When Lightning Strikes- The Search Part 3
Ponyville (Nathan’s realm)
Ever since his encounter with the one known as Nathan Phoenix, Lance at first… was not sure what to make of him at first glance. Other than the fact that their initial meeting involved him knocking out Exuberant and getting shot at with knock out darts, the Adept figured that this displaced would not trust either him or Exuberant right away. What surprised him though was when Nathan said that Exuberant should be destroyed. He knew that the android was not like any of the other mechanical beings or AI’s that he had encountered before, but in a way… Exuberant was different. Despite her metal body and what she was capable of, she felt more… human than any of the others he had encountered before.
The Adept was also taking into account of the fact that Nathan himself was still a bit upset over what the Prometheans did to his home. In a way, Lance understood why he would not trust her right away… and the fact that it may require some serious convincing before the robot could even consider Exuberant as a comrade. After all, if a few prometheans caused this kind of devastation, who knows what Exuberant could be capable of if she had to fight.
He had to set this aside in his mind though once all three of them got back up topside. Right now, their primary task was to get some of the town’s systems operational again along with the camera’s installed in the castle. That was step one and a very important step at that. Though, since Lance figured that Nathan himself was more familiar with the tech they were trying to use rather than he was, the Azure Striker had both him and Exuberant watch Nathan’s back as he scanned the area for anything that seemed to be in need of some necessary repairs. Which seemed rather difficult because a lot of what they may be looking for was possibly buried under rubble. When Lance and Exuberant found the two infobots from before, that was just by pure luck. This time… they may need more than just luck on their side if they were planning on finding anything that could properly function without blowing up in their face.
“I’m starting to think that Nathan doesn’t really like me that much,” Exuberant said, turning towards Lance with a blank expression.
“Well, he’s just upset.” The Adept sighed. “I mean, the Prometheans stole everything he wanted to protect and destroyed what he had built over several years. But once we get some of these things up again, he should hopefully be okay.”
“It doesn’t matter… No matter where I go, I’ll always be seen as one of them.” She replied. For her it only made her depressed as she continued to scan the area for more of Nathan’s tech. “Lance, do you care about me? Even if I’m a Promethean?”
“I do. Even if you are one, it doesn’t change what I think of you or how grateful I am of you helping me so far.” Lance told her, trying to encourage her a little.
“And if something bad were to happen to me or if I do turn out to be like them, would you stop me?” She asked. “Well would you?!”
“I would try whatever I can do to save you first.” He told her sternly. “Hurting you would not be something I want to do. You helped me get this far… and hurting you or anyone that’s innocent goes against who I am as a person.” The Adept though, was confused as to why she would be asking these kinds of questions. Was there a reason for doing so? Was Exuberant concerned about something happening to either him or her? Many questions were going through his head and none of them had any answers yet.
“Lance, after all the time I’ve spent with you, I know that is not true,” She said, turning back towards the Adept with that blank expression. “You are always focused at the task at hand and you are always determined to do what is right. I wouldn’t doubt that you would stop me and honestly I wouldn’t even mind. Maybe dying isn’t so bad, it’s better than being placed as one of them!”
“Exuberant, I’m being serious,” He told her. “After… well, after going to the carnival with you… Well, because of you, I’m changing as a person. Focusing on the task at hand is important, but it’s also important to make sure that the people helping you are also safe too, Besides… you remind me of Max. If I fail you, I feel like I failed her.”
“Let’s just… find Nathan, I’m sure he’s got those cameras back online,” She said, passing the Azure Striker, hiding a single tear as she pressed on. Lance couldn’t figure it out, it was as if Exuberant was changing. Something wasn’t right.
‘Confused as to what is happening young Displaced?’
“Oh god, not again…” Lance groaned. He knew that voice… and he was sick of hearing the creepy one speaking to him all over again. “Could you please just get out of my head already? I’d rather not deal with your BS right now… I’m not killing Suicune and I’m not listening to you.”
‘Have it your way, but don’t blame me for what happens next. This machine needs you more than ever and you’ll be the one responsible for it’s future.’ With that said, the voice dissipated as it’s laughter echoed throughout the air, leaving the Adept alone with his thoughts. He was really getting irritated with this guy always happening to show up and mess with him somehow and irritate him. Still though, he thought it would be best to stay with Exuberant more and make sure that she was okay, so he decided to stay nearby her and help. After all, they were partners and partners looked out for one another.
The two had arrived at the castle to see Nathan repairing some of the cameras. “So are the cameras fine or do I need to make repairs?”
“They were fine, the sooner we get you back to Suicune the better.” Exuberant stated, taking a seat at an old chair.
“What’s up with your friend?”
“I… don’t know, but I’m going to go find out. Just let us know when your done.” Lance told him before walking over towards Exuberant. He decided to sit nearby on a corner where there was a countertop for what appeared to be a kitchen from the looks of things. Looking at Exuberant though, he tilted his head and paced himself before asking Exuberant something. “Hey, are you alright?”
“I’m fine… just a little upset is all,” she replied, staring at the sky. “Lance, can you tell me more about your family?” That… left Lance a bit puzzled originally. He wasn’t sure if Exuberant was talking about his family with Max or his family before being Displaced. He wanted to ask for clarification, but was a little worried about how to say it since he did not want to make her even more upset.
“Do you mean my family before I was… well Displaced?” He asked, just to keep it simple and not over complicate things for either of them.
“Yeah… I just want to know.” She replied, drawing out a deep sigh from him for a moment before the Adept looked back at her.
“My family is… well, hard to explain. Life before I ended up as a displaced really wasn’t exactly how some people would want it…” He started off, looking back at her for a moment before speaking once more. “For one thing, I did not have a mother to raise me like most people would.”
“Go on… It can’t be as bad as my life was,” Exuberant insisted. Though, she was soon about to eat her words.
“My mother died giving birth to me… It was only my dad, my aunt and my cousin raising me in my early years… But my dad was deeply depressed from losing my mom and… over the years, it was getting worse.” The Adept sighed, recalling everything for a moment and trying to combat the feeling to give into emotion. “Ultimately… he committed suicide just as I walked in the door… I was only seven years old at the time, but the memory of that still haunts me some nights while I sleep. If it weren’t for my friend Cody, I would’ve ended up just like them. In a grave because I felt that I had nothing to live for.” It was hard for Lance to tell her this, but it felt good that he had someone he could talk to about it. It was then that some memories of the old days came back to him.
Before he was displaced, there were five other people that were very good friends of his. They had all in a social communications class in middle school and all of them attended the same high school after 8th grade. Cody was the first friend and one that he knew from his childhood. Noah, or who would later become Nova, was one of the first kids he met back in that same class. After that was Romeo, someone who would freak out and over exaggerate on anything that he saw as unsanitary (including a children’s petting zoo), Aster; a shy and quiet one who really reminded him of Fluttershy and lastly, Sonya. One of the brighter students of the five of them and who everyone asks for help with when they needed help with grammar on essays.
Now, Cody and Noah ended up under the same circumstances as him… but it made him wonder about what happened to the other three. But his chain of thought was interrupted when he heard Exuberant talk to him.
“I’m sorry to hear about your mom and dad… it must have been hard for you. Well at least you had your parents, even if it was for short moment. All I had was… my twin brother.” She said as her hand tightened into a fist.
“He was really important to you now… wasn’t he?” He asked her out of curiosity. “I never had siblings, so I don’t know what a bond between siblings is like… but… S-sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt. Do continue.” The second part of the statement he insisted after he realized his mistake, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
“Well I sorta did the same so it’s not a problem,” She said sheepishly. “Anyway we were only a few months old and our parents abandoned us at an orphanage… all we had was each other and as we grew up we would grow apart. One day… he disappeared without a trace and I was on my own. The only thing I had left of him was his old Halo games. I guess those were what kept me going and that was all I would do… play Halo online. By the time I was sixteen I met someone who worked at Bungie and offered me a job there in the mail room. True most would think that working in a mail room would suck, but sometimes great people have to start somewhere.”
“I figured I could rise to be one of the greatest game designers… so I accepted it and the following day I was about to start my first day there at least I was, until received an email on my computer… Next thing I know I’m trapped in a floating head in a world with others like me. That’s when I discovered that my brother was there, trapped in a prison with others. I learned of the many crimes he’s committed and I’ve mostly kept it to myself until I joined Lord Suicune’s medical team in the second war… It’s not fair… why would someone just… take us away and trap us in place we don’t belong? Why?” Exuberant said before she began sobbing. Lance could not believe it when he heard it, but he could not ignore what he just heard.
“I don’t know… I ask myself that sometimes… and I still can’t find an answer…” The Adept told her. “I’m sorry to hear about that, Exuberant… To hear that someone you care for… someone that you have been separated from and cared for… would do something like that… It’s just heartbreaking.” He wanted to ask who was Exuberant’s brother, but the Azure Striker refrained himself from doing so. The subject did not seem like one that Exuberant wanted to talk about, so he decided to not ask about it and just try to show that he was there for her.
“It’s alright… once we bring Nathan back… I’m going to shut down.” She said. “I thought I could handle it after creating this body, but I’m not… I’m just too weak and you know I’m right Lance… I-I need to be alone!”
“Exuberant, Wait!” Before he could catch her she teleported away. As he tried to give chase, Nathan placed a hand over his shoulder.
“I think it would be wise for you to leave her alone for awhile.” He heard him say. Even though he was right in a sense, Lance felt as if Nathan was a reason for the way she was acting. After all, it was him who compared her to the prometheans that triggered this in the first place. “If anything it was my fault, I shouldn’t have been so harsh.”
The Adept sighed and looked back at the robot as he began to speak again. “I understand that… yet it feels as if there’s something I’m not doing in order to help her. Like a missing piece or something,” Lance then cleared his head for a moment as he looked back at Nathan. “Nevermind about that, that should be something for later. Did you make any progress on restoring those systems of yours?”
“Everything should be good. Once we get my family, we can get out of this hell hole,” Nathan said, heading back inside the castle. The Azure Striker was going to follow him, but turned around to see if Exuberant was going to join them in a minute or two. But upon turning around, he could not be able to see her. He knew that she couldn’t have gone off too far… or cry while cloaking herself like Claptrap in Borderlands 2 when he wasn’t able to face his mortal enemy…… stairs.
Turning back to Nathan though, he then asked a different question. One that was based on a subject that the robot himself happened to bring up. “What place did you have in mind for your family?”
“Well, since Suicune needs my help like you told me, I figured that they should remain in Canterlot with the Princesses. Only until we take care of the Elders first.” He explained, while loading up his arm cannon. “Well I have a way for us to get into mines, but we’ll have to be quick about it.” That caught Lance by surprise though as he looked back at Nathan for a minute and raised an eyebrow.
“You’re not going to wait on Exuberant? I get that time is of the essence, but I originally thought you told us to stay together.” He questioned, looking back at the robot as he processed what Lance just told him. “Besides, she has the teleporter that got us here and can get us to Suicune. Without her, we don’t have an escape route.”
“I know, that’s why I need her to teleport us there. If she gets captured than you’ll be trapped here like the others. We can’t take that risk.” He explained to him. That did make a lot of sense. Exuberant was the only one with the means to transport them out of there and if she was captured, there would be no way back. Even though he could transmit himself, it would require too much energy and unlike Exuberant, he could not be able to teleport to another world entirely. Which is why, whenever he did use it, it was only for short range or long range because the longer in distance the destination was, the more energy and stamina he would use up. “You better tell her the plan now, she’ll be back at any moment.” That he was going to do… once he saw her of course. But a few moments passed with no sign of her and Lance was getting worried.
Just as he was about to go out to look for her, he happened to notice the android walking back to join them. But, it was then that he noticed something else that stood out too… or more likely… someone. “You have got to be kidding me…” He sighed mentally, seeing the familiar and ugly mug of another person he and Exuberant had seen before… and was now beginning to regret letting him off the hook the first time around.
“THE BEAST KING HAS RETURNED!!” Before long, he leaped off the roof of an old house and landed in front of Exuberant with a disgusting grin. “Well if it isn’t the little baseball Exuberant… I have to say that I’m impressed that you’ve made yourself a rather attractive body. Now I suggest that you come with me quietly and no one will get hurt.” However, he didn’t seem to pay attention to the fact that Lance and Nathan were directly behind him. Especially when the Adept’s initial reaction was going to be kicking the Beast King into a set of trees like he did before. But before he could do that, what happened next was unexpected.
“NOT IN A MILLION YEARS JERK!!!” Exuberant shouted as she blasted the Beast King in the chest with her plasma cannon, sending him straight into an old house.
“You’ll regret that you b*tch!” He growled as he climbed out of the rubble, dusting himself off as he pulled out what looked like a communicator. “She’s not cooperating, send in unit one-” Now was when Lance decided to act as he shot the communicator, breaking it before the Beast King could say anything else.
“Not happening… Exuberant, were going!” Lance called out, hoping that she heard him and would immediately get moving. Just as he set off a surge of electricity in the Beast King’s face to temporarily blind him so he couldn’t see.
Exuberant just stood there with a scowl as she looked back at Lance, before long Promethean Knights appeared on the roofs of the town. The Adept didn’t hesitate at the sight of this though as he had a plan in mind for what he was going to do next. Once Exuberant was close to him and Nathan, Lance charged up his septima and had all three of the skill cards he had in reserve at the ready as the crackling of electricity in the air was all around them.
“Lance, get out of my way now!” Exuberant demanded, as she loaded her Plasma cannon and shooting a Promethean in the leg. That immediately had Lance cut off what he was going to do and listened to Exuberant’s commands. He was originally going to use his Voltaic Chains attack to serve as a diversion for them to escape while also taking out some of their forces in the process, but assumed that the android had a plan up her non-existent sleeves and listened as she fired off another plasma cannon shot.
Before she could fire a third shot though, that was when Lance grabbed her shoulder and pulled her out of the way of an incoming blast from a promethean sniper taking aim at her. “Exuberant, get to Nathan. He’s got a plan, but needs your help. I’ll buy us some time!”
“Let go Lance, I have a score to settle with them!” she said shoving the Adept’s arm away as she continued to fire at the Prometheans.
“Yet we need to get out of here and we can’t do that without you! I promise that you can settle the score with them, but please just listen to me!” Lance told her, his electricity resurging. “Go… NOW!!”
The second that his electricity and the chains from the lightning flared to life, it provided the perfect distraction for Lance, Exuberant and Nathan to escape. Along with getting rid of almost all the prometheans in the area, which was an added bonus as well. The bright light from the electricity made it difficult for any of their pursuers to see them, so it was the perfect opportunity to slip away with all the current chaos going on around them. Nathan opened a secret hatch near a building and they slipped in, unnoticed.
But before the Adept could say anything, Exuberant slapped him across the face as the color of her eyes were bright orange. He could tell that she was pissed at him. “I HAD THEM, YOU JERK!!!”
For a moment, he just stood there, not moving at all as he let the pain of that set in. He knew that she was mad at him, but with the current situation, the more time they spent fighting meant less time for helping Nathan. Who, in which, was nearby when Exuberant roared at him just now. “Listen you two, nows not the time to be arguing right-”
Before he could finish Exuberant grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder to the ground. “I don’t want to hear a word from you. This is between Lance and me!”
That was when the Adept turned back around, part of his face still red from the smack across his face as he looked back at Exuberant. He was still processing something… but there was one thing that came to his mind once he thought it over. The Beast King wanted her, not him. If he were after him, then he would not care about Exuberant or not even pay attention to her. However, the circumstances were different. This attack meant that they weren’t going after Nathan and him, but her instead… and that seemed troubling.
So he needed to ask someone else first before speaking aloud. “Lord Suicune… Are you there?” He waited a small bit first, before finally getting an answer from the displaced he was trying to contact.
“Yes Lance Walker what is it? It hasn’t been that long since you left.” He heard the Displaced respond as the Adept mentally sighed for a moment.
“Well, a lot of things have happened here. I’ll fill you in on those details later, but something happened just now that doesn’t seem… right.” He told him as took a deep breath and stretched out one of his shoulders. “Just as we were about to leave, we were attacked by the Beast King… yes, him again and a group of Prometheans. However, they only seemed to be interested in Exuberant. I think someone wants to capture her.” He explained everything in detail to him while also taking a moment to let the other two know that he was contacting Lord Suicune for the moment. Once he was done though, the Adept had one last question. “Why do you think they want to go for Exuberant instead of Nathan?”
“I’m not sure, but what happened? Why do you have a hand mark across your face?” He asked, which surprised Lance because he did not mention her slapping him at this point right now. So how could he see him?
“Exuberant slapped me and got angry. She was telling me that ‘she had them’ and called me a jerk, but I think that’s because they want her to be overconfident. Make it more likely for her to make a mistake somehow.” He sighed, stretching his neck for a moment. “Do you think that’s possible or is it too early to tell at this stage?”
“I don’t know, but I suggest you take care of Exuberant at this moment… From what I can tell is that there’s a lot more to it than that. If I had to guess, she’s more angry at you then the Prometheans if she slapped you.” Suicune replied, causing Lance to sigh a bit as he thanked him mentally before turning his attention back to Exuberant. The talk in his head may have lasted only a few seconds, but he still needed to say something.
“Exuberant…” He sighed, trying to think of the words in his head.
“Tell me Lance, did you even considered how I felt even once? Or remember the promise you made yesterday?” She asked.
“I did and that was why I wasn’t going to leave you behind… Even if Nathan said that as an option, I was not going to abandon you. Not even with the odds stacked against us…” Lance told her in response. But what he said wasn’t setting in with what Exuberant was telling the Adept.
“Don’t you dare lie to me Lance, I heard you talking with Nathan about his plan to go to Canterlot by yourself… leaving me behind.”
“Just because I was talking to him about it doesn’t mean I was for it… Exuberant, please just calm down and listen-.” He ushered, only for the android to snap at him once again.
“Just shut up! If you want to storm the gates of Canterlot with Nathan… Fine, I’ll just get out of your way.” She said, turning her back towards the Adept and walking down the tunnel, ignoring anything he says as she pulled out her plasma cannon. “When you finish getting Nathan’s family and getting back to Suicune… I’m done. I thought you were the one… but I was wrong.” Lance was trying to process what to say or do next, but instead, the third person that was with him soon spoke up.
“Exuberant, Lord Suicune wouldn’t want you to do this.” Nathan tried to reason with her, but she ignored him and continued on her path, disappearing in the darkness of the tunnel. This was bad… really bad. Everything he was trying to do and what Lord Suicune told him to do was falling apart… just like with his father years ago. And now… he was asking the same question that he would ask at his father’s grave before coming here.
“What… what did I do wrong?” He asked, just closing his eyes for a moment as the question was repeated inside his head.
“Listen, Lance. This is all my fault… I’m the one who treated her like them. I was just so angry that I alienated her. Look, go after her and fix this. I’ll go on ahead.” Nathan said, before patting Lance on his shoulder. “Tell her I’m sorry and I hope you’ll fix things with your girl.”
“I… I can’t.” He said, having his hands grip tightly into fists. “She’s not mine… But Lord Suicune told me to take care of her… I did not start this mess.” It was in that moment that he grabbed his weapon out of his holster as he looked back at Nathan. “She wouldn’t believe me… but if you told her yourself… that she would believe. Actions do speak louder than words.”
As Lance started heading down the tunnel, Nathan could only whisper to himself. “But I’m not the one she cares about.”
Both of them continued down the same hallway for a little while longer, checking all around them to make sure that they would not get ambushed at any particular point. Farther in though was when both of them reached something that made things even more difficult for them. The path that they were on split into two separate pathways. Not to mention that there were some fresh puddle of what looked to be a bit of promethean blood stained across a sign. Using his hand, Lance wiped it away to see the two words that were on the sign.
Canterlot Caverns.
“Well, we made it at least…” Lance sighed, only to look at both pathways for a moment before looking back at Nathan. “But the path splits… One way would lead to Exuberant… while the other would possibly lead to your family… which path do you want to take?” It was a valid question since the likelihood of running into who or what they were looking for was a 50-50 chance. But with it, there was also risks too. Not to mention that there could be prometheans lurking in the tunnel system.
“I think we should go left… either way we’ll find my family.” He explained as the two took the left path and continued to follow it. After what felt like an eternity, they had arrived at their destination, only to see the horrors of what was inside the mines. Everywhere there were Prometheans surrounding thousands of prisoners and some of them were Displaced.
“Do you recognize any of them?” Lance then asked, trying to use one of his gadgets to get a better look at everything from their current position. He was asking because he felt as if some of the Displaced that were down there were some people that Nathan happened to know, besides his family. If he did know them, then there were a few possibilities that formed in the adept's mind. Of course though, the important factor was if he happened to know them.
“I do, those four down there with the mine carts, that’s my family.” He said, pointing at them in the distance. Lance was about to move until he saw Exuberant being held by two Promethean Knights as a large Promethean approached her with a large sword.
“Exuberant Witness… Our meeting is long overdue. I’m am the Warden Eternal… Keeper of the Domain and the Displaced secrets.” He said.
“I already who you are.” She stated defiantly. This was a bad situation… Her storming off lead to her getting caught by the enemy and now, the android was in a very tough position right at this present moment.
“This is bad… Exuberant’s being held captive by the Warden Eternal,” Lance whispered, pointing it out to Nathan so he could see. “What should we do? We can’t get out of here unless she can teleport everyone.”
“We can’t do anything for her now, if we do this we’ll lose the only chance we have at saving my family. Even if we can’t get back the same way we came, we can stop them here, but I’m not letting you get yourself killed. They’ll kill you before you can even-” But before he could finish the sounds of cheering coming from the Prometheans interrupted him. Warden Eternal grabbed Exuberant by her head and hoisted her into the air.
“You had a choice to join us… But now you’ll submit to my power,” He said, before crushing Exuberants head brutally. It was too late as the remainder of power was snuffed out. “Take whatever remains of her body to Cobalion, he has plans for her… destroying her vessel doesn’t mean she’s gone.” That last part caught Lance’s attention as he felt anger boiling in him and also the feeling for him to do something. But when he heard the Warden’s words, it puzzled him. Where would Exuberant be?
“Head to your family…” Lance told Nathan, preparing his weapon for combat. “I’m intercepting them before they reach that cold bastard.”
“Ain’t going to happen, if what Warden says is true then there’s still a chance to save her and you’re going to need help.” Nathan said, folding his arms.
“I know. But how the hell are we going to do that?” The Adept questioned, glaring back at him as he asked that to him. “Lord Suicune told me to take care of her and make sure nothing happens… and after I saw Cobalion murder all of the displaced that we’ve tried to help before in cold blood, I’m sure as hell not going to let him do anything to her… Do you have a plan or something for this?”
“Not really, we need to follow them, but we can’t let them see us. If only I had my cloaker than we’d get through with no issues.” Lance groaned at that, but soon happened to notice something that stood out to him. Electrical wires… and loose ones at that. He had a hunch for something he could do with his lightning based abilities, but he had never tried anything like that before.
“You might want to step back for this.” Nathan simply did as told while he watched the Adept’s hands surge with electricity. After a few minutes, the Adept disappeared from sight and the only thing that the robot could see was a small electrical spark resonating from the wires as it went along all the way further into the mine.
The two Prometheans could only groan as they began to scrap most of Exuberant’s body parts in a incinerator. “Why can’t we just take the body over to Cobalion’s… he can fish for whatever it is he’s looking for?”
“Because everything about this b*tch is useless… all except for this.” He said pulling out a microchip from the body. “This is all he needs for Project Beetle and besides it’s not like she can do anything at this moment hehehe!”
“Fine just get it to him so I can get back to watching the slaves!” The Promethean Knight said as he watched his comrade teleport away with the chip, leaving him alone… with a electrical wire that was loose dangling behind the soldier. It was caught by surprise the moment that it felt a blade pierce through it’s chest as the assailant that emerged from the electrical wire behind him. Using some more of his energy, he also got the one missing piece that was left out of the conversation he was listening in on.
Cobalion’s location.
‘Don’t worry Exuberant… I’ll put you back together soon.’ Lance promised, disappearing again. ‘I just need the most important piece.’
Promethean Lab
Cobalion simply watched as Yellow Radio worked his magic on the ultimate weapon for his cause. He could only watch as Project Beetle was nearing completion. “That should about do it, Commander… all I need now is Exuberant’s microchip and you’ll have the very first super soldier in the living flesh. Quite literally in this case.”
“Well done Yellow, but did you add the control chip to our little project?” The Pokemon asked, raising a brow as the Jester laughed sarcastically.
“Of course I did. You didn’t honestly think I would allow Exuberant to escape with the only means of locating Suicune, did you?” The jester mocked as he continued to work hard on his special project. However, there was one particular question that might’ve distracted him for only a moment.
“And what of the boy? The displaced that’s with her and also responsible for meddling with all your previous research? Did the Warden say anything about dealing with him?” Cobalion asked, his tone as sharp as the edge of a knife as he spoke.
“I have a feeling he’ll come here to rescue his damsel in distress, but he’ll only find his ultimate destruction. What better way than to test her powerful might against one of the Displaced’s most wanted.” Radio explained as he cackled to the Pokemon.
“Very well… I’ll allow this, but if this plan of yours fails, you’ll have to answer to more than Lord Ozai and Lady Elysium,” Cobalion warned as he soon walked through the twin sets of doors that soon opened for them. Leaving Yellow Radio to his work. But as the pokemon walked down the hall, he noticed that the same promethean that gave him the chip earlier had not returned to his post… and seemed to be having trouble with something.
“Forgive me for being late… Commander! We needed to dispose most of the useless parts of that body Exuberant made, but we recovered the microchip just like you asked.” He explained. Cobalion could only smirk as he levitated the chip into his hoof. Yet, for the promethean a few seconds later, he seemed to be having trouble with something.
“Hey… Hey, Exo… Dammit.” The promethean cursed, catching Cobalion’s attention. “Apologies, commander, but my partner’s communications device has gone offline. I can’t seem to reach him to direct further orders.”
“Hmm… see to it that he has it repaired, I shall extract Exuberant’s life force from the chip and mold it into my own image. Just incase Yellow Radio’s control chip fails.” Cobalion explained as he returned to the lab. Unknowingly though, that last comment did not go unheard as some of the lights in the hall above him began to flicker for a small bit before going back to normal. “And see to it that Warden doubles security… I want to be sure that no one gets any idea’s of disturbing our little project.”
“Of course Commander,” The Promethean told him as he went off to go deliver the message to Warden immediately. Leaving the Pokemon to proceed to the laboratory with the chip that was salvaged.
“Back so soon Cobalion? I take it that they delivered the chip?” The Jester asked with a chuckle.
“Yes… But I’ll be taking over for now with inserting Exuberant into the body. I want you to summon Beast King here immediately… Tell him that his new bride is about to awaken.” At that though, the two of them heard several of the lights above their head began to burst. Shattering the ceiling above them and causing them both to turn their backs for just a quick moment.
All before Yellow Radio felt a simple tap on the shoulder… and turned around to get a shock filled punch to the face. “Special delivery!!” It was Lance’s cue to emerge… and he was downright pissed. “Sorry for crashing your little party, but Exuberant is not yours to keep.”
“Get him out of here!!! I’m not done transferring her soul into the vessel!”
“With Pleasure~ Let’s take this outside!” Yellow Radio said, tackling the Adept, before warping out of the room and into a secluded area with empty minecarts.
“So the reject Kefka wannabe actually wants to get his hands dirty now, does he?” Lance mocked, holding his weapon at the ready. “Sorry, but I’m not in the mood for carnival games.”
“Oh, what a pity… I even invited an old friend~” Radio said, waving his baton in the air that began to glow, summoning a familiar large feline.
“Well if it isn’t the little runt! I’ve been waiting for the chance to shred your disgusting face!” Beast King said, towering the Adept in new armor. All that did was just make the Adept growl a little as some electricity formed around him.
“You two are beyond stupid…” Lance taunted, his electricity crackling around him like the sound of a whipcrack every few seconds. “Because you pissed off the wrong adept… There’s a corner in hell for thieves like you.”
“Hehehe… We’ve learned from our mistakes from our last encounter with you. This time your on your own. Lord Suicune won’t save you this time or that ***** you’ve been with.” Yellow taunted as he glared back at him.
“Don’t forget Yellow that she’s going to be my wife once Cobalion awakens her.” Beast King pointed out, irritating Yellow Radio with the numerous amount of times that he had been bragging about it over the last few weeks. Yellow had honestly heard enough about what the Beast King wanted to do once he had his bride and he was getting sick of it.
Unknown to the both of them though, their comments and rude remarks were just fuel to the fire that was Lance’s rage. “Oh, did we struck a nerve Adept?” The question was answered with a punch to Yellow Radio’s face that threw him back against a wall… but once the jester got up… The words the Adept said… caused for him to see a silhouette emerge around the Azure Striker.
One of a fallen warrior who gave his life long ago. “You BASTARDS!”
“Hehehe… What’s Lance? Upset that you aren’t getting married to that android?! She’s mine now!” Beast King shouted as he uppercutted Lance into a wall. Only for the Adept to remain unfazed as he tilted his head.
“I felt that… a little.” He smirked, before disappearing in the blink of an eye to kick Beast King below the belt as he smashed into a wall. The armor receiving dents from the impact as well as a crack down the chestplate. Before the Beast King could get back up though, the Adept went at him again, delivering another strike that delivered an even deeper crack into the armor. Enough for him to place his hand through and let off a powerful discharge of electricity that would fry the Beast King’s brain because of the armor all around him and the metal serving as an energy conductor for the inevitable.
“Was… that supposed to hurt. I don’t work like that no more!” The Beast King Grabbed Lance by the throat, strangling the Adept. “Yellow Radio made this armor for you specifically. Now this time I’ll make sure you’re dead-”
But before he could finish a large metal fist struck the Beast King across the face, sending him crashing into the wall. “You know… I told you to wait for me! Just be glad I was able to free some of the prisoners, including my family.”
“Well… if you’d show up a few minutes earlier, you would’ve heard that the real reason why they wanted to capture Exuberant is so that was the primal pervert over there has his own personal b*tch… Lord Suicune told me to take care of her and I am not letting you take her and get away with how you insulted Max!” Lance snapped.
“Urgh! Gross, you would have thought that they would have come up with a better idea than that!” Nathan commented, only for Yellow Radio to chuckle in the distance.
“Even though you are my enemies… I agree with you completely. I mean it’s my creation and the only reason why we allowed this was because -”
“You want a weapon to kill us all and capture Lord Suicune… I heard your plan already and… It’s to cliche.” The Azure Striker shrugged his arms, looking back at him. “If you could only be a little more original, they you would be less lame… Besides, I already trashed your stuff once already and I can easily do it again.”
“I’ll take care of Beast King… You take Yellow Radio.” Nathan told him, causing Lance to nod his head as he redirected his focus back at the jester.
“Yet, would you hurt… someone you care for so dearly?” Yellow asked, pulling out a small screen, revealing Lance and Exuberant sleeping next to each other. “That’s why we needed her my boy.” Lance was silent… but soon had his electricity crackle even more wildly as his eyes began to glow in response as he glared at Yellow Radio… and his energy began to taken form into something Yellow Radio… nor anyone for that matter… ever expected.
“YOU BASTARDS… ARE GOING TO PAY!!!” The lightning soon roared to life as his energy and power overtook him and a bright light consumed the whole cavern. When Yellow Radio opened his eyes again, what was once the Adept was now replaced by an Azure colored dragon with lightning crackling all around it as it lunged at the jester.
“FIRE CRACKER!!!” Yellow Radio shouted, waving his baton in the air, creating a cloud of fireworks, managing to teleport back to Cobalion where he was almost done with the transfer. Yet… it was only a few minutes later where the dragon he escaped soon followed him, crashing through and causing a large hole to open in the ship as the dragon’s claws raked through Yellow’s chest, wounding him.
Just as Lance was about to strike Cobalion, a small yet, powerful fist struck his face, sending him flying out of the room into the mining area where Nathan Phoenix and Beast King were exchanging blows. It was strange because the pain was only minimal in the form he was in, but with the remaining amount of time on it, he needed enough strength to get him back there. He had a score to settle… and a friend to rescue.
“Lance Walker allow me to introduce to you too Exuberant Witness… The Destructor!” Cobalion declared as a female figure stepped out with a small gun and a holographic gauntlet.
“You bastard! GIVE HER BACK!!!” Lance roared, using what was left of his energy to do something… different. He reverted back to his normal form, but had the remaining energy from his transformation serve as bonus strength for his Septima.
“Exuberant? I think it’s about time you take care of our unwanted guests,” Cobalion said with a smirk as his dark purple eyes shined a bit before turning away from him and towards the Adept.
“LANCE WALKER!!!” Exuberant roared as she fired from her hand gun. Causing the Adept to activate his Flashfield at the last second to protect himself, only for the Quarin to leap from the ledge to strike the ground, shattering the protective barrier. “I’m going to enjoy killing every single one of you rebels! Commander Cobalion will secure our future as the dominate rulers of the multiverse.”
“Exuberant, stop! This isn’t you!! You aren’t thinking straight!!” The Adept tried reasoning with her, only for her to continue attacking.
“I’ll admit you’re quick Lance. But this is only one of the new powers I’ve acquired. There’s a reason why I’m called, Project Beetle.” Soon, her form began to alter slightly as blue armor formed around her and two large insect wings sprouted from behind.
“Exuberant, we don’t have to do this!! Where’s the friend that I knew? The one that had fun back home at the carnival! Where was the one I cared for dammit!?!” Lance yelled, trying to do his best to not harm her and to get her to snap out of her current trance.
“Lies! You were never my friend! Friends don’t leave each other behind! My path is clear now and Cobalion is the future for the Displaced! If I can’t have you! THAN NO ONE CAN!!!” She yelled as her arm formed into a large plasma cannon, firing at the Adept ferociously.
“COBALION IS GODDAMN LYING TO YOU!!! HE JUST WANTS TO USE YOU AS A WEAPON!!! I CARE FOR YOU, DAMMIT!!! I DON’T WANT TO LOSE YOU AND I AM NOT GOING TO LET YOU BE TAKEN AWAY!!!” The Adept roared in response, putting his weapon away. “I WOULD NEVER ABANDON YOU!! YOU KNOW WHY!?!”
“AND WHY’S THAT!!! ALL YOU’VE DONE WAS TOLD ME LIES!!!”
“NO!!! I WOULD NEVER ABANDON YOU BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO BE PART OF MY FAMILY!!!” The Adept’s words were nothing more than truth. There was no lies tainting what he said. Ever since they met, the Adept felt as if he could relate to Exuberant somehow. He wanted to ask if she wanted to become part of the family, but was too nervous and personally embarrassed to ask. Fearing that she would lash out at him and reject him for even asking.
“I-I want to believe you… But there’s no Proof that you even remotely Care! Cobalion told me that you're my mission and I belong to only the Beast King.” The Quarin said, striking the Adept across the face, but it didn’t stop him from what he did next.
That was when the Adept moved forward and did something unexpected… He hugged her. “They don’t know who you are… I do… and I want to be with you… to the end of the line.”
“Prove it to me than!” She demanded, and from the sound of her voice, she was crying behind her helmet. The Adept then looked at her, looking as he said one thing.
“Let me see your face… and then I can show you.” The helmet was soon gone, revealing the face of a young girl with short black hair and sapphire eyes. As he looked back at her, the Adept moved up one of his arms to hold her closer to him… and proceeded to kiss her in response. It was only one kiss… but that one kiss was all but enough for the young girl that was in front of him.
“Lance! As much as I hate to ruin a… romantic moment, but I could use a little help with these these Prometheans!” Nathan said, struggling as Prometheans piled up on him.
“Hahaha! While they keep him busy I suggest you let my bride go. Now!” Beast King said, but from the looks of it, his face was all torn up and his arm was missing as well as an eye. Lance himself used a hand to blow off all the prometheans on Nathan’s back as they all violently crashed to the ground. Shortly before looking back at Nathan.
“How many lives did you take from this guy?” He then asked. “He was at six or seven last time I saw him…”
“Five and I’m going to take care of his last life right now… I suggest you guys get out of here and find my wife Sonata outside. I’ll meet you guys soon, but I think it’s time I take care of these mines now!”
“And how do you plan to do that?” Exuberant asked, but soon they watched as the robot began to grow in size, shattering the ceiling above them. That just left Lance realizing what he meant.
“Oh crap…” He said, feeling the ground shake as a few of the stone walls began to crumble. “We need to move! This whole place is going to collapse!!”
“Lance I’m sorry! This is my fault! I should have just stayed with you!” Exuberant said apologetically. “I’ll try to get us out of here with the Teleporter!”
“It’s okay,” He calmed her. “You’re here now and that’s what matters… Now let’s get out of here and join up with Nathan’s family. “
Meanwhile the Beast King could only gawk at the titanic robot towing over them as he heard Yellow Radio laugh maniacally, teleporting away before he could request his help.
“Damn you Radio! You can’t just leav-” Before he could finish a massive robotic hand wrapped around him, crushing his bones and organs.
“Keep your hands and feet in the vehicle at all time and… ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT B*TCH!!!” Nathan then threw the large feline out of the mines and into orbit, before firing off his cannon, causing an explosion in orbit. Killing the Beast King for good this time.
“Man… I’m glad he got what he deserved,” Lance said, breathing a sigh of relief. “He was a real jerk.”
“I know… I’m just glad he wasn’t my first. I don’t even want to think about it!” She stated, almost puking and Lance could only cringe in agreement. But soon the one named Sonata appeared before them as her sudden appearance almost caught them off guard.
“I want to thank you guys for looking after my husband Nate and thank you for helping him rescue us.” She said extending her arm out to the Adept and Quarin which they gladly shook separately.
Soon, Nathan began to shrink back down to his original size and was met with several hugs from his children. “I’m so happy to see you again!” Lance himself felt glad that not only was Nathan able to see her family again, but also glad to have Exuberant back. It was good for him to tell her how he felt… and even better for her to feel… alive once more. In his mind, this was mission accomplished.
Yet, someone else happened to ruin the moment. Someone that was waking up inside the Adept’s hair as she yawned a little. “S-so what did I-?” Before the breezie could process anything, she soon gasped and said the first thing that came to mind. “Holy sh*t!! Where are we!?!”
“Oooh, a butterfly!” One of Nathan’s Kids pointed out.
“I’m a breezie, not a butterfly!!” Lumen snapped. “Can someone please explain what happened!?” That lead to Lance facepalming himself before looking back at Nathan and Exuberant first before returning his focus back to his friend.
“Maybe we should get back to Lord Suicune first before having to explain something. It isn’t really safe here right now,” The Adept pointed out, tilting his head in the direction of the mines that had already collapsed a few moments ago. “Plus, I think Nathan and his family need a much deserved break. Would you guys agree?”
“Yes please! And thank you for helping me get my family back!” He said, holding his fist up for the Adept’s response. Lance soon smirked as he fist pumped Nathan’s extended fist and also did the same with Exuberant. But ended it a little differently. And by ending it, it meant doing the same thing BAYMAX would do with Hiro back home.
“Seriously?” Lumen asked as Exuberant chuckled a bit under her helmet.
“Yeah, remind me never to do it like that again.” She said sheepishly as everyone laughed along with her.
“Heh… just wait until you actually meet BAYMAX back home.” Lance smirked for a moment before laughing alongside them. “So, is there anything else we need to do here before we get going?”
“I-I don’t remember much… most of the data- Oh no…” Exuberant said as she began to hyperventilate.
“What’s wrong?” The Breezie asked.
“The location of Suicune’s allies… they’re missing!” That just raised a few red flags as Lance looked back at Nathan. Yellow Radio must’ve stolen the information from her main hard-drive when he was using her for the new body he was making.
“We got to hurry and get back. This is urgent… Do you at least remember the last coordinates you used?” Lance then asked, remembering that the last set of coordinates in particular was back to Suicune’s Canterlot.
“Yes… the files for Suicune’s location are still there, but I don’t want to take the risk of them finding a way to travel to our world. I need time to clean out my memories and find a way to remove that stupid control chip installed in the back of my neck.”
“Well, why don’t we get back to Ponyville first?” Lance then suggested, looking at the robot before turning to Exuberant. “Nathan got the systems back up, so we should be safe in the meantime. I can also help with the chip too.”
“Thank you Lance.” He heard her say, along with Nathan nodding his head in agreement with the Adept’s suggestion. It took them a few moments in order to return back to Ponyville, but once there, everyone got to work on trying to undo the damage that happened to the town because of the Prometheans. While this was going on though, Lance and Exuberant were in a separate room from everyone else, so the Adept could help her with the chip.
“Alright. Now let’s begin…” The Adept said while examining the back of her neck. After seeing the chip, he soon realized one thing that would be a bit of a problem. Given that Exuberant was no longer an android and her new form this time was more human, using his powers could also hurt her. And after all the pain that she had been through already, the last thing Lance would want to do was hurt her again. “Is there any recommendations that you want to make regarding how I should proceed? I don’t want to do something that would unintentionally hurt you.”
“I’m fine with anything… just be gentle please?” She asked, blushing.
“Okay, sure.” He said, softly placing one of his hands on her left shoulder while laying the other one on the back on her neck. As he was analyzing it and thinking it over though, two options came into his head. Option one was to take out the chip and crush it, so they don’t have to worry about the enemy using it again. Option two though was to take it out and for him to use the chip to trace the enemy's whereabouts. However, after some much needed thought, option two sounded way too hard to pull off. Especially in their current state right now.
Carefully, he grabbed hold of the chip and grabbed hold of it between his thumb and index finger. “I’m about to take it out right now… Just tell me if you feel any pain, okay?”
“Okay,” She responded, shutting her eyes as he slowly pulled out the chip. All she could do was bite down on her lips as he pulled it out. Once the chip was removed though, the Adept used one of his abilities with his Septima to heal the area where she might’ve felt any pain and she felt relieved that it was out of her.
“There we go… One possessive chip removed. You doing okay?” The Adept asked, just to be sure that Exuberant was doing better now that someone… or something was gripping at her mind and controlling her.
“I’m fine… it just stings at the back of my neck.” She said, rubbing it. Even though her neck was in a bit of pain, it was still better than being a puppet. “I’m just glad that it’s out… I don’t even want to think of what that perverted cat wanted to do!”
“Well, he’s gone now… for good this time,” The Adept replied back before taking a seat nearby her on the floor and then thinking of a question to ask her. “Are you adjusting to your new body?”
“I’m doing well… But this suit is still a bit… tight~” She said, winking at the Adept. That almost got Lance to blush a little, almost distracting him for a bit as he looked back at her after thinking it over in his head.
“Do you need help… well… taking it off?” He asked, scratching the back of his head because of how nervous he was. He wanted to help Exuberant however he can, but he was unsure how his question would come across to her. “That way you don’t feel so uncomfortable?”
“We can take care of that when get back to Canterlot.” She whispered in his ear, before exiting the room, swaying her hips. Even with her new body, her personality did not change one bit at all… and Lance was actually really thankful for that. Mostly it was for the fact that she did not kill him, but it was also because he did not want to lose a friend. Someone who was important to him.
But now, they had to get back to Canterlot. That was the primary task to complete before getting any much needed rest and relaxation.
‘Lance Walker? Can you hear me?’ The sounds of Suicune’s voice echoed throughout the room. Something that caught the Adept by surprise originally since it was mostly him that would be asking that question to Lord Suicune instead of the other way around.
“Loud and clear, we just got Nathan and his family and also pushed the Prometheans out of his world. We’ll try to get back to you asap.” The Adept informed him, shortly before asking a question. “Why? Is something going on back in Canterlot?”
‘Not necessarily… Celestia and I have been talking and we felt it was time for you and the team to relax. Once you get back, have Exuberant meet me in the throne room so I can insert the coordinates to a new… location.’
“Okay, but heads up… Exuberant is a lot different than you last saw her. Beast King and Cobalion tried to pull a stunt of kidnapping her and inserting her into a new body so she could be a weapon for them, but it backfired. Not to mention that the Beast King is dead and Exuberant’s body is more… let’s just say…” It took Lance a few more moments in order to think over the proper term, but soon, he got it. “Human… granted, she still has a lot of her other capabilities, but her body isn’t out of metal anymore.”
‘Very well… I shall have Celestia insert the coordinates instead. After all it would be wrong for me to do that now that she’s… human!’ But judging from the tone of his voice he sounded almost afraid, there was a little more to it than that and the Adept couldn’t help but smirk.
“The only change is her appearance, not what she can do… You familiar with the DC comics character, Blue Beetle? Think that, but a female version of it… and she has an Omni-tool from the Mass Effect series.” Lance explained in layman's terms, only for him to remember something. “Can I ask you one other question though? I’ve been hearing this… other voice in my head and I wanted to hear your thoughts on it.”
‘Do you know who it is?’ Suicune asked the Adept, figuring some more information would be able to help him identify this other voice.
“Well, first off, he referred to himself as a Deity. Someone who existed before the universe was formed. He also tried to tempt me with an offer… one that I refused.” Lance explained to him as he was about to reach the most important part of the subject at hand. “His offer was to take a dagger he gave me, kill you with it and take your powers for myself. He tried going as far as to say that if I do it, I would be able to protect my family. But I refused because I made a promise to help you and I will not go back on it.”
‘This voice? Did he have a name, because I have never heard of a being that has existed before me within the Displaced.’ Suicune asked, before recalling what Lance had said. ‘This dagger he gave you… what did it look like?’ The Adept soon began to recall those important pieces of information as he thought it through in his head.
“He said he went by many names, but honestly, with how creepy, old and dark he was and how his tone was as sharp as a sword. Yet, he kept on insisting that I would see him as ‘a friend’. The dagger itself though… it was relatively short and almost something you would find a necromancer carry if he was wanting to steal your soul. Even had creepy engravings to match.” The Adept told him as accurately as possible as he got up off of the floor. “Does that ring any bells?”
‘At the moment I can’t recall that I have heard of this being? I suggest you remain cautious… you never know when he’ll try to manipulate you again?’ Suicune soon ended the conversation, leaving Lance alone with his thoughts… yet he wasn’t alone
‘Now that was an interesting conversation Gunvolt! But you can’t trust him… he’s not what he’s all cracked up to be?’ The being from before appeared out of the shadows slowly approaching the Azure Striker. ‘I wouldn’t try anything… I isolated this room from the outside world and I neutralized your powers.’
“And just what does the guy that reminds me more of a Count Olaf impersonator want with me now?” Lance asked, remembering when he enjoyed reading ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ by Lemony Snicket while he was still in middle school. “If you’re trying to tempt me with killing him, then the answer is still no.”
‘I know I can’t make you kill him… Your heart is pure to it’s core, but what I have to say may change your opinion about him.’ The Adept was more intrigued by this guy’s attempts to change his mind rather than concerned. ‘What do you know about the Elder Siblings?’
“Enough for me to not agree with them. They play with people’s lives and freedom’s like there toys. And when they break, they just throw them away.” Lance told him.
‘That is where you are wrong! The Elder Siblings were created by me… I simply gave one the idea with my powers to form a group that would watch over the Displaced that were casted into their realm, but the one named Amaterasu… Attempted to destroy the society that they’ve spent years building. So I manipulated Warden Eternal to kill her before she could destroy the world that they have built. But Yasha, Suicune, Elysium, Ozai, and Gardevoir… were already manipulated by the Canine that they started the first war. Suicune is a puppet to her evil and just like her, he’s manipulating you.’ He soon ended the tale as he awaited for the Adept to respond.
Yet… all the Azure Striker did was shake his head in response. “Do you honestly think you can fool around with my head that easily? Amaterasu is the representation of the sun… and of light. You are the shadow that’s trying to combat light… hope… and the possibility to let Displaced choose their own destiny rather than having it be chose for them. That’s why I stick with Suicune…”
‘Yet you fail to realize that I was the one who gave her the idea in the first place. She betrayed the plan to destroy it! Explain that Gunvolt?’ All Lance did was smirk as he looked back at the figure.
“Oh I understand… I just don’t give a damn.” He shot back. “Mark my words, this whole thing that you started will come back to bite you. And when it does, I’ll be the one who would be saying I told you so.”
‘We shall see… Once Yasha, Elysium and Ozai are defeated… Cobalion will bring a new about the golden age for all Displaced. Besides Suicune plans to make you his successor… and I won’t be there to tell you that I was right and you’ll spend eternity watching as your friends wither away. Even the ones named Maxine and Exuberant will disappear… after all it is the gift of the Elder’s. Everyone you care about will be gone in time, regardless of their eternal life. So I shall take my leave now. But remember, immortality can be a curse.’ He said, before disappearing back into the corner. Before Lance could say anything, he heard Exuberant’s voice coming from the other side of the door.
“Lance, are you okay in there?” The Adept himself took a moment to readjust his surroundings first before looking towards the door.
“Yeah, I was just informing Lord Suicune about our success with Nathan.” He said, not mentioning the other half of the conversation because he didn’t want to make Exuberant feel worried. “I’ll be out there in a minute.” Yet, just as he was about to reach for door handle, he heard… something new.
‘You must not trust the other!’ Another voice stated, surprising the Adept. The sudden statement almost had Lance hit his head against the door before turning around and looking all over the room for a moment.
“W-who said that?” He asked, wondering if the small statement would have the voice speak to him again.
‘No one must let anyone know that you’ve spoken to the other. Fate has choose you to stop Cobalion before the reckoning of darkness can spread. No one must know of him or me until the war… begins.’ Upon hearing that, the Adept looked down at the wooden floor and noticed that grass and nature soon began to break through the floorboards. Something that wasn’t there before. ‘Before I depart… I leave you this gift.’ Soon, a golden sword sprouted out of the roots of a small cherry blossom tree behind him. The weapon itself may have looked short by appearance from far away, but as he got closer and felt the grip of the blade, it became warm to the touch.
But once he had both hands on the sword it began to glow brightly, blinding the Adept, before falling backwards and landing on the ground. ‘You must save all Displaced.’ before the voice dissipated.
The Adept looked back at the tree… then at the sword… and once more at the tree. “It may seem like a lot of weight on my shoulders, but I won’t let you down… but before I go… I must ask something.” He thought of it carefully, but there was only one question on his mind right now above all others. “Who… are you?”
‘A Friend.’ she answered, before the entire room had vanished in a blinding light. When Lance reopened his eyes, he found that the sword he had originally held onto had now disappeared and the grass and trees were no longer there. Scratching his head a little, he was a little confused as to what happened, but decided to not focus too much on it as he walked over to the door so he can join up with Exuberant and the others.
Not even noticing the cherry blossom petals that fell off his jacket as he closed the door behind him.
End Strike 48
