Day: 1, Time: 1102, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Ship Docking Bay

Carter tossed the next case of equipment onto the boat, where Des caught it, placing it in the pile with the other four cases so far. Carter grabbed another case to be boarded on the ship, the group needing to set up outside the facility and analyze the opposition before attacking.

“Remember, you won’t have as much backup as we got in the first mission, and coincidently got in the second, so don’t do anything rash,” Carter told the group on board and around the boat getting prepared. Alex watched the boarding process, watching Guile particularly as the younger Chimera boarded the boat.

“Yes, yes, we know,” Des answered tiredly, hearing the speech over and over again from the one who wasn’t coming. The hacker caught the next case as Tim began to roll down a dolly of more equipment.

“Are you sure so much stuff is necessary? It seems so excessive,” Tim complained, putting the stack of equipment down and wheeling the dolly out from under it.

“We have to make sure we know exactly what we’re getting ourselves into, which means reconnaissance, analysis, and well thought up deployment,” Alken answered, approaching the group, Abetos by his side. Des and Tim blinked in surprise, already against taking Guile along over Carter, but to take another person as well.

“He’s got the abilities to be of assistance, as well as the background to help you out,” Carter informed them, sort of guilty he had to give these details at the last moment, as well as ask for assistance from these ‘outside’ sources. He turned to face Alken, bowing his head. “We’re grateful for your help.”

“Hey, don’t forget about me now,” Vyren added, waltzing right over, his sniper rifle slung over his shoulder as he approached rather leisurely. More surprised looks came up from the group, one strangely from Carter.

“You weren’t decided when I asked you,” Carter spoke, regaining his composure. Vyren shrugged, pointing out towards the horizon from the open doors at the back of the ship.

“You need a few scouts from a few flyers that I can provide,” he answered, stepping onto the boat and gently placing his rifle leaning against one the walls. “Besides, I also have a pretty good understanding on Team Rocket operations…being that I apparently was a subject aboard one…” Carter nodded, unopposed to the new member of the party.

“What about Sam? She seemed pretty opposed to the idea of you going,” Carter questioned Vyren, the sniper scratching the back of his head slightly while trying to compose his answers while stalling with ‘um’s and ‘uh’s.

“Let’s just say she’s ignorant of the fact at the moment…” Vyren responded, glancing at the amount of equipment piled onto the ship. Guile glanced up towards the sniper, unknowingly tapping into the sniper’s mind for a moment and reading the thoughts. Guile was about to speak until he was interrupted by Alex.

“Some things are best left unsaid,” the Angel-Chimera spoke telepathically, silencing the other Chimera. Instead of speaking his mind, Guile headed to the back of the ship to check out how his Pokémon were doing. They were resting after another short practice duel against Ryu’s Pokémon before boarding. At the same time, the other Pokémon on board were loading some of the stuff onto the truck at the back.

Tim rolled the dolly off the boat to get one more shipment of supplies, though he was paused by Alex.

“What’s up?” Tim asked semi-impatiently, wanting to get the mission on the way to find Ryna. Alex only nodded, extending his right hand hand. Tim blinked a few times in wonderment, before taking the hand and shaking it.

A moment after they released grips, Tim fell backwards, barely caught by Carter as he yelped in surprise by the falling person.

“What happened?!” Carter inquired, glancing towards Alex, whose hand was still extended, the Chimera seemingly zoned out completely. A brief moment later, the Chimera shook the thought from his mind, forcing a smile as Tim slowly righted himself, everyone else watching in question.

“Phoenix, you may have just given me a blessing and a curse,” Alex answered softly, walking away slowly.

“Phoenix…what is he talking about…?” Tim wondered, raising the hand he used to shake Alex’s hand and staring at it. “Burner…he’s gone now…unless…”

As if on cue, an ember of fire leaped from his hand, surprising both Tim and Carter as they saw it, both falling backwards and onto the hard floor.

“F-Fire?!” Tim gasped, pulling his hand away though it would be futile to run away from your own body part. He quickly removed himself from Carter, still staring at the hand. Silence engulfed the area as all worked was halted by Tim’s outbreak.

“Come on, get loaded! You’ll be departing soon!” Carter ordered, clapping his hands together a few times to get everyone back into the mentality of things. The ‘leader’ glanced towards Tim, who was still staring at his hand. “Come on, bro, Ryna is waiting for you,” Carter whispered to Tim, placing a hand on the demolitions expert. Tim snapped out of his trance, slowly turning his head towards Carter and nodding. With those words of encouragement, the demolitions man returned to his work, to get the next shipment of equipment for use.

Day: 1, Time: 1104, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Deck, Bow

Alex materialized on the deck of the S.C. Aleathra, at his usual spot at the bow of the ship. However, this time he seemed visibly shaken, curling his right hand into a tight fist.

“He did have that soul…” Alex muttered to himself, hating himself for even testing the theory. “I could have killed him, if he wasn’t a Chimera…he would’ve surely been killed…” The Angel-Chimera sighed softly, feeling incompetent at the moment.

“Something wrong?” Ryu asked, taking Alex completely by surprise with the Chimera’s sudden appearance. The ‘Angel’ was so much into his own thoughts that he let his guard down completely. Alex looked behind him, seeing the younger trainer standing there with a look of concern on his face. “You seem…disturbed…” Ryu commented.

“You’ve been working on your teleports…” Alex remarked softly, turning away and back towards the horizon.

“You were emitting an aura of agony so powerful that it could’ve possibly engulfed the whole planet,” Ryu answered, half jokingly, before becoming more serious. “I was worried something might have happened, considering I surprised you just now, so something has to be on your mind.” Alex sighed softly, knowing full well of Ryu’s psychic potential.

“Tell me, do I appear different, psychically, mentally, or physically?” Alex inquired, turning around for Ryu to analyze. The younger psychic stared up and down Alex’s body with his eyes as well as his mind.

“You seem…hot…” Ryu responded, getting a raised eyebrow from Alex in wonderment. “Okay, that was a bad thing to say…more like you’re burning on the inside…”

“Burning…alright…thank you…” Alex spoke gratefully, bowing his head before returning back to watching the horizon. Ryu only nodded, getting the sense that it was best to leave the subject alone now. He stepped backwards, still watching Alex, before teleporting away.

“Burning…if he didn’t die…have I become…?” the ‘Angel’ questioned himself, breaking away his own thoughts and trying to push away the idea of it happening. To many, it may be that ultimate wish, but Alex looked beyond that…he understood the pain and suffering that will arise at the end of these battles, and he wished he didn’t have to live an eternity with those memories if that was the case. “Only time will tell…” he spoke, bringing close to his own thoughts.

Day: 1, Time: 1130, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Ship Docking Bay, Transport Ship #2

The gangway for the boat rolled back into the ship, the opening around the ship sealed off now by that same gangway. Tim sighed softly, closing the rear doors to the van they were going to use as transportation, only some of the cases packed in. He could feel the engine start up, the motor slowly rotating.

“And remember, better safe then sorry!” Carter shouted out from the docks, barely audible over the whine of the engine. Tim glanced back, nodding before looking up towards the ceiling with the upper deck above. Des was driving, with Vyren accompanying him. Tim wasn’t sure where Alken disappeared to, however.

“Hey, are you going to be alright?” Guile questioned, returning from his trip to the back of the boat. Tim looked up towards Guile, wondering what kind of question that was.

“I’ll be alright once we get Ryna back,” he answered bitterly, glancing towards the stacks of cases at the side of the boat waiting to be loaded onto the van. “And you shouldn’t be here,” Tim added towards Guile, uncomfortable with someone without any sort of experience in these sort of operations joining their cause.

“Come on, you have to give me more credit then that,” Guile protested, hurt by Tim’s last comment. The other only grunted, heading towards the control room of the small transport boat on the second floor, starting a trek up the stairs nearby. “I’m not going to get in the way!” Guile exclaimed, reading those exact thoughts from Tim’s mind unconsciously. The ex-special forces halted in his tracks momentarily, glancing back down towards Guile. “I want to find Ryna as much as you do.” Tim sighed softly, slowly walking back down the steps and approaching Guile.

“I just want to look out for you,” the demo man replied, placing a hand on Guile’s shoulder. Guile shook his head, understanding the concern from a friend. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you…”

“Just what I need. Big brother is watching,” the Chimera commented, getting a small grin from Tim.

“I hated that book,” Tim answered, stepping away and heading towards the stairs. Guile chuckled a little, recalling that same reply some time ago from another, also responding to something similar to Guile’s previous comment. Tim stared blankly at the other member of the mission, before shrugging and heading up the stairs.

Day: 1, Time: 1111, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Crew Quarters 2I

Ice groaned, slowly awakening from his long period of rest. The Chimera groggily wiped the haze from his eyes. Removing his hands from his eyes, he blinked in surprise to see Sarpal watching over him with a faint smile on her face.

“Are you alright?” she asked in a concerned tone, clasping Ice’s hand gently. The male sighed softly, tightening his fingers around Sarpal’s hand, using his free hand to brush some of hair back.

“I feel like I’ve been sleeping forever…” he responded softly, pushing his back off the bed and sitting up straight, still clasping Sarpal’s hand. The female’s smile grew a bit wider, more relieved.

“You’ve slept for at least 12 hours…” Sarpal answered, yawning, trying to cover her mouth with her own free hand. Ice pulled her hand back, looking concerned.

“And you look like you haven’t slept at all…” Ice commented, glancing at Sarpal’s bed in the chamber. The bed was made, though Ice wasn’t sure if it was because Sarpal made it, or if she didn’t use it at all for the duration of the night.

“That’s not really your concern…” Sarpal answered between another yawn, reading his mind partially about the bed. “I’ll be…alright…” she tried to speak, a third yawn coming before she fell onto Ice, leaning against his chest. “Or maybe not…” she whispered, closing her eyes and dozing off quickly. Ice smiled again, brushing some of Sarpal’s blue hair away from her face once more before sliding out of the bed and gently lowering her into the sheets, allowing her time to rest now.

“Good night…my little Lapras…” Ice whispered into her ear, causing a small smile of glee to slip from Sarpal’s lips. He tucked the blanket into her body before silently getting changed and leaving the confines of the room to check find their Pokémon…

Day: 1, Time: 1109, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Infirmary

Espe glanced towards the window where her mother still sat, watching over the flameless tail form of the Psychic’s father. The female child sighed, unsure how to help Flare at the moment.

“Let her be…” A voice spoke into Espe’s mind, a familiar yet tired one that the Espeon has grown accustomed to listening to since her stay in the infirmary. The female child turned her attention away from the window, leaping across onto another bed, wider to accommodate the current patient.

“How are you, Jewel?” Espe asked, noticing the multiple cracks on the Starmie’s jewel were slowly regenerating. The mess was still pretty bad, though it was much better then when the female Starmie was first rolled in.

“I’ve been better…” Jewel answered, the core flashing a little in the process, though it was still dim. Espe smiled, trying to help Jewel’s feelings. However, Jewel, being psychic herself, understood it was all for show, though appreciated the gesture.

“That Dragon must have hit you hard…” Espe commented, though it was a rather obvious statement considering the condition she was brought in as. Jewel could only nod, remembering the searing pain ripping through her body as her jewel was cracked in multiple locations, nearly shattering. “Sorry…” Espe apologized softly, detecting the painful remembrance Jewel just recalled from memory.

“It’s alright…you’re young…though you may be growing up very quickly…” Jewel spoke, her gem growing dimmer to signify her rest. “I’m sure your mother would be proud for your maturity and concern…” The Espeon sighed, instinctively returning her gaze towards her mother. Jewel, though unable to turn to look, knew what was going through the other Psychic’s mind.

“Go talk with her…” Jewel suggested, giving a friend psychic nudge that pushed the Espeon forward a little. However, the receiver of the nudge only stepped back again, unable to bring herself to approach her family. The Starmie sighed.

“Espe...I’ve known your mother for a very long time…before she even met your father,” Jewel started, wrapping a Psychic arm around Espe in comfort. “Through all that, she believed that she was weak and unreliable, but we all stood by her side, being her morale support through all of that, to tell her she’s the best. Your father did the best job at that; however, better then the rest of her family…”

“I guess…what I am trying to say is…Flare, your mother, is a strong lass…but also requires someone to be with her to help her…to just be there…” Jewel concluded, understanding she was getting off topic to some degree before.

“I think she’s losing her confidence again…and you should be by her side…” Jewel suggested, a reiteration of her previous suggestion. Espe shrugged slightly, afraid to approach the room and help her mother…

“You inherited your mother’s self-esteem, I see,” Jewel commented, giggling a little. Espe glanced back at the wounded Starmie, blinking for a moment, but understanding. The Espeon felt strange knowing the fact that her mother was much like her child, though it also brought some being of peace in Espe’s mind as well. The Pokémon gently leaped off the bed and onto the floor, trotting over to the room where her mother mourned…

Day: 1, Time: 1143, Location: Transport Ship #2, Control Room

Vyren leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his rifle under his right arm and over his shoulder as the Chimera watched the sea outside the control room. Des was silently piloting, neither able to spark any sort of conversation.

“We’ll be there soon, though the HQ ship was a bit far from the north island, being the recent mission on the west one,” Des informed his companion, trying to initiate something. Vyren only nodded, zoning out, listening for anything in the distant. The sniper could sense the presence of his flyers in the sky above, becoming more attuned to his new abilities.

“I heard you’re a really good sniper,” Des spoke, breaking Vyren from his hypnotic trance, the sniper shaking the daze from his head. Des glanced back, wondering what happened considering a rather long period of silence between them. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Vyren answered quickly, pushing himself off the wall and lifting his rifle, slinging it over his shoulder now. “I’m a pretty good sniper,” he finally answered, stepping closer to the control wheel in the room. “Why ask?”

“Well, I’m a sniper as well,” Des started, concentrating partially on the path ahead, and on the other in the room. “More of a hacker, but I can snipe. Just wondering why you like using a Seraphim over a Zombie.”

“Because I like angels?” Vyren joked, touching the butt of his rifle with a free hand. “The Seraphim is more powerful all around, and harder to use…I like the challenge. Besides, it’s more of an assassination weapon then a Zombie.”

“I guess that’s true, I’ve used the Zombie on more then a few occasions as an assault rifle,” Des commented, looking back at Vyren’s rifle. “Guess it comes with the computer hacking, to be in the thick of any mess.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Vyren replied, knowing everyone had their own roles and were equipped appropriately for it.

“I was actually wondering, do you want to have a sniper duel?” Des inquired, curious about the calibre of skill from this other sniper. The hacker has fought sniper’s before, but none have really been a challenge for him, he wondered the same about this particular sniper.

“I’d be honoured…” Vyren answered, analyzing Des’ build and trying to calculate the sniper’s skill. The true sniper really hasn’t found much challenge as well in terms of duelling, though he had a strange thought that Des may provide the challenge he needed. “Back on the ship, once this mission is compelted.”

“Agreed,” Des affirmed, returning his attention back towards piloting. The land was approaching slowly, but approaching none the less. They would arrive soon…

Day: 1, Time: 1109, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Deck, Stern

Vapour trotted closer to the edge of the boat, looking over the edge under the railing, feeling right at home in the middle of the sea. His brother, on the other hand decided to tread a bit further away from the edge, not very comfortable with falling into the water.

“So, what do we do now?” the Jolteon questioned the Vaporeon, Vapour glancing back towards Jolt, the pair connecting in gaze.

“We wait,” Vapour answer, breaking the connection between the pair’s gaze and glancing back toward the sea below. Jolt sighed softly, circling around slowly before laying flat on his belly, watching Vapour watch the water.

“What about Flare?” Jolt asked, not wanting to bring up the topic, but not wanting to ignore it completely either. However, that same mentality was on the mind of Vapour as well, continuing to stare silently at the blue below.

“Yes…what about my mother…?” another asked, quickly gaining the attention of the brothers. Umbre slowly trotted over, unable to speak his mind after that, lowering his head.

“Hey…there, there kid…” Jolt spoke, approaching the Umbreon and nuzzling the black Pokémon’s neck gently. Umbre purred a little, remembering his mother’s nuzzle – nostalgic memories returning to him.

“Who are you…?” Umbre questioned, pulling away from the Jolteon and staring into the older one’s eyes. Jolt sighed softly, wondering if this child knew of their heritage, their bond. “You…you are like my mother…”

“We were from the same litter,” Vapour answered, pulling away from the side and approaching his nephew. “You mother, she was our sister…” Umbre blinked, shaking his head violently.

“Uncle…” he muttered, looking down at the deck. “You touched me…like my mother would…with a caring nuzzle to my neck…”

“But I can’t believe you!” the Dark-type screamed out, taking the pair aback by the third’s outburst. Umbre trotted backwards, nearly crying. “How could you let my mother suffer like that?! To be alone, without anyone?!”

“I…I…” Jolt tried to speak, as Vapour remained silent through the one-sided exchange. Not wanting to show his tears, the Umbreon dashed away, sobbing softly. The child was unable to contain himself.

“Let him be, brother…” Vapour told Jolt, the Electric type about ready to give pursuit if he wasn’t stopped by the Water-type. “He’s right…but I can’t face my only sister…after letting her down on more then one occasion…I have been such a terrible brother…”

Vapour sighed softly, circling around and returning to the ship’s edge, staring back down at the water below, in his own misery. Jolt sighed as well, feeling that same misery. A dagger driven through his heart – the weapon belonging to mere child whose words snapped at him like a dragon. The Electric-type could only lay back down on his belly, laying his head on his front legs and wondering at his own morals…

Day: 1, Time: 1214, Location: Trilands, North Island, Southern Harbour

Psy paced back and forth on the deck, not paying attention to the others preparing to disembark onto the port once they were cleared. The other Pokémon seemed rather calm, unlike the pacing Bulbasaur.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Abetos asked, approaching the pacing Bulbasaur. The female glanced up towards the larger Houndoom, wondering if she should speak…

“It’s nothing,” Psy spat out, trotting away, not wanting to bother anyone else with her problem. However, her path was cut by the advance of the Houndoom, who glared at her with concern.

“What is bothering you?” he asked softly, sliding onto his stomach and expecting Psy to confess right then and there. The pair exchanged glances, staring deeply at each other.

“I don’t belong on this world,” the psychic Bulbasaur remarked, turning her head away, but not moving. Abetos wasn’t sure how to interpret the comment, and Psy detected that confusion from the Houndoom’s mind, despite being a Dark type Pokémon. “I’m a mix of a regular, common Grass type and an extinct Pokémon breed…I should never have been born…and…”

“Hey, hey!” Abetos interrupted quickly, nuzzling the Bulbasaur gently. “Don’t be so pessimistic…we all have our purposes…and you might not like the idea of being a crossbreed, but it’s alright…” Psy didn’t turn to face the Dark type, sensing his sincerity and concern. “You have your friends…we’ll always be here for you…don’t worry about it…” With those final words of advice, the Houndoom stepped back towards the others, waiting to dock.

“But I’m a menace…I’m too powerful...I may hurt those who I want to protect, or those who want to protect me…” Psy thought, closing her eyes in detest for her own mind now. The female began to question her own morals…

Day: 1, Time: 1154, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Off the Port Bow

Ignite enjoyed the cool sea breeze around them as they sailed out, still close to the ship, but out of the confines. Melody purred softly, enjoying a moment of peace with her companions out in the open sea, feeling refreshed and restored after some rest within the ship. Skymin dived down low beside them, gliding over the surface of the water, kicking it from time to time with his talons. In the next moment, the male Pidgeot landed on Melody’s back, gently as not to disturb her.

“Anyone get the sense of déjà vu on board that ship?” Skymin remarked, motioning his head towards the S.C. Aleathra. Ignite and Melody followed gaze, feeling the same nostalgic memories.

“Their housing us…but so did the Rockets…I feel like we’re being used all over again…” Ignite commented softly, lying on his stomach and staring towards the distance.

“I don’t feel anything of malice or deceit from them…but I’m not so sure…” Melody answered, looking towards the clear sky. “The person to ask would be Carter…”

“And he seems rather preoccupied,” Ignite replied, remembering a brief glimpse of Carter after letting the team go off without the ‘leader’. “I think it might be best to leave Carter alone for a bit…maybe ask Ripper or Void…since Psy went ahead with the mission on Carter’s request.”

“Under Des, right? Or was it Tim?” Skymin asked, unsure completely of what he was told on the mission.

“Actually, under Alken, considering he only had one Pokémon in comparison to the others,” Melody corrected, breaking the previous question. “Either way, Psy is strong enough to take care of herself…we saw the mess she left Angel in...” The other pair of Pokémon agreed, nodding their heads. “So, on the odd chance Alken decides to do anything…”

“Yes…we know…especially Alex…Alex would know Psy’s potential…” Ignite spoke softly, knowing both were subjected to the DNA of the Angel Pokémon.

“But I got a strange feeling Psy doesn’t enjoy her heritage, however…” Melody commented, glancing back towards the Pokémon on her back. “Strange feeling to hate towards herself as they took off…”

There was silence among the trio, none wanting to continue the conversation while enjoying the sights…or maybe none of them had an answer that was sufficient…

Day: 1, Time: 1216, Location: Trilands, North Island, Southern Harbour

Des was at the helm of the truck, slowly being guided out by Tim from the boat onto the dock, everything loaded inside the vehicle. Alken was waiting on land already, leaning against one of the warehouses with his arms crossed, Abetos by his side. Some of the Pokémon were on the van, though some remained on guard around the path onto the dock.

“Where’s the rest of your team?” the Graveler asked the Pikachu, glancing towards the smaller electric type on guard with him. Lin shook her head lightly, glancing back up at the rock type and nodding.

“They’re mostly young or inexperienced,” Lin told the other, speaking of the rest of Guile’s team on the mission. “I think it might be best if they stay in the transportation…not that I doubt their abilities, just their maturity.”

“…you sound a lot different since I first met you…” Rocky commented, returning his attention to scouting out any potential threats. The Pikachu’s ears twitched, unsure how to take the remark. “More…mature…serious…not so hyper active…”

“Things happen,” Lin answered, sighing softly and touching on previous thoughts about another Pikachu in her life. “I don’t intend to lose anyone else in this…” Now it was Rocky’s turn to be unsure, though he let the comment slide. Lin bounced off to another direction for scouting, leaping up towards one of the roofs of a warehouse for a better look.

Day: 1, Time: 1216, Location: The S.C. Aleathra, Infirmary

Hydra stood motionless on the table, waiting for Samantha to tell him something. The Gym Leader continued to read the results of an experiment, Spark by her side, also waiting for like the other Water type.

“Well….what does it say?” Hydra asked impatiently, stomping his feet in anxiety. Sam glanced up at the Water type, before returning to the piece of paper, comparing two results together. The Totodile only began to pace around on the table.

“I don’t believe it…” Samantha finally spoke, getting full attention form both Pokémon with those words. She folded up the paper, finally understanding the results given to her from the test.

“What?!” Hydra exclaimed, unable to bear with the silence much longer.

“You’re a Totodile…with half Squirtle DNA…” Samantha told the small Water type. Hydra shrugged, as did Spark, wondering why this meant so much – there were crossbreeds in the world, nothing special. “And a splash of Eevee,” she added, breaking through to Spark instantly, though Hydra took a little time to catch onto it.

“He’s been genetically modified…” Spark spoke softly, understanding the partial effects of an Eevee serum in the use of genetic manipulation. Hydra’s face paled, finally snapping at the realization.

“I don’t think the name ‘Hydra’ came as a coincidence…” Samantha inferred, pocketing the paper. “Being that you seemed to already have been partially ‘awakened’ by the Pokément catalyst, I think….just maybe…” The Gym Leader broke of her sentence, unable to finish it, remembering her previous ‘Hydra’.

“I might be that very same Pokémon,” Hydra answered, looking away in partial disgust with his own heritage. “Or…at least an incarnation of it…”

“A Team Rocket experiment that escaped?” Spark asked softly, knowing the place they found the Water type was a Team Rocket research facility, ‘was’ being the keyword until Carter, Tim, Des, and some others aboard the ship took care of that building.

“It might not be Hydra’s Squirtle DNA that was used though…” Sam remarked, trying to keep away from that conclusion that it was her former companion. “Hydra could’ve possibly been a genetic experiment between a Squirtle and Totodile, while being exposed to Pokément…”

“Or I could actually be merged with that Hydra DNA you talk so much about,” the Totodile remarked, breaking the previous chain of resentment. “We won’t know until we find those records, which may be somewhere…but until then…we can guess away at everything…”

Silence enveloped the trio, none able to come up to a satisfactory conclusion for the situation…

Author’s Note:

Being that this chapter is almost 5,000 words long…and that I have a writer’s block, time to end it. O.Ops.