Sorry for the delay but I'm back with more of Clare's story. Here's the second chapter.

We continued onwards to the final cavern. I had decided to ride with Eli and his friends and the Molenoid, Pronto, led us towards my home. Shadow Clan territory.

I listened as it seemed like the others were talking about something. My family were moving around because I could see their auras shifting. The slugs waving happily at me and I smiled a bit.

"Uh….Pronto? Where are we?" I heard Eli ask.

"Oh just a shortcut a I know," He said just as I said, "Shadow Clan territory."

"WHAT?!" Trixie and the Cave Troll, Kord, yelled out.

Just then some of my family appeared. They saw us and it looked like they were hissing to the others but they were actually yelling.

"CLARE!" They said and everyone ran but I gave a smile and a wink at them.

They played along and soon enough, we were dodging and trying to escape the slugs being slunged at us by my family. Eli, Kord, Trixie, and Pronto were able to get out of the cavern but a Hop Rock hit the top of the entrance and it caved me in. I knew it was intentional.

"Clare!" I heard the others yell.

"Go on without me! I'll meet you there!" I yelled back and heard them give an okay before I heard them riding away.

I got off my mecha and was immediately pulled into a hug by one of my brothers. I smiled and laughed as I was passed around everyone for hugs. Soon enough, I was in my father's arms and I hugged him back. I sighed contently as I snuggled close to him. I heard and felt him chuckle and I smiled as I looked up at him.

"We are happy to see you, Child. Tell me, how have you been?" He asked and I told him everything.

I introduced all my new slug-mates even though Yuki hid behind my neck.

"What a shy little Frostcrawler," My mother said and smiled as I hugged her.

She meet my other slugs and Jet fluttered over to her. He nuzzled against her cheek and she giggled a bit. Hidden was playing hide and seek with some of the younger members of my family while Kurai was running from them. I giggled at the sight.

Everyone got along and I visited for a while longer. I even played with the younger clan members and some of my clan members' slugs. Father came over to me and pulled me over to the side.

"Be careful, my Child. Something dark is looming in the distance," He said as he petted my hair back.

"I will, Father," I said with a smile.

Mother came over and hugged me close. She and Father were worried and I knew that I needed to be extremely careful.

"Be careful, Clare. For your father and I," Mother said and I nodded against her chest.

"I will, Mother," I said and she let me go and smiled softly.

I left then and rode my mecha to the next cavern that's in the tournament.

I made it back safely and sighed a bit. I got off my mecha and smiled a bit as I went off to look for Eli and the others. It took a while but I finally found them. Trixie saw me first and ran over, hugging me.

"You're alright! I'm so glad!" She said as she squeezed me tightly and I hugged her back and laughed a bit.

"I'm fine, Trixie," I said as she stood back and Pronto, who had introduced himself on the way to my family's territory, hugged me as well.

I smiled a bit and pat his head before being dragged into an arm lock and ruffled my hair. I looked up and saw it was Kord, who also introduced himself as well. I smiled up at him.

"You're crazy, you know that?" He said and I giggled.

The next person to pull me into a hug was Eli and he held on tight. I blushed a small bit and smiles softly, hugging him back. I knew that I worried them but I couldn't give them my true heritage.

Shortly after our reunion, the announcer called up the finalists and Eli went into the arena. I had a bad feeling about this dual…

The duel was intense until he other guy, John Bull or something, pulled out a Ghoul Slug and fired it. The devastation it caused was horrifying and I clutched my hand in front of my chest. Eli lost and disappeared afterwards.

I went looking for the others and found them telling Eli that he wouldn't be by himself during his job as a Shane. I smiled and rode over on my mecha.

"You'll also have me. I'll guard your back and act as a confidante when you need one. You're not alone in this, Eli," I said and he let us know the risks and everything and we reassured him.

I saw him smile and nod. Aster asking where to start, we heard a cry for help and we rode off to go help whoever was in danger. This is just the beginning of a new adventure.

Wow. This toke me a long while. Hope you all enjoy the second chapter and let me know. See ya in the next chapter!

~Darkness