To Save the World

Maisy

Sound threatened to swallow Maisy's thoughts as she ran and ran, all too alert to the pain of those around her and to her own helplessness. Because if she stopped, if she stopped... they'd kill her. She wasn't sure who they were anymore. She knew it should be Nathaniel, no it was Nathaniel and Edward and maybe all the guardians but there were too many uncertainties now. Even Audi couldn't be trusted to be evil anymore, there had been something in her eye; relief? Joy? Friendship? Maisy didn't know.

Burning flesh was a new smell for Maisy. In all her life, she'd associated fire with Leal or with Jessa and while they'd had their faults, they'd never used their powers to this extent, there's never been such fear and fury all in one place. The good guys are better at this than the bad guys, Maisy thought wryly as she finally stumbled to a halt, taking deep, poisoning breaths of smoke and human essence. She looked around. She'd not run a long way but after ducking and weaving through the crowds along with the smoke to mask her retreat, she was well hidden for the moment.

What if Audi meant it? Maisy wondered. It had all been too fast. Audi's touch, the feel of her flesh melting against her as if every barrier, every inch of that hard exterior had been shattered and then the blur and rush of air as Jason tackled her away. Jason. He was somewhere amongst this carnage fighting an elemental twin he could never defeat and here she was, running blindly with no thoughts except to save herself. How much the world had changed, how much Maisy was learning of it and none of it good. Could Nathaniel have the right idea afterall? No. Of course not. But the guardians were no better, not when one of theirs could do this.

If I'd been given the choice, I think I'd have chosen to hide rather than help any of you but now, I have to make up for the bad things I did. I have to help save the world. Maisy smiled bravely and suddenly Audi was standing across from her. Maisy's instinct was to run but whether it was away or toward Audi, she didn't know. It's just another of her tricks, it has to be. And of course, Maisy knew she couldn't afford to be fooled again so she fled.

Kathy-

Jessa continued to follow me through the burning city. This was good since I knew where the other guardians were... and she didn't.

Noah was standing there helping an innocent to his feet and Char next to him. I ran up and grasped my chest for air.

"Kathy, what's going on?" Charcoal asked.

"Jessa's coming."

We all stood there as Jessa came and held a ball of lava in her hand. The joy in her face faded.

"Kathy, what's going on?"

"You fell for a trap."

"That's not fair!"

"You betrayed us remember," I said amused.

~Jessa~

Oops. I knew I was pretty much screwed, at least as a bad guy. Who knew if one of Nathaniel's lackies stood in the shadows. I still had to act, even though I wanted to run back to them, I had to act for their sakes.

"So you guys are ganging up on me three to one. I feel honored that you think so much of me." Don't let your voice crack, or if it does, hope that Kathy knows you're acting and fixes it for you.

I sent a ripple of lava at them. Dodge it, dodge it! Thankfully, they'd practiced with me and had knew the most likey places I would attack were.

"Oh, Jessa..." I looked at Kathy, who had spread her arms.

"Oh, crap." I said, forcing the cement under me to turn into lava. As she brought her hands together, I let the magma swallow me whole.

Kathy-

She was gone. Good, I really didn't want to blow her back. But we had to act like she was a traitor.

"She's a good actress," said Charcoal.

"And she'll stay that way. She may be annoying, but she's practically family. She wouldn't truly turn to their side."

.............

Edward-

I kept pushing the darkness, but then a whole next to me burned with light and pushed me back. Jessa appeared from the lava and looked around.

"Hey Eddykins."

"Jessa. Go. Away."

"Fine, so much for my greeting." Then she disappeared.

"Thank you, Jason called. I pushed my darkness against his light, but that distraction was too big. Someone needed to come and help me now.

[Audi Rosario]

Maisy ran.

I kept standing there, mouth slightly agape at the sight of her dwindling figure. Nathaniel held his sides and laughed a strange, hysterical laugh. He spun around and took in a deep breath of smoke. I looked once towards him, then down to street.

"Aw, what's the matter, Audi, dearest?" Nathaniel seemed to be giddy with happiness. "Look around and take in the sights, go play and have some fun, throw rocks at the firefighters like I know you like to do."

My lower lip quivered. "She ran away. Again."

"Go play, you look depressed and I'm not used to seeing you like this."

I scratched my arm idly and squirmed under Nathaniel's now father-like gaze. I shook my head no and stomped my feet, lip still quivering. He motioned me over to where Jason was--the cool darkness suddenly being flashed to white light, then back.

"I want my friend back!" I whined, tears popping at the edges. I just noticed that ever since Maisy had left, it had been the longest time I've been without her. "I want Maisy back,"

"Audi, HELP!" screamed Jason, irritation scratching at his voice.

I sent out a deep pulse of confusion behind a flash of darkness, then sat down. I helped and that was all I was going to do. Nathaniel's footsteps were fading and I wondered if he was going to search for Maisy. I brought my knees up and burried my head in arms, listening to the music around me.

Larella

Maisy was gone again, Edward had looked at me like i was some sort of alien. Nothing was going right and Raye was probably in a lot of danger. My rage won over my nice side and I felt a burning desire to give Maisy what she deserved. But, of course I wouldn't hurt her...the spirits might, but I can't control them.

The spirits were in more power then ever and this time I was actually enjoying it. They gave me speed like I'd never had before and caught up to Maisy with pure ease. Of course the spirits were smart and loved to play games, so when Maisy turned around they rushed to a hiding spot before she saw them.

"Maisy, your going back." The spirits lulled in a echoing voice that wasn't mine. Maisy looked lost but, then Audi ran up in sight and Maisy ran again. I let out a sigh as did the spirits, we were one now. Not separate, I no longer resisted their effortless power of dominating my mind and body.

"Maisy, come back and play with me!" Audi said in a comforting voice, sending a pulse of happiness Maisy's way. I could actually feel the pulse but, it felt as if it found my being and jerked around me.

The spirits pounced to another spot and briskly looked over at Audi and nodded. Audi got into the side opposite so we could trap Maisy. Maisy was running still but now that we were ahead of her she seemed lost and wary to her surroundings.

Finally when she came closer to where we both were we jumped and snatched her.

"We warned you Maisy." The spirits said once again in that weird voice. Audi and I began walking back to where everyone was.

The spirits exited my body feeling accomplished so I felt accomplished as well. But, I didn't show any sign that i was happy. I knew that I needed to find a safer location for Raye and fast, the spirits cautioned that Nathaniel was up to something.

"We got her Nathaniel." I said giving Maisy to Audi. Going to look for Edward, wanting to apologize.

"Hey Edward...I'm sorry about what happened earlier." I said trying to avoid his graceful features that always and forever would catch me off guard. I let a smile broaden my face knowing I had a plan ready for Raye to be safe.

Jason

"Thankyou, ladies!" he said brightly, relinquishing his invisibility. Jessa and Larella looked surprised to see him, Edward just looked pissed.

Or he would have, if Jason had given him the time to realise he'd been distracted by the girls who were supposed to be helping him out. But a focused burst of light issued down from the street lamps on either side of Edward, slamming into him. It was by no means Jason's most powerful attack, trying to kill Edward with light would render him helpless against anyone else.

But this particular attack could slow most people, and was particularly effective against Edward, who found himself pinned to the ground with no shadows touching him. And the light would gradually weaken him as well. Jason didn't know how long he should hold this on him. On the one hand, he couldn't leave and turn his back to an Edward still strong enough to attack him. On the other, every second he wasted was a second Maisy could be in trouble.

He was torn, he felt a need to seek out Maisy, but he knew that he couldn't do anything if Edward could use his shadows on him.

"Larella!" he screamed, "You have to help me bring Edward down!"

She seemed horrified, the spirits rising behind her eyes, "What?!"

"Nathaniel wants to use your brother for something, and I need to find him so I can help my side stop him from doing that to a child!" He prayed that Larella had some kind of good, rational side. Even if he'd told a white lie here, he knew that if Maisy was captured, she'd be taken to Nathaniel. And if he had to take down Nathaniel to save Maisy, then he'd technically be saving Larella's brother as well.

He just didn't know if he could beat Nathaniel.

[Audi Rosario]

"Am I really that bad?" I asked, biting my lower lip, "Does she hate me--"

Nathaniel punched a firefighter that tried to run by, and then pointed the water hose towards Jason. He flew back a little and I giggled at the slippery sight of falling bystanders. It took a minute before I noticed she was there. Maisy.

I crossed my arms and held in my emotions, staggering to stand up. My hair was wet from the water and it stuck against my face. She didn't say a word or run away, Nathaniel was at my side again.

"Maisy," I stared, chewing on my lip again. "I didn't do this, do you believe me?"

"Hey, don't touch her, Audi!"

Maisy turned around to see Jason running towards us, she looked to me. My bottom lip was quivering and didn't know where I wanted to be sad or mad. Jason wouldn't leave us alone, but I didn't wasn't done talking to Maisy.

"Jason, go away!"

Nathaniel's eyes darkened, the words hissed, "It's a bad time, Jason,"

"Don't go," I choked out, one hand up to send a pulse of feigned pain to Jason. A headache might stop him... for a minute or so. "I know you hate me, but don't run!"

Edward-

Nathaniel hit Jason with a blast of water and I let go, slumping down to my knees. I could never imagine Nathaniel of all people saving my skin.

Larella had apologized for what happened earlier, though I didn't know why. That side of her was... great.

And now Jason and Maisy were cornered. "Finish them?" I asked Nathaniel.

"I want to know what my brother knows. Now!"

Jason stepped in front of Maisy as though shielding her. "Never."

Stupid heroics. They always get you killed.

Antonius -bad:

He staggered out of the shadows, he looked at the situation, Jason hit by water and Edward on his knees. He ran to Edward, "How you doing mate?"

Edward looked at him "Where the heck have you been?!!"

"Here and there, almost burned with the house... Jessa was it who started it?"

Edward didn't answer.

"I don't trust that girl, she almost killed me." Antonius said out loud,

Nathaniel looked his way "Antonius, where have you been?"

"Sleeping!"

Jason

Nathaniel snorted at Antonius' excuse, "Alright then." He turned back to Jason and Maisy, earning a harsh glare from Jason, "Now, talk, boy. Don't be a hero, you know as well as I do that I won't hesitate to kill you."

"I'm not going to tell you anything, the others'll be along soon, and you lot don't stand a chance against my people and the guardians together. Noah'd probably just stop time and it'd be all over before it began."

Antonius stepped forward, "I'll just take it straight out of his head, Nathaniel."

His leader shook his head, smirking, "No, Antonius, that's no fun. I'd rather have him beg to tell me what I want to know."

As he turned to Jason, the boy suddenly glowed a burning white, then a thin ray of intensely focused light speared towards Nathaniel. The blood elemental threw himself to one side, and the light singed a clean cut through his shirt, grazing his flesh and instantly cauterising the wound it had caused. It bored a hole clean through the wall on the other side of the street, and then flickered out. Jason stumbled backwards, exhausted by that one foolish attack.

Nathaniel stood up, brushing himself off and rubbing his wound a little, "Now that was just impolite." he growled, "This is my favourite shirt!" He glared at Jason.

Jason broke out in a sweat, gritting his teeth against a sudden pain deep inside. His whole body felt as if it was heating up. He screamed in pain, his legs buckling under him as he collapsed to the ground. He could feel his blood literally starting to boil in his veins.

Antonius:

He looked at Jason as he sunk to his feet.

"Are you sure I can't read his mind?" He asked Nathaniel.

"No I like my way better,"

"Suit yerself."

"I'll be going off to see how our new recruit is doing, we wouldn't want her to melt the whole city now would we?"

He took a gun from his holster it was a magnum 45. One of the new models that could be loaded more easily.

"YOu still carrying guns?" Nathaniel asked.
"Well reading minds can be handy but it doesn't kill... easily at least, of course I can make people do suicides but this is much more easy," He smirked. and then he was off.

Maisy

"Stop it," Maisy said quietly, staring at Nathaniel. He was flanked on both sides by Edward and Audi, the former watching his elemental twin intensely and the latter still fixated on Maisy. Antonius was walking away, off to see what further trouble he could cause no doubt.

Jason writhed on the floor in desperate pain, his body convulsed and the sweat on his head turned red, seeping across his skin to splatter on the floor. It bubbled and spat, boiling into steam. Nathaniel laughed.

"Stop it or I'll dematerialise you." Maisy made no move to comfort Jason or to shield him. She was helping him the best she could by standing and talking calmly. She was better than the heroes and the villains in her books, she was stronger becuase she knew the rules of both sides. Or at least that was what she had to keep telling herself because if she paused to think, to really think, she didn't know who she wanted to run to most: Audi or Jason.

All was still. Nathaniel had released his control of Jason's blood and was stepping forward toward Maisy. Edward and Audi came with him. Edward stopped when he reached Jason and bent over, smirking down at his nemesis. Nathaniel put a fatherly hand on Audi's shoulder to stop her just a little more than an arm's length from Maisy. Audi's held her arms out and then wrapped them about herself.

"Please Maisy," she said. "I can be good." Maisy tried not to see the tears welling in her eyes but she knew it wasn't a trick. She also knew Audi couldn't be good; it wasn't her nature.

"Or Maisy can be bad," Nathaniel said sternly. "Your father didn't treat you well Maisy but if you came back, it would be different. You'd be part of my family." Nathaniel squeezed Audi against his side a little, using her as his bait. Maisy wondered how much of a family they really were. She'd seen the bond from the outside, raked every fissure with her eyes. At the time she had been relieved to go home every night to her father, despite his torture, because they had scared her.

"I could dematerialise you," Maisy said, trying out the idea in her mind. Could she really? Would her powers do that, had they been working her toward that?

"Do it," Jason's voice was thick with pain. Maisy didn't look in his direction. He was safe for the moment and that was enough for her. Could she really do it?

Antonius:

It wasn't too hard for him to track where Jessa had gone, he just followed the dried lava, he soon reached an area where he saw a few goody gooders looking at the ground.

Antonius smiled and hid behind a corner. He looked again there was Noah, and that water girl, and of course Kathy.

Dammit, he wasn't sure how to handle Noah, that bastard ´could stop time...

He came from behind the corner and brought his gun up, the gun banged a good five times, all bullets aimed at Noah.
Antonius jumped back behind the corner and ran a bit further, away. He did not want to be caught.

[Audi Rosario]

"I knew you still hate me," I sniffled, letting a few stray tears fall. "But you won't do it, you won't kill me. You know, you and Nathaniel were the reason I loved going to our little headquarters all the time."

I could feel impatience flicker at Nathaniel's thoughts, but there was still a calmness about it. Jason was still writhering on the ground in the fetal position with a pained look on his face. A few shots had been fired in the distance--Antonius for sure--and screams being echoed down the road.

Maisy's face twisted and she repeated, "I could dematerialize you,"

"You always could," I whispered, taking another cautious step forward, locking eyes to let her see through mine. "I could've sent out false emotions, I could've tackled you to the ground and laughed, but I didn't. You could've done what you threatened any time, but you never really wanted to. Am I right?"

I didn't try to sway her emotions to my advantage. I wanted to know. Nathaniel sighed, pushing me out a little closer to her, and waited for her answer. Jason was, too, silent now, looking towards Maisy. All eyes on her.