*I think so,* came the answer. *I was actually hoping I'd be able to write it off to a flashback to... things that happened at Woodstock.*

*This is not the time for jokes!*

*It wasn't a joke! I was really hoping that what I saw never happened!*

*I know the feeling... I just don't have anything to write it off to.* She looked around. The sky was growing reddish-orange as the light of the setting sun was refracted through the smog and haze. That was one benifit of the smog... it really made for some spectacular sunsets. *Well, where are you?*

*Looking for Orion. You haven't seen him, have you?*

*Sorry, you're on your own. Why?*

*Don't worry about it. Just concentrate on what you need to do.*

*Oh, yes SIR! Of course--* she broke off as she felt a familiar chi moving quickly in her direction. She had time to think, *I thought they were up on that damn dragon thing...* before Mercy was in front of her, swinging that damned lightsaber at her.

Susanne didn't have time to pull the glaive out. She jumped to the side and rolled, hitting rocks, shards of broken glass, and whatever other debris was at the end of main street, adding to the wounds from her earlier battle with Celly.

When she came to a stop, she focused what energy she could at where her mind's eye told her Mercy was, and sent off a blast. She felt her power connect and heard a thud as her assailant landed a few feet away and the zap-click of the lightsaber turning off.

Now, she pulled the glaive out and jumped over to where Mercy lay, flat on her back.

The blonde girl began to raise herself up on her elbows, her eyes squinted shut as she tried to ease the pounding in her head. She stopped when she opened her eyes to see the cold point of the glaive less than an inch away.

"You've chosen the wrong opponent," Susanne said icily.

Mercy's face darkened in a knowing grin.

Susanne was confused for a moment, then jumped away, narrowly avoiding the fiery ball that came from behind.