"Man, those two are really hard to find!" Spider commented as he, Webby, Roan, and Viper stopped to rest in front of the dungeon building.

"We've noticed!" Viper growled at him.

"Well, you don't have to get pissy about it. I was just making an observation."

"Please don't fight guys. We don't have time for this!" Webby tried fruitlessly to break up the fight between Viper and her brother. After the millionth time, however, she gave up.

Roan patted her shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Web. Let's just go on without them. They'll figure it out eventually."

"Yeah." They started walking away, the others never noticing their departure.

After walking for a while, Roan noticed something in the distance. He placed a hand on Webby's shoulder to stop her.

"What is it, Roan?"

"Look there." He pointed to what he saw. "Do any of them look familiar to you?"

Webby took a good, long, hard look at the group of people coming their way. "Hey isn't that Sterling and Roanna?"

"Sure looks like it. Should we get a closer look and find out?"

"Works for me." The two took off running for the group of five heading toward them.

Back with Viper and Spider, they were still arguing.

"...And that's why you are lame!"

"Thanks for the info, Vipes, but-"

"Wait a minute!"

"What now?" Spider crossed his arms and glared at the other boy.

"Isn't this where your sister would tell me to leave you alone?"

"Yeah."

"Then why hasn't she done it?"

"Good question. She should have said something by now."

Both guys looked around, then back at each other. "Ohhh...crap!" They said.

"Splendid." Viper threw his hands in the air. "Now we have to find them, too!"

--

"So, Strata, how did you escape from the dungeon?"

Rich glared at the red-headed girl walking next to him. "I am NOT Strata! Jeez, how many times must I tell you??"

"Enough for them to get it, I guess." Mia said.

"Thanks a lot, Mia."

She smiled at him. "Anytime...Strata."

"AAARRRGGGHHH!"

Mia, Kayura and Roanna couldn't help but laugh at Rich. After hearing it all day from the others, Mia had gotten in the habit of saying it as well. Much to Rich's annoyance.

I am gonna KILL someone soon if they don't STOP THAT! He thought.

"So," Sterling's voice cut through the laughter and everyone gave him their attention. "What brings you here...Kayura?"

Hm...That's the first time I've ever heard him call me by name. "I'm looking for Cale. He's disappeared on me again."

"Why? Wasn't he always mean to you?" Mia asked, confused.

"What I want with the Warlord of Corruption is none of your business, Mia. However, let's just say he's got something coming to him."

Mia shrugged. "Fine with me."

"Don't you mean the EX-Warlord of Corruption, Kayura?" Roanna asked.

"Ex? What do you mean, ex?"

Sterling answered for her. "We were told that the Warlords were kicked out of the Dynasty."

"WHAT?!" Both Mia and Kayura screamed in unison.

"That is what our captives have told us."

"How do you know they aren't lying?" Kayura asked.

"They don't really have a reason to lie about something like that." Roanna said. "Besides, they also said that they're living with them now."

Mia's jaw dropped to the ground with a thud. "You mean to tell me the warlords have been living in MY house??" She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Rich took one look at her and doubled over laughing. He was promptly smacked upside the head by Kayura. "Hey!"

"Stuff it Strata!"

"I'M NOT STR-"

"Roanna! Sterling! It IS you!" Webby ran up to her friends and gave them each a hug. Then she spotted Rich. "How in all the Dynasty Hells did YOU escape?!"

Rich threw his hands in the air. Kayura looked at Mia, Mia looked at Roanna and Roanna looked at Sterling. As soon as Rich opened his mouth, the four chorused "I'm not Strata!!"

Rich was not amused. "Very funny guys. Can we PLEASE just get to the dungeon so I can prove to you who I'm NOT?"

"Ok, you win." Kayura rolled her eyes. "You are such a baby, Strata!"

Growling, Rich opened his mouth, shut it, and stomped off.

--

"BLAST IT!" Sage yelled. He was still looking for Dais. His armor had sensed Dais' going in this direction, so he had followed. That had been an hour ago. Now he was stumbling around in a very dark room. "YEEOUUCH!!"

"What happened?" A gravely voice, tinged with laughter, asked him.

"I stubbed my frickin' TOE!" He hopped around on one foot for emphasis.

"Ya know...You look pretty silly doing that."

Sage jumped. He was not expecting the voice to be directly behind him. Whirling, he got a good look at the owner. "Dais!"

"What, you were expecting the Easter Bunny?"

"Of course not! But since you're here...Why'd you sneak off like that?!"

"That's none of your business, Halo!"

Sage was about to reply to that, when he heard gravely laughter to his right. "Who's there?"

"Why Sage of the Halo, I'm surprised you don't recognize me." The voice's owner materialized in front of the two.

"Talpa! I should have known!"

"But since you didn't, it'll cost you!" Dais grinned evilly. "WEB OF DECEPTION!" His attack hit Sage dead on.

"AAAAAAAA!" Dais and Talpa had a good laugh at Sage's expense as the warrior was wrapped up in Dais' web.

"Good job, Dais. You shall be rewarded greatly."

Bowing, he asked. "Thank you, Master. What shall I do with him in the meantime?"

"Hm...Leave him tied up on the floor. He'll make a great conversation piece."

"As you wish, Master."