Disclaimer: I own nothing
Make me!
Into the one you want, into the one you need you bend and…
Break me!
You watch me separate myself from who I really am.
To fit into your plan…
You're cutting me in two
And ripping me in three
You're killing with those words you say to me
You're cutting me in two
And ripping me in three
How many pieces can you take from me?
Dark New Day - "Pieces"
"Power flow…100%"
"Surveillance…good to go!"
"Weapons System…functioning."
"A.I Sub-systems…online."
"Backdrop…downloading…"
Vlad growled slightly at how long it was taking the technicians to prepare the testing chamber. They had assured him that it would only take a moment to finish diagnostics, but his patience was wearing thin. All he wanted to do was to go and get this over with, see what P-17 was capable of and then decided if the child deserved to live or not. He cared very little as to all the data that his scientists wished to gather on the boy; Vlad did not want data, Vlad wanted a son.
It had been only two days since the boy, P-17 (or Prototype One-Seven), had awakened and broke free from his birthing tank. As soon as Medical had assured him that One-Seven was fit, Vlad had forced him out of bed and got him into the testing field. All along the way, the boy would not shut up with his questions! Where am I? Who am I? How did I get here? Where is here? Who are you!?!
Vlad rubbed his forehead furiously. One-Seven's endless questioning had given him a most unpleasant migraine. The only way he could get the child to quit talking was to promise him answers after the tests were finished. The boy's red eyes looked wary, but Vlad's furious glare sent him backing down.
"…and complete!" The technician's voice broke Vlad free from his thoughts and back into the real world.
"And finally, Life Support…at 15%…16%…17%…"
"Ugh!" Vlad grunted in anger, his patience non-existent, "We have no time for this! Begin the tests!" He ordered the tech teams and a single scientist looked towards him, warily.
"Sir? Are you sure about this?" Doctor Manning, the head of the Project asked, "The subject could suffer serious injury if he were to lose control or-" The Doctor's rambling ended as Vlad sent him a very cold glare.
"If the boy cannot either show self control of his powers or have any impressive capabilities to begin with, then he is of no use to me and will be discarded regardless." Vlad said without any shame, "The added danger will force the boy to use his instincts and will prove whether or not he potential. And now, Doctor." Vlad's eyes narrow and he growled out his order, leaving no room for objection.
"Begin, the tests."
I have shadow powers.
I can control shadows.
Cool, right?
Don't ask me how, or why, because truth be told, I have no idea. I haven't the slightest clue where the hell I received the abilities of shadow manipulation. I'm not even sure exactly how I can even use this gift. I have absolutely no control over it. I just now learned that I had a super power barely ten minutes ago.
But yeah, I have super powers…or at least according to this Vlad Masters guy, who refuses to answer any of my questions. I mean, I just barley was released from infirmary before he comes barging in, demanding that I come with him and drags me through corridor after corridor until we arrive in some big closed off area. He orders me to stay put and exit's the way we came.
By now, I'm way beyond confused. I attempted to get answers on the way here, but Mr. Masters (or whatever his name is) just ignored me. The only time he opened his mouth was when he dropped the bombshell and told me I had special powers. And of course that just rose a dozen more questions.
Well, at least it explains the…irregularities, with my body…I think…
Doesn't explain the strange dreams though…or I guess you could call them nightmares. I really wouldn't know the difference.
I had them again; twice, actually. Together, that makes it three times that I've had these disturbingly familiar dreams.
They just…it seems…I can't really explain it; but these dreams, these visions, they seem so, so real. It feels like I've lived them before, like they aren't actually dreams but memories. And I know it sounds crazy, believe me, even I think it's insane…but it feels as though I've seen them happen before, like I'm reliving an old event, an old memory.
As for the dreams themselves, it's rather difficult for me to recall them all. I don't really see the whole thing in one big picture, it's more like snapshot after snapshot of memories are thrown at me; none of them making any sense whatsoever.
But I'm getting off topic, where was I?
Oh yeah, the dreams.
There's smoke, in all three of the dreams, there's always so much smoke filling the air. And the smoke feels so real that I can actually smell the smoke and taste the bitterness of it all, so much so that I actually woke up once, coughing; dry mouth, the foul taste of charcoal at the end of my tongue and a scratching sensation at the back of my throat. It's as if I really was inhaling a lung full of smoke.
Like I said before, It sounds crazy.
But as I was saying, along with the smoke, there's fire, blazing, burning, blistering flames of heat and rage that makes my bed sheets soaked with sweat. And in the dream, I'm navigating through the smoke, heat and fire. For whatever reason, I don't know why, but I'm doing it. And I'm also screaming out a name, screaming with all my heart; calling out in distress, fear and anxiety.
"Chris! Chris, where are you!?"
I shook my head free of those thoughts; I could literally hear the screams, echoing in head. I already had enough on my mind; I still don't know who the hell I am…
Suddenly, the walls start around me start shimmering. I raise an eyebrow (or at least I would, considering the fact that I don't have a facial features to speak of) I rub my eyes to make sure I'm not seeing things. Nope, the walls really are shimmering; then, the environment around me begins shifting, changing. I start to panic a bit.
"What's happening!?" I call out, hoping someone will hear me.
"Calm down." A disembodied voice calls out; it's slightly distorted, it's coming from some kinda speaker system. "The room you're in now is a virtual reality training chamber. We're just changing the backdrop to better fit the simulation." His words confuse me; why would they put me in this place? A virtually reality chamber? I didn't know that kinda stuff was possible, and why would they put me right in the middle of one?
"I-I don't understand! Why am I here?" All I want are answers! Is it really too much to ask?
"Silence boy!" A different voice, Mr. Masters, exclaims over the speakers. "Are you really this dense? You're in here because we need to test your abilities. So cease with the questioning and just do as we say!" His voice was firm and left no room for argument; I backed down and complied.
The area around me shifted and became a ruin city, a wasteland. Destroyed building surrounded me and the sky was red. I stared, agape at the desolation.
"What is this place…?" I murmured quietly to myself as I hesitatingly started walking down the ruined streets.
"Alright, listen up." Yet another voice, different from Mr. Master's, spoke over the intercom. "This test is fairly straightforward. Just make it from Point A to…" Suddenly in the distance, I saw a bright blue flag pop into existence. "…Point B."
I looked forward, shrugged, and start heading towards it. But then the voice called out again.
"Be forewarned, however; there may be some…complications, when trying to reach the end."
Without warning, the ground in front of me exploded in a blaze of fire. I fell down on my back, shocked, and arms raised to shield my face from the intense heat. The heat lasted a few more seconds before the fire started to wither and die. Then, a could just barley make out a figure approaching through the flames.
I got a good look at him when he exited the dying blaze. He was dress in all black and looked as if he was on a warpath; dressed in combat fatigues, body armor, helmet and gasmask with concealed his face.
My eyes traveled down to his chest and I saw the distinct shape of a pistol…
Aimed right at me.
Oh shi-
The man fired his weapon and dirt kicked up around me as I sprang forward and ran to the nearest cover I could find. I dove through the broken door of a nearby apartment complex. The man continued to fire his pistol at me, the bullets keeping me pinned down and unable to move from my hiding spot. Then, I heard a door slam open. I craned my head to the left and saw the sight of yet another armed man, this one holding a menacing looking rifle. He sighted his target; the target being me, and pulled the trigger.
Thinking fast, I dove behind the nearby check out counter and hid there as the rounds from the rifle ripped apart the area around me. A bullet ricocheted off the wall and struck me in the leg. The pain was intense and I cried out. Ruby red blood seeping through the wound.
Well…at least now I know I can bleed…
The firing stopped and I heard a pair of footsteps approaching; both men were coming at me and closing, fast.
I panicked, trying to ignore the pain that shot through my leg and my eyes search every nook and cranny of the room, desperate for a safe refuge.
There…!
I spotted a door, not too far away from my current position and made a wild dash over to it. The men opened fire but the rounds from their firearms only tore up the area behind me. I made it to the door and slammed it shut.
The room was dark, too dark to see anything and I frantically searched the walls for a light switch. No luck.
"Damn." I muttered, tired and in despair; all the sprinting, the gunfire, and the pain in my leg were taking it's told on me. My adrenaline was all but empty. I wanted to rest, but those men outside were going to kill me. And I thought this was only a simulation…
"You can't simulate pain…" I said to myself, feeling my bullet wound and wincing. I wanted to check it and put some kinda covering over it, but I couldn't see a thing; and then those men were going to come in here and kill me and I can't do anything about it because I can't see! Why can't this darkness just move!?
Suddenly the room seemed to shift and I could see. I could see clearly now. The darkness, the shadows seem to just…recede into the corners of the room. There wasn't any light and it was still dark, but now I could see.
I stared, shocked and looked down at my black hands. Did I just do that? Did they move because of…me?
Suddenly, the door opened up and a hand threw a pair of…things into the room with me and then shut the door again. I jumped back in reaction and stared at what had hit the floor next to me.
Grenades.
I gasped and crawled backward, desperate to escape the explosives but my back hit a wall and I was stuck. The room I chose to hide in was small, extremely so. I was trapped.
"Oh no." I whispered, scared beyond belief. "No!" I then screamed, arms held forward as if they would offer some protection, and I screamed just as the grenade went off, sending shrapnel outwards towards me.
I shut my eyes and waited for the inevitable pain but it never came. After a moment, I looked up.
There was a wall in front of me, a dark, thick wall made of some kind of shadowy substance. After a moment, the wall started to dissipate and became nothing more than the darkness at my feet. It protected like…like a shield.
Then I felt a soothing sensation at my leg and I looked downwards to catch the glimpse of shadows seemingly running down my thigh, heading for my bullet wound. When they reached it, they melding together with the shot up skin and began…well, doing something.
A small metallic chink echoed and I saw the ricocheted bullet pop out of my leg. The wound closed up on itself and was like brand new; no more pain, no more blood.
"Holy shit…" I couldn't contain myself as I witnessed the miracle. The shadows had come to my aid, as if I had commanded them to.
Mr. Masters was right, I do have powers. The shadows are under my control. I had a chance against those men. I just had to find some defense against their guns.
Hmmm, I wonder…
"Okay, think shield, think bulletproof shield." I said, closing my eyes, focusing. I could literally feel the shadows traveling up my arm and taking shape. I could feel something, forming, morphing, growing on my arm. When it stopped, my arm felt heavier and I opened my eyes.
My arm was gone, gone and replaced by a huge shield which if I were to crouch, would cover a great portion of my body. The shield itself looked…odd. It was crooked in some areas, ragged edges and uneven in all around shape. Think, a giant shard of glass…but made out of some kind of black, organic material.
I looked over it's design and shrugged. It would have to do.
Just then, the only exit to this tiny room began to open; a small ray of light through the crack of an opening door. Thinking fast, I hid against the wall and attempted to bend the shadow's around me. I succeeded and the room instantly became darker than midnight, not even the light from the opened door could pierce through the pitch black darkness.
One of the soldier men came forward, flashlight in one hand, pistol in the other. He approached, hesitantly and watched the end of the room carefully, walking right pass me.
It's now or never…
I burst from the shadows and smashed my shielded arm against his face, he flew back into the wall and slumped to the floor, unconscious. His comrade had taken immediate notice of my attack and out the corner of my eye, I could see him bringing his rifle to bear in response. I myself raised my shield and prayed that everything would be okay.
The distinct roar of gunfire ended my silent prayers and I felt multiple heavy impacts along my shield, but by some miracle, it held together, deflecting or absorbing all the bullets. The barrage stopped and I heard the man's rifle click, empty.
I grinned.
Lunging forward, I smashed the shield into the soldier, sending him flying back out the door. He dropped his rifle and I quickly kicked it away from his sprawled out form before sending a hard kick to his head, knocking him out, cold. I released the breath I just now realized I was holding and took a few deep breaths, adrenaline pumping through my veins.
Then; the walls behind me exploded.
The explosion was extremely loud, nearly bursting my eardrums; wood and concrete debris showered my position and I grunted as a rather large block smashed into my back, knocking me over. After a silent moment of pain, I recovered and sued my shield to push off the debris that was nearly crushing my body. I stumbled out of the blown up building, head throbbing horribly; then, I noticed the red dots skittering around my chest. Confused, I looked up and the sight of a dozen soldiers with rifles and laser sights met my gaze.
Aw crap.
One of them yelled out an order and I just barely raised my shield in time to protect from the barrage of lead that came my way. I took a knee to better get my body behind the shield and grit my teeth as the bullets just kept on coming.
Suddenly, an explosion rocked my world and I was sent flying as a huge projectile smashed into my shield. This time, the pressure was just too much and the shield shattered under the blow. I landed roughly, sliding violently on my back until I crashed into a pile of debris in a darkened alley way. I groaned and sat up, some of the shadows in the alley absorbed into my body and the cuts and bruises that I no doubt had received we're healed in a flash. My muscles however still ached and felt sore, like they were on fire.
I looked down at arm, fearing that it was lost along with the shield; but I was being paranoid and it was still there, perfectly intact. I exhaled, relieved and stood up, brushing the dust and dirt off my jumpsuit.
"Okay then." I spoke aloud to myself. "Need a new plan…" I put my fist chin for a moment, thinking up different strategies for my current situation. I was greatly outnumbered and outgunned. I needed to even the playing field, I needed a weapon.
I suddenly had a thought and glanced down to my hands. If I could make a shield…then what's stopping me from making a…
The shadows sped up from the ground and into my body, traveling through my chest and into my arms. I concentrated; a dozen different ideas popping into my head.
After a moment, the sensation disappeared and I opened my eyes.
And whistled.
Both of my hands were now replaced with some menacing looking claws. I looked them over; like before with the shield, the claws themselves looked organic, made from some leathery black substance. There were four long, razor-sharp daggers on each hand, one on every finger, excluding my thumb. The length of each blade was an easy seven or eight inches and were colored a dull gray, they looked as if they were made of bone.
I heard footsteps and knew that those soldiers were getting closer. I needed to set an ambush and quick.
These weren't real men, they were as the scientist said, a simulation, holograms; they weren't real, weren't alive, so if I do end up killing someone, I didn't really kill anybody. It's like…a videogame, the bad guys are trying to kill me, I must defend myself. And besides, if I do well in this simulation, I just might get some answers about with I am.
I went flat against a wall and blended into the shadows, using and controlling the darkness as a blanket to conceal my position. The tactic worked earlier, so why not now?
They approached and three men went in first. They moved in a tight formation, covering and checking every corner, nook, and cranny. For a second, I feared they would find me, but they just passed me and kept on going, deeper into the alley. The rest of their squad followed and I smirked, this was perfect.
I crept behind the last two in formation and did the only move I knew how to do.
I stabbed. Quick forward jab.
They both were wearing body armor but it failed to protect them much as the claws cut right through the Kevlar and into their bodies. Despite the fact that this was virtual; the blood seemed real enough to me that I cringed and shivered at the sight of it. A couple drops splattered on my face and through the simulation and the dark mask that covered my features; it was wet, warm and smelled of copper.
The two soldiers released pained cries as they fell to the floor and the other men in the squad spun around to face me. Sliding my claws out of the fallen soldier's bodies with a sick, wet sounding slosh; I thrust forward and lanced the closest man next to me before backhanding another one and he was sent crashing into his comrade.
By now, the others had recovered and raised their firearms, one actually lifted up a huge looking rocket launcher and aiming it at me. Not good.
By the time they pulled the triggers, I summoned a quick shadow wall which soaked up the fire. Long as that rocket doesn't go off, I'll be fine.
The shadow wall departed and I rolled forward, reached another soldier and made a diagonal slice with both claws. His body fell to the floor, lifelessly and I stepped forward.
"Who else wants some?"
"Incredible." Breathed Doctor Manning as he watched P-17 completely annihilate the patrol of troops managed against him. They had been watching the entire time the simulation was operating, and saw every moment, every little detail. The boy and his abilities were amazing.
"Yes, I must admit, quite impressive." Even Vlad was surprised at the power the boy held within him. Even with no training at all, he still blew through and tore into the soldiers that had him outnumbered. So far, the combat was getting easy for him. The armed men stood no match, with the boy's power and the fact that there were shadows at every corner. P-17 just might be the one. Vlad just needed to test one more thing…
"Doctor." Manning turned around to see Vlad standing before him.
"Yes, Mr. Masters?"
"I wish to test the boy against a more of an equal adversary. Alert engineering that Container 2A is to be prepared and emptied into the Simulation Chamber."
"Yes, sir." He replied as he quickly ordered his crew into positions and hailed the head engineer about the situation. Vlad glanced back to the live feed of the test and saw that the boy had just slit the throat of the last soldier. Impressive indeed.
"Mr. Masters?" Vlad turned from the screen to face Manning as he hung up the phone. "What exactly are you planning?"
Vlad turned his attention back to the screens, not even bothering to face the Doctor as he spoke. "The boy has no natural enemies that can match him…" He allowed a small, nearly unnoticeable smirk to graze his features.
"Let us see how well he fares against a supernatural foe."
The claws receded back into body and my black hands took form once again as I finished off the last and final soldier. I quickly exited the alley, growing extremely nauseous at the sight and smell of so much gore and took a quick breather on the sidewalk of the destroyed city street. I was exhausted, any reserves of adrenaline I had was now no doubt completely depleted. My body ached all over and I nearly fell asleep right then and there.
But as I closed my eyes, I felt a chill crawl down my spine and glanced up only to have a bolt of green lightening strike me and send me flying backwards, landing hard into the dirt. I groaned for what seemed like the thousandth time that day and looked up.
Green was my first impression. Bright, glowing, emerald green that seemed to shimmer and…I can't really explain it, but give some sort of…presence, around the creature's skin. Then I noticed that it wasn't skin I was looking at but actually bare bone!
I-It was a skeleton! A walking, living, glowing skeleton! And it was…floating?! Floating! In midair! Oh my god…!
I just sat there and stared, wide eyed and in absolute terror, a million questions going through my head. What the hell is that thing? Is it an enemy? Wait; of course it is, it attacked me.
I sat up, hands forming back into claws. Glaring at the glowing skeleton; truthfully, I'm scared, but I won't let this thing know that. "So…is this also apart of the test?" The skeleton did not acknowledge me and I didn't receive any answers from those probably watching right now. "I'll take that as a yes." I lunged for him, claws extended, aiming for the neck…
Then, the skeleton seemed to lose his glow and become…well, become transparent. And then, to my utmost shock, my form actually fell right through his transparent form and I ate dirt. I spun my head around and my wide eyes became even wider as I saw his body change back to a solid form. His skeletal grin seemingly mocking me at my failed strike. I grit my teeth in response.
"Okay, let's try that again…" I stood up and swung again, and just like before, his from changed and my claw caught nothing but cold air. Irritated, I tried again. Yet another failure. Now, flat out pissed off, I began a barrage of slashes and cutting motions, hoping to land a hit on this thing. But each strike just kept passing through his body, doing absolutely nothing. In a last, desperate move, I brought my claws in front of me and stabbed both of them forward with as much force as possible.
This time, however, the skeleton responded. Both claws went through his body and he side stepped. His body changing back to normal and now grasping onto my arms in a tight grip. He carried me up, held by the arms and dangling in the air and swung me outwards, smacking head first into a light pole. I grunted, claws receding and hands going up to nurse my wounded face. I stood up, weak in the knees and looked forward.
Nothing.
Surprised, I twisted my head around, eyes searching for the green skeleton. Catching no sight of him and out of paranoia, I formed my right hand into a shield and hesitatingly stepped forward.
A chill went down my back and suddenly I was violently grabbed by the shoulders spun backward. Despite the fact that my eyes saw nothing, I felt a clenched fist smash into my face repeatedly and was thrown to the ground. I groaned and my face felt numb, my right eye was swollen and I could barely see. Trying desperately to ignore the pain and against my body's complaints; I slowly stood and turned to the direction the sneak attack came from.
There was nothing but still air where I faced.
"How…?" I croaked, beyond confused and feeling even more scared than before. "Where are you?" I yelled out at nothing.
And then, "nothing" answered.
The skeleton appeared out of thin air; literally materialized right in front of me and backhanded me across the face. I hit the dirt, hard and cringed as my cheek burned. I tried to get up but the skeleton kicked me back down. I tried three more times after that, and ended with the same results. But on the fourth attempt, using my shield as a crutch, I managed to stand up on my own.
I stood at odds with the skeleton, blood dripping down my face and sneered at him. "You're going to regret that." I snarled as shadows shot out from darkened areas surrounding me and were absorbed into my body. My injuries healed and I stood; refreshed and ready for combat. I raised the shield and braced myself. "Come and get me."
The skeleton gave off an inhuman hiss and raised a hand forward. Green mist flowed around us and suddenly began to form…something. The mist began to solidify and slowly became what looked like a metal staff, with sharp blades clutching a green tinted crystal at the end of it. He aimed the staff at me and I was nearly caught off guard when a bolt of green lightning shot out and impacted against my shield. My feet sank into the ground and I slid backwards a few feet, but the lightning began to thin out and eventually died away completely. I stood there, unharmed and ready for more.
"Is that the best you got?" I was a bit happy at my first victory over this new foe and decided to provoke him just a bit.
He hissed again, this time more menacingly than before and jabbed his staff forward, hoping to impale me on it. I brought the shield forward and it collided in a brilliant display of emerald sparks. He swung again and I went on defense yet again, deflecting his attacks while secretly forming my other hand into a claw. When he raised his staff high; planning to smash my face in like a hammer, I brought my shield upwards, blocking the blow and thrust my claw forward, tearing into the skeleton's exposed ribcage and actually slicing off a few ribs. He released a shriek and retaliated with a bolt of lightening at point blank range that sent me flying.
I smashed into a wall, chest smoking and in a considerable amount of pain. Fighting the urge to call it quits right there, I started getting back to my feet, but the skeleton came flying in, grabbed me by the throat and threw me against a wall before unleashing another wave of green electricity.
The pain was excruciating and I had to fight the urge to fall unconscious right then and there. I fell to my knees and out of the corner of my eye, I could see the skeleton approaching; I tried to raise my shield in time but was too late as he heaved his staff sideways and clocked me on the head. Landing face first into the dirt, I attempted to absorb some shadows to heal up, but before I could, the skeleton stomped down on my back with surprising force; just how much power could a bag of bones have…?
He kicked me in the side and I recoiled, pain overwhelming my brain. He kicked me once more before picking me up by the jumpsuit collar and tossing me forward into an alley way.
When I landed painfully, I was made aware of the distinct scent of copper, that metallic smell that assaulted my nostrils. Looking up, I found the ground to be stained with the color of scarlet.
Blood.
There were bodies, dressed in fatigues and body armor; I've seen this alley way before, these bodies were made by me, these were the men I slaughtered.
I shivered at the thought before remembering that this was just a simulation…no matter how much pain I was in, this wasn't real. Despite the fact that it felt every bit real, from the pain of a bullet wound, to the splashing of warm blood. It wasn't real…It wasn't real…it couldn't be…
Footsteps sounded off and I knew that the skeleton was coming, getting closer. I had no way to defend myself; my shield and claws had withdrawn back into my body, I had no more energy left to retain those forms. I was defenseless.
Then I saw it.
Sitting right there in the middle of the alley, partly hidden by the shadows, one of the soldier's weapons, a pistol.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess…
I've never handled a gun before…or at least, I can remember if I had. But it couldn't too difficult, right? Point down the sights and pull the trigger; can't screw that up, can I?
Well I'm about to find out.
Bending the shadows to darken the alley, I reached for and grabbed the firearm and clutched it in my palm, tightly. The footsteps became louder, closer. Most likely, he was just outside of the alley, probably hesitant to enter such a dark passage.
I saw a green tinted glow and the outline of a figure holding a staff met my gaze. The staff began to glow brightly and the shadows were giving way to the light. He would see me, he was going to find me.
Panicking, I raised the pistol, and began squeezing the gun's trigger.
Nothing.
Terrified, my eyes widened and I frantically began checking over the weapon, trying to find out just what was wrong with the stupid thing. The skeleton approached and I could see him clearly now; he had the staff pointed, pointed at me.
Oh. Oh no.
Nearly pissing myself, I began smacking the gun while releasing a few silent swears; I didn't care that this was a virtual world. Pain was pain; pain was real, and I had have just about enough pain that my sanity could handle. I've had enough.
Then I saw it. Above the pistol's trigger, a small switch. The text, SAFE, stenciled on the front.
The safety was on.
In near hysterics, I nearly broke the switch as I switch off the safety and aimed the pistol downrange, straight at the skeleton who was only a few feet away. My enemy was raising his staff; it's crystal was glowing a bright emerald, sparks appearing, a bolt of lightening no doubt charging up.
This was it.
I steadied my arm and despite being in a rush, carefully aimed down the pistol's sights.
I took a deep, painful breath…
And I pulled the trigger.
Everything became a blur then as the bullet raced out of the gun's barrel and collided with the staff's crystal end. There was a flash. An explosion. Incredible heat.
And then, nothing. Nothing but blackness.
Doctor Manning stared, mouth agape and completely speechless. He had just witness firsthand the destructive power that P-17 held within him.
It was incredible.
The boy had been thrown into a war zone and had fought. He learned how to access his powers rather quickly and had utterly wiped the floor with any foes that were faced against him. Even a ghost! A real, undead ghost couldn't even stop the force that the boy unleashed on it. Sure, the boy was knocked unconscious by the explosion of the skeleton's staff, but the ghost itself was completely destroyed in the blast. And it wasn't even apart of the simulation, it was an actual fight to the death.
He smiled in triumph, he and his team had finally done it and created a superior being; the boy wasn't perfect, no, not by a long shot. But it was a huge step in the right direction and Vlad could now have the son he always wanted.
The Doctor's smile died on his lips as he turned and found Vlad to not be celebrating as he had originally thought rather but found him to be sulking. The suited man was seemingly glaring at the unconscious boy who was now being treated by multiple medics down in the simulation chamber. The man did not look impressed, not one sign of satisfaction on his features.
The boy… Vlad thought alone to himself …He just barely defeated that skeletal drone, a simple drone! He is near useless against ghosts; and against Daniel, he would be crushed. This one is just another failure…
Doctor Manning was about to speak out to Vlad when a commotion from down in the chamber caught their attention. A few of the technicians and medics cried out when the shadows from beneath their bodies were sucked up and absorbed into the fallen teen's form. His body seemed to shift and any wounds he sustained from the combat was healed in an instant. He jerked, groaning slightly; semiconscious.
As the medics began rolling him out on a gurney, towards the medical wing; Doctor Manning turned back to speak to Vlad, but was only able to catch sight of his backside as he exited the control room doors…
"Where's mommy and daddy?" Even with all the tubing and wires covering his small, frail body and the steady beeping of machinery; the child was still able to keep up a sense of innocence. He just didn't understand the seriousness of the situation. His bright, pure, naïve eyes connected with those of the other, older boy.
The question went unanswered for a while; the tension in the air was thick.
"David?" The child asked again, cocking his head slightly as he grew curious at the older boy's silence. "What's wrong? Everything's gonna be alright." That simple, innocent statement nearly broke the other boy and tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to fall.
"N-No Chris…" His voice cracked, it felt like the whole world was crashing down on him. "It's not going to be okay…" He let that hang in the air for a bit, arguing within his own subconscious over the easiest way to break it to him.
"What do you mean?" The child grew concerned and sat up a bit straighter, wincing a bit at his broken arm. The older boy swallowed his fears and grabbed the other's hand in a attempt at comfort.
"Mom and dad…" He needed to be strong, for his brother's sake. He couldn't run away, he couldn't be a coward, not this time, not ever again.
"Mom and dad…" He started over with a deep breath. "T-They're in a better place now…" Confusion was evident on the child's face.
"What…? What do you mean…?" The child just didn't understand. He couldn't talk in riddle anymore, he had to speak the truth, no matter how painful or brutal it was.
He gripped his tiny hand in his grasp, here it comes… "They're dead, Chris." The look on the child's face broke him and he could feel something warm and wet roll down his face. "They're in Heaven now, and they aren't coming back."
The dam broke; and tears fell freely down both boys' cheeks. The older one leaned forward to embrace his brother in a shattered hug.
The two of them were alone in the world…
Lights. Bright, harsh, merciless fluorescent lighting which hummed like a thousand bees met my gaze. My eyes take the time to adjust and my head begins throbbing horribly so. I have a new hatred migraines, now.
I groaned and attempt to sit up; my body is tired, sore, and weak; I can barely move. After a minute of struggle, I give in and collapse against my pillow, perspiration clung to my forehead. After a moment of rest, I try once more to sit up and succeed this time around. Panting from overexerting myself, I took the chance to take in my surroundings. I was in a fairly hospital-ish setting, the medical ward. Must've passed out when I fought that…weird skeleton thing.
I sighed as the events of today flashed through my mind; the simulation, the discovery of my powers, killing all those men (despite the fact that they weren't real), the battle with that skeleton and then yet another one of those strange dreams I keep having. It's a lot for one person to take in. And I haven't even gotten any answers yet; I still don't even know my own name…
The door slides open and in walks Mr. Masters, déjà-vu from a few days ago.
"Hello again, sir." I say respectfully; rather anxious to get my questions answered, I remember, he promised.
"Yes, hello there boy." He spoke and I could help shiver a bit, there was just something off with Masters, like he was hiding something. "I must admit, your skills were highly impressive."
Oh wow, he just complimented me. "Uh…thank you." I said, were it not for the mask, I would have grinned. "That's actually something I wanted to talk with you about." I told him, but he looked at me, suspicious.
"Oh?" Masters replied, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms. I hesitated for moment, wondering what order I should ask my questions in and Vlad grew impatient. "Well? Out with it, boy!"
"I just…I just wanted to know; what do you know about me? Why can I control shadows? Why is my body is like this?" I motioned to my shady form. "Who am I; and what all these strange dreams mean…?" I was going to continue, but Mr. Masters interrupted me.
"Dreams? What dreams?" He said, a bit apprehensively and I was taken back by how he rather demanded it.
"Uh…" I was wide eyed for a bit, having second thoughts about explaining my dreams to him.
Vlad's eyes narrowed. "I asked you a question boy, and I expect you to answer." He nearly snarled and I felt a lump appear in my throat.
…Just tell him idiot, you'll get answers afterwards…
"Well, it's rather hard to explain…" I started and Vlad's eyes bore into mine. "But, um…there's fire, there's fire everywhere. And the smoke, and I-I remember screaming a name and-" But I wasn't able to finish as Vlad had nearly ran out the room, leaving in a hurry, leaving me unanswered and alone.
I sigh and fall backwards, face first into the bed's pillow. I can feel anger rising up inside of me, and I clutch the sides of the bed and bury my face into the cushion, screaming my frustrations into the small pillow.
What do these dreams mean!?
Why can't somebody give me a straight answer?!
Who am I!?!
Vlad looked through the subject's files that were displayed on his monitor, a small smirk appearing at the corners of his mouth. This is exactly what he needed, the perfect excuse to get rid of that shadowy freak and get started on yet another being; hopefully one that fit's the criteria for "Perfect Son".
He quickly picked up a phone and dialed a number, the phone rang twice before someone answered.
"Yes, Mr. Masters?" Doctor Manning's voice came through the receiver.
"Doctor, it seems we have a severe complication with Prototype One Seven."
"A severe complication? Sir, what could you possibly mean by that?"
Vlad's smirk grew as he dropped the bomb shell.
"The boy remembers, Doctor."
There was silence on the other line, and then, after a moment…
"What…do you propose we do, Sir…?" The Doctor sounded defeated, good.
Vlad's smirk never faltered as he spoke his orders.
"Simple Doctor; termination of the Prototype."
Damn, how many months has it been since I've updated this story? Four? Five? My bad on that guys. But now I'm here to stay, you have my (semi trustworthy) word on that.
So please, give me some feed back. Questions and suggestions I will reply to.
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-Tomato