(Zach POV)
My hands curled into fists as I glared defiantly at the man who wanted to hurt Serenity, don't let anything happen to her, she's just a baby, protect her, Amaya and Warren are trusting you with this, you can do this.
"Move," the man sneered, knowing I couldn't beat him, "you don't have anything to do with the battle between the Elementals and the Ruby Triangle, what do you owe Amaya anyway? What has she ever done for you?"
"Serenity's just a baby, she's innocent and Amaya's one of my best friends," I growled, fury beginning pound through my veins, "she's been there for me, friends are loyal and do anything for one another, I will not let you hurt her and Warren's daughter, you'll have to kill me first."
"I guess that's what I have to do then," he cackled and what was like a film began playing in my mind.
Blood.
There was lots of blood, the bodies of my friends scattered over the gym floor, two people were still alive and clinging to a bloodied bundle, the woman looked up, tears streaming down her blood caked cheeks, her blue eyes like ice as she glared at me.
"I trusted you," she whispered hollowly, holding the bundle closer to her chest, "I trusted you to protect her, this is your fault, it's your fault everyone's dead and that my baby is gone, I trusted you and you let them all die, Zach, how could you?"
"Amaya, Warren, it wasn't my fault, I tried everything I could!" I protested, starting toward them but Warren shot me back with a fireball, I winced at the burning heat but refused to run, "I did everything I could, I'm so sorry!"
"You should've died for her," Warren said darkly, "you should've died for her like we would've done for you, because you were our friend, she was just a baby, you killed her Zach, you killed her."
"I didn't," I croaked, backing away from them slowly, shaking my head, "this is not my fault, it's the Ruby Triangle, please, Amaya, Warren, trust me."
"We already tried that," Amaya spat coldly, the tears flowing down her cheeks never relenting, Warren's harsh glare never wavering, "we trusted with the most important thing in our lives and you killed her," Amaya hissed, glaring hatefully at me.
Wait, if she was really mad or upset, her powers would be acting up, her powers are connected to her emotions, Layla told me once when Amaya's lightning power went berserk while she was arguing with Boomer about her name, as usual in Save the Citizen, she nearly exploded the gym because she was so mad, this wasn't real or her powers had been neutralised.
"Amaya, I didn't so anything, Serenity's still alive," I said quietly, "this isn't real because otherwise you'd be killing me around about now."
"You want me to kill you?" she laughed harshly, her tears suddenly vanishing, "that can be easily arranged, trust me little boy."
"This isn't real," I insisted, "if your Amaya and your Warren, tell me what you guys did on your six month anniversary."
Amaya and Warren paused, glancing at each other.
"Tell when Serenity was born and why you chose that name, tell me where you two got together, tell me what happened in the detention you guys and Lash got after you froze Boomer, go on, tell me," I continued, praying I was right, if I was, I was smarter than I thought.
"We, uh, went to a restaurant," Warren said slowly, hesitating, Warren didn't hesitate, and that answer was wrong, we all went to the beach for their six month anniversary and spent the night there.
"No," I said simply, "what about the other questions."
"We called our baby Serenity because-" Amaya started.
"No, tell me why you chose her middle name," I cut in, "that's the important bit, in fact, just tell me her middle name."
"I can still kill you!" Amaya roared, throwing the bloody bundle aside and leaping at me, since this wasn't Amaya, I punched her straight in the face and the image began to fade.
A loud wailing entered my ears and I swung round to find the man in the black cloak standing over Serenity, I scowled and slammed my fist into the side of his face, he made me hit a girl, an illusion-y girl but, still a girl.
"How did you-" he began, looking at me in shock.
"I'm an idiot, I know the basic facts and when you don't know them, I can beat you," I answered with a triumphant grin, "Zach Attack to the rescue!"
"Moron," he hissed, clenching his fists and attacking my mind again.
"YOU KILLED THEM ALL!!!" Magenta's livid voice echoed round me and she was suddenly in front of me, tears streaming down her cheeks, "HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN?!!! I KNEW YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN LEFT IN CHARGE!!!"
"Maj, wait," I said weakly.
"I hate you Zach Lumen, you took away everything, our friends and family, they're all gone, are you proud?" she spat, wiping away her tears furiously, "just because you're a pathetic little Sidekick, unable to anything right, you let Serenity die and then Amaya lost control and killed everyone, this is all your fault Zach."
"This isn't real," I shot back, "I know it's not, so turn off this thing before Amaya and Warren get here!"
"Can't defend yourself?" Magenta scoffed, laughing scornfully, "always relying on others to come and save you, pathetic little boy."
"I am not pathetic!" I shouted, my fists clenching, "you are for wanting to hurt an innocent little girl! She's just a baby! She hasn't done anything and neither has anyone else here at Sky High!"
"He's right," a soft, far away voice said, "so let him go Laurent, before I show what happens when my parents' tempers are combined, trust me, it's not a pretty sight."
"Who the hell are you?!" the guy's voice demanded angrily.
"Last chance," the voice was definitely female and full of ice cold hate, it sounded so distant though, "fine, your choice."
The classroom suddenly spun back into view and I collapsed to my knees from the shock of having my mind attacked twice in a row, I looked up to see a girl of about my age standing in front of me, she was tall and willowy with black hair that was tied in a high ponytail, blue eyes and her skin looked lightly tanned, her expression was non-existent and that was kind of scary, I hastily stood and gathered Serenity, who was screaming fit to burst, in my arms protectively.
"Who are you?" I asked the girl warily, my eyes flicking to the unconscious form of the Ruby Triangle member on the floor at her feet.
"My name's not important, keep the baby safe, I need to get to the gym, the war is starting and I'm here to try and prevent it and give someone a very important message," she said, her voice blank of emotion, her blue eyes drilling into mine, they were so familiar, "I mean, Zach, keep Serenity safe, without her, the future will change indescribably."
"How do you know my name?" I inquired, but she was already out the door, I looked down at Serenity and picked up her teddy, she took and, as usual, began sucking on its ear, "wonder who she was, maybe the others will find out and tell me, and I wonder what war she was on about."
(Magenta POV)
The battle raged around me mercilessly, I was in my guinea pig form and heading for Lash and Amaya under Steve's furious orders while everyone else fought, people falling all around us, I reached the unconscious pair and quickly changed into my human form, I knelt beside them and checked their pulses, faint but there.
I winced as yells of pain echoed round me but, a sudden explosion made the battle stop entirely, everyone swung to the direction of the explosion and saw a girl, she had fire crackling in her palms, her expression uncaring as attacks were thrown at her, she simply side stepped them with a slight smirk, that smirk seemed very familiar, she looked familiar but I'm pretty sure I've never seen her before.
"This battle is over," she smirked, her voice commanding and her tone clearly said 'argue and you die', "do I make myself very clear?"
That was Amaya's line!
"Who the fuck are you?!" Warren snapped furiously, fire licking at his arms.
"That's none of your concern," she sighed, "the Ruby Triangle is going to leave otherwise, bad things will happen, very bad things, a lot worse than placing human souls in lions bodies, trust me."
"Little girl, thinks she can beat us?" a Ruby Triangle member cackled, the girl smirked and covered him with lightning, his yelped slightly before putting up a telekinetic block around himself to protect himself from harm.
"I don't think I can, I know I can," she laughed with a childish grin, winking and sticking her tongue out at him, "never argue with me Oliver."
This girl was so fucking familiar.
"Listen up kid, you tell me who you are or I will roast you alive," Warren growled, glaring at her darkly, her blue eyes flicked to him and seemed to soften before she put up her shields again.
"I can't, it'll change things," she replied, sweeping her eyes over the occupants of the gym, "I do need to talk to Amaya Janice Peace though."
"It's Stronghold," all of Amaya's friends and family said instantly.
"And she's over here," I muttered.
The girl was instantly at Amaya's side, gently rolling her onto her back, a look of worry clearly etched on the girl's face, she ran her eyes over Amaya's wounds quickly then looked up at everyone.
"Anyone here have a healing ability?" she asked, "she's lost quite a bit of blood, she needs immediate medical attention."
"Who the hell are you?!" Pietro practically yelled.
"I told you, that's none of your concern," she answered through gritted teeth, "now, get medical help before she dies! I refuse to let her die okay?!"
"What's it to do with you?!" Pietro shouted.
"You want her to die?!"
"No, but why do you want Amaya?!"
"That's between me and her!"
"JUST GET HELP!!!" Warren roared before Pietro could retort, the pyro's dark eyes flashing dangerously and he punched a nearby Ruby Triangle member in the face before making his way over to Amaya, "Rodent, she okay?"
"I told you before Warren, I resent that nickname and she's currently unconscious so I'm not entirely sure," I grumbled, shooting him a weak glare.
"Kid, who are you?" he asked slowly.
"I told you before, that's none of your concern, if I told you, future events could be changed for the worst," she answered, avoiding his eye by keeping hers on Amaya's lifeless form.
"Rodent, check on Stretch," Warren ordered, glaring at the girl, I nodded and went over to Lash, listening to their conversation, "if you want to talk to Amaya, you have to go through me, so tell me who you are kid."
"I am not a kid, and I can't tell you who I am," she protested tiredly, "I'm really sorry and I wish I could tell you but I can't, I made a promise and my parents taught me to always keep my promises."
"You're not talking to Rain unless you tell me who you are," Warren shot back coldly, "your choice, kid."
"Why did you start calling her Rain?" the girl asked curiously, "I know her name means 'night rain' but, why don't you just call her Amaya?"
"Warren's incapable of calling anyone by their real name unless it's an emergency," a weak voice giggled and I swung round to see Amaya with her blue eyes cracked open and a small smile on her lips, she was instantly pulled into a hug by Warren and she smiled a bit more as she hugged back loosely, "were you worried Warren?"
"What the bloody hell do you think?" he growled, pressing his lips to hers gently, she pulled back with a wince and I saw she had a split lip, damn, she can't even kiss her very kissable, her word not mine, without being hurt now, must be tough.
"Serenity, where is she?" she asked quietly.
"Zach's got her safe," the girl answered.
"Oh, good," Amaya nodded, resting her head against Warren's chest and closing her eyes, one hand holding her side that was obviously giving her pain, "who are you anyway?"
"People call me Ember," the girl replied quietly.
"You have fire powers then?" Amaya smiled, "like Warren?"
"Um, not exactly, I control all the elements, but my fire power's stronger than usual and I mostly use that," the girl said, looking at the floor, why was she suddenly answering questions?
Amaya's eyes snapped open and she looked at the girl with a slight frown, "who are your parents?" she asked slowly, "surely they'd want to know where you were and they wouldn't let you come here, it's dangerous."
"I, um, well, er, you see, eh, I can't tell you who my parents are," the girl stammered, obviously not wanting to lie to Amaya for some reason, I frowned at this and wondered what the hell was going on.
"Another Elemental," one of the Ruby Triangle sneered, "this will be fun."
The girl fixed her eyes on him with an icy glare as she slowly stood, fire beginning to swirl round her clenched fists, everyone's eyes on her as she moved toward the person who'd spoken, a smirk beginning to form on her lips as she threw him into the wall using a fireball that exploded once he'd fallen to the floor.
"Fun is exactly the word I was looking for," she laughed softly, the wind suddenly beginning to pick up and swirl round her violently, "everyone else get out, this is between me and the Ruby Triangle."
"Serenity," Amaya breathed, her blue eyes wide and everything seemed to freeze, the girl stiffened, the wind stopped, the fire on her hands extinguished and she paled as she slowly turned to face Amaya who was being held by Warren who was looking at her like she was crazy.
"How did you-" Serenity began then stopped, unable to finish as she gazed at Amaya through wide blue eyes, Amaya's eyes.
"Let's see, Elemental with enhanced fire abilities, has Warren's black hair, my blue eyes and a skin colour between mine and Warren's, doesn't take a genius honey," Amaya grinned, then winced due to her split lip, "I really need to stop getting myself into these situations, don't I Warren?"
Everyone just continued looking at her until the Ruby Triangle vanished with a puff of smoke that is but, the Elementals didn't seem to notice as they looked at each other.
"Oh, and you better have my brains, god knows you'll never survive with Warren's intelligence," Amaya joked feebly, making Warren roll his eyes, the girl, Serenity, ran over to them and hugged them tightly, Amaya winced but patted the girl on the back gently, "as much as I love you sweetie, you're kind of hurting me."
"Sorry," Serenity gasped, instantly letting Amaya go while Warren looked at her with suspicion.
"This is so weird, you're like my age," Amaya smiled weakly, reaching forward and poking Serenity on the nose who scowled and rubbed her nose irritably, "well, at least I know you're real, Warren, where's the nurse or doctor or whatever, because I'm pretty sure I've bruised my ribs since they hurt like fu-a lot."
"Did you just refrain from swearing?" I smirked, "who are you and what have you done with Amaya?"
"Shut it Maj," she pouted.
"They should be here soon, I shouted at Pietro," Warren said quietly.
"I told you not to do that," Amaya sighed, looking up at the pyro exasperatedly, "it's my job and privilege as his little sister, you know that Warren."
"If I hadn't then he wouldn't have gone to get you help," Warren protested, "he would've continued to argue with the kid."
"I told you I'm not a kid," Serenity snapped angrily and Warren looked at her with a raised eyebrow, she instantly ducked her head and looked at the floor, "sorry, dad."
Whoa, she just called him dad.
"No, she's meant to say mom first," Amaya whined, "not dad."
"I'm just better than you," Warren smirked arrogantly, she rolled her eyes and flicked him on the nose, he scowled and rubbed it much like Serenity had done a few minutes before.
"I can so kick your ass in a fight," Amaya argued, "admit it Warren Andrew Peace."
"Don't; say my full name Amaya Janice Stronghold almost Peace," he retorted, boy, that must've been a mouthful to say.
"When are you guys getting married?" Serenity asked eagerly.
"We only got engaged last week, when you were born, we haven't exactly started planning yet," Amaya answered with a small smile, "when's our anniversary?"
"I can't tell you, you weren't even supposed to know who I was," Serenity replied, "I can't give away any information, I'm simply here to tell you something and hopefully stop a war from breaking out."
"War? What war?" cut in Warren with a frown.
"The war between Heros and Villains, the entire Super community splits, traitors on both sides, innocent bystanders getting caught in the cross fire, great people dying, I'm here to hopefully stop all that from happening," Serenity whispered, looking at the floor she was kneeling on, "but the message is for mom only, I can't tell anyone else, maybe dad, I don't know, I was just told to tell my mom something."
"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Amaya asked, obviously not listening as she thought about her future life and the all the answers were sitting right next to her, "not too many so I lose my figure though, right?"
"I can't tell you but, you're really beautiful mom, back home," Serenity smiled, "everyone loves you and looks to you for the support and guidance they need, you're everyone's Hero."
"Yay! Go me!" Amaya cheered with a laugh as Lash began to stir, she wriggled out of Warren's hold and hugged Lash happily as he sat up, "shit Puppy, you scared me half to death, honestly, what is with you, terrifying me like that?"
"Do I know you?" Lash asked croakily, pushing her away from him and once again, everything in the gym seemed to freeze at the words someone had spoken.
Yet another cliffhanger, I am so evil it's not real
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