Flashfire

"This will do nicely!"

"You sure Kid? There are othe-"

"No! I like this one!"

"Okay don't say I didn't warn ya...."

I found the one.... a thick neon black leathery jacket with metal plates padded to its elbow and shoulders! I wore some leather boots and jeans trousers to match!

"You'll die of heat in that thing, you know?" Pedro muttered.

"I don't care! At least I'll die looking good!"

Pedro shook his head and Barney groaned uncomfortably... the others didn't seem to care as much though mostly because Gambit kept trying to Flee.... it was futile though, Darius cast powerful spells on Gambit, that forced him to return to us no matter how hard he tried to run.... I pitied him really.

"Thank you for the assistance Lord Darius..." Bradley muttered.

"Just add it to the list of things you owe me for.... I'll receive my payment in Fire crystals Fairyman,"

"....Of course my Lord,"

"The spell will break once you cross over to the next moon,"

"I appreciate your-"

"You may go now... I require rest,"

"Of course my Lord!"

Darius Groaned and Bradley bowed before jugging over to us.

We left soon after, the trek through the swamp was....dull? I'm kinda underwhelmed really, given how lively the past few days have been, I'd expect things to be crazier, It's bright out too....

"It's Lord Darius Miasma...." Arthur.... no his Automaton rather said... he's not pissed at me anymore... at least I think but he is still frustrated, he reflexively touches his mouth now and then but.... Did he read my mind? No I don't think he has that ability.... at least I hope, maybe my Facial expressions were too obvious to read...

"Miasma.... I can't feel it though..."

"Of course you can't, you're human, you haven't a drop of mana in your vessel," Vince added, it was weird hearing his grumpy voice, the big guy was quieter than Pedro.

"Well.... yes..." I muttered, but that one aside why would the beasts avoid Darius.... isn't he their Prince's Offspring?

"He is.... different from the rest of his family..." Sir George said as though he read my mind, "The Crusher of Dreams..... he earned that title because he constantly thwarted his Family's attempts of taking over the rest of the moons, as well as descending onto Garland...." He continued.

"But why? why would he stop his family? Do they have beef or something?"

"Beef?" Bradley muttered in confusion.

"....I think the boy means grudge Bradley... The youth these days have strange slangs for simple things..." Sir George said, my face felt hot! it didn't help that Barney kept chuckling like a fool.... They already thought I was some weirdo before now it's....

"That one aside.... has anyone asked him why?"

".....Junior, tell me this, If you stumble upon an Oasis while you're lost in the desert, would ask 'Why is this thing here?' or would you drink the water?" Vince asked.

"..."

"The only person that knows why Lord Darius chose to protect us is Lord Darius himself.... and none of us are brave enough to ask him.... do not look a gift horse in the mouth," Vince continued.

".....you're rather chatty today, aren't you?" I blurted out, Damn it! "I-I didn't mean to-" I stammered.

"It's fine.... I wasn't sure about you at first.... but it seems my worries were unfounded.... after we get back I'll make sure to welcome you properly!" Vince cried... he was smiling... it reached all the way to his ears.... I didn't like it.... I didn't like it one bit! There was something sinister about it!

"P-Properly....?" I muttered.

"Yes! I have a-!?"

"wha-!? Damn it Gambit enough already! you can't run even if you wanted too!" Barney bellowed.

"NO! I'M NOT GETTING KILLED BECAUSE OF JACKIE AND TOTO'S FOOLISHNESS!" Gambit Screamed, his eyes bulging outta his head, there was a deranged desperation behind them.

"...Accept your punishment as a man..." Vince muttered.

"but-"

"You knew the consequences of escape, no? You forfeit the freedom given to you.... stop your struggle and come quietly it is unbecoming of-" Vince was saying until Gambit cut him off.

"An elf? Do not.... do not bring my people into this! We wanted no part of the Alliance to begin with!"

"What does that matter to us? You're still going to face Grazer though," Bradley spoke.

"If you won't listen to my pleas.... then I have no choice!" Gambit cried.

"No choice? Bah! You can't harm us, lord Darius made sure of that!" Barney barked.

"Yes.... I can't harm you, but Flashfire can! Come to me my pet!" He shouted before glowing red, a number of seals hovered over his chest before.... an elk emerged from them.... it glowed red, then blue then green before settling on Yellow, it eyes were black bottomless pits and it was filled with hate..... it glared at us distastefully.

".....Gambit think about what you're doing..." Bradley said coolly.

"I have.... they'll turn me into one of those.... those metal men.... they'll take away my... my mind! I cannot come with you! Death is the only thing that awaits me if I do!"

"Bu-"

"Is the death of free will not the same as true death!? I WILL NEVER ACCEPT THAT FATE!" he shouted, Flashfire lunged at us! It's was heading straight to Sir George! But Bradley grabbed the Creature before it could make contact... he transformed into his Fire Crystal form but....

"You fool! I learn my mistakes!" Gambit cried, he produced a strange rodent like creature from his pouch... It had blue fur and Reddish blue eyes with big fluffy ears... it was the cutest little thing I'd ever seen....I'm surprised he was able to store that thing on his person given how.... well he's a Fire Man..

"What is that thing?" I asked.

"My Freedom!" Gambit replied before.... Squeezing the poor creature!

"Wha-!?"

It screeched! It was the worst, most horrendous noise I'd ever heard In my Life! And that's saying a lot! I could feel this thing's pain and anguish! I could feel his sorrow, I could feel it's hurt! I fell to my knees clutching my ears, the others joined me too, it felt like we listened to this thing for what felt like hours before it finally went silent.

And then....

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

"What.... have you done?" Vince muttered.

"You...you left me no choice... no choice!" Gambit Screamed before passing out....

I guess he was lucky to pass out, at least he'd probably die peacefully in his sleep.... as for the rest of us, we'd need to do that kicking and screaming I guess, because we were surrounded by 8 Bio Beasts now.....

"Everyone.... survive no matter what!" Bradley Ordered us.