The sound of nearby voices could be hear as Lani slowly blinked his eyes open. His head was throbbing. His body ached but he somehow came to his feet. Scanning the area he realized he was in a tiny cubed shape room with floors and walls of stone there was one door and one window both barred. Clearly it was some sort of prison; however, despite its grundy appearance it was quite clean. Takeing a step toward the prison door he was taken by surprise when he took a step down. It was then that he realized that he had been sitting on a mattress like object probably stuffed with feathers or cotton. He also realized he was almost completely naked accept for his cotton candy colored underwear. Quickly he checked his hair and gave a sigh or relief feeling his hairpin still in tact. From what he could tell by looking through the barred door it was still night time. Naked and without weapons he didn't know what else to do accept sit patiently on the improvised mattress and wait. Then Suddenly a realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He was alone.
Lani: Zen!
His heart quickly sank. All he could do was hope that he was alright. The bunnies words rang in his head. "I Promised I'd protect you", but what if he was in trouble?
Lani: Zen... you've always protected me... I have to help you this time... But first I need to get out of here.
At that moment the twintail heard footsteps heading towards the cell entrance. Quickly he drew the sign for the chameleon constellation and moved to wall of the cell next to the door His body rapidly began to blend in with the wall. The door opened gently and a familiar voice called out to him. It was Annette the general from before. The ant girl cautiously entered the cell and peered inside. Quietly he inched his way to the door, then to his surprise she spoke.
Annette: I know your still here... I also know that you want to rescue your friend.
At first he was undetoured and started out the door but what she said next stopped him and turning around he looked at her still camoflauged.
Annette: Im not here to fight I want to help.
Not knowing if she was telling the truth or not but knowing that revealing himself could be dangerous he used his Gemini ability doubling himself and sending the false projection infront of her. Removing the effects of chameleon from it he then spoke through the clone.
Lani: Who are you! why did you attack us!
Annette: Im a general in the Lepusian Army. My name is Annette.
Lani: Wait your not with XZR?
Annette: No, I work for the kingdom of Lepus intellegence agency.
Lani: So your a spy...
Annette: Pretty much! We know who you and your friend are, and we know that you've met with the leader of XZR.
We want to know what you know about the power he has. Please come with me to our leaders tent.
Lani: I don't have time for this! I have to find Zen!
Annette: Your friend was seized by the Lupus army...
Lani: Lupus?
Annette: Lupus is the kingdom we are currently at war with. They were once a just State, but when Xeocross
Revolution showed up everything went to hell. Its believed whatever power there leader has he is using it to
control the Lupusian Leader. Now the leader does nothing but seek to take over other nations, and show
unbelievable cruelty to anyone who opposes him his side or not.
Lani: ... I... Had no idea it was that bad... I have to save Zen!
Annette: There is a rescue team out right n-
Lani: No! I wont put his fate in the hands of strangers! Where is the Lupus camp?
Annette: Im sorry I cant let you leave here yet.
The clone gave an impacient look reflecting his own before vanishing. Now more determined then ever he continued to the exit however before running out the open cell door he spoke a few choice words.
Lani: You don't have a choice...
Annette: ... Your items are in the storage locker... Don't die... You could be the only chance we have to stop this
Psycho.
Stopping for a second the kitsune looked back at her for a second confused then with a determined expression left the cell. It only took him a second to find his things and after knocking out the guard he got dressed and threw his bag over his shoulders. To his great luck he also found a map with the camp and his destination marked. Breathing a sigh of relieve he thought to himself.
Lani: Zen... Please be okay... This is all my fault...
Making his way towards the exit of town what the woman had said ate at him. He had thought XZR was just some smalltime cult with a lot of members, but they seem to be more. They were causing real suffering to masses of people, and they had to be stopped, as he exited the Lepus camp and walked the path to Lupus he pulled his hairpin from his hair and gazed into its radiant crystal star piece squeezing it gently before putting it back into his hair.
Lani: Don't worry Zen... This time... Ill rescue you... I promise.
***
Angry voice: Answer me you son of a bitch! Who do you work for!
The traumatizing force of being back handed struck Zenny in the face as he sat strapped to a chair in a dark dimly lit room. Blood spilled from his face choaking him and causing him to coughed violently. Looking up at his attacker with one eye closed a large black wolf man with long silvery hair wearing a set of deep blue armor smiled disturbingly back at him.
Zenny: Is this how you do innocent people? Its no wonder no one respects you...
Armored man: why you!
Second voice: thats enough! Toss him in the camps prison... well interrogative him again tomorrow.
***
After being roughly patched up and tossed back into the tiny cell room like an animal the door was slammed behind him. Weakly the bunny leaned against the wall of the cold grimy room and close his eyes coughing.
Zenny: (Lani... Im sorry... Please be safe...)
Slowly he closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep but his mind wouldn't let him. after about an hour. his fatigue began to get to him, but something struck him as odd. It was quiet. To quiet. Suddenly the door to his stone prison swung open and he heard the sound of a voice that made his heart leap.
Lani: Zen! Where are you!
The bunny's eyes bulged as he stared at the silhouette of his friend in the doorway. Barely able to make it to his feet the bunny quickly made himself know. Catching sight of the rabbit the twintail ran into the arms of his best friend hugging him tightly and at that moment all the pain in the bunny's body vanished and the only thing he could feel was the warmth of the little foxes body pressed against his.
Zenny: Oh thank god!
Lani: Zen! Im so sorry! I should have got here sooner! Who did this to you
Zenny: Don't worry about it... Im just happy your safe...
Lani: Zen...
Zenny: hehe, Isn't this usually the other way around...
Lani: ...haha... yeah... usually your the one saving me...
Zenny: We have to get out of here before those goons come back
Lani: Did they... do this...
Zenny: I said don't worry about it we have to get out of here.
---An unbelievable anger welled up inside the fox, and suddenly he could think of nothing but making the people who hurt his best friend hurt; however, he knew that Zenny needed medical attention. Pressing his hand against the hares chest a faint light appeared around him. Using the librarian constellation ability he knew he took energy from his own body and used it to slightly heal his friends. His body suddenly went limp but his best friend was there to catch him.
Zenny: You need your energy don't waist it on me.
Lani: This is all my fault... If I hadn't dragged you with me... this would never have happened...
Zenny: Hey... Don't talk like that... Were a team... We stick together no matter what. And I will always protect you.
Lani: Zen...
Zenny: Now come on lets get out of here.
Stopping for a second the twintail reached reached behind his back and pulling off the bunnies bow and quiver handed them to him.
Zenny: My stuff!
Lani: Zen... Do you think we should continue..?
Zenny: What do you mean.
Lani: We could go home and forget about XZR... If we avoid them I wont have to worry about them controlling me
We could be normal again...
Zenny: Whatever you decide I will be behind you 100%
Lani: Thank you...
Looking up at the bunny the little kitsune gave a cute but still concerned smile and nodded then grabbing the bunny's hand they exited the prison.
***
Making there escape thanks to Lani's Chameleon constellation the bunny looked around at the guards that now frantically ran around in search of the intruder. By now they had realized that Zenny had escaped, but unable to see the two there was nothing they could do; however, as the pair exited the camp they were met by none other then Gastrophete's accompanied by a small army of Lepus soldiers.
Gastrophete's: Your vanishing trick doesn't work on me. I see you very clearly. Now give up.
At first the companions figure he was bluffing and began to move slowly in one direction; however, the green caped man sent a ball of energy spiraling in there direction. Leaping out of the way it was clear he was able to see them. Removing the effects of Chameleon the kistune looked into the eyes of the XZR General with a gaze of pure hate.
Zenny: What do you want!
Gastrophete's: You shouldn't interfere. Our leader Has already warned you and now you must pay the price.
Zenny: Yeah well your leader hasnt brainwashed us like he did you!
Gastrophete's: I assure you all of my actions are self chosen. Guards! get them!
A small army of about six guards rushed the pair. Drawing his bow Zenny loaded up three arrows and sent them flying towards a set of the enemies two of them hit there mark hitting the guards in the cracks of there helmet sending them to the ground. Grabbing Lani's hand the hare tossed him into the air. the fox did a small half spin and the Aquila Constellation symbol appeared sending a tornado spiraling towards the other group of enemies sucking them in and tossing them into the air making them land on there heads and knocking them out. Landing on his feet the twintail turned to face the green caped man who rose an eyebrow.
Gastrophetes: It seems you've improved since the last time we met. Very well I shall get rid of you myself.
The man began to approach the companions; however, he was quickly interrupted by a voice they both knew. It was the ant girl Annette. The hare took a defensive stance, but Lani had a feeling she wasn't there to fight.
Annette: Gastrophetes what are you doing? You cant kill them we still need to find out how much they actually know.
Gastrophetes: General Annette... I have orders to dispose of them on sight.
Annette: Yeah brilliant idea Einstein and once you do that there goes all the knowledge of how much of our plan has
been leaked. Your suppose to be the smart one.
Gastrophetes: You do have a point... Why are you here.
Annette: I got ordered to find out how much they know about our other "little problem"
Gastrophetes: ah.. Very well you may have them... for now...
Zenny: What makes you think were going with you lady!
The bunny drew another arrow from his quiver; however, before he could do anything the kitsune placed a hand on his back that seemed to tell him everything was going to be alright. After a quick glance at each other the hare reluctantly sheathed his bow and the two followed the ant girl. The trip back to camp was quiet although Zenny had wanted to have a fit. Somehow Lani knew what the rabbit was thinking and grabbed his hand hoping to confort him. Re-entering the Lepus camp now in the clear the ant girl turned to the friends.
Annette: That was close.
Lani: Th-Thanks...
Zenny: Wait whats going on! who are you! You tried to kill us before!
Lani: Zen calm down. Shes a spy.
Zenny: What?
Annette: Ill explain everything later right now you both need rest and medical attention
