"Rise of Legends" Heroes RPG Vol.1 IC Thread 2.0

[Gallagher]

Claude Rains

Truth and Consequences Part II

I can feel my legs burn as I jog up to the top of the Devuax building. I needed to take care of a few things and with any luck, one of them would be up here waiting.

"Peter?" I ask as I step out onto the roof. "It's Claude, you here?" No answer. Fantastic, I'm running out of time here. I reach into my pocket and pick out a bunch of rusty old keys, the birds needed to go free for one last time. I reach in and take them out one by one, they spread there wings and fly soaring off into the distance, lucky bastards. Wish that could be me, not that Invisibility doesn't have its perks, my personal choice would be flight. But that's not how it works, you get what your given, beggars cant be choosers. I watch as the last one flies out of sight and I make my way back down the stairs. I'll pass by Peter's apartment on the way out of the city. He needs to know what I suspect.

 

[Apprentice]

I instinctively generate a ball of electricity in the palm of my hand. No one will stop me - especially not some sadistic, antisocial brat. On the other hand, my time with her was enjoyable...in a strange, seductive way.
"I've been cleaning up your father's mess," I respond rudely. "No thanks to you."

I turn back to Mohinder without letting my guard down. "So, what do you say, Mohinder? Care to help out a friend - for old times' sake?"

I suppress my shock at Elle and Peter's familiarity with each other; that isn't important here. Peter's request is unacceptable; I will not let Molly be a mere tool or resource for every blasted superhuman in this city! I push back my rage, but it is nigh uncontrollable...after what has just happened, the though of putting her through even a little bit more disturbs me beyond belief. I grit my teeth and respond slowly and as calmly as possible. "She is a little girl, Peter, not a facility to be used when you need to find someone. My recommendation? Find a phone book. Or, even better, just absorb her ability and do it yourself...after seeing the brutality that Sylar is capable of, she doesn't need to endure anything more today."

 

[Eddie Brock]

​

I suppress my shock at Elle and Peter's familiarity with each other; that isn't important here. Peter's request is unacceptable; I will not let Molly be a mere tool or resource for every blasted superhuman in this city! I push back my rage, but it is nigh uncontrollable...after what has just happened, the though of putting her through even a little bit more disturbs me beyond belief. I grit my teeth and respond slowly and as calmly as possible. "She is a little girl, Peter, not a facility to be used when you need to find someone. My recommendation? Find a phone book. Or, even better, just absorb her ability and do it yourself...after seeing the brutality that Sylar is capable of, she doesn't need to endure anything more today."

I am displeased at Mohinder's response. No matter - I won't let a minor setback slow me down.

"To be frank, I don't have the time to learn how to focus a new ability," I state calmly. "And asking you was merely a formality."

I regret what I have to do, but Mohinder is part of the Company. Thus, any respect I have for our relationship is irrelevant now.

"Introduce me to Molly," I command with Eden's voice.

 

[Venom160]

I say a prayer, the very prayer my mother used to say, as I plunge the needle into my arm.

At once I feel the the cure travel though my body invigurating me. The first ability to emerge was my super hearing, about six blocks away someone is slashing somebodies tires. I focus and hear two bums arguing over the last swallow of booze sixteen blockes away. I open my eyes and spot an empty can proped against the wall. I reach out and focus on the can, calling it to me. The can starts to move ever so slightly. Suddenly the can flies towards me, I catch it as a grin forms.

"Im back...."

Two days later.....

Alison Crestmere was having the worst day of her life, her boyfriend dumped her, her brother was in a serious car crash, and somebody slashed her tires a couple of days ago. Unfortunatly for Alison, her day is gonna get alot worse.....

"No mom im ok, how Chris? Uh huh. No iv been meaning to visit him in the hospital, I might do that today...

Alison trails off as she hears a knock on the door.

"Someones at the door mom I'll call you back. I love you to."

She hangs up the phone and heads to the door. She unlocks the door leaves the chain on. She cracks open the door and looks at the man standing there.

"Can...can I help you?"

Sylar smiles down at the Woman.

"Hi im sorry to bother you but my car broke down outside and I was wondering if I could use your phone? Iv been knocking up and down this floor and you were the only one to answer."

Alison was reluctant.

"I don't know....."

"I promise it'll only be a minute."

Shes silent for another moment and than smiles.

"Ok come on in."

She undoes the chain and opens the door.

"Im Alison."

"Im Gabriel."

"Nice to meet you, the phone is over there."

Sylar nodes his head and walks over to the phone.

"This is a lovely place, ya know my mother used to live in this apartment."

"Oh really? It must've been a long time ago cause the previous tenet was murdered five months ago and......."

She trails off as she recognises Gabriel's face from the newspaper her landlord showed her. She turns and sees that Gabriel's face has twisted into an evil grin.

"Oh my god!"

She takes one step towards the door before being frozen solid. Sylar lowers his hand and stares at the frozen figure.

"God has nothing to do with this."

Sylar concentrates as the frozen figure levitates into the air and than flies towards the nearest wall, shattering on impact. Sylar looks around and takes in a deep breath.

"Home sweet home....."

As Sylar sits down on the couch and turns on the tv he could've sworn he heard a clock ticking.

 

[Blacklight]

[blackout]

Scott Darren
Seattle, Washington ​

[/blackout]

Today. Presently. Now. Soon. Not later...​

All good words. They all show expression that something needs to be done. And fast. Words I use all the time. All my life I've been used to taking my time, but now, everything needs to be done quick. My name's Scott by the way, and even though I'm known for going fast, I'll tell this story a liitle slower...​

************************​

Two years ago...

It was two years ago when I discovered my ability. It all began when I was playing Texas Hold-Em with my fellow firefighters in our house.

"I fold."

"I got nothin'."

"I'm out."

"I'll raise." I said pushing some chips in to try to get my best friend Roddy to go all in. He kept on giving me looks to see what tells he could get from me, but my poker face was top-notch.

...Okay. Maybe not top-notch, but I couldn't help but laugh. I've known Roddy for years. Since we were probies.

"I fold. Damn your poker-face, Scott."

Then, cracking up, I turned my cards over to reveal a 3 of hearts and 9 of clubs. Roddy then started laughing at my superior bluff.

"I'm gonna beat you one day, Scotty."

I couldn't help but laugh myself.

"Yeah. One day, Rod. One day."

Then Cheif Thorne walked by and observed my utter "Woot Pwnage" of the table.

"Wow, Darren. Only ten minutes of playing, and you've already racked up half the chips. That's fast."

"Thank you, sir. I've prac--"

AROOOOGAAA!!!

The loud fire-alarm echoed through the entire firehouse, and every crew member scurried through the station.

"Looks like we got some action, boys. Let's go."

Then quickly we all put on our jackets and helmets, and boarded the truck.

**********************

When we arrived, we all started to get out of the truck and start going in the burning apartment building, until the sky went dark. Roddy pointed to the reason in the sky.

"Looks like an eclipse."

Then I looked up to see the sun almost completely faded out by the moon.

"DARREN! Stop star-gazing and get your ass in that building!"

Then I ran into the building, and listened to Max dishing out the info.

"Okay guys we've got two children and their mother trapped on the third floor, An elderly man on the fourth, and a custodian in the basement. Le--"

Then I started to run down stairs, and I didn't even notice the flames slowed down, and so did everything else around me. Until I reached the poor man near the heater.

"It's okay. I'm here to help." Then I grabbed him and ran back up the stairs, leaving him with my crew. Then I ran up stairs to get the family. hearing slow-motin cries for help, I stopped and kicked down the door, and graabed the mother and two children, and ran downstairs to the slowly moving crew and janitor, then continued up to the old man, who I rescued in, what seemed to me to be, minutes, but in reality, all these rescues happened in a timeframe of about four seconds.

"--t's move." Then Max turned around to see the innocents and started freaking out.

"What the hell is this? How'd you get here? You guys weren't here a few seconds ago."

"Some firefighter just saved us and got us down here."

"Which one?" He asked pointing to all of the crew. They all stared at everyone, including me, hoping they wouldn't identify me.

"We don't know. It was all a blur. We couldn't get a real look."

"Well, It doesn't matter. Let's get you all out of here."

***********************

Sitting perched on the fire-truck, I sipped some of my water and Roddy came along to sit next to me.

"Nice saves. Four seconds. Nice. Didn't take you to be the "Flash" type."

I was confused and all these questions raced through my head. How did he know? How was I able to do that? What's going on?

"In all of our years of friendship, Scott. I've never been able to tell you my greatest secret until I saw what you did earlier..." He finished as he pointed to a fire-hydrant nearby, and looked at it.

"Watch."

Then I stared in awe as he melted the hydrant into a smoldering pile of metal liquid.

"Cool, huh?"

Since that day, he told me that him and I have abilities that have no explanation. He has heat vision, and I have super speed. Since then, my life hasn't been the same. At all................

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: Hiro Nakamura

Tokyo, Japan

<"Hiro! Hiro!">

Ando opens the door to the apartment and comes inside to the sitting room. I am sitting on a pillow. The Kensei sword splayed infront of me.

<"Yes, Ando?">

<"It's been a week. You do not answer your phone. What have you been doing?">

<"Meditating. Reflecting on my journey and where I am to go.">

<"So, you have not seen the news?">

I look up at him and furrow my brow.

<"What news?">

Ando pulls out a newspaper, it's the New York Times from six days ago.

<"This.">

My jaw drops as I read the headline.

Former Congressman Petrelli, shot and killed in Texas.

"Nasan Petrelli!"

I snatch the paper from Ando's hands and read it three times over.

<"I know what I must do.">

I stand up, grabbing my sword and placing it into the holster.

<"I will be back in a moment.">

Seven Days Ago
Odessa, Texas

I appear behind the crowd of reporters, Nathan Petrelli talks into the microphones.

"Good afternoon. Most of you have no idea who I am. My name is Nathan Petrelli and I was elected to congress in the state of New York. Seems like a long time ago. I lost my position, I lost my brother, and I lost my family. I'm sad to say that I lost my way. But while I was gone I've had the chance to see the world through newly humbled eyes, witnessed amazing things, seen ordinary people among us trying their best each day to be heroes. These ordinary people, like you, like me, are capable of extraordinary things. You have no idea how extraordinary. But there are other people; organizations who don't want you to know the truth. I myself kept secrets. But last year, something incredible happened to me and it changed my life. At first, I was afraid, but I'm not afraid anymore. I'm here to tell you the truth. I have the ab-"

Two shots fire into his chest, I squint my eyes and time stops.

I follow the path of the bullets to a man in the back. He's wearing glasses. I've seen his picture before...somwhere...

"Noah Bennet...."

He works for the Company. I seen his file when Ando and I were searching for who Kensei really was..

I squint once more, dissapearing back to the present.

New York City

Now

I appear in Time Square, just like I did the first time I ever teleported. I walk and find a phone, I press zero and get the operator.

"I need to find, Peter Petrelli."

 

[Gallagher]

Claude Rains

Truth and Consequences. Part III

I look over my shoulder as I walk briskly down the street to Peter's apartment, I was edgy, and with good bloody reason. I'd seen the news, another one down, Sharon Watson. I was next. I was the only one left that I was aware of. I felt an urge to pull the gun from my jacket and hold it in my hands, maybe for comfort maybe for a feeling of protection. Either way it was pointless. Whoever was bumping us all off was nigh unstoppable, they'd proved that much.

I turn the corner and start to jog into the apartment building that, at least at one time, housed the exploding man - Peter Petrelli. I climb the stairway and hear a door open below me. I stop and listen intently to the person entering. They were quiet, making sure of it too, sneaky little bugger. Maybe I was just getting paranoid in my old age. I set off at a jog continuing my climb when I heard to unmistakable sound of a gun clicking. This was it. I drew the shotgun from my coat and turned on the spot ready for whatever came next...

 

[Saved]

Claude Rains

Truth and Consequences. Part III

I look over my shoulder as I walk briskly down the street to Peter's apartment, I was edgy, and with good bloody reason. I'd seen the news, another one down, Sharon Watson. I was next. I was the only one left that I was aware of. I felt an urge to pull the gun from my jacket and hold it in my hands, maybe for comfort maybe for a feeling of protection. Either way it was pointless. Whoever was bumping us all off was nigh unstoppable, they'd proved that much.

I turn the corner and start to jog into the apartment building that, at least at one time, housed the exploding man - Peter Petrelli. I climb the stairway and hear a door open below me. I stop and listen intently to the person entering. They were quiet, making sure of it too, sneaky little bugger. Maybe I was just getting paranoid in my old age. I set off at a jog continuing my climb when I heard to unmistakable sound of a gun clicking. This was it. I drew the shotgun from my coat and turned on the spot ready for whatever came next...

Hell's Angel Part 4

Shanti stands behind Claude with her arm outstretched, holding the gun firmly in her hand. The barrel points to Claude's head, Shanti's finger curling around the trigger.

"Hello, Mr. Rains." She says in a cold voice. She smiles beneath her mask, her eyes staying locked on Claude. "The Company has a message for you."
​

 

[Gallagher]

Hells Angels Part 4

Shanti stands behind Claude with her arm outstretched, holding the gun firmly in her hand. The barrel points to Claude's head, Shanti's finger curling around the trigger.

"Hello, Mr. Rains." She says in a cold voice. She smiles beneath her mask, her eyes staying locked on Claude. "The Company has a message for you."
​

Claude Rains

Truth and Consequence Part IV

The shotgun in my hands is steady pointing directly at the woman's chest.

"I'm sorry Mr. Rains isn't in right now." I quip as I disappear in front of her eyes. "But if you'd like to leave a message." I say smacking the gun away with my own. "Please do so". A hard swing of the butt of my gun to her face knocks her down the first set of stairs. "After you've picked your sorry self up off the floor."

I smile as I stay invisible, not much room to maneuver, going to have to keep her off balance while I find an escape route. "You know I'm not going to make the same mistake as the others. I'm not going to argue. I'm not going to plead and I'm not going to try and reason like I'm sure the other poor sods did. No, I'm going to beat you within an inch of your life. Then I'm going to go off on my merry way." I say raising the gun readying an overhead swing...

 

[Saved]

Claude Rains

Truth and Consequence Part IV

The shotgun in my hands is steady pointing directly at the woman's chest.

"I'm sorry Mr. Rains isn't in right now." I quip as I disappear in front of her eyes. "But if you'd like to leave a message." I say smacking the gun away with my own. "Please do so". A hard swing of the butt of my gun to her face knocks her down the first set of stairs. "After you've picked your sorry self up off the floor."

I smile as I stay invisible, not much room to maneuver, going to have to keep her off balance while I find an escape route. "You know I'm not going to make the same mistake as the others. I'm not going to argue. I'm not going to plead and I'm not going to try and reason like I'm sure the other poor sods did. No, I'm going to beat you within an inch of your life. Then I'm going to go off on my merry way." I say raising the gun readying an overhead swing...

Hell's Angel Part 5

​

Shanti lifts herself off the ground, her jaw throbbing in pain. She hears Claude's movements, and tightly closes her eyes. As Claude lifts his gun higher over his head, still under the cloak of his powers, Shanti focuses. Just as Claude swings his arm down toward Shanti, she opens her eyes widely. She rolls to the side, barely missing the invisable attack. She looks to the ground, and watches the metal floor dent as Claude finishes his attack.

Shanti frowns, and quickly spins her leg around on the floor, sweeping the area in hopes of finding him. Her leg makes contact with his, knocking him violently to the floor. Shanti hears the sound of his shotgun hitting the metal floor roughly, and she quickly jumps to her feet.

"Had to make this difficult, didn't you Claude." She says in an aggravated tone. She quickly surveys the ground, searching hasdtily for her gun. She hears Claude moan, and reacts. She reaches into the inside pocket on her jacket. She speedily pulls a switchblade from the pocket, and holds it tightly in her hand as the blade flips up.

"Now, Come on Claude...let's have some fun."​

 

[Gallagher]

Hell's Angel Part 5

​

Shanti lifts herself off the ground, her jaw throbbing in pain. She hears Claude's movements, and tightly closes her eyes. As Claude lifts his gun higher over his head, still under the cloak of his powers, Shanti focuses. Just as Claude swings his arm down toward Shanti, she opens her eyes widely. She rolls to the side, barely missing the invisable attack. She looks to the ground, and watches the metal floor dent as Claude finishes his attack.

Shanti frowns, and quickly spins her leg around on the floor, sweeping the area in hopes of finding him. Her leg makes contact with his, knocking him violently to the floor. Shanti hears the sound of his shotgun hitting the metal floor roughly, and she quickly jumps to her feet.

"Had to make this difficult, didn't you Claude." She says in an aggravated tone. She quickly surveys the ground, searching hasdtily for her gun. She hears Claude moan, and reacts. She reaches into the inside pocket on her jacket. She speedily pulls a switchblade from the pocket, and holds it tightly in her hand as the blade flips up.

"Now, Come on Claude...let's have some fun."​

Claude Rains

Truth and Consequence Part V

'Alright you psycho *****.' I think to myself, my hand clutching my ribs. I dive forward onto a corridor taking her with me, forcing her to the ground. I evade one swing of the blade but she swings again unrelenting, slicing into my midsection. I grimace as I feel the blade graze my ribs. Stumbling to my feet and kicking the bloody knife out of her hand, I set off at a run down the corridor. I had one chance to come out of this little encounter alive. Just hope the son of a ***** is home, I run to the end of the corridor, bolting it toward the door of Peter Petrelli's flat, I feel something tag my leg, like it'd been bitten but the pain was unbearable. I'd felt it before. I dropped to my knees and cried out in pain and anger, the bullet lodging itself into my calf. "ARGH!"

 

[Saved]

Claude Rains

Truth and Consequence Part V

'Alright you psycho *****.' I think to myself, my hand clutching my ribs. I dive forward onto a corridor taking her with me, forcing her to the ground. I evade one swing of the blade but she swings again unrelenting, slicing into my midsection. I grimace as I feel the blade graze my ribs. Stumbling to my feet and kicking the bloody knife out of her hand, I set off at a run down the corridor. I had one chance to come out of this little encounter alive. Just hope the son of a ***** is home, I run to the end of the corridor, bolting it toward the door of Peter Petrelli's flat, I feel something tag my leg, like it'd been bitten but the pain was unbearable. I'd felt it before. I dropped to my knees and cried out in pain and anger, the bullet lodging itself into my calf. "ARGH!"

Hells Angel Part 6

Shanti watches as Claude runs off down the hallway. She makes a scoffing laugh, the sound muffled under her mask. She looks down the hall at him, making sure he doesn't go far. She begins to look around on the ground for her weapons. By the door, at the corner of the stairs, she finds her gun. She picks up the gun, and holds it firmly in her hand.​

"Well," She mutters as she examines the weapon. "No damages." She says as she aims the weapon toward Claude. "Excellent." She smiles as her finger pulls the trigger roughly, the recoild barely jerking her arm. The bullet fires from the barrel, and flies through the air. Shanti watches as Claude continues his run. She blinks for less than a second, and hears him yell in pain. She opens her eyes, and watches Claude fall to the ground in pain.​

Shanti leans down to the ground, and picks up her switch blade. She wipes the blood on her jacket, and pushes the blade back into the device with one finger. She puts the knife back in her jacket, and begins walking toward Claude, her laugh echoing in the hall.​

"Oh, Rains." She scoffs. "How could you ever think you could evade me? I've killed so many like you. It's foolish for you to even think I'd fail. Especially on a power that can be mimiced by mirrors." Shanti clicks the gun, locking the next round into place. She stops a few yards from Rains in the hallway, staring at him as he crawls in pain.​

"Aw, Claude. A fighter to the end." She raises her arm, and aims the gun's sight at the bottom of his neck. "Like I told you earlier, Claude, the Company has a message for you." Shanti smiles as he finger begins to slowly pull back on the cold metal trigger. "They wanted me to tell you...goodbye." Shanti pulls the trigger, and the loud noise of a gunshot echoes loudly throughout the hall. Smoke slowly exits the barrel of the gun as Shanti lowers her arm, her finger slipping over the saftey. She stares at Claude's body, as he quickly falls limp. She watches as his shirt becomes soaked with blood, the stain on his collar growing bigger and bigger.​

Shanti smiles, and puts the gun in the holster under her jacket. She turns around, and heads for the stairwell, closing her jacket as she walks. Shanti laughs as she enters the stairwell. Just as she enters the doorway, she looks back to Claude, her eye suddenly throbbing in pain.​

"By the way." She says with animosity hanging heavy in her voice. "Thanks for the black eye." She walks through the doorway, and begins her decent down the stairwell, and out of the building.​

 

[Gallagher]

Hells Angel Part 6

Shanti watches as Claude runs off down the hallway. She makes a scoffing laugh, the sound muffled under her mask. She looks down the hall at him, making sure he doesn't go far. She begins to look around on the ground for her weapons. By the door, at the corner of the stairs, she finds her gun. She picks up the gun, and holds it firmly in her hand.​

"Well," She mutters as she examines the weapon. "No damages." She says as she aims the weapon toward Claude. "Excellent." She smiles as her finger pulls the trigger roughly, the recoild barely jerking her arm. The bullet fires from the barrel, and flies through the air. Shanti watches as Claude continues his run. She blinks for less than a second, and hears him yell in pain. She opens her eyes, and watches Claude fall to the ground in pain.​

Shanti leans down to the ground, and picks up her switch blade. She wipes the blood on her jacket, and pushes the blade back into the device with one finger. She puts the knife back in her jacket, and begins walking toward Claude, her laugh echoing in the hall.​

"Oh, Rains." She scoffs. "How could you ever think you could evade me? I've killed so many like you. It's foolish for you to even think I'd fail. Especially on a power that can be mimiced by mirrors." Shanti clicks the gun, locking the next round into place. She stops a few yards from Rains in the hallway, staring at him as he crawls in pain.​

"Aw, Claude. A fighter to the end." She raises her arm, and aims the gun's sight at the bottom of his neck. "Like I told you earlier, Claude, the Company has a message for you." Shanti smiles as he finger begins to slowly pull back on the cold metal trigger. "They wanted me to tell you...goodbye." Shanti pulls the trigger, and the loud noise of a gunshot echoes loudly throughout the hall. Smoke slowly exits the barrel of the gun as Shanti lowers her arm, her finger slipping over the saftey. She stares at Claude's body, as he quickly falls limp. She watches as his shirt becomes soaked with blood, the stain on his collar growing bigger and bigger.​

Shanti smiles, and puts the gun in the holster under her jacket. She turns around, and heads for the stairwell, closing her jacket as she walks. Shanti laughs as she enters the stairwell. Just as she enters the doorway, she looks back to Claude, her eye suddenly throbbing in pain.​

"By the way." She says with animosity hanging heavy in her voice. "Thanks for the black eye." She walks through the doorway, and begins her decent down the stairwell, and out of the building.​

Claude Rains.

Swan Song Part I

All I could feel was cold. Cold and tired, It was obvious I didn't have much time left. I was no doctor but I'd say the bullet had pierced a lung. I lifted my head and stared at the door in front of me, I felt a sudden sting of pain as I try to breath and nothing comes up but blood. it was dark, almost black. I wasn't coming out of this alive I'd learn't that long ago.

With my last ounces of strength I pulled the rusted keys to the bird cages out of my blood soaked jacket and carved with all my might into the door of peter petrelli. It was a message, a warning, hell even an order. 'Noah' it said. My hand fell limp after I had finished and my vision got increasingly dark and blurry. Claude Rains the invisible man, was to become nothing more than a dead man.

The door to the apartment swung open suddenly, I tried to call out to the figure standing in the doorway, of all the things I'd have as my last sight, she was bottom of that list.

"An..ge..la."

 

[Apprentice]

I am displeased at Mohinder's response. No matter - I won't let a minor setback slow me down.
"To be frank, I don't have the time to learn how to focus a new ability," I state calmly. "And asking you was merely a formality."

I regret what I have to do, but Mohinder is part of the Company. Thus, any respect I have for our relationship is irrelevant now.

"Introduce me to Molly," I command with Eden's voice.

My mind orders my body to resist him, but my body doesn't want to. And so, I wander slowly over to Molly. What has he done to me?! I can't control myself...the edges of my mind are starting to cloud over, I can barely even hear my own thoughts..."This is Molly," I say brightly and eagerly, the inner conflict that is clearly being won by Peter not even slightly reflected in my voice. "Molly, this is Peter Petrelli. He was one of the men that helped stop Sylar the last time."

Maya rises to her feet, hands balled tightly in fists. [BLACKOUT]"Mohinder, you just said no to him...he did something to you. He did something to you..."[/BLACKOUT]

"Sit do --" Peter begins to instruct her, his tone dark and heavy.

Unfortunately for him, Maya's tears are darker and heavier. She's learnt how to manipulate them at will very swiftly; within moments, the pain overwhelms Peter's mental suggestion and my head is clear. The black tears fade across my cheeks and I look up to see Maya clenching her teeth as her gaze rests on Peter. I gesture for Molly to hide behind the computer and scoop up the pistol that Sylar had dropped. Its barrel is a ltitle singed, but I'm confident that it will still shoot.

"Using Eden's power against me. Clever," I growl...and then I realise my foolishness. What can I accomplish my holding this man at gunpoint? All I'm doing is prolonging Molly's anguish. "One more word and I pump a bullet into your head. Remember: I've studied Claire Bennet. I know what will stop even her. Unfortunately, I also know that if you get the first hit in...there's nothing that will stop you." I pause. "If Molly wants to help you, she can. If she doesn't, you leave. Agreed?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

​

My mind orders my body to resist him, but my body doesn't want to. And so, I wander slowly over to Molly. What has he done to me?! I can't control myself...the edges of my mind are starting to cloud over, I can barely even hear my own thoughts..."This is Molly," I say brightly and eagerly, the inner conflict that is clearly being won by Peter not even slightly reflected in my voice. "Molly, this is Peter Petrelli. He was one of the men that helped stop Sylar the last time."

Maya rises to her feet, hands balled tightly in fists. [blackout]"Mohinder, you just said no to him...he did something to you. He did something to you..."[/blackout]

"Sit do --" Peter begins to instruct her, his tone dark and heavy.

Unfortunately for him, Maya's tears are darker and heavier. She's learnt how to manipulate them at will very swiftly; within moments, the pain overwhelms Peter's mental suggestion and my head is clear. The black tears fade across my cheeks and I look up to see Maya clenching her teeth as her gaze rests on Peter. I gesture for Molly to hide behind the computer and scoop up the pistol that Sylar had dropped. Its barrel is a ltitle singed, but I'm confident that it will still shoot.

"Using Eden's power against me. Clever," I growl...and then I realise my foolishness. What can I accomplish my holding this man at gunpoint? All I'm doing is prolonging Molly's anguish. "One more word and I pump a bullet into your head. Remember: I've studied Claire Bennet. I know what will stop even her. Unfortunately, I also know that if you get the first hit in...there's nothing that will stop you." I pause. "If Molly wants to help you, she can. If she doesn't, you leave. Agreed?"

"Sorry, Mohinder, but diplomacy is a luxury that I don't have time for," I announce defiantly. Using Sylar's telekinesis, I force Mohinder's arm to raise into the air - pointing the gun safely away from me. I regret being so forceful, but I don't think Mohinder understands the gravity of the situation. "Take it easy for a minute," I suggest as I force him to sit down, gun still aimed wildly at the ceiling.

I turn to the Mexican. Her power...it's overwhelming. I can't afford another outburst like that. "That was very rude of you to interject like that," I reprimand her. I hate myself for how much I sound like Sylar right now, but I'm in too deep to stop. "Why don't you get lost for a couple of minutes? And don't even think about using that lethal ability of yours...or I can't guarantee Mohinder's safety."

The look she gave me chilled to the bone. I can just imagine that Sylar has received similar glares in his lifetime. Nonetheless, Eden's power is almost fool-proof as the Mexican leaves the room.

"Hello, Molly, I'm Peter Petrelli," I introduce myself to the young girl. My tone is noticeably less harsh and much more like the Peter I know. "I need to talk to my niece, but I don't know where she is. I heard from Matt Parkman that you're very good at finding people."

 

[MaskedManJRK]

ORIGINS
​

I was born the same day The Company started. Irony like that is probably what makes the stars spin.

It was 1962. The Vietnam War had just started and everyone looked up to see if the Russians were finally dropping an A-bomb on their heads.

My childhood was different when compared to most killers, even government ones. I knew my mother and father. Neither of them were what I'd consider abusive. I have no learning disabilities or brain damage or mental illness.

I just became very efficient at killing people.​

 

[Saved]

Chapter 2 &#8220;Treacherous Ally&#8221;

New York, New York​

Shanti barges into Bob&#8217;s office, knocking the door into the wall violently. The door shutters as it pulls away from the wall, and reveals a large dent in the dry wall. Bob gets up from his desk slowly, a frown on his face.

&#8220;Was that necessary, Shanti?&#8221;

&#8220;Where&#8217;s the cheerleader&#8217;s blood?&#8221; She says in a demanding tone.

&#8220;Cheerleader?&#8221; Bob questions. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think I know what you mean?&#8221; Shanti&#8217;s hands clench into a fist, her grip tightening as her patience wears thin.

&#8220;Rains!&#8221; She yells. &#8220;He gave me a black eye. I know you have Claire Bennet&#8217;s blood.&#8221; She says in a flustered tone. &#8220;I know she can regenerate, and I know the Company has samples. I want one. Now.&#8221; Bob stares at Shanti blankly as he keeps his composure.

&#8220;How do you know who Ms. Bennet is?&#8221; Bob questions. &#8220;That&#8217;s not disclosed information.&#8221; Shanti laughs as she folds her arms across her chest.

&#8220;I know things about this company that would worry even you.&#8221; Shanti smiles beneath her mask. Bob looks at her for a moment, staring at her silently. He walks back to his chair, and slowly sits down.

&#8220;Alright, Shanti.&#8221; He says as he begins writing on a piece of paper. &#8220;Go down to labs and research. Ask them for sample 45B.&#8221; Shanti lowers her arms at her side, and takes in a deep breath.

&#8220;Thanks, Bob. Now was that so hard?&#8221; Shanti turns to walk out the door just as Bob gets her attention.

&#8220;Oh, Shanti.&#8221; He calls. She turns back to him, her arm leaning on the doorframe. &#8220;How is Mr. Rains?&#8221;

&#8220;Dead.&#8221; She says in a cold voice.

&#8220;Good work.&#8221; Bob says with a pleasant voice. &#8220;Before you go, I have a new assignment for you.&#8221;

&#8220;More people to kill?&#8221;

&#8220;What did I hire you for?&#8221; Bob says with a smile.

&#8220;Fine. Who is it?&#8221;

&#8220;Cynthia Watters.&#8221;

&#8220;Another woman?&#8221; Shanti says in a disappointed tone. &#8220;Can&#8217;t I get a challenge?&#8221; Shanti suddenly frowns, as her composure changes. &#8220;Like, for instance...Sylar.&#8221; Bob stays silent as he thinks to himself. He ponders how Shanti could know so many company secrets in only a few weeks employment. After a short time, he looks up to her, and shakes his head.

&#8221;Sylar isn&#8217;t your task, Shanti. Neither is Ms. Bennet. You go after who I tell you to. That&#8217;s why you are here. Understood?&#8221; Shanti reluctantly nods. &#8220;Good. Cynthia Watters is one of the deadliest people on the planet, Shanti. I must advise you use extreme caution.&#8221;

&#8220;She used to work for you?&#8221;

&#8220;Actually, no. But one of our team&#8217;s discovered her and her ability. Once we learned what it is was, we immediately began work on making sure she was stopped before she became a problem.&#8221;

&#8220;She have a vendetta against you guys?&#8221;

&#8220;No. But some abilities are just to dangerous for us to leave alone.&#8221; Shanti stands upright, her interest perked.

&#8221;And what is it exactly that she can do?&#8221;

&#8220;She has the touch of death.&#8221; Bob says with a smirk. &#8220;Her skin absorbs the energy and nutrients of anyone she touches until there is nothing left.&#8221; Shanti stares at Bob with widely opened eyes. He laughs, and leans back in his chair. &#8220;I&#8217;d advise you wear gloves.&#8221;

 

[Saved]

Lost Souls Part 3

France, 1916 ​

Adam stares at the French soldier with an evil smile on his face. The soldier stares back at Adam, holding his gun tightly. The soldier stands ready to strike Adam, his legs positioned firmly in the mud. Adam lunges at the man, the spade at the end of his gun pointed to the man’s heart.

“Die!” Adam screams as his gun moves through the soldier as if he were a ghost. Adam falls through the man, and lands face first on the muddy ground. The soldier takes his chance, and thrusts his rifle through Adam’s back. Adam yells in pain as the rifle cuts through his body, the gory spade exiting his stomach. Adam’s blood pours onto the ground, forming deep pools in the puddles.

The soldier pulls back his rifle, and holds it by his chest, ready for another attack. Adam moans as he struggles to get up. He falls back to the ground, and suddenly blacks out. The French soldier stares at him motionlessly for a few moments, watching the blood soak Adam’s uniform. "Que Dieu ait pitié de vous." He says solemnly as he nods to Adam's body. He turns around, and walks to the latter in the trench. He walks up it, and climbs out of the trench, his head held low in sorrow.

Just as the soldier climbs the latter and gets back onto the ground, Adam wakes up in a violent stir. He turns over, and watches his wound heal quickly before his eyes.

“That…hurt.” He says angrily. Adam looks around the trench for the soldier. To his disappointment, he finds no signs of the man. “Dammit!” He yells as punches the soft wet ground. Adam gets to his feet, and grabs his rifle. He climbs the latter out of the trench hastily, his feet barely touching the steps. When he gets to the level ground, he scans the battlefield. To his surprise, he sees no movement. All he sees is the dark gray smoke coming off of the still hot explosions in the ground. Adam sighs, and turns around. He faces the nearby town, the French Army nowhere in sight. He swings the rifle onto his back, and begins making his way toward the town.

”Guy like him, he could’ve gone anywhere. He could be beneath my feet right now.” Adam pulls a cigarette from his pocket, holding it loosely between two of his fingers. As he walks toward the town, he sees a small fire burning in a hole. Adam gets closer, and sees the burning corps of a French soldier. He snickers to himself, and leans down to the body. He puts the end of the cigarette into the flame. He pulls it back, and places it in his mouth. He inhales the smoke, and exhales it through his nose smoothly. He smiles, and continues his journey to the town.


“First time in over a hundred years I found something interesting, and now he’s gone.”

 

[Eddie Brock]

It is time to return to my crusade against the Company. It has been nice to visit my home again, but so many bad memories linger here. I have a job to do. I only hope that Noah has made some headway since I took my leave of absence.

When it comes time to board the plane, I flash the woman my ticket. She glances at it before smiling and stating, "Enjoy your flight, Mr. ---"

"Please," I interrupt her, "Call me Samuel."

And then I make my way onto the plane - heading back to Costa Verde.
​

 

[Lord Doom]

Alan Caine:
Soho, New York

Alan sat at his computer clicking through his dad's confidential files. He was determined to find more "super-people" and nothing would prevent him, not even the FBI.

"Alan, you okay, man?"

Alan turned to see his best friend, Steven Jackson, enter his room.

"Hello, Steven."

"Whatcha doin?"

"Look what I found. An old Japanese legend about a man who single-handedly saved Japan."

Steven glanced at the screen and saw Japanese portaits depicting a masked samurai fighting off an army with a black-hilted katana.

"That's just a story, dude. Nothing like that could ever REALLY happen."

"That's what we said about super-powers..."

Steven couldn't argue with that logic.

"So... You think this guy," he looked harder at the screen to find the name of the samurai, "Tak-ezo-ken-say? You think he had super-powers?"

"No doubt. Take a look at the symbol on the hilt of his sword."

Steven glimpsed a strange helix symbol.

"Yeah, so?"

"Check THIS out."

Alan brought up a screen with several pictures of people with the same helix symbol drawn across their faces.

"What's THAT?"

"Evidence found at the scene of a series of murders. Each picture bears the sign of Takezo Kensei."

 

[Venom160]

Two days later.....

Alison Crestmere was having the worst day of her life, her boyfriend dumped her, her brother was in a serious car crash, and somebody slashed her tires a couple of days ago. Unfortunatly for Alison, her day is gonna get alot worse.....

"No mom im ok, how Chris? Uh huh. No iv been meaning to visit him in the hospital, I might do that today...

Alison trails off as she hears a knock on the door.

"Someones at the door mom I'll call you back. I love you to."

She hangs up the phone and heads to the door. She unlocks the door leaves the chain on. She cracks open the door and looks at the man standing there.

"Can...can I help you?"

Sylar smiles down at the Woman.

"Hi im sorry to bother you but my car broke down outside and I was wondering if I could use your phone? Iv been knocking up and down this floor and you were the only one to answer."

Alison was reluctant.

"I don't know....."

"I promise it'll only be a minute."

Shes silent for another moment and than smiles.

"Ok come on in."

She undoes the chain and opens the door.

"Im Alison."

"Im Gabriel."

"Nice to meet you, the phone is over there."

Sylar nodes his head and walks over to the phone.

"This is a lovely place, ya know my mother used to live in this apartment."

"Oh really? It must've been a long time ago cause the previous tenet was murdered five months ago and......."

She trails off as she recognises Gabriel's face from the newspaper her landlord showed her. She turns and sees that Gabriel's face has twisted into an evil grin.

"Oh my god!"

She takes one step towards the door before being frozen solid. Sylar lowers his hand and stares at the frozen figure.

"God has nothing to do with this."

Sylar concentrates as the frozen figure levitates into the air and than flies towards the nearest wall, shattering on impact. Sylar looks around and takes in a deep breath.

"Home sweet home....."

As Sylar sits down on the couch and turns on the tv he could've sworn he heard a clock ticking.

I spend the next couple of days refamiliarizing myself with my abilites sharpening them back to where they once was. The radioactive ability being the most tempermental.....

Sylar sits out on the balcony of the recently deceased Alison Crestmere's apartment. His eyes are closed and his hand are balled into fists. Suddenly his hands starts to glow and eerie red as if they're burning right beneath the skin. He opens one palm and bright ball of energy appears and than goes out. He proceeds to do the same with the other fist. This goes on for several minutes until finally Sylar is happy with his control.

Finally with this ability under my control Im ready to continue with the hunt. But my map of potencial victims have become horribly outdated, which could only mean one thing.....

Sylar opens the front door and takes one final look at the apartment that once belonged to his mother and than leaves.

.......time to pay Dr. Suresh another visit.

 

[Saved]

Treacherous Ally Part 2

New York​

Bob Bishop sits at his desk in his room. He holds a pencil in his hand as he stares at a folder on his desk. He taps the pencil impatiently on the desk as he sighs. Suddenly, a knock comes at the door, and Bob looks up.

&#8220;Come in.&#8221; He says getting to his feet.

&#8220;You wanted to see me?&#8221;

&#8220;Yes, David.&#8221; Bob points to the chair at the end of the room, and motions to it. &#8220;Have a seat.&#8221;

&#8220;So,&#8221; He starts as he carefully sits in the chair. &#8220;What&#8217;s so important?&#8221;

&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t say so much as important as I would imperative.&#8221;

&#8220;Well, don&#8217;t keep me in suspense, Bob. Tell me.&#8221; Bob walks to his desk, and picks up the folder.

&#8220;Do you remember Isaac Mendez?&#8221; Bob asks as he taps the folder on his hand.

&#8220;The painter, right? Drew the future.&#8221;

&#8220;Yes.&#8221; Bob says with a halfhearted smile. &#8220;He could only paint the future when he was&#8230;under the influence. Remember when our old associate, Eden, brought him in? She helped him to use his powers soberly.&#8221;

&#8221;Yes, I vaguely remember that. What&#8217;s your point?&#8221; Bob laughs under his breath, walking over to David slowly.

&#8221;My point, Mr. Light, is that while Isaac was here, he made many drawings that came true. After his death, we confiscated all of his documents and drawings from his apartment. We&#8217;ve been analyzing them for months. Almost a year now.&#8221;

&#8220;And you found something important, didn&#8217;t you?&#8221; David says in a wry tone. Bob smiles, and hands the folder to him.

&#8220;Yes.&#8221;

David takes the folder from Bob&#8217;s hands, and pulls out the piece of paper carefully concealed inside. He looks at the unfinished sketch. The picture portrays a woman in a mask attacking a girl dressed in a cheerleader&#8217;s outfit. David looks up from the picture, and stares at Bob.

&#8220;This&#8230;who I think it is?&#8221; He asks. &#8220;This Bennet&#8217;s kid?&#8221;

&#8220;Yes.&#8221; Bob says with a smirk. &#8220;Claire Bennet. Can you guess the other individual?&#8221;

&#8220;No.&#8221; David says as he stares back at the picture. &#8220;Can&#8217;t say that I can.&#8221;

&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t think you&#8217;d know her.&#8221; Bob says with a small laugh. &#8220;That&#8217;s Shanti.&#8221;

&#8220;What?&#8221; David exclaims. &#8220;Your hired mercenary is about to kill one of our employee&#8217;s daughters?&#8221;

&#8220;That is certainly what it looks like.&#8221;

&#8221;Should we tell Bennet?&#8221;

&#8221;Of course not.&#8221; Bob says commandingly. &#8220;We&#8217;re not going to tell him anything. He, along with ninety-eight percent of this organization, knows nothing about Shanti. We&#8217;re simply going to keep this from happening.&#8221;

&#8220;But, this is just a sketch.&#8221; He says in a frustrated tone. &#8220;It has no background! How are you going to stop this, if you don&#8217;t know where it will happen?&#8221;

&#8220;Simple.&#8221; Bob says calmly, a smile coming across his face. &#8220;We monitor both of them very closely.&#8221; David stays silent for a moment as he thinks to himself.

&#8220;Wait. How does Shanti even know about Claire, let alone her power?&#8221;

&#8220;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221; Bob says with a sigh. &#8220;I think she hiding something from us.&#8221;

&#8220;So why did you show me this now? Haven&#8217;t you had this picture for months?&#8221;

&#8220;Yes. I had it when I hired Shanti.&#8221;

&#8220;Then why did you hire her if you knew she&#8217;d try to kill Claire?&#8221;

&#8220;Because, Mr. Light.&#8221; Bob says odiously. &#8220;Everything is in my hands, and mine alone.&#8221; David sighs, and looks back at the picture.

&#8220;So, why did you decide to tell me now?&#8221;

&#8220;I was going to keep it as my little secret. But recent events have proven that this foreshadowed event could happen sooner than I thought.&#8221;

&#8220;What recent events?&#8221;

&#8221;Shanti apparently was injured when she killed Claude. She barged in here demanding she have a vile of Ms. Bennet&#8217;s blood.&#8221;

&#8220;Whoa. Wait a second. Only a few people here know we had samples of Claire&#8217;s blood. How did she find out?&#8221; Bob walks back to his desk quietly. He slowly leans into his chair, letting out a long sigh.

&#8220;Like I said, Mr. Light, there are many things unknown about Shanti.&#8221; Bob leans back in his chair, and sits quietly. David goes back to staring at the picture, paying meticulous attention to its details.

&#8220;So&#8230;what do you think causes this event to happen?&#8221;

&#8221;Could be one of a few possibilities. Shanti could betray us, and go after Ms. Bennet, hoping to get all the viles of blood she needs. Another possibility, maybe Ms. Bennet&#8217;s father betrays us, and I send Shanti after Claire and her father. Or, it could simply be a random incident. Right now, all we have are guesses.&#8221;

&#8220;Where is Shanti now?&#8221;

&#8221;She&#8217;s getting the blood sample to heal herself.&#8221;

&#8220;So, what do we do about the cheerleader?&#8221;

&#8220;Right now, we just keep her under a watchful eye. The most important thing is that she can&#8217;t finds out she&#8217;s being watched.&#8221; Bob sighs, and leans forward. &#8220;As for Shanti, I have a&#8230;special idea, in mind.&#8221;

&#8220;What kind of idea?&#8221; David asks curiously. Bob laughs, and folds his hands.

&#8220;How do you reveal the truth?&#8221;

&#8220;Um&#8230;I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;

&#8221;By bringing things into the light.&#8221; Bob smiles, and leans back in his chair proudly. &#8220;Wake Maury. We have use for his abilities.&#8221;

 

[Saved]

"Sorry, Mohinder, but diplomacy is a luxury that I don't have time for," I announce defiantly. Using Sylar's telekinesis, I force Mohinder's arm to raise into the air - pointing the gun safely away from me. I regret being so forceful, but I don't think Mohinder understands the gravity of the situation. "Take it easy for a minute," I suggest as I force him to sit down, gun still aimed wildly at the ceiling.

I turn to the Mexican. Her power...it's overwhelming. I can't afford another outburst like that. "That was very rude of you to interject like that," I reprimand her. I hate myself for how much I sound like Sylar right now, but I'm in too deep to stop. "Why don't you get lost for a couple of minutes? And don't even think about using that lethal ability of yours...or I can't guarantee Mohinder's safety."

The look she gave me chilled to the bone. I can just imagine that Sylar has received similar glares in his lifetime. Nonetheless, Eden's power is almost fool-proof as the Mexican leaves the room.

"Hello, Molly, I'm Peter Petrelli," I introduce myself to the young girl. My tone is noticeably less harsh and much more like the Peter I know. "I need to talk to my niece, but I don't know where she is. I heard from Matt Parkman that you're very good at finding people."

"So, Claire's your niece?" Elle asks in an irritated and saddened tone. "Too bad, Peter. We really could have had something." She smiles at him, and gives him a wink. Elle turns around, and walks toward Mohinder. As she passes him, she suddenly stops, and whispers quietly in his ear.

"If anything happens, I'm in the next room." Mohinder nods, and Elle exits the room through the white paned doors. Elle walks into the kitchen, and picks up her phone from the table. She carefully looks into the room with Peter and Molly, watching for anything unusual. Her fingers begin pressing the numbers on the phone, as she dials a number. The line begins to ring, and Elle impatiently waits for a reply.

"Hello?" The man on the other line answers with a smooth voice.

"Hi, Daddy." Elle says flatly. "We need to talk."

 

[Apprentice]

"Sorry, Mohinder, but diplomacy is a luxury that I don't have time for," I announce defiantly. Using Sylar's telekinesis, I force Mohinder's arm to raise into the air - pointing the gun safely away from me. I regret being so forceful, but I don't think Mohinder understands the gravity of the situation. "Take it easy for a minute," I suggest as I force him to sit down, gun still aimed wildly at the ceiling.
I turn to the Mexican. Her power...it's overwhelming. I can't afford another outburst like that. "That was very rude of you to interject like that," I reprimand her. I hate myself for how much I sound like Sylar right now, but I'm in too deep to stop. "Why don't you get lost for a couple of minutes? And don't even think about using that lethal ability of yours...or I can't guarantee Mohinder's safety."

The look she gave me chilled to the bone. I can just imagine that Sylar has received similar glares in his lifetime. Nonetheless, Eden's power is almost fool-proof as the Mexican leaves the room.

"Hello, Molly, I'm Peter Petrelli," I introduce myself to the young girl. My tone is noticeably less harsh and much more like the Peter I know. "I need to talk to my niece, but I don't know where she is. I heard from Matt Parkman that you're very good at finding people."

"So, Claire's your niece?" Elle asks in an irritated and saddened tone. "Too bad, Peter. We really could have had something." She smiles at him, and gives him a wink. Elle turns around, and walks toward Mohinder. As she passes him, she suddenly stops, and whispers quietly in his ear.
"If anything happens, I'm in the next room." Mohinder nods, and Elle exits the room through the white paned doors.

It is truly terrifying to witness the extent of this man's power...but it is even more so to realise that the only other person that has what it takes to stop him is Sylar. I ponder upon that for a moment; is it truly necessary for such evil to exist, if only to keep the good in check? I push the thought aside, not wanting to dwell on it any further. Now that Maya has gone, we're helpless against Peter. No matter what I say or do, he'll trump me every single time. He probably has powers within him that I've never even heard of or thought about; I can't fight what I don't know. And, in this case, I can't fight what I do know. I watch as Elle leaves and Peter crouches beside Molly. His tone is no longer dark or foreboding...it sounds like the Peter Petrelli that I used to know, the inherently good person that was prepared to do anything to save the world.

"Mohinder? Should I?" Molly asks softly, her hands clutched firmly together. "Should I find someone for him?"

I nod slowly, reluctantly. "Yes, Molly. Help him."

 

[Eddie Brock]

​

It is truly terrifying to witness the extent of this man's power...but it is even more so to realise that the only other person that has what it takes to stop him is Sylar. I ponder upon that for a moment; is it truly necessary for such evil to exist, if only to keep the good in check? I push the thought aside, not wanting to dwell on it any further. Now that Maya has gone, we're helpless against Peter. No matter what I say or do, he'll trump me every single time. He probably has powers within him that I've never even heard of or thought about; I can't fight what I don't know. And, in this case, I can't fight what I do know. I watch as Elle leaves and Peter crouches beside Molly. His tone is no longer dark or foreboding...it sounds like the Peter Petrelli that I used to know, the inherently good person that was prepared to do anything to save the world.

"Mohinder? Should I?" Molly asks softly, her hands clutched firmly together. "Should I find someone for him?"

I nod slowly, reluctantly. "Yes, Molly. Help him."

Once Mohinder gives in, I release my telekinetic grips over him. I'm hoping that he won't try anything - especially not with Molly so near. Nevertheless, to be safe, I keep one hand stealthily trained on Mohinder, ready to use my telekinesis at any moment...should the worst happen.

Turning my attention back to Molly, I state, "Here. I have a picture of Claire." I reach into my wallet and pull out the picture that I have of Claire. Man, it's been so long since I've seen her face. I just wish I didn't have to visit her under these circumstances.

Molly takes the photo and closes her eyes. Even with them closed, I can see her eyes jumping around under her eyelids. Finally, she opens them again and says simply, "Costa Verde, California."

I nod silently as I stand up. "I'm sorry, Mohinder," I apologize sincerely. I know he probably hates me right now - as he well should. Even so, I feel like I need to try to calm the waters. "I promise, once I've solved Nathan's death, I'll return to help you stop Sylar. I haven't forgotten who I am, Mohinder. Honest."

Whether he accepts the apology or not, I feel better for extending it. Nathan's death has pushed me to an extreme limit. I only hope I can keep myself in check.

Channeling Hiro's power, I close my eyes and teleport away - headed for Costa Verde.