Page 65 of Shinji Takahashi: Into the Heart of the Storm

“So, the Coatl told us that we have to deliver the statue into the heart of the storm,” Phoebe said, gazing out toward the ocean. “But we don’t have a ship anymore, and I don’t think there’s time to procure a new one. Not to mention, I can’t think of any ship captain who would be willing to sail their vessel in a hurricane. Well, except for Oliver.”

“A ship is too slow,” Oliver said. “By the time we could get close enough, the storm would already be here. We’re going to have to fly.…” He grimaced, his face going slightly pale. “And there’s only one person I know who’s crazy enough to fly right into the heart of a hurricane.”

“Oh no,” Lucy said, her eyes widening. “Please say you’re not talking about…”

“Afraid so,” Oliver went on. “And I’ve already called her, so we need to get going. There’s a private airfield a couple miles up the coast. She andRhettare waiting for us there.”

“Hello, everyone!” Scarlett greeted, waving enthusiastically as they approached. Her bright red hair snapped, the ends of her scarf whipping about in the gale. Behind her, the rusty, hulking form ofRhettsat on the runway, propellers moving very slightly in the wind.

“So, Shinji, Oliver tells me you need someone to fly into a hurricane,” Scarlett said as they all crowded in front of the plane. “I thought he was joking at first, but apparently there was this angry guardian that was freed and now it’s

going to destroy the city unless a special statue is returned, or something?”

“Pretty much,” Shinji said, and held up the idol. “I have to take this thing into the heart of the storm and…give it back there, I suppose.”

“You?” Scarlett blinked at that and shot Oliver a look that was suddenly alarmed. “You didn’t mention Shinji was coming along for this ride, Ocean,” she said. “Granted, I have no problems flying into a hurricane myself, even ifRhetthas never done it before. But if Priya knew you were taking kids into this storm, she would absolutely kill you.”

“I know,” Oliver groaned. “Don’t remind me.”

“Shinji must come,” Phoebe said. “This is not an ordinary storm. It’s likely we’ll need his guardian powers to get the idol where it needs to go.”

Shinji met Scarlett’s gaze. “I have to do this, Scarlett,” he said firmly. “I caused this storm. I have to be the one to fix it. But…” He glanced at the others, at Lucy and Phoebe, Oliver and Roux, and took a breath. “I’ll need everyone’s help to get me there.”

“And if Shinji’s going, I’m going.” Lucy lifted her chin in her don’t-mess-with-me stance. “I’m a member of SEA. If this doesn’t show everyone that I’m not with Hightower anymore, I don’t know what will.”

Everyone looked at Roux. “What about you, kiddo?” Oliver asked. “We’re about to fly right into a hurricane. If you want to sit this one out, no one will blame you.”

“Yeah.” Roux sighed. “That would be the smart thing to do.” He glanced at Shinji with a wry grin. “But you don’t bail on your team in the last five minutes of the game.”

“I see. Well, if everyone is decided, then I guess we’re going to be flying into a hurricane,” Scarlett said, returning to her frenetic cheerfulness. “I’ve never flown directly into a hurricane before, butRhettand I are up for a challenge, isn’t that right, big guy?” She patted the side of the plane affectionately, and Shinji heard a clunk inside, as if something had fallen off. “He’s ready if you guys are. I’m going to guess time is of the essence?”

“When is it not?” Oliver sighed as Scarlett wrenched back the plane door with a rusty screech, making everyone except Phoebe cringe. “Here we go again,” Oliver muttered as they all climbed aboard the plane. “Should I go ahead and strap that parachute on right now?”

“Oh, I got rid of that,” Scarlett told him with a casual wave. “I didn’t see the need for just the one; there’s no way I’d abandonRhettlike that. Besides, you’re not going to need a parachute, Ocean. It’s far more likely the entire plane will plummet into the water.”

“Scarlett.” Oliver grimaced. “Did you really need to mention that last part?”

“Probably not. But it’s worth it to see your expression.” Scarlett grinned and shut the door with another grinding screech.

Shinji sat down on the uncomfortable seat, quickly clicking the seat belt into place. His heart was pounding so hard, it felt like drumbeats in his ears. Lucy wasn’t looking much better, and even Roux, who had never flown with Scarlett, was already slightly green.

“All right, everyone buckled in?” Scarlett asked as she slipped into the pilot seat and flipped several levers. “I normally don’t say this, but hold on to your hats, pants, lunch, or whatever you don’t want to lose. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

“So completely normal,” Oliver muttered, jamming his seat belt into place. Shinji curled his fingers tightly around the idol as the plane rumbled to life and began rolling down the runway. As much as Oliver joked about Scarlett’s flying, he knew this particular flight was going to be much, much worse than usual.

As the plane left the ground and climbed shakily into the air, Shinji gazed out the window, and his stomach twisted so hard he felt sick.

A massive wall of black clouds hovered on the horizon, blocking out the sky. Lightning flickered in its depths, blue-white strands crawling through the belly of the clouds. A sharp gust of wind tossed the plane, causing it to jerk up, and Shinji clenched his jaw.

“Yep, that is a hurricane,” Scarlett observed. She didn’t sound afraid. There was an undercurrent of excitement in

her voice, as if she relished the challenge. “Looks like a nasty one, too. All right,Rhett. This is your moment. Don’t let me down.”

The plane seemed to surge forward in response, rising into the air toward the looming storm, and Scarlett chuckled. “All right, everyone! This is it. Into the heart of the storm we go!”

Fighting the gale that shrieked around them, they flew into the hurricane.

Curtains of water slashed at the windows while pellets of hail beat against the metal walls like tiny hammers. Lightning flashed, and thunder boomed all around them, rattling the glass and making the entire airplane shake. The winds were a constant, howling nightmare, ripping atRhett’s wings and propellers, and the plane dipped, jerked, and bounced wildly as it fought against the storm.

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