|| incandescent || Chase Davenport fanfic

~18~

"Alright, listen up guys. We're introducing a new element to training. The bionic battle." Chase began, standing in the center of the training area with Bree at his sides. Every one turned to listen as he explained. "Each week, two of you will be pitted against each other in a physical challenge." He explained, looking excited about the new challenge.

It hadn't been long since the academy opened, and it had been going pretty smoothly. Well, other than Leo and Spin's little fight and almost sinking the island. I had been determined to not be the root of any issues, and to actually earn my rank. It had been hard, but I was finally starting to feel like I deserved to be an orange.

The only problem I had was that I felt like I was getting... more angry. There was no good way to put it. The anger management class was almost doing the opposite. There were multiple times where I had been on the brink of snapping and had to leave trying early so I wouldn't burn down the whole training area. It had made me anxious, and because of it, I was trying to spend more time alone. Chase hadn't really notice since he'd been so busy with training and being a mentor. I missed him but I knew if I could just get my anger under control then everything would be fine.

"To the death?" Spin screamed, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, Big D built this multi-million dollar facility to train and house you just so we could pick you off one by one." Leo sarcastically answered, a big fake smile plastered on his face. He was obviously proud of himself by the way he stuck his hand out to me for a low five. I took it, sharing in his dislike for Spin.

"So each week's winner will earn points toward advancing to the next bionic skill level. And the loser gets... well, humiliated." Chase explained further, a small smile on his face by the last part.

"Spin, since you're the youngest, you get to choose an opponent first." Bree told him, a smirk growing on his face.

"Yes." He said calmly as he glared at the students in the room. I was starting to hope he'd pick me so I could beat his ass without repercussions, but I immediately shook my head. That wasn't gonna help with my anger at all. "Scared? Ya should be." He spit at the students across from him, trying to be intimidating. Leo and I shared a look, both letting out a small laugh as we watched him try and square up with the older, much taller group of students. 

"No, no." Chase stepped in, that familiar authoritative tone I'd heard so often coating his voice as he walked out to Spin. "This isn't about scaring people. No one's going to get hurt." He added even as I watched a basket ball come flying towards his back. "Ow!" He shouted when it hit him, and Leo and I both stifled a laugh. Chase started to head towards where the ball had come from and Bree followed before turning to us for a second.

"Pair up and do some of the drills I was teaching you." She directed before heading to the other room with Chase.

One of the unfortunate rules of the academy was that if a mentor wasn't around to supervise, you couldn't pair with a color below or above you. So that meant I couldn't partner with Leo.

"Partners?" He asked even though it hardly sounded like a question.

"Leo, no." I shook my head as people stared pairing off.

"What? Why?" He asked before the surprised look on his face faded into a knowing one. "It's cause you're scared I'll beat you, isn't it?" He asked again, but it still hardly sounded like a question.

"No, it's because I'm trying to follow the rules. Now go pair up with him." I directed and pointed over to another yellow.

"When did you become such a rule follower? I blame Chase." He said, rolling his eyes before stalking off in the direction of the guy I had pointed at. I sighed and began scanning the room for a partner.