Toka-Ace #1: The Re-Emergence
Chapter 21

My body was sore and my head was throbbing. Those symptoms faded as I flew and took in more of the crisp night air. I was eager to put that fight behind me and get back to Sharron. As tired as I was, I still had a job to do.

I went back to Sharron’s house, being sure to clearly announce myself to avoid being shot. She gave me the clear to enter. She lowered the shotgun as I walked in.

I breathed in and exhaled. As I exhaled, my body became surrounded by white swirling embers. The embers broke leaving Troy, the everyday boy.

Eugene and Ivan were in the living room. Their mouths gaped as they stared at me in awe.

“Maybe I had a little too much to drink,” Eugene said sheepishly. “Because it looked like you were just on fire.”

Sharron looked at him disapprovingly. “Remind me how much trouble you’re in when this is over.” She addressed me. “So what happens now?”

“Well,” I said digging in my pocket. I got my cell phone out. “That’s what I am working on.”

I called Katherine.

“Troy?” she answered. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I said. “How did you know I was in danger?”

“So, you had nothing to do with the fire at the park and the reported gunfire?” Katherine pointed out.

“Okay, you got me,” I said. “By the way, I got into a fight, but it wasn’t androids this time.”

“What do you mean?” Katherine asked.

“The things that were after Eugene and Ivan looked like wolves, but they walked on two legs and had four arms and wings.”

“Aanbi-Sali,” Katherine said. “They’re dangerous.”

“I kind of noticed that,” I said dryly.

“This means Tovlin is getting bolder and less concerned about moving ahead carefully. Even back to my time in Tovlin, Aug-Ig was always impatient. This must mean that whatever he has planned with the Tovlin kids, he wants it done now. Did you get Eugene and Ivan?” she asked.

“They’re safe,” I confirmed. “They’re back at their home. They know everything that’s going on. Well, not really, but they do know that we’re the good guys.”

“Good.” she said. “I’m only moments away. Come outside, I’ll take them to safety.”

“See you in a minute,” I said.

Sharron, Eugene, and Ivan had been looking at me, eager to hear what I was going to relay to them.

“I have a friend that’s going to help,” I announced. “Her name is Katherine. She has a more defined plan.”

“This is nuts,” Eugene said.

“You don’t say.” I laughed despite myself.

“Who or what are you exactly?” he demanded.

“In a nutshell, I’m someone who’s a lot like you.” I said to him. “You-well both you and your brother-have been altered to have powers like me. The group that did it were the ones who came after you tonight.”

“But how come you can transform?” Ivan asked.

“Because my powers were unsealed,” I said. “I can’t really explain it all, I am seriously pressed for time here.”

My phone rang, and there came the honking from a car horn outside.

I answered. “Hello?”

“I’m outside, come out now.” Katherine said bluntly.

“Okay,” I said. I hung up. “Rude,” I muttered.

“That was Katherine. She’s going to take the three of you some place safe for the time being.”

“Let me put together some travel bags,” said Sharron.

“No, we have to go now. Those creatures at the park are deadly. They could be here at any minute.”

She still hesitated. “Sharron,” I said. “Are you prepared to see your nephews killed?”

She shook her head and then three of them followed me out of the house.

Katherine was in a car in front of the house. She opened the door and got out.

“Nice work Troy.” she complimented.

“Thanks.” I said. “It was nothing. A few mutant werewolves…” Ivan and Eugene glanced at me and I smiled. I could see in their faces that they were imagining what their own powers would be.

“Hello,” Sharron said to Katherine, “How do you plan to keep us safe?”

“We’re going to stay on the move,” Katherine said. “Tovlin is sure to be tracking us.”

“Tracking?” Ivan fretted.

“We’re being hunted at this very moment?” Eugene echoed his brother’s concern.

“Yes,” Katherine said bluntly.

Eugene and Ivan exchanged a look. “What about unlocking our powers?” Ivan said.

“Later for that. And we don’t have time for the two of you to be afraid.” I said. “We just have to deal with what is.”

“Come on, boys, get into the car.” Sharron encouraged.

“Ah, man,” said Eugene, but the twins climbed into the car. Sharron got into the passenger’s seat.

I went around to the driver’s side to have a quick word with Katherine.

“Troy, I need you to keep collecting the others,” Katherine said.

“Got it,” I said. “Where are you taking them? Where should I take them to?”

Katherine considered. “We’re really doing this spur of the moment, after you get the next one, call me.”

I transformed into Toka-Ace. I was getting tired from so many repeated transformations. I spread my wings and took to the sky with Eugene and Ivan watching me amazed.

I flew as fast as I could to the next house. Nathan was the name of the next guy that I was supposed to retrieve.

I arrived in the neighborhood. “Oh no,” I gasped as I flew over the house. I dropped from the sky onto the porch of a two story house. The front door had been knocked off its hinges. The living room was an absolute mess. Broken picture frames and glass littered the floor, and the carpet was scrunched up and out of place.

There had definitely been a struggle here. It seemed like I was too late. “I’m too late.” I cursed myself.

Police sirens cut through the silence and made me jump. I had to get out of here. I merged with the shadows and I was out of there before the police came in.

Before long I was in the night sky again. I landed on the roof of a nearby store and I reverted back to being myself. I called Katherine.

“I was too late. They got Nathan,” I said.

Katherine cursed. “Adam said the same thing happened with one of the kids he was trying to rescue. He barely got out in time.”

“What now?” I asked.

“Let’s regroup with what we have,” Katherine said after a moment of consideration.

“Alright,” I said downheartedly.

“We’re meeting near Vincent.” Katherine revealed. She gave me the address.

“Okay, see you in a few.”