The crowd dissipated with an uneasiness, their murmurs slowly drifting from focus, unwilling to touch on the event that happened a few minutes ago. I left the crowd and joined a more peaceful part of the school grounds. People were scarce, and I took some time to sit on a bench to take a breather. Waves of heat and cold washed down my back, forcing me to shudder. I took out my phone.

Julian: This is a notice to every troop. I'm asked to pass this on. Please keep a lookout for a young girl around the age of 8, by the name Willow Stone. She's missing. Report if seen.

Willow Stone... Stone?

I scrolled down to see a photo of a girl with raven hair and dark eyes. Yep, she looks like Marty.

"Marty's sister?" I breathed. And to my luck, as I was making my way to my dorm, taking an isolated shortcut, someone else had the same idea.

I instantly came alert and threw myself to the ground, shuffling to a hideout. I perched over the edge of the slope, using the bushes as cover, and peered down. Willow was unconscious and carried by a girl with beautiful curly hair, their tips ending with the colour of cyan.

"Where are they taking her?" I dug for my phone and began to message Julian. There was no way I could fight this in the state I was in.

Hey Julian, spotted Willow, she's at

"Need a little help?"

Before I could react, I was thrown over the edge. I tumbled down the slope, making rough contact with branches and rocks. I ended my roll on the surface of a pond, my powers freezing the surface with a layer of ice.

I coughed, "what?"

"Blayze," the girl carrying Willow looked over me. I turned around, meeting my gaze with the exact replicate.

"Aqua, she's spying on us." Blayze had my phone in her hands. Out of habit, she looped her brunette ponytail as she spoke. "What should we do with her?"

Aqua's blue eyes twinkled with mischief. "Let's get rid of her."

"Not a chance," I spat and took aim. I went to strike Aqua on the side, but Aqua shifted, removing herself from my aim. Willow's back was now the new target.

I released a gasp and drew my powers back. Without needing to look, I knew Blayze's fire was spinning toward me at full speed. I diverted the water to Blayze, the contact sprouting a cloud of mist.

I waved it apart with a swipe, pulling out my sword. Blayze raised her legs, and her red anklet glowed and jingled. Fire traced her movements, and my water powers died with a sharp hiss. I threw Reflecta down, Blayze dodged it with a quick step. I turned to the sharp edge of Reflecta, swiping the blade toward her waist. I watched with frustration as Blayze's petite body flipped and soared over my blade, her shirt skimming the surface of the metal.

My eyes landed on Aqua, who was making her escape. I threw out my free hand and extended a water limb toward Aqua, the water limb grabbed her and froze her to the ground. I extended another one, but Blayze's flames devoured it with a deep rumble. Flames grew like a wall and they threatened to fall on me. I leaped back and lost my footing, stumbling to the ground, sensing a faintness settle in.

Shoot, I can't last long like this.

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ) 79% ENERGY

I rolled to the side when Blayze's flames burned the grass beneath me. I spared a glance at Aqua, she was running further and further away from me...

"Let the girl go!" I cried. I pulled the water from the pond, my first puddle landed on Blayze. I knew it'll only distract her for a very short moment, the next one was at Aqua, blocking her way with an ice wall. With a flick of Aqua's leg, the water swirled around her anklet. Her legs sliced the air, her feet pointed as she took aim. I was hit straight in the chest.

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )68% ENERGY

I fell on my back, panting hard.

"Wow, girl," Blayze said, and I was surprised at her soft tone. I thought she was going to taunt me. "You really don't look good."

"Why are you... taking the girl?" I leaned on my elbow, my grip on Reflecta tightened.

"It's none of your business," Blayze crossed her arms, blowing her loose hair out of her face. "I like your t-shirt, by the way, where did you get it?"

I took a weak glance at Aqua. "And I like your skirt."

I swiped my leg under Blayze, she fell on her butt but she didn't look mad, just disinterested. I reached for Aqua, but Blayze held my wrist down. I exhaled a struggled breath. "You should take a sick day," she added.

(!!!!!!!!!!!!! ) 62% ENERGY

"Tell your sister to come back... and I will!" I pushed myself off, and as I hung in the air, I threw my other fist into her neck. She fell back, clutching her throat.

"Damn! I hate those-" she wheezed. I scrambled to my feet. Aqua was almost out of my sight, but something was happening. I couldn't see it properly.

"Blayze!" Aqua was shouting, but Blayze was busy having a coughing fit on the floor.

"She's busy!" I replied and sliced the blade through the air. A blizzard woke to life and threw Aqua off her feet. She recovered with a step behind her, waving her free hand. Her abilities largely limited with Willow in her hands.

I ran toward her, my gaze flitting to a familiar figure with his bow and arrow.

"Spark?" I gasped when his arrow zoomed past Aqua, who dodged with an elegant split to the floor, and was now flying toward my head. I twirled my sword in a circle and knocked it to the side.

"Cassandra?"

Aqua growled in annoyance and heaved Willow onto her back. "Blayze!!!"

Blayze soared through, tackling Spark to the ground. His bow fell from his hands as they grappled with each other. Blayze sat on top of Spark and clenched her fist into a fireball. It came dangerously close to his face. I couldn't help him, however, Aqua's icicles forced me to flip back with my palms on the ground and my legs aiming for the stars. I did another flip before I flicked my sword in position. With one push and stride, my body charged to Aqua with the speed of a snowstorm. Aqua hugged Willow in front of her, and I changed direction last minute, blasting a tree into pieces.

"Stop using Willow as your shield," I turned my sword in a circle, only to hit her blue anklet. Twang! The vibration sent a wind gust, throwing us both back. It blew past Willow's face and her eyes blinked open. She stayed limp and eyed her surroundings. As for me, I felt a sudden drain of energy and went down on one knee, breathing hard; my sword was the only support that held me upright. I can't fall, if I fall now, I'll never get up again.

"Is that all you've got, dear Cassie?"

I managed a smirk, "maybe that's all I need..." I swallowed, willing my voice to sound stronger, "give the girl back to Marty." I pretended it was another one of my demands, except the hint for Willow to decipher. Willow's eyes widened when she heard Marty's name. I needed to let her know we were on her side.

Aqua sighed, "we know! And we're not gonna do it!"

Willow's eyes shifted, planning something. Suddenly, she grabbed Aqua's hair and pulled hard. The plants around her began to rustle and move. One tree extended its branches and lashed Aqua in the face.

"You brat!" Aqua hurled Willow out from her arms and into the water. Willow's powers desperately grew in her direction, their branches coming short as Aqua's water limbs caught her and sucked her into the depths.

"Willow! Shoot!" I stood, "Spark! Think fast!" I kicked up Spark's dark bow, and with another jump-kick, I tossed it in his direction. Spark's flame ignited the area in a purple hue, Blayze's fire coming close. He shot out his hand, catching it with a swipe of his arm. I distracted Aqua's vision with a flurry of snow and took a dive into the ice-cold water.

***

Willow waved her arm around in the water, her legs were unmoving. I swam down, letting my powers guide me. I held onto Willow tight and felt a strange force pulling her down. I closed my two fingers together and aimed at Willow's legs. A spark of blue light indicated that I broke the water chain.

I inclined my head, letting the water carry us to the surface. I felt Willow give a few weak kicks in an attempt to help me. We breached like a whale, both of us gasping from the lack of air and the piercing cold.

"W-Willow..." I shuddered. She didn't reply, shivering violently against me. I swam for the edge of the pond, stiffly crawling out to dry land. Blayze and Aqua were nowhere to be seen. Willow hugged my neck tightly, and I cradled her by the back. I took a few shaky breaths, unable to stand. "You're... you're safe now... Willow..."

Willow didn't respond. I hugged her tighter, rubbing her back. So... so cold...

I felt Willow give an abrupt tense. I snapped my head around, only to see Spark stumbling out from behind the bushes. He looked like a mess, with branches in his hair and a distraught look on his face.

"S-Spark..." I stuttered, my shivering grew more violent, my chest had a suffocating tightness. Spark came to our side immediately, taking off his hoodie and pulling it over both of us.

"You're alright, you're alright..." he repeated. He wrapped his arms around the two of us, and I felt a warmth radiating through the layers of fabric; it wasn't fast enough. Spark rubbed my back quickly in an attempt to provide as much warmth as possible. "I've contacted my troop leader. Someone will be over soon."

I shook uncontrollably, unable to speak. I heard Willow release a short, restrained sigh. She rested her head on my shoulder, comfortably tucked between Spark and I. I was swaying and Spark hugged me tighter.

"Cassie, don't sleep," the worry was evident in his voice, he changed positions and rubbed my arms frantically. "Help's almost here."

When warmth began to linger into my body, I collapsed my head on Spark's shoulder, unable to hold it up. "Spark, how did you-"

"Know where you are? I didn't," Spark rubbed my back in slow circles. "All the troops at school got the notice from Marty. I saw you fighting with the twins and ran to help you."

"Who are they?"

"I'm not sure, I've never seen them before," Spark whispered near my ear. I could hear he was as exhausted as I was. "Might be in our school. They were good."

Willow was growing suspiciously quiet, I could hardly hear her breathing. I knew the situation needed attention. I stared at Spark in the eye. "Spark, I need you to do something."

"What is it?"

"I need you to take Willow to a healer, now," I looked down, Willow's eyes were closed. I shook her gently, "she's not responding."

"My God," Spark's face paled. He cupped Willow's cheek and gave an intent look over her. "She looks blue, her breathing's shallow."

"Take the hoodie with you."

"What about you? I can't leave you like this."

"I'm better now, but Willow needs serious attention." I shrugged off the hoodie and handed Willow to Spark. "Go... quickly!"

"Alright," I could see the reluctance in his eyes but I urged him with a push. He stood up and took off, holding Willow tightly.

When he disappeared from view, I exhaled painfully, clutching my chest. I did my best not to let Spark see I was worse than he thought. I staggered to a stand, feeling lighter than usual. I feel... strangely better now.

I moved slowly, making my way away from the area.

***

A/N

Um, Cassie, don't push yourself!

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