Elementals: Book 3: The Dark World

Chapter Three

A bright Light filled Cookie's vision for less than a second before it faded away, leaving her exhausted and in pain. She scowled as she looked at her left shoulder, a fresh burn still singing her fur. She sent a miniscule amount of Energy into her shoulder in an attempt to speed up the healing process. Her ears were still ringing from the explosions that had followed the revelation of Carter's betrayal, Elementals from both sides had fired off blasts of Elemental Energy that had threatened to destroy the whole base.

As the ringing in her ears began to die down, the sound of yelling and fighting filled them. A flurry of questions and angry voices filled her ears, she wanted to sigh.

"Alright enough! Everyone shut up!" She yelled, silencing the cavern at once.

Cookie felt a dozen eyes fall upon her as she stood there, feeling her anger rise. She finally opened her eyes to see that the team had split up and was exploring the cave she had Blinked them too, Jinx was on a raised level, looking deeper into the cave without moving out of sight. Kunai and Elena had found the entrance and had taken it upon themselves to keep looking out. Jay had pulled the new Dutch Angel Dragon to the side and were now talking in secret, Cookie felt something off about the gray Dragon but decided to put the thoughts in the back of her mind as he had helped them escape by erecting a wall of Ice around them, allowing her to Blink them all away. She looked at the small red and blue cub, he seemed to be on the verge of crying, and it was no wonder as his uncle and cousin had just sacrificed themselves to save them. That left Braxton, the spaniel seemed unsure of what to do or how to feel, he was looking around at everyone with confusion, apprehension, and some other emotions that Cookie couldn't distinguish. All around, she could sense a feeling of sadness and dread, they had just lost their home, their base... everything but each other.

"Cookie," a voice called, snapping her out of her daze. She looked up at the gray wolf that was standing above her, he had an aura of leadership to him. "Can I talk to you, alone?"

The jackal leapt up to the ledge and found Jinx waiting for her deeper in the cave.

"What's up, Jinx?"

"I didn't see Voltier anywhere."

"Oh no, you don't think he's still back there do you?"

"Only logical explanation. It also means... We don't have a leader. With Tsubaki gone, it usually falls to Ash, but he went after Tsubaki, which means command goes to Volt... he's not here either."

"What are you saying?"

"It's either you or me, we are the longest serving Elementals after all."

"Well it can't be me, I'm just a medic, I don't even have that much field experience."

"So then it falls to me to lead us..." Jinx seemed indecisive about his own suggestion, Cookie could tell that his apprehension was about leading.

"Come on, you've been on plenty of missions with Tsubaki, you must have some sort of leadership quality in you," Cookie joked.
"Heh, I hope you're right."

Jinx took a deep breath and walked back over to the ledge, no one had moved since they had disappeared, King and Braxton were now talking but Kunai and Elena were still on guard, and Jay and his friend were still talking amongst themselves.

"Everyone, listen up," he said confidently, attracting everyone's attention. "I'll be leading us from now on until someone higher up takes over. Any objections?"

Cookie could tell the Jinx was nervous, he was never one to lead, always one to follow orders without question. The two of them breathed a sigh of relief as no one seemed to object to him self declaring leadership.

"What is our plan then?" Kunai asked, breaking the silence.

"Oh uhhh... well..."

"We need to save Voltier and the humans back on base, that is the top priority," Cookie interjected.

"And Mari," King added. "She's still at the base."

"Yes, and Mari too."
"Jay," Jinx said, attracting the attention of the two Angel Dragon's. "Introduce your friend."
"Oh, I'm Marin," the Dutchie answered, stepping forward. "I'm Anarchy's brother."

"Where is Anarchy?"

"He's-"

"Anarchy is busy at the moment," Jay answered in his place. "He'll be busy for quite some time."

"Are you going to go after him? Or are you here to stay and help?" Jinx asked.

"Well..." the question stumped Jay and forced him to think for a moment. "Yeah, I'll help you retake your base, if you help us with our... problem."

"Deal. Now, how are we going to save the others and retake the base?" Jinx asked the group.

A long silence followed where some of the group seemed deep in thought, while others just looked around aimlessly. Jinx began to lose hope in the team, they were forming smaller groups, pairs within the team, Jay hung off Marin, Elena never left Kunai's side, and it led to Brax and King being left alone with each other.

Jinx could sense that the young cub was getting on the Spaniels bad side, King was constantly using his Powers in an attempt to get Braxton to use his own. Both of them had control of Water, which was rare as the Water Element was one of the lesser documented basic Elements. Brax was getting agitated at King, Jinx knew the Spaniel didn't want anything to do with his Powers. He had to intervene.

"Alright I think our first move is to gather allies," he raised his voice to gather the attention of the group.

"Who's left though?" Cookie asked.

"Kunai, do you have anyone who may be able to help us?"

"Unfortunately not, I do not have many friends, other than those here," the quiet Lion replied.

"Elena?"

"I'm the same, sorry hun."

"Oh Jinx," Cookie interrupted. "What about A'rien? She should be willing to help us."

"I'm not sure, she's more concerned with Anarchy and his Powers than the rest of us. Does anyone else have a suggestion?"

"I might have someone," Braxton spoke up. "Someone from my past, who may or may not be happy to see us."

"I think it's worth a try," Jinx replied. "Where are we going?"

"I'll have to lead you there myself, and I think only you should come, Jinx, he might not be as open to a large crowd."

"Then that's what we'll do in the morning, Cookie can stay here and heal everyone, while Brax and I go out and find his friend."