I really, really hate the title New Powers and Goodbyes! It's absolutely a terrible name and I despise it. So, I decided to rename it. I had trouble figuring out a name that fit the story so looking at the new outline I created for it, I thought of something that could work. So the new name is Fighting The Corruption. It'll make more sense later on, trust me.

-Kath

Chapter Three: They're Like Snakes

MAX'S POV

I leave the house an hour later than expected, the Voice hollering in my head as I finally grab my pack from the porch floor and leaping into the air.

Good lord, Voice. Shut the hell up. I'm leaving, I'm leaving.

You stayed longer than needed, Max. Now, in order for you to make up the time you wasted, you need to go into hyperdrive. The location you are required to go to is a two hour flight if you exceed four hundred miles per hour.

Four hundred? I've never reached that speed before. I don't know if I'm capable.

You are more capable than you think, Max. You are destined for greater things.

I roll my eyes, angling my wings to catch the air current, riding it as I readjust my backpack. It's difficult positioning it correctly with my wing muscles constantly shifting.

I huff, almost losing my grip on my backpack as I clumsily try and fit it over my shoulders so it hangs in front of me. It gets caught on my wing bone, slipping off as I string my arm through the left hole.

Hyperdrive, Max. Time's wasting.

Chill the hell out, Voice. Give me a second.

After several more minutes of shuffling, I finally give up, resorting to just carrying it. I take a deep breath, clearing my mind to help myself active hyperdrive. I feel the rush of power, smiling in delight as all my surroundings whip by in a daze.

I twirl, looking around at all the colors blurring together. Blues and greens fade together, brown and white mixed in there every once in a while. It gives the sense of wonder, the beauty of it.

Alright, stop.

Slowly, the power drops, and all the colors take shape again. You don't want to rush out of hyperdrive too quickly. I made that mistake when I was testing out the new ability the first couple of times.

I look around to see a mountain surrounded by a crisp forest. The green of the leaves is vibrant and I can smell how fresh and untouched this area is. I smile. It's absolutely breathtaking here as the sun beats down on the green, forming a shiny glow.

I descend slowly, taking in my surroundings. Where am I?

You're in Canada.

I touch down lightly in a small clearing and just like the trees, the grass is crisp and untouched. Fascinated by how green it is, I throw my bag down, sitting down and running my hands through the fine grass. It's incredibly soft.

Lying back, I let the sun shine over my face, warming me. Feeling the fatigue from being up all night, I close my eyes. Maybe I could just take a little nap. . .

No time to rest, Max. You are already behind schedule.

Well, so much for that. I pout, sitting up. I grab my back, using it as leverage to stand.

Alright, Voice, now what? I look around trying to see through the dense brush. The tree trunks are skinny but there are so many of them that the lack of size is made up in quantity.

You see that pile of rocks to your right? Head towards them.

I look around for these so-called rocks, squinting my eyes against the glare of the sun. It's around midday now so the sun is in exactly the wrong spot.

"Ah-ha!" I finally spot the rocks concealed by a collection of trees with long branches on them. I walk over, carrying my bag in my arms. I walk around the rocks, looking into the thicket to see if there is something hidden within.

Stop in front of the rock covered the most in moss. Then face towards the north and walk two hundred steps in that direction.

Circling the rock again, I find the specific rock, turning north and counting off the steps.

198. . . 199. . . 200. . .

I stop, mentally tired from counting. I might have drifted off a bit around one hundred so I may be off by a few numbers. It's been a really long day.

You should now be able to hear the sound of a waterfall. Listen closely.

I strain to hear, my mind working overtime to concentrate. I faintly hear the sound of water, smiling to myself. I walk towards it without waiting for the Voice, knowing this is what it would say next.

I come to a narrow canyon, having to turn sideways while holding my bag over my head in order to get through. I huff, tripping and tumbling to the ground right at the exit. My bag goes flying, landing several feet away from me. I stand up, brushing the dirt off my clothes.

I look up to see the most gorgeous sight I've ever seen. A hundred foot waterfall cascades down the side of a little canyon in the mountain. It opens wider on one side, a large cave entrance half hidden by vines hanging low in front of it. Birds chirp and I look up to see a flock watching me from their perches in the trees. A few open their wings, taking flight to only move up a few branches.

The sun has sunk behind the waterfall, creating a radiant orange glow. The pool of water being fueled by the waterfall is crystal clear and calm other than where water is tumbling into it.

I take a deep breath, savoring the moment and locking it away to think about later. The environment soothes me, helping me to feel relaxed.

This is a safe haven created by other mutants over the years. The cave over there has a special atmosphere that helps with out-of-control developing powers. That's where you'll spend the next little bit in order to soothe and fuel your powers, giving you control over them.

How long?

A little bit.

Yep, I got that. Thanks so very much.

I take a deep breath, looking over the landscape one last time before walking over to the cave and entering. It's pitch black but my eyes start to adjust enough for me to see everything in a hazy glow.

I squeeze my bag hard as a chill runs down my spine. The temperature has dropped and I shiver.

The walls of the cave are rough and jagged with bits of shimmering rock peeking through. I come to an abrupt stop because there's only stone in front of me. A dead end.

Did you really think you were going to find something magical out in the open? This place has a bunch of precautions in place in case one of the scientists like Jeb were to discover it. Place your hand on the wall and will the heat to rise.

Yeah, that didn't work out so well the last time my hands decided to become heating pads.

Just do it, Max.

I huff, setting my bag down against the wall. I place both hands on it flat, taking a deep breath and glaring at them in concentration. I feel a slight tingling sensation, smoke rising from my hands. I stare in awe and shock. This is the first time I've ever had any sense of control over whatever my developing powers are.

I press my hands into the stone harder, hoping that'll help whatever the heat seems to be doing to the stone. The smoking coming off of my hands starts to fill the space and I cough, trying not to inhale too much of it.

A ripple comes out of my hands, rolling across and up and down the stone in waves. It capsules in on itself, the rock crumbling to the ground. I cough as dust kicks up and mixes with the smoke.

As I wave dust away from the opening in the wall, my eyes widen to find a large pool of calm water. In the center is a tiny island with a large stone throne on top of it. The water cracks and sizzles, ignited with some sort of electricity or energy.

I pick up my bag, wiping away the rocks and dust the cover it. Stepping over the rocks, I enter the secret room. The walls glow with the reflection of the water even though there is no light source to be found.

Another chill runs down my spine because this secret room is fucking cold. Shivering, I hold the bag closer, trying to gather more warmth. Good lord, it's cold in here.

Alright Max, you need to strip down.

I whine, tossing my bag against the wall and mumbling as I begrudgingly take off my shorts and shirt. Standing with my arms crossed in my underwear, I stand at the edge of the pool staring down into its depths. It's a really deep body of water. I can't even see the bottom.

Now get in slowly and swim over to the island.

Oh hell nah. It must be freezing.

Buck up, Max.

I pout again, sticking out my bottom lip like a child. I really don't want to go in the water. Sighing, I muster up the courage to stick a toe in and I'm surprised to find the water warm. Glaring at it, I slide my foot in, wiggling it around.

Why is it so warm?

Don't forget this is a special place built by mutants. They wouldn't want the water cold.

Fair enough.

I sit down on the rough edge with hands on either side of me as I gently lower myself in. I tredge water for a moment, slipping beneath the surface to soak my head.

I swim over to the island, climbing out. Water pours down me, wetting the crystal slab the throne rests on. How in the world is this just floating here? Confused, I lean over the side, sticking my head down in the water to see nothing underneath the slab.

I pop my head back up, taking a deep breath. Standing, I shake my ears of the water, shivering. The water may be warm but the room is still really cold.

Sit on the throne. Sorry it's not very comfortable.

Great. I sit down, shifting around to try and get a half decent position. The Voice was wrong. It's incredibly uncomfortable.

I lean back, taking a deep breath as a bit of jagged crystal digs into my back. The throne is made out of the same dark crystal as the little floating slab it's placed upon. It also happens to be cold to the touch, adding to the already chilly air. I shiver, goosebumps flaring up my wet arms. The tiny hairs stand up and I rub my hands over my arms.

Alright, Voice, now what?

Place your hands and arms flat on the arm rests, back completely straight and close your eyes. Try to relax.

I do as I'm told, leaning my back flat against the rock, arms and hands out in front of me. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Feeling semi-relaxed, I wait until the Voice speaks again.

This might sting but try not to move.

I hear rushing water and before I know it, something latches onto my feet. I yelp but keep my eyes closed, trusting in the Voice.

It yanks me out of the throne and I plummet into the water. Okay, yeah no, bad choice. Never trust in the Voice. Never trust in the Voice!

I open my eyes, panicking.

Try to relax, Max.

Yeah, fuck that.

My arms flare, trying to get whatever is snaking its way up my legs off. It's grip until it tightens and it hurts like hell. Feeling helpless as it drags me down, down, down, it makes its way around my torso and my arms.

As I start to see stars, my last conscious thought is that trusting the Voice was a very very bad idea. If I somehow make it out of this alive, I am going to murder that son of a bitch.

Relax.

I black out, losing too much oxygen and the pain too much.