Once Again

Chapter Thirty-Three - Ambush

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Ambush

Echo didn't know why he was compelled to stay up that night, but for some reason, he felt the strong need to stay awake, and eventually get up and wander. He pushed out of the little space, careful of his sleeping sister, and then began his walk.

He was only out for a few minutes before he caught a glimpse of something - three people. He looked a little harder and recognized Noise holding Rogue still as the powerless Raider fought to free himself. The third person has his back to Echo, but he immediately recognized the green scarf as Braken's.

Rogue was terrified. He didn't need to know what they were saying to read his expression. And Braken - he was holding a knife.

Echo was about to witness a murder.

At first, he started to turn away, not wanting to be a part of it, but something stopped him. He couldn't just let them kill Rogue. He hadn't done anything. In fact, he was probably the last Raider to deserve death. Some of the others might have, but not Rogue.

So he made a split second decision. He marched toward, picking up his pace as he saw the knife raise and Rogue's face go completely white, and reached them with Shifter's power burning bright in his chest.

"Hey!" he shouted. "Leave him alone!"

Braken turned to look as Noise let out a sarcastic bark of laughter. "And who's going to make us?"

"I will," Echo said firmly.

Rogue's eyes filled with relief. His face was still deathly pale.

"Oh, yeah? You and what army? You don't have it in you. You couldn't fight us." Even though Noise was trying desperately to keep the fear out of his voice, Echo could still hear it. The Raider was afraid of him.

"I went through a lot while I was gone. I think I can fight you, especially if you're still a little battered." Echo smirked, and Noise's face turned red in anger.

"Braken, kill him, too," he ordered, his voice cracking.

"You're not brave enough to kill me yourself?" the Shifter taunted. "Are you afraid I'll beat you?"

"No!" Noise said, too fast. Echo took a step and watched him panic. "Braken! Get him!"

Braken charged him, his knife glimmering in the moonlight, but Echo just ducked away from him and kicked him over. Both of the would-be murderers were angry, which would only serve in Echo's advantage.

He didn't know why he wasn't scared anymore. Maybe it was because he was terrified. He was so used to terror by now, that he just pushed it away into the back of his mind when it wasn't really necessary. He was tired of being scared all the time. He was ready to show them that he could be just as strong as they were.

Braken recovered quickly and threw himself at him again. Echo braced himself and the two boys slammed head on, the Shifter grabbing Braken's wrists as the Raider pushed his knife toward him.

Rogue tried to elbow his way out of Noise's grip, but he wasn't strong enough. The terror made him weak. Echo glanced at him once, and then ignored him as he finally pushed Braken back. The other boy's face was red in anger, his pale scar whiter than normal.

"Hurry up and kill him!" Noise ordered, grunting in pain as Rogue attempted to break away again.

Echo wanted to lunge for him, tackle him, but the knife limited his options. He had the disadvantage, but he wouldn't give up. He was tired of being afraid. Braken stabbed at him, but Echo jerked to the side, his mind working overtime. He glanced at Noise and an idea struck him. He changed course and ran for the older Raider, and watched his eyes widen. Noise dragged Rogue in front of him as a human shield, but the Shifter twisted around him and grabbed his arm. Noise couldn't move away, as he was still struggling to restrain Rogue, and Echo smiled as he saw his face pale, and Rogue was finally able to pull away from him.