10 --- 2

Brian hated not being able to use his powers but he knew he couldn't for this particular training session. Nate has called all of them into the woods for some early training, Brian wanted to ask why they couldn't do it in the gym at the base but he soon realised why.

Nate had mobilized them; Amber, Roger, Samantha and him were all supposed to face off against Xena.

It was a nightmare start to his morning, never in a million years did he think he was going to go up against scary but cool Xena.

They were all scattered in the woods, each planning on how they were going to take on a widely known killer, who was standing in a large clearing waiting for them. Nate was probably in an hideout holding binoculars and sipping coffee. *Lucky bastard.*

Samantha was the first to decide there was enough waiting and attack. The sun was almost out but the forest was still covered from the light emanating from Samantha.

Brian felt a bit jealous as big, fat and bright lasers kept firing off from Samantha. Roger had told him that Nate said energy manipulation was going to come easy for her than others. He had to practice every day to get better at portaling but all ivy league princess had to do was stretch her hands and destroy her enemies.

Xena erected a shield against Samantha's light show but she did not move to engage. She almost looked unbothered, he couldn't tell if Nate told her to take it easy on them or if she was just taking her time.

Amber zipped out of her hiding place and hit Xena's shield with a staff. The shield shattered out of existence but Amber was thrown away from the force. Samantha must have seen the shield go down because she ran towards Xena while creating a big ball of light that looked like it will do more than hurt if it touched anyone.

Roger also came out to play with both his fists glowing, the idea must have been to catch Xena unawares but she caught his arm and effortlessly threw him away, he crashed unceremoniously into Amber who was just getting up.

Samanthaa almost got to their opponent but she wasn't expecting Xena to suddenly move towards her, she stuttered mid step and that was enough time for Xena to grab her wrists. The ball of light winked out disappointingly, Xena then delivered a cracking headbutt to Cassandra that made Brian wince from his hiding spot. She yelped and went down.

Brian sighed, it was up to him to succeed where others failed. He ran towards her and started to focus his will, he had been practicing this alone for a while. He was very pleased with himself when a fireball erupted into his palm, he immediately launched it at Xena.

He was expecting Xena to dodge or put up a shield to deflect it but he didn't expect Xena to catch the fireball and throw it right back at him.

Sheer panic rooted him to a spot as the fireball crashed into him, he could feel the heat wash over him. He groaned loudly and quickly put off the fire blossoming on his jacket, he could feel a searing heat on his chest.

He looked up to see Xena snap Amber's staff and kicking her away right before grabbing Roger by the throat, she held him in the air for a while before throwing him after Amber.

Brian struggled to his feet along with Samantha, who was still clutching her forehead. By some silent agreement, they decided to wait for Amber and Roger to get up too so they could attack together.

Xena raised an eyebrow at at their attempt to join forces then she shrugged before doing the most unexpected thing. She clapped.

Brian's ears popped and he was vaguely aware of his body crashing through branches of trees in the air. He landed heavily and awkwardly, he couldn't even bring himself to groan this time, the pain that resonated all over his body was overwhelming.

"Okay, that's enough for today guys, good work." He could hear Nate announce through whatever was left of his hearing.

All he wanted was to lay there and grovel in his pain but he got up and saw that he wasn't the only one who took a tumble in the woods. The others had leaves and branches in their hair. He checked to see if it was the same with him and his hand came back slick with blood. It didn't hurt but he would get Helen to check it when he got back to base.

"Okay guys, let's gather round."

Everyone half dragged their hurting bodies towards Nate and Xena, who still annoyingly looked perfect. Not a hair out of place, one could argue she had not been kicking their asses few minutes ago.

"That actually went better than I expected."

"You are kidding right?" Roger talked first. "She just cleaned the floor with us."

"Yeah." Samantha talked next, still pressing a hand to her forehead which Brian now noticed was a bit red. "She could have at least held back a little."

Xena snickered. "That was me holding back, princess."

Nate cleared his throat. "I didn't expect you to beat Xena, you are a long way off from where she is."

"But we are going to get there right?" Amber asked, of all of them, she proved to be more of a threat to Xena. Hanging out with the reagent must have its advantages.

"Yeah but you need to pace yourself, Amber. You are fast but running head first into danger is not always a good strategy."

"Hey, go easy on her." Brian said, talking for the first time after their brutal exercise. "She single handedly took care of that douchebag at the opening of the club."

Amber looked down. "Yeah, right before Minx killed him." Her voice was low but Brian was pretty sure everybody heard her.

"Would we have to do that if we are working for you?" Roger asked.

"Are you planning on working for me?"

Samantha rolled her eyes. "You know it is inevitable, we have no other choice if we plan to survive in this city."

"You still haven't said the word, I need to hear it."

Roger and Samantha glanced at each other. The former spoke first. "Yes, we would work for you but we need to get some things straight."

Nate cocked his head to the side. "I'm listening."

"First, we need to talk about our pay. How much are you really going to pay us?"

"Like I told Brian and Amber, it is a non negotiable one thousand dollars per week. We can go up from that later." Brian remembered being unable to hide his dismay at the price. He knew for sure he would work for quarter of the pay. He could see Roger trying to hide his surprise too but Samantha looked unmoved.

"We should also all get cars." She added. "I am sure that won't be a problem with the big garage back at the base."

Nate nodded. "That can be arranged." Brian felt a little embarrassed that he didn't think to ask for anything. He just jumped at the money and took the job.

"We should also get to go to school." Amber added to the growing list.

"School?" Nate sounded like he had never heard the word.

"Yeah, I was a regular student before I got kidnapped."

"Not me, I dropped out." Roger put in.

"Me too." Brian added. "I dropped out immediately I broke out." He didn't say anything about the incident that led to it, he thought it was best to keep that to himself.

They all looked at Samantha. "I kept my powers from everyone at school but it would be harder to do that now. I don't think I will ever go back, it will be social suicide."

*The queen bee wants to protect what's left of her reputation. Sad.* He thought.

Nate looked back at Amber. "I guess it is only you. If it is important to you, I will try and make it work. No promises."

"Thanks." She muttered.

"Is there anything else?"

Brian thought of anything he might need but nothing came to mind.

"I guess I can now fully welcome you to the willers club of New York."

Brian couldn't explain it but somehow he knew this was the beginning of something epic.