Three figures became visible as the raging light subsided. Peregrine couldn't understand at first what he was looking at, or what he was feeling. An armored man in light blue armor fell backwards as if in surprise, and he immediately looked at them with fear and confusion in his eyes. On the ground, and bleeding badly, was a gray and red armored woman. An arrow was sticking out of her throat. Peregrine could tell she was dying rapidly.

His eyes finally met the last one. He was wearing green and white armor, and his strong green eyes entreated him.

"Help me," Axel begged.

Peregrine knew these people were not enemies. They were more of the Ronin Warriors. He didn't actually think it, the knowledge just appeared to him as he quickly knelt down next to the young woman. He knew what to do with all of that excess energy.

The green armored one, Halo, was gripping the woman's shoulders with glowing hands. He's trying to heal her, Peregrine thought. It's not enough. He placed a hand on her helmeted head, Darkness, and began to transfer life energy. Slowly, her glazed eyes grew clearer and a little brighter. They're the same color. They couldn't really heal her, though, with that arrow still in the base of her throat. Carefully lifting her head and shoulders, Peregrine reached beneath, and snapped the tip off. Then, grimacing, he pulled the shaft out of her and threw it away. Halo, her brother?, was tiring, his hands shaking from the strain of keeping it up, but Peregrine could tell they were making good progress. Was amazed even, to see the wound slowly close, and Darkness' spasmodic movements quieten.

Mikhail watched, useless from the side. He felt so vulnerable. Who were these people? At least they hadn't attacked him, and it looked as if the one in the dark blue armor was actually helping Else. A similar feeling radiated out from all three of them as from the twins, and he was left to conclude they must also be allies.

Still, though it was hard to tear his eyes away from the work being performed on the young woman who had been willing to sacrifice herself for his people's sake, he nervously glanced to the other two who had not yet done or said anything. They looked as if they had just been through a battle, as well. Then, he saw what was left of a red and brown armored woman just off to the side of them. Another one of the enemy.

Warily looking at the green and red armored man, and the yellow and gray armored woman, he crept back to Else's side, next to Axel, silently praying the two men could somehow save her. He looked at Axel. The tears had stopped flowing, and he wasn't sobbing anymore. Instead, his eyes were intensely locked on his sister, and his lips were hard set in fatiguing concentration.

Mikhail finally looked at the object of their consuming focus. Else's eyes were closed, and she was dragging ragged, hard breaths down her throat, making her chest rise and fall with the life she still clung to.

Finally, several interminable moments later, Peregrine knew they had done what they could. He reached across to touch Halo's shaking forearm. "She'll be alright now."

Axel had nothing left. The light slowly died as the young man's words sank in. With a sigh that touched on his inexpressible relief, his lightless hands dropped to his sides and he passed out.

Mikhail caught him, preventing him from falling over onto the pavement.

Liam, having stabilized Zariel, rushed over to help support Halo, since Peregrine was aiding Darkness, if he remembered what he'd read well enough to identify them. Torrent was on the other side, and almost shrank away from him at his approach. They must have been through a lot as well.

"It's okay," he promised, noting an arrow was still lodged in Torrent's shoulder. It was the hard blue eyes, though, that caught his attention.

"Be careful with them," Mikhail warned, hoping his insecurity didn't show through.

"Don't worry," Peregrine told him, cradling the weak Darkness. He had such strange sensations coursing through him. He had just saved a life. He had just broken his father's rules. Strata wasn't sure if he really knew himself. All events of the last quarter hour seemed beyond him. "They're safe with us."

Zariel walked over, taking in the abruptly appearing newcomers. "Who are you? How did you get here?"

Mikhail instantly became wary of her. She looked the kind who would look down at him, who would despise him. She wasn't as open and inviting as the others. He wouldn't trust her yet. He wouldn't trust her with the Danish twins, either. "I don't have to answer that," he said in as strong a tone as he could muster, and stepped between her and the unconscious twins. He didn't know what had happened either, to be truthful. "Who are you?"

Zariel was tired, exhausted really, and not in a good mood. "I asked you first," she snapped.

"Hey," Peregrine said sharply. "Ease off on the Alpha routine, would you?"

Liam glanced up at the sun, blinking. It had been too long since it had shone this fully, free of the stifling clouds. "We should get them off the streets. They need tending to."

He clearly expected her to offer her house. Well, she supposed there was really no reason not to. The departure of the clouds always seemed to indicate the absence of the Netherworld incursion. "Fine," she growled, unhappy with the lack of cooperation she was receiving. "Follow me."

Peregrine began to stand with the unconscious young woman, but Mikhail stopped him.

"I'll take her," he said.

With a shrug, Peregrine handed her over. Obviously the young man in Torrent was wound very taught. Probably best not to excite him anymore than Zariel would. He watched to see if the arrow would make it too hard for the young man to do, but he seemed quite determined to take responsibility for her. Okay, then.

Since Liam was still recovering from his previous wounds, and battered after today, he took up Halo. The strength imparted by the armor made carrying him an easy thing, and the trip back to Zariel's house was made in relatively good speed.

She unlocked the door and they all preceded her inside. Same as the day before, she locked it behind them. "This way," she said, still disgruntled, and led them back to the two bedrooms.

As Mikhail set Else down on the master bed, Zariel drug in the smaller one from the other room, positioning it next to the girl. Peregrine set Axel down on it.

Zariel disappeared for a moment then returned with medical equipment. "Out," she ordered.

Mikhail didn't want to leave them alone with her. He couldn't say that he thought she would hurt them, necessarily, but after what they had done for his people and himself, he couldn't abandon them to strangers.

"Trust me," Peregrine smiled at Torrent. "The most roughing up she does to us is with her tongue. She's pretty harmless otherwise." No need to mention that it was her who had, uh, finished the berserker.

Zariel scowled at him and pointed at the door. He left, and after another moment, Mikhail followed him out.

Once they had joined Liam in the living room, it grew almost tensely quiet.

"Got a little something in your shoulder there," Peregrine gestured.

He'd been aware, but everything had happened so fast, it had been easy to forget it. Mikhail reached over and pulled it out.

"We need to get that cleaned up," Liam stated and began limping towards the medical cabinet.

"I'll get it," Peregrine offered. Old habits made old questions rise, but he ignored them. It didn't mean he was turning into some kind of servant to anyone, it just meant he was feeling free to be human with them.

Mikhail noted the surprise in the hurt young man's face. So this wasn't normal behavior, he'd have to watch for what that meant.

Peregrine returned with some supplies, in his regular clothes. Might as well get more comfortable. It would probably look less threatening to the jumpy new-comer as well. "Yours too," he said.

Liam sent his armor and under armor away, and reached for some of the sanitizer and bandages.

Hesitantly, Mikhail did the same. If they were allies, then he should allow himself to be treated. He felt very vulnerable, not having been out of his under-armor in days. He submitted himself to Peregrine's clumsy treatment.

"Not like that," Liam said, noticing. Abandoning his own injuries, he took over, properly addressing the wounds Torrent had sustained. "My name's Liam," he said congenially as he wiped the blood away and applied the antiseptic. "I got the armor of Venom." He pointed over to the Englishman, who was watching the process with a certain amount of disgust. "That's Peregrine. His armor is Strata."

"Mikhail," the black haired boy mumbled. "Torrent."

"Russian, huh?" Peregrine wasn't surprised. His father had always kept him away from them, superstitious after the last world war, but he'd never felt any enmity.

Mikhail searched his face for the usual accusation or revulsion. He didn't think he saw any. "Yes."

"So how did you get here?" Peregrine prompted. "I mean, we weren't exactly expecting you to just appear."

"Where are we?" Mikhail asked.

Liam paused, readying a healing patch. "You're in America. Didn't you know that?"

"We were in England," Mikhail answered, quite puzzled.

"I'm sure it was Halo," Zariel strode out of the short hall, having overheard their conversation. "He must have figured out how to use the light to teleport here. Or travel at the speed of light. Something," She faced Mikhail square on. "I'm Zariel."

He didn't respond.

She sighed at his silence and took a seat on the tiny couch. "Your friends will be fine. They'll just be asleep for a while." She glanced at him. "That was a pretty nasty wound the woman had. What happened?"

"She got shot," Mikhail answered shortly. He hadn't realized when she went down that she was that badly off. His only intent had been on his people, and they were gone now. He was incredibly relieved to know she would be okay. He'd thought it earlier, and he thought it again. Those two were the only people left in the world that he had ties to, and he could hardly bear the thought of their deaths, as well. He gave in to the shock, and clammed up, not even listening to the questions anymore.

"Give him time," Liam responded to something Zariel said. He put a blanket around Mikhail's shoulders, seeing the vacant, lost look in his eyes. "I think he's been through something pretty traumatic." He looked at her apologetically. "I don't think pressing him is going to help."

"Fine," she muttered to herself. She got up and walked unsteadily to the kitchen. "Peregrine, find me some supplies. I guess I might as well make a meal for everyone."

"Sure you won't fall into the pot?" Peregrine asked with a grin. "I don't think you'd sweeten it up any."

"You want me to crack your skull and dump what little you have for brains in here?" Zariel growled.

"Harmless," Peregrine chuckled and did as he was asked. It looked like she might be a little bit normal a woman, after all.

Axel woke up to someone stroking his hair. He dragged open his eyes to see her, as he was well familiar with that gentle touch. "Else," he said, and struggled to hug her.

"Thank you," she whispered, returning the embrace. "You saved me."

"It wasn't just me," he said, not letting go. "I don't know who they are, but I think they are part of us. On our side, I mean."

"Yes," she nodded. "I've been listening to them talk. I didn't want to leave you to wake up alone."

"I'm just, so glad," he choked up.

"No more than I am," she smiled. "Are you okay? You seem absolutely exhausted."

"Using the power of the armors is hard," he acknowledged. "I don't even know if we're in the same city anymore. I got so desperate, something just, happened, and I think we left."

She hugged him tighter before loosening her hold. "Yes, I think we're in America. At least, I believe that's what one of them said."

"America!" Axel exclaimed. "But that's across the ocean!"

"You seem pretty good with those powers," Else smiled. She was still tired, as well, but she hadn't been able to sleep long. Tired, but at the same time buzzing with leftover energy. "We should go check on Mikhail."

"Yeah," Axel agreed, not entirely willing to share her with anyone right now. "He's probably feeling very uncomfortable." He didn't let go of his sister's hands. "I thought he was going to kill you."

"I thought so, too," Else sighed. "He caught me, instead. Somehow, somewhere along the line, he must have changed his mind."

"I was sure the teleporter, Kihrone, was responsible for," he swallowed. "Killing you. I know it doesn't matter now, but I wanted to tell you that I avenged you."

"I knew you would, if at all possible," Else said solemnly. "But he didn't, and I don't believe any of those men escaped, unless it was Shar."

"Only Mikhail knows that," Axel said, brushing some of her hair out of her face. The armor was gone, leaving both of them in the clothes they had first found the armors in. He kissed her forehead. "I guess we can go now."

He opened the door for her and followed her out into the main room of the small house. Some extra chairs had been scavenged to accommodate most of them, and Zariel's work desk had been drug out as well, and commandeered by Peregrine.

"Hello," Liam saw them first. He was sitting next to Mikhail, whom he'd managed to get to drink some hot tea.

"Well you're up earlier than expected," Peregrine smiled awkwardly. They seemed very different, now that neither of them needed his help.

"Hi," Axel smiled brightly. There was no need to be afraid of any of them. Besides, he owed them his greatest gratitude. He walked up to Peregrine and offered his hand. "Thank you," he said from the heart.

Peregrine shook it, and more of that odd feeling washed through him. All of these people were so different from what he was used to. And the honest gratitude was quite strange. "You're welcome."

"My name's Axel," Halo introduced himself to all. He knew his twin was feeling socially uncomfortable. She always did around strangers, so he introduced her, too. "And my sister, Else."

Seeing them, Mikhail had brightened up. He almost left the chair to stand next to them, but that would be completely undignified, and would make him look weak. "It's good to see you," he settled for instead.

Else swiftly crossed the room and crouched in front of him. "What about your people, Mikhail? Were you able to save them?"

"I," he swallowed, blinking back his emotions. He would not shed tears in front of any of them. "I killed the gray man, but my people," he took a deep breath, and his head drooped. "They disappeared. We did not save them." He stated as matter of factly as possible, but his voice broke on the last word. "They are gone."

"I'm so sorry," she put a hand on his shoulder. "We tried."

He looked at the small scar on her throat. "I know." He dropped his eyes. "Thank you."

"I really want to know what happened," Zariel said from the kitchen door. She wasn't going to be put off for much longer, now that more talkative people had emerged.

Axel breathed in the smell of cooking food. "Mmm," he sighed as his stomach growled. "That smells really good."

"It's because she didn't actually touch it," Peregrine laughed.

"You're not getting any," Zariel glared at Strata.

Axel was quickly realizing he was ravenous. "Do you mind if we discuss it over whatever it is that is so mouthwatering?"

"Sure," Zariel answered, more willing to cooperate. It seemed that at least he had some manners. Whatever was wrong with their companion in Torrent, at least she wouldn't be gaining two more like Peregrine.

Axel did most of the talking, covering the basics and his side of the challenges they'd faced. Zariel asked some questions that he couldn't answer, but Else picked up that ball, spending most of her time explaining the real influence Shar had put her under. Encouraged by their frankness, and beginning to understand, Mikhail spoke up, adding in his story to complete the picture, with an ashamed apology to the twins. He was quickly forgiven.

After their stories had been thoroughly discussed, Axel became the questioner, and the events of the past few days of their hosts became the topic. Zariel focused on the enemies they had faced and a very analytical account of their adventures. Liam added in his own observations, and Peregrine gave his own side, taking the time to recount an abridged version of what he had learned from Zariel's records. She had been too busy urging them to move onward to touch on that, it seemed.

"I still can't believe you just watched us fight," She said disbelievingly, looking at Peregrine as a break came in the conversation. She noted the day had passed as they'd conversed and acquainted themselves with each other. It was growing dark outside.

Peregrine shrugged. He'd come back in the end, wasn't that what mattered? There would never be any pleasing her.

Liam really was getting tired of hearing them fight. "Shouldn't we be thinking about what to do next? I mean, we have six armors now, but doesn't that mean there are still three out there?"

"Four, I believe," Zariel corrected him. "It's possible they are in a whole 'nother part of the world, seeing as we were split up like that." She brought her hands together as if something had been settled. "We need to find them and stop Talpa for good."

"That's vague," Peregrine sighed. "As usual."

"I think I may have an idea," Mikhail spoke up. He still wasn't entirely comfortable, but he was encouraged by the way the twins seemed able to be at ease. He did trust them. "I don't know if anyone is feeling it, but there's a definite pull to the West."

Conversation ceased as each member in the room tried to feel what it was that the quiet Russian did.

"You're right," Zariel jumped out of her chair excitedly. She retrieved an old globe from the corner of the room and roamed it's surface, tracing the direction with her finger. Her eyes lit up as she stopped on a small series of islands. "There."

Axel and Else had crowded close to see, leaving the others to look over their shoulders.

"It could be Asia," Else countered. "It could be anywhere over there."

"But it was Japan that the last invasion took place in," Axel said thoughtfully. "And going by the designs of our armors, it's not hard to imagine this war originally centered there. It seems a solid bet to me." He glanced up self consciously. "A good place to start anyway."

"How are we supposed to get there?" Liam asked. "I doubt they'll be accepting flights into the country." He looked at Axel. "Unless you think you could get us there?"

Axel took a breath and shook his head. "I don't know how I, transported, the three of us here. And to be honest, it took a lot out of me. I don't know if I could fight right afterwards, if I needed to. But I'll try to if nothing else works out."

"Electricity's back," Peregrine commented.

"Yeah, so?" Zariel asked.

"So," Peregrine dug a phone out of his pocket. "I bet this'll work again." He addressed Mikhail. "You said the clouds disappeared over in London, right?"

"Yes," Mikhail answered. He remembered watching the dark clouds evaporate, allowing the sun to reign again. It had taken his family even further away from him. "The same as here."

"I'll see if I can get something worked out," Peregrine unlocked the door and stepped outside.


AN: Yay! We're getting the gang together! Now poor Liam has someone else to help buffer Peregrine and Zariel! Now for a little hop skip and a jump...if the rest survive events in Japan...