Rise from the Ashes

Chapter 23: Reunited

One moment Phoenix was there. The next she had dissipated into ashes, more shooters popped up from the crowd—all aiming forward.

'Gómez and the Jurors,' Weaver realized, sliding his Glock from the holster. 'Pedestrians in the way.'

Standing up, he focused on the multiple men with heavy machine guns all at the ready, facing only a dozen plain-clothed officers. Long extended breaths puffed out of Weaver's chest as the gun aligned itself with his first target.

"Open fire," the opposer ordered.

Before they could pull the trigger, Steel Shield dropped down in the middle of the aisle. Using his abilities, he drew their weapons away. IceWings followed closely behind him, pulling Mike's men closer to them instead of the people.

"Fire," Weaver ordered as the crowd ran away screaming.

Bullets flew through the air without missing a target as Steel redirected them to the appropriate victims while IceWings protected the escaping bystanders.

"Protect the Judge and Jurors," Chief Weber announced as he joined in the firefight.

"You four, get them out of here," Weaver commanded, gesturing to the four officers beside him.

They nodded in reply, pushing through the small gate, collecting Gómez, the 12 jurors, Laguna, and Merino. Quickly they headed for the back door with Weber taking up in the group's rear.

"Mike is getting away," Hill announced from the second level.

The words snapped IceWings into focus. Abandoning the people in the stands, she raced to the second rear exit while Weaver switched his target to the three armed lawyers protecting Mike.

Three pulls of the trigger gave way to one dead, another's knee blown out, and a third still kicking. IceWings launched an ice blast at the last soldier, freezing his weapon. The thick rifle shattered into a million icicles with one swift kick while the man got one to his throat.

Mike pulled out a pistol, straightening out his arm. The black gun hung heavy in his hand as though he'd never shot for his life before. Just to take away the lives of others.

Undeterred, IceWings yanked his arm away from her and Weaver as he pulled the trigger. The metal bullet engraved itself into the courthouse plaster as IceWings snapped Mike's arm and pressed his back against the wall with her wings' sharp feathers positioned dangerously close to his eyes.

"You're going away for a long time," Weaver decided, keeping his weapon steady.

"No, I'm not," Mike laughed, staring at IceWings. "Isn't that right? You're going to kill me."

"No," IceWings bit out. "Gravity will."

Flipping her wings back, she throw Mike into the air. Letting gravity pull him down with the dignifying SNAP barely audible over the gunfire. Relief flooded her senses while Weaver stood parity frozen, staring at the unmoving body.

"He hurt too many," IceWings justified. "Killed even more."

"I know," Weaver agreed, sighing. "I know."

"Weaver," Hill yelled from up above.

Looking up, shooters were raining down on her as she was back in a corner, frantically shooting over benches.

"Help her," Weaver begged.

"I will," IceWings decided, her wings growing behind her.

Fluttering up to her original position, IceWings spun around, allowing her deadly feathers to dig into the shooter's unprotected head, killing them instantly. Relieved, Hill and a few trapped spectators popped up from their hiding spot.