Hey guys, yes sorry. It's late. I know, my bad. Well here it is! Enjoy!

Chapter Two

Slyder's POV

Why is my necklace feeling warm? I put my fin to my chest and feel the heat radiating from the crystal underneath my shirt. I'm half tempted to take it out and examine it right now. This is the second time it's done something like this. The last time was about a month ago.

*Flashback starts*

"Gahhh! Where's that light coming from?" I exclaim, shuffling around the cave with my eyes closed. "It's like eleven at night!"

I feel around on my hands and knees and finally touch something that's burning hot.

"OW! My hand!" I yell.

I open my eyes only to blinded by the light source. I blink several times and finally try to find my pair of sunglasses. I put them on and notice that it's still really bright in the cave.

"What's going on?" I mutter.

I reach for the light source and I can finally make out the object that's responsible. The Crystal! I tentatively tap the stolen crystal with my fin. It's really hot! What the...why's it doing that? About five minutes later, the crystal immediately stops glowing and I'm now blinded by the darkness. I take off my sunglasses and blink until my eyes adjust to the darkness again.

I slowly put my fin forward and touch the crystal.

"Weird," I announce. "Now it's just cold again."

I put the crystal in my hand and examine it.

"Seriously, what in the world did I get myself into?" I whisper before dragging myself back over to my sleeping bag and closing my eyes.

*Flashback ends*

I turn to face my friend who's in the middle of indulging himself on a sub sandwich. I was going to talk to him something when something peaks my interest at the corner of my eye. How come that penguin right there is grabbing my attention? She has long, wavy brown hair and she's a pink color. She has nice, long eyelashes and a warm smile on her face.

She seems to be completely in control of everything around her. If that's the case, why does her eyes tell a different story? They tell of a deep sadness and longing. She's lost someone but when or how long is another mystery.

"Who's that?" I ask to my friend, sitting beside me.

He's eating a long sandwich, with tomatoes, lettuce, ham, turkey, and radish.

"Hm?" He asks, "I don't see anyone."

I turn to where I saw her but she's gone. She couldn't have been just illusions. I know she was there just a second ago.

"Hey, I've got some interesting news for you," my orange penguin friend says while taking another bite of his sandwich.

"Oh?" I ask, still looking around the cafe for that penguin.

"Yeah...you see..the EPF...they're still...looking after...you," he said in between large bites of his lunch. "They've got...something...that they think...could...finally track you down and...catch you."

I snicker, "yeah right. They've sent in a bunch of agents and high tech gadgets my way and still I outsmart them."

My friend just looks at me, one eyebrow is raised.

"I wouldn't let your guard down, my friend." He warns, finishing off his sandwich. "If my sources are correct...the EPF have found someone to match your wits and it's a fifth class agent."

"Fifth class you say?" I repeat, before looking out the window of the cafe. "This is finally going to get interesting."

"Hey Slyder," he asks. "You've never told me...why are the Elite Penguin Force chasing you?
I glance around the room and then slowly point y neck where my necklace is.

"The crystal?" He exclaims, "the one you usually hide under your shirt? What's so valuable about it?"

I lean closer to Lewis and whisper to him.

"I stole it. Nine years ago, from the EPF when the PSA was still alive." I answer, "the questions remains, what does it do? Why is it so important? What is it capable of?"

"Beats me," Lewis shrugs. "Wanna head over to the skate ramp?"

I look around the cafe and then nod.

"Sure, why not?"

We head over to the skate ramp only to find that's already been taken by two other penguins. We shrug but then continue to skateboard on the ramp.

"Hey!" One of the penguins calls at us.

I look up to see the penguin coming toward me.

"What?" I ask.

"I was just wondering if you wanted some pizza?" The penguin suggests. "My friend, Maxie, is going to go grab some at the Pizza Parlor."

"You want pizza again?" His friend remarks, amazed.

"Thanks but we just ate an hour ago." I inform.

"Okay," the penguin says and then goes back to his spot over by a few other skateboards.

We continue doing a few more tricks on our skateboards before deciding to just give up. Well actually, Lewis gave up.

"Hey, you know I bet Gary could help us" Lewis states as we walk back to the coffee shop.

"Gary, our resident mad scientist?" I laugh, "nah. If I showed this to him, I wouldn't get it back until years later."

Lewis shrugs, "so what's the plan?"

I order a doughnut and we head over to a vacant table.

"What plan?" I repeat, absentmindedly.

Lewis punches me in the arm.

"Don't play dumb with me. I know you've got a plan up your sleeve. You've got that look on your face."

"What look?"

"This one?"

I turn to look as Lewis puts on this horrible looking face. I punch him back on his arm.

"I do not."

"Do too!"

I roll my eyes, "whatever but yes I do have a plan."

Lewis looks at me with eager eyes as I take out the crystal.

"You can head over the University and do some research," I inform.

"Okay and what about you?" Lewis asks.

I give a yawn and sit back in my chair.

"And I will just stay here on my laptop." I add.

"Slyder!"

I give him a, 'hey I know what I'm doing,' look. I take out my laptop and turn it on.

"While you're over there doing research in the library, I'm going to do some computer hacking here."

"You're going to get into a lot of trouble again, hacking into the University's network." Lewis states.

I smile, "Trouble's my middle name."

"Not funny," Lewis mutters before leaving the coffee shop.

I continue to smile as I get online and begin to hack into the University's network. I've done this about a million times and only once have I gotten caught doing so. I shake my head. No flashbacks please. I type on my keyboard and start to play around with the firewalls...and I'm in!

Lily's POV

Ph and I head over to the puffle shop. She hesitates before unlocking the door.

"Are you sure about this?" She asks me, concerned.

I nod. We head inside and memories start to hit me like ton of bricks. I put my hand on the counter to keep my balance.

"Lily!" Ph exclaims.

"No...I'm...okay," I insist as I fight back a tear.

It felt like someone had punched me in the stomach as my eyes take in the surroundings. Matt. I take a deep breath and then take my hand off the counter. Ph looks at me concerned but has me doing a few tasks as the shop starts to open. I notice that she has been giving me jobs away from where Matt would have been working. I stock the inventory and help assist penguins on choosing their pet for life. Every once in a while, I make the mistake of glancing towards the counter or the puffle care room subconsciously thinking I'll see Matt glance my way and sneak in a smile. Ph gets a phone call and starts to head out the door.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

"I...um...there's a small group of deer puffle that need rescuing." She informs, "you and Briana can keep the shop open here. Micheal can come and help me with this mission."

"It's okay," I smile. "I'll go with you."

Ph seems reluctant but she doesn't refuse. We hurry over to the mine to get our gear.

"Are you ready?" She asks, "we're going into the forest today."

I know what she's thinking, and away from the mountains. I sigh and then we start to ride our snowmobiles. I'm...sorry, Matt.

Well, well, well this is all getting very interesting...very interesting. Find out what happens next October 20th!

RR:

The Ender Pickaxe: Yeah it's here! Get ready for some more mystery!