Now while all that was going down, Iris and Kitty had made their way to the Sassy Salmon entrance, but they stood outside. There was a time for everything, but a trip to the Sassy Salmon was for relaxing and for celebrating. Clearly, the situation of locating Jack Rabbit was neither so they moved on til they got back to one of ULTRA's dojos where some agents were working on their martial arts and self-defense. Seeing the potential, Iris and Kitty went to dressing rooms and shifted into their own karate gear( these were available in all sizes), took their places on the mats.

"You ready for this?", Iris asked.

"I'm already a black belt.", Kitty stated as she pointed out the black belt she wore.

That was when Kitty noticed Iris was wearing a black belt also and Iris noticed.

"So am I."

They started off with the basic meditation poses, then moved on to breaking planks and brick stacks, and finally, practiced their combat skills against each other. Kitty was pretty good, and so was Iris. Believe it or not, the fight ended in a draw with both girls at a stand still. After breaking up, Kitty and Iris took a water break( this kind of work takes a lot out of you).

"Whew, you sure know your moves.", Kitty told Iris as she wiped her sweating brow with a hand towel.

"You're not half bad yourself.", Iris commented, "I like your style."

Kitty blushed. Not many people commented on her.

"Hey, I don't usually tell anyone this, but I'm crushing on a cute guy at where I work."

Iris looked interested.

"Really?", she asked keeping her sapphire eyes on Kitty.

"Yeah, his name's Eric and he delivers water."

"Eric you say?", Iris asked now looking concerned.

Now Kitty looked surprised.

"Why? You know him?"

Now Iris was looking both eager and upset.

"Know him?! He was my ex-boyfriend back in the day. It started off okay by the way he showed he had money and looks. But don't let that pull the wool over your eyes. That man is a two timing sleazebag who swindles women into thinking he's single, but he's not. He's married and his wife is too stupid and short sighted to know he's dating behind her back. Believe me."

Kitty just stood there in silence. Her crush was a con artist? And after all that he said and did for her? Iris saw Kitty was hurt and confused so she tried to ease the suffering.

"I know it's a lot to take in, but I just want you to understand. I'm not trying to hurt you to be mean."

Kitty caught herself and after pulling herself together, smiled.

"Thanks Iris, you always seem to know when a man isn't who he claims he is."

"Well, that's how it's been for me before Jeremiah came along. Boys came in on me because I was stunning and firm, but they didn't know that I had boundaries and wanted someone who was able to take a hint, know that no means no, and when to back off and get lost. But that was ages ago, now I just have one dog I'm dating and that is Jeremiah. How about you? Any feelings toward your new partner?"

Kitty sighed.

"Iris, I know Dudley's heart has the right stuff, but sometimes I feel more like his babysitter than his mentor. Did I mention one time, he used fake tears to get his way?"

"Oh yeah", Iris informed, " and the time he stole your own hard earned cash?"

"Oh, don't remind me.", Kitty cringed.

Kitty remembered that one time alright. The Chameleon was impersonating a ram to fleece old lady sheep out of their money and Dudley was posing as one to lure him out. To make himself look rich, he used Kitty's money and went overboard. They caught the Chameleon, but Kitty was pretty low on funds after that. Iris knew that feeling too. Just when you think you know a guy, he turns out to be the opposite of what you were expecting. Now that the issue was off their backs, the girls decided to take a stroll and see how Dudley and Jeremiah were doing.

As they walked down the halls, Dudley was still a bit shaken by what he saw in Jeremiah's heart. Dorian had explained to him (after he recovered a little) that the things he saw were memories of Jeremiah's past life. Jeremiah saw the look on his face and chose not to bring the issue up. He had seen his fair share of things too. The Heart Communicator worked as a two way system so Jeremiah was looking into Dudley's heart while Dudley was looking into his. That was why Dorian claimed it would revolutionize psychiatry.

"Hey Jeremiah?", Dudley asked.

"Yeah?", Jeremiah answered.

"About what I saw back there, I hope you don't take that personally."

Jeremiah put an understanding hand on Dudley's shoulder.

"Just don't start telling people okay? Got a rep to protect."

"Sure Jeremiah. My lips are sealed."

"Thanks."

Now that he knew Jeremiah a little better, Dudley could understand why Jeremiah was pushing him so hard. He had to learn how to handle his genetic abilities and be at his best to take on Zero and his goons. So far, ULTRA had dispatched many teams to infiltrate and retrieve information on how to crumble Zero's new growing empire and so far things were getting along pretty good. Dudley didn't say anything, but Zero's words still rang in his ears.

"Deliver Jeremiah, and I'll deliver your fellow agent."

That was what he said, but Dudley remembered how Zero tricked him the first time. Would Zero try the same tactic again? He would know soon enough. Soon, Jeremiah and Dudley had arrived at a training room to practice on their agility and anticipation. Of course Jeremiah made the course look easy. He had many years worth of experience. Dudley on the other hand, was still a little off balance. Somehow, he just couldn't get his style right( or for that matter find out what his style is). After a brief water break, Jeremiah lead Dudley to the center of the room and sat in Lotus position.

"Listen carefully", Jeremiah instructed as the lights dimmed, "a fine lesson is to be learned here."

Dudley stood still eager to receive the knowledge Jeremiah was about to bestow. Jeremiah then jumped to his feet and spun a hand in the air.

"Rasindo Aveira!"

As if like magic, white streams flowed around Jeremiah's body and shifted into a glorious white phoenix above their heads. For a minute Dudley was afraid, than a wave of wonder came over him as if the creature was something to observe. It flapped in place for a minute, and than it vanished. Jeremiah turned to Dudley.

"This is a special kind of art that displays your inner strength", Jeremiah stated, "I learned it on one of my missions in Japan."

"Inner strength?", Dudley asked.

"Your inner strength will display the sacred animal that will aid you.", Jeremiah told him, "Now you try. First you close your eyes."

Dudley did so.

"Now visualize the happiest moment in your life. The happiest you ever felt before."

Though he wasn't good on thinking, Dudley had a lot of happy memories in his head, but I don't want to go that deep. Slowly but surely, some faint streams were forming.

"Do not strain your mind to receive the thought", Jeremiah warned, "let it form itself."

Dudley slowly moved around and the streams followed. Finally, Dudley waved his own hand.

"Rasindo Aveira!", he called out.

Nothing happened.

"What happened?", Dudley asked, "Where's my sacred animal?"

"Do not be so eager to see what has not yet formed.", Jeremiah instructed.

"What do mean by what has not yet formed?", Dudley asked.

"I'm saying, that your sacred animal will form when the time is right.", Jeremiah told him, "Don't worry, it will show itself."

"You really think so?", Dudley asked.

"I know so.", Jeremiah stated, "Believe me, I was just as eager to meet my sacred animal when the Japanese monks taught me this art."

With the demonstration over, the lights came back on, and Dudley and Jeremiah saw Iris and Kitty approach as they left the training room.

"So, how are you boys doing?", Kitty asked.

"Uh..we were just getting to know each other.", Dudley said trying not to be nervous.

"I was just finishing a sacred Japanese art for him.", Jeremiah stated, "It's a real talent. But right now we have something to do. Let's get to Dark Wolf and explain our situation."

With that, the party of four made their way to the director's meeting room.

After getting everybody in their assigned seats, Dorian( who came prior) displayed on the big screen a series of cities being infiltrated.

"By the calculations of my own calculating", Dorian stated as his assistants shifted panels on the screen, "OMEGA is putting up quite a fight and I believe I might have a lead on Jack Rabbit's location. But just to be clear, anyone have any ideas before I state my own?"

Dudley felt like he should tell his share of information. It seemed only fair.

"I think I know where Jack is."

"Do tell if you please.", Dark Wolf informed.

Dudley told of his encounter with Zero and the deal Zero offered. Jeremiah didn't say anything, but Iris could tell he was thinking things over. Dark Wolf however took each word to heart as well as Kitty.

"So what would Zero want with Jack?". Kitty asked.

"Maybe he's found a way to use Jack against us.", Jeremiah suggested, "That would explain why he's keeping our friend alive."

"What makes you think Zero didn't kill Jack after he found out Jack was a traitor?", Dark Wolf asked Jeremiah.

"Dark Wolf, if anyone knows Zero, it would be me. Zero wouldn't kill Jack if Jack had something he could use against us."

"Like what?", Kitty asked.

"I'm not sure, but as soon as Jack gives that up, Zero will dispose of him the first chance he gets.", Jeremiah informed, "And there's only one place he would do such a thing."

The others nodded. Hades was where Zero would commit such a cruel thing to someone who wasn't on his side. And with all this chaos going on, Zero was not holding anything back. Dorian changed the screen to display a view of Hades.

"From your description, Agent Puppy", Dark Wolf stated, "Zero would have Jack somewhere inside his iron fortress. We need to assemble a team to infiltrate this place and liberate our missing operative. Jeremiah's natural leader skills will be required so he's a certain part of this team. The rest he'll decide. Only four members will go to keep Zero low on suspicion."

"Four agents to get inside a fiendish realm, rescue a friend, and get out alive?", Dudley asked.

"Yeah pretty much.", Jeremiah informed, "The team will drop off, in the far reaches of the wastelands. Not much patrols, but plenty of hazards both natural and mentally."

The wastelands were a desolate plain Dudley scarcely remembered seeing when he went to Hades the first time with Byron and Glacia Gemini on his way to meet Zero. Now he was going in again. Just the thought of seeing that infernal place made his spine quake like he was in a freezer.

"You have your mission briefing agents.", Dark Wolf informed as he slid a folder down the table towards them, "Now let's get a move on."

As they made their way to the hanger and where they would depart, Jeremiah had already decided on which four agents were going. Kitty, Iris, Dudley, and himself were his decisions although for the record, Dudley used the dog face to convince Jeremiah to let him come.

"Alright, listen up, down in Hades, Zero's going to have patrols and infernal wildlife at the kazoo.", Jeremiah stated, "Keep your guard up, stay alert, and whatever you do, don't get caught."

Iris and Kitty got that detail. Dudley, not so much.

"So, what's the idea again?", he asked.

"Okay, I'll make it simple.", Jeremiah grouched, "We sneak into giant castle, find Jack, and get out. Got it?"

"Got it.", Dudley answered( Jeremiah's tone kind of scared him).

"Kitty, you go on ahead with Iris, I need to have a short talk with Dudley here.", Jeremiah instructed.

Kitty and Iris went on ahead, but Jeremiah paused for a minute to have a short chat with Dudley.

"Dudley, listen to me.", Jeremiah told him, "For as long as you were a TUFF agent, your enemies tried to catch you before disposing of you. These enemies we're fighting now are not like that. They will kill you if you're not careful. You can't give them that chance. If you do, they will use it against you."

"Got it.", Dudley answered.

"Just follow my instructions, and don't let yourself get carried away.", Jeremiah instructed, "Understood?"

"Yeah.", Dudley told him.

After that confirmation, Dudley and Jeremiah caught up with Kitty and Iris in the hanger just in time to see Kitty load the equipment into the back seat of the Tuffmobile. Iris was just waiting for Jeremiah who had his cycle in cube form. Shortly after they arrived, Jeremiah checked his pistol and other equipment while Dudley did the same.

"How are we going to get into Hades?", Dudley asked as Jeremiah placed his loaded pistol into a folded position( like a Swiss army knife) before putting it on his belt.

"Leave that to me.", Jeremiah told him.

"And you know this how?", Dudley asked eager to know.

"Hello", Jeremiah informed pointing at himself, "ex-villain here. Knows short cuts."

Kitty got the Tuffmobile up and running and Dudley joined her. Jeremiah got his cycle out and shifted it to cycle form( that shifting never ceases to astound me) and got it revved up as Iris got on behind him and put her arms around his waist. Just as they were about to leave, Dorian came in at quite a fast pace.

"Wait, wait", he called out, "you're going to need this."

Dorian's assistants Alpha and Delta put special communicators on Dudley and Kitty's heads.

"These communicators will allow you and your teammates to communicate without being loud.", Dorian informed, "Best of luck."

Dorian turned to leave, Dudley stopped him.

"Hey Doc, want to come along?"

"Dudley!", Jeremiah snapped, "Dark Wolf said only four agents."

Dorian shrugged as Jeremiah's communicator went off. After a brief moment, Jeremiah sighed and looked at Dorian.

"Okay Doc, you're in. Are you sure you can leave your lab for this assignment?"

"Trust me Jeremiah", Dorian assured, "you've seen what I can do."

Jeremiah couldn't disagree with that. Dorian's assistants shifted into a large jet pack system as the hanger doors opened. Then Jeremiah and Kitty hit the gas, and Dorian was soon flying beside the flying vehicles.

"Alright agents", Jeremiah stated in soldierly fashion, "we have a hostage waiting for us. While on the way over, let's lock and load!"