Chapter One : The Battle at Liberty Island

*After breakfast , a shower and a change of clothes , the three were ready to start the day , helping with Adalene's bakery . Brandon especially . He wanted to make everything smooth and calm today , unlike yesterday when a customer made a fuss about seeing one of his horns . Brandon isn't totally human , he has a heritage that is the rarest on Earth : being a hybrid . His mother was a Dragon Queen , etched in royalty and fortune , whilst also being very benevolent and compassionate to her subjects . She was described as having beautiful eyes and scales that was a vibrant shade of red , which describes his features : a long , horned tail , half his body being covered in reptilian scales , not nearly as hard as a dragon's but just as tough , his red , luminescent eyes and perhaps the most noticeable feature , his horns . Two sets , one each on the top and sides . He had worn a brown jacket with a red shirt adorned with a star , cut-out gloves and jeans with black and white sneakers . He also had to wear the hood of the jacket to hide his horns . Unfortunately , most people aren't forgiving of strange looks .*

*Misty was the first to get on the ball and serve , walking around and taking others' orders . She was definitely the most " normal " looking of the group , with dark - skin , a tall stature , fit build and a very effective form of work ethic . Perhaps the most peculiar part of her appearance is her jet - black hair , which she wears over her eyes most of the time . Still , she is of the most " human " of the group .*

*Spica walked outside , clearing her head for a bit . She also had to cover her head with a jacket as to not cause a scene , but her peculiar height still turns a lot of heads . Luckily , the busy streets of New Jersey are a lot less busy today , giving her time to breathe . Looking up at the skies , the clouds resembled little strokes of cotton , intensified by the dramatic lighting of the sunrise . Shades of red , orange and yellow were abundant in the atmosphere . The glow of the sun felt warm as it peaked over the buildings . This was exactly what she needed . A few minutes to herself . To just .....think .*

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*It was strange ...to converse with people of this world at first . All of them were so hostile . So condemning , so ......unfriendly . It was a daily occurrence to have a person chase her down or spit at her feet for looking different . Or to have a person run at her with a weapon . So many horrible things , just for being unusual . But , alas , it is definitely a small price to pay for her freedom . She remembered the threats from Andromeda , being captured by her after her failed attempt to escape . She remember the cold firing range , and the massive , metallic structure hanging over her head , levitating . Her worse invention . The click of a firearm was heard , but it was only a click . Nothing more . A misfire . Again . A click . Again . Click . Again . Click . It was the worst ten minutes of her life . She was incredibly pallid and flinched every time the gun clicked . It was awful . Finally she was sent back to the palace with a whipped . bleeding back . .......*

*To think of it now was a bit ..unnerving , but , she succeeded . She succeeded in escaping her captor , succeeded in finding a new home and succeeded in finding peace with herself , once and for all .*

*Spica's thoughts were put to a halt as a familiar looking face peaked at her from the corner of a nearby coffee shop . Her eyes widened in shock as the face of Dahlia , Andromeda's sister , was visible , gas flame blue eyes and all . A twinkle of light sparked as she motioned for Spica to come to her . She hesitated but began to run to the alleyway she saw her in . As Spica ran to the alley , Dahlia was nowhere to be seen . Her heartbeat was fast , she was deathly worried . 'WHY ?', she shouted internally . 'Why was Andromeda's sister here ????!!! Of all people !!!!!" Her feet found their footing as she dashed back to the bakery , less than a block away . Misty and Brandon were beginning to serve the last few customers of the early breakfast bunch , getting ready for the others as the sun rose up slightly higher , giving the city a marvelous red-orange sky to look at . Suddenly , the calm was put to a stop as Spica ran through the doors , knocking one of them in on itself , shattering it in the process .*

*"What the hell -" Misty exclaimed , only to be cut off a few seconds later by a worried mess of a Cassiopite before her .*

*"Guys , I'm sorry , but shit is going down ! " she replied anxiously , brushing glass shards off . " It's Dahlia , she's here !! "*

*Misty , Brandon and Adalene all stood up , fully attentive to what she was saying .*

*" I'm not sure why but , I know that it's for no good reason ."*

*" I'm puzzled as to why she is even on Earth ." Brandon chimed in . He rested the last plates of pancakes onto a table before a elderly couple , shocked at the scene a few minutes ago . Their grandchild was snickering blissfully .*

*"I-I'm not really sure ." Spica responded , stammering now . "But I know it's not for any good reason . I think we should stalk her ."*

*" Good idea , but how ? "*

*" I-I don't know , ugh , I need a drink ." Spica was sweating nervously now , her body shaking slightly .*

*" I have an idea ," Adalene added . "We drive around town tonight , looking for her . If Spica is such a ploy of interest for Dahlia , then most likely , she would want to meet again ." Adalene then placed a hand on Spica's shoulder , rubbing it slightly . " It's going to be alright , okay . Earth will be fine ."*

*Misty and Brandon exchanged worried glances .*

*" Okay , then , we'll look for her tonight , we'll find her , then ask her why she's here . It'll be fine ." Misty proclaimed .*

*That night , the group was anxious , all of them cruising along on the crammed city streets , worried about why their biggest enemy's sister was on Earth . A friend came along and picked them up , his name , Rigel . He was a feminine-looking chad with blond-red hair cut to his shoulders , wild and frizzy . He had came as soon as he heard the news , desperate to help them . With a tank full of diesel and coffee in the cup-holder , the gang knew that a long night was before them .Rigel began to ask them all sorts of questions and Spica , all jittery and anxious , despite Brandon's best actions to comfort her , essentially ignored them . They just kept driving and driving , the highways crammed with traffic and pedestrians . Fresh breeze blew past her face , giving her some more comfort . along with her husband's caressing hand there to sooth her as well . Misty and Adalene were busy looking through their binoculars , gazing at nearby alleyways and the like , lamps and streetlights flashing by . The air in the car was tense and claustrophobic , worry making it thick enough to cut through with a knife .*

*The group was all in all , very tense .*

*A line of traffic had accumulated from the intersection that led onto a normal road slicing through their neighborhood . A few hours had passed and they were going to go back home and try again tomorrow night . Rigel was still chock-full of questions , but decided not to pry any more . As they were on the turn , a silver Cadillac pulled up as well , stopping at the red light . Spica noticed the vehicle but didn't pay any mind to it , gazing up at the stars and looking at the yellowish - white one , barely the size of a speck of sand . Rigel also noticed the car , due to it being right next to his side of the vehicle . The glass was turned down , and a strange looking female was looking at them behind pitch-black sunglasses . Her hair was silvery-white and had black tufts . Her horns were rather large as well , curving back like those of a goat , although much more elegant-looking . Dahlia . She was there , looking at them . Spica , Misty , Brandon and Adalene were all alerted and wide -eyed , the effects of drowsiness fading instantly . As the light turned yellow , Dahlia lifted a finger in a ' come-hither ' motion , speeding off as the light turned green .*

*" Oh God , " said Adalene , " It's her ! "*

*" Rigel , floor it !!! " Both Spica and Misty shouted in unison . Rigel complied before anything was said anyway , stamping on the acceleration pedal and careening down the opposite direction , going back onto the interstate that led to New York , less than a few miles northeast . The speedometer was reaching sixty miles an hour , other cars and trucks passing like memories , fast and blurry . Dahlia , in her silver vehicle made a sharp turn left , then right , swerving through the lanes , horns blaring and honking .*

*Rigel followed , the other passengers in the car being knocked about in the back . Adalene held onto the dashboard as the three were swerving about moderately .*

*" Watch it !! " Misty exclaimed as Spica nearly knocked her in the face with her hand , which would've hurt ---alot . Experience taught her that .*

*" Sorry ! Rigel , can't you go slower ! '*

*" I can't , " he replied > " It looks like she's trying to shake us off ! "*

*The Manhattan skyline began to come into sight , many iconic buildings and structures peaking over the horizon . A sign reading " Now Entering New York State " whizzed by and the interstate dipped into the harbor area , coming in the city limits . Dahlia took another sharp turn , alerting a handful of drivers . Rigel took another sharp right as cars knocked into one another and a few overturned , getting knocked off the overpass into the bay water below . Shrapnel and car tires bounced over the passage as Spica and the others watched .*

*Suddenly , Dahlia turned again onto the Brooklyn Bridge and sped at a very dangerous speed , veering and going about . Ambulances and police cars screamed by as they raced to the scene a few blocks away . The gang followed the rest of the way as she turned off into Battery Park , leading them onto the streets that went into quieter neighborhoods , finally turning into an alleyway between two buildings , one an abandoned store , the next , an old church . The lights were turned off and suddenly , everything was quiet . Rigel turned into the alleyway , stopping and letting the others and himself out .*

*" Well , all that shit , but where's Dahlia ? " Misty exclaimed , kicking at a old beer bottle , watching it fall down a gutter , never to be seen again .*

*"Hey , this old store , it was my cousin's from back in the day , " Adalene said . " Come on , I know a back way . "*

*In the store , the ceiling was broken and cracked in several places , an old cash register and several shelves being the only things in it . Misty stepped in first , followed by Brandon and Spica , then Rigel and Adalene . Misty had unsheathed a six inch knife for protection whilst Brandon had his hands in fists , glowing bright orange , ready for fire unleashing . Spica had already made a shield of solid nitrogen whilst both Rigel had a pistol and Adalene , her walking cane . It was also used as a weapon , as it had a thin sword blade when one took the handle from the pole segment . It was pink with a plastic strawberry ornament on ts handle , a gift from Misty on the most recent Mother's Day . She had a great deal of training from Misty , able to use it much better than most .*

*A clink sounded from the shopping area , as Dahlia was in the open , waiting . Misty sprang in first , lunging for her back with the knife , only for Dahlia to swerve out of the way at the last minute .*

*" Stop " , she proclaimed . It was not heard . Brandon and Spica went in next as Spica threw a spear of nitrogen at her , impaling the wall as Dahlia dodged . Brandon jumped over the shelves and blasted fire at her , running up and engaging in one-on-one combat . A strike was landed first as Brandon kicked at her leg although she grabbed him by the arm and threw him at Misty , who was preparing to attack again , knocking both into the rotting wall . Adalene went in and sliced at Dahlia , the swing hitting her in the midriff , but the armor under her clothing prevented any injury . A kick from her sent Dahlia into a disorientated spin but catching her arm , she sent her onto her back . Adalene got up and charged again , but was stopped as Dahlia threw a old plate at her .She dodged and threw a rock from the dirty floor , but it was caught and thrown at Rigel , who was helping Misty and Brandon up off the floor .*

*Spica came from the behind and kicked Dahlia in the back , knocking her forward . The two were in a scuffle as everything Spica threw or landed was deflected or missed .*

*" What the hell do you want ?! " She shouted . As Misty ran into the scuffle ,her knife landed in the nearest shelf as she kicked Dahlia , but to no effect . Dahlia pushed both of them down as Rigel , Adalene and Brandon came towards them , cautiously .*

*" Rebels , believe me when I say that I am not your enemy . " Dahlia helped Spica and Misty back to their feet and returned Misty's weapon . Misty took it , although with a very skeptical look .*

*" I don't believe you . " Misty said .*

*" I don't need you to . But believe me when I say this ," Dahlia prompted . " The Cassiopites are coming . "*

*The group was shocked . All of them . So , it was true , Spica thought .*

*" The Cassiopites ? As in plural ? But we destroyed their beacon - " Brandon said .*

*Dahlia shook her head .*

*" No , they are coming . And they are bringing all of their power and military prowess with them . The end result will be destruction of your entire Solar System . "*

*" Excuse me ? " Misty said , shocked .*

*" The news gets worse . The Heart Of Darkness' capsule was reported to have been above water for the past week now . They are planning on retrieving the weapon that lies within the machine for their invasion . "*

*" Do you have any thing else to say or is that all ? " Brandon chimed in . Spica was holding his hand again . She was scared .*

*" Your ship -," Dahlia pointed at Spica . " Was found near Liberty Island at 9:30 this morning . "*

*" I'm afraid that don't see the connection . "*

*" If the Cassiopites arrive when the ship is visible , they will have confrmation of your existence here on Earth , hold in on this planet and exterminate it . "*

*" Sorry I asked . " Brandon said .*

*The room was silent for a bit before Rigel asked his question .*

*" Dahlia , why do the Cassopites hate Earth so much . "*

*" It is not Earth , but Spica , is why they are going to invade . Spica left Cassiopeia a little over three years ago , due to the immense abuse my sister placed upon her , but now , Andromeda wants to attack Earth and take Spica back home with her by force - "*

*" No !! I'm not going back !! I'll never go back !!" Spica shouted . Brandon hugged her , telling her that she doesn't have to , whilst Misty placed a hand on her shoulder .*

*" This is what they want . You all understand why I have came here , so -" She removed her sunglasses " Shall we start on our planning ? "*