Delta 6 (The Pack)

Chapter 16

Look I did a thing

Warnings: Minor amount of blood

~Jerome's P.O.V.~

It makes sense really. Hauling that pillar off of Mitch, which should have been difficult, was as easy as lifting a stick. Betty feels like a feather in my hands. Mitch seemed to weigh practically nothing. And overall, I feel stronger. Which means, that my power, could very well be super strength.

"Try lifting something up,-something big!" Mitch suggests, eyes alight with curiosity.

      I survey the area, looking for something to pick up. It doesn't take long, considering the fact this entire place is just a big pile of rubble. My eyes land on the pillar-the one that was pinning down Mitch-and I realize that's it's actually a lot bigger than I first thought it to be. So, choosing it as my test object, I stride over to the crumbling pillar. Letting my claws spring out, I squat, wrap my arms around it, dig in my claws, and lift.

       "Woah... This is so weird but awesome at the same time!" I exclaim.

       The pillar feels like but a mere stick in my hand. Finding no need to wrap my arms around the entire thing, I retract my claws and shift the entire pillar into one paw. While it becomes heavier, it's now nearly enough for me to be straining to lift it. I grin, raising the pillar above my head with one hand like.

       Mitch laughs, his eyes wide in bewilderment, "Remind me not to get on your bad side!" He jokes, watching as I lower and raise the stone pillar several times, before tossing it easily to the ground.
       I growl in satisfaction, rolling my shoulders and cracking my neck. "I feel unstoppable!"
      Mitch rolls his eyes playfully. "Don't get too full of yourself. Remember were up against a black gem here."
      "Yeah? Well let's see you try and pick it up." I challenge light-heartedly, motioning towards the pillar.
       He shakes his head, waving his hands in a negative gesture. "I'll pass, thanks, my ribs are still broken cuz of that thing. Besides, super strength is your power, not mine."

        My eyes go wide. That's right! I was so enveloped in my new power, I compelled forgot Mitch is still injured! I realize in shock, just now seeming to notice the way he subtly cradles his ribs, with his good arm covers his gashed other arm, and the look of mild discomfort on his burnt face. Well now I feel like a piece of dirt.

     "OhmyNotchImsosorryIcompletelyforgotyouwerehurt." I babble, humiliated.
      "Dude, it's fine. You were excited about discovering your power, I understand." Mitch reassures, smiling patiently.
      "I still feel bad though..." I mumble. "But I'll make it up to you! Stay here, I'll go scavenge for healing potions and stuff."

        And without another word, I turn on my heel and dash away.

~~~

      Clink clink clink!

      My tongue sticks out in concentration as I walk slowly, balancing an armful of potions in my arms. After a good while of searching through abandoned structures and rubble, I've a managed to scrape up a few bottles of healing potions. A majority of them are cracked, leaking, and missing most of their contents. In fact, I only have one full and unscathed potion bottle, but at least the others still have something left in them. I grimace as edges of broken glass dig into my hands, drawing blood. The bottles lightly tapping each other create a rhythmic clinking sound, sounding in time to my cautious steps.

      "Hey Mitch I found some-"

      SMASH

      As the bottles all fall from my arms, smashing open on the ground, and losing all their contents, I curse under my breath. Well there goes the last few hours of my life... But right now, all I care about is-

       "HOW THE NETHER DID YOU GET WINGS?!" I yell, so loud Mitch psychically flinches.

      In fact, it's so loud, the already shattered pieces of glass break into even smaller shards. But what really draws my attention is the pair of massive wings jutting from Mitch's back. From a glance I assume they're twice the length of his body in total, and even though they're semi-tucked in, they still drape over the grass. They seem to be constructed of pure light, having translucent white feathers with a reddish brown hue. At my shout, they unfurl slightly.

        "When did you get such a loud voice?!" He counters, rubbing his ear.
         "I don't know, it's probably something to do with having super strength. But seriously, how did you get wings?!" I exclaim, being mindful of talking quieter.
         He shrugs and hold his hands out in a helpless gesture. "While I was waiting for you to get back, I was trying to figure out what my power was, and they just kinda... Appeared. I don't know how, or what triggered it, but here we are." He explains, his wings spreading out to match his body language.
        
        I shake my head, processing the information that my best friend now has a set of light wings. In the process I end up stepping forward, and the crushing sound of glass under my feet reminds me of my fail. I was shocked in seeing Mitch's new appearance, I had accidentally dropped the potions. And now I'm left with none, and an injured Mitch.

       "Sorry I dropped the potions, it was just kinda surprising you know?"
       "It's okay, I was surprised too when I saw them. Like I literally fell over. They feel so... Weird." Mitch laughs, spinning and glancing over his shoulder at his new attachments.
        "But they look so cool! Have you tried flying yet?" I question, striding forward, and reaching to touch them.
      
        I let out a silent gasp of awe as my hand passes right through them, like they're nothing but holograms. Which means that they can't be crippled.

      Mitch nods. "Yeah I tried. Key word, tried. It didn't end too well though. I want to get better before I try again." He states, tucking in his wings once again. 
       I stare at him, and suddenly, and idea pops into my head. "Hey, I have a good idea. When I arrived last night, a huge horde of those white-eyed mobs were just leaving. Why don't we follow them? If I remember correctly, the way they were headed was on the way to Seto's place anyway. Even if we don't catch up to them, Seto will be able to fix you up. So what do you say?" I suggest, nodding off in said direction.
       Mitch nods thoughtfully. "That's a good idea. And then, if we find them, we might be able to get some idea of what's going on. Well I mean... besides the whole Notch dying and the world in mortal danger thing. Okay... Yeah let's do it."

       And so, taking once last glance at the remains of our home, we turn and set off to investigate.

~~~
Question of the chapter:

Did any of you guess Mitch's power right? Also, how do you guys like my idea for his wings?