herself act like a servant anymore and sleep on an air mattress. I didn't mind. I certainly didn't see her as a servant anymore.
Then someone walked over and sat beside me. I looked, expecting it to be Reggie wanting to know what my next target would be, or maybe Sarah to bug me about Talia again. I was shocked at who it really was.
It was Madam Zira. I felt completely taken aback, "M-Madam Zira!"
She smiled at me, her hair still completely covering over her one eye, "Hello, Phantom." She was wearing a lovely, but simple violet dress and flats.
I spoke, "What are you doing here?"
She smiled, "I had heard my favorite young wizard rose from the dead. There was also something about love and Madam Jade too."
I cleared my throat as she smiled, "Sounds like you're not the only one who came back to life three days ago."
I sighed, "Well, you have to actually be dead to come back to life."
She smiled, "Luther told me you owe him another daring tale. I thought I would come hear this one this time."
I scoffed, "I owe him? More like the kid owes me! He's the reason I almost got killed!"
She sat comfortably next to me, "Is that right? Do tell."
I sighed and told her about everything that happened since the events I already told Luther. Madam Zira listened very curiously as I told about my experience inside the Crystal of a Thousand Mirrors. She smiled, "Rescuing someone he didn't have to. That doesn't sound like the Phantom I once knew."
I smirked, "No, I suppose it doesn't." Then I cleared my throat, "As for love, uh, Talia is no longer my servant girl." I stared at the ground, obviously blushing.
She smiled, "Well, that's good to hear. I'm sure she's waited a very long time for that."
I looked at her, "What do you mean?"
She chuckled gracefully, "You think it was you who found her that first day you two met? I have a good hunch she fell for you long before you even knew her." I blinked at her. Talia was in love with me all along?
Madam Zira stood up and dusted herself off, "Well, I am glad to see things are going well with you, Phantom."
I stood up, "Uh, thank you, Madam Zira."
She smiled, "Tell Jade I say hello. I must be getting home. Luther's sure to be wondering where I am." She started walking away.
She stopped, "I'm sure Jade is very proud of you, Phantom." She smiled back at me, "I know I am." Then she disappeared.
I smirked, "Me too, I guess." With that, I walked back to the house.

     I walked into the living room, where Talia, Madam Jade, and Sarah were sitting. Talia had become very comfortable now that she let herself become part of the family. She wore a cute green dress and her hair hung out. I sighed and walked over.
She saw me and smiled beautifully. I couldn't help slightly blushing, "What are you three talking about?"
Madam Jade chuckled, "Don't worry, boy, we're not talking about you." Sarah and Talia laughed. It made me feel good to see Talia laugh.
I smirked, "Well, not my fault you three wanna talk about boring things."
Sarah smiled, "Not everything is about you, silly."
I gave her an annoyed look, "Really? You're still calling me that?" She smiled.
Then Maryann called, "Sarah, could you come help me with something?" Sarah stood up and left the room.
I sighed, "Finally, she's gone." I sat down beside Talia, "I have a question."
She looked at me with those beautiful gold eyes, "Yes?"
I cleared my throat, "How long have you had feelings for me?"
She blushed and looked at her hands on her lap, "Well, um, I've had feelings ever since I first laid eyes on you."
So Madam Zira was right.
I sighed, "Is that why you showed yourself when we first met? No other Fairy Folk came out, but you did."
She nodded, "Yes. You didn't look dangerous."
I felt a little embarrassed. I was plenty dangerous back then. I looked out the window, "Well, it was certainly a long time ago. I suppose the past is behind us."
She smiled at me, "Indeed."
That was when the old hag decided to remind us she was still sitting there, "Well, most of the past. You still have to deal with your past mistake, ShadowLink."
I groaned, "Like I don't know that."
She smirked, "Well, I must say its a shame. I specifically remember teaching you the rules of Black Magic, yet you still end up in this mess. Such a silly boy."
I glared at her, "You too with the silly thing, huh?"
She chuckled, "I'm just saying, you were not only always terrible with feelings, but with remembering too."
I rolled my eyes, "Like you would know. You haven't been around in seven years."
She smirked, "Like anything changes that fast. Especially someone as obvious as yourself."
I laughed as I stood up, "Oh yes, because it was obvious I would rescue you from the crystal. You and I both know I only did that cause I now have a soft spot since being the good guy. If I didn't, I'd have never bothered even talking to you."
She smiled, "I missed you too, boy." I scoffed and left the room.
That woman was just like all old witches like her; they always seem to know. Of course I was glad to have her back, even if we acted like we simply put up with each other. The fact was, she was my mother and I was her son. I guess even someone as lousy with feelings as me could feel that.
I went up to my room, where Inez was reading my books again. I sighed, "Don't you have books of your own to go read?"
She didn't answer me or respond in any way as she kept reading the large book as she sat on the side of my bed.
I sighed and picked up another book, "Here, read this one, because I need that one."
Inez looked at the other book, "Already read it." She went back to reading.
I smirked, "Playing hard to get, huh? Fine." I dug out a book from under my bed from a pile of books I had bought since living with the Jets. I held it for her to see, "Then read this one." She looked.
It was a book titled "Fairy Folk Legends". I smirked, "Trust me, you'll want to read it. It's very insightful for someone like you."
She thought about it, then closed the book she had and handed it to me with both hands. I took it and gave her the fairy book. She opened it and started reading. One point for me.
I headed downstairs and outside. I walked into the trees, "Reggie!" I stood and waited.
Then someone came out from behind me. I turned and saw Jones walk over. I sighed, "Don't you have your own life?"
He chuckled, "Yes, but half of it as of late is dedicated to keeping an eye on you."
I rolled my eyes and looked around, "Where is that vampire?"
Jones looked up in the trees, "He's still hanging around?"
I sighed, "Yeah. He won't be going back to the forest until he's sure ShadowLink is taken care of."
Then Reggie landed on the ground in front of us skillfully. I scoffed, "Took you long enough."
He sighed, "Obviously you're back to normal. Fully recovered I hope. ShadowLink will be sure to strike again soon."
I opened the book I had, "Of course. That's why I've already decided on the next artifact." I held it open so he could see.
He paled, "That's the Hallow's Stone."
I nodded, "Like Mirage, it's highly powerful. We need as much power as we can get as quickly as possible. Like you said, ShadowLink will strike again soon."
He pulled off his white paperboy cap and ran a hand through his hair, "You sure don't make this easy."
I closed the book, "If it were easy, I wouldn't have bothered to ask you for help in the first place."
He sighed and pulled back on his hat, "Alright. What's your plan this time? Hopefully not another solo mission. The Jets won't be too happy if we let you die a second time."
I smirked, "As if. This time, you're joining me. Jones will be backup, if he cares to join us."
I glanced at Jones, who smirked, "And miss seeing the great hero at work? Not a chance."
I grinned, "Then it's settled. We'll go for it tomorrow."
Reggie raised an eyebrow, "Tomorrow? Why wait? What happened to 'the sooner, the better'?"
I sighed, "Well we can't just go storming after an artifact if we don't even know how to get it!"
Reggie groaned, "You don't even know how to find it?"
I scoffed, "Of course I know how to find it, it's getting it I need to think about. It's in a very tricky place and we need a well thought out plan to get it."
Reggie shrugged, "Fine. Tomorrow."
Jones nodded, "I'll be ready. Just where do we head to find it?"
I held the book under my arm, "Far south, in an area called Fear's Hills. Some dangerous wizards made it their territory, so getting the Hallow's Stone out of there will definitely be difficult. As far as I know, they don't even know the stone is there."
Jones sighed, "Will that help us get it with less trouble?"
I sighed, "If only. You just let me worry about that. I've dealt with wizards longer than either of you."
Reggie scoffed, "Like you did the witches last time?"
I gave him an annoyed look, "I'll figure something out. Just be ready. Tomorrow morning, we head out."