FCGS - Chapter 22

Kchan gave him a slap back and smiled. "We can't seem to decide. I think our priority should be Loki but Mike wants to rescue Momo…" She watched the Lif fly around behind Lack before continuing. "If we divide our power, then defeating Loki will be difficult, as well as rescuing Momo."

"Well," Lack said deep in thought. "If we defeat Loki, his power over Momo should break as well shouldn't it?" MikeRex nodded stiffly. LadyDeathStrike and Balawis gave him a sneaky smile. "Then our priority is simple. Defeat Loki." He pulled his gloves tight and settled the Knuckles to sit properly. "The question we should be asking is how are we going to defeat him? Loki is a God and we're all only human."

"Yay…" Kchan said with sarcasm. "Trust you to point out our biggest flaw. What about the other Gods? Like Tyr," She glanced at Lack and Phenomenon. "Or Eir," She looked at Tadakono. "Or even Jord." She looked at LadyDeathStrike then sighed.

"Eir's definitely out of the question," Tadakono replied blinking. "She's with Chibi at the moment and probably won't leave her side for a while."

"Tyr…" Phenomenon glanced at Lack, who nodded. "Tyr might come but I don't know what he can do. All I know is that he granted a dual-class ability to Lack and myself."

"Jord's an Earth Goddess," LadyDeathStrike said softly. "She won't be able to do much against Loki. The only ones who could probably deal with Loki are those who are patrons for war or justice." Thinking back to her talk with Chibi she added. "Forseti and Thor perhaps? Though I have no idea how to call them."

"Try calling Tyr." Izual replied leaning against Kchan. "He may respond since both of you are here. I'm not going to even try Forseti. He's been in a bad mood ever since the Mediators went missing."

Closing their eyes, Lack and Phenomenon called out to Tyr. "I knew it was hopeless." Lack said after a while. He sighed and Phenomenon leaned back against a pole also giving out a sigh. "Tyr was never one to answer to anyone's call. He'd just come when he felt like it." Looking at Izual he added, "Just try Forseti. Just maybe he'll feel like letting off some steam by kicking Loki's ass. Use that proposition if you make contact with him."

Izual closed his eyes and held onto Kchan's hand for support. MikeRex raised an eyebrow and then looked at Lack. "I'm curious. Why is it that the Gods have favored mostly Fight Club? It seems too much of an imbalance in power between the guilds."

"Coincidence?" Lack replied not completely listening. "I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because of the person themselves and not the guild they're in. I mean Eir favored Chibi while she was in Velvet Touch of Enishi and you can't say LadyDeathStrike and Izual weren't favored by their Gods because they were in Fight Club."

MikeRex made a face knowing full well Lack wasn't answering him seriously. "It's just too much of a coincidence…" Izual's eyes snapped open. MikeRex could tell that he was shaking inside. "What happened?"

"Forseti told me not to bother him until we have Loki cornered," Izual said in a level voice. "I got yelled at…" Kchan gave him a soft pat on the back. "So basically he will come but only after we corner Loki."

"At least that's better than nothing," Rena replied looking around the room. "Uh… Lack…" Lack looked at Rena with a slightly dazed look. "Yeah…" She handed him a pouch with his name on it. "I think Eir left this for you. I saw it appear just now." Lack opened the pouch and inside were a few of Chibi's unraveling potions and her Azoth. "You feeling alright?" she asked noticing he still looked dazed.

"Yeah…" he replied nicking himself with Azoth. Shaking his head, he added "Just a little out of it at the moment. Tiredness perhaps." He tucked Azoth into his belt and noticed Chibi's Lif staring at him with narrowed eyes. "I'm alright."

"As alright as a dead poring," it replied. "Your Life Power and Magical Power are both low at the moment. Yet you say you're alright." It perched itself on his shoulder and cast Heal. "Honestly. If Chibi were here she would of smacked you silly just now." Kchan and Izual smothered a laugh. Lack gave them a dirty look. Still casting Heal, Flyte continued "Worked out who is going to be supporting? You're down one support. If you get Phen to support you'll be down a fighter. However…" It looked at LadyDeathStrike. "If you use Dia, she can level her Alchemist side to a Creator and you'll have a dual fighter/support."

"Sounds good," LadyDeathStrike said nodding. "Only one problem with it though." Flyte floated over and gave her two of Chibi's pouches. "Ah! We have no problem now." Flyte floated back to Lack, perched on his shoulder, and recast Heal. LadyDeathStrike turned into an Alchemist and attached the pouches. Taking out a few Blue Potions she pitched them at Lack. Flyte motioned her hand indicating to her that it wasn't quite full. She kept pitching until Flyte held up her hand. "My God Lack," she exclaimed peeking into the pouch. "Your magical power is huge! I was wondering why this pouch was so heavy. There's mainly condensed whites and blue potions."

Lack gave her a wink. "Chibs is always prepared to support me." Opening a door, he added. "Lets get this over and done with. I want to fix up Fight Club Headquarters soon."

~~~

Loki paced the floor furious that Hel left without telling him. "Just like her brother! Traitors the lot of them!" He sat down hard onto his throne and thought carefully. "I can't use the monsters of Thanatos because of Chibi. I can't use the Master Monsters because of Lack and MikeRex being there. Am I already out of options?"

"Not completely," Jemini stepped out into the room and smiled. "There is a set of monsters you can use." Loki gave her a uninterested look. "You can use the monsters that guard Odin's Temple. No one has been able to set foot in there because of Valkyrie Randgris and the constant summoning of all the monsters in there." She leaned against his throne and smiled. "Summon enough of them and even Lack would be overwhelmed."

"I don't know," Loki replied giving her a little tickle under the chin. "I've observed Lack in Niflheim. Against hordes of those monsters, he can kill them all without breaking a sweat. The only time I have seen him under strain from being attacked was when he is fighting one of his own Guildsman. There's no way I can take the ones with him now and I have no idea where the rest are. The mirror Chibi gave me that shows the depths of Fight Club shows no one in it's halls."

"But," Jemini said purring slightly. "Even so. The monsters of Odin's Temple are much stronger than simple Niflheim monsters. You can also send those who are too strong away. To somewhere they haven't been before."

"You mean Nameless Island?" Loki asked ruffling her hair then getting up to find a map. "I could send them both there. They're be out of the way for a while. I hope it will give me time to rebuild my army."

"Not together though," Jemini watched him. "They'll get back here much faster if they're sent together."

"Of course," Loki tapped the outline of Nameless Island on the map. "I knew that already." The door at the end of the room opened. "Here they are."

~~~

Chibi sat bolt upright and stared out towards a dark forest filled with quietly floating Sohee. Where am i? Eir placed a hand on her head. "Eir?" Chibi looked at her through confused eyes. "Where is this?"

"Outskirts of Payon," Eir replied stroking Chibi's hair. "I had to move you from the battle because you were feeding your anger to the pieces." Noticing the change in Chibi's expression to concern, she asked "What's wrong?"

"Did they defeat the doppelgangers?" Chibi asked her eyes darkening. She saw Lack fall through a silvery doorway and land on a jetty. He walked up to the houses ahead. Chibi recognized the place as Nameless Island. She shook her head and look at Eir. "Has something happened to them?"

"Forseti and Thor have gone to aid them just now," Eir replied knowing Chibi saw something. "You need me to relay something to them?"

Chibi shook her head. Even if I said anything, I don't know if it will happen there or later on. She looked at Eir with clear eyes. I need to get back and make sure myself. "Can you take me back to them?" Eir sighed and nodded.

~~~

Lack, Izual and MikeRex forced Loki into a corner. JohnFlora supporting them to the best of his ability. Forseti and Thor stood behind them preparing the bindings to hold Loki. "You won't take me that easily." Light expanded from Loki causing the four to fly backwards away from him. Kchan sat, with LadyDeathStrike, taking care of her sister Jemini, whom had her shard newly removed. Balawis switch his arrows to Immaterial and launched a new attack with Rena, Phenomenon and Tadakono.

Lack sat up, his vision slightly blurred after hitting the wall. A blue figure stood over him with its hands on its hips. "Honestly," it said to him. "Your defenses are so bad at the moment. Anything troubling you?"

"Not…" His vision cleared and realized it was Chibi standing over him. "Not really. Well not now anyway." He looked over and saw MikeRex helping Izual up. "I thought Eir took you away."

"There's something I have to make sure you don't do," Chibi replied softly. "I saw it again a few minutes ago." Lack gave her a confused look. "Just trust me on this. It will fair badly for you if it happens." Balawis and Rena hit the wall near them. Lack stood and gave Chibi a pat before nodding to MikeRex and Izual.

Loki noticed Chibi's reappearance and decided the time was right. He advanced upon the three Guild Masters, his hands crackling with power. Chibi cast an Alchemical Coating on the three and stood as their support. In the corner of her eye, she could see Tadakono casting Resurrect on JohnFlora.

"Away you go!" Loki cried calling a big gust of wind and directing it towards the Guild Masters. Lack raise his arms to shield his face against the wind. Izual and MikeRex held their poleaxes in front of them as a shield with one hand and the other to shield their face.

Chibi drew her sword and stabbed it into the ground, she put her back to the wind and crouched down. She could feel an alchemical reaction. She noticed her Lif had taken shelter with her. She whispered in it's ear. "A silver doorway is going to open. I want you to stay with Lack. Support him as best you can." It nodded and flew with difficulty to take a hold of the hood on Lack's shirt.

Loki increased the ferocity of the wind, forcing them backwards. Lack lost footing and flew backwards towards a silvery doorway. Chibi looked up, her eyes widening, as Lack fell in and the doorway vanishing. Looking quickly at Izual and MikeRex, she noticed similar doorways had opened.

"Izual!" Kchan ran noticing the doorway. "No!" They fell through together, the doorway vanishing after them. MikeRex's peco's eyes were closed crouched against the wind. MikeRex, after losing grip on the reins, flew towards the remaining doorway. Chibi stood and took a hold of MikeRex's hand as he flew past her. He held on tightly his eyes willing her to hold tightly to her sword. The ground where her sword was planted began to crack.

Loki smiled and came forward taking a hold of Chibi's sword. "I'll be glad to be rid of you too." He pulled it free and let go. Chibi and MikeRex fell through the last remaining doorway. A golden rope snaked over Loki's head and wrapped tightly around him. "No!"

Forseti and Thor bound him tightly. "You focus too much on tormenting humans that you forget us." Forseti sealed Loki into an icy cocoon and disappeared along with Thor.

~~~

Lack sat up. The sound of water rolling under the jetty sounded in his ears. "You alright Master Lack?" He looked up to see Chibi's green Lif. "I was worried. You wouldn't answer my call."

Lack held his head and looked around. "Where are we? And how are you still with me?"

Flyte sat next to him and cast Heal. "As far as I can tell, we are on Nameless Island. I can't sense my Mistress anywhere near at this moment so I don't think she's on this island. I don't sense anyone near here actually. My Mistress knew about this and told me to stay with you."

Lack sighed and stood up. "I guess that means that I won't be able to find the Warpra assigned to here." His head hurt from landing hard. This was what she was talking about? Does she have premonition power like Tre? Lack and Flyte walked up the jetty to the houses. "Let's look around first to see if we can find a way back."

~~~

Izual awoke to find Kchan laying over him. He looked around, the roar of the sea crashing below against the cliff could be heard, many empty houses dotted the land in front of him.

Kchan groaned and sat up. "You alright Izzy?" she asked holding her head where it had come into contact with his armor. Izual gave her a kiss on the forehead and smiled. Kchan squeezed her eyes shut and forced the pain away. The sound of movement caught their ears. Izual held his poleaxe in front of him and together they crept towards the noise.

~~~

"Where are we?" MikeRex asked looking around. Chibi placed a hand into the fountain and picked up some water, letting it drain through her fingers. "Chibi?"

"Nameless Island," Chibi replied looking around area. "In the town central square if I'm not mistaken." She drew her sword and motioned to MikeRex to follow her.

"Someone's coming," he said holding tightly onto his poleaxe and leaned against the building next to her. Chibi stepped out and pointed her sword at the person's throat. The person took a hold of her sword's blade and smiled. MikeRex lowered his poleaxe and let out a sigh. "Lack… Don't scare us like that."

Chibi kept her sword at his throat. "You're not Lack." MikeRex jerked slightly at the tone of her voice. "Lack has my Homunculus with him. You don't have her with you. Reveal yourself to me now."

Lack smiled and his hand holding her sword pulled her close. "I am Lack." He held her tightly forcing her to drop her sword. MikeRex, uncertain what to do, held his poleaxe in guard position. Lack took a hold of Chibi's left wrist and squeezed tightly. Chibi struggled against him and cried out as the bones cracked under his strength. MikeRex pulled Chibi away and held his poleaxe at Lack's chest.

"You aren't Lack," He said keeping Chibi close to him. "He wouldn't hurt Chibi without reason." Lack pulled his gloves tight and settled into an offensive stance. MikeRex set Chibi down and placed both hands on his poleaxe, settling into a guard position.

~~~

Izual and Kchan approached the noise. Before them, Lack and MikeRex were fighting aggressively. Behind MikeRex, Chibi sat holding her left wrist close to her chest. Izual gave Kchan a nod and they came out. Izual caught MikeRex's Poleaxe and Lack's fist forcing them to stop. Kchan walked over to Chibi and silently took her wrist casting Heal.

Lack pulled away from Izual and cast Fury. MikeRex settled into guard position next to Izual. "It's not the real Lack," MikeRex explained to Izual. "He broke Chibi's wrist when she challenged his identity." Izual glanced back at Kchan, who confirmed Chibi's broken wrist, then settled into a more offensive stance with his poleaxe. Lack growled and leapt at them.

~~~

Flyte flew next to Lack looking around everywhere. "Master Lack," she said softly pulling at his clothes. Her eyes were on a blue figure approaching them. Lack turned and looked. "She's not real. My connection to my Mistress tells me that this person isn't her."

Lack pulled his gloves tight as the blue figure points her sword at him. "Who are you?" he asks the figure.

"I am Chibi," She replied settling into guard position. It smiled and slashed it's sword at Lack. "You have no chance of defeating me… Lack!"

~~~

MikeRex and Izual sliced Lack in two, causing him to disappear. "I don't feel too good doing that," Izual said to MikeRex. They walked back towards Kchan and Chibi. "It's like killing one of my friends."

"It wasn't really him," MikeRex replied settling down next to Chibi, who was moving her left hand around testing it. "So it's alright I guess. But I know what you mean." Chibi picked up her sword with her left hand and dropped it again. "I think," MikeRex said picking up Chibi's sword and placing it in it's sheathe on her belt. "You should stay as support. You can't carry your sword with your wrist like that."

"I'm always support," Chibi grumbled causing Kchan and Izual to laugh. "Even Lack doesn't let me fight even when I can."

~~~

Asura Strike!

Chibi fell to her knees and disappeared. Lack sat down feeling a little bad for lkilling someone who looked like Chibi. Flyte pat him on the head and cast Heal. "If that was really Chibi," she said perching herself on his shoulder. "She wouldn't of attacked you without reason. My Mistress thinks of you highly Master Lack."

"That's nice to know," Lack said with a sigh. "But still, it doesn't feel very good to kill someone that I want to protect." He winked at Flyte.

"My Mistress doesn't cause trouble intentionally for you," Flyte replied pointing towards a very large building. "It just follows her. As it follows you. It’s what being a High Seat is all about. I feel my connection to her flowing that way."

"Alright then," Lack got up and followed Flyte's directions. "I hope everyone at Loki's castle are alright."

FCGS - Chapter 21

Pre-Chapter Notes: You've probably noticed that I've changed the orientation of the story from a general view to a more Chibi-focused view. Because the RORevolution server, the one from the time these characters were created, was wiped, reborn, then dropped (I think…). So I moved the story to focus more on Chibi since she was my character on RORevolution and makes it easier for me to complete the story.

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"I thought you guys were ever going to come back," Phenomenon exclaimed watching them step out of the Warp Portal Lack had cast. "It's been incredibly silent. Its kind of scary being here alone…"

Chibi knelt and gave him a pat on her head then took his hands. "Poor boy," she teased and placed a pair of Knuckles on his hands. "A gift from me to you. They won't disappear when you switch from High Priest to Champion and you can use them with Mjolnir." Phenomenon looked at one and raised an eyebrow. "There's a few surprises in them. You'll see during our battle…"

As if on cue, Rena appeared growing from the shadow of a tree. "We're in big trouble guys." LadyDeathStrike gave Chibi a small smile. Lack decided to give Chibi a really long lecture on hiding information when this was all over. Rena ignored all the interplay and continued. "I'll take you there. Everyone take a hold of one of my arms and don't let go." She warped them into Loki's castle.

~~~

"This is getting nowhere!" MikeRex cried thrusting his Poleaxe into a blue gem. Looking around he saw Rena come through the shadow near the door. "Finally! Lack these guys are difficult. No matter how many blue gems we smash they won't die."

Chibi peeked out from behind Lack and looked at the doppelgangers. LadyDeathStrike stood on Lack's other side looked at the doppelgangers as well. Chibi lifted her head and whispered in his ear. "Use your Knuckles. Cast Asura Strike and try and hit the doppelganger in the chest. Dead centre."

LadyDeathStrike added softly. "Don't miss." Lack gave them both a dirty look and prepared Asura Strike. LadyDeathStrike relayed the same information to Phenomenon, who did the same. MikeRex and JohnFlora kept one doppelganger in one spot. Lack stepped up and focused. Pooling all of his power, he cast Asura Strike.

Lack's Asura Strike exploded not only knocking down the doppelganger but from the combination of four elements being forced into the doppelganger causing blue gems to shower everyone in the room. Lack stared shaking at where the doppelganger was. Running over to Chibi he shook her hard. "What the hell was that?! You knew that was going to happen didn't you?" His back got pelted with blue gems as Phenomenon got rid of another doppelganger. His grip hardened on Chibi's shoulders as his anger began to rise. "Explain now…. Everything."

Chibi heard the danger note in Lack's voice that she always heard when he got to his breaking point. "The Knuckles I gave you and Phen have the basic four elements. When you put those four together, like as in using them with an attack like Asura Strike, it causes those elements to force each other away causing an explosion." Lack's grip on her shoulders didn't lessen. Chibi wondered if there was something else he wanted to know because she explained the Knuckles .

"And earlier?" Lack said his voice still dangerous. Being showered with blue gems for a second time, as Phenomenon dealt with the last doppelganger in the room, didn't help soothe his anger. "When we were at the Alchemist Society. You knew Rena was going to come to us and bring us here."

Ah. Chibi thought looking towards LadyDeathStrike with a 'Help Me!' expression. He doesn't know about Eir and everything to do with Azoth. It'll take too long to explain all of that too him. Tadakono put a hand on Lack's left hand, and LadyDeathStrike took his right hand. They pulled him away from Chibi. "There's a time to explain things and the reason for me to know that is too long to tell now." Chibi straightened her cape, ignoring Lack's angry growl.

MikeRex coughed and his brother began to heal Balawis. Rena stood between Lack and Chibi. "She's right. There's more doppelgangers outside and if we don't organize ourselves we'll all be in deep trouble." She backed away a little from Lack's angry stare. "You can take your anger out on Chibi later." She looked back at Chibi and added "Right?"

Chibi walked away and came over to MikeRex. She held out her hand and he placed her Azoth carefully there. She tucked her Azoth into it's loop on her belt. "We can't rely on Asura Strike. These doppelgangers are created solely with blue gems. It'll be difficult to destroy them." She walked over to the door and touched it. She could feel the doppelgangers on the other side. Spinning, stared at Lack. "Move away." She said in a very dominating tone. Lack growled and came at her instead. "Loki's coming. Unless you want to kill your support, you better start paying attention."

The corner where Lack had been standing shimmered. Loki appeared and smiled at them all. "I see you can defeat my doppelgangers. Then!" He summoned monsters they haven't seen before. "Let's see if the power of the tower is a match for you all."

MikeRex leveled his poleaxe and blocked a Retribution's attack. It's speed matching his perfectly. JohnFlora supported his brother quickly. LadyDeathStrike forced a Solace into a corner. Her critical attacks not always hitting. Phenomenon changed to a High Priest and supported her. Tadakono and Rena tag-teamed against an Observation using their Vitata Clips to support each other. Balawis pushed a Shelter to the wall and kept it there. Lack, torn between helping Chibi and helping Balawis, attempted to get Chibi to a more supporting position. Before Chibi stood four beasts, she knew their names and abilities. Their eyes stared at her.

"Thanatos Odium," Chibi began causing all the monsters in the room to freeze at her voice. "Thanatos Dolor, Thanatos Despero, and Thanatos Maero. Guardians of Thanatos Tower and protectors of the Memory of Thanatos, hear my words. Remove these monsters from my sight. If you refuse, may you be destroyed and sealed within the depths of Yggdrasil." The four monsters growled at her, not moving an inch from their spot.

Lack rested a hand on Chibi's shoulder and whispered, "Have you gone nuts? If these monsters are from Thanatos Tower, saying that will anger them." Chibi could feel his anger had cooled because of his surprise.

"I know how to deal with these guys," Chibi replied stepping forwards towards them. The four stepped back away from her. "Until I explain to you everything, don't question what I am doing."

Lack followed her and replied, "Eir has told me everything to do with Azoth. You don't need to explain much to me now." Chibi continued forwards. The monsters that were attacking everyone moved to attack Chibi. Their loyalty to the Guardians of Thanatos Tower created a desire to protect them against this unknown threat. "Chibi?"

Chibi said nothing and continued until the four were against the wall. "Answer me. As the container of the pieces of Thanatos, my will overrides yours. I can send you to the deepest pits of hell if you refuse me." Thanatos Maero raised a hand and caused the lesser monsters to freeze on the spot. It nodded at Chibi and the four knelt before her. Chibi relaxed and sighed. The sound of a soft breeze flowed through the room. Chibi listened carefully. "You wish to protect me against Loki? He's the one who summoned you all." Listening to the silent voices of the four, she replied. "I understand. I accept your proposal. I also add a condition of my own. Do not harm anyone within this room. Protect them as best you can." They nodded and stood waiting for instructions.

MikeRex and Lack each took a hold of Chibi's shoulders. They could feel demonic magic flowing from her. "Chibi?" Lack began and stopped when Chibi raised her hand.

"You know that Eir used the four pieces of Thanatos Tower to heal me after I warped Azoth," Chibi replied adding the extra information so MikeRex could follow. "The monsters of Thanatos Tower cannot lay a finger on me without suffering at the hands of the combined power of the pieces within me." She looked at him. Her eyes flecked with red. "I'm purely demonic in nature now until my Spiritual Power heals. With that said I can't be Healed," Glancing at Tadakono, she added "Or be Resurrected. The Holy magic from those things hurt too much."

Lack sighed seeing he had no choice. He turned to Phenomenon and asked "Can you stay as support with John?" He glanced at Chibi. "There's Holy magic in your potions too. So that means you can support either." Chibi nodded and listened waited while everyone planned their attack strategy against the doppelgangers outside.

~~~

Loki raged angrily at the sight of his summoned monsters following Chibi's orders in his mirror. "How is that possible!" He cried throwing dagger at the mirror causing it to shatter. "She has pieces of Thanatos? How could I not sense those within her."

Hel shook her head. In the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of silver and black. There's someone else in the castle. She got up and went to her bedroom. I wonder who. She touched the mirror above her dressing table. It misted over, then clearing to reveal a silver Lord Knight and a black Assassin Cross running down the hall towards the room with Lack and the others. Brotherhood? When did they return? I don't wish to be here now. Father will surely lose now that they have enough strength gathered to defeat him. She packed her bags, picked up Morgue's sleeping head, and disappeared.

~~~

"I hope they're still alright," the silver Lord Knight said to the black Assassin Cross. "Tyr was worried. He said he couldn't feel Lack's presence within Rune-Midgard anymore."

"This place isn't exactly in Rune-Midgard is it?" The Assassin Cross replied drawing her jurs to the sound of fighting ahead. She and the Lord Knight leapt and together brought down a doppelganger. They looked up, confused at the sight before them.

~~~

Chibi sat down hard holding her arm where a doppelganger had cut her. The four Guardians stood in a ring around her. The lesser monsters had disappeared being too weak to fight against the combined might of the doppelgangers. A shower of blue gems caused her to look up. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Lack!" She cried staring at the pair who were staring right back at her.

Lack, who was occupied with the doppelganger before him, looked briefly at Chibi then at the direction she was looking. Casting Asura Strike on the doppelganger, he leapt into the ring and stood next to Chibi, replenishing his Magical Power. He smiled and extended his hand to his old friend. "Izual! When did you get back to Rune-Midgard? I heard that you and Kchan went exploring the outer world together."

"We did," Kchan said in a miffed voice. Izual shook Lack's hand strongly. "Tyr asked us to return and told us to come straight here." She looked at the four Guardians, then at Chibi, then finally at Lack. "Things have really changed here."

"We'll talk explain later," Lack replied looking towards the remaining doppelgangers. "But for now…"

"We understand," Izual replied letting go of Lack's hand and taking Kchan's. "Let's go!" Together they leapt into the battle.

Lack crouched down near Chibi and whispered "Will you be alright?" Before Chibi could answer Thanatos Despero patted his shoulder. He could hear it's voice whisper in his head. Chibi drew out her embryo and summoned her Lif, which began to heal her. "Holy magic?"

"My Lif directly responds to my Spiritual Power," Chibi explained letting it's power wash over her. "Therefore it's Heal isn't purely Holy." She noticed his concerned expression. "I'll be alright. Get in there and do some damage. I'll catch up soon."

~~~

Kchan stabbed a doppelganger with the point of her Jur and cast Soul Breaker right into its body. Izual jumped over her and swung his poleaxe around slicing it's head off completely. Kchan back flipped away from the explosion of blue gems and landed near Chibi to give her a wink before leaping at another doppelganger. She wanted to give Chibi a little greeting at least because they were old friends.

"How many left?" LadyDeathStrike asked breathing hard. Phenomenon cast Heal on her and echoed her question with his own sigh. "This is really endless!" she cried and swiped at a doppelganger missing it by an inch.

"Just five left," Balawis replied shooting one in the throat causing it to explode. "Make that four." A blue streak flew past him causing him to spin in circles before renewing his attack.

Lack spun and had just enough time to leap back away from a doppelgangers blade. Chibi leapt to where he was standing and locked blades with it. Her eyes both dark and menacing. From just looking at her, Lack felt she was a cat with it's fur standing on end. Her Lif healed him and it pointed to a bottle hanging from her belt. "You want me to take it?" It nodded and mimed throwing it at the Doppelganger. Chibi let out a shriek and forced the doppelganger backwards so it fell over. Lack stared at her in surprise. He had never seen her fight with that much intensity before. Her Lif poked him and pointed at the bottle again before darting off quickly to heal Chibi.

"You going to take it or what?" Chibi yelled spinning and locking swords with the doppelganger again. The bottle swung on her belt. Lack sighed and came close to her, taking the bottle and throwing it at the doppelganger. Chibi jumped up and cut the bottle in half spilling the contents over the doppelganger. "Lack!" She locked swords again with the doppelganger. Lack leapt over her and cast Asura Strike knocking down the doppelganger. It exploded into potions that looked exactly like the one Lack had thrown.

MikeRex, getting the idea, smashed a bottle that was flying over a doppelganger, then brought his poleaxe down hard slicing the doppelganger in half. He backed up with his back against Izual. "I get what Chibi did. The potions contain a substance that unravels doppelgangers. She made it to help us make quick work of them."

"We just smash the bottles then," Kchan replied bringing her jurs through two bottles near her. "Lets make these two into none!" The liquid from the bottles sprinkled over the remaining doppelgangers. Kchan cast Meteor Strike catching both doppelgangers. Spinning, she sliced both through the waist, then down the middle. "That's all of them." She said with a smile as they exploded into blue gems.

Lack tapped Chibi's shoulder, still feeling her demonic aura very strongly. The four Guardians shook with fear behind her. "What's wrong?" Her aura intensified and he backed away, his Holy power trying to suppress her demonic aura. "Chibi… If there's something coming, then tell me."

Chibi's Lif shivered. It opened it's mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Frustrated, it pulled at Lack's clothes. It squeezed it eyes shut and tried to speak. Lack looked worriedly at it. MikeRex and Izual came close to Lack. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure." Lack replied watching Chibi's Lif try to talk. "All I can gather is that…" He paused as the air near Chibi rippled. Eir appeared and placed a hand on Chibi's head. Chibi's Lif relaxed and leaned against Lack. It's mouth still moving as if explaining what was going on.

"Relax now Chibi," Eir whispered in her ear. "Feeding anger to the pieces doesn't help you." She felt Lack standing near her. "I'm going to take Chibi away from here. It's affecting her more than it should." Lack nodded and Eir took a hold of Chibi and left. Chibi's Lif floated around Lack and touched his cheek. The four Guardians disappeared also.

"Looks like she told me to stay with you," It said to him. Lack stared at it. "When I touched your cheek I linked myself to your Spiritual Power. Because yours is so immense, I temporarily have my ability to speak."

"So what happened just then," he asked watching MikeRex gather everyone to him and start re-planning their attack strategy. "All I could get was Chibi's aura was increasing."

"Her Spiritual Power use to be almost equal yours. While the differences in your physical strengths are different, as they should be, the amount of Life and Spiritual Power you both hold are almost the same." It explained floating around happily. "After Chibi created and warped Azoth, both decreased to a level that made it difficult for her to fight like she use to. To compensate the loss, the pieces make up a large portion of her power. While it's unusable, if Chibi reaches her breaking point, she can't control the demonic power of the pieces. The more anger she feeds them the more uncontrollable they become. It's why Eir took her away, she was worried about the pieces taking over."

"Right then…" Lack walked over and gave Kchan a slap on the back. "Where are we going now?"

FCGS - Chapter 20

Chibi awoke and smashed one of the gems around her. She could feel an Alchemist close by. Being the High Seat, she could tell that this person wasn't registered to the Society. Getting up she walked in the direction her senses were telling her.

"Feeling better now Chibi?" An Alchemist in green asked. She carried Chibi's mini pouch and a silvery pouch that she was tucking herbs into. "Eir said that you'd take me to Al de Baran when you woke up."

"Eir did?" Chibi tilted her head to one side. "To the Alchemist Society?" The Alchemist nodded and closed the silvery pouch. "Can I see your insignia?" The Alchemist gave Chibi her clear gem. Placing the gem on the palm of her left hand, she placed her right hand over the top and closed her eyes. "I see… Now I know who you are." She opened her eyes and returned the gem to the Alchemist. "Sorry Dia. I didn't recognize you."

"It's alright," LadyDeathStrike replied giving Chibi both pouches. "There's heaps of herbs in there now. Eir said that you'll like this pouch." She poked the silvery pouch . Noticing Chibi's expression, she added "It's a Mark 2 Omega pouch."

"That explains everything," Chibi replied pulling out two Butterfly Wings from up her sleeve. "I don't know where you will appear. But once you reach the town that Butterfly Wing takes you to, ask Warpra to send you to Al de Baran. I'll meet you in front of the Clock Tower. Be careful though, Punks sometimes escape from the barrier around Al de Baran and wander around. If you meet one, try to kill it as an Alchemist. You gain experience more that way." Chibi tore her Butterfly Wing and disappeared.

LadyDeathStrike tore her Butterfly Wing and appeared in Morroc. Walking up to Warpra, she asked if she can send her to Al de Baran. Warpra bowed and sent here to Al de Baran.

~~~

Bomb! Acid Demonstration! Acid Terror!

A Punk puffed at Chibi forcing her back against a wall. "That's it I've had it!" Chibi screamed casting Alchemical Coating onto herself and her sword then casting Acid Demonstration directly in front of her. Her flames licked at her body. Ignoring the pain she waited. The Punk came forward intent on attacking her again. It squealed as the flames burnt the fur on it's small body. Chibi brought her sword down hard and sliced it in half. Resting on her sword, she heard numerous hands clapping.

"Welcome back to Al de Baran," Juliet Kafra said giving her a pat on the back and handing her a bottle of water. "Haven't seen you in ages! Word has it that the Alchemist Society are trying to hide that you might be dead."

"I'm just not appearing on their orbs Jules," Chibi replied drinking it without a second thought. Feeling the sting as it flowed down her throat, she knew she was given Holy Water. "No big deal. I can fix that when I take Dia to get registered there."

"Dia?" Juliet asked looking around and seeing a green Alchemist walk up to them. "For a second I thought you meant Dia as in LadyDeathStrike the Assassin Cross. It just sounded strange to me that's all." Extending her hand to LadyDeathStrike, she added "Nice to meet you. I'm Juliet the current Kafra Manager. If you need anything or want to create a storage account with us feel free to come by the Office on the north side of town." Giving a wink at Chibi she smiled. "I know Alchemists always have more than they can carry and if your guild doesn't have a lab for you to store those items, it becomes incredibly difficult."

"I'll keep that in mind," LadyDeathStrike replied shaking Juliet's hand. "I might come by after my visit to the Alchemist Society." Glancing at Chibi, she added "We better get going. Lots to do." Chibi nodded. Juliet waved goodbye and they walked towards the south-west side of town.

"Chibi…" LadyDeathStrike said stopping and pulling at Chibi's clothes. "Umm…"

"I see it too," Chibi replied keeping her eyes on the Punk. "You saw how I killed the one earlier right?" She drew a few bombs from her pouch and held them out to LadyDeathStrike. "Do the same. You'll begin to learn the basic instinctual knowledge of an Alchemist the more you fight. Remember to bottle any moth dust it drops. You'll need it for Elemental Potions." Chibi stepped back and touched LadyDeathStrike's shoulder, murmuring "Link this person's like thread to mine and let's walk the path of this battle together." In a louder voice the added "I'll be your support. I won't let you die til you kill it."

~~~

Lack sat staring at the ceiling. It was almost evening and Chibi hadn't arrived yet. "Is Eir sure she's going to come here?" He asked Yukiko for the tenth time. Knowing the answer he continued "It's like we've abandoned Phen."

Tadakono put his feet onto a chair and sighed "I'm sure it'll be alright. If something does, or has, happened Phen would of sent a message through our Emergency System."

"I hope you're right," Lack replied resting his head onto the table and drew on the box containing bottles in front of him.

~~~

"Lady Chibi!"

"Welcome back, Chibi-sama!"

LadyDeathStrike walked slightly behind Chibi ask they walked up the large hallway towards a pair of wooden doors ornately carved with vines bearing potions instead of fruit.
"This is the Hall of Notable Alchemists, "Chibi replied as they passed a picture of herself and Flyte. "Alchemists who have attained the level of Creator have a photo hung somewhere here in this hall. Up ahead is the Orbital Room. It's where Myself, Mazenda and Yukiko monitor the life threads of Alchemists and Creators across Rune-Midgard. We keep track of who's where and if anything has happened to them such as death or change in level from Alchemist to Creator."

They stepped into the Orbital Room and a dark red Creator jumped out and tackled Chibi to the ground. "You're here! Finally!! I was all by myself! Yukiko hasn't returned from the Alchemist Shop yet."

"Yukiko is there recording data remember?" Chibi looked up at LadyDeathStrike and sighed. "This is Mazenda, by the way, She's the Middle Seat of the Alchemist Society. She could of sent a member to collect the data and ask Yukiko to return to help her with the Orbs."

Mazenda pouted and folded her arms. "Yukiko doesn't like me. She is always picking on me." Chibi got up and touched the orb that represented Yuno sending a letter floating down from the sky to Yukiko. "What are you doing?"

"Preparing in case I don't come back," Chibi replied touching another orb that represented Prontera causing three letters to fall from the sky there. Mazenda began to cry. "Lack, myself and a few of the other guild masters are going to storm Loki's castle. Yukiko will be here and three exceptional Alchemists will be collecting data for us at the Alchemist Shop." Looking at LadyDeathStrike she continued, ignoring Mazenda's tears. "Let's get you registered." She led her over to a large orb that swirled with names. "This is the collection Orb. It's what controls the other orbs. Place your hand here." She indicated to the a silver plate stuck on the front of the orb. "You'll know when the orb is finished gathering data about yourself."

Chibi walked into the Office of the High Seat behind the large orb. On her desk sat an orb that told her location. It revealed nothing but a white cloud-like mass swirling around inside. Touching the orb, she allowed it to update it's information on her. Moving her hand away, the white had cleared and showed a bird's eye view of the Alchemist Society.

~~~

Yukiko opened the window and a letter floated in to her. Turning it over, it possessed Chibi's cat head insignia. Lack and Tadakono looked up sharply watching her. "It's from Chibi." She said sitting down and breaking open the letter. "She says to come to the Alchemist Society. Hmm… She wants me to work on the orbs. There's also a message for you here as well Lack."

Lack took the parchment and read it out loud to Tadakono as well. "Lack, Come to the Alchemist Society in Al de Baran. There's a few things here that might be of use to you. Use my insignia to get through the potion ivy door."

"Potion ivy?" Tadakono asked confused. "Did she write that wrong and mean poison ivy?"

"Nope," Yukiko replied taking out the key to the Alchemist Shop. "The doors to the Orbital Room in the Alchemist Society is engraved with potion ivy." Lack picked up the box and followed her out the front door. Tadakono looked around the tea room quickly to make sure they didn't leave anything before walking out after them.

Outside, Yukiko locked the door and together they walked to Warpra.

~~~

Chibi looked around the ancient lab in the basement of the Alchemist Society. She held four Knuckles in one hand and a Belt in the other. LadyDeathStrike watched her curiously. "I'm going to create personalized items for Tada, Lack, and Phen. I know Loki's weakness so I want to strengthen the three of them."

Mazenda brought in various ingredients that LadyDeathStrike had never seen before. Mazenda looked at Chibi and frowned. "You'll be alright doing this alone? I know compared to Azoth this is easy but still…" Chibi waved her hand and set about setting up her equipment. "I'll bring them down here when they get here. Just don't do anything too… Well... you know…"

Chibi didn't answer and crushed a few Yggdrasil seeds and placed them into a flask with a Fire Elemental Potion at the bottom. What she had in mind was making pair of dual elemental knuckles for Lack and Phenomenon that could be used with Mjolnir. For Tadakono, she wanted to force a Mistress and Pharaoh card-like abilities into a belt so he had it with him more securely than on his head. She drew an alchemy array on the table and them waited til the potion began to boil and added Rough Wind, for a wind property, and Star Crumb, for strength. Placing two knuckles in to the middle of the array, she poured the flasks contents then placed her hands either side of the array and focused her energy.

~~~

"What in God's name was that?" Yukiko cried as the Alchemist Society rocked from an explosion for the second time. Mazenda ran up to her and pulled her arm. "It's her isn't it?" Yukiko's eyes narrowed. "She's using the ancient lab to do a working." Mazenda nodded and led them into the Orbital Room then towards the Office of the High Seat. "Her orb's working now?" Again Mazenda nodded and paused, her hand over the doorknob.

"It's alright," Chibi opening the door and stepped out of the office to them. "I just updated the orb for it to be able to track me again." She came up close to Tadakono until her nose was almost touching his. "Stay still for me." Without waiting for a reply, she removed his belt and replaced it with the one she made for him. She darted to Lack and took his hands. Lack pulled back slightly and felt her place two Knuckles over his hands. "Gifts from me to you." She looked back at LadyDeathStrike. "Dia, you should turn back before we go."

Lack fell backwards as LadyDeathStrike turned from Alchemist to Assassin Cross. She blushed and said to him "My gift from Jord…" Tadakono gave Chibi the things she asked them for and she was already arranging everything on her belt. LadyDeathStrike looked around then asked Chibi. "It's about time we meet Phen?"

Lack looked curiously at the two of them unsure what was going on. Chibi's eyes darkened briefly before focusing on LadyDeathStrike. "It's time. Rena will be with Phen soon."

FCGS - Chapter 19

Eir drew out dark liquid from Chibi's body. LadyDeathStrike could tell this was the Loki's Whisper. Her heart felt heavy and her thoughts darkened the more of the whisper was drawn out of Chibi. Eir noticed and cast Kyrie on LadyDeathStrike easing the heaviness.

"Eir…" Chibi murmured swaying on the spot. "I don't feel so good." Eir nodded and drew more of the whisper from her. "Is this experimental? Or you know what you're doing this time?" Chibi asked falling to her knees then sitting hard onto the ground, her body still swaying on the spot.

"Half and half," Eir replied drawing the last of it from Chibi's body. "I'm healing you as I go. The Loki's Whisper has been spread everywhere. I almost have it all."

"Loki used it as a gas on me first before using it as a bracelet," Chibi replied. "It probably replaced the oxygen molecules with itself within my body. Only logical reason why I feel so weird at the moment while you're drawing it out."

"Deep breaths for me then Chibi," Eir replied placing both hands onto the fully formed Loki's Whisper. "Let's see if you're logic is right. Because my healing isn't being as effective as it should be." Eir pulled a bottle out of her robes and forced the Loki's Whisper into it. "Feeling a bit better?" Chibi nodded and took another deep breath. "I'll check up on you again somewhere after midday. I need to take this to Kashy. He asked for one to find a way to create an antidote for it."

~~~

Tadakono and Lack walked towards the Alchemist Shop in the northern end of Yuno City. The weaver had pushed them out of her shop after they tried to get more information. Lack took out the pouches and looked at them. To him, they felt and looked like a cloth bag, but he guessed to an Alchemist-class they'd look and feel much more than that.

"Chibi's hiding something isn't she?" Tadakono asked Lack. "I wonder if it's because she knows you'll have a reaction to it, or because she's bound by the Alchemist Code to not say anything about it."

"I should of known," Lack murmured pushing the pouches back into his pocket. "When Chibi and I were taken from Velvet Touch of Enishi headquarters to the Cloud Castle of the Hidden Gods, Chibi and Eir seemed to know each other. Chibi didn't react when Eir patted her on the head. She even purred and rubbed her head against Eir's hand."

It took Tadakono a second to realize Lack was meaning Chibi was in cat form. "Don't beat yourself up about it. You know Chibi by now, she'll hide things from you so you don't get worried about her. And besides, if Chibi knew Eir from when she got Azoth, it means Chibi wasn't completely alone when she collected the items for Azoth."

"I guess you're right…" Lack replied pausing outside a café. "Let's have lunch. I'm hungry and there's still a long walk to go."

~~~

LadyDeathStrike let Chibi rest against the tree and snuck off to hunt lots of herbs. She wanted to surprise her and lessen their afternoon workload. I wonder what else Chibi needs other than herbs. I should of asked her before I left. Walking back to Chibi, she tucked the dozens of herbs into Chibi's mini pouch. Looking up, she noticed Eir crouched near Chibi.

"Good," Eir said softly as LadyDeathStrike approached. "The Loki's Whisper has completely gone and the Thanatos pieces have settled." She looked up to LadyDeathStrike and asked "Can you let her rest for the afternoon before you go back to the boys? Her body is still healing."

"That's alright," LadyDeathStrike replied. "I just wanted to ask her about her potions and what she needed for them." Eir took the pouch and pulled out Chibi's Potion Creation Manual. "They're in there?" Eir nodded and handed it to her.

"If you need anything else," Eir added returning the pouch to LadyDeathStrike. "Her other manuals are in there too. I'll give you this to store all the items you get in there. The mini pouch isn't going to hold much more. Take the herbs from that pouch and put them into this one." Eir held out a silvery pouch. "If Chibi asks, this is a Mark 2 version of the Omega pouch BlackRose gave her. It's lightweight compared to the original."

"Alright," Lady Death Strike looked at Chibi's still sleeping form. "Will she be alright alone here?" Eir placed a ring of blue stones, imbuing them a silver pentacle. "She'll be safe here. Chibi will know this ring was made by me and know how to break it."

"Interesting," LadyDeathStrike mused. "A mix of Alchemy and Black Magic. Never seen that done before." Eir smiled and gave LadyDeathStrike a pat on the shoulder.

"By the way," Eir said locking a bracelet with a red gem around LadyDeathStrike's wrist. "This is from Jord. She says that your ability to see alchemical structures may be weakening due to being close to someone as strong as Chibi for so long. She's created that bracelet… "LadyDeathStrike gave a shriek as is sank into her skin creating a web-like pattern around her wrist. "It's suppose to do that. Anyway, Jord created that bracelet to strengthen your ability and make it more permanent. There may be a small side effect but it's not too bad."

LadyDeathStrike's body felt weird. Her clothes shone and glittered turning into an Alchemist. "Your more like Lack only your second half will need work to get it to the level of Creator. And she said that this was for you as well." Eir held out a clear gem. Inside the gem was a silvery line that divided it in half. On one half, was a single assassins dagger, and on the other half was an condensed potion, both drawn in silver. "This is your insignia. You've seen Chibi's correct?" LadyDeathStrike nodded. "This is yours. The Alchemist Society aren’t the only ones who can grant these. Gods can grant these to people they favor. In your case, this is from Jord." Eir continued to explain in detail to LadyDeathStrike.

~~~

Lack sat spinning a zeny on the table while he and Tadakono waited for the Alchemist Shop owner to return. A red Lif walked out and over to them balancing a tray with some tea and a few biscuits. "I'm sorry for the wait." it said to them, it's voice a soft whisper-like breeze. "My Master didn't say how long she'd be gone for."

"Can you tell me something?" Lack asked tossing the zeny into the air. "How come you can talk? I know a Creator that has a green Lif which can't talk. And she's a pretty powerful Creator."

"Depends on the Creator," The Lif replied taking a seat next to him. "My Master is an expert at Homunculi. Some Alchemists specialize in potions, some in experimentation, and some in life creation." Lack's expression didn't change. "The Creator you know, perhaps, isn't strong enough to give her Lif enough power to talk with it's own free will. My Master is the Secretary of the Alchemist Society, hence why she was given the task of monitoring how much equipment is sold to Alchemists on a monthly basis. The Middle Seat above her excels in Potion Creation and Homunculi. The one given the status of High Seat, is the overseer of the Alchemist Society, excels in all fields of Alchemy. According to my Master, the current whereabouts of the High Seat are unknown."

"Kishu," A Creator stood at the door with a book in her hand. "You're talking too freely to those who aren't of Alchemist-class. What can I do for you?"

"We were sent by Chibi to buy some supplies," Tadakono replied holding out Chibi's insignia. "She needs quite a lot of everything."

The Creator ran forward and grabbed the insignia, her hands shaking. "It's… It's the High Seat's insignia!" Lack looked up wonderingly. "Where… Where is she now? The Alchemist Society has been a complete mess. We lost track of her after she disappeared from Velvet Touch of Enishi. Our orbs don't pick up her or her Lif anymore. We feared she was dead."

"How long ago was it that she didn't register on your orbs?" Lack asked with renewed interest. "I'm curious because she's been at Fight Club and I saw her practically everyday while she was at Velvet Touch of Enishi."

"It's been about half a year since we last could tell where she was on the orbs," The Creator replied sitting next to Tadakono. "Ah! I'm Yukiko." Noticing their concerned expressions, she asked "Is something wrong?"

"That's about the same time she went on the quest to find Azoth isn't it?" Tadakono asked Lack, who nodded. Yukiko looked shocked and stunned at the same time. "Azoth is suppose to be a powerful item for Alchemists isn't it? Then why is it that we hear lots of bad things about it?"

"Because Azoth is created with three ancient items," Yukiko replied, her body going cold. "Is Chibi really human still? Our orbs pick up humans and part-humans, since those who experiment sometimes warp their structure away from being human."

"Chibi looks human," Tadakono replied after a while. He felt anger emanating from Lack. "She speaks and acts like a human. She seem like anything else…" Tadakono paused and remembered back.

Chibi's eyes caught mine. I came over and cast Safety Wall around us. "Tada… I couldn't tell Lack. But I think he knows already. This wound will kill me faster than it will take to kill that doppelganger. I…"

"Chibs," I cast Resurrection. "I already understand what you're asking. It's alright. Just rest and I'll take care of it." The spell wasn't affecting her as it should. I forced the spell into her more.

Lack looked at Tadakono his eyes narrowing. "You're picking up Chibi's habit," he said in a dark voice. "What did you just think of just then that made you pause?"

"My Resurrection spell," Tadakono replied placing Chibi's insignia on the table. "It wasn't affecting her like it would on a human… If anything, it seemed to be hurting her more spiritually while healing her physically. It's the same with any Holy spell Phen used on her."

"She seemed close to Eir too…" Lack murmured resting his head onto the table. "Just what is going on?"

Yukiko looked at the two of them and sighed. "Eir…" She closed her eyes and threw down her own Azoth into the middle of the table causing Lack and Tadakono to jump. "Come here now please. Eir…"

The doorway shimmered and Eir appeared. "You called? I was just with Chibi." She looked at Lack and Tadakono. "I see… Explanations needed right?" Lack and Tadakono nodded. Kishu got up, picked up all the empty cups, plate and teapot, and left the room. Eir sat in the now empty spot and closed her eyes. "Where to begin?"

"Start with when Chibi left Velvet Touch of Enishi," Lack replied softly, his anger lessening in Eir's presence. "It'll make things easier to understand."

"Chibi had to search for three ancient items: Footprints of Cat, Roots of Stone, and Breath of Soul. She knew that these items would be very abrasive to her Spiritual Power so she asked me if I could stay with her during her journey. I agreed on the condition that I was not to intervene in anything she needed to do. Basically I became her support." Kishu returned with a fresh pot of tea and some warm scones, she placed them on the table and then stood behind Yukiko. "The first item she found was Footprints of Cat. She stalked an Eddga to attain it."

Lack's ears pricked back. Eir noticed and nodded. "A difficult battle for her since her main weapon, her Bombs, were ineffective against it. Footprints of Cat tore her Spiritual Power. I asked her if she really wanted to go on… She was determined. It was like there was something driving her to create Azoth. Roots of Stone was next, which she found in a cave at the base of Thor's Volcano. Again, it tore her Spiritual Power apart more. Lastly, Breath of Soul was created using her own Spiritual Power. I don't know how she was still alive after that, but at this point all Alchemist who have gone on the Azoth quest have died from creating Breath of Soul."

Lack shook slightly. Tadakono put his cup of tea down, not wanting to drop it due to his own shaking. Yukiko nodded her eyes closed. "She climbed to the very top of Mt Mjolnir and called Odin as the recipe prescribes. During the creation process, Chibi lost consciousness. Odin gave me the newly created Azoth and told me that because I became her patron of sorts, it was up to me to decide what to do. After he left, I used Sinews of Bear to stick together her torn Spiritual Power. She returned to Velvet Touch of Enishi, with the Azoth."

Lack took a sip if tea with his eyes closed and then asked. "But even so, I know from personal experience, that isn't enough to cause her to not register as even a part-human." He opened one eye and looked at Eir. "When Tyr granted me my Stalker half, it was because I had taken on the quest for Mjolnir which tore my Spiritual Power apart as well."

"I know," Eir replied picking up a cat shaped biscuit. "Tyr asked my advice on how best to repair your Spiritual Power. I recommended to her to grant you a power that splits your existingj Spiritual Power in half. To answer your indirect question, Chibi became less than human after she warped Azoth's structure. She gave Azoth a permanent Alchemical coating. Also with, and I have no idea how she got this, a drop of blood from both you," She indicated towards Lack. "And MikeRex, she allowed the abilities of her Azoth to extend to the two of you. This caused her Spiritual Power to warp. I had to gather the four pieces of Thanatos to temporarily bind her Spiritual Power until it healed itself."

"So…" Tadakono mused picking up his cup again and gently moving it so the contents swirled inside. "What is her current abilities with the four pieces of Thanatos within her? It makes sense to me now why my Resurrection spell doesn't work as effectively as it should."

"Chibi," Eir started glancing at Lack quickly before she looked back at the biscuit in her hand. "Her current abilities are as they were before. The only difference is that her Lif has lost it's ability to speak as it is a direct relation to the Spiritual Power it's Master has. Also, any Holy power directed towards her, hurts her decreasing her Life Power. When she was at the Cloud Castle, I spoke to her with my telepathy. She couldn't respond the same way, but I could tell. The Holy aura in that place was hurting her. I asked BlackRose to take both of you away from there. By mere coincidence, there was an incident happening with Fight Club guildsmen."

"You were with her before you came right?" Lack asked dipping a biscuit into his tea. "Was that to do with the Loki's Whisper?" Eir nodded. "Is she alright now? Or has something changed?"

"She's back to the way she was before Loki captured her," Eir smiled. "But when you meet LadyDeathStrike again, she might not be the same. But that isn't my doing… Just done on my advice."

Lack skipped over that bit of information, deciding to ask LadyDeathStrike directly later on, and looked at Yukiko curiously. "Then does that mean you were more successful at creating Azoth than Chibi?"

"To be technical," Yukiko said reaching back and giving Kishu a small pouch that she had taken from Chibi's Gem and a silent order to retrieve what they need. Kishu bowed and disappeared into the main shop. "My Azoth belongs to my Mother. She died during the creation process. But before she died, she imbued the Azoth with a few pieces of my hair. Basically she did the same thing Chibi did for you. Eir was the one who gave me the Azoth and told me what happened."

Eir got up and gave a small bow. "I need to get going. Lack, can you wait here? Chibi will sending a message here soon." Lack gave her a confused look. "Chibi has someone she needs to teach and register."

FCGS - Chapter 18

"And that's why," Chibi finished ignoring the tingling feeling in her wrist. "It's nothing really too serious. But it is permanent since it happened within my Spiritual Power." She gave a small evil smile. "Maybe I should of given Momo a taste of his own medicine."

"But why red?" LadyDeathStrike asked confused. "I have a friend whom that happened to and her eye went gray. It lost colour. Even when she approached Eir to see if it could be healed, Eir told her that her Spiritual Power absorbed the colour to prevent further damage to that area. But you seem to have gained more colour and if I'm not mistaken…" She came closer to Chibi until their noses touched. "Your eye isn't a human eye anymore. It's more chemical in structure." She looked sideways at Phenomenon, Lack and Tadakono. "I don't know how to describe it in lay terms but I'm sure Chibi understands what I'm saying."

Chibi closed both eyes not wanting LadyDeathStrike to analyze it more. Don't look deeper. It'll hurt both you and me to know the truth. Possessing Azoth cost me much more than you know. Warping it, cost even more. Don't look deeper. Chibi felt LadyDeathStrike move away and she let out a small sigh of relief.

Tadakono, Phenomenon and Lack looked at each other then at LadyDeathStrike. She shrugged and waited til Chibi opened her eyes again. "Can we talk in private?" she asked. Chibi froze and stiffly nodded. LadyDeathStrike got up and extended her hand to Chibi and they move away from the three boys until they were out of hearing range. "I saw it," LadyDeathStrike said leaning against a tree. "You're not completely human anymore, are you." Chibi shook her head. "It's because of Loki? Or your quest to find Azoth?"

"I think both," Chibi replied. "When I went in search of Azoth, I had to find many rare items. Each one stripped away a piece of my Spiritual Power. I found out how to create Azoth by chance. It came to me while I was studying the old texts in Yuno Library."

"What did you need?" LadyDeathStrike asked. "If you can't tell me because it breaks the Alchemist code then don't."

"I needed Footprints of Cat, Roots of Stone, and Breath of Soul. All of which were ancient and well guarded items of the Gods," Chibi sighed and them added. "Along with a Moonlight Dagger, I had to climb to the summit of Mt Mjolnir and call Odin to create Azoth with the items." She paused and took a deep breath. "During the creation process, I passed out. And when I awoke, Eir was standing near me holding Azoth. She told me that from collecting the ancient items alone, I risked my life thread. She had healed me but because I had holes in my Spiritual Power, she used Sinews of Bear to stitch the remaining pieces together. She warned me that I could disappear if I take on another quest similar to Azoth or do an experiment that is beyond my current abilities."

LadyDeathStrike knew where she was going. "You experimented and warped Azoth's nature to allow Lack and MikeRex the ability to use your Azoth. That's more than any Alchemist-class can do."

Chibi nodded. "The Sinews of Bear within me absorb most of the shock but caused my own structure to warp slightly. Tadakono probably feels it when he uses Resurrect on me that it's not as effective as it should be. Eir visited me the day I warped Azoth, she granted me my ability."

"To turn into a cat?" LadyDeathStrike asked.

"No," Chibi replied. "That was Kashy after my dealings with athan. What Eir granted me was the ability to see a certain distance into the future. The distance is short and it's always a definite reading regardless of choices. Then to seal my Spiritual Power so no more can be damaged, she placed four pieces of Thanatos within my heart. Because of the darkness of those four pieces, I can't touch any Holy items without suffering damage to my Life Power. She told me that as time goes on my Spiritual Power will heal, it will remove a piece of Thanatos."

"Pieces of Thanatos?" LadyDeathStrike looked confused. "As in pieces from Thanatos tower?"

"Not exactly," Chibi explained. "The four pieces of Thanatos are fragments that represent the four beasts that guard Thanatos himself. Agony, Despair, Sorrow and Hatred. If I was to set foot in Thanatos Tower, no monster there would attack me because of these fragments. When Loki caught me, his use of a Loki's whisper excited the pieces and caused them to spread physically throughout my body. I'm basically now demonic in nature. Any Holy weapon brought against me will hurt me more than it would a normal human."

"So then," LadyDeathStrike said slowly formulating what she wanted to say next. "What do you see in the future?"

"Towards the end of this day," Chibi began, her eyes going dim and black. "Rena will return to us. She will warp us into a room with three doppelgangers and more trying to break the door down outside. Mike and John will be fighting Jemini and old allies will come to our aid from a guild older than Fight Club. Loki will lose to the power of the combined Guilds and be bound by the power of Forseti and Thor." Chibi's eyes returned to their normal state and she looked up at LadyDeathStrike. "We'll win this battle, if we wait for Rena, but as far as I can see, Loki won't stay still even after being bound." Chibi poked her pouch absently. I wonder how far in the future what I saw before is. If Lack goes to Nameless Island, I need to make sure he doesn't go. It shouldn't be too far ahead now.

"How will you get the boys to stay for that long?" LadyDeathStrike asked. Chibi removed her pouch and sat down onto the ground. Tipping it upside-down, she counted the contents. "You're low on stock…" LadyDeathStrike sat down next to Chibi and helped her sort the various potions, herbs, leaves and bottles.

"I'll need to go hunting," Chibi replied lifting up a condensed red potion and giving it a shake. "And visit the Alchemist shop in Yuno for more bottles…" She smiled evilly. "I can send the boys on an errand to Yuno, make one wait for Rena and we can go hunting for herbs and other things."

"Sounds good," LadyDeathStrike replied mimicking Chibi's smile. "Lets head back."

~~~

Phenomenon stabbed a stick into the ground and began to uproot a glistening red rock. "How long do you think they're going to talk for?" Pocketing the rock, he looked up. "Ah, they're coming back."

"Chibi's going to send us on an errand for her," Lack mused watching them come back, his eyes clearly seeing Chibi's saber and pouch had switched sides. "She looked through her pouch just now." He looked back at the two. "So who stays and who's going to go where she sends us?" They looked at him with raised eyebrows. "If you don't believe me, Chibi's pouch is on her left now with her saber on the right."

"I'll stay," Phenomenon replied. "If Mike and the others get into trouble, a supportive class would be more beneficial than a fighting class." He looked at Chibi and LadyDeathStrike as they came close.

"Lack," Chibi said with a wink. "Can you get me some bottles, test tubes and medicine bowls from Yuno?" Chibi shook her pouch for emphasis. "I'm low on supplies and I think that if Mike and the others get into trouble and I'm to be support I'll need more supplies than I have." Lack nodded and got up to go to create Warp Portal to headquarters so he can talk to the Warpra there.

Tadakono looked at Chibi expectantly. "You guys knew I was going to ask…" Tadakono, Phenomenon and Lack nodded. "I assume Phen's staying here. Tada…" Chibi thought for a bit. "Can you go to the leatherworker in Yuno and give them this." Chibi took off her pouch and saber and set it next to Phenomenon. Then she took off her belt and gave it to Tadakono. "I need a two more loops for pouches. Then go to the weaver and ask for two pouches that Alchemist-class use. If she happens to ask what type. Tell her the Theta model." Chibi opened her pouch and gave him a small blue gem with a silver cat head drawn inside. "Use this insignia when you go to see them. Lack, you may need to use this too when you get the bottles. It's for them to know that I sent you." Lack nodded and cast Warp Portal. Tadakono and Lack jumped in.

"You're going to go herb hunting?" Phenomenon asked. "I don't think you'd be asking for more loops on your belt if you were low on stock. You plan on supporting us properly aren't you?"

Chibi nodded and smiled. "Dia and I are going to hunt herbs and, if we can find any, items to create the potions into condensed potions. It'll be lighter for me to carry that way." She and LadyDeathStrike wished him luck and left for the fields of Yuno.

~~~

"That'll be 1000500 zeny." The leatherworker said to Tadakono and Lack, who stared at each other in shock at the price. "You don't have that much on you?" They shook their heads. "I can't lower the price since my wares are Alchemist specialty."

"Oh!" Tadakono brought out Chibi's gem. "I forgot about this. Tho I guess Chibi didn't mean it for payment." The leatherworker took the gem and looked at it with a trained eye. "I can't sell that to you…"

"I know," the leatherworker replied. "The Creator Chibi sent you did she?" Tadakono and Lack nodded. "I recognize her insignia. Alchemist-class get special discounts when they present their insignia that they received upon graduation from the Alchemist Society." They stared at him confused. "I see. Because you aren't Alchemist-class you don't understand. Alchemists and Creators receive an insignia that certifies them to practice Alchemy. It allows them to attain things like Seed of Life without repercussions. Alchemists usually have a clear gem but when an Alchemist exceeds expectations and attain the level of Creator, the Alchemist Society changes the colour of the gem to represent to colour of the clothing." He placed two fingers onto the gem and drew out a small pouch. "Payment of 50000 zeny has been received. I'll start on the work immediately. Would you like to take a seat?" He motioned over to the lounge area near the main door.

~~~

Chibi cut down a Green Plant and took a few of it's leaves. "Dia…" LadyDeathStrike looked up at her with a few white herbs in her hand. "I think I should call Eir. I need to know if Loki has really affected me or not." LadyDeathStrike nodded and placed the white herbs into the mini pouch Chibi had with her. Chibi closed her eyes and called out mentally. Eir… Eir… You can hear me right? You seem to always be around when I need you. Can you come out please?

"You called?" Eir asked softly. LadyDeathStrike fell backwards not expecting her to appear so suddenly. Eir touched Chibi's cheek. "Loki's done a lot of damage hasn't he… I'll see what I can do. But you'll never be truly human again."

Chibi nodded "Most of those who study Alchemy lose part of their humanity anyway through their experiments." Eir placed a hand on her head. "I've just lose more than the average alchemist." LadyDeathStrike sat leaning against a tree watching in interest.

Eir closed her eyes and sent her power into Chibi. "Sinews of bear seems to be holding well. And the spread of the pieces of Thanatos isn't as bad as I first thought too. They'll still disappear once your Spiritual Power heals. Your left eye has retained a demonic property that will stay that way." She reached out her hand and plucked a bottle of Fluorescent Liquid from the air. "I'll just lighten the colour so it's not so striking." She clutched the bottle hard until it broke. The liquid flowed up to Chibi's eye causing it to go from blood red to a pale pastel pink. "Now to do something about that Loki's Whisper…"

~~~

"Two pouches for an Alchemist?" the weaver asked in surprise. "Most Alchemists only need one. Is Chibi a potion worker? From what I've heard she's more offensive in battle rather than supportive."

Lack frowned. "She's usually supportive for us." The weaver's expression bothered him. "She isn't strong enough to be on the offensive."

"That's where I guess you under estimate her," the weaver replied drawing a small pouch from the gem in Tadakono's hand. "Have you ever wondered where Chibi gets the zeny to pay for her alchemical supplies? Or where she gets the herbs and other items she needs to make potions and other concoctions?"

"She gets some from me, "Tadakono replied. Lack nodded as well. "But even so that's still only a portion of what she normally has. "

"She's the strongest member in the Alchemist Society," the weaver replied proudly. "She always comes to me for repairs to her clothes, pouches and when she's in a really good mood she asks for my specialized pouch that is alchemical in nature. It places items into a storage system. The pouch itself is incredibly light." the weaver looks at them, her eyes sparkling. "Chibi say what type of pouch for Alchemists? There's a fair few types available."

"Chibi said the Theta type," Tadakono replied. "What is the Theta type by the way?"

"Theta type?" the weaver asked her eyes round with surprise. "Chibi has never specifically asked for that type of pouch before. The Theta type pouch allows the user to store up to 300 items at any given time. Chibi usually asks for either the Sigma or Gamma types, as she says they are light and carry a lot. The Theta type is also light but difficult to manage if the user isn't use to using them. It's not a type one uses outside the laboratory." The weaver looked at them carefully. "You sure she said Theta?"

"Positive," Lack replied firmly. "She was certain about it too."

The weaver sighed and shook the pouch she held. "500000 zeny received for two Theta pouches. She prepared the money for them too." She pointed to a tea room. "You can wait there while I create them. It'll take a few hours so feel free to make lunch or whatever in there. Just make sure you clean up after yourselves."

Lack and Tadakono had been sitting in the tea room for a few hours, talking over things they had heard from the leatherworker and the weaver. "What interests me is that Chibi gets an incredible discount. I wonder if it's to do with her insignia." Tadakono mused. Lack shrugged and absently stirred his coffee with a silver spoon. "You think the Alchemist store would give a discount as well?"

"I'm actually wondering about the Theta pouches," Lack replied. "She said that one doesn't normally use them in battle. But Chibi will be… I wonder what type of pouch she's been carrying."

"If it's the one I made for her," the weaver said appearing at the door with the two pouches in her hand. "It's an Alpha pouch. A specially made pouch that has a eight separate pockets. Each pocket can hold 20 of the same item. It's an experimental item I made that she was curious in trying out." She gave the pouches to Lack, who promptly placed them into his pocket. "She's going to get frustrated using those. Unless she's going to use them like a Beta pouch." Seeing their confused looks she sighed "A Beta pouch is a pouch that forces items out that the alchemist is using for a creation process. It's good for speed creation where the alchemist is making many of the same or similar items at once."

"Actually the one she currently carries is one that BlackRose gave her," Lack replied not looking up from his coffee. "She prefers it because for some reason it's easier to manage than the Alpha pouch." Tadakono tapped the table near him. Looking up, Lack noticed the weaver had frozen. "Something wrong?"

"She's using a pouch that was especially made for a Hidden God?" The weaver's voice was shaking. "Chibi shouldn't be able to handle a pouch of that caliber. Pouches for the Hidden Gods are imbued with an ancient item so they can withstand the powers a Hidden God uses. A human alchemist would burn out their ability from using a pouch like that long term."

"Chibi has Azoth," Tadakono replied unsure if his logic was right. "If she can handle Azoth then she should be able to handle a pouch made for the Hidden Gods." Noticing the weaver looked even more shocked, he added "She's had the pouch BlackRose gave her for almost a month now and she's still as strong as ever."

"Did Chibi get Azoth alone?" the weaver asked, her voice low causing both Lack and Tadakono to sit upright. "Because no one who has gone on the quest for Azoth alone has survived. I'm meaning that their life thread was cut somewhere along the journey." Lack and Tadakono looked at her deeply concerned.

FCGS - Chapter 17

"This is Loki's castle?"

"Huge isn't it?"

"Well he is a god… You'd expect him to have a huge castle."

Lack and the rest walked up the stone pathway to the large double doors. Tadakono and Phenomenon looked around and spotted Hel staring at them from a large stain glass window.

"Loki…" Balawis hissed drawing his bow. Everyone followed suit watching Loki skip down the steps and along the path towards them. "Is it just me or is he in a good mood?"

"Lack," Loki said with the biggest grin on his face. "Welcome to my castle. I know you must be tired but I must insist you come into the Arena." Loki steered a confused Lack and walked quickly pushing him. "I have someone you'll want to meet." Stunned, Lack walked following Loki. MikeRex gave an angry growl and motioned everyone to follow.

~~~

"Chibi…" Lack stood facing her in the centre of the Arena. "Are you alright?" Chibi drew her sword and pointed it at him.

"You need to duel," Loki explained to him. "Chibi, herself, requested it." He danced over and wrapped his arms around Chibi. "She's all ready to go, see?"

Lack took a deep breath and pulled his gloves tight. Settling into fighting position, he asked "Are you sure about this, Chibi? You know my strength and my skill as much as I know yours."

"I'm sure," she replied, her voice monotone. "I'm counting on your knowledge." Lack blinked in surprise. Chibi moved her sword into guard position. "Don't hold back."

"If you say so," Lack leaped at her casting Blessing and Increase Agility on himself. She's counting on my knowledge. What does she mean?

~~~

"It's started," Momo said watching though Chibi's windows. "He's holding back."

"I know," Chibi replied. "He's already off balance because she said she was counting on his knowledge. He's trying to work out the meaning behind that."

"You knew all this would happen? I mean your other self saying that?" Chibi nodded her eyes fixed on the window in front of her. "How?"

"I noticed when she paused once before while talking to Loki. Our bodies still retain any habits we have. I have a habit of leaving things out I know Lack will protest against. I also have a habit of giving him subtle clues on things," her eyes searched Lack's image in the window. "I knew that if that was true then my body would hint to him about the Azoth if he had it on him."

"That's a huge chance you took,"

"I know." her eyes spotted the Azoth. "But I trust him to know what to do."

"Chibi…" Momo asked tentatively. "Will… Will you set me free?"

"I'll do what I can in my power to set you free," Chibi said pausing for bit making Momo feel uncomfortable. "But I can't promise that I can. Loki is much more powerful than even Lack…" She looked at Momo uncertain. "It's the most I can offer you."

"It's all I was expecting," Momo replied, his hand moving to take hers but pausing half way. "I don't want you to be recaptured." He firmly forced himself to take her hand.

~~~

Lack changed into a Stalker in mid-flight and brought his daggers down towards Chibi. Raising her right arm, she blocked his daggers and sliced at his waist with her sword. MikeRex and the others called from the sidelines to Lack. Lack ignored them and locked blades with Chibi, his crossed daggers pressing on the blade of her saber.

An explosion threw them apart, Lack noticed Chibi draw another Bomb from her pouch with her right hand and flick them at him. Knowledge… What could she mean? Lack leapt backwards away from the flames. Chibi drew Marine Spheres and Plant bottles, again with her right hand, and scattered them over the field.

Marine Sphere!

Summon Flora!

Lack sliced a Dryad in two and leaped over a Geographer. His eyes watched as she drew another Bomb with her right hand. That's it isn't it? She changed to using potions to hint at me. Looking carefully, he saw a bruise peeping out between the cuts in her glove. I need to get that glove off her. Turning back into a Champion, he stood still watching her.

Chibi threw the bomb at him. Lack punched it hard making it fly back. Chibi shielded herself from the explosion with her right arm, reducing her glove to shreds. She moved her sword to block Lack's twin daggers. Lack pushed her backwards, exchanging his left dagger for Azoth. Chibi raised her sword and brought it down hard towards Lack's head. Without thinking Lack, stabbed her wrist with Azoth, forcing her to release her sword.

The bracelet fell to the ground with a thump. Loki screamed and rushed towards Lack and Chibi, his daggers raised high. MikeRex and Phenomenon blocked his path sending both daggers flying. "You'll all pay for tricking me," Loki growled disappearing from the Arena in a puff of smoke. "You can all die here!"

Lack sat holding Chibi. His eyes soft and concerned. Chibi sat up and took her Azoth from him. "Chibi..." Lack started confused with her silence. "You alright?" Chibi stood up moved away from him. Her hand reached up and touched her left eye. Moving her hand away, Lack could see blood covered her hand. "You're bleeding!" He cast Heal on her.

"Don't Heal me," Chibi said pushing his hands away. "We need to deal with the doppelgangers first and save Momo." She turned to face him and noticed Lack looked hurt. "I don't need to be healed." She reached into her pouch and brought out a bottle of water and a piece of cloth. "This happened a while back. Loki didn't bother to clean it up." She brought the water over her eye then gently wiped away the blood. Looking back at Lack, she smiled and added "It's permanent."

Lack stared at her eyes. Instead of a pair of sky blue eyes, she had one blood-red eye one sky blue eye. "How did this happen?"

"Long story," She pulled Lack's arm to get him moving. "We can thank Momo for it when we break him from Loki's bracelet."

Phenomenon and Tadakono each took a hold of one of Chibi's shoulders. "I think we all need to rest, and recover," Tadakono eyed her right wrist. "And be healed."

"There's no time," Chibi murmured pulling off one of her ribbons and wrapping it around her wrist. "Loki now knows that we have an item than can remove his bracelet off Momo. To ensure his plan isn't completely ruined, he'll either: Place Momo under a new control method, send doppelgangers that were going to be sent to Fight Club at us or find a way to take my Azoth so we can't free Momo." She pulled away from their hands. "He could easily do all three while you're Healing me."

Tadakono took a hold of her right wrist, squeezing it tightly. Chibi's eyes, watering at the pain, stared at him defiantly. "How about this?" he said not letting go of her wrist. "Since both you and Lack need to rest, we'll split up into two groups. That way we aren't all being idle." Lack nodded in agreement at this. "Rena, MikeRex, JohnFlora, and Balawis go into Loki's castle and find Momo. Myself, Phenomenon, LadyDeathStrike, Lack, and you stay here."

"A divided power going into Loki's castle is better than nothing," Balawis added. "Besides, Momo is originally Mike's problem… Uh… I mean guildsman." MikeRex gave Balawis a thump on the head with his poleaxe in response. "I was only joking."

"Chibs," LadyDeathStrike said softly placing her hand where Tadakono's hand held Chibi's wrist. "Eventually this wrist will become unable to move. If that happens in mid battle, it doesn't help any of us as we rely both on yourself and John as support."

"Alright," Chibi sighed and relaxed. Tadakono let go of her wrist and cast Heal with his Vitata Clip. Chibi looked at her Azoth then at MikeRex. MikeRex raised his eyebrow and got off his Peco. "Don't lose it." She said handing it to him. "You'll need it to free Momo. And I will murder you if it isn't returned to me. I went through hell and back to find the ingredients to make it."

MikeRex was taken aback. "I won't lose it," he replied tucking it into his belt. "I won't let Loki take it either." He ruffled her hair. "You've gotten stronger. Much more than you were in Velvet Touch of Enishi." He glanced at Lack. "Maybe because you're beside someone who brings out the best in you better than I could." He jumped onto his Peco. "Let's get moving!" he called to the rest and they left for Loki's castle.

"Lack…" Phenomenon glanced at him. Lack nodded and together they pulled Chibi down to the ground so she was sitting. LadyDeathStrike and Tadakono sat down in front of them. "Tell us why your left eye is blood red." Phenomenon took a hold of Chibi's arm and cast Heal.

FCGS - Chapter 16

"Momo," Chibi whispered softly. "I don't think I'm reaching them. The emergency system keeps slipping away from me." Momo patted her shoulder and gave her a small smile. "I'll keep trying but I'm so tired. It's like I'm draining my spiritual power trying to call them this way." Momo frowned and looked down at her hand. Chibi sighed "You know, in a language that I learnt for a land over the sea, your name means peach… And mine means small. One day you might meet Haru, he's a Professor from Under the Shadows. His name means Spring."

Momo took Chibi's hand and held it tightly. "Stop. You're wearing yourself out," Chibi nodded and closed her eyes again. Momo gazed at her face. I need to think of a way out of here. Chibi's trying her best so I need to try hard too. Maybe… Blushing, he closed his eyes as well. We'll see what happens.

~~~

"Everyone safely tucked down there," Lack asked Rena who nodded in reply. Taking a deep breath, he drew his hand back. "Palm Push Strike!" The wall crumbled sealing the entrance to the dungeons. "They should be safe in there til we return." He fingered his belt and touched Chibi's Azoth.

"That's an Azoth isn't it?" Rena said noticing what he was touching. "Where did you get it?" MikeRex stared at Lack as well.

"It's Chibi's," JohnFlora answered for Lack. MikeRex jumped, his head snapping towards his brother. "Chibi attained it just after she married you. Remember when she disappeared for a about a week?" MikeRex nodded, his eyes narrowing remembering back then. "She left to find it. She told me because she said that if she didn't come back that it would hurt you."

"So that's when she got it," Lack mused. "I didn't know she had it til she used it to unravel the alchemical structure of a doppelganger. I wish she'd tell me things like that."

"My sentiments exactly," MikeRex echoed thoroughly angry with himself for not noticing it even when she had returned. "But how do you have it now?"

"Chibi was injured by a doppelganger and was still recovering when another doppelganger attacked me," Lack replied, his eyes downcast. "She created a potion for me to throw at the doppelganger. She must of known it wouldn't work properly so she threw her Azoth at it as well. The combination caused the doppelganger to unravel. I never got a chance to give it back to her."

LadyDeathStrike held out her hand and asked "May I see it?" Lack drew the Azoth and handed it to her carefully. "I see now. I think Chibi knew more than you think Lack. This Azoth is coated with Chemical Coating. It also has the Fight Club and Velvet Touch of Enishi guild symbols carved into the base here. "She pointed it out to him. "She's warped it's structure slightly so that the guild master of both guilds can use it as an Alchemist can." LadyDeathStrike handed the Azoth back to Lack. "I think you underestimate her knowledge. Probably why Loki's taken her, not for her ability like he did for Momo, but for her knowledge."

"You can see Alchemical structures too," Lack said wonderingly. "I forgot that you could. But she never let me use Azoth before…" He paused and tucked the Azoth back into his belt. "I never thought to ask before." He sighed and scratched his head. "Let's just get going."

~~~

"The ten doppelgangers as you requested," Chibi said bowing to Loki. "I've given them the ability take blood for you too." Loki looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "You'll need blood for doppelgangers to harness the strength you desire." She paused, her body reacting to her habit of leaving information out.

"Continue," Loki demanded, angry that he could see flaws in the bracelets too. "I want to hear everything about the blood I need."

"As you wish," Chibi replied and explained everything to him without stopping.

~~~

Momo stared at Chibi's sleeping form, then looked up to the windows that represented her body. No! he screamed in his head. Not that information! Loki will win if he succeeds. I need to do something. Standing up, he drew his fist and punched the left window shattering it. Chibi sat up suddenly her hand covering her left eye.

"What did you do?" she growled. Looking up she saw the left window shattered and blood streaking down it. "You have neither the knowledge nor the power to get us out of here." She moved her hand. Momo gasped and fell backwards. The colour of Chibi's left eye was blood red.

"You're body was revealing information about blood and doppelgangers," Momo squeaked cowering under Chibi's angry glare. "I felt I needed to do something to stop it."

Chibi stood and stared at the left window. "You could of woken me," she replied. She touched it gently. The blood moved away from her hand . "There was other ways to stop it spilling information than this." Momo got up and walked away, angry with himself for hurting her.

~~~

Loki looked at Chibi. Blood trickled down from her left eye. "Stop," he touched her left cheek. His consciousness flowed into her, moving into the room of darkness. Opening his eyes, he found the real Chibi. "What did you do?"

Chibi looked at him and Loki took a step back in surprise at her blood red eye. "It wasn't me," she replied looking back at the left window. "It was Momo. But why do you care? She didn't stop talking did she even after her eye started to bleed."

"I care because you're also bait," Loki replied with a evil smile. "If you're body is still alive Lack will come. And I can get rid of the biggest human obstacle in my way."

Chibi looked unconcerned. "Lack knows the secret to the doppelgangers. And he has a power with him that can destroy them," she looked at Loki with an evil grin of her own. "Want to make a bet? I know you love to gamble."

"Sure," Loki replied his eyes twinkling. "What are you betting on?" Chibi touched her heart. "You're soul, hmm? Definitely worth betting on." Momo crouched in the darkness listening to their conversation.

"If Lack gets here," Chibi said pressing her palm against the window. "Let me battle him. If I kill Lack, you set me free. If Lack kills me, you can have my soul and the knowledge I possess."

Loki smiled. "I'll definitely bet on that." He touched her forehead with two fingers binding their bet. Lack's much more stronger than she is. He'd defeat her in a heartbeat. "Until Lack gets here."

"Until Lack gets here." Chibi nodded her smile not leaving her face. Loki withdrew out of the room of darkness. Chibi looked around and saw Momo hiding. "You think I'm crazy to bet that but too afraid to tell me?" Momo nodded shivering. "Lack has my Azoth. He only needs to cut the bracelet and I'll be set free anyway. After that, we both won't fight each other meaning neither Loki nor myself wins the bet."

Momo stepped out and stared at her impressed. "You two planned this?" Chibi shook her head. "Then how will he know to cut the bracelet."

"Because I trust Lack will do that," Chibi replied.

~~~

Loki smiled happily and pressed blue gems into the doppelgangers to seal in their forms and powers. Hel watched her father amused. "What has you as happy as a Poring?"

"Chibi made a bet with me," Loki replied giving a doppelganger a pair of blue gems for eyes. "And from all viewpoints, she's bound to lose that bet." Hel's eyes narrowed and went back to poking Morgue's head. She's up to something. She's clever not to make a bet with father that she has a 100% chance of losing.