The white Chaos Emerald rotated end over end as it sailed upwards in the air. The light caught its depths and splayed outwards. Flashing, flickering. Flickering.

"Chaos..."

Flicker.

===

"Hey!"

He looked around as the voice called out to him from behind, and he craned his neck around to see a young girl with red hair bounce up to him. "Come on, I found something cool!" she said with enthusiasm, grabbing him by the hand and tugging on it, trying to get him to follow. "Let's go!"

"H-huh?! W-wait up, Mesia!" he cried as she yanked harder, pulling him along. He pumped his legs to keep up with the child, who had a bright smile on her face as she ran. Mesia quickly had him running out of the house with her, into the sparse forest near the house. Distantly he heard another woman call out from a window for them to be careful. "Okay!" they both shouted back. Mesia took him past several grayed oak trees as she lead him to the clearing she played in. The two of them were both panting by the time they arrived.

After a moment's rest, he asked the redheaded child, "What'd you want me to see now?" After looking at him for a moment, Mesia grabbed his hand again and led him over to a small, broken rock she had dug up from the forest floor. The girl dropped down onto her knees, ignoring where the dirt dug into bare flesh, and he followed suit, kneeling down right next to her as she fished something out of the rock. "Look," she said, holding it up to him with a smile.

A strange crystal was held between her fingers and thumb, the two ends of it tapering off into points. Its clear, transparent surface sparkled in the light, captivating him just as it had captivated her. "Isn't it beautiful?" she gushed happily, giggling slightly. "Here!"

And with that, she pushed the crystal into his hands, and he accepted it gingerly, afraid he'd break it. He turned it slowly in his hand, watching the facets on it sparkle with light. Lifting it up with the utmost care, he held it up to the light of the setting sun. It caught the light, splintered it, refracting everywhere in a brilliant display.

Flicker.

===

Flicker.

The Chaos Emerald plummeted, and R.D.'s hand thrust out and snatched it in one smooth motion as memory faded.

"... Control!"

There was a flash of light and the crack of thunder, and they were gone.

===In Sudan===

Light flared on a dusty plain, with tines of green-tinted lightning tearing through the air. With a crack of thunder, four figures were expelled onto the plains of Sudan, in Africa. R.D. stood calmly on the field, his hand still holding the Chaos Emerald. He could that his companions and his own self had their backs turned to the gigantic crater that he knew to be there.

Instead of asking if his companions were alright, he carefully lowered the Chaos Emerald and lifted his free hand up to his head, clenching his eyes shut while covering one.

What... was that?

Well, despite RD's lack of consideration, all three Hartnetts were a bit queasy from the ride. It wasn't as bad as before, but still nauseating. Veronica began to stumble back and then pin wheeled her hands with a small squeal. Bryant was quick to grab her hand and pull her back to balance. Brandon turned around, allowing the three to see why Veronica lost her balance so quickly. There was a 1000 mile crater before them. None could speak of the colossal crater there.

"What in the world…" Bryant could barely utter at the sight of such an awe inspiring peace of destruction.

Looking back slighty, R.D. took note of the crater behind them. Even though he'd seen it before, it was still a sight to behold. One that made him squirm inside, like his guts were twisting up into knots. As he placed the white Chaos Emerald in the travel satchel, he spoke out, muttering darkly.

"It wasn't of this world."

"That would explain it." Veronica whimpered. She was insanely pale now. Both from the jump and from the thought of whatever creature did this. She just hoped to god or whatever supernatural being that held the universe together and made things go, killed it or got rid of it somehow. Maybe just putting it out of their way completely would be nice, but something that terrible would be awful for all whether they meet it or not.

"Then we better get going." Bryant then said, grimly, cracking her concentration.

R.D. shook his head slightly. "The one that did this is long gone. We'd be dead if He wasn't."

Looking off to the side, he thought of how he had come here last time. He'd have to guide them to where the army was before, then see if there were still tracks or evidence on which way they had moved. It'd be dark soon, here in Africa, and he didn't want to know what remnants of Electra's army walked the night.

"Get your tank out," he commanded as he thrust his hand back into his satchel, pulling out the Thunder King as he retracted it. With a press of a symbol and a slight toss, R.D. said, "We have to drive to the next point and continue on from there."

Bryant nodded as Brandon summoned the tank. It landed upon the sand with a heavy thump. Brandon swung open the door and the Hartnetts took their respective places. There was a bit of music from the radio that Brandon decided to turn on then a gunshot. Again Bryant shot the radio.

"Freakin' a…" Brandon mumbled, as the tank roared to life. Bryant smirked to himself and placed his MK23 back on his hip. He then looked around him from the top view and strapped himself in a bit. The door shut with a press of a button. They waited for RD's lead.

R.D. sat on his motorcycle and made himself comfortable before he turned it on, revving its engine a bit. He looked up, green eyes scanning the horizon. He soon recognized the path he had taken and gunned the engine, its roar giving his motorcycle's name. Swerving the Thunder King in the proper direction, he took off at high speeds, shooting down dusty plains towards the last place he remembered Juno's army to be at.

Brandon fired up the boosters and shot off after RD. Veronica sat next to Brandon watching as the sand was blown from the Thunder King and into their windshield. A couple of windshield wipers did their best to try and keep the sand away, but were overwhelmed. Brandon then steered the tank to the right a bit, to be next to RD rather than behind. Brandon kept his eye on RD so he wouldn't lose him.

Night fell before they reached what was left of the army's campsite. The traces were everywhere as R.D. pulled in, driving slowly alongside the edge of it, away from the crater, which they were still near. Soon he stopped and looked around, examining the traces as he got off of the Thunder King.

"Well, we're here," he said, "Time to see which way they went."

The group had settled down for the night, as the dark skies proved too much of an obstacle for them to search for clues. R.D.'s night was restless, however, as his mind speculated over and over again on the awakened memory.

He knew Mesia from his childhood? Were they best friends, or something of the like? It was too confusing. He wondered if there'd be any more awakened memories like that, as the light refracted by the Chaos Emerald triggered that one. What else was waiting for him in the depths of his mind?

Morning came quickly, and R.D. rose early, still in the habit. He was getting his stuff ready when something flew overhead, and he very nearly drew a Phase Blade before he recognized the girl as Electra, a former Apocalyptic Beast.

"Don't ever swoop down on someone as paranoid as me, girl," he muttered, but with no real force behind his words. "Liable to get attacked like that."

"I don't know if I've known him long enough to call him a friend," R.D. returned, "But yeah, I guess you could say that."

"I'll be going to face Hydro again now." Meta announced to a few Tzhaars that were gathered around here, two of them which fit the Ket descriptor, a few others being Mejs. "I'll be back as soon as I can. The city won't be attacked during my absence, considering none else can sense it with any of the known six senses."

She then turned around and started walking away, towards the edge of the city, two Kets and a Mej following after her. When she reached the edge of the city, she paused for a moment, looking down upon Earth. After a sigh, she took a short run and leapt off the city, then allowed gravity to have its way with her and pull her downwards.

Lightning crackled between her hands and danced across her fingers. She would give the great Beast a little warning by sending a shockwave of electricity throughout the oceans first. She aimed her arms downwards, her legs being spread apart as she was falling, and the lightning started to crackle more violently and shine brighter. After a few slight seconds, the lightning was shot from her arms like a massive energy bolt, as if it were a cannonball shot from a cannon. When it hit the surface of the water, the large amounts of electricity started courcing through the waters of the world, making it so that if Hydro was within any of the planet's Seven Seas, he would feel Meta's arrival, thanks to being hit and damaged by the sudden and surprising lightning attack.

Veronica and Brandon were able to fall asleep fairly quickly. Bryant, however, decided to stay up. He stared blankly at the night sky of the desert sky. Bryant thought and thought about the past events he’s survived, and the ones he didn’t. Bryant then clicked his scouter, the green screen glowed dimly. He pressed it several more times, using Morse code for his commands. Then, a man came up.

“Bryant…” Said a face he hadn’t seen in what seemed like ages, Sawyer; his brown slicked back hair and sunglasses always showing how fashionable he was. Though, Sawyer never came out of his hole in the ground, especially not now, not with the apocalyptic beasts about.

“And here I thought you were dead.” Sawyer then said, leaning back in his chair.

“I am.” Bryant responded, slowly getting up and walking behind the tank. His feet whispered along the sand, not waking anyone however.

“I can back from hell, Sawyer.” Bryant then continued, “And I’ve seen too much anymore to think of myself sane, but it’s time we’ve had closure.” Bryant then leaned against the tank.

“Closure? So you don’t want your brother back?” Sawyer inquired.

“He’s with me now; one of the beasts freed him for a game. We were saved and now I don’t need you.” Bryant said darkly.

“Are you sure? Perhaps…” Sawyer began, slyly, “Perhaps I know a bit more than you know. Especially about you dear Veronica….” Bryant’s eyes narrowed.

“What did you do to her?” Bryant hissed.

“Nothing, that is unless you don’t talk about your adventures.” Sawyer said with a cold chuckle. “Now…tell me everything.” Bryant licked his lips.

The sun rose and Bryant was back in his sleeping back when Electra came, he didn’t get a wink of sleep. His scouter was off and he told no one of his talk with Sawyer.

"I could get us there faster than you could leading us," R.D. said, reaching for his pack again. Once he pulled out the green Chaos Emerald, tossing it once into the air. As he did, the Dragon King Armor materialized around his form. The visor slid into place as its interface activated, and R.D. began scanning off in the direction of where Electra had traveled from.

"I just need a lock on one soldier, and..."

His scanner attained a lock, and he smirked. "... here we go." As he turned the Chaos Emerald in his hand, he lifted his shielded arm and gestured behind him. Basketball-sized globes of cold water appeared above the prone forms of the three Hartnetts, and hovered in the air for a brief moment before they fell, splashing all of them to wake them up.

Edited by RisingDragon on December 15, 2007 at 21:06:33.

Brandon shot up, soaked. He looked to see Electra and RD. He figured it was time to get moving and stood, Veronica followed suit, cursing about wet clothes under her breath. Bryant didn't stir for a moment, he was almost asleep but the water stopped that. With a stifled yawn he struggled to stand. He rubbed his eyes trying to stay awake a day longer. He couldn't wait for night now, or at least some point where he could get a nice nap.

"Time to go then?" Brandon asked, walking boldly towards RD and Electra. Bryant made his way to the tank, ready to get in, Veronica remained as she was, like a middle party.

"Yes," R.D. said, "Get the Earthquake stored away so we can go. Electra, these are the Hartnetts. Bryant, Veronica, Brandon, this is Electra, daughter of Awai and formerly one of the Seven Beasts."

R.D. gestured again, this time channeling fire energy and causing hot bursts of flame around the Hartnetts that lasted less than a second. Within that second, the three of them were dried off from his previous channeling. "We'll be doing a short jump this time, so you guys shouldn't have much trouble with it."

Tossing the Chaos Emerald up into the air once more, he looked over at Electra. "You might want to brace yourself, though," he said, "Considering you've never experienced Chaos Control."

Bryant, instead of getting ready for a drive, put the tank back in its cube. He placed it in his pocket and stood next to Veronica who was closer to Brandon now. The three braced for the jump, be it short or not, it still may cause vomiting.

"Quite." Meta replied to Hydro's question as she came to a halt in mid-air, standing on nothing more than thin air. "And I plan to finish it for good." She added, granting Hydro a firm and serious stare. "Although... after your... death, so to speak, we may find ourselves to still not be able to get along in a friendly way. However, I am certain that I would find you more enjoyable to look upon."

Meta spread her legs out a little and brought up her fists. "Ikai-sze." She said, as a manner of challenging him, winking him over with her hand.

Kyoumou? R.D. wondered idly as he readied himself for the jump. Must be the person that was turned into Gouki.

"Alright, here we go," he said, looking off in the direction of the army. His hand was thrust out and the rings of power were absorbed into the mystical gemstone.

"Chaos Control!"

Green light flashed once more with the sound of thunder, and R.D., the Hartnetts, and Electra were teleported across the plains, to land just in front of the army in another flash of light--an action that would certainly surprise a few people with its suddenness.

===In Japan===

Alasea was leaning against the doorframe in the front of her house, frowning slightly. She had watched R.D. and the Hartnetts leave, and stayed there for a few more moments. She soon turned and returned to her charges, Maya and Mercy. She'd have to contact the others about Maya, and hopefully get a hold of Areni in the process.

"So, Maya," she said as she entered her dining room, "You wanted to hear about my travels still, right?"

"For a while," R.D. said, his hand still containing the Chaos Emerald. He spun it in the air and caught again before returning it to the enchanted satchel. "We're in need of looting Sheena's abode for certain objects. Or, failing that, clues to where we can find them."

"Parts to a weapon," R.D. replied to Juno, leaning back on one leg. "Something called the Chronoscepter. Bahamut wanted it out of the hands of evil, and if Bahamut wanted it out of Seven's hands, you can be damn sure that I make sure it remains out of their hands."

Edited by RisingDragon on December 16, 2007 at 17:39:58.

(OOC: Juno actually did research on Kuro? >_____>)


Maya's facial expression brightened, and the girl flashed a bit of a shy smile. "Gladly." She said in a somewhat enthusiastic manner.

Bryant still dazed from the transport merely shook his head. He groaned to himself, the lack of the sleep and the jump, be it short was rather painful for his mental state. It was temporary of course, but a hell for now. He rubbed his head a bit, trying to collect himself. Meanwhile, Veronica stepped forward.

"I don't think any of us have met." Veronica said sweetly, "My name is Veronica, this is my brother-in-law Brandon," she gestured to the tall man behind her, "and this is my husband, Bryant" she gestured to Bryant the dazed one.

"We have two of the pieces of the Chronoscepter." Brandon then said, stepping next to Veronica, Bryant stayed back, rubbing his head still.