Phoenix Part 9

Despite my desperate want for my powers, it took me a long time to accept them as mine, in a sense. That's why I made the three principles and mastered every one to the point of muscle memory. But, unfortunately, like any muscle that hasn't gotten used in a while, it hurts when you overclock it.

That's pretty much how I felt when I walked out of my smoking former prison, completely dazed like it was a kind of hangover while getting caught in a sauna. The entire headquarters could only hear my limping steps and heavy turned, steady breathing for a good few moments. But once I finally collected myself, I realized very quickly that my powers had returned!

Like some kind of on and off switch, I cycled through my various modes, flowing through each one as easy as breathing! A growing smile and sense of relief escaped my face now, knowing full well that 100% of my "20%" had finally returned for at least a little bit at full stability!

That Rev was definitively on the stronger side though, my fifth power probably acted as a giant runoff button my body needed. However, my joy was short-lived when I reminded myself of current events.

"Oh shit, Julia!"

At once, I realized that another timetable had just gotten added. Rev's effects, I've heard, can last for hours, but with my condition, I don't know how well that can work. Plus, that little outburst must have messed over Julia's parallel processes. So this means I'll have to arrive, save and finish this as soon as possible!

At once, I put my sense mode on full blast! Millions of golden lights filtered my surroundings; before I could lose track, I remembered the general direction of the mall and focused there. At that point, finding Julia's life sign was second nature; at this point, I could probably spot it from anywhere.

With that compartmentalization, I had to visualize accordingly and then experiment! Like a rush of caffeine and sugar combined, my body entered the tempo of speed mode. Like a scene out of a low-budget action movie, the world slowed down, turning my uncontrolled lightning into a concentrated burst. A burst that sends my entire apartment shaking as I leave with the sound of a thunderclap!

Like a beast on the prowl, I ran into the Krimo's streets, a new woman, easily breaking through multiple sound barriers upon each stride! I swear I could feel the concrete smoke up from my sheer speed, the shocked looks of the masses that couldn't even begin to react to what I was now, and the towering buildings that seemed dark in the presence of my aura against the night sky. Already the stress of the switch-ups and drugs started to show, tensing up muscles and blurring senses.

Still, this only encouraged me more, as when I reached my peak, I immediately spun the dial straight to strength mode! Then, like a jolt, my sugar-high style energy ended to create a heavier frame that moved like molasses.

Still, despite this cumbersome feeling, I fully remembered my earlier momentum all too well, so like a rubber band, I made damn sure to jump up with a quaking stride, carrying towards the heavens at speeds that could break necks!

With the time dilation, all I could keep track of was the whipping winds and whizzing surroundings. Even with my hefty muscles, the rapid air alone made them feel trapped and pushed, but that feeling didn't last long as, in another split-second burst, I opted for flight mode!

All at once, the air seemed to be working in my favor, further speeding up my advance! Entire miles got covered in simple seconds as soon enough; I had the mall in my sights. However, I couldn't tell if my timing was good or bad because before I could arrive, I saw eight distinct pillars rain down into the mall to create a massive shockwave! Even with my strong barrier, large gusts of dirt and sand rose to the air like a goddamn atom bomb.

Noticing the people at the scene, I got creative, using my built-up speed as a dangerous weapon! Gale force winds collected together to form a focused tempest that harmlessly dispersed a large portion of the smokescreen!

When I pierced through, I got met with another terrible sight. Because then a foot away from a barely standing Julia laid another dangerous feather aimed right at her heart.

From there, I pushed myself even harder as time slowed down to the point it stood deathly still. All other surroundings became drowned out, till it was just me and here. When the feather and I got deathly close to her, one thought ran across my mind.

"Not this time! I WILL save you!"

From there, whatever invisible force I had on myself vanished as in one last burst, I grabbed onto Julia and rocketed her out of the area! My air barrier managed to protect her in just the nick of time as soon enough; I get forced to make a violent turn and stomp on the ground so hard that it tore up the streets of 5 square blocks! My red boots turned smoking hot, but that pain was nothing compared to Julia.

Even without sense mode, I could see the abrasions, the broken bones. And yet, despite all that, Julia could only murmur this.

"I'm sorry, Tori."

Tears started to well up in my eyes, knowing full well why she would do something so reckless.

"I'm sorry to Julia. I'll take it from here."

From there, I lifted off in a gentle flight till I managed to get back to Grider in his perimeter. My bird's eye view saw the destruction better than any hovercraft. The dense cloud was smaller but persisting, fueled with the rubble of half the mall with the news drones and police cars being utterly blown away and messed up. Still, I was able to find Girder. Eventually, his body stood out like a sore thumb amongst the other cowering masses.

That is mainly due to his ability, though, as Girder's ripped-up clothes revealed a hardy metal-like body that held many deep scars. Either way, despite the apparent strain, he built the bullet and looked at me. Then, without even having to say the word, he complied.

"I'll extend the perimeter another couple of dozen yards and set up some barricades. We already had a paramedic for the mayor's kid, so we'll put Julia with her. Give them hell," he said adamantly as he carried Julia.

"Thank you, Girder, and I will," I said with trembling emotion.

With nothing left to worry about, I marched back into the battlefield. Yet even though I've done this thousands of times, something felt highly different. I didn't know it was the Rev, the stress, or hell, even the straw that finally broke the camel's back. But for one distinct flicker, I didn't feel like saving anyone.