Chapter 9: Gold


~Flashback~
I open my eyes, I'm standing in the middle of my driveway.

"Ready or not, here I come!" I giggle, bounding into the yard on my short little legs. Hide and Seek is a game me, Melody, Oliver, Sammantha, and Rue love to play whenever we can.

I soak up the sunshine as I check behind each bush, making a mental path in my head of where I've been. Suddenly, I hear a rustle in the shed. I burst into laughter immediately, opening the door to see Sammy.

"Catch me if you can!" She squeals, dashing past me before I can protest. I roar like a little lion, playfully chasing after her as I see no other choice. It's all a game till I see where we are headed.

"Slow down Sammy!" I squeak. "There's a car coming!" But she's to zoned into our game. I gasp as she scrambles off the driveway and into the road, only then hearing the 'zoom' if a speeding car coming right at her.

It all went so quick. I stare at my friend, limp and falling. Unmoving, thrown to the other sidewalk before I could do anything to help. My friends are beside me before I know it.

You'd think we'd be crying, but we're all to scared and shocked. The man steps out of his car, and rushes to my best friend. No.... I cover my eyes, this has to be a nightmare!

I feel faintly, and find myself falling backward into the grass, vision fading. The last thing I see are the leaves of the weeping willow dangling above us, before all goes white.

~Present~

I gasp for air as the helmet is removed from my head. Tears glaze my eyes, and present thoughts come flowing into my head before I can ask where I am.

"That was very educational, I am glad you played that game." I hear a familiar sharp tone ring in my ears. I groan.

"Glad..?" I choke. "Sammy.." I whisper under my breath, mourning for my friend. The warmth of her thought is restored to my heart, as if these memories are slowly building me up again.

"Nevermind Sammy." Snaps Miss Travison. "She's nothing to this world now, do you remember those landmarks? Were you at your house?" I painfully nod to her questions.

"Good, now I have that on a recording. I will cut out the child's death so you can refresh yourself before you lead your team-"

"DO YOU HAVE A HEART?" I blurt in a shriek, tears rushing down my cheeks. "If you didn't have me what hopes would you have of stopping the brainwashed?! You could at least show a smidgen of care!"

In the back of my mind, I know I should never raise my voice at an elder. But she deserves it! How can she not see I am grieving?

"SILENCE!" Bellows the old woman. "It was years ago, Agent. Your mourning is done, I order you to put it behind you."

"And now it is fresh in my mind as if it just happened." I hiss at her. "You disgust me! Let me go." I jerk my wrists out of the bonds just as they open.

"This training is through." I hear her snarl as I exit to the halls. My eyes swollen with seemingly meaningless tears. I must find Brandy, I think to myself. He will know what to do. With that, I rush to the training grounds, slipping my helmet on, heart pounding.

I open the door, to see Brandy gathering up my team. I wave him over to me, trying to pull myself together. He comes, and I find is out of earshot.

"Brandy... That was awful, don't make me go back." I choke, and he realizes something is terribly wrong. He rests a hand on my shoulder.

"There there Lucy, it's okay, your with your friends now." He comforts. "I will talk to Lunar about it, what happened?" So I explain the whole flashback, and how I was treated afterward.

"I can't stand the woman, Brandy, she's a snake." I shiver, trying not to show any signs of weakness to my team as I vent my problems.

"Hey hey, it's okay, we will take care of it." He presses gently. "Now, we have a much funner training session that's about to take place. Join us and I'll explain." Brandy says, so I nod, and reluctantly follow.

"If it isn't the two lovebirds." Xavier mocks, smirking as he does so.

"Shut it soldier, remember who's command your under." I scold, putting a step's distance between me and Brandy. I listen as he explains.

"Now listen all! This is your first training as a team, so I don't expect you to be perfect. Your captain here," He gestures to me, "Retrieved this flag for me the other day." He holds it up. "Your job is to travel to the middle of this pool, climb the sheer cliff, and plant it on top!"

Melody shoots a comment, "But that's a water based mission. I do not tolerate the picking of favorites." Brandy seems to think on her words.

"The area we are sending you to has a portion more water than it does land. And as your captain is best in water, me and Lunar have decided it'd be best if you trained on a similar training ground to satisfy those requirements." Brandy explains.

"And there is land training in that pool, too!" I chime in. "Rock climbing and agility, as well as battling and swimming. I train in land skills, you too must learn water based skills with your opposite element suits."

The team seems to nod in agreement, murmuring among themselves. I take this time to examine their suits. I already know Xavier's well, it resembles a space suit as well as a Medieval knight's, with many weapons hidden among it.

Melody has a bright orange full body suit that looks comically like a motorcyclist's, with additional futuristic touches.

Kip's suit looks almost like thin chain armor on his arms, but his body and legs are armored. I notice hidden grappling hooks and electronic devices. I am interested in seeing him in motion.

Rusty's suit resembles a full body coating of dragon scales I notice a long, reptile tail attached to the end of the spine. It is furred with sharp, needle-like spikes. He has a helmet just like mine, and swords on either side of him.

Rowan has a suit black as a raven. It's got layers and layers of thin sheets of armor, overlapping each other to almost look like feathers. On her back are two mechanical wings, and I wonder if they are mind controlled.

After my short overview, I turn to Brandy. "Secret's of Melody's suit?" Before he can answer, Melody herself interrupts.

"I can speak for myself, thanks." She rolls her eyes, then says proudly. I use fire with my suit. And under my arms," she lifts them. "Are strong wings for gliding. I am agile and am ready to challenge any aquatic biome." I silently admire her determination and confidence.

"Brandy," I turn to meet his deep brown, golden flaked eyes. "Team Swift is ready."

Chapter 10: Yellow
I give a sweep of my hand to silence my team.

"ARE YOU READY?!" I shout at them, encouragingly raising my fist. They chant 'Yes' in agreement. "I CANT HEAR YOU! LOUDER EVERYBODY!" I pump my fist in the air. "WE WAS BORN READY!"

My team pump their fists in sync, repeating after me with the same boldness. I beam at the burning fire in their eyes.

"Then go for it team! Show me what you got!" Brandy yells, tossing the flag bundle to me. I point toward the sheer cliff quite far from hear as I let loose a battle cry, sprinting into the cerulean waters.

I dive, letting the water create a jet stream behind me as I put my adrenaline to good use. I bolt up into a slippery platform, glancing back to research how my teammates work.

Melody got a running start, and shot forward while gliding, and is keeping that method as she leaps from pedestal to pedestal. Rowan is following her, acrobatically swerving around them with her wings, stopping to sprint over the tops of tunnels when she gets the chance.

Rusty is acrobatic as well, but in a different way. His feet and fingers must have suction cups, like a frog, for he moves on all fours like an animal, climbing and leaping with a speed I'd have a hard time beating.

Kip seemed to be having a hard time, his armor looked heavyweight, and his grappling hook kept slipping. I called Rowan down to me with a wave of my hand.

"You are the the strongest one hear who is capable of full flight. Kip is having a hard time in the slippery area-" I gesture to him. "Could you give him a lift?"

"Yes, and I will see to get a mod that might help in case it becomes a regular tactic." Responds Rowan, nodding am acknowledgement to my thanks before she swoops back to tell Kip.

This is the first time I notice the mobile talons on Rowan's suit. She links these onto the chains on Kip's shoulders and lifts him up. I think of how useful that would be for his archery as I turn to dive back into the water.

I bolt toward the razors that stand through the water as I reinforce my scales, spinning through them and only clattering against a couple that do me no harm. I then shoot up, getting a jumping start into the air and tossing the flag up to melody in a single motion, calling her name.

She catches it, landing on the top of the sheer cliff. I briskly use my razor webbing by making fists and sinking my blades into the rock. After all the previous training, I am able to climb up this way, carefully pulling myself over the sharp cliff edge and springing to my feet.

I raise a palm to signal Melody to wait with the flag, allowing Rowan and Kip to land. Giving them an encouraging thumbs up, I see Xavier on a stepping stone directly below.

"Use your swords!" I call down to him, and it takes him a moment to see what I mean. When he does, he surprises me by unsheathing daggers instead.

He pierces them into the slots I already made, following my path up till all six of us are positioned on the circular top. I see a shallow hole in the center, and gesture to melody to unravel the flag. When she does, I hold it up by its pole and thrust it into the air as my team cheers around me.

I plant the flag in the center and the whole top of the tower lights up yellow, casting a warm, victorious gleam over the seemingly battlefield.

"WE DID IT!" I call, pumping both my fists in the air. I see Brandy doing a retarded, yet adorable victory dance back where we started.

I beam in victory, my first victory leading a team, even in training. And somehow, everything seems possible. Everything looks a shade simpler than it did before.

Chapter 11: Flash
Back, looking at the door to my room, I sigh in joy.

"Thank you Brandy, for making me a satisfying leader. I couldn't have done it without you." I smile warmly at him.

"You did it on your own Lucy, I only helped." He returns my smile, patting my on the back. I laugh,

"Yeah right you jokester! I remember how you found me." I remember how I had been when I was dumped in the training grounds after Lunar's introduction, angry, scared, and confused. I borderline attacked Brandy on our first meeting.

"Yes.. Well, you need to get some sleep m'lady." He winks, playing along with the brief nickname. "I have a formal meeting to attend, but I will see you tomorrow. Congratulations on your victory!" He beams.

"Thank you." I say, bidding him good night. Entering my room, I retract my suit into cuffs and flop down on my bed. "Mmmm.." I mumble as I fall asleep, ready to face tomorrow. At least, that's what I thought.



~The next morning~
I roll out of bed and onto the floor, waking me up just before my alarm goes off. Grumbling, I slam the top with my fist and let my suit cloak me again.

Opening my sliding door, I find Brandy waiting. "Hello." I grumble, Brandy seems to be wearing a grave look, to which I question him.

"You'll find out." He says, so I reply inquisitively.

"What? Where are we going? Brandy?" He hugs me tight and I feel a feathery kiss on my cheek.

"Just remember me, okay? And know that everything is gonna be fine, really. There's nothing to worry about, your gonna do great. I believe in you. This isn't goodbye." He chokes, nearly suffocating me in his hug.

"Brandy?!!! What are you talking about?" My eyes brim with tears as I'm nudged down the hall and into a big room where I see Captain Lunar, someone who seems to be a pilot, and my whole team.

"What is the meaning of this?" I exclaim, shocked, fearful, and disturbed. Lunar looks serious, and my whole team looks excited and nervous.

The whole scene escalated to fast for my liking. I frantically look around, refusing to leave Brandy's side for the fear of losing him too.

"Captain Lucy, you and your team are going to be sent to our sister ship for more intense training." Lunar explains. "You will have a new trainer-"

"I don't want a new trainer!" I spit in disgust. "I have the best of the best and I won't take no more an answer." I stare astonished at Lunar with a venomous glare.

"Hush girl! If you must see Brandy again you will, but you have to stay focused on what your here for." Scolds Lunar. "This is fatal to Earth and we can't have you ignoring it for an infatuation." I feel embarrassed and angry at the same time, to worried to say anything.

Brandy nudges me toward my team, who are looking at me as if I have sprouted a duck bill.

"Please go, Lucy, it's got the best. Do it for me?" Pushes Brandy, and I give in with a sigh. I take my place beside my teammates and prepare for the unimaginable.

"Hello!" I hear a voice, and realize the pilot is gone. "This is your captain speaking, you may now board the cabin." The voice chimes, and I trudge forward as the team and I are escorted into a small ship.

After taking my seat and meeting all the requirements, I look back through the window, meeting Brandy's eyes. His are no doubt, sad, but also brimming with hope. "For you." I mouth, clutching the handles of my seat in a mixture of feelings.

~An hour later~

I step off the ship, and follow a sophisticated to my assigned room. It is a bunker room, reserved for team captains. It's lonely, as I am the first and only one.

"You may take your pick." The lady has a strong Italian accent, and I assume she means the beds. "You will be meeting your trainer tomorrow at 6:00am, lateness is not acceptable." She says, and departs.

"I'll show you acceptable." I mutter, plopping myself down on a bed. Retracting my suit, I clutch my medallion in my hands and let a few meaningful tears fall.

"I won't fail you." I whisper, hoping maybe, somewhere far away, Brandy can hear. My whole life dropped ten levels of joy, in a flash. Just like that. I will never become so attached to someone again, I think. To much pain.

Chapter 12: Indigo
The next morning is tough on me. I wake up to my alarm exhausted, and forget where I am. After a good five minutes of panicking, I realize I am close to late for the first training session.

Letting my suit unfold, I leave my room and follow the signs directing me to the training grounds. Barely using them, though, as the ship is fortunately similar to the last.

I find them rather quickly, and enter trying to gain a confident expression. I'm immediately stabbed with emotional pain when I remember Brandy won't be here.

"Agent 1, right? First to arrive, I here you are the captain of this team. Better live up to your title." States a husky voice. Looking up, I see a man who's a good height, but shorter than me.

He has a full beard, though it is whiskery. His eyes are vivid blue and his eyebrows are bushy. The hair on the top of his head is sparse, however, his arm hair makes up for it.

He is clad in an exercise tank to and jean shorts, with sketchers and fingerless gloves. He stands knees shoulder-width apart with his hands on his hips, eyes thoughtful and mouth in a tight strait line.

"Here's how it's gonna be." The shirt, thirty year old man says after the whole team has gathered. "I'm gonna give you an order, and your gonna do it. If you don't." The man gestures to a a jogging track on the far side of the room. "You'll give me five laps."

I nod briefly along with everyone else. "Good!" The man chirps. "Now take a look at this course." The man gestures, and our gazes follow.

There is a long winding monkey bar path that spits you out at a ramp with an upward incline, that takes you up to a zip line where at the end you have to jump off into a pool of water, swim across and then dash across a rope bridge.

After that there is a tall metal pole that lands on a track that ends right in front of where we stand. I gasp, and after taking a good look, I hear this trainer's voice again.

"Got it? All of guys gotta be back here within three minutes or its five laps. If you succeed, I'll give you the right to call me Mo. Now chop chop!" The man claps his hands together, sending us running for the monkey bars.

Everyone's focus seems to be on getting through the course as fast as possible, and not working together. Being their captain, I attempt to redirect them.

"Rowan, watch out for Kip! Xavier, stick with Melody and try to learn from her flexibility with you larger suit. Rusty! Stay by me please, I don't know how well my aquatic suit will do with climbing." I bark orders and watch my team pair up as we dash up the ramp.

Things get better in a blink, me and Rusty rush ahead.

"Hang on to me!" He shouts, and I do so as he swings his mechanical dragon tail over the line and we speed to the other side.

"Good thinking Rusty!" I praise as we splash into the pool.

That's all I have right now, I am not positive on how to continue