The Alpha Force: The Trap Masters

The Alpha Force

The Trap Masters

 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

 

Christmas break was now over for the students of Silverton High, and today was the first day back in the New Year, and a new term.  It was 5 am and the only teens that would be up at this time would be the members of The Alpha Force, who was now in The Holo-Dome honing their abilities that God had given them and using them not only as individuals but as a team as well.  Earlier that morning they had met together in The Meeting Room where their leader Dark-Rider, told them of new roster changes.  “Since the former members of The Beta Squad have now joined us once again, there will be a change in leadership.  I will continue to be the overall leader.  Shieldra will be the second in command, and following her will Molder and then Boom Box.  With me so far?”  They all nodded.  “If the need to split into three teams it will go as follows:  Team 1 will be led by me, followed by Shieldra, Mindra, and Sparks.  Boom Box will lead team 2 consisting of Metallacia, Long Yard, and Plantra.  Team three will be Frezor, Blaze, Aquatrina and led by Molder.  Any other forms of teams will be formed as the situation arises. Is that clear?”  Again, they all nodded.  “Good now let’s go into The Holo-Dome.”

Moments later they began their training and started out together going up against holographic versions of all their enemies.  They each took on an opponent and began to battle. In the middle of the battle, Long Yard saw that some of his teammates were having a hard time with their holographic enemies of The Cyber-Destroyers, so he acted on impulse.  “Here guys allow me.”  Long Yard offered as he began his attack, “I’ve been wanting to try out my new whiplash maneuver.”  He then stretched out his arms to where they could go as long as they could and began to spin around carelessly.

“Long Yard stand down man!”  Boom Box barked, and before he could try to stop his teammate from making a bigger fool of himself, he was hit by one of Long Yard’s arms and fell towards a wall.  Shieldra turned to see what the commotion was all about and saw that Long Yard was not only hitting the holographic images but also his fellow teammates.

“Long Yard stop!”  She ordered.

“But I’m winning!”  He said and continued.

“End Program!”  Dark-Rider hollered, and within seconds, the surrounding area turned back into a blank white dome.  “Shieldra, shield the others from his attacks.”  For Long Yard had lost all sense of what he was doing and did not even realize that the simulation had ended.  “Long Yard stand down that’s an order!”  Dark-Rider told him as he walked up to him, grabbed his arms, and threw him to the other side of the dome.  “Molder takes those who are hurt to the med room, Frezor you go with him.  The rest of you hit the showers.”  He then approached Long Yard who was about to get up, and Dark-Rider kicked him right back down.  “You stay put Long Yard!”

“Hey man what gives?”  Long Yard complained, “I was kicking butt and you end the simulation?”

“You were attacking not only the hologram versions of The Cyber-Destroyers, but also were attacking your own teammates!  You were careless, reckless and most of all stupid!”  Dark-Rider condemned.

“You’re just jealous that I came up with a cool attack.”  Long Yard countered.

“Having these abilities is not about having cool attacks!”  Dark-Rider corrected, “It’s about responsibility to have absolute control to protect others and also to be able to use them in a setting to where you know your surroundings.  That’s where these simulations come in.”

“Oh please like you have room to lecture me.”  Long Yard got up and pushed him aside, “You’re not only jealous of my “abilities” but also the fact that I took your girl!”

“Long Yard that’s enough!”  Shieldra told him.

“What?”  Long Yard asked in disbelief, “Don’t tell me you’re taking his side.”

“It’s not a question of her taking my side pal.”  Dark-Rider assured him, “I am the overall commander here.  From this moment forth you are banned from all teamwork simulations and missions.  You are to spend four hours a day in solo combat simulations as well as stand guard here at The Big House while everyone else is out on their assignments’ is that clear?”

“Crystal.”  Long Yard answered sarcastically.

“Good!  I’ll inform Jacob of the change and he will be in charge of your simulations as well as when you are on guard.”  Dark-Rider informed him.

“As long as I don’t have to report to you.”  Long Yard commented.

“If I were you, I’d quit while I was ahead,” Shieldra warned.

“Hit the showers!”  Dark-Rider ordered as he disappeared out of their sight.

“So I take it no dates with you either?”  He asked sweetly.

“Not with you being grounded.”  She answered, “And the next time you mention mine and Dark-Rider’s relationship and ours of now…I won’t use my ability to hold him back from hitting you.”

“He was going to hit me?”

“More than once.” She told him and left him alone in the dome.

***

Elsewhere in an undisclosed location is the main headquarters of The Society, where The Council has started their meeting.  Superior opened the meeting saying, “Now what is our next plan to dispose of The Alpha Force?”  Superior asked all of those who were present: Cyber Queen, Dr. Nightmare, Cykrill, Ruthers, Father Time, The Gamer, and Dr. Wrong.

“I feel if we all attack at one time in dispersed areas then they will have to split up in groups to prevent us from doing too much damage and we take them out.”  Cyber Queen suggested.

“That’s one way of doing it, but you must remember they have had the practice of somehow having a card up their sleeve.”  Gamer reminded all of them as he grabbed a playing card with the Ace of Spades being showed.

“Very true, however, I believe that we should try to trap them one at a time.”  A new voice came into the room, who sounded nearly like Ruthers for she had a Russian accent, but with a younger tone.

“Superior, and my fellow comrades, this is my niece that I have told you about, this is Zendra.” Ruthers introduced a young strawberry blonde girl who had to be no older than 17.  She was at least five feet tall with an athletic build.  Behind her was a group of camouflaged individuals.  “And her comrades are called The Trap Masters.”

“I say that the name admits the obvious of what they can do, but what makes them think that they can succeed where we have failed?”  Dr. Nightmare asked.

“You see Doctor, my comrades and I went to the same boarding school that my dear Aunt had sent me; however, this wasn’t any ordinary boarding school.  It is also an institution for mercenaries and assassins.  Allow me to introduce you to the rest of my team, Camo, Moon Sight, Trip Wire, Chemica, and Claymore.  Each has their own specialty.  I overhead Cyber Queen’s plan…it is good one to a certain extent.”

“In what way my dear?”  Cyber Queen asked, and before she could respond Zendra had stepped up to her, grabbed a hold of his head slammed it into the table, and held it down with one hand and in the other was a knife that was right next to her throat.  Cyber Queen breathed heavily in fear as she saw the knife.

“Don’t ever call me that ever again do you understand me?”  She asked him in a demented tone, and he nodded, “Good, from what I understand you wouldn’t be missed anyway.”  She then released her and continued explaining her plan, “We need data on our enemies, and every good hunter needs to know what his or her prey is capable of.  Therefore, each of your teams will have their chance to face our adversaries; however, you are not to defeat them.  And while you are fighting themm my team and I will be gathering data on each of them, do all of you understand?”  They all nodded, “And of course with your permission lord Superior?”

“You have it Zendra, I am eager to see what you and your Trap Masters can do,” Superior assured her.

“Thank you, my lord, now if you’ll excuse me, I must also do my part and go inside the school of which we know that these heroes are sure to be and see if I can get some inside information from the students there.  Remember this comrade’s the most powerful ammunition is information.”  She then left the room to be escorted to the science lab for her to be fitted with a teleportation device to be at Silverton High in time for school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

 

A couple of hours later the teens were at their school getting ready for their first day back.  They each went to their own lockers to put stuff in there and take stuff out of their first set of classes.  “So Justin is suspended huh?”  Dan asked Mike.

“Yep,” Mike answered quickly.

“You don’t think you were over reacting do you?”  Dave asked him next.

“Nope.”

“Just checking buddy,” Dan assured him.

“Yep,” Mike answered again and began to head out when he was confronted by Nicole.  “I know that look.”

“Let’s save the obvious, but I will point this out to you, the reason why you did what you did is that you might be a little jealous.”  She accused.

“I made a command decision.”  Mike stated, “End of story.”  He started to walk away but she blocked him.

“You have that much pride do you?”  She asked, “Look, I know you’ve been through a lot, first losing your parents and other family members, and then I break up with you and now am with someone else.  But you can’t look me in the eye and say that what you did was fair.”

“I would’ve made the same decision even if it was someone else; whether it was John, Adam, or anyone else on the team…now if you don’t mind I want to get to band on time.”  He pushed her aside and walked off.

“This isn’t over.”  She said under her breath.

“Give it up babe.”  Justin told her as he came up to her, “He’s not going to back down on his decision.”

“He will if I have to call a leaders meeting.”  She told him and they walked to class together.

Some of the others that were watching discussed what they saw while heading to their next classes.  “I can’t believe the tension in the group all of the sudden.”  Clara pointed out.

“I know, but Mike had to do what he felt was right.”  John brought up.

“Yeah, but still maybe they should’ve stayed in New York you know, or at least waited until the next school year.”  Ally mentioned.

“Well, what’s done is done, and I’m just glad I’m not in a leadership position,” Angie said with relief, and they entered the classroom.

“I think Mike might a bit jealous, but he was on the right giving Justin a suspension,” Adam told Rachel and Eve as they were walking to English class.

“Maybe, how are you feeling, though?”  Eve asked.

“I’ll be okay; it’ll take more than his stupid maneuver to keep me down.”

“I just wish that they can work it out before it gets too out of hand.”  Rachel said with concern.

“Trust me; if it comes down to it I’m sure Jacob will intervene,” Adam said with assurance in his voice, and they went into the classroom.

Mike was on his way to band when he felt the need to punch the brick wall, but made sure it was not too much, otherwise he would have brought the whole wall collapsing down into the room adjacent to it.  “Still punching walls when you get upset about something?”  A familiar Russian voice came from behind him, “You haven’t changed a bit.”  He turned around and saw a face that he never thought he would see again.  “Hello, Michael it’s been a long time.”  She smiled sweetly.

“Hello Zara, it’s nice to see you too.”  He smiled in return, “And I go by Mike now, but it seems you’ve changed quite a bit, you’re more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

“Why thank you.  You were always the nicest American boy that I’ve ever met and still even yet.”  She then noticed the clarinet case of which he carried, “You still play?”

“Yes, do you still?”

“Yes, but my clarinet won’t be here for another couple of days, but I’m sure the school may have a loaner.”

“Well let’s go find out shall we?”  He asked, and they went to the band room.

Later on in the morning, Mike was asked by the Vice Principal to show Zara around the school.  “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”  Zara said in a cheerful tone as she and Mike walked around, “that I would have you appointed as my tour guide for the day.”

“Well, when Mr. Brown noticed that you and I were hitting it off in band class after he introduced you, and then after you told him that you and I once went to elementary school together until the seventh grade that I would be the best person to show you around.”

“At least it was nice that it’s you and not some dumb jock wanting to impress me.  Besides, I’ll take a geek over a jock any day.”  She told him.

“Well, that’s nice to know.”  He then showed her into the newspaper room, “This is where the school newspaper is run, my friend Ally is the Assistant Editor here, and ah there she is now.”

“This is a pleasant surprise.”  Ally greeted them, “I’m Ally, nice to meet you.”

“My name is Zara, and it’s nice to meet one of Mike's friends.”

“Well, any friend of Mike's is a friend of mine.”  Ally assured her, and then turned to Mike, “So I take it you didn’t volunteer to get out of class then?”

“No, Zara and I go way back to when we were in elementary and middle school.”  Mike explained, “She then moved out of Coos Bay right before I left to move to Eugene.  By the way, why did you leave?”

“My Aunt sent me to a boarding school back in Russia.”  She answered.

“Well I got to get back to work here; it was nice meeting you Zara hope to see you at lunch here later on.”

“It’ll be my pleasure,” Zara told her.

“Make sure to tell the others that we’ll have an outsider with us today,” Mike told Ally before he followed Zara.

The rest of the following period Mike showed her around the school, where the gym was, and then told her that this was where all the dances were held.  Then showed her the football and baseball fields.  Then after it was over, they met together with the rest of the group in Newspaper room.  Mike then introduced Zara to the rest of the group, and they all welcomed her.  She and Mike then talked about how they grew up together in their early years up unto the point when she left.  “But how did you two actually meet, though?”  Asked Dan.

“Well back then Mike was a heavy set kid and my family had just moved to Oregon from Russia, they had always wanted to move to the coast.  My first day at our old elementary school some kids were picking on me cause I was from Russia and made fun of my accent and saying I should go back to where I came from.  The next thing I know Mike comes inputs himself between them and me.  He tells them to pick on someone their own size…”

“Of course I said that on purpose so that way they would pick on me instead of her.”  Mike intervened quickly.

“And that’s just what they did until the teacher came and overheard what they were saying to the both of us, and the rest is history.”

“Wow, so just think maybe if you hadn’t moved maybe you two could’ve gotten together.”  Dan butted in, Mike then gave him a disappointing look and then moved his eyes quickly to where Nicole and Justin were sitting, and then Dan nodded in apology.

“Well I just transferred and there is no telling on what exactly may happen.”  Zara smiled sweetly to Mike, and he tried not to blush.

“If you guys would excuse us, Justin and I are gonna go for a walk before class,” Nicole announced.  She then walked up to Zara and shook her hand, “It was nice meeting you Zara maybe we could get together sometime and I can tell you some things about our good friend Mike?”

“I’d like that,” Zara answered diplomatically.  After Nicole and Justin left she turned to Mike, “I take it you and she has a history?”

“You can say that,” Mike answered, and they continued eating their lunch.

After lunch, Dan was able to catch up with Nicole before the next class, “What do you want Dan?”

“I wanna know what’s going on with you and Mike?”

“You know why Dan!  He went over his head on the call he made.”

“But you have to agree that Justin did go against safety protocols.”  Dan brought up a point.

“Maybe so, but I feel that he is using his jealousy against Justin and me.”

“Trust me, I’ve known Mike longer than you have.  He never lets his emotions cloud his command judgments.”  He assured her.

“We’ll have to wait and see what happens,” Nicole told him and then she left for class as the five-minute warning bell rang.

The rest of the day went as usual and there were times when Zara and Mike had some of the same classes but not all of them.  When school was over, they met up in the band room so she could borrow his clarinet.  “Are you sure this won’t be a problem?”  She asked him.

“Nope, I’ve had plenty of practice time already.”

Elsewhere in the school the others had met in the parking lot waiting for Mike to meet up with the rest of them when Jacob’s voice came through their communicators, “I’m sorry to interrupt but The Gamer and his Goons, The Cyber-Destroyers, Mythos and Dr. Nightmare have begun to attack the town in certain areas in the town.”

“Oh great, just what we needed,” Dave complained.

“Looks like we got a job to do,” Angie spoke up.

“Yeah, but where’s Mike?”  Asked John.

“He said he had to meet up with Zara in the band room to lend her his clarinet,” Eve answered.

“I’ll go get him,” Nicole told the others and ran off.

In the band room, Mike handed her the clarinet into her hands.  “Just to let you know I switched the reeds after class so there is a new Reed all set for you.”  He told her nervously.

“I don’t mind if we swap spit.”  She told him and she moved up to kiss him when they were interrupted.

“Mike!”  Nicole shouted, and realized that she had walked in at the wrong time, “I was wondering if we could talk…in private.”

“Sorry.”  Mike apologized to Zara.

“It’s okay I have somewhere I need to be anyways.”

“Well, then I shall see you tomorrow.”  He told her, and then she handed him her phone number.

“Call me sometime tonight if you don’t get too tied up.”  She told him and he nodded, and they parted ways.

Once they were in the clear, Mike then asked her, “So what’s the rush?”

“We’re needed.”  She answered and motioned for him to activate his communicator so Jacob could fill him in.  Once they were with the others, they were waiting for orders.

“Okay according to Jacob they are all in three different areas in the town, therefore we will go into the three team formations.”  Mike informed them, “everyone in my group will take The Battle Van, I’ll go in Max, and we’ll take Gamer and his Goons as well as Dr. Nightmare.  Dan, you take your team and take on The Cyber-Destroyers.  Boom Box your team will handle Mythos.  Let’s not waste any more time.”

“Wait!”  Nicole interjected, “What about Justin?”

“Okay.”  Mike sighed heavily, “I’ll allow it this time, however, if Boom Box tells you to stand down you do so understand?”  Justin nodded. “Good, now let’s move.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

 

 

Team 1 entered into the vehicles and as they drove down the road, they activated their Changers into their altered egos and the vehicles into their true battle form.  As they approached the park where The Gamer and his Goons along with Dr. Nightmare were scaring the children and their families away from the playground.

“That’s right run; run away we want to play.”  Gamer taunted.

“And if you don’t leave, I’ll make this place into a living nightmare.”  Dr. Nightmare threatened.

“That’s what you think!”  Came Dark-Rider’s voice from inside of his car which he had code-named Max, which was short for Maximum Speed.  He jumped out of the car and the others followed suit by coming out of the Battle Van.  “Why don’t you bullies pick on someone your own size?”

“Ah look, it’s the party poopers.”  Gamer said sarcastically.  “But what am I saying, the party can now really start, get them!”

Ugly Dolly ran up to Shieldra, and grabbed onto her, “Now I shall take your beauty and your power.”

“Have you forgotten girlfriend?”  Shieldra asked her, “That my shielding abilities protect me from your touch.”  She formed a shield around her and then pushed Ugly Dolly off her and began to fight her in hand-to-hand combat.

Brain Storm and Crunch who had decided to double-team Mindra, “Gee two guys that want to dance with, wow I’m a lucky girl”

“You won’t be so lucky when we’re done with you Mindra.”  Brain Storm warned her and he pulled out a weapon and began to fire.  Thanks to her gymnastic abilities, she was able to avoid the beams.  She kept it up until she was nearly in front of Crunch.

“I’ll get her!”  Crunch volunteered as he jumped towards her and when he did she dodged one last time to where the stun beam that Brain Storm shot hit Crunch instead of her.

“You overgrown buffoon!”  Brain Storm yelled.  “I had her all you had to do was stay out of the way.”  As he was chewing out Crunch, Mindra fired a stun bolt of her own and he went down.

Gladiator attacked Dark-Rider immediately with sword and shield in hand.  “I want another shot at you dark one.”

“The name’s Dark-Rider Gladiator.  Did you forget that or is your brain still stuck in Rome?”  Dark-Rider asked him as he took out The Laser Blade.  They fought up against each other swords clanging.

Dr. Nightmare and Mega-Rex tag teamed up against Sparks who was shooting out lightning bolts while trying to dodge nightmare beams from Dr. Nightmare, as well as Mega-Rex’s scorpion tail.  Boy, these guys mean business.  Sparks thought to himself.  “Gotta eliminate one of them otherwise I’m gonna run out of juice and in a hurry.” He placed himself in front of Mega-Rex and then Dr. Nightmare shout out another nightmare beam and Sparks ran out of the way just in time for the beam to strike Mega-Rex who went into a deep sleep.

“Blast it!”  Dr. Nightmare cursed, “That stupid over groan…” but he did not finish what he was saying for he had been blasted by a shock of electricity by Sparks.

“Well, that takes care of those two.”  Sparks congratulated himself and then moved onto the next set of opponents.

Team 2 approached Mythos who was on the schools’ grounds.  All of them of were present.  “I don’t like the looks of these odds, that’s for sure.”  Boom Box admitted.

“Don’t worry about the numbers let’s just tackle the problem!”  Long Yard told him.

“You need to take this situation more seriously man.”  Boom Box countered.  They ran up to their opponents and met them head on.  The Giant stood in front of all of them and grew to his maximum size.  “Oh great.”  Boom Box said and then decided to use his booming voice and targeted right below The Giants’ feet.  With extraordinary force from his vocal chords, the ground below The Giants’ feet began to crumble and the big man fell down backward and fell on top of some of his allies.  “Now that’s what I call taking out the competition.”  He then went up against Teiresias who though blind could counter any attack that came against him.  Long Yard face off against Poseidon, Plantra took on all the females and Metallacia against Aries.

Team 3 met up with The Cyber-Destroyers who were attacking downtown.  Blaze went up against Star Girl and Noga-Head.  Frezor faced off with Yin-Yang and her brother Chopper.  Aquatrina against Rocko and Molder against Gunner.

As the three teams battled against their foes, unknown to them The Society at their secret location was monitoring them.  “How interesting, they seem to be able to hold their own despite the fact they are outnumbered,” Zendra commented.

“I admit they are very impressive.”  Trip Wire agreed.

“Yes, but are they doing enough to give you all the data you need?”  Ruthers asked.

“Of course my dear Aunt.”  Zendra answered and then pointed to the monitors, “Each member of The Alpha Force are using their abilities to their full potential in knowing that they are going against their greatest foes and not some punk off the street.”

“How much longer is this going to take?”  Cyber Queen asked.

“Why do your Cyber-Destroyers need an upgrade?”  Zendra asked sarcastically, and she gave her an annoying look.  “Just a couple more minutes to be sure we have all the data we need to prepare the next phase.”

The bullets that Gunner shot out were not penetrating through Molders’ tough skin.  “Come on you little punk!  Something has to give!”  Gunner complained.

“Nope ain’t gonna happen.”  Molder told him, “But here try some bullets of my own.”  He shot out mud bullets from his fingers and they hit their target, which was Gunners’ face who then tried to clear his face.  “And now the wind-up and the pitch!”  He then threw a ball of quick drying cement, which dried on impact as Gunner who was still trying to clear his face pasted his hands to his face.

“Hey!  Get me out of this!”  Gunners’ said through his muffled voice.

“I’ll help you poppa!”  Rocko volunteered.

“Oh no, you won’t amigo,”  Aquatrina told him as she aimed her arms towards him and made a small tidal wave that swept up both father and son, but also hit Molder in the process.  “Sorry Molder.”

“It’s okay.”  He accepted. He then noticed that all the cement that the covered himself with was now washed off, showing his Bio-Suit. “Remind me never to go swimming again when I’m like this.”

“Leave the jokes to Dark-Rider,” Aquatrina told him.

At the school, Plantra had all the girls tangled up in giant weaves of grass.  Metallacia had encased Aries in titanium and Long Yard had Poseidon wrapped up in one of his arms and punching him with the other.  Lastly, Boom Box had calculated Teiresias dodges to where he was able to produce a big enough Sonic Boom to which knocked his adversary into the closest goal post.

Back at The Society's secret headquarters, The Trap Masters had gathered enough data on all of the heroes to where Zendra motioned to Dr. Wrong to activate the transporters on each of those facing the three teams, and once he had pressed the button they were all back safe and sound.  “Excellent work all of you.  Now if you’ll excuse us we shall now go over the data we have collected.”  Zendra told all of them, and then she and others left.

Back at the town park, Dark-Rider and others were shocked when their opponents had all of the sudden teleported out.  No sooner had they gone, Dark-Rider’s communicator beeped, “Dark-Rider here go ahead.”

“Molder here, we were just about to finish up The Cyber-Destroyers for good when they just disappeared.”

“The same thing happened with Gamer and those who were with him,” Dark-Rider reported.

“Boom Box here.”  His voice chimed in over the communicators of both teams, “Mythos has disappeared out of thin air.”

“Looks like all of our foes just had enough,” Shieldra commented.

“Everyone head back to The Big House,” Dark-Rider said over the communicators and they all left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

 

 

When all three teams had returned to The Big House, they met up in The Briefing Room where Dark-Rider had requested that Jacob would join them with replays of their battles.  Once they had sat down Jacob started the videos, “Just as you requested Dark-Rider.”

“Thanks, Jacob, now fast forward to the last thirty seconds,” Dark-Rider said, and once they were set to the time frame, they all watched.  Just as it hit the fifteen-second mark, all of their adversaries disappeared at the same time at all three locations.

“Now that’s something you don’t see every day.”  Blaze commented.

“But what does this mean?”  Plantra asked.

“We were set up….but for what?”  Dark-Rider thought aloud.

“That’s a very good question.”  Boom Box said, “Not only that but from what I noticed they weren’t all even half trying.”

“Then what were they up to?”  Shieldra asked.

“I don’t know for sure, but whatever it is they most likely got what they needed,” Frezor answered.

“Then what we need to do is monitor anything and everything.”  Dark-Rider stated, “If anytime The Alpha Alarm goes off everyone is to be down here and in their Bio-Suits ready for battle.”  They all nodded in acknowledgment.  “Good, now until then everyone is dismissed to do homework, except for Long Yard.”  They all got up and left the room.  “Now from what I saw on that tape, you handled yourself pretty well out there.  Which is why I’m going to allow you to come on missions, however…I still want you to spend some time in The Holo-Dome for you to hone your skills is that understood?”  Long Yard nodded.  “Good, now get out of here,” Dark-Rider smirked, and Long Yard smiled and left the room.

You didn’t need to do that.”  Shieldra said coming into the room.

“Yes, I did.”  He countered, “I went overboard this morning.”

“Well, at least you’re willing to admit you are bit jealous.”  She teased.

“Yes but what of Zara?”

“I’m not sure.”  She admitted softly.

“Well, one way or another we’ll have to get through it whether we like it or not.”

“Very true.”

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to theorize why we were being tested.”  Dark-Rider blurted out as he was leaving the room, and then abruptly turned around.

“What is it?”

“That’s it!  We were being tested!”  Dark-Rider exclaimed.

“But for what reason?”

“I’m sure we’ll soon find out.”

Zendra and the others observed each of the monitors seeing where the weakness of each hero was.  Some were obvious; others most likely had to be handled very delicately.  She nodded in approval, “Looks like we have exactly what we need my comrades.”  She announced, “Now all we need to do is find a place to where each of them will be able to be separate from the others.”

“Why’s that love?”  Asked Claymore with his Australian accent coming out.

“Their best asset outside of their powers is that they work as a team.”  She answered, “The question is how to do it?”

“Maybe force them into pairs?”  Asked Chemica.

“No, I wouldn’t even go that far.”  Zendra told her, “If these heroes are to be taken out they need be taken out one at a time and they need to be alone.”

“Maybe your Aunt could help us with that?”  Moon Sight suggested.

“Could very well be comrade.”  She nodded, “Maybe one of her associates could offer their assistance.”

Later that night at The Big House, Dark-Rider sat in front of I.Q. trying to figure out why The Society was testing them.  He looked over the videos of each of the three teams battles and studied hard.  “There’s something different about all of them, but what is it?’  He asked aloud.  “I.Q. scan over each opponent and compare them to previous encounters.”  I.Q. beeped in acknowledgment and began working and no sooner, that it began its job it beeped in recognition of founding something and then focused on each of them on their right shoulder was a tiny camera attached to them

“They were recording us,” Dark-Rider told others the next morning.

“But for what reason?”  Asked Sparks.

“They were studying us, to see how we performed under pressure and also how we worked as a team,” Dark-Rider answered.

“But after all this time why now?”  Asked Mindra, “I mean they’ve had the last two years to do so.”

“Mindra’s got a good point there.”  Frezor agreed.

“That she does.”  Shieldra agreed.

“We need to be on our guard.”  Dark-Rider warned, “There’s no telling when and where they will strike again.  But one thing is for sure they are up to something.”

“Maybe they might have some new allies?”  Long Yard suggested.

“That could be true.”  Boom Box nodded, “They’re always looking for new recruits.”

“And if that’s the case then whoever they are, they want to know us inside and out,” Dark-Rider stated.  “Time for us to get ready for school, no sessions in the Holo-Dome today we need to save all the energy we have in case The Society strikes again.”

“I’ll get a hold of some of my contacts and see if they have heard of anyone new joining up with The Society.”  Jacob offered.

“Good, until then everyone is to stay in constant contact,” Dark-Rider said in closing and they left to get ready for school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

 

The teens went to school in separate vehicles to ensure that in case The Society was watching them that they would catch all of them together.  They went to their lockers and then headed straight to be their first-period class.  Mike saw Zara from down the hallway and caught up with her.  “Hey, how’d practice go?”  He asked her.

“It went well, thanks again.”  She handed him the clarinet case.  “Mine finally got in.”  She showed him.

“Good, I was thinking maybe after school we could get together and practice together so that you could…well, you know?”

“That sounds great!”  She exclaimed cheerfully, “However, my Aunt wants me home as soon as school is over.  She likes to know those types of things ahead of time.”

“Yeah, that’s understandable.”

“I’ll ask about tomorrow okay?”

“Sounds good.  Now shall we be on our way to class?”  He asked while motioning her to come with him, she nodded and they left together.

School went through its normal routine of things, classes went by slow, some more than others.  They met up for lunch, talked about their day, and then went to their afternoon classes.  After school was over for the day, they all agreed to meet back at The Big House but as they were heading to their vehicles Jacobs’ voice came through their communicators.  “According to my sources, The Society has hired a group of mercenaries called The Trap Masters.  Their name is a dead giveaway of what they are able to do, they are more than likely the ones that had the other villains pull off the skirmish for them.”

“This means they were testing to see what we’re capable of,” Nicole confirmed.

“What should we do now?” Asked Eve.

“Head back to The Big House,” Mike answered.

“Correction there is something you need to see.” Jacob butted in, “There was cryptic communication sent on all radio waves giving an address for you to meet up with The Trap Masters.”

“Okay, everyone into the vehicles’ and head to those coordinates,” Mike told them as he hopped onto his motorcycle.  They all exited out of the schools’ parking lot and once they were clear of the school, they activated their Changers.  Dark-Rider rode on Shadow, Boom Box and Plantra drove in Max and Frezor on his Ice-cycle.  The others rode in The Battle Van.  As they approached the house, they saw that no one was there, but had the feeling that the place was not abandoned.  They exited the vehicles and went up the steps.  “Keep your eyes, sharp everyone!”  Dark-Rider warned them as he opened up the door.  They went inside the giant house and once they were all in the door were shut behind them.  There were two doors in front of them, “Shieldra you and the former Beta Squad members take the one on the left, and the rest of us will take the one on the right.”  She nodded and then led them through the door.  “Keep in contact.”  He hollered behind them and Plantra waved a hand in saying that they heard him.  “Well let’s go down the rabbit hole.”

The Alpha Force entered into the darkened hallway, which immediately lit up thanks to Blaze.  They slowly walked down the hallway, “Shieldra you read me?”  Dark-Rider asked through his communicator but only got static.  “Dark-Rider to Shieldra come in?”  Still nothing but static. “Communications have been blocked.”

“Whoever put this together must’ve wanted to make sure we’d split up,” Sparks suggested.

“Let’s turn back.”  Molder said and as he turned around a look of disbelief came over his face, “I don’t believe it!  The door is gone!”

“What do we do now?”  Blaze asked.

“We keep moving,” Dark-Rider answered.

In the other hallway, Shieldra tried to contact the others but came to a realization that their communications’ were being blocked.  She had them keep moving forward after too noticed that the door of which they entered was gone.  As they kept walking, they could not see a light switch of any kind, so Shieldra grabbed a small flashlight out of her belt and turned it on.  She pointed it forward and saw that there was a door ahead of them.  She motioned for them to move a bit faster and then all of the sudden the floor below them opened up and the fell through into separate slides.  The same thing happened to their fellow teammates and as each of them looked around they realized that they were all on their own.

“It’s done Zendra.”  Gamer announced.  “They’ve been separated from one another.”

“Excellent Gamer.”  She said in a pleased tone, “I had to break up a possible date with an old friend for this, so let’s not keep them waiting.”

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

 

 

Shieldra looked all around her and saw that she was the only one in the room.  “Well, this is another fine mess Dark-Rider has gotten us into.”  She said out loud knowing that her ex-boyfriend would not hear her say it.  She then heard a scraping sound coming from within in the room and noticed the walls were closing in on her.  Using her shield abilities, she extended her shield to put up against each wall to where she could keep them from closing in on her.  Unknown to her she was being watched on a monitor in a control room.  Zendra looked on and began to explain to her Aunt, “You see, when she uses her powers they tend to operate at a certain power level.  But as you see here, she has taken her powers to hold up the walls.  By doing so, the power level has fluctuated to where the majority of her power is coming out of her arms.  Sure there is a shield still around her body but not as strong as it was.” She then noticed that Shieldra was just about to give up for she had been at it for nearly five minutes. “Moon Sight have you reconfigured your knockout dart?”  She asked through her communicator.

“I’m ready.”  His gruff voice came through.

“Take the shot…now!”  Zendra ordered.  On the monitor, they saw a dart fly through the air but it bounced off.  “You idiot!  Get the second one off!”  For Shieldra had felt the first dart hit her and bounce off onto the floor which distracted her long enough for Sniper to shoot off a second shot which hit her at the base of the neck, and she fell to the ground.  “Good work now put her in the chains against the walls.  Once you are done with that move onto your next target and await further instructions.”  She then turned to her Aunt, “The chains are specifically made for her DNA, which will keep her from using her powers.  Now let’s move onto Boom Box.”  The monitor changed to the room from which Boom Box was dropped into.

“Well, that was fun.”  Boom Box said to himself as he observed the room, and noticed a door.  “I doubt that this is the exit out of here, but let’s see what’s behind door #1.”  He opened it up and walked out into a hallway, which had no door on the other end.  “Well, maybe I’ll just make my own door.”  He took a deep breath and using his ability to make sonic booms with his vocal chords targeted the wall, which was not giving in.  He took another deep breath to make another shot.

“You see dear Aunt, Boom Box can only target what is in front of him not what is behind him.  Therefore, Camo’s special fatigue allows him to blend in with his surroundings make him the perfect individual to sneak up on Boom Box and place a special collar around his neck to which will prevent him from using his power.”  On the monitor, it showed in thermal someone sneaking up on Boom Box with a device in his hands.  He placed the collar around the unsuspecting hero’s neck in one fluid motion.

Boom Box knew something was wrong as soon as he could only hear his voice in a normal tone.  He felt around his neck and felt that there was something around it.  He tried to pry it off but had no luck.  While he was distracted by it unknown to him that his unseen adversary had taken out an EDF gun and shown himself long enough to be seen and shot Boom Box.  The shot ran through his body and bio-suit and went to the ground.

“Nice work Camo now moves onto your next target,” Zendra ordered him as he turned back to being invisible.  They moved onto the next monitor that showed Plantra in another room.  

Plantra saw that the door that led out of the room was only a few feet away from where she stood.  She started to head towards the door unknown to her there was a laser beam that once she had stepped into it released a gas that caused her to stumble back.  “When Plantra is in her “plant” form of any kind she is as vulnerable to pesticides like any other plant.”  They saw that she was reverting to her normal form and once she had done that the gas changed color to a knockout gas, which made her lose consciousness within seconds.  “Chemica did a nice job coming up with a pesticide that would force her to revert to her human form for her to breathe and then once she does so, a simple knockout gas to make her pass out.”  Ruthers nodded in agreement, “Now Chemica will enter the room and place her into a glass cage which once she wakes up she will most likely try to use her powers, and when she does the pesticide will once again be released.”

Aquatrina turned into her water form as she slid down the slide into the room.  She remained in her aquatic form as she observed her surroundings.  She had found herself in a room full of mirrors.  As she was about to blast one of the mirrors with a watery fist the mirrors began to redden with intensive heat.  She screamed in pain as the heat began to penetrate through her watery form deep down into where skin would be.  She reverted to her human form and passed out in heat exhaustion.  “She was easy to figure out,” Zendra stated plainly.  They moved onto the final victim, which was Long Yard.  He found himself in a room, saw that there was a door, and went towards it when he noticed that he could not move his feet for they were stuck to the floor.  Then he went too stretched out his arm to reach the doorknob and as he was, doing so Camo snuck behind him wearing special boots so he would not stick to the floor either and placed a collar around Long Yards’ neck and his arm retracted.  Long Yard went to turn to see who had snuck up on him and forgot he no longer had his stretching capabilities and landed hard on the ground.  A couple of more people with the same type of boots came in and took him off the floor after spraying him with a special compound and led him away.

“Well, that’s one group of heroes down, one more group to go,” Zendra said proudly.

“Don’t get too overconfident my dear niece.”  Ruthers warned, “The remaining Alpha Force members will be more than of a challenge than the others.”

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

 

 

Mindra stepped out of the room that she was in and entered into the hallway and scanned the area.  There were doors along the hallway and she was tempted to see if they led to the others.  She tried the first one on the left and it was locked, and then tried the next one, and it too was locked.  After trying several doors she finally found one that was unlocked.  She turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door, and as it did, it tripped a wire, which unlatched a mallet that was above the door to swing down with such a force that caused her to stumble back into the room behind whose door had opened after she opened the other.  As she stumbled into the room, she fell into a cage, which once she was in it hummed with energy.  She grabbed onto the bars and was shocked back with an EDF.  “Great this is just great!”  She exclaimed as she sat down and crossed her arms.

Metallacia found herself in a room without a door.  She went changed herself into a metal form and when she did, she immediately found herself up on the ceiling.  She tried to change back to her human form but was unable to.  “Don’t try to return to your human form, my dear.”  Zendra’s voice came over the intercom in the room in an altered tone, “You have been attached to a special magnet that is so strong it will not allow you to be able to change back.  So just lay back and enjoy being captured.”  She laughed evilly.

Sparks exited the room that he had landed in and found himself in a large hallway.  He started walking down the main hallway when he heard a beeping sound and saw that the floor was full of land mines.  So using his speed he was able to avoid all of them except for when he got to the other end of the hallway for there was a bomb on the other side of the door and once he opened it, the force of the blast flew him back into the room!  As soon as he landed on the ground a couple of The Society’s henchmen placed a DNA collar around his neck and led him away.  “Sparks may have speed and brains however what he cannot see he cannot dodge,” Zendra stated.

Frezor and Blaze were adjacent rooms which they could see each other.  They nodded in agreement that they had to get out of there and when they had activated their abilities they noticed, something different was happening.  The fire that Blaze was creating was being sucked out of her and the cold was being sucked out Frezor.  Then their elemental abilities switched into the opposite room causing them to feel the effect of the others’ power.  “This was something I came up with my dear Aunt.  They are both reliant on their powers for them to make their escape like the others and since they are exact opposites, they are their own worst enemies.  The trap was once sprung once they activated their powers and now they will not be able to use them.  Ah here comes our henchmen with DNA collars for them and to take them away.”  They then moved to the next monitor.

Molder did not like the looks of this.  He was alone and in a room which had no doors.  If the room was made out of concrete or some other type of soil base that he could easily cause it to be gone but it was made of wood.  He decided that the best way out was to start smashing.  Turning himself into concrete but as soon as he did, the room began to fill up with water.  “Oh, you gotta be kidding me!”  He exclaimed in disbelief and continued pounding on the wall as the water resumed to rise but the walls would not give.  He then realized that the more he splashed around that the water was taking washing away his “outer skin” and then he found himself under water and then the water receded.  As he was gasping for air, Moon Sight shot him with a knockout dart.

Dark-Rider landed in the room in a crouch position.  He looked around the room and listened for any sound.  It was quiet except for his breathing, which he kept to very shallow breathes.  I have a gut feeling I’m not the only one in the room.  He thought to himself.  He stood up and slowly walked towards the door that led out of the room.  Just as he was about to reach out to open the door he was knocked back by an invisible force.  “I knew it!”  He scolded himself and put up his hands to block any more attacks.

“You can’t fight what you can’t see Dark-Rider.”  Camo told him and punched him a couple of times in the face.

“That’s funny.”  Dark-Rider quirked, “I could say the same thing.”  He told his invisible opponent, as he too turned himself invisible.

In the control room, Zendra and Ruthers looked on, “Why didn’t you set a trap for Dark-Rider?” Her Aunt asked.

“I have a trap; I just want to see how well he does against my men,” Zendra answered.

In the room, Dark-Rider heard Camo complain, “Hey nobody told us could do that.”

“You’ll see that I’m full of surprises.”  Dark-Rider quoted from Luke Skywalker.  He deactivated the special lenses within his mask and he used The Eyes of Truth to show where his adversary was.

“Oh, you’re very funny mate.”  Camo said sarcastically.  He looked around and a couple of hits hit him.  “Hey play fair!”

“Sorry Mr. Nice guy left and I’m his replacement,” Dark-Rider told him as he landed a couple of more punches and then jump kicked him in the head and landed on the ground unconscious.  Dark-Rider then uncovered Camouflage's mask that he was wearing and he became visible and Dark-Rider did the same.  “I know you’re watching.”  He called out, “You gave that away when you sent our old enemies after us.  We saw cameras attached to them.  I hope you’re enjoying the show…you haven’t seen anything yet.”

“Let’s see how he fairs against Chemica,” Zendra said as they saw Dark-Rider enter into another room.

Dark-Rider peered into the room and keeping his “eyes” open, he saw that there was no one in the room.  He went in, the door slammed behind him, and the room began to fill with various gasses.  He just stood there waiting to see when his opponent was going to show which didn’t take long for they appeared through the same door that he had just come through.  She looked at him through her gas mask and asked, “How is it you are not falling down?”  He held up his pointer finger and shook it as in he was not going to tell her.  She knew she could not fire her pistol for the spark from the gun firing would ignite the whole room so she went straight to hand-to-hand combat.  She attacked him with a couple of punches but he blocked each one, and as she went for another strike, he grabbed her arm and tossed her across the room like he did to Long Yard and she hit the wall hard that it knocked her gas mask off and she passed out.  Dark-Rider walked up to her, pressed a button on the control pad that was on her left arm, and the gas ceased to enter the room.

Once it cleared he let out heavy breaths and breathed deeply, from the control room Zendra and Ruthers watched on in amazement, “Interesting, he held his breath to keep from passing out.  He’s more than I expected that’s for sure.”  Zendra said admirably.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say you’d have a sense of admiration for this so-called hero?”

“One must appreciate an adversary’s instincts for survival.”  Zendra quoted.  “If anything I learned from my training is that the more the target is willing to live the more challenging and rewarding of the hunt.”

Dark-Rider went through the door and found himself in a hallway.  Using his “eyes” he saw that under the floor was land mines.  Seriously? he asked himself, I’ve heard of being thorough… He floated up a couple of feet from the ground and moved forward.  As he did so Ruthers and Zendra could not believe that he was somehow able to avoid the land mines.  Dark-Rider neared the door and there stood in his way was Claymore.  He was so bulky he covered the doorway.

“You won’t get past me, little man.”  He warned Dark-Rider.

“You’ve read my resume right?”  Dark-Rider asked him, “Rocko is bigger than you.”

“You little punk!”  Claymore grunted loudly as he threw a few grenades at him, and they blew up under his feet.  The explosion started a chain reaction throughout the hallway back to where Dark-Rider had come from.  Claymore clapped his hands and said, “So much for him.”  He turned around and Dark-Rider was staring right at him.

“Is that all you got?”  Dark-Rider asked and before Claymore could get an answer out Dark-Rider pounded his fists in the gut that knocked the air out of the big man.  He went for a kick, and Claymore grabbed his leg and threw him into the nearest pillar, and then the next one and the one after that!  Dark-Rider went limp as if he had passed out.  Claymore put him over his giant shoulder and started to carry him away.  Dark-Rider than jumped off of him and yelled, “Two-Hammed Hammer!”  The hammer-shaped laser slammed against the opponent, which caused him to travel across to the previous room.  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a real villain to apprehend.”

“Sarcastic isn’t he?”  Ruthers asked rhetorically.

“Yet he reminds me of someone.”  Zendra admitted, “He refuses to finish off his opponents, for he values their lives, though they have no regard for his.”

Dark-Rider spotted Moon Sight in the next room, shot him with a stun bolt, and then moved to the next room.  Tripwire was waiting for him in the next room with traps throughout the room.  Dark-Rider floated above the floor to avoid them and this really got on Tripwire’s nerves that he came out to challenge Dark-Rider, but he did not waste any time with the mercenary and shot him with a stun bolt.  In the Control Room both Zendra and Ruthers were starting to be annoyed by the hero, “You can’t tell me he knows where they are at!”  Zendra exclaimed referring to the locations of the trap.

“That’s true, but it’s been proven otherwise,” Ruthers told her.

“I still have one last trap under my sleeve, my dear Aunt.  One that will make the Dark-Rider surrender without a fight.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

 

 

Dark-Rider was getting tired of the tests that The Trap Masters had put him through.  He knew the only reason why he was able to overcome them was thanks to the abilities that God had given him and he thanked God for the use of them.  He was now wondering how the others were doing, as he approached a door.  “I’ll guess I’ll find out soon enough.”  He told himself as he opened the door, and as he opened it, he wished he had not seen what his eyes now beheld. There chained up in giant tubes were his teammates.  “This gives me flashbacks,” Dark-Rider said silently as he thought back for when they had first been captured when they tried to rescue Blaze and Mindra.  He heard some clapping behind him and there stood Ruthers and Zendra who was wearing a mask and voice modulator to prevent Dark-Rider from knowing her identity.  “Ruthers I presume.”

“Yes, and this is my niece Zendra.”  Ruthers introduced.

“I do have to say I’m quite impressed,” Zendra admitted.  “You’re the only one that has passed all of The Trap Masters best of traps.”

“Maybe you should go back to school,” Dark-Rider suggested sarcastically.

“If I were you I’d be careful what you say.”  Ruthers warned, “Your friends are being held in DNA tubes that are preventing them from using their powers.”

“Let me guess, I don’t surrender you will kill them?”  Dark-Rider guessed, “Yeah I’ve seen this movie, let’s just skip to the end, shall we?  We all know the good guys are gonna win, and the last time I checked we were the good guys.”

Either he doesn’t care about these fellow comrades in arms.  Zendra thought to herself, or he’s stalling for some reason.

“You guessed right Dark-Rider you will either…”  Ruthers started to say before Zendra interrupted her.

“No!  He still has me to face.”  She then turned to Dark-Rider, “I hear you are pretty good with a sword.  Let’s see how good you really are shall we?”  She pulled out a sword in the en guard position.

“This is a waste of time!”  Ruthers complained.

“Your complaint is duly noted, my dear Aunt.  However, this is my mission and Superior put me in charge.  Now Dark-Rider I must ask are you a gambling man?”

“No, but I’m a man of my word.” He answered.

“I thought you were, I was taught that even in battle one must have honor for his or her opponent when they have overcome many odds such as yourself.  Therefore, we shall have a duel of honor.  If I win, you must surrender along with all of your friends.  And if you win I shall release you and your friends.”

“And since this is a duel of honor I will not use any of my abilities, only skill of my swordsmanship.”

“Fair enough.”  She agreed as she stepped forward.  She made the first attack with a set of strikes but the Dark-Rider blocked each one.  “You’re very good.”  She complemented.

“Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself.”  He returned the favor, and then he engaged in several different styles of attacks as he went for each of her legs, which she blocked.  He went for her right wrist that was controlling her swords moves.  Their swords clanged in the air like two warriors in battle one representing good and the other evil she went for a downward strike but he rolled to the right and in the process slit her left arm.  She ignored the pain but allowed the adrenaline from the anger she felt to give her the extra strength she needed.  They pressed on with their attacks until they were both breathing heavily.  “Break time?”  Dark-Rider asked.

“Why are you getting tired?”

“Are you?”

“We’re both equally matched, but am sorry to say that there can’t be a draw in this.”  She said diplomatically.

“Too bad, I have TV shows to watch tonight.”  He joked.

“Shall we finish this?”  She held up her sword.

“Yes let’s.”  He raised up the Laser Blade.  Their blades sang in the air again as they clanged.  They kept making the same strikes repeatedly, not giving the other an inch to budge.  He ducked down sliced her knee and as she limped down, he knocked her sword out of her hand and held the blade to her throat.  “You have been defeated!”

“Go ahead finish it.”  She panted.

“No.”  He told her as he put the sword back into its sheath.  He held out his hand to help her up.  “You are a great fighter, too bad that we are on different sides.”  She took his hand and got up.  “Now you must honor our agreement.”

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

 

 

“No!”  Ruthers objected, “You are not leaving here alive Dark-Rider!”  She held up a gun.  “I didn’t work this hard in putting Zendra through the training that she received just to have you and your friends captured and then released over a stupid meaning as an honor!”

“Aunt no!”  Zendra stood in front of Dark-Rider.  “He and I fought a duel of honor.  This duel is what I learned from that school you sent me!  And now you are going to go back on all that I was taught…what you were taught over those years you spent there?”

“I don’t follow a code of honor my dear niece that is why I’m one of the world’s finest assassins.”  She stated.  “And if you won’t get out of my way then I shall put you out of my misery.”  She fired a shot but with amazing speed, the bullet never reached her, for Dark-Rider stepped in front of it as it slammed into his chest and fell to the ground, and he shot her with a stun bolt.

“But how?”  Zendra asked.

“My ability of invulnerability protects me from such as a little thing like a bullet.”  He answered her and he approached his friends.  He pressed a few buttons and they were released.

“I hope you and I will face each other again Dark-Rider,” Zendra told him.  He turned around as he saw that she and her teammates about to leave via teleportation, “You fight with honor.”  And they were gone.

They all returned to The Big House and looked over in the Med-room.  Dark-Rider briefed them on how he was able to get out of all the traps.  “Wow remind me next time to take you along.”  Molder told him.

“Well one thing is for sure we were all tested and even though we pretty much failed we made it through.”  Shieldra brought up.

“Not only that but boy we need something like what we went through for The Holo-Dome,” Plantra suggested, and the others nodded.

“I will start to make the simulations as soon as I can,” Jacob assured them.

“Dark-Rider.”  Long Yard approached him later on that night in the briefing room.

“In here Long Yard.”

“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.  I realized that you were right, coming up with a great move and all like that is nothing compared to knowing when to use them.”

“Apology accepted.”

“Please let me finish.”  Long Yard pleaded, “As we all watched you and Zendra battle, you kept your part by not using your abilities.  I mean, how did you have the discipline not too?”

“For I knew what was at stake.”  He answered, “Not just my honor, but my friends.”

“I guess I still have a lot to learn about those things.  And am glad I have a leader like yourself.”  Long Yard held out his hand.

“And am glad that I can serve in that way.  A leader must live by example Long Yard and you have those talents, now we need to refine them.”  Dark-Rider took his hand and shook it.  “However you are not getting out of those sessions.”

“Actually I’m looking forward to it.”

At the secret Head Quarters of The Society, The Trap Masters and Ruthers received a major tongue-lashing by Superior, “You fools!  You had all of them in the palms of your hands and you've released them?”

“I gave The Dark-Rider my word, and he the same.  If I had won he would’ve honored his word.”  Zendra stepped up.

“You had no authority to do so!”  Cyber Queen scolded.

“If I remember correctly, Superior put me in charge.  Therefore it was my call, and if the mission failed of me than the blame falls on me.”  Zendra argued.

“From here on out you and your Trap Masters are in service of The Society that is your punishment.  You shall not find work outside of The Society and if you do not only will they be killed but you as well.”  Superior dealt out, “However you shall continue your cover at the high school.”

“Very well then if you’ll excuse me I have homework to do.”  She said sarcastically and left to her quarters.

“Your niece.”  Dr. Nightmare told Ruthers.

“Don’t remind me.”

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

 

 

The next day at school, the teens went through the day as they normally did. Mike met up with Zara at end of the day.  “Hey, are you ignoring me?”  He asked her.

“Oh no, just a lot on my mind that’s all.”  She answered.

“Cause you didn’t meet me this morning, and then after band you didn’t say anything to me, not even a wave.”  He pushed, “And we all missed you at lunch time.”

“I’m sorry Mike, I really want to get to know you again, but I’m afraid that’s all.”

“Afraid of what?”  He asked curiously.

“I’ll tell you later.”  She told him and he grabbed her arm, “Ouch!” And the cut on her arm showed.  Mike stepped back a bit in disbelief.  “I know you didn’t mean to cut me yesterday.”

They stared at one another what seemed like ages, “You…no it can’t be.”

“It is true.  And I know who you really are.”  She told him.

“Then it’s not me your afraid of, but you’re Aunt and The Society.”  He deduced and she nodded.

“I’m sorry Mike.”  She started to tear up and he took her into his arms.

“There’s nothing to forgive.”  He assured her, “I’ll tell you what, you don’t reveal who we are to The Society, and then I won’t reveal who you are to my friends.”

“In what type of exchange?”

“Just friendship that’s all I ever wanted from you.”

“Do you think that someday I can leave them?”  She asked.

“I do when you are ready.”  He told her.

“Until tomorrow then.”  She assured him, and he watched her leave down the street and praying that one day she will see the light.