The elevator descended deep into the facility's heart, carrying Eary, Sakile, Calvin, and Luke toward their objective. As the doors opened, they found themselves in a dimly lit corridor, the walls lined with heavy metal doors, each one leading to a different cell.

Sakile took the lead, commanding his copies to scout ahead for threats. The occasional flicker of fluorescent lights above revealed the purple haze surrounding the clones, a side effect of the power.

The group moved cautiously, scanning the cells for any sign of Professor Maxwell. Along the way, they encountered locked cells containing other captives, their faces etched with fear and despair. Eary, filled with empathy, tried to reassure them that they would return, but they had no time to linger.

They finally reached cell block S. Amid the dusky hallways, they regrouped with Alice, Mei, and Denby.

As they moved further into the dimly lit corridor, they spotted a solitary cell at the end, its door slightly ajar. They found Professor Maxwell bound to a chair, his eyes filled with relief and worry. Maxwell gasped in surprise and relaxed as he recognized the young people before him.

"Students! You've come," Maxwell said with a tired smile. "I'm relieved to see you all."

Luke wasted no time and began working on the restraints holding Maxwell. Maxwell massaged his sore wrists as the locks disengaged with a soft click, thanking them profusely.

"What happened, Professor?" Eary asked, concern etched on his face.

Maxwell sighed and began to recount his ordeal. He explained how he and Ben were ambushed by a group of masked individuals shortly after Ben's arrival. They had overwhelmed him with tranquilizer darts and brought him to this underground facility.

"It was a well-organized operation," Maxwell continued. "They wanted information about the Nocopo gems and my compliance to assist them with their Nocopo research. They didn't get much from me; I ensured that."

Maxwell smiled a tired, worn smile. But then looked at Alice with a sense of urgency.

"Alice, I believe they are after the knowledge contained within the gems, particularly the one you've been in contact with."

Alice's eyes widened as she realized the implications. She said,

"They must know about it then. And if it's always been in your care, and you just got abducted, that means..."

Maxwell nodded gravely. "Exactly. We have a mole. We need to get out of here and warn the others. There's something much larger at play, and we're in the midst of it."

Sakile checked the facility's layout on a tablet he had taken from the security room. Finding a secure escape route. The group decided to free the other captives they had passed on the way, believing they might also have valuable information.

The facility alarm system engaged as the team led Maxwell and the survivors back to the surface.

The overhead speakers announced, "Intruders on Level 7. All security personnel, please move it intercept. Engaging automated defense automatons."

Sakile, looking up, exclaimed. "Shit! Alright, everyone, we gotta move. Hurry!"

The large crowd trudged through the facility corridors back to the elevator.

As he led the way, Sakile's clones sent back a message. "Large, armed force ahead. Approximately 15 soldiers and 3 large automatons."

That was what they communicated to him before their essence returned to Sakile.

Sakile gathered the strike team together. "There are three large warbots with a squad of soldiers up ahead. Eary, I need you to make a barrier at the end of that hall."

Eary replied." Can do!"

Sakile nodded and looked at Mei. "Whatever one of these fuckers don't get hit by his own bullets, I want you to fry 'em!"

Mei nodded in determination.

Sakile continued, "The rest of us are finna bust up those bots! Is everyone clear?"

The team agreed and quickly bounced to the protected end of the hall.

Sakile called out, "Hey, mother fuckers! Over here!" He waived wildly as they took aim and fired.

The aftermath was predictable. Most of the guards lay dead, struck by the bullets Eary's shield repulsed. Eary then released his force field, allowing Mei to swoop in with a magnificent firestorm, finishing off the guards and damaging and warping the bot's armor.

Sakile announced, "Let's do it!"

He, Luke, and Denby each smashed into a bot. Calvin shot a gust of wind, knocking it over, while Sakile bashed up it's now exposed, vulnerable side with his enchanted baton.

Eary struck with quick bolts as Luke bombarded another with strikes. While Alice immobilized the third, allowing Denby to tear through the machine with his bare hands.

As the battle raged on, the team's coordinated efforts paid off. The automated defense automatons, once formidable adversaries, now lay in pieces on the floor of the dimly lit corridor. Sparks and smoke filled the air, a testament to the fierce clash that had just taken place.

The group quickly regrouped and pressed toward the surface, neutralizing the immediate threat. They knew that time was of the essence, and they had to warn the others about the traitor in their midst and the larger conspiracy surrounding the Nocopo gems.

As they moved through the labyrinthine corridors of the underground facility, their determination burned brighter than ever. They had faced danger, betrayal, and powerful adversaries, but their bond and resolve remained unbreakable.

The escape route outlined by Sakile's tablet led them toward an access point that would take them closer to the surface. They navigated through narrow passageways and emerged into a large, dimly lit chamber filled with heavy machinery and crates. This was the facility's storage area.

But as they cautiously made their way through the chamber, they stumbled upon something unexpected, a room filled with crates containing Nocopo gems. The shimmering, multifaceted gems were arranged in neat rows, each emitting a faint, otherworldly glow.

Mote announced, "It can't be!"

He hurriedly flew towards one of the crates. As Mote dug, he carelessly tossed aside Nocopo artifacts. The team hurried to catch them to ensure the safety of the jewels. Mote soon emerged from the crate.

"Got it!" he exclaimed as he held up a large red jewel and some strange device.

Flying it back to the group, he handed the gem to Sakile and exclaimed, "You better hold on to this."

Sakile nodded as he pocketed the stone.

Eary inquired, "What's that other thing you have there, Mote?"

Mote smiled mischievously, "Oh, it's just my keys."

Eary stared curiously at the strange, luminous, elongated crystal contraption.

Before he could investigate further, the facility's alarms blared again, and approaching footsteps echoed through the chamber. The team knew they couldn't stay here any longer.

Sakile quickly surveyed their surroundings and located an exit leading to the surface.

"We have to move, now!" he urged, his voice filled with urgency.

The group hurriedly approached the exit, leaving behind the room filled with the precious, powerful Nocopo gems. They were determined to escape and regroup but would have to stay for now.

As the team reached the surface, Alice announced, "We should be okay to port from here! Everyone, join hands."

The large group agreed and huddled in a circle, hands clasped. Alice, at the head, closed her eyes. She thought of each of the people she was carrying, Bright Hope and the Star Gazer. And in an instant, the strike team, Maxwell, and the group of survivors were back in the lobby.

Alice peeked open her eyes and then announced, "Oh, fuck yeah! It worked. Phew!" She exclaimed in relief; she then noticed the looks on the faces of the group of scared teenage survivors. With an awkward smile, she continued, "Welcome to the Star Gazer. Heh heh heh." She giggled nervously.

Maxwell loudly announced, "We must inform Victoria of the events that transpired!"

He quickly turned and headed toward the elevators. Sakile, Luke, and Denby, who were directly under Victoria, joined him.

Eary and the others stood before the group of five disheveled, terrified youths. He began,

"Hi, I'm Earhart, and these are my friends Alice, Mei, Calvin, and Mote here." He pointed to the blue lights that manifested into the group's mascot.

Mote approached. "I know you're scared, and that's understandable. But we ain't gonna hurt none of ya. In fact, you'll probably end up here with us. Tell me, what are your names?"

As Mote finished speaking, the five teenagers smiled and looked at Mote in unison. They spoke together in a greasy tone:

"I believe I have found you! Tsk, tsk, tsk. You know I must punish my toys when they defy me. So I've prepared a little gift for you."

The 5 teenagers exploded, sending gore in all directions. Eary had reflexively blocked the mess from himself and four companions. But as they stood in shock from the horror they witnessed, another was coming.

The strode-about flesh began to pull itself back together. As the bits started to stack, two large, meaty stumps of would-be feet emerged. After the long legs and hulking torso came two long tentacle appendages, each with three writhing fingers. A mid-sized bump with two eyes peering out was all left for the horror's head.

The grotesque monstrosity that had formed from the remains of the five teenagers stood before Eary and his companions. Its tentacle appendages twitched and writhed while its beady eyes fixated on the group with malevolent intent.

Eary, Alice, Mei, Calvin, and Mote stood their ground, their expressions a mix of shock, horror, and determination.

As the creature took a step forward, Eary stepped forward to confront it, his eyes narrowing with resolve.

"We won't let you harm anyone else, Johnathan," Eary cried.

With a wave of his hand, Eary unleashed a torrent of white-hot flames toward the abomination. The searing flames struck the creature, causing it to emit a guttural, agonized howl. Its tentacled limbs flailed in pain as it struggled to maintain its form.

Calvin, Mei, and Alice quickly rallied to Eary's side. Calvin summoned the winds, thrusting the creature against a large marble column. Mei channeled her fire magic, launching herself upwards. As she danced through the air, she summoned large icicles and harpooned the creature.

Using her telekinetic abilities, Alice lifted the receptionist's desk and hurled it at the monstrosity, weakening its form. Mote circled the creature in his spectral form, creating a chilling aura that disrupted its movements.

Eary called out to Mote, "Hey, that's new!"

Mote replied, "I just got an eternity of memories, squirt! You better believe I'm packin' more juju!"

As the combined onslaught continued, the abomination's form began to destabilize. Its tentacles writhed uncontrollably, and its eyes dimmed as if losing consciousness. With one final burst of energy, Eary released a mighty torrent of white flames, causing the creature to convulse violently before dissipating into a cloud of dark mist.

The lobby fell silent once more, and the horror vanquished. Eary panted heavily, feeling drained by the intense use of his abilities. The others also looked exhausted but relieved.

Mote chuckled nervously, his blue light flickering. "Well, that was...."

Alice, still catching her breath, exclaimed. "Fucked up!"

Victoria and the others arrived on the scene. Shocked by the state of the lobby, she asked,

"What on earth happened here?"

Luke and Sakile approached their respective charges with inquiries about their well-being.

Alice explained the survivors' sudden transformation and the message.

Victoria nodded, "Most likely, it's from Tiddle." She looked at the three students and Alice and said, "There are things you all need to know."

Victoria stood before the youths and explained, "We are fighting a war! A war against an ancient evil that resurfaces every 13,000 years. They are called the Scions and the sole reason you are all here at the institute."

The group fell in shock. Could all of their interests be aligned?

In a shimmer of light, Mote appeared before the professor and Victoria.

He announced, "Funny, we've all been after the Scions, too! Great minds!" The two gasped.

Maxwell concluded, "You're a Moteling! I've read stories about you; I thought you were a Nocopian myth."

Mote replied, "After you've seen walkin' jug statues and magic rocks, I'm beyond belief, sheesh!" He continued, "So you are trainin' these kids here to fight your war, huh? Despicable!" Mote folded his arms in protest.

Eary reminded him, "Umm, Mote? Aren't you essentially doing the same thing?"

Mote scoffed back, "Yeah, but divinely."

Eary Rolled his eyes.

Sakile stated, "They just gave us the rundown upstairs. It looks like we're in a losing war. I think it's up to all of us if we share."

The group agreed and excused themselves from the professor and Victoria to congregate. After much debate, they concluded they had no choice but to work with the Star Gazer, but they had terms.

Alice spoke to Victoria for the group: "We have decided we will work with you. But we have a few demands."

Victoria agreed quietly, "Okay."

Alice continued, "After we get off this Tiddle guy, we all go home. You will provide means of transportation for everyone. But we are going home after this."

Victoria nodded. "And what else?"

Alice straightened her posture. "I need a house in Toronto as a base for us. I trust that full disclosure on all topics will be easier than me reading your mind. Finally, I think we should be paid for risking our lives."

Victoria consented. The two forces agreed, and Mote revealed the history of the Scions and the Claris, the importance of the gems, and his role in each of the cycles.

Maxwell replied, "Fascinating! A creature like you is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview!"

Victoria added, "Are there any more leads on any more gems, Mote?"

Mote nodded as he pulled out the small glowing object from before. He explained,

"This here. I've been looking for this! This is the key to where one of them is hidden!"

Victoria excitedly responded, "How do you know this?"

He scoffed. "I stashed it there myself; it had been hidden for the longest time. The last person to see it was Ilia 13,000 years ago. Hehehehe, I hid it where no one would ever find it!"

Eary, astounded, asked." Where Mote?"

The little moteling smiled, his face a wash with amusement and mischief.

"You'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see!"