as previously mentioned by me in other areas, a big reason this update is so late is because my cat died and then birthday drama and then school drama and then job drama. Glad to say I'm feeling better about the cat, birthday drama has (just about, honestly it's still kinda happening months later) died down, school is officially over until i go back in january, and my boss and I have officially come up with a good schedule that isn't spending 12 hours a day 5 days a week working with a 10yr old who has been wreaking havoc. 

enjoy my friends :) this is over 4,000 words lmaooo that's a lot

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"Where are you guys running to?" I immediately questioned, confused as they all took off in different directions. 

Atlas and Juno, who had been running west together, stopped and looked back at me in confusion. "We're going to find the symbol?" Atlas stated, almost as if a question. "Why are you just standing there?" 

Everyone else stopped running as well. "Yeah, we can cover more ground to find them if we split up," Marcellus yelled out from where he ran a few yards away, more north. 

"Eamon, can't you track their thoughts to pinpoint their location quicker?" I questioned him. "Wouldn't that be faster and more efficient? I thought the whole point was to work as a team and use our abilities the best we can." 

"I didn't even think about that, and I am the telepath," Eamon said, almost laughing. Everyone begrudgingly started making their way back to where we were originally standing. I noticed Leulla and the other councilors who were going to stay in the area holding back laughs as well. She did give me a little wink before turning back and commenting to them. 

We all watched Eamon closely as he tried to pinpoint the councilors' locations. "Well," he started, "they're all kind of scattered, but everyone seems to be towards the west. It's weird, there's a few people here or there and then there seems to be one group? Let's just head west to see."

"So, we had the right idea to go west is all that I'm hearing," Atlas stated, filled with pride as his hand kept in its hold with Juno. The two shared a loving look, that slightly made me uncomfortable. Was I expected to hang around them all the time once Team Valiant became established? Watching the two be so in love made we want to hurl. I slightly wondered if it was because of a lack of affection between my parents. They definitely loved each other, but they didn't necessarily show it all the time--and especially not in front of me. 

"I guess," Marcellus replied, his tone laced with a bit of embarrassment, maybe jealousy, as he had been running in the wrong direction. "So, Miss Queen-of-fire, what do you suggest we do next? As it seems like you're taking charge." Definitely jealousy. 

"I mean, it's obvious that we all go west," Ashla spoke up, rolling her eyes. 

"I like that nickname, Queen-of-fire," Eamon butt in, grinning from beside me. "My dad would be so disappointed it wasn't me who came up with it." 

"Yeah, the best you could come up with was poopy," I said, making sure my tone was light so he understood I was joking. "Well, let's head west then, guys." Eamon led us towards where he assumed everyone was, and Atlas, who I remembered was a psionipath, put up a shield around us as we moved. 

"Just in case." He winked at me when I looked at him in confusion. Juno grinned at her boyfriend and whispered something to him that was too soft for me to understand. "So, you manifested a few months ago, then?" he attempted to make conversation after she pulled away, so I automatically assumed she was encouraging him to do so. 

I appreciated the effort on both their parts, and replied, "Yeah, it was a bit of a shocker because with talentless parents, I'd assumed I would be talentless as well at the time." I avoided mentioning the fact that, technically, I have since learned one of my parents isn't talentless like previously believed. "You guys are together, right?" I knew it was obvious, but I figured it was a conversation opener. 

Juno's laugh was different than I'd imagined it would sound. She looked so delicate, and her voice itself sounded soft, but when she laughed it was loud. The laugh sounded more like it should belong to the vociferator, Marcellus who was slowly moving behind us with Briar walking beside him, casually blinking with each step. "What gave us away?" she questioned sarcastically, leaning into Atlas's side a bit more and I noticed that they had been holding hands the entire time. 

If I could see myself, I could only assume my cheeks were red. They only turned more red when Atlas added on, "Like you and Foster kid, right?" 

"The Foster kid?" Eamon jumped in, before I could answer. "I don't think I've ever been called that. Much prefer Eamon." 

"For someone who loves to nickname everyone around them, you sure avoid getting one yourself," I commented, turning to him with curiosity. "Also, how much longer do we need to walk? I understand it's only been a minute or so but I hate walking and already feel like my legs will fall off."

"Do you need me to carry you?" Eamon joked, grinning. "In a few seconds we'll be coming up on Councillor Zarina." 

"She scares me," Ashla cuts in, her nose scrunching up. "What if I get electrocuted?"

I snorted. "I mean, I'd love to see them explain that to our parents." 

"Just a small tip," all our heads snapped into the direction of the woman herself. "When you eventually go into these type of missions that are serious, talking the entire way is not the best point of action. Stealthy is better." 

"That's what I'm good at," Briar said, suddenly appearing behind her. I hadn't even realized she was no longer in our bubble. In a swift movement Marcellus moved and the sound that escaped his mouth was the exact opposite of pleasant. Luckily the rest of us were in the bubble so we weren't affected, but still I knew that my ears felt like they should be bleeding anyways. In a moment of panic we all high-tailed our way out of the way and ran past her, hoping she wouldn't catch up. 

"I've never actually heard you in action, that was amazing dude!" Eamon grinned at Marcellus once we finally stopped. "I wish I could do that." 

"You don't need that ability to make people's ears bleed when you speak, just you alone is enough," I responded, rolling my eyes. Ashla belt out a laugh at my reply, and I felt kind of bad for a moment and wondered if I was too harsh. 

"You know what, I'm not even going to argue," Eamon replied back, smiling at me. He had been leading the group prior, but because we came to a stop he had moved so he was closer to where I had been with Atlas, Juno, and Ashla. I noticed him looking around the area, squinting his eyes int he direction of a small building which had the pictures of a stick figure, and another stick figure although that one had a triangle which I was assuming to be clothes. I couldn't understand why only one of the figures was wearing clothes. 

"What are you looking at?" I asked him, curious if the building had any significance. 

"That's the restroom," he replied. "You can't read the sign?" 

"I'm not very good with languages. Your mom is a polygot, though, right?" I bit my lip as I waited for him to answer. 

He nodded. "Yeah, and so is my brother." He looked towards the rest of the group. "There's something going on inside the restroom, I have a feeling there are more people there."

"I think some of us should hold back," Ashla said. "Let's not put the eggs all in one basket, or whatever the saying is. Eamon can lead a few of you that way, and the rest will stay back to keep watch." 

"Yeah, they might be waiting to circle behind us and make it like a trap," I added on, understanding where she was going with her words. "I can hang back with her." 

"So can I, we'll split boys and girls. Make it interesting, right?" Juno grinned. "Briar, you in?" 

"Hell yeah," Briar said, grinning. "You guys have fun in there." 

"You sure?" Atlas questioned, looking to his girlfriend and holding both of her hands, facing her so they could lock eyes. Juno nodded in a reply and I felt like I was intruding on a personal moment when the heels of her feet lifted slightly so she could lean up and quickly kiss him. I wasn't used to watching people be so openly affectionate around me. It was weird. 

I looked around at everyone else and saw that no one else was reacting to the couple as if they were weird. I guess that I was the only one out of all of us with unaffectionate parents. I knew that Eamon's parents were, Keefe's upbringing had been really rough so he made it a point to not only show love to his children, but to also show them a healthy relationship with Sophie and what kind of future they should strive for if they would ever choose to get married. 

"Alright, let's head in," Eamon said, leading the group of guys inside. 

I suddenly felt naked now that the group had dwindled, and we no longer had Atlas to shield us. But then, it was important that we could prove we could put in the work without a psionipath around us the entire time anyways. "Okay, now that they're gone," Ashla prompted, "I have an idea." 

We all listened intently as she informed us of her thoughts, finishing off with saying, "Besides, they said it's away from all humans as our hint. We've been focusing a lot on thoughts, I think we should focus more on the actual area we're in. That's why I think that's a trap, but just in case the boys should check it out." 

We waited for a few moments, just in case anyone inside called out for help, but when nothing happened we decided to run back to where we were, passing a group of humans on the way. One of them had a cigarette in her hand, and I scrunched my nose when I thought of my conversation with Leulla earlier. My focus moved away from what we were doing, and suddenly it's like I was entranced with the human pulled out a lighter. 

I tried to remember my training with Marella, but essentially with my ability I was addicted to fire. The way the flames danced around was mesmerizing, and the way the colors blended together would always draw me in. I subconsciously stepped once in the direction before Juno pulled me away. "You don't really want to deal with that fire right now, do you?" her voice was light, and I stared at her in wonder. My emotions were going haywire, one part of me was fighting but another only wanted to listen to what she was saying, like I didn't have a choice. 

And suddenly I realized what she was doing and shook my thoughts away. "No, I don't." I swallowed and looked away, moving after Ashla once more. 

"Is it really that distracting?" Briar questioned when Juno and I caught up. "The fire?" 

I nodded, slightly embarrassed. "I don't know what it is. It's just all I can think about when I see it. It's like when you're really hungry and haven't eaten in hours, and then suddenly someone walks by you with fresh blitzenberry muffins in their hands. They're still warm and you can smell them from where you're standing, and all you want is those muffins. But they're in somebody else's hands, say your worst enemy's. You can't just walk up to them and grab a muffin to eat. You have to be sneaky. It's not allowed, but it's just so enchanting that your mind is telling you it's worth it." 

"That sounds like hell," Ashla says, frowning. 

"I'm definitely living it," I joke back. "It's normally not bad, but I haven't been around fire that much. And when I have, I've usually been prepared and knew it was going to be there." 

"Well, if you stick with us at least you'll know that I'll be here to help you," Juno responded, smiling at me. I wanted to believe and agree with her, but she was wrong. She wouldn't always be right beside me if I stayed with the group. I could be a liability. And honestly, I felt quite useless. Sure, I made a few suggestions here or there. But my ability wasn't a driving force. I wasn't that helpful. 

Instead of saying my thoughts, I tried to smile at her. With the worried look in her eyes, I'm sure it came out as a grimace. "We're here," Ashla said, bringing our attention away from the conversation at hand. 

"That's beautiful," I said, looking at the water in front of us with awe. "I didn't realize humans could leave things alone enough to let this happen." 

"Well, actually, I believe humans created this water way by accident over time. They pay people to make sure it stays treated well," Ashla responded. "I know a little more about humans than I probably should. I loved Multispeciesial Studies, if this doesn't work out I wouldn't mind being a mentor one day." 

I nodded and watched as she snapped her fingers and a spoon appeared, which she started to use by digging it into the ground. "Where'd you get the spoon from?" I asked curiously. 

"I figured it would be in the drawer in my house, I'm lucky I was right," she responded, laughing. "I wish I knew where a shovel was so I could make one of those appear instead." 

"You should put one into the universe so it's always at your disposal," Briar joked, although she was a foot away, watching to make sure nothing would happen like we previously talked about. She had been blinking with each step before, but now I noticed that she was only partially visible. It was a cool trick, I'd seen it used multiple times before. It was common for a vanisher to be invited to Team Valiant with it being such a useful ability. Other common invitations were telepaths and empaths. I was genuinely shocked they didn't invite an empath this time around. 

"Good idea," Ashla resonded, grinning back at her. She continued to move around and dig in different spots, stabbing the spoon into the ground where she assumed it looked a bit either too leveled or too unleveled.

"I just don't understand why you think they'd hide it underground," Briar commented. "Isn't that a little too hard?" 

"I still thought of it, didn't I? Underground is the only true place away from all the humans. You already know about how much I love Multispeciesial Studies, and it was part of the reason I was recommended. Why else would they pick a random conjurer whose had no true powerful breakthrough with her ability? Everyone else here was chosen because of their abilities themselves." She smiled when the spoon hit something. "I imagine no one else would think there could be a secret tunnel built by dwarves around here, one that could be accessed by someone who knew to look for it.. Not that I'm looking for a tunnel right now, I doubt they had the time to hide it in one. But they definitely might've thought of the tunnel and figured they could hide it underground, and we could accidentally find the tunnel instead. Accidental trap." 

She stood up and grinned, the flag in her hand. "Why else would they bring us to a random park?" 

"Wow," was all that could escape my mouth. "We need to get the boys to bring it back." 

"Why don't we just leave them there? They've been gone awhile and obviously fell into a trap," Briar responded, rolling her eyes. 

"Actually, I think we're about to be a trap. Hard place to find the flag, yes, but definitely too easy to get it without prying eyes. They wanted us to find it." Juno looked around. 

"Hold on." It was me who stepped up, and I wasn't sure exactly why until I felt it. Heat. "There's someone here, I can feel their body heat." 

"No you can't, that's ridiculous," Briar said with a scoff. "I haven't heard of a pyrokinetic doing that before. You create and control fire. Not heat." 

Suddenly I could feel the heat of the bodies around me. "No, I can definitely sense body heat. I'll have to talk to Marella about this." 

"Astounding discovery, Miss Madigan," one of the councillors I didn't know too well, Councillor Hugh, said as he walked out from behind a tree with a large grin. He had replaced the retired Councillor Darek back when I was a baby, making him the youngest one next to Leulla. Although that was by a long shot, as Leulla had to be younger than Darek by decades, if not at least a century. She broke records even her mother hadn't when she joined the council. "Fascinating to hear," he added on. 

"Okay, so you were right. Trap, definitely trap," Briar whispered to Juno, although I assumed she must be bad with whispering, maybe just when she is nervous, because all of us could hear. 

Ashla snapped her fingers, and suddenly I realized the flag was gone. She must've had it hiding somewhere, possibly in the void. "We need to get Ashla to base," I said, getting into action. Everyone started to sprint away, but while I was making sure everyone got ahead I accidentally stumbled a bit behind and in a moment of panic grabbed onto Hugh's arm so I wouldn't fall. When I grabbed onto his arm I wondered, for a second, if feeling someone's body heat meant I could possibly control it. It felt weird, like instead of the fire touching your skin burning you, it takes your heat away. I panicked when his skin started to turn cold and imagined the heat returning, hoping that would work. 

What I did seemed to confuse him long enough for me to run away and chase after the rest of the girls. Along the way we passed the building the boys had gone into, and I noticed through the window that they were surrounded by a few of the councillors, talking. I wondered how they had been stalling them. While I knew should've run with the girls to help them to base so that we could finish quicker, I thought maybe it would be more important to treat this like a mission. In a mission I would never see this and turn my back on them. 

"I'm gonna help the boys!" I told Juno, waving and turning. It took me a second to realize that she had suddenly turned and joined me. 

"Briar is going to help Ashla there, let's go," she said. It seemed she might have thought the same as me. We quietly opened the door and I held my finger up to my lips, staring at what was in front of us. I couldn't figure out whether we were in a female or male restroom, what I did notice was the lack of humans inside. Atlas stood tall, staring the councillors down as he made sure they had a force field around them. I walked up to Councillor Liora, the conjurer, and decided to test my heat extraction theory. I extracted heat from her body, praying I didn't accidentally kill her and make the ability become banned again, leaving myself to be exiled. She made a small noise but I quickly covered her mouth and used that time to put the heat back, although she had already passed out. 

I didn't think that would actually work, but apparently it did as I slowly eased her body to the ground and noticed Juno working on a few others, quietly whispering to them, her voice gently soothing them to sleep. "Yours is much quicker," I told her once everyone was down, and Atlas got rid of the shield. I made sure Councillor Liora was still breathing, and let out a sigh of relief when it all worked out. 

"That was so cool!" Eamon cheered, pulling me into a tight hug. "I didn't know you had that much power and control!" 

I blushed, realizing this might be the first time we hugged. If it isn't, it's definitely the most significant. "Thanks," I responded, smiling slightly as I waited for him to pull away, which he did after a moment. 

"You two are cute," Juno said with a laugh, tugging Atlas to her side. 

"Good job everyone!" We all looked to see everyone else enter, Leulla taking the lead as she spoke. "I've seen excellent examples of teamwork, especially towards the end when you decided to divide and help the boys left behind. Each of you has shown use in your abilities today. 

"Beginning with Eamon, tracking down the bodies so that you could find the people inside here. Although ultimately it was a disguise, you've shown promise in utilizing your skills. Marcellus, in using your abilities to take down Zarina. Briar, in using your ability to stun Zarina as well to help hide Ashla as you made your ways towards us. Atlas, you protected your teammates the entire time, no matter what. Juno and Novena, both of you were able to take down the people surrounding your male teammates so they were no longer trapped in, and lastly, Ashla, you did so much today." She grinned at Ashla, who was trying not to look to boastful. "You were able to track down the flag and safely make it back to base and hand it over, utilizing your abilities but not relying on them to carry you throughout the way." 

"Each of you has proved not only your place on this team, but your places with each other. You all worked closely together, and demonstrated your strengths as individuals as well as a team." No doubt the council went easy on us, it was impossible in a real showdown they would let us get this far, but it still felt good to be praised. Especially now that I'd learn my ability did have a somewhat use. "If any of you are interested, we'd like to have you by our sides as regents." 

My peers tried their hardest not to act too excited, Marcellus going as far to clear his throat and shrug. The only one with no care was Ashla, who let out an excited yelp. Everyone gave sporadically placed "yes"'s and "I'm in"'s, and by the end I was the only one yet to answer because I had been stuck in my thoughts. 

Eamon gave me a nudge, and everyone looked to me. What's going on? I realized he had transmitted instead of asking out loud, his question sounding hesitant in my mind. I took a moment before looking at him with raised eyebrows. 

He knew to listen when I responded in my mind, I'm not sure. It feels too good to be true. 

That's because it is, he smiled at me and I rolled my eyes. Might as well accept it now, because if it's just a dream it shouldn't matter anyways. Besides, why would you deny the opportunity to spend even more time with your sworn enemy?

I laughed in my response and figured he had a point. Why would I deny the opportunity to spend even more time with my sworn enemy? Being that he wasn't my sworn enemy anymore. He was one of my closest friends, and huge confidante in my life. I suddenly wondered how I'd gone so long hating him. Everyone was staring between us in confusion, but when I looked up Leulla had a sparkle in her eyes that made me immediately stand taller and clear my throat. 

"I'm in." 

***

If anyone is interested in hearing the drama that is my life at this point in time feel free to look at my twitter, i'm sure i've tweeted at least a little bit about it. 

tiny breakdown of events: my cat died, one of my best friends decided to leave our gc and cause a ruckus on my birthday, i had final exams for school, went searching for a job, found a job that is basically working 12h days with a 10y old girl prone to fits and temper tantrums when she doesn't get her way so i don't have as much time to write, the same friend who ruined my birthday split my entire gc up when my other friend called her out for her BS, all of my irls moved away for college as well as my sister, and my mental health has just been like "see ya!" and walked away LMAOOO anyways. 

it's been a rough few months dealing with all the different types of drama one can, other than relationship drama. although that's a whole other story cause the one guy i was talking to turned out to be married with a child and he tried to hit on my best friend who is a minor (she's 15) when he's in his twenties. so ig relationship drama too. 

anyways no specific chapter question coming up, but what are your thoughts on this chapter? you can obviously tell writing strategy moves and anything close to a "fight" is not my forte lmao this was my first try so let me know what I should work on. 

sorry i'm such a mess in this author's note y'all. i love you a LOT and thank you so much for your support and patience these past few months while i've been getting my crap together