Chapter 22
--
The metal hit an invisible wall inches from Pyro. Then dropped to the ground.
"Kara! What are you doing?" shouted Electrix.
"Help me!" she pleaded. Her eyes shot a pleading look at Electrix.
Electrix was frozen. A change of loyalty wasn't what he was used to in the middle of a battle.
A flash of unbridled anger crossed the normally stoic Magneto's face. Lifting himself into the air, with his black cape flying behind him, he said, "I will not allow you all to get away with this rebellion."
Electrix swallowed a lump of fear. Silently, he stepped in front of Kara and raised his arms in preparation - ready to protect her with bolts of electricity.
Baron Battle watched them with a slightly incredulous look on his face but nodded as they made eye contact.
Wham!
Spots of blackness engulfed his vision as a kick landed on Battle's head.
Mystique! "Enough play," she said and licked her lips.
--
Voom! Another piece of metal flew straight for Pyro.
Pyro braced himself for the impact. But again, it stopped inches from him. But this time it was shaking in mid-air.
"You can't stop me Kara," said Magneto quietly.
With a flick of his hand, another shower of metal materialized.
Kara gasped and prepared to concentrate. If she couldn't stop them, at least she could redirect them…
Pyro squirmed as more pieces of metal sailed past him to hit the wall behind.
Kara ducked as another piece whizzed past her ear.
Suddenly, an unearthly howl filled the room.
Dimly, Pyro realized it belonged to him. Pain exploded as a metal piece embedded into his shoulder.
Magneto laughed.
Kara gasped.
"Are you going to push your luck Kara," said Magneto slyly. Other pieces of metal were being summoned rapidly.
Kara bit her lip. Beads of sweat were starting to form on her forehead. She has to succeed, or die trying.
--
Meanwhile, Battle was on the ground trying to fight off Mystique. Ribbons of fire after ribbon poured from Battle's hands.
Mystique was spurred into action. Reflexively, she pranced around the hall, escaping the licking flames.
She glared at him in anger as one caught her by her ankle. But not for long.
Whack!
Baron saw stars as she aimed another powerful kick to his head.
"Mystique!" Magneto yelled. "Get the jet ready."
Mystique licked her lips at Baron Battle - jealous that she would miss the fun of bashing him to pulp. After one last glare, she leapt away, leaving a weakening Battle on the ground. But this didn't stop him from trying to attack a retreating Magneto.
Ribbons of fire chased Magneto as he flew in the air.
Majestically, Magneto immediately summoned pieces of metals as shields to try and protect himself.
Then he growled in anger as a ribbon of fire still managed to grab hold of his cape, rippling through the fabric.
A bolt of electricity also tore past Magneto's ear as he levitated through the air.
"You will not get away with this," he yelled. His voice echoing as he streaked towards the jet.
Suddenly, shards of metal pointed at Kara and company suddenly plummeted to the ground.
But Pyro summoned a magnificent fire eagle from the flames. It emerged angry and ready.
Then a giant strip of fire rope shot out from Battle's fingers - a ribbon that curls in midair – which begins to wrap around Magneto.
Too slow.
Magneto shot through the hoops.
But now, just for the moment, the predator has become prey…
The talons of the eagle almost rakes the side of his face as he emerged from the fire hoops, before taking to the air to circle again.
Grinding his teeth, Magneto spun around in mid-air to avoid a second attack.
But he realizes three – no four, with Battle - functioning mutants were facing against him.
Even as the mutants continued their attacks and Magneto was put on the defensive, he was too proud to concede defeat.
"I will be back!" he declared.
With that he ascended outside, disappearing amongst the darkness. The group heard the rumble of a jet and he was gone.
--
With Magneto's disappearance, Pyro felt an exhaustion flood his muscles. The pain on his shoulder was throbbing. Blood had seeped through his shirt making it almost half red.
Kara was beside him immediately, looking at the injured shoulder and metal pinning him to the wall.
"Don't move," Kara said with seriousness in her voice.
Pyro just nodded.
Kara pushed with her mind.
Pyro yelled and his back arched as pain erupted in his shoulder. The metal scraped his flesh as it parted with his body.
Kara immediately released Pyro from the wall and lowered him gently to the ground with her mind. His hand went to his shoulder to stem the blood as he slid to the floor, his legs failing to hold him.
For an instant, Kara was worried he had fainted. But then his eyes snapped open and were as fierce as ever.
"Warren," he gasped weakly. "Help him please."
--
The newfound trio – Kara, Daniel and John – were all silent as Kara concentrated to manipulated matter with her mind to unlock his prison.
Click. Click. Click. Click.
With a hiss, the glass flipped away like a lid to create an entrance.
Inside, Warren was completely still. Then Warren's father stepped forward and scooped his child into his arms and lifted him out. He could not bear to see his son inside there any more.
Cradling him on the ground, he felt for a pulse.
"Not you too…" Battle whispered when he could feel nothing. He couldn't believe he had came all this way only to have his son die beside him too.
Then, Battle felt the gentlest of throbs under his fingers.
Baron Battle's heart leap in joy – beating in time with the beat he felt under his fingertips. Suddenly, he felt like he was already in heaven.
"D-dad?" Warren whispered weakly, attempting to rise.
"Shhh…" his dad's hand reached to touch the side of face, bringing him warmth and comfort. "You're safe."
Stroking his son's sweaty hair, he whispered, "I'm so proud of you."
Warren didn't say anything. He just hugged his father tightly – not wanting to let go. He could feel tears forming inside his closed eyes.
Clutching his son's hair and face, Baron Battle enveloped him in a hug.
Feeling his dad's arms around him, Warren whispered, "I knew there was some good in you."
At this, Battle hugged him tighter. He only hoped it was not too late.
--
John looked at the scene a little tearfully nearby. But he shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"We have to stop him," Pyro said to Kara, even though his insides melted in fear.
Kara nodded. Then suddenly her face spasmed and her eyes looked vacant.
"Kara?" Pyro asked but she did not blink. "Hey Kara!"
Kara just sighed absently. She did not notice Pyro's arms catching her before she dropped to the ground.
--
Warren heard Pyro calling Kara's name. And her body being caught in Pyro's arms.
"She used too much energy…" Warren heard Electrix mutter as Pyro supported Kara's limp body.
"She can't stay here," said Pyro. "We need to get her to the hospital."
"No!" yelled Electrix. "Do you know what could happen there? There are normal humans there. We can't have them know who we are."
"That's the best idea we have."
"No!" came his frightened voice.
"Do you want her to die?"
Silence.
Pushing his dad away, Warren suddenly leapt on Kara trying to rip her away from Pyro, who was holding onto her.
"You!" he yelled into her face then tried to lift her by the front of her shirt.
She did not react. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was partly open in her unconsciousness.
A glitter of metal also caught Warren's eye – it was the angel necklace that Warren's father gave to him – hanging from her neck.
In fury, Warren snapped it off causing her to moan.
"Warren!" yelled Pyro. "Stop it!"
Warren glared at Pyro but ignored him. He waved a fistful of fire at her face, threatening to burn her.
Then he said slowly, "You… killed… my mother."
"What?!" Baron said then narrowed his eyes. His arms were now flaming too.
"Don't touch her!" Electrix said threatening to zap the weakened Baron.
"For God's sakes everybody!" yelled Pyro.
Warren did not seem to hear. From the lethal look on his face, he seemed ready to burn her…
Wham! Pyro barreled into Warren and shielded her Kara's body with his own.
"Pyro move!" came the deadly whisper from Warren near his ear, as Pyro held on.
Warren had clutched onto John's shoulders hard, preparing to rip him away from her – forcefully if he had to.
Pain ripped through John's body as Warren pressed into his wound causing blood to spill out.
Pyro gritted his teeth. The pain caused Pyro to clutch onto Kara harder. Kara struggled as his arms tightened around her and she gasped for air.
"What are you doing?" Pyro heard his own voice accusing. "Don't let your anger control you!"
Warren froze. The sound of his own words coming out of his friends mouth were like an unexpected whip lash.
But stubbornly, he did not loosen his grip.
Pyro just shouted, "Look Magneto's gone. To find Royal Pain. Innocent people will die. We have better things to do than fight!"
Silence. The sound of breathing filled the room. Suddenly, the trance was broken like shattered glass. Baron quenched the fire in his arms. Warren slowly released Kara who still lay limp in Pyro's arms. Pyro breathed a sigh of relief.
Baron glanced at Pyro. "What else do you know of Magneto's plans?"
An exhausted Pyro responded. "I think he wants to kill everyone."
Warren was in disbelief. "Everyone?"
"Well… at least the normal people," Pyro tried to explain. "And anyone else who stands in his way."
"We've got to stop him," said Warren seriously.
"I know," said Pyro. He glanced at Kara's unconscious body. "But how? We can't fight like this. We have to act as a team. Do you know how?"
Warren shook his head. Pyro sighed.
"At least I think I know where they are heading," said Pyro a-matter-of-factly. "We could go there to try and stop them."
"Well let's go!" said Baron. "Time is being wasted."
Baron would go – alone if he needed to. Then he groaned as he tried to stand – his shoulder and body were aching from sudden exhaustion.
"You're too weak!" cried Warren. "You will die like this."
Battle shook his head. Despite being somewhat unsteady, he stood.
"No. I am coming," insisted Battle. Baron knew he still had a little bit of power left. "It's my choice… Magneto must be dealt with. Are you going to help me or hinder me?"
"But dad –"
Baron gave a quick flash of a smile. Warren had called him 'dad' and he had been satisfied. But it quickly melted into a determined face again.
"Warren please," said Battle raising his hand. There was no arguing with him now.
Warren sighed. "Well then. Let's get out of here."
Warren glanced at Kara and Electrix. "And Electrix, get Kara to a hospital."
"What?" Shrieked Electrix. "How? I can't freakin' carry her all the way."
"I don't know!" Warren voice was harsh. But then more calmly, "Taxi. Bus. Find something."
Electrix' eyes were darting back and forth before he gave a huge sigh. Uncertainly, Electrix nodded. "… I'll go now. I know the way out. You can follow me…"
"Then let's go," Warren said.
