- Chapter Eight -

It was a normal day, nothing too crazy. You and the rest of the team were relaxing. You were on the couch, reading a novel...that was until Oliver came running through the door.

"Guys, I just found out they're having a Olympic send-off celebration at the park this afternoon." Oliver explained excitedly.

"Ooh, will there be a piñata?" Kaz asked with a smile as he looked up at Oliver. "Because if so, my candy-whakin' arm is locked and loaded."

"It's a pep rally where fans can meet Olympic athletes before they fly to Rio to compete in the games." Oliver explained. "And best of all Clutch will be there!" Oliver smiled as he held up a poster board of Clutch.

"That's awesome." Bree smiled. "I have no idea who that is."

"He's only the greatest weight lifter ever and a shoo-in win gold. They call him Clutch because he always comes through in the clutch." Oliver explained. "And because his real name has fourteen syllables and won't fit on the back of a tank top." You hummed in thought as he continued. "I've seen all of Clutch's competitions. One year I even dressed up like him on Halloween." 

Chase then walked from the kitchenette over to Oliver. "Oliver, instead of some meathead jock why not idolize a real hero? Like a president, or a Nobel-winning scientist. Or me." Chase pointed to himself.

"Or you could idolize a cool athlete like Tom Brady. Or me. I'm great at foos-ball." Kaz smiled.

"Or..." You trailed on. "You could idolize a great human being like Tom Hiddleston, or even a fictional character."

Oliver shook his head with a smile. "I can't wait to meet Clutch. Wait, what am I going to say? What am I going to wear? Oh! I wonder if my Halloween costume still fits." Oliver wondered aloud as he ran upstairs, while Skylar came down. "Guess what Skylar? It's Clutch time!" 

Chase then sat beside you, placing his feet on the table beside your as Skylar spoke. "Was he flirting with me or threatening me? I can never tell his little boy energy."

"Yeah, don't worry about him." Kaz assured. "He's just excited to meet his hero in the summer Olympics."

"Girl from another planet question: what are the summer Olympics?" Skylar asked as Bree stood.

"Oh, they're a series of events for the world's best athletes. The winner takes a gold metal, second takes silver, and third takes bronze." Bree explained to Skylar.

"Oh, yeah, they have that from where I'm from too." Skylar stated. "Except on my planet they don't hand out metals. There, if you get second place they melt down your bones to build a podium for the winner."

You rose your eyebrows as Bree spoke. "Anyway, our Olympics represent sport in the truest form. There's pageantry, sportsmanship, and super hot guys from countries I've never even heard of." Bree smiled as she sat back down. 

"Ah, yes. Don't forget to mention the hot men." You stated as Chase stood.

"You know, I always wanted to compete in the Olympics, but my bionics would give me an unfair advantage." Chase explained.

"I could arrange for you to compete on my planet." Skylar offered him.

"I'm good." Chase stated as Oliver ran downstairs in his costume.  

"Look, it still fits!" Oliver smiled, when really it was the exact opposite. 

"Um, no. No it doesn't." Kaz shook his head. 

"Please go change before I burn my retinas." You stated as Oliver shrugged.

~~~~~

Once Oliver changed out of his costume and into casual clothes, you all headed down to the park where they were holding the summer Olympics. 

You had let your gaze wander as Oliver spoke. "This is so exciting! Clutch is gonna be here any second. Ooh, I'm gonna have him sign my bicep!"

"Lets hope he has a fine-tip pin."  Skylar said as Oliver lowered his arm.

"Cool, so no piñata. Guess I brought this stick for nothing." Kaz explained, tossing his stick into the bushes that he brought along with him.

Chase then looked to the side, getting really excited as he saw two people fencing. "Guys, guys, a fencing demonstration!"

"I just threw away my stick." Kaz stated, dropping his arms to his sides.

"I wish I could compete in the Olympics so bad. My laser bo would have this thing locked up." Chase smiled.

"Your laser bo would slice them in half." Bree pointed out. 

"Yeah, but I'd win." Chase smiled as he walked over to the fencing section. 

"It's Clutch!" OLiver exclaimed, making you tear away your gaze from Chase over to Clutch. Oliver had let his inner fanboy out. "Over here, Clutch! I love you, Clutch!" 

You nudged Bree as Kaz and Skylar followed Oliver. "Wanna walk around and see what they got set up?"

"Sure." She shrugged as you both walked off.

You both chatted casually as you walked through the park, looking at the different sports that they had. Chase had soon joined you both, so it was you three strolling through the park. On the other side of the park is where they held the miniature Olympics for the kids. 

"Aw, look, it's a mini version of the Olympics for kids." Bree smiled. 

"Yeah sure, lets give everyone a chance to compete except for Chase." Chase grumbled. "Oh, look, there's a baby. Somebody hand him a javelin!" 

"Don't get into a sour mood, you'll get your chance someday." You stated, putting your hands in your back pockets with a small smile.

You then heard someone making noises, making you three turn to see Bob stretching. 

"Wait, is that..." Bree trailed as she walked towards Bob. "Bob?"

"Bree." Bob smiled.

"Why aren't you at the academy?" Chase asked.

"I heard about this contest. Where the winner and a friend gets to run with the Olympic torch." Bob explained "I'm gonna win, then invite Bree to run with me. You know, 'cause running is your thing." Bob pointed out as you saw Chase rubbing his chin, knowing an idea was forming in his head. "And, uh, by the way, I'm fourteen now, in case you're still worried about the age difference."

"I'm worried about a lot of things, and age isn't one of them." Bree told Bob. "Look, Bob, you can't compete in the contest. You have bionics. It'd be cheating." 

"Yeah, but don't you see? We'll carry the Olympic flame which can never be extinguished. Like my love for you." Bob told Bree.

"Aww." Bree smiled.

"So you're in?" Bob asked her.

"No." She deadpanned, as she walked away.

You smiled in amusement as you followed Bree. Bree ranted to you a bit as you both walked around, and she wasn't happy about Bob being in the mini Olympics. 

"Maybe we can try to convince him not to continue in the mini Olympics." You shrugged, smirking slightly. "Like by offering him a date with you."

"Okay, no. That's a terrible idea." Bree shook her head as you laughed softly. 

"Worth a shot. You know, he would agree and take the offer." You pointed out.

"Yeah, I know." Bree sighed.

You both the stopped walking, watching as Bob threw a metal ball far off into the park, and Bree wasn't amused.

"Is that good? I honestly have no idea what I'm doing." Bob admitted as Bree walked over to him as you followed.

"Bob, what is going on here? I thought I told you, you couldn't  compete in the mini Olympics because you're bionic." Bree scolded Bob.

"I know, but my new coach said it was okay." Bob assured.

"What new coach?" You asked.

As on cue, Chase walked over to Bob. "No talking to lookie-loos. Focus, Bob. Focus."

"Chase, what are you up to?" Bree asked, stepping towards Chase.

"Look, since I can't compete in the real Olympics, running with the torch is the closest I'll ever get." Chase explained as he stood by Bob. "And when you so rudely turned Bob down, I stepped in." Chase patted Bob's shoulder before jumping up and down excitedly. "I'm gonna run with the torch!"

"No, you're not. It's totally cheating. [Name] don't you agree?" Bree asked you.

"Nope, I am not getting involved in this." You shook our head.

"Ah, technically it isn't." Chase stated. "You see, the real Olympics have very strict rules. But since this is just a rinky-dink challenge for kids, the only rule is: have fun." Chase explained. "Which means that Bob can compete."

"Okay, well it may not be cheating, but it's still not fair." Bree told Chase. "All those kids, they wanna win and you're crushing their dreams."

"Well, yeah, but...I'm gonna run with the torch!" Chase exclaimed as he pulled Bob with him to walk away.

"You know what? Two can play this game." Bree nodded determined. "Come on, [Name]. Lets go find me a kid."

"Okay, but please don't ever say that again. Too weird." You stated as she shrugged, dragging you with her.

~~~~~

About half and hour later, you, Bree, and the little girl that Bree picked: Zoe, walked up to Chase and Bob.

"Hey guys. Say hello to Zoe." Bree smiled at the boys. "You know, she really wants to win the mini Olympics, but since you two are playing unfair, she needs a little help. So, I'm gonna be her coach."

"What?" Chase asked in bewilderment. 

"Yep, since you're using  your bionics I'm gonna use mine to make sure that you won't win. Isn't that right, Zoe?" Bree asked her.

"I don't even know you." Zoe informed. "I was supposed to be doing this with my dad. She just grabbed me and dragged me over here." 

You sighed as you shook your head. "It was horrible."

"Well, you wanna win, right?" Bree asked Zoe.

"More than anything." Zoe nodded.

"Well, then I say we show them some serious girl power." Bree smiled as she high-fived Zoe.

"I'm gonna kick your butt." Zoe poked Bob's chest.

"Chase, I'm nervous." Bob admitted as Chase shot him a 'really' look. "Girl power scares me." 

"And it should." You smirked as the announcer came on.

"Next up for the long jump, Bob!" 

Bob walked over to the starting place as Chase talked to him. "Just remember, use your super strength to push off."

As Chase stepped back, Bob jumped using his strength which made him fly high and land in the middle of the sand pit, causing all the dust to fly everywhere.

"Where'd all the sand go?" Bob asked, looking around.

"What are you, Sandman? Get out of there." You told Bob as he stood.

The people then refilled the sand pit with more sand before Zoe took her place at the starting line. Bree talked to Zoe quickly before going invisible. As Zoe ran and jumped, Bree carried her across the pit before placing her down.

Chase had ran over to Bree as she deactivated her invisibility app. "Hey, that's not fair."

"You said it yourself the only rule is to have fun, and I'm having a blast. Come on, Zoe." Bree smiled as she walked away with Zoe.

"See you later, Sandman." Zoe waved at Bob.

"Don't get so mad, guys. There's still a few more challenges before the final one." You assured the boys. "Besides, I bet you'll make it to the final round."

"Really? You believe in us?" Bob asked.

"No, you're using bionics to beat the other competitors so I know you'll make it to the final round." You explained as you walked away.

~~~~~

Now it was down to Zoe and Bob who had to run a one mile race, and whoever won would carry the torch.

"Hey, since we've both used our bionics to our advantage, what do you say in the spirit of sportsmanship we make this one fair?" Chase smiled at Bree.

"You're only saying that because it's a race and you know I'm gonna use my super speed to help Zoe win." Bree explained, causing you to smile because it was true.

"Yeah, but I threw in all that stuff about sportsmanship so it's sorta legit." Chase stated.

Bree sighed with a smile. "Nice try, Chase."

"Fine, go ahead and use your super speed...since you obviously think that Zoe can't win on her own." Chase smiled as he walked up to Bree.

"Hey, I can win on my won." Zoe declared.

"Oh, really? Because," Chase bent down to Zoe's level, "your coach doesn't think so."

"You don't?" Zoe asked Bree.

Bree laughed nervously. "Yes, of course I do." Bree smiled as Chase looked at her with a grin. "Which is why Chase and I aren't gonna use bionics to help either one of you."

"Okay, Bree. If you insist." Chase smiled, as the announcer announced for the runners to take their marks.

"All right, Bob, remember what I told you." Chase stated.

"Keep asking Bree out 'cause it's funny?" Bob asked.

"No, Bob, pace yourself." Chase reminded as a smile grew on his face. "But yes, you should definitely keep asking her out."

You rolled your eyes as the announcer yelled go, making Bob and Zoe run off. This caused Bree and Chase to yell, trying to encourage their kids to run faster which made you quirk a brow in amusement. Though as time went on, you three shifted to the half way mark to continue to watch the kids run. Zoe was ahead, running past you three. Moments later Bob came jogging by, panting and wheezing as he continued to run. He was lagging behind and Chase wan't happy.

"Run, Bob, run!" Chase yelled as he sighed. "There's no way he can catch up. I gotta do something."

As Chase was about to go after Bob, Bree quickly pulled Chase back. "Hey, no, no, no. We said we were not going to use our bionics to help our kid win." 

"Yes, but we never said anything about using our bionics to make sure that the other kid doesn't win." Chase smiled before running off.

"Oh, no you don't." Bree yelled as she ran after Chase.

"Why do I deal with such children?" You asked as you followed behind.

'Because you're stupid and choose to, that's why.'

'No, because you like doing  what's right.'

"Yeah, okay." You mumbled to yourself.

~~~~~

As you reached near the finish line, you saw that Chase was using his telekinesis to hold Zoe back running as Bob ran past, almost making it to the finish line. Bree had used her super speed to push Bob back besides Zoe. Chase had walked towards Bree, telling her to stop.

"No, you stop!" Bree stated as she pushed Chase's arm down.

This made Chase release his control on Zoe as he and Bree bickered at one another as Bob and Zoe continued the race. You then quickly got a hold of the bickering siblings, grabbing their chins and forcing them to watch the last bit of the race. 

"Look!" You said, watching as Bob crossed the finished line.

"And the winner is Bob!" The announcer announced.

"Yes, yes!" Chase cheered as he ran towards Bob. "I won! The torch is mine!" Chase snatched the torch with a smile as Bob snatched it back.

"Give me that. I don't want to run with you." Bob told Chase.

"What?" Chase asked.

Bob turned to Zoe. "You should run with your dad."

"Really?" Zoe asked.

"Yeah. You're the only one that played fair, and besides, I decided to retire on top and never run again." Bob explained.

"Fine by me." Zoe said as she took the torch, cheering as she ran away.

"Hey, I'm really proud of you, Bob." Bree praised, walking forward as you nodded in agreement. "You did the right thing. You know, this is sportsmanship at its best."

"Yeah." Chase agreed. "And this is my magnetism at its best." Chase lifted his hand, using his magnetism app to take the torch away from Zoe. "See you in Rio!" Chase waved smiling as he quickly took off running.

You and Bree ran after him, but damn was he fast, because soon enough you both lost him in the crowd. You stepped up onto a park bench, scanning above the people's heads until your gaze landed on Chase who was still running. 

"I found him! Bree, keep following the path. He's gonna make a run around the park, I'll cut him off." You explained as she nodded.

You quickly jumped off, running to the right as Bree ran straight ahead.  You ran through the grass, dodging and jumping over people and objects to try to cut Chase off in time. You then quickly jumped over the park's bench, but it only made you collide into Chase, making you both tumble and roll in the grass. The force of impact had made Chase lose his grip on the torch as he rolled onto you. You both erupted into fits of laughter, causing you to try and cover your mouth but it was no use. Chase laughed, bringing his face up from your neck and propping himself up to look down at you. When both your laughter has subsided into soft chuckles, you couldn't help but smile. 

"Are you okay?" Chase asked, looking down at you, checking you for injuries.

"I'm fine. What about you?" You asked, letting your eyes trail over his body for injuries.

"I'm fine." He smiled.

You couldn't remember the last time you two had been so close, especially now since you had to build your friendship, but you would be lying to yourself if you said you didn't like the close contact. 

Just as he was about to speak, Bree came running up to you both, making Chase roll off you. 

"There you guys are! And thank you for the torch." Bree smiled as she picked up the forgotten torch on the grass. 

"Okay, guys. Lets go return the torch back to Zoe." You stated as you stood up as well as Chase.

"Do we have to?" Chase asked.

"Yes, and you need to apologize." You smiled as you began to walk to the mini Olympics.

~~~~~

After returning the torch to Zoe and Chase apologizing to her, you three headed back to the tower. When you entered the penthouse, your gaze immediately landed on Clutch who stood besides Oliver and Kaz.

"Hey, guys. Remember Clutch?" Kaz asked as Chase waved.

"Hey, Clutch." Chase greeted as he leaned towards Kaz. "Why is he in our house?"

"Ah, well, Oliver shattered his foot. And then Skylar abducted him from the hospital." Kaz explained as Skylar nodded. "Then we fixed him in our top secret command center where no one's ever suppose to go. So how was your day?"

"Great, we used our bionics to crush the dreams of innocent children." Bree replied as you nodded.

"It was really them two." You pointed to Bree and Chase.

"Wow, we really are an elite force." Chase smiled as you nodded in agreement.