Heavy duty trucks with plows pushed through the four feet of snow along the suburban road. The gray sky had broken, allowing morning light to pierce through. In the comforting warmth of indoors, Dove stirred a cup of hot cocoa in a mug with a snowman character on the sides. "I'm sorry the power went out last night," said Gren in a blue blanket beside her, "We all tried our best." 

A final drop of cocoa fell into the steaming mug, and the pregnant mother handed it to Gren with a smile. "It came back on quickly, so you must've prevented serious damage. You did a good job." The blanketed boy smiled back, but it didn't last. The power plant was almost completely destroyed. I can't imagine how the electricians repaired it so fast. As Gren ponders the odd situation further, he makes his way out of the kitchen.

The mentors and their apprentices had met in the Peterson's living room this morning, all except Delle. Bron and Ellia relaxed in the recliners, Gren slumped next to Komo on the couch, and next to them was Dove. Penelope tried to sit on her mother's lap, but her yet to be born sibling filled the space. "Sorry sweetie. You'll have to wait three more months." "Awww."

Only Kurt remained standing, until he pulled a chair from the dining table and sat in view of everyone. "I won't sugar coat it. What I'm about to tell you ain't good...maybe something Little P isn't ready to hear." Dove took the mentor's hint and lead her daughter upstairs by the hand. With the room clear of innocent ears, Kurt resumed. "Do you remember what Jang said? That Delle had just discovered her true power?" The teens nodded. "Well, he was all too right. Having mastered his Symbol, he could see Delle beginning to tap into hers...but not in the same way he did."

Confused by his words, Komo asked, "But I got stronger with my Symbol. Am I gonna end up like Delle?" "No, definitely not," answered Kurt, "You unlocked yours the right way. As you should know, from what the schools teach you kids, our Symbols have a set limit of how much power they can produce depending on how good the genetic match is...but-" "There's always a 'but'," said Bron, rolling his eyes. "But if someone with a lot of mental stress tries to force their Symbol to do more, then..." Ellia interrupted, "Then it corrupts their body...and mind?"

In disbelief, Gren shook his head, "But Delle's always upbeat and happy. She's like the team's morale booster." "Are you blind!?" asked the pixie, raising her voice. "Every time she tries to help, she feels like she's useless! And you always scold her for it!" The accusations flattened Gren's soul, and he hung his head in shame. Leaving the house and not talking to everyone felt like a good option, but another realization hit him. Running is exactly what Percy would do. Gren made his own choice. "You're right. I'm at fault. If I had been a better friend, Delle wouldn't have done this."

The mentors turned towards each other, looking sad for the boy. Even Ellia seemed regretful. Komo put her left arm around him and pulled him closer. "Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. That's what Delle did, and I don't want you to end up like her." "But she only did that because of how I treated her...I have to apologize and make things right." Suddenly a single thought was shared by all the teens, and Ellia spoke for them, "There is a way to return her to normal, right?" The lack of an immediate reply from Kurt caused more dread than any words he could've said. *sigh* "No one knows. Past victims like Delle either died in battle or...slowly poisoned themselves."

Now everyone wished Kurt didn't give an answer. The idea of her friend dying hurt Ellia deeply, to the point of tears. Noticing the sad mood, Kurt shifted the conversation's topic. "But there is some good news. Stag has been captured and he is alive. I'm gonna interrogate him today while you kids go to school...except for Komo. You're coming with me." The bulky girl simply nodded and asked, "You know, don't you?"

Komo then turned towards Gren, who added, "We figured you knew them once we found out their name was Jang's Hand. They were like to family to you, right?" Again she nodded. "Yep. Xavier's tough, but he might talk if I'm there." "Then let's get going," said Kurt, adjusting his false leg. The apprentices stood also, with Komo looking down in thought. I wonder what Kronia and Dolly are thinking right now?

____________________________________________________________

CLANG! The one-eyed gladiator slams her fist against the garage wall, causing several items on the shelves to rattle. While she expressed her feelings in rage, Dolly sat in the corner in tears. The girl's soaked mask muffled her crying. "He's dead...I can't believe Xavier's dead!" Kronia picked up an entire shelf and threw across the room, nearly smashing Vik. Enough was enough, and the teen couldn't take it anymore. "Hey! If you wanna destroy something, do it somewhere else! You need to get out of here!"

Vik's outburst would be his undoing, as Kronia stomped over and shoved him against the wall. "SPEAK AGAIN, STUPID BOY!!" A spine began to form in the teen, who managed to say, "Your plan is over! I'm not helping you anymore!" Through heavy breath, the furious woman replied, "So be it!" Kronia slammed her weak opponent on the floor and raised her mountain axe to cleave him in two. However, something stopped her.

Dolly's gravity prevents her weapon from falling, much to Kronia's anger. "What are you doing, Dolly!? LET ME GO!!" "He doesn't deserve to die!" the dancer shouts back, but it doesn't stop her leader. "Jang said the weak will perish! Are you going against his vision!?" Before the fight can escalate any further, Dusty runs in with Pamda. "Whoa! Settle down! I just got word; Stag's alive."

Kronia immediately drops her axe, barely missing Vik's terrified face. "Are you certain!?" "Just heard it on the radio. They got 'em locked up in the Capitol Detention Center; same place Jang should be in." "Then we have no time to waste!" The gladiator rushes towards the exit, but once again is pulled back. Doll Face extends her staff with glowing pink eyes and says, "Kronia, we won't be able to get them out of there."

The one-eyed woman stops resisting, allowing Dolly to relax and calmly suggest, "Maybe...maybe we should stop. I don't want you to get hurt...or worse." Her kind concern reaches Kronia's heart, who calmly steps over and places her hands on her shoulders. "Dolly...don't you care about Jang? We owe him our lives. You, me, Xavier...He trained us to fulfill his mission. To free the world...How could we just give up?" The masked girl seems conflicted, but her leader's faith never wavers. "We're going to get both of them back, I promise." Vik, Dusty and Pamda all looked at each other in confusion. What they thought was just a group of warriors, almost seemed like family.