*Kuja stays unconscious for next few days, and Thorn stays by his side. Lahrne wonders where his father has got to.*
Lahrne: Where has he gone? *Looks around the castle and finally goes upstairs.* DADDY!
Thorn: *Steps out into the corridor.* Lahrne?
Lahrne: I want to show you something.
Thorn: What's that?
Lahrne: *Rolls up his trouser leg and touches the scab on his knee, healing it.*
Thorn: Very good, I guess you've been reading a lot.
Lahrne: A whole lot! 'Cos you kinda disappeared, so I had a lot of time...
Thorn: Right.
Lahrne: Where've you been?
Thorn: I've been with Kuja. He got injured somehow, badly injured. I've tried my strongest healing Magick but... nothing works.
Lahrne: He's hurt? Is he okay?
Thorn: I don't know...
Lahrne: *Goes in the room and looks at Kuja.* Ouch...
Thorn: I don't know whether to tell the others or not. I don't want to cause them any trouble...
Lahrne: They've been wondering where he is... Sorta...
Thorn: Maybe I should tell them...?
Lahrne: *Shrugs.* Maybe.
Thorn: *Raises his hand, hesitates, then lowers it.* I don't think I will summon them here. *Instead, he closes his eyes, and once again, his voice echoes in others' minds.* Guys... Kuja's been hurt badly and my Magick won't help. He's in his room. Come if you care about him.
*After a few moments, Laurenza with baby Ana, Lierlo and Mihako, Kitzie, Li and Tifanel arrive.*
Li: We just want to clarify somethin'...
Tifanel: It wasn't us!
Thorn: I hadn't considered that factor... yet.
Li: Really! It wasn't us!
Laurenza: So you don't know what happened?
Thorn: I found him and his Dragon like this.
Mihako: Big brother... *She goes to look at Kuja.*
Lierlo: So his Dragon was injured as well?
Thorn: *Nods.*
Lierlo: So that scratches out the possibility that he fell off it.
Laurenza: Was he attacked?
Thorn: Him and his Dragon were the only ones there when I arrived, but we can't overlook that possibility.
Mihako: *Comes back to the group.* It appears he was injured by some kind of bladed weapon.
Kitzie: *Goes to Kuja, sniffs about him a moment and then comes back.* There's something funny on his owies.
Thorn: Like some kind of... poison...? You don't think he was attacked by a snake?
Kitzie: Nah-ah. Doesn't smell like poison.
Thorn: Well, what does it smell like?
Kitzie: I dunno... I never smelled anything like it before. Nature didn't make that smell...
Thorn: *Shrugs.*
Lierlo: So, he was wounded by a blade- a sword, perhaps- with some artificial substance on it... Oh, Thorn. You said your Magick couldn't help him?
Thorn: Yeah.
Lierlo: Do you think this substance is affecting your Magick?
Thorn: Could be... but I don't know of any substance that could do that...
Laurenza: Where was he when you found him?
Thorn: I don't know... near some city. It was full of high-rise skyscrapers...
Lierlo: It could be Furan, but that's quite a way away from Dalin.
Laurenza: Furan? Isn't that the place where they...? Oh god…
Thorn: What?
Laurenza: You know how the people in Dalin don't like Magick users very much?
Thorn: Yes…?
Laurenza: Well, imagine that times a hundred. That's what the people in Furan are like.
Thorn: That must be where... I... had met someone, in a town not too far from here. He was the first person I had met outside of Hell that actually accepted who, and what, I was. He was killed by the townspeople because they thought he'd collaborated with me. That must have been Furan.
Lierlo: Well, that wasn't very nice...
Thorn: It... wasn't.
Lierlo: Just because people are different... Why do people have to hate others just because they are different?
Thorn: Fear... mainly.
Li: So... these Furan guys attacked Kuja. Told ya we didn't do it.
Thorn: Maybe they'll have a way we can help him, like an antidote or something.
Laurenza: *Laughs.*
Thorn: What?
Laurenza: You'll be lucky they don't attack you too, let alone help you out.
Thorn: I'll kill them all before I let them touch me.
Lierlo: Thorn, the people of Furan are very technologically advanced. A lot of our technology is theirs...And they hate Magick. They have most likely devised anti-Magick devices. Think about the substance on Kuja's injuries.
Thorn: I will not just stand here and watch him die. I'm gonna make those people help me even if I have to...*Shakes his head.*
Lierlo: We're not going to let him die. I was just telling you to be careful...
Thorn: Okay.
Laurenza: If you went to Furan and they opposed you, would you be able to overcome them if you were unable to use your Magick?
Thorn: Probably not...
Tifanel: You'd need help.
Li: See? Magick isn't everything.
Lierlo: You'd have to prepare. You couldn't just rush in, without being able to use your Magick. Look what they did to Kuja...
Thorn: I know.
Kitzie: Maybe they'd give Creepy Guy some medicine if we asked real nicely?
Thorn: I doubt it, Kitzie.
Tifanel: So, it looks like it's ass-kicking time.
Thorn: Is it ever any other time?
Tifanel: Me and Li will come with ya, 'cos you'll need some muscle.
Thorn: Hmph.
Li: Or we could stay here and let you attempt it all by yourself...
Thorn: No, I appreciate it, thanks.
Lahrne: I'm coming! I'm coming!
Thorn: I don't know...
Li: Lahrne, what can you do other than Magick?
Lahrne: This! *Kicks Li in the family jewels.*
Li: Eeee...
Lahrne: I'm coming!
Thorn: Okay, but be careful...
Lahrne: Yeah! I'm part of the Furan Alliance!
Laurenza: I think I'll stay here. I've got to look after Ana and I could keep an eye on Kuja.
Thorn: Sure.
Li: *Whimpers a little.*
Tifanel: Maybe you should stay here too, Li.
Li: I'm okay!
Lierlo: I'll come along if you want, Thorn.
Thorn: Yes, we need all the help we can get.
Mihako: Then I shall help too.
Lierlo: Mihako... I don't want you in danger...
Thorn: Plus, Magick is sort of the only thing you could help us with...
Mihako: I see. I will remain here then.
Kitzie: If Mihaky's not going, I'm not.
Thorn: Yes, Kitzie, you should stay too.
Kitzie: *Nods.*
Lierlo: I assume you wish to set off right away, Thorn?
Thorn: Yes.
Tifanel: Okay, let's get ready then.
*They go and fetch their weapons: Li, his sword, Loretta; Tifanel, his sword, White Katana and Lierlo, his rapier, the Viper Fang.*
Lahrne: *Looks enviously at their arsenal.*
Thorn: Here. *Passes Lahrne the ManusBlade.*
Lahrne: Oooh... You never let me touch it!
Thorn: Well, I guess I've changed my mind.
Lahrne: *Admires the ManusBlade.*
Lierlo: *Sheathes his own weapon.* It'd be nice if we could avoid having to fight at all.
Thorn: Yes, that would be nice.
Tifanel: *Coughs.* Pansy.
Lierlo: *Waves Smiley in Tifanel's direction.*
Tifanel: Hey, don't make me cut him in half…!
Thorn: Okay, we're fighting the people of Furan, not each other.
Li: Okay, we all set?
Lierlo: I'm ready.
Tifanel: Me too.
Lahrne: Let's go already!
Thorn: Any ideas on how to get there?
Tifanel: *Leaves the party for a moment, then returns, something jangling in his hands.* Heheh, I've got Kuja's keys...
Thorn: The Destiny.

*They all board The Destiny.*
Tifanel: Okay, let's hit the road... uh... sky.
Lahrne: Dum de dum... Whoops! *Presses a button, and the airship goes into hyper speed.* Whoooooa!
Lierlo: *Holding on to the back of his seat.* At least we'll be getting there quicker!

*They come to an abrupt stop just outside Furan, where Thorn found Kuja before. They land and get out. Kuja's Dragon has gone, but the area where it was can be recognised by the stark stains of Dragon blood. It has also been bordered off by police tape.*
Thorn: This is where I found him.
Li: *Ducks under the police tape.* Mwahaha!
Tifanel: C'mon you goon, stop fooling around.
Li: Hah, as if you've never wanted to do this.
Thorn: Be careful, their police force might be around.
Li: What gives you that idea?
Thorn: The tape was a bit of a giveaway.
Li: I was being sarcastic... duh.
Lierlo: Leave it, guys. We can't waste time like this.
Thorn: He's right, let's go.
Lahrne: And so the Furan Alliance marched mightily onward!
*Before they can reach the city centre, they have to walk through a park. They come to a play area with a few children in and one of their parents is sat on a nearby bench. The children look at the gang with excited interest.*
Girl: Cool! Cosplayers!
Boy: It's a bit early for Halloween.
Girl: *Goes up to Thorn and touches his wings.* Wow, they're so realistic. They're real feathers! How long did they take you to make?
Thorn: Ermm... a day or so.
Boy: *Pokes Lierlo's forehead symbol repeatedly.* This is awesome.
Lierlo: *Winces, trying not to express pain.* Err... yes.
Parent: They are very, very good costumes. Are you on the way to a convention, or something?
Thorn: *Slightly aggravated.* No... A fancy dress party.
Lierlo: *Trying to remove the boy's finger from his forehead.* Can you please stop that now?
Thorn: Yeah, we really must be moving on.
Girl: Ooh, stay a little longer! You look so cool!
Boy: *Stops poking Lierlo's symbol, but tugs hard on one of his wings.*
Lierlo: Ow! *A spurt of fire ignites behind him, but in a light flash it quickly disappears.* Oops...
*The three Furani people stare at them.*
Thorn: Yeah, we really must be moving on.
Parent: You're... you're Magi! Children, stay back! Those cursed with Magick are known to get violent! Don't look them in the eyes!
Thorn: *Raises an eyebrow.*
Girl: *Moving slowly away.* I didn't think they was real...
Boy: I always believed in 'em!
Tifanel: Talking about us like we're the tooth fairy or Santa...
Thorn: Or Angels...
Lahrne: Nah, everyone knows Angels don't exist... *Grins.*
Thorn: Come, on, let's get out of here before they raise the alarm.
Parent: Don't move! I'm... I'm calling the police! *He gets out a mobile phone.*
Li: Like that?
Thorn: Tremor! *A shockwave spreads out across the ground.* It causes the airwaves to go cablooey. Now, lets get out of here...
*There is a little light flash...*
Parent: Hello, police! There's some... some Magick users in Swandale Park!
Thorn: What? My Magick should have stopped that...!
Lierlo: Magick doesn't work here!
Thorn: Oh no...
Lahrne: Run for the hills!
*They run for it out of the park.*

*Dashing down the streets, they find and hide in a convenient alleyway.*
Lierlo: Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!
Thorn: Don't worry about it, we would have got found out eventually.
Lahrne: And I would've done the same if someone pulled on my wings like that!
*Out of the shadows, walks a girl of around nineteen. She has huge, shocking pink hair tied back and grey eyes hidden behind mirrored glasses. She is wearing red and black striped arm warmers and a matching loosened tie.*
Girl: Well, well. What do we have here?
Thorn: I ask the same question.
Girl: Hahah, you're a real funny guy, aren't ya? So, what's a bunch of Magis like you doing in Furan?
Li: Why should we tell a little punk like you?
Girl: 'Cos I could just holler for the cop over there...
Tifanel: So? We can take him.
Girl: I wouldn't anyway. I'm not like other people in this city. I'm on your side.
Thorn: Really? Prove it.
Girl: There ain't nothing wrong with Magis, people just hate 'em 'cos they're different.
Thorn: And here was me thinking they were just scared.
Girl: Not all of 'em are scared. A lot of 'em really hate you guys. Just the other day some poor Magi kid got beat up by a gang.
Thorn: We know. That's... why we're here.
Lierlo: He's a friend of ours.
Girl: S'pose you're comin' for revenge. He had it coming, though.
Thorn: We came to find a way to help him. We have no interest in fighting, hence the whole 'hiding in the alley' thing.
Girl: If he'd just stayed out he wouldn't be needin' help.
Thorn: I know.
Lahrne: Hold your Hydras... dad, you found him outside the city, right?
Thorn: Well, yes.
Lahrne: So, uh, he didn't go in the city, so those guys had no right to attack him!
Girl: *Laughs.* You tell them that.
Thorn: If they had it in for Kuja, then they wouldn't have cared where he was.
Lierlo: Miss, we're here because there is something on our friend's wounds that stops our Magick from healing them. Is there something that can help him?
Girl: Oh, poor kid has to heal naturally. What a shame...
Thorn: *His wings spread.* Magick or not... you don't want to be around when I'm angry. Tell us how we can help him properly.
Girl: Oooh, scary. Not.
Thorn: *Slumps against the wall.* Pity, I'm all out of ideas.
Lahrne: Aiyah! *Kicks her between the legs.*
Girl: Oof... ya little turd!
Thorn: Lahrne, don't do that.
Lahrne: But... but!
Girl: Like I'm gonna help someone who kicks me in the...
Thorn: That's why I didn't want you to do that, Lahrne. *Walks up to the girl.* I must apologise for my son.
Girl: Hmph. Little bastard doesn't know how to treat a lady.
Thorn: Maybe not... Is there anything I can help you with?
Girl: *Smiles.* Nah, I'm good. In fact, I reckon I will help you guys after all. I could do with a bit o' adventure today.
Thorn: We'd appreciate it. *Holds out his hand.* I'm Thorn.
Larzel: *Gives him five.* Larzel Maguire.
Lahrne: I'm Lahrne!
Tifanel: Tif.
Li: Li.
Lierlo: Lierlo.
Larzel: So, youse'll be wanting the antidote, huh? They'll prolly have some up at the chem. lab, but it's fulla top-secret stuff so it's always under heavy guard. Don't ya worry, though, Larzel knows this city like the back o' her hand. There's a secret entrance right around the corner...
Thorn: Well, if you'd be so kind as to lead…
Larzel: This way. *She goes to the end of the alley, shifts a skip and reveals a manhole.* Voila. *She prises it open and jumps down.*
Tifanel: Oh great, I can think of better ways to spend my Friday than trawling through a sewer...
Thorn: Come on. *Jumps down, the gang following.*

*Down in the sewers, it is dank, dirty and uninviting.*
Lahrne: Stinky.
Lierlo: Oh, I HOPE that was a chocolate bar that just floated past me.
Larzel: Quit ya complainin'.
*They trudge through sewer sludge for what seems like forever.*
Li: Are we there yet?
Tifanel: Are we there yet?
Li & Tif: Are we there yet?
Larzel: Don't make me turn this car around!
Lahrne: My shoes are full of poop water...
Thorn: Where does this come up?
Larzel: Soon.
Thorn: Okay, that wasn't really what I asked…
Lierlo: Well, wherever it does, I'll be happy to get out of here. My shoes are full of... poop water too.
Larzel: ...Anyone'd think ya had never been in a sewer before.
All: WE HAVEN'T!
Larzel: Geez... Newbies. *She comes to a ladder.* Here's our stop. *She opens the cover and climbs out.*
*The others do the same. They are in a toilet, and they have just climbed out of a floor drain.*
Lierlo: *Empties his shoes.* Not one of my most favourite experiences, I must say.
Thorn: Well, at least we're in.
Larzel: Okay team, move out!

*They leave the toilets and step out into a corridor. It is clean and clinical-looking. There are security cameras everywhere.*
Larzel: Oh, look, security cameras. *Giggles and waves at them.*
Thorn: Is that a good idea?
*An alarm sounds.*
Larzel: Nope. But I'm in the mood for a little fun...
V.O: ALERT! ALERT! INTRUDERS! LEVEL THREE SECURITY BREACH IN SECTOR 5-A! DEPLOYING DEFENCE ARRAY!
Thorn: Damn, how am I supposed to fight these guys without Magick?
*Li, Tifanel, Lierlo and Lahrne draw their swords.*
Tifanel: I seem to get on fine.
Thorn: Hmph.
*Several robots come towards them, firing little lasers.*
Thorn: Okay, when it said 'defence array,' I was expecting something a little more dangerous.
*The lasers pierce Thorn's wing.*
Thorn: *Screams and falls to the ground.*
Lahrne: Daddy! Oh, you're gonna get it! AIYAAAH! *He jump-attacks the robot who shot Thorn with the ManusBlade, disabling it.*
Thorn: *Breathing heavily, he clutches his bleeding wing.*
*The others fight back the robots while Lahrne goes to Thorn.*
Lahrne: Daddy... are you okay?
Thorn: I'm fine... I'll sort it out once I can use my Magick.
Lahrne: Okay... as long as you're okay now.
Thorn: *Gets up.* I'm fine... I'm fine...
Lahrne: *Goes back to fighting the robots.*
Tifanel: *Knocks back all the shots from the lasers with his sword with extreme speed and accuracy, and then runs a robot through.*
Li: *Sticks his sword into one of the robot's circuitry.*
Lierlo: *Randomly waves his rapier at a robot and it by chance strikes it in a weak point, disabling it.*
Larzel: *Kicks the last robot down and rips out its circuits.* Now, wasn't that fun?
Lahrne: NO! Dad got hurt!
Thorn: Lahrne, I'm okay, seriously.
Lahrne: Still... She's a stupid lady!
Larzel: *Smiles and shakes her head.*
Thorn: Now that you mention it, Lahrne...*Turns to Larzel.* Do you have the slightest idea what we're supposed to be doing?
Larzel: Yeah, I've sneaked in here a million times.
Thorn: Well, okay.
Larzel: The chem. room is just in here. *She opens a door, to an office type room with a large TV.* Nope... But hey look, a TV!
Tifanel: Ooh, is the Jim Terano Show on?
Larzel: No, just an infomercial.
TV: If you think that Magick is all bad... *You see some images of a village on fire.* ...Then you're wrong. Magick is the future of energy production!
Larzel: Blah blah. *Closes the door.*

*They walk along the corridor for a while longer, unaware that Lahrne has slipped from their numbers.*
Lierlo: Are you certain you know where you're going?
Larzel: Yes!
Tifanel: Suure...
Larzel: I'm telling ya! We're close to the chem. room. I know it!
Li: Hey, uh, guys? Where's Lahrne?
Thorn: Oh no...
Larzel: Li'l idiot prolly wandered off.
Lierlo: We should look for him.
Li: But this place is huge! He could be anywhere.
*Lahrne's scream is heard.*
Larzel: Well, there's a hint.
Thorn: Lahrne!
*They follow the sound of his scream to a room. The large door is locked with a security device.*
Tifanel: *Smashes it with his sword.* Whoops, hand slipped. *Grins.*
*The door opens. It is a laboratory of sorts, filled with computers and scientist type-guys. In the centre is a reinforced, see-through container marked 'Magic Chamber' with Lahrne inside, using his Lightning Magick desperately to try and escape.*
Thorn: Lahrne!
Lahrne: Daddy!
Scientist #1: This area is off-limits!
Scientist #2: Leave immediately or we shall call security!
Thorn: I'll get you out of there somehow...
Lahrne: *Carries on using his Magick, which appears to be charging some kind of generator.*
Tifanel: Leave this to me. *He runs towards the container and hits it with his sword, but all that happens is a loud clanging noise.* Damn!
Thorn: *Spots the generator.* Lahrne... stop using your Magick!
Lahrne: Okay.
*Lierlo has the scientists at rapier point, whilst Li goes to the computers.*
Li: One of these buttons has gotta open the thingy up. *He slams on random buttons, making the lights flash and disco music play, but the chamber remains sealed.* Doggone it!
Lahrne: That's it! *He transforms into Doggy Lahrne, smashing the container open.*
Okay, let's get going. *He tries to transform back, but coming outside of the container meant his powers are once again sealed.* Darn!
Thorn: Lahrne, you're just going to have to stay like that until we can find a way to get rid of their anti-Magick thing.
Lahrne: Woof...
Lierlo: *To the scientists.* Thank you for being such co-operative hostages. *Lowers his rapier.* We'll be on our way now.

*The gang leave the room and go further down the corridor. They come to a door marked 'Chemical Storage.'*
Tifanel: Convenient.
Thorn: Very.
Larzel: Oh, oh. You guys go on ahead. I gotta go back and do something.
Thorn: What?
Larzel: Wait and see. Just go, go!
Thorn: Okay, but don't get captured like Lahrne did.
Larzel: Hah, I'm not an idiot kid. *She runs off.*
*They are about to enter the chemical storage facility, but a metal door slides down in front of it. A large amount of more advanced-looking security robots come towards them from down the corridor.*
Thorn: Not again...
*The robots shoot little missiles at them.*
Lahrne: *Moves in front of the others and takes the blast of the missiles.*
Thorn: Lahrne! Don't ever do that! Are you all right?
Lahrne: *Stumbling back a little.* I'm okay. I'm stronger in this form...
Tifanel: Man, there's so many of them...
Li: Nothing we can't handle. Charge!
*The guys go forward, tackling the robots with their swords whilst Lahrne fends off the missiles. However, they are seriously outnumbered.*
Tifanel: Damn! They just keep coming...
Li: We're not gonna give up just like that!
Larzel: Guys! *She waves at them over the crowd of robots, some wires in her hand.* Do the Magick thing you so love to do!
Thorn: Great. *Laughs.* Finally...*Spreads out his hands and energy bolts shoot out of them from all angles, however, this Magick is red and not Thorn's usual black colour.*
Lierlo: Wah! Thorn, be careful.
*Lierlo and the others dodge out of the way as the Magick hurtles towards the robots, destroying them, and the metal door to the chemical room.*
Thorn: I am careful.
Larzel: Wow, awesome! *Claps.*
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Li: I still think we could've taken them.
Thorn: Eventually, yes. But my way was quicker. Hmm, door's open.
*Thorn goes through and the rest follow.*

*The chemical storage facility is packed with shelves and shelves of flasks containing various concoctions.*
Larzel: Lots o' different flavours.
Thorn: It's gonna take us ages to find the right one... and even then we wouldn't be sure...
Larzel: I know which it is.
Thorn: You do?
Larzel: I said I've been here millions o' times! *She goes to a shelf and takes a flask off it. She hands it to Thorn.* Make sure he drinks alla it...
Lierlo: *Looks at the flask.* No! *Rushes towards Thorn and knocks it out of his hand onto the ground where it smashes.*
Thorn: What? What is it?
Lierlo: *Glares at Larzel with fiery sparks in his eyes, his forehead symbol flickering purple.* That was poison.
Larzel: Was not.
Lierlo: *Grabs her by the collar and points the rapier at her neck.* Don't lie to me! I know poison when I see it.
Larzel: Okay, okay. It was a joke! I just wanted t'see if ya would notice. I mean, I'm a stranger and you trusted me. I could've given ya anything.
Lierlo: I must say for a joke, that wasn't very amusing.
Larzel: I'm sorry! Just put me down!
Lierlo: *Drops her.*
Larzel: *Fetches a flask from a different shelf and shoves it in Lierlo's hands.* There!
Thorn: Is it safe?
Lierlo: Looks it.
Thorn: Well, it had better be. *Glares at Larzel.*
Larzel: It is! Now y'all better get the hell outta here.
Tifanel: Don't have to tell us twice.
Lahrne: Bye bye, stupid evil lady.
*The gang make their escape out of the complex, and the city, and return to The Destiny.*