Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ryan faced down Kyle as his demeanor became more and more savage. Kyle provoked him and the only thing he could think to do now was to fight Kyle.

The HUD was activated and Kyle was able to see Ryan's power level was at 31. At first he was surprised but then he was even more surprised by what he read next to Kyle's name.

RED ACE (RYAN AUSTIN) LVL 42 CHAEMERIC FIGHTER

"What's a Chaemeric Fighter?" Kyle wondered.

"It means the boy's power is an amalgamation of several other people. It looks like you weren't the only person he was stealing power from. I can see your energy wave mixed in with several others," Gramps said.

"You mean, he's been doing to others what he's been doing to me and he's duplicating our powers?" Kyle asked.

"Duplicating and solidifying them," Gramps said.

"What do you mean by solidifying?"

"There are different types of Chaemeric Fighters. All of them are able to copy or absorb different powers. There are different rules for each. Some can duplicate an endless number of abilities but only use one at a time.

Others can use several together but they only last a certain amount of time. The strongest Chaemeric Fighters are those who can copy powers and retain them permanently.

This kid here seems to be the type to permanently copy a power," Gramps said.

"Wait, didn't you tell me when we first met that the reason he was trying to get rid of me is that he didn't need me anymore?" Kyle asked.

"So you were listening, I can never tell with you. Yeah, I think I understand why now. It wasn't because he just hit a threshold of power but because he copied your powers and sampled them enough to make them part of him.

He no longer needed to copy your powers, he already had them. Now that those powers are part of him; he can develop them and make them stronger just like you," Gramps said.

"Can you tell me what powers he's copied?" Kyle asked.

"No, I can't even tell you how many powers he has, but I can tell you how many people he's copied," Gramps said.

"How many?"

"A total of five different energy signatures and that makes a total of five different people," Gramps said.

"Is one of the other signatures Samira's?" Kyle asked.

"How did you know?" Gramps was a little stunned at Kyle's perceptiveness. IT seemed beyond his abilities.

"Well, he hid that he was stealing my powers by bullying me. Samira is another person he routinely bullied. I also noticed her powers had a huge increase when she came back to school.

He probably messed up her body as well and that's why she's always been so weak. We know that my powers and Samira's powers are possessed by Ryan.

If we want to know who else "contributed" their powers to him; we only need to ask who were the other three people he bullied a lot," Kyle said.

"Not bad kid, I think that's some sound reasoning. Do you know who else he likes to bully?" Gramps asked.

Ryan was really good at not drawing attention to his bullying. He probably hid it really well.

I suppose one thing we could try is to see how many people who went to our school also went to the Center. Maybe there are others who had similar symptoms to us."

"Hmmm," Gramps was thinking, but it also sounded like he already had a guess.

"Did you already think of someone?" Kyle asked.

"We have had three students matching your description at the center but only one of them is from here,. The other two went to other schools.

"Wait, the other one who went to the center, it isn't..."

"You guessed it, Lemonjello," Gramps said.

"If he has Lemonjello's powers then fighting him will be like giving him a powerup," Kyle said.

"True, but it's not instant and certain conditions have to be met," Gramps said.

"You should know Lemonjello's energy pattern, does it match one of the patterns coming from Ryan?" he asked.

"Yes," Gramps said quickly.

"Who are the other two kids?" Kyle asked.

"One is a senior at Superior High in Austin, TX, and the other is a middle school kid going to Young Champs Academy, also in Austin, TX.

"Why Austing?" Kyle asked.

"You taunt him so much, you should know the answer to that question," Gramps replied.

"His father is incarcerated at the Austin, Texas Nova Star Super Max! He must have met those two boys there somehow," Kyle said.

"Yeah, I just matched their energy patterns to the last two patterns coming from Ryan. Those are the last two, we now know all of Ryan's powers," Gramps said.

"Quantity doesn't necessarily beat Quality, but I know Lemonjello's power is a doozy. I have to wonder about the others," Kyle said.

"I'll tell you right now what their powers are.

"Geez, he has all of these powers? He's like an unstoppable monster!" Kyle thought suddenly.

"Not yet, but soon he'll be beyond you in power. Even if you stopped suppressing his power, you might not be able to defeat Ryan," Gramps said.

"How can that be, I'm nearly 30 levels higher than him," Kyle argued against Gramps.

"Listen, kid, your powers work differently from the skills and abilities you develop as a martial artist.

He might only have a level 42 with his powers, but with all of these abilities combined; you'll be lucky to make it through the rest of the school year.

For him, it depends on how strong he is.

"Kyle! Stop ignoring me! Will you fight me or not?" Ryan shouted.

"I'll fight you, a week from Thursday," Kyle said.

"What you can't fight now?" Ryan mocked.

"A week from Thursday," he said.

"Fine," Ryan said.

*****************************************************

It's a new week and we already have 34 power stones! Only 66 power stones to go for a bonus chapter!

Today's power stone heroes are: Timestronaut

Thank you all for your support! This book wouldn't be possible without you.

--Straythought