(Preshow) Preshow Facility

[Retane]

The Namekian turned a curious eye to Arith, curious as to what had caused the Lythian such joy. The Golden Warrior clutched at his belly as he folded over, causing Retane to scan the crowd and the source of his humor. He couldn't find anything that stood out that would cause such an outburst, though he did notice his soon-to-be partner, off in the distance with a few others. Perhaps Arith was ready for a showdown between Mar and Wolfe before the real stuff actually began.

The Emerald Fiend glanced at Jak, then back to Arith, who had stopped suddenly abruptly and was doing his best to look innocent as he scratched at his head, pretending his helmet wasn't there. The Dragon-masked fighter offered his other hand, which contained Retane's Mobile Data Device, "I think you dropped this."

Retane took it from the Lythian with a sigh, knowing all to well that he hadn't dropped it and some how Arith had gotten it off of him without him noticing. The Namek looked the device over, making sure it hadn't been broken and then wondered what his summoned comrade had done. The Leader of The Horsemen looked back up, his eyes demanding an explanation, but Arith was already walking off. "Get back here! What did you do?"

"Can't hear you! Arith called out. "I need to hurry up and make some bets before they close up!"

The Namekian furrowed his brow trying to make sense of it as he glanced back at Inirtias, who had his face in his hands. Through the fingertips, his face seemed flush and Retane was unsure if the Elf was laughing, crying or just shaking from the stupidity of it all. That's when it hit the green warrior like a freight train and his head jerked back towards the direction Arith had went, "What the fuck you plan on betting with?"

"Excuse me sir", a voice called out, "Could I have your autograph." The voice seemed playful as well as familiar almost tugging at the Retane's ears for attention.

The Namek looked back, his body following his head as he saw that the voice belonged to none other than Jack Frost. Retane's eyes went wide with surprise as he soaked his comrade in. He hadn't changed a bit: White hair. Big smile. Crooked Staff. Blue Hoodie with one hand in his pocket. Brown raggy pants. Airyonna at his side. Six little Nameks behind him. Alaina taking up the rear.

Six little Nameks behind him.

He was motionless as his eyes met each and everyone of theirs, noting the joy on their faces to see him. Dante, Probitas, Krosst, Reatus, Triumpht and Naturae. He had never seen all of them together, at least not in reality. They were all just as he had imagined, though they were younger than he expected. They didn't even come up to his hip. It was as if they stopped growing after their first few days in the Omniverse, and that seemed strange to him.

"Classic Retane," Frost stated, snapping the Namekian's attention back to him. "Cursed to sleep a few years, and what's the first thing he does when he wakes up? He joins Dante's Abyss. Doesn't even call anyone to say 'good morning' or anything."

The Leader of The Hosremen smirked, " I didn't want to bother anyone. Needed to get my head back in the game, see if I still had it. But it's good to see you, why didn't you join, Retane asked as he offered his hand.

The Guardian of the Horsemen nodded as if he understood and accepted Retane hand, "It's more your thing than it is mine. Plus a mission took longer than expected. But we got the message that you were awake had joined and came as fast we all could."

It donned on the Emerald Warrior, then, exactly what Arith had been doing with his mobile gave a slight sigh. Of course he used it to contact everyone and tell them he was here.

"Well, i guess you'd like to say hello to the others so..." As Jack trailed off he and Airyonna moved out of the way.

Retane dropped to his knees as the six children shuffled closer. All of them seemed a bit unsure how they were suppose to react in the situation, especially the Emerald Fiend, so he did the only thing he could think of and opened his arms wide. Probitas was the first to move on the action and swung his arms around his neck with Naturae following suit. Reatus was the next to move but he tripped and nearly stumbled, but Retane was quick to catch him from behind and pull him close as if noting had happened. Krosst, being the 'Copy Namek', grinned and mimicked Reatus' action with Retane having to do the same for him. Dante and Triumpth looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders with a 'if you do it, I'll do it' glance and both joined in on the hugging session.

"It's good to see you all" Retane confessed, releasing them from his embrace. "But, we are going to have to put this on pause, because the Abyss is about to begin and I have to go... have a conversation with my... teammate" The Horsemen had to pause and use delicate words.

They all nodded Jack doing the speaking, "We know. I told them we couldn't keep you for too long. Just remember, we will be in the stands rooting for you."

Retane stood up with a nod and accepted the Guardian's hand once again. Alaina and Airyonna were already hustling the children off where were waiving and saying 'bye' to their father, when Frost leaned closer and whispered, "That slight bulge on your shoulder? Is that...?"

The Namekian nodded as he looked his old comrade in the eyes. Jack grimaced a bit trying to find the words but Retane offered a confident smirk. "I know what you are feeling, old friend. But, you have to 'Believe In Me'."

Jack still wore a frown but with a slow nod, he accepted it, "Good Luck Retane, "I'll be rooting for you."

Retane heard commotion to his side and turned to look. He saw Jak trying to get control of the ottsel while staring down the Namek's partner for the Abyss. The Leader of The Horsemen flashed a thought to Inirtias who nodded and moved to assist get Jak and Daxter out of the area. Arith, who came from god who knows where was already behind Victor Wolfe tapping him on the shoulder.

"Victor Wolfe, I presume?" Arith offered out a hand as Victor swung around to see who was invading his personal space.

"Eh? Who's asking", the blonde Lord asked as he looked the Lythian up and down in his Golden Dragon Armor.

Arith feigned that he was taken aback,, giving a gasp and pressing his fingers upon his own breast plate, "Oh, you gonna just stand there and act like you don't know me? You didn't look and see who you are paired with? It's me silly, your partner."

Wolfe seemed to look Arith up and down once again before looking around confused, "This is a joke, right? Are you mad, stupid, or drunk? I'm paired up with a guy, named Retane, you cock-wad. Last I checked, he was tall, green and didn't wear armor."

"Oh, you mean him!" Arith pointed behind Wolfe and quickly dissipated into the form of black mist.

Retane approached the man with caution. As he neared the Lord of New Babylon he could smell a scent. It was strange, scent, something he realized he had smelt coming from more than a few people he'd passed by. Even Jak Mar had a slight smell of the repugnant odor. He couldn't his put his finger on the smell, or determine the 'ground zero' of the source but, it was a musky one, almost as if it was mix of pheromones, combined with raunchy seafood and something acidic.

"Excellent! Just the man I was looking for. Are you ready to wreak havoc and chaos against our foes, Big Green?" Victor still seemed confused as he tried to understand who Arith was or what happened but offered his his hand to the Emerald Fiend.

Retane shook it and gave a nod, "That's exactly what I was planning on doing. Perhaps we should go to place less crowded, get our ducks in a row. There are some things we need to discuss, and maybe you could get a shower."