And Then She Was Gone..

We've Got A Plan

// A/N: Refresh for those of who don't remember. This book switches POVs. This part takes place in Brynne's POV. Now, on to the chapter...\\

   Brynne was tired. After all that had happened, with Aru disappearing, and the battle of Kalpavriksha, it seemed all the strength had been sucked out of her. 

   As the other Potatoes got up to follow the Marut, Brynne hesitated. She didn't want to deal with Opal's endless barrage of insults. But then again, Opal might actually have some advice worth listening to this time. Maybe. So in spite of herself, Brynne got up, and walked out the door before the Marut slammed it shut.

    The group walked into the same cloud conference room as they had last time. Opal sat at the head of the table, drumming her fingernails on the desk and intently staring lasers into a tablet. She must've heard their footsteps, because the minute they sat down, she looked up and said:

    "What have you done! Do you know what kind of mess you've put us in?"

    Brynne sunk lower into her chair, not wanting to know what came next. Opal looked at each one of them with a scathing glare, before speaking again.

     "You've broken multiple rules, and lost a member. The consequences of your rash actions are grave, Pandavas," Opal continued.

      Opal then went on to talk about what they could possibly do, how Holi celebrations would have to work, and how badly they messed up. Again. Brynne zoned her out.

      Why did I even think this would work? Brynne thought. She wouldn't be able to help us even if our lives depended on it.

      Brynne, I think you should listen, said a voice in her head. It was Mini. Reluctantly, Brynne turned her attention back to Opal. She seemed to be reaching the end of her little tirade.

      "In short, this all could've been avoided," she said. "- if you had just listened to me."

       Brynne gritted her teeth. She had just lost her sister, and this was all she could say? It was time to give Opal a piece of her mind. But Sheela beat her to it. Sheela got up, out of her chair, and looked at Opal with an expression that was serene, but also full of contempt. 

       "No." said Sheela. "Even if we had listened to you, this still would've happened, because the future always makes itself true."

       Opal flinched and even backed away. Looked like she was finally remembering that they were dangerous. "Fine. But if this was predestined, you better have a solution."

       That was when Mini spoke up. "About that-"

       Opal raised her hand in a stop gesture. "I'm not done yet."

       Poor Mini shrank back into her chair. And strangely, Rudy was looking at her with an expression of sympathy.

        "Anyways," Opal continued, paying no heed to Mini. "We need to make it seem as if Aru is still here for the Holi celebrations."

        Aiden hadn't spoke yet, but he did now. "How is that going to work?" he asked quietly.

        "Glad you asked. We've called upon one of your friends. The rakshasi. '" Opal said. "What was her name? Hera? Or was it Mira?"

        "Her name is Hira," Brynne snapped. "Get it right."

        "But what would you need Hira for?" Mini asked.

        "She's a shapeshifter." Opal said bluntly. "She could pretend to be Aru for the Holi celebration."

        Just then, there was knock on the door. 

        "And it looks like Hira has arrived," Opal said, grinning.

        The door swung open, and in came Hira, looking royally confused.

        "Why am I here? Did I do something wrong?" Hira asked.

         Opal shook her head. "Nothing of the sort. In fact, you're here to help."

         Hira's face brightened. Opal gestured to an empty seat next to Mini. Hira sat down, and then turned to Mini.

         "Where's Aru?" asked Hira. 

         Mini looked down and gulped. 

        Opal shook her head. "Vanished."

        Hira seemed to realize, because she looked down too. "Oh"

        "So Hira, we're in need of your shapeshifting abilities." said Opal. "Are you willing to masquerade as Aru for the Holi celebrations?"

        Hira's eyes shifted left, then right. Finally, she looked back at Opal. 

        "Fine, but for how long?" Hira said.

        "Less than a day."

        Hira nodded. "I can work with that. I won't pretend to be my friend for more than what's needed."

       Opal sighed. "Alright then. It looks like we've covered everything. Now if you would leave, I have an important meeting coming up and-"

        "Actually, Opal," interrupted Mini. "I never got to talk to you about how to fix this."

        "Hm. Alright, tell me what you've got. But it better not be as stupid as that last decision you all made."

         Brynne winced, but Mini looked unaffected. "I was thinking, after the Holi celebrations, we could go on a rescue mission."

         Opal looked at Mini blankly. And then proceeded to bury her face in her hands. "A rescue mission? How would you go on a rescue mission without knowing where Aru is or without attracting attention?"

          Rudy piped up. "We just got back from an incognito quest."

          Brynne jumped at the chance to prove Opal wrong. "Yeah, and none of you actually recognized us, did you?"

          Opal groaned. "Alright fine, I'll give you that one, but how are you even going to find Aru? "

          "Well, we have two forms of communication. The Pandava mind link and astral meetings," said Mini.

           Opal looked up. "Astral what-nows? "  

           "It's basically dream travelling," Nikita interjected. "We're planning on trying to reach Aru tonight."

            "And what if your dream-travelling doesn't work?" Opal said skeptically.

            Nikita's eyes flashed. "Oh, it's going to work."

            Opal shook her head in exasperation. "Alright. If  you can reach Aru and if  you can keep your team intact this time, then maybe you'll be allowed to go."  

            Brynne sighed. This was probably the best they were going to get. 

            "Deal," she said.

            Opal turned back to her tablet. "Are we done here?"

            Brynne nodded as she got up. "Yeah, we're done. And thanks."

            Opal looked at Brynne quizzically. "Thanks for what?"

            "For actually being helpful this time," Brynne said as she walked out the door.

            Brynne, Hira, and the rest of the Potatoes left a stunned Opal in the conference room. They had a plan and a solution. Now, all they had to do was survive Holi.

// Ack, sorry, this took waaaaaaay too long to finish, but it's here now. I hope this chapter was worth the wait.

-Stormii \\