Ava Cobalt; This Means War [Book 4]

Part 1, This Means War

Nova: Well, that was fun. I wasn't here to do any damage, just to give you a taste of what true power feels like. And of just how helpless you are.

She turned around and started walking away.

Nick, loudly: Nova, wait!

She kept walking but threw a serum lightning ball over her shoulder at him. He rolled away. He watched as it landed where he had been laying, the ground smoking. He looked up, and Nova was gone.

Matt, angry: What was that? Is everyone okay?

Woods: WHAT THE HELL? I thought we were done.

Ava, grimacing: Well, it looks like it's not over yet.

With a hiss, she got to her feet. Nick came over, and they looked at each other, worried.

Matt: Uh, let's... Let's head up to HQ. We... We got a lot to... Yeah.

Everyone nodded and headed inside.

[HQ]

They all stood around the table, in shock.

Sam, stunned: Well. Nova just attacked us.

Nick shook his head, choking on a sob.

Nick, choked up: Why?

The others didn't answer for a moment, thinking.

Ava, sadly: She said... She felt left out. That you chose us over her. Maybe this is her breaking point...?

Nick looked at her, tears welling in his eyes.

First, my best friend was stolen from me. She comes back... And now my sister is stolen.

Ava's heart cracked at Nick's thoughts. She took his hand in hers, tears sliding down her cheeks. Then, she thought of something.

Ava: Guys. Something else Nova said.

They all looked at her, curious. Ava sighed, looking at Nick sadly.

Ava: She said I stole from her. That Nick chose "her" over Nova.

They all looked surprised for a second, then began thinking.

Benjamin: Wait. Ava. You said at Syntec–

He glanced at the others, who were now staring at him.

Benjamin, slightly nervous: You said that you felt someone enter the building, just minutes before it exploded.

The others looked at her, shocked.

Woods: Wait, Syntec exploded?!

Ava looked a little sheepish, as Matt and Nick glared at her.

Ava: Yeah. Uh...

She closed her eyes.

Ava, concentrating: Hold on. I wanna... Try something.

They all felt her enter their minds.

Ava, commanding: Close your eyes.

They did. Suddenly, images began to fill their heads. Then, they slowly began to form a comprehensive memory.

{Memory}

{Benjamin: What is it?

Ava shook her head, her lips pressed together. Something was slightly off.

{Ava: Probably nothing. I just... I thought I felt another person with serum enter the building. But, maybe it's just from the guy down there.

She gestured to the new phantom in the testing room. Benjamin nodded, but he didn't believe it. Neither did Ava. After several minutes passed...