Deep, golden orbs stared back at her from within the cave. Aislin could feel the weight of them coldly appraising her; the child she formerly knew was non-existent behind those piercing, soulless eyes. For a moment, the fear was too much. Her knees quivered and locked in place. Her heart was in her toes, her stomach somewhere on the jungle floor. 

God, she couldn't breathe. 

He was monstrous. The ground trembled under his feet as his rippling, massive body exited the cave. His footsteps left cracks, his breath sent waves of heat creeping over her skin. The transformation was slow, but it looked like something from a nightmare with the way his long teeth were bared. 

A great and terrible roar sounded from his gaping maw, breaking Aislin free from the fear. Time almost slowed down as her body reacted before her brain. She knew, deep down, that roar meant she needed to run. Fucking now. As her heel turned and dug into the dirt, the jungle floor beneath the Beast began sucking him down. Her powers turned it into deep, fluid quicksand, giving under the Beast's weight at an alarming pace. 

Simultaneously Aislin created the bubble of earth under her feet again, and she shot off into the forest, quickly solidifying the quicksand. Her speed made the trees shake as she zipped by, much quicker than when Jaska and her raced before. This speed was reckless, she could barely keep up to herself. She had no time to register the branches she needed to evade, and came close to taking her face square off. 

The direction didn't matter. Aislin didn't care, simply getting away was what she needed if she wanted to live. Wait, the school! Her fear had dissolved almost all her thinking, making her only realize now that the school was her best shot. The staff knew how to handle powerful metas. But, watching the jungle whizz by in a blur, Aislin was filled with a sense of dread. Oh God, I'm lost! 

It was only a matter of time before the Beast caught up. How could she possibly lose him?! 

The answer hit her square in the face. Water! She needed a body of water, stat. Pronto. She could move faster in that than him any day. Aislin wasn't aware of any bodies around her, but she could see the ocean glinting through the foliage. Changing course, she headed straight for it. She wasn't sure if she'd make it in time.

Thunderous footsteps were only getting closer behind her...

Rosette Sauveterre

Rosette was having a miserable day, even by her own standards, which were always considered to be disturbingly low. She was looking forward to it being over, if she lived to see the next day that followed it. She had missed out on what she considered to be two whole days at the Academy, because she had lost her temper again. She had gotten off of the boat she had been riding on with a relatively good outlook, but when a worker had decided to treat her like a little girl, she had been livid. No other twenty-two-year-old adult had to tolerate a sweet little voice that people automatically used with young children, nor a super-simplified or watered-down version of the important facts.

She had been so angry at the poor worker that she had viciously threatened him, and it had frightened him enough where without any further discussion, she had been dragged off into the Detention Center and thrown in a cell meant to nullify her powers. She had been stuck there for what she suspected had been perhaps too long, but she had no idea. It was a relief when they finally let her out, and when they did, her first order of business had been to drag her luggage into her shared room on the top floor of the west wing. Rosette had then chosen to leave her un-packed luggage on her side of the room, and then leave for a bit to grab something at the cafeteria. She ate quickly, spoke to no one, and had probably never been noticed the entire time. Once she had been satisfied with this, she went back to her dorm room to unpack her things.

When she entered the room, she made no sound. Her footsteps, the breath of her lungs, even the faint rustle of clothing, did not come from her. She had no smell, and her body gave off no heat. She was somewhat transparent, too, just like a ghost, and physically, she looked like a little eleven-year-old girl. Her dress was the only thing that seemed mature about the way she looked, aside from the un-child-like gaze and expression on her face. Her expression, with eyes that looked as though they had seen something awful, would have been perhaps the most frightening thing about her.

She wore a light form-fitting black sports jacket that zipped up at the front, which was left so that it was unzipped about two inches below the breastbone, revealing a dark charcoal grey top underneath. The jacket, which had long sleeves, possessed holes that her thumbs went through, so that only the pale fingers could be seen. Despite the weather, Rosette was also wearing a thin, cool cotton scarf, printed with charcoal grey and black patterns, tied neatly around her neck, with the long, trailing ends hanging down on her right side. On the middle finger of her right hand, a beautiful ring was worn, expensive just in appearance. She wore dark boot-cut jeans, and pure-black running shoes that looked brand-new, until one saw how worn and faded the very soles that made contact with the ground looked. Overall, Rosette’s dress was casual and monochrome, but it was in its own way, beautiful and elegant, going nicely with her medium-length hair, which was for the most part a dark black, save for a single strip near the front on her left side, where a notable strip had gone completely silver, like an old woman’s, and, judging by the color of the roots, was completely natural.

Deborah Termellio, Shannon Balore, Ben Voss, Red Winston, and....



"... Now, now... What's with all the racket?" A new voice spoke, calm, or even sarcastic. Everyone's eyes turned towards him, and saw him leaning against a tree, a cigarette in han. He was the very visage of shady. Tall, muscular, had an off feeling about him. He was caucasian, but his facial features were consistent with those from Spain. He was quite handsome, and what supplemented this was that there was not a scratch on him. No scars, no birthmarks, all clear. He wore a white-cotton shirt that hugged his figure, he had a brown trench-coat thrown over his shoulder, held with a hand. With blue jeans on and black dress pants. His hair was black and extremely curly. To some, he looked like a man made in heaven.

To Deborah, it felt like the devil was right in front of her.

Suddenly, the moment between herself and Shannon was interrupted when all those Premonitions... malicious feelings in the back of her head... went on overdrive. It was telling her that something god-awful was where he was standing. The only problem was that she wasn't exactly right in the head. Everything was still blurry, and she was still trying to figure out what was going on. So the messages her power was giving her didn't register. Deborah looked up at the newcomer (Strange man. Attracted by the collapsing boat) with groggy eyes. "Who..." Deborah vocalized, "Who are you....?" Her gaze didn't leave him. She wanted to get much out of him as possible. But... the more she looked (He is not who you think he is) the more and more she wanted to leave (Run now, while there's time).

Shannon had no choice but to share the same sentiments as Deborah. It was in her nature to be distrustful of people as possible - Hell, even coming up with reasons not to trust people. But this guy... She didn't have a extra-sensory ability like Deborah did, but he gave her the creeps. Shannon narrowed her eyes, and looked at all the clothes he had, all the clothes she could control. If he tried anything, she'd be the first to take him down. Tie him up like a pinata. For now, Shannon used all of her strength to pull Deborah away from him. Creating as much distance as she could. But keeping her eyes on him the whole time.

Ben moved hearing the new voice. The sheer demeanor coming off of this new person put him on edge, and he didn't know why. He caught himself wondering why he was acting this way, as he was normally a much more friendly person. How Deborah was reacting to the whole situation only served to put him more on edge. He took a defensive precaution, and stepped forward, placing himself between the group and this new person. He very rarely wanted to speak, or yearned for the ability he was born without, but now was one of those times that he wished his body did not lack the ability to vocalize his thoughts. Instead he had to rely on body language, and placed his feet shoulderwidth apart, and crossed his huge arms over his chest as to appear slightly more imposing. He wasnt attempting to intimidate this newcomer, no, he wanted to make sure that this person knew oh his presence. The others had seen what he was capable of. He hoped they wouldn't mind him stepping up to bat for them in a situation such as this one. But for now he could do nothing more than that. He wished for the situation to be defused with words over fists. He was there in case the peaceful option wasnt going to happen. He himself would much rather not fight.

The stranger smirked. Looking up at Ben, who seemed to have taken a defensive position. He's seen it before. Putting yourself between the group and your antagonist... It warranted a small bout of laughter. He put up a finger, "Big man.... Am I really this intimidating?" He looked down at his body. ".... Hmph, perhaps I am. But that isn't the point." He walked over to Ben, with that trench coat slung over his shoulder. "I'm not here to cause you any problems, I just heard such a massive stir that I decided to investigate." The Strange man walked around Ben, surely getting blocked again, but he only wanted a good spot to look at the, now destroyed, cruise ship. He made a whistling sound, "... You kids sure pack a punch...."

Ben shook his head, not believeing a word the stranger said, and stepped sideways to block the stranger again. He locked eyes with him, and then nodded backwards to the people behind him. If he wanted to get too close, he'd have to get their permission first, wait for them to leave, or simply find a different spot to view from. It wasnt like the destroyed ship was going anywhere now.

Thank God he's so big... Shannon thought to herself as she watched Ben block this strange man. It went without saying that Shannon didn't believe a word out of this man's mouth. She was about to say something herself, but she kept her mouth covered for good reason. This fellow would get the message soon enough. He's not wanted here, and would have to go somewhere else to cause some trouble.

"... Answer my question." Deborah perked up, holding the side of her head with a palm. Even while she isn't right in the head, she still wanted to know about this strange man. The best way to learn more is to get him to talk. Her power will disciper what is lies and what is truth.

"Debs, lie down, you're not right-" Shannon tried to silence her lover, but was cut off even by her.

"... No, I want you to answer my question. Just who are you? Why are you here? What are you doing?"

Hm... Now The Stranger turned his head over to Deborah and Shannon. He gave them a brief examination, before laughing. This girl was certainly the curious one... dripping blood, but asking questions like she was in power here. But that blood was something that excited him. Some of it floated off Deborah.... before dropping to the sand as if it was a drop of rain. The Stranger knew that Ben wouldn't let him by, so he remained where he was.

"Who am I? What am I?" The Stranger replied cheekily, laughing some more. "I'll give you the simple answer, my name is Luís and you can say that I'm new here on this island...." That was the simple answer. "Someone who needs to work out some things with your Headmaster."

Red was still dizzy from their little mishappening and the blood loss, but was still conscious enough to realize that this guy, Luis, was an ominous presence. Red had dealt with many shady figures in the past, so he was familiar with that aura, albeit this one was different. He was the first person he didn't get any important information from seeing him, no scars, no marks, no specific traits. It was abnormal. Even his motives were unclear. He was attracted to the mess made by Chris? Yeah sure, this is normal. But what kind of business does he have with Dellamore? Is he a friend of his, or is it something different? Many questions arised and Red wasn't one to wait. He placed Chris, whom he had on his back because he collapsed from the adventure and approached the stranger. His eye was burning from the flowing blood, but this didn't matter at the moment. He was dead set of finding out what this man wanted.

"So...Luis, you said you have business with Dellamore, which brings us to to the question, what is your relationship with him? To be clear, I don't trust a word you said. You reek of suspicion. So why don't you enlighten some of us? You just happened to be out here? I can't really think that you could take a wrong turn and get lost when the Academy is this big. So, were you spying on us?" He coldly said.

Luis turned towards Red, and gave him a dry glare. So this kid wants to know more? He had answered everything he needed to when it came to Deborah. "Curious type, huh?" He laughed some more, smirking devilishly. He wasn't going to spill the beans just yet. Especially to these people. "To answer your question..." Luis started off, walking towards Red, and getting blocked by Ben yet again. He rolled his eyes. "... What you need to worry about is just who the Headmaster has been making business with. And just who's toes he's been stepping on. Otherwise, it's best that you mind your own damn business...." Luis threw his head back laughing. "'Cause, it's between me and him. Not you. Not anyone else. And it's better that way."

Red passed by Ben and stood right in front of Luis. Sure, he lacked the physical appearance of the living greenhouse that was with them, but he would always deal with anyone he associated face to face. His face against Luis' and he pointed Deborah with his thumb, while looking at him straight in the eyes.

"You want to play mysterious? Be my guest. But since my friend over there doesn't like you, I don't, either. So, whatever your your game is with Dellamore, I advise you that it has nothing to do with the students..."

"Red!" Shannon hissed through her teeth, she was at the end of her rope right now. "Shut up!" Seriously, there wasn't anymore to say about this, and they have literally no idea who this guy is. For all they know, he could have a band of psychopaths on this island somewhere ready to kill everyone! Whoever this man was, Shannon didn't want to know.

"... You're right." Luis said, turning his head to Shannon for a moment and noting her presence. Luis continued, "I'm merely playing mysterious for your protection, and honestly... For now, it doesn't involve the students." Luis realized how pointless this conversation was. So he turned away from Red and said, "If you really must know who I am, and what my business with the school is, then I suggest you bring it up with your illustrious Headmaster." Luis smirked, "Until next time..." Before he disappeared into the treelines.

To be seen again.

Ben rolled his eyes. This was incredibly tiring and boring, and frankly the coffee he had earlier was beginning to wear off and he wanted to take a nap or at least take a break from all of this teenage adventure shit. He was twenty two years old, he was too old for this. So he took action. He stepped back and away from Luis and proceeded to lead the rest of the group away from the man. It was obvious that Luis wanted to see the shipwreck. No need to be there anymore, as he seemed to be really fucking interested in the ship or whatever and who were they to impede that by not going back to campus and checking for injuries? Deborah could be having a fucking brain heart attack or something and they would have no idea. Then Red passed him, and Ben, frankly being 110% done, proceeded to pick up Red and hold him under his arm like a surfboard. He waved goodbye to Luis, and forced the group on their way. He was not feeling like an argument right now. Manhandling people was not outside of his realms of pacifism.

Thank God everyone's leaving. Just like they should have like five minutes ago. Shannon sneered, rolling her eyes. Not one objection came out of her mouth as Ben forced them along. Shannon had Deborah over her shoulder, and she kept going. "Bunch of god damn morons if you ask me, Debs," Shannon said to her lover, "... What was the fucking point of that exchange?"

Deborah was still processing everything, she had learned that there was something about Luis... He had something to do with the school, and whatever it was, it wasn't good for the students. "I... There was a point to that... I learned something."

Shannon raised an eyebrow, asking, "... And what's that?"

"... There's something very wrong here. I can't put my finger on it, but...." Deborah noticed that, as they put more and more distance between themselves and Luis, the more that feeling of dread and evil vanished. "... He has something to do with it... I think he was here the whole time."

"If you're saying what I think you're saying," Shannon looked at Deborah, "Then I'm not taking any chances."

"Alright... Let's head back to my dorm room... I wanna get some rest. Sleep off this damn overload..."

"... Will there be room for two?" Shannon asked, sultry.

"You know it..."

Jaska Din Valos.

The Beast didn't know what was going on when the ground collapsed underneath his feet. He let out a loud roar as he plummeted, that echoed through the dead jungle. He had both hands up into the air as he descended, then the ground solidified around him, he had cut off the fire in the process. He was at least to his chest in dirt. But that wasn't going to stop him. The child had let go of all emotion other than rage and instinct. He was going to keep going until he's killed her... and the next person, and the next person. Until this cycle ends with his death. He let out another bestial roar, as he slammed his hands into the dirt with the force to leave claw marks. It was an incredible display of strength, but Jaska managed to pull himself out. Leaving behind a massive hole in the dirt. The child was growing larger, he was at least two heads taller now, and his body was covered in muscles. The scales on his body had grown thicker, and his right arm had the largest and toughest ones. Jaska slammed his foot into the dirt.

Aislin was out of sight.

Which wasn't much of a problem. No matter how fast she could run, he will track her. His senses were even better in this form. It was easy to listen into the jungle, and detect her. He didn't know her exact position, but the sounds and smells gave him an idea. He growled, his hands exploding in fire, he began his charge through the forest. Jaska ran on all fours like an animal, his charge wasn't graceful. It was angry, and rushed, like a crazed beast. His body going further and further into the transformation. At this point, his face was barely recognizable, it had taken the shape of a goat-skull. His speed was astonishing, he was even faster than before. Instead of demonstrating that speed by swinging from the branches, he showed it by running on all fours at a berserk pace. By the time Aislin had changed course, Jaska had already caught up with her.

Jaska slammed into a tree as he couldn't adjust his momentum in time. That was a momentary pause, he growled and began the chase again. Aislin had lead the chase to a large clearing in the jungle. It was a oval clearing in the trees, with the grass grown quite high. There was a beach in clear view. Here was where Jaska picked up the pace. He was dangerously close to Aislin by the time she was halfway through. Close enough to grab her. Which isn't what he did exactly, but Jaska did a powerful swipe towards her midsection and made contact that sent her rolling to the side. She was sent a good ten-feet away. Jaska slammed his fist into the ground to cancel his momentum, and came to a stop.

Feeling victory coming close Jaska roared loudly as he stood straight up. He took several steps over to Aislin, snarling. Ready to take the first bite...

The beast child heard a stick break behind him and he darted around like he heard a bullet...

Theresa Obott, & Jaska Valos.

Picking up the pace as things seemed to be getting more and more intense, every instinct in Theresa's body was telling her to turn around and leave whatever this thing is be. She was running through the woods with that arrow in her hand. It sounded like a chase was going down here. There were just so many variables here that she just had to find out. So there she was, chasing after what could be a dangerous animal. Whatever it was, it was fast, faster than what Theresa was on foot. Damn. She was starting to work up a sweat. Which was fine out here in the middle of the jungle with no one around. She wiped off the sweat and started going even faster. Piercing through the treeline and went straight into the clearing.

Theresa couldn't see what she was believing.

Theresa saw a... a monster! Several heads taller than even her, massive claws, covered in scales and muscles, and bared teeth like no other. Definitely not an animal, but definitely a monster. Tess's heart started racing with fear, as she backed up against the nearest tree. Panting heavily, everything was telling her to leave now.... but what was the monster after...? Theresa saw that it was definitely a human being, that looked familiar to Theresa. Almost like someone she's seen today. Brown hair, slim build... Aislin. It was definitely her, the girl she had met earlier today in Adam's class. Tossed to the ground, with that creature looming over her. It would kill her while Theresa watched if no one did anything. That nervousness got much worse when it became apparent there were no heroes here except for her.

Looking down at her bow, Theresa wondered what the hell it would do to a creature like that. Until the sweat dripping down her head dawned an epiphany. She quickly undid that scarf around her face and let it drop to the ground. Almost entirely forgetting about it. Theresa pulled an arrow out of her quiver, and licked it on both sides. Making sure to get it moist with her narcotic saliva. Before inserting it onto the string. Theresa had to help, even if it might not end well, she wasn't going to let Aislin die that easily. Even if she fails...

No. Theresa Obott was going to win here. She set her legs shoulder-width apart, and had her body turned towards Beast-form Jaska. She raised her bow to her shoulder-length, and had her string pulled back. Theresa felt some really heavy dread here. There was a lot riding on her, and if she messes it up... She could have someone's life in her hands. Theresa's body started shaking as she tried lining it up with Jaska. She felt weak, as she attempted to readjust herself, she stepped on a twig, creating a loud snap. Theresa froze like a deer in some headlights.

That's not good...

Indeed it wasn't. There was successful in helping Aislin... except Jaska's attention was now on her. He turned towards her and growled loudly. He ignored Aislin as he ran towards Theresa on both legs in a berserk charge at a high speed. Swinging his arms around. This certainly didn't help Theresa's problem with pressure. Theresa loudly screamed as she just gave up. She just aimed the arrow at him, and let go of the string. The drugged arrow went through the air and actually hit Jaska. It pierced the side of his broad chest, and he came to a stop. Theresa was actually relieved. Her drugs were doing their thing....

Jaska merely looked down at the arrow and calmly pulled it out of his chest. The wound began healing, and the drugs had little effect on Jaska as his regeneration was making it difficult for them to do anything to the beast. Suddenly, Jaska loudly growled and stuck his shoulder out and began a vicious charge straight for Theresa.

There wasn't too much thought here, Theresa rolled out of the way, and as Jaska charged, he ran into a tree and broke it in half. It wasn't a large tree, but it was broken in two. With the top half falling down with a loud clap. That barely even killed his momentum. He did a few small steps before coming to a stop. The impact barely did any damage to his shoulder. It caused a bruise that was healed in less than a few minutes.

Theresa on the other hand jumped to her feet. She had her bow in hand as she took fearful steps back. She wasn't panting or breathing heavily, as the effects of her drug was canceling out adrenaline. Which meant she couldn't get that extra boost. As Jaska stepped closer to her, she shouted, "Aislin! Run!" Before darting away.

---

Henry Olin, Dana Alcott, Karlie Davis, & Theresa Obott
(Written in collaboration with Jazzy and True Night)

"I know Dana, I know, I'll get you home. C'mon everyone, lets get her home. We need to sent out a search party later to find Asae. Karlie should be coming back up soon, so why dont we..."

Something make a sound.

Something big made a sound. It was a roar by the sound of it. Henry froze in place, and after it finally echoed out, Henry turned and looked over his shoulder, his reptilian eyes wide and searching the woods for the source. He couldn't see anything yet. What the hell was that?

Every instinct in his body told him to take cover, told him to run, told him to hide. But he couldn't. What if Asae was in trouble? What if another student was in trouble? What if... "Shit, you all, help Dana." He said, lifting up the disabled girl and placing her in Atticus' arms. He knew she hated transforming and in her current state he worried that making her transform again would push her over the edge. "Follow behind me, I need to find out what made that noise and if it's after Asae. If something goes wrong dont worry about me. Get Adam." he said. "Stay close." he said, before turning tail and bursting off into the jungle, running on all fours. His body picked up speed, and launched into the jungle, using the trees and their branches to power him along farther.

Karlie pulled herself out of the water and hobbled back up around to where she left her backpack. She then slinked off into the nearby foliage to change. When she had a tree between her and the others she exchanged her wet safari outfit for a leopard costume complete with a tail and set of ear. As she was wringing out the water in her explorers vest a monstrous roar sounded through the treeline. Her body quivered and her newly aquired tail stood on end. The garment dropped to the ground. I better get back to the others. Karlie shoved the damp and now soiled top into her pack and took off towards Henry and others.

“Hey! What’s going on?” It was no use so she simply tried to catch up. She followed behind Henry transversing the jungle terrain quickly and easily. Those unwary of her ability might have found this bizarre considering her getup amounted to fetish pajamas outside of Halloween.

I wonder what it is, doesn’t sound like any animal I know of. Then there was the fact that it didn’t sound friendly. Maybe it’s hungry… I’m sure Henry will know! On that note she pressed on. Still half of her wanted to turn around and get out of there. After all, even if it was just hungry what did this creature eat? Karlie gulped as she briefly thought about the answer to that question. It was a good thing she could run fast.

Dana heard the roar... and she was honestly as worried as Henry was. She looked in the distance, and wondered what it was. It must have been big... must be powerful. If there was a chance someone is in danger, then Dana was not even going to hesitate. Everyone was moving towards it... Henry had handed her to Atticus like she was some toy. This had annoyed Dana because she was the one who could get there the fastest. "Put me down..." She wiggled her way out of Atticus' grip, and rested her behind on the ground. What she said next may have sounded rather uncharactistic, "... Just leave me here." She said in a soft tone. "I will.... catch up." Whether they wanted to carry her along or not, Dana crawled into the bushes, she realized she went far as she needed to once she transformed. In a whip of air, Dana had moved towards the roar faster than anyone else could. She used her unparrelled mobility to get there.

On the way, Dana had run into her trashed wheelchair... She always kept a special something on the back of it. A tentacle erupted from Dana and grabbed an outfit that was neatly folded into a square underneath her seat. While it was folded like this, no one would know what it was, but the moment she unfurled it, it was revealed to be a massive black cloak. Made for someone three times Dana's size. With speed, she put the cloak on, and nobody could see her true form, which means she'll stay in this form.

With a burst of speed, Dana continued towards the roar. Following Henry's group from a distance. From the way she saw it, she would tail them. If it was all nothing, then Dana would go back to the school. If something did go wrong, then Dana would be free to use the full extent of her power.

Henry heard the sound of... Theresa telling the girl he had met earlier that day, Aislin, to run, and quickly changed course. This time taking to the trees. He launched himself into the treetops, and kept a slightly slower, but still very fast pace for a creature his size. Then, it came into his line of sight.

It was huge, slightly larger than even him in hieght and covered in muscle and scales and in places even fire. That was no animal, that was a monster, and that monster was bearing down on Theresa, who was only just fast enough to get out of the way of a headlong charge that split a small tree. A primordial roar ripped it's way out of Henry's throat as it launched out of the trees he was moving through, one of his hand's claws coming around and hooking the monster behind the jaw and brining it to the ground with his own momentum and weight. It would hurt, but it was less of a power hit and more of a strike to gaint he creature's full attention. He stood up, his back arched and his neck in a distinct 'S' shape that some theropod dinosaurs held, and his arms wide and splayed. His own muscles, normally hidden under his scales bulged from adrenaline and flex. He sucked in air, trying to make himself look bigger and more intimdating than before despite being smaller than the monster before him.

His skin flared bright red, yellow, and black. The kind of colors a Coral Snake held that said 'dont fuck with me'. A burlap of skin fell down from his jaw and splayed out like a Bearded Dragons, deep black and puffed out with it's jaw. The spikes that lined his back stood on end and, while completely harmless, still added to a slightly more inmidating appearance.

Jaska slammed against the ground with a bang, he was caught off guard. However, he amped up the production of fire the moment he was grabbed. He was covered from head-to-toe in fire, almost like he was a torch. It didn't cause the beast too much damage, it caused a bruise, but he managed to regenerate from it. Jaska slammed his fist against the ground, and climbed back up to his feet. Viciously growling at Henry. Jaska had dialed back the pryomancery a bit, and restricted it to only making his hands burn with fire. The beast didn't even think, he merely acted off raw instinct. He rushed Henry with both of his arms outstretched. He swiped madly at Henry's mid-section, trying to tear him to pieces.

Henry snarled, and backpedaled as Jaska swiped at him, but couldn't escape every attack. One of the strikes caught Henry just below his pectoral muscle and lifted him clear off the ground. The attack hadn't been there long enouh to cause a burn, but the attack had still been enough to show Henry he was batting way above his average here. He crashed to the ground awkwardly, but scrambled to his feet within enough time to evade another incoming strike.

"Thank you!" Theresa shouted as she did her best to get the hell away from this monster. She had to thank Henry for taking this mighty load off her shoulders, but right now she had more important matters to attend to. Such as helping Aislin. Theresa held the bow in hand as she ran over to Aislin fast as her legs could take her. "Aislin!" Theresa shouted as she stopped her approach. She dropped the bow onto the ground, and ran over to her. She wasn't even going to worry about keeping her power a secret. It was going to help Aislin. "This might seem weird... but... it'll help..." Theresa wiped some of the sweat she had on her face and rubbed it onto Aislin. It would cause any pain Aislin was feeling to be reduced, wounds she had would start healing, and she would get really high (Hallucinations, euphoria, pleasure, and so on).

"Get Adam!" Henry roared, ducking underneath one of the monster's swings once again and using his tail to pull it's leg out from under it. "I cant fight this thing for long!" He wanted to keep the monster on the ground, to buy as much time as he could. It couldnt fight him on the ground like it could normally, and every second of it not fighting and focusing on recovering was a godsend. After taking a hit like he had, he wanted to make sure he didn't take one again. The area where he had been struck had bright blue blood flowing from it, which had been flowing in driblets since he had landed.

At this point, Dana had finally made her appearance. She appeared right in front of Aislin and Theresa in a blur of speed. She stood straight up, like an ominous protector. Not a word came out of her mouth, but she watched. Once Henry gave the orders, Dana pointed to the side, her hand (If she even had one) obscured by the cloak. Dana had no intention of abandoning Henry to fight this thing, possibly dying in the process. But her goal was to protect Theresa and Aislin.

"... Dana?" Theresa asked, she knew it was Dana, but she had to confirm it to Aislin.

When Jaska's leg was pulled from underneath him, he hit the ground yet again. However, he was getting stronger from this entire fight. Jaska was larger, at least nine feet tall, with his shoulders being at least three feet in width, and covered in dense, overlapped, scales. His muscles were massive, and he had the width of giants. Jaska's claws were starting to look like knives. Along with his tail becoming much thicker. He was at his apex now. His strength, durability, pryomancery, and regeneration was quite frightening.

It was time to show Henry. Jaska jumped back to his feet, yet again and lunged square at Henry with surprising speed. He grabbed Henry by his neck, and squeezed tightly. Jaska roared loudly as he used every once of his beast strength to throw Henry into the tree-line. Which had a surprising amount of force behind it. Jaska had thrown Henry through a tree. Similiar to what happened when Jaska had charged through a tree, except with Henry's reptilian body. Jaska turned back towards Aislin and her group.

"Henry!" Theresa screamed as she watched what looked like Henry getting killed. Theresa had trembled, her legs felt weak. Tears had slowly began running down her eyes. She wanted to go back into the treeline and help him, but...

"Run!" Dana shouted, her voice verbated in an alien fashion, which some hints of her original voice. Jaska was closing the distance between them, and she was the line. In a burst of speed, Dana appeared behind Jaska in the blink of an eye. At first it looked like she simply passed him, but then his throat opened, slashed open with two claws, spraying boiling hot blood all over the jungle. However, the wounds quickly began the healing process, and the first thing that happened was that the blood stopped flowing. Jaska turned towards Dana, the stranger in the cloak, and slammed his foot against the dirt, roaring as he began yet another four-legged charge.

On the other hand, that one attack had left Dana severely burned. Her hands were covered in blisters, and her cloak was burned. She couldn't hold this creature off for long, but the most she could do was buy them some time. Jaska lunged at her using all of his monstrous-strength, and instead of counter-attacking, Dana merely dodged. Appearing ten feet to the left in a second.

Playing chicken with him.

Had she changed directions a moment sooner the chase would have ended right then. The Beast rushed inches past her, splintering a tree as opposed to her spine. Desperately, Aislin aimed once more for the ocean's edge, easily spying it just beyond a clearing in the jungle. Leading the chase through the break in the trees, however, couldn't have been a more grievous mistake. The Beast was upon her before she even made it halfway.

The hair on the back of her neck pricked, and in her peripherals she saw a great, clawed hand unleash in an arc. Blades gripped her side as the Beast hurled her into the air. She met the gritty ground in a rolling, haphazard heap among the brush in the clearing, loose stones scraping her skin as the impact knocked the air from her lungs. She swore she heard a rib crack.

Stunned, Aislin could barely feel her own body coming to a stop on her back. Her eyes blearily took in the sunlight, hardly registering anything but the fire tearing up her chest. The Beast roared, the ground quaking in her ear as his footsteps closed in. He hovered over her like a great shadow of hell, blocking out the sun from her sky.

I'm dead. She realized. This is it.

But for some reason he stopped, snapping his monstrous head around to glare down the jungle forest. Aislin slowly rolled her head to look, fighting back the urge to cry out. In fuzzy double-vision she saw a tall figure standing beyond the Beast's enormous leg, closer to the clearing's edge. A scarf fluttered to the dirt. Who... wait, Theresa!

The arrow that spurred some hope in Aislin was only shrugged off by the Beast, the wound sealing in moments. Theresa yelled to run, and Aislin slowly picked herself up from the ground. She clutched her bloody side, only getting a few steps before collapsing. God, I can't move.

Their battle was loud enough that it finally got the staff's attention. In the back of Aislin's mind it dimly registered that Henry was in the jungle with his excursion team. He came to their aid in the nick of time, engaging the Beast with wicked ferocity.

Theresa appeared over her. "This might seem weird... but... it'll help..." She said, rubbing her skin. At first Aislin just furrowed her eyebrows, confused and in a great deal of pain. Then it made sense. A warm, glowy feeling crept up on her, nullifying the pain in degrees. Her vision took on a haze as Theresa's drug hit her harder than morphine.

Feeling like liquid melting into the ground, Aislin sluggishly raised her head. With the pain receding, she remembered what she desperately needed to tell her. "Don't... Don't kill him, it's Jaska. That monster is Jaska!"

Aislin watched in horror as Henry's skull collided with the trees, splintering the wood as many snapped in two. After the dust settled he didn't move, his body limp against the broken trunks. No, no, no! To make matters worse, the trunks strangely sprouted teeth, their gaping mouths eager for reptilian flesh.

"The trees are biting him..." She whimpered, mildly hallucinating.

As the Beast turned his golden, hateful eyes to them, a cloaked figure appeared between them, cape flailing in the wind of its own speed. Theresa confirmed Aislin's original suspicion. I saw that cloak earlier today... It has to be-- "Dana!"

"Run!" Dana cried in a warped voice. With unnatural speed she moved behind the Beast, slitting his neck. Aislin was in range of the spray of blood, recoiling as the spots of copper burned her skin. Theresa's powerful drug lessened the pain, but her wounds were still in the process of healing. She wasn't sure if she could crawl, nevermind run. Dana dodged the Beast's charge, almost teleporting from one place to another.

This has to stop. Aislin panicked. He's too powerful. We're all gonna die if this keeps up. She struggled to her feet once more, holding her side that only dully ached. She gave Theresa a reassuring glance before turning her gaze to the blue ocean just out of reach. Her sense of balance was nullified from the drug's influence, and she tumbled on wobbly legs into the trees. Rolling down a small dirt mound, she came to a stop on the beach. The salt of the ocean stung her nose, and Aislin crawled on all fours to the foaming waves lapping against the shore.

The moment her hand touched the cold water it became attracted to her, building up from the water line. It rose up in a tidal wave, sweeping Aislin along in its wake. Easily scaling the height of the jungle's middle branches, the tsunami rushed toward the Beast as it drenched the clearing with water. It aimed to engulf the monster whole, moving with their combined momentum in a spherical shape along the clearing. Aislin washed up to the side, dispelling the water after several moments, an exhausted grimace flashing across her face.

Mark

How on earth did I end up in this situation?

This was a thought that would not go away. No matter how much he tried to think about how to escape from this predicament, that same question continued to resound around his skull. Realizing that resisting such a demand for reflection was futile, he indulged it.

The anxious guy had turned into a golem out of a fantasy novel and made rafts. He had gotten onto one of those rafts. He had climbed a ladder that wove itself out of rope from the rusting cruise liner. He had spent what ordinarily would have been a few real-time seconds admiring the clouds and the view, and upon turning around to ask where his acquaintances wanted to go, he found himself alone on the slanted deck of half a ship.

Not to pick that apart.

I did not analyse anyone. I had picked out some obvious pieces of information, but, I had almost flat out ignored them. That was unlike me! Perhaps it had to do with the girl with the scars.. She caught me looking her over and knew I'd seen them. That wasn't something she wanted people to know that was for sure, and I'd gone ahead and just.. pried without her consent.. I guess I feel guilty. Thats why I didn't really pay attention to the others. Perhaps if I had, I'd know where we were supposed to be going, and when I got separated from them I would have found my own way to them instead of waiting for them on deck.

..Should I feel guilty? If she didn't want people to know about them, perhaps she should have done a better job of hiding them. Alright, I shouldn't feel guilty. It was just the nervous look she gave me that made me feel like I'd done something wrong.. Either way, I shouldn't bring it up unless she does first. Pretend you didn't see them and that you don't see them. That would be a decent remedy.

...

How does that help me get out of here!?!

Right, so that explains why I didn't pay attention to anyone else particularly, and why I outright ignored the bad vibes even going here in the first place was giving off. Well I'll pay more attention next time. Doing something dangerous and out of character can't make me blind to obvious shadiness... I should probably avoid those girls from now on. And that guy. He's such a maroon..

Ha. Its a joke because his name is a colour.

Anyway. The main reason I'm here and the biggest question I have at the moment. I thought I'd slowed down time to admire the scenery. It turns out, I hadn't, and I'd just been staring into space slightly out of view of the others and they'd walked off without me, leaving me on the deck to wait for them to come back. That is the first time this has ever happened before in my life: usually it's the other way round, thats why I keep my watch on me! So what was I doing? I.. I don't know. Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. I'm drawing a blank.

...

Was there anything else that was weird that I did toda-

A realisation smacked him across the mouth. Earlier he had dropped his phone faster than lightning could cross a floor. He looked rather deeply at his left hand, as he remembered what it had done and finally pondered how it could have been possible. The bottom line: it couldn't. It required something akin to the supernatural for something like that to happen. He put his right hand to his mouth as he studied the other. His expression was as stoic as ever, but his eyes were wide.

...My power develops. I.. I could move as fast as I could think. It.. it drained me of energy, but I could move as fast as I could.. And it didn't drain my physical stamina.. so maybe the reason that I..

I had my left hand on my chin. Perhaps my power wouldn't let me 'slow down time' because it didn't want me to overexert my hand? Sure, that makes some form of sense I suppose.. but I don't know, I don't even know what's powering such an ability. Good lord, I have so many questions. Perhaps I coul-

Mark's train of thought was cut off. The floor underneath him, as angled as it was, was beginning to stir. Wanting to cement his own ability to control his power, he focused on using it to keep his balance. He did not realise the significance of the movement until it was too late.

The floor began to completely give way, with Mark on top of it. With time slowed down to a reasonable speed, the metal plates that were secure a second ago began to bend in on themselves by the power of some unknown force. The steel carcass creaked as it died a second time. He jumped off of the crumpling floor just in time to avoid having his foot sucked in and crushed. He was fearful to stop time completely, lest he lose his control and his life. He landed on the other side of the crevasse from the rafts, but he did not realise this yet, as the ship began to tip. Now, it was already at about 30 degrees, now where he was it was leveling out. He didn't know why, and he didn't know how, but the deck had bent itself almost completely out of shape. It stopped bending and the disturbance seemed to stop. He knew it wouldn't stay like this for long, so he took the risk, and stopped his world from spinning.

...it is going to fall sideways. If it has bent itself lengthways like that, then those are the only directions that it can go. If it was going any other direction, it would have by now. It will either crush the rafts, or it will fall away from them. Either way, this is bad. I have to run to the opposite end that it is going to fall on. I have to. And neither of those options is going to help me in any way. So what is the plan. What is the plan...

...

Well, at least I know that I've got control when I want it..

He snapped back real-time and stepped back to the other side of the deck: the crevasse was getting larger and the reverberations of the hull informed him of an incoming lurch. It fell forwards and to the right. The rafts were going to be crushed. Mark's instincts took over: as his footing slid to about 50 degrees, he didn't run back, but jumped forwards. He flew over the tear in the floor and landed just before the railing, which he fell against. Hard. It buckled under his momentum, and with all his willpower he leaned backwards enough so he could grab onto the side of the ship. With one arm keeping him from a watery grave, he gave himself a glance of where the rafts should be. And there they were; sailing away without him. He counted everyone that had come along, and he saw that a few of them were bleeding.

Well, it would seem this wasn't their intent at the very least.

...But they have left me here to get drenched or die.

With a rare flash of emotion, his face contorted with pain at the sudden betrayal. He felt hurt. He felt angry. He didn't want to end up dead having accomplished nothing. That one arm tried to pull him back up to the deck with enough speed to keep him from the water. It screamed in protest to the unreasonable demand, and now for the second time he ignored it. Just as it felt as though it would snap from the strain, it disappeared. It lifted him up with enough force to put him back on his feet, and as soon as he landed, he leaped across the deck. His legs cried out with the same threat of self destruction before they too bent to his will. Mark found himself on the other end of the rapidly falling ship, and he reached and grabbed for the railings which thankfully remained firm. He pulled himself to the other side of them as the metal below him reached an angle of 70 degrees. Beyond hope, a life-ring caught his eye off to his left, and standing up on the side of the ship, he ran to it and pulled it free from it's position in preparation for what may happen next. Placing it under his arm, and with a hand firmly on the railing, Mark watch as the side of the ship hit the water. The force of the impact hit him against his support. The railing broke free. Backwards he fell.

What had before been submerged was now exposed as a sharp and twisted mess of rust, and he was sliding right for it. He knew it would take more than a standard jump to clear such large mass, and the colour was beginning to fade from his vision. He doubted it was good for him to be using his new-found ability this much when it had only just developed. Regardless, he knew there was no other way he was going to survive. He had to escape the impending mutilation and death right before him. Mark breathed deeply. He and the waves almost stopped moving. His entire body declared that this act was impossible; that to even attempt it was foolishness; that he was seeking death and that there must be another way to save himself. The pain reached a threshold that he didn't know could even exist.

But his body relented. His legs swept beneath him and launched him over and into the water, where he landed in the life-ring.

He looked back at the wreck. A gigantic smile covered his face as he pumped a fist in exhilaration. Then he slumped back in the ring and let the tides carry him. He did not have enough mental energy to do anything else.

Theresa Sindel Obott.

Everything was getting too intense for Theresa. Eyes were wide, and honestly every instinct was telling her to run like hell. She couldn't get that adrenaline pumping like everyone else. She was scared... but her heart wasn't rushing. Why in God's name did this happen? All she wanted to enjoy the jungle, not fight some unstoppable beast. That- wait? Where is Aislin going? Aislin was limping off towards the beach. That girl should be high as a goddamn kite right now. her willpower was great enough to fight off the drug? Regardless of what it was, Theresa knelt down to pick up her bow, and chased after her. Her drug's sedative effects would certainly make it hard to walk, and Theresa didn't want her to be on her own here. She didn't know how Aislin was reacting to the drug, and worse comes to worse, Aislin could have a heart attack (Which is another problem in and of itself). Aislin fell down on the beach, and Theresa jumped down after her. She herself was wondering why Aislin was going for the water. Was she trying to swim away? Sorry, but that wasn't happening. The waves were strong, and Aislin was high as a kite, she'd die. "Aislin, wait!" Theresa cried out as she attempted to stop Aislin.

What Aislin did was completely unexpected.

A tidal wave came out of no where. Theresa stopped in her tracks and stared up at it slack-jawed, eyes wide. She felt death looming over her. The wave then smacked Theresa like a bag of bricks setting all of her nerve endings on fire. It hurt like hell, and it broke her nose on contact, sending her sweeping backwards along with the wave. It was an ungodly pain, no endorphins would be helping her now. However, her drug's healing properties doesn't just work on other people, it worked on Theresa far better. Theresa began regenerating at an astonishing pace. The nose didn't heal instantly, but it was on the way. But another problem was the fact that her head was underwater. Theresa shut her mouth tightly as she panicked, she didn't have time to hold her breath, so water was forcing it's way into her body. Theresa immediately began to struggle for at least ten seconds, before everything started turning black, sharp black. She couldn't like feel anything, not even her broken nose and it felt like her existence faded...

The sweeping wave had moved Theresa to the clearing, and she immediately coughed up some water the very second she was on land. When she opened her eyes... everything was white. A clear white color. Theresa felt great... like a high that came from being out of that water. She barely even realized what had happened, and she was just lying there. Oblivious to the world and what was happening. To her, it felt like she was born yesterday.... Her regeneration immediately went into effect and started repairing the damage to her lungs that the sea-water did. Her nerves were telling her what was wrong with her body right now in vivid detail, but she ignored them all. Theresa's whole body hurt like hell and there was no relief other than that it was healing over time. However, her skin was cold, and she found it hard to breath, but Theresa was still breathing....

That's good...

---

Dana Alcott, Beast-Jaska, Theresa Obott, & Adam Blackmore.
(Written in collaboration with Jazzy)



The battle of monsters continued.

Jaska raised his fists over his head, unleashing yet another demonic roar, he slammed them down on the ground unleashing a wave of fire directed at Dana. It was so hot that it could be felt from a distance away, instantly incinerating the grass. This was elementary. Dana appeared to the side in a dash of speed with her cloak fluttering the only thing that reminded everyone that she didn't teleport. She felt the heat of the fire burn her skin, but it was minor damage that was quickly healed like there was nothing there. Dana kept her eye on Jaska, praying to God that Tess and Aislin will get away in time. She refused to leave Henry here either, once they were in the clear, she was going to pick him up. So, this was a game of stalling. Jaska charged straight at Dana on all fours, combustion into a thick wreath of flames. He picked up speed fast.

It went without saying what Dana did. Except, she appeared behind him in a whip of speed. Jaska stopped his charge and looked over his shoulder, the fire faded. He whipped around towards Dana with his hands erupting in a massive fire. He pointed his hand at Dana and started firing a barrage of massive fireballs that traveled at astonishing speeds. Dana saw an opening, she dodged the fire in short bursts of speed. Appearing between the fireballs, but they're taking a heavy toll on her body heat-wise. Once Dana was close enough, she stood in front of him, as her little plan. Jaska responded just as she thought he would as he raised his fist over his head and brought it down with enough force to crush stone. Dana dodged at the last second as his fist got stuck into the dirt. However, Dana took this opportunity to deal a major blow against him.

Dana leaped forward, not like a human would, it was like she was a spring. Her body just pushed itself off the ground towards Jaska's face, and slashed out an eye at ungodly speeds. There were seven clean slashes running across his face. Jaska let out a roar of pain as he swiped Dana with all the strength he could muster. This caught Dana completely off guard and sent her flying through the air at the nearest tree. She slammed into it, chest first, and bounced clean off of it. There was a loud boom, she didn't go through it like Henry did. However, Dana let out a warped, high-pitched, wail that no natural creature should make. She coughed out a wave of thick, inky, black blood that stained the front of her cloak and spilled onto the grass. Followed by falling onto the grass herself, and coughing up more blood, she tried to get on all fours(?) but fell apart. Whatever happened caused Dana some extreme bodily damage. Her regenerative factor was correcting that damage, however, she was still left in a vulnerable position.

Jaska ran over to Dana, snarling like mad. Before he could close the distance however, Jaska's acute hearing picked up some oddities coming from the ocean front. He whipped around to see the tidal wave coming for him. Where instinct was supreme in his thought process, Jaska tried to outrun it, he leaped up on a tree to out climb it. However, the water did impact him, and he let out a monstrous roar as the water that touched his burning hot body turned into a cloud of steam. It didn't engulf him like Aislin planned, but it carried him away.

Dana raised her head and easily outmaneuvered the wave by disappearing into the treeline. She was "standing" sideways on the side of the tree just like she would if she was flat on the ground. Her cloak draping downwards was the only thing that was telling everyone that she was standing sideways. She didn't know who was behind it, nor was she concerned. She watched the destruction and saw that the clearing was soaked with water. It was only logical that you counter fire with water. However, Dana was still injured from the previous attack, evident from the black blood leaking down, and was using what little strength she had left to escape the wave. She dropped down from the tree with a thump, but that was nothing. There was still this injury she got.... If she had changed back now, the wound would transfer and her real body would have a caved in chest. Thank god her anatomy and biology was drastically different in this form or else she was a goner. Her body was regenerating, healing all her wounds so she wouldn't die. It was imperative that she keeps this cloak on at all times during the process or she'd be screwed.

Dana stopped for a moment to rest. She looked around... The Beast was gone. Swept away in a wave of hatred. Dana got into a sitting position against the nearest tree, black blood still leaking out of her body. By the time the wave faded, she saw two people. Theresa and Aislin. Both heavily battered, and soaked in water. It didn't take a rocket-scientist to say that the wave had hit both of them hard. Dana didn't know what exactly she should do other than wait. Blood was still leaking from her maw, that meant she was in no position to do anything. At least she was getting better. Dana heard some rustling come out of the bushes not too far away. She was expecting it to be Henry, or a member of the staff, ready to take this chaos off her hands and let her recover in peace.

... Peace didn't come easy for Dana. What came out of the bushes was obviously Jaska in his beast state, snarling like a monster. He took slow steps, his eyes were glowing bright gold, leaving behind a brief trail of light. He was drenched in water, so his pryomancery was disabled. The beast had dragged himself to the center of the clearing, looking around. There were three easy targets here. He turned his body towards each of them. Wondering which ones he should strike first.

... Will this madness ever end?! Will this thing ever stop!? Dana thought to herself, if she was capable of it, she would have distorted herself into a shocked frown. She had to force herself to get up, and back. Jaska hadn't attacked yet. While she was in no position to continue fighting him, she could grab Theresa and Aislin and take them back to the school.... Even if it brought this beast back to the school. Dana remained on guard, hoping to be the first person he targets so she can finally end this.

However, Jaska choose to run straight for the disabled Theresa in a berserk charge.

"Terry!" Dana shouted, putting out her deformed hand. She wanted to stop this, once and for all. But, while she was getting ready to dash, she fell over and some more blood sprayed out of her mouth. She got on all fours again, and let out another warped wail. If she could stop this she would, but right now, she has to stop....



The last thing Henry felt heard and saw before everything went dark was his head smashing against something, the splintering of wood, and the green and colors of foliage as it melted together, flashing before his eyes. And then darkness. He could still hear things, he also felt he could see things, but it was all slower and only a color here and there. Red with a echo of a roar, green with screaming, and then blue and the sound of flowing water.

And then everything hurt. At first he thought he was dying, being swept away in a sea of blue. He twitched and struggled unconsciously. When his body came to a rest, he grew still.

And then something changed. His body, in times of trial, would change. His powers were like all meta humans and could evolve. His powers always manifested themselves as physical, and so his appearance grew. His body lost the ability to camouflage, instead his scales became huge and thick an his hide became armored. His already muscled body just about exploded with strength, the muscles doubling, tripling, and then some in size until his arms alone were thicker than a man's chest. His legs grew thicker and stronger, and his tail grew thicker, and grew shorter compared to the rest of his body, taking up half his body length instead of three quarters. From his back thick tusks sprouted and remained, with armor plating between them that ran down his back and too the end of his tail. His claws became huge in size, and thick as a wrist at the base.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The creature was huge, but he was nothing small either. A thirteen foot tall monster of a reptile. It slammed it's hand down on the ground in anger and pain, and pulled itself up on all fours before breaking out into a charge. It released an unearthly battle cry, and barreled past Dana and into Jaska like a train and sent them both to the ground. The demon child's arm at the base clamped firmly in the creature's jaws. Jaska might've had the firebending advantage, but he, he was physically stronger. Raising one of his own arms and releasing the arm he had in his jaw the reptile drove his huge claw into Jaska's bicep, the huge talons cutting through muscle and plowing through bone like wet paper, and embedding themselves deep into the ground. He released an almighty roar in the demon's face.

The playing fields were even now.

The battle between titans resumed. Jaska took the attack, the now-monstrous Henry had launched his attacks that Jaska was not preparded for. He was wrestled to the ground, and Henry's claws were driven through his body. Without Jaska's pryomancery, it appeared that they were now even in terms of physical abilities. At this point, Jaska was giantic, fifthteen feet tall, and counting. Bristled with armored scales and bulging muscles, and claws that had to be as long as swords. Which meant it was now up to who was the better fighter... or was more vicious.

Jaska roared loudly enough to be heard from the heavens. He kicked Henry off of himself with enough force to break someone in two. Sending the reptile man off of him. He quickly rose to his feet, and let his wounds regenerate. It would be completely fine in a few minutes. Jaska loudly growled as he slammed his hand onto the wet ground, and used it to propel himself through the air towards Henry. With his claws aimed directly for his chest. He was packing enough strength to knock Henry over. Where he would tear him piece by piece, by piece....

"... Henry!?" Dana shouted as Henry came to the rescue, in a new form that was just as monstrous as Jaska's. She couldn't help but worry if they'll have another monster on their hands, but it began apparent that Henry was in partial control of himself. If Dana wasn't in this form, she'd be fine with cheering him on, but right now she was damaged. She had to focus on healing these wounds fast as possible. If it looked like Henry would lose, Dana would have no choice but to step in and help. For now, she had no choice but to watch, and wait.

Henry roared and turned his shoulder towards Jaska, the huge and thick spines that covered his back becoming the target of Jaska's oncoming hand. He absorbed the energy of the blow, his back spines impaling the already damaged arm. But absorbing the blow did not come without cost. The arm slid along his shoulder and the claws connected with his lower jaw, splitting the bone on both sides and causing the half-jaw to hang from sinews of muscle and skin on the farther side. The creature released a gurgling, pained howl, and with strength driven by rage and pain, twisted his body, stretching out the arm that was impaled on his back spines, and placed one of his huge feet on Jaska's chest, and then pushed off.

A sickening crack occured, and the reptilian monster effectively kicked Jaska off of him. Well, not all of him. On his back there was one of Jaska's huge arms, hanging lifelessly and dripping it's boiling blood on the ground, disconnected where the humerus would normally meet the shoulder socket. The reptilian man released a gurgling roar again, it's bright fluorescent blue blood spraying from what remained of it's mouth. Grabbing the stump, Henry released an even more hellish sound that was created most likely due to his mangled jaws, and then grabbed the stump, and ripped it from his spine, breaking off part of the bony defense mechanism that was imbedded in the limb and taking it with it. Henry took the detached limb by the wrist, and was effectively ready to wield it as a weapon to beat Jaska down with should the beast continue the fight. He turned to anyone who could hear "GEEHT AHDAM!" He choked out, his lack of jaw and lips in this form impedeing his ability to speak.

Jaska stumbled backwards, snarling in pain, he grabbed onto his arm socket. Flailing about like he's gone mad. His arm... it's gone now. He let out some more growling as he prepared for the next strike.

Rushing winds quickly rustled the entire jungle in perfect symphony. Every leaf, branch, and fruit was flowing. Before they all went dead. The jungle went strangely silent. The rushing winds abruptly resumed, and sent Jaska flying towards the beach in one mighty gust of wind. Jaska went over the drop and was sent flailing around in the sand which rustled every piece of sentiment. All while Jaska was growling in response. Adam had floated down from the sky with his arms behind his back, he was calm. He landed on both feet, and took steps towards Jaska. Before he stopped. Adam took one look around, Ms. Obott, and Rose were down, and there was a person in cloak he didn't recognize. Mr. Olin had mutated... Adam got the specifics from it just by looking at him.... Adam also knew what was wrong with Jaska just by looking at it. It was a shame that this child had lost control of himself, which is why Adam is here. He will put him in control.

"I heard a commotion and came soon as possible...." Adam tipped his glasses. He turned his head and saw that Jaska had already risen back to his feet and was running towards him. "Rest easy everyone. I will handle this." Adam began motioning his hands as if they were orbiting an object. A round object. He had created a massive ball of pressurized air in the path of Jaska. When Jaska came charging at him, Adam snapped his fingers and the blast went straight for his body. Sending him sprawling back, his claws had left thick marks in the dirt. But he was otherwise unaffected. Jaska began running at Adam yet again.

"My calculations were incorrect..." Adam tipped his glasses again. He will have to get drastic.... Adam quickly swung his arms out and began sucking the air out of the clearing. He was attempting to creating bubbles of air around Henry and company. In a few seconds Jaska was in a vacuum. The creature came to a stop as he ran out of air. He inhaled deeply and grabbed his neck with his only hand. Thrashing around wildly as he breathed for air that wasn't even there. It didn't take Jaska too long to give up and try to take Adam down with him. However Adam calmly took a few steps back and removed even more of the air. By the time Jaska had closed the distance, everything was going black.

The beast hit the ground, unconscious.

Adam looked at Jaska and his power told him that Jaska was turning back. Hoping to not suffocate him. Jaska's skin melted off his body in a mixture of flesh and fluids that turned black on the ground. Adam had to cover his face. As it smelled absolutely horrid. Beast-Jaska's exposed muscles were all that could be seen. This was when the beast had released Jaska. It's back split wide open and Jaska, in his normal appearance, was ejected out of the body, covered in blood and guts. Jaska hit the ground with a slippery thud, and lied there. He was completely unconscious, the transformation was heavily taxing on the boy. His body quickly began to burn up... it got super hot and it disintegrated into ash. The muscles that were created degraded, and soon enough, there would be no traces of this body.

Henry stepped forward, still wielding the arm in his hands and placed a firm step onto the the ground near Jaska's beast corpse and released a victorious, gurgling roar, causing more of his blue blood to sprinkle down like rain. He dropped the arm as if it disgusted him, and he pushed at what remained of his jaw with the back of his wrist, causing the bony piece of jaw that still hung from his mouth to come off and fall to the ground with a light thud. He turned his attention back to it as Jaska's body disintigrated, the arm he had previously been ready to use joining the rest of the creature's body in becoming ashes. Then Henry, with one last look around, released a great sign, and fell. He caught himself, his huge forearms catching most of his body, and didn't let him fall all the way. He panted in exhertion and looked over as Adam began talking, his whole body deflating like a balloon as Adam spoke.

"What a tragedy," Adam started off as he walked over to the unconscious Jaska and held him up by his leg. The child was naked, but not a scratch on him. But that didn't bother Adam all that much. "The child lives with a beast in his shadow. Waiting to come out. I hope we could avoid an incident like this." Adam turned towards Henry. Who didn't seem to be so good. Adam knew that his transformation was extremely taxing on his body, the same applied to Jaska. "Mr. Olin. Rest now. Your change took a lot of resources, and you must adjust." He said as he walked over to Henry, with his free palm open.

Henry just about leant into Adam's palm, before he released another great sign again, and then fell on his side, his body slowly but surely reverting to it's original state. The injuries he had sustained remained however. Along his back was a gash where his shoulder spike had been, and his jaw was still gone. Underneath his pectoral muscle, the skin had been ripped and the powerful muscle had been torn in some places. He was still bleeding from these areas, and bruised all over from being thrown through the trees. His neck had several and alarming dark purple bruises from Jaska's grasp. His whole body looked like one big injury, but it could be seen that he was already getting better. His back's gash could be seen to already be sticking up ever so slightly along the edges, and the blood coming from his mouth and chest was slowly slowing to a stop. His state overall looked promising that he would make a full recovery. He would have to be carried or dragged back to campus and to be put in urgent care for the night, most likely, but he would live. He was still away, but unmoving in exhaution and potentially pain. His eyes were glazed and lazily watched Adam and looked around at his surroundings.

The fight was finally over... Dana made the closet sound to a sigh of relief (Which was a warped ghostly screech) and slumped down against a tree. Her body was still glazed by her own black blood. She was still injured. But fortunately, she was in the process of regenerating. It would take ages for her to heal however. This was like the last time: she would have to hide out in the woods until she recovered fully. However, she wasn't going to slump here and let Adam do all the work. Dana stood straight up in an unnatural fashion... she just sprung upwards like a puppet pulled by a string. Even her walk (if it could even be called that) was unnatural, it was like she was sliding along the ground. She stood over Henry, and grabbed onto him. "Henry..." Dana wasn't a fan of talking while in this form... but she was going to try. "Let me help you..." She slung his arm over her shoulder, and could support his weight just fine. Despite him being twice her size. "... My hero." She whispered.

Henry weakly attempted to push himself up, but his legs wouldn't work corrently for now. He didn't have the strength for it yet, but his legs were functioning, and as Henry conintued his walk slowly changed from weak leg movements and just bairly padding the ground to a limp. All the while he refused to look at Dana. Not out of distaste, but because he knew if he did she would be in trouble. He kept his his turned away from her as to keep the heat sensing pits below his eyes out of her way. "...Hoshpital." he mumbled. "Geth us... hoshpital."

"Yes, Henry." Dana tried her best to carry him forward, before looking at Aislin and Theresa. "... Someone get them.... Theresa needs immediate attention..."

Nicholas Raynor

A short time after his little lesson with Adam, the young Nicholas was doing nothing more than wandering the west side of the campus, notably staying away from the dormitories and drifting out towards the island's wild areas. Not because he wanted to go out into the jungles or whatever else lied out there, but rather, to simply avoid a certain -someone- who would likely be trying to track him down eventually. Ugh. That girl. He had to wonder if she seriously liked him, or if she was just trying to consistently get under his skin. He had his own ideals and ethics to worry about, though, without having to deal with a girl trying to saddle him when he wasn't looking. Ugh.

He seemed all but occupied, his brown bangs helping to block out the sun as he played on his gaming device...before he heard something. Something that sent his blood into a deep chill, his eyes widening as he stared upwards towards the jungle trees in the distance. A guttural roar, something he hadn't quite heard before...nor did he want to hear it again. But he did. Alongside what sounded like screams, and another roar. Slowly, he slipped his hand held device back into his backpack, before zipping up the backpack. Something about this entire situation screamed “keep the hell away” to his mind. He was nervous...scared, frightened, even. But...those screams could belong to fellow students. And what kind of person would he be if he didn't help?

He didn't know, but frankly, he was still fighting himself over it, until he finally decided to do something. His right hand quickly caught aflame, specifically his index finger, before he touched it to his forehead. The flame took hold of his forehead, glowing on top of it and distributing its unique quality to make him feel...braver, he supposed. He allowed this to take hold, before quickly moving to sprint off towards the jungle, his blue sneakers pounding against the ground as he gritted his teeth. Was he going to be too late? And if he was...could he forgive himself?

A better question was if he could forgive himself for not going at all. It was a pathetic excuse, and one he had to face up to. Ugh. Goddamnit, he had to hope he could do at least something once he arrived, if something terrible -had- happened. Or else, he would just scare himself into going back. At least, thats what he told himself as he ran towards the source of the roaring and the screaming. As he neared the location, the sounds seemed to cease, and he had to wonder if whatever beasts had been out there had killed whomever was there...no. No, stop it, Nicholas. Now was -not- the time to be pessimistic.

You either stick strong through the situation, or the situation molds you however it likes. And this day was not going to be one where he let the latter happen.

Atticus Fowler and Codi Bailey

When Atticus and Codi had chosen to follow Henry, it wasn’t difficult for someone to understand that they had been somewhat hesitant to do as he asked. Often, it was generally expected that when you were in the custody of some sort of chaperone, they asked you to stay safe from danger, not run towards it. It would have been extremely bad had something happened that put all of Henry’s charges in bad shape. Because they were conflicted over what to do, though, as well as inexperienced in the use of their powers for any sort of combat purpose, they wound up traveling a lot slower than everyone else, and lagging behind. The fight had already ended by the time they arrived, and perhaps they would get branded as cowards for it, but in the end, it was better that someone had not been hurt. There were a lot of injured people in need of someone strong and able-bodied, otherwise, they would be stuck in the jungle for a long time. Open wounds in a hot, humid jungle were bad news, unless you healed quickly and had resistance to infection.

They had only arrived in in apparent hurry during the last catches of conversation, when people were proclaiming the need for people to be transported to a hospital. Atticus didn’t recognize the one who had requested help for the other two individuals, but they were injured, and they needed help. There were signs of a battle everywhere. There was lots of snapped and ruined plant life, and for some odd reason, everything was drenched with water. He supposed it was safe, for now, so he decided to do what he could, even if he wasn’t built for lugging heavy weight. He didn’t think he liked the idea of being out in the jungle anymore, though.

Atticus walked over to Aislin, and as carefully as he could, picked her up, careful to make sure she wasn’t hurt by any posture it forced her into, and even though he wouldn’t hoist her onto his back, somehow worried the spines on his arms might poke her. He shook his head, “We were too late in getting here, but I suppose this is the best we can do.” He murmured, before looking over at Codi, “Codi, you can move faster with a heavy load than I can. Use Reef’s arms so that Theresa’s well-supported, she doesn’t look like she can handle a lot of disturbances. She needs to reach the hospital more than anyone here, and it doesn’t take a doctor to see that.” Although he hadn’t formally introduced himself to many people, he would use their names, since it was easier than calling them ‘that one’ or ‘her’ or any other abstract term.

Codi nodded, “Alright, I can do that.” She said. She then walked over to Theresa, and as carefully as she could, lowered down all six of Reef’s arms, weaving them together to form a kind of net underneath her body, which she then scooped up over her head. She then removed the two lowest arms that did the least in supporting the victim, in order to use them for locomotion. “We need to hurry up.” She said, alarmed, but somehow so emotionally tired by the chain of events that she could neither find the strength to grow upset or cry.

In this fashion, without asking any questions about what had happened, the two started to head back towards the main campus with the injured victims in tow. They made their procession rather smoothly, and yet, did not once seem to jostle the individuals they were carrying. They did this without speaking, also, as there was nothing either felt willing to speak of. What Codi had done to Atticus had paled in comparison to the real injuries and possible deaths. What both were probably wondering, was why hadn’t the school prepared more carefully to handle these situations? People could really die from things like this, powers didn’t change that.

Although those who could win a fight and still stand after it would have celebrated it, perhaps, that was purely an unrealistic dream that people told in stories; nobody was celebrating this. A lot of people were hurt, and it wasn’t like the training exercises where people had been watching them to make sure nothing went wrong. In the end, people had even taken those exercises too seriously, enough where Atticus had told Codi afterwards that he suspected someone might have tried to seriously hurt him, if they thought they could get away with it. Charging into violence had real consequences, and a lot of people in the school, in Atticus’ and Codi’s opinion both, did not acknowledge how severe they were. Charging into battle wasn’t something you should take lightly, or consider easy, no matter how strong you were.

It was a decision that could end with someone dying, and even though Atticus and Codi had not seen the fight, the aftermath weighed heavy on their minds.

Nicholas Raynor

And so he continued on, deeper into the jungle, his black shirt beginning to become from sweat as humidity in the area definitely caused his body to react, along with the sprinting pace he was going with. Eventually, he lifted his brow upwards, coming to a halt, and wiping the sweat from his brow. He didn't want to feel the stinging of sweat coming from it. However, the flame on his forehead had almost gone out. Not because it was weak, mind you, but rather, because he wanted to conserve his power. What if there were those who were wounded and needed his help? It would be senseless for him to come this way and waste all of his ability on himself.

And then that's when he saw it. Two individuals, holding what looked like a few others, coming this way. One looked...strange. Like a black creature that was more akin to a monstrosity than a human in any sort. To say the least, if it hadn't been for the flame continuously giving him confidence, the young Nicholas would be frightened, or at least perturbed, to say the least. The other seemed to be a girl who had a strange hunch to her and...strange, arms? Huh. He tilted his head at first, but shook his head. Now was not the time to be standing still. This was why he had come this far.

“Excuse me, are those people injured?” He quickly asked, moving in front of the young lady specifically. Quickly, he snapped his fingers. He didn't need to look over them long to find his answer. The girl hunched student was carrying looked particularly off. Noting the vomit from her mouth and the wetness of her clothes, there was no doubt that she had some negative exposure to the ocean. He could work with this. As his fingers snapped, a bright flame engulfed his right hand, white in color and beginning to already spread out over Theresa's body as he quickly placed his right hand on her stomach as he did so, closing his eyes to focus. All too quickly, the flames began to mend the broken bones in her body, along with any other injuries she might have stained, anything from bruises to cuts. The smallest of things. Within a good thirty seconds, the flames vanished, revealing a fully healed Theresa.

The young man sighed, feeling the strain from the healing process and moving to sit down by a nearby tree. “F-forgive me for my intrusion, but...ya know, the hurt need to be treated, ya know? I don't know what all you did over there, but whatever it was...it -had- to be rough. I don't usually get this tired from my powers...” He noted, stopping to take in a breath in between the pauses he made. Ugh...well, at least he had done -something-. “I-is...there anything else I can do to help?”

Atticus Fowler and Codi Bailey

Atticus and Codi exchanged glances, before Codi spoke for the group, her voice sounding worn out, although she had no physical signs that she had been involved in the struggle. The look in her eyes was the kind one had when they had been through too much to keep reacting to it, and she felt tired from this whole jungle expedition. “We don’t know what happened, someone got attacked by something, and whatever it was, the others drove it off or beat it, but…” She drifted off, and shook her head, “What kind of things are in this jungle, if the first time we come out here, one person after another nearly gets killed? We didn’t see what happened, but these people were the ones that fought whatever it was. We got there too late to do anything other than help carry away the injured back to the hospital.”

She looked down at Theresa, “It’s good that you were here, though, she could have really died from this.” She said, although she didn’t move to set Theresa down. She still felt the urge to make sure everything was fine, by at least getting her out of this jungle. She looked at Atticus, and then at the stranger, “Can you take a look at the person Atticus is carrying, too? There’s one other person, a teacher, but he was carried off by someone else, and they were moving so quickly that we didn’t see where they went.” She raised a brow with seemingly visible effort at him, and Atticus carefully shifted Aislin in his arms so that the healer could examine her.

Drenched and exhausted, Aislin blacked out for periods of the fight. The drug in her system was at its full peak, making it difficult to make sense of things. Aislin just stared up at the sky, barely aware of the titans epically dueling. It was hard to breath, and even though she couldn't feel pain, her body didn't allow her broken rib much movement. It was a struggle not to black out again. She did, however, catch a glance of Adam falling out of the sky. She wasn't sure what to think of him now. The fact that hermits lived undetected on the island under his watch made her angry. Why, this whole stupid ordeal was his fault! If Jaska hadn't been distracted by that venomous blue lady, he would have never fallen from the ceiling. He would have never transformed, and this never would have happened. 

Oh yes, she had a shit-bone to pick with Adam. 

"... Someone get them.... Theresa needs immediate attention..." A voice overhead drifted through her ears. Aislin frowned at the part when she had been reduced to a 'them', taking a couple seconds to realize Theresa was in a worse condition than her. It vaguely registered in her mind that Theresa had been caught unprepared in her tsunami. Ah, shit.

She blinked, feeling a very strange shift in gravity as the ground fell away. Am I falling into the sky? She wondered incredulously, panicking a moment before the repetitive movement of walking clued her in. Someone was carrying her. The sun was right in her eyes, so it was hard to see exactly who. But as she gazed up at the blond locks framing this man's face, reality changed. The man became overlaid with wavy, shimmering images of black skin and mirror eyes. Little lights glowed in front of his razor teeth. 

Aislin laughed, and this caused her to cough and hold her side. "Ow." She knew exactly what he reminded her of. "Hi, Mr. Eel. Lovely day for a walk with Aislin, isn't it?"

Speaking of walks, Aislin couldn't remember where they were going. Or how the walk started in the first place. Shouldn't she be more concerned about her rib? Or, oooh, maybe they were going to get that fixed. Aislin enjoyed hospitals. Clean floors, the smell of disinfectant. And the beds moved! Just with a push of a button, you could summon whatever you wanted. 

Fantasizing a little more on the topic, Aislin felt a new wash of fatigue grip her. She struggled keeping her eyes open, knowing it was a battle she'd eventually lose. Voices that sounded like they might be saying something important forced her to stay conscious, and she looked over to see Theresa covered in healing light. It was beautiful to watch, and she felt her own stamina increase just from being close. Of course, she might have just been tricking her brain with adrenaline.  

“We don’t know what happened, someone got attacked by something, and whatever it was, the others drove it off or beat it, but…” A voice beside her said. 

Aislin got excited. "I know what happ--" A cough interrupted her, and she winced. "...One of the students I was with injured himself, triggering some kind of inner beast. It was terrifying, I thought I was gonna die. No one heard me cry for help..."

As Ailsin was shifted in Atticus's arms, she quietly pouted. No hospital luxury for her, damn it. But, she supposed she was no place to complain. They had a healer with them, right there. And she was sick of this rib interfering with her ability to breathe. Even now it made stars dance in her eyes. 

As she considered the lucky chance he just happened to be wandering in the jungle at the same time as them, she took a closer look at this healer. Theresa's slow healing drug had really messed with her logic, even now. She wanted to be careful about who she let affect her. This kid, however, didn't seem to be anything threatening. Dark hair, pale skin and light eyes. A bit scrawny too, which she grinned at. 

"Okay, but I need to see Adam. That bastard has some explaining to do." Aislin huffed, glowering at the mental image in her head. 

---
Dana Lucille Alcott.

---

Everything was coming together. Atticus and Codi were carrying Aislin and Theresa off, so that meant there was one less body to take care of. Dana saw that Theresa was getting the attention she needed from this strange new boy. She kept her eyes on Nicholas as he administered his healing flames, as for a moment, she thought he was going to burn her. Dana also noticed that Theresa still had her quiver and knife on her. She could get in some serious trouble if she's caught with these... A tentacle slid from underneath her cloak and quickly moved along the ground like a snake. Once it was on Theresa, it quickly yanked the knife back underneath her cloak. While three more tentacles were used to unwrap the quiver from her thigh. With the quiver in her grasps, Dana used a tentacle to bring it back underneath her cloak. Before she slid all the items into the bushes. She intended on giving these back to Tess later, but she couldn't keep these on her right now.

Conversation was something that Dana was uninterested in right now. Any idle-talk was ignored, because Dana didn't feel the same while transformed. Once Aislin spoke, on the other hand, Dana finally paid attention. She turned one of her eyes over towards Aislin, which couldn't be seen from under this cloak. Apparently the child that Adam was carrying got injured and transformed as some sort of survival mechanism. But a few things Aislin things had struck a chord in Dana. True fear comes from fully understanding your fears, and how hopeless you are against... But true bravery comes when you stand against it regardless. Everyone here knew that fear, nor secrets, were not worth a human life. Which is why they put themselves on the line... for you....

Everything here was settled, so Dana helped carry Henry through the woods to the hospital, followed by everyone else. Dark clouds loomed overhead, they had formed during the fight, just that nobody noticed them. Right about now they had opened up, and the rainstorm had began. Dripping against everyone's clothes, and by the time they returned to the campus their outfits were drenched in cold rainwater. Adam had lead the group to the hospital, with one phone call they were ready for everyone. Able-bodied staff members helped them into the hospital, and out of their hands. Adam walked in with the rest of the students, and Dana stood in the doorstep. Going ignored by the staff.

However, with a risk of death herself, Dana had to leave. She disappeared in a burst of speed, vaulting the wall in one leap. She knew she should check up on them, but in this state, she couldn't risk it. So Dana vanished into the shadows.

To heal...

---
Act 2: Days in Rain::
---

September 8th, 7:00 PM

A heavy rainstorm loomed over the island. In less than a few hours, the entire island was drenched in water. Forcing many students indoors.

---

Adam Blackmore, Gabriela, & Jake Valos.

---

After his transformation, the Beast-Child was rushed straight to the hospital. His body was taxed, pushed far beyond it's natural limits, and on the verge of death. Thus, he was required to be intensive care, hooked up to several machines, pumping nutrients into his body. His skin was a pale blue color, and he was unconscious. He was to remain here for a little while until he was back to working order.

"... God dammit!" Gabe loudly shouted as she slammed her fist against the wall. Absolutely furious. She kept her hand pressed against it, even though the familiar pain was shooting up her arm. Gabe let out several pants, before roaring, "How the fuck did we let this happen, Jake!? Hm?!" This day has been absolutely infuriating. First that Gene tool comes back around, then he starts a fight with Jake! If she ever got her hands on him, it's over. Then, Jaska changes and goes on some rampage and nearly kills some people. It felt like a massive failure. They were supposed to prevent that kind of thing from happening.

Gabe's anger was understandable, Jake himself was exasperated after one day. Except, he was more collected about it. He knew how to appropriately express his anger. Jake leaned up against the wall, sighed, and had his arms crossed. He was going to take the whole thing with Abe in stride. Yeah, it pissed him off, but he wasn't going to toss a fit. He was bigger than that. Though, he was a bit upset because his hair was shit (It still stung like hell). Thank God he had this bowl hat on. "I understand ya', Gabe...." Jake said, "But, screaming and hollerin' won't solve a thing..." He closed his eyes, and sighed again. He sunk down deeper into the wall.

"Oh, please!" Gabe quickly marched over to Jake and got up in his face and gave him the good old evil eye. She was the least bit amused right now. Because she wasn't in the mood for him preaching peace and all that crap. Her iris glowed bright red for a second, before she snarled at him, "Then fucking indulge me. What the fuck will solve this, Jakey...? Our fucking brother nearly killed people, and you're acting like it's all kittens and sunshine in this bitch...."

... Sometimes this girl... She really made him shake his head. Jake didn't even know how they've lasted this long without killing each other. Jake returned the glare as he calmly pushed Gabe away with one finger. With equal calmness, he responded, "I know," He started off, "I know. I. Fucking. Know. I'm trying to keep a damn good head on my shoulders so we don't end up digging a deeper hole for us." Jake finally used his hole palm to push Gabe away by the chest. Both the dueling twins were staring each other dead in the eyes. "So how about you pull yourself together and, maybe do something like - I don't know - find out what the hell happened that put three people in the goddamn hospital?!" That calmness quickly faded as Jake was put at the end of his rope. He just wanted to rest, get all of this nonsense over with. Because they're going to need to have a nice long talk with Papa Valos.

The stare down between the two rivaling twins continued for moments at a time.

"... Hello students." Adam said as he walked onto the scene with his hands behind his back. He heard plenty of shouting and wanted to make sure that his students were behaving. He stood tall, even though Jake was taller, and Gabe was nearly the same height as him. Though, he had already pinned Jake as a troublemaker for that senseless fight in the lounge earlier today. Adam tipped his glasses and shot Jake a glare to make sure that Jake got the message. Before he reverted back to his neutral stance, hands behind his back, and face blank. He addressed them. "If I am correct, you are Gabriela, and you are Jake..." Adam tipped his glasses and peered into Jaska's room "... his siblings."

Shooting each other one last glare, in the presence of Adam, they decided to calm down and show some respect. Especially since Jake was in trouble here.

"Mr. Blackmore," Jake greeted him, tipping his hat in the process. "Yes, we happen to be Jaska Valos' siblings and guardians." His gaze idly went from Gabe, before it went back to Adam. He shrugged, before he sighed, "... I'll cut to the chase and ask you if you know what happened."

Adam coldly stared at Jake, his gaze was oddly robotic, "I have to tell you that I do not know either. I only came to disable your younger brother."

"... Then point us to who the fuck does and move along, Mr. Blackmore." Gabe was quick to hiss, interrupting their conversation. She spoke Adam's name sarcastically as she could, mocking his very name.

Adam was the least bit amused by Gabe's outburst. Because one thing that annoyed him more was another disrespectful student. "Excuse me, young lady?" He tipped his glasses, "Need I remind you of who you are talking to?"

"... An old fu-" Gabe hissed, before getting cut off by Jake.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Jake said as he got between the two, flailing his arms around like a retard. Just trying to interrupt the conversation. Jesus Christ dancing in hell. He thought to himself with a roll of his eyes. Gabe was going to get them into even deeper shit here. "I'm really, really, sorry, Mr. Blackmore. We're just..." Jake looked away as he tried to find the word for it, in the process, referring to both of them. "... Stressed. We just want to sort this out and call it a night."

"Look, I know what happened is stressful..." Adam tipped his glasses, "But I suggest getting yourselves together. You are not going to get anywhere with that attitude."

For the love of God, Gabe had it to here with this don't do this, don't do that bullshit. Either way, whatever gets these two to shut the hell up. "Fine..." She only complied because it seemed convenient to her. "Just who can we talk to?"

Appreciating Gabe's sudden change of tone, Adam tipped his glasses and answered them, "Henry Olin, and Aislin Rose. I've talked to them and they seem to know the most about this incident."

Lizard-man? Jake was meaning to give him a piece of his mind for that incident during the Capture-the-Flag match, and now they have to talk about how Jaska almost killed him. Jake sighed, "Where can we find them?"

"... How about I lead you to them? After all, it is only satisfactory I supervise your conversations." Adam replied.

"Sure..." Jake said.

Before the three began to maneuver through the hospital, hoping to find either Henry and Aislin.

---

Theresa Sindel Obott.

---

The lights of this white room invaded Theresa's vision as she opened her eyes. She pulled her upper body up, covering her eyes as she tried to figure out what was going on. As she looked around, she saw all in vivid detail, and it came to hit. She's in a hospital. What the hell happened back there? There was that monster, Henry and Dana came to fight it... then she was going after Aislin... then that God forsaken wave came and knocked her out. Everything after that was a blur, she couldn't remember anything. She still felt weird, sick even, like right now, she was about to hurl. She quickly pulled her body over to the side and vomited what was left of the water (and lunch!) onto the floor... Though, she noticed that there was not a single scratch on her body. Inside or outside. More importantly, she didn't feel pain at all. It was like she was back to normal in he snap of her fingers. Not even her regeneration would work this fast. Though, she looked to the side and saw some IVs hooked up to her. Theresa couldn't help but roll her eyes. If they read her files, they would know that these don't work on her. It was like pumping water into her veins. It was strange since her regeneration would make it hard to get it in. This wouldn't do a thing to her. With a hardy grunt, Theresa pulled the IVs out of her arm, and the tiny holes closed fast.

Though, what had to be the most eye catching thing was that Theresa was wearing a hospital gown... and nothing under it. Theresa cringed. Someone undressed her, and slid her into this perverse piece of cloth. Worse of all, they would find out about her big secret... If they didn't read the files and find out already. Theresa looked around, desperately looking for someone to talk to at least. But there was no one here. No Dana. No Henry. No Aislin... Not even a single nurse. Oh God, Theresa trembled and put the sheets back over herself as everything that happened started to bear down on her conscious. She was nearly killed back there. Putting herself on the line for someone else's sake - that she doesn't even know is alive! It felt scary... moments of being underwater flashed before her eyes, as she froze like a dear in headlights. Theresa let out a loud, high-pitched, yelp.

There was nothing keeping Theresa here. There was not a scratch on her body. She was in perfect physical condition. No one was holding her here against her will. Facing her emotions, or trying to confide them in others, was too scary of a concept, and Theresa would rather avoid it. Which is why she's going to leave here, and avoid everyone involved for a bit. In the eyes of everyone else; she'd be that cheerful, joker, girl that everyone can get along with. Avoiding her problems was the best course of action here.

Theresa quickly slid her way out of the bed sheets, and walked out the doors, very quickly. Theresa quickly poked her head out the door to look around - Coast is clear. She quickly skittered hallway to hallway, searching for where personal possessions are stored. Theresa was poking her head around a corner... She spied Adam talking to these two Hispanic kids, probably rich going off their clothes. It was for the best Theresa avoids them.

"... Sweetheart?" A voice spoke came from behind Theresa, causing her to visibly jolt. Theresa slowly whipped around to see a heavy-set African American nurse that had to be in her early forties. Busted... In all the wrong ways. "Can I help you? You seem like you're looking for something."

Well, better make the best of things. "Umm...." Theresa pointed at her gown with both fingers, "I'd like my clothes please... and a changing room too. Theresa Obott by the way."

"Then step right here..." The nurse lead Theresa through the halls of the hospital, though she would have liked it more if she had on some shoes at least. Regardless, the child felt awkward walking around it, it felt like she was being parading around. This gown was too form fitting for her tastes. Theresa hung her head, and turned her face over towards the side so she wouldn't be seen. It didn't last long, though, the nurse presented Theresa's soaked items to her. They reeked of the smell of salt-water, and were still dripping. However, her quiver and bowie knife weren't among the items handed to her. Which meant they were most likely in the Detention Center. The nurse gave her a skeptical glare, almost like she had anticipated Theresa saying no.

"... Yes I'm sure." This is going to suck. The nurse gave her her clothes before directing her to a nice private changing room with a mirror. No prying eyes made Theresa feel comfortable. Theresa looked at the dripping clothes in her hand, and put them down. She didn't want to get back into wet clothes... but there was no other option. She unceremoniously untied her gown and it dropped off of her frame onto the floor. For a second, she looked into the mirror. Unclothed Theresa didn't look as feminine as she did when clothed. Partly because of her thin, male, frame, and partly because.... She looked down for a brief moment. Yeah, that tends to do that. Regardless, she put her clothes on. No matter how horribly uncomfortable they were to her right now. She shuddered as she awkwardly shuffled out of the room, dragging her feet along, trying her best to look normal as she walked into the lobby and out the front doors. There she realized that it was raining.

Though, the revelation of rain was actually a relief. She smiled as the rain smacked against her face, she even pulled her hair back a bit. This was actually a kind of drenching she could get behind. It was a shame that her cellphone got short-circuited by the tidal wave, but she could get another cheap one from the shop to prevent herself from going crazy. Theresa made it to the dorms rather fast, and like it was every night, it was pretty active. The hallways were full of people going about their day. Thank God no one is talking to her. She could just pass them by and they would not know of the torment she just went through....

Upon approaching her room, Theresa slid the keys in, turned them, and walked into her room. No Poppy in sight. Thank God... Theresa knocked the door closed with her heel and slumped down on the floor. She wrestled her way out of her shirt, and threw it across the room, before kicking her pants off and slinging them a few feet away with her foot. Until she was in nothing but bra and panties. Theresa put her face in her hands, as tears ran down her face. Seriously, she didn't feel anymore helpless than she did right now. More and more visions of that one moment kept flashing before her eyes... That monster... that tidal wave. She was happy to be alive, but... but.... Theresa was stronger than this. She will life as she normally did. Treating every moment like it was all fun. Because if she didn't...

She would just realize how worthless she is.

Ugh. Theresa got up from her slump, and let out a sigh. She rummaged through her clothes to set out an appropriate outfit. A long sleeved shirt that was had a pattern of purple and lavender stripes, with simply baggy jeans, and white converse sneakers. Theresa topped it off by typing a purple scarf around her face with a very tight knot. Theresa let out a sigh as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her vision noticed something alien in the corner of her eye... Her archery case were neatly rested on her bed. Theresa ran over to it, ecstatic. She went through the bag and it turned out that everything she owned was here. that she didn't have to explain why she had these weapons to the school... Upon closer inspect, she noticed there was a trail of raindrops that lead to the window to her bed. Something she missed when she walked in. Was it Dana...? Whoever it was, Theresa wasn't going to question it and go with he flow.

Guess she has no choice other than to move on. It was for the best anyway. She should head out somewhere... Maybe to get some food. All that regenerating took up a bit of her body's resources. She figured that the cafeteria was the best place to go. Though, she wanted to grab something really fast. Theresa quickly went back into the dorm room's storage room and pulled out a case. This was a very special case. Not like her archery case. It had her saxophone! Theresa loved brass instruments, she even had a trumpet somewhere in here, but today she was going to whip out her saxophone. She flipped the saxophone over her shoulder, and said goodbye to her room, leaving her very dangerous weapons out in the open. Only Poppy would be seeing them after all.

Theresa ran through the rain towards the cafeteria, and was once again drenched. Heh, she was fine with getting a little wet if she didn't end up smelling like the ocean. Theresa stepped through the doors of the cafeteria and saw that there wasn't too many people here. Just like it always was at this hour. Most people got their fill after class. Then there was the people who had to eat extra like Theresa. Whatever their reasons, Theresa appreciated the alone time. She walked in with a skip and grabbed a tray. She covered it in foods like fried chicken, mash potatoes (and gravy), fried fish, and pork chop sandwiches. Yummy! Having a metabolism as fast as Theresa's meant she could eat as much as she wanted, and not gain an ounce. All those fat women cramming into McDonalds must be so jelly.

Theresa found a table in the corner, far away from everyone else, so she could properly take off her scarf and eat in peace. She placed the saxophone case on the table, and neatly folded her scarf into a triangle. There she started eating.

---

Dana Lucille Alcott.

---

One ghostly wail after another.

This body, this abomination, was just about done repairing itself - She didn't even regard this form as her true body. Merely a vessel she inhabits when nobody had their eyes on her. Regardless, she stood in the middle of a clearing far away from where the battle took place, and waited, and waited, and waited.... She was long past the point where simple rain would bother her. She was in a pain like no other. As her bones shifted back into place, and flesh mended, it was an excruciating process at best. To the point where Dana was screaming (Or making sounds that no natural creature can make) loud enough for it to be heard from all over the jungle. But like all pains, it came to an end. Dana's body had successfully regenerated. She knew as her body stopped shifting and mending. Though... a phantom pain lingered. It almost felt like her body hadn't changed at all. She hunched over, growling and groaning. Dana let out one last inhuman wail that was loud enough to be heard from the school. Before ignoring that pain and pressing forward.

Dana took one quick look around, body zipping around at lightning fast speeds, realizing that the sun had finally set. She couldn't notice the difference since she was too caught up in healing, and she has a rather superior form of night-vision. Dana stood there, not moving one muscle(?). She had wished she didn't disappear without a word, but she had to. She just couldn't risk changing back into her vulnerable human form with that many people around. It was just a stupid risk at best. Besides... she was best left alone in this state. She could head back now, however, there were some things she wanted to get done. Dana disappeared from that spot, leaving behind only a trail of rustled leaves. In record times, Dana was back at the scene of the battle. This one clearing... she was wondering if the rain could wash away the pain. She shook her alien head from underneath the hood. She moved to where Beast-Jaska's body had degraded into nothing but a pile of ash, some of which was blown away towards the treeline. She knelt down and grabbed a handful of it.

A subtle movement of her hand and it idly fell, blowing in the wind.

But that memory wasn't what Dana was here for. She looked around the clearing, and she grabbed Theresa's compound bow. It was soaken wet, but seemed to be in good working order. Tess would be able to get it fixed in no tome. Dana used a tentacle to gently wrap around it, holding it up. Dana quickly dashed over to where she had tossed the quiver and bowie knife, and grabbed them with tentacles too, and what was left was Tess's archery case. She found that pretty easily and put it all in one bag. Nice and neat. With that out of the way, Dana dashed her way back towards the school. It only took her a few minutes to get there, and she left a trail of rustled grass in her wake. When she approached the wall she leaped up it in one bound.

The next destination was Theresa's dorm room. Dana quickly moved to the dorms, jumping from roof to roof like a ninja. Only the most observant eye would notice her, as she was moving like a blur. Gone just as fast as she appeared. She was standing over the girl's side of the dorms in no time. She quickly began walking down the walls. She didn't assume a crawling stance, she simply walked down the side of the wall like she was dying gravity. Dana knew that Theresa's room was somewhere. She's done this a few times already, she just needs to use reference. There was something that Theresa always put on her window just in case they needed to meet.... A Eagles football team sticker. There it is! Dana quickly strolled over to the window and used her tentacles to pick the lock and open it. Before swinging in. She hated the intrusion, but she wanted to surprise Tess, and it looked like neither Tess nor Poppy were here. With one tentacle, Dana put the archery case on Tess's bed. She climbed back out the window and closed it. With that, Dana disappeared in a burst of speed.

By the time she had reappeared, Dana was standing on top of the dorms. Right on the edge of the roof. Looking down at everyone. She was hard to see against the rainy night sky, but it was fine. She saw Theresa run through the rain, and would have smiled if she was capable of it. Dana just wasn't ready to go back to the dorms just yet... She should be in that hospital checking on Henry, but she felt like too much of a coward to do even that. Until she gained the emotional strength to go into that hospital.

For I stand and wait.

---

Shannon Balore, & Deborah Lillian Termellio.

---

After getting washed up, the two lovers decided to go to bed.

They were lying in the same bed asleep, arms wrapped around each other, ever since they got back from that trip. Not in the sexual way. They were still as clothed as they were when they got there. It was more of the affectionate, cuddling, way. They were spooning, they fit together perfectly. They were lying there for hours, attempting to forget that experience they had at the shipwreck, and meeting that strange man. Something was wrong here, Deborah could feel it. She could pretend it isn't that way long as possible, but at some point, the girl was going have to face it.

But by then, it'll be too far late.

For now, Deborah choose to remain with the one person who gave her comfort, and keep out what's so terrifying. She just wanted a private moment with Shannon... Which might be hard if Victoria comes in. Fortunately, Shannon had barricaded the door. She had the doorknob locked down tightly with hundreds of threads that were attached to various objects in the room. Specifically the bed that they were lying down on. No one of Victoria's build and power set would be able to open it.

Deborah's phone buzzed, and she curiously raised her head as it woke her up. That was definitely an indicator she got a text message. It was in her pocket, so she wrestled her hand into it and pulled it out. She calmly read the text, trying not to disturb her bed mate. The next message was something about a familiar someone. "Jago...?" Yes, her cousin that was here that Deborah was supposed to be keeping an eye on. The Lil' bit. Apparently he got himself into a fight with someone, and got thrown into the Detention Center while Deborah wasn't looking. "God damn that little boy...." Deborah said underneath her breath. Looks like it's something she's going have to handle. She slid from underneath the covers, and stood straight up. She let out an ungraceful yawn as she stretched her arms straight up, and tilted her upper body to the side.

"Whaaaa...." Shannon lazily said as she felt Deborah moving. She opened one eye, and saw that Deborah was standing straight up... Sort of. She couldn't really see that well without her glasses. She felt around for her glasses on the nightstand, and slid them on. "Leaving so soon, Debs....?"

"Yeah... gotta deal with Jago. Again." Deborah loudly groaned as she undid her pony-tail, and let her black hair flow. "It will only take a few minutes." She calmly said, "I'll be right back."

"Actually, Debs..." Shannon clawed her way out of the bed herself, and climbed up to her feet. "I have a few things to sort out myself... So maybe we should just split up for now?"

"... That's fine with me." Deborah nodded her head.

Before going their separate ways, they pressed lips passionately, and turned to go their separate ways.

---

Shannon Jacqueline Balore.

---

A few minutes later... Shannon was in the administration building's front desk. With the most triumphant smile on her face. She was holding a note in her hands, giggling uncharacteristically like a school-girl. Her room-mate transferal just got approved! Finally, she'd be out of that room with that bitch Vespera! This was a victory in and of itself. Shannon would have to be quick to get all her stuff out, because Vespera's in for a surprise! She quickly ran through the rainy grounds of the school. Quickly running through the front doors, the stairs up to her floor, and arrived at her room. It was a blessing that Vespera wasn't around, so that meant she could make this quick. Shannon kept a large costume rack in her room that had wheels. With a flick of her wrists, every outfit she owned floated towards her. They forced her drawers and closets open and floated towards the rack with a eerie ghost-like look as they neatly placed themselves on the hangars, or threw themselves on the pole when there wasn't any room left for it. Anything that wasn't made of a cloth or fabric, Shannon had to take a manual route. She ran over to her night-stand and picked up all of her glasses, and spare electronics, and threw them on the rack. She quickly went into her storage room and pulled out whatever was left. It looked like her hasty move was complete here.

Not. Even. Close.

Shannon felt Vespera was desperately in need of a makeover. All those black slutty outfits were just sooo.... slutty. Like Vespera was begging for attention by wearing them. Shannon was generous enough to give her a new style. With a snap of her fingers, all of Vespera's outfits floated into the air, and nearly made Shannon vomit because of how ugly they are. What should she change her style to? Mormon housewife? Typical modest schoolgirl? Nun? The possibilities were endless! Whatever was the complete opposite of Slut-Spider's previous style. Sooooo Shannon choose Mormon Housewife as Vespera's brand new style! With a flick of her wrist, Vespera's outfits unraveled into a shapeless mass of threads. Before they all changed colors, going from black to some brighter colors. White, pink, cyan, orange - Just all the colors that scream sunshine. Corsets and stockings were replaced with modest button ups (No cleavage at all) and pants, where any high-heels and boots Vespera had were replaced with dress shoes and simple sneakers. In a few minutes, Shannon's work was complete. She was just so skilled at this point that changing an entire wardrobe is as simple as brushing her teeth.

Shannon put all of Vespera's brand new clothes back, and walked out. She wished she could be there when Vespera saw that she had all her clothes changed to what amounted to Church wear. She always thought Vespera needed to be taken down a peg or two. With that done, Shannon moved out of the room at a quick pace. The last thing she wanted was to be caught by her angry room-mate mate as she discovered her vandalism.Shannon already had another room assigned to her, so there wasn't too much of an issue with searching for a place to sleep. In fact, it was down a hallway or two. Shannon walked to her new room! Room: 421. Right now, Shannon wasn't assigned a room mate either, only a new room. That actually worked great for the seamstress. No annoying room mates to deal with. In fact, this could make a great rendezvous for Shannon and Deborah. No one to around to see their acts of affection. Shannon walked into the room, and started unpacking. Which was as simple as willing her clothes into the respective storage areas. She quickly made the sheets of her new bed float off, and they were replaced with the sheets from her old bed. While balling them up and throwing them in the hamper. Shannon was in no rush to put everything away.

It was time for some alone time. Shannon and Deborah gave each other their space, so it doesn't look like they're that dependent on each other (Lover or not, you shouldn't spend every second next to each other). Shannon skipped her way out of her room, and waded through the busy dorm rooms. For all this good work, Shannon felt she required a reward. On the way out of the dorms, Shannon grabbed an umbrella that was lying around and unfurled it. Shannon didn't want to get her fancy red-dress wet. She casually strolled her way to the cafe. A nice little building that was set up to give the students a place to chill. But to Shannon it was something different....

To Shannon, it was a place to get some delicious cake! She walked up the counter and ordered some Strawberry cake and a cup of milk. She carried her dish to the furthest part of the cafe. A booth in the corner actually. Before she took a bite out of it with a fork in peace.

Hopefully no idealistic twats will ruin this great moment.

---

Deborah Termellio, & Jago Javaunt.

---

While Shannon was doing her thing, Deborah was heading straight to the detention center. Ignoring the rain since it was actually a pleasant feeling against her fit body. Deborah walked through the doors of the detention center, and was bombarded with the gray-concrete interior. It was set up like a prison, this room was simply the waiting room. It didn't take too much observation to see the hallway full of cells. She looked around and saw the boy of the hour, Jago Javaunt, sitting in a chair. Playing Pokemon on his 3DS. Deborah wanted to make sure to quash this soon as possible. She got on an assertive face, and marched right over to him.

"Jago!" Deborah snarled at him. She didn't want to look like his parent, but she was close to his guardian as he gets. "What's this I hear about you getting into a fight? Little boy, you can't keep acting like this."

Jago, the young African-American boy, slowly turned his gaze away from 3DS, and stared right at Deborah. He didn't look amused in the slightest. The boy was wearing a light-blue basketball Jersey, with some matching shorts, and white sneakers. What was most notable was that he had a large black bruise on his cheek. Most likely from taking a heavy punch. "I'll tell you what, cousin," He spoke cousin like it was an insult, "I'm sorry that white-boy tried to punk me in front of everyone. I'm also sorry that I threw a basketball right in his ugly-ass face." Jago rolled his eyes as he returned his attention back to his 3DS.

However, Deborah's eyes were on that bruise (Jago received that bruise in the fight, it was the knockout blow). This boy was too young to be this headstrong and rowdy. He'll pick a fight with the wrong person and get his ass kicked. His ability to defend himself only extends so far. "Regardless, you gotta let it go.... Where the hell do you think you're going?"

Mid-sentence, Jago finally got tired of this conversation, turned off his 3DS, snapped it shut. He got up from off the chair and took a few steps towards the door, turning back to answer her, "I just remembered: you're not my mother-" Glad she ain't around anyway "-so we're done here." He proceeded to walk right out the door without a second thought. Jago and authority never mixed anyway. People like Adam and Deborah could never quite understand that. When the boy stepped outside, he put his arm over his head, and created a dark-blue force-field to act as an umbrella. Any rain that hit it simply caused a tiny ripple, which was promptly reverted. Jago's path set him on the way to the dorms. Might as well chill there for a little while.

It was pointless to go after him, Deborah knew that more than anything. She understood him, and his internal struggles. Empathy was basically a side-dish to her power. Deborah sighed, she needed a better approach at getting through to this boy. Her business here was done, so Deborah walked out of the detention center.

Searching for something to do. Someone to talk to.

Henry Olin, Adam Blackmore, Jake & Gabriela Valos

---

Henry had been admitted to the hospital upon arrival, and rushed to urgent care, where he was administered supplementary IV's to sustain and aid his healing. He regained consciousness at 6:19 PM, forty one minutes ago. But the whole process had been grueling on his body, and in the end it had left him tired and beat. He had been victorious that day, but it was a Pyrric Victory.

Most of Henry's injuries had healed over by now, the gash on his back was now gone, and his pectoral muscle had healed over and shed it's scab already quite nicely. His jaw was still in the process of fixing itself. It have rounded out and healed over where it had been splintered and cut in half, and was already beginning to extend again. Teeth were growing back, the usual stuff. It had been largely wrapped up to prevent his tongue from lolling out, and he had been outfitted with a small collar like piece of technology that had a button on it. This allowed him to speak by sensing his vocal cord vibrations, and outputted them from a speaker, creating a semi electronic voice for the time being. He had been spending his time writing to his family about what happened that day, and letting them know he was okay and would be fit to visit them for his sister's wedding still. He also had been using this time to catch up on the latest Walking Dead. He was just about finished with the first episode. Working and grading took time and energy, and since he became a teacher he didn't have nearly as much time anymore to have a glass of wine and watch TV like he used to. If it took getting hurt to do that, then he might as well enjoy the recovery time.

The door opened, and Adam was the first person in. He held the door open as he gave Henry a look. "Hello, Mr. Olin. I hope you are recovering well." He nodded his head. "These two wish to have a word with you concerning the incident...."

On cue, Jake, followed by Gabe, stepped into the room, afterwards, Adam closed the door and he leaned up against the door. All eyes were on Jake since he was the most diplomatic of the Valos siblings. If Gabe was, then they would have been dead ages ago! Jake stepped up a bit, and waved at Henry, greeting him, "Hello, Mr. Olin." He smiled. He wanted to appear as friendly as possible... To counter the aura of fuck off Gabe was giving off. She pushed herself against the nearest wall with her arms crossed, looking like she was ready to rumble. "I'm going to start off by apologizing for... all of this," Jake turned his eyes towards Gabe, "We kinda dropped the ball here... The two of us were supposed to be keeping things like this from happening... and we were the ones who let him roam the jungle alone." Jake accepted responsibility for this entire incident. Even if Gabe didn't, someone had to. Jake knew it was their fault. They simply gave the child too much freedom, they thought he could handle himself. They thought he would come back to them the second things go wrong.

Henry's eyes darted over as movement and sound came into his area of general awareness. He looked over to Jake and Gabe, the two Hispanic children he had met the day before. He was prepared to give a few one liners if they were students coming in to ask for tutoring or for extra credit, and he was prepared to tell them that he wasn't in the condition for it (he could, but he was lazy and actually had an excuse to be lazy). He raised a hand to them and allowed the corners of his mouth to lift in a covered smile, as most of his snout was muzzled in bandages. He listed to what they had to say, and nodded to them.

Henry lifted his hand to the little device on his neck and began to press down on it, speaking with a closed mouth, and the little device talking for him. It wasn't his voice, but it would translate what he was trying to say for now. "Apology accepted." Came a slightly robotic version of Henry's own voice. "I'm glad I got there when I did, things could've been a lot worse. I'll bite the bullet any day for you kids. I don't know if you all can bounce back from it or not, but I can."

"Thanks, Lizard-man, I appreciate it." Jake started off with a smile on his face. He was mostly using the apology tactic to get Henry to warm up to them. It worked, since Henry wasn't screaming profanities at him. Now came the big question of what happened, how it happened, and why it happened. This was where things got bumpy. preemptively, Jake walked over to Gabe and whispered something in her ear. Something about letting him do the talking. Before he turned to Henry and tipped his glasses, "I think we need to get to the point. We need to know what happened back there exactly, because we are in the dark here, and we really need to know."

"So no bullshittin' us, eh?" Gabe said underneath her breath. She was just as annoyed as before, but Jake insisted that she keeps her mouth shut, so what else can she do? Stand here and look mean and hard.

One of Henry's eyes snapped over to Gabe, and watched her for a moment, before refocusing it itself on Jake again. "Yes," Henry began. "In truth, I don't know how it started, I had taken a few students out on a little jungle adventure, Jaska and Aislin weren't part of that group. Dana had come back injured from a bear attack, deliver to use by Asae, the bear man's fiance. I was about to take everyone back when I heard screaming and roaring. I didn't know if it was Asae, or whomever, but the sounds didn't match any animal on our extensive list of creatures that inhabit the island. And I would know, I've hunted all of them at some point." Henry said, taking a break for a moment to breath, before continuing.

"So I had the others take care of Dana, as she's disabled, while I went to go and check it out. I had them follow from a distance, in case we needed backup. I'm glad I had them do that." Henry said, falling silent for a moment and casting his gaze over to Adam, before returning his attention to Gabe and Jake. "I'm glad I came too, because when I arrived I was confronted with a ten foot tall creature straight out of hell who was about to kill Aislin. So I got involved." Henry said. "I fought your brother, and floored him a few times. I did my best to stay out of his way, but he caught me good in my chest, and then grabbed my by the neck and threw me through a tree." He said. "Not into a tree, through a tree." he said. "I'm not too sure what exactly happened after that. I was unconscious for a little while but when I came to, everyone and thing was wet, my wetsuit was ripped to shreds, and I was a thirteen foot tall reptilian monster who was able to go toe to toe with your fifteen foot tall brother and win a game of strength." Henry said, somewhat proud of himself for managing such a feat. He didn't know Jaska, but he had learned enough to know he was incredibly powerful. "Sorry about ripping his arm off by the way. Is he okay? He looked it when Adam got him back to normal, but I was out of it." Henry used his free hand to rub his chin, or lack thereof. "He got me back good though..."

This was some pretty bad news actually. Mid-explanation Gabe and Jake had to exchange glances. Everything about Henry's jungle adventure was ignored, as it was irrelevant. Jaska had gotten into a fight with a number of students who had to defend another student. This was expected. They've had to do the same... and they had the scars to show it. "I see..." Jake didn't know how to honestly respond. "What's done is done, I believe." Jake shrugged. He was calm. There was no need to get angry, nor burst into tears. He was mature and composed enough to know how to go about any given situation. "And he is in one piece... A transformation of that level put a heavy strain on his body and he needs time to recover. At best, he'll be out of the hospital in a few days...." Jake trailed off. Figuring this conversation was over. However,

"... I wanna talk to dis' 'Aislin' chick." Gabe started off, taking one good look around the room. "Reason's leadin' me to believe that she has somethin' to do with dis, and I wanna have a word or two wit' her." Gabe was rather perceptive here. "We done here, Lizardman." She blew Henry off as she was about to walk out the door.

Which swung open at that moment, revealing a blonde nurse on the other side. She looked down at Gabe, then scanned the room. "I'm looking for Mr. Blackmore. One of his students, Aislin, says it's urgent she speaks with him."

Adam turned his head back towards the door. He figured as much. Since the conversation was coming to a close, he felt the need to leave. "If you excuse me... I will handle this." He walked out the door and followed the nurse.

The fuck you lookin' at, bitch? Gabe had to think to herself as she looked up at the Nurse as she dragged Adam away. However, bitch-nurse mentioned Aislin, just the person they're looking for. "Eh, Jakey, ya' in the mood for some sneaky-sneaky?" She said with a grin as she crossed her arms.

The two's twin-telepathy allowed Jake to deduce what Gabe wanted. He turned towards Henry and put a finger to his lips to make a hush gesture. Both Gabe and Jake disappeared as they followed after Adam and the Nurse. Using stealth and all.

Aislin Rose, Nicholas Raynor, Adam Blackmore, Jake & Gabriela Valos

---

Aislin couldn't keep up. No matter how fast she ran, the shimmery blue lady only disappeared further into the encompassing darkness. The ground below Aislin's feet stank of tar, sucking at her feet. Slowing her down. The blue enigma slithered away despite Aislin's efforts to fight the nightmare.

"Dammit, face me! Come back and face me!" Aislin yelled into the darkness, but her voice only bounced off the cave walls. She sank into the floor, helpless.

Bright fluorescent lights burned her eyes as Aislin jolted awake, panting in her bed. A grin spread across her face as she realized where she was. The hospital, just like she wanted. It was only slightly creepy someone dressed her in a gown, but she wasn't surprised to see the IV in her arm. She moved the tubes so they wouldn't catch on anything.

It was a-storming outside. The rain pelted her window as Aislin pushed a button to make part of her bed rise. She wanted to sit up comfortably while she went through what her memory could remember. Now, how did she get here?

Aislin recalled a bright, warm glow being administered to her by the healer in the jungle. It was so relaxing, she must have passed out halfway through the treatment. Looking over her body, Aislin couldn't find the abrasions she knew her skin took when she was thrown across the clearing. And, feeling her rib, Aislin grinned as it was, of course, completely healed.

Aislin took a deep, satisfying breath. No stars swimming in her eyes this time.

She seemed to have a visitor slumped in one of the chairs in her room, dark hair and scrawny. My god, it's my healer. I'll have to thank him...

"Hello~" Aislin smiled, her voice a little hoarse.

But, hm, she was forgetting something. She needed to say something to someone... God, that nightmare. She still had a shit-bone to pick with Adam! And, happy that she remembered, Aislin stared at the buttons in her reach. The red one would bring a nurse, and from there she could ask for Adam's presence. Maybe she'd say it's urgent.

Aislin pushed the button, and waited.

Screams, horrifying thoughts, blood and tears, all screaming out desperately for an end to their calamity. These thoughts cried out to him, the reminders of the red life water carried all men haunting his mind. What if it wasn't enough? What if he couldn't do enough to save them? What if he broke and burned himself in the process? And...worse, what if he burned others, as well?

These thoughts, luckily, all vanished as he was woken from his mostly-asleep state. He had been spending an hour or two since the healings he had done, on both Aislin and Theresa, to rest his body, specifically in Aislin's room, since she was resting and there seemed to be none who needed to talk to her privately. So he had allowed himself to enter that strange state between sleep and alertness, resting his body, but not quite his mind. And such a weakened state allowed for terrible, dreadful thoughts. Not that he always thought like this, but the current events at hand had reminded him all too well that his abilities would need to be improved here, especially if people got themselves involved in -this- level of injury constantly. He was just happy that he was able to be of service, though. Made him feel less...weak? No. More useful more likely.

Slowly, however, his eyes looked up to the source of the voice that awoke him. It was the young lady whom he had healed back in the jungle. Luckily, she seemed well mentally, as he knew for a fact her physical ailments had been treated just fine. "Oh. Hey. Good evening. How are you feeling?" He managed to speak out, sounding a bit weak as his voice showed a clear picture of his exhaustion. It wasn't overpowering, but it certainly was something that affected him quite clearly, his hunched over body straightening up as he pressed it against the back of the chair, trying to fully awaken from his strange nearly-asleep state.

"Is it evening?" She asked, taking another glance out the window. Yep, she missed dinner. And she was so looking forward to sitting down with Deborah. Ah, not like she had much of an appetite to begin with anyway. Maybe fatigue did that.

He sat up a bit straighter, and she snickered. "You look about as exhausted as I am. I'm feeling better than before, though. Naps don't really do much after life-threatening situations, I find. But..." Aislin shook her head, smirking."How rude of you, I don't even know your name."

The nurse still hadn't arrived, but Aislin had all the time in the world.

How rude of him? He couldn't help but smile a bit and laugh. Well, at least she wasn't trying to make jokes about getting laid so far, so despite the wording, the inquiry was more than welcome. "Oh, rude of me? Alright. My name is Nicholas Raynor, but you can call me Nick, if you like." He found himself stating with a wide smirk on his face.

He tilted his head, gesturing out towards her with his right hand, as if to give her the floor before speaking. "And what about you, miss? Isn't it customary to share names at the same time?" He asked, before lowering his hand and resting his back against the chair again, closing his eyes. The strain of his body was still somewhat strong, though he at least didn't feel like he was going to pass out anymore.

"Nicholas has always reminded me of Christmas." Aislin said thoughtfully. "Though that's likely from all the stories surrounding it. Wasn't Santa's original name Saint Nick?"

She shook her head, smiling apologetically. "It seems I'm still out of it, I'm already off on a tangent. And I was so certain you already knew my name, seeing as you've been surrounded by official people who know everything." Aislin said, referencing the nurses. Hospitals always knew everything, at least where she came from.

"My name's Aislin Rose. And, well, I'm a new student here. But I certainly wasn't expecting such a.. heh, crazy day." She swallowed, staring down at her hands. "I forgot to thank you. Back in the jungle I didn't know what was up or down. Being hopped up on Theresa's drugs helped, but I was seriously out of it."

She patted her side where she was suppose to have a broken rib. "I'd still be dealing with fractured bones if you hadn't come along. How did you know you were needed in 218's boonies?"

A knock at the door sounded at a blonde nurse poked her head in. "Did you need something, Aislin?"

"See? They do know everything." Aislin grinned at Nick. "But uh, yes ma'am. It's urgent that I see Adam as soon as possible."

The nurse nodded, closing the door with a click.

Nick chuckled a bit as Saint Nick was mentioned, smiling all too happily. "Well, I'm no saint, but I do believe you're plenty right about that being Santa's original name." He found himself answering. Ah...Santa. Now that was a guy he could get behind it. But as she mentioned that she was surprised he hadn't figured out her name on his own, he tapped his chin. Aislin, yes, he had heard that name, but he considered it impolite to simply assume on a dime. After all, wouldn't you like to be addressed properly if you didn't like your own name for some strange reason? He thought this over, but as she told him her name, he smiled, nodding to her. "Its nice to meet you, Aislin. I'm new, too. And to be honest, I came here because it was the only choice after an incident at a school happened which revealed my powers. Parents got paranoid about a freak being among their kids, ya know?" He found himself asking, before slowly standing up and stretching his body.

"But its nice to know I'm needed. Makes me not feel too out of place, though...I must admit, some things about this school still make me feel a bit...awkward." He finished, before leaning against the wall.

"... I came as soon as I was told." Adam said as he walked into the room. He folded his hands behind his back, and nodded at Nicholas. "Mr. Raynor." He acknowledged his presence before turning to the bed-ridden Aislin Rose. "Ms. Rose, you wished to have a word with me?"

Jake and Gabe hid behind the door, pearing in as Adam did his thing.

Adam's presence filled the room in the moment the door clicked open. God, he still terrified her. But she had a lot of time to think about exactly what she wanted to say. About how this whole thing was his fault. Anger contorted her face, and she glowered in his direction, even if she couldn't quite meet his piercing gaze.

"Sir, I hate to drag you down here, but there's something you don't know. The entire ordeal with Jaska, everything, it could have been easily avoided." She focused her vehement gaze to the wall, remembering the tragic scene in the cave clearly. "Someone was down there, in the caves. Jaska and I were exploring, and his instincts went in overdrive when he sensed this other human. Blue-skinned, obviously a Meta. I only saw her for an instant, but that was enough. Jaska hurt himself in trying to anticipate her, and things went to hell shortly after."

Aislin returned her gaze to Adam, forcing herself to meet his eyes this time. Her voice softened, she seemed almost sad. "Were you aware of this?"

Adam listened to what Aislin had to say about what happened... her explanation. While he didn't appreciate her attitude, she did have a few points. This could have been avoided - However, no one is at blame here. "I was not aware of this turn of events, nor this woman...." There were many people on this island that could fit the description, and Adam couldn't keep track of all of them. "However, I do agree that this could have been avoided. No one is truly at fault here, Ms. Rose. It was out of everyone's hands."

Aislin bit her lip. "I know, sir. I'm sorry for my tone earlier. Is there anything we can do? Like, I don't know, are there suppose to be hermits living in the school's caves?"

Adam appreciated the change of tone. He was refraining from commenting on her rudeness. "It is okay, Ms. Rose." Adam nodded his head at Aislin. "I am not aware of any hermits down there... They aren't even supposed to be living down there to begin with. However, I will be looking into this woman myself soon as possible. Is there anyone else you wish to discuss, Ms. Rose?"

Aislin was about to shake her head when she remembered her blackout at the clearing. She didn't actually know the status of Jaska, if he was okay or not. "Only one thing. I missed the last of the battle, is Jaska alright?"

"Jaska is in stable condition here in the hospital. He pushed himself too far when transforming and nearly came to the verge of ashing.... Fortunately he was stopped when he was." Adam tipped his glasses the very second he answered her question. "... Though, he has two siblings who may want to have a word with you themselves."

Nicholas simply kept himself quiet during this turn of events, watching Adam walk in. Something about his presence always put him on edge. Perhaps it was his expectation of students to be ready of what he expected of him, like a constant possibility of a pop quiz of sorts he got from other teachers? Perhaps...perhaps not. Either way, he nodded to Adam, keeping quiet and simply listening to Aislin and Adam speak, for now. To say the least, this turn of events were perplexing, though. The source of the injuries being a student who's instincts had gone haywire, thanks to a blue-skinned Meta? One who apparently was deep in the jungle somewhere, and hasn't been seen since? Strange...however, when Adam mentioned Jaska's condition, he cleared his throat, as to ascertain some attention. "I don't mean to be rude, but...is there anything I can do to help? That is...with my healing powers? I don't know how well they would work on someone in his state, but anything I could do to help..." He trailed on, still leaning against the wall, looking specifically at Adam as he spoke.

Nicholas's question caused Adam to turn his head towards him and give him a look. He doubted that Nicholas would be able to help much. "I am not sure, Nicholas. It is less of a matter of an injury and more of a matter of being severely drained..." Adam tipped his glasses at Nicholas, "... Your abilities aren't advanced enough to help in that field. For now, food, rest, and rest, are the best remedies for the child."

Adam's words brought some much needed consolation. Good God, that kiddie's okay. What would I say to his family if... If things were different? Aislin shuddered at the thought.

"I'm relieved to hear that, sir. And if his siblings wish to speak with me, I gladly would. Heh, I've been meaning to meet them anyways." She admitted. Nick's offer for help graced Aislin's face with a smile. But she already guessed Adam's answer. Jaska, she assumed, just needed time. As soon as she could, she was visiting that 'lil Jungle King. Honestly, though, she should have been so traumatized from the whole experience that she wouldn't ever want to be around Jaska. Like, ever again. But... She found a friend in Jaska.

Monster or not. And no, she wouldn't know if she could be in his presence without locking up in fear. At least, she wouldn't know until she faced him again. But, maybe no more excursions alone...

Nicholas slowly nodded. "Very well, sir. In the meantime, I suppose I'll stay here to try to garner the rest of my energy and make sure Aislin has a bit of company before heading on my way out. After all, I am a bit curious about the subject myself of a strange hermit..." He replied to Adam, before moving to stand beside Aislin's bed, leaning against the wall and looking down at her. "That is, as long as she doesn't mind discussing it with me. I can understand that this entire experience has probably been tough for everyone involved. I suppose I should count myself lucky to not be among those injured." He finally finished before looking up at Adam, wondering if he had any retorts or objections.

'Adam nodded his head one last time. He looked at his watch, and spoke to the two. 'I believe it is time for me to depart. I will still be in the hospital if I'm needed, however." He walked out the door, but held it open as he tipped his hat at them. "I will be seeing both of you later." He walked out the door to disappear into the maze-like hospital.

Aislin waved him off, glad she had gotten that blue-skinned secret off her chest. But the fun wasn't over just yet.

... However, the door had remained open for an extra blatant second. Two sets of footsteps could be heard coming in. ".... Heeeello there," Jake said as he and his twin appeared in a dramatic puff of smoke. He looked around the room real fast, and examined everyone. Wait, this girl right here, she was the girl that Jaska was waving to during training earlier today. He had no clue who this other nobody was, but Gabe was giving him a glare that sent the perfect message for her: don't talk. "You are Aislin Rose, correct?" He pointed at Aislin. "I am Jake Valos, and this is my twin sister, Gabriela Valos.... I believe we'll need to have a long conversation..." Jake grabbed a chair, and sat down on it, while Gabe simply leaned up against the wall.

As the two siblings walked in, Nicholas couldn't help but feel a bit on edge. Something about the girl, especially, screamed out a level of anger. If these were the siblings of Jaska that were spoken of earlier, he couldn't help but feel he -might- need to step in at some point if things got too violent. The guy seemed nice enough himself, but to act as if that made up for the girl's glare at him was a bit of a fallacy. Still...he wouldn't hold it against them. He doubted they knew whom he was, nor did he really care to reveal it to these two. Come to think of it...he -did- remember seeing these two earlier today, before the fight broke out in the lounge. Yeah. He simply crossed his arms and furrowed his brow, watching the two, especially the female, closely, standing along-side Aislin's bed as a way of being an indirect reliability to her mind, perhaps? He'd like to think of it like that, at least.

"Now..." Gabe was going to be the first to speak here, since Jake only said to keep quiet when talking to Adam and Henry, not these two fuckwits. "... I'm gonna' cut to da' chase and ask ya' what the fuck happened today?" Gabe made no attempt to be diplomatic. Because in her eyes, you get what you want by being direct and to the point, not with a smile.

"... That's putting it the crass way." Jake rolled his eyes as he leaned back in the chair.

Adam did mention the possibility of Jaska's siblings wanting to talk with her, but she didn't imagine it quite like this. The twins were intimidating, all in their own way. The way they entered the room made her immediately feel as though she was in the hot seat. It was uncomfortable, and she felt a heat rise to her cheeks. But if she stared death down earlier today, she could handle this.

She nodded when Jake verified who she was. When Gabe spoke, she tried to keep her face as collected as possible. They'd already won with the intimidation tactic. She took a shaky breath, prepared to hold nothing back. "I'm glad you're here, I was meaning to speak with you. Jaska and I were in the jungle, exploring. Everything was fine until Jaska started crawling up the ceiling of a certain cave. He said someone was in the cave, and I only had time to look up. He lost his footing, fell from the ceiling, and..." This part was hard to say. "He impaled himself on one of the stalagmites."

She shook her head. "The next events happened quickly. We both saw that lady disappear into the depths of the caves, and Jaska... he started transforming. I burned my hand when I tried to touch him. He told me to start running, but I couldn't leave him there. God, I didn't know what to do."

"Of course, you know the rest of the story. Huge fight, all that good stuff." She said, summing it up.

"Fuck!" Gabe hissed through her front teeth. That whole event sounded like a shit storm, and they weren't even there to do anything. One thing that pissed Gabe off was virtually being helpless. She banged her fist against the wall, using every once of her strength, which was enough to create a loud boom that could be heard from even outside. Before she planted her face into her palm. "Ya' tellin' me that Little Dragon nearly got killed on y...." She snarled, before she stopped herself. She knew that Jake was going to tell her how wrong she is for placing blame on Aislin, and that she should stop. Regardless, Gabe merely sighed and kept quiet. At least until Aislin said something else offensive.

"I...." Jake let out a sigh as he tried to make up for Gabe's outburst. Seriously, all she's doing is making his job harder. "I understand fully, Aislin. Things were completely out of your hand... and I find it unreasonable to place blame on you." While he was talking, he turned his head towards Gabe as an indirect way of telling her that it was unreasonable to blame Aislin. "It's our fault. We... figured that he was more than capable of handling himself in the jungle so we left him to his own devices." He scratched the back of his neck nervously, looking at Nicholas, then back to Aislin. "We should have kept a better eye on him, because this sure as hell isn't the first time this has happened...."

Nicholas himself simply listened closely, doing his best to hear less of the anger that was in the voices of these obviously upset twins and more-so into their intentions. He knew that in this stressful time, from his own experience, that emotions were betraying of one's true feelings about a situation, especially when it involved someone like Aislin who was in proximity to what happened and was easy to blame rather than...themselves. Not that he was going to assume that was the truth. To say the least, at least Jake was mature enough to handle things without anger.

Aislin figured Gabe would blame her. Hell, she kinda blamed herself. It was all hanging on the 'what if'. What if they hadn't gone into the caves, and what if she told Jaska it wasn't wise to climb on the ceilings. Hell, what if there wasn't a blue lady lurking down there in the first place.

She met Gabe's eye. Oooh, if looks could kill Aislin would be dead right there. "I would blame me too, honestly. I knew Jaska had family, I was thinking of you the entire time."

Jake was more level-headed than his counter-part. His gaze was much easier to look at, and she continued. "I apologize for what happened today. I don't know if I'll be able to see your brother again, I'd like to, but..." She trailed off as that sentence could end several ways. They could stop her from seeing him, or she could. Hell, Jaska could. She had no idea how the kiddie felt about all this.

"You knew about the Beast...?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrows. "And you never told the school?"

"Yes, and no." Jake put up a finger, his expression was cold. He figured that Aislin deserved some explanation. "His Inner-Beast... as his mother calls it... was something we are well aware of. It's something that awakens inside of him on the verge of death to give him a second chance.... Which is why we're here. We're hoping that the school is better equipped to handle him than we are. Yes, the school does know of the beast too. They just don't take blatant precautions I guess. Which is understandable, because I don't want anyone getting ostracized...." He scratched the back of his neck.

"Because slappin' a tag on 'im that says, 'Oh I'm a monster' tends to do dat..." Gabe cynically says.

A light erupted behind Aislin's eyes. "Oh my god. Jaska's the legendary 10, isn't he..."

"Not sure, but the answer is most likely yes...." Truly his mother's masterpiece. Jake recited that line in his head as his gaze didn't leave Aislin.

Nicholas had listened for a great deal, taking in all of the information spoken. As an outsider, he supposed that his feelings might be flawed, but the more he heard Jake spoke, the more he could sympathize with Jaska. As someone who was ostracized from his own community because of his abilities, he felt...almost saddened. Not just because of how Gabe seemed, at least, to be tempted to blame Aislin, but because he knew that when he recovered, Jaska was going to feel awful. Because he knew that feeling, too. Luckily, he had been able to mend things rather quickly, at least physically, but there are some emotional scars that don't mend as quickly. Slowly, he opened his mouth, beginning to speak. "If you don't mind me saying, I don't think anyone should be worried about being ostracized, though I completely understand your concern. I came here myself for that exact reason, and frankly, I don't think that we should purposefully guilt anyone here. It was a set of incidences that no one really had any control over...but perhaps we should prepare for this ahead of time. Maybe instead of a group of two, a group of three, including Jaska, should be able to roam freely. After all, the last thing we want to do is punish each other for not even doing any harm." He finished. He sounded a bit more thoughtful than previously, when he had spoken to Aislin alone. Perhaps he had a bit more maturity when given time to think about his words? Who knew. He simply took a step back and listened once more, until...

Who is this fucker? Gabe gave Nicholas a narrow glare as he spoke... She didn't like how he was just hovering over them, minding their business. If it was any of her business, she'd kick this nobody's ass to the curb. Let him fap around in the rain. Needless to say, Gabe didn't care too much about what he had to say. Because this kid was just talking to talk! Trying to compare with something he knows nothing about. He doesn't have to worry about getting ostracized because he isn't like Jaska. He will be in control of himself at all times, while Jaska has to struggle. Gabe rolled her eye up into her head. Ignoring him completely.

"Thanks for the word of advice." Jake nodded his head. Unlike Gabe, he was more receptive to Nicholas, he knew that the child was waiting to talk, and now he spoke. "I appreciate someone who speaks their mind. I will keep your idea in my head for next time. Because I know we cannot keep Little-Dragon out of thos-"

"... Hey, guys!" Sylvia loudly shouted as she kicked the door open. There was no explanation as to why she's here, nor why she knows they're here. Only that she's here. She had an iPhone in her hands that displayed a very curious image. "... I found the Animal-meta porn! It's nasty as fuck! Wanna watch?!"

"What the fuck? Sylvia?!" Gabe raised an eyebrow as Sylvia made her grand entrance. What was she talking about Animal-meta porn for...? Oh god, it brought her back to the training session with Asae and the Panda-fucker. Specifically that conversation. She shuddered at the thought... but was oddly curious.

Jake merely groaned as he hung his head, "Hello there, Sylvia..."

OH GOD. Oh dear Lord Jesus. He widened his eyes, quickly averting his gaze from Sylvia as he blushed profusely. -She- had to be here. He wasn't all too interested in any sort of porn, and even more-so if it involved animals. UGH. Quickly, he reached into his backpack, pulling out a 3DS and snapping it on, before staring down at it intently and proceeding to initiate what was to him the most intense fight of all time. The urge to -not- look at something he knew he didn't want to see, even though his own curiosity raged within his mind to look. Maybe if she didn't notice him, she wouldn't prod him more than she would the others...just, don't look, Nick. Don't. Look.

The whimsical catalyst made a powerful entrance. "Holy shit, avert your eyes!" Aislin giggled, hiding her own gaze behind a hand. It only took a flash, but now she was scarred for life. It existed, Animal-meta porn existed. She only laughed because it was the perfect catalyst. The room was getting grayer by the minute. Now, Aislin had yet to meet this Sylvia character. She could already tell this lady required others to have a thick skin. Very thick...

As disgusting as it sounded, the Valos twins were intrigued. They moved over to Sylvia's sides and looked over her shoulders at her iPhone. Before Sylvia pressed play and the magic commenced. Sylvia had her phone on speaker. So everyone could hear the porn in all it's glory! There was lots of deep, bestial, grunting, and moaning, and growling, and roaring. Lots of wet-slapping sounds too!

"Oooooh, sheit!" Gabe loudly shouted as she watched in bile curiosity. This has got to be the weirdest porn Sylvia has ever watched.

"God damn that's nasty!" Jake shouted as he put a fist to his mouth. He had a cheeky smile on his face as he laughed quietly.

Aislin rolled her eyes. "If you're going to make that big of a deal about it, you have to let me see. I want to be forever changed too." she said, only half-sarcastic. Being in bed and attached to an IV made it impossible to see the screen. All she got were sounds. And yes, even the sounds were nasty.

"They don't even sound like human sexy sounds..." She said, mystified.

Oh god no. Oh holy Christ, no, no, no. He stared intently at his 3DS, intent on not looking away, his faced had turned in a blushing deep red. Just...no. Don't look, Nicholas. Don't. Look.

"Well, why don't I show ya'll..." Sylvia walked over with the iPhone, and presented the video to her. In all it's glory! "Yiff, yiff."

Aislin's jaw dropped. Yeah, it was nasty. but, oh she couldn't resist. Seductively, she looked up at Sylvia. "You got anymore?" No, she couldn't do it. She laughed, unable to keep the sexy face. Damn, this was too fun. The most fun she had all day.

"... You should be asking the internet that question." Sylvia said as she looked for even more.

Karlie Davis and Seth Maxwell

“Why’s it so bright…” Karlie mumbled as she squinted her against the harsh light above. She sat up and looked around at her sterile white environment. Whoa, what am I doing here? The last thing she remembered was emerging into a clearing only to become frozen in fear. Locked in combat with Henry and a tall hooded figure was a demonic beast. A monster. Then the ocean suddenly got much closer. In the form of a roaring wave bore down on her, and knocked the wind out of her. That explained it, but there was something seriously wrong.

Where’s my kitty costume? And for that matter the backpack with the rest of the outfits she had brought along. There was no need to look to affirm that she was pantiless in a patient gown. She had to know what had become of her beloved clothing, and furthermore she had to get into some of them. The faster the better. Although, Karlie couldn't deny that the soothing, regenerative effect the gown was granting her wasn't at all unpleasant. The tenderness from her flop off the falls was well gone. Recovery time was over nonetheless. After all she didn't even do anything. It was eating up her normal cheery self. Whenever she really wanted to help out in a meaningful way she screwed up. Eventually she stopped even trying.

The least she could do was drop in on Henry. Which lead her back to square one. Where were her stuff. Sitting around wasn't going to do anything, so Karlie pulled out the IV and slid out of bed. It wasn't at all unexpected when her skin healed in it’s wake. This wasn't her first time being in a hospital since acquiring her power. She marched into the hall, flagging the closest staff member she saw. A tall sharply dressed man with oily black hair. She considered inquiring if whoever dressed her liked what they saw, but she decided against it. “I could use my stuff, and a place to change”

“Right in there.” Seth motioned a little ways up the hall. “Hold a moment.”He then disappeared into a nearby room emerging shortly with her backpack. It was soaked and smelled of salty brine. Seeing the look on the girls face he added “My apologies.” For the good it would do. Which wasn’t very much. His gaze tracked her beneath the lenses of his glasses. Such a fascinating power.

Today really wasn't her day with water. Karlie turned and sulked off oblivious to the mans creepy staring. Once she shut the door and dumped out it’s contents Karlie knew exactly what she was going to wear. The florescent green of her lizard costume. It was full body featuring built into foot covers, gloves, and a headpiece. So much for wringing anything out. She didn't have the motivation to try, and even if she could get one dry it’d still have to be washed later. At first the damp cloth against her skin made her cringe, but she got over it. That had to be a sure fire way to show her support, right? Only one way to find out.

When Karlie was all geared up she headed out and towards the elevator. The man from earlier hadn't moved and was looking over documents. He called out to her as passed. “Allow he to introduce myself. I’m power instructor Seth Maxwell, but you may call me Seth. That’s an interesting choice of attire, but I understand your reasoning.” If she had been more fully clothed he’d have pressed for a name earlier, so he took the opportunity to do so now that she was. He didn’t foresee this though. Her power appears to change with her clothes as well. I wonder to what extent. Her choice in a lizard costume might involve Henry.

“Hello, again!” Karlie waved inside of her reptile costume. “I’m Karlie Davis, nice to meet you. Do you know where Mr. Henry is?” Technically he was a doctor, but she called him that anyways. She associated that word with uptight people

“Likewise, and he’s on the floor below.”

“Thanks, see you later Mr. Seth.” With that she sprinted off before she could get sidetracked too much.

“May I accompany you? I've been meaning to check in now that he’s awake.”

Karlie shrugged, it wasn't really her place and she didn't care either way.

There was an older man inside the elevator when the door opened. Presumably a doctor, what she did know is he gave her the strangest of looks. Whatever. From there she migrated towards the room with the most commotion. Seemed like a good bet to her, Henry did have a decent following. Sure enough he already had visitors, Adam and surely others before him. She filed in past him with Seth following in suit. Neither of them said anything at first, which was uncharacteristic for Karlie. It was hard to see Henry in such condition, even if he was going to make a full recovery.

Vespera Spindel

Once things died down after the fight Vespera vacated the lounge. She needed some real entertainment. If cracking skulls in the arena wasn't an option she’d find something else to get her blood pumping. There were some inhuman sounds coming from the jungle. They made her shiver, but were no where near enough literally and metaphorically to phase her. Nothing but experience would convince would convince her anyone or anything was a true threat. A challenge perhaps, but that’s what she lived for. Or so she thought. So long as she wound up on top everything was fine.

Then it had to start raining, which was inconvenient, but wouldn't put too big a hamper on her plans. It was tempting to go indoors, so she reminded herself that most spiders are only functional in moist environments. She wouldn't get very far as a predator if getting a little wet stopped her. However, too much of a good thing was a bad thing. Any body of water large enough to emerge herself was a totally different story.

Unfortunately there wouldn't likely be anyone outside to spy on, but it didn't change where she was going. The rooftops. It was the one place on the academy she could rely on for solitude. When she was younger she spent a lot of time atop the dorms, sometimes she’d spin webs, much to the displeasure of the staff. All of that was behind her now. It was no her perch from which observed the other residents from on high. Her self declared seat of power in the wretched world. Except this time she wasn't alone.

As she neared the top she caught the scent of a foul creature and instinctively braced for conflict. Exactly what it was was unknown, she was sure she’d smelt it before though. In any case this was her territory and she wasn't one for sharing. She pulled herself up sauntered over towards what appeared to be tall cloaked figure stopping at a distance. The idea was close enough to talk, but not so much she couldn't defend herself. An important measure since she had decided not transform. Yet.

“Who might you be?” Vespera said in neutral tone loud enough to be heard clearly over the downpour. She would see what this intruder was about out of curiosities sake before sharing her roost, or more likely prompting whoever it was to return their rightful place bellow.

Mark Heaton, & Shannon Balore

---

It was with conflicting feelings that Mark paddled his way back onto the beach. The trek through the jungle back to the school in saltwater soaked jeans wasn't entirely enlightening either. However, when it began to rain, and he ran to his room for a change of clothes, he got some understanding of the emotions he was feeling.
He was livid. Livid but calm due to the immense amount of smug coursing through his veins. He was angry, but elated. It was a curious feeling. He hadn't been proud of anything for a long while, so being forgotten and nearly killed as a result of that was something that he was willing to forgive. At least, for a price.

As to why it took him so long to get his thoughts in order.. he could only imagine it had to do with the use of his new ability. Before, he could change his perception of time with very little thought: it happened accidentally more than it happened on purpose. After exerting himself however, it would he now needed to really focus. He wasn't used to it. It didn't help that his brain needed a good long rest, so putting these thoughts together was an extra effort in and of itself.

Upon entering his room, he closed the door and took off the wet clothes. Too late, he saw his roommates things and remembered that he shared this room with someone else. Like a deer in headlights, he looked down at what he had just taken off for a good few seconds before hastily putting them back on. Mark checked to see if anyone else was in, let a sigh of relief when no one was, and proceeded to change.

---

A few hours later, after sitting around waiting for the storm to pass, Mark emerged from the room with a growling stomach. He could only ignore it for so long, and when the only thing he really had to do was read or play with his pet, he had run out of excuses to stay indoors. He did not have the focus to read at the moment. His hunger didn't let him sleep. There were only so many times he could ask the quesiton "what does scorpion taste like" before he ended up answering it. On that note, in a red hoodie and black jeans and umbrella, he wandered over to the cafeteria.

He walked in the doors, shook the rain off his body, and went over to order something filling. Mark took a good few seconds to look over the menu; something that he wasn't used to doing. The young man had lost all motivation to waste his mental reserves on such a pointless activity, and upon reflecting briefly on this for a following few seconds, a familiar face came into his peripheral vision.

What was her name again? Sharon? Yeah, that sounds about right. And she is one of the people who left me on that ship. We'll need to have a conversation.

He returned his view to the menu, and pursed his lips. It would appear as though he could not make up his mind. He turned his gaze over to 'Sharon'.

And there is the topic of conversation. Time to say hello.

With a with a frown not of anger, but of mock disappointment, Mark walked over to the girl.

"Forget about someone?" He remarked candidly as he took a seat opposite her.

... And of course someone walked up to this one table, and decided to have a seat. Shannon glared at him as she cut another piece out of her cake, sticking it in her mouth. She was fortunate enough to have been blessed with a good memory. Which is how she quickly knew this guy was the guy they dragged along on their journey who ended up - surprise, surprise - contributing absolutely nothing. She didn't know why he choose her to talk to. Because she immediately assumed he wanted something from her. Sex? Money? Clothes? Well he's in for a disappointment, since Shannon Balore is a master of breaking these boys down.

"Unfortunately, no." Shannon dryly replied as her eyes went down towards her fork as she started shuffling it around in her clear plastic tray. "I thought you had left during that whole endeavor," She started off, immediately assuming what he was talking about. "Your name is.... uhhh, never caught it, but, what do you wish to discuss today?" Shannon put the fork in her tray, and placed her elbows on the table as she put her hands together, intertwining her fingers. Interested in seeing what bullshit this kid could get together in some attempt to be her "friend".

Well that was needlessly mean...

Mark gave a confused frown, raised an eyebrow, and leaned forwards in his chair.

"What do I wish to discuss? Why don't we start with being left on deck while the rest of you dissapear within it without so much as a word?" His words were hushed, but they had an air of passive-agression. "How about the fact that that ship then started imploding, and before I knew it, the rafts were gone and I had to swim back to dry land in a life-ring?"

He ended on an expectant stare with hands firmly together and under his chin.

What an amaaaaaazing subject.... Shannon thought to herself as she rolled her eyes. From the way that Mark was putting it, it all sounded like he was blaming her for his own problems. Just who told him to go wander around on a dangerous ship? No, rhetorical question. He was the little pissant who wandered off. Shannon couldn't help but sneer in response to how this turn of events had gone. "That seems like something you got yourself into. Everyone was marching inside that boat, single-file, and you somehow get separated? Doesn't seem like my fault, now does it?" Shannon was quick to get across that she didn't like this guy. Which was pretty often, because there's few people that she liked to begin with.

Mark leaned back a bit, gave a shrug and crinkled his nose. Taking his gaze off of her for a few seconds, he gave a small gesture as if to defeatedly concede a point.
"Technicalities." He said, brushing that criticism under the rug. "And you didn't have to leave me behind now did you?" He said as he refocused on the young woman in front of him. He was showing a surprising amount of emotion today, and he would reflect on that later. But right now he was fully immersed in the person before him. And he fully intended to try and weasel some form of apology out of her. Best case scenario there would be cake.

Shannon sarcastically smiled at him. It wasn't a regular smile, it was the most cheery smile her facial muscles could push together. It was in a mocking tone, almost sounding like a child, she said, "...Accidents happen!" She did Jazz-hands while she said that, before putting them down and giggling. Shannon wasn't intending on antagonizing him, but she found this whole triad oh so amusing. Putting this kid in his place, then making a fool out of him? Delicious. Just like this cake! If he'd let her finish it in peace...

"Well then I hope you've got third party coverage, because I'd like some compensation." He replied matter-of-factly. His hands were back under his chin, but his eyes had softened. If he seemed hostile before, he certainly didn't now. He was still marginally indignant though.

"... Was that supposed to be a wise-crack, or an attempt at being clever?" Shannon asked as she sneered, glaring at him.

"Well it sure as hell wasn't sarcasm." he sneered in turn, although the slight smile on his face wasn't leaving easily. He played it off with a scrutinising expression.

"Look," Shannon started off, blatantly rolling her eyes. She didn't know how to get rid of this guy. She thought that passive-aggressism would be dick-repellant. But noooo. Mr. Persistent here has to sit here and try to accomplish nothing. "I do not know what you intend to get out of me..."

"Cake."

Oh, no, no, no. This was her celebration cake. She wasn't going to give it to some nobody who cut her off. She quickly snatched the tray, and held it over her head with both hands. "You even think of taking this cake and I'll string you down tighter than a sadomasochist at a BDSM party." She was serious here.

"Not even a little bit?" he pleaded, losing all sense of righteousness his voice may have held before hand (if any). His face was wincing for the obvious answer to his beggery, but he held up a hand with a close index finger and thumb regardless.

"No."

"Worth a shot."

Mark leaned back in his nonchalantly, defeated. He took his vision off her for a millisecond and for the first time in the conversation utilised his power.

That threat was oddly specific. Does that make her the one able to control ropes? I'd say that was kinky, but.. I'd rather not. Jokes seem to be beneath this particular person.

He leant his head slightly to the side as time snapped back for him. It had become tiring.

"Well, at least suggest something from the menu. I'm new here, so I don't have a clue whats good." He was talking to her, but at the ceiling. His fatigue was now rather obvious, and he was playing for sympathy points, even though it was doubtful they'd have any affect on this judge.

What do I look like, a waitress? Shannon thought to herself as she looked around the cafe. Unfortunately, she doesn't eat here too often, the only thing she got was the sweets and some coffee. If she did, she'd probably tell him to get something nasty. So she had to go off of Debby's experiences here. "Get the Chicken Salad. It is delicious."

"Tempting.. but I'm not really feeling it. Any other suggestions?"

"They have... cake?" Shannon remembered that Mark wanted some. "This strawberry cake is quite delicious."

He lazily slid his head so that the menu was in view, squinting slightly.

"You know what, I'm just going to get a bacon roll." Mark declared, putting his hands on his knees and pushing himself out of his seat. "I'd apologise for intruding on you, but I'm still mad about the near-death experience." A small grin played across his face. "Enjoy the cake Sharon."

With that, he left her, grabbed his meal, opened his umbrella and walked back out into the rain. Perhaps she'd have a somewhat positive opinion of him...

...Nah.

Shannon rolled her eyes, and contined eating her cake. This whole conversation was a massive waste of her time, but, hell, at least he knew when to leave.... If only that was five minutes ago. She rolled her eyes yet again as she began eating her cake in peace. The universe had already sent her one annoying moron, and it was probably about to send her two at once.

Because life has never been fair on Shannon.

[Duplicate Deleted]

[Duplicate Deleted]

[Deleted Duplicate]

[Duplicate Deleted]