54 Wandering in Darkness

The cruiser left the Outback, to hurry back to base, so they could drop Scape and Teegan off there, and then could go after Issac. Nari didn't know of Scape's previous involvement much, or the caution of bringing people back to base. She just knew she needed to find Issac, before anyone found out.

Soon enough, the cruiser arrived to the docking bay. "Alright, here we are, go to the office, and check in with the commander." Nari instructs, as she led them out of the ship.

"Uh...Where is this office?" Scape questioned to Nari.

"You used to work here! Don't be stupid!" She says, closing the hatch to the cruiser, before abruptly taking off to the sky in a rush.

"Jeez, whatever lady, it was a different base, okay? Oh wait... She left...Meh." Scape says, placing a hand in his pocket. "Hey Teegan? Let's go look around." He says, walking ahead of her.

"Why should I listen to you?" Teegan turned up her nose.

"Cause, apparently I'm supposed to know this place. I can also get us free food. Cause I'm a vet." Scape says, smiling to her.

"That better be cupcakes with extra frosting, and the rainbow sprinkles." Teegan stared lazily to Scape.

Scape chuckles, "Anything for you, lil' bunny."

"My name is TEEGAN!" She snapped.

Scape digs into his ear, "Okay, got it, no need to blow out my ears." He says, forming lazy eyes.

"Well, let's go already. No parties, are no fun. I need to be a star." Teegan prodded him with her ear again.

Scape quirks a brow, "A star?" Scape says, walking off ahead of her.

Teegan follows him, crossing her arms. "Duh, like a pop idol. A performer. I am the queen of parties, you have to of heard about me."

Scape takes out a joint, and places it on the tip of his mouth, "Performer? So, what, like dancing? Stripping while singing, oh man. You are gonna have to show me later, kay?"

"I am not that kind of performer! I am a pop artist, I dance and sing, but not STRIPPING! HOW DARE YOU!... and you've never heard of me? Pah... Your people are so out of the loop. Get with the program! I'm like a movie star, but better!" Teegan flailed her arms, with steam coming out her ears.

"Hot." Scape says, lighting his joint. "Oh wait, you said you're like a movie star, but better? I dunno about that, if you were that good. I'm sure people outside of Raviana would have heard of you. But no worries I believe you, I'll be your fan any day."

"I hate you." Teegan leered at him, with dark shadows over her narrowed eyes.

Scape places his joint in her face, "Chill out, here, try it."

Teegan stares at the joint, tilting her head oddly. "Get that out of my face. Why are you burning a carrot anyway?!"

"This is weed, lighting a carrot on fire is just stupid." Scape says, holding it closer to Teegan.

"Weeds ruin gardens, why are you trying to eat it?" Teegan gawked.

Scape frowns, "Do they not have this stuff where you come from? I think it's time I show you how the real world of star's work." Scape places it to his mouth, and inhales before exhaling smoke into Teegan's face.

Teegan coughed, "Don't do that!"

"Sorry, you try." Scape says, handing her the joint.

Teegan's ears go back, as she makes the most adorable angry face his direction. She grabs the joint, to take a drag. However, she couldn't keep the straight face as she coughed again.

"T-There you go, takes a little getting used to, but you let it settle in your system. That's when the fun really starts. Trust me, you'll find your nerves turn to jelly." Scape explained.

She handed back the joint, puffing out her cheeks, with a cute scowl on her face. "I don't know why you're doing that to weeds. Can we just go already. I'm hungry..."

"Okay,okay...Just give it time. Though I'm sure you'll start feeling more hungry now due to the good stuff hitting your system." Scape says, smiling slyly.

They continue down the halls, nearing the med bay.

"Brings back memories." Scape says, looking around the hall.

"Is there a stage anywhere? Or a skylight? It's so cramped in here." Teegan looked around, with her ears back.

"Military compound babe. Nothing like that at all. Stick with me though, and I can take you to a club, or something. Get you really using that star power." Scape says, taking another drag.

"My name is Teegan. T.E.E.G.A.N.!" Teegan kicked him in the shin.

"Ooooww!" Scape gawks, holding himself. "Are you always such a drama bunny?"

Teegan crossed her arms. "Well, I wouldn't be, if some horse-butt didn't tie me up, and make me miss my debut concert. I had party cannons, balloons, and a big ball I was gonna drop, that resembled Terra. It would have been the event to die for. But no. I was trapped in a hot cave, and MISSED it. Not what I call fun." He puffed out her cheek.

"Why would you drop Terraldyn?" Scape inquired, taking a drag, and letting out some smoke.

"Because of my first appearance to Terra, duh. Like I'm crashing in like a shooting star to bring my music, and dance moves across the cosmos!" Teegan placed her arms up, giggling a bit. The weed was starting to take effect.

Scape nods, "I see, quite a nice intro. What would make it even more awesome, is like having stars full of pot, or something, just yeah...Falling. Make everyone really happy."

They happen across the med bay, and it catches Scape's eye. He enters the door leading in, and spots Barret, Myde and Katinka, who were laying in beds.

"Oh wow, never expected to find you here. Almost thought your friend would be here." Scape states, placing a hand to his chin.

The sound of Scape's voice reached Barret's ears, as he opens his eyes, looking in his direction. "...You."

Scape crosses his arms, "Yeah me...Dang, just can't get away from you guys."

"I can't believe it, you of all people, I would have thought Kaos had gotten you by now." Barret states, boredly.

"Ouch. Hey, I ain't that bad. Besides, this little chickie needs a place to stay. You know how bad it is out there?" Scape says, looking to Teegan.

She crosses her arms with a huff, puffing out her cheeks.

"Hm? Another Usa? She needs to be seen by Commander Medatros... It's precaution...Thinking, have you even been introduced?" Barret inquired.

"Meda-who now? Sorry bro, there is Xiao though. Where is that hot piece of stuff anyways?" Scape says, scratching his head.

"She... Died, it happened while we were away... I'm sure if a doctor were around, we could have prevented it." Barret states, coldly.

"Whoa, seriously? Dude, don't go throwing things like that at me. I honestly had no idea... I knew I should've forced her along with me, before taking off... Damn.." Scape says, furrowing his brows.

"Hmm...Just how would that work? She was really set on her job here." Barret asked, seeming curious.

Scape looks to Barret, walking over beside him, "Well, you can say, we were dating, after her husband died, well... She decided to get really serious about the work here, after that. She kept me on because of doc stuff, and well, I gave her meds she needed... She liked me. Then came the point where the base was attacked...I was kind of told to jump off the train, thus is why I left... She always tried doing too much, too fast. I guess it caught up to her... Urgh."

"I understand... I'm sorry Scape." Barret says, shutting his eyes, "It makes a lot of sense why you acted as you did, leaving then."

"I don't normally tell my stories, but yeah." Scape says, exhaling some smoke from his mouth, and thus finishing his joint. Teegan seemed more curious about Scape, as she listened to the two.

Meanwhile, back in the Outback. Issac was wandering aimlessly, his demeanor wasn't his usual, due to the dark dama flooding his system without restraint. He happened upon a town there, where elevated buildings were scattered around slightly, with canopies to block the sun easier. It was fairly rural, even with the old fashion windmills near. He walked passed a kangaroo crossing sign, scanning the area with his eyes.

A girl with short blue ponytails, wearing dark clothing with a blue skirt runs into him, unknowingly into Issac. The bumping, causes her to fall back on her bottom. "Ouch...Hm?" The girl says, looking up to Issac. She quickly gets to her feet. "I'M SO SORRY! I didn't see you there!" She gasps, looking behind her quickly.

Issac glances down to her, "Hm...?" His mood was still off, as he quirked his brow to her.

"I could really use some help right now! I have some weird robot things after me!" The girl cried.

Issac's eyes eased up a bit, looking more his usual self, as he peered to her, and then back to where she came from. "What kind of robots?" He inquired, taking caution as he stepped behind her, observing the area.

The girl starts to flail her hands rapidly, "They have like spiky legs that lift when you get close to them! There are also some creepy things that start making your vision go all blah, then there's these cute mice things! But they're not so cute when they get close to you...I almost lost my clothes thinking now. Heh...I'm Demi by the way! You?"

"Issac." He replied, looking ahead, "Okay, so Jumpers, either freeze or heat terrors... then a mouse?... Keep close, okay." He glanced back. "I'm a peace maker. So you can say I know how to handle these types of things. Their Kaos tech." He said, engaging his power glove.

"Kaos? I just got done listening to some stuff on their music gadget. You can't tell me they're the same guys?" Demi gasps, turning back to spot the units.

Issac formed his whip. "Trust me kid, they are."

Demi crosses her arms, "Well that sucks, I was wanting to make dolls, of some top people I liked in their organization. I guess what they say is true. People on tv, are evil." She says, pouting.

A jumper flies in their direction. Issac slashes through the jumper, without hesitation, using his whip. As parts fly, he hits them into some freeze terrors, that hadn't revealed themselves yet. Demi sat with her mouth dropped, in amazement.

"Wow! That was so awesome! Can you be part of my family? BIG BROTHER!?" She asks, with her eyes forming into stars.

"Huh? What?" Issac glanced back briefly, "Uh sure I guess? I... Need to focus though. Kay?" Issac turned back fast, forming his crossbow, to blast laser arrows at some incoming jumpers.

The arrows hit the jumpers, as they explode, robotic mice teleport into the location. They scoot their way quickly, in Issac and Demi's direction. Before they were able to make it one inch to Issac, a sharp wind arrow destroys the robot, as wind escapes into the air.

"He-Hey...Y-you kids need to get to cover quick!" Called a meek male voice.

Issac's eyes loom over to the unknown rescuer, forming his sword. He noticed an orange haired man, barely visible from hiding behind a stack of crates. "Dude, not sure who you are, but I think I got this covered. No offense, but I'm not in the mood." Issac slashed a nearing jumper's head clean off.

Demi squeals in excitement, "GO! GO! GO!"

"Urgh, you sound like my kid... (That's not good... I'm a terrible person, why am I here? No..I have to get these kids to safety. That's what Vash would do...)" The orange haired man shoots another arrow, tearing through about six other jumpers. "I-I can see that! But they'll keep coming! Follow me! H-Hurry!"

Demi looks back to the man, "Are you deaf? My brother has this covered!"

"I-I understand, but you have to trust me...I'm a Peace Maker, my name is...T-Todd..Todd Geist." He explained, shaking in his boots.

Issac quirked a brow to him, "You're one of Vash's allies, aren't you?" He didn't let his guard down, keeping by Demi.

Todd blushes slightly, "Well, I wish we were a little more than that, but yes...WAIT! YOU DIDN'T HEAR THAT!" Tood says, covering his mouth. "We should..uhh go.."

Demi licks her lips, "Ohhhh, I see where your mind is at."

"Alrighty then..." Issac kept his focus to the foes, "So, you're plan is to run and hide? They can track us, you are aware of that, right?" Issac was about to slash a nearing foe, but quickly grabbed Demi instead, and engaged the wings, to avoid an oncoming strike. "You alright?"

Demi blushes, "ONIISAN!!!" She rubs her head into his chest.

Issac grimaced a bit, but looks to the enemy forces.

Todd rushes over to them quickly. " C-Come on!" He says, holding a strange stone in his hand. He grips to Issac and Demi, as a bright light flashes around them all. The units were now left with no targets in the area.

They all soon arrive by the mines, a little ways north. "Phew, w-well, I guess we're out of the hot seat, huh kids?" Todd says, looking their direction. "Th-thank goodness for Regress Spheres. So-"

Issac shoves Todd away from him with one hand, knocking the ginger back to his rear. "Dude, what the heck is your problem? They can still track us from here. We needed to destroy them so they can't go back to Kaos HQ." Issac leered to him.

"YEAH! Stupid head..." Demi says, crossing her arms. "Wait really?" She gasps to Issac.

"Yeah." He nodded.

"L-listen! Even if you beat them all, more would still s-show up. I'm not new to this, k-kid. Now, let's stop fighting, I have a r-ride coming. V-Vash is going to pick me up. W-We can all ride back with him..." Todd explained, stammering.

"Those robots get back to their base, the entire fleet will have tracking on us. What part of that, DO YOU not understand?" Issac crossed his arms.

Before Todd was able to speak, a laser flies hitting Demi in her side. She falls to the ground in pain, tears starting to pour from her eyes. "...B-Brother..." She whimpers, gripping to Issac's coat tails.

Issac crouched to her, looking to the wound. "Dammit." Issac growls. Todd gasps behind him and he with Issac turn to spot many units lining the desert surrounding them. "YOU FREAK'N IDIOT!" Issac snapped at Todd. He was getting angry, and the DD levels rising.

"Y-You should try, and calm down! I'm sorry! Besides that, DD with a human?..Urgh, I'm such an idiot! Okay, listen uhh..Just keep a close eye on her...I-I'll deal with this..." Todd says, uneasily.

"NO. You watch her. Leave THIS to people who know what the hell they're doing!" Issac spat out, getting to his feet, before rushing at them. "I swear, if you loose her, you're next! Got that!?" Issac used his whip function, to lash back an entire row of freeze and heat terrors, blowing them back into the oncoming jumpers. There was explosions erupting in mere seconds, with a single slash of his whip.

Todd's eye widened, "EEEEEK! (This kid is scary! No joke, I'm nothing compared to THAT!)"

Demi grits her teeth, but forms a smile, "Heh..That was cool...I feel sleepy now.." She says, weakly.

Todd begins to panic, "No no! Don't go to sleep! You die, and I'm next!"

A cruiser pulls up over them, and soon lands nearby. The hatch opens, and out steps Vash. He surveys the area, spotting all the destroyed Kaos units. "Man, what happened here? Couldn't have been Todd."

Todd spots Vash, and instantly rushes over to him. He jumps behind Vash clinging to him. "That kid! He's going to kill me!"

Vash was looking to Demi now, "Either that or you'll kill that girl... Why didn't you bring her over here?"

"I-I panicked!" Todd says, still holding tightly.

"(One other girl in the past I left like that, not really feeling good about it...)" Vash pushes Todd off of him, and walks over to Demi.

Demi looks up to Vash, "Huh? Wow, you look like someone who knows what they're doing..." She says, joking weakly.

Vash picks her up into his arms. "Yeah, at least as much as whoever is taking care of all these tin cans." He states, looking back to the carnage.

A head of a jumper comes flying like a rocket, hitting the ground near Todd, and spins rapidly, before slowly coming to a halt. Issac looked over to them, as he blasted a laser arrow at a nearing mouse robot. It exploded from the strike, as Issac exhaled. He was sweating from fatigue at this point.

Vash smiles, noticing who it was, "You're that kid from Vexan. A little darker demeanor this time around... Good job."

Issac blew his bangs from his face, proceeding over from the onslaught of destroyed machines. "I'm not in the mood to play catch up." He huffed, disengaging his glove. His eyes leered over to Todd, with a sharp gaze.

Vash chuckles, "Yeah, not the best place to chat... Come on, I'll get you guys out of here. As for Todd, I'll take deal with him. Always making things worse..." He says, holding a hand to his head.

"He's just stupid." Demi says, holding her nose up in the air.

"(Oh Vash, why do you toy with my heart this way!?)" Todd thought to himself, forming weeping eyes.

"What about Demi's wound? You must have a dream tear, or something." Issac peered over to Vash.

Vash nods, "Yeah, they're in the cruiser, come on."

A shot is fired, nearly hitting Vash, and he turns his sight to the air. Falling now before them were two huge Kaos ride armors. "I don't think so... Give us the girl, and yourselves for that matter." Freya says, as she licks her lips.

"Great. You're a FREAK'N MORON!!!" Issac snapped at Todd.

Todd held his head down, mumbling to himself. "Okay...I get it...I'm sorry...Please, stop, yelling at me..."

Vash spits to the side. "Hey kid? Take this girl to the cruiser, I'll deal with these rule breakers."

"...Rule breakers?..." Issac seemed perplexed.

Vash sighs, "Long story, not about to give any details." He says, handing Demi to Issac. He then turns to Freya and Devatose, sparking up around. Vash forms a large sword, beaming with dark and light electricity.

Todd smiles in awe, "(Oh Vash! You're such a magnificent piece of ass! That electricity just shines!)" He thought, biting his lip.

Issac glanced back, holding Demi in his arms. Suddenly, Freya shoots a robotic lasso from her armor, which quickly catches Demi from Issac's arms. "BROTHER!!!" Demi screamed, as she was now being held in the air.

"Dammit!" Issac gritted his teeth, engaging his glove.

Freya smiles, and lures Demi to Devatose. "Take her back dear... It would be a shame if I don't get more than one.."

"Like for sure, Freya. Leave it to me." Sandra replied, as he robot armor took Demi. She powered up her rocket booster, and took off to the sky, as Issac rushed her way.

"HEY!!!" He swung his whip, but missed his mark, as the armor had flown off from sight.

"Great... Another prisoner... She gonna be another one of your damn dama disasters?" Vash questioned to Freya.

"Hmm yes, though I haven't seen you around... Or wait, I have, that's right. You're one of the founders, aren't you? I heard the stories.." Freya inquired smiling, "Such a handsome one... Mmmm.." She licks her lips.

"(NO, HE'S MINE, YOU BITCH!)" Todd states to himself, grumbling.

"I'm taken, sides you could loose a couple pounds... Not into the chunky, kooky ones." Vash says, charging up more energy.

Todd gasps, "(W-WHAT!? WITH WHO!? NOT 'HER'!)"

"You just have no taste in real woman! Would you then prefer a stick with legs?" Freya says, becoming agitated.

"I'd take a french fry, granted you might have eaten way too many already." Vash says, grinning.

Freya pops an anger vein,"DON'T YOU DARE TALK DOWN GOOD FOOD! But... I'll deal with you, then eat you all up..."

"Funny that you have to fight with an armor too. Should learn to use your legs." Vash says, preparing to strike.

"Finally. All the smack talk was getting annoying. I'm going to rip this bitch a new one." Issac readied himself.

"(I would say rip her a new body, but meh kid's right. After this, gotta get back to other business.)" Vash says, preparing to rush at Freya with Issac.

Todd was shaking, "I-I'll help too!" He yelped, preparing his weapon.

Freya charges them quickly, shooting off bullets, and lasers their way. Vash dodges a couple of shots, and gets close with Issac. Vash swings his sword chopping off one of the legs to the machine, making Freya's machine tilt. Issac then swings his whip, attaching to the arms of the armor, tearing them off. As they flew, he swings them back, smashing them right into the mech. Freya flies from her seat, landing on the ground. Vash forms away his sword. "It's you kid."

Another cruiser arrives at that moment. It lands and Nari jumps out with Kirb. "ISSAC!..Wait.." Her heart skips a beat, as she spots Freya, who was now getting to her feet.

Freya looks, spotting Nari, "Nari? What are you doing here? On their side no less..."

Nari was shaking, "I-I...I'm working with the resistance... But you're in a bad spot... I don't think it's worth you fighting anymore..."

Freya laughs, "Dear? ARE YOU REALLY THIS STUPID!? I can give the word now, and have you black listed... Not that it would matter... Everything is being recorded... Once I get back to Kaos, everything will be over...For you, and this organization you sided with."

"Over for you maybe." Issac upward slashed, as his Power glove shifted to the sword function. It connected with her stomach, slicing open all the way to her neck, as blood strayed out. Freya stared in horror, as she fell back to the surface, her organs and intestines exposed, as she was gagging up blood from her mouth. In a matter of seconds she ceased movement.

Nari's eyes widened at the sight. "(He...Heh..Ha ha...We should get this to him, quickly...)" She says, gripping to his necklace.

Issac turned his blade to Vash, his eyes sharpening. "She said you were with Kaos. I want an explanation. NOW!"

"If I told you... I'd have to kill you. You know too much already, kid." Vash says, looking to Issac's sword. "Also... If you're going to threaten someone with a power glove, learn how it works around jammers." He says, hitting a button on the side of his belt, disabling Issac's weapon. The glove was suddenly powered down.

Issac gawked, in surprise. He narrowed his eyes with an angry sneer. "You son of bitch!!"

"You referring to Todd? That stuff really messed with you." Vash says," looking to Nari. "Come on Todd, let's get out of here."

"R-Right..." Todd says, meekly.

Nari rushes over beside Issac, "Wait! Vash!? Where are you going!? What did Issac mean by that?"

"Heh Issac...Maybe you should question Nari there, about things. She seems to know me." Vash says, laughing, as he uses a Regress Sphere.

Issac flared his teeth, "..." His fist was clenched, and his blood boiling.

Nari places Issac's necklace around his neck. "Issac? Calm down, okay?..."

Issac's eyes eased up, as he took a breath, his focus suddenly to Nari. "Calm down? You don't know what... never mind. Too late now anyway." Issac blew up his bangs with a sigh. Kirb glanced to the dead body, as he walked up beside Nari. Issac also noticed it, cringing briefly. "....."

Nari hugs Issac, "It's okay, alright? Let's just go..." She says, looking back to Kirb.

Kirb nodded, "Yeah, he's covered in blood as it is."

"..." Issac noticed that as well, holding his head. He was shaken a bit.

Nari sighs, "(That dark dama is scary...I know Issac...For a brief time...I finally knew how normal felt...Hee hee...)" Nari says, trying to keep her DD down again.