Note: This is the last time I introduce any new characters in this story, I swear. Oh yeah and I changed Ashley's name to Alexa, because I like that name better.

Chapter 16: Winged Protector

"So, what are you going to do with this thing anyway?" Alexa inquired while dumping Krystal's artifact on the table. It was a white bottle with a strange blue light inside it. Krystal opened the bottle, releasing a white, winged creature. It had a face, paws, ears, body and tail similar to that of a fox (kind of like Renamon). It had smooth white fur, soft yellow eyes, and stood upright. The wings were like bat's wings but were separate from her arms. Her stomach and underside of her wings were a sky blue color. She was close to the same size as the super robot monkeys. She kneeled before Krystal. "What is it you summon me for Krystal?"

"Sage, I need you to follow Antauri of the Super Robot Monkey Team. Once you've found him I shall give you further directions."

"As you wish…mistress." With that she disappeared.

Krystal turned to Alexa. "Well Alexa, does that answer your question?"

"I guess."

"Why don't you be back up and I'll let you know if I need you."

"Fine with me." Alexa saluted and returned home.

Sage flew amongst the clouds in search of Antauri. Her best guess was he'd be in the Super Robot. She swiftly landed on the shoulders and folded her wings back. He was there; she could sense it. Sage knew about everything that was going on, the curse, the poison, why Krystal hated Antauri, etcetera. She waited patiently, knowing Antauri would soon step out for a reason she was unsure of. As she expected, he came out. Just by looking at him she could tell his time was running out.

She took off in a way that would undoubtedly attract his attention. He followed and she lured him out of sight. Sage never told Krystal she'd found him. She glided along with Antauri close behind. Once they were at a certain point outside the city she stopped. They both landed.

"Who are you?" Antauri demanded.

"I am Sage, Guardian of Light. I was sent by Krystal to seek you."

"You work for Krystal?" He sounded mad.

"No, I was captured by her ancestors and forced to help them in their cruel tasks. Since Krystal is the only one left, I no longer feel that I must serve her. I know what it is you need and honestly I want to help you."

"Why do you want to help me?" he asked, suspicious of this creature.

"You don't deserve to die this way. Let me help you. You won't survive this on your own. What will you do if something happens?"

He didn't answer that. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"I am a Guardian of Light. It is not in my nature to betray one unless they are evil. I may wield some dark power but that doesn't change who I am."

He gave in. "All right." He didn't have much of a choice.

She smiled slightly. "Antauri, I feel it would be best if we left tomorrow. It is especially dangerous right now and you are clearly in no condition to take the journey, even with my help."

"Fine, I suppose I can trust you."

"Don't worry, you can."

They both flew back to the Super Robot.

Krystal had figured out what Sage did. "I should've known she would do that!" She threw something at the wall that made a small dent and decided to call Alexa.

"Alexa!"

"Agh, my ear! Geez, woman did you have to yell?"

"Oh quit whining."

"What do you want, Krystal?"

"We lost Sage."

"Who?" Alexa asked completely dumbfounded.

"The Ixen."

"The what?"

"The white thing.

"Oh, so I'm guessing you want get back at her too, huh?"

"Um…no, let her do what she wants."

"Then why did you call me?"

"I'm just informing you. You're in on this too you know."

"Yeah, I know. Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Okay then, like I said before, call me if you need my help. I'm sort of bored over here"

"All right I will, bye." Krystal hung up.

She went outside and wandered the streets. As usual, she was plotting.

Antauri and Sage, landed at the foot of the Super Robot. He invited her in to meet the rest of the hyperforce and she graciously accepted.

"Hey Antauri, who's your new friend?" asked Nova.

"This is Sage, a Guardian of Light. She used to work for Krystal." He answered.

"Nice to meet you, Sage,"

"Why don't you work for Krystal anymore?" Otto asked.

"Actually I was held prisoner and forced to help not only Krystal, but her family as well. She summoned me to follow Antauri and help her do something to hurt him. She had her guard down and I took the opportunity to escape." Sage explained.

"So what exactly does a guardian of light do?" inquired Chiro.

"We hold the powers of light, air and healing, but I also have some dark power. We mostly help others much like guardian angels. Much of my healing power has been taken from me so I can't do very much towards healing."

"Hey, Sage. Just out of curiosity, what exactly are you?" wondered Sparx.

"I'm an Ixen."

"I've heard of Ixens but I've never actually seen one." Said Gibson.

"Really? Well, I guess that makes sense. There aren't too many of us left."

"So you're an endangered species?" Sparx asked.

"Yes,"

"Let me get this straight. So basically you're kind of like Antauri's Guardian Angel?" questioned Chiro.

"I never really put much thought into that but yes, I suppose I am."

"Cool," he said.

The team asked her a few more questions and she cheerfully answered them. Antauri leaned against a wall with a tiny smile on his face. Gibson went over to him.

"They seem to be quite fond of Sage as am I, Antauri."

"It's not everyday you meet an Ixen who also happens to be a Guardian of Light." Antauri replied.

"True,"

Night fell, putting Sage on high alert. She used her powers to keep the demon from taking over. If it did take over, it would almost definitely kill them all, even Antauri. Sage had promised to watch over him knowing the worst things happen when he's asleep. Sage stood at a corner. It was the same corner Antauri sat in when he was depressed. He on the other hand was lying on his bed but didn't go to sleep. Neither of them felt tired. Sage mostly stared at the floor but occasionally glanced up at Antauri. He did the same but stared at the ceiling. There was a silence between them.

"Sage?"

"Yes?" she turned to face him.

"I know a lot about Ixens now but I don't know much about you personally,"

"There's not much to know,"

"I think there is,"

"All right, what do you want to know?"

"I want to know who you are and what you like."

"Okay. I like painting, computers, flying, being outside, the color green, rain, snow, reading. There are many things I like."

"Do you enjoy being a Guardian of Light?" he was sitting up now.

"Yes, I do. I just don't like helping others for evil purposes."

Antauri thought for a moment "One more question,"

"Shoot,"

"How long can you be a guardian for someone?"

"As long as they still want or need me to be their guardian."

He paused "Okay, that's all I wanted to know." He yawned.

"You should go to sleep Antauri. It's getting late. And don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."

"I'm not worried."

Note: Um…yeah well uh…I don't know. I got the idea for Sage while playing a vid game. They actually start looking for the cure in the next chapter. Finally.