To The Sun And Beyond

26. BATTLE

MASON

I WATCHED FROM BEHIND AS
Celeste fell to the ground, her body falling limp. Kanani laughed as she struck her down, and I held back the urge to rush to her side.

I stumbled back against the wall in terror as Kanani smiled slyly at us. "And now, for you rats." She lifted her hands, ready to take us as well.

The red mist began to build in her hands when Fin shouted, "Scatter!"

We all ran separate ways, and Kanani grunted in anger. "Phoebe! Dominic!" She called, and two platinum blonde shiloettes fell from the ceiling. I had found a hiding place in the corner behind a mat leaning against the wall when I noticed they both had necklaces, too. I was too far away to tell what color they were, though. They looked like twins. My stomach began to turn when Phoebe, the skinny girl, looked in my direction. My hands felt like fire.

Phoebe had her bright blonde hair in two high ponytailes on the sides of her head. Dominic, who I assumed was her brother, was very broad and also had platinum blonde hair. They both wore leather, Dominic wearing a leather jacket and Phoebe wearing leather high heel boots.

Phoebe looked back at Kanani, and the three of them commensed in a conversation.

"Find them!" Kanani hissed at the twins, and they spread out to search. No one came in my direction, even though I could've sworn Phoebe looked directly at me multiple times.

My head began to burn, causing me to grab my temples in pain. It was then that I realized Phoebe was getting closer and closer to me, looking around. And as she got closer, the pain got worse.

My ears began to ring next. By now, Phoebe was about ten yards away.

What is happening?

"Ha! Gotcha!" Phoebe screamed, which startled me. She pulled out Kayla from eight yards away, and she began to struggle.

"No! No!" She screamed as Phoebe drug her to Kanani.

"Now you will die!" Kanani screamed as she aimed at Kayla.

"No!" Fin screamed as he lunged himself at her, making her fall.
He began tackling her, and she clawed at him. Phoebe rushed to help Kanani, and Kayla squirmed away from Dominic, and the two of them battled it out. By now, the rest of the team was out, helping Kayla and battling Phoebe, while Celeste lay still in the center.

I decided to come out of my hiding place, but it was difficult, the pain was unbearable. I came to my feet, but my head was banging, and I stumbled to my knees.

"Aaah!" I screamed, but no one heard. I looked on to the others, fighting strong, but most importantly, Celeste, lying on the floor.

I stood up, despite the pain, and bounded down to the center, where my ears began ringing and my hands felt like they were on fire.

Kanani pushed Fin away, and he landed on his side, weak, on the ground. I sprinted to her and began punching and kicking her with all the energy I had. She wrestled me down to the ground, and I squirmed around, trying to break free.

"Oh look, it's the little orphan," she teased. "Why do you think you're so special? You are nothing like these people. Why are you still here?"

I didn't answer, but looked over to Celeste, still lying there.

"Aww, is it because of her?" Kanani teased again but I kept fighting. "You know, I plan to finish her, and the rest of you. But i think I'll spare you. It's be nice to watch you live, knowing you could've been like them. But you never were. And I killed all of your friends, and your little crush."

That's it.

"Never!" I yelled, and punched her face with all my might, sending her flying back, and pearly white mist hung above my hands.

Is that...?

She bounded back to me, but I blocked her with a ray of white. She shrieked, and screamed, and I pushed harder as the power escaped my hands.

Suddenly, there was a flash, and Kanani fell back, breaking the gym floor beneath her. Smoke began to rise, and I landed on my back, weak, but also strong. Relief filled me, and finally I felt like I belonged with these people. I have powers now. Finally.

The smoke had cleared, and Kanani, Phoebe, and Dominic were nowhere to be seen. I looked around at the team, and they all lay on the floor, coughing. Fin searched with his eyes frantically, and when he found Kayla, he sprinted over to her, and embraced her into his arms.

"Kayla! Are you okay? I tried to save you..."

"I'm alright, Fin. I promise." She assured him, hugging him back. "Celeste!" She yelled, and Fin bounded to her, as did I.

I fell to my knees beside her, and Fin held her face in his hands. He put his ear to her chest, listening for her heart. "She's barely alive. James, help me."

James rushed to her side, using CPR. The team huddled around her, while I sat by her side, tears beginning to form in my eyes.

Please. Please wake up.

Her words began to flash around in my mind.

"Everything will be fine. We can protect eachother. I'll never leave your side."

"You are so good enough Mason. Please remember that."

James and Fin continued to work over her, while the others stood silently.

She began coughing, and her green eyes snapped open, and everyone sighed in relief. She sat up slowly, looking around. "What...?" She stammered. "Fin!" She shouted, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Celeste! You scared me. Please don't do that again." Fin said once they had embraced.

She let go, and looked around at everyone's faces. "Hey, guys." She stood up and hugged Kayla, the two of them crying. "I'm so sorry, Kayla. I'm so sorry."

When they released, she darted her head around at us. "Where's...?" Her eyes locked onto mine when she found me. "Mason."

She marched over to me, grabbing my face, and pressing her lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around her in responce, and she continued to kiss me.

I remembered that everyone else was watching, even Fin. I began to fear for my life.

Once she let go, she smirked at me, her green eyes sparkling.

I heard Fin clear his throat, and she turned to him and shrugged. He glared at me, and I held my hands up to surrender.

Celeste glared at Fin, then smiled at me reassuringly. Then she turned to the group. "Come on guys, we should go back to Mr. Thomas. I have a feeling school will be cancelled for a few days."