Text Hawkie's stories: Nature's Strenght

[Hunter Hawk 392]

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

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Wow Lara, I just read through this whole chapter and I must say that as always, you have me hanging on the edge of my seat!  Your storytelling skills are truly awesome, and the way you describe the intense battle sequences and tender moments really make for an interesting read!  Plus, I frickin loved the part where me and Ami showed up!  LOL, and you nailed our personalities perfectly!  Haha, Ami would always hit me for goofing off, lol, so you got our personal styles in perfect fashion.  I still think this story would make for a great anime or video game, so keep on writing, because me and my dear Ami look forward to reading more!

[replika13 455]

Wow! Your getting better and better

You have no idea how much i long for next chapter here. I love this story

[Hunter Hawk 392]

Heya fellas! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

 

Okay let's save the trashtalk and go on with the main thing. Believe it or not, I HAVE A NEW CHAPTER FOR YA! 

 

I'm not sure how will those updates go since I have lots of stuff that keeps me busy: 1) I have bunch of exams and I have to do them as nerdy as I can if I want study English 2) Beside usual tests, I have lots of "home reading" for get extra points (aka Shakespear's stuff) 3) I'm writing two more stories currently and both of them are in my native language since I have to practise writing in my own language for final exams (one has title Light of the last Swordstaffer - pure fantasy and other is Waves in Wind - pure science fiction; I decided to write those two becuase Nature's Strenght is a little bit of both)

 

...so much about saving the trashtalk, huh?

 

OKAY ENJOY!

 

 

 Chapter Twenty-Four: No Giving Ups

 

Dreams of falling are usually the most annoying ones. You actually feel the force that is pulling you down even though you’re just dreaming. They symbolize no control in your life, leaving you falling. One of those falling dreams was what Roxy was having right now. No ground under her feet, no space anywhere just empty darkness that left her falling.

Out of sudden she woke up, yelping when feeling pain in her chest. Foggy sight didn’t help her at all, making her see only blurry color of white and two smears.

 

“Roxy! Are you okay?” little voice that could only belong to Alicia asked.

 

Blonde tried to reply, but sore throat only made her cough. For some minutes she was just coughing until her throat became suitable for talking.

 

“I don’t really know… gee my head is dizzy.” Roxy leaned against the wall to sit up “What happened?”

 

Her sight started turning clearer like picture on camera while clarifying. Dimi had both of his arms in braces, seemingly still broken.

 

“You were brought back here… in coma.” brunette replied with Whirl on his shoulder “They did some experiments on you, but I don’t know what kind. I was just brought here yesterday and you were already here with Alicia. If they bothered to bandage you, you surely had big wound on your chest.”

 

Little girl came closer to Roxy and when she touched blonde’s chest, everything came back to her. Girl remembered about cruel thing lab coats did when they had injected Alicia with allergens, leaving her to die and hoping to become an Ial. But Roxy had saved her and unwittingly had turned her into Ial. Then Eztli had interrogated her about stuff she had no idea. Last thing that came to her was battle with genetically created beast in order to protect injured Dimi.

Sudden flood of memories made her spin for more minutes. After that she stood up, ignoring the pain in her chest.

 

“We’re getting out of here. No more excuses.” she said looking at the security camera “This time I have much better plan.”

 

Other two brunettes widened their eyes when Roxy said that. Even though Dimi told her about number of times when he failed to escape, girl was determined to escape. Both of her two friends were vulnerable in the states they were now. Both of boy’s arms were broken when Alicia was a Rookie still in the stage of change. Any experiments could break them both physically and mentally.

 

“How do you expect to break out now? I already told you how many times I got caught and punished because of it. Plus we’re in the middle of desert miles away from civilization.” Dimi tried not to sound complaining.

“The last time I was near them I remember one of lab assistants talking about storm coming. This can be our chance to get away and survive in desert.” she explained still looking at the security camera.

 

Alicia, who was still a bit too young to understand what was going on, snuggled to Roxy, hoping blonde would explain entire situation to her. Older girl put arm around her shoulders calming her down in process.

 

“So how will we get out? And out of these?” boy showed on tight steel rings around his wrists and ankles.

“For that I’m going to tell you later. Right now just be quiet, someone’s coming.” blonde protectively held Alicia close to herself as Whirl took form of a wolf to protect his owner.

 

Some scientists came including Sat who entered the cell as he was ruling the whole world. His eyes stopped at brunette, giving him a “come here” look. But boy refused and stayed where he was. That made scientist angry and he hint to his two assistants to get the boy.

Brunette was soon forcedly stood up as two muscular men literally pulled his two injured arms. Along with Roxy he felt the steel rings being stuck together. Other two men also got the blonde and both Ials were dragged out of the cell, leaving Alicia alone with Whirl.

While being forcibly led through white halls, Sat mumbled something into his cell phone. After he finished barking orders his look turned directly into eyes of two captured Ials. Dimi was quiet and looking on the floor while girl gave the scientist her most angry death glare.

 

“Now, now where are your manners you brats? You better act nicely or I’ll re-break your arms and re-cut your chest.” he threatened, while going towards the labs “You’re healthy enough to do some more experiments today.”

 

Guy was out of his mind. To say that kid with both broken arms and another one with cut chest were healthy. Even teachers in schools would’ve sent them home to fully heal up. But not Sat, the most inpatient Man in Gray in entire Abby.

He opened the door of the bigger lab again shouting orders to everyone. Next second Roxy and Dimi were separated, with blonde pushed towards big glass cage on left and brunette taken to the restrain table on right.

Group which got Roxy started filling glass cage with water in order for it to turn into huge aquarium. When girl saw about twenty light bulbs she immediately knew what they were going to do with her. All because of the flashback from her childhood.

 

“Come here kids and take a look on electric eels. Those are one of few animals with real super powers.” female guide showed some snake-like fishes to group of three-graders.

“What kind of super powers does it have?” boy identical to girl with two ponytails asked.

“They can produce electricity in such a powerful way to light up all those light bulbs. Let me show you.” guide pressed the button on machine that started doing strong flow in aquarium. Suddenly eels started doing fast moves causing light bulbs to glow.

“Why did they start doing electricity right after you pressed the button?” Roxy asked surprised guide.  

“My my, I never imagined that little girl like you would be so interested in those animals.” guide chuckled, but turned serious when she saw blonde’s death glare “Electric eels use electricity only when they hunt or when they feel endangered. Water flows can make them think danger is approaching and that’s the reason why light bulbs turned on.”

“So those are wild eels? Not the ones that were born in captivity?” girl kept asking.

“Yes, eels born in captivity don’t know the word danger. Only wild eels chased by their natural predators know how to use right way of electricity.”

 

Roxy stood in front of glass cage, shaking. For some reason, she found guide’s words wrong. It didn’t matter if you were born in captivity or wild, danger was there all the time. Huge so called aquarium was soon filled with water and blonde was picked by strong looking scientist. He stepped on some sort of help stair such as ones that librarians use when they can’t reach upper shelves. Next moment Ial girl landed in freezing water. Her steel rings unstuck, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to keep herself on surface for air. Ials usually lasted ten minutes without air, those with water and air powers twice as much and the ones with powers of ground and fire hardly lasted more than five minutes. It was due to their body structure since their inner powers turned some of their limbs to produce powers.

Since Roxy’s twin brother had water powers it gave her five extra minutes to last without air. But there was another tricky thing about water in which she was swimming. It was really cold as it had been just melted from the ice. In cold state Roxy’s electricity dropped for almost a half. The same thing happens when you leave any electric devices on cold. Its energy drops and the moment you warm them up they’re back to their old selves.

Big glass cover closed only way out with her struggling in freezing water. One of the scientists pressed on the button, creating the same flow she had seen so many years ago. Gasping and twisting for air Roxy had hard time to just float in that aquarium of hell.

 

“Quit messing around A3, use electricity already!” no other than Sat shouted.

 

Even if she wanted to, making a spark in condition she was in plus surrounding water and cold was literally as hard as lighting up the fire during the storm. Shards in her hair which were the source of her inner power were way too wet for making the power coming true. Not to mention her still healing chest and other wounds she had.

Concentrating on swimming and clashing with shards inside of her hair made electricity that turned on only three of all twenty light bulbs.

 

“Do it stronger!” Sat shouted, making the flow stronger.

 

Breath escaped Roxy’s mouth as she was trying to keep up with water. More than five minutes have already passed, but scientists didn’t stop. Determinately trying to escape, she once again focused into shards. This time she felt as something was warming up inside of her and that heat traveled into light bulbs. Ten of them turned with remaining ten still blinking.

 

“Come on, make all light them all up!” man who threw her in the water joined.

“I would love to shoot all this electricity in you two!” girl growled as sentences were just turned in few more bubbles that anyone couldn’t hear.

 

Her lungs were already lacking the air for ten minutes. Only way for her to get out of water was to impress them enough. But no matter how hard she tried, other light bulbs didn’t turn on. Coldness plus forced condition weren’t of any help as well. She felt the passing minutes that were getting close to deadly fifteen ones. Even though her limbs were twisting big time, they still kept her floating until lungs couldn’t take it anymore.

Last breaths in form of bubbles escaped as Roxy sank on the bottom of aquarium. Terrified of another coma approaching, inner power did unexpected move. Out of sudden, shards started producing massive energy of electricity as never before. Blonde felt it all over her and soon in the whole light bulbs. All of them lighted themselves up with such brightness that you only see on spotlights on stadiums. Even scientists were surprised as they didn’t expect electricity like that.

Bulbs kept shining until they couldn’t take so much energy as once. All of them shattered on thousands of pieces, leaving only burning tungsten filaments. Glass of aquarium wasn’t spared either. Shocks from electricity hit the glass structure, making smaller cuts all over.

 

“Why it couldn’t use such a power at the beginning?” Sat got to himself in front of the monitor, expecting someone to explain what happened.

“Dr. Sat sir, I think A3 used Reserve Response.” female scientist said while going through folder.

“It’s the same thing B1 did for number of times during experiments that involved the limit of its inner powers.” other scientist showed some graphs.

“So you’re saying Dreamers use Reserve Response only when they’re beyond of exhaustion?” black haired checked broken light bulbs.

“It’s not that simple. This ability only gives one more blow before they have no more energy left.” woman continued.

“Basically it’s like a double edged sword. To keep it simple Dreamer and its opponent are like prey and predator. Both of them fight until prey is almost defeated and predator is about to finish it up. That moment prey, Dreamer uses Reserve Response, gathering last energy it has in order to defend itself. Energy bursts into predator, killing it. Result – both of them are defeated completely.”

“Fascinating Dreamers are.” Sat grinned evilly while going towards half-cracked aquarium “Now we just need to figure out how to revive them after using Reserve Response. A3 will be of great help.”

 

Leader of Men in Gray demanded Roxy to be pulled out of water. She was put in the corner, feeling steel rings stuck together and had thin blanket thrown on her. Moment girl felt slight warmth of the fabric she instinctively tucked herself in it no matter how pathetic it looked. Scientists went printing some paper work and fixing the cracks on aquarium when she was put on her feet again.

Along with Dimi who was seemingly paler than before, they were led out of the lab. Because aquarium was on totally other side of the lab, she hadn’t seen what kinds of experiments were done on him.

 

“What did they do to you?” Roxy whispered as quietly as she could.

“I don’t really know… they just injected me with something that really hurt.” brunette answered.

“Listen… what I said about plan… I’m really going to make it true.” she kept her voice low.

“How? From what I heard you used Reserve Response and due to its effect you can’t use any of your Ial powers.” he refused to hear the rest of the plan.

“I still have my physical strength and that’s all I need for the first step. You just stand still with mouth shut.” blonde looked at three men who were leading them back to their cell.

 

Halls seemed whiter than usual while two captured Ials were quietly walking. Brunette had his blank expression on his face due to the pain he got during experiments. But blonde was total opposite. Her fists were clenched so hard that knuckles turned red. Event in water might have weakened her, but she was still holding on. Just few more meters and they were in the hall of cells.

Out of sudden Roxy kicked the scientist near her in the gut while jumping towards corner on the ceiling. She managed to use her flexible body in order to get her restrained hands in front of herself. With swift move she punched security camera. Steel rings made that job easier since they have strengthened her tiny hands.

 

“A3 stop that immediately!” scientist with cell phone shouted, prepared to call backup. Roxy luckily kicked it out of his hands before he could.

“Like I will listen to you.” she mumbled quietly while kicking him unconscious.

 

Boy was surprised to see her like that, but he remembered what she had said before whole action began. He remained calm as Roxy broke all other remaining cameras. Lab coats didn’t manage to even call backup, she was that wild.

Crashed electronics covered the floor when one scientist finally pressed the remote that was controlling Roxy’s steel rings. Electromagnetic shocks almost immediately did effect on her. Dimi watched terrified when she was passed out once more. Lab coat who held him pushed him back into cell as well as unconscious blonde. Other men held bleeding noses or fractured jaws that were met by either Roxy’s feet or armed fists. Scientists who saw them hardly believed escorting men were beat up by one Ial girl. It almost made them laugh of how weak they were against fragile looking blonde.

Nearly an hour later Roxy managed to woke up, again after so many pass outs. Other two brunettes along with Whirl were luckily still in the cell, uninjured.

 

“Just what was with you? If I wouldn’t know you better I would think you’re mad.” Dimi started conversation carefully.

“Don’t panic. It was just the part of my plan.” she stood up completely fine.

“What plan?” Alicia asked scared, hugging Whirl in form of a wolf close to herself.

“I will fulfill my promise little one, this time for sure. We’re getting out.” Roxy said putting her hand on girl’s shoulder.

“But how? Fill me in at least.” Dimi was getting little inpatient from previous events.

“For now I just need to check the hallway. Stay right here and act normal.” blonde slightly opened the door to again look at boring bright color of white.

 

All cameras were brokenly laying in trash along with crashed cell phone. Lack of security had demanded guard in front of the hallway in case if any of the samples would try to escape. Opportunity for great escape seemed almost as easy as taking candy from little kid. But no matter how great it looked, girl’s plan was far different. She quickly went to the trash, taking the broken cell phone. When her hands fingered all five crashed cameras girl carefully started dismantling them. There weren’t any reserve cameras on hallway or cells so nobody could have seen her taking specific parts. After minutes of thorough work Roxy got all pieces of the plan – puzzle she needed. Going back to cell, she was met by two questionable looks.

 

“Will you now tell what this is about?” boy crossed both of his arms worriedly.

“Plan is to escape in three days. That’s when it’s going to rain for whole two days. It’s only chance for us to survive in the desert’s heat and cold.” blonde explained while putting electronic parts on her bed.

“Sounds thoughtful and all… but what’s with that stuff? You’ve may disabled the cameras for let’s say  a weak, but that won’t get us out. ” brunette said to her.

“Listen, my plan is far different from what will any of them predict. That’s why you two will now need to listen to me very carefully.” Roxy said as she was putting broken pieces of cell phone together.

“Are we all really going away?” Alicia sat next to pile of electronics.  

“Yes we will no matter what. Now listen to the plan and do not interrupt me until I finish. I’ll explain everything.” blonde said while putting parts of security camera apart.

 

 

Said three days passed slowly due to number of times party repeated the plan in their heads. Roxy managed to hide all gadgets they needed without lab coats knowing. Dimi admitted it was a great plan, but also very complicated to both make it true and remember every detail. Alicia on the other hand learnt the plan by heart as it was just a simple song. Both Ials knew she was scared as hell, but little brunette was much tougher in her heart than they thought. It was probably due to the Rookie mark of the wolf.

Roxy was prepared and determined to get others out more than saving her own skin. She knew that chances of getting out were fifty-fifty, including angering Eztli, Sat and who-knows-who in the abby.  

But she wanted to finish what she started. All three of them were in cell, seemingly sleeping when another group of lab coats entered. Pressing the bottom, Roxy’s rings got stuck together, drawing an angry expression on her face.

 

“A3 into the lab, C13 and B1 stay put in here.” leading man announced just like Roxy predicted. Due to recent events Men in Gray were planning to break her by doing more experiments on her.

“As you wish your evilness.” she mumbled while getting out.

“Just what was that?” man questioned angrily.

“Nothing, your rudeness.” Roxy said so he could hear her and earned slap for it.

“One more word and I swear we’ll gag you.” scientist cursed when blonde kicked him in secret.

“Ops, didn’t see your leg under your snowy white coat in this pale white room.” girl mumbled and followed scientists out of the cell. Leading man was about to say something, but changed his mind when it turned out useless. Just before Roxy left, Dimi saw her blinking exactly three times – sign they’re really going to make plan true. Brunette carefully removed cover of air ventilation. It was way too small, even for Alicia to get in. Said girl got there, reaching for the wires and pulled them out with hand-made gloves out of old rubber. Thirteen year old then connected wires to remains of the cell phone. Their part was done. Now they needed to wait for Roxy to do their part.

Lab seemed same as ever with usual metal tables, sharp equipment and countless number of samples, such as blood, tissues or other body fluids. Since the day she had knocked all security cameras down, experiments became rougher. From most of them she returned exhausted as she had done a triathlon. Luckily the one they had decided to do on her wasn’t as hard as the one from yesterday that left her an extra scar from Shardlup’s fangs.

Scientists simply restrained her and put number of wires on her ISLE spots, measuring her energy while injecting her with different stuff.

 

“We ran out of sample 45KB-0.” Eztli announced so that could one other lab coat went to storage without any further questioning. Others typed all data about experiments and research. They were about to save all the files when everything suddenly started blinking as an old TV.

“What’s the meaning of this? I want an explanation this instant!” fat scientist barked orders.

“I’m terribly sorry sir, but there seem to be a disturbance in the system.” trembling female scientist said while typing.

“Then find it and erased it woman!” Eztli shouted, looking at now blinking lights “We don’t have whole day for this.”

“Sir, the disturbance… it’s coming from the storage!” woman replied to his never asked question.

“I knew it was that idiot, he can’t do anything right! Don’t just stand there, get him this instant.” he shouted while stepping towards tied up Roxy.

 

Screens were still messy with no intention of working normally. Due to action of getting certain lab coat, experiment room remained empty with exception of Eztli and analytic in front of keyboard.

 

“You really have no freaking idea what’s going on, huh?” scientist looked around to see the source of the voice seeing it came from no other than Roxy.

“Keep your mouth shut. We should’ve named you Blabbering Sample, because you are one!” he yelled over the folder.

“Now, now. Do you think that’s necessary?” blonde grinned “You don’t see to realize the things you should. Aren’t the scientists supposed to be the first to notice changes? Oh yeah you aren’t one, just an unemployed serial killer.”

 

Roxy knew that what she was doing was one way ticket to the world of torture. But she needed to keep him busy by making him wondering of how big mouth sample she was.

Meanwhile she was sending weak forms of electricity through wires connected to her. Men in Gray knew she was capable of breaking up into computers, but only with conductor which she didn’t possess. Either way if she by any chance broke into computers they had number of antiviruses and other defense mechanisms. No man in Entire Corporation of Men in Gray could’ve predicted what she was up to.

By now more and more signals reached all spots in abby, including the storage where surprised lab coat was being dragged out of it and cell where her two friends were. Dimi heard soft ringtone coming from cell phone as well as Alicia who also noticed blinking lights.

 

“Get ready for the next step.” brunette said and pressed some buttons, sending forms of electricity right back to laboratory. Roxy felt reversed energy coming back so she needed to act quickly. Taking few deep breaths she gathered countless number of sparks in her hair to make the strongest electricity she could.

 

“Do not underestimate me… murderer.” blonde whispered as all power ran from her hair into wires, crashing against the one Dimi sent. Moment two shocks clashed, entire abby was covered in blackout. Everything was affected by it, including machines, security systems and people in it. Tiny disturbance was just a distraction for real deal. Even though it looked like it was over, captured Ials and Rookie had only thirty minutes for escape plan.

Brunette didn’t lose a second of the time limit. He immediately torn sheets from the beds and lightened them with sparks from still working wires. Torch soon filled the cell with light they needed. Alicia held it as Dimi took hidden plastic boxes that were taken from security cameras mechanisms. Boy carefully opened them and poured yellowish liquid on his steel rings.

 

“Don’t breathe Alicia, Roxy said that it makes toxic gas while it melts any kind of metal.” he said to her while she held the torch.  

That moment Dimi was so grateful that blonde took extra chemistry lessons back then when she was alive. Thing she had taken from security cameras were accumulators, filled with sulfide acid in order to work. Sulfide acid is known for its ability to practically melt any known metals, in this case steel rings. Boy already got rid of steel rings on his hands, now melting the ones on his ankles. But no matter how little time they had, he needed to do that slowly since sulfide acid could’ve melt organic tissues such as human skin.

After quick minutes there weren’t any steel rings left on him, Alicia or Whirl. They were free and on the next step to get to Roxy.

 

Said blonde had hard time getting on the next step. She calculated everything except for the fact that steel rings were stuck on metal table because of the magnet, not electricity.

“Come on! Get off the table.” Roxy muttered while trying to get herself off restrained position. A lot of her strength was used on blackout and she needed more of it to get out. Eztli and analytic were unconscious for unknown time limit, meaning she really needed to hurry. In the end only one thing was left to do.

“I’m sorry bro. I can’t do anything else.” she whispered as anima abso went all haywire. Another power of anima abso was also borrowing strength for short amount of time, no matter how apart either of them was. Both Os and Roxy used borrowing ability, but only for very few times due to intense pain it was causing. She knew that by now her calls reached him, causing him major headaches if not passing out. “I’ll apologize later.” she mumbled as newly obtained energy crashed against steel rings on her limbs. Force of her power and magnetic force clashed together as sparkles covered the room. Few moments later rings gave in, finally releasing her from the table.

“On to the next step.” Roxy stood up, breathing heavily.

 

Dimi and Whirl were joined together in wolf form as they carried Alicia towards meeting point. Little girl was a bit shocked at first time she had seen boy being joined with the wolf, but she trusted him by climbing on his back. Currently they were passing unlocked halls and unconscious guards when girl suddenly jumped off him.

 

“What are you doing? We have to get out of here!” Dimi shouted as he turned back into human form.

“Something’s there!” Alicia replied while running into the dark.

“Alicia! It might be dangerous, you have to come back!” boy called when he noticed pair of glowing eyes in golden color “It’s Shardlup!”

 

Brunette prepared for the worst as he entered the darkness. Girl yelped as something jumped on her, covering her face. Dimi got there in order to fight to the end… to find out it wasn’t a Shardlup. Thing in Alicia’s hands was animal that looked something like fox, cat and squirrel at once. Its different colored eyes shone like stars in the night. The very same creature she had found so many days ago in the cage. For some reason it managed to get out, trying to escape with them.

 

“Can I keep it?” Alicia asked as the sweetest child.

“Huh? But… we’re on the run. You can’t just keep it as a stray puppy!” boy forced himself to shout. Not that he liked cats or creatures looking like ones, they didn’t plan something like picking extra companion “It will slow us down.”

“No it won’t!” she cried and held creature close to her “Flash needs us and can helps us too!”

“Flash? Don’t tell me you’ve already named it.” Dimi face-palmed, thinking about himself and his brother when he begged him on knees to keep stray kitten “How do I put this… Alright you can keep it, but you must take care of it.”

“Yay, Flash can stay!” girl hugged Flash and like it understood Dimi fox climbed on Alicia’s shoulders.

“Let’s get going, we have only fifteen minutes left!” boy turned back into wolf. Other brunette with Flash got onto his back as they raced into darkness.

 

Dimi tried to remember the map he had seen on the day of his unsuccessful escape, since he needed to find Trinities. Without them they were as good as dead or as Ials, good as samples. Suddenly Flash raised his big ears and squeaked as kitten.

 

“Now what?” boy sighed when fox jumped on his head.

“Flash wants us to go there!” girl explained “I think it sees something we don’t.”

“We don’t really have time…” Dimi tried to say when Alicia again jumped off him.

“Alicia!” Ial boy turned back into human as he followed her into dark room. Going in there he tripped number of times over stuff lying on ground “It’s too dark to even see anything.”

“Flash can see in the dark. Here must be something.” she mumbled.

 

To see where Rookie was going, boy picked cellphone from the desk, making sure it was one of those touch-phones and turned it on to see at least where he was.

 

“Dimi… I think we’re in some sort of office. There are computers, artifacts and books all over.” Whirl said while sniffing around.

“Maybe… but let’s not get too amazed by it. We need to find…” boy took a look on pile of papers.

“Dimi! Look what I and Flash found!” girl threw two triangle shaped objects “Is that what you were looking for?”

“Hell yeah!” Ial boy kissed his Trinity “Looks like fox will get handy.”

“It’s Flash not fox.” Alicia narrowed her eyes.

“Oh right, Flash. Now let’s get to Roxy.” he announced while joining with Whirl.

 

As duo raced out of the room, blonde tried not to trip or crash into the walls. Due to the blackout a single thing wasn’t seen. Ial girl could use her sparkling hair to light the way, but she used enough energy already and who knows how many obstacles were on their way out. Roxy so just ran, trying to memorize way to the meeting spot. Seconds of running soon became minutes when she finally saw figure in darkness.

 

“Dimi?” Roxy called with slight doubt. Figure turned and suddenly threw something straight into her. Blonde luckily dodged the metal stick and another one following it.

“Well, if it isn’t A3 case. Been waiting for that moment.” annoying voice made a sound.

“Lam.” Roxy narrowed her eyes at unwanted woman.

“Good thing I wear leather. Otherwise your itty bitty electric wave would’ve hit me.” dirty blonde haired said in the most sickly sweet tone.

“Yeah, since you’re such an old slut.” Roxy grinned while dodging Lam’s kick.

“I wouldn’t be so carefree if I were you. Just few more minutes and everything will be back to normal. Not to mention I have this.” Lam smirked when pressing the button. Roxy managed to unstuck the rings off the table, but rings themselves were still around her wrists and ankles. That’s why Lam got her hands tied up. Ankle rings were broken at least so she could still run away.

“You come back here!” woman shouted as Ial girl ran away. For some time female scientist just chased the girl until lights turned on again.

“Darn it!” blonde cursed when seeing more and more machines working again. By that time she was supposed to meet up with Dimi, not running around with tied hands. Worse than that, out of sudden she was hit against the wall by electromagnetic shock.

“Face it. You’re not getting away from here.” Lam victoriously set another metal stick.

“Says who?” voice from the other corner called. In bare seconds two arrows hit the woman, clamping her on the wall.

“You’ll pay for that!” Lam screamed.

“For what? Ruining your ugly looking outfit or scratching already old looking body?” Dimi said sarcastically while stepping on scientist’s cellphone, breaking it in process “That’s for breaking my arms.”

 

Alicia ran to Roxy’s side, helping her up. Other brunette took last box with sulfide acid, pouring it on the steel rings. He was almost done when out of nowhere group of guards appeared. Whirl along with Flash tried to hold them off at least for Dimi to melt the rings. Accidently boy put too much liquid on last steel ring, hurting her ankle in process.

“Gosh I’m so sorry!” he quickly torn part of his shirt to stop burn from spreading on her calf.

“Don’t do it Dimi! You’ll only burn your fingers!” Roxy shrieked from piercing pain “Just run.”

 

Without second thought, party ran away. Guards were steps behind them, preparing electromagnetic shocks for capturing them. Blonde hoped they could lose them in maze of corridors when she suddenly got a great idea.

 

“Hold still.” she told the brunette. Said boy confusedly stood still as she started tickling him under the nose with her ponytail.

“What are you doing?” Dimi asked right in the moment when tickling done the effect. Boy sneezed so hard, that hurricane like blast hit entire group of guards. Alicia was giggling at the just made scene when they found themselves on the stairway. All of them went up as piercing sound filled the space of abby. Since Ials had sensitive hearing, sound literally cut their ears off. At the same time something hit Dimi in his shoulder. Roxy quickly got to his side, pulling the arrow out of him. Whichever arrow it was, it wasn’t normal one. This one was at least four times thicker, making really deep hole.

“Can you walk?” blonde asked worriedly, this time she treating him and supporting him.

“I think so… I’ll just start feeling dizzy after some time due to losing blood.” he forced himself to walk forward “Keep Alicia safe Whirl.”

 

His Spirit Mate nodded at command by protecting little girl from more arrows, using wind powers.

 

“How’s your ankle?” brunette asked.

“Good more or less. I just need to keep hits out of the burn.” she replied.

“Roxy, Dimi more guards are coming!” Alicia called pointing her finger into mass of grey coats coming up.

“I have a plan, but you won’t like it.” Roxy whispered into Dimi’s ear “We won’t be able to dodgw them for long. You’re hurt more than I am, so you take Alicia and that fox like creature to get to the main exit. I know where it is because it wasn’t long since I seen it first. Just get on top of stairs, pass two hallways and use the first door on left. I’ll buy you some time, this time for sure. I swear to you, you’ll get out with Alicia. If I don’t make it, just go, I’ll be fine. What matters the most is that you two get out, you’ve been captured longer than me.”

“But Roxy, I’ve seen what they were doing to you. It’s far worse from what I went through.”

“It’s not great time for arguing.” girl kept on walking “Then just get to exit and if I’m not there in five minutes go on without me. I’ve been Ial for more years than you were, so trust me I know more ways of how to deal with this group of losers.”

“Please just don’t let them break you.” was boy’s last sentence before guards reached the. From that moment it was just an instinct. Blonde pushed Dimi few stairs higher as she summoned Arrowblade. First few guards suffered massive hit into jaws as the ones behind them got hit by shocking arrows. Even if they tried pulling them out, they would just get burned fingers from sparkling arrows.

 

“Make some room you losers.” most unwanted voice joined “Can’t you use right methods for capturing a Dreamer. Here I’ll show you!” Lam created the blast that knocked Roxy off the stairway all the way down. Like a cat she landed elegantly on all fours, prepared to cast another arrow into her.

“Not this time sweetie.” woman made a blast which girl dodged “Hahaha, you have no idea what we’re capable of.” 

 

It turned out Lam wanted her to dodge the blast so she could use different weapon on her. Ropes strong and hard as chains coiled around Roxy’s waist as the deadliest snake. Blonde tried to get it off when another coiled around injured ankle, knocking her on the ground in process. Pain of cutting into bare muscles was horrible, as someone tried to cut the foot off.

 

“Aww are you going to cry?” Lam stepped closer.

“Shut up you b****!” Roxy fired an arrow straight into her forehead. Woman just surprisingly widened her eyes as she fell on the ground. Few scientists skilled as medics took her away to treat nearly fatal wound. Blonde was about to grin victoriously when dozens of other ropes coiled around her as quick-growing lianas. She felt like one of those wild stallions captured by solders.

Terrifyingly, guards were after injured Dimi and Alicia as well. By how fast boy was walking, girl knew he won’t make it in time.

By now she used almost all of her tricks, but the one everyone warn her to use only in greatest needs. Raising her untied hands towards blue bangs that were tying her blond locks into two ponytails, she slowly undone them. True most of her friends told her of how beautiful she looked without ponytails. Reason to keep her hair tied was not to make her look childish, but to control her strength born in shards of her hair. If all that energy wasn’t kept on loose, it would burst out in the same way as EMB except that it would make an effect only on humans.

It was hard decision to make as both of her blue bands weren’t tying any locks anymore. Releasing all shields that held blast back it created massive reaction from which blast was beginning to form. Neither of guards could realize the current situation as they were kept pulling the ropes that were tying the blonde.

 

Dimi’s blood lost started taking effect as he had trouble seeing at the end of corridor. He was luckily both small and light enough for Alicia to support him. Whirl and Flash were behind them, watching for their backs.

“First door on the left…” he whispered when he heard guards’ steps getting closer.

“What about Roxy?” little girl asked while dragging Dimi forward.

“She said to wait five minutes… and if she doesn’t come… we go without her.” boy replied.

“No! I’m not going, not without Roxy!” Alicia shouted.

“Alicia… I care about Roxy too and I know she’ll make it… if not now then some other time.” he grabbed door knob in order to support himself “We wait… we go…”

 

Little girl nodded even though she didn’t agree that they leave Roxy behind. Guards eventually reached the top of the stairway, armed with electromagnetic shocks. Dimi reacted, firing few arrows and yelped out of pain. His whole left arm was red from the blood dripping out the wound on his shoulder.

 

“We must go, I’m not sure how many arrows I can cast.” brunette breathed painfully.

“But Roxy… why if she’s on her way?” other brunette brought her hopes up.

“If she is, she’ll eventually… catch up with us. Let’s go now.” Dimi nodded to Whirl so the both of you could join. Trying not to step on his injured limb he used his wind powers to blow away the doors. Guards were getting closer when out of nowhere unknown blast knocked them on the ground. Men surprisingly yelled before slipping into unconsciousness.  Duo stayed still as another pair of steps was heard getting closed. Boy set the Arrowblade just in case if it was another lab coat. Slowly figure revealed itself.

It was Roxy, barely walking due to the injured ankle that had cuts all the way to the bone and growing pain deep inside of her. Her hair was loosed and it waved through windless room as it sparkled like fireworks.

 

“You’re alright!” Alicia was going to hug Roxy at which blonde strongly shook with her head.

“Don’t touch me. There’s still some uncontrolled electricity in me.” blonde explained.

“Roxy… you mean that you actually let… your inner energy out of balance?” Dimi said as he was going to have a panic attack “Nai forbids it for a good reason.”

“I know… but I ran out of my usual tricks. Let’s rather go out and then talk about certain abilities. Guards were knocked out for longer time than before, but I think it’s still better to just get out of here as fast as we can.”

 

Alicia nodded and Dimi soon done the same. Thing that Roxy used was awaking inner Ial inside of her. Beside Spirit Mate that every single Ial had, there was another spiritual being inside in each one of them. It was inner Ial, some kind of an extra intelligence that just chose them to turn them into Ials. As Ial is born, its inner Ial stays still in the body, not controlling the body by any way.

What Roxy did was unleashing her inner Ial, meaning letting it control her body in order to unlock all most powerful abilities. It was dangerous thing to do since you let your guard down by literally giving your own body to some unknown spiritual being.

Dimi was extra careful about it since his older brother Leo had done those years ago and when black haired was controlled by inner Ial, bad things had happened. On his neck was still scar that Leo caused. Boy it was an accident, but he didn’t want anyone else to end up in that kind of state.

 

“Here are the doors! You two go first.” Roxy pushed heavy door open. Since it was locked electronically, blonde had no problem opening it. Two brunettes covered their heads with arms from the cold drops of rain. It was practically unbelievable to see rain in desert. Flash got under Alicia’s shirt in order to not get wet.

“Come, hurry!” Dimi shouted to Roxy who was about to get outside as well.

“I’m her…” Ial girl started, but not finished.

 

Just when she was about to live white hell of abby, two strong arms grabbed her so surprisingly that she couldn’t make a single sound. One hand covered her mouth as other stabbed injection into her heart.

 

“You should’ve listened to me when you had a chance. You will never escape.” hooded person smirked as drug done its effect on the blonde.

 

Dimi froze as he saw his friend snatched back inside. He was about to get her off those evil hands if Roxy wouldn’t gather last of her strength to shout.

 

“Run Dimi!” were Roxy last words before drug dragged her into world of unconsciousness.

 

Brunette quickly joined with Whirl in wolf form and took crying Alicia onto his back. He used his wind powers to jump over spiked fence as rain drops cooled down his growing anger. If it wasn’t for blonde, he and Rookie would be still locked down. Why she didn’t make it when they were so close?

 

For now light brown wolf just raced towards hallway, not caring about the wound on his front limb. Only thing that kept him running was growing adrenaline. He needed to run few miles before they could reach the hallway and get as far as possible.

When they would get to the hallway, they would sneak into one of the vehicles in order to contact other Ials about Roxy.

 

Dimi just hoped for rescuing her in time.

[replika13 455]

Awesome work sis. Really funny and exciting to read

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Wow, this chapter was mind blowing intense, great work Lara! I look forward to reading more of this awesome story this year!

[Hunter Hawk 392]

Here you go fellas! Another very late chapter! 

 

Believe me I would write more, but my finals are coming by next week so I really can't. But once I finish them (after at least a month), I swear I'll finish this fireblasting story. Keep your thumbs up on 31st May when my English exam will decide if I'll be accepted on English College!

 

Enjoy!!!

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Five: Everything is Coming Together

 

Seeing rain in desert was almost as unbelievable as escaping the hellish laboratory. Spending more months in bright white rooms gave their damaged eyes relief with dark color of storm. Flash and Alicia held onto brown wolf that was running as never before. Even though his wounded shoulder didn’t look all too good, boy used all of his last reserves of adrenaline in order to focus rather on his speed than pain.

Little girl watched desert hills in the distance with amazement as Dimi raced through damp sandy ground filled with puddles. Even though she didn’t say anything at all, Ial boy knew what she was thinking. Only rain drops covered her actual emotions in tears.

Brunette clearly had no idea where he was going. Only thing that led him was his sense of smell which was a bit stronger than other Ials had. Inner power of wind orientated his nose thrills into tracking whatever he was looking for. Roxy had told him about highway that was a few miles away. But in which direction he needed to go? While running brown wolf inhaled deeply, thinking how exactly highway smells. Probably like asphalt, with bits of scrapped tires, gas and metal rust.

Said scents got into his nose immediately, almost causing him to flinch. He made a quick turn and followed the smell of the highway covered by rain.

It seemed as his own nose tricked him, but after minutes when he was barely walking Dimi and Alicia faced the highway. They were there, not really sure what to do. There were only personal cars, way too small for sneaking on, or overloaded half-trucks.

 

“Look there’s a pretty truck!” Alicia shouted and if she didn’t Dimi would’ve never noticed yellowish truck with shiny letters of the less know supermarket. Putting together himself he raced towards the truck, running beside it as he reached it. With the help of gestures boy somehow instructed Alicia to try to reach the handle of the truck’s doors. Luckily the truck driver had been lazy enough to leave the door unlocked.

From what boy’s gesture told, other brunette waited until wolf was close enough for her to jump. Taking Flash in her lap she took a deep breath and without a single doubt jumped into truck’s insides. She landed next to covered boxes with fox curled in her arms. Seconds later Dimi was the one to jump in. As he hit metallic ground, he and Whirl got separated gasping for air at the same time. Little girl quickly closed the door so that boy wouldn’t roll out of the truck. When door closed male brunette collapsed from exhaustion and injury. Whirl snuggled closer to him in order to warm him up. Together they took a nap in peace after so many months of suffering.

Alicia hugged Flash closer to herself as she went to check out the boxes. She knew that other had very nasty wound on his shoulder and from what medical lessons always said wounds need to be dressed. Covering boy with plastic cover, since she didn’t find any blankets, Alicia tried to find out where truck was headed. Luckily girl was already old enough to read and understand most of the words. Shiny letters saying Buy Best reminded her on her parents who would have done grocery shopping there every Wednesday, since it was one of the cheapest supermarkets in whole city. Flash helped her opening the box that said Hygiene Department in order to find bandages. Unfortunately there was just stuff like tooth brushes, shampoos, soaps and toilet paper.

 

“Hope it will help.” brunette whispered as she put some pieces of gentle fabric on Dimi’s shoulder.

“Alicia…” boy mumbled while opening his eyes.

“Why is there so much blood?” girl stared at spreading red liquid “Why it won’t stop bleeding? When I cut in finger it stops after some time. Why does it look so bad?”

“It is just a bad wound… which needs a bit more time to heal…” despite everything he smiled “I’ll be fine. Really, little bit of a nap can do a miracle.”

“But I wanna help. It really looks like it’s hurting you.” she kept trying to make a bandage.

“It’s alright to worry, but for me you don’t need to be. It will heal eventually.” boy inhaled as piercing feeling went over his chest “You try to find out where we’re going and if anything useful is on this truck.”

“Truck is going to the store called Buy Best. There was also an address… and I think that street is very near where I live… or at least where I used to live.” Alicia got her knees to chest and put arms around them.

“And where is that?” boy got a dizzy feeling back in his head.

“In Manhattan, New York to be exact. Mommy always told me to remember the names of the streets.” she pointed her finger on larger box with address.

“Then I guess we will be driving for quite long time.” Dimi said while scanning the whole truck “Why don’t you look if there is any food, water or clothes on this truck? Those things might come handy when we arrive.”

“Okay, but have this paper towel on your arm. It’s like big band-aid.” Alicia laid more pieces of white papers on his shoulder. Brunette gave her a grateful look as he again passed out.

 

Little girl searched for said things with Flash’s help and keychain with battery, which she find in a box that said “Accessory department”. Eventually she found what she was looking for. Box filled with snacks and another with bottled water was hiding in the front corner. Driver couldn’t hear tape removing since rain outside was way too loud. Alicia gathered few things and put them next to Dimi.

Seeing he won’t wake up soon, girl started eating without him.

It has been so long since she had lastly eaten salty sticks or crackers. The only thing that she was fed with during the time in abby was sickly sweet substance or nutrient pills. Lab coats kept special diets for Ials since they didn’t want incorrect results during experimentation. But all those artificially created foods had fed them only to the point of not falling into coma out of starvation. Single salty stick was more nourishing than daily amount of pills.

 

Meanwhile Flash explored the rest of the truck on its own, discovering all new things. Its two different colored eyes stared into different writings everywhere it looked. Even though Flash was an animal, it could actually solve some of the words. Running back to Alicia, fox pulled her sleeve to get attention.

 

“What is it? Did you find something?” she asked while patting fox’s fluffy head. Flash only pulled her sleeve tighter since it really wanted to her to see what it had found. Light of the battery was again on, revealing the box to which Flash led. It put its snout into the box, taking something from it.

Alicia used her battery to see it was denim dress with suspenders. Looking at her prison clothes that included only white T-shirt and matching shorts, she immediately put it on. Dress fitted her as it was tailored for her.

“What do you think Flash?” girl made a circle around herself at which fox replied with simple squeak “Heh I think that too.”

 

Alicia only left the white T-shirt on and bare feet as she admired her reflection. Fox jumped on her shoulder, yawning as it curled into a ball.

“Good idea, I’m tired too.” she lay close to Dimi and fell asleep in matter of seconds. Boy felt her warmth as he slightly opened his eyes. Happy that little girl was finally dreaming peacefully, brunette fully relaxed as he snoozed into dream land.

 

Minutes of driving soon turned into hours. Loaded truck with extra luggage drove along the motorway, slowly leaving the empty desert. Just about when last turn on the motorway was made, both Ials slipped towards the opening of the truck. Both unaware of danger, they didn’t woke up. Truck made another turn at which Dimi slipped back to where he first had been.  

 

But Alicia didn’t. For some reason she slipped through metal door of the truck. Flash that was sleeping under her shirt didn’t notice difference as well. Little girl rolled on the motorway and couldn’t felt number of cars that drove through her.

 

It was as she was some sort of a ghost.

 

Roxy’s POV

 

I don’t remember the time when I felt more miserable. I mean we were so close and all, but in the very last moment that science jerk HAD to appear like unnecessary plot twist in some low-rated movie. It’s so lame when something like that really happens and if you by any chance get in world of unconsciousness, that very moment keeps appearing before your eyes.

But on the other hand I was glad. Glad that one of my best friends and innocent child broke chains of the abby. I had been really scared they wouldn’t make it, but they did. And now they were both free, flying with wings of freedom.

Unfortunately I couldn’t see them or anything around me. I knew I was unconscious for one hundredth time, tied up in cell and being watched by Men in Gray. I wasn’t sure why, but for some reason I liked this world of blackness. Probably because no one can do you any harm in it. All that was happening in it were dreams with illogical meanings that I always found interesting to figure out. One of my favorite is usually the one with stupid aliens. In it some weird looking aliens would come on Earth looking for me in order to sacrifice me for some weird ritual. I would always find a way to trick them and escape their claws.

But Men in Gray weren’t some stupid aliens. They were smart, pretty damn smart for their own wellbeing. They had figured out my weakness when I never could theirs. I wondered what would happen to me now that I nearly broke out of the white prison and seriously pissed them off. Would they do worse experiments on me? Would they finally decide to break me to the point of being lifeless Ial doll?

No, whatever would happen I wasn’t going to surrender. I still had all my Ial pride within me and if anyone was going to take it away, I would get it back at once.

Being alone now was some sort of advantage. It was just me and me only to decide what to do next in order to keep living as Ial.

 

Much time has passed when I finally felt darkness fading away. For some reason I hated those moments, because in abby there were just two colors. Shadows of black gave me comfort and shelter when poisonous white pierced through me. Said whiteness hit me at once as I opened my eyes. From the looks of it lab coats had moved me into far different cell. If it really was a cell where they locked me up. Seeing familiar sets of electronics crossed any chances of being in the room that I shared with Dimi. That place was no other than another lab.

 

“Well rise and shine, A3 case.” man’s voice echoed through the walls “You’ve been sleeping for enough time already.”

 

When I fully opened my eyes I could see Sat standing right in front of me. He was probably one of the moodiest Men in Gray ever due to his quick behavior changes. One second he was Mr. Creepy-Crazy-Scientist and other impatiently mad leader who wanted everything under control.

Sat was turning his eyes as one of those bugs with tentacles when he ran some sort of analyzing on me. No later than now I finally realized my position. I thought I was tied on metal table like during usual experiments, but Men in Gray didn’t want to risk any other chances of me escaping ever again. Newly changed steel rings were buckled on two solid bands that spread both of my arms apart as strongly as they wanted to tear my limbs apart. Same was with my legs except they were tightly tied together and tied onto the floor. Other bands were coiled around my entire torso, clasped with strap together on my back. I was practically hanging from the ceiling, only tip toes ware barely touching the ground. IVs were stung in my arm as colorless liquids were slowly dripping inside me. On top of that were also two tubes under my nose that were spraying some sort of gas into my nostrils.

 

“How do you like your stay? Even if you by some miracle break the bands, drug in form of gas will keep you weakened.” Sat grinned as he took few locks of my hair into his hands and smelled them like they were the freshest perfume. If there was one thing beside fifty others that I hated about that man was his perverted nature.

“Hands of me you jerk!” I shouted and if my legs hadn’t been secured, man would’ve suffered dislocated jaw.

“My, my kitty really has claws. Too bad we cut them off.” Sat kept playing with my locks “Which reminds me… where are the other two cases? Just tell me so we won’t need to get busy with creating “Missing Dreamers” posters. That sure takes a lot of paper and tint.”

“Not telling.” I said without any expression the moment he finished.

 

Man sighed as he finally let go of my hair and picked his folder. No matter how many folders they possessed, he always held the one in silver color. While clicking on the touch screen of handheld computer, Eztli appeared accompanied with a cloud of smoke from a cigarette.

 

“Got anything?” fat man asked, impatiently waiting for a reply.

“Not telling you either, especially you.” I said, making both of them stare at me “What? Didn’t you know that Ials can hear five times better than average human can? It’s very hard not to eavesdrop.”

 

Fat scientist came closer which I expected. Smelling the disgusting smoke I grimaced with which I seemed to offend him.

 

“You think you’re so smart… and yet you hang her as the defeated savior. Where do you get so much willpower?” Eztli circled while inhaling strong smoke.

“Like I will tell you. I don’t think curiosity isn’t big enough excuse to what are you doing.” my eyebrows knitted.

“Alright, let’s have it your way then.” man finally used his cigarette’s entire filter, dropping it in nearby trashcan “Why do you think we call you Dreamers?”

 

Now that was a good question. Why dreamers? I knew we were called Ials because Naiser, the oldest Ial on the whole world had chosen that word centuries ago. No one ever asked for the meaning, we were just Ials to be called. Only Ial who have ever questioned origin of the word was Vega. 

Realm of Spirits had library of its own and the one keeping it in place was the second oldest Ial named Vega. His inner power was half mystery since he rarely left Realm of Spirits. Instead of training or visiting real word, he rather wrote books, storing all the knowledge. Two thirds of books that library possessed were his and who could blame him. He has been alive for more than thousand years.

Moment of hearing the origins of the word that we used to call ourselves had been coincidental. I only had come to return a book “Mysteries of Future Wildlife” when he had been writing something on his enormous chalkboard. Word Ial had been written with block capitals and lots of arrows were pointed to different meanings. Vega had underlined the sentence that said “Egyptian name Ialu – field of dreams” and had crossed his arms as he always did while thinking.

 

“Hey snap out of it and tell me already!” Eztli slightly hit my head, kicking me out of daze.

“No, I’m completely unaware of why are you calling us like that.” I replied without looking.

“Are you sure? Or are you hiding something from me?” fat man began lighting another cigarette.

“Look I don’t have a slightest idea why you all decided for calling us like that. You could as well call us Rainbows and Fairies!” I became annoyed.

“Suit yourself then.” moustache guy inhaled the smoke “Do you know what people dream of nowadays?”

“Money and fortune?” I decided to play his little game.

“Not quite. What people do before they go out?” Eztli started circling around my hanging self.

“Do the dress-up and make-up?” tone of reply was totally different form the sentence that was coming.

“Yes! And why exactly? To look younger than they actually are! You have no idea how much money women spent for rejuvenating cosmetics or how many people eat all sorts of medications just to live few more years.” he talked as loudly as priest during ceremony.

“What’s your point?” I asked with puzzling expression.

“You are what people dream of. You Dreamers look the same for years since you never age or need to worry about future. Not to mention incredible abilities you possess. ” he declared as he raised his arms as he wanted to reach heaven.

 

If guy had known what being an Ial meant, he would’ve thought twice before saying clichés about us. True we didn’t age, but the world around us did. In real world we were only bare strangers, noticeable only to people we addressed. We only belonged in Realm of Spirits where we truly felt as part of something bigger. Future was what we feared. Ial have much greater memory and since we have ability to remember everything, it is really hard for us to let go of painful past or know what is to happen in future.

 

“I still don’t see the reason for your doings. If you idiots want to become Ials for some reason, go throw yourselves over the cliff. You’ll do us a big favor!” my eyes were narrowing even more as well as Sat’s patience.

“Why you little!” other man was about to press torture rings, but Eztli stopped him “Tell me one good reason for this brat not earning a dose of EMB.”

“You might be the one who founded Men in Gray, but I’m still the one who discovered Ials. So I’m in charge, not you.” fat scientist was furious about Sat’s actions.

 

While lab coats argued, I tried to force a movement out of my legs. Relaxing the weakened muscles, I discovered something that came really handy. Moving back and forth on bands, men seemingly not amused looked at me.

 

“A3 what on earth are you doing?” Sat angrily made few steps forward.

“Nothing particularly. Just doing something, since the two of you are boring to watch.” I covertly yawned while using bands as they were a swing “Hey this is fun.”

 

Scientists finally lost all of their nerves and hit EMB button. I remained calm as shock bit through my skin. Even though my inner power was electricity, electromagnetic shocks fully covered me with pain. I kept my eyes closed, looking as I was merely sleeping not fighting with terrible pain.

When torture ended I hung lifelessly limp with only eyes twitching. Eztli got on my level of sight, whispering something on my ear.

 

“Immortality is just a dramatic cover up. You have no idea what we have in store for you and your friends that are trying so hard to escape. Sooner or later we’ll find them, no matter where they hide. And when we get them back we’ll make sure to restrain them so tight that their only mobile thing they will be capable of would be blinking.” Eztli let go of me, heading out of the lab. Just when he was about to leave along with Sat, he changed his mind and whispered a shocking sentence.

 

“That red haired Rookie was never a target as well as B1 wasn’t. They were only baits for real target. You.”

 

 

 

Miles away from hot desert, surrounded by majestic Alaska’s mountains small cabin stood. Disguised as husky breeding facility, cabin was hiding a lot more than meets the eye. If there was an ISLE-tracking device, it could’ve detected seven sources on readings.  Two were near the bigger wooden building where lots of barks were heard.

 

“Ewww how can they eat this stuff?” Os turned up his nose as Nora gave food to the last husky.

“Simple, because it’s more natural.” girl with two braids replied.

“You call pile of raw meat plus bloody entrails along with unknown yellow substance natural?” blonde tried to not look at savoring husky cub.

“Of course. Meat is entirely from cow as well as organs. About yellow thing, it’s from…” she started talking, much to boy’s comfort.

“Okay, okay I get it. Can we get inside already?” he said when he suddenly dropped the bucket containing red mess.

“Whoa, there. I understand it’s disgusting, but that doesn’t mean you need to throw it around.” Nora was about to pick the bucket when seeing his eyes in pain.

 

Blonde fell on his knees as Hydro tried to join with him, so it could took at least half of pain away. But even after boy and wolf merged, pain still wouldn’t stop becoming worse. Noticing pair of people in the distance, Nora seriously needed to calm her cousin down.

 

“What’s going on?” she asked even though he wasn’t able to talk. Figures of people were coming closer and to not give away their hideout Nora needed to stop Os from making painful howls that were echoing from mountain to mountain.

“I’m really sorry, but it’s for your own good. Snowy!” brunette called to her Spirit Mate. Slim looking wolf was one with her in second as she jumped onto howling golden wolf. She opened her snout, revealing sharp fangs that pushed into other’s neck. Trick worked immediately as wolf was unconscious instantly.

Dragging him towards the house, without being seen by people, Nora noticed that during the calming down battle she somehow got entire red pile of meat on herself. Angrily dropping him on couch much to Nikki’s surprise she headed for a shower. “Don’t ask me. Ask him after he wakes up.”

 

Getting into the bathroom, brunette stripped herself of a tiny skirt and gloves when door opened.

 

“Hey ever heard of knocking?” pretty annoyed girl shouted.

“I’m sorry.” Alex quickly covered his eyes “I just wanted to borrow your map.”

“It’s in my backpack.” she replied while closing the door.

“Gee girl wears a bikini outfit and gets all touchy when someone sees her naked.” redhead mumbled while examining her backpack. He almost found it when another thud was heard. Sighing he went up the stairs, opening the bedroom where Piko and Mirgy lay gasping.

 

“What’s going on? You’ve been here for hours and only thing that we hear is noise.” Alex crossed his arms.

“Piko needs to learn how to merge with Mirgy. Otherwise we’re as good as dead.” Gabriel replied, leaning against the wall.

“Progress is going slowly, but at least he’s trying.” Ami helped the twelve year old up “Remember, it’s not you who decide to join together. Mirgy is and you need to fully trust him.”

“I’m trying, but every time we try to do that, something kicks us apart.” Piko caressed his back since that was the place where his Spirit Mate wanted to join with him.

“Maybe it’s because he’s an Artificial Ial. Perhaps he joins differently.” redhead suggested.

“I don’t really know… I contacted Carl about an hour ago and he said that Artificial Ials were pretty much the same as normal ones.” Gabriel went checking his messages from device that Sandy had brought to him.

“Wait, do you mean to tell me there are more Artificial Ials beside Piko?” Alex became puzzled.

“From what Carl said.” Ami began describing “After breaking down first abby they were able to locate the ones that were keeping those 24 missing children. Including Piko nine of them were saved when unfortunately was too late for six. That leaves fifteen still missing.”

“One of eight newly rescued children turned out to be an Artificial Ial. We don’t know much about him, but we do know he’s being transported to Realm of Spirits accompanied by Nate.” Gabriel finished.

“Wow they’re working fast.” Alex nodded when suddenly hearing something “Someone’s coming to the door. It’s not one of us.”

 

Ami quickly picked Piko up and quietly followed the boys in the living room. There was Nikki, supporting now conscious Os and Nora in nothing but a towel, still wet from the shower. Man had finger in front of his mouth signaling them to be quiet.

 

“If security cameras aren’t lying, two guys disguised as inspectors are part of Men in Gray organization. I have secret room under the carpet so you all get there and be quiet until I’m finished.” he said while opening the flap on the floor. Whole group managed to get in and man quickly covered the flap with carpet and coffee table.

 

He opened the door as any pissed off owner would. Supposed inspectors were wearing long winter coats and kept sun glasses on.

 

“May I help you?” man said politely “Or should I send my dogs after you? That’s a privet property you’re standing on, you know?”

“We’re terribly sorry for trespassing, but we got an appeal from a pair of people who happened to pass by your property.” one of the duo replied and handed a paper. Husky breeder took a quick look through the words that made no sense and just handed it back.

“What exactly is a reason for an appeal? Could you read it out loud please?” man leaned against the door frame and ate a cookie as they have disturbed his afternoon coffee time.

“Young pair who had recently passed by, complained about noise coming from your house.” other man started.

“Were they a couple?” breeder asked an unusual question.

“Yes, but what ha…” inspector was about to ask, but was cut off by breeder.

“Look it’s not my problem if itty bitty couple decided to have honeymoon on Alaska instead of Hawaii. I’m running a freaking husky breeding facility, of course there is noise!” he got mad.

“Sir, that’s not the thing…” other tried to said but also was cut off.

“I’m living at least 10 miles from the nearest city, so those two have nothing to complain about. If anything I should complain about them trespassing!” breeder made another outburst before calming down “Anything else?”

“In fact yes. Your personal vet had sent us for usual checkup of your animals as well as facility where you’re breeding them.” man was given the second paper.

“Funny… I didn’t know Johnny changed his name to Robert.” husky man made another bite of his cookie.

“Dr. John Stewart has retired a month ago. Robert Wright is his replacement. May we start?” man on the left took sunglasses off.

“Sure, follow me.” he headed for the house from which barking was heard when man on right stopped him.

“We have to check entirely everything.” disguised inspector announced “Including your own house.”

 

Breeder slightly hesitated before returning back to corridor that led into living room. Despite the location, house was luxurious enough to be called so. Living room joined with the kitchen and tiny table meant for dining room were neatly tidied up with entirely nothing to complain about. But that wasn’t what men were looking for. One of them leaned over the stove.

 

“Are you hosting a company by any chance? I don’t think you could drink that much of a tea.” inspector gave him a suspicious look.

“Nah, I’m using it for the cubs. They drink sugar-free tea over cold water. Pretty spoiled, aren’t they?” husky man removed pot with boiling water.

 

Nikki who was still hiding in secret cellar along with others made a sigh of relief, since she was the one who had wanted to make some tea for others. Os was still in daze due to recent consciousness regaining. He was going to open his mouth and asked what in the world was going on when Nora quickly covered his mouth with the hand that wasn’t holding onto the towel. Steps became lauder as men entered the living room, inches apart from the coffee table that was covering the flap.

 

“Were you washing the floor or something? It contains so many paddles of water that it could’ve soaked my socks if I hadn’t worn the boots.” other man shook his foot, spraying drops of water around. Nora inhaled in panic as she remembered about had not drying herself completely.

“I’m terribly sorry about this, gentlemen. I should’ve told Crystal not to enter living room after taking a shower.” breeder lazily threw himself on couch, earning further stares of suspicion.

“May we speak to this Crystal?” men took interrogational notepad in their hands.

“I guess.” husky man whistled at inspectors’ surprise “Come in girl.”

 

Crystal, still wet from a quick jump in the snow, rushed into living room, wagging its tail.

 

“You can ask her whatever you want. I’m pretty sure you’ll get along each other since you both know how to bark.” he stood up, stroking Crystal’s fur. Men in disguises were seemingly embarrassed of momentary making fools out of themselves. But they kept their protests down as they followed him to check the rest of the facility.

 

Whole group stayed still for at least two hours, before impostors finally ran out of ideas where clues about Dreamers’ whereabouts were. Day already became dark when breeder removed the flap so Ials could get out. Ami helped Piko since he was still weak from merge training with Mirgy. Spirit Mates were pretty much the same as their owners, except for the Spark that flew towards the window ledge where she stared at darkening sky. Nora rushed back into bathroom, even though she had already dried out herself in passed two hours. As for everyone else they returned to what they were doing before house became being searched. Except for certain blonde who still had no idea what was going on.

 

“Could somebody please spill out what just happened? I wake up on couch with faces staring at me, I’m dragged into truly comfortable hole under the floor and need to stay there without saying a word!” Os’ furious side took control.

“From what Nora said, you howled out in agony before she put you down.” Nikki said while finishing the rest of the tea.

“I didn’t! We were just putting disgusting stuff that dogs recognized as food when… when…” boy felt stinging pain as memories came back to him “Roxy!” 

“Calm down! Whatever you do, do not…” black haired took a hold of his shoulders before he could painfully snap “… use anima abso.”

 

But it was already too late. Glowing light filled his locks as he entered the state of connection. His mind wasn’t in the room when Alex entered, shocked by Nikki’s expression. Redhead got to her in second with Blaze not far behind.

 

“What’s happening?” he knocked her out of her daze.

“Os is using anima abso… but he mustn’t right now! I’ve seen this before, when he used it in very vulnerable state.” Nikki shook her brother in order to get him out of his mind transferring condition “Whenever he uses it, his Inner Ial takes control. Os has tamed it a long time ago, but weakened like this he has no chance. It can even takes control of him for good!”

 

For a moment Alex was puzzled. Just like before he had been attacked by Sharlup, but luckily that time blonde had saved him. But now, Os was the one in trouble.

 

“That makes no sense. Why would he use anima abso if he knows it’s dangerous?” redhead questioned, studying boy’s empty stare identical to his Hydro.

“Everyone does crazy things when emotions are involved.” was the only thing Nikki said “Even though I’m related to them, I can’t use any connecting powers. Anima abso is based on the same DNA.”

“Wait don’t twins of opposite genders have different DNA? As siblings?” Alex remembered biology lessons from high school.

“They should, but because they’ve become Ials at the same time, their DNA changed.” girl dug her nails into Os’ back, hoping to get him back.

 

Blaze got to boy’s side, sniffing as there was something suspicious. Red furred wolf carefully set its pawn on motionless boy, closing its eyes. Without saying the word, Alex knew what Blaze was thinking.

 

“He’s deep within his own mind and going deeper as we speak. You must bring him back.” Spirit Mate’s thoughts got in boy’s head.

“But how?” Alex was confused.

“It’s like when you used it to contact Roxy. Power of light connects other powers that are close to you.” wolf replied.

“I don’t know what I’ve done that time! It simply happened out of nothing.” boy protested which made Nikki thinking.

“Alex, there are only two other Ials with inner power of light and from what I’ve read, those are one of the strongest Ials in history. You’re no exception, so do what you must to get my brother back.” she said, holding limp body in her lap.

 

Redhead swung back into memories, when he made a contact with a girl whom he cared a lot. That time had been the song that had helped him through. Now he was on his own.  Taking a deep breath, he felt slight shards gripping his right shoulder. Spark in a form of hawk was there, helping him remember the feeling. After all, it was the Spark’s reflection that turned into Roxy for second which guided it to her.

Second after closing his eyes, he was no longer in same room as he had been before. He was drifting in bottomless space with nothing but unknown color around him. It couldn’t have been described better but a simple “dream”, blurry image that you see before you start dreaming. Seemingly confused, Alex tried to focus where to go. All directions were endless, as trying to look for a fish in huge ocean.

Just when he was about to turn, he noticed tiny spot in the distance. Using nothing but his mind, boy chased it and soon found out it was no other than blonde. Os’ eyes were centered on the way before him, speeding up as other got closer.

 

“Wait up, for heaven’s sake!” redhead called, trying to reach other’s arm. Os stared at him as he was a ghost, but eventually realized what was going on.

“What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here at all!” blonde’s angry side snapped out of him.

“Look, Nikki was worried sick about you. Saying you’re not capable of using anima abso as weakened as you were.” Alex explained, trying not to be rude.

 

That made the other boy think. Why had he really been so reckless? Of course, he needed to know what happened to him when he was with Nora. Seeing Alex’s puzzling expression, he had no other choice than to explain.

 

“Roxy borrowed a bit of my strength. We both agreed not to use it since we both take damage, so it must’ve been a good reason for it.” Os said, grabbing his shoulder “I wanted to find out why.”

“And risk your mind for it?” red haired skeptically looked “Where are we anyway?”

“In Disortian.” blonde replied almost instantly “Space between Hollow Ground and Realm of Spirits. It’s like inter dimensional corridor that also gives inner powers a boost.”

“How do we get back? I mean you do know how to get back right?” Alex crossed both of his arms.

“Actually…” Os got a bit of sweat on his forehead, wiping it out almost immediately “I usually return spontaneously.”

“You mean by simply waiting?” other face-palmed himself “And I thought you’re actually smarter than I am. That’s just great.”

“Hey if it hadn’t been for you, Roxy would’ve never been taken!” blonde’s old anger came back. His eyes were filled with hatred that he had worked so hard to forget. Just a moment longer and fight within minds would’ve occurred.

Blinding light from the distance caught boys’ attention. Without a second thought they both followed it until light stopped and reveled who it actually was.

 

Two golden ponytails were slightly swinging as their owner opened bright blue eyes. Light was Roxy, limply floating in bottomless space. Os was speechless as well as redhead was when they both reached her. Male twin was about to touch her when he was forcedly hit by invincible wall. Girl gasped at that.

 

“How did you get here?” was only thing that Alex could utter.

 

More shocked than before, Roxy kept exchanging looks with each of boys. Finally she sorted out what to reply.

 

“I didn’t, you two did.” she said with terribly different voice. Instead of her usual teen voice, there was only a barely heard voice that would’ve belonged to a very small child. Neither of them knew what broken her down so much that it had affected her voice in such a way.

“Roxy… what are they doing to you?” worried brother asked, hardly keeping tears in his eyes.

“I don’t know how long I can take it, drugs keep messing with me … but you must hear me out.” her eyes stared at her body that out of sudden started disappearing.

 

Both of them gave her a moment for deep inhaling so she could finish her sentence.

 

“I’m really sorry for taking your powers bro… but I really needed it.”  Roxy’s eyes met up with her brother’s.

“Hey, it’s alright. You did what you needed, right?” blonde was about to pat her when he quickly remembered about the wall and dodged it.

“I managed to get Dimi and Alicia out… please help them out before Men in Gray gets them.” girl pleaded “It they get them back, they will never have a chance of escaping.”

“Who’s Alicia?” Alex joined the conversation.

“Little girl… who was turned into Artificial Ial. You must get her into Realm of Spirits as fast as you can, otherwise… she won’t learn how to become a true Ial. She’ll be stuck between.” she told the last sentence that she could before she noticed more than half of her body disappearing.

“Don’t go!” Os called “How can we find you?”

“I can’t tell the exact location… but there’s Nevada desert all around.” with last sentence, Roxy faded away. Even though her twin desperately chased after her, she was nowhere to be seen. Alex was about to join him when whole space became illuminated. Boys covered their eyes from such brightness, feeling the force pulling them somewhere.

 

When they opened their eyes there were back in room with Nikki. Seeing they were both alright, she picked them both up.

 

“What was going on in those heads of yours?” black haired gave them questionable look. Os was silent so Alex took over for him.

“There was Roxy.” redhead simply replied at which Nikki gasped and instantly grabbed his shirt.

“Where is she? Is she alright?” she stormed out with questions.

“I don’t really know…” Alex started, but Os outraced him.

“She isn’t!” blonde nearly shouted “Roxy may have acted tough, but she’s anything but alright. I’ve seen white blindness in her eyes!”

“Calm down…” redhead held him.

“Don’t you calm down me! Why do you even bother?” blonde narrowed his eyes as Hydro angrily growled.

“That’s enough!” familiar voice shouted when icy blast caught both of them in restrained position “In just one day one of you annoys me, other is being a pervert and now both of you are acting like kids! Especially you Os! You were supposed to be twenty-nine years old, you dumbass!”

 

Nora, now clothed stormed into living room, mad as hell when looking at duo. Eventually boys apologized to each other, so she could release them from her icy trap. Trio from upstairs also came with Piko smiling as Christmas came early.

 

“I can join with Mirgy!” brunette announced as his bright Spirit Mate jumped through him, merging with him in process. Everyone proudly clapped at this when Gabriel’s phone started ringing. He excused himself to get somewhere quieter.

 

“How’s going Carl?” he asked, making other smile.

“Good I guess. I’m flying towards the meeting spot that needed to be changed again.” green haired replied over loud chopper “It’s luckily around 100 miles closer to you.”

“Where’s your usual partner in crime?” Gabriel joked.

“Very funny.” Carl pretended to giggle “After getting that Artificial Ial back to Realm of Spirits, Nate went to visit Mr. and Mrs. Young, to see how rescued kids are doing.”

“How did they take it?” dusky boy got serious.

“I won’t lie, most of them really hard.” Carl’s expression also changed “Mental and physical scars will stay within them. One unlucky boy will even need to use wheelchair for the rest of his life.”

“Do you know where others are?” he quickly changed the topic.

“We know the bits and we won’t stop until we find them all.” green haired clutched the fist that wasn’t holding the rudder “I sent you the locations of three abbies where your friends might be. Once you get off the train, just follow the sent. It will lead you to chopper and key is hidden in box made of rosemary’s wood.”

“Take care my friend and beware of the Men in Gray. From what I’ve heard they had invented ISLE measuring device for tracking us.” dusky boy bid the farewell.

“Copy that, Greenbird out.” green haired made up another of his ridicules nicknames.

 

Gabriel got back in living room where group seemed to discuss further plan. Breeder was with his dogs, preparing him for train transportation. Rescue team was supposed to pretend they were part of them, disguised as huskies in their wolf forms, dyed by spray color. 

 

“When does the train leave?” Nora asked, looking at boxes of color sprays.

“Soon, so we better prepare.” Gabriel blinked making everyone excited since they were bored as hell.

 

 

 

As certain brunette was dreaming on the way to metropolis, other boy located at that exact place was waking up.

 

Except, he wasn’t really sure of who or what he was.

 

He stretched his front limbs as his snout opened to yawn. Making his sight clearer, he realized he was in dark tight place. Looking at himself, he got shocked of what he was.

He was a black furred wolf, not remembering a thing from his past. With head, he pushed the wall that seemed to have light behind. Making his way out, he found himself in a tiny room. From superhero posters and plastic dinosaurs he guessed that room must’ve belonged to a preteen boy. Who was lying on bed, sleeping.

 

“He must be my master. Why can’t I remember him?” wolf thought when boy suddenly woke up.

 

Boy didn’t seem more than ten or eleven years old, in fact ruffled hair made him even younger. Rubbing his eyes, boy got up, staring at his pet.

 

“Are you feeling any better Cloud?” boy asked which gave wolf weird feeling.

 

Was that his name? It didn’t ring any bells that it really was. Wolf made few steps back when he felt something metal around his neck. A collar with shiny letters saying Cloud.

 

“You took quite a hit back there. I’m sorry I wasn’t careful enough. I’ve should’ve known better not to read comic books while crossing the road. But thank you for saving me.” boy carefully hugged surprised wolf.

“Who are you?” wolf asked without opening its snout.

“You can talk?” boy drew surprising breath “This is so cool!”

 

For a moment wolf was confused. His name was Cloud, he could talk and boy claimed he had saved him. Why he had so much trouble remembering.

 

“Oh, my name is Toby.” tousled boy introduced himself.

 

Seeing talking done no harm, he decided to further question the boy.

 

“Where am I? What is this place?” wolf done few wandering steps “How did I get here?”

 “Wow slow down, puppy!” Toby stopped him from entering other rooms “You’re in my apartment and I brought you here when I found you in a puddle. After you’ve saved me, I was afraid but then I followed you.”

 

So Toby wasn’t his master. Who was it then? And why name Cloud didn’t sound as his own name. He needed to find the answers and fast since feeling of being watched was literally eating him alive.

 

“Can I get out?” he formed another question in his mind.

“Sure, just get me the lead.” Toby excitedly opened the drawer from which he took blue colored lead “I used to have a puppy. She was a Labrador and really beautiful. Unfortunately we couldn’t keep it for long, since she was too big.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” he set his collar so boy could attach lead to it.

“It’s alright.” Toby smiled “Do you know where your owner is?”

“No, that’s why I want to get out and look for him.” wolf already marched towards the door.

 

Even though it was in the middle of night, Toby unlocked the doors that led towards the stairway. Wagging its tail, he reached the exit with boy catching his breath.

 

“Wow you really are in a hurry, aren’t you?” Toby followed the racing wolf until they reached the park. Illuminated by street lightning, everything was visible as it was in the middle of the day. Wolf sniffed, catching the familiar scent.

 

As they were walking through the park, neither of them noticed brunette in cheap clothes. Both brunette and wolf were trying to find things so hard, that they didn’t notice important turn of events.

 

Dimi and Leo were so close to each other that they felt it.

 

And yet neither of brothers recognized the other.

 

Leo lost his memories when Dimi was broken down by Alicia loss.

 

Fate was literally interfering, especially when unknown voice behind the tree, replied into cell phone.

 

“We found them. Both the target and the bait.”

[replika13 455]

Yay! So epic work there sis

[Hunter Hawk 392]

Since my Final English Exam is tomorrow and one part of it is also writing either a letter, article, e-mail or report, I've decided to write the last one in the style of Nature's Strenght! Report is about Rescue Mission called Free Wings which is meant to save all kidnapped kids. The author of the said report is Carl, an FBI Ial agent. In it he describes how mission went, who did they save and what kind of consiquences were made. 

 

 

REPORT ON "FREE WINGS" MISSION

 

As an FBI Ial, I was assigned to a mission called "FREE WINGS". It was led by Order of Silver' Chairman, Mr. Silver himself. After Blue team has rescued a twelve-year old boy named Piko Visionux, two of our agents connected the case to an accident of a schoolbus that had accurred more than a year ago. The accident had lefft more than 24 fammilies without one or even two children. Further investigation showed what Order of Silver feared the most - children had been abducted by Men in Gray in order to use them as guinea pigs in experimentations.

 

MISSION'S EARLY STAGE

 

With a help of FBI Ial, Luke Fallspark, Mr. Silver managed to locate most of the Abbies, research facilities that Men in Gray used as a hideout. Carrie Witeyes, another FBI Ial, was in charge of forming a mission. Unfortunately she got only three more FBI Ials to take part in the mission, since other ten FBI Ials were occupied with missions on other five continents. Last to join was SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team of more than twenty trained soldiers.

 

"FREE WINGS" IN ACTION

 

First abby to be attacked was located somewhere in the middle of Nevada's desert. Sun was practically boiling the way, but both Ials and soldiers didn't pay any attention to it. Me and my partner Nate Igniteman were first to spot the Abby. Out of nowhere armed guards appeared, instantly opening fire on the team. Breaking through the Abby was tough with many members of the team slightly injured. In the end team managed to arrest more than ten employers, kill three who had struggled and rescue two of the missing kids. Arrested scientists were brought into custudy for interrogation while rescued youths were taken under Mr. and Ms. Young's care.

 

CONTINUATION OF "FREE WINGS" 

 

Since there were more than fifty Abbies left to investigate, with at least thirty in America, team continued to search for victims of Men in Gray. Two of our own race were also being held in one of those "fear factories", but due to its higher protection, Blue team needed to take care of it. Out team continued to arrest scientists and guardss guilty of illegal actions. Abbies were left under constant watxh by at least three policemen. Out of twenty-one remaining children, we have rescued five more, with one of them had turned into Artificial Ial. For three unlucky kids, help arrived too late.

 

RESCUED KIDS' RECOVERY

 

Due to experimetations, five rescued kids suffered massive, both psyhical and mental injuries. Fortunately Mr. and Ms. Young, surgeon and nurse, opened their doors where they could recover in peace, away from noisy cities. Boy who had became an Artificial Ial was taken to Realm of Spirits by agent Nate, where he will be able to master the ways of being an Ial. Pther youths are recovering slowly, especially a boy whose spine was fractured. Once kids recover enough, they will be reunited with their families.

 

OPINION

 

The only thing that I regret is that we have not started sooner. If we had prepared sooner, those three kids would not have been brought back in boxes. On one hand I wish we could turn back time and take care of Men in Gray before they had became such powerful organization. But on the other hand I know there is not an Ial capable of making my wish come true.

Despite all the exertion and terror I have seen, I could not be more proud of our team. We are doing what is right and we put a lot of an effort in it. Even as far as endangering own lives, like one of the soldiers who took a bullet in order to protect a helpless kid.

 

Beware Men in Gray, one day we will make sure you pay for everything you have done!

 

 

 

So whaddya think? Formal enough? And hold your thumbs high for me tomorrow!!!!

Edited May 30, 2014 by Hunter Hawk

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Wow Lara, you truly impress me with your writing skills!  The chapter was amazing, and again, I love how you put me and Ami into the story, it just made me fanboy so much, lol, and well, I really loved how the drama and plot of the story deepened even more.  I'm worried about Roxy though, I hope she'll be freed!  And who was the person that said that they had found Dimi and Leo?  Were they Men in Gray!? D:  And also, I really loved the IaI report you made, it sounded so professional, and it was like if I was reading his daily work diary, and it provided deeper insight into the team's struggle to free the IaI kids from the Men in Gray!  Keep on going and finish this story, because I'm excited to see how it will end!  I give you two thumbs way up! And good luck for your Finals!

[Hunter Hawk 392]

 And who was the person that said that they had found Dimi and Leo?  Were they Men in Gray!? D:

Maybe stay tuned

[Hunter Hawk 392]

There you go, another chapter! I think I'm starting to get writing inspiration back so I'll try to finally finish this story before summer vacation ends. I'm pretty nervous about the finals since I'll know results by the next week (meaning if I gathered enough points for further studying). 

 

But let's just forget about school and enjoy the newest chapter!

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Six: Rats in the Maze

 

As the sun arisen, city’s night life slowly turned into daily one. Early people as joggers, dog walkers and stand sellers soon appeared in the park.

 

Which Dimi noticed.

 

He shifted himself on the branch of a tree where he had decided to spend a night. Whirl felt his other half awake so he did the same. In the form of a hawk he set himself on Dimi’s shoulder, making other look up.

 

“It has been so long since I was here…” brunette mumbled while staring down on passers-by.

“I don’t recall being here.” Spirit Mate gave his owner a questionable look.

“Not as an Ial silly.” boy put on the sweater that he had used as a pillow “I was here when I was still alive.”

 

Despite knowing Dimi’s feelings and thoughts, Whirl lacked past memories. Boy rarely had talked about those, mostly because it was natural for Ials to let go of their pasts. But the look in brunette’s eyes was what made him think that park meant something to him. Understanding his Spirit Mate’s gesture, Dimi climbed down with Whirl to follow as a wolf.

 

“I used to live here for short period of time. I don’t know for sure, but I think I was six or seven when we left.” he put hands in pockets as any regular boy would. Brunette managed to get some clothes along with the food from the truck. Passer-by would see him wearing light blue sweater with pale white shirt projecting from underneath. It seemed as the shop Buy Best didn’t really know what S size meant since the smallest jeans that Dimi had found kept slipping off him. Either that or just the fact of how skinny boy had gotten.

His feet wearing cheap sneakers without socks led him towards the empty bench where he decided to have breakfast. From the red backpack, also from the truck, containing numerous sacks of crisps, candy bars and packet of mini sandwiches he decided for the last. It wasn’t as healthy as usual one was supposed to be, but it was a way more nutritious than what he had been forced to eat for several months. Whirl lay on the ground as any pet dog would.

There weren’t a lot of people who would see them, only few joggers and gang of bikers heading for school. Thinking he may have looked suspicious since it was a regular weekday, brunette took out of “borrowed” backpack a textbook, pencil and a pad, looking like schoolboy. While chewing the sandwich he curiously opened the textbook to see what in the word he had chosen to read.

 

“Great… how the hell I ended up taking Algebra?” boy sighed as he stared into colorful numbers of the title “Plus it’s meant for 5^th grade!”

 

So he needed to pretend that he was ten years old. Looks didn’t really matter since he was naturally short and scrawny. He only needed to adjust his personality which was despite looking easy pretty hard, even though everyone had kept saying he had been acting childish.

Finishing the first sandwich, his hand reached for the second one at the same time as another boy approached him. He seemed around thirteen or fourteen years old, just like him when he became an Ial. Boy fixed his sweater when taking a better look on the brunette.

 

“Do you mind if I sit here?” black haired boy asked. Dimi thought for a second of a just said question. Did he really want another boy around? Still shocked about Alicia’s disappearance, he could hardly put together what to do. According to original plan, he and Alicia would come together to New York where they could look for a way to contact the others. Ials had emergency numbers for contacting Order of Silver that also covered number of companies such as intelligence agencies, social services and hospitals. But being locked up and tortured for months could easily wipe out your memory. Dimi couldn’t remember either of those, not even his own phone number.

“Hey you deaf or somethin’?” same boy stared at him in awkward way. All this thinking made him forget about the boy in front of him.

“Sure, have a seat.” brunette moved away a bit, earning another stare from the other “Sorry, I was just thinking about some stuff.”

“No problem, I do that all the time.” raven haired took a textbook out of his schoolbag “Man, I wish I studied instead of playing video games. Now I’m totally gonna fail this test.”

 

Dimi didn’t really reply on that since he was back in his thoughts. Gripping Algebra’s textbook, he pretended that he was reading. Hating of being ignored, other boy broke the silence.

 

“Say, which school are you attending? And how come you aren’t there yet?” other put away the schoolbag, glancing at the Whirl.

“I have a free period and besides… I should be asking you the same thing.” Dimi said sighing.

“You’re right.” black haired grinned “I’m more interested about your school than your name.”

 

There were few moments of silence before brunette decided to reply.

 

“Dimitri.” Ial boy decided to use his full name, not caring if he had blown the cover or not.

“Chase.” other replied simply “So when does your free period end? Or do you rather skip school for today.”

“Me?” Dimi gave him puzzled look. He had never skipped school during his past life.

“Well yeah, why not? I’m failing my test either way and you don’t look happy about having lessons today.” Chase partly stood up, gesturing him to do the same “Come on, it will be fun and I’d like to know you better. It’s not I’ve seen you around here.”

“We just moved here.” brunette lied, staying still “So I don’t want to end up being lost with random stranger.”

“Hey, I know those streets better than my room. Plus if we get to know each other more, we won’t be strangers to each other anymore.” black haired kept convincing.

“Whatever.” Dimi gathered his stuff and went away, Whirl not far behind.

“Hey where are you going? You didn’t even answer me” Chase partly ran after the brunette who had surprisingly quick tempo. Despite being usually nice towards people, Ial boy just wasn’t in mood to hang out with seemingly rule-breaking boy.

 

Spark ignited the fire of anger the moment Chase’s hand grabbed his shoulder. Dimi jerked away, hating to be touched by other than his friends and family. Anyone who would spend months in so called “fear and pain factory”, meaning abby would sooner or later felt the damaged it caused. Swinging personality was just one of the many effects Ial boy suffered. Whirl tried hard to make him calm down, but it was no use. Dimi had already smacked Chase over the face before Spirit Mate was able to mentally scream into boy’s ears.

Shout of the smart voice in the head was just what brunette needed in order to calm down. Black haired on the ground patted his jaw where bruise was already forming.

 

“For a scrawny one, you sure hit hard.” raven haired mumbled while getting back on his feet “I get it, you want to be alone.”

“Wait…” seeing other’s sad look, made Dimi push all negative emotions away. Before Chase got too far away, brunette was next to him, panting “I’m sorry about earlier, it’s… just that I was in really bad mood.”

 

Narrowed eyes of raven haired turned to normal ones as Dimi offered his hand to apologize. Without second thought Chase took it.

 

“But seriously, how come you can hit that hard? You havin’ martial arts training or somethin’?” he again patted bruised jaw.

“Sort of.” brunette shrugged. Ials in fact had some lessons of self-defense in first few years. The ones interested enough had also a chance of continuation in either club in Realm of Spirits or somewhere in real world, mostly in Asian countries. Along with his brother Dimi had done about two years of basics so he could at least defend himself due to his small figure.

“Alright let’s go then.” Chase smiled as he led the other boy out of the park “By the way, what’s up with the dog.”

“Whirl doesn’t like to be alone, so he follows me everywhere I go.” brunette made up yet another lie.

“Whirl huh? What about during the school time? Didn’t schools forbid bringing pets into schools?” black haired stroked dog between his ears.

“I guess…” Dimi sighed watching the sun getting higher each passing second “So where are you taking me?”

“Breakfast!” other chuckled, going towards the stand “I bet you haven’t tried out the famous Eddie’s doughnuts yet since you just moved here.”

 

Despite eating just few minutes ago, doughnut felt like the icing on the cake. Chase sure knew where to find some good stuff. After delicious meal, black haired showed him comic book store where brunette hadn’t been for all eternity. Whirl waited outside as boys laughed out loud at the latest edition of super-hero comic. Reading some more comic books, Chase decided to buy action figure. While talking to the seller, Dimi just stared at the pile of colorful covers. It’d been pretty long since he had last read anything apart from scientific reports.

 

“What? How come you don’t have the Red Edition of Robin?” black haired let out the squeak of disappointment.

“I’m really sorry, but we got it on sale so a lot of people purchased it.” seller said while typing something on computer.

“Come on, Robin was everywhere last week! You must have something left.” Chase wasn’t to give up.

“I only have the school requisites.” man pushed superhero themed notebooks, pencils and rubbers closer to disappointed boy’s face.

“Even when I skip the school, it comes right after me.” he mumbled quietly, going towards Dimi who had just finished reading yet another comic book.

“Did you get the action figure?” brunette asked excitedly.

“Nah, it’s sold out and there’s no way I’m buyin’ school stuff.” Chase got out of the shop “But I know where we’re goin’ next.”

“Where?” Dimi made a confused look.

“To Midtown! I know for a shop that certainly has all possible edition of Robin.” he already headed for the said part of the city.

“Wait! Isn’t that…” brunette tried to said, but stopped when looking for the other boy.

 

Midtown was one of the busiest parts of Manhattan. It wasn’t that Dimi had a fear of crowds or anything. Midtown was said to be a number one place where you could become a victim of crime. Partly worried for a new friend and guide, brunette followed him through unknown shortcuts.

Eventually they came to the said district, where massive numbers of people were doing their errands. Whirl got closer to his owner, just in case to not get lost in the concreted maze.

 

“We’re here!” black haired announced proudly “Only shop that has stuff you seek when it’s sold out everywhere else.”

 

Without even waiting, Chase already marched in leaving Dimi outside. To kill time, Ial boy window shopped few of the items. There were mostly second handed items, like toys and clothes. Thinking about those, brunette remembered about being without any money. Each Ial had a specific credit card on which certain amount of money was transferred every month or week, depending on the status of an Ial. Dimi has lost his on the day he was kidnapped so he couldn’t ascend money unless he found a bank under ran by Order of Silver.

It seemed simple enough, but there was one major problem. Location of those banks and facilities were long lost out of his mind. Brunette kept thinking forward of what to do when cheerful Chase finally came out of the shop.

 

“Sorry to keep you waiting pal, but check out what I have!” he pulled out Batman’s sidekick, dressed in black and red costume “I can’t wait my classmates to see this!”

 

Unknown to them, black haired made a lot of noise in side alley, attracting group of guys in early twenties. As Chase was showing extra mini weapons that came with the action figure, street gang got uncomfortably closer.

 

“What do you have there, kid?” the one looking like the leader asked despite obviously knowing the answer.

“That’s kind of expensive toy you have.” other grinned evilly, reaching for something in his pocket.

“Let’s go Chase.” Dimi tried to lead black haired from the alley, but was stopped by the leading man.

“Not so fast twerps.” two of them blocked the alley, one drawing a gun out of his pocket “Hand over the money and no harm will be brought to you two.”

 

Scene was way too cliché to be true, but Dimi knew it was. Street gangs meant what they said as the guy with gun kept playing with trigger. Too afraid, Chase took out his small wallet, handing it to the grinning leader. Others expected for brunette to do the same, but he couldn’t since he didn’t have anything worth taking.

 

“Come on, we don’t have all day.” guy with the gun impatiently pointed the weapon towards boy’s head.

“I don’t have any.” Ial boy replied emotionlessly, gripping the Trinity in his pocket.

“Search him then!” leader barked orders to others.

 

Man with dreadlocks was about to reach for Dimi’s backpack when two things happened at once. One was Whirl’s fangs in arm that dropped the gun and other unexpectedly appearing wind blast. Gang surprisingly gasped giving Ial boy the moment he needed to take Chase’s wallet back and drag the said friend out of circle of the gang.

 

“What the…” Chase looked at Dimi in panic as he was expecting an explanation.

“Later!” brunette rushed, Whirl going after them.

 

They almost got back to the main street when out of sudden Dimi’s arm was pulled back as going to be ripped off. Unfortunately one of the gang members had kept his head straight during surprise wind. Brunette let out a squeak when feeling his arm forcefully pinned on his back. Despite the pain, Dimi used both of his feet to kick the man until he finally released him. After that he done a finishing move that many martial arts teachers claimed to be effective. Hitting the man in the back of the head, gang member lost consciousness instantly.

Ial boy was out of the breath already, going towards his new friend. They quickly got somewhere much safer than the alley they had escaped from.

 

“If I didn’t know better, I would say I interrupted action movie filming.” black haired still couldn’t believe his eyes “But really, how did you managed to do all that. They had a freakin’ gun!”

 

Dimi was about to explain the situation when out of sudden he collapsed on his knees. Whirl was with him instantly trying to figure what was going on.

 

“Hey, you alright buddy?” Chase helped him stand up, only to notice blood leaking through his hoody “They shot you man!”

 

Brunette stared at the wound on his shoulder, caused by an arrow during his escape from abby. Ials could heal themselves, but the wound was too great to heal on its own. Despite bandaging and other purely performed first aid, gang member caused barely closed wound to flash back into being open.

 

“We must get you to a hospital!” black haired supported him as he searched for the fastest way to get him there.

“Don’t! Not… hospital!” brunette uttered as more blood came out of his shoulder.

“But you’re going to bleed to death!” Chase already started dragging him away, earning worried glances of passers-by.

“Please, anything but there!” Dimi shouted, feeling the agony of re-opened wound.

 

Other boy stood still for a moment, being caught in his thoughts. Then he felt Whirl next to his owner, worried about the current state. He didn’t have many friends but he knew what some of the kids were going through such as conflicts among closest of family members. Convincing into gong to the hospital became a harder task when Dimi started struggling. With final decision, Chase sighed.

 

“Alright, I’m takin’ you to my place. My mom is a nurse.” was only thing he mumbled as he dragged him towards the direction they just came from. Waiting for a bus was waste of time, since Chase’s home was minutes away. Struggling to get dazing brunette up the stairs, black haired finally got in front of the door. Getting the key into lock, he almost threw the door out of the hinges when dragging Dimi inside.

Ial boy was placed on couch aware of the other locking the door and getting first aid kit. That had been close, almost too close to being in center of attention, practically shouting to Men in Gray where he was. Whirl licked his hand, trying to calm him down which worked.

Chase was suddenly by his side, holding scissors.

 

“I need to cut your shirt to see what we’re dealin’ with.” black haired already started cutting his clothing apart, only to see makeshift  bandages completely soaked with blood “Holy sh….!”

“Honey what’s going on?” black haired woman came from the other room, gasping when seeing both boys.

“Mom, he needs stiches!” Chase was only able to shout, not minding with new friend’s introduction.

 

Dimi breathed unevenly when seeing woman setting the syringe with a painkiller. At the look of it brunette backed off, covering himself with healthy arm.

 

“No…” he nearly started crying, traumatic events returning to his head.

“But stitching such a big wound will be painful.” Chase was next to him, trying to be convincing.

“I don’t want… a painkiller… just stich it up.” Dimi uttered with pleading eyes.

 

Chase’s mother has probably reached her limit of confusion, but her nurse instincts kept her head clean when putting syringe away and started preparing thread. When seeing that he won’t be injected by anything Dimi finally set his shoulder so woman could fully close his wound. Meanwhile black haired threw all bloodied makeshift bandages along with tattered shirt away. The whole time Whirl followed him, as it tried to study him.

At least twenty minutes passed when woman finally fastened the knot and laid him on the couch so he could rest. When covering him with thin sheets she looked so motherly and caring. That look completely changed when Chase appeared on scene with Whirl by his side.

 

“Alright young man! You have exactly thirty seconds to explain! Second more and you’re grounded for entire month!” his mother crossed her arms when glaring at him “And who allowed you to bring the dog into apartment? You clearly know we have cats!”

“Dog is Dimitri’s… and it’s my fault that happened to him.” Chase took a look on Dimi who was despite the injury wide awake.

“It wasn’t.” brunette replied, partly standing up. Due to being an Ial, his healing powers started working. Now that the wound was stitched up, specific cells had no problem closing the wound completely. Seeing how quickly he recovered, other two gasped.

 

“It’s an old wound which would open sooner or later, so Chase isn’t to blame. I should’ve been more careful when I suggested that we go skateboarding.” Dimi embarrassingly scratched back of his head just like a little kid with big grin “So I’m really sorry for taking your time and getting your son in trouble.”

 

Black haired listened to this open mouthed. Not that his new friend just made up a perfect cover story, no, he also charmed his mother with polite talking what he had never been able to do in fourteen years of his life! Woman only went closer to Dimi, gently patting his shoulder.

 

“Oh I didn’t know about it. You better be careful next time you go to play.” she took the first aid kit from the desk.

“I think that was about twenty-five seconds. So, I’m not grounded right?” Chase tried to play along.

“That was only the first question of explaining! Why aren’t you at school? Why was your game console on when I clearly told you no playing games until the next week? From where do you know this boy?” she returned to her glare state “Now you have less than a minute to explain!”

 

The whole time other two had mother-son conversation, which was pretty loud, Dimi tried to figure how to get away. Not that didn’t mind being around his new friend, but he knew Men in Gray were tracking him down at the very moment. Staying in this apartment meant involving innocent people in it. He was about to sneak out, only ending up being noticed by Chase.

 

“Goin’ already?” he asked, his mother also making a puzzled look.

“Yeah, I think I should probably go. My family must be worried about me.” Dimi made an identical charming look as before.

“But we just met, you can’t just go. Here!” black haired protested as he took something from his pocket “It’s my cell’s number.”

“Thank you Chase, I’ll try to call you as soon as I can. Maybe we can hang out more one other day, when you won’t be grounded.” brunette got his usual smile back.

“Yeah, about that… If my mom won’t find out about me skipping today’s test I’m luckily grounded for only two weeks.” Chase held the door “I hope our next meeting will be less dangerous.”

“You can say that again.” Dimi made one last smile as he went down the stairs.

 

Moment he was outside, Ial boy rushed back to the Central Park while black clouds started gathering.

 

 

 

Blocks away, black wolf woke from the nap. Morning walk still bugged him as something was there which he should notice. He was still struggling with his own personality. For the fact he knew only the most basic answers to his complicated questions. His name was Cloud, but for some reason name starting by L kept rushing into his mind. Then there was this boy Toby, who claimed not to be his owner. Why was he taking care of him?

 

Puzzled Ial stared at the thirteen year old who was doing homework, soon after coming from school. In many ways Toby was a trigger to his memories, still not aware if they truly were his. Toby had some sort of routine, since he kept checking specific things in house and going into the room at the end of the hallway. His parents weren’t to be seen. In fact he didn’t even mention them at all.

 

“Toby…” wolf mumbled through his mind.

“What is it, Cloud?” boy turned from his desk with pen still in his hand.

“Are your parent’s still at work?” Ial walked around the room, staring through the window.

“Sort of.” Toby stood up “I rarely see my dad as for my mom… well she’s sick. Very sick.”

 

Wolf’s suspicion was correct. There was something odd comparing to all medical equipment in living room. So, barely thirteen year old child had a great responsibility when his father was supposedly working hard to pay off medical bills.

Why that triggered another big amount of memories?

 

“What kind of disease?” not caring of being polite, wolf kept asking through mental link.

“Cancer.” was Toby’s only reply “But she’s doing better.”

 

Ial again stared through the window, at the grey clouds that seemed as dark as his fur. But no matter how worse was getting outside, for some reason the same feeling as before was calling him. An image of two boys, brothers was the one that screamed to him to find an answer to it.

 

“Cloud… are you going away?” boy kneeled next to him, gently scratching him between ears.

“I don’t know who am I, Toby.” wolf didn’t move from the window “I need answers, but I don’t know where to look for them.”

“Perhaps this will help.” Toby crawled under the bed in order to pull black and blue object from it “It was next to you when I found you.”

 

Wolf carefully sniffed old bag full of various objects that worked practically as the memory bomb. There were Carl’s keys, making him remember about meeting with him and being offered a help on unknown quest. Triangle necklace, cellphone and wallet brought his identity back. Leonardo Blackbird was his full name. And finally a photo of two boys whose image was in his head minutes ago.

 

That was right, his name, as everyone called him was Leo, his Spirit Mate name was Cloud, now finally realizing why it was so hard to think and he was on a mission to fulfil the promise he had made. To save his little brother Dimi who carried strong resemblance to the boy before him.

 

Like he understood him, Toby stood up, unlocking the front entrance. Despite watching wolf leave, he smiled while petting him.

 

“Will you come back?” Toby asked quietly.

“I can’t promise anything, but I will remember this address.” was wolf’s reply.

“You’ll always be welcomed to come here. After all, you’ve saved me.” boy said while Leo passed him.

 

Unable to find words, Leo just howled as he ran outside.

 

 

By the time he was out, rain was already dropping to the ground. People were bringing out umbrellas or just went into houses. In matter of minutes, number of people outside was reduced to more than two thirds. Leo was practically alone, but aware of his solo mission.

 

“Where to?” Cloud’s voice echoed after weeks of being distant.

“Wait…” Leo closed his eyes, focusing Ial powers of mind. The familiar feeling sensed voice in the distance, the one he wished to hear for so long.

 

Without a doubt it belonged to Dimi. Slightly pitched, still childish but in some ways deep was definitely his brother’s. Running towards the Central Park he knew he wasn’t wrong. Raindrops were getting heavier as they filled the pavements with puddles. Park wasn’t far behind, gates were already seen.

Leo sneaked through, again focusing where his little brother might be. Stands were closed, gardeners seeking shelters and walkers already headed home. Apart from the park animals, Ial was the only person there. Boy’s voice again echoed through the trees, but this time it was different. It was almost more like a scream of panic. Or more like pain.

 

“Leonardo, wait!” Spirit Mate called, using his full name in hopes to sober him.

“It’s Dimi! There’s no way I’m going to stop!” Leo stubbornly continued to run into direction of the voice until he reached the area surrounded by many red strips. Next to it was a working sign.

 

“This part of Central Park is being rebuilt. Please keep a safe distance from the tape.”

 

Ial didn’t pay attention to it, just slipping under the warning sign in order to get closer to the source of the voice. Behind the tape was a grass field with many holes and weed. Other than that were bushes and trees, ramified as the jungle.

 

According to Leo’s sense of hearing, Dimi should been close, close to being seen. Leo kept looking around, prepared for anything.

 

“Stop it! It hurts!” same boy’s scream was again heard, this time coming from very near.

 

Focusing on the source, coming from the mass of bushes, Leo’s wolf paws carried them here. Going through thicket of thick grass, it was his turn to scream.

 

On one of his back paws, wolf trap was cutting deep of his leg. He immediately got back into his human form, Cloud being by his side and hands trying to open metal teeth that penetrated through his skin. While struggling he hit his head into another metal object.

 

Speaker and recorded sound. The whole thing was a trap from the very start!

 

Digging through his backpack, Leo prayed to find anything useful. But since his pocket knife had got destroyed he needed a plan B. His materialized Arrowblade was no use, metal was far too strong for thick wood of an Arrowblade. He didn’t dare to join with Cloud and change into hawk or snake. Metal trap would’ve literally cut part of his limb off. And losing his foot from the calf down wasn’t something he wanted.

 

Minutes of pointless struggles were interrupted by approaching lights and steps through the mud.

 

“Dammit, how they knew I was here?” Leo kept trying to get his foot out of the shards as more blood swept through his jeans.

 

Group of at least ten Men in Gray was closer as they started preparing metal sticks. With no other choice, raven haired summoned arrow after another, shooting at the group of dark rain coats. Some were shot, some dodged, but most of them were dangerously close.

Teen had no other choice than to use his inner powers. Hitting three of them in minds with orders partly slowed the group when feeling of being squeezed stopped him. From the other direction, leader came, hand gripping a remote. Beside speaker was also an antenna, the exact same one that knocked Carl and Nate down.

Electromagnetic shocks were pain to Ials, since they interfered with ISLE – extra veins that only they possessed. Those veins had partly metallic molecular structure, which was the reason why electromagnetic shocks were affecting them. At once they were forced to stay still and being moved at once, giving painful feeling to his owner.

 

When agony finally ended, Leo forced his eyes open, only to see the most unwanted person in entire Men in Gray organization.

 

“My, my. It seems you got a little thinner since that day.” person slowly revealed thickly bandaged face, dark eyes staring at him “I really should’ve checked instructions before I chased all of you. How could’ve slipped the line that said – The one with black hair and inner powers of mind.”

 

His blood turned cold. Instead of Dimi, he was indeed a real target through all this time. What would Men in Gray do with air-Ial if there was an Ial with powers that control mind!

 

“What do you want?” Leo demanded, death glare growing on his face making the person in front of him laugh.

“Now that’s just rude. Asking a lady such questions.” person finally revealed to be no other than Lam “Oh well, we can always say chit-chat for later. Take him into van.”

 

Leo gritted his teeth as he fired another set of arrows, only to injure few and getting himself shocked again. Cloud next to him tried to get away, so at least one could get away and warn the others. But net of ropes prevented just that. They were rats in the maze, trying to reach the cheese only to fall into a trap.  

One of the Men in Gray was already putting steel rings on struggling Leo when out of sudden storm got worse. Beside heavier rain, tempest joined it. Some of the men needed to put better hold over their equipment as the bolts of lightning joined.

 

“Come on hurry up!” Lam barked, ordering her men around.

“Wind… it’s getting stronger!” one of the nearest men protested.

 

What that guy just said, bugged Leo too, wind getting stronger. Seeing pieces of branches and leaves all around, he felt its powerful blow. Wait… he knew this wind.

 

The wind that wasn’t natural.

 

“Get off!” voice shouted and as listening to it, wind blast with power of hurricane knocked every single Men in Gray, including Lam on the ground, at least one hundred meters away.

 

When all bad guys were unconscious and unaware of what just happened, Leo finally looked up, meeting that cheerful face that he had lost months ago.

 

“Dimi…” he uttered in shocked while brunette dealt with the trap. He luckily possessed a pocket knife which opened the trap almost instantly. Moment Leo got free he nearly suffocated his little brother with hug. Dimi returned it as well, not really sure if situation was real.

“We have to get away Leo. I might’ve knocked them out, but they’ll wake soon.” he helped his older brother up.

“I know the place where we can go. Get into wolf form.” raven haired said as done the said.

“Won’t be faster if we’re in hawk form?” Dimi made a confused look.

“Trust me… darn, they’re up already!” Leo shouted at which his brother, as hearing his thoughts, made another wind blast, only it was not as strong as before since Dimi’s powers were pretty used up.

 

Following the black wolf, brown one found himself in front of another complex of apartments. Taking a human form for a second, Leo opened the door then turning back into wolf again.

 

“Why are we here?” Dimi asked through his thoughts.

“They won’t look for us here.” raven haired replied simply.

 

As they were walking up the stairs, Leo smiled and took a look on his brother.

 

“You know… I’ve been trying to keep the promise of saving you from Men in Gray. In the end you were the one who saved me.” black wolf gave another hug to Dimi who just returned it back.

“Either way, I’m so glad I found you.” brown wolf still followed “I know now what being lost really means.”

 

Leo searched for the right number of doors and when finding them, scratched with his claws on them. Toby was the one who opened them, staring at both him and another wolf, much fluffier than Leo.

 

“So you did come back.” Tobies happily patted Leo’s head. He was about to do the same to Dimi, when another person came to the doors, making brunette jerk off a bit.

 

Man was definitely Toby’s father, but it wasn’t the looks that gave him the creeps. It was a business card on his shirt saying dr. Phil Willows.

 

The very same Phil that was working for Men in Gray. 

 

 

 

 

*NOTE: While checking the very first version of Nature's Strenght I found this interesting thing about Alex. In original version he was supposed to be a side character named Cloud with powers of earth. He was also meant to have only one arm due to accident when he was litttle. With powers of earth he would regulary materialized his lost arm out of pieces of rocks. 

 

**NOTE: I'm already translating Nature's Strenght into my native language and I found Spirit Mate names translation interessting. Also have anyone noticed that almost none of main characters is using the full name? Alright there goes:

 

Alexander "Alex" Lander - Blaze (Blisk)

Roxana "Roxy" Hidelight - Spark (Iskra)

Oscar "Os" Hidelight - Hydro (Hidro)

Nicole "Nikki" Hidelight - Misty (Meglica - c is pronounced as s)

Dimitri "Dimi" Blackbird - Whirl (Vrti)

Leonardo "Leo" Blackbird - Cloud (Um - it actually means *The one who thinks*)

Nora Freeze - Snowy (Snežka)

Gabriel "Gabry" Freeraid - Sandy (Kopač - č is pronounced as ch and it actually means Digger)

Amelia "Ami" Freeraid - Scar (Švig - š is pronounced as sh and it actually means Flash)

Piko Visionux - Mirgy (Trik - it actually means Illusion)

Carlos "Carl" Fallfree - Force (Sila)

Nate Ignitman - Flame (still deciding between Vžig and Plamen - means both)

 

Stayed tooned!

[replika13 455]

Awsum sis! Dat plot-twist! X3

[Hunter Hawk 392]

Heya guys - new chapter!

 

Before I start I have to say that I GRADUATED!!! Not only that I also got a notice from English College, reporting that out of 74,5 needed points I got 85,5 points!!! I can pretty much thank Nature's Strenght that I got accepted!

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Stories To Share

 

It took hours until they were certain that Men in Gray weren’t following them. Only then could group of seven Ials relax, separate from Spirit Mates and do the further plan. Since there were only five more huskies beside them, they had entire car for themselves.

Moment Blaze got away from his owner, Alex felt slight pain in the back. Others slightly flinched as well and immediately started stretching in the similar way cats do after they wake up. It was nothing unusual for Ials, since joining with the wolf body kept spines in different angles as the ones average human has.

 

From the small crack redhead could see it was already a night outside. No wonder, they were driving for at least half of a day. Bag with snowboards and other winter equipment was left with the husky breeder. That left each of them a backpack, though Gabriel had an enormous bag with him. Alex soon find out why.

 

“Alright, you hungry wolves! In line if you’re thinking about being opposite.” dusky boy chuckled as he began sharing food.

“Asian noodles?” Nora made a questionable look.

“Yeah, that guy is crazy about them.” he set out four different cups “Vegetable, chicken, spicy or shrimps?”

“Think I’ll just go with the *tastes like chicken* phrase.” she grinned when selecting the said cup.

“Are you trying to sign your death sentence?” Os turned red when seeing which flavor was given to him.

“Huh? I thought you liked extra chilly in… oh, sorry, wrong twin.” Gabriel instantly handed shrimp flavored noodles.

 

Good thing about cupped noodles was their quick preparation. You just added boiling water, waited few minutes and started eating warm meal. Luckily Ami possessed the mini water boiler, perfect for heating the liquid. In matter of seconds whole trail was filled with different scents of instant supper. When picking hot noodles with plastic forks, group again split around the trailer.

 

Nora sat next to Piko who almost immediately blushed when seeing her. Ial girl could be extremely flirty person if she wanted and her body only gave her advantage. Even though silver haired had already been pretty much aware of the world of Ials, he was still incredibly shy. Others just hope his shyness would soon fade.

Hidelights were together I corner, including Spark. Redhead couldn’t deny that Roxy’s Spirit Mate was getting worse. Each day she would only curled up in a corner, napping like exhausted dog. That would be alright if Spark didn’t look the same as before rest. Whenever was a chance, she tried to help her distant partner if just by giving her extra strength.

Male twin tried to be of help as well, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t make a connection with his missing sister. Nikki could only tell that brief connection that they had before was caused by something Alex did and was still unsure of what it was.

 

Passing another group, redhead was suddenly met by Gabriel and Ami. Girl seemed as she was doing something on laptop, possibly adding details to a forming plan. He on the other hand wasn’t doing anything.

 

“Everything alright, bro?” Gabriel asked, wiping the piece of chicken on his cheek away.

“I don’t know.” Alex replied quietly, watching Blaze lying next to him “I’m so confused of everything that is going on. I mean I understand the whole deal with Ials and all, but I keep feeling as I’m missing a bigger picture. As I can’t recall of whom am I becoming.”

“Heh, I met lots of Ials who were like you. Don’t worry, you’ll get over it soon.” he friendly patted Alex’s shoulder.

“Say, how old are you exactly?” Alex formed yet another question.

“69, why do you ask? Oh yeah you’re probably wondering why I’m not growing myself a beard.” other chuckled as his Spirit Mate Sandy started fixing its wings.

“That too… but mostly, how is it to live so many years without ageing? What is your purpose? I mean when you’re alive you keep preparing for future until you die. As an Ial you don’t have limited time. What’s the point of living as an Ial?” redhead’s questions rained.

“Alex… are you sure you had a future or purpose in your previous life?” Gabriel crossed both of his arms.

 

When question left other’s lips, Alex began to wonder. He had a future or at least he thought he had. After graduating from high school, he would probably continue studying on college, then look for a job, perhaps find a soul mate, have a family… That was the most cliché scenario that would have happened if his life hadn’t ended. But would that really happen?

 

“Even as a normal person you can’t assume the point of living.” dusky boy continued “It’s your own decision what will happen. Both in real life and as an Ial.”

 

Situation left Alex speechless. Seeing that, Gabriel kept talking.

 

“Look on the bright side. You have powers within you, you have probably made more friends than ever and you met someone that became really special to you.” he said, making Alex blush “Yeah, I know about Roxy and you.”

“How did… you?” his cheeks became almost as red as his hair.

“Nikki told me everything about you. I can only tell you that Ials are capable of falling in love only once. And when they do, they treasure it forever.” Sandy slightly shifted on his shoulder “Don’t worry, we’ll get Roxy out. Then you can tell her what you truly feel about her.”

“Gabriel, are you and Ami…?” redhead wasn’t sure how to form this.

“Yes, we are, but not in way you think. It’s a far longer and complicated story.” other grinned while giving a smile to Ami who looked away from the laptop screen.

“Well from what I heard we will be driving for quite some time.” Alex moved closer with Blaze putting its head in his lap.

 

Slightly coughing to clear his throat, dusky boy did the same except Sandy remained in bird form, staying on Gabriel’s muscular arm. Ami didn’t seem to be in mood to hear the story, so she went to other corner of the car, Scar following in wolf form. When everything was settled, Gabriel started talking.

 

“My origins come from a quite tough place. As I already told you, I’m 69, meaning I’m coming from sixties, time when States were far different. Even though Martin Luther King’s demonstrations tried to lessen the laws against my race, we were still hated.” he said in quiet tone.

“I remember hearing about that in school. Despite having the rights to attend the white university black students needed an escort of an army just to get there alive.” Alex remembered history lessons after Second World War.

“Being part of that is far different than just reading history textbook.” Gabriel sighed, but remained the same “I grew up in numerous family. My mother was a maid and father was a mechanic. They earn little, but subsisted entire family. I was the third oldest, with both of my older brothers working to help with the bills. For me they hoped I would be the first to be accepted in University. Despite being in family of ten members that could use another pair of working hands, I remained following my dream of becoming a lawyer. It was very hard to become one, especially for me due to environment I was coming from. But I didn’t give up on my dream. I even worked part-time in order to earn money for my own scholarship.”

“During part-time work in inn I met Ami. Or should I say Amelia Elizabeth Jefferson. Her social status was right opposite to mine, being part of high society neighborhood and all. But none of that mattered when we instantly fell in love with each other. She would use an excuse for afternoon studying in inn where I was working, just to talk with me. We shared the same dream about which we were both working hard to make it true. In matter of years we both graduated – different schools but equally good results. That night Ami just got a notice from University for which she applied.” dusky boy made a pause by drinking a cup of tea.

 

“Ami was so happy about being accepted and so was I, despite not knowing if I was accepted as well. After I finished my shift, I walked her home since her house was near the bus station that would take me home. It was pretty late, almost no one except us outside. Before we departed Ami did something she had never dared before. She kissed me with a kiss that wasn’t a simple one. It was a passionate kiss of pure love. That very moment I knew that we were meant to be together, the fairytale I barely had dreamed about became true.” Gabriel made yet another sip of tea, this time taking a bit longer to continue.

 

“Fairytale was immediately replaced by a nightmare. I should’ve known that Ami’s so called friends assumed something was going on between us. You see when it comes to high society groups that have rules of their own; they would do everything to make things as they want. For them I was a reason why Ami left them. So they needed to take care of the obstacle. They were pretty smart, making it look as it was a bare accident in the middle of night. For them it seemed as it went according to plan. Except it didn’t.”

“Right when we were about to finish the kiss, a car rushed towards us. Due to light I wasn’t sure what to do, but Ami did. She kept her head still and pushed me away. I screamed for her, just before car massively hit her. After that it was just dark. Due to horror I passed out.” last sentences made him shiver and he needed few minutes to calm down.

 

“I woke up in hospital with broken collarbone, fractured ribs and mild conclusion. Ami didn’t have that kind of luck. When accident happened, some random passers-by called ambulance and police from the payphone. But when they arrived Ami was already dead.”

“I wanted to attend her funeral, only to hear there was none. I angrily checked every single cemetery to see where she was buried. But according to every possible obituary, it was as Ami never existed.”

“Is it due to forgetting effect? When I became an Ial, Roxy said everyone forgets about you.” Alex asked interrupting other’s story.

“It happens with every Ial, his existence is wiped out from Real World. Even I started forgetting about Ami, despite being really close. But I didn’t give up. I kept writing down all moments we spent together, kept making sketches of how she looked or just pretending she was next to me. I struggled nearly three years not to forget her. Because of all those attempts I failed school and was fired from every single job I took. Eventually my family started to think I was out of my mind, almost sending me to a mental institute. Knowing there was nothing else for me to do, I took a drastic turn.” Gabriel stopped for second, continuing the next one.

 

“I knew my dad had an old hunting rifle that he never used. One night I took it and with last money I possessed bought a train ticket to desert. During the train ride, my memories began to fade even more. When I finally got to desert, I nearly had forgotten all about her. With last remaining memories, I had found a right place and pulled a trigger of a gun.” he nearly murmured, clenching a cup in his free hand.

“You’ve become an Ial by committing a suicide? But how is that possible?” Alex covered his mouth in shock.

“I was in despair, praying for second chance. When I shot myself, I kept pleading to be reunited with Ami in Afterlife. When more and more blood left my body I started to doubt I’ll be allowed to enter Afterlife at all. Life is a gift that shouldn’t be taken by force.”  Gabriel’s expression slightly changed “But it seemed as my prayers were heard. After a long blackout of silence, I heard gentle steps coming closer. It was Ami, a three year old Ial, coming to take me to Realm of Spirits. At first it seemed as dream which later turned out to be true. I never recalled seeing Ami so beautiful, as she was an angel descending from heaven.”

 

When Gabriel finished he looked on his love who smiled back. He added an epilogue of how they trained together and how they bonded.

 

“Bonding is far more than just a wedding in Ial’s dictionary. It means literally being connected for all eternity. When two Ials bond, male’s Spirit Mate takes a form of an eagle instead of hawk and female’s turn into coyote instead of wolf. We share powers, Trinities and can even use Anima abso.” he explained.

“Can you have kids?” Alex curiosity kicked.

“No, we can’t.” Gabriel almost whispered.

“Why not? Is it forbidden like in Star Wars or something?” redhead was surprised by other’s reply.

“Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t. You see, if by any chance that happens, Ial body can’t stand it. ISLE, extra veins that makes us Ials, recognizes a fetus as a deadly virus and kills it.” dusky boy kept whispering “We tried.”

“I’m sorry.” Alex got knees to his chest, embracing it.

 

Both Ials stared into slightly shaking background in silence. They were still in Alaska, moving towards south by each passing minute. Others were starting to fall asleep, curling closer to wolf forms of their Spirit Mates. They needed strength for upcoming mission.

 

“Just one more thing.” Alex said unexpectedly.

“What is it?” other slightly opened his eyes.

“How do you use Anima abso?” redhead asked unusual question.

 

 

 

***

 

 

Like every time you pass out, there’s blackness until the moment you wake up. Sometimes there’s this little blink of light, but most of the time it’s just dark. Roxy couldn’t see neither of those two shades. Disortian wasn’t that kind of place that was built of dark and light. There were all tones of different colors, not really tones of the ones she knew.

 

Roxy cleared her head another time, trying to travel further. But every passing minute, more energy was taken from her.  Half of it went for mind travel other was dragged by machines that Men in Gray got on her. If there weren’t any, she could have a chance going further.

Seeing dimension of Disortian drifting away, blonde could only lift her hand as trying to catch it. Despite knowing the truth she kept trying until there was literally nothing left.

 

With a big gasp, Roxy, also known as A3 case, was sound awake. Restrains were pretty much the same as before passing out, tight and uncomfortable. Only few liquids from her IV were removed and replaced by suspicious-looking scanners. Otherwise room was empty. Even the guards seemed to finally have got a break from guarding a girl secured with Ial-proved restrains. Who would blame them? It was in the middle of the night.

 

Ial girl sighed and tried to sort out what the hell just happen in those few hours. For the fact she knew Anima abso have something to do with it. Heck, she saw both her twin brother and Alex drifting in Disortian, place between Realm of Spirits and Real World.

Anima abso worked as a connection between two persons with the same DNA, either twins or bonded Ials. How come Alex could enter the connection? From what she knew there wasn’t an inner power that could use Anima Abso spontaneously. Only if… that was it!

 

Another scene of her in Vega’s library was presented in her head. When reading THE BOOK, only written down information of every single living Ial, she noticed an important chapter – Rarest Inner Powers. Elemental powers such as electricity, water, fire, wind, ground… etc. were stated as Basic ones. Then there were powers stated as Extreme such as telepathy, telekinesis and force bending. Rare ones could’ve been also stated as Mysterious since there weren’t a lot of Ials using them. Those were powers of molecular shifting, mind sorting and most of all, powers of dark and light.

Light was the one who brought her attention. THE BOOK stated there were only two Ials with power of light, both unknown. Could Alex be the third? He must’ve been, because from what it has been written, light users weren’t all about the sun light-related powers, such as cat eyes, UV and light rays. Light could also connect other powers as long as user was aware of what he was doing.

 

So Alex was capable of connecting his powers to Os and with it, them connecting to her.

 

But why it lasted for only that short period of time? Probably because redhead was still new to those kinds of powers when Os had fourteen years of experience, yet he alone was unable to reach her no matter how hard he tried. She at least had told them that Dimi and Alicia managed to get away.

Thinking about those two safe and sound, moved her thoughts to the next stage. How will she escape firstly the Ial-proved chains, then labs, over thirty guards, angry leading scientists, abby itself and most of all Nevada’s desert. Previous escape was just plain luck since there was weather on their side. From what she heard, atmosphere became much too dry for another rainy day, meaning her chances of escape just turned from one in ten thousand to one in one million. Not to mention Dimi was of great help before.

 

“You do know you’re not alone.” mysterious voice echoed through the walls.

“Who’s there?” Roxy snapped searching for a person whose voice gave her the chills.

 

 According to her Ial instincts, similar to animal ones, not a living soul with exception of her was there. By those matters, voice could only belong to…

 

“Leave me alone!” blonde shouted that she swung on the chains. She got an angry look down when feeling presence in front of her.

“Why should I? After all, I am you.” voice kept echoing.

“I’m through with you!”Ial girl tried to find a way to block the being.

“Oh really? How come you called for me then?” sentence flashed until user was truly reveled.

 

In control room, two of scientists were puzzled by situation. One of them pressed numerous buttons to scan the cell all over again.

 

“Who is A3 talking to? Or more importantly against what is it fighting?” female one observed video all over again.

“ISLE has surprisingly risen, but it doesn’t show A3 using either of powers.” male scientist stated when dialing Eztli’s number.

“What could it be?” woman struggled to understand statistics computer was showing.

 

Back in the cell, death glare wouldn’t leave Roxy’s face. The last person or more like being she wanted to see right now was bugging her to the bits. Despite seeing it, teen acted as it was right in front of her.

 

“You just never change, Roxana, sometimes being stubborn in the same way as your brother. That mind of yours will get you nowhere.”

“I don’t need you!” Roxy’s face started turning red out of anger.

“Oh, but you do. You’re all alone at this point.” voice became childish.

“I have Spark and that’s all what I need.” was her reply.

“So why did you call for me then? Because Spark isn’t with you?” manipulating whisper filled her ears.

“SHUT UP!” could Roxy only shout.

 

Almost immediately, blonde found herself in her own mind. It wasn’t like in movies, drifting in subspace or something. Each mind was represented by an image of attic room. No one really knew why, but from what others could sort out, attic represented a place where everything was stored. In Roxy’s attic were tidy boxes, few books, countless lists with notes, stuffed animals and most of all a bright, slightly old looking mirror built into the wall.

Carefully she stepped closer, staring into reflection that wasn’t entirely hers. Roxy on the other side had an evil grin, with eyes that reflected red rays. True Roxy crossed her arms which reflection didn’t.

 

“What do you want?” blonde asked with narrowed eyes.

“Want? Oh I don’t want anything.” reflection giggled as the funniest joke was told “Remember I’m here to guide you.”

“Stay out of it.” Roxy kept the same expression “It’s true you’re part of me, but Spirit Mate is the one who guides. Inner Ial is controlled by ISLE.”

“Don’t be such a rude Ial.” image in mirror smiled “You need me now more than ever.”

“No I don’t. I can get myself out without your help” blonde wasn’t to give up.

 

Seeing that nice talk wasn’t convincing enough, reflection became as serious as the real Roxy.

 

“Roxana Catherine Hidelight. Ever since the day I was created, I’m part of you and feel whatever happens. You mastered your abilities in rather shorter amount of time, unaware of the fact that more power you gained, freer I was from ISLE control. I must say I’m impressed of how fast you realized about my presence and tamed me.”

“You tried to take control of me!”

“I did and it felt good.” reflection grinned “But after taming me completely, I never again tried to. I never would’ve thought that you’d release me willingly.”

“It was only to buy Dimi and Alicia some time!”

“And what then? You again sealed me inside, but not completely.”

“Just what is your point?”

 

Mirror Roxy crossed arms while widening the eyes.

 

“My point you ask?” reflection laughed as Roxy asked the most stupid question “Without Spirit Mate you’re unable to escape. With my help we can do it.”

“I don’t trust you.” Roxy shouted “You’re only using the situation to take control of me again.”

 

Every single word in Roxy’s sentence was true. If Ials had two beings on the shoulders like in movies, Spirit Mate was an angel when Inner Ial was a devil.

 

“Consider that as a bet.” mirror image mumbled “Get out without my help and I’ll leave you alone. Give in and I’ll gladly take control of you.”

 

Out of sudden, Roxy was back in cell. Thinking if conversation with Inner Ial was just a mere dream, she sighed when unwanted voice yet again echoed.

 

“Time starts right now.”

 

Maybe it seemed as blonde got yet another enemy to escape from. In fact it gave her extra strength to not give up as long as she was conscious. Inner Ial’s intention might have been bad, but in her eyes it told her to hurry in forming a good escape plan.

 

 

***

 

 

 

Times of awkward silence were even more awkward when neither of people knew what in the world was going on. Man, twelve year old kid and two wolves stared at each other as expecting a movie narrator to tell them what to do next.

 

Leo was the first to act, quickly scanning the memories of the man in front of him. Man named dr. Phil Willows did many things in his life, including completing his studies, meeting a loving wife and have a child of his own, Toby. But no matter what he read in mind, Leo had an off feeling about that person.

Dimi in fact wasn’t suspicious at all about him since he ran to him as happily as dog does to his owner. Letting Phil stroke his fur, made Leo suspicious even more.

 

“Didn’t expect to see you here, Dimi or should I say B1.” man mumbled making both wolves jump away in a flash.

 

Black wolf protectively stepped in front of the brown one snarling with his teeth. Toby gasped at situation since he hadn’t seen him act that way. Leo growled, prepared to attack a member of Men in gray. Surprisingly, Dimi stopped him by pulling his tail.

 

“What are you doing?” Leo snarled using his mind.

“Don’t attack him!” Dimi shouted while he kept pulling other’s tail.

“Dimi, he called you B1! He’s a part of Men in Gray!”

“I know! Would you please stop so I can explain!” brown wolf switched position with his brother “Phil isn’t dangerous. He was forced into working for Men in Gray.”

 

Older sibling backed off a bit, still not trusting a stunned man in front of him.

 

“If you don’t believe me, look into his memories. He helped me.” Dimi claimed, defending Phil from Leo’s attack.

 

As much as he didn’t appreciate it, wolf entered Phil’s mind, searching for recent memories. He saw him entering the plane, exiting in lab in unknown states, setting equipment for Ial experimenting and then treating Ial’s wounds. Leo was amazed when seeing how gently Phil took care of his little brother when experiments were too much for him. Digging further he found out that Phil was actually one of the leading scientists due to his big amount of knowledge. He was never out on the field, hunting for new Ials or was in any way presented during experimentation.  

 

“Why?” Leo’s question directed towards dr. Phil.

“I think it’s better if we step inside.” man opened the doors, leading Blackbird brothers inside. He instructed Toby to wait in his room which boy protested, but gave up in the end.

 

When making sure they were alone, Leo and Dimi changed back to their true forms. Dr. Willows watched the transformation with an interest and gestured them to take a seat at the small table that only had two seats due to lack of space in tiny apartment. Problem was quickly solved by Leo taking a seat on one chair and Dimi getting in other’s lap. Cloud remained in wolf’s form while Whirl changed into a hawk, setting on brunette’s shoulder.

 

“You Dreamers never fail to impress me…” Phil started slowly, fixing his glasses.

“Start talking!” Leo rushed with demand “You didn’t just happen to have a break from work. You and your group of psychos knew I would be coming here!”

“Brother…” Dimi tried to calm him, but only received a sign to keep mouth shut.

“Group in the park that tried to hunt you down has nothing to do with me. Me coming here in order to check on my son and them coming are nothing but very coincidental facts.” Phil explained calmly “What your brother said is partly true. I was forced to find a work that got me enough money to pay medical bills, but there were many ways to do so. Unfortunately I picked the wrong one.”

“Hell you did! Didn’t you at least gather at least basic information of what would you be doing?” Leo still didn’t get angry look off the man.

“I admit it, I was a fool. If I could go back, I would have convinced my desperate self to get a different job. For that I’m sorry, but I can’t change the past.” Phil removed glasses sighing.

 

Place meant to be a dining room was covered in silence, with three different looks staring at each other. Finally Dimi broke it.

 

“So what now? Men in Gray are after you!” brunette exchanged look with his brother “I was only bait.”

“Which still doesn’t mean they won’t try to get you as well.” Leo protectively put arms around smaller form “I can’t lose you for the third time!”

“It’s true what little one is saying.” Phil put glasses back on “But if you trust me, I can get both of you out of town safe.”

“Not happening!” Leo’s cold side returned, not letting go of Dimi “The last thing Ial would do, is to trust a member of Men in Gray Corporation. I would rather die one more time than willingly surrender myself to someone like you!”

“But Leo, Phil is different. Believe me, he wouldn’t betray us.” brunette pleadingly put his tiny hands on Leo’s shoulders.

 

For a moment raven haired tried to reconsider of what to do next.

 

“What is Dimi to you?” was his unexpected question “Would you really endanger lives of your family and yourself in order to help someone who has nothing to do with you?”

“I was thinking about it far too many times. But looking at you two… is like looking at me and my son. Older one is doing everything in his might to help the younger. I know how much Toby needs his mother and I’ll do whatever it takes to undo her illness. The first time I saw Dimi… I didn’t see him as a test subject as everyone else. I saw my son in the same way I left him, hurt and alone.” man stood up “Reason why I came back, was because Men in Gray don’t need me anymore. I’m no longer part of them. If it weren’t for you two, I would be probably on a way to airport. I’ve collected enough money to transport my wife to specialist in Europe.”

 

When Dr. Phil finished his story, both brothers remained silent, including Leo. The whole time man talked, raven haired gripped his knuckles. Perhaps Phil was only trying to help.

 

“Alright, you can help us, but that doesn’t mean I trust you.” Leo wouldn’t stop being suspicious “Before you do anything, answer on few of my questions. And you better not lie.”

 

Former scientist sat back down, meeting Leo’s narrowing eyes. He was aware of boy’s ability to read minds, so he knew what was coming.

 

“Are you willing to help me and my brother in any way you can?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have an intention of betraying us?”

“Never.”

“Will you ever go back working for Men in Gray, even if your life depended on it?”

“My days with them are over.”

“If anything doesn’t go according to plan, do you swear to protect Dimi?”

“I swear.”

 

The whole time Leo was interrogating him only truth was told to him. Besides reading memories, black haired could also tell whenever someone was lying.  

 

“Alright, what kind of plan do you have in mind?” older Blackbird brother asked slightly looking through the window.

“That kind of plan that neither of you will fall in hands of Men in Gray.” man put coat on, turning towards the window “And you will have to do whatever I say if you don’t want one way ticket to abby.”

[Hunter Hawk 392]

New Chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Almost There

 

“Roxy! Could you come to Naiser’s house? There’s something important to discuss.” Nikki’s voice echoed through cell phone.

“Sure, I’ll be there in a minute.” blonde replied when ending the call.

 

Spark turned into hawk, prepared to join with her in order to reach leader’s house faster. Just before taking off, familiar voice joined the sound of rustling trees and bird song.

 

“Where are you going?” Os asked using Anima abso.

“Nikki said to meet her at Nai’s place. She sounded pretty serious, though.” Roxy as a hawk folded her wings.

“Think I can come along?” his Hydro turned into a hawk as well.

“Bro, it’s Naiser we’re talking about. Perhaps it’s better if you just…”

“Come on! I always behave nice when he’s around!” he crossed both of his arms frowning.

“I guess it won’t hurt if you come too. Can you keep up?” girl sighed as she already started flying.

“Forgot who are you talking to? My running can beat anything!” he chased after her, without merging.

 

Golden hawk only grinned as she dodged few branches in order to reach clearing. Her brother was just seconds behind, jumping over rocks that were in the way. Weather was beautiful, shining through leaves of the trees, creating an illusion of a rainbow. Female sibling soon recognized a treehouse right next to the waterfall. Swiftly landing on the treehouse’s terrace, she changed back as other twin chose ladder to climb out.

Inside their older sibling was leaning against wall with blank expression, which was unusual since she always showed her honest emotions. Next to her was Naiser, petting the head of his Spirit Mate Fluc that was in snake form. Duo of twins were about to ask about situation, but white haired leader was faster.

 

“I only asked for Roxana Hidelight.” he turned towards Nikki “Oscar isn’t…”

“He has a right to be here as much as I do!” black haired replied, seemingly furious with leader’s request. 

“Don’t blame me for bringing him here, then.” man sighed as he stepped closer to puzzled twins “I think it’s the best that we sit down.”

 

Family Hidelight got on the couch when Naiser chose armchair next to it. Spirit Mates lay on the floor with exception of Fluc that remained coiled on man’s shoulders. Questions were boiling inside of blonde’s head, but decided to rather wait for leader to begin.

 

“New Rookie has been spotted.” white haired said, breaking the silence of waiting “And it won’t be long before Men in Gray track him down.”

 

Information was surprising due to the fact there were only four of them in passed fourteen years since they became Ials themselves. In last six years Men in Gray began their activity, succeeding in capturing over ten of their kind. Most of them managed to escape in first years of their hunt. But unlucky brunette was snatched months ago, leading his older brother to leave the safety Realm of Spirits. Ever since the last Ial escaped the claws of Men in Gray, more than three years ago, Nai made sure to keep all of his wards safe. Most of Ials came back to Realm of spirits while about thirty of them hid well in Real World. Those were mostly FBI Ials and Natural Ials, who had chosen to remain, joined together with one of Spirit Mate forms.

But all those measures weren’t enough. On one of simple missions to collect supplies from Real World, Dimitri Blackbird was captured. After that event almost none of Ials dared to leave secured home. Only Dimi’s older brother had chosen to look for him. All others were too afraid of getting captured as well.

 

“What do you suggest to do?” Nikki continued the discussion “If the Rookie you speak of is out there alone and vulnerable, someone just needs to go and pick him up.”

“It’s not that simple.” Naiser sighed, taking printed information out of the folder “Luke Fallspark managed to heck into server of the hospital where Rookie is currently staying. His death was caused by a hit of a van, leading into massive number of fractures and internal bleedings. One of them was also serious tearing of brain tissue.”

“Which means it will take weeks before the little of ISLE he has recognizes and heals an injury like that.” Roxy said, gaining a surprised look from the man.

“That is correct.” he nodded “Since he’s in hospital we can’t get him. Hospital still uses old methods of writing data down, so it will be really hard to make him disappear like that. There’s no telling when Men in Gray will track him down.”

 

As he spoke Fluc kept coiling around his shoulders and chest. Group on the couch was nervous to hear what he would tell next.

 

“Along with few agents from Order of Silver we sorted out a plan that might work, protecting both us and newly born Rookie. We only need the one who will carry out the plan.” he said as his look traveled around the room, until it landed at the blonde in the middle of two siblings “The only one who can protect him is Roxana Hidelight.”  

 

Sentence left trio speechless, with boy standing up, setting his arm protectively over Roxy.

 

“What do you mean only one? Aren’t there at least ten FBI Ials who are skilled for situations like that?” he said, anger burning his face.

“Six of them are out of reach while other four are currently on important mission.” man replied, face leaning against his clenched hands.

“What about older Ials? They are much more skilled.” Nikki asked despite knowing the answer.

“They wouldn’t blend in. If it were for few days perhaps it would work out. Weeks are out of question.” Naiser shook his head while talking “It’s not they’re unfamiliar with basic routine of this decade. People including Men in Gray recognize natural and fake behavior. Not to mention the way of speaking.”

 

Naiser stood up, stepping closer to blond haired girl, not minding protective brother in front of her. He held her shoulders, staring right into her face. If it were for someone else, Roxy would be petrified. But not for white haired. His yellow eyes were full of understanding and caring. Even without inner power of mind reading she could see he was as worried about her as much as her family. His hands were suddenly on her neck, feeling the warmth coming from them.

 

“Roxy listen.” he used her nickname, unlike him “I know you’re still recovering from the most recent loss of your two close friends, Dimitri and Leonardo. But think of a Rookie as of your friend. Would you still refuse to go, even if someone you know well would be in his place?”

“No…” she replied quietly “But I’m scared to go.”

“I understand.” sounded more as he didn’t understand “Your identity will be well hidden. No one in the town will know who you really are. Besides forgetting effect, Order of Silver will also keep a watch over town, informing us as well as you.”

“What will I have to do?” Roxy sorted a question while trembling.

“You will be a transfer student of the local High School. You’re physically fifteen, just like the Rookie, so it won’t be suspicious. I would send Nicole, but she’s physically too old looking for a high school.” he explained.

“Why does she need to go, if you need fifteen-looking-aged person?” Os was again furious, snapping at almost every sentence that came out of Naiser’s mouth “I’m her twin for goodness sakes!”

“I can ensure you would also make a great candidate. But duo to events that happened day before yesterday, you’re in no condition for a mission like this.” man flipped few more pages of a notepad he was always carrying around.

“Come on, I’m perfectly fine!” Os clenched his fist that knuckles turned red “I won’t let her go on another literally suicide mission! Dimi has been captured for months!”

 

Fury was what lay in Os’ eyes. No way is another person close to him going away with no guarantee of coming back. If current time was years back, his decision would be far different. Also why that rock had to slip off the cliff while they practiced shooting and crashed him?  Ials became hares surrounded by grey wolves, being attacked as soon as leaving the safety of underground holes. Days in Real World would work, but weeks?

 

“This is crazy…” boy only managed to say after his raging mode was gone.

“Bro…” he felt a hug around his shoulders from behind “I don’t want you to go either.”

“I’ll be fine sis. This is nothing.” Os put hands on Roxy’s arms.

“No it’s not! You’re missing entire left arm!” was girl’s time to rage “Your body has 30% less space to store water, ISLE will be working on regenerating the arm and you can’t fire arrows with just one arm. Plus people will be probably suspicious about amputee walking around. I’m not that stupid to believe you.”

 

Boy turned around, looking at teary look of his sister. Roxy was never able to express anger like everyone else. Result of raging emotions was only showed in tears.

 

“Back then, after Dimi was taken…” she continued, despite more and more tears escaping her eyes “I didn’t lock myself away from you two because I was scared. To tell you the truth… I was angry about myself being so weak, unable to help either of them. I tried talking to Leo about it, but he left too soon to sort anything out.”

“Roxy…” was Nikki’s turn to express concern.

“That’s why I’m going!” Roxy said loudly “I’m tired of watching Men in Gray do as they please. I’ve become stronger and if that Rookie needs me, then I’ll be there for him.”

 

Room was covered in silence with only the sound of waterfall splashing from the outside. Satisfied with an answer, Naiser walked towards the drawer, taking pile of yellow paper out of it. There was also photo of red haired boy on top of it.

 

“His name is Alexander Lander. Papers should contain all information you need for adapting into different environment.” he said while handing it to her.

 

Roxy flipped pages, going through various descriptions. Part of her was shaking, but other calmed her down.

 

“I’ll do my best, sir.” blonde politely bowed, Spark doing the same.

“Very well, then. I’ll report your answer to Order of Silver. If nothing goes wrong, you’re leaving tomorrow morning. Make sure you…”

“I’ll memorize all information until then.” Roxy burst, making other twin gasp.

“That thing has over 200 pages!” Os shockingly checked the thickness of stapled papers.

“Oh come on, you once read more in one night.” girl smiled, making past serious situation forgettable.

 

Trying to follow her happy mood, Os and Nikki eventually cleared their worries. They discussed some more issues with Naiser until it was already dark outside. Hidelight family went back to their treehouse, with girls in hawk forms and boy in wolf form, limping a bit. Arriving in their home, Nikki instantly went preparing dinner while Roxy studied Rookie’s hometown and new identity. Os tried to be some help as well, but ended up checking only the papers that looked interesting to him.

Dinner was soon ready and duo immediately dug in. Even though he was armless, Os was first to finish. Due to tiredness from before and filling dinner, boy got on his bunk, using only one arm and was soon sound asleep. Roxy was going to do the same when she felt a hold on her arm.

Understanding the gesture she smiled and let Nikki nestle her lovingly in her lap. Blonde rested her head on other’s shoulders.

 

“Promise me, you’ll be careful.” black haired said, brushing Roxy’s silken hair “I wouldn’t bare losing you to those bastards.”

“Sis... I can’t promise anything for real, but I can give it a shot.” she got her usual grin onto the face.

 

Two sisters stared through the window, watching Luxbats taking the flight and pollinate the plants. They nearly fell asleep as minutes passed.

 

“You know… I think mom’s soul found a way into you. Ever since she… left, I’ve found comfort in your arms. It’s like she lives on inside you.” Roxy mumbled while keep snuggling closer to her “You’ve always took care of us, just like mom did.”

 

Nikki looked down not sure if her little sister was talking in sleep or was awake since her eyes were closed. Seeing that she fell asleep, she held her bridal style while Misty gently picked sleeping Spark. Setting her on the lower part of the bunk bed, right under where Os shared dreams with Hydro, Nikki gently took off Roxy’s clothes, replacing them with pajamas.

 

“There you go little princess.” black haired whispered quietly as Misty put Spark in hawk form next to blonde as it was a stuffed animal.

 

Before getting in bed herself, older sister took another glance on her two siblings. Stroking both of their heads, twins smiled out of gentle touch.

 

“Sleep tight you two.” were Nikki’s last words that day.

 

Early morning came as fast as dreamless sleep. Blonde made sure to get up even earlier in order to pack everything needed. In less than an hour she was outside, greeted by Naiser and two boys who would escort her in Real World, Carl and Nate. Roxy was ready to go when she was almost taken down by surprising jump-hug from behind.

 

“Give me a hug.” was what Os said.

“Wasn’t that supposed to be my line?” Roxy giggled as she returned the hug.

 

Boy’s eyes were bright, trying to hide all the worry and anger from the yesterday. Nikki’s look was similar, but was better at hiding what Os couldn’t. Roxy suddenly felt drops on her shirt.

 

“Shit…” boy mumbled which made other two boys whisper something.

“Are you crying bro?” she asked trying to look into his dodging face.

“No…” he said and tears as trying to prove wrong became bigger.

“You’re a terrible liar.” Roxy wiped them off with the end of the sleeve.

“That’s a good thing right?” Nikki joined the conversation grinning.

“Of course it is!” was Naiser’s turn to also join “But it depends on situation.”

 

Whole group laughed as sun rose up the sky. Chit-chat lasted for a few more minutes until Naiser cleared his throat, signaling it was time to go. Roxy waved her hand as she left portal with Nate and Carl.

 

 

“And that’s why I was so angry when you showed up without Roxy.” Os finished almost an hour long story about events before blonde’s arrival. Whole time Alex tried hard to not make an eye contact with him. He felt guilty since the beginning and yet he still wanted to hear more. For some reason it helped understand, but at the same time fading guilt was slowly coming back.

 

Rescuing group spent half of a day on a train ride and got off somewhere in the south. There they continued with a help of a helicopter, hidden in the tiny forest clearing. Oldest of the group, including Gabriel, Ami and Nikki took care of controls. It was actually only a dusky boy who had a helicopter driving license, but with a help of program C.U.T.E. (Curious and Unique Tracker of Elegance) piloting wasn’t such big deal.

Ever since Piko learnt how to join with Mirgy, he insisted on learning more. Nora was more than glad to show him how to store inner power or form it into useable ability.

 

“Alright now imagine you have pieces of jigsaw puzzle inside of your head. Put those pieces together and imagine picture of something you want to create.” Nora said, crossing her legs as she observed young Ial. She took a liking of a boy, since he was so eager to learn. Secretly she would also tease him with her looks, giving him a hard blush whenever certain part of her body got closer to his innocent eyes.

Fortunately, Piko was more focused into his powers than her, trying to create a duplicate of his own Spirit Mate. So far fake Mirgy looked either like a cub, hawk chick or tiny snake. Sighing brunette kept trying to find out how to create an illusion without being in danger, like when he had created police helicopter and parts of snowed forest. Minutes soon turned into hours as boy became exhausted, taking off the Alex’s winter coat and scarf, drenched in sweat. Difference in the atmosphere was soon noticeable to everyone else as they followed his lead. There was no more snow on mountains, just them and soon hilly land. Countless lakes sparkled from reflecting the sun, drawing excitement on faces of younger Ials.

 

Alex watched the land in eve. He had never traveled by the plane before or even visited mountains. View from below was something his eyes registered as something entirely new.

 

“Wanna take a flight?” blonde asked with Hydro already being a hawk.

“Like right now?” redhead asked confusedly.

“Hell yeah.” Os grinned as got out, joining with flying form of his Spirit Mate. His wings were flapping, moving him higher and then straight down. Feeling must’ve been better than rollercoaster ride. Trio behind controls waved their hands when seeing golden hawk. Ial started spinning, imitating dolphin in water, soon following with summersaults. Nora giggled at her cousin’s show, joining him outside as well.

“Looks like fun.” Alex gestured to Blaze who took form of a hawk as well. Before taking a flight, he double checked if he truly was ready. Wind didn’t seem too strong and propeller wasn’t threating to cut him if he were to come closer to it.

 

“You coming too?” redhead asked Piko, who was partly lying on seats.

“Think I’ll pass… this powers can sure tire you.” twelve year old said as he fell asleep. Alex covered him with one of the blankets so he wouldn’t catch a cold with breeze from outside. With a deep breath he felt Blaze joining him, feeling feathers on his arms, scaly feet and beak surrounding his mouth. Like Nikki taught him, he waited for the right wind flow and set his wings as they were a kite.

 

Next moment he was in air, looking down at the land that became flatter by each passing mile. No doubt they were close, especially when Gabriel’s voice echoed through sound speaker.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, Ials and fledglings – I advise you to better come back inside. We’re approaching to our final destination, in hour to be exact. Thank you for choosing Air Ial.” dusky boy sounded like plane’s pilot. Girls next to him had tons of work to do since they needed to locate Force Scratchers, portals that were permanent, ones Men in Gray knew about and the ones they were moving. According to FBI files, most were already known by their hunters. So they avoided those areas as much as they could since they didn’t want unwanted ambush like they did in Alaska Mountains. True they could use one of the portals right here, but they had way more land disadvantages at this point, way more risky than snowy mountains.  

 

Flying trio made few more circles in around the helicopter as they returned back. Piko was sound asleep with Mirgy snuggled close to him. Nora and Os stretched their arms since flying at high speed was pain to upper limbs, but few stretches were like the best painkiller ever.

Night started to cover the sky, as lights on helicopter were set. They weren’t as strong as the ones on rescue helicopters, because they only needed them to see what’s in front of them. So far empty hills weren’t changing, only with less and less greenery. Until they finally see the destination that was set from the very start.

 

“Welcome to Nevada” said the sign on beginning of the highway.

 

They were finally closer to Roxy, Dimi and all other kids that were captured.

 

 

 

 

Leo felt uncomfortable about everything. Apart from too big clothes that Phil lent him, he was also feeling uneasy about every single sentence in the plan. True, it seemed most effective by conditions they had, but in case plan would fail, loss was great.

 

“Make sure to merge with night.” was sentence that Phil kept repeating.

“What’s the point of changing clothes, if I’ll be fused with Cloud?” Leo grumbled.

“In case you’re seen.” former Man in Gray replied, packing few of his other things in last case.

“What about me?” Dimi asked while helping.

“You just make sure that you keep that you pull that hood on your face as much as you can.” Phil checked if anything was left in drawers “It’s your brother that they want.”

“Which doesn’t make difference.” black haired glared at the scientist “I know them too well that they’ll try to take Dimi back, even if he was just a bait for me.”

 

Rest of the hour, trio was in silence since they kept hearing repeating noise of tires even though street should be empty at such a late hour. No doubt Phil was a suspect, despite retiring.

 

At that time Toby was already on plane, accompanied by medics who would take care of his sick mother during their travel towards Europe. His family was in a safe place in case Men in Gray would try to use them as hostage. Phil would join them as soon as he would get Blackbird brothers out of the city.

Toby had been sad that he needed to say goodbye to black dog yet another time. But from what Phil had told him in fake-cover-story style, he understood that Leo along with another brown dog was trying to get home. Holding a bag of his possessions, he had finally got in ambulance van in which his mother was waiting.

 

“Your plan is risky and I still don’t trust you.” Leo barked once again when Phil was about to repeat the plan.

“Brother…” Dimi tried to make him less rude to the scientist.

“I’ve already gave you my word for ten times. What more do you want me to do in order to trust me?” man said which made Leo quiet.

 

Scientist put a coat on and let Dimi borrow one of Toby’s. Leo joined with Cloud, but this time he took a form of hawk. With such black feathers he looked more like oversized crow than bird of prey. Flying through the window, he began the first stage of the plan. Despite the night, there was still a possibility that Men in Gray might spot him. But at the same time he would be drawing attention to himself, making them follow him in one direction. To spice things up, he would also use his mind reading powers in order to make his ISLE grow, being detectable on tracking machines.

 

After older brother left, Phil and Dimi along with Whirl got into Phil’s car that was hidden in garage, blocks away. Whirl was going to turn into snake and hid under the seats, when man told him not to.

 

“Why not?” confusion appeared on brunette’s face “They won’t notice him there.”

“He’ll be hidden better in trunk.” man replied as he looked for the car keys. 

“Okay.” Dimi patted confused Spirit Mate and opened the trunk. Whirl took a form of a wolf, clearly showing he didn’t like the idea. But he knew better not to ruin the plan because of the claustrophobic feelings.

 

 Dimi got on the front seat, staring at the man who sat on the driver’s one, securing himself with a seatbelt. Boy done the same, knowing too well of how affectively they could save your life. Immortal or not, it was painful to die all over again.

Scientist clicked on remote to get garage’s gate open, nervously gripping the wheels. It was a bit strange since he acted completely normal until Leo left. Why would he suddenly change his behavior like that?

 

“Are you alright mister?” Dimi asked politely, as every adult would.

“Nah, just a bit jumpy since I haven’t drove for a while.” man smiled, turning the car keys.

 

He drove out of garage with no problem, quickly getting on one of the main roads. New York was a city of night with many people and cars everywhere. But not on the street where Phil lived.

Street was empty with exception of few vans and late-night people. It was already past the midnight, so there was pretty much no one who would be there after all.

 

“I’m really glad you left Men in Gray.” Dimi broke the sound of tires “If it weren’t for you, I would be just a broken puppet at this time. Whenever you took care of me, I felt as I can escape the labs.”

“Being a parent is something every human is born with. It was only natural I saw you as my own son.” Phil sighed, keeping eyes on the road “It broke my heart whenever they hurt you.”

“I’m grateful for that.” boy leaned back on the seat, looking at the stars in the sky.

 

With Leo leading possible trackers away which were actually there, no one was following them. It made plan easier since no one would guess their meeting point. From there, brothers would continue on wings until reaching the house of Mr. and Ms. Young, agents working for Order of Silver. After getting there, they would contact other Ials to come pick them up and get back home. Plan sounded simple enough, but in case Leo drew too many trackers, they would be forced to only run away until they would lose them. As stubborn as Men in Gray were, Dimi doubt they would just give up at hunting for them.

 

Suddenly brunette found seatbelt too tight. He usually wasn’t picky about uncomfortableness, but due to tape he had trouble breathing. Especially on his neck where it nearly cut into his skin.

 

“Can I take the seatbelt off?” brunette asked man who was still deeply focused on the road.

“It will be dangerous to do so. You better keep it on.” he replied.

“But it’s hurting me.” boy protested, trying to loosen it unsuccessfully “It won’t take me long to fix it, just a minute or two.”

“There will be some turns, leave it as it is.” Phil said using different tone.

 

Despite what scientist told him, Dimi tried to take it off by clicking on the button that unfastens it. But button didn’t do a thing. Like old zipper it was stuck no matter how many times brunette tried to remove it. He was going to tell Phil about it when he out of sudden he felt something in his chest.

 

At first he thought it was a seatbelt, but truth hurt far more.

 

It was a big syringe filled with far familiar liquid, right on the part where his heart was.

 

Cold needle was held by Phil’s left hand as he used other to keep driving. Dimi was shocked, feeling the contents of liquid consuming his heart. Dizziness was soon to follow, making his eyes burning with tears.

 

“Why Phil? Why?” dazzled boy asked, whimpering as he felt agony that he thought was forever gone.

 

Scientist remained emotionless even after last drop was injected into young Ial. Dimi’s breathing became raspy, eyelids forcing down when multiple lights came in sight. Brunette watched with great sadness how Phil parked the car and left it, leaving him. Group of people came out of vehicles, meeting up with the man. Effect of the drug enabled him to hear the conversation between them. Then Phil came back opening the car’s doors on boy’s side. Another man was with him, looking at the boy with hungry eyes.

 

“I though you gonna say, you’ll bring us A4 not B1.” man argued, slapping Dimi as he done so.

“It wasn’t possible.” Phil said emotionlessly “Is deal still on?”

 

Man took the cell phone out of his pocket talking to someone he wasn’t glad to talk to. While he talked, Dimi fought the effects of drug, giving Phil pleading looks. But no matter how far he tried, scientist refused to make an eye contact with him. More tears ran down his face. Why on world would Phil betray them like that? Leo interrogated him five times and there were no signs of lies.

 

“Alright, this kid will do.” man boringly put away the cell phone “Boss will disarm the bomb on the plane. You’re lucky that you at least brought kid.”

 

Leader gestured other members to continue with assistance. Dimi was forcedly pulled out of the car, no matter how weak he was. Boy was then thrown into van where two female lab coats stripped him out of oversized jeans and jacket. Before finally losing consciousness, brunette saw how he was dressed in some sort of silver jumpsuit and put into a tub that was filled with white gas. Same went for Whirl, except tube was a bit smaller. In case it struggled as well, restrains in form of a muzzle and straps were put on it.

 

“What’s with the suit and glass tub?” Phil asked before getting in car.

“Just the latest invention. Jumpsuit is filled with tiny sonars that can create EMBs in nanoseconds. Liquid nitrogen in tub keeps sample weakened since its body temperature drops low so it doesn’t struggle.” man as it was doing a commercial about it “Boss is thanking you for your assistance.”

 

Phil didn’t say a thing, even after group went back into van. Scientist sighed as he went back in car, driving towards meeting point. There as planned Leo was waiting, seemingly panicking when he saw Phil without Dimi.

 

“Where is he?” Leo practically yelled as Cloud snarled angrily.

 

Scientist took something from his pocket, handing it to confused black haired.

 

“Plan failed, Men in Gray have your brother.”

 

Object that was handed to Leo was Dimi’s Trinity.

 

 

....

 

 

Rescue group found a perfect place for landing and quickly covered helicopter with oversized blanket in sandy color. Just when Gabriel was about to inform others of a plan his cell phone rang. On the other side was a voice he didn't expect.

 

"I need your help."

Edited September 26, 2014 by Hunter Hawk

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Magnificent work on your chapters as always Lara!  You've truly outdone yourself!  With each chapter I read, I get even more excited for how the final showdown will turn out!  Oh God, my eyes opened wide as I read through the backstory of my character and Ami's character!  Oh God, it was so amazing, I had goosebumps!  And I feel so sorry for Roxy!  She's doing her best to hold back her evil side, all while trying to come up with a plan to escape from the Men in Gray!  And I can't believe that Phil betrayed Leo and Dimi!  I knew something was fishy about him, and I'm so sad to see that he betrayed them!  Something I especially loved as well was how you gave insight as to how Roxy ended up meeting Alex.  It was very interesting!  Oh God, I can't wait for more!  I give you 10 out of 10!  Magnificent!  Please keep going! And congratulations on graduating and getting into an English college!