Hidden Allies

A Message

"Did he hurt you?" Jenny asked Felix. 

"Did he hurt you?" Sam asked Lloyd. 

"No, no, I'm fine, Jen."

"He didn't touch me"

"We need to find everyone else. Take down the animals that are actually loyal."

"Oh thank god. We've got to get out of here."

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"What do you mean, the animals that are actually loyal?" Nya asked, stepping though the wall.

"You said they were all loyal to Felix, so if we released Toby's control they'd stop being evil." Celeste added. 

"They're not all loyal to me. A lot of them answer to Toby and Toby alone, without going through me at all. Take Kiran, for example." Felix sighed. 

"The black cat." Celeste remembered, shivering. She reached to touch the cuts on her back and shoulders.

"Who else is loyal?" Jenny asked. Felix rattled off several names. "Alright then. Let's find the others and regroup. Hopefully no one got hurt." 

"What about me? Are you just going to leave me here?" Toby asked.

"Yes, yes we are." Jenny took the ropes that had been keeping Felix captive and bound Toby's wrists and feet. "The police can come and get you later. Come on guys, let's go." She left the cell, Celeste and Nya close behind. 

"I'm sorry, Tobes." Felix bent down and kissed his cheeks, "I'll be back to join you when this is over." He left. Despite himself, Toby blushed. Maybe things would be okay, after all.

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"Leave?" Cristal asked. "But the others?" 

"They'll be fine." Sam snapped. 

"Uh... no." Cristal shook her head. "Just because you've got your little boyfriend, doesn't mean you can just abandon everyone else." 

"I agree." Kyle nodded, "I want to find my brother." 

"And sister." Cody added. 

"Yeah, Samaira." Sho shot her a withering glare. She didn't even know these idiots, but the idea of leaving them to fend for themselves still hadn't occurred to her.

"Ugh, fine." Sam sighed.

"Nah, I'm on board with you, Sam." Cristy put in, "What's in it for us?"

"You save your friends. Isn't that enough for you?" Ana asked. Gala nodded. 

"I've got to agree with them on that one, sis." Lucas nodded. 

"I suppose..." Cristy sighed, "They did save me once. The least I can do is repay them for that."

"If that's decided, can we get out of this cell?" Lloyd asked. "I'm a tiny little bit VERY claustrophobic please please please can we leave?" 

"Yeah, alright, cutie." Sam smiled for the first time all day.

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"Oh ho, so we meet again, darling," Kiran smiled at Celeste as she turned the corner. "Tied up my master, did ya? Well now, you're going to pay." He pounced at her.

"Celeste!" Nya yelled, ready to leap in front of her. But just before she did, vines shot from the ground, netting the cat-boy. 

"Uhhh... what was that?" She asked.