Meanwhile, everyone in the mansion is spending their time on random stuff while waiting for the storm to pass. It's the day after the Summit so the Student Council members and the rest of them are waiting for the Professor and the mentors to come back as well. To be more productive, some of them are doing extra training sessions lead by Glass, Surge and Beast while the others opted to do some chores that were assigned by Pandora.
"Come on, people! Is the cold weather making you this sloppy? You can do better than this!" Beast shrieked.
"Chill out, Beast. We've been training them nonstop since this morning. We should give them some rest." Glass suggested.
"Let's take a break once I got defeated!" Surge yelled while fighting Levi. "Are you just going to fly around, Levi? Strike me!" He screamed intensely.
"Don't rush me. I'm planning here." Levi responded.
"You're still here? Stop what you're all doing and do some chores!" Medusa shrieked as she stormed in the Training Area. "Look at you all. You're bathing in your own sweat. You'll probably collapse due to fatigue anytime soon."
"Give us a few more minutes. We're almost done." Surge replied.
Aside from Glass, Beast and Surge, other participants of this training session are Levi, Shiv, Gigas, Twice and Stretch. Minutes passed and the guys still didn't finish their matches so Medusa was left waiting further. She knew this might happen so she brought Lilith with her. Lilith immediately transformed into her Demon Form and with Medusa's signal, she knock everyone down to stop this training once and for all.
Lilith swiftly approached the guys one-by-one to strike them unconscious. Them being already exhausted of their intensive training helped her to knock them out immediately. All of them went out cold with just one strike but Lilith made sure that they will just be unconscious for just a brief moment so they can all have time to fix themselves up before helping out with the chores.
"Thanks, Lilith." Medusa said.
"No problem. Should we wake them up now?" Lilith asked as she transformed back to her original form.
"Yes but let Imp do it. I wonder how he'll wake these boys up." Medusa suggested and Lilith agreed.
"Imp, they're all yours." Lilith said.
Imp, Lilith's small demon-like familiar, took off from her shoulder while laughing maniacally. Although Medusa heard this laugh numerous times, she couldn't help herself but to have the chills every time Imp laughs like this. She and Lilith knew that Imp is up to no good but they just him just to get back with the guys since rest of them are doing their chores while these guys are just goofing around with their unnecessary training session.
Imp didn't waste another second as he went straight to the closest people to him which are Shiv and Stretch. Imp puts his face close to their faces then he let them smell his nasty breath in all its glory. This immediately woke them up screaming in agony. The two ran out from the Training Area immediately to hopefully wash off the lingering smell. Imp then continued his mischiefs to his next targets and those are going to be Levi, Gigas and Twice.
Levi, Gigas and Twice are surely in for a treat. Imp came in polishing his pointy demon tail as he's planning something awful with it. With everyone else's knowledge specially Lilith herself, a target will briefly feel an excruciating pain once you got stabbed by Imp's tail or just even be scraped by it. Imp quickly went to the three and pierced them slightly with his tail while doing his signature laugh. The three immediately snapped back to reality but feeling extreme pain throughout there body which eventually subsided.
Imp's last targets are Glass, Beast and Surge. He slowly walked towards them this time to think of his next antic but Lilith already knew what it may be. As he moved closer he took a peculiar stance to prepare for his next gimmick. As Lilith knew, Imp is about to scream his lungs out to wake his targets. Imp's scream may be less the half of the Banshee Sisters' scream, it still packs a punch for sure.
"What in the world is that?" Glass exclaimed as he was woken up so suddenly.
"Make it stop!" Surge shrieked. Beast got back to his senses as well and unintentionally punched towards Imp with his gorilla hands but luckily he dodged.
"Great! Now you're all awake, get up and help us out." Medusa firmly instructed. "The Professor and our mentors should be here any moment now."
The guys didn't get any other choice but to help the rest of them to do some cleanups, organizing and doing all the remaining chores altogether. Even though the cold from the stormy weather makes them feel lazy, they couldn't do something about it because the ladies of the Student Council are watching over them. They all know that Medusa is such a fierce woman. On the other hand, they don't want to know how Pandora will unleash her wrath. She may be the calmness of them all but her anger can be the end of all of them.
"Everything has been polished. Appreciate everyone's effort. We should take a rest." Pandora announced through her Anomaly.
"Pandora, the Banshee Sisters and I will be making some porridge." Lilith in her original form asked calmly.
"That's a great idea. Let me help you out. M, want to lend us a hand too?" Pandora asked.
"Sure, P. I'll be in the kitchen in a bit. I'll change into my cooking outfit." Medusa responded.
The rest of them went into their own thing. Some headed to the library to read, some went to the training area to do some sparring and most of them just stayed in the living area to relax and wait for the porridge. At this point, the storm doesn't have plans on weakening and getting stronger every second even so people in the living opted to turned on the television to watch the news to know what's happening.
The news shows that some areas in the Emerald City is already starting to get flooded and if the heavy rain continues, these areas may succumbed to the waters. Landslide are said to be expected to the areas that are near the mountain sides. It is said that this is the strongest storm that hit the city so everyone is advised to be expect the worst and be prepared for it. Luckily for them, the mansion is very sturdy and was built on a high ground so they won't be flooded but they should still be wary of landslides. All of a sudden the power went out.
"Hey! Who killed the lights?" Surge exclaimed.
"The power went out, man." Glass confirmed.
"Is everyone fine?" Pandora asked. Everyone then confirmed that they're alright.
"Can someone turn on the generator?" Beast asked.
"I got it! It's just in the basement, right?" Swift volunteered.
"Yes. Be careful." Beast responded.
"Done!" Swift replied. In just seconds, he went to the basement, turned on the generator and went back to the living area.
"Well, that's quick but the lights are still off." Surge commented.
"Just give it a second." Glass said. The electronic devices slowly turned on one-by-one.
"Nice one, Swift." Beast said.
"Thanks, Swift." Pandora commented.
The ladies finally finished cooking the porridge so Pandora called everyone to the dining area to have their meals. Everything seemed to be going pretty uneventful aside from the storm that keeps on getting stronger and stronger. Little did they know, devastations will come and there's something that needs to be done or it will become worst and too much to handle for both them and the non-Anomalies.
"AARRGGHH!" A scream was heard from the television in the living area. It appears that they forgot to turn it off on their way to the dining area.
"What's that?" Shiv asked.
"It's from the tv. It's probably from a commercial or something." Lilith responded.
"It sounds real though." Stretch said.
"I'll check it out!" Swift volunteered.
Swift finished his food in a nick of time he can confirm if what they heard is just some absurd commercial or something more sinister. He was in shock of what he saw. The events from the outside went way more terribly than everyone thought it would be. Fatalities are started to be documented. People are now being trapped from fallen debris and the rescuers are nowhere to be found yet. The screams are coming from the injured and the other victims of the storm. It so happened that all of these damages are being televised by an unknown channel. Swift went back to the dining area to report the situation.
"That's terrible!" The Banshee Sisters exclaimed.
"We should do something!" Reaper firmly suggested.
"Are you suggesting that we save those people?" Beast asked as if he's offended by the idea.
"Shouldn't we? People are dying out there and we're just sitting here!" Reaper exclaimed.
"Calm down you two!" Glass butted in. "We should weigh the situation and act accordingly."
"No!" Reaper responded aggressively. "If you don't want to help, I will!"
Pandora approached Reaper quietly then in everyone's surprise, she slapped her hard to shake him out of his aggressive state. It appears that it did work since Reaper calmed down a bit and stopped from storming out of the mansion. Murmurs started to fill the dining area with the idea of having Reaper back in saving people but the others doesn't support the idea. Pandora noticed this change in the atmosphere so she, with the help of Glass, brought everyone back to the living area to discuss this further.
"We should address this discussion before it become worse." Pandora said.
"Reaper, do you really want to save those people?" Glass asked.
"Of course. Why shouldn't we? We were gifted with these Anomalies and we won't use them to do good?" Reaper responded. "Come on, guys. I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling this way."
"I don't." Beast responded then the atmosphere became more intense.
"Bold claim, Beast. Care to tell us why you're against this?" Glass asked.
"Those people hate our kind. Hate is even not the right word for it. Despise might be the right one." Beast replied. "So why would we help them? Once they see what we're capable of, it could be the death of us."
"It may sound surreal but I'm with Beast on this." Lilith commented. "Though I understand Reaper's point, I say that we leave the rescuing to the proper officials."
"Well, I'm with Reaper." Surge voted. "We've been training for so long. Here's our chance to test ourselves."
"I can't decide myself. These are all too much for me." Medusa commented.
"How about you Pandora and Glass? What are stand on this one?" Gigas asked.
"I'm against the idea of meddling with the non-Anomalies let alone saving them." Glass voted. "I've been living in the outside world the longest before the Professor saved. The non-Anomalies are not ready for us. Beast is right. If we were discovered, it will surely be the end of us."
"I'm with Reaper." Pandora said. "If we really want to save those people, we can find a way. It may be dangerous but I know it's the right thing to do."
The discussion went on for a few more minutes. Everyone voiced out their thoughts about the situation. Some voted in favor of Beast's side and some did for Reaper's. However, the exchange between the two parties are heated that some of them changed their perspective. Ultimately, the voting process ended and it is in favor of Reaper's cause. The people who voted against Reaper doesn't have any choice but to support it as well.
"Since you're the one who's all for saving the non-Anomalies, Reaper. Why don't you plan out the entire rescue mission?" Beast sarcastically suggested.
"That's fine by me." Reaper firmly replied.
"Are you sure, Reaper? We're talking about saving the entire Emerald City here and not just some forest training." Blast commented.
"I am sure. Just give me a moment to think." Reaper said.
No violent reactions were made after their next course of action has been decided because all of them respect the decision. However, the number of the victims continues as Reaper think of a foolproof plan to save the non-Anomalies. He's been considering to stick with the groups that are already establish from the previous Special Training they had since their Anomalies compliment each other well but he's also thinking that some of them are noncombatants so they might have a hard time doing the rescue mission.
"I have a suggestion." Pandora commented.
"Go for it, Pandora." Reaper replied.
"I suggest we make a five four-man team for this rescue mission. We'll dispatch one team per direction to maximize our scope and the fifth team will stay here to support the first four teams with the rescue attempts." Pandora exclaimed.
Pandora also revealed that Calcipher made a device for her to help widen her Anomaly's range and to amplify it as well. She may not have used it yet but Calcipher confirmed that her Anomaly can probably reach the entire city with this device so if she uses it properly, she connect to anyone and everyone within her range wherever they might be in the city. She also pointed out that Reaper should stay behind as well to continue giving out orders for the rest of them through out this rescue mission.
"That makes sense. I agree to that suggestion but who are the other two who'll stay behind with you?" Glass asked.
"Mimic and Pixel can be left behind." Beast recommended.
"Hey! We can help with the rescue." Mimic said.
"Yeah. We can be useful out there." Pixel added.
"No. Look at you two." Beast replied. "You were both injured from the earlier training sessions. You can't even walk straight. Also, Pandora, the Banshee Sisters and even Sprite said that you two should take some rest to fully recover." He pointed out.
"Fine." Mimic and Pixel finally agreed.
"Great! So, we're just going to decide who'll be the other four teams." Glass said.
To the North, it was decided that Feral, Sprite and Shiv will be sent there with Beast as their leader. To the South, Medusa will be the leader and coming with her are the Banshee Sisters and Twice. Glass will be in charge to the East together with Gigas, Swift and Blast. Finally, Surge and his team will be sent to the West which will be Lilith, Stretch and Levi. Everyone agreed with the lineup but before everyone are dispatched, they all took a black robe which were created by Calcipher. They're water resistant so it can help with the rainfall and it can help them cover their identities.
Since transportations are ceased because of the storm, they all utilized their Anomalies to reach their destination. Everyone is doing their best to not be seen by civilians to keep themselves safe as well. On the other hand, Pandora and Reaper went to Calcipher lab to look for the device Pandora was talking about earlier. Reaper also brought the map of the city with since he'll be doing a lot of strategizing.
"Found it!" Pandora exclaimed. She and Reaper are now looking at a capsule-like device which is big enough to fir a person inside. Without anymore hesitations, she went inside and Reaper helped her close it so she can be confined inside it.
"Are you alright in there?" Reaper asked.
"I'm fine but I'm not feeling any significant changes yet." Panodra responded.
Reaper suddenly saw that the capsule isn't plugged in yet so he manually plugged it in the electric socket. The capsule then lit up with bright white light and Pandora screams filled the entire lab. Due to being startled, Reaper backed off a moment since he's not sure of what to do as well. He then decided to open the capsule to let Pandora free but she stopped him from doing so. He just stood there until Pandora settled in.
"I'm fine now. Sorry for worrying you." Pandora said.
"Are you sure? That sounded really painful." Reaper responded.
"I'm sure. Don't worry about anymore. We have work to do."
"Right. Are you now connected with the others?"
"Yes. Leaders, can you guys hear me?" Pandora called out.
"I sure can. Wow! your range really did increase, P." Medusa responded.
"Same here. That's sick, Pandora." Glass replied.
"I can hear you too. Your Anomaly is amazing, Pandora. I'm glad you're on our side." Surge said.
"Heard." Beast responded.
"Great! I can clearly hear them too." Reaper commented. "Listen everyone. We got to do this flawlessly so we can rescue as many as we can and of course while keeping ourselves hidden." He added then everyone agreed.
Beast's team was the first one to reach their target destination. The area were prone to landslide so they focused their efforts in saving those who are already stranded while keeping an eye out for the other dangerous area as well. They're instructed those who they saved to go to the nearest evacuation center if there's any to avoid any further damages and victims while also reducing the chance of them being profiled.
The rest of the teams finally reached their destination as well. The black robe really does help with the rainfall and concealing their faces so they can't be identified. Back in the mansion, Reaper isn't stopping in providing vital instructions to all of them while Pandora isn't failing as well in spreading out the information accordingly while Mimic and Pixel just watches them from the sidelines. Those are just relaxing around while the rest of their friend are risking their lives to save others.
"There's something weird happening here but I can't seem to point it out." Mimic commented.
"I feel the same way." Pixel responded.
"I know! I'm not hearing from the live telecast and in the radio that there are no government forces doing their rescue missions. Yet and it's been hours since the floods and the landslides started happening." Mimic pointed out.
"Yeah. I noticed that too. Maybe because the storm is too strong for them to be on the field. They're just probably waiting for it to weaken a bit before they do their thing." Pixel replied.
"Probably. Well, that's good I guess. If the military or even just police force saw our friends, there's no telling what will happen to them."
"I know right. I am somehow glad that the two of us got injured earlier."
During this rescue mission of them, some of them are being caught on camera from the unknown live telecast on the television but no one was caught in the act of using their Anomalies. They just look like a shadow running inside the storm. Their identities are still safe so far. They continue with their mission until the last victim they can see. Mimic and Pixel also continue to inform Pandora and Reaper about the live telecast.
Almost everyone who were fallen victim with the floods and the landslides were saved when Pandora felt something strange is happening. Reaper was also made aware of what's about to happen. She sensed that a group of people is approaching the mansion with unknown intent. She dismissed the thought because they're just probably passing through with a private jet or something but it stranger when one person of this group knocked on the mansions' door. Mimic and Pixel were asked to check who might that be in this weather. Pandora is sure that it's not the Professor and their mentors.
"Mimic, Pixel, who is that?" Reaper yelled asking.
Pandora suddenly screamed. She confirmed that her connection with Mimic and Pixel vanished. She's now sensing bloodlust with this strange individual who is now in the mansion to find something. This sense of urgency reached the leaders of the groups so they decided to go back to the back as soon as they can. They left the rest of their teams to finish the rescue mission. Pandora may not accept the facts yet but she already knew that once she loses connection with some with her Anomaly, it means that they're dead. She couldn't help herself but to cry.
"What's happening, Pandora? Is everything alright?" Reaper asked.
"Listen to me, Reaper. You should hide. It isn't safe here anymore." Pandora said.
"What are you talking about? Tell me." Reaper responded worriedly.
"Someone's inside the mansion." Pandora responded.
Reaper understood the idea that this individual that Pandora is referring to is up to no good. If this person is an Anomaly, that will be more troublesome for them so he turned off the capsule and grabbed Pandora out of it and they ran to a safe place. Since this individual is still in her range, Pandora can still sense where is this individual is currently so they can easily hide. However, she also sensed that the rest of the unknown individuals left the mansion and headed someplace else.
"Why are you crying? Also, where's Mimic and Pixel? We should let them know that we're in trouble." Reaper said.
"They're dead. This strange person got to them first. This is all my fault. I couldn't sense the intent sooner!" Pandora exclaimed.
"They're what?" Reaper responded in disbelief. "This can't be." He muttered to himself.
There's only the two of them left in the mansion with an unknown individual roaming around. Though the fact that two of their friends were killed, they must do their best to survive. They're hoping that the leaders reach them before anyone else follow Mimic and Pixel to the other world. Reaper and Pandora decided to hide in the green house. Just in case this strange individual is about to find them, Pandora can sense its location so they can easily change their hiding spot.
A few moments later, the leaders are finally in the perimeter and are now on Pandora's range. Pandora immediately informed them to quietly head to the green house so they can regroup while the individual is still roaming around the mansion. Pandora couldn't help herself from crying as she inform the others of what happened to Mimic and Pixel. Medusa couldn't keep her tears from falling as well so both of them cried intensely but as quiet as they can.
"What are we waiting for then? There's six of us and just one enemy. I say we charge." Surge recommended.
"We mustn't. Pandora said that she couldn't sense the bloodlust even before Mimic and Pixel were killed so there's a chance that her Anomaly was slightly weakened from expanding her range for that long period of time." Reaper explained. "Who knows if there's another enemy lurking around." He added.
"He has a point. For now, I say that we leave this place." Glass responded.
"Fine but where do you think we can go?" Beast asked.
"Why don't we go to that cave from before. Outsiders doesn't know where that is." Medusa suggested.
"We can't. What if the others come back here. They'll be in danger as well. At least I can stay here so once they're in my range I can notify them like what I did to you guys." Pandora suggested.
"we will not leave someone behind. We'll stay here as long as it takes." Glass said.
It's been almost an hour passed and no one is still returning from the rest of the teams. The rescue mission should've been accomplished by now. Their long wait ended when Pandora sensed Blast's presence entering her range but something is quite off with his aura. Blast is strangely filled with bloodlust. Surprisingly, they were other bloodlust filled individuals approaching the mansion from the directions were the teams were originally dispatched but they're not one of them.
"Can you tell what they're thinking, P?" Medusa asked.
"I can't. They're minds are filled with such intensity that I can't hold a clear connection." Pandora explained.
"Even Blast? What's up with him?" Surge asked.
"I knew he's up to no good." Beast commented.
"What do you mean?" Surge replied.
"He's a traitor, Surge. He's an enemy." Glass confirmed.
"If he is a traitor, he must've done something to his teammates like these other individuals. That might be the reason why no one is coming back." Reaper said.
"We must know what happened. I must go back inside the capsule." Pandora firmly said.
"What capsule?" Medusa asked.
"It's the device Calcipher created to widen Pandora's range but how can we go back in there if the mansion is already surrounded by the enemies." Reaper said.
Pandora pointed out that since she knows the whereabouts of their enemies at all times due to her Anomaly, she can find their way back in Calcipher's lab. They just need to be discreet as possible because they don't have a way to confirm for sure if there are Anomalies. Pandora and Reaper may have a faint feeling that they are one of them but they can't risk confirming it further. All they just need to do for now is to know where are the rest of them.
Pandora was successful in finding a safe path back to Calcipher's lab. Reaper turned the capsule back on so Pandora can use it. It took Pandora a few minutes to complete widen her range for the second time. However, no one seemed to be responding to their calls. Even though all six of them are calling their friends, no one is answering. This alarmed them all and despair filled their minds because this only means that all of them were killed or they're just out of Pandora's range. All of them are hoping for the latter. Knowing this, Medusa screamed in disbelief.
"Shut up! We're going to get killed if you keep this shouting like that." Beast said as he covered Medusa's mouth.
"People are approaching. We must go now!" Glass exclaimed.
"There's no time. He's already here." Surge commented.
Blast came rushing in but little did they all know, Reaper already helped Pandora to get off from the capsule and she quickly used her Anomaly on Blast to like there's no one else in the room aside from him. This appeared be effective since Blast couldn't see them and just went out of the lab eventually. He looked confused but he just shook it off and went back to the rest of the enemies. Reaper and the others also went back out and finally decided to go to the cave.
Before the group go inside the forest further, they decided to linger in the area to see who their really up against. The rainfall gradually stopped as well as the bloodlust of those who are inside the mansion. Lucky for them, these people went out to the fields. In their surprise, they saw other familiar faces aside from Blast specially for Reaper, Pandora and Beast. Aside from Blast, they saw Saoirse, Clint and two other females. One looks like within their age bracket and the other looks more mature than them.
"Thana?" Beast muttered to himself.
"What?" Glass asked.
"That's my sister over there!" Beast exclaimed. "I have to save her!" He said. He's about to run towards the enemies when he was stopped by Glass, Surge and Reaper.
"Calm yourself! They are enemies. Isn't that clear enough? That may just be some who looks like your sister." Glass said.
"You don't understand! I know my sister. Let go of me!" Beast said while struggling to break free. Surge then exhaust his remaining energy to knock Beast out.
"Sorry, man. I just had to." Surge said.
"What are they talking about, P?" Medusa asked.
As Pandora connected to their minds, she confirmed that matured looking woman is Eve since Blast and the rest of them calls her. From this distance she can only dig a few information from them like Eve's real name is Astrid Lancaster and the rest of them are Anomalies but for some reason she can feel that they're not natural aside from the other woman who appears to came from Gallant Africa like Beast. She couldn't understand why she can't connect to Blast's before but now she can without any much effort. Until the reason came out of their mouths themselves.
"How's your stay with those people? You seem to enjoy it, Blast?" Jinx asked sarcastically. "That's the name they gave you, right? Funny."
"Don't call me that, Jinx. I'm obviously back in my original state of mind. My name is Nuke." Nuke(Blast) responded.
"Oh, right. Blast is your alter ego. The one you call your twin, right? That's very weird." Jinx responded.
"Did you forget I have DID? Blast is my other personality." Nuke explained.
"Yeah, whatever. Keep your Dissociative Identity Disorder for yourself. Better yet, get your twin out here. I like torturing him more." Jinx said. "Here. Take this cheese." She handed the cheese over then Nuke suddenly sneezed violently. It appears that he's allergic to them.
"Where am I? Where are Gigas and Swift?" Nuke said as it appears he switched back to Blast's persona. "I'm back in the mansion? How?" He continued muttering questions to himself.
"Cut it out you two." Void said. "Our mission isn't over." He then the cheese back to Nuke to turn him back to normal.
"Screw you, Jinx. Keep your hands your hands to yourself." Nuke said.
"I mean I could but why would I want to?" Jinx teased.
"Void's right. We're not done here yet." Sandata said. "Madame, can't we just sweep the area to look for them?" She asked.
"You may but do not engage when you find them. Regroup first then strike. Our main goal is to capture the one who has the Nullification Anomaly." Eve instructed.
"Understood, Madame." Jinx, Void, Nuke and Sandata responded.
"Wait. Don't you want to leave a gift for your friend before you go, Nuke?" Eve asked.
Nuke immediately understood what Eve's trying to say. Eve, Jinx, Void and Sandata stepped back a few yards away leaving Nuke right in front of the mansion. He then raised his arms to aim at the mansion and started to blast them with him explosions. He seemed to be very happy wrecking the entire building as he's heard laughing maniacally. Void joined in wrecking the place by creating one huge shadow figure to help punch holes on the mansion's walls. Jinx, Sandata and Eve are just enjoying watching them.
This is Pandora's cue to inform everyone that they need to go to the cave now. If they were caught by them, there's no telling what they will do after they capture Reaper. They got to the cave eventually and hid there indefinitely. Pandora remembered that there's another device Calcipher gave her and was instructed to push the button to trigger a signal to Calcipher indicating that an emergency is happening.
"What is that?" Medusa asked.
"Calcipher said that I should push this trigger if something happened in the mansion so that's what I'm doing." Pandora explained.
"What can they do? They're miles away." Glass commented.
"Even if you pushed that trigger earlier, nothing will change." Surge said.
"I suggest that we try to look for the others once we confirmed that the enemies are gone." Reaper said.