Author's Notes- Hey guys! Long time no chapter. Had been dealing with a lot of life things. Not important, but I hope you all will enjoy the chapter, enjoy.

disclaimer- I own nothing

Chapter 9 Clash For The Golem

Lok let out a sigh as he shifted his back, trying to not let his burnt flesh touch the leather seat of the high end car he was currently riding in. The ever professional Grier was behind the wheel. Defoe grinning like a mad man in the back seat. Lok himself was riding in the passenger seat, shifting uncomfortably. Every little bit of movement was a game of will it hurt or not.

He was silently berating himself for being so sloppy, he was too focused on dealing with the problem girl. He left himself wide open for an attack. If his teacher found out about his not so little mistake. He would certainly pay for it.

Lok let a small shiver run down his spine, he could hear the thick Russian accent of the man yelling at him for making such a mistake. Years of training wasted on a foolish boy. Lok could imagine the man saying it in an angry hushed tone. As much as Lok enjoyed memory lane, he would prefer to skip over that particular street.

Before he could think further on the beatings, ahem. Training, a small ringtone filled the silent car, cutting into the comfortable silence the trio had found themselves in. Defoe reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out his phone. With a soft click, he put the phone on speaker. Holding it out away from him so everyone in the car could listen.

"Hello Professor, to what do we owe this pleasure." Defoe's voice was dripping in amusement, for he had finally said his goodbyes to his greatest rival, and was once step closer to the organizations final goal. All due to his success, and his right and left hand men, he supposed.

"Hello Defoe, I take it from your tone everything is going smoothly ?" The Professor's gruff voice came from the phones speakers effortlessly. Lok could judge from the Professor's voice. He himself was in a good mood.

"why of course Professor, we have the key and are moving out to the location of the Golem. Along with Judas Lore's personal archives. We should find the secrets to lead us one step closer to the amulet of will." Defoe let a smile spread across his lips, he could only imagine the Professor was mirroring his expression.

"Ah yes, very good. Now then, let nothing stop you. We must find clues on the location of the amulet of will." The Professor's words started out cheerful, but slowly turned more sober. A small hint of a threat rung out with his next words. "At any cost."

"But of course Professor, we will see it through." Defoe's smile faded just a little, however his tone remained just the same has he had when answering the call. He felt personally belittled, he was no child. However, here he was. Being talked to like the Professor's blonde spawn.

"Very good." Was all that Professor said as he ended the phone call. At the sound of the closed line, Defoe let out a small sigh and dropped the phone to the empty seat on his left.

After a few moments Defoe's eyes shot to the front of the car. "The Professor keeps us on a tight leash, wouldn't you say gentlemen?" Defoe's question filled the car with a heavy air. The following silence from the blondes only seemed to make it that much worse.

Grier was the first to say his piece. "I have nothing but respect for the man, and his orders." Lok gently shifted his eyes towards the man, if he had to give Grier any credit. It was the fact he was quite the good little soldier. He didn't agree nor disagree with his superior, nor his leader. The perfect answer, however Lok himself gave it some thought.

While he would agree, his father had some strict tendencies. It wasn't like he was watching their every move. There was a sense of trust between leader and operative. However, Lok couldn't really see it from a regular suit's perspective. While his father didn't grant favoritism, he knew he was a special case after all.

Lok's hand reached up and gently grabbed Incubane's amulet. Tucked protectively under his white button up shirt. He knew not just anyone would receive powerful titans like he had gotten from wilder. On the same coin, he had earned them from the man's body. Thinking about the forgotten turn coat made Lok think about Wilder's final words.

"Y-you know kid, one day you'll end up just like me." The words of the dead man echoed in his mind. At the thought of it, Lok gently shook his head. No, he won't think like that. There was no point. Realizing again he was the only one in the car who hadn't answered he brought himself back to the conversation.

"I think he just likes to be on top of things. Especially when it comes to the amulet of will. He can be tough sure, but he can be fair." Lok stated, not feeling as confident with the answer as he sounded.

Defoe simply crossed his arms and leaned back into his seat. Letting out a small huff as he glanced out at the window. "No matter, let's just hurry up and get this mission wrapped up." With that the comfortable silence filled the car once again.

Cathy and Sophie stood in front of a tall building. The architecture matching the city rather well, making it appear to be hiding in plane sight. Cathy looked around to the surrounding streets. "So what exactly is this place called again?" Her eyes never leaving dark spots or alleyways. Ready to fight any sap in sunglasses, should they appear.

"The road of alchemist." Sophie's knowledgeable voice broke through the night air. "Apparently, according to the legend. This should be where the golem was laid to rest. The key that was used to unlock the passage was in the grave yard." Sophie stated, matching Cathy's paranoid tendency of not looking away from the dark.

After a few more moments, Cathy and Sophie walked back into the building. "I'm just surprised that Zhalia was able to make a copy of the key from the dust print left behind." Cathy's voice was filled with amazement, acknowledging the achievement of her skills.

Sophie let a small frown form on her lips. "Well, let's not forget. It was Dante's plan." Sophie emphasized her words with a small huff. Following with the crossing of her arms. Sophie wasn't happy that Zhalia was getting to her. However, she really couldn't care less.

At that point Cathy asked the question Sophie was dreading. "Okay, Sophie. We have been friends for a while now. So I know when something is bothering you. So I got to ask. What's your deal with Zhalia anyway?" Cathy asked the question carefully, making sure her tone did not come off the wrong way. Not sure on how to handle the irritated Casterwill.

With that Sophie let out a small sigh. "There is something about her I just do not trust. First off, she comes out of no where and saves the day when we get attacked." Sophie's arms shot out towards the open air. "In a Huntik foundation safe house no less."

Her arms crossed once again, she seemed to be settling on her next words. Her bottom lip held between her teeth, she let out another sigh. However, unlike the one from earlier. This one seemed to be more, exhausted. "There is just something about her. Something that I just can't trust. I feel it in my instincts. Just how you felt about your brother being alive. If it isn't too selfish to make the comparison." Sophie's eyes looked towards Cathy, hopefully what she said didn't offend her only friend.

Cathy merely nodded her head. "It's okay Sophie, I understand. The comparison isn't selfish. It just means you truly have the feeling of something being amiss." As they walked down the hallway, Cathy's hand reached up and grabbed Sophie's shoulder. Halting their walk down the hallway.

"I'm not sure what it is about her, or even if there is anything strange about Zhalia, but I want you to know. No matter what, I trust you. Nothing will change that." Cathy's sincere words were followed by a bright smile.

Sophie couldn't help but feel a smile that mirrored her friends began to take shape on her face. "Thank you Cathy, that truly means a lot to me." With that the two friends shared a quick hug. As the two broke apart, Cathy's smile turned from sincere to devilish.

"Don't go thinking I have forgotten about the fact you have swapped spit with my brother though. We can talk about that later." Cathy let out a small giggle as she made her way deeper down the hallway. Leaving Sophie stuttering and red face.

"n-now h-hold on! That was for a tactical advantage!" Sophie yelled out quickly following the now laughing Lambert sister.

Dante wiped the sweat of his forehead as Zhalia and himself stepped away from their little art project. The two looked over the giant bundle of clay. Doing their best to make it look like a golem. They believed it was a job well done. It may have taken a while, but well worth it in the end.

Zhalia let out a small huff as she cleaned the clay off her hands. "I don't get it Dante." She exclaimed while using a cloth to clean her hands off. She tossed it over to the red haired man after she was done.

With out looking away from the fake golem, he effortlessly caught the cloth and began to clean his hands as well. As soon as his hands were clay free. He finally looked away and towards her. "Don't get what ?"

Zhalia merely scoffed as her left hand went up to the mountain of clay. "This, why waste our time ? We should just get the titan, the notes, and make our way out of here." She finished her statement with her trade mark frown and crossed arms. Her face slowly turning into distain.

Dante thought about what she said. While true, that would be the easy way. However, if he had learned anything over the years. The easy was, wasn't always the best way. Looking back at her, he gave her the famous Vale grin.

"Unfortunately, it isn't that simple. Along with the information and titan. I still have another job to complete." Before he could state what that job was, Zhalia had cut him off.

"What ? The girls brother ? You can not believe that right ? Even if it's him. It's clear to see he has gone full business." She exclaimed making her way over to a barrel. Covered in dust from years of no air circulation. Using her right hand she cleaned it off before taking a seat. Her eyes staring into Dante's. Her unspoken words of a challenge hanging in the air. However, Dante takes on all challenges.

"Things are not always what they seem to be. I believe my students showing in the graveyard is a prime example of that." He said playfully as he took a spot to her left, leaning the back of his yellow trench coat against the wall. "On that note, I don't make calls without having all the information. This situation being one of them." His eyes glanced back to the fake golem. Looking for any signs of cracks. While he trusted their work, he was better safe than sorry.

Zhalia's hands clenched around her biceps, the frown on her face deepened ever so slightly. "You know Dante, sometimes. Things are much more simple than they appear. You never want to spend too much time looking for something. Only to discover there wasn't anything to look for in the first place." Her tone started off monotone, however Dante detected the ever so slight emotion at the end of her words.

"Are you speaking from personal experience?" Dante's amber eyes met brown, the two having a small stare down. Instead of hostility, it was a brief contest of who could read someone's face better. They stared for who knows how long. Until they gave an unspoken truce and turned to look at the golem again.

"All I'm saying is Dante, Cathy is going to have to accept the potential truth that her little brother is long gone." Zhalia finished her piece and stepped off the barrel. Before anything else was said. Cathy and Sophie walked to the main room. Cathy letting out a small whistle at the size of their creation.

"wow, how did you guys manage to get this done ? We were out there for an hour and maybe a half?" Cathy eyes shined brightly at the golem then towards Dante and Zhalia.

Dante let out a small laugh. "What can we say ? Magic is a wonderful thing." He looked towards Sophie, his demeanor shifted on a coin. Back into the experience seeker team leader. "Sophie, you made sure to lock the door back ?"

Sophie responded with a simple nod, Dante returning the gesture in kind. "All right team, let's get set up. They should be here soon." Dante was going to make sure that this mission would succeed. He just hoped that a certain blonde variable wouldn't be too much of an issue.

Defoe stepped out of the car, his henchmen following close behind. Today was a good day indeed, he had the key. Soon the titan, and the notes, and the clues that would lead them to the amulet of will. Plus a well earned promotion. "I think I would get a corner office, wouldn't you agree?" Defoe asked the blonde duo behind him.

Hearing a yes sir, and a that would be sweet. He simply nodded. Youth was ignorant, he supposed. However, he would have to think of some way to reward his little helpers.

Walking up to building in question, Diana and Tabitha walked up to the trio. Tabitha was an older lady in her mid twenties. She was a little bit heavier set than Diana, Jenna, and Delilah. However, she also hits a lot harder than all three women. Tony got to experience that first hand when he challenged anyone in their class in hand to hand. Let's just say Tabitha left him bruised, and possibly a broken bone. However, Tony denies it till this day.

Lok gave the two suits a small wave. "Diana, Tabitha. Good to see you two. How goes ?" He asked nonchalantly, his back finally feeling not as, well crispy.

Tabitha gave off a small growl. "Honestly, not so well. We tried everything to get in there. Titans didn't even work." Diana simply agreed with a small nod. She wasn't feeling in a chatty mood ever since Venice.

Defoe let out a soft chuckle, reaching into his jacket pocket her pulled out the key. "Well it's a simple matter of having this. Now then, let's obtain greatness." He said as a greed filled sneer covered his face. Making his way to the door, he gently place the key in the lock. With a soft twist the door gently opened. The latch leaving the locking mechanism.

"Abracadabra." Defoe said softly, laughing at his little joke he pushed open then door. Taking a few steps in, he glanced around the surroundings. Defoe was confident it was empty. However, traps have ended many lives of foolish seekers. "Spread out team, sweep the area. Better safe than sorry."

After a calls of yes sir, and one you got it boss. The team began to spread out. Keeping their eyes on the floors, walls, and doorways. Any button, symbol, or wire. If it was there. They would find it.

After a good few minutes of searching, Lok went back to Defoe. Giving him a slight salute followed by a playful grin. "Welp, looks like the coast is clear. Nothing in this room at least." Defoe gave them a simple nod and made his way into the main room. When they did, all the suits stopped and admired the giant in front of them. All of them was left speechless, thankfully Grier decided to break the silence. "I've never seen a titan that size before."

Before Lok could make a joke than would have his best friend on the ground laughing. Defoe walked up to the shoulder of the clay golem. "Yes, I'll bond with the titan right." His hand gently reached out his fingertips almost touching the golem. "Here." He said in only a small whisper.

"Touchram!" A deep voice broke through the intense moment. The golem exploded sending the suits, dust, and clumps of clay everywhere.

After a few moments, Lok picked himself off the floor. A slight ringing in his ears. Shaking his head, he could feel a small headache beginning to form in his head. "Well." He said out load to him self. A small tingling sensation began to form behind his eyes. He felt himself get slightly irritated, as he stood to his full height. "Looks like if you want to kill someone right. You do it your self."

He began to scan the room, looking for the would be dead men. Looking around the now dust cleared room. He saw them. The Vale team, letting out growl he began to charge at the group.

After the signal was given, Cathy and Sophie came to the sides of Dante and Zhalia. Cathy couldn't help but let out a triumphant laugh. "Yes! It worked. Now what ?" She asked to her teacher and team leader.

Dante simply looked and her and smiled. "Simple, pick your targets, and keep your eyes peeled. See anyone in trouble. Give them a hand." Dante looked towards Sophie at the end of his statement. Noticing this, she frowned but gave a nod all the same.

"Team move out !" Dante shouted as they began to make their way to the organization suits. "Hyperstride!" Dante commanded as his legs became enveloped in a blue glow. With a grunt he charged towards Defoe and Grier.

The two suits quickly moved out of the way as Dante slammed in between them. "Good evening gentlemen, care to dance?" He asked mockingly, giving Defoe a smirk.

Defoe clenched his teeth and he pulled out an amulet, a red glow shining from the gem. "Get him, Kreutalk!" Defoe yelled out as the green titan appeared. Flying towards Dante, a small spit of acid came from its mouth.

Grier pulling out an amulet of his own quickly called out to the titan inside. "Breaker ! Bring discipline!" He yelled as the four armed bear titan charged forward. Slight saliva dripping from its jaws. Followed by a ground shaking roar.

Dante let out a small laugh and backflipped out of the way, the acid from Kreutalk splashed in Breaker's face. The bear stood on its back legs and let out another roar. Shaking its head side to side. Its arms swinging wildly, trying to it anything in the area.

"Ouch, that looks like it didn't feel good." Dante stated and he pulled out his own amulet. "Now then, come on out. Caliban !" With a flash of blue the warrior moved swiftly and rammed its shoulder into the mid section of Breaker. Knocking it on its back, Caliban quickly began shifting back and forth dodging the on coming acid blast from Kreutalk.

Dante quickly turned back to the two suits. "Well then, let's get started." Dante stated as he went to battle the two men.

Zhalia was having an easy time with her target. A woman with brown hair and quite the temper. With every single swing of a fist. Zhalia had dodged the hit. With every miss, the woman seemed to get madder and madder. "What's wrong sweetie ? Not fast enough ?" Zhalia said in a mocking tone. Letting out a laugh as the suits face turned a new shade of red.

"You think you're funny ?" She reached into her pocket and pulled out an amulet. "Mind Drone!" She yelled as the armored bug titan appeared. Jumping from wall to wall, its eye let off a blast of energy.

Zhalia took a few steps back as the blast almost clipped her. Letting a small smirk come to her face she let out a chuckle. "You know what ? Usually I would call out my Strix and be done with it. You caught me in a bad mood." She reached into a small bag that was around her waist. With a swift motion she pulled out a spider like amulet of her own. "Fight for your lady! Kilthane !"

The familiar orange glow of a Draco-titan summoning filled the area around her. Standing before her was a tall armored titan. Wearing a dark slate colored armor with blades on its back resembling spider legs behind a flowing cape. A curved sword in its right and a shield in its left bearing a symbol of a dragon. "This is where the fun begins." Zhalia stated as she and her titan began to engage with their enemy.

Cathy had been looking for a her brother, she needed to try and talk to him. At the very least try and to get his side of the story. The more she knew the more she could try and figure out what happened.

Before she found the blonde, a red haired ponytail and a Recap appeared before her. "Remember me ? Gave me quite the chase in Venice." The red haired woman flashed her a feral grin.

Cathy tilted her head to the side, a small smile came to her lips. "Hmm, let's see. I remember a guy named Owen, and a blonde guy. You, I really don't remember." She only laughed as the red head clenched her teeth. Before a smile came to her again.

"Oh, no worries we will give you something to remember. Attack Redcap!" She yelled the command as the titan let out a toothy roar and charged. Cathy jumped back barely dodging the claw that would rip her to shreds.

"okay, leave the teasing to Zhalia." She berated her self for her cocky attitude. She reached up to her amulet, with a cry of almost getting sliced again she called out. "Defend Freelancer !" A flash of orange later, and her trusted partner was in front of her again. Blocking the claws of the Redcap. Cathy could only watch as rapid sparks of orange came off Freelancer's shield. "Yes! Go Freelancer!" She couldn't help but yell out in excitement.

Sophie look around at her team, and them back to the only suit member left. The blonde man in front of her gave her a smile. "Ya know problem girl, I feel like you do this on purpose." She scowled at the arrogant Lok. Taking up her stance she began to lightly shift her weight on her feet.

"let's not forget who challenged who the last time we met." Sophie recalling their third encounter. However, there wasn't a clay trap. No surprises, just the two seekers looking to settle a score.

Lok began to shake his head side to side. "Fair enough, however. I feel like this time is going to be a little different." The blondes smile was almost creepy. It gave Sophie a very grim feeling. "And that is because ?" She gently questioned out.

Lok simply gave her a shrug. "Now, why tell you?" As his arm reached into his vest pocket. "When I could just show you?" With that Lok pulled out a stone gray amulet with golden trim along the sides and top of the amulet. "I call upon Grand Facade!" A blue light began to shine brightly from the amulet and Lok. Sophie could only try and cover her eyes from the blinding light.

Cathy was moving, blocking kicks and punches. The red haired lady was on the attack. Oh boy was she feeling it. Her arms began to sting as a dull pain ran through them. Letting out a small hiss she let a smile come to her lips.

The suit notice this, her eyebrow cocked upwards. "What are you smiling about ?" Before anything was said, Cathy jumped to the left hard. The suit let out a confused gasp before turning around and let out a scream as her Redcap made hard contact with her. All Diana could do was close her eyes before seeing black.

Cathy jumped back to her feet and walked up to Freelancer. "Good throw buddy!" She called out happily as she looked back to the suit. The Redcap was knocked out cold, its arms hanging to its sides on the floor. After a moment the Redcap returned to its amulet. Leaving behind the suit that was underneath said titan. A small groan leaving her lips.

Cathy let out a small giggle at the sight, thankfully the lady was okay. Sure she didn't like her, however she didn't want her dead. Before she could make her way to the others something caught her attention hard.

A small explosion had gone off, Cathy reached and covered her ears out of reflex. Dust began to cover her and the surrounding area. Hearing something, two heavy slams echoed around her. She let out a soft yelp as Freelancer immediately slammed its shield around in front of her.

As the dust cleared, she look around from the shield. To her left was Sophie. Her outfit was covered in dirt, small cuts, and small trails of blood. Looked like scratches from the fall. She immediately ran from behind the shield, wrapping her arms around Sophie and pulling her into her chest. "Sophie! Sophie! Talk to me, what happened?" She yelled out. She began to shake a bit. Fear gripping at her.

looking beside Sophie, in a deeper crater just a few feet away was Sabriel. Who looked much worse, the armor was cracked, one of the horns on the helmet was missing. The golden weapon of Sabriel was shattered.

Before Cathy could say anything, Sophie's shaking hand reached up and grabbed her shoulders. "C-Cathy, you n-need to get Dante." She managed to growl out through gritted teeth. Cathy was about to protest until a faint sound of whistling could be heard. However, this tune. She knew this. It was the same song that her mother used to sing to her and her brother before bed.

Gently placing Sophie back on the ground she stood and turned to the whistling. The dust was still thick, almost as if a smoke machine was going off. Cathy clenched her fist and stared into the dust definitely.

she ran off to go get Dante in Venice, she hid behind a table in the hotel and saved by Zhalia, she wasn't able to help much with the graveyard passage entrance, and she was barely able to save her self in the clay trap. Thinking about her past failures, each one fresh on her mind. She felt her hands clench. Her nails treated to break the skin on her palms.

Two small red orbs appeared in the dust cloud. The whistling getting louder and louder. Cathy felt her heart clench in fear. Her breathing became rapid, however she resolved her self. "Freelancer." She called out to her titan. With in a moment the titan was beside her. Shield held proudly, its lance slammed into the ground.

Sophie barely managed to stand on her own two feet. She took one step forward. However, with that singular step. Her concentration broke. Sabriel returned to its amulet, the sudden drain of energy forced Sophie to stumble and slam into the wall to her right. Sophie could only feel the pain of her injuries and her fear for her friend as she slid down the wall and onto the floor. Managing to stay up right. Sophie bit down on the inside of her cheek. She wouldn't dare show weakness of tears or cries of pain.

She shackling raised her head up to Cathy. "P-please, run and go get Dante. I'll hold him off long enough so that you could-" before she could say anything else. A pair of blue eyes stopped her. The blue eyes were filled with burning passion, brimming with strong will backed by an unbreakable resolve. These very eyes belonged to Cathy Lambert.

However, the smile on Cathy's face was that of pure confidence. A smile that if someone said leave it to me, you knew deep down. It would be done.

Cathy looked back to the dust cloud as the red orbs were closer now. A shape could be made around them. A head, the orbs are eyes. The eyes of her brother, as he made is way out of the dust cloud. He had his hands in his pockets, a devilish grin plastered on his face. Behind him, was a much bigger shadow. Cathy was honestly taken back by the figure.

It was a massive blue skinned titan, it looked like it to be of the same build as Dante's Caliban. It had heavily armored chest plate the covered the shoulders. The center of the chest was gold. Brown trimming lined the center of the plate. Two gauntlets on the arms matched the chest piece. On the end of the gauntlets were two small claws slightly covering the top of the hands. It had a visor much like the Redcaps, instead of the white stringy hair. It had long brown hair, running along its back. Overall, the aura the titan was giving off was menacing and a promise of pain.

Lok tilted his head to the side, as a small smile formed on his lips. "Hello Cathy, not going off to fetch Dante ?" The questioned seemed innocent. However held a menacing undertone. Grand Facade stood behind Lok, muscular arms crossed.

Cathy took one step forward, Freelancer standing right by her side. Lance in hand. Cathy shook her head at him in response. "It's the job of an older sister, to step in and reprimand the little brother when he has gotten out of hand." She stood there, her trusted titan be her side. Across from her brother, his titan standing behind him. There was no running. Only action, one way or another. One of the siblings would be victorious.

Author's Notes- Hey guys, hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'll see you all in the next one. See ya !

reviews

God Of Wind 200- As always thank you for the review and fantastic question! As to your suggestion you posted on chapter 8. That is such a clever idea. It is definitely way different from what I am planning.

As for your question, so there is a in story explanation, and an out of story reason.

The main reason is, I really wanted to write a more mature story. Plus I feel like the Organization would be way more vicious if they weren't held to a kids show standards . What like I think about most is when The Professor said he would make someone feed them selfs to a lion if they failed him again. However, as for Lok. He is a special case. Hence why I try to make characters stand out like Owen. The balance one another out.

However, there is a in story reason which will be explained in later chapters.

See you guys !