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Description
One Last Dream Audition
A Poem For Everyone's Soul

_______________________________________________________________________

Gather 'round as I am here to sing a song of the heart
A poem, a story that touches the soul
One that may ring true, or not at all
The only one to decide that, is you.

Life is full of misfortune
Full of pain and torment
Full of remorse and regret
Full of loss and despair.

But those are a part all what life is,
and so much more.

Life is full of fortune
Full happiness and tears
Full of laughter and memories
Full of hope and dreams.

We all suffer many hardships throughout the life we live
But we also experience the many joys that it offers.
Life is never easy, and weighs heavily on the soul
But despite all of that,
It makes life worth living.

_______________________________________________________________________

Where books are food of the mind, music is food for the soul. A saying that has always rung true in the life for a girl of 17 and a half years. Music inspired her, gave her hope and despair, tears and joy. It is what fuels her and gives her meaning. That is what she lives for and her reason to push on, despite how bad things get. Without it, she loses everything that she is.

Now this said girl walks down her own road of life. One full of adventure and strife, but a path that which she chooses. An unstoppable force that which not even time and space can contain. Unpredictable and a will that cannot be shattered, she is of the few that have cut their strings. Though she knows not of who or what she is, she continues to traverse the path of peril, but walks a path that she is truly free and unbound by fate.

This said youth now walks down the streets of the city that which she calls home. Down the street where neon shines bright and the buzz of music can be heard from nearby bakeries and bars. Music from her headphones resonates and composes a symphony of sounds with those of the city. It is not long before she arrives home to her apartment.

With a sigh and a heave, she enters her apartment and locks the door behind her. Not even bothering to change into suitable nightwear nor grooming, she threw herself onto her onto her bed. A yawn escapes her lips as she curls up on her bed, exhausted by the days events.

"Nell sure can be a slave driver," She speaks to herself. "Can't help but feel sorry Locke for going through this daily. I guess that's what it's like to have a parent. One that owns a bookstore anyway."

"Still, I can't help but envy him. Would be kinda nice." Sighing as she took her headphones off her ears and hung them around her neck. "I wonder what it's like to see something with my own eyes? Oh well, not like that wish is ever going to come true, not even in my dreams." Yawning as she closed her eyes and letting sleep overcome her.

--*--*--*--*--

Another dream, just like every other. Full of darkness, but not void. Full of sounds and feelings, but not truly there. Dreams always seemed to feel so lonely to her. No color, no sight, just darkness. There was nothing to ever do in her dreams but think. However, a series of events would soon change all of that.

"They say a dream is a wish the heart makes, Ms. Karoline." Spoke an eery voice.

"Wha- Oracle? The hell are you doing in my dreams?" Karoline haughtily asked.

"Is it not allowed that I visit someone on my spare time?" The Oracle calmly questioned.

"You know just as well as I that you never do that. You only show up if you're on business, so cut to the chase."

"Straight to the point as always, I see. Very well then, I have a job for you. It-"

"Shove it, you manipulative ass! I refuse to do anything for you." Interrupting the Oracle with her brash temper.

"Ah, but this is something I know you won't refuse. You see, the world of dreams is in grave peril, young Strength, and I need you to prevent it from crumbling. You and I both know you cannot help but do the right thing, even at great cost to yourself." Came his cool reply.

Karoline gave out a low growl, knowing he was right, "Fine. I'll do it. I'll go to the dream world, but you gotta keep Locke and Nell safe. Do we have a deal?"

"Very well. I shall ensure the Fool and the Empress remain safe during your ordeal as part our agreement. Is there anything else?"

"Just open the damn portal."

Holding up a tarot card, he softly spoke, "The World," causing a circular portal to open in the ground. The portal looked like an entrance into an endless void of time and space, almost like a black hole. Karoline jumped into the portal, but not before flipping off the Oracle.

Closing the portal, the Oracle began chuckling to himself. "It's too bad you won't remember our encounter, Ms. Karoline. What I have revealed to you is rather vital. No matter, the pieces are in place and the one whom defies fate has been sent. Let us see if you can deal with the nightmare that is soon to come, young Strength. And perhaps, remember who you truly are."

--*--*--*--*--

Falling. Falling into the void is the best way to describe it. A feeling of nothingness and emptiness fills the girl that could alter fate. A strange sensation, one that is better left not felt. An all too familiar feeling to the girl, to the young dreamer, Karoline. A feeling not felt since the very first time she had woken up. One that she'd rather not remember.

Everything faded, faded into the void. A consuming feeling that Karoline could not help but feeling herself lose to. Twas not long before she succumbed to sleep, and her entrance into the world of dreams.

--*--*--*--*--

The first thing Karoline thought and felt as she regained consciousness was, 'Where the hell am I? And why the hell does my chest feel so heavy?'

"Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beauty." It said with a hint of mischief.

After putting on her headphones, Karoline sat up to meet eye to eye with what looked like a miniature snow leopard with shoulder pads and a pouch full of scrolls. What's stranger was the fact the said feline spoke and grinned at Karoline. To the ordinary person, it would be quite a shock to see a talking feline, but then again, Karoline was never a normal person.

"First, off my chest. Second, where am I anyway?" Karoline asked as the feline hopped off her chest.

"Why, the Dimension of Dreams of course. Where'd you think you were, the land of sunshine and rainbows?"

"Hardy, har, har. You're a real riot, you know that? " Karoline sarcastically laughed as she pick herself up. "So this is the world of dreams, huh? Not much different than back home."

"You're suddenly in the Dimension of Dreams, and it doesn't bother you in the slightest? What's wrong with you?" The female feline questioned.

"Heh, my home world makes this place look normal. Let's put it this way, this world is where dreams comes to life, whereas my world is where the imagination comes to life. It's where all worlds meet." Karoline explained as if she were a professor.

"Uh huh. Sure." The feline responded in a disbelieving tone.

"I really don't give a damn whether you believe me or not, pussy cat. Who are you anyway?"

"The name's Snowtrap, or Snow for short, one of the judges for our fine little tournament. The one that you happen to be a part of." Snowtrap introduced herself.

"A tournament? What are you-? I never signed up for some tourney!" Karoline exclaimed in a mix of surprise and anger.

"Whether you wanted to join or not, you're a part of it. Just check your shoulder." Snowtrap pointed towards Karoline's right shoulder.

Karoline first checked her left shoulder. Feeling nothing, she check her right, only to feel a strange jewel embedded in her skin. A mix of confusion and anger quickly went through her as the possible implications of suddenly waking up and having her body altered, even if only minor, during an unknown period of unconsciousness suddenly welled up in her.

Snowtrap looked on at Karoline with curiosity as her strange behavior of checking the wrong shoulder first. Before she could comment on it, she was hastily picked up by an excited Karoline.

"The hell did you do to me while I was asleep you little fur ball!? Why the hell is there a gem on my arm!? What did you do to me!?" Karoline yelled hysterically as she shook the small cat like a ragdoll.

"I di-dn't do a-ny-thi-i-ing!" Snowtrap managed to get out as Karoline violently shook her.

Karoline slowly stopped shaking Snowtrap at her cry of innocence and gently placed the dizzy feline on the ground, but not without a hard glare of doubt. The said cat staggered a few steps before collapsing from dizziness.

"I would appreciate you not incapacitating our judges, miss." Spoke a low, calm voice.

Karoline turned around to face the stranger, her anger and confusion never leaving her face. "Just who the hell are you?!"

"My name is Zulani, another judge for the tournament you are participating in." The masked demon introduced himself. "Now, please calm down before I force you to."

"Fine." Pouting like a child as she quickly cooled off. "Now would you tell me as to how and why I'm even here? I'd ask the pussy cat, but she seems like she's experiencing vertigo right now."

The said feline was still lying on the ground in a semi-conscious state. "Someone make the world stop spinning," She said in her dazed state.

"You simply fell asleep. As for the why, Snowtrap may have told you. To put it simply you are a contestant of a tournament to decide the ruler of the Dimension of Dreams. The gem on your arms is your entry ticket to the tournament, as is what keeps you in it. Break it, and you're out and left to fend on your own." Zulani calmly explained.

"Doesn't sound much dif- Wait. Did you say this tourney is to decide the ruler of this place? I can't do that! I have to get back home!" Karoline exclaimed with a hint of panic.

"You do not necessarily have to take up the throne if you win. You may choose someone else to take your stead if you do not wish to take up the position. That, or simply break the jewel on your shoulder. You may return home after either condition is met."

Karoline quickly calmed down and entered a thinking position as she began to think aloud. "Seems tempting to take the easy way out, but the possibility of some scumbag winning doesn't exactly give me much of an option. Seems like I'm in. Besides, something about this world feels vaguely familiar. Don't quite know why though."

"Very well," Zulani said as he raised an eyebrow in mild surprise from Karoline's sudden change in demeanor. "I'll show you where you'll be staying once Snowtrap wakes up."

--*--*--*--*--

The wait for the tour was not long, as Snowtrap was soon back up onto her own four feet. To say she was angry about being shaken by Karoline would be putting it mildly. And to say their conversation was civil would be an outright lie.

"-You're the one who shook me until I was unconscious!" Snowtrap yelled at Karoline.

"What the hell did expect me to do after suddenly waking up and finding a jewel embedded in my shoulder!? It could have been a tramp stamp for all I knew!" Came Karoline's loud retort.

"You could have yelled or run around in panic instead! Just about anything else would have been better!"

Zulani's was at wit's end as the females' conversation. It had been like that for the past ten minutes, and it didn't seem like it would end any time soon. His patience was at its limits, and so he finally spoke to put an end to his misery.

"Would you both shut up!" He hissed as he bared his fangs. "Your bickering is insufferable. If you two want to continue arguing, fine! You can show her where everything is then Snowtrap. I'm out of here." Walking of without another word.

Both stopped in immediate surprise at Zulani's little burst. Their surprise then changed to that of one like two children that had been scolded by their parents. After several seconds of silence, Karoline finally spoke up. "So, if this is the world of dream, we can change it to however we imagine it, right?"

"To a limited extent," Snowtrap replied. "If you've been here as long as me and Zulani here, you can really change the place, but you, as a contestant, are only allowed to do only fairly minor things. Doing anything beyond minor stuff will result in disqualification."

"Ouch, seems rather harsh, but I suppose I can understand." Making an expression of sympathy and slight pain. "So what are the conditions of winning each round of this tourny?"

"Simply break the jewel that resides on your opponent's body or make them disqualify themselves somehow. Simple as that!" Snowtrap replied in a cheery tone. "Oh, and no fighting in any of the neutral zones. Immediate disqualification there."

"Good to know. So, are you going to show me where I'm going to be staying at or what?" Karoline asked in a slightly bored tone.

"It's right over there, the Neverlasting Hotel." Snowtrap pointed over to the nearby hotel at the edge of the field.

"Where is, 'there', exactly?" Giving Snowtrap a look of confusion.

"Right over there, where I'm pointing at!" Anger rising in her voice as she looked at Karoline wondering if she was stupid. "What are you, bl-"

"Blind? Yes, yes I am." Remaining calm and turning the moment into a very awkward one.

"Oh, um, that does explain a lot. I'll just show you. Follow me." Quickly changing the topic to avoid the awkward situation and began leading the way to the hotel.

"Lead the way, Snow." Not seeming to care about having her handicap revealed and followed the small feline.

"So-" Snowtrap attempted to ask before being interrupted.

"Yep. Blind as a bat."

"Then how can you act like you're not?"

"Sonar headphones," Karoline answered as she tapped her headset. "Acts similar to how a submarine or bat uses it, the sonar I mean. It constantly sends out a high frequency signal, higher than any organic can hear, that makes "pictures" of the world in real time. Only difference between my sonar and any other is that mine works 360 degrees."

"Interesting," Snowtrap said as they entered the hotel and walked through the lobby. "Well, this is the place you'll be staying. To the left is the living room, where you can hang out with the other contestants. You can find out who you're fighting and who won your matches there." Pointing to a seemingly small room at the end of the lobby. "Come on, I'll show you the plaza."

"Lead the way, Snow." Following the said cat outside.

"Down the street and to the left is the hospital. You can get yourself patched up there. Directly across the street is the café, Eternal Dream. They have the best chocolate and cakes you'll ever find." And down there is-" Snowtrap continued to give her tour.

Karoline stopped listening to Snowtrap as something caught her attention. It was a large fountain that was situated in the middle of the plaza, but that was not what really had her so bewitched. What really had her mesmerized was the statue that sat in the center of the fountain.

It was of a woman with large angelic wings with a flowing robe, giving her a serene grace beyond that of any angel. Adorning her face was a calming smile that put the most angered and agitated as ease, put a smile on the saddest of faces, and even provided a sense comfort to those who felt lost. Her long flowing hair cascading down her shoulders. It was breathtaking, even to Karoline's blind eyes.

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" Noticing that Karoline's attention seemed to be elsewhere.

"Huh? Oh! Sorry." Karoline apologized. "It's just that statue in the fountain kinda distracted me. What is that statue of anyway?"

"It's the statue of the very first ruler of the Dimension of Dreams. She was said to have been the most benevolent ruler to exist and had the most beautiful voice ever heard, good enough to make angels jealous. Heck, it was even said she was one. Unfortunately, she disappeared after defending the world from the very first nightmare. With her gone, we were without a ruler and the world started falling apart. Well, until the first tournament was started and a new ruler was put in place."

"Wow. Hell of a story. And hell of a woman." A look of amazement and admiration adorned Karoline's face as she 'stared' at the statue. "Thanks for the tour and all, Snow. It was kinda fun." Giving Snowtrap a genuine smile.

"Huh? Oh, no problem."

"We didn't exactly start off on the right foot and I don't think I ever introduced myself, so let's start over. The name's Karoline Faux, but most call me, Song." Grinning and offering her hand.

"Name's Snowtrap, Snow for short." Offering her own paw, allowing both females to shake. "Well, I gotta get going. Things to do, places to see. Later!" She shouted as she took off.

"Later!" Karoline shouted back as Snowtrap vanished into the distance. Looking back at the statue, Karoline couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. "Looks like I'm saving the world once again, but why do I feel like I've been here before? Ah well, no sense in dwelling on things you can't change."

With a large grin on her face and her woes behind her, she marched off back to the hotel. Her confidence knowing no bounds, she announced her declaration to the world. "Look out world, 'cause Karoline Faux is coming to save the day and kick some ass!"

Description
One Last Dream Audition
A Poem For Everyone's Soul

_______________________________________________________________________

Gather 'round as I am here to sing a song of the heart
A poem, a story that touches the soul
One that may ring true, or not at all
The only one to decide that, is you.

Life is full of misfortune
Full of pain and torment
Full of remorse and regret
Full of loss and despair.

But those are a part all what life is,
and so much more.

Life is full of fortune
Full happiness and tears
Full of laughter and memories
Full of hope and dreams.

We all suffer many hardships throughout the life we live
But we also experience the many joys that it offers.
Life is never easy, and weighs heavily on the soul
But despite all of that,
It makes life worth living.

_______________________________________________________________________

Where books are food of the mind, music is food for the soul. A saying that has always rung true in the life for a girl of 17 and a half years. Music inspired her, gave her hope and despair, tears and joy. It is what fuels her and gives her meaning. That is what she lives for and her reason to push on, despite how bad things get. Without it, she loses everything that she is.

Now this said girl walks down her own road of life. One full of adventure and strife, but a path that which she chooses. An unstoppable force that which not even time and space can contain. Unpredictable and a will that cannot be shattered, she is of the few that have cut their strings. Though she knows not of who or what she is, she continues to traverse the path of peril, but walks a path that she is truly free and unbound by fate.

This said youth now walks down the streets of the city that which she calls home. Down the street where neon shines bright and the buzz of music can be heard from nearby bakeries and bars. Music from her headphones resonates and composes a symphony of sounds with those of the city. It is not long before she arrives home to her apartment.

With a sigh and a heave, she enters her apartment and locks the door behind her. Not even bothering to change into suitable nightwear nor grooming, she threw herself onto her onto her bed. A yawn escapes her lips as she curls up on her bed, exhausted by the days events.

"Nell sure can be a slave driver," She speaks to herself. "Can't help but feel sorry Locke for going through this daily. I guess that's what it's like to have a parent. One that owns a bookstore anyway."

"Still, I can't help but envy him. Would be kinda nice." Sighing as she took her headphones off her ears and hung them around her neck. "I wonder what it's like to see something with my own eyes? Oh well, not like that wish is ever going to come true, not even in my dreams." Yawning as she closed her eyes and letting sleep overcome her.

--*--*--*--*--

Another dream, just like every other. Full of darkness, but not void. Full of sounds and feelings, but not truly there. Dreams always seemed to feel so lonely to her. No color, no sight, just darkness. There was nothing to ever do in her dreams but think. However, a series of events would soon change all of that.

"They say a dream is a wish the heart makes, Ms. Karoline." Spoke an eery voice.

"Wha- Oracle? The hell are you doing in my dreams?" Karoline haughtily asked.

"Is it not allowed that I visit someone on my spare time?" The Oracle calmly questioned.

"You know just as well as I that you never do that. You only show up if you're on business, so cut to the chase."

"Straight to the point as always, I see. Very well then, I have a job for you. It-"

"Shove it, you manipulative ass! I refuse to do anything for you." Interrupting the Oracle with her brash temper.

"Ah, but this is something I know you won't refuse. You see, the world of dreams is in grave peril, young Strength, and I need you to prevent it from crumbling. You and I both know you cannot help but do the right thing, even at great cost to yourself." Came his cool reply.

Karoline gave out a low growl, knowing he was right, "Fine. I'll do it. I'll go to the dream world, but you gotta keep Locke and Nell safe. Do we have a deal?"

"Very well. I shall ensure the Fool and the Empress remain safe during your ordeal as part our agreement. Is there anything else?"

"Just open the damn portal."

Holding up a tarot card, he softly spoke, "The World," causing a circular portal to open in the ground. The portal looked like an entrance into an endless void of time and space, almost like a black hole. Karoline jumped into the portal, but not before flipping off the Oracle.

Closing the portal, the Oracle began chuckling to himself. "It's too bad you won't remember our encounter, Ms. Karoline. What I have revealed to you is rather vital. No matter, the pieces are in place and the one whom defies fate has been sent. Let us see if you can deal with the nightmare that is soon to come, young Strength. And perhaps, remember who you truly are."

--*--*--*--*--

Falling. Falling into the void is the best way to describe it. A feeling of nothingness and emptiness fills the girl that could alter fate. A strange sensation, one that is better left not felt. An all too familiar feeling to the girl, to the young dreamer, Karoline. A feeling not felt since the very first time she had woken up. One that she'd rather not remember.

Everything faded, faded into the void. A consuming feeling that Karoline could not help but feeling herself lose to. Twas not long before she succumbed to sleep, and her entrance into the world of dreams.

--*--*--*--*--

The first thing Karoline thought and felt as she regained consciousness was, 'Where the hell am I? And why the hell does my chest feel so heavy?'

"Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beauty." It said with a hint of mischief.

After putting on her headphones, Karoline sat up to meet eye to eye with what looked like a miniature snow leopard with shoulder pads and a pouch full of scrolls. What's stranger was the fact the said feline spoke and grinned at Karoline. To the ordinary person, it would be quite a shock to see a talking feline, but then again, Karoline was never a normal person.

"First, off my chest. Second, where am I anyway?" Karoline asked as the feline hopped off her chest.

"Why, the Dimension of Dreams of course. Where'd you think you were, the land of sunshine and rainbows?"

"Hardy, har, har. You're a real riot, you know that? " Karoline sarcastically laughed as she pick herself up. "So this is the world of dreams, huh? Not much different than back home."

"You're suddenly in the Dimension of Dreams, and it doesn't bother you in the slightest? What's wrong with you?" The female feline questioned.

"Heh, my home world makes this place look normal. Let's put it this way, this world is where dreams comes to life, whereas my world is where the imagination comes to life. It's where all worlds meet." Karoline explained as if she were a professor.

"Uh huh. Sure." The feline responded in a disbelieving tone.

"I really don't give a damn whether you believe me or not, pussy cat. Who are you anyway?"

"The name's Snowtrap, or Snow for short, one of the judges for our fine little tournament. The one that you happen to be a part of." Snowtrap introduced herself.

"A tournament? What are you-? I never signed up for some tourney!" Karoline exclaimed in a mix of surprise and anger.

"Whether you wanted to join or not, you're a part of it. Just check your shoulder." Snowtrap pointed towards Karoline's right shoulder.

Karoline first checked her left shoulder. Feeling nothing, she check her right, only to feel a strange jewel embedded in her skin. A mix of confusion and anger quickly went through her as the possible implications of suddenly waking up and having her body altered, even if only minor, during an unknown period of unconsciousness suddenly welled up in her.

Snowtrap looked on at Karoline with curiosity as her strange behavior of checking the wrong shoulder first. Before she could comment on it, she was hastily picked up by an excited Karoline.

"The hell did you do to me while I was asleep you little fur ball!? Why the hell is there a gem on my arm!? What did you do to me!?" Karoline yelled hysterically as she shook the small cat like a ragdoll.

"I di-dn't do a-ny-thi-i-ing!" Snowtrap managed to get out as Karoline violently shook her.

Karoline slowly stopped shaking Snowtrap at her cry of innocence and gently placed the dizzy feline on the ground, but not without a hard glare of doubt. The said cat staggered a few steps before collapsing from dizziness.

"I would appreciate you not incapacitating our judges, miss." Spoke a low, calm voice.

Karoline turned around to face the stranger, her anger and confusion never leaving her face. "Just who the hell are you?!"

"My name is Zulani, another judge for the tournament you are participating in." The masked demon introduced himself. "Now, please calm down before I force you to."

"Fine." Pouting like a child as she quickly cooled off. "Now would you tell me as to how and why I'm even here? I'd ask the pussy cat, but she seems like she's experiencing vertigo right now."

The said feline was still lying on the ground in a semi-conscious state. "Someone make the world stop spinning," She said in her dazed state.

"You simply fell asleep. As for the why, Snowtrap may have told you. To put it simply you are a contestant of a tournament to decide the ruler of the Dimension of Dreams. The gem on your arms is your entry ticket to the tournament, as is what keeps you in it. Break it, and you're out and left to fend on your own." Zulani calmly explained.

"Doesn't sound much dif- Wait. Did you say this tourney is to decide the ruler of this place? I can't do that! I have to get back home!" Karoline exclaimed with a hint of panic.

"You do not necessarily have to take up the throne if you win. You may choose someone else to take your stead if you do not wish to take up the position. That, or simply break the jewel on your shoulder. You may return home after either condition is met."

Karoline quickly calmed down and entered a thinking position as she began to think aloud. "Seems tempting to take the easy way out, but the possibility of some scumbag winning doesn't exactly give me much of an option. Seems like I'm in. Besides, something about this world feels vaguely familiar. Don't quite know why though."

"Very well," Zulani said as he raised an eyebrow in mild surprise from Karoline's sudden change in demeanor. "I'll show you where you'll be staying once Snowtrap wakes up."

--*--*--*--*--

The wait for the tour was not long, as Snowtrap was soon back up onto her own four feet. To say she was angry about being shaken by Karoline would be putting it mildly. And to say their conversation was civil would be an outright lie.

"-You're the one who shook me until I was unconscious!" Snowtrap yelled at Karoline.

"What the hell did expect me to do after suddenly waking up and finding a jewel embedded in my shoulder!? It could have been a tramp stamp for all I knew!" Came Karoline's loud retort.

"You could have yelled or run around in panic instead! Just about anything else would have been better!"

Zulani's was at wit's end as the females' conversation. It had been like that for the past ten minutes, and it didn't seem like it would end any time soon. His patience was at its limits, and so he finally spoke to put an end to his misery.

"Would you both shut up!" He hissed as he bared his fangs. "Your bickering is insufferable. If you two want to continue arguing, fine! You can show her where everything is then Snowtrap. I'm out of here." Walking of without another word.

Both stopped in immediate surprise at Zulani's little burst. Their surprise then changed to that of one like two children that had been scolded by their parents. After several seconds of silence, Karoline finally spoke up. "So, if this is the world of dream, we can change it to however we imagine it, right?"

"To a limited extent," Snowtrap replied. "If you've been here as long as me and Zulani here, you can really change the place, but you, as a contestant, are only allowed to do only fairly minor things. Doing anything beyond minor stuff will result in disqualification."

"Ouch, seems rather harsh, but I suppose I can understand." Making an expression of sympathy and slight pain. "So what are the conditions of winning each round of this tourny?"

"Simply break the jewel that resides on your opponent's body or make them disqualify themselves somehow. Simple as that!" Snowtrap replied in a cheery tone. "Oh, and no fighting in any of the neutral zones. Immediate disqualification there."

"Good to know. So, are you going to show me where I'm going to be staying at or what?" Karoline asked in a slightly bored tone.

"It's right over there, the Neverlasting Hotel." Snowtrap pointed over to the nearby hotel at the edge of the field.

"Where is, 'there', exactly?" Giving Snowtrap a look of confusion.

"Right over there, where I'm pointing at!" Anger rising in her voice as she looked at Karoline wondering if she was stupid. "What are you, bl-"

"Blind? Yes, yes I am." Remaining calm and turning the moment into a very awkward one.

"Oh, um, that does explain a lot. I'll just show you. Follow me." Quickly changing the topic to avoid the awkward situation and began leading the way to the hotel.

"Lead the way, Snow." Not seeming to care about having her handicap revealed and followed the small feline.

"So-" Snowtrap attempted to ask before being interrupted.

"Yep. Blind as a bat."

"Then how can you act like you're not?"

"Sonar headphones," Karoline answered as she tapped her headset. "Acts similar to how a submarine or bat uses it, the sonar I mean. It constantly sends out a high frequency signal, higher than any organic can hear, that makes "pictures" of the world in real time. Only difference between my sonar and any other is that mine works 360 degrees."

"Interesting," Snowtrap said as they entered the hotel and walked through the lobby. "Well, this is the place you'll be staying. To the left is the living room, where you can hang out with the other contestants. You can find out who you're fighting and who won your matches there." Pointing to a seemingly small room at the end of the lobby. "Come on, I'll show you the plaza."

"Lead the way, Snow." Following the said cat outside.

"Down the street and to the left is the hospital. You can get yourself patched up there. Directly across the street is the café, Eternal Dream. They have the best chocolate and cakes you'll ever find." And down there is-" Snowtrap continued to give her tour.

Karoline stopped listening to Snowtrap as something caught her attention. It was a large fountain that was situated in the middle of the plaza, but that was not what really had her so bewitched. What really had her mesmerized was the statue that sat in the center of the fountain.

It was of a woman with large angelic wings with a flowing robe, giving her a serene grace beyond that of any angel. Adorning her face was a calming smile that put the most angered and agitated as ease, put a smile on the saddest of faces, and even provided a sense comfort to those who felt lost. Her long flowing hair cascading down her shoulders. It was breathtaking, even to Karoline's blind eyes.

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" Noticing that Karoline's attention seemed to be elsewhere.

"Huh? Oh! Sorry." Karoline apologized. "It's just that statue in the fountain kinda distracted me. What is that statue of anyway?"

"It's the statue of the very first ruler of the Dimension of Dreams. She was said to have been the most benevolent ruler to exist and had the most beautiful voice ever heard, good enough to make angels jealous. Heck, it was even said she was one. Unfortunately, she disappeared after defending the world from the very first nightmare. With her gone, we were without a ruler and the world started falling apart. Well, until the first tournament was started and a new ruler was put in place."

"Wow. Hell of a story. And hell of a woman." A look of amazement and admiration adorned Karoline's face as she 'stared' at the statue. "Thanks for the tour and all, Snow. It was kinda fun." Giving Snowtrap a genuine smile.

"Huh? Oh, no problem."

"We didn't exactly start off on the right foot and I don't think I ever introduced myself, so let's start over. The name's Karoline Faux, but most call me, Song." Grinning and offering her hand.

"Name's Snowtrap, Snow for short." Offering her own paw, allowing both females to shake. "Well, I gotta get going. Things to do, places to see. Later!" She shouted as she took off.

"Later!" Karoline shouted back as Snowtrap vanished into the distance. Looking back at the statue, Karoline couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. "Looks like I'm saving the world once again, but why do I feel like I've been here before? Ah well, no sense in dwelling on things you can't change."

With a large grin on her face and her woes behind her, she marched off back to the hotel. Her confidence knowing no bounds, she announced her declaration to the world. "Look out world, 'cause Karoline Faux is coming to save the day and kick some ass!"