Chapter 4: USS Magic

I found myself in The bottom bed of what appeared to be a bunk bed. Scanning my surroundings I realized I was in a huge room with a widescreen tv, Pink Walls, a mini-fridge, a Brown couch on the ceiling for some reason. Many and I do mean many Bunk beds with kids on them who like me were just waking up like me, And Ms. Hollyhocks in the middle of the room sleeping whilst sitting in a chair I noticed there was a door right next to me. Thinking of it as a way out I ran to the door and tried opening it, but to my surprise, it was locked. I sighed no then noticed there was a window on the top bunk bed. And since there was nobody in the top bunk it was mine for the taking or rather looking. I climbed my way to the top bed and as I looked outside the window I was able to see the vast and beautiful ocean near me... wait a minute! Where am I?!

Frantically looking outside I eventually came to the conclusion that I was on a ship. Not just any ship, a cruise ship, meaning that me and hundreds possibly even thousands of others. I was kidnapped! But that thought in itself wasn't even half as unsettling as the fact that the ship seemed to be heading to a huge island. The island looked mostly flat and normal but the huge futuristic looking skyscraper in the middle of it stuck out like a sore thumb. Across from the island were six others, all of which had their own enormous skyscrapers. I couldn't help but notice that all of the skyscrapers on the islands had many weird and odd features. For example one of the skyscrapers had purely white windows. Well, they appeared white at first, squinting my eyes. I was able to see pale horrified faces not behind the windows, but inside them!

Maybe it was my imagination but they appeared to move and scream, almost like the red souls jammed into the windows as a reminder to not screw with whoever worked in that building, another skyscraper was a shining green and seemed to beat rhythmically in perfect unison with my heart, almost like it was alive. I could hear many growls and cries from inside that building. Almost like things were dying and being birthed at the exact same time, Another skyscraper had heat distortions all over it and smells smoky, which I found oddly satisfying. Then I noticed a giant eagle on top, blanketed in a shimmering outline of red lightning! I stood there dumbfounded and didn't know whether to be amazed or terrified. The eagle gazed at the sky and rocketed into the air, eerily silent. Moments later I saw its wings flap and immediately the ship was buffeted with harsh sheets of wind and a loud boom could be heard above, like a nuclear warhead. In fact, the sound was so loud it left a ringing in my ears that lasted several minutes. I then noticed another skyscraper that seemed to made of multiple types of metals and rocks, and resembled a double-barreled shotgun raising right at the sky, like the gun of some god or something,

another skyscraper seemed to be cradled in some type of liquid, And finally, there was one that flickered vibrantly between a normal skyscraper and looking like the other skyscrapers. I stared at all the weird castles in a trance, they were all connected to the main one in the middle by a bridge. Eventually, the ringing in my ears faded, I heard the sound of someone loudly snapping their fingers. I quickly turned around to see who it was, but I must've turned too quickly because I fell off of the top bed and hit the floor with a thud. I groaned and got up. Standing in front of me was none other than the evil and vile Ms. Hollyhocks. Clara charged her but Ms. Hollyhocks was surprisingly quick, and she spun around Clara mid-jump, grabbed her, and slammed her to the ground, all the children gave us confused looks as if they didn't know about Ms. Hollyhocks.

"I'm assuming you didn't get my message," she said biting her lip, before placing two fingers to her temple. "Dear students I suggest you all get in a line so we can go to breakfast and I can explain what's going on. I didn't want to but I agreed and after raising Clara to her feet, walked to the back of the line. Ms. Hollyhocks yawned and to everyone's surprise, she walked straight through the door! There was a clicking noise signaling that the door was unlocked, so without hesitation, the kid in the front of the line kicked the wooden door open. Ms. Hollyhocks smiled and walked down the hallway. "This is the U.S.S'' magic, Ms. Hollyhocks explained, as she turned down a hallway and appeared to float down the stairwell. We closely followed. She talked about how our lives would never be the same and that we would all eventually find our blood brothers and sisters and would be able to combine our abilities as one supreme force or something like that.

After a minute of walking, we eventually reached the bottom. Actually, it was a minute but 59 seconds sounds more unique don't you think? As we arrived at the food area we noticed that things were going relatively slow. I mean sure there were a lot of kids there, but they weren't acting very rowdy. You would think that a bunch of people who were kidnapped would have a lot more personality, at least that's what I first thought but when I took a single look at their feet I noticed that they were very gruesomely connected. I noticed that the food stands weren't exactly exciting either. Everyone was mostly tired and careless. I couldn't really blame them that much as I was tired and exhausted myself as well. The kids were organized into specific groups. The kids with their legs fused together had a banner above them that read "Rank 1" The next table which had kids that were obviously older than me had a banner above them that read "Rank 2" and they looked very excited and happy, they were laughing with one another and seemed to be bonded if it wasn't for their different looks I could have been fooled that they were all siblings with how they talked and acted

The next group of people who looked like adults, maybe in their mid-20s, had a banner above them that read "Rank 3" and they looked rather happy like the other group but also deeply stressed. They all had bloodshot eyes and we're covered in grisly scars. And the final group of people who looked middle-aged had a banner that read "Rank 4" and they appeared just plain pessimistic, although I got the feeling there was an underline of trust they shared with one another like they only had each other in the craziness that was their life. Next to the last rank where what, I could only describe as staff members. There was a wide range of ages. Some of them looked to be in their 30s and others looked so old I could almost hear their bodies deteriorate. Ms. Hollyhocks took a quick look at the kids with their legs fused together and sighed, before walking over to the Rank 2 table and talking to a girl giggling with her friend's girl had silky blonde hair, wore pitch black jeans, black shoes, and a pitch-black jacket. I could easily tell what her favorite color was. The girl let out a sigh and touched her temple with her two fingers and closed her eyes. Almost immediately, the legs were fused. Ms. Hollyhocks smiled and walked back to us.

"Sit down children." She told us in an unnaturally passive tone. The kids on the Rank 2 table scooted over and we sat down. Once we were all seated and well Ms. Hollyhocks ran over to what appeared to be a stage, and stood next to a microphone, I noticed that there were 6 other microphones to her left. Suddenly something amazing happened. A giant beam of light glimmered behind one of the microphones, And almost immediately it transformed into the shape of a woman! I let out a cry at how weird and strange it was that a beam of light just turned into a flesh and blood human. I didn't have enough time to be too excited however because unbeknownst to me at the time something else amazing was about to happen. Suddenly a skeleton with bright red hair ran into the room. All the kids screamed well, all the kids in Rank 1 and part of Rank 2 anyway. the people in the other tables were moderately fine. The skeleton did a quadruple backflip and landed perfectly on top of one of the microphones to the sound of claps and cheers.

The skeleton then poured its cup of water onto one of the microphones. Suddenly, the water bubbled and rose until it was nearly 8 feet tall, then with a huge gurgle like the noise the water became clear very fast and before I knew it the water became clear enough that I could see who was behind it. A man with sand-like skin with chartreuse eyes, in a T-shirt, some leather pants, and flip flops. He was skinny and tall but looked sinister. I don't know how to describe it precisely but he looked like an alien replicating someone in almost every way but one. His eyes held no emotion skeleton looked at the lady made of light with a puzzled expression before turning himself to the crowd and if I were to guess smiling. Suddenly what could only be described as a silver bird with golden eyes and ruby claws glided onto the deck. The bird looked like an eagle although I can't find exactly guess

The eagle landed on top of one of the microphones and let out a loud and horrendous shriek. Everyone quickly put their hands to their ears to avoid deafness. Suddenly, a human-shaped figure rose out of THE linoleum flooring. The figure had its arms on its chest in the X position asking it look a little bit like a mummy. The figure slowly and menacingly walked onto the stage and behind a microphone. There's no exact way to properly describe what happened next but I guess I can try. the linoleum seemed to harden and crack before suddenly the figure exploded sending small pieces of rock and dust everywhere. When the dust cleared, a tall and lanky man with sand shaded skin. stood where the figure once did. The man had long and sleek brown hair along with some blue glasses, he wore some baggy brown jeans and a green t-shirt. Ms. Hollyhocks tapped the mic lightly before bending over to it and softly saying: "greetings my name is Ms. Hollyhocks, the Mind Mage Instructor

"Greetings I am Mr, Necrosis, the Death Mage Instructor," The skeleton said in a voice so calm it sounded sinister. It made me feel nervous like he had evil intentions. "Greetings I am Mr. Wasser the liquid Mages instructors," The shirtless man said in a thick and rough German accent. "I am Mr. Wesson, the Earth Mage Instructor." The man with the blue glasses said in a weird voice as if he was stuffing his face although it was pretty obvious that he wasn't, the woman made of light was just about to speak hen suddenly, I kid you not, A tall and lengthy man jumped through the window, ran to the woman, put his finger to her mouth before taking the microphone and All of this happened in a couple of seconds. And incredibly quickly as well.

Whilst everyone else acted as it happened instantly, I and a few other kids were confused as stated earlier it only took a few seconds. It wasn't instant. "My name is Plasmeus and I am the Plasma Mage Instructor." The man said, his voice booming with power and strength. It fit him like a gauntlet on a muscular hand. "We know most of you are confused so allow us to explain. We didn't capture you. Well, we did but this is what your parents wanted us to do. They wanted us to help you. In fact, they were members of our little agency and we want you guys to help us. We want you to be a part of Lazarus Headquarters. However, first, you are required to accomplish a little task that's difficult but on the bright side if you die no one will ever know because we have changelings taking your places right now." Plasmeus and the other instructors as I should call them I guess, jumped off the stage. Plasmeus pointed his index finger in the air. A small but devastatingly bright red orb of fire floated above it.

“You probably shouldn’t be doing this!" Necrosis yelled, still sounding calm somehow, "what if the debris hits the students?” “Relax they’ll be fine” Plasmeus stated, “I can just destroy the debris at light speed. It’s gonna be fine” “And if you can’t?” Necrosis said, this time rather pessimistic sounding. Plasmeus frowned “Are you doubting my abilities Necrosis? You of all people should know that I am not one to be underestimated.” Necrosis was about to say something else but Plasmeus shushed him quickly. Plasmeus then turned around and aimed his orb at the stage. Then, with a sound similar to a giant pistol going off, The orb fired. As soon as the orb fired off his fingers, it quickly expanded.

As soon as the ball of fire exploded! There was a tremendous surge of heat as two bright tendrils of flame launched upward and blew apart the roof before Plasmas pointed to both of them, and they fizzled out of existence. although strangely enough the fire never passed Plasmeus. It seems to be encased. It was as if Plasmeus was controlling the explosion. Although the flames weren’t hitting us, the debris most certainly was. At one point, a car-sized chunk of stone was heading towards me. Somehow I managed to sidestep it like I had been doing it for all my life. It was so much speed it was unnatural. And I swear to you, After the rock passed by me, I saw Plasmeus touch the rock before disappearing as the rock exploded into sparks! I turned my head back to the stage and was greeted by a huge, billowing pillar of water everywhere. Tendrils flashed out of said Pillar and snuffed out the remaining small fires on people, and within seconds, all the fires were flushed. The fireball was gone and from what I could see, no one was dead, although quite a few were in varying degrees of pain. But still, the pillar of water was getting wider and wider, taking up more of the boat and sucking up injured people. I just stood there, terrified as the water got closer and closer to me. This was it, I thought, this is how I'm going to die.

To everyone's shock and awe however, the people trapped inside, shot out of the water and it quickly seemed to float up into the air and compact into a tiny little ball of water. A waterball if you will. The action of itself was already pretty cool, but what was even cooler was the person on top of the boat, holding the smoke ball. On top of the boat was a black-cloaked figure. The man seemed to have a strange mask on that hadn a well-painted skull on it. The eyeholes seemed to be continuously bellowing out thick smoke. It was a weird sight for sure. "Oh Agent Slipstream, haven’t seen you in a while.” Plasmeus called out to the strange figure, “Aren’t you supposed to be on your mission?” “Yeah, I completed it already. The Guy's is currently 20 thousand leagues the sea.” he said, “And you removed its helmet right?” Slipstream paused for a moment, cursed, jumped off the bow, and shifted into the water, and melted into the sea leaving his clothes behind. Hollyhocks groaned. "Why is it always the liquid mages who do the quickly flew off into the distance. At this moment I was growing very overwhelmed of all the magic stuff and I sat down on a block of rubble to recuperate and looked at the stage but to my shock, it wasn't there! Every bit and piece of the Wooden and metal stage had been completely disintegrated.

rather of there being a stage there was a huge travel jet. I figured that this was the little white thing that I had seen behind the curtains when I first went into the room. Yeah, that's obvious but what can I say? I love pointing out the obvious sometimes. To say I felt surprised at the sight would be an understatement. Plasmeus had shot the stage with such overwhelming accuracy that the plane wasn’t even scorched. ”Oh, how kind Tyler is!” Serena said in her unnaturally soothing voice. “Yeah, maybe but he still lost the helmet” Plasmeus grumbled. “Indeed but he did Slay the treant Lord” Necrosis corrected. “Enough prattle we have to prepare the students” Ms. Hollyhocks stated. “Prepare us for what?” Snidely asked. Plasmeus looked at him with Beady eyes before saying: “Combating terrorists, my dear boy," he said, "Combating terrorists, the power of which you can't even imagine."