Dark Wave Force: The Beam

Chapter 4: Big Brother Help

The massive shadow creature loomed over the Dark Wave Force, its eyes glowing with a hunger that chilled the air. Its monstrous claws scraped against the cracked ground as it advanced, each step sending a tremor through the earth. The team stopped in their tracks, the threat looming before them too great to ignore.

"Everyone, back!" Lucas ordered, his voice steady despite the danger. His katana was drawn, its edge shimmering with the promise of power, but he could feel the weight of his decision pressing on him. This creature—this thing—was unlike anything they had faced. It wasn't just another shadow. It was something far older, far darker.

"We can't let it get any closer!" Skyler shouted, her voice cracking as the ground beneath her buckled under the creature's weight. 

She swung her arms, sending torrents of water surging toward it, but the creature absorbed the water like it was nothing, its form distorting as if it were made from pure darkness.

"We're gonna need more than water to stop this thing!" Jamal yelled, his voice filled with frustration as he vibrated through the shadows, attempting to phase through the creature's form, but the energy surrounding it was too dense.

Amai stretched out her hand, her gravity powers pushing against the creature, but the force of her attempts was barely enough to slow it down. It continued its march forward, relentless, unstoppable.

"We need a plan!" Ryder growled, his hands crackling with raw energy as he summoned blasts of destructive force. He fired them at the creature's massive frame, but each blast was absorbed into the darkness, the creature unharmed.

"We don't have time for a plan!" Lucas shouted, his eyes locked on the monster. His grip tightened around his katana, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to blur. He could feel the energy rising within him, his power resonating with the blade, calling him to push forward.

He lunged, the katana slicing through the air with deadly precision, but the creature's massive hand swung down, faster than Lucas could react. He barely had time to raise his katana in defense before the shadowy claws slammed into him, sending him flying backward, his body crashing into the ground with a sickening thud.

"Lucas!" Genesis cried, her voice filled with alarm.

Lucas struggled to his feet, blood dripping from his lip as he wiped it away with the back of his hand. His chest burned from the impact, but the pain only fueled his resolve.

"We can't stop now," Lucas muttered under his breath, rising to face the creature once more. The creature's massive form loomed over him, its maw opening wide, and Lucas knew this was it. He couldn't keep up this fight on his own. He needed to take it down—he had to be the one to stop it.

But before he could make another move, a sudden blast of energy streaked through the air. A loud roar filled the battlefield as the shadow creature reeled back, staggering from the impact. The creature's attention shifted—just for a moment—but that was enough."Not today, kid," came a familiar voice, booming with authority.Lucas's eyes widened in shock as, from the corner of his vision, he saw two figures burst through the chaos like a storm.

Jake and Mike Lenning.

The two brothers stood tall, their figures a commanding presence as they strode onto the battlefield. Jake's fists were crackling with blue energy, and Mike's eyes gleamed with determination. Together, they were a force of nature.

Without warning, Jake slammed his fist into the ground, sending a shockwave of pure energy rippling outward, knocking the creature back. Mike followed up with a rapid series of punches, each one amplified with destructive force, striking the shadow creature's legs with precision."I told you we'd be here," Jake grinned, his voice loud and filled with confidence.

Mike cracked his knuckles. "You didn't think you'd handle this on your own, did you?"

The creature growled, its form flickering as it tried to regain its footing. But with the combined force of the Lenning brothers, it was clear that its reign of terror was coming to an end."Get back, guys!" Jake shouted to the team. "We've got this."

Lucas stood frozen, his eyes locked on Jake and Mike as they tore into the creature. The overwhelming wave of relief hit him like a freight train. They had saved him—again. But there was a part of him that burned with frustration. This wasn't how it was supposed to be."I didn't need them," Lucas muttered under his breath, his knuckles white as he clenched his katana.

Jessica's voice broke through his thoughts. "Lucas, what are you doing? You're not—""I don't need them, Jessica!" Lucas snapped, cutting her off. He took a step forward, eyes locked on the brothers as they worked in perfect synchronization, taking down the monster. "I can do this on my own. I don't need anyone coming to the rescue."

The words hung in the air, sharp and heavy.

Jessica's eyes softened, her gaze shifting to the battle unfolding before them. "You sure about that? Because you almost got yourself killed back there."

Lucas didn't answer right away. He watched as Jake and Mike worked together, pushing the creature back with everything they had. But the tension was still there, tightening in his chest."I've got to do this on my own," he muttered, turning away from Jessica, ignoring the ache in his chest as he spoke. "I can't rely on anyone else."

"Is that really the right call?" Jessica asked, her voice calm, but there was a deep concern in her eyes. "You know as well as I do that the team is stronger when we fight together."

Lucas swallowed, his anger flaring, but he forced it down. "I know," he said through gritted teeth. "But that's how it has to be. I can't... I can't keep dragging people into this."

Jessica didn't respond immediately, her gaze never leaving him. She knew better than anyone the weight of leadership. She knew how much it cost to bear that burden.

"Lucas, don't do this. You're stronger when we're all together. You don't have to carry it alone."But Lucas turned away, his eyes hardening. "I do."

Without another word, he stepped forward, bringing his katana down in a clean arc. The creature recoiled, its body dissipating in a cloud of shadows as the brothers finished it off.The battle ended. The team, weary but victorious, caught their breath. But as they regrouped, Lucas's words still lingered in the air, like an unspoken weight.

Jessica couldn't help but look at him one last time, the silent understanding passing between them. She only hoped he would realize, in time, that no one had to fight alone—not when they had each other.