Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 180 – Show me some things.

Cody's POV, An hour or so later.

I was proud of myself. It took some time but this guy was getting it and god damn if I wasn't happy to see it. Just good to know I can pass things down. Even things like this.

Raptor was still getting form together for his stroke but I was keeping to the end of the pool as he did some laps. Occasionally I caught his eyes as I watched quietly. Maybe after the fifth or so lap he stopped to grab onto the outside of the pool. With one swift motion he pulled himself up and out of the water as I wondered.

"Done so soon?"

"We can practice some more another time. Plus I mean look at her." He urged me as we both turned to look at Molly who was passed out under the bench where our clothes were. I just chuckled and got out after that as he stated peacefully while getting himself a nearby towel.

"I still have to give Hecan a call. And I don't know what you plan to do after this, but I was thinking about training."

As he said this I had gotten myself a towel as well and had begun to dry my head. As the sentence came to a close, I had begun to shake it off and reveal my eyes to him to question.

"Train? Why do that right now? The day just started and you want to waste your time?"

Raptor who was actually more lax then I thought up till now replied with a question of his own.

"Why is it a waste of my time?"

Running the towel along my legs I was knelt down slightly but I replied as he began to start drying off.

"I mean can I speak openly about it?"

Nodding of course; Raptor replied while beginning to run his head through the towel.

"I wouldn't expect you to do anything but."

Letting out a small laugh, I then said to the guy pretty bluntly.

"I mean look at ya. What the fuck else can you hope to do? Your thirty eight right?" I asked him as he looked back up to reply with a smile.

"Yeah. Who told you? Zeta?"

Nodding my head to the answer I then stated honestly.

"I mean at first when we met you looked my age to me. That is saying a lot cause I know for a fact most hedgehog's don't age well at all. Hard to see it in ya. Have you always just been this...ahhhh...this...fit?"

Giving me a chuckle as he bent forward to do his legs. Raptor replied as I watched his body go down.

"I've always kept it a habit to keep in shape. You can't do what I do without the body to work with. It doesn't matter if I'm at my prime right now. What matters is keeping it. To get the most out of my life before I die. How do you think I would feel if Zeta died cause I wasn't strong enough to protect her?"

Widening my eyes slightly I questioned.

"Wait you say that like you actually care about her. I thought this was a job for you? Keeping that promise I mean. Are you two a thing?"

Standing back up to face me, Raptor replied while grabbing his shirt.

"Her sister doesn't know and I want it kept that way Cody. I want to relax. Not have drama."

Kinda shocked I said back.

"Well I mean shit. Guess I can see your point now. That's good though. You two being happy at least through all this bullshit."

Raptor seemed to agree and as he got on his shirt; he then harkened back to wonder,

"I suppose. You with someone back home?"

Shaking my head as I got my shirt on I replied.

"Nah. I've been around the block a bit but nothing serious. It's kinda hard to get something like that going once your in the business. The most I can tell ya is I've had plenty of fuck buddies over the years. Plenty of one night stands too now that you mention it."

As I got my shirt over my head, I caught Raptor's purple eyes as he looked me over to ask.

"I'm sure you'll find someone once this is over. Your a good guy. I can tell."

"Awwwww thank you." I replied as I reached for my hat to mumble.

"So ahhhh...?" Raptor who was collecting his things slowly looked back over to me to listen as I asked in a curious way.

"So I taught you how to swim now. Wana tell me a little about those eyes?"

"I'll make you a deal." He instantly replied as I widened my eyes to question.

"You already made me a deal."

"This is a better one." He replied back as I got my hat on to listen as he said while sitting down on the bench next to Molly.

"I want to see you in action a bit. Know just how good you are. Your pretty confident so I figure that should be no problem. Right?"

Caught off guard I replied.

"I mean why do you care?"

Locking eyes he replied.

"You've been checking me out for the last hour kid."

My whole body went still as I was unsure what he meant truly by saying that. I mean I made sure not to draw attention so how...?

"You want to see what I can do right? Well vice versa Cody. You're suppose to protect me from the people who want me dead? I want to see your not full of shit. I'm not asking cause I don't believe you. I'm asking cause I'm curious what a perfect user can do and I don't want to fight Pepper to see it. So how about it? You show me a little and I'll tell you whatever you want to hear. Don't be concerned with hurting me. Cause you won't."

Now I felt attacked a little with that last statement. Giving him a smirk I questioned.

"What you mean by that? I won't be able to hurt you? That a challenge old man?"

Nodding Raptor then replied with a direct push to my chest with his right hand.

"It's just a deal. What's your answer? Gonna show me something worth while? Or are you just gonna hide till something happens?"

Getting a little excited I replied.

"Your on. When you wana do it?"

Bending over to pick up Molly. Raptor held her in his arms to reply.

"Now. Come on. Roman said their was gym in this place. They got a mat and it's on."

"And if not?" I wondered as we began to walk out of the room.

"Then I'll take you outside and we'll do it there. Regardless you want some back story kid? You're going to have to earn it."

I was down for this. Keeping my smile on I replied while keeping to his side.

"Your on then. Should be fun. You can show me why that bear had problems with you."

I got another laugh from the man as we soon found ourselves in the very gym Roman mentioned. It was huge. Bigger area then the pool and one of every machine you could possibly see in a real gym. Raptor got Molly down on a small mat near the entrance as I quickly found our arena for this little battle. Slowly walking to the center of the mat, I waited as Raptor turned to start heading my way. Halfway there he stopped to state.

"I'm not going to fight you kid."

"Wasn't that the point of this though? I thought you wanted to see me fight?"

Nodding Raptor replied while getting us an equal distance apart.

"Nah I want to see you fight sure. I'm just telling you now I won't be trying to hurt you. Just defending myself. Cause like I said before. You won't hurt me. I promise."

Letting out a lost laugh I questioned.

"You really are confident in yourself old man. You got a trick or something up your sleeve? Cause there has to be something going on if you think for even a second you can beat...even defend against a perfect user."

Simply readying himself, Raptor replied while getting one foot in front of the other.

"Not to your knowledge Cody I'm a user too. I survived the venom back in the first war. I don't take it now, but I know enough about users to know all of you are cocky. Zeta being a prime example back in Afghanistan when I challenged her to a match much like this."

Widening my eyes I then asked.

"How'd that turn out? Can't imagine she let you off easy."

"She didn't. She used her venom and went all out. But guess what happened? I won. Took her down and she didn't land a single hit. You need proof? I'll get her right now for you to tell you herself. Cause after that day she's been in a good place. She knows what I can do and she's grown to respect that. She knows not to try if we have to fight. Cause no matter how good you think you are...I'm simply better."

Now I was sparked. With my excitement on the edge, I shouted in a happy tone.

"Oh that's enough of that! Zeta isn't a fully developed perfect user like me or her sister! That means you didn't get the full experience of what we can do! And to be honest I'm getting a little worked up hearing the shit coming out of your mouth about me not being able to handle you! So how about you shut up and put up those hands!? Let's just find out how full of shit you are!"

Raptor just smiled as I got my body ready. Seeing I was clearly fired up he urged with a cocky voice to back it up.

"By all means then. But till this is over I'm going to keep talking shit. You want that to stop? You make it stop. So?"

It was at that exact moment I turned. Raptor smiled wider as it was clear to him I was ready after one simple flick of a switch. My eyes red and burning softly behind my skull as I felt everything pumping and ready for lift off. Before being about to burst, I asked him for one last time.

"You sure you want this?!"

"Oh yeah." He replied almost whisper tight as I came right at him. His body followed with mine as I knew just how fast I was now. I was already fast to begin with, but being a perfect user meant that it took control of your already installed abilities and just simply amplified them ten fold. I was as fast as a bullet and I was slightly surprised when Raptor managed to block my incoming right arm. It was like clapping really fast. The second I felt the block; I switched arms and just began to tee off. However it became clear to me that he wasn't full of too much shit now. Cause he was keeping up.

Blocking all my attacks one at a time. I decided to mix it up after another heavy hook got intercepted. I pivoted on my boots and swung my right leg around as fast as I could. As I came full circle, I widened my eyes to see his head and body all bend backwards and just outside my boot's range. Then without another moment passing he came forward while I was still finishing my kick; to connected his hands to my shoulders. I stopped in place and as I went to predict his next move which was sure to come fast, I panicked and widened my eyes when I felt his knee somehow get up to my stomach without me even seeing a movement of his legs. The force it hit me with was enough to get me to choke on my breath and send me a few feet back; bending forward from the mixture of confusion and pain. My venom kept with me no problem, but I was utterly shocked by what just happened. How did he attack me that fast? I didn't even see it happen.

"Come on kid. Don't get nervous just cause you got hit. You got more then that in ya right?"

Catching my breath I questioned.

"How the hell did you do that?"

Raptor just smiled as I bit my tongue and came at him again. This time with more speed. Raptor was however more then ready. My attacks were so fast when he blocked my right arm; my left was already striking his body. But still he blocked it. After a few more attempts to try and hit him, I decided to go low to try and sweep his legs. But when I attempted the kick; he jumped my leg and came down right on top of me. Pinning my arms back as I was caught completely by surprise, I could only lock eyes with him to listen as he said in a more serious tone.

"You're fast. That's the first thing I notice when comparing you to Zeta. Powerful too."

His grip was so tight. I've faced countless guys that were both bigger and stronger then me and I was still able to get the upper hand if I ever got pinned like this. Getting closer down to my face I questioned.

"How the fuck are you this strong?!"

Just smiling he replied while keeping his body pinned across my stomach.

"Why does that matter? Your worth twenty million right? Or am I wrong?"

Keeping my venom on, I replied while readying my legs.

"You keep talking! And to the wrong person! You should spend less time yapping and more time watching your...?!" Sending my legs up with full power, I widened my eyes when I felt my whole body; including my arms go free from his power. And with my intent on sending him over me, I felt my mind lose all focus when he didn't budge and I suddenly got sent into a roll backwards. I was expecting to be stopped by his back but that's why I was absolutely lost when all that happened was me rolling backwards and onto my knees. With Raptor just staring at me from the same spot, I turned off my venom and finished my previous statement.

"Back?"

Raptor just smiled as I couldn't figure out words anymore. I knew I went right through him. There wasn't anything else there as an option. Nothing to explain the confusion I was experiencing. Just giving him this lost face, I listened as he asked.

"You think I'm not?"

Standing up to face me, I remained where I was for a second to ask.

"What just happened?"

Losing his stance, he replied while taking a step forward.

"There is a reason Zeta decided to stay by my side."

"What are you?" I asked him bluntly as I stood up. Getting next to me he replied with.

"You really want to know?"

Changing my mind instantly, I stated back.

"Actually no. I don't."

He seemed surprised by the answer but I kept my answer going by stating.

"I'd rather be drunk when you tell me. So how about tonight me and you get ourselves a bottle and you just explain to me what just happened? Cause whatever the answer is I know it's out of this fucking world. I ain't ever fought someone like that."

His face lit up with a laughter as I questioned again in disbelief.

"How the fuck did you do that? When we drink you better not tell me your some super soldier engineered from western Asia."

"Why Asia?" He asked with a continued laugh as I blankly replied.

"They have a lot of smart people living there. I don't know. It just came out."

Shaking his head and giving me a slight push with his offhand, Raptor said back.

"Your fucked up. Come on."

"Where to now?"

Stopping to look back at me he said.

"It doesn't matter. Because you're going to be a good boy and follow me like you promised right runt?"

My face went red as he waited for an answer. Starting to walk towards him I replied.

"I mean that's the idea. Being a bodyguard and all that."

Keeping his purple eyes locked on to me as I got to his side. He then ordered.

"Then stop being an idiot and stick to your word. Don't make questioning me a bad habit. Cause I will not tolerate another Pepper on this team. Am I clear?"

With my eyes widened I replied.

"Yes sir."

Smiling back he then urged.

"Then by all means. Stay close. We got a lot to do kid."

I was super confused with what just happened minutes ago. And as I walked with the man I questioned what he was. He said he was a user but he's faster and stronger then any other user I know. His eyes aren't red so he's not clearly on viper venom, but I had no idea what else there was as an option to explain him. And I was beginning to think my thoughts about him being a super soldier might be getting truer by the second.

Black's POV, Afghanistan.

Archer had lost his mind. Mason was killed. Rebellion soldiers were executed. Patrols were all over the city and forcing people to stay in their homes using nothing but lethal force to back their motives. The capital was under a street lock down. Meaning Archer had teams fanned out across not just the walls, but outside on the streets defending all four corners of the capital in all directions. It was insane. I had myself in the capital thankfully with Hunter, but Archer was near impossible to get to. He had a team guarding him ever since he showed his true colors. From the first second I met him I knew he was a problem. But fuck if I can do anything now about it. Hunter and I kept together up till now, but as we came up to the office I heard from inside.

"Black!"

Looking into the office I rested my eyes on Archer who was standing behind Mason's desk.

"Come here." He ordered me as I looked to Hunter to say.

"Come on."

Nodding her head as we switched directions. I grew concerned when a guard right on the other end had immediately shut it behind us. Looking back over to Archer, I listened as he stated calmly.

"We're staying here. That means you, your men, and Hunter are now going to be living here as well."

"Why? What about Iraq?" I questioned as Hunter had wide eyes to the idea of staying.

"Iraq is under control. Hoffer is keeping everyone in line and like it or not these people now need me here. Mason being gone gives us the chance to make things better."

"Better." I whispered to myself as he was soon looking down at the desk at a map of the city he had displayed for use. There were push pins all over the fucking thing. Looked like there was a pin on every street.

"I have every district controlled and being run by a select number of teams. Unlike Iraq there are more rebellion soldiers here then there. And more joined on the second Raptor took out Hannon and his troops. So we have more then enough people to run this kind of operation. But for it all to work I need someone to be in charge. In case of any problems we may encounter. Someone good. Someone like you."

"What does that entail?" I then asked as he carefully replied.

"You and your men run the districts. Make rounds daily to get a report on the district from the team leaders I have there. Anyone reports problems and you dish out the mission to the teams within. Guide how problems get solved. Kill anyone that poses a threat to ether yourself but most importantly me. Am I clear?" He asked me as I felt no reason to say no to the position. Doing anything that isn't what he wanted was a quick way to get shot. And I will not chance ending up dead like Mason now that this army was more or less now being controlled by a dictator.

"Yes sir." I replied as he smiled and then ordered.

"Go inform your men of the change. I have a lot to do and a lot of teams to get in place. Get some rest and tomorrow you come see me. I'll have everyone gathered to know you're the new field commander."

"So it's like Iraq then? Like how I ran the men in the battle at the border?"

"Exactly like that. The men need a leader and you are more then capable. With you out there and myself in here. We will have no further issues in this city. Not till Linnen has been killed and Pakistan belongs to us."

"What about the men that ran? Any plans for that?" I then wondered as he nodded.

"I'm working on that. But regardless they won't be allowed to operate freely. Everywhere is controlled by rebellion and if a hide or hair of them gets shown they will be killed. That much I can promise you. What's important right now is working on a plan for Pakistan. That's all that matters."

"What about Raptor?"

Archer gave me this angered look as he bluntly replied.

"You really want to know?" He asked seriously as I was confused on what was happening. Sensing my concern Archer listened as I questioned.

"What are you talking about?"

Just staring at me and Hunter he replied.

"Take a seat. Bout time you two heard for yourselves just what's been going on behind the scenes."

mT Shadow.