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

[wiegeabo]

Suddenly, the doors to Anderson's office slam open and Elizabeth Powers, his personal assistant storms in.

"What is it Ms Powers? I thought I said I did not want to be disturbed."

"I'm sorry for the interruption Director Anderson, however an urgent call has come in for you...on the secure line."

Anderson exhales loudly as he reached for a secret compartment in his desk, and produces a phone. He is not looking forward to taking this call, as he truely hates intra-agency interaction...it is rarely pleasant.

He picks up the phone, putting the receiver to his face, and makes an effort to at least sound pleasantly surprised to hear from one of his contemporaries.

"Good evening D, what can I do for you?"

Even over the phone, The Director can't help but smile and grimace at the same time. Both expressions brought on by the man on the other end of the line.

"Hello, Anderson. It's been a long time. How have you been you old SOB?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Even over the phone, The Director can't help but smile and grimace at the same time. Both expressions brought on by the man on the other end of the line.

"Hello, Anderson. It's been a long time. How have you been you old SOB?"

Anderson sits behind his desk with the phone pressed against his ear and smiles.

Small talk, D has never struck him as one who likes to engage in small talk, so that means that he must have found out about the trace that he had put on his own personal freak.

Good.

Sometimes people need to be put in their place...reminded where they stand in the grand scheme of things.

Sometimes people need to be reminded about the natural order of things...their place in the food chain. D may have done a good job with his Agency, but when it comes down to it, he's really just a small time player.

He's a big fish in a small pond.

But now he's stepping into the ocean, where STRIKE is more like a great white shark...and if he doesn't play his cards right, he's going to be eaten.

"Things have been good D, how's the family."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I try to size up my attacker even as I scramble to my feet, and I find myself almost in awe of its sheer size. The "man" stands about seven feet tall, has the skin of an alligator and a long, powerful tail.

I've barely gotten to my feet when the beast lunges at me. I jump to the side, barely keeping out of its grasp, however, I've barely gotten both feet on the ground again when it turns and swings its tail, catching me in the midsection.

He's fast. I've just hit the ground and it's on me again, scratching and clawing, and snapping it's mouthfull of razor sharp teeth just inches from my face. I struggle to get the beast off me, but he's just too strong...and on top of that he's using his weight to his advantage.

I'm able to land a right hand on the beast's jaw, which surprises him. He hesitates for a moment, then leans back...hoping to land the killing blow. However, I'm able to pull my legs up and against his chset and kick with all my might. The beast is knocked back, and I'm able to get to my feet.

Someone once told me that I always need to be aware of my surroundings, and if I can use them to my advantage. Unfortunately for me, in this case the narrow passages of the city sewers plays to the creatures advantages, so I do the only thing I can do...

Run...and hope that I can lead him somewhere alittle more open.

I run through the sewers of Lost Haven, trailed closely by the monstrocity that had attacked me from the water. He's big, powerful and much faster than he looks...and I have a hard time keeping ahead of him.

I reach into one of the pouches on my belt and pull out several smoke capsules. These little things saved my life more than once during the invasion, and I'm hoping that they can get me some seperation from this beast now. I toss the capsules behind me and they explode in a cloud of smoke.

But it doesn't slow the monster down. He emerges from the cloud of smoke as if nothing had happened. Not only does the smoke cloud not slow the beast down, the thing has actually gained on me.

I see a passageway ahead of me, and if I remember the layout from the old plans I memorized when I first came to Lost Haven, it should lead to the underground electrical substation. I increase my speed toward the passage, but suddenly feel my forward momentum stop as the creature takes hold of my cape and rips me back toward it.

I struggle against the beast's grip, but am overpowered by it's sheer strength...and am pulled towards it and unless I can somehow escape, near certain death.

 

[Byrd Man]

Previously

Spoiler

The Barrio
Lost Haven
1:20 PM

Outside the car, the dilapidated houses whiz by. Spanish children are playing soccer on dirty lots, and men with tattoos and white tank tops give the unmarked police car the stink-eye as it travels down the street.

The Barrio, Lost Haven's Spanish neighborhood is home to the street gang Los Terrorificos and their leader Ernesto Sosa. Sosa and his gang push roughly a quarter of Lost Haven's heroin. Someone's been handing out testers at an elementary school six blocks away from Los Terrorificos's turf.

"Told you we shouldn't have given Sosa such a loose leash," Mike Eckling says from the driver's seat. His twin brother Ike nods in the passenger seat.

"How about you drive, Mike. Leave the thinking to me. It doesn't suit you two, you haven't had the practice."

Mike parks the unmarked car across the street from a dirty house with overgrown weeds in the lawn. Two Mexican gangbangers stand outside the house, drinking malt liquor and chatting.

"Look at this puto," one of the gangbangers says as I step out the back of the car.

"Odelay!" His buddy agrees. "****in' five-o looking more like a four-eyed *****!"

I calmly walk up to the two men, eying them both.

"Where's Ernesto?"

"How about you go **** off, esé?"

"That was the wrong answer."

Grabbing the gangbanger by his neck, I toss him into his friend.

"Hey, pendajo!" One of the punks shouts as he goes for the gun in his waistband.

"Hector, chill out," a voice says from the house. A skinny man in jeans and a t-shirt steps out on the front porch. Ernesto Sosa holds a hand up, trying to calm down his too men.

"Inspector Smith wants to just talk. Isn't that right, jefe?"

"That's right. So do me a favor, call your dogs off."

"Hector, Alanzo, un momento."

The two thugs eye me and then start walking across the lawn. Sosa waits until they're gone before he steps off the porch to meet me.

"Apologies, Ed. My bodyguards, they're new. They don't know what the score is."

"There seems to be a lot of that going around. People forgetting what the deal is. Drug dealers handing out testers to goddamn school kids. A kid OD'ed this afternoon. Thought the smack was candy. We had a deal, Sosa. I stay off your ass, you only sling to junkies and keep it contained. **** like this keeps happening, I can't protect you. I'll send the SWAT team so far up you're ass, you'll have combat boot prints on your tongue."

"Look, man. Me and my boys didn't have nothing to do with that, alright? I think I know who did."

"Give me a name."

"Chicky Jones. He's a low to mid-level player trying to set up shop. My boys ran him out of the Barrio. Last I heard, he set up shop somewhere around that school that got hit."

"If this tip turns out to be bogus, I will be back. I'll bring Sergeant White with me. You know, diablo blanco grande. We'll see how the señoritas like Ernesto when he's eating all his meals out of a tube."

"My tip is good. You look for the fiends in that neighborhood, they'll tell you about Chicky."

"Good."

That's all I say to Sosa as I walk away, crossing the street and climbing back into the car.

"I'm done here, boys. Take us back to the neighborhood the school is in. Ike, call Bill. Have him meet us. We got some work that's right up his alley."

The Victory Motel
Lost Haven

Chicky Jones inhales sharply as Mike Eckling strikes the drug dealer with a tire iron. I stand off to the side, looking out the cracked window instead of the beating in progress. With another blow, Chicky screams out in pain.

"Scream all you like," Mike says. "This run-down motel has been condemned for years. It's official LHPD property. Nobody's around for miles."

THUMP

"You're a despicable criminal in need of reeducation in the polite ways of society."

THUMP!

"The sooner you confess..."

THUMP!

"The sooner you can be inside a jail cell, away from all this pain."

I give Mike the cut-off sign. He stops laying into Chicky long enough for the man to spit out a tooth.

"**** you, police! I ain't got **** to say! Ya'll just Sosa's *****es!"

For the first time since the "interrogation" started, I turn to look at the drug dealer.

"You think the Terrificos pay me off? No, they don't. I let them operate because they follow the rules and sell only to the junkies. Not to kids, like you did. That's where you ****ed up, Chicky. You got on my radar. That's a place you seriously don't want to be."

"**** you, man! I ain't telling you ****!"

"I figured as much. Bill, you wanna come in?"

The door swings open and Sergeant William White, all 6'3, 230 pounds of him, walks through the door and scowls at Chicky.

"Bill, I'd full and complete cooperation on each answer."

"Yes, sir."

He walks towards Chicky, his massive shadow falling over the man and engulfing him.....



The case goes down.

Randall "Chicky" Jones confesses to handing out drugs to school children, and thereby being responsible for the accidental OD of a child. After confessing to members of the Mob Squad, Randall "Chicky" Jones is transferred to St. Phillip's Hospital for the multiple injuries that he acquired while resisting arrest.

The Chief thanks me and my men and the mayor uses the arrest to cite that the police department is working under his administration.

It's all bull****. The mayor, chief, city council. They're not in charge. People think they are, but the truth is that the only power that matters in this town is the streets.

Streets that I control.

I'm the King of Lost Haven.

All hail.

 

[Mr. Majestic]

Both Youngster and Blur were racing to regain their previous positions. The heroes speed seems to be way faster than before almost as if they were holding back in the beginning. Youngster himself was very impress that he is able to run side by side with Blur at this velocity. He has always been fast but he has never tested really how fast he could really go, and now that he only has to use one power instead of two his speed is greater than it has ever been. But he knew the blue Sultan of speed wasn’t running at his top speed.

As the two began to catch up with the other speedsters Youngsters computer companion grabs his attention once again.

“Go head Al” Youngster uttered knowing already that the news wasn’t anything good.

“Sir there appears to be another bomb threat.”

“Another one?” Youngster couldn’t believe he was about to run into the same situation he just left from. “Let me guess we are the only two close enough right?”

“Well sir at the momentum you and Blur are running you will be able to get there in approximately three minutes unless you speed up.”

“Okay, tell me where the disaster is at.”

As Al inform both Youngster and Blur on the incardinates of the next bomb they were starting to think that these bombs may be the leading to something else.

With Al’s instruction they arrived in Washington Dc at the US Library of Congress one of the largest libraries in the world. At the scene Blur and the Kid did the same routine as before found out what the situation was and decided on the best plan of attack. Once they figured out there objectives they both ran into the library to complete their goals.


While Blur began to help all the people strap with bombs on their chest Youngster was focusing on the major bomb in the center of the room. Right away he recognizes that the bomb in front of him is also just like the one he seen at the power plant.

As Youngster was about to turn on his comm link to reach Blur he appeared beside him.

“I’m having a serious case of déjà vu.” Blur tells Youngster.

“Me too, it looks like this bomb is just like the one we seen at the plant.”

“Well it’s safe to say someone doesn’t want us to be in this race.”

“I was thinking the same thing. They sure are going though a lot of trouble to do so and doing a good job at not leaving any clues. Chances are if we continue racing they will have other surprises for us along the way.”

“By now they must know that we are on to them.”

“I’m pretty sure he or she does. Unlike the other bomb this one has a remote detonator. Guess no matter what they want to make sure we take a detour. I say we just drop out of the race.”

“That would be a good idea but the only down side is who’s to say once the race is over they won’t detonate the other bombs they have in place. Best thing for us to do is continue and as the reports come in we go and disable the explosives.”

“I guess your right.” Youngster replies as he begins to think of the situation.

“Come on lets go maybe at the next place we may get a clue.” Blue tells Youngster as he turns around ready to exit.

[FONT=&quot]Youngster then gets up off his knees from examining the bomb. He and Blur both took off going back to the race.[/FONT]

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I run through the sewers of Lost Haven, trailed closely by the monstrocity that had attacked me from the water. He's big, powerful and much faster than he looks...and I have a hard time keeping ahead of him.

I reach into one of the pouches on my belt and pull out several smoke capsules. These little things saved my life more than once during the invasion, and I'm hoping that they can get me some seperation from this beast now. I toss the capsules behind me and they explode in a cloud of smoke.

But it doesn't slow the monster down. He emerges from the cloud of smoke as if nothing had happened. Not only does the smoke cloud not slow the beast down, the thing has actually gained on me.

I see a passageway ahead of me, and if I remember the layout from the old plans I memorized when I first came to Lost Haven, it should lead to the underground electrical substation. I increase my speed toward the passage, but suddenly feel my forward momentum stop as the creature takes hold of my cape and rips me back toward it.

I struggle against the beast's grip, but am overpowered by it's sheer strength...and am pulled towards it and unless I can somehow escape, near certain death.

I struggle as the beast pulls me toward it, however it is just too strong. The reptile man overpowers me, pulling me into it's grasp. As it pulls me into it's chest, I can feel it rear its head back, preparing to take a chunk out of me with its sharp, needle like teeth.

I try to fight it off, landing several hard elbows in it's neck and chest, knocking it back a bit and surprising it just enough to escape its grasp. I turn on the beast, striking at it with punches and elbow strikes. It backs off slightly, seemingly unsure of what to do. I take the moment given to me by the beast's indecision to hit it was a hard roundhouse kick.

Unfortunately the monster just shrugged it off. It let out an angry cry and turned on me, swinging its heavy tail at me, striking me in the ribs. Fortunately, this time I saw the attack coming and was able to roll through it.

As I roll away from the beast, I reach out and fire a grapple line from my wrist gauntlet down the corridor toward the heavy steel doors of the electrical substation...and I let the line pull me clear from the beast's attack.

I reach the doors and slam them shut, locking it behind me. I look around the small room I find myself in, trying to remember the plans I had put to memory when I had first arrived in Lost Haven. There should be a maintenance hatch in here somewhere...

Then I see it.

I make my way over to the hatch that will allow me to escape from this thing for now...and I find that it has been welded shut.

I'm trapped in this small room with a monster pounding at the doors. Soon, this reptile man will get through the doors, and then I will be done...unless I come up with something, and fast.

I begin looking over the room which holds the city's backup electrical equipment, and a plan suddenly begins to take shape.


As the giant reptile man pounds at the door, I begin working on the enectrical conduit, trying to pull some of the cables away from the main breaker. Hopefully, I will be able to use the cables to disable the beast, at least long enough to secure it with one of my steel cable grapple lines. If this doesn't work, I'm a dead man.

The beast finally breaks through the door, knocking it off its hinges and rushes into the room at me. Just as it reaches me, I thrust the exposed end of the cable into the beast's chest.

In an instant, I'm covered in a shower of sparks as the electrical cable zaps the reptile man, and for an instant I'm reminded of warm summer nights as a child at my father's house in Slater City. I would always sit on the back porch and watch unsuspecting insects fly into the bug zapper.

And just like then, I can't take my face off the beast as he is electrocuted. As thousands of volts race from the cable into the beast's body, there is suddenly a small explosion. I am knocked back against the wall, and the beast was sent flying back the other way.

I get back to my feet and rush to the doorway, but there is no sign of the monster. Only a ripple on the surface of the sewer water which runs parallel to the maintanence walkway.

I don't know if the reptile man is dead or alive, but I am not taking any chances, as quickly as I can I make my way back through the sewers, heading for the first manhole cover I can find.

 

[Mr. Majestic]

Youngster’s speed began to decrease as he began to use his decisive memory. He began going through his memories of the race when he first made an appearance. While searching through his memory he stops as if he was watching a video. He wanted to analyze the moment right before the race began.

“Now some how we are being tracked and it had to begin here but how?”

He slowly began to rewind the moment before the race.

“There!” He shouts as he sees the tracking bracelets place on there arms.

“If that is how we are being traced that means the person responsible is in the crowd and has a receiver to get the information.”

Youngster then began to replay everything studying every moment till he finally got the answers he was looking for.

The kid suddenly stops running and once Blur realize that he slowed down and he made his way to Youngster’s side.

“Every thing okay?” Blur asks.

“It will be.” Youngster tells him as he quickly takes off his and Blur’s wristbands.

“Finally figured out who is behind this and how they been fallowing us. We got to go to the finish line and meet up with the other racers as they make their lap.”

“What you are going to do with those?”

“They are going to help us make a distraction.”

Youngster then throws each one of the wristbands in opposite directions as far as his super strength will let him and that’s pretty far.

“That will buy us some time. Now let’s go finish this.”

 

[NiteMare Shape]

After spending an evening at the movies alone, Scott and Keira head to The Hub to meet up with Eric, who neither has seen much of lately. Scott enjoys spending time with Keira, she gives him a sense of normalcy that he hasn't been able to enjoy since his return to Lost Haven, and she is quickly becoming his best friend.

They had been friends since he first arrived in Lost Haven after high school, but they didn't always hang out. For the most part they ran in different circles, he would spend his time with the athletes at Lost Haven University, while she would hang out with musicians and the theater crowd.

But they became close after he had started dating Lisa as she was Lisa's best friend. Though, they became almost inseperable after Lisa was killed during the invasion.

When he returned to Lost Haven after his self imposed exile, she had been hurt and angry. She understood why he left, but not why he never contacted her....never told her that he was okay.

He understood why she felt betrayed, she had lost her best friend...again. Though, Eric is convinced that there's more to it.

After walking several blocks from the movie theater they finally arrive at The Hub, and not a moment too soon. As they step onto the curb adjacent to the club, the skies open up and a sudden downpour begins soaking the city.

They stumble into the club, laughing as they are drenched by the downpour, and as he looks at the crowd in the club, he is somewhat amazed at how well the place has taken off.

The place is packed with people dancing and laughing and just carrying on, having a good time. It takes a few minutes to locate Eric through the crowd, but he eventually finds him...standing at the corner of the bar in front of one of the flatscreens, watching a breaking news bulletin.

"Details are still sketchy, but what we do know is that something or someone appears to have attacked the town of Shakersville in the outskirts of Tacoma. We don't have an official death toll, but officials that I've talked to have said that there hasn't been devestation like this since the Arlaaekean invasion...."

Scott just stands there for a moment as he absorbs the news that is being reported on the telecast. He looks over to Keira who meets his gaze, acknowledging that she knows he can't stay. He then looks to Eric, who for the first time notices that he is standing there.

"I've got to go." he says, almost apologizing to his friends.

In an instant he darts up the stairs at the back of the club leading to his apartment, tearing at his clothes as he reaches the privacy of his apartment, until he is standing there in his living room in his costume. Moving so fast that he is barely visible, he makes his way up to the roof access from his apartment, and takes to the skies, heading west toward Shakerville.

 

[Hound55]

Gloved Hands spread at 10 and 2 across the leather wheel of a jaw-dropping black ‘Vette. The driver sits stern faced behind his chosen dark acrylic veil which belies the expression of the man who wears it. His mind bouncing around thoughts targeting the topic which has recently piqued his interest.

“S.T.R.I.K.E., metashumans, meta-detention cells, government funded organizations, powered prisons… How the hell can I look these guys up without drawing attention to myself?”

Isaac had come to the conclusion recently that he’d had to pay more attention to this shadowy organizations activities. He’d almost been killed by a meta previously, he was pre-occupied afterwards with trying to take care of his own safety, but had heard further information when arriving at a police station to give his part of the police report that it wouldn’t be required, the prisoner was “being detained, off-site at a Federal Government facility” and the person who told him made it quite clear that he should keep any further questions he had regarding the matter to himself.

So now he was spitballing terms to himself, looking for search topics that might give him some answers without drawing attention to his own curiosity.

“How the hell do these guys keep their location secret… Everyone knows the CIA is based at Langley, the Feds are based out of the J. Edgar Hoover building in D.C, the Poms’ MI6 are based out of Vauxhall Cross… How did these guys manage to stay off the radar..?”

And that ate at him the most. The fact that they had the power to remain largely invisible, despite the current information age. Someone had to know something… The data had to be out there somewhere, but he also new if he made it clear he was interested the net would close and these people would want to know who is taking an interest…

He kept his thoughts in his head though, he still did not trust this car to not be bugged… and he also couldn’t be sure that the people who were bugging his car weren’t working side-by-side with the people he was thinking about.

Quiet feedback came over the radio’s speakers, as always happened seconds before someone sent a message. It indicated someone checking that the band wasn’t busy.

“….”

“Two Vixen three zero, looking for two idle patrols to cordon off alley off Kennedy. Looks like we’ve got a five-oh-three.”

[BLACKOUT]“S***… Homicide…”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac turned up the radio.

“Further info. Alley on Kennedy almost directly opposite the Lost Haven Globe building.“

Isaac screwed his nose up. Newspaper building directly overlooking the alley, higher profile than he would normally like, but this was the life he had to get used to when acting in the U.S. Isaac checked his blind-spot and manoeuvred the dark Corvette into position to make a U-Turn as he made for the direction of the crime scene.

 

[Hound55]

A pair of cops stand in an alley talking to one another while their partners section off the alley with police tape.

“How’s the rook, Hammond?”

“Yeah, I’ll probably keep him busy with the trivial stuff for this one… He’s taping the South side of the alley at the moment, I’ll probably get him to man the perimeter and busy him with the paperwork in a bit.”

“You know a cop’s gotta deal with this stuff eventually, Hammond.”

“Yeah, he’s a sensitive kid though. It can wait. Where’s your kid partner, anyway?”

“Heh…” The second cop chuckled. “I’ve got him calling in the homicide *****.”

Hammond furrowed his brow.

“What, so I’m immature… how often do we get to refer to ‘em?”

Hammond shook his head as they walked deeper through the alley.

“…the *****.”

A shadow flashed across them, blocking the light temporarily as the pair of officers looked up, missing what caused it. Seconds later a figure rappelled down the side of the building offering a nonchalant greeting and asking [BLACKOUT]“So what are we looking at..?”[/BLACKOUT]

“Sergeant Hammond. We’ve met before. This is Officer McDonald…”

Isaac was well aware he’d met Hammond before, but continued to play dumb. In a big city he didn’t much care for the “coincidence” that he come across the same cop twice in such quick succession, considering how little he’d had to do with officers in the Haven.

“… so are you just following me around on my beats now?”

[BLACKOUT]“Your beat?”[/BLACKOUT]

“My beat. McDonald and I are traffic cops, he responded to a call from a local resident out here complaining of a smell down here which turned out to be a body. Called in support for the security of the crime scene and my beat was the closest to the scene. That bank’s just round the corner up there…” Hammond gestured back towards the main road.

[BLACKOUT]“Look, I just answered a radio call… Now where’s the victim?”[/BLACKOUT]

Hammond smiled at his ability to get the big hero a little off balance; he was a veteran cop and was as weary of crimes popping up around this new black-garbed guy as Isaac was the other way around. Both Hammond and Isaac were experienced enough in their own worlds to treat coincidence with great suspicion.

He’s over here, the three walked towards the cadaver with Isaac taking special care to walk within the shadow of the building, in the blind spot of the newspaper high-rise which was opposite their alley.

Isaac looked at the corpse, removed his leather outer gloves and took a small notepad from his pocket.

“The way we see it the guy got mugged, the guy jumped him from behind and stabbed him a couple of times in the back, then went into a fury over the guy and sliced his back up when the guy eventually fell.”

Isaac turned and said [BLACKOUT]“Hmm... I don’t know…”[/BLACKOUT]

McDonald snorted out a chuckle “What do you mean ‘You don’t know’, it’s pretty damn cut and dried that that’s what’s happened, look at his…”

[BLACKOUT]“Alright, let’s just look at it and break what he just said down…”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“’Mugged.’ That guy’s still got a pretty damn nice watch and shoes sitting there… I trust you weren’t stupid enough to move the body to check but I’d be willing to bet his wallet’s still there too if the watch is. ‘Jumped from behind.’ I agree with you on. ‘Stabbed in the back.’ Bothers me. That’s an over-simplification. This man hasn’t been just stabbed in the back. He’s had both of his kidney’s pierced. 'Went into a fury when he fell.' Yes, he’s had his back slashed up, we can see that, but I don’t think we can determine a mood when he did this… the lacerations are shallow, they’re surface wounds. They’re more a message than anything else… not to mention they go low and the seat of his pants received the same treatment…”[/BLACKOUT]

“What? You’re in forensics too?” asked Hammond.

[BLACKOUT]“Not quite, but I’ve... acquired.. my fair share of coroner’s paperwork and I’ve learned quite a bit about what they look for. Now I don’t want to contaminate the crime scene for your guys, but I could give you a play by play on what I think happened…”[/BLACKOUT]

Isaac waited for an interruption from McDonald and when it didn’t come he proceeded, miming out some of the sharper actions for more emphasis.

[BLACKOUT]“I think your victim here came down here for, well… likely just wanted to take a slash…”[/BLACKOUT]

“A slash??”

[BLACKOUT]“Yeah… relieve his bladder… whatever… the guy needed to piss…”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“He was followed down here, by a man in soft soled shoes… Fairly large guy, maybe as big as 6’3” but at least solid. The man came from behind and stabbed him once in his left kidney with his right hand… Hit it plush and clean, so I’m thinking this is someone with a plan and someone who has some history with anatomy… Maybe a butcher or an abattoir worker, a farm kid even…”[/BLACKOUT]

“Wait, you say we can’t make out a mood, but you’re trying to tell us what shoes he’s wearing, at hand he uses, how tall he is and where he works..?”

[BLACKOUT]“I’ll get to why I think that as I’m going… just wait… so he’s nailed the first kidney and pulled him in close, he’s now gone for the second, he’s put his arm around the victim’s neck and stuck him in the kidney’s a second time… he’s connected too, but here we see his mistake; he’s hit the liver.”[/BLACKOUT]

“That’s his mistake?”

[BLACKOUT]“Well, I’d assume so. That stench you’re getting, which I’m guessing is how someone tipped you off in the first place, that’s bile. If he didn’t graze that liver it’d still be in him rather than right up the pair of your nostrils.”[/BLACKOUT]

With that, Isaac adjusted brought his hand up to his mouth and made an adjustment to his voice modulator. Tapping it when he was done for affect.

[BLACKOUT]“Unlike me who gets to breathe filtered air… Anyway, I’d say he shanked the other kidney, was surprised at how much the victim was still bucking after taking shots to vital organs, panicked a little and slit this guy’s throat. Now, you were wondering why I’m guessing at height and his background… come around this side.”[/BLACKOUT]

The pair of officers walked around the other side of the corpse.

[BLACKOUT]“You see his neck there…”[/BLACKOUT]

“Yeah.” The pair of cops said in unison.

[BLACKOUT]“Can you see anything odd about how his throat was cut?”[/BLACKOUT]

“I can barely see it at all, he’s lying on most of it.”

[BLACKOUT]“In a way you just made my point, Hammond… The suspect was surprised that the victim was still struggling and wanted it ended NOW. So he slit his throat on instinct. Now you or most of the general populace thinks ‘slit throat’ we generally think Hollywood… East-West, right across the neck, parallel to the shoulders. This guy hasn’t. This guy’s gone vertical, he’s just opened up the throat. This is more reminiscent of a butcher’s… slashing a beef neck or a pig’s. But in order to do that he’d have to be fairly big to comfortably reach as low as he did and to have the torque. I’ll tell you one thing though… I don’t think this is going to be the last…”[/BLACKOUT]

“****… you think serial killer.”

[BLACKOUT]“Abso-f***in-lutely. I think this guy’s learning human anatomy… I think he’s used to dealing with meat, but he’s read up on this stuff. He knew where he wanted to hit and he hit it directly. I think he was surprised by how much of a fight his victim put up, but that’ll happen when you go from theory to practice… Oh and the slashing wounds… I think the lacerations on the guy’s back and rear are more making a statement than anything else…”[/BLACKOUT]

“Gay?”

[BLACKOUT]“No… I don’t think so… There’s no ...”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac felt weird saying the word out loud since he generally operated alone. [BLACKOUT]“There’s no penetration… just the lacerations.”[/BLACKOUT]

Silence fell between the three men.

“Well… this has been… enlightening…”

[BLACKOUT]“I trust you’ll let me see the coroner’s report and the forensics findings on this. Have it sent up to Guardians HQ, yeah?”[/BLACKOUT]

“Yeah, we’ll see you get a copy.”

[BLACKOUT]“Well… I’ll be on my way then. Don’t worry, I’ll take the back door out. I don’t want to wreck the MASTERFUL job your kid’s doing back there with the police tape…”[/BLACKOUT] Isaac said as he fired a cable line from his grapple gun and the winch fired him up the wall to the rooftops.

“Whatddaya reckon he meant by that, Sarge..?” McDonald asked Hammond as the pair turned and saw Hammond’s rookie partner putting the finishing touches on what had become virtually a solid wall of police tape sown the south end of the alley.

“God damn it, you stupid f***ing kid!” Sergeant Hammond barked.

“Settle down Hammond, that’s a sensitive kid you got there…” Officer McDonald snidely chimed in with a grin.

 

[Mr. Majestic]

“Well ladies and gentlemen as the race continues lets see how the speedsters are holding up.” The announcer then goes to the laptop and pulls the information up on the big television screens that surround the park for everyone to see.

As the racers places are being display the announcer begins to read them off to the crowd.

“Pulse is in first place with Kid Quick pretty far behind him and… wait it seems that the Blur and Youngster seem to be heading off course. I don’t understand why that is happening…. never the less it appears that Pulse may end up winning this thing.”

As the announcer made his comment about Pulse winning and not the fan favorite Blur, the crowd began to boo as if LeBron James had return to Cleveland after signing with the Heat.

As the two speedsters racing began to approach the finish line to complete their second lap the crowd began to cheer. From the opposite side of the line two racing figures were coming up fast.

Pulse began to slow down his speed once he saw two figures standing at the finish line. The crowd began to erupt once again as they realize that one of the two figures was the Blur.

“Think you got enough fan’s there Blur?” Youngster asks him barley able to hear himself.

“Are you kidding, fans are like speed to me. You can never have too much.” Blur replied.

Pulse came to a stop as the two members of the Guardians stood in his way.

“Couldn’t keep up so you decided to cheat huh?” Pulse says.

“I find that funny that you would bring up the subject cheating.”

“I find it hilarious myself.”

“Yeah that too, I get that feeling in my stomach like when your watching something really funny and it hurts.”

“Your talking about that feeling when it hurts so bad you can’t continue watching you have to stop it, right?”

“That’s the feeling and also when…”

“Is there a reason you two are stopping me from winning this race.” Pulse interrupts.

“Yes there is.” Blur replies. “My friend Road Rash and I have…”

Youngster then interrupts the Blur before he could continue. “I told you on the way he I didn’t want to be Road Rash.”

“Okay then my friend G Force and I…”


“Oh yeah now we’re talking.”

“… got some good collective evidence against you proving your cheating. Like for one your not really a speedster. Your wearing a suit that helps you run at great speed's like yours truly but of course not as fast” Blur tells Pulse mocking Shawn Spencer from the TV Show Psych.

“In other words you’re busted, what!” Youngster replies trying his best to sound like Gus.

Even though they couldn’t see Pulse’s face behind his helmet they could tell that he was feeling a bit nervous because of his body language. He was taking slow steps back and moving back and forth very slowly.

“But don’t worry, we know you didn’t plan this by yourself.”

“While you were the one racing, there had to be one fallowing our every moves. The kid figured out most of it. We were being tracked but didn’t know by who. Now when the announcer gave you and Kid Quick your bracelets they were lighter than mine and the Kids. I could tell by the way he held them and by the way ours were put on compared to you’re and the girls. All you have to do is watch the small details.”

“You notice all that?”

“I did, I actually have very good observational skills.”

“I like that, good job.”

Youngster and Blur began to approach Pulse to take him in but as they were getting closer he pulled up his left sleeve revealing a unique device on it.

“That’s far enough. You take another step and I’ll blow those people over there in the stand sky high.”

“Please, give it up man we got you.”

“Did you really think I wouldn't have a back up plan?”

The announcer than walks away from the table and began to slowly make his way to his partner.

“Steve what are you doing? They got us it’s over.”

“No it’s not over. You think you’re so smart but your not, you didn't even come up with a back up plan, I did.”

Pulse then press a button on the device and explosion went off by the stands. The bomb was well placed on one of the support beams and now with the beam no longer in the equation the stand was beginning to collapse.

“I got it Blur.” Youngster yells at his dart’s off as fast as he can to go catch the stands from falling.

Youngster made it right on time before the stands could fall all the way. He used himself to help support the beams. While under the stands Youngster began to look around his surrounding to see if there was anything he could use to help maintain the stands from falling. As he was looking something else caught his eye.

“Holy stud muffins, Al patch me to Blur.” Youngster computer program only took a moment to complete the task. “Blur the guy wasn’t kidding he has a back up plan. There are bombs place on every support beam under here and they look like they are on. By the looks of it they are pressure sensitive."


"EVERYONE PLEASE STAY ON THE STANDS AND DON'T MOVE OR IT WILL BLOW!" Blur shouts to the people in the stands. At first most of them wanted to get off because no one wants to sit on top of a bomb but after hearing the words from there hero they made sure to listen.


"The good news is it seems that they are connected to a remote, if it’s anything like the other bombs the only way to turn them off is with the remote.”

“Thanks for the infor Kid.” Blur tells Youngster.

Out of all the nicknames I have that one I really hate. Youngster thought to himself.

“Where the remote?”

“It’s right here but you won’t be able to use it.” Pulse says as he sets the bombs to blow in 15 seconds.

“In 15 seconds this place is going to blow and there is nothing you can do about it.” Pulse then pulls up his right sleeve exposing another device but this one controlling his speed suit he was wearing. He presses a few buttons and turns the speed meter to max.

“With this suit you will never catch me in time.” Pulse states as he takes off.

“15 second, that’s more than enough.” Blur replies as he rushes in Pulse’s direction.

As Pulse was running pushing the suit to speeds it wasn’t post to go his suit began to slowly desecrate. Even though the suit was made to protect him against great speeds it wasn’t strong enough to protect him from the speeds he was achieving and Blur knew it. While in pursuit Blur began to realize that at his current speed he wouldn’t reach Pulse in time to save his life and the lives of the people on the stands. So without another thought he went into another gear. His speed had increased so greatly that with every step he was taking he feet were causing the ground beneath him to crumble.

Pulse takes a moment to look back and he sees Blur coming up on him fast and he only had 5 seconds left. Not wanting to get caught he pushed the suit pass its limits. From behind Blur knew what Pulse was trying to do but it was a little to late, he wasn’t going to get away from the Blue speed demon. Blur had closed the gap between them as if it was nothing. He extends his arm out to grab Pulse. He then realize the time he only had 3 seconds left.

Back at the park Youngster was still holding up the stands counting the time down.

“3…2…1… oh damn.” Youngster says as he realizes time is up.

BOMB!

The sound of an explosion could be heard from park. Youngster looks around not understanding what was going on. He heard an explosion but it wasn’t at the park. Which would meaning it must have come from where ever Blur is.

“Blur its Youngster come in.” He gives it a moment before he says anything. “Blur it’s Youngster can you hear me?” After another couple of moments went by and he didn’t hear a reply from Blur he could only think the worse. While negative thought began to fill his head he heard a strong swishing sound.

“I told you I could hear you, the comm. Link must have got damage in the explosion.”

“Blur your alive.” Youngster says as he was about to let go of beam to embrace him with joy but before fully releasing his grip it hit him why he was standing there in the first place.

“Yea Pulse had pushed his suit passed it limits to the point it overloaded. I was able to get him out the suit and press stop button on the remote before anything bad could happen. Which reminds me you didn’t tell me how you knew it was a suit to begin with.”

“Oh well it was a guess really. Before the race started I was using my speed powers to the full extent. For me my speed it difference. Time around me slows down and a path is creating for me and it helps me to know what action to take and do so at super speed. Now while it was analyzing my surrounding I looked at you and Kid Quick and there was a glow around the both of you, I even had one myself. The three of us had it but Pulse didn’t. So I just put two and two together. But I wish you could see the glow though it was amazing. More like an energy of power or more like a force, a speed force if you will. The force around you was immense.”

“Would you aspect anything less from the fastest man alive?”

Moments later the police and firemen along with the bomb squad showed up. They removed all the bombs and made sure all of the civilians were safe. Youngster and Blur were just standing at the side happy that everything turned out okay.

“Well the good thing is all of our charities will be getting the winning.”

“I believe that is how it should have been in the beginning.”

“I agree.”

“It was pretty cool working with you.”

“Same to you but now that everything seems to be taking care of I’m head home.” Blur tells Youngster right as he was about to take off.

“Wait one second.” Youngster says to stop him for leaving.

“You know I didn’t forget about that comment you made, the one about you being the fastest man alive. Technically you didn’t win the race so it really not decided yet."

“You really think your faster than me?”

“I won’t know till I find out.” Youngster tells Blur as he gets into a racing position.

“Okay than.” Blur replies as he gets into the same position beside Youngster.

“On your mark.”

“Get set.”

“GO!”

“GO!”

Both of the demons of speed took off racing to see who is... The Fastest Man Alive!!!

 

[trustyside-kick]

OOC: Previously...
​

Epilogue:​

As Sebastian Blake laid unconscious on the church floor, the first thing I did was fly back to check up on Grace. When I got back, the ambulence was already there. Good girl; she called 911 the second she finally could. I land lightly on the ground as she sits at the back of an ambulence truck, sipping on some coffee with a blanket covering most of her body in the cold night.

She looks at me in an unexpected glance, like she loves me again. A look I felt I haven't seen in her eyes in months. But then reality slaps me in the face and I wake up to realize what it most likely is; and it's not love.

I'm the hero that saved her.

Just the hero that saved her.

"Did you..."

"Kill him? No. Geez no, Grace. Believe me, I wanted to deliver him the kind of pain that isn't describable with words...but I didn't. Couldn't. Couldn't even if I wanted to. These gifts of mine kind of come with an un-published rule book. But uh, that's kinda complicated."

She's silent for a moment, and I want nothing more than to hold her.

"How are you?"

God...if only you could let me hold her now.

"On the surface? Kinda shakey. Having trouble to believe what happened what happened. On the inside though?"

She gets up, putting the cup of coffee down and she hugs me. At first, I don't hug back, shocked she isn't upset because her life was in danger because of me. But it could again just be because I just saved her life. She looks up to me, and I can tell she's looking straight through the holes in my helmet into my eyes.

"The inside is complicated. Some of it makes so much sense and feels so natural, and then rest of it...just doesn't. Because I moved on, and was starting to feel independent again. But I cannot lie to you, Michael. Not to your face and not after what just happened. When I was tied up...I prayed God would someone to save me. And I wasn't expecting the Blue Blur or Icon, or anyone of your teammates...I was hoping it would be you. Because...well, because..."

She starts to lift the helmet off of my head, and takes a good look at me. For seconds neither of us talk, and my heart starts to race. The touch of her soft hand as she runs it down my cheek put me in a state of bliss. Feels like home again, just being with her. The angel-fire wings ignite a brighter white that's almost blinding, and they envelope the both of us. Her hand leaves my chin, and I open my eyes; she's contemplating about touching my wings.

"The fire can't hurt you. It's completely harmless to those with a pure heart."

She slowly starts to move her hand, looking back at me.

"And you're sure my heart is pure enough?"

Her fingers are a mere inch away as she stops, and I lean in and whisper in the ear.

"More pure than my own."

As Grace musters up the courage, she passes her fingers, and is dazzled in the experience. She wiggles her fingers in the angel-fire and does all kinds of swirling motions; not a burn. I catch her hand in the air with my left, and then bring it together with my right, clamping her right hand gently; in a way trying to bring her back to reality.

There's no denial that I want this to go a certain way from here. But I can't afford to be that selfish.

...Right?

No. Don't try to justify anything. That...leech of a monster Sebastian abducted Grace and used her as bait for mere sport. He could have found multiple ways to get to me but he chose her.

Her. Grace.

"This isn't...real though Grace."

I want to slap myself for this.

"What you're feeling right now...don't let your present emotions and thoughts confuse you. We aren't together anymore. Like you said to me once before this night, you moved on. And you are happy now. This? What you're feeling? It's just because I saved you."

My angel-fire wings open up, and slowly flap to my backside.

"This isn't real."

She looks at me, unable to hide a small tear that she lets run down her face; I decide wipe it for her. But to my surprise she whiplashes back, my finger barely getting part of the wet tear. She doesn't say a thing.

I wanna pull her back in, you know, use a little gust of wind or something to make it come across as clever and charming. But I can't. Can't put a crossfire her way. Sebastian is just one of 7 freaks that are supposed to be coming my way.

Reaching down for her left hand, I gently take my helmet from her, and put it on. By this time, the news crew nearby has taken notice of our conversation and start coming over.

"As much as I want, this won't work. For goodness sake, Grace, you could've died tonight."

"I could've died during the Invasion too. Trying to stay away from me won't guarantee--"

"That isn't the same thing! I am personally responsible for what happened to you not just tonight, but starting several nights ago when that pyscho took you! I don't...I know I couldn't go on if you did. This experience made me realize what I need to do. It's going to get worse, believe me I know it is. I need to prepare for what's coming for me."

I take a deep breath, controlling my emotions. It's what has to be done. Just like when I had to get a new agent and fire Grace. I thought that was enough, and that was bad, but I need to distance myself more.

"I'm leaving Lost Haven. I'm leaving The Guardians. I'm leaving...everything. All of it. Leaving it all behind."

"Your art career wil--"

"My art career isn't nearly as important as what is coming my way. I need to do this. I think the only way I will be able to face the obstacles to come is to be in complete solitude."

The journalists have the nerve to move in closer and one even directly comes up to me.

"Archangel, what's this you're saying about leaving The Guard--"

I swat the camera away and the news reporter cringes a bit.

"DANGIT?! Can't I have a talk with the woman I love in peace?! All you've guys have done since the Invasion was creep into my life like I'm some frog to dissect. Yes I'm leaving The Guardians, okay?"

My angel-fire wings spread wide, and I take flight.

"I'M LEAVING EVERYTHING!"

I escape into the night sky, using the fog to hide it. I don't even think to look back. Some way to say goodbye to Grace. But it had to be done.

 

[TrueMastermind]

This is great. I've been kidnapped by a kid who can stick to walls and a sterotypical black guy who can whoop my *** easily. And now I'm listening to this kid rant on about some silly Justice Crusade. When I was a kid, I read about the Avengers and the Defenders in comic books, but I've never heard of any real superhero team. There hadn't even been that many superheroes until a while back.

"You see, the Justice Crusade are the true defenders of New York, the official protectors of this city."

"What about Paladin?"

"Don't mention that pansy!" Hostility towards the city's symbolic guardian? Hmm...

"Oh please, what has Paladin done for this city?" Well, I'm afraid if I name them, King Kong over there is gonna pound me into the cement. So I'll just keep my mouth shut.

"Hey! Who's that feller?" Turning my head to see the source of the heavy Texan accent, I see a towering, muscular man donning a ten-gallon cowboy hat walking this way. Great. Another guy who could likely pound my face in.

"Here comes the hick..." Rampage whispered before the cowboy got into listening distance. Something says that Rampage isn't too cool with the new arrival.

"Oh, Hank this is...what's your name again pal?" I chuckle at them going so long without asking me my name.

"Carson."

"Yes! As you might have already concluded, this is Carson! And Carson, this is Hank!" The kid's awfully joyful manner didn't make me enjoy this situation any more. Seeing that the Texan had outstretched his hand for a handshake, I cooperated and delivered a firm handshake. Weirdly, the tall man quickly pulled his hand back.

"Ouch! Looks like you got a little strength there. So what are you doing here?"

"We found STRIKE attacking the guy and wondering why, we took him here."

"And why wasn't I invited on this little mission?"

"You were asleep; along with most of the Crusade. I know you don't like to be waken up early."

"Your darn tootin I don't!"

With no explanation why, Hank simply walks away, leaving the three of us in confusion.

"It's time you meet the rest of the guys..."

The kid motions for me to follow him, and seeing no other options, I go along. Taking a nice look around, I notice this place is massive. Where the hell could we be? Am I even in New York anymore?

Wait a second...is that the smell of pot? Alcohol? What the hell?

"It seems you have caught on to some of our more...different Crusaders. Not exactly a clean sort. But here they are..." The teen pointed to a dim-lit room, where a lone table sat right dab in the middle of it all. Sitting around it were men who looked like they should playing a harmonica behind the bars of a jail cell. Not making an attempt to be quiet, the Crusaders seemed to be yelling over a game of Texas Hold Them. But what was littered around the room nearly pulled my heart out.

In the room, you had all you basic illegal substances. A couple of bags of pretty white cocaine, accompanied by boxes of lovely, good-for-the-soul marijuana. Containers holding crystal meth sat in front of every man in the room while vials of herion were strapped to one of the men's bodies like ammunition. And of course, they had bottles of beer to top off the stash.

Being a former detective, I felt inclined to say something. But of course, these men looked like they could whale on me pretty damn bad and to add to it all, one of them was packing. So it looked like I was gonna have to keep my mouth shut on this one.

"Umm guys, this is Carson. You know, the dude we picked up this morning." They all turned around, not looking too happy that this little runt disrupted their card game.

"Can't you see we in the middle of something boy?" For a second, the wallcrawling teenager displays a bit of anger, before gulping it down and forcing himself into silence.

"Ah, don't be rude Frank." The cleanest one of the bunch rises from his chair, walking over to the two of us. Extending a hand towards me, I could easily tell that this guy was the nicest one of the addict bunch. He was pale and friendly-looking, yet had this aura of toughness hanging over him. Sorta had the look of a rapper.

"I'm Jayson, and the other three bums are Mike, Frank, and Ringo." He points to each one as he names them while they just scowl and stay focused on their card game.

"One word of advice, don't pick a fight with them." I already figured that out. But for the sake of trying to be friendly, I let out a fake chuckle.

"I don't know, from what he did against those STRIKE guys, he may able to take down all of y'all."

"Huh?" The group of addicts also turned around and scanned me over once again.

"You know, that black energy you released. Knocked them out with out that much effort at all." In all of this crazy, I had almost forgot about how I took down those STRIKE guys.

"So what's he doing here?" The one named Mike asked.

"I was going to offer him a spot on the team."

***
​

The darkness matched his personality. Some say he's a figure made out of pure evil, while others think of him to be a mere man who just wants the world to burn. Some think he is the Devil himself. He enjoyed these twisted portrayals of himself, he adored the ridiculous legends conjured up by the boneheaded mortals. But if he had to pick one, it would be the one of him wanting the world to burn. After all, the majority of the world's residents were nothing more than selfish, greedy waste of space who didn't deserve to breathe the clean air that lingers on this planet. But coule he blame them? Much enjoyment comes out of living a life full of luxury, anybody would enjoy becoming the "top dog", as Americans might call a position of leadership. He was no different.

So why does he do what he does? Not even he truly knows. Him enjoying it would be a good one. Or perhaps his numeral mental disorders that shield him from ever obtaining a normal amount of sanity. Maybe he thinks that he is the key for the Earth to prosper. Depending on your meaning of prosper.

The truth is, Warren Schimdt doesn't ask why, he just does.

​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Midas stands staring out of the large picture window that dominates the rear of his penthouse suite as his assistant Niles informs him of the events that had transpired between Korda and the vigilante known as Shadow Walker.

As Niles relays the story, the men with him become increasingly uncomfortable. Over the last few months, Midas has grown impatient with those who serve under him, and has dealt with their failures harshly.

"And did they recover Korda's body?" He asks, evenly.

"No sir, we sent teams in for recovery, but there was no body."

"I see."

Midas just continues staring out the window at Lost Haven's beautiful night skyline while his men become increasingly weary, fearing that Midas may take his frustration out on them.

"Mr. Midas, I did some digging as you had asked, and I found some information that you may find interesting." One of his men, Dr. Lennox speaks up.

"And are you going to tell me Dr. Lennox, or are you going to keep me guessing all night?"

"Sorry sir, but as you know you requested that I look through some of our older notes in the hopes that perhaps some of our older designs might be sufficient to deal with our problem. But I found something completely unexpected..."

"What is it Lennox? I'm losing my patience."

"Well sir, I'm quite embarrassed that I didn't recognize it earlier, but I think I may have found..."

"For God's sake Lennox, quit your rambling and spit it out already."

"I know who Shadow Walker is."

This stuns Midas, who turns to face the doctor for the first time.

"I'm listening."

 

[wiegeabo]

Anderson sits behind his desk with the phone pressed against his ear and smiles.

Small talk, D has never struck him as one who likes to engage in small talk, so that means that he must have found out about the trace that he had put on his own personal freak.

Good.

Sometimes people need to be put in their place...reminded where they stand in the grand scheme of things.

Sometimes people need to be reminded about the natural order of things...their place in the food chain. D may have done a good job with his Agency, but when it comes down to it, he's really just a small time player.

He's a big fish in a small pond.

But now he's stepping into the ocean, where STRIKE is more like a great white shark...and if he doesn't play his cards right, he's going to be eaten.

"Things have been good D, how's the family."

The Director grunts.

"Same as ever. Boss at work, and no one listens at home. You know how it is."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

The Director grunts.

"Same as ever. Boss at work, and no one listens at home. You know how it is."

D's words sting. Anderson's family was the one thing in his life that truely brought him joy, and he'd lost him. He hadn't talked to his ex wife Jane in almost six years. He sits there for a moment as memories of the family he'd lost...his wife and daughter invade his subconscious. However, he quickly banishes the ghosts of his past.

"I did."

He knows just what D is trying to accomplish by subtly bringing up his family, but he refuses to give the man the satisfaction.

"I'm a busy man D, so why don't we cut the bull**** and get down to business. What exactly is it that you want?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

After spending an evening at the movies alone, Scott and Keira head to The Hub to meet up with Eric, who neither has seen much of lately. Scott enjoys spending time with Keira, she gives him a sense of normalcy that he hasn't been able to enjoy since his return to Lost Haven, and she is quickly becoming his best friend.

They had been friends since he first arrived in Lost Haven after high school, but they didn't always hang out. For the most part they ran in different circles, he would spend his time with the athletes at Lost Haven University, while she would hang out with musicians and the theater crowd.

But they became close after he had started dating Lisa as she was Lisa's best friend. Though, they became almost inseperable after Lisa was killed during the invasion.

When he returned to Lost Haven after his self imposed exile, she had been hurt and angry. She understood why he left, but not why he never contacted her....never told her that he was okay.

He understood why she felt betrayed, she had lost her best friend...again. Though, Eric is convinced that there's more to it.

After walking several blocks from the movie theater they finally arrive at The Hub, and not a moment too soon. As they step onto the curb adjacent to the club, the skies open up and a sudden downpour begins soaking the city.

They stumble into the club, laughing as they are drenched by the downpour, and as he looks at the crowd in the club, he is somewhat amazed at how well the place has taken off.

The place is packed with people dancing and laughing and just carrying on, having a good time. It takes a few minutes to locate Eric through the crowd, but he eventually finds him...standing at the corner of the bar in front of one of the flatscreens, watching a breaking news bulletin.

"Details are still sketchy, but what we do know is that something or someone appears to have attacked the town of Shakersville in the outskirts of Tacoma. We don't have an official death toll, but officials that I've talked to have said that there hasn't been devestation like this since the Arlaaekean invasion...."

Scott just stands there for a moment as he absorbs the news that is being reported on the telecast. He looks over to Keira who meets his gaze, acknowledging that she knows he can't stay. He then looks to Eric, who for the first time notices that he is standing there.

"I've got to go." he says, almost apologizing to his friends.

In an instant he darts up the stairs at the back of the club leading to his apartment, tearing at his clothes as he reaches the privacy of his apartment, until he is standing there in his living room in his costume. Moving so fast that he is barely visible, he makes his way up to the roof access from his apartment, and takes to the skies, heading west toward Shakerville.

As Icon makes his way into the small town of Shakerville Washington, he is stunned by the utter destruction stretching out in all directions before him.

The thick smoke and ash that permeates the air stings his eyes, however he continues to look in horror at the wholesale destruction of this town. He begins to focus, using his radar sense in an effort to locate any survivors...

But there are none.

The sight before him is earily similar to the Nautican Island Massacre that Blackwind's deciples perpetrated acouple of years before. The image of all the dead strewn all across what he can only describe as a warzone fills him with a renewed resolve.

He will take down whoever did this, of it's the last thing he does.

 

[wiegeabo]

D's words sting. Anderson's family was the one thing in his life that truely brought him joy, and he'd lost him. He hadn't talked to his ex wife Jane in almost six years. He sits there for a moment as memories of the family he'd lost...his wife and daughter invade his subconscious. However, he quickly banishes the ghosts of his past.

"I did."

He knows just what D is trying to accomplish by subtly bringing up his family, but he refuses to give the man the satisfaction.

"I'm a busy man D, so why don't we cut the bull**** and get down to business. What exactly is it that you want?"

"That's what I like about you, Anderson. You're a lot like me." The Director leans back in his chair.

"What I want you to do is call off your damn dogs and stop spying on my agents. Simple enough for you to understand?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"That's what I like about you, Anderson. You're a lot like me." The Director leans back in his chair.

"What I want you to do is call off your damn dogs and stop spying on my agents. Simple enough for you to understand?"

Anderson smiles. So he does know, He thinks to himself.

"I'm hurt D, do you really think that if I were going to monitor your agents, you'd actually know I was doing it?"

Unless I wanted you to.

"I think you may want to look at other possibilities my friend...you do have alot of enemies."

 

[wiegeabo]

"I think you may want to look at other possibilities my friend...you do have alot of enemies."

"Why do you think I called you, old friend?"

The Director picks up the small plastic bag on his desk, twirling it around in his fingers. "I'm looking at a brand spanking new G-48 surveillance transmitter. And no one uses those. Which, of course, made me think of you."

"Now, it's not like you to be so sloppy." Unless you've somehow become even more arrogant. "So, I have to wonder what you're interest in my people is all of the sudden? Especially since, last I checked, spying on other Federal agents violates your mandate..."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Why do you think I called you, old friend?"

The Director picks up the small plastic bag on his desk, twirling it around in his fingers. "I'm looking at a brand spanking new G-48 surveillance transmitter. And no one uses those. Which, of course, made me think of you."

"Now, it's not like you to be so sloppy." Unless you've somehow become even more arrogant. "So, I have to wonder what you're interest in my people is all of the sudden? Especially since, last I checked, spying on other Federal agents violates your mandate..."

Anderson softly chuckles.

"You are behind in the times D."

He lets the words sink in before continuing.

"You use metahumans in your operations...and that's my territory. It's my job to monitor threats to national security, even from this country's own agents."

He again pauses for effect.

"And as for my mandate...things change D. These are dangerous times we're living in. My job is to make this country safe again...by any means I find necessary."

 

[wiegeabo]

Anderson softly chuckles.

"You are behind in the times D."

He lets the words sink in before continuing.

"You use metahumans in your operations...and that's my territory. It's my job to monitor threats to national security, even from this country's own agents."

He again pauses for effect.

"And as for my mandate...things change D. These are dangerous times we're living in. My job is to make this country safe again...by any means I find necessary."

The Director is sure to keep his voice as even, and almost playful, as it was before. He's had years and years of experience doing so. But, inside he's a rolling sea of anger, with a healthy dose of paranoia about his security.

"First off, I have no idea what you're talking about. I am completely aware that only STRIKE and The Guardians get to use metas as government agents. Where ever you get your information, you may want to vet them out againt."

"Secondly, I know your job. It's the same as mine. Protecting the country. And I'm not about to let you or your people get in the way of mine."

 

[Mr. Majestic]

3 Days Ago

Man that fire was crazy I didn’t think that the Hulk thunder clap really works, that was amazing.

As I make my way out of the building the newspaper and TV reports all rush me.

“Youngster over here…”

“No Youngster KTWX News I have…”


"Blane Edwards from In..."


They are all interrupting each other to ask me a question, SWEAT!

“Please everyone clam down I can get to your questions just one at a time. You can go mama.” I point to the lady from KTWX news.

“So Youngster this fire was really something how much effort if any did it take to put it out?”

“Really it wasn’t to much of one once I knew that everyone was out of the building. When I knew it was all clear it was just a matter of putting the fire out without causing to much damage.”

I then look back at the first gentleman to my left.

“Go head with your question sir.”

“Youngster now that you are finally making a name for yourself and finally stepping out of Icon’s shadow, how does it feel?”

Okay that was a curve ball. I must say I didn’t see that one coming. “Well I guess it feels good for people to finally recognize me. I know I’m not one of those heroes that people would speak of in the same breath as Blur or Arch, Survivor and Icon. But when it’s all said and done I’m not doing this for people to know me I just want to help make the world a safer place.” Though it wouldn’t hurt to be known at the same time.

“So with Icon’s return does it put a dent in your start of fame if you will?” A reporter asks from the back ground.

“What Icon has returned?” I wasn’t even aware of this.

“Are you saying you didn’t know that Icon come back? He has been back for some time now.”

If I knew I wouldn't have acted so surprise when I was told he's back. All this time he has been back and he…

“I have to go.” I tell the reports as I dart off in super speed.



Present

‘YOUNGSTER DOESN’T ACKNOWLEDGE ICON!’​

I throw the newspaper down on the floor.

“There was nothing I said that would make you think I didn’t acknowledge him. They are just trying to make me look like a bad guy.” I get up from my chair and begin pacing the room back and forth.

“Sir it is very easy for people to misinterpret what you said.”

“How so AL?”

“Well Sir for two heroes to be on the same team, anyone would think that they would be informed when a member has returned.”

“Well I can’t say that I was. Even though I’m a Guardian I like doing all my work here. While everyone is to busy watching the news I’m out in the world saving people. I’m not leaving my so call friends behind to take a break. I'm not leaving the ones who really need me to go and just do me. I'm not doing none of that instead I'm out there putting my life on the line making sure everyone else can have the life that what taken from me.”

I take a moment from all my ranting and sit back down on my chair. Even though I try not to show it I still feel pain from when my mother was taken from me. It was a hard and dark time and the one person who was there to help me also left. I told myself I wouldn’t let this get to me and I did. Everyone makes there own decisions and he made his. I must keep going on and just don't worry about detractions.

“Al I’m sorry for yelling at you. I just have a lot going on and I was taking it out on you and that wasn’t right of me.”

“Sir there is no need to apologize I was not recreated with emotions if you recall.”

“Yea but still.” This isn’t weird at all having a conversation with my computer.

I then get back in my seat and roll my chair to the desk and turn on my computer. Once the screen came up I got to work. There has been some crazy devastation going on the west coast and from first glance it doesn’t appear to have a pattern.

“Al, have you finish running the simulations?”

“Yes I have sir and as you assumed there is no set pattern. Whatever the cause of this is, it appears to just obliterate any and all that in it’s way."

“Peachy. Where is the last location?”

“Last location is Washington state.”

“Looks like I’m going for a run. Lock up the place will yea.” I tell Al as I get up from my chair and throw my hoody over my head and place my mask on and take off heading to Washington.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

The Director is sure to keep his voice as even, and almost playful, as it was before. He's had years and years of experience doing so. But, inside he's a rolling sea of anger, with a healthy dose of paranoia about his security.

"First off, I have no idea what you're talking about. I am completely aware that only STRIKE and The Guardians get to use metas as government agents. Where ever you get your information, you may want to vet them out againt."

"Secondly, I know your job. It's the same as mine. Protecting the country. And I'm not about to let you or your people get in the way of mine."

"It's good to see that some things never change, D. You're still as nieve as ever. If you think that I don't know about your little...experiment in transparency, you're only kidding yourself. The thing you need to understand D, is that I have people everywhere...and they are constantly feeding me information, even if they don't know that they are doing so."

 

[wiegeabo]

"It's good to see that some things never change, D. You're still as nieve as ever. If you think that I don't know about your little...experiment in transparency, you're only kidding yourself. The thing you need to understand D, is that I have people everywhere...and they are constantly feeding me information, even if they don't know that they are doing so."

Heads will roll!

"Ok, I've got to give it to you Alex, now I'm even more lost. And it's not easy to get one by me."

"I really don't care what you think might be going on. But it's not. And because it's not, you're going to stop keeping tabs on my people."