Learning to Breathe

A/N: I, and some of my muses, have decided that it was time to get back to our scheduled plot.

Chaos: We have a plot?

Oh shut up. This chapter will focus on a few of the minor characters, which accounts for half the team.

Chapter Twenty: One on One

Two days after the outbreak, Zartan resumed the training schedule he had set up beforehand. Each day of the week, one of the team had a one on one power training session with him as the instructor. Day one was Thunderbird.

"Now, Thunderbird," the assassin started "You've shown a lot of promise, but you still need to work on being more—how should I put this—loose with your powers."

"But someone could get hurt!" The boy protested. "I mean, Andi ended up in the medical bay for burns earlier this week! How do I know I will not hurt anyone else worse than her?"

"I'm not saying to relax control completely." Zartan said. "Just get more creative about using them."

"I do not understand." Neal replied. "What do you mean by 'creative'?"

"You'll see." Zartan answered. "For now, try to hit that cardboard target over there. It's a twenty yard shot, but I think you can handle it."

"I will try." Neal gulped. He shut his eyes and threw a ball of plasma at the target, narrowly missing it.

"Try again." Zartan ordered. The Hindu nodded and gave it another go, this time singeing the edges. The cycle continued for twenty minutes before Zartan finally called it quits. By that point, Thunderbird was actually hitting the target.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Golem was Thursday. The kid was nice, but not nice enough to tolerate while punching holes in the wall. What had started as practice sparring soon became a free for all between him and a few other troops.

"Golem! For the love of all things holy, put that man down this instant!" I shouted. Of course, he didn't hear me. He was too busy tearing the punching bag from its chain and beating people with it.

Time for a tactical change. "Golem! I heard they're serving mashed potatoes in the cafeteria today!"

"Sweet!" Golem grinned.

It was all I could do to keep from getting run over, but at least no one is going to need stitches. Or a cast.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Friday was Lady Mastermind. She seems to have a little bit of trouble with her telepathy, but we're working on it. Well, trying to work on it.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't do this!" She exclaimed. "Your mind is too shielded."

'she has a point.' I sighed. "Hang on. I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Regan asked.

"To find someone you can practice with." I replied.

"What?" Andi blinked. "Why do you need my help?"

"Because she can't get into my mind." I explained.

"Did you let your shields down?"

"Yes, but she's still having trouble."

"No surprise there. She's an great illusionist, but not a strong telepath."

"That's what I'm trying to fix. Will you help or not?"

"I don't think she wants to read my mind. Why not ask Ry?"

"Because she needs to push her abilities, and you're the best we've got."

Andi sighed and lowered her voice. "Fine. I'll help."

"That's a good girl." I said. "Come with me."

WVWVWVWVW

"Now, try to get past her mental defenses." Zartan ordered. Lady Mastermind nodded and reached out toward Atlantis' head. Her eyes glew bright blue, and eventually her hands stopped shaking.

"Those are some massive walls." Wyngarde commented.

"Odd." Atlantis said. "My security's on low. You must be a lot weaker than I thought."

"I am not weak!" Lady Mastermind growled, blowing through the mental shields in the process.

"You did it, Reg!" Andi said. "You broke through your first shields!"

"Really?" The blue-eyed girl blinked, immediately retreating from her teammate's mind. "I actually tore down your blocks?"

"Yes!" Andi replied. "I mean, they were still on low, but it's progress."

"I guess so." Regan said.

"I think that's enough for one day." Zartan cut in. "Why don't you two go take a break?"

"Okay." Regan smiled, running to the door. Andi got up to follow, but Zartan stopped her.

"What is it?" She asked.

"We're going to practice tomorrow." Zartan said. "Your hydrokinesis needs work."

"Okay." Andi replied. "Where?"

"There's a park not too far from here." Zartan replied. "It is a wonderful place to start meditation."

"You mean like some Buddist nut-job?" Andi asked. "Forget it!"

"Not like that!" Zartan said. "I'll explain when we get there! Just meet me in the parking lot at ten."

"Fine." Andi exclaimed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to play Mariocart!"