Power Struggle

Chapter four

"You know those two better then anyone, do you think Shannon can actually beat Remi?" Sera asked.

Oh she definitely can, I've seen her win against higher levels, it's just electricity isn't exactly her strong suit, and even if it were, Remi knows her way around a mirror match, I learned that first hand." John answered. "If Remi had a fire or heat type ability she wouldn't have a chance, Shannon would kick her ass."

"So you mean she's an elite that can take on and beat high tiers?"

"She almost beat me." John said turning to Sera. *I hate to lie to her again, but if Taz and Shannon want to pretend to be elites then I have to play along.* "Granted I can into the match with a heat and strength ability, so she had a bit of an advantage there."

"So that's what Taz ment when he said in practice she's stronger."

"Yeah, his ability is self explanatory, he shoots beams, and he can control them, there's not too much more to it." John replied. *Taz you fucking lier.*

"But if Shannon has that much versatility, how is she only an elite?"

"Listen Sera, I can't lie to you again, so you have to promise me no one else at Wellston finds out about this." John began. "She's not. Neither is Taz."

"So they-"

"Yeah, they enrolled as elites to enter on the ladder, but not draw much attention. In reality they're both high tiers. And no, Remi won't win." John finished.

"But-"

"I heard you talked to Claire, you know what happened in New Boston that night. You know why I enrolled as a cripple. They have a reason for not entering as high tiers." John said thinking back to that night in new boston.

The pair continued to talk as they left the mall. Eventually they found themselves at the park that they were in the night the invisible stranger appeared. The two stopped near a small pond and John immediately looked around using his passive to determine there was no one else present.

"It's nice when we're alone." John said.

"That it is." Sera replied.

John took Sera's hand in his as they stood in the park. Suddenly his passive picked up something. Someone.

"Hold on." He whispered. "Someone behind you, 7 o'clock."

Sera froze, "you sure?"

"Yeah, how do you want to play it?"

"I don't know, Your the one with all the power."

Suddenly a loud scream cut through the dark. John and Sera turned around to see Taz and Shannon standing behind them. The individual who snuck up on them was laying on the ground bleeding.

"Long time no see you two," Taz joked.

John powered up picking up both Taz's and Shannon's ability. *Damn it Shannon, I can't use this around Sera, why did you have to lie and give yourself an ability you don't have.* He thought. "Who are you." John said to the stranger.

"Go to hell."

John saw a flash in the dark. "Shit, Shannon! Everyone down!" Shannon turned around and reflected the incoming lazer as everyone ducked out of the way. Seeing the aura of the sniper John charged and fired a beam. He connected the shot with it's intended target. "Sera, here's the key to my dorm. Please get there, it will be safer then having you here." John threw his key at Sera who caught it, turned around and ran towards the boys dorm.

*Good, she's gone, now I can focus on these shitheads.* John thought. "Shannon!"

"Right!" Just then Shannon let out an Infrared pulse. John used it to track atleast six more people who were out of his range.

"Taz 2 o'clock, take the shot" John and Taz shot and managed to hit both of their targets.

"Who the hell are these guys?!" Taz yelled furiously at the guy on the ground.

"Your death." The man replied. Taz shot him in the back to shut him up. All three knew this situation wasn't good. John could feel I self starting to get weaker.

"Taz, Shannon, I know these guys! They have an ability dampener!"

"How the hell do you know that?" Taz called in response.

"They attacked my house last year! Their the reason Sera lost her ability!"

"No shit" Taz replied stunned.

John used an Infrared pulse like Shannon, however this one was hotter then Shannon's. John soon heard screams as people started to burn. "We have to get back to the school dorms ASAP!"

John saw a group of people run behind cover. He determined them to be melee attackers rushing in. "Taz, Shannon. 10 o'clock!" As Taz turned to start shooting an attacker jumped over the pond, heading straight for Taz.

*Where the fuck did he come from? And why the hell couldn't I pick him up?* John thought seeing the target. He raised his hand and fired one shot. The man dropped out of the air like a brick. Unknown to John at the time he had infact killed the man with that shot. However John had been able to pick up the man's ability before he died.

"We need to go! NOW!" Taz said realizing just how grim the situation was. John and Shannon both set off infrared pulses burning anyone close enough and buying them enough time to get away.

The trio arrived back on school grounds soon after. Making sure they weren't followed John started to make his way back to his dorm.

"Shit, I didn't get a dorm yet, the headmaster said I was aloud to stay off campus until they got everything situated for me to stay here." Taz said.

John stopped, turned around and said "you two can stay with me. Just don't fuck each other in the second bedroom."

"We won't, as long as you keep your hands off that Sera chick." Taz replied with a toothy grin.

"Shut the fuck up, and let's go." John said leading the way to his dorm.