Rockin' nodded at the others. "I'll take y'all to the piece," he said, spreading his wings to allow Rawk to climb on. [i]This is strange.[/i] Rockin' thought as he took flight.

If Cherry paid attention, she would notice the turquoise glow around his horn and wings. as he spread them and then again when he took flight.

It didn't take long for him to fly them back to the sign, eyeing the piece. "Does that look like a chaos emerald?" he asked, levitating it in his magic. "I have a feeling this will take us to the room most of us started in," he said, setting it in his hoof.

-----

Back in the black room, Code stood at the head of the table, watching the characters flash in with a green glow. "Welcome back, Rockin', Rawk, and Ysran. Welcome, Cherry. I see you've collected the first piece."

He stepped towards them, through the table. "I know you have quite a few questions. What is the crucible? What happened to make it shatter?  Why were you chosen to fix it? All will come in time."

He sat on the edge of the table, the green glow of his eyes peeking out from under his hood.

"What I can tell you is the crucible was created in a lab with, if I remember correctly, nearly a thousand scientists. Upon its completion, the Crucible created 5 mentalities. I am Code. If you have ever seen Star Trek, think of me as something similar to the Vulcans. Anomaly, whom you've already met, is more akin to the Klingon. There is also Birth, who despises fighting and often has to heal us afterward. The two not working with us have chosen the names God and Death."

He sighed and looked around. "I hope you do not have to meet them."

Focusing back on the piece, he smirked. "Everyone, touch the piece."

-----

Rockin eyed the piece, only half-listening to Code's explanation. He had touched the piece and brought everyone back to the room. He knew he had gotten stronger but had yet to discern how. He held out the piece, letting everyone else have a chance to touch it.

-----

Once everyone had touched the piece, Code continued. "The hole in the middle of the table works as a pocket dimension. The pieces will be able to rest there and repair themselves while you are out collecting the others."

He took the piece from Rockin' and dropped it in the hole, causing a green, glowing ripple to appear.