Noah was ready to start the round. The others looked kinda tired, telling him he would be doing most of the work this round, which wasn't a problem. He was used to it.

He clenched the handle of his sword as the announcer started counting down. Noah had learned that this isn't just your normal game of Capture the flag. Here, instead of tagging with your hands like fin the typical game, they used swords and it was more of a free for all rather than a "sides" system. And the four of them would face off against some of Boss's......employees, but they wouldn't be able to use their powers.

"3..." the announcer bellowed. "2....begin!"

With that Noah dashed off. Opal, being the weakest but nimblest and quickest, followed him. Lance stayed behind in an outcropping to spot any crossing enemies. Jane did something of a similar fashion, but closer to the flag.

One of the other team's players approached Noah and Opal. He was a big guy, more powerful than Noah and clearly Opal.

"Opal head on. I'll handle this guy."

Opal nodded and headed on, knowing she would only get in the way of she stayed. Noah turned his attention back to his opponent and steadied his sword, waiting to revive the first attack. The other man merely stalked in a circle, taking note of Noah's pacifist approach.
Noah knew what he had to do.

He charged forward. The other man quickly reacted, blocking with his arms over his head. He forced Noah's sword to the ground and tried to swipe at his legs. Noah jumped back just in time enough to revive nothing more that a small cut on his leg. He honestly found it to be nothing compared to everything else he had revived over the past 10 years.

The two circled each-other, dodging, attacking lunging and blocking for quite some time. Noah already found himself growing tired. Using so much of his powers earlier had already taken a lot of his energy, so battling the strongest played didn't help his position. And he was worried about Opal. Was she okay on her own? And Ion, was he okay alone with Boss? Even though Boss grew weak seemingly everyday, he was still stronger than Ion. Ion would be in deep trouble should something arrive.

Noah threw his sword up, barely blocking yet another strike attempt by his opponent. Finally Noah got an idea. It was a little cheat and it would be hard hit to land, but he couldn't battle forever and the others still need him. Noah pushed harder, causing the other man to push forward harder. Noah side stepped suddenly, sending the man tumbling forward. Noah stuck his leg out, making sure that the other guy fell over. Noah did not make a killing blow, but enough to make sure the man wouldn't get up anytime soon.
Panting, Noah set off to either find the flag, or more importantly, Opal.

"Player 1 and player 3 have been defeated, and  Opal and Lance are down."

Noah knew that meant the last to players were on the other side of the field. Hopefully Jane could hold them off. Noah continued running around, frantically looking for the flag. He thought maybe he was taking the situation to harshly, till he realized Lance or Opal could be injured. The quicker he found the flag, the quicker they would get help. Almost as if by magic, he spotted a flutter of green. He turned the corner and was relived to find the flag. He picked it up, gripping it tightly in his hand.

"And with Noah taking the flag, the game is over. All battles may cease."

Noah whipped some sweat of his forehead, then with the last of his energy, sprinted back to home base as to check up on the others. Opal and Lance didn't seem to be in any horrible state, but cuts and a few bruises lined their arms, legs and Lance had a single cut on his face. Noah hated seeing them like this. Beaten up and tired. He only hoped that one day, he would find a way to at least let them escape if not himself as well.

Noah sat down with the others as Jane began to slowly heal Opal and Lance with her general flames. Noah insisted that she not waste her powers on the cut on his leg, sure that he could take care of it and he didn't want her wasting her energy. Next thing Noah knew, Ion was back and Opal was taken back to get checked out.

Noah was glad to have Ion back- it was a lot of his chest. But now he couldn't help but worry about Opal. He simply accepted he would be antsy till the end of this who charade. They allowed the four to take a rest before they returned Opal and went for lunch.

"So, Ion, what all did he have you do?" Noah asked.

Ion shrugged.
"Not much. He just did some basic check ups, then had me use my powers on various plants, killing them and trying to take the death from them. It's quite tiring and stressful to try to bring something back to life when you are the being that's supposed to deliver death, but you know how it is."

Noah frowned. It distracted him that Boss was pushing all of them so hard to do things they weren't meant to do. He's had him try to grow plants, Ion try to bring things back to life. And Opal was being made to use her plant powers to kill, something she never wants to do. For now she just tested things out on models, under the impression she'd never have to actually kill anything or anyone. Noah sighed to keep himself from exploding.

"Well, if you're really tired, we have time. You can always lean on me if you feel like it." Noah offered.

Ion seemed to become flustered for a moment before nodding.
"T-that would be nice I suppose."
He leaned on Noah and closed his eyes, completely exhausted.
"Thanks Noah."

"No prob bro." Noah said.

And like that, Ion was out like a lightbulb. Noah smiled to himself.

An hour and a half later, Jane and Lance had had their sessions and the five were having luck. They were all tired from the heavy use of their powers.

"Things sure are quiet." Noah pointed out. The silence set him off.

"S-sorry." Opal whispered quietly.

"Don't be sorry Opal. I just was making a silent observation.

Lance chuckled a little, causing a ripple effect amount the other three. Before they knew it, the five of them were laughing over stupid things and sharing insight on what their sessions revealed- besides Noah. He didn't want to scare any of them by saying that his stone was cracked.

Again that day, the doors banged open and Boss came in. The five hopped to their feet and faced Boss, ready for his next instruction. Two more men appeared behind Boss in the doorway.

"Elemental. I want you all to follow me. It's time I finally explain the next mission. Come. We are on limited time."

Noah was weary of the other men. He knew they were only there because Boss feared the five of them would try to escape otherwise, but he couldn't help but be uneasy. Noah made sure to be right behind Boss, keeping himself between him and the untrustworthy and unpredictable man. The other two men followed behind the others. The group was escorted by the three adults down the halls and to a dark room, that Noah didn't recognize.

"Take a seat." Boss instructed.

The others looked at Noah and he nodded, sitting down and motioning for the others to follow suit. As they did, a projected came on and shined on a screen that had up till that moment been unnoticed in the dark. A picture of a town was the center of attention of everyone in the room.

"This" Boss bellowed "is the town known as Watermark, the main city in the kingdom of Herteta. As you all know, this is one of the last few remaining empires. It has come to our attention that the princess, Rachel Waters, is that last stone holder we need to complete our team, as she is the water stone holder."

"Ha, her name is ironic." Noah chuckled from his seat. Ion poked him as a warning to be quiet. Boss glared at Noah, who simply smiled.

"You know, it'd be funny if Waters waved." Noah said, only adding on to Boss's already ticked off mood.

"Continuing! We will spend the next week traveling to Watermark. There, we will search for Rachel."

A picture of her appeared on screen. She had tan skin, brown hair and blue eyes. Noah though she seemed familiar but he couldn't place it.

"This is the image you need to drill into your heads. If you see this girl, she must be brought in. We will try to approach slowly and get her to come peacefully but if needed we will.....resort to other methods."

Noah knew from experience that this either meant forcing her in or killing her and searching for a new water stone holder. Noah mentally gripped his chair at the thought of another one dying. No. He wouldn't not let it come to that.

"Now." Boss lolled on, "as I said, the rest of this day will be fore resting. Except- Noah. Come here."

Noah glanced at the others. Ion lifted his hand a little as if to reach out for Noah but then leaned back in his seat. Noah walked over to where Boss was stationed.

"You and I will....work on some things. The others will be released for the day. But if you don't cooperate, their release could be otherwise shortened. Understood?"

Noah nodded grimly.

"Well then. The rest of you, head back to your rooms and the main room. Noah will be returned to you all shortly. These two will make sure you get back safely. Now, come on Noah."

Noah followed Boss into the bright hallway. He was blinded momentarily by the white lights. Noah went into an autopilot mode- following without giving it much thought, and instead focused on what could lie ahead of him.

He found himself back in the experiment room. He got ready for whatever might be in store for him.

"Noah. You understand our mission and the importance of it, correct?"

"I understand your goal yes. But not exactly why. Or why you got any of us."

"I am disappointed. I expected you of all of the five of you to know. I guess I will just have to explain. Stone holders, an ancient group of 'protesters' for man kind. But having people with such power over the elements only make people fear you, outcast you, disrespect you. Here at S.H.I.N, we protect all of you from that. And by training you, we get you ready to use for any threateningly situations so that you may save the world and be seen as heroes. We are helping you. Rachel- we want to save her too. But we've found that if Stone holders stay unchecked, they can get out of control. That is why, if she doesn't cooperate, I need you to terminate her."

Noah couldn't believe his ears. He was so fired up he couldn't hold it back.

"Save us!? We've been beaten and drained and played like puppets since our first days here! And how can you expect me to kill an innocent!?"
Noah thought to himself. What would Opal think if he killed an innocent girl. "No, I won't do it!"

"Oh? Well, is that is how you will be, we will simply have to make you."