Me: So guess what? I'm thinking of doing a sequel.

Brooke: A sequel? Why?

Solacd: So she can prelong our torturous sentence, that's why.

Me: Hahaha.

Dean: Sequel? Torture? What?

D'Anna: Are we in your sequel?

Me: Yes, you're in the sequel, no it's not more torture, and emphasis on: Im thinking about it. But I need names for a sequel, people! And Im adding new character-or thinking about it.

Dean: Oh...ok.

Kalyn: Thanks to everybody who supports us!

Solace: We're just too lazy to say your names.

Me: Solace!

Solace: What?

Me: Never mind...read on. ;) If you review, I will make a special effort to thank all of you in Chapter 18. Enjoy!

Chapter 17: Family

"Tell me about your family," I said as we walked along to the Council room for instructions.

"Well," Marta said, as she pushed her glasses farther up her nose "I remember my dad. He always was the fun one. We went everywhere together. I had a brother, named Taeylor, but he moved to start a new life before I was five. We lived in a small town in Mysterium, but my mom wanted to move. She didn't like the reputation that a "working class city" gave her. But my dad insisted that we stay. So we stayed. But mom grew annoyed, and one day, she just took me, and light leaped. I've been raised here ever since."

"So all this time, you've known?" I asked "You've known that your dad was still out there?"

"Somewhat." Marta sighed "My mother tried to drill it into me that she was the only leader in my life. That I was going to be a lady, and I never had a father."

"That's terrible."

"But deep down inside I knew. And I remembered him, when I saw his profile."

We pushed the doors open, and took our seats. I stared down uncomfortably at what I was wearing. I had on a black skin tight suit, that ran from my neck to my ankles. I had a jacket, also skin tight, with a collar, and black combat boots. The person that dressed me insisted on clasping a brooch on top of my heart with the Black Swan insignia. When she was gone, I unpinned it and tucked it inside my jacket. My brown hair was braided to the side, unbelievably tight, it was a miracle I could think.

"Miss Tempest, Miss Matthews," One of the elders nodded when he saw us.

In response, we smiled, and held up a hand in hello. Now that I was a member, I had moved from the guest seat to an end seat on the last table with Marta. But I didn't mind. It was good to have a friend with me. The last of the War Council assembled, and the meeting started.

"The operation is to save Kayler and Tavin Matthews, members of our organization. We are also to rescue friends of Brooke, a Solace, Dean, and D'Anna...is that clear so far?"

He glanced quickly at me, and I nodded. I had given him the name of my friends yesterday after the meeting.

"Lastly," He said "We are to capture the certified Mesmer, and hold him in custody."

Marta and I exchanged a stricken glance. The Mesmer was supposed to be captured into custody?

"Did you know that?" I asked, through telepathy.

Marta looked a little shocked that I had intruded, but she quickly recovered. "No, they only told me about some things. They're going to capture him? How? He's a Mesmer, they won't be able to even get close."

I thought on this. Marta proved a very good point...unless...

"They know that you're his daughter," I though realization forming "They're going to make you distract him."

Marta's face turned pale. "They wouldn't. Would they?"

I took her hand. "I won't let them."

She smiled at me, but I knew she wasn't sure.

"You will light leap to your assignment." Another elder, female, said and I scowled.

I pulled up my jacket, uncovering a new nexus given to me by the Black Swan. It was dark black with a pale teal jewel and an engraved black swan. I missed my old nexus, especially since one of my only memories of my childhood was getting it.

"Operation activated," The elders said in unison. "Good luck."

Everyone assigned for the mission bowed their heads, and disappeared. I closed my eyes, and imagined the Mesmer's campus-which wasn't hard- and felt myself carried away. I opened my eyes and did a mental check. Body not fading. Check. Face not missing. Check. Still somehow alive. Check. I looked to see that Marta and the other five officers had also made it. I looked to see that Marta and the other five officers had also made it. Some Black Swan gadget caused us to become invisible, because the first of the guards pasted without noticing our presence. I flinched when a guard rounded the corner, and he stared straight at us. Momentarily, his face filled with suspicion, then he shrugged, and continued his patrol. The teen beside me elbowed me.

"Keep your emotions in check, Matthews, " he hissed "It weakens the shield."

I nodded breathlessly as we advanced in the complex.

"Where now?" The boy asked.

I looked up at him. "Turn right. My parents are in the cell on the first right, and Dean is on the second left. But I have no idea here Solace and D'Anna are."

We slowly made our way to the cell. The boy pushed me out if the field.

"Hurry!" He hissed.

"Mom, dad," I whispered, startling them. "Grab my hands."

Fortunately, they knew enough to cover their surprise. They liked finger with each other, them with me. I pulled the hands to one of the officers, who took them, and disappeared. Mom and dad disappeared with them. They had light leaped back to the Black Swan building. The other woman held out a hand, and an illusion of mom and dad appeared in the cell.

"Keep moving," The teen hissed and poked my spine.

I growled as we stepped to the second left room and light leaped back Dean. Now, I had Marta and three others with me-unfortunately one being the bratty teenage boy. I closed my eyes and searched for the Mesmer's mind. As I read his thoughts, I fed my team the information they needed to rescue Solace and D'Anna. The three officers went to retrieve them, leaving me and Marta with the last capture. The Mesmer.

We knew how little time we had, so we ran to the location, and sneaked inside. The Mesmer was facing the wall. But he shuddered as we entered.

"I know you're here Matthews." He sneered "Stop playing invisible girl. Show yourself."

I started to come out if the shield, but before I could, Marta stepped out.

"Dad," she said.

The Mesmer turned around and baked up in surprise. "Marta?"

"I came back for you." She grinned "Will you come with me?"

He blinked "Where have you been all this time? Do you know how long I've been looking for you?"

"Come with me, and we'll be together." Marta coaxed

The Mesmer's face contorted in indecision. "I don't know."

"Why did you join this organization dad?"

"They said they would help me find you."

"Am I here?"

"Yes."

"So whats the point now? Come with me."

I turned back to see the teen duck around the corner and motion to me.

"Is everyone else rescued?" I hissed at him.

He scowled in response but nodded.

"Then come," I said "We're not quite done here."

He slipped into the room with us, as Marta continued her negotiation.

"How did you rescue me? Did you light leap? And how did you get past my security?"

"When she gives the go," I whispered to the boy "Grab him and lightleap to homebase. Got it?"

He nodded as Marta took a step closer.

"Please," Marta pleaded "Come. I promise I'll explain everything afterwards."

"My security is top rated..." The Mesmer muttered "No one could have gotten in...not unless..."

Realization dawned in his cold eyes. "You're working for Helen."

All at once the operation started to fall apart.

Marta stumbled "What-w-no-"

"-You're working for her! She sent you here. You're not rescuing me, you're capturing me! GET BACK!"

Marta started to cry "No, I would never-"

"-I HATE YOU HELEN! Curse you!"

In desperation, Marta twisted two fingers behind her back: the signal. The boy jumped out of the shield and grabbed the Mesmer. He struggled to hold him down, but they managed to disappear. Marta sobbed, sinking to her knees.

"It's ok." I said "Go back to the Black Swan. Talk to your father."

She looked up. "But what about K-"

"Hey, hey. Never mind. I'll do it by myself, no need to worry."

Marta gave me a hug, stepped back and disappeared. I sighed, and stood tall. I closed my eyes, and pictured where I needed to go. As I was whisked away, my only thought was Kalyn. And the surprised look on his face when I rescued his sorry butt.

My room was full of traitors. Five of the Mesmer's guards were in my house. As I light leaped under the bed, I could see their feet, marching around my room. I bit back curses as I lay still. The pathfinder was in my night table drawer. How was I going to get it? I saw the soldiers were lined facing the door. If I just had enough time... I lunged. I grabbed the table and thrust open the drawers. As I held out the pathfinder, blue light shone from its tip. All five guards turned towards me.

"Hi," I waved then held the pathfinder to the light.

I disappeared before they even knew what hit them. I opened my eyes. I was standing in the middle of a bustling street. Humans scurried in all directions. Flashy lights were on buildings, and oddly shaped yellow contraptions trudged along the streets. I squinted at one of the signs. I was in New York. I light leaped into a store and hid under the racks as I snagged clothes from hooks. I didn't like stealing, but I needed to fit in. I pulled on grey sweatpants and a blue top and sweater before appearing back into the streets. As I stared at all the people, I wondered how I was going to find my brother. The air was really dirty, and I could feel my lungs weazing. I sat by a building and closed my eyes, zoning in on Kalyn's mind. The street was filled with so many people, but I managed to find him.

"Kalyn!" I thought

"Brooke?" His answer was uncertain.

"It's me." I said "Where are you?"

"In an old building."

"Can you sense me?"

"Yes, you're far away..."

"So if I keep moving, will you know if I get any closer?"

"Maybe..."

"Ok, so where now?"

"Uh, straight."

"Gotcha."

I followed the crowd down the road, blending in with the crowd. I was travelling to a secret organization building led by only the senses of a fourteen year old kid. I wouldn't be surprised if five hours from now, I was no closer than when I began.

Kalyn: Seriously Brooke?

Brooke: Hmm? *innocent face*

Kalyn: You do realize that has no effect on me right?

Brooke: Hmm? *batting eyelashes*

Kalyn: Dude, Im your BROTHER, not your boyfriend.

Brooke: *sighs* You have no sense of direction.

Kalyn: I do too!

Brooke: Do not!

D'Anna: I just can't believe she left you guys unsupervised.

Me: *pops out of nowhere* Im not that stupid.

Brooke: *screams* How did you get there?

Me: *smiles deviously* I have my ways.

Brooke: Youre starting to sound like Solace.

Me: :) You wish.

Dean: Actually, we don't wish, cause there's enough dictatorship as it is.

Me: K well then, I momentarily separated you all. Be grateful.

Kalyn: Hehe, kind of being tortured and held hostage still. Not greatly grateful.

Brooke: Well if you were a better navigator, then maybe I w-

Kalyn: I am so a g-

Brooke: No y-

Kalyn: ARE TO-

Me: GUYS! OMG please stop. You're giving me a migraine.

Dean: Physcological Fact: Mammoth Poop stops migraines.

D'Anna: Is not-

Me: Ok, that's enough. We are taking a long break. This is torture.

Solacs: Did someone say torture?

Me: Ok, Im outta here. Review and stop these guys from driving me crazy. Behave while Im gone! I MEAN IT! *lightleaps away*

Dean: NO SUPERVISION!

...

All: *screams and runs around the room crazy*

Me: Why do I even try?