A Hero In The Dark

Chapter 144: A Fierce Step

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" asks Malcolm when we reach the front of the academy, holding a clipboard in his hands. I suppose his records state that I haven't fully recovered yet.

And I don't feel to be. I can hardly stand, let alone walk. I don't know how I'm planning on going back to wherever I was taken – or even face Magdalena again – but I have to find a way.

"I have to try."

"I should go with you," Nine protests. "I'd feel a lot more comfortable if you didn't go alone."

"I'm not alone," I say with an encouraging smile. "I have Pixie. I have Lorien."

I ignite my Eneration in my palm to show that my legacies have returned before turning to the tan bunny waiting patiently at my feet.

"I know, but-" Nine starts. Though, before he can continue, I leap into his arms, hugging him tightly. Following by pulling Malcolm into the hug with us.

With my head over each of their shoulders, I whisper into their ears, "I'll be okay Nine. Thank you both for taking care of me."

They don't respond and simply remain silent. I know they understand that this is what I need to do because I feel them squeeze me tighter.

"I'll be back soon. I promise," I add before letting go.

"You better," Nine says with a playful smirk and adds, "Kick some Mogadorian ass for me."

I smile; reply, "I will," And turn to Pixie that is rubbing her soft fur against my pant leg. "Ready to fly girl?"

She responds with an eager hop before morphing into a mighty eagle and taking flight to land on my shoulder a moment later.

I connect with the Entity within my pendant and blast upwards, headed west.

I may not be 100% healed and rested up for an action like this, but I don't have a choice.

John is in trouble. I know he is. I can sense it.

I don't know if I'm capable of facing Magdalena or Bea's mercenaries. Even flying over the ocean using my legacy is overly exhausting. Still, I have to try.

And so, I amp up the power in my legacy and fly faster.

I missed this feeling; the feeling of wind and air brushing against my face and blowing through my hair. It was not available to me for so long. I didn't have the ability nor did I have the time to even consider using my Eneration to fly at speeds one could only dream of.

It has an odd feeling of home.

It isn't until an hour later that I find my way to an unusual building sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Created solely on metal and devoid of any Earth.

There is a hole in the roof, and I wonder if it was one of us that caused it. Either John under Lucas' control. Or Nine or Five when they escaped. Or perhaps even John when he came back. How I hope this is the right place. How I hope John is here.

I hover directly above the broken rooftop, look to Pixie; say, "Let's do this girl. Watch my back."

I take a deep breath and descend.

Just as I bring myself down into a dark room, do I find John lying on the floor with a noose around his throat, Magdalena standing over him holding a familiar sword in hand.

A Mogadorian sword. That gleams a bright red at the blade and silver at the handle.

She brings the weapon down onto John's chest and says the same words I've heard before, "I'm going to enjoy killing you John. For all it's worth, it will be nice to finally be free."