S2 EP11: All Out War Part 1

I can't believe this is happening right now. Not only is Xavier fucking Red in my living room, pointing some kind of weirdo weapon at Ellie, but he also claims to know my secret identity. This has got to be some kind of fucked up dream, right?

I rubbed my eyes for a few seconds, then opened them. Xavier still stood there, now looking a bit confused.

Trey: "Nope, not a dream." Xavier raised an eyebrow at me, then shook his head.

Xavier: "I do not have time for your games, Mr. Sergauson, I am only here to make it aware that I do know. I know that you're the one behind the mask. And before you try to tell whatever kind of ridiculous lie in an attempt to hide the obvious, let me again make it clear that I am holding your girlfriend. One wrong word and I blast her with my sonar ray. I don't think you want your precious Ellie to get blasted by the sun." My eyes glowed red and I bared my fangs. So much for keeping my secret. I don't care about that right now, though. He needs to take his hands off of her.

Ellie: "Shape-shifter, don't do it. I'm not worth it." I looked at her.

Trey: "Yes you are, that's the thing." I snarled at Xavier and took a step toward him. He chuckled.

Xavier: "You do not want to start a fight with me, Trey. Not only will Ellie be dead before you reach me, but the evidence I have that links you and Arsenal as the same person will be released. To everyone." I stopped. He's got evidence? No way, he's gotta be lying.

He smirked at my hesitation.

Xavier: "I sense you may be skeptical. Allow me to ask you a question that may put an end to all your doubts. Where did you last see your backpack?" My eyes got wide and I covered my face with my hands.

Trey: "Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck."

Ellie: "Shape-shifter, it's okay." Xavier chuckled.

Xavier: "It is far from okay, vampire. Inside the backpack, I found a black sweatsuit, sunglasses, and a bandanna." My spare costume. I kept it in there for emergencies. This is what I get for being prepared.

Trey: "Yeah, so?"

Xavier: "SO, upon scanning said items, I found traces of energy I have never seen before. It can't be of this world. I don't know what you are yet, Mr. Sergauson, but I do know that I own you now." I looked at him like he was insane. Well, he is.

Trey: "Sorry dude, I'm not for sale. I tend not to do business with super-villains after this one time didn't go right." Xavier rolled his eyes and pointed the sonar ray at me, firing it. I crossed my arms across my face and took the blast, flying back into the wall. Before Ellie could move, he pointed it back at her.

Xavier: "The chatter will not happen. Not tonight. Now as I was saying, I do in fact own you, Trey Sergauson. Unless you want to expose not only yourself but your precious Ellie, you will do what I say from now on. Do we have an understanding?" My eyes glowed red again as I glared at him, but he's really got me by the hood this time. If my secret gets out, my life would be in ruins and Ellie's would be even worse. It won't be like on Earth, people aren't too fond of me.

I sighed and nodded.

Trey: "I guess. What do you want me to do? If you think I'm hurting any innocent people, you can forget it, dork." He shook his head, chuckling.

Xavier: "No, I don't require anything like that. I know you are bent on being the hero and as stupid as I think that is, I will respect it." I raised an eyebrow at him, more confused than relieved.

Trey: "Then...what do you want me to do?" Xavier smirked at me, then stopped aiming the sonar ray at Ellie and placed it in a holster. She snarled at him but I gave her a look and she sighed, putting her fangs away.

Xavier: "Believe it or not, I do not require Arsenal to do anything for me. Your other persona is a study that will take time and I want the opportunity to study you as close as possible." I looked at Ellie and she shrugged.

Trey: "Okay, this is starting to sound kind of creepy. What, do you want to give me my own reality show?" He gave me a warning look and I winked at him.

Xavier: "I had something less...juvenile in mind. I'm sure you're aware that the position as my apprentice at Horizon Industries is still open, due to the spectacle you and Ultron put on at the expo." I gave him a look.

Trey: "Let's not forget who built Ultron, Red." He chuckled.

Xavier: "Fair enough. Regardless, the position is still available, as I've been unable to find someone qualified to work under me." He shot me a look, his eyes turning blue and mechanical for a second, "Until now."

To say I was shocked as fuck would be an understatement. And by the look on Ellie's face, I'd say she agrees.

Trey: "You want ME to be your apprentice at Horizon? What the hell for?"

Ellie: "Yeah. No offense, honey, but you're not exactly the most capable scientist without your...Grey Matter form?" I pointed and winked at her, happy someone finally got one of my forms' name right.

Xavier: "Your competence only matters slightly, Mr. Sergauson. I have my reasons for wanting to employ you. Some of them have to do with your abilities and some...do not." He smirked to himself when he said that, earning a suspicious look from me. He's definitely up to something. "So, do we have a deal?"

He walked up to me and held his hand out. I looked down at it, hesitating. I've learned from the Skrulls that super-villains are not ideal people to make deals with. I was about to refuse but I looked over at Ellie, who was looking at me with an unreadable expression. I can't risk her getting exposed, she's just starting to really come out of her shell. If the task force found out where she was, she'd be hunted like the monster I've been telling her she isn't. I can't put her through that.

I looked at Xavier, who was smirking at me. Then I looked down at his extended hand and sighed before shaking it.

Trey: "Yeah, we've got a deal." Ellie looked at the ground and Xavier grinned.

Xavier: "Good choice, Trey, seeing as though it was your only one." I rolled my eyes and he continued, "Now, you are to report to Horizon Industries when I summon you, most likely in the near future. Dress appropriately and do not be late."

His eyes glowed blue and his sonar ray disassembled, forming itself into a jet pack on Xavier's back.

Xavier: "I look forward to seeing you...my apprentice." He smirked at me and took off out the window. Right after he left, Ellie zoomed over to me at vampire speed, hugging me tight.

Ellie: "Shape-shifter, you didn't have to do that. You know you he's trying to figure out what makes you...what you are." I hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.

Trey: "Yeah I know, love. But I can handle Red, he's just a geek. It'd be way worse if he revealed my secret and exposed both of us." She buried her face into my shirt, nodding.

Ellie: "This has been a really long night, honey. The sun is about to come up, you wanna come to bed with me?" I looked out the window and sure enough, the sky was starting to show some color. I looked back at Ellie, who was starting to look really sleepy.

Trey: "Sounds awesome, bloodsucker. I'll meet you in there." She nodded and kissed me, then zoomed off at vampire speed. I sighed and looked at the ground. Charity was definitely right.

I walked toward the window and climbed out onto the fire escape, then leaned over the railing. I looked out into the city and smiled a little.

Trey: "Heh, never thought I'd ever call a city other than Bellwood home. Or a planet other than Earth, for that matter." I frowned when I thought about what Paradox said. He sounded pretty sure when he said the entire planet would bite the bullet but that can't just be...it, right? There's gotta be some way to save everybody. There's just gotta be.

I looked down at the street, seeing an old homeless lady struggling to make it down the street. The wind blew, making her shiver. I smiled down at her and put my hand behind my back.

Trey: "Whether Doc Brown knows what he's talking about or not, I'm not letting these people down without a fight. They need me." I pulled my hand from behind my back, revealing I had turned it into a Freakazoid one and was holding a winter coat. I dropped it off the edge, making sure it landed right on the lady, "Whether they know it or not."

I turned my hand back to normal and climbed back into my apartment, right before the lady looked up.

Ellie's voice: "You coming, hon?" I looked back out into the city one more time and nodded, more determined than ever.

Trey: "Be right there, bloodsucker." I closed the window and headed into Ellie's room, closing the door behind me.

...

Meanwhile, up in the SHIELD hellicarier, Kyrie was sitting on the bed in his room. His foot was tapping on the floor frantically.

Kyrie: "Don't really get what the holdup is, Fury. If I don't have my powers anymore, I'm not a target, right?" The door suddenly opened and Nick Fury walked in, smirking.

Fury: "See, you're still somewhat smart without your powers. But you're still wrong."

Kyrie: "What do you mean?" Fury came and sat down next to Kyrie, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Fury: "Nexus, you're what we call a...special case. You're a part of the ten percent of the human race that was born with their meta-human abilities. You're not a mutant, you're not part monster, that's just the way you were born." Ky nodded.

Kyrie: "Okay so I'm special, so what?"

Fury: "That's the thing, kid. You were special, before Xavier bypassed our security and took your powers. Up until that point, you'd had them your whole life. It may be difficult to adjust to life without them." Kyrie looked at him like he was crazy.

Kyrie: "You're outta your mind, man. I didn't even know I HAD powers until Arsenal told me. In fact, I wasn't a part of any of this crazy stuff until he popped up in Novas City so why would I have a hard time adjusting to powers I didn't even know I had?!" Fury sighed and tried to put a hand on his shoulder, but Kyrie stood up and walked forward a bit so his back was turned to him.

Kyrie: "I just want to go back to my life, man. I want to go back to NU, hang out with my girl and my best friend, help with NexCorp." Fury stood up and walked over to him.

Fury: "I'm trying to help you, Kyrie. Your life will change drastically without your powers and I think you are safer here until you've gotten used to not having them." Kyrie glared at him.

Kyrie: "So it doesn't matter what I think, huh? Nobody asked what I thought when Arsenal dropped me off here, or made me leave my friends and family. Everybody has been running my life since I found out about those stupid powers and now that I don't have them, I want some control back!" Fury stared at him for a second, then sighed.

Fury: "Okay kid, we'll send you back to Novas City. If you think you're capable of living without something that's always been a part of you, be my guest." Ky's face lit up and he hugged Fury, who just stood there.

Kyrie: "Thank you so much, man! You won't regret this, I swear." He ran over to his dresser to pack.

Fury: "Unfortunately, I think I will." He started walking out of the room, pulling out his communicator when he got out into the hallway. "Daisy, contact Mr. Sergauson and let him know his friend will be returning. Would not want to surprise him."

He hung up and proceeded down the hallway.

...

Back in Novas City, two guys in simple T-shirts and jeans were standing in an alley behind Novak's convenient store. They were both holding AKs and wearing bandannas around their faces, one yellow, one green.

Yellow Gunner: "What time is this squeal supposed to be here, Reg? I wanna get back to Tombstone's place before anything goes down." Reg, the green gunner, chuckled.

Reg: "Why ya' gotta call him a squeal, Beck? He's giving us inside info on Negative's crew." Beck chuckled dryly.

Beck: "A squeal for the right side is still a snitch. Anyway, when's he supposed to show up?" Right as he said that, a car pulled into the alley and stopped right in front of them. The driver door opened and out came...Fiona. She nodded at the two of them.

Reg: "One fine looking squeal." Fiona rolled her eyes and opened her lab coat, pulling out a brown envelope.

Fiona: "It's exactly what Tombstone wanted, up to date information on what Mister Negative is up to. Including his next big move." Beck grinned at her.

Beck: "Great! Tombstone will love us for getting this back to him." He reached out to grab it, when I suddenly sped in between them as Hyper-Quill, a rename I gave my Sonic form. I grinned at them and grabbed the envelope.

Hyper-Quill: "Hey, thanks! UPS could learn a thing or two from you about delivery." I zoomed off. Reg and Beck looked pissed while Fiona looked terrified.

Beck: "It's the hero! How'd he find us?!" Him and Reg aimed their guns everywhere but they were suddenly pulled out of their hands as I dropped down as Lodestar.

Lodestar: "I threw an Arsey tracer on both of you bozos, weeks ago. It took you a while to do something interesting but now you get the honor of being arrested by a big time superhero." I used my powers to snap the guns in half, then glowed red.

I shrunk down to about 4 feet tall and grew two more arms as my ears grew and my eyes flashed red. My suit into black tank top with matching shorts to match and the symbol was on my chest. I finished the transformation as Pāku'i, a rename I gave to my Stitch form (which is just Stitch in Hawaiian by the way) and curled up into a ball, then charged at the both of them.

Beck: "That's so freaky!" They pulled out pistols and started letting off bullets, just as Fiona closed the driver side door to her car and pulled out of the alley. I picked up speed and launched myself in the air, nailing Beck in the head and knocking him to the ground. I uncurled and thought about it.

Pāku'i: "Wait, no. Technically I'm small time because I'm only street level." I heard the click of a gun and quickly became Smoxe, right as a load of bullets flew through my stomach. I turned around and saw Reg fumbling, trying to reload his gun. I became smoke and flew right next to him and became solid again.

Smoxe: "Although I'm not sure it matters to you guys. You enjoy me punching you in the face regardless, right?" I sent an axe kick to the back of his head and he fell to the ground, face first. "No? Maybe I'm wrong."

I shrugged and grabbed Reg by his shirt, then got in his face.

Smoxe: "I did kinda crash you guys' party so I'll make you a deal, Grove street. Tell me what ol' crater face is up to and I'll just leave your for the cops. No more punching." Reg glared at me and I suddenly felt...an aura? I was suddenly lifted into the air by some kind of force and thrown into a dumpster. Reg's eyes glowed grey and so did the hand that he was holding up.

Reg: "Change of plans, Arsenal. I'm thinkin' I smack you around a few times and my partner and I go on our way." A red light erupted from the dumpster and I picked it up as Four Arms and hurled it at him. He smirked and waved his hand, making the dumpster do a complete left turn in the air and crash into the brick wall. He then held his hand out and gestured toward himself with his finger, making me fly over and stop in mid-air in front of him. I struggled but it was no use.

Four Arms: "Didn't think someone so henchmen-y would be a telepath. But I guess even the losers can be cool sometimes." He gritted his teeth and increased his grip on my neck.

Reg: "I've always wanted to shut you up!" Beck walked up and patted him on the shoulder.

Beck: "And the boss gave you the power to do that, Reg, good on 'em. Say, when do ya think he'll give me some of that juice?" My eyes got wide. If I'm translating his henchmen talk right, he just said Tombstone gave this dude his powers. But that would have to mean he figured out how to make more of the meta-liquid. If that's the case, who knows how many of his gang he's given powers to.

I had to continue my train of thought later, as I was suddenly slammed into the wall by Reg. He walked up to me, smirking.

Reg: "Say Beck, how much clout do you think we'll get with the boss for bringing in the vigilante?" Beck grinned at me in what I'm assuming was his attempt at being threatening but I rolled my eyes.

Beck: "The boss will throw us a fuckin' parade. I say we off the little freak and bring his carcass back to the boss." Reg smirked and turned back to me.

Reg: "You'll be dead in a few seconds so it doesn't matter. But the name is Recoil." He tightened his grip on my neck. I managed to smirk at him and glowed red, emerging from the glow as Toepick.

Recoil: "What the hell?" I opened up my cage, making his face immediately twist up in horror. He stepped back quickly, releasing his hold on me and gripping his head tightly. "No, get away! STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!" I closed the cage and reverted to my normal costumed form.

Trey: "Never like to use Toepick if I can help it, but you telepaths are a real bitch to deal with." I gently pushed him, making him fall back and curl up into a little ball on the ground. I heard the click of a gun and turned my head, seeing Beck aiming a machine gun at me.

Beck: "What the fuck did you do to Reg?! You'll pay, freak!" I rolled my eyes and held out my arm, turning it into a Frightmare one and laughing a chain out toward Beck. It wrapped around his ankles and I gave the chain a little tug, sending him face first into the pavement. He started to get up, when his gun landed on his head, knocking him out cold. I shimmied a little and looked down at Recoil.

Trey: "I kept up my end of the deal, my guy, I didn't punch you. Now to tip off the task force to where you are." I looked up at the sky and smirked, then turned my hand into a Heatblast one and launched a fireball into the air. It exploded, displaying 'BAD GUYS HERE!' in fire letters, "That should do it."

I used my Heatblast hand to rocket myself up to the roof of Novak's, where I had left my backpack. I also had a couple bags of chips and packs of gummy worms. I had to buy a whole new candy stash since mine mysteriously went missing. I made my mask come off then pulled out the envelope.

Trey: "Thanks to Anakin Skywalker down there, I've got all the info on what Negative is planning. I should call Lola and-" I paused when I looked at my phone, noticing what time it was. "Seriously, I'm half an hour late for class again?"

I groaned and made my mask come back, then gathered all my snacks into my backpack and put it on my back.

Trey: "Negative can wait, CC is gonna kill me if I skip class again." I turned my legs into Bullfrag ones and was about to leap up, when my phone rang. I looked down at it, seeing 'Not a Secret Organization', "SHIELD? I don't have time for whatever you have to say right now, Baldy."

I put my phone in my backpack and walked back a few feet, then got a running start and launched myself off the ledge of the building. I flew through the air and did a backflip "WOOOO..." I grew an Astrodactyl jet pack and rocketed myself forward "HOO!"

...

Kyrie's POV

A sleek black limo pulled up to the NexCorp building and the driver stepped out then came around and opened my door. I stepped out, sunglasses on and wearing a grey suit, minus the jacket.

Kyrie: "Appreciate you, Norman. I should be back in a few minutes and we can swing by the school." Norman smiled sadly at me but nodded.

Norman: "Welcome back, Master Kyrie." I tipped my sunglasses at him a little, then headed into NexCorp. I smiled at Brooklyn, the front desk lady, and she looked like she'd seen a ghost. I smirked and kept walking toward the elevator. That's a viable reaction, seeing as though I didn't tell anybody I was coming back. SHIELD gave me back my phone when they dropped me off but Norman was the first person I called. I figured I'd come surprise my mom before heading to the school to see CoCo and Trey.

As i walked out of the elevator, I noticed a bunch of guys with suits. Their eyes all widened when they saw me and one of them ran back into the office.

Kyrie: "What the hell is going on here?" I walked past the other guys and opened the door to my mom's office, "Mom, what's going-" I stopped in my tracks when I saw Mayor Lincoln sitting behind my mom's desk. He grinned at me.

Mayor Lincoln: "Kyrie! I hadn't gotten word that you were back. How are you?" I looked around the office, noticing everything was different.

Kyrie: "I'll be a lot better when you tell me what's going on, Lincoln. What happened to Mom's office? Where is she?" He smirked at me and folded his hands across his stomach as he put his feet on the desk.

Mayor Lincoln: "Kyrie, I'm afraid your mother has stepped down as CEO of NexCorp. Your disappearance really took a tole on her mental state." I looked at him in complete horror, then looked at the ground. This is all my fault. I suddenly realized something and glared up at him.

Kyrie: "But why is all your stuff in here? I'm the heir to NexCorp, I take over if my mom can't be here." Lincoln looked up at one of his guys and nodded. His eyes glowed orange and he zoomed over to the door at super speed, closing and locking it. My eyes got wide. "He's a meta?! But..how?"

Lincoln grinned sinisterly at me and stood up, then walked around his desk so he was right in front of me. The fast guy zoomed over, handing him a tablet.

Mayor Lincoln: "Anybody can be a meta, Mr. Nexus. Anybody I choose, that is." He typed something on the tablet and looked up at me, "Now, I'm sure you're aware of the Incompetence Clause in your mother's contract."

I just stared at him, not answering.

Mayor Lincoln: "In case you are not, the clause states that if neither you or your mother are incapable of running the company then the person in the highest position of power can step in. And that'd be me." I glared at him again.

Kyrie: "You're outta your mind, Lincoln, I'm more than capable of running my company! Matter of fact, I want you and all your super thugs outta here!" Lincoln didn't move, instead smiling at me.

Mayor Lincoln: "We'll be happy to relinquish control of NexCorp, Mr. Nexus." He handed me the tablet and I looked at it. It had some kind of four step equation on it, "As soon as you solve this."

I looked at him like he was insane, then looked around at his guys. They were all smirking.

Kyrie: "Are you kidding? I do these in my sleep." I smirked down at the tablet and started examining the numbers. Only...it didn't make sense. Usually numbers (and any other kind of information) just clicks in my head but now, I don't even know where to start.

Mayor Lincoln: "Having some trouble, Kyrie? I would think an incredibly intelligent young man like yourself would have no problem with simple quantum physics." I continued to stare at the tablet and he smirked, coming over to stand next to me and put an arm around my shoulders, "Unless, of course, that incredible intelligence is not with you anymore."

I looked up at him in shock. Does he know about my powers? Nah, there's no way.

Kyrie: "I have no idea what you're talking about. Why wouldn't I still be smart?" Lincoln looked back at his men and laughed.

Mayor Lincoln: "Why wouldn't I still be smart, he says! HA! Maybe because your little powers that made you so smart are gone." He patted me roughly on the back and walked back over to the desk, sitting down and putting his feet up.

Kyrie: "H-how did you know?" He grinned.

Mayor Lincoln: "I am a very powerful man, Mr. Nexus, I am surprised you didn't know that. I have all kinds of connections to other very powerful people. One of which is the very one who snatched your abilities." My eyes widened again. He's friends with Xavier Red? What kind of Mayor has friends like that?

That's when it hit me. The talk with Arsenal and Lola before the expo.

I looked up at him from the floor.

Kyrie: "You're Tombstone! The crime boss Arsenal has been trying to stop!" Lincoln, or should I say Tombstone, simply smiled again.

Tombstone: "Well, it looks like you have some kind of intelligence left. Yes, I have been running the west side of Novas City's criminal world for a while now. It has taken me years to build up my legacy but now, I have all I need to cement my reign." I glared at him and stormed over to the desk.

Kyrie: "Cement your reign?! I have no fucking idea what you're talking about, but you're messing with MY life, man. My mom worked too hard for this company to be corrupted by you!" He sat up and looked me in the eyes, smirking.

Tombstone: "I think we have more than proven how unfit you are to run NexCorp so consider yourself relieved of your status as heir. You may keep the large sum of money already in your possession but any money the company will make will have nothing to do with you." I gritted my teeth and slammed my fist on the desk.

Kyrie: "You can't do this to me! This is MY company!"

Tombstone: "Not anymore. Ox, would you please show Mr. Nexus the door?" Another one of his guys nodded and his eyes glowed green. His muscles grew in size as he ripped his suit, revealing a black jumpsuit underneath. When he stopped growing, he stood at 8 feet tall with muscles the size of boulders.

Ox: "Let's go kid." He grabbed me and started dragging me out of the office. I glared back at Tombstone.

Kyrie: "YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS, LINCOLN! THIS IS MY COMPANY!" Tombstone simply waved. As the door closed behind me, Tombstone tapped on the desk, making a holographic projection of the city come up. All of his men gathered around.

Tombstone: "Okay boys, the time has come. Mister Negative and his crew have been holding the east side hostage for too long and I think it's about time for us to go take it."

Hammerhead: "What's ya' plan, boss?" Tombstone spun the hologram around and pointed to one particular street.

Tombstone: "Oak Hill Street. It's the one street that's right down the line that separates the east and west sides, meaning it's neutral ground." Everybody nodded in realization and he continued, "One thing Negative has never been able to resist is a chance to test how great he is. Knowing that, I had an anonymous colleague call him up and schedule a...cross-gang meeting on Oak Hill."

Hammerhead: "Ohh, I get it boss! Negative and his crew of shmucks show up to the 'meeting' and we fill em' full of lead." The other guys cheered in agreement but Tombstone shook his head.

Tombstone: "Mister Negative's crew outnumbers us by the slightest of numbers. That matters in this business. Which is why we'll be bringing our advantage into this meeting. My meta-human employees are far better than anything Negative has on his side." Hammerhead pulled out his phone.

Hammerhead: "So you want me to get Recoil and the stretchy guy over here?"

Tombstone: "Yes, however their services will not be enough. I want this to be the last we hear of the Negative Crew so I'm going to make a splash. Call every single guy we have, meta-human powers for everyone." His guys cheered and high fived each other.

They were interrupted by a loud banging on the door. It quickly opened and in came Fiona.

Fiona: "Mr. Lincoln, I have some news!" She tried to come up to him, but he nodded at Ox, who stood between them.

Tombstone: "What is it, Fiona? It better be good if you're interrupting after hours." Fiona gulped.

Fiona: "It's about...after hours business, Sir. It's important, I promise." Tombstone nodded up at Ox and he moved out of the way, allowing Fiona to move closer to the desk. He sat down.

Tombstone: "Proceed."

Fiona: "Okay. Um, Reggie Alvarez and his associate were arrested by the police and task force respectively. Just earlier today." Hammerhead's eyes got wide.

Hammerhead: "Recoil got busted? Damn, he was a shark at poker night." Tombstone, however, didn't look surprised. He folded his arms across his chest and stared at Fiona.

Tombstone: "How did that happen, Fiona? You were simply supposed to deliver the information to Recoil so he could bring it back here. That information was vital to this plan, we need to stay one step ahead of Negative."

Fiona: "I know, and everything was going according to plan until Arsenal showed up. As soon as he started fighting Alvarez, I got out of there." She gave Tombstone a pleading look and he nodded.

Tombstone: "I believe you, Fiona, don't worry. Arsenal is nuisance that needs to be dealt with." She sighed in relief.

Fiona: "Thank you, Mr. Lincoln." He smiled at her. Suddenly, he opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out a gun, shooting her between the eyes in one swift motion. Her body fell to the ground and blood gushed onto the floor.

Everybody looked at Tombstone in shock and Hammerhead quickly took the gun out of his hands.

Hammerhead: "What the hell, boss? Since when are you getting your hands dirty?" Tombstone wiped his hands with a handkerchief, looking at Hammerhead nonchalantly.

Tombstone: "It simply has to be done, Hammerhead. And it had to be done by me. She was obviously playing double agent for Negative."

Hammerhead: "What?! Boss, how'd you know?"

Tombstone: "I've known for weeks. I found her snooping around NexCorp, that's when I hired her. She swore her loyalty to me but I'd rather be safe than sorry." He sat back down and nodded at MPH, the guy with super speed, "Dispose of this garbage, would you?"

MPH: "Sure thing, boss." He picked Fiona's lifeless body up and zoomed out at super speed. Tombstone turned to Hammerhead.

Tombstone: "Arsenal needs to be disposed of, as well. The last thing we need is that kid showing up during the meeting and ruining everything."

Hammerhead: "Whatcha want me to do, boss?" Tombstone looked down, thinking about it for a minute. He smiled again and looked at Hammerhead.

Tombstone: "That gentleman with the...tattoos owes me a favor, right? Reach out to him and get him to deal with our shape-shifting friend. I will be overseeing the powering of all of my men." Hammerhead pulled out his phone and nodded.

Hammerhead: "Got it, boss." He started to leave.

Tombstone: "Oh, and make sure you report back for your powering as well. My right hand man and good friend should share in the wealth." Hammerhead smiled a bit and nodded at him.

Hammerhead: "Gotcha, boss." With that, he left. Tombstone slumped back into his chair, right as his phone rang.

Tombstone: "Hello, honey...no I hadn't heard Kyrie was back." He grinned at his guys.


Trey's POV

I landed on the roof of Novas University and my eyes glowed green under my goggles, making my suit dissolve back into my body. Today I'm rocking a burgundy hoodie that was unzipped to show my white T-Shirt and light blue jeans with rips in the knees. My favorite pair of converse topped it off, along with a grey beanie on my head.

I put my sunglasses on and headed toward the door that lead to the staircase.

Trey: "Okay, I'm not that late. Maybe nobody's noticed I'm not there." My phone buzzed as I hopped on the railing of the stairs and started sliding down at high speed. I pulled it out, seeing a 'Where are you?' text from Lola. "Or maybe they have. I forgot Lola has this class with CC and I."

I hopped off the railing and slid to a stop in front of my classroom door. I opened it, immediately earning the stares from my classmates as well as Mrs. Reinhart, our professor. I nodded my head upward.

Trey: "Uh, sup'?" The class chuckled. Lola and CC shook their heads, smiling.

Mrs. Reinhart: "What's up is you're 45 minutes late for my class, Mr. Sergauson. I hope you have a good excuse." I actually didn't. I was so worried about getting here that I forgot to come up with the usual excuse. I smirked, though.

Trey: "Yeah, I was fighting a meta-human in an alleyway." Lola's eyes got wide and she looked at Mrs. Reinhart, who shook her head and turned back to the board.

Mrs. Reinhart: "You do not have to tell me, Mr. Sergauson. As long as you continue to pass, your whereabouts are none of my business." I chuckled to myself and started walking up to my seat. "Mr. Sergauson, lose the shades."

I rolled my eyes and took them off, then took my seat at the end of the table next to Lola. As soon as Mrs. Reinhart turned her back, I put them right back on. Lola giggled but CoCo, who was a few inches over at the next table, shot me a disapproving look.

CoCo: "Real mature, hero boy. I thought you were gonna try to make it to class on time, from now on." I shrugged and leaned back in my chair.

Trey: "I have been trying. I've just been failing." Lola giggled again and CC sighed.

Lola: "Don't worry, chico tardío, I already signed your name on the attendance sheet. Reinhart doesn't check them so she won't even know that it was signed before you got here." I smiled at her.

Trey: "I'd tell you how awesome you are but you already know." She smiled back and pretended to wipe dirt off her shoulder.

Lola: "You already know." I laughed. CoCo looked at the both of us and smirked.

CoCo: "You guys sure are flirty for being just friends." I rolled my eyes and looked at Lola, who giggled and pushed me playfully.

Lola: "Trey's just a big ol' charmer, that's all. Besides, I'm kinda seeing someone on the low." CC looked at her, surprised but I just raised an eyebrow at her.

CoCo: "Really? Why didn't you tell us?" She looked at me, expecting a reaction and I cleared my throat.

Trey: "Um, yeah Smurfette, why leave both of us in the dark?" Lola rolled her eyes.

Lola: "We decided to keep it on the down low since he kinda just got outta jail. He's a good guy though, I swear! Just got caught up with the wrong people." She was directing that more toward me. I guess she's afraid I'll disapprove of her ex super-villain boyfriend.

CoCo thought about it for a second, then her eyes got wide.

CoCo: "No fucking way! You and Miles Novak?" Lola quickly shhh'd her, but nodded.

Lola: "We've only been official for like a week, but we've been talking for a while now." She looked at me, "What do you think, Trey? It's important I have my best friend's approval."

I thought about it for a second. I mean, Miles is Damage and Lola and I both know that. But, he did promise to be good and he can't even transform by himself. Besides, everybody deserves a chance at a better life. I've been telling Ellie that from the start.

I smiled at her.

Trey: "I think that if he makes you happy, girly, then he's dope in my book." She sighed in relief.

Lola: "Thanks, ET." She hugged me from the side.

CoCo: "What's that ET name all about, anyway?" I chuckled to myself.

Trey: "It's an inside thing." Lola giggled.

Suddenly, the entire classroom's phones went off with beeps, buzzes and all kinds of notification sounds. CC, Lola and I all pulled our phones out.

Lola: "Whatever's got all of our attention better be good if it's got the whole class hooked." I didn't say anything, hoping it wasn't some kind of super-villain attack or something. Explaining my sudden absence would not be easy. What it actually was made my eyes get wide.

Trey: "Kyrie's back?" I looked at Lola, who had to be thinking the same thing as me; why would SHIELD just let him leave like that?

CC looked absolutely ecstatic.

CoCo: "He's back! No way, I thought he'd be gone forever." I chuckled a bit.

Trey: "That's a stretch, don't you think? Ky wasn't going to stay missing all his life." Just until I figured out how to stop the ugly crime boss that's after him. CoCo started gathering all her stuff into her bag.

CoCo: "I've gotta go. He's probably traumatized from whatever that freak, Arsenal did to him. He needs his girlfriend." She raised her hand, "Mrs. Reinhart, I have to go. It's important."

Mrs. Reinhart, having seen the news on her phone, smiled and nodded at her.

Mrs. Reinhart: "I understand, Ms. Butler. Make sure to welcome back Mr. Nexus for me." CC smiled at her, then got up, shooting a quick wave at Lola and I before hurrying out the door.

Lola: "Why do you think Kyrie is outta SHIELD's protective custody, ET? Did Mayor Lincoln just give up on him or something?" I shrugged, not knowing the answer myself.

Trey: "Not sure, candy head, but I'm not going to get any answers by sitting here." I unzipped my backpack and pulled out the envelope I snagged from Recoil, then handed it to her, "I might be out a little late, tonight. If you don't hear from me, go to my house and go over whatever's in this envelope with Ellie when she wakes up. I trust you girls to handle it."

Lola nodded at me and put the envelope in her bag.

Lola: "Team Arsenal is on the case." I smiled a bit and stood up, earning a glare from Mrs. Reinhart.

Mrs. Reinhart: "Sit down, Mr. Sergauson. I allowed Arcola to leave because she is always on time for my class, which cannot be said for you." I groaned.

Trey: "But-"

Mrs. Reinhart: "No buts. I don't care what your grade is, attendance is important. You leave before class lets out and you will be given a zero." I slumped back down into my seat.

Lola: "The Extraordinary Arsenal, grounded by a teacher. What now? We still have another hour before class ends." I thought about it for a second, then smirked a little.

Trey: "Check this out." Making sure nobody was looking, I put my hand into my pocket and turned it into a Ventrilosquid one, then used my powers to make one of my classmate's water bottles slide to the edge of the table. Lola caught on to what I was doing and pretended to stretch, 'accidentally' knocking the water all over me.

Lola: "Mierde! Trey, I'm soooo sorry. Now you're all wet." I did my best to hold in a laugh. There's that NU acting skill.

I stood up, water dripping off my clothes, and looked at Mrs. Reinhart.

Trey: "Can I be excused, Mrs. Reinhart? It'd be impossible for me to learn while I'm soaking wet." Mrs. Reinhart glared at me, then briefly at Lola, who smiled sweetly.

Mrs. Reinhart: "Go. But I expect a ten page paper on the evolutionary theory by Monday." I grinned at her and discreetly high-fived Lola, then walked down to the door.

Trey: "Always such a sweetheart, teach." She rolled her eyes and turned back to the board. I threw up the peace sign to the rest of the class and walked out. "First thing's first, dry off."

I looked around again, then turned my hand into a Scorch one and powered up a fireball. I hovered it over my clothes and after a few seconds, I was dry again. I turned my hand back to normal.

Trey: "Now to head over to the Queen building and see Ky. I think he needs to see Trey Sergauson more than Arsenal." I headed toward the main entrance.

...

Meanwhile, at Kyrie's place, he was currently in his Mom's study being suffocated by a tight hug, courtesy of his mom. He hugged her back for a few seconds, then realized he couldn't breathe.

Kyrie: "Mom...losing consciousness, here." She held on to him for a few more seconds before letting go.

Thea: "Sorry, honey. I hope you can understand though, you've been missing for weeks. I thought we might've never found you. Where were you, anyway?" Kyrie shook his head.

Kyrie: "Doesn't matter, Mom. What does matter is what's going on with you. Why are you letting Mayor Lincoln run NexCorp?!" Thea sighed and sat down on her desk.

Thea: "There wasn't much of a choice, Ky, when Lenard wants something...he's kind of relentless."

Kyrie: "But he said you stepped down as CEO because I was missing. Can't you just step back up?"

Thea: "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that. When you step down for mental health reasons, a period of time must go by before you can begin the reinstatement process. It'll be months before I can get control back." Kyrie looked at the ground.

Kyrie: "So what do we do now?" Thea pulled him in for a hug.

Thea: "We try to go on with our lives. You can go back to school and see your friends, I can look into some other ventures I've wanted to dabble in." She stopped hugging him and looked at him, "It's going to be okay."

Kyrie sighed and gave his mom a small smile.

Kyrie: "Yeah, Mom, I know it will." She rubbed his arm before letting him go. The door opened just then and in came Norman.

Norman: "Master Kyrie, you have a visitor." Thea smiled at Kyrie.

Thea: "See, your life is getting going again, already. I'll bet it's CoCo." Kyrie chuckled.

Kyrie: "I guess I'll go see. You going to be alright, Mom?"

Thea: "Of course. I've got my own things to do." He nodded and followed Norman out the door.

Norman: "I told your guest to wait downstairs. That's where he should be." Kyrie raised an eyebrow.

Kyrie: "He?" He walked over to the top of the stairs, looking down and seeing me. I had my hands in my hoodie pockets and my sunglasses were still on. He smirked a little. "Trey Sergauson."

I looked up at him and smiled.

Trey: "Kyrie Nexus." He came down the stairs and we hugged. I rubbed his back and we let go, then we dapped each other up with two fingers and pointed at each other, winking. We made up that handshake a few days before the expo, didn't think we'd ever get to do it again.

Kyrie: "I wasn't expecting you so soon, T, you're usually a hard person to get a hold of." I rubbed the back of my head.

Trey: "I've been working on that these days, I swear. Besides, when I heard my favorite nerd was back, I rushed right over." He looked at the ground for a second, then smiled at me.

Kyrie: "Seems like it. I don't know how you move around the city so fast but you beat CoCo here. She was the first person I was expecting to see." I smiled a little, remembering the Stinkfly goo I left on her front door about 10 minutes ago. That should give me enough time to talk to Ky.

Trey: "Expecting or hoping?" He rolled his eyes and I pulled out my phone. 5 PM. The sun won't set for another few hours, that should give me plenty of time to catch up with Ky and get home to Ellie. With the Battle of Champions happening this past weekend, we haven't gotten to spend any time together without my classes and normal life getting in the way. It kinda sucks.

I looked back at Kyrie.

Trey: "Hey, you wanna get outta here? Maybe head down to the pier and chat it up?" Ky looked back up the stairs, then back at me. He smiled.

Kyrie: "Sounds awesome, dude. Maybe while we're there, you can tell me what's going on with you and Lola." I groaned as we walked out the door.

Trey: "Not you, too."

...

Later, the two of us were walking along the pier at a slow pace. I was carrying a cup full of fries.

Kyrie laughed.

Kyrie: "Wait so his underwear actually got caught on the rim?" I nodded, trying to hold back my laughter. Logan would totally brain me with his eye beams if he knew I was telling this story.

Trey: "I shit you not, dude! All you could hear was the sound of fabric ripping and a child's screams of pain." He threw his head back in laughter and grabbed my shoulder, causing me to burst out laughing too. That story will never not be funny.

We calmed down a bit and kept walking, me scarfing down my fries a few at a time.

Kyrie: "Still eat like a caveman, I see. Good to know nothing has really changed about you." I chuckled and finished up my fries, throwing the cup away and looking at him.

Trey: "Same old sexy me. But what about you, man? What happened to you?" I already know he was with SHIELD, of course. But if I can get him to spill why he's back without revealing who I am, that'd be great.

Kyrie: "I...got into some trouble and got put into witness protection. I didn't want anyone to get hurt so I split without telling anyone." I looked at him, thankful I'm wearing my sunglasses or I'd have to fake a confused expression.

Trey: "What kind of trouble, dude? What's going on?" He shook his head.

Kyrie: "Doesn't matter, it's over. I had something that somebody bad wanted and now...I don't." My eyes got wide and that's when I noticed it. I can't sense his aura anymore! I was so caught up in seeing him again that I didn't even notice. I looked over at him, noticing he was staring up at the sky.

Trey: "You all good, man?" He looked back at me, grinning.

Kyrie: "Yeah, it's just-" He was cut off by a task force helicopter suddenly flying over us, heading deeper into the city. A few NCPD chopper followed after.

Trey: "What the hell?" My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out, seeing a notification from my police scanner app. Apparently, some dude with living body art is destroying stuff in the entertainment district. I gotta get over there.

I looked at Kyrie.

Trey: "Look, dude, I gotta bounce. I have a paper due for Reinhart's class that she'll kill me if I flake on." Ky chuckled and nodded.

Kyrie: "Don't wanna give her another reason to hate your guts. I should give CoCo a call anyway and see what's been keeping her." I stifled a laugh as I started toward the opposite direction we were walking.

Trey: "You guys will be down each other's throats again in no time." He rolled his eyes.

Kyrie: "See ya later, man. Tell Lola I said hi." He smirked again and I turned around to say something, then decided against it and took off running down the pier. I ducked off into the bathroom and locked myself in the stall.

Trey: "So Kyrie's lost his powers, Tombstone is powering up his gang, and there's apparently another new super-villain attacking the city. I would really rather be making out with Ellie, right now." I took off my sunglasses and glowed red, transforming into Teleportal.

Teleportal: "No time to flip around the city, gotta get there fast." I jumped up, disappearing into thin air.

...

Down in the entertainment district, dozens of task force and NCPD cars surrounded the movie theater. A task force operative pulled out his walkie-talkie.

Task force guy: "On my mark, we gas the building. We'll drive the freak right out." He held his hand in the air for a moment, then pointed forward. "Now!"

Dozens of cans of tear gas flew through the air and through the windows of the theater. Tear gas flooded the building and all the officers got their weapons out, the task force pulling out some kind of weird purple blaster.

Task force lady: "He should be coming out any second."

Task force guy: "Everybody stay alert." They all aimed their weapons at the door. Suddenly, it flew open and tear gas flooded out of it. Out stepped a guy with light grey skin that was covered neck to toe with tattoos. He was wearing an orange tank top and some grey sweatpants. His head was covered by a black energy dome.

Tattoo guy: "Damn, a guy can't even see a movie without being attacked these days." The dome shrunk and slithered down his face, reverting back to a large face tattoo on his left side. "Now, my exact instructions were to cause a scene. I think killing off a few pigs would do just nicely."

Task force guy: "Everybody fire!" The police and task force fired their weapons at the tattooed guy, but one of the tattoos on his arms sprung out, forming a huge shield. It deflected the gunfire into a light pole, knocking it down onto a parked car. The alarm blared, attracting a crowd of people to the scene.

Officer: "Everybody, stay back!" The tattooed guy smirked and his shield slithered back into his skin.

Tattooed guy: "Looky looky, a crowd of civilians. A scene has officially been caused." His eyes glowed black and he held up His hands, forming the tattoos on his wrists into black serpents and launching them at the crowd. Just as the hissing serpents were about to reach them, they stopped in mid-air. The crowd looked on in shock.

Tattooed guy: "The hell is going on?! What's stopping my constructs?" I appeared as Ghostfreak, revealing I had grabbed both serpents by the throat.

Ghostfreak: "Come on, man. You're totally giving rockstars and emo guys a bad name with all your bullshit." I wrapped the serpents around my wrists and pulled, launching the tattooed guy toward me. I quickly became Biohazard and slammed him to the ground with a flip kick, courtesy of my punk buster. The crowd clapped and some of them pulled out their phones to record. I looked over at the task force.

Biohazard: "Be ready to cuff and book ugly here when I get done with him."

Task force guy: "We'll be taking both of you in!" I shook my head and looked down at the tattooed guy.

Biohazard: "Alright, what's your thing? Lemme guess, you're Angsty Teen Rebellion Man." He grinned at me and his aura got stronger as the tattoo on his palm formed into a grenade launcher. My eyes got wide and he launched a grenade straight into my face, sending me flying straight into the side of a building. He got up, cracking his shoulder.

Tattooed guy: "Ink is the name, mischief is the game. I don't usually do the whole 'fight the superhero' thing but I got a favor to pay off, so..." He launched several grenades at the me, but I turned both my hands into Smack Hands and caught all of them, then crushed them. I became Wildmutt and launched myself at him, but he formed his shield again and blocked my slash, then formed a spiked mace of the tattoo the back of his hand and swung it in my direction. I quickly became Diamondhead and deflected it with a diamond shard I made my hand into.

Diamondhead: "I miss using some of my OG forms. You're in luck, Inky, you get a nostalgic beat down." He jumped back.

Ink: "Anyone ever tell you you're way too cocky." I chuckled a bit.

Diamondhead: "Only everyone I've ever met." He rolled his eyes and the tattoos on his arms morphed into chainsaw, then he charged at me. He swung one of them at me but I dodged around it and became Jet Stream, launching a ball of conpressed air into his stomach. He stumbled back but recovered and came right back at me, swinging both of them this time. I flew above both of them, then landed behind him as Web Head and used a web line to pull his sweatpants down, revealing pink briefs.

Web Head: "Pink briefs? Dude, you're slowly losing tough guy points as this fight goes on." He angrily pulled his pants up and the tattoo on his back formed a dragon's head. It breathed fire at me, making my symbiote skin shriek. I grabbed my head in pain. "Okay, Web Head and fire don't mix. Got it."

Ink turned around and launched a dagger from his left palm, impaling it into my shoulder. I gritted my teeth in pain and he turned around, nailing me with the spiked mace. I tumbled to the ground, where he used the mace like a golf club and sent me flying up into the air. I did a back flip and shot a web ball at him. It exploded on impact, covering him with webbing. As I came back down, I became Goku and nailed him with a kick to the jaw. He flew into a light pole and I grinned, shimmying and looking at the crowd.

Goku: "Who's that boy, again? Oh yeah, it's me!" A whip suddenly wrapped around my neck and pulled me toward Ink, who slammed me to the ground.

Ink: "Arrogant little punk! Let's see you dance around this." The tattoo on his chest popped out and formed into a freaky looking tiki head. It opened his mouth and a HUGE ray of black energy fired into my face, cratering me deep into the pavement. I rubbed my head.

Goku: "What kind of weirdo gets a tattoo like that?" Ink jumped down into the crater.

Ink: "The kind that's had weird energy in his body since he was born. The tats are my way of letting it out, I figured out I can use them as an outlet for my energy." The tiki head opened its mouth again. "Good for me, bad for you."

It fired another beam of energy at me, but I glowed red and held my hand out, absorbing the beam as Feedback. My fingers glowed with energy and I smirked.

Feedback: "Oh man, you are really having a stroke of luck. This form has always been a sneaky favorite." I blasted the energy into the ground, launching myself upward. I did a flip and kicked at Ink, but he blocked with his shield and swung his chainsaw at me. I ducked under it and sweep-kicked his legs from under him, sending him to the ground, where I sent my knee into the back of his head. The boxing glove formed out of his chest and nailed me in the face, sending me flying upward. As I sailed through the air, I connected my antenna to a light pole, then absorbed the energy and fired it at him. He put his shield up to block it, giving me an opening to become Red Lightning, zoom down behind him and become Mark 10. I connected my fingers to the tattoos on his back and started draining whatever kind of energy that they had.

Ink: "Hey?! What are you doing?!" I smirked at him.

Mark 10: "Come on now, dear boy. You cannot reveal to me how your powers work and expect me not to use it against you. I can tell you don't do this a lot, you kinda suck at it." He gritted his teeth and formed the dragon on his back, but I stuck my antenna into it and started draining, making it shrink back into a normal tattoo.

Ink: "NOOO!" He managed to form his grenade launcher and blasted me away from him, sending me flying back up onto the street. He leaped after me, his eyes glowing purple.

Mark 10: "Are you mad at me? I feel like you're mad at me."

Ink: "BE QUIET!" Suddenly, every tattoo on his body merged together, forming some kind of battle suit. The tattoo on his face glowed purple. I smirked.

Mark 10: "Bingo." I charged at him and jumped up, becoming Under Wraps and pulling myself to him with bandages. He turned his hand into a huge chainsaw and swung at me, but I became Goop and slithered under him, then became Jumpstart and slammed an electric ball into his face. He slammed back into a car and his face tattoo sparked purple energy. He recovered and started shooting grenades at me, but I went Frightmare and jumped up, wrapping chains around the grenades and flinging them back at him. They exploded, giving me an opening to land in front of him and become Godspeed. I sent hundreds of punches to his stomach, then jumped back, became Kickin' Hawk, and sent a roundhouse kick to his face. He landed face first in the street and I stood over him, becoming Feedback again.

Feedback: "All things considered, the tattoos are cool." I connected by antenna to his face tattoo and absorbed the energy, making his battle suit de-merge back into normal tattoos. His eyes turned from purple to brown.

Ink: "My...my power! It's gone!" I reverted to my normal costumed form.

Trey: "Not forever. Just long enough for the task force to get you to a nice, safe cell." I delivered a knockout punch to his face. The crowd erupted in cheers and I smirked, facing them and pointing to myself. "I'm that boy, baby! I'm that boy!"

Suddenly, a dozen task force and NCPD officers surrounded me, all aiming their weapons.

Task force guy: "One move and we blow your head off, Arsenal. You just made it easier to bring both of you in." I groaned.

Trey: "Seriously?! The Nexus kid is back, why do you guys even still hate me?"

Task force guy: "There's still a warrant for your arrest placed by former police Captain Butler. A dangerous meta-human such as yourself can not be allowed to wreak havoc." The crowd boo'd loudly, surprising the hell out of me.

Lady: "But Arsenal just saved us! That tattoo man would have killed us if he hadn't been here!" The crowd cheered in agreement and I smiled under my mask. Maybe not everyone hates me.

A NCPD officer walked up to the task force guy.

Officer: "We don't want to cause a civilian riot out here, man. The kid got the guy we're actually here for so how 'bout you cut him some slack this time." He sighed and looked at his squad.

Task force guy: "Lower your weapons." They did as he said and I smirked.

Trey: "Aww, so are we friends now? OMG, we should have a handshake."

Task force guy: "Don't get used to it, meta. I'm only letting you go this time because you apprehended Ink. Next time, we're bringing you in." I laughed.

Trey: "Yeah, sure." I grew Biohazard wings. "You're welcome, by the way."

I took off into the night time sky, heading in a particular direction.

Trey: "As much as I'd love to go home to Ellie, I've got to find out what the hell is going on. And I think I know just the guy to see."

...

Up in the SHIELD helicarrier, Nick Fury was in the main briefing room, looking at some digital files on a huge computer screen. One of his agents was standing next to him. She looked around my age, had brown hair and green eyes and had some kind of finger-less gauntlets.

SHIELD girl: "Boss, we tried to get a hold of Trey Sergauson and didn't get anything. We believe he is ignoring us." Fury chuckled.

Fury: "Sounds like the kid. My appreciation for trying, Daisy." Daisy, the agent, smiled and nodded. Right as she was about to leave, an alarm blared. Daisy's hands started to rumble as she ran back to Fury.

Daisy: "What's going on, Boss? That's the high level threat alarm." Fury raised his eyebrow a little and pressed a button on his keyboard. The monitor switched to an outside view of the helicarrier. I was floating right in front of it, my Biohazard wings fluttering quickly.

Trey: "Hey Fury, can I come in? It's getting kinda windy out here."

...

Ellie's POV

I sat on the couch in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV. I was sitting criss-cross and wearing an oversized red sweatshirt and white bandanna. My hair was in a high ponytail.

Ellie: "I swear, there were better things to watch on TV, 50 years ago." I rested my head on my hand and continued to flip until I got to some gossip channel. A lady with red hair was talking.

Lady: "So, Kyrie Nexus is back. But, and this is just what I'm hearing, he doesn't have his company anymore. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the hunky heir to the NexCorp throne was forced to relinquish control over to our very own Mayor Lincoln. We're not sure why yet, but we believe it's because of incompetence. I'll let you know more when I know more." I raised an eyebrow.

Ellie: "Rich boy is back? I wonder how my shape-shifter is dealing with that." I thought about it and groaned. "I miss him. Wonder what the hell is taking him so long."

I turned the channel again, getting to the news.

Vincent: "This is Vincent Press on the scene in downtown Novas City in the aftermath of a battle between Arsenal and a meta with living tattoos. Eye witnesses say Arsenal jumped in and rescued several civilians from the meta and NCPD officers are on record saying the situation would have been a lot worse if Arsenal had not been there. Stay tuned for footage bought from a civilian's cell phone." I grinned.

Ellie: "My mate's been busy. It's awesome that people are giving him his credit, he does a lot for this city." They showed the footage of Trey showboating to the crowd.

Trey: "I'm that boy, baby! I'm that boy!" I giggled.

Ellie: "He's really enjoying himself. Maybe I should get out there and stretch my legs a little." I stood up and stretched, then zoomed over to the window. "Only question is, where to?"

I haven't had a superhero case on my own since I took down the Wendigo and if I'm being honest, I'm itching for some more action. Trey hasn't asked for anymore of my help with the gangs and it's not like I can go out on patrol. I'm still wanted by the police and task force for killing that guy in the alley. I know it was wrong but I"m a totally different person now.

I smiled, thinking about my mate again. Although I think about him a lot anyway, he's the reason I'm not the killer that was in that alley anymore. My thoughts shifted to the talk I had with Lola before we saved Novak's.

Ellie: "Is Ms. Bubbly Sunshine right, is Trey...in love with me?" I know it shouldn't be that hard of a question. I mean, he's my mate, he's risked his life for my sake more than once, he's willing to become the apprentice of a SUPER-VILLAIN to make sure I'm safe. But love has always been...complicated.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I stayed still for a second, then zoomed over to the door at vampire speed. I heard a steady heartbeat on the other side of the door.

Lola's voice (whispering): "It's me, Ellie." I sighed in relief and unlocked the door, letting Lola into our apartment. She went over to the recliner and I closed the door and zoomed back over to the couch. She raised an eyebrow at me, grinning mischievously

Lola: "I've always wanted to ask...do you and ET do stuff at super speed?" I giggled and rolled my eyes.

Ellie: "What are you doing here, Lol? I wasn't expecting you." She pulled off her tiny backpack. I don't know how she fits anything in there.

Lola: "Have you talked to Trey?" I shook my head.

Ellie: "No, but I saw him on the news. He's probably somewhere being extraordinary." Lola nodded and pulled out an envelope.

Lola: "I haven't heard from him, either. He told me that if he went ghost, to come here and go over this with you." I raised an eyebrow and looked down at the envelope.

Ellie: "Is it superhero stuff?" She nodded, eagerly.

Lola: "I think so. Are you ready?" I nodded quickly. This is the case that I've been looking for! My chance to be a superhero again and do some good. Lola opened the envelope and spilled a bunch of papers onto the coffee table. "What's all this?"

I picked up one of the papers and looked at it.

Ellie: "Virgil Mennix, Age 30, ability to control electricity. Zander Hill, Age 22, ability to shift his molecules into any substance. Samuel Upshur, Age 43, ability to manipulate the weather. This looks like a list of people with superpowers." Lola's eyes got wide and she picked up another piece of paper, scanning it quickly.

Lola: "This one is the same way." I quickly looked through all the papers at vampire speed and they all had the same kind of information on them.

Ellie: "Lola, there are hundreds of names here. Where did Trey get this?"

Lola: "Wait, there's something else in here!" She pulled out a blueprint and laid it on the table. It had a full layout of a street with specific spots circled. "What's this?"

I looked at it for a second.

Ellie: "It's a blueprint of Oak Hill Street. It's right in the center of the city. Question is, what the fuck does all of this mean?" Lola groaned.

Lola: "I wish ET was here, he's good at piecing information together." I nodded in agreement. So much for my next big case, I'm stumped before it even began.

Suddenly, Lola's phone buzzed. She looked at it for a second, then responded to whoever had texted her. After that, she stood up.

Lola: "I've gotta get going, Ellie. My boss called a big employee meeting." I raised my eyebrow at her but her heartbeat didn't quicken so she has to be telling the truth.

Ellie: "You're ditching Team Arsenal stuff for 9 bucks an hour? So much for the heart of a hero." She rolled her eyes and started toward the door.

Lola: "I'm sure you and your boy toy will figure it out, without me. I just really have to go." Before I could say anything else, she left, slamming the door behind her.

Ellie: "That had suspicious written all over it. I should follow her." I got up and started toward the window, but stopped. "But Lola is my friend, the first one I've ad i a long time. I shouldn't invade her privacy like that."

Just then, something caught my eye. It was a piece of paper that had fallen on the floor. I picked it up and my eyes got wide.

Ellie: "Lola Pacini, Age 19, ability to cancel out other people's abilities." I looked at the window, then back at the paper. "Okay, now I'm definitely following her." I zoomed over to the window and climbed out, then leaped off the fire escape and sprouted my wings, taking off after the sound of Lola's heartbeat.

...

Lola arrived at a warehouse and looked around before knocking on the door. After a second, a giant crocodile opened the door.

Crocodile guy: "Jammer! Good to see ya'!" Lola rolled her eyes.

Lola: "Of all the lame superpowers I could've been born with, I got stuck with the lamest one and the lamest name to go with it." He let her inside and closed the door.

I leaped down from the rooftop and thought about was I'd just seen and heard.

Ellie: "Was that a giant alligator? And did Lola say she was born with powers? How does my shape-shifter keep up with all this crazy stuff?" I stepped up to the door and gripped the knob, easily pulling the door off it's hinges with my vampire strength. Then I turned into my bat swarm and flew inside.

Lola walked into a room with several hundred people, all with some kind of superpower. She walked up to the front, where Mister Negative was standing. He smiled at her.

Negative: "Lola! You are right on time, I was just about to begin briefing." Lola rolled her eyes.

Lola: "Hopefully this won't take long, I left my friend hanging for this." Negative grinned.

Negative: "Those are the sacrifices you make when you join my crew, my dear."

Lola: "I only joined so you'd give me powers. How was I supposed to know I had them, already?"

Negative: "Had you not been subjected to my experiments, you would have not found that out, my dear." Lola rolled her eyes again and went to find her seat, while Negative went up to the mic.

I was clinging to the ceiling, listening to the whole thing.

Ellie: "Experiments? So, she's met him before." And she's sitting with all of his superpowered thugs. Could she be working for him?

Negative: "Thank you all for gathering here on such short notice, Negative Crew. Originally, the personnel lists and blueprints were going to be sent to you all. However, the original copies were stolen from my office sometime between now and last night." My eyes got wide. That was Negative's envelope!

I looked down at at Lola, who looked to have come to the realization herself. A guy with a mass of sand for legs raised his hand.

Sand guy: "Who stole em', boss?"

Negative: "That, I am not 100% on. Which is another reason why I called this meeting. Whoever didn't attend would be named the culprit." He looked around the crowd, then chuckled a little. "And it seems Fiona is not here. I suspected as such. No matter, she'll get what's coming to her eventually. Onto the briefing."

This is my chance to find out what the blueprints are about. I pulled my cellphone out of my hoodie pocket and turned the recorder on. Gotta show it to baby cakes when I see him.

Negative: "Now as you all know, we have a growing rivalry with the west side gang run by Tombstone. Well, I have recently been made aware of an opportunity to...reconcile our differences." Everyone looked at each other, confused.

Crocodile guy: "What are you talking about, boss? I thought you wanted to kill Tombstone, not be best buddies." Negative nodded.

Negative: "You'd be correct, Croc. And I believe this is a perfect chance to do just that. You see, Tombstone has called a cross-gang meeting to discuss a truce and possible partnership. I have agreed, but I intend to deal with Tombstone and his gang at that time." A guy with a flaming head spoke up.

Flaming head guy: "So, we're going to slaughter them all at the meeting?' Negative nodded.

Negative: "We do not know how many men they have or how well armed they are. But I do know that Tombstone doesn't have an army of meta-humans at his disposal. Our masses reach hundreds! Tombstone won't know what hit him." His men cheered and Lola sat there, quiet.

Croc: "When is this meeting, Mister Negative?"

Negative: "Tomorrow night. It is the last night of Novas University's school semester so it will be convenient for some of our...younger members." I looked at Lola and so did he. So she is working for Negative. That psycho bitch.

Negative smirked at Lola.

Negative: "Lola, you and Mr. Novak are to report here no later than 7 PM, tomorrow night." Lola looked at him in shock.

Lola: "But, he's clean! I thought you said you'd leave him out of this!" Negative nodded.

Negative: "And, I will. Aside from a few...favors, here and there. This meeting is very important, Lola, I need all of my available resources."

Ellie: "Okay, I think that's enough evidence." I stopped recording and put my phone back in my hoodie pocket, then started crawling toward the door.

Negative: "Speaking of resources, Lola, how about a demonstration of your powers." I stopped and looked back down, seeing Lola looking not too eager. I've got to see this. If she can really cancel other people's powers, she's potentially impervious to any meta attack. Monsters should be safe though.

Lola: "I'd rather not, Mister Negative. They're not as cool as everyone else's and when metas aren't around, it's like I don't even have any powers."

Negative: "Nonsense, your abilities are of the more useful variety. You don't realize how much power you have." He waved her over. "Come on up."

I watched from the ceiling in curiosity as Lola stood up and got in front of everyone.

Negative: "Have you mastered doing it on command?" She nodded.

Lola: "I think so. All I have to do is think of somebody's powers not working and they just shut off. Like, say, everybody in this room." Her eyes flashed pink and suddenly, everybody started to de-power. Flaming head guy's head turned back to normal, Sand Guy's legs turned solid, and Croc shrunk back down into human form. My eyes widened as I watched several hundred meta-humans turn normal.

Lola: "And boom, no more powers." Negative was in awe.

Negative: "Amazing! My dear, you don't know how important you just became." She smiled a little. I rolled my eyes.

Ellie: "I've seen enough. Time to get outta here and go ho-" I stopped talking when I noticed my grip on the ceiling was loosening. "That's never happened before. What the fuck is going on?"

I looked at my hand and noticed my claws shrinking back into my nails. I could also feel my arms getting weaker and weaker.

Ellie: "Shit, Lola's powers are affecting me! But how's that possible?" My vampire strength disappeared completely and I dropped from the ceiling, landing right in front of everybody. "This is bad."

Everybody immediately pulled their weapons out and Negative moved in front of a very shocked looking Lola.

Negative: "What have we here? A little spy trying to find out my secrets?" I snarled at him, baring my fangs. Glad I still have these.

Ellie: "Piss off, ugly. Come near me and I rip your lungs out." Negative didn't flinch. Instead, he looked interested.

Negative: "Ah, a vampire. And a very pretty one, at that. What are you doing here?" One of his goons' eyes got wide.

Goon: "Mister Negative, I've seen her on the news. That's Arsenal's girlfriend!"

Other goon: "Oh yeah! She's getting cozy with the vigilante!" Everybody else grunted in distaste while I glared at Lola. She didn't look back at me.

Negative: "Arsenal's girl, eh? Ah, I remember, you assisted him in neutralizing Charlie's raid on Novak's store." I glared at him.

Ellie: "How did you know that?!" He smirked.

Negative: "I have eyes everywhere, my dear. Now, considering you have not tried to disembowel me yet, I am assuming Lola's powers are affecting you too, correct?" I didn't answer, glaring at Lola again. I can't believe I thought she could be my friend. "I thought so. I cannot have you running back and telling your other half what I am planning, it would add another variable to an already dangerous equation. So you must be terminated. My apologies."

Both his hands glowed black and two energy sabers formed in them. He pointed them at me but I just kept glaring at Lola.

Ellie: "We trusted you." She mouthed 'I'm sorry' and Negative launched the sabers at me. I closed my eyes and right as they touched me, a powerful flash of light blinded everyone. When it cleared, I was gone.

Lola's POV

I buried my face in my hands, trying to hold back the tears. Can't cry in front of everyone and blow my cover.

Negative: "Now that that is taken care of, all of you follow me to the other room to receive your positions. You are all to be in your spot, ready for my signal."

Thug: "Can we get our powers back now, boss?" Negative nodded and looked at me.

Negative: "If you would, my dear." I nodded slowly and concentrated. My eyes glowed pink and all at once, everybody started to power back up.

Lola: "Um, there you go." Negative smiled at me and walked off.

Negative: "Follow me, everyone." He walked out the door and everybody followed. I sighed and looked back at the spot where Ellie used to be.

Lola: "What am I gonna tell ET?"


Trey's POV

The sound of the alarm on my phone woke me up, the next morning. I rubbed my eyes and opened them, noticing I was on the couch. I looked down and saw I was still wearing my costume, minus the mask. I yawned.

Trey: "Must've nodded off last night, waiting for Ellie. I wonder when she got in." I stood up and stretched, then went over to Ellie's room door. To my shock, it was slightly open! "Oh, no."

I turned my hand into a Chromastone one and powered up rainbow-colored energy, then opened the door. Her room was empty. In fact, it looked the same as when I checked in here last night.

Trey: "Bloodsucker hasn't been back here. But she was here when I left, yesterday. Where could she be?" I'm not that worried about her getting hurt, she's a vampire. She went toe to toe with an Evolved Hellspawn and won. I'm more worried about her getting caught by the task force. If she gets captured and they figure out how weak she gets without blood, it could be really fucking bad.

I pulled my phone out and went to her contact. I was about to hit call, when I realized it was day time.

Trey: "With any luck, she'll have found somewhere to take shelter from the sun. I won't know if she's okay until tonight." I groaned and punched the wall in frustration. We haven't been apart for more than nine hours since we started dating and now, it feels like it's been forever.

My phone suddenly rang, snapping me out of my sappy thoughts. I looked down, seeing Kyrie's face.

Trey: "Speak on it."

Kyrie: "Trey? Bro? I need your help, man." He sounded really on edge.

Trey: "Ky, are you okay? Where are you?"

Kyrie: "I'm at NexCorp. They...they won't listen to me, man. Nobody's listening. I need your help." This could be serious. From what Fury told me last night, people born with their powers could go completely nutty when they lose them. I could understand, though. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't be Arsenal anymore.

Trey: "Stay right there, dude. I'm on my way."

Kyrie: "I knew I could count on you, Trey. You're the only one..." I raised an eyebrow as he hung up. My eyes glowed green and my costume dissolved back into my body.

Trey: "As much as I miss my bloodsucker, she can take care of herself. I gotta console my best friend over his loss of superpowers without tipping him off that I know he had superpowers." I chuckled a bit as I walked out of Ellie's room, closing it behind me. "Man, I'd really rather be making out with Ellie right now."

I headed to my bathroom to take a shower.

...

CoCo: "I don't know, Trey, he just seemed weird when I came over yesterday." I was on the phone with her as I flew down at street level in my costume, swerving around cars with my Ironheart repulsor boots.

Trey: "But he's always been weird. I thought you knew that." I landed on top of a truck and flipped off, turning my hand into a Frightmare one in mid-air. I shot out a chain at a light pole to make a quick left turn, then burst forward with my repulsor boots again.

CoCo: "No, T, I mean...really weird. He was really hostile and jumpy. Kept talking about Tombstone and his legacy." My eyes got wide. What the fuck? "OMG, Trey what if he's on drugs?"

I laughed.

Trey: "I don't think he's on drugs, drama queen. He's probably just having a hard time getting re-adjusted. I'm on my way to talk to him now, maybe I can help."

CoCo: "If you say so, hero boy. I just want my old Ky Ky back." I rolled my eyes.

Trey: "Thanks, I totally wanted to throw up everywhere." I got closer to NexCorp and turned into an alleyway. "I'll talk to you later, CC. Wish me luck."

CoCo: "Good luck, T. Hey, maybe try using some of that charm Lola was talking about. I've personally never seen it." I rolled my eyes and hung up, then got my costume off. Today I'm rocking my old green Bellwood High Basketball hoodie, some brown cargos and a matching green bandanna. Green and yellow Nike's were on my feet.

I walked out of the alley and up to the NexCorp building, where Kyrie was waiting for me. He ran up to me when he saw me.

Kyrie: "T, I'm so glad you're here! You're the only person that can help me save NexCorp." I raised an eyebrow at him.

Trey: "Let's slow down here, Ky. What are you talking about?" He groaned.

Kyrie: "Do I have to explain EVERYTHING to you? NexCorp was taken over by Mayor Lincoln." I nodded, giving him a sympathetic look.

Trey: "Yeah dude, I heard about that. I'm sorry. How are you doing?" He laughed dryly.

Kyrie: "I'm so sick of that question. That's not even the worst part, man! Mayor Lincoln is secretly a crime boss that has control of a shit ton of superpowered thugs!" The look of shock on my face wasn't fake. How did he figure that out? I thought he didn't have his powers. Wait, did he say a shit ton of superpowered thugs? I guess that answers my 'how many people did he give powers to?' question.

He gave me a worried look.

Kyrie: "You believe me, don't you? When I told CoCo, she thought I was on something." I nodded, giving him a reassuring smile.

Trey: "I believe you, dude. Don't worry." He smiled back and we did our handshake. "So how am I gonna help you save NexCorp?"

He grinned at me.

Kyrie: "We're gonna get my powers back." I raised my eyebrows at him.

Trey: "What are you talking about?"

Kyrie: "Oh yeah, I forgot you're not involved in any of this stuff. I used to have meta-human intelligence that I was born with. I lost those powers and now we're here to get them back." I was surprised. Not by the fact that he used to be a meta, obviously, but by this plan of his.

Trey: "What are you suggesting?" He groaned, tapping his foot impatiently on the ground.

Kyrie: "Look, you take Law Enforcement class, right?" I nodded.

Trey: "Yeahhh. And?"

Kyrie: "And all NU Law Enforcement students get a Deputized NCPD card, right?" I nodded, slowly.

Trey: "Yeahhh." I suddenly realized what he was saying.

Kyrie: "So here's the plan; we use your card to get past security and while you distract everyone, I go down to the DNA department and find whatever kind of thing I need for my powers to return." I looked at him like he was crazy.

Trey: "Dude, that is a terrible plan. Not only is it, what's the word, fucking illegal, but it's also a complete violation of my class terms. I'm only supposed to use the card for assignments." I also don't want him messing around in the DNA department without his intelligence. If he doesn't know what he's doing, he could kill himself or worse.

Kyrie rolled his eyes.

Kyrie: "T, I could buy that entire Law Enforcement department if I wanted to. Getting that madman out of the NexCorp head chair is way more important and...I need my powers to do it." He looked at the ground. I slowly put a hand on his shoulder.

Trey: "Ky, bro-" He slapped my hand away and looked at me.

Kyrie: "So, are you gonna be my best friend and help me or a no-show like usual?" He looked at me with pleading eyes and I thought about his words. The only reason I'm not around my friends that often is because of my Arsenal duties. It's hard to be a good friend when I'm constantly running off to beat down the latest baddie, I'll admit. I really want to help Ky, who wouldn't want to help their best friend? But I have to be responsible, can't risk him turning himself into something that could threaten the city. I sighed. He's gonna hate me.

Trey: "I'm sorry, Ky...I can't." His eyes widened and he took a step back, hurt evident in his eyes.

Kyrie: "Seriously? You're...not gonna help me?" I shook my head.

Trey: "This is all just...too crazy. I'm just trying to get my LE degree and you want me to risk that for a crazy meta-human scheme?" Gotta lay it on real thick so he doesn't suspect anything. It's scary how good I'm getting at lying to my friends.

Kyrie: "But Trey, you don't understand! If I don't get my powers back, Tombstone will run NexCorp forever! I can't let my family's legacy be used for a crime boss' city takeover." My eyes got wide when he said that. City takeover? That sounds a lot like a declare for war.

Trey: "Ky, what are you talking about?" He hesitated for a second before answering.

Kyrie: "I have...special cameras that I set up in my mom's office before I lost my powers. They stream to a computer in my room. I wanted to make sure she was safe at all times." I nodded quickly, wanting him to keep going. "I watched back some of yesterday's feed and it showed Mayor Lincoln talking about some kind of meeting at Oak Hill Street. He mentioned some guy named Mister Negative and from what it sounded like, he may be planning to use his meta-gang to kill him."

It's just like I thought, Tombstone is using his metas to seize control of Negative's side of the city. I guess he got tired of waiting. I took out my phone and started typing what he said.

Trey: "When will this meeting be? I need a location for the, uh, police."

Kyrie: "If I heard Lincoln correctly, tonight." I nodded. It's looking like tonight's the big night.

Trey: "Did you see anything else?" He raised an eyebrow at me, but nodded.

Kyrie: "Yeah, Lincoln shot somebody. A NexCorp scientist, I think." My eyes got wide. Now he's getting bold enough to murder people in cold blood? It's time I do something about him.

Trey: "Listen dude, this is really important. Send a copy of that footage to my phone, I think I know someone who could use it against Lincoln." He nodded.

Kyrie: "Alright. Have you reconsidered my proposal?" He looked at me, hopefully. I sighed again. I don't have time to babysit Kyrie, I need to find Lola and come up with a plan. This could be my one chance to stop Tombstone and Negative at the same time.

Trey: "I'm sorry, but no. I just don't think it's a good idea."

Kyrie: "But.." I turned to leave.

Trey: "I've really gotta go, man. I've gotta talk to my professor about end of semester stuff." He glared at me, hate building in his eyes.

Kyrie: "You're leaving again? Typical. Fine, I'll get my company back on my own! I don't know why I thought you were my friend, you're just like everybody else." I turned around and looked at him, but he had his back turned to me. I sighed and walked away from him.

Kyrie: "Fine, I'll do it myself." He walked toward NexCorp.

...

Later that night, I hovered above Oak Hill Street as Astrodactyl. Lola has been AWOL the whole day and Ellie never came home. I'm starting to really worry about her.

Astrodactyl: "Ky didn't tell me exactly when this meeting was supposed to be, but hopefully I'm not too late." Right as I said that, two cars pulled up on opposite sides of the street. I raised an eyebrow as Tombstone and Mister Negative stepped out. They walked up to each other, looking right into the other's eyes.

Negative: "Tombstone."

Tombstone: "Mister Negative." I chuckled a bit.

Astrodactyl: "This is dramatic." I landed down on a rooftop and became ChamAlien, then crawled down the side of the building, blending in with my surroundings.

Negative: "I was surprised you called me here, Tombstone. You and I haven't exactly had the best history and our gangs haven't exactly been allies." Tombstone smirked a little bit it quickly faded.

Tombstone: "What happened all those years ago is water under the bridge, Li. I am here to put everything behind us and continue as friends. We do the same business, after all." He held his hand out for a handshake and Negative looked at it, then smirked.

Negative: "A heartwarming offer, Lincoln, but I'm afraid I have a different agenda." Suddenly, Tombstone heard the click of a gun next to him and a guy in white sweats materialized, pointing a gun at him. Tombstone's eyes got wide.

Tombstone: "You have a meta?! But, how?" Negative smirked.

Negative: "I have my ways, Lenard. Ways that will not interest you because you'll be dead in a short minute. I suppose I should thank you, though, I was planning to formulate a plan to get you out of hiding. You brought yourself right to me." He nodded at the meta gunman. He pulled the trigger and Tombstone closed his eyes. Suddenly, everything turned red and slowed down until it was frozen in place. I walked up as Millenia, my Eon form. I basically looked like him with a red color scheme and the symbol on my chest.

Millenia: "Hm, as tempting as letting Negative shoot crater face in the head is, I'd lose my superhero froyo card." I flicked the bullet away and positioned the meta's gun closer to his face. I snickered a little and sat on top of Negative's car, then snapped my fingers.

Everything started moving normally and the gun's recoil sent it smashing into the meta's nose, knocking him to the ground. Negative's eyes widened and Tombstone's opened.

Tombstone: "What? I'm alive? How?"

Negative: "I would like to know, as well. There should be a bullet in your skull, right now!" I smirked.

Millenia: "Ahem." They turned around, seeing me on the car. "Yeah, that'd be my doing. That's two times I've saved your life now, Tomby."

They looked at each other, Negative beyond pissed.

Negative: "You brought the vigilante here?! How low could you be, Lincoln." Tombstone glared at him.

Tombstone: "MY NAME IS TOMBSTONE! And I didn't bring the boy here, he must have caught wind of it from somewhere." While they talked, I scanned the area. I'm not feeling any auras so Tombstone's gang can't be here. Negative seems to be here alone too. Maybe this is a man to man meeting.

Negative looked over at me for a second, then chuckled.

Negative: "No matter. Arsenal's interference simply forces me back into my original plan." I raised an eyebrow, then became XLR8 and zoomed down in front of him.

XLR8: "What are you talking about, ugly? What original plan?" He smirked at Tombstone and I.

Negative: "This is better than I originally planned. Not only is my greatest rival about to realize who's always been superior, but the crime circuit's biggest thorn as well. Lola, if you would."

XLR8: "Lola?" Suddenly, my head started throbbing in pain as I felt hundreds of auras at once. "AHHHHH! What the hell?"

There was a humming noise and at that moment, I felt them. Hundreds of different meta-human auras. I dropped to my knees and reverted to my normal costumed form.

Trey: "Whoa, major sensory overload. What the fuck is going on?!" A portal suddenly opened in the sky and a horde of meta-humans of all shapes in sizes came out. Some were humanoid and some looked so abnormal, I'd swear I could turn into them.

Tombstone and I's eyes got wide as they all piled behind Negative, stretching ALL THE WAY down the street.

Negative: "You should consider yourselves lucky, you will be used as accolades to the Negative Crew's power." Tombstone gritted his teeth and I was still trying to process all of this. I thought Tombstone was the one with the metas. Wait..oh no.

Tombstone: "I wouldn't get too confident yet, Li. Did you really think I would come here, by myself?" He held his hand up and waved. Suddenly, a HUGE guy in a red jumpsuit cams stomping in. He had done kind of container.

Trey: "Okay, how did I miss that?" He's gotta be as big as Way Big. Hey, maybe I'll finally get to use him again.

Huge guy: "I BROUGHT THE WHOLE GANG, BOSS!" He put the container down and hundreds of metas piled out, including Hammerhead, whose head was looking bigger than usual. They piled in behind Tombstone, who smirked.

Tombstone: "Now we can really see who deserves to rule this city." I raised my hand.

Trey: "I vote neither of you." Negative, Tombstone and both of their gangs all glared at me. I gulped. "Was it something I said?"

Negative looked at Tombstone.

Negative: "This ends tonight, Tombstone. Novas City is mine." He looked behind him. "NEGATIVE CREW...DESTROY THEM ALL!"

His gang all prepared to attack and I looked at Tombstone.

Trey: "What do ya say, Mayor Concrete? Truce until we take down Negative?" He looked at me, then looked back at his gang.

Tombstone: "Kill the Negative Crew. And Arsenal." They all cheered and I sighed.

Trey: "Yeah, didn't think so." I stood between the two gangs and released a powerful burst of red light. I emerged in my Doppelganger armor and got in a fighting stance. "Okay, 500 pissed off metas on each side and I'm by myself. Gonna have to hit hard and effectively."

Both sides rushed into battle and I turned my legs into Biohazard Punk Busters and leaped into the air, then turned my hands into OmniFire ones and started letting off star bolts like a machine gun. They nailed a couple guys, but one of them stretched their arms out and grabbed me by the legs, pulling me back down to the ground, where a sand guy proceeded to repeatedly slam my face with sand hammers he turned his hands into. He lifted his hammer up to slam me again, but I quickly turned my hands into Scorch ones and blasted flamethrowers from both my hands. Sand guy turned into glass and I flip kicked upward into his chest, shattering him. Some kind of bird dude flew past me, just managing to miss taking my head off.

Trey: "Hey, this is a no fly zone!" I grew Lightshow tentacles out of my back and launched them out to grab Beaky, pulling myself after him. As we flew, I turned my hands into Hydro Tide ones and blasted Beaky with two water blasts, soaking his wings. We started to fall.

Beaky: "You idiot! You've doomed us both." I chuckled.

Trey: "Wow, you must've just gotten your super-villain papers yesterday unless you'd know I'd never let that happen." As we fell, I turned my hands into Chill Factor ones and created a huge ice slide that safely got us to the ground. Before Beaky could escape, I froze his wings to the side of a building. "Told ya."

I shot him the finger guns and turned my hand into a Parasyte one, then launched out a tendril to wrap around a speedster's leg. I used it to swing him around and slam him into another speedster. I was suddenly hit by multiple electricity blasts and managed to look up, seeing multiple guys with electricity sparking from their hands. I smirked.

Trey: "It's really surprising you guys gave me such a jolt of energy." I turned my hands into Boltneck ones and charged at them. One tried to blast me, but I slid under it and nailed him with an electrified right hook to the jaw, sending him flying. I grew AmpFibian tentacles out of my back and used them to slam another electric guy into a light pole, where he short circuited and fell to the ground. After that, I turned my hands into Blackout ones and held them up, causing a mild electric storm to reign down on the third electric guy. He short circuited too and fell to the ground. "I mean seriously, guys, I'm shocked."

I felt two more auras getting closer to me and turned around, only to be punted like a football by this huge purple dude. I flew through the air, only to be caught by another huge, blue dude.

Blue dude: "You've been running shit for too long, hero! I hope you're ready for your head to be squished like a grape." The purple dude laughed. I looked up at him.

Trey: "Wait! Wait!" He paused.

Blue dude: "What?" I smirked under my mask.

Trey: "I said..." I turned my hand into a Freakazoid one a pulled out a five ton dumbbell, "Weight!"

I slammed it over his head, sending him crashing to the ground and making him drop me. As soon as I landed, I turned my arm into an Elaskimo one and used it to grab the dumbbell and slam it into the purple dude's face. He went flying and I chuckled.

Trey: "That's why we always have a spotting partner. Never know how heavy these things are." I dropped the dumbbell and grew an Astrodactyl jet pack, taking off into the air to find either Tombstone or Negative, who had both disappeared into the battle.

Trey: "They couldn't have gotten far, there are metas for at least the next few blocks." I looked down, seeing all the metas fighting each other. "At least they're not all focused on me. That gives me time to think of a pla-"

I was cut off by some kind of bright yellow beam nailing me and knocking me out of the sky. I spiraled to the ground and landed head-first on top of a car. Before I could even attempt to recover, some kind of grenades dropped out of the sky, coming straight for me. I quickly made the mouth part of my mask go away and launched three Upchuck tongues out of my mouth, grabbing the grenades and swallowing them. They exploded in my stomach, launching me off the car and onto the street.

Trey: "Whoa, that's a spicy meatball." I made my full mask come back on and stood up. "As much fun as this is, I can't keep this up forever. Who knows how many innocents are getting hurt while I'm fighting these guys?"

A shadow suddenly appeared above me and I looked up to see Giant Man (just named him) about to step on me. My eyes got wide and I glowed red, catching his foot as..

Way Big: "DUDE, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I'VE MISSED THIS FORM! IT'S ONE OF MY COOLEST ONES!" Giant Man charged at me and swung his fist but I weaved around it, making him stumble by me due to not being fully used to his size. I punched him in the back of the head and he crashed into a building, completely obliterating it. He recovered and picked up a building, using it like a baseball bat and swinging it at me. I caught it and used it to flip him over onto his back, where I launched a huge Way Beam at him, knocking him out cold. I sighed and became Godspeed.

Godspeed: "It's a good thing these guys suck at being bad guys, I'd really be in trouble if they knew what they were doing." Not that I'm not already in trouble because I'm totally up shit's creek, right now. I haven't even made a dent in the battle as a whole and I can't use my Ditto power to split up without it draining my energy.

A shit ton of Negative and Tombstone's metas glared at me and I sighed, motioning them to bring it on.

Godspeed: "There's seriously nothing I wouldn't give to be making out with Ellie, right now." I became Firecracker and was about to charge, when...

Ellie's voice: "Hey, baby cakes! Need some help?" My eyes got wide as I turned around, seeing a pink portal open up. All the metas and I watched in shock as out of the portal came Ellie!

Firecracker: "Bloodsucker!" She smiled at me broadly and zoomed over to me at vampire speed, hugging me. "I'm so fucking glad to see you, love, I thought something happened to you."

We kissed immediately and when we pulled away, she smirked.

Ellie: "I'm fine, honey, don't worry. And, I brought us some back up." I raised an eyebrow until I felt a few more auras. They were powerful but...familiar.

Suddenly, the portal got bigger and what came out had to be the awesomest thing ever. There, stood Logan, his eyes glowing blue and electricity, Ben with his Ultimatrix glowing with green energy, and Charity in full demon mode. I smiled at them.

Firecracker: "Guys!" Ben smirked.

Ben: "Couldn't even go a few days without us, huh, Arsey?" I smirked back at him and reverted to my normal costumed form.

Trey: "I totally had it handled."

Logan: "Yeah, sure. That's why your girlfriend came all the way to Earth to get us"

Ellie: "To be fair, I don't know how I got to Earth. One second I'm about to be killed by Negative and the next, I'm in front of Omni-Tower." I looked at her.

Trey: "About to be killed by Negative?! That's it, we have to put an end to him and Tombstone." I turned to the others. "I'm glad you guys are here, there are way more metas than I can deal with myself." They looked around, seeing both gangs had continued fighting each other.

Charity: "Hey, this reminds me of the Skrull War." Ben nodded while Logan chuckled dryly.

Logan: "Let's not make the same mistake twice, huh?" He turned back toward the portal and did a super sonic whistle. Out of the portal came...everyone! Marian (to my complete surprise), Aubrie and Skurd, Gwen (who was wearing a weird cape that looked alive), Matt, Kyle, Kosta, Tracy (who looked about 17 now), Terra, Essence and...April? At least, I think it's her. She had this glowing rainbow aura and a badass rainbow jumpsuit. My jaw almost dropped.

Trey: "Guys...what are you doing here?!" Kyle walked up to me.

Kyle: "Logan told us you might need some help. It was a no-brainer, considering all the times you've helped us." Everybody nodded in agreement.

Matt: "We'll talk about you being alive after we kick ass." I smiled at him, happy he decided to help.

Trey: "Thanks, you guys. Seriously." I nodded at Marian. "I'm assuming you forgive me."

Marian: "Let's just say my hubby promised me a proper...comeuppance after this is all sorted out." I glared at Logan, who chuckled nervously.

Just then, I felt hundreds of auras getting stronger as the gangs started to focus their attention on us. I nodded at everybody and we got into fighting stances.

Ben: "You wanna call it, Unc?" He smirked at me and I nodded, smirking back.

Trey: "Alright, Champions...let's rock and roll." My eyes glowed red.

To Be Continued


Fuck, it's finally done. And only...about a week and some change later than I said it'd be. I'm sorry for being a flake, but I wanted to make sure this episode had as many exposition scenes as possible since Part 2 will be straight up action. You have no idea how many scenes I've deleted and replaced. Hopefully you guys enjoyed and are hype for Part 2, which will feature an ensemble cast for the conclusion of the gang war arc. It's going to be a lot of work trying to fit everybody in and giving them all decent screen time but I'm excited for it and even more excited for the finale.

Special thanks to DriveMaxUltraDynamoZord and Xflasher for letting me use their characters (although I'm not sure if Flasher claims Kosta anymore or not) and I hope I do them justice in this next part. Fun fact, Stan Hopkins was supposed to also appear but due to me not wanting to interfere with LSK's story timeline, he didn't. Expect a team-up with them in the near future though. That's it guys, production on Part 2 will begin soon and as always, see ya next time!

This episode's question: Favorite new addition to the story? My personal favorite is Ellie.