Omega

Chapter 2

I stand awkwardly in the entrance of the gym, not quite sure what to do. Everyone left me. Carson is sparring Shawn, whilst Ever and Jemma went off to meditate or something. Celia literally vanished and I'm left standing alone. I let out a heavy sigh, and set out to find the teacher.

"Excuse me? Are you Mister...Fitz?" I ask a man with short graying hair.

"Just call me Coach Fitz," He studies my face for a second before speaking again. "You're the new student aren't ya? What can I help you with?"

"Well, honestly, I don't know what I should be doing," I admit.

"Can you fight?" He asks.

"Er..." I think to myself trying to remember if I'd ever actually thrown a punch. I did do Tae Kwon Do for a year, but never got past a green belt. "I guess so?"

"Great! We'll set you up with a two-on-two match. Since you're new, I'll let you choose your partner and opponents. One time deal- keep that in mind," he says with a wink. I think of who I want as my partner but it's mostly a no-brainer because I don't know many people here. I select Shawn as my partner, and Jemma and Ever as my opponents. I tell Coach Fitz and he yells across the gym.

"Alright, everyone to the Arena! It's time to experience the first challenge of... GLADIATOR WEEK!" Most people cheer, though I notice a few students who look down and grumble a few agitated words.

I slip into the crowd when I spot Ever and Jemma.

"Hmm, I wonder who are the unlucky souls who get to compete first?" Jemma asks menaically.

"Uh... you guys," I say. A look of utter disappointment washes over Jemma's face.

"What?! Uuuuhhhhhhhh..." she grumbles to herself. Ever and I laugh.

"Not a problem, we'll just use backup plan Alpha... something or other," Jemma declares.

"Um... Which one was that again?" Ever inquires.

"You know... that one... with the um... Oh screw it, we'll just wing it," Jemma replies. I smile at the unintended pun. My hands shake slightly from nervousness, but at the same time I'm excited to debut my power here.

We talk quietly as we walk to the Arena. Upon seeing the Arena, I'm surprised at its simplicity, given the vagueness of its name. It's no bigger than a hockey rink and set up similarly except in place of ice there's a gym floor. There's even glass seperating the seats from the floor.

Coach Fitz strides over to a table at the far end. It's purpose is unclear, though I assume it keeps score. Coach Fitz reaches under the table, and pulls a microphone out from underneath.

"Eh hem," he says clearing his throat. "I would like to welcome the first challengers of GLADIATOR WEEK! On team one-- Jemma Zume and Ever Willis!"

Upon hearing Jemma's last name, I ask her, "Zoom? As in zoom-zoom?"

"Eh, more on the contrary. It's Zume, Z-U-M-E, but yes pronounced like zoom," she clarifies. She and Ever stand up and walk through the entrance into the Arena. Students erupt into cheers though theirs words are indiscernable.

After a moment of pause, Coach speaks again, "On team two-- Shawn Rite and newcomer Kenzie Braxton!" His voice is barely audible over the cheering students. Above him, a screen comes to life revealing our faces in two separate squares.

"How did they get a picture of my face?" I say leaning over to Shawn.

"ID pic?" He says with a shrug. Everyone goes quiet as the images of our faces flicker on and off at a rapid pace. Eventually, it slows to a stop, landing on Shawn's and my square.

"Team Two will designate the enviroment," Coach Fitz announces. A list of locations replace our faces, scrolling so fast I nearly fail at reading them. Shawn gestures towards the screen, insinuating I should choose. I scan over the option trying to decide where I would be at the best advantage.

"Er... Mount Kilimanjaro," I say. He nods in understanding and begins pressing several buttons.

"Before we begin, let's review the rules," He states. "One- No fatalities. Two- The first team closest to one hundred sixty points after thirty minutes is the victor. Points are based off resourcefulness and use of ability among other things. Understood?" We all nod.

"Well then, let's begin," he presses one final button and the room begins shaking. A second later the walls and floors materialized into something else entirely. The floor morphs into snow and frozen soil, rising up to the ceiling. I cower as the ceiling draws closer, but we never hit it. I look up and we're standing on the peak of the mountain.

A arctic wind rushes around us, making me shiver violently. Below us, clouds swirl around the mountain. Snow, multiple feet deep, turns my bare ankles red from the cold. Jemma shields her eyes from bright light reflecting off the white powder.

"Nice choice," Shawn teases. I stick my tongue out and get in what I hope resembles some sort of fighting stance. Ever mimics my intentions, though Jemma is... well I'm not quite sure what she's doing. At first she stands tall, but then she begins to bend over as though she's been punched in the stomach. Confused, I relax my stance and watch. She goes into a more cat-like position and I notice her hair is growing considerably more orange, and she has more of it.

Jemma's ears extend and become more rounded, while the rest her contiues to grow. Her hands morph into paws and a tail begin to protrude from beneath her shorts. Before I realize what's happened, her clothes are tearing from her now-cat-figure. Jemma has become a tigress.

"What in the he-" Shawn interrupts me before I finish.

"Think fast," As he speaks Jemma leaps towards us. I scramble to the left of me, dodging her threatening claws.

"I thought they said no fatalities," I quip.

"Yeah, and she won't fatally injure us," He says breathing heavily. "Nonfatal injuries are whole other ballgame." Deep within her throat, Jemma releases a low growl; a challenging growl.

"I've got this," Shawn says.

I sure hope so, I think to myself. Slinking into the backround, I leave the duel behind to look for Ever. I trudge through the snow, wishing, no willing my wings to come. I feel embarrased knowing people are watching us and I can't even summon my power. Frustrated, I kick a pile of snow.

Suddenly something hits me.

"ow, damn it," Did the snow just hit me back? I duck behind a rock, except I don't stay there long. I'm thrown across the snow. I hit the snow with more force than expected and a sharp pain shoots up my arm. I cry out in pain. A white blur sails over me and I see Jemma thrown against a rock. Somehow she stays concious- so kudos- but her gaze lands on me. She bares her teeth, snarling.

Before I have time to react, I feel myself rsing up into the air. Next to me, Shawn rises as well. We float in the air, with Jemma circling us below. It's like feeding time at the zoo.

"Any last words?" Shawn asks. He smiles as though he's trying to lighten the mood.

"I don't know. We'll just wing it," I say as a familiar ache spreads through my back. Shawn opens his mouth to respond, and then we drop.