"So, what are you gonna do for New Years?"

Two men were loading a truck in an alleyway. Just two more stops, and the men would be off for the night. The mechanical parts rustled in the boxes as they threw them in one by one.

"Eh, I'm gonna stay home. New Year's just ain't exciting no more."

"Getting old?"

"Heh, maybe I am. I've been at PILLAR Corp. for 15 years now. High time for me to retire."

The two men laughed, and continued to load the truck. Their conversation distracted them from the fact that a figure was approaching from behind.

"15 years working for the devil? That's quite the amount of sin you got on your soul, buddy" the figure said.

The two men spun around to meet the figure. He was only a kid, wearing baggy and ripped clothes. His scarf masked his chin, and lightly blew in the city breeze. The googles he wore were light blue, and his brown hair spiked up, save for his right side, where it was shaved.

"Kid, you scared us! Get on out of here."

"Now why would I do that, when you fellas have some parts I need" the kid said mischievously.

"Listen, isn't about your bedtime? Just head on home and we won't tell your momma-"

The kid suddenly jumped up and over the two men, and on top of the truck. One of the men fell to the ground, wrapped in some sort of string.

"You like that? I call that attack the 'Clacker Volley'."

"I really didn't want to have to do this kid, but I'm not dealing with this tonight"

The man reached for his Taser, standard issue for PILLAR drivers. The kid slowly took a deep breath, emitting a "Hoooaaaaaah" kind of sound. What seemed like electricity started to flow around him.

"Whoa whoa, take it easy- "

"OVERDRIVE!"

The kid screamed, as he leapt from the truck and punched the man square in the stomach. At first, nothing happened. But then, as if the universe was finished loading, the enormous force behind the punch exploded, and the man was sent flying. The man crashed into a pile of trash, and fell unconscious.

"Yare yare daze" the kid said in disappointed tone.

A few swipes of his blue, plasma knife, and the boxes opened up. Several pieces of robotic parts, miscellaneous in nature, were being transported by PILLAR. The kid grabbed a small chip.

"Perfect! This is all I need. Thanks, gents!"

"Hey kid, you better watch your back! Everyone knows what happens to those who steal from PILLAR!" the man who was tied up exclaimed.

The kid looked back.

"Well, if they ask, tell 'em that José sends his regards!"

The mysterious boy José leapt back into the alley from where he came. Just exactly who is this child? And what does the PILLER Corp. have to do with him? Only time will tell…

TO BE CONTINUED -