Two Strands of Fortune

Season 3 Episode 24 - Instigator

[DYLAN'S POV]

I was camping out with the rest of the group in a classroom during lunch time. It was unusually hot outside. "Thank heavens for air conditioning." Ivan took a long sip of his water.

"At least it's quiet inside." I shrugged. "That doesn't change the fact that everyone is fighting outside."

Suddenly, my G-Gear Watch beeped urgently. Everyone else gathered around as I answered the call from Agnes. "Guardians, I had a hit 2 seconds ago on the news and on my sensors, take a look at this."

"Breaking News: International tensions between the Big 7 of the UN have started to escalate. Experts predict that war could be imminent. Stay tuned for more as the situation progresses."

"My sensors detected a high concentration of H-Essence in New York, primarily in and around the UN Headquarters."

"See, H-Essence." Ivan shot finger pistols at Martha. Martha responded by rolling her eyes and turning back to the camera. 

"The point is, you need to get there as fast as possible. Ollie and Alya, we'll need Spectra to help us get there as fast as possible. If you need backup, the Triplets are on their way to New York, as well."

After Agnes' message, all of us ran up to the rooftop and prepared for departure. 

"Shining Light!"

"Blustering Winds!"

"Unite!"

With a brief flash of light, Ollie and Alya had fused into Spectra.

"Are you sure you're up for trying again?" Margot frowned at him.

"Yes." He nodded with a look of determination on his face. "Form a circle and stay close. This is going to be a bumpy ride, just like last time." We gathered around him and held hands. Spectra put one hand up to above his head and formed a translucent golden orb of energy around us. "Lightspeed!" Bright bolts of lightning circled the orb like sharks as we started to levitate with the orb.

"Isn't this supposed to be faster?" Ivan looked around.

"Give it a second." Spectra said. After a few more moments of silence, we took off with record speed. As we flew through the sky, landmarks, ponds and lakes sped below us. Within mere minutes, if not seconds, we were hovering above the rooftop of the UN Headquarters, blowing dust around. When we touched down on the sleek concrete, Spectra separated into Ollie and Alya.

"Before we do anything, are you guys okay?" I checked in with the two of them.

"I'm fine."

"Much better than last time." Alya smiled at Ollie.

"Okay, then, so what's our plan of action?" I asked.

"Let's check in on the H-Essence Detector that Agnes installed earlier today." Margot pressed a few buttons on her G-Gear Watch and activated the Hologram feature. "As we can see, there are high signatures in the main assembly hall. Which means that Guerra must be inside."

"But what about the representatives?" Eric suggested. "There's a strong chance that they're inside as well."

"Looks like we'll just have to be extra careful then." Ivan shrugged.

Exercising the utmost caution, we made our way down the numerous staircases and down onto the main floor. The security detail was almost non-existent. Every single guard that we had to step over was unconscious, as well as any other staff in our way. 

"What happened to them?" Eric knelt down and put his fingers up to one of the guards' necks, checking for a pulse.

"I don't know, but that energy signature is getting stronger." Margot gestured with her head for the rest of us to follow her lead. Margot led us down a menacingly dark hallway. The further down the hallway that we went, the more we started to notice some smoke, similar that which Cattivo uses for his Sorcery. When we burst through the door, we saw Guerra standing in the middle of the General Assembly Hall. It looked like he was soaking up the last of some red energy from the people lying unconscious around him.

"Look who decided to show up." Guerra turned slowly to meet our gaze. 

"What did you do to these people?" Margot stepped forward in front of the rest of the group.

"Haven't you figured it out yet? I feed on the rage and passion that humans emanate when they fight. And yes, I do occasionally intervene, but it comes with the job. It's not my fault that humans are so easily influenced."

"Wow. Full of yourself, much?" Alya folded her arms.

"How about a demonstration?" Guerra smirked as he clenched his fist, sending a powerful wave of red energy and smoke flying all throughout the room. The force of the wave was powerful enough to knock all of us off our feet and onto our backs. "How's that for an appetiser?"

"Guys, I think we should return the favour." Alec slowly stood up. The rest of us moved around the room and surrounded Guerra in a large circumference.

"Guardians, transform!"

"Elemental Evolution!"