Afterschoolers: Glory

Chapter 10: Glory

"Cheers!" Mr. Cord held a slice of pizza up, celebrating a victory.

"Cheers!" The team rose up their own slices, relishing in the praise. The cafeteria had all the lights on, which was a big contrast from the darkness outside the windows.

"You all did really good out there. Thank you all for saving my school and repairing the damages. This team is going to do wonders."

"What do you mean?" Rebecca asked. "Is there another problem you need us to fix?"

"Yes, actually. There is a problem." The somber tone of Mr. Cord's voice grabbed stole everyone's attention away from their food.

"Mr. Cord, what's wrong?" Maya asked.

"All of you exist and were sent here to eliminate me. Take back Aura Crystals. Go after my daughter Alana. Which proves that there are still threats out there. I hate to say it... But I need you all to leave this school and look into those people."

"But... We've gotten so used to things here!" Geoff argued. "Why leave?"

"Think about my other students, how will they be able to sleep at night knowing another team like yourselves might show up? I'm sending you all out there into the world, so that we can live peacefully."

"You're not coming with us?" Sasha asked.

"Why would I? You all have proven yourselves to be more than capable of handling any situation that arises. Let me ask you guys something: Why were Aura Crystals created?"

"So that we could push humanity to new heights," Natalia answered.

"Okay. Now who's idea was it to make them?"

The room fell silent. A chill crept up everyone's backs, as if the unknown was a ghost breathing right behind them.

"I guess we still have work to do, everybody." Rebecca took another bite of her pizza, her tone full of confidence. The others smiled at their friends determination, all except for one. Maya silently got up and walked away from the table. Once outside, she let out a heavy sigh and looked up at the moon.

"Why? Why send us away?" she asked aloud.

"I already explained that," Cord said.

"But I wanna stay here! You've taught me so much. I... I don't want to go." Succumbing to her emotions she rushed over and hugged her father figure.

"It'll be okay, Maya." Cord returned the embrace, holding back his own tears. "You guys are allowed to visit whenever you have the time. I just have to make sure of one thing."

"What is it?"

"I don't want my other students knowing you all exist. If they knew that you and your friends were out in the world kicking butt, they would hardly sleep at night."

"You want me to wipe their memories?"

"Yes. Don't worry, though, a time will come where we can all stand united as one team. Right now is not the time. They need to live their lives as students and you all need to live your lives as my secret agents."

"Alright. I kinda don't know where their rooms are. Can you help me get to them?" Maya asked.

"Sure thing. Race you to the top of the boys' dorm!" Cord raced off across the campus. Wiping her tears, Maya smiled and took off after him.