TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
Part 21 – Clash for Dominance
The White House, Washington DC
December 11th, 2012
Two years had passed since John Hart was elected President of the United States. On this night took place the murder of Margret Hart by the hand of a woman known to them as The Marauder. She remained elusive; always two steps ahead of the authorities. The media had touted her as a radical killer with an army of rebels who would kill anyone who stood in their way.
But there she stood against the man who had declared war on her; on people like her. With her green eyes focused intrepidly forward, Laura Grace Ryan was hardly the picture of evil. In fact dressed combat gear standing alone with her sword at her side toe to toe against her enemy, an air of valor surrounded her.
The stand-off was broken as President Hart shouted above the crowd to his secret service. "It's the Marauder! Arrest her immediately!"
Laura turned to the reporters in the press box behind her. "You are going to want to get out of here." She warned them. "This is about to get really ugly and violent." They quickly grabbed their equipment retreating back several yards hurriedly setting up as to not miss a moment of the standoff.
A reporter turned to his crew. "Keep it rolling! I want that camera focused on the Marauder at all times! This is going to be hot!"
Once the reporters were safely away, she raised her arms emanating a shockwave as the converging troops recoiled backwards.
Behind her a man opened fire with a machine gun. The crowd gasped as she went into a blocking stance; the bullets bouncing right off of her.
She turned to face the President. "I didn't come to harm anyone. I am only here to retrieve the two boys you brought into custody last night. They are part of our family and we want them to come home."
Catherwood circled around her as he spoke. "Those boys are terrorists. They will remain in our custody until further review of their case is completed." He leaned in closer to Laura unheard by onlookers. "Give yourself up, chosen one. You have nowhere to run!"
"That's a load of shit and you know it Catherwood!" She sneered under her breath. "You are holding them hostage hoping to trade them for me. One way or another we are taking our boys home tonight."
"And so it begins!" Catherwood retorted. "Why don't we see how you stack up against my military."
"And why don't we see how you stack up against mine." She wielded her sword as a number of people suddenly appeared behind her.
"Surprise!" Gabriel grinned spitefully.
Brandon circled around him threateningly. "Hello…Dad!" His voice was dripping in disdain.
"Let my son go!" Niki sneered venomously. "Or you will be dealing with me!" The crowd screamed in shock as she picked up a metal chair mangling it with her bare hands.
"Your reign of terror is over Catherwood!" George shouted. "Today is the day the American people will learn the truth!"
"The truth about what?" He laughed incredulously holding out his arms innocently. "And why do you keep calling me…Catherwood."
Laura gave a spiteful laugh. "Ok, you want to play coy? I can play that game too." Her eyes narrowed to slits as she walked forward. "But there is something I should probably let you in on. Over two years ago, you had your people raid our compound in Japan. My nephew, among others was killed and so was DL Hawkins the father and uncle of the two boys you are at this very moment holding prisoner." She placed her hands on her hips. "That day another person died. Her name was Candice Wilmer and she was my friend. She died a hero. But when she died she gave me a gift; her power of illusion. Though you murdered her in cold blood, her gift lives on in me."
"You are talking gibberish!" He shook his head laughing, although nervously. "Is there a point to all this twaddle?"
"Why yes there is!" Laura smiled smugly walking slowly forward. "Thank you for asking! You see, not only could Candice create illusions; but she could take them away." She folded her arms in front of her tilting her head with a self-satisfied look on her face. "And so can I."
Catherwood stared at her with tense expectation as she closed her eyes. He was powerless as his disguise of President John Hart disappeared and Phinneus Catherwood stood exposed. The audience shrieked in horror.
"What…the…fuck?" A reporter whispered aloud. "That's Phillip Callahan!"
"Holy shit!" Trey whispered to Kevin horrified. "You were right!"
"You owe me a beer and five bucks." Kevin grinned smugly.
Before Laura could continue, she was caught off guard when she was suddenly hit in the chest with a stun gun. She grabbed the nodes trying to pull them out, but was overcome by the pain. She screamed in agony as its volts jerked her body about.
"LAURA!" Gabriel ran to her. The secret service tried to stop him, but he held up his hands sending them flying.
Laura fell on the ground screaming in pain. Secret service men surrounded her, but before they could succeed, they all flew backward creating a breeze over her. Just as quickly the nodes shot out of her as Gabriel ran to her side joined by Niki and Peter.
"Baby, are you ok?" He cradled her to him stroking her hair.
Trying to catch her breath Laura nodded. "I'm fine." She nodded as Peter quickly healed her. As she recovered she looked up at Niki and Peter. "Now's your chance. While their focus is on us, go find Micah and Damon." She whispered.
Peter cocked his head. "Are you going to be ok?"
She slowly sat up nodding. "You think those armatures are any match for us?" She winked rubbing her chest where the nodes shot into her. "Now, go so we can finish this and get out of here. Catherwood's Presidency will never see the light of day again."
Niki grabbed her hands. "Are you sure you don't need us?"
"We'll be fine." She reached up touching Gabriel's face. "I've got all the help I need right here."
Peter bent down kissing her forehead. "You be careful."
"You too." She squeezed his hand as they quietly snuck behind the commotion.
Gabriel looked down at her apprehensively. "What now?"
"I have no idea." She smiled fiercely as he helped her stand. "I'm making this up as I go along."
Gabriel smiled down at her. "You make me hot when you get all G.I. Barbie."
A stunned silence came over the crowd as Laura slowly stood at the podium with Gabriel alongside her holding her up. The camera crews surrounded her. She stared caustically at Catherwood, who had again taken on his disguise as John Hart. Her eyes filled with conviction, she turned to face the crowd.
"I know you all believe I am a killer; a terrorist. A pariah. You have had no reason to believe otherwise and I do not find fault with you for judging me this way. It is my word against the President of the United States. After all, this man is your leader; your commander in chief. He is voice in the wilderness who will tell you that you are safe and all is well. To you I am the enemy; my people are the enemy." She silently turned to face Catherwood again. "But this man is a charlatan! He has been deceiving you since the day he became elected. And I intend to prove it to you."
A hush came over the crowd as a tall bald black man walked through the crowd toward the podium. Laura smiled as he stood in silence before her; his hands folded in front of him.
The onlookers gasped in horror as Catherwood's disguise again faded.
"What is going on?" He shouted with his voice filled with panic. "Who is this man?"
Laura continued. "This man too is a special. He has the ability to nullify the powers of others." She came out from behind the podium as Gabriel watched nervously. Laura stood in front of the secret security with her arms spread out exposing her chest. "I am standing her in front of you completely vulnerable. At this moment, I do not have my abilities." She folded her arms. "You men can shoot at me now and I would not be able to defend myself. All I have to fight with are my hands. I am a fifth degree blackbelt, but I am no match for your guns."
Gabriel held his breath ready to jump, but to his relief they did not shoot at Laura.
Comforted by the silence, Laura continued. "Two years ago this man ran for President under the name Phillip Callahan! When he didn't win the election he killed President Hart and assumed his identity. His wife was murdered by a woman named Siobhan Catherwood who was his wife! His name is Phinneus Catherwood and he is five-hundred years old! On the night he murdered President Hart, he later was murdered his own wife and I was framed!" She stood again at the podium. "Yes, I have special abilities." She pointed at the people standing behind her. "These people have special abilities. There are thousands living among you that do! They are people you work with, your neighbors; even members of your own family! But take away the abilities at the end of the day they are people, just like you! They keep their abilities hidden in fear of being imprisoned and slain. I once was afraid of what I was. But I am no longer ashamed of the gifts I have been blessed with. My people are not ashamed! Nobody who is special should live in fear of what they are! We should all live in a world where we should embrace our differences without fear of being demoralized and victimized." She turned to Catherwood. "But isn't it ironic that the man who has instilled this fear into all of you is the biggest offender of all. He is killing hundreds of people every day inside what he has erroneously deemed as detention camps." She walked toward him, contemptuously sneering in his face. "But make no mistake about it; this man is to America what Hitler was to Nazi Germany!"
Catherwood inwardly seethed. His eyes began to turn yellow.
Inside his cell, Micah agitatedly tried to sleep. He worried about Damon knowing the torture they were no doubt subjecting him to. Damon always pretended to be tougher than he really was. He had come so far since the day he was rescued from detention camp. Learning to fight had been an esteem booster, but Micah knew deep down Damon was still the boy he had met in New Orleans who did what he had to do to survive the neighborhood gangs.
As he lay there, he suddenly became aware of what he could only describe as an aura surrounding him.
"Micah!" He raised his head with a start hearing a whisper, but he was alone. Trying to drift off to sleep again, he heard the voice this time with more urgency. "MICAH! Wake up!"
"Nana?" He looked around for her, but he did not see her. "Where are you?"
"You must leave now!" He heard her whisper. "Damon needs you."
"But I can't get out of here." Micah quickly sat up suddenly feeling helpless. "They have me locked in here."
"Micah, the locks are computerized." He heard her tell him. "You know what to do."
"But they are dangerous men out there!" He told her. "I can't fight them."
"You will have the skills to get you there." She told him. "Now hurry before it is too late to save him."
Micah quickly bolted up from his cot and ran for the door. Placing his hands over the lock, he closed his eyes. He smiled as the locks disengaged and the door sprang open. Looking out into the hall, he quickly ran from his cell.
Slowly and carefully, he headed through the corridors. "One of the juvenile delinquents escaped!" He heard a guard shout. "Find him and kill him!"
Micah panicked briefly, then quickly ran to a nearby alarm box. He grabbed both sides, then grinned self-satisfactorily as an exit alarm sounded on the other side of the catacomb. As he had hoped, the guards ran toward the alarm. Micah took off in the opposite direction.
As he reached the end of a hallway, he could hear music playing. He slowly walked toward it. It stopped as he passed a door. He stopped then took a few steps backward. The music began to play again. He smiled to himself. "Thank you Nana."
"Damon!" He whispered aloud as he opened the door. But his cousin did not answer. To his horror he saw him lying on the floor in a pool of blood, clearly dead. "DAMON!" He screamed running to him. Tearfully he pulled him up sobbing as his lifeless body gravitated to the ground. "This is all my fault! I never should have agreed to go to Vegas with you! I knew better! I should have talked you out of it! Why in the hell didn't we listen to Brandon!"
"Like that would have done any good." Micah stopped sobbing and opened his eyes. Damon was laying his head across his lap grinning up at him.
"What the fuck?" Micah's brow furrowed in astonishment. "You were dead man! I saw you!"
"Oh that?" Damon laughed. "It's just a flesh wound. I'm fine. I was just playing possum."
"Get off of me, man!" Micah angrily let Damon's head drop to the ground and quickly jumped to his feet. "But how the hell…"
Damon stood up brushing himself off and placed a hand on Micah's shoulder. "Dude! I used to use that trick to stay alive on the streets. I've been able to do this since I was ten."
"So…you're not immortal or anything…like the English dude Hiro took to the Arctic Ocean?" Micah shrugged.
"I wish!" He laughed. "I'm not really dead. I can just slow down my heartbeat and breathing so I look dead."
"Cool!" Micah grinned nodding his head.
Damon's face grew somber. "But there's something else that happened. When that Catherwood guy was here, he tried to go all Cloverfield on me. I held up my hands to block him, and the air around me started to like vibrate. It was weird!"
"Get your hands up!" A guard shouted from the doorway. "Both of you."
Micah and Damon looked at each other. "Get out of here!" Damon ordered him. "I got this!"
"I'm not leaving here without you!" Micah shouted. "We go together, or we don't go at all!"
"I can knock them out…even kill them if I have to!" Damon protested. "I don't want you here when it happens!"
Micah hesitated rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. "You say you can make the air wither?"
Damon nodded bemused. "Yeah? Why?"
Micah's face spread into a slow grin. "Because I just got a kick-ass idea."
Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
From his vacation home, House Speaker Richard Williams watched the events unfold with keen interest. The look in his gentle gray eyes echoed the concerns growing inside of him, but he did not appear astonished by the sudden and shocking state of affairs unfolding before him. He slowly stood up stoking the fire then leaned against the window watching the snow fall outside. He pulled a red sweatshirt over his salt and pepper hair then returned to his easy chair.
At the age of 62, he had been in the political spectrum for the better part of thirty years making the promise to his wife and himself that he would always maintain the integrity his community counted on him to bring to Washington. Unlike a large number of his peers, he resisted the temptation to take advantage of the people. The vow he made to never let down his family and the people of America still stood true.
As a black man born into poverty stricken Alabama he was no stranger to oppression. The world he was raised in was full of distension and hatred where blacks were persecuted and oppressed in the south in 1960's America. Yet through it all, he fought to become; for the sake of his family.
But today people of color were called African-Americans; a term he despised. He was not born in Africa. For he was an American. He stood for a country he was proud of and fought to protect. As a young soldier right out of high school he fought the war in Vietnam and again as a joint chief under President Bush in Operation Desert Storm.
As he listened to the impassioned words of Laura Ryan, his heart sunk as he realized to his horror his worse fears had been confirmed…
Nearly two years had passed when his friend and former colleague John Hart was elected to office. He had known the new President since were both Senate Pages out of college and he was thrilled for his friend's good fortune. But on election night, he knew something was wrong. A change came over him that he could never quite grasp. If he was not looking at the face he had known for nearly thirty years, he would have been willing to argue the man who stood waving at his supporters was not the man he knew. The warm and charismatic man he had come to know was replaced by a cold and calculating man that frightened him as well as other members of the house.
He smiled gently as the camera zoomed in on Laura Ryan's face. The moment reminded him of another time and another hero that stood for the people he lead; Dr. Martin Luther King. Until this moment she was considered a terrorist. But like Dr. King she spoke for those who did not have a voice; the thousands like her who were locked away being persecuted and murdered.
As he continued to watch in sadness and disbelief, his wife Ellen walked in from the kitchen after putting away the dinner dishes. "Are there any new developments?" She sat on the arm of his chair
Richard shook his head slowly. "I was right all along." He whispered in astonishment. "I have known John Hart for almost thirty years and when he took office, I told people that he was not the man I knew. Some believed me; some thought I was crazy. But I was defenseless to prove it."
"And you were right." She smiled kissing his cheek. "So what does this all mean? What is going to happen?"
He leaned forward thoughtfully folding his arms. "Well, there is no precedence for anything of this level; there has never been a President in power who could take on the form of another. But if the constitution is still what it is…" He smiled up at her. "…then I have a feeling in the next few days we will be taking up residence in the White House."
Ellen flopped down in a chair overwhelmed by his words. "This is all so sudden. I certainly did not wake up this morning expecting this to happen." She looked to her husband for direction. "So Mr. President…what is your first order of business."
He removed his glasses and leaned back in his chair staring at the TV. "The first thing I am going to do is close down those detention camps and send those people home to their families. They have suffered far too long." He stared at Laura Ryan on the TV. "And then I am going to give that girl and her people a full pardon along with the Congressional Medal of Honor."
Ellen smiled at her husband. "The people of this country need you. You are a good man and you deserve this moment."
He nodded then closed his eyes sighing heavily as he stroked his chin. "One thing is for damned sure…this country will never suffer oppression of any kind ever again. Not on my watch."
She half smiled resting her head against his shoulder as they continued to watch the horrific events unfolding before them.
"Phinneus." A voice whispered inside his head.
"Get away witch!" He screamed covering his face with his hands.
Brandon wrinkled his nose staring at him oddly. "Who in the hell is he talking to?"
"Who the fuck knows." Gabriel shrugged watching him talking to an unseen presence. "But if he wants to go off the deep end with the entire country watching, I sure as shit am not going to stop him."
The voice inside his head became louder. "It's time to show the world what you are, Phinneus!"
He flung his hands forward shaking his fists in the air. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Angela turned to The Haitian. "I believe this would be a good time for you to stand down."
The Haitian nodded taking several steps backwards. They all felt their abilities returning.
Catherwood continued to recoil in fear as Addie tormented his mind. His screams became louder as her face infused what was left of his sanity. "You are a beldam Phinneus Catherwood! You are the devil! "
"GO AWAY!" He fell to the ground trying to escape her, but his efforts were futile.
"What the hell is going on?" A camera man whispered; the bemusement resonated in his voice as he spoke to the reporter beside him.
"I have no idea." He shook his head dubiously. "But I hope you are getting all of this shit! This is amazing!"
"Are you kidding me?" He grinned tapping the side of his camera. "We have the best seats in the house to history. Let's do this!"
"Did somebody say Pulitzer prize?" The reporter grinned as his crew rigged him up.
Laura turned around to face the team. "Ok, I think this is it. Everybody ready?" They all nodded quickly. She turned to Hiro. "Got your sword?" He held up his Samurai giving a nod. "Ok, everybody hold off. Watch for my signal, and then we fight. Got it?"
"Got it!" Brandon grinned.
Gabriel stepped in beside her. "You're not doing this without me at your side."
"I never go anywhere without my Swiss Army Knife." She smiled pulling his collar in for a kiss.
"PHINNEUS CATHERWOOD! YOU ARE THE DEVIL! SHOW YOURSELF!"
From where Catherwood lay on the ground, a low rumbling sound emitted from deep within him. The clothes that covered him began to tear as the metamorphosis took place. Each portion of his body grew. His flesh slowly became red as hair grew over his body.
There was a stunned silence among the crowd as they looked on horrified.
Then suddenly the form on the ground began to move. The onlookers screamed in horror as the large man-beast jumped to his feet. And just like a scene from a cheap horror film, chaos erupted as the crowd began to scatter.
"Are we ready?" George asked Laura.
"Do we have a choice?" She replied pulling out her sword as the squad lined up in front of Catherwood.
Damon and Micah stood in wait for what seemed like an eternity.
Finally the echo of the guard's footsteps perked their ears up. Micah looked expectantly at Damon. "Are you ready?"
Damon nodded. "Yeah, I guess. I hope we can pull this off."
"Trust me." Micah grinned. "We're good."
The guards came running into Micah's cell with their weapons in position.
"NOW!" Micah shouted placing his hand on the circuit breaker.
Damon flung his fingers forward creating an electrified ripple in the air. The guards fell to the ground.
"YEAH!" Micah shouted elatedly.
But Damon stared in concern. "Are they dead?"
"Nah." Micah touched a guard's neck feeling his slow pulse. "Just knocked out for a while. I sent out a low charge."
Damon smiled. "We make a great team."
"Yeah." Micah grinned back at him. "We do don't we."
Damon slapped his back. "You're alright for a pain in the ass cousin."
Micah stood laughing with his hands on his hips. "Just remember who saved who's ass today." He started for the door. "Now lets get the fuck out of this place!"
"I'm right behind you cus." Damon shouted as he ran out the door after him.
Peter and Niki quickly ran hand in hand through the catacombs searching for Micah and Damon. As they rounded each corner they backed up against the wall hiding from the guards.
"I don't see why we don't just go invisible?" Peter groaned.
"Because it does no good." She replied in a low voice. "They have sensors and shit all over the place around here. If they sense us, they'll catch us in a second."
"I guess you have a point." He sighed. "Ok, let's keep going."
Niki looked around the corner frowning. As they turned they saw three guards lying on the floor stunned. "From the looks of things around here we may not have to worry about getting caught.
"MOM!" They turned to see Micah and Damon running toward them.
"Oh my God!" Niki whispered falling to her knees. "My baby!"
Micah ran to her as they embraced joyously.
They looked at the guards lying on the floor then at the boys. "Did you do this?"
Damon nodded smiling proudly. "Yes we did!"
Micah put his arm around Damon's shoulders. "Turns out we make quite a team!"
"Impressive." Peter grinned proudly. "I never would have guessed you two were capable of putting your heads together with the outcome being favorable."
Then Niki stood in front of them both, her face wrinkling into a scowl. "What in the hell were you boys thinking? Do you have any idea how worried we all were about you?"
Before the boys could speak, Peter placed his hand on Niki's shoulder. "We can save the ass whooping for when we get home." He told her then looked at the boys. "And we will be talking about this…but right now we need to get back and help take down Catherwood."
"What?" They both replied in unison looking at each other then back at Niki and Peter..
"I'll explain on the way." Peter told them as they ran down the corridor to safety.
Catherwood continued his path of destruction as the team watched apprehensively from a safe distance. They watched helplessly as he ripped apart pillars causing the walls of the White House to come crashing down.
"Holy shit!" Gabriel whispered horrorstruck. "He is out of control! He's going to tear this whole place down."
"Yeah." Laura nodded clearly frightened. "His strength has grown. All of the sudden I'm not feeling too confident."
Monica stood close to Brandon watching with fearful amazement. "This is like a Godzilla movie."
"So how are we going to do this?" Peter asked Laura.
"I have no idea." Laura sighed heavily. "But there is no time to make plans. Just use whatever means you have available and bring him down. Just remember, he can't die. Not today."
"But we can make this hurt!" Peter walked toward the destruction with determination in his eyes. "Let's go kick his ass!"
"Wait." Laura kneeled down holding out her hands for the others to join her. "Not before we ask our father for guidance."
Everyone turned and joined her on their knees. They all bowed their heads.
Laura began to pray. "Our Father, which art in heaven…"
"Sis?" Brandon interrupted as Laura raised her eyes hopefully. "May I?"
"Yes." Laura's face beamed as she reached out embracing him. "Welcome back Pastor Price."
Monica's eyes teared over as Brandon smiled squeezing her hand. He began to pray.
Oh, make us worthy,
God, we pray,
To do thy service
Here to-day;
Endow us with
The strength we need
For every
Sacrificial deed
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever.
Amen
Laura held up her sword displaying the sign of the cross. "As he died to make us holy…"
"Let us live to make men free!" They all cheered as she removed the sword from its sheath hurling it into the ground. Then after embracing each other, they turned to march into battle.
As the others took off, Gabriel grabbed Laura pulling her into his arms. She smiled up at him as he took her face in his hands looking into her eyes. "I may not have a chance to do this again." He whispered kissing her passionately then pulled away stroking her face. "I love you Laura Grace."
She smiled tearfully. "And I love you Gabriel." She touched his face. "Just promise me you won't try to be a hero. I don't need saving; I need you. Seth and I both need you."
"I will never leave your side again." He smiled brushing her hair out of her face. "And after this, we are not going to wait another moment. We are getting married. I never should have left you and our son to fight alone."
Laura shook her head smiling up at him softly. "But you are here now and that's all that matters." She smiled tenderly stroking his hair. "And I can't wait to start our life again; to find that house we always dreamed of and have more babies."
His eyes brimmed over with tears. "And I am going to make that happen for us. No heroics for you either. Just promise me you will stay safe."
"I will if you will." She whispered as they kissed again. They pulled away bending their foreheads together smiling. "Let's rock it."
"Right behind you, pretty lady." He grabbed her hand and they ran off to join the others.
Overhead they could hear bombs dropping from aircraft and military fire as Catherwood took to the streets.
Richard Williams disembarked a helicopter in front of the Pentagon, his wife at his side. General Frank Kelly stood at attention to escort him inside.
"At ease Frank." Williams chuckled. "You know me."
"As of this moment Chip, you are not my fishing buddy; you are the President of the United States." He replied grimly pointing toward the city. "And unlike your predecessors you don't get a honeymoon. Your work is cut out for you."
Richard placed his hands on his side staring at the destruction in the distance. "My God." He stepped forward shaking his head. "Where is the rebel army?"
"They are right in the thick of it." He replied pointing to the map. "Should we go in and arrest them?"
With a grave expression across his face, he turned to him. "Arrest them? No. Right now they may be the only ones who can save us." He nodded thoughtfully then took his wife's arm heading inside. Before entering he turned to look at Kelly. "Tell your men to back off. They are no match for that creature. Let the rebels have some space to take him out."
"Yes sir." Kelly nodded saluting the new President.
Bloody and wounded, Catherwood embarked on his course heading toward the Lincoln Memorial. But as he came around the Vietnam Wall, he felt himself levitating, powerless to fight it.
"Give up yet…Mr. President?" He looked down where Gabriel held him in telekinetic grasp with his fingers circling around him. "Oh wait!" He slapped his head with his other hand. "I forgot! You're not the President anymore! My bad." He laughed sardonically. Then with the flinging of his wrist, Catherwood was tossed several yards into the reflecting pool where he struggled to find his footing.
As he tried to climb out, he screamed as the water filled with electrical current. Peter stood there with his fingers smoking. "You're not going anywhere but to Primatech where they are going to lock your ass up on level 5 like the fucking lunatic that you are!"
He stood up towering over them all. "Regretfully I have a previous engagement."
"Well you better reschedule." Laura spurned at him. "You're going to be behind a glass wall on display to show the world what happens pariahs with delusions of grandeur."
Catherwood smiled up at Laura. "You are erroneous in your notions, chosen one." He began to laugh as Laura stared at him with her arms folded, undeterred. "You may think you have the upper hand, but did you really think I would enter into this battle without an exit strategy?"
She looked at the military forces surrounding the city. "Exit strategy…right." She scoffed. "Well, you may want to rethink your plans, because from the looks of things, the only exit you are going to be making is going to include a straight jacket!" She leaned down whispering to him. "But the facts are that I'm only keeping you safe until I can kill you properly."
"You know; that is what your sweet mother tried to tell me just before I killed her." He gave her a slow, malicious grin as Laura's face fell. "And so did your grandmother…now what was her name again? Oh yes…Marita."
Laura began to rate. "You shut up the fuck up!" She hissed venomously. "You raped then murdered my mother!"
Catherwood held out his hands penitently. "I know you would like to believe that; but the cold bitter truth is that she wanted it."
George lunged for him with fury on his face. "I'm going to kill him!" George shouted angrily running toward him.
"George! Stop!" Angela screamed attempting to stop him, but she could only watch helplessly as George ran at him pumping several rounds of bullets into Catherwood.
Catherwood fell over sinking into the murky water; the reflecting pool quickly filling with his blood. They watched the water anxiously waiting for movement.
And suddenly he arose; screaming as he levitated above the reflecting pool. His eyes turned an ominous green as he turned to face George. Before George could react, Catherwood removed the dagger from his belt hurling it at George, impaling him through the stomach. George let out a scream as he grasped the knife in his wound then fell to the ground.
"George!" Angela screamed running to his side. "Oh dear God! Not my George!" She placed his head in her lap. "Hold on my darling." She stroked his hair. Brandon, Monica, Gabriel and Peter ran to him
"DAD!" Laura screamed and tried to run to him, but Catherwood laughed malevolently as he held out his hand causing Laura to writhe. She was powerless to move. "Let me go you son-of-a-bitch! You killed my mother! You will not be taking my father from me."
Catherwood shook his head. "Your father chose his own fate; just like your mother."
Laura jerked about trying to free herself from his grasp. In vexation she screamed holding out her hand to Gabriel. "Gabriel! He's got me. I can't do anything!"
"Let her go or I'll kill you where you stand, you motherfucker!" Gabriel raged running to her, but as he got near her he was suddenly jolted backward as if he had hit a wall.
"Gabriel! Stay back!" She sobbed.
Gabriel stood up walking toward her. "Laura, just let him go. He is too strong. Our time will come to kill him." He held out his hand to her. "Common baby…we can fight this."
She shook her head tearfully. "I can't. He's done something to me! I can't use my abilities. I can't fight him." She sobbed looking at George. "Oh God!" Laura sobbed in anguish. "Dad! I'm so sorry!"
"It's ok little girl." He replied weakly. "It's not your fault." He looked up at Catherwood. "I may not have abilities, but don't think I don't know how to kill you, you bastard!" He winced in pain then continued. "Since the moment you killed my wife, you have been my prime directive."
Catherwood gave a scoffing laugh leering down at him. "Then what is stopping you?" He let out a scream which caused George to cry out in anguish.
"DAD!" Laura sobbed. "Please! Somebody help him!"
Gabriel turned to Hiro. "Hiro, teleport George and Angela back to the compound. Jake can heal him."
Hiro hesitated and looked at Laura who was still powerless from Catherwood's spell. "Hiro! Go! You have to hurry."
Hiro nodded then placed his hands on George and Angela's shoulders. Before teleporting, he looked up at Damon who stood next to him. He half-smiled and tossed him his sword. "You are a warrior now. Just like the warrior from which this sword came. Earn this."
And with a blink of the eye he was gone.
Damon stood holding the sword. Brandon placed his hand on Damon's shoulder. "You heard the man. Now make him proud."
Damon looked intently at its magnificent metal feeling helpless. "I'm no warrior." He whispered. "If it wasn't for me we wouldn't be in this mess. What am I supposed to do with this?"
Brandon pulled his head toward him bending his head against his. "Become a man." He slapped his shoulder and walked away.
Brandon stood next to Gabriel, both of them looking at Laura fearfully. "We got to get her out of there." He told him coarsely.
Gabriel closed his eyes in frustration then turned to him. "Wow! If only I had thought of that." He whispered under his breath. "I'm tapped for ideas. What about you."
Brandon pressed his lips together thoughtfully as he folded his arms. "I have an idea."
Gabriel shrugged. "Are you going to clue me in?"
"I will as soon as I figure out what the hell I'm going to do." He told him as he quickly walked toward Catherwood. He stood before him. "Hello father." He said softly.
Catherwood smiled hearing his son's voice. "My son." He whispered proudly. "Are you going to beg for me to spare your sister's life too?"
"No." Brandon replied. "I will not beg you. But before we use force I am asking you as your son. Let my sister go."
Catherwood gave off a baleful laugh. "You come to me as my son asking me to release your sister after you and your people have exposed me to the nation. Would you care to explain to me why you feel I should do as you ask?"
Brandon folded his arms across his chest. "Because if you don't, you will have to deal with me."
He let off a loud wail breezing Brandon's hair back. "Do you think you frighten me?"
Brandon stood undaunted. "No. You are not frightened by me." Slowly he morphed into a beast. "But let's see how you stack up against this!" His voice changed into something malevolent.
"Holy crap." Monica whispered to herself. "It's true."
Gabriel nodded. "Don't worry. I hear he doesn't clip those toenails in bed." Niki reached across slapping him.
Brandon raised his arms up letting out a growl and jumped causing the earth to shake as he and his father squared off.
"This is going to be cool!" Micah whispered to Damon.
"What are you talking about?" Damon shook his head anxiously. "Brandon could get killed!"
Brandon jumped Catherwood, both of them landing in the pool. He tried to hold Catherwood's head under the water, but he broke through his grasp with incredible force sending Brandon flying into the steps of the memorial.
"Brandon!" Monica screamed running for him.
"Monica! Stay back!" Brandon shouted. As he looked up Catherwood was upon him. He bent back his elbow then brought down his fist at Brandon who quickly rolled out of the way. He let out a loud yowl as his fist slammed into the concrete steps. Standing up again he turned to Brandon. Holding out his arms he let out a loud screech causing a quake as flailed into a tree knocking him out instantly. He slowly morphed into his human self again as Monica ran to his side.
"Brandon!" She sobbed. "Get up! Please get up!" She tried to rouse him as Catherwood came closer.
Laura once again attempted to break free but remained unable to move. "Stay away from him!" In helpless frustration she shrieked as she saw him moving in Brandon's direction. "NO!"
Gabriel ran for him shouting with rage, but Catherwood whirled around emitting a tremor that sent Gabriel tumbling to the ground next to Laura. As he raised his head, their eyes met. "Gabriel, we can't fight him." She whispered hopelessly. "He's gained too much strength. We need to somehow retreat"
He scooted on his elbows toward her, but as he tried reach out to her a powerful vibration jerked him backward. "Baby, he's got you in an invisible cage!"
Laura vexedly closed her eyes nodding quickly. "Yeah…tell me something I don't know; like how to get the hell out of here."
Gabriel held out his hand trying to telekinetically break the hold, but a charge of lightening overpowered him causing him to scream in pain. Once the pain subsided, he came toward her again. "I don't care what it takes! I'm getting you out of there!"
"No." She whispered. "No heroics. You promised me."
"I'm not going to leave you in there!" He shouted. "I'll kill him if I have to!"
"You can't!" She retorted angrily. "There is nothing you can do for me Gabriel! You have to take the others and get out of here!" She looked to where Monica was cradling Brandon sobbing. "You need to get Brandon help. I'll be fine."
Gabriel looked to where Brandon was lying unconscious seeing Catherwood slowly moving toward him. "No!" He shouted running for him. But with a sweep of Catherwood's hand, Gabriel was flung at full force into the base of the Iwo Jima memorial. His eyes rolled back in his head as he fell to the ground in a bloody heap.
"GABRIEL!" Laura screamed with tears streaming down her face. "NO!" She fought helplessly to free herself as Catherwood moved toward Gabriel with malice in his eyes. "Stay away from him! Gabriel! Get up!" She turned to Peter. "Peter! Help him!"
Peter attempted to fly at him, but his powers were also paralyzed. "Laura, he has me locked too. I can't do anything!"
"He's going to kill him!" Niki whispered in horror as she stood by watching helplessly.
But as Catherwood went in for the kill he heard a tribal yell coming from behind.
Damon swiped down Hiro's sword cutting off Catherwood's arm at the shoulder.
Catherwood fell to the ground screaming anguish. The spell on Laura was broken as she stood up running to Gabriel. "Niki! Get Brandon over here!" She shouted as Niki ran to Brandon quickly scooping him up than ran to join the others followed by Monica. Laura pulled Gabriel to her sobbing. "Common baby! Stay with me!" She whispered to him as Catherwood continued to rage. The movement in the earth made them turn to find Catherwood coming toward them; his arm slowly growing back. "Hurry Peter!" She shouted with panic. "He's regenerating!"
"I'm trying!" Peter hollered visibly flustered. "He's got my abilities blocked again! Shit!"
Laura continued to cradle Gabriel. "I'm blocked too! Dammit!" She looked down at Gabriel and Brandon, tears spilling out of her eyes. "We have to find a way out of here or he's going to kill us all."
Before anyone could react, Laura screamed as she was quickly swept up by Catherwood.
"Laura!" Peter shouted trying to access his powers, but it was no use. All he could do was watch as Catherwood suspended Laura in an invisible chokehold. She squirmed struggling to break free, but she was completely defenseless.
"He's going to kill her!" Monica sobbed helplessly as she looked down at Brandon then at Gabriel. "Oh God! This can't be happening."
As they all clung to each other fearing the worse, Hiro suddenly teleported next to Catherwood catching him off guard as Laura fell to the ground unconscious. Before Catherwood could grab him, Hiro took her quickly teleporting her away back to the compound as Catherwood screamed in rage.
Peter felt his powers return to him. "I got my powers back!" He smiled with relief.
"Lets get out of here before he comes after us again." Niki hurriedly gathered everyone together. Peter closed his eyes teleporting them all to safety.
Catherwood fell to his knees screaming with fury as the buildings crumbled around him. The airstrikes started up again as tanks and military vehicles converged upon him. He stood up sending out a tremor causing several of the vehicles to explode.
He quickly disappeared into a green mist.
Later that night, Laura sat alone in the darkness of the rec room crying softly to herself. Gabriel quietly came in taking a seat next to her. He pulled her in close to him gently kissing the top of her head. "I woke up and you were gone." He turned her face to him smiling softly at her. "I knew exactly where I would find you."
Laura swallowed hard then wiped her eyes. "I couldn't sleep." She turned herself to look at him touching his face. "I almost lost you today." The tears began to fall again. "When I saw you covered in blood…"
"Shhhhh." He whispered kissing her softly as he pushed her hair away from her face. "But you didn't lose me. Thanks to your Nephew, I'm good as new. Brandon is fine, your Dad is fine." He took her face in his hands. "And so are you."
Laura closed her eyes looking straight ahead. "I was almost dead." She whispered gravely then looked up at him. "He almost killed me Gabriel. I can't fight him! I used to be able to fight him, but he has acquired too much power from so many that I am no match for him now."
"We lost this battle." He told her gently. "But we are going to win this war."
Laura shook her head, slapping her knees in exasperation as she leaned forward. "How? You saw him! He is invincible! The military might as well of been dropping pink and purple feathers on him because the bombs weren't doing shit!" She jerked her head around looking at him again. "How can we kill him Gabriel?"
He took his finger lifting her chin to face him. "Because in the end the good guys always win and the bad guys go down. Trust me…" He groaned rolling his eyes. "I used to be one of those bad guys that got his ass handed to him by Hiro and Peter more times than I can count."
She smiled softly as she laid her head against his shoulder. "Well sometimes you're still a very bad boy."
He grinned slowly. "But only in bed." He sensuously reached inside her pajama top. "And the occasional public place where anybody could walk in at any moment." He pulled her in kissing her passionately as he began peeling off her shirt.
Laura jerked away laughing. "You cannot be serious about wanting to do this here. What if Seth comes looking for us?"
"Then we can get the sex talk out of the way early and be done with it." He playfully nuzzled her neck as she pushed him away. "Don't toddlers respond best to visuals?"
She tiled her head glowering at him. "There is not enough therapy in the world to erase the damage of walking in on your parents having wild sex! Believe me…I know!" She shuddered at the memory.
He rolled his eyes in defeat. "Ok, you win." He stood up then telekinetically lifted her into his arms. "But I will be taking you to bed where I am going to spend the rest of the night having my way with you."
"Are we going to play caveman again." She giggled stroking his hair.
"UUH!" He grunted, both of them laughing as he carried her toward the bedroom.
But as they turned around they stopped laughing. Gabriel slowly set Laura down both of their eyes filled with horror. Laura fell to her knees.
In Catherwood's arms was Seth. How Catherwood had gotten there was unknown, but there he was with their little boy in his grasp; his green eyes echoing his fear.
"Mommy!" He tearfully cried out to her.
"It's going to be ok Seth." She whispered trying to conceal her own fears. "Mommy and Daddy will take care of you. Ok?"
Seth nodded as tears streamed down his face. "Ok mommy."
Laura smiled softly. "Tomorrow morning Mommy will make you some oatmeal. Do you want some oatmeal?"
"Yes mommy." He sniffled.
She saw her sword standing in its corner. Unseen to Catherwood, she held out her hand as the sword disintegrated from the corner and into her hand. Laura closed her eyes, then opened them with an odd smile on her face. She turned to Gabriel; a graveness filled her eyes. "Please forgive me for what I am about to do." She whispered weakly as Gabriel furrowed his brow in bewilderment.
But then he watched in horror as Laura drew her breath removing her sword from her side. With a single swipe of the blade she cut off Seth's head.
Gabriel's eyes widened as he stood screaming in anguish. "LAURA!" He cried out in grief. "What did you do?" He fell to his knees sobbing. "Oh God! WHAT DID YOU DO?"
END OF PART 21