The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot

Michael Altshuler

The last time we fought off Chasm and he'd gotten away; the supervillain had not been wearing state-of-the-art armour or a helmet for that matter. Neither did he have those weird wires popping over his arms, running to his head. I had a sinking feeling, this time around, things would be slightly different. And though my confidence seems over the top, I'm worried this fight might not be ours. The team can't know that though – morale needs to be strong if we want to give it all we've got.

My mask gives me a visual reading of his armoury, green lines swarming my vision in grids and circles. It indicates that Chasm has indeed supped up his gloves with vibrating devices to not only shake the ground but shudder across the whole city. We have to stop him before he causes an earthquake and all the buildings become an avalanche, crushing everything and everyone. Thousands of lives will be destroyed. I can't risk that.

"Scorpio go low!" I'm barking instructions as I teleport, narrowly missing Chasm's strike at me as I obtain higher ground, my feet finding purchase on the top of a roof.

Chasm's eyes turn to Scorpio sizing him up. From my vantage point, I see them both, having a face-off. Blue is lurking in the shadows waiting for my signal. Puma is with the lighters, barring any exit points, in some attempt to contain Chasm. When Chasm launches his fist at Skye, letting it skyrocket off his hand, I'm already leaping.

I'm next to Scorpio in a flash and then, grabbing his hand, I feel a slight whoosh and we're both out of the fist's impact zone.

"Thanks," he nods.

I tip my head, still feeling the sting of the fist from where its metal brushed the back of my neck.

"What was that?" I ask. "Since when can his fist dislodge from his body like some bullet!"

Before Scorpio can respond, something catches his eye, because their amber irises widen and he's tackling me to the ground.

"Watch out!"

"Argh!"

We both hit the road as the same fist whizzes passed and reattaches itself on Chasm's hand. I untangle myself from Skye, ignoring the buzzing feel of his hands on my waist.

"That's all you got?" I know I'm provoking Chasm, but it's what I do best.

He grunts a response. "Not even close, Wolf."

He gets his hands on a small car, effortlessly picking it off the ground as if it were a toy. And then, Chasm throws it at me.

"Woah!" I gasp, turning my body at an angle away before teleporting out of the war zone.

The fight resumes whilst I'm gone, Scorpio battling against Chasm's fists as the supervillain attempts to launch them at me again. I'm teleporting back and forth, using every ounce of telekinesis I've got to deflect his incoming blows. Puma joins us in the fray, zipping at unimaginable speeds as she dizzies us all. When Chasm raises his hand to smash the ground, I realise we're out of time.

"All right Blue, do your thing," I say, when I know Scorpio and Puma have worn Chasm out.

"On it, Wolf."

I see a glimpse of Blue Hawk running in my general direction from my peripheral at the same time that Chasm does. He lifts his arm; the one Skye hasn't been holding down and takes aim.

"Not so fast!" I warn, lifting a drain lid with my telekinetic ability.

Everything slows, like a movie. Harry blinks in shock, ducking for cover. Chasm releases his gigantic metal fist, levelling straight at my teammate. I throw the drain lid, concentrating with my mind. The circular disc blocks the impact of the fist in mid-air. The lid falls to the ground, now dented to a cone shape with a single roll around the road.

"All good?" I call out, blocking the rebound shot as the fist returns to Chasm.

"I'm okay!" Blue yells back, approaching me.

I nod and Harry knows what to do. His gloved fingertips press his temples and I watch him with a thudding heart, so loud, the sound bounces in my ears like a drum.

"Stop!" Blue commands, with an echo in his voice, his eyes boring firmly into Chasm's.

The villain goes zombie-like in an instant, his eyes losing focus, dilating mindlessly and his hands falling limp at his sides. Chasm's back straightens like a ramrod and his mouth hangs open, jaw falling into a senseless gape. Blue Hawk's power is in full effect. Mind manipulation. The strongest, most dangerous, and most difficult to control ability from the four of us.

Scorpio uses this opportunity to pull away Chasm's gloves and Puma whirls around like a tornado, tying Chasm up before I can blink.

"Can't ... hold ... him ... much ... longer," Harry forces out the words through clenched teeth, slowly losing focus.

I'm already at Blue's side, throwing his arm over my shoulder as I hold him up. Mind manipulation is also the most physically exerting, with telekinesis a close second.

"It's fine, drop the link," I tell Blue, his body numbing against me.

Before Chasm can fully awaken from his trance and figure out what happened, Puma has already sped away with his gloves, leaving a trail of scorch marks.

"You're under arrest," Scorpio announces, grasping Chasm by the shoulder in a firm hold.

"What?" Chasm snarls. "Not gonna even bother reading out my rights?"

I want to roll my eyes. "Save it for the police."

Scorpio jostles him into standing and leads him away. I walk a few paces down the road, picking up the drain lid and fitting it back in its place. Surveying the chaotic scene, I look over at the cracked roads and the single smashed-up car. I memorise the licence plate to tell Dex about our little liability later. Thankfully, no buildings have been seriously damaged, and no one was at the scene to add as a casualty.

Several Lighter's heavy vehicles have gathered on the scene once I'm done with my examination, sirens blasting and red lights flashing brightly. A number of police cars also showed up to escort our criminal, a few officers jumping out of their cars to analyse the situation. Notes are being made, pictures are being taken and the static crackle of walkie-talkies buzzes.

Scorpio loads Chasm into one of the Lighter's facilitated vehicles or high-level criminals, Blue Hawk helps gather evidence, since he's the only one with a proficient knowledge of – well anything. And I'm pretty sure Princess Puma is just flirting with a hot, young cop.

"Thank you for the save Kidwolf," one of the officers addresses me.

I shake her hand, taking in her reddish hair and easy smile. "Glad we could help."

Even if it means stopping Chasm ourselves.

"If you ever require assistance, just ask for me," the lady continues, in a friendly tone. "I'm Lieutenant Carpenter by the way."

"Good to know," I smile a fraction, tipping my head in Scorpio's direction for a moment. "Sorry, but we've got to get going."

"Okay, keep up the good job," Lieutenant Carpenter calls out as I round up my team.

I turn so that I'm walking backwards, saluting as I reply in a loud voice. "Will do!"

Scorpio raises an eyebrow at me when I turn back.

"What?" I frown, instantly recognising the look on his face. It's the one that makes any girl swoon and do whatever he wants.

I'm not falling for it.

"Teleport us?" He asks, his bottom lip jutting out.

I almost feel bad at the sight of scratches on his suit, the way his sleeves are shredded and the purple bruises forming on his knuckles. Almost being the keyword because I'm also hurt. Somehow, I've managed to scrape my knees, bruise my neck and land a gruesome gash on my forehead.

"You're so lazy," I tsk, at the same time Blue facepalms.

The boy had to literally drag Puma away by the elbow from the officer. I mean sure, he was really cute with deep brown eyes and sunshine blond hair–

Never mind.

I'm not helping Blue's case much, am I?

When I teleport us back to the Lighter's Towers (Scorpio is lucky I listen to him), to one of the chemical lab facilities, Dex is already present. He's busy at work, examining a portion of Chasm's gloves, his brows furrowed, as he rubs his chin, deep in thought. Princess Puma brought the evidence in earlier and was now reclining on the couch, finding some magazines to flip through.

I push back my black hood, and saunter towards the lab, dropping myself lazily into an armchair near the window. I roll up the sleeves of my leather shirt, noticing circles of injuries discolouring my pale arms. I might've been Asian, but my skin tone sucked for being fair.

"Do the police have Chasm in their possession?" Dex asks from his desk. A hi-tech holographic system is set up before him, scanning the glove's compartments. Several pieces of apparatus and equipment scatter around the marble white table, silver instruments glinting wickedly.

Scorpio leans against the doorframe, inspecting for bruises. "Yup. The haircut guy is no longer a threat."

"You need to get those wounds checked," I twist my head around to look at him, and he knows I'm referring to the infirmary room.

"I wouldn't say so," Blue mentions Dex's statement, conflicting with Scorpio naturally. He sits down on the armrest of the couch, near Puma's head. "Chasm can still break out; we've faced a similar issue in the past."

I scrunch up my nose, recalling a particular supervillain from memory. "Oh yeah. Remember the Firebreathers?"

Puma shudders, leaning her head back. "Ugh, they were the worst. And not just because of their poor fashion choices"

I roll my eyes and share a look with Scorpio. Of course, Puma would bring that up. The supervillain duo, known as Firebreathers for their wielding of Flamethrowers, were two siblings, Flare and Ignis. To be fair though, their leather leotards looked terrible. Worse on Ignis in my opinion, because when guys wore tights, everything was on display.

"Has Chasm been taken for interrogation?" Dex asks, taking out a sort of magnifying tool.

I share a glance with my crew. Harry shrugs, Scorpio raises his eyebrows and Puma's attention is back on her magazine.

"Most likely," I lift my shoulders.

"We think so," Blue comments.

"We hope so...?" Scorpio grins guiltily.

"We're not sure," Puma sighs, slowly turning a glossy page without looking up.

Dex shakes his head at us. "And none of you thought to follow up on that?"

I think the series of mutters and groans tell him enough.

"I've got to get going," Blue Hawk stands and then helps pull Puma to her feet. "Lots of homework to do. My parents will be home."

Puma nods in agreement, following him to the elevator.

"Same here," she says and waves her fingers. "See you later."

Well, she doesn't know that but okay.

Scorpio pushes off the door once they've disappeared. "I'd better run too, catch around, Kidwolf."

I smile in response, and we exchange a quick salute out of respect. The moment they're all cleared, I'm free to pull out my mask and throw off my leather boots. At once, I'm feeling freer, and I can breathe again. I might know my team's identities, but they don't know each other's or my own. It seems unfair, but I tell myself it's to protect them. If worse comes to wear, Skye, Penny, and Harry would never have to worry about revealing any of the Lighter's secrets. Be it under torture or lie detectors.

On the other hand, as the leader, I end up putting myself at risk for the most part. But that's the way things fall into place. After all – I discovered my abilities first and I had done so on my own. I didn't need some hero showing up in the middle of the night, whisking me off to the Lighter and explaining that I'm some genetic freak. Nope, I realised I was a freak all on my own. And given I had two superpowers, whilst the other three only possessed one, I was twice as freaky.

The thing was; however, I wouldn't switch telekinesis and teleportation for strength, speed, or mind manipulation, no matter how enticing it sounded.

Well, that's just the way of the world.