At Ada had parked his car outside an abondoned apartment complex, he needed a place to crash for the night and think about his next move. He entered the building and decided to take the stairs as the power was out. As he climbed the stairs, he was aware of a feeling in the back of his mind that he had since his conversation with Shadow. He felt a great bloodlust against Shadow, and he wondered that, if he had not still been on the phone during X and Shadow's conversation, maybe he would have met with Shadow in just a few hours time and be killed without honor and without warning. He banished these thoughts to the back of his mind, they were of no use to him right now.

When he reached the 5th floor, he left the stairs and headed down the hallway, he entered room number 52, and setup a chair against the door so nobody could enter without his knowing. He felt no need to bathe himself and the water was probably off for this building too. So he entered the bedroom ready for some rest, when he heard a voice behind him,
"Greetings, At Ada"
At Ada who was rarely taken off gaurd quickly turned around and called
"who are you and what do you want?"
he could not see the stranger but he heard his footsteps coming towards him from his left,
"I am called Phoenix" said the stranger as he stepped out of the shadows, "and I may be able to help you".

Chapter 22

Mistrust

"What makes you think I need your help?" said At Ada, taking a step torwards Phoenix.
"This building has been rigged with explosives, and there isn't enough time for you to get out without my assistance" replied Phoenix.
"How do you know this?"
"There is little time to explain, you must leave now"
"But you said there wasn't enough ti..."
Phoenix had grabbed his neck and had thrown him out of the window as the world turned dark. 5 minutes passed. He could smell smoke, hear sirens, taste iron. He had landed on the roof of a parked car and had sustained serious injuries. He slowly opened his eyes and took in the surrounding view. His vision was hazy, but he could make out the destruction around him. He popped his shoulder back into place and as he was about to get up, he coughed up some blood.
"Pityfull mortals" the voice came from his right.
At Ada lifted himself off the car and saw Phoenix walking towards him.
"You bastard" Ata Ada said through a mouthfull of blood.
"It was the only means of escape, if you were to remain in good health" replied Phoenix.
"Good health!? You damn near killed me!"
"Yes, but you are in fewer pieces now, than if I had left you in that building"
At Ada hated to admit this, even to himself, but he had been taken off-gaurd and if this "Phoenix" hadn't found him, he'd probably be lying all over the place.
"You must know I don't trust anyone, i've already been betrayed once tonight" said At Ada.
"Yes you have, and as a simple human, I suppose you want revenge?" enquired Phoenix.
"Of course! Tell me, who planted these explosives? Whose head am I after?
"Well the exposives were planted by a low-life thug, and I assume you would not be satisfied with his death? laughed Phoenix.
"You assume much, but you are right" admitted At Ada.
"Well then, you and I are after the same man, the big cheese of tonights events! He has caused much pain and suffering this night, little of which you have been involved in. I have witnessed all his acts of the last day. I have seen many a battle, many a betrayal and much death. But where there is darkness there is also light! Many friendships have formed this night, many alliances! May ours be one of them as we venture forth! I do not need your trust, At Ada. Just your co-operation. Let us begin!" exclaimed Phoenix.
At Ada looked at him with wonder, he had mearly shrugged off Phoenix's references to At Ada being only Human, only mortal. He just assumed this was some vigilante that had lost some sharpness in his previous endevours. He pulled himself together. Despite his injuries and his near death expirience, he had never felt so alive.
"Why do you need me?" asked At Ada.
"I sense something about you, I feel you have some part to play before it's all over. Whether for good, or for ill your role is, I cannot say, but whilst you have a destiny tonight, I cannot let you die."
"That's some serious mystical bullshit! But i'll play along, just tell me, who are we after and what is your part in all this?"
"My part is my own. But as for our targets name? His name is John, John the musical universe."

Shadow put the reciever down and fell back into his chair, this thing was getting more and more complicated and he didn't know how much more he could handle. He poured himself another drink and had another look at the gun he had been given. What was he going to do, he was going to end up with someone after him no matter what he did at the meeting between him and Ada, maybe he just shouldn't go... But then he wouldn't get to the bottom of all of this... Shadow hated when he was indecisive, it was one of his only weaknesses. Shadow downed his drink and got out of his chair, and walked slowly towards the door of his bedroom, the gun in his hand. He opened the door of the room the darkness overwhelmed by the light from the office. The double bed was against the back wall with one cabinet on the right hand side. Shadow took off his shirt and trousers and got under the covers, he then slid the gun under the pillow and let his head hit the pillow. he fell asleep almost immediately with the thoughts of his current situation still very much on his mind, hopefully a sleep would help him make a decision in the morning...

As At Ada left the telephone booth he felt someone watching him, after the nights events he felt the need to be more cautious in case he was being tracked, he checked his surroundings, and satisfied that he was alone, returned to his car. Unbeknownst to him, he was being watched, by someone whose power and skill were far superior than his. This beings title was Phoenix, he could have killed At Ada many times tonight, but he was content with being the observer for now, he had tracked At Ada since the begining of the night, always hiding in the shadows, ever unseen, but soon he must reveal himself. He watched At Ada enter his vehicle and drive away.

Phoenix would not lose him, although he had no vehicle, he had sensed At Ada now and he would not forget his esscence of life. Still he did not wait behind, he immediately took off in pursuit, the hour was late and few people were on the streets. Phoenix could travel at great speeds on foot and would not suffer any delay. He was just less than a mile behind Ada, and a fog seemed to follow him and conceal his coming. As he was catching up, he heard a commotion ahead of him, three men were walking out of a drinking establishment and arguing amongst each other, the argument quickly ascended into a brawl and as Phoenix sped by, one of the men caught him by the shoulder, "where do you think you're going buddy!?" he said, the man's mind was tainted with alcohol, and having no time for petty talk or a fight, Phoenix plunged his left arm through the man's flesh and into his soul, corrupting and burning the man's life force, as the man coughed up blood and bodily organs, the other two men ran for thier lives.

Phoenix removed his arm from the corpse and resumed his pursuit, his intentions unclear and his purpose unknown.