"Not today of all days." I muttered as several people raced past us. For a moment I worried that they'd see Shock then I figured that they were more concerned with a huge monster currently stomping around the park. "Maybe I should change into Strength mode."
"I'd say yes to that idea." Shock replied, eyeing the monster.
"I'll call N-Tek and get their help." Berto told me. "Maybe I'll take cover somewhere first." He added, looking over at the Elementor. Quicker than I'd ever seen him move, he rushed over to a nearby bridge. Ducking behind it, I saw him grab his phone and dial. Distracted for a moment I almost didn't see the Elementor rush towards me until the monster was almost on top of me. At the last second Shock called out a warning and I dived forwards, rolled and leapt to my feet as it slammed its fist into the ground. With no one around, Shock flew at me and we linked. Instantly there was a flash of green light and the Elementor took a step back as I changed into Strength mode.
"What do you want?" I yelled at it as it watched me.
"To destroy you and Max Steel." It growled at me and I glared back at it.
"Not this again. Look I'm getting pretty sick of you picking a fight with my friends. Back off or you'll regret it." I told it and it roared at me. Sending a wave of water at me, I rolled out of the way just in time.
"Making it mad isn't the smartest move you've made." Shock pointed out as I stood and ran forward, striking the monster in the face and sending it into the ground a few meters away.
"He started it. Look let's just take it out and go home." I shot back as the Elementor climbed to its feet. This time its hands burst into flame and it stomped towards me. I ducked down and leapt into the air, changing modes in midair. A moment later I flew over it in Flight mode, working out what to do next.
"Any ideas Shock?" I said as the Elementor took flight and came after me. "Oh man!" Moving faster than I had before, I dodged the Elementor as it sent wave after wave of fire at me only for the last flare to hit me in the wing. Shock detached and quickly put the flames out.
"Keep away from the monster?" Shock suggested as he linked again and we took off.
"Trying to. Not really working." I gasped, trying to catch my breath for a moment but the Elementor wouldn't let up for even a second. Soon I was exhausted and not paying enough attention when I was struck by a blow that sent me spiraling out of control towards the ground. Unable to right myself I slammed into the ground and instantly changed back to base mode.
"Jessie you have to get up." Shock said as I struggled to sit up.
"I know that. Tell me something I don't know." I groaned, rubbing the back of my head. To my shock the Elementor landed nearby and started for me. "Oh come on." I grumbled, rising to my feet and getting ready to face him. It was at that moment that help finally arrived in the form of two Jump Jets. Changing to Flight mode again we took to the sky as the Elementor turned to face the Jets.
"Sorry we're late." I heard Jefferson say and I gave a thumbs up.
"No problem. Glad you two could make it." Shock answered, watching on as Jefferson and what I assumed to be Kat fired on the creature, slamming it into the ground.
"Nice shot!" I yelled. Happy to have some backup, I went after the Elementor as well. Knowing its weak point were the orbs in its head, I aimed for them. Unfortunately for me it seemed to sense what I was about to do and dodged at the last second. The force of my swing sent me past the Elementor, almost hitting Max Steel who had only just turned up. "Whoa!" I yelped as Max moved out of the way and I just managed to avoid hitting the ground again.
"Are you two okay?" Max asked as I righted myself.
"Not really. What kept you guys?" I asked them as I flew back towards the Elementor, who was currently fending off attacks from two directions.
"I had class today remember? We're here now and that's what counts." Max explained, following me. Hovering just above the creature, Shock detached himself and flew into my hands. Using him as a conduit I sent a massive blast of Turbo energy at the Elementor, aiming for the orbs again. This time, distracted by Jefferson and Kat's attacks, the monster wasn't able to dodge in time and my attack was right on target. With an earthshaking roar, the Elementor fell forward onto its face.
"Take that!" I yelled as the Elementor lay there. Landing nearby I walked over to it and nudged it with my foot. When it didn't move I grinned down at it. Thinking we'd won, I was all set to leave when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. "Umm Shock, do you get the feeling this isn't over?" I asked. When I heard someone laughing behind me I spun around and instantly wished I hadn't as I found myself face to face with Miles Dredd. "Oh no." I muttered as I stepped back.
"So we meet again. I never did catch your name." Dredd said and I glared at him.
"My name's J-Shock. Not that it's any of your business." I growled at him and he laughed at me again.
"So you do have some spirit in you. Too bad I have to break it." He said and suddenly lifted his hands. Instead of running I stood my ground and that proved to be a big mistake as his hands glowed. Suddenly I felt my Turbo energy being siphoned again and I hunched over, grunting in pain. As I knelt there, I saw his armor start to glow an orange color and I knew he was stealing my energy. Drained of energy I changed back to Base mode. With a yell he fired a shot at me and sent me flying through the air. Before I hit the ground, I was caught in midair by C.Y.T.R.O.
"Are you alright? Why didn't you move?" Berto asked me as he flew me back to the ground.
"I don't know. I knew what he had planned but something stopped me from running away. That wasn't smart." I groaned, shaking my head to clear it.
"Yeah not the smartest move you've made." Shock agreed and I sighed in frustration.
"Less criticism, more advice please." I grumbled. To my surprise a compartment opened up on C.Y.T.R.O's shoulder and he handed something to me, a weapon of some sort. Interested I examined it and realized it was a sword a little bigger than my hand. "Whoa!"
"It's something I've been working on. I just put the final touches on it yesterday and I was kind of hoping that you'd get to practice with it." Berto explained as I swung the sword around a little. "Shock, try linking with it."
Detaching from me, Shock did as Berto asked and the sword lit up in a flash of green light. Instantly the sword's blade widened and began to glow. Amazed I heard Shock suggest trying it out on Dredd. With a grin I did just as he suggested. Rushing at Dredd I swung the glowing sword at him and he jumped back.
"Where did you get that weapon?" He asked as he dodged another blow and fired a shot at me. This time I was ready and I sidestepped the shot, bringing my arm up and the tip of the sword connected with Dredd's face. When he stumbled back I took another swing, only to realize too late it was a bluff when he kicked out and knocked the sword out of my hands. Suddenly weaponless, I looked down at my hands in disbelief. Caught off guard I missed Dredd's hand glow briefly before a blast of stolen Turbo energy struck me in the face, throwing me into the air. Stuck in Base mode and separated from Shock I couldn't fly away as Dredd shot into the air and smashed his fist into my stomach, winding me. Raining blow after blow, I was completely helpless. To my relief Max Steel intervened and smashed into Dredd, distracting him. C.Y.T.R.O then swooped in and caught me, taking me a safe distance away.
"Jessie? Can you hear me?" Berto shouted and I cringed, rubbing my ears.
"A little deaf now, thanks. Aside from the possible concussion, I'm fine." I replied as Shock linked with me.
"Sorry I wasn't very helpful." Shock apologized and I shook my head.
"It wasn't your fault. I made the mistake of dropping you and the sword. Next time I'll make sure not to." I answered as C.Y.T.R.O let me go. Woozy I somehow managed to stay upright through sheer force of will. I then turned to watch Max Steel take on Miles Dredd. As they traded blows I noticed that the orange glow that surrounded Dredd was beginning to fade and I worked out that his stolen energy was about to run dry. As if he could sense it, Dredd send a final blast at Max Steel who was struck and thrown into the ground. I was about to go after him when I saw his jet fly towards him. As it swooped down he jumped aboard and waved as he flew away. Jefferson and Kat tried to go after him only for them to be fired open and that gave him enough time to escape.
"Not again." I complained as walked over to Max, who had managed to climb to his feet and shake his head.
"I know how you feel. Trust me." Max said as I stood next to him. "It's getting to be a habit of his."
"So I've noticed. What happens to the Ultimate Elementor now?" I asked as I saw a glowing net being thrown over the creature. Surprisingly it struggled but wasn't able to do a thing as it was dragged aboard a larger vehicle I'd never seen before.
"That's N-Tek's R.O.C.C or Remote Operational Command Center." Berto said as he walked out of Jefferson's Jump Jet. "How are you holding up?" He asked me.
"Like I smacked into a brick wall." I replied, holding my head. "Other than that I'm good." Earning a smile from him, Berto led me to the Jet.
"That keeps happening to you a lot lately, doesn't it?" Forge asked as he stepped over to us. After removing my helmet Shock detached from me and hovered nearby.
"Yep. All the fun of being a superhero." I commented as I rubbed the back of my neck. Max laughed as he joined us and Steel detached from him.
"I know the feeling. Ready to get back to N-Tek?" He asked me and I nodded, still feeling the effects of the battle and the energy syphon. As we lifted off I noticed Berto standing away from the rest of the group, frowning. Curious I stood up and wandered over to him. Tapping him on the shoulder I was a little shocked when he jumped.
"Please don't do that." He muttered and I rolled my eyes.
"Sorry I was just wondering why you're looking so worried. " I asked him and he sighed.
"Is it that obvious?" He replied and when I raised an eyebrow, he sighed again. Fiddling with wrist computer on his arm, he seemed to be avoiding looking at me in the eyes. Finally he looked up and opened his mouth to speak, only for Max to interrupt.
"Why are you two standing over here?" He asked and Berto excused himself, leaving me to glare at Max.
"Thanks a lot, Max." I grumbled and raced after Berto, leaving Max to probably wonder why I was mad at him.