Chapter Fourteen The thought echoed desolately and Jewel staggered to her feet. Standing made her dizzy so she settled for a half-sit half-crouch. The light was too bright for her eyes and they watered heavily. She blinked and slowly the pain subsided as she adjusted. The steel beneath her was slick and cold. The chill seeped through the buff fur on her belly and she shivered. "What the he11!" Eveena yelled violently in her sensitive ear before reverting to a hoarse whisper, "Was that ya talkin' to me in meh head?" The eevee craned her head in the direction of the noise to look at her friend. The freak's luminous green eyes were wide and uncharacteristically suppressed. A tip of her pink tongue stuck out indicating great stress. That was characteristic of all canine type pokemon and Eveena was no exception. She looked worse for wear with her normally sleek coat in tatters and her tails in disarray. "Answer me." Eveena demanded in an unsteady voice. Jewel blinked and asked disarmingly, "What did I say?" Eveena studied her with suspicion before replying with wonder, " As ya should recall, ya asked where you were." "So where are we?" Jewel asked shakily as she realized she had unknowingly used telepathy. She was confused at this sudden manifest of powers and turned to her friend for answers. "We are in a cage. I such hope ya are not claustrophobic 'cuz it's small." Eveena began then continued in a hushed voice, "there are others all around us. It's a terrible din when the scientists come in. All the pleadin' and cryin'. And I can't find Chyne anywhere." The last sentence was coated with worry and Jewel winced. That was not a good thing. At least together they knew that the other was alive to curse about it. What had happened to Frazzle? She bit her lip to avoid crying out and turned to a more solvable problem. "I'm sure Chyne's fine. I bet they just have him in a separate room than us." Jewel said trying to sooth her friend. She had never seen Eveena like this before. Even her erratic sense of humor was gone leaving only untamed feat and utter despair. There was no more perk, no spark animating the vulpix. Her sense of uniqueness was non-existent leaving her like the rest of the pitiable Freaks sobbing and cowering around the wide room. "Now, you need to give me some information okay?" Jewel asked much in the manner that a doctor treats a scared patient, "How long have I been out? It has obviously been some time since you seem to know all this." "Not really. Jus' a day or so." The fox pokemon jolted and bit her lip fearing that was the wrong answer. Jewel wondered what they had done to her. "What about Frazzle?" Jewel prodded and Eveena looked slightly happier to report, "He got 'way. Doesn't mean nuthin' though. He could be dead." Jewel stifled the urge to backhand Eveena and asked her last question, "How were you captured. I thought you had escaped." The wretch before her seemed subdued now and no long frenzied. She narrowed her eyes and a bit of sprit flitted past before fading away, "I was lookin' for Aqua when I was jumped. This stupid little creature grabbed a tail and started knawin' away. We fought, I won, but then a big houndour type creature appeared. Apparently ya were caught and Frazzle was not ta be found. Well, I was whooped and captured. I was hurtin' so they took me to a medical room. There they...they did unspeakable things. Not ta me, but ta others. T'was far worse than we were told. I rather not go ta details. They brought me back here with ya and here I've been." "Don't worry. You two are safe for the moment." A strange, tiny voice informed from the back of the cage. Both whirled in fear with teeth bared and hackles raised. What sat before them had to be the strangest cross ever. It looked to be a pikachu-butterfree mix. Its plump body was a dark forest green with navy blue stripes running across its back. A pair of lemon yellow wings spread from the thick shoulder blades and a pair of antenna hung loosely over the twin compound brown eyes. Pointed ears tipped with sky blue and a jagged tail completed the creature. Eveena suddenly shrank back in fear at the stranger, but Jewel pressed forward. The creature leaned casually against the side of the cage with its wings carefully pushed out of the way. It looked mildly curious about its new cage- mates. "Why do ya say don't worry. Ya haven't been in that torture room." Eveena snarled favoring the creature with a glare. "Oh, I have. I've been a subject of study more than once. That sort of thing happens when you are a rebel and don't follow the rules. They like their captives to co-operate to the fullest and the sad thing is that most do." She retorted in a pleasant tone. "I guess ya have some competition then." Eveena smirked. Her tails were twitching still but at least they weren't thrashing. "What's your name?" Jewel asked trying to be civil to make up for Eveena's rude behavior, not that she blamed her friend. As an afterthought she added, "Mine is Jewel and she's Eveena." "Chloe is the name. I suppose I could have done worse." The pikachu shrugged. She sounded like she truly didn't care. "Well, Chloe have you ever tried to escape?" Jewel asked carefully. Her head ached from where she had hit the rock and her wings felt leaden. Gently she shifted them into a more comfortable position on her back. The blue rodent sighed heavily and gave an are-you-kidding look to the two of them, "You're serious right? I've tried everything under the florescent lights. I've done it so many times that it is practically a routine now. Security is tight at this facility. That is why you two are here no doubt. Troublemakers, then? Part of the Alliance?" Jewel nodded at the latter mildly surprised at the pikachu's intuition of their background. Still, that was not the sort of thing she wanted to hear. They were dealing with highly trained scientists and guards. That would make escape, or rescue, even harder. And she had no doubt that Frazzle, if he had survived, would come. "What have you tried? It may help us to make a better plan. There are three of us after all. We can help each other." Jewel asked hopefully. 'Know your enemy' was a must if they were ever to succeed. Chloe snorted loudly through her little triangle nose, "Don't give me the 'all for one and one for all' crap. Here it's every creature to them selves. Nothing more. Still, you should be answered. Who knows what might happen." She shrugged again and continued in a monotone, "They have nets of all sizes, although they are mostly used on the littler, weaker potential escapees. Next they are equipped with dart guns containing potent sleep powder. There are other things such as the traps littered around the building and the sleeping gas that they use to flood the vents. For the larger ones they usually manage to lock them in a room until they surrender out of starvation. There's more, but it would take awhile to list. In short, there is little chance of escaping back into freedom, assuming you ever had it. Some are born here in the lab from surrogate mothers or test tubes." Finishing her explanation she continued, "Most of them die before birth and those that live wish they hadn't. I certainly wish I had died in the womb." Jewel was shocked, but she hid it well behind a cold curtain. Eveena, however, was shaking all over, "I knew it. Torture for all of us." There was no pity in her voice for Chloe just raw fear for herself. A new thought struck her and she yelped, "What about Chyne. I haven't seen him." The urgency and worry saturated her voice completely and it looked like she was going into hysterics all over again. Jewel felt a stab of guilt. She hadn't even thought about or worried over Chyne. "A friend?" Chloe asked slyly in a dry voice, "More than that? Well since he is a guy they most likely took him to the male's room. Sorry kids, no co-ed here." "It's not like that." Jewel managed to choke out. Or at least it wasn't to Jewel's knowledge. Hastily she added, "He's a good friend. That's all. He could have helped us plan an escape." The last sentence barely came out considering how lame it sounded. A blush spread across her face at how quickly she jumped in and how it must sound to Chloe. The pikachu turned a speculative compound eye on the eevee and twitched her pointed ear as if the say yeah right. Darkness clouded over her face suddenly and Eveena bolted to the back to cower. A jangle of keys sounded outside of the cage and Jewel froze in place. A single click told that the cage was unlocked and the barred door swung open revealing a pair of blue eyes. The pair blinked in surprise, the Morph was obviously not expecting to see either Jewel or Eveena in there, before welling up with sympathy. A pair of tan arms reached in, Jewel noticed the rubber gloves, and grabbed Eveena. The fox thrashed around wildly inflicting more damage on herself more than her captor. Chloe jumped forward as the door shut and she advised through the narrow bars, "Stop doing that. If you hurt a Morph, accident or no, you will get Iso. That's short for isolation. That means no light, no sound, and no company. It's not fun. Believe me!" "What can we do now?" Jewel asked in despair as another ally, no friend was carried off leaving the two. And she added after that, " And why did the woman have on pink gloves?" "In regards to your first question; nothing. We can't get out or anything unless you have a unique skill in lock picking. As for the second; she was coming for me and rubber does not conduct electricity." "Oh." Was all Jewel managed to get out. Chapter Fifteen Frazzle awoke with the cold splashing water droplets landing on his spiky face. Fighting of nausea he lurched painfully to his paws. Inadvertently he sucked in a breath at the sharp pain dominating his side. Squinting, he noticed the sun had sunk below the tree line and was a mere glow of orange. He wondered how late it truly was and realized he was not alone. Above him, on a rocky ledge, was a thin creature. Its black eyes were frightened and curious at the same time and it eyed him with suspicion. He ignored the creature and took a few steps forward. His legs wobbled threateningly and he ended up leaning against a small pine tree for support. Feeling the rough bark smooth out beneath him he heaved himself away so he could look. The cracked bark had been torn away exposing pale, naked innards. Sap oozed out of the wound forming crystallized droplets. Rotating his head around with effort he noted his side was in a similar if opposite disarray. Dark brown bark and light orange needles stuck to his wiry coat by the gooey sap covered his bruised side confirming his suspicions. He had hit the tree. "You there," He hailed the small creature, which in turn scrambled to a higher ledge in fear, "Do you know what happened?" A reluctant nod ensued and he continued patiently without raising his voice or letting the urgency seep through, "Could you tell me about it? I really need to know." He tried not to think of what the small blue and white creature might tell him. The prospects of Jewel and Chyne escaping were less than none. At least he would know the details. "Well sir," The creature said hesitantly and moved down lower so he could be heard. The jolteon was mildly flattered as well as surprised that he was addressed as sir. The voice was that of a young male, but it was sturdy and deep. Frazzle wondered where the creature's parents were, "You came flying through the bushes, that's what brought me out, and crashed into that their tree. I made sure you were alive before going to see what was happening. Two big, nasty morphs were fighting some Freaks; I assume they were your friends, and winning. They sent a slave to recover you, but I detoured it with an old dragon trick." Frazzle frowned and replied, "I thank you for saving my life. I owe you a life- debt. I have one more question to ask of you however. Were Freaks searching for us? They too are my friends and most likely worried." The Pure dratini nodded, "Aye, three of them. They were eeveelutions. A jolteon, a flareon, and a vapreon. They left awhile back." "Great." Frazzle grunted and staggered to the pool. He had lowered himself to the back with his belly flat and was about to drink when the dratini stopped him, "Don't! That water is laced with sleep powder. That is how they catch us. Let me purify it before you drink." The blue creature dipped his nub of a horn into the pool and the water rippled outwards. The horn glowed brightly before fading and the dratini bade him to drink. Frazzle gulped the clear water down hastily and sighed as the cool water eased the burning sensation in his throat. Turning to his savior he said sincerely, "That is twice you have saved my life. There is little I can give you in return, but a service within my power I will do for you. As long as it is moral and will hurt no others. For starters, my name is Frazzle." The creature pressed forward before saying, "Mine's Drake of the Awa Clan. You don't really owe me a thing. Just foiling those evil creature's plans is enough for me. They took my parents away. Drago the Dragonite, he is the leader of our clan, decreed I was too young to fight so I hinder them as much as I can. I would have helped your friends, however," He shrugged his shoulders, quite a feat if you consider it, "There was really nothing I could do. Do you have somewhere to go? You can stay here if you need to." Frazzle marveled at the youngster's adult-like behavior and the grace he had shown about the life-debt and Frazzle's loss with compassion. "I have a place to go." Frazzle said grimly after deciding how much to tell him, "First to check in with and confer with my leader then to free my friends from their laboratory." The dratini eyed him before giving a quick nod of agreement. He understood the need for revenge more so than many others and the burning desire to free ones you love. He recognized it in Frazzle. Quickly Drake made up his mind, "I wish to accompany you. This is the request I give you in payment for your life-debt." Frazzle's black eyes studied the young one before he shook his head in a negative, "It is against my morals. I could no sooner lead a child to slaughter than slay one myself. I will not do so." "Even if it is of my own free will, at my request? If it my age you worry about then don't. We dragons age differently. I am most likely double your age by your standards. Trained as a warrior for all my life I understand fully what I'm wading into. I can help you and with luck we both complete our tasks." The dratini snapped with determination. Frazzle pondered his statement for an instant before nodding his consent, "Let go." Chapter Sixteen "Lemme go! Where are ya takin' me?" Eveena shouted, but she was no longer struggling. She didn't have the energy to thrash. All she could do was wiggle half-heartedly in protest. That didn't stop her from vocalizing though. "Hush little one." The young woman murmured soothingly. She used her free hand to stroke the frantic fox's head. She reached a door in a hall of many others identical to it and pulled it open with her hip. It yielded against the pressure easily and swung open without even a squeak of protest. Inside there were a few scattered pieces of dark brown furniture and one large bookcase dominating one wall. In the center was a pleasantly normal looking desk equipped with a small lamp, neat stacks of papers, and other miscellaneous items that resided in offices. The female closed the door behind her and set Eveena down gently on a nearby couch. Eveena sat there stunned at the display of gentleness and caring. She had always pictured Morphs as uncaring brute that took what they wanted by force. This young female blew her prejudice and stereotypes straight out of the water. Even with the display of kindness Eveena was not inclined to trust the human- like creature one bit. She bolted to the closed door first only to find it shut tight. Even with her strong back legs and jumping abilities she would never be able to turn the knob before the Morph could stop her. Giving up on the obvious exit she traveled along the wall. Pushing her paws against a vent the looked promising she was startled when the Morph chuckled. That reminded the Freak that she was not alone and she pretended to be interested in the carpet. There was no need to prove she was intelligent to the Morphs. That would just encourage them to watch her more closely. Playing dumb was best. Her hopes were destroyed when the Morph commented in a soft voice, "They say you guys have no intellect. How wrong they are. One day it will be our undoing, I think." There was an amused quality to her voice and the ability to laugh at herself. "What do ya want?" Eveena growled knowing that playing dumb was not going to work. She was dismayed to find that she couldn't invoke her elemental powers. Her fire was shielded some how, which left her with physical attacks. "To save you from yourself. I saw how you were out there. Scared to death of me and bewildered at being trapped in a steel cage. I see you are far more out spoken in less stressful situations." The Morph replied from behind the desk. She was shuffling papers softly and not looking at the little Freak. There was no apprehension about being stuck in a room with a terrified creature willing to do her harm or over confidence either. There was merely a cool equilibrium. "I am a pokemon psychiatrist. I try and ease the transition the capture Freaks encounter. The psychological damage is staggering. Some don't make it even with help. You are different. You happen to be the most interesting case I have had. Surprisingly you remind me of myself when I first came." She continued and looked up suddenly. Her blue eyes were gentle rather than hard and almost to the point that one would call compassionate. Taking a cautious sniff Eveena noticed something that she had ignored before, dismissing it as unimportant. The scent of many different Freaks littered the room though most were clustered right up towards the desk where the Morph was sitting. They varied from the sour odor of fear to the subtle calm acceptance. Still suspicious Eveena inched up to a chair adjacent the Morph and leapt up like a lithe cat. She stared across the desk nervously with her almond-shaped eyes. "I would like you to trust me, but I'm not sure how to go about doing that. Perhaps my name would be a start. I am called Faye. As you can see I am a furret Morph." She looked sincere and it was obvious that she had furret. Short tan fur covered her entire body and long tail come out from behind her. She had brown human hair that flowed over her shoulder and four-digit paws. The brown strips that encircled the visible part of her midriff and the pointy ears showed as much, "Do you have a name? Something by which I can call you? Perhaps that will bring us onto more comfortable terms." "Eveena." She replied shortly and kept a careful eye on the woman. She marveled at the woman's attire. Anyone who wore that had some nerve. It was a pink tube top with baggy cotton pants. The pants were also pink although they were of a dark shade. She wore no shoes and Eveena imagined that it would be difficult to even get her big paws in anything other than the loosest of tongs. To top it all off she had a pink bow pinned to the back of her hair keeping it from her eyes. "A pretty name. It suits you well I think." Faye said looking pensive. That made Eveena wary and she stalked the chair much in the manner of a feral cat. Her tails were low as were her triangle ears, but the hair on the back of her neck was stiff and upright. "I have to pick you up again." Faye said looking at her suddenly then added not so sure of herself, "This can be done the easy way or the hard way. Either one will result in me winning. Which will it be?" "Easy." Eveena replied forcing herself to stay still as she was lifted off the chair and into her former position. She wasn't so sure that the hard way would result in victory for Faye, but she acknowledged that the probability of her winning was slim. She hoped she had put her trust in someone worthy. Chapter Seventeen "What have we done?" Aqua fretted guilt stricken as she pawed the gavel. She was not alone in her fretting. Loki looked distinctly ill for some reason and even Blitz looked remorseful if nothing else. Midnight was sad and disappointed, but he refused to lay the blame on the trio. They could not have known such a sorrowing event would take place. Blitz had assigned them something he had marked as safe. He couldn't have known about the ambush that had been set and taken out. Frazzle limped in with Drake at his side. It had taken a while to arrive with all the hurts he had acquired, but with the young dratini's help he had managed all right. He had cleaned up some and no long looked like part of a pine tree moving along the path. The long walk had made him extremely gratefully that his ribs were only bruised and not broken although every other step was akin to agony. The bump on the side of his head had receded and now only throbbed dully rather than burning like fire. Midnight spotted him first and rushed over soundlessly. He hugged the larger jolteon happily, much in the way a grandfather would. Noting the winces that could only be caused by pain he backed off fighting tears of gratitude. Frazzle was thrilled to see his mentor again, but there were far more pressing issues to be dealt with. Giving a pleased smile he stalked over to the larger jolteon. "Blitz, the others have been captured. I have returned merely to tell you that I lived and that I plan to break them out. I would be grateful for any assistance given." Frazzle stated stiffly in a bold voice. His voice had aged dramatically and if not for the gravity of the situation Frazzle would have paused to wonder why he was crossing the older jolteon who was known to have a short and volatile temper. Blitz calculated the force it would take and answered in a deadly voice that brooked no argument, "No. I forbid you to do such a fool-hardy thing. Be gratefully that you escaped with your life." "Blitz, we can't..." Aqua began and was cut off by a sharp look. Blitz's face- harden further, "No, we will not do as he proposes. They understood the risks. They cannot hold sway over our operation." "Blitz..." Loki started and trailed off nervously. He looked worried, but didn't have the courage to continue. He looked to Midnight helplessly. There was apprehension in his maroon eyes and if Frazzle hadn't been so busy he would have laughed. The dark green umbreon had stood and placed him beside Frazzle. Blitz growled a command, which the younger eeveelution ignored. He tossed out a scornful retort, "You do not hold any sort of power over me. I am a free agent. One can do as he pleases without having to get your consent. We quarrel little as in you are like a brother to me, but this time you are wrong." "I, also, am a free agent although I know you will attempt to stop me." A feminine voice said tersely from the entrance of the cave, "Shame on you. She is our daughter for Mew's sakes!" Frazzle turned to the source of the voice just as the others did. He was shocked to find the speaker to be none other than Echi. She strode in to take her place beside Midnight. A disdainfully expression covered her magically youthful face. "I...we...can't just abandon post to take part of a suicide mission!" Blitz yelled in bewilderment as he tried to defend himself. He was outnumbered and knew it. Stumbling on he managed, "What will the Alliance think? We were given specific instructions! It is forbidden." Echi's ice-cold stare cut him off at the end of the last sentence. "She is our daughter. Are blood ties so weak now that you can disregard that?" Echi prodded forcefully her voice laden with scorn. Her large ears were flat against her round head and her brow was furrowed. Blitz hung his head in what seemed to be submission. It snapped up again and his black eyes blazed, "I will not be cowed by your cold stares and little voices! I will not be bullied by you or anyone else, Twilight." The last part came out a grim whisper. Aqua had inched over to them during the vocal sparing and stood firmly on the other side next to Midnight. Her normal gentle and malleable face was set in a grim line and a strange light was in her eyes. The eyes were the color of cold, hard steel, unforgiving and unmovable. "What are you doing Aqueous?" Blitz snapped at the winged vaporeon in an authoritative voice. She visible cringed at the hard voice, but answered steadily enough, "I'm doing what is right." Twilight cast her hard blue eyes on Loki. The plump flareon was shifting nervously under her icy gaze. His nervousness was justifiable considering the espeon was looking murderous. He shuffled his paws watching the little puff of sand rise and avoiding the gaze. Casting one last look at the defiant jolteon he headed over to join the majority. Twilight's strong voice stopped him in his unsure tracks. "Do not come unless it is of free will. I'll not have you slowing us down with your bitterness and whining." Twilight cautioned sternly, Loki nodded his plumed head and took the final step. Twilight smiled approvingly and asked Blitz sweetly embolden by her majority, "Coming dear?" The jolteon's scowl deepened dramatically and he made no move forward. Seeing that, Twilight turned to Frazzle paying no further heed to the jolteon behind them, "Lead on young hero." Frazzle was shocked and managed a unsure 'me?' Twilight laughed gently at his confusion and replied reprovingly, "You have proved yourself to be loyal beyond the call of duty. Who better to lead the charge than the one who loves her and knows her best?" Frazzle nodded in understanding and his face reset into one of grim determination. He faced his troops making introductions and brainstorming. This venture was going to take luck, skill, and co-operation. He just hoped it was enough. Chapter Eighteen Faye's dainty knuckles rapped lightly on the wooden door. A deep voice bid her enter and she immediately obeyed closing the door quietly behind her. With a hasty nod of acknowledgement she sat gingerly in the proffered chair. Setting Eveena down on her lap she shifted uncomfortably. Eveena sat still sensing that now would not be the best time to act up. There was a dangerous quality to the old woman sitting behind the desk. Her strong nose and pointed chin also suggested that she was exceedingly stubborn and unforgiving. Inching closer, Eveena set herself to the task of studying. The older woman's hair was a steel gray, but streaks of gold raced through it suggesting that her hair was at one point fair and flaxen. Sharp, black eyes flickered and a thin mouth dominated the lower half of her face. She was well past her prime, but Eveena realized that the woman held her towering position through intelligence rather than age. "Mrs. Kazam," Faye began tentatively and continued slightly stronger, "I wish to ask a favor of you." One thick gray eyebrow raised and Kazam asked not quite mockingly, "A favor of what sort?" The girl gulped visibly and she plunged in, "I would like your blessing in keeping this Freak as my own. As a personal pet." The old woman looked a little puzzled and replied evenly, "It is within your right as an employee to chose a Freak as a personal pet. Why ask me now for my permission? You have never shown an interest in any before. In fact, as I recall, you were set firmly against such a practice. You caused quite a distracting row when someone offered you one as a child. It is difficult to believe you changed your mind so easily as soon as something cute and scared was captured." Her speech had been somewhat dry, but not sarcastic at all. "I..." Faye seemed at a loss for the words to explain, "I cannot tell you or even begin to explain." If anything the fuzzy replied seemed to double the superior's curiosity about the matter. Faye flinched at the searching dark stare and bit her lip worrying it ruthlessly with sharp teeth. At last the woman broke off the silent search and spoke graciously, "You have been having premonitions again, am I correct?" Faye looked miserable. She stared at the top of Eveena's head in silent shame. Her pulse quickened and her breath came faster. The subject had agitated her enough that her brain had sent out the signal for adrenaline to be released into the body. Her actions answered for her. The woman spoke softly, "Very well. Do not tell me of your problems. After all, you are the psychologist and who am I to tell you?" "Yes, my powers indicated this." Faye said equally soft. There was an edge to her voice and an expression that seethed rebellion. Still, her answer was sincere and she even nodded ascension as if it would help. "Tell me." The older woman said leaning forward. Eveena felt a sharp urge to protect Faye as the young Morph hugged her tightly. Stifling the dangerous urge she did her best to understand what was being said. "She is an important factor for the future." Faye said vaguely then continued, "Her name is..." She paused to look at the Freak in her lap. Eveena understood and nodded, giving the girl permission to reveal her name, "Eveena." The woman's wrinkled hand went to her temple as if the ease a headache and she mumbled, "How do you, a normal type, have psychic powers? Your mother had no such problems. You may keep this Eveena," She paused as if recoil from a tainted name then finished, "As long as it suits you. Excused." The last part was added sharply. Faye bowed deeply and departed silently. She shut the door easily and strode down the hall. Reaching her office she entered and slammed the door. "I hope you don't mind the term pet. That is not how I think of you, but that is how others will see you. I really hope you don't mind that you have to be with me either. It could be worse with another Morph or being trapped in a cage, but that doesn't make me feel any more right about this." The girl sighed heavily then brightened, " What would you like to do? I have to morning off." "Could we maybe look for someone?" Eveena asked from where she balanced precariously from the thing shoulder, "He is a houndoom/ umbreon Freak." "Sure. We can visit your other friends too if you'd like." She chirped willingly. It took some time to locate Chyne. He was laying despondently against the steel bars the fur on his back sticking up in all different directions. At the sound of Faye's footsteps he leapt up and threw himself against the bars in fury. It was appalling to see such a gentle Freak turn so vicious over the course of a few days. When he saw Eveena however he calmed down immediately to watch with reddish-gold eyes. After some discussion between the two Freaks Chyne allowed Faye to take him out of his cage. He watched her warily and it was plain to see that he did not trust her despite the reassurances given by Eveena. They went to get Jewel next. The eevee and her pikachu friend were less wary, but still had an air of distrust about them. The four were placed in a large room together. The heavy door was closed nosily behind them with the promise that she would be back later and to behave in the meantime. Chyne glanced around sharply for eavesdroppers. Finding none in evidence he whispered, "What happened? I'm afraid I didn't see much of anything." "Ta sum it up I was beaten, Jewel was also, and Frazzle is most likely dead by now." Eveena reported pessimistically and received dark looks, "Oh and that girl has decided ta make meh her pet. I tink that just 'bout covers it, don't you Jewel?" Jewel shot her a nasty look but was tactful enough not to reply. That however did not stop Chloe from putting in her two cents worth, "Y'all could have done so much worse. At least your alive to tell about it, brat." "Brat? That's it." Eveena shouted and pounced on the plump rodent. The two rolled over and over until a crackle of electricity render the air. Eveena rolled away looking slightly charred from the high voltage and very pissed at losing the spat. She picked herself up and shot a glare of something akin to pure hatred towards the victor. Chyne shook his massive head slowly at their childishness and Jewel frowned seriously. "Can either one of you concentrate at all? I don't know what sort of training you received Chloe, but Eveena should know better. If only Midnight were here. He'd straighten you two out." Jewel chided in annoyance. A sharp pain invaded when she mentioned Midnight, but she pushed it back. Even so, the thought of never seeing anyone from the outside world again lingered deeply in her mind. "Are you insulting my training?" Chloe said still pugnacious and ready for battle. She seemed ready to jump on anyone who talked back and Jewel wasn't about to oblige. Chyne was though. He stepped forward warningly and said in a deep voice, "Chill out. Fighting will not get us out of here. I'm saying this now. Anyone who causes trouble from here on out will have to answer to me. This is just pure foolishness." He took another step forward. There was a steely look in his normally mild eyes and a stubbornness to match anyone there including Eveena. He stood up tall and meant some business. Both squabblers realized it and shut up although that did not stop the faces or silent gestures exchanged behind his back when he turned to Jewel. Just as he opened his mouth to speak the door slammed open. Leo, the meowth Morph, took one look and yelped. Tossing in the handful of pokeballs he had been holding he slammed shut the door rapidly. His footsteps could be heard as he raced all the way down the hall. It seemed that they had roommates. The two parties stared stonily to each other and chose opposite sides. The little attempts made to contact the other side were squashed violently by another member. Only Chyne and FireStorm were willing to speak and it was only a little. Personally Jewel had no intention of uttering a word to the other side. In her eyes they were traitors and the enemy, nothing more.