Chapter 14: Search and Rescue

"Transfer Amber. Transfer Josh. Scanner Amber. Scanner Josh. Virtualization."

"If Amber and Josh go down, we'll go in, right?"

"They won't go down."

"How can you be so sure?"

Monica turned her golden eyes on Ulrich. There was iron-hard determination in them, as well as logic.

"They've worked together side-by-side for years. Since elementary. In junior high, you almost never saw them apart, except for bathroom breaks and sleep. In high school, they dated. Even after they broke up, they were the best of friends. They'll combine their attacks if worst comes to worst, and if one is devirtualized the other will be pissed off enough to finish Alex off for good."

"But isn't Alex Amber's brother? She wouldn't kill her brother!"

"Not under normal circumstances, but by kidnapping Yumi, who is her student, and Dawn, who is their youngest sister and who is under Amber's legal care, Alex has challenged Amber directly. Because of his actions, it is unlikely that she will take prisoners."

Any other conversation was cut off by Shana, who directed attention to the screen. Josh and Amber were sneaking around the perimeter of the hollow were Alex held Yumi and Dawn. Silently, they parted, Josh creeping around to the back of Alex and Amber confronting him openly.

"Alex."

Alex's reaction to his sister's enraged voice was purely automatic. He whirled and dropped into a defensive stance, eyes wide with a fear that only the wrath of either his mother or his elder sister could conjure. No longer in Dawn's or Yumi's eyes was he the intimidating man he had been before Amber's swift appearance. Instead, he was a little boy, about to be spanked for improper language at the family reunion. In Amber's mind, he was the same boy who had curled up with her under the covers when nightmares plagued him. He was the boy who she taught about science and was always eager to learn something new. He was the boy who broke her computer, who camped with her, who she babysat for endless painful hours on weekends, who made cookies with her, and who she now had to punish. Amber felt no qualms about what she had to do. She had taught him better, and he had chosen to transgress her rules in a gross manner.

"Actions bring consequences, little brother. Time to face the music."

"Fine."

Alex raced to his sister, sword flashing. Amber moved like lightening, dodging the attacks. Then a green light surrounded her, and she transformed.

"Transform designate: Amber. Transform tracking and stealth to battle attire. Upload weapons: Thorn Blade and Stem Saber. Upload complete."

As the light receded, Team Lyoko studied the new avatar with interest. Amber was now dressed in green tights, black moccasins, and a tight green shirt with a tan vest. Her symbol was encrusted in gold on the back of her vest. She wore a skirt that appeared to be made of leaves and reached to her knees. Her brown hair was caught up in a bun on top of her head and held in place by two golden chopsticks with emerald tassles hanging down. A long sword hung in a leather scabbard on her left and her rough leather gloves had long claws shaped like thorns. The only jewelry she wore was a silver mesh choker with dangling blood red roses and one black onyx rose in the center.

"Thanks, Aelita."

"Don't mention it."

"Uh, hey Aelita? I could use a change of costume too."

"Coming right up, Josh."

Josh cut away from the monsters as he began his transformation. His camoflouge pants and shirt melted into a tight fitting, light blue undersuit. A silver belt crisscrossed his waist and dark blue, baggy jeans hung on his hips. Dark denim arm warmers reached from his shoulders and flared at the bottom of the sleeve. His black boots and black gloves had his ice symbol etched in silver His hair turned a silver color.

"Alright Aelita, where're my blades?"

"Coming. Upload Twin Ice Blades."

Two blades appeared in front of Josh, hovering at eye level. They were clear and the blades were made of ice. The hilts were black leather. They were crossed, waiting for Josh to grab them. He did so gladly, and jumped out of hiding. Alex looked warily between his sister and the man he had looked up to as a brother. Amber took control of the situation.

"Josh, free Dawn and Yumi. I'll deal with Alex."

"Yes, ma'am!!"

"Just go."

Josh flashed her a smile and moved over to Dawn and Yumi. He had gotten halfway there when Alex's monsters started to attack him. He fought them, narrowly dodging several lasers. When the last crab fell, he turned to look at Amber and Alex. They were fighting, kudo-style, at top speed. Shaking his head, he untied Dawn and Yumi. Dawn grinned.

"Think four on one would be fair, Josh?"

"Dunno, but you may was well circle around and be ready to join the fray. Amber hasn't fought like that in a long while."

Dawn nodded and led Yumi around to the left of the fight while Josh took the right side. Amber suddenly brought the battle to a stand-still. She had her hands around Alex's throat, but refrained from choking the life out of him.

"Sister…"

"Silence, you sniveling piece of shit. What in holy hell possessed you to kidnap them? Did you even pause to think about the consequences?

Shana's voice echoed around them as she asked the next question, which made everyone except Amber and Alex crack up. "You mean like that time he stole your razor and shaved his eyebrows off? Was he being stupid like THAT again?"

END CHAPTER

Janette: Yay! Double update!

Sharina: Sorry folks, that we're kinda late!

Janette: But Christmas was here, so we had to wait!

Sharina just shoves Janette into the gate

Janette: Now I've got too much spirits, for God's sake…

Sharina: Just review, and get us off this rhyming date!!