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Gwen stopped in her tracks as she reached the door and saw it crumble. She was already running on a short fuse because of Arden. She glarred at the three who stood there. She placed her hands on her hips as she glanced between all of them. "Next time you want in a room, it would be more polite to knock rather than destroy the door," she said trying to keep her voice calm. "Is there something I can help you with?" Gwen asked now crossing her arms over her chest.
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"Alright then," he siad turning back to Raye. He placed the flat end of the device on her skin where the bruise was forming. "This is a sort of ultrasound machinem," he explained. "It will detect if there is any sort of internal damage..." his brow was furrowed as he concentrated on the scanner.

Arden glanced over his shoulder as he saw the others enter. A small smile formed on his face. They were a rather resilient bunch. He wasn't too pleased about the manner of their entering, but what was to be done now? He turned back to Raye and winked at her with a hint of amusement. "The Castle sure has become lively since you all arrived," he teased.

Kyla was surprised at what Rayken could do. She stared at him and what he'd done, amazed. When she was about to step into the room, someone else was already heading their way out. It was Gwen. She sounded livid, though why Kyla couldn't tell. Instead of answering properly, Kyla merely shook her head in response.

"Is the Colonel and Raye down here?" would have been a question she wanted to ask, but glancing around Gwen's shoulder, she saw the two of them clearly. She sighed in relief. At least they were alive.


Ryan had been quiet for quite some time now. Listening to conversations pass by. First there was Zach, then he heard little pieces of when Arden spoke with Raye. After that, it was a little harder to catch everything. He had stayed where he was, merely watching and listening from a distance. When that boy... whatever his name was... came by, Ryan had said nothing to him, nor mentioned he was even aware of the boy's return.

And when that noise startled him, Ryan was curious, though cautious, about following to see. Ils aiment détruire ce lieu, n'est-ce pas? He lingered by the stairs as he heard some of the other talk. He heard Scion, and Kyla, and realized through their conversation that the third person, that familiar boy, was called Rayken.

He stood by the top of the stairs and watched the three pass by. He knew they weren't going to the kitchen for lunch, so he followed after, lingering in the back so he wouldn't be noticed. It surprised him that they were traveling down. Didn't Kyla not like going back to the labs? Why was she going there with these two boys?

Shaking his head, Ryan leaned against the wall and watched from afar, not wanting to be the target of that woman's wrath.

Rayken was shocked to see a woman standing where the door had been. She looked rather upset and Rayken flinched at the anger that was in her words even though she sseemed to want to hide it. He spoke up, "S-sorry about the d-door." He cursed himself for having the stutter under pressure. Just when he had calmed himself down it came back with this lady.

Rayken looked into the room behind the lady and saw Arden and a girl. He figured that girl must be the Raye that Scion and Kyla had mentioned. She was pretty that was for sure but beauty didn't make up for a sour personality. He looked to Kyla and noticed that her beauty reflected in her gentle ways. He wondered if these two got along.

Raye gave a short laugh but the pain was still there and she forced herself not to breath too deeply. She smiled instead, "You are the crazy guy that brought us all here. You must have been bored though, so we are helping aren't we?" She was glad the others had arrived though. Gwen was confronting them at the moment and she hoped that Gwen didn't make them all leave. Raye shrugged, but maybe Gwen would make them all leave and Raye could have more private time with Arden.

Raye shivered as the machine touched her bare skin. It was cold! She didn't know exactly what it would do but if it helped take away some pain it would be nice. She wondered if Arden was hurt at all. His clothes seemed rather scorched and she wondered if any burns were left. She had been using quite a bit of power and it exhausted her. So what could it do to Arden?

"I don't know what you were hoping to do down here, but the hologram room is closed for now. i suggest you all use the training room upstairs," Gwen said ushering them out the door. "We need to let Arden and Raye finish their training session," she said glarring at Arden over her shoulder. "Besides, the three of you really have no business being down here anyway. Go on," she said placing a hand on Rayken's shoulder and guiding him back out the door. "Arden, see to it the door is fixed properly," she said turning back to Arden and Raye for a moment.

Arden didn't bother responding to the commotion at the top of the stiars. He was a rather one-track minded person and currently he was more concerned about the injury that Raye had sustained than the commotion at the top of the stairs. "Well there doesn't appear to be any internal damage," he said dropping the scanner back into the box. "He pulled a small tube out of a drawer in the box and handed it to Raye, "this ointment should help the bruise lessen more quickly. In the meantime, I can get you something for the pain."

Scion looked to Rayken and nodded. Then though there was Gwen yelling. "Well if you decided to grace us with the password maybe we wouldn't have to break the damn door down. Oh I forgot we're part of a team but we don't get to go downstairs. We're the ones that will be responsible for helping you get what you want but we're not good enough to know a password to a door in case we need it right? God your in a mood aren't you?" Scion turned to Rayken. "A bit excessive but hey you've got style dude." Then he turned to Arden. "We only came down 'cause Kyla didn't want you to get hurt. We weren't gonna let her come alone. We are a team after all." He didn't like it when Gwen tried to push them out. He went into the shadows and appeared behind her. "Where's the hospitality Gwenny?"

Raye was bummed that the three were being ushered out but she was happy that Gwen was so upset. It meant that Raye had won this time and gotten to her instead. She also enjoyed the fact that Arden was giving her all the attention, she was basking in it. She wondered if the three would actually leave or if they would over power Gwen. She knew that Scion sometimes could get feisty.

Raye took the tube from Arden and looked at him quizzically. "This stuff is going to help?" She opened the end of it and smelled it. It smelled awful! She scrunched up her nose and frowned up at him. She set the tube down and shook her head, "Only if you insist. It smells awful."

Gwen narrowed her eyes, "let's get one thing straight," she said to Scion in her normal calm voice. "You're fighting for something you want just as badly as we want it. Only this way Arden and I are making it possible. If you think you can do better on your own, then you can leave." Her tone wasn't cold, but it was abnormally calm and calculating. "Since we're a team, I suppose that means that I can destroy your property too, at least according to your rules." She crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. "The upper levels are open to you, the lower levels are not. It's that simple. When you can prove yourself trustworthy, then perhaps Arden and I will give access to the lower levels. But for now, breaking in like this...you're lucky that we're even letting you stay here. We have a lot riding on you and if you're going to act like children, we clearly made the wrong choice in bringing you hear."

Rayken shrugged off her arm. He hated adults who couldn't trust him. He nodded a thank you at Scion's compliment and was amused at Scion's picking at Gwen. She was in a rather foul mood and Rayken didn't really know who she was. He did agree with Scion in the fact that they were all a team and weren't even allowed down here in the first place. He was amazed at how Scion could teleport through shadows and saw him appear behind the woman.

Rayken then grabbed Kyla's hand and pushed past Gwen as well dragging Kyla with him. He was in awe at the vastness of the room they were now standing in. He glanced over at Arden and the girl but didn't venture over there. Kyla was worried about Arden which must mean that Raye was a force to be reckoned with. Rayken himself wanted to go explore the computers. He looked up and noticed a huge orb and wondered what it was for. He whispered to Kyla, "Hey what's the orb for?"

Kyla should've expected such a response from the woman. She was a little hurt by her attitude, but she supposed she could see the reason behind it. At least now Kyla knew that the Colonel and Raye were alright. They were even taking care of the injuries, if she saw right. That was good... Still, a couple things still bothered her. But she wouldn't say anything. She merely looked at the woman, then at Scion. Kyla didn't think it was a very good idea to play with Gwen like that, but... well, that was part of Scion's nature, wasn't it?

Suddenly, she felt a hand on hers and looked at Rayken in surprise when he suddenly tugged her away. She gasped as she was quickly taken into the room, glancing over her shoulder because she knew such an action would have angered Gwen even more.

Looking back at Rayken, she followed his gaze and quietly shook her head. "Only the Colonel knows. And maybe Gwen too. Don't touch it." Her free hand landed on his arm, grasping his sleeve. "We're in enough trouble as is..."


From above, Ryan just sighed quietly to himself. He stood in the doorway that led down the stairs to where the others were. He waited, watching, until at least he shook his head and came down. Quelle pagaille!

"Madame," he said to Gwen as he neared the bottom of the stairs where they were standing, just before the door and the other landing leading into the lab. "Les enfants seront les enfants. It won't get you any headway if fight them using authority. They are stubborn. All of us are. And you're very well outnumbered," he noted. "Even if you do hold a good point."

Rayken smiled at the girl clutching his sleeve. The orb was still intreiguing him but Kyla had his attention at the moment. He knew they were in trouble and what was a better way to be welcomed back? He grinned. He heard another voice from the stairwell and saw another boy standing there talking to Gwen. He again whispered to Kyla,"Hey who is that?"

Rayken didn't remember him really that well either. He hated the fact that he had missed out on so much! He glanced over at Raye and Arden once again. He wanted to speak to the Colonel about being back and all the details he had missed and he also wanted to introduce himself, or rather re-introduce himself to the girl. He turned his attention back to Gwen who was now dealing with four stubborn teenagers who had powers that she probly couldn't block if they all attacked her at once. He wondered if she had any powers.

"Well since we're all here," Gwen said turning from Ryan, "I think it would be a good time to address the few concerns that Arden and I have with all of you." Arden looked away from Raye and raised an eyebrow at Gwen.

"Arden especially has tried to be very understanding of the transition you are all making. We certainly want all of you here, but as Scion so pointedly said, we're supposed to be a team, correct?" she asked looking at Scion. "Well, then I think it's time all of you reciprocate the courtesy that we have extended to you. This room isn't something we are keeping from you because we're hiding anything form you, this room is kept locked because this is one of six databases containing information on every registered ELITE member in the world. None of you know how this room works. If you delete anything or tamper with anything then it leaves a trail in the cyber world and those who wish to see ELITE killed, will have a way to find all of us and kill us."

Arden sighed and stepped away from Gwen, "I had hoped for a more punctual time for this, but seeing as that is no longer a possibility, I suppose we'll just have to explain now." Arden clasped his hands behind his back as he looked at all of them. "I think Gwen and I have made every effort to prove ourselves trustworthy. There are certain things that we are not capable of sharing with you at this time and we understand that it will lead to confusion and even a hint of mistrust. However, I can't deny that the deception has been stronger on all of your parts. The burning of the stairs, the midnight break-ins, the destruction of three of our rooms..." he looked at all of them. "Please don't make me regret the decision to bring you all here. Your flippancy and uncouthness will eventually come back to destroy this mission."

"What Arden is trying to say," Gwen continued, "is that you're all dabbling in things you don't understand. This isn't just a game. There are lives at stake. Millions of lives. I ask that you all conduct yourselves with a bit more discretion and maturity."

Raye hated being lectured. True, they hadn't behaved the best but they were thrown into this underground place with people they didn't even know. It was nature to have angers flare. Raye was sick of listening and slid off the desk and took a few steps towards Gwen. "You also need to understand one thing. You may know our histories and everything about us but you don't truly know us. We each have our own personalities and you haven't even really taken the time to know us." She gestured towards Kyla, "For instance, Kyla is a very sweet and genuine person and is a little on the quiet side while Scion, " She motioned to him, "Can let emotions flow through him and sometimes they over power him. As for me, I don't like to sit and listen to someone come in here and think she is in control of us."

Raye paused to take a breath and continued, "Yes, we do trust Arden, but you came in and acted like you already had full control over us when you didn't even give us a chance to try and respect you. We have all been raised differently depending on where we were and how are powers were accepted. Before you start telling us what we need to do or not you should take the time to know us a little better." Raye was finished and she was pissed. She walked across the floor and stopped right in front of Gwen, "Don't even think you know me." She then spun on her heel and walked past the other group and up out the stairs.

Raye arrived in the kitchen and quickly out into the hallway. She just wanted to go to her room and lie down. The stress of the fighting and now Gwen was giving her a headache again. She climbed the charred stairs without a morsel of regret and made it to her room. She started the bath water and grabbed some towels. She was going to relax for awhile before facing Arden.

"We certainly don't mean to offend any of you," Arden said as he watched Raye leave. "But you also have to understand the delicacy of this mission. It's not just something that Gwen and I want. It could change the course of the future. So please trust us when we put limitations on where you travel in The Castle. This room in itself does not even belong to Gwen or myself. This is a government owned facility with Top Secret information lurking behind every door. We don't have the authorization to show it to you, but when we do, and when you need to know, then we will share it with you. Until then, I need to ask all of you to leave."

Kyla looked at Rayken, then followed his gaze. "He's Ryan. You'll get to know him in a bit," she answered quietly.

She looked at Gwen as she started to talk, her gaze flickering between the woman and the Colonel. There it was again. That question of trust. Kyla averted her gaze. It wasn't like she didn't trust them. Her grip tightened around Rayken's arm, unbeknown of her. ...But she supposed they did have a point. They shouldn't have pushed their way in like that.

Ryan slowly walked toward the rest of them, though lingering back as he listened. "The girl has a point," he said, after listening to Raye speak. Even if he didn't quite get along with Raye just yet, Gwen wasn't as accommodating either. "But how about we come to an agreement. Shall we? We'll stay away from these lower areas and try not to destroy anything. But in return, you don't rail on us for acting in the only manner we know how. You've pissed one girl off, and you're about the make the other one cry. Let's not even get into how the rest of us feel."

Kyla glanced at him, then looked away. She tugged at Rayken's arm, hoping he would agree with her to leave. She didn't like being down here anyway. She had the information she wanted---Raye was fine; the Colonel was fine---now she could get out.

Rayken listened as Gwen lectured the bunch and was understanding to her. It must be hard adjusting to all these teens who have more power than most could even dream of. He saw Raye stand and step closer to Gwen. After Raye had finished Rayken knew what Kyla meant about her personality. He was shocked at how angry she had gotten. She had even gotten right in Gwen's face. Rayken watched her leave and sighed, she was going to be a hard one to deal with.

Rayken turned his attention back as Arden began to speak. He knew that there was no offense meant by Gwen but maybe Raye just didn't like her? Rayken thought she was an ok woman but he had just gotten here. The words 'Top Secret' made Rayken perk a little bit. If he could hack into one of these computers he could probably find out anything he wanted to know about this 'mission'. He didn't like asking questions but he did like finding answers for himself.

When Arden said that they needed to leave Rayken figured it was best to do as he asked. Both adults seemed a little bit upset and he didn't want to anger either of them too much. He nodded down to Kyla and whispered, "Let's get out of here." He put an arm around her shoulders and walked her out past Ryan and Scion. Kyla looked a little shaken up and Rayken didn't want her upset. He helped her up the stairs and into the kitchen. "You ok?"

"I want to speak with you," Gwen said turning to Arden. "Now." Arden didn't argue this time. They walked into the medical room across from the computer lab, leaving two agents in the lab to watch Ryan and Scion incase they got any ideas...

As soon as the door shut to the soundproof room, Gwen shoved Arden up against the door. Arden looked at the ground.

"God damnit Arden!" she cursed. "Do you have any idea what kind of danger you put yourself into going into the room alone with Raye? Don't think I didn't find out about you giving Kyla your bracelet. God, are you completely mental?" she asked raking a hand through her hair in frustration. "She could have killed you."

"No she couldn't haven," Arden said looking back up at Gwen. "Raye was right, you don't know anything about them. Reading files on a computer doesn't tell you anything about a person. Raye wasn't going to hurt me, not seriously anyway. You saw her, she stopped herself. She showed an amazing amount of resiliance."

"And if she hadn't? If she had killed you, what then?" Gwen asked with crossed arms. "What would I have done without you here, Arden?" he moved forward and kissed the top of her head as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Trust my judgement," he said looking down into her eyes. Gwen sighed and hugged him. "Everything is going to work out, but not when you work yourself up like this. You need to relax. Why don't you go up to my room and lay down."

"What about you?" she asked pulling away.

"I need to go check on Raye. She's injured," he replied and Gwen sighed with a hint of frustration, but Arden ignored it. He opened the door to the room and left Gwen in the room with Ryan and Scion as he jogged up the stairs past Kyla and Rayken, giving them a small smile, as he headed toward Raye's room.

He knocked on the door and began removing his gloves as he waited for her to answer. He was starting to feel the soreness from using his powers so overtly. Even super strength didn't stop the muscle fatigue.

Scion could only roll his eyes. He hated lectures and for most of it he just zoned out. He began to walk out but stopped. "Arden I trust and respect you. I'll leave because you asked me to. I have some questions for you later. It's important." He looked at Gwen. "Don't forget why were here. We lived shitty lives on the outside before you. You called us because you needed us. We can go back to living shitty lives. Without us you are screwed. If you want our respect then you need to show us some as well." Scion walks a bit further. "I apoligize for the training room. It was an accident however. I assure you, if we wanted to destroy this place it would be gone already. If you think we are untrustworthy then maybe we should all go. You know if you told us what you just said now then I don't think we would've broke in down here." He walked out before hearing an answer. He heads up the stairs and yells out of frustration. He was ready to grab his new friends including Raye and get out of there. "So we try to find out about the home we're all living in and that's wrong huh?"

((late post))

Kyla walked with Rayken out of the lab and back up the stairs. It was strange to have his arm around her, but she didn't pull away, letting him guide her back into the kitchen. Looking up at him, she gave a small shake of her head. "I'm fine. I... I just don't like those sorts of things happening. I think I'm partially to blame for that too, because of my hasty actions."

She was concerned for the Colonel and Raye's safety, but that had gotten them all in trouble. Perhaps she should've just left well enough alone and ignored what her gut told her to do.

Noticing that Rayken was concerned for her, Kyla forced a smile onto her face and gave a small tug of his arm. "Let's just get away from here, okay?" she said, and led the way out of the room, Rayken at her side. She didn't know where she was going, but somehow found herself in the hallway leading to the three other rooms in The Castle. She paused. She couldn't go to the pool. It was still in ruins. The training room was just as damaged. The only place that wasn't was the library.

Why didn't she just go up to her room? Shaking her head, Kyla just pushed open the door and went inside, looking back at Rayken as she did so.


Ryan had to roll his eyes at the way everyone was acting, though he didn't comment too much on it. He watched Scion leave as well and sighed, ignoring the guards standing nearby. (So now they showed their faces.)

Oh well. Hands in his pockets, he looked around, then slowly followed the others upstairs. He wasn't all that inclined to be near a bunch of emotional people right now. He could always console Kyla, though, but she seemed to have her Knight in shining armor already.

But with a pause, before he went, he glanced over his shoulder at Gwen who was left. He had mind to say something to her, but then changed his mind and continued walking.

Raye had just gotten out of the bathtub and had a towel wrapped around her when she heard a knock at her door. She wondered if it was Kyla. She needed to ask the girl a personal favor. She secured the towel around her and walked to the door. She opened the door and to her surprise Arden was standing there. She felt a blush spreading across her face as she remembered she was in nothing more than a towel. Maybe she was too comfortable in this place.

Raye stepped aside to allow Arden to enter if he so chose to. She shook her head, "Sorry about the timing, I thought you were Kyla. If you'll excuse me." She left the door open and stepped back into the bathroom. She slipped on some black capris and a reddish pink tank top. She looked in the mirror and saw the bruise that had formed. It was nasty looking but she could deal with it. She hoped it went away by the time the ball rolled around. She wondered what kind of dress she should get.