Ch.8: Escape The Lost

"Inez, what's happening?!" cried Didge.

"I don't know!" she replied, eyes quickly scanning around the site. The way that everything had changed was scary, and the purple beam continued to erupt into the sky. Suddenly Slider motioned for everyone to be still.

"I hear something," he said, and a few seconds later, dozens of glowing, orange eyes suddenly appeared, growls hissing from their breath.

Frozen with horror, Jackie backed away closer to Inez, dropping the bag that held Buzz as the first shade slowly crept out of the shadows and approached. None in the Cybersquad could really believe what was going on, and the Hacker too stared in wonder as even more shades appeared.

"Boss" said Delete, still struggling in his binds " what are those things?"

"They're Lost" answered Shari before the villain could " an ancient race tainted by evil that was sealed away long ago. They appear just as Matt described."

"Yeah" said Jackie " but why can we see them now? Did the seal break?"

"A foolish question Jacks" stated a familiar voice " of course it broke,"

Turning around to the source of the voice, all of the Cybersquad nearly gasped in shock as they saw Matt suddenly appear with the King Lost beside him.

"Mattie!" shouted Didge in excitement " We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"What are you doing with the Lost?" asked Inez.

"I am Lost," said Matt.

"Yes" said the King Lost " and now to retrieve the Phoenix Gold so we can let the ritual begin,"

"Ritual?" asked Shari, confused.

"Now hold on you black behemoth!" shouted Hacker, finally clawing his way out of the net. " I don't care who or what you are, but the Phoenix Gold is mine, and you can't stop me from taking it!"

"Oh can't we?" said the King Lost, looking to his kind " What can a fake like you understand about what real evil can accomplish? Hacker, you're nothing but a mere imitation to what little darkness truly remains in the world. Allow us to show you what power is like,"

With that said, the Lost all around them, purple sparks now dancing on their claws, charged in and attacked.

"Run!" shouted Slider.

"Head for the Cyber Coop!" yelled Didge.

"Go," said the King Lost to Matt, and with that he sprinted off after his friends.

"Faster you Dunce-buckets! We're off this site!" yelled Hacker, as Delete and a hopping Buzz quickly made their way up the Wreaker's gangplank before it closed.

The Lost that were heading towards Hacker growled and leaped at the ship as it suddenly roared off the ground. There was no choice but for Hacker to leave the gold and head back to the Northern Frontier.

He'll come again another day, with a new scheme to unfold.

Back on Cybraya, things weren't looking so good on the site. The Cybersquad was in a dead run, fleeing from Matt and about three other Lost.

"Faster guys!" cried Jackie, pushing her way through the brush " I can see the ship just ahead,"

"Good" said Slider " cause they're getting closer behind us,"

"I don't understand all this" said Didge, panting as he flew " Why is Matt helping the Lost?"

"Their leader leader mentioned something about a ritual" said Shari " Whatever it is, they must need Matt for it,"

"We don't have time to analyze now" said Inez " Run!"

With that said everybody picked up the pace and made it to the Cyber Coop with record speed. Quickly piling inside, the group jumped in and were about to close down the hatch when Matt and his Lost friends finally caught up.

Tagging the launch button, Slider ignited the Cyber Coop's engines, allowing the crate to fly up in the air. Matt stopped in place, but the Lost behind him continued on, jumping up for the Cyber Coop their claws sparking with purple energy.

A few marks landed on the hull, terrifying the occupants inside and leaving gaping holes on the metal husk. Despite the damage from the Lost, Inez and the others were able to fly off back into Cyberspace, leaving the mysterious land of Cybraya far behind.

Once the ship vanished from sight, Matt could feel the presence of the King Lost behind him, and quickly turned and bowed.

"I'm sorry" said Matt " I couldn't prevent their escape,"

"No worries" said the King Lost "We've recaptured the gold, and the ritual can still commence. You have served us well Matt, are you ready for your part?"

"Yes" said Matt, kneeling low " I am,"