Okay, well here are the Ashley rumors that have been gathered so far. DZR has heard that the new season is going to have an episode with scenes of young Henry and young Ashley. Sparkly Skater pointed out some depressing news to me, but fortunately I was able to confirm the interviews she cited were old ones from long before filming started. I thank her for giving me the heads up and I am glad that I was able to disprove such a disheartening bit of news for her. Filming has started, on March 15, I believe. Remember any rumors or tidbits you send me are appreciated. I will do my best to substantiate all of the posts, but I will state right now that they are just rumors and hearsay for the moment. They may have no basis in reality at all, but they are still interesting to read about. Without further adieu…

Explosions are Cool

Will did not like the desert very much. Death Valley sucked. He assumed that it had been named such because; he at least would rather be dead then be there. That being said, at least he was in Death Valley with one of the most capable Abnormal hunters alive. Said hunter was currently scoping out the area.

Ashley had teleported them to a ridge overlooking a small grouping of steel buildings. She had shoved a giant black duffel bag in his hands, with an order of, "Don't lose this" and then taken off. He still wasn't quite sure why she had brought him along. He was not a good shot, he was not good at hand to hand combat, and he probably wouldn't even be very good bait. So, why was he here? Ashley chose that moment to reappear, startling Will into dropping her bag.

She scoffed at him and he felt a deep blush rise up his neck. "They haven't been doing any big operations lately. It doesn't look like they've had any vehicles move out for a while." Ashley said before taking a drink from a water bottle out of her duffle. "They don't have many outside guards posted, but that could mean one of three things. Henry and Druitt aren't here and they don't think they have anything to worry about, so they aren't guarding to well. The second, Henry and Druitt are here and the entire base's manpower is stationed with them. Thirdly, they don't have enough people to mount a good defense, in which case Henry and Druitt might be okay."

Will followed all of Ashley's logic and found it rather unassailable. She had a determined look on her face. "We aren't going in until after dark. Or I'm not going in until after dark. You aren't going in at all."

"What? If you aren't going to take me with you, then why did you even bother to bring me?" Will asked grumpily.

"I brought you because, Henry was right. The Morrigan are going to be extremely useful if we can get them on our side. They like you and that might help if they need to be convinced. Once I have my father and Henry accounted for, we are going to where I left the freaky trio. You are not going to be helping me with this mission in any other way. Understand?" Ashley snapped.

"I understand. That doesn't mean I am okay with it." Will conceded.

"Okay, with what? I am doing this to keep you alive. Besides this is the sort of thing I can do in my sleep." Ashley assured her companion.

"You are having a good time aren't you?" Will said, his face registering his shock.

Ashley tilted her head in thought. "Yeah, I guess I am. It's nice you know. Fighting the bad guys instead of fighting the 'bad' good guys. At least things are clearer this way."

"The 'bad' good guys, huh, I guess you are talking about the other Sanctuaries. What makes you think they are the bad guys? We aren't exactly acting like we're innocent of wrong doing, you know. We are planning to release Abnormals and we hid things from the other Sanctuaries all the time. What if we're the bad guys and we just don't get it?" Will asked. Ashley could tell that this was something that had been on his conscience for a while. Why was he doubting himself now?

"Will, trust me, we are not the bad guys. We don't kill anything that doesn't try to kill us first. Look at Bertha. She didn't do anything to anybody. She was alive and docile, well before we came along and somebody decided she was too dangerous to live. She hadn't caused any major catastrophes, but it was deemed that she was a risk, because she had more power than we do. Is that right?" Ashley said.

"No, but…" Will began.

"No buts Will. We don't harm anything just because it exists. That's why were different." Ashley concluded.

Will wasn't sure he could argue with her. He did feel a little better than he had before their conversation. "So, when do you think the other Sanctuaries are going to come? I mean shouldn't they have made a move by now?"

Ashley got a dark look in her eyes. "Yeah…I was expecting something long before now. It's got me a little worried. I want to get home as soon as possible."

"You got a hinky feeling?" Will asked.

"Yeah, I really do. It's just odd. They should have engaged us by now. I don't like leaving my mom alone this long."Ashley said still watching the base.

Will started to say something, but then a movement in the encampment silenced him. Ashley watched the scene like a hawk, taking in all the information she could. "Here we go. See that truck there." She said pointing.

Will nodded. "Yeah. What is it?"

"Prisoner transport."

"And that means?" Will asked still confused.

"That Druitt and or Henry are in there and even if they aren't, somebody is about to suffer." Ashley said as she started digging in her bag. She pulled out a crossbow. "Regardless, of the circumstances, we don't have time to wait. So, I am just going to move things along."

"What are you doing…?" Will started to ask, but at that moment Ashley lit the bolt on fire and aimed for a generator on the edge of the compound.

"Now, something that most people don't realize is that a bullet might not penetrate a gas tank and make it explode." She let the bolt go and it sailed into the gas tank of the generator. After about thirty seconds it exploded and a large amount of armed guards poured out of the base. She had been creating a diversion. "That wasn't a bullet. That bolt is specifically designed, by yours truly, to do just that. It goes through the tank, the gas dribbles out, and kablooey. Now you stay here. I am going to go around and in."

"Wait, Ash, do you really want to do this? I mean those guys down there brainwashed you and got you killed."

"Don't worry. I never get bit by the same dog twice, Will. Now, stay." Ashley said and she flashed out of sight.

Desolation was the only emotion that Henry could feel at the moment. An eight by eight cell with a thick wooden door held Jack the Ripper and himself captive. Unfortunately, the former, was unconscious. Druitt had been shot with about ten tranquilizer rounds and even then he had tried to fight on. Henry wasn't surprised that it took that much to knock the older man out. He had seen him work through drugs before. He was just angry that it had been so easy to be incapacitated. The duo probably tripped some security defense, because the Cabal had been ready for them. Henry had known that he was no match for the Cabal operatives and surrendered.

He wished he had never thought of the Morrigan. If he hadn't he might still have a chance to see his next birthday. Not that he knew when the real one was, but he still had the one that he had picked for himself and dammit, he had wanted to celebrate. He hated the Cabal. He had hated them since they had tortured him in the effort to make his inner self come out and play. He hated them when Ashley was taken and even more when she died.

Now he hated them just because they existed.

Druitt groaned. Henry was actually happy. At least he wasn't so alone now. "Rise and shine, Old Guy."

"Young man, there is a time to be cheeky and this is not it." Druitt said as he sat up and rubbed his head.

"Sorry, guess being trapped and in great danger of dissection brings out my smart alecky side, but I'm being selfish. Far be it for me to comfort myself in anyway." Henry griped.

"If you would stop babbling, I might be able to suggest a way out." Druitt tried to assure his cellmate.

A few moments passed before Henry could take it no longer. "Well…?"

"Oh, I was lying. There is no way out. I just wanted you to shut up for a little while. I have a blinding headache." Druitt explained.

Henry growled and inched closer.

"Now, pup, don't tear off more than you can chew." Druitt singsonged.

Henry hated it when people made fun of his Abnormality. The only person who had ever gotten away with it was Ashley and that was only because she could run faster and fight better than he could. He wasn't feeling brave, but one needn't be brave to beat the crap out of someone in anger, Henry reasoned.

"Is this what you two do if I leave you alone for two seconds?" Ashley mocked from outside the cell. She was just visible through the barred square that served as a window, in the door. Henry breathed a sigh of relief. They were saved and he didn't have to make Druitt kill him.

"Oh man, Ash, is it ever good to see you." Henry told her. She smiled at him.

"I assume you have a plan to aid our escape." Druitt stated coolly.

Henry who was still irritated said, "Well, you know what they say when you assume things."

Ashley snorted and hid a laugh after a look from Druitt. "Yeah, I'm gonna bust you boys out. Just got to get my Detcord in place." She unwrapped a length of yellow, rope like material from her waist. Winding it around the door handle she said, "Stand back. There is enough here to blow you both to kingdom come. Up against the back wall."

Both men did as she said. Henry punched his hands to his ears just in time to muffle a small, but loud explosion. The door swung open and Ashley stood there grinning when the smoke and dust cleared.

"Well, come on, lazy bones we don't have all day here."

"Shut up, you pyro. You know you could probably just have disabled the lock without the explosives." Henry accused. He stepped into the hallway and noted that Ashley had knocked out all the guards along her way and then some, if the number of men on the floor meant anything.

"Yeah, but where would the fun be in that?" Ashley said seriously. "Besides, I want them to know I'm here. We're going to the command room."

Henry stared at her in horror. "Don't you think we should, maybe, just get out of here?"

"No. I am ending this once and for all." Ashley said defiantly.

Druitt had taken in the whole exchange with little comment or surprise. "I think that we should probably go with her. Just to make sure she doesn't get herself killed."

"But…I don't want to die." Henry whined.

"Your confidence in me is heartwarming." Ashley jibed.

"Henry, if we don't put a stop to what these fiends are doing, others will die. I don't believe you want that on your soul." Druitt spoke from experience and he had used the other mans name. Henry had taken heed and if a murder was saying that leaving this place the way they found it was wrong, then who was he to disagree.

"Fine, but if I die, I am haunting you both." Henry assured.

"That's the spirit." Ashley joked.

"Shut up, Ash." Henry deadpanned.

"Today is a good day to die." She went on.

"Shut up, Ash." Henry said again.

"Come on, men, do you want to live forever." She yelled as she ran away towards what was the center of the base.

"Okay, forget the bloodthirsty Cabal; you are going down from friendly fire." Henry snapped as he took off after her.

Druitt stared after the pair. The way they could make life threatening situations into opportune play time was astounding. He shook his head and followed in their wake walking over sleeping Cabal agents as he went.

The two small explosions in this chapter are leading up to a very big one in the next. It was short and late, but I am covered in paint and almost officially moved into my new place. House fires suck. By the way, if you have not heard about the WWDD group, then head on over to DZR's story of the same name and find out what it is all about. This chapter is dedicated to DZR for coming up with the group. She did something that I had wanted to do for a long time. Thanks for reading.