[b][i]Ashton Andrews, the Chosen of Stories and Flame Brooks, Operator[/i][/b] "Thank you," Ashton whispered as C. Selphia took his hand. A surge of warmth spread from the point of contact, affecting both him and the Professor as they were linked together from now on. Then as the older man left the table, Ashton would lift up his cuffed hands, and conjure up a Book; the first new one he had since everything was taken away from him. The pages flipped open to show a summary of C. Selphia's biography, a biography that would allow Ashton to understand the nature of the guy's powers better. [i]Dragon in Human form cross-trained with Elemental Magic from another Universe. Has a wife and daugther whom he believes had escaped.[/i] Ashton doubted that last part, but viewed the pages relating to powers. [I]Apparently, he has a strange affinity to Light even though he sees himself as a Wind Dragon. And Dragoncraft will be useful eventually, too. Very well; time to use Librarium Heart.[/i] A flicker of willpower as the boy channeled power from Selphia's book onto himself, changing his nature and heritage and bloodline with just a thought; at this point, only his psyche and his apperance were his' own - his species and body were the same as Selphia's now. And yes, the laws of the Multiverse had been changed so that he was a [i]second[/i] 'Drake of Light' for as long as he imitated Selphia's powers. Not that he'd steal his benefactor's metaphorical thunder; Ashton would not take away a Chosen One's rightful place. What he would do, however, was confound those who were so sure of their own position in the narrative by distracting them from said Chosen One's actions. Concentrating, Ashton tapped into the Rune power his new body was generating, and with a flash of golden light, the cuffs on his wrists and ankles were blasted off by glowing force. Then, more confident in his ability to handle the intoxicating effect of Runic energy, Ashton pointed to another of the Guards, blasting it head-on with a lightning bolt. He then looked at those who decided to fight. "All right, people!" he said in a loud voice, modulated by a tiny use of his imitated wind powers. "From what we've been shown, these suits of armor are inhabited by dark spirits and not creatues of flesh, so toxic gas won't work against them!" Yes, he had seen what Kedvin's blades had done to the guards and how one of them had 'died'. "So if you guys have something that damages the armor itself, attack them with it!" And as an example, Ashton began gathering another lightning bolt in order to blast the suits of armor. But as he was doing so, someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around... To find the most beautiful person he had ever met. ------ Flame Brooks had seen the other boy in previous weeks and days; despite his imprisonment here, it was clear to Flame that he was not a fellow soldier. No, his fellow kid was someone who, despite having fought and even killed before, had not been forced into anything he didn't want to until now. And considering the sheer amount of power [i]Ashton Andrews[/i] was slinging around, it was clear why. He had been on the other side of the table from the other boy, close enough to hear him whispering his name. Now he had climbed up said table, tipping over bowls of gruel, to cross over to him and tap his shoulder. Satisfied at Ashton's look of surprise, Flame said, "I've read enough fiction to know you should save your energy." The redhead then held up his cuffed wrists, continuing, "I don't have powers of my own, but I can fight. Please trust me." The other young man blushed a little and smiled, before gesturing at Flame's restraints and blasting them off. Then, focusing those enchanting green eyes on him, Ashton said, "All right, but tell me your name first." This, Flame was happy to give. "Flame. Flame Brooks. I heard your name while you were whispering and I've read enough fiction to know that magical energy can be replenished by food. So eat as much as you want from the others' bowls; I'll hold back the guards while you build up enough for another blast of power. Oh, and check said guards for keys." And with that, the child soldier - wearing only ordinary clothes as his power armor had been taken away - dived in, taking a baton dropped by a 'dead' guard and swinging it at an 'alive' one with enough force to dent a car door... ------ Ashton did as Flame said, taking a few spoonfuls of gruel, and then blowing any remaining un-engaged guard or guards off their feet with a gust of wind!