Song above: Stormbit's song

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"You don't need to remind me to be careful, Ryft. I can handle myself." she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she fixed the pair of goggles onto her face.

"I know, Jay, it's just this is an incredibly dangerous task. If anything were to happen to you..." replied Ryft, looking at her friend nervously.

Jay shrugged and turned around, opening a door and stepping inside. The door closed behind her, as Ryft dashed to a large window. She looked into the white room, which had a giant tube in the center of it. Three females and another male were already there, working on a bunch of stuff on tables around it.

Skipper glanced at a sleeping Ryft, as she carefully set down a plate of food for when she woke up. She smiled, as she saw the blonde was smiling. "Probably dreaming," she said softly.

"Guys, something's not working in the chamber." said Ryft, speaking into a mic. The five people looked up at the window, pausing their work.

"What is it?" Asked Noah, a short boy with dirty blonde hair, tan skin, freckles, and glasses.

Ryft glanced at a screen and widened her eyes. "She's awake, and trying to -" she was cut off by a loud shattering of glass, as the chamber was smashed open by something inside. A woman fell out, gasping as she tore off a mask.

"GET OUT OF THERE!" screamed Ryft, startling Skipper from another room.

She dashed to Ryft's side, widening her eyes as she saw what was going on. The lights flickered off, as Ryft tried to wrench the door open. Skipper was panicking, pressing a series of buttons in an attempt to help them.

The room was filled with screams, and then they all were cut off one by one.

Silence, then a hole was torn in the wall shining a bright light into the room. Then, a figure jumped out of it. The light illuminated the room, showing five limp figures.

"No..." breathed Skipper, tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. Ryft walked over to her and gasped, widening her eyes at the scene before her.

Skipper frowned as she returned to check on her, and saw tears leaking out of her eyes. She knew exactly what was going on. She rushed over to her friend, gently shaking her shoulders.

Ryft's green eyes flew open, wide with terror and full of sadness.

"Ryft, it's just a nightmare..." began Skipper, but Ryft shook her head.

"It's more than that, Skipper! Don't you understand? Some of out closest friends died because of me! Noah, Kit, Jay, Robin, River... It was my fault! I dragged them into this stupid project, I couldn't control her! And I don't have the guts to kill her, so she's going to kill you all too!" she cried out, shaking.

Skipper pulled her into a tight hug, sitting down next to her. Skipper was silent, letting Ryft cry out onto her shoulder.

After Ryft calmed down, Skipper looked at her.

"We're prepared this time, we can fight her off," said Skipper, pulling out of the hug and gripping her friend's shoulders, looking her in the eye. "You keep protecting it, we keep fighting her, we can win," she said.

Silence followed, then Skipper changed the subject and pointed to the plate.

"I made lunch, some nice orange shrimp, and rice." Said Skipper, smiling at Ryft softly. Ryft smiled and nodded, as Skipper stood. Ryft began to eat. Skipper and walked away, giving Ryft some time to eat.

***

"Foxi, get your *** over here!" she growled, her eyes narrowed. Her dark red hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and her amber eyes were narrowed. The ginger fox girl jumped into the sewers, landing next to her in a crouch. She stood, her face expressing disgust.

"Nice choice of location, Red." commented Foxi, squinting at her dark surroundings.

"I'm not in the mood for your *****ing, just shut up. They should be here soon." replied the first woman.

"Language." replied Foxi.

"There," growled Red, pointing to a figure in the shadows. Both heads turned to it, watching as it neared.

It stopped before it hit the light. "What is she doing here?" it snapped, seemingly female.

"I'm on your side, sweetheart," replied Foxi, a flirtatious tone to her voice. Red gave her a look, which Foxi ignored.

"You already knows what happen when people annoy me, girl." replied the figure.

"I do? Show your face, and I might," replied Foxi. She noted a slight breeze, confusing flashing in her eyes. Then, her mouth opened in a tiny 'o' shape.

"Stormie~!" she said, pretending to be an excited child. The figure replied with a growl.

"Foxi-" began Red, as the winds picked up.

"Don't kill me now, sweetheart, I'm the only way you can get it." said Foxi in an annoying tone.

The winds calmed down, yet the figure grew angrier.

"There we go. Anyways, who are we missing?" Foxi turns to Red.

"Me." said a voice behind them, and Foxi whirled around and clapped her hands together.

"Welcome, Baby girl! Let's begin!" said Foxi happily. "So basically my friend Ryft has a fancy something that Stormie over here wants, so I'm willing to help you get it. With your help, of course. "

The figure let out a low growl at the nickname, while the newcomer nodded.

"And so I'm basically gonna figure out where it is and tell Stormie. After that, we will choose a time when you guys attack us, and Stormie gets her present. That way, they are distracted. Stormie's gonna show that she's here, and I'm gonna follow her and tell the others to deal with you two. " Foxi said quickly. "Meet me in two days, same place and time if you are in. Oh, and the reward is getting to rule the world with us. I know, it's cheesy, but it's kinda cool, right?" she added.

Silence followed, and Foxi took her leave. The three shared glances, before going their separate ways.

After the group dispersed, a raven took off from where it hid during the conversation.