The snow had melted down to a wet slush as March entered, the sun beat down happily noting the approach of spring. I stomped through a puddle with my boots as it splashed up onto my jeans. Mud seemed to always make it's way onto my clothes so I didn't make an effort to avoid it. With a few more steps down the soaked sidewalk I made my way home. Unlocking the door I pushed in slowly letting out a content sigh to finally be done with work for the day. The house was much dimmer than outdoors, I plopped onto the couch waiting for them to adjust.

Unable to take a moment to relax I felt a buzzing through my gray coat pocket. I dug my hands deep into the pocket pulling out my phone, Vicki had been calling. I shrugged lightly pressing the talk button and then lifting the speaker to my right ear.

"What's up?" I asked casually.

Vicki waited not even a minute, "You never told me anything about what happened!"

"I'm sorry what?" I spoke with a puzzled tone.

She sighed loudly, "N told me everything about the device and how the villains had plans to take over! You didn't say anything!"

"I'm sorry it's just been difficult and I didn't want to worry you" I mumbled.

"Brittney if I have to come over there and beat someone so help me! Anyway... What are we going to do about it? This is really terrifying!" Vicki ranted through the microphone.

"Don't worry about it, I have it under control I promise" I replied taking a moment to think, "What we're going to do is try to convince them not to. If they could back down in the video games we can do the same in real life. We just need to show them how beautiful and different this world can really be. The only thing I'm worried about is convincing Ghetsis, he has no self control and I don't know how to convince him."

Vicki began to stress, "I trust you Brittney but if we can't change their minds we need to turn them in."

I gulped in some air nervously, "T-That won't happen..."

"Brittney you can't be on the sidelines! Please don't take their side over mine! You cannot be with them, they're criminals get that through your head!" Vicki explained in a hopeless tone, "Please you're smart, don't become blinded over your own emotions. Listen I'm coming over tomorrow, tonight apparently I heard someone has plans for you. N says it's not dangerous so I'm allowing it, I will smack someone I swear. Bye."

Before I could have the chance to respond to her she hung up, I wondered what she meant by plans. I just got home from work there was no way I'd have the energy to do anything. Shaking my head free of my anxieties I dragged myself down to my room, traveling through the same corridors and staircase. Opening the door to my room I was greeted by an emptiness that I rarely seen, no one was home at the moment.

I took a deep breath of relief from the thought of finally having some alone time. Throwing myself onto my bed I relaxed closing my eyes, the silence was exhilarating. The blankets felt like angels clouds below me and I rolled up in them like a burrito. What seemed like only minutes passed had actually been hours and I was suddenly disturbed by the crashing noise of the villains. Trying to ignore them I kept my eyes shut as hard as I could.

Archie's booming and recognizable voice echoed, "Ah it's nice to be home!"

"This is nothing close to my home, I could never live here" Giovanni grumbled.

Maxie whispered still loud enough to hear, "Would you two be quiet, she's sleeping!"

"She's a heavy sleeper there's nothing to worry about!" Archie claimed as if he knew me the most, "She looks like a wee sea angel."

"What the Hell is a sea angel?" Giovanni scowled in a disgusted tone.

Colress' voice popped in unexpectedly, "Actually I was watching a program on their species and there's such thing as a sea angel deep in the ocean. However I wouldn't say she looks like one as they're pretty white."

"Ye' don't understand anything, she is as pale as an angel" Archie continued.

Their conversation was utterly hilarious, I found it hard not to smile or laugh. I turned away as if I was still asleep to try and avoid suspicion, I was starting to wonder if they would spill any useful information. Trying not to get too comfortable I curled my arm underneath my torso to keep me awake.

Ghetsis' voice now appeared as grumpy as ever, "I don't appreciate the way you're talking, boy!"

"Who are ye' calling a boy?" Archie hissed back at him angrily.

"Brittney is mine, and everyone knows that! She'll make a great asset to Team Plasma!" Ghetsis raised his voice at him.

There it was, the selling point for what I've been hoping to gather. Yet I still felt a light shiver at him claiming me like some sort of toy, I hoped they didn't all think that. Worse however I hoped none of them were chasing Vicki either, maybe she was right maybe they were just trying to manipulate us. I shut down my thought process once more to tune back into their conversation.

"Would you all keep your voices down, I'm sure Brittney is a heavy sleeper but not that much!" Maxie quietly yelled at them, "Besides I have my eyes set on Vicki, she's observant and aggressive which has a place for our team."

Colress whispered calmly, "Unfortunately for you Maxie I'm sure she already has her eyes set on N. They're hanging out right now, and N's been keeping her well aware of how cruel you all are."

Lysandre was finally heard, "Nonsense, anyone can be tamed. Even the most vicious of creatures."

"You act as if all they are is a tool, I don't think any of you realize how intelligent these girls are!" Colress tried to explain to them.

Within my own personal chamber in my mind I smiled that Colress had been there to defend us even when he thought I was asleep. This would mean he has no intention on attacking, and neither did N. I kept my eyes shut tightly as I was sure there would be more I could collect from their conversation. However I suddenly became nervous as I felt the presence of someone behind me.

"You are far from a tool..." I heard Ghetsis whisper softly at my ear as I felt him pet my hair.

I shuttered unpleasantly, but I knew I had to keep up the act. However regardless of this I deeply hoped this didn't go on every time I tried to sleep. The mere thought of my own curse of being such a deep sleeper made me suddenly feel nauseous.

"I'll admit they're both very intellectual, of course I've noticed" Lysandre's sly voice sneaked in, "I've been having a difficult time breaking through Vicki's walls, she's extremely stubborn. Mostly because she's always being protected by N. However I'm starting to get through to Brittney, in fact Ghetsis has she every rest her head on your chest?"

I flinched at the memory of a time I was weakened, he seemed to have legitimately cared. Was all of that just an act to try and get me to trust him? My mind wracked many different emotions, but I three them away once more trying to focus on the important matter. Lysandre seemed to have been mocking Ghetsis, the most prominent thought in my mind is that it wouldn't end well.

I heard a loud thud and the sound of roaring from Ghetsis, "I'll kill you!"

Lysandre let out a smooth chuckle, "Touchy aren't you?"

"Both of you stop acting like idiots! Did you forget why we gathered in the first place?" Colress hissed reminding them of something I wasn't aware of, "This is no way to talk about someone who saved your lives, show some respect!"

"I agree with you as well Colress, these men are acting foolish. As soon as we get home, we leave it the way it is" Giovanni piped in as the voice of reason, "We've done enough damage already and Brittney already knows of what most of us were planning. If we don't tread lightly on this territory we might never see it. Honestly I'm beginning to give up on this plan, this planet should be left alone it's not ours."

A long moment of silence pierced between them after his statement, it seemed that at least some of them are having second thoughts. Without realizing I let out a heavy sigh of relief, I worried that they may of heard it and just pretended to wake up anyway. The villains only needed a push in the right direction at this point, and it made me feel a lot less stressed out. Opening my eyes I saw them crowded in a circle, even Cyrus was there but he stayed silent the entire time.

"Wonderful to see you awake" Lysandre smirked as if he knew something I didn't.

Before I could say anything Archie interrupted, "We have something to show you!"

Maxie placed his head in his hand, "A little too early you imbecile..."

"We were going to show both you and Vicki, but unfortunately she's busy" Cyrus explained blankly, "I think she just doesn't like us, she seemed pretty enraged at Archie earlier."

The Team Aqua leader lowered his head shamefully like puppy, I couldn't begin to imagine what had happened over the phone. While the others stood awkwardly, Giovanni approached me in the most professional way lending his hand out to help me. It seemed like he truly did want to turn things around. Taking grasp of his hand he helped me to my feet and smiled the only kind of smile his kind of personality could muster.

I fixed my hair quickly as I trotted to their sides. An unfriendly air seemed to surround me as they all locked their stares on me. My anxiety settled in and I wrapped my arms behind my back.

"I imagine you will be most surprised, in the best way" Giovanni grinned while lifting his arm to lead us out.

The villains began to follow and I lagged near the back reluctantly worried of what it might be. Ghetsis as well decided to walk a the tail as if he were worried I would be snatched up by some unknown force. We winded out of the building into the sun that hung high above us, we then turned a corner to reveal what appeared to be a brand new van in black. It was sleek and appeared to have spacious room in the back, I stopped dead as Cyrus pulled out a pair of keys.

"What is this, where did you get a car?" I stuttered nervously.

Cyrus smirked gently, "It's a van mind you, you really need to be more observant."

"No seriously this isn't funny what's going on?" I interrogated the group refusing to follow them.

Giovanni walked over to me and gently placed his hands on my shoulders, "I need you to just this one time to trust me, trust us."

The genuine tone in his voice caught me off guard, I began to remember all the times I looked at them with pure disdain. It was time to give them a chance, it was time to loosen up. Putting away all my fears and anxieties I stared back up into his eyes and nodded slowly. He sighed lightly and turned around getting into the front passenger seat with Cyrus driving in the front.

Stepping carefully inside it was extremely comfortable and contained all the newest technology including the personal touch screens and back end camera. I sat in the middle being the smallest of the group, Archie was on the left, and Ghetsis on the right. Behind me Lysandre, Colress, and Maxie cramped together. Wanting to laugh I held in the desire knowing that I should keep quiet for now. Cyrus drove off surprisingly experienced, he smirked in pride as I watched in utter disbelief. What had they really been up to?

******

"Alright close your eyes!" Archie yelled excitedly.

I gazed at him in a frightened way, "I don't think I trust you that much yet."

The pirate rolled his eyes at my discontent and simply covered them for me. We had parked somewhere but I hadn't been too aware with the others constantly distracting me. Being carefully dragged out of the car I could feel my heart beating viciously. I was sure that they had something terrible in plans for me, what if they were going to kill me and ditch me somewhere. Holding my breath we walked forward for a little and then he removed his hands from my eyes, I kept them tightly closed for a few more minutes.

Archie chuckled at me, "You can open yer' eyes now!"

I opened them wide, "Whoa..."

In front of me was a huge mansion of sorts in what seemed to be the richer parts of town, a sold sign was planted in the front lawn. The front door was a beautiful pitch black and the windows were large above the ground. Blinking I examined the stone walkway to this huge gray colored house. I turned back to see them smiling at me, and I still felt complete confusion wash over me.

"Don't tell me you bought this" I stuttered almost breathless.

Giovanni explained as he walked to my side, "We made a lot of extra money, and I figured we'd all need a place to stay if you'd like to stay with us?"

"You're kidding" I stared up at him wide eyed.

"I'm a serious man I don't waste time" He continued with an upbeat voice, "If there's anything I'm good at it's making money so don't worry about it. So do you want to take a look around?"

My mouth hung open as I attempted to process the current situation, Ghetsis nudged me lightly from behind to get me to return to reality. Nodding slowly I followed them inside the first thing around the corner was a wonderful stainless steel kitchen. I wasn't even slightly aware that any of them could cook.

We continued to walk down the halls with a giant black winding staircase leading to the top floor. Up above there appeared to be many rooms, but we first approached a well lit living room with a home theater system. Outside in the backyard I viewed from the back window a well sized swimming pool accompanied by a hot tub. We trailed back around to down in the basement which had already been finished and spacious for anything we wished to fill down there.

Trotting back up and winding up the staircase to the top floor I was shown some nice rooms, what seemed to be enough for all of us. Along with this were three bathrooms, and a small outdoor balcony with the view of the city. I was in utter disbelief at the beautiful view and huge household.

As I stared out through the balcony I spoke, "Wow, just wow."

"Speechless, see I told you I have the best sense of fashion" Lysandre mocked the others.

Giovanni glared at him, "I'm the one who collected the most money, so shut your trap."

"You know to be honest I thought I was going to be dead by the end of this trip, but I was proved wrong" I smiled back at them in a joyful way, "I'm sorry for doubting you, but I honestly don't even want to question where you got this money this is amazing!"

Archie snickered, "My favorite part is the pool, wish we lived by the ocean though."

"UGH, enough with the water! I hate water!" Maxie scowled at him with annoyance.

Lysandre smirked locking eyes with me, "That's not all either, this is where we're throwing your birthday party. It'll be a blast, invite everyone you know."

"How did you know my birthday was coming up?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Archie being the nosy idiot he is was reading your calender and found it" Maxie answered me as he poked his glasses up.

"You don't HAVE to throw a party, I was against the idea. It was only a suggestion mind you, but it's up to you" Cyrus piped up gazing seriously at me.

I shrugged, "Why not? It'll be fun!"

"YES! MORE ALCOHOL!" Archie blurted out loud.

I rolled my eyes, "Yes, more alcohol you weirdo."

"It's settled then, we'll get you ready and moved in" Giovanni said while getting ready to leave, "I'm sure you'll have a blast"

******
END CHAPTER

Authors Note: Hey guys, I know it's been a little while! So here's the most recent chapter, we learn a little bit about what's going on. Sorry about the huge amount of dialogue, it's one of those chapters haha. Anyway thanks for all the reviews, I'm always up for suggestions as well I'd love to hear what you think.