Heroes in the Shadows

Chapter 30 Red-Eyed Monster

IMPORTANT A/N: Hey... so I may have made a mistake... with my story.... uh so... I realized last chapter that the only way Pixal could have tricked Cole and Zane was if Seliel never told the ninja that the gang turned her. I didn't think about how Seliel could have possibly forgotten about that for an ENTIRE WEEK! So... yeah... kinda accidentally made Seliel sound really stupid. I didn't want to rewrite a good chunk of the last chapter, so here's what I did: I shortened the time skip to only a few days. I figured that Seliel could have forgotten to tell them since she went through so much the days prior (with nearly dying by Chen and then confessing to Cole). I know it may still sound like a stretch, but at least now it's more believable that it slipped her mind unlike forgetting for an ENTIRE WEEK! Gosh! So again, sorry about the plot hole I made, but I hope this doesn't make you hate Seliel. Okay! On to the story!

"Almost there, Seliel," Cole spoke softly. He raced through the halls. He was careful to stay out of sight of any security or party guests, but the sickly girl was getting restless.

"Coooolle, slow down..." Seliel mumbled. She squeezed her eyes shut as if she were on a roller coaster.

"Sorry, but we can't. Wu, I'm almost to the tunnels," the earth master informed his teacher over the ear piece.

"Good, Bolobo has the remedy prepared when you get here," Wu explained while Cole turned a corner, heading back to the room his team came in at.

However, he began slowing his pace. Four figures stood at the end of the hall, lined up like soldiers.

"Okay..." the tall teen muttered before stepping back. His shoulder, though, was suddenly tapped. He turned around to see more people behind him. They were all dressed in fancy attire, but the earth master could tell they were all a part of the gang. Cole placed a finger against his ear piece.
"Uh, guys... I'm a bit cornered right now."

"Cole? Wha--"

Static sounds buzzed through Cole's ear.

"Guys... guys! Hello!?" he spat in a panic.

"They can't hear you anymore," a voice spoke. Cole looked over at the gang members, who were now cornering him and Seliel. A silver haired android emerged from behind them. Her piercing red eyes stared daggers at the teen.

"Pixal!? But..." Seliel then snickered quietly. Cole looked down at the weakened girl.

"I told youuuu. Robot nooo goood," she whispered with a laugh.

"Yes, I couldn't have Seliel warning you all about me if she hadn't already. Otherwise, this wouldn't be as effective," Pixal muttered darkly. Cole noticed a silver bracelet latched onto her wrist.

I'm really getting tired of seeing those things...

"Pixal, this isn't you. You help others not... not this!" Cole shouted while backing away. He felt his back hit the wall.

"Whatever Pixal you might have known is gone. This is not anything personal, but you are still going to have to join us," the android replied while taking out another bracelet. Its silver texture glistened against the hallway's lights.

"Yeah, right! You think I'm gonna give in that easily?!" Cole spat angrily, stepping forward. A gang member ripped out a dagger and aimed it towards the teen's face.

"Are you really trying to resist when you're surrounded? Or... did you need more motivation?" the same gang member then moved the dagger towards Seliel's throat instead. Cole's body tensed at the sight. His grip on the warrior girl tightened. He tried to move her away from the weapon.

"Stop! Okay! Okay! Just leave her alone, and I'll go with you," he spoke, sounding defeated. The dagger was lowered, but the gang member kept close, watching his every movement.