Arrival

"Home sweet home!!!" Rachel squealed, falling face flat on the floor in excitement. Kanon smiled as she stepped into the Inquisitor base.

"This place sure is empty. Where did everyone go?" She asked, looking around.

"I remember Ms. Martha sending them on their own seperate missions, but she herslef stayed. Along with Sarah."

"Oh. Seems like they're out to."

"If it isn't Kanon." A voice said, startling Rachel. Kanon turned to face Owen Shaw, the latter who was sitting in the dark, a bag of chips in hand.

"A long way from home ain't ya?" Kanon grinned.

"What can I say? I needed a break." Owen smiled

"Bet ya didn't tell Alyssa."

"Nay."

Rachel turned on the lights, getting a good look at him. She didn't recognise him from anywhere. She wasn't Sarah, who had lived here her entire life, hence knew almost all the inquisitors of the western branch. But she knew a few of the ones that came to stay. He wasn't one of them. And, listening to his talk with Kanon just now, it was obvious they knew each other.

"Who turned on the lights?! I'm trying to sleep!!" A female voice cried. A woman came into view, her hair in a mess. She stopped when she saw Kanon and Rachel.

"Oh. Right. Its you." She sighed. "Please, do me a favor and turn off the lights, I want to have the best sleep of my life."

"No can do," Kanon said, "I love to sleep with the lights on."

"Ughhh."

"Wait, I thought you were with Mr. Hill and Shino?" Rachel asked.

"Didn't make it and its too far." Claire responded. "Besides, they'll be fine without me."

"Where's Martha?" Kanon asked. Owen shrugged. Claire sighed. She really did not want anything to do with someone she barely knew. She was tired. Owen and she had managed to fool Klaus, or rather, the prime was too busy to notice them slip away. Now this?

"Heard they got tangled up with the Shield or something, I don't know, not my business."

"Great." Kanon groaned, "This again."

"What?" Rachel asked.

"Oh, its nothing." Kanon said, "Let's just go."

A walk through the streets and Rachel could tell that an intense battle had gone on. Bloodstains being washed off, cars being lifted, whichever which way Rachel looked, there was clear evidence that a war had been fought. They finally arrived at the Shield base...or what was left of it. The entire structure was in tatters, with tents and containers laid all around. She searched the crowd of shield agents until she saw a familiar face.

"Hey," She said, waving her hand. Kyler looked at her, confused for a second before smiling.

"Back home, huh?" Kyler said, "And what brings the Kanon here?"

"Just enjoying the breeze." Kanon said confidently, "Unlike you. You look like crap by the way. Someone die?"

"...Yes."

"Oh. That explains it." Kanon said. Rachel looked around, hoping to see Sarah, but she was lost in sight. As was Martha.

"Where's your girlfriend?" Kanon asked, "Its been a while since I last saw her."

"She's in one of the containers. Don't know which one though. She should either be with Sarah or Zhao Fan."

"I don't know either of them."

"Oh. Just ask any of the high ranking shield agents. They'll guide you."

"You really look like crap, lighten up."

"Don't worry. I'll be alright." Kyler said with a small smile. Kanon walked away with Rachel, who reluctantly followed.

"I've never seen Kyler like that before." Rachel said, "Even when Barry and Aaron died."

"Neither have I. Which means there's more to this than we think."

"R...right. But what more could happen than a daemon invasion?"

Kanon remained silent. 

The two finally found Martha, who was standing in front of a tent. She stood still, her hands folded as she was lost in thought. Zhao Fan, much to Rachel's shock, was silent as well, squatting next to Martha while playing on the sand with her finger.

"Yo!" Kanon called out to Martha, rushing to her and given her a big hug. Martha was taken by surprise, shocked to see Kanon.

"Wh....where....?"

"Oh, don't mind the minor details, girl. I'm here! That's what matters, right?"

"I guess." Martha said, scratching her head.

"Yeah, and by the way, you guys look awful. Yikes, what the hell happened."

"Well, its a long story...one you might not enjoy."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yeah." Martha's attention turned to Rachel, "I thought you were with Queens?"

"Well, we kinda run into a strong daemon. Queens got incapacitated and I was saved by Kanon," Rachel explained

"And now she's my personal student." Kanon said, putting her arm around Rachel. Martha smiled. Trust Kanon to do things that were always unconventional. 

"No worries, just treat her well."

"Oh I always treat people well, don't I Rachel?"

"Well..."

Rachel stopped as two inquisitors came into view. Ricardo slumped on the ground while Jacquez leaned on a nearby pole.

"No luck, huh?" Martha asked.

Jacquez shook his head, "Not even a grain of dirt. And you'd think because of his large pool of licht energy he'd be easy to find."

"No kidding." Ricardo added.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the underdogs." Kanon smirked, "How nice to finally meet you guys. Your reputation preceeds you."

"Yeah, whatever." Jacquez replied.

"Um... who are you guys looking for?" Rachel asked.

"Blake Alderwolf." Ricardo said.

"Blake? His surname is Summers."

"Well, here's the update. He lied." Jacquez said, "He's Klaus Alderwolf's son. And he's somewhere in the city doing whatever he wants."

"Huh?!" Rachel exclaimed.

"Let me guess,"  Kanon said, "He saw someone die and now he's having an existential crisis or whatever they call it."

"He killed someone." Jacquez said. Kanon's eyes widened.

"Oh my." She said, "Does this have to do with why two of the toughest people I know are mopping like guys at the therapist?"

"Yes." Ricardo replied, "Cus someone merged an inquisitor with a daemon and now the Shield is trying to..."

"Ricardo." Martha said coldly. Ricardo sighed, scratching his head. Kanon grunted. Now everything had become crystal clear. It disgusted her though, making her want to puke. Rachel, however was lost. Blake was an Alderwolf? Merged daemon and humans? What the hell was going on? She could, however, not dwell on this, thanks to Kanon's ever moving motion.

"Well, get your butts up right now then. Come on! We have an inquisitor to find!!" Kanon exclaimed, grabbing Jacquez and Ricardo off their feet.

"We just got back." Ricardo whined,

"I don't give a damn!" Kanon exclaimed gleefully, "One, Two, Three lets go!!!"