A/N: Thanks to ChasexJinjaForever and guost for the reviews. Enjoy!

The sensation of falling asleep was similar to how he fell into his meditative state. Everything else and everyone else faded away into the background (though it was hard to tell at first since everyone was so quiet). It was almost like drifting deeper into water, his senses becoming more muffled.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, realizing he wasn't in the Tibet mountains like before. The monk looked around, having some trouble moving. It was then that he could see how much the place mimicked the sea. He glanced upward, faint blue light trickling down. Below, it was a dark, endless abyss. It didn't even seem like he was standing on solid ground, merely floating.

"Beyal."

He turned around, struggling a bit as he did so. He was surprised to see the woman in white again, her own clothes fluttering against the calmness.A faint glow surrounded her, illuminating the darkness around them.

"... Mrs. Suno...?" Beyal asked. For some reason, he found it hard to speak here. The words barely forming on his lips. She smiled gently to him before speaking.

"I take it you have questions about the Original monsuno," she said bluntly, "you'll have to be quick. The last time I spoke to Chase, the Hand almost got wind of what I told him."

Beyal was a bit hesitant towards asking her things. He faintly remembered the last time they had spoken back in the base, he ended up being possessed by the monsuno. He could remember some of the things that it had said to Bren and Jinja, but it was more like a dream if anything. He knew that they had to stop the Hand of Destiny, and that it had to do with the ruins on the picture from before, but that was about it.

"Um... a few. But... where are we?" he asked, looking around. It was strange to get visions that were so clear and lifelike, and this was no exception.

"This is where you will find guidance. Although, it is mostly within your own mind. Like a dream really," she said with a gentle smile. For some reason that explanation wasn't as strange as it should've been. Beyal couldn't help but wonder if the last time he had a vision with Ms. Suno, it was also a dream.

"So are you even here? And where is the monsuno from before?" He asked. The woman gave a sigh, and looked off to the side, as if there were something in the distance that she could see.

"I am able to speak to you through the monsuno sight, but we must make haste or the Hand will know that I am trying to warn you." She turned back to face him, "And as for the monsuno, I imagine that it has now retreated back into your mind, or rather your soul. If it stays in control for much longer, it could become... dangerous."

Beyal's gaze fell, but he shook the feeling away and looked up.

"... What... What's up north?" he finally asked, "those ruins... What are they?"

"The Hand is after the Original monsuno's energy. By releasing them into this world, they have released powerful amounts of monsuno essence. The cavern up north is where this all started," she explained, "There are ruins there of when the Original five tribes had created the seals. It is there that they had made the pacts with the five original monsuno, and where you and the others can recreate those seals in order to stop the Hand. If you can get at least one of the remaining original monsuno to remake the seals, then the energy should stabilize."

"Would it be that simple?"

"I'm afraid not. At least with Chase in his current state," she said, wrapping her arms around herself.

"... What do you mean?"

"The Hand has twisted his feelings, turning them into something more... Obsessive. I fear that they have poisoned his mind in the same way as before. You remember when the two of you were trapped in a nightmare? I imagine it is something similar. Except..."

"Except?"

"Someone is still holding onto Chase's mind. They're probably influencing his actions even now, ever since you came in contact with them the other day."

Her expression fell, and she placed a hand gently to her chest in thought. Beyal raised a brow in confusion. He thought for a moment, and then remembered the hooded group from before.

"Are you talking about the people from the cave. And the shapeshifter from the base?" Beyal asked. She nodded, "Who... are they exactly?"

The woman let out a sigh, "they are a lesser known part of the Hand. Or rather, what happens to the people the Hand uses for monsuno sight."

Beyal let out a small gasp. There was shift in energy (or was it water?) and the woman in white looked up with a serious look.

"They are most likely the ones who are trying to poison Chase's mind as we speak. It's possible that if you can break their hold on him, then he should return to normal. But if you were to confront them... They may try to rip the monsuno away from your soul."

Beyal was silent, looking down at the darkness below the two of them, trying to work things in his mind. For some reason, it was getting more unclear as he stayed in this place. Still, he pressed on, knowing that there wouldn't be much time left to speak to the woman on their new enemy.

"What are they? How are they able to turn into other people?"

The woman sighed, looking up to the light shining above them, "They... are human, though barely at that. They had lost their humanity long ago after the Hand had taken their monsuno sight. Much like myself, they were taken by the Hand of Destiny in an attempt to harness monsuno sight. Except..."

"Except?"

"A few years back, the Hand found that some of the people were rendered useless after their sight was taken. That led to them being used as test subjects for how to create the shapeshifter monsuno, especially since monsuno essence couldn't be harnessed like it is now."

"... Could you... Could you tell me more?"

She looked to him with a weary look. There was a hesitance, if only because there was the chance that the Hand would show up at any moment. In the end, she nodded, and started to retell what she knew about the four from the cave.

HLP

Chase stared down the old man, as if waiting for a challenge to fight. Hargrave half wished for the boy to go ahead and give them a fight, if only because he wanted to blow off some steam for being left with Dom Pyro for so long. The teen, however, took the envelope, and opened it cautiously.

"What's it say?" the red-haired girl said, sliding up to Chase's side. He was silent, then frantically stared looking through the letter.

"What is this?" he demanded. The butler shrugged. After all, it wasn't like Klipse ever told him about the deliveries he was making. This angered the teen, and he ripped it apart.

"W-wait! Chase!" the boy with glasses said, getting up.

"What's wrong? What did it say?" Jinja asked. Chase frowned, still staring down the old man. Finally, he forced himself to turn to the rest of his friends.

"Klipse says he knows where the Hand is going to be tonight," he said, not caring that Hargrave and Dom Pyro were still present, "They're going to the cave up north. He thinks its a trap."

"Wait. How does he know? And how does the Hand know about the cave?" Bren asked.

"Yeah. It seems like a bluff to me, Suno," Dax said, arms crossed. Chase looked to the ground, most likely trying to think things through. He glanced back towards the white-haired boy, who was still sitting silently on the bed towards the back.

"... But if that monsuno in Beyal was telling the truth about what the Hand is after, it makes sense that they would be there," Chase said,

"If it helps your decision," Hargrave interjected, "Dr. Klipse is currently up north as we speak. If what he claims is having to do with something in that direction, it makes sense that he would be there."

Chase gave him a somewhat surprised look. Hargrave inwardly chuckled at how easily swayed these children were. Of course he wasn't lying either, which could only mean that Dr. Klipse was the one trying to lay a trap. Although...

The butler looked over to the boy who was silently sitting towards the back, Dom Pyro eyeing him cautiously. It seems that someone else was also aiming to get Chase and his group to go up north. Did that mean Dr. Klipse wasn't lying?

"... You can't be seriously thinking of going Chase!" Bren said. Chase was looking to the ground, and shook his slowly.

"I can't just ignore this, B. Klipse said that my mother might be with them," he said, only to get small gasps from the rest of the teens. Dax was the first to interject.

"There's no way-"

"He said 'a woman with long brown hair and teal eyes.' I may not have been with her for long, but I do remember what my own mother would look like," Chase said fiercely.

"Now your just sounding like the other brat," Dom Pyro mumbled, flinching a bit when the white-haired boy shifted a bit. The others stared blankly at him before Chase charged up to the man.

"What do you mean? Who said that?" he demanded. A sly grin appeared on the crazed man's face.

"Oh? Your interested in that woman that Six saw? I guess the boy wasn't mad after all," he chuckled. Hargrave couldn't help but sigh, knowing that he was just trying to stir up drama. He turned to the exit, casting a glance to Dom Pyro.

"Let's go you psycho. We're done here," he said over his shoulder, and started walking towards the door. He stopped shortly before reaching it, however.

"Oh and by the way," he said, then looked over to Dax. The man pulled out a second envelope, and extended it out to the boy with one of the mechanical arms. The teen was hesitant towards taking it, so Hargrave dropped it at his feet, "Klipse thanks you again for that bit of information on Dr. Suno. He hopes you find what you're looking for, and to keep in touch in the future!"

With that he left, not bothering to wait for the other man or for the small group's reaction to his revelation. He was fed up with the crazy man's actions. And since their job was completed, that meant they were done working together (at least for the moment).

As soon as he stepped out of the building, Hargrave could hear the other man follow behind, growling under his breath.

"Why can't we just smash them around for a little while? It's not like Klipse needs them all in one piece. Especially that white-haired rat-"

"Klipse said to deliver that final bit of information, and that's what we did," the butler said, walking down the darkened street, chuckling a bit to himself, "And judging by their reactions, they will probably be on their way tonight."

"But if they don't, then that means we can crush them!"

Hargrave gave a side-ways glance, "You seem to underestimate the power of persuasion, as usual. It's a bit of a gift that Klipse has."

He looked forward again as they continued walking. And even if the small group of teen's didn't go to find Klipse, they would be back for them. Still, the old man didn't have time for this, especially if there was a reason that his monsuno was able to be called out. At least at the moment.

HLP

The teens didn't know how to respond to the two men leaving. Dax was staring down at the envelope at his feet, anxious about what it could possibly be. It was only after a minute did he realize that all eyes were on him now.

"So what's that?" Chase asked, eyes narrowing. Dax growled under his breath, reaching for the envelope that Hargrave dropped. Jinja, however, was quicker, and snatched it out of his grasp. He frowned at her.

"Hand it over Princess," he said, holding a hand out. She ignored him, looking down at the back, as if to open it. He knew she wouldn't, but still.

"Let me see it Jin," Chase said, walking up to her side. She, however, held it out of his reach. Chase gave a surprised look, "C'mon Jin. Let me see!"

"No," she huffed, pocketing the envelope into her jacket. Dax relaxed a bit, knowing that at least the others wouldn't immediately know.

"So what's the deal, Dax?" Bren asked, sitting down on a bed with his arms crossed, "I thought you were done with the whole 'playing all sides' thing."

"I am!" Dax said, then shuffled a bit, "Well... There's something I have- look. It's none of your business so let's just back on topic of what our next course of action is."

Bren and Jinja exchanged looks, while Chase continued to glare at him.

"…Well? Didn't you want to go north, Suno?" Dax asked. Chase raised a brow suspiciously.

"Yeah. But now I'm not so sure. Especially if Klipse is going to be there," he responded cooly. Dax growled under his breath at how fickle the other was being, and stalked off to the door.

"W-wait! Dax-"

"No. Go ahead and look if ya'll want," the lowlander said, not bothering to turn around as he gripped the doorknob,"I could care less at this point."

Slamming the door behind himself, Dax stuffed his hands into his pockets as he stalked off towards the oasis. He wasn't ashamed of trying to find out where is mother could be. But he'd be damned if Chase tried to make it a bad thing. Especially after they had been running around for their leader's parents before.

He stopped when he reached the shore, ripples forming on the surface from the slight breeze. But maybe it was a lost cause to try and look for her. There was no possibility that she was even still alive, even with the photographs that Klipse gave. And was it really alright for them to go north? Especially now that many of their enemies were possibly going to be there?

There was a buzz, and he looked down to see Airswitch stirring in its core. He held it up, noticing that the light inside wasn't as brilliant as before. If anything, it was now just a dull glow.

"… Maybe we should go," he said to himself, knowing that the problems around their monsuno and the monsuno essence could be solved if they go (at least if that monsuno was telling the truth).

".. Also," he said, then turned to look to some of the shadows of the buildings, "You really have to stop trying to sneak up on me, princess."

Sheepishly, Jinja stepped out, then envelope in her hands. She got her nerve back, and walked over.

"Here," she said, holding it out. He raised a brow, "… Well? Take it."

He looked down at it, then looked back to the water.

"… I don't want it."

When she didn't say anything, Dax looked back to see the red-haired girl with a confused face.

"So what, you made some sort of side deal with Klipse and decide to back out now that we know?" she asked, putting a hand on her hip, "There's really no need for you to be so secretive all the time."

"Like your one to talk," Dax scoffed. Jinja's face was blank for a moment before her cheeks became flushed, most likely remembering the other night. Angrily she shoved the envelope at him.

"Just take it!"

"I don't want it."

"Take it!"

Frustrated, Dax slapped her hand away harshly. There was a shocked look on her face for a brief moment as they both watched it flutter into the water lapping at their feet. He turned away with a sigh.

"… It's really nothing," he said, kicking at the sand.

"Fine," Jinja said, throwing her hands up," don't tell me. It's obvious that you really don't care. Just know that if there's the chance that this is a trap laid out by Klipse, I'll never forgive you."

She turned on her heels, and started walking away furiously. Dax balled his hands into fists. He was going to regret this.

"It was a picture."

The footsteps stopped, and he was sure that she had heard. Instead of turned around, he continued.

"If I gave some information from Dr. Suno's research on how to restore Jon Ace, Klipse was going to give me information on… my parents."

He wasn't even sure if the information was useful either, especially with the records varying time-wise. Still, it was clear that the it was at least worth looking into. He could hear her shuffling towards him slowly, so at least she hadn't run off immediately.

"So you're still the same old con artist like before, right?" Jinja said bluntly.

"I've only been giving them little bits so far, hardly anything to work with really," Dax said honestly "And some of the information has more to do with random coding that has nothing to do with monsuno energy. It was mostly random things I found on the Core-Tablet that I nabbed when Bren wasn't looking."

That much was true, even if none of them were going to believe him. But in the end, was it really worth getting faulty information from Klipse if it meant betraying the trust he built up? Especially now with tensions with Chase being so high, Dax hardly thought so as he looked out beyond the oasis and into the desert.

A pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind, and made him jump a little.

"No… It was worth it," Jinja said, a bit gently. Dax flinched, realizing he spoke that last bit under his breath without realizing it.

"You and Chase… Your both similar in that way," she said, "You both care about those closest. Except Chase is more open about it ever since his father went missing."

He raised a brow, and Dax suddenly remembered all the times he and Dr. Suno would share casual talk with each other when the latter was on the run. Dr. Suno had a way of always bringing the conversation back to his son and how much of a good boy he was interesting to say the least to get to know Chase without ever meeting him.

"I suppose he has rubbed off on me a little," Dax muttered under his breath in a joking manner. He chuckled even more and looked over his shoulder, "Didn't peg you to be the motherly type to notice that about him, princess."

Jinja let out a groan, "Savory this moment. With that attitude, you won't be getting another hug from me anytime soon."

Savory the moment, huh? Dax couldn't help but think back to the night before when they had… He shook his head a little. It probably wasn't worth thinking too much into…

At least that's what he thought last night.

"By the way," he started, "What was up with yesterday-"

Footsteps could be heard coming towards the two of them, and Jinja immediately let go. They both saw Bren huffing along as he ran down to the two of them.

"What is it Bren?" Jinja asked, a bit annoyed.

"Beyal woke up… He says we have to go… now…" Bren wheezed. He really need to get into better shape. One would image he would be after all the traveling they had done (at least that's what Dax thought). Jinja let out a gasp, and started to follow after Bren. There was a slight hesitation in her step as she looked back to Dax.

"I'll catch up. Give me a sec," he said, smirking a little. He turned back to gaze out at the water, digging his hands into his pockets as the other two ran off to the inn. He could see the envelope from before drifting far into the middle of the water at this point, most likely useless.

"Oh well," he said, "The information was probably just as outdated as the last. But at least I still have-"

He stopped, freezing as a moment of realization hit him. He felt around in his pockets for a second, then frantically started searching his jacket for that familiar image that he had just gotten.

"… Damn," he cursed under his breath, "Must've lost it in the base…"

A/N: Review Review Review!