Suki ran through the halls of the ship. She had found her uniform and slipped it on extremely quickly. Lucky to find the Dream Crown part was still in there.

Sheesh. . I can't believe how close I cut it! She thought as everything could have come crumbling down. I'll deal with this Dream Crown piece stuff later, right now, I need to help my allies! She reminded herself of Maugus's trickery.

As the hall doors opened up and Suki dashed outside. She saw just how hot things had gotten. Never again would she see what she was seeing now again in her life. The clouds, they were dark, the storm, it was circling, and black merge. . . that strange. . . round spot in the waters where it was always black. . . It had transformed into a giant whirlpool!

Suki saw the Valatise ships circling around the vortex with no trouble staying away. But it was how deep the vortex had gotten that amazed Suki. It was like the water just suddenly made a vertical drop! And the ocean bed could be seen with her bare eyes. Broken ships of old were placed within the center, and ghostly, black, electronic tentacles were reaching from the sides. Some sort of a black ghostly illusion with a single eye was floating in the center of it all. Fixated on the ocean floor. He was receiving fire, whist sending out his own dark blasts to retaliate. These traveled upward from the center of the pit and struck the ocean surface- or a friendly ship. Suki was shocked by what she saw.

Soon a giant moan echoed across the skies. In a moments notice, a faint, ghostlike single eyed robot in dark robes began hovering around. The ghost of black merge. . . was.. . . a droid?!

"What's happening!?" She wailed as she leaned over the edge of the guard rails and tried to get a better look. Immediately, Suki noticed a glasses wearing white dog nearby. Writing stuff down on a sketchbook, and constantly looking back upon the flying spirit.

"I don't know!" He exclaimed, with an adjustment of his lenses in hopes of setting things straight. "I've just begun to analyse his character. Nothing seems to work on him. It's a spirit only by extension, not by mass! We need to take on the source! Or find the dream crown part and get out of here. . . . quick!"

"Okay, I think I have a plan. Is Jake's division ready? Cuase if he is I know he has-" Suki was interrupted as a large, black chaos spear struck the waters around them. As Suki lost her balance and struck against the railings to the ship, suddenly, she saw the answer to her question.

Jake, and several others on his crew where riding extreme gear down the whirlpool in a giant circle to the center. That's where the dream crown piece was! Or so Suki thought she felt.

"Ugh! They've started without me!" Suki turned around and ran off. She knew that there was a pair of extreme gear around here somewhere.

"Aha!"

Moments later, Suki had found her device and was moving with the rythmn. Throwing the board down onto the water and using her psychokinesis to speed things up a bit.

If I time it right, I can jump right down there, and glide to catch up with the rest of them. They aren't too far down yet! Suki thought as she began approaching the center of the pool.

Out of the water, two black tentacles came up and attempted to slash her. Thankfully, the extreme gear had far to much mobility to it, and the attacks were of no use. She made it too the edge of the whirlpool in no time. And with a little bit of courage, made a great jump, flying toward the center.

"Hey!" One of the birds coming up behind Jake yelled. "We've got company!"

"Huh?" Jake looked back as if he were ready for some kind of a vicarious attack. But it turned out that it was only Suki. Jake lowered his eyebrows a little bit at such an idea. Really? They didn't need her. . . .

"Need some help?" Suki offered enthusiastically as she came up alongside him. Jake was used to Suki doing odd things from time to time, though she usually was pretty level headed.

"Naw, but if you insist." He shrugged with a half frown-smile on his beak. Suki smirked at this comment. Ticking of Jake was a little bit of fun- so long it didn't go too far.

"Great!" Suki exclaimed in expression. But deep down in her heart, her conscious was telling her to be wary.

Jake came from Artohna after all. You need to be extra careful around him, not telling what he might do.

But even with these facts, Suki felt like she was betraying someone who cared about her. Sure, Jake acted nothing special toward her, and they didn't know eachother too well, but even so. He really didn't come across as a guy to just go with religious ideas and try to assassinate her.

Better watch her back. . .

"See the sand at the bottom? This mecha has sustained itself at the bottom of the seas for ages. He has a lot of power, and for a long time people thought he was just an ordinary mega squid. He likely has the dream crown part inside a containment unit. Do you sense it?" Jake asked urgently. Suki concentrated- finding the signals she was looking for.

"Yes!" Suki exclaimed. "He has it. . . in his belly! What's your plan?"

"We get down there and take him out together."

"I'll go ahead and start then. That way you can follow my lead." Suki asserted.

"No, that won't be nece-" Jake could not complete his phrase before Suki had left.

. . . .

"Dang, I hate it when she does that!" He complained. His board wasn't even as good as hers, and she was supposed to be the support unit! "Everyone, keep close and get ready to increase the intensity!" Jake pushed down on the throttle even more so that before. He wasn't going as fast as Suki, but if Suki felt like she could faster at a safe pace, then so could he!

Suki shot down the watery hole followed by Jake and his men shortly behind. Quickly tentacles came out of the sides and attempted to smash all of the brave seekers to the crown. Suki made wide curves to avoid such that follows, though Jake and his men had a hard time keeping up.

*Slaaashh* A black, ghost's tentacle came out underneath one bird and knocked him off his board. The tentacle then shot laser blasts form it's three fingered, cybernetic arms. This attack disrupted a second trooper, making him swerve back and forth- and struggling to not lose control. "AAAHHHHH" he screamed as he fell into the bottom below. Even rocks were shot out of the waves in an attempt to end everything Jake worked for.

One more would fall of his board before the group would receive some respite. Jake cringed at the thought of losing more guys under his name.

"Status report, everyone!" Jake commanded.

"No damage sustained!" All the troops answered at once.

"Sir, we can pick up those knocked off at the bottom!" Jake's captain filling in for Kire reminded.

"Good thinking Mace." Jake complimented. "So long we don't run out of space on the intact boards!"

"Look, Suki's almost there!" A black cat commented. Jake looked down below, and saw Just how far Suki had gotten ahead of them.

Dang it! If she get's down there to the dream crown part first. . . !

. . .

"Almost there!" Suki verbalized as more and more junk flew out of the sides of the water. She jumped over several of the smaller rocks with peaked beyond the water's surface.

"Who are you?" A deep voice infiltrated Suki's mind as if from above.

"Huh?" She stuttered before violently shaking her head back and forth snap out of it. A large ancient, wooden ship began to pop out of the water and block Suki's way! But with careful aim and a capturing eye, Suki jumped and flew though the boat's window popping out the other side.

"Why are you here?" A deep voice omitted as Suki tried to comprehend just who it was that was speaking to her.

Maugus?

"Ha ha ha. Step aside Child." Maugus beam as he appeared next to Suki on his own obsidian lava board of sorts.

"MAUGUS!" Suki screamed. "HOW DID YOU GET HERE?!"

"Ha ha ha. You'll never know. I'll take over from here now." Maugus stated as he attempted to rush by Suki. But by managing her board, Suki kept the demon from passing her. She very much had some questions to be asking him right about now.

"YOU TRIED TO KILL ME!" She exclaimed in this. .. horribly angry mentality. Magus merely chuckled as Suki stumbled and filtered through her thoughts. Looking for a good response.

". . . .TWICE!" She added with enthusiastic effect. Maugus returned a funny look.

"What are you talking about?" He asked in a surprised fashion. And for a moment, Suki nearly believed him.

"wha- OH NO YOU DON'T! I know everything about you! I see what you're up too!"

"Do, tell!" Maugus's groggy voice added. "You're a fool for taking action without knowledge!"

"Mhhhff!" Suki rammed her board into the side of Maugus's as he tried to pass her.

"Watch yourself!" Maugus warned- as he crashed into a rock. He had payed too much attention to Suki's bickering.

"I. . . . I. . . . . I. . . . . . Seee the one. . . " A broken robotic voice echoed as Suki came closer and closer and closer to the bottom of the waters. Soon she would be able to jump off without receiving any harm from the fall. And her hoverboard could do the rest. But the strange interruption was freaking her out. She was losing her concentration!

"Whhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyy do youuuuuuuuuu come heeeeerrrreeeee?" The voice carried up and down.

Suki looked up and saw the long, black ghost coming from atop the vortex down to mingle with them. It was the black monster of Black Merge. A mechanical being filled with malice toward anyone who came to his waters. He voice was even more echoing than Maugus's. but he almost sounded hurt. As if he yearned for someone.

"Why does it matter to you?" Suki yelled back up for no particular reason. The being's answer surprised her. What he meant she just couldn't catch.

"I. . . . waaaaannttt to rescuuuuueeeee youuuuuuuu."

"What do you mean? I'm not going to listen to you attacking me!" Suki exclaimed.

"Nooooooooo." The voice shot back in confusion. "L-L-L-l-eeee-t-t-t me he-heelllllppp youuuuuu!"

Suddenly, some lava blasts shot in front of her. But this was not from the strange mechanical mass Suki was making out at the bottom of the pit. These shots came from behind.

"Keep on top of her. . . " A familiar voice Suki heard from behind. A quick glance revealed Jake's "Mr. Staff of laughs" Aguast, the deceiver, and second hand man of Maugus. Coming up behind with his own set of troops just like Jake's.

"No need to be that friendly!" Suki teased as she swerved left and right to avoid getting hit.

Suki heard a lava laser go off from one of the ghost echidna's hands, but she didn't see it go past her. Instead, she heard someone from behind yelling "AUUUHHH" As he was struck by it. Looking back, Suki saw that they had hit one of their own allies.

"Idiot!" Aguast yelled. "Strike the enemy target!"

But Suki wouldn't give them a chance. She lept off the water and hovered down in the sandy floor at the bottom. Using her psychokinesis to help her the rest of the way. Meanwhile back up. Jake wasn't having any luck. Half his guys had been knocked out and he was still quite a ways from the bottom.

Where's Kire when I need him? He muttered as more obstacles ripped themselves up in front of him. But he couldn't help but notice that everything was calming down. It seemed this black ghost wasn't worried about him anymore, but rather of those who were farther down.

Take that last part back.

Jake screeched and pulled hard right as a huge rock placed itself in his way. Everyone else did the same, and it became apparent that the black ghost was nowhere near finished with him. The screams of plunging allies who were not so crafty fell hard upon Jake's ears.

I can't. . . Dang it!

"Step aside." A robotic voice ordered as he sped on by Jake and his other comrades on this mission. It was Aranoid MK III. The new Aurabot series android with lighter, and faster equipment. He streamed past Jake on his own custom Extreme Gear board and let the water rip. Down he cruised even faster than Suki had done so before. Not even caring to make sure that Jake and the others were alright.

"Well, it's nice to know that Narabot's replacement will be so considerate." Jake remarked sarcastically.

At the center of the whirlpool, hovering across Somewhat wet sand. Suki planned her strategy to fight the monster which had haunted so many people out at sea. The ghost of black merge, the more that Suki came closer, she understood what he was.

- beggining of construction.

He was a huge, mechanical mass of sorts combined with the aura of a black ghost of some sort. It was confusing. Suki didn't understand how a ghost could be something mechanical, but his abilities mirrored those of other confirmed supernatural enemies she had faced. What he said made the least sense of all. Perhaps it was just the embodiment of chaos in a mechanical form.

"W-why do you c-come to me kee-eeeeper?" The mech asks.

Keeper. . . why. . .who. . . said that. . . . Suki was pulled into a flashback. Yes indeed, someone else had used that term before.

Keeper! Maugus's voice came to life inside her mind.

Keeper. . . why. . . would I be. . . . a. . . .

"You want. . . want. . . want my trinket?" The robot asked Suki in a fearful fashion. "I . . . . know why you want it! I can't g-give this too you! It's mine!" The robot continued. "If you just like to take things. . . then try and take it away!"

"Okay. . . " Suki answered. "If you won't give back what you took long ago, then it's your choice."

"EE-AAAAA-OOOOO!" The robot screamed as several projectiles came down from his siege. Strikes of purple lightning hit the ground and large energy spheres came from the beings palms. Suki dodged several of these projectiles as they came her way. Aguast on the other hand was receiving no special treatment. With a motion in his hands, the Ghost of Black Merge lifted all of his allies up and threw them into the waters- and for the first time, Suki realized that the water in the vortex was spinning upwards! In a circle, the soldiers flew up the canvas and were launched out the top as if it were some kind of Tornado! But Aguast? He should have been grabbed too, but somehow he disappeared when the Ghost had tried.

"Free- me!" The mecha stated puzzledly as he smashed his giant arms down at both Suki and an incoming Aguast, who had now averted his attention to stealing the crown's white piece.

"Catch me." Aguast tried back in half stale manner. The Ghost attempted several times with no success. Aguast warping away each time.

"You're not very good at catching me. . . "

"Err-ror!" The ghost bellowed as he grabbed a HUGE rock and tossed it the echidna's way.

"I don't see why you think throwing something will get the job done. . ." Aguast mocked. "But either way. . . "

"I will prove myself superior to your means!" The mecha of Black Merge boasted. He was extremely alarmed now that Aguast had ticked him off. Suki wasn't appreciating the fact either, but she did like that they were focusing on the same enemy.

I can see the dream crown part right there! Suki thought. Looking at a purple, spherical container with the glowing white spectacle inside. If I could just get it open, then I could grab it from it's place of safe keeping! She immediately began thinking of strategies that might be used. Jake's, or a standard issue bowan might do the job.

But To Suki's surprise, such a strategy wasn't even needed. Aguast had already leaped to the robot's top and warped from side to side. Getting the mecha to attack himself. When that didn't work, with a summon of his staff- Aguast stabbed the containment field and let loose the particle. With a subtle and elegant leap. He obtained part of the crown. And surely- he began his escape.

"Come back Keeper!" The cloaked being charged. "PUT IT DOWN OR ELSE!"

"Alright. . . " Aguast stated in a falsely sad manner. He dropped it, but immediately scooped it up with his left hand while warping away.

Suddenly, Aranoid MK III came into play.

Speeding down on his skyboard, the droid when en route straight for August. Two blades extended from the sides of the board whilst he charged Aguast head on.

Aguast just stood there, as Aranoid MKIII rushed closer. The blade hit him, and cut him in half. However, it became a bit of a problem when Araniod realized that there were three of his perceived target.

"What's wrong?" All three copies spoke at once. "Did you miss my calling number?"

_Error. Araniod MK III thought seriously. _Heat sensors do not match visuals _Stable data applied _Heat vision highest priority.

"Whatever might be the problem? Do your sensors need playing with to find the proper adjustment?" Aguast used his heating power to make all three copies heat up at the same time. Aranoid was getting confused.

_Error! Araniod thought again. _Heat sensors inhibited. _Switching directive to dream crown sensitivities.

"Oh really. . . how. . quaint. Don't let me disturb you now." Aguast teased once again.

At this point Aranoid became confused. He was receiving two signals from different personal. One came from Suki- the dream crown piece she was hiding- and the other- from Aguast. Of which Araniod considered a priority. But still found it odd that a dream crown part be located all the way down here. Suki was not listed as a suspect, but a footnote in his data told him that Suki may give off false dream crown signals since she was an Eli. Ignoring this odd data. Araniod rebooted for Aguast's direction.

"Why do you try and face me? No one has escaped me!" The Ghost mecha of Black Merge wailed. The tips of his arms began charging up with purple energy. Suki had to shield herself the lightning came so fast. Lest she be knocked out by the electricity's incredible might.

"Fools, indeed." Aguast mellowed with delight as he approached the edge of the water. "I will enjoy not meeting any for a while. . . save the ones I work with." He reached for the water and began to step in. Knowing full well that it would take him up to where he needed to go.

"HAAAAAAAAUUUHHHHH." Came a yell from above as Jake steered right for the warping staff holder.

"What the-"

Jake crashed into Aguast pinning him on the ground.

"Ha!" Jake laughed as he hoped off the board. Soon his allies also cam down. Assisting Jake in pinning down Mr. "Staff of Laughs"

"Give it here!" He demanded as he grasped the palm of Aguast's hand, hoping to force the piece loose.

"You have no idea how flatering it is to have this many people tackling me. . . " Aguast amused.

"Yeah, shut up." the named Macen demanded.

"Of course. . . " Aguast oddly respired. And with that, he opened up his hand, and ceased resisting Jake.

"Suki! Comon!" Jake demanded.

"I can't, I. . . I can't!" Suki was too close. She had to keep fighting the ghost of black merge lest she Suki wailed from afar. She was battling the Ghost and keeping him distracted.

*ugh* Jake looked up as if to say. "Why does this always have to happen?" Drawing his bowan, Jake pointed the blade toward the master eye of the device. Pressing a button, the blades on Jake's devise split into two parts and moved up and down. Creating an opening for a small barrel to pop out. Pulling the trigger, the bowan fired a small blast that briefly paralysed the monster in one accurate hit.

"NOW GET OVER HERE!" He yelled, as Suki saw her chance! Wiping some sweat away from her forehead. Suki asked a question "Can we get out of here now?!" Her voice carried over. Jake looked over at Macen, whom had ran over to the other injured troops, who fell to the bottom of this pit.

"Almost!" he called back. "Just let me tend to the wounded!" Jake slapped his bowan on his back and ran for the injured.

Suki felt a chill moved down her spine as she turned around and more of this strange story was revealed. For in the water, she saw a giant, shadowing squid. Just as from the legends ago. This legend though was only half correct. The squid was mechanical. Beaming a single eye at the mouth just like their presumed master- the Ghost of Black Merge!

"What are those things?!" Suki cried.

"Later Suki!" Jake stated more angerly than usual. Suki frowned, and started to run. It then occurred to her that she could be distracting the beast carefully from a distance while Jake loaded everyone on the boards. Grabing a rock, and giving an evil grin, Suki smashed it against his metal arm. The beast roared in ambition, nearly sounding pitiful. But Suki wouldn't hold back. Not if he was going to try and take out her friends!

"Okay, come on!" Jake yelled as everyone was finally loaded up. "We're going up!"

"Come with me" Aranoid MKIII spoke as he lifted Suki up from behind on his special floating board. It had far greater capabilities than Jake's and the others. Suki was greatly surprised by this action. As Araniod lifted her up in his arms, she couldn't help but think about Narabot who was just a little bit gentler. Maybe he had listened to her complaints in the past after all. Even though he claimed that speed in such situations were of the utmost importance.

You're not escaping with that!

"AAahhh!" Suki yelled as Aranoid pulled up. Maugus flew underneath the two in a missed attempt to grab ahold of the board. Shooting out of the water like a shark jumping at it's prey. For a moment, Suki felt like she was okay- till Maugus's stretchy hands extended upwards and grabbed the sides to Aranoid MKII's hoverboard!

"What are you doing?!" Suki wailed in suspense.

"It should be easy for you to guess. . . " Maugus laughed deeply. "Now I'm going to-"

"Blades eject!" Aranoid commanded. *shing* The sharp extension sound made Suki cling on her insides.

"NooooooO!" Maugus wailed as he lost his grip and fell to the ground below. The waters underneath slowly began to close up. Maugus was swallowed in a epic fashion as Suki made it above the sea level. Jake and the others had to ride the water upwards in an epic, and unstable fashion, nearly tossing everyone over. Finally, at the surface, the hole filled up and everyone made it back to their preferred boats. As Suki shoot up into the sky with Aranoid in an attempt to avoid being swallowed up in the closing water. She saw Omycid floating around in his own sky cavalry. Her eye's brightened up at the sight of seeing him back in the fight before she and the droid made it back to safety.

"We- we did it!" Suki exclaimed as Aranoid MKIII took her to the balcony of Michad's ship.

"Good job Suki" Michad cheered! "Quickly, take refuge inside the cabin! Go!" Michad grinned as he walked up to the tip of his ship and a turret of all things began to pop out of the center.

"Ha ha haaa ha ha ha!" Michad laughed maniacally as he hopped into the seat and gripped the controls far too enthusiastically. "Bye Bye!" He taunted as he let the bullets fly toward several of the black arms sticking out of the waters and his ships began to pull away.

"Sir! We see an unidentified cruiser at the wake on our scopes! Code identification unknown! It has an unidentified symbol on it's side, and it appears to have cannons on the deck. We don't know it's intentions. It appears to have been headed toward us for the last 15 minutes based on our calculations."

"Most interesting!" Michad stated. "I wonder what would bring others. . . . to. . . " Michad threw his top hat off and pulled down a pair off goggles.

". . . fight!" He finished as the machine gun fired even faster and harder.

The commander, stood there for a moment as if he was analyzing what Michad was saying. Pulling up his wrist communicator, the human (An uncommon sight in Michad's army.) proceeded to create contact with someone. Someone he knew well within the Latise.

"Commander Omycid." The man addressed respectfully. "We have retrieved the Dream Crown piece thanks to expo commander Jake. All boats are moving away from Black Merge. The monster won't follow us away from it's home. Readying the the landing pad for you."

The radio made some fuzzy static sounds as Omycid created a connect. "Roger that." his voice came over. "I'm on my way."

As the sky cavalry made it's way, Michad's aircraft carrier displayed it's helipad. The boats started to turn around an back off. Forgetting the battle which they had made here. Not much distance was required before the monster would give up. With the evening coming in. Michad felt like it was a good time to cool down. Preparing a great feast to return home too.

"Well, that was a wonderful raid!" He commented as him and Omycid were alone once again. "I suppose now is as good a time as ever to talk to Suki. Get it over with. . . eh?"

Omycid paused with a little bit of a sunken heart. "Of course." he answered, careful not to reveal any signs of not liking the idea.

"Very well then, do not worry, Omycid! Things will all go well." Michad dost comforted. But the man still had his feelings about the matter.

Back on Suki's end. Things were quite worth praising. She was happy to have a newfound success in reestablishing her faith in her allies. The way things were looking now, Suki even felt proud to be part of an organization such as this one. One so attentive on retrieving their ancient crown, and that looked to one another in protection, like Jake did. Even if there were traitors in their midst, Suki felt safe knowing Omycid were here, and Jake. Even Michad appeared much less weird than she saw before hand. Maybe she had looked at these things all wrong. Her suspicious silly and based on mere feelings which came from judging things she ought not judge.

The Latise may have been dark in the past, but just as Michad's voting point had said. It was time to move into a new era, and forget the rest. Perhaps things would go even better for her at this point. Now to deal with that missing Dream Crown piece she was holding.

Alone in her room and walking down the halls, Suki thought of addressing Chryssy, but things were far to heavy on her mind right now. Her friend was helpful, if not young, but she didn't want to admit to her that she had taken actions as rash as hiding their achieving artifact from them on account of suspicion. The dreams she used to have about Michad which ceased. . . the strange harbinger of a king hammering the pieces into a chain. Who's chain? Her own? Maybe she should best keep everything to herself after all. But Maugus. . .

Maugus!

Had he been manipulating her in these dreams as well? Sending her false ones that made her suspect her allies? Or what if. . . it was another.

Yes. Suki speculated. I heard another being speak to me before. He said something about. "Seeing everything." And how I would form my own chains. What would that have to do with the Dream Crown. Is this really something I want to see completed?

"Maybe you can take someone else's hand." A new voice offered in her head. Suki was taken aback, but suddenly, it all sounded familiar! Suki freaked out and clutched her head tightly. Yes, a flashback from earlier a few nights ago. Her dream! That voice. . . it was. . . a different one from Maugus's, but matched the one in which she could hear the chains still ringing in the background.

"Who are you?" Suki asked mentally in communication with this voice she had heard before. "And how do you and Maugus talk to me- you- you came to me in a dream even!"

"I need to make do with what I have, but you are in danger. Now may be your last chance to escape it all before. . . "

*bing*

Suki's door opened. It was Michad and a couple of soldiers.

What. . . what do I do? Who. . . why am I even trusting you?! Keeping an ear to Maugus and. . . another voice I don't even know? I. . .

"Ahhh, Suki! Well done, well done! Seeing you brings, more and more favor to my eyes!" Michad gratified in a harmonious tone. "We must speak about. . . things, now. . . . if you don't mind!" He smiled, taking off his top hat in respect. Placing it over his chest.

Suki stopped and stared at him. Shaking off the awkwardness, and blankly wondering if that odd comment on "favor of my eyes" mean anything. She quickly jumped into a more. . . presentable mode than a questionable one. A mindset of security, rather than of begging questions. It allowed her appear, at least, okay.

"So!" Michad continued. "Would you come with me to my private balcony! We have something very important to discuss."

Suki nearly blushed, she had a faint idea that Michad was. . . going to ask her. . . for something very deep. Almost. . . odd. Like he was going too. . . .

"Umm. . . " Suki's heart started to beat fast. "At least. . . we can think about it!" She smiled- feeling sickly awkward on the inside.

"Tis is all I ask." Michad tipped over in a graceful bow. Having completed his little show, Michad began walking off.

Oh my goodness. Suki wandered as she walked off behind him.

Him? Her? The last of the Eli? Wasn't it obvious? The idea made her want to puke. She. . . Suki didn't want to end up with Michad in some. . . marriage!

"Ah ha, watch your step as we come out to the deck." Michad stated as her and Suki walked out on the balcony. There was a small table set up with two candles and an empty plate. A chastise made of gold lighted the scene and several white cloaked. . . . priests walked in after her? Suki was frightened by the formalities of the occasion.

"So. . . . " Michad sat across the table from Suki. He took his hat off and placed it on a nearby table. "How do you like it? He smiled.

"Uh. . . it- It's okay. I guess." Suki was looking in any direction but directly at him. Realizing she was showing a lack of confidence, Suki forced herself to created eye contact. Michad glared at her dreamily. With nearly insincere eyes. Thoughts began to motion though his head. But it was futile.

Just as I had thought. Completely unacceptive. Michad mused, never averting his stare. Finally he snapped.

"Mh heh heh heh. Of course." Michad immediately got up and turned around. Facing away from Suki with that same wonderfully over confident smile upon his face.

The aspiring emperor walked up to a little stand and nodded toward an armed troop near a control panel. He pressed the button, and half- see-through drapes began to extend along the edges of the deck. Suki felt even more vulnerable as the feeling of openness completely left her. She was. . . . centered in this little. . . room! Well, it wasn't a real room, but the drapes certainly made it feel that way.

*Ahem* The grey fox began.

"Tonight, we are here to watch the appropriate openings of the Sages of Somnus.

Softly, Suki felt someone grab the wrists of her hands. She heard a *click* as something came across her wrists.

That was not good.

"As you all know. . . " Michad began. Suki started to panic. The doors opened up behind her. In walked Jake with two other captains. A White wolf, or dog, Suki wasn't certain. And a Monkey- who looked very professional in his standards. Talk about elegant. Suki wasn't sure what Jake was doing here, but it was. . . absolutely shocking.

"We have a very important ceremony to attend." Michad proclaimed. "We do this in secret to keep our enemies form knowing of our cause. I have gathered the loyal ones of our priesthood into this ceremony to overlook it, as only the most trustworthy of you have been chosen to know the day of white. It shall be stained with blood and the way to the sages opened. There, I take my place amongst their counsel, as we mark our passage way to wisdom, and make our eternal home amongst the stars!" Michad explained in a very important sounding voice.

"We all know why we're here, the only person who doesn't- can wait. Now, I hereby present to you- the completed picture. Jake! Bring me the final piece!"

Jake walked forward, giving Suki not even a glance. He knelt as he handed Michad the last part of the sacred crown. Making no movements outside of breathing, Jake seemed completely serious about the situation, and why he didn't do so much as to recognize her made little to no sense. Perhaps. . . . Suki began to wonder. . . He was about to do something very hard for him. And he wouldn't even look her in the face.

No. I'm not ready to die.

"Here. . . " Michad produced the rest of the pieces. Placing them on an alter behind him. The soldier behind Suki forced her to move forward on the ship. Coming in view of the full set up, Suki saw an artifact she knew little about. It was the alabaster stone. A completely square alter of sorts, merely noted for sacrifices of animals. Made to increase the Eli's power if, and when they needed it. Or something like that. Palely, Suki began to piece the situation together. "It shall be stained with blood and the way to the sages opened." Moved slowly through her mind.

No, not now. Not yet, please. . . Please. Someone. . . Somebody help me! Jake! Anyone!

"We take the life of one, knowing that another life is born tommorrow, that our power and life may continue in this great leige." Michad spoke. "For as the sun rises, and the moon doth set, so is life, so meaningless without ideology. We gratify the power of those who came before us, and pray they accept in the red atonage of one's blood!"

With this, Michad drew a sword. Suki was walked up to the alter as tears began to flood her eyes.

She had been used.

By everyone.

It all became apparent now.

This.

Was evil.

And she could do nothing.

For the truth?

It was hidden so well.

Or perhaps she didn't look for it hard enough.

Now, it would cost her everything. And Suki would pass on as another blotted out of history. She knew that those who wish to keep secrets need not write them down. She was done for. And everything would continue as if she had never existed.

This.

Was hopelessness.

In a single feeling.

In a single word.

Now.

She would die.

The rest of Michad's words were hard to make out. As Suki began crying, she was forced closer to the alter. No one cared for her. The rest of them looked upon this as if it were just business. She faintly noticed that Michad shouldn't have all the pieces by now, but apparently, he was keeping the true number of them a secret so he could throw everybody off. The real reason, Suki hardly wanted to know. All she knew was it was over. As Michad finished the last part of his speech he walked up to the weeping white hedgehog.

Not all endings are always happy.

As Michad stood on one side of the alter, and Suki hung there on the other, she really did feel helpless. Not a single word would utter from her throat as she knew they were beyond convincing. Her sobs were all but weak. Although quite, they carried the greatest sadness she had ever known. She was losing her family. Her false one. The one that wouldn't even be here to see her die. The father that likely set her up.

She had grown up being told that adoptive parents were something to be grateful for, but now they would be the ones who were greatful for her. She was a tool. Their's to use.

A single prayer left her heart that she might have something better than this.

Jake lunged at Michad and injected a needle into his backside. Suddenly, the deck threw itself into chaos. Suki heard the sounds of of the drapes removing themselves from the platform as a bird soldier smacked the button on the side of the ships cabin. Suddenly, a sniper shot took out one of the guards next to her. But this was no uprising.

Jake had only three people resisting with him. And it became apparent that this was an on the spot operation. Minus the sniper support. "Close the drapes!" She heard someone yell!" as the brave one who dropped them was punched- and worse. Michad on the other hand- was screaming.

"U-U-U-UuuuaaaaaAAHHHHHH!" He shrieked in pain as the needle emptied in his back side! He immediately turned back and threw Jake on the ground.

"THIS IS HOW YOU REPAYYYYYY MEEEE?!" He screamed as his entire body began shacking. Six enemies began to pin Jake on the ground. and wrestle him away. Michad's skin was changing from a nice grey to a pale green, even his eye balls were becoming a sickly cover, and his irises a deep red.

"I. . I. . . STAND BACK AND I WILL KILL HIM!" Michad demanded. Those who had pinned him down were shocked by these words but they obeyed. Jake struggled to stand up. Michad immediately grazed the side of Jake's head with his claws. The red liquid started to peel across the side of his face as Jake restood from his blow. Michad gave him a punch this time and tackled Jake on the floor. Once pinned on the ground. The two had a little "talk."

"WHY DO YOU TRY THIS EVIL THING WHEN I HAVE TREATED YOU LIKE ONE OF US!?" Michad bellowed gripping both of Jake's shoulders.

Jake just stared at him through the dark glasses built into his new helmet. He hardly breathed anymore than he had to. As Michad began to realize that Jake wasn't talking- A sniper bullet hit him in the back.

"Treason!" Suki heard one of the troops yell. As she looked to where the sniper shot had come from, she saw more chaos breaking out on another boat. It was. . . . well, Suki couldn't make out who was on that crow's nest. But several ships away, a rouge sniper had just hit Michad, and now everyone on the deck below was shooting up at him. The fire was to heavy for the rouge, so he leaped into the water. This rebellion being staged here was anything but large however. Already, of the three gaurds who had rebelled with Jake. They had all been subdued. Michad stood up- leaning over as if something terrible had happened within his back. A round of silence seemed to pass over the ship as Michad walked over to the completed crown.

Struggling to move his arms. Michad placed it upon his head. Turning back around to an arrested Jake, who was now being held up by two guards- Michad drew his sword.

"Bring him to the edge." He commanded. They did so. Bracing Jake up against the walls of the deck. The Drapes started to close again, this way everything might be kept a secret. After all, it was one of Jake's few allies who lowered the curtains in the first place. Just to expose what was going on and hope something might happen.

"You have performed something that is absolutely unforgivable! You disgrace me! For giving all this. . . to you!" Michad echoed. Jake still remained silent, not doing anything other than breathing.

"It will take much more than Nero poison to defeat me!" He yelled before laughing maniacally. "So. . . you think you can avert the future don't you? Well. . . you couldn't be more erranous with your reason!-"

"Shut up." Jake forced out.

Michad dropped his jaw at this comment. "What did you say?!" He asked.

No response came from Jake as Michad mused upon his expression. "Very well. . . he continued. "Perhaps a more. . . panicking death will be your way of escape. . . . Cuff his feet! Now!" The next thing Suki saw was a guard lean over and do just that. Jake tried to kick backwards, but it missed, and had no effect. The guard struggled but eventually found his mark. Michad then moved forward so that he met Jake directly face to face.

"You are a coward for not watching our rituals take place." Michad whispered in his ears. "I gave you everything, and threw it back down to me. Why is it so evil that I activate this crown's power? What. . . you don't trust me to go through it all the way. . . ?" Michad asked.

. . .

. . .

"Yes. . . . of course." Michad stated. Lifting his arm he slowly waved his hand in front of Jake's forehead. The crow seemed strangely stunned by the action. His forehead was pressed in by a single finger of Michad's. Jake tipped over the rails of the boat. . . . and fell into the water.

. . . .

"Now. . . ." Michad turned around to the other's who rose up with Jake in violence against their king. "Take them away for questioning! Keep on tabs with me at all times!" He leaned over and pick up his hat which had fallen from it's current resting point. "Let us continue he said softly." Turning to Suki. He observed her easy tears of silence. The guards behind her, held her steady. Arms up, and legs pinned down. But knowing that there was not hope in the first place. Suki could so much as struggle.

She had already accepted that she had been beat.

"SUKIIII!" He bellowed. Causing her to shriek. "Your time has COME!? He took the sacred sword of his masters in his left hand and the chastise in his right.

"I hearby proclaim you as the choose key to our passage! May the sages of old guide you carefully. In this. . I bid you of life. . . . . " He voice slowly became quieter.

"FareWELL!"

A horizontal strike came forth can cut Suki along her heart line. She didn't feel anything because the movements where so sudden. Micha pulled back his arm and then struck her in the heart. She could feel blood running down her front as she lost consciousness.

This. . . . this. . . is what I'm good for. . . Suki thought as her mind moved through all the memories of her pitiful life. Never had any friends. Being used by a government for it's own cultist purposes. I guess I better let. She surmised. Death comes a lot easier to those who don't hang on. I don't eve feel the pain. Whoever loved me. . . . if. . . . I knew anyone. . . .I'll. . . . . be. . . . . . losing you. . . . . Chryssy . . .You. . . . you won't even find out what happened to me. Will you? No. . .

. . .

. . .

I'm passing out because of some. . . coating on Michad's sword. He does have some. . . mercy. . . after all! Or is that from the food I ate and always eat they give me without question?

. . . . . . .

Just as it all started to go black. Suki felt huge, warm arms surround her. Suki could not care, nor know what had happened. With her soul escaping her body, she had reached a knew milestone within her life.

Death.