Riding behind Terrell wasn't half bad, it gave Sahara every opportunity to lean against his strong back and keep her arms around his waist. She honestly never grew in the least bit tired of the toned muscle she could feel rippling beneath her palms. Perhaps she would appreciate her situation a whole lot more if she wasn't itching to get her own board and take control.

She didn't bother asking where they were headed, aware of the location Terrell was taking her. The place he'd turned into a bunker and the Phantom's headquarters. However, a different question flew to mind.

"How do you know they'll even all be there?" she called over the wind.

Terrell shifted, guiding the board around a corner and over the head of another teen. The victim's hair fluttered wildly as he yelled in the direction of the already disappearing craft.

"It's daytime, Marcus will be sleeping," Terrell replied. He flew while typing something on a screen he'd pulled up on his bracelet. Multitasking at the speed he was going didn't seem to be the slightest of problems for this Phantom.

He dipped before rising again to avoid another obstacle. Nothing slowed him down. "The rest will be back by the time we get there."

"Why?" Sahara couldn't help but doubt despite his confidence.

She didn't see the smile that spread tugged at Terrell's lips. "I'm making sure of it."

Sahara didn't ask further, letting her imagination run wild as she hugged the boy closer. She could only guess what havoc he was currently wrecking using the hologram screen before him. The past had shown her his hacking skills were no small feat, and she had no doubt he was currently putting them to use.

To Sahara's surprise, they didn't go to the familiar alley they usually entered the hideout from. Instead, Terrell took a detour.

"Backdoor," he explained without Sahara having to ask. "Let's call it a secret entrance." He slowed his sleek board for a moment. A swipe of his hand was all it took for part of the ground to slide to the side, revealing a dark entrance.

"They didn't change the access codes?" Sahara questioned, surprised at how easy it was.

"Psh," came the reply as Terrell turned for the entry point. "I have the master key." He sounded smug.

They entered the darkness. A musky smell greeted them.

A light flickered before steadily shining from Terrell's bracelet to softly illuminate the area.

A breeze caused Sahara to shiver.

"Cold?" Terrell asked as he took them down the narrow passage.

"I'm ok," came Sahara's reply. She saw the army of drones which silently burst around the corner.

Terrell flicked a finger across the still open holo-screen. As one, the drones parted, clearing a pathway while hovering obediently to the side.

"Master key?" Sahara asked, her voice bouncing off the walls.

"Nah, they just know their creator," Terrell replied as he turned a corner.

The further they went, the clearer became a ruckus from ahead. It started with the echo of voices but grew steadily louder to full-on chaotic yells. Crashes were followed by swearing which was occasionally drowned out by one of the most obnoxious voices Sahara had ever heard.

It took her several moments to make out the words being repeated at full volume.

"Idiots, all idiots," it sang. "Stupid idiots."

While it was childish, the tone of the grating high pitched voice was even more aggravating than the words.

Curious, Sahara craned her neck.

Terrell slowed even further. They approached a door with light behind it.

"Make it stop!" someone yelled for the hundredth time.

"Roman, why don't you have a kill switch?"

"I'm trying! I can't even find it connected to the main grid!"

"Who made this idiotic thing?"

"Idiots, idiots, stupid idiots," the voice sang cheerily.

Crash.

"Hey, watch where you aim that!"

Arriving at the door, Terrell calmly dismounted.

Sahara followed, daring to peer out from behind him.

The scene that greeted her was one of pure anarchy.

Teens ran over each other while waving various weapons of choice. Several held chairs, one his board, another threw cutlery. Their target was all the same – a single drone which was whizzing around the room while singing "idiots". A holographic face surrounded it and it paused ever so often to stick out its tongue at those who failed to get it. To add to the insult, the same face was posted on every holographic screen in the room, minus bracelets, all of which joined the chorus of the limited choice of words.

Though Sahara didn't know the Phantoms all too well, she was able to make out the main guys who were both directly beneath Terrell and probably closest to him.

Roman stood by a table, trying to rapidly type away at various large screens hovering over what looked like a command center. His messy brown hair stood in tufts where he'd most likely clutched it in frustration.

Behind him stood Troy who glared at the drone running amok while seeming to try and push Roman mentally to hurry up. His black hair was shorter than Sahara remembered.

"Let a man sleep!" a voice boomed as a door tore open. Muscular as ever, Marcus stomped into the room. He took one look at the situation before turning and disappearing back the way he'd come.

"I never realized just how annoying that thing was," Terrell spoke in admiration as he continued to watch the never-ending chaos. In it, no one had noticed the newcomers by the door.

Sahara eyed the drone. The short amount of time she heard it sing was enough to make her want to go far out of earshot. "Why would you even make something like that in the first place?" she asked while making sure to stay safely behind Terrell. She resisted pressing her hands to her ears to hear the answer.

Her boyfriend shrugged. "You know when you have that itch where you just want to watch other people's world burn?"

"Can't relate," Sahara told him.

"Bored?" Terrell tried another reason, sounding uncertain himself. "To reflect my true emotions?"

Sahara shot him a questioning look. "That everyone is an idiot?"

Terrell cocked an eyebrow. He waved a hand meaningfully at the room. "Aren't they?" His words were perfectly timed with two teens running into each other. They clutched their heads in pain while another waving his board got dangerously close to the drone. Still, another switched his board on and got on in pursuit of the causer of chaos.

The whole situation looked like it could very well be something that happened among the Falcons. It also destroyed Sahara's image of a cool crew that could not be moved by anything. The Phantoms went from scary to crazy in her mind in mere seconds.

"I'm on it!" Marcus marched in with purpose in his every step, something in his hands.

"No!" Several Phantoms rushed for him, but it was too late.

They could do nothing but watch the small makeshift bomb fly in a high arc toward the drone.

By the time the attack arrived, the small nimble creature had already disappeared, and the bomb dropped.

Teens ducked for cover, turning over tables and chairs as they covered their ears.

Only Marcus remained, hands folded as he waited for the result of his handiwork.

Terrell turned and covered Sahara's ears.

Boom.

A small shockwave rushed through the room.

The drone froze, tottered, and spluttered. "Idi – ots" it struggled.

The boy flying on his board screeched as his means of transportation let out a dying whine and deposited him on the floor before following. All electronics in the room faced difficulties.

Marcus smiled, nodding his head. "That's how it's done," he announced, not seeming to notice the poor boy whose falling board whacked him on the head.

All around, disgruntled teens got to their feet. Groans were accompanied by sighs of relief.

"Three," Terrel murmured. "Two." He turned back to the room, hands dropping from Sahara's ears.

A teen thumped Marcus on the back in congratulations.

"One."

"Idiots, idiots!" The drone resumed its song even louder than before as it joyfully resumed its flight. The chorus of voices belted out the same words from every screen.

Groans erupted all around while Terrell snickered in glee.

Sahara almost wished for his hands on her ears again, but instead did the job herself.

"I'm going to kill it!" Marcus roared as he grabbed whatever was closest and began to throw.

Teens dodged, diving into cover from the new threat of falling articles of all shapes and sizes.

The glint in Terrell's eyes revealed just how much enjoyment he found in the situation.

Sahara sighed. She couldn't understand the joy of someone else's torment.

"Yo."

Sahara jumped. She glanced to her right to see familiar sparkling blue eyes looking from Terrell to her. As always, a wide grin was spread across Noah's face.

Terrell's snicker died as he shot his friend a glance. "Black?" the first thing he did was comment on the boy's hair.

Noah ran a hand through it. "Fits the image of mourning." He shot Sahara a wink. "Though, now that the period is over, I can finally choose something flashier."

"Took you long enough," another voice spoke from the left.

Sahara turned to catch sight of the second boy. Dark eyes, almost black, gazed steadily at Terrell. They flickered to Sahara briefly, no warmth nor hostility in them. This was someone Sahara hadn't had a chance to really meet, and yet she knew his name from reference. He was the one Terrell had working as a Keeper with Rayne – Sven.

"Shut that wretched thing off, would you?" Sven asked as he flicked a finger against Terrell's forehead in scolding.

"Can't," Terrell replied, swatting the hand away.

Sven raised his eyebrows.

"It's designed until death does it part," Terrell shared, eyes glittering evilly.

Sven gave Terrell a hopeless look.

"Too bad," Noah spoke, "cause it seems to be giving Sahara a headache of her own."

Terrell shot her a glance. Seeing her hands covering her ears, he scowled.

He jumped on his board. "I'll be right back." No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he shot forward.

Sahara was left standing with Sven and Noah. They watched the boy streak through the room, going right toward the annoying drone. Every move the drone made was followed to the tee.

In the confusion, few teens seemed to realize the newcomer's identity. They were just happy that someone was keeping up with the annoying bugger.

And then, making it look way too easy, Terrell snatched the drone from the air. He whipped around, shot back to Sahara, and dismounted. Facing her, he held up the singing drone in his palm and tightened his grip.

Crunch.

"Id...d...diots," was the last thing heard as the drone took its last breath and the holographic face disappeared.

Terrell dropped the crackling piece of junk to the ground.

Screens flickered, and all the faces vanished.

"Better?" Terrell asked.

Sahara didn't reply, eyes on the scene behind the Phantom.

"Oh boy," Noah muttered, the amusement in his voice not hard to miss.

Terrell turned to examine the damage.

Every Phantom in the room stood frozen. Eyes bulged, and several mouths hung open. Roman's fingers hovered above the holo-screen, Troy behind him looked very much confused. Marcus straightened from where he'd been trying to lift a small table to throw.

"Idiots!" the voice sang.

Smack. Terrell gave it a hard kick and it bounded a few feet before ricocheting off a standing board and smashing into a wall. The now piece of junk was finally silenced forever.

Mission accomplished, Terrel sniffed and rubbed his nose. He followed up by lifting a hand.

"Yo." He paused, seeming to search for the words.

Roman reached for Troy without turning his eyes. He smacked the other boy on the arm. "Do you see what I see?" he whispered.

Terrell scratched the back of his head. "Stop causing trouble." He nodded, dropping his hand. "Message delivered. Goodbye." He turned.

Sven and Noah stepped in, forcing him to turn back and face the room. Sahara stayed behind, letting the events unfold before her.

"W-we thought..." someone began.

"Didn't you die?" The speaker was smacked by several Phantoms near him.

Marcus stepped forward, eyes glued to Terrell in disbelief. "Where were you?" he asked.

"Vacation," came Terrell's calm reply. "My doctor suggested some rest and therapy," he added.

"Did you get a mental checkup while at it?" Noah voiced from behind.

"Nah." Terrell tilted his head and shot him a looked from the corner of his eyes. "I would have. But all the slots were filled by you."

Noah clutched his heart in mock pain.

Terrell turned back to the room. "Got any strawberry milk?"

"It really is him!" someone exclaimed.

Even more chaos than before erupted. Boys and girls rushed forward, shouting questions all at once as they flocked to surround their omega.

Sahara found herself pushed back. A hand grabbed her and pulled her to safety.

"Sorry, they're a bit excited." From beside her, Noah gave her an apologetic smile.

Marcus waded through the crowd, clearing a path which Roman and Troy were quick to follow.

The yells rose even louder.

"Everybody back off!" Marcus's voice boomed.

He was ignored.

"Would you all just shut your mouths?" Terrell's frustrated yell was followed by silence. "Thank you," he breathed. Running a hand through his hair, he looked around the packed room. "Why is this place so crowded?" he muttered.

Sven took it as his signal. "Out!" He ordered all the teens who in turn began to complain loudly. "Let the adults talk!" he yelled. "You'll get filled in later."

The crowd was reluctant to listen, but when Marcus began to physically drag some to the door, they got the point and slowly dispersed. They filed out of the room, looking very much dejected.

It took a while, but once the crowd left only several people remained. Marcus reached out a hand. When Terrell took it, he pulled the boy into a full-on bear hug.

"I thought you were a goner," he exclaimed while thumping Terrell furiously on the back with a hand.

Troy looked dazed as he watched the scene while Roman seemed to still try to come to grips with the unfolding situation.

Sven and Noah stood by in silence, with Sahara remaining quietly beside the latter.

"I told you, I went on vacation," Terrell replied as he broke free from the grip. He turned to Troy and Roman. "Yo." He nodded.

That seemed to snap Troy, who nodded in return, out of it. Roman slowly lifted a hand in greeting, still dazed.

"Wait a minute." Marcus' eyes narrowed as they landed on Noah. "Why don't you look surprised?" He turned to Sven. "Come to think of it...neither do you."

Sven shrugged.

"You knew?" Roman's trance snapped. His eyes darted from the two boys to Terrell. "Why didn't you say anything?

"It wouldn't have been a vacation if you lot called him every single day," Noah spoke. He ran a hand through his hair. "Besides," he gave the other three a look from hooded eyes, "you never asked."

"N-never asked?" Marcus spluttered. "You didn't once think this piece of information was important enough to share without questions being asked?"

"Give it ten more years and we might be at the same level of knowledge," Noah assured.

That didn't sit too well with the other three boys.

"You're dead." Marcus lurched toward Noah.

The latter simply slid behind Sahara, grabbed her shoulders and pushed her out before him.

Terrell shifted, tensing as he got ready to move and rescue his girl if needed. However, Noah's move made Marcus pause as his eyes turned to the only girl in the room.

"Why's she here?" Marcus asked coldly, eyes flashing with real anger.

Sahara wanted to shrink back as she felt the very temperature in the room drop. Troy folded his arms, his gaze as cold as Markus'. Even the spark in Roman's eyes disappeared.

"What do you mean why is she here?" Terrell asked. His arm snaked around Sahara's shoulder and he pulled her close. "We come as a set."

"I'll order the main without the side," Markus replied.

"Oh?" Terrell gave Sahara a lopsided grin. "Guess they prefer you to me."

Noah chuckled.

"Terrell," Troy's cold voice showed the other boys weren't in a joking mood.

Terrell pulled Sahara even closer. His warmth made up for the cold daggers being sent her way. In his arms, Sahara felt like nothing and no one could touch her.

The Phantom Omega glared defiantly at the three Phantoms who were anything but welcoming at that moment. "You have a problem with Sahara, you have a problem with me."

"She's the reason you were shot!" Roman burst out.

That hurt. Sahara's face paled as she tried to keep the nightmares that instantly threatened to surface away. She leaned in closer to Terrell, just to make sure he really was by her side.

The words hung in the air for a moment. Terrell closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and let out a heavy sigh. Eyes fluttering open, he turned those emerald orbs onto Sahara. She could see the gentle adoration within them as they seemed to communicate that everything was ok. "Could you step out for a moment?" Terrell asked her politely.

At that moment, Roman knew he'd messed up. For polite Terrell was a rare sight. The boy swallowed.

"Just for a moment," Terrell assured.

Sahara reluctantly left his warm side, going for the door Noah opened for her. The boy with mourning hair gave her an encouraging smile, followed by a wink. "They're so dead," he mouthed, eyes filled with delight as Sahara walked by.

Even as the door closed behind her, the fifth omega discovered an unbelievable situation. Crammed into the narrow hallway were what looked like even more boarders that those that had left earlier. Some lay on floating boards to make space for others below. Those closest to the door seemed to have had their ears pressed against it.

Being discovered by Sahara, they guiltily avoided her eyes. With no room to go anywhere else, Sahara remained outside the door. It gave her access to the front row seat to hear what was going on inside.

"Idiots!" Terrell roared.

Crash!

"The whole lot of you!"

Bang!

It sounded suspiciously like Noah's laughter was mixed in with the yells pleading for mercy.

"Did she hold a gun?" Terrel continued. "Did she pull the trigger? Huh?"

The answers were muffled by more crashing and yelling.

"I was shot because none of you idiots took a bullet for me!" Terrell yelled.

The heads of those in the hallway dropped even lower. Sahara raised her eyebrows at the card Terrell was pulling.

"I thought you all said I was an Omega, isn't it the job of the lackey's to catch the danger or die trying instead of letting the head get injured?" Terrell continued his completely illogical argument "So aren't you all at fault that I was riddled with bullets?"

"That doesn't even make sense!" Marcus' yell was followed by a yelp of pain.

"Owe! Hey! Why am I getting hit too?" Noah's complaints floated through the door as his laughter disappeared and he more than likely also began the fight for his life.

"The way I recall it, you're the one who decided to walk into the path of bullets. So, it's technically your own fault and no one else," Sven's calm voice joined.

Smash.

Silence.

"You dare hit your Omega?" came the bellow and the chaos resumed.

"Didn't you say you resigned?" Roman protested, his voice coming from right behind the door.

"I reinstated myself just for this!" Terrell bellowed.

The crowd outside flinched with every crash.

"Can I just say," someone spoke up meekly, "that I'm glad I'm not in there?"

Murmurs of agreement rose from all around.

A hand landed on Sahara's shoulder. She turned to find a guy gazing at her.

"Good luck," he told her earnestly.

Smash!

More flinching.

And then there was silence.

The door creaked open and Noah poked his head out. He gazed solemnly at the crowd before letting his eyes settle on Sahara. It looked suspiciously like he was getting a black eye. Without a word, he motioned for Sahara.

Sahara left the quiet crowd behind and stepped back into the room.

It was an even greater mess than when she'd left it. A table that was whole before was now smashed, chairs had moved again, and even more, objects lay all around the floor. While Sven calmly leaned against a wall, Markus, Troy, and Roman stood in the middle. Their feet were spread and their arms obediently behind their backs with their heads lowered.

"The boys have something they would like to say," Terrell announced from where he stood before the three obedient boys. "Say it," he demanded after a moment of silence.

Troy nudged Roman who in turn nudged Markus. Markus elbowed him right back. Roman passed the gesture back to Troy.

Troy took the initiative and stepped forward, mumbling something.

"Louder," commander Terrell ordered.

"I said," Troy began. He lifted his head, giving Sahara a clear view of his split lip. "We apologize for being insensitive to you, blaming you for things we are responsible for..."

"And?" Terrell prompted.

Troy shot him a glare.

Terrell simply raised his eyebrows.

"Not being as awesome as the founder and Omega of the Phantoms who..." he paused again.

Terrell cleared his throat in warning.

"Can resign and reinstate himself at any time he so chooses to," Troy spat the last part out.

Terrell looked mighty pleased. "Bravo," he praised before turning turned to Sahara with a boyish grin on his face. "Good?"

Sahara could only mutely nod. It was either that or burst into laughter at a situation she couldn't quite explain.

"Since she's accepted," Terrel turned back to the three. "I'll give you the honor of leading you a little while longer."

Roman lifted his head, showcasing the bruise forming on the side of his jaw. Marcus muttered something under his breath.

"Huh?" Terrell stepped forward, fingers curling into a fist.

Sven straightened. "I think, they understand," he came to everyone's rescue.

Noah touched a hand to his eye and winced. "How do I always end up getting hit?" he asked mournfully.

Terrell relaxed, the grin returning to his face. "Now that order has been established, what's this I hear about you all misbehaving?"

Troy immediately stepped back to point a finger at Roman who just as quickly pointed one at Marcus. The last boy simply sighed, resigning himself to taking the blame.

"Don't you know Phantom's aren't supposed to be seen?" Terrell scolded.

"Bored," Marcus replied as he and the other two relaxed.

"You can't blame them," Noah spoke. He'd made his way over to Sven to try to gain some sympathy from his friend at the latest wound he'd collected. "The Phantom's were founded as a safety net for the city."

Sven placed a hand on Noah's shoulder. "With everything resolved," he took over, "the reason for our existence is gone."

"Who said everything's resolved?" Terrell asked.

Sahara, who felt like an onlooker more than anything else, kept her silence. This wasn't her turf. Her butting in wasn't needed.

Terrell's question caused head's all around too shoot up. The dejected looked boys suddenly seemed to perk up.

"Rayne is still running the city, is he not?" Terrell asked. "And now he's gained an accomplice of considerable force."

Alegra? Sahara couldn't help but wonder.

Eyes darted in her direction as the others seemed to think the same thing.

"The Phantoms should go back and do what they do best," Terrell continued.

"Lay low and wait in case they're needed?" Roman asked.

Terrell shot him with his fingers.

Sven and Noah exchanged glances.

Whether or not Terrell really believed Alegra and Rayne really needed to still be watched, Sahara knew he was doing something important. He was giving the Phantoms direction. A reason to stay low and not cause trouble. Something that made them feel needed.

"Well then." Noah jumped in, eyes sparkling. "Before anything else, why don't we have a welcome back party?"

Roman's eyes lit up and Troy nodded.

"For Sahara?" Terrell asked. "Great idea!"

Sven slapped him across the head. "For both of you."

Terrell shook his head. "It's a nice idea and all. But I'm afraid we already have plans."

All eyes turned to him. The Phantom grabbed Sahara's hand. "A dinner engagement," he explained. "For the upper-class folks," he added, seeming to read the minds of the other guys.

"Oh well." Marcus rubbed the back of his head. "I guess it can't be helped then." He threw an arm around Troy and then Roman's shoulder. "You heard him, boys. Dinner awaits!"

They marched to the door.

"You're not invited!" Terrell called after them.

"Sure, we are," Sven informed as he and Noah swept by. They snatched Sahara as insurance. She didn't resist, letting the boys guide her.

"Hey!" Terrell yelled as they threw open the door. "Hey!"

Left with no other option, the Phantom ran after the fleeing group.

He burst into the hallway only to come to an abrupt halt. The most peculiar sight greeted him.

Boys and girls crowded the small tunnel, some even hovering on boards above. However, the most amazing thing of all was that each and everyone had their eyes tightly shut. Many leaned against walls or each other and exaggerated snores erupted from several. They acted as though it was the most natural thing to fall asleep in such a place.

Terrell narrowed his eyes as he debated on what punishment to give the rats that were trying to cover up their obvious eavesdropping.

The thought fled from his mind as he noticed the boys who'd kidnapped his girl had already made it a good distance away from him.

Tossing his board in the air, the Phantom leaped on. "I'll deal with you all later!" he called over his shoulder as he zipped off.

Only when the whoosh of his board disappeared did the first eyes crack open.

"He gone?" someone whispered.

"Coast is clear," another confirmed.

The crowd moved as one, filing back into the room they'd been chased from. They chatted, joked and laughed as though absolutely nothing had happened. However, it wasn't hard to tell that the overall mood was even better than before. The Phantoms were most definitely happy. For the Phantom Omega was back.