Lexi gave a small shriek as the large hunk of metal came flying at her. Ace dove and did a hand-spring, grabbing Lexi's wrist and pulling her out of the way. Ace landed on his feet, but Lexi went flying into him, and the two tumbled a few feet further.
"Are you all right?" Ace asked.
Lexi just noticed that she had her arms around Ace. "Yeah, thanks." Ace smiled at her.
"Tech, how do you work your powers?" Cassidy asked as she and Tech went back-to-back.
"Concentrate. Imagine yourself crushing the robot." Tech gave her a reassuring smile. "You can do it."
"Okay." She murmured, slightly nervous. Cassidy, having been a figure skater for most of her life, knew how to use the ice to her advantage. Unfortunately, being in Tech's body, she was very unbalanced. She easily slid across the ice and took down one robot. She cartwheeled as another robot fired at her. Her hand slid out from underneath her and she landed on her stomach, giving a small groan.
Tech ran up to her. 'My regeneration powers or not, I'm not going to let her get hurt.' He slid in between the robot and Cassidy. His eyes and hands glowed light blue and he quickly melted the robot.
"Tech! Cassidy! Look out!" Rev shouted, noticing another robot, sneaking up on them. Before either of them could react, they were suddenly swept up by a purple blur. Rev set them down, safe and sound, several feet away.
Tech just realized that he was holding Cassidy. He quickly set her down. "Sorry. Are you okay?"
Cassidy, slightly flustered, just nodded.
Mastermind raised her eyebrow at this. "Awww... I see you have yourself a new girlfriend, eh, Tech? How rude of you not to introduce us." Tech just growled at her.
"Okay, gang, huddle up." Ace called into his communicator. "I've got a plan."
"But I'm the leader!" Duck whined.
"Can it, Duck! Tech, Cassidy, Lexi and I were close to being badly injured! I think it's time for plan B. Now, Rev, Cassidy, I need you to distract the robots while Tech, Slam, Duck and I melt the ice. Then, Lexi, use Duck's powers to gather up the water and hit the robots with it."
"Okay!" Rev and Cassidy nodded and performed their half of the plan.
And so, the team set to work. Ace, Tech, Slam and Duck made quick work of the ice. Lexi followed behind, gathering the water into large 'water bombs' and then fired them at the robots. The robots short-curcuited and fell over.
The Loonatics then grouped together again. Mastermind was nowhere in sight. Tech clenched his fists. "She got away again."
"Neutronalizer!" Slam yelled, pointing towards the machine.
"At least she left us the dangerous machine." Lexi said.
"But she took away the brain-switch machine! We need to switch back!" Rev panicked. Tech and Cassidy checked over the Neutronalizer.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
"Uh, Tech. Cassidy. What's that beeping noise?" Ace asked.
Tech muttered something under his breath. Cassidy began explaining. "Mastermind pushed a button she shouldn't have."
"What button is that?" Lexi questioned worriedly.
"If you press it, then you have thirty seconds to get out before it explodes... and it only has twenty seconds left." Tech calmly said.
"We're doomed! Completely and utterly doomed!" Duck began to panick.
"Yeah, cool and calm under pressure." Lexi rolled her eyes. Slam nodded in agreement.
"Can you disable it?" Ace asked.
"Ha! Is water made of hydrogen and oxygen molecules?!" Tech folded his arms. Everyone except Cassidy stared at him blankly. Tech's face fell slightly at their non-existing answer. "Yes, it is. We can do this. Right, Cass?"
Cassidy bit her lip nervously, but seeing Tech confident in her gave her confidence a boost. "Yeah!" Both coyotes started typing away at the control panel of the machine.
"15 Seconds" The machine announced. Ace, Lexi, and Slam exchanged nervous glances, Rev began biting his fingers, and Duck continued to freak out.
"10 Seconds"
"5 Seconds" Tech shook his head. "Everyone run! It's not working!" He grabbed Cassidy's wrist and followed the others towards the door.
"1 Second... 0.." Nothing happened. Tech stopped, confused. "Huh? It should of exploded already!"
"I, personally, prefer not being blown to peices, thank you." Duck commented. "That was so I could get you seven in range again." The door in front of them opened and revealed Mastermind and the brain-switch machine. Not waiting for a reply, she fired at them. Everything went black for the Loonatics.
Tech's eyes flickered open for a moment, just long enough for him to see Mastermind dragging away an already-unconscious Cassidy. He struggled to get up. "Cassidy..." Tech groaned as he hit the ground again and everything went black.
(end Chapter)
I wonder... have any of you noticed that Tech is the only one who calls Cassidy, "Cass?" hint hint is brick'd