3 days later, Jason's point of view :

I wake up with a bad headache, wondering how long I've been asleep. When I remember that I got the hell kicked outta me, I rush up, but before I can get out of bed, this brunette girl shoves me back down, giving me a look that says 'Don't think I won't break you'. I look over her shoulder and see a dude with a slouched posture, black hair, slightly Asian features "Probably just half Asian." Jason thought.

"Who the hell are you?" I take in the sight of the room I'm in. Not too fancy, but way better than my current place. The girl looks irritated, and huffs.

"I'm April. The dude behind me is Alex. He's the whole reason you're here." I remember that Red X found me, and brought me… here I guess. "Hey, didn't you put me in some kinda healin' chamber or something?" April looks at me like she might kill me.

"We did. After 12 hours you were almost totally healed, but when you woke up you freaked out and broke the damn thing! That thing takes twenty years to build, costs billions and was still in prototype fazes! " Ok, I understand why she looks like she wants to strangle me now.

Then I give them a confused look and ask "If I was completely healed, why does my head hurt so bad? And why do I feel all bruised?" April looks 100% pissed now, and the dude talks this time.

"When you broke out of the chamber, you hurt yourself again. And your head… well, after seeing her father's life's work destroyed, she may have grabbed you and started ramming your head into the floor in blind rage. I thought she killed you to be honest."

My jaw drops. I momentarily feel bad for breaking the thing, but it's quickly replaced by anger over her nearly killing me. "You almost killed me for breaking your daddies toy's?! Those are a bit easier to replace than me you crazy bitch!"

" Except I don't know how to fix it! And my dad died so he can't! And did you really just called the girl that saved your life a bitch?!"

I take a deep breath, deciding to try to be somewhat polite. "Thank…. You…. For… saving my life. And… sorry… for breaking your stuff." She sighs.

"I guess I'll get over it."

I then look over to the dude." So your Red X? You look kinda familiar, have we met?"

Alex rolls his eyes. "Yes, we've met. We got into a fight in a bar a couple years ago. We fought, I stole your wallet to pay for the stuff we broke. Ringing any bells?"

My eyes widen. "I remember you! It's been awhile since somebody picked a fight with me over a girl... But if you don't like me, why'd you save me?"

He looks at me with a bored expression on his face. "Why would you help a beat up dog? Why not just leave it? It's just that damn empathy we all feel from time to time for the less fortunate. April agreed to let you stay as long as you don't break anymore of her stuff, since I'll need some company while she's at her private college and I found your apartment and brought your things here for ya."

Great. Way to make me feel welcome. I already think I'm gonna regret this.

"Um… I guess I'll be staying with you guys for a little while.


At Archers' base:

The Jackal stands before Tiberius and Archer, both holding machete's.

Tiberius speaks first. "So while you didn't find Red X, you found and engaged the Red Hood? And allowed him to escape?"

The Jackal glares at him. "Yes, but if he hadn't been wearing that ridiculous helmet, he'd be dead."

Archer Steps in. "It doesn't matter. Now we know there are two of them, and one might be near death. All that matters is we keep working. And if the Red X shows up…." Archer takes out a picture of Red X and throws in the air. He then slashes in in two with a machete. "We will break him like all the rest."


So sorry for the short chapter guy's! I've been busy. I promise the next one will be longer! Please R&R!