Training

"Alright, the primary goal of this training is to enhance your coordination with one another. Before we begin, let's warm up with some light exercises," Captain Jack stated, gesturing toward an exercise course situated in a spacious room.

"Wow, this place is enormous! How much did you all invest in this place? Incredible!" Henry was in awe of the vastness of the training room; it resembled a grand hall complete with a race track.

"Enough, just enjoy it. The battle ahead isn't going to be easy, so forget about the money," Captain Jack said as he walked over to some of the scientists nearby.

"Hey Bai, would you like to race?" Micheal spoke with a competitive edge to Bai, who flashed a grin and made his way to the racetrack.

"Do you really believe you can outrun me, lightning boy?" Bai taunted, preparing his body with a stretch.

"I'm not sure, but I'm curious to discover which is faster: lightning or light itself." Micheal smiled as he walked over to the race track with Bai.

'Isn't lightning light?' Hei thought.

"Oh, I see you guys are ready to start, that's good. Well, on your marks then," Captain Jack said with a smile as he walked over to Michael and Bai, who were preparing for the race. Upon hearing him, they bent down at the beginning of the race track.

"Get set and go!" Captain Jack said, his words barely finishing before a powerful gust of wind swept across the race track. In an instant, Micheal stood at the end of the track, grinning at Bai, who snorted and turned away with a frown.

"Wow, that was fast" Henry said gazing at Micheal who stood triumphantly with a grin plastered on his face, Henry didn't even see what happened, all he saw was a flash and that was all.

"Haha, now that's some serious competition! Who's up next?" Captain Jack chuckled, clapping his hands before turning to the rest.

 "Would you like to give it a try, Buckethead?" Hei

turned to Yoshi, who remained motionless and silent for a few seconds, with his glowing eyes fixed on Micheal before he finally responded.

"Sure, prepare to bite my dust" Yoshi said with a robotic smile that gave off a creepy vibe as they approached the racetrack and bent down.

"I will take pleasure in your defeat." Hei offered a sly smile at Yoshi and remarked.

"Okay, get set and go!" Captain Jack reiterated once more.

WHOOSH

"Woah, this is impossible," Michael exclaimed in disbelief, watching Yoshi effortlessly zoom past Hei to clinch victory in an instant.

"How do you have my lightning?" Micheal inquired, his brow furrowed.

"I failed to mention, Yoshi has the ability to mimic another person's skills," Lionheart stated, responding to the inquiry as he entered the training room.

"That's concerning to hear." Micheal furrowed his brow and regarded Yoshi with a look of suspicion.

"But it's good to have you on the team rather than against us," Racheal remarked with a casual shrug.

"Alright, enough of that. Let's return to training. Next up is Henry versus Racheal," Captain Jack stated, interrupting the ongoing conversation.

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

"I'm just stating that Doctor Strange would decisively defeat Harry Potter, that's my point." Bai shrugged as he and the others gathered around the table, enjoying their meal and engaging in conversation.

"That may be the case, but I believe that comparison is biased since I find Doctor Strange to be overrated; that's just my opinion," Hei also expressed his disagreement with his brother.

"Overrated? I mean, here's someone who faced an accident and put in the effort to become one of the most powerful sorcerers in existence. Is that really what you call overrated?" Micheal defended Bai with a dismissive snort, all the while munching on some snacks.

"If that isn't the definition of overrated, then I'm not sure what is." Racheal murmured softly to herself.

"What was that?" Micheal inquired, and Racheal responded with a shake of her head and a shrug.

"I feel as though I may not make it through this, yet that was the very thought that crossed my mind during past near-death experiences. I believed I would survive then, and I did, so I suppose I will get through this as well." Henry took a deep sip of wine and let out a sigh before he began to speak, his words drawing everyone's attention back to the matter at hand.

"Thanks for spoiling the mood, Henry," Bai said with a hint of sarcasm, placing the drumstick he had been chewing back onto the plate.

 "But he's right; this is the most dangerous mission

I've ever attempted," Michael said, letting out a deep breath as he wiped his hands and leaned back in the chair.

"If we survive, I will propose to the girl I loved back in town," Hei suddenly declared, a grin spreading across his face as he wiped his eyes.

"Is he drunk already? Wow, that was fast," Yoshi remarked in astonishment, gazing at Hei, who struggled to maintain his balance on the chair.

"Yeah, he's a lightweight" Bai replied with a chuckle, playfully shoving his brother to the ground.

"Urrrrg!" After being forcefully pushed to the ground, Hei swiftly seized an empty bowl and emptied his stomach contents into it.

"Is he alright?" Rachael inquired with concern after observing Hei's response.

"He's fine, he's just drunk; he'll be okay in the morning," Bai replied, sipping his drink with a grin.

"Haa, this might be our last night. If it is, then I'd like to make it memorable. Ever since I started serving, I've never had any time to calm down and relax, so I'd finally like to see how it feels," Michael got up and said, his voice filled with mixed emotions.

"Hahaha, if enjoyment is what you seek, then you'll certainly find it. I mean, enjoyment is my middle name!" Bai, hearing Michael's words, quickly got up with a grin and picked up his cup.

"I'd like to propose a toast to our new friendship and our new team. Tomorrow, we will face unknown challenges, making tonight a significant moment for all of us. We may not all emerge unscathed, and though we have just met, I want you to know that it has been a pleasure meeting each of you. Micheal, would you do us the honor?" Bai delivered a heartfelt speech that revealed a more vulnerable side to his typically playful and obstinate demeanor.

"That was one of the best speeches I've ever heard, Bai. Thank you. On behalf of the whole team, I want to make a toast to our team. Cheers to Taskforce Spongbob!" Michael nodded with a smile and raised his cup to make a toast.

"To Taskforce Spongbob!" the others chimed in, clinking their wine glasses together.

"Hahaha, now that we've addressed that, Yoshi, I suggest we establish a temporary truce. Tonight is significant, so how about we set our differences aside and have a good time?" Bai extended a hand towards Yoshi in a gesture of proposal.

"My thoughts exactly," Yoshi replied, shaking Bai's hand and establishing a temporary treaty. This act garnered a series of cheers from the others.

"Alright, let's ignite this celebration, whooo!" Bai exclaimed, tapping a button on the phone he held, causing music to emanate from the large screen positioned in the room.

"Whoo, okay I used to do a little rapping back in the days let's see if I still got it in me," Michael said, prompting the others to glance at him in shock; they couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"Alright, let's hear it," Henry said with a smile, handing him a microphone which he had retrieved from 

a cabinet near the screen.

"Cause I be chained to the ground,

for just popping a frown

Nevertheless, I pass the test, cause I be hoping and blessed,

haunted by demons from my past,

so I be driving too fast

Tryna dodge the coming blast

Mind, focused and steadfast, Yo

keep it real, in a battle with myself

hiding the pain I feel, 

cloaked and wrapped in stealth

Rectifying my mistakes before I take my last breath

Cause I'm a fighter, I will fight

The darkness, with my light

Standing tall with all my might

Making sure that I make it right, as I'm about to take flight

A warrior till the E-O-T,

Ends of time, Mike out," Micheal took in a deep breath and then spat several verses that made his teammates almost fall in shock, they hadn't expected something like this, they never realized that he had it in him, at first when he first mentioned that he would rap, they hadn't thought much of it, but after hearing him rap, they were shocked.

"Wow, that was incredible and completely unexpected, who're you and what have you done with Mike?" Henry remarked as he and the others erupted into a loud round of applause.

"I know, I've gotten rusty and delivered a poor freestyle. I used to be better than this," Michael replied, his tone apologetic and sincere as he reflected on his performance.

"What do you mean a bad freestyle? Do you know how challenging what you just did is? It was great! Trust me, we're all genuinely impressed, even Hei." Bai gently patted Micheal's shoulder, directing his attention to Hei on the ground, who was giving a thumbs-up.

"Thanks guys. Now, who's up next?" Micheal inquired with a grin, extending the microphone forward.

"Um, none of us are really that good at rapping and singing, so why don't we do karaoke instead?" Bai proposed, prompting the others to nod enthusiastically at the idea. After seeing their response, Bai pressed another button on the phone, causing the room to dim as several disco balls descended from above.

"How do you control all this?" Henry stared at the phone in Bai's hand, shock evident on his face as he struggled to comprehend how Bai could control the room

so effortlessly.

"No need to worry about that, just pick up a mic and let's prepare to sing…" Bai responded by tapping the phone, then looked at the screen to see the song title displayed.

"Becoming Unbecoming by Icemaster360, wow, that's my favorite!" Racheal exclaimed, her eyes glued

to the name displayed on the screen.

"Get ready guys and let's go; when I look into your eyes, all I see is pain and pri…" Bai remarked as the lyrics began to display on the screen while they joined in the singing.

Throughout the night, the group indulged in merrymaking, aware that the following day could be their final one. They sought to engage in activities that would distract them from the mission that awaited them.

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

"WHIRRRRR" The plane's engines came to life, propelling it through the sky, while inside, the task force members and Captain Jack were securely fastened in their seats.

"Are you all feeling nervous?" Captain Jack inquired with a smile.

"Ugh, I'm actually more concerned about my migraine than what we're about to do," Hei replied, massaging his temples while keeping a steady breath.

"This is the consequence of drinking and partying the night before a mission of this magnitude. What were you all thinking? Even you, Michael. I'm truly disappointed." Captain Jack reprimanded, his gaze fixed on the task force members, each lost in their own thoughts at that moment.

"Sigh, how much longer until we arrive?" Bai inquired with a sigh, fiddling with a Rubik's cube.

"Approximately 10 minutes" The pilot responded from the cockpit, skillfully guiding the plane through the

skies.

"Alright, pay attention. The watch on your wrist is equipped with a GPS smart map, showing safe locations. It also monitors your vital signs and features an in-built cloaking mechanism that activates the camouflage suits you're wearing. The best part is that it's voice-activated; just say 'Camo on' and you're good to go," The captain explained, gesturing toward the watch on their wrist.

"Next, you have the helmet, which is equipped with the latest Nanotech, allowing it to be easily called out and back again. When not in use, it transforms into a necklace that hangs around your neck. Upon activation, it becomes a helmet. The helmet features night vision goggles, thermal vision goggles, and EMF sensing goggles. It also includes an in-built mic and speaker for communication, even when separated. Additionally, the helmet is equipped with an EMP for emergencies." Captain Jack proceeded to the helmet, holding it as he detailed its features.

"Next, we address your rifles; it is…." Captain Jack elaborated on the various uses of the other gadgets and equipment that would be utilized by the team, who listened with keen interest.

"And that's all about everything," Captain Jack concluded his explanation, perfectly timing it with the pilot's arrival.

"We've arrived" The pilot's voice resonated from the cockpit as Captain Jack faced the others, who swiftly gathered their equipment, stood up, and donned their parachutes.

"I suppose it starts now," Racheal murmured as the plane opened up.

"Keep in mind, you all have five days. Best of luck," Captain Jack said, offering a military salute.

"Thank you, Grandpa, but we're all set without luck." Bai laughed softly as he sprinted ahead and jumped out of the jet..

"Hey, wait for me, hahahaha!" Hei exclaimed, quickly trailing behind his brother.

"Urrrg, these fools, let's go." Micheal let out a sigh and facepalmed before trailing behind the brothers.

"Hey, wait up! Whooo!" Henry and Racheal trailed behind, jumping out with excitement.

"I have a bad feeling about this; I suppose you're the only sensible one…" Captain Jack was on the verge of praising Yoshi for being the only sensible one who chose to remain behind when.

BOOM

WHOOSH

In an instant, Yoshi burst out of the plane at an astonishing speed, causing the aircraft to shudder from the force, sending Captain Jack crashing to the ground.

"This is going to definitely be a disaster," Captain Jack shook his head and said as he got up, now fully realizing the type of people to whom they had entrusted this mission: psychopaths.