Miniforce: The Return of the Dark Energy (Fanfiction)

Chapter 15 - The trap

(Ten minutes ago)

Whiz!

A sizzling streak pierced the air, gashing the trunk of a withered oak. Its leaves rustled in protest as a blur of green vaulted himself through its limbs, clearing twigs whacking his way.

Hawk flung his bolas, and the weighted rope fastened around a neighboring branch, yanking him from the shriveled greenery before a second strike set the tree ablaze.

The movement wasn't particularly......graceful, but enough to escape the askew attacks shot his way.

He had done quite some convincing for his risky role, and the team had only relented after he had demonstrated his escape skills. Having dwelled in the wilderness ever since he left the headquarters, he had also been left with a few perks.

Though, Hawk had never considered his role easy—it was risky just as the rest of the teams', perhaps even more life-threatening. Even with the headquarters' aid, he had expected a narrow escape.

As he swung through the precipices like a chimpanzee, he could hear the muffled hollers of the legion behind, the commotion faint with distance. An unsettling sensation had been lingering in his stomach, the queasiness growing harder to ignore.

His vivid armor was no camouflage—it should be more than easy to distinguish a bright green ranger from the dull surroundings. And nimble as he was, surely he wasn't the only one with jungle experiences.

The escape was too......convenient for his liking.

Perhaps he was more skilled in escapades then he thought? Hawk instantly dismissed the theory, he wasn't about to give himself too much credit. No three-year training in the woods would allow such an easy getaway.

He inhaled gushing air, calming himself despite his surging adrenaline. His mind tends to become somewhat of a mess whenever strong emotions surface.

Yes, the army had reacted furiously to his appearance—their roars had almost deafened him. However, as Hawk recalled the details, their efforts failed to match the livid reactions, but were rather paltering, like predators entertaining themselves with a prey's poor attempt to escape.

Or more specifically, playing along......

Hawk pivoted. For the first time since his earlier distraction, he paused to examine the pursuing figures.

His stomach dropped.

Hawk may not have been the best with numbers, but a near hundred and a rough dozen was a difference drastic enough. He nearly lost his balance atop his branch, gaping at the scarce few enemies remaining — nearly an eighth of the army was nowhere in sight.

He doubted those many had been bad runners.

"About time," Pio's low grumble was vague with distance. The scorpion ranger turned his back in Hawk's direction, not sparing him a single glance. "They would be far enough into our hideout."

"Head back," Laoshu ordered, then paused in his tracks, jutting his chin towards the stupefied green ranger. "Someone take care of him."

Despite how insulted he felt, Hawk knew they had reason to belittle him—it was one against ten for him now. He whipped his head in a circle, searching for a possible escape route, but wasn't given the chance.

A sizzling beam scorched through the air, aimed for his head. In his panic, Hawk lost his footing atop the branch and plummeted towards the ground. The petrifying laser whizzed past his helmet, missing his cheek by a mere inch.

The tree trembled as the beam struck its limb, instantly encased in a thick sheet of stone. Hawk hit the ground, the impact knocking the air from his lungs.