Author's Note: It's been a while, hasn't it? Lately, I've gotten the urge to write Zombie Powder. Especially action. So, I hope you enjoy.

"We're leaving, Elwood. I need you to listen." He stood before the grave, and Elwood felt like he couldn't even move. "I'm telling Nazna to give you the ring from Emilio. You keep it, get some friends. If you find me and Smith, you and your friends will fight us. If you win, we'll join together. But if you don't, we take the ring, and you'll never get Zombie Powder." Gamma began to walk forward, he was inches away in a few strides. He thrust a piece of paper into Elwood's hands, his expression serious. "Meet us here. You don't have a lot of time."

"Gamma..." Elwood began to speak, but the man closed his eyes. Elwood felt pressure around him, and everything went black.

Elwood's eyes snapped open. The room was dark, he wasn't aware if it was morning or night. Slowly, the boy rose, his vision hazed by the remaining urge to fall back asleep. The paper was still folded in his hand. He opened it, eyes scanning over the page.

"Meet us at Red City on the 15th." Gamma's familiar scrawl filled up the thin paper. The 15th was only in 2 weeks. Elwood wondered if Wolfina was going to come with him. But on the table by the bed was the familiar gold band. Facing him, an onyx heart stared at him, rocking. Nazna must be using Wolfina already. He let out a sigh, and stopped. Across the room, a blonde haired boy slept soundly. It was Emilio.

"I suppose noone can come with me.." Elwood murmured to himself. He gave one last glance over to the Gemeni Labs. He gave a glance at the sign, noting for a town a few miles ahead. With a heaving breath, he lept off the balls of his feet, pounding forward.

-5 days later.-

"Ah. Steel Tread. Perfect place to find a partner." Elwood stepped forward into a busy street. He wore a long robe, tan and tattered. He glanced around, trying to find some commotion.

"HEY! YOU!" Something big grasped Elwood and spun him around. A dark skinned man towered over him. Pownder. Elwood stared, while the man grinned.

"What'cha up to, kid?" He gently nudged Elwood, making them both walk.

"My name is Elwood. I'm trying to find a partner so I can work at getting the Rings." Elwood didn't mention about the ring he already had. He wasn't sure of where this guy's alliances stood.

"Nice name. Call me Pownder." He grinned again. "You know, I never got to thank you for what you did." Elwood's memory flashed back to their fight before. After lighting the fire eater on fire, he put it out, deciding he had learned his lesson.

"You don't really need to thank me..." Elwood felt really short compared to this guy.

"How 'bout we become partnerS!?" He laughed. "Balmunk ran, so the whole Troop sort of seperated." Elwood stopped, staring at Pownder, trying to find the punchline. But the man was dead serious. His abilities might've developed. Of course, Elwood's did easily.

"...Fine. Geez." Elwood began to walk again. Pownder laughed, slapping the teen on the back. "So, I already have one ring..."

There was a hushed silence in the street. People froze, and both tensed. In a split second, guns were drawn, and the others began to fire immediately. Pownder crouched, but Elwood blurred almost immedeately, kicking the man to the ground. The firing stopped, the barrels stopped with knives.

"Let's behave ourselves, shall we?" A carrying voice stopped both from moving. "There are ladies present." From the sky, something small landed, a few feet away from both. It was a tiny girl, although she could've been a short teen. Cropped chesnut hair went halfway down the neck. An angelic smile was spread across her face.

"Now you be nice gentlemen and hand over that Ring, okay?"

Author's Note: I'm sorry if it was kinda bad. I'll get better, though. Next chapter, there's gonna be a good fight. Okay. So, the whole Pownder thing. In the first chapter cover, it had all of these characters that seem to be part of Gamma's team. Pownder was in there, and he seemed surprised by Elwood's actions. For anyone who's read the Twilight series, I've used a line. The girl was inspired by Alice, but I dunno what to name her. I hope you enjoyed my comeback. Please review!H