10 Shadow Seeker

Nala's friend, Jin,was walking down a sidewalk, to the side of him was railing leading to the port of New Tech. He stops and leans on the rail looking out to the water. "Nala... Dammit. I told her to stay out of things. She got too close and urgh... Doesn't help there have been more abductions. It's really starting to piss me off." Jin says, sighing to himself. "(If only I had enough power...)"

Steel toed boots approached Jin, from behind. Jin's eyes turn in the direction of the sound. He then spots Cravic, turning to him. "Well, look who's stepped out into the open. Good to see you again finally, you've been gone for a while." Jin says, cracking a smile.

Cravic looked to him, walking over to the railing. His eyes trailed to Jin, "You can blame my mom for that. After my old man passed, she's been on edge about me... I kinda thought I'd find you around New Tech still."

"Yeah, I want to get out of here. Things are getting rocky. Nala was taken, and it honestly doesn't feel right...THOSE DAMN ELEMENTAR NEED TO LEAVE." Jin says, looking to Cravic.

Cravic looks off to the ocean, "I know..."

"So you did hear then? Hmph, maybe we could team up, and hit these guys where it hurts. I've been doing some hacking around." Jin says, taking out a little computer screen. "Seems they're going to release some new type of units in three weeks. They're calling them 'dama units'. No doubt though it's gonna be a problem..." Jin says, turning off the feed. "They have some places around New Tech sited for reconstruction as well, a lot is happening, and I can't do a damn thing..."

"Haru's been keeping me posted with updates, including the dama units." Cravic mentioned, looking over, "The two of you really take your hacking seriously."

Jin laughs, "Yeah, speaking of that nerd, where is Bit?"

"No clue. He's been keeping in contact over texts. Giving me useful video feeds and information." Cravic leaned to the railing. "No idea where he is though."

"A ghost heh, seems like Bit. I bet he's locked himself up in his mother's basement again." Jin says, chuckling slightly. "Well, maybe if we all manage not to get captured by the thugs around here. We can meet up with Haru, and hang out for a while. Would get my mind off this fallen place." Jin says, holding his head.

"Yeah. If you're concerned about the dangers, maybe I can get you into my mom's organization. I hate being stuck there, but she's trying to handle the Elementar situation, and it's safe." Cravic spoke up.

Jin laughs to himself. "Well I suppose, if it gives me the power to crush all this crap, but then, having to depend on too many strangers could cause problems."

"Tell me about it. I hate it. Social situations. Not my thing. It's annoying." Cravic messed with his earring.

"Heh yeah, thinking. You always were the introverted one of our group..." Jin says, as an announcement flickered on a screen not far from them.

Sion was on it, giving a speech, "Hello, we have reports of two fugitives who were spotted posing as Kaos workers. They have abducted a man, trying to slander our name. We here at Kaos, care for our friends of Terra, and want to keep peace. We will help you rescue all the victims that have been abducted. We would also ask your help..." Sion places on screen images of Issac and Barret. "These two are Issac and the other is still unknown. If you find them, you are to detain them, and nothing more... I know how angry most of you have to be about the taking of our citizens, but we are close to cracking down on two known kidnappers."

Cravic as flaring his teeth, glaring to the screen. "Fucking Stykx. I thought Haru deleted all the evidence that stupid girl had. Kaos, you crafty bastards, way to turn the tables." Cravic's fist was shaking. "We're fucking trying to help people here, you bastards!"

Jin looks to Cravic. "Start over, what happened now? How do you know those wimps on the feed there?"

Cravic looked to Jin, a hand to his forehead. "They work for my mom. Bit had given me information about that Bryce guy, being a possible next hit on the abductions. So, mom sent those two idiots, to try and help. Those losers let themselves get caught, and I had to save their sorry asses... The, some little girl was threatening them, by calling them spies. I bet she's the one who gave the evidence to Kaos. Thing is, Bit said he deleted all the video and such."

"Hmm that girl sounds crafty. No doubt she had to be in cahoots with Kaos...Those fucks. So those guys are on our side huh? Meh. I guess you take the help, but if they got caught. I want nothing to do with them. Bad enough Kaos has their faces." Jin says, looking off from Cravic.

He spots Issac and Barret trying to hide from the public. Jin sighs, to himself. "HEY! IDIOTS!"

Issac and Barret jump. "(Oh shoot...)" Barret thought to himself.

"(Great, after that new report, even Im a bit edgy...)" Issac gawked, and noticed Jin with Cravic. "Barret, don't look now, but... I think I found Cravic."

Cravic looked to them, crossing his arms.

"Good work, we can get him and head back. Cravic? You have to come back with us!" Barret urges.

"What are you, my mom? Get lost, your stupid faces are all over the place." Cravic grumbled.

"H-Hey..." Issac pouted. "(What's his beef? Honestly!?)"

"He's right, you're stupid. Both of you. Tell his mom, he's left new tech. We're getting out of town... Being around you two is risky...Too Risky. I wouldn't be surprised if you led someone back to your base." Jin states, coldly.

"Well, let's hope not! Cravic, your mother wants you back. Don't pay mind to us, do it for her sake." Barret pleaded.

"(Not sure how he's gonna take this, the guy is a live wire...)" Issac crossed his arms.

"You told her, didn't you?" Cravic growled.

"We had to, she was drunk out of her mind, and worried about you. Think about what Kaos would do to you. What that would do to Xiao, if she found you like that?" Barret states seriously.

Issac nodded, "(Barret does have a point there... Maybe it's my fault my parents were the way they were...)"

Jin sighs, "Thing is, we've got a plan to take care of Kaos."

"Uh... Who are you?" Issac gawked.

"Pss, it's Jin, Jin Kelden. Happy? Good, come on Cravic." Jin says, turning away from them.

"Right behind you." Cravic pocketed his hands, as he walked after Jin.

"STOP! Cravic! We can't let you go!" Barret yelled after him.

Jin turns to them, "What are you gonna do? You're felons. You even try anything I'll hack Kaos to your whereabouts."

"Gah.."Barret says, catching his tongue.

"Huh? This guy must be that contact Cravic found us with...." Issac muttered to Barret, under his breath.

"Maybe... Listen, we really can't let you do this! Cravic..." Barret pulls to his power glove. "We have to bring you back, there's no backing out of this!"

"You heard him." Issac pulled to his power glove as well. "(As much as I hate this, Barret's calling the shots.)"

Cravic turned to them, his coat blowing from the wind as his hand touched his glove. "You're asking for it, punks. You're best running back home, over pursuing me like this."

"Better yet, if they do come at you...I'll just send the uppers over this place some information they'll like..." Jin says, looking to Issac and Barret sternly.

"(A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.)" Issac quirked a brow, shaking his head slightly.

"(Shit...)" Barret thought to himself. "(It's this, or we risk loosing everything...) We're sorry Cravic..."

"Yeah, sorry that you're screwed." Cravic narrowed his eyes.

"In more ways than one.." Jin says, pulling out his computer. "Make it fast, I'm sure Kaos is going to love your little worthless hide away."

"STOP! Grr!" Barret yelled to them.

"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." Issac muttered.

"What? Are you just going to stare, you're wasting our time." Cravic snapped.

Issac engages his glove, forming his green laser sword. "Now or never Barret!" Issac rushed at Cravic.

Barret nods, and engages his glove as well forming a red sword. "Right..." Barret says, following up after Issac.

Jin was gathering the information and looks to them. "(Such idiots.)" Jin scoffs to himself, as he prepared to send the information.

Cravic flipped his wrist to his side, forming a purple laser sword. He crouched briefly, before quickly engaging Issac and Barret. Cutting between them with great speed, the two were knocked to either side of Cravic, with one swing. Wind blew around, as he stared back at them.

"Amateurs." He said, coldly.

"Dammit..." Issac winced.

"Grrr, gosh I was afraid of this.." Barret says, holding his shoulder.

Cravic walked between them, back over to Jin, with his back facing them. "Go home." He insisted.

"We, can't leave without you!" Barret says, rushing back at Cravic as he got up.

Cravic looked back to Barret, switching to the whip mode. He lashed it out, grabbing Barret's ankle to trip him to the ground. "Pfft..."

Barret grips himself up a little. "Cravic, think about this again. You can't run forever, your mother needs you back there!"

Cravic sways his wrist, with the whip dragging Barret across the ground, and being thrown back near Issac. Issac gawked, as he was standing up, looking to Barret. His eyes peer to Cravic, narrowing. "Dude, If Kaos finds AM, even she is gonna suffer! You know that, right!?"

Cravic disengaged the whip mode. "She's better off without me."

"Yeah sides, there's a whole slew of Kaos workers perhaps on their way here..." Jin says grinning.

"Let's bail before we find out then." Cravic said to Jin, walking over to him.

"But we can't go back without you...Grr..." Barret was becoming more annoyed.

"Cravic, if we go back without you, we're going to loose our titles, and be banished from the ministry. Your mom is pretty bent on getting you back safety. Why do you have to act like such douche right now?! I could care less what happens to me, but think of everyone else involved? Don't be a moron!" Issac exclaimed.

Cravic glanced back, "I have my reasons. Besides that, I did say, I'm not gonna save you again." He said, walking off ahead of Jin.

"Heh, you two are a sorry pair. Talking about titles, and not getting your way, but you know how formulas work? You mess up, there's a lot of bad numbers. Now it's up to you guys to fix them. But you're still stupid, holding on to your answer. Time for you guys to figure it out. " Jin turns away from them, walking after Cravic.

"We can't go back Issac..." Barret states, looking off to Jin and Cravic.

"I know. (Barret may be a jerk at times, but, he's not a bad guy. So if he's worried about this, then it's up to me to lend my support.) Let's follow them, maybe we can convince him somehow." Issac replied, holding his hand out to Barret.

Barret nods taking Issac's hand standing to his feet. "We should get out of this location however."

"Sounds like a plan... man.. (Sion knows my real name now.... Wonder how that's gonna play out... Oh well, too much drama for my liking.)" Issac sighed.

Unknown to them, the two boys were being watched on a floating camera. Looking at them was Sion.

"Issac... Then, that boy who sent us the information... So many choices to make...." Sion says, pondering to herself. "Perhaps if I take the hacker in place of Issac... That other boy with him however, and the two they were fighting against. I'll send out an instruction to capture them, but I'll have them leave Issac out of this. The last I want is him becoming a project of this organization." Sion says, sending a command to the units. "Find Jin,Cravic and Barret, do not let up, bring them back dead or alive, the technology can fix them." The command prompt shuts, as Sion sighs to herself. "(I bet that man called Barret, was the one who had him use a false identity. He and that organization. I feel it will be time for us to strike. I have Issac who needs me..."

Issac and Barret were trying to find where Cravic and Jin had gone, while avoiding being seen from people. It was much harder then they had anticipated, slowing down their pursuit.

"Okay, sneaking, isn't easy." Issac exhaled.

"Yes, I'd say if we had reinforcements at our disposal, this could make tracking them down faster and safer... Having the entire city on us, is not helping either. To make matters worse, we can't go back." Barret grumbled, pondering to himself.

"I wonder why Xiao didn't think of that, then again, maybe it's the whole 'standing out too much deal' she said before. I don't know, if she's got eyes watching us, why can't they just, you know, help?" Issac sighed.

Barret looks ahead of them seriously, "I feel it could be a matter of multiple things. For one, we spotted Cravic and holding down the information. We were targets of her stress Issac, but now that we are on the field, perhaps we might be able to call in some support. It's worth a shot..." Barret says, grabbing to his pocket.

Issac shivered slightly, "Hopefully we won't get screamed at again..."

Barret nods, as he pulls out his communicator. He turns it on and hears nothing but static. "Hmm, this isn't good. It seems all signals are jammed." Barret says, as he grinds his teeth.

Issac glances over to the communicator, "That's some crazy static. Wonder what's causing this interference?" Issac glances up, "Could be more robots or something..."

"Most likely, or it's Kaos placing up a fire wall. They do have New Tech pinned down." Barret says, rubbing his head.

"That's not all Kaos has pinned down..." Issac looked off, with a grossed out expression, thinking about what Sion has said, about the woman Kaos collects.

Some Jumpers appear behind them searching around. Barret turns to them quickly with Issac. "Great, just what we need..." Barret states sarcastically.

Issac engaged his power glove, forming the laser sword. "We don't have time to waste with these robots."

Barret engages his power glove as well. "You're right about that, let's make quick work of them."

"Way ahead of you." Issac remarked, rushing at the machines.

Issac made way for the closest one, slashing a of the Jumpers' legs clean off. The other looks to Issac preparing it's attack, however Barret slashes it's head in half. Issac then takes his sword, and slashes the remaining Jumper apart. The units blow up around them. This then causes alarms to sound around their location.

Issac disengaged his glove, covering his ears. "Okay, bad idea!"

Barret looks around as more Jumpers were teleporting in around them. There were now also some other odd looking units which carried yellow ducts.

"C-Crap." Barret grunts.

"W-We're outnumbered... (Just like the old days...)" Issac gritted his teeth.

"We need to retreat, but it looks like all sides are blocked off." Barret was, becoming more nervous.

"If there's no path, maybe we should make one?" Issac suggested.

"We just may have to." Barret states, agreeing with Issac.

Issac nods, forming his power glove to the whip function, lashing it at the smaller horde of Jumpers. It knocked some of them out of the way, enough for the two to see a path.

"Let's go!" Issac rushed ahead of Barret.

"Right!" Barret says, running after Issac.

As they ran, the new units that had appeared with the jumpers, begin to shoot off their laser beams. The attacks nearly scrape Issac and Barret, as they made their way through the crowd of machines. As they kept running, Issac glanced back to Barret and the horde. More attacks came their way, but without warning, the boys were pulled into an alleyway. The units that were in pursuit hadn't noticed where they went, assuming they were desolated. With a few clicks and beep sounds, the jumpers rerouted themselves.

The two watched as the units left, but realized something had pulled them out of the line of fire. They had yet to turn their back to the mysterious rescuer, neither known to be friend or foe.

"Eh..." Issac was hesitant to look back, gritting his teeth. "(Either we have more trouble, or someone's on our side... not sure I want to find out if it's the latter of the two...)"

Barret was also surprised, and turns to the mysterious rescuer. He now had his sword pulled to the person. To his surprise, their rescuer appeared to be a girl about Barret's age. She had tan skin, with a long braided brown ponytail carrying pink streaks. She was wearing a white jacket with a green skirt and high socks under brown boots. She took a step back, staring to the sword. Issac finally turned around, looking to her as well.

"..." The girl seemed unnerved.

"Uh?..." Barret places his sword beside him, turning his glove off. He then backs up beside Issac slowly.

Issac kept his attention on her, "I'm sorry about my bud. We're both a bit on edge after that. Thanks for the rescue, doll face."

The girl relaxed a bit, playing with her hair slightly. "Ah, such as it is I suppose. You need not worry, I understand. Apologizes, if I startled you."

"Ye-Yes. We thank you." Barret says, turning away from the girl, keeping her from seeing him blush.

The girl looked to Barret, tip toeing closer, to try to glance to his face. "Pray tell, is something wrong?" She seemed concerned.

Issac glanced to her oddly, "Hm? (Okay, someone's got an admirer.)"

She kept staring to Barret.

Barret turns to her slowly. "N-no! Nothing at all, just a little nervous with Kaos around. Issac? We should get going though. I thank you much again...Umm who are you?" Barret was slipping up in talking nervously.

"Much again? Dude? You okay?" Issac glanced to Barret, with a quirked brow.

"Oh, I have yet to introduce myself. Apologizes. Stevonne, my name is Stevonne." She laughed slightly.

"(Stevonne? Such an elegant name...)" Barret thinks to himself, as his imagination turns the location around him into bubbles, accompanied by a pink background.

"Well, it's nice to meet you." Issac smirked, reaching for her hand, but she backed off quickly. "Hm?" Issac gawked in confusion.

"Apologizes." Stevonne spoke quietly.

"Issac?" Barret says back handing Issac up side his head. "You can't just kiss every girl's hand you come across."

"I was being polite, jeez." Issac rolled his eyes.

"Personal space, my friend." Barret then turns to Stevonne. " Pardon him miss. He didn't frighten you too much, did he?"

Issac was rubbing his head, grumbling. "... (Whatever.)"

Stevonne looked back to Barret. "No no, I'm just not comfortable with... human contact." She smiles uneasily.

"Human contact?" Barret asked, becoming curious. "You're not human? So, are you an Elementar?"

Issac looked over curiously as well. "(That's some assumption dude, but guess it's a valid question. As racist as that was.)"

Stevonne seemed surprised, "I can assure you, that I am most definitely not Elementar. I-er.... meant touching. Wrong choice of words. Apologizes."

Barret looks to her seriously. "Strange, if you're not Elementar, there are more types of alien beings popping around Terra... Could there be another uprising? Or maybe a force we can work with? This could be outstanding!" Barret says, becoming excited.

"(Way to go, now you're sounding like some wack job.)" Issac looked to Barret, lazily.

Stevonne blushed uneasily, "No, I'm human. Most definitely human. Yes."

"Oh? I must not have heard you there." Barret says, laughing uneasily. "S-Silly me..." Barret says, rubbing the back of his head.

Issac nudges Barret, "Dude, not to interrupt or anything. We still need to find Cravic." Issac glances to Stevonne, "Sorry doll face, but... yeah." Issac looks back to Barret.

"Oh yes! I'm so sorry." Barret says, looking to Stevonne. "Thank you again for helping us, but you perhaps should get to a safe place. Kaos is heavy and I - We! Don't want to see you hurt."

Stevonne smiles looking off down the alley, "Tis quite alright. Such as it is, with this Kaos beckoning your presence. Do not let me keep you." She said, turning her back to them. "Farewell." she replied, courteously.

"Good bye, stay safe. " Barret says to Stevonne.

"You as well." She replied, heading off from them.

Issac looked to Barret, "Smooth." He said sarcastically. "What's gotten into you? I at least can keep my cool around girls." Issac rolled his eyes playfully, walking ahead of Barret.

"Hm? I thought a nice 'thank you' would suffice, but we should keep on the focus of the mission. We need Cravic back, and we must avoid Kaos at all costs." Barret says, walking after Issac.

"You so like her. Well, maybe we'll see your 'girlfriend' later on, let's hustle. Who knows where Cravic's gotten to with his pal by now." Issac chuckled.

Barret grumbles nodding to Issac's comment. "(I honestly can't wait to see her again, wherever we shall meet.)" Barret thought to himself, walking after Issac.