Sora Arashii

Back in the present, Chameleon stood on the university grounds, facing the Elements – Haruto, Moriya, Ikazuchi, Reito, and Daichi – alongside Teshii.

He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he stared up at the university clock.

I don't have any time left. I need to get out of here.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small USB stick – the very one he used to steal the confidential documents from the laboratory.

I was only supposed to meet up with Sinister X… but then I ran into the Elements by chance. I figured I'd try to capture one of them. But… it didn't work.

Haruto narrowed his eyes.

"What's that?" he muttered.

Teshii glanced toward Haruto, raising an eyebrow behind his crimson shades. "What?"

"There's something… in Chameleon's hand."

Teshii turned his gaze to Chameleon's hand – and his eyes widened behind his shades when he saw the USB.

Then–

TZZZK!

The Elements and Teshii's eyes widened as they feel the sense of energy in the mind, meaning an Element was nearby.

And…

"AIR BALL!"

Everyone flinched at the sudden shout.

"Huh?!" they all said in unison.

Chameleon whipped his head around – and his eyes widened in shock.

A sphere of compressed wind came spiralling toward him, almost invisible but vibrating with intense pressure, like a miniature hurricane coiled tight.

BOOM!

"Aaaargh!" Chameleon screamed as the Air Ball struck him, sending him flying.

CRASH!

He crashed into the wooden benches on the university grounds, shattering them into splinters.

Teshii and the Elements stood frozen in place, their eyes wide.

"W-What just happened?" Moriya asked.

"I have no idea," Daichi replied.

"Uugghh…" Chameleon groaned, slowly pushed himself up from the rubble, bruised and dazed.

"WHO'S THERE?!" he shouted.

And then… he saw him.

A boy with grey hair, green eyes, and a high school uniform at the edge of the courtyard.

Sora Arashii.

And this time… it wasn't a disguise.

It was the real one.

The true Element of Air had finally appeared.

"Hey, hey, hey! What is going on here?" Sora called out cheerfully, scanning the university grounds where Chameleon lay among the shattered remains of the benches.

His gaze shifted toward the group ahead – Teshii and the Elements. His eyes widened the moment he noticed electricity crackling around Ikazuchi and the frost forming along Reito's arms.

"No way!" Sora gasped, his eyes sparkling.

He sprinted across the courtyard and skidded to a stop right in front of Reito.

"Are you guys… like me?" he asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

Both Ikazuchi and Reito blinked in surprise.

"Huh?" they said in unison.

Sora took a step back, placing a hand dramatically over his chest.

"My name's Sora. Sora Arashii. And I control wind!" he announced with pride.

Ikazuchi and Reito exchanged glances, then simply stared at the overly enthusiastic newcomer.

"Oi," Teshii called.

Sora turned to him with a curious smile. "Hmm?"

Teshii tilted his head.

"By any chance… are you a high school student?" Teshii asked, pointing at Sora's uniform.

"Yep!" Sora nodded enthusiastically. "Second year of high school. Oh – and by the way, I really like your sunglasses, sir. They're super cool!"

Teshii blinked behind his crimson shades.

Well, I'll be… The Element of Air is a high schooler.

Um… should I be asking his parents for permission before recruiting him?

Then–

Chameleon slowly stood up from the wreckage, groaning, but unnoticed by the others as their attention remained fixed on Sora.

Perfect!

Forming a grin on his face.

They're distracted. I'll use this chance to escape.

He took a cautious step–

SHRAKK!

Suddenly, thick vines burst from the ground, wrapping tightly around his leg.

"WHAT THE?!" Chameleon yelled, stumbling.

"You really think you can sneak away while we're distracted?" Moriya said coolly, his hand raised.

Chameleon gritted his teeth as the Elements, Teshii, and now Sora all turned to face him.

He stood in silence, bound tightly by Moriya's vines, his gaze fixed not on the group of Elements, but on one person in particular.

Sora Arashii.

The true Elements of Air.

Chameleon's fist clenched tightly at his sides, his jaw tense.

I can't believe it… That high schooler I bumped into earlier… he was the actual Element of Air.

Five Hours Ago…

Chameleon strode briskly down a shaded street on his way to the university campus, fresh from infiltrating the laboratory. In his hand, he held the stolen USB stick, the stolen secrets of the Failed Project X flashing through his mind.

He stared at the device, a grim smile forming on his lips.

With this… Sinister X, the others, and I… we'll finally put an end to the humans torturing our kind.

Then–

BUMP!

A sudden impact caught him off guard as someone turned the corner and crashed into him.

A boy in a high school uniform stumbled back and fell to the ground.

It was Sora Arashii.

Chameleon remained perfectly still from the impact – unfazed, but the USB stick slipped from his fingers and clattered to the pavement.

He blinked down at the high schooler, raising an eyebrow.

A kid?

Sora rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish laugh. "Ah! I'm really sorry, sir! I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

He stood up, dusting off his uniform, and then spotted the USB stick lying by Chameleon's feet.

"Oh! You dropped this," Sora said, picking it up and handing it over.

Chameleon hesitated for a moment, then snatched the USB stick back and tucked it quickly into his pocket.

"…T-Thanks."

Sora gave him a quick smile. "Well, anyway… have a good day, sir!"

And just like that, he turned and jogged off down the path, the wind following behind him.

Chameleon stood frozen, blinking as the encounter sank in.

"…What just happened?"

Back to the Present…

Sora narrowed his eyes at Chameleon, a flicker of recognition flashing across his face.

"Wait a minute…" Sora muttered, pointing at Chameleon. "Hey! You're that guy I bumped into earlier today, aren't you?"

Haruto glanced at Sora.

"You know him?"

"Yeah…" Sora nodded. "I ran into him earlier today."

Chameleon clenched his teeth, then looked down at the vines tightly wrapped around his legs. With a grunt, he reached for them–

RIP!

–and tore them apart with brute strength, freeing himself.

He stared coldly at the Elements.

What should I do?

Then his gaze drifted to Teshii, and he noticed something – Teshii's finger twitched. Chameleon's lips curled into a smirk.

Lowering his hand subtly, he loosened his grip on the USB stick…

…and dropped it.

It fell silently among the broken splinters of the shattered benches.

None of the Elements noticed.

Except Teshii.

Then–

Chameleon turned on his heel and bolted.

"He's running away!" Haruto shouted, eyes wide.

"FOLLOW HIM!" Ikazuchi barked, already taking off in pursuit.

The others – Haruto, Moriya, Reito, Daichi, and even Sora – rushed after Chameleon, vaulting over the splintered remains of the benches. Teshii followed as well…

…but not with urgency.

Hands in the pockets of his fleece, he strolled casually after them.

Then he stopped.

Right at the edge of the shattered benches.

Teshii looked down and spotted the glint of metal tucked between the debris.

The USB stick.

He crouched and picked it up, turning it over in his fingers.

A slow grin crept onto his face.

Let's see what's in here.

As Chameleon continued running from the Elements, a green aura began to swirl around him.

ZWWRP!

His form shimmered–

His skin darkened to a tan hue.

His hair turned a deep brown.

His eyes shifted to a dull yellow.

Within moments, Chameleon was no longer there.

In his place stood just another ordinary citizen.

As he approached the edge of the bustling city, he allowed himself a small smile.

There's no way they'll spot me now. Not in this crowd.

He slowed to a stop at a busy crosswalk, blending effortlessly with the civilians waiting for the light to change. People passed by without a second glance.

Then–

SKRRTTT!

Ikazuchi arrived at the edge of the city, his body still crackling faintly with residual lightning. The others followed behind him, all panting heavily from the chase.

"Where… is he?" Ikazuchi asked, hunched over, hands on his knees as he caught his breath.

Moriya glanced around, scanning the sidewalk, shop windows, and pedestrians.

"Not… sure…" he breathed out, beads of sweat rolling down his face.

"But… can we leave?" I don't like being here."

"Damn it!" Ikazuchi snapped. "We lost him!"

Daichi placed a calming hand on Ikazuchi's shoulder.

"Let it go for now. We'll take care of him next time."

"He's right," Haruto added, wiping his brow. "We'll get another chance."

Then–

A familiar voice echoed from the sidewalk behind them.

"That's right!"

Everyone turned.

Teshii had finally caught up, walking at his own pace, hands tucked into the pockets of his fleece. Despite the intensity of the moment, his expression was calm and cool.

"We'll take him out when we see him again," he repeated with a grin.

Ikazuchi nodded reluctantly.

"Yeah."

Teshii turned his head to Sora.

"So, Zephyr…"

Sora blinked.

"Zephyr?"

"That's your nickname now, if you don't mind," Teshii smirked. "So tell me… how did you know we were the Elements?"

TO BE CONTINUED!!!