The roof of King’s Court crackled with electricity. On top were two figures. A tall and slender older woman, the other a small sickly young man. The woman walked over to the edge, seeing her comrade below being stopped by three teenagers.

Her arm rested on her knee. She wore combat boots and trousers and a form fitting black top. Her short brown hair shaved a one side blew in the frosty air of early December. Her associate was in a brown anorak that appeared brand new and hid most of his form.

“Should we help him?” The small one’s voice was hoarse and weak.

“Like I’d pass up an opportunity to upstage him.” She said, with a morose smile.

The two jumped off of the roof, whilst hurtling to the ground the woman put her fingers in her mouth and whistled. The mass of a man who had gotten in a tangle disappeared and ran to catch the other two.

After getting down from the giant and onto the ground it was clear that the woman could not control herself as electricity sparked from her.

The seven students stood across the court from them, the water fountain between them. It was quiet.

“So, what do we do?” Jack said, putting his hand on Jude’s shoulder.

“We play a game of keep away. Rin’s their goal. Rin you run we’ll fight them.” Jude said, calmly not taking his eyes off the enemies in front of him.

“What, no. You guys can’t just risk your lives on my behalf. Just let them take me.” Rin pleaded.

“I’m not trying to be funny Rin, but they don’t look like they will leave witnesses.” Jude turned round to look at Rin. “Get inside the building and run.” Rin did as he was told. “Okay guys they’re a squad of three. I assume there’s a close range, long range, and a support. That’s how I’d make a team of three. The woman is the long range and it seems like electricity so AJ and Jack, I want you guys on her. Nerissa and Johnny you take on the short stack he’s most likely their support, take him out we reduce Their utility. Me and Damian will distract the big guy until the rest of you deal with them.” Jude said resolutely, not taking his eyes off the three ahead.

“Why do I have to fight the kid?” Nerissa protested.

“If I’m right he’s the strongest and the most vital to go down. You’re our best fighter whatever weird tricks he’s got I know you can beat him.” Jude said. The sense of pride welled up Nerissa, whether it was a lie or not did not matter, it made he follow the plan. Silence fell once again in the courtyard.

“Why did we let them make a plan?” The woman asked

“It’s more fun that way. Plus the boss said we could kill anyone who interfered and now we have ample reason to say they did so.” The big one said. He stepped forward and onto the slippery metal block that was in the middle of the fountain, the woman went to his left, and the boy to the right.

“I do apologize kids but for not allowing us to take Rinion we will have to kill you. Though, I will give you the pleasure of learning our names. I am Might, the lady to my left is Jolt, and the little one is X. If you survive long enough I might reward with more information so you have something to think about in death.” His words rang and held in the air. The mention of death and killing started a sweat for them all even those, like Nerissa, who would deny her fear.

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These were trained professionals and they were approaching, not too quick to not react, but far too quick for them to steel their nerves.

It was Jolt that moved first, electricity sparked from her and she dashed forward. Scared yet able, Jack moved to intercept her.

He danced between the bolts of electricity that seemed to naturally defend the user. A simple punch was his opening move. Before he reached her he stopped. Sweat poured out of him immediately, like a warning system his body screamed danger at him. Jolt smiled and threw a sparking was of electricity out at him.

Jack winced, expecting a terrible amount of pain. Yet none came. It was only after he realised there was no paid did he notice the weight on his shoulder. AJ’s hand, acting as a lightning rod. He drained the electricity from Jack’s body the moment it entered and powered himself up nicely. With his free left arm he threw a strong punch towards the water fountain. Allowing the water and metal to conduct Jolt’s attack actually affected Might rather than anyone else.

His body seized him as his muscles contracted and burnt. His already long and spike black hair puffed up making it look even bigger.

It gave the perfect opportunity for Jude to fly above him and drop a fire powered axe kick. Which caused a smile to appear of Might’s face, Jude was close enough to grab. “Sorry.” Jude said before using his fire to propel him into backflip. Like opening a door on a gameshow there was something behind him that was a surprise; a giant translucent fist that sent Might flying and crashing throw the building at the opposite end and into a hallway.

So it was X’s turn. He knew he was against Johnny and Nerissa and just with a single glance it was obvious he needed to attack Johnny first since he was an easy kill.

From within the anorak, that seemed to completely hide most of X’s torso, came a hand in a claw shape. Scratching at Johnny trying to grab him.

Whilst the hand went to the right place it grabbed nothing. Johnny’s powers had activated on their own, meaning whatever was about to happen was so bad that his body decided it was better to react like that.

For some people there was barely any difference between activating their Alteration themselves or having their instincts activate it. But for Johnny and a minority of people there was a downside to having them manifest this way. It was painful and nauseating; as if jolting a joint or rolling your elbow the wrong way on a desk.

His intangibility had most likely saved him from this clawed grab but that came at the feeling of unease and mild sickness. Though for some reason it appeared his opponent took damage or at least his ability had caused stress to his body, sweat was pouring from his face and his breathing was haggard.

Nerrisa went into attack. Her usual start was a jab. It did manage to connect to the small guy. The second consecutive one was an upper cut. Finished with an elbow to the chest. Each one the punching bag tried to defend and held his hands up only to get his guard blocked.

Nerissa stepped away when the little one got up from the ground. She was panting a bit. It must have been the cold air because she was certainly fit enough to do such a simple combination, and yet here she was. It was not until the little stick of a man stood up, not a scratch on him. In fact, he looked better than before she attacked, he was full of energy.

Johnny and Nerrisa realised at once. He could drain their energy, but it took a toll if he didn’t hit his target.

Jolt knew she was at a disadvantage as long as AJ and Jack stayed connected, the barrage of punches told her as much.

Instead of flinching she braced and took a hit to the shoulder, spinning herself and grabbing hold of Jack’s top as she did so. She slammed him into the hard mud below, AJ’s grip being ripped away. Now on top of Jack she discharged a large amount of electricity.

“It’s been a while since someone laid a hand on me. Consider a quick death a sign of respect.” She spat blood out of her mouth and let Jack go. His limp body being embraced by the dying grace. The smell of burnt flesh filled the courtyard.