She watched Storm lay down with hard eyes. In time, Storm would thank her for this. But really, Janet doubted that Storm has had a considerable foe ever since she started to live in Rhy'Din. It was time to establish a sense of fear; everyone fights harder when they believe their life is on the line. She walked slightly towards her friend....oh, her poor friend, peering into her face.

"You make a promise to me, right here, in front your Goddess and my own, that you will not fight back. You will submit to me." Words cool as ice sent a shiver down Storm's spine, but she nodded just the same.

True fear establishes chaos into a persons mind. True fear will kick start the fight or flight within a person, and usually it's too late for either. True fear will make a person's pupils so wide that you would never be able to tell the iris' unique color. True fear will make a person want to everything - but they can do nothing.

Janet had already promised herself that she wouldn't go hard on the Air yet, she wasn't a baddie or anything. But perhaps a glimpse of her victim's perspective will make her more successful. That was the mentality of most Scathachains, since they practiced on each other often.

Within a blink of a moment, two things happened to Storm. One, Janet gave a swift kick with her right leg to the side of her face. The coolness of the night didn't depend the strike's blow, it only increased it. Involuntary action caused her mouth to open in shock, and it was then - oh that special moment - that Janet slid her eleven-sized foot into her beloved friend's mouth.

Storm was so overwhelmed with the taste, and that wretched stench, that she could do nothing but feel. Her feet, so large and wide compared to her small mouth, was gagging without any force. And that smell....the smell of walking over decayed bodies for days....the smell on well-worn journeys over grease and grime. She didn't even have enough time to access all input before it started to move.....bloody move inside of her mouth.

Storm would have cried out if her mouth wasn't stuffed. Moving on from the smell...the texture of calloused feet....strong, well-muscled feet. Poorly kept toenails breezing over her tongue. Janet could have jabbed her toenails into her tongue and caused bleeding and damage. The utter horror of what was happening to her, the humility....the sheer disgust. it was too much for the newly-awakened elemental.

What seemed like hours to Storm was really just ten minutes of nothing. Ten minutes of just a foot in the mouth, not too forced, and perhaps some movement. It goes to show the true talents within the Scathachians, and their chosen way of combat.

Janet slipped her foot out just as easily, and looked at her friend. Realizing freedom, Storm rolled to her side and just emptied her stomach. Anything to get rid of the taste inside of her mouth. Anything to rid her nose of that stench of rotten sweat and blood. She then hears something drop...was that bottled water? Oh, she nearly wept at the sight, and drank heartily.

"Storm," Janet pressed "this is what you must learn. This, will make you ready for anything. Let me teach you."

True fear was seen in her friends eyes this very morning.

When Storm nodded, Janet released her foot with a grin. "Well, you won't be smothering tonight, we only have about an hour more. But, I will explain to the process; I know you enjoy the logic behind." Her amber eyes shift around for a few moments. She was on patrol, but at least it was the one area, and was easy to watch while training.

"Right then, first, you have to choose your position." She faces Storm then, looking down on her slightly, height difference and all. "If your flexible enough, you could do it standing, like this." She raises her leg, flexible indeed, to rest upon Storm's shoulder. "Though I would not recommend this, since you have little power, and your victim can escape fairly easily." She lets her foot go back to rest on the ground. "Now, you tell me Storm, what way do you see fit?"

Storm was listening, her mind already picturing and imagining. One thing she would use to her advantage was her vivid mind, and quick thinking. "Well, the best way for power, would be for you to stand, and your victim on the ground." She then lifts a leg and quickly presses the flat of her foot to Janet's chest, bringing her down within an instant. Oh yes, the Air was more flexible than Janet, and quicker. Janet went down with a silent thud. "That was for the bruise." says idly.

Janet could have fought, but this was training, no pain, no gain. "This way, then?" Looks back up at her.

"Well, yes, power wise, I can access all muscles in my leg, and use my weight." Not much of an advantage, but one nonetheless. "The only problem is you though, you're limbs can be a bit of a problem."

"Yes, this is only really useful if your victim has no fight left. Defenseless. My personal favorite, that I think is quite effective, is this." she turns to her stomach and gets into a squatting position. Her right leg within a moment goes out and takes the Air's legs from under her. Now they were both left on the ground, and Janet took full advantage of that. She easily pounced on Storm, though she wasn't really resisting. Janet used her back to hold down Storm's legs, and her elbows to hold down Storm's arms. Janet's feet were nearly on top of Storm's face. "This, gives me full access to your face, and I'm able to hold down the rest of your body. You lose some of the power in your legs, but that's why you build them up, so you victim can't tell the difference."

"But, your head is by my knees, if I struggled enough, I could easily get you inside of a headlock, and the focus would go back to combat, rather than smothering." Storm says as her mind was working away at the different angles, the advantages of body types.

"Yes, but," Janet says as she slips off of her and stands. "I know what I'm doing. It will all come in time." She offers her hand down to Storm, and helps her up. "Your job is to have a better position for yourself tomorrow, when we'll meet again." Her amber eyes catch sight of the slightest hint of the sun, which meant that her time was up.

Storm also took note of the different color in the sky. Really' She could finally go home and catch some more sleep. She sighs softly, before offering a side glance to Janet. "And tomorrow...come prepared. I will train you as well. Until then Janet....don't do something that I wouldn't." The Air winked, laughed, and headed back home.

"But you're the one with all the rules!" The Scathahian called from behind, laughter trailing as she headed back to the Sanctuary to train.

"Alright, take your leave then, be careful." Janet's voice, softer than most said to the man. He was a bit shorter than her, and he bowed, before taking a few steps back form her.

"Oui thaink yoiu, maam." A faint glisten of teeth, before the man turned on his heels and left.

Janet sighed softly, and shook her head. Some people manage to live life without making any sense. It was a curious though, that he was looking for someone....and she happened to know who fit the bill...

Oh, she was losing track of time. She moved, black leather concealing her within the darkness as she headed back for the alley where she was to meet Storm.

Storm looked down at the departure with interest. Who was that man' Something about his voice....perhaps she had been someplace with that odd accent. Now wasn't the time the think of it though, as Janet was already heading back to the alley. Storm quickly stood, and starting running ever so quietly back to their meeting spot. Feet still nimble, balance still in tune, she managed to drop onto the ground moments before Janet appeared. At least Storm was in splendid shape - she showed no signs of physical activity.

"Well well, look who decided to show.." Storm offers a wiry grin. "I was hoping that I didn't scare you away."

Janet mockingly rolled her eyes as she approached her friend. "I'm sorry for being late....some idiotic merchant was looking for a place to stay."

It was believable, since she didn't catch any of the conversation...but still...

Janet studied her friend closely, even through the darkness. "You're not sleeping well; I can see it in yer eyes. You won't perform well without sleep ya know."

"Don't worry about it, just something temporary.." And with that Storm started to grin. "I'm ready to start the lesson today."

Janet let it slide, obviously the Air didn't wish to speak of such matters tonight. "Well...here's your goal....try to gag me." And with that, Janet took a big step behind her, and got into the traditional fighting stance of a Scathachian.

Janet was wrong about Storm's lack of sleep. Yes, she was tired, but she was able to focus her energy well, perhaps more so if she had slept. The same way anger can improve one's fighting, muddled thoughts did the same for her. Fighting was the only thing clear in her mind, and she gave it her everything.

Storm took her own stance, and wasted no time. She didn't want to spar - that would come later, all she needed to do was get her on the floor. So, Storm started with a basic front kick, the snapping motion from her left leg, was quick. Janet easily weaved out of the way.

Oh, but that was the point, Janet adding motion in one direction, without moving back. The young Scath had much to learn about alternative combat styles. For once Storm's left foot hit the ground, her right leg came around with another basic kick, this one a roundhouse, adding motion to the already moving human.

Though Janet was quick on her feet, she took the blow and allowed it to push her off balance, catching herself on all fours. The purpose for Janet wasn't to make it extremely difficult...but to teach to gag. Storm knew very well how to take a person down...so it was best to skip the step and the beating.

With Janet on all fours, Storm pounced right behind her, motions quick with agility. One hand went to put pressure on Janet's left elbow, causing her to push back. Storm's left hand pulled Janet's from beneath her, and pulled suddenly on her right leg, balance getting the best of Janet, and all it took was a solid push from Storm's middle to have Janet face plant. It was then only a matter of moments before Storm flipped her onto her back.

Pinned, Janet offered a grin. "Good....now that you have me pinned, what will you do next' How will you keep me from moving? Most Scathachians dirty talk, adding fear into their victims." She tilts her head. "Though I have a hard time imagining you dirty talking anyone."

Storm offered nothing more than a grin, and sat up, her weight on Janet's middle. Then, she leaned back, using her right arm to grab hold of her legs, pulling them forward as far as they would go, standing in the process. She then returned the favor, and kicked Janet's middle with a hard blow. Janet's lips parted ever so slightly, and it was then that Storm put her foot into her mouth.

It was hard for Storm to really concentrate on her line of action. She had her foot in someone's mouth. The concept was still far beyond her. But, she continued as she was told. She pushed down on Janet's legs, and her feet nearly touched the floor. Storm could feel the vibrations in Janet's mouth at whatever sound was attempted. Seems like Storm's wide foot was enough to keep big mouths quiet.

Storm then peered down at Janet. "I do not need to be a big talker to put you in place." She said, and then wiggled her toes inside Janet's mouth for good measure. But...then Janet started to bite down on her foot. It was bound to happen, it was her only line of defense.

Storm had already thought of her comeback, and she leaned down to Janet's face, and gave it a mindblowing slap to the side of her face. Her hand was cupped perfectly, allowing that popping sound at the end. The biting ceased, and Storm took her foot out of Janet's mouth, releasing her legs.

Janet was secretly proud of her friend...but her hamstrings and face were saying otherwise. "Christ Storm..." She said as she rubbed her cheek. "I know I kicked your face...but...this freakin' burns."

Storm looked down at her foot, which glistened slightly under the light. She wrinkled her nose, not favoring this method a bit, but sighs anyways. "Well....you stopped biting me"

Janet then eased herself into a sitting position, before standing up. "Alright, your method of silence works for you. But....let me show you what words can install...." a slow grin appears on her face.

Janet accepted the stone gingerly, studying it in the darkness. Stones huh' Magics and such, almost made her sick. If it wasn't for her knowledge of Storm, she would hurl the stone back, rejecting any help from the magic. She was a strong, powerful woman without the magic. The bloody crutch. But....knowledge from Storm has led her to believe otherwise.

"Alright teacher, what are we going over tonight' With the few hours left.." She squinted her eyes up at the sky, already noticing the various colors, the sun was going to rise sooner then they thought.

"A simple lesson really. Knowledge of the elements will save you more than anything." Her grey eyes start to glow dimly as they always did when accessing her gift. In her hand was a soft bubble of air, a glistening reflection of the outer layer showed its existence. Next, came a bubble of fire, water, and earth. The bubbles formed a type of square, water facing fire, air facing earth. "There is not one element to rule all....not in this lesson." That was for another time, perhaps on the morrow. "There is balance in each. Water to Fire, Air to Earth. The perfect harmony." She let the bubbles go closer to Janet, for her to see.

And she did study them well. Never had she seen anything so.....pure, save the Air that Storm created. The brownest of brown for the earth, that looked soft to touch, but held strength. Water, crystal clear that made you just want to drink for the pure joy of the refreshing sensation as it soothed your throat. The fire was so dangerously alluring, that she nearly yearned to touch, to see. And the air was without any impurities.

The bubbles faded into nothing then, and Storm held her hands within a foot of each other, a much bigger ball of earth in her hands. "Now, say I am an Earth, and this is my weapon of choice." Nodds to the dirt suspended in her hands. "First, never be without the sky. As long as you are not indoors or underground.." a faint shudder "The Earth will eventually give way." She hurled the ball of earth then, and all Janet did was turn so that the dirt hit her back rather than her front. "It might not hurt now," warned the Air "but, that is also the softest substance I could have used also. Earth is just as dangerous as any other, even though you just walk upon it."

Storm then walked to Janet, and forced Janet's hands together, palm up. In her hand, a ball of water was formed, and Janet's eyes widened. What was this? She could...not...but it stayed. Even as the Air walked back to her original spot. The Air then created a ball of fire. "Now, throw that at me....Now!" Janet did as commanded, and tossed the water, watching it launch without breaking. Only to watch it meet it's doom, the fire...and watch the steam that rose.

"That is your lesson today, Janet. Remember, the balance is the key. Until the marrow..." And with that, Storm took her leave.

Janet blinked, and watched her friend leave. There was something wrong with her..

If only Janet knew that on the morrow...she would not see her friend again.

Giant boots and bare feet were silent against the cobblestone as they ran for the docks.

They were going to be late; Storm knew it.

They had not planned to make it to the docks until three in the morning, but Janet's ears heard words of a man making arrangements at two. As soon as the word was out, they took off.

Storm welcomed the burning sensation in her legs as she kept up with Janet. It had been so long since she had been able to stretch her legs fully. Little did she know that she was going to be doing much more than that.

They slowed down, though legs still swift as they waited behind a building. Their deep breathing as quiet as possible, filling their lungs with the air around them. Storm's ears were straining to catch any sound. She glanced up to Janet, and received a nodd. She took a single step, before voices filled her ears.

"Thank you gentlemen, your payment as promised." The sound of jingling coins. No response, which probably meant that nodds were given.

Storm inched closer ever so slightly. A gem on a thin leather around her neck started to glow dimly under her shirt. The Stone of Light reacting to the Stone of Darkness. She looked over her shoulder. "He's leaving, are you ready?" Voice soft, traveling through the still air. Janet nodded and moved silently to her friend, and in front. They mouthed 'One, Two...Three.' together, and they were off.

The rounded the building and immediately split. Storm went for Korigan, who took one look at two approaching woman, and starting running south. Janet went to the other group of men at the docks, every intention of keeping them silent.

Grey eyes locked on the back of Korigan as they starting running. Arms pumping, she was swift in dodging items on the ground, equipment and whatever else Korigan was running through to try and get her off his trail. The closer she got, the more the Stone started to shine. Even with her lack of physical training, he was no match for her speed. Speed was everything.

He took a sharp left, and started running down a dock. She was right behind, she could practically smell him as the boards below them creaked quietly with time. She gave a last push of strength, right leg pushing as she took flight in her jump. Her hands reached out, grabbing his shoulders, short nails digging, her left leg kicking his out from under him. Finally, they met again.

She landed on top of his back, and he fell face first into the wooden floorboards with a grunt. Her legs twisted with his, she wasted no time in her objective, to remove the Stone of Darkness from around his neck. As once before, they became a mass of limbs, fighting for the top, the advantage. Swift punches and kicks to any available body part. She received a corkscrew to her right cheek, and in kind she kneed his nose, which was already a bloody mess from his landing.

They had manage to tumble to the end of the dock. A pause, glance to each other, before efforts became more than before. To push the other off of edge into the cold water. Sensing Fire within each, it was a deadly game to play. He kicked her middle with his boot, getting space as she doubled over. He inched back from her slightly towards the very edge of the dock before she pounced to him again. Red haze clouded her vision as she grabbed his hair and threw his head down on the edge of the dock, hopefully enough to cause him to black out.

He used her momentum to kick her up and over him, falling straight over the dock and into the harsh water.

Janet could not get a sound out as she watched her friend plummet towards the water, she still had a handful of men to keep quiet.

Storm did not have a chance to see if he ran or not. Nor could she create her own platform to save her. Her gift was gone so long as she was close to him. She was too close. She tucked her knees in, rotating enough so that she was heading head first into the water. It was only by luck that she was able to put her hands out, one palm out and the other holding in order to create a pocket for her safe landing.

Two things ran through her mind once she entered the water; that it as bloody freezing, and that her heavy boots were weighing her down. She came up, a gasp for air, before she went back down. Unable to see a thing, she instinctively reached down to hurriedly undo the ties on her boots. She then pauses as she realize that she is sinking absurdly fast down, her boots did not weight that much in comparison.

Something was pulling her down. Pressure was building on her chest, her lungs burning faster than normal. Within her last moments, she recognized the power of another.

*Stop stop stop! It's me!* Her mind cried.

The burning sensation stopped as an image formed in front of her. She no longer was yearning for air, but she wasn't filled with it either. Her body was left the way it was moments before as Andrew appeared in front of her, giving off enough light for Storm to see his face. He was scowling as he realized he trapped another. *Storm, what are you doing down here" Why do you feel of Fire?* A glance to the fading glow of the Stone around her neck.

*I do not have time to explain Andrew. Let me go before he gets away.* A glance up; she already knew it was too late.

With a nodd, he used the water to push her up, the pressure around her gone *Adrienne had heard word of him being around the docks. There is one of us always in here. Get him in here, and we can handle the rest.* And his form vanished.

Storm swam with grace to the top, breaking the seal and sputtering.

The Stone had ceased it's glow.

"Honestly, I do not know-"

The man did not get a chance to finish his sentence as the Scathachian's foot made a harsh contact to the side of his face. She glowered over him, a man from the docks. One she had managed to keep quiet with her foot.

Those were just the best, weren't they?

"Come come, my sweet pet. I know that you had business with the man with golden eyes. You can tell me love." A twisted smile of her face as she leaned down to caress his cheek. Of course, he tried to inch away from her touch.

Smack

The metal-plated glove met and nicked the other side of the man's face. Where had she found such a weapon' Who knows. But she rather liked it. The way the metal could dig into the flesh with a simple flicker.

Janet did always love her new toys of torture.

He practically whimpered. Pathetic soul. "All I did was deliver his box, honest to God."

"I do not believe in your God." She said simply, before violently ramming her foot into his mouth. Surprised, he tried to struggle, as did they all.

Janet would swear that everyone knew when their time had come. A look would come into their eyes when they realized they had drawn their last breath.

That same look was in his eyes.

She grinned. "Enjoy my toejam love. Remember the sweetness of the last thing you taste." She then practically stood on top of him, and crammed her large foot into the limited space in his mouth. It did not take long until the gagging was complete, light leaving his eyes.

She snickered down at the body, and gave it a swift kick to it's side for good measure. She had saw the lie in his eyes, heard it in his voice.

It would be only a matter of time until the others saw her damage.

She took matters very, very seriously.

She blended into the shadows of the night, watching a group of men with interest at the docks. It was the same group of men that dealt with Korigan, and the man she killed a few weeks ago.

Storm had asked her to make no advances without her, and so she would continue to watch. Where the Air was, she hadn't any idea, but, she would bind her time.

She newly favored glove was wrapped around her right hand, just above her beloved bracelet. She really should write a letter to Athena, just to check up on things. "May Scath continue to bless my other Sisters." she whispered softly, before moving from her spot to continue on her patrol.

She had not forgotten of her original means of being here, and she was on the look out for the WestEnd murder more than ever. It had quieted down, and it was infuriating for the Sisters. When were they going to get a break? Some thing had to give.

It certainly wasn't going to be her.

Storm would have never expected what she saw in the carriage. The man was not the surprise, but his object of interest.

A mere child, a boy no older than seven....the man had his hands on him. She had to get him off the boy, nothing else mattered. Such injustices are intolerable.

She separated her mind and heart, and kicked in the door. She sprang inside, instantly putting herself between the surprised pair and giving a swift shove to the man to put him out on the street.

She would leave him for Janet's mercy, or lackthereof.

Her attention went to the boy, who immediately cornered himself far away from her. Fear was open in the expression of his face, the way he curled his knees to his chest. His cloths were scattered everywhere, ripped and battered. His light skin was bruised, and his bright blue eyes started to well with tears.

She reached up slowly, making sure to keep her movements slow as she unfastened her cloak. She took it off of her back and started for him, to cover him.

His whimper threatened the walls around her heart. Bloody monster, that man.

"Shhhhh" She tried again, leaning to cover him. "I've come to help you, not harm you." He seemed to have understood her, as he allowed her to cover him. She scooted away from him, to give him space. He pulled the cloak tight around him, and started to reach for his shirt. What was left of the tattered material.

The pop from his shoulder had him whimpering again, only this time giant tears started down his face.

She put a cap on top of the emotions that were swelling inside of her as she started for the young boy again, reaching down to pick of the dirtied shirt. "Shhhh" she crooned again, moving to offer it to him. His eyes were red now as he glanced at her. He reached his hands up, continuing to say nothing, waiting. She pulled the shirt down gently, careful around his neck and arms. She then carefully wrapped her arms around her cloak and around him. "Have you a name, little one?" She asked quietly.

He nodded, but then pointed to his neck. She frowned slightly as his hands started to sign symbols she did not understand.

He was a mute.

"You cannot speak, can you?" A small shake of his head, blonde hair swaying with the movement. Putting more pieces of the puzzle together, she reached for the rest of his clothing, offering it to him and dressing him when allowed. "You can understand me still?" A nodd from the boy.

She then wrapped the cloak around him snugly and held her arms open. He moved into them and allowed her to hold him and bring him out of the carriage. She then turned to see Janet and the man coming towards them.

The boy against her trembled, and the surprise on her face was mirrored by Janet.

"Adrienne here is going to watch over you for a little while, okay?" She said to the boy, brushing away the blonde hair away from covering his eyes.

They had reached camp shortly with the speed from her platform. The boy was light and malnourished, and so her arms did not grow weary from his weight.

Once they reached camp, she told Janet, while covering the boy's ears, to take the man away to where they could not hear his screams. More than happy to comply, Janet shoved the man north of the campsite, and far enough to where Storm could cover the camp from the sounds that exited the man. Janet had only an hour, before Storm would try her way.

The other three Guardians were helpful in trying to communicate with the boy. Other than Jeremiah, as he started to cry on the spot at the sight of another man. The large Earth instead went to the shelter, in search of items that Storm asked for.

The three ladies then set the task of introduction, and trying to decipher the boy's signs. When each lady introduced herself, he gave a symbol for Storm, a meaning to her name. Kiara and Adrienne received a more complex series of hand motions.

From then on, he tried to introduce himself, pointing to various objects to meld different syllables. With each passing moment, he seemed to be warming, turning into the six year old that he informed them he was.

"A...vi...ve....stry..try." She wrinkled her nose as he shook his head, motioning to shorten.

"Avery." Adrienne said quietly, finished the touches on the shirt she had started to make for him. It was nothing nice or new, but it was without holes and would be suffice. The boy nodded up and down happily at her correct guess.

But now, she had more serious matters on her hands. "I won't be long, I promise. And then we shall get some rest, young Avery." He seemed content with the matter, smiling cheerfully and heading his way over towards the Water.

She wished that she could let things go such as he. She knew though, that his ordeals and trials were far from over.

She started north, her light in her eyes fading and the grey turning to steel.

"You lost." Janet reminded Storm as they stepped away from the clearing to speak in hushed whispers.

"So I did, but it worked just the same." Grey eyes skittered towards the drenched, shivering man. "See if you can get more, but if not, do as you will, I'm going back to the boy."

Janet nodded in the simple directions, before raising a brow. "Why don't you just take him to the orphanage" Someone will-"

"I won't put that boy through it." Storm interrupted "Look at where is at now; he deserves more, and who knows who would pick him up there."

"You going to keep him then?" A hint of doubt in the Scathach's voice.

A pause "You know that I cannot, how could I take care of him?" How could she just...leave him' She wrinkled her nose as her mind was filled with new questions, adding on to the many she already had.

Janet rested a hand on her friends shoulder. "Keep him here for now, take some time to think of it. It is not just his life you are changing, but maybe your own also. Stay here with him, he needs someone now. Who better than his savior?" Without waiting for a response, Janet went to take care of the man....and his body.

Storm followed back down the unseeing path towards the other Elementals. Kiara and Jeremiah were sleeping within the shelter, and Adrienne was redressing Avery. The boy's blue eyes were bright as he spotted Storm, her symbol made in his hands as she started for her.

Bugger all things, she was already attached to the lad.

She knelt down by the boy, so that she could be at eye level him. "Avery," she said in a warm tone, but with hints of coolness behind it. It was enough to catch his attention as his smile diminished. "Will you show me where you hurt' I want to make them better for you." She brushed back his blonde hair from his face as he nodded.

And so she tended to the many wounds that he bore, Adrienne watching quietly as it was her turn to keep watch. Storm's lips were tightly pulled back as she witnessed the marks and bruises on his flesh. And when the ointment stung, she spoke to him quietly, words of comfort that she could offer.

She never offered something that she could not.

She waited at his bedside until he had fallen asleep, before moving back out to join Adrienne.

"Go ahead and rest, I will keep watch tonight." She pulled up a chair to lean against the wooden building.

"Are you sure? I could stay and-"

"There is no need for us both to lose rest; I want to be here when the nightmares do." was all that she offered.

Adrienne stood and offered an encouraging smile. "We will think of something Storm, do not worry so." and then she slipped inside to join the others.

It was going to be a long rest of the day.