"You damn traitor! Bloody coward!" Horus accused as he fought against his own clone in order to get to Ashe. The sergeant then turned and punched Horus in the head, knocking him back, "Shut up and live up to your rank!"

Ashe's eyes flashed with the smallest hint of defiance at the accusations, causing a strong wave of heat to radiate from her body. She wheeled about, meeting Horus's gaze cooly, "Don't be a moron, Horus. I'm looking out for those I care about as passionately as you.

Of course, referring to Kai, she continued, "Don't think for a moment you wouldn't have done the same for your men as I would for Kai...or any other true friend. Had Rousallier paid you on the spot, you would have shimmied out there faster than Santa up a chimney on Christmas. I may not give a damn about the Council....or the Balance...but people who are actually there [/i' for me....I'm there for them. And don't you dare say otherwise."

She heard what Kai had said and that cheered her up a bit. But then she realized what he was intending. She looked to him, concern apparent in her gaze. Still, he tried to reassure her.

[i]"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, as soon as I distract them, you all get to safety and quickly," His eyes met Ashe's and he whispered into her mind, "Wherever you go, there I will be, like the wind, like the powerful phoenix I will rise from the Ashes, we are eternally linked."

Her eyes seemed to narrow in bewilderment at first, and then Kai was gone. She stood in confusion for a moment before shaking her head out of her maze of inner thoughts. Looking to Horus, she growled.

"You want to live. You want your men to live?" she said bitterly, "Then go. Now." With no moment to lose, she walked forward...to Kai and the SWAT that awaited them.

Without another word, Kai's eyes glowed a bright violet and his hands sparked with energy. He looked at Horus and at Ashe one final time before dashing out from the cover and darting towards the SWAT. Screams could be heard, though it was not clear as to whom the screams belonged but soon more screams could be heard and then lightening flashed and thunder boomed.

This was their chance to escape, their chance to make it out alive. Kai was disposing of the SWAT members rather swiftly but he was also getting a small bit fatigued which showed.

Ashe somehow made her way through the chaos and stood by Kai's side, her hand rested on his shoulder as she looked to him. Her eyes reflected a tender emotion not yet shining in her gaze.

"You really think I could bare to let you stand your ground against these foes on my behalf?" she questioned, a hint of weakness she detected in her own tone that she secretly scolded herself for. It was not like her to take such kindness to heart. "You're the only true friend I've had in all my years of disgrace and solitude. What would I do if you were get wounded, or worse, killed all because of me?"

Unsheathing her sword, Ashe braced for a more fulfilling fight she was more accustomed to.