Ivy lowered her arm, the tip of the sand sword resting lightly against Renzo's cheek.
Renzo lifted both hands in exaggerated surrender, a grin still playing on his lips.
"Alright, your powers work," he said lazily.
"But seriously? You couldn't kill a rat even if you wanted to anymore."
A pause.
"You're getting weak."
For a split second—nothing moved.
Then—
Ivy drove the blade straight into his cheek.
"Renzo!"
The world snapped back into motion.
George and Donald lunged at the same time.
Donald reached her first.
He slammed into Ivy, sending her flying as if she weighed nothing. Her body tore through the air, crashing through branches before hitting the ground hard.
George dropped beside Renzo.
"Donald, no—!"
Albert rushed forward—but it was already done.
Ivy lay motionless beneath a tree. Broken branches scattered around her. Her body was twisted at unnatural angles, blood pooling beneath her.
Albert dragged a hand through his hair, pacing, breath uneven.
"What have you done?! He heals, you idiot!"
Nathan grabbed him before he could move. Donald stood frozen, staring at the destruction.
"Shit…"
Renzo suddenly sat up with a sharp inhale.
"Whoa…" he muttered, touching his cheek.
"Kid, you've still got it. Kid?"
He frowned.
"Where's Ivy?"
His gaze followed Donald's.
Silence spread through the group.
"What happened?" Renzo asked.
"I—it was reflex," Donald said quickly, jaw tight. "She attacked you. I reacted."
Renzo pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You've got two options," he said calmly.
"Run… or fight until you're half dead."
He turned and walked off, stopping at a distance—far enough not to interfere.
Albert shoved Nathan off.
"Brace yourself," he muttered, moving back.
A sharp crack echoed behind them.
Everyone turned.
Ivy was standing.
Bones shifted as she straightened, joints snapping back into place with quiet precision. Fiona covered her mouth. Lily stumbled back.
Ivy tilted her head slightly.
Her eyes were completely black.
No whites. No pupils. Just… darkness.
Her gaze moved across them slowly—then stopped on Donald.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"Don't just stand there!" Albert snapped. "Apologize or run!"
Donald exhaled sharply, stepping forward, chains already forming along his arms.
"Why should I?" he shot back, though his stance tightened. "She attacked first."
George moved beside him, uneasy.
Before anyone could speak—The ground burst.
Dust exploded outward.
A tree cracked.
Donald groaned, pulling himself free, his arm twisted. He reset it quickly, jaw clenched.
"…Alright," he muttered. "So we're doing this."
Chains slid fully into his hands, blades glinting under the sun.
Ivy didn't rush. She just watched. Then she stepped forward—and was yanked back.
Webbing wrapped around her arm.
Ivy turned slowly.
Zoe.
With a sharp motion, Zoe slammed her into the ground, reinforcing the hold. At the same time, roots burst from the earth—Lily's power locking Ivy in place.
"Renzo!" Fiona shouted. "What is this? She looks calm, but—"
"She's about to kill him," Nathan finished quietly.
Renzo, some distance away, casually wiped the blood from his cheek.
"Downside of her powers," he said. "It'll pass."
The group stared at him.
Albert exhaled sharply.
"She can't get angry."
Silence.
Zoe let out a short laugh.
"That's it? That's your big secret?"
Albert shot her a look.
"You wouldn't last a minute dealing with it."
George's voice was quieter.
"…Why?"
Renzo glanced over.
"Same lineage as you and Donald. Different result. When she loses control—she becomes that."
Nathan frowned.
"Then why push her?"
Renzo's lips curved slightly.
"She stopped training."
A beat.
"Today confirmed it."
He nodded toward Ivy.
"Release her."
Zoe stiffened.
"Are you serious?"
Renzo's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Try me."
Zoe dropped the web instantly. Ivy cut through the roots and stood, brushing dust off her clothes.
Her eyes faded back to normal. Like nothing had happened.
Albert approached carefully.
"You okay, grumpy?"
"Mhm."
Renzo walked up to her.
Ivy avoided his gaze.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I'll resume training."
"Good."
Renzo turned away.
"Training's over. Take tomorrow off."
And just like that—he vanished.
A heavy silence lingered.
George glanced at Donald's chains.
"…You can put those away now."
Donald stared at his hands for a second—then laughed suddenly, tension cracking.
He grabbed George in a tight hug.
"I know you love me too, baby."
George groaned, shoving him off.
The tension didn't disappear...but it loosened.
Just enough.