He towered over her. She listened to him breathing, trying to get a sense of where his heart was. If she had to battle her little brother, she would try and make it quick. He reached out for her, and she drew back her blades, ready to put her whole body into one thrust.

She never got the chance.

“Tommy, no!” Robert stood up, thrusting both hands in front of him. A blue bolt of pure force erupted from his hands, knocking Tommy away. Energy poured out of his hands, pinning Tommy in place. The strain showed on his face. He couldn’t keep it up for long, and when he was done, she would have to face Tommy and her mother alone.

“Do it, Tabi-Cat!” he yelled.

She lunged at her mother, barely missing her as Elizabeth spun out of the way. “Do you really think you can beat me, little girl?” She laugher, incredulous. “I’m faster and stronger than any normal human.”

“Fortunately, mommy dearest,” Tabitha said, grinning like a Cheschire cat, “my training has made me hardly normal.”

The battle was joined in earnest.