The Create-A-Hero RPG Season III IC Thread!

[NiteMare Shape]

"Hey man."

Before continuing to speak with Icon, I stop for a second to start to come up with a prayer to start the healing process on Acrobat's bullet wound. I recall briefly my first bullet wound...I got it the first time I became Archangel. I was so dumb and brash and...I almost got myself killed on the first evening. Heck, the first like 10 minutes of using my abilities. I wonder how long this kid has been at it.

"Well, I just got back actually...sorry for my absence. We haven't spoken since you broke up Matt and I's heated argument, huh? That's all water under the bridge though, man. I've gone through Heaven and Hell and back again...literally and figuratively and now my mind is just on finally stopping S.T.R.I.K.E. now that I'm back."

My hands ignite with white angel-fire flame, and for a second Acrobat is startled. Chrissy tries to comfort him, putting her arm on his shoulder and nudging him to walk forth to me. Bless her heart. She's such a great gal and I'm really looking forward to getting to know her as she shoots me a wink as Acrobat walks up to me.

"It won't burn, dude. The first time I healed myself...you know how it felt? Invigorating. There will be a slight tingle first...but angel-fire only burns the wicked. Heh, you'll be fine...unless you're really an evil agent of S.T.R.I.K.E. trying to infiltrate our operations. Heh."

He winces as my hands touch his wound, but then starts to realize how painless it feels. How good it feels. The healing process has begun. I turn my head back to Icon again as my powers continue to work their magic.

"Pinup looked pretty upset...what's the matter? Who can stand being upset with the Great Icon? You're our Superman, man."

Michael smiles as he speaks, and for a moment it's nice to be around his youthful enthusiasm. The truth is, I don't always know what the right thing to do is, and this is one of those times.

I don't believe that we should go out and openly confront S.T.R.I.K.E, if we were to do that we would be giving Anderson exactly what he wants..

But what if Pinup is right? What if it's the only way?

"Anderson announced S.T.R.I.K.E's new citizen outreach program this morning. Pinup wants to fight them out in the open. She seems to think that they're trying to build an army to go against us." I pause for a moment as Michael's surprise registers on his face.

"We don't agree on what the right thing really is. The only problem is, I'm not sure what we should do."

 

[Hound55]

The sound that awoke Isaac the second time was far less subtle; a hard rapping against his front door as opposed to the unintentional squeal of glass. He awoke from his slumber no less abruptly.

“S.T.R.I.K.E..?” He thought to himself again, but no. If S.T.R.I.K.E found him and were going to be so forthcoming that they’d knock on his front door, they’d likely do it with either a battering ram or a foot.

His thoughts stalled again as the knocking started once more. With a yawn and a scratch he got to his feet.

The knocking continued, more determined now.

[BLACKOUT]“Hang on!”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac called. [BLACKOUT]“Hang on! I’m coming! I was asleep!”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac stopped by the counter and reached over to put his hand on the grapple gun he had hidden there after the previous intrusion.

[BLACKOUT]“Who is it?!”[/BLACKOUT] He called, hand hovering over it waiting for a response.

“It’s the police!” came an authoritative voice from the other side of the door.

[BLACKOUT]“The police?”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac mouthed to himself, picking up the grapple gun.

[BLACKOUT]“Hang on, I’ve got to find the keys!”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac lied, raising the gun to the door and surveying the room.

[BLACKOUT]“S***! S***!”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac hissed to himself. Hustling into the laundry he stuffed the grapple gun into the washing machine and came back through the kitchen where he picked up the front door keys, jingling them loudly [BLACKOUT]“Got them! Found them, I’m coming!”[/BLACKOUT] Taking care to keep his left side and arm behind the door frame, Isaac opened the door.

The door opened before the two police officers, revealing a lean figure with several old bruises standing in the house in a pair of white boxers with blue pin-stripes.

[BLACKOUT]“What can I do for you, officers?”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac asked, cringing internally at the cliché.

“We received a report of assault by the resident at this address...” one of the officers spoke.

Isaac scoffed and struggled to keep himself from laughing at the audacity of the situation.

[BLACKOUT]“Well officers, it’s pretty lucky you’re here. Because I’d have an attempted house break and larceny that I’d like to report...”[/BLACKOUT]

The neck of the first officer tightened slightly.

“Is that so..?” He turned back to look at the car they turned up in, a regulation cruiser.

“He’s lying, Dad! He asked us in and then went nuts... He punched a hole in his window and then beat us up!”

“Pipe down in there!”

Isaac leaned to peer over the shoulders of the two officers whilst the first officer pulled a notepad seemingly out of a holster like he had done it a thousand times before.

“Alright... I’m going to need your full name, date of birth, and... I take it this is your address?”

[BLACKOUT]“Isaac Job Fontaine. No, I don’t live here, I’m house-sitting for a friend. We were both due for a holiday, so I’m staying at his house while he’s off living it up.”[/BLACKOUT]

“That’s an odd accent you’ve got there, whereabouts you from? Australia?”

[BLACKOUT]“Terraria.”[/BLACKOUT]

“Same difference...” the officer said, while he continued to write his details.

[BLACKOUT]“Yeah, I guess... That’s a nice Canadian accent you’ve got there too, by the way.”[/BLACKOUT]

The officer looked up. “Whaddaya mean ‘Canadian’?”

[BLACKOUT]“Oh, you’re American? Eh... same difference.”[/BLACKOUT]

The cop gave him a glare. “Yeah... probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done...” Isaac thought to himself.

“So, got any ID to confirm all of this?”

Isaac put his arms out palm up to further show that he was not exactly dressed and ready for guests.

“Ah, fair enough. In the house?”

[BLACKOUT]“Yeah, should be in there somewhere... Not really organised though, it’ll probably take me a while to find.”[/BLACKOUT]

“That’s ok. We can wait...” The two officers followed Isaac back into the house while he ‘searched’ for ID that didn’t exist on the premises.

“...And this guy over in Terraria at the moment, he can confirm all of this? That you’re staying in his house? What’s his name?” The officers helped themselves to Isaac’s sofa, where their eyes would remain glued on him.

[BLACKOUT]“He’s not in Terraria, that’s just where I’m from. He’s trekking across Europe. Last I heard he was in Greece, but don’t quote me on that. I’m not his mother, he doesn’t check in on me daily or anything.”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac stalled, trying to remember the name of the pseudonym he was leasing the house under.

“And his name?”

[BLACKOUT]“Jared Holmes. Oh, and I don’t think it’s his house either. Just rents it.”[/BLACKOUT]

“And he can corroborate all of this?”

[BLACKOUT]“Well, not that someone tried to break in. That only just happened. But he can back me up on why I’m here.”[/BLACKOUT]

“Alright, well we’re going to have to place you under arrest. You can give a statement back at the precinct. You have the right to...”

[BLACKOUT]“Yeah, nah I don’t think that’s happening.”[/BLACKOUT]

“What?!?”

[BLACKOUT]“See... All of this happened not too long ago. Neither of you good officers were here to witness any alleged offence and the way I see it, I doubt you’ve had time to attain an arrest warrant. So I have no intention of being put in lock-up, however temporary, because of your hoodlum son and his friend’s spurious accusations.”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac called out, whilst opening and closing kitchen drawers looking for his non-existent wallet.

“You do realise that it’s an offence in itself to hinder or resist arrest..?”

The officer sneered.

[BLACKOUT]“Oh, I’m well aware.”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac picked his phone up off of the kitchen counter-top. [BLACKOUT]“But I’m pretty sure that you wouldn’t want the heat of attempting to illegally apprehend me to go along with how it would look having a son who’s a petty crook.”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac pressed a button on his phone.

[BLACKOUT]“So, I’m assuming that your ‘placing me under arrest’ comment was just a joke on your part. ‘Scuse me.”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac brushed past the seated officers, pulled the curtain aside and started taking photos, first of the window itself and then of the window sill.

“What are you doing?”

[BLACKOUT]“Oh... I’m just taking photos of the perfectly round hole that I supposedly punched into my own window and the odd placement of those small shavings of glass which don’t seem to be consistent with someone punching out a window... and while I’m here I might take another snap of this drop of blood that I’m fairly certain would not be a match for my own...”[/BLACKOUT]

The two cops looked at each other.

[BLACKOUT]“Smile!”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac said, taking a photo of the cops.

[BLACKOUT]“Alright, this is what I see happening... You’re going to pay for the window. I think that’s fair, yeah? I’m not going to be going anywhere with the pair of you, your boys are going to drop these ridiculous charges and I’m going not going to bother with my own breaking with intent charges. You’re then going to explain to the kids that you know what happened, just how stupid what they did was and make sure they understand that if they tried this with someone who owned a firearm they’d be well within their rights to shoot them.”[/BLACKOUT]

“Really?”

[BLACKOUT]“Really. I’m well within my rights to, but honestly, I’d rather not spend God knows how long down the local precinct filing the necessary report. Doesn’t sound much fun to me.”[/BLACKOUT]

Two minutes later Isaac waved whilst the cruiser pulled out of his driveway and drove off down the street. He looked up and down the street, checked the mailbox; empty, as could be expected. The last of the evening’s sun rode low on the horizon.

[BLACKOUT]“Looks like sleep-time is over...”[/BLACKOUT]

 

[Nicodemus]

Noah Walker, the Awesome ACROBAT
Arc II: Never STRIKE Twice
Fix-it​

Archangel's hands ignite with white flame, and for a second I'm startled. Surely he isn't going to like...cauterize the wound, right?

Right?

Flux however, puts her arm on my shoulder and nudges me to walk towards the man with the freaky fire hands. I walk up, still a little nervous, but slightly reassured by her relaxed attitude.

"It won't burn, dude. Archangel reassures me. "The first time I healed myself...you know how it felt? Invigorating. There will be a slight tingle first...but angel-fire only burns the wicked. Heh, you'll be fine...unless you're really an evil agent of S.T.R.I.K.E. trying to infiltrate our operations. Heh."

So...it's like a free "will I get into heaven" test? Handy. Though I'm not sure what exactly I would do if the angel-fire decided I was headed for eternal damnation. Probably start an orphanage or something.

I wince as Archangel's hands touch my wounds, but then I start to realize that it doesn't hurt. It's a burning, yeah, but it isn't burning me, it's burning away the pain and soreness and terror the injuries carried with them. I watch in open mouthed amazement as my body heals itself at an insane rate, the bullet holes closing themselves up almost instantaneously.

So. Cool.

Archangel removes his hands from my body, and I feel...whole again. Not just physically whole either, spiritually whole, like I'd just had some of my sins burned away along with my bullet wounds.

Like confession on steroids. Was there anything Archangel couldn't do?

"Awesome..." I mutter to myself, stepping back and examining my torso. Everything feels fine, but just to be sure I lower my gravity and leap straight up to the ceiling, a wild grin spreading across my face as I rebound off that and short towards the far wall.

Oh yeah baby. Acrobat's back.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

​

Rocketing over the city I head toward Somerset Park, where apparently some meta is causing a disturbance. He has already taken out the local authorities who had tried to contain the situation, as well as a S.T.R.I.K.E unit that went in to lend a hand.

As I make my way to the park, I see the overturned police cruisers and upended S.T.R.I.K.E vehicles and I know that I'm in the right place.

"And there's our boy." I say as I may my eyes on the meta responsible for the attack.

I'm not sure exactly what to make of him. I'd call him more humanoid than anything. He's got to be close to seven feet tall and about four hundred pounds, with a blue-ish hue to his skin and shaggy black hair.

He carries himself almost like a wild animal. A look of fear and bewilderment on his face as I touch down in front of him, cutting him off from a group of civilians as they further into the park trying to get as much distance between them and us as they can.

I put my hand up and begin to speak in a calm tone, almost like someone would to a frightened child.

"It's okay big fella, nobody's going to hurt you. Now, just relax..." I never finish my sentence. The brute curls his frying pan sized hand into a fist, rears back and hits me with a right cross that sends me flying backwards.

I feel my body crack and pop as it crashes through a large maple tree. I lay stunned for a moment as the giant moves in on me, snarling...his fists clenched.

It's moments like this when I regret ever getting out of bed.​

The huge meta is on me before my head clears, clutching me in his grip as he lifts me off the ground. He looks at me for a moment, seeming almost puzzled and yet intrigued as he gazes on my armor. Then his demeanor changes, he snarls again, his face twisting into a mask of fury. He reaches back with his massive fist, but before he is able to hit me again, it fire a pair of plasma rockets into his chest.

The big guy drops me and staggers backwards. He looks down at the burns on his chest and roars as he charges me. I manage to get my shield up an instant before he connects with a wild roundhouse right that would have taken just about anyone's head clean off. Fortunately, the shield absorbs most of the impact, but I'm still sent crashing to the ground.

As I hit the ground, I roll through and bring myself back up on my feet in one swift motion, and I'm astounded by how agile I am in this armor. You'd think that this suit would be heavy and cumbersome, but in actuality it is just the opposite.

Big Boy charges again, but I sidestep his punch and hit him with a few of my own, which knock him back. Then I hit him with a couple more plasma rockets, which somehow only seems to manage to piss him off even more.

He takes a few steps away from me, then arches his back and leans forward, and as he does this he unleashes a horrendous shriek. The soundwaves hit me, and the electronics in my suit go haywire. The suit freezes up and I'm not able to move. What's worse, the soundwave seems to have disabled the suit's life support systems...It's shut down my oxygen intake.

I only have a few minutes of air in the suit, and if the backup systems don't kick in soon, I'm done for.

***

Three Blocks away:

"Step on it Jimenez, Piston's got his hands full in Somerset Park. Let's get there and give him some backup." Marcus Ryder says to the agent driving the Vanguard troop transport.

""Yes Sir, we'll be there soon."

"Good. Let's show these metas how we deal with their kind."
​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

After yet another discussion about what exactly needs to be done about Anderson's latest ploy, with no clear cut resolution in sight, I find myself walking toward the front entrance of the Guardian Headquarters. Frustrated with the team's inability to come together and form a decisive plan, I take to the skies over Lost Haven.

I find that sometimes, soaring above the city gives me the pause that I need in order to really think things through. I fly for what seems like an eternity, well beyond the boarders of Lost Haven trying to figure out exactly what needs to be done.

Eventually I find myself circling back toward the city, no closer to the answer that eludes me. I find myself flying directly over my apartment, which I haven't been to since Pinup's accident at The Hub, and the fight with Keira that followed. Finally feeling the effects of several days without sleep, I touch down on top of the roof. I grab a quick change of clothes from the bag that I keep stashed in the corner by the overhang of the roof access door, do a quick change and head downstairs.

Maybe, just maybe I can get everything figured out after some much needed rest.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Dylan arrives back at the Towers after making a delivery to S.T.R.I.K.E HQ. He walks into his office and sees Katy standing near the large windows overlooking the city.

Dylan approaches her and she looks as though she has been weeping.

Dylan asks, "What's wrong?"

Katy replies, "I've been a fool for so long."

Dylan asks, "About?"

Katy says, "You. How could I have been so blind to what you really are Dylan. You're a criminal with metahuman abilities!"

Dylan replies, "Oh come now Katy do you really believe that? Me if so what powers do I have?"

Katy walks over to the desk and holds up a folder. She says, "You're not the only one with connections. I've had some suspicions for some time. Things always breaking just right for you over and over, the ability you have over others who would love to see you dead suddenly after one face to face meeting treat you like a king among other signs that I was too blind to see, but I can't ignore them anymore. Your mind manipulation and telepathic abilities are unique gifts that you use for your gain! Instead of helping others you help yourself. "

Katy is struggling to maintain her composure as she says, "Dylan you could use your gifts in so many other ways but you're a selfish bastard! You're out for yourself and to help those that can help you achieve more power! Your foundation is nothing more than a front for a money laundering operation you have! How could you be so cruel in times like this?"

Dylan says, "Yes I do have metahuman powers, but answer me this. If you had my powers what would you do? I choose to use them to survive in this world. It's kill or be killed you know that Katy! "

Katy says dropping the folder, "I don't know how I'd use them, but I like to believe that I wouldn't abuse them the way that you are."

Katy closes her eyes and asks, "Have you ever used your powers on me?"

She opens her eyes looking at Dylan who replies looking her in the eye, "I've never used them on you Katy. You are the only person whom I've never used them on. That's because You are the one person in the world that I love. I love you Katy."

Katy says, "I believe you. Don't ask me how after all I've learned about you but I believe you're telling me the truth. My turn for a true confession. "

She takes a deep breath and says, "The truth is Dylan that I love you too Dylan. I've always been in love with you, but I can't be with you right now. You're a sociopath with psychotic tendencies, and I have certain principals in my life that I try to live by and you break them all everyday as easily as breathing with no remorse or regrets."

Dylan presses a button on the desk and the office doors slam shut and lock.

Katy looks at the closed doors and back at Dylan. Katy is visibly frightened and Dylan bows his head.

He says, "I could force you to stay, and you wouldn't even remember resisting me."

Dylan raises his head and for the first time ever he sheds a tear as he says, "But then it wouldn't be real would it? It wouldn't be the real you staying with me. It would be almost like you were a zombie. I swore that you were the one person I would never use my powers on, and I intend to keep that vow."

Dylan pushes the button on the desk and the doors open

Katy takes a step back and looks at the open doors.

She looks back at Dylan as he says, "I love you Katy Gallado. More than any human being I've ever known and I'm letting you go."

Katy says, "Dylan I hope someday you're able to change your current direction in life and to recognize your true potential as a member of the human race, because I love you too Dylan. I love you very much but the way you are now I....I...."

Dylan nods and says, "I know Katy I know."

Katy walks to the open doors and Dylan is still locked in on her. She turns to Dylan and says, "Goodbye Dylan."

Dylan replies in a barely audible tone, "Goodbye"

Katy leaves his office for the last time.

Dylan sits at his desk with his chin resting on his closed fists for hours going over and over the last statement Katy said to him.

She thinks I can change. She really believes that. Poor idealistic Katy. She has no idea what she has asked me to do. I know I can never be the man she wants me to be. I am without a conscience and now without the one I love it's torture. It's pure agony and I have no one to blame but myself..

Dylan makes a DVD detailing all of his blackmail schemes and the people who helped him, corruption ties, his mind manipulation abilities and how he used them to win the courtroom, and his hatred for the Heroes of the city, and where they can find any evidence against him, but he makes no mention of his time with S.T.R.I.K.E.

The last thing he says on the video is, "Katy I'm sorry I hurt and disappointed you, but you and I both know I can never change. I'm sorry. I hope though my confession on this video will give me some kind of redemption in your eyes."

He uploads the video to Youtube and various news gathering sources. Once the video is aired with in a matter of moments the Lost Haven Police Department and S.W.A.T unit are gathered outside the Towers.

Dylan sees them and says, "I think I'm in a bit of a legal mess. I think I need a lawyer."

He chuckles and says, "Perry Mason on his best day could never get me out of this one."

Dylan walks over to his desk and pulls out a loaded 45.

He says, "It's the only way."

With that Dylan puts the under his chin and closes his eyes.

The police and S.W.A.T units arrive to find Dylan Chambers laying on the floor and a formerly clean white stucco wall looking like an expressionistic painting.

The next day every major newspaper and news channel are doing profiles on the rise and fall of Dylan Chambers as their lead stories. The second story is about all the people Dylan implicated as being a part of his schemes over the years being indicted.

Epilogue:10 years later

Katy faded out of the public eye. Many news organizations tried to get an interview with her, but she wanted her privacy. 3 years after Dylan's suicide she finally re-emerged. She wrote a book detailing her time with Dylan which became a best-seller. 2 years after the book came out she changed her name and appearance. Jenny Hatcher is now married, living in a small town in Colorado as a 2nd Grade teacher, and has a 4 year old son named...Dylan.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Anderson sits behind his desk going over the files of a number of the volunteers for the citizen outreach program. There are several interesting candidates for a number of different projects that S.T.R.I.K.E has in the works, however he has yet to find a candidate suitable for Project Endgame, and he is beginning to feel the stress of the situation.

The project is behind schedule, and without a suitable candidate, the project cannot move forward.

Suddenly, the door to his office bursts open with such a force that he's startled, jumping up from his seat. He scowls at the source of the intrusion, expecting to find an angry meta human who's forced his way past security, possibly even one of the Guardians.

"Yes, what is it Elizabeth." He says, and immediately sees the surprise in her face by his use of her first name.

"Director, have you seen the news?"

"No. I've been busy going over these citizen outreach files. What is it?" he asks, concern creeping into his voice.

"It's Chambers, sir...why don't you see for yourself?" She says as she switches on the large flatscreen television mounted to the far side of the office wall.

"...single shot. Lost Haven police, as well as several S.W.A.T units were en route to the building when the shot was fired. Again, Dylan Chambers confessed to a multitude of criminal acts, ranging from fraud and grand larceny to murder. He also admitted to having the ability to contro---" The news anchor is cut off as Anderson turns off the TV.

He sits there for a moment processing the information. Chambers was becoming an asset to the organization, having recently procured the rights to several new weapons technologies. Although he did do good work, he was not exactly irreplaceable.

However, with his mental breakdown and subsequent "development of of a conscience" has created some possible problems for S.T.R.I.K.E should the true nature of his dealings with the organization be discovered.

While releasing a written statement expressing his shock and repulsion over Chambers' actions could be a good tool for damage control, he decides to say nothing at all unless it is absolutely necessary. Perhaps it is more prudent to remain silent on the subject until something else inevitably happens to push the "Rise and Fall of Dylan Chambers" from the headlines.

And something else always comes along.

However, it is best to be careful.

"Ms Powers, do be sure to destroy any documents that could lead anyone to the true nature of the relationship between S.T.R.I.K.E and Chambers."


"Of course, Director." She says as she turns her back to him, taking her leave of the Director.

 

[wiegeabo]

The van pulls up to another house on the other side of town

"Are you serious?"

"Completely."

"That's the most convoluted, complicated, impossible-"

"Which is why no one could put it all together."

"Except you."

"That's right. Bobby Hawkes. No one gets anything by me."

Hawkes knocks on the door. We wait for a few seconds before it opens.

"Agent Mirole?!"

"Oh! Agent...Hawkes." The surprise in her voice matches that in Hawkes'. Of course, Hawkes wasn't really surprised.

"What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Agent Timony and I are friends, and I just...wait, why are you here?"

"I wanted to talk to Agent Timony. Had some questions for him?"

"Questions?"

While they talk, I slip right past Mirole and inside the house. I wonder what Hawkes looked like, talking to 'empty air' as we walked up here. I head straight for the bedroom, keeping an ear on the conversation.

"Since I've got you here, do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"Um, no. Of course not." She adjusts her hair. Liar.

Hawkes pulls a picture from his jacket. "Have you seen this woman before?"

She looks at the picture of The Doctor that Hawkes pulled off her desk. "Um, No. No. Who is she?"

"We're not exactly sure. But she's been seen with Agent Timony."

"She has?" A slight stutter. Hawkes was right. I shake my head at the idea and pull a shirt out of the closet. I take the Doc's lipstick out of my pocket. Quick swipe on the collar, and it's back in the closet.

"She has. In fact, she's been spending a lot of time with him. We'd like to question her."

"A lot of time?" Shaking voice. Hook, line, -quick spray of perfume on a jacket- and sinker.

***

Hawkes gets in the van. I shake off the quicksilver and look over to him as he starts the engine.

"We wait?"

"We wait, partner. We wait..."

Hawkes and I wait down the street in the van, watching the house. Mirole's car never moves, and we don't see her leave. Which means it's just a matter of time before it all comes together.

A matter of time is about an hour, in this case. That's when a car pulls into the driveway.

"That's our guy."

"That's my cue." I go see-through.

"I'll be right behind you."

***

The key slips into the lock, but the door suddenly opens, pulling the key chain from Timony's hand.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Don't 'Hey" me. Who is she?"

"Who's who?" he asks.

"Oh, don't play with me! After what we did together, how could you?" She throws his shirt and jacket she'd been holding behind her at him.

"That!"

He pulls the shirt off his face. "What are you-?" That's when he smells the perfume, and finally notices the smudge on the collar. "That's just your lipstick."

"No. I'd never wear that shade. After all we've done, how could you?! Another woman? Were you just going to cut me out?"

As they argue, I stealthily slip the Doctor's photo into his back pants pocket.

"Keep your voice down! And I'm not seeing anyone else!" He pushes her inside the house. I slip in behind him. He walks past her, and that's when she sees it.

She pulls the picture out. "OH REALLY?! Not seeing her?"

I smirk at the look on Timony's face. "I-I-I've never seen her before in my life. Someone is setting me up."

"Oh, sure. We kidnap that general together. We were going to get more money than we'd ever be able to spend. But you were just using me." She pulls back and lays a slap on his face that makes me cringe.

Nice left.

"Would you shut up!" He tries closing the door, but Hawkes blocks it with his hand.

"Agent Timony. Agent Mirole. Got a minute...?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I walk into my apartment and am taken aback by just how empty it is. Keira had left days ago, probably just after our fight about Pinup. I walk over to the phone, "No messages." Probably just as well, I don't know what I'd say to her.

She was so shaken up after Pinup's mishap at The Hub, and she didn't take it well at all when she found out that the Guardians had her stashed away at the headquarters. She saw that as a betrayal.

Hypocritical.

But she just doesn't understand.

I pick up the phone and begin dialing her number, but before I can finish, I hang up the phone. I really don't know what to say. And even if I did, right now isn't the time to try to fix my love life...

Not when the whole world is going to Hell around me.

The Guardians are coming apart at the seams.

Anderson is pushing us closer and closer to a war between humans and metas, and honestly, I don't know if there's anything I can do to stop it. Frustration sets in as I move away from the counter where the phone sits, frustration at my inability to get anything done sets in as I move into the living room.

As I walk past the small alcove where I keep certain keepsakes and mementos, my gaze is drawn to a photograph. The picture, takes a few months before the invasion is of myself, Lisa and Jenny. We're at Oceanview Park, where Lisa and I occasionally liked to go to walk the trails and just spend some time alone. I remember this day like it was yesterday. We had gone for a picknick, and Jenny was actually supposed to bring a date, but he had come down with the flu. But still, she wouldn't let that ruin the day. She tagged along anyhow, and we had a great time.

We were so happy then. We had our whole future ahead of us.

It seems like an eternity ago.

The day that photo was taken, none of us knew just how little time we had left. Just a few months later, Lisa was killed during the invasion, and then Jenny was murdered a few months after that.

After I lost them, I didn't know what I was doing then either. I felt like I had to go it alone. I gave up. I gave up being Icon, I moved away and lived alone. I did my best to alienate the people around me, because I felt like that was the only way for me...I needed to do it all on my own.

But then I met someone who showed me just how stupid I was being. She showed me that the people close to me were my greatest strength...she showed me that I needed them.

As I look down at the photograph, for the first time in a long time, I know just what I need to do.

 

[trustyside-kick]

"Anderson announced S.T.R.I.K.E's new citizen outreach program this morning. Pinup wants to fight them out in the open. She seems to think that they're trying to build an army to go against us." I pause for a moment as Michael's surprise registers on his face.

"We don't agree on what the right thing really is. The only problem is, I'm not sure what we should do."

For a moment I can tell that Icon could really use a reply from me. Something to chime in with as to what we should do, but...this is a really nasty situation. Honestly, I figured that once I got back from rescuing St. Michael the archangel that things would be easier. I'd have his full blessings and the world would be saved--lo and behold turns out I put the world at risk in the first place--and this thing with S.T.R.I.K.E. would look like playtime in comparison to what I had to deal with with the Prophets of the Unknown.

But then life decides to throw you a curve ball. And a kick in the gonads while it is at it.

At the end of the day, what I found out helped me save myself and the world and defeating Bath Kol was having Faith in myself. And that even if I didn't have the Shield of Faith handy said Faith would have empowered me regardless and the outcome would've been the same just the means would differ. So...Faith was my tool...Faith in myself.

How is it going to help with this situation? I cannot do this by myself no matter how much Faith I've got in myself and how powerful that makes me. How do I save the world this time?

Archangel removes his hands from my body, and I feel...whole again. Not just physically whole either, spiritually whole, like I'd just had some of my sins burned away along with my bullet wounds.

Like confession on steroids. Was there anything Archangel couldn't do?

"Awesome..." I mutter to myself, stepping back and examining my torso. Everything feels fine, but just to be sure I lower my gravity and leap straight up to the ceiling, a wild grin spreading across my face as I rebound off that and short towards the far wall.

Oh yeah baby. Acrobat's back.

So I don't reply to Icon.

I've got nothing to say. I don't know what to say. Acrobat is all patched up thanks to my powers, and he sure looks happy, so I just pat the kid on the shoulder and look back at Icon for a moment. I cannot hide it in my eyes that I'm as clueless as he is so I lightly shrug and that is that.

After yet another discussion about what exactly needs to be done about Anderson's latest ploy, with no clear cut resolution in sight, I find myself walking toward the front entrance of the Guardian Headquarters. Frustrated with the team's inability to come together and form a decisive plan, I take to the skies over Lost Haven.

Icon's our leader, so as he leaves I'm sure he is just trying to clear his head, doing whatever it is that helps him do so. So I don't grow concern as he flies off. Although I do get confused when I see Kensei and Matt walking towards the exit past us.

"Kensei? Matt? Where you guys running off to--"

"S.T.R.I.K.E.'s outreach program is bad news. I'm not going to sit around here, and wait to find out what is going on in Chicago, dude. You know where my heart lies with my gal. I'm gonna see what I can do, what my crew of lovable geeks can conjure up, and tend to the S.T.R.I.K.E. situation there."

Giving a nod to Matt, a quick second later he moves so fast he is already gone. Kensei approaches me, and he respectfully bows and I return the gesture with a bow myself.

"During my meditation, I had learned that someone summoned several amanojaku and are terrorizing the ethereal and spiritual plane. If they make it to where the spirit world and the real world connect, the citizens of Japan will be overrun by little demons swaying them to their dark desires and instigating them to do dark deeds. I must stop them. And then I shall find the sorcerer responsible for such actions. Surely you of all people, Michael, understand that my service to a higher power comes first."

"I do. Gonna miss you, Kensei. I'm sure Icon, Vigilante, Flux, and myself with these new...I guess you can call them temporary recruits? I'm sure we can figure something out."

Kensei draws out his magical sword, and the doors swing wide open as a gust of wind rushes through. It envelopes him, and he rides the wind back to his destination.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

​

The huge meta is on me before my head clears, clutching me in his grip as he lifts me off the ground. He looks at me for a moment, seeming almost puzzled and yet intrigued as he gazes on my armor. Then his demeanor changes, he snarls again, his face twisting into a mask of fury. He reaches back with his massive fist, but before he is able to hit me again, it fire a pair of plasma rockets into his chest.

The big guy drops me and staggers backwards. He looks down at the burns on his chest and roars as he charges me. I manage to get my shield up an instant before he connects with a wild roundhouse right that would have taken just about anyone's head clean off. Fortunately, the shield absorbs most of the impact, but I'm still sent crashing to the ground.

As I hit the ground, I roll through and bring myself back up on my feet in one swift motion, and I'm astounded by how agile I am in this armor. You'd think that this suit would be heavy and cumbersome, but in actuality it is just the opposite.

Big Boy charges again, but I sidestep his punch and hit him with a few of my own, which knock him back. Then I hit him with a couple more plasma rockets, which somehow only seems to manage to piss him off even more.

He takes a few steps away from me, then arches his back and leans forward, and as he does this he unleashes a horrendous shriek. The soundwaves hit me, and the electronics in my suit go haywire. The suit freezes up and I'm not able to move. What's worse, the soundwave seems to have disabled the suit's life support systems...It's shut down my oxygen intake.

I only have a few minutes of air in the suit, and if the backup systems don't kick in soon, I'm done for.

***

Three Blocks away:

"Step on it Jimenez, Piston's got his hands full in Somerset Park. Let's get there and give him some backup." Marcus Ryder says to the agent driving the Vanguard troop transport.

""Yes Sir, we'll be there soon."

"Good. Let's show these metas how we deal with their kind."
​

The big man picks me up like a tinker toy as I gasp at the little bit of air I have left in the suit. My lungs burn as the air supply begins to run out.

He hits me again, sending my flying through the air, crashing hard into the ground. The brute bounds toward me again. I know that I have to do something fast, or I'm a dead man. But my suit is fried. I can't breath, I can't move. I'm at the mercy of this giant.

My lungs burn, I'm getting light headed.

He picks me up by the neck, holding me about an inch from his face...snarling at me as drool runs down his twisted mouth.

I'm starting to black out.

Then he drops me.

I look up to see that his back is turned to me. Something has drawn his attention away from me. I can see several black SUV's followed by a troop transport vehicle.

S.T.R.I.K.E

Backup has arrived. Just then there is a clicking sound inside my helmet, and then there is a slight humming noise as my suit's backup power supply kicks in. I still can't move, but I'm relieved as fresh air is pumped into the suit, alleviating my burning lungs.

Even as my lungs are filled with oxygen, I'm only able to watch as a group of Vanguard Agents storm into the park, hitting the big brute with everything from blaster bolts to taser nets. Unfortunately, it only seems to piss the big guy off.

Then, my arm moves. I'm able to get up to one knee as I see Agent Ryder storm into the park. He shouts orders as he takes aim with him own weapon.

Still unable to do anything, I watch on in horror as the brute arches back, and unleashes another of his sonic shrieks.

As the soundwave hits the group of soldiers, I can see their electronic devices begin shorting out.

Then I look to Marcus Ryder. He stops dead in his tracks as the com system he wears in his ear begins to short out. I can actually see the blue electricity as it courses through his skull.

I'm able to get to my feet just as I see Ryder fall to his knees, sitting in that position with a blank look on his face, before he falls face first into the ground and lays motionless, even as I charge the brute responsible for all this destruction.

 

[MadRhapsody]

Jack Williams // Eternal One: "Whiskey and Sharpness."​

A slightly cool breeze whisked through the fur of a black Scottish terrier as he looked towards the inside of the bar called "Geddy's". He kept his footing on top of a couple of wooden crates and wagged his tail. The dog wore a red collar around his neck and there was a license attached. His name was Terry. There was also a phone number engraved on the silver. He seemed to be content looking from the outside in...

***​

...on the inside, there were a few bar regulars, tending to each other and their meals, especially their drinks. The bartender was serving their drinks to the highest quality and he enjoyed his job. He picked up a bottle of Kessler whiskey, twisted the cap off and poured it into a silver-haired man's shotglass.

"Here you go, Jack," he smiled as he set the bottle down on the table in front of his customer. "How are you enjoying your Cajun grilled burger?"

Jack Williams held his burger between his left hand. A couple of bites had already been taken out of it. He looked at the bartender with discolored red and blue eyes and smirked. "It's pretty good. The spiciness has a nice kick, which is exactly what I like."

"Glad to hear that! I was worried that I wouldn't be able to impress the Eternal Hitman. I thought you'd kill me if it was bad."

"Nope. I'd just leave after payin' for the bill and I wouldn't offer ya a tip." He took another bite out of his burger and chewed on it thoroughly before he swallowed. After that, he set his burger down on the plate and picked up his shotglass of whiskey, downing it with one swallow. "Mmm..."

One of the bar regulars approached Jack from the side and smiled. "Hey, how about a game of billiards? Loser pays for the winner's next drink."

The silver-haired Australian looked over at the older gentleman and nodded. "Sure, I'm game. I love free drinks."

"Think you're gonna win, don'cha?"

"I know I'm gonna win, mate."

Both men chuckled softly before Jack stood up from his stool. They made their way over to one of the billiard tables and got themselves some pool sticks. Once the quarters were flung into the machine, the colorful balls rolled out and soon after they were placed within the triangle.

 

[ShiningJudgment]

Jack Williams // Eternal One: "Whiskey and Sharpness."​

A slightly cool breeze whisked through the fur of a black Scottish terrier as he looked towards the inside of the bar called "Geddy's". He kept his footing on top of a couple of wooden crates and wagged his tail. The dog wore a red collar around his neck and there was a license attached. His name was Terry. There was also a phone number engraved on the silver. He seemed to be content looking from the outside in...

***​

...on the inside, there were a few bar regulars, tending to each other and their meals, especially their drinks. The bartender was serving their drinks to the highest quality and he enjoyed his job. He picked up a bottle of Kessler whiskey, twisted the cap off and poured it into a silver-haired man's shotglass.

"Here you go, Jack," he smiled as he set the bottle down on the table in front of his customer. "How are you enjoying your Cajun grilled burger?"

Jack Williams held his burger between his left hand. A couple of bites had already been taken out of it. He looked at the bartender with discolored red and blue eyes and smirked. "It's pretty good. The spiciness has a nice kick, which is exactly what I like."

"Glad to hear that! I was worried that I wouldn't be able to impress the Eternal Hitman. I thought you'd kill me if it was bad."

"Nope. I'd just leave after payin' for the bill and I wouldn't offer ya a tip." He took another bite out of his burger and chewed on it thoroughly before he swallowed. After that, he set his burger down on the plate and picked up his shotglass of whiskey, downing it with one swallow. "Mmm..."

One of the bar regulars approached Jack from the side and smiled. "Hey, how about a game of billiards? Loser pays for the winner's next drink."

The silver-haired Australian looked over at the older gentleman and nodded. "Sure, I'm game. I love free drinks."

"Think you're gonna win, don'cha?"

"I know I'm gonna win, mate."

Both men chuckled softly before Jack stood up from his stool. They made their way over to one of the billiard tables and got themselves some pool sticks. Once the quarters were flung into the machine, the colorful balls rolled out and soon after they were placed within the triangle.

*~Aina Starling~*

Phần một // “Going Where the Wind Takes Me” ​

Meanwhile on the outside of Geddy’s, there were three mysterious girls heading towards the entrance. The three of them were sisters from a different country as they were all hiding themselves within run down looking cloaks with Vietnamese hats underneath. They didn’t have much money on them, but the two older ones wanted to take the younger one out for her twenty-first birthday, especially when it was the time when she officially turned legal age.

“Aina, you’re going to love this place.” The oldest sister said as she and the middle sister helped guide her towards the bar. “There’s nothing like a good drink that will bring the spirits up.”

“Minga, when is the time that you never go out for a drink?” The middle one responded as she slightly sneered at her until she saw the black Scottish terrier outside the bar. “Hm?”

“What’s wrong, Pho?” Aina asked as she heard Pho’s reaction. “What’s going on?”

“Someone lost their dog.” Pho answered back as she quickly dashed over to the Scottish terrier.

“Come on, Pho, we don’t have time for this!” Minga raised her voice where it scared the dog a little bit.

“Minga, it’s my birthday.” Aina added in as she gently squeezed her oldest sister’s hand. “We have to try and find the owner.”

Pho noticed the phone number engraved on the dog’s license as she thought for a moment. “Well… he does have a tag with a number, so we should try and get a hold of the owner.”

“Let’s do it!” Aina jumped up and down for a moment.

“Okay calm down, birthday girl, I’ll get the phone out.” Minga reached into her pocket to pull out a cheapy cell phone that she shares with her sisters. Because they didn’t have a lot of money, they had to share one prepaid phone, but Aina and Pho usually let Minga use it for the most part. As she looked closely at the numbers, Minga quickly dialed the numbers, listening to it ring.

 

[MadRhapsody]

*~Aina Starling~*

Phần một // “Going Where the Wind Takes Me” ​

Meanwhile on the outside of Geddy’s, there were three mysterious girls heading towards the entrance. The three of them were sisters from a different country as they were all hiding themselves within run down looking cloaks with Vietnamese hats underneath. They didn’t have much money on them, but the two older ones wanted to take the younger one out for her twenty-first birthday, especially when it was the time when she officially turned legal age.

“Aina, you’re going to love this place.” The oldest sister said as she and the middle sister helped guide her towards the bar. “There’s nothing like a good drink that will bring the spirits up.”

“Minga, when is the time that you never go out for a drink?” The middle one responded as she slightly sneered at her until she saw the black Scottish terrier outside the bar. “Hm?”

“What’s wrong, Pho?” Aina asked as she heard Pho’s reaction. “What’s going on?”

“Someone lost their dog.” Pho answered back as she quickly dashed over to the Scottish terrier.

“Come on, Pho, we don’t have time for this!” Minga raised her voice where it scared the dog a little bit.

“Minga, it’s my birthday.” Aina added in as she gently squeezed her oldest sister’s hand. “We have to try and find the owner.”

Pho noticed the phone number engraved on the dog’s license as she thought for a moment. “Well… he does have a tag with a number, so we should try and get a hold of the owner.”

“Let’s do it!” Aina jumped up and down for a moment.

“Okay calm down, birthday girl, I’ll get the phone out.” Minga reached into her pocket to pull out a cheapy cell phone that she shares with her sisters. Because they didn’t have a lot of money, they had to share one prepaid phone, but Aina and Pho usually let Minga use it for the most part. As she looked closely at the numbers, Minga quickly dialed the numbers, listening to it ring.

Terry was taken aback by the three sisters before him. He was insecure when it came to Minga, Pho was alright, but when it came to the birthday girl, Aina, his tail began to wag at the sight of her. He barked, jumped down from the crates, and made his way over to her. He got up on his hind legs, sniffed her hand, and began to lick it softly.

***​

It was Jack's turn to make his next shot. He made his way around the pool table and observed the angles he could catch. After a moment of thinking, he twirled his pool stick and brought it up, taking careful aim behind the cue ball towards the point of contact. Before he could strike it, however, the back left pant pocket began to vibrate.

He didn't say anything in his pause. There was a thought of answering it and telling the other line to f*** off, but if it was a business call, that wouldn't seem very professional of him.

"Hm," he withdrew the pool stick, and good thing his opponent was a patient man, and he retrieved his cell phone. The number was one very unfamiliar to him. He decided he'd let his voice mail pick it up. After all, this was his day off from work. He was going to enjoy it. After the sixth vibration, it pressed on to the voice mail:

"You've reached Jack Williams' voice mail. I can't answer your call right now; you'll have to leave your name, number and a message. I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible... maybe."

Beeeeeeeeeep.

 

[ShiningJudgment]

Terry was taken aback by the three sisters before him. He was insecure when it came to Minga, Pho was alright, but when it came to the birthday girl, Aina, his tail began to wag at the sight of her. He barked, jumped down from the crates, and made his way over to her. He got up on his hind legs, sniffed her hand, and began to lick it softly.

***​

It was Jack's turn to make his next shot. He made his way around the pool table and observed the angles he could catch. After a moment of thinking, he twirled his pool stick and brought it up, taking careful aim behind the cue ball towards the point of contact. Before he could strike it, however, the back left pant pocket began to vibrate.

He didn't say anything in his pause. There was a thought of answering it and telling the other line to f*** off, but if it was a business call, that wouldn't seem very professional of him.

"Hm," he withdrew the pool stick, and good thing his opponent was a patient man, and he retrieved his cell phone. The number was one very unfamiliar to him. He decided he'd let his voice mail pick it up. After all, this was his day off from work. He was going to enjoy it. After the sixth vibration, it pressed on to the voice mail:



Beeeeeeeeeep.

***​

"Hmm... no answer..." Minga hung up the phone once it reached voice mail. She didn't want to bother leaving a voice message where it looked suspicious.

As Terry came up to lick Aina's hand, she started to giggle as she crouched down for a moment to pet him. "Awww... I think he likes me." A smile came across Aina's face as she started petting the dog.

"You know we can't keep him, Aina." Pho turned to her youngest sister as she was playing with Terry before she turned back to Minga. "Minga, try calling that number again."

Minga sighed for a moment as she looked down at the phone. She was unsure about redialing the number, but they had to find the owner as soon as possible. "Okay." She took the phone and pressed the redial button, listening to it ring.

"Teehee! You're so full of energy." Aina smiled with joy as she continued to pet Terry.

 

[MadRhapsody]

***​

"Hmm... no answer..." Minga hung up the phone once it reached voice mail. She didn't want to bother leaving a voice message where it looked suspicious.

As Terry came up to lick Aina's hand, she started to giggle as she crouched down for a moment to pet him. "Awww... I think he likes me." A smile came across Aina's face as she started petting the dog.

"You know we can't keep him, Aina." Pho turned to her youngest sister as she was playing with Terry before she turned back to Minga. "Minga, try calling that number again."

Minga sighed for a moment as she looked down at the phone. She was unsure about redialing the number, but they had to find the owner as soon as possible. "Okay." She took the phone and pressed the redial button, listening to it ring.

"Teehee! You're so full of energy." Aina smiled with joy as she continued to pet Terry.

Terry's tail was wagging consistently as he allowed Aina to pet him. He settled himself down on all four paws and tilted his head to lick her hand.

***​

Jack had taken his shot and sank number 7 into a pocket. His opponent applauded him for it and he smirked. He took the pool stick with him as he wandered around the table once and studied the angles again. That was when his cell phone went off again. A groan escaped him as he retrieved his phone and looked at Caller ID. It was once again the same number.

"Gotta take this," he rolled his eyes, turned away and leaned against the table very lightly. The older gentleman nodded and waited patiently. Jack pressed "Send" and he held it up to his ear. "I have the day off. This better be good."

 

[ShiningJudgment]

Terry's tail was wagging consistently as he allowed Aina to pet him. He settled himself down on all four paws and tilted his head to lick her hand.

***​

Jack had taken his shot and sank number 7 into a pocket. His opponent applauded him for it and he smirked. He took the pool stick with him as he wandered around the table once and studied the angles again. That was when his cell phone went off again. A groan escaped him as he retrieved his phone and looked at Caller ID. It was once again the same number.

"Gotta take this," he rolled his eyes, turned away and leaned against the table very lightly. The older gentleman nodded and waited patiently. Jack pressed "Send" and he held it up to his ear. "I have the day off. This better be good."

***​

Once Minga heard a voice over the phone, she responded. "Yeah are you the owner of this dog outside? Because we found him wandering outside the bar while we were taking our sister in for her birthday."

Pho waited patiently while she was waiting for Minga to get off the phone while Aina continued to play with Terry with glee and joy. Pho looked over at Aina for a moment.

"Having fun over there?" She asked

"Heehee! Sure am." She responded as she scratched Terry behind his ears.

 

[MadRhapsody]

***​

Once Minga heard a voice over the phone, she responded. "Yeah are you the owner of this dog outside? Because we found him wandering outside the bar while we were taking our sister in for her birthday."

Pho waited patiently while she was waiting for Minga to get off the phone while Aina continued to play with Terry with glee and joy. Pho looked over at Aina for a moment.

"Having fun over there?" She asked

"Heehee! Sure am." She responded as she scratched Terry behind his ears.

Jack twitched and looked towards the windows of the bar. There was no sign of his dog. He covered the phone with his artificial hand and looked over at the older gentleman. "Sorry... I'll be right back."

"Go ahead, young man," he smiled.

Jack nodded as he made his way towards the main doors and opened them. He stared at the three sisters and Terry. Quick whistles resounded from him. Terry turned his head away from Aina and towards his master, letting out a single bark and making his way over to him. Jack hung up the phone and bent down for a moment to lift his Scottish terrier up in his left arm, then he stood up straight.

"So you three were distractin' my dog, huh?" Jack narrowed his eyes. "Ya weren't plannin' on takin' him away, were ya?"

 

[ShiningJudgment]

Jack twitched and looked towards the windows of the bar. There was no sign of his dog. He covered the phone with his artificial hand and looked over at the older gentleman. "Sorry... I'll be right back."

"Go ahead, young man," he smiled.

Jack nodded as he made his way towards the main doors and opened them. He stared at the three sisters and Terry. Quick whistles resounded from him. Terry turned his head away from Aina and towards his master, letting out a single bark and making his way over to him. Jack hung up the phone and bent down for a moment to lift his Scottish terrier up in his left arm, then he stood up straight.

"So you three were distractin' my dog, huh?" Jack narrowed his eyes. "Ya weren't plannin' on takin' him away, were ya?"

Aina's smile faded when Terry ran off and heard Jack's footsteps "No sir, we would never do such a thing. We just thought he was lost, and we wanted to find the owner."

Pho was unsure about the man that came out to claim his dog. To her, he seemed like a scary guy, but she didn't want to say anything to offend him in any way unless he said otherwise. Minga, held her tongue for now to avoid any snide remarks. The man was the dog's owner, but she smiled a little bit.

"Well... you gotta be careful, so he won't run off, especially when he's not on a leash." She responded, holding back her sharp-tongue or at least trying to.

 

[MadRhapsody]

Aina's smile faded when Terry ran off and heard Jack's footsteps "No sir, we would never do such a thing. We just thought he was lost, and we wanted to find the owner."

Pho was unsure about the man that came out to claim his dog. To her, he seemed like a scary guy, but she didn't want to say anything to offend him in any way unless he said otherwise. Minga, held her tongue for now to avoid any snide remarks. The man was the dog's owner, but she smiled a little bit.

"Well... you gotta be careful, so he won't run off, especially when he's not on a leash." She responded, holding back her sharp-tongue or at least trying to.

"Hmph." Jack rolled his eyes and settled his dog down on the ground. Terry barked and wagged his tail, staying by his master's side. "Terry's too loyal and smart to run off..." He looked over at Aina and watched as his dog began to make his way over to her. "...but it seems like he's startin' to fall for a blind chick."

Yes, he could tell. His vision was perfect and he had noticed her foggy red eyes from afar. He shook his head, but then he paused in thought and tilted his head up. "...sounds like trouble..."

Terry stopped before Aina and growled in the direction of the off noses.

 

[ShiningJudgment]

"Hmph." Jack rolled his eyes and settled his dog down on the ground. Terry barked and wagged his tail, staying by his master's side. "Terry's too loyal and smart to run off..." He looked over at Aina and watched as his dog began to make his way over to her. "...but it seems like he's startin' to fall for a blind chick."

Yes, he could tell. His vision was perfect and he had noticed her foggy red eyes from afar. He shook his head, but then he paused in thought and tilted his head up. "...sounds like trouble..."

Terry stopped before Aina and growled in the direction of the off noses.

Aina frowned when Terry was starting to growl out of the blue. What could have made him act this way? However, trouble was coming this way as well as Pho was hearing gunshots from a distance.

"Oh no! They found us!" Pho started to shriek after the guns fired off.

Aina put her defenses up quickly once she heard the bounty hunters approaching them for capture. This wasn't going well, especially when it was on her birthday. "No... they found us..."

"Damn... this isn't good. They're ruining Aina's birthday." Minga grit her teeth as she along with Aina and Pho started to back away when the bounty hunters were showing up in the presence. They were very cruel when it came to communists coming in to America where it resulted to being on the run from them.

 

[MadRhapsody]

Aina frowned when Terry was starting to growl out of the blue. What could have made him act this way? However, trouble was coming this way as well as Pho was hearing gunshots from a distance.

"Oh no! They found us!" Pho started to shriek after the guns fired off.

Aina put her defenses up quickly once she heard the bounty hunters approaching them for capture. This wasn't going well, especially when it was on her birthday. "No... they found us..."

"Damn... this isn't good. They're ruining Aina's birthday." Minga grit her teeth as she along with Aina and Pho started to back away when the bounty hunters were showing up in the presence. They were very cruel when it came to communists coming in to America where it resulted to being on the run from them.

The Scottish terrier turned to his master and began to whimper. He was attempting to plead with him to defend the three sisters.

Jack looked down at his dog and raised an eyebrow. His eyes found the women and he folded his arms. "Tch... what did you do to become targets...?" He looked towards the horizon and listened to the sound of gunshots from afar. Citizens were starting to seek out shelter in their homes-- anywhere away from the bounty hunters.

The more Terry whimpered, the more annoyed Jack got. He sighed, unfolded his arms, and placed his left hand in his pocket. "...get in the bar. I'll take care of this." The three Vietnamese women looked at him, confused. He simply stared sharply back at them. "Unless you wanna die out here?"

 

[ShiningJudgment]

The Scottish terrier turned to his master and began to whimper. He was attempting to plead with him to defend the three sisters.

Jack looked down at his dog and raised an eyebrow. His eyes found the women and he folded his arms. "Tch... what did you do to become targets...?" He looked towards the horizon and listened to the sound of gunshots from afar. Citizens were starting to seek out shelter in their homes-- anywhere away from the bounty hunters.

The more Terry whimpered, the more annoyed Jack got. He sighed, unfolded his arms, and placed his left hand in his pocket. "...get in the bar. I'll take care of this." The three Vietnamese women looked at him, confused. He simply stared sharply back at them. "Unless you wanna die out here?"

"Okay." Aina responded with the nod of her head as the three Vietnamese woman quickly headed inside the bar. Minga and Pho were helping guide Aina to safety since she was unable to see.

Once they were in, three bounty hunters from a different squad rant approached Jack with their AKs ready and loaded. "Hey you!" The main elitist from the squad rant approached Jack with a wicked, yet serious look on the face. "Have you seen these three girls?" with the snap of the fingers, one of the men revealed a picture of the three sisters.

"They appear to be commies on the run, and they are not legal here in the US. Have you seen them around?" The second man added in.

 

[MadRhapsody]

"Okay." Aina responded with the nod of her head as the three Vietnamese woman quickly headed inside the bar. Minga and Pho were helping guide Aina to safety since she was unable to see.

Once they were in, three bounty hunters from a different squad rant approached Jack with their AKs ready and loaded. "Hey you!" The main elitist from the squad rant approached Jack with a wicked, yet serious look on the face. "Have you seen these three girls?" with the snap of the fingers, one of the men revealed a picture of the three sisters.

"They appear to be commies on the run, and they are not legal here in the US. Have you seen them around?" The second man added in.

The second the bounty hunters arrived on the scene, Terry was growling furiously. He was standing straight with his head up, baring his teeth.

Jack observed the photos and nodded his head. "...yeah, I've seen 'em." Terry turned to his master and whimpered. Jack shrugged, keeping his left hand in his trench coat pocket, and he looked down at his dog. "Don't give me that look, Terry..." Terry lowered his head and continued to whimper. The Eternal Hitman faced the bounty hunters again and allowed a few strands of his silver hair to fall in front of his blue eye. "...so... what are you planning to do to 'em? Deportation?"

***​

The bartender noticed the three women walk into the bar. They appeared to be very cautious. "Is something the matter, ladies?" He also took note that his best customer hadn't returned from the outside yet. "Hmmm..."

 

[ShiningJudgment]

The second the bounty hunters arrived on the scene, Terry was growling furiously. He was standing straight with his head up, baring his teeth.

Jack observed the photos and nodded his head. "...yeah, I've seen 'em." Terry turned to his master and whimpered. Jack shrugged, keeping his left hand in his trench coat pocket, and he looked down at his dog. "Don't give me that look, Terry..." Terry lowered his head and continued to whimper. The Eternal Hitman faced the bounty hunters again and allowed a few strands of his silver hair to fall in front of his blue eye. "...so... what are you planning to do to 'em? Deportation?"

***​

The bartender noticed the three women walk into the bar. They appeared to be very cautious. "Is something the matter, ladies?" He also took note that his best customer hadn't returned from the outside yet. "Hmmm..."

"Sh**, control that filthy beast!" the second one started to aim his gun at Terry, stepping back a little bit.

"Shut up!" The elitist raised his voice to quiet one of his men down as he took a few steps forward, glaring at Jack. "We ask the questions around here, and we want them back either dead or alive, so where are those filthy wenches?!"

"You better talk now." the third man added in with a vicious look on his face. "Or we'll annihilate you too."

***​

Aina frowned with slight fear as Jack was still out there. She seemed somewhat worried. "I hope he's alright."

"Aina, we barely know him." Minga added in as she turned to her youngest sister as they hid underneath a table.

"I know, but still..." Aina was unsure what was going on out there. She was hearing voices, but they were a little distant.

Pho looked up at the bartender. "I apologize sir. We were just out to celebrate our sister's birthday since she just turned twenty-one today and it's going to be her first time drinking. She's the youngest one that's blind." She bowed a little bit.