Sorry it took so long with this and that it's kind of short...
I blame Undertale.
...And my other story. And art. And more stuff. And yeah.

Enjoy!

"Tonitrus. I felt his presence." His green, leafy eyes glanced at all of the people in the room. "…Where did he go?"

Everyone, and everything, in the room was still. The blonde stood after a few seconds to look around more. His green eyes were observant as well as soft. Milly was a little weirded out with his clothing. After all, he wore a white outfit with grey trimmings, and had metal armor with white lines that seemed to glow on each plate in a different pattern. A couple belts were wrapped around his waist—one with bags attached and the other had a sword's sheath. His boots were also armor, but the metal was long and ended at his knees. The cloth on his back looked like a weird cape.

Jude cleared his throat before he approached the boy. Holding out his hand, he smiled. "My name is Jude Mathis. I'm a scientist studying these centurions. Tonitrus is lightning, right?"

The green eyes just stared at the doctor for a long while. Gil shuffled uncomfortably with his feet, whispering something to Milly, "He seems as if he's emotionless."

"I don't think there's any kind of violence from him, at least." Milly replied back, reaching up to pet Fimo's tail.

"…Soleil is what I was called." The boy replied before Jude was about to speak, again. "I heard a voice. It sounded… as if it were afraid. And another voice told me it was Tonitrus that was scared."

"Amazing…" Jude trailed off, putting his pair of glasses on to examine Soleil more closely. He circled him, held up his arm to examine his human features, looked at the armor closely, and even held the white, cape-like cloth. As he was possibly making the boy uncomfortable, Elle walked back in with a disappointed look.

"… They just disappeared." She announced. Gil ran up to the door and looked out to see for himself. When his shoulders slumped, Milly and Jude knew the item those members took was gone. After all, Gil's a pretty good tracker. When Elle's eyes landed on Soleil, however, she brightened only a little. "… He a clown or something?"

Gil scoffed. "A clown has brighter colors, dummy- ow!" His hands reached up to the back of his head that Elle's fist just hit.

It was Elle's turn to be stared at. Soleil's eyes seemed to look right through her as the Kresnik began to feel uncomfortable. "…Definitely weird if not a clown."

"He was found with the core." Jude took off his glasses to adjust them back on his coat. "The geologists claim he just appeared with the jewel in hand and collapsed right after."

"So… The members of Core just took a… core." Gil cleared up, scratching his cheek as he spoke.

Elle folded her arms. "Clever name of a group. As if a group of thieves who steal apple gels or orange gels were named Gel."

"At least the mystery of their name is solved." Fimo piped in.

"The real mystery is why would they want dad's research?" Milly ended the talk of titles as she walked over to Soleil. "And why was he found with Tonitrus' core?"

Jude looked down at Milly with a proud smile, patting her head. "My thoughts exactly. And I need to find out why the core would glow when it got close to Soleil. And not just glow… It would feel like an egg about to hatch. The petal-like exterior of it would begin to sprout."

"There is another that I sense in the north-west." Soleil stated as he began to walk out the door to the balcony. Elle stopped him, pointing at the other door that was the real way out.

Jude tapped his head. "North-west… If cores are found in ruins or places of the sort, then… What's in that direction is the Tatalian Abyss."

"The weird Miasma place?" Elle questioned, seeming excited to check the old mine-shaft out.

The doctor smiled. "I would say the Dimensional Breach, but… There's nothing much there."

"I must go to Tatalian Abyss. Something is telling me to go as soon as I can." The blonde spoke in a more serious manner.

Jude looked over and nodded. "I'll go with you. This might be good for my research."

"If there's a core, there's a chance Core will be there." Elle put her hands on her hips proudly. "I'm responsible for catching those guys."

"Dad, I want to come along." Milly stated. "I don't want you hurt."

"And I don't want Milly hurt." Gil pounded his fist against his chest.

Soleil just stared at everyone once more. His eyes grew soft. "Company feels… Familiar. You may come." And the boy walked out. Everyone looked at each other with satisfied smiles before Elle let her arms fall to her side. She stated,

"Does he even know the way out of this place?"

SKIT: A Useless Case

Jude: So, Soleil. Do you happen to know anything about the ruins you were found at? If you are human, how old are you? Do you perhaps know why the mana in this world is depleting?

Soleil: You are asking too many questions to think clearly.

Jude: Oh? Then, uh… Do you have any family with the same powers as you?

Soleil: No family.

Jude: Huh? *scratches head* Sorry, then any friends?

Soleil: No.

Jude: *slowly starts sinking* Then… Any childhood memories?

Soleil: … *tilts head* I recall seeing a cat chasing after a mouse.

Jude: I… I see… *sighs*

Reaching the exit of Helioborg to make their way to the Mines, Milly stopped to look behind when she heard rushing footsteps. Everyone else did the same. What came running around the corner was a woman and a rather tall man—at least, taller than Milly's dad.

"Jude!" The woman who everyone recognized to be Leia had a panicked look as the two got closer.

"Leia?" The scientist questioned, bracing for a sudden tackle by the reporter.

The man had a relieved expression as he slowed down when he was close enough. "Good, the incident of last time didn't happen. And, uh… I see the kids are here." He wore a long, brownish-black tuxedo. A yellow, silk cloth hung from the collar of his shirt down past his hips. You could find familiar, round buttons wherever there needed to be one, and a white under shirt could be visable where his sleeves and tux opened up. Of course, can't forget the belt around his waist that held his gun and sword or the slightly visible beard.

"Alvin? Why are you two here?" Jude stopped himself, clearing his throat to clear up the question. "I at least know Leia must have brought Gil to where Milly was, but… Alvin?"

"Vera told us that this weird group called Core was going to come after you for your research! I thought I would get help, and… I guess Elle already solved it?" The ex-nurse rubbed the back of her head sheepishly as she swung back and forth. "I guess I overreacted…"

Alvin just pointed back at the corner they had come around from. "The unconscious guards at the front of the place and smoke coming out of the building didn't help our worrying, just so you know." Then, his eyes landed on Soleil. "… Who's this plain canvas?"

"Plain canvas?" Soleil tilted his head as he looked down at his nearly white clothes.

"Can't believe I didn't think about that." Elle folded her arms, taking note.

However, Gil immediately sprang up now that the ex-mercenary was here. "Isn't it cool, big bro? Jude says Soleil was found with the core and that for some reason he makes the core feel like an egg, and-"

"Whoa, slow down, kid. No need to say it all at once." Alvin grinned, and Elle just kind of stared at the man with a bored look as she muttered 'big bro?' under her breath. "You guys look like you're going somewhere. Mind if we tag along? You can…uh…fill us in along the way."

Soleil nodded. "If it does not slow us down. We must leave immediately." And he began walking again.

Leia grinned, looking at Jude. "Think he reminds you of her a few stories ago?"

"Yeah, I'm… starting to see it." Jude sighed, beginning to walk along. Milly, Gil, and Elle ran up next to Soleil to stay by his side. Elle didn't trust him completely, Gil wanted to ask questions, and Milly just wanted to let her dad have some reunion time with his friends. When was the last she saw Alvin? His last business visit was a couple weeks ago.

She looked back at her father and the two friends. The only thing audible was small laughter, tilting her head when Jude's face turned a beet red before Alvin wrapped his arm over his shoulders. They must have been talking about something.

"So, Soleil!" Gil grinned, hopping alongside the blonde as the four slowly began making it to the exit. "You have any cool fighting moves?"

The silent teen pulled his long, black sword out of its sheath. The handle of the sword was similar to his armor – black with white lines that seemed to glow. However, Milly couldn't help but notice the white lines tended to make a weird version of a butterfly on the flat surface of the handle.

"Whoa! That's super cool!" The cerulean eyes of the boy seemed to sparkle. "You at least know demon fang, right? Or maybe sword rain? Oh! Maybe you can do Big Bro's super awesome Guardian Field!"

"…Technics come with names?" The teen blinked, finally deciding to look down at the brunette. "Your moves must be predictable."

Elle scoffed. "I tried telling him that he shouldn't name them, but no one ever listened." She pulled the small cat out of her little bag. "Isn't that right, Pollo? Everyone's a weirdo." The kitten simply meowed as a reply, leaving a satisfied Elle.

"You can also be counted as a weirdo when you call others the same name." Soleil retorted. Pollo looked over, and the blank canvas' eyes softened. "…Have you ever called a dog spiteful, ?" The kitten let out a confused whimper as it tilted its head. "It's rather hard to explain. Just a thought."

The kitten meowed.

"No, I'm not sure why I brought it up."

Another meow.

"Interesting."

"Is he… Talking to the cat?" Gil questioned, looking up at Elle. But she was as confused as he was. Eventually, she put Pollo back in her pouch when she got disturbed enough. Soleil just went back to staring ahead as they walked. Eventually, Jude and the others caught up, walking closely behind. Milly began to feel bad for Soleil with all the questions he's gotten in just a day. He had only just woken up moments before and seems to not have any memories before that. Maybe when they get to the mines he'll get less bombed at.

SKIT: Both Ways

Leia: He may be a guy, but besides being more monotone and robotish, Soleil reminds me of her.

Alvin: Yeah, and the fact that Jude can see it worries me.

Jude: *walks over* Huh? Alvin, why does it worry you?

Alvin: Oh no! The doctor heard in!

Jude: Alvin..?

Alvin: No worries, kid. *grins* Are you going back to swinging both ways? Because you already have proof that you're no clean slate.

Jude: Wh-What?! *blushes* Alvin, I never went that way!

Leia: *mumbles* (You certainly were oblivious to enough things to make it seem like you were…)

Jude: Leia? Did you say something?

Leia: No, no! Just some childhood memories.

Everyone seemed to be rather used to the fact that there were rarely any more monsters in the deserted field. Even though they were definitely popping up more often, they would rarely last more than two days. There just wasn't a lot of vegetation or animals in Elympios anymore. They'd usually travel their way to Reize Maxia. However, because of that, villagers in easy-to-get-to towns are not allowed to be outside of their houses at night. The time when the dangerous monsters hunt is around then.

So the trek to Tatalian Abyss wasn't too challenging and rather quick. Sure, it took a couple hours, but the adults agreed it was shorter. The sun was still in the sky. Jude looked closely at the rocks and plants that surrounded them as they walked in.

"Be careful, everyone. There might still be miasma in here. We shouldn't stay for too long." He warned, holding up a withered leaf.

Leia nodded. "Right. We don't have the four's protection like the last couple times."

"Sooo…" Elle glanced around, then at Soleil. "How far do you think this next core is?"

"Close." He just stated.

Alvin scratched his head. "It wouldn't happen to be on the very bottom level, right?" Everyone looked at him. "Because the last I remember, there was a side of the mine that was cut off."

"Right, the bridge to another side was broken in half." The scientist nodded.

Gil just limped. "That sounds like a long walk…"

"Too bad you have tiny legs." The dark brunette sent a deadly glare in Fimo's direction.

Traveling through twists and turns in the old mine shaft, a monster would come out of hiding every now and then. On the first couple levels, none came out as groups—so they would take turns taking the monster out. It really interested Milly how her dad could do a couple kicks and the beast would be down. However, when they came to the third floor not only was the miasma definitely present, but the monsters started attacking in groups of three or four. There were more of them.

This was when battles really began to get interesting.

Elle used her dual swords as she fought in a style claimed to be from her dad; Alvin actually used his giant sword instead of just his gun; Leia and Gil were side by side with their staffs, whacking the enemy a couple times before Gil would pull a string, resulting in a loud bang before the monster fell. And Jude? Milly couldn't take her eyes off her dad. She knew he could fight, but like this? It was like he was dancing as he studied the beast before him. In ways he was very similar to Leia, but he had more caution—more kindness.

A monster pulled Milly's attention away from her father.

Fimo's voice could be heard from the digital strap around her hand. "Milly, you need to be more careful! I can only make a blade. Not a shield." The young teen nodded in understanding as she twirled at the beast. The digital blade that rested on the back of her hand cut deep into the beast's torso, eventually ending its life. Hopefully they wouldn't get too many monsters, now. After all, they had reached the bottom of the cave.

There were glowing, yellow plants everywhere. A waterfall could be seen not too far from the elevated piece of land they stood on. The mine rail jutted off the land, broken in the middle, and another piece started on fresh soil. It looked to be untouched for years. Jude walked around the little section of area as Soleil mused over the predicament.

He walked to the edge, shoulders slumping. He seemed to be at a loss. Milly wanted to walk over, but her lungs had started acting up a couple battles back. She was too busy coughing out the miasma that was slowly making her body weak. Her father decided to stay by her; his hand gripping her shoulder with support as his eyes still scanned the area.

Alvin placed his hands behind his head, swinging back and forth. "Well, we've reached a dead end."

Fimo's ears twitched in annoyance. "It would be nice if we'd brought a bridge with us."

"That's impossible to do." Gil leaned back on a rock.

"This totally sucks…" Leia groaned, swinging her legs off the edge of the land. Elle decided the join her, leaning back on her elbows. She also let out a groan along with a small mumble. They really were at a dead end with how things look right now. Was the trip here even worth it?

Right when Jude was about to point out a peculiar looking mineral, Soleil walked over to it. He held his hand up to it, a ring on his finger seeming to glow. Jude immediately popped up and reached the blonde's side in less than a second. He first observed the ring as it turned color from a flaming red to something more black as night. Then, he observed the mineral. Milly had to force her coughing down enough to at least stumble over. When she looked closely, the material looked more like metal. Large amounts a mana was coming from underneath the rubble that was possibly covering the object.

"Amazing!" Jude exclaimed, going back to look at Soleil's ring. "How did you know this would happen? What is this? Is this possibly a change in mana?"

The blonde simply replied with a flat tone, "I heard a voice tell me. It now says to face the gap." And he turned. Jude watched with eager patience. Leia got her notebook ready in case it would be good to report as news. With a point of the ring, something like smoke seemed to rise up filling in the gap. Everyone gaped at the sight. The smoke itself started to be stable so Jude walked forward to study it.

"I-It's like…it's a bridge." His hand poked it, then he tried to place his foot on it. Soleil tilted his head when the scientist didn't sink down. "It is a bridge!" He brightened. "This dark matter must have been summoned by that ring!" Then his face snapped with realization. "Wait… Soleil, what's the element of this next core?"

The blonde began to make his way across the dark matter as he replied, "Darkness."

Is it rushed? I think it's rushed. But I'm too lazy to fix it.
I also feel I repeated too many things. In my head, everything's portrayed as if it's an actual game... Grrrr.

Anyway, please review and tell me how this chapter went!