The truth soon to be uncovered

"So, she is Brigette?" Maria asked, confirming what Verdantia had just revealed upon her defeat. Brigette lay unconscious on the rooftop, still breathing, her body bearing severe wounds from the barrage of powers she had endured during the fight.

"Yes, she is," Teresa affirmed. "But I have no idea who was behind her abilities."

The heat on the rooftop was intense during their brief stay, which lasted less than an hour. As the fight came to an end, dark clouds began to gather, covering the sun and casting a wide shadow over the area. In a few minutes, rain and thunderstorms might follow.

"It's going to rain. I think we should head to the nearest hospital," Dominic said to the group. "All right," the girls replied, concerned about Ingrid, who was exhausted from the fight with Verdantia. Suddenly, raindrops began to fall, and no one had yet left the rooftop.

"Let's bring Ingrid there right away," Dominic urged, stepping forward to offer himself as the one to carry her. "Just place your hands on me, and we'll reach the hospital immediately." After all, taking the elevators in a twenty-story building would take time.

Maria and Kaeli were about to follow, but Teresa took a step back and glanced behind, realizing someone had been forgotten.

"You go ahead, Dominic," she said. The two girls then retreated.

Dominic looked back while carrying the now-sleeping Ingrid, understanding what Teresa meant. He paused for a moment, stared at Brigette, and with a deep breath, nodded. In just a matter of seconds, he vanished - taking Ingrid with him.

Everyone was already soaked as the rain poured down heavily. Thunderstorms started to roar across the skies.

"Kaeli, help me with Brigette," Teresa instructed, knowing she could transport everyone using her jewel's innate ability.

"I see? she needs to be treated too," Maria said, guilt flashing across her face.

Kaeli stepped forward and gently touched Brigette. At the same time, Teresa and Maria placed their hands on Kaeli. A moment later, all of them vanished from the rooftop.

The scene shifted to a quiet room at Dumaguete City Hospital - the nearest facility, located just a few meters away from the Matatag Building, where their arduous encounter had recently taken place. Heavy rain was already pouring relentlessly and sudden claps of thunder roared across the sky. Through the transparent glass door, Ingrid could be seen lying in bed, resting to fully recuperate.

Meanwhile, in another room just a few doors away, Brigette lay recovering. Though she had sustained severe wounds, she had already received treatment and was now in stable condition. Her father, Mr. Villanueva, had arrived after being contacted by the hospital staff. He was visibly shaken, tears streaming down his face as he learned of the incident involving his daughter.

Fortunately, Dominic was there to explain what had happened to Brigette and to reassure him that she would be all right.

After the conversation, Dominic left Mr. Villanueva. He gently massaged his forehead in relief as he walked toward the room where Ingrid was resting. But before he could reach the door, the sound of approaching footsteps made him pause. He stopped and looked down, noticing a pair of girls' rubber shoes. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to see who it was.

"Dominic," the girl called out, her voice familiar and serious.

Dominic furrowed his brows, trying to recognize her. Then, she removed the towel covering her hair. "Oh - Teresa!" Dominic exclaimed, surprised. "I thought you were someone else."

"Can we talk?" Teresa asked, concern etched across her face. Dominic nodded. Without another word, the two of them made their way to the visitors' lounge outside.

The visitors' lounge offered a wide, open space furnished with several benches, enough to accommodate many people waiting outside the hospital rooms. The rain as well as the thunderstorms already stopped; and knowing their conversation might involve supernatural matters, Dominic and Teresa agreed to move to the nearby garden, where they could speak without being overheard.

The two stood together in the quiet garden, a short distance between them. "What are we going to talk about?" Dominic asked politely, though he could sense the confusion and urgency Teresa carried.

"I won't make this long," Teresa said, getting straight to the point. "I know you're aware of things the rest of us aren't. How did Brigette become Verdantia? I doubt she willingly chose this path - she hated Ingrid, yes, but that doesn't explain it. There must be someone else? someone capable of giving her that supernatural ability."

Dominic exhaled a shallow breath and closed his eyes for a moment, already anticipating Teresa's question. "I? I can't give you a clear answer yet, Teresa," he admitted honestly as he opened his eyes. "You might not believe me, but I swear - I don't know who's behind her transformation. Yes, I agree, someone must be controlling her powers. And the only thing that helped me identify Ingrid? was my innate ability. It led me to uncover the truth - who the real Verdantia is."

Teresa wanted to trust his words. "Now, we need to work this out," she urged him. "Let's help each other. I'm pretty sure that someone out there is capable of doing anything just to achieve their ultimate goal."

Dominic nodded, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

"By the way," Teresa added with growing curiosity, "how did the four of you get here with such supernatural abilities - abilities that are oddly similar to ours? I'm willing to bet you're our allies? that you're here with a purpose, not as enemies."

Her serious question made Dominic turn his back slightly, a shadow passing over his expression. "Trust us, Teresa," he said calmly, "We are your companions. Everything happens for a reason. These supernatural abilities? they were given to us for something greater - something we've yet to fully understand. And that 'something' might become our greatest responsibility."

Little did they know, Maria and Kaeli had been quietly watching from the visitors' lounge. "What a serious conversation they're having, huh?" Maria whispered.

"Yeah," Kaeli sighed in frustration. "I wish I could fully understand everything that's been happening. Ever since this jewel was bestowed upon me, strange and unexplainable things keep unfolding."

"You're right, girls." A voice suddenly cut into their conversation. "Ingrid!" Maria and Kaeli gasped in unison. Ingrid slowly walked toward them, dressed in a flowing white robe. Though her steps were gentle, she carried herself with strength. Spotting Dominic out in the garden gave her a sudden surge of purpose - she needed to thank him, personally.

"How are you feeling, Ingrid?" Maria asked with deep concern. "Are you sure you can walk on your own?" Kaeli added.

"Yes, I am very fine," Ingrid responded with quiet confidence. "I've finally gotten the rest I needed. I'm stronger now? and truly, thank you all. I owe you, my life."

"Not a big deal, Madam President," Kaeli teased with a grin. "We're friends," Maria added sweetly, "and we're in this together - one for all."

Ingrid smiled, then paused as a soft flutter rose in her chest. "And? I need to thank Dominic personally," she added, moved by the gentle thudding of her heart.

Back in the garden, Dominic and Teresa's conversation still hadn't reached a clear understanding. Dominic had inserted a series of meaningful maxims - words laced with depth - but they only added more mystery to his message. Teresa wanted to press him further, yet chose to hold back, not wanting to prolong the exchange.

As her eyes wandered around the garden, she suddenly froze in surprise.

"Ingrid? Thank goodness, you're well now!" Teresa exclaimed with joy.

"Thank you, Teresa," Ingrid replied, sincerity shining in her gaze. "I know how brave you've been throughout this mission." "You're welcome. We're a team, after all," Teresa smiled warmly.

Ingrid then turned toward Dominic. "Thank you, Dominic... for saving me from the verge of death," she said, her voice softer. "I've almost forgotten - our powers are compatible. But I still have so much to learn, to master my own."

"It's not a big deal, Ingrid," Dominic replied with a gentle smile. "I'm at your service."

Teresa, quietly observing their exchange, stepped away without a word, giving them the space they needed. As she disappeared from view, both Dominic and Ingrid blushed, an awkward quietness settling between them.

Ingrid exhaled, lightly touching her forehead as if steadying her thoughts. There was a moment of silence. She hesitated, her eyes unable to meet Dominic's. But he gently broke the quiet. "Anything, Ingrid?"

"Oh, well? um? I'm just curious about Verdantia's transformation," she stammered. "Does that mean Brigette is like us? That she has special powers too?" She paused; her expression clouded.

"She was able to mimic everything - and even release more power than I could. I was stunned? especially because it was Brigette - the one who has always held a grudge against me. I was nervous? unprepared. She beat me easily." Her voice trembled slightly. "I know I need to defeat her eventually? but doing so might mean ending her life."'

"Her powers are temporary. I saw it myself - when her necklace broke, her powers vanished. That must have been the source," Dominic explained clearly. "She returned to normal after that. It seems she was only being used by someone? and that's something we still need to uncover."

"I see. And? who could that be?" Ingrid asked, shifting her gaze thoughtfully.

"Don't worry. My brothers will help me figure out who's behind Verdantia," Dominic said, reassuring her with a gentle tap on the shoulder. "But for now, you need to fully rest. Don't stress yourself, okay?"

Ingrid nodded in response, feeling something stir inside her from the simple gesture. That one touch was enough to remind her how much Dominic genuinely cared. "Thank you, Dominic," she uttered softly.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting pale orange hues across the sky as its rays slipped through the thin clouds. The serene moment was interrupted by the sudden ring of a phone. Riiinnggg!

Dominic pulled his phone from the right pocket of his pants. It was his father - Mr. Montenegro. "Dad?" he answered, stepping aside and excusing himself from Ingrid. It was a short call, only lasting a few seconds. As soon as it ended, Dominic returned to Ingrid.

"I guess it's time to part ways. I need to go," he said gently. "And you, you should head back to your room." "Goodbye!" he added, offering a wave to the other girls nearby before walking away, his footsteps quickening toward the area where his car was parked.

Just as Dominic exited the scene, Ingrid returned to the lounge where Teresa, Maria, and Kaeli had been waiting for her.

"Ingrid May Defensor, you're here? You should be back in your room!" A loud, commanding voice suddenly cut through their moment.

Startled, the four girls turned around to trace where the voice came from.

"Doctor?" they said in unison, their eyes widening in alarm.

The man they had assumed to be a doctor slowly removed his eyeglasses and then pulled down his face mask. What came next stunned them - beneath the sterile disguise was a face they never expected to see again.

With a calm, confident smile and eyes gleaming with mischief, he tucked both his glasses and face mask into his pocket.

"It's been a while," he said with a smirk. "How's your day? I'm glad you all made it through today's battle."

"Michael?" they gasped together, still in shock. It was indeed Michael - back in their lives, having posed as a doctor to blend in unnoticed.

"You're back - and where exactly have you been?" Teresa asked, suspicion lacing her voice. "Sorry, but the matters I handled were? private," Michael replied, his tone serious. "But honestly, I've been following you. Secretly. Watching from a distance - especially when things got difficult."

"Then tell us," Ingrid leaned forward, eyes sharp with curiosity, "how did Brigette turn into Verdantia?" Michael closed his eyes slowly, as if trying to pull clarity from the depths of his memory. Silence fell for a moment as the girls waited with bated breath. Then, he let out a deep sigh.

"Her transformation was... unfathomable," he said at last, frustration evident in his voice. "I'm sorry. That moment was beyond my understanding. But one thing I can assure you - there is someone far more powerful behind all of this. Someone greater than Brigette. You must be prepared for what's coming."

His tone lowered slightly, more certain now.

"Don't worry? Brigette will never become Verdantia again."

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