((Remember, Tom has to keep from looking alive, the Imperials think he's dead. Practicly everyone in this bar is hiding except for the group.))

Tom sighed. He started to gain some colour, and told Ditto to Transform. Ditto turned into a purple replica of Moltres. "Arseran isn't the only one who can beat him..."

A man walked through the town gates, cloak drawn up against the wind and rain. His hood covered his face, but passerbys did not think much of it, they received people in this fashion more often than not.

Still as this man walked through the market some were puzzling at the sound of plate mail.

"....One of Tamaran's cronies no doubt" a shopkeeper said to a customer.

This caught the man's attention, he walked over to him, glancing at this man's wares.

"Shopkeeper, I wish to purchase a half dozen of your apples please." The man spoke with a deep voice.

The shopkeeper presented him with his request and the man gave the shopkeeper a strange coin in return. He turned it over in his hands, it was silver but he never saw these markings before, foreign money.

"Thank you, outlander" the shopkeeper was saying to the back of the man.

The amn continued down the street, coming upon his destination. He opened the door and stepped inside the warmth of the tavern. Inside he pulled off his hood revealing a lined face, mostly gray hair and beard and an eyepatch over his left eye. The man absently reached up to rub his left eye but caught himself and lowered his hand. He opened his cloak as well revealing full plate armor, gold coloured and ornately designed. He then strode into the throng of people inside the tavern. It was the group in the back he was heading towards but a cutpurse seeing a golden opportunity got up and snatched the mans money purse. Be fore hie could fade away though a ghostly hand seized the boy resolving itself into a dusknoir who fixed a stare on the boy immobilizing him.

"I would thank you not to try and do that again" the man spoke to the boy "or you will find yourself without that arm."

The man retrieved the bag of money and fastened it to his waist.

"Alright, Eclipse let him go" The dusknoir released the boy who ran off and the man resumed his walk into the back by the fire.

He spotted them soon enough, the group he had fought with ten years ago.
But a smoke bomb dropped and the group disappeared from view. Acting fast he strode into the smoke and seized an arm, instantly recognizing it's owner.

"Hello, Hiroki" Ben said through the smoke.

Tom heared Ben's voice. "Hullo Ben, where's Eclipse?"

((Dang, you people don't sleep or are in a different time zone. ))

Trin stoped as the lady with the long hair greeted him, just as he was about to respond a man walked in. Unable to say he was there to help through the discussion that followed, he watched as the lady popped a pill into the man's mouth make jestures to the others, and dissapeared in a flash of what he reconized too late as a smoke bomb. Leaving only him and the ninja that the others reffered to as Tom. A new man burst in "How many people does this group have?" he wondered as the man he now knew as Ben jumped into the cloud of smoke and pulled out the lady who created it.

((I'm in the ACT timezone))

((I'm on the EaST coast. I have no idea what ACT is but W/A . ))

(earlier)

Aseren climbed to an indian-style sitting position. He was still very drunk except now he had a bruise in the shape of a woman's hand on his left cheek. He began scrambling up a bar stool, only for it to fall over, taking him with it. He finally got up though.

The others were talking. "Tom? But I haven't seen you since... And Sevear! Hiroki!! Is that Ben?" He said all of this out loud, not caring who heard. "What a develop-*hick*-ment! Let's drink to this wonderful turn of events!" With that he grabbed someone else's drink and began to chug. "Hey man, that ain't your drink! You better pay for that!" "And you better pay for that wallet you stole of the person next to you," replied Aseren. The man next to this new man heard and checked his pockets. "Why you lil'-!" The first man got up and ran for the door, the other man chasing him into the street.

(present)

Smoke filled the room, and Aseren was very interested in seeing who made it. He could tell already it was a woman, from the sound of her voice in her head. He carefully got up and began walking straight into the smoke. On the way he grabbed his quarterstaff, not to fight with, but to help him keep his balance. "How dare you kill the mood of this great reunion!" He stumbled as he said these words, which were uttered in a drunken manner. "I hope you can ex-*hick*-plain yourself ma'am!" He knew what she would say though.

((Trin is just gonna stand there watching the going ons until someone does something that requires his action, such as speaking to him. ))

(Meanwhile)

Pan Tamaran met in his war room, along with the rest of his military leaders. Though they didn't really lead much or anything for very long for that matter. Pan changed his underling's ranks like he changed his robes... on a daily basis. "So, that is how events transpired in the Overlyn Gap eh General Camcardy?" He had read his thoughts as he entered the room. "It appears as if you CAN do as you are told. However, General Mattyrd, you have failed me. It appears that you have angered me to the point where I must step in."

"Please sir, I just needed more men. It was an impossible task sir!" answered the General.

"The only thing impossible I see is your chances for victory under your command. You are demoted General, to a Bladesworn. You get to start all over again, isn't that lovely. Hopefully you didn't use your power to screw-over the other Bladesworn or your life might turn into a living heII." He smiled as he said this.

"It seems I will lead this next assault at Tripolin Valley," answered Emperor Tamaran. Captain Tsuji will accompany me with his honor guard. We will be assassinating their leader at nightfall. Bladesworn Mattyrd's old brigade will be stationed outside the camp and will attack once I give the order while the enemy is confused over their leader's death. We will crush them with chaos. Any objections? No? Good. We make way tomorrow."

"Sir yes SIR!" answered the leaders in unison.

It was rumored that Aseren Sedge may be located in that region, but when and how he would appear seemed a mystery to Pan. He feared noone, not even another Seer, but fearing and being wary were two very different things. Aseren had come on top the last time they met, creating doubt in Pan's grand scheme. Hope for the enemy emerged through Aseren Sedge. Aseren... I will keep my promise and kill you and Hiroki. But until then, he would sleep well tonight. He always slept well, alone.

Aseren saw as the lady finally appeared. It was, "Hiroki? Is that you? My you are as beautiful as ever." He grabbed at his cheek. "I see you left me a get sober present eh?" He rubbed it violently, blame the ale for that one. He began to walk towards her, but fell from his drunken haze. He felt ashamed of himself for getting so drunk in front of Hiroki. She never did like drinking. I hope she didn't come all this way just for me. From her thoughts I can't tell cause of this "F***ing headache!" He said the last part out loud. Wait a second... I can't understand what the mind I am reading does when I'm drunk. "Hey everybody! I'm just like you when I'm drunk! Hurray!!" With that he fell backwards, alseep... for the most part.

((Are you guys still in the tavern? I'm sorry if I'm being slow but I'm confused.))

((I have to go for an hour or two, I'll be back though.))

((Yes.))

Tom looked at Arseran. "Told him Decaf was better." As he rolled his eyes. Meanwhile the bartender grabbed the ccourage to say, "You're n-not d-dead are you? SOMEONE HEADOVER TO THE IMPERIALS CLOSEST BASE! WE MAY GET RICH FOR TURNING THIS MAN IN!" He screamed as Ditto Transformed into Tom's sword. "I'm sorry to break up this reunion but I really have to go!" As he tried to run out. But then a huge mob blocked him, aand the man with a hood ran out to alerrt the Imperials. The mob came closer around Tom, who yelled "HELP ME YOU FOOLS!"

Yotoshi was inside the tavern and had seen everything that group, including all the drunkness, that had happened.
When will people learn when to stop drinking...
He picked up his glass and slurped down a few drops of alchohol. (sp?) He quickly noticed the smoke bomb that went of and dropped hi9s glass, hearing the shards of glass sprinkle across the room.
"Nevermind people, nothing happened... "
Besides a smoke bomb going off and glass raining down on this run-down old floor.
He lifted himself off the seat, he knew he had to return back to the organization, but then a cry broke out.
"HELP ME YOU FOOLS!" Expecting that they were planning to turn the man over, he drew out his kanata and swept alongside Tom.
"Do you have any idea what is happening?"

((Ok, I'm back.))

Thrin realised that the ninja was in trouble, he drew his sword while calling out "Shlath! We need you! Go chase that man with the hood!" A Gallade lept down from the celing where he had been hiding in the rafters and chased after the man. As he drew closer to the wanted man he heard a newcomer who apperently also was a ninja ask what was going on. "Fool" he thought "there will be time for questions after the fight." Realising that they were out-numbered he drew a sleep gas bomb from his pocket, wordlessly holding out scarves to the two fighters next to him. Willing to wait only a little while for them to take the mouth protection he flipped the cap and hurled the sleep bomb into the mob's mist.

((I'm in infiltration and sleath so sleep bombs are nessecery to carry around.))

"I haven't heard much, to be honest Hiroki," replied Sevear, "I've been living in a safe haven in the mountains; I was on my way to the market when this blasted rain stopped me from getting there. Me and Duke decided to stop here until the rain stopped, then get on our way. It was simply by chance that I met you here."

((I'm going out of town for a couple of days, so Kawaii Angel will be controlling Sevear until I get back))

The tavern was in pandemonium, smoke bombs, people yelling and glass breaking. Ben spotted that creature Tom just as he shouted out. Turning he grabbed Aseren and said

"I received your letter, Aseren and I am here to help you in any way I can. Any chance to bring down the empire, I would gladly accept."

He then cast his hood over his face to ward off the smoke and turned back, despite some misgivings, to help Tom. He felt a body bump into him and found the cutpurse kid from earlier, he gave the child a look Eclipse would have been proud of and the boy disappeared. He spotted a man sneaking up on Tom from behind but a gauntleted fist dropped the man cold.

"The distraction appears to be working" Ben said to Hiroki

I nodded. I, however, was getting almost near confused with all of the action. I looked to Kinar, and we both nodded. "Kinar. You understand." I then opened a large pack that I had smuggled here. I opened it, and woke Growlithe up, who was resting inside. "Kinar, quickly give Ben, As- oh, scratch him off, Tom, Sevear, and the two people helping Tom these." I handed her some earplugs, and she disappeared. Sevear caught the idea and told everyone to put them in. When everyone was ready, I yelled "Growlithe, ROAR!" Growlithe used roar, and people forgot about Tom. They started to run around and covered their ears. Kinar ran over the the three men being attacked, and motioned for them to get on. She was going to extremespeed them somewhere, where no one would expect. In the meantime, I grabbed Ben, Sevear and Aseren. Sevear helped me get him out of the bar and we dragged him to my spot in the forest, where no one would find us. Growlithe stayed and kept using Roar, and once everyone was out, he met up with us.

The amonia bomb had caused the people near the exit faint, when the arcainine had given him the ear plugs Thrin instantly put them on and ran to grap his bag, he knew what would happen. After grabing it he ran back to the now group of 7 and jumped onto the arcainine. "I hope Shlath can find us again" he though as they arrived in a seluded forest.

Nowere to run Shlath thought as he finally cornered the hooded mannow to take you to my master he used confuse ray causing the man to become completly disabled, he picked him up and ran after a growlith he reconized from the tavern.

((Sorry for controling your charecter mildly.))

bout a mile far into the woods, I stopped and sat on a rock, breathing hard. I shook my head, and Kinar lowered herself, allowing the men to get off. Sevear sat down by me. "I'm surprised that we all found each other so quickly." He said, and spread Aseren on the ground.

(For all of you wondering, Sevear asked me to play him as well until he returns, so I am not exactly bunnying.))

Thrin listend to the convirsation in suprise. "You people arranged that?!" he exlaimed "You could have been killed, or worse, captured!".

I laughed. "We didn't 'arrange' it. We haven't even spoken to each other for years. We simply tried to find each other, and succeeded." I tried my best to sound delightful and welcoming, seeing as we needed these people to trust us, and not go to Pan. "Anyhow, who are you?" I said joyfully, smiling.

Thrin smiled, spontainus was what he liked best. "I'm merley a traviling bladsworn, my company was killed by the emporer and I wound up here, working at the tavern in order to sustain myself. I was usually hired to break up fights but this time I was part of one!" Thrin laughed "I'd been planing on leaving there anyway, too much impereial infiltration. Infiltration by the way is my specialty so my Gallade does not lack in stealth, if you are servants to the emperor or betray me then he may reveal his hiding place."

((Bleh i'm not out of town yet; will be soon. This should be my last post for the weekend.))

"And we are no strangers to combat. We've survived far worse than anything you could do. We used to work for the current Emperor, heII, we were there when he got his powers. We've been living in seclusion the last 10 years, not knowing if the others were still alive."

To my side, Duke.

Sevear's temper was rising. 10 years of anger at the betrayal was bubbling to the surface. He drew his sword and held it in a ready position, prepared in case the stranger decided to bring his Gallade into the fray.

I laughed again. "Servants of the emperor?" I shook my head, smiling. "No, we are not his servants. Pan used to be a noble and kind warrior, but when he discovered Tacid, everything changed, and for the worse. I winder where his soul lies now?" I said, now with my back against the rock and facing the sky. The man probably didn't understand half of that, be he didn't need to. I then got up, and walked forward a bit. We were probably going to have to run soon. I took out my hair, so that it reached my ankles as I faced away from everyone, and I then grabbed it and twirled it around quickly, and in a matter of seconds, the long hair was in a tight bun. I wrapped it in a ribbon, and then turned back to the men, smiling. "We are now in the midst. Better do this like how we did it all those years ago." I said. I didn't even know how I did it, but I looked the same as the day I first met Pan. My hair was thin enough to twist into a small, tight bun, so that it looked above shoulder length naturally. I walked over to Kinar and Growlithe. "Go rest for the time you can." They nodded, and laid down. I then walked by Aseren. "Oh, Aseren. Why must you drink so heavily?" I asked and sat back down. "How much time do you think we have left of peace?" I asked Sevear, who shrugged.

Ben stood with his arms folded, sizing up the newcomer, he seemed like a good kid though he was suspcious of his loyalties then again Ben was suspcious of everyones loyalties.

"Servants of the emperor?" Ben echoed Hiroki "Bah, I am no longer a dog to any imperial, I wish to see this empire fall on its bloody knees."

He made a motion with his hand and Eclipse appeared at his side. He whispered it her ear and she stalked off.

"Just like old times, I suppose" He said "Though that Tom will be the death of us all, if he did not try to kill us all before."