Chapter 9: Calming the Storm

Ever since my birthday I've been treated a lot better by the locals and as a result, Jet turned even greener with envy. I didn't care. I loved making him suffer like this! He's still too cocky for his own good and thinks just because of his destiny he's above everyone else. That would change in the next few days.

Unlike myself, Storm was somewhat cast aside. It was as if he didn't matter. Sure Jet and I had our specialties and even our own weapons but Storm only had his fists and great stature going for him. According to the Master that wasn't enough. So I decided to help him with this. Since my birthday he's mostly kept to himself inside the castle punching anything that was still to feel better.

"Storm you can't keep moping around here like there's nothing to do. You have a purpose you know." I stated.

He slammed a fist into his bed and muttered, "Oh really? Like what Wave, all I'm good at is busting up stuff. I'm not even a Rogue yet."

"Well neither is Jet…and if you don't get up and do something then Jet will be the next Rogue. You know what'll happen then…"

I could tell what the picture in his head was. Jet parading around like a god showing off his skills to everyone and anyone. He'd ridicule Storm to know end.

"You win. But I don't know how to prove myself without someone to challenge…"

"Uh, you're talking to a potential challenger here. I'll race you around the same course that Bane and I took and-"

"Don't let me win, Wave. That'll just prove I'm not as good as you."

I nodded. At first it crossed my mind but then I shook it off. What kind of friend would I be if I did that? And speaking of friends, Jet wasn't doing such a good job of being Storm's buddy at the time. As the two of us went into the main hall that cocky creep leaned up against a column giving us a sly stare.

"What's up with you Storm? I thought you were stoked about getting out of this place for some action."

"Well," he mumbled.

"Well what? We're still going aren't we? We can't get into another city without an adult and you look a lot older than I do…"

"What's that supposed to-"

"Ah, Jet! Storm and I are going to race around the city do you want to see?"

"Why are you racing him? You're already a freaking Rogue!"

"This isn't about me, Jet!" I snapped. He cringed. Then I grabbed Storm's wing and went outside the castle.

Ignoring the riot of civilians Storm and I got our boards and I got my wrench. If he wanted a good race I was going to have to use all I had. Just as before I felt a rush course through me as I prepared myself to sprint across the starting line. Master wasn't present to count down so we used a counter machine instead. At the last ding we were gone.

Being slightly faster I was already ahead by the start. Storm didn't seem to mind though; he only continued to use his booster to gain speed and frequently hopped onto the sand dunes until we were neck and neck. Reaching out for me I pulled to the side, escaping his grasp for a split second.

"Don't go, Wave! I was just gonna hit ya! Ha ha ha!"

"I'm glad you're having fun Storm but I won't let you get to me that easily."

Ramming against him I took out my wrench and swung at him, but he stopped me and pushed me off balance. If I hadn't grabbed onto his back I would've fallen off my board and he would have won for sure, but the rush wouldn't allow me to lose. Without warning I yanked the wrench from his grasp and wailed on him like an angry woodpecker.

"Ah, Wave!" he bellowed. Something wasn't right inside me.

Before I knew it, Storm was tumbling off into the scorching sand and I couldn't bring myself to continue. I got off immediately and tried to pick him up, but his wrath was too fierce to approach.

"What's wrong with you Wave? I said not to let me win not beat me up so I can't win! I give!"

Not turning back he climbed onto his board and dashed off, causing several bits of sand to fly inside my mouth. I deserved it I guess. For some reason the rush I'd gotten when I killed Bane hadn't left me and I targeted Storm in the process. I needed to get to the bottom of this before someone else became my prey.