PROJECT: Earth

Chapter 34: Fatal misstep

''Finally home,'' I whispered to myself, a small smile finding its way onto my face as I stepped into the elevator and pushed the button to the penthouse floor.

I closed my eyes for what felt like a moment, letting the fatigue of the long night of work take over for a moment. I only opened my eyes because my trance was broken by the sound of the elevator doors opening.

''Maybe I should just head straight to bed…'' I murmured, stretching my arms and walking towards the apartment door. ''Oh crap!'' I quickly turned back, nearly forgetting to take my briefcase with newly designed blueprints. ''Yeah, straight to bed.'' I chuckled at myself.

''Welcome home Agnes.'' I was greeted by the custom A.I. I used for managing most of the apartment.

''Thank you, could you close the blinds in my room and lock the apartment door please?'' I asked politely, noticing a piece of paper on the coffee table.

''Affirmative.'' The voice said as I exchanged my briefcase for the piece of paper on the coffee table.

''Ah, good it's from Mark.'' I said inspecting the messy handwriting. ''This better explain why he acted so secretive when calling a few hours back.''

''Agnes, Nathalie and I agreed it was time we talked about Cathy so I'm probably spending the night with her. Cathy is sleeping in your bed. I'll be back tomorrow morning. Mark''

''Aha, so that's why he was a bit secretive.'' I said, stuffing the note into my pocket. ''Those two just can't stay away from each other, hee, hee''

As I giggled to myself I saw I had a missed call on my home phone, which seems a bit strange since not many people had my home phone number. ''Besides, who still has a home phone in this day and age.'' I chuckled to myself.

Before listening in on the missed call I took a look at the small collection of pictures of Alisha, Damian and me on different trips, some old and some from years ago.

''Heh, I wonder if Alisha and Damian remember some of these trips.'' I said, grabbing a framed picture of Alisha giving me a kiss on the cheek while on a trip to Portugal years ago. The picture bringing back pleasant memories. ''I promise we'll do something like that again someday… I promise.'' I said with a sigh before putting away the picture.

I glanced at my briefcase on the coffee table, feeling guilt build inside me for working so many over hours the past half year. ''I suppose Alisha and Damian understand considering the situation.''

I shook my head to clear it from the guilt and distractions and turned to the answering machine, noticing something. ''This is Alisha her number from HQ… Why would she call me right after I left?''

''Missed call from: Alisha, now playing message.'' The answering machine said before a short pause.

''Angie, if you're there, please listen it's really- shit!'' Alisha cut herself off as a bunch of voices could be heard in the background. ''C'mon, c'mon, c'mon just leave already…''

There was a moment of silence, making me think Alisha had gotten herself into a lot of trouble. I stood frozen in place, phone plastered to my ear, only listening to Alisha's muffled breathing before the sound of a door closing could be heard, making me exhale at the sound of Alisha's voice returning.

''So like I said, really important. It's about O'Neill and his kid. Somehow her energy ratings… Somehow she popped up on our radar…'' The message making my eyes go wide in panic. ''There's more… The board took over, they've been planning this for a few days now, waiting for the signal to move and IT. JUST. DID. They're sending the hunters-''

I dropped the phone, shattering the glass display before storming up the small flight of stairs towards the guest bedroom, tripping on the last flight of stairs sending me to the floor. I barely caught myself, still banging my head on the floor before scrambling to my feet in panic, throwing open the door to the bedroom.

''CATHY?!'' I yelled through the house, praying to whatever god was listening that she was still in the apartment. All I could feel was my chest beating in my throat.

''Why?! Why would they?! Have they gone insane!? What if he can't control his champion?! What if she can't keep him in check or worse… can't bring herself to kill him…'' Thoughts raced through my head as I burst into my own bedroom, completely cloaked in darkness with the blinds down.

''OPEN THE BLINDS!'' I ordered as the A.I. complied and slowly opened the blinds, letting the moonlight shine onto the empty bed, the only thing on the bed being a letter.

I nearly ripped the paper in half trying to open it to see its contents, it was what I feared, a goodbye letter from Cathy.

''Aunt Agnes, I want to say I'm sorry for being such a bother for the last couple of days. I know I can't stay with you or with papa since mama doesn't want me. I'm going to try and find my sister and try to convince her to run away with me like we always wanted to, please tell papa to not come looking for me, it's better this way. Signed Cathy.''

My legs gave out mid-letter, I hung hunched over my own bed, trying my best to continue reading the letter. ''Why? Cathy, why?'' I cried tears mixed with drops of blood fell onto the letter making me realize my nose has been bleeding from hitting my head. ''Please don't do this…''

''Are you sure you don't want to fuse? I can keep you warm from the rain.'' Ashe asked as I made my way through the deserted streets.

''Shhh! I already told you to shut up! It might be the middle of the night, but that doesn't mean there aren't any people around!'' I hissed at my phone, Ashe's blue visor glowing on screen.

''Yeah about that, don't you think it's a bit dangerous for a girl your age to be out in the streets late at night?'' Ashe asked making me sigh loudly. ''At least cover your head, your hair's already soaked…''

''How far is it?'' I asked with my shaky voice, barely managing to hold back my emotions.

''If you're trying to leave the city you're better off taking public transit kid it's going to be one hell of a trip.'' Ashe stated with a sigh of her own.

I opened my mouth to argue that we would need money to take a bus but decided against it, thinking of the bond between me and Ashe Mark spoke off. Instead, I decided to give Ashe's idea a try and look for a bus stop. ''It might also keep me dry for a moment…''

''Kid are you sure it's a good idea to just leave? Don't you think Mark will come looking for you?'' Ashe asked after a moment of silence. ''We both know you got your stubbornness from him.''

''She'll hold him back, telling him that this is for the best.'' I barely managed to get out. ''Besides, Viktor was right, I'm just a failed experiment…''

''I highly doubt that.'' Ashe said, sounding a bit angry. ''You feel, you wish, you dream, out of all the hosts I've shared a bond within a short time. You are the most human of them all and that makes you perfect even if Viktor says otherwise.''

''Ashe…'' I mumbled, taking my phone from my pocket once more and gazing at the blue visor on the screen. ''Thank you.'' I muttered as I hugged the phone, slightly shivering from the cold.

''There's a bus stop right around the corner over there, take a rest there and try to warm up a little.'' Ashe suggested awkwardly, her voice sounding different almost comforting.

Just as Ashe said, a small bus stop waited for us around the corner. I quickly ran into it, shielding me from the rain and cold wind. I took a seat on the metal bench and moved my short hair out of my face.

''Last chance kid, are you sure about this?'' Ashe asked, she too sounded unsure unlike before.

''N-No'' I sniffled and began to cry. ''B-But what else can I do? I don't have a-anywhere to go.''

''Poor thing, what are you doing out here on the streets this late at night?'' A feminine voice suddenly asked. ''Did you lose your parents?''

I let out a gasp and scrambled to my feet, carefully eyeing the source of the voice. Next to the metal bench stood a tall brunette, dressed in a long dark green coat holding an umbrella to her side like it was a fancy rapier, hiding the part of her face I was looking at with her long hair.

''I-I'' I tried to get a word out but something about the woman made me uneasy as if she had this familiar aura around her.

''Don't worry chérie.'' She said moving the long locks of hair out the way, revealing a purple glow in her eyes. ''I know exactly how to fix this.''

10 minutes earlier

''Agent Fiora, the board has decided to send you out to do some fieldwork.'' Gérard, our supervisor said with a strict tone.

''What? Us? Why us?'' I asked getting up from my bed and putting away my phone, surprised by the sudden news.

''I do not make the rules Madame, you are expected to leave in fifteen minutes, pack only essentials.'' The older man said with a small bow before turning his back to me, ready to leave.

''What kind of fieldwork Gérard? Where are we going?'' I asked the man as he was about to leave my bedroom.

''With current events back in your hometown the board has decided it's time to see how much you two have grown, see it as a test of trust.'' He said looking over his shoulder.

''So they think it's a good idea to just throw us into the deep? Not to mention pin us against Mark?!''

'' In the end that's how all tests are supposed to be, no?'' Gérard asked before taking his leave. ''I suggest you start packing, you have ten minutes.''

''Not all tests have the possibility of ending in a bloodbath or with me killing my boyf- partner…'' I huffed annoyed and quickly grabbed a duffle bag to put clothes in.

''Princess, hey. Snap out of it, no daydreaming.'' I felt someone carefully nudging me awake.

I groaned a bit, not wanting to wake up from my power nap. I blinked a few times, letting my eyes adjust to the lights from the screens in the van we were sitting in, waiting on orders or a general go signal at that matter.

''Hm?'' Was the only thing groggily leaving my throat. ''Ugh, I wasn't sleeping just… thinking of something.'' I managed to lift my head from my makeshift pillow although I wasn't sure what it was.

''Yeah right, that's why there's drool on my shoulder...'' Tobias said with a hint of annoyance in his voice, wiping his jacket clean. ''If you're tired then let me do this. I can handle it.''

''Sure you can handle it alone, that's why I'm always the one babysitting you.'' I said with a smile.

''See? You are worried about me, you think I can't do this.'' Tobias said, now sounding full on annoyed. ''Ever since I started slowly gaining control you've been worried about me, don't you trust me?''

''Tobi… You know I trust you, it's just that...'' I tried searching for the right words but didn't manage to find them to Tobias and my own displeasure.

''Roxanne I'm not a monster, at least I try not to be… Back then I was… uhm…'' Tobias stopped mid-sentence, trying his hardest to find the right words. ''I was…''

''Misguided.'' I finished his sentence, covering his hand with mine making him look me in the eyes. ''I see you're still struggling with finding the right words sometimes.'' I giggled, making him grumble a bit.

''I might struggle sometimes, but the neural implant helps me out a lot.'' Tobias said after a second of brooding, a grin slowly forming on his face.

''Yeah, it's really doing an amazing job on you.'' I said with a smile, resting my head on his shoulder again closing my eyes as he rested his head on mine.

''You sure you're not tired? You look tired.'' He whispered.

''You really want to prove yourself to these suits don't you?'' I asked with a smile on my face. ''You've already shown them enough Tobi.''

''Easy for you to say, you don't have a psychopath connected to your mind.'' He answered with a hint of worry in his voice, something rarely shown by him.

''You sound tense, why not sit this one out.'' I said trying to calm him down. ''It's just an inexperienced, scared girl; I can handle it, even if I could use a nap.''

Before Tobias could growl a response, a small screen in the van began a video call. ''That is exactly the plan Madame Roxanne.'' Gérard's face presented itself on the screen.

''Monsieur Gérard, thank you for finally joining us at this hour.'' Fiora spoke up after being silent for most of the trip.

''Shouldn't you be asleep right now? What time is it in Paris anyway?'' Tobias asked.

''That does not matter Monsieur Tobias, what does matter is the task at hand.'' Gérard said stroking his beard before grabbing a small stack of papers.

''Which is? The board dragged us from Paris to the other side of the globe without providing barely any intel.'' Tobias growled annoyed.

''Don't listen to him Gérard it's probably the jetlag talking, please Monsieur, the intel if there is any.'' I said, nudging Tobias in the ribs.

''Merci, your target is the young companion of an old friend, Monsieur O'Neill.'' Gérard said calmly reading the papers. ''I assume you both know who I'm talking about?''

''MARK?!'' A thought shot through my head, the shock making me lose my relaxed composure.

''Calm down chérie, focus.'' Fiora's voice rang through my head. ''Let's hear him out.''

''Right, right… I'm calm, thanks Fiora.''

''They seem to be split up as we only managed to locate one high energy reading a few days ago and pinpoint it to a smaller area within the city, no specific locations sadly.'' Gérard finished reading his intel, putting away a small stack of papers.

''So we're being pulled from our safe house in Paris, thrown into the city, sit on our asses for almost a full twenty-four hours and only now are we being told that we're supposed to be patrolling this area?'' I asked agitatedly. ''I have better things to do you know…''

''Not exactly Madame Roxanne, you are stuck to follow our orders until the board agrees to offer you two more freedom.'' Gérard said smugly, making my jaw drop at the sudden change of atmosphere.

''Now you listen here-'' I yelled getting up before Tobias reached for my blouse and pulled me back into my seat.

''Jheesh, I thought I was the one with anger issues…'' He muttered staring me down, his empty eyes meeting my fierce glare. ''Listen I partially agree with both of you but can we just get to the point? You clearly have more to say Gérard.''

''That I do.'' Gérard said, putting his hands together and leaning his head on them. ''To answer your patrolling question, Madame Roxanne… Not exactly, we've already been monitoring the whole area and located a young girl walking in the rain, alone a moment ago, that's why you two are out here right now.''

''Child, female, alone… vulnerable'' Tobias mumbled some specifics. ''Seems like an easy target.''

''Do not underestimate her Monsieur Tobias, I was warned to take a cautious approach.'' Gérard warned with a serious tone.

''Anything else we need to know? Any specifics?'' I asked calming down. ''What's she got to do with Mark?''

''Don't underestimate the little one, and don't harm her. We don't know whether she is hostile or not. About her relation with Monsieur O'Neill… We don't know.'' Gérard said vaguely, almost dodging the question.

''Gérard if there's anything else that you know of, please tell us.'' I requested, meeting the serious stare from the Frenchman. ''Maybe there's something we can exploit.''

''I like the way you think Madame, but sadly we have no more information so I suggest you get a move on for now before our time window closes completely.'' Gérard said giving me a faithful smile. ''After all, she's the bait that will lure out Monsieur O'Neill.''

With his message delivered, Gérard gave a small bow before the small screen in the van turned off, leaving Tobias and me in the nearly completely dark van.

''Alright! Time to move.'' I said exhaling through my nostrils and getting up from my seat next to the large man. ''Tobias you stay here and will serve as a back-up if needed.''

''And what about you?'' He asked already knowing the answer.

''I'm going to meet our little friend.'' I replied, grabbing my phone and umbrella before putting on my green raincoat.

I threw open the back of the van, ready to step out when a hand pulled me back just a little, forcing me to turn around. ''Be careful'' Tobias said trying to avoid eye contact.

''Oh please, when am I not careful?'' I laughed at his attempt to hide his embarrassment by looking away.

''I can name a few situations, chérie'' Fiora's voice came from my phone, followed by a chuckle.

''Oh hush you.'' I said joining in on the chuckling.

''Promise me.'' Tobias said, this time sounding more serious.

''I promise I'll be careful.'' I said stepping out of the van, into the pouring rain. ''And you're clear to engage when it gets too hot.''

''Acknowledged.'' He said with a small smile, sitting back down in the van and closing the doors behind me.

I lay back onto the hotel bed, taking the wet towel off my head and letting my still drying locks of hair hang. I took a moment to get comfortable, supporting my head with one hand and resting the other on my body, attempting to look like a model at the beach or something.

''Hey Nath do you think this is right?'' Mark asked walking out of the bathroom, trying to inspect the bandages covering his shoulder.

''Clearly, you screwed it up, get over here, I'll fix it.'' I said motioning for him to sit on the bed as I redid his bandages. ''You have to make sure you cover it up correctly…''

While redoing the bandages I noticed Mark sometimes grunt in pain, especially when I tugged the bandages to secure them more tightly. ''There, that should do it.'' I said as we both inspected my handy work.

''Thanks.'' He exhaled and lay back onto the bed with me. ''Are you sure you didn't want to take a bath instead of a shower?''

''No, this is all I need.'' Without a second thought, I latched myself onto Mark's arm, pulling him closer and resting my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. ''Ah~ perfect.'' I said closing my eyes, feeling Mark stroke my damp hair with his free hand.

''You look nice.'' Mark said after a moment of silence.

I opened my eyes before giving him a confused stare, only mustering a confused hum which was met with a chuckle. ''What's so funny?''

''This looks better on you then that lingerie…'' Mark admitted, not daring to look me in the eyes.

''But these are just my regular pajama shorts and top…'' I muttered a bit annoyed, tightening my grasp on his arm.

Before I could continue complaining about my pajamas Mark quickly spoke up again. ''This just feels… more like you.''

''But didn't you like the lingerie? I've been wanting to wear it for the longest time.'' I asked with a pout. ''It wasn't the cheapest piece they had either…''

''Don't get me wrong! It was different-'' Mark started but shut himself up, hearing my annoyed grumble. ''Uhm… Cute, yeah, it looked really cute on you.''

''Better.'' I said satisfied with his comment. ''Glad you enjoyed it.''

I loosened my grip on his arm a bit and relaxed once more, feeling my head move up and down matching his breaths. I couldn't help but stare at his wounded shoulder, feeling a bit of guilt for using Solar Flare on him back at the barn.

''So, what now?'' Mark suddenly asked, pulling me out of my daydream.

''D-Don't tell me you want to go another round! I-I'm exhausted!'' I bolted up, meeting Mark's eyes with my own before noticing his face take on a crimson shade.

''I… meant with Cathy…'' He said chuckling nervously.

''Oh! Of course! How could I be so stupid!'' I nearly yelled, quickly placing my head in the crevice of his neck and relaxed.

''Nathalie, I think we caught up enough for now…'' Mark said, laughing off his own embarrassment. ''We should discuss how we're going to tackle this problem.''

''I've been thinking about it a bit.'' I said after we both calmed down a little bit. ''What about turning the study into a bedroom for her, it's not like we're using it that much and the room isn't that small either.''

''That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.'' Mark said enthusiastically, turning his face a bit to look at me. ''Not like we have that much time to use it…''

''Ugh, don't get me started.'' I sighed in agreement before we both chuckled a bit. ''Maybe we should childproof the windows, get some nice furniture, maybe some stuffed animals and repaint the room of course.''

''Mhm, I bet she'd love that.'' Mark took a moment before continuing. ''Now for a color that she likes.''

''Wait you don't know what kind of color she likes?'' I asked a little shocked. ''Please tell me you're joking…''

''I don't, is that weird or something?'' Mark asked back, giving me a confused look. ''Why are you expecting me to know these kinds of things?''

''Because she's been in your care for almost two weeks! Don't you two talk or something?'' I asked baffled. ''Don't you want to know what she likes?''

''Alright, alright I get it calm down…'' Mark said nonchalantly. ''But please do acknowledge that I was unconscious for a while and before that we were running and hiding.''

''Point taken.'' I said feeling a bit of guilt gnawing at me. ''You seriously have no clue what she might like though?''

''I just said- No!'' Mark sighed annoyed. ''By the way, Cathy is way more focused on controlling her powers and her weapon right now.''

''So? I don't expect you two to be training all day, especially knowing you.'' I teased, knowing Mark tends to skip training sessions at times.

''It's different with Cathy… She has this daily routine; eat, train, sleep, repeat…'' Mark gave me a serious look as he talked. ''Nath, it's like she's stuck in this unhealthy cycle.''

''But… she's just a child.'' I said letting Mark's words sink in. ''Kids her age should be having fun, or be busy making friends or at least have a general idea of what that all means…''

''We can't get hung up on this right now.'' Mark said staring up at the ceiling. ''She probably wants to change her old habits, but right now there's too much going on to focus on changing her routines…''

''But doesn't she get bored of doing the same things over and over again?'' I asked, trying my best to stay on the subject.

''Nath, she gets up before me, waits for me to join her to do exercises and when I call quits, she either keeps going or comes with me only to fall asleep.'' Mark said with a sigh.

''It's almost like she's programmed to do the same things every day… poor thing…''

''Don't worry, we'll find a way to bring out the little girl that's stuck deep down.'' Mark said suddenly facing me, a warm smile on his face. ''I know we can do it.''

''Mhm! Yeah!'' I nodded in agreement. ''That's what she wants right? A family and normal life?''

''Yeah.''

''Then let's do our absolute best to give her that life!'' I said determined to give Cathy the life she wants.

In my excitement I climbed on top of Mark, locking him in place with one of my legs on both sides of his torso. The act making him crack a wide grin. ''What's so funny?''

''Nothing, just enjoying the view.'' Mark said, resting his head in his hands. ''I thought you were exhausted?''

''Well~'' I purred resting my chest on his, our faces inches apart. ''Maybe I can go another round if you promise to be gentle~~''

''Ohohoho, yes ma'am.'' Mark said slowly getting up, forcing me to hold onto him to not fall backward.

''Hey! Careful!'' I giggled before noticing Mark staring at his jacket on the floor. ''Mark? What's wrong?''

''Yi? Who's calling?'' Mark asked as I let go of Mark, giving him space to walk over and check his phone.

''It's Cathy.'' Yi answered. ''Do you want me to take the call? You two seemed busy.'' He chuckled.

''It's fine, I'll take it myself.''

''W-What are you talking about?'' The young girl asked scared, backing up slowly. ''L-Leave me alone…''

''I'm sorry chérie, but I can't do that.'' I said throwing aside the umbrella ''Fiora, if you wouldn't mind?'' I asked kindly.

Within an instant, I fused with Fiora. Within the bright pink light, we were becoming one, her armor projected onto my body as her rapier found its way into my hands.

''Now chérie, if you wouldn't mind coming with me quietly?'' I asked the young girl who instead turned around and ran off in a mad dash.

''Why do we even bother?'' Fiora chuckled as I set chase, moving my rapier to my side.

The moment I turned around the corner of the bus stop, an arrow shot straight at my face. With barely any time to respond, I managed to cut the arrow in half before it could hit me without using Riposte, knowing I'd have to hold the ability in case of a crystal arrow.

''Bien! Roxanne, tres bien!'' Fiora complimented excitedly.

''That's what we trained so hard for.'' I said with a grin while scanning the area for the little girl, who clearly was the right target.

''Who do you work for?!'' The girl asked from her hiding place, this time sounding more urgent and collected compared to the scared voice she used earlier.

''I work for the same people your big friend works for.'' I answered calmly, searching for possible hiding places. ''They just want to talk to you and Mark.''

There was no response, just the sounds of the city's nightlife. I moved forward slowly making my way into the light of a street light.

Within an instant of me moving into the light, another arrow shot towards me from the side, forcing another quick reaction out of me, this time managing to cut the arrow in half a lot easier compared to the surprise arrow last time.

With a,

*PANG*

The streetlight I was standing underneath suddenly exploded due to the arrowhead I sliced off shooting up into the lamp.

''What are you planning?'' I asked underneath my breath.

''What is it? Can't fight what you can't see?'' The girl asked smugly as a Volley of arrows made shot my way, forcing me to Riposte the multiple arrows.

''Hmpf, clever tactics but by doing so you gave away your position.'' I said lunging to the side, my rapier connecting with something metal. ''I'm perfectly capable of fighting something I can't see.''

''I noticed.'' A familiar voice said as the metal I connected with pushed back with surprising force. ''Hello Roxanne.''

The source of the voice began to light up a little, showing off a familiar orange glow from armor and a blade that I hadn't seen in a very long time.

''Mark, you've been trouble for the board lately.'' I said taking a combat-ready stance, rapier slightly tilted his way.

''It doesn't have to be this way Rox, you can still walk away, and I'll talk to Pete myself.'' Mark said calmly, mimicking a combat-ready stance just in case.

''Is that what all that destruction was a few days ago?'' I asked circling Mark as the glow of a blue armor lit up behind him, revealing the girl hiding behind him.

''Just a misunderstanding from Pete's side, everything we do is in self-defense'' Mark answered never breaking his calm posture as he mimicked the circling. ''And what's with this board you keep talking about?''

''The big suits that run it all Markie, the ones that basically own us.''

''I have no idea what you're talking about…'' Mark said confused.

''*Sigh* They left us no choice!'' After my sigh I engaged, lunging towards Mark and locking blades. ''You know I'd say I'm sorry but ever since our first fight in that bank I've been edging for a rematch!''

''You know;'' Mark began his sentence, pushing against his blade with more force than I anticipated, knocking me back a little. ''You could have asked or-''

Before he could finish his sentence or expect it, I lunged forward again, this time making sure to use Bladework to power up my attack, hoping to hit the vital that finally presented itself on my HUD.

''Cathy, move!'' He yelled forcing the girl behind him to the side with his free arm before moving himself, resulting in my attack landing in his side, hitting the vital that presented itself.

''MARK!'' The girl fused with Ashe yelled taking it upon herself to fight back as Mark held his side. ''Don't hurt him!'' She yelled swinging her bow like a club.

I effortlessly avoided the attack, spinning out of its way before catching and yanking the ranged weapon from the girl's hands with my free hand. ''Bad decision.'' I grinned as I pointed my blade at her.

''Oh but I'm just stalling.'' The girl said with a grin of her own.

''What are you?-'' Before I could finish my sentence Mark attacked me from my flank, forcing me to sloppily block the attack, dropping the bow in the process.

''Having trouble keeping up with us?'' Mark asked, forcing my blade upwards, breaking the block and giving me shove with his shoulder sending me to the ground. ''C'mon that can't be all you got?'' He asked amused.

''Oh, don't worry. We have a lot more tricks up our sleeves.'' Tobias' announced, atop the broken streetlight stood an armored figure, the neon red lighting up the broken streetlight.

''Zed?!'' Mark asked surprised, taking a few steps back, blindly searching for Cathy behind him with his free arm. ''I thought they locked you up?'' He asked, never taking his eyes off Tobias.

''What is it O'Neill? Looking for this?'' Tobias asked disappearing into the shadows before reappearing on the post, holding Cathy by her hood.

''MARK! HELP!''

''CATHY!'' Mark yelled taking a step forward before being stopped by my rapier pointed at him. ''Rox what's going on?! Why is he walking free?!''

''He's not a bad guy Mark, he's trying to better himself and so am I,'' I said halfheartedly. ''I'm sorry that we couldn't work together but I was needed elsewhere.''

''Like hell you were!'' Mark yelled powering up his blade with Wuju style, channeling high amounts of energy into the blade before charging me with blinding speed. ''Cathy hold on! I'm coming!''

My attempt at blocking his attack was futile as the strike nearly broke my rapier in two. The force behind the attack knocking me off balance and instantly forcing the tip of the rapier to the ground.

''Mark calm down-'' I tried to talk him down but he wouldn't listen, nearly plowing through me to get to where Tobias was holding Cathy, knocking me to the ground with another shoulder charge.

''Let her go!'' Mark yelled at the top of his lungs, slashing at the broken streetlight, making it fall slowly.

''Odd choice of words but alright.'' Tobias chuckled leaping into the air and letting go of the small frame of the girl.

Tobias quickly disappeared from the air and into the shadows, leaving Cathy to plummet down to the street below, forcing Mark to shift his attention to the falling girl.

''Gotcha!'' He yelled as he leaped into the air, catching Cathy before landing safely on his feet and giving the girl a quick hug.

''Seems like you still get distracted easily…'' Tobias said reappearing from the shadows behind the two, slashing his arm blade over Mark's back, making him drop Cathy in pain.

''TOBIAS DON'T!'' I yelled trying to stop him. ''Dammit, this wasn't the plan!'' I yelled rushing in to stop Tobias if I needed to.

''What? You were getting your ass handed to you!'' Tobias yelled back, turning around in annoyance. ''I'm not the kind of person that stands back and watches as someone I care about is being knocked around!''

In response to his comment, I activated Grand Challenge, knowing I didn't have any other choice but to end the fight quickly before either Tobias or Mark lost control.

''Oh, come on Rox! I'm in perfect control of my champion!'' Tobias said, taking out both his arm blades, ready to fight me if he needed to. ''Don't make me-''

He silenced himself instantly as I shot past him, hitting Mark's frontal vital as he attempted to strike Tobias down while his back was turned. The surprise and pain from my attack made him recoil back a little, giving me an opening to play with as I struck another vital.

''Mark!'' The girl raised her voice before reaching for her bow, readying the weapon and drawing a unique, glowing arrow back on it, ready to aid her partner in the now two on two fight.

''NGH, Cathy! Run!'' Mark managed to yell, blocking my path to her by sacrificing another vital.

''No! I can fight! I can help you!'' She yelled back, focusing as best she could before she let the arrow go, heading straight for me.

''Crystal Arrow incoming Roxanne!'' Fiora warned. ''We must dodge it!''

''She's clever! She knows that if I back off, they'll escape, but if I don't, I'll be frozen in place and they'll still escape! Damn!''

''Stop worrying princess!'' Tobias yelled, appearing in my peripheral vision, leaping from the shadows to block the arrow for me. ''I got you covered!'' He confirmed as he used his arm blade to break the arrow in mid-air, flash-freezing only part of his arm.

''Copy!'' I confirmed loudly as I continued my assault on Mark's last vital, creating a Victory Zone and making him drop to the ground, defeated.

''Cathy…'' He muttered before letting his head hit the ground.

''No! Mark!'' The girl yelled reaching for him, completely ignoring Tobias who slowly walked up to her. ''Get up! You have to!''

''You're coming with us.'' Tobias said calmly, his large figure towering over the small girl weeping on the floor. ''Don't resist, don't make this any harder.'' He said putting his hand on her shoulder.

''LET GO OF ME!'' She yelled, struggling to release herself from his grip before running over to Mark. ''Get up! You have to get up!'' She cried, nudging Mark's unconscious figure.

''Mission complete. Requesting pick up.'' Tobias confirmed with HQ through his comms. ''Targets apprehended.''

''We did what had to be done chérie …'' Fiora said as I looked down at Mark. ''We had our orders, and we both know that letting him go wouldn't solve anything.''

''I know Fiora, it's just that… this doesn't feel like a victory at all…'' I said crossing my arms as the victory zone disappeared.

''I think she won't be a problem any longer.'' Tobias said walking over to me, putting his unfrozen hand on my shoulder. ''Sorry for doubting you back there…''

''Tobias, I should have-Oh my god your arm!'' I yelled, noticing his frozen arm all the way up until his bicep. ''We need to get that off you!''

''Don't worry, I think they'll handle that.'' He said pointing at a small convoy of vehicles approaching us.

It's been 84 years...

BUT IM BACK BINCHES, YEET

Alright, we got that out of the way, Hola from Spain everyone. I have some exciting news to share (and it's not a lie this time as I say) that I'm officially back to writing FF.

I thought I'd get more time to write FF when I got back to college but classes were slowly killing me as I drowned in work. Now for the exciting news, I'm staying in Spain for the coming 19 weeks as part of an internship which means I won't have a lot of distractions compared to when I'm at home where I go out with friends or play League or other games on my pc.

Next to that, I've taken it upon myself to try and write daily and hopefully upload once every one/two weeks, sadly no more promises since my internship requires me to work 12-hour shifts in a hospital and I did come here to study and improve myself as a nurse instead of writing FF but it will be my second focus.

After the introduction tomorrow I'll get to work on a chapter or two for my other story but do expect another chapter for PROJECT: Earth in about a month.

I hope people are still reading this story, I don't blame them if they don't since it's been so long but sadly life took a few turns here and there, not all of them good which is the worst part. I suppose one of the things made me realize that there is probably people reading this and that I should finish the story for the sake of the readers who enjoy the story.

I just want to thank the people who have been patiently waiting for another chapter and I want to assure all readers (From both this story and my other story) that I'm going to try my best to deliver. You're all amazing people,

Until next time,

Emerald out.