[b][i]Ashton Andrews and Flame Brooks[/i][/b] 

A measure of hope and an even larger amount of determination returned to Ashton's heart as Od Laguna made their apperance, and his first question was, "What's the status of Hiro's [i]Soul[/i]?"

Flame turned to Ashton, a sudden smile breaking out on his face as he noticed that some small-s spirit had come back to his boyfriend. Then to Od Laguna, he said, "So we're the spanner in the works as regards those guys and their own plans for [i]our friends[/i]." A slight breath. "I'm not blind; we've arrived at a point where our fellowship has been shattered, the bad guys are on the verge of victory, and due to the circumstances in which the fellowship was shattered, we'd find our friends different from how we once knew them."

Ashton looked back at Flame, saying, "Meaning that because of my actions, they'd distrust us at best, while we'd have to fight them at worst." More determination returned to his eyes, even as he assessed the cost of his actions. Turning to the Angelic Figure, the boy said, "We're ready to help, but remember that I killed someone I liked and trusted because of those Witches and their game. If I have to do the same again, multiple times because of the Resets, then it'd better be worth it." 

He then smiled widely, even as he was on the verge of tears. "Being a veterinarian was my dream when I returned, but now that's over. I will forever be reminded of Hiro whenever I have to mercy-[i]kill[/i] a patient. So again, it had better be worth it."

Flame looked at Ashton as he said, "Through Grief, Hope. Where you go, I will follow. I love, you, Ashton; you don't have to be my rescuer or anyone's for me to be with you throughout this fight."

He then faced Od Laguna's Avatar, "Tell me as much as you can about these 'Witches', as well as what other support you can give other than hijacking the enemy's spells. Then after that, we're training."