Hey guys, here's the next chapter! Enjoy !^-^

Chapter Five

Slyder's POV

I glance wearily at the crystal that I had hastily thrown in the snow. It started to get hot again. I turn to look back at where I saw that other penguin. That's the second time I've run into her. Coincidence...I really don't think so. I look up at the sky again. She seems to have a connection to the crystal. Does she know about it? I look back and tentatively touch the crystal. A warm glow seems to radiate from it as I put it back in my hand.

I put the necklace back on and continue to walk toward the Mines.

"Why was she crying?" I mutter, unable to get the image out of my head.

I try to shake it away as I enter the tunnels. I'm planning on meeting an old friend who might have knowledge on who sent me that explosive wake up call. The twists and turns in the mine make it feel like I have gotten myself lost.

"What do you want?" A voice finally asks from behind me.

I jump in surprise at the sudden noise, "I'm asking you if you might know who sent this?"

I hold up the exploded bits of the bomb that I managed to salvage.

"You know I can't see that in the dark right?" He exclaims, "fine. Follow me."

The penguin leads me through another passage until it seems to lead to a dead end. He touches the wall somewhere and it opens back into the wilderness. We walk silently through the woods until we reach his cabin.

"Show me" he orders, as he closes the cabin door.

I toss the bomb on the table while he examines it. He has a surprised look on his face when he spots a mark on one of the pieces.

"This is..." he states, "TAG technology."

"How?" I question.

The penguin shrugs, "I don't think there's much to worry about for now. TAG is no longer a threat. It was probably just someone who stumbled upon some of the supplies still left after TAG's takeover."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm absolutely positive."

I watch as the penguin collects up the pieces of bomb and puts it on the counter.

"Is that all?" He asks.

I nod, "I was hoping you would actually be able to tell me who gave me this bomb."

The penguin looks at me and shakes his head, "I'm sorry but I don't think I even have a clue. I'll try to look into it if I can but as far as I know...you're in danger."

"Yeah, I figured that" I announce.

"Slyder, I'm serious." The penguin exclaims, "I know what you're doing but it's getting dangerous."

"Well here's not turning back now, is there?" I answer, "besides I have to do this."

The penguin looks at me and then sighs.

"Okay, fine if you're going to be that persistent...I've got something I need to show you. I discovered it a few days ago and..."

Suddenly there is a loud knock at the door. The penguin looks up in surprise.

"What in the world is going on today?" He announces in exasperation. "Everyone wants to see me today."

He looks over at me, unsure what I should do.

"It seems it would be best for you to be out of sight?" He suggests.

I look around to find the cabin empty of any possible hiding spots.

"Fine...follow me, quickly!" The penguin exclaims and then pulls open a trapdoor from under the carpet.

"I didn't know you had a basement!" I announce, incredulously.

"Don't go exploring!" He orders, "stay put!"

"Yeah whatever," I confirm.

The trapdoor closes and I hear his footsteps walk towards the door. I hear muffled voices so I put my ear closer to the trapdoor.

"I know you have it!" A female voice accuses.

"Have what?" The penguin asks, confused.

"My watch!" The female penguin practically yells.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't lie to me! I saw you steal it off my table as I went to grab my fruit smoothie and..."

"Say that again?"

"Don't get smart with me! You match my description of the thief and..."

"Hang on a second! That's not possible. Why would I even want your bracelet?"

"That's what I'm supposed to ask you!"

I have had just about enough of their arguing. Having already considered that this penguin to be no threat to me, I pop open the trap door and step back into the room. I look up to see the penguin has stopped talking. This penguin is brown with freckles on her face. She has orange hair tied up in a low ponytail and a green jumper on.

"Oh! I was mistaken," she exclaims to my friend and then rushes. "It seems that you are harboring a thief!"

I look at her startled that she could identify me and my profession.

"You were the one that stole my bracelet!" She accuses, "now where is it!"

"I'm sorry if...I happen to come upon it but...I don't have it now."

"So you really are a thief!"

"I...didn't stay that."

"Yes you did!"

"No I didn't..."

"Enough already!" My friend announces loudly.

The female penguin and I stop talking and look back at him.

"You're name?" He finally asks her.

"Why should I give it out to thieves?" She snaps.

My friend walks over to the kitchen counter and grabs a pear.

"First off, I'm no thief." He remarks, "but he is and secondly, you barged into my house so the least you can do is tell me your name."

The female penguin studies both of us and reluctantly gives in.

"My name is Elodie2003," she says calmly. "I was at the Coffee shop, admiring my new watch that was given to me when my smoothie order was finished. I got up and went over to get it. When I turned back, my bracelet was gone and someone had just recently rushed out the door."

I whistle in surprise at her story.

"And you didn't bother to check under the table?" I ask.

Elodie2003 gave me a stare that looks like she would kill me right then and there.

"Of course I checked under the table," she announces. "It wasn't there."

My friend takes a bite into his pear and then offers both Elodie2003 and I some fruit. I grab an apple while she grabs an orange.

"How did you come to the conclusion that it was me?" My friend asks, "and how did you even find this place?"

Elodie2003 narrows her eyes and then begins to scan the room, as if her watch will magically appear somewhere.

"I have...ways" she says simply.

My friend looks at her with interest, "mind telling me. I'd really like to know how a civilian like you would manage to find me at all places!"

"I'm not just a civilian! I'm an EPF agent!" She yells, before realizing her mistake. "Oops, let's just forget I even said that."

Both my friend and I have a look of surprise on our faces after her claim.

"Too late," I remark.

"I still don't believe you" my friend announce suddenly. "The EPF aren't even aware of my current location!"

"Well it's true!" She stammers, "I am an Elite Penguin Force agent!"

I look at her, hiding a smile that just seemed to pop onto my face. She's not very good at hiding her identity as agent.

"Well even if I did have your watch, which I don't, it's probably buried" I reveal.

"Buried!" She says in shock. "Why? Who buries another person's watch?"

"Someone who wants to kill me, that's who!" I exclaim, motioning to exploded bomb pieces on the kitchen table.

"Someone is out to kill you?" Elodie2003 asks, concerned. "Why?"

Oops, I didn't mean for that to slip out. I look over at my friend for help. He just shrugs and continues to eat his pear, amused. Thanks a lot, you're very helpful. I look at Elodie2003 as she stares at me with a gleam of curiosity in her eyes. Great...just great!

TAG technology? Is the Tech Galactic Alliance making a comeback? Who else is after Slyder and why? Who stole Elodie2003's watch and why is it so important? Is it important?

*suddenly gets a jab in the arm by Elodie2003

"Of course it's important! Why else would I be out in the middle nowhere tracking down a thief for no particular reason!"

"All right...I'm sorry geez"

Is there really a connection between the crystal and Lily? If so, what? Find out what happens next time on November 14th!