VISTRECHA
(Encounter)



The final battle has begun.

The lines have joined, and already the tide is against those who fight for the survival of the future that they hold dear to their hearts. Though they fight, the line thins out irrevocably.

Those in the back, those who have opted not to fight through personal reasons, watch as the battle seems to chime a knell of end - an end of an era of domination. For, in the past centuries, the echidnas were least susceptible to that which plagued their species brethren. Famine, disease, war, death - the deepest depths of them - those were distant concepts, the idea of horrible fairy tales. All due to the efforts of those who were able to keep external entities out of their society, which resulted in their thriving world.

But no matter what, that which Locke feared most in his deep dreams has come true. Though the external was deflected, that which was thought to be the worst of the plagues, no stately thought was given to that which was
internal. This conflict which is now spilled into epic proportions started within the echidna society that is very fast disappearing with each falling warrior.

Everything that befell the poor Floating Island, it would never have been possible without the she-devil that waited within. Vanguard, he who went from one side to the other, ultimately betraying both, became a non-entity to the echidnas. He no longer existed the day he left the Legion for greater gains that no one could give. Nor Atrava, whose species would have ultimately betrayed him to the echidnas, for no overlander was allowed to step forth on the island.

It was Lien-Da who became the ace. Had Vanguard run into a lesser he would have been shot on sight. But Lien-Da knew better. She somehow had the unfortunate sight to see that anything Vanguard could wreak could be beneficial to her own aspirations of domination in the society. The thought, ultimately, cost the lives of millions in the unexpected outsider attack.

Though the attack was on the outside, it was purely because of inside information, and a willing "source", that it even succeeded. All of the planning in the world wouldn't have helped if Lien-Da had backed down on her promise, and told someone outside her loyal following. Echidna society would still stand as it did the minute before Atrava, a man of death, came to the island.

But perhaps there is another reason Lien-Da is fighting. Not just to dominate echidna society, but to
preserve it in its present condition.

It couldn't be better. The Albion echidnas are practically weak, and can easily be bent, as the battle shows. The Legion has the better technology, training, experience, everything. It could, if it so wished, dominate the universe. It is so much stronger than almost every other civilization out there, and if Lien-Da adds a few thousand prisoners to her menagerie she can be unstoppable. Many of the Tskintsu's secrets, especially the one upon the last page (once it is unlocked), to prolonged life have allowed her to decelerate her aging. Therefore she could (as long as she is cautious) live for a few more centuries.

But one thing, and one thing only, may stand in the Grandmaster's master plan for Mobius. The one thing she knows depends upon today, one thing that, if not played right, will have her irresistible hand on Mobius, and perhaps the universe, slip away forever.

The destiny of one young blonde who must not fight.


-----------------

The Albion's Hall of Justice was bare of fair treatment in Sonic's eyes.

"Sit." Sonic was suddenly slammed down into a chair. Bit and pieces of a broken Steppenwolf statue leered back at him from under him. "Why don't we all have a chat?"
"You." Antithesis glared at the female echidna. "It was you all along."
"Of course it was me." Lien-Da gave a gentle smile. "Why not?"
"Because everyone knows that supposedly all of the echidnas on the Island died. Innocent and Legionaire." Sonic stared. "Locke, who is this? Is this…"
"Someone he wishes was dead, I'm sure." Lien-Da closed her eyes. "Unfortunately, I am as alive as ever - and it looks like you, on the other hand, will not live to see the next millennia, regardless of Silver Crystal power."

At this, the guards began to click on the laser barrels, preparing to unleash the ammunition.

"You really are a traitor." Locke didn't take his eyes off of Lien-Da. "And I thought Vanguard was the only one who could get away with it. Backstabbing Dimitri and leaving with their lives."
"Oh, but you forgot Julie-Su." Lien-Da's face briefly crinkled up in anger, only to placate again. "You only seem to include people you hate. How upsetting. I'd rather see the big picture in things, Locke…." At this, she tapped Locke's shoulder with her gun, "….unlike your relatives, which, I might add, are dead because of their lack of foresight."

Locke said nothing as Lien-Da circled the room, eyeing her four prisoners.

"But it seems everyone in your entire motley crue has failed to see the big picture, even" -and at this she tapped Kakyuu's shoulder, allowing her sleeve to fall down- "your girlfriends. Though, Serenity….or, should I say Odango?…has a bit coming to her, doesn't she? A kingdom that belongs to her, because destiny allows it. Hah!"
"How do you know about that?" Locke's eyes widened.
"Oh, Locke." Lien-Da tsked. "Isn't it obvious?"

Locke's head went down in thought. Antithesis, Sonic and Kakyuu could see that he was fighting his thoughts - that he didn't want to think what he knew to be inevitable.

"I feel like it's storybook corner here!" Lien-Da laughed. "I'm sure you know about Vanguard. But….perhaps I should still enlighten you….I remember like it was all yesterday…..Just as the street wars were going on. Who should I run into….but an old friend. Your brother, Locke. Naturally I found out his plan…nothing that an invite to my room, a few drinks, shallow sexual promises and some past string-pulling couldn't do to a fool like himself. Of course, in exchange for the information needed for Papu Atrava…I was promised a free ticket to ride. Alive."
"We know that." Antithesis muttered. "All about that."
"Of course you do." Lien-Da smiled, though she seemed a little upset about it. "Through the letter, I assume?"

Locke didn't reply; he didn't want to. He was absorbing what Lien-Da said.

"But I wanted more. I knew there had to be more power that came with the territory. Power, and eternal life. Perhaps even the universe under my thumb. I knew that it could take years. But even so, with my new lease on life, of course, I could leave Mobius to find what I wanted, so I had time to find out if I could acquire the power. Thus began my odyssey to learn. I went around the universe - all around, to hope that someone knew of a power that was somewhat accessible to a poor soul like me. Oh, I found all sorts of false pretenses, and they all paid just as dearly for their tricks. But it was on your planet," the gun nudged Kaykuu again, "that I found a gold mine. That's where I learned of the Tskintsu, which talked of Steppenwolf's life in its entirety, and of his journey to Silver Millennium through the warp…and the diary which the papers came from…hundreds of years before my time, but, nonetheless, the research in your massive library, even in reconstructing, provided me with ample ideas."
"And so you stole the Tskintsu to learn of the location of the diary..."
"Precisely." Lien-Da smiled as she quietly held up the aforementioned item.
"No way!"
"And, of course," Lien-Da ignored Sonic, "I knew for a fact that, from the prophesies written in the Tskintsu, that Earth and Mobius were trapped in a state of dormancy by the hands of Chaos, but that they would be released from their prisons in time." It was at this point that Lien-Da gave a huff, opening the book. "Then again, the book's last page remains unwritten. For it is on that page which Queen Serenity wrote the location of the diaries after Steppenwolf's departure." Lien-Da's eyes rolled. "At Steppenwolf's request, she cast a special spell upon the page. Only the most powerful magic would be able to unlock the strip which shields the content from prying eyes. So…I decided to use what I knew to my advantage-"
"So you're going to unlock the Tskintsu's most precious secret with your acquired power from the book and the Emeralds." Kakyuu's eyes flashed. "That is unacceptable!"
"Fool! Save your breath for breathing, Highness." Kommissar's eyes flashed as she gave Kakyuu a hard shove with the laser. "I would have broken the spell years ago and wiped all of you out when I had the chance….if I had the power. But nooo! I can't open it. The Mobian Chaos Emeralds have no power over such a document."
"Magical equilibrium?"
"Then that means…." Kakyuu stopped.
"………….No……." Locke finally spoke. His voice trembled. "You….can't….."
"Heh." Lien-Da booped Locke's nose. "You seem flabbergasted, old man. What's wrong?"
"…………………….Usagi……………………"

Locke, totally zoned from the situation, still thinking of the evidence which ran through his head, did not even notice Lien-Da as he mumbled. Kakyuu and Sonic both gasped. Antithesis didn't even move.

"WHAT?!?"
"Heh." Lien-Da tapped her head. "Smart, isn't he?"
"But that's impossible!" Kakyuu protested. "The Sailor Crystals and the Chaos Emeralds are counteracting forces. Queen Serenity could never have gotten access to anything other than the Silver Crystal!"
"Is it all that impossible?" Lien-Da seemed unimpressed. "Like I said, maybe not a Mobian Emerald. Because if it was a Mobian Emerald…"
"….The Master Emerald would have already broken the shield and we'd be dead?"
"You're starting to catch on!" Lien-Da mockingly laughed at Sonic. "Yes. I would already have gotten the diaries. But……no. I have to have the magical equal to the Earth Emeralds. Queen Serenity didn't want anyone to open it that easily, so she used the Earth Emeralds to cast the spell. So…."
"But you can't trick Usagi like that!" Kakyuu indignantly jumped up. "Nothing you could do would trick her to do such a mistake. To open that page for you! Never!"
"Now, now, Kakyuu…"

Kommissar threw Kakyuu into her chair. With a yelp, the Kinmokian felt that chair slip under her as she was thrown, and she landed on the floor.

"Huh…"

Locke looked over to see Lien-Da hovering over the princess.

"You all think that Usagi….or should I say Serenity…is so quick on the uptake," she sneered. "But in fact, I am leading her around the nose as we speak. In fact, I've led all of you on; I made sure you were separated long enough to put my plan in effect!! Why do you think I took over the city? Why I attacked Tokyo?! Why do you think my sniper didn't kill Usagi, huh?! I could have easily had her killed. And the letters Gala-Na received. Do you really think she, an enemy of the guardians to begin with, would have known of Knuckles' continued existence on her own after the Silver Crystal's spell reverted!? No! If she was more dense, I would have had to sing it to her."
"You……" Sonic stood up as well and pointed to the Legionaire. "You…….tricked her!!!"
"A feat that's not so hard to do, hedgehog." Several guns bade Sonic sit down, and he grudgingly did. "Gala-Na has been forever suspicious of the guardian ever since he transubstantiated into his Chaos form. When she awoke from hibernation, she thought, as she had before, that Knuckles had died in the massacre. But I knew better. I could see that in her agitated state Gala-Na was easier to trick than Knuckles ever could be." Lien-Da gave another sigh. "Nothing that a certain correspondence between Vanguard and myself and a forged letter, laced with ideas and suspicions, found on her doorstep after she awakened, couldn't do. I had been hoping to at least have Knuckles as a willing participant of the war, being she hated her as well, but it's a shame that instead he saw through it. Though all the better for me, because it gives the chance of the Silver Crystal being used….a much better ratio of possibility."
"Still thinking about yourself."

Antithesis stood up, his eyes flaring. He started to walk towards the Legionnaire, his feet plodding. As Lien-Da turned to look at the echidna, Locke jumped to Kakyuu and bent down to take her hand. The two looked at each other.

"Are you all right…"
"I…." Kakyuu's arms instinctively went around Locke's neck. "Yeah…"
"Anti?" Sonic started to get up, but was forced down by the Legionnaires.
"All this time." Antithesis never kept his eyes off of Gala-Na as he walked. "You tricked my people. You've caused pain and suffering upon the people of this planet and Earth. Because you want immortality!!"
"Antithesis!!"

Lien-Da simply looked at him as he got closer to her. Soon, they were face to face, eye to eyes. Antithesis' eyes seethed in anger.

"No!!" Locke saw the hand raise, saw him lose control. "STOP!!"
"You……fucking child!!"

Antithesis' hand spattered Lien-Da's face in a split second, tilting her head towards the floor. A large red spot appeared on the peach cheek. Antithesis' glare didn't diminish as Lien-Da's eyes flashed with hate.

"Lovely." She spat. "But I can do that too."
"WAIT!!"
"ANTI!!!"

It happened so quickly, Antithesis didn't have time to blink, let alone change his expression. Lien-Da's open hand, sizzling with pure emerald energy, came whaling in, slamming into Antithesis' cheek.

"NO!!!" Sonic screamed.

Locke could only cringe and cover Kakyuu's eyes as he heard the crack, followed by a tinny ripping sound. It sounded more like tearing clothing than anything else. But, despite how it sounded, the reality was far more horrible than simply clothing ripped.
God….
Locke's stomach, still not in the best condition, turned several times as the blinking eyes were turned towards him, the pupils rolled up to the skull. Falling, red string from the bottom of the neck on both sides. With a definitive crash Antithesis' face fell to the floor, and more red began to seep through the brown skin.

"Now who's the fucking child."

With a coldness Locke never saw even in his brother, Lien-Da tapped the still-standing body, causing it to fall backwards onto the echidna head. She then started laughing.

"Not good to make a woman mad…"

---------------

"Sparkling Wide Pressure!!"
"Mars Flame Sniper!!"
"Silence Glaive Surprise!!

The attacks smashed into the lines, killing scores of Legionnaires. However, it seemed all for naught, for more appeared where others had been.

"Come on!!!" screamed Bunnie as she smashed one Legionnaire's esophagus. "Whah aren't y'all dying?!?"

The line of Dark Legionnaires seemed endless. When one was removed, another seemed to appear to step up where the fallen had been.

"What is this?!" Sally shot a Legionnaire down. "It's impossible for them to have so many!"

In the front lines, the adrenaline pumped the most. Those in front fell in droves, be it Legionnaire or Albion.

"Space Sword Blaster!!!!"

With deftness, skill and a scream, Uranus's sword slashed through an entire line of Legionnaires. Some that were closer to the origin of the attack had their heads explode. Unfortunately, this also went for several unfortunate Albion troops as they fought.

"Dammit!" Uranus swore as the blood splattered over her. "Neptune!!!"
" Go for the back!! Deep Submerge!!"

Neptune's shout was followed by a scream, as she was suddenly thrown to the ground by a laser blast.

"NEPTUNE!!!!! NOOOOO!!!!"

Scene of Tokyo clung into her mind, Uranus slashed through another group of Legionnaires, jumping upon Neptune in an instant.

"Michiru…" She shakily checked for a pulse. "Alive…Thank goodness…"


---


From the back, Usagi watched as the tiny Uranus and Neptune dots carried themselves off the field, towards Julie-Su's tents.

"Mamo-chan…"
"Usako?"
"I can't sit." Usagi stood up shakily. "I have to fight."
"You can't." Tuxedo Mask firmly shook his head. "I can't let you. That's what they want. Don't you see?"
"……Even so…."

Usagi looked upon the battlefield as the Albion lines began to thin out.

-----------------

"Monster!!!!"

Kakyuu jumped up angrily. Before anyone could stop her, she was transformed into Sailor Kakyuu.

"Princess…!"
"Hmph." Lien-Da seem unimpressed.
"You won't get away with this!" Kakyuu pointed to Lien-Da. "In the name of Kinmoku!"

The sound of twenty guns aimed suddenly caught her attention.

"He." Lien-Da gave a cruel smile. "I'd like to see you dodge a couple automatics in the name of Kinmoku, princess. Care to try?"

No sooner were the words out of mouth than she felt a sudden pull at her collar. With a shout, she was lifted and thrown to a wall.

"Raaahh!!!"
"Drop your weapons!"

Suddenly picked up by fast hands, she was pulled up towards the quickly moving guns. They were quickly put back into their holsters at the sight of their hostaged leader.

"Never." The words whispered into her ears as an arm began to chokehold her throat. "Never threaten her. I should tear out your heart for what you did."
"Why don't you, Locke, if you think you're strong enough?" Kommissar muttered back. "Or have these humans softened you to the glory of bloodshed, war, violence?"
"Those humans have done nothing."
"Oh, but they have." No one else could hear their quick conversation. "The weak alien species are taking our society which should be away with every breath. Every man that falls is a man that dies for an increasingly lost cause. Are you so blind to think these humans will be any kinder to your beloved world than we could ever be?"
"No human could do the horrors you could inflict, Kommissar."
"Open your eyes, Locke!" Through clenched teeth as the chokehold became tighter. "These soft creatures are hypocrites! They say they are working for their kind, for peace, but look at them on their Earth, or Kinmoku, or any human-infested world. In crisis their words are hallow, they destroy their planets and cannot solve their problems without killing each other."
"That sounds a lot like our race." Locke's eyes flashed. "Bigot."
"At least I will bring order if the echidnas continue domination. Look at who destiny is charging the universe with. Not just a human, an incompetent fool blonde! She can't think straight, and you know it. Or…." Locke could hear Lien-Da's voice change. "Are you still so lovesick to her that you can't see her lack of capability?"

Locke really wanted to smash Lien-Da, break her esophagus or whatever the slithering serpent had in her throat, and he would have.

"Locke!" At Kakyuu's shout he understood. "WATCH OUT!!"

He barely missed the bullet as he let got of Lien-Da in his human form, ducking quickly before the laser even left the shell. But even then, he could not escape completely.

"Human-lover!"

The kick went straight to Locke's chin, sending him flying. With the momentum, he found himself being caught at the waist and thrown at Kakyuu by Lien-Da.

"AAR!!"
"LOCKE!!"

The two smashed into each other, falling flat onto the ground. Laughing, Lien-Da stood in front of them.

"What did you expect to accomplish with that?" It was as if she were berating a pair of disobedient dogs. "I guess it makes no difference anymore, Locke, whether or not I should spare you. You're just like a human now."
"If it means I'm not like you…" Blood coursing from his mouth, Locke looked up at Lien-Da with fury. "I'll take it as a compliment."
"Kill them."

The two closed their eyes as they heard the group snickering, their guns ready for the kill.
I see… Locke's thoughts began to flash scenes that he remembered of his life. This is the end, isn't it…


*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*





The lasers flashed an eerie green light. There came a crash, then loud popping sounds as the ammunition fired. With the tiny popping explosions came smoke, filling the room with dense fog.








"What?!?!?"

Lien-Da gave a gasp as she looked upon the floor. All that was there was a large hole, and nothing more.

"Where are they?!? How is it possible?!?" Lien-Da ignored the fact that the hedgehog and three of her troopers were also gone. "Find them!! Kill them!!!"

--------------

"Back!! BACK!!!"

Madorowe found himself pulling back several of his troops in the wake of yet another Legion onslaught.

"Deep Fire Inferno!!"
"Dead Scream!"

Even the background assistance of Sailor Pluto seemed to be unwinning. The Legionnaire lines seemed to replenish with every passing minute, thousands of them. There seemed to be no sign of breaking.

"God damn!!" Pluto clenched her rod tightly after another attack. "Is there not nothing that can break the line?!"


---


In the tent in the back of Albion's lines, Usagi carefully clutched her Silver Crystal tightly as she stood up, looking up quietly to see if anyone was looking at her. In front of her, Knuckles took a deep breath and began to turn green.

------------------


Even in his power, Sonic did not foresee taking some of the Legionnaires with him.

"Uh….."
"What the…?!"

They were in a strange darkness, a dampness none of them had experienced before. The Legionnaires, in particular, seemed stunned of the sudden change of surroundings, away from their Grandmaster.

"Where are we?!"
"…….Not with Lien-Da!!"

As quick as lightning, Sonic smacked the trooper nearest him unconscious.

"Ha!"
"Kinmoku Star Olive!!"

A sudden scent of lilacs knocked the other two further into incapacity, while Locke finished the job.

"There-"

*WHAM!!*

Locke was suddenly blindsided and brought to the ground. More cloaked figures suddenly hovered him.


"Who are you?! How did you get in here?!?"

The Legionnaire pointed a laser at him. With a calm flick of his wrist, the old man smacked the stick away and threw the echidna down.

"A Legionnaire, and you don't even know how to fight."
"What the…?!"

Kakyuu and Sonic looked to see another, larger group of Legionnaires. These, however, were not clothed in the new garments of the Dark Legion. In fact, some of the garments seemed to smell moldy.

"Let us see who we have here…."

Without another word, Locke quickly whipped off the cloak of the Legionnaire he had knocked over. His eyes widened as he unveiled the echidna, his foot stomping on his diaphragm.

"……You are……."
"Old overlander." The red echidna spat. He had some metal implants in his skull; however, they seemed to be more for decoration than for actual use, though he did seem to have a scar of sorts under one of them. "What do you want with me?"
"Kragok…." The foot pressed harder.
"What?!"
"You are…" The face was confused, for Locke could swear…. "Kragok….correct?"
"Kragok…" The red echidna repeated scornfully. "Is the name of my dead father."
"Father?!"

Sonic and Kakyuu looked to see that almost all of the Legionnaires in the room seemed incredibly frightened of them with the exception of the one under Locke.

"Truly?" Locke slit his eyes. "Then you are Syntar, his youngest son."
"You know my name, huh?"
"Too well, sadly." Locke leaned over. "And I know the name of your aunt as well, Legionnaire. So give me a reason why I shouldn't slit your throat."
"My aunt…."

A chill seemed to go down everyone's spine when he said that. Everyone, who had been frightened of him, suddenly seemed inflamed with anger for some unusual anger.

"Then you," Syntar gave Locke a look. "The one she calls Atrava?"
"Hardly." Locke's face darkened even more. "I happen to hate your aunt for what she did to my island."
"Hate….Your island…?"

Syntar's eyes widened. The others in the room began to murmur. Sonic looked around, nodding.

"I take it you guys don't like her, either…"
"Get off of me."

Slowly, understanding they had somehow found common ground, Locke lifted his foot off of the echidna. Wiping himself off, Syntar looked at Locke warily.

"Who are you?"
"An ally you never expected. Let me leave it at that."
"Hmph." Syntar muttered. "Likely. They way you popped in…"
"Where are we?"
"Hall of Justice." Syntar looked at him, amused. "You seem to know so much of us I'd think you knew that."
"But we were just in the Hall of Justice," Kakyuu protested. "Lien-Da forced us to go there, and then she…."

She fell silent.

"We were a minute from getting our heads taken off."
"Sonic!"
"It's true." Sonic winced at her punch to the back; true, not all of them had gotten out. "But….I used Chaos Control…."
"Chaos Control?!"
"I teleported you out of there."
"Why?!"
"Let's think for a moment, princess…"
"You didn't do a good job of teleporting if you're trying to leave this place." Syntar shook his head at the foolish hedgehog. "This is the underground prison system. The judge's special holding cells for criminals facing trial. You…say she's up there right now?!"
"Sadly."
"How?" Someone else shouted from a corner. "Traitor! How'd she find us?!"
"She's not here for you."
"What?"
"She's here for…" Locke paused. "Someone else."
"Who?"
"Not you." Locke turned to Syntar. "More importantly right now for you to know is that she knows nothing of your continued existence. She thinks you are all dead…from the massacre."

Everyone paused. The Legionnaires looked over at the strange man, an overlander, who seemed to know just about everything of them. Yet he was not an echidna.
But… Syntar thought. If what you say is true…

"Why are you telling this to us?"
"We need your help." Kakyuu could see Locke's idea. "There is a terrible battle going on. Lien-Da is fighting Albion."
"And you're going to ask us to help Albion? Forget it."
"We're not fighting for Albion!" Sonic protested. "Not us…..but if your aunt wins today…"

Sonic paused, and waited for a reply.

"How do we know you are not lying?"
"Dammit!" Sonic slapped his head. "It's the truth! Do we have to show you?!"
"It would be nice."
"Listen." Locke quickly intervened. "If you help us, we can try to convince the Council to let you go. And I doubt you want to go up against Lien-Da alone. Or, you could stay here and starve."

Syntar shifted uncomfortably at the other possibilities. Several shouts came forth in protest, but it was obvious that there wasn't much he could do. He knew as well as Locke that, as a Legionnaire, it would be difficult for him to set any kind of conditions in his favors against Albion in the situation.
Even so, Kakyuu could see that Locke was being fairly generous to the group. They being associated with such a hated woman, their very existence made them pariahs. Locke himself knew also that his single term was far batter than anything else that could have been offered. He knew also that, had he not experienced all he had on Earth, he would have simply gone and killed them all, as someone else would have had they found them first. Looking past it, however, he knew their help could be highly useful in the long run.

It, however, depended upon one person's abilities for it to work.

"What do you say, Sonic?"

----------------------

"………RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"

Brimming with chaos energy, a green Knuckles floated above the battle and closed his eyes.

Let….this….work!!!!!!!

His eyes darted open, opaque with no color. Suddenly, there came a loud explosion, and the Legionnaires seemed stuck where they were, unable to advance.

"Yes!!"

With this new power, the Albions began a new counteroffensive against their Legionnaire counterparts.

"Yaaa!!!!"
"Medusa Stone Illusion!!!"

Mercury gave a shout of joy as, beyond the next line, she could finally see nothing.

"We're breaking through!!! We're doing it!!!!"

-------------------

The book lay, seemingly dead upon the table, as Kommissar stormed back into the office, a Legionnaire behind her.

"Leave me!" she snarled. "Find them and kill them. Do not let them get the first move!!"

Slamming the door into his face, the angered Grandmaster began to scream.

"Raaaaaaaarh!!!!!"

She was so close, close to killing that man, his hooker and one of Mobius' better defenses. But something had come in the way. And she was furious.

"Damn it all to hell!" She snarled. "They'll tell. They'll stop her. And then….my plan…..my destiny….two hundred years of waiting, perfect planning…!!! I should have killed him." She took a swing at the metal wall, leaving a large dent in it. "I should have made sure I killed him! I got him, but I found myself in crossfire." She pulled at her hair, having nothing else to take her anger upon lest she hurt the book. "Stupid. I could have stopped that meddling old Guardian the day everyone else died back on the Island! Stupid girl! Where was your…."

Her voice trailed off. Her eyes widened at the sound of a strange hum.

"……Huh…."

She slowly looked up. Her eyes began to slit again, to harden. A slow, cruel smile came upon her face.

"Yes….."

The book began to glow, and as it began to shine this time it began to hum. With a small chuckle, Lien-Da walked over to the book.

"It's activating…." She murmured. "She's doing it…."

The woman began to slowly ascend from simple chuckling to gracious laughs of praise as the power of the Silver Crystal began to flow into the book. Far, far away, from the window, a small white light began to emanate from the battle.

"She's DOING IT!!!!"