Chapter 24

"Nothing," repeated Ms Kari – her voice still double-toned. "It's too late."

Then she laughed softly.

"Seeing is believing… isn't it? " she said sarcastically as she briefly reverted back to her natural blue-scaled form, while the others around her gasped.

It was almost like a change of clothes. Then she was Ms Kari again.

She smiled contemptuously at them. "Blame Ron. He was the one who told me everything. It's amazing what a few dates – and some alcohol – will do." And she laughed.

Across the room, Commander and Jetstream glanced at each other and stared at Kari in shock. The entire room was suddenly strangely silent as the music died.

"Where… is Ms. Kari?" a student cried – her voice echoing. "You're… you're not her!"

"No…" she smiled sardonically then towered over the frightened student. "She was finished."

More gasping. Someone wailed.

As soon as she leapt away, someone screamed. Hiding amongst the crowd, Magneto suddenly levitated levitated himself into the air.

Several neck-sized metal rings seemed to be hovering in the center of the room revolving around a figure. In the center hung Magneto, with arms raised like a god.

An audible thud occurred as Principal Powers was whacked at the back of her head. She dropped. The glass she was holding smashed to the ground. The juice sprayed on her white blouse.

Chaos was starting to break out with teachers trying to shepherd students to safety. Lash amongst them screaming for them to follow him.

"To the bus NOW!" he shouted.

Pupils screamed, ran and flew in all directions trying to find a way of escape. The remaining pupils were scattering like frightened animals. Screaming. Yelling. Running. Trampling over others.

Hearing the screams, Jubilee began to flee. Will saw her disappear amongst the flood of rushing students. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his parents engage in strained conversation with Magneto.

"Stop this Magneto," Commander ordered with his hands on his hips and Jetstream right beside him.

Magneto sneered back. "It is not for you to command me, Commander."

Then he laughed.

He flicked his hand. Uncaringly, the rings opened and shot straight at several targets.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jetstream saw one streaking the air heading for her and the Commander.

As it arched across the room, Jetstream attempted to fly sideways out of its path. The Commander spun around.

But Magneto's aim was true. The rings found their necks and clumped shut – leaving them to gasp for air.

"Mom! Dad!" said Will as he dashed towards them - seeing them struggling to breathe on the ground. Layla following behind him.

Someone grabbed his wrist.

"Will! You take care of them! We're going to find Royal Pain," shouted Zach over the screaming. Will nodded dumbly. Then they disappeared with Ethan and Magenta into the crowd.

Layla was already kneeling beside his parents, trying to help them and Will joined her as he tried to release the rings choking them.

The other adults captured were writhing on the ground, breathless.

Bam.

Will suddenly saw stars dance in front of his eyes. He snapped around to see Mystique in fighting stance.

"They can't help you now…"

Will felt a punch from Mystique/Kari hit the bottom of his jaw, sending fireworks cracking before his eyes.

"Stop it!" Layla shrieked, sending ivy roots to grab Will's attacker.

As the plants constricted around Kari's body, she stopped punching Will and focused on freeing herself.

Yet, strangely, she was calm at the smiling and the panting flower child by Will's side – who was using all her strength to summon the plants, a look of fierce anger in her eyes.

--

"What the hell?"

Ron awoke to a shove in the small of his back accompanied by a commanding voice. "Drive the damn bus Ron!"

Ron's eyes snapped open to find Speed snarling at him.

"Y-you", Ron could hardly speak.

"Hurry up!" Speed yelled. "Do you want to die?"

"Y-you!" Ron stammered. "I… I'm not going to help a criminal!"

"It's your funeral," said another voice. Ron turned to see Lash flip-stretch behind him. All seriousness and no smiles.

Suddenly, the crowd of children were crushing around him – begging him for help. Then his eyes widened. And he took a deep breath.

"Come on in then!" He waved the children inside. Then bus was immediately flooded.

--

Inside, Magenta, Ethan and Zach were trying fleeing to a safe place. The corridors were eerily silent and dark. Fluorescent lights were flicking and casting long shadows around corners. Their footsteps seemed loud and clumsy.

Seeing a quiet deserted room, the trio slipped inside. They were panting with exertion. But they needed to talk. To formulate a plan of attack once they find Royal Pain.

They didn't need to discuss where she was. They had an idea. Just what do to deal with her.

Despite being sweaty and almost consumed by darkness, Magenta wasted no time. "We have to get to her." No matter what.

Ethan looked grim.

"What can we do?" said Zach, sounding rather helpless.

"We have to do something," said Magenta. "We can't give up without a fight."

"We need help Maj!" Zach said. "Lash did have a point. This is suicide without the others help."

"What help can we find Zach?" Ethan said. "Warren… doesn't seem to be here. Will is helping his parents… and rightly so. Jubilee has disappeared somewhere and it will take too long to find her."

Silence in the darkness and gloom.

"I wonder what happened to him?" Magneta said softly.

"Who?"

"Warren."

More silence.

"Okay let's not think about that," Zach said. "This is not helping us."

"It will just have to be the three of us wouldn't it?" Magenta said bitterly then shook her head. "Let's at least equip ourselves with some weapons."

"Like what?" Zach.

"Base ball bats," Magenta said. "From the sports store room."

"But how will we get in to the antigravity room?" asked Ethan. "After last time, I'm sure Royal Pain would probably send Stitches to guard the alternative route – if she herself is not there."

"Then we just have to defeat him," said Magenta. "We don't have a choice."

--

The Commander's muscles were bulging as he tried to unclasp the ring from his neck. Will was there beside him – his face contorted as he strained to pull them apart and at the same time dodge flying metal utensils that have become weapons under Magneto's command.

"Come on dad," said Will desperately. "Pull."

The Commander's breathing was becoming shallower.

"Come on," said Will.

With one last burst of energy, the ring snapped open, leaving him rubbing his neck on the ground as Will collapsed beside him.

Whiz. A metal knife cut the air.

Will rolled over and it landed where his head used to be.

Will glared at Magneto, who was still hanging mid-air above him.

Meanwhile, Josie continued to suffocate. Her face was bluish.

"Mom!" yelled Will.

Dodging Magneto's attacks, Will and the Commander finally snapped the ring holding Josie captive. The Commander launched himself at Magneto by leaping into the air.

Magneto dodged and laughed.

--

Meanwhile, three claws extended from Kari's fingering tips. About a foot long, they were like sharp knives designed to cut bone. With them she quickly released herself from the binding ivies.

As soon as she was free, Kari gazed at the claws with admiration. "Adamantium - unbreakable metal. Beautiful - don't you think? Talon was such a great superhero… if only she lived."

She licked her lips at Will, who was watching her intensely as he tried to free Boomer. "Not even your thick skin will protect you against these…"

In a flash, she delivered a flying kick to Will's body before he could leap away. He landed on the ground like a brick but tried to crawl away.

And she was closing in on him. Her claws were extended and ready for slaughter.