Collaborator Arc 1: Fade To Begin

Episode 5: It Picks Up

(That night Alma sits in her room on her bed. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees a person's figure. When she turns to look, it already vanished.)

Alma: (Was that Trey?)

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(Meanwhile, inside of Trey's mind, he was testing to learn a new ability, but failed to succeed. The world he meets Bolas was pitch black although a bright sun appeared in the sky. The air was hot as lava  riddled the ground and spouted from unseen volcanoes. Bolas illuminated himself with the fiery designs of his body.)

Bolas: Once again, you fail to achieve elemental body.
Trey: *Frustrated* I know, I know! This is the third time, stop reminding me!
Bolas: Without elemental body, you are worthless as an elemental user.
Trey: It's difficult, alright!? Besides, I already have full control of my elements, so why is elemental body so important? What aren't you telling me about it!?
Bolas: Difficult? I like you, but you are such a pest. You don't know difficult until you've been downgraded to a mere parasite.
Trey: Wait, what did you say?
Bolas: Nevermind. I will only tell you about elemental body once you've achieved it. It is a high rated ability that tags on yet another powerful ability. Difficult is a complete understatement. And though you have great control over your fire, you lack experience with your darkness element.
Trey: Is that why I keep failing?
Bolas: ...Yes. To better help achieve elemental body, one must master their elements.
Trey: But I learned all my Darkness abilities. I got through them first so that I could focus on my fire. Doesn't passing a test mean mastering the ability?
Bolas: I have never told you that. Passing a test merely means you have permission to use that ability, albeit to a great extent, but not to its full potential. From this point on, think about what I told you and why that is.
Trey: *Groans* Thinking is for nerdy smart types like Micheal.
Bolas: As I recall, you're academically smart as well.
Trey: School is just easy Bolas. That's all.

(Meanwhile, as Trey is in the middle of training, Nuvia and Raine perch themselves 30 ft from Trey's training area, which is an old train station.)

Nuvia: It has been a while since I've had that look.
Raine: What look?
Nuvia: The look of lucidity as one trains the way we do. Testing can be brutal on the mind at times.
Raine: I agree. I haven't collaborated with Celsius in quite a while. And sometimes I feel she's desperately reaching out to me...But I don't have the time anymore.
Nuvia: I hate talking to Newton, he's such an odd ball.
Raine: I hear collaboration is less stressful during combat.
Nuvia: How so?
Raine: Adrenaline is already coursing through you. This allows for a much quicker test on average.
Nuvia: But during battle? That's insane. It's a huge risk.
Raine: The test would tend to happen in mere seconds in our sense of time.
Nuvia: No way...That's fast. We've watched him for an hour now. The first half was his physical training and boy does he look strong.
Raine: The only downside is that extra training would be needed for the ability, more so than normal.
Nuvia: That makes sense.
Raine: Are you ready to do this?
Nuvia: No, not tonight. He will be too tired from testing. Had he not started collaborating then yeah. But I prefer a good fight.
Raine: Oh please, I had to take care of the last one on my own.
Nuvia: He was a plain old gravity user, not even complex. I was too bored to bother.
Raine: We aren't here to play, Brago.
Nuvia: Aren't we?

(The next day, Trey, Alma, and Micheal meet up at the rec. center.)

Alma: Trey, I see you're alright.
Trey: Um...yeah? I am.
Micheal: You do look beat though.
Trey: Yeah well, I failed my test again, so...
Micheal: For elemental body, correct?
Trey: Yes. Third time...The third freakin time I've failed!
Alma: Trey, please calm down.
Micheal: You should be careful Trey. That ability is dangerous.
Trey: I know, I know. He may not have told me much about it, but he did say if used 5 times, I will die.
Alma: What?? You die!?
Trey: *Mockingly* Alma, please calm down.

(A staff member for the center walks up to them and hands them all drinks.)

Trey: Thanks, Avacyn.
Micheal: Yeah, you're the best.
Alma: Thank you.
Avacyn: Anything for you three. Byyyeee Treeeyyy.

(She winks as she walks away. Avacyn Kayle stands at 5'2, the same age as Trey, and shoulder length pure white, crimped hair. Her eyes are golden, she has a petite frame, but still curvy. A halo shaped birthmark resides on the right side of her chest  above her heart, which can be seen when she leaves her work uniform partially unbuttoned.)

Micheal: She totally wants you.
Trey: Whatever dude.
Alma: It's pretty obvious, Trey.
Trey: I said whatever.
Micheal: So...when are you gonna make your move?
Trey: Shut up, Micheal!
Alma: Hold on, we got off topic...DIE!?!?
Trey: Oh, right. Yeah, after the fifth time I'll die. Kaputs, finito.
Alma: Why would you even-?
Micheal: Elemental body is the embodiment of the elemental's power. They say it is absolute domination of said element. If Trey had elemental body, his actual body would go through some kind of change, and be able to unleash an infinite amount of flame, if he so chooses. But, the thing is...
Trey: Whatever change I go through, will be permanent.
Micheal: For simple elementals, they gradually become their element. But for the complex...
Trey: *Sigh* Finish your own explanations from now on. We tend to look more like our collaborator. Or at least a somewhat humanoid version of them.
Alma: Death is tied to it, so why do you want it?
Trey: Bolas is hiding something about it. I feel there's more to elemental body than he lets on. I'm gonna tempt fate and hope I get put in a situation to which he will just give it to me.
Micheal: Well, considering who you are, ah, nevermind. Not breaking that wall.

(Later that night, Trey goes to the train station to train. Alma follows him, but keeps out of sight at a safe distance.)

Trey: *Sigh* Alright now, come on out.
Alma: (Crap, did he-?)
Nuvia: Oohh, someone's perceptive.
Raine: Maybe he will be a challenge after all.

(Nuvia and Raine reveal themselves from behind a train cart.)

Alma: (No way! I-It's- It can't be you!)

(Alma whispers Raine's name. Raine's ears twitches.)

Trey: Heheh, you lookin for trouble?
Nuvia: No, we've found it already. Thanks for your help with that.
Trey: I hope you're a fast fighter then. All the cops have to hear is that multiple sonic booms can be heard and they're on their way immediately.
Raine: Then we will make quick work of you.

(Raine takes a peculiar pose similar to that of bagua zhang. She is slightly crouched, her right arm stretches forward and her left arm bends at her side. Her right hand opened, facing forward, with the fingers pointing up while her left hand, also open, facing forward but fingers pointing down.)

Raine: Tremaine Black, you are a menace to society. All beings like us do not deserve to live. We must be eradicated. Bow your head and accept your fate.

To Be Continued…