Veil of Shadows

Chapter 6. Remember Me

Shortly after they received the note from Shadow, Notch called the Hero Squad and the apprentices to his quarters. When they had all gathered, each of them wondering what was going to happen, Notch spoke.

"This is obviously a bigger rebellion than we had previously thought. I regret to say that, in order to successfully stop Shadow and his men, action must be taken immediately." He said.

"And so, I have decided that, because of previous battle experience, the apprentices are qualified to go on this mission with you. I have specific instructions planned out so that you can leave as soon as possible."

Wolf held up a hand. "And what about Pro?" Upon hearing the name, Notch shook his head. "I'm afraid the effects are irreversible. She must stay a slime hybrid."

Ranger grinned slightly. "Well, she always has felt a little left about when it came to powers." Blaze nodded and got the meeting back on track by asking "But once we find Shadow's hideout, how do we get inside?"

"One of my elite spies has brought back a detailed map of the entire building." Notch said. Upon hearing that sentence, Toxic was immediately suspicious.

"May we meet the spy?" Toxic asked, and Notch replied "That's not necessary. It was Salia. I'm sure you know her." As Toxic heard the name, she relaxed slightly.

Salia was a good friend to the Hero Squad and a loyal espionage expert of Notch's intelligence force. Many in the Hero Squad knew her personally, as their occupations often led to them working on the field together.

It was unthinkable that she would try to betray them.

"When does this mission start?" Poppy asked. As soon as she asked that, the apprentices seemed to remember that this mission included them too. They glanced at each other excitedly.

The door slammed open, and in stormed a very left-out-looking Pro. "I'm not an invalid. I want to be in this mission too!" She exclaimed. Notch paused, then shook his head.

"You don't know how to control your abilities, if you have any. You could be an obstacle to the success of the mission. I'm sorry, Pro, but you'll have to stay here. Dave will look after Poppy until you are able to mentor again."

Ranger suddenly looked as if she had taken a brick to the face. "Wait. Pro, when you saw Shadow, what did he look like?" Pro, startled by the question, replied "I didn't see much. Just a black cape and a purple and black helmet."

Upon the mention of a helmet, Ranger's eyes dilated.

"Were his eyes purple, like mine?" She whispered. Pro nodded, and Ranger hung her head. Notch stared at her and said "Is there an issue, Ranger?"

Ranger replied hastily "No, sir. Nothing's wrong, just a...childhood memory. Not an issue at all." Notch seemed to understand, and continued on without incident.

The meeting ended without further ado, and Wolf was handed the instructions to find and infiltrate Shadow's hideout. Ranger stayed silent throughout the rest of the meeting, only speaking when it was absolutely necessary.

Later that day, when the Ender Hybrid was finally alone, she lay in her bed, staring at the wall. Anybody who would have cared to look at her eyes would have seen near-endless heartbreak.