GeneX - Soleanna Struggle
Chapter 10 - Train Chase Act 2

Note: Sonic the Hedgehog and related characters are (c) SEGA and 
Sonic Team. You knew that, right?
GeneX and related fanchars are (c) 2BIT (TheGreatGator), the author.

"Can't hold on much longer!
But I will never let go!
I know it's a one way track.
Tell me now how long this'll last!" - Open Your Heart, Sonic Adventure


"So, you're a double agent?!" Punchy growled. Char laughed at Spiny's claim. "Some joke, blue boy! C'mon, no one's buying this!" he said. "Yeah, it's too expensive!" Alpha added. Metal Eggman stood up from his chair. "If you're a double agent, but not on any side represented here, then who are you working for?!" he asked. Spiny chuckled malevolently. "Well, let's see. GUN wouldn't hire me, so who's left? I guess I'll just cut to the chase. I am Experiment 9!" he proclaimed. Punchy and Char both looked surprised, while Alpha and Metal Eggman simply became defensive. Rainbow simply waved at Spiny. "Hi, Nine!" she said, nicknaming him after his number, as usual for the experiments. "Whoa... Bucky's sure been busy lately!" Punchy muttered, wondering if there were any more experiments out there. Just then, Zipp flew in behind Spiny, holding a pistol in each hand. "Let's hurry up and capture the train, Spines! I left Vortex and Crash to pilot the chopper! We all know that won't likely end well!" he reported, half glaring at Punchy all the while. Alpha was first to realize that this was fast becoming hopeless, and blasted a hole in the left side of the train! "So long, lab monkeys! Alphie's gonna tattle on yoooouse!!" he said tauntingly, running for the hole in the train as Zipp attempted to shoot him down! Punchy saw what may be his only way out, and jumped onto Alpha's back as he exited the train! Char and Rainbow, reacting fast, ran after them! Char flew away with Alpha, while Rainbow attempted to follow by gliding! With no other targets left, Zipp pointed his weapons at Metal Eggman, who had sat back in his chair and pushed a button. "Sorry, pals, but I won't be powering down today! So long!" Metal Eggman's chair then detached from the train and rocketed through the open roof, leaving Spiny and Zipp to claim the train unopposed! "Give me a minute, Zippo, I have something to do!" Spiny chuckled, heading for the back of the control car and opening its back door. "So long, robots!" he snarled, disconnecting the cars from the train before firing a series of Chaos Spears at them, making them erupt into a massive explosion! Zipp flew over and grinned at the destruction. "Ooooh, I like you, Spines. Keep the train going as best you can until I switch places with Vortex. You know, before he crashes the chopper!" he said, zipping away.


Back on the roof of the GUN train, Copter and Gemini were still fighting with Fera and the Babylon Rogues. Gemini kept the Rogues at bay with shots from her wand, which they were so busy dodging that they couldn't do much else, while Copter battled with Fera. "OK, Fera, you've annoyed me. It's time I really fought back! Chaos Whirlwind!!" Copter shouted, sending a gust of chaotic wind toward Fera, which was moving in the opposite direction of the train. Fera tossed a few dark energy balls into the wind, slowing it into a light breeze. "Hah! You call that an attack?! You're nothing but hot air!" she sneered. Copter next attempted to punch her, but she ducked and slammed him in the chest with a blast of dark energy! The blast knocked Copter backward, and might have caused him to fall off the train had he not quickly spun his tails and corrected his balance. "You ARE stubborn, I'll give you that much!" Fera said, grinning as the dark energy surrounding her hand began building up. "Now, let's see how you handle THIS!!" She finished charging energy, then fired a black beam at Copter! He jumped backward and pulled Gemini down with him! "Eeek! What are you doing!?" Gemini shouted, hanging on for dear life. "Saving you!" Copter said as the beam passed over them, and then barely missed the Babylon Rogues! As the beam subsided, Copter saw his chance. He quickly stood back up and called his attack. "Chaos Whirlwind!!" This time, Fera didn't have time to slow the wind much, and was knocked slightly off balance! While Gemini was struggling to stand back up without falling off the train, Jet took the opportunity to speed past her and snatch the Time Stone from Fera's hand! "Thanks for your contribution!" Jet squawked, preparing to make his escape. "Oh, no you don't!!" shouted Copter, who quickly leapt onto Jet's board and began struggling with the hawk. "Hey, no hitch-hikers! Get off my board!!!" he yelled, trying to push Copter off. In the struggle, Copter managed to wrestle the Time Stone away from Jet, but it seemed he wouldn't be able to get away with it. At that moment, Copter got a huge stroke of luck. As Jet's board moved around above the train, Alpha could be spotted ahead of them! Punchy was still hanging on to Alpha, and this gave Copter the idea to do the same. "Later, parrot brain! Enjoy your spin!" he said, jumping from Jet to Alpha and simultaneously causing Jet's board to spin out! With their leader in trouble, and falling fast as a result, Wave and Storm were forced to attempt to help him. "We'll be back, skunk face!" Wave shouted, though sure Copter was out of earshot already. With that intense moment over, Gemini turned to face Fera. "OK... Looks like your friend has lost by forfeit! Think you can succeed where he failed?" Fera said triumphantly. Gemini pointed her wand at her, refusing to back down. "Maybe not... But he didn't exactly get beat! I'm not giving up!"


Heather had wandered somewhat far from the station where the trains had started, following the track of the train she escaped from. She was walking between that and another track on a large bridge, when she suddenly spotted Mephiles ahead! "All alone again, are you?" he said, looking around slowly. "Y-you!? St-stay back! Copter's looking for me, you know!" said Heather, recoiling slightly. Mephiles responded by laughing coldly. "Is he now? Do you truly believe that? What possible reason does he have to help you? The answer... is none." he said quietly, walking toward Heather slowly. "I know... But he's helped me so far. I think he's just... A good person." she said, looking at the ground in uncertainty as she did. Mephiles had stepped close to her, and circled around behind her, whispering in her ear from behind. "I have a reason. We have much in common. Copter just wants to use you. He's a fugitive, too, and he wants to use your power to destroy those chasing him." Heather stepped away from Mephiles, turning to face him as she did. "Come with me, Heather. Together, we can eliminate all those who desire to do you harm. You will truly be free. We can reshape the world together..." he offered. Heather thought about it for a moment. Everything Mephiles said made sense. "It's tempting.... But I trust Copter! He's stood by me, and he doesn't trust you, so I won't!" she shouted defiantly. Mephiles did not show emotion. He simply created a vortex above himself. "Think it over. We'll meet again, and I'm sure you'll make the right decision. After all, you and I are linked in ways you cannot yet imagine!" With that, he jumped into the vortex and closed it behind him. As Heather's attention moved from Mephiles to the area around her, she saw a somewhat damaged train heading straight toward her! Hovering over the train was a red helicopter, piloted by Zipp, with Crash in the co-pilot's seat! The train stopped next to her, and Vortex and Spiny jumped out of the hole in the side and grabbed Heather! "Hello, there, Sssseven! Nice to ssssee you again!" Vortex hissed viciously. He and Spiny forced her on to the train, despite her attempts to struggle. "Let me go!! Stop this!!" she shouted feebly. "Now, now, ma'am, take it easy. We're just going for a little ride! Welcome to the GeneX Express!" Spiny cackled as he tied her up. "Next sssstop, Sssshadow Arcangel!!" Vortex announced as the train began moving. Heather could do nothing but cry. Things looked bad, and would likely get worse fast!


Alpha soon landed on a platform that served as one of the train stops, then shook Copter and Punchy off. Rainbow landed nearby, and Char flew over to Alpha. "You OK, Alphie? Those guys must've been heavy!" he said, snickering a little. "You silly. They're light and fluffy like stuffed animals... Or marshmallows! Mmmmm... Stuffed marshmallows!!" Alpha replied. "Huh? Two!? Where'd you come from?" Rainbow asked in confusion, having missed the drama on Gunner's train. Copter dizzily responded. "Well, you see... One day Bucky got bored and kidnapped Tails..." he began before being snapped out of it by the sound off Eggman's voice! Alpha was projecting a hologram of Eggman, which was speaking to Char. "It seems our hostages have escaped, but the phoenix isn't with Sonic! Char, I want you and Alpha to begin searching the area for that escaped bird! And this time, see to it she stays caged!" he ordered. Char gave him a salute. "Yes, doc! But I gotta tell ya... Spiny's really Experiment 9!" he said. Eggman was not surprised. "Metal-Me has already reported on the matter. I've already informed the robots! Get that phoenix!" With that, the hologram faded, and Alpha waved goodbye to Copter and Punchy. "Let's play again another time! So long, dollies!" Copter, Punchy, and Rainbow watched as Alpha and Char flew away. "What's with everyone going after that Heather? Is she pretty?" Punchy asked, still regretful that he hadn't even met her yet. "She's... nice... There's no time for this, Punchy! A lot of people are in trouble!" Copter replied. Rainbow nudged Punchy with her elbow. "Don't forget, One! Two's in trouble, too!" she said. Copter ignored that and began looking around for something he could use as a vehicle. "R-right! Copter, I gotta tell you something! Me and Rainbow wound up in the future, and..." Punchy started to explain, but Copter interrupted him with laughter. "Future!? Come on, be honest, Punch!" he said. Rainbow grabbed the Time Stone out of Copter's hand and pointed to it. "This thingy! We used one to get back! Wanda came from the future with one, too!" she tried to explain, but Copter didn't get it. "Wanda? Who the heck... Can you translate, Punchy?" he asked. "Gemini's from the future. But forget that! Copter, you and Heather are gonna die when Eggman's battleship crashes! You gotta avoid that ship!" Punchy shouted. Copter grabbed the Time Stone back from Rainbow, rolling his eyes at both of them. "I somehow doubt I'm ever going to be near that ship. You're crazy. But if it'll make you feel better, I'll call my plane by remote! I have no idea where it is, or if it still runs, but who knows? Maybe it'll find me if I need it... To escape from crashing battleships... Or whatever..." he said, pulling out the Hurricane remote and using it. "Can't wait here for it now, though. Gotta find Heather." Punchy grew a bit frustrated by the fact that Copter wouldn't take him seriously. "Copt, when a guy comes and tells you you're gonna die, you don't ignore him!!!" he growled. Rainbow put her arm around Punchy. "Chill out, One! Maybe Two's right! Maybe he won't get on the ship!" Copter kicked some tools that were on the floor. "Dang it!! There's no way I'll find Heather in time at this rate!" he shouted. Suddenly, a motorcycle was heard coming down the track! Looking in the direction of the sound, Copter saw Mia approaching! She stopped in front of him and looked from him, to Punchy, to Rainbow. "I imagine we missed quite a show. Too bad, eh, Tom?" she said, looking back at Tommy. The young porcupine was shaking. "C-can I get off and w-walk, please, Mia?" he said. Copter helped Tommy down from the bike. "Uh, Mia... I need to borrow that bike. Care to loan it?" he asked. Mia hopped off the bike. "Be my guest. It's a rental." she said. Copter climbed on the bike and waved to his friends. "I'll see you four later! If I survive this, that is... Now how the heck did I work the last motorcycle I used...?" After a short pause, the motorcycle sped off, with Copter shouting in surprise at the sudden acceleration. "Bye, Two! Good luck!" Rainbow said cheerfully as she waved to him. "Yeah, he'll need it..." said Mia.


Gemini was face to face with Fera, struggling against the force of the movement of the train. She could not back down. Fera's plans would threaten innocents, and that was not something Gemini could allow. Fera looked at her with contempt, but also with a thrilled anticipation. "You know, I'm sort of glad you showed up! I was certain this mission would be boring..." she said, both of her hands becoming engulfed in dark energy. "That's some unusual dark magic you're using there... But light magic always wins over dark!" said Gemini, trying to sound sure of herself. "Such naiveté! Don't give me any of that 'light conquers all' drivel! Darkness rules this world! Allow me to show you... The power of despair!" shouted Fera, shooting sparks of dark energy toward Gemini! She reacted too slow, and was shocked by the dark attack! The sparks hurt, but Gemini knew Fera was capable of worse. She had to fight back. "B-blastrotall!" She fired a few blasts from her wand, which Fera easily avoided. "Come on, is that all you can do?!" the wolf sneered, shooting more sparks and causing Gemini to kneel over slightly in pain. Gemini could barely stand on the train without falling, much less dodge Fera's attacks. As she attempted to recover, Fera threw some dark energy balls at her, forcing her into action. "Abra-ka-blockra!" Gemini had no time to attempt to recall a real spell, so she erected a weak shield to keep Fera's attacks from hitting her. The barrier shattered once the last ball hit, but Gemini was ready. "Abra-ka-petra!!" She attempted to hit Fera with a petrification spell that might stop her, but upon hitting, the spell very quickly wore off. "Please! Abra magic is far too weak to petrify me! Even light magic might fail!" said Fera in an annoyed tone. She resumed throwing her dark balls at Gemini, which she attempted to avoid. "Ahh! Fine, I'll try a petrify spell! Streeze!" she shouted, but the spell was wrong. It instead caused a strong wind to blow, which still caught Fera off guard. The wolf started to fall, but then vanished in a flash of black light. Gemini looked around where Fera had been. "Is that it? Did I... win?" she asked herself. She got her answer as she heard Fera laughing behind her. "Petrify, eh? Very funny. Seemed more like wind!" Gemini turned around to see Fera building up dark energy as she had done shortly before Copter left. "Face... Despair!!!" shouted Fera, shooting a black beam straight at Gemini! Very quickly, Gemini thought of a spell. "Solare!!" A similar beam of light energy shot from Gemini's wand, then hit the dark beam head on! The two beams remained for a moment, each trying to overpower the other, until at last the light beam made it through! It wasn't because the light was stronger, however. "Always watch your enemy!!" Fera shouted from behind Gemini before hitting her with an intense spark attack! Gemini dropped to her knees, unable to hold on much longer. Fera abruptly stopped attacking. "You are weak, as is the light you prize! It's interesting, though... This was the second time you lost that red Time Stone!" she said, mockingly. Gemini looked back at her in shock as she realized what she was saying. "That Time Stone... You took it when I came... You know I came from the future!" she gasped. "Partially correct. I didn't get that stone from you. I got it from the one who did take it from you, though." Fera explained. Gemini had no clue who that could be, but she did know that this was her last chance to fight back! "Solare!" This time, the light beam hit its target, and hit hard! Fera fell onto her back, and remained there long enough for Gemini to stand up and approach her. "Fool that I am... I hesitated..." Fera growled. Rather than attempt to restrain Fera, Gemini reached out her hand to help her up. As Fera stood up, she sent sparks searing through Gemini's body! "You had your chance! Mercy is for the weak!! But since I've wasted enough time here..." The dark she-wolf released Gemini from her grip and warped away without another word. Gemini began to fall over from the pain, but was suddenly caught from behind! "Easy! Come on, don't be dead!" said Chet, who had climbed up to the roof just in time to see Fera warp away. Gemini stood back up with some effort, but it wasn't quite as difficult as it might have been earlier. The train was slowing down! "I... I'll be OK... That magic wasn't strong... Just shocking..." Gemini said. Chet stayed close to her, just in case she fell over again. "I heard the racket from inside the car, so I climbed up. Looks like I was a bit late. What happened to Copter?" he asked. Gemini rubbed her head a bit. The ordeal had given her a bit of a headache. "Copter? He... had a flight to catch... He's fine, I think..." As the train came to a complete stop, a horrible truth became clear. The train had stopped alongside a large compound. Beside the compound was an airfield, filled with red helicopters! The buildings were mostly painted red, as well. On the front of the largest building of the compound was the same symbol as on the side of the train, GUN's symbol! "Holy moley! Katie was kidnapped by GUN!?" Chet shouted with alarm. Gemini pointed to something in the air nearby. "That gargoyle! Quick, let's try to catch up to him!"

The creature that had murdered Rick the Gargoyle before, and who was trying to kill Guard, had stopped a short distance away from the airfield, in a small, grassy field. Guard landed a few feet away from it, readily clutching his scythe. "So, grrrrr... Why are you trying to kill me?" he growled furiously. "Why shouldn't I? I'm the Deathbringer!" it responded in a low, sinister voice. Guard's voice grew louder. "I demand to know! Grrrrrr!!! What cause do you have for these attacks!?" The Deathbringer flapped its wings and hovered in the air in front of Guard. "Suffice it to say, I have my reasons. But you... You don't deserve the satisfaction of knowing!! You'll just have to beat it out of me... If you can!" Guard flew after the Deathbringer and swung his scythe at it, but it flew out of the way and slammed Guard back to the floor with a powerful energy blast! Guard struggled to stand back up, while the Deathbringer prepared to finish him. "Stop it!!" Before either the Deathbringer or Guard could launch another attack, Gemini ran between them and stretched out her arms to defend Guard. "You... The time traveler..." Deathbringer whispered. Chet arrived seconds later, and helped Guard to his feet. "Why!? Why are you attacking him!? He's a good guy! Leave him alone!" Gemini yelled. The Deathbringer's emotions remained hidden underneath its hood, but it was clear it didn't want to fight with Gemini. "All right. I'll go, for now. But make no mistake, gargoyle! I WILL kill you!" said the Deathbringer, who then flew away, quickly leaving everyone's sight. Guard, however, was not grateful for the intervention. "You made him leave! GRRR!!! Now I'm back to square one! Are you happy!?" he snarled. "Funny way to thank someone for saving your life!" Chet grumbled. "It's that kind of attitude that'll get you killed... someday!" Gemini said, recalling Guard's death in the future. "I was built to be totally self reliant. Grrr... I need no help!" Guard growled. Chet began walking toward the entrance to the GUN compound. "My friends need help, so I'll leave you to your ridiculous pride!" he said. Guard began following him. "Grrr... You do know I work for GUN, don't you?" he said. "So what? Are you going to arrest me?" Chet grunted. "No, but I'm going in there, too. Grrr... I have a bone to pick with my boss." Guard replied. "So what?" Chet growled. Gemini ran between them. "Stop it! Let's just cut to the chase! You're both going the same way, so you can help each other. And since you both helped me on the train, I'm going, too. Now, let's quit arguing and get going!"


Copter was catching up to the train that was now under the control of Team GeneX. The back of the train had no door, and since there were no cars attached to the engine anymore, Copter could see Heather inside the train! "All right! Things are going surprisingly well. As long as I can keep going straight, I'll catch up in no time! Just hang on a bit longer, Heather!" Copter thought. He had gotten the hang of driving the bike straight, but if he had to do anything else, he wasn't sure if he could figure it out. He would have to try, though, as the helicopter piloted by Zipp soon made its presence known behind him! "Shoot! Zipp!! I hate that guy!" Copter grumbled. Crash, who was also still in the helicopter, called out to Copter using a megaphone. "Hey, you! I suggest you stop that bike, right now! Otherwise, we'll have to shoot your tires!" he shouted. "Sorry! I don't know how to stop it!" Copter shouted back mockingly. Zipp snatched the megaphone from Crash. "Listen here, you clone clown! I ain't gonna aim for your tires, if you get my drift! Now, butt out, or be shot in the butt!!" Copter could see no remaining options, so he carefully started to swerve so that Zipp wouldn't have an easy target. After all, he seriously didn't know how to stop the bike. "Go ahead and try it, Zipp, you gun obsessed sissy!" he shouted. "Are you insulting my guns!? You have the insolent GALL to insult my guns!?!? I'LL KILL YA!!!" Without further delay, Zipp opened fire on Copter, attempting in vain to hit him. Zipp's blind rage messed with his aim, buying Copter some time. However, Copter quickly realized that he was going to be in trouble really soon!


Punchy, Rainbow, Mia, and Tommy were slowly making their way back to Soleanna. It seemed apparent that there was nothing more they could do at the moment, so it seemed they might as well get to a safer place. "I wonder if Razor's OK..." Tommy said worriedly. "Don't you worry. Chet'll take care of him, and save Katie, too, I'll bet!" Mia said confidently. "Who are all these people?" Punchy muttered, feeling he was left out of something. "I dunno, but it sure sounds like a lot's going on in this kingdom today!" Rainbow observed. Suddenly, Illusi appeared in a puff of smoke in front of them! "We have problems, Dark One!" he said gravely. Punchy jumped in surprise. "DON'T DO THAT!!!" he shouted. Rainbow waved to Illusi. "Hi, Mousy. Excuse One's temper, it's been a busy day!" she said, smiling. "Wow, just when you think the day can't get wackier, some guy in a cape appears out of nowhere!" said Mia. Illusi noticed the new faces and took a break for formalities. "Hello, I'm Illusi. I've been... attempting to unravel certain mysteries..." he said. Tommy shook his hand. "I'm Thomas, but you can call me Tommy." he said. Mia simply waved to him. "Name's Mia. Could you show me how you do that poofing teleport thing? I don't wanna walk home!" she asked. Illusi ignored the question and turned back to Punchy. "Listen, there's some terrible things happening here. The Lost Ones have formed a secret alliance with a Dark, a creature of unspeakable evil!" he said in a dire tone. "Oooh, sounds scary! What should we do, Mousy?" Rainbow said. "Does this have something to do with Heather?" Punchy asked. Illusi nodded slightly. "They are both searching for her. This Dark goes by the name of Mephiles. He has the power to travel through time, and is searching for the Chaos Emeralds. The Lost Ones have decided to help him!" he explained. Rainbow suddenly interrupted. "Wanda! She's got one of those gems!" Illusi crossed his arms. "Who is Wanda?" he asked. "Gemini! She's gotta be warned!" Punchy said. "Is that the girl who was doing magic?" Tommy asked. "Yes, yes, that'd be her... Blast, we don't have time..." Illusi grumbled agitatedly, "We need to stop Mephiles. He's going to unleash the Flames of Disaster!" Mia looked around the area. "All right, I see where this is going. Greenie, you gotta go fight this Mephiles guy. I'll find some means of transportation and catch up with that Gemini girl. C'mon, Tommy, I think I see another motorcycle!" she said, running off. Tommy followed slowly. "Can't we take a train or something? Uh, bye, guys!" he said, waving to Punchy and Rainbow. "Right, Mousy! Leave the fightin' to us!" Rainbow said enthusiastically. "OK, I'll meet you back in Soleanna! Don't be slow!" Illusi said, vanishing as quickly as he'd appeared. "H-hey!! Take us WITH you, you idiot!! Awww..." shouted Punchy. It was no use arguing now, though. Punchy and Rainbow began walking back to Soleanna once again.


Copter could see no way out of his situation. Zipp wasn't allowing him to move forward, shooting ahead every time Copter tried to speed up. Further complicating things was Spiny, who was sending a barrage of Chaos Spears in Copter's direction. Somehow, Copter was avoiding most of the attacks, but he could never keep this up. The motorcycle had taken a few minor hits, but it was starting to become serious. "Something good better happen fast, or I'm a goner!" Copter thought. Suddenly, Crash grabbed the helicopter's controls from Zipp. "What the--" The helicopter swerved and avoided a missile that was shot at them from behind. "We've got company, Zipp!" Crash shouted, pointing behind them. To their surprise, the Babylon Rogue's blimp was there! A pair of giant missile launchers had been attached to the sides of the blimp, and were targeting the chopper. Jet was steering the blimp. "Out of our way! That's our Time Stone!" Jet squawked, though no one outside the blimp could hear him. Wave and Storm were each controlling one of the missile launchers. "Sure was generous of the boss to give us these... I never thought we'd have to use them, though!" Wave said. "I say we ask for double the reward! This fighting's rough!" Storm grumbled. Meanwhile, Zipp had turned around the chopper to attack the blimp, and was taken by surprise at how quickly it could avoid his shots. "Who built that thing!? How can it move so fast!!?" Zipp yelled. Further adding to the distractions was the sudden arrival of Alpha, along with Char, and a small battalion of Eggman's flying robots. "CHAAAAAARGE!! They's taking up valuable air space!" Alpha shouted, leading the attack. Copter sped up the motorcycle. "Man, it is impossible for anyone to be as insanely lucky as I've been in the past hour or two!" he thought. Even Spiny had been awestruck by the spectacle unfolding behind the train, and had stopped attacking Copter.

The train had reached a tunnel, and was now leaving the airborne combatants behind. Spiny's focus returned, just as Copter was getting close to the train. "Aw, no you don't, skunk boy!" he yelled, shooting spears at Copter. At this point, Copter didn't care about the motorcycle anymore. He stood up on the bike, avoided some of Spiny's attacks, and jumped to the train, grabbing Spiny's arm as he did so! "Your stop, Sonic wannabe!" Copter shouted, flinging Spiny out of the train! The blue porcupine tumbled to the ground and landed on his rear! "You haven't seen the last of me! AND I LOOK NOTHING LIKE SONIC!!!" Spiny shouted before collapsing on his back. "Stupid life..." he muttered. Back on the train, Vortex was driving, but stopped when he heard Copter enter. "It'ssss a pity you had to come all thisss way... But I mussst thank you for tossssing that sssstupid Sssspiny! Now, I get to usssse what I ssswiped from Zipp!" Without giving Copter a chance to move, Vortex pulled out a gun and shot Heather in the chest! "NOOOOO!!!!" shouted Copter in dismay. Heather's body collapsed to the floor, and as Copter ran to her, Vortex used the opportunity to escape. "Don't cry, Copter. Ssssshe desssserved it. Sssshe wasss a murderer, after all!" was the last thing Vortex said as he jumped out of the train. Copter was devastated by the loss of his friend. He broke down and began sobbing, untying her just to keep his hands busy so he didn't do anything rash. "It... it isn't fair!! Why... why do I always have to fail!!? She couldn't have been a murderer... She didn't deserve... Damn it... NO!!" He could say nothing else. The train was silent for a few moments, save for the sound of Copter's sobs. Then, a miracle happened. As Copter began to shakily stand to his feet, he saw a spark emerge from Heather's chest, where her heart would be. That spark became a flame, which in moments engulfed her entire body! Her clothes, being fireproof, were unaffected as her dead body was reduced to ashes. Yet the flame burned on, and out of the ashes, a new body began to take shape! A brilliant flash of white light covered the room, and Copter couldn't see nor speak until the light faded. When it did, Heather stood before him once more, exactly as she had been before. She had no wounds, and bore no scars. It took a few seconds, but she finally started breathing again with a sudden gasp, and she opened her eyes! Copter was rendered utterly speechless, but she wasn't. "You're late... But I'm glad you came!"

To be continued...