Chapter 6

Once Tarin got back to base he quickly put his suit away and got back to work on the suit system, he had created and gathered all of the necessary materials. He decided to add an item system into the device as well. This went on for about two weeks, once he got back from school he just went to the base and continued working. He even started his nanotech based suit, but it would take a while to get that working. Once he thought he was done with the suit and item system he decided to give it a try, and inserted all of the suits into the almost endless caves that the plant’s had created. He stood in front of the large platform of shapes on the floor, and dressed his foot on a button. A panel moved up and asked for the suit information, he inserted Red Dash basic suit. A moment later the exact suit he’d chosen popped up onto the platform, and was prepared to suit up.

“It works!” He proclaimed,

“Cool.” Said a voice, Tarin turned around and generated electricity into his fists, only to see Colton swinging on his little ropes course he’d made for himself. “Does it have my suit in it?” He asked.

Tarin breathed out, “Yes it does.”

Colton smiled, “Cool!” He jumped down, and did as Tarin did before. He also pulled up his original suit, “Nice job!” He said.

“Thanks.” Said Tarin.

“You know, you have to relax a bit.” Said Colton.

Tarin looked at him, “What do you mean? I’m relaxed all the time!”

Colton laughed, “Bad joke, and no you're never relaxed. Especially after what’s happening with Dark Dash.” Tarin looked at his machine, and put it away.

“I have work to do.” Said Tarin.

“I’m not giving up, you know! You're going to relax some time or later!” Said Colton. Tarin shook his head, and went to work on his nano tech suit.

After a week of school, it was officially summer break. A time for relaxation and fun. Obviously not for Tarin. He kept working on improvements to best Dark Dash, and get him locked up in jail or some kind of super prison. Tarin made a note to make a super prison, and he continued working on his nano suit. It was almost ready, and he planned on not telling anyone yet. He was going to keep it just in case of emergency, he had made new suits for everyone else though. They weren’t made of the same kind of fabric as the other ones, which caused too many problems. These were made of a kind of flexible titanium, so they were never going to break. He was going to tell everyone once they all got there, but there was one more thing Tarin was focusing on. He started trying to understand the other plants they’d gotten from the cave, he tried to test them on little ants to see what they’d do. One of them set the ant on fire, another made it glow, and one made the ant grow a bit. Like he said they all did something different, sadly he had to exterminate all of the ants. At least the ones that didn’t kill themselves, talking about the one that set themselves on fire. All of this got him wondering though, could this give abilities to others? Obviously Sorra and Eithan, but the effects would be unknown. Over the days he labeled the plant’s for what they did, and kept them hidden.

Everyone always came to the base Wednesday through Sunday, always. Obviously Tarin was there all week though, waiting for Dark Dash's god-like plan. Whatever it was. He thought about this a lot, so much so he now had a bord that was completely dedicated to Dark Dash. One note saying, he is Méndez.

One day everyone decided to make a what they called intervention for Tarin, because they thought he was working too hard.

“Tarin, you're here 24/7 and barely do anything else other than hero work.” said Sorra, “You need a break.”

“I’ll take a break once Dark Dash is behind bars.” Said Tarin.

“Well that’s gonna take a while, so rest. For the big fight!” Eithan said, everyone looked at him.

“What big fight?” Asked Max.

Eithan looked at them, “Really? Am I the only one who knows anything about superheroes? Being his arch nemesis, Dark Dash will try something insane! He’ll stage a battle and try to fight you, then Red Dash will outsmart the villain and save the day!” Everyone looked at him like he was crazy.

Tarin shook his head, “I don’t think that’s how things are gonna go.” He said, “We should be trying to outsmart him though.” Tarin said.

Aaron nodded, “Agreed, this guys been behind everything. He plants the plants for somebody to find, he kept all ears open for any strange activity, and now he wants to harvest us so he can live longer. He’s probably going to keep doing it after we’re gone too.” Aaron thought out loud, “Christepher Méndez has been pulling the strings on everything, and we didn’t even know it. How do we get one step ahead?” Everyone thought for a second, and they realized they had no idea.

For three weeks the team decided to take a break, only responding to calls if they really needed to. Tarin had spent more time at home with his mom, even though he knew he could be trying to find a way to save her. When he was supposed to be asleep he was really reading and working on new ideas for his friends. Eithan started thinking about new team names since nobody agreed with bio-squad, but nobody agreed on a good one yet. By the time they decided they took a long enough break, they all reconvened back at base.

“I know! Xeno Force!” Eithan said while walking with Tarin to base.

Tarin thought for a second, “You know that one isn’t that bad.” He said.

Eithan did a fist pump, “Yes!”

Tarin and Eithan were on the far side of the park, there was a lot of open space and people. Were walking and having picnics, it was a nice warm afternoon.

“So when do you think we should tell…” A huge eruption happened right in the middle of the park, a giant machine exploded from the ground. “That’s new.”

Tarin could get to base fast, but now fast enough that that thing would cause a whole lot of damage. He pulled out his prototype nanosuit, and put it on his back. It spread all over his body, creating a metal casing around him. It looked like his old suit, but more futuristic you could say.

Eithan looked at him in awe, “Wait, weren’t we not supposed to be doing hero work?”

“Doesn’t matter, get to base and contact everyone. Tell them to get here fast.” Tarin ordered, and he ran away.

When Tarin got to what was tarring up the entire park, he realized it was a giant robot. Who knew there were giant robots? A man sat in the cockpit of the machine, and the machine itself was massive. It had eight legs, and two huge claws coming out of the top. The man in the cockpit was wearing a strange black suit covering his entire body, and he had goggles on that were glowing.

Someone came over the intercom, “You’d think you’d be used to supervillains nowadays, but you're not.” Eithan came over the intercoms.

“Did you contact everyone?” asked Tarin.

“Yep, they're on their way.”

“Good.” Tarin said, his nano suit was holding up really well when he was running. He continued toward the machine, and he felt the friction in his suit going toward the energy reserve he installed into the suit. “I’ll try to keep the machine at bay.”

“Copy.” said Eithan.

Tarin stopped running and stared at the man in the machine, “What? Who are you?” The man asked.

Tarin flew his hands up, “Red Dash! That’s obvious, is it the suit?”

The man looked at him, “Red who?”

“I thought I’d be noticeable by now.” Complained Tarin.

“Well you're obviously not Red guy! Where’s Christepher!” The man yelled,

“Christepher? You mean Dr. Méndez?” Asked Tarin, now curious of what exactly this person wanted.

“It doesn’t concern you, Red guy!” a dash of dark waves hit the machine.

“Why hello there Dr. Myers.” Said Dark Dash, “It’s been some time.”

“Myers?” asked Tarin.

Dark Dash looked to Tarin, “Ah, Red Dash. I believe this encompasses our agreement, yes?”

Tarin shook his head, “No way, this Myers is threatening the people. That means it’s our business as well.”

Méndez 'suit eyes narrowed, “Fine, but this is the only time you help. Got it?”

“That and a few questions for later.” Added Tarin,

“Wait wa…” Before Méndez could say anything else Tarin ran and tripped one of the legs of the machine, it came down with a thump.

Myers’s machine got up. Myers turned to Dark Dash, “So Méndez, how’s that problem of yours? I’m guessing they have something to do with it?”

Méndez ran and jumped for the screen of the machine, breaking the glass with a fast punch. He looked at Tarin, “Just fine.”

Myer’s continued as his machine was being attacked, “So they do. You have been planning this for a long time. I’m so, I wouldn’t say happy for you. I’m definitely intrigued.”

Méndez made a huge speed punch at the machine’s side, “You're not a part of this!” He yelled.

“Oh, but I need to know. You're obviously hiding so much! Does the world know? How long did you have to plan without me?” Said Myer’s. Somehow Myer’s was connected to Méndez’s plans, he already knew he had superpowers, maybe Myer’s would help them!

It seemed Méndez was growing more angry by the second. He ran away from the Machine to a hill, he ran up and over it. He jumped into the air, and flew directly to the cockpit. Tarin was sure he’d break the glass, but instead he blurred and went straight into the machine. Dark Dash had never been good, especially to people he didn’t like. He obviously didn’t like this guy. Tarin had to stop him. Tarin ran up the same hill Méndez had and jumped through the air, he powered his fist with energy and smashed the glass. Surprising both doctors, he grabbed Méndez and pushed him out of the machine. He grabbed Myer’s and ran away with him, he made sure Dark Dash wasn’t following them as he made his way to base. He covered Myer’s eyes while he did this. He got him to base to find all of his friends in their super suits, except Sorra and Eithan. He looked at them, then to the now sleeping Dr. Myer’s.

“I can explain.” Said Tarin.