"Sorry that we're late," Roy said, entering the classroom with Diane. His tie was on messily, as if he had put it on in a rush.

Diane sat down and kept from paying her older brother any attention whatsoever.

Blake sighed. Whatever the result of their latest argument was, it wasn't pretty.

***

[Outside the school]

"I sense it... the power of various XYZ users. Including the power of one yet to awaken," said an old man. He chuckled as he stepped forward.

"Who in the world is that weirdo?" one of the electricians asked as he watched the strange cloaked man walk away.

"Not sure. Maybe the grandfather of one of the students? Or maybe one of the teachers," another suggested. "Anyway. Seems that whatever happened, has fixed the generator. At least for now."

"Let's get going. Staying here is giving me the creeps," a third one said.

***

[Third Period-Biology]

"Your teacher is out currently," an old man announced to the class. "As such, I Mr. Borgo, will be your substitute teacher." His eyes which were obscured by sun-glasses dashed across the class until they landed on Blake.

"Today you'll be watching a video on the Meraville disaster."

Blake's eyes widened. "What?" he whispered. Why was he showing that in a biology class? Could it have been...

Silver signaled something to Blake. 'This guy is odd.'

Blake nodded. 'Yeah, he is.

The substitute teacher flashed a toothy grin at the two. "You two should know that it's rude to talk while someone is talking. Even if you two aren't doing so verbally."

"Ah. Sorry," Blake said, averting making eye contact.

"Alright. I accept your apology. As I was saying. There are rumors that this event lead to the genetic mutation among some of the population."

Roy snickered. "Really doc? You're teaching conspiracy theories now? Everyone knows that the blast killed everyone in the vicinity."

"Ah child. That was just a cover up by the government. There was even footage of the event in the news. Though every instance of it was wiped out." His eyes scanned the class anew. "I'm nearly sure that some of you might even harbor said genetic mutation. Including you."

Roy narrowed his eyes. Every fiber of his body felt like springing into action. The man wasn't normal, that much he was sure of. Diane looked at Blake and Silver's way with a worried face.

He snickered. "Sorry doc. But I think that you might have a few screws loose."

The entire class broke out into laughter.

The substitute turned away. "Fools." He grinned. Now he was sure of it. That red-head was one of them.

Blake felt a strange cold sensation, but not from Silver. Rather it came from the substitute teacher.

Melony, sitting diagonally from Blake, watched as he shivered. She took a look through the classroom windows at the sunlight and the clear blue sky. 'It's a pretty hot day today... So... Why is he shivering?' she thought.

"Daydreaming?" the substitute asked, watching her.

Shivers ran up her spine as she jumped. "No! I'm not. I was just waiting for you to start the video."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "If you say so."

Sweet ran down her brow. Never had she met someone so creepy. No wonder Blake seemed scared.

For the next two hours they watched the video. It had began with a news crew flying over a gigantic crater the size of an entire city. Next it had an interview with a man called Lucas Light and a cyan haired girl with a stuff animal.

"What is this?" Roy said, watching with interest.

Blake stared at the little girl. He felt as if he had seen her somewhere... but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The rest of the film talked about XYZ and how the explosion resulted in the altering of the DNA. This change allowed one to gain powers beyond that of a normal human, such as making one's body as hard as diamond. The final scene showed a golden haired boy and a boy who beared a strong resemblance to Silver being lead into a truck to some unknown destination.

Silver shot up from his seat. The guy was sweating bullets.

The substitute turned off the projector and grinned. "Hey. You know. You sure resemble that kid at the end of this film. The one with the silver hair."

Silver shook. Never had he shivered since having gained his XYZ powers, yet... This man managed to change all that.

The young man barged out of the room as soon as the bell rang.

"Silver!" Diane yelled, getting up quickly.

"Worried?" Roy said, following her.

Blake ran out of the classroom and stood beside them with worry.

"Hey. Diane's worried about you," Blake called out to him. "As am I."

Silver turned around with a frustrated facial expression and signed to Blake.

"Ohhh," Blake said.

"What did he say?" Diane asked.

"He said... 'Diane, you're worried? I thought you didn't care!'" Blake translated.

Diane's mouth fell open and watched as Silver ran off.

"Wait for me!" Blake called out, chasing after him.

***

After fourth period Blake followed Silver. "Hey. Want to go practice our powers? Well. I still have to awaken mine but..."

'I'll be fine,' Silver signed. 'You run on ahead and join those two.'

Blake glanced around and saw Diane and Roy go separate ways. He sighed, and dashed off toward Silver.

Suddenly he noticed the substitute teacher following Diane.

"Hey," Blake said, tagging on Roy's arm. He pointed at the teacher following Diane who had noticed that she was being followed. "I think that she might be in trouble."

Silver gathered ice in his hands and hide behind some trees. From his hiding spot, he sent out shards of ice toward the man.

The ice cut the man's arm, causing Blake to scream. Though, much to his surprise the hand returned.

'I knew it... that man is an XYZ user. Come. We got to help her.'

Blake followed.

***

"What do you want?" Diane asked as she arrived at the edge of a forest.

"All I seek is your powers." The man's jaw unhinged and he leaped at her like some yokai.

She ducked, causing the man to bite into a rock. "Damn. I knew that you were creepy. But this is more than I expected."

The man stood up and smiled. His teeth remained intact. "Come. Be apart of me!"

"As if!" she yelled, covering her hands and arms in flames. She charged at him but before she could land a blow, a deer's hooves sent her flying into a tree.

She glanced up and saw the deer slowly approach. "An animal XYZ user?"

"Diane!" Blake yelled. She watched as Silver and he ran toward her. "You alright?"

"I'm... fine," she responded, clutching her side. Blood dyed her school uniform crimson.

Silver shot the man a murderous look as he formed a sword out of ice. He ran at him but the deer intercepted. The young man slashed the thing's head off and continued rushing at the old man. But before he could hit him, he felt a deer's hooves against his back. He turned around and saw the headless deer attacking him.

Blake stood in horror as he watched the deer's chopped head move toward him.

Diane stood in front of him. "Get away from here. You're defenseless."

The black haired young man nodded. "Uh. Right! I'll go find Roy!"

**Plasma Note: What do you think of the creepy man? Think that Blake will get to Roy on time before Silver and Diane get devoured?**