"I knew this was a trick." I said smirking. I brushed my blonde hair out of my eyes. That girl just doesn't know how to quit. Stubborn just like you once were.

I threw the amulet on the floor and I stepped on it taking in the satisfaction from its cracking sound. Sadly, this isn't very satisfactory. I knew of this attempt to trick me and no, I have not fallen for it. I had only given in to lower her guard. She wasn't easy to fool once but now she has lost her edge.

I clutched my own amulet. It's blue shine giving me the courage to move on.

"Oh wretched amulet... Or must I say, Sàrda... *sigh* once the most powerful of wizards... Now trapped inside of an amulet... Not a very martyr-like way to die isn't it?"

I will have you stopped you monster! I am the amulet of purity and the amulet of evil has fallen into the hands of a pure person and I have fallen into yours but I will have you stopped.

This is why I cannot bring my power to the max since I do not have the amulet of my supposed side. This wretched amulet of purity has contained me in this form. I wish to truly be free.

All is well since I have fallen into your hands to restrain you from destroying her. If I can keep you under control, then she probably will. Surely!

Stupid Sàrda... You are nothing.

I flipped the amulet around and read the encryption at the back in small letters I now memorize by heart.

"Have courage and stay determined." I said.

I felt something brush against my leg. I looked down and saw a slip of paper.

"What do you call two love birds in love... Soppy...?"

***

"I hate you too stupid." I said sitting on the couch.

"I know I know... I wonder if Pepper has made dinner or anything." He said.

"Trying to change the subject Sam?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm hungry. I miss good old fashioned Flares." He said.

"Yeah... Forgot about er for a while." I laughed recalling the hoodie incident.

"Wana head off and be back in a while? Like old times?"

"You can bet your hoodie I will." I said getting up.

"No. I won't bet my hoodie on it... Welp... Eh, let's go."

He took hold of my hand and blushed a little.

"Still so shy and sensitive." I muttered happily.

"I hate you." He said before teleporting.

We entered the old jazzy join Sam loved visiting.

"Sam! It's great to see you..." Flare exclaimed happily then suddenly looked at me holding his hand. Oh great... I forgot to let go.

"You... I forgot about you... Why don't you ever leave me alone... Me and my Sam." Flare said rolling her eyes and hands on her hips... Reminding me of a flaming Pepper.

"Why don't you just stop it... I don't know why you're always up on my case." I sighed. "Just let us have a bite to eat."

"Oh sure... I'll give you a bite to eat..." Flare said going back to the counter after shoving a menu in my face.

"Excuse the fire. Heat." Sam smiled.

"This joke keeps getting older and older!!!" I said.

"Welp... The older it gets... The more annoying it becomes..." Sam snickered.

I rolled my eyes and picked out some seats just then the door opened and in cane an angry Pepper who didn't really express it but her fists were clenched.

"Hello you two..." She said sweetly. "Why didn't you just eat at home, I already prepared something..." She said.

"Sorry, sorry." I said slowly standing up.

"OK... Just come back... I need help..." She muttered.

Then she just walked out the door and when I tried to go after her she was gone.

So she does use teleportation at times...

I looked back and Sam was walking towards me.

"You ok?..." He asked me.

"Yeah sure. Sure." I said. "Let's just get back."

Sam nodded and we left Flares in an instant.

We were back at Sam and Peppers house but Pepper was rummaging through her closet and screeching.

"Yo! What's up?..." I asked her entering her room.

"I... Have... A... ~~~~" She muttered the last few words.

"A what?..."

"A DATE!!!" She shrieked.

I stared at her... A date?... With Lacer?... This isn't good news if she went and asked for our help.

"Alright, what's the catch?"

"Catch?... Oh... The catch..." She said. "Well... I need your help guarding us... In case anything happens. I don't want to go alone... I've been alone with Lacer before but that was because his security systems kept me so... Sure..."

"Alright... Sounds easy enough." I said.

"But you shouldn't be obvious... You have to... Blend..." She said. Emphasizing on blend meant one word. Dress.

"Oh heck no..." I said. "I've been through enough trauma already."

"Please?! I don't feel safe. We're going to be at this fancy restaurant... You know, the chandelier and tapestry type..."

"I hate dressing up!" I said. "It's girly and weird!"

"Do not insult the future fashionista!!!" She exclaimed.

"You said that before." I said.

"I know that!"

"Chill. You seem stressed."

"I can't because of... Well... Flaurby..." She said silently. "I didnt want to be tortured and I didn't ask for it."

I bit my bottom lip. I know how she felt. She's a great gal. So energetic and enthusiastic, very responsible, helpful, caring... She's amazing aside from the fact that when she gets stressed, there is no time for rest. She didn't really deserve the torture. Flaubert just did all that to get to me.

"Look, he won't come on. With that amulet I gave him he might be distracted for at least a little while." I said.

"It's not that easy!!! You and I are different. You and Sam are so chill... No worries... You always find ways to take care of yourself and no one really has to look out for you! You pretty much carefree!!!" She babbled.

"Carefree?" I choked back a laugh and a grin. "Carefree?! You kidding me? I was worried that I actually killed Sam back at the cereal incident at the lab. I was worried that you wanted me to kill you. I was worried that I'd be dead myself!"

I laughed for some reason. I didn't want to leave her like this. It just never seemed right.

What do you know about righteousness???!!!

Apparently, more than you. Ya jerk.

Whatever.

"Can't I just work as a waitress or something?..." Then I stopped myself. Nope! Not them maid outfits... Nooooooooopppppeeeeeeeeeeeee.

"No. It's more distracting." Pepper said picking up a short red dress. "You can use the dress I put you in during the Hotel incident."

"No." I moaned.

"You won't be alone. I asked for Scipes to come and keep you company. She's got special privileges to enter and you two are a strong and smart bunch." She said.

"But Scipes is well known so she will obviously be known and I'm half human."

"There are many Hearthians who look very similar to humans. Peachy skin and some pink hair, looks like a human who dyed their hair."

"Fine." I grunted. "But you've gotta pay me back with a favor." I said through clenched teeth.

"And what would that be?" She asked.

"Promise me that you'll never stick me in another dress."

"I'm sorry I can't. You might need to."

"Then the deal is off." I said.

"What???!!! No!!!"

"Then agree." I said smugly grinning.

"FINE!" She shrieked. "Just let me prepare and I'll tell you where your dead-drop with Scipes will be."

"Dead-drop?"

"Just... *sigh* I'll tell you later."

***

Dead drop...

I met up with Scipes at the waterfall. Her house was almost fully rebuilt. The only thing missing was a paint job.

"You made it to the dead drop." She smiled.

"Yeah. If I  didn't get to the dead drop, I'd be drop dead." I joked.

"I hate your puns." Scipes replied.

"Let's go." I said.

"Ehem." Scopes coughed and pointed at her attire. It was subtle mix of casual and formal.

I remembered. "I have my dress right here." I sighed taking it out of my bag.

Pepper suddenly appeared from inside Scipes house. She snapped her fingers and I looked just as I did during the hotel incident.

"All right. Please don't let me die." Pepper squeaked.

"Geez Pep. We won't." I said.

She nodded and she teleported us to a fancy restaurant.

It was large. The fancy type... Like I expected. I almost threw up.

"Geez, haven't you been to a place like this? You've been to Cybers."

"It's the fact that I have to wear a dress with it that makes me throw up." I shook my head

"Same old Heat." Scipes smiled smugly.

Pepper made reservations early and Scipes and I got in for free. Since she has special privileges as Head. And as her guest I had privileges too. Hehe.

Pepper had to wait for a short time. We sat at a table a few tables away from her but she was wearing a communication pendant and so was Scipes so we could hear what they were saying. Just in case. I mean, she told us to keep guard didn't she?

I scanned all my phone texts at random since I was bored. Most of them were from people I do not know at all. Like this one, Hailey. I didn't get many texts from her but I just deleted the conversation anyway.

I looked at Pepper from a distance. She was smiling and giggling. Lacer waas also smiling. And a little shy too. He sure dresses up well though. I could hear her voice from the amulet but it sounded faraway when I'm not focusing on it.

"So... Do you fancy Lacer?..." Scipes asked being careful not to be overheard over the amulet.

"Naw. I don't really fancy anyone that much now..." I said.

"What about Sam?" She asked.

"Urgh, why do you people always have to remind me. About him. Sure he's sweet, we play around, we liked each other... But that was before... The thing wore off." I mumbled.

"I know. The Lacier and Lacer twins are besties of mine. Especially Lacer. So I got the info." She shrugged.

"Lacier?"

"No. Lacer. I'm friends with both of them. They're actually very... Strong and resilient if you get to know them better. But occasionally, Lacer is a wimp." She laughed.

I smirked and looked back at Pepper and Lacer... Then it reminded me of Sam. The first time we met when... I got the joke book... It's probably somewhere in the temple. Ripped apart or something.

I shrugged it off and felt guilty at the same time.

I stared at my amulet. What is this?... What an I doing anymore... This save a life and torture thing has gone on for way too long. I hate it.

Then, all the lights turned down. There were sounds of panic and lights blinked in different colors all around the place. Even my own. I couldn't see any red fans however.

The lights went back on and everyone started running everywhere, screaming, leaving... Just like the at the Hotel... I looked towards Lacers table and both were gone.

"Scipes! They're gone! Both gone!" I exclaimed.

She looked alarmed too. "No one. Messes with me... And especially not my friends!" She hissed. Her dark black pupils suddenly getting larger.

"Scipes, she has her amulet doesn't she?..." I asked.

Scipes checked her amulet for any sound. There wasn't.

"Let's check their table!" She suggested.

We had to weave through a large crowd. I had to lwvitate myself and Scipes since I wasn't a master and using a swaord blast could get someone hurt.

I dropped myself on top of the table and Scipes fell beside me.

"Hurry up! And give me a warning next time!" She grumbled.

I found a piece of paper taped to the chair Pepper was sitting on.

Meet me at the Waterfall where you destroyed my base... I'm giving you 86400 seconds to meet me and to decide... A whole day if you must. Come with no one. Not Sam, Scipes, Lacier, No one!!!

We settle this now. After a long wait... Or, would you prefer to watch Pepper and Lacer die before you? Your choice.

~F

I crumpled the note angruly and threw it as hard as I could at the wall. I could feel my anger surging.  My eyes were probably glowing.

"Stupid!!! I promised to guard her then, she's out of my sight!!! Stupid!!!" I banged my forehead with my fist. I summoned my sword and threw it at the wall.

It created a crater in the wall and I pulled my sword out of the wall.

"Chill. We'll find them, what did the note say?..." Scopes said calmly. But her pupils were slowly widening.

You have to go. Talk to him!!! Now!!! I need him!!! Go you pathetic excuse for a Hearthian!

I'm only half!!!

I punched the wall. My fist bled a little. I didn't care. I felt tears flow down my cheeks. I didn't want them dead! Everyone knows I don't! After all they've done for me???!!! I can't let them die! Who knows what he'll do to me though???!!!

Just talk to him already!!!

You stay out of this!!!

"Woah! I know your worried but you don't have to shout at yourself!!!" Scipes said. I could hear her clenching her fist.

"What do we do now???!!!" I exclaimed.

"I'll order every guard to search every square inch of this Hearth!!! Guard the castle, watch the lab, find them!!!" Scipes said getting her phone. "LACIER!!!! LISTEN UP!!! DO EXACTLY WHAT I SAY!!!"

I left her to ramble about her plan. I however have already decided.

Well???!!!

"Scipes, I'm going to the waterfall."