~Chapter 11: Dead Ends

Darren fingered the pine green tie, twirling it around his finger. He frowned s he groaned. Miki popped her head around the corner of where he was standing, a hidden corner. Her normally crazy bangs were being held back by a black headband. She asked," What's wrong, bud?"

He groaned again as he explained, "I hate suits."

Miki stepped into the open, a midnight dress on her. She grinned, "I'm not too fond of dresses so we can both suffer!"

Darren grinned a little but it didn't help his somber mood. The death of Deadlox was just two days ago and they were holding a funeral already for the benefit of the Sky Army and the Dead Army. Sky wouldn't wait for anyone except Jason who had zipped there with a jetpack, leaving one of his Stars in command of his ship. Chim, Caveman, Ant, and Kermit were too far away.

Miki grabbed his hand, pulling him into the hallway where Annie was waiting, in similar attire to Miki, her dress being beige. Annie started to walk ahead, her two companions speed-walking behind.

Not far up the hallway was Jason, still in his bright blue spacesuit for he was unable to change it to a somber color. He leaned on the wall but moved his head when he saw the three approaching. He greeted them, "Hello!"

The three gave him the same courtesy and he commented, "Nice suit.", to Darren.

Darren scowled, and tugged on his kerchief, a habit of his. He shrugged, "I guess so. Nice suit too?"

Jason chuckled but swallowed, stopping them abruptly. He murmured, "Doesn't feel right to laugh at anything."

Annie spoke, "I'm sorry, Jason."

Jason looked at her and said, "It's not your fault the squids attacked the Dragonsong. Not your fault a squid got Deadlox."

Annie shrugged, "It felt right to say something."

Jason murmured, "It's Sky who needs consolation. Just being around him yesterday. He's seems down for sure. He's REALLY down though. I feel he feels guilty for Deadlox's death."

Miki exclaimed, "It was the squid though!"

Jason mused, "Not that he killed Deadlox but he let him die."

The room became eerily quiet as the recruits shut up. Miki's only response was, "Oh."

Jason looked at the floor, deep purple carpet covering it. He finally said, "I hope Sky gets over it. Not Deadlox's death for I'm sure that's something he'll NEVER get over. It's the guilt. It's not his fault nor anybody but the squids."

Darren asked coolly,"What do you think with happen with Sky?"

Jason almost laughed as he responded, "Well the squids may be facing extinction. He'll command his army, and himself, to kill every squid he sees. Anything to protect his friends. Despite his cheerful demeanor most of the time, when things get bad he responds with a vengeance."

The three recruits nodded, showing their understanding. Jason straightened up and said, "I'm gonna go to the main room for the service will start soon and Sky wants me to say something."

The three recruits followed him to the main room. Many of the recruits were there, obviously nervous or lamenting or both. Miki led her friends to a row, in the middle, right beside Night and Flame. Night said, "Hi, guys." to the them. Darren paid no heed, his eyes fixed on the front of the room. Annie waved and Miki nodded. Flame, like Darren was watching the front of the room intently. Miki asked Night, "Where's some of our recruits that I know?"

Night scanned the room and reported, "Ryan and Reece are up front with Dimitri right near them. The Bain guy and his group is on the other side of the room."

Miki nodded. The whole room fell into silence when Jason and Sky entered. Sky stepped up to the microphone and in a raspy voice, said, "Jason will say something then I will."

He stepped back, his hand lightly tracing a line on the casket. Jason stepped up to the microphone and said into it, "I don't know what to say. My mind's jumbled up but I'll try."

"We three have always been the core of the group of Sky's allies. Others came later like Kermit. We have been the closest a trio of friends can be. We would parkour and the same thing would happen. Something petty would happen and it would be World War between Sky and Deadlox. I would have to be the peacekeeper. No matter how many times they "killed" each other in these games they were still friends. Rivals too. I don't know if Sky remembers but there was this parkour lesson map which Deadlox ended up exploding. That was Deadlox. Calm at times but mischeivous at others but always a genuine friend."

Jason stepped away from the microphone. Sky took his place and started his speech," Jason said a lot of it for me. Deadlox was my rival but we were always friends, even if he beat me down with an enchanted snowball. Though thick and thin we were there for each other. I feel...I mean...that no matter where he is he sees us and is glad."

He stepped way from the microphone, looking at it as if it was his enemy. With a loud pop the attention was directed to someone who had literally teleported in. He was ordinary-looking with ordinary brown hair and ordinary garb which was a teal shirt and purplish pants. He wasn't ordinary. His glowing white eyes said as much.