Perilous Beauty

[R-iZZy]

Stealth looked at Enya, "Sure, let me see what I could do!"

Stealth pointed his glowing kitana at Rex from a distance, and shot out a laser. Unfortunately, Rex caught the beam from the corner of his eye and reflected it quickly with his sword. The beam bounced back and hit Stealth in the chest.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Stealth yelled in pain. "Damn! That beam is too unbearable! No wonder my victims screamed so excrutiatingly!"

[Storm Wolf]

Enya looked at Stealth and blinked "Well that help an awful lot...." She muttered

[R-iZZy]

Stealth looked up, "Looking at what you did against Rex, I don't think you could do better." Stealth began. "His senses are too f***in' strong! We gotta stop him, but how?"

[Storm Wolf]

Enya growled "Well...he's your enemy! you think of something!"

[R-iZZy]

Stealth lifted an eye at Enya, "He's my enemy... but my mentor too! When did students surpass teachers?"

[Storm Wolf]

Enya growled and bared her fangs.

Jade came up beside her "Stop your bickering! This helps no one!" Jade looked at Stealth "Your no help! How did you ever survive any previous encounters with this monster....you...."

Tiger rushed past stopping momentarily to throw in a word "Leave him alone! We need to work as one....quit ridiculing and do something your self as well!"

[R-iZZy]

Stealth shoved Tiger out the way, getting in Jade's face, "Let's not forget that it was ME that switched Rex's attention while you were on the ground getting stabbed!" Stealth didn't even care for anything else anymore. "You've been worth sh*t ever since I met you! This whole deal thing you offered me (in the very beginning of this RPG - yes, I still remember), it's over!"

Stealth was irate... it was he who had dealt with Rex all of his life, not Jade.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger's temper flared, Stealth's rude reaction had pushed her limit. Tiger was more fragil in her human form, but this she forgot as she stood up to Stealth and shoved him back from Jade "I won't tolerate this behavior Stealth....not from you nor anyone else!" Her words were harsh and she wasn't sure if she had surprised Stealth or just p*ssed him off worse, never had she aimed her anger at him in such a way.

Jade went silent, surprised at how quickly Tiger's disposition had changed from friendly and easygoing to a raging river of anger and especially towards Stealth of all people.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth raised from his position and brought his face in Tiger's, yelling in an outraged tone. "So you're just gonna go off on ME? What about Jade, Tiger! Oh, I get it... suddenly, I'm just not good enough for your females! Suddenly, I'm just the cause of all of this. Well, you know what? Forget you Jade! And forget you Tiger!"

Stealth was more irate than ever, "I can handle this battle my f***in' self! I don't need (points at Tiger) you, I don't need (points at Enya) you, and I damn well don't need (points a finger directly in front of Jade's face) you!"

Stealth raised himself from his position and approached Rex. He stormed and bumped chests with his assailant, causing him to step a few feet back.

"I see you are no longer with your b****es," Rex laughed.

"What? I never had a thing for them! I was in this for myself!" Stealth said.

"Well... you'd better be ready to die by yourself as well, unless..."

"Unless what?"

Rex extended his arm to Stealth. Stealth looked down at the hand, surprised that after all this time, Rex would want to recoincide with Stealth. But Stealth was too angry... what would he do? He couldn't think of Jade, he couldn't think of Tiger, and he couldn't think of Enya. He was too upset with them. Rex still had his hand outstretched for Stealth to accept.

"Funny how the enemy would put aside his grudge just to make up, right Stealth?" Rex asked. "But I created you. I admit, what I did back at our mission in Britain was a bit cruel. Was a bit yellow-bellied, but everything will be okay! You see, I've forgiven myself. It's only a matter of if you can forgive me. Those women have been no help, but I've helped you become the merciless, cold-hearted bastard that you are!"

Stealth couldn't believe what he was hearing, but it all made so much sense. Why deal with the women when they would only turn? But he was a very unreasonable guy. Never the one to sit down and talk. He made his decisions rashly, and his new decision might be rash too.

He stared at Rex's hand, only to find that it was connected and locked into a ball with his...

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger's face remained in a snarl untill she saw Stealth take Rex's offered hand, her face then took on disbeliefe, and her anger melted away instantly "N, no....Stealth..." her voice trembled and faded out. Tiger's eyes burned, she felt torn like never before "I...I..." She couldn't finish she was to shocked by what Stealth had just done.

Jade took a step foreward "You traitorus son ova...." Enya stopped Jade "Don't you do that, your only going to anger him further....I told you we could't trust him!" Jade nodded "I should have listened to you.....but Tiger...poor girl, he was willin to give his life one second then the next..." They both turned to look at Tiger who had become silent and still.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth looked back to see the reaction of what he had done, noticing Tiger's surprised face. He fought the feelings and ignored them, then looked back at Rex with a chuckle. The two remained shaking hands, until Rex brought his face closer to Stealth's.

"You've made a wise choice, my friend," Rex said. "I am glad you would put family before friends. You see, I took you under my wing. I introduced you to the MAU... a point in your life which you loved so dearly."

"Then why'd you screw us over?" Stealth whispered.

"I couldn't simply watch my homeland die... you understand, don't you 'ol bean?" Rex said.

Stealth nodded his head in agreement, "So you've decided to hang with me again, for what?"

"My whole life has revolved around killing you, but where did that get me? Absolutely nowhere, Stealth." Rex said. "But I want you to prove your loyalty to me. I want you to help me in this secreted war. A war in which this world is unaware of. Our first casualties... (points to the three opposition) those wenches you were once associated with."

"Yeah, I don't know what I saw in them," Stealth said.

"Well... you won't have to see them again... just snipe them all down. Go on the roof, leave this place and hide in the shadows. I trust you Stealth. I know you can do this for me." Rex whispered in Stealth's ear after bringing his mouth to it.

Stealth nodded his head and left, "FINE... you don't need me anymore? Then screw you!" Stealth said, an attempt to throw off the girls. He then threw a punch, but knew Rex could absorb it.

"Nice touch," Rex whispered.

As Stealth hid somewhere, Rex turned to the girls, "It's just you three and me! Come on Tiger... you knew this day would come! A day where bad meets evil! How could you not predict this? It's a force so strong... so bonded." Rex laughed mockingly at Tiger, detecting her emotions through the expression on her face. "Wipe that emptiness off your face. Stealth knew who brought him into his new world. He hates it, but he likes it better than what he had before. After I did him this favor, you'd think he'd hold a grudge against me?"

Rex laughed, the laughter echoing throughout the scene. Rex held out his blade and pointed at the girls, "Surely, you will finally recognize the agony of betrayal. This is only the sting, now comes the laceration!"

[Storm Wolf]

Jade and Enya both prepared themselves for battle "Tiger...what are you doing, we need you know more than ever!" Jade had noticed Tiger hanging back, shying away from the battle.

"No....no you don't need me.....this is exactly what I had run away from all thoes years ago.........the war.......I knew it would catch up to me..." Tiger went down on her knees "I refuse to fight this battle....for if my past is to always catch up and ruin my days....then I should end it here and now, without a fight...."

Jade and Enya moved to cover Tiger "Enya talk some sense into this girl!" Jade growled "I'm trying but she not answering through our link!"

"You could have been so much more than Rex, Stealth!" Tiger screamed "You could have been so much more..." she whispered.

[R-iZZy]

As Stealth hid in the shadows, he pulled out his sniper rifle and cocked it, hearing Tiger's words. "Yeah, I could've... but I'm not!" Stealth said softly to himself.

He climbed a ladder and stood atop a tall building. He was to sit there and pick off as many of the enemies as he could. He couldn't understand where the sudden change came from. Once friends with Tiger, now enemies.

~~~~~~~~

Rex laughed, "Ladies... do not keep me waiting!"

[Storm Wolf]

Jade threw several fireballs at Rex "Tiger you get up right now, and help me fight this scum bag!" Jade growled. Enya rushed in leaping towards Rex for an attack.

Tiger remained on her knees, she knew Stealth hadn't went very far, she doubted he would leave a battle that had to do with Rex. Tiger's mind was a blank, no attacks of hers could ever stop Rex, and now even Stealth was preparing to end her life. Tiger closed her eyes "Oh why didn't I just stay at the facility...why did I have to break free and why did I ever think I could trust Stealth even in the slightst way?" She whispered to herself.

[R-iZZy]

Rex noticed Enya coming, yet the fireball was coming at the same time. Rex swung his sword like a baseball, causing the fireball to bounce off of his blade and hit Enya, as she came on the attack. Rex rapidly evaded the situation with multiple backflips, then ran over to Jade in a flash, then swung the sword to her neck, but the attack was so slow... it was easy to dodge.

~~~~

Stealth had reached the roof in the darkness, where he waited in anticipation to do the bidding that Rex had requested. He remembered these missions, these constant snipings of his targets. He remembered the way the bullet would enter a man's head or heart in a flash, without even the slightest noise to be heard. He remembered the trails of smoke that would follow the bullet, and he remembered the way men would fall down if the smoke ever touched them.

Stealth remembered those feelings so well, and it he had longed to feel it again. Stealth waited atop that roof, waiting for the right time to fire. As he watched Rex fend off his foes. He chuckled a bit, then thought of Tiger. But she upsetted him, Don't worry Tiger, this is benefitting for all of us... for mutants AND humans everywhere.

Stealth cocked the sniper rifle, ready anytime to release the bullet and hit someone, but who? Who would he choose first? Enya? Jade?
...
...
Tiger?

[Storm Wolf]

Enya rolled across the ground and stopped at Tiger's feet, her fur was smoking lightly "Tiger please....I know you may not want to battle but your in it now....remember what you've said....there is no backing down...." Tiger helped Enya up "If you say so...."

Jade ducked the blade and tried a low sweep attempting to knock Rex off his feet.

[R-iZZy]

Rex hit the ground from the sweep, but quickly sprung back to his feet after a split-second of hitting the ground. He hopped in the air, curled up his legs, then extended a leg to deliver a sharp kick to Jade's chin, causing her head to throw back. This allowed Rex to land on the ground and deliver a solid punch to her stomach, knocking the wind out of Jade's system.

"This is an elementary assignment!" Rex taunted.

~~~~~~

Stealth looked at the battle, chuckling as Rex kicked Jade and punched her in the stomach. This is elementary sh*t for Rex. Is this a joke? Stealth thought to himself. Now who do I want to hit?

Stealth looked through the scope of the sniper rifle, targetting at Jade, the target he really wanted to hit. He kept aim, but decided to drop the weapon momentarily and let Rex handle the problem.

Stealth continued to lay on his belly with a laugh.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger kneeled down to Enya and shifted into a panther "Take care of him....give it all you've got..." Tiger turned to leave

Wait where are you going? Enya asked non verbally

I've got a plan....if I don't back down, then you guys need to back out of this battle! Tiger replied

Enya nodded and rushed in to Jades aid, springing into the air, fangs bared.

Tiger slipped to the edge of the buliding and prepared to jump to the next, she didn't expect to find Stealth....maybe he had really left the scene, but she would call for him, challenge him, and perhaps he would come in anger of her words.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth had noticed Tiger wandering around, but she couldn't detect him, he was too buried into the shadows and the darkness. He kept silent, allowing her to wander around. He got up and silently ran to the next ledge, then sprung unto it from a far distance... all in stealth.

If only you could understand, Tiger. Stealth said non-verbally. He shook his head in disappointment, then aimed the sniper rifle at her.

Why was he doing this? To prove Rex his loyalty? Of all people, it had to be through Tiger. Stealth kept his finger on the trigger, but his conscience came in to play. He couldn't pull it, not here... not now. It just wasn't the way... well, neither was Tiger's outrage released specifically on him.

Stealth had so many queries fluttering through his mind, but when Tiger yelled at him... that wasn't going to slide. He kept Tiger locked on the scope, but not to shoot her... but to get a better look of what she was doing.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rex dropped on his back and tumbled backward, evading Enya's leaping attack. Rex sprung back to his feet and held out his blade with one hand, pointing it at Enya. "Try me... I dare you!" Rex challenged! "I am getting very sick of these games... and they will end now!"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger's tail lashed in anger, but her words were calm and confidant "Stealth for what it's worth....I'm sorry, I had no right to lash out at you in such a way...." She paused and listened to her echo "But I think if your going to kill me, you at least could fight me up close....I deserve that much." She lowered her head, her ears lay flat, saddness plauged across her face. Finally she spoke again, her voice trembled as she did so "Come Rex junior, please your father.....come and take me..." her voice held no anger, infact it held no emotion at all.


~~~~~~~~~~~

"Perhaps you will kill me..." Enya teased "But I will make it one hell ova job for you!" She paced in front of Rex a sly smile on her face.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth shook his head and continued spying on Tiger, keeping silent. He was low, he figured that out. He was base! He knew it, it was the way TCRI made him. But he didn't mind, he grew a close relationship with Tiger... but he didn't want it to end through murder, but it was what Rex wanted.

Stealth chuckled at the "Rex junior" remark, and continued looking at Tiger through his scope. This is just too much fun. Stealth thought to himself, remaining silent in the shadows.

~~~

Rex sneered at Enya, then chuckled after a dramatic pause. "Is this supposed to be heeded? Or is this just logs for the fire building in me? If that is the cause, it's working!"

Rex thrusted the sword toward Enya...

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger trembled with impatience, Stealth had not appeared to her as planned "Coward..." she spat. Tiger knew Stealth was out there, somewhere, watching and the fact that he wouldn't reveal himself to her teased her patience and temper "I'm tired of trying to win you....have your dark, miserable life...it's what you want anyways....eh?" She turned to leave.

~~~~
Enya dodged the best she could but the blade sheered her fur "You shouldn't play with sharp objects..." She said hesitantly

[R-iZZy]

Stealth chuckled, as he watched Tiger walk away. What's the matter, giving up already Tiger? Stealth asked in his head. He liked playing the role of a bad guy again. He couldn't stand being the protagonist. Being Tiger's friend was fun, but he preferred playing by his own rules, and Rex was the man that brought him into that world.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rex shook his head slowly. "No... I shouldn't play... but you shouldn't play with fire either. You'll eventually get burned!"

Rex horizontally swung his sword toward Enya's neck.

[Storm Wolf]

Jade managed to plant a good kick to one of Rex's shoulders, trowing him off just enough to miss Enya by mere inches.

Tiger slid onto the scene "Perhaps it's time for a full retreat?" She called to both Jade and Enya. Jade seemed to have no problem with the suggestion and made a dash for the next building, but Enya was curious "Whats this....retreat? What are you planing?" She asked "Nothing..." Tiger replied "Simply that those who run today, live to fight another day!" She sprung foreward in Jade's direction.

[R-iZZy]

Rex clutched his shoulder, pointing his blade down to the ground. "Ah, you can't escape me!"

Rex zoomed past his opposition and stood in front of them with a blade held out at them. "No no no... you dug your grave... you might as well bury yourselves as well!"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger growled and latched on to Rex's leg putting all her driving force behing her jaws.

[R-iZZy]

Rex yelled in agony, the drove the handle of the sword into her chin, knocking her off. Her strength was not strong enough to withstand the velocity in his swing. He looked at the blood drenching from his leg, then laughed.

"You crazy kitty, you will pay dearly for that!" Rex yelled. Then forcefully threw a dagger into her thigh. "Bull's eye!"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger staggered and fell on her side "you B*stard!" she growled. Tiger peered at the dagger seeing the blood well up around it "Well isn't that just peachy?!"

Jade did an awkward spin kick attempting to catch Rex in his chest with the attack.

[R-iZZy]

Rex was hit from the kick... becoming less and less defending. Rex flew back a couple of feet and landed on his feet.

"Stealth... shoot!" Rex yelled.

Stealth targeted his scope and took the shot, the weapon discharging.

"Ah... what are you doing Stealth?" Rex yelled. The bullet hit him in the back. Rex dropped to the ground.

"Did you think I was THAT naive?" Stealth yelled from the shadows.

Rex quickly got up and zoomed to the edge of the rooftop, then hopped off. Rex was out of sight, no longer seen.

"DAMN" Stealth's voice could be heard from the shadows. He got away. Stealth told himself.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger had been to inveloped in the pain of the dagger to realize what had gone down and she let out a panther's howl as Jade pulled free the dagger from her muscle "Aww...D*mn...." Tiger managed to pick herself up "Jade take me home....I want nothing more to do with this night..."

"But what about Steal..." Enya began "Forget him! he knows where to find me if he wants to attempt an explaining..." Tiger limped to the edge of the building, leaving a crimson trail "I'd like to get this wound properly treated so my muscles don't get infected....who knows what that nast SOB might have tipped his weapons with...."Tiger's voice was stern as if she was commanding her troops on the battlefield once more "Now lets move!"

Jade and Eny obeyed without question and came to her aid.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth chuckled, as he saw that he somewhat did a good deed. His plan worked, it threw off every single person. Or did it? His walkie-talkie came in, and a voice buzzed.

"Stealth... Stealth..." the voice said.

What the...? Stealth thought to himself. He answered the walkie-talkie and began his conversation. "This is Stealth speaking... who is this?"

"You know who this is!" a voice rang. "How could you do this to me? This was not our plan!"

"Oops... sh*t happens, deal with it!" Stealth said. "I don't see what your problem is. You're the one to complain?"

"You shot me too many times damn it! I was only to be shot once, and that was in the shoulder, that was the plan!" Rex barked. "Why the second time?"

"That was for the eye, Rex!" Stealth said. "Anyway, I don't think the girls suspect a thing. I think I won their trust back, they had no idea this was all but a scam to get closer to them."

"Ah, I see..." Rex began. "I'm more than certain they thought you turned on me. Get to them... exploit their unawareness and strike when they are down! I want to make sure that every single one of them suffer for making me feel unwanted."

"You are unwan..."

"Silence! And next time, don't shoot me over a grudge!"

"Whatever... I'm on my way to 'explain' things to them, okay?"

"I'm sure she's bleeding from my dagger."

"Did you drug it or anything?"

"You know well enough to know that I wouldn't drug them. I want them to suffer from the pain. Drugging them will only ease the pain, take them out of their misery. Let her bleed, let her moan and cry for all I care. I want her to suffer for my first death... and I want her to suffer severly!" Rex laughed maniacally, as Stealth lowered his head in disbelief.

Hang in their Tiger...

No, suffer Tiger!

Wait, stay alive for me...

For me to kill!!! Stealth's emotions continued to flood him. Did he care or did he just forget? Tiger was still in his mind, she was too much of friend; that was what played a role in his decision.

[Storm Wolf]

Jade and Enya had mangad to help Tiger to her balcony and she sat on her kitchen floor and atteneded to her wound "Tiger didn't you see...Stealth shot Rex! He's still on our side!" Jade argued. Tiger shook her head "I'm not playing the fool twice....I learn from my mistakes! My first mistake was to ever help that miserable ol' mutant, and my second was to ever put full trust in him! There will be no third!" She growled.

Tiger looked at Jade "This discussion will be held later.....I'm not going to argue with you on matters of trust....."

Jade bent to Enya "I think she's lost it....how could she all of the sudden not trust someone who possibly saved her life?" She whispered.

Tiger stood up an waited at the balcony doors.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth hopped off the roof and lept through the air, landing right beside Tiger on her balcony. "Surprised?" Stealth said trustingly. He noticed the expression on her face, still angry at his decision. "Oh, Come on Tiger... that was all part of the plan. To throw everyone off course. I know you want Rex, but so do I! This is between me and him, and I wanted to get to him... no matter how low the plan may have seemed."

Stealth's eyes twitched a bit, as he was about to do something he usually never did... "I'm sorry! I'm sorry if the plan upset you! Look, you helped me escape my own self. The one that always spat at the world and cursed it to damnation. I'm sorry, okay?"

Stealth outstretched his arms, expressing how apologetic he really was. But it was all part of Rex's plan, but he played the actor quite well. To him, he seemed so convincing, but Tiger wasn't really someone he wanted to hurt. "I took Rex off-guard... I was never with him from the beginning of the handshake. It was just a trick in the act. False allies are what we are."

Stealth placed a cupped hand under Tiger's chin and gently turned her head to his face, staring deeply into her eyes. "What we have... now that's friendship! What me and Rex have is the complete contradiction of it. Trust me on this one, no matter how hard it is to do that. I want you to know that we will never split up, you hear me?"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger turned her face away from him "D*amn it Stealth....you know I want to believe you, but I'm no fool! You hurt me Stealth.....it burns down to the core to even have the slightst suspicion of you buddying up with Rex........." Tiger didn't finish, she skiped to the point "Look I'm not gonna chase you off or make you get out, because I don't know what to believe anymore...........you can hang around, but know I'll be watching closely...........Don't betray me Stealth, it will either be the stupidist thing you've ever done or the last." Tiger turned her back to Stealth and let the words sink in.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth shrugged his shoulder, "Why are you so upset? Because I shook hands? That doesn't inscribe our partnership in stone. I could shake hands with the devil and still be against him! Rex was just a pawn in my little game... and he was overtaken."

Stealth became a bit irritable with Tiger. "You're just mad about something that never happened, and if you couldn't trust me after what I just did out there, then maybe you just can't trust me period! I know trust is something you have to earn, but do you truly think I am contemptible of it right now? After saving your life... after shooting Rex... after helping fight the battle!"

Stealth lowered his head and shook it in disappointment, "Just call me when you get things to together, okay?"

Stealth hopped unto the ledge of the balcony, and looked back at Tiger, then sprung into the night sky into the abyss.

[Storm Wolf]

"Tiger whats wrong with you? He did save you..." Jade said. Tiger shook her head "I know, I know....but I can't help feeling that somethings wrong.....I have this bad feeling.........I need to rest, you two are free to roam my apartment and do whatever...." Tiger disappeared into her room.


"What do you think Enya? Can Stealth be trusted?" Jade arched an eyebrow

"I'm not sure Jade, Tiger trusted him with everything and now even she has her doubts....it doesn't seem safe, but I'll take my chances....he did apologize." Enya replied

[R-iZZy]

Stealth walked down a street corner, keeping himself hidden, until a figure reached out and grabbed him in an instant, pulling him into the alley way.

Stealth quickly held out a gun and pointed it at the figure, "It's just me!" the figure said, putting a hand over Stealth's mouth. The figure emerged from the shadows, it was Rex! Rex looked behind himself, staring at a dead figure. "I needed a hideout and the guy wouldn't give it up, so I took it by force."

"You sick fiend..." Stealth said.

"I know." Rex replied proudly. "Besides that... what about the whole trust issue?"

"Tiger's having her doubts," Stealth replied.

"DAMN! You just have to convince her that you are still Stealth!"

"But how, she doesn't trust me anymore!"

"I don't know... take her out to a dinner-and-a-movie, give her bon bons, seduce her... do something!"

"I don't see why you wouldn't have just let me kill her on the spot."

"Torment won't be felt, Stealth. The depression is eating her internally. Externally, she is withering away. She has already felt the sting of befriending a Benedict Arnold."

"I'm no traitor! I'm doin' this for the good of mutants too! By the way... why are we killing who we are fighting for? Because if this mission is in vain..."

"Because they are attempting to stand in my... I mean our way! They won't stop me... err, us from giving mutants what is rightfully theirs, and that is freedom."

Stealth shook his head, "Couldn't we just eliminate Jade? Or maybe even Enya? Beacuse I've grown too attached to Tiger to kill her."

Rex slapped Stealth across the face; a wake-up signal, "There are no friends in enemies, Stealth! Do you want ME to take care of it? She is with them... and if she is with them, then she's against us! You got that?"

Stealth sighed, "Whatever..."

"Good boy... now I want to see some progress. Earn Tiger's trust... I don't care if you have to force it out of her. You had it once, you can do it again."

Rex released Stealth, and hid back into the shadows. Stealth left the alley way and continued walking down the street.[/list]

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger lay on her bed, arms folded behind her head "Am I going about this the right way?" She shifted onto her side and stared at the holes in her wall from the eariler battle of Stealth and Kavik "He did come to save me when that panther came for me...." Tiger sprung off her bed and entered the kitchen, Jade and enya were gone "Probably out for a stroll..." Tiger muttered, she went out on her balcony and leaned on the railing "Oh...I want to trust you Stealth...really I do, but I know a simple handshaake can mean so much more than trickery for the enemy....do you even know who's side your on?" Tiger rested her head on her arns "Did you ever care for me at all in the slightest way, or was it all an elaborate lie?" Tears slid down Tigers cheek and fell endlessly into the night as she talked to the wind.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth continued his stroll, kicking a can down a street. He didn't want to kill Tiger; Jade and Enya was the least of his concerns, he had no attachment to them. They were more of the trigger that brought back the "old" him. The last thing Stealth wanted to do was betray Tiger's trust, but it seemed like the last thing became one of the firsts to happen.

"Why is it so hard to understand that the handshake was meant to lie to Rex and not her?" Stealth asked aloud. "Can someone hear me out? Please?"

Stealth growled in anger, then let out a roar. As his roar echoed throughout the area, he quickly summoned his glowing kitana blade and withdrew the blade from its handle. The next thing he knew, he was swinging at absolutely nothing in anger. The trail that the glow left behind showed what pattern his futile swungs created. He quickly spun around and sliced a garbage can in half.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger landed on the rough gravel top of a building, this little 'walk' had cleared her mind and cooled her down. "Now....I think I'm ready to listen with open mind and ears." She hadn't strayed very far from her apartment, she didn't feel all that comfortable being to far from her 'home'. An echo reached Tiger's ears, she hopped across a few more buildings "Stealth?" She said to her self....

what luck...I was just about to go looking for him.... Tiger thought

"STEALTH!!" Tiger yelled after the echo "Wait up! I want to talk!"

[R-iZZy]

Stealth's roar continued to echo, until an angelic voice massed his. It was Tiger! Stealth quickly turned around, looking for Tiger... but there was no sign of her. The only thing he could do was follow where the voice was coming from. He knew it was her, he never had the problem of hearing things.

The eyes... they returned to him, speaking to him in his head, Don't let attachment get the best of you! He hadn't seen those eyes in quite a while. But he knew it was of no danger anymore. Stealth continued walking down the sidewalk, Tiger was close-by.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger slid to a stop, hadn't the echo originated from below? She looked over the side of the building "Well if cats always land on thier feet why couldn't I?" Tiger sprung off the side of the building and landed perfect, but only for a few seconds...she then lost balance and fell on her rear "I hate that....I'm so clumsy sometimes....well at least no one saw it." She picked herself up and dusted off her pants "I suppose I need to start my training again....woo, I'm getting rusty!"

[R-iZZy]

No one saw it, except for me..." a voice said. The figure revealed himself from the shadows... it was Stealth! Stealth laughed heartily, as he brushed his hands together. "Perhaps you need to put more trust into your skills."

Stealth patted Tiger on the shoulder, brushing some of the dust off. "So... what makes you so anxious to see me all of a sudden?"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger gave Stealth a sheepish grin on his comment in the trust in skills "Err...yeah..."

After she had throughly brushed herself off she began to speak once more "Stealth, I guess I realized I wasn't being totally fair back there...but you have to admit that I have every right to be suspicious.....as many times as I've been betrayed...." Tiger stared away from Stealth "Don't be cross with me but I don't think I ever fully trusted you in the first place..." She quickly turned to look Stealth in the face "But I want to make this work Stealth...I might need a bit of convincing but I trust you....(long pause)...I would never intentionally hurt you Stealth...never....and thats why I'm going this extra mile....I want you to always know you have someone you can trust and someone you can come to when the world is brearing down on you..." Tiger put a hand on Stealth's shoulder "I can give you compassion, Stealth....something Rex would never give you..."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth nodded his head in pleasure, "I know... Rex was always the vengeful type, but little did he know that I was too." Stealth had recognized that Tiger was actually putting full trust in him, which pleased him. Not to fulfill Rex's command, but to make him feel like the Tiger/Stealth relationship had bonded even closer, even stronger! "I'm glad you can put full trust into me. I would say 'again', but it appears that I haven't been thought of as the compassionate type. Do you remember the first time we met? It was on a rooftop where I was about to blow my trachea out of the back of my throat. You remember? You came to me and faced the barrel of my gun. What made you want to understand me that night? What made you want to be interested in a guy like me? It's kinda strange how an angel would associate herself with an advocate of the devil."

That thought had always confused him, but Tiger was so caring... so concerned, that the answer kind of popped up in his head. But he wanted to hear what Tiger had to say.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger crossed her arms over her chest "A mixture of curiosity and fate drew me to you." Tiger thought back remembering the time clearly "When I was there behind you, I....I felt what you felt, all that anger and lonliness, all that pain.......I thought to myself how could someone hold that much of a burden in his heart? I thought If I could just show you a glimpse of what your life could be if you associated your self with the right people, and that you don't always have to feel that pain and lonliness....." Tiger took a deep breath "I knew even if I did help you, that you still might go back to the darkness....(long pause)...but I never could have imagined, that night, how much it would break my heart if you did."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth bowed his head in contemplation, Tiger really cared for him... even if the trust wasn't fully given to him. "Wow..." Stealth said in amazement. "The only people that really cared about me were my fellow mutants from the MAU. It's like you were there and a sole survivor. It's like you were with us, and you knew all about me before I knew myself." Stealth didn't know what to think, a person that put her heart and soul to changing his life. "You... you prevented me from ending myself, you faced the barrel of my gun when I was so selfish and melancholy. I can't believe how much of a great person you are though. Everything I feel, you've felt one time or another. I've killed and you did so too. You're like... like... my sister or something!"

These were not words to fulfill Rex's plans, these were words from his heart. He had no idea how to say it any other way. He felt he could probably recite poetry so fluently right now. Forget Rex! he thought in his head, You're conquest for world domination and your goal for mutant supremacy isn't worth killing Tiger. No way... no how!

Stealth looked at Tiger with a smirk, "You're okay Tiger... you're an okay gal. Just promise me not to go into a deep state of depression from a simple plan. I didn't turn on you... not no way... not no how. Just recognize that I only shook his hand for my plans, not his!" Stealth felt like he was telling the truth, though in a sense... he was lying. "I'm not gonna abandon you, no matter how much pressure we're under."

Stealth lightly tapped Tiger with a half-balled fist, more of what Italians sometimes do to show their respects. "I'm stickin' withya till the end."

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger nodded "I believe you Stealth...." Tiger rubbed her arms "Look it's kinda chilly....do you want to come back to my place? Jade and Enya aren't there..." Tiger shivered lightly "Man I hate being warm blooded." She mumbled.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, why not. I'm gettin' cold myself. It ain't easy bein' cold-blooded..."

And cold-hearted! he though to himself.

"Just lead the way madam..." Stealth insisted.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger smiled " yes sir!" She laughed and went around the corner of the building to find the fire escape.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth laughed as he followed Tiger to their destination. He really did need to warm up, his anger was heating him up, but not enough to protect him from the howling chills that blew by.

[Storm Wolf]

It didn't take long for Tiger to reach her apartment "You know it's amazing that as much fighting goes on in this apartment, that Mr. Willard hasn't kicked me out.........of coarse I did beat him up pretty bad that one time when he was abusing his daughter." Tiger shrugged "I suppose I'd be afraid of me too...." She landed on her balcony and entered her cozy apartment.

[R-iZZy]

"So you're more of a people person, I guess," Stealth joked. "I guess I have to learn to be more negotiative like you... I could learn a thing or two from you." Stealth laughed a bit, after entering the little apartment behind Tiger.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger shrugged "Ah...you do what ya gotta do....I couldn't see his point in beating her senslessly, so I did something about it.....besides I was trying to sleep and her screaming didn't help any...." She chuckled and sat down at her tiny kitchen table.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth laughed along with Tiger, "Where does this guy live exactly? I'm just curious... nothing in particular why I'm asking." Stealth seemed so conspicuos about the question... he wanted to beat on the guy for the hell of it. He didn't want a guy to take one beating for giving his daughter many of them.

[Storm Wolf]

“He lives at the bottom of this building….first apartment….” Tiger arched a brow at Stealth “Don’t be cooking anything up in that brain of yours……I have it all under control, at the mention of my name he cringes like an abused dog! He doesn’t even look at his daughter wrong anymore.” Tiger leaned back in her chair slightly “I try to avoid the girl as much as possible now…..I don’t want her to be influenced by me….I’m more trouble than I’m worth most the time, and I jump into holes without thinking first about how will I get back out….no teen needs that kind of influence. It’s even worse when she gives me that puppy dog face and says ‘I wish you were my mom Tiger, your so brave and strong!’ “ Tiger snorted “I have no clue where she gets I would make a good mother, but I’m gonna hafta stamp that thought out before it progresses any further.” Tiger stopped talking as she noticed she had been rambling on about nonsense.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth could see how Tiger's child would be; brave, fearless, and very determined. "Kids, these days." Stealth said, sitting on Tiger's couch and propping his legs on a foot rest. "I mean geez, Tiger, you saved her from a beatdown... which is pretty strong. And to have a strong mother... now that's almost rare. At least the ones I've seen on the television sets outside the window of that TV Warehouse buildings. Who knows, you might just make a good mother. And you could be a good influence, you never know." Stealth laughed at the thought of her going through labor pains. Not something manly to think about, but to see Tiger actually scream from pain would be a first for him. "I don't think you'd want to go through the labor pains though. As I've seen in television shows and movie previews, they're just nothin' but trouble..."

[Storm Wolf]

"Hey if thats the pain thats naturally occuring, just think about how much pain I could really take!" Tiger sat down beside Stealth "Maybe thats what makes the bond netween a mother and her offspring?" she yawned lightly "I know I would protect my child with an intense ferocity if I had to go through all that just to have them...." Tiger leaned on Stealth and laid her head on his shoulder "Man I'm beat...."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth chuckled a bit, still envisioning Tiger as a mother. He looked Tiger's way, noticing the head on his shoulder, then spoke to her. "Eh... then you need your rest. I know you've had a rough night."

Stealth needed the fresh air anyway, for no particular reason really. He just wanted to get his blood pumping. "So... should I do the husbandly thing and carry you to your bed?" Stealth asked with a grin, eyeing Tiger with a sense of humor in his expression.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger smiled and shook her head lightly "Oh I would be so grateful.....I'm just so sore and my legs....don't even get me started..." Tiger faked a faint and landed on her back in Stealth's lap, she then grinned and opened an eye to see his expression.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth looked back down at her with a sort of confused smile (:ohwell:) and lifted her off his lap, like Mary did to Baby Jesus. He carried her all the way to her room and gently laid her down on the bed. "You must be soooo tired... here's a pillow!"

Stealth messed around with Tiger, throwing a pillow at her and tossed a blanket over her. "Have a nice rest..." Stealth teased with a grin.

[Storm Wolf]

The blanket was like a net and temporarily Tiger couldn't find her way out "grrrrrr.." Tiger's playful growl was muffled by the blanket. Finally she broke free and tossed a pillow in Stealth's direction "Don't you ever sleep?" She questioned Stealth.

[R-iZZy]

The pillow smacked Stealth in this face, and Stealth caught it as on contact. Stealth tossed the pillow back at Tiger with a smile. "Sleep? What is this sleep you speak of?" Stealth rhetorically asked. "I can't even remember the last time I actually slept, except for the time I was knocked out. But how about I try now..."

Stealth dropped himself on the floor and pretended to snore. "Is this what you call 'sleep'?"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger doged the pillow and it landed just behind her, then laughed lightly at Stealth's humor. Tiger retrieved the pillow, got down, and placed it beneath Stealth's head "You know..." She lay down putting her face close to Stealth's "You'd be a lot better off if you revealed this side of your self more often..."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth opened an eye at Tiger and smiled. "Eh... I'm feeling a little different today. Call me crazy, but it's a feeling I saw on television screens and decided to emulate it. I kinda like the personality, if you ask me... maybe I should watch TV more often." Stealth said with a chuckle. "Maybe I can learn something from this one show called "Teletubbies." Though I did shoot the screen for watching that dribble. I don't think I want to live in that world."

[Storm Wolf]

"ooo...Teletubbies...." Tiger wrinkled her nose "Anyone who's that friendly needs to be shot themselves..." Tiger chuckled. Tiger stared into Stealth's face for a while comtemplating on some thought "You know...." she finally spoke "I stll think it's odd....we really should be enimies....I mean a couple years ago I know I would have blown your head off without thinking twice........look at me now, I've grown way to soft, I'm not even as strong as I used to be....." Tiger smiled pleasantly "I'm glad you and I are friends though.....you make good company Stealth."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth thought about those words and found that he was exactly the same, one of the most cold-hearted cold-blooded creatures to walk the Earth. "You know... I feel I'm the same way. If I met you, I would've made you look as holey as Swiss cheese. But times change, ya know? People change... and mutants change. I guess it's a way of showing that we mature as we age. I'm starting to get more exposure to the real world... and I'm starting to see that humans aren't exactly the bane of my existence. But what is the thorn in my side is that moment stuck in my head..."

Stealth lowered his head mournfully, as though thinking of the most traumatic moment, "It was watching those damned Teletubbies! Maybe I can transfer some of that pain to you!" Stealth reached and lightly knocked Tiger in the head with his pillow with a laugh.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger was about to counter the attack when a voice reached her ears "Ahhh....beauty and the beast, just the two I was looking for." Tiger sat up quick to see Jade standing just beyond her bedroom doorway "Come on now...I know I haven't brushed my hair today but jees Jade, do you have to be so harsh about it?" Tiger laughed, she was trying to keep any anger that might reappear to a minimum.

"Tiger may I speak with you?" Jade asked

"Uhh...yeah sure..." Tiger replied a bit irritated, Jade had spoiled her fun.

Tiger looked at Stealth "Someone's always trying to ruin the moment...eh?" she whispered to him

[R-iZZy]

Stealth eyed Jade, then looked back at Tiger. "Yeah... you might as well go ahead and check what's up..."

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger nodded and went off to meet Jade in her living room "Whats up?" Tiger questioned

"Well Enya and I have decided to go back...to middle earth..."Jade sighed and took a quick glance away "We have decided that this just isn't a good century....we will wait until man's society begins to fall apart....he is almost certain to lose this city sooner or later." Jade folded her hands together "It may take a bit for us to store up enough power to do this, so we might have to stay here for awhile...if we have your permission that is..."
Tiger sat on her couch "I dunno Jade...you have created many problems just by being around..."
Jade interrupted "But you worked them out fine! You and Stealth are on good terms I see."

Tiger sighed "I suppose so....but stay out of my way...and no more fighting! I'm not gonna choose sides anymore!"

Jade nodded furiously "Yes...I will be on my best behavior..."

Tiger shrugged "Yeah...sure..." She swiftly returned to her room, Stealth would probably enjoy this news.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth recognized Tiger coming back and stood on his feet, his chin up. "So... what was going on in there?" Stealth asked curiously.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger crossed her arms and smirked "Well good news for you I suppose....Jade and Enya have decided to leave as soon as they have enough power..." Tiger pulled out her hair tie and let her hair fall around her face "They might be crashing here for a while though..." Tiger was inturrupted by her clocks alarm "ahh...crap, I forgot I don't have a job anymore..." She walked over and shut the alarm off "That reminds me that if I don't get a job soon I'ma be living on the streets."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth placed his hands on his hips, "And what's wrong with that? I happen to like the streets. It, well... it compels me to come back for me. Believe me, when you are in the streets... you have a reason NOT to sleep. But then again, this is a nice place... I'd get that job too.!" Stealth agreed.

He acknowledged the fact that Jade and Enya were leaving, and was somewhat exicted from the news, though he'd miss having a target to focus his anger on. "As for Jade and Enya, I wish them the best of luck back home... I'm gonna need the break anyway." Stealth said with a chuckle.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger lifted a brow "Maybe you like the streets....but I prefer to sleep with at least one eye closed..." Tiger chuckled "Besides I would never be homeless for to long, let alone jobless.....I must admit being female, and a particularly good-looking one at that has it's advantages." Tiger flipped her hair Flirtatiously and smirked at Stealth. "and yes this is a nice place....but I'm thinking of finding a roomier place."

Tiger sighed "I'm kinda mixed about them leaving though....she did know my mother....I could tell it wasn't a lie, Jade might could give me more insight on who I really am..."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth bowed his head in contemplation and stroked his chin, thinking of what to say. "Maybe you should follow her to her world. If your mother is from there, then you might discover some of those pieces yourself! I'd come with ya, but there's still a**holes running loose in this town."

Stealth rubbed his bald head and sighed, "If only I had hair to mess with you! But I don't think snapping turtles would look good in wigs." Stealth chuckled lightly. "Anyway... I guess you could try to find out your own background. After being Project Number 171 or whatever it was, I think you have a lot of history behind yourself."

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger laughed lightly at Stealth's humor, but her smile quicly turned to a blank expression, a slight frow in fact "No..." Tiger shook her head "I can't leave this place...it's become to much of a home to me.....I've worked so hard to get where I am now....I don't want to leave it! I think I have more here than I'd actually like to admit I have.......I don't belong in her world anymore than she belongs in ours..." Tiger rubbed the back of her neck " What it all boils down to is I'd miss it to much here....(long pause) and I'd miss you."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth scratches his bald head, "Yeah, Earth is too much of a world of freedom. You wouldn't even know what you would walk into if you walked into their world anyway. I'd stay on Earth too!"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger Smiled "Exactly....now your seeing things my way!"

[R-iZZy]

Stealth chuckled lightly, "Well... when you've spent so much time with a nutcase, you start to think like one."

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger smirked and punched Stealth lightly in the arm "I'm perfectly sane.....compared to you."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth grabbed his arm sarcastically. "Ow... with a playful punch like that, we might as well consider you insane!" Stealth chuckled.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger narrowed her eyes and flashed a smile, revealing her slightly enlarged human canines "HAHA! very funny......"

[R-iZZy]

Stealth flashed a cheesy grin at Tiger. "Well, so what do we do in the meantime while the kiddy brigade stays with us?"

[Storm Wolf]

"err...well I was going to get some rest...but I just realized I'm starved!" Tiger stretched a bit "now I can't go to bed on an empty stomach....and besides I have guest, it would be rude of me to take a nap......." Tiger took a deep breath "You hungry? I'm a real good cook, I can cook most anything....or I can order out if you'd like....."

[R-iZZy]

"Hmmm... you make the choice, your place... your rules!" Stealth shurgged his shoulders. "I haven't grabbed a bite in a while though, so make your decision hast, or I might have to hunt my food from somewhere. Who knows, I might hunt a cow down and make a Big Mac." Stealth said with a chuckle.

[Storm Wolf]

"hmmmm.....how about pizza? I think I have enough for that...." Tiger smiled "I remember I had my first pizza when I came to this city.....it hads thoes little fishes on it." Tiger snorted making a disgusted look "But I myself prefer the meat lovers........" Tiger started into the kitchen to retrieve her cordless phone.

[R-iZZy]

"Well... seein' that I swam with fish at an earyl age, I don't think I'll have a craving for them!" Stealth said. "Now meat is something I can deal with... but I had fish as my friends. I don't think I want to turn on them and eat them all of a sudden."

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger arched a brow as she scanned the yellow sticky note for the delivery number "How sweet....." She teased Stealth.

Tiger ordered and quickly hung up the phone "It'll be 20 minuets...." she said cheerfully

"Twenty minuets till what?" Jade asked

Tiger smiled "Till food arrives!" Tiger arched a brow "Where is Enya?"

"Right here...." The silky smooth panther's voice entered the room.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth jumped inside his skin, then looked at Enya. "Well, I guess we can truly have a party... but in twenty minutes. So please explain to me exactly what pizza's like. All my life, I had to scarf through garbage cans and stuff like that!"

[Storm Wolf]

"garbage cans....." Tiger gave saddened disgusted look "Well thats why I'm glad I look human..."

Tiger leaned against the counter top in her kitchen "Well.....pizza definatly can't be described....tomatoe sauce and various toppings on a breaded surface.........." Tiger chuckled "Like I said can't be described...but you'll see when it gets here!"

[R-iZZy]

"Yeah... I guess I'll just have to see for myself, huh?" Stealth chuckled with his hands on his hips. "You never know, maybe I've had pizza before. I might've tried it from a garbage can and not know it!"

Stealth detected the disgust in Tiger, "Let's not forget, Tiger, I have a strong immune system that can heal through almost anything!"

[Storm Wolf]

"err...yeah well it's not that my immune system isn't pretty strong as well....its just that I would prefer my food a bit...uhh...fresher." Tiger wrigled her nose "I have eaten some pretty harsh things, but I have to admit I've never eaten out of a garbage can or dumpster." She shook her head.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth shrugged his shoulders, "Hey... it's a living. I had to eat freeze-dried crap during MAU missions, but they were a bit better than trash can gourmet. But I'm not gonna say I hated the garbage can days. It turned me into what I am now... so I'm content with my past."

[Storm Wolf]

"Yeah well if it ever came down to it I'd still prefer to hunt furry woodland creatures than hunt down a garbage can for a snack...." Tiger scratched the back of her neck "thats a helluva experience hunting a live animal....especially the feel of the heartbeat slowing on the killing bite."

Enya smiled to herself remembering her hunting days "I'd have to say that it is one of the more rewarding things.......killing a wild thing for meat."

Tiger nodded towards Enya

[R-iZZy]

Stealth envisioned himself hunting for live things. "I don't hunt and eat things, I hunt and kill them! And right now, you're killing me with all this cannibalism crap! Can we just forget about the thought of hunting for FOOD and not PRIDE?"

[Storm Wolf]

"phhhh....it's not cannibalism.....it's they way nature works..." Tiger snorted "And besides you eat things that have been killed....even if they weren't killed by you."

"And another thing..." Tiger teased "You should always eat what you kill....it's a terrible waste if you don't!"

[R-iZZy]

"So in about 45 seconds, I should eat you?" Stealth said with a grin. "Just kidding. Anyway... the crap you eat is raw... I eat things cooked and baked. And maybe even fresh if I can find the occasional brown banana. What I ate was killed, yes... but full of blood? No! What I did was just meat. I don't wanna look like a vampire with my fangs arising from pierced and blood-drenched body."

[Storm Wolf]

"yeah well....I don't think you would have a choice if you were stranded somewhere......" Tiger grinned "Anyways that vampire look is pretty powerful.....brings on a lot of fear...."

[R-iZZy]

"True..." Stealth added. "But I'm proud being alive and a turtle. I don't want anyone to deport me to Transylvania."

[Storm Wolf]

"Yeah well." A knock at the door startled Tiger "Wow time really flys when your having fun....eh?" She motioned for the others to get out of the doors view.

[R-iZZy]

"I'm guessing this is what you call PIZZA TIME, right?" Stealth asked. "Because I don't recall getting much of these in the dumpsters. Though I have seen some boxes with the label."

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger shoved Stealth out of view, and answered the door quickly

"Here's yer pizza ma 'am!"

"Yeah thanks...." Tiger shoved some green bills into the mans hand and closed the door in his face.

"Well it smells pretty fresh!" Tiger sat it down on the table.

Enya's mouth watered from the smell "It smell's delightful!"

[R-iZZy]

Stealth slowly approached this... this so-called pizza, the new food to his tastebuds. Stealth leaned down and stared at it. "It looks good enough. And it does have quite a smile. Man, what have I been missing out on? And you said humans discovered this so-called pizza? Well, I'll give my credit to them when I taste it first."

[Storm Wolf]

"Humans didn't discover it....they created it......believe or not some humans are good for things..." Tiger pulled a slice from the box, trying her best to keep the cheese from slidding off "weather you'd like to admit it or not Stealth......some humans are okay.....you just haven't met thoes few yet" she took a huge bite of her slice, burning the roof of her mouth in the process.

Jade grabbed two slices and offered one to the practically drooling Enya.

[R-iZZy]

"Well, when you spent most of your life eradicating humans driven by their own iniquity, the trait kinda sticks to every other human I see in the streets,"

Stealth slowly crept a hand toward the pizza, "These things don't have side effects, do they?"

[Storm Wolf]

"ummm....not normally no......" Tiger took another bit of her slice "but be warned if you've never had anything like this afore...." Tiger winked at him casually.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth brung his head back at the wink, then took it as a sign of confirmation that this pizza was okay. Stealth grabbed a piece and munched down the crust. "This thing's a little hard, don'tcha think?"

Stealth decided to eat the cheesy part of the pizza and lightened up, "Wooooooow... this thing is actually good! Why didn't the MAU put this in our supplies when we went out on missions?" Stealth gulfed down the whole pizza and licked his fingers.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger gigled at Stealth's awkwardness toward the food "I assume you like it then....eh?" She finished her own slice and saw that the other two were finishing thiers "I hope everyone is happy with it.....they say New York has some of the best pizza." She smiled at Jade and Enya, then turned it to Stealth.

Tiger pulled up a chair and contemplated on taking another piece

[R-iZZy]

Stealth grabbed another slice and allowed the cheese to gradually drip into his mouth. The cheese was so delightful, he savored the pizza, as he continued to eat it. "Well, I'm glad I live in New York!"

[Storm Wolf]

"I'm glad your happy with it Stealth." Tiger took up another piece and ate it quickly

After Tiger had eaten her fill she wandered over to the couch and curled her feet beneath her, laying her head on the armrest, she closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the others eating.

Jade had already consumed her second piece and was reaching for her third "never have I had such a delicacy....my people knew not of this food."

[R-iZZy]

"Well... maybe I'm one of your people," Stealth said, as he scarfed down another slice. "I wonder where this PIZZA was originated from!"

[Storm Wolf]

Jade looked over to Tiger to ask her the question that Stealth pondered, but Tiger was asleep "Tiger certainly looks peaceful when she sleeps." Jade whispered "Maybe we should quite down a bit."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth looked over to Tiger, noticing her in a dozing state. He looked back to Jade and lowered his voice. "Yeah... she kinda does..." Stealth conquered.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger couldn't hear anything the others were saying, she had slipped into a zone of mid-sleep and mid-conciousness.

Jade arched a brow at Stealth "Do you only see Tiger as a friend.....or have you ever thought of her as maybe more?" She whispered.Jade just couldn't tell how good the two's connection was just by watching them interact with each other, so she had to ask, being curious and all.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth eyed Jade strangely, then grinned. "Why go after Tiger when I'm trying to impress you?" Stealth chuckled. "Just a joke, lighten up! As for me and Tiger... I don't see the vision. We found each other, she saved me, I saved her... it's a buddy-buddy relationship. I don't know... she just became Rex's replacement really. He was the only person I could really connect with... but Tiger is someone who has given me more than just a connection. She gave me her understanding, her care, her sympathy... everything!"

Stealth lowered his head, "I just see myself as really grateful for what she's done for me. I think we interact so well because we're more alike than we think."

[Storm Wolf]

"Tiger is definatly one of thoes friend-till-the-end type people..." Enya spoke up from the background "Poor Tiger tries to please everyone around her, and in the end forgets to please and take care of the most important person...(pause)....herself." Enya shook her head and looked away from the sleeping Tiger to the others.

Jade nodded to Enya. "Do you know exactly how Tiger feels about you, Stealth?" she asked him.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth arched an eyeridge at Jade, "My feelings tell me her feelings are only like those of best friends. (***** head) Am I right?"

[Storm Wolf]

Jade shook her head "I suppose you are right.........but to me at times it seems she is seeking more than friendship from you......(long pause).....but it is really not my place to say these things......." Jade turned her back to Stealth, and wondered what he might say next.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth placed a hand on her shoulder, "Well, maybe it is your place... because you've practically taken my attention and grabbed it now." Stealth continued to whisper. "You might as well inform me on what you see... because either my eyepatch is blocking everything or I'm just a blind 'ol fool!"

[Storm Wolf]

"Since I have your attention...." Jade turned back to Stealth " All I know is that, the way she looks at you is unique....you must admit that she even treats you better than you sometimes deserve...." Seeing that the last comment might offend Stealth, she quickly tried to cover it "Look I could be wrong but I think she might want more out of you than just friendship, but holds back because she doesn't want to get herself hurt..... of coarse this is only my opinion on the subject......the best way for you to find out the truth is to ask her your-self, but like you said....you only see her as a friend."

[R-iZZy]

"Exactly, and only a friend!" Stealth responded. "I mean, think about it. Yeah, maybe we both had a past of being cold-blooded murders, but look at our differences. I'm a snapping turtle and she's a tiger. I'm still living on the streets and she gets to live the life of luxury in an actual room. What am I supposed to do anyway? I mean come on... I haven't been anything further than a friend to anyone EVER! So why start changing now?"

[Storm Wolf]

Enya chuckled from the background “I think some one is in denial of his feelings!”

Jade shook her head “well if that’s the way you’d rather have it….. And yes I may have only known Tiger for a very short while, but she seems like the kinda girl who doesn’t care about those types of things……..your just not the kinda guy who knows what a good thing he has till it’s gone…” Jade raised a brow "And as for change....you're right who needs it? everthing should stay the same."

[R-iZZy]

"Well, say what you think... but I know the truth. When you've lived the life that I have, there is no such thing as love! Hell, there's not even such a thing called trust. Tiger brought one of those things to me, but never will she bring love to me, okay? I've lived life hating, feuding, and killing. With a love of my life tied into all of that just wouldn't seem right."

Stealth paced around a bit, continuing to keep his voice at a whisper. "Look... maybe you guys are trying to help me out, and that's a pretty suspicious act you're doing for me. But to think that Tiger and I actually have a think going..." Stealth snickered. "Just listen to my name... Stealth! Is that the kind of name that a lover would have?"

Stealth bowed his head down in contemplation, Man, these chicks are crazy! Stealth thought to himself. He looked back up at Jade with a look of confusion, "I just don't think it'll happen..."

[Storm Wolf]

Jade shrugged her shoulders "Well....If thats what you'd like to think....(long pause)....Me and Enya will be on the roof if you think of anything else you'd like to....say..."

Enya nodded toward Stealth "You pass up way to much.....perhaps if you thought you were worth more you'd actually get somewhere."
Enya looked past Stealth to where Tiger was sleeping peacefully, then turned to leave.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth eyed the two, "Yeah, whatever. You think that! There's no love from me. So you two just stay on the roof. I need some fresh f***in' air anyway."

Stealth stood on the balcony of Tiger's apartment and paced around a bit. He pulled out a cigarette from his belt and lit it, inhaling the smoke. He took out the cigarette and stared blankly into it. He was starting to get a bit irritated with the instant pressure that Jade and Enya put on him for no apparent reason, well, in his opinion it was for no apparent reason.

Stealth stuck the cigarette back into his mouth and inhaled the smoke. He looked back at Tiger through the window and spoke softly, intentionally making her not hear his words, "I'll see ya later kid. I got business to tend to..." And with that, Stealth lept off of the balcony to the floor below, stories and stories down, and landed on his feet like a cat!

[Storm Wolf]

"So....was there any real point to that?" Enya asked

"Other than to annoy Stealth...no not really..." Jade replyed jokingly."I still think he's up to something....I've just got this feeling...."

Enya arched a brow "So you thought maybe if he thinks Tiger has something for him, he might think twice before he does something to her..."

Jade nodded "Yes.........but not everything I was saying was a lie...There could be something more if Stealth wasn't such an old stubborn ass......He won't let anything like that happen....thats why he will always be a loner...he refuses to accept or give love."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth stood up from his crouched position, after landing on the ground. Stealth looked back up and chuckled at the thought of actually sharing "love". Of all things Jade and Enya were assuming, love was one of those things. Never in his life would he love someone like a hypnotized person over his main jewel, nor would he love someone like an ignored boy staring into the eyes of the most richest gem among all riches.

"Accept love is something I don't do," Stealth said to himself. "What I do with my life is my decision. What's the problem with Jade and Enya? What would ever make them believe that Tiger and me have something going on? They're nuts, their brains have been melted to a puddle of s***! That's what the problem is." Stealth still had that cigarette lit, amazingly, and took another drag. He then threw it to the ground and walked past it. "Those girls may not really have been accustomed to earth, so they don't know what love is around this earth. Love is the destruction of a man at his highest point, that's what love is!"

The eyes came back in Stealth's head, No... love is neither. Love is the desire to experience a sensational feeling with something. And you must've forgotten what our love is directed to... the mission Stealth... the mission! Stick to it!

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger twitched in her sleep....having her usual nightmares of days long gone....the days of the war and bloody battle amongst human and mutant.

Jade tossed a fireball towards Enya intentionally missing her "Lrt us spar my old friend....I think our techniques are rather rusty."

Enya nodded and took stance.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth slapped his forehead, "The mission! I can't forget about the mission..." Stealth walked down teh street with his hands in the pocket of his leather jacket. He kicked a can down the street and looked up to a billboard readint "Never Give Up!"

He thought it was a positive self-esteem billboard, but more of a cigarette ad of never giving up on their products. Stealth sighed and continued walking down the street.

[Storm Wolf]

Enya lept into the air and collided with a fireball, she rolled across the ground, then sprung to her feet "Your aim grows better....I underestimate you Jade." She smiled smugly

"Why you little.....!" Jade shot a stream of ice at Enya, which she smartly doged.[/i]

[R-iZZy]

Stealth was bored, he didn't know what to do, and decided he needed a bit of walking to do... "Man, the night's never been so damn quiet. I guess it's just being lonely for once... I gotta get used to that again."

[Storm Wolf]

When Tiger woke she was shreading the arm of her couch "D*mn.... I really gotta stop doing that!" She coughed up a few pieces of the arm rest "ewwww....gross!"

Tiger jumped off the couch "Where is everyone.....I go to sleep for five minuets and everone leaves....I'm not that boring when I sleep am I?" She eyed the couch "Nope that can't be the case, they must have had other things to do...." She yawned and stretched "Sleep is so for humans....I'm glad I don't do much of it."

[R-iZZy]

Stealth walked down the street, another lit cigarette in his mouth now. His leather jacket protected him from the wind, as a couple of stray cats could be seen rushing into an alleyway. Stealth became intrigued by the horde of cats just coming to his side.

Stealth entered the alleyway and saw a shadowy figure surrounded by the cats, all licking his boots and reaching for his recognition. "How's the mission Stealth?"

Stealth lowered his head and sighed in disappointment, "Look... I don't want Tiger to have any parts of this plan of yours."

"That's too damn bad Stealth, you know that we work in mysterious ways. Sometimes, we must sacrifice to gain."

"But is this mission that important?"

"Should mutants have as much right to walk down the street in peace as some human?"

Stealth lowered his head and sighed, "Damn it Rex... it doesn't have to be like this."

"Oh, but it does Stealth... (chuckles evilly) it dooooes!"

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger sat amongst the shadows watching Jade and Enya test each others skills.

Jade is powerful in her own ways, but there is much room for improvement Tiger thought.

Well...actually she isn't quite finished Enya spoke to Tiger non-verbally

Not finished? what the hell is that? Tiger thought.

Her training was never totally compleated....she would be nearly invinceable had she been trained properly. Enya explained

[R-iZZy]

Stealth leaned against a wall and looked at a couple of punks roam around the street. The boys were robbing an innocent bystander, who appeared to be an elderly man. Stealth's patience couldn't endure this sickening moment, and in a flash, decided to blast his pistol at one of the culprit's ankles. The villain dropped to the ground, as the other ditched his partner in crime. The elderly man was the only one left standing in shock, horrified of this whole traumatic experience.

Comfort the old goat out of his traumatic state. The eyes were talking to him again. How could Rex penetrate his mind at any given moment? How could Rex project his thoughts into the signals carried to his brain?

Stealth slowly raised the pistol at the victim from the shadows, wondering what he would do next. "Do I hafta do this? This isn't exactly the most necessary thing on the planet to do."

Silence! Now on my mark, you will do as the mission demands.

"You're crazy!"

One...

"I'm not doing this..."

Two...

"Rex, you don't know me at all if you think I'm going to do this..."

THREE!

A shot rang...

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger felt a bit light headed and she closed her eyes for a moment

Do you wish to join us? Enya thought to Tiger

No. I don't think thats a good idea.... Tiger responded non-verbally

come on....

well, I suppose a little practice wouldn't hurt....

[R-iZZy]

Stealth lowered his head in disappointment, then looked back up at the old person. He started feeling like his old self again. The ruthless, merciless, never with regrets, type of Stealth he knew he was. He looked at the old man, writhing in pain. Stealth looked up to the skies and back at the old man. "What was the point of this?"

To prove your loyalty. It is apparent that you have exactly that...

Little did Rex know that Stealth only shot out a little stun bullet that explodes with red paint. Stealth chuckled slyly, as Rex continued to believe that the old man was dead...

[Storm Wolf]

Enya circled Tiger growling lightly "Alright...give me all you've got!"

"err...I don't wanna hurt you..." Tiger said

"Oh...are you that confidant? Well then bring it!" Enya growled "or I will!"

Enya sprung at Tiger, lethal claws extended.

[R-iZZy]

"Well... I'm all for mutantkind. I don't want us to live the low life, like roaches. Forever scavenging through the night, trying to make a living off others. And in being caught, we become executed. It's a shame how we live nowadays." Stealth said.

That's the whole point of this mission. the eyes said. To rid of that little malfunction in human's society. Things will be changed for the better... trust me!

"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't be doing this mission."

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger rolled out of the way and Enya landed behind her with a thud "what the hell is your problem?" Tiger yelled.

"come on fight me!" Enya spun around and swatted at Tiger missing her face by mere inches.

"I don't wanna rough house with you kitty kat..." Tiger leaned back.

Enya took another swing and scraped Tigers face, causing a bit of blood to trickle out "Alright now you've done it!" Tiger growled.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth continued walking down a dark street, his hands buried in the pockets of his leather jacket. He looked away from the ground, staring at the streetlights. As Stealth continued walking down the road, an elder man bumped into him. The elder held his hands up in an apologetic manner, then peered closer into Stealth's face.

"Sorry sir, didn't see you there." the elder said.

"How can you not exactly see me?" Stealth said. He chuckled, then held up a middle finger to in the face of the elder person. "And you'er saying you can't see this either, can you?"

"I'm afraid I can't son," the elder replied.

"Really?" Stealth asked.

"Unfortunately, I am but a blind man. A man that cannot see the world as it is. But you see, though I may be blinded through visual appearances, I still see what goes on in this world." the elder replied.

"Then how the hell are you roaming down these street? Stealth asked.

"Allow me to introduce myself..." the elder said with a smile and his arms spread out in a welcoming gesture.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger's foot shot out catching Enya in the chin "You wanna play hard ball pussy cat....then so be it....."

Enya nursed her jaw for a moment the peered into the dark where a black mass sat, what animal would Tiger transform herself into? Her trademark panther, a wolf....or maybe something else?

[R-iZZy]

Stealth arched an eyeridge at the blind elder man, "You still didn't answer my question old man."

"Why bring such hostility towards me? I am but a man who seeks the same thing you do... peace between humans and mutants," the elder began. "I would be able to do something about it, but as you can see... I am a bit disabled in the visual department. But fear not, I can still help this so called 'war' you speak of with Rex."

"Wait a minute... how do you know about...?" Stealth asked astonishingly.

"Fear not, for I am but a messenger, sent to warn you that if this war takes place... if you allow Rex to manipulate your mind into believing whatever, then things will be hard for you and the rest of mutantkind." the elder warned.

"If you know so much, you would know that Rex..." Stealth began.

"AHA! I have blocked Rex's ability to enter your mind and witness this little conversation. Let's just say it is between us two."

Stealth looked away from the elderly man for a second, then tried to get in a word. "But what about...?" But Stealth sent his words to a halt. He was no longer standing next to some blind man, some messenger from the abyss. He was standing in the streets... alone... again! What just happened? What took place? An oracle? A foreseeing? Stealth did not know, but he decided to shake his head in disbelief and continued his walk.

[Storm Wolf]

Tiger remained in the darkness "since we are linked...i have surfed your mind....what creature do you fear most...Enya?"

Enya's eyes widened "you....you can't turn into that animal....it doesen't exist anymore....you've never seen it!"

Tiger gave a laugh and a snort "with your help I have seen it....it is amazing that such creatures existed...." A huge dull green tail fell into the light with a crash, it twitched slightly at the end with irritance like a cats tail would.

Enya watched as the tail disappeared "of coarse, I'd much rather play with you fairly...not play with your fears...." Tiger chuckled and emerged from the darkness a heavily muscled Bengal Tiger.

[R-iZZy]

Stealth continued to walk down the streets, then the eyes re-appeared. I could not achieve contact to you. What happened?

"Hard to say Rex," Stealth said. "You should know. You're the one who has the power to maniupulate the mind. You should have enough intelligence to find the remedy as well."

Such hostility in your tone... the eyes paused for a moment. Mandatory meeting please. We need to talk...