“This should be far enough.” Abbas said. The three of them stopped just on the other side of the freeway overpasses. Xole peeked back to the nearing cop car, puzzled they’d barley run a few blocks.

  “Shouldn’t we get further?” he asked. “I mean everyone else is still back there!”

  “If we progress too far, then we give them too much time to call for backup.” The large man answered. He nodded to Spit-Take and motioned at Xole. “We’ll give our pursuers a reason to follow, not a reason to hunt.”

  The two police cars skidded just twenty feet from the three, the first car just ahead of the other. A door opened and a gun peeked out, followed by two Blue Collared cops, the lanky man on the left’s hand near his weapon while his stubby partner on the right had already drawn his.

  “You three freeze! Hands where we can see ‘em!” The first cop yelled. He peered for a better view of the group. He eyed his partner, “Looks like these were the guys causing a ruckus on highway ten.”

  His partner did a double take, “If it’s those guys, we should call backup!”

  “Hold,” the first cop replied, “We’re stretched thin. Let’s hold for now.”

  The other two cops slowly made their way in from the back. Xole could feel sweat roll down his head. Abbas and Spit-take on the other hand seemed calm.

  “We’re still giving ‘em three strikes, right Abbas?”

  “Everyone deserves mercy, Spit-Take.”

  The hunched man sighed, “Whelp, it’s your lucky day, Blues, you’ve got a chance to redeem yourselves.” He put his hands up. “This is a misunderstanding. Walk away.”

  “I said freeze!” the first cop said, now aiming his gun as well.

  Spit-take began to grow visibly annoyed, “Can ya at least tell us what exactly we did? Or if it was even us?”

  Xole side eyed him, “But it was—”

  Spit-take whacked him over the head.

  “HEY!” the first cop’s hand twitched, “I just said don’t move, you homeless crook!”

  “That’s two,” Spit-take said, “One strike left there, butter fingers.”

  “Why are you seeking the homeless?” Abbas asked.

  The second cop motioned for his partner to relax, “Well it seems since you’ve been living under a rock, those guys have been making headlines across the city as of late. Destroying public property and business, harassing civilians, it’s been a real headache on us, y’know?”

  Abbas chuckled, “Oh, forgive me I was aware of only the private ones. Tell me, what public entities have been befallen? Or any details on these civilian attacks?”

  The cop scoffed, he eyed the other two in the back, then his partner whom he nodded to. “We can tell you more at the station. Ya see we aren’t obligated to do any of this, but because I’m a nice guy—”

  ‘WHAM!’ Abbas’s body shot forward, smacking his large palm into the cop’s stomach and sending him toppling over the cars and across the street. The other man screamed and tried to fire, but Spit-Take already spat at his gun.

  ‘BOOM!’

  The cop gaped at his destroyed weapon and broken hand, then back at him. “Y-you’re a Bodily user?!”

  “That’s right!” he said. He moved forward and hit the guy in the face twice in a quick round of punches. The cop’s unconscious body fell to the ground. The other two were already running out of the car drawing their guns. Spit-Take’s eyes shot in Xole’s direction, “Kid, these two are yours!”

  “No—NO, I’m not ready yet!” he cried.

  ‘B-B-B-B-BLAM!’

  Xole’s body tensed, his eyes shut. He felt around himself for the gunshot wounds. To his shock there wasn’t, rather Abbas standing behind the men holding their weapons.

  “Young one,” he said. “You’re enemy thrives on your lack of preparedness, never give them that.”

  The confused cops glanced at each other and then back at the man.

  “Hey, give us those back!” a board built man yelled grabbing his baton.

  “Yeah,” the other said with a similar build, snatching a taser from behind him. “Or this is gonna hurt even a big guy like you!”

  “Oh no, Abbas is in trouble!” Spit-Take shrieked, his hands to his cheeks. “Hurry kid you’re our only hope!”

  Xole clenched his fist and ran up to the cop with the taser, striking him across the face. He jumped and threw his fist into the other cops chest, causing them both to real back in pain.

  “The boy’s got some fight in him!” the cop wiped his mouth, and reached for his radio.

  “He’s calling for back up!” Spit-Take said, “Stop him quick!”

  Xole grabbed the officer’s hand but the other hit him in the back with the baton. Grunting he swung his elbow back to the man’s face only for the other cop to taze him.

  “ACK! HELP!” he yelled. His body began to shrivel up as the other man began to beat him with his baton.

  “Kid!” Spit-Take yelled, “Don’t tell me ya forgot what Trix told you already!”

  “I-I-I-I-It’s n-n-n-not w-w-w-working!” he yelled.

  “Yeah it will! Ya just gotta stay focused on the pain, then, forget about it!”

  ‘What does that even mean?!’ Xole thought, ‘Wait—OW—stop thinking, just listen! Ok, I can see it, my body. The color’s all in my hands but it needs to go to my stomach—OW—and face! C’mon, focus on the pain, focus on the pain…’

  “What’s with this kid?” the cop with the taser said. “This much should’ve knocked him out by now.”

  “Just keep at it!” The other cop said. “The sooner we take him out the sooner we can deal with his friends!”

  ‘C’mon, c’mon!’ Xole’s mind raced faster. He could see cloudy color taking over more of his body ‘Focus on the pain, focus on the pain—’

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  ‘’WHACK!’ The baton violently cracked over Xole’s head.

  A hand took his, pulling him to his feet. Xole’s vision cleared, seeing Yesfir’s face scowling down on him.

  “That was pathetic,” She said.

  “You!” he said, staggering back. His head shot around him, seeing they were in his backyard again on a damp and wet day. He looked ahead in time for her fist to clock him in the nose, knocking him to the ground again. He grabbed it in anger, “What was that for?!”

  “To think,” she spoke sternly approaching him, bringing her hand up, “you’d fall to a stupid piece of metal while forgetting I was much, much worse.” She clenched to a fist. “Do you need another reminder?”

  “Stop, stop, it right now would you?!” he exclaimed raising his arms. “Knock it off!” he shot to his feet. “What do you want n—?!”

  ‘POW!’

  Her fist struck him again, his body flipping and rolling across the yard and to the fence. She slowly followed him as he quickly recovered, putting his fists up. “That’s it! That is it!” he yelled, “You don’t wanna talk? Fine by me!”

  He jabbed his left fist at her as fast as he could, but she caught the side of his wrist, swinging him over to his side and kicking him in the stomach. He gagged but caught her lower leg, only for her to quickly raise it high in the air so they were at eye level. He gulped

  ‘SHOO-CRASH!’

  The tall woman’s leg shot the ground in a flash. The boy croaked, his body getting knocked loose and bouncing into the ground hard. He stumbled to his feet again only to feel the sharp zap of a taser strike him from behind. He turned his head to see her pressing the weapon against his neck. He cried out and swung his arms at her but now she was in front again, the back of her fist swiping his cheek, making his head spin. She paced around him and watched him stagger left and right, smirking. Without warning, she reeled her arm back and shot it to his face in a wild blur

  And he caught it.

  “Hmm?” she tried to pull her wrist back but his left hand wouldn’t let go. To her surprise, his grip felt hot and emitted a clearish aura. She grinned, “So you’ve summoned your Gi to your hand in an attempt to stop me, yah?” She started to push, “My love, I’m afraid you’ll need far more than that…”

  Her words trailed as she saw from his wrist, to his forearm, then shoulder, his entire arm overflowed with Gi. Then, without a word, he yanked her towards him while leaping forward, shoving his opposing fist into her face as hard as he could.

  ‘THWWWOCK!’He dsssP’d

  “GYAAAAAAA!” The cop screamed, flying back into the hood of his car and going through the windshield head fist. The alarm went off, echoing as Spit-Take, Abbas, and the other officer could only watched on in awe. Panting, Xole scanned the cop with the taser, who yelped ad thrust his weapon up.

  “Shit, shit!” he said, jousting it to the older boy’s side, “STOP RESIST—”

  But this time Xole caught the side of his wrist. Gi filled his upper body as he swung the man to his right, and taking him off balance and shooting his foot into his stomach as hard as he could.

  “BLURGH!” the officer gagged dropping to his knees and falling to the ground face first.

  He panted, inspecting the bruising and cuts all over his arms to his torso and face. His head slowly tilted up to the homeless, “Is this your idea…of TRAINING?”

  Spit-take clapped his hands, “And you did an outstanding job! See Abbas, told ya all he needed was some hands-on experience.”

  The large man watched arms folded. Them he smiled and gave a nod, “Well done, young one, well done! You’ve demonstrated not only Inner-Gi management, but your Talent as well…hmm?”

  From the corner of his eye he saw Xole began to sway left and right, struggling to keep his balance.

  ‘No, not again!’ he thought, ‘Dang it! Why am I gassing out so quickly?”

  Abbas placed a hand on him, “Can you still proceed, young one?”

  Xole hesitated, “Do you guys…have any more Gi-bars?”

  Abbas looked at Spit-take, who sighed, “Ya know those just don’t grow on trees,” he threw his hands up. “But yeah, I’ve got just one for emergencies.”

  He gulped, “Gimmie it.” The man handed it to him, which he stuffed in his mouth so fast he almost choked. After a few gags, he wiped his mouth. “Ok, now where’s everyone else?”

  The large man stepped forward, “Follow me.”

  “It’s up ahead, I see it!” Xole said as the three approached the Emperial City bank.

  Spit-Take hunched his neck even more than it already was, “Why’s there a massive hole in the wall? And why are those sirens getting closer?”

  “Because our enemy is becoming smarter,” Abbas said as the three landed in front of the hole. “So we must think beyond our normal reasoning.”

  Xole peeked inside the pitch-black space. It was nothing like when he’d been there earlier. It was now a dark space filled with ominous shapes, and even more ominous sounds, making him shudder. But before he could protest, the other two walked ahead. He ran to grab Abbas, “But what if it’s a—”

  “Yo!” Snap’s voice rang out as a match lit under him, revealing the Groundhogs all near the front of the bank, waving.

  “—trap.” Xole finished feeling his shoulders drop. ‘Maybe I do over think too much.’

  “What took ya three?” Salamander asked standing behind a teller from Trix. Spit-Take did a few paly punches to Xole.

  “Just getting some extra boxing in with the kid,” he replied. “What about here?”

  Salamander yawned, “Just waitin’ fo Snap’s slow ass ta finish up.”

  “I’d like ‘ta see you try this!” Snap pointed to him with his hammer.

  Abbas’s bizarre chuckle escaped his mouth, “I’m glad to see that as expected, we’ve all arrived at our destination.” He looked around. “Where is Mr. Holdover?”

  “Upstairs,” Shakar said, reading a tabloid from the edge of the fountain. He flipped a page. “And he says I run off all the time.”

  Patchwork marched towards the group. “You failed to mention that you’ve triggered the silent alarm as well, so now the police will be here within minutes.” He noticed where they’d come in, “And for crying out loud, can someone please seal that entry point?”

  “Ha, doofus!” Salamander said, “Then how’re we spose ta leave?”

  The doctor decided not to reply.

  “Xole!” Trix skipped over. “How’d it go? You get any good hits in?”

  He felt the back of his head, which was still swollen, “Y-yeah, kinda.”

  Snap clapped his hands together loudly, “Alright we are done!” he started packing his bag as fast as he could, “That is all, folks. Let’s roll out!”

  “Good riddance,” Patchwork said, heading for the hole. Xole glanced to the steps.

  “Wait! What about Mr. Holdover?”

  “What about him?” the doctor replied, “We can’t risk it.”

  “I must agree,” Abbas said, much to Xole’s surprise. “He seems strong, stronger than he lets on. He’ll find his way back.”

  “He betta, ‘else I’ll roast him! Ha, ha!” Salamander laughed.

  “C’mon Xole,” Trix said, “The sirens are becoming deafening.”

  Xole watched the group head for the hole, then, back to the stairs, ‘why’re you doing this now?!’ he thought, his hand patting his side. He could hear their footsteps fade, ‘But if I stay, who’s to say I’ll ever find them again? I’ve learned so much from them so far…’

  “…” Xole started to leave with them, ‘No hard feelings Mr. Holdover, but I promise we’ll find you later. I know this is probably what you’d want anyways—’

  “And just where do you think you’re going, Xole?” a voice asked.

  The group halted, turning around to see Shakar still there, relaxing. He flipped to the next page, “If you remember our agreement, Abbas, Spit-take, Trix, Salamander, Patchwork, Snap, we came as a packaged deal.” He snapped the magazine closed and turned to them. “Unless you wish you change our arrangements, you’ll have to talk it over with our boss.”

  “Huh?” Salamander cocked his head, “whose dis fool talkin’ too?”

  “Never mind that, well just leave him,” Patchwork said about to leave again.

  “You must be mistaken,” Shakar said standing up, “You all may go. However, Xole stays here.”

  Abbas piqued his interest in the young man’s direction, “Oh? Is that so?”

  “What’s your deal, Shakar?” Xole said. “You go on and on about not trusting me yet you still wanna wave me around like some trophy?!”

  “Oh, this isn’t for you,” The young man said, “As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Holdover is the one who’s at the head of this runaway train of a business.”

  “Then why don’t you hop off?”

  He continued to smile, “I am an adult, Xole.” His eyes narrowed slightly, “and unlike you, I don’t need a seatbelt.”

  Snap could feel his palms begin to grow clammy.

  “Yeesh,” Salamander said, “And I’s thought yall’s boss was bad.”

  “He can make decisions on his own,” Trix said, “You people don’t seem to get that.”

  “Tell me, Shakar,” Abbas said, “What do you intend to do if we leave right now?”

  Shakar was silent at first. He glanced over both shoulders and sighed, folding his hands behind his back. “I suppose you could…if the entrance wasn’t already sealed.”

  Everyone spun to the hole in shock to see cement colored material had just finished coating it. It was that moment when they all remembered the sirens. The deafening warning sound that they’d forgotten until the front entrance was blown open and an army of large round silhouettes entered, led by an even larger one in a short-sleeved shirt revealing vein-filled biceps the size of a human head. His mustached face grinned, grabbing his right bicep as a red haze radiated their presence.

  “Name’s officer Strongarm and you all are under arrest!”