Jess leaned against the cell wall. "Well, this is just great. I guess we'll have to wait for our turn in the tanks. What a way to spend the day, huh?"

  Risebelle shot Jess a disapproving look. “This isn't a joke, Jess. We need to find a way out of here."

  Jess raised an eyebrow, "And how do you propose we do that? We're stuck in a cell, and unless you've got some magic up your sleeve, breaking out might not be so easy."

  Risebelle paced the small space. "Well, they were stupid enough to uncuff us when they threw us in here," she muttered, her eyes scanning the cell for any potential weakness.

  A small smirk played on Jess’s lips. "And what exactly are you planning, Risebelle?"

  Risebelle cracked her knuckles, feeling the tension release in her fingers. "Let's just say I'm not going to sit around and wait to become Shadowcroft's next experiment."

  Risebelle approached the metal door and sized up her target. She took a deep breath. She pulled her hand back and then thrusted her fist out towards the cell door.

  A sharp pain shot through her fist. Risebelled gritted her teeth against the sting. Jess winced in sympathy, but had a grin on her face.

  Risebelle turned to Jess with a glare. "You will tell no one about this scream, okay?"

  Before Jess could respond, Risebelle let out a loud, primal scream. The sound echoed through the chamber.

  Jess chuckled softly. "You're full of surprises, Risebelle."

  Hours dragged on. Risebelle and Jess sat in restless silence with each lost in their own thoughts.

  After a while, Jess locked eyes with Risebelle. Jess took a deep breath before speaking.

  "Risebelle, there's something I've been wanting to tell you," Jess started while taking on a more serious tone than usual.

  Risebelle was anticipating another one of Jess's playful comments and not seriousness. She raised an eyebrow but gestured for her to continue.

  Jess spoke sincerely. "You've been there for me when things got tough. When Shadowcroft broke into my home, and Rosebelle ended up in the hospital, you fought for me. I... I realized that amidst all the flirting and the jokes, I've developed some genuine feelings for you," Jess admitted.

  Risebelle was taken aback by the sincerity in her words. Her face went through understanding and then annoyance. "Jess, you're crazy," Risebelle retorted. "You were dating a Shadowcroft agent, helped him disguise himself as Alex after you broke up, and now you're coming onto me? Do you even think about these things before you go and say them?"

  Jess sighed. "I know, I know. I'm not the brightest bulb in the box, and I've made some…’questionable’ choices, but hey, Risey, I just want to be myself around you. No holding back. I don't expect us to be a couple; I know you're not into that. I just wanted you to know."

  Risebelle, despite her annoyance, saw the sincerity in Jess's eyes. She sighed. "Jess, you're impossible….but….you’re honest..."

  After a prolonged silence, Risebelle’s gaze went toward Jess and she started speaking sincerely. “You know, everyone always talks about how you're trouble, how you'll ruin my life. But, Jess, I've never taken you as this terrible person just because of how you dress and the places you’ve been to before. You're not a bad person…”

  Risebelle's gaze softened to Jess momentarily. "I know you sometimes forget to do your homework, skip out on projects, and sneak off to those clubs at night. You also get into arguments with teachers…”

  Jess chuckled. "Hey, those things don't all happen in one day, you know."

  Risebelle smirked. "I know, Jess. But even with all those little flaws, you're fine the way you are. I mean it. You've got this fire about you, this relentless energy. It’s like you refuse to let the world drag you down. You're... amazing in your own way. I've always thought that."

  After Risebelle finished her sentence, Jess, with a mischievous smile, pulled out a small piece of paper from her school outfit. Written on it were the words:

  "Girlfriend material."

  Risebelle, perplexed by the note, raised an eyebrow. "Why do you carry that around?"

  Jess leaned in slightly. "Well, you know….. Figured it might come in handy for if I get a Girlfriend."

  Risebelle’s initial reaction was a facepalm. She shook her head, unable to suppress a chuckle. "Seriously, Jess? You’re unbelievable."

  Jess's grinned "Hey, you never know when a little backup plan might come in handy."

  Risebelle shook her head again. "All right, all we can do now is wait. Let’s hope we get out of here soon, and that you can save your charming lines for someone who isn’t locked in a cell."

  A resounding bell echoed through the base, signaling a shift in the atmosphere. Shadowcroft grunts hurriedly rushed off, leaving behind a commotion of sounds—shouts, clashes, and the unmistakable noise of a scuffle.

  The cell door swung open, revealing Michigo and Sarah, Roselle’s best friends. Michigo, with an athletic build and a red headband looked confidence. Meanwhile, Sarah’s yellow hair was neatly tied in a bun. She wore an outfit reminiscent of a boxer, complete with padded gloves, yet her overall appearance gave her a daffodil-like charm.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Sarah, looking every bit the boxer, cracked a grin."Well, well, if it isn't our two favorite troublemakers. Looks like we’ve arrived just in time."

  Michigo stepped up to the cell. "Risebelle, Jess, right? We've been waiting for a chance to join the party. "

  Risebelle, still taken aback by Michigo's sudden entrance, stammered, "Wait, you two are in on this too?"

  Sarah, striking a boxing pose, added with a grin, "Yep, and ready to throw some punches!"

  Michigo chuckled, shaking her head. "Don’t mind her, she's in character right now. If you didn’t know, we’re Roselle’s best friends. We were informed by Runebelle about the plan, but we didn’t hear anything back from them. School ended, and it’s 4 pm now, so we decided to take matters into our own hands."

  Jess raised an eyebrow. "So, you two just decided to crash the party?"

  Michigo nodded, "Pretty much. We didn’t want to wait around and risk missing the action. We’re here to help you out and figure out how to shut down this operation."

  Risebelle’s initial shock faded, replaced by a look of relief. "You have no idea how much we needed backup…”

  Michigo raised her hand, and then delivered a powerful karate chop that shattered the cell door. Risebelle looked at her in astonishment.

  Michigo flexed her muscles proudly, "Super strength, babe! Comes in handy."

  Risebelle managed to shake off her astonishment. "Super strength? Since when?"

  Michigo scratched the back of her head. "Funny story, actually. I discovered it just recently, but it seems like Shadowcroft knew about it all along. They had some kind of power-blocking tech that made it challenging to get in."

  Risebelle folded her arms. "Wait, power-blocking tech? What kind of nonsense is that?"

  Michigo sighed, "Yeah, I know, right? A 'Strength Blocker,' they called it. Where do these tech people even come up with these things?"

  Risebelle sighed deeply." Alright. We need to focus. Runebelle, Roselle, and the others are still out there, and who knows what Shadowcroft is up to."

  Michigo nodded. "You're right. We should get moving."

  The group navigated through the Shadowcroft base. Michigo and Sarah filled Risebelle and Jess in on their journey so far. The base was vast and the labyrinthine was well guarded by Shadowcroft grunts who were armed with advanced technology.

  The base was now lit with the red emergency lights. A resounding bell continued to echo through the base.

  Shadowcroft grunts patrolled the area, equipped with strange gun-like devices labeled 'Strength.' Michigo whispered to Risebelle and Jess, "Those are Strength blockers. They neutralize our abilities temporarily. We need to dodge them things."

  The group moved with quietly to avoid the the guards and their Strength blockers. They progressed through the maze-like base. Michigo led the way. Sarah analyzed every detail.

  Risebelle thought to herself, ‘Super strength, and now these Strength blockers? What's next?’

  The group reached a junction with multiple paths branching out. Michigo surveyed the options. Her eyes narrowed in concentration. After a moment of contemplation, she gestured toward the left path. "This way. It looks less guarded, but be ready for anything."

  While advancing, the group stumbled upon a room filled with computer terminals and surveillance equipment. The screens displayed various parts of the base.

  Sarah suddenly pulled out a bag from behind her and began rummaging through it. She quickly extracted a set of clothes, which she changed into. The new outfit, complete with sleek, high-tech accessories, transformed her into a tech-savvy operative ready to tackle any challenge.

  Michigo raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Nice upgrade, Sarah. Ready to crack some codes?"

  Sarah grinned while adjusting her new gear. "Absolutely. Let’s see what Shadowcroft’s hiding."

  She moved swiftly to one of the computer terminals. Her hands flew over the keyboard. She initiated the hack into Shadowcroft’s systems.

  After a few tense minutes, Sarah managed to bring up several screens, each displaying different parts of the base. Her eyes scanned the monitors with intense focus until she found what she was looking for: a feed showing Runebelle.

  "Got her!" Sarah pointed to one of the screens. "Runebelle’s on the move. Looks like she’s navigating through a different part of the base, but she’s not responding to our communicators."

  Risebelle peered at the screen. "Good. At least she’s okay.”

  Michigo crossed her arms. "Runebelle must have a plan. We just need to trust her judgment."

  After checking the feeds, the group scanned outside of the surveillance room door. They heard sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor. A group of Shadowcroft grunts, led by a figure with distinctive white hair, marched past.

  Michigo whispered, "Hold on a minute… isn’t that Ayana? It looks like she’s got some influence here…"

  Risebelle clenched her fists. "We need to try and meet up with Runebelle. Let's keep moving."

  The group cautiously exited the room. Risebelle's sharp eyes noted the familiarity of the path and she retracted the steps taken by Runebelle and Juliana earlier. A trail of blood caught her attention.

  Risebelle’s eyes narrowed"This is the same way Runebelle and Juliana went. What's with the blood?"

  Everyone followed the trail concern. They eventually arrived at an elevator. Without hesitation, they entered.

  The group ascended to the higher floor. They found themselves in a high-tech room. At the center of the room stood a colossal tube with wires and and pulsating lights surrounding it. Inside the tube, they saw a figure that resembled Runebelle but lacked the completeness and essence of the Runebelle they knew.

  Risebelle's eyes widened with shock and disbelief. "What... what happened to Runebelle… we just saw her on the feed…"

  Ayana echoed through the room while emerging from behind a piller in the room. A smug smile appeared on her face. "Ah, Risebelle, you've found our little experiment. Runebelle is no more. A necessary sacrifice for the greater good."

  Ayana gestured toward the incomplete figure in the tube. "This is the new Runebelle, a clean slate without the defiance that plagued the previous version. We're starting fresh."

  Risebelle’s eyes darted between the figure in the tube and Ayana. “That’s impossible! We just saw Runebelle moving on the feed. You’re lying!”

  Ayana she stepped further into sight. “Oh, no. Somehow, our boss anticipated someone would be clever enough to hack the security feeds. So, we set up a little trap to lead you right here. Runebelle has been dead for quite some time now. This... thing,” she gestured toward the tube, “is nothing more than a mockery of what she once was.”

  Risebelle’s eyes widened in shock as the realization sunk in. Michigo’s face fell. Her her legs gave way. She collapsed to her knees. “This isn’t happening...”

  Sarah quickly moved to Michigo’s side, placing a hand on her shoulder. Jess’s face darkened and now held a grim frown.

  Risebelle looked down. After a long, tense silence, she raised her head. Her eyes blazed with fury. “You just made a huge mistake.”

  Ayana raised an eyebrow “Oh? And what do you intend to do about it? Our benefactors have plans. Plans that involve Runebelle's unique abilities, harnessed without the complications of her previous rebellious nature."

  Risebelle’s eyes blazed with defiance. “In order to extract an ability from someone, they’d need that person to be alive. So, I know it’s bullshit that Runebelle’s actually dead. You’re just trying to play us!”

  Michigo cracked her knuckles. “Either way, she’s gonna pay for this. We’re not letting her get away with it.”

  Risebelle nodded. “Whatever twisted plans you have, they end here.”

  Ayana’s face morphed into an evil smile. She chuckled darkly. "Oh, and about Roselle..."

  The mention of Roselle caught the attention of Michigo and Sarah.

  Sarah glared at the woman. "What do you have to do with Roselle?"

  Ayana's eyes gleamed with malice. She let out a chilling laugh.