《52 stories》Week 23: The training

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The group is in this gigantic Dojo-like room with tatami mats and all kind of foam and wooden weapons. Luka is still trying to get used to the Lair. Eveything in this place is so big, so fancy, so...expensive. It's hard to believe a bunch a young adults and teenagers could afford this. He never had the chance to be alone with Rose, or the Mender, long enough to ask all the questions he had in mind. Right now, Storm and Rose are fighting with wooden knifes, the Aura is nowhere to be seen and Dash is helping Luka to train his power while the Seeker is watching. Helping is a big word, it's more like Dash is pushing Luka around ''Come on, dude, it's not that hard! You just....'' he raises his fists over his head while taking a deep breath ''and then you run!'' and just like that, Dash is at the other side of the room. Luka gives the Seeker a pleading look, this is not helping. He knows his power is similar to Dash, but... He doesn't feel anything the way the blond Invisible does. The Seeker seems to hear his pleading and litterally jumps on both of his feet and clap his hands together to get everyone's attention ''Time for a break!'' and just like that, everyone stops whatever they are doing and gather around the youngest Invisible in the room. Luka sits a bit behind everyone and can't help but to stare at the Seeker. He is so young, but yet he has this incredible leadership aura around him. Even if he knows him since like a week or so, he can't help but listen to whatever the young teen is saying. It's really impressive and scary at the same time.

Dash is laying on his back, arms behind his head, and he only raise his eyes enough to look at the leader when he asks ''How's the training going?''

Dash puts his hand in the air and put it in a thumbs down ''Doesn't listen.''

Luka can't help but feel the heat rise on his face. The Seeker shake his head slightly ''He doesn't listen or you don't explain properly?''

Dash scoffs and jumps on his feet, leaving the room without a word. Storm stands up right has he leaves the room ''Time to practice my water bending power!'' and slowly walk away. The Seeker stands up and take a few steps toward Luka ''Well I guess I can try-''

''Seeker! A word!'' The Aura commands, only popping his head through the door before walking away. The young teen sigh and give Rose an apologetic look. She jumps on her feet ''Just go, we all know what's going to happen if you don't rush to him.'' The Seeker only nods and run out of the room, following after his brother. Rose gives Luka a hand to help him stand up ''Let's train, young grasshopper! Ooh, is that I smile I see?'' Luka gives her a small nudge on the shoulder ''Well you are better at explaining than the others. And it's... hard. I feel like everyone hates me or expect me to do.... Something incredible!''

''Well, they all think you're the Chosen One so...''

''But what does that even mean!?''

Rose sighs and begin to explain to Luka how the two brothers are trying to find a way to make the Authorities understand that people with powers are not a threat, that they deserve all the humans right they had before this all Power thing happened. And the 'chosen one' is suppose to help them achieve that. That person would be able to make them realise that. The Seeker felt something special in Luka and that's why he asked Rose to bring him here. Luka tilt his head to the side slightly ''But, that doesn'texplain why Dash and Storm are so mad at me... If I'm supposed to be the one to help everyone...''

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''That's because you are the fourth chosen one the Seeker felt.''

''Oh.'' Luka looked down for a few seconds, kind of ashamed for some reason and then he looks back at Rose and says while counting on his fingers ''Me, Dash, Storm...Who's the last one?''

''Me.'' Rose simply respond while going to grab one of the really light foam sword. Luka rush to follow her ''And you're not bitter?''

''Nope.''

Why?''

''Too much pressure. I'm glad to be the one in shadows.'' And she doesn't give him the time to speak any more while she swings the sword at him, hitting him right in the side of his head. Luckily for Luka the sword is really flexible and it only made a bid noise without actually hurting him.

Luka definitly have more questions in mind, but Rose reached her limit of talking time it seems so Luka gets ready to start his training again. When he explained to them his power, that everything seemed to be slower around him, they thought it was kind of like Dash, he is fast so everything seems to slow down. That's why they put Dash in charge of his training, but it didn't look right to Luka. He never felt fast in the few times he used his power.... Everything was slow and he was still 'normal'. After a few missed attempt at using his power, he throws his arms in the air in defeat ''This is not working! I can't... I don't know how... Urrrghh!'' Rose swing the sword in the air around her while explaining that everyone take a hold of their power in a different way. Storm pulls at the water around them like the moon would, Dash builds up the energy inside of him before using it, the Seeker reach with his power toward other people to feel them and the Aura use his need to protect into making his shield appear. Luka sighs and stare at Rose ''What about you?''

She shrugs her shoulders ''Hard to explain, it's kind of always been there, ready to do what needs to be done... Did you ever try something for the first time and just instinctively be good at it? That's kind of what is happening with my power... I just know how to use it.''

Luka nods and think for a while. The beginning of an idea pops in his head. The only time he was able to use his power was when he really needed the time to slow down... Maybe his power his bond to his emotions. He gives Rose a small nods, telling her he is ready to try again. She swing the sword at him in a circular motion. He can feel the fear building inside of him 'stop' he thinks and he can see the sword slowing down ever so slightly, giving him the few seconds he needs to duck under the hit. Rose spin around and face him again ''Well good, but was it only luck?'' and she swing the sword again, only for it to hit him it the face real hard. Luka let out a frustrated growl, but he doesn't let the anger get the best of him. He focus again and when she swing the sword again, he manage to slow it down ever more. He duck under it and even have the time to grab it and take it away from her hand. He looks at the sword and Rose with a wide smile ''Congrats, but if it was a real sword, you wouldn't have fingers anymore! But great job!'' Luka looks down at his hand and see how tightly he is holding the 'blade' of the sword. His fingers are almost white from all the force he is using. He hands back the sword to Rose, but she says it's enough training for today. He is a bit disapointed to stop right after he finally manage to actually use his power, but he can feel the exhaustion slowly wrapping it's arms around his body. He needs a good meal and hot shower... Tomorrow would be a better day for sure.

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The next few days goes really well for Luka, his training are now with Rose since she is the one that helped him the most. He is getting more and more confident in his power and around the Lair. That is why he notices how everyone looks so nervous and uneasy. During one of his training break, he goes to Rose and asks ''What's wrong?''

Rose hesitate for a few seconds before saying ''The brothers... Something bad is happening and they are not telling us what.''

''Why don't you go and ask them?''

''They will tell use when the time is right. We tried to force them to talk once and it didn't go well... So yeah, now we just wait until they are ready to talk.'' To see how nervous Rose got only at the memory of what happened make Luka fear the two leaders a bit. She is always so fearless and confident... What could have happened? But Luka knows better than to push. She is going to tell him when she wants, if she ever wants to. They are about to start the training again, but the two brothers step in the room ''We need to talk. Now.'' and they leave without waiting for an answer. Everyone drops their weapons and follow them to the big living room when Luka was first introduced to everyone. the two brothers are standing by the window, waiting for everyone to take a seat, but when they see that we are all pacing around, they face them and explain what has been bothering them for the past few days.

Some unknow organisation managed to create a file of potential Threats, with names and where they can befound in it. They plan to transfer said files to the Hunters tomorrow at noon. They have people close to the organisation that are going to be able to get rid of the originals where they store it, but they need someone to intercept the copies that are going to the Hunter's headquarters tomorrow. Dash raised in chin and crossed his arms on his chest ''And who is going to do the job?''

''Everyone. We need all the powers we can have for this mission.'' Luka is about to ask questions, but Rose squeeze his hand and stand a bit in front of him. He try to make eye contact with her, to make sure that she really wants him to be quiet for now. He looks around and all the other Invisibles seems so ready to go already. They don't know anything about this organisation or who is helping them, but they are ready to go in blind? What if it's a trap? What if they fail? What if they know stuffs that Luka doesn't know yet. He tries to focus on what the leaders of the Invisibles are saying, but he is way too far in his mind to hear anything. After what looks like an eternity, they are all dismissed to go back to their room to rest and get ready for tomorrow. They all leave but Rose stick with Luka until he is in front of his bedroom door, that's when she asks ''You didn't hear anything that is suppose to happen tomorrow, right?'' Luka only shakes his head in shame and guilt. She point to the door with her chin, silently asking to come in so she can explain everything all over again. He open the door and let her in before closing the door behind him.

She sits on the bed, legs crossed underneath her and says ''First of all, we don't know much about the people that are helping us. The Seeker and the Aura keeps telling us that the less we know about them, the less we can say if we get caught. Which is logic in a way, but yeah it's a bit annoying to have to blindly trust people that we don't know about, but for now, they have been loyal and helpfull to us so... Let's pray to keep it that way.'' Luka is pacing back and forth in front of his bed, only interupting Rose to ask clarification about tomorrow's mission. It's quite simple. Ambush the truck with the Aura's power. Storm freeze the locks to break them so Dash can run to the truck and steal the suitcase and run away. Everyone is in back up if anything goes wrong. Simple, quick, perfect plan... A bit too perfect. Something will have to go wrong... They are about to steal some top secret files on Threats. The Hunters won't make it easy. But Luka knows how important it is to get those files back. So those people can be safe and maybe the Invisibles will be able to recruit new people too. Rose goes through the plan one last time before leaving for her own room and get some sleep before the big job.

Luka turns and turns in his bed until late into the night. He is nervous. This is going to be his first mission with the Invisibles. He doesn't have a big role to play, but still. Rose told him that there is a costume waiting for him. Something similar to hers: All black and perfect for fighting and running away. He finally fall out of exhaustion a bit past midnight and sleeps incredibly well for once. He slept so well that when Rose knocks on the door, he doesn't wake up. Rose has to litterally push him off of the bed for him to wake up. He grumble something that Rose can't understand, wrap himself in a blanket to make a burrito out of himself and slowly walk to the kichen to get some breakfast, Rose following after him, her too wanting to eat a little something.

Noon came way too fast and the Invisibles are now waiting by the side of the road, hidden under the ferns and other plants that are big enough at this time of the year for cover. Luka is the most nervous of the bunch, of course, but he try his best to not show it. It's not so hard since everyone is so focused on the task that they will have to do. Some cars and trucks pass by but it is not a busy day today. A few minutes later, a small white van makes it's way toward them and the two Brothers stiffen ''Get ready, they are here.'' Luka looks at the van and can't help but be a bit disapointed, he doesn't know what he was expecting, but definitly not a really normal looking car. An armored car, maybe? A black SUV? He doesn't have much time to think about it since right in front of them, he can see the car struggling with an invisible hill that wasn't there a few seconds ago. If Luka focus enough, he can see the small ripples in the air that the force shield the Aura made in front of it. Once the car stops, Storm raise their arms , Luka can see the dampness of the floor rising and rushing to the van's locks. While they put their hands in a fist, the water turns into ice, slowly breaking the locks. They nods and Dash take a deep breath and run toward the van. He is by the door in an instant, opens the door, rushes in and grabs the suitecase before the people inside have the time to react. Dash is now running away, but he screams in pain,drops the suitecase and grabs his hand while falling to the ground. The hidden Invisibles all look at each other, wondering what just happened. They can hear the people in the van laughing and getting off of the car, heading toward Dash. The Aura rise his arms and they hit they faces right on the force field he just created. There are three of them, one is looking around, trying to find the Invisibles, while the other two hit the shield, trying to find their way around it. Panick raises inside of Luka, they have to do something, they can't get caught, they need this case. Luka closes his eyes and ask the time to slow down 'please, stop, help me' and he can see everything around him almost clompletly still now, Storm has a great amount of droplets around them, they are about to create a big wave to crush the people in front of them, the Aura is focusing on his invisible shield to protect Dash, while he is tryingto get back on his feet. Luka looks beside him and Rose has this determined look on her face, she is about to rush in combat without a second thought. If only she could be out of this slowed time he just created. She would know what to do... Because Luka is way to nervou right now, he can't move or do anything except watching. He reach for Rose's hand. Then again, he doesn't know what to expect, but maybe it will give him the courage to stand up and run to grab the suitecase.

When he squeeze her hand, she stumble forward, loosing her balance, making Luka fall forward a bit too. She looks back at him and around her. She is not slowed down anymore, but everything still his. She smile widely, she squeeze his hand even more and simply says ''Focus and follow me!'' and they are running for the case. Once they are out in the open, he can see the three people on the road expressions changing in a slow motion as they notice the two of them. They try to get them, but Luka and Rose are way too fast, or they are way too slow, to stop them. Rose gives Dash a small tap on the shoulder as they pass by him, giving him the signal to run away. Rose grab the suitcase and she can see sparks of electricity reaching for her hands. That's why Dash dropped it in pain. She looks at the small lightning slowly spreading on the handle and spots where it comes from, she takes one of her knife and stab the side of it. A small burst of electricity comes out and the lightning fades away. She looks at Luka ''That's so cool! Let's get out of here!'' She reach for her pocket and throw a small firecracker, another signal for the others to run away. As soon as the firecracker leaves her hand, it slow down just like everything around us. Luka looks back at where everyone is and he can see the big wave Storm just made. This will be a great distraction. Giving them the time to escape. Dash run past them and look at them with this confused look. He is almost running at a normal speed right now, he is still faster than them, but it's weird to be able to see him running.

Luka only release his grab on the time once they are safely hidden in the hideout they are suppose to all meet in. As he let go of his power, Rose stumbles side way and fall on her butt on the ground. She bursts out laughing, still holding the case ''Oh wow, that's a weird feeling! Great job!'' he helps her to stand back up while Dash stares at them, confused and bit mad ''How did you manage to run almost as fast as me? How could she do that!?''

''My power is not like you, I'm not fast... It's everything around that is slow.'' it's the only thing Luka could think of. Dash tries to argue, but Rose raise a hand in front of her ''Let's wait for the others and we can all talk about this when we know everyone is safe.'' Dash cross his arms in front of his chest and sit in a corner of the room. Luka sits on one of the chair in the small room while Rose stand in front of the window, waiting for the others to arrive. Once they finally do, she asks if everyone is okay, the Seeker is holding his elbow and she rush to him ''It's only a scratch, Mender, I fell while running away, I'm fine!'' but she still grabs him by his collar and gives him a small kiss on the cheek, healing is elbow as she does. He pushes her away in a playful way and stick his tongue out ''I said I was fine!''

Rose only stick her tongue out back at him before the Aura clear his throat, getting everyone's attention. He turns to face Luka and asks ''What happened?'' Luka looks at Rose and she simply nods, encouraging him to speak. Which he does. He explain how, when he saw Dash in trouble, he used his power to slow everything down around him. He reached for the Mender's hand and she was able to move normally like him, they grabbed the suitecase, broke the device that was electrifying anyone that took it and ran all the way here. The Seeker gives him a small pat on the shoulder ''So you're not fast, you're slowing everything down? Well congrats Timekeeper on your first mission. You did an amazing job!'' He looks at the young teen in front of him and he can't help but straighten his posture, smiling widely. Timekeeper. He has a code name too now? He looks around and he can see the way the others look at him changing. There is still some bitterness in Dash and Storm expression, but they seems to see him as a valuable teamate now. Rose gives him a small thumbs up at the Aura also gives him a pat on the shoulder ''Let's see what's inside this case now.''

''L- Timekeeper should open it'' Rose says ''while using his power so if there is another trap inside, he will have time to react to it.'' Luka looks at everyone and when they see they all agree, he reach out his hand for Rose to take''I don't think I will be able to do anything beside staring at the trap falling on us if that happen. Rose let out a small laugh and take his hand. He close his eyes and focus on his power, when he opens it again he can see he succeeded once again ''Let's do this'' Luka simply says as they reach for the case with their free hands.

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