Masks Of Destiny: Lost and Found

Chapter 5: Pest Control Stinks

" *groan* ", cried Toru as he placed a bag of ice on his tenders. Vadam smiled cheerfully as he said, "I call that my legendary nutcracker technique, mhm!"
Toru had a look of disappointment on his face. He had fallen in a sinkhole, gotten attacked by huge scorpions, was pushed around like a ping pong ball in a large crowd, and assaulted by a man in his 80's, for what?! A lousy mask that he didn't even know how to use! Toru's negative thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of frightened screams and shrieks coming from right outside the shop. "What's going on?" questioned the only uncle Toru.
People could be seen running away like a swarm of locusts hungry for food. Toru peered his head outside the store. "NANI!?" he cried as large wasp-looking creatures came flying everywhere, attacking nearby shops and people. All of them had large blue eyes and two claws the size of a human head. The stinger was the worst part, however, as not only could they spray acid, but the sting itself could paralyze any living organism dumb enough to face it. Unfortunately, there was a creature dumb enough to face one of them and that creature was the legendary nutcracker himself, Vadam Norik. One of the bugs noticed Toru's head and began to dart towards its newly found snack. As it was flying, several rocks were hurled at its eyes. "YOU SHALL NOT PAASSSS!" yelled nutcracker Heimdall. "Wise one! Look out!!!" cried Toru. The bug suddenly turned its blue eyes towards Vadam and flew straight for him. Pointing its stinger at him, the bug was about to strike when suddenly a blast of air sent it flying away. Turning to his left, Toru saw three warriors, all of them decked out in light green armor. One of them carried a staff that had two irregular blades at each end, another one carried a large shield, and the third one carried two scythes. Although the arrival of the warriors of air was welcomed, 20 more jumbo-sized pests were not. The scythe warrior slashed at one of the wasp's wings disabling it. Another bug, however, tackled him and attempted to feast upon his mask. The warrior's mask began to glow, as his strength was multiplied tenfold. Lifting the creature, he tossed at a coffee shop. To finish the job, a fire blast blew up the caffeine-filled bug to pieces. "Boom! Haha!" cried a buff warrior of fire. "Wow! The warriors of air AND fire fighting together!!!? This is the best birthday ever!!!" Shouted the flabbergasted birthday boy. "Stop staring and start running Toru!" yelled Vadam.  Another bug, attempting to get the drop on the unsuspecting Toru, was hit by a barrage of small rocks. "YEEEET!" yelled the 80-year-old. The bug became very agitated and squirted acid at Toru. But in the nick of time, a wall of water stopped the corrosive projectile. Four warriors of water appeared, all armed with uniquely shaped battle axes. A familiar voice called out to Toru. "Hey, Kid!" Changing his view, Toru could see Levok swinging his twin blades wildly at several giant wasps (Why are so many animals so large?). "Levok! Is that you?" "He,y bucko! Argh! What are you doing out in the open!? Get back indoors!!!" Toru complied with the hero's order, rushing back to the collector shop. Toru hid behind a small display case. Outside, chaos controlled the street. An air warrior could be seen riding a wasp into a building. Vadam was stoning one to death and three warriors of fire, water, and air were combining their elemental powers into one concentrated blast that incinerated half of the swarm. Unfortunately, a warrior of fire was sprayed with acid that began melting some of his armor. Two warriors of water attempted to come to his aid, but they were tackled by a single wasp. A warrior of fire, who carried a hammer, smashed that same wasp into pieces furiously. Levok held off three bugs at once before being overwhelmed by twelve more. An air warrior had lost his leg to 16 other wasps morbidly (wow that's really violent.....why did I leave this part in here again?) All the warriors were eventually surrounded by the swarm. Seeing no other option, one of the air warriors told the others that if they had a mask of shielding, to use it immediately as he was going to go nova. Nova is an ability that every warrior has access to. The user draws upon all the elemental power they possess and they release it in a single fatal blast that practically incinerates anything and everything in a one-mile radius. However, exceptionally strong warriors can release a blast twice the size. The move also kills the user instantly. Vadam, seeing what was about to happen, ran into his shop to grab Toru. "We need to get out of here! To the backroom!" Toru and Vadam entered the mysterious room to find a small boat in a small tunnel. "I saved this for emergencies like this one. The tunnel will lead to the beach thirty miles away from here, now get in!"
"Our shields won't survive a nova blast! We need to get out of here not stay!" Argued Levok. "Then do you have a plan?" asked one of the warriors of water. "You have a mask of speed for crying out loud! Can't you just zoom us out of here!?" replied Levok. The warrior of water paused, "good point...." The soon-to-be nova, warrior of air added, "Well, in that case....when I say 'go' take the others with you to escape the blast radius... It's been an honor serving with you all..." The other warriors nodded and prepared for their escape...