17 Alliances

Issac and company makes way for the cruiser. Issac and Barret were behind Myde, who was walking with Luke and Kirb ahead of them. She was discussing the situation.

"So these two are with an organization that is also after Kaos, as we are. Barret and Issac escorted Cynder and I here, however I ordered Cynder to remain at the cruiser. We'll regroup there, and go to their organization, where you can discuss things further with their leader." Myde explained.

"Ya'know, I really wonder. Why is it that she's not the Commander, Commander? All those lovely brains at work, planning for you, without your consent." Kirb jested.

"Kirbon, I am not deciding anything for Luke. I am merely explaining the situation, so he would have room to decide." Myde raised a brow.

"Sure don't sound like it to me, Sweet Cakes." Kirb chuckled.

"Don't call me that." Myde grumbled.

"You should mind your manners Kirb. If it comes to such things, then I may decide later, but right now, let's just focus on getting back to Cynder." Luke soon thinks to himself a little, imaging Myde taking a swim with him. "(Oh how nice that would be.)" Luke says, day dreaming.

Barret looks over to Luke, and catches him by the wrist quickly. Luke had nearly stepped into a deep sink hole on the beach. "You should mind your footing, though the ocean looks nice, The sand at times can be a little tricky to navigate." Barret explained.

Luke nods hesitantly. "I thank you. However I feel I can handle myself." Luke says, taking his hand away.

Issac glanced to Kirb. "So. I wouldn't of expected a rabbit to be a gunslinger."

Kirb glanced back. "Hm? What, expect me to use something cute and cuddly? Just because Usas can be timid, don't mean we all are the same. You mess with me, you get your brains blown out. I'm not some innocent bunny." He smirked.

"T-That's not what I meant..." Issac laughed nervously, "(Jeez, this dude's pretty hardcore... blowing brains... out... hmm.)" Issac looked off, thinking slightly.

Barret looks back to them. "We're nearly there guys." Barret says, as he turns his attention back ahead.

Luke nods to Barret's comment. "How long have you all been fighting?" Luke questioned to Barret.

"A few months, Issac and myself have been placed into some pretty wild situations. However, looking at how things are right now, I amazingly can understand why. Right Issac?" Barret says, looking his way.

Issac looked to Barret. "Oh yeah... Gotta strike back at Kaos and all that jazz. (Why isn't he bothered by how crowded it is?... Must be the social butterfly nature of his... I really can't tolerate this much people...)" Issac muttered, uncomfortably.

"I see, well I'm sure you,Barret and your other forces will aid us greatly in stopping the ravaging war, caused by this scum, Kaos." Luke says, spotting the cruiser ahead of them. "Hm? Is that it?" Luke questioned.

"Lucky. No offense commander, but you basically just stated we are siding with them. Just because Dee-Dee knows a bit, don't mean we should form an alliance. Get your head outta the clouds, you're not thinking straight. That fat broad really must have hit you hard." Kirb crossed his arms, looking to Luke.

"Oh yes, heh you do have a point. I'll reserve my judgement until otherwise." Luke states, stopping up short behind Barret.

Barret waves them to walk behind him, as they reach the cruiser. Cynder peeks out, smirking as she approaches the group, but instead goes to Issac, tackling him into the sand.

"Uh..." Issac gawked. "(Oh come ON!....)" he groaned a bit, in irritated.

"Mine." Cynder giggled. "Not letting you out of my site again, Blue."

"Cynder." Myde crossed her arms.

"Hey, you're not the boss now Myde. Feathertail is here now." Cynder stuck out her tongue at Myde.

"..." Myde huffed in annoyance.

"Alright Flamey, why are you all over this 'human'? I don't see nothin' special." Kirb looked to Cynder, biting into a strawberry.

"Blah blah blah. Can we go back now?" Cynder smirked.

"Someone's in heat." Kirb jested.

"Jealous?" Cynder grinned.

"Naw. If I wanted you or him, I'd already have what I wanted." Kirb rolled his eyes.

"(What is with these cats and rabbits?.....)" Issac gritted his teeth.

"It's good to see your okay Cynder, now. We should be on our way back their base?" Luke states folding his arms.

"Commander. She's been acting like this since YOU placed her and I as a team. Either put her in her place, or I'm going to, AGAIN." Myde sighed, in annoyance.

"Oh Mydeline, she's only having a little fun. Cynder? Please tone down your behavior a bit around Mydeline, alright? Especially when it comes to business." Luke instructed.

"Fine." Cynder got off Issac, and headed after the others into the cruiser.

Issac rubs the back of his head, as he sat up. "(This dude doesn't know how to control that chick... She needs a freak'n leash.)" Issac thought to himself, as he noticed Barret turning to the command module.

They all got inside the cruiser, taking seats as Barret started up the autopilot back to base. Cynder sat next to Issac, not letting off of him. He seemed uncomfortable from her. Kirb took a seat away from the others, with his headphones in, as he ate more strawberries, that he hid in his jacket pocket. Myde sat a bit between Barret and Luke, not really sitting close to either. She clearly wasn't happy with Cynder.

"(Okay... I'm not sure what's worse. That Cyndy's clingy, that or she's rough with me....)" Issac sighed.

Barret turns back to them. "So, you guys said you had come to Terra, after some people Kaos took from you?" Barret inquired.

Luke nods, "Yes, they were taken, so now we are trying to rescue them. We were close until that loud woman appeared making a ruckus." Luke explained.

Barret shifts back in his seat. "Hmm, I know how that is. Then no. Issac and myself, before this. We had some encounters. A lot of our people have been taken too." Barret states solemnly.

"With how things are, it would make more sense to side with them, Commander. However, I leave that to your judgement." Myde mentioned, crossing her legs.

"We must talk with their head leader first. Then I shall make my final choice on the matter." Luke says, crossing his arms.

"of course." Myde nodded, quietly.

Elsewhere, at the Kaos building. Bryce was in a cell, his hands and feet were cuffed as he awaited his experimentation. He holds his head up to a monitor connected to the cells wall. On it was displaying some Kaos advertisements. "Urgh...I can't believe it's come to this." Bryce says, placing his head down. "(At least I know Imogen is okay. I'd rather them take me, than mess him over...I'll get out though, somehow...)"

A door opens and in steps Kaos, along side him was Sion and Sandra. Sandra however, now was wearing a different outfit, a blue armor which carried a red insignia of sector C. Sandra stared at Bryce in surprise.

Kaos adjusts his spectacle looking at Bryce, "My dear, this will be your first subject. He goes by the name of Bryce. This will be your test. You are to take him, and prep him for the coming project. He loves entertainment, so we've found it reasonable to make him into quite a star." Kaos says, laughing to himself.

Sion laughs a little as well. "I say it's quite a good punishment, for one who bashed our very organization. So... 'Devatose' perhaps you should ask your captive some questions, before you begin the test."

Bryce struggles in his confines, "You're not making me into anything! I know the kinds of things you do! I'm getting out of here!" Bryce shot back to Kaos.

"Lad, just sit still, and remain quiet. Be thankful, we're making you into something in which you still can be an obnoxious star for all to witness!" Kaos says, tipping his hat. "Sion? We should give him some time with Devatose here."

Sion nods, and steps back allowing Sandra to walk ahead of her. "Do not mess up now... This will prove to us, if you have what it takes to work in this area...Or we'll stick you into weapon testing. Regardless, do your best now." Sion says, adding in a laugh.

Kaos and Sion walk out the room, leaving Sandra with Bryce. Sandra watches them leave, and glances over to Bryce with some concern to her face. "You're like.... Bryce Geist... aren't you... Like for real..."

"Yeah, that's me... Heh, kind of something. Normally I interview people from Kaos on stage... Never did I think the day would come, where I'm sitting in their cell. And for what? Just trying to tell the world the truth!? People aren't even aware it's this bad..." Bryce says, holding back his anger.

"I like think I'd be in the same position, if they hadn't like black mailed me into signing up for this... " Sandra muttered, quietly as she grimaced a bit.

"What?" Bryce says, turning to Sandra. "Should that be something you should be saying out loud? I mean, wow, you have as much guts as myself, but... They black mailed you into this? Hmm I see. I suppose that means your voice to the outside is locked. I could never do that... I'd rather them turn me into something. Then somehow...Maybe, I could come back, and... Wishful thinking.." Bryce says, letting out a sigh.

Sandra crosses her arms. "I like don't know what to do... I finally get a chance to meet Bryce Geist, but it's like the worst possible way.... This is so bogus...."

"You're telling me, so, you're a fan then..." Bryce says turning his head. "I wonder just how messed up the world is going to get? Honestly, I should have listened to those two..."

"Listened to who?" Sandra looked over.

Bryce shakes his head. "You're under Kaos. I can't give the information... Even if you are a fan."

Sandra placed her hand on top of Bryce's, looking to him with furrowed brows. "Like you can trust me..."

Bryce jumped a little, "It's perhaps for the best. They may be using fake names anyway. I would to avoid this." Bryce states, coughing a little. "So I want to ask you something. Did you have any family? Possibly? I mean who aren't here yet? I'm sure they'll fall in eventually." Bryce says, with a gloomy tone.

Sandra glanced off as she nodded. " Yeah... my parents, a younger sister... and.... and.... I had an older half brother.... but... but... they..." Sandra sniffles, "they vaporized him." Sandra whimpered.

"I can't take it...Hey...You want to get out of here?" Bryce says, to Sandra seriously.

Sandra looked to Bryce, some tears escaping her eyes. "Like... what did you say?"

"You heard me. We'll get out of here. I can't believe they did that. Then have the nerve to make you work for them this way? Monsters. Please unlock my cuffs, we could run away together." Bryce says, becoming frantic.

"Run away together? (Bryce and me? Like. Oh my gosh. He's even more bodacious in person too.)" Sandra blushed slightly.

"Yes, that's what I said. we should hurry though..." Bryce says, looking back to his cuffs.

"Oh, like totally. Sorry, I'm thinking like too much here. Like for sure." Sandra laughs uneasily, going for the cuffs.

Bryce sighs in relief. "When we get these off, I saw the exit not far from this room. We can make a quick get away." He states, as Sandra snaps one of the cuffs from his right arm. After Sandra releases the other cuff on his arm, alarms begin to sound around the room. Bryce panics, and lifts himself up quickly to undo the cuffs around his legs. "We need to hurry! I didn't know they had alarms tied to these!"

"Like I didn't know either!" Sandra grew frantic.

Bryce finally unhooked the restraints on his legs. "Come on Devatose!" Bryce says, taking her hand.

Sandra blushes brightly. "U-uh right."

The two hurry to the door, which slides open for them. "What? Hmm, it could be due to the alarm system, but wouldn't it be the other way around?"

"Like I don't know. Bryce, come on!" Sandra gawked.

Bryce nods, and rushes out of the door with Sandra. They spot the exit ahead of them. "We're nearly there!!!"

Some soldiers were making their way out, and spot the two of them. "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!!!" The soldiers shouted, aiming their laser guns at Bryce and Sandra. "Let the Kaos worker go! Get on your hands and knees!"

Bryce turns back to the exit, then back to the soldiers. "You'll never take us!"

"Bryce, this is no time to be a hero!" Sandra gasped in panic.

"I'm sorry, but..I don't want you in this place, or myself..Anyone for that matter!" Bryce pulls Sandra with him.

"SHOOT HIM!" A soldier cried out as shots fired. Bryce was hit multiple times by bullets falling to the ground. He had fallen over Sandra protecting her from more of the shots.

The soldiers wave their hands signaling the others to retrieve Sandra. "Looks as if the scientists are going to have their hands full. We got him pretty good." One of the soldiers talked to another.

Sandra was looking to Bryce in horror. "Bryce, I'm sorry... I didn't know it was going to lead to this... Like... Oh my god... If I could take it back... I so would... I should have never signed up for this..."

Bryce was motionless, and dead. Sandra was crying, Bryce's blood smeared over her face and armor. As soldiers move in to take Bryce's body, a red glove is placed on Sandra's shoulder. She turns spotting Nala, who now sported pink armor. She smiles to Sandra.

"Hey, if you hadn't signed up, you wouldn't be able to hit over renovations with me. Got word from above you're under weapon tech now. Heh, Such a waste though." Nala says, her demeanor seeming very different from before.

"..." Sandra stared to her, uneasily as she had tears going down her face.

"Hey don't cry, he'll be back. Till then, guess what? We've got some orders to stop by your old house, Or well, the entire valley. Kaos has plans to to renovate it for some new space. So, you'll be helping out with the wrecking material. Aren't you lucky?" Nala says, laughing. "Oh, and don't try running, you might loose more than a finger." She says, patting Sandra on the shoulder turning off from her.

Now back around the base, Issac and company return from the hot conditions outside. Barret wipes some sweat from his head. "Phew. Well, here we are. We'll talk with director Xiao, and from there get more things together." Barret says, turning back to the others.

"You seem optimistic." Luke says, quirking a brow to Barret, who at this time places a hand to the back of his head, looking back to Luke.

"Oh, heh sorry. Things are just so bad. Any little glimmer of hope I kind of jump to the top a little..." Barret says, adding in a laugh nervously.

Kirb crossed his arms, "Are humans always this positive?"

"(Oh no, it's just Barret....)" Issac blew up his bangs.

"Kirbon." Myde gave him a sharp glance.

"It's just a question Dee-Dee." Kirb retorted.

"Hmm." Cynder was eyeing Issac, with a sly cat like smile.

"Cynder." Myde shot a glance to her as well.

"Nya!?" Cynder yelped in surprise. "I was being sneaky, Dammit!"

"(These cats are insane...)" Issac sighs, tip toeing away quietly whilst they weren't looking. "(I need to get away for a bit... I can't take this for much longer..)"

Barret laughs to himself. "(Myde really has a handle on them.)" Barret thought to himself turning off from them all. "Come on, we shouldn't keep the commander waiting. Issac? Huh? Where did he go?"

"What?" Cynder gawked, looking around. "Where did my toy go?" She made a pouty face.

Myde crossed her arms. "Clearly your subordinate is as much trouble as mine. Regardless, we shouldn't keep your commander waiting." Myde says to Barret.

"But...Yeah alright. Please this way... (Dammit Issac, now isn't the time to be disappearing...)" Barret thought to himself, as he decides to lead Myde and the others to Xiao.

They arrive at Xiao's office, see was drinking some tea from a fine china, Cravic was in there, his arms crossed as he glanced back to them. "Oh goodness, I didn't expect so much company." Xiao spoke up, standing as she looked to the Ferlines. "Please come in."

Barret clears his throat, "Oh yes, these are the others we had spoke to you about previously. Commander Luklen, and his comrade Kirbon-"

"It's Kirb." Kirb interrupted.

"Kirb...Cynder and of course Miss Myde. " Barret states to Xiao, and to Cravic slightly.

Luke then steps in front of Barret. "If I may be the first to say. I am quite surprised at the level of your forces. We were in quite the dilemma. Having your people on hand at that very time, truly saved us. So, I had thought to myself, why not form an alliance? We both have the same foe."

Barret folds his arms listening.

Kirb looked to Luke. "Alright Lucky, now you're being ridiculous. 'You' thought of the idea? I distinctively recall Dee-Dee suggesting it." He had a quirked brow.

Myde looked between the two. "Does it matter who gave him the idea? We don't have reason not to work with them." She muttered, catching glance of Cravic peering over.

Cynder was looking around the walls. "Me-ow." She said, looking to Xiao's family portrait.

Luke scoffed as he turns to Kirb. "I'm merely reiterating on the subject. I would never take dear Mydeline's idea as my own." Luke turned back to Xiao. "My apologizes for the intrusion. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Luklen Feathertail. Shall we talk together on how we can tackle the Elementar forces, and take down Kaos? "

"It is quite alright. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am Xiao Guardiana. That is my son Cravic. I am happy that they were able to aid you when you needed it. I do believe a discussion would be wise as well. Cravic, you and Barret may escort the others with you to show them the base, while I am in talks with Commander Luklen." Xiao fixed her glasses.

"Right." Cravic muttered.

"Come this way , my friends." Barret says, directing Myde, Kirb and Cynder his direction.

They follow after the two, leaving Xiao and Luke to discuss an alliance.

Meanwhile, Issac had wandered back out into the desert. He was walking aimlessly with his hands in his coat pockets.

"With these cats and rabbits crowding in..." Issac muttered.

"(What? Is it making... you... depressed?)" Spoke the voices inside his head.

"Leave me alone...." Issac sighed. "It's getting annoying.."

"(You can't tell us what to do Issac. We're the one in control, not the other way around...)" Cackled the voice.

"I can't handle this right now, I want to be by myself. Go away!" Issac insisted.

"(You wish to rot away and decay, once you get lost in this barren desert, don't you? Do we need to remind you Issac, we decide when you die. Be depressed, cry. We like when you suffer.)" The voices whispered, provokingly.

Issac held his ears, "Just.... stop it..."

"(Have it your way... know this... We ARE always watching...)" The voice echoed in his head, fading away.

"..." Issac looked off into the endless sand over the horizon. He pressed onward without another word. It seemed like hours of endless walking, but he didn't seem to mind the heat of the desert. However it would eventually get dark out, the sun was beginning to set in the sky.

He looked to it. "(Great... it's going to be dark soon..... I can handle the heat just fine, but the cold? Forger it... Maybe i should go back... No.. I can't yet...)" Issac sighed.

The blue haired boy continued on, but an odd thing came into his line of site. It was in the middle of the desert, all of places. A building was erected before him, It was a mystical looking structure, with a sign reading 'Witchhazel's Emporium'.

"Who would make a shop in the middle of a desert?..." He muttered, staring to it in surprise. "Well... guess I can check it out..." Issac scratched his head.

As he entered the odd shop, he noticed all sorts of things around, and began to browse the bottom floor of the two story building. There was literally everything here it seemed, even some oddities Issac couldn't wrap his mind around. As he looked around, he noticed a regular black cat staring at him, wearing a witch hat and a cape.

"Meow." The cat stared to him.

Issac tilted his head a bit, looking to the typical feline. "Well, it's not a ferline at least. Hey little guy." Issac crouched down, to scratch the cat's chin.

The cat stared passed Issac, causing him to glance back a bit. Standing behind him was a girl with curly crimson hair, wearing purple witch attire.

"Welcome to Witchhazel's emporium, one stop shop for all your worldly and other worldly needs. How may I help you?" She smiled, with an eccentric tone to her voice.

Issac got to his feet, looking to her. "Um, heh I'm just browsing. Wasn't exactly expecting to find a store way out here." Issac scratched his head, with a nervous smile. "(Oh wow... she's really cute... I wonder about her outlook though...)"

The witch looked to him, "That's because it's a magical traveling shop. It seeks out those who need it."

"I wasn't seeking a store though..." Issac looked off. "Besides, how is that even possible?"

The witch looked to him, as she pressed her index finger to her cheek. "I did say 'magic' for a reason. I have more than just wares for sale. I provide fortune telling services for tragic souls in need. perhaps that's why you happened upon my store?" She was looking to him curiously.

"Fortune telling and magic... Taking it, you're a real witch then? (Does that mean she can read my mind too, like how Sion could?... She can't know, can she?)" Issac glanced back to her, nervously.

"Bingo! Unlike my sisters though, I am a humble shop keeper. I don't practice the same types of spells, however I can cut more than prices, if I need to. Oh, I'm rambling though. Is there something I can do for you?" the witch replied.

Footsteps approach from the book shelves nearby. "He could find a better sales woman." A woman with a red eye patch says, looking to Issac, she carried dark clothing and purple streaked black hair. She had her pale hand on what looked to be a red grimoire. "I found the book by the way, Witchhazel." The woman stated, in a monotone manner.

Issac got chills up his spine, looking uneasily to the woman. "(Okay... she's creepy....)"

"See Elusia, I told you I carry grimoires in my wares. Oh, lucky for you it's on sale too. Isn't that nice!" Witchhazel smiled to the taller lady.

Elusia nods, and then looks back to Issac. "It is, how much for the kid there?"

"Pardon?" Witchhazel glances to Issac.

"(Wait, what?)" Issac gulped, unnerved by Elusia.

"Sis, he's a customer." Witchhazel sweat dropped, uneasily.

Elusia smiles slyly. "I know, but how many people really see this store? Who's to say people don't just disappear sometimes. I want him back in my place. He'd fit nicely with my collection."

"(Collection?)" Issac shivered, trying to keep distance. "(I don't like the sounds of that...)"

"Hey, just because I love zio, doesn't mean I'm going to sell a customer to you. You may be my sister, but that's against my policy. 'The customer is always right', seeing as such, he is clearly bothered by you." Witchhazel retorted with a smile.

Issac glanced to Witchhazel. "(She actually seems like decent person, for a witch... Her sister though...)"

"First, before your entire monologue about how 'customers' are always right. YES a collection, as in dolls or live alien species I find to fit in my room. Also, back to your policy Witchhazel, we're sisters, so you can break the rules one time. Besides you know how I am. If I want something I GET IT." Elusia said, becoming annoyed.

Witchhazel steps in front of Issac, looking to Elusia. "Like how you tried to con me into selling my cat to you, too? Elusia, no means no. I don't sell live wares, ESPECIALLY customers. Just because you're the oldest, doesn't mean you can always get what you want. You're scaring my customer."

"Whaaaaatever, I don't care what he, or anyone feels like. I want it. I'm getting it." Elusia shuts her eyes, and begins to meditate. "Abra-" Before she's done, Issac is caught up in a strange solid bubble of energy.

Issac panicked, trying to use his power glove to cut it, but to no avail. "The heck!?"

Witchhazel looked to the bubble, then to Elusia. "Elusia, let him go!"

"Come on, you're always swindling customers anyway, just make this one small exception, and I won't bankrupt your shop." Elusia says. warping Issac to her side. "Pentagroma is nice this time of the year."

"(First crazy Ferlines, now witches.... when does this torment end?....)" Issac bit his lip.

"Now you're blackmailing me. He's not merchandise. You shoplift from my store all the time, and you constantly try to bribe your way into getting things that are not for sale. Keep this up, and I'll ban you from the Emporium. This is a pocket dimension, I can lock you out." Witchhazel looked sharply to her sister.

"Oh how many times I've heard that before. I DID ask you how much money he was worth. But you're not giving me any figures. Far as I see it, he's a free catch and grab." Elusia says, forming a magic circle under herself and Issac.

"You're going to ruin my reputation! Elusia, let him go. You know I can't fight in my shop!" Witchhazel called out.

Her cat floated in front of Elusia, "Meow. (You're being very disrespectful. How about a counter offer? You wanted me right? Don't ruin Hazel's reputation.)"

"Frank? What are you doing?" Witchhazel gawked.

Elusia places a hand to her chin. "Hm? Make it quick. I'm ready to leave."

"Meow. (Hazel may not approve, but instead of the boy, take me. You both win. Sound fair?)" Frank the cat looked to Elusia.

"(That cat's floating, and they're talking to it?... What's going on?)" Issac gritted his teeth.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Witchhazel seemed uneasy. "You're taking things that aren't for sale, Elusia..."

"Hmm..You'll last longer, DEAL. " Elusia says, unlocking the bubble from around Issac. "Also don't be sad Witchhazel, I always return your stuff in one way or another." Elusia says, warping Frank into her hands.

Issac scrambled away from Elusia, "....." He had his power glove at ready.

Witchhazel looked to Elusia and Frank. "... What are you going to do to him?"

"Who knows, there are a lot of spells I can go over with a magical cat. Maybe make a new tea pot, who knows. Whatever I feel, like I guess. Granted he's cute. I won't do anything too horrible. Maybe I'll make him an elementar, and give myself a boyfriend...They last even longer.." Elusia says, running her hand through Frank's fur.

"You better take care of him... Elusia...." Witchhazel furrowed her brows.

"Sure." Elusia says walking out of the shop.