The burned brightly in the sky and a cool breeze blew through the air gently flapping Teddy's multicolored wings. Along with his friends Curcit and Edwin they each packed a backpack of there own filling them with provisions for the journey ahead to find there friend. The previous day faith had come to them and told them that Lani was missing and Zenny was also no were to be found. Immediately Curcit figured they were together. Being the logistical thinker he as he immediately remembered the XZR leaders word and figured they were heading for the city of Lupus. After about a half hour the trio ready for the long trek exited town figuring they could catch up if they left that day. The snowy field was less treacherous due to the sun hovering over the plain of white and there was only a slight chill while the companions walked and conversed

Edwin: I don't get it... Why would they leave by themselves? Did they not want us to help?

Curcit: No, in my experience Lani is one of those people who would rather not put the people he 
            cares about in danger, so he's probably trying to outsmart and beat XZR by himself.

Teddy: Thats crazy.

Edwin: Then that means.. Zenny went to go find him...

Curcit: Or he caught him before he left.

Edwin: But then why didn't he stop him from leaving.

Curcit: Because when it comes to his loved ones Zenny knows how stubborn that fox can be.

Teddy: But I don't get it then. From the way I see it Zenny is the one Lani cares for most, So 
            logistically speaking wouldn't he not want Zenny to know? Why would he tell him?

Curcit: Its likely he didn't. Those two have been together since childhood, and there bond is 
            stronger then any pair i have ever met, So much so that Zenny has this weird kind of 
            instinct. With all the scientific knowledge I possess I myself can't explain it, but he knows
            somehow when Lani is in trouble, and although I have never seen him show it Im sure   
            Lani has the same instinct. 

Edwin: Wow... I wish I had a friend like that.

Curcit: Its likely Zenny didn't let him go alone. Things have happened with them that caused 
            there relationship to be so close. For those reasons Zenny is very protective of Lani 
            and vise versa.

Teddy: How cute.
***
	Having escaped the snow covered plain Lani and Zenny made there way into a nearby wood. Surprisingly enough the trees were only a few feet higher then Zenny and after climbing one of them and taking a survey he noticed that the woods themselves weren't very large however the trees did appear to get taller deeper in. Surveying the thick forest it seemed to be teeming with wild life. The songs of birds and the chants of mammals could be heard echoing through the trees forest canopy while there footsteps played soft sounds crushing grass beneath there feet with every step . The woods soon tapered off leading to a small wooden bridge however as they approached they were taken by surprised at what what appeared to be a figure bolting through the trees, and across the bridge. Abruptly the two looked at each other there gazes asking "did you see that?". Reluctantly they followed the silhouette deeper into the wood, but after a few minutes lost track of it. Stopping the two could hear only a dead silence. For a minute they wondered glimpsed the area they stood in; however, Zenny's ears abruptly perked up. His expression soon changing and grabbing Lani around the waist took a huge leap into the air landing them both inside the canopy of one of the large nearby trees. In shock the fox began to speak. Quickly gesturing him to keep silent the bunny pointed down to the ground they once stood on. The clanging of armor could be heard in the background. To his shock a small army of soldiers sporting silver armor mixed in with a small army of XZR members came into view lead by a woman whom they had never seen before, am ant with long blue hair held up in pig tails by a pair of scrunchies as neon green as her eyes. The woman wasn't the only one leading the army. A face they knew all to well stood next to her. The man who was wearing the glasses and green cape when they first encountered the XZR boss. 

Man in green: General Annette what is it.

Annette: I think you were right Gastraphetes's. They did follow him. Its going to go right to the 
	   general of lupus's head when he finds out he was right...

Gastrophetes: ...He is quite an unsavory fellow isn't he.... Well there's not much we can do, but 
                       report back.

Annette: Why don't you report back. Ill look for them!

Gastrophetes: Very well.

-	The man clearly reluctantly agreed to let her have her way. With a few hand gestures he turned in the direction of what they could only assume was the woods exit and lead the battalion XZR members away from the clearing. The ant girl ordered the remaining nights of silver  to scour the area. Before she left however she peered into the tree to there surprise looking directly at them giving a subtle smirk. Once the coast was clear the companions leapt back to the ground.
Lani's expression went grim looking up at Zenny who was from his gestures deep in thought.

Lani: I think they know where here...

Zenny: Sure sounds like it... Then again...

Lani: You think they thought we were someone else?

Zenny: I don't know... I mean its pretty obvious she knew we were watching them... I mean I 
            know we had a fight with there boss... but this seems like a lot of work... They must want 
	us really badly if they are actually looking for us.

	Deeper into the woods they continued doing there best to avoid contact with the woman and he knights that lurked in the woods. The sun began to fall below the horizon which cued them to look for a place to sleep. Coming across a waterfall the two set up camp near the edge figuring the river and ledge would give them protection. Deciding that a fire would give away there position they decided to huddle together for warmth. Neither of them were particularly tired, but they knew that they needed rest; however, before doing so they both sat next to each other at the ledge near the waterfall. There legs dangling over edge of the falls, the rushing water of the stream playing a subtle song only a few feet next to them. There gaze moved to the ocean of stars above them the giant glowing pearl that was the moon pouring its silvery light onto woods as the riverbed next to them poured into the stream below playing on a constant loop.

Zenny: ...Kinda brings back memories... doesn't it.

Lani: ... Yeah....

	The two sat for a few more minutes in silence before a sigh from Lani broke the silence.  Placing his hands between his legs he looked down into the mist filled river below. His expression turning slightly glum.

Lani: Everything use to be so simple...

Zenny: What do you mean?

Lani: When we were kids... The only thing that mattered was that we were together, but now... 
         The world really is going to hell... We had to grow up... and now... It's made me realize 
         there is real evil in the world...

Zenny: And now what matters most to you? Is it that you get the curse if you want to call it that 
	removed?

Lani: Well...

Zenny: In a way your right... Things did use to be simpler... But the way I see it not much has 
	changed. The only thing that matters to me still is that were together. As long as thats
            the case we could be up against the whole world and Id be happy.

Lani: Zen...

Zenny: When we were little I promised Id protect you, So even if we have to fight the entire XZR
            army by ourselves I promise I wont let anything happen to you. 

Lani: Thank you Zen...

Zenny: Hey what are friends for?

Lani: Best friends.

	With a chuckle the twintail grabbed the rabbits hand with his own, and looking at each other happy smiles came across there faces. Turning there attention back to the sky the soft twinkles seemed to entrance them; however, The moment was short lived when a familiar voice broke through the silence. Quickly turning around they saw the ant girl general Annette staring at them intently. A bunch of silver coated knights stood behind her. 

Annette: Well this is pretty unexpected. I didn't think we'd find any other visitors in these woods. 

	Immediately the two stood up and faced the woman. A cryptic smile formed across her face. Her gaze lay locked with there's. Quickly the companions assumed battle stances watching cautiously.

Zenny: You!

Annette: Me? Im sorry have we met before?

Lani: What do you mean? I thought you were looking for us!

Annette: Wait what..? Oh! I get it! So it was you eavesdropping on us earlier watching from the 
	   trees.

Zenny: What?

Lani: So she did see us...

Annette: Of course; however, Im afraid it wasn't you who I was looking for.

Lani: Wait then.-

Annette: I do believe that enough questions! looks like we cant let you leave seeing as how you 
	   heard our little conversation.

	Giving a hand signal the small army of knights began there advancement. Slowly the Companions stepped back, but were quickly met by the steep ledge of the waterfall's hill. 

Zenny: Dammit!

Annette: Its pointless to try and run!

	The bunnies mind was in a thousand places. He knew they couldn't take them all. There was only one option. Suddenly he felt Lani grab his hand and squeeze softly. He knew what they had to do. They had to escape and there was only one way out. They didn't have to speak, for a brief second the two friends looked at each other there expressions changing from worried to slight smiles. The army of silver slowly advances while the ant girl watched them confused at what was going on. Turning around the companions looked over the waterfall into the cloud below. It was then the ant girl realized what was happening. 

Annette: Stop them!!!

	She screamed, but it already was to late. There hands tightly clasped together they took a deep breath and simultaneously  leapt over the waterfall into the body of mist below. The last thing Either of them could remember was the conversation they had had when they were children. The image of the old willow burned into there mind.

Zenny: If we ever get lost or separated... 

Lani: Well meet back here...

Both: Its a promise...

	Those words seemed to echo far and that was the last thing that could be heard before everything went black.

Lani: Well meet back here.