RJ shuddered. "That was when we realized it was happening."
"The day we fear as Pao Zhua students," Dominic said. "The day you die."
-flashback-
June was running away from something that was drenched in that darkness with the black aura feathering off it. June stumbled and collapsed at RJ and Dominic's feet. The aura feathered off and grabbed her ankle.
RJ surged forward and his hand raised into a bear claw. He tore the aura away and tugged June to her feet. "Time to see if we've got what it takes."
June cowered behind Dominic and RJ as the duo used their animal spirits to assist them. June covered her ears and sat down, crying.
RJ tore through the aura and was able to give Dominic an opening. Dominic's hand shot out and struck right in the heart of the aura. It dispersed and vanished amongst the trees. RJ was turning when something caught him just behind his neck and yanked him into the trees.
Dominic went to get him when something also pulled him through the trees.
June was alone and vulnerable. She was stifling the world with her hands and was blinding the world with her tears. She was alone and scared and now, she could see what had taken her two friends and separated her from them.
She stood up and slowly started walking to stand between where they'd stood. She let go of her fear and the darkness in her eyes began to consume her. She had to find her strength, her power, her will to fight back...
She found it.
June twisted around and captured the ghost that had tried to get her from behind. She twisted again and the ghost vanished. She raised her hands to make a gentle, swooping motion she'd seen Master Swoop use a few times. As she brought her hands down and sweep to the right, she caught RJ's foot, twisting and pulling him away from the ghosts. She caught Dominic's foot in the same manor, sweeping him down beside her.
June reached down and grabbed the duo. She opened her eyes fully and she jumped. The two boys were still recovering from being taken away that they didn't have time to catch their breath when she jumped. June landed on a rather thick branch and set the two down.
RJ was about to say something when they felt the aura coming back. It was his turn to act and he used the spirit of the Bear to strike down the nearest tree, trying to distract it. He was lunging passed them when June sent up the enormous Swan again.
-end-
"They always tell us not to use our spirits unless we need them." RJ closed his eyes. "But for some reason, they didn't tell us why."
Dominic interrupted Finn. "We know why. Using the spirit causes strain on the body when not used properly. We fought with our spirits, and we suffered."
-flashback-
"Dom! June!"
RJ was separated from them again. He was running along the trees, trying to find a way back to them. June's Swan was still towering over them and RJ was sure that someone from the school would've seen it by now.
He saw Dominic. But not June. Dominic looked like he'd been crying.
"RJ! Don't! It's right there!"
RJ skidded to a halt, but much too late. The black aura exploded again and there was an avalanche. RJ lunged forward and knocked Dominic under a ledge. They were able to withstand the tumbling mountain.
-end-
"That was the last time we saw June's Swan."
Finn suddenly smiled. "We found you afterwords. I remember. June was already long-gone by the time we got her home."
Casey closed his mouth. "What happened after that?"