Ch. 16 The Data Blade

Zach looked out of a window, and then started pacing again. Blackheart and Zomus were still gone, and he didn't like being completely in charge. Zomus had left to help Bounty Hunter, and Zomus hasn't reported back yet. Zach shakes his head, and looks out the window again. The road leading up to the lab was as empty as it was before. Zach glanced at the clock; it's been a day and a half now. Zach continues deeper into the lab to monitor the production of the Zydrii Elites. The Zydrii Elites are Zydriis' that have received a major power boost. Their strength is about ten times stronger than the other Zydriis', and they don't have such a visible weak point. Zach walks through the production, making sure everything was still in line. He walks out of the production area, and into the training area. There he saw the Monk-Keys training even harder now. Dire Wolves were working more as a pack instead of single attacks. The Hooblahs were doing some kind of ritual to bring back their deceased king. Drakels and Zydriis were fighting each other, learning more defensive and offensive tactics. Zach nods, and leaves into Zomus's room. Zach gets on Zomus's computer, and checks any important emails.

Zomus,

I have decided that you do need my help, I am going to the exact place where this email was sent, my name shall stay as you know it, Blade, but I will tell you more about it. It's a pleasure to see you again.

Blade

Zach looked at the email for a long time, and then the alarms went off. Zach turned them off, and sprinted back into the front room. As soon as he opened the door, he slid onto one knee, and looked down.

"Zomus!" Zach said. When he looked up, he realized that the person wasn't Zomus. The attire was that of an old cowboy: a black cowboy hat over its eyes, a long overcoat protecting the whole body, and the boots. Zach stood up and unsheathes his sword.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." the person said. The person opened up its coat and unsheathed two swords, relatively the same length.

"Who are you?" Zach asked.

"Name's Blade." the person replied.

"Zomus isn't here, so you'll have to tell me everything, I'm in charge right now." Zach said proudly.

"How about this, we'll fight, and then we'll see." Blade said, and rushed Zach. Zach blocked a sword, but Blade quickly disarmed him with its other sword. Zach tripped and fell down.

Blade pointed its swords at Zach, and said: "You'd be dead right now." Zach stood up, and apologized to it. From behind Zach heard footsteps. He looks behind him, and sees REA. Blade looks up, and sees at REA too.

"So you must be in charge." Blade said walking up to her.

REA shakes her head, "Zach is in charge right now."

Blade holds out both of its swords, "Fight me." REA quickly unsheathes her sword, and attacks Blade. Blade blocked REA's attack with both of its swords, and then pushes REA back. Blade then brings its swords to scissor at REA's neck.

"You'd be dead." Blade said. REA nods, and gets up.

"You're a good fighter." she stated.

Blade shakes its head, "No, you just suck." At that time, the door bursts open, and Blackheart comes running in.

"I'M HOME!" she yells. Blade turns and looks at Blackheart.

"Welcome home Blackheart." Blade started with sarcasm.

"How do I know you?" Blackheart asked.

"Your hat told me." Blade answered.

Blackheart looks up, "Irtimid!" Irtimid just laughed.

"Are you second in command now?" Blade asked, lifting its two swords.

"Why yes," Blackheart replied, "Yes I am." Blade ran towards her, and lifts the hat off, and pointed both swords at her heart.

"You'd be dead, or," Blade said, and pointed a sword at Irtimid, "Now you'd be dead." Zomus comes inside, and sees Blade.

"Blade!" Zomus said, and Blade removes its current attire. Without the cowboy hat and overcoat, Blade looked like a girl.
"Zomus." Blade replied, and shook Zomus's hand.

"Is Blade your real name?" Zomus asked.

Blade laughed, "No, I couldn't reveal my real name at that moment in time."

Zomus looks at Blade for a moment, and then asks: "What is your real name?"

"My real name is Seluos." Blade said.

"What does that mean?" Zach asked.

"Spell it backwards." Seluos said.

"Eh... Soulless!" Zach yelled, and Seluos nodded.

"Zomus, last time I saw you, you were fighting the Hydrii, and your army was much..." Seluos started, and then went into a whisper: "Stronger then."

Zomus nods, "That's why I called you."

Seluos laughs, "If they can barely stand up to these fools, then I could kill them in my sleep."

Zomus shook his head, "Their army is bad, but there are five of them I kind of worried about."

Seluos stopped laughing, "Who?"

"Names are Max, TJT, Hauntzor, Miracle Misha, and..." Zomus said, and whispered the last name in Seluos's ear.

"Funny, I fought three of them already, they were tough, so I let them live." Seluos said.

"WHAT!" Zomus bellowed.

"Yeah, I didn't know who you wanted to kill, but I did get that... Max kids hair." She put a handful of hair into Zomus's hand.

"Why do I need this?" Zomus asked.

"I brought a machine that can duplicate him, but make him evil, and it can make the monsters stronger, but keep in mind, with each stronger level, they lose more brain, so I'd say stop at level fifteen." Seluos said. Zomus took the hair, and found the machine Seluos brought with her.

"What happens then?" he asked.

"Their elemental attacks become stronger." Seluos explained. She dropped the hair into the machine, and hit the duplicate button. She set the level to level seven.

"And their names?" Zomus asked.

"You do like "Z" names, so how about Zumals?" Seluos asked.

"That sounds good." Zomus said, as more and more Zumals appeared.

"I say, send them against Max." Blackheart said.

"Not all, we need to see if one at a time will work, and if they kill them easily, we up the level." Seluos said.

"Good." Zomus said, and sent a Zumal to find Max, TJT, and Hauntzor.

--

"This is your pilot speaking, we are just about to land in Berlin..." a voice over the intercom said, "We will stop here for about two hours before we continue the trip. Have a nice day." An anthro cat, wearing a nice white button up shirt, walked off the plane. His only luggage was a backpack that he was currently carrying. He walks over to the terminal, and hands the person his ticket.

"Do you speak English?" the cat asked.

"Not." the person replied in German.

"How far is it from here to Dresden?" The cat asked.

"About two and a half hours by car." the person stated.

"Thank you!" The cat said, and left the airport. He reaches into his backpack and pulls out his extreme gear.

"Dang it..." he said aloud, "I should've asked for directions." The cat turns around and enters the building again.

"Which direction do I go to get to Dresden?" he asked a taxi man.

"Eh ... Just follow the signs." The taxi man replied. The cat nods, and leaves the airport once again. This time he gets onto his extreme gear and starts to leave the city. Once he found the sign, he had no trouble getting to Dresden.

The first thing the cat did in Dresden was get a hotel room. As he entered his room, he pulled out a map of the area, and looked for a book store. The cat shakes his head, and puts the map down. He then pulls out his computer from his backpack, and checks his email.

Wyndal,

This is your mother speaking, get your butt home ASAP; you're in so much trouble running away from us like this. As soon as you get home, your step dad is going to ground you so hard that coffee will be like: Damn!

Love,

Mom

Wyndal sighed, and closed his computer. He walked downstairs and went to the lobby.

"Excuse, do any of you speak English?" Wyndal asked.

One of them stands up, "I do."

Wyndal walks towards him, "Can you help me?"

The German sighs, "What do you need?" Wyndal pulls out a piece of paper with an address on it.

"Take me to this place." Wyndal stated.

"I can't take you there, you'll have to walk there, it's just down this road, and then takes a right… It's in the middle of the forest." The German said. Wyndal thanked him and walked outside. The town was small... Smaller than what Wyndal had anticipated. Wyndal followed the directions that were given to him, and he found himself in front of the forest.

"I wish I had brought some kind of weapon..." Wyndal said aloud.

"A weapon ye ask?" a voice behind him said. Wyndal turned, and saw a being completely covered in robes.

"Well as you can see, I'm not the biggest person you've seen." Wyndal said, and blushed a little.

"And you're not the bravest person I've seen either." the being said.

"You t-t-take that back..." Wyndal stuttered.

"Ha, see." the being pointed out.

Wyndal sighed, "Yes... but I will do anything for my love of legends."

"You want to visit the house in the woods, but you're scared of what might be in the woods... Right?" the being asked. Wyndal nodded, and looked back into the woods.

"Here, take this." The being said, and put his hand out. What the being was holding was a rubber band ball... No bigger than a cue ball.

"How can this help me?" Wyndal asked.

"Just hold it and swing your arm." The being replied. Wyndal took the ball, and looked at it for a moment. When he looked up, the being was gone. Wyndal shook his hand, and did what he was told. The moment he did it, the ball changed into zeros and one's for a brief moment, and then it took the form of a sword. Wyndal was too surprised to think anything of it, and walked into the forest... A little braver now. He was attacked once by a Dire Wolf, but the sword quickly killed it, and it absorbed the body. Wyndal was still surprised at the swords power. Once he got to the house, he dropped the sword, which turned back to its ball state, and entered the house.

"Hello, anyone home?" Wyndal asked.

"Go away." A female German voice deep in the house said.

"Do you speak English?" Wyndal asked.

"No." the voice said.

"I've come in search of the book about the data blade ..." Wyndal asked.

"Another one Zomus's of thugs huh..." The voice said.

Wyndal tried to follow the voice, and when he lost it he asked: "Zomus?"

"Yes, Zomus, the evil being who wants to kill all who defy him." The voice said. Wyndal then followed it again, and entered a small room. In there was a small old Hydrii... Probably holding onto the book with whatever life she had left.

"I'm just a legend seeker, and this data blade has brought a great interest in my mind." Wyndal said. The Hydrii looked into Wyndal's eyes and saw the innocence of him, but she also saw the small hunger that he had just recentally obtained.

"They already have; it looks like you have lost it." She said. She stood up, and walked over to her bookcase, and pulled out a very dusty book.

"The data blade is a dangerous power to take the book and leave me alone." Wyndal thanked the Hydrii, and left the house. He didn't even notice that the ball was gone. He got out of the woods and went back to the hotel. He climbed the stairs and entered his room. He slowly unwrapped the cloth around the book, and his eyes grew even wider. On the cover it said "The Data Blade".

"Legends have it," Wyndal said, remembering blogs he read online, "That the Data Blade is the strongest weapon known to any species, and in the wrong hands it could destroy the universe." Wyndal opened the book slowly, and read the opening lines.

"The Data Blade has been in existence since the beginning of time, it has changed form to suit the era. It was once the Holy Grail, and then later it became Excalibur. Even later it was rumored to be the Fountain of Youth. Then it disappeared, and no rumors rose after that. Then it became the atom bomb for the humans, used only twice before disappearing. It can even double back, and go back to a different technology, but it depends on the user..." Wyndal closed the book, and turned it on its side to see how thick it was.

"Must have every story told about it..." Wyndal said. Then it hit him.

"I had...!" He reaches for his pocket and realizes he left it outside the old Hydrii hut. Wyndal runs down the stairs and outside, and sees smoke where the Hydrii's hut was. Wyndal started to run over there but the German who had told him where it was stopped him.

"It's too late lad, far too late." he said. Wyndal looked at the smoke, tears leaving his eyes. I gave up the greatest power in the world! Wyndal thought.

--

Miracle Misha sat down, and looked at the sun rise.

"What's up Miracle?" Tasha asked, and sat down next to her.

"I..." Miracle Misha started, "I... don't know." Tasha looked at her, and for once she actually looked like she didn't know.

Tasha wrapped an arm around her, "That's ok." Miracle Misha smiled, and watched the once darkened mountains lighten up.

"Hey gu- girls." Sara said, and the two turned around.

"I got a message; we're heading back to DA." Sara continued. The three looked at each other, and nodded. They got on their extreme gear, and flew towards DA.

"What's going on Sara?" Tasha asked.

"There is suspicion that Zomus is going to attack again." Sara replied. When the three girls made it to where the team had split up; everyone the rest of the team was there too. The sun was falling slowly behind the mountains.

"We rest here tonight." Rap said. Nobody argued, and they set up a camp at that spot. The fire cackling was the only sound for a while.

Finally Miracle Misha looked up and asked: "So what happened to Bastran?" Nobody said anything.

"Dimitri told me what happened, he saw your minds, but tell me what actually happened."

Dagger was the first to speak: "She died with honor, protecting us from a certain death."

Tasha had tears streaming down her eyes, "She saved me from so many things before..."

Sara wrapped her arm around Tasha, "she and I had an ambush set up, she would shoot arrows at enemies flooding the streets, and I would shoot bullets at enemies flooding the streets."

"The fact that she knew she was dying..." Rap started, but got choked up.

"And wouldn't let anyone tell her anything different." Tim finished.

"It was an honor to fight with her." Bacpac Boy said.

"I asked for what happened, not memories." Miracle Misha said, without trying to hurt anyone.

"We were defending the east gate, and we were doing pretty well for the two days we fought." Dagger said.

"But then, Zydriis' swarmed in, and we were forced to retreat." Bacpac Boy continued.

"Bastran decided that she needed to stay back and protect us." Tim said.

"She fought threw wave after wave of Zydriis' and Hooblahs." Tasha said.

"We came back, and helped finish off what she didn't kill." Rap continued.

"That's when the dang Monk-Key killed her." Dagger finished. The camp fell silent, except for the cackling of the fire.

"We need to get to DA tomorrow." Dagger said, and everyone agreed. They all went to sleep.

Miracle! Dimitri exclaimed. He didn't get a reply.

Miracle, you can't be sleeping, you've never slept before. Dimitri said. The only reply he got was a snore from Miracle Misha. Dimitri laughed; the world has been slowly changing her.

--

Max and his small gang went through Berlin when TJT stopped.

"What's up TJT?" Max asked. TJT pointed at the Wal-Mart across the street.

"We don't have time to go shopping!" Hauntzor complained.

"My clothes wreak, and they know what we look like." TJT said, and entered the store. Max rolled his eyes, but followed her in. Hauntzor looks behind him, and then enters. Hauntzor looks around, and sees TJT already digging through the clothes. He turns over and looks at Max, who was carefully picking out clothes. Hauntzor walks over to Max, and sees him holding a single t-shirt, a pair of jeans, a package of socks, a package of boxer briefs, and new shoes.

"Jeez Max." Hauntzor joked.

"Zomus is hunting us." Max replied. Hauntzor picked up a t-shirt, a hoodie, and everything else Max had got. They go over to TJT, who had about the same as them.

"I'll pay for it." Max said, and pulled out his wallet. The price he paid totaled out to one hundred and fifty dollars. They changed in the stores dressing rooms, and threw away their old clothes. Max turned around, and started to walk outside when he bumped into a cat looking person.

"Excuse me." Max apologized. The person turned, and smiled.

"Mr. Max, I presume?" it asked. Max nodded.

"Excellent." The being said, and pulled out a doubled bladed weapon.

"Whoa!" Max exclaimed.

"I've been sent by Zomus to kill you." it said.

"What are you?" Max asked, realizing how much it resembled him.

"I'm a Zumal." the creature said. It kicked Max, and Max flew through seven shelves before landing on the floor, and then slid to a stop. Max was able to pick himself up before the Zumal was at him slicing at him on both sides of the sword. Max rolled backwards, and then unsheathed his sword. The Zumal charged at Max, and Max charged at the Zumal. The two clashed; blocking each others attacks. The Zumal yelled fire, and then punched the ground. In a seven foot diameter, the place burst into pillars of fire. The sprinklers on the roofs went off. The Zumal smiled.

"You better not." Max demanded. The Zumal yelled lightning, and punched the ground. Sparks flew everywhere, shocking Max. Max flew a few feet backwards. The Zumal's eyes were shining.

"Super Nova." it said. Max turned around, and started to run out of the building.

"Max?" TJT asked.

"Run!" Max yelled back. TJT looked at Hauntzor, and they left the building. Max turned, and watches the Wal-Mart explode.

"We need to find a place to rest for the night." TJT said. The three go to a hotel, and Hauntzor paid for the rooms.

--

A Zydrii followed Wyndal one Wyndal acquired the Data Blade. The Zydrii watched Wyndal move his way through the woods. Once Wyndal got to the house, and cast the Data Blade aside, the Zydrii quickly picked it up. He waited in the shadows for Wyndal to leave.

That cat is of no threat to us. Zomus told the Zydrii. The Zydrii nods, and enters the house. He finds the old Hydrii, and speaks to her in broken Hydran. She doesn't reply, so the Zydrii kills the old Hydrii with the Data Blade. The old Hydrii transforms into zero's and one's, and the Data Blade absorbs her. The Zydrii plants bombs all over the house, and leaves. In one hand it had the Date Blade, and in the other was the detonator. Once it was far enough away, it pushed the button. It turned, and saw the smoke pillowing in the air. It spread its wings and flew back towards Zomus.

"Zomus!" the Zydrii yelled, as it busted into the lab. Once it saw Zomus, it fell onto its knees, and slid to a stop.

"I got a sword!" it exclaimed, and lifted up the Data Blade.

Zomus looks at it and smiles, "Finally." He leans down to pick it up, but once he touched it, the sword went back into a ball.

"What did you do to it Zydrii!" Zomus bellowed. Zomus's voice bounced off the walls until everything fell silent again.

"I didn't do anything to it!" the Zydrii claimed. It lifted up the ball, and swung it. The Data Blade revealed itself again.

Zomus laughed, "It seems like it has chosen you." Blackheart showed up, and walked towards the Zydrii.

"Shall I give him a power boost?" She asked. Zomus nodded, and Blackheart took the Zydrii into the backroom. Four hours later, the same Zydrii enters the room Zomus was.

"Excellent, now hunt Max." Zomus said. The Zydrii nodded, and leaves.

"I since he's going to fail." Seluos said.

"If he does, you chase down Max, and recover that sword." Zomus said. Seluos nods, and leaves the room. Blackheart followed Seluos through the rooms until they ended up into the training room.

"Seluos." Blackheart said, blushing a little. Seluos turned, and gave Blackheart a look that said: What.

"Would you..." Blackheart started. Seluos waited for Blackheart to finish her sentence.

"Would you..." Blackheart tried again, "Go out with me?" Seluos walked up to Blackheart and lifted her chin. Blackheart closed her eyes, waiting for a sword to stab her. Suddenly she felt Seluos's lips on hers. At first Blackheart was a reluctant, but then she fully embraced Seluos.

When Seluos was finished, she looked at Blackheart, "How's that for an answer?" Blackheart attempted to reply, but she couldn't any words out.

"See you, my love." Seluos said, and turned around. Blackheart stood there as Seluos attacked the battle dummies with a fury of slashes. Blackheart shook her shock, and walked back into the lab to create my Zumals. She went into her own little office, and then monitored the Zydrii's location.

The Zydrii followed the group as they went into Berlin. Max turned and looked behind him, and saw nothing.

"What's up Max?" TJT asked.

"I thought someone was following us." Max replied.

"Paranoia?" Hauntzor joked.

"Probably." Max said as he shook his head. The Zydrii sat within a world full of zeros and ones.

"Where is this?" it asked.

This is the data world. A voice emanated from the Data Blade.

"The data world?" it asked the voice.

For time's sake, we'll call it the Datascape. the voice said.

"Datascape?" The Zydrii inquired.

I can't believe I choose you to wield me... the voice said.
"The Data Blade?" the Zydrii asked.

I see that you aren't that stupid, yes. The Data Blade said.

"How can you-" the Zydrii started.

Hush, your targets are leaving. The Data Blade said. The Zydrii looked up, and saw the shadow figures leaving. The Zydrii followed them slowly, trying not to make any sound.

Idiot, they can't hear you. The Data Blade said.

"How can I leave?" The Zydrii asked.

You can leave whenever you want. The Data Blade said.

"I can?" The Zydrii asked, thinking how this could be very helpful.

Idiot, don't leave now, they'd see you. The Data Blade said.

"Shit, you're right!" The Zydrii said as he lay down.

Idiot. The Data Blade muttered.

The Zydrii watched as many different shadows walked around, it didn't move. The Zydrii heard an explosion, and turned around. It only saw zeros and ones.

Pay attention, your targets are leaving. The Data Blade stated. The Zydrii turned around, and saw the three shadows he was chasing before. The Zydrii started to follow the trio again.

Max turns around again. He sees nothing.

"Max, stop that." TJT said.

"I swear someone is following us." Max reiterated. He shakes his head, and continues walking.

"That was close." The Zydrii said to The Data Blade, as it got up.

If I had hands I would slap my forehead, they CAN'T see you. The Data Blade restated.

"Shit, you're right again." The Zydrii stated. It followed the shadows, and watched the separate and go into different places.

"Told you Mr. Sword, they're going to ambush me!" The Zydrii exclaimed, and turned around.

Idiot... Fine, run, what will you tell Zomus? The Data Blade asked. The Zydrii stopped dead in its tracks. It could hear the laughter of the Data Blade. The Zydrii walked slowly by each shadow until he found the one that didn't have any wings.

Attack him at night. The Data Blade told the Zydrii. The Zydrii nods, and sits down. The shadow of Max got up of his bed, and left the area. The Zydrii followed him, and waited for him to go outside. At that exact moment, the Zydrii was thrown back into the real world. Max turned around, and saw the Zydrii standing there.

"Good bye Miss Kitty." The Zydrii insulted. Max tried to draw his fathers sword, but the Zydrii kicked him off the deck. Max started to fade into zeros and ones before he hit the ground.

Go after him! The Date Blade screeched. The Zydrii reentered the Datascape and found Max.

"Where is this?" Max asked as he drew his sword.

"This, this is the Datascape." The Zydrii said, and summoned the Data Blade. The Zydrii laughed, and ran up to him.

"Your blade cannot match my power!" it roared. The Zydrii could hear the Data Blade laughing. Max side stepped to dodge the attack. The Zydrii turned, and attempted to stab Max. Max blocked that attack, and went into a fury of slashing. The Zydrii was able to block all of the attacks. While Max took a brief second to recover, the Zydrii attacked. Max dodged most of the attack, but the Data Blade had hit him in Max's left arm. The pain was excruciating. Max quickly glances at his arm, and sees the gash that was in it. The Zydrii laughs even louder and attempts to do that again. Max deflected the attack, and stabbed the Zydrii. The blade went right through as if he wasn't there. The Zydrii started to laugh, but then the pain hit him.

"WHAT IS THIS!" the Zydrii yelled.

This is the Datascape, your weapon lost its power here. The Data Blade laughed. The Zydrii dropped the sword, and tried to flee.

Nope, you're mine now. The Data Blade said, and absorbed the dying Zydrii. Max watched as the Zydrii was turned into zero's and ones. The Data Blade fell down, and transformed back into a ball. Max picked it up, and swung his arm. The Data Blade came out.

Maxwell, you can defeat this "Zomus" guy with my power... The Data Blade taunted. Max shook his head, and opened up a portal with the Data Blade.

Excellent. The Data Blade cackled.

"I'm leaving you here." Max said as he walked through the portal.

WHAT! The Data Blade hissed. Max was about to drop it, when a sudden lust of power hit him.

"Never mind." Max said. He pocketed the ball, and walked into his room. The next morning the three leave the hotel, and were about to leave Berlin, when Hauntzor stopped moving.

"What's up Haunt?" Max asked.

"We don't know where we're going." Hauntzor replied.

Max reached into his pocket and touched the ball that held the Data Blade.

"Max, where did Wyndal say he was going to be?" TJT asked.

"He said-" Max started.

"DRESDEN!" TJT shouted, and pointed at the sign.

"Yeah, Wyndal said he'd be in Dresden." Max said.

"So it's decided?" Hauntzor asked. Max and TJT nod, and they leave, and head towards Dresden.

--

The early morning fog had just started to lift in DA. A young man walked through the streets, asking for money.

"Excuse me?" the young man asked.

"Q.B?" the person replied.

"Indeed, I was wondering if you wanted to buy some food, all the money goes towards Max's army." Q.B. said.

"How much?" the person asked.

"It's about fifty bucks a package, but it includes: food for a year, water for a year, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee, so if it doesn't last a year, you get another package, no extra fees." Q.B. replied.

"Alright, if it goes to Max and their war efforts, sure." The person said, and handed Q.B. his fifty dollars. Q.B. handed the person their package, and leaves. Q.B. continues to sell these packages until noon. When Q.B. returned to his apartment, he put his packages into a refrigerator. He ate lunch, and then left his house again. AT this point he goes to the bank, and walks up to the cashier.

"How can I help you?" she asked.

"I'd like to make a deposit." Q.B. stated.

"Account name please." the cashier said.

"Zee." Q.B. replied. The cashier nodded, and asked for the money. Q.B. handed over one thousand dollars. Q.B. leaves, and goes back to his apartment. He gets on his computer. He sees that "Zee" was online. Q.B. quickly goes to his email and sends "Zee" an email.

Zomus,

I made one thousand dollars by selling those year supply of food and water. I already deposited it into you account, I'll continue to do this, and use my technique, until you have one hundred thousand dollars in royalties.

Q.B.

Q.B. didn't have to wait long before he got a reply:

Q.B.

Good, keep sending in that money, have my Drakels attacked DA yet? If not, they soon will, make sure they attack that damn lab of Max's. I'll be requesting that you join me here real soon, we have to discus are final battle. Oh, and one more thing: Never call me by that name through email again. I am Zee, and that's that.

Zee

Q.B. didn't bother replying the email. He turned around and looked out his window. Soon Zomus's army will win, so that means I win. I never lose. Q.B. thought.

--

The rest of The Protectors of the Hydrii got up early that morning and left for DA. They got there at noon. They got off their Extreme Gear, and proceed through the city until they find the high school. The army enters it, and they go to the lab where the evil principal did most of his dirty work. The screen was on, flashing red dots that were moving.

"About time you guys show up." a female voice said.

"Excuse me?" Dagger asked. Dagger moved towards the console, and the chair turned around. There was a girl sitting in it, she looked about in her late teens. She was wearing glasses, a pink tank top, faded jeans, and her hair was blond. Before Dagger could say anything, the chair was turned around again, and the girl typed in a code.

"How do you know my code?" Dagger asked.

"You left it hanging up on the monitor." the girl asked, and showed him a sticky note. Dagger was flabbergasted, and was about to attack when Rap stopped him.

"At ease, Dagger." Rap said. Dagger calmed down, and looked at the screen.

"For some reason, you guys didn't have it set on constant update." the girl said.

"That would explain why our digitized maps didn't show this." Dagger stated. The girl laughed.

"Glad to help." she said.

"What's your name?" Tim asked.

"Name's Misty," she said, "Glad to meet you." The rest of the army introduced them, and once again, they look at the screen.

"Looks like we enemies coming this-" Rap started before alarms went off throughout DA.

"Drakels, heading this way." Misty said as she typed keys onto the screen. The map zoomed in, and they saw the Drakels.

"Looks like fifty of them." Bacpac Boy said.

I sense seventy-five. Dimitri said. Miracle Misha nods.

"Wrong, seventy-five, close Dagger." Misty said. Dagger was about to thank her when the sounds of scraping and screeching penetrated the lab.

"Do we stay?" Bacpac Boy asked.

"If we stay, they'll destroy the lab." Misty replied and got up. She walked over and grabbed a sword.

"What are you doing?" Tasha asked.

"I'm going to help." Misty said and climbed into the elevator. Slowly the rest of the army emerges into the gym. The Drakels had almost broken through the metallic doors that protected the gym.

"Did you..." Tim began to say, but lost his words.

"Program those doors, yes." Misty said. Tasha looked around, and found some makeshift cannons.

"Tash, what are you doing?" Sara asked

"I'm going to put shot puts into these and use them as cannon balls." Tasha replied.

"Better hurry up." Miracle Misha said. Tasha nodded, and grabbed a bag full of shot puts. The doors broke down, and Drakels flooded the gym. They had time bombs on they're back.

Miracle, we have two minutes to destroy these monsters. Dimitri said.

"Dimitri just told me we have-" Miracle Misha started.

"Two minutes to kill these things yes, I know." Misty interrupted. She jumped through the air, and grabbed onto one of the Drakels tried to shake her off, but she was able to hold onto one of its ribs. She cut the skull of, and the rest of the body fell down. Sara looked at the school, and watched it bounce around. She shot a bullet between the eyes. Sara was about to shoot another Drakel when a loud explosion was heard behind them. Sara turned, hoping it wasn't a Drakel. Another explosion. It was Tasha shooting her cannon. Miracle Misha started cast magic on the creatures, stopping the bombs. In a half hour, all the Drakels were dead.

"See, I can help." Misty said, her eyes gleaming.

"Fine." Rap said, and walked up to her. The two shook hands, and went back into the lab. On the screen, all the red dots in North America were moving towards one spot.

"They're building something there." Rap said.

"Indeed, we head there soon." Misty stated.

"Soon?" Dagger asked.

"You guys need to prepare." Misty said, and left the lab.

"Prepare?" Dagger asked.

--

Zomus paced back and forth waiting to here the news of Max's demise. When the Zumal he sent out returned with the double edged sword the other Zumal had, Zomus knew it had failed. Zomus turned around and told the Zumal to leave. He paced for a couple of seconds before an alarm on his computer went off. He looked at it, and saw Max and his friends were going into Dresden. That Zydrii has failed too. Zomus thought.

"SELUOS!" Zomus bellowed. Seluos appeared in front of him.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Hunt and kill Max." Zomus replied. Seluos nodded, and was gone.

"She may not succeed, but it will give us time to find this Hydrii Warrior." Zomus mumbled to himself.

--

"TJT," Max said, "We've got a thunderstorm brewing." TJT looked up at the clouds and saw the flashing of thunder.

"We'd better hurry up then." TJT said, speeding down the road even faster. Max looked behind him, and saw an old cowboy.

"You two go ahead, I'll catch up." Max stated as he got off his Extreme Gear. Max walked over to the old cowboy, and put his hand out.

"You look like you need some help." Max said. The old cowboy took Max's hand, and Max helped him up.

"Thanks lad." the old cowboy said. Thunder boomed in the distance as Max looked at his Extreme Gear.

"Want a ride to Dresden?" Max asked. The old cowboy shook his head. Max shrugged and waved good-bye, and started to walk towards his Extreme Gear.

"Not so fast, Max." the old cowboy said. Max turned, and saw that the cowboy hat was off, and the overcoat was open. Instead of six shooters at the hip, there were swords.

"Who are you?" Max asked.

"Seluos." Seluos replied. Max pulled out the Data Blade, and summoned it. Max glanced over west, and the sun had finally set. The darkness enveloped the area in a matter of minutes.

"Is the putty-cat scared?" Seluos taunted. Max walked around in a circle, waiting for a lightning flash. Once it did, Max ran towards Seluos, and the swords clashed.

"Surprised, Blackheart cast a spell on my sword to protect it from that." Seluos said. Max unleashed a fury of attacks, but Seluos was able to block each one. Another flash lit up the area and Max saw an area that was opened. Max attacked it, sending Seluos to her knees. Max attempted to unleash another fury of attacks, but Seluos moved. She kicked Max in his back causing him to face plant the asphalt. Max turned to his back, and another lightning bolt flashed. Max saw Seluos jumping through the air. Max rolled to the side, and her two swords got stuck in the asphalt. Max took that moment to attack. Seluos moved around to the other side, dodging the attack. The rain started to pour, making the road slick. Seluos pulled out her swords, and ran towards Max. Max tried to swing, but the Data Blade went through the swords. Rain is messing with the sword! Max thought. He rolled away from Seluos's attacks. He returned the Data Blade back to its original form, and unsheathed his father's sword. Another lightning flash lit up the area. Max ran towards where he saw Seluos. Once he felt one of her swords on his chest, Max fell to his knees, sliding under the attack. Max turned, and attacks Seluos's back. Seluos rolled forward, and turned. The two were breathing heavily, but there were no major injuries.

"Max, I'm letting you live, but if I ever catch you again, you're dead." Seluos said, and turned around.

"Seluos, you're right about one thing, letting me live, but if we ever cross roads again, you're going to be the one dead, not me." Max retorted boldly. Seluos laughed, and kept walking. Max got onto his Extreme Gear and went into Dresden. He found TJT and Hauntzor, and he told them what had happened.

"Max, we should get some shut eye." Hauntzor said. Max agreed, and went into their hotel room. From down the hall, Wyndal left his room.

"The Data Blade has returned." He said, eyes gleaming. He walked down the hall, and stood in front Max's and Hauntzor's door.

"Wyndal?" TJT asked. Wyndal turned, and his eyes had a gleam of craziness. He laughed, and kicked the door he was standing in front of.

"Max, give me the sword." A voice said inside the room.

"What did you do to Haunt?" Max asked with a lot of concern.

"Nothing, he's just sleeping." the voice said. Wyndal broke down the door. Inside the room was Max and Hauntzor, Hauntzor was "sleeping" on his bed. In front of Max was a person wearing all armor, besides the visor on its helmet, at its side was a shot gun, pistol, and a stick.

"Why do you want the Data Blade?" Max asked.

"To keep you safe." the person said. Max fished it out of his pocket, and almost gave it to him. Then Max pulled it back, and held it close to him.

"What's your name?" Max asked.

"If I tell you, will you give it to me?" the person asked.

"Sure." Max replied, and started to stroke the ball that held the Data Blade.

"You can call me Thirteen Thirty-Seven." the person said. Max took the ball, and dropped it into Thirteen Thirty-Seven's hand.

"You will thank me later." Thirteen Thirty-Seven said. He looked at Wyndal, and saluted. Once his hand was brought out, he disappeared.

"The Data Blade!" Wyndal screamed.

"Wyndal, calm down." Max said. Wyndal dropped into a chair, and looked at the wooden table. He looked up, and realized that he was with Max.

"Max, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm looking for someone by the names of Henry and Hazel." Max replied.

"And?" Wyndal said, trying to get more out of Max.

"Trying to find more about the Data Blade." Max mumbled.

"And?" Wyndal stated.

"Looking for help against the war." Max gave in.

"Good, we'll talk tomorrow morning, good night." Wyndal said, and left the room. Max shrugged, and changed into his sleeping attire. He climbed into bed, and quickly fell asleep.