If the Shoe Fits…Part 10
The team assembled on the God Phoenix, ready for the second half of the mission. The sun was setting quickly, and they decided to make a quick flight to Danya to try to find Jun.
Joe and Ryu eyed the new Swan appreciatively.
"You look great…being a Swan suits you!" Joe winked at Janet, causing her to blush.
Ken was busy concentrating on the task at hand. He was convinced that Katse would somehow find Jun, and if he did, she'd be practically helpless without her bracelet. He clutched her bracelet tightly, lost in thought as he stared down at it. I just hope we can get her to safety in time…
Meanwhile, Katse was giving his orders to the spy, Agent Garrison. "I have sent one of my new mechas to assist you in destroying the village of Danya. With the Swan in the village, her friends on the Science Ninja Team will surely come to her aid."
Jun was relaxing more and more every minute she stayed in Danya. The mountains were beautiful, the air was fresh, and the villagers enjoyed a slow-paced, quiet life.
That evening, Jun finally felt like going out and visiting friends. Everyone remembered Jun as a child, and they were pleasantly surprised to see her back in the village again. Catching up on old times with her friends almost made her forget why she was there…until…
"My baby!" A young woman sprinted toward them screaming at the top of her lungs, "Run!" She was followed by a stampede of villagers …all of them terrified and shrieking.
Looking behind the crowd, Jun saw a huge mecha, spitting fire bombs on the village. It looked like a Gryphon, a mythological creatureconsisting of a mix between a lion and an eagle.
Panicked, she automatically curled her wrist toward her mouth to alert the team, only this time…there was no team, and no bracelet…she was on her own.
"Madiana, take the others deep into the mountains. I'm going to make sure everyone gets out safely." Jun motioned for them to leave as she ran toward the beast. The searing heat from the burning village singed her skin, but she kept running through the village, looking for anyone who needed help.
She heard the muffled wail of a child, and she couldn't help but think it might be the baby she heard the young woman screaming about. Lifting some burning timber, she saw a very young child, hurt and crying, beneath the debris. She quickly scooped him up and darted away from the mecha.
As she ran, she felt intense heat on her back. It knocked her down, but she managed to crawl away into a deep trench. There, she collapsed, still protectively huddled around the wailing baby, and fell unconscious.