CF#25: WISPS OF THE PAST

Started by Chris Buncher, finished by Jason Barker.

The CFs are planet hopping with a ship named "Avenger" and the latest planet they landed on is inhabited by elves (and a strange shadow creature(s)) and every night there's been a murder. K and Lark and trying to sleep in a ah..barn? stable? as well as a now sober Pyro. UA, Eme and T (new char that came with them from an alternate NYC, she has a crush on UA and Eme isn't happy with her) are all sleeping in a barn. Tala and Dakey were searching or something and they met up with Zelda and Rupay-the other searches. They found a guy partially in a wall (reminiscent of that ST:TNG ep...) and were attacked by a shadow.

Rydia glanced at Tala, "Are you okay?" she asked, though she was feeling a bit jittery herself. She moved a little closer to the others, all the shadows seemed alive tonight. It was creepy, like they were being watched. Was there another of those shadow creatures?

Entropy suddenly ran up to Tala and Rydia, gasping for breath. "What did I <wheeze> miss?"

"Where've you been?" Tala asked. "You had me worried."

"Met up with an old pal." Entropy says, sneering slightly. "He's investigating this too. Said the same people hired him."

"Then why'd they ask us?"

"Not sure. Maybe we're supposed to be the patsies in this. But I do know one thing, my old pal is no one you want connected to you in any way."

Ganthet joins the little gathering. "Got the psi-messages. Anybody find ANYthing?" he asks.

"Please, you gotta help me get away from here." The elven man said.

"Sir there is nothing to worry about, I got the creature that harmed you." Tala responded.

"No there are lots more."

"Of the shadow creatures?" Rydia asked.

"Yes but that is not what I am afraid of."

"What do you mean, sir?” asked Dakey quizzically at the distraught man.

"I am afraid of the one that controls them, the one who controlled the shadows, the wizard!!!"

"Wizard? But, I thought it was the shadow creature..."

"No Zel, I realize it now. I didn't feel any shadow substance from that creature at all, it was some kind of spirit." Tala said mad at herself she hadn't noticed it before.

"So a wizard controls the shadows?" asked Entropy.

"Among many other magics, please help me get away!" the man said ready to burst.

"But what did you do to him, why did he harm you?" asked Tala, she was getting annoyed; too many unanswered questions.

"He said I would get the message to somebody called the Crystal Fighters but I have no idea..."

"No, that’s okay. We understand." Ganthet said. They all pondered the same thing, who the hell was this wizard?

Kyle joins the others in the street, carrying the bloody sword. "Does this sword look familiar t'anyone? Particularly th' morphin' kind?"

Again, Zelda worked to console the man, all the while, wondering about the shadow creatures and their wizard master. Normally she'd probably give a hopeless sigh..more odds against them..would they ever escape them?...but no longer. This was her life, strange as it was, and they could help these people as they usually helped. Still, the idea of creatures lurking in the shadows, as shadows, it seemed like something out of a horror story. She picked Rupay up in her arms and hugged her, the slight weight of the girl reassuring her a little. She smiled slightly, glad that Rupay was still of a size to be held, and hoping that she didn't mind as well.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" she asked quietly as the others discussed things, including the sword and what had happened to it.

"Scared..I can't use my powers." She frowned then looked down at Dakey. "But Dakey's my hero. I'm not afraid if he's protecting me." She smiled at him. Meanwhile... Eme still sleeps.

It's Richtor, it has to be him."

"Pardon?" Tala says, looking at Entropy strangely.

"Hm? N-nothing. Nothing to worry about." ~Yet.~ he thought. "I'll take another look around, be back in a minute."

"Hold on a sec, pal--start talkin' or you ain't goin nowhere." Kyle says, stepping in front of him with the bloody sword in hand.

"Real impressive Kyle; you actually said please. Now get out of my way."

"Not 'til I get some answers."

"Look, there isn't any time for this now."

"Oh yeah? Then what is there time for? I know you ain't been doing all this, but this sword looks pretty damned suspicious, an' you actin' like this ain't helpin' your image much either."

"Kyle, move."

"Make me." Without another word, Entropy grabs Kyle by the shirt and flings him across the street, slamming him into the wall of a nearby building. As he slumps down, barely conscious, Entropy walks off, knowing exactly what he had to do.

Tala watches Entropy walk off, one brow arching slightly in thought. A magician.. odd. None of the shadow mages she knew could have made it to this planet..

“You think so, Tala?" She whirls around at the sound of the voice, looking down at the elf that had been following them. However, no one else could see her, just yet.. so to everyone else it would like Tala was looking for something.

"You are right, it isn't one of ours. We are much more.. elegant in our way of controlling the shadows. And we don't put men halfway through a wall. Bad for the image. However, you may want to keep an eye on your boyfriend." She laughs. "He always seems to be in hot water..Are you sure you'll always be able to.."

"Tala?"

"Hu.. huh? What?" Zelda waved a hand in front of her eyes. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just was.. trying to sense if I knew the magic being used."

"Knew the.."

"Shadow mages normally have unique training.. I was wondering if it was maybe someone from home." The elf was gone, and Tala felt Nokomis settling back into her mind. ~Did you have fun?~

*Oh yes, ran into some most interesting people. But, back to your little clue game now. Have fun.*

"Did you find anything out?" she wondered, could these shadow things really be connected to Tala's home?

"No." Shakes her head.

"I should explain. My home is comprised of two different areas.. the light side, and the dark side. For better terms... Dayside, and Nightside. Nightside is where we sent our criminals to live out their days, but they flourished. Our shadow mages.. as we call them, live there. Some of them may have been able to make it off the planet when .. another Queen was ruling. I was checking to tell if it was from my homeland, but it isn't. I know the strength of their magics.. and they prefer to use human-ike forms.. not those of beasts."

Then screams slice through the night air, the hotel across the street is where they come from.

"Come on CF's." Ganthet says, "Lets find out who is behind this." The six of them race across the street and skid to a top as a second story window shatters, two of the dark shadow creatures leap out into the night air, their forms passing by the moon. Zelda gasps "Oh my goddess" recognizing now the forms of the dark creatures, in the dark alley it had been hard to tell but as they were silhouetted against the moon’s light, it was painfully obvious, All bat Dakey said the word clamoring into there mind then, one word that had haunted them for so long: "VILE."

"We are in big trouble," Ganthet says.

"Didn't we destroy them all?" Tala asks.

"I assumed they disappeared along with Crystalia....," Zelda says.

"Looks like you guys was wrong...." Dakey says.

As the CFs prepare for a fight, Entropy walks down the street, rage smoldering in his eyes. A black shape suddenly rushes past him, then vanishes in a flash of magenta light.

"I knew it!" he growls, then takes off, his pendant glowing in the same hue as the light. "Seek." he said simply, then a glimmer of recognition flickered in his eyes. He instantly runs south, knowing the way he must go.

Zelda, well, still in Rydia form, put Rupay down, "Well come on guys!" she encouraged, surprised that she of all people would be the first to action this time, "Let's do our jobs!" She glared at the Vile, allowing her memories of their deeds to surface, just not enough to incapacitate her. With a strangely dark look in her eyes she stepped forward, fingers outstretched, "Rydia Sparkling Ice Shower!" she called, at the moment the words were out of her mouth she realized she no longer needed the "Rydia" to help focus her power from herself. As rain-like slivers of ice plummeted from her fingertips towards the Vile, she realized something else. The words she had used to propel her transformation had been...different...she couldn't remember what they had been though, she was too focused on what the ice shards were doing. Once one touched a Vile it was like a sheet of water had splashed over it, shinning clear water that froze seconds later, incasing the creature. ~Well,~ she thought to herself, ~If these are ah..shadow Vile or something..the creatures..at least the light refracting from the ice should keep them anyway...and if not..well, ice was still ice.~

Krakken climbed out of the hay and rubbed his red eyes... still couldn't sleep. A mule looked at him funny. He heard some noises off in the distance, and decided to investigate. This town was giving off weird vibes... something from the past, although he wasn't sure what it was. Yet.

"Hi!" Rydia waved as Krakken began to approach them, after wandering for a bit, "Right on time." she said, indicating the Vile. One of them tilted perilously and then fell to the ground. It shattered with an ear splitting cracking sound. "Umm...oops...I hope they don't all do that.." she muttered worriedly.

"Don't worry Rupay, these baddies arn't that tuff!" Lil Flame caused wings to sprout from Dakey's back, and quickly gave him the knowledge to use them. With a quick thrust, he was speeding at a Vile Shadow, "Dakey Maxflame!!!" His arms pumped back and forth with blinding speed releasing a fireball each time a hand thrust forward he released a fireball. Each hit caused the Vile to stumble backwards until it finally lost balance under the assault stumbled backwards to the ground, black smoke rising from its grotesquely shaped body. Dakey flew over the Vile and dropped straight down into its chest and the Vile shattered into several dark fragments.

*Pant* *Pant* Dakey breathed hard and his leathery dragon-like wings retreated into his back. "I'm tired!" he said with another *Pant.* An unnoticed Vile was racing at him, it had somehow shifted its right arm until a large black axe, and it was swinging for Dakey's head.

"So these things are back." Krakken shattered a Vile's bones with a blast of dense wind. He grinned, thinking of the old days... before Crystalia had been destroyed and the whole Jerium Prime fiasco started. His memories were good ones.

"Dakey watch out!" Rydia called, busy with a Vile herself and too far away to help.

As the Vile grins maliciously over Dakey, there is a sudden flash, and a man with red hair, wearing a vest and with gold sigils in spots across his skin appears, sword drawn, behind the Vile. Another second later, the Vile falls over, split in half. The man sheaths his sword, a long, intricate silver blade looking more like it was poured than forged, then looks at the other remaining Vile. Magenta flashes erupt from each Vile's forehead, and they suddenly fall to the ground, dead.

The man walks up to Dakey, checking the child for injury, then turns to the others. "He's all right." the man says in a slight British accent. "No harm done. But still, a child like this shouldn't be in the thick of a fight." The others look at him strangely. He then walks over to Zelda. "May as well introduce myself, now that I've butted in on your fight. Richter Sylphin." He extends a hand, smiling slightly.

Tala just arched a brow as the man walked over to Zelda. She went over to Dakey, double-checking him over. Not that she didn't trust the man..

"DAKEY!" Rupay screamed as she watched the Vile go after him. She then ran to his side once he was on ground. She immediately didn't like the man who helped Dakey. Even though he did help him. She basically clutched to him and didn't stop. She paid no heed to EUA's former man. She kept watching Dakey, worried.

"You alright?" While waiting for an answer, she studies Richtor for a moment. His style of attacking seemed oddly familiar, but she would have remembered this person if she had seen him before. He had that type of Kyle-esque attitude.

Rydia nodded a hello to Richter, "Well..he's not exactly an ordinary kid." she explained. "We can't really stop CFs from fighting..*especially* when the opponent is the very reason we *are* CFs. If he wasn't meant to be one, he wouldn't be. Simple, that's how weird mystic objects like these work."

"Wait a minute, CFs? That wouldn't mean Crystal Fighters, by any chance?"

"Yeah...What's it to ya?" Kyle says, coming up front.

"I thought you folks were all dead! They said Crystalia blew up."

"It did."

"Oh. Well, all the better you're still here. Even so, I can't fathom you people doing all this for free."

"Yeah? What does it take for you to do somethin' to help people?" Kyle responded, acting uncharacteristically humane.

"Well, about 18 bars, platinum. It's not much, but I'm feeling frugal."

"You're a hunter?" Tala suddenly says, noticing the ring on his finger, exactly like Entropy's.

"Yeah, how'd you guess?"

"A...friend of ours is one. Entropy Salander."

"WHAT?! You've got Slander working with you?"

"Slander?"

"His nickname. Look, I'd seriously consider gettin' away from that man if you all want to live another week. How long's he been with you all?"

"About a year or so." Zelda says. "Is something wrong?"

"And he's been working for free? THE Slander?"

"Yes, what's wrong with that?"

"Hoo boy. No matter what job he does, Slander ALWAYS gets paid somehow. Cash, lodging, supplies, women, he never does anything without getting paid afterwards.

"But he would never-" Tala starts, trying to turn away that thought.

"Oh, I get it. You fell for him, didn't you?" Tala stops short, then stays quiet.

"Sorry thing. I see it all the time. You have any idea how many broken hearts that man's left behind him? 30, at least. He doesn't have any compassion, no soul, some of the guys say. At least, they don't say it in public. Otherwise they're likely to get-"

"Stop it!" Tala yelled. "Entropy's different now. He's nothing like that."

"Sure." Richter says. "That's what all of them say before he takes off with his cash."

"How dare-“

"YOU!" The CFs instantly whip around, seeing Entropy, sword drawn and glowing with decay energies.

"Get away from them, you sonofabitch. You've killed too many innocents. Go before I spill your guts all across the sidewalk."

"Hm." Richter says, smiling and pulling his own sword from nowhere. "You still haven't gotten it, eh, Slander? I'll torture you for the rest of my life if I have to. And when we're burning in hell together, I'll be sure to dunk you in the inferno as often as I please."

"Tala, get away from him, NOW!!"

"Oh, and we could have so much fun together!" Richter says, suddenly lifting off the ground. "Ta-ta, Slander." He then turns to Tala. "I'll see you later, sweet cheeks." Then, laughing maniacally, he vanishes in a flash of magenta light.

"What the-" Zelda says as Entropy sheaths his sword and runs over to Tala, hugging her fiercely.

"Oh, thank God. He didn't get you. Thank God, thank God, thank God..." He rambles on, as Zelda taps him on the shoulder.

"Entropy, who was that guy?"

"His name's Richter Sylphin." He then let Tala go, but kept one arm around her. "He's my foster brother. When Dhaens took me in, Richter and I were friends, along with his sister, Lucia. We enrolled in the academy together, and I thought everything would be all right. I did good. Richter did good. Lucia did good. Everything seemed all right. And then halfway through 4th year, Lucia and I started dating. Richter couldn't take it. I kept doing what he thought was better than him, and I beat him every time we sparred, and I guess he just snapped. Graduation night, he tied Lucia up, and..." He pauses for a moment, dipping his head. "And he shot her 3 times in the head with a railgun pistol."

A collective gasp went up from the CFs as he continued. "He disappeared after that. But every time he shows up around me...he always humiliated me at my contract, and if I was ever with someone, or close to someone in any way, he'd kill them, and send me the holos of their last moments of life. There was never anything I could have done. I've wanted him dead ever since Lucia was killed. And now, now I want him dead more than I want to be alive."

They hear clapping from above and look up at a tall slender man in a red and yellow robe, he has slight gray streaks through his raven black hair, and a white goatee on his chin.

"Encore!" the man laughs "You know the fight with the Vile was fun to watch but that ending was just marvelous and so suspenseful" the man cackled a laugh that the CFs had become accustomed to as that of a sick insane villain. This one particular laugh sparked something in Rydia's mind, as in a deja vu sort of way. At first she hadn't recognized him, she had only seen him once. He was one of the evil UA's old lackies...

"Wizzrobe?"

"My dear Rydia, you recognize me!" he laughed. The few of them that had been there when he had put them through some of their worst nightmares with a fear toxin, now recognized him too.

"Why are you here?"

"Well I needed a place where my Vile could feed, any other questions?"

"How did you get your hands on Vile, in the last few seconds of Crystalia's existence; Tala, Eme, and my psi scans indicated that the last couple hundred of the Vile's depleted forces went under with Crystalia."

Wizzrobe laughed a bit "I knew that would be the question." He seemed to think that was funny as he laughed again "Well it was a brilliant plan of UA, the devious malicious one that is, he sensed that the Vile wouldn't last much longer even before Crystalia started to die, he had me use my magic to preserve several Vile spirits, ghost if you will, he sent me here where they are currently rebuilding their chaos energy and they will once again become a physical force that will take over all universes and I will be their supreme ruler, with UA finally out of the way. Oh I'm glad he didn't survive that whole Crystalia fiasco."

"Well don't get your hopes up you psychotic *(&^%." Pyro had come to join them. "We’re here to stop you."

"Ah yes I had hoped you had had the same demise as UA but it seems you are a bit resilient when it comes to surviving, though seems like not all of you are--Lets see who haven't I seen around this place yet… Well, there is Ganthet, Maia, Kisutsu, Zealen, and Nity, but I wish I could peer into hell and watch them rot." he cackles again.

"You son of a *(&)&*^" Rydia yells leaping at Wizzrobe, he extends his hand, an odd bolt of lightning streaks from it, taking off in several branches each striking a CF, not hurting them but forcing them to their knees.

Ganthet ignites his lightsaber and draws his blaster. Aiming directly between the villains’ eyes, he issues a threat. "Leave now.....or so help me, I'll fire....."

"Ah-ah! Play nice children." Yet another laugh erupts from his throat. "Now that was a fun little conversation and while you have been fighting a few Vile and talking to me, more Vile have been across town slaughtering at least thirty or more people, doesn't that put a smile on your darling little faces?" he laughs and spins and disappears.

Pyro pulled his battlemaster out and opened fire, taking a few Vile down. "Where did these guys come from?" He asked himself, "and who is this new guy?"

"Wizrobe." Rydia spat the name in explanation for Pyro, "We met up with him a while ago, around the time Zealen and Zarina appeared..he works...worked for evil UA and the Vile. Their resident mage. He stole our powers too." she hoped he didn't still have *that* particular attribute anymore.

"I can get us all across to the other side pretty quick.." They all look at her. "Well, unless Kyle wants to port us all there.. whichever.." She takes Entropy's hand, squeezing it for a moment. She'd have to tell him later not to worry about Richter, hunter he might be, but Tala had a few tricks of her own.

"Okay, let's get one thing straight...I' CAN'T TELEPORT!" Kyle shouts. "Get it through yer heads! An' if I see that damn Entropy again, I'm gonna turn his mind inna mush! An' WHAT KINDA F@&%$IN' NAME IS WIZZROBE?"

Tala just rolled her eyes and managed to get the CFs where they were going with little more complaint from Kyle.

"Spread out everybody, lets find these Vile trash, uh spirits." says Lark.

Rydia, taking a break in Zelda form, nodded along with their plans, ~More Vile, just wonderful.~ she thought, and glanced a little worriedly at Dakey and Rupay. Well..Rupay was 800 and had had at least one life before..not exactly like sending a child into battle. But Dakey...he really *was* just a kid...was the Crystal meant for him when he was older? Or was there really such a need that it couldn't wait? She frowned at her bothersome thoughts.

MEANWHILE

T silently makes her way across the room towards UA. She goes to her knees and reaches out to touch him, when he grabs her hand.

"Did you think I was kidding?" he whispers actually.

"Look, I can't help myself. It just seems the attraction is..."

"Heavy."

"Right."

"I know, I know. What I wanna know is why? Why is it romantic for you and something else for me?"

"Good question." She leans back against the wall. UA sits up and does the same.

"By the way, what is your name?"

"My name? I never told you, huh? My name is Tracy Normandee."

"N-N-NORMANDEE!?!" UA exclaims, attempting to keep it down so Eme can sleep.

"What's up with that?" T asks.

"That name and I have a history. Who was your mother?"

"Caitlin." UA puts his head back on the wall.

"And you say she found the other UA's crystal?"

"That's what I'm told." DANDY. UA mutters to himself.

The CFs when knocking at each door, peering in to the many bloody massacres to the families that lived in the small southern area of town, the Vile spirits had attacked swiftly and broadly. Rydia had decided to take Dakey and Rupay off to sit by a small fountain not wanting to expose them to such death. Dakey was sitting with Rupay telling her about how Lil Flame helped him transform and give him powers and how they could talk through a psychic connection. As Rydia went deep into thought practically losing notice of the world around her, a voice caught the ears of Rupay and Dakey.

"Kids please....please help me." a raspy voice come from within a dark alley.

"Rydia?" Dakey turned to her but she didn't seem to notice, "Come on Rupay someone is in trouble" the two small children got up I walked into the dark alley unnoticed by Rydia.

"Mister, are you in here? Do you need help?" Rupay asked into the darkness.

"Over here children, please hurry." they complied and hurried deep into the dark alley where they found the Mayor they had first met.

"Mayor are you all right?" Dakey asked.

"Yes now that you children are here." he reached to his pocket and pulled out two little purple glowing balls and tossed them at the children and they exploded in their faces and showered them in dust. The two youngest CFs collapsed into unconsciousness. The mayor’s features then shifted to their true form of Wizzrobes', then he grab the two children up into his arms.

"You shall make fine sacrifices." he cackled then disappeared with the two CFs.

"Dakey can you hear me?" Rupay asked mentally. She was using what was left of her abilities to keep in contact with Dakey while they were unconscious.

"Rupay I'm scared, what's going on?" Dakey asked.

"I think that bad guy was disguised as the mayor."

"I hate that meanie, if he hurts you..."

"Don't worry Zelda and the rest of the CFs will find us, I know they will."

"Yeah I know we can depend on Zellie." Dakey said as Rupay mustered all her power to mentally hold onto Dakey's hand to comfort them both, as they continued on into the darkness.

Abruptly Zelda looked up. She couldn't feel Dakey and Rupay. She stood, looking around, though she knew she wouldn't be able to find them by normal sight either. Wherever they were, it was far away, or shielded. Most likely the later. She tried not to waste *too* much time cursing herself for letting the two out of her sight. Rupay probably still couldn't transform...she sighed, she *knew* she should have brought them somewhere to sleep. While she thought, she ran towards the nearest CF, they had to find the two missing CFs, what if Wizzrobe had them??

"Hey!" she called when she came upon one, “Lark! Dakey and Rupay are missing, I don't know what happened..I can't feel them anymore..we've got the find them!"

Lark looked at Zelda.

"I wonder where they are..." She drifts. "Let's try to find them real quick, I sense they might be in big danger." She draws her sword carefully.

Zelda nodded worriedly, keeping her gaze away from Lark's formidable weapon. "Should we try to find the others?" Lark asked. Zelda grimaced in return, should they spend precious time searching for the others? She reached her hand into the air, as if trying to tell which direction the wind was blowing, though the night was still. Reluctantly, she shook her head.

"If we meet up with them on the way, fine. But," she said, striding quickly in a seemingly random direction, "who knows what Wizzrobe has in store for them, we can't waste time." Lark nodded, it was the argument she had been planning to use had Zelda wished to fall back on the help of the others. They headed towards a large building from which they both felt strange emanations. If that wasn't Wizzrobe's headquarters, it was somehow connected to it.

Tala concentrated for a moment then dropped a small globe on the ground. Zelda and Lark were already off, so she looked at it.

"Go, find him."

She had cloaked it in shadows, only a really high level mage would be able to cut through them. She had it linked to Dakey, since she had been in close contact with him. As it rolled off, she waited. It would take a few minutes. Then, she had a link on him. Hopefully. She sank into the ground, a pool of black appearing below her. When she dropped into the building, she semi-phased herself, and looked around. Time to find him...

MEANWHILE

Think, UA, think. The solution's not as simple as that. Try to rememb...

"THAT'S IT!" UA accidentally shouted.

"What's it?"

"Don't you see? It's all so simple!"

"What is?"

"Your sister was also named Caitlin, wasn't she?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Your sister had a boyfriend named Chris Wrenchler, right?"

"H-how did you..." UA pulled off his mask.

"Because I'm him! Or some semblance of him."

"Woah...brother-in-law was Ultra Avenger...?"

"BROTHER-IN-LAW?!?" YOWSERS! Me? Married? Now I know it was an alternate reality. So, tell me, is your sister still alive?”

"...Huh? What? Oh, no. She was killed...by...I can't remember. They broke into our house an' I tried to stop 'em...got sent into a wall..." She rubbed the back of her head as if it was a fresh injury.

"And did you have an attraction to me...er, him?"

"Yeah. Strange, huh? What made you ask about my sister?"

"Well...it's not important. I was just wondering how her alternate version made out is all."

"Go ahead, UA. Tell her why." Eme said, sitting up.

"Did I wake you? Sorry..."

"Can it and tell us why you've got sadness emanating from you at those thoughts." Eme said.

"I--I can't..."

Dakey and Rupay were finally becoming conscious, Wizzrobe was standing over them dangling a large, particularly scary looking knife, with a handle that had been carved in the form of a Vile. Both children struggled to get up but found themselves fastened down by heavy rope. Wizzrobe cackled--something he particularly loved to do. Dakey suddenly was aware that his tunic had been striped off as the coldness of the knife pressed down on his bare skin, Dakey dribbled and tears swelled into his fearful eyes. He wanted to wail but found his mouth somehow sealed.

The tip of the razor sharp knife traced down his chest in a large V, the cut was slight enough that Dakey barely felt it, it was like getting nicked with a razor. Still he wanted to scream as the blood seeped onto the top of his skin. Wizzrobe began to chant....

"Mora to fornta Vile givyes towarding forsen thelath sactracely formid ficeel VILE!!!" His hand became rigid, fingers tracing outwardly from his clammy palms and the blood seeping to the surface of Dakey's sputtering chest rose slowly into the air. The cut quickly healed, leaving a large V shaped scar. The blood rose towards Wizzrobe's out stretched palm. His faced was strained, either he was in total concentration and his task was very stressful, or he was under some kind of spell-like intensity. The blood rose slowly but surely, forming itself into a large red ball, until finally Wizzrobe wrapped his hand around it, and seemed to relax slightly.

Wizzrobe moved to Rupay who would have whimpered, but like Dakey, she was unable to make any noise. Wizzrobe's arm stretched outward in the same way as it had over Dakey's chest, now it was over young Rupay's face. He still clenched a fist around the ball of Dakey's blood. Then his fist snapped open, Rupay was glad she didn't have much in the way of sight, unfortunately her psi view of the world was probably clearer then one her eyes could have give her. Still, she was glad she wasn't physically watching the blood drop to her face. Somehow the ball of blood had turned into three small droplets, feeling its warmness strike her forehead and cheeks was intensely horrifying.

Wizzrobe began chanting again.

"Dakey..I'm scared!" Rupay screamed in her mind. Thoughts of the blood entered his mind.

"Mora to fornta Vile givyes towarding forsen thelath sactracely formid ficeel VILE!!!" he lowered the knife to Rupay's right cheek and as he chanted made a slight cut as he had with Dakey's chest though this was only an inch long line, unlike the large V he had marked on Dakey's chest. Blood seeped to the surface of her cheek, and Wizzrobe stopped chanting. Rubay could only stare blindly as Wizzrobe lowered his finger to her left cheek and touched the droplet of Dakey's blood that had fallen there. He spread the blood diagonally to the droplet on her forehead, as if playing connect-the-dots, now he traced his finger and the blood down to the third droplet on her right cheek creating an upside down V along her face. Finally, he spread the last droplet into her own blood.

Wizzrobe now smiled, his first expression since the ritual had begun. He mixed the two children's blood together with a swirl of his finger, and brought that red stained finger to his mouth, spreading some of the blood across it.

"Mmmmm," he exclaimed with a vicious smile, he then took the remaining blood left at the tip of his finger and spread it across the side of the knife’s blade, and it made a frightening hissing sound, and smoke rose from its tip, Wizzrobe cackled once again and lowered the smoking knife to Dakey's chest....

No sound, no warning. No sound, no warning. She chanted to herself as she watched, and felt.. their pain and fear. Being this close, to unprotected emotion like that.. She was nearly frozen stiff. But from training, she knew that she had to do this.. had to. For Dakey. Before the knife tip could touch Dakey again, someone.. something.. seemed to be forcing his hand up. Tala appeared from the shadows, eyes narrowed in anger upon.. this shmuck.

"Step away from them, now."

As Tala and Wizzrobe stared each other down, neither seemed to notice the ropes holding the children slowly loosening, until finally, they vanished as black dust. Silent as death, Entropy materialized between the kids, putting a finger to his lips as an indicator to keep quiet. He helped the children up, then pointed at the door and mouthed: "Run." As the two of them dashed out, Entropy drew his sword, looking at Wizzrobe with steel in his eyes. Wizzrobe looked back at him, his anger evident as his eyes glowed more fiercely with their unholy light.

"I didn't find Richter, Wizzrobe. I did find you. Where is he?" Entropy

The two kids ran towards the exit as Lark and Zelda were about to enter.

"Dakey, Rupay!!" they chorused, each scooping one of them up in her arms.

Zelda stared at the cuts, gasping.

"W-why?!" she exclaimed, pushing back a feeling of guilt for loosing track of them. "Oh dear Goddess..." she whispered, why had Wizzrobe done such a thing? They carried the two children far away from the building and set them down to heal them.

"In Vas Mani." Zelda chanted, sliding her fingers just above each of the cuts, sealing them with the faint blue light that emanated from her.

"We can't just leave Tala and Entropy!" Lark finally spoke up. Zelda nodded, "But we can't loose them again.” She indicated the wearied children. “You go, I'll find the others and some place safe." Lark nodded and headed back to the building with a parting good luck. Zelda echoed it, looking after her. She took one of each of their hands in her own and held them tightly, then headed off to where she sensed some of the others.

Zelda pulled Dakey and Rupay out through the front door of the Cathedral where Wizzrobe had taken them. Once out of the Cathedral, they found their mouths mobile again and their throats capable of producing sound, but they didn't even want to say anything. They just grabbed Zelda in a tearful hug.

"Oh goddess."

Zelda looked past the two children, they were surrounded by the darkness of several Vile Spirits. They were noticeably changing though, they all had patches of brown skin returning to them, some's talons had returned, even some had an eye back. They were becoming physical beings again, they had built up nearly enough chaos energy. That’s when Zelda wondered in horror at what would have happened if Wizzrobe had succeeded in sacrificing the two young CFs, would the Vile be physical beings, once again in great numbers pouncing and trashing the universe, their numbers so great not even the Crystal Fighters could stop them.

~I wont let that happen~ Zelda stood, staring back to the thirty or so Vile spirits.

Rupay and Dakey had now noticed the Vile and huddled behind her. Dakey's crystal and Lil Flame had been taken away, probably by some of Wizzrobe's magic, and Rupay still didn't have the strength to become Deena. Zelda knew this was almost hopeless, Dakey and Rupay couldn’t even transform, and she wasn't in good shape, she hadn't even slept since they encountered the Soulkeeper. She herself was just getting her powers back and was still sluggish with them, and….even in her best condition she couldn't taken on these numbers. Knowing she was exhausted it would be hard to send a psi-message to anyone. Luckily, Kyle wasn't just anyone, his psi was powerful and even a weak message he could get loud and clear.

~Kyle I need your help, get the other CFs quickly.~ she projected the coordinates to his mind and then with a few words. Then, Zelda's form became Rydia's and she stood ready to take on the Vile as they charged at her.

The weak psi signal was also enough for the body Ganthet currently inhabited's rudimentary psionic skills to pick up. He forced himself to head over there, even though he felt sick. In examining the slaughtered, he'd gotten post-cognitive flashes. An idea and emotions, feelings of what had happened, as though they'd been his own. It was almost too much. He made his way over and saw the Vile. With a fluid motion, he drew his blaster and filled the air with bolts of energy

CATHEDRAL

Tala knew that Entropy could handle this, for now. She had heard Zelda's call, and next made her way towards the outside of the building, phasing through the wall. Upon seeing the Vile, she stopped in shock. So that was what he had been doing. And he would pay for that. G's energy blasts filled the air as she made to her way to where Dakey and Rupay stood. They were who she was most concerned about right now. A few of the Vile kept charging, and she phased all of them through the lead Vile's body.

"You all are okay, right?" At Rydia's nod, she spun around, making an odd throwing gesture. Two of the Vile were instantly wrapped up in a shadow-like substance, then they both sank into the ground.

"Shadow portals. Gotta love 'em." With that, she stood beside her three friends, waiting for the rest of the group to attack.

Rupay stayed mute and felt around her for someone to hold onto. Dakey noticed Rupay reaching out to him but as if she wasn't exactly sure where he was, he vaguely remembered Zelda mentioning something after the fight with the Soulkeeper about Rupay being partially blind, as he clasped her hand in his he realized that without sight this must been even scarier for her. Dakey pulled her into the shadows, trying to wrap himself and her together for the comfort that undoubtedly wouldn't come.

CATHEDRAL

Wizzrobe looked at his two adversaries: Entropy and Lark, both skilled swordsman. Like himself.

"Ah finally a chance to put away the magic."

Wizzrobe snickered and cackled.

“You know you might find this surprising, but I'm the best of the best when it comes to swords, even two greatly foes greatly skilled in the art like you two are no match for me" The knife had stopped smoking and it now its blade grew into the length of the average sword and then split into two, identical objects. "Two swords versus two swords, fair enough, right?" Wizzrobe smiles.

"Lets do it."

Lark nods to Entropy and the sounds of clanging swords fill the air.

OUTSIDE

Krakken had no idea where this sudden fog had sprung from, but when he felt Zelda's psi message, he had no idea where to go. Practically blind, he stumbled around like one in a daze. Peering intently ahead, Krakken saw a group of dark shapes.

“Ah, the rest of the CFs.” He walked forward to meet them, and stumbled into a band of Vile.

Rydia quickly froze a Vile then shattered it with a lightning spell.

"How did you know we were in trouble?" asked Rydia.

"Your psi-message." Tala responded as she used a few shadow tentacles to tie up an oncoming attacker.

"I guess I had more left in my psi then I thought." Zelda said as a woman’s voice filled the air...

"Today is a good day to DIE!!!"

There was a swoosh sound as a lightsaber ignited. Rydia and Tala snickered. It was hard to believe Ganthet was stuck in that woman's body.

"I guess my psi message really got out there."

"Well lets just hope the intended target gets here soon." Tala said, a bit of worry entering her voice. Rydia looked behind her and realized why. They had been backed up against the cathedral walls, barely enough room for fighting and the enemy was still coming on strong.

"No need to fear damsels, your prince is here." Kyle lowered himself toward them and blew a kiss at Ganthet.

"It is a good day for you to die too." he said in his feminine voice.

Kyle chuckled and then blasted away a couple Vile with his TK blasts. Pyro and Krakken soon added their fire and power to the mix to.

Rydia tried to send out another bolt of lighting.

"Por Ort Grav!" she whispered, then staggered as a shock wave from the failed spell came back at her. She tried to blink away the little dots that materialized in front of her eyes.

~No!~ she yelled at herself, but she hadn't been careful enough. She hadn't had the energy for that spell, with a sigh she involuntarily transformed back to Zelda and sank to her knees. She balled her fists, willing herself to stand again, but it was to no avail. She cast one last look around, cringing when she saw Dakey and Rupay..she was going to let them down, again. But there was nothing more she could do..except.

"Guard them!" she pleaded to the nearest CF, grabbing cloth to get their attention. Then without any other preliminaries, she collapsed.

"Zel..Zelda!?" Tala caught her before she fully fell over, then carefully helped her lay down. She looked to the shadows, seeing Dakey and Rupay. They would be okay.. for now. However, she was concerned about Zelda being out in the open. Now, she was just a little POed. She stepped in front of Zelda's body, facing the Vile that stood there, ready to attack.

"Enough.. is enough. Energy you want.. well, energy you'll get.." Flames danced from one fingertip to another. As they got ready to charge, she made a slight throwing motion with her hands. A jet-black flame streaked towards the Vile, incinerating them upon contact. She dropped her hands to her sides, watching the ashes fall. She then turned, back to where the children where.

"You guys ok?"

Rupay sighed in relief, hugging Dakey tightly, afraid to let go. She then nodded mutely to Tala's question.

CATHEDRAL

Entropy and Wizzrobe continued to fence back and forth, until finally, Entropy rolled up so he was back-to-belly with Wizzrobe, inside his sword range. If he wanted to stab the CF now, he'd kill them both.

"What are you doing!?" He screamed in useless fury.

"This!" Entropy simply replied, elbowing Wizzrobe in the face.

He staggered backward as Entropy broke away from him, dizzied slightly. He looked up, just in time to block Entropy's sword coming down on him. Entropy's pendant glowed, as did his sword and even his eyes. An unholy green light that could chill the blood of the fiercest warrior.

"Burning in the depths of the pits of darkness..." Entropy said, his voice taking on a strange resonance. Wizzrobe knew the spell immediately.

"NO!" He yelled. "Not that! How could you know that?!?"

"Let the fires of he-WHOULFF!!" Entropy stopped short as Wizzrobe quickly kicked him in the stomach, and HARD. Entropy staggered back, nearly dropping his sword as Wizzrobe continued advancing, finally leaping up and knee-kicking him backwards. He fell to the ground in an extremely disoriented heap, the glow gone from him.

"So where is your power now, Slander?"

"Aggghh...Dad...I don't wanna train no more...I've been training f'rever....I don't wanna train no more....Ugh." Entropy collapsed, his eyes rolling back as he fell unconscious.

"Hm. Figures." Wizzrobe says, smiling silently. Of course, he then had to turn his attention to Lark. The CF swung at him at least a dozen times, all easily batted away. Finally, Wizzrobe suppressed a yawn.

"I've had enough of this. Sylphin!"

Richter appeared, leaning against one of the support beams. He checked his nails as Wizzrobe and Lark fought past him.

"You called, boss?"

"Take care of her. And if you do, I'll lend you him." He pointed to Entropy's unconscious form.

"Boss, I like the way you operate." Richter smiled wickedly as he drew his sword out from nowhere and entered the fray.

CATHEDRAL

Suddenly, a lightning bolt separated the two sides in either direction of the room.

"WIZZROBE!"

Wizzrobe turned five shades of pale as he looked up to see a familiar caped figure with a gun that makes Pyro's look like a BB.

"You sold me out, infidel!"

"UA! Er, Ultra...uh, Master Avenger...Avenger Mr....I mean..." EUA jumped down and landed next to Wizzrobe, aiming his gun.

"Stay back, CFs, if you value your lives. This fight's between me...and him." An evil smile crossed his face.

"So, lackey, how do you want it? Fast and painful, or slow and painful? First, you're gonna tell me where my powers are."

"I don't know a thing!"

"Wrong answer

Richter looked at Wizzerobe. He looked at the CFs. He looked at EUA's gun. He looked at Entropy's unconscious body. He looked at EUA's gun.

"Sorry boss, I know when I'm licked. Now if you folks will just allow me this convenience..."

He started towards Entropy, but Tala suddenly stepped between them, shadows gathering around her. Somehow, she had slipped in..knowing Entropy needed her help even more than those outside.

"Touch him and die." She said simply, determination in her voice with a look of pure steel. Richter smiled wickedly, getting right in her face.

"I'll be back for you, peaches. I'll hunt you down like an animal, and then I'll kill you like one. Just-you-wait."

He taps her nose on each of the last three words, then vanishes in a burst of magenta light. Another moment later, Entropy takes the bucket off his head and looks around.

"Jeez...What did I miss?" He asked, staggering to his feet.

"You didn't miss.. much." She looked at Evil UA, then shook her head.

"Gods. Let the two of them battle it out. Two hapless villains.. one picking on children, because he can't do anything better, and another one that has stupid lackeys. You think they would know by now.."

"Tala?" She trailed off, blinking.

"Huh?"

EUA, Wizz, and Entropy were looking at her. "I've.. gotta go. Zelda needs my help. Yes.. that's it." With that, she fades into the shadows, reappearing once more outside the building, and kneels by Zelda. What in the nine hells had happened back there? Sighing, she runs a hand over Zelda's body, about an inch above. Still cold. Hrrmm.. She could try to share some energy with her, but she didn't know if she’d be receptive to it or not. Tala decided that it would be a long time before anyone would be coming out of the building, so she called Dakey and Rupay over.

"Keep an eye on Zelda for me?" He nodded. "I'm going to try an' get whatever he took from you back, alright? Just make sure that no one hurts Zelda. Here, I'll leave some help behind, just in case. I shouldn't be gone to long." From the shadows hopped out a small .. person? With large pointed ears, odd colored blue eyes, and a sword twice as big as it's self.

"That's gonna.." With that, the creature shot up it's height, towering over both Tala and the children.

"Just keep a close eye on them, and if they get hurt, it's your life."

The creature nodded.

Tala turned to Dakey again.

"I'll be back as soon as possible, I promise." With that, she phased through the building, intent on getting Dakey's crystal, and not giving a rat's butt about the drama unfolding inside. In her mind, it was clear, get the crystal (and whatever Wizz took), then get Zelda, and the kids outta there. Let the others handle whatever they were doing.

CATHEDRAL

Richter suddenly appeared back in the room his sword wrung down between EUA and Wizzrobe, the giant gun was left in two useless pieces.

"You just made a big mistake." UA growled.

"I'm sorry I just couldn't have you killing this man."

"I knew there was some reason I hired you." Wizzrobe smiled at UA.

"Now what are you gonna do?"

"Cram it Wizzrobe." Richtor twirled his sword then jammed it right through Wizzrobe's chest.

"GWAAA" was the wizard's last word, or sound. Entropy rushed up to them.

"What the hell?"

"It was a good hunt, it lasted longer then it had to, once I learned of his plans for the Vile, I kept with him knowing I would run into you and the Crystal Fighters sooner or later."

"You didn't know I was with the CFs." Richtor just smiled at that.

"Don’t believe Wizzrobe about the Vile being only here, he has them running all over the universe, take care of them, I don’t want them running the place, and keep Tala's pretty little head safe, I'm watching." Then he was gone, Wizzrobe taken with him.

"Man its always interesting with you CFs?" EUA said, obviously amused.

ELSEWHERE

"Of course you can't. Mr. Mystery. Never can trust anyone with anything can you." Eme laughed manically. "Even love stares you in the face and you walk away."

UA lunged, grabbed Eme, and slammed her back up against the wall.

"WAY outta line, Queeney. If I want you to know something, YOU WILL KNOW!" He let her go, turned, ran, jumped and kicked the door, ripping it off its hinges and taking a bit of the wall with it.

"Now, let's go!" T and Eme stare in disbelief as T stood up.

"Think you hit a nerve."

"He's hit the last of mine." And with that, she spread her wings a flew out. As she was scanning the area. She spotted the fight and landed. She laughed manically as she saw EUA and Vile.

"Well, well. If it isn't the man himself." Her wings quickly disappeared as fast as they came. With her hands on her hips she smiled at EUA. Before he could say a word, she lunged violently. The abruptness of her strong attack startled him. He was barely able to defend himself as she grabbed at him and slammed him through the wall. The madness in her blood drove the fight onward and soon all the CFs were outside the Cathedral. The two children whimpered at the sight of EUA and the others.

"Back off, bitch. We're all in this together." EUA said, wiping blood from his mouth.

"Oh?" UA said, running over with T.

"Whatever's got my powers' got yours. Dumb as I feel about it, I'm gonna join your little troop. I think we can benefit each other." EUA smiled.

"Alright, but you follow MY orders, got it?" EUA raises his hands and walks by with a big smile.

"You're gonna let him..." Pyro started.

"As long as he's with us, we don't have to worry about his causing trouble." UA mutters, hating the idea even more

"What the hell are you thinking, UA?" Entropy suddenly snapped from the other side of the room.

"Good God, what's with you? First, you let Ego the magnificent," He pointed at Kyle, who sneers slightly, "back in after he's brainwashed and tried to kill us all several times over, and now you're letting in HIM? I don't care what you have to explain it with, I'm not going with this. You've gone too far with this one, 'boss.' While you're letting in serial killers and schizophrenics into the Fighters, and concentrating so hard on your love life, we're out risking our hides for these worlds. Doing our REAL jobs. And I don't give a damn if the two of those guys become saints overnight, you letting them in this casually isn't acceptable. You've been hanging back and doing practically nothing this whole time while we were fighting Wizzrobe."

"First off, Entropy, don't--" He walked right up to Entropy, grabbing him by the collar of his trench coat "--EVER, bring my love life into this. And even then, you should talk."

"Yeah." Entropy proceeded to grab UA's arm, lifting the man 3 inches off the ground. "At least I do my job when I'm supposed to." He dropped UA, and the CF leader hit the floor.

"I'm sick of you just letting us get our butts whipped while you hang back and do nothing. Anybody else with me?" He looked around, knowing he wasn't getting any support from Eme, T, or Kyle, but the others were still open. This situation was too serious to have someone who signed on people like them to run things.

"I say you take your black-souled groupies and go do your own damned work. I'm not following your orders anymore." Without another word, he turned and walked out, only taking a backwards look at Tala before leaving.

Tala just looked after him, then to the others. She shrugged.

"I'm more worried about Zelda then who's in the group.. or not in the group." With that, she went over to the altar, and grabbed the crystals and whatnot. With that, walked back to where Rupay, Zelda, and Dakey were. As the creature saw her approach, he shrank back down to his small size, then returned to the shadows. Tala crouched down by Zelda's body, not noting any changes. About the only that thing hadn't changed. Something was going on. Most likely... he was on edge because of that ..charming.. half-brother of his. And letting the so-called "evil" one into the group? Perhaps UA was now into giving second chances. But she had the feeling.. Kyle and EUA might be doing this for their own agendas. Just what.. she didn't know. But now, what to do? Go with Entropy, or stay with the original group. Arrgh. Stress, it was a killer. She glanced at the children.

"I think we should go back.. to the ship. Perhaps we can help her better there."

The rest off the CFs were freshly finishing off the Vile Spirits or half spirit, half physical being Viles.

"Is Zelda okay?" Krakken asked after finally making it to the scene.

"Yeah she is just working her weekly unconscious routine." Tala said lifting up Zelda after handing Dakey and Rupay their Crystals.

"Flit, flit" Lil Flame called as the magic finally wore off and he came out of Dakey's crystal to landed on his shoulder.

UA looked at the door and snarls.

“No, E, I'm sick of coddling all of you. Time you all grew up. Fast.”

Ganthet felt torn. Side with Entropy, who'd betrayed them once.....someone he'd yet to fully trust again.... Or with a leader he was no longer sure he could follow. UA....was different for the loss of his powers. And something else....seemed missing from the man. It would be so easy....a single blaster shot and evil UA would be gone forever. But that would make him as bad as he....or worse. And.....he'd run across another problem. He'd found among the supplies he'd brought, a data pad diary of the body he now inhabited. He really didn't want to read it, yet the woman needed to be remembered. He'd stolen her life....he owed it to her to learn what he'd taken.

Lark just stood stiffly. Her thoughts raced everywhere, but she moved her head down. Finally lifting her gaze, it moved slowly from Entropy’s back to UA.

~Why must I end up trying to choose my fate? I choose to live my life without having to find how my life will end now. I have always had to choose! Before my heart gives way, I now choose to try to win over my past, because I cannot stand the memories that bind me!!~

"Ohh! I hate myself for my own life!" She looked down again. She sighed lightly. "I'm not understanding. I don't know you all THAT well. I cannot choose sides without knowing why I should.."

"There are no sides, Lark. There is no debate. You want to follow your own trail too, go ahead. But simple fact is, we're all getting on that ship and moving on." UA stormed toward E.

“We're leaving, pal. Unless you wanna live here, come on. You don't have to like my methods, you don't have to accept them. All I ask is you hold off running on your own until we find someplace we can call home. Now, move or lose." UA turns and heads away.

"Aw, a dissention in the ranks? Poor babies." EUA sneered.

Entropy snarled, cursing in an inscrutable language. He slowly made his way towards the ship, when he suddenly heard a loud noise from his trench coat pocket. Pulling out a small device, he hits a quick sequence of keys...and his expression lightens. A lot. He looks up towards the ship and smiles.

"Looks like we won't have to enjoy your buddies' company much longer, 'boss.'"

The CFs had been gathered at the bridge of the Avenger for a while talking when finally UA walked in. All of them turned in unison like a well-oiled machine, their hard glares meeting him in a display of guilty conviction.

"You told them?" UA asked Entropy who hadn't turned to him but instead sat with his bark turned at the flight console.

"I did." Tala said and UA nodded.

"I guess I lose my most Psychotic member award." Pyro said, and not as a joke. "Congrads UA, you win it."

"Where is EUA right now?" asked Lark.

"I came in the back entrance of the ship, he is in my quarters, that’s where he will stay, while he is with us." UA said, oddly feeling he couldn't look into their eyes but he wouldn't back down now.

"Zelda is back there at the quarters putting Rupay and Dakey to bed, you’re risking their--all are lives." Krakken said harshly.

"Yeah." UA nodded. "I'm going to bed." He turned and left. Entropy got out of his seat.

"Looks like we need someone to step up in the leader position now that UA finally snapped, and since Nity is no longer with us I guess I will fill that position." They all nodded an agreement.

"So the first thing we have to do is decide, do we continue looking for Jerium Prime or the rest of the Vile?"

"Basically we have no idea how to find either." Ganthet reminded him.

"I know we seem to be drawn to the Vile though or vice versa, we will probably stumble upon them again, and as for Jerium Prime we have no clues about how to get there but Dakey said Lil Flame were suppose to help us."

Zelda had just come in and added, "Yeah. I will make sure to talk to Dakey about it tomorrow"

"Good, for now lets all get some sleep."

Later on that night, Entropy walked up to one of the cabin doors, hand on his sword. As he was about to knock, EUA tapped him on the shoulder. Entropy whipped around, giving him a look to make Satan wet himself.

"I take it you're looking for me?" EUA said, his eyes narrowed.

"How'd you guess?" Entropy returned, smiling slightly. Before he could say another word, Entropy grabbed him by the neck, picking him up off the ground and slamming him into the wall.

"All right, fleshbag, I'm gonna ask you this once and I had DAMN well get a good answer." He said in a barely contained whisper. "Where the HELL did you throw the staff of Jerium prime? And no matter what UA says, you give me any bull on this and I'll snap your twiggy little neck faster than you can do a damned thing to stop me. Planet. Coordinates. Now.” Eme slipped out from behind where EUA came from. She walked over to where Entropy stood. Before he realized, she grabbed his sword and flung it down away from them. She grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head back. After licking his cheek she asked.

"And why should he tell you that, huh pretty boy?"

"Bad move, bitch." Entropy snarled, suddenly slipping out of her grasp and elbowing her in the gut, then pinning her to the wall beside EUA.

"You're obviously not in your right mind now, I'll make sure you're both comfy here. And don't call me pretty boy. It just doesn't fit." She struggled against his grip, but he barely flinched.

"I wouldn't do that. I increase my strength exponentially whenever somebody tries getting out of my grasp. So if you keep this up, I might hurt you. And as odd as it seems right now, I don't want either of you hurt." He turned back to EUA.

"Now where were we, sancho?"

"I knew you were bad news even when you hired me." Entropy snarled at EUA.

"Demosythe, return!" His sword suddenly shook, then flew up into his hand.

"I'm not going to hurt Eme. But I don't have that problem with you."

"Even so, you kill me, you lose your coordinates." He smiled.

"And besides, who can they trust when poor, innocent Emekins comes running back to the others saying you attacked her without any reason?"

"Eme I'm not worried about. I know her, and I know I can kick her ass if I need to. But you...All I have to do is spare your head. The rest..." His sword suddenly glowed, the runes on it going white as the blade turned to pitch black. "…is a liability."

He suddenly whipped into motion, and within moments, EUA was on the floor, Entropy's sword at his neck as Entropy looked at Eme.

"Move and he dies. Got me?" Scowling, Eme managed a nod. He looked down at EUA, smiling slightly.

"I want you to remember this for the rest of your life. I could have killed you right here and now. I didn't. And always remember that this will happen again. And I won't be as nice." With that, Entropy walked off, pushing Eme out of the way and heading to his quarters. As the door locked behind him, he put up four small devices, one at each corner of the doorframe. No matter of any type could go through the barrier they created, energy shot into the thing just fed it. He'd have to activate them to do that, of course, but first he needed to take one precaution. Going over to the comm. panel, he keyed in Tala's room.

"Tala?"

"Whaat?" Said an extremely tired voice.

"Sorry to wake you up, but we now have evil Eme problems. I know I can't fix it now. And if I tell anyone else they won't believe me. I don't like this situation, and I've got special shielding on the exits. It's too dangerous for you to stay alone like this tonight, they'll probably go after you. Can you make it over to my room without running into them?" He heard a couple curses and grumbles in Tala's native tongue, then heard her again.

"All right...I'll be over in a second."

"I'll meet you halfway."

"Ok.”

Tala grumbled, pulling on a long shirt, some pants, and her boots. While pulling her hair back into a low ponytail, she phased through a wall, keeping into the shadows so no one could see her. As she moved closer to Entropy's room, she wondered what the hell he had done know. She saw him waiting for her, and ducked into one shadow, reappearing on the other side of him. She dropped her hand on his shoulder, laughing as he jumped and tried to grab whoever had touched him.

"Like grabbing smoke?" She grinned slightly, running a hand through her bangs. "This had best be good, Entropy. I was having a rather nice dream.. for once."

Eme pounded on Zelda's door. "Zelda help! Entropy attacked me!" When Zelda opened her door, she found a torn up Eme hanging to the doorframe.

"Ah Goddess!" Zelda exclaimed, "Eme!" As she began the healing spell, she called over the comm. to the rest of the CFs.

"Guys, Eme's hurt, she said Entropy did it and she's at my room, I might need some help here so healers--" she stopped at that, it was enough anyway and she could no longer pull up the energy and use it without words to help her along. So, she started chanting and waving her hands along Eme's injuries, her hands beginning to glow and sending out waves of swirling blue and green energy.

Suddenly, Eme tensed, then sat up and pushed her back into the room, laughing wickedly.

"Before I leave I thought I'd say bye." She laughed again, sounding insane.

"Ah yes, tell my love that he drove me insane, which suits him well. Now he is free to be with T. Hehe..that rhymes!" And with that she disappeared out the door.

"Nix that," Zelda opened the comm. channel again after she'd recovered somewhat. She sat down tiredly in a chair and tried to stifle her gasps for air as she relayed Eme's message, then she cut the connection and went to sleep to regain her energy.

Back at Entropy's quarters, the door slid shut and locked as Entropy made the final check on the shields.

"So what was the problem again?" Tala asked from the bed.

"I told you, Eme's gone nuts, and EUA's probably going to go after me. And if they can't get to me, I thought they would go after you. And I couldn't let that happen. Plus, if Eme's going to do what I think she is, I'm going to have a lot more problems come morning than getting killed." Finally finishing the connections and activating the shields, Entropy smiled as the shimmering blue barrier appeared.

"All right, Tala, there's one other thing I need you to..." He turned around. "Tala?" Walking over to her silently, he smiled a bit, brushing aside a stray lock of her hair from her face as she slept.

"All right," he whispered, climbing into the bed beside her. "Sleep well, love." He said before switching off the light.