Bloodbath Kingdom

by SpringBorn

Sora, Donald and Goofy crash land into a world that is unknown to them. They soon meet Lanna Scarlet Kennedy, a young agent sent to the old village in Spain to save her parents. OcXSora Is being rewritten. Other characters include Jake, Sherry, Chris and Jill. Finished

9. Chapter 8

Bloodbath Kingdom

Author: Springborn

Co Author: Warrior of Six Blades

Chapter Eight

(Sora's Group)

The island, the final battle area, felt and looked like a ghost town with bits and pieces of the buildings floating in the dark murky water. Boulder's halted the boat's progress to go any further. Ada swore and looked at the boulders with disdain. "We have to climb up" she said and looked at the others, looking worried. She knew Jake and the others could handle the climb but she wasn't sure about Elly and Lanna.

Lanna looked at the boulders and frowned. "Let's start climbing" she said standing and jumped off the boat, landing onto a flat boulder and looked at the others. "It's stable."

"I can probably jump most of the way up to scout. Riku, guard the rear with Kairi. Donald, Goofy, you two are with me up front as scouts for our friends." Sora says hoping to get up there quickly and keep his friends safe. Jumping up one stable boulder with an impressive jump as Donald and Goofy followed. Riku watched them with a shake of his head and an amused smile.

"Sora never liked doing things slow, but you got to give him points for his protectiveness."

"Is he always like that?" Sherry asked watching the three go off, looking a bit worried. Kairi nodded, smiling. "Yes, specially if he cares about them a lot," she said. "We known each other since we were kids. He's always wanting to help others."'

Elly looked at Kairi. "Is Sora your boyfriend?" she asked, seeing the look on the redhead's face.

Riku hearing this winces as he knew it wasn't official, but knew Kairi had feelings for Sora...This could get messy if they don't choose their words carefully between them. Infighting was the last thing they needed.

Kairi and Lanna stared at each other, glaring. When it came to a boy or a man that two women liked it was like cat fight times ten. "No, not yet," Kairi said, still believing that Sora would pick her.

Lanna seemed to bristle a bit. "Kairi...don't," she warned. She wasn't in the mood and her patience with the redhead was nonexistent. She knew how Sora cared about her and their promise to let Kairi down gently. Kairi snorted. "You only known Sora almost less than a day and you act like you known him for years!" she said.

'Oh God...Not now, please not now!' Riku thought seeing the fight coming and knew he needed a distraction fast. Looking at the others, they clearly thought the same thing.

"Kairi, we best get a move on or Sora might get in trouble again, you know he's so hopeless on his own at times." Riku said trying to get her up the wall. With Kairi not looking he mouths 'sorry' to Lanna.

He honestly encouraged Lanna to be with Sora, but this wasn't the time or place for a talk like this.

Lanna nodded at Riku as she climbed the wall easily and pulled herself up. Sherry looked at Jake, murmuring. "What is going on here?" she asked, she had never seen Lanna like that, not over a boy. Ada and the others followed after them. In front of them was a nightmare. The ground black, like soot but there isn't a Volcano in sight. Skeletal buildings rose from the ground, mixing in with trees that were half alive and half dead.

"What is this place?" Elly asked, holding onto Sherry and whimpered. "I don't know..." Sherry said, looking concerned.

"...It's Raccoon all over again," Ada said, looking around. Her tone grim as she looked at Lanna, seeing how pale she was. "Lanna?"

Lanna gritted her teeth, in irritation for being weak, infected, and trying to keep what sanity she had left. "I'm fine," she said, feeling her chest tightening. Ada walked towards her and touched her shoulder but yelped in surprise when Lanna grabbed her arm and yanked it against her back. "Don't." Lanna let go and started walking.

"Lanna..." Jake said murmuring to himself in worry for his sister figure, he could tell she was trying a strong front and that it was slowly losing it's facade. He just hoped she'd be strong enough to withstand the plaga long enough...

(Scene Change: Leon, Claire, and Pete: 3rd P.O.V.)

Leon paled as he saw the city they were going into. The one damn city that had haunted his nightmares for as long as he could remember and he knew Claire had some too. Thankfully not as often, but they sometimes stayed up together comforting one another through the night talking about whatever came to mind.

Claire swallowed. "Why this place..." she asked weakly. They had seen the fight between Lanna and Kairi, as well as Lanna snapping a bit with Ada.

Pete laughed loudly, seeing. "Whoohoo! That girl is crazy!" he said, enjoying the show. "It's gonna be interesting to see what will come at them." He grinned cruelly.

"Of all places, it just had to be Raccoon City..." Leon muttered quietly holding his wife close to comfort her, praying for the group's safety.

(Scene Change: Sora's group 3rd P.O.V.)

Sora sighs in relief when he sees Lanna and his friends following behind her, but raises an eyebrow at her apparently sour attitude. "Hey, Lanna, I think I found us a path down the street, but we noticed this newspaper. Was this that Raccoon City place you and Jake told us about?" Sora asks handing Lanna the paper that showed a report of Raccoon City during the zombie incident.

Lanna looked at the newspaper and nodded. "Yeah...that was when my parents first met. Dad was on his first day on the job as a police officer...mom was looking for my uncle," she said, sighing. She looked up at the sky, frowning as she saw the dark clouds rolling through the sky. She glared at the clouds. "Shit...like we really need fucking rain."

Donald looked at her confused. "Lanna? Are you okay?" he asked, seeing the mood she was in. Lanna looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, fine."

"Are you sure, Lanna? You can talk to me about whatever is bothering you, ya know." Sora offers seeing she's upset by something, but not wanting to press her too much. Just offer a chance to talk to him and maybe he could help her then...

Lanna sighed heavily. "I know..." she said murmured softly, struggling a bit. She didn't want to sound like a jealous girlfriend or an insecure one. "Just...not getting along with Kairi, is all." She didn't delve into it, not wanting Sora to worry too much. She ran a hand through her hair.

"Oh... I'm sorry, I was hoping you two would hit it off better..." Sora said ashamed that he didn't foresee Kairi giving Lanna problems. Walking next to Lanna silently down the path wondering what would be waiting for them.

Lanna sighed softly. "It's not your fault," she murmured softly, walking with him with the others behind him. She saw the streets and frowned. "They...must have done a lot a work here..."

"What do you mean?" Sherry asked, confused, shifting Elly in her arms a bit. She hadn't heard this part of the story from Leon or Lanna.

Bending down, Lanna touched the pavement, feeling the solidness of it under her hand and looked at the street, frowning. "Because...there was no Raccoon City here when dad came. This whole place was a cave that led to a small camp with a big guy with a machine gun." She explained to the others that Leon would have crossed walkways, different sections of the camp before entering a lab where there was evidence of the Plaga experiments and it would lead him deeper under ground till he had found Ashley and the two escaping through the garbage shoot. Where they would proceed through monsters and Ashley's reckless driving when they reached the part of the base of operations, Ashley turning and leaving with Saddler."

Ada nodded. "She's right. This is way different. Unless Maleficent can use her darkness to build structures, this had to take month's to complete," she said.

"I don't know about building structures, but maybe those infected villagers helped? I mean they had lots of them earlier and who knows how many here?" Sora asks wondering if that was possible with their numbers.

"It's possible," Ada said frowning, her ears twitching. "What's that?" The ground rumbled a bit and it felt like it was coming from deeper into the city.

Lanna frowned, straining her ears as the sound grew louder. It had a metal clanking sound but on repeat. "That oddly sounds like a machine gun..." she said, earning a look from Goofy. "How can you tell?" he asked.

"Heh, good ol' training," Lanna said smirking. "They use pellet's instead of bullets but still hurts all the same. Think, the pellets on a machine gun go a two hundred miles a minute but increase the time by four. If you get hit by the bullets, your a human swish cheese." Her tone was off, not exactly matching how she would sound, it was eerie, like she was almost excited by the idea of it. She saw the worried look on Sherry's face and looked away, feeling disgusted. "Sorry..."

"Knowing our luck, some big ass B.O.W. probably has that weapon..." Jake said groaning as he facepalmed himself almost dreading to go forward. But forced himself to at a brisk pace anyway knowing they were short on time and couldn't afford to waste time trying to dodge every little problem in their path.

"In that case, let Sora and myself take the lead," Riku says taking the front of the group with a determined gaze. "Sora and myself are both faster than you guys. Whatever they try to shoot at us, we can keep their fire busy as you guys attack from cover. Our speed and jumping abilities should be enough to dodge their attacks."

Kairi looked worried. "Are you sure?" she asked as they walked deeper into town. Goofy looked at her. "They'll be fine. He can't be that bad, right? The machine gun dude?"

Lanna snorted. "Goofy...their weakest part is their head but it'll be hard to hit, as their heads are smaller than their blubber bodies and they are somewhat fast," she said and sighed. "We all need to be careful. One is hard, but if there is two of them? It'll be even harder..."

"So it's like fighting Large Bodies with a machine gun? Riku and I can handle it!" Sora said confidently remembering the fat heartless he ends up fighting sometimes.

"True, we fought worse, but don't get cocky Sora. I remember you having your fair share of trouble for getting careless." Riku agrees, before warning his friend with a knowing tone to his voice.

"Come on, Riku! I wasn't that bad..." Sora tries to defend himself, only for Riku to shake his head resigned.

"Yes, yes you were. Just ask Donald and Goofy." Riku says pointing at his two friends he's been fighting beside of for over a year.

Donald nodded. "You were Sora," he said, agreeing with Riku. Goofy looked sheepish. "They're right. You have gotten better since then, but you still need to be careful."

Lanna giggled and smiled, hearing this. "We all have to start somewhere," she said.

"You guys are supposed to be on my side." Sora complained to the three pouting at them, making Jake and Riku chuckle at Sora's misfortune.

"They are, Sora, that's why they're giving you the same advice I am. To be more careful and try to be less reckless." Riku says hoping to assure his friend, making Sora give a sheepish grin at this.

Lanna chuckled and poked his nose. "Yeah," she said grinning. "We want you around for a few more years, okay?" Sherry smiled a bit, glad to see them all laughing.

"Now, let's get going. The blobs won't wait forever," Ada said chuckling.

"Let's get moving then!" Sora shouts charging ahead with Riku following him right beside him, all too use to Sora's head on approach. "I'll make sure Sora doesn't get in over his head, take care of Kairi for me guys and back us up!" Riku calls as both charge closer to the sounds of gunfire.

Lanna looked worried, but nodded as she watched the two go off. "Be careful..." she said softly as the gunfire grew louder when they grew closer. Two large black males with machine guns were at a pair of gates, one similar to what Lanna had described. The men glared at anything as they were practicing on a few villagers.

Sora seeing this jumped up some buildings and started running across the roof tops gaining speed. Riku followed in step behind him as they saw the gunners hadn't noticed them yet.

"Let's show'em how it's done, Riku!"

"Right!"

Sora and Riku having said their piece both jump from the roof and rocket toward their gunners. Sora hitting one over the head and his back as Sora spun like a glorified buzzsaw. While Riku did a deep slash across the head and chest of another. Not giving breathing room, Riku charges two Dark Firagas in his hands and let's loose a barrage of the Dark Firaga point blank on the gunner.

The gunners roared in pain as they stumbled back, holding their heads. The two glared angrily at Sora and Riku, they marched towards them, as they started up the machine guns and started firing at the pair. Villagers started appearing, holding pitch forks and blades as they had the two surrounded.

Riku immediately jumps in front of Sora and uses his Dark Barrier to hold off the bullets. Thankful this attack even from the two of them was too weak to break through, but Riku internally cursed knowing he can't attack back or dodge like this.

"Any bright ideas, Sora?!" Riku asks shouting over the gunfire as Sora raises his keyblade with a grin. "I got a few, but I'll start off with this..." Sora trails focusing his magic as Dark Thunder Clouds loomed over the gunners heads. If Sora could strike them down fast enough, they could focus on the villagers with no worries.

"Thundaga!" Sora shouts raining multiple thunderbolts on both gunners as both were close enough to get hit at the same time. Making their fire go wild as they flinched from the powerful thunder magic Sora used. Most shots still hitting the barrier, but a few going wide and hit one or two villagers approaching them.

The villagers that were close enough to them were hit and fell dead while the others were barely singed. The gunners grunted and stumbled back again from the hit. The two gunners started to split, one near Sora's side and the other circling near Riku's side and opened fired again, aiming at their backs. The surviving villagers cried out as their heads started to explode as a bullet hit them, lessening the heat on the boys. Lanna and Ada were on a roof, providing cover for the teens.

Jake opens fire on one of the gunners with his Elephant Killer, taking careful aim as he sees Sora and Riku moving about. Trying to stay out of the firing range of their heavy machine guns that was close behind their movements. If he could just distract one of them, he'd buy them time to take out the other gunner.

Ada frowned and looked around, smirking as she saw a water tower that was on rickety legs. She nudged Lanna and pointed. The teen grinned and nodded as she started to shoot it with Ada's help. The tower fell and landed away from the group, but it was enough to distract one of the gunner's, giving Jake his target as the girls took out the villagers.

Sora and Riku looked shocked seeing one of the gunners distracted. Both from the rushing water and from Jake's shooting it's head. Riku immediately activated his Dark barrier again to hold off the bullets from the last gunner. Looking at Sora over his shoulder with a determined gaze. "Now, Sora!"

"Right!" Sora says jumping above Riku and aiming his keyblade at the gunner as it's tip glowed fiery red. "Firaga!" Sora shouts shooting three human size fireballs that engulf the Gunner. Each exploding on impact as it made him stumble back further and further.

Both gunners were pushed back into the water, soaking them through as their skin was burned, blisters forming from the intense heat. The two growled and stumbled as they shook. They aimed their machine guns at them, shooting at them .

Lanna watched with Ada from the roof top, amazed by Sora's power and how the fight was turning.

Sora seeing them in the water, hatched a crazy idea as he rushed ahead and jumped off a wall to further evade bullets. He could see the gunners trying to adjust their aim with one aiming for RIku still and one aiming for him. The bullets getting closer and closer behind him as he raised his keyblade with sparks dancing on the tip. "Thundaga!" Sora calls as The powerful Thundaga magic slams into the two gunners and with the water conducting the electricity shocked them further. It also had shocked any villagers touching the water or was close enough to be shocked. Easily making a bright and huge chain of electricity along the water's path.

Jake seeing this smirks at Sora's attack, he had no idea if that was on purpose or not, but damn the kid has instincts. "Not bad, spikes, not bad at all..."

The electric shock was enough to fry the gunner's and the villagers that were touching the water, killing them. Lanna and Ada helped Jake take care of the stragglers that were far enough from the water, as their bodies hit the floor. Much needed ammo and other items littered the floor after the bodies dissolved away.

"Nice one guys!" Sherry said grinning as she had seen the light show from where she had been with Goofy, Kairi, Donald and Elly. It had looked like fireworks.

"Was there ever a doubt?!" Sora calls back with a cocky grin as Riku shakes his with a knowing grin. No mater how close the battles are, Sora never loses his optimism or his cockiness. Thank God it's not too much, but it could be worrying at times.

"Thank you, God, some bullets for my Elephant Killer." Jake said happily collecting the magnum bullets he could find, while grabbing some grenades and flash grenades he could find.

Ada grinned as she found arrows for her crossbow. "Great," she said. Lanna chuckled as she picked up some ammo for her Glock. "Sweetness!" she said as she checked her ammo, while Donald and Goofy picked up the gold and jewels.

"Hey, Elly!" Donald said grinning as he found a jewel for the girl. "Lanna mentioned keeping mementos of our time here and even though all of it wasn't good, meeting new friends is always good." Elly smiled and nodded as she took the blue jewel from him. "Thank you," she said and hugged the duck.

"Careful, Donald, she might try to adopt you like she does with your plushie back home~" Jake calls teasingly knowing of the plushie collection Elly keeps of Disney characters like Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, and even her favorite one, Pluto. Plus it was fun to see her get so adorably shy about them and protective.

He still recalls the time how she started a 'rescue mission' to find her lost Pluto plushie. Never knowing Jake was washing it to get some mud stains off and 'helped' her find it in the bathroom. To this day she still doesn't know how it got there...

Elly flushed a bit from that. "I wouldn't...he has Daisy at home waiting for him," she said. The duck blushed heavily at that, shifting on his feet. Ada and Lanna chuckled at the duck, seeing his face bright red. Lanna yelped as Donald threw a rag at her head and dropped to the ground easily, looking at the duck and gave a mock glare. "Hey!" She ran forward and scooped up the duck, tickling him. Donald laughed, struggling.

Elly laughed happily, seeing the sight.

Sora couldn't help grinning as he quietly sneaked up to them, before tickling both Donald and Lanna. One hand on each with a mischievous smile on his face. "What do you know?~ You're both ticklish~" Sora said teasingly enjoying their laughter as Riku watched with an easy going smile, happy for the small calming respite after their battle.

Both Lanna and Donald laughed harder due to Sora tickling them both, squirming a bit. Donald squawked as Lanna tickled him again before putting him down. Lanna ruffled Sora's hair gently, laughing. Sherry smiled, relieved to hear some laughter in this nightmare, leaning against Jake a bit. It was moment's like these that were badly needed but also cherished as well.

"That kid really is something, Sherry, I don't know what it is. But just being around him makes you feel like you've known the kid for years." Jake admits with a fond smile that is rarely seen, as only Sherry, Lanna, or Elly had seen him like this. He couldn't help it honestly wrapping an arm around Sherry and holding her close. Feeling comfort and love in her presence again.

Sherry smiled as she leaned into him, her head on his shoulder. "I know. He seems to have that type personality that just makes you like him," she said. "His smile lights up the room. He sure seems to make friends easily." She could understand why Kairi and Lanna liked the boy so much, knowing that bonds can form in a matter of minutes if the right situation occurs.

Riku honestly wanted to let them enjoy it for a while longer, but knew they had to press on. Looking toward Ada, he walks up and quietly pokes her shoulder to get her attention. "Where do we head after here, Ada? Since you've been here before, I'm kinda hoping you got some idea. Even with the reconstruction, there has to be some similarities isn't there?" Riku asks hoping Ada would have some idea of where to go.

He could go into territory not knowing things if needed, but he preferred having information if possible. Less trouble that way when you know what to watch out for or what you are looking for.

Ada looked at him. "We go through the gates. It will lead us through a small network of caves and hallways that will lead us to small lab" she said. Goofy looked up. "Is that the one with the machine we need for Lanna?" he asked.

"I do not know," Ada said honestly. "We can only hope." Lanna looked and nodded. "Maybe...we can find some information about my dad and the rest of the family." She was hopeful as she was still plagued by her mother's death and swallowed a bit.

"Let continue on then! Sooner we find that machine for Lanna, the better!" Sora said trying to raise spirits as he leads them down the path that was open to them. Not sure if he was going the right way, but it was the only path they had.

Lanna and Ada chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm as they followed him. They entered a small room that had been carved out of stone. Two infected soldiers with glowing red eyes greeted them. One had a crossbow and the other was weaponless. Ada took out the with the crossbow and Donald killed the second with a fire spell. "That didn't take long," Sherry said, looking around and spotted a ladder going up.

"Don't worry Sher, there will be more," Lanna said as she found a yellow herb, putting it away before climbing up the stairs and looked around. Yelping as she dunked her head, missing an arrow flying past her head. "Shit...!" She growled and climbed up. "Asshole, get back here!" There was a scream of terror and went silent. Elly stared up at the ladder, eyes wide. "L-Lannna...?" she called out. "It's clear!" Lanna's voice answered.

"Don't scare us like that, Lanna." Sora said jumping up to see his girlfriend was fine, making him sigh in relief. Looking back to see Jake climbing up with an envious look pointed at Sora. "It must be nice having that kind of jumping abilities."

Lanna looked sheepish. "Sorry about that," she said, feeling a bit bad about worrying Sora and chuckled at the look on Jake's face. "You may learn that with the Light." Donald and Goofy looked at Lanna, shaking their heads. "Remind us not to tick you off..." The dog said, looking a little nervous.

"It's okay, though I wonder why they designed the place like this?" Sora says quite curious about the design choice.

"Don't know. Dad never said," Lanna said and looked at Ada. The woman shook her head. "Probably as a second base if the village fails," she said. Looking around as they were on a ledge and across from them was a hill that went up and towards another gate. "There may be more military infected. So be careful and Lanna? Stay calm." She looked at Jake, her dark eyes letting him know that Lanna didn't have much time left and neither did the family.

Lanna jumped over to the next ledge, taking out an infected soldier with Donald and Goofy's help. Kairi stayed close to Riku, watching Lanna closely. "You can almost see her veins because her skin is so pale," she said, there was a touch of worry in her tone.

Riku sighs sadly as he holds Kairi's hand gently with a slight reassuring squeeze to comfort. "That's one of the reasons why I didn't want you two fighting about Sora, this isn't the time or place. Especially with Lanna being sick thanks to the plaga, we need to keep her calm as long as possible if we want to save her." Riku tells Kairi gently with a hint of worry in his tone as well. Watching Lanna carefully as Jake and Sora both walk in step behind her.

Kairi gripped his hand tightly, having mixed feelings. She didn't get along with Lanna, true, but she didn't want the girl to die. She wasn't that heartless. "...I know..." she murmured. She was almost jealous of Lanna. "She is strong, I'll admit." She saw how deeply Lanna cared for her friends and family and how protective of them she was. It showed when Lanna was grieving for her mother and lost brother. Ada and Sherry followed after them, looking at the young teen. "She'll pull through, right?"

"I hope so, Kairi, I really do. For everyone's sake. You know how Sora gets with friends, he grows close pretty quick and will defend them with his life." Riku says wanting to assure her, but knowing he couldn't sugarcoat the situation. "That said, I'll do what I can to help them save her."

Kairi nodded as they joined the others at the gate. "I know you will," she said as Ada opened the gate and headed down the small hill where they met up with the merchant. "Anyone need any upgrades?" she asked.

Lanna shook her head. "I'm...good," she said, coughing a bit.

"I'm pretty good too, how about you, Sherry?" Jake asks Sherry after assuring he was good with his guns.

Sherry nodded. "I'm fine," she said and blinked when Ada gave her a handgun. "Uh thanks," Ada nodded. "Just in case," she said, knowing Jake would approve. Elly yawned tiredly, leaning into Sherry sleepily.

Jake couldn't help smiling slightly at seeing Elly nod off into slumber. "Sweet dreams, Elly," Jake said softly making sure not to disturb her. Though he did send Ada a silent thankful nod for giving Sherry a handgun.

Sora, Riku and Kairi all silently cooing at Elly as she was falling asleep on Sherry.

Donald and Goofy smiled, watching the little girl sleeping against Sherry. Lanna smiled as she watched her little cousin fall asleep against Sherry, finding this a comfort. She sighed softly, wondering how much longer she had with her family and friends before she became a monster. She moved away from the group a little, staring up at the night sky. She closed her eyes, wanting to keep that image of her cousin's peaceful face in her mind. She silently took care of the infected waited for them, wanting to clear her mind.

Jake watched Lanna walk off and kept an eye on her, but made no moves to follow until Sherry gave him a nod. Silently walking off to shadow Lanna, but keep quiet enough to not disturb any thoughts she may be having. He may have failed to keep her from being infected, but he refused to fail her now when she needs him most.

It started to rain than, matching the mood perfectly. Lanna stared up at the rain, feeling a cry rip through her throat and slammed her fist into the wall, making an indent. She glared up at the dark sky. "..." Donald and the others watched, hearing the cry. Elly slept right through it. The cry was that of a wounded animal that was running off of adrenaline, fury and the thirst for revenge. "Damn you Maleficent and Wesker..."

Jake watched her with guilt in his heart having an idea what she was crying for. "Lanna...Claire...I'm so sorry." Jake said quietly to himself and partly hoping Claire could hear him from the afterlife. Pushing his guilt to the back of his mind he approached Lanna and hugged her from behind. He knew she must have heard him coming from the lack of reaction to his hug. "You're not alone, Lanna, you can let it out and no one will judge you for it. I'm here and so are the others."

Lanna leaned into him, her body almost slumping. "Jake..." she croaked. "I'm losing it, we all know it. I'm trying to keep it back..." She turned her head to look at him. She looked older than 17 than and took a deep breath. "I need to say something and I know you'll probably get mad but I need to get it off my chest."

She gripped his hand tightly, knowing he won't like it. "Listen to me. Out of everyone here, you need to hear this," she said. "If I turn and there is no way of changing me back, please, don't let me hurt anyone." She was making the hardest request that anyone would make. "Promise me, if that happens, stop me."

Jake stiffened as he heard this...She couldn't be... "Lanna, you know I won't let you hurt anyone, but don't ask me to kill you. I won't let it get that far and you know it."

Lanna sighed and nodded. "I believe you," she said, looking away. "But I had to get it out there. I trust you with my life, Jake. You are family and I don't want to get anyone hurt if I lose it. Dad says when he was under it's control, he had no control of his body and he was aware of everything."

Jake was silent as he let her words digest into his brain and had to admit he could see her concern. Didn't mean he'd like it and he damn well wouldn't let it come to killing her... "Be that as it may, I'm not letting it go that far."

Lanna looked at him and nodded. "I don't want to upset you," she said, squeezing his hand, knowing she did. But it had been something that had been eating her since being infected and showing signs she was changing more.

"I know little red, just have faith okay? We aren't out just yet," Jake reassures Lanna as he sees the others approach. "It's fine guys, but we should keep moving," Jake informs them as he feels more anxious to find that damn machine soon.

Ada nodded. "Let's go then," she said as they headed up the hill. Lanna stayed close to Jake and Sora, knowing they were both worried. "If I remember correctly, Leon said he met the iron maiden here," Ada said, frowning. Lanna nodded. "He did," she said.

"The iron Maiden?" Kairi asked, confused.

"Nasty B.O.W. and the step above regenerators. They got spikes all over their body and arms that can stretch to pull you in. Once they do, a regenerator bites you, but an Iron Maiden will extend the spikes in their body to impale you in multiple places. Hence the name." Jake explains with a grimace at the thought of getting skewered by that creature. Jake remembers the haunted look Leon had when describing the creature, saying it's raspy voice was something he wished he could forget.

"That's...scary," Donald said shaking like a leaf. Lanna nodded, biting her lower lip. "Yeah...they are," she said, remembering the look on her dad's face. "Fighting it by himself was hard as they are VERY hard to kill, but having to protect the president's daughter at the time made it even harder. Ashley had no Kevlar vest to protect her."

"Kevlar vest?" Goofy asked, confused. "What is it?"

"It's a chest plate pretty much, but much tougher to pierce by bullets. It protests the chest area as that's more prone to get hit than the head," Ada explained.

"We should try to get those when we have the chance." Jake states finding the Kevlar a desirable protection to have.

"Yeah, it would be safer," Sherry agreed, shifting Elly a bit in her arms. "Do you think the Merchant would have some in his stock?"

"He could," Ada said. "You and Elly would need, one as well as Kairi." She looked at the group. "We all do. We need the added protection." Lanna nodded. "It'll only get harder from here on out," she said, looking at Jake. "We should probably stock up on Health as well. Sora, Donald, and Kairi are the only ones that know healing magic, but it will drain them over time."

Goofy nodded at Lanna's explanation. "True."

"Sounds like a plan then." Jake agrees glad everyone was on board with the idea as Sora gave a supportive nod.

"Do you think we should back out to the Merchant?" Sherry asked as Ada pulled out a map, looking it over. "We may have too...his next spot is a bit farther away from where we are now," she said looking at the others to see what they wanted to do.

"Let's double back then, it won't cause us too much time if we hurry back here anyways." Jake said getting nods of agreement from everyone. With Sora leading the way back running ahead. "Sora wait up!" Riku calls to his very eager friend, sometimes Riku doesn't know what he'll ever do about Sora...

Lanna smiled as she watched him go forward and shook her head. "Sora, hold up! We're coming," she said running after him. Kairi watched her go after the brunette. Ada smiled as she walked with the younger girl. "Sora is a friend of yours," she whispered. "He'll always will be. Just remember that." Kairi looked confused at that.

Donald and Goofy ran after the two teens, wanting to keep an eye on them. Sherry walked with Jake, having seen the look on the two's faces when they talked. "She alright?" she asked.

"One can only hope, I really rather not deal with any cat fights right now..." Jake answered quietly making sure no one heard him except Sherry.

"I know what you mean," Sherry said, sighing. "Sora and Lanna seem pretty close but I was asking about Lanna. What did you two talk about?" She looked up at him, biting her lower lip.

At this Jake felt his throat suddenly feel dry and small twinge of dread creep up on him. "It's...Lanna's concerned and she wanted me to know that she's counting on me. I can't fail again, Super girl, I just can't..." Jake said trying to skate around what Lanna asked him without hinting anything.

Sherry grabbed his hand. "Babe, calm down and breathe," she said, knowing he cared about the girl. "I know you won't and so does Lanna. We both believe in you." She was worried as she watched him closely. "Jake, you are doing the best that you can and you always pull through."

"Not always, super girl, not always... All the more reason I can't fail this time." Jake murmured remembering some of his screw ups. How his team was betrayed and killed except for him, how he failed to get his mother treated in time because it took too long raising the money, how he and Sherry got captured...twice, and how he failed to keep Lanna from getting infected by the Chief.

"Jake, hush. Things happen," Sherry said looking up at him. "You have done great by Lanna, Elly, and me. You helped raise Lanna and taught her how to survive with the others. She may not look like it, but she needs you. I need you. I believe in you and we will get out of this."

Jake was touched and couldn't help smiling in a way only Sherry truly, saw a loving and grateful smile on his face. "Thanks, babe, I'm glad you saved me all those years ago." Jake told her sincerely glad to have her in his life. If not for her, he probably be the same cold blooded mercenary, if not dead in some battlefield...

Sherry smiled and kissed his cheek. "Jake..." she said softly. "I'm glad we met all those years ago." She was honest, even though he was a hard ass back then, but she had seen the good side to him under that rough exterior. Elly murmured in her sleep, shifting closer to Sherry. "Come on handsome, we better catch up with the others."

Lanna was at the Merchant with the others, buying protective vests or what they could. Donald, Goofy, Kairi had vests and so would Sherry and Elly. There wasn't enough for everyone at the moment. "It will have to do," Ada said sighing.

"It's okay, I don't need a vest and neither does Riku! We can take hits harder than some zombies can throw at us and I had been hit by some attacks that could destroy boulders." Sora said trying to reassure them that Riku and himself would be fine. Unfortunately, it only made them worry more. As they started to wonder what kind of life Sora had and how sane he might be after it all...

'Please tell me Spikes is joking... Just how durable is he?!' Jake thought a little worried at the idea of Sora and Riku being harder to hurt than most humans. Granted he knew they were obviously stronger and faster than most humans, but durable too?!

Lanna looked at Sora worriedly. "I don't think that makes us less worried," she said, looking at her boyfriend. "You are strong, Sora and Riku, there is no doubt about that. But you should still be careful nonetheless, you're still human." She bit her lower lip. Ada nodded at that.

"Even if that's the case, I have to side with Sora on this one. Not for his reasons though," Riku says cutting of Sora who was about to cheer at Riku agreeing, before deflating at Riku cutting him off. "I say this because you guys need it more than us and because of that we can wait for our own Kevlar to be bought. So get stuff for you guys first, for our ease of mind." Riku says hoping to get them to see where he is coming from.

"Understood, but we still need to wait till the Merchant makes more," Ada said. "There was only enough for five people."

"It'll be fine," Lanna said and smiled. "Gotta be careful is all." Kairi looked at her. "How are you so positive?" she asked, brow raised. Lanna shrugged. "Jake and Sora told me that I have to be."

"That's true! It's helped me out of plenty dark times I ever faced when looking for you and Riku." Sora said smiling at both Riku and Kairi, much to Riku's internal relief and shame. Knowing he was partially responsible for Sora's struggles and hiding his shame.

Kairi smiled and nodded. "Yeah," she said and looked at Riku, nudging him gently. She knew how he felt as she remembered him working with Maleficent and the darkness. "Hey, don't let it get to you," she whispered to Riku who in turn gave her a grateful smile.

"You have some good friends Sora," Sherry said smiling. "It's good to have people like that."

"It is and I met plenty of amazing people during my journey, some gave me good advice, some helped me out of tight spots, and some even helped me grow stronger. The worlds is full of amazing people and I can't wait to show you guys all the friends I made!" Sora said looking back on all the amazing friends he made during his journey and all the unique worlds he visited.

Sherry smiled. "That would be wonderful," she said. "It would be nice to see the worlds." Ada smiled lightly. "It would..." she said, though she wasn't sure about traveling in space. Goofy and Donald chuckled. "There are a lot of worlds out there," Goofy said chuckling.

"Let's save the vacation plans for later, we need to figure out who gets the vests first. So here's my idea, Sherry, Elly, Lanna, Ada, and Kairi should have a vest." Jake says seeing the females about to protest and raises his hands to stop them. "Listen I have a reason okay, just hear me out first."

"What's the reason, bro?" Lanna asked, brow raised as she crossed her arms. She knew he was trying to help and she was thankful for that.

"For Sherry and Elly is an obvious reason. We don't need them on the front lines, but still be protected enough to fight back if needed. For Ada, Kairi, and yourself, it's added defense. You aren't tanking types of fighters like Sora and Riku are." Jake informs getting nods from Riku and Sora both at Jake's logic.

"He has a point, Lanna," Sherry said looking at the teen. Lanna nodded slowly. "I know..." she said, sighing softly. She knew the older girl and Jake were right.

Jake smiled relieved to see the ladies understood his logic and accepted it. "In that case, let's go those Kevlar now and get more at the next shop if they have it." Jake says as he pays the Merchant for the Kevlar and the merchant takes the money with a grateful nod.

"Pleasure doing business with you, stranger. Five Kevlar bullet proof suits for the lovely senoritas." The Merchant said making Jake roll his eyes at the obvious attempt to lure the ladies in to buying more stuff.

Lanna rolled her eyes, chuckling. "Tsk, how many health cans do you have?" she asked, looking at the others. "The more we stock up the better."

"I have about twenty, but I doubt you need that many, senorita." The Merchant replied not seeing any problem if she really bought them all or not. More money for him if she does and if she doesn't, he still gets some potential money anyway.

Lanna thought. "I'll take ten for now," she said, pulling out the gold. "I don't want the rest of my family and extended family hurt, even though some of them think they're superheroes." She looked at Sora, Riku, and Jake giving a wink, joking with them.

"To be fair, Lanna, I got my hero's license back after helping Hercules kill Hydra, Rescue Meg, and help free Auron's free will! Plus I saved the universe twice! I think I'm hero material!" Sora said with a proud grin making Riku chuckle.

"Work on your cockiness first and we'll talk, Sora." Riku said making Sora now look at Riku shocked.

"What?! I'm not that bad!"

"You have no idea, Sora...You do have good points and a good heart, but you tend to get a little cocky at times." Riku reasons amused at Sora's annoyed look. His friend was a bit slow on the uptake or realizing his own flaws, but he has a heart few could ever match. Jake just sat back enjoying the show with a smirk, wondering how his life would've turned out if he had them as childhood friends.

'Probably drive me nuts, but at least keep me on the right path and be more optimistic...' Jake thought watching the two argue childishly, but with no heat again. It was too clear they were use to trading barbs like this, probably rivals as kids.

Lanna smirked, watching the two. She smiled and looked up at Jake, chuckling. "Oh boy..." she said, shaking her head as she paid the merchant for the cans. "Hey you two, you're both heroes, but don't let it go to your heads, okay?" She looked at Sora, head tilted. "Specially you hot stuff." She smiled, letting him know she was only teasing.

"Sure, I'll be careful!" Sora said cheerfully, before looking at Lanna confused. "But why did you call me hot stuff? I'm not hot..."

At this Riku couldn't help himself and started laughing at Sora's innocence, much like Jake chuckling at Sora's misfortune. Making Sora look at them both confused and a little embarrassed they knew something he didn't. "H-Hey! What the heck is so funny?!"

"Oh, Spikes, you have SO much to learn about women." Jake says crossing his arms with a knowing smirk in Sora's direction. He knew when Lanna and Sora got serious about their relationship, he was gonna be able to tease them both for a long time.

Lanna chuckled a bit, shaking her head. "Oh Sora," she said. "I'll explain later, but that was a form of flirting." Ada looked at Kairi, seeing the glare on the girls face.

Riku seeing the glare stops laughing in dread knowing that in the future there would be a cat fight. Unless Lanna and Kairi sat down and somehow managed to talk this out like adults, doubt as he was about those odds.

"Alright guys, let's move out! Dawn isn't waiting for us and we can't afford to screw around!" Jake calls snapping Riku out of his thoughts, thankfully, and grabbing everyone's attention. Leading the pack with Ada at his side, Sora handing around Donald and Goofy ready to protect the group from the rear. Lanna hanging close to Sherry and Elly just ahead of Sora's group, with Kairi and Riku behind Jake and Ada near the front.

Lanna saw the glare and frowned, her eyes narrowed a bit as she followed after the others. They all made it back to the lab. The lab was dirty and sectioned off on two floors. The first floor was just supplies and a hang out room. "Okay...where first?" Sherry asked looking at the others.

"We go up the stairs," Ada said. "It's the best way." Kairi sighed. "Then let's go," she said. "Lanna?" Lanna turned away to throw up, her shoulders shaking. "Ugh..."

"Lanna, you okay?" Sora asks in concern placing a hand on her shoulder gently, Donald and Goofy hanging close and keeping a look out just to be safe.

Lanna coughed and nodded weakly. "Yeah..." she said, shaking. "I hate viruses..." She laid her head on the wall, getting sick again. Goofy pulled out a water bottle and handed it to Lanna. "Did you take your meds?" he asked worriedly.

"Not yet," Lanna said weakly. "They're in my back pocket."

Sora quickly fished them out, not caring he unintentionally brushed his hand against her rear as he opened the bottle. "Here, Lanna, you need to keep your strength up and stay healthy." Sora told her worried for her health, making Jake and Riku look at Sora with pride and respect.

Lanna looked at him and smiled softly, not really thinking about his hand touching her butt. "Thank you, Sora," she said and swallowed the pill down with the water, grunting a bit. "Ugh, I'd kiss you right now but I doubt you want me to with puke breath." She chuckled softly. Sherry and Ada smiled at the sight, glad that Sora was looking out for her.

"N-No problem, Lanna." Sora said with a small blush at the thought of being kissed, but accepted her response as this wasn't the time for kissing. Plus he didn't want to deal with puke breath...

"You alright to continue, Lanna, or do you need one of us to carry you?" Jake asks in concern, wanting to be sure his little sister figure would be alright.

Lanna smiled at Sora and looked at Jake. "I'm...alright," she said slowly. "I'm just a little tired. I'll be alright." She pushed herself away from the wall slowly and didn't move for a moment. "Just a little shaky. I'll be okay...I'll be okay." She gave herself a mental shake and looked at them. "I have to be."

'That's what I'm worried about...' Jake thought watching Lanna carefully as she followed them again. He didn't know how plaga infection worked before turning, but he knew with viruses. People tend to become more and more sick before finally dying if left alone. Lanna wasn't doing so hot right now and he worried for her sake how long she really had left. "How much further, Ada?" Jake asks hoping for some good news, but mentally prepared for any bad ones.

Ada looked at him and sighed softly, her face held a sadness. "For the machine? I do not know...before it was near another lab, deeper into the island," she said. Sherry frowned, not liking the sound of this. "How much longer does Lanna have before she changes?" she asked worriedly.

Lanna looked at Ada. "Tell the truth, Ada," she said looking grim. "Don't sugar coat it. I'm not a kid." Donald and Goofy looked at the teen with admiration, but the answer would be nerve wrecking for everyone. Ada sighed a bit. "At the rate your going? Two hours, maybe less. I haven't seen the plagas grow this fast before," she said.

"They shouldn't unless the assholes tempered with the damn thing," Lanna growled. She wanted to rip the head off of something at the moment as they went through a hallway with a stand up cooker. Rotting meat hang from the ceiling. Kairi gagged from the smell, covering her nose.

"Ugh...They make a ruined city, but leave rotten meat around. How messed up is that?" Sora complained not liking the smell more than anyone else, but more vocal about it.

Kairi grunted and nodded. "It's disgusting..." she said, holding a hand over her nose and looked around as she headed close to the cooker, exploring. She screamed when the door popped open and out came a villager on fire, roaring and crying out in pain. Goofy pushed Kairi out of the way as Ada put a bullet into the villager's head, killing it easily.

"Kairi!" Sora and Riku shout in concern, before sighing in relief seeing Goofy protecting her. "Thanks, Goofy, I knew I could count on you!" Sora says with gratitude in his voice as Riku hurries to check on her. Giving Goofy a grateful nod with a relieved smile on his face.

"Your welcome," Goofy said as he helped the girl up and blinked a bit. "Um...anyone else smell singed hair?" Lanna and Sherry shared a look before taking a closer look at the back of Kairi's hair and saw part of it was singed. Kairi looked at Goofy gratefully and looked at the others. "What?" she asked.

"We're gonna have to get rid of the burnt hair Kairi..." Sherry said looking concerned. Kairi blinked. "What?" she asked weakly and whimpered. Lanna rubbed her back gently. "It's alright, Kairi," she said. "You're alive." Kairi nodded slowly and sighed. "I hate to ask...but can you do it?" Lanna nodded and pulled out her multi tool. "Yeah. It won't even take a minute," she said as she pulled out the scissors and started to work. Sherry looked at Jake. "Well...their not arguing."

"I'll take any miracles I get, super girl." Jake says happy that they weren't fighting at the moment and Kairi was letting Lanna give her a good trim.

Sherry and Ada nodded in agreement. "It be nice if they didn't argue at all," Ada said, watching the two. They weren't fighting, but it wasn't a comrade silence either. It was a bit awkward and intense feelings were emitting from the two. Lanna had to make Kairi's hair shorter, but still made it look girly and cute from what she could do. "Done."

Kairi sighed and murmured "Thanks."

"You look good, Kairi." Riku says honestly as Sora just gives a small smile and a nod before turning to Lanna. "You did good cutting her hair, Lanna."

Kairi blushed a little bit at his compliment. "Thanks Riku," she said smiling at the boy. Lanna looked at Sora and smiled. "Thank you. I had a lot of practice as a kid," she said, remembering the Barbies she had as a kid and giving them all haircuts. Kairi looked at her, sweatdropping. "I'm the first human you gave a hair cut too?" Lanna looked sheepish. "Yeah..."

"At least she did good for a first timer, Elly is still learning." Jake said smiling at the memory of barbie dolls with butchered hair, not that it bothered the girl who always smiles so carefree and happy.

Lanna and Sherry laughed at that. "Yeah. Just hope she doesn't try to use a person any time soon!" Lanna said grinning. Sherry chuckled. "I feel bad for the person who would be the first victim!" she said. Lanna laughed even harder at that, thinking of her younger cousin taking a pair of scissors to someone's hair. "Oh god..."

It was then Jake grew an evil smirk that sent shivers down Sora and Riku's spines. "I know JUST the victims we can give to Elly for practice now that you mention it.~"

Lanna and Sherry looked at Riku and Sora, smirking and giggled. "I see..." Sherry said, seeing the looks on the boy's faces. "It could give her a lot of practice..."

Jake couldn't help snickering at their horrified faces as the girls misunderstood his message, but did admit Sherry's idea was also quite fun. Maybe once everyone was safe, but for now he had to temporarily rest the two young teens fears. "I never meant them ladies, but just imagine this with me for JUST a moment. Elly could practice her hair cutting skills on Wesker, Maleficent, Simmons and especially the blond bitch from the phone. She is SO first..." Jake said with a cold grin reminding Sora of Wesker in a way that made his skin crawl.

Sherry looked at Jake and nodded, smiling and nudged him. 'That would work but I don't want her to get too close to them," she said, brow raised. Lanna nodded in agreement. "Yeah, who knows what Aids or STD's they have," she said as those diseases were worse than the viruses!

"True, true, but I just had to share the image. I mean just imagine the damaged she could do to their hair." Jake said with a dark smile as Sora and Riku both thought of it for a second. Only for both to try to hold in their laughter as they visualized Wesker with bald spots and ribbons in his hair, while Simmons would have pig tails and uneven cuts all over.

The others only burst out laughing at the images of Wesker having bold spots and Simmons with ribbons. Their laughter echoed from the walls. "That would be too funny!" Goofy said laughing.

"Oh man... that would... so be... picture worthy..." Jake said struggling to control his laughter as Riku and Sora tried to catch their breath after their own laughing fits ended first.

Ada laughed. "It would be," she said grinning and looked behind them, making sure no one would pop up. "It would be something for the scrapbooks," Lanna said chuckling and shook her head.

"That's something we haven't done in a while," Sherry said chuckling as she and Lanna would have scrap booking nights at times where they would just laugh and have snacks. Lanna nodded. "Yeah it has. Gotta pick it up again when this nightmare is over with," she said and sighed a bit.

"That we should, but for now we must press on and find that machine." Jake said getting a nod from Ada as both led the group out of the room.

The group headed out of the room and passed along a hallway into a room that split into different ways. One went downstairs and another went through a door. "What way?" Sherry asked as she shifted Elly a bit in her arms. "Do we go down or through the door way?"

"We don't got a lot of time and I feel we can't just randomly guess. So we take it to a vote. All for the doorway, raise your hand." Jake said showing Sora and Riku, as well as himself raising his hand.

Ada, Sherry, Lanna as well as Goofy and Donald raised their hands for the doorway. "I think that's settled," Lanna said, looking at the others. "Let's head for the doorway. I want this freaking bug out of me before I turn into a bloodthirsty monster." She pushed opened the door, seeing a bank of monitor's on the other side of chalkboards and headed towards it. She looked at the monitors and gasped loudly.

"Guys! Get over here!" There was an urgency in her tone, but it was filled with hope as well.

"What's up, Lanna?" Jake asks before seeing what she saw and his eyes widened with shock and hope. "Is that?"

In the cages were Chris and Jill, staring at monitors that showed images of the group as they were watched. Lanna smiled as she saw her aunt and uncle, alive. "They're alive..." Lanna breathed, her heart racing as she saw part of her family. She gripped the console, feeling a little light headed as she was filled with relieve. "Uncle Chris...Aunt Jill..." she hadn't called them them since she was a child and it was music to Sherry's and Jake's ears. "Do you know where they are?" Ada asked.

"Yes" Lanna said nodding. "They're in a room not too far from the lift where dad saved you from Saddler." She swallowed and gripped her chest, feeling pain but pushed it away. "It's a bit of a walk and we have to get through a dump shoot to get there." Ada nodded and looked at Lanna, worried. Sherry looked at Lanna as well. Lanna's blood was boiling with rage. "We have to find them..."

"We will, red, we will. Besides, I owe that hero for saving Sherry and myself a few times in the past." Jake said with a small smirk, using his tough guy front to hide how relieved he is that Chris and Jill are now confirmed alive.

"What's with the cage though? I don't see any keyhole to unlock or lock it up..." Sora asks trying to figure out how they got locked in them.

"Keycard," Ada and Sherry said together, seeing the slot on the bars. "You can't use a regular key to open it and they're hard to hack if you don't have the right tools," Lanna nodded. "And something tells me that Maleficent or Wesker has it but I put money on Wesker. He hates my uncle and aunt with a passion, my uncle more than anyone."

"Then all we have to do is swipe the card after we kill him and bust them out." Jake said grinning at the idea. He doubted it'd be easy, but Wesker had pissed him off too far lately. At least now he understood why it was both personal and just orders for Chris to kill Wesker.

Lanna nodded. "Let's go," she said as she eyed the place where her family was held and sighed a bit. "Just hang on..." She murmured that last part, more to herself and to Chris and Jill, even though they couldn't hear her. Pushing herself away from the console, she headed to the door and entered a room. She looked around, seeing one small hallway that led to the merchant and another small hallway that led to a larger room that led to an even larger room. "Do we need anything from the Merchant or are we good?"

"I'm good," Sherry said, shifting Elly in her arm's again. Ada nodded in agreement. "Same," she said.

"Let's at least see if he has anymore Kevlar yet or not." Jake says walking up to meet the merchant and see if he had any. It took him only a few seconds before Jake came back with a negative. "Sorry guys, but he needs more time because Pete apparently found one of his supply rooms and had Wesker's ganados invade it. So he needs to get to his other stash for supplies to make the Kevlar suits."

"How did Pete fine it? The guy can barely tie his own shoes..." Sora asked wondering how Pete managed to find some of the Merchant's supplies and get Wesker to steal it.

"Probably luck, Pete isn't that smart or deadly. He's more of an annoyance than anything else." Riku said knowing of Pete and honestly thought he was more a nuisance than a threat.

"Or he had help," Ada said frowning as she waited for Jake to come and join them. Before they started walking again, passing the small hallway and entered a room where a pair of shutters laid closed in front of them. "Great..." Lanna went to the shutters and grabbed the handle, pulling up slowly. "Ugh...freaking thing is heavy...help?"

"I'll help!" Sora said getting next to her and helping her lift the shutters.

"Thanks," Lanna said smiling. The shutters opened slowly and creaked loudly, resisting before opening all the way. Behind the shutters is a bloody sight. Bodies of Ganado's littered the floor, dark green and red blood pooled into puddles under the bodies and the scent of death lingered in the room.

Sherry and Kairi started to cough and gag at the scent, looking away from the carnage. Lanna looked at the scene and bent down, looking at the bodies. 'They're fresh..." she said, sighing heavily as her eyes roamed over the bodies.

Riku took a sniff in the air to check for any heartless, but not picking up any scents of darkness. "I don't smell any darkness, so the heartless didn't do this..."

"But...what did?" Kairi asked, biting her lower lip as she stayed close to him. The room didn't hold any secrets, but there was a set of bloody footprints, heading out through a door. The door they had to go through. Lanna sighed and stood up. "Well, let's see what's behind door number two," she said. Kairi looked at her. "Are you crazy?" she asked. "You want to face that thing?"

"Don't have a choice," Lanna said plainly. "We don't have time either to sit around and twiddle our thumbs." She headed to the door, placing her feet carefully and pushed open the door, jumping back and ducking when an ax went flying at her head and missed. "That's freaking lame."

"Sherry stay back with Donald and Goofy." Jake orders Sherry in a firm tone meant to hide how worried he feels. He was glad Lanna dodged it and hoped it was only a trap, but he wouldn't put it past his luck to be a new B.O.W. of some kind...

And he was right. It appeared right in front of Lanna and slammed it's claws into her stomach, throwing her against the wall. It was a Hunter, but it was different. It was taller, larger and even uglier than the original versions. It's skin rippled with veins under it and some other black cords pushed out of it's skin. It roared at the group.

"Lanna!" Sherry screamed in horror, seeing the girl go flying like a rag doll. Lanna coughed, holding her stomach. 'I'm fine!" she said, bleeding.

"You're dead!" Jake roars as an aura of light surrounds his being and rockets toward the monsters. Sora's eyes widen as a flash of darkness surrounded his body for a second. An enraged roar sounding in his mind as he rushed to Lanna's side after seeing Jake blitz the creature through a wall. "Heal!" Sora calls as he stands next to Lanna. The green herb blooming into a beautiful flower to heal her wounds.

Lanna watched Jake go at the Hunter and looked at Sora. "Babe, I'm fine," she reassured him. "Don't lose it, alright?" She stood up slowly. "We have to help him. He won't be able to fight it alone." She wiped her mouth of blood.

"Lanna, are you alright?" Sherry asked while Donald and Goofy kept close, as Ada helped Jake fight the mutated Hunter.

Jake was surprised how much of a handful this hunter was being. It's speed comparable to his own with the Light aura activated and exchanging blows that actually hurt him in this state. It didn't pierce the aura, but he knew he couldn't draw this battle out and quickly deflects a right claw. Before ducking under a left one coming in for a stab in a crouch. His palm facing toward the beast reared back and instantly launched forward at blinding speeds.

To a normal human like Ada, it was a blur of light. Though to Sora and Riku, it was a pretty fast attack that could be read. It could be dodged, but timing would be tricky for them.

It hit the Mutated Hunter head on right over it's heart with a shock wave visibly forming from the contact point. Launching the hunter across the room and through a wall as it gave a pained shriek.

Ada gasped as she saw the fight, surprised at this. She wondered what Sora had taught Jake and Lanna in the brief time they were separated. Looking at Sora in surprise, wondering what else the kid had up his sleeves as the Hunter burst through the rubble and lunged at Jake, slashing at him and sent out black tentacles from his skin.

Jake recoils stumbling back hissing as he felt the tentacles almost break his light to it flickering and knew he could only hold it a little longer. With this in mind Jake resolved to end this fight here and now!.

Rushing toward the Mutated Hunter, Jake slides under another tentacle lunge and kicks the creature in the chin. Knocking it to the sky as it's jaw made an audible snapping sound. Jumping to his feet he focused what was left of his light aura into his hand and aimed for the falling creature. The light around his hand taking on a sword like shape as his hand had all fingers pointing straight.

"You're finished!" Jake shouts piercing the mutated monster's chest and bursting out the back. Leaving a bloody glow of red and white on his hand as he withdrew it. Unknowingly making Ada and Lanna remember hearing stories of Wesker doing the same thing. The Hunter shrieked before dying and fell to the ground, no longer moving. Jake took a knee as the light aura was fully spent and began panting in exhaustion.

Sora concerned for his student and friend rushed up to him. "Jake are you okay?"

"I-I'll live, Spikes... just need a breather..."

Lanna and Ada watched Jake before moving towards him. Lanna was worried about her brother figure and teacher, bending down next to him. "Jake..." she said softly and touched his shoulder, her gray eyes filled with worry and concern.

"Hey...Lanna...don't worry...about me." Jake said smiling weakly trying to ease her mind.

"Jake, hush," Lanna said and hugged him gently. "You're family. I worry." Sherry walked towards them and bent down next to them, looking at her husband. "Jake..." she said, biting her lower lip.

"Hey, Super girl, don't you start worrying too. I told ya I'm built like a tank." Jake said hugging Lanna with one arm as he caressed Sherry face with the other. Wanting to ease both ladies of their worries, even though he understands why they are understandably concerned. He still prefers to keep the strong pillar image for as long as possible.

Sherry leaned into his hand and kissed his palm gently. "Maybe but I wouldn't be a wife if I didn't worry," she said, smiling softly at him. She was relieved that he was alive. Lanna smiled lightly as she hugged him gently before pulling away. "When this is all over, we need a long vacation and you two need a second honeymoon." Sherry blushed heavily at that.

"Maybe we'll have a little one this time.~" Jake teases his wife with a smirk that suggested what he was thinking. He loved teasing his wife and making her blush, as he found her shy attitude adorable. In bed was where another side of her came out though that both enjoyed a lot. Not that anyone knew of their wild nights of course, they liked some privacy in the bedroom.

Sherry blushed even more and smiled at him. "Heh...that would be nice," she said as they wanted kids of their own someday. Lanna smiled and stepped back, letting the couple have their time alone. Sherry knew she could make him moan and beg when they were alone, making the bed shake at times, but only he would know that.

Kairi blushed as she listened to the two talking. She did wanted to get married and settle down when she was ready. She subconsciously looked at Riku and looked away again quickly before he could catch her. Lanna stepped next to Sora, leaning into him slightly.

"I'm sure you'll make awesome parents, I mean Sherry is everything I can imagine a mother being so far and Jake would be the bad ass protective dad." Sora said sincerely making Jake smirk at being called a bad ass. Always good to hear when someone admits he has the skills and really means it. Plus the idea of him saying Sherry is motherly, while old news and obvious, much appreciated to hear in Jake's opinion.

Riku only shook his head with a smirk of his own, mentally wondering if he could approach Kairi about giving him a chance or not.

Lanna chuckled a bit. "You have no idea," she said smiling remembering how Sherry and Jake often baby sat her when she was younger and Elly was just a baby. "She makes great food and Jake is the type to be very protective." Kari chuckled a bit as she looked at Riku. "Riku is the same," she said.

"With people like you and Sora, I couldn't help it. Lord knows I couldn't leave Sora by himself or he'd get neck deep in trouble and you... I wouldn't leave you without protection if I had any say in it." Riku said sincerely, ignoring Sora's cry in protest at Riku basically calling him a trouble magnet. Much to Jake's delight as he chuckled at the rather accurate description of Sora's luck.

Kairi seem to blush a bit at that and shifted on her feet. "Thanks," she said, acting a bit shy now even though they had known each other since they were kids. She wasn't sure why he made her feel this way. Lanna and Ada shared a look and grinned.

Jake feeling his body and breath finally caught up and working properly. Was able to stand up again with a smirk on his face more natural and full of confidence again. "So how about we head on to that machine and continue our rescue mission?"

"Sounds good!" Donald said smiling as he wanted to continue with the machine. "Maybe we'll be lucky that the machine will be in the next room or something!" Lanna chuckled a bit. "Now that would be nice," she said as she stepped over the dead Hunter and looked at it curiously. "Be careful though. There may be more updated toys around." She looked at Sora. "Thank you for the save."

"No problem, Lanna, I'm just glad you're okay." Sora said sincerely with a relieved smile, even Anti stopped roaring once the Hunter was dead. Though Sora felt an odd sense of dissatisfaction at the fact Jake killed it. He pushed the thought aside as probably wanting to do it himself, it was the only way he could make sense of the feeling.

Lanna smiled and nodded. "I am, thank you," she said as Ada took the lead, leading them into the room. There was a set of freezer doors on the right and a small set of steps next to it, leading to the waste room. She thought of how Jake reacted to the Hunter and how he had killed it. She knew it was an attack that Wesker used a lot, but unlike Wesker, Jake fought for those around him. Ada swore. "We need a key card," she said.

"Please tell me you have someway to hack it." Jake asks the spy in hopes she had someway to get pass this.

Ada nodded. "Yeah. It's old. I can hack it," she said, pulling out some tools and got to work. There was a lot of clicking and shifting a bit as Ada moved the tools around and soon there was a click. "Done," she said and put her things away, opening the door. It led to a room where they entered the hold of a room that over looked the waste shoot.

"What is this place?" Kairi asked, looking around. Lanna looked out the broken windows. "Waste management," she said seeing the large buckets that were empty. Sherry stayed close to Jake. "It's pretty clean..."

"Guess despite all the construction they had, there was little need for this room. Maybe Maleficent's magic did have something to do with it." Jake said seeing the no enemies as worry began building up. They had seen few enemies so far and he knew it was a matter of time before they did. He was just unsure what to expect.

"Anyone notice how...quiet things have gotten since we killed that last creature? Wesker and Maleficent must be aware we are getting closer, but made no real moves against us yet." Riku says a bit worried what this lack of resistance could mean. Like Sora he was used to fighting through endless amounts of heartless, Sora more so than him, to reach their goals.

This lack of enemy contact was both welcoming and worrying to both keyblade wielders.

"Yeah...it's pretty quiet..." Sherry agreed as she looked at the bookcase in the back of the room, looking over the contents. "Hey! I found something about the Plagas." She grabbed the book and pulled but it stopped. "Huh? It's stuck." Goofy walked over to her. "It is? Hold on," he said as he grabbed the book and pulled harder. "Wow! It is stuck." He yanked again but this time there was a soft clank that could barely be heard. Lanna had been busy looking at some papers on the floor when part of the floor under her feet gave way and she felt herself falling down a shoot as the door slammed over head. She screamed as she went down a slide, twisting and turning wildly before the slide stopped and Lanna was sent flying through the air before landing on the floor, near the dumpsters. "Oof...!" she groaned.

"Lanna!" Donald cried out, seeing the girl disappear into the floor and somehow land on the ground below them. There was another clicking sound as the doors on both sides locked. "Lanna! Are you okay?"

Lanna groaned weakly as she sat up slowly and looked around the room. "I'm fine!" she reassured and looked around more as she stood up slowly. "That was fun..."

Soon crashing sounds were heard as Sora was hammering against the floor that Lanna fell through viciously. Trying his hardest to break it without resorting to magic that might cause an explosion. "I. HATE. TRAPDOORS!"

Lanna looked up. "Sora!" she called out to him. "I'm alright! Just calm down and breathe!" Goofy looked at the teen and touched his arm. "She's right. We'll get out of here and help her," he said, trying to calm him. "Let's see if we can't get the doors open before something happens."

Sora breathed as he tried to calm himself down and keep his worry in check. "Fine..." Sora said reluctantly as he dismissed his weapon and began looking at the bookcase Sherry was at earlier. "Which books was you pulling on?"

Sherry looked at the books and pointed. "This one," she said and went to grab it again, but stopped when the intercom started to work, alerting the group.

"Well, well...it's nice to see everyone here and Lanna. Are you ready for the next step?" It was Wesker's voice. Lanna growled as a door opened behind her as she saw the familiar figures.

"Wesker!" Jake and Sora both shout in rage. Riku however glared at the witch standing next to him with a smirk and outstretched his hand ready to summon a dark corridor.

Lanna whipped her blade out, getting into a stance as she watched the two warily. "Great..." she said. "Hey Maleficent, how's your head feeling?" She smirked a bit, trying to buy time. Wesker chuckled. "No need for that," he said. "Lanna, can you feel it growing inside of you? Growing stronger?"

Riku tried to focus his power, but widens his eyes as he has trouble forming a dark corridor. Hearing a banging noise he turns to see Jake trying to break the window open via gunshots. Sora getting the idea summons his keyblade and prepares to lunge for the windows.

Lanna growled. "Shut up!" she said lunging at him quickly and slashed at him. Wesker dodged easily, laughing as he grabbed her arm and knocked the blade out of her hands and yanked her against his chest, making her look up at the others. "Let's give your friends a show..." he said. Lanna struggled and cried out, feeling pain rolling over her as she felt light headed and coughed up blood as she could picture the plaga inside of her, growing more and wiggled inside of her body. She screamed as Wesker let her go. She held her sides as she fell to the ground, pawing at the stone as the pain increased. Her cries grew even louder, making Sherry and the others wince.

CRASH!

"Lanna!" Sora calls jumping out the window he burst through with Jake jumping behind him. The light aura around his body softens the landing, as the two land not too far from Wesker and Maleficent. Riku watches from above, unsure if he should join them or stay to protect Kairi and the others...

Ada looked at him. "I can watch the others if you want to go," she offered, knowing he was worried.

Wesker looked at the others, smirking. "Good, we'll have a bigger audience then," he said and looked down at Lanna who had grabbed his leg. "Don't...you dare...hurt them..." she rasped, fighting the plaga that was raging war on her body. Wesker only chuckled coldly that made a chill go down her spine. "I'm not their opponent this time, child but you are," he said and went to move but Lanna held on tightly.

"No..." Lanna growled, pulling herself up slowly even though it pained her too. "I won't...fight them...I'd rather die than fight..them..."

Maleficent watched this smug and was about to fire some lightning toward Sora, only to notice a shadow over her and Wesker. "Die Maleficent!" Riku shouts clashing his blade coated in darkness against Maleficent's staff. Wesker tries to move, only to be forced to deflect bullets from Jake and Sora's keyblade trying to cut his head off. Both successfully pushing Wesker and Maleficent back away from Lanna. Jake seeing this chance gets near Lanna and puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Lanna? Can you hear me? Just stay strong, we're here for you." Jake says trying to help her through this.

Lanna wheezed as she looked at Jake, her eye sight cloudy. "Jake...you...need to...leave...I can't...hold it...back anymore..." she said weakly as the pain only grew as small blackish and bluish veins started to travel up her body and down her arms. The change was coming fast.

"Dammit, hang in there Lanna!" Jake calls before hearing an explosion to see Sora and Riku looking around for Maleficent and Wesker who had disappeared.

"I can't believe that creep gave us the slip again!" Sora shouted in frustration and anger toward the man. Riku also looked quite cross, but more composed about it.

"At least he's not a witch that refuses to stay dead..." Riku said annoyed that Maleficent's prolonged life. He knew she wouldn't be easy to kill, but this was ridiculous...

"Guys! Are you alright?" Sherry called out to them, seeing the fight and the sudden stop of it, wondering what was going on.

Lanna screamed again as she got on her hands and knees as the veins trailed over her body and up her neck and face. She stood up, pulling away from Jake. "Don't touch me! Stay away!" she yelled.

"They got away and we're checking on Lanna now!" Sora calls back to Sherry as he rushes toward Jake and Lanna. Seeing Jake trying to help her and Lanna's worsening condition.

"Lanna!" Sora calls worried as Riku comes to back them up if they need help restraining her.

Lanna panted as she stopped screaming, holding her chest as she stood there. She breathed heavily and stood up slowly till she lifted her head, showing off her ghostly white face and dark red eyes. She eyed the three of them slowly, like that of a predator on the hunt for it's pray.

"Lanna..." Ada murmured, fearing the worst.

"Lanna...no..." Jake said before raising his arm to bar Sora and Riku. "Both of you back off and let me handle this, I'll snap her out of it... somehow." Jake said barely stopping Sora before Riku pulled Sora back. Respecting Jake's wishes...for now.

"Are you crazy?! I can help!" Sora tried to protest but neither Riku or Jake were worried as they locked eyes in a glance.

"Can you handle it?" Riku asks Jake simply, but his tone showing how important the question was.

"Yeah, I made a promise to not let any of you get hurt and I won't let her down." Jake replied, making Riku nod in understanding. Before looking up at Ada.

"Ada! Any ideas of how Leon beat this in the past?!" Riku calls as Jake walks up to Lanna, keep her focus solely on him alone.

"He didn't...I did," Ada called out. "I had to stab him in the leg, it brought him out of it!" She and the others watched from their spot as Lanna stared at Jake, her movements quick and fast and they could hear cricks and cracks of her neck as she kept him in sights. She lunged at Jake, faster than normal as she had her knife with her, slashing at him.

"WHAT?! You're saying Jake has to stab her?! there has to be another way!" Sora shouted in protest as Riku held firm with a sympathetic look. Giving Jake a chance to save Lanna and keep his promise. Jake himself was deflecting her blows and trying to trip her footing, but she was fast on her feet. Barely avoiding his attempts by a small margin each time he went in for a trip or a sweep kick.

"It has to be a shock to the system!" Ada said. "It doesn't have to be somewhere vital. In the leg or in the arm!" She watched Lanna attack Jake.

Lanna jumped over the sweep, twisting in the air as she landed on his shoulders and yanked backwards, sending Jake sprawling to the ground as she landed in a crouched position, brandishing her dagger, growling.

"A shock huh..." Jake mutters seeing Lanna coming toward him as he left himself open on purpose. Charging a light aura around a fist he was hiding from view. Planning to use the pain to snap her out of it. 'Please forgive me, Lanna, this will really hurt.'

Lanna snarled as she ran at him, full speed. The speed itself would match Jake's at this level as her body was pushed against the limits. Inside the real Lanna watched the whole thing, screaming for help, begging anyone to stop her. Sherry and the others watched the scene, seeing Jake ready to pull something.

Jake seeing the charge ducks and elbows her hard in the stomach using her own momentum against her. Before thrust hard against her stomach to send her flying into Sora's arms. "Lanna! Are you alright?!" Sora calls to her worried for her health.

Lanna screamed in pain as she thrashed around in Sora's arms, shaking and jerking around. It continued like that for about ten minutes before going silent, her form slumping. Her breathing was ragged and harsh as her coloring was still pale but the dark veins had disappeared. The doors unlocked as Sherry and the others raced down the steps and towards the others.

"Guys!" Kairi said running towards them and looked at the slumped form of Lanna. "Is she...?" Ada touched Lanna's pulse in her throat, frowning. "She has a pulse, faint. Come on, Lanna...wake up..." Lanna's body jerked once more as she gasped loudly, her eyes flew open and looked around.

"Lanna! Are you alright?!" Sora asks worried upon noticing her awake, but holds her carefully in his arms afraid of hurting her if he moves her too much. Jake only kept his distance, feelings slightly ashamed he had to hit her like that, but still hopeful she was alright.

Lanna looked up at him, her eyesight a little blurry. "S-Sor..a..." she rasped and coughed again as she blinked her eyes. "What...where...?" She held onto the back of his jacket tightly as her body started to recover from the shock to the system. "Jake...?" She reached out for him.

"I'm here, Lanna...Just hang in there." Jake said holding her hand gently, trying not to mind the glare Sora was shooting at him. He knew why Sora was upset with him and honestly he couldn't blame him at all. If their positions were reversed, he'd be wanting to beat him into the ground.

Lanna gripped his hand as tight as she could which was pretty weak at the moment. "Ugh...what...hit me...?" she asked and blinked again, looking around. She gripped Sora's jacket a little more urgently, feeling another pain in her stomach. "Ow..." She coughed. "Did anyone get the number on the truck?"

"Yeah, a tank named Jake elbowed you in the stomach and then used a light aura enhanced palm to your stomach." Sora growled out angry at Jake for not only hurting Lanna, but also using something he taught him as well.

Jake wanted to retort, but held his tongue as he knew Sora was only being protective of Lanna because he loves her. If it was Sherry in Lanna's state and someone else put her in that state, he'd want that guy's head on a pike. Riku seeing this puts a hand on Sora's shoulder in hopes of calming him.

"Sora, let it go. I'm sure Jake had his reasons and like Ada said, she needed a shock to her system to snap out of it." Riku explained as Sora stopped glaring, but deep down was still angry at him. He could hear Anti growling in agreement deep within in the dark corners of his heart.

Lanna squeezed Jake's hand and looked up at Sora. "Sora...look at me," she said softly, hearing the tone of his voice. She didn't want the two to fight.

Sherry touched Jake's back gently, feeling the muscles tightening in his back. She knew he had been worried about Lanna and didn't want to hurt her.

Sora did as he was told looking at Lanna and knew she wasn't happy with him. Riku only sighed as he backed off to stand next to Kairi and Ada watching in silence. He could tell this was between them to talk about and he hoped for the better.

Lanna looked at him, her eyes meeting his. "I'm alright. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you two," she said. "Don't be mad at Jake, Sora. I know you don't like it, but Jake didn't either. There was no other way."

"If it's any consolation to you, Sora, I don't blame you for being angry at me," Jake said interrupting them to let Sora know this. Seeing their eyes drawn on him, he elaborated. "If you had done what I did to Sherry, I would've wanted your head on a pike. But I only did that to save her. If I had a better way, spikes, I would of used it."

Sora hearing all of this began to feel slightly ashamed of himself, but still gave Jake an understanding nod. One that Jake gave wordlessly in return with a small smile to show he had no ill feelings toward Sora.

Lanna looked at Jake and smiled gently before looking at Sora. She wordlessly hugged his neck gently, letting him know she wasn't mad at him. She understood how he felt and why he acted the way he did.

Riku seeing Sora relax into the hug and hugging Lanna back with Jake at ease, sighed in relief. That was too close for his liking and honestly he didn't want to have to restrain an overprotective Sora.

"Ada, where do we head from here?" Riku asks just wanting to find the machine, rescue the prisoners, kill a witch and mad man, and finally call it a day. His last three days here prisoner and one day fighting back against them has been tiring physically and mentally.

Ada looked at him. "There's more to the room through the door that we haven't checked out. We may find some info on the missing people, but the only way out of here is through the dumpster shoot," she said. Kairi looked at the shoot and groaned. "Great...do we have to?" she asked.

"Yes," Ada said. Goofy and Donald groaned lowly.

Sora hearing this let Lanna rest in Jake's arms to check it out. Looking down at the hole, he grinned in a way Riku and Kairi knew meant he has a "fun"/reckless idea.

"Sora, don't you freaking-"

"Cannonball!" Sora cheered jumping in and cutting off Riku before he could finish. Making Riku facepalm at Sora's recklessness as Jake looked at the hole Sora jumped into bewildered.

"He's really the jump without looking type isn't he?" Jake asks Riku, who can only shake his head in resigned agreement. "I'll keep him out of trouble down there. You guys stay here for a moment and look around for intel. We'll scout the area ahead and wait for you." Riku said looking at them with a small smile showing he was use to this.

Ada sweatdropped a bit and shook her head. "Wow..." she said and looked at the others. "Alright, we'll join you guys once we're done here," Sherry nodded as well.

"Thanks, sorry, but once Sora gets an idea. He needs someone to restrain him or he jumps into it with little hesitation. Just a fair warning to you all." Riku says with a humored smile remembering all the adventures he and Sora had. Jumping down after Sora as Jake shook his head.

"How about we get started on looking for clues, red?"

Lanna nodded, smiling lightly as she watched her boyfriend jump down the shoot and looked at Jake. "Yeah," she said as she felt exhausted from earlier. "I think I can walk though." Goofy looked at her, worried. "I doubt it," he said. "You were controlled and had your system shocked. If you can walk, I'd surprised."

"Yes dad," Lanna said rolling her eyes lightly but gave a light smile to show she appreciated his worry. "But Jake needs both of his arms to fight."

"Who says? I can snap a guys neck with only my knees once I trip him." Jake said remembering how he did that to a J'avo. Though not admitting he needed hands for a few parts of that fight. No reason to worry her or damage his reputation as the awesome brother.

Lanna raised a brow. "Yes I know, but I feel like a burden as it is," she said as she didn't doubt him. She knew he was a strong fighter, a much better one than she was, but she still wanted to avoid being a burden to those around her.

"You're no burden, just get that out of your head. I know I'm not Sora, but surely you can enjoy a small ride in your bro's arms as we look for evidence." Jake said with a teasing smirk as he brought up Sora. Following Ada up into the room to look for evidence with everyone else following behind them.

Lanna blushed at the mention of Sora holding her. "Oh hush," she said relaxing into his arms as Ada led them down the hallway and into another room that sectioned off into another hallway to the left. Ada pushed opened the door and saw a room with infected army men. "We have company," she said to the others. "There is six of them."

"Great, Sherry do you mind? I may need my hands after all with that many." Jake said setting Lanna to her feet and having Sherry watch her.

"No worries," Sherry said as Donald and Goofy got ready for a fight, as they would cover Ada and Jake as well as protect the girls in case. Ada looked at Jake and nodded as she pulled out her gun and stepped into the room. She took aim and started to shoot at the infected as they growled before attacking. One went after Ada with a spiked ball and chain while another started to shoot at Jake with arrows.

"Really?! You think you're Robin Hood or something?!" Jake said leaning to the side to avoid one and catching another before throwing it at the Archer. He knew it would kill him, but it did force him to dodge to avoid losing an eye. Which distracted the infected long enough for Jake to run up and kick him into the mace wielding comrade attacking Ada. Making the mace wielder lose his shield as both tumbled over.

Ada nodded at him as she ducked and did a donkey kick to one of the infected, knocking him back as she shot at another, taking the head off. "Thanks," she said. Two more infected with shield's came at the pair, growling in anger. Ada ran forward, jumped over the infected, and took out her grappling hook tripping the two.

Jake smirks as he side steps another mace user and kick hard against his shield breaking it as it knocked the infected stumbling back. Once he recovered, he saw Jake's fist crashing against his face twice, before Jake elbowed him harshly in the stomach. Knocking the wind out of the infected. Raising his leg above their heads. He brought it down on the infected head and smashed it against the floor. Cracking his skull open as Jake quickly pulled out his Samurai Edge to shoot one trying to sneak up on Ada. Stunning him with a shot to the head and making him cry out in pain.

Ada spun around and shot the infected in the head and shot at another that was coming up behind her. She ducked under another and rammed her blade into the man's throat, twisting it and yanked it out. She looked up, seeing three were only left. She shot at one, stunning it and shot at another in the gut.

Jake seeing two left now rushes up and kicks the crouched one in the head to the floor crushing his skull. Before firing at the last one and shot him him repeatedly in the head till it exploded. Both Ada and Jake waited with baited breath to see if it would fall or mutate. Luckily it only collapsed and melted away revealing some dropped herbs that Jake took just in case.

Sherry, Lanna and the guys stepped out into the room, seeing the melting bodies. "That went well," Sherry said, sighing in relief as she picked up a flash grenade and a thing of gold. Donald sighed in relief. "Yeah, it hasn't been great before," he said as he looked at the cabinets, monitors, white board with information on it but like earlier it was written in Spanish. Sherry groaned. "I don't speak the language..."

Ada looked at the board. "Nothing useful, just mathematics and notes," she said as she started down the stairs where more shelves were lined with books and jars. She found some handgun ammo and shotgun shells. "Clear down here."

Jake was checking around the room and found some money they could use to pay the Merchant. Along with small amounts of ammo for a machine gun and shotgun. "Lanna? Ada? Do either of you need shotgun or machine gun ammo?"

"I'm out of machine gun ammo," Ada said as she had been sticking with her handgun and her crossbow and arrows. Lanna nodded. "Yeah, I have two rounds left in the shotgun," she said as she checked her ammo and frowned, seeing her blade was gone. "Great...my blade is gone." She sighed heavily as that blade was special. It was the blade she got when she graduated basic training her dad and uncle and Jake gave her before joining the BSAA training program.

"We'll get you a new blade, Lanna, don't sweat it." Jake said reassuringly as while the blade was expensive and well made. He didn't mind replacing it for Lanna.

Lanna nodded, smiling sadly. "Thank you," she said. "I must have lost it during the fight earlier. It just stinks because you and the others got it for me because I finished the training." Sherry rubbed her back lightly, remembering that day well. "I remember. You loved that blade. But remember Lanna, the blade doesn't make the fighter, it's the person behind it."

Donald nodded, not knowing what she was like before training, but he had seen her grow in such a short time. "Yeah, you're not the average kid that's for sure," he said.

"They're right, Lanna, don't forget what Leon told you. The weapons you wield are only as useful as the one using them." Jake reminds Lanna of the lesson he heard Leon tell her, good advice really.

Lanna nodded at him. "I remember," she said. "That was one of the first lessons that dad made sure to drill into my head." She did remember. "He also said that anything could be a weapon even if it's not one you are used to."

"That's true, but I prefer good old fashioned hand to hand honestly." Jake said with a shrug of his shoulder as they continued checking the room for any clues.

"I'm not as strong as you," Lanna said chuckling as she walked with the others as Ada led them out of the room and into a small hallway. There were two doors coming up, one in front of them and the other on the left. Ada opened the door in front of them and found a green herb and a box of ammo for Jake's elephant gun. She came back out and handed the box to him. "Here," she said and looked at the other door. "Maybe this one will hold some info for us."

"Hopefully," Donald said nodding as they could use some good news, specially with everything else going on. Ada opened the door and they were greeted with a small room like lab with test tubes, desks, monitors and more large tube structures that held petri dishes filled with a substance that they couldn't see. "This looks promising..." Sherry said looking at the boards and shelves that were half empty or half full with junk.

Jake got to checking the computers, after a few minutes of checking. He clicked a link to a security system of cameras. Scowling as he saw a few places they already passed by earlier. 'So that's how they knew when to ambush us, they had hidden cameras and this room seems to have some too.'

Jake finishing his internal musing, checks the links for more camera locations. Smirking as he saw one camera of down the hole, where Sora was digging through stuff and Riku poking at some dead bodies of former experiments. At least he knew they were fine so far, now he had two more cameras to check. His then eyes to widen at what he found on one camera feed.

"Guys! I got some good news!" Jake called after shaking off his surprise to show them what he is seeing.

The others quickly joined him and gasped as they saw Leon on the feed. "Holy!" Sherry said, but was clearly grinning happily as she remembered Leon saving her from Racoon City and saving her and Jake from Simmons and the Ustanak all those years ago. "Leon!" Donald and Goofy looked at the feed. "He looks rough!" Goofy said staring.

Lanna and Sherry laughed at that. "My dad? He can be but he's a good guy though" Lanna said grinning as she remembered seeing earlier pictures of her dad when he was younger. He was a lot more carefree then. "Dad grew a bit more hard since the attacks." Lanna couldn't believe it...her dad looked well but he looked sad too. If the angle of the camera had been different they would have known that Claire was still alive…

Donald looked at her and nodded in understanding. "I can't imagine..." he said. Lanna nodded slowly. "Yeah...dad was a police officer than, around the same time my aunt and uncle were in S.T.A.R.S"

"S.T.A.R.S?" Kairi asked confused as she and Goofy and Donald didn't know what that was. "It's like BSAA but different," Lanna said. "Back than it was called Special Tactics and Rescue Service. It was another branch of the Raccoon City police, but they handled more intense cases."

"Until Wesker led them on an operation to the Spencer Mansion where he betrayed them. Getting most of his team killed for combat data against the B.O.W.s they made and leaving a handful of survivors to barely make it back alive." Jake said remembering what he was told about that incident.

"Yeah and it was a real major turn point in history for the world," Lanna said, looking at the feed. "It's what really started it all, what brought B.O.W's to light and even then a lot of people didn't want to believe it. And now...years later, we're still fighting the monsters that are supposed to be in stories. Stories told to little kids to make them behave but thanks to that asshole Spencer and his crew, those monsters are now real." There was venom in her tone, remembering the info she read and gathered during the years. Her hate for the now dead man was evident.

Ada nodded. "Yes, but there is still hope, even if it is small," she said and nudged the girl gently. "We have reasons to fight." She looked at the sleeping girl in Sherry's arms, amazed that she had somehow managed to sleep through this already. "She'll be happy to see her parents again." Sherry nodded. "Yeah, she will," she agreed. Lanna looked at the child and moved back her hair gently, sighing. "Yeah..." she said, wondering how her uncle would feel about his sister's death. "Anyway, let's meet up back with Sora and Riku. As much as I trust them, I worry about the goofballs."

"Trust me, those two are just fine." Jake said amused watching the camera feed as Sora stuck his head in a dumpster. Only to pull back quickly waving the air in front of him like he smelled something foul. Riku could only laugh at Sora's expense leaning against the wall taking a few glances around for trouble.

Kairi laughed and shook her head, seeing the feed. "Yeah, they are. They can handle themselves," she said. "They're not babies, Lan." Lanna bristled a bit but calmed down. "I never said they were and I know they can handle themselves," she said looking at the shorter redhead. "And Kairi? I'd appreciate it if you don't call me that." She headed out the door, still feeling tired and light headed from earlier and didn't feel like fighting at the moment.

Sherry looked at Kairi and gave her a warning look, her blue eyes almost shooting dagger's at the younger girl before following after Lanna. "Kairi...I don't think getting Lanna angry at you is a good idea..." Goofy advised, still feeling shaky from seeing Lanna change because of the plaga inside of her. Making his way out the door behind the others, except for Jake who stayed behind.

"I'd take the warning if I were you, Kairi," Jake warns with a blank look making it hard to read his emotions. On one hand he felt annoyed she off his little sister, but on the other he knew she wasn't being as bitchy as before. So maybe she was trying to be friendly and for that he would give the benefit of the doubt...for now.

With his piece said, Jake went out the door behind his beloved and after Lanna to check on the last two of their group, with Kairi following behind him. Kairi sighed heavily as she followed after the others. She wasn't trying to be a bitch...this time.

It didn't take long for the group to make it to the trash shoot. Lanna looked down the opening and looked at the others. "Well...we'll have a safe landing," she said. "Just try to land on your ass and not your head." She winked and jumped over the edge. Sherry shook her head and looked at the others. "How are we gonna do this with Elly?" she asked, worried about the child in her arms.

"We'll have to be careful," Ada said and found some cloth to wrap it around Sherry and Elly. "That will help her to stay attach to you and do try to land on your butt."

"I'll jump last to cover you guys," Jake said cocking his samurai edge. While he saw no signs of enemies on the cameras, he wasn't about to take chances with his wife's safety. Watching as Kairi jumped down and could hear her shouting 'gross' about landing in trash. Hopefully she didn't land in anything wet or stinky. Last thing anyone needs is a pissed off redhead, he knew Claire's temper too well and Lanna inherited hers from her mother.

Sherry nodded at him. "Alright," she said as she and Ada jumped in next, landing on garbage and in time seeing Lanna helping Kairi up to her feet. "Well, I'd knew you'd be fine if you landed on your butt," she said, not knowing her dad had said the same thing to Ashley years ago. Garbage littered the floor and part up the shoot as well. "You're safe to come down, Jake!" Sherry called out as Donald and Goofy landed safely. Kairi glared at Lanna and was ready to say something when Lanna pointed at the back of her shorts. "You landed in something."

Kairi groaned loudly as she felt her butt was wet. "Ew! Gross!" she said. "Feels like I wet myself...this is your fault Lanna." Lanna sweatdropped. "How is it my fault that you landed in something wet?" she asked and looked around, wondering where Sora and Riku went off too.

"Somebody fat be under me!" Jake said chuckling at his own joke as he lands on the trash. Getting up he dusted himself off with a smirk on his face. "Well, that was fun while it lasted, now where are those two rascals?"

"Lanna!" Sora cheered running up to her with Riku casually walking up behind Sora to the group. "This place is huge! But don't open the dumpsters, they stink and have nothing inside them..." Sora said frowning as Riku sighed in resignation of being Sora's filter of bad ideas.

"I tried to warn you Sora that it wouldn't make sense for anyone to leave ammo or usable supplies in a dumpster."

"But we'd never know if we didn't check!"

"Sora, at best it's a hiding place to use if desperate to avoid being found. Not a place to hide your stuff."

"But it still could be used to hide stuff, you never know! I found treasure chests in all sorts of places in my previous adventures!"

Jake watched amused as Riku and Sora bickered about their views on hidden items. He'd admit he had found ammo and guns at random spots at times, but surely looking in a dumpster for a gun is a bit much...

Lanna chuckled a bit. "Well...crazier things have been known to happen," she said grinning as she looked around and saw all the gates have been opened up for them. "Hm...this is where dad had to fight two iron maidens..." She was a little confused as this place should have more obstacles than this... "I don't want to break the happy banter but doesn't this seem weird?"

"What do you mean?" Sherry asked looking at the teen. "This just seems to easy. Yeah, we fought infected army dudes, a jacked up Hunter, a possessed me for a few minutes," Lanna said looking at her. "This seems too easy. We had more action when we first got here than this."

"You complaining?" Kairi asked frowning. Ada grunted and nodded. "No, she's right. We should have more resistance than this."

"Now that you mention it, I haven't smelled the heartless scent in a long time. Considering Maleficent and Pete are here... Something is wrong if she isn't sending heartless to kill us. Usually only succeeding in slowing us down and making us waste time fighting them off." Riku says in agreement with Ada and Lanna's worry, this was feeling too easy.

"As much as I hate to say it, super girl, they have a point. We had more resistance back when you was sent to protect me and get my blood by Simmons." Jake said with a scowl knowing how much it was feeling like a trap, there had to be something else waiting for them.

There was a loud blaring sound as red lights started to flash through the room. A mechanical clank was heard as a door was opened from the other side of the room. Where a wall was blocking their view as there was a growling sound. The creaks and groans of bones moving in a way that shouldn't be possible for a human. Four figures stepped into view of the group, their bodies a sickly gray color with spikes jutting from the skin. "Oh no..." Lanna said, seeing the monsters. "Iron Maidens..." The monsters gargled and cackled almost, making their way towards the group slowly.

"This could be trouble..." Sora said disgusted at the sight of the creatures.