Power Struggle

Chapter two

"John, what the hell was that?" Taz asked catching up to him.

"I just-" John said stopping, "I just couldn't face her, not after everything I did."

"John, what the hell are you talking about?" Taz asked confused.

"The first thing anyone at here at Wellston knew about me was a huge lie, I hid my power, I didn't protect her when she lost her ability, and I didn't do anything to help her since I officially became king." John said pissed at himself.

"John listen to me." Taz said placing a hand on John's back. "I can tell you care about her, you have to be honest with her."

"How? How do I tell her that I love her? How do I look her in the eye and say those words to her after everything I have done?" John said.

"Um, John, I don't think you have to." Taz said looking over his shoulder. John turned to see Sera standing there. Her mouth open in pure shock.

"John-" she said her lips trembling, not knowing what to do.

"Sera-" John said as she turned and walked away. "Sera wait. Please. I'm sorry."

John tried to go after her as Taz stopped him. "Don't, I think she needs time to figure things out."

"Damn it, she hates me now." John said.

"No she doesn't, John. She just needs time to process and accept that you love her." Shannon said.

"Bullshit, she hates me. I know she does." John said as he hit the near by brick wall.

A few days later Zeke has had enough. He was tired of people debating who was in fact stronger, him or the new guy Taz. Of course John and Taz knew the answer, but when Zeke called out Taz publicly to challenge him to a rank match the rest of Wellston held it's breath at the impending battle.

"You sure you want to do this?" Taz said offering Zeke one last out.

"Shut the fuck up, it's time you learn your place." Zeke yelled in reply

"Even after John beat you, twice" Taz said, mumbling that last word. "Your still so damn cocky."

"Fuck you!" Zeke yelled as he posted up and charged Taz.

"Fine, I'll make this quick." Taz said focusing energy into his palm, a move Zeke was all to familiar with, considering it was almost identical to that of Blyke. Taz shot the beam of energy at Zeke's midsection. Zeke simply fazed to dodge the progectile. Unseen by all but John and Sera, who watched from a different hallway Taz shrunk the width of his beam after it missed Zeke.

"Is that all you got? Blyke can do better than that." Zeke said as he swong a fist a Taz. Taz simply smiled and began to block, dodge and perry all of Zeke's attacks.

*He's just playing with him, any minute now Taz will end it* John thought as he watched from the window.

"How are you able to keep up with me?" Zeke asked angry that he couldn't seem to hit Taz.

"Simple, I've already won." Taz replied. Just then Zeke screamed in pain as his leg became drenched in blood. The beam Taz had fired in the first few seconds of the fight was back, and it had hit Zeke with enough force to burn right through his left leg. Zeke stopped fighting immediately.

"What the hell was that?" Zeke said still holding his leg to his chest as he lay on the ground.

"Simple, I'd you'd have listened when I explained my ability I can FOCUS the energy to an opponent's body." Taz said putting extra emphasis on the word focus. "I won, it's over." Taz turned and walked away.

*That lasted longer then it should have* John thought. He knew Taz's power, he knew that if he wanted to he could even take on John, and even win. He knew that if it came down to it Taz would climb the ranks, but he would most likely stop after he took down the jack. At least if he wanted to play the elite tier.

"Hey Taz, good job."

Taz turned around to see Seraphina standing behind him. "Oh hey Sera, thanks."

"Happy you won for a few reasons," She said. "One, you established your rank, two, you put that bitch Zeke in his place yet again."

"Well thanks, Sera" he said stopping "oh, by the way, John, Shannon and I are going to hang out after school, we are going to the mall, you should join us."

"Maybe, oh, speaking of John-" Sera started

"He meant it Sera. Every word." Taz answered cutting her off. "As his best friend from New Boston, I know John well enough to know he really does love you Sera." He started to walk again.

"Wait." Sera said catching up to Taz. The two of them walked to their last class for the day, talking about John and Shannon along the way.

After school Taz, John and Shannon were heading into town to go to the mall. Suddenly Taz's phone rang.

"Hello?" He said answer.

"I'll be at the mall in 10 minutes" Sera said on the other end of the line.

"We'll be there in about 15, so take your time and get ready."

"Who you talking to Taz?" Shannon asked. Taz simply put his hand up to silence her.

"See you soon." Taz said

"Same to you Taz." Sera said hanging up her phone.

Taz then hung up his phone. He turned back to Shannon and said "don't worry about it, it was about John."

15 minutes later the trio arrived at the mall.

"This place is huge" Shannon said,

"Not so fast, you can't run off and spend all your money just yet, we have to wait for someone." Taz said placing a hand on Shannon's shoulder.

"Who are we waiting for?" John asked confused.

"Me" Sera said.