A Different Fate

by Musal

What if Train didn't know Creed killed Saya? What if he believed it was Chronos? What if Train helped Creed create the Apostles to get revenge on Chronos? What happens when Train learns the truth? CxT

74. Sweepers' Spirit

Train landed smoothly on the sullied marble floor, his left heel sliding along the stained tiles as his opponent launched another lightning attack at him. Train bent his right knee so he was kneeling on the ground, allowing the lightning bolt to zoom past his head which created another hole in the wall behind him.

Bit of dust from the concrete wall billowed around him, and Train glanced over his shoulder to assess the damage.

The cat whistled as he eyed the crater in the wall. "Damn! Pretty good, Kid."

Train looked behind the boy to check on how his fiancé was doing. His Silver Stallion was taking on Charden by himself, and even though room they were in was big enough for them to fight two separate fights, but it didn't make Train feel any better.

He watched as his lover leapt in the air and thrust his new Tao-created shield forward, blocking a wave of blood Charden sent at him.

Creed's holding his own, but… I don't want to leave him alone. He's still not acting like himself.

After Train's death scare, Creed lost a bit more of his composure. Even though Train had in fact not died, the damage to Creed's psyche had been done. Despite the fact that Creed was in decent physical shape, the swordsman's emotional and mental state were slowly deteriorating.

And in a rather alarming way. He's not reacting violently… It's more like he can't fully focus. Like his mind keeps wandering off. Consumed by his negative thoughts.

When Train woke up, Creed was prepared to die. He didn't see the point in living. Despite the fact that hope and determination had been restored when he realized Train was alive, he was emotionally drained from the trauma of almost losing his Kitten.

And I think being apart from him is making it worse. We need to stick together.

He and Creed were infamous for working perfectly in sync with one another, and Charden knew that. That, combined with the fact that Charden believed Train was, dead led the gunman to believe the Blood Taoist's plan was to keep them separated.

He probably left me with this kid 'cause he knew I'd have a hard time fighting a child.

That didn't mean Creed would have wanted to hurt a kid, but Charden must have thought it would be harder for Train than for Creed since even when the cat was a part of Chronos and the Apostles, he refused to harm children.

Added to that, Charden probably believed Creed would have been apprehensive about fighting the blonde man since the last time they dueled, the swordsman was nearly killed and given brain damage.

I can tell by the look on Creed's face he is worried. He's trying to hide it, but his defensive style gives away how he really feels.

Creed's fighting style was extremely offensive and only became defensive when he felt like there was no other option.

Maybe he's just trying to get used to his new shield?

As much as he wanted to believe that was the case, he knew it couldn't be true.

Creed wouldn't use the final battle to get used to his shield. The trust is he's uneasy fighting Charden.

Jax gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "Why do you sound so surprised?"

Train turned back to face the boy and smirked at the offended tone in his voice. "No need to get so defensive! Can't you take a compliment?"

The gunman sighed when he noticed the boy did not change his expression. "Guess with the life you've been living, you're not used to compliments…"

Train stood up, gripping firmly to Hades in one hand as his other encased itself with a layer of ice. Train kept his arms down, hoping that would convey the sincerity behind his next words.

"You know… if you come with us, you could lead a different life. A better life. One where you don't need to feel so stressed and on high alert all the time."

He paused for a second, letting his words settle before he finished. "One where you can actually be a kid…"

Images of Eve passed through Train's mind, his heart brimming with brotherly, nostalgic love as a quick video of the girl growing up briefly consumed his vision.

She may have had to grow up sooner than most normal kids, but she's also not a normal kid. And we were still able to give her a normal life. Well… semi normal.

Train frowned as he studied the boy's face, able to tell his words had done nothing to sway his opinion. He tried that tactic several times since their battle began, but his words always seemed to fall on deaf ears.

I don't know what his attachment to Charden or the Apostles are, or even why he's so attached to them, but I have a feeling it has something to do with his previous life.

If there was one unchanging truth about the Apostles since he and Creed's departure from the organization, it was that it preyed on the weak. It feasted on those who had no other option but to join the terrorist organization in hopes it would change their sad, pathetic lives forever.

Which… in a way I guess it does.

Jax's eyes glowed an intense blue, the same shade Train's turned when he was feeling a certain way. However, he hadn't only seen his eyes turn that specific shade of blue, so Train wasn't sure if that meant Jax only felt one emotion, or if his eyes weren't capable of changing their shade.

Despite the many similarities he was seeing between himself and the young Taoist, there was still just enough difference that Train wasn't sure how much their abilities mirrored each other.

I also haven't seen him use his own Tao. I've seen him use my Tao, but I haven't seen him use anything unique to himself. Actually, now that I think about it, he hasn't used his Nanomachines either.

That wasn't entirely true. While Train hadn't seen him using his Nanomachines for any combative moves, he had witnessed the boy heal his body with the bots over and over again. It was strange to Train since he was positive the teen was infused with both sets of Nanos.

Maybe he didn't have time to master his combative bots before the final battle? I know it took me a while, and even I haven't totally mastered them yet.

And if someone as naturally skilled in combat as Train was couldn't fully master them in just a few months, it was easy to understand that a child couldn't either. Especially a child that seemed as unstable as Jax.

Eve was the only person Train knew that had complete mastery over the temperamental bots, and that was only because she was born with her body made one-hundred percent of them.

She had no choice but to learn how to master them. Using them is instinctive for her.

Jax narrowed his glowing eyes as he spoke in a venomous tone. "I am not a child…"

He took a step closer to Train. "And the Apostles have given me more than I could ever dream of having… Charden has given me more than anyone else ever has, or ever could."

Train gave the boy a sympathetic look even though he knew it would only further enrage him. "You only say that because you've never experienced true peace. You've never experienced true happiness."

Train took a step forward as well, his relaxed, composed stance the complete antithesis of Jax's. "The life you had before the Apostles must have been filled with pain, hatred, sadness… loneliness…"

The last word seemed to strike a particularly painful chord in the boy's heart as his face contorted into indignant furor. His body tensed further, and his muscles twitched expectantly.

"My life… Is none of your business…"

Jax's voice came out as a low growl, taking several more meticulous, rigid steps towards the Black Cat.

"My past… is of no consequence to you, Black Cat…"

Train gripped Hades a little tighter as he shrouded the rest of his arm in a fog of frosty air. He wasn't sure why, but his ice abilities seemed to work best on Jax, so he began relying on them more than the rest.

Jax continued. "Nothing of who I am now, who I was, or who I will be in the future has anything to do with you. And I'm getting sick of discussing inconsequential topics with you!"

Train gave the boy a compassionate look despite his aggressive demeanor. "Talking about your future, past, or who you are as a person is not inconsequential. You are not inconsequential."

That seemed to be the last thing Jax needed to hear to continue their fight. He sparked both of his arms with a familiar blue hue, curling his fingers as he aimed them at Train's face.

Between gritted teeth, Jax spoke one last spiteful sentence to the cat. "STOP TRYING TO POISON MY MIND WITH YOUR INCOMPETENT DRIBBLE!"

As soon as the boy spat out his last words, he threw his arms forward and launched two lightning attacks at the Black Cat. However, before they could make contact with Train, the gunman slashed his arm upwards, creating a sheet of ice to cover the front of his body.

Knowing Jax's lightning bolts would shatter his ice shield the moment they made contact, Train had his other arm raised with Hades pointed at his opponent's shoulder.

He knew creating a shield with his Nanomachines would have acted as a stronger defense against Jax's attacks, but when lightning made contact with his ice shield, it didn't hurt. Using his bots meant using his flesh, and he didn't want to feel the full force of his opponents attacks.

His attacks are powerful, but I can tell he doesn't have much real life experience. He seems so certain of himself, yet also so unsure if he's making the right moves… which is further proof as to why he's not using his Nanomachines to fight.

The moment Train's shield crumbled, he fired three bullets at Jax's shoulder, each one of them embedding themselves into the boy's flesh.

He doesn't trust his instincts enough. Or he trusts them too much and doesn't have the instincts of a killer.

Train frowned as he watched the young Taoist clutch his shoulder and stumble backwards, blood oozing between his fingers as he attempted to steady his body.

He… doesn't have the instincts of a killer. He's just an innocent, naïve kid that the Apostles scooped up when he was at his lowest and most desperate.

Noticing Jax was distracted by his gunshot wound, Train sighed and ran a finger through his hair. "...This isn't the right path for you, Kid. You're not a killer."

Jax glared at Train. "SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"

He clenched his wound. "You don't know anything about me… or what I've done…"

Train frowned again, hearing the heartache in the boy's words. "I understand better than you know."

His words were quiet enough that Jax didn't hear him, but he knew it was best he didn't. Nothing he said was getting through to the teen. Didn't matter if it was meaningful, or playful, Jax either disregarded his words, or became further enraged by them.

Seeing Jax was still naively distracted by his wound, Train decided to use that to his advantage. Not many of his attacks made contact with the young Taoist, but Train learned that any time his opponent was distracted was a prime time to land a blow.

He keeps getting distracted by something as simple as his wounds and rage because he's spent too much time in training scenarios, and not enough in real world ones. Charden didn't prepare him for this kind of life.

Train reloaded Hades in the blink of an eye and fired several more shots at the boy's other shoulder. In the same motion, the cat threw his opposite arm forward and blasted a ray of ice at the boy, attempting to encase him in an icy prison.

Ice wrapped around Jax's body, pinning the boy's arms against his torso. It stretched all the way from the Taoist's shoulder's to his midriff, and Train made it thicker than usual in hopes it would keep him pinned. He really just wanted the fight to end.

As his left hand held strong to the sheet of ice wrapped around Jax's upper body, Train sheathed Hades and launched another icy coat at the young Taoist's legs, pinning them together as well.

I know I use this schtick a lot, but it works, and it's painless so why would I stop?

Train failed to recognize that his opponents always managed to escape the prison, but because he had found wrapping his enemies in a sheet of ice was the most humane way to deal with them, he kept doing it. Even if it didn't deal with them for very long, his want to not cause anyone harm was too strong to not use that move.

Jax struggled against the binds, shooting daggers at the Black Cat with his lethal glare. "What's wrong, Black Cat? Don't feel like fighting anymore?"

Train smirked, even though he was not enjoying fighting the boy.

Normally I enjoy fights, but this one feels different… And not just because it's the final one. It just feels… wrong fighting a child who was stripped of their right to choose their own path.

"I thought maybe if we chat a bit more, I could make you see I understand you more than you realize. And maybe if you understand that… you'll start listening to reason."

And if you listen to logic, maybe you'll realize there's more to the world than death and despair… More than just kill or be killed.

Jax rolled his eyes. "I'm not here to be lectured by the Black Cat! I'm here to end this war along with your life!"

Train sighed. "What a cliché thing for a villain to say… At least Charden taught you how to do one thing right."

Jax growled even louder, clenching his fists as he prepared to break free from his icy binds. "Stop speaking so illy of Charden! You don't deserve to say his name, let alone speak of his character!"

His skin began to turn a light, rosy shade of pink as he finished his statement. "You don't know anything about him… Or what he's done for me."

Train gave the boy a crooked frown. "Well, maybe if you'd have an actually conversation with me instead of dodging my question and being totally rude, I'd know more of what your life has been like."

And maybe I'd be able to help.

"Besides, you have to know there's no happy ending for you with the path you've chosen. Chronos won't let you out of here alive, and Charden can't protect you forever."

Even if the boy didn't want to admit he had been forced to walk down an unnecessary, dark, murderous path that would snatch any hope of peace and freedom from him, he couldn't ignore the inevitability of his horrific fate.

Jax's skin began turning an even brighter pink shade which slowly became red. That was when Train noticed the ice wrapped around him was beginning to melt and he cocked an eyebrow. He had been fighting the boy for a while now, and had not seen him use anything that turned his skin red.

Jax's eyes switched from an intense blue to a violent maroon, snarling at the Black Cat as he spoke. "...I don't need protection. I can take care of myself."

His skin became redder and redder and more of the cat's ice melted away. "And what did I say about speaking ill of Charden?"

The redder his skin got, the quicker Train's ice disappeared, and he began to realize how frivolous it was to keep his arms stretched out and his ice ability activated.

After a few more seconds, the boy Taoist was no longer trapped in his cage of ice. Instead, he was surrounded by a useless puddle of water.

What the hell? Is he… heating himself?

Train continued studying the boy, watching as his skin became a fierce, bright red. The hue of his flesh matched that of a stove top, making Train wonder if he was about to see Jax's authentic Tao.

Noticing the confused look on the Black Cat's face, Jax smirked and spread his arms, giving the cat a better view of the rest of his body. The red his flesh had turned was so radiant, it shined through his clothing, slightly cauterizing the fabric.

The boy, seemingly unaffected by the heat radiating off of him, widened his smirk. "What? Thought I could only mimic your abilities?"

Train blinked, his mouth opening slightly as the smell of burning fabric entered his nostrils.

But… I thought my ice attacks were strong against him. Why would he—

Train stopped his own thoughts as an idea occurred to him.

He… did it on purpose, didn't he? He wanted to make me think my ice attacks worked well to waste more of my strength.

Train gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, deciding to spark his body instead of freezing it, adding a layer of fog to go with it in hope that would give him more cover from whatever was about to happen.

I shouldn't have been taking him so lightly. This is probably another reason Charden wanted him to fight me.

Chances were Charden knew not only would the cat not want to hurt the child, but he would take him lightly and even pity him. Which is exactly what Train had been doing.

And it seems like he might have the perfect Tao to take me on.

Train summoned more fog to cloak his body, hoping he'd be able to use it to duck away from his current location. Based on the way Jax's skin was glowing and his clothes were sizzling, Train had a feeling he knew what was about to happen.

Jax laughed as his entire body turned red. "I'M NOT JUST A COPYCAT TAOIST!"

As soon as those words left his mouth, a massive explosion erupted from the boy's body sending a wave of heat towards Black Cat. The marble ground beneath the young Taoist crumbled as the air filled with a profound fieriness that would make the sun envious.

Train didn't have time to appreciate the extraordinary power as his body went into overdrive. He abandoned his plan of hiding behind a veil of smoke to escape the attack and swiftly leapt out of his barely completed fog cloud.

Train was positive he wasn't going to be able to completely avoid the attack, but he also knew couldn't stay where he was. Even with his advanced healing abilities, staying put would mean certain death.

The boy's explosion threw him off the ground and flung him several feet in the air, his body twisting and turning like a rag doll The ferocity of the blast made it impossible for him to regain control of his body, and Train found himself floating uncontrollably across the room.

The gunman released a harrowing howl as his back slammed against the hard wall. He felt a splatter of blood leave his lips, his arm and legs pinned to the wall as the explosion pressed him further and further into the concrete.

Train gritted his teeth, baring the attack as best he could, praying it would end soon. He could feel his body sinking further and further into the wall which wretchedly cradled his lean figure. The longer he endured the attack, the more intense the explosion became, and the more his body immersed itself in the wall.

He could feel the concrete cracking around him and knew it wasn't going to hold for much longer.

But… I can't move!

As he tried to move his body, the cat let out another agonizing scream when he felt his skin beginning to burn. The heat of the explosion was now reaching him, and Train felt as though he was being boiled alive.

Train ignored the pain and tried to lift his arm again, but to no avail. He shut his eyes and turned his head, not sure how he was going to get himself out of that situation.

After a few more painstaking seconds, Train felt the wall behind him finally give out. A bit of the air from outside seeped through the crack, giving Train's baking body a moment of relief. Even though it wasn't cold outside, the air felt chilly compared to the heat he had been enduring.

As cold air entered the room, Train felt his body beginning to fall backwards. While it was satisfying to have the cool air soothe his burning flesh, he knew if he didn't do something quickly, he'd fall out of the building.

And he wasn't sure if he had the strength to keep himself afloat at the moment.

Train let out another scream as the wall crumbled away and his body tumbled backwards, Jax's never-ending explosion propelling his body away from the building.

The golden man stretched his arms out in an attempt to grab onto something before he fell, but could not feel or see anything behind the massive cloud of smoke. Train activated his Nanomachines in hopes he would be able to extend his arm enough that he'd be able to grasp some part of the room, but he still could not feel anything.

Train cursed and activated his gravitational Tao, hoping he'd at least be able to stop his body from falling. However, the force of the explosion made it difficult for him to control himself. Even though he was able to hover in the air, he couldn't control where he was going.

And there's too much debris and smoke in the air! I can't see anything!

Not only could he not see anything, but he was certain no one would be able to see him.

Creed… where are you?!

Train mentally called out for his lover, since he knew shouting the man's name was useless.

CREED!

Train felt something warm and slightly pointed wrap around his waist and yank his body away. He was too disoriented to know for sure which way he was floating, but common sense told him whatever was swaddling his waist was trying to save him.

When he felt a war, wet, fleshy object lightly tickle his back, Train smiled.

Creed…

Train was quickly, but gently pulled through the debris, smog, and rubble Jax's explosion created. After a few seconds, he was placed on the ground and in front of his lover, who Train could only barely see behind the smoke that filled the room.

Creed pulled the cat in for a tight hug. "Train! Are you okay?!"

Train returned the man's oppressive hug. "I'm fine, but did your sword have to be so creepy about the way it saved me? There was no need for it to lick my back."

Train felt Creed frown into his neck. "It just wanted to comfort you, my love. Just like I did."

Train laughed, then coughed on the thick vapor that filled the room.

Hearing his beloved cough, Creed lightened his hold on the cat and pushed away enough that he could rest his forehead against Train's. "Seriously, Train… Are you okay?"

Train coughed a few more times, nodding his head as he spoke. "I'm fine… For the most part."

Creed began inspecting Train's body. The room was filled with so much smoke he figured they had a moment to catch their breath and check in on each other before resuming the battle.

Giving his beloved's figure a quick once over, Creed was able to see just what kind of shape his lover was in. His shirt was torn to shreds and his flesh was riddled with brunt marks and bruises. Even though the golden man's Nanomachines were working on fixing them, it didn't make Creed feel better.

Why does he have burnt marks?

"What happened?" Creed cupped his Kitten's cheek, massaging it with his thumb.

Train sighed at the relaxing gesture, keeping his eyes on Creed's handsome face, using that to help him fight through the pain. "You were the one inside when it happened. You tell me."

Creed frowned. "It looked like that child… exploded?"

Train couldn't help but chuckle at his lover's confusion, coughing again as more smoke entered his lungs. "I'll say… I guess his Tao is more than just mimicking mine."

Train rested his head against Creed's shoulder, allowing himself a brief, tender moment with his lover before the smoke cleared and their fighting resumed. "Seriously, what is the Apostles' obsession with my power? First that panther, now this kid? What the fuck did Doctor do with my DNA?!"

Creed sighed and wrapped his arms around Train's back, pulling the man against his chest, running his fingers gently through his hair and up and down his back.

"Through Charden's taunts during our battle, I've been able to work out that Doctor used your DNA on that boy in hopes it would mingle with his Tao and Nanomachines and to make him stronger."

Train lifted his head and gave his lover a confused look. "What?"

Creed kissed his beloved's forehead, allowing his lips to linger. "That's how they gave the boy his perplexing powers. They infused your DNA with his, gave him the Tao to drink so he had his own unique ability, then peppered in the Nanomachines to top off the confused smorgasbord that is Jax."

Train leaned into Creed's lips, praying they'd have a few more minutes alone. Not only did it give his Nanomachines time to heal his wounds, but being with Creed greatly improved his mental and emotional state.

"I'd say it sounds delicious, but now that I've had a taste, I want to throw it all up."

Creed chuckled, his heart filling with warmth at hearing his love's melodic voice crack jokes. "Honestly, it doesn't make any sense to me. Then again, there's never been a case of two Tao's infusing with one another and combining with Nanomachines, so who am I to be skeptical?"

Train nodded in agreement. "It's all a bunch of sci-fi, hocus pocus nonsense. We'll go crazy if we try to understand and analyze it."

Creed kissed Train's cheek again. "We're not scientists. All we know is whatever Kanzaki did to that boy worked… and now we have to deal with it."

Train sighed as he felt his lover's strong arms wrap around his toned figure, swaddling him in soothing warmth. "And even if we were, we're in no position to question how Jax's powers came to be. Especially not right now."

We don't even have time for this hug let alone investigate Jax's powers!

"Are you boys done questioning my protégé's powers? Or are you just stalling so the Black Cat has time to heal?"

Creed and Train broke their embrace and turned in the direction of Charden's voice. They still couldn't see anything, but the Blood Taoist's statement led them to believe he had been listening in on their conversation the whole time.

Train shot a glare in the direction of the voice. "Are you talking about that literal human bomb that almost exploded me out of the building?! Aren't you at all concerned about collateral damage? He just destroyed your house!"

Charden's laughter pierced the thick fog. "Why would I be concerned about this building's downfall? It was only temporary housing until our goals were achieved… And we're just about to achieve them."

Creed pointed his Imagine Blade in the direction of Charden's voice. He still couldn't see the man, but he was able to judge where he was based on where his voice was coming from.

"Don't get cocky, Charden. We're still in one piece." He lifted his other arm, raising his shield so it covered both him and his beloved. "And we're going to put an end to this once and for all."

Charden sighed. "It's sad and almost comical that you don't see the irony of your statement. The only way this will end is if one of us dies. And to do that… you'll need to break a promise you made to yourselves and each other years ago."

Creed tightened his grip on his blade. "It's sad you believe that's the only way this can end."

Just as Creed was about to take a step forward, Train grabbed his arm to stop him. He glanced at his beloved, allowing his Kitten to pull him back and towards his lips.

Train leaned forward and whispered into his partner's ears. "We can't get separated again. We need to work together in order for this to end the way we want it to."

Creed smiled. "Of course, my love. I wouldn't dream of leaving your side again. We just need to make sure they don't separate us again."

Creed was positive Jax and Charden separated them on purpose and after seeing what that boy's natural Tao was, he was even more certain that was their plan.

That boy's attack is the only thing powerful enough to knock Train off his feet.

He was praying Jax's explosive attack was similar to Train's Railgun, and he could only do it a certain amount of times a day.

Train returned his lover's smile, then whispered one last thing. "I'm going to clear the smoke. When I do… you know what to do."

Creed nodded. "You got it, Train."

Train's smile turned into a smirk, then turned in the direction of Charden's voice. With the hand holding Hades, he summoned a ball of air, slowly increasing its size as he kept his eyes glued to the spot he believed their enemies were.

I'll have to thank Maro for giving me this idea. I may not be able to control gravity the way he can, but I can use his techniques with my wind abilities.

Charden snickered, allowing both his arms to hang limply from his body as blood spilled out of them. He knew they were about to attack, and he was prepared for it.

He glanced at Jax who was standing by his side, watching as his skin began turning red again, then spoke one last sentence to his enemies.

"That's enough idle banter. It's time to put an end to this!"

Train chuckled as he watched his ball of air expand. "Aww, but I thought we were having fun! Why do you want to end it so quickly?"

Charden narrowed his eyes. "I'm done with your smart ass remarks, Black Cat! Reveal yourself!"

Train snickered.

He doesn't know where we are? That's interesting…

Train turned back in the direction of Charden's voice, able to see the red from his blood along with Jax's bright skin. After a few more seconds, Train was satisfied with the level his wind ball had grown to and threw his arm forward into the thick cloud that refused to dissipate.

When the Black Cat released his ball of wind, he created a tunnel that extended from their location to Charden's. His attack was so precise that he was able to leave the rest of the smoke untouched as he formed a hole that was large enough to fit one person.

Without hesitation, Creed threw his body forward, his Imagine Blade aimed out in front of him and flung himself through the hole. He made sure to keep his arms and legs tucked in, but his blade pointed straight ahead and let the wind to propel him forward.

After a few seconds, Creed was able to see Charden's furious face and smirked at the blonde man. As soon as he made it through the hole, the silver man broadened the tip of his blade, extended it out as far as it could go, and opened his mouth as wide as he could.

Charden leapt back, hastily shooting a wave of blood forward in an attempt to block Creed's attack. However, he was thrown off guard by the duo's impromptu attack and only had enough time to deflect where Creed's blade chomped down.

Instead of Creed's blade biting his side, it latched onto his legs instead. The Blood Taoist gritted his teeth and stumbled forward, gripping his thigh as he watched his Nanomachines work to fix them.

Jax leapt to his mentor's aid, but was shoved back by Creed's shield which immediately burnt his chest and face as it pressed into him. The boy let out a shocked screech, not prepared for Creed to leap out of the hole as quickly as he did.

Jax jumped backwards as Creed landed on the ground between them, holding his shield up to protect him from a lightning attack the boy launched at him as his sword stretched forward to slice at Charden's back.

Charden managed to react quick enough and rolled away from Creed's second attack, completely avoiding it. Without hesitation, he threw his arm forward and sent a stream of blood at Creed, which was aimed at his throat.

However, before it could reach Creed, Train leapt through the hole as well and froze the blood in mid air. He then threw a lightning bolt at it, shattering the red liquid as the smoke finally began to dissipate. It seemed like once Train's hole had entered the equation, there weren't many other places for the smog to go.

As the smoke slowly cleared, everyone froze. Train and Creed stood back to back, the cat facing Charden as Creed aimed his sword at Jax.

The Blood Taoist was kneeling on the ground, one hand clutching to the rapidly healing wound on his thigh as his other pointed at Train. Jax had both his arms at his side, glaring daggers at the silver man as he shook with rage.

Once the smoke completely faded, the men stared at each other for a few more seconds until Train spoke.

"Well? Are you gonna do this or what?"

Charden smirked. "By all means, Black Cat!"

---

"How are her vitals?"

Allie frowned down at her patient. "Stable."

It was a short answer, but she didn't know what more to say. Sephiria wasn't doing well, but she wasn't dead. And at least her condition wasn't deteriorating. Currently, Number One was the book definition of stable.

Echidna was not content with the response she received, so pushed for a more detailed answer. "Is she going to make it?"

Allie checked Sephiria's pulse. "If this was anyone else in the world, I would say no. However, considering who she is…"

The scientist turned around to face her leader. "I have little doubt she'll die."

Echidna's eyes fell onto Sephiria's unconscious form. Number One passed out a few seconds after Train helped her through the portal.

What a strange feeling it is to be caring for the woman I've been working so hard to kill for all these years…

The actress was standing a few feet away from the swordswoman, but she could make out her features.

Even in her sleep, this woman looks ready for a fight.

Despite being unconscious, the expression on Sephiria's face was that of determination and grit, and her fingers were still tightly wrapped around her sword's hilt. Echidna tried to pry the weapon out of her hand, but to no avail.

Even when she's completely inert, Sephiria Arks does not let her guard down.

The actress watched as the swordswoman's fingers twitched, the muscles of her finely toned arm flexing momentarily before relaxing once more.

It's like she's dreaming of the fight she left unfinished.

"We need to get her weapon away from her. If she wakes up with Christ in her hand, she'll kill us without hesitation."

Hue nodded at her leaders request, then stepped away to retrieve a needle from a nearby table. "I'll inject her with a muscle relaxant so we can slip her sword away more easily."

Echidna nodded, but not did respond. Instead, she kept her eyes fixated on the objectively stunning woman laying on the examination bed.

Sometimes her strength makes me forget how beautiful she truly is. Ravishing, really.

"Echidna… May I ask a question?"

Echidna's eyes lazily drifted to the scientist. "You may."

Allie took a deep breath. "Why did you bring Number One to me? Why are we saving her life?"

Echidna stared at the scientist for a few more seconds, then turned back to Sephiria. "I made a promise to Creed and the Black Cat."

Allie blinked in bewilderment. "Ex… Excuse me?"

Echidna sighed and placed her hand on the side of Sephiria's bed and squeezed the mattress. "I made a deal with the Black Cat and Creed to keep Sephiria alive while they subdued Charden as humanely as possible."

Allie opened and closed her mouth a few times, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, please forgive me for being so ignorant, but… is this part of Charden's plan?"

Echidna chuckled quietly and lowered her head. "No."

Allie stared at the actress for a few minutes, then pushed on. "So… The plan is still to kill Sephiria Arks and destroy Chronos?"

Echidna couldn't help the somber smirk that crept across her lips. "That's still Charden's plan."

Allie blinked again, slowly piecing together what Echidna meant, then voiced another question. "...Are you implying that is not your plan?"

Echidna was quiet for a moment, then gave the scientist a small nod.

Allie stood still behind the actress, unsure of how to react. While it was true Echidna was her leader, and she was expected to obey her orders, Charden outranked her. Echidna's orders were only to be followed if Charden was out of commission and unable to command.

"I understand the last time someone obeyed my orders over Charden's, the punishment was severe. However, I came to you with Number One not just because I knew you could keep her alive…"

She let go of the mattress, then turned around to faced Allie. "...But because I trust you."

Allie's eyes widened in shock. She had been a part of the Apostles for quite a while, but she had never heard anyone in the group ever tell her they trusted her.

Echidna saw the shocked expression on the scientist's face and sighed, turning back to Sephiria. "I know it's strange to hear that in a group like as ours, but it's true. You've proven yourself time and time again to be trustworthy and loyal, and I have absolutely no reason to doubt where your allegiance lies."

What the actress said was true. Despite the fact that Charden was their Commander-in-Chief, Allie always put more weight behind Echidna's words. Especially after seeing how far the man had slipped from grace.

Echidna always show her respect, had a good head on her shoulders, and always spoke from logic and reason. She also valued Allie for not just her work as a scientist, but as a person.

Those were all the reasons Allie used to respect Charden, and her respect for Charden was the primary reason she joined the Apostles in the first place. She didn't do it to further her research like Doctor did, nor did she do it to gain power or fame. She did it because she truly believed it was the right thing to do.

But, that changed when Charden changed. Allie began questioning if she had chosen the right path. The only thing that remained true in the organization was Echidna, and Echidna had become her primary reason for sticking around for as long as she did.

Well… Echidna and fear of Charden.

The silence coming from Allie was unnerving for Echidna. She was beginning to worry the scientist was somehow sending Charden a silent message, and her lover was going to leap through a portal to put an end to her life.

Was I wrong about trusting her?

Subtly, she extended her index finger, prepared to open another portal and make an escape.

Charden… wouldn't do that to me… would he? Is he really so far gone that he'd ask Hue to spy on me, then call him at even the slightest hint of betrayal?

"What is your plan?"

Echidna glanced over her shoulder at the woman and their eyes met. With just a simple glance, with just one look, Allie was able to express to Echidna that she was not going to betray her.

Allie had taken Echidna's side.

Echidna smiled, then turned back to Sephiria. "At the moment, it's to keep Sephiria Arks alive."

Again, the actress chuckled at the irony of her words. "What an absurd sentence… I never thought I'd mutter such incongruous words in my life."

Allie gave a small smile to Echidna's back. "People change, Echidna."

Echidna released a despondent sigh, images of her partner's old smile surfacing in her mind's eye. "That is most certainly true…"

Allie gave her leader a moment to wistfully dwell on the past, then spoke again. "I understand the short term goals, but what are the long term ones?"

Echidna frowned.

Peace… Happiness…

"That's a more loaded question than you realize…" She stared at Sephiria's unconscious face, watching as the woman's brow furrowed in frustration. "A harmonious, non-violent ending for those that I love."

Allie nodded in understanding. "The only thing you need me to do is keep Number One alive?"

Echidna nodded as well. "At the moment, yes. The second half of the promise I made those two is going to rely solely on me."

Allie frowned. "What do you mean?"

Echidna raised her head again. "It's regarding that woman we have locked up. No need to concern yourself with it. The less you know about what I'm doing the better. Just concentrate on keeping Sephiria alive."

Echidna stepped away from Sephiria. "If Charden or anyone else comes back, keep them away from her. Pretend like everything is normal, and don't give them any inclination that I'm plotting something outside of Charden's plan."

She gave Sephiria one last look, then spun around and began walking towards the door. "Hopefully it won't be too difficult considering everyone's either gone or dead."

Allie tilted her head, interested in the last word Echidna spoke. "Who's died?"

Echidna stopped about halfway through the door, not sure how Allie was going to react to Kanzaki's death.

It's not like they were friends or anything. They were barely partners.

Kanzaki treated her like garbage, and used her for all she was worth. Not to mention abandoned her with very little knowledge as to how to run the lab.

Still…

Echidna spun around again and locked eyes with Allie. "Most of the Shoot Stars, Kenneth, Nica, and… Doctor Kanzaki."

Allie froze and her blood went cold. "Doctor… Is dead?"

Echidna nodded, watching the woman for any signs of uncharacteristic distress. Allie was normally a very composed person, and so far she was reacting quite normally to the news.

"Yes. Number II dealt the final blow."

A few moments of silence passed, then Allie nodded. "I guess I can't say I'm surprised. He used up most of his strength trapping all those people in his Dreamworld. And it's not like he had any combat skills."

She felt her body relax, her blood no longer feeling as though it was filled with ice as she finished her sentence. "He was also, without a doubt, the most hated member of our group. Everyone probably had it out for him. It just so happens that Number II got there first."

Echidna let out a sigh of relief, happy to see Hue accepted the man's fate. "I can't say I'm sad he's gone. He brought nothing but death and despair wherever he went."

Allie nodded in agreement. "Right."

Echidna turned away again. "I also don't know how much longer the rest of the Taoist will last. Our numbers are dwindling quickly, and we're reaching a point of relying almost solely on the children."

And if we have to rely on them… we're doomed.

It wasn't that the children were weak, they were just inexperienced and young. She didn't like the idea that their fates relied on a group of people who weren't even old enough to drink.

Echidna reached the door and lightly placed her hand on the knob. "Honestly, the most tragic thing about Kanzaki's death is the loss of his creatures."

Allie blinked in confusion. "What?"

Echidna sighed. "Aja and Aztec are following Belze now. Since he killed their old master, they must see him as the new one."

Allie was quiet for a moment, then spoke in a confident tone. "That makes sense. But, that also puts less odds in our favor."

Echidna nodded. "Correct."

Just as Echidna was about to walk out the door, Allie asked one last question. "What does Charden think you're doing right now?"

Echidna smiled sadly to herself. "He thinks I've joined the others in their war. He originally wanted me to fight alongside him, but after seeing what poor shape everyone else was in, he said they could use my strength more than he could."

Allie could hear the bit of sadness in the woman's voice, and frowned. "Did he see you pulling Sephiria through the portal?"

Echidna's heart stopped and her blood froze.

Shit… That didn't even occur to me.

In her haste to get Train and Creed to Charden and keep her promise to the men, she didn't even think about Charden noticing her porcelain, finely painted hands reaching through the dark hole to save their number one enemy.

As she replayed the scene in her head, she realized it was too chaotic to know for sure if he saw her.

The fact that it was chaotic works in my favor. It means he probably didn't see what was happening.

She breathed a sigh of relief, comforting herself with the knowledge that the scene was far too hectic to notice one small portal being opened in a dark corner of the room.

From what I remember, Creed sprung into battle with him immediately, so that also probably acted as a distraction.

Echidna opened her eyes and stared at the wooden door. "No. I don't think he did."

Then… What does he think happened to Sephiria? Does he think she's still there? Dying in a corner while he fights Heartnet and Creed?

She shook her head, then turned the knob. "I need to keep my other promise to the Black Cat and his partner. Make sure Sephiria doesn't die."

Allie nodded. "Understood."

She heard the door open and close quietly, signaling her leader had left. Allie stepped over to Sephiria, checking her vitals again as she contemplated everything Echidna disclosed to her.

The scientist kept her eyes focused on Number One's immobile face, frowning as she voiced her inner thoughts out loud. "What will you do when you realize Echidna saved your life, and helped bring an end to the Apostles?"

She turned to the IV she hastily attached to Sephiria's arm. "Will you go easy on her for betraying her organization, or will you tie up all loose ends no matter what?"

---

Eve leaned back as a lock of Charlotte's snake hair sprung forward and attempted to dig its fangs into her cheek. Seeing another lock was about to buck forward as well, Eve thrust her shield in front of her face and tensed her arm to keep the armor steady.

She cursed when she felt the snake's fangs dug into her shield arm, piercing her skin and burning her flesh. Eve gritted her teeth and yanked her arm away, retraining a painful wince as she felt her flesh being ripped from her body.

The Bio-girl peaked around her shield and saw several more thick locks of snake-hair rearing back, their thin, corpulent tongues writhing out of their mouths as they released a heinous hiss.

Eve leapt backwards, narrowly avoiding the teen's next bite attack as her snake hair vaulted forward again. Their fangs embedded themselves into the ground and Charlotte was yanked forward, her sentient hair attempting to free itself.

The teen growled, wrapping her fingers around her dark locks as she tried to pull them free.

Eve watched the girl for a few more minutes, then stumbled back when a bright, orange ray of light shot between her and the Medusa teen. As the light flung past her, Eve felt the heat coming off it, scorching her face and burning her skin.

Eve turned her head to face the direction the light came from, glaring at the young Taoist who was behind the assault. Her entire small body was glowing a vivid orange hue, her palms pointing outwards shining an even more intense apricot.

Based on the intense luster and immense density of the ray, Eve could tell the girl had no intention of ceasing her attack. During the fight with the Children of the Apostles, Eve quickly learned that Annie's attacks were relentless and nearly never ending.

Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Eve noted the determination in the girl's dark glare. After Annie's initial question of Leon's state, the girl hadn't said much. She hadn't even released a growl of discontent or a hiss of pain.

She's attached to Leon, that much is true. Can I use that affection to get through to her?

After leaving Leon in the state he was in, Eve was certain he wouldn't be returning to the Apostles. During their battle, it was clear the boy did not belong in the group, and knowing he had someone who cared about him that way Annie did, why would he?

I'll try to redirect her determination to a more positive conclusion.

She kept her eyes locked with Annie's for a few more seconds, then broke away and spun her body so her shield was facing the girl's. When she did that, it changed the direction of Annie's ray of light, pointing it back at the Taoist.

The action caused an immense amount of pain to course through her arm, but she endured the pain since she knew it wouldn't be for long.

Annie quickly ended her attack, but not before the edge of her light clipped her left shoulder. Despite the surely painful contact, the girl did not release a cry or moan. Instead, she kept her eyes locked onto Eve and took a few steps back.

The girls shared a silent moment, then Eve spoke in a calm, but firm tone. "Leon left."

Annie's expression softened slightly, her brows raising in confusion as she spoke. "What?"

Hearing the hint of sadness in Annie's voice, Eve assumed she wanted to hear more. "Leon left to find a better path to walk."

Annie blinked a few times, her fighting stance shifting slightly as she lowered her head. "He… left without me…?"

The girl spoke in a quiet tone, but Eve was still able to hear her. "I don't think that's true."

Annie looked back up at the Bio-girl. "What the hell do you know?"

Eve frowned. "I know that, just like you and the rest of you, Leon was an innocent kid who was lead astray by a terrorist organization. I know that had he been given another option in life, he would have never joined the Apostles."

She turned her frown into a small smile and finished her statement. "He's a good person. He just needed help finding another path to walk."

Annie clenched her fists. "And you're the one who can help him find it?"

Eve cocked an eyebrow, then shook her head. "No, I was simply the one that pointed it out. I only shined a light in a different direction. I'm sure you are far more capable of helping him walk it. After all, you're the one who cares for him."

Annie blushed slightly, then shook her head. "You don't know anything! And your friend is the one that recruited him in the first place! Creed Diskenth is the reason Leon joined, and the Black Cat is the reason the Apostles came to be!"

Eve knew couldn't refute the girl's logic, so she tried to use it against her instead. "That may be true, and I know they regret it every single day. That's why they're trying to put an end to the group, but…"

She gave the girl a compassionate look. "If the Apostles were never created, would you have met Leon?"

Annie froze, and Eve could tell from the expression on her face that her words hit home. She watched as the Taoist opened and closed her mouth a few times, smirking at the success her reasoning had yielded.

Now I just need to drive the point home.

Just as Eve was about to finish her statement, something made contact with the side of her body, and she was flung away from the Taoist. As soon as the hard object collided with her, Eve's body tensed up and she felt a few of her ribs crack.

She crashed into a tree, the large rock that had been thrown at her falling to the ground. Eve slumped against the tree, her arms returning to normal as she clutched her side. She coughed and gagged on the dirt billowing around her, spitting out a wad of blood as she moaned.

"That's enough chit-chat! We're here to fight, not converse, remember?"

Eve looked up, shooting daggers at the boy approaching her. His already large arms had grown immensely, his young skin covered with fur as his muscle twitched.

Not only had his muscle thickened, but his bones seemed to grow as well. They grew to the point where they were longer than the rest of his body, forcing him to walk on his knuckles so he wouldn't drag his legs along the ground.

They looked exactly like a gorilla's arms.

Eve continued glaring at the boy as he made his way towards her. When he was a few feet away, he stopped and punched the ground, digging his fingers into the dirt.

He yanked his arms up and held another giant rock between his meaty fingers, then smirked at the girl. He reared his arms back and threw the rock at her.

Eve narrowed her eyes and rolled away. She knew she was too tired to turn her Nanomachines into anything that would protect her, so dodging was the best option. As soon as she sprung to the side, the rock collided with the tree, splintering its bark as its leaves rattled violently.

Eve knew she couldn't stop, so she continued running forward, sprouting her wings again as she threw herself into the sky. She tilted her body to the left, avoiding another rock the boy sent at her, then turned it to the right to avoid the next one.

She spun around to face the Taoist, wanting to keep an eye on where his attacks were coming from as she floated in the sky.

Where's Kyoko? Is she okay?

Eve glanced around the area in search of her friend. Seeing a burst of red flames coming from a few yards away, Eve turned in gaze in that direction and frowned.

I need to go help her!

She looked back down at the boy known as Noah and cursed. He was giving her a knowing smirk as he held what looked to be a giant boulder in his hands.

Where the hell did he even find that?!

The boy winked at her, reared his arms back, and threw it at Eve.

The Bio-girl flicked her left arm to the side, turning it into a giant bat, one that matched the boulder's size. She locked eyes with the Taoist, who seemed to be confused by her actions, then returned his wink as she threw her arm back.

When the boulder was only a few inches away, Eve swung her bat arm forward, gritting her teeth as her aching and bruised flesh made contact with the giant rock. A loud crack resounded in the forest, and the boulder flew a considerable distance away from Eve.

Feeling smug, Even turned to the boy and gave him a cheeky smile. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get back to the conversation I was having with your friend!"

Noah growled and punched the ground, his ape arms creating two giant holes on either side of him. "THAT'S NOT FAIR! WHY DON'T YOU FIGHT FAIR?!"

Eve frowned. "Excuse me?"

The boy punched the ground again and again, looking very much like an oversized toddler having a tantrum. "I've trained so hard for this moment and honed my skills to perfection in such a short amount of time, yet you can fling my attacks away with a stupid Nano-bat!"

Eve blinked a few times, then rolled her eyes. "Geeze, grow up, will ya?"

Noah glared up at the girl, baring his teeth at her as he spoke. "Shut up!"

Eve raised her eyebrows at the boy's venomous tone.

I thought he was the lighthearted one of the group. Guess he's the unstable one.

Eve flung herself to the side as the boy threw another rock at her. It wasn't as large as the last one was, but it had come so quickly she almost didn't see it. She didn't even see him pick it up.

Guess his arms move faster than I realized.

She threw herself to the side again to avoid another rock, then again and again as an seemingly never-ending wave of rocks and pebbles soared towards her. After a few more minutes, she propelled herself behind a tree, taking cover there until his impulsive wave of fury ended.

I need to help Kyoko. She's by herself and not in good shape.

Eve glanced around the tree, careful to avoid the rocks being thrown at her in search of her friend. Luckily, Kyoko's attacks were always big enough that it was hard to miss her.

Eve was not only worried about Kyoko's physical state, but her emotional one as well. Even though Train was alive, it was clear the teen was still greatly affected by seeing his dead body.

Her attacks are bigger than usual. What if she starts a fire she can't get out of?

Eve ducked her head back behind a tree in just time to avoid a rock. Without wasting another second, she kicked her feet off the tree and began flying in the direction she knew Kyoko was.

I have to find her, then we have to stick together. We're both weak and outnumbered.

She soared through the air, making sure to zig-zag her body to make her a harder target to hit.

We also need to get back to Chronos. We can't stay here and fight these guys alone.

As Eve flew through the sky, she felt a rock whiz just a few inches past her head. As she shifted her body to the side, she narrowly avoided another rock, but did not dodge the next one. It landed in the center of her left wing, causing her body to spin and careen her out of the sky.

Eve fell towards the ground, gritting her teeth as she turned both of her arms into shields, aiming them in front of her. Her shields made contact with Earth, twisting her wrists, breaking them both as he released another cry of pain.

Despite the pain, Eve spun her body around so she was on her back. She skidded a few feet across the ground and towards another tree which her head made violent contact with.

The girl cried out again, her bots already beginning to work on healing the rest of her body as her wings sunk back inside her. She sat there for a moment writhing in pain with her eyes shut.

"Damnit…" Eve muttered as she pulled her legs up to her chest. "That hurt…"

"Good! That was the point!"

Eve knew the voice belonged to the boy that put her in that situation and peaked one eye open. Noah had another giant rock in his hand, but Eve's vision was too blurred to tell how big it was.

Like it matters. With the state my body is in right now, it won't take much to finish me off.

Eve moved away from the Taoist, ignoring the pain in her wrist as she clawed at the ground. She pushed herself back with her feet, sliding against the Earth as she clenched her jaw.

I won't die here…

Noah smirked at the girl, but Eve couldn't see it behind her still blurred vision. "Like swatting a fly out of the sky. Guess I shouldn't have been so hard on myself earlier. Although, I have to say, that was pretty impressive how you literally batted my boulder out of the sky. Frustrating too. Do you know how lucky I was to find something that big?"

Eve growled at the boy. "Lady Luck is not your ally…"

The boy cocked an eyebrow. "What?" He shook his head. "Never mind. Doesn't matter. Your delirious and about to die, anyway."

He lifted his arms up high and Eve kicked herself back further. However, she wasn't able to move fast enough, and when she felt her back hit another tree, she knew she was pinned.

Noah chuckled as he towered over the girl. "It's a shame. You would have made a great addition to our team. You could have even been given a high rank!"

He shrugged, then widened his smirk. "Oh well. This is goodbye!"

Just as he was about to bash the girl's head in with the rock, an orange ray of light shattered it to pieces. Noah blinked in confusion, then looked up at his empty arms. He turned his head in the direction of the beam, then cursed as another one hit his feet.

Eve's vision was still blurred, but she was able to make out the bright orange light that passed in front of her, and she could tell it was not aimed at her. When she saw Noah's fuzzy figure leap away and a petite frame stand in front of her, she lifted her gaze upwards.

Her eyes met Annie's, but she still could not fully make out the girl. Her Nanomachines were working hard to fix all her injuries, but since they were working slower, it was hard to make out the Taoist's expression.

Eve prepared herself for an attack and twitched when she saw a hand jut out in front of her. She turned her head away and gritted her teeth, waiting to be finished off.

However, after a few moments of silence, Eve slowly turned back and blinked at the hand. She raised her eyes to meet Annie's, her vision recovered enough that she could see the girl's eyes.

Annie extended her hand towards Eve, as if waiting for her to take it. The look in her eyes was that of benevolence, but determination was ever-present.

Annie frowned, then shook her hand. "Come on! Hurry up before he gets up!"

Eve blinked in confusion, then turned her head to the right. She could see Noah writhing on the ground in pain, his gorilla arms clutching his stomach.

The Bio-girl turned back to Eve. "You trust me?"

Annie frowned. "I'm… Not sure yet, but… I know Leon was never happy with the Apostles, and I know he wouldn't abandon me, so… what you say makes at least a little sense."

She bit her lower lip. "So, I'm willing to help you out on the condition that you'll help me find him when this is all over."

Eve stared at the girl's face for a few minutes, then smiled. "I can do that."

Eve reached out and took the girl's hand, sighing in relief at the warm feeling surrounding Annie's digits. She recognized the sensation immediately as the Taoist's Nanobots entering her arm to heal her wrist, which Eve was eternally grateful for.

She smiled. "You know how to heal others with your bots."

Shockingly, Annie returned her smile. "Yes. While the rest of the Children worked on improving their physical skills, I concentrated on the healing bots. I knew we'd need a White Mage."

Eve's smile turned into a smirk. "And now we have that White Mage working for us."

Annie frowned. "For now. If I sniff even one hint of dishonesty, I will kill you without hesitation."

She gripped Eve's hand tighter, narrowing her eyes as she drove her point home. "I'm doing this to find Leon, not because I like you."

Eve sighed. "Fair enough."

When she felt like her wrist was healed enough, Eve pulled her hand away and began running in the direction of Kyoko. "But don't underestimate me! I'm not so easy to kill!"

---

"Do you have to hold my hand the entire time?"

"Shh! Stop asking that question!"

"I would if you answered it!"

Aliane growled, squeezing the monkey's hand and channeling whatever mental and emotional strength she had to not pummel him.

You're almost there. You've gotta be almost there. There's no way you're not almost there!

They had been creeping through the Apostles Headquarters for what felt like hours, but had in reality probably only been about thirty minutes. The fact that she was attached to a literal ball and chain that could talk made the already stressful situation all the more unbearable.

It'd be more bearable if he'd stop talking!

"What was that?"

Aliane bit her lip, inwardly reprimanding herself for losing control of her mouth.

"How much further away is it?"

"It's just around that corner, I promise."

Aliane growled and dug her fingers into his flesh to get across how frustrated she was. "You said that three corners ago! Is this even the right place?!"

Eathes winced at the girl's fingernails along with her harsh whisper. "I told you, Doctor told me all about the woman, so I only met her once! I never had a reason to go to the prison, so I'm not sure where it is."

He glanced at Aliane out of the corner of his eye and frowned at the angry look he saw. "And even that one time I walked there, I was escorted and wasn't paying attention to where we were going. AND I came from a completely different direction than where we're coming from now."

Aliane rolled her eyes. "Don't do it, Aliane… You're trying to be a better person, remember?"

She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "To me that sounds like you're an idiot who doesn't know the layout of his own home."

Eathes sighed. "That was harsh. Especially considering what I'm putting on the line to help."

Aliane rolled her eyes again. "Do I need to remind you what's on the line if you don't help us?"

Eathes flinched at the girl's words. "No… you don't. But, you could be nicer."

Aliane sighed. "Whatever."

Eathes gave the girl an annoyed look. "Besides, I don't know if you've noticed, but this place is huge! Almost as big as the places Creed used to have us stay in. I needed to figure out where we were first before I could lead us in the right direction."

As they passed a door, Eathes peeked through it's small window, frowned, then faced forward again. "And we just happened to walk through a wall that led to a portion of the house I've rarely been to."

Aliane wanted to argue with the monkey, but knew it wasn't worth it. "I want to argue with you, but your logic isn't exactly flawed."

And I can't say with certainty that I wouldn't get lost here either.

"Why was I able to get into the building in the first place? Don't you guys have some kind of block up to keep intruders out? Like the one you had when Train was a prisoner?"

Eathes nodded. "We do, but Charden deactivated it so Creed and the Black Cat could get in. He wanted the other battles to weaken them, but he didn't want to stop them from coming in."

Aliane glared at the empty hall ahead. "So, Doctor's dream world was just to mess with us?"

Eathes nodded again. "Yeah. As was everything else he had set up beforehand. He actually intended for Train and Creed to kill each other."

Aliane stopped walking and gave the monkey a shocked look. "What?!"

Eathes frowned. "Yeah. Using a newer version of that drug. But, I don't think you need to worry. The fact that we saw Jax's explosions means it didn't work and they're currently fighting."

Aliane cocked an eyebrow. "Jax's explosion?"

Eathes sighed. "Yeah, it's part of his Tao. You didn't know that?"

Aliane shook her head. "No, I never saw him use his abilities."

Eathes shivered. "Consider yourself lucky… He's a demon."

Aliane frowned and stared at the ground.

Train… Creed… Please be okay…

"Do we really have time to be talking about stuff like this? Don't you have a mission and promise to fulfill?"

Aliane allowed herself to be pulled for a moment, then sighed and walked alongside him again.

He's not wrong… I'm positive that the explosion is from Creed and Train battling Charden and Jax, and I'm positive they're okay.

Despite having confidence in the lovers, Aliane still felt uneasy. "Why were you escorted that one time instead portaled? Added to that, why were you escorted in the first place?"

Eathes shrugged. "I guess because Charden didn't trust me. He didn't really trust anyone. The only ones that walked to the cells by themselves were Shiki, Maro, Echidna, Charden and his little charge. And even Jax never went alone."

Aliane frowned.

That does line up with how distrustful Charden has become. And it also lines up with who his inner circle was, but…

"Those are some pretty extreme lengths to go through to make sure no one knew where she was. Did he really think you were all going to betray him?"

Again, Eathes shrugged. "Guess so. But, aren't I proving he had a right to mistrust me right now?"

Aliane's lips curled into a sly smile as she let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah… Guess so."

I wouldn't be surprised if a few more of the Apostles decided to betray him or even just abandon ship. That's what I did.

"You know you're one of the reasons he became more distrustful, right?"

Aliane turned to Eathes and blinked in confusion. "What?"

Eathes nodded. "Yeah. After you left us, his paranoia got a hundred times worse."

Aliane shook her head in disbelief. "There's no way he cared that much about my presence that the lack of it caused him to grow leery of the rest of you."

Eathes sighed again. "I wouldn't flatter yourself by thinking he grew more unreasonable and suspicious because he cared about you. The only people I think he has any affection for are Echidna and Jax. And even that seems fleeting at this point."

Aliane frowned. "Then… how did my departure contribute to Charden's misgivings?"

Eathes shrugged again. "Probably because your shift in demeanor was so drastic. Before you left for that mission, you were ruthless and vindictive and when you came back, you were a totally different person. And then, you just left."

Aliane stared at the monkey, shocked at how intuitive he was being. "So, you're saying that he believed if someone as bloodthirsty as me could be swayed to change, why not everyone else?"

Eathes nodded. "I think so. And he, along with everyone else, believed that Nica was going to be next."

Aliane cocked an eyebrow. "Nica? Really?"

Eathes rolled his eyes. "Don't sound so shocked. I wouldn't be surprised if she's fighting alongside the sweepers right now. We all know her feelings for that man with the green hair weren't fake."

Aliane frowned and looked away from the monkey.

He's right. From the conversation we had before I left, I honestly thought she was going to leave with me.

Aliane smiled as they neared a corner.

If she is fighting alongside the sweepers right now, does that mean Sephiria will go easy on her too? Will I be reunited with her in Chronos' prison?

Suddenly, the idea of being a prisoner of Chronos wasn't so bad. If she were locked up with Nica, the only member of the Apostles she connected with and cared about, her life sentence wouldn't seem so unbearable anymore.

Even if we don't share a cell, which I'm sure we wouldn't, the idea that we were both alive and close to each other would be enough.

She yanked Eathes hand and moved a little faster. "Come on, we're almost there."

Eathes frowned. "That's my line to keep echoing…"

As they rounded the corner, Aliane stopped when she heard quick footsteps coming from the other direction. Down the hall, turning the corner opposite of them, was Echidna, and brisk pace made Aliane uneasy.

"What's she doing here?"

Eathes quiet whisper made Aliane's ears perk, and she shoved her other hand over the monkey's mouth. "Shh! She can still hear us, remember?"

They stood frozen to the spot as they watched Echidna approach E's cell.

Eathes widened his eyes and tugged Aliane arms, gesturing towards the door the actress was practically jogging towards. Aliane picked up on the monkey's silent cue and pulled them both forward again, picking up their pace, but making sure their footsteps were light and quiet.

When they were outside the wall of the cell, Aliane jumped through it, pulling Eathes along with her. Once inside, Aliane let go of the Taoist's hand and ran to the woman sitting on the bed.

E leapt off the bed and brought her fists to her face. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE?!"

Aliane ignored the woman's attempt at a fighting stance and grabbed her wrist. "No time for introductions. I'm a friend of Train and Creed, and I'm here to save you."

E blinked a few times, then shook her head. "Wh… wait… What the hell are you—"

"I said there's no time!" Aliane's voice was a harsh whisper. "We need to go! Now!"

E remained unmoving as she stared at the girl. She narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but shut it immediately when she heard someone unlocking the door.

Aliane heard the same sound, as did Eathes. The monkey leapt towards the women and took a firm hold on the young Taoist's arm. As soon as she felt Eathes' fingers wrap around her, Aliane activated her Tao again, turning all three of of invisible.

I'm starting to get tired. I don't know how long I can keep us invisible for.

Feeling E struggling against her hand and feeling her breathing pick up speed, Aliane knew the woman was beginning to panic.

With her eyes still on the door, Aliane leaned closer to E's ear and whispered. "Please just trust me and stay quiet. We can sneak out of here without anyone noticing."

Aliane knew that even though E couldn't see her, she was looking at her. However, Aiane kept her eyes on the door until Echidna successfully unlocked it and opened it..

Aliane glanced at the wall they came through and bit her lip.

Walking through the woods and the mansion for that long with my Tao activated left me too exhausted to trigger my phasing ability. If it were just two of us, maybe. But, I don't think I can phase all three of us through the wall right now.

She looked at Eathes from the corner of her eye, beginning to mull over the idea of releasing her hold on him and bringing just her and E through the wall.

No, I can't do that. That's not right. Even if he is still an enemy, it wouldn't be right. Especially since he's helping us.

Aliane knew what Charden would do to Eathes if he found out the monkey had turned coat, and she didn't want to have that on her conscience.

Echidna had a worried look on her face as she quickly stepped into the room, searching for any signs of the woman. "E?"

Aliane was surprised at how panicked the woman sounded.

That's a normal reaction to have after learning your prisoner is no longer there.

Aliane's eyes fell to the door behind the actress and then turned to look at Eathes. She mouthed for him to help her get E to the door, and the monkey frowned, mouthing back his confusion.

Aliane gave him a stern look, trying to portray to him that she'd explain later why they were using the door and not the wall.

The last thing we need is to get stuck halfway through the wall. Walking through the already opened door is easier and safer.

She watched as Echidna walked further into the room and quietly pulled E off the mattress. She made sure they were moving quickly, but carefully so as not to be detected. It was tricky to get E off the bed without moving the sheets and blankets too much, but they managed.

As soon as E was off the bed, Eathes and Aliane moved the woman towards the door. They moved quickly and quietly, the whole time Alaine's hand was still pressed against E's mouth to make sure she didn't say anything. Even though she was certain E wanted to get out of there, she knew the woman didn't trust her yet.

As they made their way to the door, Eathes stubbed his toe on the side of the bed, nearly releasing his hold on Aliane and E. He bit his lower lip and froze in place, waiting for the wave of pain to pass through him before they continued moving.

Aliane glared at the monkey, then shot her eyes to Echidna. The actress saw the movement out of the corner of her eye, and her vision seemed to be focused on the bed.

Shit! We gotta run!

Aliane removed her hand from E's mouth and yanked the woman forward, not caring at all how much noise they made. As she pulled E and Eathes forward, she could see Echidna making a move for the door.

Aliane cursed again, tripping over her own feet as her body began shaking from fear. Her unease made it difficult to control her Tao, and for a brief moment, the trio was no longer invisible.

The actress widened her eyes when she saw the quick flash of intruders and lunged towards the door. Without thinking, she slammed her body against the door, praying she's be able to stopped them before they ran away.

Aliane ran face first into the closed too, the force of it pushing her back and onto the ground. She lost her hold on E and Eathes, turning all three of them visible.

Aliane scrambled backwards, reaching for any sort of weapon she could get a hold of to defend herself and the others. She knew E was just a civilian with no combat experience and Eathes had proven to not have much fighting skills to speak.

Echidna watched as E laid sprawled on the ground, trying to catch her breath as Eathes stood completely frozen a few feet away. Her eyes then fell to Aliane who seemed to be frantically searching for something to defend herself with.

Echidna put her hands up. "I know you won't believe me when I say this, but I have no intentions of harming you. I came to set this woman free."

Aliane froze, her heart beating wildly as she spoke. "Wh-what the hell did you just say?!"

Echidna sighed. "Like I said, I came here to set E free. I'm fulfilling a promise to the Black Cat and Creed."

Aliane could not stop staking. "What the fuck are you talking about?!"

Echidna frowned at the girl. "I… struck a deal with the Black Cat."

Aliane shook her head. "What deal?! What are you talking about?!"

Echidna decided being blunt was the best way to convince them she was telling the truth. "I agreed to set E free and save Sephiria's life in exchange for those two dealing with Charden as humanly as possible."

Aliane stared at the woman for a few more minutes, then shook her head again. "I… I don't understand… Why are you—"

"—I don't want to destroy Chronos anymore. I want to live freely with Charden and Jax."

All eyes fell on the actress, the only sound to be heard was that of Eathes, Aliane, and E panting. After a few more seconds, Eathes broke the silence.

"What…?"

Echidna did not look at the monkey, her eyes remained glued to Aliane. "I… am scared of the person Charden has become, and I don't want to continue this war. I want to save him before it's too late."

Aliane narrowed her eyes. "What makes you think it's not already too late?"

Echidna felt a tear fall down her cheek. "Call it a woman's intuition…"

She sighed and added one last sentiment to her sentence. "What kind of a partner would I be if I gave up on him? I have to at least try to save his soul."

Aliane frowned. "And you think Train and Creed are the ones that can do it?"

Echidna gave the girl a confused look. "Yes. Who else is there? I thought you of all people would understand the effect Heartnet has on people. Aren't you working with Chronos now because of him? Didn't you become their ally for Train?"

Aliane frowned. "I… I mean…"

What Echidna said wasn't entirely true, but it also wasn't totally false, so there wasn't really much Alaine could say to refute her words.

Echidna sighed. "Didn't you leave the Apostles to be with the Black Cat?"

Aliane blinked at Echidna, then felt her body slowly relax.

She's… right. If anyone can get through to Charden, it's those two.

Aliane glared at the actress. "And what was that about saving Sephiria's life?"

Echidna frowned. "She was severely injured in her battle with Charden. Heartnet and Diskenth made sure to include in our agreement that her life would be spared, and I would set E free."

Aliane couldn't help the small smile that crept across her lips. "That's so like them…"

This means they're still okay. They're alive.

Aliane stared at Echidna for a few more minutes, searching for any signs of dishonesty.

She was acting differently just before I left too. It was clear she wasn't happy, I just didn't think this would be the conclusion she came to.

After a few more minutes of searching for any deceit, Aliane stood up. "So, Sephiria's alive?"

Echidna nodded. "Yes. Allie stabilized her."

Aliane cocked an eyebrow. "Allie? The other scientist?"

Echidna nodded again. "Yes."

Aliane shook her head. "Doctor is okay with this?"

Echidna gave the girl a serious look. "Doctor's dead."

Again, the room was silent, and again Eathes was the one to break it.

"WHAT?!"

Echidna addressed the monkey. "Yes. He's dead. Killed by Number II. Aja and Aztec are now following Belze's orders."

Aliane blinked. "Are you sure?"

Echidna turned back to the girl and nodded. "Yes. I saw it with my own eyes."

Aliane stared at Echidna, again studying the woman's body language for any hint of deception, but saw none.

Why would she lie about this? What would she have to gain?

"Wait, you're telling me that lying bastard is dead?!"

All eyes fell to E, who seemed to have finally calmed down. Echidna locked eyes with her, and nodded again.

E was quiet for a moment, then stood up quickly and clapped her hands. "Good fucking riddance! The only thing that makes me sad about that news is that I didn't get a chance to do it myself! So, what was this about setting me free? 'Cause I'm all for that!"

Echidna stared at the woman. She wasn't surprised by her elation.

If anyone had a reason to want Doctor dead… it's Train and this woman. I can't think of anyone else in the world who has more reason to despise him.

The actress turned to Aliane. "I can open a portal and send you wherever you'd like. Wherever you think you'd be most safe. As long as I know what that place looks like, I can bring you there."

"What about me?" Eathes voice was hesitant. "Are you… going to let me go as well?"

Echidna frowned at the monkey. "Why wouldn't I?"

He frowned as well. "Because I betrayed Charden and brought Aliane to E?"

Echidna rolled her eyes. "Have you not been listening to the conversation? I'm done with this war, and I'm done with the bloodshed. You pose no threat to me, or Charden. Honestly, killing you would just be a waste of time and energy."

Eathes winced. "Ouch, I'm not even worth killing? That stings…"

Aliane rolled her eyes. "Get over it. That means you can come with us." She turned back to Echidna. "You can take us anywhere?"

Echidna nodded. "As long as I know the location, yes. It doesn't have to be somewhere I've physically been before, I just have to know where it is on a map."

Aliane furrowed her brows as she thought.

Lin never told me where we were going to bring E to once we saved her, but I guess logically, it would have been to Chronos Headquarters.

She knew going to Chronos Headquarters meant the end of her freedom. As soon as she showed up, they'd slap some Tao suppressing cuffs on her and throw her back in a cell.

Especially if I show up without a number. But, it's not like I can have her bring me to one of them. They're all currently engaged in battle.

She scratched the top of her head.

Does that mean no one will even be there…?

Aliane shook her head.

No. They wouldn't leave the place completely empty. There will at least be a few guards or secretaries or something.

"So… What about me? If you're not going to kill me, then what are you going to do with me?"

Aliane looked at Eathes, who was giving Echidna a pleading look. Before the actress could answer, Aliane spoke. "You're staying with me. Let's not forget the deal you made with Chronos."

Eathes looked at Aliane, then back to Echidna. "You wouldn't send me to Chronos to be killed, would you?"

Echidna blinked at the monkey. "Why should I care about your fate?"

Eathes' jaw dropped. "I thought you said you didn't want to kill me!"

Echidna rolled her eyes. "Yes, but I never said I cared what became of you. In fact, if you struck some kind of deal with Chronos, it would behoove me to send you to them. As a peace offering."

Eathes closed his mouth and lowered his head. He knew fighting Echidna wasn't an option, especially not with Aliane in the room. She seemed to just be looking for a reason to beat Eathes down, and he was in no shape to take her on.

He also didn't know how exhausted Aliane was from overusing her Tao.

Aliane kept her eyes on Eathes for a moment longer, then turned back to Echidna. "I think that settles it. Send us to Chronos Headquarters. Just outside of it anyway. We'll walk to the entrance ourselves."

"WHAT?!" Eathes shouted, jumping away from the girl. "You do know they'll arrest you too, right?! Maybe even kill you?"

Aliane glared at the monkey. "They won't kill me without Sephiria's orders. Same with you. Especially if we're showing up with a friend of Train's."

Everyone looked at E, who blinked in confusion and pointed a questioning finger at herself. "Me? You're going to bring me to a place that doesn't necessarily promise our survival?"

Aliane sighed. "If you were listening, you'd know that they definitely won't hurt you. You're special to the Black Cat."

E blinked a few more times, then rested her head in her hands. "...If I come with you, will you explain what the fuck has been going on? And why everyone keeps calling Train the Black Cat?"

Aliane gave the girl a sympathetic look. "Yes. I'll tell you everything I know, and Chronos can fill in the blanks."

E frowned, sighed, then nodded. "Fine, whatever. Honestly, as long as I can get out of this Hellhole, I'm happy."

Aliane gave the woman a grateful smile, then turned back to Echidna. "Can we take Sephiria with us?"

Echidna frowned. "Unfortunately, you cannot. Not at the moment anyway."

Seeing Aliane was not comfortable with that answer, she sighed and opened another portal. "You can see for yourself that she's fine. However, she sustained a lot of injuries. Moving her right now would prove fatal."

Aliane stepped forward and peeked inside the portal, noticing Hue was taking Sephiria's vitals. When the scientist noticed she was being watched, she frowned.

"Echidna? What is that?"

Echidna stepped to the front of the portal so Allie could see her. "Just showing the girl Number One is alive, but cannot move."

Allie deepened her frown. "No. Please do not move her. Her pulse just started getting stronger. Moving her now will only set us back. She needs to stay still for now."

Echidna nodded, then turned to Aliane. "I planned on sending her to Number II the second she was stable enough to move. I know it's difficult to trust me, but I'm asking you to go against your instincts and trust me. I'm asking you to give me the chance to keep my promise."

So they'll keep theirs…

Aliane stared at Echidna for a few more seconds, then stepped away from the portal. "Fine, keep her here for now. Showing up with a beat up Sephiria would only make both me and her look bad. And I'm sure she'd rather return only mostly beat up instead of fully beat up."

Echidna closed the portal. "Did that help you make your decision? Where am I sending you?"

The more she thought about it, the more Aliane believed going to Chronos was the best option. If she wanted the organization to trust her, showing up with another Taoist prisoner along with the person they were sent to rescue would work in her favor.

And the fact that she'd be showing up on her own, without Chronos influence when she had the choice of going literally anywhere else in the world would also help her case. The fact that she chose to return to Chronos, even though she knew she'd be a prisoner again, even when she had the option of absolute freedom at her fingertips, would make her look good.

I'll also have another prisoner with me, and Train's friend. The fact that it guarantees E's safety, which is still my top priority, is a plus. Everything outside of that is a bonus.

Aliane turned back to Echidna. "Yes. Send us to Chronos."

---

"CREED! ON YOUR RIGHT!"

Creed didn't bother to look to the right since he trusted Train was giving him factual information. His Imagine Blade was consuming the entirety of his right arm and clashing with one of Jax's electric bolts, but his shield arm was free to protect him.

With his eyes locked onto Jax, Creed lengthened his shield and shoved his arm to the right, using its broadness to project himself. He felt the pressure of Charden's red river splashing against his Imagine Shield, forcing him to tighten the muscles in his arm.

Damnit! I'm losing strength. This battle has gone on too long.

Creed's thoughts weren't just in regards to the current battle he and Train were engaged in. The previous battle against Maro and Shiki was exceedingly long and drained his stamina. Creed didn't sustain too many injures fight the Taoists, but battling Train did.

Dueling his beloved caused him mental, emotional, and physical injuries. Even though he didn't remember the fight, it still caused him an immense amount of pain to know it happened.

…And to know what I almost did to him.

Creed felt the strength in his arms momentarily leave as the wave of blood increased its velocity. At the same time, Jax encased both his arms with an electrical blue aura that mixed with an orange one. The latter color matched the one that caused an explosion and nearly killed Train.

Just like I almost did…

The silver man gritted his teeth and shut his eyes, forcing the images of his beloved's dead body out of his mind.

Almost. Almost! The key word is almost!

Creed shook his head and concentrated on the attacks happening on either side of him.

Train's alive. He's alive and he's here with me. He's fighting alongside me!

Jax saw the taxed look on Creed's face and smirked. He activated more of his natural Tao, combining it with the foreign electrical Tao he had been infused with and leaned forward.

Jax spoke in a dark tone. "What's wrong, Diskenth? You seem to be losing your edge."

Creed shook his head, then opened his eyes, glaring at the young Taoist.

Train's alive… Train's alive…

Creed used those thoughts to give him the strength to push against the boy with one arm and protect himself with his shield in the other. Charden's blood burst along his Tao created shield, staining his already soiled clothes and he smirked at the teen.

With the same dark tone, Creed responded to the Taoist's statement. "Don't underestimate me!"

As soon as Creed pushed the boy away, Train leapt between them, extended both of his arms, and shoved Jax away with his wind ability. The boy flew several feet in the air and towards the giant gaping hole in the wall.

Train watched as Jax flew through the hole and outside of the building, positive that simply chucking the Taoist out of a three story building wasn't going to be enough to kill him. In fact, Train wasn't even sure if it would hurt him.

Not much we've done has been able to scratch him let alone cause him serious harm. Same with Charden.

No matter how intense or powerful their attacks were, it seemed as though nothing worked. Nothing they did was enough to cause serious damage to either of them. No matter what he or Creed did, their enemies would heal themselves in a matter of seconds.

Their healing factor seems to be even quicker than mine, and they aren't using their Nanomachines to fight us. Just to heal themselves.

Train's ears perked as he heard his partner release a strangled growl. Without spinning around, Train reached back and grabbed Creed's wrist, yanking the silver man to his side, pinning his fiancé against his body.

Creed's chest slammed into the side of Train, and the swordsman immediately expanded his Imagine Shield so it wrapped around both of their lean frames. His instincts to keep Train safe at all cost kicked in without him realizing it.

When he surrounded them with the protective, orange aura, Charden's blood wave crashed into the shield, splashing and spilling uselessly to the ground.

Train smiled at his lover and wrapped his arm around Creed's waist. "I have to say, I think this new level up of yours is my favorite. Orange looks good on you."

Creed smirked. "It suits you as well, Kitten. Then again, I can't think of a single color that doesn't look good on you."

Charden made an annoyed sound and spoke in an irritated tone. "Your cliché love is absolutely unbearable. Must you constantly wave it in the face of whatever pathetic soul just so happens to be in your tiresome presence?"

The blonde man raised his arm, meticulously swirling the blood around his pale limb as if to intimidate his enemies. "Need I remind you of the direness of your situation?"

Train smirked and tightened his hold on Creed, but made sure his lover's Imagine Blade had room to move. The sentient sword twirled around both their bodies, then protruded its head out of the shield to snarl at the Apostles' leader.

The cat shrugged and answered Charden's question in a nonchalant tone. "I'm feeling pretty safe right now. You seem to be the one that needs an extra hand. Especially after I chucked your discipline out the window."

Charden rolled his eyes, and that was when Train noticed how empty and malicious they were.

Where they always that inhuman, blood red color…?

Train never paid attention to Charden's looks, so he couldn't say what color the man's eyes were back when they were leading the Apostles. In all honesty, if someone were to ask Train to describe Charden from memory, the only thing he would have been able to say for sure was that he had blonde hair.

With a look of utter disgust on his face, Charden spoke in an irked tone. "You know as well as I do that a meager fall like that won't be enough to kill my boy or even put a scratch on him. Besides, I don't think you're in any position to be talking about who's the safest one here. Or do I need to fetch you a mirror, Black Cat?"

Train narrowed his eyes. He knew what Charden was implying, and he knew he was right. Between the four of them, Train and Creed were the ones in worse physical shape. They were completely covered in blood and bruises, but their enemies were in near perfect condition.

Along with that, he and Creed were worse off emotionally and mentally.

I think Creed is suffering more emotionally than I am. I wish he'd accept that I'm not dead already.

The fact that the nightmare Doctor trapped Creed in had come true did not help his fiance's mental state. Creed seeing Train's dead body made it nearly impossible for him to focus on anything except making sure the gunman stayed alive.

Although, my emotional state isn't very good either considering I'm spending a lot of time worrying about Creed.

They had started doing a lot better once they began working together, but they were still not doing nearly as well as Charden and Jax were. While their enemies had been able to heal from practically every wound inflicted on them, Train and Creed were struggling to keep up.

Even with my Nanomachines, I'm having a hard time keeping up with the damage they're doing. And all Creed has to heal him is his Tao.

Train had been able to use his Nanomachines to heal a few of Creed's more serious wounds, but he didn't have enough time to heal everything. Charden and Jax's attacks were too quick and too powerful.

Added to that, their break before Echidna transported them was not long enough for Train to effectively heal everything.

It doesn't help that they are setting out to kill us while Creed and I plan on taking them alive.

Realizing he had been silent for too long, Train finally spoke. "No thanks, I'm aware I don't look my best right now. No need to give me a visual reminder of it."

Creed frowned. "Such nonsense you speak, my love. You look as beautiful as always."

"Oh my God, would you shut up already?!" The voice came from behind Creed and Train, and they knew immediately who it belonged to.

The pair glanced over their shoulders to watch as Jax hovered himself just outside the window. None of them were surprised to see he was completely unharmed.

Jax glared at Creed and Train, sickened by the wholesome position they were in despite the climatic situation. "I can't believe you two pathetic wimps used to run the Apostles…"

Train gave the boy a cheeky smile. "Not only did we run it, but we started it! Also, I'm the legendary Black Cat. Don't forget that!"

Creed chuckled at Train's comment, then added one of his own. "Don't judge a book by its cover, Kid. At the very least, read the story description on the cover."

Jax growled and shot both his arms up, launching a hefty lightning bolt at the men. "SHUT UP!"

Creed rolled his eyes as the bolt made contact with his shield, watching as it dissipated almost immediately. "You've seen me use this shield before, right? So, you know an attack like that won't work, right?"

"No, but it will act as a good distraction."

Creed spun his head around when Charden spoke, but did not have enough time to react to his attack. Apparently while they were speaking with Jax, Charden had slipped a thin layer of blood underneath his armored bubble and was slowly coating it with his grotesque, red liquid.

Creed watched as it slithered up and around his shield, shrouding the duo in its icky, maroon embrace. Within just a few seconds, Creed was able to work out that Charden intended on completely covering his shield from the inside in order to destroy it.

That's why he's not attacking us with his blood. He wants to break the barrier. And from the look on my shield's face, it's going to work.

Creed hadn't had his shield for very long, but so far the only look he had seen on it was that of stoic determination. It had been completely unwavering from that emotion since the moment it came to be. However, at the moment, it looked a bit worried.

And maybe even a bit scared…

Train noticed the concerned, confused look on his lover's face and glanced at the blood slowly fettering their apricot shelter. He understood his partner's expression well enough to know Creed was concerned about the shield's safety.

Train wrapped his arms around Creed's waist, pressed the man against his torso and flew them into the air. He wasn't sure if his lover's shield would hold while he launched them into the sky, but he knew for sure they couldn't stay where they were.

When their feet left the ground, Creed downgraded his Imagine Blade to Level one and wrapped his arms around Train's waist. His other arm, the one that had his shield attached to it, gripped tightly to his beloved's lower back.

He kept his shield activated for as long as he could, praying it would hold against the intrusive blood. The last thing Creed wanted was for either of them to be trapped by the crimson fluid.

I won't let it get either of us…

Visions of the day his life almost ended due to Charden's Tao flashed before his eyes. The image of himself transformed into Train, sending a terrifying shiver down his spine.

Never again, and never to Train!

Charden's blood quickened its pace and completely encased the inside of Creed's shield as the lovers soared into the sky. When they reached the top of the armor, Creed deactivated his shield and looked down at the ground.

To his surprise, despite the fact that his shield was no longer active, Charden's blood sustained the same bubble shape it formed after surrounding Creed's shield. Creed cursed when he noticed Charden's blood was still still following them, coiling into the air like a snake hungry for its prey.

Creed slid his arm away from Train's waist and aimed his arm down towards the ground. He reactivated his shield again, creating a small landing that he and Train could stand on.

Train noticed what Creed did, stopped their ascent, and placed them both on top of it. Seeing Jax landed next to Charden, but was about to fly after them, Creed expanded his shield until it reached every wall in the room.

They were now standing on a transparent, orange platform that extended to every corner of the large room. With their arms still around each other's waists, the lover's stared down their enemies.

Charden smirked up at the duo, watching as his blood unsuccessfully clashed against the impenetrable shield. "What's wrong? Scared of a little bath?"

Train gave his opponents a cheeky smile. "While I appreciate your concern and I am fully aware how desperately we both need a shower, I prefer hot, clean water, and Creed prefers bubbles. And unfortunately your offer, while generous, does not include either of those options. Maybe try offering us a different package."

Creed chuckled, overjoyed his cat was able to make him feel optimistic despite the position they were in. "I also prefer the company of someone tall, dark, and handsome, not pale, cruel, and creepy."

Jax rolled his eyes and Charden scowled. He knew the men were messing with him, and he was getting sick of playing along.

"Where is Sephiria Arks?"

Train frowned and cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean? You didn't see—"

His sentence was cut off when Creed pinched his side and gave him a warning look, then answered the Blood Taoist's question. "She's gone. Train got her out of here while I was distracting you."

Charden grinded his teeth and hardened his glare. "...How?"

Train stared at Creed, reading the expression on his face and smiling in understanding.

Charden can't know Echidna helped us and saved Sephiria.

Train turned back to Charden and smirked. "I'm just that good."

Charden clenched his fists, his arms shaking in rage as he stared up at the lovers. To say he was furious about losing Number One was an understatement.

"...She has to die." Charden's words were a venomous growl, and his eyes burned brightly with rage. "None of my dreams will come to fruition if she's alive…"

The blood surrounding his arms began to boil, and Jax floated himself in the air to avoid the hot sanguine fluid that started pooling along the ground.

Charden kept his eyes locked onto the men standing safely above him, more rage filling his body at knowing they were alive as well. "You shouldn't exist either…"

Train cocked an eyebrow. "Why are you suddenly angry at us for existing?"

"SHUT UP!" Charden screamed, the blood surrounding him boiling more and more violently as he spoke. "I'M SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR CONSTANT, MEANINGLESS DRIBBLE!"

Train glanced at Creed. Seeing his lover was just as perplexed about Charden's quick and sudden mood change, Train turned back to their enemies. Jax was still hovering in the air next to the older Taoist, and Charden's blood was bubbling fiercely.

"She can't have gone far, and If you won't tell me where she is…"

A sinister smirk slithered across his thin lips. "...Then I'll just have to rip you apart piece by piece until you tell me."

Charden threw both of his arms forward, shooting a prodigious tsunami of blood at Creed's shield. The blood boiled viciously, filling the air with an indescribable heat that increased in intensity the closer it got to them.

Train's eyes quickly fell to Jax and he cursed when he saw what the boy was doing. His entire body shined brightly with the same hue it did when he created that massive explosion, his arms aimed up into the air as well.

The Black Cat was quickly able to work out they were combining their attacks, and he had a feeling the moment they made contact with each other, the results would be extreme.

Train wrapped his arms around Creed's waist and threw them both in the air again, aiming them in the direction of the hole in the wall, moving the air around them as fast as he could to remove them from the deadly situation.

Train felt Creed swing his arm out and behind them so he could keep protecting them with his shield. He gripped tighter to the silver man and flew them even faster towards the exit.

Almost there!

The second Train felt the cool air and warm sun hit his skin, a tremendous explosion erupted behind them. The force of the blast forced the partners further outside and into the sky, causing Train to lose control of where he was going for a brief second.

However, Creed reacted quickly and encased them both in his shield again, trapping them in the warm embrace of his orange bubble. His quick thinking slowed them down enough that Train was able to regain control of where they were going, and directed them towards the roof of the building.

When they crashed onto the hard surface of the building's exterior, Creed lost his concentration and released them both from his shield. The building shook violently as its foundation slowly crumbled, and the lovers rolled onto their backs and groaned.

"Damn…" Train moaned, coughing as debris from the explosion. "That was… dramatic."

Creed coughed as well and gripped his stomach. "To say the least…"

The silver man turned his head to face his Kitten, his vision slightly blurred from their theatrical escape. "Are you okay?"

Train coughed again, his eyes shut tight, but gave his partner a double thumbs up. "Just peachy! How about you?"

Creed smiled at his love, then gripped his stomach tighter. "Think I broke a rib… But, I've had worse."

Train opened his eyes and turned to Creed, reaching a hand out and placing it gently on Stallion's stomach. He activated the healing bots and healed his lover's injury, watching as Creed's face slowly relaxed at the soothing sensation.

Creed gave his Kitten a grateful smile. "Thanks, my love…"

Train returned the man's smile and nodded. "Of course…"

Their tender moment ended abruptly when they felt the building rocked back and forth.

Creed pushed himself up on his hands. "This building won't remain standing for much longer."

Train nodded. "Then I guess we're moving this fight elsewhere."

The cat leapt up and reached a hand out to his lover. Creed took it and allowed Train to pull him up, wrapping his arms around the gunman's waist in preparation to be lifted into the air again.

However, just as they were about to fly away, a whip of blood slithered out from the crack they just escaped through and wrapped around Train's ankle. The cat tried to yank his foot free, but the blood coiled further up his leg.

"Leaving so soon?"

Charden's body floated up from the building, Jax standing directly next to him with his arms outstretched. The wind whipping around the two of them made it clear that the young Taoist was floating them both in the air.

Charden smirked as Jax set him down on the roof. "But, the fun's just begun…"

Train glared at the Taoist. Feeling his body being pulled back onto the roof, Train released his hold on Creed, allowing the man to upgrade his Imagine Blade to its highest level again.

As Creed reactivated his sword and shield, Train encased his left arm in ice, and his right arm in electricity. The men stood firmly across from their enemies, prepared for what would surely be the final bout between them.

Without turning to Creed, Train spoke to his lover. "Together?"

Creed smirked. "Always."

---

"Should she still be unconscious?"

"Yes, it's normal."

Sephiria's body twitched as the voices conversed. They sounded distant and muddled, as if they were under water. It was difficult for Number One to discern the gender of the speakers let alone who they were.

"But this is Sephiria Arks. The leader of the Chronos Numbers. She is not normal."

A moment of silence filled the air, as if one of the speakers were mulling over the other's words. The lull was heavy, signaling the gravity of the situation, sending an allegorical shiver down Sephiria's spine. Even in her woozy, anguished state, she knew that silence did not bode well for her.

However, after a few seconds, the other one responded.

"No matter how strong or resilient the woman is, she is still human without Tao or Nanomachines. The only thing that sets her apart from the average person is the training and experience Chronos granted her with."

The other voice spoke with resistant respect. "That, along with her natural stubbornness, tenacity, and grit make Number One stand out."

There was a second brief pause as purposeful footsteps echoed against the linoleum floor. The reticent sound caused a vicious, painful palpitation to ravage Number One's head.

The voice spoke again, and it sounded a bit more distant than before. "I won't refute that, but the damage she came in with was severe. It was a miracle she was even alive."

The shoes clicked against the floor again, sending wave after wave of nearly insufferable pain through Sephiria's temples. "The fact that she is improving is beyond a miracle, and proof that, despite not having any foreign, artificial drugs injected in her, she most certainly has some level of inhuman abilities."

Another pithy, weighty silence misted the air, and Sephiria felt a cold hand press against her sweat covered forehead. Instinctively, the swordswoman twitched and clenched her fingers, a wave of panic washing through her at the absence of Christ.

Wha… What is going… on…?

She rolled her head in an attempt to get away from seemingly caring hand, causing the owner of said limb to quickly yank it away.

Where… am I?

"Did she just speak?"

The owner of the clicking feet quickly approached and stood at the side of Sephiria's bed. "Did she ask where she was?"

Sephiria's eyes fluttered open for a moment, then quickly shut upon seeing the bright light above her head.

She groaned and turned her head away, shutting her eyes tight. "What… The hell…?"

Sephiria had no idea she was speaking her thoughts out loud. Her mouth felt dry and her lips were cracked. Her lungs burned with every breath she took, and her muscles ached, but she was determined to get her answers.

"Where… Where… am I?"

Echidna frowned at the woman, then glanced at Allie, who was checking her vitals. The actress waited a moment for the scientist to be done, then looked back to Sephiria.

Echidna spoke in a quiet tone. "You're…"

She paused, unsure of how Sephiria would take the news.

Will it make her worse…?

Echidna turned to Allie, allowing the concern to shine brightly in her eyes, silently questioning the Apostles' scientist.

Allie shrugged. "Not knowing where she is will only stress her body more. Finding out where she is may cause her momentary panic, but it will be easier than a never ending stress."

Echidna turned back to Sephiria. Seeing the strained, distressed look on her face, the actress couldn't help but feel pity for the woman.

What a paradoxical turn of events… I'm actually not only concerned for this woman's physical well being, but her emotional one as well.

She sighed. "You're… In the Apostles emergency room recovering from several life threatening injuries."

Sephiria's eyes opened wide and the monitor attached to her began to beep wildly. Again, her fists clenched and she ground her teeth, her body twitching with rage as she searched for her sword.

"Christ… Where's Christ?!"

The moment Allie heard the monitor going off, she ran to the other side of the room to grab a needle.

Echidna stared at Sephiria.

Christ… She's asking for her sword.

She looked back to Number One and saw the woman's hand was stretched out, reaching for her coveted weapon.

We worked hard to get it away from her, but… she'll feel safer with this, won't she?

Echidna didn't like the idea of arming Number One, but she knew Sephiria wouldn't be able to attack in the condition she was in.

And if it helps her calm down and heal faster… it's for the best.

She desperately wanted to get Sephiria out of there and reunited with Number II. The sooner she was rid of the swordswoman, the sooner she could stand by Charden's side. Even if he was angry with her, even if he was battling Train and Creed, she wanted to be by his side.

My first priority needs to be making sure Sephiria heals.

With that thought in mind, Echidna grabbed the sword and placed it in Sephiria's outstretched hand. The second she did that, Number One's fingers wrapped around the hilt and her body relaxed.

After a few seconds, Sephiria's expression softened and her breathing steadied. The monitor's beeping reduced, and Number One seemed to fall back asleep.

Allie was by Sephiria's side again soon after that with a needle in hand. She injected Number One with what Echidna assumed was some sort of opiate as the leader of Chronos relaxed further.

Echidna turned to Allie, who was checking the monitor attached to Sephiria. "That wasn't filled with Nanomachines, was it?"

Allie shook her head. "No. I already told you I won't do that. The long term consequences far outweigh the immediate healing response we'd receive."

Echidna sighed in relief. "Good…"

She stared at Sephiria's hand, unease taking over as she watched Number One's fingers clench firmly around Christ's hilt. "How much longer until we can release her?"

Allie frowned as she checked Sephiria's pulse. "Considering she was capable of holding even somewhat of a conversation just now, it shouldn't be much longer."

She pulled her hand away and stepped back over to the table she took the needle from. "Have you been able to check in on the rest of the war?"

Echidna nodded. "Yes. And let's just say… I'm glad I've come up with this plan."

Allie cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? It's not going well?"

Echidna sighed. "It's a bit too evenly matched for my taste. However, considering I've thrown in the towel… I guess I can't be too disappointed."

I just don't want to see more of my people die…

The sweepers were doing an incredible job not killing anyone, but Belze and the rest of Chronos had slain most of their erasers.

Shiki and Maro were pretty much all they had left for Taoists and they were struggling to stay afloat. Leon left soon after his battle with the Bio-girl ended, and Durham was on his last legs. She wouldn't be surprised if he was dead the next time she checked in.

And with me turning my coat, Doctor, Nica, and Kenneth dead… there's not much left we can do to win. Even Watts is incapicated.

The last she checked in with him, he was still sitting in the hole with Number VII and the thief watching over him. The green haired sweeper had not left Nica's grave, and Echidna knew he would stay there until the war was over.

He won't leave until that Bio-girl comes back at least. Probably not even until the Black Cat and Creed return.

Then, there was Eve and Kyoko. They were struggling against the Children of the Apostles, but one of them had turned. And Echidna wasn't surprised who it was.

She was close to Leon.

The actress turned back to Sephiria. "We need to get her out of here as quickly as possible."

Allie did not need to be told why. They had discussed it at great length the moment Sephiria was set on her bed. "I know. I'm doing everything I can to speed up her recovery without giving the Nanomachines. At this point, only time can heal her wounds."

Echidna sighed. "I know…"

As another wave of pity took over, Echidna reached a hand out and trailed her index finger soothingly through Sephiria's dirty, matted hair.

I wonder if she's thinking about Number II… I wonder if she's as worried about him as I am about Charden?

Echidna knew Belze was more than fine. With the help of Aja and Aztec, the number was a force to be reckoned with. He alone had killed most of the Shooting Stars, incapacitated majority of the children, and pushed the remaining Taoists to their absolute limit.

But she doesn't know he's fine. She doesn't know he's ruling this battle with an iron fist.

She sighed again.

I… can't help but empathize with the woman.

Echidna placed her chilled hand on Sephiria's fevered head.

I too know what it's like to have one's heart plagued with dismal thoughts of the one they love.

Feeling a moment of compassion for the woman, Echidna spoke in a quiet, soothing tone. "We will return you to Belze as soon as possible…"

She smiled, ignoring the irony of connecting with the woman she had sought to kill for so long. "I promise."

Upon hearing that name, Sephiria's lips curled into a small smile and her body relaxed even more.

"Belze…"