"Okay, you all know the plan.  Sasha, Katie, and Streak will go down and rescue everyone, while I, Zakk, and Flash fight off the smugglers."

Kasai once again repeated the plan to make sure everyone understood.

"For the last time, Kasai, we've got it.  Now, lemme at 'em!" Flash hissed, pretending to fight an invisible enemy.

"Calm yourself, Flash.  We have to get down there first." Kasai reminded.

"Those smugglers won't know what hit 'em!" Streak said triumphantly.  "Victory'll be ours soon enough!"

"And we can celebrate with cookies when we get home!" Katie cheered.

"We need to go through with it first." Sasha reminded.

"Let's go already!  I'm ready for some action!" Zakk blurted out.

"Alright.  Let's go!" Kasai noted, then lead her group down to the camp with a fierce battle cry, alerting the smugglers below.

Rosa looked up at the small, oncoming team.  "Hah!  They think they can take us on?  Well, we'll see about that!" she hissed, firing her pistols.

The group immediately emerged from their tents as they charged at Kasai, Zakk, and Flash.

Kasai drew her swords and took on one group, while Zakk and Flash took on another.

"Alright, that's the signal.  Let's go!" Sasha whispered, racing down towards the prisoners' tents, followed closely by Katie and Streak.

Doug's ears perked and he looked outside when he heard the sounds of fighting.  His tail wagged.  They were being rescued!

Cory groaned and glanced over.  "What's going on..?"

He perked up when he noticed the three friends coming in.

"Don't worry, y'all, we've got your back!" Streak said, using his strength to break the chains.  Doug immediately gave muffled barks of excitement when he saw Sasha, who went to free him as well.

"Doug!  You're alright!" she said, relieved.  Doug licked her as soon as his muzzle was removed, thanking her for freeing him.

Orchid barked happily as she nuzzled her rescuers.

"Is there anyone else?" Sasha asked, but got interrupted.

"Not so fast."

Behind them stood Dessa, dressed in her brand new smuggler's uniform.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fosc gave an annoyed sigh as he finally made it into Nuclear's lair. The journey had taken him longer than expected, due to the fact he had to take Lightning with him and that the other Storm Spirits were searching frantically for the missing ruler.

This time, Teresa was the one guarding the entrance.

"Well, 'bout time you showed up." she mumbled.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm wanted, y'know.  Cut me some slack." Fosc growled in return, pushing past the irritated dragon.

He earned stares and glares from the other followers as he journeyed through the lair to meet Nuclear.

"I have retrieved Lightning, my lord." he announced as he entered Nuclear's presence, dipping his head.

Nuclear turned to face him.  "About time."

Lightning looked up and glared as Nuclear went close.

"Well then.  It's been a while, hasn't it, Lightning?"

"Should've known you're still behind this, too." Lightning hissed.

"You know me too well."

"Give up, Nuclear.  You've been defeated once, you'll be defeated again."

"Will I now?" Nuclear questioned, laughing.  "Those pesky brats have no clue you're here.  They already searched this place.  They think you're somewhere else.  Sure of it, even."

Lightning gritted his teeth in anger.  "You still won't get away with this!  I can tell you that!"

Nuclear immediately let out a more maniacal laugh.

"We'll see about that."