Operation M.I.A: Missing in Action (IN NEED OF REVISING)

Chapter XIV

"We should probably get you back home," I tell Eghosa. Eghosa nods and we begin our walk back out of the mine.

"Y'know, this one wasn't actually too bad," Mia comments after we begin walking. "I mean, no one tried to kill us."

Yet.

AVERY

Music: Stage 8A arrangement from Gradius Galaxies

Right after Mia says that, I hear a very soft rumbling. The rumbling noise quickly begins to increase in volume, and dust begins to fall from the ceiling.

"Next time, avoid saying something like that," Luke says, glaring at Mia.

"Well, excuse me for wanting to fill the silence," Mia sighs.

"Guys, enough arguing. We need to move," Mackenzie urges. The rest of the group nods and pretty soon, we're all in a full-on sprint.

In terms of who's the best at running, our group is pretty spread out in that regard. Elle and I usually have the lead, Sam, Luke, Mackenzie, Sean, Shanna, and I are usually somewhere in the middle, and Mia and Skylar are almost always just a little behind. It's rare that anybody actually falls super far behind, though. And, surprisingly, Eghosa's right up in the front with Elle and Ithis time around.

The eleven of us have to deal with particles of dust falling all around us and an occasional small rock here in there. "How is it even possible that this mine is collapsing right now!?" Shanna exclaims, already beginning to pant from having to run so fast.

"They probably figured that someone was trying to save Eghosa, and this is their attempt at stopping us," Heath answers. "Just keep moving!"

At the first fork in the path, we take the right (since we took the left path both times the first time). Our progress is hindered at the second fork when we come across a huge puddle of mercury spilled all over the floor.

"There's probably another exit through this path," Sean suggests. So we take off down the left fork.

"How much farther do we have to go!? I don't think I can keep running that much longer!" Mia yells, starting to have trouble catching up with the rest of us.

"Just hang on!" Sam yells back. "I think we're just about there!"

He's not wrong to believe that. I can see a small hill going upward up ahead, and that seems too out-of-place from this mostly flat ground to lead to anything but an exit. My hopes start to soar, and adrenaline kicks in and makes me run faster as we get closer and closer to the ramp.

And then our hopes are shot when a large boulder is rolled in front of the exit, completely blocking the exit off. Elle and I aren't able to stop in time, and we both run right into the boulder, falling backward.

"Ugh, damn it!" I moan.

"It's gotta be super wedged in there," Elle says, as she and I examine all edges of the boulder. Elle begins to hyperventilate as she yells, "We're all trapped in here!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Luke growls.

HEATH

Music: Metallic Mario from Super Mario 64

Luke makes his way to the front of the pack, and the rest of us take a few steps backward. He then flips open a compartment in his prosthetic leg and pulls out a rock.

But this isn't just any rock. It's a rock we refer to as the "Rock of Doom". Think of it as a rock that, when used properly, can give off special powers, almost like a philosopher's stone but without the need for alchemy.

"What's he going to do with a rock?" Eghosa asks.

"You'll find out," I reply, anxious for what Luke's going to do this time.

Luke holds the rock close to his forehead, lowers his head, and shuts his eyes tightly. The rock begins to emit a red-purple glow, and his veins begin to emit that same glow. I take another look at Eghosa, and she's already looking pretty frightened.

Luke's body then begins pulsating, and his body starts to change. His arm and leg muscles grow out, and his chest puffs out. His right arm also turns into his typical sword arm, which he then sets on fire. All of his hairs stand up. Once his body's fully transformed, Luke leans back and lets out a howl.

Then he charges at the boulder and gives it a swift punch, cracking it. A hack at it with his sword completely breaks it apart. He lets out another howl and stomps outside of the cave. The rest of us follow.

"Geez, if it weren't for the cockiness, I'd want to date him right now," I hear Avery mutter as we step outside.

Once outside, we come across two men who look like mine workers. My guess is that they were the ones who pushed the boulder in front of the cave. They spot us and point guns at us, but Luke, still receiving power from the Rock, knocks the guns right out of their hands in one swift move. Then he grabs both of them by the heads and smashes their heads together, essentially knocking both of them unconscious. Their bodies fall to the ground, limp.

It's at this point that Luke's body returns to normal, and his sword arm reverts back to his regular prosthetic arm. We give him a polite round of applause.

"Atta boy," I say, patting Luke on the back.

"Thanks, man," he replies.

Don't have a whole lot to say for this chapter. Just another typical mine scene.

Next chapter is going to be REALLY long, and will also conclude the first part of this story (yes, there's 2 parts to this story, they don't really serve a purpose tho lol).