Chapter 7: "Bittersweet Reunion"

"Okay, team, listen up!" Ace called into his communicator. "We've got a change of plans. Cassidy's gotten herself into a bit of trouble, so Tech's gonna go ahead of us and help her out. Once we're done here, we'll head up and see what's goin' on. All right?"

"Okay!" Came three replies.

"We're having trouble taking these guys down as it is! How are we gonna do it if one of us is gone?" Duck complained.

"Calm down, Duck. Tech finshed his trap, so all we've gotta do is corner these guys, then we've got 'em! Now, let's hit it, Loonatics"

.ORANGE TRIANGLE.

Cassidy's eyes flickered open. She sat up and rubbed the back of her head. "Ow... man, that hurt." She looked around. She wasn't in the palace anymore. She was in the bushes nearby Sari's main road.

"Cassidy! Cassidy!" She could hear her name being called.

Cassidy turned around in suprise. "Tech? Is... is that you?"

Tech smiled and stretched out his arms. "The one and only."

Cassidy gave a happy squeal and ran to meet him. Tech laughed and hugged her back. "I see you haven't forgotten me yet."

'How could I forget you?' Cassidy giggled at the thought. Was he not the one who saved her life on several different occassions? Was he not the only one who fully trusted her when King John exposed her as a princess, heiress to the throne? Was he not the one whom she loved? The one whom she continuously thought about? "Oh, Tech, I thought I'd never see you again."

"I promised you we'd meet again. I never break my promises."

"I'm so glad you're here. We have to hurry! Andrew's holding father and Maria hostage!"

"Wait a minute. Andrew?" Tech repeated, confused. "You'd better bring me up to speed, sounds like a I missed a lot."

"Andrew is the Starzian cheif! He gathered his arm to help him take over the kingdom."

"I was right. I did miss a lot. Well, lead the way."

.GREEN TRIANGLE.

Tech and Cassidy quietly snuck though the dark halls of the palace. In one room, there was a light, and a cage. In it were King John, Maria, and Prince Edward.

"Prince Edward? How did you get in there?" Cassidy asked.

"Well, uh.. my plan didn't quite work out..." He began.

Cassidy sighed. "I can only think of four words to say to you right now..."

"What?" Edward asked, hoping that they were the words he was thinking of.

"I. Told. You. So!"

KABOOM!

Something exploded from behind Tech and Cassidy, and the two went tumbling a few feet. They quickly hid behind a statue of some sort. "What's the plan?"

Tech glanced around the statue and analyzed the situation. "Okay, how about you deal with your brother, and I'll help your family, then I'll join you."

"Sounds good." Cassidy stood up and lept out of the hiding place. Andrew fired at her, but she dodged each one.

"Wanna know what I hate, sis?" Andrew asked.

"When somebody kidnaps your family?" Cassidy guessed, pointing out her feelings on the subject.

"When somebody doesn't know when to give up." He fired another black ball at her.

Meanwhile, Tech snuck up to the cage where King John, Maria, and Prince Edward wre being held. His hands and eyes glowed green as he attempted to bend the metal out of proportion, but it took no affect. "These bars must be designed with magentic-resitant materials. I'm going to have to get serious." He searched his backpack in hope of finding something to help him.

"I don't understand! Why are you blaming me?" Cassidy asked as she dodged another energy ball. "I didn't know that my coming back would affect how you were treated. Besides, it wasn't my choice to come back."

"It doesn't matter. I will be King of Sari."

Finally, Cassidy was close enough to leap at Andrew. He dodged her and threw a punch at her, which she blocked. She then returned a punch at him.

"I must give you credit, you're a pretty good fighter." Andrew said.

"I learned from the best."

"Since we are so evenly matched, how about I make this fight a little bit more interesting?" Andrew offered.

Cassidy did not like the sound of his voice when he said that. "What do you mean?"

"Either you hand yourself over, or Tech, Father, and Maria die."

Cassidy's eyes widened. "What a sneaky, dirty, underhanded..."

"Villainous thing to do?" Andrew finished for her. "News flash, sis, I am a villain."

Cassidy charged at him, tackling him down. Andrew easily rolled and flipped her off of him. He stood over her, holding a black ball of energy threatingly. Tech snuck up behind him and kicked him, sending Andrew flying a few feet.

"Step away from my sister, Tech!" Andrew threatened, picking himself up.

"Never!" Tech stepped in front of Cassidy protectively.

"No, Tech! Please, no! He'll kill you!" Cassidy begged. "Let me go instead. Father and Maria still need help!" Cassidy began to walk towards her brother.

Tech grabbed her arm. "No, Cassidy. I won't let him hurt you."

"But, Tech, it wouldn't matter anyway." 'If I can't live my own life, I don't want to live, period.'

"No, Cassidy! Don't say that! You matter to me more than anything else in the world. And, the others, they miss you."

"Really?"

"Really, Cassidy. I love you."

Tech put his hand behind her head and brashly pressed his lips to hers. The kiss took Cassidy completely by suprise, and she had to grab Tech's shirt to keep from falling over. Tech felt her tipping over, and put his other arm around her.

Andrew blinked, shocked and sickened. A tear fell from Maria's eye, but King Johnathan and Prince Edward were furiated.

When they broke apart, Cassidy took deep breaths, trying to steady her racing heart.

"Well, since neither of you can decide who's gonna sacrifice themself for the other, I will!" Andrew fired.

Right a the last minute, Tech pushed Cassidy out of the way. The blast hit Tech, sending him towards the wall. Tech felt a wave of pain, both physical and emotional, rip right through him. He gave out a low-pitched, bone-chilling howl. His body slammed against the hard surface before landing roughly on the ground.

Cassidy's heart stopped when she heard Tech's howl. She was almost afraid to look, but she did, anyway. Seeing Tech's motionless body, Cassidy gave a horrified scream. "TECH!"

(END CHAPTER)

Now you know why I called this chapter, "Bittersweet Reunion"

(I am an evil person...)

WILL TECH BE OKAY? WILL CASSIDY BE ABLE TO CONFESS HER FEELINGS, TOO? WILL THE OTHER LOONATICS MAKE IT IN TIME? WILL ANDREW BE DEFEATED? FIND OUT, IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!!!

Cassidy: Oh, dear, she got into the cheese again... -starts stuffing pillowcase full of bricks-