It was very late at night and everyone in the kingdom was still asleep. Well almost everyone. Poor Maric just couldn't go to sleep, on account that she's been troubled by dreams, but not just any dreams, dreams of her past. "No." "No." she cried as she kept twisting and turning. In her dream, she kept seeing destruction and carnage. She also sees herself as four. But the worst part of this dream is the witnessing of what was going to happen next. A tall, thin and dark bird, holding a sword over two people. Maric knows these people, they were her parents and the evil looking bird was none other that Valcord Condor. Just as he was going to thrust the sword at them, Maric woke up screaming. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maric, just couldn't go back to sleep after that dream. Fortunately, being half- vampire meant she didn't need as much sleep as the average morph. She got out of bed, put on her robe, and decided to take a short walk through the compound the army had put at the Cyber Strikers' disposal. Feeling a little peckish, she went to the Mess for a snack. As she was making herself a B.L.T., she felt a presence. She turned around, mentally preparing a spell...and saw Lone Wolf standing there in his pajamas: "Couldn't sleep?". Lone Wolf's sudden appearance startled Maric: "Wolf! What the Heck are you doing up?" The young wolf just walked past her to the cupboard, took a glass and walked to the faucet. "I was reading, and I got thirsty. What about you? Was I on the mark?" Maric just tried to avoid eye contact. "I see I am. I figured as much." Marc was quickly getting tired of Lone Wolf's tone: "And what makes you such a psychic, all of a sudden? What makes you an expert in nightmares?" This time, Wolf was silent. Maric realized she touched a cord. But before she could say anything else, Lone Wolf turned away and went back to his room, leaving Maric alone with her thoughts. "Wait Lone Wolf." she called out. Lone Wolf turns around and faces her. "I'm sorry." she apologized. "It's just that I'm not my best when I get up to early." "I understand, Yawn" Lone Wolf drinks some water, noticing his wrist watch, "There's only a few hours left till dawn. So let's try to get some sleep. Tomorrow's another day." "I'll try," Maric replies. Chapter Two Lilya Acorn made her way through the thick underbrush. (I should be asleep at this time. But what am I doing?) She sighed and sat down on a rock and pulled out some food. Suddenly, she heard a sound behind her. "Hello? Anyone there?" She asked. Suddenly guards leapt out of the trees surrounding her. Lilya jumped up as they started to attack. She threw a kick into one and spun around, sweeping another one off of their feet. Realizing there was too many of them, she pulled out her Cyber Emerald. "Cyber Emerald Acti-OOF!" The young echidna was knocked to the ground, out cold. One of the guards picked her up. "Take her to Condor." The lead one said. He did as he was told. The next morning at the Barracks, Centurion is practicing away at a metal dummy, when Duo rushes in the room. "Yo Cent, we have an emergency!" he gasps. Surprised, Cent stabs straight through the dummy. "What?" "Gather the others and meet me at the palace." Duo said. "We're here," Centurion announces as he rushes into the room. "What's the emergency?" LoneWolf asks. "I knew something bad would happen," Maric mutters. "What are you talking about?" Duo asks. "I was having recurring nightmares of disaster," "Tell me about them sometime, but first the situation. Speed's daughter was kidnapped last night, at this coordinate," Duo points to a spot on a globe, "We need to act quickly," "Yes, Sir!" Centurion shouts. "To save the princess!" Lone Wolf says. While walking towards to transport plane, LoneWolf asked Maric: "So, I was right?" "Yeah, I have been having nightmares, that's why I woke up. What about you? You weren't up just for the glass of water, were you?" "Like I told you, I got thirsty. As for the sleeping...Let's just say it's been a long time since the last time I had a good night's sleep." Maric, just slowed down, taking in LoneWolf's words. Maric's thoughts. "Should I tell him that I've been having the same dream since I was a child?" "Would he able to understand?" "What is it my that my dream that was trying to tell me?" "Could it be some sort of message?" Sad, sullen look. "Or is it a punishment for not trying to help my parents on the day it happened?" A single tear comes down her cheek. After a days flight out, the transport landed In a clearing, as the team exited the craft, the pilot spoke up. "This Is as far as I can safely bring you. It should take about three or four days for you to make your way to the Princess' last known position." "Three or four days?!? Hiking?!?" Brian exclaimed. "Great. You could have told us." Centurion said. "Would have been nice" LoneWolf said. Duo slumped his shoulders down a bit, "Heh-heh. Sorry guys. Slipped my mind. Not to mention Darian kept me and Jess up practically all last night." LoneWolf chuckled, "Perfectly understandable I guess." Throughout all this, Maric kept silent. "You okay Maric?" Duo asked. "Huh-- What? Oh. Yeah, I'm okay." She answered. Duo thought for a moment," Well, If you say so." The transport took off and the team headed Into the jungle. Maric's thoughts. "How should I tell him." "How should I tell anyone about my dream." "The same dream that I've been getting over and over again." "Do they know what sort of great evil they are facing?" "I'm afraid that not even our emeralds would be able to face this thing, whatever it is." LoneWolf looked at Maric and felt concerned for her. It puzzled him how he felt a connection to her. He could feel the pain she was feeling, almost equal to his own. He was shaken out of his thoughts by duo, who asked him to help with the unloading of survival equipment. "Maybe I should talk to her," He thought. "Well I got what I need, I'll scout around," Centurion says. "Ok, but report back in ten minutes," Duo orders. "Yes, Sir," Cent answers, then turns around and heads out. Maric walks over to a tree and sits down. Lone wolf notices, he takes out a large box, setting it down by the rest. Then, walks over to her, slowly. Duo now notices, Centurion is running back at full speed. He stops by duo, panting. "We got a problem" Cent manages to say. While sitting under the tree, Maric collects her thoughts. Maric's thoughts. "What could've my dreams been telling me all these years?" "There's only one person who can help me with this." "But I need both the King and Queen's permission to see her." "The one person who had raised me since I was a child." " I need to see Fala." Just then LoneWolf came up to her. "Hey there Maric." He said. "You doing okay?" Maric looked up. "Oh hi LoneWolf." She replied. "Yeah I'm fine." "Are you sure?" LoneWolf ask with concern. "Actually I really need to talk to someone." Maric finally committed. "Well I'm here for you." He gestured. "All right then, here it goes." She said after a deep breathe. "Remember that dream I had last night?" Maric asked with a little nervousness in her voice. "Yeah." Lonewolf replied with a slight confusion. "Well to tell you the truth, I had that dream before." Maric confessed. "In fact I've been having the same dream over and over ever since I was four." LoneWolf returned with a question. "But didn't saw your parents being murdered when you are four?" "Yes but my dream was about my parents being murdered." Maric answered back. "And you been have this dream ever since." Lonewolf replied. "Yes and I now I......" But before Maric can answered her friend, she heard a small whispering voice in the wind. "Maaaaariiiiic" "By the eyes in the stars of Mobius." She emphasized. "What is it Maric?" Lonewolf asked. "It's her." She answered. "Maaaaariiiiic" "It's Fala." "The High- priestess who raised you?" he asked again. "Yes, she's calling for me." Maric replied. "But how?" "What does she want." said LoneWolf. Just then Maric got up and started listening again. "She knows about my dreams." "She does?" LoneWolf looked confused. "Yes and there's something else." She said the last part with a sad, sullen voice. "What is it then?" LoneWolf questioned. Maric turned around to face him and he notice a small tear running down her cheek. "She's dying." She said with a small choke. "And she needs me so she can tell me everything she know before she goes." Duo came running up, Centurion and Brian beside him. "EVERYONE!" He yelled, "HIT THE DECK!" Maric, LoneWolf, and the others did as they were told. JUST as an explosion went off behind them. "What was that?" Maric asked. Duo just pointed. There was a huge robot In front of him, actually, NOT a robot, a Mobian In a battle armor. "Okay guys, CYBER EMERLADS ACTIVETE! LIGHTINING!" -Duo. "DARK FIRE!" -LoneWolf "HUMANITY" -Maric "ILLUSION!" -Centurion Brian activates his armor. LoneWolf suddenly took charge, pointed one arm towards the intruder and said: FLAME CIRCLE, LAUNCH! In a flash, the intruder was surrounded with a wall of flames. Hmm said the Brian, "There could be more, wait here," Brian then flew up in the sky. "Activate Macrobinoculars. Yup, there's more coming. "MORE?" Duo exclaimed. "Yup." The General replied. "Not good." Duo muttered. Then he realized something. "LONEWOLF! STOP USING YOUR FLAME! WE'RE IN A FOREST, REMEMBER!?!? You could set the place on fire!" LoneWolf stopped using the flame wall, "Good point." The wolf muttered. Brian smiled underneath his armor's helmet, "So, you thinkin' what I am?" Duo smiled under his helmet also, "Yep. Brute Force everyone." the fox drew his sword, "Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast." Just then, Maric jumped between Duo and LoneWolf and the unknown Mobian. "Wait!" she shouted. "We don't know if this stranger is here to fight or not." As so, Duo and LoneWolf put away their weapons. Maric turned to the stranger. "Now then." she said it in a calmly civilized manner. "What sort of business brings you here?" The unknown Mobian just stared into Maric's eyes, Then, as she got closer, he leapt at her, trying to rip her throat out with his bare hands. Maric quickly responded by Karate Chopping the stranger on the neck, knocking him(?) out. Lone Wolf just looked at the unconscious form and said: "So much for the friendly approach." "Obviously this unknown one doesn't even know the phrase ' peaceful gesture' that's for sure" replied Maric. "I'll head off the army!" Centurion says, as he vanishes away into the forest. "Fine, we'll talk to this unknown," Duo replies. About a mile away, "The objective is only 3 miles away," A leader figure says. "Show time," Cent whispers. "Where are we going, ag AAAAHH" a soldier is thrown aside. "What?" The leader looks around, "We're under attack! Troops stand your ground!" About a hundred images appear throughout the army, The army engaged in combat, "That'll keep em busy," Centurion laughs, while relaxing in on a tree limb. -------------- "Oh...well....it just that.....I know that saving the Princess is important." Maric replied. "But I still need to know about this dream I've kept having, and the fact that I've keep hearing My high-priestess calling me." LoneWolf just sit there but listening to every word she is saying. "She is dying and she need knows about the dream." "I...I have to see her." "Well, I understand fully. If she's anywhere close to here, please go. We're going to need clear heads on this mission, and If the only way It seems you can have one Is to go see her, then go. Just come back when your ready. We'll keep In contact through our radios." Duo replied. "Thank you Duo." She replied and give him a hug. "I'll promise I'll be back as soon as I straighten this out." With that she got up and left until she is out of sight. Moments later when she is nobody else is looking, she took out a small glowing pebble and said these words. "Take me to Fala" A white enveloped her and disappeared. She then later reappeared in front of a majestic yet quaint temple. "I am home." She thought then she enter the temple. LoneWolf had finally found the courage to try and talk to Maric when he realized she was walking away from the camp. He stayed hidden, feeling shyness hit him again (He never was able to talk to females. Cana was the one who first started their relationship) when he saw her take out a small stone and whisper to it. He was astonished when she just vanished. "What the %@^#&^*?????" He let out. He then ran out to where she disappeared, looking for her. "Maric? Maric? MAAAARIIIIIIC!!!!" He then decided to go warn the others. Maric reappeared all safe and sound. She turned around and sees a simple yet majestic temple which is deep somewhere in some unknown woods. "I've come home." Maric thought as she go towards the steps. When she finally reached the top, she is acquainted with two door guards. Maric held out her hand that has the pebble that brought her here. "Peace by me." She said. The guard recognized her and welcomed her in. "It is so good to see you back here." Said one guard. "Your presence has always been a light to us." added the other. "I'm glad to see the two of you." replied Maric. "How is Fala?" "The guards' smile quickly turned to sorrow. "I'm afraid she doesn't have much time left." Said Guard 1. "She's been calling for you for quite awhile." added Guard 2. "You must go to her before she goes." They send Maric to small room where they see Fala lying in her bed. "Let us know if you need anything." They both said and closed the door behind her. Maric quietly walked up to Fala's bed. "Fala?" she whispered. "Fala, it's me." Slowly Fala turned her head and sees Maric and smiles. "Come closer my child." Fala said in her dying voice. "These eyes aren't what they used to be." --------------- LoneWolf walks Into the camp, and Is greeted by Duo, "Something wrong?" The fox asked. "Nah," LoneWolf said and went to his tent. As Duo walked back to Centurion and Brian, the three all said, "He's lying." In unison. Duo then went to his tent and set up a communications with Mobotropolis. Meanwhile, back in the temple, Maric is next to Fala beside her bed. "I got here as soon as you called for me." Said Maric. "Then you know why I've summoned you here." replied Fala. Maric slightly bowed her head. Fala continued. "For years you have been dreaming about your parents and their deaths." Maric bowed her head again. Fala continued. "Do you know why you've been having the same dream over and over again?" Maric hang her head in shame. "It is my punishment for not rescuing them in time." Answered Maric as a single tear came down to her cheek. "Oh no, my child." Retorted Fala. "That is not the reason." Maric looked at her in a confused manner. Fala went on. "Your parents have been communicating me to get to you." LoneWolf entered his tent and sat on his bed, thinking for a while. He looked a moment at his picture of Cana, then closed his eyes to think. As always, the moment his eyes were closed, the events of Cana's death played again in his mind. How she arrived on the battle field, how Knack saw her, how he killed her so savagely... Would he ever be able to put those memories to rest? Now, he had met another female with whom he felt at ease, something he had not thought possible; but she had vanished mysteriously. He put Cana's picture in his jacket's inner pocket and exited. He then walked up to the others and said, calmly: "I saw Maric do some magic trick and disappear. Do we have anything that'll track it? Duo popped his head out of his tent. "The Cyber Armor can track any kind of magic, why?" Suddenly he realized something, "LW, your not thinking of following her are you?" ---------------- Back to the temple, Fala told Maric that her dream is not a punishment but a message from her parents, telling her about her true fate. "But Fala, how is it so?" asked Maric. "Ever since the death of my parents, all I ever did was blaming myself." "How should I done something to help." "How....how I wished that I was never born." Maric started to break down into tears. "Never say such things child." Said Fala. "Your were merely only four when it happened." "If you were try to stopped Valcord, he would've kill you too." Maric's tears began to clear up. "No one blames you for what has happen in the past." "Your parents sacrificed themselves so that you can be safe." After Fala said all that and smiled. Maric smiled too. "When I found you in the woods, I always knew that were destined for greater things." Fala reassured. "Now it is timed for you to find your true calling." "My true calling?" Maric asked in her confused manner. "But I thought my true calling was to be a cyber emerald warrior." "That is part of your nature." replied Fala. "Your true calling involves of your parents and your history" "What could it be Fala?" Asked Maric. "The answered lies in your dream and the past." Answered Fala. Fala slowly held out her hands. "Take my hands and we shall seek your truth within." Fala told Maric. "But Fala, are you sure you have enough strength for this? "Maric asked worriedly. "Only enough to guide you to your cause" said Fala and Maric did she was told. Maric and Fala took each others hands and close their eyes. Both of them enter into a dream state where they see what used to be Maric's home village. "What do you see my child?" Fala asked Maric. "I see... I see my home...they it used to be." Maric answered. Just then the village began to burn. "No...no...not again! "Maric cried out "Do not be afraid Maric." "You must continue." said Fala. Then they came upon two headstones. This time Fala asked. "What else do you see?" "My parents' graves, buried side by side to each other." said Maric with a cry. "It's alright my child." Then Maric saw something growing from the grave to her right. It was growing on her mother's grave. "What is it that you see?" asked Fala. "It's...it's a rose." answered Maric. Maric decided to have a closer look. When she did, she notice something about this rose. It was started to bleed. It is bleeding blood. "What is it telling you Maric?" Fala asked. Maric was quite not sure but she suddenly remember something. "Roseblood" Maric whispered. "What?" said Fala. "Roseblood." "The Roseblood legacy." Maric called out. "My mother used to tell me about when I was young." "She said that when a greater evil is upon us, Roseblood comes in and help the weak." "Could this means that my Mother was Roseblood?" Maric asked Fala. Fala smiled. "Yes my child." "Your mother was the legendary Roseblood." "And so was her mother before her and her mother before her." Answered Fala. Just then Maric was to say something, a golden glow was coming from the other grave on the left. Then came up was figure of a sword. "Can you guess what that figure is?" Fala asked. "It's a sword." answered Maric. "Ah, but what kind of sword is it?" Fala asked again. Maric thought hard and came up with the answer. "It the Sword of Life." "It was my father's" Maric answered. "That is correct." said Fala. Then Maric sees her Humanity Emerald joining up with the rose and the sword. "At last you have known your true calling" Said Fala and both she and Maric came back to reality. Maric snapped open her eyes. "That it then." Said Maric. "I need to find my mother's lair and my father's sword." "Oh thank you Fala." "Fala?" Fala did not answered back this time. "Fala?!" Maric tried to wake her up, but it was no use. Fala was gone. She gave her a small kiss on the cheek and small tear came from her eye. "Good-bye Fala" ----------- Lisle Acorn slammed her fist against the wooden cell door. "Let me out of here!" After a while, the young echidna knew It was useless, she went over and plopped her body down on her cot. "Well this Is fun." They had taken her Cyber Emerald from her and stuck her In this wretched place. Suddenly, the door opened, Lilya leapt up of the cot and on to her feet. In entered a condor, "Who the &%$# are you?" The condor laughed, "My, such strong language for such a young child." "For your Information, I'm legally an adult. And If my fiancé or any member of my family gets a hold of you. I can swear to you you'll regret It." Lilya spat. "Hrumph. Anyways, I am Valcord Condor." Just then Lilya noticed the sword at his hilt. There was something about It...... "What's with the sword?" Lilya asked. "Now whatever do you mean?" Condor said. "You know what I mean. That sword... It has some kind of power doesn't It?" Condor smiled, "My, your powers are much more latent than I have heard. You'll find out soon enough my dear." And with that, Condor left. _Now what was that about?_ Lilya thought. ------------- "So have you found the crystal blade yet?" Jessica asked over the comm-unit. Duo shook his head, "Nope." "Do any of the others even know about It yet.?" she asked. Once again, Duo shook his head, "Nope. Crystal and Basher told me to keep this under wraps unless necessary. If someone gets hold of this thing, It could prove disastrous. The Chaos Crystal Blade has been hidden for many years, but when we recently found It stolen, all who knew about It were told to keep their traps shut." He paused, "I wish I didn't have to keep It a secret though." Lone Wolf just looked at Duo and Said: "Yeah, I am. For all we know, she could have walked straight into an ambush. I know General De Coolette would never leave some one behind, and neither would I. I'm going out to look for her. Cyber-Emerald, Dark Fire, activate!" In a flash of flames, The wolf was attired in his Bronze and dark metallic red armor, with his sword sheathed on his belt. He looked at the others and smiled: "But I don't intend to do this alone. Any volunteers for a search and possible rescue?" Duo sighed, "Cyber Emerald Lightning, Activate!" In a flash of white lightning, Duo was In his white, black and green (only green Is on the chest plate) armor. "Don't have much of a choice do I?" He turned to the other two, "Centurion, Brian. You two STAY HERE, unless we call for you. We need you guys o watch over our equipment." He then turned to LoneWolf. "Lets go." LoneWolf just nodded and looked into thin air before him, saying: "Vid-panel, activate." Unseen to the others, a HUD (head's-up-Display) turned on before his very eyes. "tracking system activate." The menu display appeared, asking him to select a target signature. among the many choices were the last enemies fought and every member of the Cyber-strike force. "Select Signature of Maric, combined with the Magic energies for teleportation magic." The computer acknowledged the command and started working the program. After a few minutes, it gave LoneWolf a direction to start into. LoneWolf looked at Duo and said: "She's twenty clicks up north-west. Let's Go! Duo smiled as they both initiated the flight systems in their boots and started off towards the Temple. -------------- After Maric said her good-byes, she trotted down stairs from the temple entrance. Maric thoughts. "In order to save the Princess and help the others defeat the evil that I only know, I must go back to where it all started. I must go home." When she reach at the bottom of the stairs, she took out her Humanity Emerald and call out her power. "Cyber Humanity Activated!" And she took off into the flash of light. Duo and LoneWolf were flying towards the Temple when the young wolf suddenly stopped in mid-air. "What the..?" he exclaimed. "What is it, Lone?" " Her signature, It's moved. No, scratch that. it's MOVING! West-Bound, I think." Duo activated his own Armor's tracking system and said: "You're right. She IS moving." LoneWolf started looking concerned. "What do you think happened to her?" "Maybe nothing...Maybe everything. We won't know until we've found her. I say We keep going, towards her new heading." Agreeing to this, LoneWolf nodded and Zoomed off to meet Maric, barely giving Duo, who was smiling at the wolf's regained vigor, time to catch up. "YO LW!" Duo shouted. "Huh?" LoneWolf stopped In mid-air, "What Is It?" "Will you please slow down?" Duo asked, "Save those fire speed boosts for when ya need them. I'm having to use my tails to keep up!" "Oh sorry," the wolf said, then he went back In direction Maric was heading. Duo just shook his head and smiled under his helmet and followed him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Yawn, hey Brian, let's hit the hay," "Fine," he replies. An our after they fell asleep a dark figure creeps into Centurion's tent and soon vanishes into the night. ~~~~~ Inside the great Mobian canyon, (nearly opposite time of day) ~ My plan has succeeded! ~ A cybernetic Overlander shouts. ~# Valcord Condor on line 1 #~ a computer states. His throne turns towards a monitor, " Are my mechs completed? " Valcord asks. ~ Yes of course ~ "Where is the crystal sword, I lent you?" ~ Let's just say it's in good hands ~ Moments later Maric arrives what was left of her village. Now all it is a ghost town. How it pains her to see the ruins of these buildings. "I shall never forget the day when it all happen." Maric said to herself. Then Maric sees somewhat of a well. "Why does this well seem so important?" She asked. She went over to the well and get a closer look. Then she notice that it has no water. "Could this well serve some purpose?" she thought. She decided to get to the bottom of this. She got out her rope, tied it to the well post, and slowly lower herself down. When she got there, she notice that this well bottom has a secret tunnel. "Can this be my mother's lair?" She asked. Maric looked at the tunnel and believe that it was too dark. She form her hand into a fist and some rays of small light started to shine through. Slowly she opened her hand and release a small glowing ball. "Guide me to where this tunnel leads to." she order the ball and started to floated down the tunnel while Maric followed. By the time they got the end, there was nothing. "Maybe this isn't lair." she said it with a heavy sad sigh. But before she was about to turn back, the tunnel started to shake and out came a mysterious voice. "Welcome back Young Maric!" Said the voice. "We've been expecting you." Then suddenly the wall started to open and reviled some sort of secret room. The room contained a very unique outfit. Maric recognized this right away. It was a black leather brazier with red lacing on the top and a rose pinned on. Black, fitting pants. Knee-high black boots. A small black mask. And to complete this outfit, a long flowing black hooded cape with red lining inside. "Roseblood." Maric whispered. "For many generations, the women of my family had been known to carry the Roseblood legacy." "Now it is my turn." Cyber Armor deactivated." The armor quickly vanished. "The life of Maric has put on hold for now." She said it while taking the small mask and putting it on. "And the day of Roseblood lives again!" Duo and LoneWolf soon land In a destroyed village. "This Is where Maric grew up?" "I guess so," Duo said, "Actually, she's never told us exactly what happened here. Well, lets get going. Scanners activate." After putting on the Roseblood guise, Maric extended her arms outward and say these words. "By the power of Mania and the soul within me." "Let me and this alter become one" The guise absorbed into Maric, letting her become normal again. Awhile later, Maric climb out of the well. "Next stop, finding my father's sword" She said to herself. Maric left the ruined village and enter into the woods that was not very far from there. Moments later she had just found a cave that has been successfully hidden in the woods. "What could be in this cave that is so important to hide?" She thought. Then she decided to look into it. She form the floating light again and the light enter cave and Maric followed it. The cave wasn't very long and there was nothing in it. "Looks like it's another dead end." She thought. Just then, the inside of the cave started to shake. Just like it did in the well and the voice appeared again. "Greetings young Maric, we've been expecting you." Said the voice and the cave wall started to open. Revealing an amazing sword. This sword has a double edge blade. A golden hilt cover in little gems. "The Sword of Life." Maric whispered. The sword had four gems on both sides of the hilt. On one side, the red one stand for fire. The blue one stands for water. The green one stands for earth. And white one stand for wind. On the other side, the purple one stands for courage, the yellow one stands for honor, the orange one stands for peace, and the gold one stands for justice. Maric lifted the sword and hold it above her head and say these words. "By the power of Mania!" "I am one!" The Roseblood guise started to appear again on Maric. First came the black leather brazier with the red lacing on top and the rose pinned on. Then came the black tight pants, next came black knee-high boots and the small black leather mask. And finally, the black satin hooded cape with the red lining. Now Maric is Roseblood. When she got out of the cave, she needed to find the way back to camp. Then she notice something in her cape and she pulled out a small golden whistle with a small tag attached to it. "To summon up Blood lightning" she read the tag. Maric blew the whistle, but nothing happened yet. The suddenly she heard strange sound. It sounded like motor running. The sound grew louder and louder until it finally reached Maric. The she saw what was causing the sound. It turned out to be a Motorcycle right in front of her and Maric just smiled. "Blood lightning." She called the motorcycle. "You have been a faithful and loyal friend to my mother in her need." Blood lightning just revved up his engines happily. He knew Maric when she was just born and now he seems happy to see her in her Mother's Roseblood guise. Then Maric's smile faded. "But now I need you." She said. "Valcord has returned and he kidnapped the Acorn Princess." Now Blood lightning's growled his engines angrily. He knew what Valcord did to his former lady master, Maric's mother, Angelique, and now he is ready for a fight. "Will you help me rescue her and save the kingdom?" She asked Blood lightning. Blood lightning revved up his engines yes. "Then let's get going!" She piped and got on him. Both of the drove out of the woods and when it all cleared, Blood lightning started to go into flight mode. He revealed his wings, retracted his wheels and he and Maric took off into the sky. "Last stop Blood lightning!" "Back to camp!" "Okay," LoneWolf said, "She's over----..... WAIT!" "What?" Duo questioned. "She's moving... AGAIN!" he exclaimed, "And moving a little to fast for us to catch her!" "Okay, I haven't used this In a month, so It shouldn't hurt me much. Stand back LW." The wolf did as he was told, and when he was far enough, Duo called, "I CALL UPON THE POWER OF THE PHOENIX!" Flames erupted from the ground, surrounding Duo. Soon, the flames disappeared, leaving Duo In a Black and Gold armor. "Okay, get close. But don't, I repeat DON'T touch me while I'm doing this." LoneWolf did as he had been asked, "Okay. PHOENIX NOVA BOOST!" The two were soon surrounded by flames again, then they were lifted Into the air and took off at an astounding speed. As LoneWolf and Duo were flying towards Maric's newest heading, LoneWolf couldn't help but ponder as to why he was so adamant with looking for her. Was he just looking out for a comrade, or was he trying to protect her because... No, he corrected himself. He had loved before, and had lost that love. His soul- mate had died, and he couldn't protect her. He couldn't love again. But still, why was he obsessed with protecting Maric? That question nagged at him like a demonic Mother-in-law... "My scanner says Maric is hey, wait a minute," Duo pauses. "A motor cycle, speeding through the forest?" LW inquires. The cycle slows down, the driver hops off. they disappeared in a puff of smoke. "Where did it go?" LW asks. "My scanner indicates that Maric's magic residue is due north, that's camp," duo says. "Then let's go!" When both Maric and her motorcycle, Blood lightning, arrived at the campsite, they landed at the entrance to the camp and she got off of Blood lightning. Everyone stop and stare at Maric's new look. "Okay everyone." She announced. "I am no ready!" and just smiled. "varoom varoom" went Blood lightning. He was ready too. Duo and LoneWolf soon land at the campsite. "What the heck?!?" Duo exclaimed noticing Maric and the motorcycle. "Well let's get packing, we have a lot of ground to cover," LW walks to his tent. Duo walks by Centurion's tent, he notices a green glint shining off something metallic. He walks in to investigate. "Hey, Cent, what's this?" Duo points to a sheath laying on a box. "The sword? I haven't a clue. Say where'd my sword go?" Centurion looks through the stuff, he puts the sheath aside and looks in the box. Duo picks up the sheath, "My, My, How long have you had this?" Duo asks, a bit worried. "Sir, I don't know what it is. So I never owned it," Cent replies. "Hmm, follow me," they walk over to duo's tent. There, Duo flips on a computer monitor, "Jessica, the sword, I found the sword, but one of my men has apparently stolen it. I don't believe it, but what can I say?" "Ok, a transport will be sent over," Duo ends communication, "Cent talk to me," "I have no idea what happened, It would appear I was framed," "I believe you, but there are no supporting evidence," Later that day, the transport lands by camp, Centurion is escorted in, the commander steps out, "My name is Commander Claudette St. John, I am here to replace Centurion for the time being. I haven't the emerald power but I have enough battle skill to go around," She holds up a hand held, high powered plasma ballista. Maric look at the sword and she has this shock of horror in her face. Quick flashbacks came to hear. She sees images of the sword covered in blood. Then she sees the owner of the sword. Maric quickly came back to reality. "Oh my Goodness!" she called out. "What is it Maric?" asked Duo. " I recognized this sword!" she replied. "You do?" Duo. "Yes." "That's the Crystal Blade!" "That's sword belongs to Valcord!" "That's he used to....to....killed my parents when I was 4!" explained all Maric. LoneWolf immediately saw how Maric was traumatized by the sword's presence, and he pulled her away from Cent and Duo, yelling: "GET THAT THING OUT OF HERE! Can't you see what it's doing to her!" He then put his arm around her shoulders and took her into her tent. "So what's the mission, mate?" she asks. "The princess was captured and we're to save her," Duo replies. "OK, then that means we need to get going soon if we're to get there by sun set," St. John says. "Yeah," Lone wolf walks by, juggling thoughts in his head, he notices the commander, The transport powered up, ready to take Centurion back to Mobotropolis. "This stinks." Duo muttered. "This freaking stinks." He was out of his Cyber Armor now and pacing around the transport's bridge. "Yo bro, lighten' up a little," Comet said, "You know he's innocent, I know he's innocent, the team knows. All we have to do Is prove It." Duo shot a glance at his brother, "Remember what Uncle Sonic had to go through when he was framed for Aunt Sally's apparent murder?" Comet cringed, "My point exactly." "What about the blade?" Comet asked. "Well, we first acquired It five years ago and found out what kind of devastating power It had as you know," Duo said, "And we kept It under lock and key. It went missing a month ago..." "When Strike Team was first formed," Comet finished, "Ah, dang. Whoever framed Cent knew what he or she was doing." "Yeah," Duo replied that's what I'm worried about." ****** Miles away, In Valcord Condor's stronghold, Lilya was coming up with a plan. _Okay,_ she thought, _I hope this works._ The guard opened up the door to give her her dinner. Lilya pressed her body up against the wall. As the guard entered her room, she balled up her fists and slammed them up against his back, knocking him out cold. Lilya bent down and picked up his keys, the high-tailed It out of there. She made her way through the vast hallways and soon found a vent opening which she crawled Into. Lilya crawled through the vent passing over room after room. Some of them were other cells, though they were all empty. Some were holding vast weapon equipment. And then she came across one that caught her Interest, a communications room. Lilya crawled down from the vent and into the room, careful not to attract any attention. She went over to the communications console and started to try and patch through a signal. ******* Duo walked down the ramp of the transport to the others. "So what's the verdict mate?" Claudette asked. "We set back off In an hour," Duo replied, "We're going to be bringing along some Mobotropolis Security Squad officers just in case." "Makes sense," Brian said, "I have a feeling we'll need them." "Yeah," Duo said, "But we're still down a Cyber Emerald." "Well bro," Comet said, coming down the ramp behind Duo, "If your team doesn't mind, I wouldn't mind coming along on this jaunt. After all, I'm not the one who piloted this thing here, I just tagged long." "that's great Comet!" Everyone turned around to see LoneWolf come out of Maric's tent. He had powered down and was walking towards them, a cup of tea in his hand. "I've managed to calm Maric down some, but she needs to rest. So what's up with that sword?" Duo told LoneWolf the origin of the Crystal sword; LoneWolf couldn't help but to notice the links between that sword and the massacre at Maric's village; most notably how Maric could describe that sword's distinctive blade simply from memory. "Yeah, I think that's the blade that Killed Maric's parents." Comet looked at LoneWolf curiously, and asked: "And how do you know that?" Before he could answer, a voice interrupted: "Because I told him, That's How." Everyone turned again, this time to see Maric walking out of her tent. She had taken of her mask, revealing her soft and kind face [Sorry Maric, I couldn't help it :-)] and approached them. "And it's about time I told you, too." Everyone gathered around Maric to hear her tell about how she knew about the sword and how she knew who Valcord is. "It all happened about 18 years ago. I was only four during that time." Maric started and the flashback wave effect begins. " It was during the Spring Equinox and my people from the village were have a celebration to welcome warm weather and the flowers to the world." " I was sitting between my parents and we were all enjoying the festivities." "Everyone was having a joyous time." Then Maric's face turned to sullen. "But alas it did not last very long. " "All of a sudden, a dark cloud came over the village and a cold wind started to blow." "Everyone was so confused during this odd weather change." "That is until things were started to get worse." "A tall condor priest came upon the horizon." "Only my parents recognized him right away, for he was their most vile nemesis. "His name was Valcord Condor and he was pure of all that is evil." In Maric's flashback. "Enjoy the festivities while you can." He cackled evilly. "For it will be your last." Maric speaking. "Then he unleashed his minions into the village." "My mother, Angelique, Commander-in-Chief of the Witches of Justice, instructed house caretaker and I to hide somewhere safe." "Then as the house caretaker did as told, I watched both my parents take off out of sight." "We hid into a storage house that we use to keep our supplies." "Moments later I saw my mother wearing the disguise that I am wearing right now, and my Father, Domnc, Leader of the Vampire Crime fighters, was standing next to her. " "Both of them were face to face with Valcord." Valcord speaking. "Well, well if it isn't the legendary Roseblood or should I say Lady Angelique." He said with an evil grin. "And of course Lord Domnc." Maric speaking. "While my parents were about to have a challenge, two of Valcord's thugs broke into the storage room and grabbed both the house caretaker and I and dragged us out of there." Angelique speaking. "How dare you and your minions attack us during the time of Spring!" She bellowed. Valcord speaking. "Well since I never receive an invitation, I decided to invite myself." He said with the grin. Domnc speaking. "We have no business with you Valcord." He growled. Valcord speaking. "My, my so it is true." He replied. "The two of you have grown soft since you gotten married and had a child." Angelique speaking. "If you believed that would work on us, think again." She glared. Valcord speaking. "Oh well if that doesn't concern you, perhaps this will." He said as he snapped his fingers and out comes his two thugs carrying a now dead caretaker and a struggling young Maric. Thug 1 speaking. "Sorry about this one boss. " he said as he hold out the dead caretaker. "She just couldn't keep quite so I have to make her." Valcord speaking. "Never mind that you fool." He hissed. "I just the child to witness this fine event." He tightly squeeze Maric's to make her eyes meet his eyes. "My my she certainly has her mother's beauty." Valcord said in an evil sly way. Domnc speaking. "YOU KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF OUR DAUGHTER YOU VILE SON OF A....." Howled Domnc but was cut off by Valcord. Valcord speaking. "ah-ah-ah now remember to watch our language when a child is in present." He retorted. Maric fiercely let her face go from his grip and continued to struggle. "She also seem to have her father's spirit as well." He added. Then two more of Valcord's minions grabbed both Domnc and Angelique from behind. Angelique speaking. "What is the meaning of this!!!!" she hollered. Valcord speaking. "When I heard that the two have to retired from your days as crime fighters just to raise this pretty little half-breed, I knew that this is the right time to finally end this feud. Maric speaking. Coming back to the present. "Then when he drew his sword which is the Crystal Blade sword, he went over to my captive parents and then he....and then he....." Maric started to break out into tears. Everyone guess what happened next. Hmm.., Quiet clever, having someone sneak up from behind. said Brian. " He knows that in war, it doesn't matter how you get the enemy, just as long as you get them. He is obviously a military genius... striking at just the write time so that the battle is easy, smart, very smart. "He has no honor." said Lonewolf. "Heh" said Brian "Honor? HONOR? he has the right fighting style, reminds me of the middle ages, They had the armored ones use Short range weapons. Real military figures don't use short range weapons these days, only fools use Swords, Blasters are better in every way. It's like this." Then this mean looking figure stepped out brandishing a large sword. He did tricks with it to show that it would be hard to beat him with a sword. Then Brian Blasted him. "You see? that would be hard to do if I used a sword. I saw that a archer took out a infantry unit because the archer kept running, then shooting. Condor has a fighting style like mine, that is exactly how to win a war. Some fools thinks that's immoral... but war is immoral. He is good, very good." exclaimed Brian. LoneWolf just glared at the general and said: "You think I don't know about War? I'll let you know I studied under two of Mobius' greatest military strategists: General De Coolette and the Queen-mother Sally Acorn! they thought me all I know about strategy! I studied Sun Tzu's Art of War, at an age when most youths were looking for Waldo! I understand War, not just as combat, but as Psychology, as espionage, as economics and as diplomacy! But still, even in war, there are some things that are not done. Attacking from behind is one thing, they shouldn't have lowered their guard, but Valcord should never have used an innocent child as bait! And for your information..." LoneWolf interrupted himself to fire a blast into one of the trees. It was followed by another sniper, this one equipped with a jet pack, flying out of the leaves. "The sniper you shot was just a decoy. The real ones are harder to see. I smelled that one, luckily." ****** ~# Mechs are now ready for shipment #~ the computer says. ~ Good, send them at once! Now guess who's going to call ~ Beep, beep, ~# Valcord Condor on line 1 #~ The overlander's throne turns towards the monitor. ~ Ah my good friend, Valcord, how may I help you? ~ "Yeah whatever, Is my shipment ready?" ~ I just sent it over, it should be there within the hour ~ "Good, I expect my sword back within the week," ~ No problem, ~ Valcord signs off. ~ Now to get that sword ~ ******** At the forest, "I'm getting a beacon from north by northwest and large transport from the opposite direction," Duo announces. "C'mon lets-" He was cut off. "What Is It Duo?" LoneWolf asked. "IT'S LILYA!!! She's sending a transmission!" Immediately listening to his instincts, LoneWolf took action: "Quick Duo! track down the transmission's origin. Me, Gen. and Comet will go get the sniper for interrogation." "Do it!" said Duo. The capture party set off after the flyer while the rest were deploying all their electronics to track down Lilya's signal. "We're tracking the signal, almost got it, there! we got the signal!," Duo shouts. "Hmm, if that convoy continues on its course it'll head straight there," "I've got a plan," St. John says. "Let's hear it," LW replies. "Duo, where are we within the parameters of the convoy and the signal?" "I'll look, hmm, we are roughly in between," St. John grabs a hook out her backpack, "Let's hitch a ride, mates" she smiles. "Cyber Emeralds, Activate! Lightning!" Duo Called. "Dark Fire!" LoneWolf shouted. "I'll use my armor later on." Said Maric. She puts her mask back on. "Blood lightning come!" Maric called out her motorcycle and gets on him and started him up. "Vroom Vroom" went Blood lightning. -------------- ~ I got to get that sword back, hmm it should be in a safe place inside Castle Acorn, General Tyrant! ~ "Yes, my liege," a muscular cyborg steps up. ~ Get that Crystal Blade back immediately, you know what happens if you fail, ~ "Yes, sir!" ~ Then Go! ~ The Cyborg rushes outside and with boot thrusters, he heads towards the city. "Cyber Emerald Activate, Wind!" Comet called. "Wait, Duo I want to ask you something," LoneWolf said. "What?" Duo asked. "Why was Centurion pulled In for possession of that sword? What's so special about It?" LoneWolf asked. "Yeah," Brian said, "I've been wondering that myself. What's so Important about that sword?" "Um-..I um, well," Duo sweated, "I can't say." "Why?" LW asked. "Direct orders by the King and Queen." Comet said, "Please, lets just handle the situation at hand, okay?" Before the others could say anything, Duo said, "LoneWolf, you, me, and Brian are going to jet to that transport and try and head It off. The rest of you go In the direction of Lilya's signal, got It?" "Got It!" They all responded In unison. The Cyber-Strikers after a short flight, arrived in range of the Transport. It resembled a flying Mack Truck, only larger. Duo called the others on their comm- link: "Okay guys, let's hook up to the ship and..." Just as Duo was going to finish that thought, he got hit by an energy blast! LoneWolf and Brian looked up to see five demonic-looking Mechs flying art them, all guns blazing. LoneWolf and Brian immediately responded with a full barrage from their Blasters, taking down one of the Mechs. Duo quickly recovered and lashed out with a lightning bolt that short circuited two of the other Mechs. Cha-Shing! St. John hooks onto the transport and quickly springs up towards it. She climbs onto the top of it, since the Mechs are too far away for a sword attack, she charges her gun, after a moment it streams out plasma which demolishes a few Mechs. The recoil knocks her on her back. "That's what I use it for," she smiles, she gets back on her feet. The transport continues forward. St-John's blast took out one of the two remaining Mechs, leaving only one that quickly begins to flee. LoneWolf just soars towards him, draws his sword and yells out: "not so fast, buddy!" and slashes it in two! The Cyber-Strikers then join Claudette on the Transport. "Claudette!" Duo said as he landed, "What are you doing here? I thought told you to stay with the others." "Hey we are going to the same place mate. Wasn't it my idea to hitch a ride?" The others land on the transport, a ten minutes later they see the fortress. As the others were hitching a ride on the transport, Maric was racing Blood lightning underneath it. She was using her magical skills to accelerate her bike so as to keep up with the ship, but was not having any problems so far. She was just enraged at having missed the opportunity to help her friends with those Mechs. As she was thinking the ride might actually be incredibly smooth for her, Blood lightning slowed down without warning. She began to see the ground shift before her, as three ground Mechs emerged and drew her weapons at her. She then smiled, thinking she might actually have something to do after all. Maric was face to face with the Mechs in the middle of nowhere. Finally, one of the Mechs began to speck. "This is property of the Great Valcord!" "You are trespassing this area." "Therefore you must be punish" Then the Mechs started reveal their small laser guns. "Well Blood lightning." She said it with a small grin. "Looks like it's time to see what you are really made of." Vroom Vroom" said Blood lightning. Then she started to revved him up and have him in a standing mode. Just when the Mechs are started to shoot their lasers, Maric and Blood lightning rapidly jumped up into the air and she said her next command. "Blood lightning, Flight mode!" she commanded. "Vrrrrrooooommmm!!" he replied and wings started to pertrude from his sides and his wheel have been turn upside down. Duo was watching this whole event and decided to join in the game. "Where's my shipment!" Valcord yells over the video phone. ~ It should be there, is there a problem? ~ "It's your transport, you tell me," ~ It's probably just weather ~ Valcord sneers, "See to it gets here soon," Valcord turns off communication ~ General Tyrant! report ~ ~# I'm on the roof now, hoping to find out where it is #~ ~ Act soon, Valcord hasn't caught on yet ~ ------------ "It's rock 'n roll time!" Duo shouted as he leapt of the transport. He brought his hands together, forming a small ball of energy between them, he then launched It at a mech., hitting It dead-on. "One down." "Thanks Duo!" Maric called out. "Now it's my turn." Blood lightning turned around and turned his engines in a vertical position so that he can hover in mid air. "Blood lightning!" "Acid blind attack!" She commanded "Vrooom" he replied. Blood lightning lowered his headlight lens and revealed a small cannon point and shot acid right in the middle of the other mech's face. "AAAAAAHHHHH!!!" The other Mech screeched and started to loose control of it's balance. This time LoneWolf decided to join the fun. LoneWolf took off and flew towards one of the Mechs. He drew his sword and rushed towards the Mech, his body completely in flames. just as he was about to reach the Mech, he began to spin in mid-air with his sword out-stretched, yelling out: "Hell-Fire Hurricane!" and passed right next to the Mech, stopping in mid-air right behind it. The Mech just hung in mid-air for what seemed forever, then, light began to shine through a fine line across the mech; a second later, the Mech fell apart, almost faster then the eye could see! "I'm tired of these guys!" Duo shouted, "Comet, LoneWolf, lets trash these guys!" "On It!" LoneWolf answered back, "Fire-Blast!" "My turn!" Comet exclaimed, "Windbreaker!" "Rolling-Thunder!" Duo finished. The three blasts of energy took out many Mechs, leaving only a few remaining. "I've got the next one mate!" Claudette said. She shot her blaster, taking down another. "Everyone!" Duo ordered, "Combine all firepower to take the last of them out!" With a mighty blast the rest of Valcord's defenses are destroyed. "We're here!" Maric says. Claudette leaves a proximity mine on the hull of the transport, "Everyone off the ship!" They all get behind a large rock as the Mech carrying transport continues towards its destination. Ka boom! the ship explodes and crashes into the side of the fortress. "There's our hole! Let's get in gear!" Duo orders. "I say we blow this place, and I have just the thing to do it." stated Brian, and he revealed a bag of silver orbs. "What are those?" asked Duo "Thermal detonators." replied Brian. I'll consult my Pokedex " Thermal Detonators, The thermal detonator is a highly effective weapon of terror and destruction. It is fist-sized, yet packs enough explosive to destroy everything in a 2-story building." "What are you talkin' about?" Duo exclaimed. "We still have to find Princess Acorn! And, we need to Investigate this place. Who knows If they have more prisoners here." Maric walks over to a tree with her bike following her. "Valcord's fortress," she stutters. It was Maric's turn to speak. "Now remember everyone." "Valcord is not only the most evilist being on Mobius, but also the most cleverest." "Those Mechs that attracted back there means that he know we are coming." "So we must be on our best guard." Then she turns to Blood lightning. "Blood lightning, presume in limbo form." She ordered him. "vroom" he said sadly. "Do not worry, I'll call you when I need you" She consoled as she patted him on the headlight. Blood lightning purred his motors and did he was told. He simply vanished into thin air. "Where did he go?" Duo asked. "Somewhere between our world and another one." Maric answered. "Now lets get ready to go in but be extra cautious." "I sensed that he knows we're here and there are traps in the fortress." She acknowledge and unsheathed her sword and started to move towards the fortress. "What can I do?" The team look back, Dadaeleon stood there in full metal body armor, from the emerald he possessed. "I can be of some help" he said with a smirk. "Well, Dadaeleon", Lone Wolf said. Duo walks over to him. He explains what's going on, "We have a new member!" "Maric, I'll be behind you then, I guess I'm supposed to go in Valcord's castle. Ask for help at anytime!!" Dadaeleon says as he walks up to the team. "Okay folks," Duo said, "We split up here. Me, LoneWolf, Maric, and Comet go off to look for the Princess. the rest of you, get ready to bring the house down on my command. And ONLY my command. Got that?" "Yes Sir!" They saluted and went off in different directions. Duo, LoneWolf, Maric, and Comet started surveying the fortress. "So how are we going to find the Princess?" asked Comet. "I'm not sure." replied Lonewolf. "Perhaps I can help." added Maric. Maric started sniffing around. "What are you doing Maric?" Comet asked "Soul searching." answered Maric. "It's one of my traits as a half vampire wolf." She sniffed some more till she came across a dark hallway. "I sense that the Princess is down that hallway." She said as she was pointing the hallway. "Great let's go." Said Lonewolf but Maric stopped him from going in. "Wait." she hesitated. "What is it Maric?" he question. "That hallway is one of Valcord's traps." She replied. Then she pricked her finger with the rose pin and let a few drops of blood on the hallway floor. Then suddenly, electric spikes shoot out from both the hallway floor and the ceiling. "That's easy to take care of," Duo said, "With my Emerald, I can redirect the electricity. Comet, LoneWolf, you two can fly through It then. Maric, either they fly you or you can activate your armor." "Sounds easy enough," LoneWolf said. "We'll see," Duo replied. "Let me try something." LoneWolf said. Before any of the others could reply, his body became enveloped in an aura of flames. He then called out: "Dark Flame Fury!" and the flames rushed off of his body into a large cone of flames that streamed down the corridor. Duo and Maric had to turn away, so as not to be blinded by the incredible heat. They finally looked at the corridor, to see that all the walls were polished by heat, which obviously made the trap non- functional. "You know," said Duo, "there was a way to work around the trap." LoneWolf just looked at them both, and gave a strange smile: "yeah," he said, "but this way is more fun!" "Nice job LoneWolf." Complimented Maric. "Thank I knew that flame aura would come in handy." replied LoneWolf. Maric started sniffing again and followed the scent that lead into a cell station. "Were getting close." She acknowledged. "I can feel her." She placed her hand on the knob of the door but then she paused for a minute. "What's wrong Maric?" asked Duo. "This door leads to the cell station but it is guarded with Valcord's goon." She answered. " I can smell their souls." "There must be ten or twenty of them." "We need to form an ambush plan." They stand there and think for a moment. Duo snaps his fingers, "I've got It!" "What?" Maric asks. "Listen, the seven central Cyber Emeralds can have a temporary cloaking device. Mine Is one of them, I can lure them out here and..." LoneWolf grinned," Got It." "Ok, I have an idea," said LoneWolf; "Duo, you use your cloaking device to go past the guards and attraction their attention away from us. Then, I'll use my flames to fuse their armors on them. What do you think?" Duo just nodded and said: "sounds like a plan. Like Uncle Sonic used to say: "Let's do it to it!" Everyone's breaks off into different directions. Duo activated his cloaking device and distracted the guards. Duo picked up a rock and threw It at a guard's helmet covered head. "What the?!?" The guard shouted. The guard turned around and went towards Duo's area, weapons ready. Suddenly LoneWolf hopped out of his hiding place and shot fire blasts at them, welding their armor together. The guards, now stuck together, fell to the ground and Duo de-cloaked. "Well that was fun," Duo muttered. "C'mon guys." Duo walked off followed by LoneWolf, Maric, and Comet. ------------------------------------------------------- Mobotropolis Suddenly, Scarlet came running back, "Scarlet, what are you doing here? I thought I asked you to get help." Antoine said. "Yeah," she said, "But there seems to be a force field around this area and I can't get out." Antoine mused, "That... thing over there must be making It." ~ Hey!~ Tyrant shouted, ~ Watch your tongue old man, your next! ~ he then turned towards Centurion, ~ So Centurion, you want a fight, your gonna get It! ~ "Bring It on," Centurion remarked. ------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, General, Dadaeleon, and Claudette made their way through Valcord's fortress. "So," The General said, "Find anything yet?" Claudette shook her head, "Nope. No weaknesses In the Stronghold yet. Lets keep moving." ------------------------------------------------------ Tyrant snarls and draws out a blaster. Centurion reaches for his sword, "Wuh? darn it. They kept my sword!" ~ Ha Ha, not so great without a sword eh? ~ "At least they left my dignity and my armor, your mine!" Cent dodges some plasma fire, which nulls on the force field behind him. He jumps towards the mech, knocking him into a wall busting it. ~ Thanks for showing me the way ~ the mech sneers. He gets up with Centurion firmly in his grasp. ~ I don't need your help~ he throws the soldier a few yards down a hall. ~ Now for what I was here for ~ he punches a hole in the metal safe and pulls out the crystal blade, lights his boot rockets and bust a hole in the ceiling with his blaster. ~ Ciya Nara! ~ ~~~~ "That wall would be the weakest," Dadaeleon says. "How do you know?" Brian asks. "My armor basically," "I have some bombs left," Claudette says. "Then let's blow it up!" Brian shouts, grabbing a few bombs of his own. "General, those would be too strong for what we need," Claudette says. "Hmm, right," "I can do something," Dadaeleon answered. "What are you going to do?" Claudette asked. Dadaeleon walked to the wall, his armor slowly started to glow. He went into a near squat, like he was getting ready to run. He drew his fist back for a punch, instantly as he started to punch the wall his armor surrounded his fist, making a three foot spike, this drove into the wall easily. He stood their for a second, cracking came from the wall as the two stood their. The spike spread into several tentacles in the wall. Dadaeleon drew them out quickly. The wall stood there with one hole, but also had tons of tunnels torn in it. "Uh... That didn't do much Leon", General muttered. Dadaeleon then stared at the wall, then in great rage, and a yell, telepathic energy shot from Dadaeleon's front temple, tearing the wall apart in tiny pieces. "Wow, that was cool", Claudette laughed in excitement. "Ok, I think we can go in now, care to lead General", Dadaeleon smirked. "Sure" ---------------- The mysterious Mobian had studied the plans an ng here. She also studied about the history of this world and the good side the evil leaders. She now had enough info to join in the fight d the map, finding a fortress along with other info that would be useful. She studied the layouts of Valcord's fortress before comi against the evil side. She was in an airduct when she saw Dadaeleon destroy the wall. She was about to continue on her own when she saw the mechs. They came upon the two from both sides. "There's too many!!" Claudette exclaimed, trying to break free. Dadaleon, the Mobian noticed, seemed to be new at fighting the robots and was having a much harder time. The Mobian saw reinforcements coming and she knew they didn't stand a chance. She decided to take action. She waited till they were almost under her, then....... "SURPRIZE!!!!!!!" The young Mobian jumped out of the vent, using the grille to crush the mechs. She casually waved to the other attacking mechs to get their attention. Her white fur and gold vest and boots were very noticeable in the gray corridor. "Anyone ever tell you that you're stupid and ugly?" she said, taunting the robots. The robots armed they're lasers to fire on her. She smirked. "Can't hit what 'cha can see!" she tossed gold dust into the air. As it fell on her, she faded and disappeared. The mecha were seriously confused, as was Dadaeleon and Claudette. Since she was invisible, she disassembled every robot, one by one, limb by limb. She began to fade back into view as she finished the last one. She saw the surprised look on Dadaeleon's and Claudette's faces. "Stardust," she answered casually. "Certain types can do different things." "Who are you?" Dadaeleon asked. "Name's Olecea Larkfox, but that's not important as of now. I've done some homework and got some info on you're little friend (using the term loosely). May I be obliged to join you?" she finally asked. "Well, we need all the help we can get as of now," Claudette answered. "Then let's go. You can fill me in some more on the way!" The group continued down the corridor. "Yes, Olecea, I am new here. A couple of days I landed here", Dadaeleon said out of no where. "How did you know what I was thinking!!!", Olecea snapped at him. "All I had to do is touch you, then I know your thoughts, those robots are very weak compared to the Volkrie from my home, You would probably have no chance against them, but you fight very well, I like to study before I fight. I saves useless actions", Dadaeleon said in his odd alien voice. "You're very interesting friend", Olecea said. "Yes and so are you", Dadaeleon answered. "Well, I'm not as helpless as I look!" she commented. "You'll be surprised what guardian like me can do in my dimension." Dadaeleon gave her a puzzled look, but she only smiled and gave him a look that said 'you'll see'. Suddenly something on her utility belt beeped. She pulled out a computer and studied the screen. "Hang a left, someone's catching up to with us." The group turned the corner and waited for the mechs to pass. "That won't fool them for long. Let's continue this was," Claudette commented. "How 'bout we take a stroll throughout the airducts?" Olecea asked. "What ever works, mate" Claudette replies. "Air ducts?" General Brian flips, "I have enough fire power to take on an army!" "Then why don't you distract them while the rest of us sneak into Valcord's lair" Olecea says. "Hmm, ok," The group moved into the air ducts while General Brian continues on his own. They moved through several junctions without finding anything. "How much farther do you think we should go?" Dadaeleon asked. "Well, I never anticipated having to go through the ventilation system." Claudette commented. He looked back to see Olecea studying a holographic map of the airducts. He couldn't help but wonder where she got all of the maps and stuff. "If we continue this way for a little while longer, we should reach the center chamber," she stated, tracing the way on the map. "Okay let's go," Dadaeleon started to move again. Everyone followed. They soon reached the chamber Olecea showed them on the map. They stared through the grating down into the room. Inside was Valcor ((I forgot how to spell it)). A second later, the door opened and a dark legionnaire walked in. "I trust you have finished the devise, Lieutenant Sargot?" Valcor asked with contempt. "Yes, and the feeble minded pseudo dark legion was willing to comply without question. As soon as it was finished, I took in and left in the middle of the night," he answered. "What about the intruding raider you found that had done sabotage?" "Disappeared before we discovered him," Sargot answered. He hated not finding the intruder, but he would handle with him later. "Then let's see it!" Valcor ordered impatiently. Sargot led them out of the room. "What was that about?" Dadaeleon asked. "I have a feeling I know all to well," Olecea stated. "Come on, we have to find them!" The group started through the vents again. As they went through the vents a door suddenly came down, blocking Dadaeleon and Claudette from the rest of the team. "Ok, that was not seen coming", Claudette said. "There's only one way, let's go Claudette", Dadaeleon said smiling, "I hope we run into trouble!" "What's wrong with you aliens?", Claudette bursts. As they went through the vents the floor fell out, dropping them in a large room. A second later another door on one of the walls opened. A large robot clumped out slowly, covered with laser guns. "So now we get to fight together", Dadaeleon smirked at Claudette. The mech looms 8 feet high and has a menacing grin. Claudette draws out her sword, Dadaeleon's arms mold into twin blades stretching out about 2 feet. "I'll get behind em" St. John says. She runs forwards, jumps, and flips over the mech's head. The mech turns around slowly, raising its powerful arm to attack. Dadaeleon charges forward, jumps onto to it, and starts ripping it apart with ease. St. John spins around tripping the mech onto its back. "Hey, get back up here, before more come!" Olecea orders over a com link. "Yeah, we'll be right there," Olecea closed the comlink and stood up. She was only 10 years old, and small enough to stand. She ducked into a turn in the vents. The mechs had found out about what they had done. She waited for them to pass by before she replotted her course. "Lucky for me they're pretty stupid! I better keep up eluding them until I can observe their fighting tactics enough to form counter attacks," she stated. She brought up her map and studied different passages. She was about to give up when she noticed something that caught her eye. She smiled. It was the central robot control computer. The only problem was that there was a computer for each type of robot, and there was more than a dozen computers. She suspected that most of them controlled a single giant robot. The control computers were close, but heavily guarded. She got on her way. "I really like to fight these robots, they're fun!!", Dadaeleon laugh's. "I bet there's more,", Claudette said as she sheathed her sword. They walked through the door only to enter another sealed room. The door slammed behind them, and another opened on the opposite wall. These time a huge snake like robot rumbled through the door. It was about 25 feet long and below the head two sets of arms held two guns and two swords. It mouth opened to reveal a shock wave gun. It fired the incredibly loud shock wave at them. Dadaeleon's metal armor formed a umbrella like shield in front of them, knocking him against the wall. "That really hurt my ears", Dadaeleon moaned, his metal gauntlets formed three foot blades with laser guns equipped behind them. "Well let's hurt him back", Claudette said as she drew her sword. - Back to the mess hall, The group gather up and continue with their search. Maric continue sniffing again and came to a closed door. "The princess is in here." She acknowledge. She placed her ear on the door and she heard some moaning and whining. "And there are some prisoners in here." LoneWolf just gently pushed Maric aside and said: "Allow me." He raised his right hand, made a fist and pointed at the door. "Plasma Blaster, tight beam, maximum burn!" The armor's wrist mounted Plasma blaster extended and projected a narrow beam which LoneWolf used to cut the door out of it's frame, after which it just fell to the ground, allowing full view into the next chamber...and what they saw chilled them all to the bone. The whines of pain they had heard where of dozens of innocent mobians, some locked in cages, others attached to horrible machines of torture, still others were being herded into a frightening looking machine by armored guards backed by vicious looking Mech. LoneWolf immediately burst into flames when he saw what was going on. Duo and Maric also ignited their powers when they saw the horrors being committed. The guards swiveled round with disconcerting speed, like a single creature with a score of well-armored heads. "What the...?!" A wild shot from Lone Wolfs plasma blaster cannoned into the ceiling and choked the rest of the question from his throat. Every face in the whole of the vast chamber turned to face the newcomers, and the Strike Team members were momentarily paralyzed by the sheer pathos in so many gaunt faces and wide, white eyes. "We could ask you the same thing..." growled Duo, but he was drowned out by a scream from amid the wailing masses. Taking advantage of the distraction, a commotion appeared to break out among the massed ranks being herded towards what looked uncomfortably like a cross between a multi-user iron maiden and a dentist's chair. Several prisoners began cheering; a guard yowled; there was a surprisingly feminine grunt of effort as the guard's inert form flew back against the machine, clutching its jaw, and a flame red blur suddenly exploded upward from the throng with such speed that it almost performed a mid-air somersault. It braked neatly in mid-air, enabling the three stunned newcomers to see that it was a slightly grubby vixen, suspended from two busily whirring tails. They were not sure whether it was the sight of another two-tailed for or the fact that her paws had a very tight grip on a blaster that made her the center of their attention. Whichever was the case, they certainly did not seem to be the center of hers. She was fixing a fierce gaze upon a point somewhere in the hallway behind them, and lining up a blaster shot to match. And they did not like the way that such a formidable animal's eyes seemed to contain fear. As swift as quicksilver, she suddenly threw out an arm and fired, staring down at them crazily. "LOOK OUT!" LoneWolf quickly shook off the surprise of seeing a new two-tailed flying fox and remembered the Horrors that were being perpetrated in that hell-hole. His body flared up with dark flames and he leapt at the tormentors, striking with fists of flames and hellish kicks. One by one, the brutes that were making innocents suffer fell. Then, One of them took out a strange remote control-like device and pointed it at the young wolf. Before he could react, the guard projected a bolt of energy at LoneWolf, who just cried out loudly, as if in intense agony, and fell to the floor, his flame extinguished and his body motionless... Olecea was on her way to the computer center when her computer beeped. Now that she was alone her computer used vocal messages. "OLECEA, LARGE ENERGY BEAM PROJECTION DEVISE HAS BEEN DETECTE," the computer stated in a monochromatic voice. Olecea remembered one of these while studying this world. She knew how dangerous they were. "I guess I'm going a different way for now!!" Olecea took off for the origin of the devise. * * * Olecea arrived at her destination within a minute. She saw the unconscious wolf, the captives, and the group trying to free them while fighting the guards. She knew that they would soon tire, then be captured. She made a split second decision. She jumped down through the vent grating. -------------- "Hey Dadaeleon, get off the snake! We got to get going," Claudette orders. "Do we have too?" "Yes," Claudette takes a hook shot and launches it at the ceiling. A minute later they are back in the vents. "Ok so where are we going?" Dadaeleon asks. "To get the jump on Valcord I think," ---- Duo half turned towards the prone body of his friend, and suddenly found himself propelled forward by a blast and a shower of sparks from behind him, where the smoking shape of a guard with a similar device suddenly lay on the ground, the victim of a direct hit from the stranger's blaster. "NO!" she barked, and reached for something that hung around her neck, a long chain meaning that it was concealed beneath her clothes. Once she had lifted it clear of her collar, she was holding it so tightly that none of them could make out exactly what it was, but for her to reach for it in the midst of the melee, when all available paws were scrambling for weapons. This was all except for the guards, who were clutching upwards, but the stranger seemed to be too high for them to reach. She closed her eyes, her face taking on a look of almost serenity... The walls of the room shook as the guards, as one, gave a massed scream that rose to a grotesque crescendo, and fled at a gallop into the corridor, their eyes wild and clawing at their own heads. They were so intent on their own plight that they rushed straight past the dumbstruck Team, and leaving their former captives staring in bewilderment. The stranger dropped neatly to the ground, tucking the tiny object back into her collar as she did so, and shook herself as though whatever she had just performed had taken no obvious effort. "How did you do that?" Duo cried before she could straighten up, leaving Maric to tend to Lone Wolf. The stranger peered down her snout at him, through eyes which possessed a sizeable amount of fear, but it was the fear of a captive wild animal, which would fight to the death before it was tamed. Duo shrank back. "Is he alright?" the stranger asked, approaching Lone Wolf. Her voice was completely calm and level, which was even more disconcerting when the Team stopped to think about what she had apparently just done. Lone Wolf groaned faintly. The stranger fingered her collar for a moment. "He's just stunned," she informed Maric, and there was something in her voice which meant that they couldn't help but believe her... "I'm Duo Prower," Duo began again, stepping forward. "May I ask your name?" The stranger looked at him again, but was less assured than before. It was almost as though she was unaccustomed to pleasantries. "Samanfur," she replied curtly. "We're the Cyber Emerald Strike Team," Duo informed her. "Pleased to meet you. Thank you for what you did." "It was nothing..." Samanfur murmured. Lone Wolf groaned again, and attempted to lever himself up on one elbow. He lacked the strength, and found himself leaning back on Maric's knees as she knelt behind him. His head was already swimming, and it was a disconcerting sight to see a sea of bemused faces before him, as the animals who had been under the guards` sway gradually came to their senses, and crowded around the heroes in a vague attempt to find out what had just occurred. He turned to Samanfur, who already seemed to appointed herself as spokes-fox for the motley group. "What is this place?" he asked. "Hmm, I hear familiar voices down there," St. John says. "Who's?" Dadaeleon asks. "Let's find out," Claudette takes out a vent and jumps down, Dadaeleon follows. Lone is helped up, Commander Claudette St. John walks over, charges her gun, "Somebody has to take charge, might as well be me," "Only until I get my strength back," Duo moans. "Commander, Valcord is destined to fight me," Maric says. "You shall, mate. Valcord's defenses are weak. I'm sure he has something planned..." "He does have something planned, I have all the info in this data pad," Olecea states, handing it to the commander. "Thanks, it'll help a lot," Duo, Lone, Maric, Olecea, Samanfur, Dadaeleon, and St. John head towards Valcord's lair. "Where's the General?" Duo asks. "I got a com link transmission a few minutes ago, Mr. ego needs back up," St. John says, "I'm sure he'll be fine by the time we get there. "Then let's go!" Lone shouts. "Hold up Lone!" Olecea called, grabbing him by the tail. "Hey! Let go!" Lone pulled his tail out of her grip. "There is a couple of things I found out that you should know about," she said. "What would that be?" Duo asked. Olecea asked for her computer back from the commander, then brought up a hologram of a dark legionnaire. "His name is Lt. Sargot. I know that you are at peace with their kind, but he's not with them. He works for Valcord," Olecea then brought up the plans for some devise. "I'm not sure what this devise is for, but I believe that it can absorb energy from a power source. I think he may try to drain all the energy from your dimensions power plants," she closed her computer and gave it back to the commander. "If he drains the power from the power plants, our cities will be defenseless!" St. John stated. "We have to do something before he does," Samanfur said. "One more thing," Olecea added. "What would that be?" Maric asked. "I saw Valcord and Lt. Sargot heading towards the robot computer center. If we destroy the computers, no robots can attack us!" she stated smiling. "Well, what are we waiting for?" Dadaeleon asked. The group headed towards the computer room. The entire group was heading towards Valcord's computer base. But Maric couldn't shake this feeling that something not right. Why would Valcord's computer base be hardly protected. Valcord may be evil but he is also crafty and clever and could be setting some kind of....then it finally hit her. "Wait everyone!" She called out and everyone turned to her. "What is it Maric?" Duo asked. "It's a trap!" She announced "She's right! Let's get out of her!" Duo stated. "A little late now, you cyber morons!" Lt. Sargot stepped from around a corner. He pushed a button on a remote control. Suddenly the floor fell out from beneath the group. They fell down a tube and landed in separate cadged areas. Valcord was waiting for them. "Good job Sargot," Valcord said, over looking the group. "I'm the best in my field," Sargot said, walking along the cages. He stopped at Olecea's. "I see that you have to hire children now," He smiled down at her. "Open this cage and I'll mess you up again!" She said, standing up. Sargot looked confused at her. "It was a nice scheme, have them build the devise for you. I wonder what they would do if they found out about your real intention!" "It was you!!!" Sargot leapt at the cage to attack her. He cooled down and backed off, remembering that he had captured her, not the other way. "Let's see your group get out of the containment's. Your cyber emeralds can't do any harm to this material!" he said, tapping the cage. "What are you going to do, drain the cities' power plants with that devise you constructed?" Duo snarled. Sargot and Valcord laughed. "Ha! They are very entertaining, I wish I knew where they got their ideas!" Valcord stated. "Since you wish to know, you shall!" Sargot turned on the devise. The cyber emerald team suddenly felt a searing pain, like they were being drain of there energy. Only those that didn't have a cyber emerald weren't affected. "This devise is made to absorb energy, but it is not the source you originally thought!" Olecea had to do something, but what? Why Valcord and Sargot were occupied with their evil entertainment, she examined the bars. She recognized the material as one similar to one in her world. She took out something out of a pouch that hung at her side. Sargot and Valcord heard a loud crackling sound. They turned to see the bars on Olecea's cage melting like paper in a puddle of acid. She was gone. Sargot drew his blaster and started to look around the room. Valcord turned up the devise, causing the team more pain. Olecea moved from place to place, staying away from Sargot. He couldn't see her, but she wasn't taking a chance, not yet. She had to get to the other cages. She moved closer. She was in range when Sargot spotted her. He armed his blaster, hitting her on her side, near the middle of the side of her vest. She fell off the platform she was on, hitting the ground hard. "So much for the rescuer!" Sargot moved to get a better shot to make sure she was dead. He aimed.... "Now that wasn't nice!" Olecea suddenly jumped up, grabbing the end of the blaster, pointing away from her. "Don't be too shocked. My cloths are made of a very strong reflective material. "It won't help!" Sargot let go of the blaster and kicked her in the leg. She stumbled backwards and he grabbed her. "..but it was a nice try!" He dragged her over to Valcord. "Feisty little thing!" Valcord smiled. "I wouldn't try anything now!" "What would be the fun in that?" She smiled and stopped struggling. Something about this made Valcord nervous. That was when she took her chance. Her ear twitched, then....sparked? A second later, Sargot and Valcord were electrified, then both were thrown to opposite walls from the force. She used the substance in the pouch to dissolve the bars. It was more stardust. "How....How did you do that?" Dadaeleon asked? "Like I said earlier, you'll be surprised what guardians can do in my dimension!" She turned and shot an electric bolt at the devise. It was made of a special metal, and she only managed to cause it to shut down. A few seconds after that, the cyber group regained their powers. Valcord and Sargot began to wake up from being knocked out. "Let's get these losers!!" Samafur yelled. "RIGHT!!!" Everyone else yelled. They advanced on Valcord and Sargot. Maric summons up her courage and step up front. "I shall go first." she announced. "After all I do have a score a settle." "Armor off" Her armor simply disappeared and she unsheathed her sword. "By the power of Mainia!" "I am one!" Her Roseblood guise started to appear. First came the black leather brazier with the red lacing on the top and the rose pinned on the top. Then came the black tight pants and the black knee high high-heeled boots. Next came the black hooded cape with the red satin lining and the small black leather mask. She is now Roseblood. "Remember me Valcord!?" "Yes, I do remember you!" Valcord stood up. "Sargot!" Sargot jumped to his feet. "Handle with this one. She will be easy to defeat with your 'skill'." "And what skill would that be?" Roseblood asked. Sargot suddenly attacked, knocking her into the wall. "I can match any of my opponent's moves, and use them against them!" Sargot sneered. Rose made an attempt, involving a quick series of moves. Sargot dodged or blocked all of them. The cyber emerald team moved to help her, but she called them off. "This is my fight!" Rose tried a couple of more moves. "What's the matter with you? Are you his body guard or something?" "Quite!" Sargot landed a kick in her stomach, forcing her back. Olecea watched him carefully. She had the same skill, but she had to watch her opponent. She wouldn't fight, but she could tell her where to strike. "Rose! He isn't protecting his right flanking side!" She announced. Sargot moved to protect the area to late. Rose aimed a kick, landing it right below his ribcage, his soft spot. He went sprawling to the ground. "That was easy!" Rose stated. "Hey wait! Where's Valcord?!?!?!" Duo snapped. Valcord had flown the coup. "Well, we have someone that does know where he went...." Samanfur stated. Everyone turned to Sargot. "I won't say anything!" He snapped. "I bet you will!" Dadaeleon stated. He held Sargots arm, searching his thoughts. He let go of him. "Very vague, all I could see was a few of the corridors. He can block his mind, but only partially," Dadaeleon glared at him. Sargot snarled. "Well, we can take this constellation prize to a jail. Her queenship will probably get something out of him!" Duo said. "We still have to find Valcord!" Olecea finally took her computer back from the Commander. "I can scan for him, but I have no guarantees," she activated a scanning program. "Well, let's first get rid of these robot computers!" Samanfur mentioned. Within seconds, the group left the computers as rubble while Rose tied Sargot up. "My computer has picked up a few life forms near here. Some will be guards. One will be Valcord. They're all heading to the launch pad!" Olecea stated. They then took Sargot, against his willingness, and went to look for Valcord. "You and the others take the transporter." "Olecea and I will take Sargot and catch up with you." Roseblood told the troop. "How we'll be able to do that?" Olecea asked. Roseblood pulled out her small whistle and started to blow on it. With in seconds a loud thundering motor sound is being heard and appeared Roseblood's motorcycle, Bloodlightning, zooming fast on the clearing and stopped in front of Maric. "Vroom vroom" said Bloodlightning excitedly. "Glad that you are here to help." She said as she petted her motorcycle on his headlight. "Well well." "Looks like the little girl just gotten her bicycle." Sargot said with sarcasm. Bloodlightning didn't like his attitude so he shot out a steel lasso out of his engine and entwined Sargot. "Ha!" "You think this piece of string can hold me." Sargot bellowed as he tried to break free but the steel rope is much to strong for him. "Of all the....."Sargot complained. "That rope is made out of star lava." Roseblood pointed out. "It is the most strongest material supernatural material there is." Roseblood and Olecea got on Bloodlightning and commanded him to go on flight mode. Bloodlightning extended his wings outward and turned his wheels upside-down and then they take off. With Sargot dragging behind them. Maric was enjoying the thought of the rogue Echidna being dragged behind Bloodlighting, and turned around to enjoy the sight, only to see him gone! "That's impossible!" She put on the brakes and leapt off to examine the bonds. They were in perfect condition, showing no signs of tempering. But she suddenly smelled a lot of ozone in the air...as if someone had converted to energy. A teleporter! But where could he have hidden a receiver unit? In his implants. Maric clenched her teeth in rage at the escapee's cleverness. She knew Sargot would want a rematch; and that he would cover that weak spot better this time. Roseblood went back on Bloodlightning. "Bloodlightning switch to bloodhound mode." She commanded. "Vrooom." he replied and did as he told. His headlight popped out of his head and set it on the ground. He began surveying some traces of Sargot until he was on the scent. Olecea got out her computer and input the direction that Bloodlightning. "According to my computer that's the direction of the launching pad where Valcord is." She acknowledge. "Then that's where we find them." said Roseblood. "Good work you two." She complimented them. Bloodlightning reeled in his headlight and started his engines. "Bloodlightning switch to flight mode." Roseblood commanded. "Vroom Vroom!" He replied and started to take off. Olecea's tails twitched at the mention of flight. She hadn't flown since she got her. She longed to fly on her own. "We'll be there soon," Rose said. "We'll be there faster if Bloodlightning has less weight on it," Olecea said. Rose turned around to ask what she meant, only find that she wasn't there. She turned to see that Olecea was fighting at a slightly faster pace that Bloodlightning. "Nice bike, looks better from this angle!" "Ha! You can fly!" Rose commented. "Yep! I've been wanting to since we got here!" She stated. Olecea removed the devise from her gold backpack and looked at it. "We left that with the group!!!" Rose stated. "You thought we left it with the group! I knew that if Sargot escaped, he'd come after this. You saw how weak your group got with this on the first setting!" Olecea said. She put it in her backpack again. They two soon reached the launchpad. They hid with the rest of the group, amongst the crates near the hoverships. Valcord was waiting while one of his medical staff examined Sargot. Olecea had VIXEN, her computer, tone in on the conversation. "And you couldn't even stand a chance against Bloodrose? You were stronger than her!!" Valcord snapped. "I told you, the fox discovered my weakness! That little twerp is a threat! I saw her band, she's a guardian!" Sargot said. He was sitting on a crate, recovering from his blows. "When she electrified me, she damaged my teleporter. I could only use it once. Now it has to be repaired," He growled, remembering being humiliated like that. "Well, he only has some minor bruises. He should heal within a few days," The medical officer stated. "Get him into the ship!" Valcord snapped. The medical officer helped support Sargot as they moved to get on the ship. "What should do? There are only a few guards. I know that none of the are as skilled as Sargot," Olecea asked. "I say we attack!" Rose stated. "I say we disable the ship, then we can get them without the chance of loosing them!" Samanfur said. "What do you think, Duo? You're leader," Dadaeleon asked. LoneWolf had fully recovered, and was now standing by the others, adding his two cents: "You know, I think I can disable their engines with a blast of Dark Fire, overheating it..." "No, I don't think you'll have time to do that." The Cyberstrikers turned around, to see a dark figure, dressed all in black, with a black cloak and an equally black helmet concealing his face. He was leaning on a wall, polishing a quality blade that resembled LoneWolf's, but darker. "Who are you," Duo asked? "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you right now," the stranger shrugged; " but that's really none of your business anyway, since I'm not here for you Kitsune." Roseblood raised her hands, preparing to cast some battle magic, while the others were readying for attack. LoneWolf just looked at the stranger, trying to figure out why that posturing shadow looked so familiar. the stranger looked back at him, and said with confidence "I'm here for the wolf!" "If you want him," duo replied, "you'll have to go through all of us." the other Cyberstrikers huddled in front of LoneWolf, trying to from a living wall between him and the stranger. The masked one just stood on guard, and started reciting the following line: "Tonight, we trip for honor and right..." before the others could do anything, LoneWolf pushed his way threw and drew his own sword, replying: "Guide our hands, Mother Dream, as we fight." They then said, in such harmony that it seemed only one person was speaking: "Dalman are quick to anger, but quicker to mend, We swear, tomorrow, our anger will end." Both swordsmen took up defensive positions, but just as the others were about step in to help him, LoneWolf yelled at them: "Stay back! Don't any of you interfere!" "What are you, crazy? We're a team!" "Sorry Duo, but this is matter of personal honor! Our duel of the Scarlet Trip won't be long, but I'm afraid you'll have to start without me." "Oh, I'm afraid you won't have time to play with Valcord, ROMULUS!" With those words, thew stranger leapt at the surprised Wolf, who barely had time to block the blade, shocked as he was that anyone still remembered that old name. With first blow going to the stranger, LoneWolf started performing the deadly dance of Dalman swordsmenship with the obviously skilled attacker, and realized he might be right. But where had he seen those moves before? "Okay," Duo said, "Here's the plan. I'll go for the Princess. The rest of you guys go after Valcord and his goons. Claudette, contact the transport and have them land as close to here as possible. I'll free any prisoners and get them to it. The General gets to have his fun and blow the place sky-high." Duo grinned under his helmet, "Get It? Got It?" They nodded to both questions, "Good. "And Claudette, after you contact the transport, get back with the group." He ignited his boosters, "LoneWolf, Maric, Claudette, and General. Being most experienced, you four are in charge till I return. Just don't take it to the extreme." He then rocketed off and plowed through the wall." LoneWolf looked at his opponent for what seemed an eternity, the Wolf leapt at him swinging his sword faster then anyone could see; and yet, the opponent just blocked the blow as if he had seen it coming a mile away. He then followed with a series of swift sword slashes that LoneWolf just parried with ease. LoneWolf was not lured into a false sense of security, however. He knew his opponent was skilled, even before the fight began. The stance, the positioning, the breathing... it all exuded skill and confidence. he knew before he swung that he wouldn't connect. But still, he knew there had to be a way to beat this foe. He leapt at him again, slashing and thrusting at the stranger, while parrying attacks of his own. This was good, and LoneWolf was worried. Not for his life, though. A Scarlet Trip was a duel to first blood, no more. A mere scratch could decide the issue. LoneWolf was worried about his friends, that if he couldn't free himself in time, one of them could be hurt...or worse. He knew he had to finish this quickly; problem was, his foe was taking his time, staying on the defensive, not trying to hard to attack. LoneWolf knew his intentions were to keep him too busy to help his friends, and that angered him. He looked at his foe eye to eye, his foe's hidden behind colorless glass. he couldn't see his face, but he knew he was smirking underneath his face mask. ------------------------------------------------------- Duo slams through a wall to be met by two mechs, "You guys just don't give up to you?" he muttered. They charge, Duo rockets up and they slam into a wall. The turn around and each fire two blasts of energy respectively. He dodges out of the way and throws a plasma blast at one of the mech's chest, knocking it to the ground, but not fully out. One of the second mech's arms turns into a drill and it charges towards Duo again. The fox braces himself and aims his left fist at it, "Seya," he said with a grin and then unloaded his left arm's full magazine of ten missiles, destroying the robot and sending pieces flying everywhere. The first mech makes it's way to it's feet and rockets into the air. Duo follows suit as the mech crashes through the ceiling. Duo dodges four blasts of energy barely, "Lets see how you like mine." White energy and lightning surrounds him, "THUNDER... FIRE BLAST EGNITE!!!!!" The energy forms into a beam and flies at the mech, hitting it and tearing it apart. "Yeah, now to get Lilya." Duo flies down through the hole he and the mech made and makes a bee-line towards where Lilya's signal is coming the strongest. He reaches it to find three guards approaching it also. Not wanting to waste energy, the fox rushes them and slams them into a wall. He then takes a keycard and opens it up. It creaks open and he doesn't see anything. Suddenly, Lilya leaps out from the shadows and is about to slam a chair down on his head, "YAH! LILYA, STOP!" She realizes who it is and puts it down, "Uncle Duo? (not really her uncle, just always called him that) she peaks out the door to see the walls cracked, walls torn down. "What happened here." Duo chuckles, "They Strike Team. Now c'mon, we have some work to do." She nods, "Right. We also need to find my Cyber Emerald." the two then run off. The main group moved throughout the ship, fighting guards. They were making very slow progress to the engine room. Olecea had found a maintenance panel and was downloading information. "Well, this explains the mechs that's been attacking us. They have a separate computer for them on this ship," Olecea stated, electrifying one that came to attack her. "How do we stop them?" Samanfur asked, knocking another away. A second later, the lights blinked out. Soon after that, the emergency lights came on, leaving the corridors darkly lit. Them mechs were frozen in place. "What happened?" Dadaeleon asked, still shaken from his earlier experience. Olecea was holding an electrical wire. She appeared to be absorbing it's energy. When she let go, electricity was spiraling around her body. "I cut the power. This junk heap isn't taking off any time soon!!!!" The group moved on, but staying apart from Olecea, due to her warning that she couldn't help shocking anyone if they came too close. Duo walks over, "Commander, what's the report?" "I believe Brian set the nukes," "Well let's get out a here!" All remaining in the fortress start running, soon on Brian's heels. -- Within the ship, Valcord winces, jumps back, and grabs a metal bar. The fortress explodes, the ship shakes unceasingly. Maric and Lone started sliding on the floor. Lone slides by a metal bar, he grabs it, then Maric. The ship crashes a few yards from its original position. After everything settles down, Valcord walks over with a most irritated look on his face. Commander Claudette St. John rushes into the ship. "Maric! Catch!" She throws a sword. Maric catches it, "The Crystal blade!?" Lone puts a hand on her shoulder reassuring her, "Do it," Maric looks over at both swords. One that is her father's, the sword of Justice. The other is her enemy's, The Crystal Blade. "Give me back my Crystal Blade, Half-breed!" Bellowed Valcord. Using his remaining amount of power, the Crystal Blade flew off from Maric's grip and landed in his hand. "Hahahaha!" Valcord laughed cruelly. "Not very much like your parents aren't you!" Said Valcord with an evil smirk. "On the contrary Valcord," replied Maric with her own smirk. "I am much more." Maric pulled out her Humanity emerald and placed in the middle of her sword and hold it in the sky. "By the power of Mainia!" "I am one of Humanity!" She called out. Then a flash of white light surrounded her. Her Roseblood guise turned into black armor. Her hood and mask formed a helmet, and her cape turned into bat wings. She had turned a little more muscular, her fangs grew a little longer and her eyes turned into a glowing gold. "No!" "This can't be!" stuttered Valcord "Oh but it is." answered Maric with a now new majestic echoing voice. "With both all powers of the Roseblood and my father's sword of justice and the humanity emerald." "I am now the Roseblood Warrior of Humanity!" She looked at Valcord's direction. "And now I have the power to fight for my parents' sake and the world!" "When you took away my parents' lives," "you took away my life as well" "But I grew more stronger," "More determined to have their souls to in rest." "I am no longer the little child that you knew." "You may have taken away my parents' bodies," "but their souls live within me and now the time of justice has finally come!" He opened his eyes, suddenly surrounded by nothing but infinite fog. The air was cold, his breath was visible. -where am I- Dadaeleon thought. The air was stiff, smoggy, like death. The ground was like thick mush, with the stench of rotting animals. Low, slow moaning sounds came form all around. He started walking straight. For what seemed hours Dadaeleon's mind wondered, about Kia ( the girl he let escape ), about the his father, the Leader, about Maric in the ship with Valcord ( what he was watching form hit ground at that moment ). Faint voices flowed around him, pestering him, tormenting him. Messages of him dying, everyone dying, his father killing him. -what does this mean,.... I've done this before,.. when I was going to kill the Leader,.. I was soo close, then I fell into one of these, dreams,... it was the same, the voices, the thoughts, of death,... then...- A figure appeared, only a shadow in the fog, a shape of a alien. The shape became more define, closer. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO?" "I.. know you...?", Dadaeleon whispered to himself. "YES, YOU OUGHT TO,... THEY WILL KILL YOU, YOUR WASTE OF TIME TRYNG TO STOP US, OUR EXISTANCE IS TO SERVE THE LEADER, YOU TURNED AGIANST US, YOU WILL DIE!!" "SHUT UP!!!!!!!!.. IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK THIS TIME, NOT THIS DREAM, IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP ME, I WILL FINISH ALL OF YOU OFF, ALL OF YOU WORTHLESSS....!!", Dadaeleon yelled, getting cut off. "YOU WILL DIE, YOU CAN'T STOP US WE ARE ALL POWERFUL, UNSTOPABLE!!!" "NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO" Dadaeleon opened his eyes, back on Mobius, watching Maric and Valcord, alone. "Not this time, not this time." Duo notices that Dadaeleon looks somewhat disoriented as they're watching the fight between Valcord and Maric, "Hey, you okay?" Maric and Valcord come towards to each other at full swinging speed and starts sword fight in extreme contact. Both of their swords kept on clanging each other as they both avoid of being hit. Olecea was at first watching the combatants, then Dadaeloen have what looked to her like a nervous breakdown when she realized something. "Hey Duo! Where's Sargot?! He's Valcord's body guard you know!" She piped in. "You're right! He must be here somewhere!" He commented. Soon, some members began to look around for the rouge echidna incase he was here. And he was there, waiting for the right time to strike, but he had to plan it at the right time, for he was still hurt pretty badly from their first encounter. Fortunately, LoneWolf HAD noticed the Cyber-Echidna lurking in the shadows, and was waiting for him to make a move. Just as Maric and Valcord locked swords, with Maric's back turned to the lackey, He leapt at Maric, with a dagger in hand! But before he could connect, He felt a swift coldness in his knife hand, followed by a strange numb feeling. A second afterwards, he was propelled back and crashed into the wall behind him. He took a look at his right hand, only to see it gone, a cybernetic stump left in its place! He looked up, seeing LoneWolf, holding his blade in the Right hand, and his severed hand in the other, which he threw to his feet. "Sorry," he said with a smile, "No interference from the Audience!" Maric and Valcord pushed away from each other into opposite directions. "Enough with this foolishness!" Valcord growled. "Not it is time to fight for real!" "Very well then." Maric replied. She raised her sword in the sky and called out these words. "By The Power Of Mainia!" "I Summon Thee Spirits Of Earth!" The green gem in the sword hilt glow bright green and the she struck the sword into the ground. Then a dome formed around Valcord. Maric thought she had trapped Valcord in the Earth Dome, but she was wrong. Valcord burst out of the dome and is now standing in the rubble. "Is that the best you can do Halfbreed!" He growled and shoot out a black lightning beam at her and hit her in the chest. Maric was knocked down hard but she was tough and miricaliously stood up. "You under estimated me Valcord!" she said it with much valientcy. "I have the powers of the good in all." "You only have evil and that will be your downfall." Maric hold her sword over her head again. "By The Power Of Mainia!" She called out. "Spirits Of The Wind!" "I Call For Thee!" The white gem in the sword hilt began to glow and out come a massive torrnado and send it into Valcord's direction. All the others watch this fight between them. "Should we help Maric in this?" Asked Comet. "I don't think so." Answered Duo."This is her fight and it is up to her to do so." "But what if she gets killed?!" Comet asked again. "She may have stronger powers, but Valcord has so much evil trick in him." "That is why she must do this alone." Replied LoneWolf. Valcord was caught in the torrando vortex, but he managed to freeze it and broke out of there. "Ha!" Cackled Valcord. "Do you honestly think that a mere wind breeze would stop me!?" He send out a black beam and it surrounded Maric and made her dropped her sword. Making it impossible for her to move. The black beam begins to drain her powers, making her weak and helpless and she fell to the ground. "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Screamed everyone. Valcord walk over her and grabbed her by the face and smiled an evil smile "Well this looks like this will be end of the Roseblood line." He cackled and threw her face to the ground. "Say hello to your parents for me." "In the mean time I'll take this." He went over to get the sword she dropped, but he took hold of it, the sword rapidly burned his hand. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!" He screech and dropped the sword and it floated towards Maric's hand and with just a little bit of strength left, she grabbed hold on it. Valcord was angry with rage. "THAT DID IT!!!!" He scream in fury. "IF I CAN'T HAVE THE POWER THEN NO ONE CAN!!!!" He raised his Crystal Blade sword and started to plunge it into Maric. But before his sword would even come close to her, a volt of lightning struck on his burned hand. Valcord shriek in pain. Then all of the sudden a vision appeared in front of everyone. It was beautiful white female cat draped in a white robe with gold lining. She has glowing deep blue eyes and silver whiskers. "No." "No." "This can't be." said Valcord trembling with fear. The vision is none other than Mainia. Mainia floated down in front of Maric and levitated her in standing mode. Maric eyes slowly open and sees Mainia right in front of her. "Did-did I died?" She asked. "No you haven't." Mainia replied in her deep wise voice. "You can't give up now my child." "Not when you are so close." "But how can I defeat him?" "He is strong." Said Maric as she begin to weep. Mainia placed her hand over Maric's heart. "But you are stronger." She acknowledged. "And as long you have your friends and the spirits of your parents with in you, you can accomplished anything." Maric managed to smile and embrace Mainia. Then Mainia turned Maric infront of her. "Children of Mobius!" She called out "Help this young warrior defeat the enemy of life!" All of Maric's friends came to them. "All of you must form a circle and concentrate on your positve energy and directed to her." Mainia instructed and they did what she said. They formed a circle around them and white aura of light started to glow and send to Maric. Maric can feel the energy coming to her. She managed to break from Valcord's trap and started flying over everyone. Mainia hovered right behind her and enter into Maric. A white flame of light surrounded Maric, making her stronger and wiser. "Valcord!" She yelled with a mixture of her voice and Mainia's. "You were nothing of pure evil since the time of creation." "For years the destruction you have left means misery and sorrow that is caused by them." "And now it is time to pay the price!" After all that, Maric pointed her sword at Valcord shot out a white flame. Valcord tried to escape but he can not move because of his fear. The flame enveloped him and encase him in an ice diamond case. Then Maric raised her sword towards the sky. "By The Powers of Mainia!" she called out. "Spirits Of Time and Space! " "I Call For Thee" "Send This Creature Of Evil To Endless Limbo And Let It Be" With that a portal open under the trapped Valcord and he fell right into it and it closes in rapid timing. Maric gently came down to the ground and Mainia left her body and Maric came back to normal. Her muscles deplated to normal size, her height went back to normal, and her teeth began to grow short again. Maric turned to Mainia and bowed down to her. "Thank you Mainia." "There is no need to thank me my child." Mainia acknowledge. "You have the strength, the courage, and the heart of the Roseblood warrior." Then she embrace Maric with her warm light. Everyone went to see if Maric is alright. Then Mainia levitated in the sky. "I must go now my child but I am everywhere when you need me." Maric let out a small tear. "Very well then Mainia." she said. "Fare Thee Well." "Fare Thee Well Young Maric and may the spirits with in you never died!" Mainia echoed and dissappeard in thin air. Everyone wave to her good-bye. Comet walked over to Maric. "Is Valcord really gone?" She asked. "He is gone." replied Maric. "But there are other like him who are still out there and when they come around, I'll be ready." "And so shall we." Added LoneWolf. They all raised their swords in the air and give out a victory cry. Brian chose that moment to speak up, "Uh, guys?" "What is it?" Duo asked. "Remember.... the bombs." he answered. Duo's eyes went wide under his helmet,"OH &^$#!" "No way we're going to be able to rocket out of her in time!" LoneWolf exclaimed. "We might not have to," Duo said, reaching for the Cyber Emerald on is helmet's forehead and pulling it off,"Everyone, concentrate your emerald's energy in one area, *Wish Lara-Su was here,* he thought,*She could warp us out of here no prob, but we'll have to improvise* Everyone who had a Cyber Emerald complied, concetrating their energy towards the middle of the circle they had created earlier. Suddenly there was a flash and there was a portal before them. "What on Mobius is that?" Maric asked. "A little trick Aunt Sally figured out a few years ago," Duo said,"Now c'mon, everyone jump in. We should end up at the transport unit...... I hope." LoneWolf looked at him, "You hope?!?" Lilya sat on the steps leading up to the transport unit now full with Valcord's former prisoners. There hadn't been enough room for the soldiers of Valcord that tehy had captured, so they had put them in the luggage area in the bottom. She chuckled at the thought. Suddenly, there was a bright flash and a portal opened up as the entire Strike Team fell out,"What the heck?!?" She shouted,"Where did all these people come from guys?!?" "We'll explain later," Comet said,"JUST COVER YOUR EYES AND HIT THE DIRT!!!!!!" Lilya did as she was told and lept off the stairs and to the ground just as Brian's explosives went off demoishing Valcord's base, including all his equippment and mechs. The explosion created shockwaves through the ground, knocking over a few trees on the way. After everything had quieted down, Duo looked over at the General,"I have to admit, you do good work." Brian shrugged,"Well, I try." After the last of Valcord's captured troops had been loaded on, (the Strike Team saved the ones near the explosion before the bombs went off, and the MST (Mobotropolis Security Team) troops had cleared out the soldiers before the explosion went off also.) the transport unit lifted off and back home to Mobotropolis