//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Coming Home 
// Story: Thawing Dark Ice 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

	'It feels like its been forever since I've been here.', Ice thought to himself as he sat with his family after he'd been freed from Dark Mist. 'Man this feels nice. Haven't had Mom's cooking in forever. Now I've got a family and a home again. And.... Ice's thought drifted to Indigo Zap. 'And I've got somebody to love now too.' Ice went to his old room, and found that nothing had changed at all. 'But I wonder...would she still like me if she knew everything I did? And should I even tell her?' These thoughts troubled Ice as he slept, and all through out the next morning. Ace and Shadow seemed to notice his gloomy state of mind.

"Everything alright Ice?", Ace asked. "You look kinda bummed out? Yesterday you looked so happy."

"I'm just thinking is all.", Ice said with a small smile.

"It's about Indigo isn't it?", Shadow asked with a smirk. "Come on man! You already asked her out and told her how you feel? Is that what you're stressing about?"

"It's about her yes. But that's not what's got me down."

"Well what's getting you down?", Ace asked.

"I was....thinking of telling her everything. EVERYTHING."

"......Oh.", Ace said with a solemn expression. "Well, I guess I can relate to you in one sense with Sonata. Her family didn't exactly leave a good first impression back at CHS. But people were willing to accept and forgive them. If we could do the same for you, I'm sure Indigo could do the same for you. If she really loves you she'll stay with you. No matter what."

"Thanks Ace. I've decided. I'll tell her today after school.", Ice said triumphantly. Then he looked at the time. "Oh man I'm gonna be late! Nice talk guys, but I've gotta summon Red Dragon Archfiend for a lift!" Ice rushed outside and summoned his dragon partner. "Floor it Red! I'm late!"

"Took your time dreaming about Zap didn't you?", Red Dragon said with a smirk.

"Less quips, more speed!", Ice scolded. Red Dragon Archfiend then flew over to Crystal Prep and Ice was ready to face his greatest challenge. 'Okay. I've got this! How hard can it be to tell her?'