Alright, welcome again everyone. Just to let you know, this chapter is a little more intense, so keep an eye out for younger readers, okay? Okay. I hope you enjoy the chapter, because if you don't, I'll need he-

Nope, not saying that, that was close.

Zippy

Location: Unknown; March 28, 2075; 10:36 P.M.

Edward awoke to something cold being splashed on his face. He coughed, blinking in an attempt to get the water out of his eyes.

He could see a figure putting something down. The room was dark, only one bright light shone on Edward's face, reminding him vaguely of a dentist's office. Edward was in his gray colored under shirt and shorts, but the suit was nowhere to be found.

"Afternoon Mega Knight." Richard said slyly.

Edward tried to get up, but couldn't move his arms, and his legs didn't respond to him either. "Howell, where's the suit, let me go, now!" he ordered.

"I can't do that."

Edward chuckled. "I should've known better. That was literally the oldest trick in the book. Now I know how you got to the bank last night. You knew the whole time the 19th precinct was next on the chopping block, didn't you? You were just doing reconnaissance. Well, now you got me, that'll make this easy. If you let me go, and I won't hurt you." Edward continued..

"Last I checked, I'm not the one bolted down to a table." Richard replied. "I tried to warn you Mega Knight, I'm not an enemy you want to have."

"We don't have to be enemies." Edward interjected. "But I will fight you."

"Again, table." Richard said, gesturing to the object holding Edward up.

Edward struggled again, but then quickly gave up. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I need to prove something here."

"What does bolting me down prove?"

"Nothing in of itself, but there's more. How did I get you here?"

"You drugged me and dragged me to you're evil scientist's lab dream come true." Edward replied smiling slightly.

Richard chuckled. "I mean before that."

"I dunno, tell me." Edward replied.

"No, I got your trust. I played the goody two-shoes character, and you trusted me. You see Knight, when you trust someone, they immediately get the advantage. Like what you did with that Widowmaker girl, you know her? You let her go in Numbani, and you know how many people she's killed since then? Guess."

"I-"

"Twelve! Not including the one Omnic that was the designated target, but you wouldn't know that, would you. You were too busy preaching to everyone else about how 'morally good' you are."

"I didn't know Halfred Glitchbot was a target."

"That's besides the point! People die! People die everyday! And twelve more innocent lives were taken because you couldn't take the guilty life! So tell me then, mighty Mega Knight, who's the better hero?" Richard asked. Edward didn't respond, Richard walked over to the table. He lunged his hand out, uncomfortably grabbing Edward's face to face his. "This isn't a rhetorical question!"

"Hard to tell, there's only one real hero in the room right now." Edward replied.

Richard socked Edward in the gut, leaving the latter gasping for air. "You've got some nerve Mega Knight."

"I'm sorry," Edward replied, between gasps. His voice was quiet, like a breath. "Did I stutter?"

Edward could hear something metallic scraping along the ground as it was picked up. Above him, a sleek metal bar obstructed the view of the only light above him. "One more smart comment out of you, and I will break every bone in your body, and will continue to hit you until you beg me to kill you!"

"It's always the crowbar." Edward muttered.

Richard slammed the crowbar into the metal table, narrowly missing Edward's arm. Edward cringed at the movement and sound, the collision echoed throughout the small room. "You are the embodiment of everything I hate about morals. Ignorant, self-righteous, big talking, but when the time comes for you to actually do something, you're never there. "

"If I don't know where something wrong is happening, I can't help them. You really think I just help because I feel like it? I'm not even supposed to be here, and I came to help anyway. I want to help people, and deep down, I think you want it too?"

"Ignorance is not an excuse!" Richard exclaimed. "And whether or not you choose to accept it, you refusing to finish the fight, makes more problems than fixes."

"I refuse to stoop down to their level." Edward replied. "You and I both know that there is a significant injustice in the world. We are at war with each other, and evil has gotten a gigantic hold on the people. But when we take justice into our own hands, that's when innocent people get hurt."

"Innocent people get hurt either way!"

"But I'd rather live knowing I did my best to uphold my values than to kill a thousand criminals to 'maintain peace'. That makes us no better than them!" Edward retorted.

"You are no better than the any other scumbag. You're no hero, you're a coward! Afraid of what needs to be done because what, you're afraid of judgment?"

"Not from people." Edward replied.

"You are the most despicable man I've ever met!" Richard exclaimed, throwing his crowbar aside. It clanged to the ground, echoing through the room once again.

"I'm so sorry for you." Edward commented frowning. "The only people this broken inside had to be broken by something."

Richard pulled out a knife, and with lightning speed, made a cut on Edward's right cheek. Edward cried out in pain, a trickle of blood sliding down his face.

"I don't need your pity, especially from a conceited poser like you!"

Edward glared at Richard, glancing back and forth from the vigilante and his weapon, but something caught his eye. A glimmer of something gold, in the perfect spot to where Edward could get a good look at it. It was a golden eagle, holding onto a trident and an anchor. He could recognize that symbol anywhere.

"You're a Navy Seal aren't you?" Edward asked, eyes glued to Richard's emblem. "That explains it."

Richard cocked his head, glancing down at the badge he had. "Explains what?"

"It explains why you'd do this. You've been through the same war I was. It may surprise you, but, I was there during the war myself."

Richard shook his head. "You look a little young to be in your early 50's"

"It's complicated, but I was. Australian Unit, Queensland division, they had an Omnium factory down there."

Richard kept the knife up. "You're bluffing."

"I was there, I know what you've been through!" Edward pleaded.

"You don't know what I've been through. I've seen my brothers in arms ruthlessly mowed down, only to have my commander turn and run. I've seen the pain in it's highest form. Innocent people died. They always do. It's no use trying to avoid it." Richard's voice got softer as he talked, almost sad. Almost.

"If you agree with the killing, then you're no better than the robots that killed your friends."

Richard made another quick slice, this time along Edward's arm. The victim gasped in pain, and the aggressor leaned down. "I'd suggest you shut your mouth."

"I know you've been hurt. There's not a single soul in this world that hasn't been hurt, but we can make it better, the right way. We can take down Timebreaker together, and fix that problem. You need to learn there's a good, better, and best way to handle other people. Deep down, you're a good person, I can see that! But if we're going to stop the pain, we need to be our best selves."

In another quick motion, Richard pressed the knife up to Edwards neck. "Nothing you say, or do, is ever going to make me change."

"I was just about to say the same thing." Edward replied.

"Would you rather die then?!" Richard exclaimed.

"Yes."

"THEN SO BE IT!" he yelled. Edward closed his eyes as he felt the knife press even deeper in his neck.

Suddenly a small beeping sound emerged from behind Richard. He released the knife and walked towards the sound. Edward couldn't quite see it, but he could hear Richard curse under his breath.

"You are a lucky man Knight. You'll get to live to see me take down Timebreaker once and for all."

"What?" asked, still slightly dazed. Richard stepped aside, displaying a monitor. Edward squinted to see a group of people darkly dressed carefully navigate a hallway. Behind them, he could see a figure who looked very different from the others, wearing a white jacket, though the details were obscured by the darkness. Edward's eyes widened. "No! Don't do this, you're better than this!" he pleaded.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. It doesn't matter, good comes down to perspective really." Richard replied, sliding a gun into his jacket and tucking his knife away. "One man's definition of good is another's definition of evil. If good is supposed to last, how come it changes all the time? Think on that." Richard commented. He walked towards the door, pausing just before. "Oh, one more thing. You're UN friend, Senator Longston right?"

"Langston."

"Whatever, same difference. If it's of any consolation, he would've killed you too."

Edward scoffed. "That's a lie."

"Is it?" Richard retorted, walking out the door. "Do some reading up on yourself sometime. You'll have lots of time for that in the afterlife."

Edward looked up. The light above him didn't seem as bright now. He closed his eyes concentrating. "You're wrong." he mumbled, pulling at the restrainments one more time.

Richard stood in an open room, there was a flickering light just above him. He held a pistol in his hand, a Glock 24, pointed directly at the door. He tightened his grip, muffled movement broke the silence. Footsteps racing into action, suddenly silence. Richard took a few steps back, glancing at his watch.

"Three, two, one." he mumbled.

Suddenly, the door blasted open, and dark figures poured into the room, carrying large guns. Richard wasted no time. With a couple of well placed shots, he downed the first two guys. As more filed into the room, they charged at the vigilante. As one threw a punch, Richard dodged it, throwing him into the other.

"Why hello again," a voice interrupted.

Richard turned to see an older man, leaning on a cane. He was well dressed, wearing a white tie with green highlights, a bowler hat on top of his head. The hair that stuck out of the hat was completely white, but combed back neatly. Out of his suit jacket, a small chain hung down.

"Timebreaker," Richard growled. He quickly aimed his pistol, but felt a sharp pain in his back, followed by an electric shock. The gun fired harmlessly into the wall, as another similar feeling appeared in his side. Richard crumpled to the ground.

"Yes, that's my name, don't wear it out. It's so nice to finally meet the man who's foiled my plans for so long." he continued. Richard began to charge forward, only to be met with another electric shock, bringing him back down. Timebreaker frowned. "That's no good, no good at all." He smacked Richard with his cane, the latter grunting as he was knocked that direction. "You're not so tough without your weapons."

"I don't know about that, you'd be surprised by the man I have in the back room."

Timebreaker frowned, nodding forward. Two of the darkly dressed guards marched forward to the way Richard came. "I have to say, you have a lovely hideout, took me quite a while to find. It's a shame that it'll go to waste. No matter, I'm sure some other rat will find it eventually." Richard chuckled, leading Timebreaker to look confused. "What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing, I'm just thinking about how proud your wife would be right now. What was her name again? Some color, maybe brown?"

Timebreaker smacked Richard with his cane again. "Don't you ever mock her again you cur! Trash like you doesn't deserve to live! She would see I'm trying to free the world of the filth that plagues it. Filth like you!"

Richard scowled. "You don't scare me."

Timebreaker squatted down, his right hand resting on his cane, forcefully grabbing Richard's chin on the other. "You should be scared. I'm your worst nightmare." he replied, quietly. Richard struggled to break free again, but when he was unsuccessful, Timebreaker stood up, shaking his head. "I'll admit, you got spirit, but I'm afraid, effort isn't graded. Not to men like you."

"It takes a monster to know a monster."

"I, am not like you. Men I have killed deserve to die." Timebreaker replied. "Everyone here, has undying devotion to me."

"By that you mean you've blackmailed them into submission. Hey, newsflash, he's lying!" Richard exclaimed to the masked men holding him down.

"Really? Anyone of you fine gentlemen want to test that theory?" Timebreaker interjected, pointing his cane at the figures. The figures tightened their grip.

"Undying devotion huh?"

"Close enough." Timebreaker interjected. He yanked on the chain protruding from his jacket, and from it emerged a small pocket watch. He frowned as he glanced at it. "Those buffoons should've been back by now. Who do you have back there?"

Richard's expression frowned. "That's not possible."

"What's not possible?" Suddenly, a faint noise echoed down the hall, followed by several gunshots. Then, there was silence. Timebreaker sighed. "Well, that's not a problem then. Glad to hear it."

One of the darkly dressed men walked down the hall, carrying a rifle in his hands. As he walked back into the room, he pointed his gun at Richard, who smiled. "Well then, I guess that's a relief."

"What?"

"That man back there, he was the Mega Knight."

"Was he now?" Timebreaker replied, interest sparkling in his voice. "Well, that's quite the feat. Then again, rats must find some diamonds on occasion. You, Officer Howell, or 'Wolf' as I've come to know you. You have committed unforgivable crimes against the kind, generous people of this city. For your crimes, I sentence you to execution." With that statement, he glanced at his watch again. "The time is now 10:59 P.M. You have less than 60 seconds left. Anything you'd like to get off your chest? To make your peace?"

Richard didn't reply. He looked down, a blank expression on his face. Timebreaker counted down on his open hand, still glancing at his watch. When he put down his last finger, he gestured at the man with the assault rifle. The armed man nodded, but then quickly pointed his gun at a man with a taser, firing two shots into his leg. As the wounded man crumpled to the ground, the masked traitor turned to the other guard with a taser, smacking him against the wall with what looked like inhuman strength.

"What the devil?!" Timebreaker announced indignantly. "Who are you?"

Richard used this time to strike as well, yanking his arm out of the loosened grip of the guard, then socked the man in the gut. The last guard took a few cautioned steps back, pulling out his rifle, wildly firing shots everywhere. Richard ducked out of the fire, then uppercut punched the man, who quickly fell to the ground.

Suddenly, a loud explosion in the center of the room, almost fired directly at the traitorous guard. Timebreaker's cane was directly pointed at the site, but made it's way to Richard's direction. "That's enough. You've already been alive too long!" he bellowed.

But from out of the explosion, a figure launched at Timebreaker, who was taken completely by surprise. Edward pinned him down, his face now clearly visible as the rest of the dark costume was smoldering. "Howard Tick, stand down now!"

"So this is him, eh?" Timebreaker questioned. "The immortal Mega Knight. I imagined better, oh, watch your left."

Edward, almost out of habit, glanced that way to see something swing at him. He dodged right, rolling to avoid the swing of a machete. As he recovered, Edward looked almost insulted.

"Come on Richard!" Edward complained. "Get your priorities straight!"

"In my book, you both deserve to die." Richard replied. "Might as well kill two birds with one stone."

Timebreaker scurried to his feet, grabbing his cane off the ground. "Well look at this, this is a curious sight." he said maniacally. From his suit pocket, he pulled a monocle, placing it on his left eye. "All three heroes of New York, standing in the same room. Now this, is a treat."

Edward tapped a couple of things on his watch, keeping a sharp eye on the two other men in the room. "Both of you are under arrest!"

Richard chuckled. "Not happening."

Timebreaker glanced at his pocket watch. "Goodness me, look at the time. I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm afraid, this is where I take my leave. Farewell Mega Knight, we shall indeed meet again." He pointed his cane at the roof, firing a shot at the only light. The room went pitch black, until a small red flame appeared in the middle of the floor, illuminating both remaining persons in the room by an eerie glow.

"Don't let him get away!" Edward ordered.

"Don't tell me what to do!" Richard retorted. "You're lucky to be alive right now."

"So are you! You'd be dead if it wasn't for me!" Edward exclaimed. Richard pulled another small gun out from behind him, shooting Edward in the arm. Edward yelled out as he fell down to the ground, clutching his arm.

"Stay there." he ordered, running down the hall.

Edward gasped for air, the same thought running through his head over and over again.

Why are people like this? Why can't they be good?

Suddenly, a small beeping could be heard. Edward glanced down at his watch, a small map displaying on the screen. Edward, still clutching his arm grabbed against the decaying wall. For some reason, a sprinkler system had activated, drenching the small room in water. Edward ignored it, walking out of the room, grunting as his arm rubbed against the wall.

He trudged on, following the map on his wrist. The sprinklers stopped, and now soaking wet, Edward was back in the room where the operation table was. The restraints were still on the floor, and the two beaten men were crumpled on the floor too. Edward hastened his pace, glancing at the watch. He turned into an open doorway, which was filled with lockers of some kind. Edward had peered inside each of the lockers, his vision starting to fuzz slightly. but sure enough, in one of them a pile of metallic parts spilled out.

Edward tapped his watch again, but this time, nothing happened. Edward groaned, stooping down, rummaging through the pile of armor, looking for a specific piece.

"Come on, where is it?!" Edward mumbled to himself. Finally, Edward picked up the helmet, placing it on his head. He noticed the bottom part of the helmet was retracted. That must've been it. He had to have taken the helmet, then use it's dissemble function to get rid off the rest of the armor. Edward's arm spiked with pain, and Edward clutched it. "I need this on me, now."

He slipped the helmet on, then an interface sparked up, a question appearing in his sight.

Some suit components compromised, Activate vocal command module?

"Yes." Edward stated plainly.

"Hey Ed." Rhet's voice replied. "How can I help you?"

"I need to get the suit on me, fast!" Edward ordered the computer.

"The suit components can't connect to the headgear without enough power. If you can pulse your energy towards them, it should power the automatic suiting process. This problem seems complicated, you should call me up on it."

"I don't have time!"

"You're right about that." Richard's voice interjected.

Edward spun around, his night vision giving him a clear sight of Richard pointing a gun at him. "Richard, don't do this." he pleaded, his visor retracted..

"I don't take orders from you." Richard retorted.

"Where's Timebreaker?" Edward replied.

"He's gone, no thanks to you."

Edward put his hands up. "Richard, you don't have to do this, we don't need to fight."

"I don't think you understand." Richard replied. "I do need to do this. I need to do this, because no one else is willing to, or able to. I need to do this, because everyone else is too busy worrying about their own conscience to actually save anyone. I need to do this, because people like you, refuse to help when people need it!"

Edward just stared at Richard, a hint of sadness in his voice. "What have you become?"

"I've become what I need to be to help people. Something, you wouldn't know much about. You're not a hero."

Edward took a deep breath. "There's nothing I can do to convince you, is there."

"Absolutely nothing."

"Then I'm so sorry." Edward replied. Suddenly, he began to glow, Richard stared for only a moment before firing, but then suddenly a wave of light fired through the room, throwing Richard back into the wall. When the wave subsided, Edward fell to his knees, reaching for the pile of his suit. "Now, he said weakly."

The components of the suit began to cling onto him, forming the chestplate, arms and legs. Edward cringed when they clung to his arm. Richard began to work his way up. "How?! You can't use your powers without the suit!"

"Perhaps you don't know me then." Edward replied, his robotic voice returning. Fully armored, he began to walk towards Richard. Richard tried to punch him, but immediately regretted the decision, pulling back his hand in pain. "Since the day I was born, I pledged myself to doing good. I wanted to help people, and I will continue to do so until the day I die."

"Do good with this!" Richard reached into his pocket, pulling out a small device, throwing it at the suit. Edward felt a small buzz, but instead of hurt, he felt, rejuvenated. His arm still throbbed, but it was numbing up. Richard stepped back as the device had no effect. "What? How did-"

Edward shot his hand out, pinning Richard to the wall. "If I followed your philosophy, I should kill you right now. Is that what you want?!" he asked mechanically. Richard winced at his tight grip. The Mega Knight released him, and Richard fell to his knees. "If I wanted to kill you, I would, but even now, I see how good you can be! I'm so sorry for you, you've let malice take hold of you, and I hope you'll change! In the meantime, I know just the place for you."

"Peterson, where could they be?" the chief asked. "It's almost midnight."

"Beats me." Peterson squeaked. "Probably fighting Timebreaker right now!"

"I sure hope they're alright." the chief replied. "If the Mega Knight fails, I don't think anyone can take him down." He took a sip of his coffee, then offered some to his comrade.

"Sorry, my mommy says I'm not allowed to drink that."

The chief chuckled. "I believe it."

"Wait up, looky there chief, there's the Mega Knight!" Peterson squealed.

The chief quickly turned around, seeing the Mega Knight ushering along someone else. The chief and officer Peterson bolted outside to meet him, but paused.

"Officer Howell?"

"This is the vigilante from the bank robbery last night." the Mega Knight stated.

"I knew it!" Peterson squeaked. "I knew he was trouble!"

"I, Howell, why would you do this?" the chief asked. Richard said nothing, leading to another outburst. "You were supposed to be the best of us!" he continued, his voice echoing throughout the night air."

"Officer Peterson, would you be so kind as to handcuff officer Howell?"

"Okey-dokey!" Peterson replied, walking pulling his handcuffs out. "Officer Howell, you're under arrest for being a big meany pants."

"Peterson!" the chief bellowed.

"Oh yeah, and assault, and, um-"

"Try vigilantism." the chief added.

"Oh yeah, that too." Peterson continued, sliding the cuffs onto Richard's hands. Edward took a few steps back as Richard was escorted inside.

"Mega Knight." Richard commented. Edward paused, glancing at the man being led inside. "I'm the one sorry for you. When you finally see just how cruel the world really is, you'll know who was right. I'm not through with you yet!"

"Peterson, take him away, and read him his rights."

"Okay, so you have the right to be quiet, and-"

Edward lost track of the conversation as they disappeared through the doors. "Will he be okay?"

"Yeah, Peterson's a scrappy little guy, weirdest sucker you'll ever meet, but he can handle himself." the chief said. "Where's Timebreaker?"

"I got a little distracted, I'm sorry."

"Well, catching another criminal is just as good, and we know what to look out for. Again, we can't thank you enough."

"I wish I could stay and finish this, but I'm already breaking protocol by still being here. I need to leave."

"I get it, people need you." the chief replied.

"If Timebreaker shows up again, I'll make a case to come back."

The chief chuckled. "Mega Knight, you're a pleasure to work with. If there's anything the 19th precinct can do, please don't hesitate to ask."

"I will." Edward replied, sticking his hand out. "So long."

The chief shook his hand. "So long."

Edward turned to leave, but paused. "Oh, one more thing." Edward added. The chief turned around again, facing him. Edward pointed at him. "Please, don't ever stop fighting for what's right."

The chief smiled. "You got it." he replied. The Mega Knight, then took off, kicking up dust as he soared into the air. The chief held onto his hat, glancing up at the sky.

"DAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNG!" Peterson interjected. "That was awesome."

"Yes it was, Peterson. Yes it was."

Well, cool. Shout out to ZombieSlayerOfTheUnderworld for the OC, thank you so much. I've enjoyed playing around with this character, and I hope you were pleased with most of it. Anyway, thanks for reading, be sure to write a review telling me how I did, or with questions for characters. The more you interact with the story, the more fun you'll have, I hope. Anyway, until next time!

Zippy