Jesse Norse; Shasta Wild; Others

Jesse led a small group of four to the Cafe. They came here with a mission, and Shasta seemed to be a crucial part, against her will. They stood outside of the building while they conversed. "No, I have never seen nor heard of this Lark Volkov." Shasta lied. She had seen Lark in the battle against the Akatsuki at Carver's Bridge and again at the Orca Bay, but knowing that she was a fellow member of the ATHA, she didn't want to give anything away.

"Liar!" Rachel shouted, though was immediately silenced by her comrades. They couldn't attract too much attention here. Jesse glanced at Rachel before looking back at Shasta. "You're a good bluffer, Shasta. Unfortunately for you, I know a liar when I see one. Now tell us what we want to know. Where have you seen Volkov?"

Shasta shook her head. "I already said, I don't know. You'll have to find her yourself." She said, obviously annoyed.

Jesse was getting fed up. He was ready to do anything to get this information, but knew that they would just get themselves in deeper trouble if he hurt the woman. "It would be a shame if your pathetic mother's sad life came to an end." He whispered.

Shasta couldn't take this anymore. She brought her hand up and made to punch Jesse's face, but he was quick and grabbed her arm. "If that's the way you want in to be, fine." He didn't dare pull out his pistol in a populated area, but made sure that Shasta saw the gun.

Maria stood behind the group. It was her who was looking for Lark. They had some unfinished business. Jesse and his gang wanted to help her, for they knew how powerful she was.

Crystal and others.

Crystal had silently led her group following the others.They hid and watched as the scene unfolded at the cafe.She had almost sicked her group on them when Jesse grabbed Shasta's arms,but Jake held her back.

Jake was silent.He knew when the perfect time for attck would be.

The horse were silent as they waited for a command from their master.

The dogs sat and were quiet.Their ears pricked they waited for a command.

Sparkle still on Crystal's shoulder yawned as she waited patiently.

Jesse Norse; Shasta Wild; Samuel Steele; Christie

Suddenly, Christie started barking. The huge dog had orders to guard the gang, but not to attack unless told otherwise. She knew that Crystal and Jake were there.

Samuel stood up. "Hunt!" He commanded. Christie barked as she exposed Jake and Crystal's hiding place.

Jesse stood up, moving toward the others. "If you don't stop following us, Shasta's mother dies." He wasn't bluffing. He would be so cruel and would do anything to get what he wanted. He nodded to Samuel, who ran off with a mission.

Jesse then moved back to where Shasta was while Rachel and Maria watched Crystal and Jake to make sure they didn't try anything.

Crystal and others.

Wishstar,Starshooter,and Zing snarled at Christie in warning to her to back off.Amy,Jena,Cloverleaf growled a warning.

Sunholder snorted at the men angerly.Wisher,if they got to close,strucked at then with her teeth savagly.She would not stand for men with guns that came near her.

Jake said nothing as they threanted Shasta's mother.He was only here to help Crystal.

Crystal on the other hand became furious.Her blue eyes came alive with burning pits of death."Who saids you have the right to threaten someone,or the fact that you threanted this womens mother while you hold her captured.Thats cold why don't you just let her go,"she said icily.She meant every word.She showed no sighs of attck,but she was ready incase they attack.

Sparkle hissed at them threantingly.

Jesse Norse; Shasta Wild

Jesse looked back at Crystal, enraged. "Why should we let her go? You don't know her, you don't know what she's done. We just need to find somebody, then she and her mother can go free." He replied dully.

Shasta looked at Crystal as if to say, 'Just go along with it.'

Crystal and others.

Crystal saw her look.Silently she thought quickly."Why is she any use to you.Shes just some injured woman,"she said.Her eyes blazed angerly still though.

Jake said nothing.

The dogs said nothing as they waited.

Sparkle glared at the strangers.
The horses snorted angerly.

Jesse Norse; Shasta Wild

Shasta couldn't take this any longer. She slammed her fist down on the table. "Just don't say anything! PLEASE!" She shouted to Crystal. "They'll only kill my mom faster if you argue with them!"

Jesse looked back at Shasta, then at Crystal again. "She's right. The more you waste our time, the less time Shasta's poor mother has." He replied in a matter-of-fact way. "She can help us because she knows where Lark Volkov is. Have you heard of her?" Unknown to Jesse, Crystal and Jake had seen Lark at the Ruins.

Crystal and others.

Crystal knew who Lark was and smiled.She wouldn't say where she was,but she get them to let Shasta go and help her mom."Yes i have.I met her at the ruins,but i'll only tell you where shes at if you'll let Shasta go,"she said calmly.

Jake looked at Crystal quizzicly.

The dogs were silent as they waited.

The horses snorted.

Sparkle hissed again.

A vehicle drove up and out came a older versian of Crystal except she had darker hair with lighter streaks.She came up to Crystal and waited to see what was going on.Her name was Summer.

Another door opened and a 17 year old teenager got out.Silently he went and stood near Jake.He had blond hair a light green eyes.

Jesse Norse; Shasta Wild

Shasta wanted to scream. "YOU IDIOT!" She shouted. "She's my ally! Now they know where to find her so they can KILL HER!" She reached out and suddenly grabbed the pistol from Rachel's hand. "Now look what you've done! They don't need us anymore! They'll kill us all!"

Jesse had no time to think about this new information, as he had turned his attention to Shasta, who seemed to be in charge now. "Shasta, lower the gun." He said calmly. "You know where Sam is? He's at your mother's house. If you don't stop this right now, your dear mother dies."

Shasta shook her head. "No. I know you. As soon as I drop this gun, you'll shoot me. You're that insecure." She replied icily. She then looked at the newcomers. "Get out of here! You're going to get me killed!"

Maria, having learned a bunch of English from her new partners, knew what Crystal said. "Ruins?" She said to herself. She was about to walk off, but was stopped by Rachel. "Not yet" Rachel said quietly.

Crystal and others.

Crystal smiled at Jesse and them.Then she looked at Jake and exchanged glances with him.She turned to her sister when she showed up.Exchanging looks with her she told her to go with Leo to Shasta's mom and help her.

Jake saw the look that was given to him.Then turning to Shasta he gave a look that said Crystal won't tell where Lark is.

What they didn't know was that Lark wasn't at the ruins.

The animals were quiet.

Leo and Summer got back in the car and drove off.

Jesse Norse; Shasta Wild

Jesse turned around and grabbed Shasta. "We're going to pay a visit to your mother, Shasta." He then looked at Rachel and Maria. "You two stay here until further notice." He pulled Shasta to her feet and walked off toward the Tall Grass Prairie.

Shasta grumbled, but had no choice but to go along.

Christie and Mouse followed, Christie growling at the Saluki now and then.

Rachel and Maria stood outside the restaurant, keeping an eye out for danger. Or their target.

Crystal and others.

Glaring one last time they left.They took the corner and got in the truck silently.Starting it up they followed Shasta to Tall Grass Prarie.