_Chapter 7 1/2: Meanwhile Pt. 1…_

Location: Planet Kerwan

The Teams: Team Chaotix and Team Egg

Sub-location: Planetary Defense Center

Vector and Eggman were in a back room playing a game of slapjack. Then, out of pure annoyance, Eggman turned around to see Quark doing a strange type of dance. "What on Mobius is he doing?"

"I have no earthly idea," Vector replied. "My guess is that he's doing a little happy-dance."

"Um, guys," Quark said hesitantly, stopping his dance of victory. "I don't think you all will be able to stay here. It's gonna be a tight squeeze."

Eggman smiled and spoke smugly, "We know. So we set up our own base." He pointed out the window. "Take a look."

Quark looked out the window, but could not believe his eyes when he saw a giant ship, which had an uncanny resemblance to Eggman, chained to the ground. "Holy-" Quark began.

"Yes. Magnificent isn't it?" Eggman asked. "Quark, I introduce you to the Death Egg."

Ratchet and Mariah

Sub-location: Vanilla's house

Vanilla knocked on Ratchet's door while she balanced a wooden tray with soup in her arms. "Ratchet?" She opened the door to see two specific Lombaxes snuggling together on the bed. "Am I…interrupting?" The rabbit asked as the two of them turned their heads sharply towards her.

"No, of course not, not at all!" Ratchet said a little too quickly.

"Uh huh…" Vanilla mumbled to herself. "I brought you some soup, in case you were hungry."

"Thanks," Ratchet said quietly. "I'll probably get to it in a little while."

"You'll get to it now, Ratchet," Mariah said, not with force, but a mock mothering tone. The golden Lombax smiled.

"Mariah?" Vanilla asked. "May I speak to you outside for a moment?"

"Sure," she said, getting up. When she was at the door, she turned back around to look at Ratchet, and, pointing at him, said, "Eat your soup." Then she exited the room and closed the door behind her. "Is something the matter, Vanilla?"

"Mariah…"

"Yes?"

"You love him, don't you?" Vanilla said bluntly. Mariah's ears shot up in surprise at the question.

"Of course I do," Mariah said. "Why, by Orvus' name, would you ask such a thing?"

"I think there is something you need to see," Vanilla said. "Follow me." Mariah followed Vanilla into the living room, curious as usual. Then Vanilla did something strange. She picked up the television remote and pressed the power button, but she was facing the wall opposite the TV.

Mariah stared in shock as a violet colored hole appeared in the wall. "What is it this time, Vanilla?" a voice said suddenly.

Vanilla answered humbly. "Someone is here to see you."

A figure materialized just beyond the portal's entrance. "This had better be good," it said.

Mariah stared in awe at the figure. "Uh…Vanilla…" she said warily.

The creature looked down at Mariah with a slight look of surprise. "Mariah? Is that…you?"

Mariah's ears shot up even higher as he said her name as though he knew her. Not taking her eyes off of him she said anxiously, "Vanilla, how does that thing know my name?"

The figure answered for the rabbit. "It is simple, Mariah. I raised you."

Mariah was obviously baffled. "That's impossible! I was trained as an assassin for a year, and then wandered on my own. You couldn't have."

To Mariah, the figure seemed to be smiling. "At what time did you become an assassin?"

Mariah answered him with caution, not sure if she could trust this strange man. "I was four when I was trained. After my father was killed by a group of slave traders."

"And who taught you the Creed? The ways of an assassin?"

The questions made Mariah suspicious, but this man demanded answers. "My Mentor was Master Ephisus."

"Ah, Master Ephisus," the man sighed. " I knew him quite well. I should have. After all, I was Ephisus."

Mariah looked at him in confusion. "That-That's not possible!" She turned her head away from him, letting her ears fall as she spoke close to a whisper. "I-I killed him."

"It is impossible to kill a time eater, Saran, Marie," he spoke with a change in voice that was all too familiar to Mariah. Mariah gasped and looked up sharply when he said the familiar names, a term for 'apprentice' and her name before she had been trained. She took a good look at him, her ears perked high.

"Uh, what's going on?" Ratchet asked. Then he saw Time Eater. His eyes went wide with surprise. "Mariah…!" He said with alarm.

"Ratchet, get back in bed this instant!" Mariah exclaimed.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite Lombax who's tail I've had to save countless times!" Time Eater said sarcastically.

"What is he-What are you-What is he talking about?" Ratchet asked with a panicked suspicion.

"I'll explain another time," Time Eater said. "Right now, though, I am surprised how well you can walk with that 'broken leg' of yours." Ratchet looked down at his supposedly broken leg, amazed that he didn't feel any pain and didn't need a support.

"Interesting…" the Lombax mused while Mariah started moving towards the kitchen.

"Vanilla? Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Vanilla grinned mischievously at Time Eater's question.

"Yes, yes I am." Without another word, she walked over to Ratchet and unwrapped his leg.

"It wasn't broken in the first place?" Ratchet asked. Then his ears shot up in realization. "Then that means…if…she…" He looked towards the kitchen and yelled, "Mariah!"

Well, she's in trouble.

Laters!