In the ballroom, the Tennysons, the Crystal Gems, and the Diamonds watched as Peridot (LE) and Albedo took their leave.
Gwen held her breath, her hand covering her mouth.
"Excuse me." The orange-haired girl makes her way from the group.
"Hey," Benita called out, following Gwen's steps. "Gwen." Benita looks over her shoulder at Steven and the others, stretching her hand. "I got it."
She breathed out before making her way to Gwen on the other side of the room.
"Hey. Hey." Benita lowered her voice, looking to Gwen, covering her face with her palms. "This is just a minor slip-up. Grandpa knows." Benita pats Gwen's back, searching for her eyes that were well hidden. "And whatever that was back there. It was uncalled for. How will your mom and dad feel? How about your brother? They need you. We need you. Albedo left his door open. We're not totally in the dark."
Gwen's watery eyes stare into Ben's, her hand finding distance from her mouth.
"How long?" She croaked. "How long is enough? Huh?" Gwen sniffed. "Before Will succumbed to temptation or after?"
"Look." Ben lowered her brows. "We're worried. And just like grandpa, he held on. And...here we are. We must do the same."
"Sunny." Gwen lowered her voice while Benita clicked her tongue. "We must keep Will away. Or she'll fill more empty words in his head."
"Gwen. He's his own person."
"STOP! Stop it! Just listen to me!" Gwen raised her voice, standing tall. "He told me a vision he left out before meeting Vilgax."
Benita folded her arms, cocking her head, and her eyes honing in on Gwen's soul.
"Really?"
"D-Don't look at me like that! Whose side are you on?!"
"No one. No one." Benita shakes her head before lowering it. "I'm listening."
"He said I was out to kill him. Me!" Gwen pressed her hands against her chest, her red eyes staring into Benita's. "Something as him betraying us. I-I don't want that on anyone! This took me weeks, ever since Sunny showed up, and I knew it as clear as day. Universally, she's the only person who would push me there."
"But I don't understand. Why are you willing to do that when Sunny is actually helping?"
"She only wants to stay, nothing more. You would do the same if you were in her position. She doesn't want to return to whatever she came from." Gwen folded her arms. "She sees grandpa as a pushover. I'm a thorn in her side. You're just a puppy begging for attention. And Anthony, just her layaway boyfriend."
"I'm not like that."
"Then help me." Gwen grabs Bentia's hand. "You're a Doofus, but you're mine. I don't like it when someone talks bad about you, and this is my final straw. Sunny hurt Will." Gwen breaks eye contact, looking down at the floor. "I don't know what I'll do when it comes to you or grandpa."
"Gwen," Benita said under her breath, planting a hand on her shoulder, searching for Gwen's eyes. "I didn't imagine a mirror of yourself has this much leverage. Hey." She watched as Gwen looked to her. "I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do." Ben grew a smirk. "Chin up. You look as fugly as the day you were born."
Gwen pushed Ben, earning a smile.
"Says you." Gwen wiped away the tears with her shirt.
"With a forehead like yours, I don't know whether to play tic-tac-toe or cook a full English breakfast."
"Okay, you're pushing it." Gwen's eyes looked over Ben's shoulder. Ben followed it to the group.
Yellow Pearl stood up straight, her arms crossed, her hands forming a shape of a Diamond. A hologram has emerged from her gem, revealing DiamondHead speaking with the Diamonds.
Benita and Gwen get closer to the group.
"What's your business? We know of no one by the name Albedo." White Diamond kept a straight face.
"My sources say he was. I need to speak with him."
"Your source proved false, Merc." Yellow Diamond cuts in glaring. "You have grit, I admit. Don't think, for a second, you have any leverage."
"What's going on?" Benita whispered to Amethyst on the left of her.
"This Dude. This diamond guy is currently at our doorstep. He's the same dude Pearl and your cousin mentioned." Amethyst picked at her ear with her pinky.
"I know this has got to be him." Pearl appeared behind Gwen, planting her hands on her shoulders. "I feel it in my gem. Second thoughts?" Pearl kept her gaze on the appearance of the merc.
"I second it." Gwen cocked her head, squinting her eyes.
"Our patience is wearing thin." Yellow Diamond, followed by the rest of the Diamonds, furrowed their brows, either looking down on Diamondhead or looking away, crossing their arms. "Stay, and our colony will be compelled to impose divine punishment."
Steven lowered his brows, switching his gaze from the diamonds and the merc.
"Of course." The diamond merc sighs. The merc flashed the Omnitrix finder for the Diamonds and the sneaky others to see. "I request. To speak in person." He lowered the device. "Away from prying ears. Only for you and the crystal gems to bear. This needs immediate attention."
Gwen felt Pearl's grip tighten on her shoulders, forcing the orange-haired girl to look up at her, biting the corner of her lip.
A blue, crystallized ship shaped like a teardrop, with wings on either side and another above the cockpit visor, zooms through hyperspace.
Peridot (Limb Enchancers) leans back on the teardrop-shaped chair, releasing a sharp sigh.
"We will arrive in six days."
"And six days is enough." Albedo climbs down from his chair while refusing the offer from (Gem) Stomach Ruby. "What would you like to discuss?" Albedo rests his hands behind his back while Peridot (LE) spins in her chair, facing the action figure toy.
"The way you mention Azmuth. How close are you two? Is he as kind as you?"
Albedo cracks a smirk.
"Well, he doesn't show it, but when it counts. You'll know a fine line. It took me decades and a little guidance. Even from me." He chuckled, looking to Stomach Ruby, who suck in her breath, standing straight while looking elsewhere. "Your superiors are a dimension away; no need for tension."
"Of course." Stomach Ruby relaxed, rubbing her head. "Forced Habit."
"Tell me, what do you think of your diamond's sudden change of heart? What will you do now that the door has opened?"
"Oh, no! I can't say!"
"Born on this plain of existence, your first choice is thought. And action comes after."
"I-yeah. I'm fine here among Homeworld and our empire." Stomach Ruby looked down at Albedo, her thigh as tall as the galvan. Her gaze remained unfocused. "Don't have much, but the pulsing energy among my gem and the switch of my march."
"There must be something." Albedo cocked his head, squinting his eyes.
The ruby sweats.
"No! Nothing at all! I'm fine. Believe me!" She smiled, going back on formation.
"Ah!" Albedo swats his hand. "Follow along." He slowly approached the door and followed the Ruby. "There's a game similar to my custom, it goes by the name Tic-Tac-Toe."
"Sorry?"
"It's easier when I show you. Stop dragging your feet."
Stomach Ruby sighs.
"At least you got something to do." Peridot (LE) shrugs her shoulders.
Stomach Ruby moved her mouth.
'Help me.' Before following Albedo out the door.
Peridot (LE) cracked a grin as she leaned back in her chair. She swung her chair toward the cockpit view window, staring at the blue, hazy clouds twisting into the vast blue abyss.
She rubs the orb encasing the onmitrix in her hand that sat along her lap.
'Firewall.'
'AH!? Who's this?!' A voice screamed back in Peridot's head.
'Who's this?' Peridot raised a brow. 'It's Peridot.'
'Peridot? How did you get my validation codes?! Did Knock-Out put you up to this?! RAGH! His mockery knows no bounds!
'Lord StarScream, you assigned me to know the whereabouts of the gem colony. I studied them and kept a close eye on them, as you told me. That was about four centuries.'
'Oh, of course I would know, just a reminder of a test! You passed somehow.' Starscream said the last word under his breath while Peridot rubbed the bridge of her nose, breathing through her nose. 'What do you want?! I don't have all day!"
'I stay true to my mission. And heard rumors-'
'Rumors?! I want results, not assumptions!' Starscream cut her off. 'Whatever you're selling, better bite, or I'll personally hunt you down myself!'
'Oh, of course, my lord! The Omnitrix can restore Cybertron; I also have the assistance of Albedo, second hand of the Omnitrix.'
'Omni-' silence filled the conversation.
'My lord?' Peridot (LE) sits up in her seat. 'Did I say something wrong?'
'Is there a watch?'
'Yes, my lord.'
'The name.'
'The Onmitrix.'
'There's supposed to be a tiny human attached to it.'
'That said, tiny human refuses the offer and is now back at Gem Colony. I'm making my way back to earth with the package and Azmuth assistant in tow.'
'MOWAHAhhahahaHA!!! HAHAHA!! Perdiot, your loyalty will not go unnoticed! Not even Megatron will smite and reforged an ingenious plan like this!' The voice laughed. 'Day one. I knew someone like you was best suited for the job! Although I didn't anticipate you would last this long, even decades.' Peridot (LE) rolled her eyes. 'NOW, the Decepticons shall question the chains of command and bow to Lord STARSTREAM!!!'
'Shall I summon a drop point?' Peridot looked over her shoulder and toward the closed doors.
'No, just listen! I'll link the dropoint somewhere on Cyberton.' Starscream whispered. ' Bring this Albedo alive, discard of anyone who'll even breathe in your direction. Maintain high competence and loyalty, and keep your source of complete uselessness far from this reality. Are we clear?'
'Understood.' Peridot (LE) type on the console before leaning back on her chair. "Six days."
She stood up from her chair and left the door, the pod in her arms.
"UGH! AGAIN!" Stomach Ruby stood up from her seat, sitting around a blue oval table with Albedo standing on it, Shy Jasper, and Palm Ruby, with a smug grin.
Behind the table lies a cold, marble-blue staircase that leads to a vast, black space for the cargo and the closed ramp.
"Personally, I find this very humbling." Palm Ruby rested her jaw on her left palm. "It's so kind of you. To be a bigger person."
"RAGH! Shut it!" Stomach Ruby steamed, pointing.
"Now. Now. You almost had me." Albedo reassured, watching Stomach Ruby clench her head. "Ruby." The Galvan opened his palm towards Palm Ruby, seated at the table, by Shy Jasper's seat. "Care to give it a try?" He points his open palm at the oval tablet on the table.
"Oh, no. You got it, boss." She points a finger gun and clicks her tongue.
"Embarrassed?" Shy Jasper remarked under her breath, forcing Palm Ruby's gaze.
"No! No, boss, you got it all wrong. It's just not my game, is all."
"Fear impacts cowardice." Peridot(LE) joins the fray, taking her seat by Albedo.
"You finally join us." Albedo turned to Peridot, resting the package on the table. "You have yet to store the package in your gem."
"I couldn't betray your trust if I happened to shatter instantaneously. Unless you think someone on this ship is untrustworthy."
"We're the most trustworthy within Gem Colony, rest assured." Shy Jasper spoke up.
"I second that." Palm Ruby raised a finger.
"It's fine." Albedo raised his hand to Shy Jasper and Palm Ruby. "I'm reassured." He smirked. "Care to join us?"
"Sure. What's the game?" Peridot (LE) sits up within her chair.
"Two truths and a lie. Everyone at the table can join. Nothing competitive. Rest assured."
"I'll hop on that." Palm Ruby raised her hand before lightly slapping it on the table.
"Of course you would." Stomach Ruby glare, taking her seat in front of Albedo. "I'll join."
Albedo gazed at Shy Jasper and nodded.
"Okay, I have since presented this game. I shall take the reins." He clears his throat, staring at his combatants. "I am fifty-eight thousand years old. Owned a Ship. And have a brother and sisters."
"You're making this easy." Palm Ruby remark. "You have a ship and siblings."
"Uh. I'm not familiar with galvan species, so I'm going to side with Ruby." Stomach Ruby answers.
"Same." Shy Jasper spoke softly.
Albedo cracks a grin before shaking his head.
"Galvan's life span is vast, though I wouldn't fault you because of my appearance."
"Whoa!" Palm Ruby laughed, leaning back in her chair. "You don't look a day old!"
"Though there's a running joke on my planet. My master didn't find it quite amusing."
"What happened?" Stomach Ruby cocked her head, resting her elbows on the table.
"My master and I were interacting with our accelerator limiter. We wanted to be the first to travel milliseconds from Point to Point. Though we debated on the safety of the matter, I figured he knew what he was doing. On the day, my master mother was sick. He has second thoughts and wants to scrap the idea. My master father wanted to use the ship since his was currently undergoing repairs. And that mishap takes us to the very edges of our universe. We fell unconscious due to not taking safety precautions. We were traveling for a hundred years until the ship's energy went into a power-saving protocol."
Albedo squinted his eyes before rubbing his chin.
"Though I could've sworn we would've been Kal paste within these speeds."
"You went that deep?" Palm Ruby leans on her chair. "I couldn't make it past the barrier. It's just." Her body shivered. "It's not right."
"Believe me, we shared your interest. Minus the excruciating Headache, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, and aching bones. And yet." Albedo raised a finger with a smile. "We found something."
"No." Shy Jasper cocked her head, planting her hands on the table.
"Ah. Yes. I introduce Namu." Albedo paced slowly towards Shy Jasper. "They share characteristics of a Sphyrnaiod, yet this is where it became fascinating. They are as tall and wide as a Tokustar can grow. They can extend their arms and legs to catch prey or pivot. They're much faster and mobile in their singular form. Their glowing maws and eyes serve as bait, and we were it."
His smile grew wider.
"Though how it seems to us could be out of sure adaptation to the dark period of space. But I believe, and this could be a hypothesis. The Namus knew we were there even when we didn't."
"Sorry?" Peridot (LE) raised her hand. "You care to rephrase?"
"I second the notion." Palm Ruby followed after.
"They are aware of our presence, similar to their intuition." Albedo shakes his head, rolling his wrist. "Blah! Blah! I talk too much. Peridot, please, take the reins. Or I'll go on and on!"
"Noted." Peridot(LE) drummed her floating fingertips along the table, clearing her throat. "I'm green...my past time is logistics and robotics. And." Peridot shifted her gaze everywhere but at everyone at the table. "I like to travel." She looks up to Albedo, standing at the far end of the table by Shy Jasper.
"Green is the first of your features." Stomach Ruby rested her arm on the table. "Followed by Log...Log-tic-ugh! Robot stuff!"
"You Peridots don't get out much." Palm ruby remarked.
"I disagree." Shy Jasper grasps her hands underneath the table. "Under my command, there were few with mild interest."
"Is this true?" Albedo raised a nonexistent brow to Peridot (LE), who shrank into her chair with a blush.
"I-I can not deny. Nor Shy away." She swallowed her spit. "There are urges."
"It's the creatures? Perhaps the unknown?" Shy Jasper sat tall in her chair. "I don't know. Maybe both. What's your voice?"
"The creatures." Shy Jasper smiles underneath her white bangs. "I always wanted to own a few."
"What's stopping you?" Albedo tilts his head, getting Shy Jasper's attention. "You're your own gem."
The tall Jasper shrinks in her chair.
"N-no, I couldn't! It's-the Diamonds needs me."
"They. Do." Albedo said under his breath.
Rogue and the Plumbers continued down the wide steps, their eyes landing on the bottom of the journey to the flicking white lights that soon solidified.
The trio trained their weapons on the stretched light that they embraced. Standing before the glass double doors that opened, the train car's blue seats stretched along the walls in the center as wide as two large cargo trucks.
Max steps into the train car, aiming his WS pistol down the single train car attached to the current train they are standing on. Max drops his aim.
"Clear." He turns on his heels to Rogue, taking a seat.
"Oh!" Rogue sits up in his seat, leaning on his knees. "I think you two should-"
The train jolts, forcing Max and Phil to take a seat. The two-car train slowly but surely picks up speed, spearing darkness ahead with cones of light that reveal the metal tracks, which click and whistle.
Rogue sat at the front of the train, staring through the flat open window beside the console that sat in the middle behind the front-view windshield.
Max bounced his gaze to Phil across from him, resting his sniper rifle on his shoulder, and to Rogue, who leaned against his chair with his arms crossed and his heel anchored to the reflective, sand-tan floor.
"AHCHOO!!" Phil raised his hand before, rubbing his fingers along his nostrils. "Well, at least there's nobody." He sniffed.
"I was hoping someone would lay down a red carpet." Rogue drags his finger along the chair, eating away the dust.
"Let not promise anything." Max looks out the windshield, watching the spears of light fight against the darkness. "We should focus on our mission. Rogue."
"Shoot." Rogue flicks the dust from his finger.
"What does he know?"
"Sorry?"
"He knows way more. He's letting on." Max spun his finger to the roof of the train cart. "This doesn't magically appear."
"As you know by now. I was born just like my brothers, trained by swords and spears, and eventually by the latter quips of technology. Did a few wars, Framework, Hella, even went against you and plumbers."
"Who?" Phil chimes in.
Rogue whistled, snapping his fingers to Max.
"It's funny how, whenever you're around, you always encounter a mother who is eager to love."
"I'll get used to it. What else?" Max leaned and squinted his eyes.
"By my performance, I was granted Onyx. The very few who were the best of the best."
"You're telling me what you think you're telling me?" Phil leans forward and anchors his sniper rifle onto the floor. "You were the Otpian who hunted five of the Onyx brothers."
Rogue leans back in his chair, letting out a sharp breath while cracking a grin.
"Decades later, still the best."
"You didn't do it alone," Max adds. "There was an Elfen."
"Please, don't go there." Rogue gave a hardened glare. "She's just a companion."
"Under Orion's terms and service."
A rush of wind built up along the train's windows, followed by a bright light. Surrounded by a rounded, prolonged dome that shelters the train tracks.
A large body of water welcomed the plumbers and Otpain to its sight. Large and small icebergs remained on the surface of the grey-blue water. Silhouettes of the sea floor remained close, yet so far from the dark blue abyss below the train connection system.
"Anthony won't listen to me, but you will." Max lowered his brows, biting his lip. "You do anything-"
"As I will," Rogue remarked. "Like you said. "I need him as much as He needs me." He chuckled, stretching his arms. "I mean. Do I have a choice?"
The chuckling otpian gaze to Phil resting his sidearm along his thigh.
"Easy, twinkle toes. You got spunk, not heart." Rogue raised a brow with a glued grin, eating smile.
"Anthony. I want to speak with him." Max spoke.
"He hears you."
"I want to hear it from him," Max spoke in a lower voice, his green eyes never leaving Rogue's. "Now, before we continue any further. Do you understand?"
'What's going on?' Will's voice reemerged from Rogue's head.
'It seems this rusty sword still has its edge.' Rogue responded. 'Matter's well poke your head out for a spell.'
Rogue shivers before sitting upright.
"I'm still here." The optain scratches his cheek.
"Keep it that way." Max remained stiff in his seat, staring from the center of the train car and down at Rogue at the corner of the front.
"It's not as effective this way."
"We breach an entrance. You proved your usefulness." Phil voiced a couple of seats from Max.
"We came to an agreement. And if any harm comes to you or Max. I have the right to regain control. I need you to trust me." Rogue turns his red lens goggles to Max.
"I need you here." Max retorts.
"And I am talking to Virgo." Rogue leaned on his knees, his green eyes staying on Max's. "I'm tired of running. And since He's keeping me sane, I want to learn more about him. Understand why he is keeping me around as long as he is. After all, he'd saved my life that day. When it all started." Rogue switched his gaze from Max to Phil. "Rogue knows this place better than I, and that we have an advantage. If you let him."
"You're trying to make sense of this all, which is what gives me pause," Phil remarked, keeping his sidearm in hand reach. "And you're going to just do it anyway." His eyes bounce from Rogue to Max, who leaned back in his chair.
"You'd better hope I wouldn't pass Gwen and the others this message." Max lowered his eyes before staring out at the cold, blue waters.
"You know what's best." Rogue leans back in his seat before staring up at the ceiling.
Phil gets up from his seat and moves to sit next to Max.
"Why are we here?" Phil whispered, keeping his eyes on Rogue, who'd crossed his arms before staring out the window.
"You know why," Max replied softly, glancing at an animal the size of a whale. It resembled a squid, with soft, cold skin adorned with gleaming green and blue dots that trailed from its head down to its eight arms. Bones protruded from its two tentacles, and a hot red eye followed the train car as it moved away.
"All of this is rubbing me the wrong way."
"You're not the only one."
"Then let's turn back." Max gave Phill a side eye. "Max, we don't know how this will go. We are dealing with a high-ranking Merc, and even when we ask nicely, we don't stand a chance, even at this age."
"We have Anthony."
"Oh no." Phil sits back in his chair, letting out a sharp whisper. "It's Rogue. Didn't you forget that?"
"You have every right to your opinion, and so do I. This is what you wished for."
"Don't throw that in my face! Hell, I'm a man just like you, but what you're doing is noble, but this isn't the way. Your granddaughters are separated, better yet, a few light-years away. Either attending the post-dictator's rehabilitation or currently freezing to death as we speak. Brother." Phil called, getting Max's eyes. "This stinks to hell. And this is coming from me. We need to leave. Now."
"We have to stick it out." Max places a hand on Phil's shoulder. "Give me some faith. If not for a higher plane, do it for me, okay? Like you always, done."
"That's the thing. When is faith enough? After your cold or when this marathon takes a rest? I see it in your eyes, just like so many years ago. This righteous path...Zynx is playing you for a fool. He got dirt on me; he must have some on you, too. You have too much to lose."
"And that is what I wanted to hear." Max pats Phil's shoulder.
"I must say." A voice calls out somewhere from the train car. "You are either brave or allegedly gifted."
Max and Phil glance around the car while Rogue rests his arm on the backrest of the seat.
"Either I got a crack, or a little meet and greet. Care to explain?"
"We're just--"
"He can't hear us." Rogue cut off, Max raising a brow with a grin.
"Sparks! I can't hear them!" The voice of the train car hissed while Rogue rolled his eyes. "Besides the point. I can always say turn back, but that does nothing. So I'm going to tell you what's going to happen. You will die quick or slowly based on your choices, and that's not entirely on me. These Nuk scientists didn't clear house if you catch my drift. And hoo boy, I'm pretty clumsy!"
The voice cuts out.
'You really think you can handle this?' Edge questioned.
'Wow, you say it like I'm born yesterday.' Rogue remarked within his head.
'Maybe it's the fact that there are two of you, not metaphorically. Don't screw this up.'
Rogue lowered his brows, staring at the floor.
'Thanks for speaking the obvious, Slime ball.'
The waves of fire barely touch the ceiling, yet greet Sunny, who was sitting on a lower bunk, eyeing the mild-interest Elfen who were sitting across from the black haired little girl, proving her warmth.
"What?" The Elfen rested her left elbow on her knee, keeping the fire lit from her grey palm.
"You followed me." Sunny squinted her eyes.
"I figured you would know by now. I would've guessed someone taught you how to track. Even in these conditions, you're good, but not quite."
"Your..." Sunny stared through the husk of the Elfen, spotting a fiery aura of multicolored lights that remained sheltered and also spilled, reaching the ceiling and the center of the room.
"Spill it. You got something to say? Skin walker? Soul Snatcher? Reaper? I heard it all before." The elfen squinted her eyes. "You look doable, so you've got about a moment before I take my business elsewhere."
"I welcomed the invitation." Sunny planted her hands along the edges of the bed. "You fare better in the cold than I."
The elfen scoffed.
"Of course." She stood up, making her way to a latch window to peek at the weather outside that had died down to flakes that fell between the white plains and the neighboring cottages.
"That was a compliment. I hate the snow." Sunny eyes wandered the room before landing back on the Elfen, who continued to peek through the latch door. "And sand. Well, everyone does."
"Yep."
The Duo remained in silence while Sunny watched the Elfen.
Who backed from the window before staring across the room at the ceiling. Followed by Sunny.
"You set me up," The Elfen spoke plainly.
"What are you on about?" Sunny cocked her head.
A loud crash echoed as pieces of the ceiling caved in, spilling pink discs of light into the barrack.
Sunny summons a dome on herself while the elfen rushed into the wooden walls, crashing through.
"Shit!" Sunny watched as the bunk beds, dressers, and floorboards shattered, turning into splinters, shredded cloth, and bits of metal.
The dome vibrated and cried out against the debris and discs of light it encountered.
Sunny's rapid breath breaks the chaos that soon slows to a stop. Holes in the floorboards covered the entire room, decorated by the storm brewing.
Gwen's Opposite eyed the hole in the wall before glancing up at the ceiling, shattered holes letting in the flakes. And onto her dome.
An explosion rang in Sunny's ears, and the remaining ceiling in Sunny's area cleared, inviting the warm lights and the invading cold.
"Sorry about the roof, Vanessa thought no one was home?" The Andiote Merc hovered just above the hole in the ceiling, making Sunny's breath hitch.
"I-I-How-Hey, V." Sunny released her pink dome, offering a slight smile, while V's smile grew even wider. "I must say, you let your sister get the better of you. I see a lot of potential. Why don't you take the lead and possibly conquer many of your candlelots?"
"You flirt."
"No. Seriously. You are as refined as a crystal. Why don't you put yourself out there more?"
V chuckled, toying with a small black object in her hands, getting Sunny's attention.
"We got a love and hate thing going. And that's what Vanessa likes about you." V fiddles with Sunny's Haircomb between her fingers. "Discolored, Spoiled, Vanessa just doesn't understand. Anodyne deserved better."
Sunny smile wavers yet remains.
"I don't see the problem."
"Right. Vanessa would understand." V gave a cheeky smile. "Come out. Or so help Vanessa won't be so nice." She combed her mana-stream hair, watching Sunny slowly raise her hands near her head. "And that on your hip, lose it before I get all jumpy. Oh!" V rest the tip of the comb along her jaw. "And empty your pockets."
"Alright. I'm going." Sunny drops the WS pistol onto the floor, littered with fabric, splitters, and support beams, before emptying her pockets, finding nothing.
The girl turned on her heels, side-eyeing her comb edges, creating thin gaps from the pool of pink mana from V's head that soon connects back.
Vannessa winks.
The black haired girl makes her way through the disaster of the cottage before entering the hole in the wall.
"It's safe to say there's more in this interaction than your leading on." The Elfen looks to the hole in the wall at Sunny, squinting her eyes at the cold yet warm lights of the sun before landing eyes on the grey-skinned Elf who returned the favor.
Sunny planted her sneakers into the snow up to her ankles in her black jeans, forcing a crunch.
"We're letting you go. There's nothing to consider. ReignHoover." M hovered before the Elfen, just above the snow, the Elf stood planting a hand on her hip.
"A simple hello is welcome; this is more than just some traditional meet and greet."
"We never considered your presents. We're teaching the kid the ground rules of becoming an Anodite. This was just an exercise that turned into an accident." Maya gazed blankly at Sunny, who stood a shoulder away from Reignhoover. "Right, Sunny?"
Sunny remained silent before slowly inching behind the Elfen who looked over her shoulder.
"Stop being a baby!" V entered the chat, floating just above her sister. Twirling Sunny's black rose cone between her fingers. "You wanted to become a seed! And there's no easy road."
"Help me," Sunny whispered, causing ReignHoover's ears to twitch. They're crazy."
"Vanessa thought we were friends." V cocked her head before lightly bending the comb.
"Okay! We'll finish! I'm just cold and tired." Sunny forced out a cold breath.
"We're both cold and tired! What do you expect? Let's go home."
"The kid is right." Elfen breathes out, resting her hands on her hips before looking around the crowd of cottages that remained on the path they stood on. "I'll take her home. I got heat back in my ship."
"No. I'll find some way to owe you back." Maya rubs her arms. "Remember, our planet has ill will toward your species."
"Then it'll be a drop off." Regin Hoover's dark, pearl-like eyes locked onto Maya's vibrant, glowing pink eyes.
"I insist." Maya stared right back.