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"Hound, reporting for duty, General Hawk," I reply as I salute the General Monday morning.

"Very good, Hound. Let's begin with your briefing of your first assignment. We have recently learned that there are some environmental terrorists in the Appalachian Mountains. Your mission is to locate them and report their location and activities to the local law enforcement. However, if the law enforcement does not respond, report to Spirit. He will go to the location to capture the terrorists with several other Joes. Under no circumstances are you to engage them, unless it is to hold them there until some form of back up arrives. Any questions?"

"No, sir," I reply.

"Good.  Dismissed."

I arrive in the general area a couple of hours later via airplane.  I scan the area with my binoculars while sitting astride Tiger, my Harley Davidson motorcycle.  I feel the powerful engine thrum quietly beneath me as I stash the binoculars.  His tires easily grip the loose gravel on the dirt road to crest the next hill.

"Possible suspects located at 10 o'clock," Tiger displays on his monitor before his gas tank cap.

I swing my binoculars over to the location and see a small campfire. "No, they are just camping, but I will double check to make sure."

I dismount and head in that direction with Tiger following quietly behind me. I crawl closer and hide behind some bushes. I listen to the conversation.

"I don't understand why we should be out here, Greedy," the blond woman states as she makes an adjustment on her equipment.

"I need your technology to clear cut this forest for money," the heavy man snorts as he stuffs his face. We slowly retreat away from them.

"I was wrong," I whisper to Tiger. "Attention, this is Hound of G. I. Joe.  I have located the terrorists," I key into my radio microphone.

"We hear you, Hound. What is your 20?" someone responds.

I rattle off my location as I lift the binoculars to my eyes to watch the terrorists from a safe distance. I hear an aircraft fly overhead and duck as the craft lands.  Five teenagers climb out and start attacking the terrorists.

"It's the Eco-geeks. Mal, get us out of here!" the woman shouts as she starts to board her craft.

"Oh, no, you don't," I mutter as I jump on Tiger and rev after them.

"Fire!" Someone shouts. Tiger's front tire burns from a stream of fire. I land hard on the dirt.

"They're getting away," a Russian girl exclaims.

"Then let our powers combine. Earth!"

"Fire!"

"Wind!"

"Water!"

"Heart!"

"With your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!" a blue man with green hair states as he forms out of those powers.

"Go, Planet!" the teenagers shout.

"All right, someone is going to pay for that," I growl as I sit upright.  I notice Captain Planet goes after the fleeing terrorists. "No one is getting them but me."

I stand unsteadily as I twirl my hand in a circle. Then I raise my hand, palm up, to create a tornado which catches both criminals and Captain Planet. The five teenagers rush over to me as I then slice my hand through the tornado in front of me. This move destroys the tornado and causes them to fall. I stroll over to the vehicle, ignoring the teens until I handcuff the two terrorists and disconnect their computer.

"You can't do this to me. I am Doctor Blight, renown scientist," the blond woman screeches at me.

"My code name is Hound. I am a tracker for G. I. Joe, and you are under arrest of article 1734 which clearly states that any domestic terrorist actions towards the United States and or its territories will be met with immediate incarceration and trial," I growl back, causing the two villains to shirk from me. "As for you 7, I am placing you under temporary arrest until someone tells me why I was attacked without just cause," I state as I point to Captain Planet, the 5 teenagers, and the monkey sitting on the short South American boy's shoulder.

"We are the Planeteers," the African tries.

"And that means what to me? Virtually nothing. Best explain yourselves before my back up from the local law enforcement arrives," I state as I cross my arms and look at them.

"Kwamé, let me try," the South American states as he steps forward.  "My name is Ma-ti. We came here due to Gaia's orders telling us of some disturbance in this area."

"To my knowledge, Gaia is the spirit of the Earth, right?" I ask a little skeptically.

"That is right," a semi-transparent woman appears before us.

"Gaia," the six exclaim.

"It's all right. She's just trying to do her job," the spirit replies as realization dawns on my face.

"I don't believe it!" I state as I pass my hand through the spirit.

"Do I know you?" Gaia asks me.

"The real name I am about to tell is it to be told to no one save if someone says my code name who knows me. Do you promise not to reveal my secret?" I ask as each of them nod.  "I normally would not trust anyone, but because of her, I'll make an exception. My real name is Christal Lynn Falcon," I state as I let my words sink into their heads.

"You've grown up," Gaia whispers as she recognizes me.

"I had to. I have done a lot since seeing you in Albany, Georgia. I've met the Autobots and became their friend. I've trained in the martial arts and did some singing too. I had to quit the singing business due to unforeseen complications. Then I heard that G. I. Joe was looking for a tracker, and here comes my back up," I state as I point to the dust cloud approaching us. "Please don't say anything about my powers. I want to be recognized for my tracking ability. If they found out I have powers without the mutant gene, they will lock me in a lab and run a wide variety of painful tests on me."

"Sure, no problem," the red hair white American teenage boy states with a thick New York accent.

"Wheeler speaks for us all," Kwamé replies as he nods.

"Thank you," I whisper as the police arrive.

"What happened here, Hound?" one of the officers asks me.

"I arrived on the scene just as the Planteers captured the terrorists with the aid of Captain Planet. I was unsure if they were friend or enemy until we talked," I explain.

"Yes, we have heard of Captain Planet and the Planteers. Good work to you all," the officer in charge replies as they bundle the duo into the paddy wagon. "I see you need a new tire. How did that happen?"

"The blasted thing over heated," I explained as someone tosses me a spare tire. "Thanks.   After I am done here, I'll be reporting back to Joe headquarters."

"Very good. Don't worry about returning the tire. We always carry several spares for both the cars and the motorcycles," the head officer replies.

"Thanks again." After they leave, I start to work on Tiger's front tire. "You're lucky that this fits," I state over my shoulder to the red head teenager.

"Oh?  Why's that?" he asks.

"You're the one who popped my tire in the first place. If it didn't fit, you would have had to replace the wheel," I state as I brush my hands free of dirt.

"Why did you give credit to us?" the blond teenage girl with a Russian accent asks.

"Simple.  If I hadn't intervened, Captain Planet would have won anyway. Besides, like I said, I want to be recognized for my tracking abilities."

"It has been nice talking to you," Kwamé states as he holds his hand out to me.

"And to you, Planeteers. Keep up the good work and safe journey to you all," I state as I hop on Tiger to report back to Joe headquarters.

"The local agency had nothing but high praise for you, Hound," General Hawk replies as I enter the room for my debriefing and next mission.

"Thank you, sir," I reply as I salute.

"Anyway, we have received word that there is a complete black out in Japan," General Hawk starts.

"What does a power outage have to do with me, sir?"

"It's not a normal power outage. We are unable to see any part of Japan. I want you to head over there and find out what is going on.  If the Japanese have developed a cloaking device, find its weak points and report back to base. You'll report directly to Mainframe. Do you understand? Any questions?"

"Sir, yes, sir. No, sir."

"Very well. Dismissed."

Soon I am in Wild Bill's helicopter again, heading to Japan.  As we near the black out zone, the helicopter motor dies. I rush to the front to see Wild Bill trying desperately to pull out of the stall.

"You had better bail!" Wild Bill shouts in his Southern drawl.

"What about you?" I ask as I don a parachute and strap one over the nonfunctioning Tiger.

"Don't worry about me. You've got a mission to complete!" Wild Bill shouts back at me as I push Tiger out the door. His parachute opens seconds after clearing the helicopter.

"Be careful!" I shout before I jump.

I pull the cord on the parachute after I clear the diving helicopter.  I land without incident and repack my parachute before walking over to the motionless Harley Davidson motorcycle. I try to turn the ignition, but instead of starting, Tiger just clicks. I sigh as I roll him over to an empty parking lot.  I watch as the helicopter crashes into a building and hangs precariously before I dash into the building to find Wild Bill.

"Please, don't be dead," I pant as I rush up the stairs.

I reach the floor where the helicopter crashed and head towards the teetering helicopter. Grabbing a rope from my pack, I secure the helicopter as best I can until I could grab the chain inside the helicopter's bay. The helicopter wobbles in the crash site as I quickly secure the chain to the stairwell outside the office. I look in the cockpit to find an unconscious and alive Wild Bill.  I sigh in relief as I turn the helicopter switches to the off position. Then I get him safely out and his wounds treated.

I drape him over my shoulder and head down the stairs to the bottom level.  My progress is unimpeded by the lack of people in the building; however, the building itself looks newly made.  I hide him in the security room and head out to find other people in the city. I run to the sounds of a battle as I loosen my sword from its sheath.

Five armored young men stand surrounded by numerous armored soldiers.  In the center are a white male tiger, a young boy, and a young woman. Both groups are armed with weapons of all sorts save for guns and their like.  The soldiers say nothing as the young man in the green armor motions towards me.

"Ryo, look! If the Dynasty spots her, she's toast!" the green armor states to the leader in white armor¹.

"Oh no! Look!" the young boy points as I turn in time to dodge a sword slash.

"Not nice," I mutter as I remove my sword to block various attacks.

I back flip over the soldiers' heads and away from the young men.  Overhead, a warlord points to me, and the soldiers follow me. I turn and run while the seven young people look at my fleeing form as the soldiers continue to follow.

"Time for some hard ball," I state as I leap up into the air and land on a horizontal flagpole.

I turn the ring on my sword's hilt and split it into two katanas.  I twirl them in my hands as I jump down and start slashing and hacking through the soldiers.  Those I cut fall to the ground as a mist rises from their bodies. Seeing that there is too many, even for me, I connect the two hilts together and twist it slightly.  Then I spin the connected twin katanas faster and faster. Finally, the blades twirl so fast that it starts to cause a mini horizontal tornado.  It blasts the soldiers and thus slams all of them into the walls. Mist rises from all of them, and then they are still. I sigh in relief as the 7 humans and the tiger rush over to me.  I undo my sword and sheath it, then place my hands on my thighs, panting heavily.

"You okay?" the warrior in the white armor asks me.

"Yeah, just need to catch my breath. Name's Hound, what's yours?" I ask between breaths.

"Mine's Ryo, and this is Sage, Mia, Yu-Li, Kento, Cye, Rowen, and White Blaze," the white armored warrior replies as he motions to the young man in green armor, the young woman, the boy, the orange armored warrior, the light blue armored fighter, the dark blue armored archer, and the male snow tiger.

"Your name can't really be Hound, is it?" Yu-Li asks as they look at me.

"Hound is my code name. I work for G. I. Joe, but if I tell you my real name, will you be able to keep it a secret?" Each of them nods before I continue. "Okay, I'll trust you. My real name is Christal Falcon."

"You will pay for this, Ronin Warriors!" the warlord shouts down at us.

"How about saying it to our faces, you coward!" I shout back up to him.

That gets the warlord angry, and he jumps down to pound my face into my skull.  Before he gets a chance, I raise my hand, clench it in the air, and bring it down to the ground, hard and fast.  Mere seconds later, the warlord becomes embedded in the concrete.

"Don't try to bite off more than you can chew," I reply to the unconscious warlord.

"Wow! How did you do that?" Yu-Li asks as he prances around me.

"It is a gift. I can increase the velocity of anything falling to the earth with devastating results," I shrug.

"Are you a mutant?" Mia asks me warily.

"Nope, I have been tested, and the tests came back negative on being a mutant," I reply.

"You are an American, right?" Sage asks as he notes the flag emblem on my shoulder.

"Right as rain. Why do you ask?"

"You're speaking Japanese as fluently as one who is born here," Rowen replies.

"Whoa, you're right, Rowen," Ryo adds.

"No biggie. My master trained me in the art of ninjitsu, and he is pure Japanese. I asked him to teach me the language while teaching me how to fight.  Another reason why I was sent here over everyone else. Anyway, seeing how we are the only ones in the city, you mind telling me what is going on?"

After a couple of hours of them explaining the story, I lean against the wall, thinking. They wait expectantly for me to react. I stand up straight and nod softly.

"Well?" Cye asks as I walk to the door.

"The only way to remove this blackout over the city is to defeat the Dynasty," I reply over my shoulder to them.

"You shouldn't be involved," Rowen tries as White Blaze stands next to me.

"My mission forces me to be involved," I reply as I look at the dark sky while lightly touching White Blaze. "My commander told me to investigate, and if possible, if this poses a threat to the U.S., to call for help to shut it down. However, all communications to the rest of the world are blocked, thus I have to help whoever is going to shut it down. So, my mission it to help you any way I can."

"So, when do we go after the Dynasty?" Rowen asks as I lean back up against the wall.

"It doesn't matter to me," I reply as White Blaze looks up at me.

"Let's attack in the morning," Ryo replies as everyone nods.

"I'll go find us some food," Mia replies as I push myself away from the wall.

"I will go with you, Mia," I reply as I follow her up the stairs to the street.

"You two be careful," Cye states as White Blaze follows us.

"Don't worry, we will!" Mia answers as we weave our way through buildings to find food.

"Mia, we can use this cart and set it up so we can haul what we need instead of constantly going out to get food and such," I reply as I point to the wooden cart.

"Wouldn't it be stealing?" Mia asks.

"Not if we are the only ones left in the city. Besides, we'll return it when everyone gets back," I logically point out to her.

"Good point," Mia replies as we each take a side of the cart to pull it along with us.

After a couple of hours of rummaging, we fill the cart with food and bedding.  During our trek back, we run across a couple of Dynasty soldiers whom I dispense with very quickly without attracting attention. Soon we distribute the food and bedding to everyone. The rest of the night passes in silence as I think about the upcoming battle.

"Even with Talpa destroyed, we are still getting Dynasty warriors trying to get Ryo's White Armor of Inferno and the Soul Swords of Fervor," Yu-Li replies in the morning.

"Besides going after the Jewel of Life," Rowen states as we eat breakfast.

Soon we make our way to the Dynasty palace. I draw my sword and take point while watching very warily around us. We reach the throne room inside the palace.

"Destroy the Ronin Warriors!" the lead boss screams to the soldiers.

"Ronin Warriors, to arms!" Ryo shouts as I leap into the fray to buy them the time needed to don their magical armor.

My blades flash ferociously as dozens of soldiers fall.  I throw my shirakin into the army. The flying blades screech through the air while hitting soldier after soldier. Then the Ronins are in their armor and face the Dynasty Emperor.

"Looks like you're out of troops," Rowen replies as I pant slightly.

"Blast you humans," the Emperor growls as he launches at me.

"Look out!" Sage calls out a second too late.

I side step the charging Emperor and tap him on his backside with the flat of my blade. He lands heavily as I shake my head. He growls angrily as he slams his fists into the ground.

"Honestly, you Dynasty warriors are all the same. In fact, you're not the only one who wants this world," I state as the angry warrior stands. "Is that all you bad guys can think of? Take over a world with a multitude of problems? Personally, I wouldn't want this world, even if it was offered on a silver platter with the leaders begging me to take it."

"Why is that?" he growls at me as he readies his weapon.

"War, famine, crime, hate, poverty. Need I go on? The people will complain when these problems are not taken care of immediately, and then I would have a revolution on my hands. That's why you should give up your quest!" I reply as I neatly run my sword straight through the Emperor's armor. "Maybe, if you are reincarnated, you'll find a different line of work in the next life."

"Wow!" Yu-Li exclaims as the Dynasty Emperor falls down while mist rises up from his armor.

"How did you do that?" Sage asks.

"Evil is the same no matter where one goes. I just hit a nerve, and got him thinking. While those wheels were slowly turning, I ended his train of thought by ending his existence," I shrug.

"Come on. Let's find Lady Kyra and the Warlords," Ryo states as we search the palace.

Using my tracking abilities, I find them in the dungeon. After I release them, the Warlords look at me skeptically. I ignore them and listen to Kyra.

"Thank you, Ronin Warriors. That was the last of those who wanted control of the Netherworld," Kyra replies.

"Don't thank us, Lady Kyra. Thank Hound here," Ryo points out to her.

"Thank you, Hound. We can now return the balance," Kyra states as she curtsies to me.

"Forget about it. I did my job and completed my mission. I hope the black out around this city will disappear once the palace is back to where it belongs.  Right?"

"Quite right. Thank you again," Kyra states as her magic deposits the nine of us on terra firma.  Then the palace disappears, and mere minutes later, Tiger roars over to us with questions blaring on his monitor.

"Slow down. You have to give me time to read your questions," I reply, in English, to my bike as the questions are repeated slowly.

"Who are you talking to?" Kento asks as he lifts an eyebrow at me.

"My bike. Tiger, these are the Ronin Warriors-Ryo, Sage, Rowen, Cye, and Kento with their friends Mia, Yu-Li, and White Blaze. As to your questions, Tiger, the black out was caused by outside magical forces meaning to take over this section before going after the world. I couldn't call for help due to the lack of power and communications. There were the only ones I found, so I helped them with the situation," I explain quickly in English.

"You are able to read all of that?" Sage asks as he looks at the monitor.

"Yes, I did not set him up to understand multiple languages.  In time, I think I will add that program," I reply in Japanese.

"With the Dynasty gone, that means your mission is completed," Cye replies as I translate for Tiger.

"That also means I should find Wild Bill, the helicopter pilot who flew me here, and head back to the States," I reply.

"Do you really have to go?" Yu-Li asks pleadingly.

"Unfortunately, yes, Yu-li. My mission is completed, and knowing my commanding officer, he is bound to have more missions for me."

"Couldn't you stay just a little bit to play a game of baseball?" Yu-Li tries.

"I suppose I could if Tiger would go keep an eye on Wild Bill," I reply.  Then I ask in English, "Tiger, could you keep an optic on Wild Bill for me?"

"Sure thing," Tiger displays as he then races towards Wild Bill's location.

"Just a quick game," I state as Yu-Li grabs a ball while Mia hands me a baseball bat.

We divide into two teams. Ryo, Sage, Rowen, and I are on one team while Mia, Yu-Li, Kento and Cye are on the other. The game ends when White Blaze catches the ball and runs off with it. We laugh as we chase the snow tiger to the park.  Everyone falls into a heap as we catch out breaths. I stand up and dust the dirt and grass off me.

"I wish you could stay longer. You're the nicest American I've met," Yu-Li blurts out loud.

"Thank you, Yu-Li, I think," I reply. "I know a lot of Americans have bad reps for wanting everyone to speak English, but I hope you don't hold that against all of us."

"Yu-Li, that was not real nice to say to her," Ryo chastises the young boy.

"Don't worry about it. I'm used to be treated poorly," I shrug as we say our good-byes. Then I head back to find Wild Bill slowly waking up.  "Welcome back to the conscious world, Wild Bill," I state as I help the woozy helicopter pilot to his feet.

"What happened?" he asks as he sees the helicopter precariously balanced in the shattered glass windows.

"The Japanese government had nothing to do with the black out over this city," I state as I explain everything to him while he checks the copter.

"Whoa, that is hard to believe," he states as he starts the helicopter.

"What's going to be even harder is getting this helicopter back to Joe headquarters," I retort.

"Good point, but I should be able to do it," he states as the helicopter comes to life.

I release the chain and ropes. Then he flies out of the hole and hovers near it. I jump in on Tiger, and we head back to the States and Joe headquarters.

"And that's my report, General Hawk," I reply at the debriefing.

"Good work, Hound. Luckily, your next mission is here in the States. Your mission is to track down Cobra. Our latest intelligence places their base somewhere in the Mojave Desert in the Southwest.  Once you locate them, report back in and give the rest of the Joes the coordinates. Keep an eye on them until we arrive, and report any movement immediately. Any questions?" General Hawk asks as he points to the map while briefing me.

"No, sir," I reply.

"Good.  Your mission starts immediately. We can't run the risk of Cobra picking up our helicopters on their radar, so you'll have to go there by road.  Dismissed," General Hawk orders.

I head out to my bike and fill his tank completely.  After I pack lightly, I stow my stuff into his saddlebags.  I place a few weapons in the secret storage compartments and take my sword and shirakin with me. I wave to friends as I pass Joes exercising, talking, and going to various buildings.

Soon I am on the highway heading west. I make remarkable time as the miles roll behind me quickly.  Two days later finds me searching the desert inconspicuously. I find the Cobra nest right in the middle of the desert under a very large rock.

"Typical snakes," I chuckle as I report back to headquarters. I make camp a little ways away so I wouldn't draw attention but still be able to watch them easily.

The Joes arrive at night and quietly. Cobra wakes the next morning to find themselves surrounded on all fronts by G. I. Joe. They rush out to fight and drive us away from their base.

Somewhere in the middle of the battle, I find myself facing Serpantor himself.  Tiger roars as I easily dodge his laser shots from his sky sled. I leap from Tiger, who keeps moving, to grab a hold of his cape. We tumble to the sand as we regain our footing.

"How dare you touch me!" he hisses as he takes a hold of one of his snakes around his neck and turns it into a spear.

I easily catch the thrown snake as it flies right towards my heart.  Then I twirl it as he looks at me in astonishment. He takes a step back as I walk towards him.

"Not a wise move," I state as I throw the snake spear directly at him.  It barely misses him and then slithers away.

"No one can control my snakes but me," Serpantor hisses angrily as Cobra flees the base.

"Big deal. I have a natural affinity with animals," I state as he climbs onto his sled.

"Hound, stop Serpantor!" the General shouts at me.

I leap again and tackle him to the ground. We are evenly matched in strength and speed as I do a roundhouse kick at him. He catches my leg and tries to throw me away, but I use the lift from my captured leg to aim another kick to his head. Serpantor falls heavily to the ground.

"Serpantor is hurt! Cobra attack!" Doctor Mind Bender shouts as Cobra tries to reclaim their leader; however, the Joes drive them away and place Serpantor in chains.

"Well done, Hound. Let's head back to base," General Hawk congratulates me.

"Wait! I wish to know the name of the one who found the Cobra base," Serpantor hisses angrily.

"You should watch your tongue if you want to live long," Roadblock rhymes while pointing at the captured Cobra leader.

"I asked a simple question, Joe. Only the best tracker on Earth could have found my base so easily without being detected," Serpantor replies.

"What do you think, General Hawk? Or should we keep that information locked?" Roadblock asks.

"I don't see any harm in him knowing. He's not going anywhere," General Hawk answers as he looks at me. "Go ahead and tell him."

"The tracker who found your base is the very same one who stuffed it into your face," Roadblock answers.

"As clear as mud, Joe," Serpantor hisses at Roadblock.

"What the man is trying to say is a woman took you down," I reply as Roadblock pushes Serpantor into a prison truck.

"You?!" he hisses incredulously.

"Right as rain, though in your case, I wouldn't want to touch it for fear of it being venom," I reply as I straddle my bike and follow the Joes back to base.

"Thanks to Hound, we have Serpantor in custody. The Cobra base has been abandoned according to our sensors.  Hound, you will need to go in with a small group to for any intel you can find. If there are any prisoners, take them into custody until after your mission is completed. Select the 3 Joes who will go with you," General Hawk states as I nod.

"First, I want volunteers," I reply as every Joe steps forward.  "Okay, seeing how all of you are fired up to go into the snakes' den, I choose Mainframe for his additional skills, Lifeline in case any of us gets hurt, and…," I hesitate as I think to myself before adding out loud, "Snake Eyes for his stealth."

"You will leave as soon as possible. Dismissed."

"I want to pack some things into my saddlebags on my bike.  We'll leave when you have everything you need for infiltration," I state as I go to the armory to pack the items.

Half an hour later finds us heading back to the Cobra base. We park our vehicles just outside the base. I nod to Mainframe who gets to work at unlocking the bay doors. A thumbs up appears, and we drive our vehicles inside to safety.

"First thing is first," I state as I set Tiger to scan.  "That's to get any civilians found and out of their cells."

"General Hawk said to get any intel," Mainframe argues.

"Can you change the key codes so no one else can get in?" I ask as I cross my arms and lean against Tiger.

"Yeah, I already did it when I hacked into their system," he replies.

"You shut down the external radios so no information can leave, right?"

"It's standard procedure to make sure no information can leave the computers," Mainframe states.

"Then what's the problem? According to the scanners, the only people in here are prisoners and us," I reply.

"What about Zartan?" Lifeline asks.

"Yeah, he can avoid scanner detection," Mainframe replies.

"True, but Tiger here can pick up anything out of the ordinary.  I am going by his scanners," I reply. Snake Eyes makes some gestures, which Tiger translates for me. "You're right, Snake Eyes. Zartan is still in prison with the Baroness.  So no worries either way."

"We'll head to the mainframe, while you and Lifeline free those prisoners," Mainframe replies.

"Just watch out for traps," I reply as I wave to them as the two of us head to the prison cells.

"You better take point, Hound. I don't like fighting," Lifeline states as I pass him.

"That's no problem, Lifeline. It takes more courage not to fight than it does to fight. Why do you think I choose to track than fight?  I know I can fight, and I'm the only one who needs to know that," I reply as I lead the way.

"Then why do it?"

"The same reason you are a medic, because I am needed.  I do it because it is necessary. I don't fight excessively. I do enough to get the job done, if any is required," I reply as I key some numbers to one of the cell doors.

The doors slowly open, and we step inside the room.  I let him think about what I said as I go to work on the cell doors themselves. Tired and weak people of all backgrounds cower in their cells as Lifeline prepares his medical kit. After I get one door open, a tall girl with brown hair tries to attack him.

"We are not your enemies," I reply in English while moving to block her.

Her friends speak in hurried Japanese, trying to stop her from fighting.  I smile softly as my ears translate what they are saying easily. She sees the smile as a threat and tries to land a punch on me, but I catch her fist.

"Do you know what they are saying, Hound?" Lifeline asks.

"Yep.  Just a second."  Then I explain to the girls in Japanese that we are not the enemies, and there is not need to fight us.

"You weren't cooped up in this cell for so long," the long raven hair girl states sulkily.

"We are here to treat your wounds and take you back home," I explain in Japanese.

"What is your name?" the blue hair girl asks me with a lot of intelligence shining in her eyes.

"My code name is Hound, but I am also know as Christal Falcon.  Please keep my real name and what I am going to tell you a secret, okay," I ask as I feel as though they will only trust me if I tell them about my past.

"Serena can't keep secrets," the raven hair girl replies as she thumbs towards the dual ponytail blond.

"Shut up, Raye. I can too," she retorts as they get into a raspberry contest. The other girls sigh as I shrug my shoulders.

"Hey, it doesn't matter to me. If you're hurt, see that man? He'll get you patched up. Me, I have to open the rest of the cells," I state as I head towards the other locked doors.

"Why are you doing this?" the tall brown hair girl asks suspiciously in Japanese.

"It's my job. Um, you know my name, but I don't know yours," I reply as I go to work on the next set of doors.

"My name is Amy, and these are my friends, Serena, Raye, Mina, and Lita," the blue hair girl replies as she points to the blond with dual ponytails, the raven hair, the long blond hair, and the brown hair fighter.

"That's Lifeline. He's G. I. Joes' field medic," I reply as I motion to him.

"Will they let me treat them?" Lifeline asks me.

"He wants to know if you will let him treat your wounds," I ask in Japanese for him after holding an index finger towards him.

"We are not as badly hurt as the others," Mina states in Japanese as I unlock the cell door.

"Oh, no, Darien!" Serena calls out as she pushes me aside to get to the man inside the cell. "Darien, speak to me," she sobs as a raven hair man lays unconscious on the floor.

"Lifeline, get him treated," I state as I gently pull Serena away from the man.  "It will be all right, Serena.  Lifeline will help him," I state in Japanese while gently stroking her back.

"He can't die. I didn't get a chance to tell him I love him recently," Serena sobs as she buries her head against my warm heat regulated coat.

"Hound, I'm afraid it looks grim. He's dying," Lifeline states softly while stepping back.

"Amy, can you get the rest of the doors unlocked?" I ask the girl while handing Serena to Lita.

"If I had a computer lap top, I could," comes the Japanese reply.

"Here, borrow mine," I reply as I toss her my laptop and motion them out of the cell.

"What about Darien?" Mina asks.

"If you can keep Lifeline busy with the other prisoners, I'll see what I can do for Darien," I reply as I remove my gloves.

"What are you going to do?" Serena sniffs.

"I am going to use magic to heal him," I reply. "But I can't have Lifeline know about it. Please help him with the others."

"Okay," Amy, Raye, and Mina reply as Lifeline looks at me.

"Amy there will help with the rest of the doors. I'm going to see what I can do for him. Serena here is his girlfriend, and she doesn't want him to die," I explain to him.

"How?" Lifeline asks as he follows Amy to the next cell.

"Let me worry about that, okay? You worry about the rest of the prisoners," I reply as Darien opens his eyes slowly.

"S-s-serena?" he asks weakly.

"She's here. My name is Hound.  Don't be afraid.  I will try to heal you," I state softly as I rest my cold hands on his bare arms.

He shivers from my icy touch as Serena pushes away from Lita to sit next to him. I smile softly as I see the love in their eyes. Then I close my eyes and call upon the voice for guidance.

"Hear me, my child. You have the gift to restore life. You know how to use it, but why do you want to heal this man?" the voice asks in my head.

"He loves her, and she loves him. It is not right that Cobra should destroy such love so easily.  I fight Cobra, and I will gladly die to save him, just to spite Cobra," I answer in my mind. I hear the voice chuckle softly as I wait.

"Very well. Since this is your first time doing this, it will pull strength from you and make you weak.  As time goes by; however, you will be able to heal those at the gates of death without it sapping any of your strength. Remember the first time you called down lightning and how your hand glowed?  You must make both your hands glow again, and once they are glowing, you must gently force the glow to bathe him.  No matter what, you must not stop until you can no longer push any more glow into his body. Once his body is full of your glowing magic, you must break contact with him.  Do you understand?"

“I do not understand fully, but I will do as you say,” I mentally state to the voice.

“Then that is all I can tell you to do to heal. There is still much you need to learn, but I teach only what you ask for. Good luck, child.”

“Darien, please don’t go,” Serena whispers as I keep my eyes closed.

Slowly my hands glow, and his weak heartbeat and my strong one drown out all other sounds. After my hands glow bright enough for me to see their light from behind my tightly shut eyelids, I gently push the glow into Darien.  At first, there is no change in his heartbeat, but with each painful second, on my part, his heartbeat grows stronger.  Just as I feel I can push no more of the glow into him because of me feeling very sleepy, his body stops accepting the glow. I sigh softly as I break contact and open my eyes weakly.

“Oh, thank you!” Serena exclaims as she hugs Darien who checks his body for any remaining wounds.

“You’re welcome, Serena,” I reply in Japanese as I sit back on my heels before passing out cold.

“Come on, baby girl. You have to wake up,” a familiar voice tells me in my mind.

“I happen to like this feeling of nothingness.  Leave me be,” I mutter in my mind.  “There’s nothing for me back there.”

“There’s me,” the tall demon replies as he appears in my mind’s eye.

“Boethiah?” I ask as the demon nods.

“Darling angel, I am waiting for you. Please don’t die.  Tell me why you wish to die,” he asks me gently.

“I was raped, and then the child that I was carrying was killed,” I explain. “I carried life inside me only to have it snatched away from me.”

“Shh, sweetling. When that beam hit you, I intervened so you would lose that man’s child. I did not want my sweet angel of light to be burdened with a child that should not have been.  If I had let you carried the child to term, that child would have turned on you and killed you as you brought it into the world,” he states as he gently smoothes down my hair.

“I would have died during childbirth?” I ask as I look up at him.

“Hmmhmm,” he nods as he brushes my tears from my face. “You saved my life.  I owed you, and I couldn’t let my master do that to you.”

“Your master?” I ask.

“Yes, the master of all evil is my master.  I may get into trouble, but it will be worth it to see you again. Please, sweet angel, wake up and don’t think of dying on me, okay?”

“Okay, Boethiah,” I reply to myself as I slowly wake up.

“Thank goodness. We thought we lost you,” Amy replies as I sit up a little.

“I still have a lot of work ahead of me, so I can’t die. Not now, anyways,” I reply as I stand on shaky legs.

“Easy does it,” Darien states as he steadies me.

“How are we doing?” I ask Lifeline.

“We haven’t lost one. I don’t know what you did to save his life, but it worked.  Let’s head back to the garage.  Mainframe and Snake Eyes are waiting for us there,” Lifeline replies.

“Lead on,” I state as I lean up against the wall.

“Are you all right?” Mina asks me.

“Yeah. Follow Lifeline, and I’ll be right behind you all, okay?” I reply in Japanese.

They nod as I fall behind all of them.  Soon we meet up with Snake Eyes and Mainframe. Everyone climbs into the three other vehicles as Darien stays near me.

“I don’t think Serena would like it if you rode with someone else and not with her,” I state softly to him while shakily putting on my helmet.

“I’ll explain it to her later.  You are still weak from what you did for me, and I seriously doubt you’ll be able to drive,” Darien states as the three vehicles start their engines.

“Hound, Darien will have to ride with you.  There’s no more room in any of the vehicles,” Mainframe states as they close the hatches.

“Okay, fine. Here,” I state to Darien as I toss him a helmet from my saddlebag.  “I can just imagine what Serena is saying right now,” I mutter to myself in English as Darien climbs on Tiger behind me.

“Once we’re clear, this place is going to rebury itself to make it hard for Cobra to use this base again,” Mainframe keys over the CB.

“Good. Let’s get back to base to get these civilians back to their homes,” I key as I rev Tiger’s engine.

An hour later finds the three of us briefing General Hawk on our finds and the prisoners on their way home. I neatly cover a yawn as we finish with our report.

“Well done. As much as I would like to give you a vacation, Hound, I can’t.  The rest of you are dismissed to go on your vacation. Hound, there are problems in New York City. Our sources say that it is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I want you to check it out and report what you find. If it is these Turtles, find their lair, and give its location; however, if it isn’t them, then bring me the leader who is responsible.  Do you understand this mission perfectly?”

“Perfectly,” I reply as he dismisses me.

I pack my gear in Rocky and hitch Tiger to the back.  Soon we head to the base’s airport to get a lift to New York City. During the flight, I catch some zs to get rid of the tiredness in my body.

“ETA 10 minutes, Hound,” the pilot calls to me.

“Mmmhmm,” I nod as I stretch and ready myself for the landing.

The blast of cold air barely penetrates my insulated heating outfit as I drive Rock ‘n Roll down the service ramp.  I roll my shoulders as I head out of the airport to the snow cleared streets of New York City.  I stop next to a manhole cover and lightly scratch my head.

“What’s wrong?” Rocky asks on his monitor.

“There just has to be an easier way of getting a hold of them,” I mutter as I open the manhole. “Stay here and out of trouble, okay? I should be back in a few hours,” I reply as I drop down into the sewers.

“Great, you get to have all the fun,” Tiger displays on my hand held.

“If you think getting sewer water on you is fun, you can find them,” I reply as I trudge through the city’s filth.

I hold my nose while walking. Rocky chuckles as I slosh my way to the dry lanes on either side of the sewer water. I stop in my tracks as I hear voices ahead of me. I hold my breath as I listen carefully.

“Man, it’s not fair. We’re getting the blame while the Shredder gets away,” a very familiar voice with a slight California accent complains.

“There’s nothing we can do about it, Michaelangelo,” the calm voice of their unofficial leader replies as I let out a sigh of relief.

“Who goes there?” Raphael asks angrily as the four Turtles draw their weapons.

“Gee, the last time I hid in the shadows, you couldn’t find me because of my excellent ventriloquism,” I reply as I wait for their next move.

“No one hid from us,” Michaelangelo replies as he twirls one of his nun chucks easily in one hand.

“Really? I seem to recall a young girl who had just been asked to become a very famous singer, who at this moment is dubbing missing, hid from four ninjas as easily as you twirl one of your nun chucks, Michaelangelo,” I reply as I grab the twirling nun chuck and pull it easily out of his hand.

“Hey!” Michaelangelo shouts as I step out of the shadows.

“All right, you had better tell us who you are and fast,” Raphael growls as he starts to press his sai against my neck.

“I don’t think you want to threaten me, Raphael,” I reply softly while looking the turtle in the red bandana square in the eyes.

“Oh? What are you going to do about it?” he growls.

“I guess you want to learn the hard way,” I sigh as I deftly sidestep him and knock both sais out of his hands with Michaelangelo’s nun chuck.

“That move. It is only taught to the Foot,” Leonardo replies as Raphael rubs his knuckles.

“Bad move, girl. Now, you are going to get hurt,” Raphael growls as he launches himself at me.

“Hasn’t anything Master Splinter sunk in?  Allow your opponent the first move and then act,” I state as I grab his flying fist and hurl him back against his brothers.

“That’s it! She’s going down!” Donatello growls as Raphael falls on top of the other three.

“Enough!” the sewers rattle slightly from the commanding voice of their and my sensi.

“Finally,” I sigh as I toss Michaelangelo his nun chuck.

“What is the meaning of this?” Master Splinter asks while lifting an eyebrow at me.

“Greetings, Master Splinter,” I reply as I turn and bow to the graying brown rat.

“Do I know you, child?” he asks politely.

“Yes, Master Splinter. My name is Christal Falcon,” I reply as I rise to look into his wary eyes.

“Christal Falcon is missing,” he replies.

“I am not missing, Master Splinter.  I was given a choice of staying as a singer and having a scandal or leaving and having no scandals,” I reply.

“I need proof as to who you really are,” Master Splinter replies.

“Well, they didn’t believe me on the hiding in the shadows and throwing my voice, but I know one thing that will prove to you that I am Christal Falcon. I had just lost my link to my friends, the Autobots, when I ran away from home with one intent in mind. I still have that knife, if you would like further proof. It is still as sharp as the day I planned to end my life with it, but a four-foot tall rat talked me out of doing the deed. He trained me in the ancient art of Ninjitsu, enabling me to develop the backbone to stand up to my mother and tell her I can be friends with whoever I wanted,” I reply as I remove the switchblade from my belt pouch and hand it to Master Splinter.

“Yes, this is the same knife, and the story rings true. What happened to you for you to fall from being a famous singer to living down here in the sewers?” he asks as we head to their lair.

“I was raped by a crazy fan.  My guard was nearby when it happened but did nothing to stop it.” I lower my head slightly. “I found out I was pregnant in Fission City and thus left the band. However, when I got to Chicago, I saved a woman’s life but lost the child.”

“Don’t you feel upset about the loss?” Donatello asks.

“Actually, now when I think about it, I don’t.  Think about it from this point of view.  The child, had I gone to term, was a child whose father was the one who brutally raped me.  I would only see the father and take my anger and hatred out on the child. It is better that the child died so I couldn’t hate it because of its father.”

“Its?” Michaelangelo asks as he raids the refrigerator.

“The baby wasn’t developed enough for me to tell what sex it was,” I reply as I sit down in the seat offered by Leonardo.

“Did you hate the woman you save?” Raphael asks.

“Actually, no, I don’t hate her. She gave me shelter until I could figure out what to do with myself. A friend of hers offered me a job at G. I. Joe, which I took. I learned a lot of fighting techniques, which I can use.  The training that you gave me in tracking paid off several times all ready.”

“So, what brings you to New York?” Leonardo asks while polishing his katana.

“I came to find out who is causing problems here.  Joe sources say it is you guys, but you and I both know that’s a lie. So, what’s going on?”

“You remember what we told you about the Shredder?” Donatello asks as I nod. “He’s the one behind it all.”

“Wonderful. Any idea where he is at?”

“Why do you ask?” Leonardo asks as he looks up from his polishing.

“Simple. I was ordered to turn the troublemaker or makers over to the proper authorities.  Since I will not turn you four in, I had better turn in the Shredder,” I reply as I cross my arms slightly.

“Child, you would not be able to capture him by yourself,” Master Splinter chides me.

“I am sorry, Master Splinter, but my commanding officer ordered me to either bring in the Ninja Turtles or the one causing all the problems who happens to be the Shredder. If you will not help me, I will then be forced to bring you four in for questioning. Now, would you rather have your bad publicity removed by this deed of helping or have it forever ruined by not helping?” I ask as I relax slightly. “It’s your choice of course, but don’t hate me because I AM doing my job.”

“Do you really think we will lead you to old Shred Head? Master Splinter thinks you’re Christal, but I don’t,” Raphael growls.

“I’m not against being followed, if that’s what you want, Raphael. I merely want to bring the troublemakers here in New York to justice. You seem to be heck bent on trying to capture him yourself when you fail to see the problems you are actually causing to the residents.  People, non-mutant people, don’t trust the mutant variety regardless of their original background.  Now, either help out or butt out, Raphael,” I calmly state with a slight edge to my voice.

“I know you can’t make me,” Raphael razes me.

“Fine, be that way. I’ll prove who I am,” I reply as I start to sway softly.

“What are you doing?” Raphael asks.

“I’m debating on singing or telling you about the rape and what happened after I left,” I state softly.

“So?” Raphael retorts.

“Raphael!” Master Splinter exclaims angrily.

“It’s okay. I understand that they are suspicious of me. I would be too, but since you guys won’t believe me, then I will have to capture the Shredder on my own. You can follow me if you want. I don’t care, but don’t be surprised if I pull a couple of wild cards out of nowhere,” I reply as I turn and head towards a service ramp into the sewers.

I press a button on my communicator and lean against the wall, waiting. My wait is not long as music from the powerful engine of Rock ‘n Roll reaches our ears.  I smile softly as the Turtles back away from the red Silverado racing towards me. He comes to a stop in front of me as Tiger grumbles slightly in his trailer.

“Whoa! A driverless truck?” Michaelangelo exclaims as I nod.

“Right, Mike,” I reply as I climb into Rocky’s bed to pull out a small box. “I knew I might have a hard time convincing you in who I really am. So here,” I reply as I hand Raphael the small box.

“I don’t believe it,” Raphael exclaims as he lifts up pictures of all of us before I was discovered. He hands the Polaroids to the others as he realizes that I speak true.

“It is you,” Donatello replies as he looks at me closer with one of the pictures in his hands.

“That’s what I have been trying to tell you,” I chuckle.

“So I take it that becoming a mother didn’t sit well with you, huh, dudette?” Michaelangelo asks as they slightly touch my stomach.

“On the contrary, I wanted to be a mother, but the child was forcefully aborted from my body,” I answer softly.

“What do you mean, child?” Master Splinter asks as Leonardo places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“Simple. I saved the life of a woman, got injected with a serum, and got a ray bath which caused my body to become exothermal which in turn caused the forced abortion.”

“Um, in English, dudette,” Michaelangelo asks sheepishly.

“Okay. A serum or drug was injected into my body, and I got coated in a ray.  I found out that the side effects are being cold all of the time and the loss of the child.  What other side effects there are I have yet to discover,” I explain.

“When did this happened?” Donatello asks.

“Over a year ago. I spent some time with G. I. Joe after two months with the woman I saved. I had to get on with my life, and I couldn’t go back to being the White Lioness.  Too much touching is involved, and they would have found out that something serious happened to me, so I had to take a different path.  Might as well put my training at tracking to good use, huh?”

“So, you’re supposed to bring the troublemakers to justice, huh?” Raphael asks.

“That’s right,” I reply.

“How are you going to do that?  We have a hard time doing it,” Leonardo points out to me.

“You just lead me to him. I’ll take care of the rest. No worries, my friends. I will get it cleared up,” I reply as the Turtles slowly nod in agreement.

Soon, the five of us arrive at the Technodrome, Shredder’s mobile home base, deep within the earth. Two quick orders to Tiger and Rocky gets the Technodrome’s attention as the five of us slip inside unnoticed. Minutes after we are safely in, the two vehicles break off their assault and wait a safe distance away from the monstrosity.

“I want those vehicles, Shredder.  No one was driving them.  I want the technology to find out how they could act so independently,” a slimy rough voice replies as we peek into the room.

“That’s Krang,” Leonardo signs to me.

“Who are those two mutants over there?” I sign and point to a rino and a warthog.

“Bebop and Rocksteady,” Donatello signs.

“Big on brawn, small on brains,” Raphael jokingly signs.

“Good. I’ve been waiting for a chance to test myself,” I sign as I inch closer.

“You crazy?!” Leonardo signs quickly to me.

“Of course. Aren’t we all?” I sign as I smirk before throwing my shirikan.

My aim is true as it causes the computer to explode and sends everyone in the room to the ground. We quickly leap into action as Donatello disables the computer that controls the robots while Raphael and Michaelangelo team up against Bebop and Rocksteady. I find myself face to face with Shredder. A quick glance shows Leonardo up against Krang.

“Turtles. I should have known you were behind that attack,” Krang hisses.

“Wrong, they’re here for the party.  I’m the one who created the diversion so we could slip inside. Seems someone forgot to send up our invites,” I reply as Shredder holds a laser on me.

“Oh, please, like a mere girl like you can scare me,” Shredder growls.

“I wouldn’t if I were you, Shredder.  You might lose your hand,” I reply easily.

“How do you figure that, girl?” Shredder snarls at me.

“Simple,” I reply as I whip out my sword, and in a flash, he finds himself disarmed and his hand smarting from where the flat of my sword had hit his wrist. “That answer your questions?”

“Very. I guess I will have to do this the old fashion way.”

“I’ve got no problem with that,” I reply as we square off with just our non-laser and bullet weapons.

He attacks recklessly as I easily block him. Mere seconds later finds him on the defensive and slowly backing into a corner. I end it by knocking his helmet askew and then knocking him unconscious. I smirk as Raphael and Michaelangelo tie up the two while Leonardo disabled Krang.

“In order to clear you guys’ names, we have to take all of this back up to the surface and to the proper authorities.”

“All of this? That’s a laugh! We barely have enough power to keep the minimum running, much less to raise it to the surface,” Krang snorts at me.

“Not a problem. I’m sure the Autobots would be willing to help correct matters,” I reply as all the conscious ones, including the Turtles, look at me with surprise on their faces. “Oh?  Did I forget to mention that to you guys?” I smirk as I hold up my portable radio.

“You’re joking, right?” Donatello asks as I shake my head.

“Hey, anyone home at the good guy central?” I ask into the radio.

“Strip me back and call me a toaster oven.  Christal Falcon, is that ya’?” the oh so familiar voice of the red transforming van exclaims over the radio.

“Right as rain, Iron Hide.  I need some help here in New York City.  Seems like the Decepticons are not the only ones who want to take over the world,” I reply while smirking.

“So what do you need?” Jazz interrupts.

“Have you guys heard of the Foot Clan and the Shredder?” I ask.

“The Foot Clan is a bunch of bad ninjas while the Shredder is their leader,” Jazz replies.

“Right. Well, you may have already guessed that I am no longer the White Lioness.  I am currently employed with G. I. Joe.  My current assignment is to find whoever is causing the problems here in New York and bring them to justice.  My problem is that the bad guy has a really big mobile fortress which if it is found could be used for evil,” I explain.

“So you want to destroy this fortress?” Iron Hide asks.

“I need to clear the names of my friends of the uncalled for crimes they supposedly committed. Any ideas as how I can use this fortress to clear their names?”

“It is simple, Christal. Take all the data, unaltered, and store it in untampered containers. Then when you turn the criminals to the authorities, hand over the data,” Iron Hide replies.

“There’s a glitch in that program, Iron Hide.  My friends are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” I reply.

“That is a problem,” Optimus Prime answers as I smile softly.

Optimus Prime is one of the few beings I can truly count on to give me sound advice. He does not put himself on airs or thinks he is better than everyone else.  Instead, he helps others be the best they can be. He was the one who encouraged me to enter that talent show. I am still glad that I had that as a part of my life.

“So, what can be done about it, Optimus?” Jazz asks over the radio.

“She brings in the criminals, but we bring in the proof that her friends are innocent. No one is going to doubt the word of an Autobot,” Optimus replies.  “What are your coordinates?”  I rattle off the coordinates as well as how far down into the earth we are. “Okay, we will see you in an hour or two.”

“Thanks, Optimus,” I reply as I give a thumbs up to the Turtles.

Shredder and Krang try to escape only to have Bebop and Rocksteady sit on them. I try not to laugh as the four Turtles force the two mutants on top of their masters.  I hid my smirk behind my hand as I hear protests against such indignities emerge from under the two heavy weights.

“Whoa! Ah want to be like them someday!” I read from my communicator to my two vehicles.

“What are you jabbing about, Rocky?” I ask as I go to the monitor to turn on the outside cameras. “Oh, never mind.”

Tiger chuckles display on the hand held as I go outside to meet the gathering vehicles. The Turtles remain inside as Ratchet and Wheeljack start unloading Optimus’s trailer of various items. After the last item is off his trailer, Optimus transforms.

“That is one cool transform,” Rocky displays.

“We figured that we may need some of this stuff to get this thing to the surface. Where are your friends?” Wheeljack asks as he and Ratchet start assembling some of the gizmos.

“Still inside that monstrosity,” I reply.

“Well, you’ll have to get them out of there, as well as your prisoners. You need any help?” Ratchet asks he looks up long enough to ask.

“Yeah, my two vehicles won’t take all 8 of them,” I answer.

“Iron Hide, go with her,” Optimus states as the red van transforms and follows me with Tiger and Rocky into the Technodrome.

“Okay, I can take one turtle behind me on Tiger.  One turtle and one criminal each, as it were, in Rocky’s cab and cap, and the rest can go in Iron Hide.  So, who’s going to ride with me?”

“I will,” Leonardo replies.

Raphael hustles Bebop into Rocky’s cab while Donatello and Michaelangelo push Krang and Rocksteady into Iron Hide.  Donatello stays inside while Leonardo gets Shredder into Rocky’s bed. I nod as Rocky locks everything down inside him, and I hand a helmet to Leonardo.

“Okay, let’s get going!” I reply as I lead the small convoy out of the Technodrome.

After the last of us clear the Technodrome, I give Ratchet and Wheeljack the thumbs up. They aim the device at the Technodrome and fire. The Technodrome disappears as the two Autobots punch in some coordinates and press another button. The Technodrome then reappears at the barely used section of the airport. I hustle Krang and Rocksteady inside Rocky as I lead the way back to the surface. The Turtles make their way back to their lair.

After the Autobots pull all the data proving the Turtles’ innocence, they tear the Technodrome apart. I turn the four over to the authorities and then place a call to General Hawk. I sit back in Rocky’s cab, waiting for the General to answer.

“Man, it is going to take several scrubbings to get the filth of their evil out of me,” Rocky states over the small computer screen.

“Mmmhmm,” I nod as General Hawk makes himself known.

“Well done, Hound. You’ve gotten the problem solved in time for Christmas.  You’ve deserved it,” General Hawk states.

“Thank you, sir. When will I be expected to report back to base?” I ask.

“Let me check the database to see how may holiday and vacation days you have left. Mmm, this is interesting. According to this, you have two whole weeks of vacation coming to you.  You can go ahead and take them, but be on call.  Understood?”

“Loud and clear. Thank you, sir.”

“See you in two weeks then, if not sooner,” General Hawk replies as he hangs up the phone.

“So, what are ya’ going to do for 2 weeks?” Rocky displays on his monitor.

“First, I had better check my e-mail,” I reply as I type in some information and log into my e-mail account.  “An e-mail from Charley. Hmm, she wants to know how I am doing, and if I ever regretted helping her,” I state as I reply to her message.

“So, what are ya’ going to tell her?”

“I’m doing fine. Just got done with my fourth assignment and am going to enjoy Christmas and New Year’s on the East Coast. I don’t regret helping you. I don’t know why you should feel that way, but I had a dream of someone telling me how they would act towards a child that wasn’t born of love.  I realize now that by helping you as I did also helped me by preventing me from becoming a hateful parent. A parent should love their child. I would have hated him or her. Catch you on the flip side. Your friend, Christal Falcon,” I read aloud to the two vehicles.

“So ya’ forgive her for what happened to ya’?” Rocky displays on his monitor.

“There is nothing to forgive,” I reply as we head south to Massachusetts.

I hear a cry for help as I stop outside the Snow Valley diner. I walk around to the side and see 6 big bruisers blocking a friend of mine from when I was the White Lioness. My fists clench as the thugs ready themselves to beat up Jubilation Lee.

“That is quite enough,” I reply with a slight growl in my voice.

“She’s a mutie lover, and we are going to show her the error of her ways,” the leader replies.

“Are you the self appointed Nazis or Klu Klux Klan in this area?” I ask as they crack their knuckles.

“We are trying to get into the Friends of Humanity group,” another replies as they move in closer.

“Take another step, and you will regret it,” I growl as 3 of them turn to attack me.

“Who is going to make us stop?” the leader snarls.

“Hound of G. I. Joe,” I reply as I flash my badge.  “Either clear out of have your clocks cleaned.”

“Hah! G. I. Joe doesn’t care about what we Americans do,” the leader snarls as he pulls his fist back to hit Jubilee in the stomach.

“If there is terrorism in the States, it is our job to take care of it, even if it includes American born citizens,” I reply as I easily jump over the three blocking my path and easily stop his fist a mere inch from hitting Jubilee. “Get out of here. I will not repeat myself again.”

“We are not leaving until someone is taught a lesson,” the leader growls as he lunges for me.

“Fine, but don’t say I did not warn you,” I reply.

I instantly go into defensive mode with my fists ready. I dodge a blow to the face while blocking one to the side. With unequaled quickness, I immediately trap the leader’s fist and fling him into his cronies. I ready for another round when they start pulling out weapons.

“You’ll regret not minding your own business,” the leader growls.

“And you’re going to punish me with those?  Please,” I reply as I show my double-edged sword sheath.

“I don’t think she can handle it,” one of the thugs states smugly.

I withdraw the sword and with a couple of quick motions, then I resheath it. All of their weapons fly from their hands mere seconds later.  I smirk as they yelp in pain from where my sword stung them.

“What’s going on here?” a voice asks from the end of the alley.

“Geez, it’s the cops. Run!” the leader shouts as they run for cover.

“Thank you, but now you’ll get into trouble,” Jubilee replies.

“That’s okay. I’m used to it,” I reply as the officer walks into the alley.

“What is going on here?” he asks.

“Just stopping some serious problems from happening here. Six guys were going to beat up this young lady,” I state as I motion to Jubilee.

“I know her. She’s from the Massachusetts Academy. You, I don’t know.”

“My name is Hound. I work for G. I. Joe, and I am on vacation but can reached by them when they need me,” I reply.

“Yes, I have some friends who have told me about the excellent tracker that G. I. Joe gained. Those vehicles outside the alley in front of the diner yours?”

“Yes, they are. Tiger and Rock ‘n Roll were with me on my fourth assignment, and now we are just looking around for a place to spend Christmas,” I reply as a white limousine pulls up next to the diner next to Rocky.

“Oh, no. It’s the head mistress, Emma Frost,” Jubilee moans.

“Jubilation Lee, what are you trying to prove?” Emma Frost asks as she steps out of the limousine in a snow-white outfit.

“I’m not trying to prove anything.  I just wanted something different for supper and came to the diner when 6 thugs jumped me. I couldn’t use my, um, you know, without them really doing some major damage. This woman saved my skin from those no-brainers before Chief Authier arrived,” Jubilee answers truthfully.

“Thank you for your help,” Emma replies as I feel her mind trying to erase mine.

“Don’t even try it,” I reply mentally into hers.  She jerks back in surprise.  “I know you too well, Emma Frost, also know as the ex-White Queen of the Hellfire Club. I am also aware of what your school is and what it pertains to.  Don’t worry.  Those thugs were trying to get into the Friends of Humanity by beating on those they think are friends of mutants.  Personally, I would like it if both sides could live in peace, but it is in human, mutant and non, to fight,” I mentally sigh in hers.

“How are you able to communicate with me mentally?” she asks mind to mind.

“You opened the bridge. I’m just using it to talk. I don’t go for mind wipes and the like, but I am very capable of doing it. We had better forget this incident, all right?” I reply to her mind as I turn to the officer. “If there is nothing else, I would like to get out of Snow Valley before the storm hits,” I state.

“No, there is nothing else,” the chief replies.

“Oh, Jubilation. I notice you like the White Lioness,” I reply as I point to her Tour shirt.

“Yeah, but she decided to break up the band and make everyone miserable,” Jubilee states.

“How did she make everyone miserable?” I ask as we head to the vehicles.

“She took away her music, and that made everyone upset.  When she sang, everyone who heard her was nice, but the recording don’t hold the same amount of power as they did when she was on tour,” Jubilee answers.

“I see. Didn’t anyone ever stop to think that she had very good reasons for leaving?  Have your heard about the couple of incidents that have been dogging her path?” I ask.

“Yeah, I heard about Dragonus in Anaheim trying something and the Shadow Master in Metro City losing to her.”

“Maybe she left because of the possibility of someone forcing her to use her music for evil,” I reply as I climb into Rock ‘n Roll.

“I never thought of it that way,” Jubilee states as she sulkily climbs into the white limousine.

“Hey, before you go, why so sad?  You’ll be going back to the Academy to have a good old fashion Christmas,” I ask as I look at her.

“I lost a friend just recently,” she replies.

“Oh? What was his or her name?” I ask as she looks up at me.

“Everett Thomas,” is the very sad reply.

“I am sorry to hear that. Please accept my condolences. Remember to keep him in your heart, and remember him through the acts that he did for you, and he will always be there in spirit,” I reply.

“Dead is dead. He is not here spiritually,” Jubilee cries as she slams the door.

“I am sorry, Miss Frost,” I reply as look dejected.

“It’s not your fault. Please, call me Emma. We had best get going, Jubilee,” Emma replies as the limousine drives away after she climbs next to the sad Jubilee.

“There’s a lot of sadness in that one’s heart,” Chief Authier replies as he joints down some notes.

“So I have noticed. Have a merry Christmas, Chief,” I reply as I start up Rocky’s engine and turn on the radio.

“And here’s the latest song by Michael which he has dedicated to the White Lioness. White Lioness, wherever you are, this one’s for you,” the DJ replies as Michael’s song comes on the air.

She wakes up smiling every morning
Like an angel of the light.
Makes me wonder,
Am I dreaming?
Why is everything so right?
I’ve been living in a world so dark
'Til she started filling up my heart
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
We are different.
She is peaceful,
I get all bent out of shape.
I go crazy whenever I want to.
She’s still good for goodness’s sake.
There are days I want to run and hide.
She replaces every tear I’ve cried!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
She’s like a river
That keeps on flowing.
Her heart is true,
And she keeps coming through!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!
With a little more love!²

I sigh softly as I wipe a stray tear from my eyes.  The two vehicles remain blessed silent as I refocus my thoughts. Rocky and Tiger give me a few minutes to recover before firing off their questions.

“Why did the song affect you so?” Tiger asks.

“What is yer connection to Michael?” Rocky asks seconds after Tiger.

“Just a second. Before you fire off any more questions, assess my journal on your hard drive, Rocky. The same for you, Tiger,” I reply as we continue to head south.

The next hundred miles pass with only the radio changing stations to find rock and roll music when the old station gets too full of static. We pass through Pennsylvania and Maryland as the scenes change from all snow on the ground to speckles or small drifts of it.

“Ah don’t mean to interrupt yer train of thoughts, but doesn’t yer family live nearby?” Rocky asks.

“Let me first asses my e-mail again before I decide on a surprise visit, okay?” I state as the oh so familiar tingling in my hands appear.

“Sure thing.”

“Hmm, an e-mail from Dad. Open it up, Rocky.”

The screen changes as the e-mail opens.  I sigh softly as I read the contents carefully. I pull off the highway and rub my temples. I lean back and read the message again out loud.

“Christal, your brother is missing, and we have looked everywhere. Please use everything at your disposal to find him for us. I’m worried about him. Love, Mom,” I sigh as I shake my head. “She always did have a sixth sense when it came to dealing with him.  What is the gist of the others, Rocky?”

“Several from Charlene Davidson in Chicago.  A lot of fan mail for the White Lioness, and a marked e-mail for the White Lioness from a Paige Guither in Massachusetts. What do ya’ want me to do with them?”

“Send all the fan mail directly to my fan club, and let the people there read them and send photos to them.  What is the gist of Charley’s e-mails?”

“She’s doing okay, now. Her garage was almost bought by a Lawrence Limburger, but that plan foiled by three 7-foot tall talking Martian mice on motorcycles.  Ah hope Ah read that right,” Rocky displays on his screen. “Want me to continue?”

“Please do. Charley, what have you gotten yourself into while I’ve been gone?”

“Says here that they’ve saved Chicago a lot over the past couple of months. She thinks the white mouse named Vincent “Vinnie” Van Whamm is a cutie even with his oversized ego. Modo, the gray mouse, loves his bike a lot and is a gentle giant save for whenever he gets near Limburger.  Throttle has tan fur and is the cool headed leader. Ooh, she even sent a picture!” Rocky displays as he slowly uploads the picture.

“Cute? Handsome is more like it,” I reply as I look over the scanned Polaroid.

“She also says she’ll be visiting her mom with her mice friends, so it would be best not to drop in at this time.  She’s afraid ya’ might freak if ya’ meet them in person,” Rocky laughs.

“Me, freak out? I’ve met the Autobots, mutants of all sorts, terrorists, and all sorts of unexplained things and have yet to freak out from it. But I will honor her wishes.  Is that all from her?”

“Yes, would ya’ like the gist or read the e-mail from Paige for yerself?”

“I want to read it. Maybe Paige will better explain what happened,” I state as I lean back and entwine my fingers on my stomach as the e-mail appears.

“Dear White Lioness. I do not know if you remember me or not, but I wished you could have performed at my friend’s, Everett Thomas’, memorial service.  He saved a lot of people’s lives a couple of days ago. I wish he didn’t have to die. Thank you for at least reading this. Your fan, Paige Guither, Massachusetts Academy.”³

“I’m sorry I couldn’t attend, Paige, but I think something is wrong here. Rocky, bring up any and all memorials from the Snow Valley newspaper in Massachusetts that has Everett Thomas’ name in them,” I reply as I close my eyes and wait.

“Here ya’ go, Christal,” Rocky displays the information on his screen.

“Everett Thomas, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas of Chicago, Illinois, died in a terrible bomb explosion today.  The bomb was said to have been planted by Andrienne Frost, Emma Frost’s sister and co-head mistress.  Andrienne was unavailable for comment as were the rest of the teachers and staff of the Massachusetts Academy.  His friends will hold a memorial in Massachusetts before sending his remains back to his family in Illinois.  He saved the lives of a lot of children enrolled at the Academy, and he will never be forgotten.  The Massachusetts Academy will be closed for repairs over the winter break,” the article reads.

“Hmm, something tells me that I’m going to be playing Santa and having an adventure on top of it,” I reply as I rub my wildly tingling hands.

“So, where to?” Tiger asks on Rocky’s display.

“Chicago, and his burial site,” I reply as we get onto Interstate 70 West to Chicago.

“But why?” Rocky asks.

“Do you remember a while back when the entire world started hunting mutants after Magneto and Professor X split apart after forming Onslaught? A new breed of Sentinels was released out in the States, and if they got near anyone with the X-gene, their programming took over. I forget the name of the guy in charge of that program, but he captured a lot of non-mutants and mutants and turned them against their friends. Now, just suppose that Everett was one that they tried to turn into a Sentiel.⁴  It would show up in his DNA that he was altered.”

“But he died, right?”

“Just suppose that they couldn’t get the reprogramming to fit to Everett. With the cloning of that sheep, they could have cloned Everett and sent him back to his friends while keeping the original to test on. This is just a theory, but cells will show up if they are cloned when exposed to certain radiation levels. If my theory proves true, then I had best find the real Everett and bring him home to his family and friends,” I reply as we reach the suburbs of Chicago.

Rocky gives me directions to the burial site, and we wait for nightfall. At dust, I get out of Rocky and head to the grave. Using the hand held device, I bathe the body with temporary radiation.  Mere seconds pass, and I have my answer. I smirk as I head back to Rocky.

“Well?” the two vehicles ask on Rocky’s screen.

“My theory is true. That is not the real Everett Thomas buried there.  Rocky, start going through all the government channels, all known and publicly unknown government agencies.  See if there is any hush hush projects going on dealing with mutants,” I order as I drive to a hotel for the night.

“Bingo, found it. It’s not far from here either,” Rocky states as he gives directions the next morning.

“Good. Let’s find it and him, and get him home for Christmas,” I state as I gear up and prepare Rocky and Tiger for the mission.

We enter an abandoned building with no problems.  Rocky scours for any hostile humans and finds none. I continue on foot as I enter the detention cell center. My hand held scanner picks up a life form in one of the cells, barely alive.  I break the door down and find a frail African American boy being kept alive by computers.

“Who are you?” he asks in a hoarse whisper as he looks up at me with hopeless eyes.

“A friend. Your time here has expired. I’m going to take you back to your friends and family, Everett Thomas,” I reply as I unlock his chains.

“How do I know that?” he asks suspiciously.

“Your clone is dead, and everyone thinks you are too.  So, why would I send you home if I was one of your enemies?” I retorted as I help him to his feet and into the passenger seat.

“You’ve got a point,” Everett replies weakly.

“Sleep. I’ll get you back to your folks, Everett,” I state as he struggles to say awake.

“I can’t fail asleep. I don’t trust you,” he yawns.

Brother, my brother,
Tell me what are we fighting for?
We’ve got to end this war.
We should love one another.
Oh, can’t we just pretend
This war never began?
We can try,
Brother, my brother,
Yeah,
We face each other from different sides.
The anger burns,
Can’t remember why.
It’s kind of crazy
To cause such pain.
Our foolish pride makes us hate this way.
We watch our world fall apart
Tell me what good is winning
When thou lose thy heart?
Brother, my brother,
Tell me what are we fighting for.
Isn’t life worth so much more?
We should love one another.
Oh, can’t we just pretend
This war never began?
Tell me why.
Brother, my brother.
Yeah!
We can try,
Brother, my brother.
Yeah!
Let’s take a moment
And look deep inside
And say we’re willing
To give love a try.
We’re not as different
As we seem to be.
There’s so much more to me
Than what thou see.
Don’t have to be this way.
Think about the consequences
And run or walk away!
Brother, my brother.
Tell me what are we fighting for.
Isn’t life worth so much more?
We should love one another.
Oh, can’t we just pretend
This war never began?
Tell me why.
Brother, my brother.
Yeah!
Tell me why!
Brother, my brother,
Oh, what are we fighting for?
Isn’t this life worth so much more?
Love one another.
Tell me why.
What are we fighting for?
Brother, my brother,
Tell me why.
Can’t we just know why?
Oh, what are we fighting for?
Brother, my brother.
Yeah.
Brother, my brother.⁵

I look at Everett Thomas as he snuggles into his seat and yawns toothily. I smile softly as I continue to drive back to Chicago. I hear movement as I turn to look at him again.

“I trust you, White Lioness,” he whispers in his sleep.

“Keep that secret between us, Everett,” I whisper back as he sighs happily in his sleep.

“So, where does he live at?” Rocky asks over the screen.

“It should say in his fake obituary,” I reply as Rocky scans the false obituary.

“Yup, ya’ look like ya’ need some sleep. Ah’ll get us there,” Rocky displays.

“Nonsense. The last thing either of us needs is a cop pulling us over because I was asleep at the wheel,” I reply as I stifle a yawn.

“Suit yerself. Take the next left, go down two blocks, make a right, and it’s the fifth house on the right,” Rocky displays.

I follow his directions perfectly and see the signs of mourning all around the house. Carefully, I pick up Everett into my arms and wrap him warmly into a blanket. Then I carry him to the house and ring the doorbell. Someone peeks out the window before she opens the door.

“May I help you?” she asks.

“Mrs. Thomas? I have a special delivery for you,” I reply.

“Oh, where do I sign?” she asks as she eyes what I carry.

“No papers. I found your son, and he’s alive,” I reply.

“Is this some sick joke? Our son is dead and buried,” Mr. Thomas growls at me.

“No joke. Wake up, Everett,” I state as I uncover him a little. They both gasp in shock as Everett stirs.

“We there yet?” he asks sleepily.

“Already here,” I reply softly as I set him down on his feet.

“Mom, Dad! It’s not a dream. I’m so glad to see you again!” Everett cries as he hugs his parents.

“But how?” Mr. Thomas asks.

“The young man you buried was a clone of your son.  I did some investigating and found out that Bastion had him imprisoned in a hush hush instillation.  There was no one else in the building, so I figured I bring him home,” I state as I turn to leave.

“Wait! Who are you?” Mrs. Thomas asks.

“My name is Hound, tracker for G. I. Joe,” I reply.  “Merry Christmas.”

“Thank you. Thank you. Merry Christmas!” Everett’s parents call after me as I drive back to base.

“Why come back here? Why not visit your family?” Tiger asks over Rocky’s display.

“Simple. I can’t face my family until Charles is found. Until he is found, my family is not complete,” I reply sadly as I put Rocky in the garage and unload him.

I spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Joe headquarters. I move a TV into the garage so I could watch the festivities while giving Rocky and Tiger tune-ups. I smile softly as the Autobots join in the parade to celebrate.

“Are those Earth robots?” Rocky asks over his display unit.

“No, those are Autobots, or Transformers,” I reply.

“Ah know that it is askin’ a lot but do ya’ think ya’ can make yer own Transformers?”

“I suppose. Why do you ask, R&R?”⁶

“Just curious. That’s all,” is his reply.

“Hound, you’re back early,” General Hawk states as he enters the garage.

“Yes, sir. I am having family problems, and until they are resolved, I can’t go home,” I reply.

“That is all right. Have you been watching the news lately?” General Hawk asks.

“No, sir, I haven’t.”

Onto Chapter 8.

Footnotes:

¹-Translated from Japanese.

²-Kenny Rogers, “A Little More Love,” USA For Africa: We Are the World

³-From issues 67-71 of Generation X.  Their last issue is number 75.  All are published by Marvel Comics.  Call 1-888-COMICBOOK for the nearest comic book store near you in the USA.

⁴-See issues 18-33 for the full story behind that adventure in Generation X, issues 335-353 in Uncanny X-Men, issues 48-80 in X-Men, and issues 115-118 in Wolverine or ask your comic book dealer about Onslaught and the stories after it, “Zero Tolerenance” is the theme for all the Marvel comics that were affected.  Look for those words on any Marvel comics to get a better idea as to what happened. Also check into the Avengers and the Fantastic Four for more on Onslaught. I’m sorry about not being about to pin it down to which issues have this information, but unfortunately, at the time this was written, I do not have those issues, yet.  That is the reason why the issue list is so vague.

⁵-Blessid Union of Souls, “Brother, My Brother,” Pokemon: the First Movie

⁶-R&R is short for Rock and Roll.