Ah, the last chapter. It makes me happy to have completed this project, and all the nice reviews I got from you guys only made me happier. Thanks, everyone!

GoldenSunGeek - I decided to use team names to add to the drama. The actual names came to me from random inspiration. Team Meteor had all the Mars Adepts, plus one Wind Adept. So I thought that a fiery rock that falls from the sky would work. Team Flower Power was supposed to be goofy, and I also couldn't think of anything better. Team Sun came from the name of the Alex/Isaac pairing.

"..."

"You know, the longer we sit here, the more I wonder why I haven't killed you just to be done with it."

"Because deep down, you're really a nice guy?"

"Eh, no, not really."

"You don't want Mia to hate you forever and ever?"

"Well, that too..."

"Oh, I know! You're busy reading comic books and can't be bothered!"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Well, okay, as long as we know where you stand."

"Yeah. Pass me issue twenty-three, will you?"

"Hey, guys," Aaron said, walking into Garet's room. "They told me to tell you that Mia's ready to meet with you, Alex."

"Great!" said Alex, leaping to his feet. "Where?"

"Uh, Isaac and I can take you there. Come on," said Aaron, leaving the room. Isaac and Alex followed him.

As they walked through Vale to the meeting place, Alex asked, "So what exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Uh, you, uh, just have to talk to Mia. You know, maybe tell her about how Snowflake's evil. Let her know that, as a leading authority on the subject, you know what you're talking about. Just try and convince her," Isaac said.

They arrived at the grove of trees. Seated on a fallen log in the middle was Piers, who was dressed like Mia. At his side sat the sack which held the unconscious Snowflake. Hidden in the surrounding vegetation were Ivan, Garet, Jenna, Sheba, Felix, and Kay.

"Mia, darling, how nice to see you!" Alex cried. He started towards "Mia", then turned to Isaac and Aaron. "Do you mind? I'd like to have a nice, private conversation, please." Isaac backed off, and Aaron followed. Their next job was to keep an eye on the real Mia to make sure she didn't interfere.

"Oh, hello, Alex," said Piers in a high falsetto voice. "Eh, long time, no see, hm?"

"Yes, it's been far too long," Alex said, sitting down on the log next to Piers. "So, what's new?"

"Oh, well, I have the most adorable kitten," said Piers. "Her name's Snowflake."

"Snowflake, huh? Well, Mia, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but your kitten's evil. I, uh, could feel the, um, pure evil emanating from it."

"Oh, yes, Alex, you're absolutely right," said Piers. "Thank you for opening my eyes to this."

"Really?" asked Alex, a little skeptically. "You think I'm right about this, no questions asked?"

"Eh, um," said Piers, "I, uh, would believe anything you told me, Alex, dear."

"Oh, that's good," said Alex.

"Now, um, I must thank you for helping me out."

"Oh, I know the perfect way for you to do that," Alex said with a lecherous grin.

"Yes," said Piers quickly, "I'll give you my most treasured possession." He thrust the sack containing Snowflake into Alex's hands.

Alex opened the sack. "It's a cat. Is that Snowflake?"

"Yes."

"But isn't Snowflake, well, evil?"

"Don't you like it, Lexy-poo?" Piers asked with a pout.
"It- it's not that," began Alex.

Piers lowered his eyes. "You don't like my gift."

"No! Mia, I love your gift," Alex said. He patted Piers on the back. "I'll, uh, treasure it forever."

"Thank you, Alex," Piers said. "Now you must go. The Valeans are still angry at you for destroying their town."

"But, Mia, will I ever see you again?"

"Yes, no doubt. For what force can keep apart the love that binds us?"

"Oh, Mia," Alex said, nearly swooning, "you've become so articulate since I saw you last. Your words sent a flood of passion through me. I shall leave, knowing that our true love will one day reunite us!" Rings of Psynergy surrounded Alex, and he vanished, taking Snowflake with him.

"Piers, you were awesome," Jenna said, bursting from her hiding place.

"Seriously, man," Garet said, trying not to laugh, "I almost bought that, and I knew you were just pretending."

Piers smiled at the compliments, but all he said was, "Kay, where's the makeup remover?"

-!-!-!-

"Hello, Isaac," Mia said to him as he entered the house. "Have you seen Snowflake?"

"No, not recently," Isaac said. Technically, that was the truth. He hadn't lain eyes on Snowflake since that morning, even though he knew where the cat was.

"I'm hungry, Isaac. Do you have any snacks?" Isaac looked down to see Aaron staring impatiently at him.

"Yeah, sure, there's some cookies in the jar on the counter. Help yourself." Aaron made a beeline for the cookie jar.

"I'm just worried about her," Mia continued. "I let her out about an hour ago, and I haven't seen her since."

"Maybe she's just exploring," Isaac suggested.

"I made her promise not to leave your yard, though."

Isaac wondered how one would make a cat promise anything. "Mia, relax. Snowflake is a very intelligent cat. She won't get hurt."

Mia bit her lip. "I hope so. I'm worried for her." She stared sadly at the floor.

Isaac wondered if they were doing the right thing by getting rid of Snowflake. Mia was really attached to her kitten, and once she found out that Snowflake was gone for good, she'd probably be heartbroken.

"Knock knock! We're comin' in!" Sheba called, opening the door to Isaac's house.

"Hello, everyone," Mia said. "Have any of you seen Snowflake?"

The others stared at their feet, examined their nails, tugged at their collars, and generally just looked guilty as all get out.

"Well, Mia," said Isaac finally, "the truth is-"

"That Alex kidnapped Snowflake!" Sheba butted in, shooting Isaac a dirty look.

"Yeah!" Jenna said. "We were coming over here, and we saw it happen."

"How could he?" Mia asked, horrified. "I wouldn't think that Alex would do something like that."

"It probably stems from his obsession over you," Felix said. "If he can't have you, he'll take your kitten."

Mia sniffed and blinked back tears. "Well, I suppose that's that. Poor Snowflake." She brightened. "I wonder if that cat lady is still in town."

"No," Garet said quickly. "She probably won't be back for a while."

"Look, Mia," Kay said, taking her by the arm and sitting her at the kitchen table, "Why don't I make you some tea, and you can sit here and cry about Snowflake, and when you're done, you'll feel much better."

"Yes, I suppose so," Mia said quietly.

"Good. Hey, Aaron, put those cookies down. You've had enough."

And so Mia drank her tea and cried over the loss of her cat with her friends, who were only acting sympathetic for her benefit, as they were secretly rejoicing on the inside. A week later, Dora and Kyle would return from Vault, and everything would go back to normal.

-!-!-!-

Miles away, in Vault's inn, Alex stared at Snowflake. Snowflake stared at Alex. Alex stared at Snowflake. Snowflake stared at Alex, then swept at him with her claws. Alex dodged her attack, then used his Psynergy to drench the kitten. Snowflake seemed surprised for a minute, but then she walked over to Alex and rubbed her head against his leg. Alex was surprised by this. He cautiously petted the kitten. Snowflake licked his fingers. Alex laughed and scooped the kitten into his arms. He scratched her head, and Snowflake purred appreciatively. Alex smiled. "I think we're going to get along just fine, Snowflake."

Thanks for reading, mateys! Please review and tell me what you thought. Huh, now that this is done, that means I can work on all my new projects. Until next time, everyone!