Hey there, short author's note.
Welcome to the final all! Watch for trigger warnings at the start of chapters or scenes with the ***

And also, I saw that I got a review. But sadly I got this weird bug other people have sometimes too.
So, I can't actually read it. (tells me no results found...)
However wrote it, I would like to respond so (best would be) if you can rewrite and post it to this chapter and send it per PN as well.
Since I'm not sure if that bug is gone. So, I can give you a proper answer!

That's all from me! Enjoy the first chapter of this final!

Three Heartbeats and One Goal

"You can?" Officer Shane was overjoyed, "Lucia you are THE BEST."

Blade smiled, "Well, I hope your friend gets better soon. Maybe he can make the run after all."

Shane as always laughed wholeheartedly he was a nice guy, no doubt about it. He was friendly, very open-minded and generous, "I doubt it, apparently his town's pharmacy ran out of the right herbs. If you ask me he's just too lazy to go…" He shook his head.

"I could make the run for him, you know, it'd be sad for him to miss the party," Blade suggested as she leaned against the wall next to the Officer and glanced over, 'It's so easy to let your guard down with him. He's just like William a bit more on the joky side. Hmmm…' She had found nothing, nothing at all. His stories always panned out. He was kind and respectful. Honest. Even when Blade went a bit over her comfort zone sometimes. He didn't ask anything weird. It simply was hard for Blade to trust Police Officers she didn't know from before the raid. 'William hasn't heard anything bad either…he is highly decorated and has a true chance for Chief or even Chieftain one day.' Mercury was her tag partner with the operation nearly done they luckily had fewer missions. The task force only focused on those they truly needed to nail yet. It was just two days left. 'Clayton…' Blade ground her teeth.

"Is everything okay?" Officer Shane asked out of the blue. "I'm asking too much, ain't I? I'll find someone else."

"No, no, all good, I – it's just another Cloud Tower mission that's bugging me. I don't mind getting the cake from Domino. Never was there, but I make sure to be on time," Blade reassured Shane.

"Alright, thanks, you're a lifesaver," Shane pulled out his wallet. "There, that will cover the cake costs and the travel expenses as well as the fee for your service."

"That's way too much. I can't possibly take that," Blade looked at the thousands of Maggi it had to be at least ten grand.

"You're so modest. You always get paid less than you deserve. Not to mention, I probably plug you away from studying and homework. Or time with your best friend? A date, maybe? It's a Friday, don't tell me you didn't have any other plans," Officer Shane smirked at her.

Blade sighed, "Well, kinda," She put away the money first. 'Annual meeting… well, catching bad guys IS more important than glory. Not that I need any glory, we all worked on this. I can't help with Clayton either way, that asshole, can't believe we haven't - URGH, I just should confront him head-on for a rematch without Green Jade, ahhh…Iolas would never let me. I'm not sure if this guy has any dirt at all or a stack as high as a mountain.' She looked at Shane with a short smile, 'At least it's a good distraction.' Blade moved away from the wall. "Well, see you Friday then, with cake."

"Bla-Lucia," Mercury approached her after he had made sure Shane was truly gone and back to his duties. "You alright?" He walked towards her while Blade was counting the money again confused. They were in a side alley away from prying eyes.

Out of nowhere a Sorceress decloaked and smashed the notes out of Blade's hands, "Don't touch that!"

Blade instantly went into an attack stance but nothing else followed, "What's your problem?!"

"Hey! Hold it!" Mercury drew his axes. "Who do you think you are!?"

Blade raised her hand to stop him, "What's wrong with the money? Why shouldn't I touch it?" Blade refocused on the woman in her mid-thirties.

"Stay away from him," The woman glared at her.

Mercury lowered his axes, "Let me guess? He dumped you, too? For such a nice guy he has a lot of exes…"

"Exes? Don't be ridiculous he is nothing but a piggy bank, a cursed one," The Witch hissed. "Leave."

"Cursed? What do you mean cursed? I didn't detect any curses, neither on him or the money," Blade had given up on asking for names by now and simply went for details. The other times she had been approached that hadn't helped her at all though.

"Oh, forget it, be a fool," the Witch turned to leave yet got seized by her wrist.

"Stop, tell me, why is he dangerous?" Blade asked straight forward. A tone of urgency in her voice.

"He…he…" The woman seemed confused, "I don't know!" She growled as she out of nowhere flared up magic and blasted both students against the house walls and dashed off.

"HOLD IT!" Mercury shouted but could only watch as she vanished into fin air again. "Damn it, cloaked again?! Why does every old Sorceress have such a spell?" He pulled himself up.

"Shadion. Whisper of creation," Blade quickly transformed in the shadow of her morph and dashed towards her last position. "Up in the clouds." Just a faint glimmer of Dark magic. She raced towards it and looked around in the wet haze of the clouds, "Shit…" She heard a whisper behind her and flung around just to feel a hand on her chest, followed by a Dark magic jolt.

"Fuck off," an enraged voice hissed. The woman.

Blade plummeted towards the ground, it had been a stun spell, 'Fuck, fuck, fuck!' She flared up all the Dark magic she could muster and broke free just in time to roll off on a rooftop.

"You alright?" Her bracelet screen plopped up with a Council guard.

Blade tried to shake her dizziness, "Damn, she's gone…" She couldn't detect the magic presence any longer. "Ran into that ambush…"

"B-Lucia!" Mercury just jumped up the rooftop, "You alright?!"

"Yes…" Blade growled. "Why do they always run? Does someone send them on their behalf?" Blade couldn't make sense of it at all.

"Mercury, get her to the infirmary in the Headquarters, that was a powerful stun," The Council guard in Red Fountain ordered quietly before he hung up.

"Yes Sir," Mercury nodded, "Need a piggyback?"

"Pfff, do I look senile," Blade stood up but her feet felt a bit wobbly. "Woah…"

Mercury caught her his grip firmly yet gently around her shoulders, "You're walking nowhere."

"I can -" Blade protested straight away but got interrupted.

"I am Co-Leader you'll follow my orders," Mercury crossed his arms. 'She's still…ahhh, reckless, just…grrr. I buy a leash one day, I swear.' He was so worried about her that his heart even beat faster although they were safe now.

A knock at the door, "Enter." Iolas looked up from the massive amount of paperwork. They even had set up more desks for the others to get it all done by Friday. "Mercury, how can I…Blade… What did you do?" He sighed deeply.

"You can set me down now…" Blade growled as the door fell shut.

Mercury looked around, "Virion?" His gaze stopped at one Elf on the couch.

"One to the right…" Blade rolled her eyes.

"How do you know that?" Mercury let her down. "They all look the same, well kinda…no insult intended!" He hectically waved around. 'She's amazing as ever…'

Blade snorted, "Pretty sure they do that on purpose. Insulted parties or people with beef have a harder time tracking the right Elf down and I told you I'm fine. The guard was overprotective. Those side halls are way too low for a piggyback ride. Next time I'll walk myself." She complained.

"Are not," Mercury shook his head, "You just don't like to be carried."

Blade growled, "Because- this wasn't Laciport…"

Virion, Blade had picked him out correctly again, stood up and cleared his throat, "You managed to pick me out correctly, again, actually you do that every time," he admitted a bit surprised, "But if it's necessary or not, is the medics call." He smirked triumphantly.

"Pff. Picking you out is easy, you always hold your breath when you see me, that's EASY to pick up on," Blade answered victoriously and a bit childish in retort.

Zhoron snorted, "She gotcha there. But it's not wise to give away secret calling cards we might change them."

Blade glared at him, "And you are Zhoron, Thallan, Ilrune, Ararel and…" Blade stared at the two Elves sitting at the couch table, "Haldir?" Blade looked to Iolas at the big desk afterwards but she had not to name him of course.

"Not bad, remembered Haldir's card deck?" Iolas grinned.

"Still, got it right," Blade sat down as Virion turned off her charm and then placed a hand on her to check her magic flow.

Virion looked at her displeased, "Another stun? Did you get shot again?"

"I just wanted some answers. This is getting ridiculous," Blade was so annoyed.

"Got to agree on that one, how do you always attract the weird guys?" Mercury rubbed his eyes. "You truly are a chaos magnet." Which worried him greatly, yet he loved her readiness to action so much, that double-edged sword of hers.

'So, you are weird, too? Ah, damn it, I shouldn't interpret something like that. He hasn't said anything, besides the girls being sure...' Blade rolled her eyes yet again, "I didn't ask for it. They come to me and leave with cryptic bullshit. I'm not even sure if it's the same Sorceress or different ones, in any case, their magic feels different. Yet they all say the same… something is truly wrong, that's for sure."

'Oh…' Virion felt the girl's heartbeat change a few times there. 'I thought she only liked Amal,' Virion stood up, got some water and handed it to her and also to Mercury. He basically bashed the glasses into their hands and proceeded to hold her wrist again to check the vitals more thoroughly, "And now from the start, without the pronoun games."

'Virion…stop it. Leave them be, it's their kindergarten to sort through,' Iolas admonished him. He knew why Virion wanted to check the pulse in the discussion all too well, besides the medical purpose.

'Oh, come on, as if you wouldn't like to know?' Virion teased as he sat down again.

'Sooo?' all the Elves asked in synch.

'My lips are sealed, we don't do such childish things,' Virion had no intention now to reveal his findings to the others.

Mercury refocused from Blade onto the Elves in the room and sighed, "Blade's checking Officer Shane out during her Cloud Tower missions with tag team backup, as you know." He looked to Iolas, "He is nice. I think a bit too nice… but he does nothing wrong. No one has anything on him."

"Not true, he is in the weird vibe list and I got to agree… not because he is weird though. He is nice. Unexpectantly so, I can understand how that would be weird for Sorceresses who are used to being treated like shit. If he wasn't an Officer that fact wouldn't be so awkward at all," Blade made clear.

"Which version of kind?" Ararel asked as he filled out some new forms he picked from his to-do stack. After all, they had been allowed to help Iolas out to get it all done in time.

"Money…and jokes… and -"

"Flattery," Mercury stated promptly.

Blade frowned, "Flattery?"

"Come on, Blade, anyone who talks like that to a Sorceress from our Red Fountain boys does like the girl," Mercury stated bluntly with a weird pitch in his voice.

"Are you jealous? He's like what, forty? He is 'drawn' to me, focused, but I don't get any vibe of he liking me romantically. He's more like William, a bit more distant though. He doesn't go that deep or blabs about his life that much. He is mission orientated and only states backgrounds to missions which check ALL out," Blade crossed her arms in disagreement.

"What?!" Mercury's voice was a bit high-pitched yet again, "I'm not jealous. Besides, flattery isn't just a means to get a girlfriend. He just uses you to get shit done. I mean getting a cake for a party from another planet? He is wasting your time." He held strongly against it.

"I would agree, but he gave me twelve thousand Maggi! Teleportation costs are around six, the cake if fancy maybe around three and that would be one freaking special cake. That still leaves a shit ton for just flying and being on time," Blade elaborated.

"Don't forget the spooky groupies…" Mercury stared at her annoyed. "He is playing you."

"I know," Blade admitted before she knew why exactly.

"Groupies? You know he is playing you? Just before you said he is a nice guy," Zhoron was confused. Her statements didn't make sense.

"Yeah, I mean, it's too good to be true… Just like that one Sorceress mentioned. That other one was super pissed that I stole her payday, which I didn't. And just twenty minutes ago one attacked us and bashed the money out of my hands, with no explanation whatsoever," Blade sat down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. "I don't get it. They all are so…"

"Angry," Mercury shrugged, "But that wouldn't be so surprising, I mean they lose money. They are trying to scare you off, Blade. Kitty's right."

"What?" Zhoron looked at the Specialist, "You do notice that you both agree and disagree with your own statements, right?" The Elves looked at each other a bit concerned.

Blade stayed silent at first, "It's not angry… I'd say disturbed. Each time I press for an answer… it's like… Zhoron, can you do that subconscious thingy to check memories, if I were to let you in?"

Iolas laid down his pen, "That's an odd request, why would you ask such a thing?"

Blade closed her eyes, "It's just so hard to picture it clearly, they are gone so fast. I'm, I just... I want to be sure that I'm not overlooking something. How many could you link up?" She looked to Zhoron. Yet he waited on his leader's decision.

Blade opened her eyes, "They don't know, do they? That millisecond. When I ask why I should stay away…"

"Hmm, yeah, it is strange…" Mercury pondered.

'Zhoron, thoughts?' Iolas asked in their psi-link.

'Well, the kids are correct I'd say. Those three Sorceresses didn't know why. Or at least had no concrete answer. That could be because they were sent by another…but if you want my honest guesswork. They are too aggressive for a simple messenger job. Their confusion is real. If that's from a spell, a head injury, or too much booze or whatever I can't say.'

Ararel looked out the window, 'It had to be enough to wipe specifics but not enough to counter instincts. Faulty spell? Wait, isn't Shane a Paladin? Maybe he uses a spell beyond him and it doesn't work as intended. Or the Sorceresses noticed and countered and it cancels out into a new balance. They were older and should have enough experience, at least more than our Cloud Tower students.'

'Either way, it's fishy. A tag team is not strong enough if something goes off the rails. Hmmm, I'm most bothered by the fact…' Iolas noticed the two starring kids they weren't so happy that they were left out. "I'm bothered by the fact, that two said something around a month before he swapped. That could be because he's indeed a nice guy and just wants to give more people a chance. Or…whatever he wants he got by then. You have done more missions for him, right? You're around a month as well. When are you supposed to bring that cake and where to?"

"Well, on Friday there is a party a friend's birthday Shane said. He wanted me to bring it to a bar. It's a public place and on the way here we found out the place was rented for the weekend, probably Shane and the party guests. The owner of the bar is one of the police Chiefs. You found nothing on that one at least his thread in the server is empty, typical paper pusher. He has a wife and is in high graces from what we found in news reports. Quite frankly if those women wouldn't show up every now and then… I'd probably wouldn't even discuss it with you. I - it's just not something I can ignore… would you – I request a team, I want back-up on that mission. If he is dirty I want to catch him. I just. I really… you haven't found anything on Clayton, have you?" Blade asked tormented, "I, really want to – I shouldn't, I know. I need a distraction or I go nuts just sitting around and waiting... But surely you wanted to overlook that Clayton mission yourself."

"Nonsense. A leader checks what his team needs. And of all people, you'll need me most in these next two days. Virion is free he can take care of Clayton's observation. You are right to suspect something. It was smart to come here. Those Sorceresses seemed off… it most likely is a trap of some sort," Iolas interlaced his fingers. "Blade, since we don't know what might happen, I suggest a stand-in. You can join the arresting party."

"Hmmm," Daeleth sighed on the couch, "But chances are that Shane as a Paladin will notice that the Dark magic doesn't match up. Her Dark Fairy magic is different to other Dark magic of other professions. He has met her often enough and might know the difference. Still, since it is most likely a trap… it is the safer bet to use a stand-in."

"You think it's that dangerous? With a team I should be fine," Blade clenched her fists.

"Don't try your luck. Blind missions are the most dangerous ones. It's not like with the other ones you had these past two months anything could happen. People don't just land on the weird vibe list by chance. At least most of them didn't. There always was some truth to it," Virion added concerned.

"Take off your shoe," Councillor Nerrocean requested. It was the next day. Tomorrow evening, on Friday, their findings would go public at this year's annual executive departments meeting.

Julius frowned, "Why should she?" His team E was in attendance as well as some Fairies and Sorceresses from Blade's classes. Team A was already sent off with the other half of the classes briefed on how to trigger Clayton tomorrow, their last chance to catch him before all their work would go public in the annual meeting.

Blade started to unplug her sneakers, "Why? I thought we go with the stand-in and I move in with the arrest team. It was the safer bet."

"Because I said so, or you can kiss that mission goodbye," Nerrocean answered sternly. 'Maybe I should let Votzaak in on this…. But I need him in the hearings all this will cause… he has to be impartial for that… aaaahhh, shit. We haven't hit the Red Crystal storage of those assembly Officers yet, shit. They went all dark; off the radar… Everyone's on high alert in the Divion's outposts…we got to get ahead of those Red Crystals…am I glad I got my paperwork already done… Amal should finish the presentation and I…' A thousand things ran through Nerrocean's mind.

Snow was as confused as the rest of the makeshift student team, "Why?"

Ararel sighed, "You should dedicate a bit more, Councillor…" He knew what was up with him. Time was running out and they prepared in the background for a disaster on the scale like in Desertia in just three days on top of the rest. "We tried to use a stand-in for Blade, well Lucia, Officer Shane definitely knows the difference. He picked up on it in an instant."

"Indeed, he did. Yet he bought the cover-up. One of my Hunters pretended to be you Blade, but instead of switching to her real self picked another student. Shane couldn't tell. So, he is good enough to recognize magic presences but can't tell morphs apart. Not surprising his grades were barely passing so instead of a shitty Paladin in an Order he went awesome Police Officer. He's smart and a trickster. White Jade's aura reading proved that Shane thought our Sorceress to be just jealous of the payments you received. And let her go with a stern warning," Nerrocean elaborated quickly. "So, if you want an arrest you got to go in," The merman was a bit pressed for time, "Take off your sock as well…"

Iolas shook his head a bit annoyed, "If you want to do it. You always at any point can call it off, Blade. And walk away. NO ONE is going to force you into this." He gave Master Nerrocean a glare.

Blade put the shoe down and went barefoot, "Well, if I don't go, we won't have a case. Bad enough that Clayton stays clean…" She clawed her fingers into the couch. It was so vexing. In less than thirty hours all would be over. With all their work done it was clear to all the students by now, that whoever they missed would lay low for some extended time after this.

"That is not a good reason to go in," Ilrune tried to reason with her. "That sentiment will make you sloppy."

"We don't have all day. We still have a lot to sort out, cause of the assembly chat," Nerrocean kneeled down and grabbed the naked foot and pressed his hand against Blade's foot sole. His tattoos glowed up brightly an immense amount of magic flooded the room, which made every single one of the students uneasy.

Blade watched the Mereman as his tattoos crept along his arm towards her foot. It tickled quite a bit, but Master Nerrocean had her in a firm grip, "W-What are you doing?" Blade tried to keep it together this was so awkward. "OUCH, HOT!" She tried to pull the leg away in reflex.

"Stop struggling, relax," Nerrocean moved his fingers around a bit more and some other runes lid up before he let go a few seconds later, "There you go." He rose again.

Kai glanced at Blade's foot, "What did you do to my Sis?" He noticed some tattoo swirl on Nerrocean's hand was missing now.

Blade inspected her foot, "Eh…nothing - no wait." She could feel a tingling sensation that didn't subside.

"It's a last precaution," Nerrcoean breathed out, "A rune spell to swap out. Will cost me half my pool. To move you from the bar to the annual meeting hall. But if anything goes wrong. You'll be out of danger in the blink of an eye. And even with half my magic I can kill Red Crystals monsters a thousand times over or that Shane."

"Half your… is this mission that dangerous?!" Nebula got nervous now. "What if Shane got Red Crystals?! You might be able to – Blade isn't."

"That's what the rune is for since we don't know. That's why our precautions are that high. It could be nothing or something pre-planned by them. There indeed is a Police birthday party in that bar tomorrow as our gathered intel proves. So, a few Officers will gather to party," Iolas sighed. "It's a dragon's nest. Blade please think hard on it if you really want to go in. And if you do, we got to talk about limits and lines you don't want to be crossed, so I know when to cut the operation off. But remember even if signalled we still need to get inside which takes a few seconds."

"And that's what that rune is for," Nerrocean butted in from his desk he had gone to write and read messages again at his console. "There is no way I'll let harm come to my Grandmasters ward, to my wards." He looked at all the students. "They'll regret ever setting foot on my planet." Nerrocean cracked his pen into two. "If they do try something we can use your bracelet and even lifestream and show the undeniable. If he truly tries to alter your memory with a spell. We'll nail him good for all to witness. That way we just might raise your believability high enough for you to go into Civil Court with Clayton even if we don't catch him tomorrow." Nerrocean was truly pissed about that fact. He knew as well as the other Elves what the students might possibly do IF this were to fail in the end.

Iolas breathed out, "We'll get him one way or another. We promise." He stated without a doubt to reassure the kids, "You are all students you did well. You surprised me, all of us. And that counts not just for you, but all the students we worked with. Victory is in our reach, yet until the last operation is over we're not done."

"So, don't get sloppy or naïve now," Nerrocean sounded even a bit scolding. "Be ready for Red Crystals and if you are ordered to retreat, you'll do exactly that. No buts, you are the future, and we'll gladly protect you with our lives. If it comes to it." He rose again as he closed the last mail he had read, "If you excuse me, I'll have to ready the forces without Votzaak asking too many questions... This time we are ready to counter a Red Crystal attack and the Sorceresses will get their fair share of the glory. They'll regret making Magix their enemy." Nerrocean was truly menacing his tattoos pulsated in his magic as he balled his fists. "Got to go to the Techno-Magic Division's last preparations are to be done there."

"Wait," Marble interrupted or rather dared to stand in his way, "What if it's not Red Crystals? That sounds like a lot of manpower and time wasted…"

"Being prepared for the worst is not wasted time. We do drills like that more often than you'll ever know. If it's nothing, we still have enough people spread out to counter whatever it is. I didn't station all of the Black Magic Hunter Division on this planet, that be total overkill. If need be, we simply teleport to where we are needed. Shielded planets are more of a rarity, you know," Nerrcoean expected her to move and waited a bit impatiently.

"Right…" Marble stepped aside. "Please, squash them for us in the meeting and good hunting."

"Oh, it won't be a hunt. I'll simply clean house," Nerrocean smirked and everyone felt a shiver run down their spine. He was scary as fuck right now and enjoying this way too much as he left his office.

Iolas nodded to one side of the room, "Blade, we got to have a one o' one,"

"Back to business," Ararel took the word, "We'll go over the strategic positioning for that evening. Basically, we'll circle that bar. We also need to secure Blade's route on Domino…"

"What did you want to talk about?" Blade looked over to the rest shortly before she refocused on Iolas as they had their one o' one.

"I need to know your limits and safe words," Iolas offered her Nerroceans armed chair and half sat on the desk.

"Limits?" Blade didn't quite understand, "But you already know them from the other missions."

Iolas sighed, "Blade, I need to ask and there are many more situations to cover. Of course, we'll jump in if someone tries to kill you. But it is pretty likely that Shane might invite you inside the bar if he is up to something," he made promptly clear. "So, the danger level is way higher. If we jump in for the standard unwanted touch along the cheek as we did in other missions the Court judgment will be lighter. Yet you are safer. The problem here is, we only have tomorrow. Cause Saturday the operation will be on the front page of the newspaper. We can't accumulate evidence. We also need more time to get inside a building, that's why Nerrocean gave you the swap rune. He'll have an ear open during the annual meeting. Amal will sit behind him on a different console as well, they have planned one heck of a presentation that will rattle Magix to its core. Master Nerrocean would like to use some life footage if you allow it. And that leads to the question of what we can show and so on."

Blade nodded, "I…" She went silent at first. This was different. Teams had close calls but indeed the Council guard and backup had jumped in quickly and with the powder to block memories they could continue observation and if need be use grown-up teams to go further. 'I hope the others catch Clayton, we just got to. Damn it, he is hard to crack already. If all this goes public…' This was all or nothing. Blade mumbled away as her thoughts still were running overdrive, "Well…it's a party. I'll temper myself if there is some unwanted touching on the cheek of course…since it's our only chance," She tensed up a bit. "I want to catch Clayt- I mean, Shane. Shane - for the highest possible endangerment of life and those possibly involved in the party."

"We'll get Clayton. Focus on Shane and this mission. Maybe we should call it off, you are distracted," Iolas reconsidered, he didn't like Blade's mindset. 'She's too eager…'

"No! No, I mean, I can do this. I'll either play along or hold myself back if there is anything touchy. If anyone gets his dick out, I'll cut him to pieces, though. Soooo, you should start running in between that?"

"Oh, I will, don't worry, we won't let it go that far. Remember we are right next door," Iolas reassured her. He wasn't joking he was truly serious about this talk. "What about alcohol and such things...?"

The students walked out of the Council Headquarters late. Blade stopped. Iolas had asked so many questions. Reasonable once even about Black magic. And he had gone way more into detail than in the start of their conversation. "Guys, please go on, I forgot something in the secretary's office." Blade halted.

"Forgot something?" Mercury frowned, "You weren't in there toda-"

Tasu bumped him into the side, "Sure, go on, need a tag partner for your way home?"

"I'll manage, I'll fly up high and no stops in between even if the world ends, promise," Blade smiled at her old roommate.

"Well then, let's gooooo," Nebula pushed Mercury on.

"Hey, but," Mercury glanced over his shoulder, 'What's she up to now? … she shouldn't be flying home alone.' He was worried sick. Iolas and Blade had talked so long and this would truly be the end of all their hard work and night outs together.

"See ya, tomorrow," Blade waved goodbye and turned around.

"NO, stupid lone wolf actions!" Julius shouted after her sternly.

"Yeah, yeah!"

Amber chuckled, "Boys…you are so dense…"

"What?" The entire team E stared at the Fairy.

"She's going to her boyfriend obviously…" Kitty snorted as she landed next to them. She along with some others had checked out the Domino path to the bakery and just had come back. "If you could call him that… I'm not sure… are they still in the dating phase?"

Amal slashed away on his keyboard as a slight knock ripped him from his last preparations for the big day tomorrow. "Yes?" Irritated he looked up as a well-known hand slung around the corner of the door and pushed it just barely open to slip in. "Blade? I thought… shouldn't you be going? What about the dome?"

"I already told the Professors that I would stay at my parent's house tonight, family dinner," Blade smiled.

Amal checked the time, "Shouldn't you be on your way then? Family is important."

"It was an excuse…" Blade was so irritated by his answer. He barely talked about his after all. Never actually.

Amal sighed deeply, "I know, but it doesn't have to be." He continued to type and swish around on his console. "Family is important Blade; you should spend more time with them…"

Blade walked around the console to check what he was doing, "I know. But after tomorrow I'll have much more time for them. I see you're still busy…"

"Yeah, the presentation… and I still want to test run that virus myself… still have the script to program so the paperwork gets sent. Permission for news stations to get some redacted files from the Denied servers. Also, I got to-" Amal stopped rattling down his to-do list and turned slightly around. "Something wrong?" Blade was too quiet.

"I, it's just…" Blade started, 'He's so busy, trying to do his best. Maybe I should leave…'

"Just what?" Amal frowned and turned back to his console. 'This just has to be perfect. I can't do anything at the frontline. As always, I'll be stuck here at the Council. Everything has to be perfect. Flawless. She has to be safe, no mistakes Amal. This has to work, more than that! Blow them out of their seats. She worked so hard. I won't fail her. NEVER! Come on, you can do this.' Eagerly he sped up his typing.

"I-" Blade tried to follow his programming and typing but he was truly as fast as lightning. "Maybe I should come back tomorrow. You have lots to do." Blade brushed along the console edges as she turned to leave again. 'I just hoped we…could talk…'

Amal stopped, "I do. But I'll always make time for you. Come on, what's the problem? I gladly give you another perspective. I'll listen even if I am typing." He smiled at her and even stopped typing for now.

"I'm scared because of tomorrow," Blade started off. "I am wondering if-" She turned to face him again.

Amal chuckled, "There's no need to be scared. You got back up. I'm in charge of sending additional teams out. Both from Council and Black Magic Hunter Division, well, I at least have a few teams I am overseeing, not all of them. I'm not a general by any means. But you'll also have Eques Iolas and a part of his team as well as Team E and your friends from Cloudtower AND Alfea. I checked the operation plans. The security grid is solid. Of course, there are ways to slip through our net, but not for one miserly Paladin such as him. His grades sucked, by the way, I checked, and even in hand-to-hand you could easily take him down. So, don't worry. You won't be whisked away to another planet without backup, again. At least not on my watch!"

"I know… it's just…" Blade bit her lip unsure how to convey it.

"No just, no buts," Amal opposed yet gently, even gazing at her caringly, "Thinking about that won't solve anything. You'll just rile yourself up. You are safe. All that preparation will pin out. We'll nail him or prove his innocence as well as those who'll be at the party. It will create safer streets for everyone. And Clayton won't get away. I bugged everything from his phone to his toaster… so to speak." Amal's face darkened, "He'll pay for what he did to you. I promise." Amal was so tense, enraged even, yet it didn't show on the surface besides his clenched fists.

Blade was a bit perplexed, "Amal… you can't go against…"

"I know. Don't worry, I got it all approved. I'm not a fool, I'm a genius after all." He snickered shortly, "You said you want to do it through Courts. And I won't stop till we got him. No one will. Clayton's done," Amal proclaimed without a doubt in his mind before he continued to code.

Blade smiled slightly, 'He's so sure…typical Amal, once he sets his mind to something, there's no stopping him. I just hope… what if I screw up, panic…what if besides all the preparations they are too slow…' She stared at the ground she couldn't shake these uneasy feelings, "Should I really go through with it…?"

Amal looked irritated back up again, "You want to catch them, right? Nail them for the highest offence possible?"

"Yes…" Blade's voice wavered.

"Then your path is set. If you don't do it, we'll never know. They'll get away. And AGAIN, everyone has your back. You don't have to be afraid, Blade. I'll be with you, I'll have an eye on you throughout the whole operation. I get your bracelet feed, since you agreed to let live footage be streamed, if it is anything worth streaming. I'll make them see what monsters they supported. Magix needs this change. You need that change, all of our friends in fact. Trust us." Amal replied with more emphasis. Still, Blade seemed a bit unsure. "Wait… Here!" Amal chucked a communicator over.

"What's that for? I already have a bracelet…" Blade stared irritated at the gadget. 'He's right. I'm not alone, no reason to fear…at… all…' Suddenly Blade felt a built-up of magic and suddenly she couldn't move. A rune circle beneath her feet shimmered in white golden Light magic. "What the… I can't…"

"Move. Cool, right? TMD, I mean, the Techno-Magic Division built that virus, I was able to watch, heck I was even allowed to code some part of it too. I'm on the assembly team, everyone who'll rally to that call for their little assembly will be stuck and the electronics they used will be blocked, so we can pick them up one by one and they can't destroy evidence. I identified eighty-three Officers so far. And with all that forum chatter from this month, they'll either see prison or at least get kicked out of the Police. No matter if they run around with Red Crystals or not." He still found that possibility strange. "And it's all because of you, what you started. With backup like that, how could anything go wrong? Blade, the best of the best are working on this. There is no reason to fear anything. My Warrior Queen, you already led us to a glorious victory."

He was so proud, sure. It was even a bit weird for Blade to see him like that. He often was so clumsy or perplexed, but when it was just the two of them, or when he had a task, a problem to solve, he truly gave it a hundred-twenty per cent and didn't stop until he had achieved it. Blade wanted to nod but her body was still frozen, she glanced around with her eyes, "Uhm, Amal…release, please?"

"Oh, right! Sorry," Amal input some commands. "There you go. Now, you better go home, enjoy a meal with your family, even if it was just a cover-up, and tomorrow we'll slay this beast!"

"Right…" Blade nodded.

Blade walked out of the Council Headquarters, 'He's right... we couldn't be better prepared….' Still her heart was heavy. The thought of the possibility joining of a party full of Police Officers made her sick. She had researched the bar a bit more. It was a common place for Officers to frequent. People they had proven to be crooked and also those who were squeaky clean. It was a beloved hang-out for everyone. Blade looked up into the night sky the clouds were gathering. "It'll rain any minute now…" Blade sensed it through her nature connection. As she reached the exit gates a man stepped out of the shadows from the buildings on the other side of the streets.

"You, okay? Let's go, you wanted to go home to Zenith, right?" A familiar voice greeted her.

"Mercury?" Blade blinked shortly, "What are you? I thought you'd gone back with the others," Blade wasn't sure what to say.

"Iolas said tag teams, always," Mercury tried to joke but looked at her worried and evaded her gaze shortly after. "Let's go before it rains." He moved on towards the teleporter station. 'How can she throw herself into danger like that. Reckless, just reckless!'

Blade closed the gap, 'Why is he here? I could easily have flown; would have been faster… Is he that worried that something could happen before tomorrow? Or is it tomorrow…' She walked beside him silently for a while.

Out of the blue Mercury stopped, "How can you…? Why? - You're so RECKLESS." He growled all of a sudden. He couldn't keep his worries bottled up any longer. 'She's throwing herself into the unknown again. AGAIN!'

"What!?" Blade went on the defences. "I am not reckless; I have a whole team behind me! YOU are PART of that team, I might add." Blade crossed her arms. 'Reckless? Amal's right, I was never safer than this on a mission!'

"So? We still need to reach you. We know nothing about that guy or that party. It's a trap," Mercury argued.

"That's why we have precautions," Blade couldn't believe it. 'It's bad enough that I am wavering… but he!? He gets the easy part! URGH!'

"You can't prepare for everything in life, Blade!" Mercury got angry, 'Why has it to be her?! To watch her, waiting, I - can I even do that?' Yet to the outside, he was just tense and pissed.

"YOU DON'T SAY!" Blade bared her teeth. "As if I didn't know that!" Tears stood in her eyes as the first raindrops fell.

"I - that's not…" Mercury squinted his eyes as he shook his head, 'Why is she so STUBBORN!? Doesn't she see the danger? She's pushing too hard. She can't force this. Healing needs time! If - if anything happens to her…Can she…will she… I never ever want to see her broken like that ever again!' His heart ached. "You know exactly what I mean. Tch, Forget it. You're an idiot!" He walked faster and left her behind.

"I'm an idiot!?" Blade grabbed his shoulder and turned him forcefully around. "Who do you think you are!? I have enough pressure as it is! I don't need this shit from you!" She hissed, 'What the heck is his problem?! I'm unsure as it is…damn it. I need a calm and collected mind. All I need is…uurgh, boys! Truly, clueless! Fuck.' They glared at each other. "I want to catch those assholes, I need to. If Clayton gets away- I'll not bide my time all day long and hide, while others are in danger. I'll do my part!" She strongly protested.

"You already did your part!" Mercury countered, 'Enough is enough… why does she have to go this far all the time. I can see that she's scared. She can't suppress that and think it'll be alright…she suffered enough, why is she torturing herself? What an idiot!'

"The war is not over yet," Blade tensed up more. "People, MY friends, are counting on me. I NEED to do this. It's my mission!"

"Fuck the mission! This war will never end… there'll ALWAYS be the next guy! How can you not see that!?" Mercury threw his hands into the air and started walking again just to stop again and gesture wildly, "So, fuck the mission, what do YOU want?! You can't possibly want to end like a corps again. Are you that SUICIDAL!?..." He looked at her. Shocked by his own words. Yet this hurt so much, just the thought that something could go terribly wrong again. That she could end up like… It snared his throat close.

"Suicidal…" Blade repeated, "SUICIDAL!?" Rage rose inside her. "I'm not suicidal you PRICK!"

"Blade…I…" Mercury uttered, he already regretted his words. 'I just want you to be sure. No mission is more important than your life…' But his words got stuck in his throat as he saw her tremble, glaring at him like that like he was the enemy.

"NO! FUCK OFF!" Blade teared up. "I'm fighting to get my life back! To feel SAFE AGAIN! And you DARE call me SUICIDAL! CHARMIX!" Blade transformed and dashed upwards.

"BLADE!" Mercury shouted after her, but she didn't turn around. "I didn't mean…" He let his head hang as the downpour picked up and tears dripped down his nose. 'All I want for you is to BE safe not just feel safe….'

"ASSHOLE!" Blade flared up so much Light magic. She didn't dare go into her Shadion now, not to mention she wasn't allowed to while she was still in the city and looked like her usual self.

The bracelet blinked up, "You alright? Is someone attacking?" The Council guard asked confused as the video call showed no one around.

"For crying out loud, just leave me the fuck alone! I'M FINE! I'LL DO MY MISSION AND ACE IT TOMORROW. So, FUCK OFF!" Blade thundered at the guard.

Faced with an outburst the guard stayed calm and collected, "I see you are upset."

"You don't say, just leave me alone!" Blade growled. "Stupid Elf." She mumbled to herself.

"I will leave you alone if that is what you truly want. But if there is anything I can do for you, I would rather like to help," He offered kindly. 'Stupid Elf? Ah, I should probably scold her but not the right time…'

Blade glared at the screen silently all tensed up, seconds passed.

"Alright, I'll leave you be," The guard could see that she was in no mood to talk to him. "Please, remember that your team leader always has an open ear for you. If you have any concerns no matter what, he'll listen." He spoke kindly, "Good evening, and get some rest." The call ended.

Blade simply raced on to vent her frustration and landed on a rooftop as she recognised where she had flown to subconsciously. Laughs echoed through the open windows of the bar. There were a lot of people in there having a great time. Smiles and laughing faces. Some faces she recognised from their operations, 'You… laugh all you want. I'll get you.' She balled her fists. Yet as she spotted Shane in the window she quickly ducked away and laid flat on her stomach and dropped her transformation. Shane was getting just another beer as he chatted away with the barkeep. Blade clawed into the rooftop. 'Are you an enemy? Or just weird…' Blade thought to herself as she slowly got up to her feet again. 'I wonder if he is any different to a Fairy…are you as two-faced as Clayton?' It itched her to check, yet at the same moment she felt herself tremble in fear and she backed away from the edge of the roof and pinpointed the teleporter station instead and flew off.

"What in Magix was she doing here? Alone." Ararel asked Iolas who was standing right next to him. They were behind one of their barriers and were currently observing the bar.

"Our Red Fountain operative said she had a bad fight with Mercury. They are all super tense. Maybe I made the wrong call to let them be part of that mission…" Iolas eyes wandered aimlessly as he pondered.

Ararel groaned, "Nope. They'd be here somewhere anyway, and they would jump the gun. Need to swap Mercury out? Blade needs to be collected." He suggested as he went over everything in his head as well.

"No, they'll have to learn to solve such things. Confrontation not avoidance," Iolas smirked.

"Hey, if you ever want to switch your job to full-time mediator, give me a heads up so I can apply for your position," Arael snorted amused.

"Ha, ha…" Iolas rolled his eyes and turned around.

"Where're you going?" Ararel asked confused.

Iolas nodded after Blade, "Checking on our undercover agent and making sure she's ready and has everything she needs. Besides, tag teams always, you should know that. .Ts. I guess my job reorientation has to wait." He chuckled and went after Blade. 'If only we could swap her out… that would be a blessing…'