Previously on Warriors of Destiny: On board the mysterious underwater transport, the group was whisked away to the vast underwater city of Damascus. Though appearances indicated the city had long ago been abandoned, it was not.
Following the trail of the rogue fleet soldiers, they came across a curious inhabitant of the city. A small flying robot, but the group attacked it. To their surprise a larger robot, apparently the smaller defender, attacked the group. During this fight, another strange inhabitant of the city looked on.
During their fight however, the structure of the hallway they were in was weakened, the slow ebb of the ocean threatening to crush the hallways. Able to escape the emergency doors with help from the strange creature, the crew continued deeper into the city.
Shortly after their fight, Drac went berserk as a demon, placed deep in his subconscious by Daegriss, was brought forth. It quickly possessed Valrash and through him attacked the squad. Knocked unconscious, Valrash later attempted to possess Shayne, only to learn that he was Syne and the demon could not possess the shape shifter.
With a subway car linking sections of Damascus together, the crew boarded it and began to head off for their next destination. Deeper in the city, carved from the seabed, rested the sacred sword being worshiped by the city�s strange inhabitants. However, the rogue fleet soldiers soon attacked, seeking to claim the sword for themselves.
*Time passed: None*
The subway car clatters down the tracks, groaning and moaning from age as it goes but miraculously still in one piece. On the opposite track, you notice the fate of the other car, long since burned out from the apparent explosion that had ripped it in half.
The massive underground tunnel gives way to a long stretch of thick windowed tunnel, the untamed beauty of the ocean consuming the view beyond the glass. Fish numbering in the thousands play among the ten story tall seaweed and human sized coral growing from the ocean floor.
DracBlue places a hand on Katie�s shoulder, �Are you alright?�
Shadow turns to Tza, then walks over to and looks at her. �Something seems to be troubling you, Miss. Anything I can do to help?�
Katie turns red-rimmed eyes on Drac. She opens her mouth to speak, but only a high keening squeak emerges. She looks back down to the floor.
Shayne looks over at Katie and sighs heavily. Taking a few steps over to her, he offers back the pistol, �You can have this back now��
DracBlue looks worried, but sits next to Katie. He rubs his hand up and down her back, trying to cheer her up, not knowing anything else to do.
Katie looks up at Shayne, takes the pistol and stares down its barrel with a numb expression. Her finger strokes the trigger slowly.
Kyra touches Katie�s arm softly.
Tabris looks at Claron with a frown, then over at Katie.
Tzaphiel glances up at Shadow, then scoots over and pats the seat next to her. �I don�t know what to do now,� she sighs softly.
Arwyn gazes out the subway car window, awestricken by the untamed beauty of the ocean.
Thorn looks up with a worried expression. �Katerina.� He says sharply.
Shadow takes a seat next to her. �We are all lost from time to time. Why are you lost right now?�
�Hope that�ll do until we get back to ship,� Stryder looks over at Clarice wearing his armor jacket that is a few sizes large for her.
Clarice raises her head to glance at Katie when she hears the high keening squeak.
Another tear rolls down from Katie�s eye, and she hugs the pistol to her chest.
Luna�s ears fold tightly closed as she buries her face in Eclipse�s neck. �Why did he do that?� she whispurrs quietly to him.
Wraith glances over his shoulder, then drifts back to looking ahead of the subway car. Motioning with his hand, Cinthoric moves to hover just next to his back, as if hanging in an invisible scabbard.
Thorzdren jumps to his feet. �Katerina! No!�
�I have an ide�� Eclipse turn his head at Thorzdren�s yell.
Shayne kneels in front of Katie, �That�s not the answer, Katie,� he reaches forward to touch her cheek gently.
Tzaphiel nods to Shadow but turns her gaze toward Drac and Katie. �He doesn�t know me anymore.�
Claron doesn�t miss the frown on Tabris� face. Giving him a pat on the thigh with her hand, she slips out of her seat and moves over to her best friend. �Kat?�
Katie�s eyes lock with Thorn�s. �I�I�� She holds his gaze as he stares her down. Finally, she lowers the pistol and slides it into the holster.
Kyra�s sigh of relief is audible.
Shadow looks over at DracBlue, �Well, if he doesn�t know you anymore�there has to be a reason for it. Maybe if you find out what it is, then maybe that will be one step closer to helping him.�
Katie looks from Claron to Thorn to Shayne. Then she visibly collapses and begins shaking.
�It must have taken ages to build this city this far down here,� Stryder comments as he gazes out at the ocean.
Kyra looks over at Stryder with a pained expression, then sighs and pats Katie�s arm.
Shayne stands and takes a step back, allowing Claron to comfort her friend.
Tzaphiel wipes her face dry on her sleeve as her gaze moves to the fish outside the subway�s windows.
�How can we help you, Katerina?� Thorn�s soft voice rumbles.
�I just want to hit something.� Katie�s soft whisper is anguished.
�Oh, Kat�� as Claron kneels down in the spot Shayne moved back from. She reaches her hand out and places it on her shoulder. �I know��
�Plenty of bad guys waiting to oblige you, Katie, I�m sure,� Tabris gives a smirk, though it loses itself with a solemn look.
�Then hit me, Katie. I deserve far worse than that from you,� Clarice whimpers.
Katie looks at Clarice, and her eyes blaze for a moment. Then she coldly looks away, staring out the window.
�If this map is correct, we will be there shortly,� Wraith says idly over his shoulder, glancing at the old map on the control panel.
Shadow looks over at Tza. �Maybe you need to stay close to him and catch him when he is alone.�
Eclipse looks back to Luna, �Where was I? Ahh, yes�I have an idea of why, but I cannot be certain.�
The subway car begins to slow ever so slightly. Ahead, the large glass tunnel arcs wide to the right towards a large complex. Within a matter of moments the ocean view is gone, replaced by solid stone yet again.
Tzaphiel sighs, �How do I do that? He hasn�t got a reason to be alone with me.�
Shadow sighs, �Well, his race was set free by women. So they hold them in high regards. So if you just ask, I�m sure he would oblige you.�
Arwyn turns her head to look at Tza, �Not up for a challenge, shape shifter?�
�I can smell them, they definitely came this way,� Aurora looks up at Stryder with a nod of her head.
�There�� Wraith says softly as the station comes into view ahead. The subway slows substantially, all but crawling into its designated resting place at the platform ahead.
Shayne reaches over and grabs his rifle again. Looking down at Katie, he sighs softly, then looks ahead at the platform.
Tabris looks up as the subway car makes a final clanking as it stops at the platform�s edge.
Wraith steps away from the control console and out onto the platform to look around. A large half circle tunnel leads upwards, stairwell dark as the meager illumination from the subway car cannot reach them.
Luna tries to refocus on the mission as the car slows to a stop. �Let�s get this over with quickly.�
Tzaphiel glares at Arwyn, �I don�t think anyone was talking to you.�
Shadow looks over at Arwyn, then rolls his eyes.
Kyra tugs on Katie�s arm. �C�mon, Kat. Time to go.�
Katie continues to stare out the window.
A silhouette of gunfire flashes from somewhere on the stairwell, a trail of bullets chunking into the tile platform near Wraith. The last bullet in the burst catches him in the shoulder and he stumbles back before rolling behind a stone bench.
Several more rifle bursts strike the subway car, shattering its windows and causing bullets to ricochet off the metal with loud *pings!*
�That does wonders for your looks, dwarf,� Arwyn says sarcastically.
Hearing the gunfire, Shayne immediately goes flat against the car�s doorway. Glancing around, he fires a few shots towards the stairwell, trying to find the source of the return fire.
Luna growls as the bullets hit the car. �When I said quickly, I didn�t mean like this.� She moves towards the door and crawls out to Wraith.
Kyra drops to the floor.
�McKinnon, get your ass up. Like it or not, we have a mission to finish!� Claron barks out in her old military voice.
Tzaphiel follows Luna out the door, firing energy blasts at the stairwell to provide her cover.
Gripping his sword, Eclipse launches out one of the broken windows and up the nearest wall on all fours. He growls as a bullet grazes his tail as he runs across the ceiling.
Katie looks up disinterestedly as a ricocheting bullet shatters the window next to her.
Tza�s energy balls give short bursts of light as they hit the stone steps, a dark armored soldier outlined briefly by the flash.
�Gotcha,� Shayne growls as he steps out and fires in that direction.
DracBlue covers Katie with his wings and pulls her down to the floor to make sure she can�t get hit without it going through him first.
�God damn it, McKinnon!� Claron groans as Katie is pulled from her seat down to floor.
Luna gets to Wraith and flattens herself behind the bench with him. �Here, let me see.� She places her paw over his wound, healing the open wound quickly.
Eclipse disappears into the darkness of the stairwell. A yelp, followed by an un-aimed burst from the rifle, precursor one of the soldiers rolling down the stairs with Morthoseth shoved through his chest.
Tzaphiel smiles slightly as she feels the old times return. �I�ll torch �em, you light �em up.�
Wraith cringes slightly, but gives Luna a nod of thanks.
Shadow teleports behind one of the dark armored soldiers and swings his axe through time, towards his neck.
Luna shakes her head at Wraith, �Have a care.� She leans up to look over the bench, checking the area.
Shadow senses something odd and temporal as he strikes.
The soldier turns with unnatural quickness and dodges the blade. The soldier�s yellow face mask flashes briefly as he teleports further up the stairs and fires at Shadow.
A burst of bullets chunks into the bench in front of Luna, fired from another soldier hiding on the stairwell.
Eclipse leaps from the ceiling and pries Morthoseth loose with a post-mortem arterial spray accompanying his effort.
Shadow teleports out of the way as the bullets fly into the wall where he was. As he teleports behind this person, he pulls out a second axe and swings it as he is swinging his main axe, trying to strike at two places at once.
The soldier dodges again, but catches Shadow�s second axe in his side. With a growl of defiance, he stabs a combat knife from his belt into Shadow�s shoulder before tumbling down the stairs.
Shadow teleports again, just below the tumbling figure to the side. He tries to implant another axe, and his main one in him as he tumbles, making sure he will die as he ignores his injury.
Stryder rolls out of the subway car to behind an old ticket booth, Aurora following him gracefully. Drawing his blade, he looks up through the booth to the stair, noticing only two remaining silhouettes of gunfire in the dark.
The tumbling soldier�s death is assured as Shadow�s axe cleaves an arm off and slashes the chest, both parts landing at the bottom of the staircase.
Shadow gets to the body and pulls off the mask, wanting to identify the person.
Luna ducks as the bullets hit the bench. �Stay down, Wraith.�
Tzaphiel sends more energy blasts into the hallway, lighting up the soldiers hiding there.
�Thinking what I�m thinking?� Stryder nods at Aurora. Jumping out, he runs a short zigzag to avoid the soldier shooting at him while Aurora leaps over the ticket booth and up into the stairs.
The lioness and soldier roll to the stairs� bottom, the former gripping the latter�s neck with powerful jaws and delivering a feral dislocation of the spine.
Arwyn takes that moment when the stairwell lights up to rapid fire arrows at the soldiers.
The remaining soldier attempts to run up the stairs but collapses against them as Arwyn�s arrows pincushion into his back.
The creature under the mask is not particularly pleasant to look at and is not familiar. However, Shadow senses a dying temporal signature coming from the facemask in his hand.
Tabris looks around motioning for Claron to stand, �Looks like we got them all. Good job, guys.�
Luna stands up slowly and reaches a paw down to help Wraith up. �I think we�re in the right place.�
Shadow places the mask on his side for later use. As he teleports back to the group, he pulls the combat knife out of his shoulder and walks towards Luna.
�Indeed�� Wraith takes the paw and exercises his shoulder to assure him it�s healed.
Claron nods back at Tabris, then stands up slowly.
Shayne lowers his rifle and steps out of the subway car, �Everyone alright?�
Aurora licks the blood from her jaws, then pads back over to Stryder.
Shadow looks at Luna, �I could use a patch job, if that�s alright, Miss.�
Cara takes a quick look around at those still in the car. Then calls out, �All seem alright here.�
Luna looks at Shadow and lays her paw on his shoulder, healing him quickly. �Good work there.�
�Va?� Cara�s eyes widen as she realizes her father is lying on the floor. Rushing over towards him, she sees a bloody graze mark from one of the ricocheting bullets across his forehead, rendering him unconscious.
Shadow nods to Luna, �Thank you.�
�Slip suits,� Eclipse rolls the dead soldier over with his foot. �Too well equipped for a typical soldier. Exercise caution, there may be more hiding.�
Luna walks over to Eclipse and wraps an arm around his waist, her tail wraps around his, healing his wound. �They�re becoming more well equipped as time passes.�
DracBlue gets up, helping Katie up as well.
Tzaphiel holds an orb ready to throw as she looks around for the next target.
Lifting up his rifle, Shayne checks the remaining charges in the clip. With a disapproving nod, he shoves the clip back in. �We should head out, but I agree, be on guard everyone,� he says as he glances over his shoulder towards Katie.
Kyra struggles under a pile of debris from the fight, coughing.
Clarice moves over towards Tewyn and Cara, kneeling down beside him. �I�ll stay with him�you go with the others.�
�You sure about that?� Tabris looks down at Clarice and Tewyn.
Katie�s eyes are dead as she looks at Shayne.
Elsewhere: The silver and black armored man fires another purple energy blast, demolecularizing another of the strange city inhabitants. �My patience is running thin, Chorban,� he growls at the alien scientist working with his holo-tool to figure out the sword.
The scientist shudders at the gunfire sounding behind him as the soldiers take down several more creatures.
�Someone�s got to do it,� Clarice replies back to Tabris.
Luna looks at Wraith. �So do we go up the stairs? Or was that a clever decoy?�
�I see no other way out of here,� Wraith says calmly as he heads for the stairwell.
Kyra coughs harder, wiggling backwards. She straightens up, cracking her head on the underside of one of the seats.
Cara reluctantly nods, then stands and moves out of the subway car to follow the others.
�Ow. Dammit.� Kyra gets to her feet, shaking her head to clear the cobwebs.
Shayne frowns, but turns and follows Wraith towards the staircase.
�Ouch, that had to hurt.� Tabris moves over to Kyra and places a hand on her shoulder. �You okay, Kyra?�
Luna shrugs, �Up we go then,� as she draws her sword and moves with Eclipse to follow Wraith.
�Katie, you coming?� Shayne calls back to her with some concern in his voice.
Katie blinks and shuffles forward, joining Shayne as they walk after the others.
DracBlue follows right behind Katie, ready to cover her if something happens.
�Looks like you�ve got a big feathered bodyguard now, Katie,� Shayne eyes Drac while walking alongside Katie.
Kyra groans and nods at Tab. �I�m fine. It�s her I�m worried about.� She gestures toward Katie exiting the car.
Katie doesn�t respond, but keeps walking.
Tzaphiel glances at Shayne out the corner of her eye. She reforms her wings and flies up the staircase above Wraith.
�You�re not the only one, just be careful with that noggin. I�m sure you don�t want to be back into the Jell-O tank,� Tabris smirks at Kyra, then looks at Claron as he steps out of the subway car.
At the top of the stairwell, Wraith looks around, the small grassy park looks out of place in the underwater city. A smooth cobblestone path leads from the stairwell to a pavilion, cutting across the small park. Several open air cafes ring the pavilion, long devoid of food or the rotting smell of it. At the end of the pavilion is a cross street with a signpost.
Tzaphiel flies over the scene, looking around for enemy soldiers.
Claron looks at Clarice with Tewyn one last time, then follows Tabris.
Kyra watches Tab leave and sighs. �Got an ass like his Daddy�s, apparently.�
From her vantage point, Tza notices no enemy soldiers, but there are several blood pools and trails leading away from the them indicating some sort of fight. A pair of spent rifle clips are tossed carelessly into a small fountain in the park. A chorus of inhuman wails echo from one of the crossroads.
Claron chuckles as she hears Kyra, �You appreciate a fine ass like Kat and I do I see, Kyra.�
As he walks away, Tabris smirks and does a short gratuitous butt shake, stifling his own laugh as starts up the stairs.
Kyra turns eight shades of red and hides her face.
Tzaphiel follows the sound of the wails.
�I did not expect such nature in a place like this,� Aurora says as she looks at the trees and plants as Stryder walks through the park.
Luna�s ears twitch and she glances around the courtyard quickly. �Do you hear that?� she asks Eclipse softly.
Kyra scurries to catch up to Katie. Her blush remains and she doesn�t look at Tab as she sprints past him.
�Damn, Tab�you shake that ass of yours again and I might not be able to wait till we get back to the ship,� Claron smirks.
�Work first - fun later, dear,� Tabris returns Claron�s smirk.
Eclipse nods, �I do�definitely not our armored enemy.�
Tza notices a small crowd of creatures similar to the one from earlier, they skitter across the floor heading for an overly done up facade of a building ahead. Their howls fade as they pour through the windows and cracks in the walls.
Kyra falls in beside Drac, watching Katie with a worried frown, her cheeks still a delightful pink.
Reaching the crossroads, Wraith looks either direction, then up at Tza.
Tzaphiel drops down to look through a window in the building where the creatures went.
Tza nearly gets her head blown off as stray gunfire shoots out the window past her. The view is somewhat obscured but she catches a glimpse of the creatures attacking a pair of the soldiers.
Shayne studies Katie for a moment, then looks ahead at Wraith, �Which way are we going?�
Wraith motions after Tza, after giving a shake of his head at the other direction.
Tzaphiel dodges the bullets, then flies through the window towards the pair of soldiers. She carefully directs her energy blasts to hit the soldiers, not the creatures.
Katie emits a hiccupping sob and stands there staring blankly ahead.
As careful as Tza wanted to be, she fails, her energy blast catching several of the creatures as they attempt to tackle the soldiers. The smoking bodies fall to the ground, two of the creatures near Tza shift grotesquely mutated gazes at her and howl, one jumps at her and grabs hold of her arm to rip it off.
Tzaphiel�s arm absorbs into her side, and the creature falls to the ground below.
Shayne shifts his rifle to his other hand, and wraps an arm around Katie�s shoulder in comfort, �It�s okay��
Luna moves quickly in the direction Tzaphiel flew. �I have a bad feeling about this. Like when I got bit by the cute little aliens long ago.�
The creature seems enraged at its failed attempt to win Tza�s arm and tackles her outright. With malformed hands, it claws at her torso.
Tzaphiel emits an energy blast from her entire body, causing the attacking creature to fall away with scorch marks covering his body. She flies quickly higher into the air.
Luna and the others find themselves cut off as another batch of the creature pour from a broken service hatch in the nearby wall. Half of their group heads into the building, the remainder glance wearily at Luna and those behind her as if debating attack.
Stryder raises his blade looking at the creatures, Aurora bares her fangs as well. �What are they doing?�
Tzaphiel hovers near the ceiling and looks down at the creatures as more enter the building. �Oh shit,� she mutters to herself.
The ceiling lays a few feet above Tza�s head, the remaining creature of the pair eyes its comrade then hops onto the wall and begins climbing up to her. The soldiers aim at Tza momentarily, �Another wave!� the second shouts and they begin to open fire on the creatures pouring into the large room.
�Ugly bunch of�� Tabris says as he notices the malformed creatures staring at them.
Wraith eyes the creatures curiously, taking slow steps forward. They shift cautiously at his movements, one of the larger in the group bears some sickly yellow fangs dripping with saliva.
Tzaphiel sees the creature climbing towards her and flies away from it. She makes her way closer to the soldiers and begins firing energy blasts at them again.
Caught off guard, one of the soldiers staggers from Tza�s energy bolt. The break in his fire allows a pair of the creatures to jump on him and begin ripping off his armor.
Now scaling the ceiling, the creature snarls at Tza, its mutated body, though disgusting, seems adapted for climbing anything. It jumps onto Tza�s back and bites her shoulder with jagged yellow teeth.
Tzaphiel directs her blasts at the remaining soldier at the same time the creature jumps on her back. �Owww�fuck, you little bastard!� Her body torches with energy, frying him to a crisp.
�We do not have time for this�� Wraith says to himself and walks through the group of creatures, ignoring their snarls and grunts.
Shadow follows Wraith, agreeing with his sentiment.
The remaining soldier catches Tza�s bolt and falls to the ground. One of the creatures wrenches his head free and holds it up with a strained psychotic giggle before tossing it aside. The remainder of the group on the ground glance up at Tza with madness in their eyes.
Luna shakes her head as she watches Wraith walk into the mob of nasty little creatures. �I really don�t like this, it�s so dej� vu.�
Shayne glances around, holding his rifle up. �Watch yourself�they could attack us at any moment.�
Katie trudges forward, oblivious.
Kyra shudders as she walks through the mass.
Meanwhile: One of the soldiers shouts over the gunfire, �Lost signal from lobby group, sir, report indicates the intruders were sighted.�
The black and silver armored figure nods, �Not as weak as I�d thought��
Claron sticks close to Tabris as they make their way through the mass as well.
Tzaphiel looks down at the creatures as she shakes off the remains of the one on her back.
One of the creatures reaches a curious hand out at Kyra, a crazy snicker choked out of its mouth as it does.
Arwyn makes herself invisible as she walks through the mass behind the others.
Arwyn notices one of the larger more �normal� looking, if such a description could be used, watching her despite her invisibility.
Kyra squeaks and closes her eyes.
The creature recoils its hand at Kyra�s squeak. Those around it, growling at her.
Luna holds her sword firmly as she keeps her tail closer to her body as she moves carefully through the crowd.
Katie hiccups again and sighs.
DracBlue follows closely to Katie, watching for any sign of aggression from these creatures.
Eclipse follows along with Luna, cautiously watching the creatures.
Arwyn shakes her head as she realizes that one of the critters is watching her despite her invisibility. She curses in Elven silently.
Tza hears a deep wail from further in the building. All the creatures, inside and out, turn towards it. Then grunt at each other before pouring into the building and heading down the connecting corridor on floor, wall and ceiling.
Tzaphiel keeps out of the way of the creatures crawling across the ceiling. �I�ll just let you take care of your own problems then.�
The scientist glances over his shoulder hearing the wail, �W-w-what was that?� He gulps as he half-ducks behind the sword altar.
The man in silver and black curses, �Stop cowering and get back to work!!
�Y-y-yes Commander,� the scientist attempts to concentrate on his work but is clearly scared.
The man in silver and black unhooks a grenade from his belt and tosses it at the new batch of the creatures, the explosion ripping them to pieces.
Wraith pushes past the doorway into the lobby of the building. He looks up at Tza, then heads for the hallway the creatures ran into.
�Looks like they found bigger fish to fry,� Tabris looks at Claron with a shrug.
�Good, hope it satisfies their hunger as well,� Claron smirks.
Tzaphiel shrugs at Wraith and floats above as he follows the creatures.
Meanwhile: Clarice hears a skitter across the roof of the subway car. A curious howl accompanies a mutated face glancing upside-down through a window at her and Tewyn.
Luna�s skin crawls and she shakes herself. �I really don�t like this place.�
�Agreed�get what we�re after and leave as soon as possible,� Eclipse replies to Luna as he follows after Wraith.
�Awww, poor little Katerina. Lost another one, didn�t you, murderer? I�m baaaaack. Did you miss me?� The sinister voice hisses in the back of Katie�s mind. An involuntary gasp escapes her and her eyes widen.
Clarice jerks her head towards the roof as she hears the skittering sound, her eyes following the sound to the window. �Don�t even think about��
Shayne looks at Katie, a curious glance crossing his face, �Katie?�
The creature tilts its head at Clarice. Moving its head out of view, it crawls down and perches in the broken window frame.
�Stay right where you are at, little fellow,� Clarice whispers as she watches the critter at the window.
Katie covers her ears, a terrified expression replacing the blank stare.
�More of them, sir...there�s no end to these bastards!� One of the soldiers snarls, the second fires into the mob of creatures, �They�re not advancing as heavily, I wonder wh...gaahhh!� The second soldier slumps to the ground, skewered by a rusty pole thrown by one of the larger mutants.
Tzaphiel studies the creatures as she flies over them. She attaches herself to the ceiling and quickly changes form to resemble one of the creatures.
The mob of creatures advances, overwhelming the other soldier.
The commander shakes his head, �Looks like I�ll have to deal with this myself.� Shooting an energy bolt, he de-atomizes several of the creatures along with his soldier. Throwing his rifle aside, he brings up both hands, purple energy flowing over his fists as he eyes the creatures.
Tzaphiel follows the creatures along the ceiling toward their goal. She keeps an eye on the Warriors below her.
Wraith exits the end of the corridor, finding himself on the second floor of a large cavern carved from the ancient seabed rock.
Below in the large chamber, the mob of creatures skitters around the room, being obliterated by purple blasts from the silver and black armored figure standing in front of the sword altar.
Shayne steadies his rifle as he hears the fighting coming from ahead.
Eclipse glances at Luna, then joins Wraith overlooking the ensuing slaughter.
Katie sidesteps and backs into a wall, sliding down it, curling herself as small as she can, covering her head with her arms and shivering uncontrollably.
Luna nods and moves to Wraith�s other side to look down at the sword in the altar. �There it is,� she whispurrs.
Kyra steps over to Katie. �Kat, you can�t do this now. You can�t. Please.�
�C-C-Commander Quantus, the i-intruders!� The scientist gasps and points at the second story, then ducks behind the altar completely.
Quantus growls, �Good. Now to dispose of these deformities.� The yellow of his helmet begins to glow and bend. From your vantage point, Quantus seems to instantaneously warp around the room. And in a matter of seconds, all of the creatures are either vaporized or killed.
Tzaphiel falls further back in the horde before they enter the chamber.
DracBlue stands next to Katie and looks down at her, worried.
Shadow senses a massive discharge of temporal energy during Quantus� �warping�. He sighs as his tactics alone will not work against something so much stronger than him. �Well now, I think we might be in trouble.�
The creature tilts his head the other direction at Clarice, then jumps down the subway car�s floor. It eyes Tewyn curiously.
Tzaphiel shifts form again to her human state before moving to the entrance slowly.
Katie just rocks back and forth, not hearing anything but the insidious voice. �You killed him, Katerina. You KILLED him. You know that, don�t you? Murderer. MURDERER!�
�Katie?� Shayne kneels down next to Katie and places his hand on her shoulder.
�Leave him alone as well, lil fellow. He couldn�t hurt a flea right now as it is.� Clarice whispers softly again.
The creature shows no sign of understanding Clarice, but hops onto the seat nearby and sits down, deformed legs dangling over the edge of the seat idly.
�Come to claim the sword for yourselves?� Quantus questions your group, sliding into a stance of calm readiness. �You�re welcome to try.�
Luna looks down at him, �Well, I think we�ll have more success than you seem to be having.�
Thorn pads over, his eyes shining with an almost human concern. �Katerina. Don�t listen. It can only hurt you if you let it.�
Wraith shakes his head, �It is not yours to claim,� he narrows his gaze before jumping down to the lower floor.
�Yes, Katerina. I can only hurt you if you let me.� The voice mimics Thorn. �But you can hurt everybody. You can kill with a single heartbeat.�
Aurora growls under her breath as she glances down at Quantus, Stryder tightens the grip on his blade.
Thorn�s eyes are sad. He looks at Kyra and Shayne. �Her inner turmoil is pushing her beyond our reach. Soon she will be beyond our grasp completely.�
Shadow teleports down behind Quantus.
�We need to get her back,� Shayne looks with concern at Thorn.
Luna grips Luciendar tightly, and jumps to the floor as well. Her gaze never leaving Quantus.
�If I have anything to say about it, we will.� Thorn�s muzzle tightens.
Clarice continues to look at the creature, �There is no need for you to come any further, lil guy. I have done enough killing, for one.� She gently runs her hand across Tewyn�s hair. �Unintentionally, that is.�
Tzaphiel sits on the ledge and rolls several energy balls around in her hand as she watches Luna and Wraith.
Quantus turns instantly to face Shadow, �So, they sent a mere adept? They�re holding you back, you know. Order, control. They seek to limit your power; not expand it as we could.�
Katie�s gaze flits around at random, the terror gripping her.
Thorn places a paw on her knee, clearing his throat. What comes from his mouth is a string of words in a beautiful language.
Katie looks up then. �Da?� Her eyes are unfocused.
Kyra�s eyes are huge. �W-what did you just say?� She whispers.
The creature rubs a hand on his head watching her stroke Tewyn�s hair.
Luna looks at the sword as Quantus is distracted.
The sword rests sunken into the altar, an aqua shield still surrounding it. The scared scientist peers over the altar cautiously.
Shadow sighs. �Yeah, they hold you back for a good reason.� He lifts an eyebrow, �Unusually the power drives people mad. A perfect example would be you.�
Thorn never takes his eyes off Katie�s. �Yes, wee one. You have to help us. Give yer old Da a hand with these beasties?� Then he whispers to Kyra. �Old Gaelic. I told her, her family needed her. Didn�t think she�d mistake me for her father, but right now, whatever snaps her out of it.�
Tzaphiel looks back at Drac briefly. She sighs and turns her gaze back to the scene below.
�Soothing, isn�t it?� Clarice�s eyes never move away from the critter as she continues to stroke Tewyn�s hair gently.
�You speak their words. Very well, puppet. If you shall do their dance, I will do mine!� Quantus reaches over and grabs Shadow by the throat. Grabbing the dwarf�s arm, he bends it the opposite direction it should go, then tosses him aside.
Shadow pulls his arm back forward, hearing a loud crack as he sets it in place. He then throws an axe with his good hand, throwing it through time to a few seconds before, flying through the air towards Quantus.
�As long as it works,� Shayne says with a nod to Thorn. Then glances over his shoulder.
�Bully!� Claron snorts.
Luna resists the urge to go to Shadow for the moment.
Katie sniffles, looking for all the world like a frail little girl. �Aye, I will do me best.�
Quantus chuckles and moves forward swiftly, after images of him trailing him. Grabbing the axe in the air, he turns it around in his hands, �Well balanced, the edge looks a little dull, maybe a second opinion?� He turns and tosses it at Luna.
Luna dodges the axe with a growl.
�Ohhhh, you like it rough!� Claron taunts Quantus as Luna dodges the axe.
Tabris creates two obsidian spears in his hands, glancing down at Quantus.
�Why? Do you?� Quantus �moves� to Claron and backhands her before shifting back, after images taunting Claron by mimicking his hit.
�One adept and a group of mortals. Is hot air all you are capable of?� Quantus chuckles as motions at your group.
Cinthoric flies from Wraith�s back, circling Quantus with a life of its own.
Luna sees Cinthoric acting on its own. ~What is it doing?~ she questions Luciendar.
Kyra nods, and steps back, holding out a hand to help Katie to her feet. Katie studies her for a moment, then looks visibly shaken. �Kyra.�
~Without a wielder, it acts on its own while in the presence of the Guide.~ Luciendar whispers to Luna, her voice cautious.
Kyra smiles as best she can. �Yes, Kat. I�m here. Could you help us? We need you more than ever.�
Shadow takes the distraction while its there, and teleports up to the side of Quantus, slicing with his axe while teleporting, slicing in several places in less than a millisecond.
Thorn tries to look bored. �Someone is threatening the family, Katerina. Are you going to let them?� His voice is casual, but his muzzle is still tight with stress.
�Oh, ah, it tickles!� Quantus chuckles, then turns sideways, a purple energy bolt striking Shadow and throwing him back, after images trailing the dwarf as he sails into the rock wall.
Luna watches the sword with a smirk. ~It�s still on our side though, isn�t it?~
�Oh yes, makes me real hot!� Claron replies. She turns her other cheek towards him, �Not going to disappoint me, are you?� as she concentrates all her anger into manipulating his gravity, trying to encase him into a gravity well and increasing the pressure to explosion.
Shadow flies back from the blast, but teleports back almost instantly, slashing again in the same fashion.
Deep in her eyes, a fire begins to blaze. Katie shakes her head. �No one hurts my family!� Her soft menacing growl causes Thorn to sigh with relief.
A gravity sphere appears around Quantus and an explosion of purple energy blows up inside it, Shadow strikes against the gravity well with no effect. �Madness, they say, but what is a price to pay for power!?� Quantus appears behind Claron, a purple shockwave knocking her and half of those still on the ledge off it.
Shayne crashes into the ground with an �oof�. Holding his side, he rolls to his feet and picks up his rifle again.
�Go get�em, Kat!� Kyra cheers her on just before she takes a tumble.
Aurora lands on her feet next to Stryder, coaxing him up with a nudge of her muzzle.
Claron instantly switches her concentration to easing the landing of those falling off the ledge. �Did that make you horny, baby?�
Tzaphiel�s wings form as she falls from the ledge. She circles around the chamber.
Quantus laughs heartily, �You amuse me, perhaps I�ll spare you as a pet.�
�The hell you will,� Tabris throws both his spears at Quantus, though they are dodged easily.
Tzaphiel lands on the cavern floor near Wraith. �What do we have to do to get this one?� she asks softly.
Shadow stops the spears in mid flight and pushes them through time, to right behind Quantus.
Katie stands tall, a smirk forming. �Did someone say they are a dirty dog?� Her voice echoes through the cavern.
�Come along, young adept, have you no special tricks? Or do you merely repeat everything those old fossils taught you?� Quantus mocks as he catches the spears and studies them. �This is quite the learning experience today, don�t you think?� He chucks it, spearing Tabris in the leg with his own spear.
Tabris falls back, holding his leg, �God damn�� gritting his teeth, he pulls the spear out.
�We need but a moment�� Wraith glances around, as if looking for something beyond normal sight. He eyes Kyra with a faint nod, then comes back to reality. �Interrupted time to remove the shield and the blade.�
�You have that wrong, if anyone will be a pet, it will be you!� Claron manipulates her own gravity to raise herself back up on the ledge, then she swings Andy at him as she continues concentrating her gravity manipulation through the sword.
Quantus flies through the air, Cinthoric slicing at him as Claron swings Andrasil. Landing next to the altar, he studies the cut on his armor, pale flesh underneath exposed ever so slightly. �Sacred blades, so you did not come empty handed.�
Shadow decides its time to bend the rules a little bit. And suddenly two Shadows are both teleporting, slashing at Quantus, using the flow of time to predict his movements as they do.
Luna tilts her head and smirks, �What did you expect?�
Katie smiles a cold smile and reaches her hands toward the fiend. �Oh now I KNOW you didn�t just mess with my best friend�s husband.� The emerald glow of her gaze burns brighter as she �pulls� at the armor covering him, at the same time she sends Valdris spinning toward him.
Dodging most of the shots, Quantus gets caught in the leg, but lets himself get pulled by Katie�s gravity. Warping mid-air, Quantus grabs Shadow and moves into Valdris� path, the blade cutting across Shadow�s chest plate. Quantus appears next to Katie, �Magnetics and a sword, I begin to see m�lady�s cautions.�
Katie laughs and whirls, dropping low to reach up and connect with his armor, instantly magnetizing him. She calls on the minerals in the walls of the cavern and sticks Quantus to the wall, calling Valdris back towards them both.
DracBlue sees that Katie is attacking the man, and he charges, slashing at him
�Say goodnight, Jackass.� Katie calmly stands in front of him.
�Oh that a girl, Kat. It�s been awhile since we have gotten hot together.� Claron chuckles.
Katie starts pressing the armor in on him, crushing him like he�s in a compactor.
�Goodnight m�dear.� Part of Quantus shifts again, the metal left sticking to the wall as Drac slashes at them. Quantus chuckles, appearing now in only the black mesh outfit. A soft beep-beep sounds from his armor before it explodes in a purple shockwave, knocking Drac into Katie.
Luna glances around for Eclipse as Katie deal with Quantus.
As Drac�s body crashes into Katie, she slams into the wall herself with a sickening thud.
�She meant you,� Eclipse says sharply.
Quantus� laugh fading as Morthoseth cuts into his back. He snarls and �turns� around, an after image roundhouse cracking into Eclipse�s kneecap.
�Oh yes, take it off�take it all off!� Claron encourages.
�Katieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!� Kyra squeals, diving for her.
Luna runs at Quantus as he turns on Eclipse, lunging at his exposed back with Luciendar.
DracBlue hits Katie. Then veers off to the side, hitting the wall next to her with a sickening crack.
Katie grunts as several of her bones fracture and she lays there, her breathing weak and shallow. �I think I bruised something.� She wheezes at Kyra.
Claron moves toward Quantus, concentrating as she swings Andy into him.
Cara sends multiple streams of mage fire into his exposed flesh as well.
Kyra cries.
Quantus growls and teleports, avoiding Andrasil but still getting cut by Luciendar.
Aurora pounces him as he appears, getting a bite in before she�s knocked off.
Stryder drops his sword as he feels Aurora�s paw hit rock with her full weight on it.
Arwyn sends multiple arrows into the exposed flesh of Quantus� back.
Katie lifts a feeble hand and sends Valdris spinning at Quantus again. �Bastard!� She coughs and blood sprays Kyra from her punctured lung.
Thorn lays on his side, panting shallowly.
Quantus dodges Valdris�mostly. Staggering back, he clutches his wounds, chuckling at the purple blood trickling down his pale flesh. �Yes, the blood flows. Worthy adversaries!�
Arwyn rushes over to Katie, laying her hands on her ribs.
Luna spins and sees Katie and Drac laying against the wall. She runs over and kneels between them, �Katie, it�ll be better in a minute.� She lays her paws on Katie�s shoulder as Arwyn is attempting to heal her as well.
Kyra looks from Thorn to Katie. �No. Damn it, no!� She stands, her golden hair blowing as she sends a forceful gust at the maniac, trying to knock him down.
Luna lays a paw on Drac as well and heals him too.
DracBlue tries to get up. Pushing off the ground, he spots Katie and curses himself for falling for a trap. As he gets up, he rushes at the maniac and pulls a single feather out and throws it, slashes in the other two directions he can dodge.
Katie coughs again, another bit of blood staining her tunic. She smiles at her healers as they mend her broken body. �Thank you.�
Tzaphiel throws several energy balls at Quantus, aiming for his open wounds.
Shadow sees DracBlue attacking and covers the other routes of escape so that he will get hit at least once.
Shayne levels his rifle at Quantus, emptying the entire clip.
Several of bullets graze him as he dodges. �Grra!� He stumbles back from the wind, �Take the blade, but I shall return with a different prize!� Quantus gathers a large energy aura around his fist, then extends hands. The aura blows past Drac and Tza�s energy balls, wrapping around Cinthoric.
Luna stands and turns to look at Eclipse. �We need the others to work with us.� She glances at Cara and Tabris.
Katie stands once more, a bit shakily. �You�ll have to do better than that, you overgrown dough ball. No one keeps the McKinnon down for long.�
Quantus warps, taking a few more hits, with a chuckle. �Farewell, adept. Your masters do not control me, but expect their judgment for your use of power. See how they seek to control you!� Quantus chuckles, appearing on the second level again, �I hope you can flee quickly, but I am sporting. I�ll give you chance to fight again, before I destroy the city!� He disappears with sinister chuckle.
Luna roars as she sees him reaching for the ownerless sword. She runs at him swinging Luciendar at the aura hands.
Katie concentrates and uses her power to seize the blade, playing tug �o� war with him.
Cara looks down at Elexorian, �We can do this, together,� as she makes her way behind Quantus and slashes him.
As the aura vanishes, Wraith looks winded for a moment. Taking heavy breaths, he glances over at the altar to make sure the other sword was still there. �Lost�and gained,� Wraith speaks softly, composing himself after several more breaths.
Luna roars in frustration as he disappears. �We can�t let him get away with that sword!�
�Damn, so much for climaxing,� Claron groans.
Lowering his empty rifle, Shayne curses, still holding his side. �Damn it�I don�t doubt he�ll bring this city down around us. Get that sword!�
Tzaphiel drops her hands as her energy fades. She looks over at Shayne. �Are you alright?� she asks him softly.
Katie leans against the wall, panting. �You okay, Thorn?�
Back at the subway platform, an alarm starts to sound, faint red lights flickering. The creature glances around apprehensively as the ancient computer voice sounds through the static. �Warning, reactor control offline. Magma generator overload in progress, 1 hour till containment failure�please proceed to nearest evacuation station.�
Arwyn moves over towards the altar and reaches for the sword.
The aqua shield stings Arwyn�s hand like boiling water.
Tzaphiel looks around the group, �Not her, then who?�
�I�ll be fine,� Shayne gives a nod, keeping pressure on his side.
Katie shrugs. �I�ve got mine.�
Shadow walks up to the alter. �Now, what did I just endanger my career for,� as he tries to reach for it.
Arwyn jerks her hand back, �Obviously it�s not mine to take.�
Tzaphiel nods to Shayne and whispers just so he can hear, �I know that.� She glances at him with a wink.
Thorn limps up to Katie. �Peaches and roses, Princess. You?�
The scientist stands slowly, looking at your group wearily. He raises his hands, �P-p-please don�t hurt me!� his voice trembles as he looks at you.
The water shield stings Shadow with the same burning water sensation. ~You, child, come forth.~ A soft whisper, a gentle elderly woman speaks to Kyra.
Luna looks at the scientist and shakes her head. �You�re safe with us, until you prove it should be otherwise.�
Kyra jumps. �What the holy hell???�
Shadow sighs and pulls his hand back. �Well at least I know what will be coming�.�
Katie smiles gently. �Voices in your head?� At Kyra�s nod, her smile gets bigger. �You�ve just been tapped. Congratulations. Go get yourself a friend.�
Claron moves over towards Tabris and wraps her arms around him. �How you holding up, my love?� looking down at his leg.
Luna looks around and sees Stryder holding his hand, Aurora laying on the ground beside him. She moves to him and holds out her paw, �May I?�
Kyra walks on trembling legs up to the altar. She reaches hesitantly for the sword.
�We s-should get out of here. The commander had me rig the city�s reactor to overload,� the scientist says.
The aqua shield allows Kyra�s hand to pass through, a cool sensation like a refreshing bath flowing over her arm as she touches the sword.
Claron turns her head towards the scientist, �Can�t you stop it?�
Kyra shivers and grasps the sword firmly.
Stryder nods, �Please do.� He lifts up his hand, despite being untouched, it appears broken.
The sword glides from the stone with ease for Kyra. One of the two statues flanking the altar glowing aqua colored for a moment.
Luna takes his hand and heals it quickly, her gaze settling on his deamon. �I hope the healing will work on her as well.�
The statue next to the pedestal begins to shake and rumble. It begins to crack, pieces begin to fall from it. As it begins to crumble, something can be seen from the core of the statue. And then, a brilliant light comes from the statue as it blows up, sending shards of rock everywhere.
From the statue, a man steps out. His hair is blue and his clothing matches that of a past era. He stands up and looks around, unsure of where he is or what he is doing there.
Aurora gets to all fours, her paw flexing normally again. �Thank you,� she purrs softly, giving a bow of her head
�W-wha-w-who is that?� The scientist jumps seeing the man appear from the statue.
Ryu looks around the room, then bears his sword at the group that he sees.
Luna nods and steps back, �I wish I could heal more than just flesh and bones, but even an Avatar has her limits.�
Katie slumps back in exhaustion. �Let�s get the hell out of here before we become sea-art.� She says tiredly. Her eyes begin to dull again as the adrenaline starts to fade and reality comes crashing in on her again.
Tzaphiel nudges Shayne, �Your woman needs you.�
Wraith glances over the altar at Ryu, �So, they did send a guardian after all. Your duty is done, the sword has a master once again.�
Kyra looks at the sword in her hand in wonder.
Ryu lowers his sword as he sees Wraith, and then looks at the rest of the group. He looks back to Wraith, and in a small voice he asks, �What do I do now?�
�Come with us. From there, you can determine your fate,� Wraith nods to Ryu, then looks at everyone.
�C-come on, we�ve got to g-get out!� The scientist motions at everyone, then moves to the small ramp carved into the rock leading to the second story.
Ryu nods and puts his sword at his side, in its sheath. As he spots Tza, he looks at her for a moment as if remembering something. Then he shakes it off and begins walking towards the ramp.
The creature motions at Clarice, then jumps out of the subway car and runs down the tracks into the darkness.
The scientist all but sprints into the hallway, obviously heading for the subway platform.
Shayne moves over to Katie, �Got it in you to run, Katie? Or do I have to carry you?�
DracBlue walks back over to Katie and sighs. �I�m sorry I got blown into you.�
Clarice watches as the critter scurries off, unsure of what to do or what it is tying to tell her.
�You heard the funny looking alien, let�s jam,� Tabris whistles at everyone as he heads for the door.
Shadow looks at his useless broken arm and walks towards the ramp.
Katie pats Drac. �It�s okay, Drac. Forgiven.� She looks at Shayne. �I�ll walk. It don�t feel good, but it�s manageable, I think.�
�Alright, let me know if you need help,� Shayne gives her a nod, then looks at Drac.
Kyra follows the group, still staring at her new sword.
Luna sees Tabris limping as he passes her and reaches a paw out to touch his arm, �Tabris? You got hit?�
�Skewered like Mom�s fish kabob is more like it,� Tabris says as feels it healing.
DracBlue looks back at Shayne. �Yes, is there something on my face?� he says not being sarcastic in the least.
Luna chuckles at his joke, �Well, there ya go, all better.�
Cara starts to move over towards Kyra. ~Did it freak you out when your sword spoke to you?~
Katie hears a hiss in the back of her mind, but blocks it out and walks, holding her now healed ribs tenderly.
DracBlue doesn�t wait for a response as he follows Katie out of there.
�Thanks, kitty,� Claron adds.
~Scared the shit out of me.~ Kyra confirms, walking alongside Cara. Then she sighs. ~It looks so much like him, and yet�not.~ Knowing Cara will know to whom she refers.
Tzaphiel looks at Ryu oddly as he walks past her. She shrugs and moves up the ramp to Shadow, �You ok, old man?�
~You�ll have to forgive me, child. It has been�well�a long time since I have been wielded.~ The old woman sighs tiredly, her age showing clearly in her voice.
Ryu glances back just as Tza looks at him. His eyes show a calm, cool and collected soul.
Shadow sighs. �A broken arm, but I fear much worse when I get back to the elders. They are going to have my hide.�
~Um, yeah. Well it�s nice to meet you. I�m Kyra Darnier.~ Kyra feels a little funny talking to a sword, but she goes with it anyhow.
�Com *bzzzt* in�you�this?� Luna�s com is filled with static but the voice in it can be heard, barely.
~Avaquar, and you�re not the first to think it�s odd, child.~ An aged chuckle accompanies her voice.
Luna jumps as she hears a buzz in her ear, �Alexei? Can you get us out of here?�
Cara sighs woefully. ~Amazing, isn�t it? Mom sure knew what she was doing, I�m afraid. She had me believing it was the real Stryder.~
Kyra�s eyes well up. ~How much of a loser am I? I fell in love with a bad guy. That really says something about me.~
Kyra shudders. ~And a DEMON at that.~ Her mental voice catches, with an accompanying audible sob.
Luna looks around the area as she moves towards the ramp, �Alexei? Valrash is dead, and we have two new people to come back with us.� she tries to com again.
~Not a loser, Kyra. You fell for all the good that the real Stryder possesses.~ Cara�s mental voice replies.
�Alex�left. Ships in�bit. Thi�ikozu. We'r�the water, ca�leport you�arely.� The com crackles with a woman�s voice, but it is still staticy.
Luna grabs Eclipse's arm, �Alexei left. Sikozu is trying to com us.�
Clarice hears fast footsteps as a brown skinned alien in a white jumpsuit enters the subway car, �O-oh, are you with the others? We�ve got to get out of here.�
�Our enemy may have a ship still in orbit,� Eclipse nods, thinking. �Can she get us?�
Kyra�s tears fall as she draws in a shuddering breath. ~Fat lot of fucking good it did me, too.~
Luna shakes her head, �I don�t know, I can barely get her signal.�
Ryu enters the subway car and looks at the alien, then down to the unconscious Tewyn and finally Clarice. He then walks over and sits down.
�Maybe if we get into the area of the tunnel that�s not all stone,� Eclipse suggest as he heads down the stairs to the platform.
�We are.� Clarice nods, then looks down at the still unconscious Tewyn.
Kyra�s sniffles continue. ~Katie is right. Love is the most wonderful and awful thing that can happen to you. I hope I never have to feel it again.~
Tzaphiel walks with Shadow up to the subway car and enters it behind him.
~Love gives you strength, do not throw it aside so easily, child.~ Avaquar�s sagely voice whispers the advice.
Luna tries again as they reach the platform area, �Sikozu? Can you hear me now?�
Ryu watches all of the people getting on to the subway car, memorizing each of their faces.
�Bette�till wea�move t�pen area w�ater,� Sikozu�s com is less fuzzy and easier to make out in the static.
Shayne helps Katie down the stairs towards the subway car.
~You don�t mean that, Kyra. We should give THIS Stryder a chance.~ Cara looks at Kyra. ~I�m willing to let go of the image of him stabbing me.~
Aurora pads onto the subway car, Stryder just behind her. He looks at Ryu with a confused look.
Katie leans on Shayne tiredly. �I think I�m about sick of this whole thing.� Her whisper is barely audible.
�Just a little bit farther, Katie,� Shayne says as he helps her into the subway car.
Luna waits for everyone to reach the subway car. �We need to get into a more open space so she can hear me.�
Kyra shakes her head. ~I�I dunno. Every time I look at him, I feel like my chest is being torn open. He�d think I�m some sort of freak �cuz I don�t think I�ll ever be able to see him without wondering how far the imposter could have taken me. I loved�~ She covers her face and sobs loudly.
Tzaphiel sits next to Shadow and watches for Luna to get in the car. �The arm can be fixed easily, I�m sure. But I don�t know how to help with your other problem.�
Ryu looks at Stryder. As he is looking at him, something looks like it is dancing in his eyes.
Katie�s heart, though already heavy, breaks at the sound of Kyra�s sobs. �Oh, my poor little girl. I never wanted her to know this kind of hurt.� Her own eyes welling up, again.
Shadow sighs. �It�s nothing ye can help with. I broke the rules and I�ll have to suffer the consequences.�
Wraith moves to the console and turns the subway car on, motioning at Luna.
�Looks like we�ve got everyone, let�s go,� Eclipse says as he ducks inside the subway car.
Luna nods and steps into the torn up car. �Get us out of here.� She looks around at the group on the car.
Kyra sits in an empty seat, her face in her hands.
Tzaphiel reaches out and grabs Luna�s arm, �Shadow needs your help.�
Katie collapses into a seat and stares at her feet.
Luna looks down at Tza and nods, then moves to Shadow, �What happened?� She holds her paw out to him.
~Kyra, Mom had to of taken the best parts of Stryder to make it believable. Try to remember that.~ Cara�s voice speaks softly in Kyra�s mind.
Shadow says, �The man broke my arm, nothing too serious.�
Kyra�s sobs grow louder again. ~I�m reminded every time I think about him.~
The subway car rattles as it speeds back along the tracks. As soon as you enter the glass part of the tunnel, you notice a massive underwater smoke cloud boiling up from part of the city. �Coms clearer, I�m..eading you. Stand�y for trans..ort."
Luna lays a paw on his arm and heals it very quickly. �The goddess will intercede on your behalf. Do not worry about his threats.�
Luna sighs as she hears Sikozu�s voice. �She�s reading us better, be ready for the jump,� she says to the group in the car.
�The reactor�by the sacred rings, we don�t want to be here when it blows,� Chorban, the scientist comments as he notices the massive smoke cloud.
~I know, it�s hard not to think about it.~ Kyra can hear the sadness in Cara�s voice. ~I loved him, too.~
Katie leans her head against the window, the mental movie playing scenes she wished she didn�t have to see.
Tzaphiel turns her gaze to Drac, wishing she could find the words to tell him what she wants to say. She sighs and reaches into what appears to be a pocket. She pulls out a quarter-sized rainbow sapphire and stares at it sadly.
Luna sits on Eclipse�s lap, since the subway car is now crowded. �I hope Ettik and Alexei are alright.�
Claron leans her head on Tabris� shoulder, her eyes looking at Stryder. �How could I have not known,� she thinks to herself, �better if I don�t let you in.�
Kyra sniffles and turns to look at Stryder again sadly. She emits a hitching sigh and leans back in her seat.
From the underwater tunnel, a faint yellow glow begins to appear inside the subway car, though faint, it peaks with a bright flash. And you find yourselves in a smaller version of Ettik�s teleportation room but different, a quarter of the room opens into a circular bridge. A majority of the wall is set to an external view of the ocean.
Sikozu glances at you from a holographic control console, similar to Ettik�s but with a large side display showing status of weapon systems. �Ettik had to jump system when the Rogue Fleet reinforcement arrived, we�ll have to meet up with them later. I stayed behind to make sure you got of out there, it�ll be a rough ride out of here, so brace yourselves.�
The offspring ship shoots up from the ocean, a beautiful sunrise graces the view screen for mere moments before the ship sails through the clouds and into space. Heavy green pulse blasts from two large black destroyers shoots towards the ship, but it dodges easily and returns with missile fire. As the missiles impact on the enemy ships, the offspring peels into hyperspace.
Sikozu give a sigh of relief, �Lost them�phew. Okay�we�re not as equipped at Ettik, but we�ve got a small galley and several bunk rooms. So make yourselves at home until we rendezvous.� She motions behind to a pair of scorpion-bots that head out of the bridge as if leading the way.
Elsewhere: A battered Quantus kneels before the velvet blanketed throne. Cinthoric wrapped in a purple aura hovers in front of him, �It is not the blade we sought, m�lady, but it was one of theirs. They will likely seek the remaining blades�your orders?�
A soft female voice replies from the darkness, �Use your agent in the cult, have the Elders hold them for inquisition, that should delay them long enough��