Hey guys, thanks for reading and reviewing my last chapter.

Summer is here and I can update more frequently! *throws non-existent beach sand in the air*

But I'm glad you're enjoying this rewrite so far. I'm planning a few plot twists that'll either be epic or a disaster, whichever you guys choose.

Ikki huffed as he worked at his watch.

It was a few hours after his check-up and he was given a clean bill of health. He heard something about being "perfectly healthy" and "giving the experiment a try." Ikki didn't feel like sticking around long enough for that to happen.

Ikki fiddled with the different settings on the watch, but error messages kept popping up on his screen causing him to growl with frustration. "They must be blocking signals in this place," he murmured, "if I can find whatever blocking me, I'll see if I can disable it... somehow."

"Aw, you're not thinking of leaving so soon, are you?" The voice nearly made Ikki's heart stop. He peered at a shadowy corner closely until he could make out a silhouette of a man. How long had he been standing there?

"Oh yeah? Who're you, creep? What's the big idea keeping me here like this?" The boy challenged.

The "place" he was referring to was an old cell with practically nothing in it save for an uncomfortable bed.

"You're not in a position to make demands, kid, so I suggest you pipe down," the stranger commanded. "You're not gonna be there for long."

Now Ikki's curiosity was peaked, "hold on, what do you mean? I'm pretty sure you're not going to let me out just like that."

The man mockingly started clapping, "congratulations, you're not as dumb as you look. However, I'm not going to tell - I'll get in trouble if I do." He finally stepped out of the shadows.

He was rather slim and looked fit. He had scruffy blond hair and blue eyes that had an arrogant and stormy look to them. But the most interesting feature was a scar, shaped like an X, that started from the inside of his eyebrows and came to a stop on the edge of his jaw.

"Wait a second! You're the guy that kidnapped me! When I get out of here, I'm gonna-!" Ikki stomped towards the bars, intent on calling down curses on him.

Ex walked through the series of hallways whistling a slightly off-pitched tune. He stopped by a door marked 'Laboratory' and went inside once the doors hissed open. "Hey, Isis, how goes the preparations for the project?" He greeted.

Isis acknowledged him, "it's steady right now. No delays." She kept her sentences short and brisk, tension overshadowing her normally detached demeanor as she worked.

Ex observed some scientists and their assistants preparing a pod of sorts. "Hey, what're they doing over there?" He pointed.

Isis looked up distractedly, "hm? Oh, that's where the experiment will take place. It'll be do or die when the time comes."

"Well, I need to have something interesting to tell the boss, so you might as well spill it," Ex stated, leaning his hip against her desk.

"I don't have anymore information available. Not till tomorrow. Now if you'll be so kind as to get out of my lab, I'd most certainly appreciate it," Isis snapped.

"Geez, lose the hostility, will you?" Ex said offhandedly.

"Speak for yourself! I'm not in the mood to deal with you!"

"Whatever," he replied, "but I can't say how Shadow will take to boring details."

"Well, it's the truth; he certainly doesn't enjoy being lied to," Isis replied.

Ex sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "y'know, I'd love to stay and chat, but experience is telling me you have no time for small talk."

Isis feigned surprise, "Ex, are you actually thinking of others?"

"Okay, that was just uncalled for," he grumbled.

"Just go away so I can get back to my work. It's amazing how you can wreck my concentration like that," Isis said sourly.

The man frowned and slipped out the door without so much as a sound. Isis shook her head and sighed; Ex was truly something else.

Wow... This was so short I'm actually ashamed of myself as a writer. Sorry. I suppose this was meant to be a filler chapter.

First, for those of you who read my original story, you're probably wondering who the heck is Shadow and why is he the leader? Where's Kurt Ziza? Shadow IS Kurt Ziza! What happened was I hated the name and thought it was dumb, Ex and Isis are actually code names, so why can't Ziza have one too? Thus, Shadow was born! :D

Second, the authors note that I wrote at the beginning? I wrote that back in June, before my mom gave me the news that I was going to summer school. Bleh.

Lastly, I can't believe that it took me this long to write the chapter. I had schoolwork and massive writers block, I was trying to start other stories but couldn't for the same reason.

Anyway, next chapter will a lot longer than this one.

Till next time!

Winterbornbree

(Edited: 5/11/2017)