"Crap! Crap! Crap!"
Finn was in the worst possible situation ever, not only could he not use his origin ability, but he was also being chased by a monstrous bug.
Hurtling over a thick root that stuck out of the ground, Finn took a quick glance behind him. His face had paled noticeably. The thing was toying with him!
It didn't appear to be trying in the slightest. It moved slowly but quickly enough to keep up with him. And every now and then, its head would tilt as if mocking him.
Taking a sharp turn to the right, Finn's brain went into overdrive, scanning every possible detail around him for any chance of surviving against the bug.
But all there were, were just trees upon trees, no matter where he looked. "C'mon! Think!"
Running past more trees, Finn decided to do something stupid. Spotting the perfect tree, he made a turn towards it.
Arriving at the base, Finn didn't waste time as he jumped and clung to the tree. Taking a quick breath he quickly climbed as best he could without any places to really put his hands.
The mantis simply watched as he struggled up the tree. Its damned head turned again, and after Finn finally reached one of the many big branches, it moved forward.
Arriving at the base of the tree it simply dug its two scythe-like arms into the trunk and yanked itself onto the tree. It climbed with ease and made quick progress toward Finn.
Finn panicked as he watched the scene. Looking around he noticed another branch branching off the branch he stood on.
Gripping his two hands around it, he pulled with all his might. A moment later, the branch cracked and snapped off.
In his hands now was a meter-long branch with a pointy end. 'I hope this will do something.'
Finally, the creature arrived at the branch he was standing on. His eyes were focused solely on Finn.
Finn, in desperation, swung the branch he was holding at the bug. The monster simply lifted one of its scythes and grabbed the stick without much effort.
The monster then pulled, sending the stick and Finn toward him. Finn couldn't let go of the branch in time and was quickly met with the deathly embrace of the mantis.
Its scythes quickly wrapped around him in a death hug. The blades dug into his back, drawing blood, and he could do nothing but scream in pain.
He tried struggling with all his might, but couldn't even move an inch. Looking up, he could only see the mantis' eyes staring at him.
After a few moments of deathly silence, it looked away into the sky. A second later, the chitin on his back shot open.
Two pairs of wings folded out from within. It looked like the bug wore a kingly robe. The wings instantly straightened. The wings flapped and Finn felt his insides turn.
Straining his neck, he saw nothing but trees under him. Cursing he looked back up. The wings on the mantis's back blurred with motion as it carried him.
'Crap! I'm going to die!' He frantically struggled against the grip, but it was useless; its grip was too strong. The mantis ignored everything as it flew higher and higher.
After a minute of struggling, Finn's body went limp. He was exhausted and couldn't move his body anymore.
'What have I done to deserve this?' Tears started welling up in his eyes. Looking up at the stars, he scowled. He hated this. He really did.
His eyes shifted to the mantis's face. His eyes burned with anger. "I hate you!"
He felt so powerless and useless. He hated it. He felt weak. No matter what he tried, his fate was sealed. He would die here tonight.
He looked at the stars one last time. They were beautiful. They shone brighter here than on earth. But something made Finn's face contort with surprise and confusion.
The stars moved and shifted as if they were alive. And after a moment a face made out of the stars appeared in the sky. The mantis paid no heed to this as he kept flying to who knows where.
'It doesn't see this? Am I going crazy in my last moments?' He morbidly thought.
He stared as the face somehow winked at him. And a moment later a male voice entered his mind.
'It's not your time yet, kiddo. You still have a lot to do.'
And in the next moment, everything went black as Finn was knocked out by an unknown power.
The creature wasn't as lucky, as it suddenly screeched a horrible sound. It could be heard throughout the whole forest.
A second later, its body convulsed. Legs started bending in different ways and its body contorted. A moment later it exploded in a wave of green blood.
Finn was finally let free, as his unconscious body fell into the canopy below. A moment later, he disappeared into the forest.
******
Looking at the scene, a certain figure sighed, his tail irritatingly flicking from side to side.
'I probably shouldn't have gotten involved.'
Scratching his head, he looked as Finn's body landed softly on the ground.
'Nah, I probably won't be punished. Someone else will though.'
Interfering with cadets was prohibited and punishable and no one could do anything about this rule. The system had authority over all living things, no matter how strong.
'I'm sure everything will work out.' He nodded.