*Sophia*

I followed Nine up the stairwell, my calves begging for a rest. We finally came to a halt, the sound of his jingling keys halting against the stone walls. He punched a set of numbers into the pad, unlocking one of many metal doors.

"How…what? How'd you know the-"

"I pay attention." He flashed me a crocked smile. I smirked at him, unbelievably proud in that very moment of one of my team members.

I followed him down a long, black marble hallway, nodding curtly to those who met my eye. You belong here. You're supposed to know these people. I whispered to myself. Nine stopped at a door which lead to a set of metal hallways, and I could see Eight walking towards us. She opened the door, anxiety written all over her face.

"Calm down," I said softly. "Everything's going as planned so far." Eight shook her head at me, looking as if she was trying not to cry.

I looked back at Nine, who shot me an equally confused look as she grabbed my hand and let me down the hall.

"Is this whole section made of metal?" Nine asked, tapping the wall. Eight nodded.

"It's to keep them all in check. They haven't met any that could dent metal." She choked out.

"Met any what?" I asked, starting to get nervous.

Eight led me around a corner and point through a wide double-mirror. Two small Asian children sat in a white room, blank expressions on their faces. The girl had both hands tied, pink mittens covering her fingers. The boy looked pissed.

I felt a tug in the pit of my stomach, a sudden urge to shatter the damn glass and get as far away as I could with the two small children. It was like seeing a family member from years before, but seeing them in a torture chamber. I felt the guilt rise in my chest as I realized who they were.

"They're..."

"One of us." Eight finished. How could we have forgotten? Why was it that even if we were fighting to keep each other and myself alive, I felt guilty that we hadn't been here to keep these two safe?

"It's not our fault." Nine whispered, as if he could read my mind.

"They're so young…"

"So are we." He said softly. Eight quickly turned her head to wipe away her tears as Cowrey, Sam, and Emmett returned, Cowrey holding a metal rod in his hand.

"Why does the small one have mittens?" I asked, composing myself.

"Ahh, yes, I was just explaining to our young interns here. That one is particularly dangerous when allowed to touch you. Tacto-Hypnosis is the ability to control one's mind as long as in physical contact." I felt my eyebrows shoot up. That was pretty damn impressive for an eight-year old. "We think these two might be members of their so-called Gaurde."

My eyes shot to Emmett's who nodded, equally horrified.

"Their Gaurde?"

"Well my Dianna, you've only been here a day but I was sure they would've explained everything to you," Cowrey said, exasperated. "We found one of the alien things, the Mogadorians, and held it captive for a while. It only took a few weeks before it confessed to what they were doing here and why. Nine children, from the planet Lorien, were sent here to be shielded from the Mogadorian race, which had previously devoured their home planet."

"So whose side is the government on here?" I asked. Cowrey laughed.

"Good question dear. It was a difficult decision, but the assignment was handed to us, Sector 7. All other government branches to which this knowledge is available have been ejected from the situation. Their memories have been erased and loose ends…tied, if you will."

"You didn't answer my question." Nine subtly put a few fingers on my waist, as if to remind me to calm down.

"So persistent. After many discussions and intake of their weaponry, a deal was struck with the Mogadorians. We hand over the children, they leave peacefully."

"And you believe them?"

"It's not us they want. Do try to understand we're simply interested in self-preservation here. I'd think a politician of all people would agree." I nodded, trying to keep cool. Now was most definitely not the time to expose ourselves.

"I do. Sacrifice a few to save many. It's how the world works," I said soberly. "The fact that they're children is what bothers me, is all."

"It's impossible to have a heart when you're working for the government, young one. You'll learn that as you grow older in this career."

Cowrey punched in more numbers, and an invisible door slid open to the room. He gestured for me to go in. "Only three of us can. You boy, you haven't spoken much. You may join us. I'll have Jennifer take you three to the others, yes?"

Sam followed us into the interrogation room.

The small boy narrowed his eyes at me as we entered; Cowrey too occupied punching in the code to close the door to notice the small nudge he gave his sister. She looked at me and grinned, cocking an eyebrow at me. They know…

"Are these two of the Loric children?" Sam asked unwavering, taking a seat.

"No. We are unaware what they have to do with Lorien or its Gaurde, but they were found to have unimaginable gifts. They came with our other two captives-which we will be visiting next."

"You here to taze us again?" The young boy asked smugly. Cowrey narrowed his eyes.

"Only if you push me to." He said, regaining his calm.

"I already told you. You've seen everything we can do. Let us leave. Or at least leave us the hell alone."

"Not a chance, my boy. See I don't believe we've experienced all you have to offer yet. And I'll continue to push until I do."

My heart thumped at the legitimate fear that struck the boys eyes. "Now let's be kind. Show our guests what you can do."

"I'm not a circus act-"

"But you will do as you're told." Cowrey had a deadly look in his eyes, a complete 360 from the one he had since our arrival. He sat back in his chair, triumphant as the boy shifted in his seat. Cowrey took out a pen and set it onto the table.

The boy's eyes narrowed in concentration as the pen began to levitate. It inched off the table, but not like us. Unlike us, the boy looked tired, straining almost, as if this little bit of telekinesis was draining him as we watched. The boy sighed and slumped in his seat.

"I can't do anything bigger. I don't know how."

Cowrey looked aggravated.

"Fine," he pulled off one of the younger girl's mittens, tossing it onto the table. "Show her what we really came here to see." The small twins exchanged looks, and the girl nodded. The boy held her fingers in his hand, and they both closed their eyes.

The entire room shifted around us, until we were no longer in a room, but a forest. We were surrounded by 30 foot trees, large roots scrawling across the green floor. Moss covered every rock, birds chirped in my ear so loud I thought I was about to go deaf. I shot Sam a look, who, again, looked like he would piss himself with joy.

"Where the hell are we?" I asked, stunned.

"The same place we were ten seconds ago," Cowrey smiled as if he was a proud parent. "Together, these two have the ability to make you see whatever they want. Illusionists, we call them. It's fantastic no?"

"What's the rod thing for?" Sam asked, eyeing Cowrey's metal rod. Cowrey shot him a smile and winked.

He banged the rod against the table, and it grew to 6 feet, the titanium shining in the sun as it sparkled through the artificial trees. Cowrey sprung from his seat.

"Enough!" He yelled, swiping at the children. Electricity crackled through the air. The kids yelped, and the room melted back into the white we'd seen before. Electricity skimmed over their skin, lashing at their faces and hands.

"STOP!" I yelled, yanking Cowrey off the table. He smirked at me.

"You really will have a tough time in this career track my love."

"What the hell is that thing?"

"An anti-Loric weapon. We had several of them specially made in order to fight and capture them. The moment it makes contact, their gifts are absorbed into the metal for a short period of time. It really is a rush; their energy is transferred into its holder. Of course, we are unable to use these gifts, but it does indeed give a real kick. Here, try."

Instinctively, I reached out for the rod as he threw it across the room.

"Sophia!" Sam yelled. The rod shocked the tip of my fingers. I yelped, the titanium crashing to the floor and returning to its 8 inch state. Dead silence flooded the room as Cowrey glared at us with knowing eyes.

*Emmett*

"Are you three my guests for today?" A tall red-head approached us, and I could feel my eyebrows shoot up. Her emerald green eyes scanned all of us over, taking our silence as a yes. "Follow me." She said sweetly. And so we did.

The next interrogation room was about half way down the hallway. She punched in another code, into another pad, and another invisible door slid open. This room, like the other, was all white. A pale girl with purple streaked black hair sat with her feet on the table. Jenny glared at her.

"This one was found with the others, though we haven't gotten her to talk as much as our other friends here."

The pale girl narrowed her ice blue eyes at us.

"When I get out of here they better be alright. Because you'll be the first one I go after." She growled. Jenny rolled her eyes as if threats were an everyday thing.

"She's under special surveillance. This one was caught hacking the network."

"Twice," The pale girl smirked. Her eyes caught mine, and her smile grew a little wider. "But I don't like to brag. Everyone in this room has their own special gifts, correct?" She kept her eyes on me. I nodded subtly, hoping she was shooting for the same point that I was. She sat back in her seat, pleased with herself. "Well come on Jenny, introduce us why don't you? Thalia." She said, holding out her hand. Eight took it.

Her expression changed for a moment, first to a confused one, then to one of disbelief. Jenny was too busy studying her nails to catch it.

"Alright, we've had enough of your smart ass mouth, kid. Let me accompany you all to-"

The door flew open, Cowrey looking furious. Jenny furrowed her brow at the sight of Sophia and Sam in the hands of two security officers.

"It seems we have imposters," Cowrey spat, turning red. He threw a metal stick at Nine, who caught it. The second it touched his hand sparks flew, and he gasped, staring at his singed fingers. "Grab them." Cowrey hissed.

Two more guards grabbed us, but they'd seriously underestimated our strength. I shrugged mine off, throwing him into the wall. The tile cracked behind him. Thalia flipped over in her chair, landing neatly in a crouch and springing across the table at Jenny, who screeched. Chaos erupted in the room as Sophia sunk her teeth into Cowrey's shoulder, who slapped her across the face. Sam swung at his guard, who came back around with a fist that knocked Sam to the ground. Eight jumped on Cowrey, who with the help of another guard wrestled her to the floor.

Nine flew into a rage, snapping his guard's arm to the left. He tackled Cowrey, landing several fists to his face. Cowrey's blood splattered across the floor as his nose snapped. Sophia looked as though she was straining in a guard's hands as I wrestled one of my own. Her hands clenched in concentration but nothing but minor sparks erupted from her fingertips. Sirens started going off. Always the damn sirens…I growled in my head.

Nine threw one guard into the "bullet proof" glass, causing it to crack. He jumped across the table and ran to the wall as if to walk up it. His foot merely slid down as it connected, his hands doing the same. Nine looked at his hands and shot me a look.

"Fuck!" he yelled. Two guards took him by the arms.

"Sam grab the rod!" Sophia screamed. Sam scrambled across the floor and shoved it into his pocket, just in time for the guard to pick him up by the jacket and throw him halfway across the room. Another charging straight for him fell to the floor, Eight appearing with a smirk on her face, rubbing her knuckles. Thalia ran to Nine's aid, Jenny lying motionless on the floor. Three different guards were on top of me, their fists landing in my ribs and face. My Lumen snapped to life and one flew across the room while the other covered his eyes, his face burning. The jacket of one holding my throat caught fire, and he screamed, letting go. I landed several blows to his torso, his ribs snapping with the sound of satisfaction.

Cowrey pulled a gun from his jacket pocket, firing shots-one landing in Nine's shoulder. He sunk to his knees, his face contorted in pain.

"Logan!" Sophia screamed. She ran to him but was caught by the waist and slung into the tile. It cracked behind her and she slid to the floor. She tried again to create fire but nothing came, her Phoenix too dangerous for this small room. The guard picked her up by the collar and slung her next to Nine, who snapped to his feet and tackled the man, ripping his shoulder from the socket. I helped Sam up as Nine yanked an unconscious Sophia from the ground.

"I'm getting the twins!" I yelled, running into the hall. Several shots were fired at me at once from oncoming soldiers who'd rushed down the hallway. I slipped to the ground, throwing myself back into the room. I took a deep breathe, reminding myself that what I was about to do was necessary. I shot back out into the hallway, my palms and torso soaked in flame. In one jerking motion I threw everything I had at them, the entire hallway engulfed in fire. Nothing was left of the soldiers but ash as we all shot down the hallway.

Nine handed Sophia to me as he punched in a set of numbers. The twins looked completely horrified as noise consumed the room. They'd been unable to see but had heard the entire thing. I brushed Sophia's hair out of her face as she mumbled, her eyelids fluttering.

"Come on, Soph. Hang in there for me okay? Just for a little bit." She sucked in a rush of air as her eyes popped open. Her eyes shot to Nine, who was untying the two little ones. "We have to get outta here okay?"

She nodded coherently, trying to wiggle from my arms. I set her down, but the second her feet touched the ground she faltered. I pulled her back into my arms; I'd carry her across the country if it was necessary.

Nine handed the boy to Sam, who slung him on his back. Nine hitched the girl onto his hip.

"You'll be alright, I promise, okay? We're gonna get you out of here."

He shoved out of the room, and I lead the way down the hall, the entire gang in tote. I could hear the rush of more soldiers coming to stop us. If we weren't quick, we'd be surrounded with no way out. I shoved against a security door, jamming it out of its hinges. We rushed down the stairs, me tracing the scent that Nine and Sophia had left earlier. Lights flashed in the hallways, the sirens getting louder as we neared the main floor.

"They're here!" A voice called. Shots were fired from above, bouncing off the wall. A bullet skimmed the side of my neck, burning the skin.

"Go this way!" Nine shouted, throwing open a metal door. He handed the girl to Thalia, who followed closely behind Eight and Sam. We shoved our way into the small metal opening as the small Asian boy wriggled free from Sam's arms.

"He says he needs to get something." Sam breathed as we sprinted after him.

The boy led us down a wooden corridor decorated with several paintings of Board Directors and red rugs. He stopped at a black glass table, and laid his hand flat on its surface. The table glowed blue for a moment before flipping over, revealing a set of boxes and wires.

"IS THAT A BOMB?" Eight shouted, nearly dropping Thalia's weight. The boy shushed her and went to working, several clicks and bings erupting from the table. "Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Sam. Oh Sam. Emmett. Do you know what we're about to do?"

"Eight we need you to calm down!" I yelled.

"WE'RE ABOUT TO BLOW UP THE FUCKING FBI."

Everyone fell silent at Eight's unusual burst of profanity, her cheeks turning redder than they were before. Tears welled up in her eyes and she fell into Sam's arms.

"Done." The boy murmured. Nine scooped him up in his other arm, Sam grabbed Eight's hand and we ran back down the way we'd come. "We have five minutes!"

Nine lead us down another set of corridors, metal gates beginning to close around every exit. We exploded into the lobby, workers and soldiers running frantically around, their screams echoing off the 30 foot ceiling. Women and men ran down the staircases in large bunches, flooding the front doors.

"We can't all make it out on time." Nine breathed horrifically. Eight sprinted to a desk and grabbed the intercom.

"ATTENTION. ATTENTION. A BOMB HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE THIRD FLOOR. THIRD FLOOR AND OVER MUST BE EVACUATED. I REPEAT, THIRD FLOOR AND OVER MUST BE EVACUATED. USE ANY EXIT NECESSARY."

Groups of men and women shoved past us all as we looked around frantically for any possible escape that wasn't already blocked off.

"We don't have much time!" Thalia yelled, worry written all over her face. My nerves exploded as another group of soldiers burst out of the elevator, guns pointed at us. A set of metal bars sank across the front glass doors, all 8 of them. A blue field wrapped itself around the metal.

"They're using Mogadorian technology..." the boy whispered.

"Those goddamn cheaters." Sam hissed through clenched teeth.

"Nine, can you phase through this?" Sophia asked.

"I don't have my powers fully back yet, I-"

"Try!" Sophia urged. Nine reached out towards the blue floating liquid, sparks jumping between it and his skin. He winced, but continued, his skin sizzling as it moved through the liquid. Finally, he let out a breathe no one knew he was holding as his finger came out clean on the other side of the metal. He looked to Sophia.

"What now?" he whispered.

"Emmett put me down." She ordered. I did so, and she hobbled to the front of our group.

"There's no use my dear!" Cowrey called. "All the doors are sealed!"

"You don't need a door if there's no building." She countered. Cowrey shot her a confused look.

The boy screamed and every glass surface in the building shattered, Sophia slammed her palms to the floor. The marble exploded, chunks of it bursting from the ground. Cracks branched through the glossy floor, soldiers becoming trapped in its crevices. Her current stretched out along the surface, dropping almost a third of them to their knees. More and more poured out from the staircases, and a large rumble was heard as the ground pushed forward, the boy's tiny black box bursting from the marble.

"NINE!" Sophia screamed. He yanked all of us through the force field and liquid, disappearing back into the building as we tumbled down the steps. The building began to explode, fire and glass and marble raining down on the surrounding crowd. We disappeared within the people, Sam toting the two kids and Eight sharing Thalia's weight with me.

Nine burst from the side of the building, Sophia in his arms. He ran towards us, following us as we disappeared deeper and deeper into the sea of people.

"Sam come on!" he yelled. Sam stood motionless, his eyes on the building. The twins had wriggled free from his arms, and I doubted he'd even noticed. Tears streamed down his face as I realized what he was thinking. We hadn't achieved our original objective. And all hope of Sam's dad being alive was lost. I tugged on his shirt and he looked at me as if he wanted to crumble in the middle of the crowd. I pulled him along with me, his face completely blank.

"Where are we supposed to go from here?" Eight yelled, barely audible over the sirens.

"I have an idea." Thalia called.