Chapter 2

Eclipse's POV:

I stretch as I walk out the door, turning and walking towards the Academy. I can't believe it's been a year since Fiesta became my student. Time sure flew by quickly. I frown as I think about my young protégé. She wasn't making things easy. I knew now that she liked me, and I, in return, liked her. But I was scared to push too far, especially with my past. Jesse's face pops into my mind, bringing tears to my eyes that I quickly wipe away. He had died 2 years ago.

“Yo, SG!” I look up as I walk through the gates to find a smiling Fiesta, “Ready for some fun camping?”

“Yep. Hopefully it all goes well.”

We walk towards the group as we continue making small talk.

“Alright, everyone have their allotted bags? We have everything separated into each bag and it’s important that none get left behind.” I look around as everyone nods their heads.

“Then let’s get a move on everybody.” Warfalcon calls out as he leads us out the back way and into the nearby woods.

“Where are we going anyway?” Fiesta asks as we bring up the rear. I had done this purposely, making sure nobody lagged behind while also getting a chance to talk with her alone.

“An old abandoned Manor that Warfalcon and I found years ago. It’s two days walk from here without powers.” I answer.

“Why are we going without powers again?”

“Training. Need you guys to be ready for anything.”

And it takes longer this way so maybe I'll get you to open up. I add in my mind.

Fiesta nods, talking with me as we walk. We didn’t set up camp until late that night and as I walk over to the mound of backpacks I frown, counting them one more time.

“Terrence, Syrah, Clarence, and Clarke, where are your backpacks?”

I look at them, sighing as they shrug, looking at me in confusion.

“Great… those packs had our food in them.” I growl, ignoring the look that Fiesta sends my way as I go to find Warfalcon and explain the issue to him.

“We’ve already eaten today’s portions and there’s nothing left. What now?”

He thought for a moment, “we’ll have to hunt for food until we get to the mansion. Then we can send a team into the nearby town for supplies.”

I frown, unsure of this plan. “I’m not sure that is going to work out well but we’ve got no choice. I’ll use my powers to keep from getting hungry. That will make one less mouth to feed at least.”

He nods as he goes to address the group. I watch with a frown. The next two days crawls by as we struggle to find food. By the time we get close to the mansion everyone is starving and weak.

“Alright guys, you’ll stay here while Stronggirl and I go find….” Warfalcon stops as he stares in the open door.

“Warfalcon, what’s wrong?” I ask as I come up behind him and look inside.

I frown as I see a big table full of food. Nobody was here... So where did this food come from?

“Nobody eat…” I'm interrupted as everyone pushes me out of the way, running over to the table and devouring the food.

I frown, as I prepare to stop them when Warfalcon places a hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t smell any poison.” He tells me before he joins the rest.

“But…” I growl in frustration.

Fiesta shrugs at me, making me wince as she ran to get some food. Out of everyone, she hurt the most since I thought she would trust me.

I shake my head as I circle the room. I don’t trust the food, even if I can’t find anything wrong with it. I jump at the loud bang as a door on the other side of the room flew open.

“Ah, I hope you found the meal satisfactory.” The Man snickers as if laughing at an untold joke. He turns as he notices me off to the side. “Didn’t like it?”

I shrug, not wanting to explain that I don't trust it as my action makes the man frown at me. “Your friends sure liked it. Too bad you didn’t because now I have to take you out.”

I growl, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He motions towards my friends, grinning widely as I gasp, “I put micro bots in their food. Now they have no choice but to obey me.”

I wave a hand in front of Warfalcon’s frozen face.

“Now you have a choice; join me willingly, or your friends here will kill you.”

I snarl like a wolf, “I’ll never join you.”

He shrugs, snapping his fingers.

The heroes all straighten and turn towards me. I back up with a frown, my eyes drifting towards Fiesta as my jaw sets. I can’t fight back otherwise I will hurt my friends, and Fiesta, but if I run then I'd risk leaving them here in this maniac's hands. I have to find a way to snap them out of it.

I flip backwards as a fire ball flies towards my head. I land on my feet, lurching forward and hitting the ground hard as something hits me from behind. I snarl at Swift lightening before rolling out of the way of another blow. Strong arms grab me from behind and pull me onto my feet. I slowly peel Warfalcon’s hands away from my waist before taking a blow to the head, snapping it to the side. Blood drips from my nose as Fiesta grabs my arm on one side and Warfalcon on the other, holding me tight as Starshooter slams a fist into me stomach.

I groan as I try once more to pull away, earning myself another fist to the gut. I spit out blood as the man comes into view.

“Last chance.”

“Never.” I glare at him.

“Finish her off.” He sneers' as he gives the command.

Starshooter spins, launching into a perfect back kick to my stomach and I fly back, slamming into the wall. I moan as I slide to the ground, trying to get back up. A foot to the side knocks me onto my back as hands grab at me and pin me to the ground. Fiesta stands above me, making me shake as I look into her blank eyes. My eyes suddenly widen as I come up with an idea. As Fiesta raises her leg up high in the air, I take a deep breath, letting out a Sonic scream as Fiesta's foot breaks through my ribcage. My vision tunnels as everyone clutches their now bleeding ears