The Spartan Saga

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Six[/FONT]​

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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I blinked. “Wait a minute. You took that from Mary Jane Watson's first words to Peter Parker in the Spider-Man comics.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana blushed. “Guilty,” she said. Under my questioning gaze, she added, “Well, I know for a fact that you're a huge comic nerd (my nerd), so I asked Jackson to loan me some of his Spider-Man featuring some great parts of the Peter/M.J. Relationship to read. So that's how I spent my summer.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stared at her. “You're amazing. Shall we?” I asked, motioning towards the taxi. “Sorry that it's not a chariot, but-”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It's fine,” she said, entering the cab. I followed her.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Where to?” the cabbie asked.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Madison Park,” I said briskly. The cabbie nodded and began to drive.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana pinched my arm. “That's one of the nicest, and therefore most expensive restaurants out there. How are you gonna pay for it?” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I flashbacked to earlier in the day, where I begged Dad for five hundred bucks. He bugged out on this and instead gave me two hundred and fifty. Truth be told, that was more than enough, but I wanted spending money.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I have my ways,” I answered.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]About twenty minutes later we arrived in front of the establishment. I got out first and helped Briana out. When she saw the place, an elegant glass building, I'm sure she almost fainted. To be safe, I put my hand out behind her in case she fell. Unfortunately for me, I held it a few inches away from her ass, so when she saw where it was, she narrowed her eyes at me. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Uh-uh-uh,” she said, slapping. “You don't go there, not yet. Not even if I love this dinner more than any other dinner I've ever had, which I'm pretty sure I will. Now come on.” She grabbed me by the tie and dragged me inside, and I sadly noted who wore the pants in this relationship.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Two hours later, we left the restaurant, our stomachs filled and my wallet missing one hundred and seventy dollars and eighty six cents. Briana wrapped her hand around mine and, on tippy-toes, kissed my cheek. “Thanks for dinner.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't mention it, lovey,” I replied.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana looked at me oddly. “Lovey?” she asked. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I blushed and looked at her. “You don't like it?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No, I like it fine. I just never thought you were one for pet names.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I smirked. “Briana, if I took myself so seriously as to not use pet names, don't you think I'd not dress up in a costume and fight crime?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana laughed. “Good point.” Then a shadow of urgency travelled across her face. “Hey, should you be talking about the...other you...so casually in public?” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I snickered. “Lovey, most of the people here are so inebriated they'll forget most of this night by morning. And besides, my Battle Sense would warn me if anyone was listening and able to comprehend what I was saying. So relax. I've been doing this for almost three years. I know what I'm doing.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana smiled and pecked my cheek again. “I know.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I called another cab to pick me and Briana up, and directed the cabbie to drive to Briana's house. When we arrived, I told the cabbie to wait as I walked Briana to the door. She happily agreed.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As Briana prepared to walk in, she said, “Well, thanks for dinner, Kyle.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No sweat, Bree,” I said, grinning. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]We kissed, and that went on for a long time, finally getting to the point that Briana had to force herself away. “Okay, we've got to stop, otherwise I'll break curfew.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“All right,” I said, sighing sadly. “Good night, lovey. I love you.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]We kissed again, but this time it was briefer than before. “I love you too, love [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]bug,” she replied before going in, leaving me staring at the door.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Love bug?” I asked no one in particular.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So how'd the date go?” Jackson asked me over the phone.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Pretty damn great, I think,” I boasted. “But now I owe Dad many hours of labor to pay off the two hundred and fifty dollar debt I owe him.” [/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That shouldn't be a problem,” Jackson said. “I mean, what can he make you do that's an impossibility for Spartan?”[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He'll find something,” I said darkly, and then said bye to my friend. After I'd hung up, I thought about Jackson. Out of all my friends, he's the one who'd changed the most. When I met him, he'd been pretty quiet. A 'yes man', if you would. But since I became Spartan, he'd matured, and actually had the balls to stand up to Jason, who could tear you apart verbally if he felt so inclined. I shook my head. People were right: high school does change people.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As I went to lay down on my bed, I heard a rustle outside my window. At first I thought it was the wind, but I felt no breeze. Curious, I got up to investigate. Nothing was there. Dismissing it as the workings of the common squirrel or raccoon, I lay back down on my bed and went to sleep. [/FONT][/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Seven[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After school the next Friday, I sat in Cap's office, leaning back in the chair just enough so that it didn't tip over. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So what I'm saying,” Cap was finishing, “is that ever since you came back, there's been a decline in metahuman activity. Maybe, I don't know, one attack a week, if that.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I bit my tongue thoughtfully. “And that was without me making a public reappearance. Maybe the thugs who I beat up the night of my return actually knew it was me, and told their friends in the Metahuman Guild of America that fact.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It's possible, though unlikely,” Cap said. “My men caught them the next day.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh,” I said, surprised. Then I frowned. “What if Spartan's not really needed anymore?”
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap was taken aback. “What do you mean?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I let the chair fall back on all four of its legs. “Like you said, there's been less and less metahuman activity these days. What if soon it just...stops? Will Spartan really need to be around to stop them?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap studied me. “Kyle, even if all the metahumans disappeared, there's still regular crime to consider. The only reason that's a low is because the meta's have kept them scared in hiding.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I nodded. “I guess you're right.” Then a thought occurred to me. “What's to say the public won't hate me when I officially make my return? After all, I did leave them to the mercy of the metahumans for six odd months.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap smiled. “I took care of that when you disappeared. Press Conferences are a wonderful thing. I merely told the public that you were on a sabbatical to become a better hero, because you felt that in your current state that you were a danger to them.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not entirely untrue,” I muttered. “Good job.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So do you have any idea on when your costumed half will come back?” Cap asked, hope in his voice.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Dad was still working on the costume last night,” I said. “I haven't had a chance to see if he finished it yet.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh,” Cap said, sounding disappointed. “Well, let me know if he needs anything to help speed up the process. Xavier City needs it's hero back, if only for morale purposes.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Will do,” I said, standing to leave. “And Cap? They couldn't have picked a better captain.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap blushed. “Thanks. Say, what're you and your Dad doing for dinner tonight?” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I think Dad's got a big surgery tonight,” I said. “And my girlfriend, you know, Briana, has a badminton game I'm going to. It's the last of the season, and since I haven't been able to see her play at all this year, I'm pretty much obligated to go. That, and if I don't show up, she'll...well, let's just say Spartan will never return.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap laughed. “Women. They get to the best of us.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You've got that right.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So there I was, sitting on the bleachers in the school gym with Jason, Jackson, and Leon. We were surrounded by many of our peers, a great majority of them male.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I never knew badminton was so popular,” I said to Jason.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“One word, my friend,” Jason said. “Cheerleaders.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]My eyes went wide. “They have cheerleaders for a badminton game? Wow, and I thought the school couldn't get any weirder.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Leon smacked my arm, a misstep on his part. He shook his arm in the air, wearing a pained expression on his face. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That's what you get for hitting an invincible ginger,” I said smugly.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It was worth it,” Leon said, still shaking his hand. “The show they do before the games start is awesome.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No doubt,” I said absentmindedly, watching Briana practice. Even if I hadn't been her boyfriend, I'd still say she was good. After two minutes of watching, she finally noticed and smiled and waved at me. I smiled back and saluted sarcastically. She snickered. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After twelve more minutes of waiting, the events were about to begin. Leon was right: the cheerleader show was good, though Briana once caught me ogling a particularly busty cheerleader, and I reminded myself that I'm a superhero committed to my girlfriend. It didn't take much reminding. “Sorry,” I mouthed.” “It's okay,” she whispered, and I heard it all over the loud and the cheering. Not due to some strange romantic phenomena, simply due to my super hearing. Though the phenomena does sound more lovey-dovey cheesy, in an adorable way. Oh dear god, I'm ranting like a woman.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Much to Leon's sadness, the cheerleader show ended, and the game began. The first few minutes went by without incident, though I did notice a lot of the male's getting uncomfortable, mostly because the reason they had come was over, and now they couldn't leave until the end of the game. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Then, suddenly, my Battle Sense buzzed with urgency, and through my super hearing I heard what sounded like ice forming above us. Seconds later, my assumption proved true, as the gym's roof suddenly froze over, and then was entirely shattered, sending shards of ice to the ground. Thankfully, it missed the players, though I was fully prepared to create a web net to protect them. Especially Briana. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I looked up, and three beings entered the gym through the roof. One, a bald teenage male with huge muscles, entered in on a floating rock; another, a thin girl with large glasses and bright blonde hair, entered in a bolt of lightning; the last, another teen male who was almost as thin as the girl with slicked back brown hair, entered in on an ice slide.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He stole that from Ice-Man,” Jackson said indignantly, not even looking frightened. Neither did Jason, Leon, or even Briana, and she was right by them. All of them looked at me expectantly.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let's see what they want,” I whispered. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The bald teen spoke in a raspy yet booming voice, laced with disgust “Riverside High School. I'm sure you remember me and my friends?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When no one said anything, baldy's eyes narrowed. “What a surprise,” he said sarcastically. “Well, I'm Adam Marks. My icy friend is Nolan Freeman and, here's a shock, my female companion is Sally Benjamin. For all of our high school careers, we've been treated as outcasts. Sitting alone at lunch, being shoved in lockers, always being picked last in gym, you know, the usual stuff. But that doesn't make it any more right. To get revenge, God gave me the power to manipulate Earth, Nolan the ability to lower temperatures considerably, and Sally the gift of electrokinesis. We are here to avenge ourselves on you, our past tormentors.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As he gave his speech, I rolled my eyes. This was as cliché a villain speech as they came. “What about the ones who didn't hurt you?” a timid voice hopefully asked.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're as guilty as the others,” Nolan answered. “While you didn't hurt us directly, you stood by and let it happen.” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Reaching out with my hyper-awareness, I looked for the nearest exit, one I could use to escape without notice. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Kyle, go!” Leon urged.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]But even as he said it, I was already gone.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I ran to my house as fast as possible, pausing only to open the door. Racing downstairs, I put the nano-suit on (which was in its now default setting of school uniform suit), slapped the watch on the rest, and pressed the button hopefully. I grinned as I felt the familiar feel of nanobots changing the suit, and ripped open the dress shirt to reveal a raised red-on-black Superman 'S'. Opening the window, I flew out at top speed.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And I was Spartan once more. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Eight[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As I flew back to the school, I used my hyper-awareness to see what was going on. Sally was hurling electric bolts at the students, making them run in terror. Oddly enough, none of them were hitting the intended targets, making me wonder if she was just toying with them. Adam, meanwhile, was throwing the security guards around like they weighed nothing, despite the fact that they were both incredibly overweight. It was clear that he had super strength as well as the ability to manipulate the earth. After the guards were taken care of, Adam nodded to Nolan, who froze everyone's feet to the ground. I saw Jason cursing at them, so Nolan froze his mouth shut. Briana jumped on Adam's back, and to my alarm started hitting him. He threw her off and Nolan froze her feet, too. Adam leaped out of the gym and returned with an SUV, preparing to throw it at the immobilized students...[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Eyes glowing red, I flew as fast as I could down into the gym and caught the SUV just as it was about to strike a portion of the students. Using my hyper-awareness, I threw the SUV out in a web cocoon safely onto the school field. When that was done, I turned to face the three metahumans, all who looked terrified at the sight of me.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What?” I said. “You look like you've seen a ghost.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Spartan...,” all three of them whispered fearfully.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That's my name,” I replied, turning to the frozen crowd, all looking relieved to see me. “You guys might want to stand still...not that you have any choice, really.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I released a wave of heat vision that spread over the entirety of the bleachers. It was hot enough to melt the ice that encased their feet, but beyond that the heat wouldn't do much harm. It took only a minute for everyone to be free of their icy prisons.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Now get out of here,” I ordered. “I'll handle this.” My friends looked at me, not worried, but happy. “You're safe now.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As the students began to file out of the building, Adam roared. “You're ruining everything! Sally, go!”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sally prepared to launch a large bolt of lightning at the escaping crowd. Just as she threw it, I ran in between them, absorbing the electricity into my body. “Ooo, that tickled,” I giggled. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sally's eyes widened. “How are you still alive?! That bolt was strong enough to incinerate an elephant.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Under the mask, I rolled my eyes. “Hello? Superhuman! God, sometimes I wonder if being evil makes people stupid, too.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Tears welled up in Sally's eyes. “You assface! I'm not stupid!”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh dear,” I said. “Hey, calm down there Shockra.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Shockra!?” she screeched. “What kind of ****ing name is that?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh god damn it,” I said, punching her unconscious. Turning to Nolan, I said, “Never try to reason with a woman, right Popsicle?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nolan narrowed his eyes at me. “Oh, you think you're so witty, don't you?” [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I put my hands on my hips. “Well, actually...”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I was interrupted by a blast of cold, which I dodged easily. “Hey!”I yelled. “I wasn't finished making my quip yet!”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let's keep it that way!” Nolan yelled, and my Battle Sense buzzed. I turned to see Adam behind me, and before I could react, he telekinetically lifted a portion of the ground, morphed it into a boulder, and smacked my head with it. It didn't hurt at all, but I feigned unconsciousness anyway.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Some hero,” Adam snorted. He lifted me up, and I could smell onions on him. I fought my gag reflex as he put me in a bear hug. “Freeze him, and let's get to our “peers” before they get away.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]My Battle Sense went off, and as the ice blast came towards me I countered it with heat vision, creating steam. With noticeable effort, Nolan tried to increase the strength of the ice blast, with no success. I elbowed Adam in the stomach and threw him into Nolan. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Never hug me again,” I said.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Adam stood up. “What, no clever name for me?”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh no, I have one, it just didn't seem appropriate to use it yet,” I admitted.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Without physical warning, Adam charged at me. I leaped over him and kicked his back, but that only caused him to trip slightly. He ran at me again, so this time I attached two webs to his body and threw him into the wall, where I encased him in a web cocoon. I grabbed Nolan and Sarah and stuck them next to him.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'll get you for this,” Adam said.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I hovered next to him. “Easy there, rocks for brains. You'll strain yourself.” Patting his head to knock him out, I flew out of the roof and saw cop cars lined up outside, Cap about to lead some officers inside. I landed next to him.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I took care of them, Cap. No need to worry.”[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap jumped. “Spartan! You're back!” I knew he meant my costumed identity, because he knew I'd been back for over a week.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Miss me?” I asked, playing along.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The city needed you,” he said. “Good thing you came back when you did.”[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Agreed,” I replied. “You'll find the three metahumans inside, webbed to a wall. They're all unconscious. The girl has electrokinesis, the bald guy has super strength and the ability to manipulate the earth, and the other guy has ice powers. I assume you have special prisons to contain them.”[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You'd be right,” Cap said. “Thanks for the heads up.”[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't mention it. You know how to reach me if you need me.”[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And with that, I flew off. Flying around the city, I allowed myself to fall, and then began swinging around town. As I did so, people saw me, and started cheering. “Spartan! He's back!” one little boy yelled. Under the mask, I grinned. [/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Damn straight,” I said.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A little while after I travelled around the city, I went to Briana's house, where Leon, Jason, and Jackson were. I landed on the balcony and tapped lightly on the door.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]They turned and grinned when they saw me, and after Briana let me in, she hugged me tightly. “You all right?” she asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I should be asking you guys that,” I said. “They didn't hurt you, did they?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Only my pride,” Jason said, rubbing his mouth. “Having my mouth being frozen is worse than having you web it up.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good to know,” I said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So you ever gonna change into normal people clothes?” Briana asked, smirking. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hold on,” Jackson said, stopping me as I prepared to change. “I've got to ask, what's with the new duds?” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I looked in the mirror. Aside from the red 'S' shield on my chest and red spider on my back, the costume was no longer reminiscent of denim, but some durable form of cloth. “It shows the change in my personality,” I said, still admiring my body.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Couldn't you have gone with brighter colors?” Leon asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“My hair's bright enough as is,” I said, referring to my ginger locks. “Besides, I look good in red and black.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That you do, love bug,” Briana said. “Now change back.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yes ma'am,” I said resignedly, and when I was back in the school uniform Leon, Jason, and Jackson made whipping motions and sounds. I glared at them, eyes glowing red. “Don't push me,” I said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Everyone laughed and soon enough, I did, too. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Nine[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]At home, I was laying down on the couch, flipping through the T.V. channels. To my anger, nothing was on; [FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nickelodeon sucked now, as did Cartoon Network. I didn't watch (or play) sports, and all the basic cable channels had news coverage on Spartan's return. Since I had, you know, [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]lived [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]it, I had no desire to watch it. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As I flipped through the channels and passed the news for the seven hundredth time, Dad, who had just showered after coming home from work, said, “Hey, is that you?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yep,” I answered. I explained to him what had happened. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“And everyone got out all right?” he asked when I was finished.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah,” I said. “The news has stated it many times. Frankly, I'm getting sick of it. I mean, I didn't become Spartan for praise, I did it to help people.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So you want the media to start bashing you?” Dad asked wryly. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No...I...,” I was at a loss for words. If I wasn't being praised, I'd be bashed. Dad was right about that. “I guess you're right.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I know I am,” Dad said. “Did you have dinner?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah, I went to Pancho's on the way to the school.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“All right,” Dad said. “Well, I'm beat so I'm going to bed. 'Night Kyle.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good night, Dad.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As Dad went up the stairs, I got up and changed into the costume. I wanted to fly around town, not out of depression, but a desire to fly. As I flew over the skyline (which really is quite beautiful at night), I looked down on the civilians. When they saw me, they started cheering. I waved to them, and continued to fly.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I flew the whole night, and at six in the morning I flew into my bedroom. I don't know exactly why I had to go and fly around the city repeatedly, but I think it had to do with reconnecting with the people I was protecting on some level. If that was my intention, then I think it succeeded. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Changing back into my school uniform, then changing from there into night clothes, I flopped onto my bed, threw the blanket over me, and slept well.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When I dreamed, I saw myself in Spartan attire fighting Dark Spartan, my evil self from an alternate future. We were fighting in Xavier City, with bodies surrounding us. And Dark Spartan was winning. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Before he could strike the killing blow, I woke up, gasping and covered in sweat. I had a feeling what I'd just seen wasn't a dream, but one of the prophetic visions that my Battle Sense tended to give me before a crisis came. Unfortunately, these visions were more metaphorical in what they told me, going for a more style over substance thing. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Still, I couldn't help but wonder if Dark Spartan was going to invade my reality. There was only one person who could answer that question. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sage!” I called. “I need to talk to you!” I felt a tingle in my stomach, and knew that my request to speak was about to be responded to. Before I knew it, I was in the extradimensional being's realm, which was made to resemble Paradise. I looked around, and Sage was standing behind me, looking concerned. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What is it, Kyle?” he asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ignoring the fact that I was half-naked, I said, “I just had a dream where I fought Dark Spartan in Xavier City, surrounded by a lot of bodies. I need you to tell me if he's somehow figured out how to escape his reality and is coming for mine.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sage looked into the distance, his blue aura becoming stronger and his eyes glowing. After a minute of this, he stopped. “Dark Spartan is where he belongs.” I sighed in relief. “Why did you ask?” Sage added. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sometimes my Battle Sense gives me prophetic visions in my sleep. I thought this might have been one of them,” I explained. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ah,” Sage said. “Well, ease your mind, because Dark Spartan is not a threat to you.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I nodded. “Good.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But...,” my omniscient mentor added, “you must be careful. The coming months will test you in ways that you have only dreamed of.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Before I could ask what that meant, Sage waved a hand, and I felt a tingle in my stomach. “Wait...,” I began, but I was back in my bedroom before I could even [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]finish the sentence. “Damn you,” I swore.[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Ten[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Later that day, when all my friends were awake, I called them into my room. Saying it was important. Even Jason, who usually always had a quip to say at my expense, agreed to it unquestioningly, perhaps detecting the urgency in my voice. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]At 2:37 (I'm specific, so sue me) they had all arrived and were seated in various parts of my bedroom; Briana on my bed beside Leon, Jason on my chair, and Jackson on the floor. As for me, I was attached to my ceiling, looking down on them. “Well,” I began. “Thanks for coming, first of all...”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh, get on with it,” Jason said loudly. Leon nodded in agreement.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Fine,” I sighed. “I had a dream where I fought Dark Spartan, and in it, I was surrounded by bodies. After seeing what Dark Spartan could do firsthand, I called you hear to ask you to be careful. Please.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So, you called us here because you had a nightmare?” Jason asked quietly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I hesitated. “Well, yeah.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jason stood up, a clear sign he was about to go on a rant. “Listen, Kyle, I've given you **** over the years because, frankly, you deserved it. But now, I'm gonna give you some advice: stop being such a ***** and man up.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Jason!” Briana exclaimed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hold on,” Jason said to her, before turning to look back up to me. “I know you're scared for us, but you can't come to us worried when you have a dream, otherwise you'll just make us worried for no good reason. If you do get evidence that something's going to happen, then okay, let us know.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I dropped down from the ceiling and looked Jackson face-to-face. “Do you want to know why I worry so much?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not really,” Jason said. “But I'm sure you'll tell me anyway.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I fought back the anger that was urging me to punch him. “I [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]worry...[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]because I can't get hurt. You can. I worry because I car[/FONT]e.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“***,” Jason muttered, but I could tell that my words had hit him hard. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Come here,” Briana said, pushing Leon off my bed and patting the area next to her. Smiling slightly, I complied, and as soon as I sat down Briana said, “Listen, love bug: I understand that you're worried. Believe me, I do. But you can't live that way, otherwise you'll go crazy from it.” She kissed my head. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You guys are really lovey-dovey, you know?” Jackson said. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It makes me want to puke,” Jason said. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Lay off, guys, it's sweet,” Leon said, and I saw the hurt in his eyes. He clearly still ached from the lack of relationship in his life. I would be mad at him, but I knew how lonely not having someone could be, so on some level, I sympathized.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Maybe you're right, Briana,” I said. “But I can't exactly help it, now can I?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Guess not,” she replied. “But still, at least try. For me?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“And me?” Jackson added, batting his eyelashes.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Maybe for you, Bree. But[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] definitely[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] for Jackson,” I said. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Should I be worried?” Briana asked in a half-serious voice.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah,” I said. “I think you should.” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]That night, I swung around town, keeping my ears open for any crimes. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Eventually, the screams of a female did come across my ears, so I dropped from my web and flew into the alley where the scream came from. On my way down, I couldn't help wonder why people walk through alleyways. They were more convenient then going around, sure, but they were also dark and filled with drug dealers, rapists, and muggers, along with the occasional rabid raccoon. I would know, I've been down my share of alleys. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I landed in the alley, where I looked around, but couldn't find any trace of an attacker or attackee.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hello, Thpartan,” a voice with a thick lisp said. My eyes widened, and I turned to see Sara Shinlye standing there.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I was about to ask what she was doing here, but that would be breaking character; Kyle Wyatt knew her, Spartan didn't. I put my hands on my hips.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Is there something wrong, ma'am?” I asked. God, it pained me to call her 'ma'am'. While I had beat the **** out of her thanks to Adventus' influence increasing my anger towards her, I felt somewhat remorseful for the act, as I would never harm an innocent civilian. Well, in Sara's case, a civilian.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Nothing wrong, I just wanted to get your attention,” she said. She walked towards me, and I saw that her brown hair was curly, and she was wearing a dress. Odd clothes for someone who had been missing.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Who are you?” I asked. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Thara Thinlye,” she said.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You've been missing for some time,” I said. “If there's nothing wrong, I should go.” I prepared to fly away, but she spoke again. Under the mask, I winced.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I jutht wanted to that 'hi' to my old friend Kyle Wyatt,” she said. I turned to her, and quickly thought up a line to cover up my alarm.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Was he here too?” I asked, stammering only a little. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't play gameth with me, Kyle. I know it'th you under the mask,” she said, walking closer. I took a step back with each step she took towards me. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about, lady,” I said. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh yeth you do,” she said, still coming closer. “You were the one who beat me, who broke me latht year.” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I knew she wouldn't stop talking, so I flew up into the air. “Whatever issues you have with this 'Kyle Wyatt', you should take them up with him. But first you should let your parents know you're safe. I'm sure they're worried about you.” And with that, I flew off towards the Police Department.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap's window was open, as it always was. It made it easier for me to fly into, which I did at that moment. The first few times I did it, it had scared Cap, but now he treated it quite normally. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sipping coffee while looking over some papers, he said, “Hi, Spartan.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stood and dusted off the costume. “Oh, nothing much. Well, I [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]did [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]see Sara Shinlye about two minutes ago.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap looked up. “Sara Shinlye? You mean, that girl who's been missing for the past few months?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I nodded. “The very same.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well, why didn't you bring her here?!” Cap yelled. “Granted, I haven't put in much manpower into looking for her, but she was still an open case!”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stayed calm. “She knows who I am under the mask, Cap.” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap's face became one of confusion. “How?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I don't know,” I said. “But she made it obvious that she's still upset over the ass kicking I gave her when Adventus had drugged me. If I had grabbed her, touched her in any way, she could have cried foul, and that wouldn't be good, I think.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap bobbed his head. “You did the right thing. Sorry I yelled at you, this past hour's been bad.” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why?” I asked, sitting in the chair opposite his desk.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“All the metahumans we've captured have disappeared,” Cap said, grimacing. “It seems to have been done by an outside party, since the cells that we put the meta's in are, as you know, designed to be impervious to their abilities.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But not to [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]other[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] abilities...,” I said under my breath. “Why are you telling me this now, instead of when it happened?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We only found out an hour ago,” Cap explained. “All the guards at the meta-prison were killed. It was only during the shift change that we found out.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let me guess: you want me to investigate?” I asked, my voice laced with irony.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It would be helpful,” Cap said weakly. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stood up and prepared to fly out. “Don't worry about it, Cap. It's what I do.” [/FONT][/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Eleven[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]For a fortnight, I investigated in most of my free time. Hell, once I even had a lead that I had to break a date with Briana for. Unfortunately, the lead pointed nowhere, so I spent the next three days apologizing, in spite of her repeated claims that it was fine. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]But then there was another thing I had to worry about. With the holiday season fast approaching, I realized that I had no money to get my loved ones gifts [/FONT]When I brought this up to Dad, he shrugged it off. “You don't have to get me anything.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I glared at him. “Well that's all fine and dandy, but what about Briana, Dad? I can't go and not get my girlfriend a Christmas present!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Slurping his soup, Dad said, “Isn't she Jewish, anyway?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stared at him, wondering how a genius like him could be so thick sometimes. “She's mostly Italian, Pop.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh.” He slurped some more soup. “You know, you don't necessarily have to buy her anything.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Are you implying I should steal something?” I asked coyly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad choked. “No! I'm saying you should do something for her like you did for that Valentine's Day a few years back, give her something from the heart.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well, I'm not going to my friends for help again,” I said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“SOMETHING FROM THE HEART,” Dad said loudly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'll sleep on it,” I said. “Maybe my dreams will give me some clue.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good plan,” Dad said. As I went up the stairs, he added, “Er, Kyle? Would you mind heating up my soup? I'm too lazy to use the microwave.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I rolled my eyes. “Set the bowl down on the table.” When Dad did, I shot a brief burst of heat vision at it, causing smoke to instantly arise from it. “You're [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]welcome,” I said before he could thank me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As I entered my room and flopped down on my bed, I heard Dad swear because the soup was too hot. I snickered[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I didn't dream, so that gave me no inkling as to what to do. Frustrated, I got ready for school, where my day went by normally. However, as I walked through the hallways, I noticed that they were more packed than usual, making me late to a few of my classes, though since it was my first infraction, I got let off. However, I was still slightly frustrated, as I knew if I wanted to, I could either shove them out of the way using my raw strength, or climb on the ceiling. But, alas, I knew that these were just the internal ramblings of a frustrated superhero.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When the day ended, I parted ways with my friends, and flew Briana home because she wasn't feeling so good. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Whoa,” she said after we landed on her balcony. She staggered.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You all right?” I asked through the mask. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah, just not used to going so fast,” she said, looking a little green.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well, I would have flown casually, but then some nosy reporter could have seen us, gotten our picture taken somehow, and then we'd be over the newspaper,” I explained.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You've thought this out,” Briana said, amused. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You know it,” I said, taking the mask off. “Now lay down. I don't need you getting sick on me and not coming to school. I can not deal with Leon and Jason alone here.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You'd have Jackson,” she said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“True,” I said. Then I pouted. “Damn it, isn't it enough to know I'd miss you?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana contemplated. After a while of thinking, she said, “Yeah. But just barely.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why you,” I said, leaning in to kiss her. She pulled away, so I looked at her questioningly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't wanna get you sick,” she said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Doesn't matter, lovey. Superhuman immune system. It is, bluntly, impossible for me to get sick. I wish Dad didn't know that, otherwise I'd be able to fake sick to get outta school.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh,” Briana said. “Well in that case...”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]We kissed, and when I could tell she was getting weak (in general, not just from my amazing kissing) I said, “All right, go to sleep. I feel your legs going limp. Heh. Limp.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana laughed. “Fine, fine. Thanks, Kyle.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I put the mask on. “Don't mention it. Seriously, don't. I'm not fond of extra praise. Don't ask why.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I won't,” she said, going into her room. “Love you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Love you, too,” I said, flying away. I went to my listening post, the tallest building in Xavier City, and reached out with my hyper-awareness, looking for anything I could do to help. To my surprise, it was pretty peaceful, with little kids bundled in warm clothing, their parents buying gifts. It was the calmest I'd seen the city in a while. I opened my eyes and looked at the skyline, and saw how beautiful it was. It was at that moment my problem with Briana was ended.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Two weeks later, the night before Christmas Eve, I stood on Briana's deck facing her, dressed in my normal clothes. It was completely dark outside, but with my hyper-awareness I sensed that the city was illuminated perfectly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You warm enough?” I asked her.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Warm me up anyway,” she replied.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“With my big manly arms or heat vision?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Your big manly arms,” she chuckled.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I walked to her and grabbed her tightly. “Much better,” she said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Stand on my shoes, and close your eyes,” I whispered in her ear.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What?” she asked, looking up at me.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Stand on my shoes and close your eyes,” I repeated. “Trust me.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana looked confused, but complied. After making sure her eyes were closed shut, I hovered into the air, and flew us to the listening post, still in the standing up position. It was almost as if we were dancing. I hoped she couldn't tell we were moving, but her inquiry of, “Are we just gonna stand here with you hugging me? 'Cause I'm fine with that,” eased my worries. Finally, we got to where we needed to be: my listening post.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I gently landed on the spire, and turned her around. I webbed her to my feet, just in case. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What's going on?” she asked, sounding worried.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Nothing. Just open your eyes...now.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana listened, and when she had, she gasped. “Oh my God, Kyle! You're not gonna push me, are you?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm hurt, Bree. No, I'm not going to push you.” I sighed. “This is your Christmas present: to see the city how I see it. I didn't really know what else to get you, so...”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh, Kyle, it's awesome!” Briana exclaimed. “If I wasn't webbed to your feet, I'd turn and kiss you!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“There'll be time for that later,” I said. “For now, just take in the view, and enjoy.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As both of us looked over Xavier City, illuminated by the lights of the stars and its own skyscrapers and cars, snow began to fall on us.[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twelve[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Two days after Christmas, Leon, Jackson, and Jason were over. We were playing Rock Band on my new XBox 360: I was lead guitar, Jason was drums, Jackson was the singer, and Leon was bass guitar. He wasn't all that happy with that.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But the bassist is the loser of the band!” he complained after a song had been completed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Fits you perfectly,” I muttered, just loud enough for him to hear. Everyone laughed, except him. He glared at me.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let me be lead,” he said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Nah,” I said, and nodded to Jackson to pick another song.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But...,” he began.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'll melt you,” I said shortly. “Besides, my house, my rules.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Dick,” he said, but he went along with it anyway.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After we had played a three song set, Jackson turned to me. “So what'd you get Briana for Christmas?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Before I could reply, Jason did it for me. “He did her.” We all stared at him. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Without even blinking, he added,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] “Hard”.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'll kill you!” I bellowed, getting ready to beat him with my guitar controller.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So you take offense to me saying you nailed your girlfriend?” Jason smirked. “What a woman.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I was about ready to tackle him, eyes glowing, when my head buzzed. Cap was using the 'Spartan-Signal', the hypersonic transmitter that my super hearing could pick up. In my head, I heard him telling me, “Robot attack, midtown.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I turned off the console, much to the chagrin of the others. “What the hell was that for?” Jason yelled.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Midtown's under attack, I gotta go play hero,” I explained.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well you could have left the game on,” he said, frowning.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I activated the costume, and saw in my mirror the transformation from Kyle Wyatt to Spartan. Turning to my friends, I smiled and put the mask on. “Be back soon.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Be careful,” Jackson said as I went towards the window. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I paused and turned to him. “Always am.” And then I flew out. As I raced towards the city, I reached out with my hyper-awareness, and saw that the robots attacking it were three, and were also the robots that Dean Murdoch had used as bodyguards. That revelation stopped me cold, as I wondered if this was a sign that Murdoch was back and ready to attempt to capture me for Adventus yet again. Pushing those thoughts aside, I resumed my flight with haste, and landed before the robots, surrounded by carnage and bodies, who, though mangled, were still alive.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The robots, whose skeletal appearances belied their great strength and speed, turned to me and, in simultaneous, monotonous voices, said, “Target acquired,” and began to run towards me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Now, the last time I'd fought these models, they were tougher than I was. This time, however, was different, as I had access to my full powers. Laughing cockily, I blasted them with an arc of heat vision, hoping that would melt them.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]It didn't.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]To my surprise, as soon as I had ceased my attack, they continued to walk towards me, the only sign that I'd attacked them being the smoke rising off of their chassis. “Oh great,” I muttered, running towards the nearest one and uppercutting it, and then grabbing it with a web, throwing it into the robot running behind me with the intent to grab me. As they lay on the street, I ran to them and ripped off their heads, throwing them at the remaining 'bots chest, puncturing a hole in it. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I sighed. The battle had been easier than the one from two years ago, but the fact that the robots were here at all was disturbing. I prepared to fly away, but an alert from my Battle Sense told me of another robot. This one was bigger and sturdier looking, with glowing red eyes and turrets on each of its shoulders.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh for God's sake,” I said. I flew to face it, but was stopped in mid-air by a sonic blast. I fell to the ground, clutching my ears. Okay, I could tell this model was more advanced. Go me for being Captain Obvious.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I thought over my options: since the 'bot kept playing the sonic wave, my invincibility was disabled, which meant I couldn't just run at the barrage of bullets likely to be fired at me. Speaking of which, that happened as soon as I thought it. Still unsure of what to do, I had no choice but to run. Unfortunately, the killer robot followed me, continuing its fire.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“************************,” I yelped as bullets narrowly missed me. I looked behind me to see the robot gaining on me. Looking up, I saw a streetlight hanging from a pole, so I attached a web to it, leaped, spun around in a full 360 degree arc, and kicked my chaser to the ground. Taking advantage, I jumped onto its back and ripped off its head. Thinking my battle done, I crushed it with my hands. “Whoo,” I sighed. Then my Battle Sense went off and, more irritated than surprised, I turned to see the robot getting up. “Oh come on!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I sped to the robots side, ripped its arm off, and started striking it, using the arm as a makeshift staff. Finally, the killer robot was nothing more than a pile of scraps. “I really hate robots,” I spat, tossing the arm onto the robots remains and melting it, just in case.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Instead of flying straight home, I swung around the city, deep in thought. I had been under the belief that Dean Murdoch had been killed by Adventus for some strange, evil person reason. Hell, his company MilleniCorp. had been destroyed by an Adventus inside a mechanical serpent. Still, the use of his robots made me unsure. I did know, though, that if Dean Murdoch and/or Adventus were coming after me, it would be the last time. I would make sure of that. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Thirteen[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I decided against telling my friends about my suspiscions concerning Adventus, as I didn't want to worry them needlessly. Especially Briana. I mean, I love her and normally wouldn't keep anything from her, but she'd go crazy with worrying, I think, and I couldn't do that to her. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Still, I couldn't keep my thoughts bottled up, as I knew all too well that was a path to self-destruction. Of course, I went to my father. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After I told him what I thought, he said, “If you think Dean Murdoch is dead, then he likely is. It's possible that someone found the designs for his robot enforcers and built them from scratch.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“True,” I said. “Still, when they saw me, they said, and I quote, 'Target Acquired'. Sounds like they were after me specifically.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Or they could have just locked onto you,” Dad said, slightly smiling. I had to admit that he was right. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So you're saying this could just be some loon with a robot fetish?” I asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Pretty much,” Dad said. “Though I wouldn't use that exact term.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Deep down, you would,” I said, winking. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Maybe,” Dad admitted. “Hey, you should talk to Captain Mendoza about this. He has resources, he should be able to help.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I took his advice, and flew to XCPD, catching Cap just as he was walking towards his car. I landed lightly on its roof. “Cap,” I growled. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap jumped. “Okay, that took me off guard. Something wrong, Spartan?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I nodded slightly. “Those robots that attacked the city earlier, they're models Dean Murdoch had designed and used.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap's eyebrows shot up. I had filled him in on the Adventus situation after the incident last year. “I thought you said Adventus killed him?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It was a thought, nothing concrete. Anyway, just thought you should know we might be dealing with Adventus here.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Anything I can do?” he asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I looked at him. “If there is, I'll let you know.” I shot a web that clung to a building and prepared to swing a way, but Cap held up a hand to stop me.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You all right, Kyle? You're not being your usual wise-ass self. In fact, you're being pretty grim.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I looked at my friend. “I'm just...worried. The last time Murdoch was involved, he went after me through my friends. I don't care if I'm attacked, but if Jason or Leon or Jackson or Briana...especially Briana get hurt because of me, I'd go crazy.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I understand,” Cap said. “It's why I don't try to get too close to the men and women under me. You've done a lot of good here, but Xavier City's still has its dark side, and my people still get killed in the line of duty.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I started to interrupt, but Cap wouldn't let me. “But I still feel the pain whenever one of them gets shot, stabbed or beaten. The fact that you care so much for your friends proves that you're still human. And that's the most important thing of all.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]How we got from Dean Murdoch to my humanity, I wasn't exactly sure, but I do think I needed to hear what Cap had said. I took off my mask and stared at Cap directly in the eyes. “Thank you, Captain.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After talking with Cap, I felt better. When Briana and I next were together, in my room, I told her my fears. She wasn't as scared as I thought she would be. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm not scared at all. Really,” she told me. My jaw dropped. “What?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It's just...last time, he went so far as to get Geoff Wyners to kill you,” I explained. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But you saved me,” Briana said, smiling kindly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I shuddered. I hadn't told her that at first I was unable to get to her in time, and that I held her in my arms as she died. Her death is what caused me to first fly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What is it?” she asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I took a long, deep breath. “Yeah, I saved you, but I had to go back in time to do it.” At Briana's inquisitive look, I continued. “When Wyners attacked, I hadn't learned to fly. Because of that, I hadn't been able to get to you in time.” I gulped. “Wyners hit you with full force, sending you flying into the air. I caught you, but it didn't matter. I uh...I held you in my arms as you died.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A tear rolled down my cheek. I worked hard to suppress that memory, almost as much as I tried to forget the death of my first girlfriend, Olivia. Still, I continued. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“When you...moved on...I was so angry, I flew. I flew so fast that I travelled back in time. You know the rest.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana stared at me for a second, then kissed my cheek. “Thanks.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“For what?” I asked, bewildered. I had expected her to be upset that I'd kept this from her, not grateful. I definitely did not expect a peck on the cheek.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“For catching me when I fall. For being my guardian angel. For being you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I didn't even register the cheese in her statement. All I heard was the love in her words, and it was for that reason I knew that I'd wind up marrying her. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

Chapter Fourteen​

I swore under my breath, causing my breath to appear in a cloud of fog. It was the middle of January, and on my way to school I had to stop a metahuman robbing a deli (of all places), and the extra hustle of beating the woman up and flying her to XCPD (at a pace that wouldn't kill her, mind) had delayed me. Finally, with Cap's thanks, I'd been able to fly to school, which I did at top speed. And, as you know, I was late.

Landing behind a dumpster, I changed back into my school uniform and went to walk inside, ready to take the verbal beating from my physics teacher.

“Nithe landing,” a familiar lispy voice said from behind me. Groaning, I turned to see Sara Shinlye standing behind me.

“What do you want, Sara?” I asked, annoyed.

“Jutht a chanthe to talk to the great thuperhero outthide of hith cothtume,” she explained. It took me a second to translate her lisp talk into human words.

“Well, here I am,” I replied. I knew it was pointless to continue to deny my identity, as she saw me change. I inwardly chided myself for not scouting the area with hyper-awareness before landing. I mean, I was the superhero equivalent of a veteran, and here I was making a mistake I'd have made in year one. Stupid.

“Tho I thee,” she said, walking up to me. I tried to back away, but the school's wall was preventing me from doing so, further proving my belief that school was purposefully invented to torture me. This time checking with hyper-awareness to make sure no one was around, I flipped onto the wall and stuck there.

“Sorry, but you're not allowed to come near me. It's rule number seven in the Superhero Handbook: Do not get within a foot of living diseases. Especially ones with lisps,” I added.

I saw tears form in her eyes, but the girl still smiled. “You thouldn't be tho mean, Kyle. Not with what I know. Haven't you wondered where I've been thethe patht few monthth?”

“The cops sent me looking for you, but I wasn't really concerned, no,” I replied. “Still...what do you know?”

“Kith me and I'll tell you.”

My eyes widened in horror. “What?” I managed to get out, fighting the urge to gag. It wasn't easy, even with a super body.

“Kith me,” she repeated. “Jutht one kith, and I'll tell you everything.” She held up her fingers. “Girl thcouth honor.”

It was too much. I gagged. And gagged. And gagged some more. Finally, I'd had enough, so I leaped onto the roof. When I was finally finished gagging, I looked over the edge, where Sara was nowhere to be seen. Deep down, I was grateful, but what she had said, about knowing something important...My Battle Sense hadn't warned me of any deception, but that didn't really matter, as I'd been fooled before. What was more likely was that she had been using knowledge as an excuse to kiss the best looking superhero on the planet. Okay, I'm the only superhero, so that makes me the best looking by default, but even if there were more, I'd be better looking than them.

Shut up.

I sighed and looked at my watch. First period was half over, so there was no point in going now. Closing my eyes, I fell onto the hard cement rooftop and rested.

When the bell marking the end of first period rang, I instantly awoke and dove off the roof, landing behind the bushes. Making sure no one was around, I got up, brushed myself off, and walked inside to head for the gym.

My day went on pretty well after that, but during seventh period I was called down to my Guidance Counselors office. She was a woman in her mid-thirties with streaked blonde hair. She had eyes that all but told you that she didn't want to be there. “Hi Kyle,” she said lazily as I sat down.

“Hey Ms. Fabiano. What's up?” I asked.

“College,” she replied, looking me in the eye. “We need to discuss your options. Have you thought about where you want to go?”

I hadn't, really, but I knew the answer. “Nearby.”

“Okay,” she said, writing that down on a form of some sort. “What do you want to major in?”

Now this was a toughie. I hadn't thought about my future profession, aside from being Spartan. I wonder if the city would pay me to be their resident superhero? Something to look into...

“Kyle?” Ms. Fabiano prodded. I shook my head.

“Sorry,” I said. “Erm...investigative journalism's pretty cool.” That was a lie. I had no interest in reporting, and I did enough investigating when I was 'working'.

“Okay,” my counselor said, doing a quick search on her computer. “Xavier City Community College has a good journalism program.”

I considered it. I was probably going to wind up going there anyway, so I said, “That sounds good.”

“Very good,” Ms. Fabiano said, smiling. “Take this sheet home to your father and have him sign it, then bring it back to me as soon as you can.”

“Thank you,” I said, standing up.

* * *

I had just finished telling my friends about the meeting as we walked home. “I swear, when you deal with various metahumans on a daily basis, college is kind of a low priority.” I paused. “As it stands, though, it looks like I'm applying to Xavier Community.”

“Stonewall,” Jackson said. “For their media arts program.”

“Yale,” Jason said. As we stared at him, he shrugged. “It could happen.”

“I'm gonna travel abroad, probably focus on France,” Leon said, grinning. “French girls, yeah!” He raised his hand to Jackson for a high five, but Jackson just stared at him coldly. Realizing he wouldn't get a high five, Leon sadly lowered his hand. I was amazed at how much a break-up could change a person.

I turned to Briana. “What about you, lovey?”

Briana blushed. “Well, since I wanna be a teacher, I'm thinking of going to Y.K. University.”

I blanched. “That's in Arizona.”

“Yeah,” Briana said.

I froze, realizing that all my friends were going to go away, leaving me all alone. I mean, sure, I could fly to them, but that would just be annoying. One of my personal comforts in life was being able to see my friends almost whenever I wanted. Without that...

Before I could say what I was thinking, I heard a whoosh sound, and was then yanked into the sky.

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Fifteen[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The cold wind whipped my face as I flew through the sky, under the arm of someone wearing black and green. I tried to look at my attacker, but couldn't turn my head around to see him or her. Before I could use my hyper-awareness to see the assailant, he/she threw me into an office building. As I flew past the office drones, I pressed the button on my watch, changing into Spartan.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As the change occurred I took the oppurtunity to look at my aggressor, who hovered directly outside the hole my body had created. It was definitely male, with a strong muscular build. He wore all black, with green shoulder pads, a black mask with a visor much like my own, a dark green belt, and a raised, angular, dark green 'A' on his chest. He was an Adventi. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When the change was complete, I flew at the Adventi, tackling him in mid-air. As we flew across the city, we each landed blows on each other, and to my horror I found that he was stronger than I was. We glared at each other as we wrestled, both of our eyes glowing. Red lances of heat were shot at me from the Adventi's eyes, pushing me off of him and sending me tumbling to the ground. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Recovering, I shot a web to a nearby building and swung up kicking him square in the chest. He let out an, “Oof,” and I ripped his mask off. He had slicked back red hair, darker than my own, but his eyes were the same as mine. His face even looked like a pointier version of mine, only less good looking.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]This startled me, and the Adventi paused for nothing, grabbing me choking me by the throat. Gasping for air, I took a page out of his book and blasted him with heat vision, knocking him off of me. He landed on a wall, and clung to it. I hovered before him. “Who are the hell are you?” I asked. “And why do you look like me?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Adventi, to my surprise, smirked. “I'm so glad I get to hear the world-famous Spartan wise-assery. It'll make killing you all the easier.” His voice was raspy, with a cocky edge towards it. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I frowned. “That's not cool.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Neither are you,” my opponent spat.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I flew over to him, and we continued to punch each other, matching each other blow-for-blow yet again. He headbutted me, then stuck to the wall with his hands and kicked me away. I coughed, and flew at him, ready to punch yet again, only for him to flip above me. My fist created a hole in the wall.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]My enemy looked down on me, clinging to the wall on all fours. He was smiling mockingly. “Need a hand?” he queried, before promptly crawling up onto the roof. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Growling, I ripped my hand out of the wall and began to crawl along the wall, chasing him. I noted that not only was he stronger than me, he was faster, too. With that and his heat vision, I wondered what exactly this Adventi was.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When I got onto the roof, I couldn't see him. I reached out with hyper-awareness, but he was nowhere to be seen. That surprised me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Look up,” his voice came from above, and I rolled out of the way just before he landed on me. I shot heat vision at him, but he dodged that. I grunted, then webbed his feet to the ground. I started to run at him, but then stopped short all of a sudden. I looked down to see my shoes covered in webbing. My heart pounded. No... [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're figuring it out, aren't you, Wyatt?” he asked, grinning a toothy grin. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No!” I yelled. There's no way Adventus could clone me, would clone me.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Was there?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Adventi blasted his feet with heat vision as I was still figuring out his origins, and he flew at me, once more lifting me off the ground. We engaged in another mid-air battle, this one quickly ended by a chop to my neck, paralyzing me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Breathing heavily, I began to fall to the ground. To add insult to injury, the Adventi attached webs to my body and rode me like a surfboard to the ground. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I landed with a huge crash, and with such force that a crater was created. I could barely move, only just enough to see the Adventi blast me with heat vision, full force. I'd never known how damn painful it was until this point, and prayed I never would again. The smell of burnt flesh passed through my nostrils, and the for the first time in years I actually screamed in pain.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]That was when the heat ceased. “Had enough?” the Adventi whispered. I weakly gave him the middle finger. He laughed. “Oh thank you so much, Kyle James Spartan Wyatt. You're going to make your death that much easier.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Happy to help,” I managed to get out. He laughed again, and sat down next to me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm in no hurry. Anything you want to know before you die? Like what it's like to massacre an entire village?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I heard the malice in his voice, as well as the sick pleasure he took in murder. It dripped off of his tongue like water. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Just one thing: who's your tailor, Adventi?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The enemy stopped smiling. “I'm no Adventi, not anymore.” He stood up. “They may have created me to be one of them, but I'm not. They called me Project-78632. But you, you can call me...Renegade.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The smile returned to Renegade's lips, and he started to beat me mercilessly. He kicked me in the kidneys, punched me in the intestines, broke my legs by stomping on them. Whatever pain he could inflict, he did. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And it hurt. It became so much that I began to pray that the end would come, soon. I hadn't noticed that I'd been saying it aloud.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You want it to end, Spartan? Fine, I'm not entirely without honor. I'll be more than happy to grant your request.” A manic light glowed in Renegade's eyes. He kicked my hands and feet into the position of Jesus on the cross, then webbed me to the ground like that. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good-bye,” Renegade said, ready to step on my face, and as I began to lose consciousness I thought of Briana, and hoped that she'd be all right.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I subconsciously waited for the stomp to come, but it never did. Instead, a sonic screeching entered my ears, but I didn't really notice. I was in enough pain as it was. Renegade, however, reacted quite negatively. I had just enough focus to use my hyper-awareness, with which I saw him on his knees, his ears bleeding. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Breathing heavily, he stood. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're safe this time, but it won't last, I promise,” Renegade gasped. “We'll meet again, Spartan. That's no threat, just a promise.” With that, he took off into the sky.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I heard concerned civilians crowed around me, but I didn't have the strength to move. Suddenly, I heard them gasp, and thought that Renegade had returned. Instead, I heard a heavy metallic thud, and was unexpectedly lifted off of the ground by a large metal hand. I heard the sound of jet engines, and felt the long-familiar feeling of taking off of the the ground.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I wheezed. “What the-?” I opened my eyes barely a sliver and saw that I was being held by a giant mechanical combat suit, not unlike the one I'd fought in my first year. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No...,” I moaned, darkness overtaking me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The last thing I heard was, “Easy there, Kyle,” Dean Murdoch's voice said over external speakers. “You're safe now.”[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Sixteen[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]For a long while, I swam in shadows. I heard many voices, but they were garbled and distorted. However, at one point I was awake enough to hear my father talking to a voice I couldn't quite make out. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why'd you bring him here?” Dad asked coldly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He needed immediate medical attention,” the voice said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I thought your organization was composed of some of the greatest minds on the planet?” Dad sneered.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'll correct myself: he needed medical attention, and I came to someone with his best interests at heart,” the voice said. It sounded so familiar, and I knew I'd heard it recently, but I was so out of it I couldn't place it. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What's made you so altruistic?” Dad asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Before the voice could answer, I blacked out again.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Still in the dark, I heard more familiar voices, and the dark began to grow brighter. I could pay attention without getting a ****ing headache. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“How is he?” Briana asked, clearly worried. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Almost every bone in his body has been broken,” Dad explained, his voice trembling only slightly. “He's in pretty bad shape, though his condition's improved a lot. You should have seen him when he was first brought here.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He'll wake up, right?” Leon asked, with the same amount of worry in his voice as Briana. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah. He's not in a coma, so it's just a matter of patience.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hey Kyle!” Jason yelled in my ear. “Wake up!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I wanted to tell him I hated him, but couldn't gather the strength. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't do that!” Jackson snapped. “He needs to rest.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Like he can actually here me,” Jason said, but he didn't yell anymore. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So I'm guessing you guys saw the footage of the battle?” Dad asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“How could we not?” Leon asked. “It's all over Youtube.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“And it wasn't really a battle, it was an ass-kicking,” Jason said. “To be honest, I'm surprised Kyle's still alive. He's tougher than I [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]thought.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I wanted to retort to that last statement, but the words gurgled in my mouth. Letting out a small breath, I fell back into a quiet abyss, only this time a much brighter one.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A burst of light shot through my mind, and I bolted upright. I looked around; I was in my bedroom, hooked up to a series of complex medical devices. Relieving myself of them, I got out of bed and walked to my window, staring at the sunrise. For a brief moment, I had no idea what had happened, but after catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, with half of my chest covered in bandages, I remembered the fight with Renegade, and the subsequent visits by the mysterious voice and my friends. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I lifted the bandages slightly, peaking at my wounds. Aside from medium bruising, there was nothing under them. I cracked my neck and walked around. Aside from some feelings of stiffness, it was as if the fight had never happened. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I immediately went for my cell to call Briana, but saw that the clock read 7:46. Hopefully, she'd still be sleeping. I'd dealt with a tired Briana, and trust me, you do not want to deal with that. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I pulled on a random plain gray shirt and went downstairs, where I saw Dad sleeping. Smirking, I went to wake him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I wouldn't do that,” a voice came from the counter. I turned to find Dean Murdoch sitting there in a bathrobe, drinking coffee and reading the paper. Upon seeing him I remembered how he'd taken me in his mechanical fighting suit. How I'd gotten from that point to the point I was at at the moment I wasn't sure, nor did I, at the time, care. I saw the man I hated above all, and I wanted to rip his heart out.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“MURDOCH!” I barked, eyes glowing the reddest they could. I started to run at him, but I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned sharply to see Dad, looking weary and tired, smiling sadly at me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Calm down, Kyle,” he said. “You can't exert yourself, not yet. Breathe.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Because it was Dad, I complied, though I still glared at Murdoch, who wouldn't meet my gaze. I gained a slight bit of pleasure in that fact, but quickly squashed it. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What's he doing here?” I asked, my tone edgy. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“How are you feeling?” Dad whispered, examining me and ignoring me.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Fine,” I growled. “What's he doing here?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad stayed silent, and Murdoch sighed and put down the paper. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He's going to keep asking if we don't tell him, Thomas.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're right,” Dad sighed. “Go ahead.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hold up,” I said, turning to face Dad. “Why are you all chummy with Murdoch? Why is he in this house wearing what I'm pretty sure is your bathrobe? What the hell is going on!?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I was getting to that,” Murdoch said quietly. I looked at him, and saw he looked sad. His skin was still tan, but his hair was thinning, and his eyes, the eyes which once showed cruel arrogance, now only showed sadness.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And...remorse?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sit down, Kyle,” Dad said, and I went to the couch. Dad sat next to me, and Murdoch sat in Dad's chair.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Where do we begin?” he asked. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Seventeen[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I folded my arms. “The beginning of the story always works.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Of course,” Murdoch said, clearing his throat. “Bare with me, this is a long story.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Just get on with it,” I said, irritated. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Kyle!” Dad said harshly. “Manners!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stood up. “Manners? To the guy who almost killed Briana? To the guy who almost killed me?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I understand why you hate me, Kyle,” Murdoch said. “I doubt it's as much as I hate myself, though. Just...let me tell my story. After I'm done, feel free to do what you will with me. I won't try to stop you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I glared at him, then sat back down. “Go.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Murdoch smiled slightly, then began. “The story begins fifteen years ago. I had just made my first million, and had founded MilleniCorp. with the purpose of creating new technologies that would better the world. Unfortunately, one of my first creations, a drug that would cure cancer, was found to cause muscle atrophy, loss of speech, and eventually death. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That nearly crippled me. My financiers withdrew their funding, and I was all alone, facing murder charges. Then one day I was approached by Niles Ferris, I'm sure you remember him. He came to me at my lowest point, telling me that his master's wished to invite me to join their organization. Adventus. Ferris explained to me that Adventus shared my goals of bettering the world, though I wasn't aware of their “End justifying the mean” philosophy.” He told me I would be funded well, so long as I designed certain devices for them, such as their teleportation network. Feeling this was a small price to pay, I happily agreed. Ferris was sent to my side, under the cover of my legal consigliere, so as to make sure that I was acting in Adventus' best interests.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“For the first few years, I served Adventus admirably, doing what they told me to. Then one day I heard Ferris talking to the Adventus High Council, telling him that I did not have any beliefs that they sabotaged my drug. I was instantly furious at having been used, and so I used my, forgive my lack of modesty, incredible hacking skills to enter the Adventus mainframe. There I learned of their goal: to take over the world. I was stunned, and began to work to take them down. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Unfortunately, they were quite a powerful and extensive group, with agents, as I told you, in every level of society. I was forced to bide my time, but it was not a waste. I took the oppurtunity to observe Niles Ferris, who I pretended to befriend in order to integrate myself into Adventus more fully. It worked: I soon became a high-ranking official, just below Ferris in the hierarchy. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Still, I was growing tired of waiting, watching Adventus commit various atrocities. Then, as if a gift from the heavens, Spartan appeared. A plan quickly formed in my mind: I could have you destroy Adventus. Ferris told me Adventus wanted you anyway, so I had him get you so I could 'recruit you.'”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I did indeed. “You told me you wanted to overthrow the Overlord's of Adventus to rule yourself. Not very noble, as you're suggesting.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That was a lie, Kyle!” Murdoch said, his tone pleading. “Ferris was there, so I had to pretend to be selfish. If you had agreed, I would have asked you to incapacitate Ferris, and then told you my plan.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Which I would have agreed to,” I said begrudgingly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But you didn't,” Murdoch continued. “I knew that Adventus would go after you and your friends, so I grew upset. Ferris saw this, and told the Overlord's. They had Ferris inject me with a mind-controlling agent that I had originally created for interrogations. That is why I attacked you in the mech. That is why Geoff Wyners was freed from jail. Had it been me acting of my own free will, I would never have done so. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“As I'm sure you remember, we fought, and you defeated me. As you raced to save Briana Walker, Adventus teleported me to their mountain base, where I was tortured to the brink of death more times than I care to count. The only way I maintained my sanity was by plotting my escape, to help you.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“In between beatings, I was able to hear of what was going on in the outside world. I learned that Ferris was placed in charge of acquiring you, and that he was using my surrogate daughter Carol Wilke to do so. I do admit, I gave her her abilities so that you would be convinced to help me destroy Adventus (a mistake, I know now), but I had no intention of using her to kill you or your friends. But Ferris did, and you two fought. When you had defeated her, Ferris had brought her back here using the teleportation grid, and forced me to watch her execution. It nearly drove me to the breaking point.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“For a little while, Adventus was, for once, stumped. They had no idea how to get to you. Luckily for them, and I mean no disrespect, the one called Mr. Dark killed Olivia Wilde, and the anger that that caused gave Adventus their opening. You know of their plot, to capture you and copy your powers by affecting you with a mood-altering gas. Once they copied those powers onto the bank robbers, you broke free and saved the city from them. But their defeat helped Adventus. As Ferris had escaped, he brought the Overlord's knowledge that the only reason your powers work is because of an anomaly in your DNA. They found a blood sample of yours, analyzed it carefully, and managed to copy the anomaly. Then they began to clone you.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“They called the clone Project 78632. He was incubated in a tube filled with goo, where the Adventi gave him your powers. How they did so is quite technical, but the point is they did. Worse, they enhanced your powers, so he is more powerful than you are by about five percent. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Using special drugs, the clone was aged, and in six months he was eighteen years old, physically and mentally. As part of his training, he learned everything he could about you: your friends, your family, your moral code, etcetera. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Project 78632 was raised to follow Adventus beliefs, as they were subliminally given to him in the womb. However, he took to them so much that in his twisted clone mind, he felt he should rule the world. Rebelling against Adventus, he killed the High Council and every Adventi in the mountain base, then proceeded to travel the world to systemically kill every other Adventi.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So why were you spared?” I asked. My mind was still wrapping around what he was saying.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Murdoch smiled humorlessly. “I saw what he would become, so I took a drug given to me by a sympathetic Adventi Guard to fake death. Another of my inventions. Project 78632 saw my body, was satisfied that I was deceased, then moved on. When I woke from my self-induced coma, I immediately began to work on the mech, repairing it from the damages sustained during our brawl. This took me five months, and I only just repaired it when I heard on a radio that Spartan was engaged in a battle with a black and green garbed figure. I immediately set myself in the mech, then flew to save you. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I was nearly too late. Project 78632 was beating you within an inch of your life. I fired my sonic cannon to incapacitate him, and he retreated. I grabbed you and flew you here, where I explained to your father what had happened.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad jumped in. “Since Murdoch's sonic cannon temporarily rendered your invincibility inert, I was able to work on you. To catch you up: you've been unconscious for the past four days. Project 78632 hasn't been seen. In fact, the city's been very calm.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I nodded. “So...I'm guessing you believe him?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad nodded. “Do you?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I...I don't know. I mean, it just seems so convenient for all the evils he's done to be washed away by a mind-controlling agent,” I explained. And I was being truthful, too. I had hated him for so long, that to think it wasn't his fault was a foreign thought. But there was sincerity in his voice, and his pulse was at a normal rate.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So what are you going to do with me?” Murdoch asked. There was no fear in his voice, just curiosity. I knew he was telling the truth.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You can stay in the basement,” I said, looking at Dad for approval. He grinned. Murdoch smiled.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“All right, now we need to figure out what we're going to do about Renegade,” I began. “That's what he calls himself...”[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Eighteen[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Renegade?” Murdoch snorted. “Fits.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah,” I said. “Something's been bugging me. When you were talking, Dean, I was simultaneously going over the battle in my head, and I realized that my Battle Sense hadn't alerted me to the attack. In fact, it hadn't warned me of any of his other attacks, either. You know what that's about?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hmm,” Murdoch said thoughtfully. “Adventus did clone him with all of your powers, so it is possible that your two Battle Sense's negate each other.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The Venom to your Spider-Man,” a voice came from the basement entrance. I looked to see Jackson standing there, looking serious but also relieved. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What are you doing here?” I asked. I turned to Dad. “What's he doing here?” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He asked if he could stay here until you woke up,” Dad said. “Who was I to deny a friend that?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Don't tell me you're actually upset that I was concerned?” Jackson asked, not serious.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not at all,” I said, standing and slapping his hand. “So I guess I need to fill you in?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No, I heard everything,” he clarified. Then he turned to Murdoch. “So you're a good guy, eh?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Murdoch blushed, embarrassed. “After what I've done, I wouldn't exactly call myself 'good', but I'm not going to try and kill you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well, Kyle and Dr. Wyatt believe you, so I believe you too,” Jackson said, slapping his hand on Murdoch's shoulder. “Welcome aboard.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I was surprised at my friend's behavior. He'd never been this open (only word I could think of) before, never a take charge kinda guy. That he was now was fairly refreshing. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So, where was I?” I asked. “Right. Our Battle Sense's negate each other. I wonder if he's immune to being tracked through hyper-awareness?'[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I wouldn't rely on that to find him, Kyle,” Murdoch said grimly. “I know you're powerful, but I doubt you could find him since I'm positive he's not in the city.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The man had a point. My hyper-awareness was only good for stretching across a little past the city. Beyond that was an unknown area. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So what do I do, since I can't find him? Wait?” I asked angrily. I had great powers at my disposal, but the idea of not being able to do something kills me. “What are his plans in the long run?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“This is just a guess,” Murdoch said. “But he'll probably go after the leaders of the world and kill them, so he can rule himself..” I began to speak, but was stopped by Murdoch's next sentence. “But he won't do that until you're out of the picture. So right now he's probably plotting ways to kill you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That's just what I need,” I snorted. “An uglier clone of me trying to kill me. Yeesh, I hope he doesn't pretend to be the real me.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jackson laughed, catching the reference to the Spider-Man Clone Saga. When he stopped, he said, “Later on, you should go see Briana. She was really worried about you. Upset, too, because of the conversation about college that had occurred before the fight.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I nodded. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And so it was after lunch that I flew to Briana's house. Landing on her deck and changing into my civilian clothes, I tapped lightly on her glass door, accidentally cracking it slightly. When she turned away from the T.V., her eyes brightened, and she motioned me to come in. I did, and before both feet were in her room she leaped on top of me and kissed me. Hard.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Maybe I should almost die more often, if I get kisses like that when I return,” I said lightly. Briana's face darkened, and I knew I'd said the wrong thing. In retaliation, she slapped me. And it hurt. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ow!” I said. “My powers aren't fully back yet from the beatdown I took, so yeah. Ow!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It should hurt,” Briana said. “Don't ever almost die on me again.” I began to say that it came with the job, but she stopped me. “Uhuhuhuh. No. More. Almost. Dying.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I rolled my eyes. “Fine,” I said, exasperated. She hugged me again. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Are you all right? We saw most of the fight on T.V. It was pretty brutal.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Aside from some stiffness in the not-good area, and my pride, I'm fine. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Physically.” I sighed. “Mentally, not so much.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana blinked. “The college thing, right?” she gulped. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah. You know I'm not gonna web you up and stop you from going, but I...I love you so damn much, and the thought of being away from you for months at a time, it hurts, you know?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I know, love bug,” she replied, going behind me and rubbing my shoulders. “But hey, you can fly down there just like that, right? It's not like we'll never see each other.” She smiled, knowing she was right.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Damn your logic,” I said softly. I kissed her cheek. “I ***** and moan because I care, you know.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I know,” she laughed. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Nineteen[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Even with that conversation with Briana, and later my other friends, I was still upset about the college thing, even two months later. This was, of course, thanks to the acceptance letters we all got from our colleges of choice. I knew it should have been a happy occasion when my friends got theirs, and they were ecstatic when they did. I was genuinely happy for them, but was also pretty depressed. Yeah yeah, I knew it was selfish, but these were the friends I'd known for years, and loved them like family. Yeah, even Jason. But just barely.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]One day when I was giving Cap a report on the city, he saw I was upset. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Everything all right?” he asked, pouring himself a drink. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I got into college,” I said. I was, at that moment, Spartan, so I was clinging to the wall opposite Cap's desk, arms crossed. “Xavier City Community, if you wanna get technical.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Congratulations!” Cap yelled jovially.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Thanks,” I said.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You don't sound too happy,” Cap said, studying my masked face.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I hesitated, then told Cap everything. As a true friend, he listened intently, and when I was done, he said, “Well, it's clear to me that you're afraid of being alone, especially since you and Briana have only been dating for a short time, compared to other relationships. Also, your other friends make you feel accepted, and without them you feel that, with your powers, you'd be alone. But just because you're away from each other doesn't make you separate, if you know what I mean.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Beneath the mask, the corners of my lips twitched. “Since when are you a psych?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I minored in it,” he replied. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hmm, I might wind up doing that. Major in forensics, minor in psychology. Can't hurt the crime-fighting, can it?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap chuckled. “Not at all.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Suddenly, my phone rang, vibrating in my pants. I sighed inwardly, wishing there was another way of communication that I could use when I was Spartan. I checked the caller ID then answered. “Yeah Dad?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Uh, Kyle?” Dad's voice said uneasily from the other end. “My car kinda broke down. You mind coming by to pick me off and dropping me off at the mechanics?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I groaned. “I better get an extra in my allowance this month.” I hung up, then said to Cap, “Sorry, Dad needs help, so I gotta help.” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Anything I can do?” Cap asked. He sounded worried. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Calm down, first of all,” I said. “His cars just broken. But ah, if you could keep me carrying a Ford Explorer over the city, that'd be nice.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Will do.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Nodding my thanks, I flew out of the window and activated my hyper-awareness as, to my stupidity, I had forgotten to ask Dad where he was. I saw him parked next to a Best Buy all the way back in Riverside, which meant that the flying wouldn't actually take that long. Still, it was an annoyance. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I landed beside Dad's car and said, in my most arrogant, cocky voice, “Do you require assistance, citizen?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad glared at me. “Just get me to the mechanic,” he said between clenched teeth. I smiled widely. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“As you wish, citizen.” With that said, I went to the back of the car, lifted it from the bumper, walked under it, attached my hands to the center, and took off into the sky. Really, [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]really [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]fast.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As I flew towards the mechanics, my pants vibrated. I had a feeling I knew who was calling. “I can't pick up, Dad!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. “I mean, I could, but that would involve me having to take one of my hands off the bottom of the vehicle, and that wouldn't work out so well, I think.” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“God dammit Kyle, slow down!” Dad said, which, thanks to my perfect hearing, I heard perfectly. Having had my fun, I listened. “Thank you,” he whispered, [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]relieved. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The rest of the flight went without further incident. I dropped him off at the mechanics. “Thank you for flying Spartan Air, and have a safe trip home.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad got out of the car and stared at me. “How'd you get to be such a wise-ass?” he wondered in a low whisper.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I shrugged and said in an equally low voice. “I don't know. But really, would I really be me if I wasn't one.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad continued to stare at me for another few seconds, and then smirked. “I guess [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]not.” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I heard footsteps approaching, and turned to see the mechanic walking by. He had dark skin, and grease covered his body. His gray hair was scraggly, and when he smiled I saw he was missing a few teeth. Nonetheless, he was an old family friend. I was going to say hi to him, then remembered I was Spartan.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad, however, was under no such limitations. “How's it going Sal?” he extended his hand. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sal, however, was in awe of me. “You know Spartan, Thomas?” he asked in his raspy voice. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not at all,” Dad said evenly. “My car broke down, and Spartan here saw me and was nice enough to give me a lift here.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Happy to be of help, sir,” I said stiffly. “I assume you can get home on your own?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'll give him a lift, Spartan,” Sal said eagerly. It was clear he was trying to prove himself to me. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I shrugged, and slipped back into my regular Spartan demeanor. “Your call, grease monkey.” And then I flew away, but as I did kept an ear on the conversation. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Did he just call me 'grease monkey'?” Sal was asking.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He meant it as a compliment, I'm sure,” Dad replied coolly.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Probably,” Sal said, sounding relieved. “So, how's Kyle doing?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ah, well, you know how teenagers are...”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stopped listening there. I had a feeling their talk would wind up getting boring really quick. As I flew around the city leisurely, my pants vibrated.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“God damn it!” I yelled to no one. “Do they realize what a pain in my superheroic ginger ass it is to get my phone out of my pants to answer a call mid-flight?” I paused in mid-air. “Eh, probably not.” I got the phone out and checked the ID. Briana.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I answered eagerly. “Well hello, lovey.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hey love bug,” she replied. “Wanna come over? The others are on their way right now. Actually...someone's here right now. That was the doorbell.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah, sure. I'm just gonna fly around for a few minutes, make sure there's no trouble, then I'll be by.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Okay, see you in a little. Be careful.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Always am. Love you.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Love you, too.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I hung up and sighed. To be in love was a great feeling. Especially when those feeling's were returned.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Isn't that sweet?” an icy voice said from behind me. I turned around, and my eyes [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]narrowed.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Renegade,” I hissed. [/FONT][/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade hovered before me, smirking. He had changed his outfit. Now, he wore a flowing black overcoat cut about a fourth down the middle. Under this coat was a black armored chest piece, with the muscles outlined in a subtle green. He wore black trousers, and combat boots much like my own. His belt buckle depicted the symbol of Adventus.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Nice wardrobe change. I thought you were anti-Adventus?” I asked when I noticed the buckle.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That's only partially true,” Renegade replied, his tone conversational. “I'm against what Adventus was. Their goals at their purest, however, are something that I can respect. Admire, even. That's why I wear their symbol on my belt.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Makes sense,” I said. “In a twisted, sociopathic evil clone way, of course.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Of course,” Renegade agreed, inclining his head. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]We hovered silently for a moment. “I don't suppose I could persuade you to surrender quietly?” I asked, half-joking, while preparing for an attack which never came.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade laughed. “Tell you what, Kyle, if you can catch me, I'll surrender peacefully. Scout's honor.” To drive the point home, he put his hand over his heart. Well, where the heart would be in a normal human. Not exactly sure if the clone had one. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I growled. “And how do I know that if I catch you, you'll honor your agreement?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You have no choice,” Renegade said shortly. And with that unfortunately true statement, he dropped to the ground and began to run through the crowds.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Damn! Sorry Bree,” I said, dropping to the ground. “But I'm gonna be a little late.” When I landed, I immediately began to run, the citizens of Xavier City little more than statues. I zigged and zagged in between them as I chased after my clone, who was, as Murdoch had said, faster than I was. Even though he was within my eyesight, I had a feeling he wasn't going as fast as he could. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Willing my body to be quicker, I started to gain on him. He turned and saw me, so to slow me down he grabbed a woman and threw her down to the cement. I rolled and caught her before she could make impact, and looked for Renegade. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He wasn't on the ground anymore. Instead, he was swinging on the rooftops, laughing hysterically. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh, he's a real wise-ass,” I sneered, leaping up into the air and flying towards him. Even then, I could barely keep him in my sights. Deftly, Renegade swung around effortlessly, getting just out of reach just when I thought I had the bastard. Having had enough of this chase, I shot a short beam of heat vision at my enemies web, separating it from his hand. He began to fall, but caught himself in mid-air. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He looked at me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You broke the rules,” he snarled. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Rules? No one told me their were rules! Is there some book I should have gotten in the mail?” I quipped. “Wait a minute, you're evil. What do you care about rules?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Enough that when they're broken, I get even,” my foe stated. He turned to a construction site, where a crane was lifting heavy metal beams. Turning back to me with a wicked grin, he blasted the crane with heat vision, destroying it. This did three things; one, it caused the metal beams to hurtle down to the ground. Two, it sent the operator tumbling towards the ground. And three, it made me pissed off. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Huffing, I flew down to the crane operator, saw he was unconscious, and brought him to the ground, handing him over to a nearby cop. “This man needs medical attention,” I said shortly. Then my Battle Sense buzzed, and I looked up to see the metal beams falling towards the crowd. “Of course,” I added. “If I don't stop those things, you will too.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I shot up into the air, noting the fact that Renegade was watching with apparent amusement. I fired and attached weblines to the beams, stopping them from hitting the civilians. Then, with a grunt, I threw them at Renegade. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The hit was a good one. Despite being invulnerable, the force of the throw knocked Renegade to the ground. Furthermore, the beams were destroyed on impact, so I didn't have to worry about collateral damage. I looked down at [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade, who was in a crater his body had created, shaking his head. He looked up and glared at me, eyes glowing red. Snarling, he flew up into the sky, and I followed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As our chase went on, we dipped and dove, zigged and zagged, twisted and turned. Any movement you could think of, we did. And more, in fact. In the air we tried to do attacks to make each other slow down, but none of them succeeded. I cracked my neck, attached a web to Renegade and launched myself at him, arms outstretched. “Almost there...,” I groaned as I reached to grab him...[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Only to be stopped by my Battle Sense. It screamed with such intensity it stopped me cold. Because of it, my super-hearing activated, and I heard a stab, followed by a group of screams I knew to belong to my friends. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade now hovered in the air once more, smirking at me. “What's it gonna be, Spartan?” he mocked. “Help your friends, or catch the villain?” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I hate you,” I said. “God, I hate you.” Then I flew off towards Briana's house. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-One[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A sonic boom scared a nearby flock of pigeons as I flew to Briana's, hoping to God I wasn't too late to do something. The sound of the stab, and the pure feeling of horror haunted me, so much so that I didn't even think to use my hyper-awareness. Looking back, I wish I had. It would have steeled me better for what was to come. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I raced into Briana's room, not even bothering to see if the screen door was open. Thankfully, that time it was. I landed and stood up, looking around. Her room was empty, and there was no sign of a struggle. That didn't stop my pulse from quickening. I ran downstairs to her living room. “BRIANA!” I bellowed. “LEON! JASON! JACKSON!” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“They're right here, Thpartan,” a voice from the living room said. A chill of anger ran up my spine. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Sara Shinlye,” I growled. I walked over to her, preparing to attack her for even coming into my girlfriends house. Then, realizing I was ignoring the details of the room, I saw my friends and girlfriend. Jason was staring at Sara with pure, utter hatred, while Leon was staring at Briana, who was cradling Jackson's body. He was pale, and blood was leaking out of his side. Shaking, I looked at Sara's hand, and saw she was holding a bloody knife. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Roaring with unadulterated rage, I grabbed her by the collar and threw her on the couch. “****ING *****! I'LL KILL YOU!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Sara's eyes widened as I approached her. “Thith ithn't right. Renegade thaid...”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Renegade!?” I yelled. “You've been working with Renegade?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeth,” she replied. “He came to me in October, telling me all about you and your thecrets. He knew about you attacking me, and how I loved that, that I loved being put in my plathe. He told me that if we were to be together, we'd have to kill the one perthon thtanding in our way.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Briana,” I said emotionlessly. I looked down at her, and saw she was still sobbing over Jackson's body.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I began to put the pieces together. “Renegade was a distraction so that you could come here and kill Briana. He dropped you on her balcony, where you bade your time. Then, when you felt it was right, you walked into Briana's room. You found her and the others down here, and you went to kill her, but Jackson must have done something to stop this. He somehow got in between you and your knife, and that's when I showed up.” The fact I could say this with such detachment scared me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That's pretty much what happened,” Jason said, the angriest he'd ever been.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I should kill you,” I growled, eyes glowing red. “You killed one of my best friends. You tried to kill my girlfriend. You are a worthless dog who needs to be put down.” My shadow engulfed Sara, and she whimpered in fear. “But I won't be the one to do it,” I said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What?” she asked. “You...you won't kill me?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I won't,” I said. “But I'm going to make sure that you're at least locked up for the rest of your life, either in prison or an institution. You'll never hurt anyone again.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She sighed in relief, so she didn't expect me to grab her by the neck and slam her into the ground. “But that doesn't mean I would let you walk away without some injury. *****.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Her body went limp, and Sara Shinlye fell unconscious. With that done, I ripped off my mask and went to my friends side. He looked up at me. “Hey there, Kyle,” he said weakly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He tackled Sara when she came after me,” Briana explained, her voice remarkably strong for someone with tears running freely down her face. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Couldn't let your girlfriend...die...,” he gasped. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I owe you,” I said, smiling. Tears didn't come, despite my having every reason to [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]cry. It was startling to me, that I couldn't cry as my best friend lay dying. “Did you call 911?” I asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“They're on their way,” Leon said solemnly. He knew, as I did, that Jackson didn't have a chance of surviving. I could hear his pulse fading as we spoke. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Kyle...,” Jackson said. “You know I won't make it through this, so...thanks for being my friend, and my hero.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm not the hero here, Jackson. You are.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jackson smiled. “Well coming from you....”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Those were the last words that ever came out of Jackson Crichton's mouth.[/FONT]​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

very nice work

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-Two: Briana[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]My name is Briana Walker, and with one of my best friends dead, I was trembling. I looked up at Kyle, who was just kneeling there, looking at Jackson's dead body. I couldn't understand how he could be so cold with his best friend just...gone. Another tear fell down my cheek, and I kissed the crown of Jackson's head. I looked around at the others: Jason, for once, was completely quiet, staring at Jackson with a mixture of shock and sadness. Leon was letting his tears come freely. This made the fact that Kyle was showing no other reaction all the more disturbing. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]What was also disturbing was why he didn't kill that ***** ****e Sara Shinlye. Captain Mendoza would probably have understood that, and made it disappear. Even if he couldn't, what prison could hold him anyway? I really don't know what was going on in my boyfriend's head. All I know is that I disagreed with his letting her live, and I planned to tell him that when I confronted him about seeming to not care about Jackson.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Wordlessly, Kyle put the mask on, and Spartan strode to over to Sara and lifted her up. He told us that he was going to bring her to the police station, and as usual, left without letting any of us say anything. He always did have to have the last word. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He all but disappeared for the next three days. We didn't see him. Captain Mendoza didn't see him. Even Dr. Wyatt didn't see him. Though I was mad at him, I was still worried. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]For the funeral, Leon picked me up, along with Jason, and drove us to the church. There, his father gave a heartwarming speech about how much he loved and cared about his son, which surprised me, as Jackson always said he thought his Dad didn't give to ****s about him. Jason, Leon, and I gave speeches, too, all highlighting what a good friend he was. I went out of my way to say that he died saving me, and that he went out with a smile on his face. As I made my speech, I subtly looked around the church, to see if Kyle had decided to show up. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He hadn't.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As the funeral procession marched outside, I saw Jackson's father look at me. At first I thought he was mad because I was, in a way, responsible for Jackson's death. But he merely smiled sadly at me, and I smiled back.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As we marched outside, I took note of how cruelly sunny it was. My black dress absorbed the heat, and for the first time in my life I wished it would rain. I wished it would rain so that the weather would be the same as how I felt. And as [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jackson's casket was loaded into the limo, I felt a drop of water touch my head. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Like I said, it was horribly nice out, so out of pure surprise I put my hand to my head and looked up to see where the wetness had come from.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]That's when I saw Kyle, crouched atop a building. His mask was off, and when he saw that I saw him, he stood up. It was then that the sun reflected off his face, and I realized that he was crying hard. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Mentally, I beat myself up. How could I think that Kyle would be so stupid as to not care about his friends death? He just bottled in his emotions so he would appear strong for the rest of us. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh, Kyle,” I whispered softly. [/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-Three[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Atop the rooftop overlooking Jackson's funeral procession, I let all the sadness and grief I felt flow out of my eyes. I knew Briana could see me, was watching me, but I didn't care. Not at that point. As I watched the limo drive away I remembered Jackson and I meeting in the comic book store; I remembered us discussing the latest comic book movies coming out; I remembered him helping me be the 'school vigilante'; I remembered him being a constant moral compass for me; I remembered him helping me with my costume design; I remember him always standing up for me to the others and Adventus; lastly, I remembered what a truly great friend he was. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As the limo became little more than a dot, I let out a deep, ragged breath, put my mask on, and flew away, aware that Briana was still watching me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I laid in my room two days later, staring at the ceiling, when Dad walked in with Cap. Cap nodded at Dad, who looked at me briefly and then left. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Cap sat on my bed cleared his throat. “I'm really sorry to hear about Jackson, Kyle. From what little I saw of him, I know he was a good friend. I'll understand if Spartan doesn't appear for a little while.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I said nothing, just grunted an acknowledgment. Cap wasn't the first to do this; Dad and Murdoch had also done similar. Knowing I wasn't in the mood to talk, Cap patted my leg and left the room, only for Murdoch to come in and say almost exactly what Cap had said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I'm not good at this, so bare with me,” he said. “I'm sorry about Jackson Crichton. When I was with Adventus, I never had any intention of harming him, and I'm sorry that my actions caused his death. He seemed like a good kid, from what I saw of him.” He paused for a moment, then said, “And I hate to bring this up, but this shows that Renegade needs to be stopped. And by that killed. Otherwise other people will lose people they care about. You need to end his life, Kyle. It's the only way.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]This time I spoke. “Get out.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Murdoch complied, and when my door shut I got up and went to the window, staring outside. How dare he bring up my arch-enemy when I was grieving?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He's right you know,” a long-familiar voice said from next to me. My eyes widened, and I turned to see Jackson fade into appearance. He looked as he did in life, even wearing a Spider-Man shirt. I would have thought he was alive save for the eerie blue-white aura surrounding him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Jackson?” I said. “But you're dead. I watched you die!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Are we really gonna get into that cliché' discussion, Kyle?” Jackson asked. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It's true, though! You're dead. Or were dead,” I added, looking him over. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Technically, I still am,” Jackson said. “You see, when I died, that Sage guy you told us about pulled my soul out of the spiritual ether and said that for my heroic act, he could make me immortal, so to speak. In short, I'm your own personal Force Ghost.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You're gonna haunt me forever because I didn't save you in time, aren't you?” I asked, my voice filled with regret. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jackson slapped my shoulder. “Come on! Damn it, Kyle, stop feeling sorry for yourself. I went out on my own terms, which I know sounds weird coming from someone who never grew past the age of seventeen, but still. I saw what happened when you lost Olivia (note how I say “lost”, and not “let Olivia die”) and I came here today to make sure that you know I don't blame you. At all.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Thanks, I guess,” I replied. “But if I didn't get tricked by Renegade-”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“CLAM UP!” Jackson yelled, smacking my head this time. “You're only human, you can be tricked just like the best of us. It does not make you any less of a person.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I looked at him. “You sure?” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He nodded. “Of course I am. I am, after all, a corporeal spirit with the knowledge of the Universe, thanks to Sage.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“When you see him, tell him thanks for me,” I said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I can do that,” Jackson said while smiling. Then his smile faded. “Murdoch's right, you know. You're going to have to kill Renegade.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I figured as much,” I said. “I don't know how that'll work, though. He's stronger and faster and overall better than I am, as I learned the hard way.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Stronger and faster? Yeah,” Jackson agreed. “Better? Hardly. You've lived through things that he's never dreamed of, and that's molded you into a better person. That's how you could beat him. Draw on the past.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I contemplated his words, when Cap activated the 'Spartan Signal'. His words echoed in my head: I'm really sorry about this, Kyle, but a group of metahumans just started to attack the city. There's about eleven of them, and I wouldn't do this unless we really needed you. Please, come. And hurry. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You should get on that,” Jackson said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Already ahead of you, buddy,” I replied, changing into my work clothes (the uniform, for you slow people out there). [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good luck,” Jackson said, walking away. As he began to fade away, however, his voice still came at me, loud and clear. “Oh, and by the way. I know you're worried about Briana going away to college. You want my opinion? Do something that will keep you and Briana together, no matter what.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And then he was gone. And I smiled. “Thank you, my friend.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]DON'T MENTION IT, his voice rang in my head. I laughed[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A portly, balding man shot fire from his hands at a nearby toy store, scaring the mothers and sons and daughters out of it. “The city's ours!” he called to his allies, including a man who could phase through walls, a woman who was in essence a living torpedo, and a man who could turn into jungle cats. “Renegade said he got Spartan out of the way, so there's nothing to stop us.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I heard and saw this with super hearing and hyper-awareness, respectively, putting Renegade's plan together in my head. He planned to use the death of one of my loved ones against me, so that the metahumans could destroy the city unopposed. In a sick way, it made sense. When I arrived at the scene of the attack, I plummeted from the sky and landed in between them all, standing in a small crater the force of my impact created.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The metahumans looked at the source of the noise, and when he saw that I was the cause, the Flaming Fatass stammered, “Sp-Sp-Spartan! He's here!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Your powers of observation serve you well,” I remarked dryly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We are so ****ed!” Rocket Girl shrieked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Damn straight,” I said, before going into battle once more.[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-Four[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]You can guess who won that one.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So the months passed by really fast after that, and they only helped to fuel my hatred of Renegade. I left for a weekend (the one after Jackson's funeral, to be specific) to fly around the world to try and find him, but I had no luck on that part. When I couldn't find him, I bitterly realized I'd been expecting not to. He was immune to my Battle Sense, and by extension, my hyper-awareness, so that made it impossible for him to be located unless I looked in every nook and cranny of the Earth. I'd been gone for five months before, I didn't want to be gone even longer to search for someone that could take advantage of my absence and attack. So I flew home, disgruntled. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]By June, there hadn't been another attack from either Renegade or the metahuman's. It would seem they had all been captured, which made me happy. Renegade could no longer use them against me, and I was free to waste all my energy thinking of ways to stop Renegade. You can tell how much fun I had doing that. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]To my slight disappointment and sadness, Jackson had only appeared once more to me, the story of which I shall tell you now (I do love being difficult):[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]It was early April, and the weight of Jackson's death still hung over my friends, who took his loss really hard. Leon took it the hardest of us all. At any other time, Jason would have called him a woman, but even he was upset by this. He hadn't insulted any of us since before the funeral. See, I hadn't exactly told them about Jackson's ability to cross over into this world as a corporeal spirit, as I had no clue if he would appear to my friends and didn't want them to get their hopes up. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]One day, we were playing Halo 3 half-heartedly at Jason's house, when Leon said, “I miss Jackson's outraged cries when one of us owned him.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Same,” Jason agreed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let's not talk about him now,” Briana suggested, her voice cracking. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Why not?” Jackson's voice came from nowhere. Everyone looked around in wonder, and he finally faded into existence on Jason's bed, laying down and stretching. “[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“JACKSON!?” everyone but me yelled in bewilderment. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We were at your funeral!” Leon cried.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We watched you get buried!” Briana screamed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I cried for you!” Jason bellowed, seemingly the most indignant of the three. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“And I appreciate that,” Jackson said, sitting up, where his blue aura was in plain view.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Whoa,” Jason said. “What's with the glow?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Jackson explained to everyone about how Sage made him a godlike being, and his story brought many raised eyebrows, particularly from Leon. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So wait...you can see anything?” he asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh yeah,” Jackson said. “If I want to.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Awesome,” Leon said, grinning.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana turned to me. “You knew about this whole ghost thing, didn't you?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah,” I said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She slapped my arm. “And you didn't tell us? You didn't tell us that our dear friend could visit us whenever he wanted?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Technically, not true,” Jackson said. “Traversing between dimensions takes a huge amount of energy. Sage could do it at will, if he so desired, but he's much more powerful than I am. I can only manage one trip a month. Two tops.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Lame,” Jason said. “Now get off my bed!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“As you wish,” Jackson said, nodding, then fading away. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Jason!” Briana said, smacking him. “Look what you did! Now we won't see him for another month, and I wanted to make sure wherever he was was all right!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It's beautiful, Briana,” Jackson said, appearing behind Jason, who jumped. “Sorry, I had to teleport. The joking oppurtunity was too good to pass up.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ha ha,” Jason said sardonically while we all laughed sincerely. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“But yeah,” Jackson continued. “I came today to tell you guys to stop crying over me. I'm happy, and you should get on with your lives. From what I've seen, they'll be pretty eventful.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]And then he was gone.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What'd he mean by that?” Leon asked, looking at us.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well, he clearly meant that our lives are gonna be eventful,” I explained.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Specifics, dammit! Am I going to have a kid at eighteen, get married at nineteen, and then wind up living in a trailer park forever?” Leon asked, genuinely worried.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]WAIT FOR IT,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] Jackson's voice said from nowhere.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] “Leave it to Jackson to be dramatic,” Leon muttered. I laughed, but personally wondered for myself what Jackson meant specifically when he said our future's would be eventful. Briana's eyes locked with my own almost casually. It had become habit by now.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO,[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] Jackson's disembodied voice rang in my head, and he was right. I knew exactly what I had to do. [/FONT][/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-Five[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]That day was, as I said, the last I'd heard from Jackson. Despite him saying he could appear once a month, he hadn't come to me, or anyone I knew, during the month of May. Whether this was because he had nothing to say or he just was unable to come, I couldn't say. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]By the middle of June, he had yet to appear again, but I honestly had bigger things to worry about. Namely, Prom. Despite my abilities, I couldn't dance for ****. Briana knew this, and yet she still forced me to go. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You are so lucky I love you,” I growled to her when she told me this.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I know,” she said sweetly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After she told me, I was worried about having to pay for the limo ride and the corsage and all of that prom **** I didn't care about. Jason and Leon would be coming with us, but even their combined funds, along with my meager addition and Briana's money, wouldn't be enough. As I considered just flying her there dressed as a limousine (I'm good with scissors), I got a summons from Cap, who told me there was a drug deal that needed busting. So I left to bust it. Successful, Cap, under authorization from the city, allowed me to keep half the money that would have been used to purchase the drugs (after ensuring there was nothing incriminating or deadly about it). The sum was ten thousand dollars. When I asked why, Cap said that it was in thanks for all the good I'd done. I wasn't going to argue with him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So it was with that money that I was able to procure us a limo, among other items that I needed for that night. The limo first arrived at my house, and then drove us to Briana. I had to go and ring the bell, and her father answered. A big, friendly guy, he welcomed me in. Her mother greeted me with a smile as well. I sighed, waiting for Briana. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She came down the stairs in a sparkling ocean blue dress, looking radiant. A true princess. She blushed as I watched her come down the stairs. “Well,” she said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Well,” I repeated. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]We were almost forced to take pictures, thanks to her parents. I had never been one for photographs, and this night was no exception. The tuxedo I wore damn near strangled me. Still, for Briana I put up with it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After that, we picked up Leon and Jason. Jason was with a hot Asian girl who I didn't know (he wouldn't tell me how he knew her, oddly enough), and Leon was with a girl from our school named Sharon Tate. I didn't know her well, but she seemed to have a level head on her shoulders. Thankfully.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So we rode, we talked, we laughed. I half-expected Jackson to appear with a hot ghost girl, but alas, that moment never came. Good thing, too. How would we explain the existence of a ghost best friend to Hot Asian and Sharon?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When we arrived at the gym, we walked in and saw that the walls were decorated with streamers and the like. The gaudiness of it made me sick, but Briana seemed to love it. The DJ, however, was playing some pretty damn good AC/DC. Just as I was getting into the music, though, Briana dragged me to get our pictures taken. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Despite my irritation at being taken away, I smiled genuinely as our picture was taken. I was with the woman I loved, and that was what mattered in the end. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As the night wore on, I didn't do much dancing, but rather sat and talked with Leon about the intricacies of life. Just kidding; we talked about video games. Fooled you.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When the DJ announced a couples song coming up, Briana found me and dragged me up, and Stolen by Dashboard Confessional started to play. At least it wasn't Love Song, I remember thinking bittersweetly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As Briana and I danced, arms around each other, she looked up at me and smiled. “Hey, Kyle. Thanks for coming. I know you didn't want to...but it means a lot.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ah, don't worry 'bout it,” I said. “I would have come even if you hadn't made me, just to be with you.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana giggled, and I gulped. “Briana...there's something I want to...need to say to you...”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Which is?” Briana said expectantly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Then my Battle Sense went off. “Duck,” I whispered, and covered her with my body as the gym roof was yet again destroyed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Aw, we just had it fixed!” I heard the associate principal cry.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As I clutched Briana, I stretched out with hyper-awareness, making sure nobody had been hit by debris. People were shaken up, but alive and unhurt.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I looked at the hole in the roof, expecting to see the metahumans I'd fought earlier in the year come crawling down again. Instead, Renegade himself hovered down. My eyes glowed involuntarily, just as his were.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” he said, his tone icy. “Sorry about the roof, but I wanted to make an entrance, and I thought that was the best way to do so. What do you think?” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]No one answered, so my clone frowned. “Well, it really doesn't matter what you think anyway. You're all going to die anyway.” He paused for effect as everyone gasped. I readied my hand over my watch, getting to change if need be. “However,” he went on, “your fate is not sealed. I know for a fact that Spartan is in this gymnasium, so I give him this message: Meet me at the football field tomorrow morning at seven o'clock. If you do not, the citizens of Riverside and Xavier City will die. One. By. One.” He grimaced. “This battle has gone on for far too long.” He rested his gaze on me.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I was ready to take him right there, but he fired a burst of heat vision at the curtains before I could stop him. The fire began to spread rapidly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Everyone clear out!” The principal yelled, before promptly leaving to save herself before her students. *****.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Wishing I had super breath, I instead ran around the flame, creating a vacuum that sucked the oxygen away from the flame, extinguishing it. When I was done, only my friends remained, as did my girlfriend. It would seem Jason's and Leon's dates had abandoned them.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You gonna go after him?” Leon asked, slightly out of breath.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I shook my head in the negative. “I won't find him. He said he wants to fight tomorrow morning, so I'll wait till then. He won't attack anywhere until then, I imagine.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“What makes you think that?” Jason asked incredulously. “I mean, he is evil.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He's also a man of honor,” I said. “When I was chasing him, he seemed upset I broke the rules, in his own words. He won't break the deal he himself created.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“A villain with honor,” Leon said. “What're the odds?”
[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana hadn't said anything, so I nudged her. “Bree? You okay?”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]She looked at me, sad and angry. “Okay?! My boyfriend, who I love to death, was just challenged to a battle that will probably end in death, possibly his own.” She glared at me, then started to cry. “I know I can't talk you out of it, because that would be me telling you to not be you, and you know I wouldn't do that. I'm just...scared.”[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I nodded. “I know. But I know one way I can prove to you I'll come back.” I got down on one knee. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh my God!” Leon yelled.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Holy balls,” Jason said, slightly surprised. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana, meanwhile, gasped. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I took a deep breath, reached into my pocket, and pulled out a diamond engagement ring, courtesy of the money given to me by Cap. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Briana Walker, will you marry me?” [/FONT][/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-Six[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana stared at the ring quietly for a long minute before finally nodding slowly. I slipped the ring through her finger, and her eyes glittered as brightly as the diamond she now wore. Then she grabbed me by the shirt collar and kissed me furiously.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Gross,” Jason said. I gave him the finger. He did deserve it, after all.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]When we were done, I could say only one word. “Damn.” Briana, my fiancée', smiled, but it was sad. “What's wrong?” I asked.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Before she could answer, I heard a car pull up outside, and Murdoch and Dad ran in. “We saw what happened on the news,” Murdoch explained, sounding slightly out of breath. “What're you going to do?”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Ugh,” I groaned. “I just explained this five minutes ago.” [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Dad looked at me queerly. “We interrupted something, didn't we?” [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He looked from me, to Leon, who couldn't help but grin, to Jason, who just shook his head, and finally his eyes settled on Briana, whose eyes still sparkled. He looked her over and saw the diamond ring on her finger. My father, being the genius that he is (sometimes I wonder how he became an expert in every medical field, as well as being quite intelligent in science, in such a short time) immediately put the pieces of the puzzle together. “[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Oh.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] So that's what you've been stressing about for the past month.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You've been stressing about proposing to me for a month?” Briana asked. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Wait...you're engaged?” Murdoch asked, shocked. “Shouldn't you have waited until after this fight with Renegade. You know, so that you don't leave behind your fiancée if you die.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana shuddered, and I glared at Murdoch as I put my arm around her. “That's why I asked her to marry me. To prove that I'm going to win.” [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh,” Murdoch said. “Well, you might need this.” He held his hand out, with which he grasped a tiny silver ball.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“A shiny testicle?” Jason asked, sounding interested. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“A sonic grenade,” Murdoch explained. “I've been working on it since your last encounter with Renegade. Should give you an edge in the coming battle.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Won't it affect me, too?” I asked. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“No,” Murdoch said. “It's focused sonics, only harming those it comes in direct contact with. Still, you might want to be a few feet away when you throw it.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Got it,” I replied, pocketing the ball. “Thanks, Dean.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Least I could do,” he said darkly. Clearly, he was still upset over his involvement in Renegade's creation. I would console him about it, after Renegade was defeated. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]But for now, I turned to Dad. “The limo driver's gone. I checked with hyper-awareness. Can you give Jason and Leon a ride home? I'll fly Briana back myself.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Can do,” Dad said, nodding. Then, in a whisper so only I could here, “You gonna be coming back tonight?” I shook my heard slightly. Dad spoke loud and clear now. “Didn't think so. Be careful, son. And know that whatever happens, I'm proud of you.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I walked over to Dad and gave him a bear hug. “I'll see you tomorrow,” I said. Dad looked at me, appearing older than he ever had, with tears in his yes. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You bet, Kyle.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Knowing that I'd start to tear up if I stayed any longer, I looked at Briana. “You ready, lovey?” She nodded. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I turned to Leon and Jason. “Well, later.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Later,” Leon said, nodding solemnly. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Bye...Kyle,” Jason said. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]With that said, I changed into the uniform and grabbed Briana. “Hang on,” I said. She held me tightly. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Always.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]We landed on Briana's balcony. Quietly, she slipped open the door and walked in. I followed, taking the mask off. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We need to be quiet,” Briana whispered. “My parents are probably sleeping.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Right,” I replied quietly. “Listen...it [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]is [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]still prom night, and I was going to spend the whole night with you. I promised you that when I agreed to come. I'm still gonna keep that promise. I'll stay here until I need to go, if you want.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Please,” Briana said, and her tone had no traces of pleading. She just wanted me to stay with her. And I did. We went onto her bed and, contrary to what you perverted readers might want, merely lay in each others arms the whole night in silence. There was nothing that could be said, really. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As I said, we spent the whole night like that. Eventually, Briana fell asleep, her breathing slowing. She even began to snore softly. I smiled, then looked at the clock. 6:30. Almost time. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Carefully, I lifted Briana off of me and lay her to rest on her pillow. She began to mutter incoherently, but otherwise stayed asleep. I smiled, then searched her room for a sheet of paper and a pen. Finding both in her backpack, I wrote:[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Tempus Sans ITC, fantasy]Dear Briana,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Tempus Sans ITC, fantasy]I didn't want to wake you. You seemed so calm that it would be cruel of me to do that. That, and I don't think I could have left had I seen the worry and love in your eyes. That's why I'm writing this. I wanted to thank you for always being there for me (well, except for that one summer, but I try to forget about that). You've always been a great friend, and I love you. A lot. Even if we never dated, even if you didn't feel the same way about me, my feelings about you wouldn't change. So...yeah, thanks for that. And I promise you, I'll be back. Even if I were at the edge of hell itself, I'd always come back for you. I swear it. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Tempus Sans ITC, fantasy]Love always,[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Tempus Sans ITC, fantasy]Kyle/Love Bug [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Reading over the letter, satisfied, I folded it and placed it on [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana's chest. Before I went outside, I gave her one last kiss. “I'll be back.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I threw the mask on and creeped outside, remembering Briana's warning from the previous night. It was 6:40, so that gave me twenty minutes to think. I sighed. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Someone's worried they're not gonna come back,” Jackson's voice said, before Jackson himself materialized beside me. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You know me so well,” I said. “Where were you last month, by the way?”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh yeah,” Jackson said sheepishly. “Sorry about that; I used my time haunting Sara in that mental institution Cap put her in. Boy, [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]that [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]was the most fun I've had since...well, I don't remember. But I digress. You're worried you're not going to come back for her.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Yeah,” I agreed. “Well, not just for her. For Dad, for Leon, hell, even for Jason. I know this sounds petty, but I really don't want to die.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not petty at all,” Jackson said. “Death isn't that bad, but if I had to choose, I'd pick living over anything else.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So have you come with any advice from Sage? Or you, for that matter?”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Just one thing, from both of us,” Jackson said seriously. “Don't think, don't react. Act. That's all there is to do.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Easier said than done,” I snorted. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Maybe, maybe not,” Jackson said, winking. He began to fade away, but rematerialized a second after. “By the way, congratulations on being engaged. Hope I'm invited to the wedding.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Of course you are,” I said. “Just remember to wear a suit.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Let me know the date,” my friend said as he faded.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Like you wouldn't already know,” I muttered. No voice came, and I knew I was in this alone. To the end. [/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT][/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Letting out a breath, I flew to the football field where Renegade hovered, as promised. I stopped in mid-air about thirty feet away from him, using hyper-awareness to ensure that the sonic grenade was still in my pocket. It was.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Renegade,” I growled[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Spartan,” he sneered. “Thanks for showing up. For a moment I actually thought you wouldn't come. But that's not like you, is it? You wouldn't let people die if you had a say in it. So for this, I honor you.” He bowed mockingly. I said nothing. “What, no witty quip?”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not exactly in the quipping mood,” I said. “You killed my best friend, threatened my girlfriend and other friends, and are pretty much just a huge piece of ****.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So nice of you to notice,” my enemy replied. Then he snarled, his eyes glowing. “Why are you so damn stupid?! You have the power of a god, yet you don't rule over the people who deserve it. Have you even looked at them, at all? They're ants, compared to you and me. But no, you don't realize that. Instead, you just fly around and protect them and stop crimes and all that horse ****. God, it sickens me to think that I'm a clone of you.” He spit. “An improved clone, that is.” He grinned. “You know, I was actually thinking of offering you a partnership, but I don't think you'd go for that, would you?”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not at all,” I said. “I will, however, kick your ass, if that's all right with you.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade's face grew serious, and I got the feeling that he hoped that he was wrong about me. “So that's the way it is, is it?”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I got ready to battle. “Yeah, that's exactly how it is.”[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade nodded, then flew at me. I flew at him, and we collided, two opposing forces: Light versus Dark, Yin versus Yang.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Good versus Evil. [/FONT][/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-Seven[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]We collided in mid-air, with such force that it sent us flying back. Shaking off the impact, we flew at each other again and again and again. On the final collision, we had enough momentum behind us so that we were sent to the ground of the football field. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Before I could fully regain my footing, Renegade tackled me back to the ground, so I headbutted him, kneed him in the groin, and threw him off of me. Being a gentleman, I allowed him to stand up and get at least some footing before running to him, kneeing him in the stomach, and throwing him into the air. Not being one to be outdone, however, he attached two webs to me and yanked me into the air with him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I blasted the webs off with heat vision and once more we flew at each other, this time grappling in mid-air. We each countered the others moves efficiently (and, to me, annoyingly), blocking the others moves with speed likely invisible to the naked eye. In mid-flight, I flipped over and kicked Renegade away from me. In response, I received a wave of heat vision coming at me. At the last second, I countered this with my own. Two beams of intense red heat met, each vying for dominance, neither succeeding. Finally, it seemed as if the beams “canceled each other out”, as the heat beams went back into our eyes. The shock of this more than the actual force of the beams sent us flying back to the ground...again. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I recovered from my 'heat shock' first, so I ran to a nearby light post and ripped it from the ground with ease and slung it across my shoulder as I ran to a disoriented Renegade. As I went to strike him with it as if by a baseball bat, he grabbed it just before it made contact and swung it in turn, with me still holding it. This incredibly rude action sent me flying into the air. Before I could get into flight mode, Renegade appeared hovering before me. Grinning toothily, he grabbed me and flew me into the upper atmosphere, where we passed through lots and lots of clouds, getting wetter each time we did. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Not liking being wet, I tore Renegade's arms off of me, dried myself with mild heat vision, and grabbed my enemy. Paralyzed by surprise, he let out a gasp of surprise as I, still holding him, flew down to the ground at top speed. Regrettably, I didn't actually plan where I was going to land, so we both landed in Samson's Lake. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The water prevented me from being able to see, and so Renegade punched me in my stomach and swam into the darkness. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I looked around, hoping to find at least a trace of what direction he went in. Before I could, a jet of boiling water struck me in the chest, burning my symbol. The bastard was shooting me with heat vision underwater. I reached out with my hyper-awareness, not looking for him specifically, but where there was an empty spot in my awareness. Finding just blackness, I swam to that spot with super speed, dodging the heat blasts as I did so. Still in speed mode, I blindly punched the dark area, and saw with hyper-awareness that Renegade was sent flying out. Grinning, I flew out of the water, and hovered above the lake, looking for him. I saw him three city blocks away, so I flew down there and landed before him.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]On all fours, Renegade looked up at me. Blood was dripping from his mouth, so he wiped it off. “You're not holding back, are you?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]My eyes glowed. “Not at all.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade licked his lips. “Good.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I shot him with another blast of heat vision, but he dodged, and then leaped onto me, biting my shoulder. I screamed in pain, and tried to shake him off, but he'd have none of it. In a last, desperate move, I shot two webs in opposite directions, attached them to cars, and yanked them towards me. I knew that the impact would hurt me, but it'd also hurt the enemy. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade sensed this, hissed, and backflipped off of me right as the two cars struck me, sending me flying. Between that and the blood loss sustained during Renegade's whole vampire attack, I was in a pretty bad situation. Webbing my wound shut, I was still slow to respond when Renegade shot two black webs at me and brought me back down to the ground, slamming me into the street. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I let out a slow, raspy breath. I was in pain. Sitting up, I saw Renegade flying in the air, arms folded. I could also the arrogant smirk he wore. “****,” I whispered as he came flying down at me. I rolled out of the way before his foot could make contact, then swept my leg under him, knocking him to the ground. He elbowed my face in retaliation, so I struck his neck. He gagged, but was not in so much pain that he couldn't fight. Shame. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I jumped back away from Renegade, who stared at me, eyes glowing the color of blood. It was clear from the way he stood that he wasn't done yet. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Neither was I.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I ran at him, and he ran at me. The world slowed to a crawl, and I only saw him. He was my only focus. When we at last met, each punch was the strongest it could be. We punched, we kicked, we blocked, we countered. At one point, our fists struck each other, creating a shock wave that caused damage to many of the buildings nearby. I went to grab him, but he extended his arms outward and grabbed me instead. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]It was at that point I heard some radio talk. “The U.S. Army is moving in on Xavier City, hoping to take down the superpowered being known as Renegade.” I was confused, then Cap's voice rang in my head: “Thought you could use some help.” My pulse quickened. “Cap you idiot...”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Oh, this is gonna be fun,” Renegade said, smiling. He pushed me away, webbed my whole body up so that I was immobilized and only my eyes showed, and I was horrified at what Renegade would do to the military, the good honest men and women who would give their lives blindly if ordered. I tried to break free, with no luck.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]A tank roared down the street, and I heard two or more fighter jets fly overhead. I reached out with hyper-awareness to see what was going on. Renegade stood in front of the jets, and they opened fire with gun turrets. Of course, this didn't affect my clone at all. When they were done, he blasted flew through the jet at top speed, dripping it in two as he did, then took its now inert form and threw it at the other one, destroying it. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As this went on, my need to break free increased. Renegade was going to go after the tank next, obviously, and I couldn't let more lives be wasted. I groaned as I tried to break free, but the webs were really tight. Finally, I broke free, just in time to see Renegade grab a missile shot form the tank and throw it back. Return to sender and all that. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I flew and intercepted the missile, throwing it at Renegade. His eyes widened, and the missile hit him clearly. I knew that that wouldn't defeat him, but it gave me enough time to get the solider driving the tank to safety. When the smoke cleared, Renegade still hovered, eyes glowing even redder. I grabbed the tank by the barrel and, swinging to get momentum, threw it at him. This action sent him falling to the ground. An unexpected yet fortunate result of this act was the tank falling on him. I let out a single “Ha!” but I knew the battle wasn't over yet. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Renegade flew up into the air, holding the tank in his hands. “YOU THINK I CAN BE BEATEN!? I'M BETTER THAN YOU! I'M STRONGER THAN YOU! THIS WORLD IS MINE! YOU HEAR ME!? MINE!”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Waa waa waa,” was all I said. I ran to a car and grabbed it, and Renegade threw the tank at me. I threw the car at the tank, and the explosion was massive. I used hyper-awareness to find Renegade, and flew to him, tackling him to the ground and relentlessly pummeling him. Using actions reminiscent of his own against me in our first fight, I utterly broke him, ending this by strongly putting my foot on his throat. He coughed up blood. I yelled.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Breathing heavily, I began to walk away, but froze when I heard Renegade getting up. “You thought you...had me...didn't you, Wyatt?” he coughed. Despite being incredibly hurt, he was still standing, and walked towards me. His voice got stronger. “I'm never gonna leave. You can't beat me. My creators gave me a healing factor. Within moments all of my wounds will be healed. It's already begun.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He was right. I saw the bruises begin to fade. I almost began to think I was doomed, but then I remembered the sonic grenade in my pocket. I fingered it as he kept talking. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I am the end. Inevitability. This world will become a wasteland that no one has ever witnessed. All will serve me under me, and love me as their god.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not on my watch,” I said, throwing the grenade at him then covering my ears tightly. Even so, his screams broke through. The grenade had done its job.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]NOW! DO IT NOW! Jackson's voice said in my mind. I didn't need to be told twice. Drawing on every bit of anger, rage, and frustration over the years, I let loose with a massive surge of heat vision, a giant blast of red hot energy that completely engulfed Renegade. I remembered the death of my mother; I remembered Briana dying; I remembered Jackson being turned against me; I remembered Olivia dying; I remembered Adventus making me hurt my friends; I remembered Jackson's death. I remembered it all, and I used it to fuel the flame that was destroying Renegade.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Finally, I ended it. Breathing heavily, I walked to where Renegade once stood, and was greeted only by a pile of ashes. It was done. And, I realized, so was I. The battle had taken much out of me. So much, in fact, that blackness engulfed me, and the blurry vision of the citizens of Xavier City shouting “Spartan!” was the last thing I saw.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Despite being in total darkness and being unable to break free, I heard three voices that I couldn't place, despite knowing them well.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“So what do you think, Olivia?” a male voice asked. “Should he stay with us?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Nah, I don't think so,” the voice belonging to Olivia said. “He still has a life to live, I think.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I agree with Olivia, Jackson,” a third, mature female voice said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“He's not ready for the afterlife yet.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“You were his mother, after all,” Jackson said resignedly. “Sorry Kyle. No room for you here. Maybe next time...”[/FONT]​

 

[Swordmaster]

[FONT=Copperplate Gothic Light, sans-serif]Chapter Twenty-Eight[/FONT]​

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Captain Raphael Mendoza stood behind a podium in the park, as did the entire Xavier City Police Department. All wore suits of black, and they stood in front of a giant gold statue of Spartan with his hands on his hips. The citizens of Xavier City, united by a sense of mourning, stood in front of them, some stoic, others weeping openly. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Spartan was a good man,” Captain Mendoza began. “He was also, I can admit, a good friend. He thought of himself, of course, but never before the lives of others. Whenever we needed him, he was there, ready to fight for us. He died for us, against a foe much like him, but lacking his compassion. It is a shame that his body disappeared, so that we cannot honor his body in person. But perhaps that is also for the best. He will be greatly missed, but he will also live in our hearts forever.” [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Mine, especially,” I muttered to Briana, who slapped my arm but giggled nonetheless. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As the crowd got up to put red roses in front of the monument, I did so as well, and took the oppurtunity to stare at my golden likeness. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Overall, I'd give it an eight out of ten. They didn't get my muscles right. Of course, since they didn't have a body, it was forgivable. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Barely. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]After the rest of the crowd had dispersed, I walked with Briana, Leon, and Jason to see Cap. “Good speech,” I told him. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I thought so,” Cap said. “Well, you're dead now. Officially.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“The Spartan part of me, anyway,” I said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Not that you had much choice, the way your powers burnt out after the fight,” Leon said. “I mean, without super strength, speed, agility, invincibility, and the others, what good would you be?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Thanks, Leon,” I said sarcastically. He was right though. You see, after the fight with Renegade, I had woken up in my bed, thanks to Sage teleporting me there. It was there Dad and Dean told me that because I had overexerted myself in my last fight, my powers burned themselves out. I was now, as I had been for fourteen years, human. To the world at large, Spartan was dead. Dad had said that it was possible for my powers to come back, but Dean said it was unlikely. At first, I was sad, then I realized I had to move on with my life.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So that's what I planned on doing.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * *[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I stood at my mother's grave at the cemetery, and placed a rose there. Then I walked over to Olivia's grave, and placed a rose there, too. Finally, I walked over to Jackson's grave. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“If I don't have a bouquet, I'll be quite upset,” his voice said before he appeared next to me. “Hi, Kyle.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Hey Jackson,” I said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I have to ask: what are you going to do now since your powers went bye-bye? I mean, yeah, you have college, but what else will [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]you do?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I don't know,” I admitted. “All I know is I'm going to move on with my life, and not live in the past.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“That's all you can do,” he said, smiling. “Good job against Renegade, by the way. I'm glad he didn't hurt you too bad. And I think you killed him in the most brutal way possible that wouldn't have ended with him healing, so kudos on that. You have avenged my memory.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“It wasn't just about that,” I said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I know,” Jackson laughed. “I was just messing with you. God, I hope you don't get a stick up your ass now that Spartan's gone.” He paused. “Promise me you won't.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“I promise,” I said.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Good,” my friend said. “Now go see Briana.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Will I be seeing you still?” I asked.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Maybe, maybe not,” Jackson said with a wink. And then he was gone again.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]* * * [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Briana and I were on her bed in her room, cuddling. “So,” I asked. “Still gonna marry me even though I'm not the superheroic Ginger I once was?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“Maybe,” she replied coyly. “First I need to make sure you're the same person I fell in love with to begin with.” We kissed [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]passionately, a kiss stronger than any of the times I was Spartan. When we pulled apart, she said, “Okay, we're definitely getting married. But a problem remains: how are we gonna tell my parents?”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]“We'll think of something,” I said, smiling and kissing her head. As we lay on the bed, I looked out at the sun in the sky and thought that, even though I was powerless, that this would be as good a life as the one I'd led as Spartan.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hell, maybe it'd be even better. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][/FONT]​