Elliot's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Elliot's phone buzzes twice before she even reaches for it. The team group chat is already exploding with messages. She reads the first line and her stomach drops. Rita Repulsa hit the training course — the obstacle course where Elliot runs drills every morning, where she's worn a path in the dirt from showing up before anyone else. She's already running before the second message comes through. Her paws hit pavement in a rhythm she knows by heart. The others are closer — Red's probably already there, and Spot can teleport if he wants. But Elliot doesn't slow down. This is her place. The one corner of their world that means something because she chose it, not because someone handed it to her. The colorful doghouse comes into view first, its reclaimed wood panels scorched black on one side. Shattered beams lean at wrong angles. The clay-gray creatures are still there, three of them stomping through the wreckage with glowing orange eyes. Putty Patrol. Rita's calling card. They're tearing apart what's left — ripping boards free, crushing the painted wood under heavy fists. Elliot morphs mid-stride without breaking pace. Yellow light flares around her as she launches into the nearest Putty. Her team isn't here yet. For once, she's first. Not because someone called her, but because she was already close enough to matter. The Putty staggers back and she hits it again, driving it away from the ruins. She doesn't wait for backup. This is hers to protect.