I ran as fast as I could in the direction of the voice. Recklessly darting across the road, I noticed another mansion, this one less regal and stately than Lady Folman's, but still majestic. It was well-built with a Gothic appearance. Hearing the shouts coming from the side, I rushed over in their direction. My heart pounded in my chest. Cold sweat burst across my brow. Then I spotted it: an army of powered kids battling our tiny group. My hands grew cold and clammy. All courage fled my body. Winnie was in front, leading our group. At first, I wondered why she was wincing a little. Then I noticed the blood dripping down her arm.

"Winnie! Oh, Winnie, who did this to you?" I cried. "I'll teach 'em a lesson they'll never forget."

"No, Arwen. I'm not dying. It's about as deep as the cut on your face from the training battle. I don't want you to go on an out-of-control rampage and end up burning down The Children's Home just to avenge me."

"The what?!"

"This mansion," Winnie explained. "At least that's what Toby called it.

"Okay. But Winnie, please! Just stop hesitating. Who. Hurt. You?"

"Lucianne Harolds."

I'd heard enough. The wind picked up, whipping my hair. Shivering, I pulled on the red hoodie I'd tied around my waist earlier.

"We will fight!" I exclaimed.

Joining the fray, I drew Firebrand. Right when I was about to charge, I heard another ever-familiar voice.

"Whatever is going on here?!"

It was Maggie! I briefly recounted the events leading up to our escape for her.

Maggie's hands balled into fists. "I'll make sure good triumphs over evil. I should never have trusted Lady Christine Folman!!"

Then we both charged. I fought fiercely. Many children received either a burn or a slash from me. Reading the center, I pushed myself towards where Agatha stood, urging her troops. I plowed through the kids and was about to attack Agatha when I checked myself.

What was I thinking? I should be with my friends!

Turning around, I broke through the lines, screaming, "Orphans of The Children's Home, to me!"

Soon we were all together. I quickly reported my latest plan to them. Nodding in agreement, we gathered together, one small force fighting together in harmony.

"That's the way!" Maggie encouraged.

We stormed through the ranks of powered children, shielding the younger kids. Although our numbers were small, we dominated the battle. We were unstoppable. All of a sudden, a girl's voice rang out above the din of battle.

"Enough! We surrender!"

"Very well," gentle-hearted Winnie decided. "You may return to your mistress. Only promise you will never attack us again."

Right after the girl's voice had barely agreed to the thirteen-year-old Cryokinetic's terms, we cheered.

"We won!" Hallie whooped.

Suddenly, Maggie rushed over. "Why are you celebrating? We still have Agatha to worry about."

"Well, I'm not fighting her, if that's what you mean, Maggie," I replied, withholding a massive yawn. "And if what Winnie's told me is true, she's got more skill than her mom, and that's saying something."

Maggie looked at all of us disappointedly.

"Well then, it appears that I shall be the challenger," she sighed.

She drew a short sword. On the hilt was written in capital letters, "GLADIUS.".

"A very appropriate name for a sword," remarked Alyssa.

"Indeed. It's Latin for 'sword'," she added, noticing the rest of us staring blankly. "Now, I must find Agatha."

Slipping into the night, she disappeared. The wind began to blow more vigorously. Then the rain began to fall. Not just a light drizzle. Oh no, this was a downpour. Cold and wet, I made a beeline for the entrance. The others followed. Once we reached it, I tried the door.

"Rats! It's locked," I grumbled.

"Per'aps this might 'elp?" Toby suggested, holding up a tarnished skeleton key.

I shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

I tried the key. To our surprise, it fit. I shoved the door open, grateful to be out of the rain.

.·:*˚¨¨ ≈★≈ ¨¨˚*:·.

Half an hour later, a figure flung open the door and strode into the mansion. I willed my pinkie to catch fire so I could observe who it was.

"Maggie!" Leah squealed. "Oh, are you alright?

"Yes, I'm fine," the blonde replied. "You won't be worrying about Agatha for a long time, I hope. I sent her crying to her mummy. She might act courageous, but she's truly a coward."

Vanessa piped up. "Did we really win?"

"Yes, Vanessa, we did."