With the sudden news about Fusions running rampant around the world, the council pushed their attention on the matter and reviewed their findings. They were watching a video on the big monitor and, frankly, were disturbed by the carnage taking place.

Someone managed to get video of a group of Fusions firing attacks on cars and buildings. A Carbink-Venonat, a very young one, fired off Signal Beam into a crowd of Pokémon, nailing direct shots with its Compoundeyes ability. A Dedenne-Oricorio was causing mass confusion with their Teeter Dance. There was a Leafon-Reshiram of all things setting the entire town ablaze with their fiery tail.

That was the basic idea of what was going on everywhere, and it was not pretty.

Liam shut the video off and turned back to his fellow councilmen, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "So…I think we can all agree this is…unnatural."

Peregrine sneered. "Either the entire Fusion community collectively snapped in one night or something's forcing them to attack."

"I readily agree with Peregrine," Abraham seconded. "Those weren't just teenagers or adults we were watching. Some of them are very young kids from the looks of it."

Lewis leaned back. "With so many acting the way they are, I doubt this is a conscious decision. There's no reason for all these Fusions to be acting so irrationally."

"There's nothing we can really do about it," Cade mentioned. "We have numbers, but this is too much for even us to handle. At the very least, securing the village should be top priority."

"I'll manage that myself," Lewis offered. "We can't know for certain if this is an affliction or outside force taking over."

Peregrine rolled his eyes. "I don't know what the rest of you are worried about? I say we just fly in and beat some sense into those troublesome miscreants!"

"Not even you can take on hundreds of Fusions," Lewis pointed out, "much less around the world."

Peregrine slapped his leek down. "Wanna bet?!"

Gracelyn held her hands up. "That's quite enough, you two. Unfortunately, Cade is right. This is way out of our hands. We've only prepared our Fusions for small crimes, not global rioting."

Abraham leaned back. "At the very least, the police are getting a hold of the situation as we speak. Very soon, the Fusion Hunters will step in and round up all the Fusions until, hopefully, whatever is causing them riot will run its course."

Lewis sighed. "No doubt a lot of parents are going to be unhappy with their kids being taken into custody."

"It's for their own protection at this point," Abraham reminded, scrolling through the video's comments. "Seems some are glad they're being arrested. Some of these are from parents worried about their children."

Liam sighed and held his face. "Fusion Hunters…" He grumbled under his breath, but his irritation was clear as day.

Lewis narrowed his eyes. "Chief, I understand your contempt with the Fusion Hunters, but this is truly for their own good."

Liam rubbed his face and drooped his hand over the side of his chair. "I suppose, but…just doesn't feel right, knowing those Fusions might not be of sound mind…"

"The Fusion Hunters, while not the most honest folk, are our only hope of keeping crime stable," Cade pointed out. "They know better than to detain Fusions of innocence."

"Still, I…" He was interrupted midsentence when his cell phone rang. He swiped it off the table. "Hmm?" He read the caller ID, then immediately frowned. "…It's Julian."

The room was silent, save for the periodic buzzing. The other councilmen awkwardly stared at each other, hoping one would speak up. Seeing as Liam was just staring at his phone, Lewis asked, "You, uh…going to answer that?"

Liam gazed at him briefly, then sighed before standing up. "I'll be but a moment." He grabbed his staff and sped out of the hut. He stopped out back and rested his staff against the building. He answered the call and held the device to his ear. "What do you want, Julian?"

"…we need to talk."

Odd way to start a conversation. Liam narrowed his eyes. "About what?"

"About our…issues. About things you refuse to discuss."

Liam closed his eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're lying through your teeth. Don't pretend you don't see it. We're both thinking the same thing. You and I aren't exactly on the best terms with each other." Liam heard the Machamp sigh over the phone. "…do you know how worried I was when you ran away?"

"I wouldn't know." Liam glared. "After what you did, why should I care?"

"Liam, that was a long time ago."

"You went too far when you went after that Fusion on your own. Do you know how worried I was? And what do I find? You taking your anger out on Dad's killer."

"He killed him…"

"It was an accident! The police confirmed he wasn't actively trying to kill Dad! They both acted out of self-defense! You still went after him, practically torturing him for who KNOWS how long! I had to cover for you when the police found him!"

"Sound familiar?"

Liam growled. "Don't turn this around on me! No one here tortured innocents for hours! You, however, went TOO far!"

He heard a low grumble from the Machamp. "Then maybe it's time we settle this little dispute once and for all."

Liam eased up, but raised his brow suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"You want to talk? Fine. You and me. Johto. We'll meet at our childhood home and settle this."

Lia narrowed his eyes. "…That city was deserted years ago."

"I know. I figured it would be the perfect place to…well, for lack of a better term, take a stroll down memory lane."

The godly ape wasn't liking what he was hearing. Something about Julian's quiet tone concerned the Fusion. It didn't carry his jovial and charismatic attitude. There was no emotion to pick out from it. "Julian, what's this abo-?"

"Meet me there. By midnight. I know you can make it before then. Don't be late."

"Wait, Julian!" The call ended immediately after. Liam held up his phone and stared at the screen with grim concern. "Something's not right…"


"Really? At such short notice, too?" Cade asked as he and the other council members stood outside the village gate with Liam.

"Why the sudden rush?" Lewis asked.

Liam rubbed the back of his head and sighed. "It would seem Julian booked a meeting out in Johto with their regional committee and wanted me to come along. He figures having the head of Gappei Village will help with settling the…Fusion crimes taking place."

Gracelyn crossed her arms. "Are you sure you wish to go?" She narrowed her eyes sympathetically. "I mean, you and Julian will have to…"

Liam held his hand up. "It will only be for a day or two. Julian and I promised to talk things out over brunch."

Gracelyn sighed. "If you're certain…"

Liam looked between the five. "I expect you all to keep things running smoothly in my absence. Think you can handle it?"

Abraham smiled boldly and settled a hand over his chest. "Not a reason to worry, chief. We have a good handle on things."

Peregrine smirked. "Heh, I haven't had to reprimand anyone in days. I think we'll be fine without you."

Liam nodded, then turned his back to them. "Very good." He tapped his staff down twice. "I shall not be gone long." He used Extreme Speed and vanished in an instant, blowing dust away in a ring.

Lewis waved his hand across the air, narrowing his eyes curiously. "His aura seemed a little shaky…I don't think he was giving us the full story."

Peregrine rolled his eyes. "He said it's just a meeting."

"It's never just a meeting with those two."

Gracelyn pressed her hands together like she was praying. "I do hope Liam takes my advice wisely. He has been awfully stressed lately."

Peregrine nudged her side. "You've got nothing to worry about. Julian probably just wants Liam to discuss the progress we're making out here in Kanto."

She sighed. "Yes, I suppose you're right."

Cade grinned and waved them towards the gate. "Oh, Liam will be fine. What's the worst that could happen? Anyway, let's grab ourselves a drink. I'm sure everyone can handle themselves without needing our…help?" Cade's eyes gazed down at the ground and spotted something yellow laying on the ground. "Where'd that come from?"

He knelt down and picked it up, brushing off some of the dirt. A manila folder. He turned it over a couple times and found it was completely blank.

"Did someone drop our mail?" Cade asked aloud as he stood up.

Lewis snatched the folder from his hand and gave it a look himself. "No address or anything. This wasn't sent through our normal mail." He shook it a couple times. "There is something inside, though."

Peregrine fluttered up and perched himself on Cade's head. "I've seen something like this in my soap operas. Maybe it's a blackmail envelope!"

Abraham held his chin. "Curious…perhaps we should take a gander inside."

"Good call. Come on." Lewis opened the gates and led them back to the council hut.


An hour after making his call with Liam, Julian headed down to his lab and got his station prepped up. Albert stood by, having been called down to assist with his boss' plan. Though, it was quite clear Julian's plans left the Cacturne a little concern.

"Sir, maybe you should reconsider."

"Not a chance, Gates," Julian stated firmly as he grabbed a swivel chair and rolled it over to the worktable. "I made my choice and will stick with it."

"Did you also get yourself life insurance, because you could very well throw your life away!" Albert shouted. "This is ridiculous! Going this far and now you'll be putting your health at risk!"

Julian sat down and started removing his suit. "Gates, I have lost my patience with that ape and now I need to settle the score."

"You're throwing yourself into a cage match with a Slaking-Arceus," Albert emphasized critically. "Do I need to spell out the kind of danger you're promising yourself? The second you throw the first punch, the very moment Liam realizes you're out to end him, he won't hold back. You two are already on the fence with this…friendship of yours."

Julian glared over his shoulder. "I appreciate your concern, Albert, but I'm not turning back." He gripped down on the table tightly. "Besides, I need to settle what we didn't finish last time."

"Pardon?"

The Machamp shook his head. "It's nothing." He threw his blazer onto the ground. "Just prep me for injection."

Albert grabbed an alcohol wipe and, just as Julian threw off his buttoned shirt, wiped down a spot on his upper arm. "You realize what will happen, right?"

"Yes."

"And you don't even want to reconsider stepping down?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

Julian groaned irritably. "Enough prattling!" he shouted, eyes flashing red for a second. "I said it once and I'll say it a thousand times! I've made up my mind!"

Albert picked up an injector gun and held up a vial of Enhancer Serum. There were seven vials in total present. "I feel it's worth reminding you the effects are irreversible once it bonds to your genetic structure. Once I use this, there's no going back. Plus, the side effects…"

Julian shook his head. "Forget about all that. And don't worry about the side effects. I've been working day and night to perfect the batch. This should be completely without negative side effects."

"Um…should?"

Julian glared. "I need to get stronger. This is the only way I can ever dream of matching Liam in a fight."

Albert loaded one of the vials in the injector. "I don't know. We've never had to use seven on one body. We don't know what'll happen if you activate this power. You could tear your muscles apart or worse."

The Machamp glared at him, undeterred. "I've made my choice. Now do it."

Albert gave up and sighed in defeat. He looked over the injector and made sure the vial was fastened in. "Your funeral."

Julian threw off the undershirt he had on, revealing his bare chest. Stretched across his blue body was a long, grayish scar. A long, jagged cut from the looks of it, too, like he was attacked by someone in a frenzy.

Albert placed the injector against his upper arm. He muttered, "Time to see if all your research pays off…" He pulled the trigger, injecting the red fluid into Julian.


Back at Gappei Village, Wash and Juniper were gathered in the ghost frog's hut and planning for a picnic date for later in the day. Wash was getting the supplies and stuff in order while Juniper made their sandwiches in the kitchen. Not once did the sleepy panda snooze or slack off to get out of work. She was just as excited to spend time with Wash as he was with her.

As Juniper wrapped one of the sandwiches in plastic wrap, she threw a light grin over her shoulder. "I still don't get why you gave away all those pillows I gave you. Don't you want to sleep in your own fluffy palace of wonder and happiness?"

Wash folded their picnic blanket, then turned around. "There was no way I was sleeping with those pillows stacked over me. It just wasn't happening." He glanced to the side, then walked over to the couch. "Stillll…I didn't get rid of all of them."

He picked up a red, heart-shaped pillow with 'W+J' embroidered on the front in pink thread. Juniper blushed and held her cheeks with a big smile. "D'aww! Wash!"

Wash blushed as well. "It would've been rude to get rid of them all. They were your gifts. I just kept this one because…well, it makes me happy."

Juniper giggled girlishly and teetered on one foot. "You're so sweet!"

Wash laughed bashfully and threw the pillow back onto the couch. "Yeah, I guess." He tossed the folded blanket over to her, which she caught and shoved into the picnic basket. "How's the food coming along?"

"Great!" She started placing the sandwiches in. "Once the pie's finished and cooled, we can head out."

"I didn't know you baked."

"I don't, but…" Juniper grinned. "Sheila was more than happy to give me a recipe. She said you'll love it, so I took her word for it."

Wash chuckled. "How nice of her."

Juniper grabbed the basket and skipped over to him, dancing around like she was fluttering on air. Wash couldn't keep a straight face, finding it jarring to see the panda so bouncy and bubbly. She was normally more laidback and…drowsy in normal conversation. It was too adorable for words.

She spun in front of him, then sneaked a quick kiss on his cheek before handing him the basket. "Here you go!"

Wash held his cheek and laughed before taking the basket with his other hand. "Thank yo-WAH!" The second Juniper let go, all the weight of the basket threw the frog to the ground. He quickly sprung up and heaved the basket off the ground, then set it on the dining table. "Did you replace the bread with bricks or something?" He opened the basket and shuffled through the food, then his face fell into a deadpan expression. He turned and faced his girlfriend. "Jun?"

"Yes~?" she asked innocently.

"…there's four cases of diet cola on the bottom."

Juniper kept her best poker face while pulling on her ear in a guilty, playful demeanor. "Gee…wonder how those got in there…"

Wash closed the lid. "You really like soda, don't you?"

"We've been dating for a while. I think the answer is more than obvious."

"Isn't this a little excessive? We're just going to be alone for an hour or two."

Juniper shrugged. "Hey, I see no problem. I've practically got blood made of pure soda. Besides, who cares? I can quit anytime I want!" she proudly stated, holding her hips.

Wash held his own and shot her a smirk. "Then no soda on our date."

Juniper laughed and held her hand up. "Slow your roll, Washy. I said whenever I want, not when you want." She flicked a soda out of her sleeve and opened it.

Wash rolled his eyes, but still smirked and laughed under his breath. Of course.

Juniper threw herself onto the couch and took a sip. Wash joined and sat close to her side. Juniper leaned back in the couch and smiled at him. "…this is nice."

"Yeah, it really is." Feeling a little bold, Wash wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. Juniper buzzed with giggles and snuggled up to his side. She slurped on her soda, which prompted a curious question from the ghost frog. "Sssooo…I don't think I've ever asked. Why do you like drinking soda so much?"

"Hmm?" She looked at the front of her can, then shrugged. "I don't know. I just like this particular brand. No big deal."

Wash nudged her. "I think we established you have soda blood."

Juniper chuckled. "Ironic for a lethargic Spinda to be fueled by caffeine." She sipped her soda again. "Okay, maybe I'm a little addicted to soda. Can't help myself. Not like anything bad has happened to me yet."

"You do manage to stay fit, I'll give you that."

She winked. "Hey, I do keep myself in shape, mister!" She leaned back deeper into the couch. "I'm just so used to drinking soda. My pappy always gave me a can every day. Became a bit of a tradition by that point."

Wash raised his brow. "Your pappy…as in your father?"

Juniper covered her mouth. "Woops!" She chuckled softly and shook her can. "Don't want to give you an unfair advantage in your betting circle. I think I'm getting too comfortable around you."

Wash chuckled and shook his head. "Eh, don't be. I pulled out of the betting circle a long while ago."

"Hmm? Really?"

"I told you, I don't like prying into your personal life. It's your business, not mine." He smiled. "Doesn't mean I don't want to know who you were. You seem to make a big deal saying you were a completely different person."

Juniper grinned. "Ever met anyone this cheery?"

"Can't say I have."

Juniper smirked. "So, what exactly were you betting on? Who did you think I was?"

A solemn smile crossed his features as he looked down into his lap. "I had my guesses, but…the further I got to know you, I was betting on you…kind of being like me. You sound like you were like me. Hiding away the demons and becoming someone that anyone can like."

"Same reason I was fascinated with you," Juniper added.

Wash frowned. "Yeah…only, I suppose the difference is, you can control yourself…"

Juniper's smile dipped, barely in a neutral state. "…" She looked ahead at the wall, gripping tightly on her soda. "…you don't talk about home a whole lot."

"Neither do you."

"Yeah, but I don't talk about myself. Your history is plain as day." She glanced at his slouched demeanor. "It was horrible, wasn't it?"

"You don't know the half of it. How often I wished I left sooner before everything went to hell. Maybe I wouldn't have left such a bad impression on them." He folded his arms in his lap. "Even if I wanted to, I might never be allowed to enter my hometown again. Might get arrested on the spot…" He gripped his leg firmly. "Or worse…"

Juniper snorted quietly, trying to make light of the somber mood. Didn't seem to work much, but she tried. "I say stay away from there. You could do so much better than that Arceus forsaken town." She gestured around the room. "This place is a start." She sipped her soda.

Wash sighed. "I feel bad for what I did, even if everyone didn't like me. It's one thing to act out of self-defense, but…I had no recollection of what I did until I woke up on the ground. I attacked everyone who got in my way." He held his face. "Everyone must hate me from hell to back…it's a miracle Barbatos didn't actually kill someone…"

The sleepy panda showed an awkward smile. "Heh…how absurd."

Wash peeked from his hands. "Huh…?"

"It's absurd…to hate a sweet guy like you. Some Fusions deserve it, while others like you…just no." She scooched closer to him and rested her head into the crook of his neck. "…Was it always like that for you? Running, hiding, and hoping no one hurt you?"

Wash gazed at the floor darkly. "…yes…every day…" He closed his eyes. "…I sympathize with Ghost-Types a lot."

"Hmm? How come?"

"Ghosts can sense the presence of the dead. See their spirits if they're around. My Banette side harbors grudges, so I know what the feeling of vengeance feels like." He held his face. "…Research on my town shows…they've done Fusion Trials in the past."

Juniper's eyes widened. "Oh…oh, Washy…"

He gripped his arm, visibly shaking. "It was like living in my own nightmare world…stuck in a horror movie on loop. No exaggerated ghostly moans, but…the cries of anguish and despair were there."

His girlfriend grimaced before rubbing his back. "Yikes…you Ghost-Types don't have it easy." She then cooed, "You poor thing…"

Wash gritted his teeth. "It was horrible to listen to at night. I don't know I didn't go mad sooner…"

"You're not crazy. I promise." Juniper looked down at the ground, eyes narrowed in consideration. She gave a few quick glances back at him before fully facing. "…if we're sharing…I guess…you could say I never had the best childhood either."

The shaking in his body lessened as he faced her in light concern. "H…Huh?"

"It…wasn't all that fun in the beginning. But…I never truly cared, so it didn't matter. Nothing did…" She shook her head and got back on track. "Then I got older and…saw what other Fusions experienced through their eyes. I saw a lot of sad and lonely Fusions. I pitied them, but…my pappy told me I shouldn't. Not to be disrespectful…but the opposite.

"All he did was smile and…that seemed to lift their spirits. It was weird, yet…also infectious. I asked myself 'Why should I miserable with them instead of…just smiling?'" She then smiled caringly at him. "I figured…one little bit of optimism can clear those gloomy skies. It won't stop the rain from coming back, but…at least we know the sun will still be shining. Isn't that what a sun is? A bright smile of hope?"

Wash felt the tension in him lessen into nothing. He breathed in, slowing his beating heart, then smiled back. "Y-Yeah…I guess you're right…"

Juniper grinned, set her soda on the coffee table, then threw her arms around him, which he happily reciprocated. "And if it makes you happy, I'll keep on smiling forever!"

"You…" Wash chuckled lightly, tears brimming from his eyes. "You already do that…"

She pulled back and booped him on the nose. "Then you know I'm good on my word."

Wash smiled brightly, eyes shimmering, then leaned his forehead against hers. "Thank you, Jun…heh, I know I can always count on you to make me feel better…"

She gave a light peck on the cheek before snuggling up to him. "You're very welcome…"


The council stood around the tables, eyes wide and focused on the material spread around. Confusion filled their curious minds, staring at newspaper clippings and photos, with red ink circling particular passages. Specific figures were picked out among the photos.

By figures, it was the same figure. A blurry image of a young Spinda, barely visible through the crowds.

Peregrine narrowed his eyes seriously, gripping on his leek to relieve built up tension. "Anyone else getting that weird tingling feeling in the back of their necks?"

Lewis picked through the photos and examined them with great deals of skepticism. "This has to be a joke."

Abraham picked a newspaper passage and skimmed through it. "I long await the dreaded punchline."

Cade held a set of papers in both hands. "Who on earth could've sent this? And why?"

"It's obvious they're trying to tell us something," Lewis pointed out. "I'm just hoping it's not for the reason we're all dreading."

Gracelyn laughed uncomfortably, her legs buckling under her weight. "N-Now, now, we shouldn't be so hasty. This has to be some big misunderstanding. We very likely got the wrong mail, that's all."

Peregrine sneered. "Specific mail without an address? Quit kidding yourself, Grace."

"I'm only trying to lighten the mood, dearie…"

Abraham grabbed a file, stared at it, then looked up at Lewis. "What's the date on that photo?" Most of the photos had specific months and years written out in red ink.

Lewis closed his eyes. "…April, sometime ten years ago."

Abraham picked up an article and cleared his throat. "Well, I've got a bit of unfortunate news. 'Dragonite general found dead on the streets of Nimbasa City. Suspect Unknown and still at large.'" He looked around at his colleagues. "This isn't a pretty picture we're painting."

Cade narrowed his eyes. "And there's a whole lot of them like that."

Lewis growled and threw the photo down on the table. "Don't get ahead of yourselves. This still might be a misunderstanding."

Peregrine glared at the photos of the circled Spinda. "Yeah, and this in NNNOOO way looks the least bit suspicious. Even if most of these photos are in black and white, you can still make out the dominant color of red over their body. And the added fluff of their fur. That's not a natural Spinda coat."

Lewis shook his head, gripping on his seamitar. "I…can see that, yes, but…"

Gracelyn reached out and touched his shoulder. "Lewis, these photos and articles came to us for a reason. This couldn't have been a mere mailing accident, as much as I want to believe that. What we see is what we get."

Abraham nodded. "Indeed. The evidence isn't concrete, for there is no actual proof. However, someone made this distinct connection and sent it to us. For all reason to believe-"

Lewis slammed his hands down on the table. "I know we all see it, I'm not blind, but be honest with yourselves! Do any of you honestly believe Juniper has been going around the world and killing people?!"

Dead silence came about after. The four other councilmen looked to each other with concerned eyes, while Lewis huffed continuously, reigning in his anger. He pinched between his eyes and shuddered with a long sigh. The silence was uncomfortable. Everyone was hesitant to give their opinion on the manner.

Lewis breathed out, then raised his head. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have lost my temper like that…"

Gracelyn nodded. "It is alright…it's a hard matter to address…"

Cade held a clipping up. "Like you said, we can't go into this blindly. Look, the Spinda is blurred out in this photo. It's not like it's uncommon to find a young Spinda at a crime scene…right?" He shook his head. "Regardless of that, it may not be a Fusion. It could happen to be some random Spinda, that's all."

Gracelyn nodded in swift agreement. "Exactly! We can't let details like this cloud our judgment."

A loud, annoyed grunt interjected. They faced the scowling steel duck, who had his wings crossed and was tapping his feet on the table. "Yeah, yeah, real cute and faithful, but there's a problem in your logic: we don't have proof she DIDN'T do it!" He pointed around the pictures. "I count eight murders, presumably from a Spinda. The kid has only been here for four years and this one looks pretty young!"

Lewis glared. "Peregrine…"

"Don't go getting angry with me, I'm just stating the facts. Juniper doesn't have a paint-by-numbers history we can use to disprove this crap! We know nothing of her life other than her soda addiction!"

Abraham raised his brow at him. "You can't possibly believe-"

"The kid's a saint sent down by Arceus himself! Of course I don't buy any of this garbage! What I do think, though, is that there's something fishy about all this." Peregrine glared. "Juniper would never kill. She's too pure to be like that. But…the kid talks a lot about duality and masks…we've heard her say things like 'leaving behind the old me I dislike and becoming the new me that everyone will like.' The hell would that mean?"

Gracelyn held her chin. "Hmm…are you suggesting that Juniper…changed?"

"What I'm saying is that this isn't an open-and-shut case. Did Juniper have motives? Why would she be killing anyone at her age? How could she if she's just some kid? Who were these people that would make her want to kill them? We need the facts. Until then, innocent until proven guilty."

Lewis grumbled in discomfort, but ultimately nodded. "Fine…but this stays between us. We can't go causing a panic."

"Should we inform Liam?" Gracelyn asked.

"He's got his own problems. We'll deal with this ourselves." Lewis gathered up the papers. "Cade, you and Abraham figure out who these people were and see what would've motivated their deaths."

Abraham nodded. "Of course."

"You can count on me!" Cade proudly stated.

Peregrine smirked. "Good. We can get this over with and write this crap off as utter nonsense."

The council exited the hut and went their separate ways to continue with their daily tasks/assignments. Sadly, it wasn't as private as they had hoped. If only Lewis was in a calmer state of mind halfway through the meeting. First go around, he sensed around the building to make sure eavesdroppers weren't around. He got too heated for his own good, otherwise the spying shadow would've been ejected immediately.

Quinn stepped out of the shadows, holding his mouth in utter shock and confusion. It was an accident. He was walking by with a book when he overhead Lewis shouting inside. His good-natured morals told him to stay away and not involve himself, but perhaps Artemis' influences tempted him to eavesdrop. He swore Lewis would sense him and remove him, but he got off lucky…much to his dismay.

He carefully walked away from the hut, then took off running. What…What was that all about? Juniper? He shook his head. N-No! This is just some stupid misunderstanding! But…is it? He glared and took off running in search of his hut mates.


With Profectus Inc. without its president for the time being, Julian's office was free and spacious. A perfect place to stay low for Data. As a last request from the cube, Julian brought and left him on his desk, much to his confusion. Data explained he'll be fine on his own. Perhaps that was more of a half-truth, for he didn't intend to spend the next couple days in solitude.

Sitting in Julian's chair was a figure draped in the shadows of the dark room. The windows were tinted. The figure was using a screwdriver and messing with certain points on the cube's body. They were undoing the locks on the containment unit.

"You've set up quite the mess of a plan here…"

"I had to make do with what I had," Data insisted. "Things will go far more smoothly once I am released. Then we can get started on setting up the machine."

The figure picked at a panel that opened up. "You sent Julian to his grave. Even with the modifications, how well will the Enhancer Serum hold up with his body?"

"Depends on how strong he is." Data sighed. "I feel sorry for what I must do. Using him as a mere pawn. We had our…tense moments, but I thought we truly bonded in our time together. Still, sacrifices must be made."

"And what of Gappei Village?"

"Once I am released, I'll get to sorting that out, as well as helping my imprisoned associates. If all goes according to my design, there should be no worry." A turning gear ticked within the shell of his containment. "The next couple of days will be unpleasant, but that is all in the name of peace."

"…heh." The figure turned the screwdriver, earning a satisfying click from one of the locks. Purple, spatial energy seeped out from the top corner. "It's going to be one hell of a weekend."