DIFFERENT FONT STYLES USED:
"STORYLINE" "'SPECIAL SKILLS OR MOVES'" "SPEAKER" "SPEECH" "THOUGHT"
SCENE:HQ Recovery Room.
Several hours after the fight. The three metas, all bandaged up, rest in the room. Saeto and Corinth sit in their beds, while Merlin, on his feet, angrily throws a tray of food at the wall.
Corinth: (sarcastic) You know, if you're not hungry you don't have to eat. There's no need to throw it at the wall.
Merlin: (angry) Gah! I can't believe we have to stay here for two more days. This stinks. (growls in frustration) I'm totally fine, I wanna get outta here.
Saeto: (not looking up from the book he's reading) You may have taken less damage due to your sand powers, but the two of us weren't as lucky.
Merlin: (turns to Saeto) So what? You gonna bitch to me about losing an arm? I GOT SET ON FIRE!
Corinth: Will you two quiet down already. It's bad enough I'm wrapped up like a mummy, having to listen to two argue is just making it feel like these wounds are reopening.
Merlin: Gah? This is all that shrimp's fault. I can't believe we lost to that weakling.
Saeto: Really? You're really calling him a weakling?
Merlin: What?! Don't act like it isn't true.
Saeto: Is that so? Incase you don't remember, took on all three of us by himself, at once, countered all our attacks, out-strategized us and beat us all into submission. (looks up from the book at Merlin) Tell me. If he's a weakling, then what does that make us?
Merlin: …
Saeto: (solemn) And yet, even with all that, it still felt like he was holding back.
Corinth: (hugs her knees to her chest as she grimaces) I can't believe he had that much power. To think, he only just joined about a month ago. Despite our combine efforts and even all the damage we managed to deal, in the end, we were totally powerless against him. Just who is he?
Saeto: Yes, I'm also curious about that, but those skills he used. (remembers the skills Lazarus used during the fight) Psionics, creation and matter manipulation? I see, so the rumors I've hearing around are true.
Merlin: Huh? What rumors?
Saeto: About a higher-rank escapee of Terror, whose skills were disabled and became part of Bishop's experiment to infuse artificial skills into metas.
Merlin: (realizing what he's getting at) You mean…that kid…?
Corinth: Higher-rank? (falls back to a lying position on her back) I see. So from the start, he was never the weaker one, we were. No wonder we got thrashed so badly. (meanwhile in another room, an also bandaged Lazarus lies on a bed, staring at the wall as the infusion machine pumps a new batch of minergy into his body; Bishop, who's also in the room, walks over to the head-side of the bed, Lazarus turning to face him)
Bishop: Congratulation on your victory in the fight earlier, Lazarus.
Lazarus: (taken aback) You knew about it?
Bishop: Word travels faster than a lightning bolt in this world. Literally everyone in the HQ watched the fight. The people who bet against you are still sulking over their lost money.
Lazarus: I'd rather not display myself for people to watch like some show-pony. Besides, that wasn't a fight, it was merely a means to test my own ability against other strong fighters, and a way to knock those down a peg and assess their skills and abilities.
Bishop: A grudge match huh? (scans Lazarus' body to gauge his power level) Ah yes. You've definitely improved since the last time you were in battle.
Lazarus: Of course. I need to get as strong as possible in order to defeat Kyleo.
Bishop: (surprised) You still wish battle Kyleo? Even with your vast contrast in strength and ability?
Lazarus: That's exactly why I have to train. To close that gap. At the moment, defeating him is my only goal.
Bishop: (even more surprised) You sure do hold grudges.
Lazarus: (stays silent for a while) I know.
Bishop: (turns to leave) Well, I'll be going. You should get some rest, the reinfusing will take a while. (stops as he's halfway out the door) Oh yes. (turns back to face him) Your proctor for your first mission called earlier to inform that his assignment is getting harder than original anticipated. So he requested a two-day lateness permit.
Lazarus: Two days?
Bishop: That means you have two more days to do whatever until your mission. Unfortunately, the date of execution hasn't changed. So you have less time to properly prepare when he arrives. Best of luck. (leaves)
Lazarus: (deadpan) …
Bishop: How strange. He shouldn't have any personal goals let alone be so determined to see it through. Curious.
SCENE:Kalahan Manor, Kyle's lab.
Kyle sits at his super computer, going through all the files on Enforcement's database to some kind, any kind of info that can help them get Laz back. His eyes suddenly fall on something that shocks him.
Kyle: Huh? A memory wiper? (reads the info on the screen about said device) A level 10-tech robot that surgically strips one of their memory directly from the hippocampus? A memory-wiper bot? so that's why…? I don't believe this. Of all the conniving, bastardry…that walking toaster is gonna pay. (continues reading, checks the history of its last usage and sees something that pleasantly surprises him; smiles at the info)
SCENE:A Lab in HQ.
Bishop examines on the aforementioned robot, wanting to find any fault in the device. He checks the history section on a screen attached to it and finds that the machine had been set to 'temporary memory negation' at the time it was used on Laz.
Bishop: Ah, I see. So this is why. But who could have done so? I'm the only one who can use the device. Hmmm.
Meanwhile, in his room, Lazarus looks at the flashdrive, thinking of what to do with. He originally wanted to destroy it, but…for some reason he couldn't bring himself to do so. He wondered why that Kalahan kid had puts this in his room. Is it just a recording of him mocking him? No. He went to great lengths to make sure he and he alone even knew the drive is here. If he just wanted to gloat, he wouldn't have needed to send a spy to plant it secretly in his room. So what is his angle?
Kyle: (flashback) It's me, Kyleo Kalahan, your best friend.
Lazarus: …
TIME:Two days later.
All four enforcers stand in the hangar, waiting for their proctor to arrive. The atmosphere so tense you could cut it with a knife. All four had fully recovered from their injuries, but Lazarus hadn't said a word or even gone to see his squad in the past three days, and vice versa.
Saeto: (finally deciding to break the tension; to Lazarus) So, how's your training going?
Lazarus: (awkwardly) I'm…leveling up well. (the tense silence returns, the tension now somehow growing even more)
Merlin: (yells in frustration) Gah! Where's the hell's our proctor already?! (just then, the hangar doors open up and a vehicle akin to large fighter jet flies in, hovering to the floor; the vehicle ends ignition and a door on the side opens upwards to reveal who the four enforcers take to be their proctor)
The enforcer, a tall man in his three hundreds – approximately thirties by normal human biology – with a pretty athletic build, pecan skin, green eyes, short, neatly-combed ash-blue hair and a pointed beard from the tip of his chin to match. He wears a dark-silver cuirass, completely covered by a white with black details Velcro longcoat that reaches to just above his ankles. In addition, he wears dark gray gloves, pants, black dress shoes and a pair blue-framed goggles with a strap of a lighter hue. He looks at the four teens waiting for him, his expression changing from neutral to a warm smile as pulls up his goggles.
Gravitator: (gives a small wave) Yo. I'm guessing you guys are my first trainees. Happy to be working with you.
Corinth: (the others look at him a bit confused while her eyes widen in realization upon recognizing him; enters fangirl mode) You're Gravitator. The third-ranked top-tier enforcer in the New York branch, and fifth-ranked overall. One of the only few top-tiers who are allowed to take solo missions. I can't believe you're our first proctor.
Lazarus: (shocked by her sudden personality-shift) I can't believe this is the same Corinth. Is this really the same annoying, condescending brat from before?
Merlin: Huh? What? Gravy tater? (Corinth gives him an unamused expression)
Gravitator: (laughs) You're definitely an interesting bunch. Let me introduce myself properly. (does a slightly bow) Gregory Tonns a.k.a. Gravitator. And just this once, I'll be proctor for your first mission. And you are…?
Merlin: Merlin a.k.a. Manhandle.
Saeto: Saeto a.k.a. Sound Wave.
Corinth: Corinth a.k.a. Calculette.
Lazarus: Lazarus. Just Lazarus. (Gravitator looks at him confused)
Meriln: He doesn't have a field name. how pathetic.
Lazarus: The one's who's really pathetic is the one who still thinks he can act tough even getting ass handed to him.
Merlin: (gets angry) What'd you say?!
Saeto: That's enough you two.
Corinth: Let's not go through his again.
Gravitator: (laughs again) You guys got spunk. I like that. (to Lazarus) And also, you don't need to worry about coming up your field name right away. Take your time. I didn't decide on mine till my sixth mission. So no rush.
Lazarus: (confused as whether that was supposed to be helpful advice or not) Ah…thanks?
Gravitator: Hey, in fact. How 'bout I come up with one for ya--?
Lazarus: (coldly) No thanks.
Gravitator: (either not noticing or completely ignoring the coldness in Lazarus' reply, looks around the hangar t find no else there) Huh. Where is everybody else? I assume there'd be other enforcer squads waiting for proctors to arrive.
Corinth: They already left.
Gravitator: (confused) Huh?
Lazarus: They all came, waited, met their proctor and left. You're the last one arriving; an hour after everyone else already left.
Gravitator: (scratches head while smiling sheepishly) Oh, I see. My bad. (later in a meeting room, the four give Gravitator a briefing of the mission; he assesses the mission, thinking it has a difficulty level of at least top-tier grade and wonders if newly appointed high-tiers are ready for it)
Gravitator: Hmmm. Are sure these young ones are ready for such a mission? Especially on their first run in a real battlefield. Don Weaver isn't just some random thug; he was a named villain before going rogue and even now has risen in the mafia ranks to the title of one of the 10 dons. Even within the mafia, that's not an easy feat to accomplish.
Lazarus: Don Weaver himself, while a factor in our mission, the real problem isn't him but his bodyguards.
Gravitator: …!
Saeto: Indeed. Arak Nidd a.k.a. Wild Weaver. Once a decorated and admirable supervillain, now just a lowly criminal. A special-grade villain, powerful fighter and an asset of Villains association gone bad. Defected from the association over a hundred years ago. Despite all that, the real threats are the two master-grade villains that defected alongside him.
Corinth: (nods) Gunter Gunny and Drake Wyatts; a.k.a. Crushhopper and Killer Bee. Two very prominent villains and students of Wild Weaver. Both turned over to the dark side and joined forces with Terror the same time he did.
Lazarus: I imagine he wasn't just a trainer to them, but also something of a mentor. Understandably, they'd follow him no matter what he did.
Corinth: Understandably?
Lazarus: It's just my observation.
Saeto: He has a point though.
Lazarus and Corinth: (turn to him surprised) Huh?
Saeto: According to the profiles we have on them, they both at an essentially higher power level than Don Weaver himself; which is really saying something. It's likely they follow him not out of strength, but for respect for their teacher.
Lazarus: Respect over strength huh? I can follow that. It could also explain why he rose to the ranks of Ten Dons so easily, the Spider Cartel proved itself to be a capable and malevolent force since it's forming. Obviously, most of that is thanks to whatever help Terror provides as payment for their services, but it likely also due to his leadership and planning abilities.
Gravitator: True. He was known for being an exceptional leader during his tenure as a legal villain.
Merlin: (bored and getting impatient) Who cares about all that stuff? We just gotta take them down as hard as we can and mission complete.
Lazarus: The only ones getting taken down will be us if we just rush in guerrilla-style without a plan.
Merlin: Oh and do you have one?
Corinth: That's what we're here to decide on genius. (Merlin gets mad)
Gravitator: (raises hands and slightly pushes them back and forth to mediate the situation) Alright, alright. Calm down. Instead of fighting amongst ourselves, let's put our heads together to come up with a suitable plan; okay?
All: … (after several hours of brainstorming, discussing, re-evaluating and coming to a consensus, the four enforcers decide to go their separate ways for the night. Gravitator in particular, has a specific place he's heading to)
KNOCK! KNOCK!!
Bishop: (in his office) Come in.
Gravitator: (enters in) Good evening, sir.
Bishop: (looks up from the documents he's reading) No need to be so formal. Did you need something?
Gravitator: Well, don't you think this first mission might be a little much more than the little ones can handle? I mean this is their first real mission since joining the force. Are you sure they ready to take on a code-red rogue? Especially one par with a with calamity-level Terror agent. This looks more like a mission for a top-tier team instead.
Bishop: I know it seems difficult, but I wouldn't assign them such a mission if I didn't have faith that they could pull it off. Besides, even if that were the case, we're stretched to thin to be picky right now.
Gravitator: Too thin?
Bishop: As I'm sure you're aware by now, the New Yorkin branch has taken one severe blow after another. With the deaths of many of our operatives, including the Alpha Squad, most of the members of the Armor-clad five and the disappearance of the other two, we're in a very bad spot right now.
Gravitator: (looks down guiltily) Oh yeah, I did hear about that. My apologies for not being around during the branch's most trying times.
Bishop: Nah. It couldn't be help, with all the assignments you were given. But now, we're low on manpower and have to put out all the stops to make up for it. I know it seems cruel to make them take on such a dangerous mission so early, but there's little we can do.
Gravitator: (unhappy but understanding) …
Bishop: Besides, times are changing. What worked for the old generation won't for the new anymore. They won't really learn unless put in really challenging situation. And in any case, you have more faith in your squad. They're a lot stronger than they look; they might just surprise you. In fact, if you really need convincing, why don't you test them out yourself?
Gravitator: (confused) Huh?
TIME:The next day.
Lazarus walks out of his room, letting out a yawn as he heads for the multivator. That is until a guard walks up to him, stopping as he's about to push the button to open the doors.
Security Guard: Ah, Mr. Lazarus, sir.
Lazarus: (turns to them) Yeah?
Security Guard: Master Gravitator asked my to fetch you. He wants to meet you in training room.
Lazarus: (confused) Mmmm? What's does he need me for in there?
SCENE:HQ Training room.
Lazarus walks into the room, hands in his pockets, a deadpan expression on his face. He looks up to see the other three, they too look up to see him; he grimaces.
Lazarus: … I really didn't want to see these guys right now.
Merlin: (scoffs)This guy.
Saeto: So, I guess you were also called here?
Lazarus: (nods, then turns around) So where is he?
Corinth: (shakes her head) No clue. We've been waiting for a while.
Lazarus: (sighs as he drops to a crouch, resting cheek on his hand while the elbow rest on the palm of the other one) Great.
The four wait there for about a whole hour, stilling waiting for their proctor to arrive. Saeto leaning by his back against a wall, Merlin standing in place as he angrily taps his foot, hands in his pockets. Corinth sits with her back against the wall, her right leg propped up on its foot with both hands on his knee with her staff lying on the floor beside her while Lazarus lays on the floor, hands resting under his head with his right leg propped on its foot while the other leg rests on its knee.
Merlin: (growls in anger, hands on his head) Are you kidding me?! Where is that guy?! Who calls to meet and runs late to their own meet-up?!
Corinth: (reaches into her lab coat's back pocket and pulls out a small pocket watch with a lid that slips open like a locket; the digital pocket watch reading 11:58AM) It has been a while.
Lazarus: (sighs as he starts to gets up)This was a waste of time.(the nigh-invisible door over on the side finally opens to reveal the top-tier enforcer)
Gravitator: (looks over to see his students) Ah good, you're all here--
Merlin: (yells at their proctor with an angry, accusatory finger pointing) OH DON'T GIVE US THAT CRAP! WE'VE BEEN WAITING HERE ALL DAY FOR YOU! WHAT KIND OF JERKASS SETS A MEET-UP AND ARRIVES LATE THEMSELVES?!
Gravitator: (rubs the back of his neck sheepishly while letting out a matching chuckle) Sorry about that. Lost track of time.
Lazarus: (dubious) Lost track of time? You called us here over an hour ago, what were you doing to take so long? (Gravitator chuckles a bit more while Corinth picks up her staff, getting up)
Saeto: (stands up straight from the wall) Anyway, why did call us here?
Gravitator: Right. (clears throat) Ahem! I called you all here, so I could test your strength. (the four all look at him with surprise and confusion) Since we're going to be working together, I want to see what you guys can really do.
Merlin: Wait, so you called us here to fight? (smiles enthusiastically) Alright!
Saeto: … Are you sure?
Corinth: Can we even win against you?
Gravitator: You don't have to beat me; I just want to see how well you do. Since your first mission is against a special-grade villain backed by a duo of elite-grades, I want to make sure you have what it takes.
Lazarus: I see. He wants to assess our skills and abilities and gauge whether or not we're ready to go on this mission. I guess this can more-or-less be a test. Very well. (surprising the others)
Corinth: (wide-eyed at his words) What?!
Lazarus: (turns to her with his usual empty expression) He has a point. Our first mission isn't some walk in the park, so we should at least know where we stand. Besides, I'm curious to see what the third-ranked enforcer is capable of, myself.
Saeto: I agree. Plus it would help iron out any weaknesses that could hinder us on the mission.
Merlin: (shrugs casually) I just want to fight him.
Corinth: …
Gravitator: (walks off to the center of the room) So…I take it, you're all in agreement? (the four all walk up to the center and face him) Alright. All four come at me at once, fight with the intention to kill.
Lazarus: (eyes glowing) No problem.
All four high-tier enforcers stare him down, the top-tier enforcer stares them down in turn, then Merlin sends a sand tendril straight at Gravitator which the latter blocks with a gravity shield. Saeto propels himself into the air with his sonic waves the uses them push himself forward at the adult male with foot extended, Gravitator seeing this, backtrots several feet away at superspeed.
Gravitator: (raises both hands and drops them, dropping a gravity wave onto the four that pushes them to the ground…) '10X GRAVITY FIELD'.
…or at least three as Lazarus teleports out of the way and right behind Gravitator who turns in shock just a few seconds too late, barely having enough time to react to what comes next. Lazarus strikes him across the face with a kick, sending him flying into the distance; the gravity field. Lazarus drops to his feet, he looking over at his proctor, who gets back up, rubbing his chin with his fist, not looking as injured as someone would after a direct kick from a superhuman; even for one himself.
Lazarus: (surprised) … (flashes back to a split-second memory of Lazarus' foot hitting a gravity shield in front of Gravitator's cheek)Even though he was caught completely off-guard, he still managed to project a shield in time to block my attack. His reflexes are sharp; as expected of a top-tier enforcer, I guess.
Lazarus manifests a pair of claw gauntlets and charges straight for his opponent, only for him to go wide-eyed as he's suddenly sent flying sideways into a nearby wall with a slam. The other three wince at this, but Corinth recovers first and fires a storm of energy spikes at Gravitator who blocks it with a shield. Merlin turns into his sand elemental form and forms his hands into cannon barrels and fires sand balls at him, the shield begins to crack as the projectiles connect. Merlin enlarges an arm extends it at the shield, destroying it like glass; Gravitator leaps out of the way as the shards fade into nonexistence.
Gravitator: (points his hand at Merlin…)'5XGRAVITY FIELD'.(…dropping a gravitywave on him, smushing him into a puddle of sand; Saeto stares up at him and fires his sonic waves at him, Gravitator blocks it with his shield, then traps Saeto in a dome of the same shield)
Saeto: …?! (Gravitator lands feet-first, then faces Corinth)
Corinth: (suddenly scared) …?! (points her staff at him) 'ELEGANT CUBE'.
Gravitator gets encased in the cube, the enforcer however places a hand on the wall of the cube in front of him and it gets crushed into oblivion; shocking her. Gravitator dashes out and begins a serpentine path as he dodges cube after cube from Corinth, he leaps to dodge yet another cube and drops a gravity field on her. A storm of spears and swords suddenly comes flying in from behind, he notices in time to spin around and deflect them with gravity.
Lazarus: Hmmm. He's very acute with his surroundings. (to the already free Merlin without even turning to him) Hey Sandy, you still awake?
Merlin: (turns back to normal and groans as he shakes his head; a hand to his forehead) Guh…
Lazarus: Good. Now, create a flood of sand on the floor.
Merlin: (turns to Lazarus, shouting angrily) DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO--!
Lazarus: (speaking calmly) Shut up. Just do it.
Merlin: …! (relents and puts his hand to the ground, creating a pool of sand that spreads over 10 yds, directly under and around the feet of everyone present)
Lazarus: (telepathically)Now wrap around his feet…
Merlin: (startled) What the f--?!
Lazarus: (ignoring his partner's shock)…discreetly.
Merlin: (grits his teeth…) … Freak. (…and makes the sand slowly and discreetly climb up their opponent's feet before wrapping them up; Gravitator realizing what's happening too late as Lazarus quickly gets to work)
Lazarus: (puts his own hand to sand…) 'MOLECULE RECONSTITUTE'. (…and turns it to glass; Gravitator tries but struggles to get free) Don't bother, tempered glass. You're fast but I doubt you're strong enough break out of that. (Gravitator makes a move to attack but Lazarus shuts it down in an instant by summoning a length of chain that instant wraps around him; binding his upper limbs as well) This is just a guess on my part, but I'm assuming you can't use your skill if your limbs are bound.
Gravitator: …
The fight ends with Gravitator's loss, the four young enforcers are given the rest of the day off, while their proctor heads to the training room's command center where someone is waiting, having watched the whole mock battle. The automated door slides open to let Gravitator in as the figure swivels in rotating chair to face him.
Bishop: So, what do you think about them so far?
Gravitator: (leans on the door frame) They're strong…and all have great potential.
Bishop: But…?
Gravitator: …but, they lack teamwork. They mostly fight individually, they're good, but need to work together for this mission.
Bishop: Do tell, what are your thoughts on Lazarus specifically?
Gravitator: (a bit confused) Lazarus? He's a tricky case. Seems to have more experience in combat than he lets on and knows when to use his brains and even work with others in a fight. From all my years on the battlefield, I can tell…he's got more potential than the others, but also seem best at working with others and figuring out how best to do just that.
TIME:A few hours later.
Lazarus stands in front of a set of full-length mirrors in the tailor's room. He looks at his reflection, admiring his new and improved mission suit: a white, full-body suit with a black belt under what is akin to a sleeveless purple longcoat, fastened in the front by three golden, horizontal braces; silver-golden wristbands that go up almost his entire lower arms. In addition to this are a pair of black gloves with golden-painted metal knuckles akin to brass knuckles, and matching boots that have golden-painted metal soles and toes.
Lazarus: (checks the suit all over, turning around to see the back) Wow. You've outdone yourself, Maurice.
Maurice: (laughs thankfully) Thank you. Glad you appreciate it this time.
Maurice, an old man well within his five hundreds, with marshmallow skin, receding black hair – with some noticeable gray strands – and pink eyes; wearing a simple Hawaiian shirt with gray jeans.
Maurice: This one is of better than the previous one. It's made stronger material, easier to move in, fireproof, lightning-proof and has greater impact resistance. Also, I incorporated the adamantin knuckles and soles like your asked. But ah…why did I have to include a hat? (hands Lazarus and purple wide-brim hat with a black band around the crown)
Lazarus: (turns to the tailor and accepts the hat from him; looking at it thoughtfully) It just…came to me. (puts it on)
TIME:The night of the mission.
All four high-tier enforcers and their top-tier proctor suit up and all get ready to leave.
Gravitator: Alright. Let's head out.
All Enforcers: (nod) Right!
SCENE:Kalahan Manor.
At the same time, Kyle, Neil, Mavy and Candy all suit up as well, each wearing each wearing outfits consisting mostly of black – Kyle wears a jet-black hoodie, zipped up, over a dark gray tanktop and a pair of black pants. Neil dons a black sleeveless hoodie, hood on, left open under a white t-shirt with black jeans, Mavy wears a black long-sleeved top with matching pants and knit-hat, while Candy's outfit is a black short-sleeved top with a knee-length skirt, dark-gray tights and black armwarmers with her hair up in a bun.
Kyle: Let's go.
Others: Okay.
Kyle: (flashes back to their earlier mission) Hmmm.
(flashback)
Mavy: Laz is gonna sent on a mission to the Gogen evilzone.
Kyle: (shocked) What?!
Neil: (equally shocked) The Gogen evilzone?
Candy: (confused) Sorry, what's that?
Kyle: Why would he be sent there?
Mavy: From what I overheard…he and another three metas are all gonna raid a warehouse there. One belonging to Don Weaver. (Kyle and Neil are both left more shocked)
Candy: (still confused) Sorry, who?
Neil: Why would they send Laz out to fight one of the Ten Dons?
Candy: (now even more confused) The Ten who?
Kyle: I know that Laz made record breaking achievements and got some promotions but, in his current state, can he really beat a Don?
Candy: (growing frustrated) Who're the Ten Dons?!
Mavy: I don't know either. When I heard it, I couldn't believe--
Candy: (thoroughly annoyed, snaps her fingers, created a small explosion in their midst which immediately catches the other three's attention; they all turn to her with frightened faces) Sorry, but all of us are fully in the loop. So, what are three talking about?
Kyle: (calms down first…) Ah right. (…and clears his throat) Sorry. An evilzone is basically a residential area which professional villains accommodate. Think of it like small district where villains can live and set up guilds to accept requests. (Candy calms down as her eyes start to widen in understanding)
Neil: The Gogen evilzone is just one of several, this one located in Gogen.
Candy: (nods, finally beginning to understand; thinks to herself…) Huh. I guess I never really thought much about where villains live or work. (…then looks back up at the others) So this place will be crawling with villains.
Neil: (nods) Yes. And mind you, they don't take kindly to trespassers.
Mavy: That place is mostly filled with lesser and minor-grade villains anyway. But the real threat is the one running the place.
Kyle: Don Weaver. A former special-grade villain, now a lowlife rogue.
Candy: A rogue?
Kyle: (nods) Yup. He's an ex-pro turned dangerous terrorist, who defected years ago for reasons unknown. Pure evil and mega dangerous.
Neil: (agrees) No wonder he's one of the Ten Dons.
Candy: Oh yeah. You mentioned that earlier. Who are they?
Mavy: Ten mob bosses who control the entire mafia systemwide. They're amongst they worst kind of people; only caring about themselves and their own interests.
Neil: And Don Weaver is one of them.
Candy: (giving a skeptical expression) You guys sure a lot about a bunch of criminals.
Neil: (casually shrugs) Comes with the job.
Mavy: Having a superhero for a brother has its advantages.
Kyle: (smiles cheerfully) I have my ways. (turns to Mavy) So, you said that they were sending him there to raid a warehouse? Why?
Mavy: (shrugs) No clue. The guards didn't seem to know either.
Neil: Bishop said that the organization was setup just to target Terror from the start. I bet whatever they want with the warehouse, it definitely has something to do with them.
Kyle: (nods in agreement) You're right. So, here's what we'll do.
(flashback ends)
The four board a peculiar-looking flying machine on an inner balcony, located at the border of the roof which opens like that of an observatory – it's big, but not too large, made of chrome material and has only two big bird-like wings with a fish-like tail – they all buckle their seatbelts as Kyle turn on the machine.
Kyle: Alright passengers, please keeps your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times, we'll be ascending shortly and it's a three-hour flight. If you want to go I suggest doing so now or you'll just have to hold it.
Neil: (unamused) Everything's just a game to you isn't it?
Kyle: (turns to him) Hey, I'm just trying to have a little fun here. (Neil sighs in annoyance)
Candy: (looks out the window with a sigh of her own) This is gonna be a dangerous night…
Mavy: (sighs in frustration at Kyle's antics) This is gonna be long night…
Candy and Mavy: …a long and dangerous night.
The scene fades to black as the chapter ends.
STORY CONTINUES IN CHAPTER: 20 (NIGHTTIME BRAWL I: RAID ON THE CARTEL)