A/N: Thanks to ChasexJinjaForever and the guest for the reviews. This took a lot longer then I thought.

Enjoy!


"Driftblade, Burst barrage!"

"Airswitch, Lightning claw!"

Explosions resounded throughout the room. Dax had been cornered behind some of the jeeps that were nearby as Charlemange still stood out in the open as the monsuno brawled. The lights had gone off a few minutes ago, and he could barely see thanks to the flashes from the monsuno and the few lights on the ground. A yellow flash came close, and he ducked down before seeing something quickly go backwards for an attack.

"Boost, go towards the right!" he exclaimed and saw a swift movement in front of him. His monsuno was quickly tackled to the ground by the second, and he cursed.

"Oh, you foolish boy," Charlemange chuckled, "You really 'ave no chance in beating me."

"I think you got your facts mixed up lady, 'cause you're the one that has no chance," Dax shouted back. Charlemange started to laugh darkly.

"You would actually be quite interested in the facts that I 'ave," she said, her voice dripping with malice, "some that even you would find interesting."

"Sure you do lady," Dax said, rolling his eyes a bit, "Airswitch, sonic screech!"

The monsuno let out a howl that soon gave a way to an open attack. The monsuno the let out a beam of blue light, narrowly missing Driftblade and hitting the wind started to howl throughout the room as a hole became visible through the smoke. Charlemange started to laugh even more.

"You'll have to do better then that! Blackbullet, Sonic Rain!"

Beams of yellow showered down upon them. Airswitch took the blunt of the hit and let out a cry. Blackbullet roared, and charged right past the blue monsuno and towards Dax. He cursed before he heard something behind him. He turned quickly to see Driftblade on top of the jeeps, snarling a bit when they became face to face. Dax cursed at how quickly he got cornered.

Before Blackbullet could move, both Airswitch and Boost tackled it to the side. Dax used that opening to started running for cover, but was stopped when he knocked off his feet and felt something heavy pin him down to the ground. He glanced up to see Driftblade snarling down at him.

"Well, well. I guess that's the end of this little game," Charlemange sighed, walking up to him, glancing at the other three monsuno battling each other,"though I guess it was to be expected."

Dax struggled to get free, but knew that the monsuno would be too heavy to lift off. Charlemange watched for a brief moment before putting a hand on her hip.

"I'm a little disappointed zat you would all come here so willingly though. Didn't even question the information zat you got on the monsuno."

Dax stopped for a moment, and eyed the woman.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me," she said, her eyes gleeming, "How else would Dr. Tallis gain top secret information on some powerful monsuno?

Boost and Airswitch were both struggling to fight against Blackbullet while also trying to get to Dax and Charlemange, being tossed back a few feet. Dax simply stayed still at what the woman revealed. He scoffed, she had purposely let Dr. Tallis get information, and probably told him to give the jumpdrive to Chase.

"So the whole thing was a trap," he said, "You made all that info up just to get us down here."

Charlemange shrugged, "Not all of it. Just on the monsuno that we 'captured.' Quite the coincidence that there would be powerful monsuno already running around, ne?"

Dax looked to the ground. So they had be played this whole time. Not just by Dr. Tallis, but by Charlemange.

"Oh. Don't look so down, boy," Charlemange said, crossing her arms, "You'll be reunited with your friends soon enough!"

"Oh I don't think so my dear Charlemange!" A voice boomed from above theatrically. Both Dax and Charlemange turned to the large whole that was blasted a few minutes ago to see a figure standing there, arms on their hips dramatically as their figure was silhouetted.

"For you see, justice will always strike down on the guilty!" With that, the figure launched a core straight at Driftblade, and from the core burst a red, snarling monsuno. It jumped at the other monsuno, causing it to release Dax. He didn't waste time to run for cover as the two started wrestling about. He looked over to see the person from before walking closer, staring defiantly at Charlemange. She only sneered.

"Jack," she said, unamused. The one-eyed man continued to glare for a bit before smirking.

"Freedomstriker, burning thunder!"

HLP

Chase and Drezz had been wandering from room to room, even when the lights went out. Chase was also hoping he would run into Jinja so that they could leave the base to find the others as soon as possible. Every empty corridor they would go down only made him more anxious.

'How could I have been so blind,' he thought to himself, thinking back to what Drezz had told him about the monsuno. Dax had tried to tell him last night that something was wrong with Beyal, but he was so caught up in finding his mother that he thought it was nothing. If anything, he thought it was just some other type of vision or something (he still wasn't accustomed to the whole Monsuno sight thing). But now it could be something worse.

He bit his lip in frustration. It had only been a day since they got to the desert, and already he was being a lousy leader. Sure, at one point he left the group on their own, but that was different. He could've easily helped Bren and Beyal instead of fighting Alpha. He could've listened to Jinja last night, even Dax.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he ended up walking into Drezz's back. He mumbled an apology when he stepped back, but saw why Drezz had stopped. For some reason he had a strange look in his eyes that was unreadable, but had a hint of apprehension.

"… Is something wrong?" Chase asked. That stirred Drezz from his thoughts, and he gaze at Chase absently.

"… No," he said lowly,"… We should go to the left."

"Why?" Chase asked, raising a brow. Up to this point he wasn't questioning where they were going, but it had been well over a half hour since he left Jinja, and was getting a bit nervous.

"There's a monsuno ahead," he simply stated. Before Chase could respond, he heard another voice speak to him in a hushed tone.

"Go forward, Chase."

He quickly looked around, thinking that it was someone behind him. When it spoke again, he realized whose voice it was.

"Hurry!"

His legs moved on their own, making him dart forward without another glance.

"W-wait! Chase get back here!" Drezz called, not moving from his spot. The black haired teen didn't bother to respond, and kept running down the twists and turns until he came to an intersection. He couldn't help but curse under his breath.

"… Mom?…" he asked, waiting for a sign. The hall lights started to flicker back on, and he looked around. Instantly, he saw a door ahead of him. Edging closer, he saw that it was bolted shut, and couldn't help but wonder if that was where the monsuno was. Before he could get near, there was a 'click' behind him.

"Don't move." A voice commanded. Slowly, Chase turned a bit to see a soldier standing behind him, gun aimed at his back.

"H-hey there," Chase stuttered out, raising his arms a bit. The soldier gave a scoff under their breath.

"Let's go," they said, not lowering the gun. Chase didn't hesitate, but glanced back at the door. There was something in there, maybe even the monsuno that he and Drezz were looking for. Speaking of whom, where was Drezz? He was right behind him...

'Did I lose him down another hall?' he thought.

"Now hold still," the soldier said, and Chase could hear the clanking of metal (most likely more handcuffs). Before the soldier could get near, there was an explosion behind them that filled the hall with smoke. He coughed a bit, trying to look through it. There were a few grunts and shouts. When it did clear, the Punk Monks were all coming out of the remains of the metal door. The soldier looked at them in surprise, and raised the gun again.

"Freeze! All of you!" he exclaimed. One of the Punk Monks, Ratchet, saw him and let out a snort.

"Here! Catch!" the guy - Tinker - exclaimed as he threw a small metal ball at the soldier. It burst into a shower of sparks, and the soldier let out a strangled sound before falling to the ground unconscious. Chase stood still, a few feet from them. The last Punk Monk - Throttle - finally noticed him.

"Hey, Drezz. Suno's here," she said, shouting through the hole in the wall that they blasted through. Drezz stepped out, although he was now wearing his regular attire. He gave a surprised look when he saw Chase.

"Huh. That's twice that we meet this week," he said, stepping out and shaking his head. He looked up and down the halls, walking past Chase as he did so. Finally he turned to the others, "So which way?"

Tinker walked up to the intersection as well, holding out a device as he turned to every hall.

"... This way," Tinker said, pointing to the right. Drezz nodded, and signaled the rest to follow.

"W-wait!" Chase shouted, and Drezz stopped with a slightly annoyed look.

"What?"

Chase raised a brow, then frowned "Isn't the monsuno in there? You said it yourself that it was ahead. And when did you meet up with the rest of them?"

"What do you mean 'like I said'?" Drezz asked, "I haven't seen you around since yesterday in the desert."

Chase's eyes widened, and he pursed his lips a bit, "But you were just here. You were looking for the monsuno in the base- you got caught by Trey earlier."

Drezz raised a brow, then his expression lightened, "oh. That."

"What do you mean 'that'? What's going on?"

Drezz said, chuckling lightly, "You've been had, Suno. Charlemange sent out info on purpose in order to lure you and your little group. Dr. Tallis thought it was legit, and sent it out without another thought."

The man shifted a bit before continuing, "We've already swept through the entire base. Nothing. Nada. And, I suggest you get going since this place is going up in flames in a few minutes."

"Wait. Did you set off another wild core bomb here?" Chase asked. Drezz shrugged.

"Dr. Tallis doesn't like being tricked. He would rather have the whole place razed to the ground."

Chase looked down. The Punk Monks were probably the ones that caused the lights to go out.

"I'd say you have ten of fifteen more minutes before the bomb goes off," Drezz said, then looked to the rest of his crew. They nodded, and took off down the hall.

"Wait! Where're you going?" Chase asked.

"To the aircraft hanger of course," Drezz said over his shoulder, running after the rest of them. Chase took one last look around before running after them. Hopefully he could meet Jinja on the way. Otherwise, he would have to run around the base till the last second.

"By the way Suno," Chase looked up next to Drezz as they ran, "What did you mean earlier?"

Chase bit his lip, "Well. You got caught by S.T.O.R.M. We've been running around the base for the past hour or so."

Drezz stopped, and gave him a very confused look.

"That desert must've gotten to you Suno," he said, scratching the back of his neck, "I actually just got here with the rest of my crew a little under an hour ago."

Chase's eyes widened, and he backed up a bit, "n-no. You were here. We talked about the Hand of Destiny and the rogue monsuno that have been running around."

Drezz made a face, then snapped his fingers in realization.

"Oh," he said, "So you saw it."

"'It'? What do you mean 'it'?" Chase asked. He could feel a sensation prickling in the back of his mind, but he ignored it as he looked back and forth between the group.

"Tell me Suno. When was the last time you saw me?" Drezz asked, "an hour? Two? Where was I last?"

Chase's shoulders sagged in disbelief, but didn't respond.

"Well. Sorry to say but that wasn't me," Drezz said, starting to turn back to the hall, "And whatever it is, will have to deal with the real Drezz soon enough" he turned back to his group ," Let's go."

The Punk Monks nodded, and took off down the hall. Drezz cast one last glance at Chase before charging after them. Chase stood silently, looking a head at the last spot he saw them.

...Was he loosing it? He was sure that Drezz was here. Even Jinja saw. And if that wasn't him, who was it? Unless it was some sort of shapeshifter-

He sucked in a breath. Shapeshifter...

"… The Hand of Destiny!" he exclaimed, then took off after the Punk Monks. No wonder that other Drezz knew a lot about the Hand of Destiny and the monsuno. He- it was probably working for them. And that was probably why it didn't want Chase running off on his own in case he ran into the real Drezz.

And now that thing was running around the base as well.


A/N: Hurray, Jack's in the story now. (He's probably one of my more favorite characters to be honest).

Also we'll finally see who those people are in the next chapter.

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