Troubled Paradise

Chapter 4 Innocent Heart

Ian struggled to open his heavy eye lids. His blurry vision cleared to reveal polished concrete walls. His body trembled as he pushed himself up onto his elbows to get a better look around where they had crashed. It seemed to be just one of the many million dollar mansions but he hoped this one was vacant and not someone's home.

He looked around for any sign of Dior before spotting her still unconscious inside the helicopter. He wondered how she had remained inside while he got thrown out. Using the wall as support, he stood up holding his stomach but the pain caused him to hesitate. He looked down and immediately regretted his choice. The splitting headache he was having now couldn't compare to the piece of metal jagged in his stomach.

Fortunately it didn't go too far in but it still caused great pain. He huffed as he pushed off the wall and staggered towards the helicopter, many times almost falling but he was able to regain his balance. He took step after step until finally, painfully collapsing at the open door of the helicopter.

Climbing up into the helicopter was out of question with his injury and besides he already went through so much pain just walking, climbing up then probably having to carry Dior? He'd rather leave her than suffer the additional weight, he wasn't apart of the team anyways. He stared at Dior, noticing a thin streak of crimson going down the side of her face and he could only crunch up his nose in annoyance.

He dismissed the pain in his stomach and reached up to grab at Dior's heel. She wasn't too far from him and so he didn't have to suffer for too long. It was only then that he realized that her other heel was under the metal anchor she had used before.

"Well that explains this unfairness.." Ian huffed out. He reached up to pull out her anchored heel and it was then that the metal was starting to rebel against the obstacle in front of it. Ian clenched his teeth, sucking in a shaky breath, and in one go he jumped up a bit and finally freed Dior's foot from the restraint. His wound was already bleeding but now the flow was even heavier as he leaned Dior against a nearby wall and looked over towards the front of the helicopter, intending to also help the pilot.

From where Ian was, he couldn't see the pilot too well but the trail of blood and broken window said it all. He quickly looked away as he noticed the pilot couldn't be saved.

"What kind of goddamn field trip is this?" Ian huffed as he used a torn cloth to pressure around his wound, sitting across from the still unconcious Dior. He gazed at the woman in front of him. Nothing but bad memories surfaced, Ian narrowed his eyes. Such an evil woman and now he was stuck with her. He shifted a bit but no matter how he moved the blood kept on running a steady stream. Maybe he'd die first though, he thought back to Dean. The reason why he was in this situation in the first place. He scoffed and grumbled but then thought of Oliver. His movements seized and he relaxed on the wall behind him. "I'd rather die."

"Go ahead Karsyon! We need to find them before they do!" Karsyon obliged and immediately rushed off towards the dark smoke, he was agile and was light on his feet, there were no signs of his presence when he went out to complete a job. He was almost half way towards the helicopter when he was interrupted as the ground suddenly started shaking.

"An Earthquake at this time!?" He said as a building below him completely collapsed into the ground. Laughter erupted through the air,

"Hah! Who said there had to be a specific time!?"

A voice said from below. Karsyon never stopped and only sped up, he was expecting to encounter another Lumin but the problem was if his ability could rival the other. The building below him tilted causing him to lose his balance. Due to the speeds he was running at, he was flung through the air before crashing in the window of another building.

Karsyon got up holding onto his head meeting with the gaze of another man.

"Took down a flock with a boulder. You're like flies on a venus trap."

He tilted his head with a wide smile. Upon not recieving a response he seemed as if he had suddenly remembered something,

"Ah, apologies." He bowed, "My name is Fisher, of course not my real name but you get the point. I'm sure I don't have to say who I was sent by so let's get on with it."

  Bruno, Rico and Jade were originally following behind Karsyon to the crash site but was met with an ambush. Karsyon had only took out those in his way and so the rest in hiding immediately rushed out when they had noticed his disappearance.

None of them were Lumins and had scarves covering their faces. They were forced into hiding by the force of the g*n fire. They weren't able to get even a few shots in there and the fountain they were hiding behind was slowly getting chipped away by the rain of bullets. Bruno's eyebrows wrinkled as his hand shone with a bright light. Jade looked over in surprise.

Jade's attention was stuck to Bruno's had but when hearing the series of screams she only grew confused. She didn't see Bruno do anything but yet the people around them fell on the ground, struggling to the breath. She looked at Bruno again and discovered his paling face, she was shocked and didn't  know what to do. Only a few seconds had passed when Bruno suddenly gasped, the light from his hand dimmed as he started coughing.

Upon seeing Jade's reaction Rico explained briefly, "That's his ability."

Jade shook her head, "I know it's his ability but what is his ability?"

Rico looked away and didn't answer. Jade expected this reaction since no one gave out what their ability was that easily. Doing that would only give others the time to prepare in advance on a way to counter your ability. Bruno regained his steady breathing and looked out from behind the fountain. None of the people could be seen.

"Did you kill them?" Rico asked as he too looked out.

"No, just passed out. We need to bring them in for questioning."

They walked around cautiously, checking their surroundings. "How long will they be out?" Rico asked as he caught glimpse of a collapsed woman on one of the roofs. A g*n wad right at her chest signifying that she was eith the group. "About an hour." Jade looked at him, shocked, "So long? What did you do to them?"

Bruno glanced at her before replying casually, "Tanpered with their breathing." It was so vague Jade could only forget ever finding out what Bruno's ability was. They started their journey again, towards the crash site.

Karsyon was able to get a few hits in on his opponent but was still disadvantage since he kept going underneath buildings and uprooting them. Karsyon kept on losing his ground because of this repeated tactic. He didn't want to experience being buried alive.

"Is this the only move you have Fisher!? Aren't you ashamed to be using just a single tactic?" Karsyon shouted attempting to reveal his opponents arrogance but Fisher only laughed.

"I may be using only one tactic but it's a powerful one! Don't start complaining just because you're running out of ground." He uprooted another building throwing Karsyon off course, landing him among several houses, he didn't rush to get up however and only stayed still. "Karsyon! Get out here!" Another building sunk into the ground. Karsyon quickly move to a nearby window. There he saw another building collapsing to the ground but there were still 4 or so houses left in front of him.

He sighed. How could he get paired with such an enemy? He was known for his stealthy and smooth ability, the complete opposite of Fisher who was uprooting every building in front of him. Karsyon took up the nearest object to him, walked to his left and threw the object a few miles away him. It landed on the dirt but instantly sank in as if it was quick sand. Not to mention he can't touch the ground outside. His stealth abilities might not stand a chance against someone who can easily detect him.

"Decoys to get away? Not cool." Fisher got upset and took down the nearby house, revealing his whole upper body before descending once more into the dirt. Immediately Karsyon got an idea and searched for a pair if shoes. Luckily he hadn't landed in a vacant house. He thought of those he knocked out, maybe they are the civilians? They were wearing expensive clothing and such that they easily could be mistaken for just some rich mafia g**g. He removed the thought for now and thought of a way to defeat his enemy.

Fisher only came up when he was sinking abuilding into the ground and the decoy could easily be traced even when Fisher was a decent distance away. Maybe the weight? He only thought of the opposite of his light feet technique but decided to test it. There were numerous possibilities like temperature and even shape and form. Whatever Fisher's ability was he could manipulate the ground. Karsyon just didn't know if the ability was branched off or the main one.

He decided to test them one by one. He prepared then through out the boot as another house came down. Immediately the ruckus that Fisher was causing stopped, "Oh?" He snickered.

Karsyon threw out the other shoe and immediately both of them sank. Karsyon hid behind a nearby wall, watching the shoes sink then be thrown out,

"Oh for f***s sake!"

It was both. Shape and weight. The shoes were light yet still sank because of the shape it had. Yet the object he had thrown out earlier was realized instantly as a decoy even though it had more weight. Fisher had thought that he had finally caught Karsyon and therefore had emerged with a string of curses. His upper body was exposed once more with his back turned to Karsyon.

Not the smartest in his class it seems Karsyon thought wasting no time and launching after Fisher who had noticed him coming and quickly ducked. Karsyon grabbed on to the Fisher's clothes and was dragged underneath.

It was not what Karsyon was  expecting at all. They were travelling underground as if they were swimming through open water. Fisher pushed him but Karsyon still remained on his body. He wasn't going to risk being buried alive. After a few attempts of shaking Karsyon off, Fisher got agitated and rushed to the surface. Upon seeing the  sun once again Karsyon was almost struck stupid. However, he wasted no time hitting the man at the back of his neck.

He immediately collapsed in the dirt gasping for breath. Looks like he can't breath underground. Makes sense.

He pulled himself above ground, looking at his surroundings. For once, he felt happy at Fisher's scam as he had lead him to the helicopter. He dragged Fisher above ground and tied him up. Carrying the man with him, he finally entered the building. He finally met Ian who had already passed out and Dior who had expanded the metal on the outside so it could stop the bleeding. It was too much of a risk to just take it out.

Not long after the other group arrived. Jade hurried to tend to Ian's injury while the others kept watch. Rico reported to Dean as they prepared once again to investigate. "We captured a suspect but the helicopter was destroyed." They conversed back and forth before Rico finally hung up.

"No wonder you were told to come." Ian blinked amazed as his wounds were healed in the blink of an eye by Jade. Even though the healing was simple he doubted her ability would be and didn't dare to ask. They walked along the series of  houses, searching each of them just in case they were to miss something. A few buildings were underground but Rico only had to beat up Gisher before he dragged them up again.

They decided to split into pairs to make it go a little faster, Rico with Karsyon, Jade with Dior and Ian with Bruno. Fisher was still passed out due to Rico's beating. They doubted he would be able to get away anyways since his ability had such a flaw. Ian didn't like his set up but everyone was already on their way to choose a house before he could start his endless complaint. Bruno and Ian searched a 2 story house, which was lucky since the others were all above 3 floors.

"I'll search down here, you search upstairs." Bruno said as he immediately got to work not bothering to hear whatever rant Ian had this time. "Fine." Ian said grumbling as he walked up the stairs. He searched the first room to his right which was the closest to him. Inside seemed like a kid's room, decorated with all sorts of toys and flashy colors. He opened a drawer and was immediately greeted with a black-covered book.

He took it up flipping to look at each side, maybe a diary? It was weirdly discolored at some parts but he didn't mind it. He flipped it open and after reading for some time he snorted. This girl writes down every little thing that happens to her. He flipped through until he meet the most recent one:

Dear Diary, I met this kind man today who said he was looking for younger brother. He said that his brother loved cakes and sweets like me! He called it an unexpected sweet tooth! He helped me spelled the big word. We talked and talked and he said he wanted play with me again so I took him over...

It looked as if she stopped writing here then continued again later on.

We are playing hide and seek and now I was in the closet. Big brother Oliver said he... there was a scream from downstairs but I'm still not moving! I won't lose! There was shouting, I'm worried for mommy but now I'm too scared to move. I'm scared Oliver will find..

It ended there. It was quite obvious what had happened afterwards. How and why he chose a private island to do his bidding. Ian closed the diary and looked towards the pink floral closet that stood tall in front of him. He stalked towards the closet, afraid of what it held. He hoped it was just full of clothes and shoes but reality was never kind to him. He held onto the knob and pulled it open and of course there was the body of a young girl slouched in the corner.

Her black wavy hair was a tangled mess as her chest dripped with blood. Her dull blue eyes staring lifelessy at Ian. He closed his eyes as he felt his heart pound, feeling guilty for her death. He held his head low muttering, "Little girl.. hasn't anyone taught you about stranger danger?"

After an hour or 2 wait, members of S.P.A.R came to retrieve the body and to transport them back. Everyone felt Ian was acting out of character not talking, or making trouble during the whole trip. He felt out of character too but couldn't think of how he should be acting. When would he know he was acting within his character? He closed his eyes, falling asleep as the others stared at him for a while before directing their attention elsewhere. He wanted an answer but was afraid of the  source.

"Hey wake up."

Rico said as he shook Ian gently, Ian hadn't grown a bit mentally and it was starting to show. Rico decided to go easy on him a bit, however Ian only continued snoring and before long Rico's kindness wore out. He slapped the hand that was upholding his head. Ian fell forward, hitting the metal hand rest instantly waking him up.

"What the hell?" He rubbed his forehead then looked up at Rico. "Couldn't you wake me gently?" Rico's eyes darkened,

"Trust me, I tried but you continued snoring and taking in every bug that travelled your way." Rico huffed. "Anyways we're here hurry up and come on." Ian got up, following after Rico and only then does he notice how short he is in comparison to Rico. He tipped on his toes but was only just about at eye level. Ferris continued walking on his tip toes, estimating just how much further would it take to be on the same height with Rico before he suddenly slammed into his back.

"What's your problem?" Ian held his nose looking up at him. "Uh.. experimenting?" Rico raised a brow but questioned no further, thinking the mission had gotten to his head. They arrived in Dean's office shortly afterwards, meeting up with the rest of the team. Ian put on a face of steel reverting back to his normal behavior

"Old man you surely have a way of sending your men into ragging fire pits."

"You've accepted yourself as part of the team?" Dean asked noticing Ian's face changing instantly, "Besides the point, here." He threw over the diary. Dean took it up, opening it only to be reading some girl's life story, he raised his brow at Ian.

"Last page. The body that you carried in is the owner, Maya." He explained. Although not understanding why Ian would give him the diary he proceeded to read the last page and was genuinely surprised.

"You.." he looked up at Ian, "You have a sweet tooth?" The once proud Ian deflated immediately having a coughing fit. "The encounter." He said, face a light pink. Dean turned to the rest of the team who were more or less surprised, except Bruno who couldn't care less.

"Oliver seems to have a part of his body completed then."

Hearing this Ian couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?" Dean stared at him before there was a sudden gusty of wind. Ian had only blinked yet he felt incredibly nauseous. "We've already questioned Fisher. Oliver is absorbing the bodies. Ian froze as he heard this. He didn't know what to say or do, "That means-"

"Yes. The girl, Maya, was also a victim of it.

The room was silent until Dean dismissed them. As Ian was leaving though he was stopped by Dean. He looked at him tiredly only wanting to return to his room and collapse on the bed. "Are you sure you don't want any pastries or sweets delivered to you?" Ian was already annoyed by everyone upholding the subject and gave a middle finger as response. Even the private guard for Dean had already gotten used to his behavior.

Dean took up a pen, clicked the top and started scribbling. "Maybe a chocolate cake?" He asked himself as his personal guard only shook his head, he really took it as an answer.

As soon as Ian collapsed on his bed he couldn't help but think back to the weird wind. He felt as if the way Dean spoke afterwards was weird but couldn't pin point what. The others didn't have a reaction to the wind and so he didn't bring it up. He turned to his side. He felt like there was something he was missing but he just...

Couldn't remember.