Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ritzu looked at the door a glance that Cyrus was at then the one with Silver smirking, touching her earpiece as her one hand continued to pet Rosalie. "Just to answer you, cheery school girl, I do have a larger lab with more sophisticated tech than what you could dream of and I do have others to clean up bodies. Yet fewer tongues to speak of your 'friend' the better, right?" she asked coyly with almost a sharpness to her sweet tone.

Outside Silver looked at Creed with disbelief that the one saw was female. "You must be kidding." he then winced hissing as he moved his arm and body away from the scientist who seemed very happy which was almost unnerving. "Who does your friend work for?" the rebel leader asked and his eyes widened seeing Creed touch the door.

"Wait!" he exclaimed scared the beast would rush out. He braced himself for an attack but when none came he blinked lowering his raised arms. He slowly stepped closer to the quiet building and moved slowly inside behind Skylar and or Cyrus as he peeked inside.

What he saw stunned him. Sitting in a corner cowering in fear was the large monster that had just killed a few people and tried to kill them along with Fire. "But....how?" Silver asked very confused by this sight and in awe of what he was seeing as well. He hadn't seen anything like this before.

"Impressed?" Ritzu asked before chuckling. "You do know it's so much fun shocking such simple minded rodents." She commented with a tone that was laced with her laugh at Silver's shocked as she glanced to him from over the brim of her glasses before pushing them up. She looked to Cyrus closely as she left her one hand on Rosalie's head.

Ritzu was silent before she spoke again with carefully picked words as her orange sights went from Cyrus then to Silver. "You have yourself a Former and a Shader. How quaint Skylar." She said before tearing her eyes to look at Rosalie who had closed her eyes with a small whine noise.

"Hey, who are you and why call me a shader?" Silver asked as he hadn't heard that term used for someone against the Owls before. At least he hadn't heard of it. He never thought of it being a term used by someone in a different city with different rules or standings. He then looked to Cyrus, "and former what?" he looked to Skylar last. "Your friend is very cryptic you know?"

Ritzu rolled her eyes ignoring Silver and muttering 'stupid' under her breath. "This beast is incomplete. The change was interrupted before all the serum could be administered." She lifted Rosalie's arm by her hand to show the cuff as a second broken syringe fell out. "He's trying a different method it appears. These devices were used before to administer death but they are faulty." She explained as Rosalie seemed to be nervous under Ritzu's touches but didn't lash out, much more not wanting lashed compared to not wanting touched.

"Apply enough pressure and the devices can stop working, not fully injecting what they are designed to." She moved the beasts fur after putting down the arm and waved them over if they wanted to see. Silver stayed back but eventually took a few steps closer, eyeing and was stunned. "They used a lot of it, very disturbing for a banned practice." Ritzu's tone had lowered to almost under her breath as she showed the puncture marks around Rosalie's upper arms, other wrist, and neck.

"But....what...." he was stunned. "You mean that's really a human?" he asked softly in awe as Ritzu nodded.

"You're shocked by this? You are a Shader." Ritzu commented quietly looking back at Silver then back to Rosalie before digging around her pocket for something. "It's technically a banned practice but appears at least one is bringing it back. Now..." she trailed off searching before locating a small syringe filled with a purple and green liquid. "Shall we see if we can find out what happened or if she has any of her human sanity left?"

Ritzu wanted to find out so she could better know how successful she'd be at trying to revert the beast back to a human. She injected Rosalie in the throat making her whimper and whine sharply with a little thrashing but not enough to bother the injecting process. Once done Ritzu slipped it back into her pocket as she got the needle back into its sleeve inside her pocket.

Rosalie winced and whimpered, curling down and held her head in her large clawed hands. She shook trembling and slowly went silent. She was quiet looking down into her hands before eyes closed and she slowly opened her mouth like to speak or make a sound then closed it.

Ritzu watched and took hold of Rosalie's ear and yanked it hard which made Silver jump and back up reaching for his gun. "Ow hurt!" Rosalie exclaimed in a warped voice which brought Silver to stop and stare in dumbstruck awe at hearing the warped rough voice of a woman come out of the monster's mouth.

"Good, I was afraid I had messed up which would had been very unfortunate." Ritzu cooed softly and released Rosalie's ear to allow the beast to grab and cover the hearing extremity. "Give me your name." She ordered, folding her arms as she watched the woman.

Rosalie was silent watching Ritzu then looked at the others, staying in her corner and holding her one ear. She tried to figure out how to speak her name with the mouth she had as it felt weird. "R-R-Roselie," she tried to answer with her name.

"It....it spoke..." Silver said softly as he couldn't still believe what he was hearing and seeing.

Rosalie looked to Creed with a small whine and sad eyes. "I sorry." She said. She was there still but not one hundred percent which was leading to speech one might refer to as broken. She lowered her head with a whimper, closing her eyes. "Punish me you want." The woman said to try telling him if he saw fit to punish her then do so.

"If this shocks you then you'd not been able to keep your sanity years in the past after the event. It was band a while back and I never knew any still took part in such a thing anymore." Ritzu commented to Silver, hiding her orange eyes behind the glare of her glasses. "Best you hope Lord Dragon not find to catch you a second time nor anyone associated with you. This might befall you or your allies as the fate you will suffer if he begins this treatment once more."

Ritzu's explanation made Silver shiver with dread at that thought. "I don't plan to be caught by him." He didn't throw in 'again' because he didn't want to give out right there that he was a rebel but kind of figured that Cyrus had already put that together.

Ritzu giggled then laughed as she removed her glasses to wipe her eyes sighing with a smile on her face. "Oh trust me, dear Shader, even Lord Raven has access to the main files of traitors to watch out for so to be captured on sight." She laughed again as she replaced her glasses on her face. This information did not make Silver smile nor amuse him and he did tense some at the thought that she might try and capture him to take him to either her Owl or to Dragon.

She smirked seeing his tense body. "Oh you should relax. I bid here not to mess with a little Shader as you. I came because my associate Skylar called me in to deal with your little problem before it murdered you and him." She said stretching her arms now above her head with a yawn. She left the whip by her feet which she ignored Silver's notice of her weapon of choice. To her it was better than using what she referred to as her panther arm which was a mild thing that happened for Raven to have some dictation over control with her while in his limits.

Silver was annoyed to not get his question answered but figured that as Skylar had kept his information private, he would do the same for his other friends or buddies. He was astonished by what he was seeing and to see Rosalie lower her head again like a nod then look to Creed again. "Thank you..." she said.

Ritzu nodded at Creed as she did agree a more secure location would be good. "Yes, come Rose, let's get in my truck. We'll speak more later." She said leading Rosalie out. The beast turned woman followed obediently outside. Rosalie entered the back of the truck once Ritzu opened the back. Rosalie made a noise but got on the truck when she noticed Ritzu move her hand.

The woman closed the door and took out a key, locking it tight she turned to see Silver exiting the building. She looked to Creed as she went to get into the front of her truck. "Need a lift back? The other two will need to walk unless they want to hang onto the back...or squish in behind the seats." She said smirking with a small laugh.

Silver frowned at that and shook his head. "Are you sure you can help her?" he asked curiously although he didn't expect an answer from the woman.

"I can help her. The stuff used wasn't fully injected which made her transformation incomplete which gives me a higher chance at reverting her back." Ritzu answered as she opened her truck door and waited watching Silver and the other two if they were to also come out, wondering if Creed would be wanting a ride back.



Leaf at the hideout decided to sit and wait in the main room, leaning a chair back against the wall as he yawned and relaxed with a book. He was wondering what was taking Silver so long as was Fire who had woken up and began kicking and exercising.

Tool came out of his room with a mechanical kitten following behind his heels. "Brother, where's Silver? He's been gone for a while now. Is he okay?" the teen asked with concern.

"He's fine, I'm sure. He does have a life though it's not too public besides coaching and watching over us three." Leaf pointed out to his brother.

"But why isn't he letting us try to do anything to monitor Lord Dragon? He knows we could make something to use." Tool complained as he sat down in another chair he had pulled over to sit on it backwards, watching his elder brother with his arms resting on the back of the chair.

Leaf sighed nodding. "I know but if we did that without knowing how to attach a device and to make sure they couldn't trace it to us, then we'd be sitting ducks."

Tool groaned throwing his head back some and sighed. "You know you are almost the exact opposite of Fire. She's too reckless and you're too cautious."

Leaf shook his head, putting down his book on his lap and folded his arms. "Sorry but rules are rules. We only act and do tasks outside the base when ordered by Silver."

Tool groaned again and put his head onto his arms feeling defeated. Fire listened to this talk and carefully grabbed her cloak before stepping out from her room. "What if I go with him? He's a teen after all and they need their walks. They are like dogs just less trained." She joked.

Tool gasped and glared at Fire, sticking his tongue out at her. "I'm no dog, I'm smarter than some dog." He said and looked down as the mechanical kitten was rubbing against his leg some before it powered down and rested sitting beside him.

"Riiiight, well then, how's that sound Leaf? I can take your puppy out on his walk, you get some peace, and we'll be back before you know it." Fire suggested to Leaf who was frowning and not liking this idea or thought.

"Why should I? You know Silver doesn't like us leaving when he's gone. What happens if you go and do something stupid? You are known for reckless endangerment." Leaf pointed out.

Fire sighed rolling her eyes. "Look, I didn't come back with that many bullet holes. Besides, what's the harm if we just go walk around some in the back streets and stay away from the palace fortress?" Leaf didn't look moved by her suggestion. "Oh come on!" Fire snapped after a few minutes of quiet. "We just have to sit around and wait? I know he doesn't leave often but dang it I'm bored!"

Leaf frowned more at her outburst and put the chair back on all four legs before standing, book in hand. "How about you then go and read? Or maybe learn to control your temper? Another idea might be to work on your magic? We know you can breathe both fire and ice but it's wild when you do." He pointed out sternly. "You know very well that I and Tool can't use magic like you and Silver can. So how about you learn to control that fire and ice in case we need them in an emergency."

Fire hated that stern tone he used with her and tightened her fists under her cloak. Her eyes narrowed which he took note of and prepared, bringing up the hardback book just in time to block a right punch then brought it down to block a left. She stepped back quickly, snorting frustration with her breath through her nose. "All that energy and it's wasted on being a wild card."

"At least I can get things done and get them fast." Fire barked back with her fists throbbing from slamming them into the book.

"Yes you do but you also nearly get killed doing so because you live for that thrill or that's what it looks like." Leaf sighed.

Tool nodded in agreement. "I'm sorry Viola but you do tend to do things that make a commotion and come back injured."

Fire growled and huffed looking to Tool annoyed then to Leaf. "Fine, I thought I would offer to be nice so that way Tool could get some fresh air." She stormed back to her room, closing the curtain roughly and both boys sighed.

Tool looked to Leaf after some moments biting his lower lip. "You know...maybe Fire was just wanting for me to be able to go outside without you being worried." He suggested.

Leaf shook his head, walking over and put away the book. "Not likely. I doubt she was and I bet she just wanted to go out and find some excitement." He explained.

Tool sighed nodding and moved, picking up the kitten and went towards his room. "Hey Tool, don't try doing anything stupid with your tech, got it?" Leaf warned and his brother nodded, moving to go do some tinkering or something to keep himself occupied while they waited for Silver to return.

After some minutes Leaf looked down to his phone seeing he had a message from the tech shop needing some help due to a worker calling in sick and the other busy on vacation. The young man bit his lip and looked towards Tool and Fire's rooms, pondering before looking to the message. "I guess they will stay put....or should...." he mumbled before replying that he would be there and put the low grade device away.

He got his things and left, heading out and down the tunnels to locate a manhole cover that would be near enough to make his travel there not too long yet also not too close to be off for how long it's taken him before to arrive.

Ritzu sighed with a small smirk, she hadn't expected Creed to turn down the offer. She got in and secured herself in the drivers seat, started the vehicle and took off with Rosalie to start work on trying to fix her.

Silver watched them go as he didn't feel like going to check out her lab or place of work. He had enough problems as it was trying to think how to take down Dragon. He looked to Cyrus when he heard him speak and nodded. "Yes, it seems so. Would you want company?" the rebel leader asked as he was curious on if the man wanted any or not.

Inside Silver felt to return to check on the others yet he didn't want to be rude and leave Cyrus to sit around alone for possibly hours or longer. He did briefly think about asking Cyrus if he'd like to come to his place but quickly dismissed that, not sure that would be a good idea. He didn't know if this guy was truly a friend or a foe, plus he thought the fewer that knew Fire's face the better to be safe.



Leaf managed to make it to the tech shop where they sold and repaired all sorts of electronics. The door slid open easily giving an odd noise due to the pair of gears on the top that rotated as the door opened and closed to indicate someone had entered.

The owner looked over from some stock books and smiled, sighing. "Thank you so much for being able to come in and help." The middle aged man said in relief.

"It's no problem. Just tell me what you need done and I'll do it." Leaf said in a pleasant tone.

The man nodded and pointed towards the back where a truck was at that needed unloading. "I need that trailer truck unloaded then after that I'll need all the boxes unpacked and organized. Once that's finished they'll need to be inventoried so I'll know how much of each I have in stock."

Leaf nodded and moved towards the back room behind the counter through a covered doorway. "I'll take care of it no problem." The young man said as he passed through the doorway and entered the back room that was lit enough to see. Taking a deep breath he sighed and moved to the truck, getting on a pair of grip gloves he got the trolley as he went outside.

He got into the semi like trailer and began loading up the thing on wheels, exiting, going across a ramp and inside where he unloaded the boxes and repeated. He handled each box with care as he didn't want to end up breaking something inside.

After about five or six total trips would Leaf sigh and wipe his brow off with the back of his hand. "Okay, step one is done now onto step two." he whispered to himself before releasing a quiet sigh in seeing how many boxes and the shelving. "Best get started." he mumbled as pay was pay after all.

He got a box cutter and after getting one box off a stack he cut it open carefully, set aside the blade after retracting it and opened up the package. He pulled out some plates with computer chips and began to put them where they belonged. Once they in his hands were put in their spot he went back and got more, repeating this until the box was empty.

Leaf set aside the empty box and began again on the next one, being careful to not put something in the wrong spot so inventory count could be accurate.



Below ground at the base Fire read her book she kept in her room, sitting on her bed with one foot twitching in annoyance at Leaf.

Outside her room Tools door opened and the boy peeked out, looking around and sighed. He wanted to walk around, what harm could it do? He was always careful after all. The teen had a small bag like a smaller messenger bag thrown over his shoulder to cross his chest.

The teen looked towards Fire's curtain then proceeded onward, grabbing a quick bite of a pastry before continuing while he ate. He would only be a few minutes up to a couple hours. Then he'd be back or so was his plan he had in his head.

As he made his way out and around the corner, planning to see about spending some time in a part towards the lower south side of the city, Fire looked up and out her curtain to see a body dash out. She sighed, closing the book and grabbed her cloak and gun with her two daggers, racing after the teenager carefully to hang back. This wasn't like Tool to break rules. Normally that was her. She shook her head and continued her advance in following the boy to see where he was going.

She wasn't sure what was so important that he would disobey rules and an order from either Silver or Leaf. But she also couldn't let him go alone and be without some form or protection given he wasn't really a fighter.



Back above ground as Ritzu drove on she kept her eyes ahead, exiting the city to get back to her lab. "So tell me, any questions you have while we go? I'm open to answer if you have any." She said glancing to Creed then back to the road, glad Rosalie was behaving in the back for now at least aside from the occasional growls.

Silver nodded. "Alright, travel safe and be well. It was nice to meet you, Cyrus." He said with a small nod and began to walk away sighing and teleported himself below ground after he made his way to an alleyway.


Ritzu shifted her eyes briefly over to observe him going through her glove-box and returned her gaze to the roadway as she drove, listening to his words carefully. She took a breath quietly before speaking. "You have free movement within my section of the capital building where my lab is housed. Traversing outside my boundary will result in possible harm to you by Lord Raven." She explained.

"I will request you not reorganize any of my belongings or my paperwork. I have things how I like them so switching up their placements for enjoyment will cause me to throw you through a wall." She warned smirking a little at the thought of what might happen if she ever fought against him. She glanced over to see the silver device in his hand then looked back to the road, keeping them on the steady path that held some bumps here and there.

"I request you be careful with that." Ritzu instructed, something changing in her eyes. "It won't harm you so don't think it would do that. I just cannot afford for it to be lost or destroyed." She said her tone falling to a bit more quiet, knowing that item was what she kept close by to ensure she kept herself in check, in case she were to as some might call it going down the rabbit hole.

She smirked some at hearing his tone but wasn't fully sure. She had a feeling it could be done but getting every variable right would be the key to mastering reverse transformation. "If I master this then maybe if you'd like I could fix you." She joked smirking and chuckled lightly. "Now then....I have a question for you..." she began slowly before reaching into a hidden slip inside her seat carefully and pulled out a small baggie which she tossed over to Creed. "Do you know who that belongs to?"

Inside the baggie was a spent bullet shell and some blood with a strain of hair tied around it. "I found it on a filthy drunk as he came out of a bar during my way to your place. The master record couldn't trace anything." Ritzu sighed frustrated. "The master record has in its database the name of everyone against the Powers and any marked as traitors, or those positively IDed without question."

The woman shifted her eyes over to Creed. "Since whoever isn't yet been IDed, at least in the master record Lord Raven has, I wondered if you may know. After all," she set her cold sights on the road, "you have connections with one that is in the database." She said referring to Silver. "I have no idea when or where the man got it from but he learned to not walk out in front of me, then learned again to not try hitting on me while intoxicated."



Fire followed Tool to the surface and watched as the teen made his way to the park where he began to play alone. She kept back to the shadows to be a guard for him. It was quiet, surprising to her, for once. Seeing the greenery in this city of metal and lights was almost surreal and jarring. It hurt her inside to think back. Granted she hadn't seen all her parents or Lysin had before the explosion, but seeing the park that was produced through work did make her heart long for the outside world from the city to be this way.

"...Everything should be consumed by plants. At least then it could maybe hide what the Owl's have done." She whispered softly under her breath. Looking around, Viola began to imagine if all the steel and buildings were taken over by plant life. She heard a noise and quickly snapped herself out of her fantasy to look over and see Tool was laughing with another kid that came into the park.

A vehicle passed after setting up a few flyers which one brought Fire to step over to read it. You are invited to a special open to all guests a once in a lifetime chance to join in a mass open ball to celebrate the prosperity brought to all people. We have had great growth over the years and his Lord Dragon would like to share this with all the loyal citizens here as well from the other cities to join. In a time of a week, the celebration will take place at the newly built central dome. Take transport six on the listed day and time. Dress appropriately as this is a festive and formal event.

She blinked under the hood of her cloak confused. Central Dome? When was that made or even started? she thought, feeling baffled some as she reread the flyer. Looking to Tool she started to think and wanted to see Tool as well as others to be able to run around and laugh, to play and have no fear. Taking a breath she then sighed looking up at the constant cloudy sky with patches of sunlight here and there. "It may be stupid but...it's our best chance and might be our only opening."

Fire looked once more to Tool and returned to her hiding spot, thinking over what kind of dress she would wear and how to best hide who she was. Her hair would be easy enough with a wig or he right styling but her eyes and face would be another thing. She also felt she would need the dress to be modified to handle her gun or at least a strap to hold a couple knives to her legs.

This will be very interesting, I can feel it. She thought as she continued to watch over Tool.



Leaf after getting the boxes emptied sighed, wiping away sweat off his brow. "Dang that took a bit longer than first thought. Alright, now for the documenting part." he sighed and went, wiping off his sweaty hands before getting the pad that held the digital records of the inventory. He began work on counting and recording the number of processors they had in.

Ritzu nodded and smirked finding it a bit humorous at his comment of liking it that she was violent. Hearing the can't fix me comment she glanced over. "Never know, I might be able to one day if you ever truly wished it if and whenever I figure out how to do it." She commented quietly as she returned her eyes to the roadway.

She caught the curse then listened to his words regarding the bullet, glancing at the dash where the baggie rested. "Can you think of anyone in particular in regards to who that bullet belongs to? I'm curious as I've never seen hair be wrapped around a bullet before. Plus it's bothering to me that the system couldn't locate any matches."

Ritzu sighed closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again as they went. "And by anyone I'm wondering what name it is you're thinking about involving that bullet. If you care to share and help me then I could let you have access to the data system we have compiled and..." her tone trailed off as she thought then continued, "I may be willing to help you with what dilemma troubles you."



Fire watched as Tool made his way elsewhere, following after him to keep her eye on him for safety. She after a bit grew tired of this and decided to slip across the street, making her way to a specialty dress shop. If any could attend then she planned to, just to have a shot at killing Lord Dragon. Tool should be fine...I hope until I'm done. she thought as she slipped inside before any took too much notice of her.

The store clerk took a dress from a client who was dropping it off for repairs and took her leave, being of the higher end of society. Fire made her way over to the counter and waited as the clerk came back from taken the dress into the back and jumped before sighing. "Please don't sneak up on me." She sighed.

"Sorry about that. I need a favor." Fire said pulling down her hood some.

"Whatever it is I bet you'll be having trouble show up won't you?" she asked flatly.

"Not really......maybe. I need a dress for the dance coming up. Can you make me one or modify one so I can move easy and carry my weapons?" she asked curiously in a hushed voice, keeping her eyes on the clerk who looked unsure about this.

"I don't know...." she said rubbing the back of her head looking away. "That's a tall order. You know what will happen if I'm caught helping ya out against anyone in charge." She muttered back uncomfortably.

"Come on, please? I promise you won't get caught." Fire assured smiling kindly.

The woman eventually sighed and nodded. "Fine," she groaned softly which made Fire smile.

"You won't regret this, trust me." Fire said with a grin and looked around, picking out a dress which she brought over. The woman took it, leading Fire into the back to get her measurements as well as to make modifications to the dress to make it different. She planned to make it fitting for her and to remove any labels or quick identifications that she was its creator.



Tool left the park and walked around some as he entered the side streets so to be out of sight yet could still have some time in the fresh air. He stepped up to a stand selling books, picked up one that was on sale and bought it. He listened to quiet chatter around a board where, when he looked up, saw a small group of four chatting and looking at something.

Deciding to near he carefully stepped closer and looked between them, reading the flyer to himself he was interested some. He hadn't been to something like that and was curious.

Stepping away he made his way off, down an alleyway then down the manhole cover into the sewer.


Silver was already in the hideout and groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose to find all three of his group gone. "Oh great, just what I need, three team members off doing who knows what when I asked that they stay put." He took a breath and sighed heavily as he thought over what his move would be.

He didn't get a chance to act though as quick steps caught his ears and his guard went up. He dropped it as he saw Tool come into the light and he felt both joy yet disappointment the teen had run off. "Where have you been? How long have you been gone?"

"Um not long just maybe some minutes....or so." Tool answered rubbing the back of his head, the book held at his side with the other. "But you won't believe what I saw posted!" he said excitedly with a smile and had even jumped a little.

"Hmm? What did you see posted?" Silver questioned, folding his arms and was hoping it wasn't a wanted poster for any of them, although if it were Fire he could believe it as reckless as she tended to be.

"I saw a flyer about a dance where guests can either wear masks or not wear masks. It's being held by Lord Dragon soon so can we go? I've never been to anything like that before so can we?" Tool asked quickly after explaining, hoping he would get a 'yes' for an answer.

Silver watched Tool and thought it over, moving and sat down as he thought this through, looking down. It would be one way that Dragon wouldn't be too heavily guarded. If he was then it would make it near impossible for him to swoon any ladies he would wish to sweep off their feet for any reason. "It would be dangerous if you went..." he said after some minutes of silence between them in the air.

Tool's face fell hearing this and he looked down sadly as he had been hoping after reading that to go. "I would keep out of the way. I just want to see what it'll be like in there." He said quietly.

Silver shook his head and reached out patting the teen's shoulder. "You need to be safe. I'm not going to let Leaf go either. I want you both to be safe. Unlike Fire and me you two don't have a magic ability. You both would be more vulnerable than either of us would be." He thought then spoke next what he was sure would bring him to smile, "I also plan on not letting Fire go either. She's too wild and we don't need a scene."

Tool looked up to Silver thinking this over then nodded. "Okay, I'll accept that. But you would be careful right?"

"Of course, when have I not?" the man asked and got up moving over to the cooking station. "How about I get us some food going while we wait on the other two to come back?"

"That sounds great, so how are you going to go in a week?" Tool asked as he took the book to his room.

"I thought maybe I would go in a dignified suit and wear a mask." Silver responded as he started to get some food cooking. Tool nodded as he came back and got dishes down for them when he saw what was being fixed and set the two dishes on the counter and started to help.



Leaf would sigh in the back room as he wiped his forehead during his time had made sure all was unpacked, put where it belonged, and had finished about half of the counting of the parts. He double checked the first half of the inventory. "Alright...those check out. Now for the next batch to go through." He stretched his arms above his head with the board and sighed, bringing them down and proceeded to work to continue towards the end so he would be paid.

Ritzu felt the concerns as she shifted her gaze to Creed then out the glass panel as she listened. "If you went out of control, then, with your permission I will take you down and try to restore you." Her tone was serious as she set her eyes on him from over the brim of her glasses before sliding them back up her nose.

"I sadly don't know what you would become. For all we know you might turn to a monster that may or may not resemble the current you in form." She replied before turning her eyes away.

She frowned at being told she may have been asking the wrong questions. Carefully she list the order in which he explained what she could have already done and she did not enjoy this much. Taking a breath she released it and replied calmly though held a bit of irritation in her tone since she regarded herself smart enough to know what she had at use.

"Regarding the hair the DNA on it matches up with three people in the system and that doesn't make sense for one strain to hold three DNA's on it unless it passed through the bodies and yet no blood particles matched up with the DNA from the hair. With blood on the bullet it didn't match anyone in the wanted system but did match with a register of citizens in that city, a person that was labeled as a homeless once soldier. I take it not many enjoy the military in Lord Dragon's city based on the fact the three that showed up on DNA match were all labeled as the same as your friend."

She went quiet, thinking then continued. "There was one link between the dead and one of the three. Data showed there was two females linking the third match to the dead. I hadn't looked closer to find out anymore than that. I will let you go over what I found and let you focus on that, if you require a distraction to keep yourself busy. That way I can focus on the girl and get what bothers me solved, or closer to solved I would hope."

She was quiet once more as she listened, nodding softly and took in what he had to say as she had nothing against reviews. Her heart fell in hearing about the loss of that research, her heart raised hearing he had begun to get it back and fell once more upon hearing about his losing it again. Releasing a breath Ritzu nodded. "They do tend to make things more complicated in more ways than one." She muttered, "you're free to see if anyone backed up anything in data or video on our servers in case anyone had been transferred although you may not find anything, it could not hurt to look."

When she looked over again was when he exclaimed and began to exclaim and she saw him looking out the window reminding her of an excited child. She released a frustrated breath, closing her eyes half way. I swear men are just children in grown bodies. she thought sharply with a flat tone as she looked ahead.

They had come to pass between bird like beasts which each held bar that had three lights each hanging down for street lamps as they entered the lines of the city. The metal statues were like a demon raven (forgot name starts with n I think >< ) which stood proudly with their wings spread and reaching over either side to hold hands which secured once more light to make seven with each pair spread evenly into the city. They drove under an iron gate archway with elegant swirls. (If ever seen Black Butler or something like that then there go for swirl weaving style)

There were two more exits towards the north east in the east district and north west in the west district. They were passing through the south district. Each one was divided into their area's by the same black metal tall gates which wove around easily, allowing the center of the four way divided city to have an open market in the center. From their position at the head was a giant bird with its wings out and cast out in an arch over the northern part of the north district. It had its beak open and had well carved details if looked at close enough as it connected to the castle like mansion belonging to Lord Raven.

The buildings were modest and was area's in the south district, as with the others, for sellers to set up if they wanted to not go into the center. "He did to answer your question. He recently added onto the west and added another pair for extra light when coming or going from the city." She smirked as she was finding his excitement now a bit amusing.

Most of the homes and businesses were one floor but there were a few two floor and three floor buildings that were either homes or businesses or happened to be both. Around the city was the black gate that rose high and connected to the large bird form at the head of the city. People looked well and looked up as she drove by, a few people dressed casually waved but most diverted their eyes and moved swiftly to go about what they were doing. Most did not trust her when she was out driving.

"Lord Raven is not too bad on them yet they still hold distrust towards me and others who serve him at the head. I don't blame them." She sighed. "But at least we have not the issue of Lord Dragon, we have had a few spurts but they never last long before being arrested."

The streets were nicely lit by streetlamps which some held electric lights as others had candles and a few had both, apparently to be as a backup for if anything happened to the electric part they could use the candle part for light. She drove on and eventually passed through an archway which lead through a small checkpoint area where she had to stop, put down her window and show she was her. A warm greeting and they were allowed through.

Ritzu continued and entered the square where a fountain stood with four flowering dishes where it allowed water to cascade down elegantly from the center rose from where it sprouted up from. The streets were a mix of paved and cobblestone, cobblestone for walking and more of the paved area was for vehicles so not to wear away at the stone too fast. As she went around the fountain and headed to the north district, the west and east could be seen some through their archways with a similar set up in building types as the south district.

The north district was a bit more higher end. The buildings looked to be of a higher material and there were more spaces with grass and trees for beauty, along with flowers. The south also had this but not as in many places as could be seen in the north district as she drove on. More people would wave and she would wave back, the people more finely dressed yet could double as casual in some ways.

"What do you think? It's different from Lord Dragon I know." She said and glanced over to Skylar before ahead as she went, making a turn then another as she went towards where the large raven appeared to hover with spread wings.

It would be minutes later before they approached a stone wall and gated mansion build that in size could possibly trump or match that of a castle with having two floors, a side building, and spacious grounds which brought back the beauty lost outside the city as well as a few deer on one side which had been trained to be accustomed to their surroundings.

She parked and got out, signalling for him to follow as she made sure to have the baggie on her with the bullet and went to the back. "Open the loading gate to my quarters." She ordered a couple soldiers who saluted and quickly went to do as she ordered, one pushing in a code as she got the back door open. As she did what seemed like clouds but was a mist spilled out and inside was a fast asleep Rosalie.

The other soldier brought over a transporter which she took and dismissed him, bringing down a ramp and got on the truck, getting her strapped into the cage in case. Ritzu left and lead the way, looking to make sure Creed followed her and didn't try to wander off.

Later when in her lab it was tidy aside from a few papers around and was several computer like devices. "If you like you may use that space." she pointed to a space she didn't use much. "I will get her in new quarters." she tossed the baggie near the area she said he could have if he wanted to review what she had found and look in for himself. She went over and got Rosalie settled in then went to her own work to see if she could get something made up to help Rosalie be normal again.



~ Time skip to the ball ~



The night of the ball came and the guests were dressed up in their finest. Each of the Owls were there and enjoying themselves. Dragon walked around the well lit and elegant ballroom that had at least two to three chandeliers. He wore a fine and almost one could call royal suit of dark blue over white and dark blue to just about black pants with neatly shined black shoes. He still wore the piece of his mask over his one eye and had his gauntlet on as well.

Outside public transports brought those who didn't or couldn't drive to it and on one was Fire, wearing her own mask with weaves twisted into her hair to style it back. This gave her more elegance and it helped make her two colored hair more discreet. Other guests drove whereas others who could had paid drivers. Lady Snake was one of those arriving in style as well as Lord Raven and Lord Wolf.

When a high-end car that was as fashionable as a limo but more secure pulled up and stopped, the driver got out, came around and opened the back door. He bowed his head as out came a smooth leg in fashionable dark green heels and in a beautiful black and green dress that hugged her form. The woman came out and made her way up the marble walkway. "You may go park." She cooed sounding bored, her hair styled up and pulled into a bun but her bangs were swept to fall over one yellow eye.

She stretched a bit and sighed, pausing during that and continued with her male escort who she giggled and held the arm of, a beautiful ear-cuff on one ear that swept around along her ear and hairline to rest under her bangs that hid her eye, hiding her fragment of a mask which looked to be made of the skin of a snake with its scales.

The outside was built up and had fashionable covered patios and around those patios were greenery with flowers that would last long enough to make it a night to remember. Inside there was a greeting hall, banquet hall, and the ballroom along with a kitchen so staff could ensure only the finest of foods and drinks would be provided to the attendees.

Lord Raven sighed, looking to his watch in his vehicle as his escort scooted closer in her dress and nuzzled him. "Don't be so much that way. You know you'll miss nothing." She purred softly to his ear before giggling and nipping.

Raven gave a smile and closed the watch, slipping it back inside his suit. "Alright my dear. Too bad my dear cat could not attend. It might had been fun to see how well she still remembers her place throughout my teasing." he purred in his throat with a chuckle.

"Oooh~ My Lord Raven you are quite the demon!" she exclaimed with a playful giggle as she moved closer and began to cuddle him and he allowed.

"Don't try teasing with that nickname reserved for the demon himself Lord Dragon." Raven said with a smirk, starting to play with her hair as he got a nod in response.



Fire was on the train and looked down, taking a breath and released it with a sigh. Just get in, get him interested if those rumors were true about him liking the ladies, and kill him. She thought with determination.

On this same train with his hair hid well and smoothly under a secured dark brown wig the rebel leader relaxed, watching out the window. He hoped that the night would go peaceful but as he shifted his eyes to see Fire, he felt his gut twist in a feeling this would not be a quiet evening.

Once it would arrive and stop, the passengers got off and were awestruck by the beauty and size with the soft elegant lighting, giving it a feel of magic. Fire even when she got off was shocked to where her jaw dropped and she nearly lost the delicate lace mask off her face that framed her eyes.

Silver got off and continued on inside in his suit that one would call more traditional, leaving Fire to gawk at the structure she slowly started to move closer to so to make her way inside.

Ritzu had been hard at work trying different things on blood samples and was getting there yet not as fast as she would like. She had fallen asleep and hadn't spoken much to Creed unless needed. She had fallen asleep after doing another test at her work area. She slept unaware as she was out like a light.

Her research would display that the two that matched a couple that came up on the records of those wanted for treason against Lord Dragon for crimes committed. The woman was named Lina and was nicknamed an 'ice witch' and labeled as dangerous upon the date recorded of her escape. The man was named Richard and had been given the nickname 'fire wizard' and also was labeled as dangerous upon the date recorded of his escape, the same day she had escaped.

There was an error with DNA regarding the strain of hair but without anyone other than them in the system matching it the system couldn't bring up a name for the other DNA. She had made note the system may have made a miscalculation and was trying to put them together although she had found it odd the coloring and fact of two people off one strain since nothing in ways of offspring could she find in the system for those arrested, wanted, or free.

The bullet matched up with a modified gun that wasn't on record but she had compiled a short list of suspects she thought was it, mainly those labeled as 'Shaders' in the system due to being previously arrested then managed to escape. Silver was on this list with four other men, one man being named Lysin.

The man that had been killed her data showed the blood matched up with a retired soldier of Lord Dragon's army and he was well decorated in his file for helping aid with rounding up and eliminating rebels, along with praise for his choice of interrogation tactics. The former guard when his file for who he had contact with that had been prisoner was a fairly long list and on that list was Lina. For residents he knew there was quite a list but on there was the name of the owner of the bakery, and that woman owning the bakery knew several people which was listed under the former guards notes placed in his file since he suspected her with other businesses of being allied with traitors.

He could not find enough proof before he had stepped down however so the business was still open and making money.

If Creed looked int Lina's records it would show her as deceased for some number of years and her death was ruled an accident due to raiders slaying her and family in their home before it to was destroyed on the same night. Richard would also show he was deceased in the same way with her.

Lysin was labeled as 'missing' and not much else except that he hadn't been found in some time anywhere so was presumed dead. Yet aside from this the label in his file labeled him simply as missing and for him to be captured or killed on sight.

Silver's record showed him labeled as a threat and one when it had been updated he had escaped had nicknamed him 'jumper' for his teleporting power. It was also noted of him having a good shooter before and was noted he probably still was after his escape, also noting one arm should be bummed. But she hadn't gone into looking into Silver's file nor Richard or Lysin along with two others.

She also had not gone through all of the deceased soldier's file since things had not added up as she thought they should have. Namely it had constantly bothered her about the hair and the fact things had not been as straight forward as she had hoped. She hadn't bothered with the bakers file since she couldn't see a reason or purpose behind that since there hadn't been any marks on the front to indicate any trouble in regards to the law. She had been thoroughly yet at the same time had left some things un-searched due to assumption that, based on common behavior based on someone's record such as having no criminal history or strikes on them would be one who didn't cause problems, lead to her not looking as closely at some files nor piecing it together that the shooting might had been in some ways a form of revenge.

It had not been recorded but there had been rumors in the past the 'raiders' were paid off since after the event several people died or vanished suddenly, most to all not being seen again. All except one that was but that last one suspected to aid in the 'raiders' was deceased by a single recovered bullet.

It was later she would snort and jump, looking around sleepily and glare towards Creed's section she'd given him during his excited exclaiming and rambling. She looked tired and once she saw he took no notice of her she sighed and moved, looking at her notes and began to type again, trying another mix before soon after starting to get herself something to eat or drink to try and wake up.

"Hey do you want anything?" she asked in her crooking voice but as he was distracted by his conversation she let it lie and went on her way to get food and drink. Ritzu released a yawn as she stretched her arms out above her head before bringing them back down to her sides, her eyes starting to close once more as she walked her way to place in her order with plans to order extra food and a bit of extra drink in case Creed would want anything.



At the ball Fire made her way inside at last, looking around with cautious steps and body tense in the gown that had been altered to one of a strapless nature. She gazed around the gathering of people whom walked around and talked to others. She took in the sights of the high ceilings, finely decorated and it seemed no expense was passed upon to ensure everything was of the highest quality.

Could he be anymore flashy? Fire thought looking up but soon turned her attention to scanning the crowd of people after her steps ceased and she stood still, wearing elbow length gloves with the dress that held no makers mark. Now to find him and take him out then...maybe the others as I'm sure they showed up. Why pass a chance to show off and act like they are one in the same as us? She thought and was on her way again, searching the crowds in the main room then found her way to the ballroom.

She looked but saw nothing but people and masks. Dang it she cursed in her mind as her eyes narrowed behind her mask, starting her search as discretely as possible to try and find Lord Dragon as she was her main target to free their home city.



Silver stepped around the grounds laid out outside the indoor venue where music played of the best orchestra players to give the night a beautiful, elegant, even magical feeling for the guests. "Quite the show, be nice if he put this much effort into trying to fix the land outside the city..." Silver mumbled quietly to himself as he began to walk around, his body relaxed. He was approached by a few women requesting a dance and he politely agreed, bowing deep like a gentleman to her and would entertain them in short dances.

There was no shame in granting someone's wish and the best way to blend in was to appear to be taking part in the festivities. If he was asked his name he would smile and gave the name of Malic, another fake name he had came up with to avoid using his rebel code name or his real name which he did not often use or hear others use either for him.

Or at least not many recalled his name or as far as he could recall. Most if they knew him with being part of the resistance would call him Silver so as far as he knew, any who knew him just knew him as that and forgot his real name. After a third dance had ended he smoothly released her hand and bowed politely with a charming smile. "You danced elegantly, Mi'lady." He praised which made her giggle and blush behind a fan she had brought with her for the ball.

"Oh you are so faltering Malic." She giggled and went off to mingle. He stood up straight and looked around to spot a familiar person, Fire, walking casually around the people with hands folded ladylike in front of her.

I hope she doesn't stir up trouble. he thought with a sigh leaving his lips as they parted.



Lord Dragon was enjoying swooning the women this way and that with his charm and charisma as well as evaluating any he would request stay late so they could speak more in private. He made sure any times he gave would not overlap the other as he wanted some fun after the festivities were done which would not be for some hours to allow everyone a good amount of time to feel like everything was good.

This also was to allow his men a smoother chance to search for anyone that might be against him in his city bounds. He hated loose ends and since no one had been able to bring Silver back in he wanted to see if without some or a lot of the people there, the soldiers would find it easier to search. That did not mean security was lax there either but they were around just keeping back as ordered so the guests could enjoy themselves, feeling relaxed if they so wished without feeling like they were under watch.

Lord Dragon waltzed with a brunet woman around on the floor, whispering the right things into her ear which made her giggle. As he did this he also was scanning any faces for the next woman to meet and see if he thought her worthy enough to request her to come in private to meet with him. A flicker of red and orange caught the corner of his eye and he glanced over as he began to nibble the brunet's neck to see a face that was new to him, as many faces were since people came from the other cities, but something felt different and perked his curious side.

He did not approach but kept one eye on the one in the dress that, to him, appeared to had been made by flames while keeping up his swooning of his current guest in his gentle hold on the dance floor.



Fire had not taken notice of his spotting her of yet as she walked, trying not to bump into people. She was approached by one then another man asking her to dance which she declined but a third to approach requested and she bit her cheek. She didn't want to and glanced around for a moment which brought him to look at her confused. "Are you here to meet someone or are you alone this evening without a proper escort?" he questioned the nobleman did.

"Well..." Fire began as she returned her sights to him. "I....supposed you could say I was looking for someone but I think he has yet to appear."

"Care to dance as you wait?" he asked offering her one hand as the other went behind his back.

She hesitated but slowly took his hand, not wanting to but didn't want to draw suspicions before she could even get a chance to make contact. "Alright, let us dance during this magnificent night of celebration." She said and he nodded agreeing to that and he took one hand as her other rested on his shoulder and his other on her waist, then they began to dance with others who wished to waltz to the beautiful music.

Ritzu having getting the food ready and overseeing it to make sure it would be as she ordered, not much having at times faith in the cooking staff she sighed, leaning back against the kitchen wall.

On her desk, aside from her notes, was copies of photographs she had attained through a friend in the army who had filled in for his friend once in Dragon and Snake's military. She had put the photos of encounters and people he just found lovely on the eyes to one side, finding them useless since a lot were not very clear due to the motion of the target of the lens he liked to keep on his person, both in a physical camera device and in his glasses.

Several photos were of pretty women and cute girls but a few pictures were different. One showed a man in a hooded jacket that gave him a homeless appearance that someone would take pity on. In one photo a bit of his face had been captured, looking years older than his previous recorded appearance for the system on 'Shaders'. One picture of the 'homeless guy' showed a sharp sea green color and although a bit blurred from the subject moving away from the hand on him, there was a small scar around the right side of his face, a scar though somewhat faded would match with capture reports from the night Lysin had been caught.

The background displayed that Lysin was laying low within Lady Snake's city. This was because of her fascination with scales in design, her name fitting her interests. Also due to smooth stone surfaces that made the buildings was another clue. Compared to the others,her taste was more in brick and other stone building material which she often refereed to as comforting. Homeless also were often there being those who couldn't make payments and those who didn't like living inside cool stone walls but more so was it the homeless was considered as nothing much more than bums.

A few other photos were from Lord Dragon's city of a young female in a red cloak that had been through a lot of wear and tear. Her photos were more blurred due to her body in constant motion in them. But one was her starting to jump back, hood fallen and in the slight motion starting could be seen two tones for her hair and her vibrant orange eye color that some could mistake for a hazel brown.

Her hair came roughly around her jawline to shoulders and the red tint when looked closely matched Richard's and the blue ends were a shade lighter than Lina in her record photo. There was but three more from the fill in guard of the same young woman. One showed Fire leaping back, one showing her firing her gun at a man, as a third showed her coming at the guard with the camera with a customized blade. The last showed her light hazel to just about orange colored eyes glaring at him and her hair being blown back, displaying a small burn mark near her hairline that was a good number of years old.

Ritzu had seen them but had disregarded them as just more of the same as she knew the guard that took them was always taking photos when out doing anything anywhere if he thought it interesting, beautiful, or cute. To the side on a stand was a medium sized box filled with neatly secured bundles of varying amounts of photos, printed on the bands would be the dates she received the copies from the guard who wanted to make sure she saw more than just her work space.

If the bundles were gone through, there would be two pictures showing Lysin shooting at the guard and a third showing him shot and being restrained. In a different stack would be one picture of a solder, the recorded dead one, posing with a cute bar maid. There was a small flash in the corner of the picture. This stack was dated after the stack of Lysin's capture and system date of MIA. I was after the known date of Silver getting free and close to the date on file of the dead soldier, just off by a day or two.

Most of the picture bundles had not been gone through as she had assumed they would be mainly of random people and any animals he saw while on duty and some were but others showed arrests here and there in Dragon, Snake, and Raven's cities. Though in Raven's was the bundles with a lot of adorable pictures of kittens, puppies, dogs, cats, birds, and other animals he had found.

Later Ritzu would get the tray from the cook and began to make her way back with a wide yawn. "Maybe after eating I will catch a nap. Not making any progress half asleep." She muttered to herself.

It would be minutes later before she would eventually come back in, allowing time for him to see what she had on the desk and in the side box if he chose to. When she would return she eyed Creed some while making her way over and set the tray down on a filing cabinet she used as a table. "What have you found out and have you touched anything without asking? Unless it was to you researching what I gave you to work on then I might not be annoyed." she said getting a bite of food down before yawning.



The servant when ordered immediately went to work with other servants to give the pair space to do battle for Tigeress.


Lady Snake was seated at her table, on a balcony setting so she could overlook the events below her, her green eye shadow seemed to be be made with the grace of serpent scales. She sighed, picking up and sipped her wine as she watched the people dance. "Commoners are nothing but little maggots. I bet they have found those outfits in their local dump." She criticized under her breath, sipping her drink again. "No sense of fashion at all. But again I suppose lowly urchins would be unable to find proper attire for such a high end event."

"Mi'lady Snake, I'm sure they have tried their best. Not all have such the honor and ability to be the escort to someone as high in power as the marvelous Owls." The male at her side praised at her side, giving her a charming smile.

She shifted her eyes away with the glass at her lips. "I suppose you are correct, not everyone has the pedigree to be with those of us with taste." She cooed and took another sip as did he of his drink.

He looked down at the floor and chuckled. "It appears Lord Dragon is on the prow again. Does nothing satisfy his thirst?"

"Nothing satisfies him for long before he is craving new flesh. I'm surprised his body has not yet broken by as many he takes to his chamber bed." Lady Snake replied.

"You are one to talk seeing as how often you have invited me in." He teased only to silence his tongue with a sharp glare from her.

"And you speak nothing of such events or your tongue shall be not the only thing you lose." She hissed, moving one hand to allow a soft green glow to be seen by him which caused him to gulp and nod. She lessened her magic as she nodded. "Good, I'm glad we have an agreement." She said proudly and watched the participants below dance and partake of the foods they would never again be able to taste due to how much they cost.

A waiter stepped by and she moved her arm behind her, snapping to draw his attention. "Bring us a small plate of your finest meat and I'm in the mood for sliced sweet potatoes with gravy on the side."

"Yes, at once Lady Snake." The waiter said with a bow and left to get her order.



Lord Raven arrived with his escort. He frowned as he got out and she giggled. "Trust me, you have not missed a thing." she purred as they went inside and made their way into the main room. He looked up when she pointed up some stairs towards the upper levels. "See? I told you that you would not miss anything."

Raven looked up and smirked. "Well looks like you are right. I'll need to reward you later." He cooed softly in her ear, nibbling as she giggled and they went up another staircase to get a good view of the soon to come festivities.



Fire danced with the man who had hold of her for a good some minutes before they parted and she bowed her head to him. He left her be and she sighed softly to herself. She looked around then turned, jumping a bit as she came to face with Dragon himself. He smiled to her from his mask and gently stepped back in his bow. "Hello my dear. You are a new sight to noble eyes. Perchance which city do you resonate from?"

Fire bit her lower lip thinking quick before curtsying as she answered. "I come from the city where Lord Wolf reins, my Lord Dragon." she rose as he did. "This is a wonderful party."

"I am glad someone has good taste. Some do not but I can tell by your attire you do understand what is good and what isn't." He offered his hand to her. "May I have this dance? Perhaps also to speak more on common matters?" he asked charmingly with a handsome smile.

Fire felt a bit grossed but saw this as her chance to get close so nodded and took his hand, deciding to play the mysterious girl for a bit to try and ease into being alone with him. "Of course, Lord Dragon, it would be an honor to dance with someone as fine and refine as you." She praised.

He took one hand of hers into his, placing his other on the small of her back as she put her free hand on his shoulder. She smiled and they began to dance, his hand creeping down to touch her butt at times before it would return to the small of her back. This made her flinch and think about setting him on fire right then and there.



Silver had also been making his way casually though the ballroom before going to a bar set to get himself a drink and a small bite to eat. He looked over the sea of people as he sat at the bar and sipped his drink, ordering a mixed drink that was light on the alcohol. He took a couple sips before looking back out at the people pleased then his face fell some as he spotted Viola, aka Fire, dancing with Dragon. She better not do something stupid. He thought as he took another drink of his drink.

His eyes scanned and saw Lady Snake and Lord Wolf at their tables above them then he saw the makings of a fight at Lady Tigeress table area. He then saw Lord Raven and took another drink. Fire you better keep composure or kiss your life goodbye. He thought with warning.