Miniforce: The Return of the Dark Energy (Fanfiction)

Chapter 5 - A lost battle

Small warning - as the Miniforce series involves action and battle, this chapter will involve duels and violence (no blood involved). If you're not comfortable, you're free to skip!

If anything had been enough to chill them inside out besides the frigid temperature, it was the greeting.

A gust of wind howled in warning, and the fog was swept aside with a flourish, revealing the familiar details of Pascal's armor. 

"How wonderful to see you all again." There was such burning hatred within the blazing slits of eyes, the team knew 'wonderful' was the furthest thing from his mind.

Volt was quick to gather his comeback despite the shocked dismay and fear upon seeing their old nemesis. "Well, it's been long." He agreed, inching forward to shield his teammates. His movements were trivial as if in slow motion - it's not wise to make sudden movements around dangerous creatures. "But there's a better word for this reunion - horrible."

"You're just as infuriating as always, Volt." Pascal drawled, concealing the malice in his voice with a pleasant feign.

"Wanna know what's more infuriating? A pesky reptile who always clambers back no matter how many bottles of pest repellent we spray!" Volt retorted.

A low, irritated snarl escaped Pascal's throat, which he quickly coated with a series of malicious chuckles.

The team almost wanted to join him in laughter. These were the rare occasions when they found Volt's antics satisfying.

"What conspiracy do you have this time, lizard?" Sammy demanded sharply.

"You better not have the mind to wreck havoc on our village again!" Max growled, punching his palm in a threatening manner.

Pascal only cackled at their attempt to intimidate him. Little did the Miniforce know, they weren't the threat here.

"As you can see, I've come back for a little reunion with my favourite enemies—"

"Cut to the chase, Pascal!" Lucy interrupted. "We all know you didn't come back for a summer vacation, so what brings you to our guarded territories?"

Volt, Sammy, and Max's attention instantly diverted to her, shock registered in their visored eyes. It wasn't everyday that Lucy joined them in their confrontation with the enemy, in fact, they couldn't recall a similar situation. Clearly, Pascal's troubling return had even roused the frustration in the sweet pink ranger.

"I see you've finally gained some nerves, Lucy." Pascal mocked. "Courtesy of your badmouth teammates, I'm assuming. What a pity, thought you were the brain of your team." He diverted his focus to her colleagues once again and surveyed each agent from head to toe. "However, since you're all so interested in the reason behind my return, I might as well introduce you to a familiar army - I'm sure they'll explain a few things."

"Army?" Sammy repeated.

Lucy glanced around at their surroundings and froze petrified with a grave look in her eyes. "Look around!" She gasped to the others.

In the dark of night, dozens of subtle silhouettes slowly approached them from where they had been hidden in the shadows, gradually appearing into view as they gathered themselves behind Pascal. More figures crept down the steep rocky surfaces of the nearby cliffsides and down towards the clearing where the Miniforce stood. To the team's terror, what they had earlier assumed was boulders was moving: dozens of familiar foes leapt to their feet, tossing off the sheets of moss they'd been camouflaging under.

The enormous hoard - army, as Pascal had called it, formed a menacing ring around Volt, Sammy, Max, and Lucy, and the four agents formed a tight circle back to back, their shoulders pressed against one another's. Many of the army snarled with malice upon the sight of the Miniforce who's once defeated them one by one, and were thrilled to be getting their overdue revenge. The group felt like they were drowning in a sea of hatred. Everywhere they turned, they caught sight of faces and representational limbs of villains none of them had expected to be seeing again.