His breath came in ragged bursts and his heart raced. This had to be it, or it would never end. He turned and noticed his friend had caught up, and they were both exhausted. The young genius couldn't help but notice the bags under the Ben's eyes, and figured that they were worse under his own.
Jaden was right behind them, hands a light with flickering flames and face twisted with something beyond fury. There was hardness in her eyes that didn't belong there, in the absent-minded lighthearted girl they knew, the one more like Bubbles than Mandy.
She reaches them, and for a split second, her face contorts with pain. Then as quickly as it came, she shakes her head and it is gone. "Ben, is that thing charged up yet? Her voice twanged with annoyance, and just a dash of worry. As the brunette shakes his head, she sighs and reaches for his wrist. A few flicks of some panels and switches later, and the plumber's sign turns a hazy yellow.
"It won't last you long, so use it wisely." Then, without warning, she grabs Dexter's hand and runs toward the light at the horizon. As Ben spins the dial, he notices something just a bit odd between the two, but dismisses it at the time.
"Big Chill!" He yells, and flies off into the night.
Jaden, with Dexter in tow, speeds along the mountain, just as Ben catches up to her. Both of them catch Dexter's heavy breathing and it doesn't take a genius to realize that the genius isn't holding up well. To the boys' surprise, and one's embarrassment, the girl doesn't hesitate to scoop Dexter up bridal style and continue.
Three familiar streaks of light flash above the three ex-captives, and everyone is just a bit relived. Soon the front lines are in sight, and within seconds, Jaden and Dexter are weaving through them, the red head still in the blonde's arms, not even Mandark snickers, he's too ecstatic to have his only peer returned.
The self-proclaimed evil genius has to run to keep up with the young off-worlder, as does the growing posse, which now includes the Professor, Max, Ben, sector V, and the PPG. No one cracks a joke, or feels anything but worry, as the young girl deposits the redhead on to a hospital bed and collapses in a nearby chair.
Darkness, just darkness, nothing but black. Quickly, it fades into a bright light which in turn revealed a white room, one whose walls could not be seen. It was as if it existed forever. Dexter, Ben and Jaden are the only people, other than two extremely tall figures, in white robes. Jaden takes one look at the figures, and pales. The boys notice this and the genius takes it as a bad sign.
"So what do you have for us, child?" The one on the right questions, and even though both guys know it's not English, they still understand it, each word rings clear in their minds, as if a long forsaken language. Jaden falls to her knees, and again they cannot understand what she is saying, but she seems to be pleading, and soon tears start falling, from her face. Both white figures look at each other at this, and then the trio is back in the KND hospital, all looking fine, two in confusion and one in shock. The young girl-still kneeling- touches her face, where there are still trails of moisture.
It has started. Events had been point into motion that even Time and Fate or even Life itself can barely control. Species are not meant to change, even in shape shifters. This will have many repercussions. Some things should not change, but a Power higher than Time, Fate or Life are at work here- Love had entered the game.
