Unexpected Connections

A teleporter was not the most awesome person to fight after battling someone who could disorient him, but Aaron knew he had to stay on his toes.

“Who are you?” Aaron asked as the man stepped out of view again.

“You really think I’m going to let you know?” the teleporter responded, punching him in the back.

“Well, it seems to happen pretty often,” Aaron turned around, only for the man to disappear again. “Thought it was worth a try?”

“I admire that,” the man delivered a kick to Aaron’s arm. “Covering your bases.” He disappeared, materializing at Aaron’s side, ready to deliver a punch to his face.

“Thanks,” Aaron smiled, blocking the attack. “Not always so easy, though,” he narrowed his eyes and sent a wave at the man’s head.

“Nice shot…” The man shook his head as he appeared across the room. “Got me right before I could step out.”

“You sure do know how to make your opponents feel welcome,” Aaron sped towards him, only to see him disappear again. “This is honestly getting old. How do you recognize me?”

“I think you know the answer to that,” the teleporter almost landed a kick to Aaron’s head. “You’re getting good at this,” he said before realizing he couldn’t see Aaron.

“Nah, you’re just getting sloppy,” Aaron delivered a psychic wave from behind. “Telepathic cloaks come in handy!”

“Then I’ll make this less easy for you,” the teleporter threatened before he disappeared again.

“This may not be good,” Aaron said to himself. He steadied his mind, careful to detect any movement from his opponent. The first blow he managed to dodge, but the next had him reeling. Aaron kept his ground as much as he could, but his opponent was able to move in and out fast enough to keep him on defense.

“Aaron!” Arie yelled from the door. Aaron turned long enough to get knocked on the ground. Right before the teleporter’s next hit could land, Aaron found himself next to Arie.

“You can teleport people, too?” he asked her.

“I guess so,” she said, right before being knocked away by the teleporter.

“Sorry, don’t need two of me around here,” he said before disappearing and attacking Aaron.

“Arie, I can barely handle him,” he said to her telepathically, trying to dodge attacks.

“You also ran off on your own,” she responded.

“This is officially my fight,” he began.

“In my country. We are supposed to fight together,” she teleported him across the room, away from the attacks.

“You’re right,” he agreed. “Then I have an idea. I’m going to link us. The moment you detect his presence, teleport him right in front of me.” Arie nodded. Aaron established the link and they waited for the right moment. Arie detected the teleporter behind Aaron and immediately put him in Aaron’s view, allowing Aaron to take advantage of the surprise and send the teleporter flying with immense force into a wall. Aaron sped and Arie teleported to him, landing blow after blow. Aaron finished with a psychic wave, overwhelming the teleporter’s mind and momentarily disabling his powers.

“Who are you?!” Aaron asked, suspending him in the air.

“Door,” the man weakly replied.

“Why are you involved in this? Did you start this conflict?” Aaron asked.

“No, unless he has been around for years,” Arie responded.

“She’s right. I just had my purposes involving you,” Door told Aaron. “Someone knew you’d be here, and I was sent to make sure you were dealt with. Good thing you helped me out with that.”

“Aaron, we have to go now,” Arie placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Who sent you?” Aaron asked Door.

“I couldn’t tell you if I wanted to,” he replied, eliciting a probe from Aaron. He detected an energy similar to the one in James’ mind.

“What…?” Aaron began to ask as the first bomb charges exploded.

“Aaron, I’m sorry…” Arie teleported him and Xeloc away from the base. As they appeared outside, watching the compound explode, Aaron looked to her with tears in his eyes.

“Where is he?” he wiped his eyes.

“I don’t know,” she answered. “I tried to teleport him but he must have gotten away at the last moment.”

“What do we do with him?” Aaron asked.

“I’m not sure. We were going to deal with that once we had him,” Arie responded.

“You didn’t think we’d make it,” Aaron realized.

“Not without you,” she said. “We’ve been working on this plan for months.”

“I have an idea then,” Aaron said. He stepped over to Xeloc. “You know nothing about us. You had a change of heart. You deserve much, much less, but you may be a tool in helping this nation in the right way rather than perpetuating violence. You will begin to redistribute money, build resources, and change the way you run this nation. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” Xeloc replied in a trance.”

“I know it’s not the most ethical solution—“ he began.

“But it is the one that will help my people the most,” Arie hugged him. “Thank you.”

“Of course, Sister,” he embraced her.