Italicized: POV/Flashbacks/Thoughts/Spell
Bold: Monster
POV: Oswell Spencer | August 19th, 1996
NE-001 sat within its stasis pod, sitting quietly as it looked forward. It was in the room with four other individuals. Dr. Oswell Spencer, Dr. Julian Tango, Captain HUNK, and Derek. The Captain and Derek were standing within many motion sensors, fighting one another while their move sets, fighting styles, and reactions were all recorded into NE-001's memories. "Activate my log, Julian," Spencer spoke, leaning to the side in his wheelchair as he watched NE-001 with a smile. Julian nodded, tapping a small tablet off to the side. A small electric hum rang through the room, and Spencer started. "August 19th, 1996. Conditioning has gone perfectly in the short span since my last log. Subject retains fifty-six times the information as our top B.O.W's, and has a reaction time 3.42% faster than our best soldier. With the subject's abilities being identified by himself as 'magic', we will begin to integrate those skill sets into his arsenal,"
"Sir...is that wise? That much power cannot be good," Tango pointed out.
"I am aware, Julian. But imagine...the perfect assassin. Can appear anywhere, kill anyone. The subject has already shown his aptitude at teleportation as well as brutal 'curses'. It is evident that with enough training and knowledge, our subject can kill anyone, destroy anything, and Umbrella will be invisible. Unable to be traced due to his skills. Imagine what we have now...tripled without the lawsuits, the accusations. We could rule the world one day Julian...all with the help of him," Spencer replied, his gaze softening as Potter's eyes flickered over HUNK and Derek. Having had enough, Spencer pushed the button on the side of his wheelchair, the pod doors opening as HUNK and Derek came to a stop.
Potter stepped out, falling to the ground before getting to his feet. His eyes glowing blue, he spoke. "Ready to comply, "
"I wish for you to spar with HUNK. Do not kill or seriously injure him," Spencer ordered. Potter nodded, moving forward into the ring as Derek stepped away. HUNK growled, holding up his fists as he threw a punch. Potter easily grabbed the fist, easily twisting it before kicking at HUNK's legs, sending the Captain to ground as Potter stepped on the man's neck. "Flawless," Spencer told Julian. "His skill and power allowed him to drop the Captain in a mere five seconds. Imagine what he can do with even more conditioning and even more power," Julian nodded, though seemed unnerved and uncertain as he continued to take notes. Spencer knew what Julian was up to...it wouldn't take long to discover what was truly going on.
POV: Jill Valentine | September 28th, 1998
Jill Valentine and who she now knew as NE-001 - she now called him Newt - walked through the back alley leading to the Substation, Jill with caution while 'Newt' seemed casual and calm. As if he was in his element. It made sense due to what he was, but it unnerved Jill a bit every time he seemed to jerk for his gun at the sight of her, as if he was tasked to kill her. And the way his eyes kept flickering back and forth between pale blue and emerald green was both cool to watch, and terrifying, because Jill had no idea what it meant and how it was affecting him. After all, he was her new 'friend' as well as her way out of this rot infested hellhole. If he turned on her...Jill didn't know what she would do if that happened. He could teleport, shoot guns, fire tendrils from his hands, had super strength, and who knows how many other hidden abilities lurking within his blood.
Shaking her head, Jill turned towards the Subway Power Substation's entrance, and frowned. It was surrounded by zombies, and there was only one explosive barrel. It wouldn't take them all out. She pulled out her pistol, aiming it at the barrel as she fired. The explosion took out five of the thirteen or so zombies surrounding the door. Jill was going to take out the rest, but was surprised when the heads of all the remaining zombies suddenly separated from their bodies, falling to the ground as the bodies followed. She turned towards 'Newt', noticing a small glint in his eyes. A bit weird. Jill brushed it off, and moved off towards the door, kicking it open to reveal an empty hallway. At the end of the hallway were two doors. One in the center of the hallway leading outside, and another to the left that led to the Power Substation's Control Room and Staffroom.
Jill and 'Newt' moved towards the Control Room door, opening it to reveal a single zombie, a deceased parasite corpse in the south-east corner, and a fire hose lying on the floor. Jill easily shot the zombie in the forehead, sending it to the floor as she picked up the hose. She wrapped it in the span of a minute, before handing it to 'Newt', who stored it in some sort of bottomless bag of his. It made it easier to carry things that were bigger than the pouches on her torso and belt. Jill stepped into the Staffroom, and found a room filled with things. Three lockers lining the right wall, a desk in the left-hand corner, and a gun locker on the opposite wall from her. She stepped towards the locker, opening them to reveal three separate items. A can of First Aid Spray in the left locker, a Hand Grenade in the middle corner, and a bottle of Gunpowder in the right locker.
Moving towards the desk, Jill pulled out a small memo from a small filing holder. She opened it and read it aloud. "Violence getting worse and worse these past few days. Got a shotgun for when it hits a breaking point. Locking it up in the gun rack. That should keep it safe from any would-be looters while I go out and try to find some more shells. If things go south, cut the chain and bust out that sucker. I pray we all make it out alive." 'Newt' turned towards the gun locker, flicking out his hand as the chains locking it suddenly shattered, the doors opening to reveal the M3 Shotgun. He grabbed hold of it, gripping the barrel before handing it over to Jill. She strapped it onto her back, thanking 'Newt' before leaving the Staffroom.
She stepped into the Control Room, which looked out over the power station below. Jill grabbed a box of shotgun shells on the counter to her right, before moving to the control table. There, she grabbed the Railway Manual and read it. Ensuring Safe Subway Operations: In the event of a power outage, the subway will automatically cease operations. Once power has been restored, please use the control panel to confirm the stations at which the train will stop, as well as which track segments will be used. If the route entered is unsafe, an error will occur and operations will not resume. Jill frowned. The console was dead. No power. Great. 'Newt' spoke. "Ms. Valentine. There resides three fuse boxes in the exterior of the Substation. Once reactivated, power will be restored to the subway system,"
"Ok...could you -" Jill didn't even get to finish as he disappeared with a POP! shocking her as she turned back towards the console. She stood there for a few minutes, when the console suddenly activated. Jill grinned, leaning forward as she examined the console. She heard 'Newt' return, but paid him no mind as she examined the console. She muttered to herself, clicking away as she tried to set the subway's path. "RE-1...FA-2...RA...2? No, RA-3. SA-2. And FO...2. Shit. FO-1. RE-1, FA-2, RA-3, SA-2, and FO-2." The console lit up, chiming with life as the path was set. "Congratulations, Ms. Valentine. You have successfully returned power to the subway system. Would you like to return to the subway?"
"Um...we can walk, thank you," Jill replied, refusing his hand at the memory of 'apparition'. She felt her stomach flip at the thought of it, and had to stop herself from throwing up again. 'Newt' nodded, opening the door for Jill. She smiled, thanking him as the grip on her pistol tightened. She still had trust issues after the Mansion, and just because he had technically saved her twice, and had helped her get power to the subway, it still bothered her that he was malfunctioning. If those inhibitors reactivated, she would be at his mercy, and she didn't want that. Jill was ready to strike if need be, but she needed something more heavy powered. If all went well, perhaps 'Newt' would turn out for the better.
"So...do you have a name besides NE-001? I thought Newt was a good name because of the lettering, but it doesn't roll off of the tongue," Jill spoke.
"Dr. Spencer at one time referred to me as 'Subject Potter'. No other call signs are present," Potter replied. Jill frowned. She'd never heard of a 'Potter' in her life, but it was possible he was foreign. Jill gave the man a nod, before exiting the Substation back into the back alley. They had to go through the garage, Main Avenue, and South Avenue before getting to the Subway Ticket Gate. Three areas within the city, one of which Jill knew would contain one very angry bioweapon that was trying to kill her. Shaking it off, the two stepped through the garage, entering Main Avenue. There were zombies falling from the buildings around them to their deaths. Fires had spread everywhere, cars were toppled over, and there were a group of zombies residing near the entrance to the supermarket.
Carlos had already led the survivors to the subway in preparation for Jill and Potter getting the Subway online, meaning that all they had to do was get there. Which wasn't easy when the giant creature returned, falling from the sky as he slammed into the ground in a kneeling position. "Nemesis," Potter growled, his skin bubbling as his eyes glowed bright blue. A gun materialized into his right hand, while a sword appeared in his left. Nemesis grinned, pulling another case off of his back as he dropped it to the ground. Watching Potter, Nemesis cracked open the case and pulled out...a gatling gun. Nemesis pointed it at Potter, who sneered as he ran forward. Nemesis opened fire on Potter, who held out his left hand as a transparent shield appeared. It took the brunt of the gunfire, but there were a few strays that slammed through Potter at high speeds, and Jill wondered how he was alive.
"Jill! Jill, come in. Are you alright?" Carlos called out over the radio.
Taking the radio off of her belt, and replied. "The bioweapon that assisted us at the Clocktower - named 'Potter' - is battling Nemesis as we speak. Power to the subway has been rerouted, and I'm...I'm on my way," She spared a glance towards Potter as she moved towards the alleyway leading towards the subway. He was in a fist-fight with Nemesis, and it seemed to be a draw, both measuring each other blow for blow. He could hold his own, Jill knew he could. Taking off towards the subway, Jill didn't turn back as she moved through the alley. She needed to get the civilians out of the city. And one way or another, Jill knew Potter would make it back to her somehow. After all, she was his 'handler'.
As soon as she left the alleyway, she turned the corner to find Carlos waiting for her, rifle in hand as he smiled. "You made it," He spoke, earning a scoff from Jill. "I know, I know. I didn't doubt you would, but it's refreshing to see you made it back in one piece," Carlos added, leading her down the stairs. They didn't make it far due to an explosion bringing the ceiling down on top of them, a wave of grey energy spreading through the city as Jill and Carlos were pinned, knocked unconscious as the remaining power in the city all went dead. Everything turned dark. All you could hear were the screams of survivors and the groans of the undead walking among them.
POV: Potter
NE-001 slammed its fist into Nemesis' ugly face, busting a tooth from the creature's mouth as said creature returned the favor. They were even when it came to physical strength and endurance, but was faster when it came to reaction time and abilities. It was disappointed in itself for its lack of skill. The malfunctions within the inhibitor's processing units were powerful, making it unsure of what to do at times. And this exact moment was one of those times. The bioweapon was unsure of its task. Its inhibitor was screaming that Ms. Valentine needed to be eliminated, while its own...thoughts, told it to defeat Nemesis. Thoughts. Rational thought. Potter froze. Rational thought had crossed through it for the first time in...its existence.
It frowned, only for said frown to be slammed into the ground. The moment of rational thought seemed to give Nemesis the time he needed to outmaneuver Potter, who was sent to the ground. Nemesis dropped down, sitting over Potter as he slammed his fists repeatedly into Potter's face. After a moment, Nemesis held up his left hand, sending a tendril flying from his left palm into Potter's right eye, causing the latter to yell out in pain as its eye and part of its brain were cut into nothing. Nemesis removed the tendril, before doing the same to Potter's left eye. Unable to see and unable to think properly with the pain coursing through its head - alongside the pain of regeneration - Potter let out a roar.
A build up of energy occurred in its hands, going from red, to orange, to yellow, to green, to cyan, then blue, then to purple. These all combined into grey. A moment of rage passed through Potter's face as it growled, releasing the energy in an explosion that sent Potter into the ground and Nemesis into the sky. The entirety of the city lost power, the city falling into darkness as every nearby building in a five block radius collapsed from the energy. Potter growled. Its clothes were gone from the explosion, and its body was covered in scars and deep wounds that would take a large amount of time and energy to regenerate. Nemesis had been blown through the sky, losing the entire top half of his body.
Growling in pain, Potter slowly rolled onto its stomach, pushing itself up onto its feet with a few grunts and hisses of pain. It's brain had been the first to heal, with the eyes coming next. Once it regained the ability to see, Potter limped towards the alleyway, easily maneuvering through the rubble as it arrived at what was once the Subway entrance. The entire building had collapsed, and a tinge of fear began to rise in Potter. Had Ms. Valentine made it out of harm's way in time? Had it accidently caught her in the blast? With the flick of its wrist, a hiss of pain from the movement, and the spell 'Homenum Revelio', Potter was able to discover that Ms. Valentine and Mr. Oliveira had survived the blast, but were trapped beneath the rubble.
Holding out its hand, Potter cast a second spell, gripping the rubble with its magic as mounds of concrete, dirt, and steel began to rise. After a few moments, two figures began to appear beneath a lone steel beam and a mound of dirt. Potter vanished the two to reveal Ms. Valentine and Mr. Oliveira, Potter grabbed the two in a levitation charm, marching down the steps to the subway as its wounds began to heal at a quick rate. Stepping into the main terminal, Potter shrunk down to its normal appearance, stepping through the doors of the subway car as he levitated Ms. Valentine and Mr. Oliveira's bodies onto the seats. It turned its head at the appearance of two individuals, both of which had their weapons drawn and pointed at him.
"What the hell did you do to them?" Mr. Tyrell Patrick asked as he rushed towards Mr. Oliveira. Captain Viktor kept his assault rifle aimed at Potter, his eyes wide. "Why the hell are you walking around here? With Ms. Valentine as well?"
"Ms. Valentine is my handler, Captain. It is my duty to protect her," Potter replied. It turned towards Jill, frowning. "I have failed my mission. I must return to the nearest NEST facility for reconditioning," Potter spoke, coming to the realization that it was malfunctioning and would most likely be punished by Dr. Spencer upon arrival to home base. It turned away from Viktor. Handler: None. Ms. Valentine would be safer if Potter did not accompany her. After all, it was its actions that resulted in her injury. Potter stopped at the doors to the car, sending healing charms towards Ms. Valentine and Mr. Oliveira before leaving the train car. It moved up the stairs once more, and emerged into the rubble that it had left.
'Locating nearest NEST Facility' Potter thought as the recorded maps of the city catalogued by Umbrella appeared within his mind. Access to the NEST 2 Facility was available in the depths of the Racoon City Hospital. With the turn of its heel, Potter apparated into the depths of the Hospital, coming face to face with a few dozen bioweapons. They paid Potter no mind as he moved down the corridor, coming to a stop in front of the NEST 2 security door. Potter waved its hand, unlocking it as the bioweapon stepped through. It stepped into a stairwell, descending to the first level. It stepped through the Experimental Storage, the Server Room, the Incubation Room, and finally the Machinery Room. Potter stepped into the elevator, pressing B1. The elevator door closed shut, the elevator descending further into the depths of the NEST 2 facility. Potter stepped out of the elevator when the doors opened, revealing the Bioweapon Incubation Room. And in the corner was a reconditioning pod.
'Step into it' A voice within its head spoke. 'Step into the pod,' Potter nodded, stepping up to the pod as it climbed in. A small tablet appeared in front of Potter, allowing him to control the reconditioning without an external participant. 'Set conditioning to default' The voice told it. Potter nodded, and tapped default as a pop-up appeared. ARE YOU SURE? 'Yes' The voice said. Potter frowned. Was it? Its actions under Umbrella had led to Ms. Valentine's injury, and its inability to act without the use of objectives seemed to only hindered its progress within Racoon City. It had been that way ever since the assassination of Rian Konollo. It had seen the woman in bed with him, and Potter remembered her. He remembered her name. Angelina. 'Proceed with reconditioning' The voice told it.
Angelina...Jonston...no...Johnathon...no...Johnson. That was it. Angelina Johnson. It remembered her from...school. From...Hogwarts...his school. His. His...his. He. Him. His eyes widened in realization as he ignored the voice in his head pressuring him to hit 'Yes' on the screen. He couldn't remember his own name. His name. Potter had something to do with it, and the name Sirius came to mind. Sirius Potter? That didn't sound right. Lupin Potter? James Potter? That seemed familiar. James Potter. James pressed 'No' on the tablet, before picking a different setting. 'Reverse Reconditioning'. 'NO!' The voice in his head screamed as James hit that option. ARE YOU SURE? He tapped 'Yes', leaning back in his seat as the tablet retracted into the ceiling. He leaned back, two clamps pressing down on his head and his chest while energy began to build up in both areas. With a grin, James heard the voice disappear as the tech-implants on each of his temples were removed. All was well.
POV: Oswell Spencer
"Sir...Subject NE-001 has gone through deconditioning. He's gone rogue," Dr. Tango said. Spencer gripped the arm of his wheelchair in fury, watching through the cameras within the NEST 2 facility as Harrison Potter underwent deconditioning. Potter was now out of Umbrella's reach and control, and that meant that Spencer's worst nightmare had come true. His greatest weapon was going to destroy his plans and ruin his name and work. "Julian. Prepare Project N-a4 for conditioning. We want it to be as prepared as possible for him," Julian examined him for a moment, before nodding grabbing the intercom mic as he announced the news to Lab 6, who would start on the project. They had work to do.