Welcome to Gaia! ::

Fire nodded as she listened and smiled at his confidence in being a distraction. "I hope you're right on her being distracted." She muttered quietly as she followed closely behind.

When they got to the spot, she nodded, taking note where the opening was. "Got it. Now, let's see if we can find my weapons and maybe disperse of some guards if they get in the way." She whispered softly as she went and found a dagger. She tested it in the air and nodded. "It'll do." She sighed and looked around the room.

Carefully she crept out further and began to search the shelves and walls for her weapons while keeping low and out of sight. A guard passed but didn't notice her as he went to get a new sword and left. Fire sighed and continued on her search.

It was several moments almost feeling like minutes later before she frowned, stifling a growl in frustration as she didn't see her weapons. She carefully made her way back over to where Filous was. "My weapons aren't in here." She whispered softly, looking around again with slight annoyance.

She would listen when he began to talk, moving back inside the tunnels as she listened when a couple guards passed by and frowned a little more. If he mentioned the throne room she would quietly groan to herself. "Of course" she would complain softly.

Fire would carefully start to slink back out. "Is it normal for them to be this...come and go?" she would look to Filous for an answer.

If he said no then she would narrow her eyes. "She might be expecting us." She would mutter. "Is there a way to get into the throne room unnoticed?" if he said yes to this she would follow his lead or instructions.

If he said yes then she would nod and ask about a way into the throne room besides the front doors. She would follow his lead or instructions to get into the throne room.

Along the way, one guard would be taken down by a stab to the neck with the dagger that she had frozen the blade of to prevent it from being stained by blood. She would lay and hide the body in another room as they proceeded to the throne room destination. Another would fall with a quick neck stab before he could yell for help.

Fire's body was tense and when they would get to their destination, she would peek out and eye the room over silently, controlling her breathing. When finding it she would frown, cursing quietly as she saw them in a locked display box. I'm not leaving those behind for her to show off like a victory trophy. She thought and tried to plan out an attack strategy or if she could go in and breath first ice then fire and create steam to hide herself so she could try and get into the box.

She didn't know how long that would buy her time for.

If Creed was there already then she would snarl, a piece of her still irked at him for out smarting her earlier. She wouldn't be aware caught up in her thoughts the sound of guards walking up the hallway.

If Filous would say anything she would not respond before after a few times and her face would fall. "Crap." She hissed and looked around for a spot to hide but changed her mind, refreezing the dagger and charged towards the trio, ducking then jumping and stabbing one in the side of the neck while leaping over the other two. She would then turn and push off the floor to the wall and jump off, leaping over them and stabbing a second in the face.

She would yelp and let out a small cry as the third grabbed her ankle and threw her into a wall. Fire would groan and shake her head. She would look at the nearing guard with his weapon drawn and get up. She would look down and remember her boots, figuring they still had some juice left. She would look up and step back then run to the side, getting up on the wall and push off, firing off the boots for a burst of power and speed as she dug the dagger into and across is face, taking out his eyes.

As she would land, she would turn and stab him in the back, slicing up through his neck and watch him fall. She would shake her head that was spinning. She hadn't given thought to it possibly making noise to alert Tigress about them being there.

If this happened and realized she alerted the Owl, she would grab Filous and hold the dagger at his throat if anyone was coming to the doors to check on what was happening. "This'll keep you on her good side." She would mutter quietly into his ear. "No need for you to be associated with a shader, unless you want that on your record." She didn't want him losing his position and everything just because of it getting out he helped her escape in the first place.

She would start moving back with him if guards came or if Tigress herself came. If Tigress was told Filous was being held hostage by the dangerous woman that was gifted to her, Fire would frown and move, shoving him away if Tigress came and run away. She would aim to dash in through another set of doors if she could while releasing ice then flames to make steam before making a dash for the box.

If Creed was there she would shoot him a glare. "I'll get even with you later." She'd growl as she'd go for the box and try to get the lock broken, trying to bash it off with the hilt of the dagger. If she could bash it open she would take up her weapons and turn, blocking a blade with her custom daggers and activate one, electrocuting the guard before backing away from him and round house kicking him to the ground via the head.

She would look towards Jesse's location if she was there. She knew her promise to him so would spit a small bit of ice at Jesse but it wasn't enough to hurt her, just scare her a bit so it would at least look like she kept her promise to him. She didn't feel it right to hurt the woman without knowing exactly why or seeing his reasons as actually legit.

Fire would move and try to make a break for it, aiming to take her chances out a window.

If in all this chaos, Tigress used her magic, Fire would slow down with confusion and scream out, getting partially hit by electricity. She would move and turn around fast, leaping back to dodge another and put both blades in one hand. She would aim with her pistol and fire, sending a flaming ball with a bullet inside at Tigress and try to make a break for it again, seeing her steam was already dissipating. "Dang it!" she muttered trying to make a break for it.

She would fire an ice bullet at the floor and smirk as guards fell before running up one wall and hitting her boots together as she jumped off it and aimed to break through a window. If Tigress saw this and used her lightening, Fire would get hit and fall to the ground or fly back and slam into the floor or a wall, either way she wouldn't enjoy her rough landing.

Fire would slowly start to get up, panting and sweating, wincing as she moved as the lightning she took was making the scars on her back to hurt. She shook her head and looked up hatefully at Tigress, snarling at her. She went for her pistol and cursed as it had slid away. She had also lost one dagger but still had one in her hand.

She would try to escape while breathing out ice around above her to try and lessen the blow from Tigress's lightning attacks as she would try once more to escape, having no idea why Creed was there and wasn't sure how far she could truly trust him, given how their first meeting had gone.

In the end she wouldn't be a match for Tigress and would either get grabbed by the guards and restrained or grabbed by Tigress herself and, if it was Tigress, she would spit in her face defiantly. She would be out of breath and reve up her dagger before stabbing it into Tigress's arm if she could to shock her and try to make her let go.

If the guards had her she would try to struggle and even stab them if she still had her dagger. If she didn't have that then she would try and kick their feet out from under them and hit them with the flames from her boots boosters and to burn another in the face with her fire breath to try and get free.

Fire in her struggle and use of her magic was looking tired and as if she might fall over from exhaustion and taking electric hits. She would keep fighting until she would start collapsing and slowing down from her exhaustion catching up and the pain in her back she'd been trying to ignore making her movements look stiff, trying once more to make an escape.

If Creed showed up after all this then, if he saw this, would have a moment to make a move as Fire was backing up towards a set of doors, panting and struggling to make her legs lift and move. She thought about going for her lost weapons but didn't have the energy, just hoping she had the energy to escape. One guard made a move for her and she turned, whipping around and flipped him over while disarming him, injuring her own arm in the process and top of her leg.

Her shoulder of the injured arm was starting to tremble as her movement slightly stiffened from that as it mixed in with the burning in her back. C-c-c-crap she thought quietly and bitting her cheek, keeping an eye on Tigress and the guards still standing.

Fire, after a valiant effort, passed out just as she felt herself grabbed from the blow she had taken from Tigress in her rage. She was glad though that Filous stayed in the light as an ally over being seen as a traitor to Tigress. She would briefly wake up as they were moving but, aside from seeing the world blur by, she passed back out in Creeds hold.

Viola would wake up later, groaning as she turned her towards the fire. Slowly she opened her eyes. She felt warm and, as her vision cleared, she started to take in her surroundings as well as looking to the coat laying on top of her. "What?" she groaned softly and began to carefully sit up, holding her head with one hand. "Ow, my head." She moaned.

Viola looked over and slightly tensed when seeing Creed, not sure what she was in for now. She looked around again and noticed they weren't inside the castle and returned her gaze to him. "Where are we and what is your plan this time with me? Why were you here anyways?" she asked suspiciously as she was having memories come forward from their first face to face.

She would be quiet to listen to him some before asking her next question. "So you aren't wanting to do weird testing stuff to me or send me back off to that crazy woman friend of yours?" she turned and sat facing the fire, crossing her legs and wrapped his coat around her, liking the warmth. "...I'm glad I'm not waking up inside a box again..." she muttered quietly.

Viola would watch the fire quietly as she'd listen to him speak if he did while one hand messed with his coat a bit. She recalled Hunter coming back with her necklace and how he got it back, about the one with it feeling guilty for taking it. She looked down and messed with his coat some more silently before pulling her legs up close to her body.

"....Thank you...for giving back my necklace. That meant the world to me to have it back." Viola would gently say as her eyes moved from the flames to look at Creed. "I'm still not sure how to trust you but...I take it you know Cyrus and maybe Leaf or Silver?" she didn't know any other way he would have known about her going missing aside from talking to one of them.

She took a breath and sighed, resting her head on her knees and watched the flames. "I wouldn't have gotten out of the cells if Filous hadn't of helped me. I'm glad my hostage plan and his strange action to protect her worked to keep him seen as her ally over traitor." Softly she smiled a little. "He's a rat but he's a loyal rat who helped get me out...then again...may have also resulted, it seems, in messing up your plans?"

Viola lightly laughed a little embarrassed. "I just wanted out and to run. I didn't think her magic would be lightning or that it would hurt like that." She would go quiet again and look to his coat then to him. "Um do you need your coat back? I don't want you getting sick because of me having it."

If he would want his coat back she would slip it off and hand it back to him. If not then she would keep it wrapped around herself for warmth.

If he were to mention knowing and having spoken to Cyrus, Leaf or Silver she would gently nod. "How are they?" she'd ask and return her sights to Creed, looking him over. "You don't look like you'd be able to move as fast as you did. Do you have magic like me and Silver do?" she had no idea about his tentacles as she hadn't seen them in the blur of motion around her during her earlier brief moment of semi-alertness.

If he had not yet already explained, "so...what's the plan from here? I can only imagine her guards are looking for us right now and that you might be in trouble too." If he had explained the plan then she would not ask this.

Another thought came to her mind and she wasn't sure if he could answer it or not for her. She pondered over asking if he had any idea of how or who had set her up for capture by telling an Owl about her deed in killing Lord Dragon. She decided to hold her tongue for now, leaning forwards to relax only to wince a little from the quick sharp pain that struck her back and caused her to straighten up a little which eased it up.

Viola listened and, after their chat, would slowly nod and accept his help in standing. She kept his coat close around her, even moving it so some of it rested atop her head to help hide her unique natural hair coloring. "You must have some trustworthiness to you if two of my listed allies trust you to ask you to help save me."

She caught the threat and narrowed her eyes. "Will you kill me or experiment on me if we were to meet again?" caution was in her tone as she watched him carefully. She was impressed about his plan to leave the fire going as a decoy for the guards. She would move and walk by his side as they headed for the station.

"I hope one of them has something still for my back...and...in the cells...Filous thought it was a past ally of mine. I don't want to think someone from Master Lysin's group would turn on me like that, let alone it perchance being Master Lysin himself..." she commented quietly, some fear in her tone and a lot in her mind as she ran over the different members she knew of.

The back of her mind kept returning to one person who had always been so close to her, aside from Lysin, one who her memories from her teens remembered being always around and wanting that they do things together to spend time together. I don't think Trumpet or Flute but....who else could it had been unless Lysin himself? She felt unnerved by that thought and took a deep breath, exhaling and tried to not think about it anymore.

"...I think they might be right that I need to learn to be more careful. I've just always been the type to charge in and take risks. But...they somehow have a concoction that can block magic so I should probably learn restraint." She sighed softly. "This is not going to be easy." She complained quietly under her breath, recalling once about Leaf and Silver commenting she needed a hobby of some kind to help her stay put and to keep her out of falling into trouble's hands.

When they would get to the station, she would look around and follow his lead, keeping quiet. She would move to the train when he would and, once boarded, would sit near him.

If they were alone on the train car she would lower the coat from her head. If they weren't alone she would leave the coat as it was.

After a bit of moments feeling like minutes, Viola would speak up. If alone, her tone would be normal but if not alone her tone would be soft like a whisper. "I think you can be more trustworthy than you think. Someone who doesn't care about others wouldn't had come to help nor had cared about a small necklace having dear memories for its owner. Plus..someone who wasn't trustworthy would never want to repay a debt or oath to another, but would say they would but do another action that suited their own agenda."

She leaned back and recalled him calling his power more of a curse than magic. "To some, magic is a curse that results in death. My...parents, as I'm sure you already figured, had magic and because of this...and because of them being escaped prisoners...lost their lives...." she closed her eyes some watching the floor. "...they lost their lives protecting me from the fire that took our home. Luckily for me, when I returned years later, I was able to find an old photograph of all of us together and that necklace that had belonged to my mother, given to her by my father."

Viola wasn't sure why she felt like opening up to him and wasn't sure how to question herself to find the answer. She also wondered if Tigress would have let her go or if it would had been a lie had she not had of had the help from Filous.

~*~*~*~*~

In Omega, Lysin had arrived early, via the thanks to hitching a ride with a small group that he found out planting trees and flowers. When inside, they stopped and let him out in the city before continuing onwards to the castle. He looked around and noticed all the flowers going up and the activity that seemed curious.

The old man in his cloak walked up to one store owner. "Excuse me, but what's going on to warrant the decor?"

The middle aged woman looked to him sadly. "Our Alpha has passed away so we are getting ready for his funeral and the naming of his successor."

"I see, I'm sorry for the loss. How did he pass, if I may ask."

"I heard it was an assassin sent by one of the other Owls." She said regretfully.

"I heard rumors he was working for one to capture Delta Tala, the cursed male thinking it was wise to attack our Alpha. Death serves him right for his misguided actions." A man chimed in.

"That is Alpha Tala or Lord Tala. Lord Wolf picked him as his successor so show respect." The woman scolded quickly to the man.

The man shook his head. "Until the ceremony starts after the funeral, he's still a Delta."

"Could I perhaps see the corpse or give my condolences to those closes to the departed Lord Wolf?" Lysin politely asked.

The woman nodded. "You may after the funeral and ceremony to name Lord Tala our Alpha officially." Lysin nodded and would help her with stringing up the flowers and would later follow her to where they would stand to watch the funeral.

Inside, Crystal was helping with cleaning and would go to the dressing room where Tala was. She gently knocked, wanting to give him an update. She slowly would enter even without a command to. "Um, Tala? Everything is coming together smoothly."

If he was changed fully or mostly done, Crydtal would comment "You look amazing, like a true Alpha. I bet...." she would wipe a tear from her eye, "he would be so happy." she would take a breath to control herself.

Another knock came and Gloria entered, looking to Crystal. "A few Omega's are needing help with a couple windows. There are stuck smudges."

Crystal nodded. "Okay." She would look to Tala. "I'll see you later?" she asked, hesitating before leaving after waiting for and answer.

Gloria, dressed in blackish colors, would watch Tala, her expression drawn and showing her pain was there still. She would explain to Tala how the funeral procession would go and anything he had to do. She would then explain that she would explain about the Alpha ceremony after Lord Wolf was buried, not wanting to overload him. She would later leave and be there when things would start for the funeral.

During the ride she considered and then slowly turned her gaze to him, adjusting the hat a little. "What was your deal you made with Lady Tigress?" she quietly asked, watching him.

If he told her, "if it keeps you from getting murdered by her then you can take some of my blood. I don't want someone who's friends with two of my family to get on the wrong side of an Owl."

If he didn't tell her then she would want to press him for an answer but keep her mouth shut about what she wanted to know due to her own curiosity.

When they would arrive and get off the train, she would follow him towards the castle, staying quiet then speak up. "You said you find it fascinating how I have two magics, a rarity in itself I'm aware. If it helps you better understand how the Owl's or at least how Lord Dragon had done things, then you are welcome to some of my blood or whatever you would need to study and understand. I mean, if it helps you understand it then maybe it would help someone who has magic because of being tested on gain a way to reverse what was done if they fear their magic."

She wasn't sure how many actually was out there that had use of magic due to being a prisoner and tested on, but she knew some feared magic and things they didn't understand. So if it would help possibly others even in the future, she wanted there to be that option of removing what they fear.

As they neared the castle, she looked around some then cast her eyes down as they would approach, her shoulders slightly tensing in the late hours. The guards would hesitate but would ultimately allow Creed and Fire access inside, sending word via a servant about this to the Owl.

Silver would wake and get changed some, mostly putting on a different shirt but still have on his pajama pants. When Creed and Fire would be allowed inside his chambers, his face fell in shock and he slowly neared as the doors closed behind the pair. "Fire?"

Viola removed the hat and nodded, giving him a soft smile. "Yea, I'm still around." She softly said.

Quickly Silver approached and hugged her tightly, relief and joy spreading across his face that was lit up from his happiness to see her alive. "I'm just so happy to see you are safe!" he was almost tearing up with his joy. He finally let go of her after some time and after she gave him a hug back. He looked to Creed and went up, giving him a hug tightly. "Thank you, thank you." He was so happy and relieved it was easy to see.

He would let go of Creed and couldn't get the smile off his face.

Fire looked around the room. "Looks nice in here."

Silver nodded and looked to her. "Can you please stay out of trouble for once?" he asked sounding almost tired as he didn't have high hopes of that.

Fire nodded. "I'll give it a better shot since someone betrayed me and gave them a way to block magic."

Silver sighed. "So that is how they got you so easy..." he muttered and moved, hugging her again.

She returned the hug and broke it gently, looking to Creed. If he had accepted her offer to let him take samples form her to test on, "Do you want me to wait here as you get what you need? Or do you got what you need? Or would you want to meet up somewhere later or what?"

If he had refused then she wouldn't question him on about when and where he would want to get a sample or so of her blood after breaking the hug with Silver.

If Creed answered her then she would go with what he said before chatting a little more with Silver to catch up. Once they were done catching up Fire looked to both of them. "How will I get back into the sewers? Or will Creed be my escort until we part ways near a manhole cover?" She wasn't sure how that would work once, or not depending on if Creed had accepted Fire's offer to allow him to get samples to test with her unique magic, they were all finished there in Silver's quarters.

~*~*~*~*~

In Omega, as the funeral advanced and those there shared their stories as did Tala, Gloria also shared her story of coming to the castle when she was younger. She shared how she had tried to snitch some fruit only to be caught by Lord Wolf and how he took her in, accepted her and how she rose in the ranks and was allowed to stay despite being part feline.

She with others laid her flower on the coffin, holding in her tears the best she could. Crystal couldn't and wiped away tears as she placed her flower and once all had done so, the coffin was lowered down. Crystal moved and cried into Gloria who held her close, rubbing her back.

During the reception, Crystal had gotten herself a drink and spotted Tala so got a second drink before making her way over to him in her simple black dress. She moved and knelt down by him, offering him the drink. "How are you doing?" she'd ask quietly.

She would offer him the drink. "I thought you might be thirsty." She had her eyes down but it was clear she had been crying given their redness and slight puffiness.

If he took the drink she would hand it over. If he did not take it and refused then she would nod and set it down beside herself before taking a sip of her own drink.

"I'm sure he's happy to see so many loved him and what he had done for them. I bet he'd also be happy to see you carrying on where he left off." Crystal tried to smile and she did but it held a sadness to it. "You're going to be great and you'll always have me, Gloria and Bryn with you to help in anyway we can."

She tried to be reassuring and thought some as she took another sip. "...can I give you a hug? I know you don't like contact but I know it helps me when I feel bad to get a hug." She wouldn't move in to do any hugging unless given permission.

If he said yes then she would move in and give him a comforting hug, rubbing his back to help.

If he said no then she would not make any move to give him a hug but stay where she was.

"Just like how he had us, you will also have us by your side. Plus this keeps the crazy cat Owl off you." Crystal tried to joke to see him smile.

Gloria would come over after a few minutes, finishing her drink and nod to the pair. "Tala, it's time we go and you change." She would explain what would happen while going back inside the castle so he could get changed for the ceremony.

When the ceremony was set to happen, Gloria would stand by the throne, looking to the group of people having come to see and pay their respect and show they were going to be loyal to Tala as they were to Wolf. "Is everyone ready?" Gloria would ask looking around then nod. "Let us begin."

A maid would have lead Tala once he was ready to the doors that were opened upon Gloria's request. Gloria would have asked Bryn to walk up with Tala and be at his side, to show he was their new Alpha's right hand.

The guests would watch and some to most bowed their heads as Tala would pass, showing their respect. Some Omega's and Delta's as well as Beta's were there and showing their respect to their soon to be new Alpha. When Tala would come in front of Gloria, she would watch him and speak clearly so all in the throne room would hear.

"Delta Tala, you have been chosen by our passed Alpha, Lord Wolf. You have proven you care about the pack and want all in it to flourish and be happy. You have given the Omega's the courage to stand up to the Delta's and Beta's when they are unjustly being bullied. You have also given light to bad seeds in the pack so they were dealt with so the rest may grow stronger without the bad seeds there to bring down moral. It is my honor to be proceeding your rise to Alpha. Do you swear to always put the pack first and do all you can to ensure the pack survives while being just in any judgments handed down on those who break the rules of the pack?"

She would wait for his answer before continuing. She would be happy when he would agree to those things. "Then," Crystal brought her a mask that was similar to what Lord Wolf had and wore most when dealing with the public. It was different as it was designed to reflect his strength with the shadows and his wolf form he often took. "I am proud to name you our Alpha, Lord Tala." She gently slipped the mask on the one side so it was one one side of his face with a spot cut out so his vision wasn't obscured.

"You are welcome to alter the rules of what is worn to distinquish yourself after the celebration. It will be a pleasure to work at your side, Alpha." Gloria bowed properly as she had to Lord Wolf. Crystal even bowed politely to Tala as well and was happy to see this.

Gloria would move away from the throne and stand at its side. "You may now address the room and let us all know your plans for the pack moving forwards from this day."

Inside the room, Lysin was and listening closely. He glanced around and would wait for his chance to speak to Tala about if he knew who had been the assassin or where he might find the belongings of the dead assassin. He wanted to see if it happened to be Trumpet who had been gone longer than they thought he would had been.

Viola would nod and agree to his escort. She bid Silver goodbye and left with Creed. She would let him take blood and any samples he would need before gladly accepting the escort to a manhole cover so she could go an return to Leaf, Tool and Hunter. "Thank you again. I hope you have a safe trip back to your place and um, sorry for torching your other one. That might of been me over reacting." She gave a sheepish grin.

Fire waved and slipped down the hole, closing it up and dropped down into the sewer system.

She would head for the center, aiming to surprise them, unaware of the chip they had on her via her clip.

This fact and the fact there was a tracker in her daggers, resulted in Leaf being greatly confused when her signal came from 2 locations. "What's going on? Is it malfunctioning?" Leaf questioned as he started to mess with a code.

Tool looked over. "I'm not sure. I don't think it could. Maybe she attached a blade or a clip to some animal and that's why?"

"That would explain it but what animal would have known to travel from there, to the castle, and down here? No animal is that smart unless it's well trained or a robot." Leaf answered, scratching his head as he leaned back in his seat, watching the screen. "Well whatever it is, it's coming our way."

Tool looked to the screen. If Cyrus was there then Tool would look to him. "Do you think it's Fire or something or someone else?"

Leaf was already up and went and got hold of a pistol he hid near his room. It was more of a tazer than anything else. He moved to the doorway and waited, watching and listening.

Fire neared unknowing about him being in wait.

If Cyrus took notice and was there, Leaf would stay put and watch for a signal from him to strike. Fire would remove the hat and shake out her hair, sighing. "Man that was an interesting night for me." She sighed softly.

If Leaf wasn't stopped, he would jump out and try to hit Fire. Fire would then jump away and ready flames inside her mouth but with hold firing off as she saw it was Leaf. She swallowed her flames down and would stare at him shocked. "What gives?!" she would snap.

If Leaf was not allowed to jump Viola, then she would come to the enterence without incident and greet them. "Hey guys, how are you all doing?"

"Fire!" Tool would shout and run up, tackle hugging her and nearly causing her to fall over before she returned the hug.

"Hey! I missed you too!" Fire laughed as she hugged the teen tightly.

Leaf sighed and put away the weapon. "What's going on? How are you in two places at once? Also, how are you here? You were there in Tigress's domain."

"Creed got me out, well actually, her aid helped me escape. He's currently recovering after he jumped in front of my attack intended for her. Creed helped me out of the situation though and got me back here safely." Fire would answer as Tool let go, looking to Cyrus then Leaf. "And, what do you mean in two places? I'm right....did you bug my weapons and me?!" she snapped with her tone rising to a sharp end.

Leaf shook his head quickly. "No! Well yes but no although yes, but it was for your safety!" he tried to defend weakly as he stepped back as she stepped closer, glaring him down.

If Cyrus spoke up at this point then Viola would look to him and calm down somewhat as she would turn her attention to him, allowing Leaf time to get away from her striking range and to give himself some protection.

~*~*~*~*~

In Omega, everything went smoothly and when Tala promoted Gloria, she was stunned and at a loss for words. She hadn't expected that. She moved forwards and bowed. "It is an honor and I promise to do my best to live up to this promotion, I promise." She said truly honored by this.

When all was done and Tala left, the people bowed to him respectfully and Lysin made his way out to slip away to speak to Tala before the reception. If he could then he would go out into the hall and move towards Tala, clearing his throat. He would give a proper bow to the new Alpha. "Hello, that was a moving speech. I care to ask a question in regards to the word I heard in the market about an assassin that had been killed. Could I see his body or any items he had on him, such as a phone or any ID?" he would inquire, hoping not to come off as rude or pushy.

If Lysin could not get out then he would mingle with anyone to approach him while aiming for the next best option. He would go up to Gloria and bow politely to the new Beta. "Hello, I wish to inquire about word I heard of an assassin having been killed. Did he have any phone or way of ID on his person?"

If he spoke to Gloria then she would look to Lysin curiously. "I've never seen you in Omega before. Who are you and what do you know of the assassin? Do you too work for Lady Tigress who tried to have her minion steal Tala and got her prize in killing our former beloved Alpha?"

If this went on then Lysin would shake his head. "I am not connected to any Owl, I assure you. I simply came looking for a friend and I am only hoping he never came here." He would reply.

If this was so then Gloria would pull out a phone and wallet she had found on the floor after the corpse had been moved. "These were all that fell aside from weapons bought in another town."

Lysin would take these and look at the phone, his face falling and he would sigh, shaking his head softly as he recognized it as Trumpet's phone. "Do you know the assassin?" Gloria would ask if they spoke.

Lysin would release a sigh. "I thought I had known him but it seems there was something in him I did not know." He would answer sadly with regret, having seen a photo of Fire on the phone and was putting the pieces together.

"I have sent his body back to Lady Tigress's citadel so she may know what has become of her pawn. She will also be enjoying to know that her pet is no longer up for her to grab and take hold of. He now rules as the same level as her." Gloria would muse with a smirk, imagining the anger Tigress was going to be in once she got the news from the feline Gloria herself sent out with the body.

Lysin would now and bow, pocketing the items. "Thank you and I hope everything goes well for you and the new Alpha. He shows promise. I am sure he will bring Aphelia back to her former glory."

Gloria would nod. "I hope so and am sure he will continue Lord Wolf's research and progress in rebuilding the greenery we lost."

Lysin would nod again and bid his farewell from her, starting to leave. "You best find a room in town. The wilds are not safe to travel at night or in the evening hours." Gloria would warn.

"I will, thank you once again and my best wishes to the new Alpha as well as your wonderful citadel." Lysin would say as he would leave through the doors and begin to make his way out to go rent a room so he could call and let the others know what happened, and why Trumpet had been gone so long. Oh Trumpet....if only you could have let the past be and continued to move forwards with your life. Instead, you ended your life over a blind obsession with the past. He sadly thought as he took his time leaving, his thought circulating around what to do next going forwards.

He figured before he went to see Tigress, as a map on his phone was pinged there, he had to have spoken to Snake. I can only imagine what lies she told him to make him do what she wanted and resulted in him doing what Tigress wanted. He shook his head. "So much loss of life in one single night. It's truly saddening what has come to the fate of some." He would quietly mutter sadly to himself, his hands going into his pockets now.

If Lysin was stopped by anyone then he would chat to them.

If Lysin was not stopped at all then he would keep going, go into town and to the inn, rent a room and head up to it. He would go inside and sit on the bed, pulling out his phone and give Flute a call. "Hey, it's me. I have bad news." He would go quiet then explain what he found out then go quiet again, listening to the shock and spreading of the news to the others from Flute before she put it on speaker and he would confirm it when questioned by the others in unison.

"Sadly so. His body has been sent out to be delivered back to Lady Tigress so she knows her plan to take the new Alpha has failed." He would add and go quiet again before answering their many questions about where they would go from here and what he planned on doing. He would be quiet as he thought over what he was going to do from there, to go back and continue or to find something else to do to help against the Owls since he did name Bass in charge should anything happen to him or he not return.

Blair would watch Renn sadly and nod. "I know and agree it's not right but she did make this choice. But since the target is out...is she really needed anymore as a mole?"

Liwing nodded as he ate a roll. "She kinda is. We dunno what Tigress is going to be doing next. For all we know she could turn rogue and turn on the other Owls in an instant. I'm sure Dante would wanna know to inform Lord Raven." He said then swallowed.

Riwing sighed. "But she is already so close to her Ladyship. I don't think we could do a swap and anyone going in to be a swap would need to do it just right to make her give Jesse up so to have the new close person."

Blair sadly nodded. "Besides, until orders are given, we can't or shouldn't bust her out. We could compromise anything brewing under the surface." She hated Jesse getting abused but didn't see any other way to get around using the woman who did know the risks.

~*~*~*~*~

In Rydol, Lord Raven was speaking with Dante and going over the info they had gathered. He read the documents over while listing to Dante. If Dante had gotten and read Leaf's e-mail then he'd know Fire got back to them safely.

If this was brought up as a reason, on top of Jesse's safety, Raven would listen. Once ready he would take a breath and speak up. "I understand your concern but even without the target there, I want to know what Lady Tigress is up to and planning. I'm concerned because of the word of an attack by assassins sent by her troubles me. If she is willing to do that to one of our own then who is to say she won't do it to me or Lord Silver?"

Lord Raven would sigh and lean back in his seat. "I'm also worried about Lady Snake. She's been laying very quiet and that worries me. I just..." He trailed off and looked over as a knock came to his door.

If Dante was there in the room then Lord Raven would stand and bow his head a little. "Excuse me." And walk over to the door, opening it and be greeted by a feline woman. "Yes? You are one of Lord Wolf's help?" he would question slowly.

If Dante was on the phone with Raven then he would ask him to hang on before making his way over to the door and converse with the woman.

The woman nodded and bowed respectfully. "I come with news from my leader and the new Alpha and Owl."

Lord Raven blinked and accepted the neatly folded letter. "Thank you but what do you mean by new Owl? I have not been made aware of a change or Lord Wolf stepping down."

The feline sighed. "You will know once you read the letter. My leader has included all details we have and our theories. We have already returned the assassin's body to Lady Tigress with a note explaining to her that her target is now out of her reach."

Lord Raven slowly nodded. "I see, thank you. You may stay and I will send a reply back if you like."

The woman nodded. "I'll stay out here and rest as you finish your meeting."

Raven would then close the door and return to his desk. If Dante was in the room he would keep his eyes on the letter and slowly unfold it to start reading. His blank expression would slowly fall and he lost a little bit of color to his face. He was almost not sure if he believed what he was reading. It seemed almost untrue yet it was true. If Dante would speak then Raven would look up and pass the letter over quietly.

If Dante was there and reading the letter it would explain about an assassin sent by Lady Tigress trying to take Tala, who was under Lord Wolf's protection, had killed Lord Wolf for getting between him and Tala who he referred to as Lady Tigress's pet. It would explain about the assassin being taken down by Tala and that Lord Wolf's last wish was honored, naming Tala as the new Owl of Omega.

If Dante was on the phone, Raven would go quiet and if asked if he was still there he would answer yes and read the letter off to Dante.

Lord Raven would sigh. "This is very troubling to me. If she is willing to do this to Lord Wolf for to capture a single person...I question if she had also hired the woman who is said to had brought down Lord Dragon." He mused quietly as he thought, his voice with concern. "I'm worried she might go after myself or Lord Silver or even Lord Tala. If it is still safe enough, I would like Jesse to stay and gather more information. I would like to know if she is going to be working alone or if the two Lady Owl's plan to team up and take a single stance as the sole rulers of this land."

He was hopeful Dante would see his point of view. "If it gets too dangerous or her life is put into serious harm then I grant permission for a hasty withdraw and will deal with any questions that arise later once that happens. I just want a little more information and if they do plan to meet up and do then I would like to know. If they do plan to work together or are then that would be good to know so we other three can work together to put a stop to their reign before anyone else dies by either of their hands."

~*~*~*~*~

In Delta, Fire was enjoying the food Cyrus had brought with him back and was eating quite a lot as she was fairly hungry. "Oh this is so good!" she said with a mouth somewhat full before swallowing and taking another bite of food.

"Wow! I've never seen you eat so much before!" Tool exclaimed stunned. "Didn't they feed you there?"

Fire swallowed and shook her head. "Not anything good. Just stale bread and water. I wasn't gonna touch stale food. I wasn't that desperate to eat."

Tool made a face at this fact. "Eww, I guess she doesn't treat her prisoners any better than what Lord Dragon used to."

Leaf nodded as he also took a bite of food. "Seems so but we don't know how he used to treat people only what reaction Silver gave us when he anyone would mention anything close to that."

Tool nodded and got another bite of food as the brothers were on their first serving and Fire was on her second as she had been feeling that hungry.

Fire looked to Cyrus and swallowed. "Creed did give me a warning that he might not be so nice next time I'd meet up with him and that if I ever found and torched his new hideout that he wouldn't be so nice either. He can also move oddly fast but wouldn't show me why or tell me much. I'm curious but I'm guessing I should probably leave that alone, right? Although I bet it isn't all that nice since he said it happened after he was experimenting on himself."

~*~*~*~*~

In Omega, Lysin thought and took a breath, sighing softly. "Bass...I want you and the others to try and find Fire."

"What?!" they all exclaimed in unison.

"But that's crazy! We don't even know if she's alive!" Clarinet exclaimed quickly in shock.

Flute chimed in next. "We don't even know where to start looking. For all we know Trumpet was on a wild goose chase to try and relive the past for some obsessed reason."

Bass nodded. "I have to agree with them. Where would we even begin and what would we do if she is even alive and we find her?"

Another voice, a male called Piccolo joined in. "We need to at least try. If we find her we can say hi and maybe help her out."

Lysin listened closely as they spoke and sighed softly. "I know it seems unlikely we'll find her but there is a chance he could have been on to something."

Flute sighed softly. "Okay, what data do you have for us?"

Lysin pushed in some codes and began sending them the info from Trumpets phone. "I've sent you all the information on his phone and where he'd gone as well as his texts and phone calls he made and got. One was from Lady Snake's number I saw at her castle so I may go and see if I can offer my services to her."

"What?! No!" All of them shouted, causing the old man to move the phone away from his ear and wince in pain. Once it had quieted down he brought the phone back to his ear.

"You can't! She'll kill you!" Clarinet quickly spoke up with urgent worry. "We don't want you dying because of some stupid info you might not even get!"

Bass nodded. "I must agree. You can't trust her."

Lysin understood this worry but had his own counter. "I'm old and tired. I'd like to see Fire again but if Lady Snake sent Trumpet on this wild hunt then she might also have information on Fire as well as on Lady Tigress and about what might be coming in the future between the pair of women Owls." There was quiet as they weren't sure how to counter his counter. "I'll be safe and if anything bad happens I'll send a message of goodbye and you'll know. If that happens then stay out of Sisten until it is safe and I'm sure you'll know when that is."

The small group grumbled displeased by this and his choice. "But we don't want to lose you." Piccolo said quietly.

"I know but I'll be fine. I survived Lord Dragon after all so don't worry." Lysin said in a tone to promote confidence in his abilities to his team. "Now then, I'll leave you all to your work in finding Fire to ensure she is safe and sound. Do not force her to do anything she doesn't want to. If she has a new team then we will join up with them to help them out."

"Yes Master Lysin." They said together calmly although they didn't like the idea to do that.

"Thank you. I'll check in later. After some rest I'll head back to Sisten and you all start work on the data and finding a point to start at in finding Fire. He might not had been on a wild hunt." Lysin said and after goodbyes he would hang up and put away the two phones. He then laid down and sighed, closing his eyes and starting to drift off to sleep. Or I at least hope he wasn't. If he was then he died without an actual purpose to his hunt, making it pretty futile. He closed his eyes again and started to fall into a light then deep sleep in the inn.

Lord Raven listened and took a breath before sighing. "Keep one of your own nearby and if anything looks to be getting out of hand then have them step in. I can send some lightning proofing material they can put on under the armor for protection if that would help." He looked to Dante, taking back the papers. "I feel you are concerned about something else. Wish to discuss with me the individual you are concerned about? Like say...Lord Tala?"

He didn't want to pry but was picking up a sense that something was bothering Dante. "I was stunned but I don't know Tala and your reaction speaks to someone who knows the youth personally so...do you mind getting your worries off your chest? They might help and I might be able to get some intel from our feline waiting outside these doors. I could even call her in if you wish to question her about how Tala was before Lord Wolf's death."

Lord Raven didn't like knowing something was bothering someone who was a great help him in finding out things while also taking care of those who needed dealt with. He thought more silently before speaking up. "If you can find another who could work to get in close to Lady Tigress that is dispensable then I'd be happy to swap them with Jesse and wait longer for them to get in close to Tigress and pass on information. Is there anyone you can think of or would be able to find who could be trusted and possibly disposable?"

~*~*~*~*~

Fire would nod and once she was finally done eating, she would start to stand with a yawn. "I think I'm going to turn in. The food was excellent!" she gave Tool a hug then headed off to her room to lay down for some sleep.

When she was gone Leaf sighed softly. "So what's our plan going forwards? Since she's back that means something else must have happened. What do we do about Tigress? And what about whoever betrayed Fire?"

Tool looked to Leaf before taking a sip of his drink. "Maybe it was an old team mate of hers that had a grudge. I mean, she's always going on about Lysin so maybe he did it."

Leaf sighed. "But she's also said he was the one who helped ensure she got out safely when the team was found by Dragon's guys. Unless he developed a grudge over the years of her silence towards him, I don't see it. Plus why would he work with an Owl? He's a former shader if he's even alive. A shader would not work with an Owl if they had half a brain, aside from if they work with Silver but that's beyond the point."

"But it was just a thought. I mean, who else? We don't really know the other members of her former team." Tool pointed out calmly before finishing his drink.

"It's not really our purpose to go looking into her past though. That's invading privacy." Leaf explained unsure.

"But isn't it dangerous if we don't? What if who betrayed her is still alive and out there? They can work with the Owl's again and take Fire down again. I don't want that happening." Tool said with a bit of heat to his voice with his concern and worry for Fire's safety.

Leaf narrowed his eyes. "Don't you think I'm worried about her too? I'm worried about her being safe too but I am just not sure what we could do if the one that betrayed her is still out there. If they are working with an Owl then we would be in danger as well."

Tool frowned. "I'm going to figure something out and work out a way that Fire can be safe if she decides to go out above ground again. I don't want her being captured again since she said they got a way to block magic, her one main defense against enemies." He huffed as he stood and started for his room, muttering thoughts over for how to even do this as he had no idea.

~*~*~*~*~

In Sisten, Lady Snake sat in her throne room, relaxing. She took a calming breath before releasing slowly. A tiny noise came and she held an elegant arm out and down. A snake came across the tiled floor and wrapped around her wrist then arm that lifted up carefully once it was securely on. She brought it up and opened her eyes to look at the reptile. She smiled slyly and gently rubbed under its chin with a fingernail.

"Hello my little darling~" she purred quietly to it as if speaking to a child. "Do you bring me good news?"

The reptile gave a series of hisses that varied in length. Lady Snake listened quietly and her fallen smirk as she listened began to return. "Ah so the small rodent was exterminated. Beautiful~" she purred quietly with glee. "He was a needed casualty in this game of chess, especially if I am to be the victor."

Lady Snake stood elegantly and began to walk towards a side door, watching her pet. "You are so clever and makes me glad I didn't break your neck with my heel." She quietly chuckled softly as she continued through the door once it was opened for her and she was making her way towards her private study on the first floor.

When she would arrive she would gently lower her arm and the snake slithered on to the desk, hissing and watched her pick up a phone. She pushed in a number and waited, listening to it ring. "Our little kitty is going to need someone to vouch her innocents to the other three. Best she know she has an ally...for now in the grass. Hehe."

She would listen to another ring come to her ears.

If another answered: "Hello, give Lady Tigress the phone if you please. Tell her it is Lady Snake."

If Tigress answered: "Hello Lady Tigress. How are you this somber evening. I just got word about a death and the loss of your dear pet. He was so very entertaining as well during the late Lord Dragon's ball." She had a slight pout to her voice, not losing the almost seductive sweetness she tended to hold.

If Lady Snake was asked what she wanted, she would quietly chuckle. "Oh you are so suspecious. Can't a female offer a fellow woman support? I mean, it does look very suspeicous. A man kills an Owl while going after your pet you sent him after? Oh tisk tisk. What will Lord Raven and Lord Silver think? Let alone what your pet will think? You are in quite the pickle."

She would sit down in her chair while listening to Tigress calmly, her body relaxed. She was calm and tried to keep any plotting out of her tone. "I wish to propose we work together. You help me and I can help you. You won't be arrested with my help. We together can easily say the man you sent unarmed went temporarily rogue with madness, he was a shader in disguise. Those are but a few things we could put together to explain the unordered death."