I know you all are going to kill me for not updating for so long...I really am sorry. Originally the story was going to end differently, so when I got the idea to change it it meant I had to get into a whole new frame of mind when I wrote this chapter. Plus, have you ever tried writing in a car when you're on the highway with three other people in the car and the car crammed full of stuff? It's not fun. Anyway, thanks to RubyVulpix, Inspector Brown, The Star Swordsman, and Shaded-Sky for reviewing and I hope you guys won't completely hate me for what I'm about to do in this story.
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Chapter 8: Hero
Tim met his mother's smug gaze steadily. "We're going to Timbucktu, can't you tell?" he asked sarcastically.
"Well, you appear to be taking my hostages with you," Tempest snarled.
"No. They're not your hostages. They're my friends." replied Tim. "And I'm not going to let you do anything to them."
Tony added in a mocking voice, "You can't do anything to us now anyway. We destroyed your precious Power-Thief!"
The smirk on Tempest's face wavered slightly. Her eyes blazed with fury now. "Yes, I saw you destroying my precious invention. And I can assure you that you will pay for that. And pay dearly!" she snarled. "Especially you, Timothy. I must admit, I'm shocked. I didn't think you had it in you to rebel."
"Apparently I did. And you are not going to touch any of my friends either," he retorted, coming to stand protectively in front of them.
Then another of the villains stepped forward. "Oh no? I may not have physically destructive powers like Mother and Daddy but you should know better than anyone how good I am with my fists. Right, little brother?" Trinity sneered at the group of teenage heroes. "I think I'll start with your girlfriend there!"
She slapped Brittany viciously across the face. Looking shocked, Brittany quickly retorted by shoving Trinity into her mother. Even though his friend appeared to be handling the situation quite well, Tim looked livid and about to attack his sister.
"Enough!" Tempest held her daughter back. "If you're going to punch anyone, punch your brother. He's the cause of all this!"
Earthshaker, Cascade, Veronica, and Fuego looked ready to jump the boy, and Tempest had just begun to slam him around and hit him mercilessly with bolts of lightning when a voice called, "Stop!"
Running forward to block Tim with her small body, Brittany glared daggers at the villains. "If you're going to hurt anyone for this, don't hurt Tim; hurt me. I brought Aquaguy and the Floating Beam to this island to rescue Viomist and the Soaring Ghost. I am responsible for your plans being ruined. Take me."
"Are you crazy?" Tony hissed.
Not turning around, Brittany answered in a level voice, "No, I'm not."
"Hmm." Tempest looked at Brittany the way a dog might look at a freshly planted flower bed. "I can't say no to a willing victim. Fuego, Earthshaker! Grab the girl and take her to..."
"Wait!" Brittany held up a hand. "First promise to let my friends go and promise not to lay a hand on any of them ever again."
Tempest snarled but muttered, "Fine! You have my word we will not touch any of them after they are gone."
"No!" Tim laid his hand on the smaller girl's arm and looked into her face. "Brittany, you can't do this! Don't give yourself up to them!"
"I'm sorry, Tim. I have to." She gazed into his dark eyes for a long Tim before pressing her lips to his for an instant. Walking over to her other friends, she hugged each one, then went back and stood still while Fuego and Earthshaker seized her arms and dragged her out of the room. Brittany did not cry, but Violet and Mia began sobbing quietly, and even the boys were misty-eyed (especially Tim). They knew they'd never see their brave friend again.
Then, just like that, it was over. Tempest herself ushered the team out of the Element's lair silently.
Only when they reached the exit did Tim say softly, "Goodbye, Mother." Tempest ignored him.
No one spoke as they trekked through the jungle, or as they boarded the boat. Not until they'd set out and were a good distance from the island did Mia remark quietly, "That was really noble of Brittany." The others murmured their agreement, except for Tim, who merely sat and stared down at the dark water. Everyone was quiet then, remembering their small friend who had given herself up to save them all.
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I know the correct title for this chapter is probably "Heroine", but that would have given it away. Please review even if you do hate my guts now. Oh, and the next chapter will probably be the last one.
