{ Mia }
I spun around fast, golden sparks crackling to life at my fingertips. Ace had been in front of me just a second ago now he was behind me, smirking like he hadn't just bent time itself to get the upper hand.
Oh, it's on.
"You cheat," I muttered, stepping back to create space.
Ace only raised an eyebrow. "I adapt."
Before I could respond, he moved fast. Not using time manipulation, just sheer speed. My instincts screamed at me to dodge, but instead of backing away, I reacted differently this time.
I twisted my wrist, channeling the energy outward, not as an attack but as a pulse. A controlled explosion.
The golden wave erupted from my palms, forcing Ace to jump back before he could reach me. His smirk widened. "Better."
I gritted my teeth. "Not done yet."
This time, I didn't just attack. I strategized. Ace had time on his side, but I had power and now, I was learning how to use it.
I exhaled sharply, the fire inside me shifting, changing. Then, with a flick of my wrist, I sent a blast not at him but at the ground between us. The explosion sent a wave of dust and heat into the air, forcing him to react.
The moment his vision blurred I moved.
For once, I was the one disappearing from his sight.
I reappeared behind him, my heart pounding. For the first time, I had the advantage.
Ace turned, but I was faster. I clenched my fist, and the energy around me surged golden tendrils crackling as I directed them forward.
He barely had time to react before the blast slammed into him, sending him skidding backward.
Cole let out a low whistle from the sidelines. "Damn, she actually got you."
Ace straightened, rolling his shoulders. He didn't look mad he looked excited.
"Not bad," he admitted. Then, before I could enjoy the moment, he snapped his fingers.
And time stopped.
Not for me. Not this time.
Everything else slowed—the dust in the air hanging motionless, the flicker of my own energy suspended mid-motion.
But I could still move.
I gasped, my pulse spiking. "Wait how—?"
Ace smirked. "Figured it was time to level the playing field. You're learning fast, cupcake. Let's see if you can keep up."
Then he vanished.
I barely had time to process before I felt it a shift in the air, a presence at my side.
I spun around, reacting purely on instinct.
Golden energy flared as I thrust my hand outward, but he was already gone reappearing on my other side.
"You're getting stronger," his voice teased from behind me. "But you're still thinking too slow."
I gritted my teeth. No. Not this time.
Instead of chasing him, I waited.
I closed my eyes for just a second, letting the energy inside me settle, expand feeling the space around me.
The moment he moved again, I sensed it.
And before he could blink before I could even think my power reacted first.
A golden shockwave erupted from my body, not wild and uncontrolled this time, but precise. It spread outward in every direction, catching Ace mid-step before he could disappear.
For the first time since we started he froze.
His eyes widened, just a fraction. "Huh."
Then he grinned.
"Now that—" he said, brushing dust off his sleeve. "Was interesting."
Ace snapped his fingers and time snapped back into motion.
" What happened?" Cole snapped frustration evident in his tone .
"Looks like you were right cupcake." Ace smiled. " You can control it." His expression shifted to one of pride. " Good job." He patted my head.
" Can someone tell me what just happened?!" Cole screamed.
" If I didn't have powers she would have beat me ." Ace ruffled my hair.
"So..... She's better?" He asked confused.
"Way better." I replied chuckling.
Ace chuckled, shaking his head like he still couldn't believe it. "Guess I'll have to start watching my back, huh?"
I smirked. "You should."
Cole crossed his arms. "Alright, great, Mia's awesome what now?"
Ace stretched his arms above his head, looking way too relaxed for someone who had just been blasted across the room. "Now?" He shot me a sly grin. "Now we see if she can do it again."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
Ace snapped his fingers.
And suddenly, the ground beneath me vanished.
I barely had time to react before I was falling. Not just falling plummeting.
The air rushed past me, the training room vanishing into an endless void. My stomach lurched. Panic clawed at my chest. What is this? Where am I?!
Then instinct kicked in.
I clenched my fists, energy sparking to life around me. I twisted midair, forcing the golden light outward. It flared at my feet, slowing my descent just before I hit—
Solid ground.
I staggered as I landed, my breath coming fast. The world around me shifted again, reforming, rebuilding. The training room returned like it had never disappeared.
Ace stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching me.
"Better," he smirked .
" You could've warned me!" I shook my head.
" That's not how real life works, cupcake!" He patted my head. " Now that you know how to control the golden light we need to focus on your other powers."
" Other powers?! What other powers?" Cole and I asked in sync.
He just chuckled and said. " You didn't think that was all you could do, did you ?!?"