Jannali's boots squelch against the grimy deck as she drops to one knee. Her fingers trace the faint residue—a glittering trail, unmistakably Jelly's, mingled with smaller footprints that suggest at least three other sets. She studies the marks, reading them like a map.
"Looks like they went off in this direction." She rises, Gosan extending to its full length as she points toward a twisted corridor where the island's metal flesh folds into itself. With a flick of her wrist, the spear retracts, and she secures it to her hip.
Atlas jogs forward, Electro crackling across his knuckles. "Wait up. I'm coming with you."
Bō-Zak blows a lazy plume of smoke, the ash drifting in the stagnant air. "Count me in. Someone has to keep you two from getting lost." He winks, though the gesture carries no warmth—just the reflexive charm of a man who can't help himself.
Kaburo follows behind them, silent as a shadow. His hand rests on Kalamaru's hilt, and his eyes never stop moving, cataloging every shadow, every potential threat. He doesn't speak. He doesn't need to.
---
The remaining four watch them disappear around the corner.
Bianca flicks her wrist in a dismissive gesture. "Like, cool. I'll, like, see if I can figure out how to turn the ship back on." She's already moving toward the submarine's access hatch, her boots clanging against the metal deck.
Galit follows after her, his long neck curving to peer at the vessel's exterior. "I'll help."
Bianca glances over her shoulder, a genuine smile breaking through, "Like, awesome. I can, like, use the assist. The power distribution on this thing is, like, totally insane."
Sanza stands rigid beside Aurélie, his bamboo practice sword held at an angle that suggests he's trying very hard to look like a seasoned warrior.
Aurélie looks down at the small figure. "Care to join me while I stand watch?"
Sanza considers this with exaggerated gravity, then shrugs. "Can you help me with some training?" He puffs out his chest. "I need to be ready for when I become Supreme Commander."
Aurélie's expression doesn't change, but something in her posture softens. "That is a fine use of time." She steps back, clearing a space on the deck. "Show me your stance."
---
The corridors of Metis twist and turn like the intestines of some vast, dying creature. Metal walls weep rust-colored moisture. Steam hisses from vents that shouldn't exist. The air tastes of copper and old blood.
Ember leads the charge, her voice rising in a sing-song chant. "As fast as fast can be, you'll never ever catch me!" She spins, her neon-pink space buns whipping through the air.
Jelly bounces after her, his gelatinous body leaving glittery impressions on the floor with each landing. His mitten-hand extends, stretching toward her back. "Bloop! Your—"
Ember spins away, giggling with manic delight. "You can't catch me!" She vaults over a fallen pipe, landing in a crouch.
Jelly bounces off a wall, rebounds, and nearly catches her shoulder. "Bloop! Almost!"
Behind them, Vesta's lungs burn. She's clutching Mikasi to her chest, the guitar's strings humming with sympathetic vibration. "Guys, wait up! You're too fast!" She doubles over, panting.
Eliane keeps pace beside her, her silver hair plastered to her forehead with sweat. Her blue eyes are wide, darting between the disappearing forms ahead. "No, don't—"
They round a corner, and Eliane's voice trails off.
The explosion hits without warning—a flash of orange and red that sends debris spraying across the corridor. The shockwave forces Vesta and Eliane to throw up their arms, shielding their faces.
They exchange a look, then rush forward together.
The scene that greets them is carnage. A pile of smoking cyborgs lies in pieces, their mechanical components still sparking. And standing in the center of the destruction, Ember and Jelly are giggling uncontrollably.
"That was SO COOL!" Jelly bounces on the spot.
"I KNOW, RIGHT?" Ember claps her hands together. "Did you see the way they—"
Vesta groans, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Oh no."
Eliane grabs her arm, already pulling her forward. "Come on! We'd better hurry before they get even farther ahead!"
---
Rows upon rows of stasis chambers line the walls of this vast, cathedral-like space. Each one holds a figure—some human, some not—suspended in a state between life and death. The only sound is the rhythmic hum of machinery and the soft drip of condensation.
Ikkaku walks close to Jean Bart, her eyes scanning the sleeping faces. "What do you think this is all for?" Her voice echoes in the cavernous space.
Jean Bart shakes his head, his massive frame casting a long shadow. "I don't know." He pauses beside a chamber containing a Fish-Man with half its face replaced by metal. "Maybe it has something to do with..."
Both their heads snap up at the sound of an explosion. The ground vibrates beneath their feet, and a plume of smoke billows from an entrance at the far end of the chamber.
Ikkaku's hand goes to her weapon. "What the hell was that?"
Jean Bart steps in front of her, his muscles tensing. "I don't know, but get—"
Before he can finish, a cackling figure leaps out of the smoke. Ember lands in a theatrical crouch, her mismatched eyes scanning the room with predatory glee. Behind her, Jelly bounces through the smoke, giggling.
Jean Bart and Ikkaku freeze.
Ember blinks. Jelly stops bouncing.
They stare at each other across the silent chamber.
Then Vesta and Eliane burst through the smoke, both panting heavily. Vesta doubles over, hands on her knees. "Shew! Finally caught up to you!" She wipes her brow dramatically.
When Ember and Jelly don't respond, Vesta and Eliane follow their gaze.
Vesta cocks her head, then waves. "Oh hey there. I'm Vesta!" She says it like she's greeting neighbors at a market.
Jean Bart blinks, clearly struggling to process the situation.
But Ikkaku's eyes are fixed on the blue gelatinous form. "I know that blue blob."
Jelly points a mitten-thumb at his chest. "Bloop! Jelly time!"
Ikkaku's memory clicks into place. She points, her voice rising. "You're that blue blob that Marya found!"
Jean Bart perks up at the name. "Marya?"
Vesta tilts her head, curiosity flickering across her rainbow-haired features. "Are you friends with Marya?"
Eliane points at their overalls, her eyes widening. "Look! It's the same as her jacket!"
Vesta nods, processing this. "Oh yeah, that's cool."
Ikkaku steps forward, urgency creeping into her voice. "Is Marya here?"
Vesta nods, then shrugs. "Oh yeah, she's here, but..."
Jean Bart's brow furrows. "But what?"
Vesta spreads her hands. "She up and disappeared. She does that a lot." She says it like it's a weather report.
Eliane's eyes are still fixed on Ikkaku. "Are you friends with Marya too?"
Ikkaku nods, her relief palpable. "Yeah. We're friends."
Everyone turns at Vesta's exclamation. "Oh no. Not again."
Jelly and Ember have vanished. The corridor behind them is empty.
Eliane whines, her shoulders slumping. "But we just caught up to them!"
Vesta jerks her head toward the passage. "We better hurry before they get too far ahead." She's already moving.
Eliane nods, then waves at Jean Bart and Ikkaku. "Nice to meet you!" She sprints after Vesta.
Jean Bart and Ikkaku exchange a look—the kind that says this is our life now. Then Ikkaku calls out, "Hey, wait!" and chases after them, Jean Bart following close behind.
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