Organization Chaos 2: Living Ashes

In this roleplay story, the Burning Rangers go on their first mission, to free the town of Bootstrap Butte from the reign of the Overlord.

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

### Episode 1: To the Next Phase and to the Next Stage

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Calias and Hannah are back to back, surrounded by the enemy. The odds are stacked against them. There’s little hope of survival.

Calias:
“This is bad, Sis…”

Hannah:
*Hannah breathes heavily.* “Yeah…”

Calias:
“We fight til the bitter end. Right?”

Hannah:
“We have no other choice.”

A slew of robots rushes in to attack.

Hannah:
*Hannah begins firing lasers from her two Chaos Blades.*

Calias:
*Calias punches the bots in the face.* “Take this, scrapheaps!”

One of the bots grabs Cal’s hand.

Calias:
“Gah! Lemme go! Chaos Spear!” *A light erupts from Calias’s other hand and destroys the bot.*

After a rigorous battle, the bots are defeated. The training session is over.

Calias:
*Calias stretches.* “Barely a challenge! We beat ‘em good!”

Hannah:
*Hannah lies down on the floor.*
“Yeah…”

Flame:
*Flame throws open the door.*
“ALRIGHT, RANGERS! Training’s over!”

Hannah:
“Over for how long? I could use a break…”

Flame:
“You’re not getting a break. This is a *mission*!”

Calias:
*Calias perks up.* “A mission?!? Our first mission?!”

The table in the center of the room pops up, screens appear.

Flame:
“Yes.”
*Flame walks up to the screens.*
“We’ve received an emergency distress beacon.”
*The screen shows a map, with a marker on one town. Flame points at this marker.* “Bootstrap Butte.”

Calias:
“The BIRTHPLACE OF MOTORSPORTS?!!? THE FASTEST TOWN IN THE WEST?!? We get to go there!?!

Flame:
“Because somebody is in danger. Don’t forget your mission.”

Hannah:
“What’s going on there?”

Calias:
“Who’s in trouble?”

Flame:
“We don’t know. All we know is, it’s urgent.”

Calias:
“Got it. Don’t worry, Chief! The Burning Rangers are ready to roll!”

Flame:
“You’d better be.”

Hannah:
“Are you coming with us?”

Flame:
“I have too many other things keeping me busy… I have to send you two out there alone.”

Calias:
“Fine by me! Let’s move, Hannah!”

Flame:
“Keep her safe, Calias.” *Flame sticks a finger in Calias’s chest.* “I’m counting on you…”

Calias:
“I know! Nothing’s gonna happen to Hannah on my watch.” *Calis grits his teeth.* “That’s a promise.”

Flame:
*Flame nods.*
“Now, get moving!”

Calias:
“Okie-dokie, Chief!”

Hannah:
“Alright, alright.”

Calias:
*Calias exits excitedly.*

Hannah:
*Hannah exits wearily.*

Flame:
“It’s too soon…”

A motorcycle speeds through the highway. The Rangers are en route to Bootstrap Butte.

Hannah:
*Hannah grips on for dear life.*

Calias:
*Calias is trying to drive.* “This dust is getting in my eyes! My comically large eyes!”

Hannah:
“See, I told you you should’ve worn a helmet!”

Calias:
“In hindsight? Yes, maybe I should have…”

The bike skids to a stop as the duo comes upon a gate to their destination. It seems to be guarded by two crooked-looking skunks.

Calias:
“Uh… This Bootstrap Butte?”

Rough:
“Who’s askin’?”

Calias:
“Burning Rangers, GLACIA special forces unit.”

Tumble:
“Huh?”

Rough:
“Look, the town’s under new management. Nobody gets in or out.”

Tumble:
*Tumble whispers.* “I don’t like ‘em.”

Calias:
“I see… and who are you guys?”

Rough:
*Rough whispers back.* “You don’t like nobody. Play it cool. Oh wait he said the thing!”
“Oh, you’ll know soon enough!”

Tumble:
“Get ready to fumble!”

Rough:
“Cuz you’re ‘bout to meet Rough and Tumble!”

Tumble:
“Cuz you’re ‘bout to meet Rough and Tumble!”

Rough:
*Rough dabs.*

Tumble:
*Tumble dabs until he realizes Rough took it. Tumble flexes both arms.*

Calias:
“Heh. You guys sure are coordinated.”

Rough:
“Darn straight! Nothing gets past us!”

Calias:
“Oh yeah? Now Hannah!!”

Hannah:
*Hannah opens the gate, having snuck over to the opening mechanism.*

Rough:
“Wait what?! Uh… Now Tumble!”

Calias:
*Calias speeds through the skunks, grabbing Hannah on the way.*

Tumble:
“Yeah, time to get ‘em!”
“...”

Rough:
“They’re gone, dummy.”

Calias:
*Calias speeds back to lock the gate from the inside.*

Tumble:
“Hey, that ain’t fair!”

Calias:
“Have fun watching your post!”

Rough:
“The boss sure is gonna be mad when he finds out.”

Tumble:
“Yup.”

Calias and Hannah stop when they reach the town square. The saloon catches their eyes.

Calias:
“I bet we could find who sent that signal in there.”

Hannah:
“Seems as good a place to search as any.”

Calias:
*Calias starts walking like he’s been on a horse for 48 hours.* “Come’on Pardner!”

Hannah:
“...”
(You’re embarrassing me…)

Calias:
*Calias swings the saloon doors open forcefully.* “Have no fear, citizens! Your heroes have arrived!”

Hannah:
(Could’ve been worse.)

The patrons glare at Calias.

Hannah:
*Hannah is standing awkwardly behind him.*
“Erm… hello. We heard there’s trouble.”

```

```
Emerald:
*Emerald gets up from a table and walks over.* “So. Yer those GLACIA folks I was told about?”

```

```
Hannah:
“Yes, ma’am.” *Hannah pulls her badge from a pocket.*

Emerald:
(A tiny human and a loud bird… What more could I expect from Jack’s people?)
“Our town’s been taken over. We ain’t got the forces to take it back. We tried contacting GUN a while back, but we were told that they’re gone now. That’s the run-down. What can ya do fer us?”

Calias:
“A town to liberate? Sounds like fun!”

Hannah:
“Yeah. That’s what we can do.”

Emerald:
“Then you should know. This saloon is the only place we can meet. I’ll introduce ya to our Freedom Fighter crew.” *Emerald motions for them to follow her.*

Hannah:
*Hannah follows.*

Calias:
*Calias follows, bouncing with every step.*

Emerald:
*Emerald leads them to a table where a dog, a tenrec, and a human girl are sat.*
“This is the crew. Introduce yerselfs, folks.”

```

```
Heraldo:
“Hiya! Nice ta meetcha! I’m Deputy Heraldo!”

```

```
Stripes:
“Stripes the Star. You’ve probably heard of me.”

```

```
Calias:
“Whoa whoa. Hold the phone. STRIPES THE STAR?!?! Like *THE* STAR STRIPES?” *Calias runs around the table to get closer to her.* “I am a HUUUUUUGE fan.”

Stripes:
*Stripes grins.* “Are you now? Maybe later I can get you an autograph.”

Calias:
*Calias is clearly shocked.* “Ye-yes, please!”

```

```
Charlotte:
“ANYWAAAY… My name is Charlotte Mathers. I was just here on vacation when the town was taken over.”

```

```
Emerald:
“And I am Lady Emerald. Mayor and Protector of this town.”

Hannah:
“I’m Hannah Dash.”

Calias:
“And I’m Calias… Dash. And together we’re the brother-sister crime fighting duo, the Burning Rangers!”

Stripes:
“You two are siblings?”

Emerald:
“The Burning Rangers, huh?”

Calias:
“I’m adopted.”

Stripes:
“Of course.”

Charlotte:
“Back on topic, puh-lease. We’ve got some pressing matters to attend to, right, leader?”

Emerald:
“That’s right. We don’t have any more time to waste. The man who’s taken this town hostage goes by the Overlord. All we know about him is that he’s ruthless and not afraid to kill… We learned that the hard way. He’s most likely here for a magic gem from our mines.”

Calias:
“A magic gem? Like a Chaos Emerald?”

Emerald:
“Almost. Our mines are known for producing strange magical gems. Ever heard o’ the Warp Topaz?”

Hannah:
“We have some experience with that thing…”

Emerald:
“It was stolen from our museum a few years back…” [Pip said that this wasn’t the Doc; the Doc got it secondhand]

Calias:
“So, we need to make sure this guy doesn’t get his hands on a gem like that. Noted.”

Heraldo:
“Secondly, he’s been holdin’ up in our city hall. He’s turned it into his own fortress o’ sorts.”

Charlotte:
“And he’s got his goons roaming all over the place non-stop. Can’t even go outside at night without one catching you.”

Hannah:
“Sounds like we need to bust into that fortress.”

Calias:
“Maybe. And I hate to say it, but we may need the stealth approach.”

Hannah:
*Hannah has the slightest grin.*

Emerald:
“I’d advise against going there now. Most of his lackeys will be returnin’ from the mines at this hour. They’ll be surrounding the place. Better wait til tomorrow.”

Calias:
“Sure. I can chill for one night.”

Hannah:
“I could use some chill…”

Calias:
“Especially if it means I can talk with Stripes here.”

Stripes:
*Stripes gives Calias a wink.*

Calias:
*Calias blushes.* “Heh…”

A while later, Lady Emerald shows them upstairs to a makeshift hotel room.

Emerald:
“Y’all can stay here for tonight.” *Emerald begins to leave.* “Oh right. Jack Beakton said hi.” *Emerald leaves.*

Hannah:
“Jack? What was he doing here?” [Hannah was addressing this question to Emerald. I suppose she just walked away so quickly she didn’t hear and/or didn’t care to reply?]

Calias:
“No clue… Guess we’d better update the Chief.”

Hannah:
“Yep.”
*Hannah pulls out her communicator and calls General Flame.*

Flame:
*Flame answers quickly.*
“Have you arrived?”

Calias:
“Yep! The mayor lady told us the town’s been taken over!”

Hannah:
“Seems they got the distress beacon from Jack Beakton.”

Flame:
“Beakton?! What’s he up to now?”

Hannah:
“I don’t know. I didn’t see him here. We were just told… that he said hi. But anyway. We’re going to see about infiltrating the Overlord’s fortress tomorrow.”

Flame:
“The Overlord?”

Hannah:
“The guy who took the town over. Don’t really know anything about him.”

Calias:
“Don’t stress about a thing, Chief. We’ve got this guy covered. We’ll be back by tomorrow night!”

Flame:
“Keep me updated.”
*Flame narrows his eyes and mouths additional words.* “Keep your promise.”

Calias:
“Right.” *Calias nods.*

Flame:
*Flame ends the call.*

Calias:
“I think I’m too excited to sleep. How about you?”

Hannah:
*Hannah is already laying down with her eyes closed.* [not asleep though]

Calias:
“Ugh. Come on Hannah! This is our first mission! Live a little!”

Hannah:
“I’m too tired to live. Erm. By that definition.”

Calias:
*Calias flops onto his bed.* “Whatever. Guess I’ll just stare at the ceiling…”

Hannah:
“Flame said that the training was supposed to be so exhausting that missions are easy by comparison… Hopefully he’s right.”

Calias:
“Training’s been way too easy… I want an actual challenge…”

Hannah:
“Of course an Ultimate Lifeform thinks it’s easy.”

Calias:
“Of course a short lameoid would find it hard.”

Hannah:
*Hannah glares.*
“...”
*Hannah realizes that she had a mean tone as well…*

Calias:
*Calias sighs and lays down, closing his eyes, trying his hardest not to move.*

Hannah:
*Hannah cries softly into her pillow.*

Calias:
*Calias turns over, staring at Hannah.* (...Why don’t I understand people?)

Hannah:
“Y-you’re shorter than me…”

Calias:
“Yeah… I know. And you’re not a lameoid… Just kind of a killjoy sometimes.”

Hannah:
“Flame killed it.”

Calias:
“True… He’s the biggest killjoy of them all.”

Hannah:
*Hannah nods.* “Goodnight.”

Calias:
“Yeah, night… And… I’m sorry.”

Hannah:
“I’m sorry too. I love you, Cal.”

Calias:
“You too…”

Soon enough, the two are fast asleep…

Calias is awoken by a tapping sound at the window next to his bed.

Calias:
*Calias stirs.* “Huh? Whoshs ther…?”

Someone is throwing pebbles at the window.

Calias:
*Calias walks over to the window and looks out.*

Stripes:
“Psst! Get down here, I wanna show you something.”

Calias:
“Stripes?” *Calias jumps down into the street.* “Alright, I’m all ears. Actually, I don’t have visible ears, but you get the point.”

Stripes:
“We gotta sneak outta town. Think you can handle that, Neon?”

Calias:
(Was that a nickname?!?) “Can I? You’re talkin’ to the Ultimate Lifeform, Miss Star. There ain’t anything I can’t handle!”

Stripes:
“Ssshh! Geez, you’re a loudmouth.”

Calias:
“Oh, whoops. Sorry. So where we headed?”

Stripes:
“That’s for me to know and you to find out. Follow me.”

Calias:
*Calias speaks rather hushedly.* “Okay! Right behind you!”

They arrive at a cave a ways out of town. It has railroad tracks running into it but they look like they haven’t been used for ages.

Stripes:
*Stripes rubs her hands in anticipation.*

Calias:
“What’s so important we had to come out here?”

Stripes:
“You just wait here.”
*Stripes runs into the cave and disappears into the darkness.*

Calias:
*Calias crosses his arms and taps his foot while waiting.*

A few minutes pass.

Calias:
*Calias has taken to doing handstands to pass the time.*

Suddenly two bright lights shine from inside the cave.

Calias:
*Calias stares with wide eyes.*

A rather old-looking car pulls out of the cave with Stripes at the wheel.

Calias:
“Whoa! That baby looks like a classic!”

Stripes:
“Pretty cool, huh?!”

Calias:
“Definitely!”

Stripes:
“I found her stashed here and I’ve been fixing her up. It was in surprisingly good condition. My guess is it belonged to one of the original racers of Bootstrap Butte.”

Calias:
“A piece of history… Nice! Have you taken it on the track?”

Stripes:
“Who needs a track? You gonna get in or do you plan on gawking all night?”

Calias:
*Calias jumps in without a second thought.* “Let’s go!”

Stripes:
“You don’t need to tell me twice!” *Stripes puts the pedal to the metal and takes off.*

Calias:
“WOOOOO!” *Calias is smiling like an idiot.*

Stripes:
“Now, this is what it’s about!”

Calias:
“This is what I LIVE for!”

Stripes:
“You know, you’re alright Neon.”

Calias:
“Ain’t so bad yourself, Star! Can ya give it more gas?”

Stripes:
“Can I? Ha!” *Stripes speeds up.*

Calias:
“YES! THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIIIIIIIFE!”

Suddenly, a figure stands in the car’s path. An orange light envelops them. [this was retconned actually. The light is red now]

Mystery Voice:
“What do you think you’re doing out here so late?”

Stripes:
*Stripes’s eyes narrow as she swerves to a stop.*

Calias:
“Who’s this speedbump?”

Stripes:
“Meet the reason you’re here.”

```

```
Overlord:
*Overlord points his glowing blade at the two.* “You’re out way past curfew…”

```

```
Calias:
(The… Chaos Blade?)

Stripes:
*Stripes discreetly shifts into reverse, but remains steady.*

Overlord:
“You’d better get back to where you came from. Or else. I don’t want to kill you if I don’t have to.”

Calias:
“This is bad, Star. Let’s get out of here…”

Stripes:
*Stripes wastes no time and swings the car around.*
“Hold on to something!” *Stripes drives back in the direction of the cave.*

Calias:
*Calias clenches his teeth.* “We’ll get him tomorrow…”

Overlord:
*Overlord puts the sword down.* “The Doc’s pet project… This should be a battle to remember.”

After restashing the car, Stripes drops Calias off back at the saloon.

Calias:
“Thanks for that, Star. Even if it was cut short…”

Stripes:
“Yeah, that guy’s a real creep. When this is all over, I’ll take you for a *real* ride.”

Calias:
“I’d like that… Well, I guess I’d better get some shut eye so I can trash him quick. See ya tomorrow!”

Stripes:
“Heh, be careful not to crash, kid.”

Calias:
*Calias talks as he walks.* “Me? Never.” *Calias walks into a pole.* “Starting now…”

Stripes:
*Stripes smirks.*

Calias:
*Calias sneaks back into the room and lies awake, thinking about all that just happened.*

As Calias falls asleep, danger is brewing. The next day will bring with it a new trial for the Burning Rangers. Who is the Overlord? Will Calias and Hannah be able to bring him down? Find out next time on ORGANIZATION: CHAOS!

```

### Episode 2: The End and the Beginning...

```
We return to the upstairs room of the Mirage Saloon. It’s the morning of the infiltration, as the rising sun wakes the Burning Rangers.

Calias:
*Calias yawns exaggeratedly.* “Morning already? Hannah, you up?”

Hannah:
*Hannah is sound asleep.*

Calias:
“Come on, lazybones. Get up! We’ve got work to do!”

Hannah:
*Hannah stirs.*
“Huh...?”

Calias:
“You’ve got to get up! You’re leading the infiltration!”

Hannah:
*Hannah slowly sits up.*
*She groans.* “I’m getting there...”

Emerald:
*Emerald swings the door open.* “Ya awake? Miss Charlotte’s made breakfast fer everyone.”

Calias:
“Breakfast?! Count me in! Be right down!”

Hannah:
*Hannah drags herself out of bed.*
“I’m... coming...”

Our heroes make their way down to the main floor. It’s empty save for the Freedom Fighters.

Heraldo:
“Oh good! You’s awake! Let’s get to our strategy meetin’!”

Stripes:
*Stripes yawns.* “Hey, you, sleep good?” *Stripes winks.*

Calias:
*Calias smirks.* “I don’t need sleep! I’m the Ultimate Lifeform!”

Hannah:
“Then why do you sleep?”

Charlotte:
“Well you’d better be ready for breakfast! I used up the rest of our supplies since we’ll be free soon!”

Hannah:
(Such confidence...)

Emerald:
“I hope you cooked the hash browns ther’ly this time. I don’t like cold taters.”

Charlotte:
“Don’t you worry, ma’am. I left them on the stove for a few minutes extra! These hashes aren’t even browns anymore!”

Hannah:
“...”
“...They’re not black, are they?”

Charlotte:
“Er... Can I interest you in some toast? It’s at least slightly brown.”

Emerald:
“Let’s just get started. We ain’t got time to waste.”

Half an hour later, the team has come up with a plan.

Emerald:
“Awright, so Hannah is gonna be goin’ in on her lonesome, gatherin’ info and reporting back on this ’ere local radio.” *Emerald hands the radio to Hannah.* “Once we got a good idea what we’re up against we can all go out.”

Hannah:
*Hannah nods.*

Emerald:
“Then let’s get movin’ out!”

Calias:
“Aw yeah! This is happening!”

Hannah:
*Hannah pulls out her communicator to inform Flame.*
<Our assault begins.>

Charlotte:
“Good luck, Hannah! You’re gonna need it!”

Hannah:
“Thanks.”

Not long after, Hannah has made her way onto the ledge of the “Fortress”, right outside the window of the Overlord’s office. She listens in.

Overlord:
“So, you just let these ‘Burning Rangers’ through the gate? You LET them slip by?”

Rough:
“We’re tellin’ ya, there was a whole bunch of ’em! You’re lucky we took so many out. Right, Tumble?”

Tumble:
“Was there more than two...?”

Rough:
“*Eyyuuummm....* Not after we got done with ’em!”

Tumble:
“Ooohh. Yup, me and Rough took out forty of ’em.”

Hannah:
*Hannah grins, amused.*

Overlord:
*Overlord groans.* “I’ve just about had enough of you two... You’re constantly making more trouble for me...” *Overlord grabs the Chaos Blade from his desk and points it at them.* “One more time and I won’t hesitate.”

Tumble:
*Tumble crosses his arms.*
“Humph.”

Rough:
*Rough gulps.* “The boss’s had enough...”

Overlord:
*Overlord already knows what’s coming and rolls his eyes in early response.*

Tumble:
“We’re in big trouble.”

Overlord:
“Stop. Get out of my sight.”

Tumble:
*Tumble is sad.*

The duo leaves. As they do so they whisper “Another W for Rough and Tumble.”

Overlord:
*Overlord lowers the Blade and sighs.* “Intruders in my realm... And right after the last ones too.”
*Overlord talks to himself in a sing-songy voice.* “But sooon I’ll be more powerful than any being on Mooooobius! Then I’ll show those criminals the price for trespassing.”

Hannah:
*Hannah quickly peeks inside the window.*
*She sees Overlord holding a familiar weapon.*
(A Chaos Blade?!)

One of the Overlord’s lackeys notices Hannah on the side of the building.

Citizen:
“HEY! PUT YER HANDS IN THE AIR OR I’LL SHOOT!”

Hannah:
*Hannah steps along the ledge to escape.*
*She speaks in the radio.* “I’ve been spotted! Saw the Overlord. His weapon... looks like a Chaos Blade!”

Calias:
*Calias speaks back across the radio.* “Er... yeah? Where are you right now?”

Hannah:
“On the side of the fortress. Escaping to seclusion.”

Emerald:
“We’re en route. Let’s roll! Hannah, can we deal with the surroundin’ goons!”

Hannah:
“There’s five. Shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

Calias:
*Calias speeds in, sending one of the goons flying.* “Hannah! Where ya at?”

Johnny:
*Johnny makes a Wilhelm scream.*

Emerald:
*Emerald runs in, flanked by Heraldo and Charlotte, shooting at the goons.* “Yer days of dictatin’ are over, Overlord!”

Hannah:
*Hannah speaks to Calias.* “Up here!”
*Hannah waves from the ledge.*

Calias:
*Calias jumps up to the ledge.* “Is he in there?”

Hannah:
“He was in his office.”

Calias:
“Then we’re goin’ in on three. Emmy and the gang can handle things out here. You ready?”

Hannah:
*Hannah’s breathing grows heavy.*
“As ready as I will be.”

Calias:
“One... Two... Three!” *Calias smashes through the window.* “Freeze, Overlord! We’ve got the place surrounded!”

Overlord:
*Overlord turns around to face the Rangers.* “You two must be the Burning Rangers... I’ve been waiting to meet you.”

Calias:
“Yeah? I’ve been waiting to meet you too!”

Overlord:
*Overlord grabs the Chaos Blade.* “I am on the path to godhood. Of course I would have a pebble or two on the road.”

Hannah:
*Hannah draws her own Chaos Blades.*

Overlord:
*Overlord cocks his head.* “That’s some nice weapons! Care to cross them with mine?”

Hannah:
“I suppose I’ll have to.”

Calias:
“You have NO idea who you’re messing with, bud. This is *my* sis. She’s a boss blade wielder!”

Hannah:
(Uh-huh... Totally...)

Overlord:
“We’ll have to see about that.” *Overlord launches himself toward Hannah.*

Hannah:
*Hannah jumps aside and slashes as Overlord comes closer.*

Overlord:
*Overlord blocks Hannah’s attack and swings back with force.* “You’re quick! Very impressive!”

Calias:
“Watch out, Hannah!”

Hannah:
*Hannah jumps aside again, and fires lasers from the Blades.*

Overlord:
*Overlord blocks the lasers and jumps backward.* “So there’s more to you than meets the eye... How about this?” *Overlord unleashes a beam from his Blade in Hannah’s direction.*

Calias:
“No!” *Calias jumps in front of the beam before it can reach Hannah.* “Agh!”

Overlord:
“You see? This is why I don’t like working with people. They’ll let themselves get killed just to save your back. Such a waste.”

Calias:
*Calias grits his teeth.* “You SHUT your mouth...” *Calias is still on the ground, reeling from the attack.*

Hannah:
*Hannah ducks behind the desk.*

Overlord:
“You’re both just weaklings feigning bravery, aren’t you? You aren’t even worth my time...”

Hannah:
(Yeah, describes me...)

Overlord:
“Whatevs. I’m outta here. Got to grab my prized possession and burn this place to the ground.”

Calias:
“What?”

Overlord:
*Overlord bangs on his desk and a case pops out of it, revealing a purple gem.*

Hannah:
*Hannah fires a pair of lasers at Overlord while he’s reaching for the gem.*

Calias:
*Calias tries to stand up, but is still weakened.* “What... is that?”

Overlord:
*Overlord moves out of the way of the blasts, like a smooth criminal.* “This... is the Ampythyst. A magic gem with the unique ability of Power Enhancement.” *Overlord picks it up.*

Hannah:
*Hannah runs to take cover behind the potted plant while firing more lasers at Overlord.*

Overlord:
*Overlord continues to dodge the lasers, unfazed.* “You’re very persistent, you know that?” *Overlord places the Ampythyst on his blade...*

Hannah:
(Wow, this guy’s good.)

Overlord’s Chaos Blade turns purple. An aura surrounds him and his eyes begin to glow.

Hannah:
*Hannah’s eyes widen.*

Overlord:
“HAHAHA! You’re all in for it now! This... IS MY ASCENSION!” *The Blade glows brighter, and brighter.*

Hannah:
*Panic freezes Hannah.*
*She glances with concern at Calias.*

Calias:
“Hannah. We need to get out—”

The Blade erupts, destroying the entire fortress.

Calias:
*Calias is thrown outside, he tumbles into the street, his feathers singed by flames.

Overlord:
*Overlord levitates above the wreckage.* “OH! BAAABY! I LIKE THIS!”

Calias:
“...”
“No...”

Emerald:
*Emerald is distraught.* “What just happened?”

Calias:
“...Run. Get out of... here.”

Overlord:
“Nope! No leaving here alive!” *He unleashes a beam, incinerating the Freedom Fighters.* [just to be clear, Stripes wasn’t here to begin with]

Calias:
“STOP! Please!! NO MORE!”

Overlord:
“Don’t worry. The pain will be over soon...” *Overlord descends to meet Calias.*

Calias:
*Calias tries to move, but he’s frozen by pain and despair.*

Overlord:
*Overlord swings his blade cleanly.*

The world goes dark.
Calias the Phoenix has been slain.

Mystery Voice:
“You’ve met with a terrible fate... But fear not. You will rise again.”

We return to the upstairs room of the Mirage Saloon. It’s the morning of the infiltration, as the rising sun wakes the Burning Rangers.

Calias:
*Calias sits up, gasping for air.*
*He looks around, shocked and confused.*

Hannah:
*Hannah is sound asleep.*

Calias:
“Wha...” *Calias sees Hannah.* “HANNAH!” *Calias jumps out of bed and runs to her side.* “Hannah! Talk to me! Are you okay?!?!?”

Hannah:
*Hannah jumps up.*
“Huh?! I’m awake!”

Calias:
*Calias throws his arms around Hannah, on the verge of tears.* “I thought you were Charlotte’s hash browns for a second...”

Hannah:
*Hannah is very confused, but returns the hug.*

Calias:
(It must’ve been a nightmare...)

Hannah:
“Nightmare?”

Calias:
“Yeah... A bad one...”
(Yeah... Definitely a nightmare...)

Earlier this morning, in the lobby of GLACIA HQ.

Violet:
(Aha, I’ve finally managed to arrive as early as Sonny.)
“Good morning, General.”

Flame:
*Flame says nothing.*

Violet:
“Are you alright, sir?”

Flame:
“I’m fine.”

Violet:
“It’s the Rangers’ mission, isn’t it?”

Flame:
“They are capable agents. They can handle whatever’s there.”

Violet:
“Then why are you worried about it?”

Flame:
“I said I’m fine.”

Violet:
“Alright. If you need to talk about it...”

Flame:
*Flame glares.*

Violet:
“Just an offer, sir.” *Violet sips coffee.*

GLACIA agents shout and scurry around the entrance as a small figure enters. Its silhouette gives off an aura of familiarity.

Flame:
“What’s this about?” *Flame approaches the figure.*

Violet:
*Violet follows Flame.*

Mystery Voice:
“Is... this GLACIA? I come in peace... A human in a blue coat told me to come here for someone named... Flame?”

Flame:
*Flame continues approaching.* “That’s me. What do you—” *Flame recognizes the figure.*
*Flame jumps back and draws his laser gun.* “YOU?!”

Violet:
(I’ve never seen such fear in Sonny’s eyes...)

Mystery Voice:
“You are Flame... I did say I come in peace, did I not?”

Flame:
“THE LAST TIME YOU CAME, YOU TRIED DESTROYING THIS CITY!”

```

```
Nihil:
*The figure is visibly confused.* “I know not of what you speak. Perhaps you’ve mistaken me with someone else... My name is Nihil, of Babylon. I have dire business with you.”

```

```
Flame:
“YOUR EXISTENCE IS DIRE BUSINESS!!”

Violet:
“Sir? What’s going on?”

Flame:
“THIS IS POLYBIUS!”

Nihil:
“Nihil, actually.”

Flame:
“You look exactly like him! I would know!!”

Violet:
“Sir. What if you’re wrong?”

Nihil:
“He is. My name is not Poe-lee-bee-us. It is Nihil... of Babylon.”

Violet:
“He’s not *behaving* like Polybius, after all.”

Flame:
“...”
(She has a point... But this looks JUST like Polybius!!)

Violet:
“Come with us, Nihil.”

WHAT?!? Everyone died?!! But they didn’t?!?! And WHY is Polybius back? Why does he keep calling himself Nihil?!? WHAT IS GOING ON?!? Maybe we’ll find out next week, on Organization: Chaos!
(I need a new job...)

```

### Episode 3: Styx Helix

```
We rejoin the General and the Major in an interrogation room. Sat across from them is the Polybius lookalike, “Nihil”.

Nihil:
“As I told you. I am Nihil, of Babylon. I was sent to your planet when I was very small. My mother bestowed me with the knowledge of my home world so that I may return there one day and liberate the people of Babylon.” [this has been retconned. Nihil was not, in fact, small at the time]

Flame:
(This doesn’t make any sense…)

Nihil:
“There is one problem. The Phoenix Factor… It was stolen from me. I know not how. As far as I am aware, I have no offspring…”

Flame:
“What is the Phoenix Factor?”

Nihil:
“It is a spiritual gift. A blessing from the sun god Angelus on the royal family of Babylon, regardless of true bloodlines. It grants the possessor the power to live again after death.”

Flame:
“You seem to still have that…”

Violet:
“That’s only if this *is* Polybius. We don’t know that.”

Nihil:
“You keep speaking of this Polybius… Who, may I ask, is that?”

Flame:
“He was the creation of an evil scientist, created to take over the world…” *Flame is seething.* “for Eggman…”

Nihil:
“Egg… man? Half egg, half man?!? What did this Polybius person do? He obviously left an impression on you…”

Violet:
*Violet chuckles at the idea of Eggman being half egg.*

Flame:
“He tried to kill my companions and I before moving to destroy this city. He was destroyed before he arrived… but at the cost of a good man’s life.”

Nihil:
*Nihil places a hand on his head, fidgeting with the emerald on his forehead.* “I see… Polybius does not sound pleasant…”

Flame:
*Flame clenches his teeth.* “FAR from pleasant…”

Nihil:
“I… apologize that my appearance brings back sorrowful memories.”

Violet:
“Perhaps we ought to figure out *why* it is you resemble him…”

Nihil:
“I know not… Perhaps these scars mean something? I do not remember obtaining them. When I awoke in the desert–”

Flame:
“The desert? Did you awake in a pile of robot parts?!”

Nihil:
“There… were several broken machine parts… Why?”

Flame:
“Polybius was defeated in the desert surrounded by robots!”

Nihil:
“...Is that so?...”

Flame:
*Flame jumps up.* “YOU ARE HIM!!”

Violet:
“But he remembers nothing.”

Nihil:
“I had suspected as much… Someone must have cast a spell on me. I was not myself… I am sorry for the harm I caused you during this spell…

Flame:
“A SPELL?!”

Violet:
“Sir… he’s clearly changed.”

Flame:
“How would a man change *this much*?”

Violet:
“Ask yourself.”

Flame:
*Flame gives a confused stare.*

Violet:
“You were a boy so rotten your own mother didn’t want you. She figured you’d end up in prison. Instead, you became a general.”

Flame:
“...”
“How do you know about that?”

Violet:
“You changed, and you didn’t even lose your memory.”

Flame:
“HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?!”

Violet:
“I’ll… tell you later. Now is not a good time… However. My point remains.”

Flame:
*Flame narrows his eyes, but says nothing.*

Violet:
“Nihil has the power to destroy us. Yet he hasn’t. I believe he can be trusted.”

Nihil:
“On that topic… I no longer have that power. As I said, it was stolen from me. I was hoping you could help me find the culprit.”

Violet:
“Perhaps. Where do we begin?”

Nihil:
“It would have to be someone who is compatible with that power. The Phoenix Factor has a mind of its own, and will decide who is worthy of the power. I must have lost worthiness when I was this… Polybius.”

Flame and Violet glance at each other.

Flame:
“Calias…”

We return to the upstairs room of the Mirage Saloon. It’s the morning of the infiltration, as the rising sun wakes the Burning Rangers.

Calias:
*Calias sits up, gasping for air.*
*He looks around, shocked and confused.*

Hannah:
*Hannah is sound asleep.*

Calias:
“Wha…” *Calias sees Hannah.* “HANNAH!” *Calias jumps out of bed and runs to her side.* “Hannah! Talk to me! Are you okay?!?!?”

Hannah:
*Hannah jumps up.* “Huh?! I’m awake!”

Calias:
*Calias throws his arms around Hannah, on the verge of tears.* “I thought you were Charlotte’s hash browns for a second…”

Hannah:
*Hannah is very confused, but returns the hug.*
“Nightmare?”

Calias:
“Yeah… A bad one…”

Emerald:
*Emerald knocks on the door.* “Y’all good in there?!”

Hannah:
“Yeah, we’re fine.”

Emerald:
*Emerald comes in.* “Well, if y’all are ready, then come downstairs. Charlotte made breakfast.”

Calias:
“Huh?...” (Weird… That’s just like my dream…)
“O-okay. We’ll be right down.”

Hannah:
“Yep.”

Emerald:
“Awright, no more yellin’ though.”

A few minutes later, the Rangers make their way downstairs. [okay. What took them so long?! :P] Calias is beginning to question what’s going on.

Heraldo:
“Oh, good! Yer awake!” [I feel like he would’ve heard Calias screaming and would thus know of this awake-ness :P]

Emerald:
“We need to speed things along. Let’s get right to our strategy meeting.”

Charlotte:
“I hope you like your hashbrowns black!”

Stripes:
*Stripes yawns.* “Hey, you, sleep good?” *Stripes winks.*

Calias:
“...”
“Y-yeah…”

Hannah:
“...” [this was in reaction to the burnt hashbrowns]

Calias:
*Calias whispers to Stripes.* “...Hey… I wanted to ask you something.”

Stripes:
*Stripes whispers back.* “Don’t worry, we can talk about it when this is over.”

Calias:
“I just wanted to ask you… Did last night really happen?”

Stripes:
“Pretty unbelievable, huh?”

Hannah:
*Hannah is attempting to overhear this.*

Calias:
(So that part was real… Then I’ve gotta warn Hannah about the Chaos Blade…) “Yeah… Unbelievable.”

Emerald:
“So, to begin. I’m supposin’ y’all are good at espionage?”

Hannah:
“I am. Calias… not as much.”

Calias:
“Yeah… Sneaking… Nice plan and all, but I’ve got a better plan. We go in hot and take out the Overlord as fast as possible.”

Hannah:
“But we don’t know what we’re facing.”

Calias:
“So? We beat the Doc and all his bots! We’ve got this!”

Hannah:
(Yeah, and Grizz died…)

Stripes:
“I don’t know about the rest of you. But it sounds like my kind of plan.”

Emerald:
“I reckon we should be as careful as possible. This ain’t gonna go well if we go in without an actual plan…”

Heraldo:
“I agree with the Lady.”

Hannah:
*Hannah nods.*

Charlotte:
“We knoooooow. You can’t think for yourself, Heraldo.”

Hannah:
(Mean.)

Charlotte:
“What did you just think, Missy?”

Hannah:
“...”

Charlotte:
“Oh, yeah. I’m a telepath. Sorry I didn’t say so sooner.”

Hannah:
“...What.”

Emerald:
“Why do ya think we keep ‘er around? Not fer her hashbrowns, that’s fer sher.”

Hannah:
“Okay then…”

Calias:
“Can we get on with it? Are we sneakin’ or are we not?”

Hannah:
“I vote for sneaking.”

Emerald:
“Miss Hannah will be. She’ll spy on Overlord, then report back to us on…” *Emerald pulls out a radio.*

Calias:
“This ‘ere local radio?”

Emerald:
“This ‘ere loc–Yeah, that’s right. How did you?...”

Hannah:
“Don’t tell me Calias can read minds too…”

Calias:
“Uh… Um…”

Hannah:
“Calias…?”

Calias:
“Man these taters are burnt.”

Emerald:
*Emerald hands the radio to Hannah.* “Alright. Are we ready?”

Hannah:
“Yes, ma’am.”
*Hannah glances with concern at Calias.* (Am I just being paranoid… or is there really something you’re not telling me?)

Everyone gets up to leave, Calias stops Hannah.

Calias:
“Um… Sis. I have something I gotta tell you.”

Hannah:
“Yeah?”

Calias:
“Ya see… Me and Stripes may have snuck out last night to go joyriding… And we… may have come across the Overlord…”

Hannah:
“Ah, so that’s what you were whispering about.”

Calias:
“Er… Yeahhhh… He may have also had a version of… the Chaos… Blade?...”

Hannah:
“So you do have an idea of what we’re up against. You should’ve mentioned this while we were coming up with the plan…”

Calias:
“I didn’t want to call out Stripes in front of the others… But that’s not the point. We need to get this over with as soon as possible. I have a VERY bad feeling about this whole sitch.”

Hannah:
“Okay… I’ll make my way over there quickly. I guess my spying will just be to figure out where Overlord is.”

Calias:
“50 rings says he’s in his office… I’d look there first.”

Hannah:
“I have to *find* his office first.”

Calias:
“I guess it’s the window on the side of the building… If there’s a desk in the middle of the room, keep him away from it.”

Hannah:
“...”
(You… know too much…)
“Okay… I’ll check there…”

Calias:
“Goody! Then we’re all set!”

Hannah:
*Hannah turns to leave.*
(You weren’t joyriding in the fortress, were you?!)
*Hannah departs for the fortress.*

Calias:
(...Was that really all a dream?...)

[along the way, Hannah remembers to give Flame that status update :P]

A few minutes later, Hannah is on the ledge of the fortress, she looks in to see the Overlord in his office.

Hannah:
*Hannah speaks into the radio.*
“You were right, Cal, he’s in his office… and his office is at the window…”

Calias:
*Calias speaks back through.* “Great! Now jump him! I’ll be there soon to back you up!”

Hannah:
“...”
“Be quick… I’m pretty sure I can’t beat him in a fight. He’s bigger and stronger.”

Calias:
“You’ve got this, Sis!”

Hannah:
“Thanks…”

Calias:
(As soon as I get there, I’ll get her out… That way, if it blows she won’t…)

Hannah:
(Alright… I just have to make the most of the element of surprise…)

Overlord:
*Overlord is suddenly looking out the window.* “Hello!”

Hannah:
(Well there goes my advantage…)
“Hello.” *Hannah draws the Chaos Blades and jumps into the *wide open* window.*
[one might notice the window was *closed* in the last loop, hence why I made a fuss about it :P]

Overlord:
“It’s a lovely day, isn’t it? I was just about to have some tea. Care to join me, miss ledge-spy?”

Hannah:
“I’ll pass on the tea…”

Overlord:
*Overlord begins walking toward his desk.* “Coffee, then? I always enjoy visitors.”

Hannah:
*Hannah remembers what Calias said about the desk and moves to block Overlord’s path, raising the Chaos Blades.*
“How about justice?”

Overlord:
*Overlord smirks and cocks his head.* “You know… You remind me of someone… I see the same fear in your eyes…”

Hannah:
(Is my veil of confidence that thin?)
“You’ll be the fearful one at the end of this…”

Overlord:
*Overlord prepares to pull his Blade from its sheath.* “Fear is lame. I don’t do lame.”

Calias:
*Calias bursts in through the window, tackling Overlord out the other side window and into the streets.* “You didn’t see that coming, huh?”

Hannah:
(Phew!)

Overlord:
*Overlord stands up, nearly unfazed.* “Project: Phoenix… I always wanted to meet you…”

Rough:
*Rough enters the office.* “Now remember, bro, we need to have a good cover story…”

Calias:
“How do you know who I am? It doesn’t matter. Punch first ask questions later!” *Calias leaps towards Overlord, his fist enveloped in teal flames.*

Tumble:
“Oh, guhhh… How about we say a bunch of flickies carried them away… and locked the gate?”

Rough:
“Bro.”

Overlord:
*Overlord draws his Chaos Blade just in time to block the punch, deflecting Calias to the side.* “Good plan, just replace the punch with slice and replace later with never.”

Rough:
“That’s…”

Hannah:
“Oh, it’s you again.”

Rough:
“Hey! You’re, uh… back for more, huh?”

Tumble:
*Tumble tries to clobber Hannah.* “Where’s your little red friend?”

Rough:
“Yeah, I wanna have a go at ‘im!”

Overlord:
*Overlord yells to Rough and Tumble.* “Minions! Get my gem!!”

Rough:
“You got it boss!” *Rough looks around.*
“Where is it?”

Hannah:
*Hannah jumps out of the way of Tumble’s attempted punch.* [finally :P]

Overlord:
“But DO NOT TOUCH IT DIRECTLY!!”

Rough:
“Would you stand still, I’m trying to think!” *Rough grabs at Hannah.*

Tumble:
“Hey! Stop jumping around!”
*Tumble throws a chair at Hannah.*

Hannah:
*Hannah dodges Rough and fires a laser at the chair.*

Rough:
“Alright, you’re asking for it!” *Rough lets loose a stink bomb that fills the room.* [he’s a skunk. I was told that this was an opaque green gas… hence Hannah cannot see]

Hannah:
“Eeuuuugh!”
*This caught Hannah off-guard.*

Calias:
*Calias gets up and charges at Overlord, preparing to shoulder check him.* (Gem!?!? It can’t be!) Drop the blade and come quietly!!”

Rough:
“Grab ‘er already, dude!”

Tumble:
*Tumble grabs Hannah’s wrists and holds her up.*
“I got ‘er bro!”

Hannah:
*Hannah would avoid the skunks, but she can’t quite see them…* [I typed that before Tumble grabbed her :P]
*She desperately fires the Chaos Blades randomly.*

Overlord:
*Overlord vaults over the charging Phoenix, landing on his tiptoes.* “Quietly? That’s not really how I roll…”

Tumble:
“Hey cut it out! Just hit the button on the desk idiot!”

As the battle ensues, the Freedom Fighters approach, sans Stripes.

Rough:
“Oh yeah!” *Rough presses the button and grabs the gem in its case.* “Got it! Heads up, boss!” *Rough pitches it out the window.*

Emerald:
“We’ve got yer back, yougin’!”

Calias:
“No! Get out of here as fast as you can!”

Overlord:
*Overlord jumps up and gracefully catches the case.* “A bit earlier than I wanted… But this is it… MY ASCENSION!!”

The purple gem latches on to Overlord’s Chaos Blade as he rises into the air.

Calias:
“Not again!!”

Hannah:
“What the…?”

Rough:
“Uh.. S’that supposed to happen?”

Calias:
*Calias speeds off into the office and scoops up Hannah before speeding out.* “Come on! We gotta go!”

Overlord:
“Can the birdie come out to play?”

Hannah:
*Hannah is currently too startled for words.*

Calias:
*Calias runs towards the town gate.* “It can’t happen again. I won’t let it…”

Hannah:
“...again?”

Suddenly, an explosion is heard from behind. Half of Bootstrap Butte is gone.

Calias:
*Calias stops running, his feet frozen from shock.* “No… No… nononononononoooo!”

Hannah:
“There’s… I don’t think we can beat this guy…”

Overlord:
*Overlord floats out of the explosion, surrounded in an electrified purple aura.* “There’s no escape. You’ve crossed the line…”

Hannah:
“This… is the end, Cal…”

Calias:
*Calias grabs onto Hannah.* “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to Flame…”

Overlord:
*Overlord readies his blade to fire.* “THE POINT OF NO RETURN!!”

Hannah:
*Hannah clings to Calias.*
(Is the rest of the world next?)

Calias:
*Calias closes his eyes bracing for the end.* “I… love you, Hannah…”

Hannah:
*Hannah starts crying.* “Love you too, Cal…”

Overlord:
*A beam is unleashed, deleting the Burning Rangers from reality.*

Mystery Voice:
“Once again, you’ve passed from life to death… But fear not, you will rise again…”

Calias:
(Huh? Is someone saying something?)

Mystery Voice:
“Keep your wits about you on this next go around. Use what you’ve learned and perhaps you will succeed.”

Calias:
“And if I fail again?”

Mystery Voice:
“Fear not. You will always rise again…”

Calias has returned once more? Is this a time loop? Can he escape it? Is this the “Phoenix Factor”? Find out next time, on Organization: Chaos!

```

### Episode 4: The Best Laid Plans...

```
Back at GLACIA HQ, in the private lab of one Dr. Bradley Dash. Dr. Dash is hard at work on one of his many experiments when a knock is heard at the door.

Dr. Dash:
“Just a moment!”
*Dash takes several moments to finish what he’s doing before opening the door.*

Behind the door stands out the familiar uniformed sheep, blocking the sight of the foggy-minded Phoenix.

Flame:
“Hello, Doctor.”

Dr. Dash:
“Hello, General. What can I do for you?”

Flame:
“I’ve just learned something of concern… Polybius lives.”

Violet:
“Nihil, sir.”

Flame:
“That’s what he’s calling himself…”

Dr. Dash:
“Pardon me, but I feel like I’m missing some context… You both seem rather calm, considering.”

Nihil:
*Nihil peeks in from behind the doorway.* “They are speaking of me… Hello, Dr. Dash… I have been told you had a hand in creating the me I am now.”

Dr. Dash:
*Dash takes a step back.* “Hello… You’ll have to forgive me, you… look a lot like someone I used to know.”

Nihil:
“I am aware. Polybius and I are one and the same, it seems, so I must begin for apologizing for my actions…”

Flame:
“He survived the explosion, but his behavior has completely changed. I figured perhaps you could explain why… It doesn’t make any sense.”

Dr. Dash:
“My best guess, in a word, Starline. Elijah went crazy with modifications. For all we know, all we saw of his personality was entirely fabricated by my old partner.”
*Dash turns to Nihil.* “Frankly, I’m just glad to see you’re okay. I wanted to help you from the beginning, but like I was just saying, I had opposition.”

Nihil:
“You are… *glad* to see me? After all that I did?”

Dr. Dash:
“Everyone deserves a second chance. And from what I can tell you barely got a first one.”

Nihil:
(Perhaps I will never understand how the people of Mobius think…)
“That is… Nevermind. I was hoping you could enlighten me on who Polybius was? And like the General said, I would like to know if I am free of him for good…”

Dr. Dash:
“There’s no way to be sure until I can conduct some tests–with your permission of course. As for your first question… You might want to sit down.”

Nihil:
*Nihil dusts off a stool before sitting himself on it.* “Please, go on.”

Dr. Dash:
“Okay then. How to put this sensitively…”

Half an hour passes, as Dr. Dash proceeds to go in depth about how Nihil was discovered, and how they created a clone of him. He tells him of how Dr. Starline turned him into Polybius and what his intended purpose was… as well as how everything ended.

Flame:
*The conversation reminded Flame of his rage… but he keeps it inside.*

Nihil:
*Nihil has been sitting and listening intently, a remorseful look has crept onto his beak.* “I… cannot fathom what grief I cost you all…”
“...”
*Nihil looks for the right words, but concludes that nothing he says can fix anything.*

Dr. Dash:
“You were a victim, too. This is on Starline. If anything, I should be apologizing for not seeing what he was doing.”

Nihil:
“...Allow me to atone… Whatever I must do, please, let me do it… Even if I was not myself, I caused these things to come to pass… And… my *clone*, Calias… I must make amends with him…”
“...General Flame.”

Flame:
“Yes?”

Nihil:
“Allow me to join the Burning Rangers.”

Flame:
“After all you’ve done?!”

Violet:
“It’s not a bad idea…”

Flame:
“Not a bad idea to let him on the team with two of the people he tried to kill?! I still can’t trust him…”

Violet:
“Perhaps… he can work *alongside* them, without being officially on the team? How else do you expect him to prove himself?”

Dr. Dash:
“I suggest before we make any major decisions, I check a thing or two. See what exactly we’re dealing with. I’m pretty sure that if I can purge Elijah’s mods there will be nothing to worry about.”

Flame:
“Yes, do that.”

Dr. Dash:
“What do you say Po–er, ‘Nihil’?”

Nihil:
“I have a fear of needles, but beyond that, do anything.”

Dr. Dash:
“How are you on scalpels? Parts of this will require surgery.”

Nihil:
“...That will work, I suppose.”

Dr. Dash:
*Dr. Dash professionally masks his excitement.* “I’ll prepare my equipment!”

Nihil:
*Nihil is visibly nervous as he follows Dr. Dash to the back of the lab.*

Flame:
“The thought of letting that bird anywhere near…”

Violet:
“He’s not the same person, sir. Give him a chance.”

Flame:
“He’ll stay under my watchful eye…”

Violet:
*Violet nods.*

Flame:
*Flame momentarily glances at the doorway which Nihil and Dr. Dash have passed through before looking back at Violet.*
“Is now a good time?”

Violet:
“I suppose so. To put it simply…” *Violet takes a deep breath.* “Your mother is also my mother.”

Flame:
“WHAT?!”

Violet:
“Yes… you’re my brother.”

Flame:
“HALF-brother. You don’t get to be my sister!”

Nihil:
*Nihil glances back at the noise.* [I think this would be after Flame’s “WHAT”]

Flame:
“Are there others?!”

Violet:
“No. I always wanted a brother or sister… but that never happened.”

Flame:
“You should be glad you spent your whole life an only child instead of *becoming* one…”

Violet:
“But now we don’t have to be–”
*The look on Flame’s face stops her.*
“I’m sorry, sir.”

The half-siblings enter an awkward silence as tests on Nihil commence. Will Flame come to accept this revelation? Only time will tell.

We return to the upstairs room of the Mirage Saloon. It’s the morning of the infiltration, as the rising sun wakes the Burning Rangers.

Calias:
*Calias shoots up, screaming.*
“I’m… alive… again…”

Hannah:
*Hannah jumps up.*
“Cal? You alright??”

Calias:
“Hannah… It’s this morning again, isn’t it?”

Hannah:
“...”
“What do you mean… again…?”

Calias:
“Er… It’s a long story. I’ll explain as soon as Emerald comes by to check on us.”

Emerald:
*At that moment, a knock is heard at the door.* “Y’all okay in there? We heard screamin’...”

Calias:
“We’re fine, Ms. Emmy! Be down soon!”

Emerald:
“Well… Awright. Don’t be too long.”

Hannah:
“You have a nightmare?”

Calias:
“Worse… I think… And I know you might not believe me, but… I think I’m stuck in a time loop…”

Hannah:
“So that’s what you meant by ‘again’.”

Calias:
“Right. Today keeps happening over again. It’s been twice now… Right now, Charlotte is downstairs burning our breakfast.”

Hannah:
“Then we’d better get to it before it’s too ruined!”

Calias:
“Wait. I need to tell you what happens… The Overlord. He’s a powerful dude, and he’s got a Chaos Blade. He also has an extremely powerful gem that gives him enough power to destroy the whole town in one strike…”

Hannah:
“...”

Calias:
“I’ve only returned after… dying…”

Hannah:
*Hannah’s eyes widen.*

Calias:
“Thankfully, I’ve seen enough soap operas to catch on to what’s going on.”

Hannah:
“So we can make a plan based on what you’ve learned.”

Calias:
“Exactly! Thanks for bein’ so understanding.”

Hannah:
*Hannah nods.*
“So I guess we’re too late to save breakfast…”

Calias:
“It’s not worth saving… Anyway, should we tell the others?”

Hannah:
“Yeah. They’re part of the team, we’ll be planning with them.”

Calias:
“Who’s to say they’ll belie–Wait a sec… I have an idea! Let’s head down and let everyone know.”

Hannah:
*Hannah puts on her vest and boots.*

A half hour later, Calias has explained the same spiel to the Freedom Fighters. [well, the same spiel along with every detail.]

Calias:
“So… Any questions?”

Emerald:
“Yeah… You outta yer dang mind?!!?”

Stripes:
“Ditto.”

Emerald:
“You really ‘spect us ta believe a crazy tale like that? Stop yer time wastin’!”

Heraldo:
“What the Lady said.”

Calias:
“I figured you guys wouldn’t believe me… All, except one of you.”

Charlotte:
*Charlotte perks up.*

Calias:
“I’m telling the truth, aren’t I? Miss Telepath?”

Charlotte:
“Yeah… Strange as it is… he is telling the truth.”

Emerald:
“Wot in tarnation?...”

Hannah:
(So Cal’s in a time loop, Charlotte reads minds, Overlord has extreme power…)
*The insanity of this whole situation is finally setting in.*

Heraldo:
“I dun’t believe it… But I guess I gotta.”

Hannah:
“Cal, if we… If this loop starts again, can you try to save the hashbrowns? These eggs were not a good enough breakfast…”

Stripes:
“Can we go back to the part where you die?” [to Calias, not Hannah XD]

Calias:
“Yeah, great plan, Sis. Except I gotta die again.”

Hannah:
“Yeah, don’t do that. I’m just saying… *if*… Erm… sorry…”

Calias:
“Wow, you certainly have a lot of faith in me…”

Hannah:
“Sorry…”

Stripes:
“I have a hard time believing you’ve died in the first place.”

Calias:
“...I’m apparently not as invincible as I thought…”

Hannah:
“Maybe now we can actually make a better plan.”

Calias:
“Yeah. I have one…”

Stripes:
“Yeah, like getting the heck out of this place.”

Calias:
“If you want to run, that’s on you. But I say we take the Ampythyst before Overlord can get his hands on it.”

Hannah:
“Good idea. Then we’ll be able to overpower him.”

Calias:
“Right. But we’ve gotta move quickly.”

Emerald:
“Well, as crazy as it is, I’m right behind you.”

Heraldo:
“And wherever the Lady goes, I go.”

Stripes:
*Stripes shakes her head.*

Charlotte:
“I’m in! Full frontal assault of the fortress!”

Calias:
“A bit more tact, but basically yes.”

Emerald:
“Then let’s roll ‘em up and move ‘em out!”

The Burning Rangers speed to the entrance of the fortress, the Freedom Fighters trail behind.

Calias:
*Calias sets Hannah down.* “This is gonna work this time, I just know it!”

Hannah:
*Hannah tries to look more confident.*
“Now we know what we’re up against.”

Calias:
“Right. Now I’m sure there’ll be goons in there, so I’ll take care of them while you head towards the office. Overlord is pretty strong at base level, but you can easily match him.”

Hannah:
“Easily?! Is he even smaller than me?”

Calias:
“No. I just have faith in your abilities… Is that weird?”

Hannah:
“Seems weird to me at least…”

Calias:
“I’m still trying to adjust to being a supportive sibling so… sorry?”

Hannah:
*Hannah smiles.* “I guess you’re doing better at that than I am.”

Citizen:
“Hey! What are you two doin’?!”

Calias:
“Chaos Control! *The guard is temporarily frozen in time.* “Go Hannah! I’ll take care of the shrimps, you get the king crab!”

Johnny:
*Johnny is glad he stayed home in bed this time around in the loop.*

Hannah:
“Alright…”
*Hannah enters the fortress.*
(I appreciate his optimism… but it’s not realistic.)

Several more guards are stationed inside, Calias rushes in and tackles two.

Hannah:
*Hannah pulls out the Chaos Blades and fires on the other guards.*

Calias:
*Calias tosses Chaos Spears at another guard.*

Citizen:
“Argh!!”

Calias:
“We’d better get up there!”

Hannah:
*One guard stands in Hannah’s path. She doesn’t slow down, ready to slice him with the Blades if he doesn’t move out of the way.* [“nonlethalofcourse” :P]

A bullet flies through and strikes the blocking guard in the shoulder, toppling him to the ground.

Emerald:
“Get movin’!”

Hannah:
*Hannah had never stopped moving.*

Calias:
*Calias rushes up the stairs and knocks down the office door.* “Hands in the air!!”

Hannah:
*Hannah soon shows up behind him.*
(This is it…)

Overlord:
*Overlord blinks at Calias.*
“Was that really necessary?”

Calias:
“Give up, Overlord. We have the place surrounded.”

Overlord:
“Y’know, I wish people would stop calling me that. It was cool at first, but now it’s just cheesy…”

Calias:
“Wait. You have an actual name?”

Overlord:
“Of course, I do… It’s Klein. Hunter Klein.”

Calias:
“Klein… You were the one who destroyed that town…”

Hannah:
“That… was *you*…”
*Hannah doesn’t anger easily, but standing before the man who did such a terrible thing…*

Calias:
(One man wipes out an entire mercenary hideout town on his own… It had to have been him…)

Overlord:
“For such a top secret mission, a lot of people seem to know about it… But not for long!”
*Overlord starts backing up, toward his desk.*

Hannah:
*Hannah rushes forward to stop him.* “Not so fast!”

Overlord:
*Overlord grabs his Chaos Blade and prepares to block Hannah’s attack.*

Hannah:
*Hannah channels her anger into forceful swings of her Blades.*

Overlord:
*Overlord blocks the incoming attack, locking the three Chaos Blades.*
“You… Your eyes… I know I’ve seen them before…”

Hannah:
“Huh, I don’t recognize you.”
*Hannah attempts another strike.*

Overlord:
*Overlord blocks that one too.* “The Chaos Blade? Oh… Now I see…”

Hannah:
“A little help, Cal??”

Calias:
*Calias rushes over and sideswipes Overlord’s legs, tripping him.*

Overlord:
*Overlord falls over.* “Agh!”

Hannah:
*Hannah moves to disarm Overlord.*

Calias:
*Calias grabs some cuffs out of his jacket pocket and slaps them on Overlord’s wrist.* [I assume this should be *both* wrists :P] “Game over, Overlord.”

Overlord:
“Aw, heck. I’ve been beaten.”

Hannah:
“We… actually did it.”

Calias:
“I… don’t believe it! Quick! Secure the gem!”

Overlord:
“No! Not my trump card!”
*Overlord smirks coyly.*

Hannah:
*Hannah locates the button on the desk which reveals the Ampythyst in its case.*

Overlord:
“Chaos… Control!” *Overlord teleports on top of the desk.*

Calias:
“What?!? Was that… Chaos Control!?!”

Hannah:
*Hannah’s eyes widen in shock.*
*She grabs the Ampythyst out of its case.*
*As she takes hold of the gem, familiar images flash before her eyes. Faces and machines. Darkness and blinding light. Immense power, and agonizing pain…*
*The purple glow around Hannah intensifies as she screams in anguish.*

Calias:
“...Hannah?”

Overlord:
*Overlord begins laughing maniacally.*

Hannah:
*Returning to the present, Hannah shakily turns to Overlord.* “Ha… You should’ve used this while you had the chance… You’re stupid, Five…”

Overlord:
“You…”

Calias:
“Hannah… What’s going on?”

Hannah:
*Hannah looks at Calias.* “Just a ‘short lameoid’... Ha… HA!” *Hannah rises into the air.* “YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM!!”

Calias:
“Huh?...”

At that moment, Emerald, Charlotte, and Heraldo arrive.

Emerald:
“What the…”

Charlotte:
“Aughh! There’s so much… anguish!”

Hannah:
*Hannah attaches the Chaos Blades to the Ampythyst, one on each side.*
*The surge of power brings the images back. More vivid. Reliving the suffering.*
“**aaaaaAAAAAAAHHH!!!**”

Calias:
“Hannah… Stop this…”

Hannah:
*Hannah can’t hear them. She can’t hear any of them. The visions are too strong.*
“**MAKE IT STOP!!!**”
*Hannah unleashes an arc of energy from the Chaos Blades.*

Calias dodges, but the arc hits Charlotte, vaporizing her instantly.

Emerald:
*Emerald screams in terror.*

Heraldo:
*Heraldo stares, stunned.*

Calias:
“What have you done…”

Overlord:
“Hahahaha!! Rise, o goddess of destruction! Live out your *true* destiny!”

Hannah:
*Hannah is still screaming.*
*She releases a burst of energy powerful enough to blow up the building.*

Calias, prepared for the worst, cloaks himself in energy and is launched out of the building as it explodes.

Calias:
“...”
(I’ve failed again… And this time… It’s worse than I could ever imagine…)
“No… I have to keep fighting… I can’t just die again… I have to try…”

Hannah:
*Hannah’s screaming has ceased. She descends to the street.*

Calias:
“HANNAH! SNAP OUT OF IT!! You’ve gotta be in there somewhere…”

Hannah:
“This IS who I am…”

Calias:
“No… No it’s not… The Hannah I know is scared to even step on a bug, because she’s afraid its family might be sad!”

Hannah:
“Ha… To think I was once so ignorant… Now I’m more powerful than even you!”

Calias:
*Calias prepares to attack.* “I don’t want to hurt you…”

Hannah:
“We have a common enemy, Calias… The man who–”
*This reminder brings the visions back.*
“HIM!!!”
*Hannah looks about ready to blow again.*

The roar of an engine grabs Hannah’s attention. [Calias’s, actually. Hannah’s attention is fully in these visions of hers :P]

Stripes:
“On your left, witch!”
*Stripes rams into Hannah with the car.*

Calias:
“Wha–?”

Stripes:
“What your standing there for? Get in!” [I’m not certain how to grammatical-ize this statement :P]

Hannah:
*Hannah is momentarily stunned.*

Calias:
*Without a second thought, Calias jumps into the car.*

Hannah:
“GRAAAAHH!!”

Calias:
“Drive!!”

Stripes:
*Stripes punches it.*

Calias:
*Calias puts his hands on the dash.* “Hope this works…” *Calias starts supplying Chaos energy to the car to make it go faster.*

Hannah:
*Hannah fires an arc of energy at the car, but it’s going too fast.*

Stripes:
“Whoa! You shoulda tried that last night!”

Calias:
“You can handle this speed, right?”

Stripes:
“Are you kidding? I was born for this!”

Calias:
“And you might die for it too, if you’re not careful!”

Stripes:
“Hey! No one likes a backseat driver!”

Hannah:
*Hannah takes to the sky and pursues.*
“I’LL… RETURN… THE PAIN!!”

Calias:
“So… What’s the plan?”

Stripes:
“Like I said before, get out of here while we can!”

Calias:
“Right… Good idea.”

The car approaches the gate of Bootstrap Butte, but it’s closed.

Stripes:
“You’re up, Neon. This thing was built for speed, not ramming.”

Calias:
“Okay!” *Calias jumps out of the car and quickly opens the gate.*

Hannah:
*Hannah fires another energy arc, blowing up the gate in front of them.*

Calias:
*Calias gets caught in the explosion, sending him flying into the car’s windshield.*

Stripes:
“Hang on to something!” *Stripes quickly turns the car to avoid crashing into the gate’s ruins.*

Calias:
“Nowhere to run…”

Hannah:
*Another energy arc blows up the car.*

Calias:
“Calias is thrown again by the explosion, he lands next to Stripes. He can’t see very well, but he can tell she won’t make it. But is unaware that he himself is on death’s door.* “I’m… sorry…”

Stripes:
“Me too…”

Calias:
*Calias coughs.* (Why did it have to come to this…)

With that final thought, Calias passes on once more…

Calias:
“I… couldn’t stop it…”

Mystery Voice:
“Truly you have just witnessed the worst timeline. There is no way else to go from here, save upward.”

Calias:
“Who are you? I keep hearing your voice every time I…”

Mystery Voice:
“All in due time, Calias. Do not give up.”

Calias:
“Easy for you to say… WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!!?”

Mystery Voice:
*The voice does not answer.*

Calias:
“What… can I do?...”

As Calias restarts the cycle, doubts have begun to form. Will he find a way out? Do all roads lead to destruction? Find out next time, on Organization Chaos 2: Living Ashes!

```

### Episode 5: A Special Rising

```
We return to the up–Wait. No. We’re in the middle of the street… The City Hall is already destroyed and Calias is facing down Overlord.

Overlord:
“This is it… my ASCENSION!!”

Calias:
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s get on with it…”

Overlord:
*Overlord strikes several times, Calias carelessly dodges each one, as if he’s going through the motions.* “Stand still and DIE!”

Calias:
*Calias holds out his arms.* “Okay. Go ahead… I already got what I needed from this go around.”

Overlord:
*Overlord stands there, confused. Then strikes again, finishing Calias off.*

Calias wakes with a cold expression. You already know where we are by now.

Calias:
(That makes one hundred and thirty… I figured out that Klein prefers orange juice to grape juice this time…) *Calias looks over to Hannah.* “What… am I doing?”

Hannah:
*Hannah is sound asleep.*

Calias:
“Over and over and over and over… NOTHING CHANGES!! It’s useless…” *Calias sinks into despair before dashing out the window.* [the OPEN window :P]

Hannah:
*Hearing the loud noise, Hannah shoots up, but sees no one…*
“Huh… Cal?”

Calias:
*Calias looks towards the city hall, before turning around, running straight for the town gate.* (I’ll start running, and I’ll never look back…”

A teal streak tears through the Bootstrap Butte street, as the blinding blur approaches the gate, it launches itself across it. Calias is free. Free from responsibility. Free from pain.

Calias:
“I’m sorry… I can’t do this anymore…”

A half hour later, Calias has gotten himself lost in the desert.

Calias:
“...”
(Why did I not bring water?) *Calias collapses.* “Guess I’m just gonna die out here… It’s okay. I’m used to it by now…”
(That voice stopped talking to me almost a hundred loops ago… It wasn’t very helpful anyway…)
*Calias closes his eyes, ready to embrace death.*

Mystery Voice:
“Hey. Lazy bum. Get up! You’ve got work to do, y’know.”

Calias:
“Huh? That… voice…”

Mystery Voice:
*The voice gets closer.* “You look pathetic, Cal. Pick yourself up.” *The source of the voice enters Cal’s view.*

Calias:
“You… What?!”

Grizz:
“Come on… Get up already.”

Calias:
“Grizz?!”

Grizz:
“Yeah, it’s me.” *Grizz grabs Calias by the hand and helps him to his feet.*

Calias:
“How are… Did I finally die?”

Grizz:
“You moron! Look around you! You’re in the middle of the desert!”

Calias:
“Oh… Then I guess that means you’re just in my head…”

Grizz:
“...”

Calias:
“Grizz…?”

Grizz:
“Yeah, Cal?”

Calias:
“What am I supposed to do? I’m not a fighter, not a leader like you were… I’m weak… pathetic… I CAN’T DO THE THINGS YOU DID!! So please… Just tell me what to do… I can’t do this on my own…”

Grizz:
“No… No you can’t.”

Calias:
“...”

Grizz:
“A leader is nothing without his team. And a brother can’t be a brother without a sibling. Family isn’t just one person carrying the burdens of everyone else, it’s everyone sharing their hurt, their burdens and facing them together. So, you’re right. You can’t do this alone. You *won’t* do this alone.”

Calias:
“I…” *Tears begin to well up in Calias’s eyes.* “But… I can’t…”

Grizz:
“You CAN. You’re Calias the freakin’ Phoenix! You’re my partner. There’s nothing you can’t do!”

Calias:
“I… You… WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!?! You’re just a figment of my imagination…”

Grizz:
“Then you must know that you *are* capable, deep down.”

Calias:
“Can… I really end this?”

Grizz:
“Not on your own.”

Calias:
“Not on my own…”
“...”
“I’VE GOT IT! I’ll spend the rest of this loop gathering as much information as possible. And then next time, we’ll finally break this curse! Getting everyone to follow my lead isn’t gonna be easy… But I’m a Burning Ranger! I was made for this!... Not literally, of course. But from now on, I’ll live like it!”

Grizz:
“That’s the spirit, partner! Now get moving! You don’t have much time left in this loop!”

Calias:
“Right!” *Calias gets ready to run in the direction of the town.* “Oh… Thank you, Grizz.”

Grizz:
*Grizz gives Calias a salute and a smirk.*

Calias:
*Calias speeds off.*

Grizz:
“Good luck, Calias…”
*Grizz begins to dissipate into a ball of light.*

Mystery Voice:
“Good luck. You have truly risen this time…”

Calias runs until he comes across Stripes in the car from the night prior.

Calias:
“Star? What are you doing out here?”

Stripes:
“Looking for you! Where have you been?!”

Calias:
“Oh, y’know. Around. I’ve gotta get back to town as fast as possible. Do you want to race?”

Stripes:
“Do you want to lose?”

Calias:
“Bring it on!” *Calias winks.*

Stripes:
“Good to have you back, Neon.” *Stripes takes off.*

The two race towards the entrance of Bootstrap Butte. Soon after their arrival, the Freedom Fighers have regrouped outside the Mirage Saloon.

Hannah:
*Hannah briefly hugs Cal.*
“Where were you?!”

Calias:
“I was… blowing off some steam… Sorry for worrying you.”

Emerald:
“Had us all scurryin’ all over the dang place lookin’ fer yer beak.”

Heraldo:
“Gwarsh. Ya had me worried!”

Charlotte:
“You missed breakfast…”

Calias:
(Thank Gaia…)

Charlotte:
*Charlotte gives Calias a stern look.* “I’m watching you…”

Calias:
“No time to talk now, we’ve gotta start strategizing. But first, I need to run off again. Hopefully I’ll be back.” *Calias starts to move.*

Hannah:
*Hannah grabs Calias’s wrist.* “Where do you think you’re going?”

Calias:
“Y’know what? Even better! Come with me, Sis!”

Hannah:
“Come where?”

Calias:
“The only place I haven’t been in this town… the mines.”

Hannah:
“...”
“So you’ve just been exploring the town this whole time? And none of us saw you?”

Emerald:
“They’re caved in. Unless you’ve got super strength you ain’t getting in there…”

Calias:
“It’s a lot to explain, and lucky for us, I do!”

Hannah:
“You owe us an explanation…”

Emerald:
(Y’all are a buncha freaks, I tell ya what…)

Calias:
“Er… We don’t exactly have time for an explanation…”

Hannah:
“Just because you–”
*Hannah stops herself before she says something insensitive.*

Calias:
“Now, come on Hannah. We’ve got things to do!”

Hannah:
“...”
“Alright… You better know what you’re doing…”

Calias:
“Hey, never doubt Calias the Phoenix!”

We rejoin the General, the Major, and the Bird of Interest in the GLACIA Director’s office.

```

```
Fifticinco:
“So let me get this straight… Polybius… Sorry–Nihil. You want to join the Burning Rangers?”

```

```
Nihil:
“That is correct! I wish to clear the stains of my wrong doings. I would also like to meet the one they refer to as ‘Calias’.”

Fifticinco:
“Understood. And what do you think of this, General?”

Flame:
“He cannot become a Burning Ranger without the approval of Hannah and Calias. For now, I’ll keep him close…” *Flame narrows his eyes.* “and watch him.”

Fifticinco:
“Dr. Dash’s report says he’s completely lost his memory. Major, what do you make of this?”

Violet:
“I trust the Doctor’s judgement. If anyone would know, it’s him.”

Fifticinco:
“I see. Nihil, if you wish to join, you’re going to have to prove yourself.”

Nihil:
“I know this! I will do my very best to prove that I can be trusted! I must atone, and I must fulfill my purpose. So I promise you all here, this day. I will show you the honor of Babylon! An unbreakable promise to do right!”

Fifticinco:
“...Wonderful. General? Nihil will shadow you as an intern. If he tries anything, you are authorized to use lethal force.”

Flame:
“Yes, sir.”

Nihil:
*Nihil becomes slightly uncomfortable.*
“Then when do we begin? I am eager to prove myself.”

Flame:
“Come with me to the training room. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Nihil:
“Yes! I will show you the extent of my power!”

Fifticinco:
“Good luck, General. Be car–” *An alarm begins to blare, Fifticinco pulls up a screen from his desk.*

Nihil:
“What’s that siren?”

Fifticinco:
“Not good. It looks like the Ice-Pac is up to no good again. They’ve iced over the Twin City Bridge. All of our agents are spread thin working other cases, so that means… General?”

Flame:
“You need me to melt the ice?”
*Flame has the slightest grin.*

Fifticinco:
“Precisely.”

Nihil:
“May I tag along? This is the perfect opportunity to prove myself to you! I will support you in our endeavors to apprehend these miscreants.”

Flame:
“As good an opportunity as any… I’ll allow it.”

Fifticinco:
“Run him through the uniform outfitter before you go. Our organization is still in its infancy, so we need to keep up appearances.”

Flame:
*Flame nods.*
*He looks at Nihil through narrowed eyes.* “You’ll be representing *us*… Don’t disappoint me.”

Nihil:
“I wouldn’t dream of it, sir.”

Before long, the garage bay doors of the GLACIA HQ open up to reveal two mechs and a Phoenix with a new uniform.

```

```
Nihil:
“This… is more comfortable than I expected.”
“Shall we go?”

```

```
Flame:
*Flame sprints toward his mech.*
“Yes, LET’S MOVE!”

TIME TO GET A MOVE ON! A new threat in Central City calls for an impromptu training day for the former villain! And Calias has a new resolve! Will he finally find a way out of the loop with everyone’s help? Find out next time on ORGANIZATION: CHAOS II: LIVING ASHES!

```

### Episode 6: House of the Rising Phoenix

```
We open on pitch black darkness… Loud crashing sounds can be heard.

Calias:
*A beam of light can be seen faintly, before another crash illuminates the source: Calias, punching rocks.*
“Here we are! The deepest parts of the mine!”

Hannah:
“Alright… Now can you tell me what the heck’s going on?”

Calias:
*Calias starts walking carefully through the dark corridors.* “Welllll… How much do you want to know?”

Hannah:
“Um… Why did you sneak out and run around town? I know you said you were blowing off steam… but it seems like you aren’t telling me something…”

Calias:
“I’m gonna give it to you straight…” *Calias breathes deeply, before turning to face Hannah. His eyes are filled with sincerity.* “I keep dying and time traveling back to this morning.”

Hannah:
“...”
“That sounds awful…” *Hannah hugs Calias.*
*Hannah is not entirely sure how to take this.* “Do… you… know why?”

Calias:
“No clue. But I’ve been hearing voices in my head, if that’s any help!” *Calias says, before tripping over a crystal and crashing through a wooden floorboard, falling exactly 11 feet and hitting the ground, beak first.* “Ouch…”

Hannah:
*Hannah looks over the edge.* “You alright?”

Calias:
“Uh… I think so. Not as bad as getting incinerated.” *Calias looks up to see a passageway illuminated by purple light.*
“Uhhh… Hannah! You might wanna see this!”

Hannah:
*Hannah jumps down to see.*

Calias:
“I have some theories about what that could be… But I’m a little claustrophobic…”

Hannah:
*Hannah steps forward and places her hands on the handles of her Chaos Blades.* “What are you thinking?”

Calias:
“There’s gotta be some sort of mineral thingy… What are they called? A geode! Overlord has a shiny purple rock, and I betcha this is where he got it!”

Hannah:
“Makes sense. I’m seeing quite a few shiny purple rocks in there.”

Calias:
“I’ll go in after you…”

Hannah:
“...”
“Alright.”
*Hannah advances.*

The crevice leads into a room covered in amethysts. In the center stands a carved out pedestal with some inscriptions on it.

Calias:
*Calias follows Hannah.* “See anything yet?”

Hannah:
“Yeah… there’s some pedestal.”
*Hannah reads it.* [that is, attempts to :P]

The inscription is in Babylonian.

Hannah:
“Hm…”
*Hannah pulls out her E-pod and pulls up the translation app, setting it to translate writing.*

The inscription reads: “THE AMPYTHYST - Here lies the greatest creation of Griffius the Alchemist, the gem that would have powered our new spacecraft, had it been enough. As no living being should possess its power, we have sealed it away here. If you take it, beware, you will not dwell on this plane for long…”

Hannah:
*Hannah reads the translation out loud.*

Calias:
“The Ampythyst is Babylonian? Weird… Wait, what was that last part?”

Hannah:
“‘If you take it, beware, you will not dwell on this plane for long.’ …So is that why you… keep dying?”

Calias:
“It isn’t me who took it…”

Suddenly, the room begins to shake.

Calias:
“Uhh… Did you do something?”

Hannah:
“All I did was read the thing…”

The crystals in the walls begin to shift, until they’re all pointed inward, towards Hannah and Calias.

Calias:
“Oh no… Oh nononononono. Quick! Let’s get out!”

Hannah:
“Yep!”

The crystals rise up to block the exit.

Calias:
“Not this time! I won’t die again.” *Calias begins to glow, charging his energy.*
“Hannah, you might want to start attacking!”

Hannah:
*Hannah had been frozen in indecisive panic.* “Right!”
*Hannah activates the Chaos Blades and fires at the door.*

The lasers bounce off the crystals, and back at Hannah.

Calias:
“Hannah!!”

Hannah:
“Aaagh!”

Suddenly, the walls close in at rapid speed. Neither of them had a chance for another thought.

Mystery Voice:
“You have everything you need. Now turn the page, young Phoenix.”

Calias:
“Right… This time, I’ll do it.”

Well look at that, we’re back in the Mirage Saloon, that morning.

Calias:
*Calias sits up.* “That one was new…” *Calias walks over to Hannah and shakes her awake.*

Hannah:
“Huh…?”

Calias:
“Wake up. I need to talk to you.”

Hannah:
*Hannah sits up and rubs her eyes.*
“Yeah?”

Calias:
“Would you believe me if I said I’ve lived today over one hundred and thirty times?”

Hannah:
“...”
“I can’t think of a reason you’d lie about that.”

Calias:
“Good. ’Cause last time, we got skewered. Anyway, we gotta get downstairs and save breakfast.”
*Calias speeds out the door, passing Emerald on the way.*

Emerald:
“Wot was that about?”

Hannah:
“Something about living today a hundred times… so he knows breakfast is in trouble?”
*Hannah puts on her boots, grabs her vest, and follows Calias.*

Emerald:
*Emerald blinks (or is it winking?) confused.* “Ahm so lost…”

Down in the kitchen.

Calias:
*Calias speeds in, a gust of wind trailing behind him.* “DROP THE HASH BROWNS, CHARLOTTE!”

Charlotte:
*Charlotte literally drops the hash browns in shock.*

Calias:
“NOOOOO!!!! WHY?!?!? Is this what they call a ‘fixed point’? Must the breakfast always suffer?!?”

Hannah:
*Hannah hurries down the stairs, soon seeing the reason for Calias’s agitation.*
“...”

Charlotte:
“He said ‘drop the hash browns’... So I did…”

Hannah:
*Hannah looks at Calias, confused.*

Calias:
“WHYYYYYY!?!?”

A few moments of poetic sorrow from Calias, followed by a few more of consolation by Hannah later…The Freedom Fighters have gathered in the dining room, sans breakfast. [because of the fuss Calias made, Charlotte neglected the eggs, so those burnt too]

Emerald:
“Awright. Today’s the day. Unfortunately, thanks to *someone*, we’ll have to do this on an empty stomach.”

Heraldo:
*Heraldo glares at Calias, viciously.*

Calias:
(Was Heraldo always that scary?)

Charlotte:
“He tends to be like that when he doesn’t eat.”

Calias:
“Oh, right!” *Cal jumps on the table.*

Hannah:
*Hannah’s eyes widen.*
(What now…)

Stripes:
*Stripes is visibly confused but still smiling.* “What is with you right now?”

Calias:
“I’m feeling good, that’s all!” *Calias turns to face Emerald.* “You’re right, Emmy. Today IS the day! This today is the today where we finally beat Overlord. And I know just how to do it!”

Emerald:
“How could you? You some sorta strategist now?”

Stripes:
“He’s got guts, that’s for sure.”

Calias:
“I know things…” *Calias dramatically poses and lowers his voice.* “For I have died o’er a hundred times.” *Calias strikes another pose.* “I have lived today, over and over again! And that is why I now know what must happen.”

Hannah:
(Don’t make a fool of yourself…)

Stripes:
“Uh-huh…”

Charlotte:
“He’s… not actually lying. I don’t get how. But, he’s either 100% insane, or he’s telling the truth.”

Stripes:
“Well, I know what I’m betting on.”

Charlotte:
“I do appreciate the theatrics in his insanity though. It reminds me of someone.”

Calias:
*Calias sighs.* “Okay. I learned this trick a few loops back… Heraldo! Last night, you dreamed you were on an intergalactic adventure with a duck and a spiky-haired kid.”

Heraldo:
“...How didja know that?!”

Calias:
“You told me! And I know what everyone else dreamed too.” (But I don’t want to talk about Star’s unless absolutely necessary…)

Stripes:
“...”

Charlotte:
*Reading Cal’s mind, Charlotte blushes.*

Calias:
“ANYWAY. Do you guys believe me now?”

Emerald:
“I’m havin’ some trouble. But ya don’t seem ta be lying…”

Stripes:
“So… can we go back to the part where you’ve died a thousand times?”

Calias:
“Yeah… About that…”

Calias explains all the things he’s learned over the many loops.

Hannah:
*Hannah is staring at the floor in shame.* [Calias detailed her going insane]

Calias:
“So… Yeah, that’s what we’re up against…”

Emerald:
“So we’ve also died in almost every one of these loops… That’s real reassuring.”

Calias:
“But this time, we have something we never had before!”

Hannah:
(How could I…)

Heraldo:
“Which is?”

Calias:
“A well thought-out plan! We need to cause a distraction to lure Overlord away from his office. Then we need to sneak in and steal the Ampythyst without touching it. Then we get the gem as far away from here as possible, while those of us who can fight clean up the town.”

Stripes:
“Dibs on distraction.”

Calias:
“I’d get distracted by you any time, so that’s perfect!”

Stripes:
*Stripes rolls her eyes.*

Calias:
“Then I can get the gem and get it out of town, hand it off to the proper authorities then make it back in time to kick Klein’s behind! Hannah! That means you’ll have to take Klein head on. Can you do that?”

Hannah:
“Um… if he has Chaos Control… no?”

Calias:
“You’ll have the others backing you up. Don’t worry. And you know how fast I am. I’ll get the gem to Flame and get back here faster than you can blink!”

Hannah:
“...”
“But you were never fast enough to escape Overlord…”

Calias:
“Hannah… I–” *Calias stops, thinking for a moment.* “Okay. I’ll take him on with you… If we can keep the gem away from Klein long enough for backup to arrive, we’ll be fine!”

Hannah:
“...What backup?”

Calias:
“The Chief! Who else!?”

Hannah:
“Right… of course.”
*Hannah pulls out her communicator and calls Flame.*

There’s no answer.

Hannah:
“...”
“He must be busy…”

Calias:
“Leave a message! This is urgent! Make sure he knows it’s a super emergency!”

Hannah:
“Yep.”
*Hannah types out a message.*
<We’re in trouble. Big trouble. Overlord’s about on Calias’s level and that’s without the powerful gem. We need you here ASAP.>

We now cut to the Twin City Bridge. A marvel of architecture that connects Central City and Golden City’s bay. It’s a sight to behold! And now even more so as it’s covered in a thick sheet of ice and crashed vehicles! Accompanied by the sounds of screaming citizens and loud rock music! The wonders of modern architecture!

```

```
B. Cool:
“FUN!”

B. Wild:
“SNOW CONES FOR EVERYONE!”

B. Groovy:
*Groovy chucks a giant ice boulder at a citizen.* “Can you catch cold? You’d better be able to!”

```

```
An orange streak leaps through the air and collides with the ice boulder, shattering it.

Nihil:
*Nihil lands surprisingly elegantly.* “Halt, evildoers! The Burning Rangers are here to stop you!”

Wild:
“Ranger*s*? But there’s only one of you…”

Flame:
“NOT FOR LONG!”

Violet:
(Maybe fighting a battle together will help us bond!)

The two mechs enter the fray!

Cool:
“MORE!!” *Cool picks up a car and tosses it at the mechs.*

Nihil:
“Sir! Ma’am! Look out!”

Flame:
*Flame fires a missile, blowing up the car.*
“STAND DOWN!”

Nihil:
“If you have these silly-looking criminals handled, I shall go and save the innocents!”

Wild:
“SILLY-LOOKING?!?”

Groovy:
“He’s right though…”

Wild:
“Do you want to die?”

Groovy:
“Not right now.”

Wild:
“Then shut the up your mouth.”

Groovy:
“Okay.”

Cool:
*Cool punches his fists together, covering them in ice.* “FIGHT!!”

Flame:
“Well, I did give you the chance to surrender… SO BE IT!” *Flame readies the mech’s lasers.*

Violet:
*Violet does likewise.*

Nihil:
*Nihil dashes across the bridge to a group of trapped civilians.*

Wild:
*Wild creates a bunch of icicles that float in front of him.* “Begone!” *Wild fires them at high speed towards the mechs.*

Violet:
*Violet flies her mech aside and fires lasers at the icicles.*

Flame:
*Flame also fires lasers at the icicles.*

Groovy:
*Groovy places his hands to the ground, causing the ice to spread. The legs of Flame’s mech are now frozen in place.*
“Now, B. Cool!”

Cool:
“WRECK!!!” *Cool leaps into the air and onto the mech’s cockpit, before smashing through the windshield and grabbing Flame by the jacket.*

Flame:
*Flame punches B. Cool in the face.*

Cool:
*Cool reels slightly, before cracking his neck and tossing Flame into Violet’s mech.* “YEET!”

At that moment, Flame’s communicator begins to ring.

Violet:
*The mech staggers with the impact.*

Flame:
“GRAAAH!” *After hitting Violet’s mech, Flame falls and hits the ground.*
*Flame pushes through the pain, standing up and drawing his laser gun.* “You no-goods are keeping me from something important!!”

Nihil:
*Nihil lifts a car off of a trapped civilian.* “Do not be afraid! We are here to help!”

Citizen:
“Thank you!”

Nihil:
“One point on my amends list!” *Nihil sees Flame getting manhandled.* “Sir!” *Nihil speeds back towards the battle.*
*Nihil rushes to Flame’s side.* “Do you require my combat assistance?”

Flame:
(I hate to say it, but…) “That would help, yes.”

Nihil:
“Then we shall make our stand together!”

THE BATTLE RAGES ON! Both of our squads have their work cut out for them! Can Calias and crew succeed this time? Can Flame melt the ice with help from Nihil and Violet? ARE THERE ACTUALLY SNOW CONES? Find out next time, on Organization Chaos 2: Living Ashes.

```

### Episode 7: Turn the Page, part 1

```
While the Freedom Fighters are making their plans, Hunter Klein, the Overlord, is awaiting a meeting with his underlings. He’s seated at his desk in the office we’ve seen too many times.

Overlord:
(Last night, I caught that rebellious racer joyriding… And with her… Project: Phoenix. Another one of the Doc’s creations…)
*Overlord sighs.* “What’s taking those morons so long?...”
*Klein slaps his desk. The Ampythyst’s case pops out of it.* “Heh. Lookin’ good, beautiful. Why did this have to happen now? I was so close to figuring this thing out…”

A banging is heard from outside the door.

Overlord:
“Oh. There they are…”
“...”
(They’re out there rehearsing their rhymes, aren’t they?)

Rough:
“Hey, boss. So, funny story…”

Overlord:
“Is it really funny? I need a good laugh.”

Tumble:
“Uhh, not really…”

Rough:
“I mean, it’s funny. But not like ‘haha’ funny.”

Overlord:
“Does it have to do with a certain bird? ‘Cause I don’t like that story if so…”

Tumble:
*Tumble whispers.* “Ya think he knows what happened?”

Rough:
*Rough whispers back.* “Just play it cool.”
“A bunch of birds actually!”

Overlord:
“Oh? And who were these birds?”

Tumble:
“There were way too many to ask. Oh, and some human girl.”

Overlord:
“A human girl? Intriguing…”

Rough:
“Yeah, and then all the birds carried the two ‘Burning Rangers’ or whatever they called themselves… over the gate. And then locked it.”

Overlord:
“So, you just let these ‘Burning Rangers’ through the gate? You LET them slip by?”

Rough:
“We’re tellin’ ya, there was a whole bunch of ‘em!”

Suddenly! An earthquake!

Overlord:
“...”
“What was that?”

Rough:
“EARTHQUAKE!” *Rough slips under the desk.*

Citizen:
*A goon calls over the radio.* “SIR! Someone just blew open the mines!!”

Tumble:
“Whoa! Hey Rough…?”

Overlord:
*Overlord glares at the skunks.*

Tumble:
“How’d you get down there so fast?”

Overlord:
“I trust you know what you need to do?”

Rough:
*Rough comes out from under the table.* “Yeah!”
“When it comes to doing stuff…”

Tumble:
“We’ll check out the rumble…”
“SPELUNKING TIME FOR ROUGH AND TUMBLE!”

Rough:
“SPELUNKING TIME FOR ROUGH AND TUMBLE!”

Overlord:
“JUST GET GOING!!”

Rough:
“We’re going, we’re going! No need to get testy…” *Rough jumps out the window.* [Tumble also left the room]

The OPEN window.

Overlord:
*Overlord reopens the case and looks at the Ampythyst.* “The time has come…” [I don’t think this statement is actually true]

Meanwhile, at the top of the Butte, we find Calias and Hannah.

Calias:
*Calias talks into a radio.* “Great job on the distraction, Star! The Skunk brothers are headed your way. Emmy! Are you in position?”

Emerald:
*Emerald speaks over the radio.* “Got’em in mah sights.”

Calias:
“Alright. Distraction part two! Ready, sis?”

Hannah:
“As ready as I will be.”

Calias:
“I was hoping Klein would just come out himself so we wouldn’t have to do this, but here goes!” *Calias charges up.* “STAND BACK, HANNAH!”

Hannah:
*Hannah does as he says.*

Calias:
“CHAOS… BLAST!!” *Calias erupts in Chaos energy, releasing a ball of light visible for miles.*

Back in the office.

Overlord:
*Overlord looks out the OPEN window.* “I don’t believe it… The old geezer actually gave the bird Chaos powers… Well, unfortunately for him, he’s not the first. I won’t even need to use my trump card.”
*Overlord closes the case.* [and puts it back in the desk] “Alright, Project: Phoenix… You’re about to meet the OG. Project: Prometheus!!”
*Overlord jumps out the OPEN window.*

Calias:
“He’s coming… Does he have the case?”

Hannah:
*Hannah looks through binoculars.*
“Nope.”

Calias:
“HAH! That moron!”

Overlord:
*Overlord draws his Chaos Blade.* “PROJECT: PHOENIX! WHY DON’T YOU COME DOWN HERE AND SHOW ME WHAT YOU’VE GOT?!?”

Hannah:
“...How does he know who you are?”

Calias:
“He worked with the Doc, remember?”

Hannah:
“Uh, not really… There were too many details to remember.”
(And too many I’d rather not remember…)

Calias:
*Calias yells down to the Overlord.* “YOU WANT ME? COME GET ME!”

Overlord:
“Okay. If that’s how you want it… Chaos… Control.” *Overlord teleports to the top of the Butte.* “Surprise!”

Calias:
“Oh, hey! Nice ta see ya!”

Hannah:
*Overlords sudden appearance startles Hannah.*

BANG!

Overlord:
“GAH!” *Overlord falls to the ground.*

Heraldo:
*Heraldo is standing behind a rock with a smoking revolver.* “Huyuck! I got ‘im!”

Overlord:
“You… fool!” *Overlord struggles, but stands back up.* “I am not a mere mortal…”

Calias:
“GO, HANNAH!” *Calias points to the motorcycle hiding behind the other rock.* “REMEMBER NOT TO TOUCH IT!” *Calias says as he jumpkicks towards the Overlord.*

Overlord:
*Overlord dodges Cal’s attack.* “Where… do you think you’re going?”

Hannah:
*Hannah makes a run for it.*

BONG!

Overlord:
*Overlord is hit on the head by a flying cast iron skillet.* “HEY! Who threw that?!”

Charlotte:
“You’re not very aware of your surroundings, are you?”

Overlord:
“I’LL KILL YOU ALL!!”

Hannah:
*Hannah hops on the motorcycle and rides off.*
(I can do this… I’ve had plenty of practice…) [Hannah didn’t have any practice before two months ago]

Calias:
*Calias charges at Overlord.* “You won’t get the chance!”

Overlord:
*Overlord blocks with his Chaos Blade. Cal’s energy collides with it as he continues running in place, pushing against the Blade’s force.* “You’re more lively than I would’ve expected. I thought all of the Doc’s creations were flat-out insane!”

Calias:
*Calias finally breaks through, knocking Overlord back, but he doesn’t lose his balance.* “Right. And I’m guessing you know from experience?”

Overlord:
*Overlord swings his blade, releasing a knife-shaped arc of energy.* “Bingo! I’m your predecessor! Project: Prometheus! Well… the only one that turned out.”

Calias:
*Calias dodges the arc.* “So that’s why you can use Chaos energy. Chaos Spear!” *Spears of light shoot out in Overlord’s direction.*

Overlord:
“You’re observant!”
*Overlord blocks the spears with his blade.*

Charlotte:
“Uh, Calias? What do we do?”

Calias:
“Go back up Emmy! I’ve got this guy!”

Heraldo:
“Roger that!”

Heraldo and Charlotte run down the Butte’s winding racetrack to meet up with the others.

Overlord:
“Oh… I see now… This was all a distraction!”

Calias:
“You got it! And you’re gonna STAY distracted!” *Calias activates Chaos Mode and dashes at Overlord, smashing him into the nearby rocks.*

In the meantime, Hannah has made her way to the fortress.

Hannah:
(Alright, remember what Calias said… One guard by the desk on the left, one at the top of the stairs…)
*Hannah activates the Chaos Blades and rushes inside, spotting the guard by the desk and firing on him*

Citizen:
“AGH! My arm!”

Hannah:
*Hannah ducks by the side of the stairs, waiting for that guard to come down.*

Citizen:
*The other guard runs down the stairs, with a gun drawn.* “HANDS IN THE AI–”

Hannah:
*Hannah knocks him out with the hilt of one of the Blades.*

Citizen:
“Oof!” *Citizen collapses.*

Hannah:
*Hannah hurries up the stairs.*
*She enters the office, and locates the desk and the button to reveal the case for the Ampythyst.*
(Must not touch the accursed gem…)
*Hannah takes the case and jumps out the open window.*

Stripes:
*Stripes pulls up.* “Somebody call an Uber?”

Hannah:
*Hannah hops in.*
“What’d you do with the skunks?”

Stripes:
“Nothing they wouldn’t do to us, let’s go.” *Stripes takes off.*

Gunshots can be heard not too far away, as the Freedom Fighters clean up the streets of their town. Meanwhile, Calias is still locked in combat with Overlord.

Overlord:
*Overlord strikes Calias with his blade, knocking him backward.* “You’re pathetic, you know that? Hardly a challenge.”

Calias:
“Ugh… At least… I don’t have an ugly goatee…” *Calias coughs.*

Overlord:
“Funny. I hope you’re prepared to die.”

Calias:
*Calias stands up, wearily.* “I’m not scared to die… Don’t underestimate me.”

Overlord:
“Then you won’ mind if I… Chaos Control!” *Overlord teleports away.*

Calias:
“WAIT!”
*Calias collapses from the pain.* “No… not again…”

Overlord has teleported directly in front of Stripes’s car. He unleashes a beam, splitting the car down the middle.

Hannah:
*Hannah squeals*

Stripes:
“C’mon man! Not the car!”

The case falls out of Hannah’s grasp and onto the road.

Overlord:
“You made this waaaay too easy.”

Hannah:
*Hannah struggles to remove her seatbelt while sideways.*
“No!!”

Overlord:
*Overlord walks up, bends down and picks up the case.* “It’s earlier than I wanted. [hence why I think that one prior statement was untrue] But I suppose now is as good a time as any.”

Back on the top of the Butte, Calias struggles to stay conscious.

Calias:
“...I can’t… let it end like this… Not this time…”
*Calias tries to push himself up, but collapses again.*

Mystery Voice:
“Calias. Do not give up!”

Calias:
“...I won’t. I WON’T! I WON’T EVER GIVE UP AGAIN!”
*Calias begins to erupt in a teal light.* “I… WILL…”
*Calias stands up slowly.*
“NOT…”
*The light begins to turn into flames.*
“FAIL!!!!”
*The flames turn into wings as Calias rises off the ground.*
“KLEEEEEEEIIIIIIN!!!!!”
*Faster than you can blink, a teal blur races across the sky towards the site of the wreckage.*

Overlord:
“What is…” *Klein is hit by a supersonic bird and knocked waaaaay back.*

Calias:
“YOU’RE DONE!”

Hannah:
*Hannah stares wide-eyed.*
“Well then… Go get him Cal!!”

Stripes:
“Avenge my ride, Neon!”

Calias:
*Calias turns to Hannah and Stripes and smirks.* “Don’t worry. I got this!”

Hannah:
*Hannah ducks behind the car half and readies the Chaos Blades just in case.*

Overlord:
*As the dust settles, Overlord is one one knee, gripping something.* “Heh… HehehehahahahaHAHAHAHHAA! FINALLY!!! A WORTHY OPPONENT!!” *Overlord begins to glow purple.*

Calias:
*Calias grits his teeth.* “Klein…”

Hannah:
“Well… At least Calias will–”

Calias:
*Calias sticks his hand out behind him. It glows blue before Hannah and Stripes are suddenly teleported to the top of the butte.*

Stripes:
“What was that?!”

Hannah:
“...”
“Chaos Control I guess…”

Calias:
“This is between you and me, Klein.” [and Klein doesn’t question the use of his real name… XD they must’ve brought it up while we were away]

Overlord:
“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this…”

Calias:
“Then let’s see which of us was built better.”

Overlord:
“Heh.”

The two super-powered beings fly at each other at high speed, causing a giant shockwave.
SHIFTING GEARS COMPLETELY… Let’s go back to the Twin City Bridge where Flame, Violet and Nihil are in the middle of their own battle.

Wild:
“Any last words, your militariness?”

Flame:
*Flame raises his pistol.* “You won’t be around to hear them.”

Nihil:
“It is time you all came quietly, or we will take the necessary actions!”

Groovy:
“I think I need a translator for this guy…”

Cool:
“GUTS!”

Violet:
(We need a translator for *that* guy…)

Wild:
“Exactly what I was thinking, B. Cool! Let’s ice ‘em.” *Wild creates an ice knife.*

Groovy:
“Here we go, I guess.”

Nihil:
*Nihil launches himself at B. Wild, landing a solid punch to the penguin’s beak.* “HAVE AT THEE!”

Wild:
*Wild falls backwards.* “AGH! RIGHT IN THE SCHNOZZ!!”

Flame:
*Flame fires at B. Cool.*

Violet:
*Violet fires at all three.*

Cool:
*Cool picks up a car and uses it as a shield.*

Groovy:
*Groovy tries to create an ice wall to destroy Violet’s mech.*

Violet:
*Violet flies aside while firing a missile at B. Cool’s car.*

Cool:
*Cool is knocked back by the explosion.* “OUCH.”

Nihil:
“SIR! I have incapacitated the Babylonian lookalike!”

Wild:
“Baby-what?”

Flame:
*Flame fires on B. Groovy.* “Keep it up!”

Groovy:
*Groovy dodges, but slips on his own ice, falling down.* “Well… That’s that, I guess.”

Nihil:
“That was… simpler than I expected.”

Moments later, the Ice-Pac is cuffed.

Nihil:
“I think that went well!”

Flame:
*Flame stares up at his mech.* “Could’ve been better…”

Violet:
*Violet lands her mech and steps out.*
“Always the pessimist, huh?”

Flame:
*Flame pulls out his communicator.*
“Someone tried to contact me during the battle…”

Wild:
*Outside of view, Wild creates an ice spike and sends it flying toward Flame while he’s distracted.*

Nihil:
*Nihil pushes Flame out of the way.* “SIR! Look out!”

Wild:
“AW man!”

Flame:
*Flame stumbles, but stays on his feet.*
“...”
*Flame’s face does not show gratitude.*

Nihil:
“That’s another point on my amends list, right?”

Violet:
*Violet thumbs up.*

Flame:
*Flame spots a message from Hannah.*

Hannah:
<We’re in trouble. Big trouble. Overlord’s about on Calias’s level and that’s without the powerful gem. We need you here ASAP.>

Flame:
*Flame’s eyes widen.*
“Major, you stay here and clean up the mess. Nihil, you’re coming with me! The Rangers need us!”

Violet:
“Yes, sir.”

Nihil:
“Yes sir! Will Calias be there?”

Flame:
“He better be… You’re the fastest way to get there!” *Flame wordlessly climbs onto Nihil’s back.*

Violet:
“...”
(Where are your manners?)

Nihil:
*Nihil is surprised, but not embarrassed about carrying someone on his back.* “Alright! Let us get going!” *Nihil speeds off.*

Flame:
“If this threat is as powerful as Hannah claims… then you of all people may be the only chance at saving her.”

Nihil:
“Then I won’t let you down.”

IT’S A RACE AGAINST TIME! Will Flame and Nihil arrive in time for some much-needed backup? Or is Calias doomed to loop again? Has he finally reached his fullest potential? Find out next time on ORGANIZATION CHAOS 2: LIVING ASHES!!

```

### Episode 8: Turn the Page, part 2

```
A HUGE SHOCKWAVE BURSTS THROUGH MAIN STREET! Calias has engaged Hunter Klein, The Overlord, in combat! His eyes now filled with fury and fire as he taps into the power of the Phoenix.

```

```
Calias:
“It’s over, Klein! Your rule is finished!

Overlord:
*Overlord sends out a large purple energy arc from his supercharged Chaos Blade.* That’s where you’re wrong. My rule is JUST BEGINNING!”

Calias:
*Calias quickly dodges the arc and dashes towards Klein.* “Get real! Look which one of us is winning!”

Overlord:
*Overlord strikes Calias with his Blade as he approaches, sending the Phoenix flying into the town gate, destroying it.* “I fail to see your point.”

Calias:
“Ugh. That smarts.” *Calias gets back up and dusts himself off, before rushing right back at Klein.*

Meanwhile, on top of the Butte, Hannah and Stripes are watching the chaos below.

Stripes:
“So, we just gonna sit and watch, or…?”

Hannah:
“Calias brought us here. He was getting us out of danger… I don’t think we’d last down there.”

Stripes:
“He really is something else, isn’t he?”

Hannah:
“He sure is.”

Heraldo:
*Heraldo and Charlotte come running back up.* “GET READY Y’ALL THEY’RE RIGHT BEHIND US!”

Hannah:
*Hannah is alarmed.*
*She turns around and reactivates the Chaos Blades.*

Charlotte:
“I’m out of kitchen utensils!”

Behind the two Freedom Fighters are a large group of Klein’s lackies.

Stripes:
*Stripes rolls her eyes as she gets up.* “Here we go again.”

Citizen:
“NOWHERE TO RUN NOW!”

Hannah:
*Hannah raises the Blades.* “You’ll be the ones running soon enough.”

Johnny:
“Yup. I’m out.” *Johnny holsters his pistol and walks away.*

Citizen:
“JOHNNY! GET YER BUTT BACK HERE!”

Johnny:
“Nope. I ain’t getting paid enough for this… I’m going back home…”

Hannah:
*Hannah smirks.* “Any other smart ones?”

Citizen:
“This kid thinks she can take us all on… Let’s show her the power of our henchmen union!” *They all charge, some with guns, some with batons, one with a banana that he’s using as a gun.*

Hannah:
*Hannah fires on them, prioritizing the ones with guns.*

Shrieks of pain erupt from the goon sea as Hannah and Heraldo take out the goons with their weapons (Nonlethalofcourse).

Charlotte:
“Stripes! Do you have a hair pin on you?”

Stripes:
“Would a bobby pin work?”

Charlotte:
“Er… Yeah. Anything at this point.”

Stripes:
“Okay. I don’t have a bobby pin though.”

Charlotte:
“Then why did you ask? Nevermind, I already know.”

Hannah:
“What are you using it for? I might have something…”

Stripes:
“Why are you asking me for a hair pin, anyway? You’re the one with hair!”

Charlotte:
“BECAUSE I CAN’T FIGHT WITH MY HAIR DOWN. IT’LL GET IN MY FACE!”

Heraldo:
“Don’t you like it that way? I thought that was a part of yer ‘E-girl’ getup?”

Hannah:
*Hannah digs through her pockets.* “I have some duct tape…”

Charlotte:
“Um… That’ll work I guess.”

During this exchange, the goons keep coming and they don’t stop coming.

Hannah:
*Hannah hands Charlotte the roll of tape with one hand while firing lasers with the other.*

Charlotte:
*Charlotte starts to wrap the duct tape around her head before being stopped by Stripes.*

Stripes:
“You do realize you have a headband, right?”

Charlotte:
“...”
“I do now!” *Charlotte pulls her headband down to hold her bangs.*

Stripes:
“It’s a good thing you’re cute and psychic.”

Charlotte:
“Y’know, a *friend* of mine says that all the time… Not those exact words, but the same idea…”

Heraldo:
“Keep yer guard up!”

Suddenly, a spot behind one of the rocks begins to crackly, GLITCHILY, as the skunk brothers appear.

Hannah:
*Hannah stares in shock.*

Tumble:
“I told you the exit was this way!”

Rough:
“Sorry I doubted you.”

Stripes:
“You’ve gotta be kidding.”

Rough:
“Hey! That’s the chick who trapped us in there!”

Tumble:
“Let’s bash her!”

Hannah:
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
*Hannah fires at them.*

Rough:
“Yow! Watch it!”

Heraldo:
“These guys are no joke, y’all. Waste ‘em if need be.”

Tumble:
*Tumble grabs Rough as Rough crouches into a ball, and Tumble throws him at Stripes.*

Stripes:
*Stripes crouches into a spindash.*

The two clash together before bouncing off one another and flying back.

Charlotte:
“Since when could you do that?!”

Stripes:
“Ooh… That was a mistake…”

Rough:
“Yeah! Take that.” *Rough collapses.*

Below the chaos on the butte, Calias is still holding off Overlord, but his power is waning.

Calias:
*Calias pants.* “I can do this all day, you know.”

Overlord:
“Can you? You look like you’re getting weaker by the second. Did you gather enough rings?”

Calias:
*Calias jumps at Overlord.* “This isn’t over!”

Overlord:
*Overlord unleashes a shield of energy that knocks Calias back.* “Aw… Is the little birdie getting tiwed?”

Calias:
“You… and your smug mouth…” *Calias attempts to get back up, but fails. His flames subside, as the power of the Phoenix is spent.*

Overlord:
“Game over, Project Phoen–”

A cloud of dust approaching from the town gate grabs Overlord’s attention.

Overlord:
“What in–?!?!” *A fist comes flying out of nowhere, smacking Klein on the cheekbone, the dust settles to reveal the owner of the fist, General Sonny Flame.

[Nihil yeeted Flame, that’s how Flame got there first]

Flame:
*Flame glances at Calias.*
“You can question your new ally when you’ve come out of this alive!”

Calias:
“Um… Yes sir? Don’t worry about me, Hannah needs help on top of the Butte!”

Flame:
*Flame runs in that direction.*

Calias:
“Who did–?” *Calias turns to the cloud of dust as a familiar figure is revealed.

Nihil:
“Please do not be alarmed. I am here to assist.”

Calias:
*Calias stares wide-eyed.*

Overlord:
“WAITASEC, you’re–”

Nihil:
“I am Nihil. Of Babylon. I am not Polybius.”

Calias:
“Okay…? Guess we kick butt first ask questions later?”

Nihil:
“That sounds like a plan.”

Overlord:
“This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them!”

Mystery Voice:
“Calias… Trust your ally. The Phoenix Factor has resonated with him.”

Calias:
(Er… Okay, voice. Whatever you say.)

Overlord:
“One or two Phoenixes, it doesn’t matter. I’ll destroy you both!”
*Overlord fires a laser in their general direction.*

Calias:
*Calias jumps out of the way and starts running towards Overlord.* “Come on, ‘Nihil’, keep up!”

Nihil:
“I am with you, Calias!” *Nihil runs alongside him.*

Back at the top of the Butte, the tangle with Tumble and the goons continues.

Hannah:
“How are there so many of them?!”

Tumble:
“Hey! Nobody knocks out my bro but me!”
*Tumble charges towards the heroes with his head down.*

Hannah:
*Hannah steps aside once he gets close.*

Tumble:
*Tumble **tumbles** over a rock and falls on his face.* [he is now unconscious]

Charlotte:
“Where did all these goons come from?!”

Suddenly, goons begin to fly in the air, as angry screaming can be heard.

Hannah:
*Hannah quickly recognizes the voice.* “Flame!”

Flame:
*Flame tosses a goon into two others.*

Citizen:
“OOF!”

Hannah:
“That’s General Flame. He’s with us!”

Heraldo:
“Ya don’t say.”

Flame:
*Flame fires lasers at one goon and punches another in the face.*

Charlotte:
“Man, I wish I could send people flying like that. Maybe I should start working out…”

Hannah:
*Hannah grins.* “Having fun, Flame?”

Flame:
*Flame starts using an unconscious goon as a club.*

Hannah:
“...” *awkward smile*

Back on the ground, the two Phoenixes have started to push Overlord back.

Overlord:
“I AM A GOD, YOU IDIOTS!” *Overlord swings to block an attack.* “YOU CANNOT BEAT ME!” *Overlord blocks a Chaos spear from Calias.*

Calias:
“You ain’t a god, Klein. You’re a coward with a shiny gemstone!”

Overlord:
“SHUT UUUUUP!!!!!” *Overlord sends out a shockwave, blowing the Phoenixes backward.*

Nihil:
*Nihil lands on his knee.* “Calias! We need a plan of attack!”

Calias:
“I’m thinking… Got it!” *Calias starts running, Nihil follows behind.* “Have you ever seen someone kick a field goal?”

Nihil:
“I do not know what that is… Is a field goal a type of cattle?”

Calias:
“Juuust follow my lead.”

The Phoenixes both jump into the air and kick Klein with full power, sending him flying towards the butte.

Calias:
*Calias grabs his radio.* “Hannah! He’s coming towards you! Knock him outta here!”

```

```
Hannah:
*Hannah turns and heads to the edge to see the rapidly-incoming Klein.*
*Without time to think, Hannah raises the Blades with crossed arms to unleash an X-shaped blast.*
“...” (So… it’s not just Klein’s Blade…)

POW!!! Klein is smacked by the attack, knocking the Ampythyst away from him as he plummets back down to the street.

Calias:
*Calias pants.* “I… did it… No… We did it…”

Nihil:
“Great work, Calias.”

The Ampythyst falls in front of them, and shatters upon contact.

Calias:
“Well… that takes care of that.”

Nihil:
“Yes…”

Calias:
“Question?”

Nihil:
“Hmm?”

Calias:
“WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE THE UGLY GUY WHO GOT GRIZZ KILLED?!!?”

Nihil:
“Because… I think I was him…”

Calias:
“YOU–Wait… You *think* you *were* him?”

Nihil:
“As I said before, I am Nihil, of Babylon. I am not Polybius, but I believe I was brainwashed *into* being him.”

Calias:
“That… sounds like something Starline would do… Thanks for your help, though I’m not sure what to think of you just yet.”

Nihil:
“It is the least I can do, Calias.”

Calias:
“Hold on. Where’d Klein go?”

At the foot of the butte, Klein attempts to regain his composure as he trudges along the street.

Overlord:
“This… isn’t… the EEENNNNDDD!!! I WON’T BE DEFEATED BY A BUNCH OF BIRDS AND A TINY GIRL!”

Mystery Voice:
“Naw. You won’t. You’ll be defeated by me…”

```

```
Emerald:
“It’s about time you get outta my town…”

Overlord:
“You…”

Emerald:
*Emerald places her hand over her holster.*

Overlord:
*Overlord readies a laser in his blade.*

BANG!
Calias and Nihil hear the gunshot, Flame and Hannah are already making their way over.

Nihil:
“What just happened?”

Calias:
“Let’s go find out!”

All four arrive at the same time to find Klein, incapacitated on the ground, and Emerald standing proud with a smoking gun.

Emerald:
“He never stood a chance ‘gainst the fastest draw in the west.”

Flame:
*Flame pulls out Chaos-inhibiting cuffs and places them on Overlord.*

Hannah:
*Hannah glances at Nihil.*
(This is so weird…) [Flame explained the whole mess on the way down]

Overlord:
*Overlord groggily comes to.* “Good… to see you again… General.”

Flame:
“You…”

Overlord:
“Heheh. It’s been too long.” *Overlord turns to Hannah.* “And you… I thought you looked familiar… Now that I get a closer look, I remember. How’s it going, Seven?”

Flame:
*Flame sets his laser gun to stun and fires on Klein.*

Overlord:
*Overlord passes out.*

Calias:
“...That was weird.”

Hannah:
“...”
(What did he mean?)

Nihil:
“CONGRATULATIONS! We have won the day!!”

Calias:
“Heh… yeah. And boy do I have some stories to tell…”

The other Freedom fighters descend from the butte, and meet with everyone else.

Charlotte:
“Heeey!! You actually did it!” *Charlotte is holding Stripes over her shoulder.*

Calias:
“...Is Star okay?”

Charlotte:
“She’s fine, just spun around too much.”

Stripes:
“They mean it when they say not to try it at home.”

Heraldo:
“Lady Emerald, are ya hurt?”

Emerald:
“No, ya idjit! I don’t get hurt. I’m the mayor!”

Stripes:
*Stripes is still woozy.* “Me neither, I’m too marketable!”

Calias:
“Sooo… After we get everyone on top of the Butte cuffed, I say we go get some root beer.”

Nihil:
“What is root beer?”

Calias:
(Okay… So he’s clueless. Got it.)

Hannah:
“Sounds good.”

Flame:
“We can’t stick around, there’s work to be done. We’re heading out as soon as a truck arrives to take the prisoners.”

Calias:
*Calias breathes deeply.* (Everything’s okay now… I broke the cycle… No more… pain…) *Calias begins to tear up, but tries to hide it.*

Hannah:
*Hannah notices and gives Calias a side hug.*

Calias:
*Calias leans his head on Hannah’s shoulder, as he holds back tears.*
“Thanks, sis…”

Hannah:
*Hannah smiles and nods.*

THE PAGE HAS BEEN TURNED! The mission is completed and life can return to… normal? Wait, what is normal for the Burning Rangers? Does that even exist? We’ll see what happens next time on Organization Chaos 2: Living Ashes.

```

### Episode 9: The Light at the End of the Tunnel!

```
A few hours after the last episode, we find Lady Emerald and Deputy Heraldo in the reclaimed office, picking up broken glass and other debris from Calias and Overlord’s battle.

Heraldo:
“Gwarsh. Everyone scurried right outta here, didn’t they?”

Emerald:
“No concern o’ mine. I got stuff to get back in place.”

Heraldo:
“Right. We still holdin’ this year’s race?”

Emerald:
“This town, this land has been in mah family’s possession for generations, and NOT ONCE have we skipped a year for the Bootstrap Butte 400. Don’t you DARE suggest we cancel it.”

Heraldo:
“Right. Sorry, ma’am.”

[they *did* have to cancel]

Emerald:
*Emerald sits down in her chair, propping her legs on the desk.*

Heraldo:
“How’s it feel ta be back in yer rightful place?”

Emerald:
“Better than ya can imagine, Heraldo… It’s good to be back.”

Meanwhile, outside… We find Charlotte walking out of the broken-down town gates.

Charlotte:
“Hunter Klein… I guess he wasn’t strong enough to be our backup candidate after all… Nathaniel’s not gonna like this.”
*Charlotte grabs a robe out of her backpack and puts it on before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.*

And now we turn our attention over to a secret prison area… Flame is leading Overlord down a slim corridor covered in dim neon lights. There are cells on either side.

Overlord:
*Overlord is still groggy from being zapped.* [I assume that being shot at by the Chaos Blades and Emerald’s gun also contributed to this] “Is… this your dungeon? Nice decor…”

Flame:
“...”
*Reaching an open cell, Flame grabs Klein and tosses him inside.*

Overlord:
*Overlord reels from landing face first.* “You gonna take these cuffs off?”

Flame:
“No, that’s what’s keeping you from escaping.”
*Flame slams the cell door shut.*

Overlord:
“What do you plan to do with my precious Chaos Blade? You know you can’t use it…”

Flame:
“That’s none of your business.”

Overlord:
*Overlord chuckles evilly.* “Yeah, I get it. Wouldn’t want that secret getting out, right?”

Flame:
*Flame scowls.* “I don’t have to put up with this.”
*Flame turns to leave.*

Overlord:
“Nice seeing you again, General! Tell Grizz I said hey.”

Flame:
*Flame’s only response is a narrowing of the eyes as he walks away.*

Before Flame can leave the prison, Violet enters, the entire Ice-Pac in tow.

Violet:
“There you are. Was it worth leaving me with that mess?”

Flame:
“Yes.”

Violet:
“...”
(He’s even grumpier than usual… I’ll ask later.)

Wild:
“Wow. Someone’s in a mood.”

Groovy:
“Prison life is gonna be so much fun…”

Cool:
“SLEEP.”

Flame:
*The positive attitudes of the prisoners are only worsening Flame’s mood.*

As Flame leaves the prison, Violet places the Ice-Pac in cells in a much less aggressive manner.
Flame exits the prison into a dark hallway. A wall closes flush behind him as he continues to walk, Suddenly, he’s in the GLACIA HQ lobby.
Upstairs, we find Calias and Nihil standing outside a door labelled “DEBRIEFING”.

Calias:
“...”

Nihil:
“...”

Calias:
“...”

Nihil:
“You realize one of us has to say something at some point?”

Calias:
*Calias sighs.* “Yeah, I get it… I just really don’t like your face.”

Nihil:
“Would it help if I wore a mask?”

Calias:
“No. Sorry, that was kinda rude of me… Oh yeah! I forgot! I took this necklace from you when you were still… Him.”

Nihil:
“Yes… I recognize it. It is Babylonian. From my homeland…”

Calias:
“Cool! Whatever that means! I think it looks good on me! You agree?”

Nihil:
“No. I think it looked a little better on me…”

Calias:
“...Okay…”

Nihil:
“...Did you get to say goodbye to your friends from the town?”

Calias:
“Uh… kind of. Star didn’t really say goodbye, she just handed me a piece of paper and winked…”

Nihil:
“Strange. What did the paper say?”

Calias:
[this is probably the point Calias pulls the paper out]
“It just had some numbers on it. I think it might be coordinates…”

Nihil:
“It sounds like an old custom of the… “loosely-moral” women of the lower levels of Babylon…”

Calias:
“The what now?”

Nihil:
“I would dispose of that paper as soon as possible, Calias.”

Calias:
“Uh…”

Before Calias can finish his thought, the door opens and out walks Hannah.

Hannah:
“What’s that?”

Calias:
*Calias is holding the paper in his hand.* “A piece of paper with numbers. Star gave it to me.”

Hannah:
*Hannah glances at it.* “Oh, wow. …Do you know what it means?”

Calias:
“...Yeah? I think? It’s a secret code or something, right?”

Hannah:
“It’s her phone number! Or, someone’s.”

Calias:
“OOOOOOOH!!!”
“...”
*Cal’s face goes redder than usual.* “Oh!”

Nihil:
(Poor boy. She’ll break his heart…)

Hannah:
*Hannah smiles.*
“Well, I finished up our report, we can head home now.”

Calias:
“Actually, sis. I wanted to talk to Dr. Dad before we go home. Preferably alone…”

Hannah:
“Oh. Alright… I’ll, uh, be waiting in the lobby…”

Nihil:
“That is fine by me! I have a meeting with the Director, so I shall see you later!”

Calias:
“Okay, Hannah. I’ll meet you downstairs when I’m done.”
*Calias begins walking towards Dr. Dash’s lab.*

We find Dr. Dash in his lab, tinkering away on a secret project. There is a knock at the door.

Dr. Dash:
“Hm?” *Dash looks up.*
*Dash realizes he can’t answer the door at the moment.* “Uh… Who is it?!”

Calias:
“IT’S YOUR BIRD SON! LEMME IN!”

Dr. Dash:
“It’s unlocked!”

Calias:
*Calias opens the door.* “Hey, Dr. Dad. Can I talk to you?”

Dr. Dash:
*Dash isn’t looking up.* “You already are.”

Calias:
“Good one. It’s about the mission, though…”

Dr. Dash:
“One sec…” *Dr. Dash finally concedes and puts down what he’s doing.*
“What is it?” *Dr. Dash takes off his goggles.*

Calias:
“Soooo… You remember that one movie where the guy keeps repeating the day over and over and over again?”

Dr. Dash:
“Uh, I think I’ve seen a movie like that, yeah.”

Calias:
“Okay. Well it happened to me.”

Dr. Dash:
*Dash chuckles.*
“I wouldn’t expect your life to be monotonous.”

Calias:
“Well, no. Course not. I’m Calias the freakin’ Phoenix, after all. But now at least I know what it feels like to be beheaded, impaled, blown up and more…”

Dr. Dash:
*Dash’s eyes grow wide.* “Pardon?”

Calias:
“I died, Dr. Dad. Over a hundred and thirty times. And every time, I went back to the start of the day. A weird voice talked to me every time I died…”

Dr. Dash:
*Dash frowns, knowing Calias isn’t a liar.*

Calias:
“In the… worst one… I was killed by…” *Calias shakes his head, trying to dredge up the repressed memories.*
“It was Hannah. She got ahold of Klein’s gem and she…”

Dr. Dash:
“I… think I need to sit down.”

Calias:
“She killed me. After that, I couldn’t even look her in the eyes…”

Dr. Dash:
*Dash sits in silence, his head resting on clasped hands.*

Calias:
“I tried to run away. But I saw a mirage of Grizz… He told me not to give up. But… Man, that one loop has stuck with me. She went crazy… like, berserk… She’s fine now, though. Don’t worry.”

Dr. Dash:
“...Calias… Sit down.”

Calias:
*Calias sits. His expression has changed to worry.”

Dr. Dash:
“There’s something I need to tell you about your sister…”

Meanwhile, in the lobby. Hannah is waiting for her brother.

Hannah:
(I just want to lay down…)

Flame:
*Flame comes around the corner.*

Hannah:
“Hey.”

Flame:
*Flame glances around momentarily.*
*He lowers his voice.* “Can we talk?”

Hannah:
“Of course.”

Flame:
“Not here.” *Flame immediately starts walking away towards his office.*

Hannah:
*Hannah follows.*

Flame:
*Flame doesn’t slow down until reaching the privacy of his office.*

Hannah:
“Today been a lot?”

Flame:
“Yes, but one thing in particular… Major Meadows revealed something to me.”

Hannah:
“What’s that?”

Flame:
*Flame shakes his head.* “She’s Ma’s daughter.”

Hannah:
“...”
“So she’s your sister?”

Flame:
“HALF-sister.”

Hannah:
“That’s great!”

Flame:
*Flame glares.* “No one can take Tulip’s place.”

Hannah:
“Of course not. Violet doesn’t have to.” (You made that *my* job.) “She has a new place.”

Flame:
“...”

Hannah:
“Give her a chance, Flame. She’s family.”

Flame:
“...”
*Flame opens his laptop and starts working.*

Hannah:
“That… it?”

Flame:
*Flame nods.*

Hannah leaves, deciding to stop by Violet’s office on her way back from the lobby.

Violet:
“Hannah. What brings you here?”

Hannah:
“Flame told me what you told him.”

Violet:
*Violet sighs.* “He didn’t take the news very well.”

Hannah:
“If it’s any comfort… when *I* first met him, he almost punched me in the face.”

Violet:
*Violet chuckles.* “Considering that he told you about me, I take it you two get along well now?”

Hannah:
“Yes, I’m his best friend.”

Violet:
“How did you do it?”

Hannah:
“Persistence. Just continue to be there for him, and one day he’ll decide to let you in.”

Violet:
*Violet nods.*

Hannah:
“Until then, I’ll be doing what I can to nudge him.” *Hannah winks.*
“If you ever need to talk with someone about him… or anything. I’m here.”

Violet:
“Thank you.”

Hannah:
“No problem.” *Hannah smiles and leaves.*

Later that night, at the Dash house. Calias is attempting to sleep. His thoughts weigh heavy with everything he experienced in the past… day.

Calias:
“Come on… I’m tired… but I can’t sleep…” *Calias turns over on his side and tries to close his eyes.*

Mystery Voice:
“Calias…”

Calias:
“?” *Calias opens his eyes. He finds himself now in a black void.*

Mystery Voice:
“I wanted to congratulate you…”

Calias:
“You’re… that voice! Wait. Did I die again?!?”

Mystery Voice:
“No. I have brought you here of my own accord. I wanted to commend you for not giving up back there. Your perseverance is admirable. I chose well when I chose you as my host.”

Calias:
“Host? What? Who are you?”

Mystery Voice:
“That is right. I never told you my name…”

A flash of light reveals the glowing face of a bird.

```

```
Chol:
“My name is Chol. I am the spirit of the Phoenix Factor. An ancient power of resurrection that you now possess.”

```

```
Calias:
*Calias is dumbfounded.*

Chol:
“I understand that this is a lot to process, but please bear with me. Calias. You are an extraordinary being. Artificial, yet so full of life…”

Calias:
“Go on?”

Chol:
“I look forward to working with you in the future. Now… get some rest.”

Calias:
“Wait, that’s it? I wa–” *Calias collapses into slumber, as Chol fades away. Back in his room, he’s finally fallen asleep.*

Somewhere, on the outskirts of Central City. A spacecraft lands. The door opens to reveal a female bird.

```

```
Selphius:
*Selphius looks around.* “So this is Mobius… No time to waste. I have to find the lost prince… The fate of New Babylon is at stake.”

```

```
Johnny:
“...Just keep driving Johnny. You saw nothing…”

AND THUS CONCLUDES THE EPIC TALE OF THE BURNING RANGERS’ MOST DANGEROUS MISSION… so far… What does the future hold for Calias and Hannah? Who is this mysterious bird lady? Answers and even more questions will pile up as we continue, in ORGANIZATION: CHAOS 3 -Rising Fall- and Calias and the Lost Prince of Babylon! Also stay tuned to Our World for more adventures!

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Calias the Phoenix
* Hannah Dash
* Sonny Flame
* Rough the Skunk
* Tumble the Skunk
* Emerald Taylor
* Heraldo Higgins
* Stripes the Star
* Charlotte Mathers
* Hunter Klein
* Johnny Thunder
* Violet Meadows
* Nihil the Phoenix
* Chol
* Bradley Dash
* Giovanni Fifticinco
* B. Cool
* B. Wild
* B. Groovy
* Selphius the Caladrius

## Participants

* Captainclay55
* HannahDash
* Pip9766
* Beau
* GasglowJones