Ryan's POV continued

With Harper and Madi gone, the room was filled with a dreadful silence. Even the orchestrated sounds of nature in the slices of biomes felt drowned out. My breath felt... heavy. My muscles felt stiff, I didn't have any fight left in me. My eyes fixated back on Skyler. I was trying to ignore her for now. Despite the annoyance clinging to my arm. Well annoyance that made itself clear it was ready to kill at a moments notice. Any hesitation from me. Steinfeild made it clear he got what he wanted, so why am I still alive? Does he want the whole chess board filled again? Experiments ended a long time ago, and those of us left were still indebted to the governments around the world. Most of the facilities were shut down and abandoned. Those who still held authority ran what was left of the world. Power was power.

Who would have thought I'd be calling my sort of girlfriend... wait or ex. Okay that's too complicated, but calling her annoying. It's almost funny. How... did we end up here? I should... I should have just left her be. Why... couldn't I just run away like I always do. Seeing her like this again... hurts.

Steinfeild clapped his hands together, dusting them off, "Alright kids, let's get to work." He clapped and Daniel walked up next to him. Somehow Skyler and I shared our dumbfounded look at the obedience of that man. The perfect soldier after all.

We started walking on the cusp of the tundra biome slice of the room as I tried shaking Skyler off my arm. Why is her grip so tight, and WHY did it have to be so cold here! Without my ability working because I'm EXHAUSTED and trying to conserve energy, I can't warm myself up. This... is the worst it's like -20 in this biome, what the hell Steinfeild. I'm wearing a long sleeve and sweats at least.

I looked down at Skyler's content face. No way she's gotten this strong over five years, I should be able to break free of her grasp easily if she wasn't being too serious. She can barely pick up a barbell. Not that 70ish pounds is nothing either. I was pretty banged up though, so maybe it was my arm being too lazy to do anything about it. I can probably only use my speed to dodge right now. I'll leave the heavy stuff to the others. Depending what we're training for. Unless he's about to lock us up and hook us to machines like in the old days. Shit I just want to SLEEP. Come on Ryan, keep it together.

Just walking was starting to hurt at this point, trudging through the stupid snow. THERE ARE 3 OTHER DOORS IN HERE WE COULD HAVE WALKED TO! I looked over at the others. Particularly at Daniel. He seemed... bothered. His head hung, he looked really tense. I thought he was supposed to be the perfect soldier who wasn't ACTUALLY that emotional. My eyes drew forward, oh that explains it. Towering nearly to the ceiling. The Tundras one and only cliff. Probably fifty feet in the air with a straight drop off. One of the reasons this room was so tall, actually the room rested underneath the massive facility but was still wider than most of it. The room was about 3 miles in diameter, I would know I've run every inch of this room.

This room was built from an underground military base. Access to a large lake and sandwiched between two large territories. Most of the building was underground to begin with, roughly 15 floors with 4 above ground. I looked back at Daniel's distrait expression. It was odd to see him wearing it. I... guess he does remember how he died though. WHERE he died. PTSD carries heavy for him in here.

I looked forward again. Skyler pushed him off that cliff when she'd finally beaten him. She didn't come to her senses until she saw the blood stained snow below. In her nightmares she'd always tell me about how her hands were trembling. Not from the snow, but of fear of what she could do. What she had done. Somehow killing him haunted her more than any of our missions. I'm surprised there was even anything to salvage after a battle like that but here he stands, still half the man he used to be I guess. Still just as much of an asshole. I can't believe I ever befriended that guy.

We finally reached the exit door after a cold and quiet fifteen minute walk. Steinfeild flashed his wrist watch in front of the door and it clicked open. The rim of the door lighting up orange. Easy to enter from the outside, locked from the inside. The smell of rust and metal as it opened. Flashes of memories from five years ago. The destruction of this base.

We walked down the shambled dark halls of the facility. It was so dim and dead here, though I don't really remember it any different from when I was a child. Even when everything wasn't broken, very few ventured down here. Skyler was considered and still is considered the most dangerous of my of us. Unpredictable. The lower levels always scared me a little. Yes, one of the governments monsters knows fear. To know fear was important. That's how you keep yourself from getting killed. Just the right amount of fear. There were few things I really feared. A few experiments abilities, Skyler sometimes, Steinfeild, and loss.

I liked this hallway at the same time though. I actually used to love going to the practice room or Skyler's room. I found the competition and training to be fun in a way. Despite sometimes getting beaten half to death, it was the point when your hearts racing and you know you're beat that you feel the most alive. Turning it around and coming out victorious instead. Connor and I were tricky and would always pull out the strangest victories, so the battles against him were the best. Fighting Skyler was a hassle and i'd normally get my ass handed to me. So that wasn't too fun. I enjoyed fighting a bit... too much.

We made our way up a floor to the training room. It was about half the size of Skyler's biome room that laid in the middle of the floor below. It was like standing in a football stadium, well that's what the scientists called it. I hadn't gone and seen one myself yet for obvious reasons.

Skyler's room spanned two or so miles in all directions. With how fast it grew back we'd kinda abused it with our abilities. The amount of times I'd burn the ground beneath my feet. Well it was almost... amusing to think back on. If it wasn't for how terrified I was trying not to be right now. The main training room was more tactical though. Skyler's room was used for when we were training for a mission most of the time. Depending on the biome we'd be facing. We would be ready for anything. This training room was used for all the experiments housed here. Which yes was more than just the Phantom Guard. It was along with where we'd host competitions because of the overhead viewing built in. We couldn't see them but we would know they were there watching through the cloaked ceiling. Skyler had raged out a few times along with a few other experiments trying to destroy their barrier out of rage. Followed by swift punishment. Punishment that was shaking me to my core now. All the memories of this wretched place. I'd take running for days on end again over this.

The cold metal room appeared barren, but that's just the top layer. Once the rooms activated or the alarm is triggered, this room becomes a battle zone. Full of weapons like spikes, saws, lasers, you name it. A while back everything here was considered top of the line. Auto reporting nanites. Sometimes they could even flood the room or sweep us off our feet with strong winds. The most recently added feature that could bend gravity just in case we had to face a certain man. Project Bulster, a class Zero with incredible natural disaster level gravity powers. We took competition between the facilities more seriously than the war. It was the only thing close to fun we have. Even if it was fighting and hurting each other, we weren't killing innocent soldiers then. Which is why in the end of war times the facilities held the global power, not the governments they were originally built for. For themselves not the people. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The scientists loved tinkering with new things to throw our way. The equipment was either as tough as a tank or a kind of liquid metal that was mailable in most higher skill settings. Faster and harder to break. Customizable for the experiment training. The room spanned a good half mile and your voice would echo up into the high ceiling. The room worked on skill level for how hard it will be, each in turn comes with a mission or is just a free fight. It was changed out all the time with new parts as we broke the equipment constantly. Though it was better than breaking bones I guess. Some of us took forever to heal... I.e. Skyler and James. Even Madi and Harper healed faster, and Connor rarely managed to get hurt. Like I said, dude is basically invincible. Though, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger as it's said.

I sighed as we entered the large room. Our footsteps echoing on the scratched metal floors. Of course Steinfeild had already disappeared upstairs. I looked around boredly as we went to go stand in the center. My feet were unsteady, I could feel the wary gloom building in my chest. My breath was heavy again. Finally Skyler let go to to marvel at the blank room. Letting me have a chance to rub my sore arm, checking it. Geez... my whole body was a wreak. By bones had barely healed.

Skylers room is WAY more impressive than this one. She gets amused so easily, it is quite strange. I snickered a little seeing her run around us in a quick circle, the other guys looked dumbfounded. Daniel put his hand over his face looking to be a little irritated. Which felt mutual at this points Skyler stopped back in front of me with a hop and blinked a few times.

"Um... Yes?" I asked after she stayed silently staring up at me.

"Ah-.... Where are we?" She asked innocently.

"The training room." We all sighed and spoke together.

Wow guess they really were just as annoyed as I was by her childish self. So guess if she does remember anything it's definitely very little at this point. Steinfeild did mention she'd slowly manage to remember some things, meaning his ability isn't as strong as he plays it off to be. It must ware off fairly fast as well. So I could just wait this out in theory. She may know her powers to some extent... but everything else feels so... choosy now.

I felt the floor rumble slightly beneath me. My eyes darting around. My ears focused as my feet shifted to steady myself within a seconds notice. Oh crap. I sped, lugging Skyler across the room with my heart racing as the room activated it's alert system. It was spur of the moment and my body made a point to make me regret it. A giant pillar shooting up where she was standing in a blink of an eye.

"Well, well, well. What happened to only looking after number one kids?" Steinfeild spoke over the intercom as everyone dodged pillars. Aaron running off to the side to take notes. Sweating a bit from the lack of warning. Steinfeild still shows little care for him I see,

"I feel like i'm gonna hurl." I crouched down covering my mouth.

I'm not sure why I did that, I shouldn't have been frightened but my immediate reaction was to protect Skyler. Even though because of Steinfeild she seems perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Another shake and Skyler dodged by jumping up as where we stood now a huge tower rose out of the ground without warning. Perching easily on top of the tower. Looking down curiously with her hair slightly in her face, childishly amused. She was clearly better prepared than I.

"That was close wasn't it doc!" Skyler laughed sweetly which echoed around the large room that had quieted after the panic.

"Good, the two of you haven't lost your footing." Steinfeild exclaimed over the intercom. "Though Ryan, you're first instinct is to... run? Have to say I'm a bit disappointed in you my boy."

"It's what I do best sir." I sighed a little out of breath as I bowed with a roll of my eyes. I still feel like throwing up, please don't make me run anymore

Yeah stay perched up in your safe little control room. Comment all you wan,  I'm just trying not to die you crazy old man. I know I panicked. I'm just not sure how vigilant Skyler is so I grabbed her and ran to safety, but then she just vaulted herself up there with some wind like it was nothing.

Is he trying to test us now? That asshole hows i'm pretty much at my limit, it's hard just to stay upright even with the little rest I got. Knives suddenly started flinging out at me from both sides. My instincts kicking in as my head barely dipped back in time, one nicking my cheek before I had a chance to really react even at the distance they came from. I was still so out of it and weak. Why was it he was trying to get us to do this now? And why mainly targeting Skyler and I? Out of practice my ass, if I was at full strength this would be nothing. I could have sped around and catch literally every single one of those stupid knives. And why suddenly have us train? What's his game plan? I get trying to rebuild the team to compete and get Facility X back off it's feet again. To become a pillar of government power again. That's all Steinfeild ever wanted. Power, complete and utter control over anything he could get his hands on.

They were too fast for me to get an opening to speed out with the fraction of a second I had to dodge after the last attack. I spun in a circle generating a whirlwind again gathering the knives around me.

"Dammit..." I winced at a sudden pain at my side. A knife broke through and clipped my side slightly before getting caught in the wind again.

I guess I'm a little rusty... no really i'm just exhausted. If this keeps up i'm gonna pass out. Any attack in here were sudden, just like in a real battle. Sometimes even the operator wouldn't know what comes next.

Fine then, if that's how the rooms going to play. I just have to get this done with quick efficiency. I'm so drowsy... wait- no I have to... to focus. I have a bunch of sharp objects around me. My eyes closed for a moment with a brief enhale. Feeling my lungs swell in my chest. Opening my eyes that sparked with what would have appeared to be lightning. Activating my Disperse. Which... wasn't thought through well. It instead generated electricity into the wind. Wait what am I doing, this is metal!? Lightning bounced around me. I'm protected but it's only a thin layer of protection against lightning.

Flailing my arms out away from me, pushing the wind current out. Sending the electrified knifes all over the room. Getting bounced back into the wall by my own lightning. I looked like a baffled idiot with my arms out panting in a slight crouch. Daniel had to grab Aaron since he was too slow to dodge. Just picking him up and moving him to the side casually as Aaron tensed up. No corner in here is safe four eyes. He's a pretty helpless genius when he doesn't use his weapons. He wasn't a fighter, why is he even in here? He can barely do hand to hand. Steinfeild didn't just forget about him right? Wouldn't be the first time though... I still can't believe Aaron is the most dedicated of all of us. Why seek approval from that monster?

"Someone's a little... out of practice." James smirked, shrugging with his arms behind him.

"You know what... Shut up James." I hissed. "I'm just..." I caught my footing slightly as I attempted to not fall as I stood up.

"Ohh, someone woke up and choose violence. Or is it just idiocracy? I often can't tell with you."

I had to ignore him. The urge to ring him by the neck constantly after being HUNTED by him for three years... was indeed strong. My eyes scanned the room to look at the others. I didn't care if a knife took James' head off. The others were further down my list for now. "Sorry, guess I forgot about you all for a second there." I laughed cheekily, scratching the back of my head. "Man... thats almost all my energy..." I muttered with a heavy breath. Looking down at the ground that shook slightly. Seeing some spots. Iron deficiency, what a TERRIFIC sign...

"Stupendous show as always." Steinfeild complimented me, with a hint of disappointed sarcasm in his tone. "No regard for anyone else. But watch your footing. How lazy Project Spark"

I felt a wire in my mind snap for a moment. Fuck... that name... god I'm furious again. Just... calm down Ryan. James is watching you. My eyes drew up to James who was looking up boredly for the moment as he casually side stepped a pillar that flustered his red hair. Ugh, I'm not doing this for fun. I haven't been here in years, I'm a little out of practice and a little tired so give me a break old man. I wasn't anticipating every day to return to this hell hole. The only training I've done is running. Miles on miles every day, looking for Skyler. Constantly working out my anger and keeping up my body's need for motion. Well... as long as I could get a good enough supply of food so I COULD keep running endlessly.

Knives came at Skyler as well but were blown away faster than how they came out as soon as they got within a foot of her. Making me have to drop into a push-up to avoid them. Narrowly. She looked cheery like she didn't even notice them, but it's such an incredible amount of power. She looked... like a grinning cat. That really is scary... she didn't even bother to notice them. It was always like she just always had that guard up. SHE DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TO NOTICE WHO SHE WAS FLINGING THOSE TOWARDS?? Well... wait I'm not one to talk.

"You're gonna have to try a lot harder than simple knives." Skyler boasted aloud when Daniel was suddenly behind her in the air and threw a punch at her back. "Huh-?" Her eyes streaked light blue in the second she had to react and look back.

His meteor jump was still incredible. He can jump a good three stories straight into the air in a matter of seconds. The only sound he made was crushing the ground a bit beneath his feet. Skyler didn't hear or sense the quick punch in time and was thrown into the wall across the room. The wall contorting to her body as she coughed. Draping her head slightly.

I gritted my teeth glaring up as him as he crouched on top of the rock. "Guess i'm king of the hill, huh... Ryan." He smirked down at me. "You all should be taking this training seriously. Don't let me see you slaking again. This is only the beginning." Daniel boasted the command, echoing through the room.

Let down your guard for one second and someone's bound to take the opportunity to attack. Especially when you have a chance to take a hit on the strongest player. It's all about becoming stronger anyway, rarely in the training room is it about teamwork unless previously stated. I can't believe Skyler didn't block that or even sense it. Why was I was so worried for her? She was much stronger than me... always will be. I want to protect her, to keep her safe, but I know at the moment I can't. I mean there's no point most of the time. To want to keep something precious to you safe, but knowing you're fairly powerless to do so or even that you don't need to.

That was a good move. Brutal, swift... I just wish he didn't hit her that hard. That could've broken a bone at the impact into the wall if our bones were weaker. That was nice thing about the experiments is that our skin and bones tended to be tough after years of training them and breaking them. Plus whatever they constantly fed into us with the constant experimenting on top of working on our abilities.

"Why so down suddenly bud." James had walked up behind me and slung his arm around me.

Making me tense, gritting my teeth. "Do