Chapter Thirty Two: Back In The Pack
Sanctuary Suburbs
Blue and red flashing lights blindingly shine over the houses, the lights in the neighbor shine with onlookers peeking out from their homes. On the street, a pudgy brown haired dog faunus sits on the curb. Female with dark bags and strung out skin. Her clothes were were baggy as she fidgets with her arm. "I'm telling you, it's sugar for my damn coffee!"
Standing, looming over her, stands Carter. The cop paces in front of her tense before recoiling at the explanation. He holds up a clear small pouch containing a white substance. "Since when do sugar packets come clear? How stupid do you think I am, Ma'am?"
Behind the scene, standing at attention by the bright police cruiser is Officer Dana. She scrutinizes the scene before her and looks over in annoyance. Her annoyance turns to confusion when the lights of a house suddenly cut out.
Carter takes a step further on the strung out woman. "Come on be honest. I know you know. How does this smell? Sniff sniff sniff? That's what it's for, right?!" He raises his voice.
"Carter." Dana calls from the car.
He holds a hand up backwards, one finger up. "One minute, I'm on a roll. How much more of this stuff you got, huh?" He gives a snide grin. "One more for the road? Or a whole stash?"
"Carter." The female officer calls again.
Again, he waves her off. "Just hold up!" He looks at the... presumed drug addict who likewise begins to look around her confused. Carter snaps his fingers. "Hey, HEY! I asked a question! It's only polite to answer. Got a preference of rock or powder?"
"Carter!"
"What? Damn!" Carter whips around, suddenly looking confused... the entire neighborhood was black. All the lights were out. The only source for sight came from the blinding flashes atop the police cruiser. "... What the hell?"
Dana pulls out her radio. "32 to Dispatch, we got a mass power outage in the glades-"
She's cut off as the radio blares out. "22 to Dispatch. Powers out in the factory district-" "43 to Dispatch. Docks are black. Even the light house" Traffic after traffic begin to sound as Carter and Dana share a glance. They look out to the central part of down. All black in the distance... All the tall buildings invisible in the darkness.
"The whole damn city..." Carter's furrow brow remains as he pulls his own radio up. "Dispatch, send someone to the damn power plant. It's blacker than the depths of hell out here." A quick "Copy. 14 en route." sounds out as he turns.
The drug girl isn't on the curb anymore... now climbing over one of the house fences.
"Oh, I KNOW you're not tryna get away! We just started talking!" Carter shouts as he rushes after the fleeing addict.
. . .
The lobby of the west wing sounds in gun shots. Two AZRL soldiers turn and raise their rifles as Carmine speeds around the corner. The boy raises his armored arm, hunkering behind it as the first guard fires. The shots deflect off as he shoulder tackles the forward man. Pushing to the second man, the huntsman in training running punches the other man off his feet.
Turning around, Carmine starts upon seeing the Captain power slide around around the corner. He charges the boy, his baton sparking. "Jager! He leaps over the charging swipe, armor flashing to hos legs as he propels himself up with the boost. Carmine flips in the rise, planting his feet on the ceiling.
He kicks off as the Captain throws the arcing baton up. It strikes the ceiling in a burst of lightning, scorching the ceiling and blowing Carmine further out. He flips and lands on his feet, looking up to see a boot closing in to his face.
He ducks back before recalling. He flickers away, body rewinding to appear behind the Captain. "Schneider!" The armor and blades form as he swipes at the AZRL commander from behind. The Captain catches his falling baton and whips around, blocking the first slash.
He shoves Carmine off. The boy follows the momentum in a spin, slashing from the other side into a flurry. The speedy flurry of slashes are defected as the man twirls the baton deflecting them. Arcs of electricity burst out at each impact.
Carmine's next right upswing knocks the baton up as he jabs with the left arm to stab. The Captain ducks sideways, the blade biting into the armor material on his chest! So close! The man snatches the armored arm, wrenching Carmine up, over, and throwing him through the half shattered lobby window!
Carmine crashes through the remaining glass, hitting and rolling out into the darkness. He rolls to his feet and dashes right into the pitch black. Disappearing into the black, he growls out. "Jager!"
The Captain marches into the darkness, looking about. The dull red from the lobby lightly reflects off his tinted visor. BOOM! Carmine's double shot blasts from the side. The man's arms raise, body gaining a gray sheen of his lock semblance. The double shot hits before he's properly braced, knocking him sliding back.
Stopping himself, another shot sounds. He shuts off the semblance and ducks. The shot zips over his head, cracking off the hospital wall. "Hmm." The low gruff voice huff. His baton sparks bright, lighting the entire area in a blinding flash.
Carmine shields his eyes. In a blink, the flash is gone, replaced by darkness. Crouched behind a car, the boy hides and struggles to see in the dark... The Captain was gone. Carmine snaps Heulin Noon up, aiming through the hazy darkness. Unable to locate the man, he suppresses the urge to groan.
Lightning sparks behind him, lighting the area as he freezes...
The Captain stands behind him, baton crackling. "You're pretty good." Carmine snaps around as the man swings down. A strike impact like a thunder clap hits and ignites the car in an explosion, lighting the area in a fire.
From the smoke of the explosion, Carmine skids out, breathing heavily. The Captain walks around the now flaming vehicle, head cocking.
Need another area. Darkness isn't good enough. He needs hiding spots. He needs... He looks down the road... one of the parking garages. Smirking, he breaks into a sprint towards the parking garage. Behind him, the man charges after. "And you're stubborn."
Carmine gulps. "Hope Roman is having an easier time." He mutters.
. . .
The chain whip scorches a line across the ICU as Roman leaps over the counter to dodge. Landing in cover, he transforms Velvet into its gun mode. A scorching slice rips into the counter just over his head! He rolls further down the line before rising and opening spread fire. Mary Anne rushes for cover herself, whirling the whip in a circular motion. As she runs, the whip deflects three wild shots, though they blow her defense wide.
She barely makes it behind a support pillar before she can be shot. Breathing lightly, she reaches into a pack in the small of her back. Roman eases his way out from behind his cover. "You know? Here I thought AZRL was all about operating in the dark in a metaphorical sense. When did overt terrorism become the default?"
Mary cracks a grin as she interacts with the mount on her held weapon. A click sounds as her left hand retracts the whip and removes it. Quickly, she locks the coiled whip onto the side of the bulky handle before locking in a cannon barrel with lightning dust. "You've got a point! There's some contention over methods, but when one gets too big to hide..."
She jerks the arm around the corner, firing a lightning shot from the newly mounted cannon. Roman ducks to the side and ends up on the direct other side of the support pillar from the woman. Hearing his breathing on the other side she smirks, quickly disconnecting the cannon and locking the whip back in.
"It becomes more prudent to show just what you're capable of." She lashes the whip fully around the pillar. The wide arc circles around Roman. Eyes wide, he drops down as the whip coils tight around the pillar over his head. The fire dust infused weapon sears into the pillar, burning through.
Mary jerks back, ripping the whip through the pillar entirely as the roof above Roman starts to whine under stress. He rolls away for safety, only for Mary to lash her whip at him in the open. He deflects with Velvet, only for the whip to coil tightly around the cane!
His turn to smirk. He ejects the magazine, the gun grip attempting to fold back into the shaft, only to lock tightly around the whip. Her weapon locked with his as well. Her smile wipes away in shock as Roman wrenches her in, pulling her off her feet towards him.
Roman throws a punch, but Mary releases her weapon and catches the fist. Moving with the momentum, she twists around him and kicks his leg to a kneel. Wrenching the arm up, she enters an arm lock.
Grunting, he kicks his kneeling leg back, knocking her footing out and loosening her grip. His locked arm frees and he elbows her gut. As she doubles over, he whips around and strikes her with his other fist. The woman is knocked into the counter, steadying herself.
Roman smirks. "Sounds like a cop out excuse. Like a cornered animal. Is the fat man really running out of excuses to keep himself hidden from the world?" He brandishes Velvet, still with the burning whip and his opponent's weapon hooked on. "Abandoning Mistral all the sudden, not giving a damn about Vacuo... You can't hide under Atlas forever, and now you've basically outright challenged Vale with this stunt."
Mary chuckles, wiping a small speck of blood from her mouth as she grins. In the shadow of the counter, she reaches into her pack. "Trust me. AZRL's reach and power has grown significantly since you escaped. Losing worthless territory to some bandit clans in Mistral isn't nearly as impressive as you think."
Her hand removes a small grip from the pack. She hits a switch and throws the device, locking into place on the far wall. It lights up with lightning and earth dust... Roman feels a sudden tug on his weapon.
Dust powered electric-magnet?
All the metals in the room jerk violently towards the wall, towards the device as Roman is forced to release his and Mary's weapons. She hits a flying knee before he steadies himself, knocked back off balance as she engages hand to hand.
He frantically parries off a number of jabs before she switches rhythm into a back kick. Ha! Easy. He gets his footing back and easily gains the upper hand. Between each punch, he counters a jab to her side. He takes control from her entirely striking her gut hard enough to feel a rib crack. As he does so, he feels her aura pulse... strange.
She chokes out a cough before he lands a strong kick to her jaw. The woman is knocked back, hitting the counter once more. Roman stands tall, smirking. "I see hand to hand isn't your forte. Without a weapon, why don't you piss off and let me do my thing?"
A wheezing chuckle escapes her as she looks up with a grin. Her aura, a golden brown flash, engulfs Roman too. "Close Combat has its uses." The aura flashes again... her semblance?! Roman realizes too late as he chokes out in pain. His jaw numb, he clutches for the greater pain at his chest! His ribs wail in pain... definitely broken...
Mary stands up, easily. Though, she breathes heavily, sweating profusely. Roman, locked in pain, doesn't react as she hits him square in the jaw with a roundhouse kick. He's sent back into the cut pillar, the thud urging another whine from the held up ceiling.
Mary sighs tiredly. "Admittedly, stamina isn't my strong suit, but I get the job done. You get it, now?"
Roman glare up, hat lost along the ground. His rib is broken... the same spot he'd hit her. His aura healing will take a bit to recover even slightly. Her semblance... it's like Blair's. Except she's transferred her physical wounds to himself!
Not without significant stamina loss... He sees that as Mary breathes heavily. A gamble of a tactic. The thought brings a smirk. He's a gambling man. His eye catches all the debris of metal materials hunkering at the end of the large open area... Velvet's magazine there.
Roman smirks up at the woman. "You really want to gamble like that?" He raises his hand, middle finger and thumbs pressed against one another to snap. "I'll see your bet." His Match semblance ignites friction by the magazine... the fire dust filled magazine.
Mary Anne follows the look to the debris... and her eyes widen.
. . .
Atop the North wing, the small generator runs in the darkness. A single red light is on by the door to the roof. In the darkness, standing by the larger backup generator, stands the white scrubbed raven haired nurse. She listens to the sounds of muffled fighting throughout the area, screams in the distance. And all she can do is sigh-
BOOM!
The ground across the way from the generators explodes upward, prompting a scream from the unprepared nurse as she's thrown from her feet. The bright flash lights the city for just a second before settling to just one or two light flames barely visible in the dark.
On the floor below, Mary Anne dangles from the blown out wall. Gritting her teeth painfully, she reaches into her pack, drawing another of the magnetic devices. Pulling up, she sees Roman at the other end of the room, flipping his hat back on.
He stands tall, wincing painfully and clutching his side. He smirks through the pain and stalks over to find Velvet Valentine on the ground, separated from Mary's weapon in the blast. The conman kicks the cane up and snatches it with his good side.
For once, Roman uses the cane as an actual cane, supporting himself over to the edge of the floor by Mary. He looks down on her, smirking. "A fun gamble, but I think I win today." Roman raises the cane over her hand. "Til next time." He presses the cane down on her hand.
Mary glares up at him through the pain, activating the magnet device in her hand. The destroyed debris pulls through the room as Roman falls to the side clutching Velvet to the ground. The debris flows out of the edge as Mary lets herself drop.
Her weapon falls over the edge after her as well, whip and all. She deactivates the magnet, reaching for the whip as she falls in the darkness. GOT IT! She lashes the whip, catching it on an overhang on the third floor. It stops her fall as the rest of the debris rains onto the ground below. The woman pulls from from the overhang, landing neatly on the ground, a smoldering glare looking up the tall building.
Then her glare slowly shifts to a soft smirk and almost... love sick look. She shakes it off immediately, huffing back into a glare. "Knew he would be difficult." He draws out a small radio and earpiece, immediately stumbling and catching herself as she tries to walk. "Yes... It's Mary Anne. 1075 has taken the North Wing floor. He's injured but dangerous. Only allow 1372 to engage."
She pauses as the response comes back through the earpiece. "Dealing with the boy in the East wing? Headed to the Northern parking garage?" Her silence is only for a second. "The two must be steering us clear of the other two. I want all units from the East wing to follow 1372 for support, but I want the spare North Wing squad to go to the West. It's the only one that hasn't been a problem yet."
. . .
Atop the North wing, the blown open roof smolders lightly. Velvet Valentine whips up, using its hook side to catch on the roof. One handed, Roman hangs from Velvet, one hand still draped over his ribs. Grunting in pain, he roughly pulls up before shifting his grip up the cane haft.
Jerking up, he releases the cane and catches the edge of the hole. The weapon hangs on the edge as he struggles to pill himself up. Up and over! He rolls up onto the edge before sprawling on his back atop the building.
He gasps in pain as he reaches and grasps the handle of the cane, pulling it up to him. "Damn it! I'll... have to get make Silver Streak pay up for this." Wincing, he rolls to his front, slowly shifting himself to his feet being under him so he can stand.
Using Velvet to stand, he eyes the generators. Thankfully, his off the cuff explosion wasn't remotely close to the fenced in generators. Good news!
He then notices the heavy industrial cabling hacked through at the center... "That's a setback..." He makes his way over, kneeling down with a wince to inspect the damage... Copper wiring, a three inch thick cable full of individual thin wires expertly woven into a tight, compact cord. That leaves only reattaching the wires... by coiling them to their counterparts one by one...
Behind him, the nurse emerges... ax in hand. She's alert, looking about... He arrived, not Mary... Nodding to herself, she raises the ax, ready to swing.
"I always keep one chambered." Roman says out loud. The woman stops. What?
With the flick of a hand, Roman flips Velvet up, popping its gun grip out, grabbing it, and aiming the gun barrel back. Roman glances over his shoulder. "Fool." He fires a single fire dust shot from the weapon, lacking its magazine! The single shot strikes the white scrubbed nurse dead in the chest in a wet burst, sending her back into the hole to fall to the next floor down.
Roman winces as he clutches his ribs. "Right... This will take a while..."
. . .
The communication goes out as the remaining AZRL soldiers in the East wing go on the move. Well over two dozen men abandon the act of clearing the building, all converging towards the linking sky bridges to the Northeastern parking garage. The stomping boots through the quiet hallways. The masking men outside the hospital begin moving as well.
Including the men on standby.
Lieutenant Bangle's grip tightens on the steering wheel. Head slightly turned down, he notices a few of the shadows move in the darkness around his shut off cruiser. Glancing out of his window, he listens as a nearby soldier's radio sounds off. Mary's voice chimes through. "-ealing with the boy in the East wing?"
"Ma'am. His position is moving to the parking garage." The soldier states. His helmet lights with night vision display.
"Headed to the Northern parking garage?.. The two must be steering us clear of the other two. I want all units from the East wing to follow 1372 for support, but I want the spare North Wing squad to go to the West. It's the only one that hasn't been a problem yet."
"Ma'am!" The man responds before signaling to the others around. "Wide movement. Surround the Northeast parking garage. Wait for the area to be locked in and close the distance. The brat won't escape this time!"
A chorus of 'Roger!'s sounds out.
Bangle looks out, catching the attention of one of the shadows. "Which ones are where?"
The shadow moves, as if looking between him and following the orders. "The former black has fought off Mary Anne at the North wing. We're going to assist the Captain in dealing with the boy at the parking garage. We'll double back to the North wing to finish the renegade after."
Bangle frowns at that... recalling the short girl with the parasol. "No girl? She had black hair and a school outfit. Blue eyes and short."
The shadow shakes his head. "The girl can make illusions and is also a former black. But, no. We haven't seen her or the woman either." For a moment, Bangle and the man watch the other shadows file off into the darkness headed North. "You should head out to a rendezvous point. We have plant incidents all over the city to buy time before authorities pick wind of this. Get your alibi."
Bangle's mouth parts, but nothing comes out. Closing it, he gives a curt nod. His hand moves to the gear shift, ready to take out of park... but doesn't. He pauses with his grip tight on the stick. "Are... we taking them alive? Or no?"
The shadow cocks its head. "You crazy? Of course, they're dead. After all they've done. Now, move on. We know what happens when the higher ups get angry." With that, the man leaves with the rest of the black clad men in the darkness, leaving Bangle all alone.
He sits there... not a single movement save for the light shaking of his hand. His grip only tightens...
. . .
Years Ago
"Eh? What the does the guy have for ya? 'A grand favor to your liking' isn't exactly descriptive." Bangle grumbles, significantly skinnier and less muscle. He drives the police cruiser through the broad daylight of Sanctuary.
The man in the passenger seat chuckles. "Ozpin's an odd one. That's for sure." The man sits clad in dark red leather pants, dark red leather short cut jacket with white fur, and a dark green shirt underneath. At his right thigh sits a double revolver holstered. The man's sharp hazel eyes twinkle mischievously. "In fact, his oddities make it all the funnier to watch kids mess with him."
Bangle laughs, turning. He looks at his compatriot... Jared Uhlric. "Well, I hope he isn't offering you a job to go gallivanting up to Vale City. Gerald isn't nearly as good a darts player partner as you."
Jared snickers. "Oh? Worried Lee and Carter will start to take home the gold? I'm touched." The two enjoy the drive before Jared starts again. "Thanks again for driving me to the railway. Sen couldn't call off with her surgeries."
Pulling off the road to the side, Bangle parks the car directly in front of the stair well leading up to the elevated train station. The Rate Railway sign shows. Bangle huffs. "No issues. Just don't waste too much time up there. You take longer than a week, I'm taking your paycheck myself."
Grinning at the thought of the threat, Jared leans in. "Oh~?" He reaches over and roughly grabs officer Bangle into a headlock in the car, yelping. "You can have my paycheck when you don't crap yourself seeing a boarbatusk. Got it?"
Bangle struggles at the lock, slapping at Jared before finally getting him off. "Hey! Hey hey! Fine, I get it!" Pushing him back, he growls in a fake huff. "Just go enjoy your Beacon holiday! Jeez!"
Jared merely flashes a toothy grin and salutes before exiting the vehicle.
. . .
A week later...
"There he is! Hey, Jared. How was Vale?" Bangle shouts out on the department floor. Uncharacteristically, Jared flinches up from his seat at the call out. He looks over and smirks.
"Well, look at what the cat dragged in. Lemme guess. Already got shot down by Alana?" Jared redirects, not answering the question.
Bangle scoffs, moving to the man. "Alana is old news. Now, I'm after a gal named Mel now." The chief inspector lights up at this. "No, I didn't say it." Bangle cuts in.
Jared's bright look fades to a groan. "Oh, come on! The girls love brains as much as brawn! Wordplay is brawn!"
The blonde officer flushes. "Opening a conversation with 'Wanna Bangle' is not brains! It won't work!"
"It would if you're a winner, but if you wanna be content as a dumbo loser, well..." Jared mockingly drawls sarcastically.
"Piss off. How was Vale?" Bangle asks, taking a sip of his coffee. He sees a strange apprehension in Jared, earning a raised brow. "Days when you hesitate scare me. Don't tell me it's that bad."
Jared perks, immediately shaking his head. "Ha! No... No, it wasn't bad at all. It's just..." He stares off for a moment, hand fiddling with his pocket. "I'll just show ya." He suddenly states quickly, a giddy smile coming over him. He pulls out his scroll. "Check it out..." He says, directing the scroll screen at the officer.
Bangle blinks and takes the scroll into his hand. A photo of a... newborn infant? The child was pale, with red hair. Was that silver in the hair?Bangle double takes between Jared and the photo. "No way... Is that?"
Jared brightly smiles, nearly splitting his face. "That's my son!"
. . .
Months later...
"Read em' and weep. John, Qesha, and Keyton." Carter slaps three cards onto the table, showcasing cartoon Grimm versions of a Jack, Queen, and King. He's dressed down in a white button up, top buttons undone. Rounding the table are Jared, gracefully scratching a scruff, Bangle in a red t shirt, Dana looking annoyed with her cards down wearing a black tank top, Lee in a pink neat button up, and Jared's wife Senaya.
The dog faunus' eye twitches, her blonde furred ear flicking as she evaluates her own three cards. Her well off green blouse was ruffled and stresses, matching her tense posture. Poker chips sat in stacks in front of each player. They were playing three card poker, Carter wearing an insufferable grin.
Bangle folds out his hand. Only a high card of 7... "I'm out." He looks to Dana, who had already folded. "Already tired of his gloating and he hasn't started."
"I'm out." Lee sighs.
Carter grins wide at the doctor across from him. "Well, Sennie? Come on. Show your fight!" Senaya slowly hunches over, turning her cards over... Ace and King of the same suit... and a two differing. Ouch. "At some point, you should probably stop losing money to us. You never win."
"Aw, but that's why I play!" Jared speaks up. "When she's the sucker, I step in." Flashing his teeth, he reveals his hand... three 8's. Three of a Kind beats Carter's Straight. The fellow cop freezes with wide eyes as Jared bellows a laugh. He sweeps the chips from across the table. "And the wealth stays in the family! Good job honey-"
He stops upon seeing his wife's stormy gaze locked on his hand, a growl emanating from her. "I'll win the next one, damn it."
Bangle hums a laugh. Statistically, maybe, but years playing and she never once took a win on a game night. Carter slumps back in a huff. "Damn, man! Lee, buy in for me. I'll pay you back!"
"What? No!"
"Come on! I'll hook you up with the flower shop cashier. With the cute bangs? Help a friend out."
"I'm not paying for your gambling-"
Both Carter and Lee are jerked by the ear by Senaya, who sets a stern glare on both. "Be. Quiet!" She whisper yells... but it's too late.
A baby's crying is heard in the next room. Annoyed, Senaya jerks both men down in their chairs. Dana groans. "Now, you boys did it."
"Blame Carter-" "It was all Lee!" The men shift blame at once.
Senaya is instantly moving from the table to the next room, tending to a baby Carmine. As she shushes and coos the child, Bangle chuckles, sending a look to Jared. The former Huntsman has his eyes locked on the door leading to the boy. Like a papa hawk. "Still blows me away that you adopted a kid."
Jared doesn't remove his eyes from the door, but smiles. "Yeah, it's quite an adjustment. Little guy has a strange look about him. Like he's already picking up on things and forming opinions. Crazy."
Senaya exits the room, holding the infant in hand and lightly caressing the boy's back. "He dislikes the car now after his shots with Knox. I knew the bastard would be too rough with him." Jared gruffly states.
"Yasdurd." The small child tiredly mews out, prompting shocked looks and a harsh glare from the wife.
"You're not allowed to speak around him anymore!" Senaya nearly explodes at the man. Her anger sets the boy back awake. "Crap... Hush, baby, Mommy's here..."
Jared gets up moving to the stressed looking wife. "Hey, you play the next round. I got him." Despite the playful glare from the wife, she eases the baby into the his arms. "Hey, big guy! Whatcha doing, keeping Mom busy?" He playfully talks as he takes the baby into the room.
The entire time, the other cops eyed their chief melting with the child... They didn't actually play another game after that. Senaya joined Jared in the room, leaving the officers in the family's living room watching a live event in Vale, content.
Annoyed jabs aside, they were nothing but happy and eager.
. . .
Bangle's hand continues to shake, clenched tightly on the gear. He gaze locked on the sun barrier above him. His engine runs as he simply sits in place. Unable to move.
. . .
Carmine sprints in the dark, rounding the bend of the hospital structure. Gotta find cover. He rounds around getting closer to the four story high parking garage. He nearly trips over cracked concrete, having difficulty in the dark. Freaking- ugh!
The area lights like a strobe light, lightning dust crackling as the Captain catches up on him. Using Jager, Carmine boosts to the side, dodging. In a blur of movement, Carmine dodges and boosts with Jager to avoid chasing strike after strike from the man! Each strike bursts electricity along the ground, cracking the concrete easily!
Dashing to the side, Carmine twists and aims at the crackling outline and fires. The Captain dodges the shot, but the dodge halts his movement long enough for the boy to gain distance. Carmine takes the chance to look for an escape. The first floor entrance of the parking garage is around the next corner, so he rushes for it.
The Captain huffs frustrated. He ramps up the lightning dust, throwing the super charged baton! Carmine barely catches sight of the coming object. He jumps back as the charged weapon hits in front of him. A bright flash blinds him as the Captain closes the distance on him!
Carmine barely makes out the man in front of him throwing a roundhouse kick! "Ze-" He throws his left arm down in a chop. "-ro!" The armor flashes to his arm just as he strikes the kick away. He follows up with a jab, the metal punch knocking the Captain back just slightly.
Not enough. The man brushes the hit off and advances, throwing quick jabs Carmine can barely defend. Using the armored arm to block, Carmine hunkers down for defense. Getting knocked back, he takes a risk, pushing back and swinging his leg hook wide...
The Captain ducks the swipe and reaches through, grabbing Carmine by the neck before slamming the boy into the ground. The Captain doubles his grip on the boy's neck, squeezing the air from him. Carmine chokes out, eyes wide in fright before he pulls his legs up. Unable to speak, his mind frantically focuses.
Jager! The armor flashes to his calves and feet against the man's gut. The armor fires its boost, propelling the man away, grip released. Both Carmine and the man roll to their feet, the boy soothing his throat and glaring ahead.
Alright. Can't outrun or outfight. Option 3: outwit.
Readying Heulin Noon, he charges the man head on! The Captain puts up a guard, ready for whatever the boy had planned for attack-
Carmine snaps his gun up, firing at the Captain's feet. He recoils his foot back as the dust double shot blows concrete debris up. He shields his face, missing Carmine leap into the air! The Jager boost lifts his jump higher! The boy reaches the third floor of the parking garage, flipping in through the open half wall. Landing, he breathes for just a second before breaking into a sprint.
Back outside, the Captain looks to find the boy gone... His gaze moves upward, a low growl coming out. He kicks the baton up and catches it, rushing for the first floor entrance to follow the boy.
. . .
The sounds of sliding tools, rustling fabric, and soft breaths sound impossibly loud on the mute room. The white shine from the sword overhead assists the three scrubbed operators. Kris and JD stand on one side of the gurney supporting the tricolor girl. Her now unconscious form sits perfectly still with only the soft rising and lowering of her chest.
Kris's gloved hand pulls away from the girl's open mouth and places a scalpel in JD's hand... Her tongue clamped to the side, JD uses a suction tool, clearing the throat of the blood coming from the wound. His off hand takes the tool from Kris.
"Okay... Wipes." JD takes a cloth wrap, moving smoothly over Kris's brow. "Alright. Need to work around the tongue. "JD, I'll need you to use the tongue clamp and alternate the sides as I need." He holds his hand out before JD moves. "Sutures. Degradable line."
JD looks around for a second before moving for the tool and material. He looks at Blair across from them. The blonde's brow was furrowed, breathing lightly. Her hands sit firmly locked around Neo's arm on her side. Every few seconds, a brief violet aura emanates from her hand, washing into the girl. "We can have this done in about twenty minutes. Just hold up a little longer."
The blonde's amber eyes open and glare. "Just do it. Don't waste time chatting me up, you fool." The light strain in her voice clears the message.
He flinches back before setting her with a collected look. "Missed you too, by the way." He walks around the gurney back to Kris. "Alright, let's start putting her back together. You got this, Kris!"
Kris, eyes on Neo's inner throat, gives a curt nod, quirk of the head. "I know I got this because I. Am. The best. You ready?"
JD grips the clamp on the teen's tongue. "I'm ready!"
"Got the clamp?"
"I got the clamp!" The white man shouts, pumped.
"Got the booty?" Kris takes his eyes from Neo, looking hyped. In unison, both men look over their shoulders to look at their own back sides. In unison, they both say, "Check!" They forward, finding a completely mortified look from the blonde across from them.
The three stand paused for a moment before JD awkwardly interjects weakly. "You do too, if you're feeling left out."
"Helping or hurting, JD..." Kris winces out.
"I will count down from ten and murder both of you if you don't get on with the surgery." Blair grinds out, left eye twitching. "10... 9... 1-" Both men flinch and get back to work at the skipped number.
Unbeknownst to the group, floors below, a squad of four armored men begin working their way up... Checking corners and sending silent signals. Nearly silent.
. . .
The armored man scours the second level of the parking structure. The parking garage is even less lit than the inner hospital... only a select few spots bathed in red before darkening out. The corners and obscured shadow turn pitch black under the cover of the vehicles parked about. A level above, on the third level, Carmine hunkers down, getting his breathing under control.
Looking about in the darkness, he knows he should move fast. He attempts to activate Jager's boost- Phew... A soft wheeze sounds from the leg armor, pulling a wide eyed stare down... out of dust... Welllll sh-
A choked gasp sounds in the dark, pulling the boy's attention. In a whisper, he utters. "Zero..." The armor flashes to its default mode as he slowly sneaks through the shadows of the cars. In the dark... the inner cabin of a four door minivan is on. Carmine moves closer, eyes tracking back and forth.
Getting closer, he hears struggling panicked breaths. The driver side of the minivan is open. He looks down, spotting small drop stains of blood trailing to the door. Although, in this light, merely a darker red slight red lighting and shadows. He moves around, Heulin Noon raised and-
He freezes upon locking wide horrified eyes with a wheezing brunette woman. Ocher eyes flash manically as the woman inches back in a gasp. Carmine's eyes look down, spotting a fresh bullet wound in her side. A civilian.
Both hands raise open, his own breath choppy. "Whoa, whoa... hey, I'm not one of them." The woman stares back, nearly hyperventilating before him. "Y-You're hurt. Uh... C-can I?" He inches closer, the woman gasping and recoils back before a pained whine comes out. He puts his hands up placating. "Whoa- Hey, it's okay... I'm a huntsman in training... I'm here to help." The woman seems hesitant, so the boy reaches a hand out. "I'm Carmine... leader of Team CRBN... Let me help you out, okay?"
The woman wheezes a breath before lightly shifting in the seat. Carmine Nods before taking a closer look at the wound. Anger builds inside, but he stifles it, burying it to focus on the injury. A clear bullet wound just over the hip.
Tentatively, he reaches a hand towards the wound-
The child's hands frantically pressing into the sinking gut. A body clad in white and red, parts of the red staining the small hands. A hysterical child screams in horror as the aqua aura flash. "GIVE HER BACK! REWIND-"
Carmine's hand recoils lightly, eyes clenching closed. No breath left, he feels like his chest was crushed in an instant...
No. Stop. Another life depends on you. Focus. FOCUS DAMN IT.
He slowly pulls away from it, looking to the woman. She's nearly in shock, but hopefully he can keep her calm. "The wound isn't life threatening except for blood loss. It'll hurt, but keep pressure on it. Consistent and firm." He waits for the woman to slowly do so, her face contorting in pain. "O-Okay..." He looks around. The Captain is still on the floor below, so he has a short time...
The first and third floors have connecting entrances into the hospital itself... Carmine rushes away from the car. Moving through the shadows, he manages to find the entrance, a large set of glass double doors.
… And on the other side is an armed firing line bathed in red. One of the soldiers catches sight of the boy far off. "Sighting confirmed! Third floor!"
The line fires a volley of bullets as Carmine curses. The boy recalls, flickering away and rewinding to appear back at the car. Appearing, the woman jolts, the shots ringing out throughout the parking garage. She winces out in pain until Carmine eases her down.
He bites the inside of his cheek... Shit.
. . .
Echoes of gunshots sound out through the dark. The rings send a jolt through the officer inside his cruiser. Lieutenant Bangle's white knuckle grip tightens on the gear shift in the dark, other hand on the wheel. A shuddering breath escapes as he sends a glance over his shoulder... towards the North. No more of AZRL's troops remained in the area... all gone after Carmine.
All of them after Jared's boy...
His mouth parts with a quake in his chest... His breath chops, grip clammy. He releases the wheel and covers his mouth, head tilting down... What options does he have? This was... this was the life he was raised to... His life's work. This is what he is there for!
To monitor the works of the system. To safeguard those who were in their position of power over him. To... obey...
Hesitant, he picks up his scroll. Opening his call history, he eyes the number at the top. Mary Anne. She wouldn't grant a request from him. He's nothing more than a drone... That's all he is. A drone in a society for a single purpose. From the beginning, his life, well being, and happiness was never once real.
But...
He hits call... no signal...
Right... he can't even contact Mary to even beg on Carmine's behalf...
He gazes up to the sun barrier. The photo is still covered in the fold.
. . .
"Okay..." Carmine utters softly, eyes darting about. The panicked woman beside him eyes him while he glances about. "Okay. Okay..." Deep breath. In and out. "Okay, I need you to work with me here." He locks eyes with her. "I promise that I will get you out of this, but you gotta get out of the car."
"W-w-why?" She stutters out cold, quivering in fear of the situation around them.
"Using the car is a death sentence for you. They're surrounding the building and exits. It would survive exiting the parking area even." He sets a grim look. "And if you stay here in the car, I won't be able to defend you and fight at the same time." Her brow furrows as he nods his head to the vehicle ramp to the fourth floor of the parking garage. "I'll take my stand here. I need you to hide up on the fourth floor and stay there. They're more focused on me. You'll be safe."
The panic doubles visibly. "W-what can you do?"
His pause doesn't inspire confidence, but he shrugs. "Get creative? I'll need your keys though..."
. . .
The echo of foot prints sound slowly. The bathed red glowing spots of the floor bleed small open areas in the black. The Captain enters the lighting of red, walking through before blending into the black. The footsteps continue to the stalking man emerging into the next spring of red.
Outside the structure, dozens of troops close of the perimeter. The entrances to the hospital proper showing a barricade of armed men. All stations manned. The boy can't have left. The gun shots earlier confirmed his proximity... The Captain turns his head, scanning the area of the parking and vehicles.
He stops, directly under the next red light. Glancing down, there's a red droplet on the concrete floor, a darker red than the lighting. Blood? He doesn't recall injuring the boy, and the boy's semblance seems to be able to undue damage. So, if not his blood...
The Captain follows the trail of blood specks, tracking through the darkness, until nearing the turn to the vehicle ramp to the top floor. The fourth floor? Maybe it isn't the kid, but the trail is fresh. Can't hurt-
An engine kicks on, echoing loudly throughout the third floor of the parking complex. Bright yellow headlights kick on, beaming directly at the armored soldier. The mini van revs its engine... Carmine in the driver seat... The captain only cocks his head before the boy slams his foot from pedal to metal! "SURPRISE!"
Rubber burns as van treads towards the man. The Captain flinches back, looking up to the ceiling. Ducking down, he leaps up high, just as the van speeds by under him... He drops down as the van speeds away...
Inside the van, Carmine grits his teeth, hands slamming the dash as a pulse of aura flashes... Aura infused outward... through the entire van. His heart clenches in a vice, eyes bugging out as his teeth threaten to split under clenched pressure. "RECALL!"
The Captain snaps a look to the van as a bright ghostly flash of teal vibes out... the van vanishing. An ethereal wave through the air passes nearly instantaneously... before yellow headlights light behind the Captain... the way the van originally came from.
If not for his mask... one might see shock as he turns to find the van closing in on him!
Carmine roars out, eyes bloodshot. "COME ON!" In a split second, the Captain brings up a cross block, his body shimmering in the white outline of his Lock semblance. The van, this time, connects and strikes him full force...
CRUNCH! The snapping and cracking of metal pounds out through the air, echoing out.
Carmine's face eats a busting air bag from the impact, slamming into the wheel as the front half of the van shatters. The hard stop gives him whiplash as the wind shield glass blasts everywhere. The Captain's locked placement crushes into and through the engine block from the impact.
. . .
The echoing impact sounds, perking the officer in his seat. Bangle sucks in a breath. Finally releasing the shift, he opens the car door and looked North. Darkness meets him, but still... He feels a compulsion come over him, his feet carrying through. He marches North.
Rounding the street corner, he spots the AZRL troops surrounding the parking complex. Smoke bellows lightly from the third floor. His eyes squint as he removes his sun glasses, able to make out the slight red lighting from the complex.
. . .
Carmine winces painfully, a sharp metal digging into his leg. He's draped over the steering wheel, shattered glass everywhere. The middle of the vehicle hood is crushed to the main cabin of the car, the Captain standing in place with his arms still in a block. The white energy fades, the Captain grunting out and steadying a stance against the shattered ripped metal around him.
He turns his head to Carmine, the boy choking a gasp wide eyed. He reaches out and clenches the boy by the throat! "Im... pressive." He growls out with a strain, but seems to huff. "But still just a brat..." The fear in the boy's eyes double as the clenched grip on his windpipe doubles. His mouth cracks open, struggling to take in air.
The boy snaps Heulin Noon up, but the man's other hand swipes the gun away with the shock baton! Carmine grits his teeth, using leverage to direct his head at the Captain. Forcing air out, he grind out. "Don't... Under... esti... mate me!" He slams both hands onto the dashboard.
ONE MORE TIME! An aqua aura flashes, still infused with each and ever piece of the vehicle. Carmine twitches as he forces it, his aura nearly used up entirely. Bloodshot eyes burst as a searing pain fills him.
"RECALL!"
In a flash, the totaled van disappears from around the Captain's person. He stumbles, having lost his leverage and falling to his knee. He glances up just in time to see the headlights move to either side of his vision... as the center of the vehicle hood strikes him head on. The vehicle accelerates, carrying the man on the front bumper before striking the far concrete wall!
Dejavu, Carmine hits the wheel and console on the inside. The pain doubles and triples, compounding with his aura numbing into a phantom pain from the recall on top of the new force trauma. The wall of the parking complex cracks hard, the front of the van crunching in from the strike...
The driver side door opens... Carmine's quivering and shaking limbs reaching and pulling. The boy weakly pulls once, then twice, pulling himself free from the now compacted front of the van. He falls from the seat, hitting into the side of the nearest parked car and barely keeping himself on his feet.
His limbs scream in pain as he steps over the shattered glass, stumbling and steadying himself on the next car. His vision blurs as his gut suddenly sucks in, desperate for breath. His choppy gasps sounds as he paws at his pocket... His hand is shaking violently, fumbling entering the pocket until finally succeeding and withdrawing his scroll.
The screen is cracked, but highlights his aura meter... A bright red exclamation mark over the aura bar. The empty aura bar.
A display under the bar reads. 'Emergency levels. 0.5 Percent'
Eyes wide, slightly panicked, Carmine struggles to remain on his feet, legs going numb. "Sh-... Shi-" His footing gives out as he falls forward, directly under the red bathing light. He hits the floor painfully, nerves screaming. Just as he does... "AHHHH!" The guttural scream of pain rips his throat taking his available breath.
. . .
"AHHHH!" The scream sounds out from the complex. The line of AZRL soldiers perk, quick glances shared between them as a few silently communicate in hand gestures. This is followed by the group looking to one, who holds his hand up. The group holds.
Who also hears it in the distance off is Bangle.
A chill washes over him as he hears the scream. He freezes in place and looks to the third floor of the parking area... he remains frozen for only a moment before he's moving. His mind yet to catch up, he turns and sprints. His legs carry him before he knows what he's doing, but once his mind catches up, he's certain.
His body isn't cold any longer. A fire inside is lit as he reaches his cruiser. Ripping it open, he lunges in and snatches his radio...
. . .
Across the city, darkness shrouds the streets under the now starry sky. The slight brightness from the crescent moon manages to help make out corners, but specks across the city shine and flash in blue and red. A large building with bellowing smoke stacks is surrounded by four shining cruisers. A man in overalls and a hardhat stands talking with the overcoat wearing Chief Inspector, Lee.
"I just don't understand how you don't even know the problem yet. Do you not have safe guards and procedure for this exact situation." The inspector keeps hard violet eyes on the worker. "People are barely calm normally, so the longer this goes, the more we might get a panic."
"We're doing our best, sir." The man says before turning and walking away from the chief.
Lee keeps a sigh, muttering under his breath. "I'm sure you are... Alright! Fall in for patrol routes." He speaks up for the officers nearby. "I want Polasky and Terry on-" A burst over all their radios, clicking on. Officer Bangle's voice, breathless and shouting comes over.
"29 to all units! Immediate response to the Hallowed Heart Hospital! Armed gunman, numbered in the dozens have raided the hospital."
The Chief squints his eyes. What the-... why would that even... Is he kidding? But... Bangle doing something like this now?"
"Gunman are organized and attacking civilians. Are currently engaged with two members of the Hunter Team CRBN! Targets are armed with heavy weapons and explosives!" Lee's eyes widen, sucking in a breath. Remembering the conversation with the boy... Looking for something they couldn't fully disclose. Bangle wasn't in the room for that detail.
"Go. GO!" Lee shouts out as all the men flinch at the sudden force and break towards their cruisers. "Go Go Go! Tactical gear.
. . .
The police station bursts into shambles, officers jolting out from the darker building, running on generator power unlike the surrounding city block. The officers charge out, shouting orders as others inside are quickly moving to an arms room. Their radios continue to blare.
"-Fires have been started within the South and West wings of the hospital. Targets are currently concentrated in the North West and East portions of the grounds. Unknown number of civilian casualties, but deaths are confirmed among them!"
The information floods in as dispatches bark out over other radios. Through the windows, the fire department across the street equally bursting into action at the alert. A flood of cruisers, armored SUVs, and SWAT transports rev on and pour from the parking lot.
. . .
"Carter! COME ON!" Dana shouts at the man as she gets into the driver seat of the cruiser. The man is charging over, from the disgruntled street rat woman from earlier.
"Comin' Comin'!" He shouts as he slides across the hood of the car and enters the passenger side. The cruiser accelerates onto the road, ramping up speeds. The cruiser screeches around a car attempting to pull from its driveway, Carter screaming out the window at them. "Hey, get up out the way!"
. . .
Across the entire city, lights of red and blue flash across blocks and blocks throughout... all converging on the central cluster of taller structures...
. . .
Blair grits her teeth, breath heavy at this point. Maintaining a constant connection and focusing purely on suppressing the victim's aura? Wouldn't be too terrible under ordinary circumstances. Granted... her aura was already thrown off using Carmine's blood earlier... Before the Grimm venom consumed her aura.
She wonders about checking her scroll for her levels, but brushes it off. She knows she's low on aura... Telling herself how low will only make it worse. She glances up at Kris, who remains focused on Neo's throat. "How much longer?" Her voice rasps in strain.
JD defers to Kris, letting the black bear faunus respond calm and collected. "Home stretch... Just a few more stitches. She'll be taking breath mints by tomorrow!" He then mimes waving away a stink and sending a jovial look her way. It is not reciprocated. In fact, it earns only a slight narrowing of the eyes. The faunus jerks his look back down. "Almost done, Ma'am."
JD leans in and whispers. "I don't think she like you, Chocolate Bear."
Kris sends a wide eyed look back. He whispers back. "Oh, really? I didn't notice!"
"Wait..." Blair mutters, eyes unfocused for a moment. She slowly pulls her hands away from Neo, lowering herself to the floor. Her semblance activates.
A brief gasp comes, losing balance before she catches herself on the gurney. "Are you okay?!" JD rounds the gurney to look.
The blonde's answer is a raised hand. She focuses, reaching out with her remaining aura... Sensing the area around her, she feels an extension of herself washed over and containing a smaller form. Neo. She feels two other forms as well. The two faunus present. Nothing in the immediate area of the room.
But. Below...
A moving aura moving methodically in a search pattern... Then another.
Her eyes snap open, focused. "They're about to find us."
"Say who to the what, now?" JD blinks and straightens off guard.
Blair stands, looking at Florescent granting the light to the room. "I'll face them. You two continue." She rips the surgical gown off along with the gloves as she begins to walk from the room. Her hands are already sifting through a pack at her belt for dust... It'll be her only real weapon here.
"Hey! What about the aura healing?! We're almost done!" Kris shouts out after her.
"I can maintain it, even at a distance. Keep going!" Neglecting to mention that the distance increases the strain... "I'll be mostly unarmed-" A thought occurs before she sends a look over her shoulder at them. "Actually, throw me a scalpel." She opens her hand up at them.
JD double takes between her and the surgical tools before grabbing one of the knives. Kris is shaking his head. "Handing the witch woman a knife doesn't sit well with the big bear!" The other doctor ignores the comment, tossing one of said sharp dangerous tools across the room to the blonde, who snatches it from the air.
Blair chooses to ignore them as she strays from the room, moving through doors into the halls. Closing her eyes, she reaches out again. The pinging auras on the floor below are congregating to one end. Nearing one of the stairwells? Right, there was one by the elevators they used to transport Neo.
Blair opens her eyes as her off hand sifts through her dust pouch. Fire is out of the question. Lightning might damage equipment needed for other areas. Even being refurbished, this wing will be needed. Ice? Well, if they're replacing the tiles and walls anyway... Some water damage won't be as bad as the other two. Earth will just make for tons of cleanup. Good. Wind is best in contained scenarios. Pressurized attacks.
She reaches a set of windows, stopping with her front facing the stair exit across the room. The wind will need setup. Earth for battlefield control. Ice for hindering the enemy. Wind for the knockout. Her off hand withdraws a golden brown vial as her thumb presses the side hard... until a small crack splits the glass just slightly.
Her focus is broken by a slight glare... She squints and glances out the windows of the floor, to the city beyond... Flashing red and blue, from far out. Gradually, they get closer, moving and illuminating the streets a mere minute or so out.
Unfortunately, her moment of distraction is when the stair way opens, a soldier stepping out. "TARGET FOU-"
Blair whips her arm up, casting the earth dust out and firing a golden brown burst. The power arcs, forming a solid rock as it strikes the soldier in the chest. The weight launches the man back into the stair well, over the next two who jolt in and open fire!
Blair ducks low and casts the earth. A barrier of rock forms in front of her, bullets cracking and breaking away chunks on hit. Her off hand fits the small ice dust cylinder in hand as well, cracking it and holding both dusts one handed. She casts the ice dust out, coating the floor between her and the exit and locking the two soldier's feet to the floor.
As the two men pause, startled, Blair kicks the remaining rock barrier to shatter it over the sheet of ice. the earth makes a footing on the ice, allowing her to sprint across to the shocked men! The blonde lands a running knee on the first, breaking him from the ice and embedding him into the wall.
The second aims up as Blair casts ice over the gun barrel. The rifle fires, the bullets bursting and freezing out from the gun while she casts. Blair bashes the gun up, sweep kicking the man's footing out.
Another man comes from the stairs, aiming to fire at her. Blair grabs the second man, twisting him up as a meat shield. The shots pelt the man as Blair kicks around him into the gunman's shin. Off balance, Blair twirls the scalpel up and slashes into the man's shoulder.
Earning a scream, Blair maneuvers around the man, slicing the calf and the other shoulder while moving around flailing limbs. The man collapses onto the floor, wailing in pain and flopping helplessly. Blair straightens herself, satisfied with slicing the connective nerves. He won't be moving, likely ever with those limbs.
She glances into the stair well, seeing the hunk of rock she first blasted out, and the knocked out man hit by it. Only four were at this stair well? Her gaze narrows at the observation. Surely, there's more-
The sounds of footsteps echo in the far halls. Blair quickly casts Earth on the doors to the surgical prep area. Effectively sealing JD and Kris away from any interference. Her focus weakens, vision blurring as figures round the corner. Must keep focus on Neo! "Target ahead. blast her!"
Blair sways to the side, ducking behind a counter as four more men open fire. The shots spray over the top counter, blowing debris overhead as Blair shields herself.
. . .
The boy winces out, flailing on the floor in a poor attempt to crawl forward. Carmine coughs out as he hits the floor, body numb. The phantom pain begins to fade, letting him at least push his chest off the ground. Sweat drips from her nose to the floor as he breathes out. In. Out. In. Out.
Still, he beat that guy. Now, to quickly hide and think of a way against those other soldiers. Maybe pick off the ones at the hospital entrance... lead the others into the building away from the woman on the fourth floor. Meet up with Roman, and come up with a plan-
Creeeeeak...
Carmine's blue eyes snap wide, terrified. The sound of shredded metal shifting. "... No..." Looking back, he sees the front of the ruined van quivering and shifting back. The intact tires rotate back as the front scrapes on the ground loudly.
A choppy breath shakes out as the boy jolts forward, frantically crawling. His hand slips as he fully hits the floor again, wincing in pain. No time, he forces himself to keep crawling. The van pushes off the wall, the Captain stumbling and tripping out the side. He catches himself on the wall, his armor and clothes torn at the fabric and cracked all over the armor and helmet plating.
The man slowly steadies himself, turning his cracked gaze towards the boy crawling away. A guttural growl rises from the back of his throat. "Congrats kid." His gravelly tone dipped almost demonically low in strain. "You proved you're worth keeping."
The boy whips around onto his back, ignoring wailing limbs as he aims and fires Heulin Noon. The Captain jerks, the shot clipping his shoulder and getting a pained groan. Carmine pushes himself along the ground with his legs while he fires. The shots are deflected and blocked by the man's shock baton.
Click. The revolver's empty cylinder shows no more shots. He flicks the gun to flash reload, only for his aura to spark out. A renewed numbness hits his body. He can't reload with his semblance...
Eyes locked on the gun, a weight in his gut forms as the Captain stands tall. Albeit clutching his side. He begins to limp towards the boy, raising his hand with a radio. "The brat is subdued. Fall in." He huffs as Carmine struggles to stand.
The boy looks back, spotting the fire squad from the hospital entrance move through the shadows and begin running across the complex floor. The men halt ten yards off, partially under the next red shining light. They take aim at the boy as his mind freezes...
Nothing came to mind... no out...
. . .
Bullets shred the wooden cover as the soldiers slowly inch in towards Blair's position. The blonde sits, breathing slowly and focusing herself. Her hands cup over her chest, her mind centered only on her semblance. Her sight replaced with her pseudo radar. The pinging auras close in, one man maintaining fire until he needs to reload, allowing the next to fire while he reloads.
The blonde also focuses on her connection to Neo, the power dwindling...
May not have enough aura, but... she may just have to force it.
Her hands open. One hand with the mostly filled ice dust cylinder. The other holding the near empty earth dust. The shots stop as the second of the five new soldiers begins to reload. The third opens fore, maintaining coverage over Blair's position.
Her amber orbs snap open as she times herself. Only a few seconds pass before she counts down to zero... Click. The soldier's ammo clip runs out as Blair rises from her cover. She casts the ice, blasting the dust out and freezing all five of the men's rifles! The soldiers jolt back, releasing their useless weapons and reaching for sidearms, Blair vaults over the shredded counter and charges.
The men attempt to scatter, but the blonde isn't giving them the time. She casts the earth dust and forms walls around each corner, boxing the men into the now makeshift hall. The walls are thin, but they'll hold for now.
The closest man draws a baton, swinging at Blair as she discards the empty earth dust and swinging out her scalpel. She slashes the man's wrist, freeing his baton. The woman releases the scalpel and catches the baton out of the air, striking the second man who draws a pistol.
She releases the baton, grabbing and twisting the pistol gripping hand and stealing the gun. She dust behind the second man, the other three unable to get a clear shot with their drawn sidearms. Meanwhile, she fires back on the first man still gripping his slashed wrist, putting down the only threat not in front of her.
The second man attempts to grab her for his gun back, but receives an elbow to the jaw upward. Reeled back, Blair shoots shot after shot up his torso. Click. The pistol is out of ammo, so she tosses it aside as well. Dust or nothing, she casts the ice and empties the dust cylinder down the hall!
The three remaining threats shield themselves as a coat of cold encloses around them. However... Not strong enough. The sheet of ice around the men cracks as they begin to shrug it off. Blair grimaces and moves to charge-
"Ngh!" She collapses to a knee, her vision doubling. Tripling... Her aura begins to bottom out entirely. One thought comes to mind. Neo! Her connection to the girl and suppression of aura ceases. Not good. It can complicate everything!
But first...
The men break from the ice, raising pistols. "Take her out!"
Groggy, unable to react quickly, there just isn't enough time for her to-...
The lights snap on. Power restores to the building as vents and air ways flows...
. . .
Atop the North wing, Roman groans and wipes an annoyed sweat. In front of him is the meticulously hand wrapped connection of wires... The gigantic generator beside him rumbles and roars loudly. "Bout time. I don't get paid enough for this crap."
. . .
The lights shining spooks the men, who look up confused. Blair doesn't care. It's the only reprieve she gets. Her hand draws out the cylinder of wind dust. The men barely notice before the blonde smashes the cylinder into the floor.
BOOM!
The cylinder explodes as a torrent of wind blasts out, compressed in the earth sealed hall. All three of the men are thrown hard into the far walls in bone cracking impacts. Meanwhile, Blair herself is thrown back, clear out from the hall and smashing into the same shredded counter she'd earlier hid on. The blast blows down the earthen walls and shreds much if the walls and debris in the center of the area!
The wind breaks down the seal placed over the doorway to the operating room, alerting the doctors inside. JD rushes to the door, eyes wide. He flinches at the destruction, but focuses upon catching sight of the blonde. He rushes to her side. "Blair! You alright?"
The blonde's head must have split on impact, blood coming down one side of her head under her bangs. She opens her eyes, clouded look taking the man in. "Neo?... Neo!" Her worry is pushed down forcefully as JD keeps her still.
"We finished!" JD interjects. "We got her... Kris! Bring the girl! We gotta move!" He orders as Kris wheels the tricolor girl's gurney out into the destroyed area. JD pulls on Blair's arm, dragging it over his shoulder. "Gotta get you to move to. You both need a recovery room away from the Black Ops here."
As he pulls Blair to her feet, she grumbles out. "Flo... rescent?"
Kris wheels the gurney on by, stopping just a moment to show the blade. "I got it! Now, come on witch woman! Come oooon!" He howls as he sprints down the halls away from the carnage. JD successfully gets the possibly concussed woman up as the two stumble away. Blair's eyes come to rest on the still unconscious girl, allowing a brief sigh of relief.
. . .
The AZRL troops file into the parking complex, completely surrounding the boy with rifles aimed at him. Carmine looks about. No way out. His hands are fumbling, barely loading dust shots into the revolver... The men were holding their fire. "You know you can't win." The Captain speaks up nearby.
Carmine flicks a gaze to the silver visor in the red lighting. The man continues. "Give up and come with us. I promise you will be treated well, as talented as you are." All the men around tense and take solid aim. "Or, resist and die. Your choice."
Carmine glares back at the man, a brief instinct in him clenching his heart at the word 'die'. But... it doesn't halt him. If anything... he feels slightly emboldened. A rush of adrenaline. For the briefest of moments, three faces appear to him. Mom. Dad... HER...
Eyes half lidded, almost more annoyed, the boy raises Heulin Noon and aims it at the Captain. His body screams at holding the aim, his adrenaline finally starting to give out. However, the man was still off kilter, obviously injured. "You're low on aura too... My double shot will kill you."
He can't see a reaction behind that mask, but the silence is enough to know it gave the man pause. "And you'd die for that?" The brief fear wipes away behind bubbled anger. Carmine's grip tightens as he steadies his aim. The Captain hums to himself. "A shame... Go ahead."
The taunt hits home as his finger rests on the trigger. His energy is rapidly declining. No aura plus exhaustion. He wouldn't be conscious much longer anyway. Best go down swinging...
Then the lights flick on. The red lighting and dark shadows snap away like a light switch, replaced in bright illumination. Several of the men react, looking about distracted. However, Carmine and the Captain remain glaring at one another. Carmine allows a soft smile.
At least Roman got the power on... That will save some lives.
That's enough.
His grip shifts and tightens, more confident as he prepares to shoot-
Ting... Ting ting...
A metallic ring of a light bouncing impact sounds... Then another and another. Objects toss in from the outer opening in the low walls of the parking complex. Thrown from the outside.
SPEEWWWWWWW
Each of the canisters landing in the complex open, spewing out a stream of smoke out! Smoke grenades! The soldiers filling the area all recoil, the smoke fills their vision, clouding the entire area quickly. Carmine's eyes widen as he and the Captain turn their heads away simultaneously.
Sirens... Followed by hard screeches of rubber on cement. Through the smoke, a police cruiser rips through, charging at the lines of AZRL troops. They part, but the cruiser rams right into two of the men, breaking the two aside before the car directs itself directly at the Captain! He flinches back before leaping away, catching himself at the edge of the low wall of the floor.
The cruiser stops, angling itself around Carmine as a shield as several more cruisers and an armored van rise up the vehicle ramp onto the third floor. The vehicles halt as cops exit the cars and SWAT from the van! A flood of police fall in from the stair wells and vehicle ramps, running in line as shouts ring out.
"SPD, ON YOUR KNEES!" "HANDS IN THE AIR!" "DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"
Immediately, the contingent of soldiers turn on the police, opening fire! The fire volley of shots ricochet off the vehicles the cops use for cover as they return fire. Instantly, the entire smoky floor breaks into flashes of muzzle fire through smoke. Lights flashing on all sides. It's all around them as Carmine ducks behind the cruiser in front of him.
The cruiser opens as Lieutenant Bangle steps out, pulling a long gun out and taking aim at the Captain. The silver screen hides the expression, but the man tilts his head ever so lightly at Bangle. The officer shakes in his place, but remains in place, swallowing.
"An odd choice..." The Captain utters, then directs his faceless gaze at Carmine, who glares over the car at the back of the man's head. "This close to being rid of them... You know what will come of this."
Bangle recoils slightly, pausing a moment. However, his brow furrows and he sets a glare forward, aiming the gun. "All I know if you're under arrest... sir." He holds the aim on the Captain until a stream of shots fire through the area.
Bangle is forced to duck behind the car from the fire, taking his eyes off AZRL's agent. Carmine mimics the action for safety. Both he and the officer wait for the incoming fire to stop before looking back to the Captain.
Nothing. The Captain was gone in the split moment their eyes left him. Bangle scowls, eyeing the area to see the absolute war zone of exchanged fire, both cops and soldiers taking cover and firing back at one another. However, the soldiers were getting boxed in from multiple sides, getting picked off as the cops coordinate around them.
Bangle sighs in relief... and turns his head to look directly down Heulin Noon's barrel. Carmine aims the double revolver at the man's face, a stormy, fierce glare set on the man. His vision was still blurring, balance wavering with his consciousness. "YOU BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Bangle sucks in a breath, processing the screamed threat. The boy's eyes told all. He meant the threat... and he deserved it. "I'm sorry. I know I messed up. I called the department to help-"
"Neo almost died because of you!" Carmine takes an aggressive step, forcing Bangle back, though the boy barely keeps from stumbling. "ALL the deaths here happened because of you!" Angry tears threatened to build in the boy's eyes. "How-... How could you even-..?" Distantly, he knew this wasn't the time, but blinding rage was the only thing keeping him aware of himself. The only thing carrying him. The fire burns to keep himself going.
The fire rapidly burning out as the light starts to leave his eyes. "It's... all your... fault-" He sways, exhaustion winning out as he gently leans forward before collapsing. Bangle catches the boy, face etched in regret as he looks down at the teen.
He can only stand by and guard the boy as the rest of AZRL's men are subdued across the complex. All around the hospital, blue and red flashes as hordes of police and the odd firefighters file in each entrance of the facility... All in.
Securing the place of healing from these heathens.
The shots rang throughout for an hour before all finally went quiet.
Just stating passive thoughts (Don't want reviews commenting on this, I just want to 'voice' this in a way) while writing these chapters, but I sincerely hope I'm not the only one that has an aneurysm style reaction to just hearing what happens in Volume 8? I mean, I didn't watch it, and won't due to my embargo on Roosterteeth entirely, but seriously makes me feel better about MY shitty terrible writing. I'm a fanfic writer. I am shit. Why are the ideas these paid writers so bad?
Where was I? Oh yeah.
Fight. Fight. More fight. Big fights. You want fights? I got fights in your fights, so you can fight while watching FIGHTS!
That aside, Neo fixed!.. ish.
Also, Mary Anne's semblance that connects her aura to her opponent and transfers a physical state of the body onto the other. A 'bodily reversal' semblance. Massive aura cost. Could totally see this semblance used against someone like Yang for a near Uno Reverse card situation powering Yang's semblance further.
… I think it's neat. Shut up...
References:
Nothing new really. The whole chapter was more payoff.
Join next time in chapter thirty three: Old Pains, Opened or Healed?