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So that's how it is, huh?

Ichigo had listened to the entire plan laid out by Sunstrike. Over the course of which, he recalled the name "Alpha" being noted. Ichigo could have sworn he heard that name back at the stadium, shouted aloud in anger. From what people were saying, they were probably referring to the shadelord that Vahn, Athan and Maximos had fought. Ichigo remembered feeling Alpha's presence as he sensed for spiritual presence back then, but instead...

...he found nothing.

And not the good kind of nothing, either.

Still, shades weren't the only thing to worry about in this situation. Ichigo remembered seeing that undead fighter, Malice, who Rage and Lazenca had fought against. Ichigo had his own fight with that demon Malachi. Ichigo still couldn't get the thought of that monster off of his mind. His mannerisms and habits of eating souls made him too similar to a Hollow in Ichigo's eyes.

But for now, all that was left was to choose who to go with.

He looked first to Sunstrike, Maximos, and Damion. He hadn't really met the latter yet, but he saw enough of the former two to know they were well in the know. Sunstrike was the one who gave them all this information in the first place, and with the way Maximos took charge earlier, he probably had a good idea of things as well. Not to mention he had faced the shadelord, and thus was probably headed for deeper areas...areas that'd no doubt lead Ichigo back to Malachi.

But Ichigo couldn't focus on a single enemy alone just because of his previous tussle. There were still others to consider.

Katie, Madison, and Asherah seemed to have a solid group as it stood, so there was no need to interject himself unless they wanted Ichigo along. But then there was Rage...

...Rage? Come to think of it, where did that guy go?

All Ichigo remembered was Maximos tossing water in his face. Huh. Wonder what that's all about...

That was when Sakura came down, once again puzzling the orange-haired teenager. Having not seen the transformation, Ichigo was completely oblivious to the whole "Sakura = Rage" thing. Even so, she was armed, so she was no doubt a skilled fighter. For all Ichigo knew, she was Rage's sister.

Yeah...that's the ticket.

Lazenca wanted in with Sakura's ride as well. Seeing that counted as five, if Ichigo went along that'd make it six. Rather than considering it one big group, Ichigo saw it more as two groups taking the same mode of transportation.

"I'm sticking with you guys," said Ichigo, stepping towards the group aiming to travel by dragonback. "If we really need groups of three at some point, we can always split in half."

He'd stick with his decision unless Sunstrike and Maximos wanted Ichigo to stick with them instead.

"I think we're good. Unless you guys need to grab some food or something." Madison didn't really eat, so it wasn't her major concern to get fed. But the others might. However, once the strange creature sat on her ear Madison looked up in confusion, what the crap was that?!

"Well...Hello you." She smiled slightly, not entirely sure what to say. She moved to the door and quickly noticed that she probably had to check in with Reiyvian before she left. It seemed like a good idea considering that she hadn't seen her for a while. Madison had quickly reached up and removed the strange snake off her ear and set it down on the ground.

"One second guys, I gotta do something first. You guys get some food and nourishment before going." She smiled softly at her two companions and than headed back towards the table, not towards the major group but more like to where the small girl was.

"I figured I might as well say hello before I headed out..." Madison gave a slight bow and she soon noticed the two similar woman standing with her. That was very confusing indeed, it didn't help her at all. Way too much was happening as of late, and it was really starting to confuse the rabbit.

"You'll have to excuse me," D' started, "but I'm pretty new at this... saving the world thing. If you'd kindly direct me to a team I could be most useful with, I'd really appreciate it."

She happened to be looking at, and standing next to, Maximos when she asked that. "I'd go with the girls, but it looks like that group's getting big. I also have my own co--"

She was suddenly interrupted with shouts outside, and in her ear. Sounded like cursing in some horrible Konglish. She was out the door before Lazenca could even warn her, nearly bowling over Cecil, arms waving so she could look big to the dragon which could pluck her with its tail if it saw fit.

"Hey! That's not food! Could you not do that anymore?" She wasn't even looking at the dragon, and she'd passed Sakura on the way out. D' was also talking to the dragon as if she expected him to understand perfectly, and vice versa. However, her eyes weren't on it... she was pacing the copter to make sure the damage was inconsequential.

Anuksu had nodded at Lucind's statement of wanting to work together, but as Maximos grabbed his collar, his attention instantly turned to other things. He reached up and grabbed Maximos's arm, not with force, but just enough to say "hey, no need for this"

"When are you going to realize that I'm willing to help you. We have the same enemy. I don't expect you to trust me, but at least count me as the ally to your cause that I am."

Though it was a bit of an annoyance, Anuksu was still flattered that his reputation carried so much weight with this man, surely his file had said more about his personality or something to that effect, for if it did, perhaps he should at least pretend to understand him a bit better. Coming to a stop by Maximos's side, Anuksu took the time to fix his clothing, for appearances even on the battlefield were rather important to him.

Obviously, he would be traveling with Maximos and his group, though he wondered who the others were going to be, and the very thought irked him just a bit. He was beginning to wonder if Lucind had indeed been wrong when stating that this was not a "school field trip" for he did not look forward to keeping an eye on these children, all the while having Maximos watch him like a hawk for fear of treachery.

Hoverbike outside the front of the bar now, Quinn dismounted the bike. Before entering the bar, however, he stopped Katie and simply tossed a small device to her. If she had questions about it, she could follow him and ask, but it was quite obviously some kind of communication device. It would be simple enough to work, although it might take her some time to figure it out on her own without his help.

Whether or not she followed him, he opened the door to the bar and immediately crossed towards Maximos, boots pounding in military rhythm with each step. Stopping in front of the man, he hit his armored fist to his chest in salute, then stepping to the side to await the mans' orders, preferring to defer to the man at least temporarily since he didn't have a strong grasp of everything that was going on.

Reiyvian reached up on tip-toe and hugged Madison close before releasing her and smiling proudly. The bunny had come a long way, and while she still had a long way to go, the healer was proud of both her progress and her determination. She was strong of heart and while she was a gentile soul, she was not to be overlooked or underestimated.

Within Madison, was the potential for a great passion. Passion for life and for love, and there was strength in that potential. The young rabbit had survived an unpleasant existence and found a hint of happiness. Happiness that would be hers to discover and she had no doubt, that she would defend that.

"You're welcome Madison. Oh, before I forget, one last thing--"

She produced a throng of black leather with a silver medallion hanging from it's center. It was a choker, and the silver pieces was inscribed with a Sakura blossom, a sword, point down behind it and four feathered wings extended from the hilt. The insignia of GUARDIAN.

"Normally we would have an induction ceremony, but given the circumstances I do promise a party when all this is done. "

She grinned and held the choker out to her, to tie around her neck.

"Now go dearheart and let the winds guide your feet and the light guide your heart."

Katie had been too busy gawking at the dragon when Sakura nearly bumped into her. She was taking in that she would be flying once again. A glance towards Madison and she frowned. Twice in one day she'd be up in the air. This would be a record for her.

She had just moved next to the dragon when Quinn stopped her. She caught the device and looked at it strangely before she realized what it was.

"Oh, what do I press to contact you?"

She hoped she wouldn't need to use it, but if they got into a bind this would be a smart plan on his part. The two separate groups, whatever group he goes with, would have easy contact with one another.

In ways she wouldn't have minded having Quinn in her group, but she understood that the group was already large, and it would probably be best to put him in another group to aid others. It was wise to split up the fighters.

Looking at Sakura once again, she furrowed her brow.

"I just...who are you?"

She thought Rage was the one that offered a ride on his dragon. She was slightly perplexed at this point.