A New Challenger Appears!

“So, why is everything black and white?” Aaron asked the woman telepathically.

“I gotta get used to that…” She responded. “I was watching an old movie last night.”

“How old? And why are there Japanese men with swords?” Aaron was still a bit lost. He was lucky that Breaker was just as lost.

“If you have telepathy, how are you even asking these questions? And what was your ‘damn good idea.’”

“Now look sassy pants--!”

“Aaron, whatever this is I am not amused.” Breaker interrupted Aaron’s outburst.

“Don’t even wanna know how you know my name.” Aaron hid behind what he figured was a bush. He still wasn’t sure what was the illusion and what wasn’t. “Creeper.” His eyes began to glow as he put his plan into motion. “Okay. Miche, is it? I need to connect with you. More than just on a communication level.”

“Right. And good job putting that telepathy to use. I see your head is more than a hat rack. What do I need to do?” After she finished her statement, she felt an odd surge in her head.

“Nothing. You already feel it,” Aaron smiled to himself. His amusement transmitted to Miche, making her feel rather light. “Now I need to use my powers on him. He has some pretty interesting mental defenses, but they aren’t complete and they aren’t psychic in nature.”

“Alright. I’ll keep the illusion going and you do what you have to.”

“Got it!” Aaron crouched down and focused, maintaining his link with Miche but preparing an assault on Breaker. “Miche, I’m gonna need to shift scenes in a second. Can you limit the area that’s affected by the illusion?”

“No. If I put one person in one, those around can see it.”

“Let’s see if we can both try something new then. See if you can restrict the illusion size. I’m going to scan for minds and make sure they ignore us.” Aaron felt around for any thoughts within the vicinity, and caught some wondering why the campus looked like a grainy samurai flick. He sent one little message into their heads – ‘Ignore the illusion. Go about your day. Walk right through it and forget.’ Little by little, the thoughts turned away to a new topic and away from the area.

“Miche, we are go!”

“Okay. It took some work but the range is much smaller. You ready?”

Aaron searched for something to use. He probed Breaker’s mind as best he could while attempting to keep him restrained. Soon, he found something striking. “Got it. Send this image…” Aaron hoped the link was strong enough for Miche to see what he was talking about.

“Aaron?” she said, puzzled, as she started the illusion.

“I’m not really sure…” Aaron said, just as confused as she.

“Captain…” was how Breaker responded to the illusion. The image, a striking resemblance of Aaron stood in front of him. The emotional response registering from Breaker must have overwhelmed his mental defenses, for Aaron and Miche suddenly found their task easier.

“Breaker, how is the mission?” The man asked.

“It is… Not going well. I was discovered by him. I tried to stay out of his way. He engaged me in combat. Considering your orders… I had no choice.”

“I know, Breaker. And, despite you not wanting to, you know you need to do it. You have to destroy him.”

Aaron’s eyes flew open. He could sense apprehension from Miche as well.

“Aaron, how are you doing this?” she asked him.

“I’m not… I’m using his mind to help make this projection. This must reflect something real.”

“Captain, I’m not so sure… This entire circumstance is hazy at best. Something isn’t right.”

“But Breaker, this must be done. I can’t see any other option.”

“That’s because—“ Breaker noticed the vision flicker. “That’s because I’m still in an illusion. Good job Aaron.” Miche let go of the illusion and Aaron stepped out to face Breaker.

“Breaker. What’s going on? All of that was real. I know it. Is he why you know my name?”

“Aaron… Captain. I’m so sorry. I don’t want to follow those orders, but you may now know too much.” Aaron could hear the flickering of the electricity around Breaker. “I have to do this.” Tears began to roll down Breaker’s face. Things seemed to slow down as Breaker began a mad dash, coming at Aaron with so much force. Aaron was at a loss. He had milliseconds before he was decimated. So, he got inventive.

“Uh… Uh…. HAMMER!” He covered a wide area with telekinetic force and pressed down, smashing Breaker to the ground.

“What?!” Breaker yelled as he rose. Apparently, he wasn’t pleased. He made another dash toward Aaron, but Aaron rebuffed with a telepathic wave followed by a push, sending Breaker flying.

“Breaker. We have to stop fighting. You’re losing control; I think the projection was too much for you. Please, talk to me about this.” Aaron pleaded. He wanted to find out the truth; he felt guilty for the emotional strain he had just put Breaker through.

“I can’t. I have to follow orders.” Breaker seemed lost at this point. This entire situation, and all that it involved, were really taking a toll on him. “I’m so sorry.” He made one last attempt before a vision of a woman walked in front of him.

“Stop!” She yelled.

“Miche?” Aaron asked. A woman, slightly shorter than him, stood with a hand extended toward Breaker.

“Out of my way!” He yelled to her.

“Get outta my way…” Aaron sang to himself.

“Wow…” Miche turned her head to him, shook her head, and laughed. Breaker shifted to move, but did not escape her attention. “Get ready!” She raised a fist to punch him. When it made contact, she---

“Exploded?!” Aaron jumped up. He turned to look for Campbell and saw him standing in disbelief, too. Breaker simply clumped to the ground.
“Well, that’s never happened before…” Miche stepped from around a building.

“The hell just happened?!” Aaron screamed. Campbell jogged over to join them.

“Not sure. It’s never happened before. I kinda got surprised and it just happened. I guess the energy from the light needed to produce the illusion did that.”

“One, not sure what all that means. And two—“ Aaron started.

“Thanks for saving my boyfriend.” Campbell smiled and shook her hand. “Campbell.”

“Miche. Nice to meet you. If you’re his boyfriend, we have a lot to discuss.”

Aaron nodded. “I think someone’s trying to kill me.”

“That’s no good…” Campbell responded, deep in thought. They had taken their attention off of Breaker until they saw a blue flash of light. Another man had suddenly appeared and raised Breaker to his feet, using himself as a support. On his face was a mix of anguish, anger, and sadness.

“Who--?” Aaron barely got out a word before they disappeared. “O-kay…” They all looked to each other in astonishment, then Aaron simply shrugged and turned to Miche. “I think we could be a Dream Team. Our powers mix pretty well.”

“I agree. I think I could be a valuable asset to you two,” She smiled.

“Right,” Campbell nodded. “So, should we make a plan? Do you think anyone else will come for you?”

“I don’t know, but we have to be prepared in case they do. We also need answers.” The image of ‘Captain’ hung in his head. “Oh hey!” He turned to Miche again. “What was up with the Japanese men?”

“I watched Seven Samurai last night. Couldn’t think of anything else on the spot.” Miche shrugged.