The Olympians
Episode Three: FIREHAWK’S RECKONING 
By Nike
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	“Phoenix, just look at my new invention!” Centaurie began as she proudly showed off her new invention in front of all the Firebirds inside the base.
	  The respective audience seemed interested enough, not to hurt Centaurie’s feelings. Except for Lance silently wishing that the Harpies would attack so that he could get out of this little assembly and get some action and for some of Blast’s occasional nudging to prevent Firehawk from completely falling asleep.
	Suddenly a familiar vice piped from behind, interrupting the assembly. Everyone turned to see Firefly and Alex entering the hall.
	“Firefly, reporting for duty, Firebird commander.” Firefly saluted beside Alex as they stepped infront of Phoenix and Dazzler.
	“You’re late again, Firefly.” Lance remarked, letting out a slight yawn as he glanced at them. “But this time I don’t blame you.”
	Phoenix ignored him and just gave them a nod of acknowledgement. “Just find your place somewhere, you two.”
	“Yeah, and this time, do it slowly.” Ariadne whispered loudly as they passed her by. “Because all of us are in NO hurry to get on with Centaurie’s talk.”
	Phoenix gave them a withering glance and shook her head ruefully. “So, what exactly does it do?” she began as she faced Centaurie, impatient to get this over with.
	Centaurie scratched her head. “Well, you just pull this lever and….” She began, pulling a lever o the strange-looking machine….
	…. And the whole began to shake violently and parts of the ceiling started to fall on them.
	“CENTAURIE!” Firehawk, who was now fully awake, shouted as she, Blast, Lance and Blaze took cover under the Light Shield that Dazzler created to protect them from the falling debris “Now that you’ve proven your point, TURN THE DAMN THING OFF!” 
	“I can’t!” Centaurie exclaimed helplessly as she hid under the psychic force field that Phoenix had erected to prevent the ceiling from completely collapsing on their heads.
	“Dazzler, get everyone out of here!” Phoenix shouted as she struggled under the weight of the ceiling. “I can’t hold this up much longer!”
	Dazzler nodded, her face grim, and then turned to face the others. “All right, you heard our leader!” she ordered. “Everybody, EVACUATE the Base!”
	Minutes later, the Firebirds and Alex were all safely outside the Base while the ground still continued to shake.
	“What was that?” Dazzler demanded as she stared at the shaking Volcano Base. “Somehow, it suddenly became freaking hot in there!”
	Flare frowned as studied the smoke coming out of the mouth of the volcano. “Only one answer,” she began. “This volcano is starting to erupt.”
	Phoenix glanced at her sharply. “But the computer reported that this volcano hadn’t erupted in centuries!”
	Flare nodded and then got out her mini computer from her pocket. “I know,” she began as she starting calculating figures in it. “But anything could happen. A volcano that had been dormant for some time could still become active, though the odds against it are great.”
	Suddenly, a hush filed the air as a huge black cloud was seen rising from the crater.
	“SHIT!” Flare cursed as she stared at the screen of her mini computer. “The eruption is reaching a critical stage! If it doesn’t calm down soon, if will create an explosion!”
	Centaurie paled as she realized something. “And with the weapons stored in the armory…”
	Flare nodded. “It could release an explosion that could rival the A-bomb!”
	“We CAN’T let that happen!” Firehawk suddenly shouted as she flew towards the crater. “I’m gonna shut that thing down if it’s the last thing I do!”
	“Firehawk, NO! It’s too dangerous!” Phoenix shouted after her, but Firehawk didn’t seem to hear of pretended not to hear. “FIREHAWK!”
Dazzler shook her head she and the others stared at Firehawk’s retreating figure. “She is going to get herself killed in there.” She whispered. “Firehawk is an amazon, not a firestarter.”
	“No.” Phoenix began in a quiet voice that sounded oddly dange                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                t she had ignored them.
	<I’m sure it’s just Phoenix ordering me to come back. But I won’t. I refuse to remain there, staring like a complete idiot while the headquarters began exploding. > She told herself and then another huge tremor started, nearly causing her to lose her balance. <Of course, thinking of the danger ahead, she might as well be right! > She thought as she steadied her footing. <But hey, what’s life without a few risks and dangers to take?  Sometimes Phoenix could be so protective, all right. > She added, shaking her head at the thought, and then continued on her path.  
	Firehawk then noticed a huge rock blocking her path. <What a huge rock, > she thought, frowning. <It’s big enough to block the volcano’s magma tunnel. > She snapped her fingers as she realized something. <Of course! Now I know how to calm this volcano down! >
	Inhaling deeply, she then started pushing the rock towards the magma tunnel.
	<I only hope that this smoke doesn’t knock me out, > she thought worriedly, pushing the rock towards the magma crater. <Before I throw this thing in there. >
	Minutes later…
	<I got to keep awake. > Firehawk told herself, as the poisonous fumes slowly starting choking her. <Or, I’ll never get this done. >
	She fell on her knees, from her dizziness, but somehow she still managed to get up on her feet before the huge rock rolled away.
	<It’s only for a few more steps, > she thought as she stared at the boiling magma in the volcano spout. <Now to push this thing. >
	With all her might, Firehawk lifted the huge rock at dropped it on the spout, blocking the magna from rising up any further.	
	Then she collapsed as the tremors slowly ceased. Her head was spinning and she felt vision dimming.
	Suddenly, she felt strong arms catch her before she hit the ground.
	It was Phoenix. She came just in time.
	“I got you now, Firehawk.” The Firebird commander whispered as she glanced at seething surroundings. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” She added as she helped Firehawk on her shoulder.
	Firehawk managed a faint nod before dozing off to unconsciousness and Phoenix carried her back to the others.
       An hour later, they were all finished clearing up the fallen debris in the Volcano Base. Centaurie found her invention crushed under a huge part of the ceiling.
       “Oh well,” she shook her head ruefully she tried to salvage some remains of it. “I can always make another, I hope.”
       Firehawk had regained consciousness minutes later in the Base’s infirmary.
       “You mean I won’t get punished?” Firehawk shouted in surprise as soon she heard the news the Firebird commander gave her. “YIPEE!” she exclaimed as jumped out of the bed for joy.
       But in doing so, she accidentally sprained her ankle.
       “OW!” she yelped, falling back on the bed.
       Red Cross snickered. “Oh, that’s just too bad, F.H.!” she began in a gleeful voice. “I guess that you’ll just have to stay here for a few more days.”
       Firehawk glared at her. “Don’t count on it, R.C.!” she argued. “You won’t have me confined!”
       Phoenix sighed, at the two’s antics. “Just don’t give her a hard time, Red Cross.” She said as she left the room, shaking her head.
       “Don’t worry, F.H.” Red Cross began, smiling wickedly as she strapped Firehawk into the bed. “When the doctor says, ‘I’ll take care of you’, I’LL take care of you!”   
       “THAT’S what I’m afraid of.” Firehawk moaned.