Yeah, a new story, but this time it isn’t about kh. Well, it does have some things that can remind you on kh, like a power of friendship, mystical powers, being chosen for something… Story will focus on a normal teenage boy ( how original! ) who lives a normal life. But then something happens and he meets a mysterious girl, who seems to know something….

And that will also be a story where I'll use characters simmilar to some of my kh13 friends! So keep reading if you're my kh13 friend!!!

Chapters:

( 1 ) Flying Through the Memories - Done
( 2 ) He’s the One… - Done
( 3 ) Answers? - Done
( 4 ) Sleep Over - Done
( 5 ) Men In Gray - Done
( 6 ) Abby - Done
( 7 ) Experiments - Done
( 8 ) Breaking out - Done
( 9 ) Surviving - Done
( 10 ) Promise - Done
( 11 ) Realm of Spirits - Done
( 12 ) Captured - Done
( 13 ) From Rookie to an Ial - Done
( 14 ) Game With Circle - Done

( 15 ) Song of Heart - Done
( 16 ) Big City of Dark - Done

( 17 ) Haunted House - Done

( 18 ) New Home - Done

( 19 ) Escape While You Can - Done

( 20 ) Advent Children - Done

( 21 ) Mission - Artificial - Done

( 22 ) Cold Way - Done

( 23 ) Rescuing Innocent Life - In working

 

Chapter One: Flying Through the Memories

Another school day was over and Alex was going home. Boys met up with their gangs, while girls were going towards the shopping centre. Alex wasn’t one of them. And yet, it seemed like none sees him. He was kinda used to that life. You’re in the backstage, all alone, none cares…

For him that was ok, because he liked to be alone. Well, he wasn’t completely invisible. For girls, of course. For them he was “the cutest thing in the school”. And that was true. Unlike his classmates, he had red spiky hair and bright green eyes. Girls were totally crazy about that.

But Alex was still lonely. Even thought girls were crazy about him, he never had an actual friend. All other boys called him a “nerd” or something even weirder. They didn’t like him because, he was different.

Alex loved drawing.

Every day after the school, he went in park and drew in his sketchbook. That was his relaxation after the school. Right now he was sitting under the tree while he was drawing a girl. He didn’t know why, but the thing he most liked to draw were girls. Drawing was almost finished, when he was thinking about girl’s hairstyle.

“Let’s see…”

Pencil was drawing by itself. Soon after, girl had two long ponytails. While looking on her, he thought what kind of personality she would have.

“Cool… creative… never squealing… loyal… an adventurist!”

All those thinking about that girl made his head heavy, so he decided to go home.

“Too bad that kind of girl doesn’t exist…”

He walked towards the small apartment, near the park. This was his home since he was 3. That was the age when he lost his parents in a car accident. Fortunately his uncle raised him into a smart and creative kid. But unfortunately, he was always busy.
Like now, apartment was empty. Alex sighed and looked on the message that was lying on the table.
Hey there Kiddo!
Today I had a bit more work to do, so I’ll be late. I left you some money if you’ll be hungry.

His stomach talked faster than his head. Alex was very hungry duo to his small lunch that he had in school. He took the bike from the garage and rode it towards the shop. It was pretty far away and yet, it started raining.

“Great! Now I’ll have to eat in the shop!”

And that was true. 20 minutes later, he was standing next to the shopkeeper, eating a sandwich and french fries.

“So, how’s school?” shopkeeper asked.
“Like always… nothing new…” Alex said.

Alex came to eat in this shop often, so shopkeeper pretty memorized him. Shopkeeper’s name was Flynn and he had shaved blond hair, with a ring in his ear. He was also the one of Alex’s only friends.

“It’s getting late. I have to go home.”
“Hey, it’s raining outside. Why don’t you wait here until it stops?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
“Be careful…”

Alex nearly regretted that he didn’t listen to Flynn. The rain got from bad to worse and road was full of water. His mind was full of memories again.

“Can I play around the puddles, mom?”
“Of course you can, dear. Just be careful!”
“Don’t worry mommy I will.”

A tear drop slipped down to his cheek when he was thinking about it. The last walk with his mom just before she died in that car accident along with his dad…

His thinking was broken by loud lighting in the sky. Alex now realized that he’s getting wetter by every second.

“Man, I need a shower when I come home.”

When he was about to turn in his street, a giant van rushed right into him!

Alex didn’t feel the pain when van crush into him. He only felt the feeling of flying that ended with a pain on the ground. Driver seemed to realize what he had just done. He quickly came out of his car.

“Hey, can you hear me? Are you alright?”

There was no reply. Alex was just laying on the ground, bleeding.

“ Oh, my goodness.” driver said as he looked on Alex’s wounds.

Driver quickly called an ambulance on his cell phone.

“Please come quick… I hit a kid with my car… yes, on the 4^th street… he’s bleeding! Hurry!”

While man was phoning, Alex saw someone in the corner. His sight was foggy, so he couldn’t fully see it. But he did saw a girl, who looked exactly like from his sketchbook.

That was the last thing he saw before passing out.

When the ambulance arrived was already too late. Even thought doctors connected him with many life – saving machines, his heart didn’t beat. His skin turned pale as his eyes stared into the corner where that girl was…

Alex’s life was taken away.

Edited June 18, 201312 yr by hawk

Chapter Eighteen: New Home

 

Most of the people would think that spending the night at abandoned house is the scariest thing on earth. But this night, when everyone set their sleeping bags around new Rookie, they all felt save. Even though Piko’s last weeks weren’t exactly nice, he slept like a baby. He had never felt so peaceful before. In times when he was locked up in cage, tied on table or even somewhere in house, he always felt extremely scared and lonely.

Now that those teens came, treated his wounds and promised him to take him on safety, he felt like in a family. Also those dogs and birds they had with seemed friendly. With closed eyes he spent first peaceful night after so many months.

Countless hours soon turned night into a morning. Piko woke up with others, surrounded by boxes of food.

 

“You hungry?” Os asked him as he handed him some sandwiches.

 

Boy nodded and took offered food. Moment he put it in his mouth he realized how hungry he was. He hasn’t got a proper meal for so many months. Just thinking about sickly sweet swill and tablets he was forced to eat just made him even hungrier. Soon after, he emptied the full box of sandwiches. Party only smiled on his big appetite.

When others ate their breakfast as well, Carl and Nate brought some of their equipment inside. With all kinds of cables they connected device on Piko’s ankle to their laptop. Computer showed breath taking results which made everyone worried.

 

“What’s wrong? Is something wrong with me?” Piko asked a bit scared.

“It seems like device is more attached on your body then we thought. Not just nerves on your leg, but nerves from entire body are connected to it. Even brain veins and spinal cord.”

“Can you take it off? Please! I don’t want it!”

“We can’t remove it right now, but we can take you to our doctor who can remove it surgically. For now we’ll just try to lower shocks.”

 

Green haired typed all kinds of codes in computer, which stated making weird sounds. Boy could felt scraping inside of the ankle that soon spread up to his body. Next more minutes it began to hurt, like somebody was hitting him inside.

 

“It will be very painful very soon. I’m sorry but without that step we can’t lower shocks.” Carl said.

“Can you hold it for some minutes?” Nate asked.

 

Piko quietly nodded as Nate pressed some more buttons. Boy’s body was soon trembling from the pain. Even though it hurt like hell, Rookie gritted his teeth and waited until boys finished. After some painful minutes, Piko finally felt smaller pressure on his ankle. His leg was a bit red, but he still felt pain it. Right when his tears were about to come out, another of those dogs came closer. Its fur was golden just like other dog which was sitting next to the blonde. Golden dog friendly laid its head to his knees. He could felt soft fur that was gently touching his skin. As he looked around, all of them had their own dogs. This one was alone, just like he was.

 

“Whose dog is that?” Piko asked.

 

On that question everyone replied with a sad sigh. Os even left the room.

 

“That’s Spark, Roxy’s spir… I mean dog. When she was taken, Spark managed to escape.” Nikki said.

“Poor thing… you must really miss her.” boy said as he hugged her.

 

Spark let the boy hug her. It seemed so long ago since she last felt this by Roxy. Others then started taking the rest of their things out. Most of it was already in van, but sleeping bags and things they used last night were still there. Piko helped too, carrying some boxes towards the door. Nate and Os took the rest of the things towards the van that was hidden in bushes.

 

“Where exactly are you going to take me? Is this place near?” boy again asked.

“Unfortunately no, it’s pretty far away but we know the shortcut.” Nikki replied.

“I’m sure you’ll like it.” Alex joined.

 

New Rookie was again happy that he was about to leave the place. All those memories gave him the feeling of being here for years. No, worse. As he was born captured. He took the last empty box and headed towards Nikki, Carl and Alex. It felt like a final escape from jail.

 

Too bad it wasn’t true.

 

Just about when party was ready to leave, ankle device started making electromagnetic shocks. But they were still in the house. Device only activated if they were outside of it.

Sudden shocks made everyone fall. Spirit mates quickly took forms of wolves to protect their owners. They felt their great pain, but still knew they needed to protect them. Even Spark joined, protecting the Rookie. Carl took his cell phone, typing the orders.

 

“Cute! What is causing this?” he shouted while trembling from the pain.

“Sensing life forms. 100 meters. Getting close.” computer voice responded.

“Men in gray came to check on their C9 case! We need to get out of here!” Alex shouted.

“But how? Our van is at least a mile away from the house. Os and Nate have no idea we’re attacked!” Carl responded.

“I’ll tell them! My inner power will prevent them from seeing me. You try to find another exit.” Nikki stood up with Misty.

 

Raven haired quickly joined with Misty, taking the hawk form. With inner power she covered herself with invisible gas, disappearing in process. As she left the house, she could see huge number of men in gray. Somehow they knew that Ials came to take the Rookie.

With goal of warning her brother and Nate, she accelerated her flying. But nearly a mile away, two boys had no idea of situation. Together they went to pick a box that fell from huge pile of boxes they had carried before.

As they were heading back, group of grey coated men silently brought special metal sticks. In secret they stuck them together which created blast that only Ials felt. Blast sent both of them against the rock. For Nate blast was so strong that he roughly landed on his foot, bending it under weird angle. But he still fought. Orange haired used his fire powers to create a fire circle around himself and Os. Blonde was luckily fine, preparing his Arrowblade to fight. His inner water powers had already worn off. He could store water in his body but he couldn’t create it. Normal water arrows were now only way to escape from suits. Nate tried his best to keep flames up as Os shot some men with arrows. It seemed they going to make it when suddenly three ropes broke fire circle.

All three of them erapped around blonde, tying him while pulling him from the safe fire zone. He tried to escape by joining with Hydro, but ropes got him too. One of strong – looking men picked him with strong grip.

 

“Well, well it looks we got another Ial. I think this one will be called A4.” men smiled as he looked on tied boy.

 

Other men started laughing as another brought something grey and small. Steel rings! Thing that changed word freedom into imprisonment. Blonde again tried to break free, but it was no use. Hydro was tied up as well as his Arrowblade was held by men in gray. Steel rings were preparing to be stuck on his wrist and ankles. Just a moment more and it would happen.

Luckily man with rings tripped and started yelling from pain. Suddenly three other men did the same. All of them tried to find out what hit them when another stroked down the fourth man. Guy who was strongly holding Os in his grip stepped few steps away. Boy plucked up the courage to again try to escape.

 

“Oh, no you won’t!” man slapped him. He was about to call backup when three sudden hits knocked him down as well. Os managed to roll away from him as man tried to catch him. But something appeared in his way.

 

“You bastard! Was my little sister not enough for you? Get your claws off my brother!” Nikki said as Misty growled in her wolf form. “Oh, forget you don’t have claws. Luckily, I have them!”

 

Raven haired joined with Misty, turning in bright black wolf. She took down the rest of gray group while freeing her brother and Hydro from the ropes. Blonde could also now see her invisible arrows, stabbed in men’s limbs.

 

“What’s going on?” blonde asked while picking his Arrowblade.

“They came to pick new Rookie. We need to get back to house as fast as we can. Otherwise they’ll get Piko along with Carl and Alex.” Nikki took her original form.

“Nate’s injured. I’ll get the van while you watch over him.”

“But bro… you can’t drive…”

“… cute can. I downloaded it on my cell phone so it won’t be a problem.”

“Right, then hurry. I think this gray group was just a small part of predominance.”

 

Boy quickly took hawk form to get there as fast as he could. Nikki got closer to the fire circle, seeing Nate leaning against the rock. His Iggy was lying as hawk in Nate’s free arm.

 

“It’s alright, I beat them off. How big is your injury?” she asked as he revoked his flames.

“I think I broke my ankle. Otherwise I think I’m okay.”

“Os went to get the van. We must hurry back… can you walk while being supported by me?”

“Yeah… let’s go then.”

 

 

Meanwhile, party in house ran towards upper floor. Duo to the broken door, they couldn’t wait in living room while holding it. Piko was supported by Carl duo to his current weak position. Spark helped too. Alex was the last one and now he really needed to remember all his training with Nikki. That was because, some men break into the house and his light powers were useless. Using Arrowblade was only chance to get on safety.

 

“Make it more left… no more right…” Blaze complained while watching his arrows.

“I’m freaking realizing that! Gee so that how it is, when your smart voice comes out of your head.

“Alex, come over here!” Carl shouted from corner of the staircase.

“What’s the matter?”

“Nothing… I just need to tell you the plan.”

“Then let’s hear it.”

“Piko’s device is now off but moment we get outside the house it will cause much greater blast. So, I decided to get on the roof where we can wait for the van.”

“But won’t be standing on wide open roof dangerous?”

“We’ll have more chances there than here. Come on.”

 

Green haired led Rookie through another staircase as Alex watched over their backs.

Soon they managed to climb on an old roof. They really needed to be careful duo to the sliding tiles. On the back side of the roof was a perfect spot where could they wait. It almost seemed like a perfect hideout when boys could see actual number of the grey group that came.

Grey coats were in numbers to fill three whole vans with some cars around. Luckily they didn’t see them on roof and if they would, it would probably turn out really bad.

 

“Man, where are others with that van? Even if we manage to get on, we still have at least ten miles towards the nearest Force Scratcher.” green haired mumbled.

“Wait, force what?”

“Another name for portals…” Carl started talking when they could both felt strong shock. It came from the lower part of the house and they could also see what caused it. “Six years of having it… and it didn’t got a single scratch! Man, if Os is driving I’m gonna kill him!”

 

Front part of the van sure got a big hit. From the car’s window Os’s hand waved. Carl, Alex and Piko tried to get closer. They almost got off when another problem appeared.

Ropes that almost captured Os now wrapped around them, pulling them away. Green haired quickly focused on his inner powers, creating force field that kept them on roof. Men kept pulling as Carl was gradually losing his strength. Alex along with Rookie tried to get free, but it was pointless. Party in van was also unable to do anything. If they showed up on roof, men gray would realize their escaping plan.

So everything seemed pointless. Everyone knew that as soon as Carl’s force powers worn off, man in gray will catch them and others will have hard time saving them. Nikki, Os and Nate were ready for the moment this will happen.

But none had predicted what will actually happen. As his force powers were slowly becoming weak, Carl could hear noise drawing nearer. He forced himself to look in the sky a bit, to see dot that was becoming bigger. It was getting closer, revealing white and blue colors with noisy propeller.

 

“Put your hands in the air! This is local police.” sound from speaker shouted.

 

It really was there, downright police helicopter. Older policeman in chopper pointed gun towards gray group as well as his other associates did.

 

“You’re using violence against children! Put your hands in the air immediately!” policeman again shouted.

 

Gray group took it so serious that they did as policemen said. With raised arms, ropes were released. Ial boys reacted quickly, taking ropes off and running towards the van. But that wasn’t everything that happened. As Alex came to Piko, his eyes were closed.

 

“Piko! Wake up!” red haired shook boy’s shoulders.

“He fainted. Can you carry him?” Carl gasped “I don’t I have enough strength to do so.”

“Don’t worry…” Alex put him on his back “ He’s lighter than he looks.”

 

Together they finally reached Carl’s half – destroyed van.

 

“You evil – dark Oskari! Why did you drive my van and nearly destroy it?! You can’t even drive cars in video games.” Carl shouted on blonde behind wheel.

“First – cute was the one driving. Second – none else was able to. And third – let’s get the hell outta here!” Os closed Carl’s mouth.

 

Computer bunny C.U.T.E. again appeared, driving van with at least 120 kilometers per hour. Sudden acceleration threw everyone including all Spirit Mates and Os. After some time, van finally reached highway where all could finally talk.

 

“So Nikki… I see you managed to find those two.” Carl started.

“Yeah, but one gray group almost captured them. Nate also got injured.”

“I’ll be fine… I just need some elastic bandages… which I don’t have here.”

“We’ll all stop at Realm of Spirits. Say… what’s wrong with Piko?” Os asked.

 

New Rookie was still unconscious, lying in Alex’s arms. Some of his bandages were newly covered by blood. Device on his ankle was still glowing as drops of blood were coming under it.

 

“We need to get that device off him as fast as we can.” Nikki worried.

“How much long cute?” Os asked computer.

 

Program accelerated for reply. This time Ial’s managed to hold on something.

 

“How many extra things did you put in cute exactly?” blonde smiley lectured Carl.

“Oh, shut up. We can talk about this stupid van and bunny when we get home.” Nate held Carl before he could launch himself towards Os.

 

Their argue was soon interrupted by portal, hidden behind some big rocks. It was so big that whole van could get in. Party closed eyes from the burning sunlight as they appeared near the Main Shed.

Elaborately, van appeared on so – called outside realm parking space. Alex took Piko in his arms as he followed Nikki and Os towards ambulance. Ial doctor Kiara just finished wrapping bandage around one girl’s arm. She seemed to get it from arrow, duo to another girl that was keep apologizing to her. When girls left ambulance, Kiara needed some time to realize what was Alex holding in his arms.

 

“What… who’s that?” she said shockingly as she saw boy’s tortured body.

“He’s a new Rookie. Man in gray did some terrible experiments on him.” Nikki explained.

“Put him over here.” braided girl said as she listened to his pulse. “Nai didn’t mention anyone new. Are you sure he’s Rookie? Oh, my…”

“What’s wrong?” Alex panicked at her reaction.

“Normally Ial’s have faster pulse than normal humans. But this boy… his pulse is extremely slow for one minute and really fast the other one. This makes no sense – he’s stuck between.”

“Aren’t Rookies having that kind of pulse?” Alex asked.

“No, it’s completely the same as Ial’s have.” Kiara then slowly lifted his eyelid, to see his sleepy brown eye. “I don’t understand. If he has an Ial mark of hawk, why didn’t Nai get his other spirit part? Anyway we can’t leave him like this.”

 

Her brown hawk Leaf quickly brought her handcart with bandages and medicine. She also helped herself with special bracelets around her wrists. From beads, climbers grew, holding her gear as she had five more hands.

 

“Is that her inner power?” Alex asked.

“Yeah, she can make plants grow faster. Those beads on bracelet are actually climber seeds.” Os reply.

 

Even though boy’s wounds were already treated, new ones appear. After disaffecting and bandaging all of his wounds, she looked deeply on device on ankle. Now much more blood covered almost half of his foot.

 

“Carl and Nate wrote down everything they found out about it.” Nikki handed some papers. “You need to remove it surgically.”

“Then help me move him there.” Kiara moved curtains of another ambulance bed surrounded by much more medical gear. “This will take a while. I haven’t seen such connecting device. It’s almost like part of his body.” she put her sterile coat on and prepared medical gear. “Can you stay outside meanwhile? Don’t get me wrong, but I really need to be focused on that if I don’t wanna damage his nerves.” Kiara said as she closed the curtains.

 

Outside the ambulance, Carl and Nate were sitting on bench. Os handed Nate some elastic bandages so he could treated his broken ankle. Nikki took the copy of their notes.

 

“How’s Piko?” Carl asked.

“Kiara is currently removing device from him. She also said that his pulse is changing.”

“Then we were both right about him.” Nate mumbled.

“About what?” Alex joined.

“That he isn’t a right Rookie… but Artificial Ial.”

“What do you mean by that?” Alex again asked.

“You’re new so will keep it simple for you. You do know how Ials are born right?”

“When someone dies but has second chance to live.”

“That’s right… but what if death is against all laws, forcing someone to be killed and be alive at the same time?” Nate started.

“If that extremely rare phenomenon happened to him… then it means that men in gray tried to create an Ial. But I can only assume how many kids were killed on that way… Artificial Ials can’t be created on the first try.” Carl continued.

“You mean Piko wasn’t the only ordinarily kid, who was captured by them?” Alex said shocked.

“I’m afraid much more of them are still captured. We already contacted Order of Silver, but we’ll start searching in two days duo to information and locations.”

“Do you know anything else important about Artificial Ials?” Os asked.

“His Spirit Mate is still inside him which means he already has the powers. It will be hard to get him out of him duo to the struggle between inner powers and Spirit Mate. That had already caused him some internal bleedings, but duo to being Ial he didn’t die from it.”

“We’ll need to talk with Nai then… do you know his cause of death at least? So we can know his inner powers.”

“All I got is that some strongly combined drugs caused his heart to stop. I have no idea what kind of powers he will have, but it’s clear those drugs came from men in gray.” Carl said, when some person passed by.

 

Party was silent when they realized person was no other than Naiser himself. He was moving gently straight to the ambulance as his Spirit Mate Fluc was creeping beside him as big white snake. White haired entered ambulance just when Kiara was about to remove device.

 

“Oh, Nai I didn’t realize that you’re here. I’m in the middle of the…”

“No need to say, I know. Now I need to do my part.”

“But I haven’t finished with removing.”

“If I don’t do this your removing will be pointless. His Spirit Mate is still captured within him and if I don’t release him, device will still be chained to his Spirit Mate, even if you remove it surgically from his body.”

“Right, then do your part.” she stepped away.

 

Nai looked at the boy with gas mask over his face. He could also see his inner part of soul that was trying to get out, hurting him in process. With one hand he touched his forehead, with other he touched his heart. Changing pulse kept beating in his heart as Spirit Mate wanted to come out of his body. White haired man was focusing on all pieces, gathering them together. Slowly, pieces were slowly coming from him.

 

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t make it differently.” Nai sighed when he saw Piko in pain. “You have to take it a bit more…”

 

Pieces were forming into a shining ball, until last ones joined together. As pieces clashed, animal was forging for it. Land form – wolf, silvery brown with unusually big brown eyes was born as Piko’s Spirit Mate.

Nai gently put him on another bed, right next to the one on which Piko was lying. He stroked his soft fur as he was looking in his eyes.

 

“Glad you’re finally where you belong. You sure like tricks don’t you? Like the corridor in cellar, right? You have already known about your powers and used them.”

“I haven’t found out about his inner powers? All I know is that he was killed by mixture of dangerous drugs.”

“All those ingredients cause a lot of side effects, right? But did you find out the strongest one?”

“Well yeah… it causes really strong… hallucinations?”

“That’s right hallucinations. But what if he can makes them with that power? I already have seen some of it. Duo to the fear he had, he used it on corridor’s walls, creating countless illusions of the things he feared the most. Or the other illusion he created when he was afraid and started calling for help.”

“Carl wrote something about helicopter…”

“Yeah, police helicopter wasn’t really there. His illusion was so powerful that even men in gray believed it. This is his inner power.”

“Are you sure?”

“You don’t believe it? Just look at him.”

 

Doctor again looked on sleeping boy and his Spirit Mate. As she looked deeply on both of their backs she could see something glowing. Both had wings on their backs, as illusion.

“See? This illusion is created by his dreams. In his dreams, he’s free with wings that carry him through highest mountains and clearest forests. Wish that he had when he was captured.”

“He really is a dreamer… but do you know the name of his Spirit Mate?”

“I think he can tell it yourself, right Piko?” Nai looked to the boy who opened his big eyes.

“M… Mi… name Mir… Mirgy kept rushing in my head.” boy mumbled. “Are you Mirgy?” he asked lying wolf next to him that nodded. “I see. That’s why they had those dogs around them.” boy smiley fell in sleep.

 

Nai gently stroked his head as Piko’s illusion wings became bigger.

 

“I done my part, now you can continue with yours.” he said as he left.

 

Outside, party was all time looking through the small ambulance window, amazed at new powers of newly born Ial. When white haired came out, everyone quickly sat back on the bench. He only smiled and went towards his tree house. As he passed by, Alex could hear his whisper.

 

“Go the waterfalls. Someone important wants to talk with you. And you better hurry, you don’t have much time.”

 

With those words in his head, he ran outside, leaving confused faces on others.

 

“You better hurry… important person… not much time…”

 

He joined with Blaze as a hawk, flying really fast towards the place where beautiful falling water was creating countless rainbows. Next to the waterfall, Ial was standing. He could know that from golden wolf next to it… but why did it look like some blond haired girl he knew. Alex could also notice blond pony tail and green – white jacket.

With joy he landed next to it, but disappointed when he realized it wasn’t Roxy. Ial was a blond haired boy with long hair, tied in pony tail. His eyes were hiding behind sunglasses.

 

“You really hurried, didn’t you?” boy smiled.

“Who are you? And what do you want to talk about?”

“Then Nai really told you only to hurry here? How typical.”

“Won’t you tell your name?”

“Oh, how impolite I am. I’m Svit and this is Shine. I wanted to talk about you.”

“Me? Why me?”

“You possess inner power of light, just like I do. Do you know there are only three Ials with power of light?”

“No…”

“Those who have power of light are destined to do great things. You will too.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have already made connection with a person you care about. From my vision I can see you two together, twice.”

“Why twice?”

“It means you’ll safe her.”

“Really? When?”

“This I can’t tell, but if you will need to find her, find me first.”

“Why? Aren’t you here?”

“Who says? I can only send part of me here. And looks like I need to go now. Let’s meet again someday.” Svit was slowly disappearing.

“Wait, won’t you help me?”

“I will in your light this time and by your side next time.”

 

Svit fully disappeared in flock of glowing butterflies. As they were flying away, Alex could hear his voice.

 

“If you lost yourself and need my help, follow my flying light friends.” Svit laughed.

 

One glowing butterfly stayed and got into Alex’s pocket. As butterflies nearly disappeared he could see image in the sky – lighting.

 

“Don’t worry, Roxy I swear this time I’ll save you. My light will find you.”

 

Somewhere else those sentences was heard by one girl.

 

 

 

PS for coolwings: Thanks for idea from your user name

 

PS: Svit means Twilight in my language. Wonder what was he babbling about? Unfortunately this will be clear in the end of the story, but will play important role. I'm sad to say his next appearence will come in Power of Nature's sequel and maybe in epilougue.

I LOVED IT! It was soo interesting and I hope for a sequel!

Edited August 4, 201213 yr by coolwings

awesome! Brilliant! FANTASTIC!!!

that was a close one for us O_O

Someone should make a comic out of this

Once again Hawkie, I congratulate you on your stunning storytelling skills. LOL, to tell you the truth, I was actually imagining that this was a Square Enix game with Kingdom Hearts style graphics, and while I was reading, I felt like I was watching a cutscene! I want to know if there's a secret ending to this story!

New chapter! Sorry cuz I couldn't post it sooner, but my sis's boyfriend kept "borowing" my laptop. Here it goes!

 

 

Chapter Nineteen: Escape While You Can

 

In some place around North’s America desert, building was hidden. None knew it was there, in fact only a few scientists claimed to be research center. That kind of center would usually researching weather, desert’s wild life, flora…. but it didn’t. If inspectors walked deeper, from all laboratories with ridicules fake experiments they could suspect something isn’t right. If they didn’t get amazed by cages with normal lab animals like rats and listen to ventilations, they would hear a truth.

Much floors lower, under huge rooms with supplies and transportations was different story.

There floors weren’t designed as researching laboratories but as worst prison on earth. Prison wouldn’t be right word to use. Usually people who did something wrong were there. People here… no kids and teens who were there, didn’t do anything wrong. Only one thing was wrong – in eyes of white coats they only existed to be used as test subjects.

In cell floor used to be a lot of innocent kids. From really young ones to nearly full aged teenagers. All of them were slowly disappearing. From white coat’s reports:

 

Most of C and D subjects are dead duo to failing turning into Dreamers.

 

Dreamer… that’s how Ial was called in reports. Almost six years of focusing on those experiments brought a lot of information. Even though some kids plucked courage to ask why scientists are doing this, same actions answered them. Those who struggled were even more voluble. Because they had inside power that wanted to live. But for now… only one experiment of Artificial Dreamer was successful. And it escaped right in front of their eyes.

 

“Damm those idiots! How could they let just twelve year old boy escape?!” Sat hit table fiercely.

“Some more Dreamers appeared and escaped… also police arrived.” leader of grey group talked on the phone.

“Don’t you have guns and oh yeah… blast machines! Big deal if police arrive! You got plenty of reasons to chase subjects!”

“I’m really sorry sir… it won’t happen again.”

“You better hope so!” Sat threw cell phone against the wall.

 

Scientist around early thirties again checked reports from failed mission. Sat’s main work was around Case C9 and he already saw boy was turned into Ial. He could see his powers of creating illusions just after he injected boy with deadly drugs.

Now he had prepared everything to represent C9 case to man who supported their entire nature research. That man wasn’t an actual scientist. He was just a leading boss of a lot of companies. After white coats showed him how much useful Ials can be, he began borrowing them money. Man named Zeren was old, but still seeking power. From time to time he came to check new cases.

Case C9 was perfect subject to represent. That’s also reason why Gray Group went to pick him. Now that he was gone, Sat needed to make new plan.

 

“Get lab ten get for B1 case!” he shouted to some white coats standing near him.

 

Meanwhile, much floors lower small group of kids was talking. One was brown haired boy Dimi with Spirit Mate Whirl by his side. Next to him was blond haired girl Roxy, having little dark haired girl named Alicia in her arms.

 

“How did you get here Alicia? Did someone take you?” Roxy asked gently.

“I don’t know… I just went in school and then I was here.”

“Were you the only one?” Dimi joined.

“No… there were other kids too… mostly old as same as me… I only saw big ones once.”

 

While little girl talked Roxy carefully looked in her eyes. She was looking for Ial mark, hoping to see it. When she didn’t find it blonde couldn’t understand. Why are they taking ordinary kids as well? Can’t they see those aren’t Rookies? More thoughts entered her mind as Alicia started crying.

 

“What’s the matter?” blonde asked.

“I wanna go home! Why can’t I?”

“We wanna go home too, but… it’s because of them we can’t. They want us here.”

 

Little girl hid her face in Roxy’s shirt that was wetter by every minute. She really didn’t know what to say to just eight year old girl. Alicia didn’t deserve to be here nor did she or Dimi. Blonde clenched her fists in anger as she again thought about white coats. They can hurt her as much as they want, but she won’t let them hurt innocent children! Just when she wanted to tell Alicia the truth, door of the cell opened. Three white coats entered, seriously looking at the kids.

When one of them got closer to little brown haired, Roxy quickly hid her in her own arms.

 

“Don’t touch her!” blonde nearly shouted.

 

One of scientist started laughing as other two went to Dimi and Whirl. Dimi’s rings stuck together as Whirl got lead at his collar. They took frightened boy outside the cell, leaving Roxy and Alicia alone.

After some time of silence, brown haired broke it.

 

“Why did they take Dimi and doggie? Is he coming back?”

“Alica… I don’t know how to say it to you, but some things are too complicated for your little head.”

“Please, tell me what’s going on. Those men won’t tell me and what if they take you too? I’ll be alone again…”

 

In that moment blonde could felt Alicia’s brave heartbeat and even sparkles in her eyes. “She deserves to know…” Roxy thought. “Okay… I’ll tell you, but you have to promise to me that you won’t tell this to anyone. Especially the white coats.”

“I promise.”

“You see Dimi and I aren’t ordinary kids like you are. We’re Ials, special ones with powers.”

“Powers? You mean like in movies?”

“Yeah, but it’s a bit different like you think. We don’t magically snap with fingers or something. Our bodies are made like that.”

“What kind of power do you have? Do you move objects? Can you make spider webs? Can you make fire with your eyes?” Alicia excitedly listed powers from movies like Superman and Spiderman.

“No…” Roxy smiled “My power is a bit different. See my pony tails?”

“Yeah?”

“Inside of them I have tiny shards that can make electricity. But right now my powers are bit worn off.”

“Why don’t you use your super powers to escape then?”

“Wish I could, but those metal rings around my wrists and ankles can hurt me if I try to.”

“Why am I here if I’m normal?”

“I don’t know sweetie… I really wish I could.”

 

Outside in corridor, Dimi was dragged towards big room. Before they entered, Sat came straight in front of him. With his deadly eyes he looked directly in his terrified eyes.

 

“Listen B1 case! Today you’ll behave as I’ll tell you. Do one foolish thing and you’ll spend your next week in Dry Cell!”

 

Dimi knew what Dry Cell is. That was the room that was directly connected with desert’s heat. There was no ventilation, only extremely dry air. This was bad duo to his inner power. Dryness was his next weakness beside EMB. Usually next weakness was based on their inner powers. He, with powers of wind being in totally dry room would definitely left him some days of suffering if not falling in coma.

So brown haired just silently nodded.

Sat dragged him in much bigger room, almost bigger than a gym. More white coats were in, along with a lot of equipment. Also another man Dimi has never seen before was there. Older man was looking at some papers when brown haired with stuck wrists was brought in front of him.

 

“Is that the boy?” he looked away from the papers.

“Yes, Mr. Zeren. The one that can makes wind.”

“May I see his powers in action?”

“Of course. B1! Get in glass cage!”

 

Dimi could now see almost invisible building in the middle of the room. When he in Whirl got inside, Sat removed rings on his wrists.

 

“Just one try to escape…” Sat started.

“ …. and I’ll go in Dry Cell.” Dimi finished.

“Shut up, you little.” Sat slapped him.

 

Rings on ankles stuck together as something was brought inside glass building. Giant ventilator! Scientist got outside, as one of them took megaphone.

 

“Join together.” was shouted from megaphone.

 

Brown haired nodded to Whirl who took form of the hawk and flew through him. Their minds were joined together in bigger brown feathered hawk. He took flight around glass building.

 

“No more playing around, show how fast can you fly.”

 

Boy did as he was ordered to. With fast moves he convinced Zeren about speed as his main ability. Man was really impressed by him.

 

“Can I see how fast can he fly against the wind?”

“Turn the ventilation on. 60 km/h for start.”

 

Suddenly, strong wind started blowing. Dimi got in the center to fly better. When Sat saw that wasn’t big deal for him, he turned it on 90 km/h. That was a bit harder but still flyable for other Ials as well. Then ventilator was turned on wind power of 120 km/h. Normal Ials couldn’t fly against that strong wind. Dimi could still fly duo to his inner power of wind.

 

“Is this glass building, wind proved?” Zeren asked.

“Yes, wind power over 400 km/h can’t destroy it. Should I raise it on 160 km/h?”

“Yes please. His power sure is amazing.”

 

Hawk still flew, trying to imagine Realm of Spirits for just one time. How he flew with his friends against pure wind. How he played Acceorbi. How his brother always waited for him.

Suddenly he could felt stronger pressure against him. Wind power was now already 250 km/h. His wings felt harder than before. Probably because he haven’t flown for some time.

More wind was released. Over 300 km/ h was almost pushing him against wall.

 

“B1, move on the center.” order was shouted.

 

He tried hard, but sprains almost started damaging his wings. Painfully he moved on the center. He felt like somebody is pulling him back and pushing him forward at once. Zeren noticed that.

“Is 350 km/h the fastest speed he can fly against?”

“He can take much more.” Sat turned it on exactly 400 km/h.

 

Sudden acceleration pushed Dimi back. He luckily focused on his flying and tried hard to come in the center again. But all this flying strongly damaged his wings. Not just because of the wind pressure but also because he haven’t flown for months. Using so much strength for hard flying was the same as not warming up before doing hard sport.

 

“Wonderful! I haven’t seen such powerful flying!”

“So what do you think of the deal you read before?”

“I accept it. As long as this one flies so fast you’ll get all the money you need. Could you bring him in my wind power station in a week?”

“Sir… Dreamers aren’t meant to be used like that.”

“It’s first time for everything. Remember that!”

 

As Sat was thinking about deal, something went wrong. Dimi was really tired from all that flying. Even though he tried hard to, his wings didn’t listen to him anymore. Suddenly they stopped flapping by themselves which sent him hardly against glass wall. Wind was pushing him so hard that glass wall couldn’t take it anymore. Wind literally sent him crushing through the wall directly on the ground.

Wind quickly used crack in glass to filled room with itself, totally messing everything in it. White coats needed to hold on something or wind could blow them away. In the end Sat managed to turn ventilator off.

As everyone in room slowly stood up, Dimi noticed something. Duo to his fall, metal rings broke along with collar. He was free! Just like this. None else could press the button and hurt him.

Brown haired quickly looked around to see any possible exits. Wind damaged major part of the room, along with ventilation system. With powers that he wasn’t allowed to use for so long he used them to get there. Creating small spinning winds was one more power he could use. When he entered small hole from which wind was coming, somebody angrily yelled.

 

“B1! Get back here at once!” Sat pressed on button which would send shocks in Dimi’s body.

“Not this time.” Dimi smiled as he took his human form.

 

Boy began to crawl until he reached next empty room. There he went in different ventilation system, using his human form again. While crawling towards exit, out of abby, his arms hurt. Pain was probably from all this damage he got from that experiment. He tried to use his legs more instead of his hurt arms. Soon, ventilation turned up. There were also some bars capable of holding like ladder.

Just little more and he’ll escape. But then another thought broke his thinking.

Roxy and Alicia… those two girls were locked up in cell. What if he escapes when those two are still captured? He couldn’t just leave them there, but he couldn’t waste his chance either. While deciding his next move, some kind of smoke filled ventilation. Whirl carefully sniffed it which caused boy sudden spinning in head. White coats must have figured how to put paralyzing drug into gas. Brown haired used some of his powers to blow it away as he kept climbing up. More smoke came when he finally found end of ventilation. Dimi came in unknown laboratory which was luckily empty. He kept thinking what to do. Lab was filled with a lot of cages and tables. Maybe that was lab where all experiments begin. Scientists take samples and tests on lab animals and compare them with Ial ones. But this still didn’t make any sense on what they try to find out about them. How they make difference from normal humans? How they’re born? Or how their powers work?

 

“Dimi, look.” Whirl whispered.

 

Hawk showed on map of an abby. It sure was a way bigger than his home town. But map showed only two floors with usual labs. There were signs of cell rooms or labs where scientists done experiments on him. Even he wanted to he couldn’t help Roxy and Alicia escape too. He had no idea where they were or even where he was. Only thing that he could do was to escape and run away as fast as he can.

 

“Forgive me Roxy… for leaving you behind. But as soon as I get out I’ll tell others where you are.”

 

Brown haired took the ID card he found on table. Usually white coats wore those to get in different labs and cells. If cards can unlock cells they can probably unlock exits too.

Carefully he stepped in the corridor as Whirl kept himself hidden under his shirt. Even though hawk’s feathers tickled him big time, he tried to stay serious. Map said to turn twice on right, then go forward and take left fire emergency doors. He took exactly those steps when he got in front of that door. It was colored all red, with fire symbol in the middle. On upper part was also small glass window. Boy stepped on his fingers to look outside. His brother Leo often joked how short he was, which didn’t exactly help him right now. Outside he could see desert with some rare tufts of grass and bushes. Sun was practically melting his view as he looked for any roads. He managed to open tiny window a bit, only to get hit by sudden heat. Weather outside was so hot and dry that wind outside made him dizzy. He’ll really have hard time outside. Brown haired put ID card on lock which to his surprise didn’t open. In fact, after reading tiny text next to the door, he realized that door unlocks only automatically in fire.

 

“Let’s go back. Maybe there’s another one.” Whirl suggested.

“I think there was another one. I just hope nobody else is there.”

 

Much to his surprise, that was answered pretty fast. Sat appeared with some white coats holding his metal stick.

 

“You won’t get away you lab rat!” Sat shouted.

“Says who…” Dimi tried to say when he needed to dodge from man’s attack.

 

Dimi began to run through corridor as ropes rushed from men’s sticks. Those were the same ones that got him in this hell. His wind powers almost worn out as he tried to use it against those ropes. He needed to run, he needed to hide, anything just to get a hell out of here.

As he ran he noticed an empty room. There he hid and used ID card to lock it. Luckily, this room could be only unlocked from inside.

 

“What will we do now?” Whirl panicked as hawk.

“I don’t know, maybe if try that ventilation again, but…”

 

Before he could finish, door was literally blown from hinges. It looked like as men used explosion device to open it. Boy now ran off chances what to do. Ventilation was too small even for his snake form and door was crowded by white coats. In front of whole crowd, Sat was pointing his stick directly into boy. If boy didn’t join with Whirl in hawk form, ropes would probably capture him. Hawk flew around, trying to find any other way to escape. But that was pointless.

Soon, he could felt tying rope around his hawk leg. Sat pulled him on ground so rough that he practically hit it. Hit damaged his back bones so hard that most of them broke. Dimi wasn’t able to do anything, not was even able to take his human form. As he was brokenly on ground Sat angrily came closer.

 

“No matter how many times you try, we’ll always catch you. You belong here!” Sat shouted.

 

Even though Dimi was all weak and wounded, he could still struggle.

 

“No I don’t! I have family, I have friends and I have my home!” Dimi shouted, but none understood his hawk squeak. Sat only angrily trampled down his wing.

“That’s for escaping!” Sat looked in Dimi’s eyes full of pain “And that’s for losing the deal with Mr. Zeren!” man shouted as he trampled down his other wing.

 

Boy has been through a lot of pain, but this one was the most painful one. Both of his wings were broken as well as his back bones. All this was too much for him. He soon fainted.

 

 

 

Dimi woke up some time later in unknown room. Lights weren’t very strong, just enough to have friendly light in space. When he woke up, he changed back in the human form to see he’s lying on bed. That wasn’t the one from cells or labs. This one seemed so fresh and soft. Almost as the one in his room, back home. He tried to move a bit, but that only gave him bellow of pain.

What is going to happen to him now? He had tried to escape for couple of times before and he was always punished for that. What kind of punishment he’ll get now? Or he has already got it?

While moving his fingers, he didn’t feel any rings on. Was that because he wasn’t able to move?

 

“Are you awake Dimi?” voice asked.

 

Weird… none of the white coats ever called him by his real name. Except for…

 

“Phil?” boy asked weakly.

“Hold on for a sec.” man used sheets under him to move him and Whirl on medical bed with wheels. Scientist pushed it down to corridor.

“Where are you taking me?” Dimi asked as man entered totally black room with him.

“I need to give an X-ray. If you don’t go for an X-ray I won’t know which of your bones I will need to treat.”

 

Boy was carefully put on machine which was going to check his bones. Strong lights passed through him from different positions. Soon, machine was finished. Man took him from there and took him back in previous room. Dimi wanted to say something, but man was faster.

 

“Try not to move until X-ray is finished. Sat sure gave you strong hit.”

“Phil… what happened? And what are you doing here?”

 

Scientist in front of him was one of the rarest men in gray who didn’t want to hurt him. His name was Phil and Dimi hasn’t seen him for weeks.

 

“You had unsuccessful try to escape, but you got caught. You broke many of your bones and I’m here to treat them.” Phil said and left.

 

Man returned with some big black pictures. After putting them on light board he sighed a lot.

 

“I’m gonna need a lot of braces…” Phil opened closet to take braces, bandages and other medical stuff out. “I’ll turn you on front to put brace on your back, okay? Don’t be scared.”

 

For the rest of an hour Dimi was silent, waiting for Phil to finish treating his broken bones. When man finished, he again looked straight into his eyes.

 

“Why are you trying to escape so hard? Can’t you see it’s pointless?”

“I must…”

“Why must?”

 

Dimi was suddenly really angry. Can’t he see how men are treating him like lab rat? Can’t he see that he doesn’t belong here?

 

“Phil, I have a brother who cares about me. He’s my family along with all of my friends who’re waiting for me at home. Just because I died once doesn’t mean I don’t have home. We all live in special place where all Ials belong! Don’t think I have no other place to go just because I’m Ial!”

 

After this speech, boy didn’t have any more strength left. He fell back in sleep, for his fractures to heal up. Phil looked at him with an interest.

 

“You have never mentioned this kind of place to exist. We always thought Dreamers wonder all over the world…”

 

 

Somewhere else, green haired Carl was shocked when he did some reports on older news papers.

 

“No way…” he sighed as Nate came.

“Mr. Silver wants to see your report.”

“I don’t know if that’s right.” he showed on papers.

 

Nate didn’t know what to say on that report. All didn’t make any sense when some did.

I love it!! Hawk you just keep getting better and better!!!

brilliant work sis. Its...

Edited August 20, 201213 yr by replika13

Chapter Twenty: Advent Children

 

Countless old newspaper articles, some anime and video game posters, lots of papers, some unfinished machines and two teens inside. That’s how Carl’s and Nate’s office looked like. Somewhere in New York, Order or Silver had headquarters. Sure it didn’t say headquarters, but was hidden under cover of editorship for not-so-popular newspaper.

In reality, lots of agents, solders, scientists and mechanics worked under cover of journalists. Even over ten Ials worked there, either as normal journalists or part time workers. Carl and Nate have worked there over ten years for now. But the case they both worked on now was the biggest they ever imagined it will be. Now they needed to explain all this mumbo jumbo to their boss, Mr. Silver.

 

“Are you sure you read that right?” Nate asked.

“Absolutely! Now I’ll only need a bit of Mr. Silver’s help.”

 

Together teens passed many offices, where adults were working. In the end of corridor was Mr. Silver’s office. Whole place looked a lot like their office, except it was much larger and tidy. Man was just about to end a phone call when two of them came in.

 

“Did you manage to find about that?” Mr. Silver asked.

“Yeah, but it might be little confusing.” Carl said.

“Let me hear you then.”

 

Green haired cleared his throat to discuss about their case. This time, case wasn’t about criminals but Ials themselves.

 

“Couple of days ago, we rescued first Artificial Ial. This was the proof about Men in Gray’s knowledge. Since we know how Artificial Ials are created, we suspected about kidnappings. Not only Ials and Rookies, but also normal children and teens are in danger now.”

“That’s pretty dangerous…I gotta inform local police. How is Artificial Ial doing right now?”

“He’s still recovering. Even though he was able to get his Spirit Mate out, this was still shock for his body. Duo to all those hard experiments, he will need at least week of resting, just to fully regain his consciousness.”

“I see. Were you able to identify him?”

“Yes, his name is Piko Visionux. He was recorded missing more than half a year ago, right here in New York. But as we looked deeply on newspaper reports, we find something bigger. Not only him, but twenty three children alongside him were recorded missing in one single day. In fact, those reports soon turned out useless. Forensics claimed all of them died.”

“Where is connection and explanation to all of this?” Mr. Silver asked seriously.

 

Carl took paper from his folder, showing picture on it. There was a photo of bus and lots of photos with faces. Big title words were clearly revealing shocking news.

 

“Men in Gray used road accident to capture them. Not only that, accident was caused on purpose. Much before accident they prepared everything. Bus was driving school kids from distant place to their schools. Somehow they switch driver with one of them and drove into tunnel where bus exploded.”

“How were they kidnapped if bus exploded?”

“That’s the thing. From what we found out from forensics reports, only their blood was found on bus. No other human remains.” Carl showed some more papers with lots of photos and numbers.

“After realizing Piko was in this group, we knew something happen. Putting all this information together helped us made a theory. In tunnel they found many tire’s traces along with small glass and plastic parts.”

“Those parts turned out to be parts of medical equipment. Elaborately this one.” Carl showed photo of injects and specific plastic bags. “It’s used for taking blood.”

“So children’s blood was taken to cover their disappearances. They probably intoxicated them for doing everything according to plan.”

“Tire’s traces are proof of cars and vans they used to take them away.” Mr. Silver realized.

“We have all pieces of puzzle and we put it together right. What should we do for now?” teens asked.

“I’m gonna inform my police investigators to contact children’s families. Perhaps we’ll find about something we don’t know.” Mr. Silver took his phone “You did it great. Now wait and prepare for anything.”

 

Carl and Nate left the office with bit confused look.

 

“I still don’t get it what Men in Gray wants with us. Or why this started happening six years ago.” Nate loudly asked himself which Carl heard.

“It may be much longer since it started. Remember six years ago first two Ials were captured. They must have a lot of research to find about us.”

“After those two, ten more Ials were captured. Six of them were Rookies, but we managed to rescue all of them. I just don’t know why Roxy and Dimi can’t escape.”

“White coats must have figured Ial weakness. After all, some Ials and Rookies were captured for whole year. You saw those machines right?”

“Ropes that disabled and almost got Os, those electromagnetic shocks and of course that device on Piko’s ankle. They created weapons used against Ials.”

“Hope Mr. Silver will find some more information or else even normal kids will be in danger.”

 

Soon, young FBI agents stood in their office. Nate started tidying mess on his table as Carl looked through window. He could clearly saw building in construction, many streets away. Constructors said this may take some more months to finish it. Once this building was different and was USA’s pride. Until more than ten years ago when it was destroyed. Carl knew that in detail. After all he and Nate were there when that happened. Event that completely changed their lives, many years ago.

 

“Which floor was it again? Those stairs are killing me!” Nate complained while carrying package.

“I think it was something more than one hundred.” Carl replied.

“If you’re wrong you gonna dye your hair silver, like an old lady.”

“Hey, it hasn’t been even a week since I dyed them green. How can I possibly put silver on this?”

“You don’t need it, it’s just a simple game of truth. If you aren’t right about that floor then you’ll dye silver.”

“Fine, but if I’m right you gonna dye blue, like giant blueberry.”

 

Boys kept going up as they noticed number one hundred. They entered in big room, with many people in. Most of them were sitting, staring in computer screens, writing, stapling papers or making copies with help of printers. One middle aged man noticed them.

 

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Eh... actually yes. We came to deliver some stuff, but we forgot the floor.” Carl said.

“Must be tint we ordered. They need it two floors higher from here, but you can leave one or two here. Printers almost used the entire tint.”

 

Carl took two plastic bags with tint and gave them to man. Then, along with his brother-like-friend he headed towards one hundred and second floor. There they put the rest of the boxes.

As they were going down the stairs, they kept complaining about their deal.

 

“Can’t believe we both lost. Now I’m gonna really look like blueberry.”

“I don’t think silver is all bad. After all today almost every video game has awesome silver haired guy in it.”

“Forgot about that.” Nate smiled “Say, what we should do after we finish high school? I don’t think we can do part – time delivery all life.”

“Maybe we’ll get adopted and finally have a chance to do that project.”

“Yeah, but remember we’re teenagers. Those aren’t so popular to adopt, plus we already had a chance. Only problem is that none wanted to adopt us both.”

“We still have some time, don’t worry….” suddenly Carl flinched. “What was that?”

“What?”

“Listen.”

Both of them kept quiet for second. Noise was heard, much like plane’s motor. But that was really weird. Usually planes weren’t that loud, because they were much higher. This noise was bad news.

Suddenly, whole building started to shake. Teens leaned against the walls to keep balance.

 

“What the heck was that?” Nate panicked.

 

Carl went towards nearest window, passing many panicking people. What he saw sent his heart in throat. Some floors lower, plane was stuck like arrow. Just like that, it was stuck there. Fire was quickly spreading into the building. He couldn’t even imagine people were there as well. As he watched horror below him, he realized something. How will they go down if that plane is there? He just hoped fire stairs or something similar existed here. Carl got back to terrified Nate who was hardly standing. Building was starting to slant.

 

“What’s going on?” Nate asked scared.

“Plane crashed into lower floors. It also caused fire.”

“What should we do?”

“Let’s follow those people. There must be an emergency exit somewhere around.”

 

After some time they realized they’re playing dangerous game. While going down, they could smell smoke. Beside it, some explosions were also heard. Tint in printers was highly flammable which only fastened spreading fire. Boys kept walking until they reached elevator. Orange haired Nate was about to press the button when Carl dragged him away.

 

“Are you nuts? That’s the last thing you wanna do in fire! What if cables won’t hold on?”

“We’re still at least one hundred floors above the ground. It will take us forever to get down, plus smoke and fire are only gonna worsen this.”

 

Argue was soon interrupted by lights. All of sudden they started switching off until every single one burned out. There was no way elevator still worked.

With no other choice they headed towards emergency fire stairs. They managed to pass some floors as building was keep slightly slanting. Emergency stairs didn’t seem safe, but that was only chance to escape.

After some terrifying minutes, fate again imposed in their lives.

Iron frame was starting to collapse. Nate quickly reached for Carl’s hood, before he could fell into dark abyss. He strongly pulled him to the nearest door which led into empty office. Soon whole upper part of emergency stairs collapsed. Their only way to escape was sealed away.

 

“Carl… what should we do?” Nate was completely scared to death duo to spreading fire around them and no other way for saving themselves. Carl carefully went towards glass windows where he could see crowded people on streets. All of them were staring at burning building, pointing their fingers into big part of plane above their heads. Green haired again looked at deadly flames, spreading as snakes on walls. Boys could only watch how fire of death was getting closer. Carl’s face was filled with sadness as he clenched his fists. He held Nate’s hand as he began to reveal their plan.

 

“Nate, those flames will come at us soon. I heard how painful death can be if you die from burns.”

“Don’t say that! We won’t die in place like this! It’s too soon!”

“I know it’s a lot to take, but what other choice do we have?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We can chose, either we’re burn alive or…. we jump through the window.” Nate turned pale as he heard suggestion “I saw some people who done that before. They were so brave to accept their fate like that.”

 

Orange haired was terrified. He just couldn’t see his life ending like that. His hand was shaking, but soon he felt warmth around it. Carl was holding it to calm him down.

 

“It’s alright if you’re scared to death, gosh I’m too, but we can’t wait. Fire will soon reach us.”

“Carl, I can’t do this.”

“We’ll do it together. I’m not jumping without you.”

 

Nate felt burning heat and sometime of deep thinking, he made his mind clear. Together they carefully went to broken window, big enough for both of them to go out. As they looked down, fear again grabbed both of their terrified hearts.

 

“We gonna do that on three, with closed eyes.” Carl said as Nate started counting.

“One… two… three!” Nate shouted.

 

Boys jumped with holding hands in same time, fire reached some printers. Flammable tint literally exploded from all that fire which helped spread fire even more. Sadly, teens didn’t die together as they hoped to.

While falling, Carl opened his eyes a bit. They were still holding hands, with Nate upper than he was duo to his lighter weight. Next moment green haired saw unforgettable scene. Nate was devoured by cloud of exploding flames! All what he heard was his friend scream as flames covered him in burning prison. As that happened, he released his hand as he kept falling down. Then was just silence… and dark.

 

His eyes were starting to open again. Every inch of his body hurt as it was scattered on pieces. But still, he was moving. Not on his own two feet, but carried by two other persons. There was a blond haired girl on one side and blond haired boy on other. They were carrying him away from slanting building.

 

“Nate…” Carl could only mumble.

“Your friend is alright, just try not move.” girl said quietly.

“You’re very badly injured, but we’ll take care of you.” boy added.

 

Carl looked with his foggy eyes into two figures in front of him. One was a bit older girl, carrying bunch of rags. He needed some time, to realize those rags were actually Nate. Fire almost fully burned his clothes when his skin was as red as blood. That was too much for him. He again lost conciseness from the shock.

 

That’s how he and Nate became Ials. Together they bravery accepted their death which changed their fates. Soon after they mastered their inner powers, they decided to join FBI – in order for that kind of events to never happen again.

 

Now they needed to be ready to help their own kind, big Ial family. Soon after that Mr. Silver entered.

 

“One Mrs. came to visit us. She may know some important information.”

 

Boys left their office and came into special room. It was windowless, majorly empty with only huge table, chairs, some papers and laptop. On one of them, middle aged woman with brown hair was sitting. Nate knew she was crying, duo to her almost red eyes and napkin in her hand.

 

“Mrs. Erstone? Please to meet my two privet investigators. Green haired is Carl, while orange haired is Nate.” Mr. Silver showed on boys.

 

Woman forcedly smiled as she shook their hands.

 

“If I’m not mistaken, your son and daughter were victims in bus accident.” Mr. Silver said carefully.

“Also… also daughter’s boyfriend was there. He lived with us since… since he ran away from his old home.” she said quietly.

“What is that you wish to tell us?” Mr. Silver asked.

“My daughter… she called me yesterday…. about that she’s not dead…. but locked and tortured in unknown place. When your men connected me, I immediately headed towards you. Can you tell me what’s going on?”

 

 

 

 

PS: Here it goes first chapter that I posted in my new school year!

 

PSS: If you didn't realize before, Carl and Nate died in 9/11 attack ( based on real disaster, R.I.P )

I was thinking that chapter sounded a bit like 9/11

 

Anyway, I am glad you showed a bit of Nate's and Carl's history it was pretty good, but... I miss Piko.

Cool background story sis! I didnt realise it immediatly but it surely sounded like 9/11

Hey guys! Guess what? Yeah this time for real - new chapter!

 

So sorry for not posting sooner, but school started I got busy, also with my other things. Then I looked on calenar and saw - on 20th October excatly one year ago I posted first chapter Power of Nature. I'm happy to tell Power of Nature reached 120th page!!! With at least 16-20 chapters to go, it will probably reached at least 300 hundred pages. Wow, even I can't believe that.

 

One of the reasons why it took so long to continue is becuse I again changed what will happen for one character to appear more.

Also I was bit sick for couple of weeks, you know fever, cold... when I got some certain letter I, believe it or not completely healed, yay!

 

Enjoy the new chapter and be ready for the next one. I promise you, after this one real adventure begins with four more main characters to appear!

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty One: Mission - Artificial

 

After woman had asked for explanation, boys immediately knew it was about Men in Gray. Not just them, Ials with powers, but innocent kids too. They needed to act quickly.

 

“Can you give me your cell phone? We need it to locate place from which your daughter called.” Nate rushed.

 

Woman seemed to expect action like this. She immediately handed them her cell phone, along with few photos with her missing children and their personal belongings. Even though she wanted to know more, she remained calm until Mr. Silver gave her statement to fill.

 

“Please write everything you know about this. Any information will help.” he encouraged her.

 

Meanwhile Nate and Carl checked last calls. Mrs. Erstone didn’t use cell phone since last night, so it was easy to find caller’s number. But finding location of that number was much difficult. If it was a cell phone, they wouldn’t have so much trouble finding it. In the end it turned out call box was used for call. And where? Somewhere in Nevada’s desert.

 

“I smell another rescue mission. Let’s gather things and people.” Carl said.

“Hidelights and others can’t be included. They’re still training new Ial and they can’t possibly come in time. How are FBI Ials here doing?”

“From what I know, from ten working Ials four of them are in Europe’s headquarters, two in Africa, one in Australia and one in South America.”

“What? That leaves only two of them! Get them quickly and I’ll try to contact SWAT.”

“Special Weapons And Tactics? Are you sure about this?”

“Trust me, Mr. Silver has special team who’s well informed about us. I rather not risk a surprise as it was at haunted house.”

“You gotta point here…”

“Just get those two to make a plan.”

 

Nate went through corridors, looking for those FBI Ials. Soon he found them in one of the offices. Orange haired recognized one of them as Carrie Witeyes. Girl with brown curly hair had worked with him on several previous missions. Other Ial was boy, known to Nate only by face. He only knew he worked on diagnostics missions.

 

“What’s wrong Nate? Something up?” Carrie asked.

“I need you and ummm….” Nate looked confusedly on boy.

“Luke Fallspark.” boy replied. “What do you need us?”

“Just come with me and Carl will explain everything.”

 

FBI Ials followed him back to the room where Carl was still making those phone calls. When he noticed his team he has just finished the call. Carrie and Luke were still waiting for instructions.

 

“Well, nice to see we won’t be alone on this mission.” Carl said.

“What kind of mission?” Luke asked.

“As you may know, Men in Gray are big threat to us. But recently we discovered normal kids are targeted as well.”

“But how? Don’t they know how to distinguish Rookies from normal kids?” Carrie said shocked.

“That’s the thing. From what we discovered, Men in Gray are trying to create Artificial Ials.”

“We rescued one just few days ago.”

 

Both Luke and Carrie were shocked to hear news like that. Carl explained about Piko and bus accident where kids were kidnapped. Only clue they had now, was mysterious phone call by one of missing kids. That was the mission for whom they needed both Ials and SWAT.

 

“Before we depart, could you again explain your inner powers?” Nate asked duo to forgetting.

“I’m using telepathy. With it I can read minds and understand other Spirit Mates and Ials in their spirit forms.” Carrie said proudly as her Seena in snake form twisted around her shoulders.

“I have electric powers, also ability to heck into computers and machines.” Luke said bit unsure “But I haven’t worked as field agent yet.”

“It’s always first time for everything. You’ll do great.” Nate encouraged him.

“I have everything prepared. We only need to get on helicopter.”

 

Soon they were sitting in a larger helicopter along with around ten members of SWAT. All of them were calm, waiting for instructions. Carl and Nate cleared their throats to begin their speeches.

 

“This helicopter’s gonna land somewhere in Nevada’s desert. Once we arrive, we need to get to the call box from which that girl called.” Nate showed photo of missing girl “Her name is Jenny Erstone and was kidnapped by group called Men in Gray. From what she was able to tell was that she, her boyfriend and younger brother are captured in underground place.”

“Our plan is to find that underground place, rescue three of them and gather as much data about that place as you can. It’s also possible there will be also other kids.”

“I hate to interrupt” one of the SWAT team members started “But why do you need us to help you if Men in Gray are only scientists?”

 

When man asked that others gave similar questions. Whole team of SWAT members was really skilled, but that was their first time on Ial involved mission.

 

“I understand your concern, but Men in Gray are much more than just scientists. They’re group of people who‘re threat to only us Ials. Or should say Dreamers, that’s how they call us. Not so long ago, we had similar rescue mission. But Men in Gray surprised us, using tools that could really hurt us. That’s why we need your help. Without you, we can end up the same as those kids we’re going to save.”

 

After Nate’s words, team understood much more. All of them nodded to hear rest of the plan.

 

“Carrie Witeyes over here” Carl showed on her “Will be taking a form of a snake and be in your leader’s backpack” boy showed on lead SWAT member “She will also have communication device to guide you along with us. We will take wolf forms and disguise as normal police Alsatians.”

“How will be Mrs. Witeyes able to guide us if you can’t talk in your Spirit forms?”

“Carrie uses telepathy with which she receives information from all minds near her. Also Luke Fallspark here will be hacking into computers to get in. If you have any questions ask them now. If you’ll have questions during the mission ask Carrie first and she will ask us through communication device.”

 

None had any more questions, so Carl and Nate brought sprays with black and dark brown color. Luke, Nate and Carl joined with their Spirit Mates. Chip, Iggy and Force jumped through them, becoming whole with them. Some SWAT members were amazed to see their merging, some have already saw them like that. Carrie and others started spraying their bright wolf fur when helicopter was getting closer.

Helicopter landed literally in the middle of nowhere. There boys, now as wolves took communication collars as Carrie joined with her Seena. Bright brown snake, nestled itself in lead’s man backpack. There she made some tests with communication stuff.

 

“Carl, Nate, Luke do you read me?” she asked through device.

“Loud and clear, no interruptions.” all three replied almost at once.

“Good, then let’s get to call box and see if girl left any clues.” Carrie said with bit hissing voice.

 

SWAT team found themselves on dry land of Nevada’s desert. Call box was spotted almost immediately. Wolves quickly rushed to it, smelling for any clues. It wasn’t much of a call box, just a simple stand and phone. Duo to hanging phone, they concluded girl was in rush.

Nate followed the smell, all the way to rocks where he spotted something unusual. Pile of stones forming direction arrow. Girl seemed to know what she was doing.

 

“Good girl…” Nate mumbled and started barking to call others.

 

Soon after they managed to find more marks like that that lead deeper and deeper into mess of mountains and rocks. One man used his laptop to scan the area.

 

“We have something. It looks like some kind of underground station.”

 

Carl looked on scan and nodded to Carrie.

 

“Carl says we should go around and try to enter through back doors. Those have less security than the main entrance.” Carrie hissed.

“Alright,” leader started “Half of you will enter with Ials, half will stay here in case something goes wrong.”

 

Ials in wolf forms followed leader all the way to the rocks that seemed completely normal. For now. Next moment laptop showed lines that went around every single room in station. Group carefully hid behind rocks to see they weren’t completely natural. Some were a way lighter than others, proving to be made from artificial material. Luke stepped closer, rubbing his paw against one rock. Some removed color showed circuit board with several chips. Luke closed his eyes as circuit board was throbbing and making weird sounds.

 

“Luke is in the security system. On the hallway are at least ten cameras. He’s going to add last week’s records for our cover.” Carrie said Luke’s thoughts.

 

Group quietly entered the hole with ladder. FBI Ials were a bit clumsy duo to their wolf form on four legs. Ladder leaded at least 30 meters deep. There Luke opened door, leading into bright white corridors. Floor was so sterile from germicide that was almost blinding the whole group. SWAT members again checked their guns and weapons in case of an attack.

Leader with Carrie was first one to enter, second were Luke and Carl, third were other members and Nate was last. In case anything would happen Nate was prepared to quickly warn Carrie about danger. Carl stiflingly went to the door next to stair case. Something important was there. Luke slowly opened the door, revealing room filled with many cages. Boys in wolf forms nearly freaked out when they realized who or more likely what was inside them.

There were animals, but obviously not normal ones. There was a parrot with too many eyes, rats with two heads, headless dogs that were still alive and many bigger ones with even creepier appearances.

 

“What should we do about those?” leader asked Carrie.

“Boys say that we leave them for now. Once we finish our mission we’ll return and probably take them with us.” she replied.

 

While others check for any more data Luke sensed bit of weird energy, slowly coming from one of the cages. Ial boy went there, looking at another poor animal in. It looked a bit like cat or fox with fluffy fur and amazingly big eyes. When animal found Luke’s eyes it seemed as it’s going to cry. Small drops of tears started coming when suddenly something interestingly extraordinary happened. One of animal’s eyes turned blue and other turned green. Those weren’t colors of animal eyes, but human ones. Luke noticed others who were moving towards corridor.

 

“Don’t worry little guy. I’m gonna come back soon to get you out of this cage. Just hold on.” he whispered while moving his wolf paws.

 

Team was about to leave when someone came in. It was a woman dressed in a lab coat, carrying another cage. When she saw group of armed men she screamingly released cage and tried to run away. Luckily, Nate knocked her on floor, enough long for one of specials to hold her in grip.

 

“What are you doing here? It’s forbidden to enter our research center without commission!” she screamed while hitting the man who held her.

“Just what kind of research center do you have?” leader started “Those don’t seem like natural animals.”

 

Woman seemed to get in uncomfortable position, trying to make something up.

 

“Those fell in contaminated river and… mutated.” she obviously lied.

“Please, we’re in desert. How can river possibly be here?” leader said.

 

While leader spoke with her, Carrie unnoticeably entered woman’s mind. She felt so sad to see all those pictures of firstly successful woman on Science University then of evil she had became. Ial girl needed to concentrate on questions leader was asking. Those led into connection of answers they were seeking. Pictures revealed woman and more other scientists who were dragging kids out of school bus. Then how they roughly took their blood and took them to different abbies. Mind led to the moment when woman saw boy, tied to table with eyes full of tears. That was Willy, Jenny’s younger brother, one of the trinity they came to save. Carrie immediately memorized the whole pathway to the labs where kids were closed.

 

“We must go down to stairs, then pass five doors and enter the room where another door on straight left will lead to lab. That’s where they are kept.” she hissed on man’s ear.

“Alright, you keep your eye on lady here.” leader said to man who still held woman “Others, we’ll follow Mrs. Witheyes’s lead.”

“Who are you talking about?” woman said while looking around. Her eyes found Carrie in her snake form who was elegantly twisting. “Dreamers!” she yelled.

Luckily man covered her mouth. Group quickly went down to stairs with Ial boys in front. Men disabled some more scientists who were in the way when they reached the right lab. SWAT members were shock to see the scene in it. They had seen many terrible things, but this one was ten times more horrible.

Boy who didn’t seem more than ten years old was tied on table. Tapes were literally imprinted in his skin while several cables and tubes were inducted directly into his body. When boy saw armored men he partly reared his head. His tears of pain were slipping down to his chest.

Group was about to get him from there when bit older man entered. His arrival made boy shiver with little movement he was able to do. Scientist evilly smiled as he raised his hand. He was holding some kind of blade, much sharper than usual ones.

 

“Well, well, well if that isn’t SWAT group. May I ask why you visited my lab?” scientist put blade closer to boy’s neck.

“Put your hands in the air!” leader shouted when all other solders raised their guns.

 

Scientist only started slightly cutting into boy’s skin. Kid was too much in pain in fear to react. He just stared as more tears came out.

Some solders duo to shock pulled the trigger, aiming to his chest and stomach. Bullets only made holes into his white coat and fell on floor.

 

“Let’s rather play on my rules. You might have realized my super effective jacket. It sure is more effective than suit of armor.” he reared his head “You can know me only on name doctor Eztli.”

“What right makes you the doctor? You’re just crazy scientist who’s breaking the laws.”

“Now, don’t you dare speak to me like that. I might cut this brat’s finger off.”

 

Eztli was about to do so when leader interrupted him again.

 

“Don’t hurt him.” he only managed to say. “Why are you keeping him here if he’s not a Dreamer?”

 

This sentence made Eztli’s eyes look up.

 

“Dreamers you say? How very interesting word. Do you know anything else about them?”

 

Leader was angry on himself. How could he be so stupid to mention them? Ials who were posing as normal police dogs turned their tails. Scared they waited for next Eztli’s sentence.

 

“If you don’t tell me, I’m really gonna cut kid’s finger off.” Eztli prepared to slice it. Boy could only prepare for slicing pain. But that pain never appeared. Just before blade could touch his skin it stopped. Eztli was confused and again tried to cut. Blade couldn’t get to boy’s hand, as something was blocking it.

Scientist’s look went down to one of the dogs, the one with eyes concentrated on blade. Carl was using his force powers as shield. Combined with his Spirit Mate, he easily pulled force into deflecting ability. But when he protected the boy, Eztli figured out their cover. Quickly he pulled one of his electromagnetic sticks.

 

“I never thought Dreamers would be that stupid to walk directly into my trap!” he shouted as he made a blast.

Carl who was still concentrating on his powers wasn’t able to dodge in time. Luke fortunately pulled him away as Nate used his flames at Eztli. Scientist nearly got bitten by Nate’s burning bite. Then man ran away, but Nate along with half of group ran after him.

Eztli took his communication device, yelling orders.

 

“Get the helicopter immediately! We were discovered! Take as many samples as you can along with D4 case!”

 

Corridors were like a big mess. Much more people in lab coats appeared, running in all four directions. A lot of them were carrying things like papers, handheld computers and mostly boxes with samples. Other half that didn’t chase Eztli, stopped as many scientist as they could. Most of them were very young looking but still guilty of the same crime.

Carl was running as fast as he could while Nate rather took his hawk form. With flames in his feathers he looked more like a phoenix than hawk. Flames also removed his black and dark brown color, revealing his shiny orange color. Some soldiers were amazed, luckily not too much to get eyes off the target. They followed him though many corridors, labs and lastly right back on desert.

Carl joined Nate back in the sky as hawk, using power of force to make them faster. With power almost as fast as power of sound they got Eztli. Their claws held him like handcuffs, forcing him to surrender. Group was getting close, bit calmed down to see target down.

Despite the situation, scientist was still smiling.

 

“You think you got it so easy… Dreamers. But you still live in a dream not reality. It’s going to be about time to wake up. You belong in reality, in science, to me!”

 

Nate’s anger burned down part of the Eztli’s lab coat. Carl tried to calm him down before flames could get on man’s skin.

 

“What a wonderful power you have, almost like magic. Such a shame I have it too except I call it real science!”

 

Moment of Eztli’s shout changed almost full situation. From desert’s ground two satellite dishes came. Everything was happening so fast, that Ial boys couldn’t react in time. Next moment they were lying on ground in pain. Unknown energy literally clamped them on ground, as tons of weights were on their backs.

 

“See my beautiful creation? It was created especially for you.” he laughed as another aperture opened. From it helicopter was lifted, ready to fly “The only thing I’ll need when I leave are two mores living samples.”

 

He was prepared to take two hawks that were unable to move. Just when his greedy hands could touch them, gunshots protected them. SWAT members were there, not allowing to be taken. They quickly pulled them away from satellite dishes which were still active. Eztli only jumped on helicopter while others hopelessly tried to stop him.

But it was already too late. Helicopter was disappearing from their sight.

 

Meanwhile other half of the group including Luke and leader with Carrie called for backup and sent their helicopter after the Eztli’s one. Carrie read minds of the Men in Gray which confused her a lot. Most of people didn’t even know what was truly going on while others stubbornly told lies.

Some trucks sent by Mr. Silver arrived, some to take arrested scientists some to get injured ones and animals. Medics carefully removed tubes and cables from him, while Luke and some more soldiers looked for missing Jenny and her boyfriend. They passed several people from Order of Silver who were carrying cages with mutated animals. Looking at them he immediately remembered animal with two different eyes. The one from which weird energy was coming. He took his normal human form to ask others about it.

 

“We’re sorry to say, but that one was taken. SWAT member who was in charge of that woman was disabled by another scientist who came in room. He took that animal saying about some sort of case and nothing else.” one of soldiers explained.

 

Luke was sad to hear it, but needed to focus on finding other missing persons. He followed others into deeper lab that was really cold. You could almost saw your breath in this coldness. FBI Ial Luke needed to break into system to open some more doors, sealed by many hard programs. There they finally found they were looking for. Two teens around eighteen years old were tied to tables. Their eyes were closed as they were sleeping there.

 

“Attention to all unites. We found missing teens.” they sent message to others. Their mission was almost complete. Just to get them home safe.

Suddenly they heard beeping noise all over the place. As something was counting down.

 

“We need to get out of here!” Luke shouted.

 

 

 

 

It was late afternoon of the next day when Mr. Silver had a meeting with Mrs. Erstone again. They met up in private hospital, also under control of Order of Silver. Mrs. Erstone really hoped to hear the news of her missing kids. Her hands were shaking duo to the fear and sadness.

 

“We managed to locate place from which Jenny called. My SWAT group and some of my private investigators managed to break in and find Willy.”

“Is he alive?”

“Come with me please.”

 

He took her to one room where boy Willy was sleeping. He had some wounds but medics treated them and now they didn’t look so bad.

 

“His condition isn’t critical. He’ll only need to rest for some time.”

“I never thought I’ll see him again. Since that day I though he died in that bus incident.” woman said happily as she held boy’s hand. “What about Jenny and her boyfriend?”

 

Mr. Silver sighed as he was preparing what to say.

“I think you better see for yourself.”

 

He led her into another room. This one had much more equipment and two more beds. On them were boy and a girl with gas masks and cables on them. They were breathing but almost like inflatable mattresses when you filling them with air.

 

“I’m sad to say, but I think they’re no longer with us.”

“What do you mean? Aren’t they breathing?”

“Physically they’re alright, but a lot of them are missing. Medics reported missing a lot of their small body parts like hair, blood, skin, even eyes and mostly… heart and brain cells. Both of them are brain dead.”

 

Woman started crying, trying to believe that isn’t true. Her daughter was again taken from her this time for real. She only had Willy now.

 

“I’m really sorry, but I brought you here for reason. Only thing that still keeps them alive are machines. Even if they’re connected to them they won’t live more than a week. I need to ask you if we can disconnect them, for not dying painfully.”

“I only wish to say goodbye… can I be alone to do that? There’s so many memories.”

“Of course, just please don’t touch the machines.”

 

When Mrs. Erstone was alone she took out some of photos. On it were mostly Willy, Jenny and her boyfriend. She also starred on one photo with Jenny and her boyfriend with their wide opened eyes. Jenny had green ones while he had bright blue. She couldn’t look on their faces cuz she was told their beautiful eyes were taken.

 

“Thank you Jenny… if you wouldn’t plucked the courage to call me, your brother would still be captured and I wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to you. You’re a hero.”

 

In exact moment those eyes again felt warmth. Maybe someday they will be able to be free.

 

 

 

“Yuck! Do I really need to drink this stuff?” Carl complained while splinting warm liquid.

“It is sad to get you better.” Carrie said while fixing something on hologram computer.

 

All four FBI Ials were examining countless papers from abby. Carl and Nate were still weak duo to energy from satellite dishes. Those were now lying on table next to them. Luke was trying to figure out what kind of energy was released. Nate already drank liquid Carrie gave to him. It was some sort of tea with extremely bitter taste. Herbs inside should put more energy into your heart and brain. Unfortunately you had to drink it without sugar or honey, those would destroy healing effect.

Nate founded some more maps with things they were looking for – where other abbies are?

 

“Did Hidelight team left already? I don’t getting them on phone.” Carrie asked.

Carl moved away his cup of disgusting tea to explain.

 

“They’re still waiting for directions. Now that we know where abbies are, we won’t have much problem.”

 

 

In one tree house, big hologram message appeared.

 

“We know where bigger abbies are. You need to hurry, weapons by Men in Gray are getting stronger. We will take the abbies on the other parts of world. You will need to break into the ones in North’s America desert. We suspect Roxy and Dimi are being held there.”

 

 

PS: For Power of Nature to celebrate its first birthday, I wrote special side story. You can see first part here: http://light-13-hawkie.deviantart.com/gallery/33867421#/d5iidma and don't worry, next chapter for both will be there soon.

 

 

PPS: I can't believe I made the cutest drawing of Roxy and Os ever!!! http://light-13-hawkie.deviantart.com/gallery/33867421#/d5hvzjs

awesome sis! So awesome!

More i read about them, more i hate Men in Grey. I hope their downfall will be great >: D

This is getting really interesting bro, the crazy scientist reminds me of Hojo from FFVII

Anyway keep it up I really want to see the next chapter, and...

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PoN!

This is getting really interesting bro, the crazy scientist reminds me of Hojo from FFVII

 

 

You got pretty close here, Eztli looks more like profesor Hollander from FFVII CC. Promise I will do the drawing as soon as I can.

You got pretty close here, Eztli looks more like profesor Hollander from FFVII CC. Promise I will do the drawing as soon as I can.

 

Aww but Hollander doesn't look as evil (and he isn't the farther of Sephiroth)

Aww but Hollander doesn't look as evil (and he isn't the farther of Sephiroth)

 

I'm just saying he looks like Hollander ( fat, middle aged, beard, black hair ) and his personality is much different. Hojo more fits looks of Sat and Lam looks kinda like Larxene.

Lara, once again I must applaud you for your excellent storytelling. You have such a way with words, and every little detail you write in your chapters evokes powerful emotions on the characters, and putting all the action and suspense really makes it that much more of an epic story. I sincerely applaud you for this, and I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're story could be made into an anime! It has so much potential! I'm looking forward to reading more chapters of your story! You are a master storyteller! I salute you! Keep up the excellent work! And I'm looking forward to seeing my character and Ami's character appear in your story!

Chapter Twenty Two: Cold Way

 

“This, this oh and this…” Nikki mumbled while throwing stuff to Alex.

“Do we really need all of this.” red haired who hardly carried all boxes mumbled.

 

He and Nikki were at Austen’s store getting supplies. After meeting with babbling Ial named Svit, nothing was clear to him. Like what he meant with he and Roxy? Why he gave him answers which only brought more questions? Now he could only wait and help as any way as he could.

Next couple of days he just trained, spending time either with Nikki, Os or other Ials who he met. Most of them were a lot older, many times more as he was. It was kinda funny to meet people who were looking like teenagers but were mentally over fifty or sixty years old. Those weren’t acting as usual sixty year old people Alex met when he was still alive. They were acting more like experienced people in period of adolescence, between twenty and thirty years old.

Thinking of this gave him bit weird feeling. When he asked Os when they died, he realized Roxy was actually twenty eight years old. But still, for him she was fifteen year old girl. Not because of her young look or childish face. Her heart was still young inside. He knew that from the song she shared with him.

 

“Earth to Alex! Come on.” Alex heard Nikki.

“What?” he could only mumble.

“You’re daydreaming again. That’s no good if you’re on mission.”

“But, we aren’t on mission yet.”

“Wrong. Missions start with preparing and planning, just like we’re doing now.”

 

That was correct. Supplies were for their new mission which was a lot bigger than last one. All three of them discovered message from FBI Ial team which guided them to the next step. Now they knew exact location of abby, prepared to rescue their imprisoned friends and defeat Men in Gray. From what Alex heard, they were going to the portal which was somewhere on mighty mountains. There they will meet up with some other Ials as well.

 

“Could you tell me more about others? You know the ones that will join us.” red haired asked.

“Ami and Gabry? They live on the other side of mountains, near the ocean. It’s more peaceful there, since almost all of us live here.”

“Why are they there? Don’t they feel lonely?”

“As long as they have each other they don’t.”

 

Alex understood her words. From photos he saw, he knew Ami and Gabry are couple. Firstly he didn’t know if Ials can be together like that. Now he knew.

Carrying countless tools and clothes he suspected that’s it. Mission others were preparing for so long. When he was looking on the mountain, snow was evidently shining on top. Even though climate seemed to be around early autumn, snow already covered most of the mountain’s top. Fluffy white thing gave him bit of excitement of the way.

He had no idea it will be much more dangerous than he thought.

 

Os was meanwhile in ambulance, writing report about Piko’s recovery. It’s been five days since he was rescued from Men in Gray. Some of his wounds healed, but the wound caused by ankle device needed more time. Piko spend most of time sleeping with Mirgy next to his side.

 

“Did he ever wake up?” Os asked Kiara who was listening Piko’s heartbeat.

“Not exactly. He more like opened his eyes, not knowing where he was and fell asleep again. This happened only for couple of times.”

 

Kiara removed stethoscope from boy’s chest. Mirgy, still sleeping changed his position, closer to his owner. From time to time Os could notice flashes of Piko’s illusions like beautiful wings on his back or small animals flying around. Blonde wrote some more sentences into his notebook when he looked on the time.

 

“I’ll need to go soon. Is there anything else about him?”

“Yeah…. but it’s a bit weird. Couple of days ago I noticed his pulse rising up. I went to check on him when I found his bed empty.”

“What happened?” Os surprisingly looked up.

“Piko was dream walking. I know it sounds unbelievably impossible duo to his injuries, but he has been dream walking. Not by just some steps. Once he even got all the way to lake and almost drowned in it.”

“Didn’t you lock the doors?”

“I did, but he somehow managed to open it. His face was always as lifeless as he was in trance.”

“Why didn’t you report us? Or at least prevent him from moving.”

“I couldn’t just tie him to bed or something. He’s been through a lot to be treated like that.”

“It’s alright, I’m just worried nothing more.” Os sighed while moving towards door.

“Are you three leaving already?”

“We already packed everything; they’re only waiting for me.”

“Be careful you three. Make sure you’ll return on your own legs.”

 

Blonde waved his goodbye as he went towards corridors. Rooms and halls on each sides of corridor were noisy, except for the library and relaxing room of course. Some Ials also passed, not minding him while talking about usual stuff. It felt a bit weird to him that only he, his sister and new Ial will leave the home for a mission. Why those other guys could stay here? Os couldn’t understand, but Nai’s words were clear.

 

“You three are the only ones needed. More won’t do well and after all, sooner or later more will join.”

 

Why old wise man couldn’t use normal sentences? It wouldn’t kill him if he talked in normal way.

Boy sighed as he came into Austen store where Nikki and Alex were waiting for him. Both of them were already dressed up in their snow clothes. Duo to the snowy path and colder temperature, they needed different outfits, warmer and waterproof ones. Red haired now wore winter jacket with white and red lines. He also wore black scarf, gloves and winter hat. Nikki’s outfit was a bit different. Her body was wrapped in dark blue coat all the way to her knees along with blue bobble hat and black mittens.

Os put on his winter white-green jacket, wool hat and gloves. While zipping jacked he felt his blue scarf again. He tied it up tighter to really make sure for staying warm.

 

“Are you ready?” blonde ask two of his companions.

 

Both of them nodded with Blaze, Misty, Spark and Hydro changing into their wolf forms. This was their warmest form duo to wolf’s fur and paws made for snowy area. Party finally opened door of the store to get out.

 

They were walking quietly, listening to only sounds of nature like animals and wood’s rustle. Alex watched how familiar places like their tree house, rock area, waterfalls and soon Nai’s house disappeared from their sight. This was his new home and he was already leaving it. He knew it was pointless to ask why. Answer was hiding in his heart, his will to tell him what the right thing to do is. Blaze, walking next to him knew what boy was thinking about. Wolf could easily be smart-arse, babbling of what could he do about but he didn’t. His job wasn’t to be burden in his owner’s head. He was a guide to help in moments when boy was helpless.

Spark was walking with Hydro silently. Ever since they came back from mission, she was somewhere alone. Roxy’s Spirit Mate seemed to be sad, almost heart breaking. Even though none pushed her away, she just wanted to keep herself to herself. Not because she was shy or scared. Every time she saw other Spirit Mates happy with their owners, she couldn’t help but run away. She was sad, almost jealous of them being together. Her Roxy… no her heart was far away, calling for her. With each call she shouted, Roxy seemed even further, not hearing her at all. For now Spark was helpless, sticking to the only connection she had. Hydro always heard her thoughts sometimes passing them to Os. Blonde knew how she felt with sometimes patting her fur for comforting reply.

Nikki, who was walking first with Misty, had even more thoughts that all behind her had. She was the leader after all, the one who needed to be strong, giving others motivation for walking on now snowy ground. All those thinking almost didn’t make her realize of how far they already got. Trees didn’t cover the way as they firstly did. No trees or flat ground anymore. They were walking up the steep hill with only few bushes and rocks. Their walk needed to be really careful duo to the snow and many smaller stones under their feet. One wrong step and ground under you could roll down, taking you with it. Luckily their boots were made especially for field like that. Lasting material helped them avoid unpleasant slips or even snow slides. Party was on a good way.

Alex suddenly got a weird feeling in his head. It wasn’t the one that appears when you’re nervous or scared. The fact was that it was even worse. Feeling was warning from his inner power of light. There was danger somewhere really near. Boy’s heart started beating like crazy as his hands became really cold. He rushed to Nikki who confusedly looked into his pale face.

 

“What’s wrong? Do you need a break?” she asked as Misty examined Blaze.

“Is there any… danger around?” he asked after thinking how could he explained.

“You mean snow slides, cold or something?”

“No more like… you know danger that suddenly appears?”

“You’re starting to freak me out. What are you driving at?”

“I have this feeling something is watching us.”

“Animals? There are a very small numbers of aggressive animals in Real of Spirits. Even if we meet one this won’t be here. Those rare ones that survive cold temperatures and environment like this aren’t aggressive or overmuch big.” Raven’s haired voice didn’t calm him down. In fact it made him even more nervous.

“Are you okay Alex?” Os behind him asked.

 

Boy just quietly nodded for party to continue. After some more miles they came across cliff and really thin way. One wrong inclination and your body lands down the gorge stabbed by sharp rocks and covered by blood. Even if you couldn’t die, you could still feel horrible pain of breaking your bones. Ial bodies had solidly skin and fit muscles those were the reason for faster heart beat and blood pulse, but very thin bones. Light bones enabled them fast and skilful moves. But still, their bones were fragile, breaking really easy.

Unaware of this information, Alex still followed. He would definitely be freaked out if he knew his bones were as brittle as bunny ones.

 

“We better join together. Way further is too small for our human forms.” Nikki shouted while merging with Misty “Spark, come closer to me.”

 

Golden furred wolf looked so little next to joined Nikki and others. As she was the youngest wolf in pack. No, Spark was almost as small as cub. Roxy’s Spirit Mate stuck to Nikki like white on rice. In the middle was Os and Alex got the honor of being the last.

Their wolf paws soon almost ran to get away from the cliff as fast as possible. Not just red haired, but all others got the creeps from the cliff. Fortunately, group noticed end of it and new bit flatter hill. They got there still in wolf forms duo to the ice covering topcoat of newly fallen snow. While walking on it they could estimate its high to more than three meters. It would be impossible to take any other form than wolf one with wide paws working almost like snow walkers. Wind became stronger, probably blowing away anyone who would take form of a hawk or snake.

Party kept walking towards the top. It seemed so close and yet so far away. Nikki made some wolf sounds, probably to encourage them. After even more walking, they decided to have a break. Os used those moments to get to Alex. Still in wolf form he was talking to him with help of his Anima Abso and Alex’s inner power of light.

 

“Mind if I ask you something?” Os whispered.

“Sure, but make it fast. I’m really freezing if I’m standing still.”

“Don’t worry it’s nothing complicated. I just wanted to know if you’re really ready for this. Not just on mission but on your life as Ial?”

“Mostly I’m and still, I’m trying to learn as much as can while getting used to it. Why are you asking me that now?”

“Just to make sure, you’re not in shock. Sometimes Ials need much more time to just realize their lives changed. There was also one Ial who realized that after almost two hundred years.”

“Wow that sure is long. How much time did you need?”

“Actually it wasn’t so complicated, but it’s too long to explain you more.”

“Oh come on, Nikki is doing something with C.U.T.E. and will probably need more time. Plus I think I’m not freezing that much.”

“Alright then, I’ll tell you. I can still remember that plane in which all three of us died. Roxy was listening to her walkman, I read a book and Nikki went to luggage part to get something from her bag.”

“Weren’t there any other passengers?”

“No, it was just us and pilot of course. In those times there were still cheap small planes to transport small numbers.”

“Then you crashed?”

“I don’t remember why, but suddenly plane started flying straight down, directly into ocean. I didn’t felt the fall, probably because I hit my neck, causing me to collapse. Further I don’t know for sure. Nikki told me she woke up floating in water. She looked for us when we were still dead. Roxy was killed by electric shock, caused by walkman while I unconsciously drowned in water. Next thing I know, I woke up in ambulance in Realm of Spirits. I literally awoke as Rookie and Ial along with Roxy.”

“Now that’s a long story.”

“I have some much longer ones in my head.” Os smiled.

 

Alex returned smile when he suddenly got that feeling back. This time it wasn’t like someone is watching him, but like touching him nearer. Boy couldn’t just do nothing at situation this serious. He dived after the feeling that came from really close.

 

“Alex where you’re going?” Os confusedly followed.

 

He was too nervous to answer his friend’s calls. His wolf paws just ran into one invisible way. Sky was dark enough to make everything scary. When he finally stopped, Os came after him catching his breath.

 

“Are you crazy, you can’t just leave the group like that. Especially not in a place like this.”

“I felt something… different.” Alex said nervously.

 

For a moment Os seemed to get the same feeling. His hair bristled big time as his wolf eyes started looking around. Alex again looked around when he heard something yelling.

Suddenly Os pushed him away to get attacked by something what was actually meant for Alex.

 

 

 

Bloody drops filled white snow as sharp fangs bitten into Os’s flesh. Alex was paralyzed with fear when looking on creature that was at least four times bigger from him. Beast kept biting into golden wolf’s neck spraying his blood around.

Os was too shocked to do anything. Unknown beast held him literally too tight. He couldn’t even breathe duo to the blood that soon filled his throat.

Both he and Alex or any Ial haven’t seen creature like that. It was darker than darkest night with deadly shards over its back, paws and mostly tail. Its eyes were empty, not from blindness but from anger, hatred, everything that turns you into deadly beast. Creature was build for hunting, no more like killing and Os was its prey. Poor wolf couldn’t do anything than just squeaking like smallest puppy. Pain covered its chest, throat, everything that huge snout bit.

Alex was shocked when heard loud crack of breaking Os’s ribs. If blonde didn’t pushed him away in time he would be the one trapped between deadly fangs.

 

“Come one, do something for goodness sakes!” Blaze voice shouted. Voice with thin him kept trying to wake him up from trance-stare he got from shock. Alex carefully moved away, watching how his friend’s eyes were closing. Next moment he rushed into beast.

Not the smartest move, but he got under its stomach, hitting it in process. That was almost the only spot that wasn’t covered by shards. Alex was hitting beast’s stomach when it didn’t even flinch. Creature was as durable as metal, surprising other wolf. It seemed way more like a robot than living creature duo to empty white eyes and moves with just one goal.

When realizing hitting in stomach was pointless, he got in front of it. Without a second though, red furred used his inner power of light aiming it directly into those scary white eyes. Light, created in his bright green eyes rushed through cold air hitting into weak spot. Black beast felt sudden blindness, dropping golden wolf on ground in process. Alex rushed to Os who was hardly breathing, splitting blood around while doing so.

But light attack didn’t weakened black horror. In fact, it made it pissed much more than before. With pure evil in its eyes it charged after red wolf that was still standing. Luckily Alex reacted in time, taking wounded Os on his back and ran away as fast as he could. For one single step beast made, he needed to do at four more duos to his short legs.

 

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh… I’m doomed.” he kept repeating in his head. His fear was literally chasing him. How could he not realize this before? His inner power warned him soon enough to dodge the danger. How could he be so stupid to run into its hands and dragging Os along? Almost lifeless body on his back carried consequences of his mistakes.

He kept running when he got all the way to cliff. There weren’t any other ways, beast covered all of them. Alex was panicking, not knowing what to do. He was almost praying for waking up from this horrible nightmare. Beast prepared its huge pawn, covered by countless number of shards to turn him into same condition as his wounded friend was. Red wolf was prepared for smarting pain, still protecting his friend.

 

But the pain never appeared. Just before those paws and fangs get him, something blocked the attack.

“Nikki?” Alex thought when he noticed someone in front of him. It was a wolf, but instead of black fur, light brown covered it. Unknown wolf growled and jumped directly on beast’s oversized head. Its head really was huge, almost as big as half of average wolf’s body. Beast angrily growled, trying to bit brown wolf’s leg. Luckily it dodged away in time, jumping in air really high. Brown furred used moment for loud howl which had some affect. Suddenly it threw snow on beast’s eyes, blinding for a second.

Stranger wolf quickly rushed to Alex, gesturing to follow him. Ial boy didn’t know if he should follow it, duo to whole situation around. Stranger understood him and started howling. Snow around beast started freezing even more, now trapping its paws into the ground. Alex now knew wolf was an Ial and started following it.

Duo to sudden separation, he needed to find Nikki as fast as possible. Os was in very bad condition duo to the more and more blood that kept running down his back.

Soon he heard wolf’s howling, recognizing to be Nikki’s. When she saw Alex, carrying her wounded brother she, totally shocked turned back into her human form.

 

“What happened to Os?” Nikki rushed completely pale in her face. Alex changed back into his human form, still holding golden wolf in his arms. He didn’t know what to say. Again, someone was hurt protecting him. Why is this happening? Can’t he save at least someone?

“I… he protected me from weird creature… but got really hurt.” Alex couldn’t stop water in his eyes. It was just too much.

“You brought him back… we’ll treat his wounds, okay?” Nikki took him from his arms to get him somewhere warmer. “Did creature look like oversized crossbreed between wolf and hedgehog?”

“How did you…”

“After you two left, one attacked me. I really had hard time defeating it.”

“You defeat it?” Alex remembered size and deadly shards.

“Actually, I only knocked it unconscious. Then it suddenly degenerating itself, turning into just few pieces that were blown away by wind.”

“You sad before there aren’t any dangerous or big animals around. This thing doesn’t count by any chance?”

“I haven’t seen those neither heard about them, even though I live here for more than ten years. They seemed like a new specie.” raven haired said while carrying her brother “How did you defeat it?”

“I… well… I more like escaped from it… and another wolf helped me.”

“Wolf? What wolf?” Nikki asked when she noticed wolf standing behind Alex. “It’s been a long time…” girl mumbled.

 

Unknown wolf only blinked at group and started changing. Soon person, Ial with Spirit Mate by its side appeared. Much to Alex’s surprise, Ial was a girl around thirteen years old with blondish brown hair. But to his even bigger surprise, girl wasn’t wearing much. Only tiny shorts with skirt, sleeveless jacket with shirt that didn’t cover her belly and few weird fabrics around her arms and legs. Perfect outfit for summer days, but definitely not for winter.

 

“Aren’t you freezing cold?” Alex asked.

“No, cuz I don’t feel it. My body is made like that.” she replied cheerfully as nothing on her was weird.

“But who are you then?” Alex continued asking.

“Nora Freezefield, nice to meet you. Over there is Snowy.” she crossed her hands with Alex’s while he introduced himself. He then noticed Nikki didn’t introduced herself. “Aren’t you gonna tell her your name?”

“I don’t need too. Nora is my cousin and she lives around here.” Nikki smiled, but soon became serious as she felt more of Os’s blood “Do you know if there are any shelters around? We’re too far from valley and we really need to take care of Os’s wounds before it will turn worse.”

“Follow me.” brown haired replied as she changed back into wolf form. Nikki put her brother on back as she did the same along with Alex. Nora led them through snowy mountains to the rock, leaning against wall. She removed it, revealing cave lightened by several torches. “You can place him over here.” she showed one thing looking like huge pillow. She also lightened some more torches to get lighter space. As light revealed Os condition, everybody surprisingly drew breaths. Blood now covered entire neck and stomach. Part where beast bit him was missing a lot of flesh, almost revealing his broken bones.

“Do you have any first aid?” Nikki asked nervously after realizing she had lost hers during her fight.

“I have, but that one help him much. Shardlup’s fangs are filled with poison. Antidote can only be made from heat crystals inside West Mountains.” she replied.

“Let’s get them some then.” raven haired said to Nora who nodded “Alex, you try to disinfect Os’s wound and stop bleeding. We’ll be right back.”

 

Nora and Nikki got outside when Nora noticed Spark. She immediately hugged her.

“Aww Roxy… I was afraid you weren’t here. What’s wrong? Don’t you recognize me?”

“Nora… she’s not here, just Spark is.” Nikki sighed as she explained more.

 

After girls left, Alex and Os were again alone. Red haired sighed as he started looking for any medical kit. He soon started cleaning blood and putting bandages around him. All this time Os didn’t move or even breathe. He just laid there as broken puppet.

This gave Alex creeps and gave him even bigger ones when he didn’t fell any pulse at all. Os was in coma, state in which Ials fell when they’re deadly injured. Blonde’s body was trying to heal itself, but deadly poison prevented it from doing so.

“So that’s how it is if Ial dies… it just stays still until body heals itself…” Alex though when he heard sounds coming. “You watch over Os, I’m gonna check.”

“Be careful.” Blaze murmured.

 

Boy went deeper in cave, using his cat eyes as guiding light. His steps were echoing as got closer to source of the sound. It sounded like whimpering, almost like crying. He made some more steps when he noticed something leaning against wall.

 

“Piko? What the heck are you doing all the way here?”

 

Boy with silvery brown hair just looked at him, trying to find him with all this darkness around.

So cool chapter sis

I just freaking cant wait for next one. Hope you can update before your birthday or christmas http://kh13.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/happy.png

That was great! I really enjoyed reading this chapter, I can't wait for the next one!!!

My goodness, this is one epic chapter!  And me and Ami appeared in the chapter!  Woohoo!!!  Epic chapter Lara, please update as soon as possible!

After cosplaying as Roxy on one anime event, I decided to to write one chapter in Roxy’s POV. Her costume ( I was sewing  it on hand for whole freaking night! ) really make me feel as being part of this story. Here’s link of a photo if you’re interested: http://light-13-hawkie.deviantart.com/gallery/41522641#/d5o7ypv

I would have posted this days before Christmas if I hadn’t spent it literally in the middle of nowhere (which means it was a miracle that even my laptop worked phew).

 

And to tell you funny thing, upper sentences were written more than four months ago. I’m so sorry for almost forgetting about this story. I got final book from my favorite two book series in my hands ( Power of Five:  Oblivion and Alex Rider: Rise of Scorpia by Anthony Horotwitz  plus three books of Maximum Ride by James Patterson ) and I couldn’t stop reading it. Now I’ve finally finished reading it ( it was just like reading Harry Potter, only much more cinematically epic ) so I finally opened this file and said: you need to finish this chapter hawkie! 

 

Chapter Twenty Two: Rescuing Innocent Life

 

Shivering. Breathlessly taking cold air in my lungs. That’s only thing that I can do to calm myself down. I always do that, but in that moment I just couldn’t. I was powerless, without Spark and locked in a place far from home. Dimi was taken from cell and didn’t return for more than two days. What did they do to him? From the size of their grins I could only guess what kinds of experiments were made on him. Did he struggle and was punished? Was he lastingly transported into other cell or even abby? Questions couldn’t stop appearing in my head.

I could only wrapped my arms around little girl next to me. Her big brown eyes stared at me as child looks on his parents. All this time she was with me, looking for sanctuary in my lap. Alicia, smart little kid who was only eight. First day after they took Dimi and Whirl, her sparkle in eyes darkened. After that she told everything that happened before she met me and Dimi.

At first her voice was quiet as she was afraid for every word that left her lips. I kept trying to encourage her, telling my story as well. To think of it, I never actually told anyone about my childhood. About those rare happy days that happened in my short previous life. It seemed almost as my story opened her to talk like opened book.

 

Alicia told me about her family, loving parents and her older sister. She even mentioned her dog and countless cats that always greet her when she came from school. I couldn’t imagine having so many pets at home when I didn’t have even a gold fish. Girl told every single detail about everything.

Now, two days later she again was scared. I didn’t know why. She only kept mumbling about white coats that brought something into cell at the end of corridor. It might have been anything, perhaps even new captured kid.

To calm her down, I only looked into her face saying:

 

“Why don’t we go see what it is? It won’t be so scary if we’re together.”

 

As those words left my mouth she only gripped my hand and slowly nodded.

 

“Are you ready?” I asked her calmly.

“Yeah… With you, it’s not so scary.” girl waited for leaving the cell.

 

Together we left white room where we were imprisoned. I walked slowly, trying to hear any unusual sounds while Alicia held my hand and was hiding behind me. Cold soon got my bare feet, but that didn’t bother me. My focus was on partly opened door on the end of the corridor. There wasn’t a single sound at first, but then after couple of minutes I could hear tiny whispers. Not human ones, those were much too fast and different. My hand carefully pushed cold door that let literally in the hell of a nature. Why hell you ask? True that wasn’t the hell but a dungeon of innocence. What was inside sent shivers into my already too pale face. I had hard time staying strong for Alicia who was scared ten times more than me. Who wouldn’t be in a caged horror?

 

Everywhere I looked were cages marked by sizes as they were clothes on sale. Behind steel bars terrified eyes were whimpering for freedom. I haven’t seen so many genetically changed animals at one place. From what I knew about Men in Gray was also their nasty habit to store their living subjects as they were lab equipment. Mutant animals were in much worse condition than I and Alicia were, but there was still thing that connected us. Being just innocent living being got us right to live freely until some psychopaths decided to play god. Having high knowledge gave them excuse of what they were doing behind their masks of science. To hell with science!

 

One of the cats with deformed ear, empty eyes and way too many legs got closer to the bars. Kitty tried its best to make a meowing sound but only unknown mix of groaning and rasping came out. I carefully set one finger to what stayed of cat’s face. Cat blinked when it set her tiny tongue to lick my cold fingers. I felt warm feeling in my hand whereupon Alicia came and carefully patted cat through its ears. Even in cruel environment poor kitty stayed as gentle as house pet. This gave me wonder if Men in Grey went so far to start kidnapping animals raised as pets. Little brunette finished patting cat and also started looking around. In cages there were all sorts of animals, from dogs and other house pets like cats and bunnies to more exotic like many colorful birds, lizards and reptiles. If they weren’t mutated I would believe they were just waiting to get into next pet store. Too bad it wasn’ttrue. No. Instead of giving love to their owners they were used only as receivers of pain.

 

Suddenly I felt tiny grip on my hand. Alicia showed at especially secured cage in the corner. When I had said especially secured Ireally meant it. Besides glass wall and many unknown lights there was also a camera that kept changing positions. Wondering about animal being so special to be locked like that made me move closer. Hanging on my hand Alicia followed.
Lowering my view at cage I looked at the animal that was sleeping curled up. Comparing it to all other animals this one looked the most normal in that room.
Instead of deformed parts or too many limbs it had healthy four legs and fluffy tail. Big ears kinda messed up my thinking if it was cat, fox or even squirrel.
When I made some more steps closer, animal woke up stretching its legs and opening its two eyes. We both gasped when we saw what was behind eyelids. Two
eyes, one blue and other green blinking as realistically as human ones. When fox-like-animal looked at us it immediately reared on its back legs and started
hitting the glass with front ones. It almost seemed as animal was begging to let it out while giving us much too human looks. That was when I noticed shiny
words beneath the cage: D4 Case. Not another experiment for Dreamer Project! Being locked up here I learnt that every subjected with word and number is used for Ial research.

 

For a second I really didn’t know what to do. Even if I had some sort of plan I couldn’t do it. The very next second five scientistsgot into room raising metal stick at me. Alicia yelped when lab coats raised their voice.

 

“A3 and C13 Case! Return to your cells immediately or we’ll use force!” one of the older ones shouted.

 

I made first step towards the door to satisfy them. Suddenly two able-bodied men grabbed me and stuck my steel rings on wrists. I didn’t get their point. I went out as they said but jerks used force either way. Their muscular arms grabbed my shoulders and led me back to the cell.

I was so afraid what will they do to Alicia if they were so rough on me. Luckily only one of the female scientists held her hand while following. Little girl confusedly watched all fuzz they had with me.

 

Back in the cell I was thrown back on my metal bed while rings on my feet got together. It really looked like I wasn’t exactly welcome into their little storage with living subjects. While struggling with locked up state they put me in one lab coat decided to give me an extra lecture. Pushing button on his handheld computer I got dose of their famous electromagnetic shocks. I felt as my body was going to be crumpled up as paper but pressed my mouth together. No way am I going to give them pleasure of hearing my screams! After minute of torture was over steel rings on wrists unstuck. I couldn’t feel any relief because the next moment I got eye to eye with man who’s just tortured me.

 

His breath disgustingly smelled of cigarettes.

 

“Cell in the end of the hallway is forbidden to enter.” man started while taking handheld computer into his pocked.

“Like I haven’t figured that myself.”  I said quietly.

“Playing high aren’t you? Well, let me just remind you that I can easily push the button again.”

“Come on do it coward! Torture me and swank with your almighty power until you kill me. Oh yeah you can’t kill me, I forgot.”  my whispers became lauder.

 

I was rewarded by a slap when my sentences were for unknown reason heard. High pitched yelp that was heard all over the room wasn’t mine. My trying to mess up with white coats’ heads scared Alicia. For that moment my whole attention was turned to her.

 

“Just hold still until they go away. I won’t let them hurt you.”  I whispered again this time carefully so only she could hear me.

 

Brunette nodded as she was also put on bed much gentler that I was. Female scientist started taking measurements from her like pulse and blood pressure. I on the other hand got a bit different, much inhuman ones. Like stabbing me into shoulder to get Inner Spirit Life Energy results as it was called. In my shoulder were some important nerves and veins that also carried extra ISLE veins only Ials had. If I remember reading those books that Vega, one of the most intelligent Ials, wrote ISLE is created during the hour when you’re dead. Most of the usual human cells are destroyed and replaced by Ial ones. Also bone, blood and muscle structure changes. I still wonder how on earth Men in Gray knew so many details about us.

 

After pulling tube from my shoulder I got stabbed into upper hip and then knee. Those were all three points of gathered ISLE in Ial body. Thinking for what the hell are going to do with my reddish-yellow liquid made my stomach turn. I got some more painful so called checkups whereupon lab coats left my ankles stuck and went back to their labs.

 

I firstly took deep breath of suffocating air of the room to chill my body. I don’t remember the time my body got invaded in such a way. As I was just a stuffed animal fated to be torn apart and sewed back. My thoughts calmed down when I felt familiar touch on my forehead. Little brunette was there sobbing quietly while looking at three bloody holes on my body.

 

“Why did they hurt you so much?” she asked while sobbing.

“Because they’re bad people and they think they can do whatever they want with me.” I closed my eyes while explaining.

 

I felt her two arms wrapping around my chest. She was so young and in fact more loving.

 

“Can I stay with you like that? I don’t want you to get hurt more.” tiny voice asked close to my ears.

 

With my ankles locked I couldn’t move much, but still liked the fact of not being alone. Having warm little body next to me almost felt like being with my Spark again. Oh my Spark where are you?

 

“Of course you can sweetie.” I smiled at her big brown eyes “You can be here as much as you want. Just please don’t risk yourself to be hurt instead of me. I can’t bear to see you hurt either.”

“But it’s not right!” she protested.

“I know it’s not right, but you must know that right now we’re powerless.  But don’t you worry. I swear that I’ll get us out of here.”

“Really? Do you really promise?”

“I promise you Alicia, you deserve as much as me and Dimi to be free and that’s what I’m going to do.”

 

Alicia tightened her hug for reply. I already had a plan to get out. I was just waiting for perfect timing. I knew that my brother, sister and some other Ials are on the way to save me, but what if they’ll come too late? That I couldn’t risk.

Kid next to me fell asleep and soon I did too.

 

 

 

Hours later I was suddenly woke up by coughing sound.For a second I thought where I caught a cold when I noticed Alica coughing, not me. Kid had hard time breathing duo to the coughs that were heard almost as explosives in canyon. I quickly grabbed her shoulders and started gently banged her between her shoulder blades. It didn’t help much, only caused her pain in back.

 

While thinking from what she was coughing pictures of the day rushed into my head. She didn’t ate or drink anything that could cause her such serious couching attack. I really didn’t want to, but I needed to ask half-suffocating brunette what was the cause.

 

“Did lab coats do anything to you during checkup?” I asked while rubbing her part between shoulder blades. Three painful coughs for reply.  Suddenly she turned pale and coughs turned into rasping. She was suffocating! Hell, I will kill every single lab coat for doing this to her!

 

“… the..y… inje..cted…” was all what her painful voice could said.

 

Injected? What the hell did they put into her innocent body? I started thinking about chemical reactions that I had back in school. What can cause such painful breathing reaction? I stopped thinking when her rasping became lauder. Then I remembered! Classmate in my old school had similar reaction duo to his allergy.

 

“Alicia listen! Do you have any allergies?” I almost shouted.

“…be…bees…” she rasped as she continued coughing.

 

So she was allergic to beestings! I now had pretty much of an idea what was happening. Lab coats have just decided to play god again by killing another innocent kid. But why? Why they were doing this? Only to have another experiment tested.

 

I pushed away those thoughts to help Alicia. During one of the strongest coughing attack she rolled from the bed to the floor. I rushed after her even though my feet were bounded. Crawling I managed to get to her now pushing my hands on her rib cage. She had trouble breathing and that’s what I needed to help her with. Usually allergic reactions were prevented by special pills. What could’ve done without them? There was no way I’d let her die. I forced myself to start pushing on her rib cage, making her lungs work. It seemed more like as it didn’t help at all but after some pushes I got a bit color on her face. Still her breathing was becoming worse.  Coughs prevented her lungs to work correctly and all I could do was making sure her heart still worked. Following with basic CPR I needed to give her some air into mouth despite her painful coughs.

 

I kept doing CPR for almost an hour and she kept fighting to live. Coughs stopped when breathing still didn’t return. Two hours later I could felt my strength fading, but I kept pushing on Alicia’s heart and giving her air in weak lungs. Getting closer to the third hour we both still fought for Alicia’s life. I felt pain in my tired body all over when still doing CPR. If brunette won’t give up I won’t too. She was only eight having many years in front of her. That’s why I didn’t stop. I want her to live, to choose her own path not getting controlled by some psychopaths.

 

Suddenly everything around me stopped. When I made another push I didn’t felt her heartbeat anymore. Slight breaths I have had heard before were gone.

 

“No! Alicia breathe! You have to!” I shouted doing CPR even faster. Her eyes were becoming empty as warmth was leaving her innocent body. I’m not sure what I was thinking or doing that fatal hour. I was just making sure to keep kid alive. I didn’t care if there was no pulse. My hands kept pushing on the rib cage with Alicia not responding. Only one sentence was burning in my head.

 

“When human dies he has only an hour to make choice. He has to be strong in heart and really sure to become an Ial. Sadly many of them can’t become Ials either on their own choice or weakness in their heart.”

 

I lost count of how many time have passed. All I knew was that I was running low on it. Without any medication there was no way to save her. But this still didn’t stop me.  I ignored protest of my tired body to at least try to do something.

 

Focusing on my bright two ponytails I felt tiny shards clashing together. Sparkles stated making those bits of electricity I still had in me. Like tiny stream, electricity travelled through shoulders and arms to hands. Brunette’s body twitched when my electricity ran into her weak heart. There was no respond
but I still gathered electricity into hands and then on weak rib cage. It was just like doctors done it with those machines in hospitals. Doing that for so long I suddenly realized hour has already passed with girl still not responding.

 

That’s when I realized there was nothing more that I could do for her. Weak body couldn’t take it anymore. Placing my hands to her shoulders I couldn’t stop tears gathering in me. Why did this happen? We were both fighting for so long and all this effort didn’t pay off.  It just gave us fake believing of having an
actual chance.

 

I pressed my hands on her shoulders tighter feeling cold spreading all over. What will they do with her? I doubted they will be so kind to send her dead body back to her family. No, they will just use her for another sick experiment.

 

“Alicia, I’m so sorry… I couldn’t fulfill the promise and now… you’re… you’re…” last word couldn’t leave my mouth just sobbing. Little girl I wanted to protect so much was dead right in front me. I didn’t know what to do and I felt like being little girl myself.

 

 

 

 

It was then when it happened. Shiny sparkles filled my hair with unknown glow which sent me hot shivers all over my body. It gathered in my hands glowing as gentle as firefly. I’m not sure what Ial within me tried to tell me but I just pushed them at Alicia.

 

Expecting again no respond it now felt different. My hands kept glowing as I started sending electricity into her. I could feel both of our bodies being connected as wire is to machine and socket. Her heartbeat became mine and I made sure to bring it back.

 

“Come one, you can do it! I’m here, don’t be afraid!” I shouted as I literally sent my own energy into her. My tired body was about to collapsed, but before it would I swear to myself to save the kid. I felt my strength being pulled away from me as minutes passed. Just a bit more time, I needed to stay focused to save her. It was just like the never ending fight where you need to defeat the greatest enemy. Only this time goal was different.

 

Pushing, sending more energy, controlling the heartbeat. I kept doing those three things with my body hurting as hell.

 

In the end I couldn’t do it anymore. I felt as I was missing most of my limbs or like I was an electric toy which got ran off power. I just fell unconscious on the floor.

 

But before the dark I could see slight movement in brunette’s chest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“How much time does she need to wake up?” unknown voice echoed through the white walls.

“Be patient sir, she has lost a lot of energy.” younger voice responded.

“Don’t you think I know that? What we need right now are some answers.” same unknown voice shouted.

 

I carefully opened my eyes to see what the fuzz was about. My eyelids were so heavy with me having no idea why. I regretted when I did. In front of me was no one else than Eztli the creepiest and most disgusting Man in Gray ever. His fat stomach was stuck under tight lab coat while his hairy moustache didn’t suit him at all.

 

“Well good morning A3.” Eztli said sickly sweet while lightning himself a cigarette. Funny combination disgusting cancer stick and sweetness in voice that is. “We’d like to ask you some stuff.”

 

I found myself with stuck steel rings again. Ankles didn’t seem to get unstuck at all while wrists were stuck on my back. If you were looking an old action movie with secret agents you would came right on the part where agent is captured and bad guys were about to interrogate him. Even the room was almost the same with them sitting in the end of the long glass table me being tied on extremely uncomfortable chair. I’m not sure if Men in Gray ever heard the word comfortable in their short stupid lives.

 

“Sure just prepare the paper and I will surely tell you everything.” I said in the same sick sweet version as Eztli.

“Do you think that’s funny?” Eztli became angry.

“I don’t know. You are the one who started.” I responded.

 

Fat scientist was about to give me a punch when luckily that younger one stopped him.

 

“If you hit her, she will just pass out.” guy blocked Eztli’s huge arms.

“Fine then make her talk!” Eztli got in corner to have another cigarette.

 

Younger man got to man while typing something on another handheld computer. Pressing a button tv screen appeared on one of the white walls. Next second there was cell in which Alicia was. I couldn’t believe it! I actually really saved her even after an hour of her being dead. Thank goodness she was alive. I could never forgive myself if she died.

 

But there was something different in her eyes now. Looking deeply on the tv screen I could so unique mark in her eyes. No other than the wolf mark the one that Rookies have.

 

I didn’t just save Alicia. For unknown reason I turned her into an Ial!

 

“A3, I’m sure you’re familiar with C13 case. We’d like to know how you turn it into a Dreamer.” Man started.

“I’m asking the same thing to myself.” I said care-freely. Man was about to push the buttons when my big mouth couldn’t gave a break. “If you’re planning to torture me again go on. I’m sure you have the whole day to wait till I wake up again.” I said when man became annoyed.  “And about the Dreamer thingy – I don’t have the slightest idea how and don’t really remember.”

 

Man got back to Eztli again only to be yelled at and sent flying from the room. Next moment Eztli was back in front of me and from the abomination of his breath I would say he had smoked at least half of the cigarette case. I really don’t know what he was going to achieve if he was staring at me all the time. 

 

“Looks like you won’t tell on the easy way. That won’t be a problem if you prefer the hard way.” Eztli started circling around me as cat around mouse would “We had prepared an experiment for you and I expect you’ll do it.”

“Oh, that’s new.” I mumbled only to get a bruise into my eye.

“Would you like your friend to do it? I’m sure he’s still going strong.” Eztli smiled evilly while switching video at tv. On the next video was no other than Dimi and in what condition. His back and both arms were in braces meaning to be broken. Currently he was sleeping while one of the bandages was changed by some other scientist.

 

“What did you do to him?” I suddenly raised my voice only to be shut by fat scientist.

“Nothing actually, he’s done that to himself. If he would listen and do tests as he was told dr. Sat wouldn’t be forced to break both of his arms.” he returned with his sick sweetness again. “Now... will you be the good subject and do the experiment?”

“I will… just tell me what to do.” I said as quietly as I could. I didn’t want to lose my will, but I also didn’t want Dimi to be hurt more than he already was.

 

Eztli unlocked the steel rings on my ankles so I could walk from white room. While walking through the corridor he was holding my shoulder just in case I got a foolish idea of running away like Dimi. Finally we arrived into dark room with glass cage. Darkness covered everything in front of me. Eztli suddenly pushed me inside of the glass cage, grinning evilly. Before he closed the entrance he threw me something.

 

“You will need this.” he said while leaving. I couldn’t believe it! It was my Arrowblade, shining as new and prepared for anything. Since the first day of my captivity I haven’t seen it. Now it was back with me. Thinking of what reason I got it back, unknown growl was heard from the darkness. It showed itself when lights were suddenly turned on. In the corner was the most unimaginable thing from the nightmares.

 

Its shards on back, legs and tail were threating as solder with twenty swords. Fur was dirty black and body was as they mixed bear and wolf. Looking at me with the most inhumane and empty eyes it opened its monstrous snout to showed disgustingly sharp fangs.

 

“So A3 case, meet one of my newest creations. Genetically changed coyotes with extra genes of grizzly bear, lynx and many more. Perfect combination of nature.”

 

Was he out of his freaking mind? I’ll genetically change your DNA to be the same as pig. I bet you would really happy!

 

Carefully I summoned bolt arrow and hold it still. I needed to lure the beast toward me, so I could do my tactic. Making annoying movements for the creature I waited until it nibbled into at the bait. Growling all the time I predicted that light got it angry. Moment later it rush right into me. I dodged quickly getting my calf scratched. Blood got out quickly streaming down to my foot. I ignored the pain when I used the chance of being right in front of beast. With quick move I sent my blot arrow right in front of its eyes. Beast started growling even more when trying to get it out of its head. Raspingly it ran to other corner of the glass cage.

 

I turned to the grinning scientist who was watching me all the time.

 

“What is the point of locking me with that disgusting freak?” I shouted through glass.

 

“Just a tiny experiment of how it would look in combat with a Dreamer. To tell you the truth you aren’t the first Dreamer who got an honor of battling them.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”  I demanded.

“Nothing, just something really boring. Firstly when we created Darksharders we made them as coyote cubs with genetically different bodies. Of course they were already powerful, but we gave them growing genes just in case. You have no idea how smart they are as cubs. They were able to locate the portals your dear friends use to go into your tiny little home.”

 

That couldn’t be true. Those beasts in Realm of Spirits? How far do they intend to go?

 

“People being impossible to use portals, we got them to sneak into your world where they fully grow in shadows of you realm. I’m must say they’re pretty good in combat.”

 

I was about to say something back when beast came back. Impossible! I perfectly shot my arrow through its brains if they were really there. Creature knocked me down with me being unprepared. Its giant paws roughly pressed on my shoulders to the point of cracking and bleeding. Then its snout hungrily reached for my head. I got away just in time using my Arrowblade to roll away while shooting more arrows to its stomach. Creature called Darksharder didn’t mind them only kept running towards me. I dodged again this time pointing at chest. Arrows found a bit of a way through thick fur just enough to distract it. I used the moment to send number of arrows directly into its head, this time pointing eyes and nose. I knew wolves depend on sight and smell a lot so that was the last part of defeating it. As extra thing I collected bits of my electricity sending it into paws. My theory about nervy paws was correct. Beast wasn’t able to stand anymore and it just collapsed.

 

Looking back at open mouthed scientist I smiled at my win which lasted only for a minute. Next minute I felt sudden pain in my chest. Then it was just like someone ripped it apart. But how? Darksharder was defeated and laid on the floor unconsciously. Feeling pain soon turned into real one when I saw my white shirt turning red. Blood was coming also from my mouth, choking me in process. What was happening? There was no explanation for me getting hurt like that. Unless someone else got hurt and I felt it.

 

“Os… what happened to you? Don’t tell me it was Darksharder!” I quietly whispered into my head while calling my twin brother. He has to be attacked by exact same beast as the one I just had defeated.  I was so afraid to think those creatures already got into Realm of Spirits. And fact of feeling Os’ pain only meant one
thing. He got hurt to the point of dying. Those were the only times I felt his pain and until now I only felt it for three times.

 

I felt something crack inside me, probably ribs when more blood got from my mouth.

 

Soon my head felt dizzy, my legs buckled and again I was on floor.

 

“Bro... just be alright… I’ll wait for all of you to come…” I uttered before falling into state of unconsciousness this time for much longer time.  

 

 

 

 

PS: Hope you'll like it fellas and for the next chapter I'm already telling you that it won't be posted before June duo to my very busy finishing of the third grade of High School. I was to post that months ago but beside school I also got into bizzare accident where I torn my knee muscles apart and becuase of it I had to quit dancing for the third time and also my tennis training in which I got so good that  I won the third place on Junior contest last year. I'm currently still recoverying from it and some muscles got healed up. But during June I'll have to go on the surgery in which they will literally sew together my damaged muscles. After it I'll be in almost complete state as I was just after the accident - meaning walking with only crutches and being in pain again for a month...

I'm also writing short story about my experiance with such an accident. It should be posted soon, don't know when excatly.

Edited May 11, 201312 yr by hawk

Im dying for the next chaper already (literally ).

Really nice job sis. I listened some kh and misfits music while reading and i almost started crying from reading the part where Alicia died. Almost X3

That was really epic!

Wow, I have got to say that this chapter really made my hairs stand on end.  I felt horrified when Alicia died, but then I felt so relieved when Roxie brought her back to life and turned her into a lal!  Lara, I have to say that you are one heck of a storyteller, and you have a very bright future ahead of you!  And I hope everything goes okay for you and that your injuries heal.

Guys!!! I have new chapter for you believe it or not!

 

I'm really sorry for not posting a thing lately, but I'm in final year of high school right now and I really must work hard if I want to study English. That's also the other reason why my stories take so much time. When I'm writing I really want to do the best I can, describe everything, making the reader excited and so on. Becuase that's how I'm when I'm creating something either if it's a story, drawing or anything else. I don't want it to be perfect (becuase nothing is perfect), but to be shown that I put a lot of efford in it.

 

So enjoy the chapter which is so far the one with most action in it !

 

Chapter Twenty Three: Long Way Down

 

Two pairs of eyes stared into each other as they were ghosts. Carefully brown ones moved towards cave’s wall as greenish brown followed its twitching. They were slightly blinking when another pair of almost same sparkling eyes appeared. But instead of bright brown they were yellow. When both of them came together, owner of the green ones surprisingly gasped.

 

“Piko? Your Spirit Mate too? What... I mean how did you get all the way here?” Alex still couldn’t believe his eyes while he was looking at pale brown haired.

“Huh?” twelve year old only mumbled.

 

His eyes were staring as he was in sleep or more like in some sort of trance. Same went for silvery – brown hawk flying around scary as bat. Red haired took deeper look at unexpected person now trembling from unknown presence. Piko’s clothes weren’t suitable for snowy mountains as Alex’s were. Boy has still worn the pajamas he got after he arrived in Main Shed’s ambulance. Alex quickly took off his winter coat to warm kid up. While taking it off he suddenly realized two things. Under the winter half was another one, more spring like. Trying to wrap the coat around Piko, boy reflexively moved away as Spirit Mate Mirgy bristled with his two wings. That was right! Alex didn’t use any light only his cat – eyes ability. Boy must’ve been scared by the dark cave and now unknown stranger in it.

 

“It’s alright… I’m Alex. Don’t you remember me? Me and some other teens saved you from that old house.” red haired said as gentle as he could. Piko kept tried to focus his big eyes when unknown force didn’t let him too. Mirgy tried to whisper something into boy’s ear, but that only caused boy to start screaming. Alex quickly grabbed other’s hand which angered hawk enough to start using claws. Yelp wasn’t far from Alex’s mouth but he still didn’t give up. Gathering inner power of light in hands he made cave brighter.

“Calm down, I won’t hurt you.” redhead said while putting winter coat on Piko’s freezing shoulders. “That’s it, now just hold it really tight to get the warmth up.” he continued when hawk lowered his wings.

 

More light seemed to appear in boy’s eyes as warmth covered icily blue skin. Piko clenched new cloth only to see bizarre scene he got himself into. His bare feet were standing on iced ground in a cave when seemingly familiar boy suddenly appeared.

 

“What… am I doing here?” Piko shockingly widened his two eyes. “But that can’t be right… I was there…”

“Put it together, you and me are here now, okay?” Alex grabbed small one’s shoulders. “Let’s return back and we’ll both clear the situation.”

“Back where?” Piko again got confused. “Where are we anyway?”

“Let’s get going. I’ll tell you on the way.” redhead led him towards the entrance.

 

As two newly become Ials walked through the cave Alex tried his best to explain about rescuing mission and unexpected ambush. Hearing about Shardlups made Piko snuggle his Spirit Mate more. Mirgy still in a form of a hawk seemed less confused than his owner, but still almost new at everything else. Alex asked him number of times how boy got all the way to the mountains in just bare pajamas. But more red haired asked less brunette knew what to say. In fact since the last time Alex saw Piko, boy gained some weight to his starving body. As for his unnatural bright brown hair with many silver locks, they became even thicker in silvery color.

 

“To tell you the truth… I don’t know what has been happening to me lately.” Piko suddenly started, almost giving Alex a gasp. “Ever since I got in that hospital – like place… I had nightmares.” boy hugged himself to stop uncontrollable shivers from his body.

“Were they about that house we saved you from?” Alex kept the conversation on.

“Yeah, mostly… but then they suddenly became weird.” boy’s voice twitched.

“How do you mean weird?”

“All of a sudden pictures started appearing. None of them made any sense, because I couldn’t see any of them clearly.” Piko tightened grip around himself when bright wings appeared on his back.

 

Redhead almost got shocked when he remembered Piko’s ability to make illusions, angel’s wings being his favorite. Trying to remember what he was about to say, they finally got to the entrance of the cave. Everything was still there, including wounded golden wolf. Blaze was also there protecting Os while trying to get more bandages on lifting up blood. Since red wolf was part of Alex, Blaze didn’t need an explanation about Piko’s unexpected arrival.

Alex squatted down to again check the condition of a wounded friend. Like he expected, it haven’t changed much. Blood was everywhere, revealing monstrous bite and many flesh missing. Looking at him, Alex had to remind himself that there was an actual person under Ial mask of a Spirit Mate. Unmoving chest needed to remind him that Os was currently in coma, state in which Ial waits to fully heal up. Hearing Nora’s words of poison and healing crystal recollected Nora’s and Nikki’s short trip to get antidote.

Piko meanwhile carefully got to golden wolf and petted its head. Even though it was almost the same as petting stuffed animal it made difference in boy’s eyes. He was young Ial, still learning how to survive in a crazy world of mad scientists and unimaginable powers.

 

“Will he really be alright?” Piko look towards Alex.

“Girls will come back soon with cure. For now let’s just wash that blood away.” redhead said as he looked around for anything that looked like a towel and warm water.

 

Soon there was movement at the cave’s door which made Alex set the Arrowblade. Luckily there were the said girls carrying whole lap of reddish brown crystals. Their Spirit Mates along with Roxy’s shook the snow off their furs.

 

“We haven’t run into any of Shardlups. Nora is pretty much used to it.” Nikki replied as she put crystals on rock. Nora soon took some equipment from the locker to start preparing them. All the time she was silent as well as her Spirit Mate hid emotions into a snake form.

“I told her about Roxy… she had hard time realizing. The two of them were usually much closer than me or Os were.” Nikki explained while petting Spark’s head.

 

Meanwhile Piko couldn’t take eyes off Nora. Alex told him about her insufficiently clothing duo to her inner power, but boy couldn’t imagine she really was dressed like that. Ial or not, Piko was still a growing teenage boy, currently in time for raving hormones. Mirgy slapped him to get some sense into him before he could blush as red as tomato. Nikki along with Misty and Spark nearly got shocked when she saw Piko there.

Alex got there in time to explain everything to her and Nora who almost finished tearing crystals to get gold colored liquid from it. She carefully rubbed it into Os’s bloody chest. At first it didn’t seem to do anything only spreading all over wolf’s neck and thorax. Then it started doing its magic. Liquid neutralized the poison inside for injured flesh to slowly start forming skin back. Same went for ribs. All small cracks healed with freshly formed organic matter. Step by step Ial body got message to be alive again. ISLE gathered healing cells in all three places and started doing its plan. Soon new layers of skin began forming all over the chest making chest looking like before the attack. Process of revival was done with new layer of golden fur growing back.

Nikki stepped closer gently stroking the newly frown fur. Wolf’s eyes slowly opened to see others’ eyes leaning on him. Blinking for couple of times he got into his human form again. Moment Os and Hydro separated from each other, made boy cough.

 

“I hate this part…” Os muttered as Nikki helped him up.

“How are you feeling?” Nora asked checking his chest.

“Good more or less. Let’s just continue with the mission. We lost enough time already.” blonde stubbornly walked towards the exit. “What are you waiting for? Ami and Gabriel are probably worried where we are.”

 

Girls nodded as they followed, leaving Alex and Piko in the background. Nikki fortunately came back soon, trying to get some sense into them.

 

“Don’t worry about Os, he’s been through that for three times already. He’s a way too stubborn to become weak.” Nikki told them when she noticed Piko in Alex’s coat. “Oh, haven’t thought about that yet.”

“He can have my coat.” Alex replied to her wondering. “For some reason I don’t feel cold either.”

“You’ve probably unlocked one of the new Ial abilities. For now let’s just get on top, to like Os had said continue with the mission.” Nikki explained while redhead reflexively got to Piko. “Don’t worry about him, I’ll watch over and protect him if needed.”

 

With those words all three of them left the cave. Seeing twelve year old alright with Nikki, Alex continued walking with Blaze by his side. They followed two spots in the distance. Top wasn’t far away anymore, about half of an hour away.

 

“Did you check new inner powers?” Blaze asked inside of Alex’s mind.

“I don’t know what you mean about it, but now that you mention it, I do feel change in myself.” redhead replied in himself.

 

The two of them walked in silence for some more meters. Darkness almost seemed to move away from the nigh. Sun was rising for a morning. Some more time passing them finally noticed the very top with two new figures standing there. Soon figures of blonde and brunette joined, shanking their hands. When party of twelve year old, black haired and redhead joined, they finally reached the first step of a plan. They met up with a duo that had a plan – more than sixty year old Ials. Alex gazed into taller shape with much bigger Spirit Mate as his Blaze was.

Ial boy took the hood off, revealing Afro – American face with really short dark hair, almost unclear to see . His eyes were brown with shades of golden and gray. Duo to the cold he wore black winter coat with earmuffs covering his ears. Next to him was a bit shorter, but still taller girl than he was. Her brownish – reddish – black hair didn’t have bangs like Nikki’s plus white tape weakly tied it in some sort of dissect ponytail. Ial girl seemed as an opposite of the boy, wearing white winter coat with some black and gray details. She also had high boots and funny looking hat with tassel. But the thing special the most about her was bright white Spirit Mate resting on her shoulder.

 

“Oh, you must be the new one! Come on, hit it man!” dusky boy said cheerfully, setting his hand for high five. Despite being more than sixty year old Ial who died aged twenty, he sure had a childish sense of humor. Alex didn’t know how to react on such gesture, so he just tapped others hand gently. “Not like that… gee Ami hits it one hundred times stronger.” boy said as girl gave a look mixed with embarrassment and amusement. “Just kidding!” boy joked “You probably know it already but the name’s Gabriel. You’re Alex right?” redhead nodded as girl shook hands with him as well.

“Ami right?” Alex remembered conversations. Girl smiled for reply, fixing some of the hair from her face. Alex noticed Trinity being tied around her wrist instead of neck. Perhaps she got it handier there.

When all of them came together, Gabriel and Ami set the huge bag they were carrying. Others expected quick departure into other world, but dusky boy got other idea.

 

“So who’s hungry? I prepared everything for everyone!” he nearly squeaked from excitement.

 

Os nearly started protesting for not moving forward when loud rumble from his stomach thought the opposite. Gabriel cheerfully unzipped the part of bag to start sharing small nice – smelling packages. Everyone took one, instead of Nora who said to have a very bad motion sickness, especially after eating. Gabriel, Ami and Nikki took a bit farther place to discuss about further plan during breakfast. Others including redhead, blonde, brunette and twelve year old stayed where they were. They unwrapped their breakfast to see it was some sort of mix between Mexican tortillas and kebabs.

 

“So much for walking on the top to finally start with a real mission. Instead of that we come on breakfast, going nowhere!” blonde got some red color in face.

“Cheer up Osie! You need food to keep your strength.” Nora cheerfully ruffled his hair so much that hat fell off.

“Please don’t call me like that, it’s a bit embarrassing…” he blushed as he started eating his breakfast.

“Speaking of mission, what are we going to do about Piko?” Alex asked when brunette tightened winter coat around his body.

“Well if he had come all the way up here, he probably knows how to get down too.” said Nora, on which Piko strongly shook his head.

“He says he doesn’t remember. Either way he hasn’t been an Ial for long, only a week.” redhead explained to surprised girl.

“But, how come he has a Trinity then?” she showed on triangle shaped necklace around boy’s neck.

“It’s seems everything about you is a mystery.” Alex sighed as he looked on a brunette who started eating breakfast.

“Looks like it…” boy looked down “I really don’t know how I get there or how this thing got there.” Mirgy took form of a wolf to nestle up to him.

“I’m pretty sure those three are discussing about that right now.” Os said as he continued eating breakfast “Though Kiara said Piko had been having bizarre dream walks.”

“You mean to tell me he dream – walked all the way here?” Nora split the tea she’s been having.

“It sounds crazy, but it could be possible.” Os kept chewing the stuff when he suddenly felt something strange in his mouth.

“Are you alright, you’re a bit red to your face.” Piko looked weirdly on him.

 

Blonde suddenly felt burning pain in his mouth as he suddenly started running around.

“Not again!” he angrily ran towards the elder party. Os stepped to Gabriel who just seemed to finish a funny joke. “Gabriel Freeraid! Me and Roxy may be twins, but how can you still mistaken us! You clearly know I can’t stand spicy food when she’s in heaven if you give her chilly!”

 

Boy chuckled a bit, but soon chastened after Ami gave him a slight punch.

 

“I’m sorry about it. I mistook the packages, saving few for myself.” Ami apologized while giving him some fresh water. Blonde quickly emptied almost whole bottle for it.

“Say bro, we have some plan to do discuss. Do you wanna join?” Nikki interrupted.

“Why I couldn’t already?” blonde gave a weird look.

“Well… I kinda knew you would annoyingly barge in with how fast we should be and stuff… and also you have just survived the coma. I know it’s not deadly, but can sure be tiring.”

“Yeah… you’re actually a bit right. Can I listen either way?” Os asked.

“Sure, if you try another spicy burrito.” Gabriel laughed.

“Can’t you get serious for a second?” Ami slapped him in embarrassment.

“Yup babe I can!” boy made serious look and then started laughing “See? Second is over!”

 

Dusky boy then cleared his throat and Os wasn’t sure if he was still watching in the same Gabriel.

 

“Your worries of being late were legitimated. We’re supposed to get into Real World somewhere in North America’s mountains. In one of the valleys a ride is waiting for us. After that we continue on foot until we reach an Abby.” Gabriel explained in totally different tone.

“But I sense many movements there, mostly from vehicles. There’s also large number of electromagnetic signals. Way too large for mountain area.” Ami explained. “Men in Gray are waiting for us. The moment we cross, we’re falling right into their trap.”   

“Darn it, how we will go pass them and how did they know we will come?” blonde asked.

“Not with the face, man. We got a nice plan for this in style!” Gabriel excitedly started opening the rest of the bag. After unzipping and untying many parts he finally brought out what he was searching for. Boy held long wooden board, made for no other than their way down.

“It’s pretty easy to get a balance on the snow ground and combining powers of an Ial we can freely use it as the fastest vehicles. Also foot clips have an ability to undo in a microsecond. This will give us an ability to use our powers while sliding down!”

“How many snowboards do you have?” Nikki asked.

“Three for two persons and one extra one. Why do you ask?” Ami wondered.

“It’s Piko. We have no idea how he got all the way up here, but we certainly can’t leave him here.” Nikki said with sighing voice.

“Are you telling me we’re taking him with us? Haven’t you just saved him from Men in Gray? If he comes with us it will be like delivering him on silver plate!” Ami shocking realized point of Nikki’s question.

“I know, but we lost enough time already. None of us can take him back down and continue the mission. Besides… he has changed a lot since the day he arrived here.” Nikki told her thoughts.

“Then we take him with us as we took Alex on the check – up mission? That’s crazy, it will be thousand times more of way to get hurt or even captured.” Os got into conversation.

“If the kid’s the problem, then I’ll take him on my snow board. It will take a lot to get me down.” Gabriel said in deep tone “My inner powers will make them think twice before they get me!”

“We’re taking him with us then?” Ami asked one more time.

“Yeah and we will make sure he becomes an Ial worth of a name. Isn’t that right Sandy?” Gabriel asked his abnormally big birdie that spread his wings.

 

Boy’s pose made Alex, Nora and Piko come closer. Gabriel was ready to start, but Ami overhauled him.

 

“Portal will lead us somewhere in the middle of North America’s snowy mountains. Our enemies are already there waiting for us. In order to get to our destination we need to pass through them as unnoticeably and fast as we can. To make this part true, we’re going to split up and use newly developed snow boards.” raven haired explained while setting the snow boards with necessary equipment “Gabriel will go with Piko, Nikki with Os, Nora alone and Alex with me. Four different directions are enough to make their sensors go crazy.”

 

After her explanation all four groups went to set wooden boards. There weren’t any special snow – board boots needed duo to fitting bonding for their feet. Other than that they also needed helmets and specially designed ski goggles. From what tiny text on them said they had inbuilt communicating device, connected to the part of helmet where speaker was. Duo planned everything, from being in touch and being invisible in the same time.

 

“What about Spark?” Os asked worriedely.

“She will be with me, right here.” Nora set smaller bag for Spark being there as snake. “Don’t worry. Spark will be safe with me.”

 

Minutes of preparation soon came to an end. Nikki along with her younger sibling preparedly got in front of the portal. It wasn’t opened yet, in fact it was made only in one way. The one who followed was Gabriel clenching Piko’s trembling hand. Everything that has just happened was entirely new to him as he stepped on the wooden snow board hugging Gabriel’s waist. Dusky boy stroke his hair in friendly way to calm him down.

 

“Moment we get through, just mimick my leaning and keep your eyes open. If you trust your inner powers enough, use them on everything that attacks us. I know you’ll do it great kid.” he smiled.

“My name isn’t kid. It’s Piko!” brunette tried to show his courage which was conviced by Mirgy’s wings and extra pair of them on twelve year’s old back.

“I see you have ability of illusions. Try to control amount of energy you use for it. Otherwise you’ll get tired way too fast.”

 

Next were Ami and Alex behind her. Raven haired was great being in charge, not bossy, but careful and cabable of working in team. Nervously redhead bounded his feet while Ami gazed at him.

 

“Will you be alright with just summer coat?” she asked staring at the light clothing in redish black color.

“Inner power of light can warm me up. I’ll be fine.” he confirmed.

“Good, then have your eyes back. We’ll go a bit faster and if some unexpected hits got me, we’re as good as bird food.” 

 

Together group moved towards the portal. They were about to go down when Gabriel addressed them one last time.

 

“We’re sliding down towards the point. It might be calm on beginning, but that’s what Men in Gray want us to think. Moment we relax they’ll attack at full force. In that moment we’re going to do a quick distraction and separate. We’ll be in touch through helmets and try to keep reporting your current situation. I think that’s it! Seeya in the meeting point!” he finished in cheerfully encouraging tone.

 

Nikki encompanied with Os on snow board quickly slided through portal as others followed. Piko tightened grip around Gabriel’s waist when he astonishingly watched change in the air. Surface in Realm of Spirits was somehow refreshingly warm duo to snowy mountains and warm wind from the ocean behind the mountains. Moment they slided into Real World they could feel freezing cold and morning fog of snowy coldness. Alex carefully watched how Nikki took the led and tried to keep Ami’s balance.

Snow wasn’t like the one you see on usual ski lines. Instead of neatly smooth, snow was still powdered. So every slide sank deeply in it nearly getting stuck. But not specially made snow boards rubbed with resin of Ground Conifers. Boards went as flat knife would go through butter.

Four boards made sounds of sliding snow as they kept up with speed. There weren’t many obcticales to worry about, only rare rocks and bushes. Portal opened much above the forest level. Because of that area was freely to slide on. But that was also a weakness. Opened area made them extremely vulnerable, just for what other certain group was waiting for.

 

For next few seconds was silence. Then suddenly everything started happening within second.

 

At least six helicopters with many side men on snowmobiles burtsed from white tarps. Men in Gray were waiting for them just like duo said.

Bringing helicopters in the air and starting the snowmobiles they circeled sliding group on snow boards. Men started pointing metal aiming capturing ropes at them. Bad guys had them where they wanted.

Or at least they thought so.

 

“NOW!” Gabriel shouted to Nikki in front. Raven haired took a deep breath to focus and in a moment done her magic. All morning fog, coldness and icy dampness gathered around her. Suddenly cloud of fog surrounded all seven of them.

Alex felt how Ami quickly made a fast turn on left. In the same moment others did the same, separating just like they planned. Nikki’s fog confused Men in Gray enough to buy them extra time.

 

Nora made a turn towards bare ground with only bit of rocks. Fast or not, three snowmobiles got behind her. Men started pointing guns like weapons trying to stop her.

 

“It will take much more to make me surrender.” brunette grinned as she focused on the ground below the snowmobiles. Vehicles seemed to be good working in beginning when suddenly bad guys realized they have trouble controlling them. They went checking all sorts of stuff to fix uncontrollable motor sleds. Little they knew there was nothing wrong with them.

In fact Nora only froze the snow to the point of being ice. It wasn’t much damageable to vehicles, but it made a good distraction. She quickly summoned Arrowblade in a crest of Snake and prepared especially sharp ice arrows. First one ended in one’s shoulder and before second realized quick attack he already got two more. Two men yelled from the pain as the third men pulled the trigger on metal stick. Girl quickly accelerated to dodge powerful electromagnetic blast. Wave of deadly force chased her as wave during surfing. That gave her an idea.

Moment wave got close she pushed off herself into the air. Practically flying she used second of surprise on third’s man face to shoot him with another ice arrow which stabbed him deep in his stomach.

All three snowmobiles soon stopped duo to drivers being too injured if not unconscuis. But that wasn’t over. Listening to the sounds, she disliked one which roared like helicopter. Soon it was there propeller spinning so fast as it wasn’t there. Brunette might have defeated three snow sleds but helicopter was whole different story. Glass seemed as neat as it was unbreakable with strong bulletproof body. Ice arrows didn’t stand a chance against it.

 

“Looks like time for another plan.” she focused on snow board and chopper chasing her “I might need your help Sparky. Just wait for my sign.” golden snake in her bag nodded.

 

Roxy’s cousin raised her gloved hands towards lips and on perfect moment pushed herself off again, this time right in front of front chopper’s windshield. Blowing through gloves, thousands of little snowflakes covered the windshield, preventing men in it to see anything.

Landing on ground neatly she leaned back to slow down the racing ride. Snow board immediately slipped back, many meters behind the chopper. Without the second though, she jumped towards it, grasping landing skits. Flying vehicle wasn’t effected by her duo to the light weight and covered windows. Golden snake stuck its head out of a bag when feeling Nora’s sign. Looking at front part, she started using hacking power though Nora’s to slow down the engines a bit. This gave a girl time to do her part. Another deep focus sent freezing powers in work.

She jumped off as elegantly as jumped on. In the meantime snowflakes fully melted, revealing the windshield. Pilot noticed brunette back on snow boar escaping and brought helicopter to full power in order to get her.

Girl kept accelerating to escape when helicopter was getting closer. But not close enough. Pilot flew the chopper like crazy until it for unknown reason just stopped. Propellers stopped spinning as engines seemed as they had broken down. Man in gray and two of his companions inside started panicking when trying to find a reason for helicopter’s sudden failure. All what they had found out was that flying vehicle worked perfectly with just one tiny problem. There wasn’t any fuel left. Nobody had the slightest idea how it had disappeared all of sudden. Except for grinning brunette who successfully escaped down.

Nora had frozen fluent fuel to the point of huge ice cubes. Helicopter went falling until it fully crashed against first trees. Girl so already crossed the tree point. Now she only needed to get towards their next ride.

 

Meanwhile Ami and Alex got into same situation as Nora – helicopter and many snow sleds. Firstly they both tried to avoid them despite running out of time for fight. Soon it proved fighting was needed after all when they started shooting electromagnetic blasts. They dodged three deadly shoots when fourth nearly knocked both off the snow board.

 

“It’s time to act Alex. Keep sliding down until I’m done with them.” Ami said as she quickly undone bounds connecting board and her boots. Almost immediately she joined together with her snowy white Spirit Mate, becoming one with the snow. Redhead didn’t have a chance to ask her about her inner power or Spirit’s Mate name. Right now he was watching how both were revealed in action.

White, really slim build hawk raced towards the snow sleds with increadable speed. Alex knew a bit from school that some hawks can reach speed of more than 200 km/h, but the speed Ami was using was almost magically fast. For couple of times he didn’t even knew where she was. So did Men in Gray on snow slids. In bare moments Ami done triple move. Separating from her other half, she lifted arm with Trinity on and in much less than moment summoned Arrowblade that gave Alex a gasp. It looked as well decorated as it was just a fragile artifact. Mix of snake heads and shards, looking like snake tails weren’t set for just one arrow. Raven haired was still slowly falling in the air when she summoned not just one, but six arrows. Quickly stringing the bow, all arrows flew their way. Even though they were pointed in one direction, pointy objects hit different places. One hit two men off the snow sleds as other man needed to stop despite the chest injury caused by sharp point.

 

Three men down or not in one shot still left chopper and two more sleds. Element of surprise did a good job on first try. As for second one – it was much more difficult. Ami joined back in millisecond to quickly dodge blasts. Chopper even tried to collide into her, with her fast speed not helping a lot. Propeller was huge and one careless move could slice her on pieces.

But there was still Alex. Looking straight at the pilot boy unlocked his bright gaze. Light gave distraction Ami needed. Changing into white wolf she raced towards one snowmobile without person riding it noticing her. Having a wolf grin she showed her claws. They didn’t seem much of a threat comparing them to mighty steel chopper. Ami almost unnoticeably dived after the flying vehicle.

After quick attack on steel body she took a human form and put clasps back on her boots. Redhead completely astonished, watched how the front part of the chopper just fell off leaving openings all over.

It wasn’t important how sharp or strong Ami’s claws were. Her power of speed cut steel as it was made of paper. Chopper was still flying with pilot short. Copilot tried to take control of the flying machine with no obvious success. Vehicle fell apart like unscrewed toy, crashing into nearby rocks.

Dou kept sliding down with snowmobiles still following them. Raven haired made a quick move, turning whole snow board in process. It was up to Alex to drive now and Ami to take care of Men in Gray.

For the next few minutes Ami was busy with another set of quick arrows. But this team on snowmobiles took slightly different choice. Instead of dodging deadly tips they drove right into them, tricking girl’s trap. Girl quickly hid her surprised glance when men started taking weapons out. There were at least six, no five electromagnetic gun barrels aimed at them.

For the chaos moment Alex did his best to make his way straight. Just months ago he was normal high school boy without a girl or any typical friends. Now he was literally snowboarding for his life with psychos aiming at him.

“Quit daydreaming! We have hardcore action here.” unwanted voice if his Spirit Mate hissed into his ear.

“Which totally crazy guy daydreams during snowboarding? OF COURSE I’m awake, you smarty ass snake.” Alex snarled at his backpack.

While turning his look back at the fresh snowline he got meet up with heart-stopping moment.

 

There were six electromagnetic guns. One just decided to go faster, passing them unnoticeably. With one snowmobile in front and two on each of two sides, they’ve squeezed them into ring of no escape. Ami cursed while thinking of possible plan in seconds when electromagnetic waves started filling the surface. Her thinking was interrupted by someone who was thinking even faster.

Alex’s blinding light made the same effect that Nikki’s fog did. It bought them just enough time for Ami to shot those six arrows as they made a quick turn on left. Men in Gray kept the line forward which they most likely regretted.

Forward line led into snow line full of sharp rocks and unimaginable shapes of trees which were mostly tipped. In minutes duo got rid of the whole group.

 

“I must say I’m impressed by your inner power. To think you can already use great power at this young Ial age must be the proof of your quick learning.” she smiled as they kept sliding down.

 

Alex was about to blush when the unwanted sound was heard again. Just how many choppers Men in Gray had? Enough to scare if not paralyze them at least. Two men hanged from the helicopter with guns in size of the broom stick. Why that reference, Alex though. Probably because one end had machinery in a shape of the broom. One black dressed man pulled the trigger which released metal ropes.

 

Seeing the restrain weapon made Alex froze.

 

“What is wrong with you? We need to get out of here!” Ami yelled into Alex’s blank face.

 

 

Redhead remembered first encounter with spider net like weapon. Moment when tight ropes restrained him called the flashback of ropes tying him at the tree. Ropes pulled still frozen Alex towards the helicopter. Ami who was still connected to the snowboard went shooting rain of arrows at flying vehicle with surprisingly no possible effect.

Men just pulled arrows out of their bodies in order to shoot more ropes. More were discharged towards Alex as well as towards Ami.

 

“Oh no you won’t!” something crashed into men’s heads from behind. “He still needs a lesson from me for kissing my sister!”

 

Ami looked in the air to see Os splashing his water bubbles all around. Duo to the cold climate water quickly froze causing hanging men to lost focus. Slicing the ropes with special acid knife, Nikki set Alex and Ami free while blonde kept shooting bubbles around.

 

“Take that you excuse for science!” Os kept shouting around until chopper’s wipers stopped working from too much water.  Helicopter got distracted enough so they could escape from its sight.

 

“Where are the others?” Ami asked Nikki who was right next to her.

“I saw Nora for couple of times. I have no idea where Gabriel went.” Nikki said after stopping Os doing faces at the distant chopper.

“Oh not again.” Ami slapped her palm.

 

“Whoopee! You saw that awesome move?” dusky boy showed-off to the trembling boy who was hugging his waist. Since the separation he took down a helicopter and two snowmobiles. There was just one left. Gabriel slowed down so he could come right in front of the snow vehicle. Clenching his fingers glass shattered into pieces, flying right into the man driving it.

Piko kept holding other’s waist, shaking while doing so. Part was out of fear and other from amazement.

 

Then Gabriel made another turn, surprising both of them.  He made a triple somersault over at least ten trees. Twelve year old mimicked other’s posture, becoming one with fast move.

 

“Hang on. We’re almost there, little one. Just few more turns.” older Ial shouted as they landed back on snow. There were trees everywhere and they needed to get more serious from that point. Old branches and rocks were well hidden in snowy ground. One wrong slid could send both of them flying into unwanted harsh ground.

“Someone’s there.” Piko suddenly said as he heard motor running.

“Where? Behind, in front or on sides?” Gabriel asked to quickly form tactic.

“Front!” other boy shouted when snow mobile rushed in front of them. It was the same as other ones except it seemed to be specialized to be driving and every single way. Right now it was driving backwards with man already shouting shockwaves at them. Gabriel had hard time dodging them as he couldn’t properly turn from shots of deadly energy. During trouble in front of snow mobile new one appeared behind, without dusky boy noticing it as he was focused too much on the front.

But brunette on the other hand saw few more snow mobiles the moment they began to chase them. Puzzled of what to do, Piko was going to curl up into a ball and just wait for this nightmare to end. But then it hit him, why was he going to hide again? It was all he ever done, even before he was kidnapped by Men in Gray. He had hidden himself from the problems if not physically under the bed, then mentally in his mind. Now he was here, with person who was protecting him with his own freedom. He needed to help him by all cost.

Just like on that roof of the haunted house, where he fully used his powers for the first time, he closed his eyes and searched for inner power inside of his skinny body. Mirgy being in backpack felt growing amounts of ISLE inside of boy’s body.

“Be careful… don’t use too much energy at once. If you do you’ll eventually lose all of your physical strength.” Spirit Mate spoke to him for the first time.

“I will, I just want to help.” he whispered as he felt effect of energy inside him. Focusing on the stream of unknown power he let it out little by little until it formed what he wanted.

Of out sudden all snow mobiles stopped duo to obstacle in the way. There were too much trees and rocks in the way. None of them knew those were just illusions created to distract them.

Meanwhile Gabriel already took care of enemy in front. It wasn’t easy, but he managed to pull the same trick with breaking the glass and sending the vehicle in the sharp rock. He done another of his show-off victory poses when he heard beeping sound in his helmet.  

 

“Report your position and status.” Ami’s voice almost shouted in radio style.

“Gee must you be so formal?” he said with eyes still being focused on snowy ground.

“Will you just say the hell where are you?” girl snapped, pretty annoyed by his joke.

“Now that’s better.” boy giggled “I took care of a helicopter and some snow vehicles. I have… about ten minutes of snowboarding until we reach the meeting point. Now…”

“How’s Piko?” she asked before he could finish which made him realize he was talking as he was the only one there.

“Little guy is alright and he will be as long as I’m here.” Gabriel slightly looked at brunette “I won’t let those bastards take him back.”

 

Twelve year old felt sight of relief when hearing Ial’s strong words of protection. That encouraged him to endure those ten minutes more of fast sliding down.

 

 

Meanwhile others have already reached the meeting point. It was just a regular empty hut with no sign of being used lately. Group began taking snowboards off their feet along with helmets. Spirit Mates got out of the backpacks and took their wolf forms. Being in snake form, meaning being poikilothermic, in snowy cold weather really gave them cold shivers.

“Where do we go now?” Alex asked, taking snow off his shoulders.

“We wait for a guide and after everyone is gathered we go.” Nikki explained while helping Os to remove the ice in his hands, which was formed while blonde, used his water powers.

“Looks like Gabriel made it!” Nora excitedly waved her hand to the snowboarder who elegantly stopped in front of the group. He along with brunette stepped off the snowboard, greeting the group.

“Looks like we made it, is Crystal near?” boy said while removing the helmet.

“Who’s Crystal?” redhead asked looking at the dusky boy.

“It’s right there.” Ami pointed her finger at greyish-white husky dog coming towards them. Being mammal born to live in the snow, dog didn’t had any problems when coming to the group. “That’s our guide.”

“Spirit Mate?” Alex looked at the Crystal, being much smaller from his Blaze.

“Not everyone is Ial or Spirit Mate here.” Gabriel smiled as he pet the husky “But doesn’t mean normal animals or humans can’t help you.”

 

Realizing the sound, husky barked and started running towards another hut in distance. All members of the group, except Piko joined with Spirit Mates to keep up with the guide. Remembering about inexperienced boy, Gabriel alluded to jump on his wolf back. Holding tightly by black fur, brunette amazingly watched how wolves in different colors followed the gray husky.

They were running through snowy ground, dodging the sharp rocks or broken branches until they reached another hut. Unlike the previous hut, this one looked pretty full. Dog barks were heard all over and it was a miracle Crystal’s bark was heard. Man dressed in winter clothes came out yawning.

 

“You’re a bit late, but no worries. Come inside before someone sees you.” he said without any introduction.

 

Rescuing group shook snow off themselves before entering the warm living room. There they changed into their Ial forms, facing the man eye to eye.

 

“Did you have any trouble?” he asked while closing the door.

“Men in Gray still know for the portal in Alaska.” Ami replied “But they don’t know you’re working for Order of Silver.”

“Yeah, for them I’m just normal husky breeder and postman.” man stroked Crystal’s fur.

“When is our ride coming?” Gabriel asked looking at the falling snow.

“It has just left, but another one comes during the morning. I’m sending you on south with next cargo of my huskies so you won’t be noticeable in your wolf form, especially if I spray some gray color on you.”

“I knew we should come here earlier.” Os snapped.

“Hey quit being so gloomy. We got here didn’t we? And tomorrow we’ll be one step closer.” Nikki patted his shoulders “You worry way too much.” she whispered at which he only sighed.

 

Some minutes passed and whole group already found something to do until morning would come. Gabriel gave some lessons to Piko about how to join and correctly use his powers. Nora who nearly dragged Os with her went helping man to feed the huskies. Ami did some phone calls to check if next ride could wait a bit longer. Watching everyone doing something, made Alex sit on a wooden bench while sipping some hot tea made by Nikki. Noticing his thinking, she sat next to him.

 

“Why is this taking so long?” he mumbled “I mean we’re still miles away with no particular success, only with injuries and exhaustion.”

“Alex, you have to understand that sometimes things take much more time than we expect. If they’re fast they aren’t always successful. We’re forming a really careful plan and even though it takes much more time, we have more chances of being successful.” Nikki explained with Spark in her lap “Roxy, Dimi and all others kept behind the bars know we’re on our way. Nothing will stop them from being strong. Just believe in them. As long as you believe in your goal to be successful, it will be successful.”

 

Alex stared in the ceiling thinking of Nikki’s words. He believed in Roxy, but for some reason he was afraid something might happen to her. Not because he was worried.

 

It was something he had dreamt about just before the accident in which he died. Even though he didn’t remember it, he had a feeling he’ll eventually remember everything about that nightmare.

 

 

 

PS: Next chapter is almost done. I'll either post it tomorrow or Wednesday. Please comment