Chapter Seventeen

Sky's Gift to Her New Family

Fred and Joe decided to wait to find out what Sky has to say about the future of Shining Fang after they finish the mission before she goes to school. They met Sky and Jane who were on the bridge first. He could see Sky and Jane watching the incoming ship. “So, is there anything new you discovered about the rogue’s scout ship”? Fred asked as he came up beside them.

Jane being the senior officer answered Fred after a brief salute. “We can see that there are twelve mages. They all have a combination of four elements and are weak by themselves but share the magic with other mages. ” Sky can hear their voice transmissions and told me. It seems you were right. They picked up the massive spatial distortion caused by the ship exiting Little Tooth. We found no sign they recorded anything when you entered Shining Fang. So, they’re going to go where they estimated it happen and investigate the surroundings. They have their scanners set on a light beam, and it passed us multiple times with no detection. It looks like we’re good to go.” Jane answered him with what Sky, and she found out so far.

Fred walked to the captain's chair and sat down with poise. He looks of relaxation showed on his face. In front of him, Joe took the far left control chair; it was one of four with dual controls. There was no difference between the chair except placement.

Fred was wearing a dark blue loose fitting combat uniform that was still tight on his chest and arms. It showed his impressive build, a towering form of muscle. He had an overwhelming presence about him few people could work in his proximity. Not many could work under the gaze of a huge crouching tiger.

Joe was wearing the same colour and style, accept his fit him perfectly as if made for him. Joe seemed relaxed enough to sleep, yet behind his partially closed eyes, his mind was working overtime.

Sky seemed very intent on the mages on the ship. She sensed a strange power fluctuation following the scout ship. Sky frown and squinted her eyes. She was trying to ferret out its secrets. At this distance, the ship was little more than a pinprick. Jane and Sky were trying to find out if she could see where the power was coming from. There was no tether that she could make out linking to other people. Fred could see the range of senses she was using. “I can’t see where the magic is coming from right now. I think I’ll be able to see once the ship is closer and see the magic they’re using.”

Fred saw the ship “Joe lets see how fast we can move without being sensed. We’ll have to be ready to disable their ship and transmissions.”

Joe put his hands on the control orbs and set a course for the rogue’s ship. “Course is set ready to fly on your mark.” He said waiting for Fred’s word to engage.

Todd walked in followed closely behind by Heather and Courtney. The three dressed in their black tight battle suits gave an aura of intimidation to lesser beings. Todd’s fairy ears could be seen twitching trying to pick up sounds around him. He was nearly as daunting as Fred but lacked the overpowering alfa presence. Todd and Joe nodded to each other saying nothing. Both thinking they were too cool for words.

Heather and Courtney gracefully walked their full female attributes enhanced with the swaying of their hips. Their movements mirrored each other in sync as if maidens of death in the armoured tight black stealth bodysuits. They slide elegantly into the control chairs beside Joe, who nodded to acknowledge their presence. He wasn’t trying to be cool or aloof; he was just speechless.

They said nothing after taking their seats beside Joe and operated controls in searching for other ships in scanning range. They would only speak if they found something relevant to the situation.

If one were to look at the crew operating Shining Fang, they would see either death or salvation.

Fred felt it necessary to inform the crew with what he was planning. “We’re going to see how fast we can go before we are detected. They are far enough out that they won’t have any back up for a few light years.” He gave them a little pause in case they wanted to add something. Nothing was forthcoming, so he continued. “If they sensed anything, we’ll have to disable their ship and communications. We might as well take them into custody if we have to disable their ship. We might even get some information from them if we interrogate a few the mages on board.”

“We can cast a sealing spell over them since we have more power than they have,” Todd said looking back at Sky with a wink.

Fred used the orb controls to maximize the rogue mages ship. “Joe engage.” He swivelled his chair to face Sky and pointed his powerful finger at her. “Sky let me know if they detect us, everyone else keeps your eyes open for other ships.” He was forever trying to show to the little girl he was the captain, not some squishy boss she had to call Sir. Still, no flinch or startled look in reaction. She answered with a quick, “Yes Sir.”

Joe slowly increased their speed and felt nothing of any acceleration. There was no feeling of movement in the least. The only way they could tell they were moving was by the stars moved, and the fact the ship on the screen got bigger. Joe kept easing the ship faster, and the stars seemed to move by a little quicker. The rogue’s ship filled the screen, and they zoomed out till it just a dot.

Sky called out. “There is something strange about the captain of the ship. He seems to be talking to someone, not on the ship, and there is no long-range transmission coming from it.” She tilted her head to the side. “He said something in code about matching speed.”

Todd interrupted her. “Fred Sir, I believe there is a cloaked ship directly behind them. It might be a stealth fighter; it could be an ambush for anyone who thinks of taking out the less equipped scout ship.”

Joe was still increasing their speed by the console they had surpassed Little Tooth’s full speed and could still go faster. He never stopped increasing speed, and no one wanted him to. They all were eager to see the ship’s top speed.

“Joe, I want you to maneuver to circle around; that way we can see the ship that is behind them. I want you to use full throttle and till we can see the hidden ship.” Fred instructed Joe on his new orders.

Joe with a smile set the new course with the slightest movement. The fact of not feeling any motion didn’t prevent seeing the acceleration caused by the blurring stars. They were moving at impossible speeds then slowed down as the two ships came into view. The first one was a little bigger than Little Tooth; the second was not quite detectable. Not only was it cloaked but it was also in a spatial pocket dimension. Being so much closer allowed Sky to get a better sense of the mages on board, yet she couldn’t sense where the extra magic was coming from. So, she turned to the cloaked ship behind the first.

Sky saw something with her extra senses and turned to Fred. “There’s more than one ship behind the second ship.” She made a motion with her hand and what looked like a tube with the bow of a fighter ship is poking out with the outline of two more behind it completely obscure from view and sensors.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, we in for quite a battle if this is how all the ships are going to be.” I think the capture part is not going to be very successful if we can’t free most of the abducted magic user.” Joe stated as a fact he thought was true.

“I think you're right; we weren’t meant to meet up with you. I think we were supposed to be caught and have our magic added to the rogue mages. I get the feeling we weren’t meant even to make it this far.” Todd looked behind him to see where Sky stood and smile. “We have someone they could never anticipate throwing a socket into their gears.”

Before anyone else said something about the fact, they might have been set-up Courtney called out. “I’m picking up a similar ship formation close to where we would have entered if we decided not to enter at a different point. There is also another one further back equally spaced. They were ready for us a long time before we even started this mission.”

Todd looked to Courtney. “You don’t think it was a setup, do you? It was a little surprising that they found us before we meet Captain Fred.” Todd thought about what Courtney said giving her a nod and wink. “I think you’re right Courtney it’s too much of a coincidence that a mage found us with that stolen gift. If it weren’t for Sky, they would have captured us for sure. I’m pretty sure they were going to try and capture Little Tooth too.” The last words he said loud enough for Fred and Joe hear.

“Well, I don’t know about why Mark Douglass wants us to capture the mages. I have to agree with you there.” Fred agreed caressing his chin in contemplation. “I also think there’s all more to this than we know. I believe there are people of influence behind all of this and Fleet Admiral Mark Douglas maybe behind this. If not has a small part of it.” Fred said voicing his opinion his frustration showing in his voice. “I think we’ll have to think of our safety and that of the captives before we think of sparing any of the fanatical rogue mages.”

“So, I guess we’re going ahead with the rescue mission and finding out just what they’re trying to do.” Joe turned his head to inquire from Fred. “Even though it’s probably a trap or traps”?

“I think we owe it to Sky and the captive mages to continue the main part of the mission. If they are going to do what we think they’re going to do we’re going to stop a war, we have no chance of winning by what William’s told me.” Fred said to let everyone know that it was not to be argued. “We’ll continue as if nothing changed; once things get difficult, we’ll change to our new plan, take no prisoners”!

“I never really liked Mr. Douglass very much, he seemed too full of himself. I bet he planned on me getting turned into one of those mage batteries.” Sky said while balling up her little fists and shaking one at the ships on display in front of them. “If I have to choose between one hundred evil mages and a scratch on any of my family, I will not hesitate one billionth of a second. I have nothing but love for all of you and bare nothing but disdain for anyone who would take away the people’s freedom.” Sky spoke from her heart to all her family new and old.

Jane put his arm around her. “We all love you too and do anything to keep you safe. I don’t want you killing anyone if I can help it. But you’re the only one who can free the captured magic users from their inducted coma. I will be beside you the whole time lending you what help I can.” She finished with a light kiss on her cheek. Sky beamed with happiness and returned the one-armed hug.

Shining fang approached with the turret weapons trained on the incoming ships and data streamed on how best to fire through their shields. One shot from a rail gun would be overkill, and they weren’t going to kill till they had to indiscriminately.

Jane was still standing beside Sky, to turned Fred. “Fred Sir, I think we should disable all of these ships now that they are so far apart once we start our mission their going to be coming from behind us. If we get them now, they won’t be able to run or attack.” Jane spoke with pure confidence of her advice not breaking eye contact with Fred. “We put them into an inert stasis field, and they’ll be helpless until we pull them out. They know we’re coming. It’s just a matter of when and where to them. I don’t think they have any idea we have such a fast ship. As far as they know, the new ship will be identical to Little Tooth or our scout ship.”

You could see Jane was a pro at tactics and knew how Todd's team could run a campaign against odds. She may not be a great leader, but she did know her way around a battlefield.

Fred held Jane’s unflinching gaze. I wish I had a chance at running the gauntlet with her. She has an incredible amount of confidence in what she knows. Fred told himself and looked between Jane, Sky, and Jane again. “I see your point, but I want you and Sky in position to start freeing captives before we start our attack if I can help it. We’ll drop you and Sky off where we locate most of the captives. Then we fly back out here and split up and start taking out the outlying scout ships.”

Everyone was listening to Fred while scanning for information. We have to Todd, and his crew race in and assist with distracting anyone stupid enough to get into Sky and Jane’s way.” Fred made eye contact with Todd who turned around when hearing his name.

“Yes, sir, we could do that and more.” Todd sounded full of confidence. He would make a great captain of a larger crew if he could get past his need for dominance. If it weren’t for Fred's overpowering aura, Todd wouldn’t have listened to even a fraction of what Fred said. “For now we can make detailed notes of the ships we find and affinities the mages have naturally and likely stolen.

Sky turned back to face Fred. “Before we get into any battle, I’ve been working on spells to cast over all of you.” Sky The spells are customized to each of you and your native magic.” She paused and started again. “Well, It’s kinda more like a bunch of spells that link together much like the spell in the doorway going into the practice room.” She had an ecstatic smile on her cute little face.

The whole bridge turned to pay attention to the dressed in the redundant body armour. “Each of you will be linked to near infinite personal healing spells. They don’t even need to be near you, and the spells will activate themselves if the need arises. It will heal you even if the tomes on your bodies are used up.” She looked to Fred to see if he would consent to the spell.

Fred shook his head. “I get the feeling there are things with the spell you’re not telling us.” He looked down on Sky trying not to let his smile show on his face.

She couldn’t look into Fred’s eyes anymore. She had noticed that second, one of her boots was bigger than the other. “I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone. Well, one of the spells will be like the one Jane wanted. It will make you very close to a Titan physically, and you’ll be almost just as indestructible. I will be giving you all of the five gifts it will be temporary till after we save the abducted people.” Sky said sheepishly now that he caught her omission of the spells true purpose.

“Why didn’t you mention that part of the magic casting, don’t you think we should know about that part of the spell? We already talked about you casting spells on us without consent.” Fred asked her with no trace of mirth.

She balled up her little fists to her side and stomped her foot “I wanted to protect all of you, and I know I couldn’t be with all of you during the mission.” Sky said almost in tears. “I thought no one would want the spell cast of them after what happened to Jane. That wouldn’t happen you, anyone, as it did with Jane. I love you guys and would never do something to hurt any of you, ever.” She turned and hugged Jane burying her face in her in the armour plates. “I don’t want you to lose any of you or see you get hurt, not if there is something I can do.” The plates muffled Her voice, but they understood what she said.

“I’ll be the first one you can cast your spell on so everyone will know that it works,” Jane said caressing her back to ease Sky’s sobs. They just seemed to get worse.

She pulled back to look up to face Jane. “I can’t cast the spell on you. I don’t know how the multiple spells will affect the chaos that is altering your body all ready. The healing spells and the talisman and tome are linking spell I can only cast on you.” She pulled Jane tight. “I never wanted to cause you pain ever again. I’ll do anything to prevent you from feeling pain like that once more. Once the chaos magic is gone, I will cast the spells you wanted that you will be able to activate and deactivate at will. I could put it on a charm for you for good luck.” She sounded a little like her old self again.

“That would be a talisman, not a charm, honey.” Jane said, “I would love anything you can do for me.”

Fred interrupted the two. “Well, we might as well try the spell while we’re undetected and have the upper hand. I’ll go first and then, Joe. Todd, you decide who in your team will go next, that whoever wants the spell cast on them.” Fred stood up and approached Sky. “Where would you like to perform the spell”?

“I think right hear would be fine, don’t forget I can invert the spells so it’s impossible to feel them.” Sky answered him quickly with pride and no arrogance in her expression. “Would you like me to start casting the spell now or give you a little time”? She waited for his answer, and it came as quickly as asked.

“I’m ready when you are. How would you like me”? Fred answered

“Um, maybe you should sit down on the floor and make yourself comfortable. Closing your eyes might help too.” She asked Fred

“Alright.” He said hiking up his pant legs and with ease sank to the floor. It looked odd for a man his size to do with such ease settling in a cross-leg position. He saw that sitting on the floor he was eye level with his benefactor “I’ll take your advice; I wouldn’t want to fall because you warmed me to sit down. I’m ready for you now.” Fred looked relaxed.

Once, Fred, had his eyes closed, she stepped around him and made three copies of herself. She needed to use more of the magic at the same time. She raised her hands all four pairs and spell circles appeared all around them, and they poured magic into several spells at once. The spells seemed to bombard him as quickly as they were activated. Fred’s skin glowed as the spells entered his body. He seemed oblivious of the magic performed on his body. The last spells entered his body, and the three copies walked into Sky and disappeared. “Okay all done how do you feel Fred Sir.” She said putting a hand on his shoulder.

“I didn’t feel a thing but a slight itch between my shoulders. I don’t feel any different than I did before. Is it going to work, how do I test it”? Fred asked flexing his arm and feeling his skin.

“It’s going to work when you need it. If you want to test it squeeze my arm as if you want to feel my muscles.” Sky said lifting her arm as if flex for Fred to squeeze.

Fred reached up and wrapped his hand around her bicep as if it were a baby arm. At first, her arm was like steel and inflexible. But before he could voice a problem a power shot through his body. He then her arm felt like the soft warmth of a little girl. “So, I won’t have the same problem of being too hard or too strong. I’ll be stronger or have skin like steel when I need it, is that how it’s going to work?”

“Yupper, that how it’s going to work. All the magic I cast on you is going to be there only when you need it.” Sky told Fred. “So, Joe Sir.” She called out to Joe.

Joe left his console and made his way to Sky and stood in front of her. “Okay, Sky. I’m ready to become the best I can be.” Joe stood with a smile.

“Joe Sir you saw what I had Captain Fred do, I had him sit down and relax. If you could do the same, I’ll start right away.” She said standing patiently waiting for Joe to sit down and relax so she could start.

Joe knelt on to his knees and closed his eyes. “I’m ready whenever you are.” Joe sat there not knowing Sky started with his eyes closed. He didn’t hear Sky make copies of herself and started casting the spells. He was waiting for some indication the start of the spell but felt a slight feeling of vertigo as the multiple spells entered his body.

Todd had seen the spells forming and entering Fred and Joe. He could only see a few snippets he recognized, and they were cast too fast to see in any great detail. Not only that the after images were building up too quickly to make out the individual spells she cast.

Joe turned his head to see if he could hear her. She had just finished and pulled the copies into herself when he teased her by asking her to start.

Sky snicker. “I’ve just finished the castings, and it’s all done. How do you feel Joe Sir? You shouldn’t feel anything different. The connection to the fifth gift will be there when you need it. You most likely won’t even feel it when you use it. It will come straight from me, so you won’t even feel magic burn if you cast a lot of powerful spells. It will be a lot like how they are using abducted magic users. Unlike me, they have smaller magic wells to draw from I think.” Sky said to Joe but meant it for everyone to hear.

“Thank you, Sky for sharing so freely,” Joe said to Sky giving her a hug testing the casting in the hug.

“Todd Sir who will be next from your team. It’s going faster than I even thought at first.” Sky told Todd with her hands clasp behind her back twisting her body, acting her young age. Fred would have reprimanded any other officer on his ship. Just knowing what she’s done and been through for them was enough to give her leniency and being nine years old didn’t hurt.

Todd got up walked over and sat down smiling to Sky. “I’ll go first then Heather, Courtney and Jane are going last. Will that is alright with you”? Todd asked

Sky smiled. “That would be fine. It doesn’t matter really, as long as Jane is last. She has to get an even more modified casting on her because of the chaos magic used on her.” She said as she stared the familiar perpetration for the spells. She started as soon as Todd had his eyes closed. Fred saw most of the spells before as the ones used on Joe. Many were different, and he chalked it up as the inverted spells. Almost as soon as it started, she finished the castings as far as Todd knew. He was determined to feel the castings and felt a bit dizzy through his closed eyes. “You’re all done.” She said holding up her arm.

“I trust that the spells worked but if you insist.” He said reaching out and squeezing her arm. It felt like any other arm, and he thought nothing of it. Now he wondered if it worked at all. He had forgotten how hard she was before the spell. He was about to ask Heather to get ready, then seen her stand and walk over.

Heather tried to hide her excitement about the spells she was going to get. After the castings, she was going to be in the top ten strongest humans ever physically and magically. She acknowledged to herself that it was only for this mission, regardless, the top ten strongest in known space. She jokingly tried to nudge Todd out of the way. Normally he would have at least budged, over now he was as steadfast as a steel girder and just as hard. “Wow, it’s like trying to move a boulder.” She said pushing on him again and nudging him out of the way. She wasn’t moving him because of the pushing; he was moving out of the way on his own.

Heather knelt in front of Sky bouncing slightly waiting for the spell. She closed her eyes and Sky started the spell. Heather made the mistake of opening her eyes after not feeling anything. The deluge of spells flying into her made her dizzy, and she slowly slumped down to the floor unconscious. Sky couldn’t do anything to help, and everyone else could only watch helplessly. Luckily, she was kneeling down and didn’t have far too fall. The fact part of the spells was for instant healing helped too. She felt bad that she fell, but there was nothing to do but finish. It was the longest two minutes she ever experienced.

Just after the spell was complete, Courtney was at her side helping her up. Heather's eyes fluttered open almost as soon as Courtney’s hands made contact. She gave Sky a venomous look. “Why didn’t you stop when you saw her fall over? You just kept hammering with spell after spell. Is that how you treat your friends”?

Jane had Courtney’s arm even before the first tear left Sky eyes. “Do you even think Sky would willingly hurt any of us? You should think of what you say before you speak. You’re pretty inconsiderate to yell at someone who saved your life without meeting you and is about to gift you magic to stay alive with impossible odds against you.”

Heather still somewhat dazed grabbed Jane’s arm. “Let go of Corry right now, can’t you see you broke her arm.”

Sure, enough Courtney’s arm was broken and didn’t feel it because of shock. Sky healed her before it even registered to her and Jane. Jane let go of Courtney before she did any more damage to her.

Heather put a hand on Courtney's shoulder. “I’m fine. I made the mistake of looking and paid for it. I feel amazing and have no one but our little angel to thank. Don’t be mad at her for continuing the spells after I passed out. It had to be done you know some spells have to be completed in continuous casting.” She told Courtney. “You know that her spells are very complex and powerful she if she stops the magic unfinished could cause a serious backlash. It could have burned me if not killed me.”

“Sorry, all I could do was watch and do nothing to help as you slumped to the floor,” Courtney told Heather pulling her into an embrace.

“You don’t have to say sorry to me; it looks like you should say something to Sky. By the look on her face, you said something that upset her very much.” Heather asked her long-time friend.

Courtney looked upset and remorseful. “I was upset at Sky because she kept hurling at you as you fell. You don’t know how I felt; she just kept the spells going. She didn’t even look upset about it.”

Sky was watching the two converse and found her voice. “I couldn’t do anything either; I couldn’t feel bad because one of the spell I was casting the instant heal along with all of the other spells.” She said looking down at her feet. “I knew I couldn’t stop, and I had to keep the happy feeling going for the spell to work for the best results.”

Courtney looked at Sky’s downturned face and felt like spaced crap. “I so sorry little sis. I had no idea about how you work your magic. It’s so different from the way the academy taught how to cast magic. You don’t even have to cast your spells on me if you don’t want to.”

Both Heather and Sky looked equally mortified at what she just said. Heather spoke before Sky could answer. “I would rather the spell be removed from me than to go into battle knowing I’ll most likely survive alone without you. How fiercely do you think I’ll be able to fight knowing that you can get injured much easier than me? With all five gifts, I’ll be spending more time watching over you than my mission. We've equally matched almost our whole lives, and you want to change it in our darkest days. Forget it, either you take her gift, or I give it back. Together we stand divided we stumble and fall or something like that.”

Sky watched the two girls hug and seen Courtney look to her and nod. “Sky if you can forgive me, I’ll take your gift with the love you intend with it,” Courtney asked Sky feeling very guilty.

“I’ll give you the gift and ask you not to open your eyes till I let you know when you can. I had no idea it would have that effect. I thought you might get dizzy not pass out. Just let me know when you’re ready. I don’t want you to be different than Heather too much longer. You two belong together and have the same spells cast on both of you.” Before she could cast the spells on Courtney, she received a hug from Heather.

“I get to test the spells just like everyone else don’t I”? Heather said squeezing Sky and burying her head in her large armoured chest. Sky came out with a smile and a flushed face. “Thank you, Sky. You’re too good to us poor girls. We’ve given you so little, and while you give us too much. It’s going to take a lifetime to pay you back.”

“That’s why I want you guy’s all to have very long lives. So, you can pay me back with interest.” She told everyone rubbing her hands together. Everyone looked shocked at the sudden change of heart.

Did the innocent girl suddenly want money or other precious items? Sky saw the look on everyone’s faces and laughed. “The currencies I demand are kindness, hugs and loving friendship. You can start after this mission.” Sky looked to Courtney kneeling in front of her. “And for not trusting me I want a few more from you starting after I cast the spells on you. Two hugs and a kiss on each cheek should be a good start.” Courtney reached around and hugged her before she cast spells.

Courtney felt like she was hugging a marble statue that moved. “I thought I could sneak one in now, but it doesn’t feel the same when you’re hard as steel.” She broke the embrace and knelt back down. She closed her eyes and told Sky she was ready. The spell this time went smoothly, and she didn’t want to repeat the same accident even though no one was hurt.

When finished she told Courtney, and she was just about to doubt her. Sky opened her arms for the test hug. Courtney didn’t feel any different and hugged Sky. She felt soft and warm; it was just like hugging Heather or Jane. She never cared to hug any of the men too much, growing up men tend to take a yard when given an inch. “That’s incredible. I never felt a thing, and I don’t even feel that different when I use the strength or density in my body. It feels natural just like nothing happened. Thank you.” Courtney said giving her a kiss on each cheek and one on her nose.

Sky smiled. “Good start, but you have a long way to go before you’re paid up. Unfortunately, we have a lot to do so could you move so Jane can be next”? Sky waved Jane over to her. “You’re going to take the longest out of everyone. I’ve got to take my time to work around the chaos magic and not hurt you by touching the corrupted the magic.” Sky watched Jane walk up as Courtney left with Heather who waited for her. Jane sat down and closed her eyes.

“Okay, I’m fine with anything you can do to help with this mission. Just don’t push yourself on my account. I’ll be fine the way I am.” She said peeking into Sky’s eyes with a smile.

“I’m not sure how long the chaos magic will work once the mages are found and severed completely from you. When that happens, I’m not going to be able to cast a spell on you, and you’ll be vulnerable till the missions over.” Sky told Jane as she got ready to cast the spell. “I’ve got to put more healing type spells on you to keep you safe.” She bent over and stroked Jane’s arm. “Before I start school, I’ll make sure to cast the spells on you to keep you, my special sister, safe.”

There was a cough that got Sky’s attention. Fred shook his head. “No time for distractions, we’re in enemy territory, and that’s four ships that are well in firing range.” Fred wasn’t sure, but he felt Sky was getting a little too friendly with Jane. “I would like to talk to you before we separate to our missions.”

Jane just nodded in recognition of the upcoming conversation content. She smiled at Sky and closed her eyes again. “I’m ready for your special gifts.”

Sky cloned herself into six to help the casting of the spell go quicker. “Now don’t open your eyes until I say so. It will be even more dizzying than anyone else’s castings.” Jane’s eyes sequenced shut as Sky started with the spells. Everyone watched the spells hit her and sinking into her body at an unfathomable rate. She didn’t even waver as they hit her body. If anyone else cast the spells they would have had physical contact, probably hurt her and knock her around. As it was Jane never even flinched at the contact of the multiple spells. It took a minute longer to finish casting the spells even with the extra clones. “I’m done you can open your eyes and see if you feel anything different.

Jane got up and moved stretching out to see if there was anything different after the spell. She felt stronger magically, but nothing else appeared different in her body. “Am I ready for anything that could happen now? She said hugging Sky. “You feel no different to me after you cast the spells on me. I guess you didn’t do anything about my strength or density.”

“No that would just be looking for danger and possible interference with the other stupid spells the psychos cast. Right now, I don’t think anyone could hurt you deeper than just breaking your skin. I don’t think I could even bruise you if I tried. You’re no longer the strongest or toughest of your team. I’m sorry, but they are the closest to Titans in durability and strength without changing their D.N.A.” Sky told Jane in a sympathetic tone. I just can’t help you there.”

Heather’s head snapped around after hearing that. “You mean for once I’m stronger and tougher than the great Jane Condore. So, Jane can I feel your arm to see how much stronger and tougher I am than you”? She asked teasingly not wanting sound serious.

Jane laughed as she stood next to her little sister. “It’ll take a lot more than that to take me on in a fight though. It’s the way you move, and I do know how to move.” Jane said in smug confidence to Heather. “We’ll see after this mission just how being tough and strong gets you in a fight with me.” She said with a grin then looked over to Todd. He glanced back over his shoulder.