Hey, here's the long awaited update! I'm running out of things to say, so here we go!

(No one's POV)

After much shouting, the now pretty much tired and out of energy tribe leaders just simply ordered the still very confused guards back to their posts or to the barracks. Maxxor didn't know what disturbed him the most; that anyone human or Creature, regardless of Tribe Loyalty, could commit such crimes like Von Bloot has to Tom and Kaz, or that the humans could use such diverse powers and yet keep them so easily hidden for as long as they had.

All that remained in the meeting room aside from him and the other leaders were Intress, Takinom, the twins (who both insisted on staying), Theb-sarr with both Mipedian princes as well as Tianne and Bylkian, Queen Aszil, Lore, Kannen, Najarin, Kopond and Agitos. The only others present were two of the missing five, well six if you counted Sarah and it made him shudder just trying to imagine what the poor girl could be experiencing at the claws of the monster that was Von Bloot and just what else the blonde could do apart from her sharp eyes and deadly aim.

Lulu looked ready to bolt at one wrong move or sound, despite her faithful swords hanging at her sides, like a rabbit cornered by hungry wolves. She was always the most confusing of all the humans to him; one moment she was the most confident warrior he had ever seen, next she was hiding behind her closest friend. CJ, however, as always, had an angry frown on his face, arms crossed, looking like he was about to punch something soon, which made him nervous remembering the dents in the floor he made with those two thugs while throwing them around like a child with his toys. It made him a little nervous imaging what else the boy could do.

Then there was the others.

It should be completely impossible to completely phase through an attack, not even the Underworlder, Drakness, with all his spirit-like habits, has such an ability. Yet, Peyton did it. He turned himself so transparent, the attack, which should've left him a pile of ash, went right through him as if he weren't even there. Then he uses some kind of wail to fend off whoever got too close, even knocking down rocks from the ceiling. Unlike the sound related attacks they could use, this wail had an odd melodic sound to it, as if the boy were singing off-key, and appeared in the form of green rings that were ragged.

Then, of course, there was the poor redhead who fled in tears after the scene created by Skithia. Maxxor couldn't feel more guilty than he did right now, now that the anger and confusion (mostly the anger) finally simmered for all his implications and comments on the whole thing being just as much Kaz's fault as anyone else, especially the tango bit, but he knew it was too late as well as pointless to dwell on it now, besides, like Tom, she had no control over whatever had occurred during their captivity, the only one anyone could blame was Von Bloot. He just hoped his dear one didn't find out about it. He still couldn't fight off the shivers when remembering how her strength matched her brother's own, hefting that thug over her head as if he were a rag-doll and how cold her eyes were as she made that strange blue aura lift impossibly heavy things.

Which brought him to Tom. He had no idea the boy knew how to fight like that, since he made no display or hint of it in the past; the twists looked painful and it must've taken the boy years to perfect his balance and muscle-control to move like that. He was just as shocked as anyone else by his sudden transformation, but what truly chilled the Overworld Lord was the change in the boy's eyes; no longer were they joyful or happy or determined like he was so used to seeing; those eyes were angry. angry and blood-thirsty. And his roar, it was a sound that demanded both respect and fear, mostly fear, and he was sure that was exactly what it got...and not just from Von Bloot's side.

Just thinking of Tom and Kaz made him wince at another reminder that just added to his headache. A baby. They were having a baby. He still counldn't believe how anyone could cause such a situation, but Von Bloot apparently had no restrictions. Maxxor refused to think of what the madman could want with the innocent life. They were much too young to have a child, despite what he's heard of plenty of girls having children at their age. To him, they had so much to look forward to, but that didn't go to say he hoped Kaz decided to get rid of it, even if it did seem like a very suitable option.

Shaking his head, he tuned back into reality as Theb-sarr started to speak, "I think I'll cut to the question that's on everyone's mind..." He then practically jumped out of his seat as he yelled, "WHAT IN THE COTHICA'S CREATION JUST HAPPENED?" He then slumped back into seat breathing deeply, as if the statement had taken the last of his energy out of him. While Mudeenu rolled his eyes at his father's display, Ifar just patted the older Mipedian's shoulder.

Many had winced at the King's raised voice, but made no retort, not having the energy. Lulu, however, jumped with a startled yelp, while CJ rolled his eyes at the king.

Intress was the only one other than CJ and Mudeenu who wasn't very impressed with Theb-sarr's antics, but shook her head. She wasn't about to repeat herself and just leaned her head on one pawed hand.

Tianne then spoke, "It would seem more happened in Gothos Tower than we thought." Everyone sans CJ winced, knowing exactly what he was talking about, while CJ glared off at a random wall, fists clenching harder. Though, Kannen threw the Mipedian muge a dry look for his choice of words.

"Yes and..." Lore agreed looking at the only two humans present, "I think an explanation for a few things that occurred back there is kind of in order." Other creatures nodded in agreement.

"Fine," CJ spat making them all flinch as he turned his glare on them, "My sister and I are what's called Meta-Humans, its short or Mutated Humans."

Najarin raised an eyebrow at this, "Mutated?"

"Basically, some time ago, mutations began appearing in some people and it grew over time, giving people powers kind of like what you saw before," CJ explained before shaking his head, "Kaz could explain it better, she's the science-type, not me. The reason we hid what we can do is because Metas were hunted and often killed on sight for a long time, even now they're often mobbed because non-Metas are so afraid of what we can do."

The Creatures were all sickened by what they heard. Being so used to being able to do many incredible things, they couldn't understand how humans with these 'mutations' could be killed for being born with them. Then again, humans were different for reasons they had yet to fully understand. Still, if Chaor and Takinom ever caught someone going after their little redhead, there'd be hell to pay, and Niveena would be willing to help.

"I take these powers varied," Queen Aszil commented containing her ire as she tried to picture a human with insect traits, mainly a beautiful pair of butterfly or dragonfly wings. "Its like snowflakes; no two are completely the same," CJ replied smiling very slightly, "Elemental powers, power over weather, different energies, even animal, insect, amphibian, aquatic, avian and reptilian features; there's little Metas can't do anymore."

"Then why hunt them?" Aiveena asked confused. "I think I can answer that," Lulu spoke making everyone blink, clearly having forgotten she was in the room, even though she stood right next to CJ, "For most humans, new things they can't understand often scare them badly and that often makes them do really bad things."

CJ nodded along, completely agreeing and let himself deflate a little as his anger began to ebb away. "Just...what exactly...can you and Kaz do?" Niveena asked tone both curious and cautious, not that he could blame her.

"Well, aside from our strength, which we get from our father, we can run faster than a normal human-being and jump higher," CJ replied, "Both our parents were Metas, or at least, that's what our uncle keeps telling us. Our mother was a Telepath and while, clearly, Kaz is very adept in it, I am not; I can't do anything past basic levitation, telepathic link and minor Empathy."

"Okay," Chaor suddenly spoke raising a hand, "I got levitation, but you lost me at everything else," Everyone couldn't help the small chuckles that escaped them at Chaor's blunt, yet oddly funny statement, "On that note; what's a Telepath."

"A Telepath is a Meta whose powers stem from their mind; they use brain-power to make things move how they want them to or manipulate others," CJ explained, "I'm not very good at it aside form making a link between my mind and my sister's mind; it how we talk to each other no matter how far apart we are and we can make them with others too, Empathy let's me feel others emotions, but I can't feel anything part from negative emotions."

"When you say...manipulate others..." Intress asked as the air became tense. "I mean mind-control...just like the M'arrilians..." CJ stated causing every Creature to shoot to their feet, mostly out of shock, "But my sister and I would never that! Not on purpose! I can't even remember the last time either of us actually did it!" That was a lie and he knew it, he could remember exactly when, but right now, no one needed to know that, "Besides, does Kaz honestly seem like the kind that would do that to someone?"

The Creatures all relaxed, the Underworlders feeling especially guilty for the assumption, knowing Kaz was nothing like the M'arrilians, she was the one who ultimately saved them all in reality. "Telepaths...sound like a serious type of Meta," Kopond finally spoke up.

CJ nodded, "The most powerful Telepath is all history was Charles Xavier, his brain was actually registered as a lethal weapon because of how powerful he was."

All present nodded at the information, while confused by how something could be registered as 'lethal', decided to drop as they turned their attention to Lulu. The redhead gulped, steeled her nerves.

"I'm...not entirely sure what to call myself..." Lulu admitted, "No one in my father's family had the ability to call myself; my dad's an Osmosian, and don't ask me what that is, cause he's never explained it to me, just that we absorb things; energy, matter, tech, DNA, even life and others' abilities, what you saw was an example of it."

Everyone nodded at that, accepting the answer, trying to wrap their head around the fact that she could make just about anything apart of herself. It made them wonder if she was a Meta as well.

"What about that other boy, Peyton?" Lore asked, "Is...that.."

Whatever he was going to ask was promptly cut off by the green-eyed boy in question suddenly asking out of literally nowhere, "What about Peyton?" Everyone shrieked in shock when he suddenly popped his head out through the table, intangible and transparent once again, grinning like a loon at their shock before lifting himself through it completely to float high into the air, clearly amused by their shocked, hanging jaws, since he was laughing openly like always.

In fact, he was laughing so hard, he was clutching his stomach. "Aw, man, you should see yer faces!" He cackled before suddenly righting himself with a wide, mischievous 'idea' face, "Oh, wait, ah can show ya!" With that said, he spun around quickly, covering himself in light green mist.

When it fell away, it revealed a smaller, glowing and transparent mirror image of Theb-sarr's gobsmacked look, making everyone shriek in fright, which in turn caused Peyton's illusion to fade away as he cackled agian, "Another good one!" He then right himself, ready to spin again as he asked, "Wanna see?"

Everyone immediately shot out their hands in signal not to do it as they all yelled as one, "NO!" Unfazed, Peyton shrugged as he leaned back in an invisible seat, crossing his arms in amusement.

For a long moment no one spoke, unable to wrap their brains over what just happened, Lulu included. Though, her shock was mostly at the fact her boyfriend was a ghost. Though, after a full five minutes of soaking in the results of his prank, Peyton finally got bored as he asked a little randomly, "What is dis? A mee'in' or an oil-paintin'?"

Which somewhat smacked everyone out of their stupor as Najarin asked, "...what...are you...?" He yelped when Peyton floated a little too closely.

"Ain't dat a little obvious? A spirit," Peyton answered floating back to respect the old mage's space before doing a hand gesture, "A parahnormal endidy, a ghost, a phandom, a specder; whatever ya wanna call it."

"So...you're...dead..." Mudeenu cringed while everyone was finding his medical goals a little ironic. "Yeah, ah'm dead, thank ya kindly, Mistar Royally Obvious," Peyton quipped rolling his eyes, "Will 'ave been dat way fer..." He paused to think on it, before asking his girlfriend and friend, "What year is it again?"

CJ took a moment to answer, "2015."

Peyton thought a moment to get his numbers in order, "Fer...three centuries 'n' a half...maybe four..."

Lulu gaped as she shouted loudly, "Four hundred years?" She blushed as everyone looked at her, save Peyton.

Peyton hummed as he made a 'so-so' gesture as he corrected, "It could be three hundred 'n' fifdy give or take." Lulu looked ready to faint, "I kinda lost track at dis point."

"But you said you have a sister," Tianne commented getting over his shock rather quickly, "Is your entire family..."

"Nah, dey all passed off long ago," Peyton shook his head floating in a back-loop, "Its a tradition for da older ghosts tah take in da newer ones tah help 'em getta grip on der new powers, ah just stuck with mah teachers 'n' we...became family."

"So...you were...someone else...before you died?" Lulu asked tentively as everyone looked at him curious.

Peyton chuckled, "Mah name's always been Peyton, just...not Peyton Steel...it was...Peyton Hill."

CJ gaped, "Wait, Hill, as in Maggie Hill?" Lulu gasped as well as Peyton nodded, "As in the Leader of the Forty Elephants Gang of the 1700s to the 1950s?"

"Forty Elephants?" Chaor asked lost as he looked at Kopond, who shrugged just as lost. Peyton, again, nodded, "Yeah...she...she's...mah big sisder..."

"Your sister was Maggie Hill?" Lulu asked in shocked-disbelief, unable to believe her boyfriend was related to such a violent woman. "What are elephants?" Intress asked confused, "And what's a gang."

"By blood alone, trust me," Peyton said ignoring Intress, "Operetta's been more of a sisder den Mag's ever been."

"Excuse me, but what is an elephant and what is a gang, and does either have to do with anything?" Najarin asked unable to take their questions being ignored any further. "And whose Maggie?" Ifar added.

"A gang is a group of humans who use violent and illegal means for money or just to cause trouble," Lulu explained. "And your sister led one?" Ifar asked Peyton in shocked-disbelief to Peyton.

"'Believe me, it was a long time ago," Peyton stated, "Dey never did anythin' dat serious, just stealin' clothes 'n' jewels 'n' little thin's, dey'd only hurt others in self-defense, doesn't mean ah was proud of 'em," Crossing his arms, he added with a frown, "Still not."

"So," CJ said hoping to change to a less touchy subject, "Just...what exactly can you do? I mean, no one's entirely sure just what ghosts can do." Peyton grinned, seeming to like this subject better than his previous life.

"Well, ah can go through solid thin's, obliviously, people 'n' attacks included," Peyton replied, "Dat's common among all us ghosts, really, everythin' else kinda differs ghost-type to ghost-type."

Intress raised an eyebrow at that, "There are different kinds of ghosts?"

"Yep!" Peyton answered popping the 'p', diving back through the table and raising up through the floor behind Lore's chair, scaring the Danian as he continued, "Its like snowflakes, no two are a-like; dere's a skill one ghost can do bettah den others; ah'm a musigiest."

"A...musigiest...?" Queen Aszil asked tilting her head at the new word. "It means mah affinity is music and musahcal instraments; mah wail's stronger dan a normal ghost's and ah can turn any form of sound wave intah a weapon," Peyton explained.

"So...those green waves..." Chaor spoke up remembering the ring-shaped waves. "Are mah ghost wail," Peyton nodded floating back so he was next to his girlfriend. As soon as his feet touched the floor, he became solid once more, regain his color. Lulu looked up at him with uncertainty, which made Peyton sigh stepping back to give her space, disappointed.

"But what about the other two?" Takinom spoke up, "The blonde Von Bloot took and the trash?"

Aiveena was instantly on her feet as she glared at the she-demon as she demanded, "What did you just call my brother?"

Takinom made no response as Intress scolded her adopted-daughter, "Aiveena." The two female Overworlders shared a pointed look before Aiveena finally sat back down with a huff.

"I'm not sure if Sarah really has any powers," Lulu spoke up regaining the creatures attention, "She's never shown any signs of retraining herself like most Metas do, it something we'll have to ask her once we get her and Wamma back." She looked at the present Danians, knowing it was mostly their say whether Wamma was a priority or their human adviser, but as far as she was concerned, they getting them both back.

"As for Tom," CJ threw in, scowl returning full force along with his glare at the reminder of who got his sister in the position she was in, "It a pretty safe bet that's he's a feral Meta; a meta with animal features, though..." He took a peculiar look of thought, "This is a stage I've never seen before; sure plenty of ferals have gained ears, tails, even claws, but, I've never heard of them growing fur."

Maxxor sighed, shaking his head at this, before finally finding his voice, "Any ideas on how to actually get the two back?" He had only spent so much time around both Sarah and Wamma, but what he had seen between the two was that they were close, very close, if Von Bloot did plan to do the same as before, the aftermath would surely destroy the Danian. It reminded him much of...himself and...He quickly shook his head once again, one hand instinctively reaching up to his neck where something should've been, only to remember there was nothing there, making him sigh, never seeing that actions caught some people's notice.

Ifar looked to Chaor and Takinom, "Chaor, you and you're troops have been there the most out of us all; any suggestions?"

"All I can say is; good luck trying to sneak in," Takinom stated bluntly beating her leader to it as she leaned back and crossed her arms, "Von Bloot has more followers then you might think, mostly rogues looking for a pretty pg to rub together; there's guards at every entry point, so the only ones who could get in undetected are you Mipedians with your invisibility, but if your busted, it all pretty much all goes from there, plus, who knows how the winger's prepared for you."

A murmur rung taking in her logic. Peyton then got an idea, "But he won't be expecting me!"

Everyone looked at him in confusion, which Tianne voiced, "What do you mean, Peyton?"

"The only thing that's letting you guys see me right now is all the years of my practicing how to converse my energy!" Peyton explained looking like he was about to break into a happy dance at his idea as it expanded in his head, taking on his transparent form again to float over, accent returning full-force from his excitement "So, ah can make mahself invisible all ah want 'n' Von Bloot won't know how tah handle me cause ah'm not a Mipedian!"

Slowly, everyone's faces shifted as they caught on to his idea. "Distract them into chasing you around Gothos Tower..." Takinom began eyes widening at the genius of it. "While a group sneaks in to get Sarah and Wamma..." Lore added as he and his queen shared shocked looks at how easy it sounded. "With little conflict," Ifar finished also stunned.

Lulu, however, was horrified, "Peyton, no!" Everyone looked at her in surprise at her sudden outburst and objection.

Peyton also looked surprised, but more confused as he looked at her, "Whaddya mean 'no', Lu, dis is our best bet at gettin' dem back before..." Peyton grimaced looking down and distressed, imagining what his friends were probably going through right this moment at the harpy's hands, "Before..."

Lulu could imagine what he was thinking of, but her fear wouldn't allow her to express her sympathy, "No, there has to be a better way!" However, no one could come up with a better idea for the rescue mission.

"Well, if you can come up with one, ah'd love tah hear it," Peyton remarked leaning back mid-air, crossing his arms and legs. "Bu-but what if you do get caught?" Lulu protested looking ready to pull on her pigtails from fear, making the creatures wonder if they should intervene before something worse happened, but before they could say anything, Lulu said something no one expected and she would come to regret for a while, "I...I forbid you to go!"

The room went eerily quiet as the creatures all gaped at her in shock, having never seen nor heard her express such boldness before, CJ was having a similar experience and only the present Mepidians shared a look of shock that was mixed with both horror and anxious-prediction as the temperature suddenly got very cold. Peyton, however, went completely blanked face as he looked at her, legs un-crossing as he said one simple word in a very blank tone of voice, "What?" Everyone, including CJ and Chaor, cringed at the underlying, slow-raising anger.

Lulu, however, wasn't backing down as she replied, "You heard me; I forbid you to go on such an insane mission!"

Peyton's voice didn't waver as he commented, "Lulu, yer mah girlfriend, not mah sister or mah mother." Maxxor couldn't help the odd sense of deja vu creeping up on him, having an odd idea where this might end up.

"I don't care!" Lulu shouted, "I'm not risking losing you too, not to that...that...that maldita arpia!" CJ and Maxxor both looked at her in shock, clearly understanding those last words and not expecting her to curse.

"Well, now yer just bein' ridiculous!" Peyton rolled his eyes as he floated over to her, frowning as he kept his composure, which was what made the creatures so scared of him right now, "'N' ah forbid you to forbid me!"

"Should we intervene?" Aiveena whispered nervously as she watched. "A wise-woman once told me, it's never wise to get involved in a couple's arguement," Maxxor stated most likely from personal experience, Intress had nodded along in agreement at first, before realizing what he just said and looked confused.

"Lulu, ah'm goin' 'n' dat's final!" Peyton stated eyes glowing ghastly green to emphasize his point as a few creatures (by name: Najarin, Lore, Tianne, the Mipedian royals, the Danian queen and Takinom) yelped as their chairs started shaking like crazy with them in them, "Ah'm sorry if yer upset, but ah have tah help Sarah 'n' Wamma, 'n' dis is dah only way!"

Lulu finally raised her voice into a yell, "Well, its a stupid and a dangerous way, just like the rest of your ridiculous ideas!" As her brain caught up with her mouth, Lulu gasped and covered her mouth in shock as the shaking stopped and Peyton stared at her, a little hurt.

Whispering to her quietly, "Ah thought you liked mah ideas..." Before he turned his back on her and told the creatures in a stoic voice, "When dah team's put tagether, let me know; ah'm checkin' on Kaz." With that said, he shot upwards with enough force to make CJ and Lulu stumble back a little and he disappeared through the ceiling.

For a moment all was quiet, before Tianne finally spoke up, "Now, correct if I'm wrong, but...that last part seemed a little...uncalled for, Miss Lulu." Lulu flinched at his comment and looked down in shame.

"Putting that...scene aside..." Takinom spoke up feeling pity for the girl, who flinched again at 'scene', "I think Peyton's plan has the most merit; as much as have little to say about the blonde girl or the Danian that was taken; no one deserves what Von Bloot is most likely putting them through." The red she-demon had a likely idea and it angered her to her very core that the winger was still doing the very thing he did to her younger girl to someone else. All she wanted at this point was to ripe the disgusting male's wings out and watch him bleed.

"All for young Peyton's plan?" Najarin asked and instantly, all but one hand shot up in the air, though after what happened, no one questioned why Lulu had an objection. CJ then thought of something and spoke up, "What about the CodeMasters?"

"Can't one of you contact them with your scanners?" This time, Kopond spoke up a question. CJ then looked as if he just remembered that fact and flushed in embarrassment, "Oh yeah..." With a quick glance to see Lulu was still having a pity-party, he quickly wiped out his scanner, only to frown in confusion as he fiddled with it, "Hey...what the..."

Niveena rose an eyebrow at him, as did a few others, only she actually asked, "Something the matter, CJ?"

"Lulu..." The boy didn't answer her, instead he nudged the redhead next to him, effectively snapping her out of her self induced trance to show her his scanner, a mildly panicked look on his face, "Look, I can't..." The rest of his sentence disappeared in a hushed whisper.

Instantly, Lulu's expression turned into one of horror, confusion and mild shock mixed with panic as she shouted, unintentionally right in CJ's ear, making him cringe, "WHAT?" Before she snatched it from him and started pushing buttons at a frantic pace.

CJ, however, just rubbed at the ear she yelled in with a displeased frown as he said, "Did I forget to mention I also have super sensitive hearing?" But Lulu didn't make a respond or apology of any kind as she handed him back his scanner and swiftly took out hers, pushing buttons, only to squeal in panicked alarm, which just furthered the creatures' confused-curiosity.

"What's going on?" Niveena asked very confused by what was upsetting the girl she was coming to see as another sister.

Lulu could only stare at the screen of her scanner with nothing but horror and fright, before she finally managed to speak, "Our scanners aren't working...we can't get in touch with anyone in Chaotic..." The Creatures stared in shock as well, getting a nasty feeling about where else this could be going, "We can't port back into Chaotic!"

Maxxor couldn't stop himself from groaning as he let his face hit the table, nor did he care for how un-leader-like it was. This just kept getting more and more interesting.

(Elsewhere in the Underworld Castle, Peyton's POV)

Ugh! I still can't believe her! Forbid me, Lulu actually tried to forbid me from doing something she knows I'll just end up doing anyways in the end, who does she think she is, Operetta? My mom? Mags? Growling quietly, I couldn't and wouldn't stop myself from charging my hands with glowing, hardening plasma before shooting them at a door. I grinned a little went they went flying backwards with loud crunches and bangs, clearly they were meant to be opened in the opposite direction.

Now normally, I'd be less violent, but Lulu, for all that I love her, crossed a line. Even before I became a ghost, I was a free spirit, so, naturally, I really didn't like being told what I couldn't do. Besides, I was well over three hundred years old, I think I've earned the right to do as I please at this point. It irks me to no end that just because I like to act carefree, people think I don't know boundaries or how to back off when the level of danger gets to high. I'm not an idiot.

Hefting a heavy sigh, I glanced around the desolate hall. Normally, it would almost literally crawling with guards, but today's events really had taken its toll on everyone, making me instantly worried for everyone's stress levels, especially the other special redhead in my life.

With that in mind, I quickly floated upward easily fazing through the ceiling to the next floor, intending to check on Kaz as I bit my lip at the reminder of her condition and how I felt over the revelation. It stung, it hurt in so many ways it was hard to verbally describe. It was a massive sting to both my personal ego and my ego as a doctor and medical practitioner that I failed to realize she was raped, all those bruises had been focused on her legs and lower back, that should've been the major red flag, but it was a major wound to my pride as one of her few trusted friends that Kaz hadn't come to him for confidence, despite how, at the same time, I can kinda figure why she didn't, I really did have loose-lips, even I can admit it, still, it hurt.

She probably went to Ulmar for medical support, not just for someone to talk to. It was obvious now, he probably confirmed the pregnancy for her and offered his best advice. Damn it, that should've been me doing that for her! I'm the doctor in the group! I bet he did her first ultrasound for her too, since its obvious she's keeping the kid.

I decided to pace the hall before actually talking to Kaz, last thing she needed was to be approached with anger right now, especially after the scene before she fled in tears. Running my see-through hands down my face, I heaved another sigh before deeming myself calm enough to approach.

Making myself human again, I raised my hand to knock at her door, only to pause in hesitation as a thought occurred to me. Being a Meta and having to live in fear like she had, plus her recent experience at Von Bastard's claws, plus Skithia's little stunt probably had her instincts in hyperdrive, thus, making approaching her even harder without making things worse. Deciding it better to check if she were decent, I leaked power into my eyes, vaguely aware they must've been glowing with ghastly green energy before looking at the door, using just enough to see through.

Though, now I wish I just knocked, what I found made my heart break...again. Kaz was curled up against the head-board of her bed. She had tossed out what remaining clips remained in her hair, letting fall past her shoulders and now had her legs drawn up as far as her expanding stomach would allow her, arms wrapped around them with her face hidden with how her head was bent to rest on her knees, like she was protecting her baby, while also trying to draw comfort from it, since I could tell she was crying from how she was shaking. I wondered about the broken pieces of mirror on the floor along with her hair brush, but I could take a guess.

Closing my eyes and cancelling my x-ray vision, I felt the tall-tale sting of tears pricking at my eyes and cursed myself under my breath. But then, I felt a strange warmth fill my mind as a familiar voice seemed to whisper, 'You can come in, Peyton...' I gasp in surprise, head jerking up to look at the door in shock, before remembering what CJ said about Kaz being an adept Telepath. Did she just form a mind-link with me?

A soft chuckle filled my head, quiet as a cat's bell, yet as sad as a rainy day, 'Yeah, I did; you going to come in or just stand out there all day gawking like an idiot?' I had to smile, at least, in all the chaos, at least Kaz didn't lose her spunk.

I did as I was told and opened the door. I took a moment to truly take in the room Kaz must've spent countless Perim nights in, in the past and now, who knows how many more. The walls were just as dark and crystal-like as the rest of the castle. Though, the sitting-furniture was made of wood; her desk, which was littered with scrolls, quills and ink bottles, and books (granted all arranged neatly), the love-seat next to her closet, which Takinom must've filled to the brim by now, even the matching chair were all made of a heavy looking, dark wood, lined with a wine-red cushioning, most likely Chaor's pick. All else was made of crystal, even the bed and the now broken mirror's frame. Another pair door stood opposite to the bed. The only thing that stood out was the vibrant orange of the cushioning of the window seat that of the only window, which almost went from ceiling to floor, the color matching the seats and pillows of the bed. It was so Underworld, yet there was a delicate mix of Kaz in it, like the vase full of flowers that looked like purple snowdrops to the music box that rested on one of the nightstands. There were even some metal parts scattered almost in a pile in one corner of the room.

It wasn't till I was just steps away from the bed did she finally look up at me, face heavily stained with tears.

"I know what you're probably thinking..." She muttered just loud enough for me to hear as the warmth faded from my head. "Kaz..." I tried to say, but she wasn't having it.

"How could I?" She continued much to my confusion, "How could I just...let Von Bloot and Tom do this to me without putting up a fight?" What was she talking about? "I'm an adept Telepath, I'm almost stronger than my uncle, but I couldn't stop Tom from raping me; guess you get what you get." The bitterness wasn't the only thing that was shocking me; was she really blaming herself for what happened?

"Kaz..." I tried once more, but was cut off once more. "No, Peyton, I could've easily ripped those damn chains off and restrained Tom if I wasn't so damn afraid of hurting him!" Kaz interrupted with a frown, eyes once again watering, "I could defend myself and I didn't! What does that tell you?"

"Kaz!" I finally snapped feeling a little guilty when she flinched, but kept it down so I could keept talking, "That shows me how great a friend you were, you said so yourself, you were afraid of hurting him!"

She shook her head, letting out a tiny huff, looking away sadly. Deciding to be bold, I sat next to her, taking note of how she flinched once more, shifting to the opposite to give me more room. "Kaz, Kazlyn look at me," I requested softly and after a moment, she finally did and I tried not to flinch at how...defeat and almost...dead they looked, "You are an amazing friend, you're selfless and caring, everyone knows you're smart," We both chuckled at my attempt to joke, but it didn't quite reach her eyes, making me smile sadly, "If anything, I'm the one who's a pretty rotten friend right now."

"What?" Kaz almost yelled out from shock, seeming to snap out of her sorrow, "No, Peyton, why would you think that?"

"Cause none of this would've happened and listen to the warning bells in my head that went off as soon as I saw those bruises," I retorted with a snort, mouth pulled into a tight frown, "But I didn't cause I didn't want to think, that even under a Perim natured drug, my friend was capable of rape!"

I barely caught her face twisting at the painful reminder of the cause to the situation, but it didn't stop her from making a comment, "Somehow, I get the idea some dormant genes might also have played a part, but..."

I gave her my best dry stare, once again secretly enjoying her cringe in response as I rebuffed, "Not helping, Kazzy..."

We stared at each other for a good minute at the very least, me trying to convey my best apology as well as my hurt and sympathy. Pity was the last thing she needed and it was the last thing I felt for her. Yes, she didn't deserve to be put through it and yes, she was suffering, but that didn't mean she was letting it keep her down for the most part. At the same time, she was conveying her own hurt and apology, the fear she felt and the pain, but her sorrow out shone the rest easily. I felt the rest of my anger slip away as I came to a conclusion; our lives really where chaotic, and judging from the tiny smile that quirked at her lips, she was either thinking the same or read my thoughts as my own tiny smile began to form.

We then broke into a small fit of laughter as I felt the rest of my tension slip away. But it didn't stop me from asking what had been nagging at me, "Why didn't you tell me...?" She flinched back as if slapped as her smile dropped a little and I mentally slapped myself.

Giving a sigh, she tried to right her smile, but it didn't quite fit like before, "To be honest, Peyton, you were one of the first people I wanted to go to, but I didn't want this somehow getting to Tom and you know why I couldn't let that happened," She then gave me a deadpanned look mixed with a little smirk of knowing, "Sides, Peyton, you know yer a terrible lair."

I winced. Damn, I hated it, but she had a good point. I should've figured.

"So...a ghost?" She offered a change in topic, making me smile a little.

Our talk must've went on for a while. Of my families, of hers, of what we can both do, to her meetings with Ulmar. She even promised to let me take a look at how the baby was doing, mostly because she wanted a more professional opinion, not that she didn't trust Ulmar's, it was the principal, which had me doing literal flips in the air as my excitement reverted my form. A knock, hesitant, but loud, sounded, bringing everything to a screeching halt as we both tensed.

It was CJ, "Can I come in?"

We instantly shared a look, Kaz's fear had returned tenfold. She clearly wasn't sure of how her brother was going to act once they were alone and she was afraid of it being negative. I smiled my best for her in encouragement, saying softly, "He's your brother..."

She still seemed hesitant but called out, "Come in!"

The door opened wide with a soft creeking sound as CJ walked in, many an emotion dancing through his eyes despite the cool facade he was trying to put up. To me, he simply said, "They voted for your plan and are waiting by the barracks," I nodded and floated off, but as I hovered out the door, I heard him say to Kaz, "We need yo talk..."

I paused, unsure of what to make of his tone of voice, but shook my head. Kaz could take care of herself just fine this time around.

(Elsewhere in Chaor's castle, Tom's POV)

I let a frustrated groan as I shuffled my feet as I more or less dragged myself back inside the castle, knowing at least Aiveena might worry if I didn't show my disgracing self at some point. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to really care, I was just so confused right now and upset.

Kaz was pregnant. She was having a baby; my baby. No matter how many times I repeat it in my head it just feels so unreal, yet at the same time I can't get the very real image of Kaz's baby bump out of my head.

I was mad; at both Von Bloot and at myself. Von Bloot for drugging me and causing the situation to happen and at myself for allowing it to happen. Kaz is my best friend and yet my body so easily forgetting it. But what I was most upset with myself for was letting her run off like she had and not making a move to go after her and console her like any proper mate should, I just stood there, frozen like an idiot. Chaor's fit didn't faze me in the slight save for snapping myself out of my trance.

I was also sad, mostly for Kaz, she had so much ahead of her, we both did. She had was going to college right by my side, just as we always planned and dreamed; I was going to play on the university soccer team and my Sunlight was going to right there, cheering me on and she was going to taking advanced courses in both the culinary and visual arts, and I was going be right beside her, giving her all my support. We were going to make a bright team; now it was all coming to a screeching halt.

I was so caught up with my thoughts of anger and misery, I never realized I had walked all the way back to the wing where the Overworlders were staying until I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. "Tom," The voice of one the last people I wanted to see right now spoke, tone laced with worry and concern, which I don't deserve, "Feeling any better?"

I gave a long sigh as I answered, "No..."

"If it makes you feel any better, none of us blame you," Maxxor spoke keeping a hand on my back as he led me down the hall, most likely to keep me from running like we both knew I would given the chance, his words just added to the figurative wounds, "Von Bloot is the only guilty one here."

I couldn't keep it in anymore, "You know, everyone keeps saying that, but we both know that isn't the whole truth."

Maxxor finally pulled his hand away, looking saddened as he tried to argue, "Thomas-"

Unable to stop myself, I snapped with full irritation, "Tomoko!"

Maxxor flinched back with a startled, yet wary expression and it took me a moment to realize I wasn't just stil in my anthro form, but was also baring my teeth. I took a deep breath as I mentally counted down from ten, shivering as I felt the transformation reverse until all that remained were pure black cat ears and a matching tail.

I muttered a soft, "Sorry," Before saying more calmly, "My name...my real name...it's Tomoko...I just let people call me Thomas cause it's simpler."

He nodded and relaxed at my explanation, which was when a horrible thought occurred after I remembered that I never told Kaz the truth about myself. Oh sweet Mother Earth, what if I went Anthro or, Kami forbid, Beast, while I was raping her? No wonder she reacted how she had when she woke up after our rescue.

"I should've put up more of a fight before they gave me that drug!" I persisted, "I'm physically strong enough no matter what form I take to break the restraints they had on me, I could've gotten us out! But look what happened instead!" I let out a choked sound as the weight of the realizations all came crashing down, "I'm going to be a father, Maxxor, a dad; I can't be a dad!" It didn't help my mixed feelings for my best friend were currently clouding my judgment about what to do now.

"Why ever not?" Maxxor inquired as my long buried pain of the subject of fathers finally arose, I couldn't stop the tears that threatened to fall. "Because I never had a real father to show me how!" I finally confessed, "How am I supposed to be a good dad if I never had one? How am I suppose to be a good mate to Kaz if I've never had an example from my parents to go by? Not to mention Kaz deserves so much better than me...and..." I winced as another onslaught of memories of that time rushed to the front of my mind, "...and...that..."

For the longest moment, the hall was quiet and I didn't dare look in fear of my idol's reaction. Imagine my surprise when I felt a gentle touch atop my head and it took me a moment to realize Maxxor was ruffling my hair in affectionate comfort, just like my brothers would.

"Tom, first off, believe me when I say that you do not deserve any of the blame," He assured in a firm, yet comforting voice, "Everyone gets caught off guard, you weren't expecting Von Bloot to pull such cheap tricks, I don't think anyone was," I sniffed and rubbed at my eyes as he continued, "And I don't think you never really had a father-figure to look to, after all, from what I've heard, your brothers...Lee and Rei, right?" I nodded a little surprised and sad by the reminder of my only blood family, "They've been taking care of you right from start and for what its worth, I think they've done a pretty good job," I couldn't help the small smile at the reminder of all my brothers have done for me, but in the end it only served to make my guilt grow a bit more, "As for your worth as a mate," As I finally looked up, Maxxor gave a knowing, yet playful grin, " I think that's up to her for decide, after all, she could've just came out with all this from the start or simply have Ulmar have the child terminated, but she didn't, now did she?"

Despite the growl that wanted to form in my throat at the idea of the little hobgoblin touching my mate and kitten, it paused at his words. It was true, Kaz could've just came out with it, knowing full well, not only would I react this way, but how the Underworlders would reacted and she could've just had Ulmar terminate and none of this would've happened, yet she didn't.

Giving a deep sigh, I looked back up at the Overworlder Lord, "I'm still not convinced I'm not at fault," He nodded at my words, "But I'm pretty sure Von Bloot's counting on it, so I'm willing to try and get over it."

Maxxor smiled at this, "That's the spirit!" he slapped me hard in the shoulder, making me wince and stumble slightly forward from the force.

I smiled as well all the same though, genuinely grateful for his words, before deciding to change the topic, trying to retain my usual grin as I ask, "So, how'd the meeting go?"

Maxxor chuckled in response, "It was certainly...educational...I knew you humans were diverse and unique but...I never imagined it to be this!"

I just grinned with barely contained mirth, oh Maxxor of only you knew. " I'm not so surprised, I'm guessing CJ explained Metas."

He nodded, "I take you're a Feral..."

"Uh...no, I'm not a Meta," I grinned enjoying his surprised, yet confused expression, "I'm a Neko-Jin; a human that can take on four different forms: perfectly human, partly feline, anthro or beast. What you saw before was anthro, almost full cat, but still human in shape and this now," I motioned to my ears, "Is partly feline. My family comes from an ancient village where hundreds of different Nekos lived in peace; lions, pumas, tigers, bobcats, panthers, even normal house cats."

I fell silent as I remembered the horror story my brothers could still recall so vividly that it haunted their nights to this day despite it being years ago. The night my parents were taken.

Maxxor seemed to sense the effects the topic had on me and decided to change it for now, "Your...spirit friend...has devised a plan to save Sarah and Wamma."

It took me a moment for me to realize he was talking about Peyton and now that thought on it, Peyton being a ghost explain so much in many regards. I couldn't help the rueful grin that took my face as I commented, "You know...that would explain why he always smelled like sulphur and a rotting carcass all the time," Maxxor looked at me with a mild expression of surprise before catching on to my joke and we both broke into wild laughter, it took me a moment to calm down enough to ask, "W-What plan though?"

"Since Von Bloot is most likely prepared for Mipedian invisibility, Peyton brought up that he probably won't be prepared for his," Maxxor replied making me blink, that actually was a really valid point, "So he proposed to provide a distraction so a select group of Mipedians could sneak around and free Sarah and Wamma upon finding them.'

I looked at him in alarm, "By himself?"

"Is there a problem?" Maxxor asked curiously, eyebrow arching. "Peyton might be a ghost, but not even ghosts are invincible!" I replied fear of losing even more friends rearing its ugly head, "Call it paranoid, but I'd feel a lot more better if he wasn't doing this alone."

Maxxor just chuckled, "I don't find it as paranoia, in fact, I find it touching how concerned you are for your friend."

I smiled sheepishly in response, rubbing the back of my head out of habit. He paused and a thoughtful look crossed his face causing me to pause when I was about to take off to find Peyton, curious to what might be on the Overworld Leader's mind for him to be so deep in thought, but what really caught my attention aside from the far-away look in Maxxor's eyes were...how...pained, yet hopeful they looked as if he were pondering a possibility of some sort that he wasn't sure he should share.

Now, it was my turn to raise an eyebrow in curiosity as I spoke up, "Was...there anything else you wanted to talk about?"

This seemed to snapped the leader out of his thoughts with a light shake of his head. "No, no; if you think you should offer your friend any advice, go right ahead," He assured moving aside to let me go, "I believe he said he was going to visit Kaz." I didn't bother to hide my wince at this information, but sighed, knowing that even if I did catch him leaving her room, I'll have to confront her sooner or later.

I nodded hoping I didn't look as nervous as I looked and started off, I was just about to turn the corner when Maxxor suddenly called out, "Oh and Tom," I turned my head to look at him, "Mind sending Peyton over when you find him...I have something to ask of him." I quirked an eyebrow at that, wondering what Maxxor could possibly want Peyton for, but shrugged and nodded to show I would when I did catch the spirit and headed off.

I couldn't stop another sigh from escaping as my heart thundered in my chest. How was I going to speak with Kaz normally again after all this?

0000000000000 (Maxxor's room, no one's POV) 0000000000000

Once Tom was out of sight, Maxxor let out a long-winded, yet downtrodden sigh, briefly running a hand through his bangs. Did it ever take so much nerve to ask to speak with the odd-ball of a human-now-known-as-a-spirit, but he knew when a chance was more or less dropped in his lap when he saw one and this was one he couldn't dare pass up, no this time. He didn't know when another would arise nor if he could stand the wait.

Walking into the room provided to him by Chaor, Maxxor took a long moment to just simply gaze at the generously spacious fur-covered bed, which was more suitable for a couple than a single person and, for a moment, he could almost picture her laying on it, maybe reading a book or simply napping, waiting patiently as she had always had for him to return from his duties like when they had been young. He could still remember her bubbly, bell-like laughter whenever he would say something particularly funny within the privacy of their secret bond, her sweet smile that had always been reserved just for him, ready to over comfort whenever he was upset or stressed with a wise word or two. Even after all these solhans, his hands still itched to run themselves through her beautiful, lushious, silky, full-length hair just to feel how soft it was again.

He let out another, more shuttering and more depressed, more remorseful sigh, trying to repress the tears that were stinging his eyes, threatening to fall. All those solhans alone...had truly taken their toll on him...and so did his guilt. It was why he had been as sympathic to Tom's current situation as he had. Not because he had come to see the boy as a son (which actually was a small part to the reason), but because he truly understood and to a point, related to how the boy must've felt. He actually found it rather funny secretly deep down, how a pair that reminded him so painfully much of himself and her had been torn and bruised by that merciless harpy like they had, made him wonder what they, more particularly he himself, had done to both the Cothica and Fate to deserve these series of unfortunate events.

He shook himself (figuratively and literally) out of his recollections. If he was right and he so hoped he was this time, he could finally quell his guilt and then maybe properly help Tom with his own. And maybe...finally get to see...her again.

He approached the crystal-based dresser and pulled it open to shift retrieve the one belonging he had actually brought with him. It was the one thing he rarely left Kiru without anymore; it was an ornate, dark wood box that was of a considerably small size, not medium, but not impossibly small to be drawfed by one hand, one could mistake it for an antique jewelry or music box, especially with its beautiful gold-colored leaf and vine designs along the edges, but in the center of its delicate lid was a beautiful master-piece of an elegant gem, carefully painted to capture every cut and edge perfectly and was a soft ocean blue in color.

But when Maxxor opened it, there was nothing inside save the indigo velvet cushioning that had been fashioned in when the box was made. The only evidence that anything had been there at all was the lightly, almost invisible outline of a ovalish-tear-like shape, signifying that it had been a jewelry box at one point. But whatever it had contain, whatever Maxxor had treasured, was gone.

Maxxor once again let out a sigh, more sorrow-filled and guilt-ridened then the last as his eyes once again welled shut to prevent tears:

(Song of Flashback)

It was raining, a soft rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance, which was almost drowned out, both by his own beating heart, but he could faintly hear a voice, "...xor...hel...!" It was a female and it was pleading, heart-breakingly so, "Maxxor!"

Panting as he looked in her direction, he could just barely make her out against the pelting rain, which was falling in relentless sheets all around, making her radiant blue dress and beautifully long, dark hair almost impossible to see...had it not been for the brilliant and dreadfully familiar purplish-blue light shrouding her as she desperately clung to the stone ledge above him. It was thanks to this light that he could see her face perfectly and it would forever haunt him: large, beautiful dark brown eyes were watered with tears as she stared at him pleadingly. Wing beats soon reached his ears, making him turn to see a winged figure, who was almost invisible against the dark sky and endless rain, but a similar blue glow coming from the object in the figure's hand made its reddish-orange eyes and large wings more noticeable.

A quick look down revealed that his treasure was gone...but that meant...

Another scream had him looking up to see her vanishing in swirls of sparkling blue, reaching out for him in vain, eyes wide with terror and hurt as she floated towards the figure as the object's light shone brighter and brighter. All that kept repeating itself in his head was 'no, no, no, no...' until it was ringing throughout the area over the rain and wind, "NOOOO!"

(Song of Flashback)

Maxxor shook his head as he quickly closed the box, his heart breaking with the memory. It had been the last time he had seen her; his best friend, his companion since childhood, his everything. Many would think such titles would belong to Intress, but that wasn't the case. While he and Intress were amazing partners in combat and had taken a partnership in a sort of mentor-ship and parenting towards Tom and was also an amazing confident, she was no where near that special place in his heart that was currently aching from loneliness. No, that place had been taken before he ever met the warrior cat.

Funnily enough, these were the same things that prevented him from getting close to Tom in the beginning. When he had first laid eyes on the young teen, he could've sworn everything had frozen as if he had been hit by a Rust Toxic. That black hair, those brilliant eyes, they were all painfully a lot like her and his personality hadn't helped at all. It was if he had been looking at her son, despite how he knew it was a ridiculous theory.

Letting yet another shuddering sigh, he gently set the box back down, but let one hand linger on the lid, running his fingers softly across the gem-like picture. He had waited this long, he reminded himself, he could wait another day or so.

"Soon, mi amor," He whispered all his hope and longing finally bubbling forth, "I promise...soon..."

(Gothos Tower, still no one's POV)

Von Bloot let out a dark chuckle as he walked back to his private quarters. This new experiment was proving more entertaining than the last, even if the blonde female was much louder and more resistant than that infuriating, red-haired pet of Chaor's, he personally found that it only added to the fun. The wimpy Danian proved to be...much more rough than Maxxor's bumbling, annoying cat-boy and also more talkative, but who was he to judge? After all, most of his plotting was done out loud, even if there was no one else in the room, besides, his own mating tended to get...quite physical and vocal, even if was taking a while for his own 'mate' to adjust to her new living arrangements.

He had waited far too long for the perfect chance to make another strike and when Klay had suggested those annoying pests that kept getting in his way, he just couldn't pass it up. Deep down, he almost wished he didn't have to kill their offspring, but he hadn't counted on these annoying little secrets the humans had been keeping, much less the power the humans contained themselves. There was little doubt that this offspring would grow to be quite the formidable force with training, shame he had to kill it once born, ah well, he could have them produce more later on.

He couldn't stop the grin from stretching across his face as he closed the door behind him, eyes trained to the figure lying prone to his every whim on the bed. Wrists red and tender from being bound to the headboard for so long, he really needed to remember to change the restraints, all form of clothing was long discarded, since he had lost his patience with them, leaving her only form of decency being a blanket placed over her. Yet, even that couldn't hid the many bruises and barely healed scratches that littered her pale skin, which had once been flawless nor her slowly growing belly.

He really needed to thank Krystella. After all, if she hadn't been so loyally staying put in the tower's lab, this little beauty wouldn't have come looking for her and into his waiting claws.

Von Bloot couldn't stop the grin from forming on his face as her face contorted with pained-misery upon noticing him. "I see someone's decided to be more...complying," He smirked down at her, enjoying her flinch as he stood next to her, yet there was no persistent struggle as he climbed so he was on top of her.

Jyacella could only let out a small whimper as her 'mate's' dark feathered wings fell over like a curtain, blocking out the rest of the room from her view as he, without warning ripped away the blanket, leaving her modest D-cups exposed, still bruised and swollen from their last...endeavor. But Von Bloot was put off by these blemishes, in fact, they only spurred him on as he leaned down, deliberately running his cold tongue across the generously-sized flesh hungrily, savoring her shiver. The blonde let out a soft sob both too afraid for both herself and her twin, and too sore from the past 'couplings' to put up protests as his furred loincloth fell away.

"I'll take the mugic worked," Von Bloot said more directly using a clawed hand to make her look at him. Jyacella nodded, "Everyone human that's ever h-had a code is now trapped in Chaotic...just like you planned."

The poor blonde shook as Von Bloot gave her a wide, toothy, manical grin in response, "Perfect."

From a nightstand, a tear-drop shaped blue crystal laid among the clutter, shimmering as the face of a human girl appeared, concern on her face. She winced as Jyacella let out a strangled mix of both a moan and a whimper as Von Bloot entered her with little resistance. Unable to watch, the girl covered her eyes in misery as she faded away, praying her love will find her soon and hopefully save this poor girl from the monster as well.

And I'm done! So sorry if this wait took too long, its been one hell of a year. If anyone's questioning the lack of graphics, I couldn't stop blushing over the first chapter and I'm easing myself back into it. Hopefully, this will make up for the time-spent. Please review and tell me what you all think!

Oh and next chapter is Reggie and Co dedicated, just for a little spoiler! Till the next one!