Two weeks had passed.
over those two weeks, Dr. Fletcher spent half the day teaching Marcus investigation techniques, focusing specifically on his ability to analyze evidence and problem-solving skills.
For the second half, she would spar against Marcus. Not using any powers, but using a basic understanding of combat. How to anticipate a punch, how to catch a target off guard, how to perform a swift takedown, and things of that nature.
Dr. Fletcher was currently sparing with Marcus, throwing fast open-hand strikes, aiming for his face and chest.
Marcus was dodging most hits, but barely.
A right-hand strike came flying towards Marcus, he saw it coming and quickly dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding the strike.
However, Dr. Fletcher wasn't letting up. She continued to pressure him with strikes, until eventually, he missed a dodge, leading Dr. Fletcher to strike him on the left side of his face.
"Fuck." Marcus hissed as he reached for his face, he dropped to one knee. pulling his hand back from his face, Marcus was greeted by a bloody palm.
Dr. Fletcher struck at Marcus again, this time with a powerful right kick, aiming straight for his head.
Marcus saw the strike coming from a mile away and quickly raised his forearm to protect his head.
Dr. Fletcher's foot connected with his forearm hard, the impact making a loud thwack sound.
Marcus quickly reached his free hand to grab her shin, yanking her toward himself. Dr. Fletcher crashed onto the ground beside him, allowing Marcus to quickly straddle her, locking her legs with his and holding her arms down with his own.
Dr. Fletcher smirked as she was pinned, her breath steady and her eyes filled with satisfaction. "That was an excellent takedown." She commented.
Marcus was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his heart. "How aren't you tired?" Marcus asked.
"I have stamina." She answered. "Lots of it." She said softly, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
Marcus felt himself blushing and quickly averted his gaze. Think about Kinsley, he told himself, she's the only girl for you….
Luna, who had watched the fight unfold, clapped her hands. "That was great Marcus!" She cheered, "Thirty minutes straight you held her off, and you pinned her in the end!"
Marcus smirked as he looked over at Luna. "I know right, I think I'm ready." He said with enthusiasm.
"Oh?" Dr. Fletcher said curiously, "Are you ready to pick up from where you left off?" She asked.
Marcus focused his attention on Dr. Fletcher and nodded. "Yeah, it's time to find mayflower, and maybe I'll visit Kinsley, probably…."
Dr. Fletcher chuckled as she freed herself from Marcus's grasp, flipping him around so that he lay on the ground and she was on top. She then pushed herself up and away from him, standing up.
"Well, if you think you're ready, then I'll prepare a file for you to base your investigation on. In the meantime, clean yourself up and pack your bags."
"You got it, captain," Marcus said as he saluted. "Just give me a minute to rest." He said with an exhausted breath.
Dr. Fletcher nodded, before turning to leave the training room. Leaving Marcus and Luna alone.
Luna curiously made her way over to the collapsed Marcus. "You look…. Beat." she teased.
Marcus worldly grabbed Luna and pulled her down to his level, causing her to yelp. "Marcus!" She said angrily as she landed on his chest.
"Shh, there's no way outta this." He joked as he loosed his grip slightly.
"I didn't want to escape." Luna said as she punched Marcus with her tiny fist, "Just ask next time."
"There's no fun in asking." Marcus teased as he nuzzled his cheek against Luna's.
Luna chuckled as she settled in Marcus's grasp, "If you say so Marcus." Luna said softly.
After about ten minutes of silently enjoying each other's company, Marcus began to rise off the floor. Groaning as he did so. "17 and I already sound like an old man." Marcus chuckled.
Luna giggled as she stepped away from Marcus, "you still feel sore?" She asked curiously, "Does your healing factor not solve this problem?"
"Physically yeah." Marcus answered as he rose from the floor, "But mentally, I might as well be thirty." He joked.
Making his way out of the training room and back into the mansion proper, Marcus yawned audibly, "I'll take my shower and get cleaned up, can I count on you packing my bag?" Marcus asked Luna, his tone warm.
"Of course Marcus," Luna answered. "Luckily you pack light, so I can handle it."
Marcus chuckled. "Have I ever told you that I love you?" Marcus asked curiously.
Luna shook her head, "not directly, no." She answered, "But your actions show your affection well enough."
Marcus smirked. "Well, I love you, Luna."
Luna blushed as she looked down at her small feet. "Marcus…"
"You don't have to say it back." Marcus added, "I'm just telling you how I feel, your like family, close family."
Luna nodded, her grip tightening. "Thank you." She whispered.
— — —
An hour passed.
Marcus was now dressed and fully prepared to depart Miami and head back to England.
Dr. Fletcher meanwhile, had organized both a file with everything she knew about the Kiba mercenaries and a plane ride for him to take back.
Marcus met Dr. Fletcher outside the mansion. She was sitting in her convertible going through the folder she had prepared one last time.
As Marcus approached her, she looked up with a neutral expression. "Are you ready to depart?" She asked.
Marcus nodded, adjusting his bag. "Yeah, I have everything." He answered. "So, I think I'm ready."
Dr. Fletcher nodded as she gestured toward the passenger seat. Marcus quickly made his way around the car and slipped inside, placing his bag on the floor. He then grabbed Luna, and helped her into his lap, before closing the door behind himself.
Dr. Fletcher then handed Marcus the folder she held. Marcus grabbed it, but Dr. Fletcher didn't let go.
"Uhm…" Marcus looked at her with a curious expression.
"This isn't a game Marcus." Dr. Fletcher said sternly. "I've been lenient with you up until now because I wanted to ease you into your duties." She said sternly, her expression firm and cold, "I want you to find this mayflower, but remember to keep a level hand and never zero in on one goal, understand?"
"Yes ma'am," Marcus replied, swallowing his saliva.
Dr. Fletcher nodded as she released the folder, "Keep me posted on your progress, and one more thing…"
"Yeah?"
"I know you aren't just going to England for the investigation, but please keep personal business to a minimum, understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
Dr. Fletcher nodded, a satisfied expression on her face. She then reached for her ignition and turned it.
The engine roared to life, and they were on their way to airstrip 21.
The ride to the airstrip was uneventful, giving Marcus a brief moment to mull over things. His time back in his home country had been short, but with that, he learned a few valuable lessons. Firstly, the Kiba mercenaries were not to be treated as a joke.
Secondly, The organization will always find someone to punish for failure, so he'd have to be extremely careful in how he approached things to avoid incurring its wrath.
And lastly, he'd have to be careful how he behaved in public. it was extremely easy to get recorded and posted on social media, making it harder for him to travel undetected.
With these three lessons in mind, Marcus would be sure to appreciate things more cautiously.
It wasn't long before the airstrip came into view. Marcus took a deep breath as he steeled his resolve. He knew his investigation would be fraught with challenges, but he was ready to face them. Dr. Fletcher's words echo in his head, reminding him that this wasn't just another mission, but a pivotal piece of an unfolding puzzle.
The car slowed to a halt as it rolled off the pavement and onto the tarmac. Dr. Fletcher parked her car and turned to him. Her expression was firm, but caring. "Remember, stay focused on your mission, and update me on the regular, understand?"
"Yeah, find the mayflower, and keep you posted," Marcus replied.
With that, Marcus stepped out of the car. With Luna holding one hand and his bag in the other, he headed towards the jet that was waiting for him.
As he boarded the plane, Marcus could feel himself stepping out of one chapter of his life, and into another.
The plane soon took off, and the hit for the Mayflower had begun.
— — —
Hours later, not only had Marcus arrived back in Manchester, but was now on his way to meet none other than Kinsley.
The reason for this was simple. Although Marcus had been provided a place to stay by Dr. Fletcher, when Marcus informed Kinsley of his arrival, she suggested he stay with her in the academy dorms.
Marcus wasn't sure of it at first, but Kinsley practically demanded it, so he obliged.
And that's where he was currently, standing outside the academy gates with nothing but his bag, and his "sister".
Kinsley said she'd meet with Marcus outside the academy gates, but he had been waiting for the past ten minutes. He was growing slightly nervous, but his expression betrayed none of it.
"So." Marcus said, breaking the silence between himself and Luna, "what do you think her dorm room will be like?"
Luna shrugged. "I have nothing to base a teenage girl's room on, I've never seen one."
Marcus chuckled. "You and me both." He joked.
Just then, Marcus saw a figure dressed in a damp tracksuit approaching them with a jog. She had long brown hair and eyes. "Marcus." She said almost in disbelief as she grew closer.
When Kinsley finally reached Marcus, her expression was unreadable. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she studied Marcus closely.
"Marcus." She repeated, taking a step closer to him.
Marcus raised an eyebrow as he nodded his head. "That's who I am." He said with a nervous chuckle.
Luna eyed both Kinsely and Marcus curiously, the gears in her head churning with deep thought.
Kinsley reached out her hands toward Marcus, he heartily reciprocated the action.
Marcus wasn't quite sure what was happening exactly, he was tired, hungry, and cold. But he wasn't going to be rude to Kinsley.
It wasn't long before the two hugged. Kinsley tightly wrapped her arms around Marcus as she stuffed her face into his neck. Marcus wrinkled his nose as he caught a whiff of Kinsley, she smelled of sweat, earth, and…. Pretzels.
Luna widened her eyes at Marcus's reaction, causing him to realize how stupid he was being. Marcus tightly embraced Kinsley, borrowing his face into her sweaty neck.
It was strange at first, but for some reason, Marcus found himself enjoying the sent after a while.
Luna's expression had become satisfied, she crossed her arms as she smirked.
"How have you been?" Marcus asked, attempting to break the awkward atmosphere. His voice was muffled against her shoulder.
"Tired, and a little anxious." Kinsley replied, her voice muffled as well, "Classes start next week."
"I see." Marcus replied, "I'm sure you'll do great."
Kinsley chuckled softly before pulling away from Marcus. Her eyes scanned Marcus's face with a warm gaze. She then smiled. "I missed you." She said softly.
Marcus smirked. "Hey, I said I'd come back right, you know I fought tooth and nail to get here though."
"Oh really?" Kinsley said, placing a hand on her hip.
"Yep, but uhm, I'm really tired now." Marcus with a yawn.
Kinsley's eyes widened in realization, she then hastily reached into her pocket and pulled out a card. "Sorry, I bet you guys are cold right?" She asked as she approached the gate, sliding her card into a reader embedded inside the gate post.
The gates opened automatically, revealing the quiet campus that it protected. "Follow me," Kinsley said as she pocketed her card.
The trio made their way through the gates and onto the campus. Kinsley led them down a path, that was illuminated by high-hanging lights. There were several buildings on the campus grounds, there was a large central building, where Marcus assumed Kinsley went to school. There were several other buildings and areas, such as dorms, gyms, and furious sports fields.
Marcus was amazed by the modern architecture, it was like a small city.
"This place is nice," Marcus commented.
"I think so too." Kinsley replied, "But you'd be surprised how many pompous pricks go here." Kinsley said with a sigh, "It gets tiring."
"With a place this nice it's pretty hard to imagine that self-righteous assholes wouldn't flock to it."
"Exactly," Kinsley said with a small laugh.