[Mohinder narrating] How well do you truly know ourselves to the point of self identification? Do we deprive ourselves of unlimited internal change or purging of external influences, simply by naming ourselves the being we are in this very moment of our journey? Are we who we say we are, who we strive to become, or who we once were in past memories in both and in death?
[Manhattan, NY, Peter Petrelli]
(Peter is in the back of his ambulance taking care of a patient and making sure she's stable. The sirens go off as Hesam drives as fast and safe as he possibly can toward the hospital. Peter is constantly moving back and forth making sure everything is functioning properly with her.)
Peter: Stay with me, Helen. It's only a stab wound and you're a single mother; so I know you can handle this (Lightly laughs)… Helen- Helen?
(Peter can't help but watch as she stares at the ceiling of the ambulance and her eyes slowly drift shut. Peter stares down at her face and slowly reaches his hand down toward hers. He holds her hand and his eyes start to gloss a bit.)
Peter: Your son will be taken care of. I promise he'll be safe.
(A light transfers from Helen's hand to Peter's. Peter looks down in confusion. The ambulance hits something and a loud bang is heard, followed by the entire ambulance flipping over and landing on it's top upside down. The two doors are ripped from the ambulance and thrown onto the streets. Peter is trying to focus on what's happening when suddenly, a familiar man stands in the doorway. He smiles at Peter and raises his hand. He "forces" Helen's body over to him telekinetically and catches her by the throat. He looks up at her and aims his finger at her forehead. He stops suddenly and examines her.)
Sinister man: Your power; it's gone. Who took it?! Well, no harm in double checking, huh?
(He slides his finger to the side and as he does so, the top of her head splits apart. Peter tries to get out of the vehicle but is too dazed. Peter passes out and hours later, wakes up in the hospital a bit confused about what happened. He looks over to see a blonde female coworker smiling back at him with a look of relief.)
Peter: Emma?
Emma: Hi, Peter. Um. (Uses sigh language) Are you okay?
Peter: I- I don't know. What happened?
Emma: [Says in sigh language] You were in an accident. No one saw what happened but you were passed out for a few hours.
Peter: (Takes a moment to calm himself) What about Hesam?
Emma: He was more worried about you. (Smiles)
(Emma gently puts her hand on Peters and the two smile at one another. There are three gentle knocks on the door and the two of them quickly turn around to see Hesam with a bandage on his head relieved to see Peter's okay, along with a female nurse.)
Nurse: Well look who's finally awake. Did you get some good rest, sleepyhead? (Walks over to the window and closes the curtains)
Peter: Yeah, I-
(Peter starts seeing flashes of the man from the accident.)
Peter: Sorry, yeah, I'm okay. I'll be fine; just give me some air is all.
(The nurse looks over at Hesam.)
Hesam: The guy's superman; I'm sure he can take it.
(Emma gently taps Peter's shoulder. He looks over at her and she uses sigh language to communicate with him.)
Emma: I forgot to tell you, but your friend arrived here a few days ago.
Peter: (Uses sigh language) Which friend?
Emma: (Says out loud) Uh- H-Hiro. He was admitted.
Peter: What?!
(Peter is taken in a wheel chair to Hiro's room by Emma and Hesam. As they enter, Peter is slightly saddened to see one of his best friends injured. He's rolled up to Hiro and Peter watches as Hiro remains asleep.)
Peter: What happened to you, Hiro?
(Emma walks up to the front of the bed and grabs his chart. She looks up at Peter.)
Emma: His file says he was stabbed. It wasn't too fatal, but he has been in a coma several days now.
Peter: When did you say he got here; what day exactly?
[Unknown area]
(Lying at his death bed coughing up a large amount of blood into a nearby bucket is Samson, Gabriel Gray's father. Soon after his agonizing episode is over, his young sidekick, Luke walks in.)
Samson: (Angrily grunts) Where the heck have you been you little gnat?!
Luke: Out… recharging.
Samson: I see I can't rely on you for anything. My bed is soaked, I'm covered in my own urine and I'm throwing up what few foods I can get down my throat! You're not doing your job!
Luke: It sounds like someone's being a bit of a drama queen (Smirks).
(Samson launches him against the wall telekinetically and slices through the side of his neck until it starts leaking blood. He then drops him to the ground, leaving Luke to shaking.)
Samson: Back talk me again like that boy and I'll cut all the way through! Now I asked where you were!
Luke: (Grunts from the pain) My- my mother's.
Samson: (In disbelief) Your mothers? I can't believe this. Why come back at the risk of being followed?! You should've stayed with mommy dearest!
Luke: I didn't wanna stay with her, I wanted her dead. I went by to fry her like a micro waved army man.
Samson: You killed her?! I should cut you up and dumb you out on the highway.
Luke: It's okay, I got dropped off 4 miles away from the cabin; no one suspected anything.
Samson: You really are a stupid boy, you know that?! Stupid, stupid! Here I thought you'd be better than my own sons but here you are a disappointment just like the rest of them.
Luke: Sons? Wait I thought Sylar was your only son?
Samson: Ha. That disappointing excuse for a- where is my soup?! Get to it; I'm hungry!
Luke: (Slightly terrified as he stands to his feet) It's warming on the stove. I started making a bowl in case you were hungry. But- now what is this about Sylar not being your only son, you mean there are more monsters out there?
Samson: Doesn't matter. You need to make up for what you did after leaving this place without permission.
Luke: After we killed that girl we tried using to get to Claire Bennet, I started getting the urge again to watch something fry. I told you that and you didn't seem to bat an eye so I went out on my own and fed the urge. What do you call it- a hunger. Well I got it too
Samson: You are not one of my sons. You have no hungry; you just want some attention. You're throwing a fit like a little brat. Well I'll tell you- put my location in jeopardy again and you'll find out just what it feels like to be one of those victims this "hunger" ensues. Now go fetch me my soup before it gets cold… (Slowly flips over and continues coughing blood)
[Washington D.C.]
(In a black limo in the yard of the white house, The President has a meeting with both Bennett and Lauren.)
President: Angela Petrelli tells me you can be trusted. Good. The US government would like for you to working in our service department in- what do you call it?
Lauren: Bagging and Tagging.
President: Bagging and Tagging these "specials". You have experience; therefore you are a good candidate.
Bennet: What about violation of rights? We wouldn't want the public getting the wrong idea.
President: Obviously we're shining a light on what's necessary for the public, but all of us here know that there are still dangerous individuals out there who need to be stopped and detained. The Samuel Sullivan situation raised a lot of questions and conspiracy theories are on the rise as to where he is. Where the people may be right, their inability to find certainty in truth is our greatest weapon for preventing anarchy.
Bennett: What of the last remaining Building 26 agents?
Lauren: Building 26?
President: Building 26 was created for government mercenaries to capture and secure individuals who had abilities. Unfortunately many of those agents have been killed by a vigilante known at Tracy Strauss. Her ability perfectly aligns with how the agents were killed. Unfortunately there is no way to prove she did it, but we have valid reason to label her a prime suspect. In the meantime, she cannot be touched however and with her powerful legal pulls, I doubt we could legally get her anyway.
Bennett: Forgive me for overreaching, but are you requesting we bring you in Tracy Strauss? Cause friend or not, she won't hesitate to turn either one of us into popsicles if her freedom is on the line.
President: Not unless you wanna end up like the other Building 26 agents. A few of them are still alive but refuse to come out of hiding in fear of being discovered and assassinated. (Gives a file to Bennett) Prove to me you're still a good agent and find me these individuals.
(Bennett and Lauren glance over the files.)
Bennett: This is an interesting list of targets, sir.
President: I'm confident that if you find one, the others will come crawling out. Also, in the meantime, you will be working with a newer addition to the new FBI task force. He calls himself Casper. The two of you will be assisting in making sure individuals with abilities are registered into the system.
Bennet: Where do these specials go after they're captured- the bad ones I mean?
President: … That is where Erica Kravid comes in. She takes it from there.
[L.A. Knox and Elle]
(Both Knox and Elle approach an old rundown house in the middle of a rough looking neighborhood in the middle of the evening. Down the street are a small gang of kids talking with a tall shady–looking man.)
Elle: Wow this place doesn't look friendly. (Looks around cautiously)
Knox: It's worse. When we get out, you stay close. (Exits the car with Elle)
Elle: You sure you feel comfortable being here after what happened to your cousin?
Knox: My cousin's fine. He can handle himself. I'm sure he's still out there doing his thing.
Elle: Knox-
Knox: (Cuts her off to avoid the subject) This is the house I grew up in. My cousin and I would go out to the back and play hoops every morning until the ball was flat.
Elle: I don't think they're supposed to flatten.
Knox: Yeah well it had a hole in it that was impossible to find, so we were always on limited game time (Chuckes) Let's go in.
(The two of them approach the porch and Knox forcefully breaks the wooden planks blocking the door. The two of them enter the dusty old two-story house and Elle walks around in caution in fear of the weak floorboards squeaking on every step. They eventually make it to the living room and Elle looks in disgust at the how torn and ratty the left behind furniture is.)
Elle: You grew up in a dumb. I'd say no offense but- eww.
Knox: None taken. (Looks around in nostalgia with his hands in coat pocket) Compared to what it was like growing up, that's a compliment. Yeah, but it was home.
Elle: (Slightly worried) What was your favorite thing about being here?
Knox: The peps; the fam. (Points) This is where my little cousins Ray-Ray and Des, and me would chill at when we were little. We had our inspector gadget and transformers. Man we had a good time. It was cold and moms couldn't afford decent heat so we would sit in front of the heater and play. As long as we were 4 feet from it, we was cool.
Elle: That really sucks, I'll be honest. What about those markings on the wall?
Knox: Oh that's where we would check our height! We would always see who's the tallest and we color coded with different crayons so we knew who was who.
Elle: The other two colors stop around 3 to 4 feet.
Knox: Yeah that was Ray-Ray and Des, they-
(The room just goes silent and Elle rubs her finger against the dusty scar marks.)
Elle: I'm sorry. (Looks over at him) What happened?
Knox: Drugs got to 'em. Yeah. Des got on some stuff he shouldn't have in school. My mom found out and instead of giving him some help, he was tossed out in the streets.
Elle: Still a teenage?
Knox: Y-yeah, but you know, we get used to stuff like that around here. After a while, he caught himself posted at his dealer's house and his dealer brought in a little girl one day- a little white girl, no more than 5. He was told to watch her but my cousin decided to take the little girl and get her back to her parents. A young black kid in the hood running with a little white girl wasn't a good look so he came back home to ask mama what to do. (Squats toward the floor and takes in a deep breath) All that attention we got made someone talk and within 30 MINUTES- my cousin was asked to go outside and I watched as he and the same addict who kidnapped that girl had a casual talk before her was shot up 8 times in the chest. The dealer just put his gun down, took some stuff my cousin had in his pocket and got high on the porch until the cops came.
Elle: I'm sorry you had- I'm sorry you saw that. This place must be traumatizing for you. Is that why you're scared of everything?
(There is a squeak at the door and both Elle and Knox see a young kid entering the house. The kid locks up and Knox quickly runs up and throws the kid into the living room.)
Kid: Wait, wait, wait, chill!
Knox: (Takes a deep breath) Unless you want your head rolling across that floor, tell me what you doing here.
Elle: Knox…?
Knox: Go check to make sure the car is ok.
(Elle is a little hesitant but ultimately decides to go check on it and leave the room.)
Knox: Fry anybody you see out there! (Talks to the kid) Now why you here?
Kid: Shark told me to check you out; make sure you wasn't somewhere you wasn't supposed to be! (Struggles) Let me go, man.
Knox: Who's Shark?!
Kid: He run things around here, man! He the real one; he call the shots.
Knox: Oh really? And what is you, his lackey?! You go around snitchin' and telling him what's up?!
(Elle walks into the room.)
Knox: (Pulls the kid up to his feet and releases him) I'll tell you right now, Shark don't care whether you get killed in streets, you need to worry about getting yourself and your family out of this. If I wanted to kill you right now, I could've and so could she.
(Elle waves and wiggles her fingers, at the same time streaming sparks between them for effect and to induce the kid's fear.)
Knox: Go home, enjoy your family, stay out of these streets, stay in school.
Kid: (Pushes Knox) Nah man, forget that, this gon be my hood someday watch! Shark gon run ALL dis and I'll be a king pin! A'int NOBODY gonna mess with me!
Knox: (Smirks) You got a lot to learn, kid. You know I ran these streets. After Bartell.
Kid: Hold up, Bartell? How you know Bartell?
Knox: I took him out.
Kid: (Wha?! Yo for real?! You cold. Everybody feared you. They was scared to even mention your name. They said you was a monster.
Knox: Well this monster is telling you to go stay in school; make something of yourself. I don't what mama say, daddy, say, yo grandmamma, or teachers. You go and do something that's gonna make you proud you got out of the hood.
(Elle aims her palm toward the door as a huge muscular man wearing a blue bandana enters and stares down Knox.)
Shark: Come on, Jerome…
(The kid slowly backs away from Knox.)
Shark: I said COME ON!
(He quickly runs behind Shark.)
Shark: You got nerve showin' your face 'round here. You know how many people want you on the ground?
Knox: I was the king before you. Don't lose respect.
Shark: Nah, I'm a gain more respect after this.
(Shark aims his pistol, Knox charges toward the kid, and Elle unleashes a powerful stream of electricity into Shark's back. As she does so, he falls to the ground and a bullet is shot near Elle's head. She looks over and Knox crushes a pistol in the kid's hand and knocks him out a second later.)
Elle: Wh-wha-
Knox: That's how you know you haven't spent too much time in the hood.
Elle: The kids out here are basically adults! You gotta watch them too!
Knox: Come on, I brought you all the way out here; we might as well continue the tour.
Elle: Um… You're not shaken by all this?
Knox: You are, I can tell. (Approaches her with a big hug)
Elle: I've only gotten a taste of this and I'm already shaky; no wonder you're so scared all the time.
(Elle and Knox eventually make it upstairs into the final bedroom, which was his old room.)
Elle: (Slightly scared) Cozy…? This room is cleaner than the rest and the window's cracked open. Was someone here?
(Hiding in the nearby closet is Brandon and an unknown individual beside him in the shadows.)
Brandon: They're a little early, aren't they?
(The unknown person phases through the cracked closet door and stares at both Elle and Knox. He turns his face to Brandon and is revealed to be Hiro Nakamoto.)
Hiro: Remember, this moment is most special for the benefit of the future. Do not come out until they are finished with their conversation. We cannot risk any butterflies this time.
(Hiro looks down and notices that his hand is slowly fading.)
Brandon: It looks like your journey through the spirit world is nearly over. You're going back to your body. Good, I can only handle hearing so many dead people in my head… not that I didn't have fun with you…
Hiro: (Smiles and bows) I have one more person I must see before I return.
Brandon: So you've decided to see him…? Hiro be careful. I have no idea what's on that other side.
Hiro: I do- evil; that is why I am going.
Brandon: You'll be alone are you- (Nervous) sure…?
Hiro: I am going for victory; not survival. As a Hero, I must know the difference. This is my role- alive or dead.
Brandon: … (Takes a long breath) I won't mess this up. I'll wait until after their talk to come out. Goodbye my friend; see you on another side. (Bows)
(Hiro bows and his body turns to light, fading away to somewhere else.)
[Outskirts of Washington DC]
(In a large abandoned facility, A young man wearing a ski mask is seen approaching the back entrance. He knocks on the back door twice and the power cuts on, causing the door to open. He enters and the door auto locks behind him. The young man in the ski mask makes it to the large square center of the building and he looks above him to see a control room on the second floor. Instead of taking the stairs behind him, he simply squats his knees and flies up to the second floor. He enters the control room and there he sees 4 individuals- A young man with curly black hair sitting in front of a computer holding his hand over the keyboard, a slightly older casually dressed young woman, and Christina, the girl who was taken from Bennett's apartment. The young man takes off his mask and slowly approaches his friends in there cozy decorated hideout.)
West: I didn't see anybody while I was out.
Sparrow: I can easily detect vibrations over 2 miles away from the ground; did you check the skies?
West: I checked it; it was clear as a crystal. No need to worry, Sparrow. Micah, what about you; have you found anything on Christina's brother yet?
Micah: The FBI's new branch has strong security and I don't wanna risk them finding us out. If I'm going to hack into their systems, I'll have to find a safer place to do it.
Sparrow: I'm thinking maybe the city. There's a lot of cover there.
Micah: I was too. If things get too messy, though, I'll need a quick escape.
Christina: (Quickly stands up) I should go too.
West: What?! No; this isn't a tour; plus I can only carry one person at a time and you're heavy, no offense.
Christina: I need to know where my brother is! I can't just sit in the box not doing anything while he's out there- being treated like- I don't know what! Please, let me do something to help.
West: What do you say, boss?
Micah: (Sighs) I don't think it's a god idea, but… I don't know.
Sparrow: I say let them go. Bennett for sure recognizes West from when both he and his daughter were dating in high school. He knows the two of them are together.
West: I see where you're going. You don't want them to make the connection that we're on the same team.
Micah: Even back when the government had Building 26, they knew me as Rebel, but they never knew Rebel was a team, not an alias. They don't know we're all connected.
West: Alright, so I'll go in with Ms. Tina here and we'll what, be bait? Alright, I'm game! Hey, she's much lighter to carry anyway so this is a ton of a lot easier for my arms! (Chuckles nervously)
Sparrow: I guess that makes up for your comment earlier. (Smirks)
[Los Angeles, Matt Parkman]
(Matt Parkman is in his bedroom staring at himself in the mirror putting the final touches on his fresh new black suit by tightening his tie. He cracks a smile and turns around to face his wife and son.)
Matt: Ah, what do you think?! Your dad's looking sharp, huh, Matty?! (Leans over and kisses his wife)
Janice: I'm so proud of you, Matt. Wow, FBI. Did you ever think you would make it back?
Matt: (Looks in the mirror and continues to adjust his clothes) You know, Janice, I hadn't even thought that moving up like this was even possible. As a cop I was doing my job and I loved it. I was getting bad guys off the streets. But I don't know, maybe this is an opportunity to expand on that.
Janice: You even sound more confident when you talk. (Grits) I love it. And I love you, Matt. You've done so much to make this family happy, including yourself, and I think that's really important. You deserve to be happy too.
(Matt takes his wife's words to heart and takes a seat beside them.)
Matt: Between my dyslexia, my weight, my abandonment issues, and just my overall insecurities, I didn't think I'd make it very far in the world, but I have and it's all thanks to you. The truth is, I don't know where I'd be if I were alone in this. You and Matty have helped me be a better man.
Janice: (Holds his hand) That's the thing, Matt, we just supported you. You were the one leading the entire time and you chose this path. Your choices got you to where you are.
(Matt looks ahead of him to see a man standing in front of him who looks to be African…? Matt ignores him and looks over to his wife again.)
Matt: I don't know about the whole divine intervention thing, but I'd like to think you and Matty are angels sent, because without you, there is no life.
(Matt looks over and sees Usutu again on the other side of the room wearing traditional clothes. He nods his head and leaves the room, along with the other Usutu who wears different clothing.)
Matt: Uh… E-Elena, I- I need the restroom. Give me a second.
Janice: E-Elena, Matt?
(Matt gets up and leaves the room. He follows the two Usutu toward the back door and as Matt walks out of it, he enters a place rather disturbing. A realm with a dark black sky, and a golden tint to the air, clouds swirling forward as if trapped in a fast moving river of time, infinite desert space with hills and mountains out in the distance. The air feels different, as if living in a dream and the sound of wind blowing is all around them. Matt continues to look around to see a large golden pyramid out in the distance miles away and beside him, an abandoned small home made of a strange rock-like material. He sees a skeleton body lying on the ground and after giving it a little attention, it pulls its head up and turns to Matt. It then begins to whisper.)
Skeleton: Matt…? Parkman?
(Something grabs Matt's shoulder from behind and he completely freaks out. He turns around and sees 4 people standing beside him.)
Matt: What, what is this? What is this place?
Hiro: How are you here, did you die? Did Sylar get you…?
Matt: I didn't die, Hiro. What is this place? Why am I here?!
Usutu: Whenever you get visions of the future and paint, this is the realm your soul goes to receive those visions. You have been here quite a lot, Parkman, your memory is just- clouded.
Hiro: I came here to speak to the man with the Red Hood.
(Matt turns and sees Red Hood leaning against a pillar with his face covered waving.)
Hiro: I needed to know about the strange future I have seen.
Usutu: I am here to tell you, that he set you up. The future is in danger, Hiro, because you have come here. The man in the Red Hood has taken advantage and now the timelines are breaking. The fabric of reality is on the verge of collapse, and Parkman, you are here because you are the key to prevent a grim outcome for the future.
Matt: No, I'm happy with what I'm doing and I'm happy to be with my family!
Parkman: (Approaches Matt with a devious look) When are you gonna realize- you can't be a family man and a hero, once you become bias toward one and not the other.
Usutu: You have been trying to avoid these visions but you must understand that with no future, you have no family.
Parkman: Pick a side already and stop being a hypocrite. I'm tired of standing on the sidelines watching how weak you are. You can have the world, control the world, yet you remain too scared to do it.
Matt: I am my own master.
Parkman: The moment you start living that is the moment you stop living in eternal conflict.
Matt: I'm not in conflict, I CHOSE my family! I'm going to stand right by them!
Parkman: (Smirks) Good luck with that.
(Parkman grabs Matt by the shoulders and the entire ground caves in beneath his feet. Matt yells out and tries to get back onto stable ground but "Parkman" gives him an evil grin and tosses him in the hole. Matt wakes up in a hospital and the doctors are in a panic. He gets up and looks over to see both Matty and Janice holding each other crying. He looks through the glass window and sees his body on the hospital bed flat-lined. He hears a crash and looks outside of the window to see a large red orb in the middle of the city shooting a red beam into the sky. Matt appears inside of the storming orb and in the center, he sees a distorted figure of two individuals holding hands and creating the orb. Suddenly, there is a huge explosion around the orb and the entire city is instantly obliterated. The destruction is cleared and Matt clearly sees two individuals standing in front of a large computer. One of them looks like Usutu. Matt suddenly wakes up in the middle of his home and looks back to see his family starring back at him. He looks forward and sees his reflection starring back at him.)
Janice: Matt, what's going on now?
(Matt looks down and sees 4 pieces of paper in his hand of drawings he's done of what he's seen on the other side.)
Matt: (Sighs) I don't know, Janice, but whatever it is, I'm going to make sure we stay together.
(Matt turns around and embraces his family.)
Janice: (Smiles) I'm glad you're okay, Matt, but you've gotta get to work soon to clean out your desk and say goodbye to your coworkers. We don't want you late on your last day. (Laughs)
Matt: (Laughs also) What are they gonna do, fire me?
[D.L. Hawkins, Underground Facility]
(D.L. and his roommate Sam silently sit across from each other in the room. The sound of the buzzing light overhead dominates the room for an additional 4 seconds.)
Sam: I think we should just do this. You're a handsome guy; I'm a hot girl. You even said so yourself- (Stands and slowly walks over to him) that your marriage; your entire relationship, was a game made a mad man who was insane and manipulated the minds of others to give himself a god complex. (Stands behind him and slowly rubs on his body) Your love wasn't real; there's no reason to fight this.
(D.L. turns around and gently pushes Samantha back.)
Sam: You keep saying I'm the one imprisoned in my own mind, but you're the one not honest about how he feels. You can walk out the door right now and no one could stop you, but you choose to be here in prison locked up!
D.L.: I know you're stressed, but there are things you can't understand right now, and I can't blame you for that.
Samantha: Keep telling yourself that. You're nothing but a big lie. You're no hero! If you were, then you would sacrifice whatever pride thing you're holding on to and do this with me so that I could see my family!
D.L.: Don't you see this man is the devil?!
Samantha: I don't care! I don't care, I don't care! I want to see my family again! All you have to do is accept the offer for free sex and we can be free. (Tries to tempt him again) You can experience pleasure that you haven't in a long time I know you crave so, so bad, I can see my family, I can be happy; they will have a mother again, and you would have brought back together a broken family. Please just do it. Please just do the right thing.
D.L.: All of that, for the price of my soul? No thank you, I think I'm good on that.
Samantha: (Continuing to talk softly and in a tempting voice) A soul which you don't even need; a soul which isn't yours to even enjoy. You're in hell right now, baby,- (Places hand on his cheek) and you're not getting out anytime soon. Give us this gift.
D.L.: (Lowers her hand from his face) I gave you an answer; don't make this hard on yourself.
(The door is opened and Samantha quickly backs away angered. Candice, Linderman JR. and a very ominous man wearing all black and handcuffed walk into the room and close the door behind them.)
Linderman JR.: It is quite amazing how strong your ability to PISS ME OFF IS!
D.L.: From the looks of it, it sounds like I'm doing something right.
Candice: You almost make me believe that not all men are pigs. (Smirks) I kinda admire that. (Shrugs)
Linderman: I think It's about time you had a little chat with my little friend here before he gets shipped off.
(Linderman throws the "shadow man" onto the chair by the nearby table and he takes a breath while continuing to stare at the surface of the table. D.L. feels something "chilling" about this man and slowly turns around to sit across from him. The Shadow Man reaches into his prison pocket and pulls out a picture which he tosses over to D.L. He then leans back and makes direct eye-contact with D.L. once he finishes looking at the picture.)
Shadow Man: You think real evil don't exist, well I'm it. That kid on that picture is your boy. Now because I was taken out of my hole and his name was mentioned, I'm about ready to snap his neck just for that. They want you to know your son is alive because they want me to go after him. His entire team has extraordinary abilities but I could kill 'em all at the same time so they're no threat to me. Your son has no protection from me.
(The shadow man raises his hand and begins sucking the light out of the room itself and forming it into a ball of energy within his palm.)
Shadow Man: This gas that nullifies powers, they don't work on me. The potency isn't strong enough. Level 6 was a facility so under the radar, that it was built away from society itself. I'm looking forward- to the sun… and the son. (Smiles)
D.L.: Are you here to put fear into me, because it a'int working.
Shadow Man: That's their tactic, not mine. My tactic is a bit more hands-on.
Linderman: This is a game, Mr. Hawkins, my game and in my rules, you do as I say or others pay the price for it.
(The three of them then leave the room as a guard on the other side opens the door for them to leave.)
[Hiro Nakamura and Usutu]
(Hiro and Usutu have both lost Matt and remain in the desert alone.)
Usutu: It is not right that you are here, Hiro, but if you are, it means the future has once again changed and I'm afraid it is for the worse.
Hiro: What do you mean? How do I stop this bad thing from happening?!
Usutu: You do not get it, Hiro. Stopping tragedy means stopping growth of the world. It was no coincidence you lost your power when you did. Some tragedies need to happen because change is constant.
(Usutu and Hiro both desolve into sand after only a few short moments.)
[L.A. Knox and Elle]
(Both Knox and Elle are seen sitting on an old dusty mattress.)
Elle: You lived a really hard life. It sucks how much you actually have endured and yet, I judged you for who you've become now. You may not be perfect, but I could've at least seen your pain and recognized the strength it took to endure that pain. I'm so sorry I judged you.
Knox: Being a person of color, no one respects you. No one sees the potential in you, they just see the dysfunctional part of us. We've endured so much over time and people don't understand the burdens we carry from our ancestors.
Elle: Half the time as a woman I feel a lot of suppression and judgment. Ya know, like the world has certain expectations of me or want me to be a certain way or look the way they picture in their mind. And you know what's funny? I have no memory of my entire life. So I know how you feel- just because we don't remember something, does not mean we don't feel it inside. I think losing my memory helped with that little teaching lesson.
Knox: (Smirks) We really are connected. As black people we come from royalty. I read our history and we were warriors. We were strong, proud people. And it's almost if we lost our leaders and followed whatever feeling felt natural to us, but without proper understanding or guidance, we looked at how the world portrayed us and followed that instead. It's why we're so lost, as a culture and a people.
Elle: (Scoots closer to him and gives him a big hug) Let's show them how to be better. I mean, I know we have a difference in opinion but I still feel as though we are above normal people. They can't do what we do! Maybe we have these powers to SHOW THEM how to be better.
Knox: Your inner sociopath is showin'
Elle: Good! I want it too! (Quickly jumps off the bed and stands before him) Knox change begins with us! Humans have reach their peak and we're capable of doing so much! We're all some kind of monster, so let's use ours to do something- take what we want, be examples! The world can't tell us what to do anymore.
Knox: Elle, you know I care. You KNOW I do. But you forget I was a gangster, twice! I've served and gave orders. I'm done with that path.
Elle: Well I wasn't done with mine when I was killed on that-
Knox: … What's up? You good? Talk to me, Elle.
Elle: I just… got a memory back. I was at a beach. My head… Gabriel…?
Knox: Sylar. He killed you?
Elle: Who's Sylar? Look, whatever. (Holds her head in pain) Look, I just wanna run away and be free okay.
Knox: You're never be free-
Elle: I KNOW! It eats me up inside but I am aware that I will NEVER truly be satisfied or happy with my life. I am a junkie for chaos and a normal life is not cut out for me! I don't need you to judge who I am, Ben, I need a partner to be with me! Ben!
Knox: Hey, hey, hey. Come here, come here.
(Knox stands and gives her a supportive hug.)
Knox: It's fine, I'm here, okay.
Elle: Knox, I'm convinced my pain won't ever go away, but I'll always need something to chase because that's who I am. Please don't make me feel bad for being myself because the rest of the world already does. I don't wana feel alone, so please just be with me. You're chaotic but you're kind and I love that balance.
(The two break apart from each other.)
Elle: (Sighs) Talk to me about your cousin. You haven't said a word about him since we found his cabin destroyed.
Knox: Look, Elle, I don't wanna believe my cousin's dead. He's the only blood I got left still around. It's not easy knowing you're alone in the world, at least from that point of view.
Elle: (Stares at him and sighs in slight annoyance) I don't know what you're saying, Ben, I have no clue, but- if you need me to help you at all through this, then I'm by your side. I'm not blood, but I'm your best friend.
Knox: I appreciate that, Elle. I've said it before, but you're a cool white girl.
(Both of them stare at each other and laugh.)
Knox: Come on, let's get outta here before we go outside to missing rims.
Elle: I was wondering about that, why will the rims on our car get stolen again…?
Knox: Cause they shiny. Things of value get sold out here; that's how it go.
Elle: So if everyone's afraid of their stuff getting stolen, then why by them in the first place…?
Knox: Good question. Next lesson, alright? Let's go.
(The closet door is slide open and young Brandon comes out.)
Brandon: Cool, I assume your talk is over now and it's safe to come out, finally!
Elle: Who are you? Do I know you?
Brandon: I'm a shapeshifting medium, you probably feel your deceased family members coming through me, but hey stay on topic! (Clears his throat and changes his mood to be more dramatic) I bare a message from the master who soars through time and space like an eagle over a valley- his name- Nakamura, Hiro. How'd I do, did that sound epic? I was trying different versions.
Knox: Hiro sent you, huh? What does he want with us?
Brandon: The future's in danger and apparently you're the key. He doesn't know why, but he does have faith in you.
Elle: Maybe this could be our chance to do something impactful. It's amazing how things work like that.
[Manhattan, New York]
(Peter, his co-workers Hesam, and Emma all stand around Hiro Nakamura as he lies on bed unconscious. Peter continuously looks over Hiro's chart.)
Peter: Alright so this was the time he was admitted. I think I'll be able to go back and figure out what happened to him.
Hesam: Wait, Peter what do you mean go back? There's nothing to go back to.
Peter: I can.
(Peter walks up to Hiro and touches his shoulder. Peter seems to get sucked into Hiro and Peter wakes up in Japan in the same location where Hiro was stabbed several days earlier. Peter looks around and no one is around accept for Hiro standing face-to-face with Ando. Hiro holds his sword firmly while Ando stands before him in black leather cloths. The two of them talk in Japanese.)
Ando: This is how it has to be Hiro! Either you're against us or with us!
Hiro: (Slowly lifts his sword and points it at Ando. Sorry, my friend; but I cannot let you do this.
(Hiro charges at Ando but Ando hits Hiro with a blast of red lightning, killing him instantly and causing him to fall to the ground. Ando looks over to Peter, but as he turns, a strange darkness seems to cover his body. The darkness takes complete shape and walks over toward Peter. Peter slowly backs away but the figure continues to walk straight for him. It stands in front of him and spreads its arms wide open.)
Darkness: We need to talk. Come give your father a hug.
(The shadow figure embraces Peter and he lets out a loud scream as both he and Hiro wake from being unconscious.)
Hesam: (Catches Peter and calms him down) Whoa, whoa, Peter. Man, you okay?
(Peter tries to catch his breath but he acts as though he's seen a ghost. He looks over at the bed and sees Hiro looking around in confusion.)
Hiro: Peter Petrelli?
Peter: HIro?!
Hiro: (Looks over to Emma with excitement) EMMA!
Emma: (Smiles) Hello, Hiro.
Peter: Hiro, buddy. (Runs up to Hiro and gives him a hug) What happened to you, Hiro; where's Ando?!
Hiro: Something serious is happening. Back in Japan, people like us with power were fighting gang members in the streets. I froze time but- (Looks down and tried to collect his thoughts)
Peter: But what?
Hiro: (Looks up at Peter) Someone else was there too; possibly another time traveler. He forced me out of my ability and I was stabbed while in the middle of the fight.
Peter: Wait, someone forced your power, what does that even mean?
Hiro: No time to explain. I have the feeling we will be seeing him again, but in the meantime, action must be taken. I have decided to expand Dial-A-Hero to America. It's a hero for hire business.
Peter: We've been getting a lot go people emitted to our hospital lately who coincidentally have abilities. It would be nice if someone could be here to stop them.
Hiro: Maybe you can help me expand into New York?!
Peter: … (Takes a few steps back) I'll look into it, Hiro.
(The door is closed and Hesam walks closer to both Hiro and Peter.)
Hesam: Peter, please, man, just help me understand what's going on here. These people who have these powers- I know you're one of them, but what exactly do you do? I mean, you've got so many of them, which would make sense as to why you do your job so well.
Peter: I do my job well because I'm determined. But if you must know, I copy the abilities of other special people I touch, but I can only hold on to one ability at a time.
Hesam: Wow, so you are Superman. Wow man this is crazy. This is nuts.
Emma: Uhm, should I let you boys have your moment? I feel sort of out of place here.
Peter: It's okay, Emma. You're fine.
Hesam: So what ability do you currently have at the moment, just curious.
Peter: I don't know. Our last patient I guess had an ability and when I was tending to her I copied it. I've been seeing some weird stuff, like someone I knew slicing someone's head off and I also saw- You Hiro. Ando killed you.
Hiro: I was there too… Hmm… Have you seen anything else strange, Peter?
Peter: Yeah- When my dad- took my ability.
Hiro: Do you fear your father?
Peter: I- I don't know. But he took something from me and now I'm weak. I'm failing at everything, Hiro. I'm failing at being a Hero.
Hesam: You seem plenty capable to me. Hey, you having whatever power, you get the job done and you help people who need saving. You have a strong heart, Peter, so to me, your abilities don't really matter just as long as you're saving lives.
Peter: Yeah… (Storms toward the door and holds the handle) Do me a favor, Hesam; don't tell anyone about this, okay. And as for you, Hiro; you stay here. I'm going to get to the bottom of what this ability is. (Leaves the room)
Emma: How are you feeling, Hiro?
Hiro: I am okay, for now. I am just glad to be awake. How long was I out?
Emma: Three days.
Hiro: Great Sco- Three days?! I need to get back to Yamagato and make sure Ando is okay!
Emma: Calm down, Hiro. You won't be any use to anyone if you don't rest.
Hiro: (Calms himself) You are right, Miss Emma. A Hero must always know when to fight and a hero must always know when to rest. (Nods and smiles) Do you have any juice?
[Washington, D.C.]
(Bennett and Lauren are seen driving through the city. Lauren is in the passenger seat on her laptop.)
Lauren: So what's our plan of action for catching Boy Wonder?
Noah: Tomorrow morning we catch a flight to Costa Verde. The game is slightly different now so our tactics have to change a bit as well.
Lauren: Doesn't it bother you that we're going after an innocent kid?
Bennett: Not when he has the potential to sabotage what we're doing. He was the one who put himself on radar when he flew into my apartment unannounced.
Lauren: … Don't lose yourself over this, Bennett.
(Lauren's computer starts to beep.)
Bennett: What was that, did you get a location?
Lauren: We got a triangulated signal for where he and his caller are…
Noah: Who is the caller?
Lauren; Give me a second and we'll find out- now.
West: Micah, we just made it to a downtown rooftop. Should I head to Bennett's apartment now?
Micah: Not yet. Find out what kind of car the woman he's with is driving, then put a tracking device. Before we make our move, we'll need to find out where they're keeping Ryan first.
West: I got it. There aren't many places in Washington to land safely so we're headed to the streets.
(West and Christina make their way from the roof down into the hallway of the building they were in. They find an elevator and open it up. As it opens two guns are pointed at both West and Christina and they are shot in the neck with tranquilizers. Both Bennett and Lauren seem a bit out of breath from running so fast to catch them.)
Lauren: … I don't know; that seemed a bit too easy.
Noah: You think it was a setup?
Lauren: I don't know. Come on; let's get these trophies to our higher ups.
[Peter Petrelli, Hospital rooftop]
(Peter stands on the rooftop and sits on the edge letting his mind drift. After a short time, Peter realizes that someone is standing in front of him but he refuses to acknowledge him with eye contact.)
Older Man: You sad, sad little boy. So desperate to figure out your own power that you're expecting Sylar to show up on this rooftop and help you. You can pout all you want, Peter, but you're the one who brought me back, remember that.
(Peter looks up at the man but he disappears out of thin air. Peter stands and walks back inside of the hospital. Peter sits in the locker room of his hospital changing his clothes when his cell phone rings in his locker. He looks at his phone and sees that it's Claire calling again. He puts his phone down and ignores it as he painfully continues to change his shirt. An older man sits behind him on the bench but his face is not seen.)
Peter: She did this. She started this. People are scared, they're on the run, and they're literally fighting for their lives because of her.
Older Man: This was the future you tried to prevent, right?
Peter: She killed me, in the future. She shot me dead and she became something- different. People like us are hunted and we're dying every day all because she revealed us to the world. (Slams his locker closed with his phone still inside) I can't forgive her for that.
Older Man: It had to happen sooner or later, Pete, you had to have known that.
Peter: (Continues to avoid eye contact) Yeah but it didn't have to, not like how it did, and it didn't have to be her.
Older Man: But it was, and that's a truth you're going to have to accept.
(Peter tries to look up at the Older Man again but he vanishes. Peter finishes buttoning up his shirt and leaves the locker room. The man left inside takes a few steps in front of Peter's locker and he's revealed to his father.)
TO BE CONTINUED…