No. 4

No. 4: The Beginning of the End

Kale shoved her feet into her boots, handed in her ice skates and waited for Brandon to get his shoes on. Her eyes looked around, taking in the beauty of the winter wonderland and snapped a few pictures.
"You can capture the most interesting pictures from the most bland landscape."
She turned around and smiled at the boy looking over her shoulder.
"Like I am looking at the same landscape, and I'm sure you somehow managed to capture this white desert in an interesting light."
"Well, I'm not that great, but thank you. However, I can't capture people in vivid colors on a canvas."
"Well then I guess it's a good thing I have my talents and you have yours."
Kaleigh nodded in agreement and followed Brandon as he turned to leave.
"So I guess it's back to training huh?" She said quietly, secretly hating the thought.
"Uh-huh. But hey," He grabbed her gloved hand and smiled at her. "It's just a phase. Once you get through the training it's done."
"Yeah but that's so far from now! I mean come on. Next to you I look like a kid messing around having no clue what to do."
"Hey you can't go and compare yourself to someone who's had years of training way before you even started alright? that's not far to you."
Kale sighed and ran her free hand through her hair.
"I know, but it's so hard not too -"
"Already having fights are we? If you keep this up people will start thinking that you're married."
The two kids jumped, turning around in defensive stances at the voice that sent chills down their spines.

They came face to face with their fears they had been praying would never come to life. A teenage boy stood in front of them, a leather black trench coat covering black pants and longsleeve. His boots had made no sound in the snow as he had approached which unnerved both of them. His black curls was the only thing that connected him to his brother, Stryder.
Kaleigh's hand automatically went to the silver necklaces wrapped around her neck, just as Brandon's hand went to his back, where she knew he kept a pack of throwing stars on his belt.
The boy held up a hand, stopping them for the moment.
"Please, I'm just here to talk." He said calmly.
"When have you ever come just to talk, Sage?" Kaleigh asked.
"Touche. Well listen anyways because you'll regret not doing so."
Kale sighed but didn't move, which he took as a key to continue, though he was still aware that the boy hadn't moved his hand off his stars.
"Well I just thought you should know that with the help of the extensive research done by our department dedicated to your...mutation's history, we have figured out where it's all connected and how to destroy it." Sage shifted, and looked up at the graying sky. "And I can't say that I mind killing my brother, I always knew he was a freak. I only just figured out what a dangerous freak he was, but that'll all change soon." He looked back to Kaleigh and Brandon, who exchanged a glance.
"Sage, why are you telling us this?"
"Because I wanted to level the playing field. But this is the last time you'll get any tips from me." He locked eyes with Kale and winked. "Sweet dreams." And then he was gone, just as swiftly as he had come. Leaving behind an unmistakeable chill and dread in the air.

.:+++:.

"And this is exactly what he said, you're sure?"
Kaleigh nodded. "Yes Professor, exactly."
The Professor leaned back in his deep, over stuffed leather desk chair and became lost in thought for a long moment.

Kaleigh and Brandon had come right back to the school and flew strait to the Professor's office to tell him exactly what had happened. And now he sat there gazing off into space, a quiet falling over them and neither of the kids wanting to break it.
Kale glanced over at Brandon, who tried not to look irritated.
"This is very troubling," The Professor said finally. "I fear for Stryder's life. His brother obviously knows about him being important. I am scared of what they might know in all honesty. I need to contact the Council they will know what to do."
"The Council?" Kaleigh asked, confusion clear on her face.
The Professor sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I forgot how much you still don't know. Brandon, please explain the situation to the other Guardians and show them what you know about the Council. I have a very important letter to write."
Brandon nodded and gestured to Kaleigh to follow him as they left the Professor.

A few minutes later everyone was gathered in the triplets' living room, including Terra, and Stryder who they had called over.
"Kaleigh would you mind telling us what on earth you called all of us here for?" Venn asked, rubbing his eyes trying to wake up fully as he tugged a shirt on. Despite the fact that Terra couldn't in fact see, she smiled and quickly turned to Kale.
"Well actually it was Brandon who called you all here." She answered, turning to him expectantly. He glared at her but she just gave him a cute smile to which he tried not to smile at.
"Oh would you two stop flirting and just get on with why you dragged us out of bed at ten o'clock in the morning?" Cliff asked, who hadn't bothered to put on a shirt at all.
"Ten's early for you?" Stryder asked in mocked surprise.
Cliff rolled his eyes. "It is on a Saturday!"
"Well anyways!" Brandon cried. "That's not the point. The point is, is we met your brother." Everyone followed his gaze to Stryder, who looked shocked for an instant but then he quickly became guarded.
"What did he want?"
Again, the two told their story from earlier that morning. Stryder did a good job of keeping his feelings hidden from his face, but Kaleigh still noticed the balled fists.

"Well that took an unexpected turn in your date I suppose." Terra said quietly.
"You could say that." Kale mumbled.
"It wasn't a date." Brandon said at the same time. Kale glanced up at him and then to her brothers. Cliff looking slightly confused, but Venn gave her a sad look.
"O-kay, but all the same it must have been a shock to see him." Terra added.
"What did the Professor mean by the Council?" Cliff asked. Kaleigh let out a pent up breath glad that the subject had moved on.
"The Elemental's have a Council in Paris Illinois. It governs us, makes sure none of us do anything stupid like show ourselves to Ordinaries, make sure we're obeying the laws and such. Anyways they also have been looking for the Savior. Though I'm surprised they haven't asked for us to come up there yet since we all seem to be here." Brandon added thoughtfully.
"Well not all of the Guardians are here," Terra pointed out. "Cliff still doesn't have a Partner."
"And you know that's fine, I mean I'm good." Cliff spoke up hastily. "I don't think I'm really ready for that."
"What? A girlfriend?" Venn asked. Cliff glared at him.
"No, the whole 'we can talk to each other with out actually having to be in the same room' part. And besides for all you know the other water Elemental could be a guy!"
The room burst into laughter. Cliff looked around in shock.
"What? It wasn't that funny."
Terra shook her head. "And besides we don't have any fire Elemental's yet so we're not all here yet."
"Yeah," Brandon agreed. "But the majority of us are, plus the Savior so I'm still shocked they haven't called us yet."
"Well maybe they will once the Professor sends his letter." Kaleigh suggested.
Brandon nodded and moved towards the door.
"Yeah they will. So I suggest you pack."