Chp.5: Crescent, follower of Hiltz. Hiltz is still alive?!

"A Storm Sworder," Reese muttered at the sight of the zoid. A green light blasted out of it and landed on the ground. It was an organoid, green with three horns on its head. The cockpit slid open and someone jumped out.

"Emerald, my precious," She said, petting the organoid like a cat. Her hair was long and deep green. It covered over her left eye and plated neatly right below her chest. She had on a green shirt that looked kind of Moonbay's old one except without the large collar and rolled up sleeves, and the collar, sleeves, and bottom of the shirt were lined in black. Her shorts were loose and fell to her knees, starting at the bottom black, but fading green at the top. She had on black boots that buttoned on the side and black gloves that looked much like Fiona's pink ones except with the fingers. Her lips were a rosy pink, and her eyes were small and black. On her forehead was a red v-shaped marking. What made her even more appealing were her long eyelashes.

Thomas came to and tried to get to his feet but failed. Irvine and Karl grabbed an arm and lifted him up. Thomas looked to observe what was happening.

"Who-who is she?" Moonbay asked.

"Crescent," Reese muttered in a death dripping voice. Raven scooted forward in his seat, just out of her reach so she wouldn't take out any certain rage out on him.

"Karl, who is that?" Thomas asked, unable to take his eyes off of the woman. She turned and faced the group and zoids and smiled.

"Well, look, if it isn't the Gaurdian Force. Oh, and you seem to have Raven with you too. Funny, didn't think he'd fight on your side," Crescent's smile grew wider. "Lemme guess. This was YOUR idea, Reese."

"Well….LOOK AT YOOOOU! You're fighting on the losing side!" Reese snapped.

"Oh, well, where's your zoid? How do you like my specially equipped Storm Sworder with the ability to fly faster than sound?" Crescent was obviously finding pleasure in putting Reese down. It was apparent they knew each other.

Thomas continued to stare. The wind fluttered Crescent's hair back. He blushed.

Fiona climbed out of the Blade Liger much to Van's objections and made her way over to the green haired woman. They were similar in height, Fiona being only about half of an inch taller. "Hey, who are you? I feel like I know you," Fiona said.

"My name is Crescent. I'm sixteen years old," Crescent said. "I am nothing more than a follower of dearest Hiltz. He and I have a-a special bond. I owe him everything." Crescent looked away far off into the desert. She seemed to be reminising about something. Whether it was good or bad was unknown, for her face was unreadable. Her one visible eye seemed fixated on the memory.

"But he is gone now," Fiona said.

"No. He still lives," Crescent said coming out of her daze and closing her eyes and opening them again a moment or two later. "He's just--injured."

"What?! Hiltz is--still alive?!" Van felt his breathing speed up with his heart. He had to be dead! No one could live through that!

"You're lying!" Raven yelled.

"No, I've restored him from his critical condition. He'll be on his feet again in no time," Crescent's expression didn't change.

"Damn you! Are you nuts?!" Raven yelled. He stopped as he watched her look down at her feet and smile sadly.

"She's--in love with him," Thomas whispered in somewhat of a dissapointing tone.

"Is that true, Crescent?" Fiona didn't seem afraid of her, even if she was against her. Something told her deep inside that Crescent wouldn't hurt her. Something deep within her heart told her to try and save her from the black absorbing her soul. The woman was only sixteen, therefore she still had time to change.

"Yes," She lifted her head up proudly.

"Crescent, you fool! When we were on the same side, I told you NOT to do that!" Reese jumped out of the cockpit screaming at her. "He doesn't care! He never did! He used you as part of his scheme! He used you like he did me! Emerald is the only one who actually listened isn't she!"

Emerald roared at the comment and looked pleadingly up at Crescent, who just stared Reese right in the eye unpleased. When Emerald began to walk away, only did she turn to see. The green organoid made her way over to Irvine, Thomas, and Karl who watched her.

Emerald went to Thomas and gave him a small lick on the cheek where he was wounded. She purred soothingly and nuzzled his neck. She then turned and walked back to her confused master.

"GIVE SPECULA BACK TO ME!" Reese attacked Crescent with tears flowing down her cheeks. Crescent dodged and gave her a good punch in the stomach, so hard that she almost vomited.

"I didn't take her. Han did. You know that, you foolish girl. I wouldn't go so low as to steal an organoid from it's owner. Han is more powerful than me though, so I can't go against orders," Crescent looked down at Reese in slight disgust.

"Oh!" Fiona exclaimed and ran over to Reese to help her. Somehow, Raven got there first and helped her.

"Now, Emerald, tell me, do you have a fondness for that blonde man there?" Crescent pointed over at Thomas. Emerald roared. "Now, I believe that I wouldn't have hit him had he been smart enough to move. Let's just go."

The two entered the Storm Sworder and left.

"She seems familiar," Fiona watched the place she had left as if she would come back.

"Hiltz is--he's still alive….Great. Just perfect. Now, there are THREE strong enemies, and Thomas is out of commision!" Irvine yelled.

"Well, let's get him to a doctor," Moonbay said.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"He should be okay," The doctor said giving a shy smile. "I'm afraid though, I've heard there will be no repair to his zoid. He was lucky he got out when he did. He should be back on his feet in a few days."

"It doesn't matter. I knew he'd be fine. He's a strong one. But, we have no way of getting him to come with us," Karl said.

"That's easy," Raven smirked. "Give him your zoid. You stay here and command the army like a good little boy."

"Oh, shut up," Karl eyed him dangerously.

"Well, whatever we're gonna do, we need to get on it fast. I don't want anymore people hurt because of me," Van said.

"Van," Fiona watched him leave. She looked down at her feet. "Poor Van," She thought. "His life is so mixed up right now. Kinda like how I felt when I didn't know anything about my past. Oh, Van, I wish I knew what I could do to help you…"