Fourteen: Present

Lofgun watched as a woman disappeared into the dawn light, a cloak about her to hide her identity. He had a bad feeling, his heart falling into his stomach. He knew they'd meet again. She was strong, fast, and determined. Even if the lunatic researchers caught her again, Lofgun would find out and get her back, because…because…

Because he liked Coolyala. He enjoyed her company, enjoyed getting to know her a bit more everyday. He liked how she came to trust him and his crew. He liked how she didn't think twice about saving Jarrambah or how she wanted the other Bulldogs saved.

When she had first ran into his home, she was skittish and eyed everyone who came close. She was quiet, scared, and hurt. Now, after some help from his crew and him, Coolyala had confidence in everything she did. Her mind is sharper, more brilliant than ever. And when she told him her plan last night, Lofgun was brimming with pride. Because she was going to retrieve the stones, and she would come back to find him and the crew.

But he was dreading the future. Maybe it wasn't dread in thinking she'd be captured again, but it was dread about something. He just didn't know what.

"How is our Butterfly?" Rinnowra asked as she came to stand next to him.

"More beautiful than I could have ever imagined," he breathed. "Her wings, thanks to all of us, are healed and in flight. Her senses honed to detect any danger. And her mind learning new things everyday."

She chuckled. "Lofgun, she doesn't know your feelings, does she?"

He glanced at her, frowning. "What do you mean?"

She rolled her eyes. "You like her, Captain! Don't deny it!"

He shrugged, going back to staring at the horizon. "I do like her, but she has responsibilities to her family, her world. I'm a pirate."

"I don't think that would matter to her."

"No, but it would to her people, her parents."

"Why?"

He looked back at the woman who was the only one of her kind among the pirates in any sea. "She is like a princess, Rinnowra. She would have to marry one of her own, rule her world, and protect everyone in it. I wouldn't be able to handle staying in one place all the time. You know this."

"Even a princess doesn't stay home all the time. They travel. They go see other lands."

"But I like being on the move all the time, only a small pause every few years."

Rinnowra gave him a knowing grin. "And yet, you stayed in this world for over a year to take care of her!"

"We had no ship!"

She snorted and waved his comment off. "You and I both know that means nothing." She gave him a sympathetic look. "You do like being on the move, Lofgun, but you also like her. She makes you laugh and have fun."

Lofgun scowled. "I always have fun!"

"When there is valuable treasure, sure. But you have never joined in a sparring match, a joke, a story, or anything the rest of us do until she dropped into our lives."

"Who's to say I'll keep doing it?"

"Because it makes her happy."

Lofgun opened his mouth, then shut it. He did do everything when Coolyala was around. When they had sparred the first time, he had fun. He was enjoying it more than he cared to admit. But…did he really want to express how much he felt for her when – after all is resolved – and she goes home, will he be able to do what is necessary in order to live the life she was born into?

"I won't stand in the way of what she does after this," he says quietly. "I won't force her to choose between me and her world."

"I'm not asking you to," Rinnowra stated. "I'm asking you to accept what you feel and see if she feels the same."

"Not until this deal with the stones is finished. Then, maybe, I will express myself to her."

Rinnowra shrugged. "That's fair."

Goomal strode up to them and crossed his arms. "So, how are we going to save the Bulldogs?"

Coolyala had just reached the spot for her to open a portal when Milbaral appeared in the shadows, glaring at her. "Ylfrettub, you believe they will infiltrate my lab here and save the low-lives they call friends?"

"I don't believe. I know," she said firmly.

He barked a laugh. "You're adorable when you act like everything is going your way!"

She stopped and crossed her arms. "What do you want?"

"Nothing, because you will lead me exactly where I want to go."

Coolyala raised her brows. "You want to follow me to the world of sickness?"

"I'd follow you anywhere, youngling."

She wrinkled her nose but continued to work, sitting on the grass and forming a cup with her hands.

"He will die, Yala."

She closed her eyes, ignoring his words.

"He will die and so will his people."

"And if they do, I will come and rip your skin off your bones slowly while you beg for mercy."

Milbaral laughed. "I hope my friends are welcoming to you when you see them. I have business elsewhere, unfortunately."

She looked at him, eyes fiery. "He will destroy the lab, then you. And when he does, I will be there to cheer him on."

He smirked. "Not if you're tied up, Ylfrettub."

With that, he disappeared.

She hated herself for having doubts, but she didn't want Lofgun hurt. She didn't want his crew hurt. She knew he'd be okay. How could he not when all of them – Rinnowra, Boom, Jin, Coomarrah, Wong – all of them would be there to watch his back? And he'd have theirs as well. They would be fine. They're pirates, used to going in to steal and getting out safely. Of course they would be fine…right?

She cursed, but opened a portal to Gnidaf Mlaer – the world of death and sickness where only one kind survives – the Irnus.

The Irnus were a fickle folk. They are calculating and deceiving. They have four arms and four legs and four eyes, two sets of wings, and a horn on their head. While four eyes seems like they should be very aware of their surroundings, their eyesight sucks. On the other hand, they have ears like an elephant, making their hearing uncanny.

What makes them invincible to the endless diseases in their world is the thick skin and vibrant furs: dark grey, dark gold, red, and dark pink. However, the female sex are hardheaded and cruel. They don't listen and they love to pick a fight. While the males are mellow and laid back.

Coolyala hated this world…

Not only would she have to recover from whatever she inhales, she would also be having nightmares from all the corpses left to rot and fester. But she had a friend here, one who may be able to help her get out faster.

Lofgun and the Wolves were glaring at the building that imprisoned their companions – the White Bulldogs. Jarrambah had explained how Coolyala used a secret tunnel to get themselves out, explained how long it would take to travel and where they'd end up. Lofgun was skeptical. He didn't want to end up inside a room perhaps full of their enemies, or with a Bulldog dying before them. So, he had Keayo go in.

Keayo – a small and 'insignificant' male who couldn't harm a fly! At least, that's the appearance he gives. Keayo is hardly of age, only seventeen and Lofgun still felt guilty for recruiting him ten years ago. A youngling who was left abandoned and half starved. But Lofgun supposed he'd feel worse if the youngling had died that day.

Keayo had blonde hair and sapphire eyes. A male pretty and pliable is what most believe. But Keayo learned to use his looks to deceive. He could appear ready for the opposite sex, or…as a adolescent who only wants a bite to eat and a place to sleep.

Keayo was also getting into small places, being a Lucrai and able to turn into a tiny molecule that floats about, unseen. He was almost always quiet though, not socializing with the rest. But Lofgun was okay with that. Keayo got along and didn't like to fight much…

Which is why Lofgun argued this idea. However, Keayo volunteered, and Lofgun never rejects an offer from his crew members.

Ten minutes pass…

Thirty…

An hour.

"Call him out!" Lofgun demanded of Boom.

Everyone looked at him, some scowling, others surprised. "The place is big…he probably-"

"I don't care! It's been too long!"

Boom nodded and summoned Keayo. A moment later, Jin becomes alert, body straightening. Lofgun looks around, but saw nothing, though it wasn't surprising anymore. "He's here?"

Jin nods, stepping towards his Captain and says, "Milbaral says that if we don't call off this attack, he will send an assassin after Butterfly."

Lofgun breathed calmly. "He wouldn't."

Jin shrugs. "He says that they don't need her anymore. He will be more than happy to have her dead."

Lofgun crosses his arms and glares into the void, wishing he could see the bastard. "She'll be alert for threats. She's too smart."

Jin listens, and his body becomes as stiff as wood. By the time he speaks, he has wide eyes and a pale face. "She's in Gnidaf Mlaer. She is not of that world. So, if she does not leave within a week, she will die no matter what."

{Please start checking authors notes about the names of everything.}