Omega Kid
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the Kick-Ass comic or film written by Mark Miller, or any guest characters from other Kick-Ass fanfic's they are owned by their own writers and creators. However, all rights and characters for Omega Kid belong to me and are owned by me alone. So if anyone wants to ever use any characters or anything else from this story for a special chapter or fic will have to ask first...but don't worry, there's a 99% chance I'll say yes.
Chapter 53: Fast Forward
You ever notice that when you have a dreamless sleep if feels like you were only up and about two minutes ago? That's sort of how I felt, yet at the same time like I was asleep for years, cause I remember everything that happened previously before my eyes were shut, and yet I had this feeling that I was completely refreshed. Hard to imagine when I almost got blown up, smashed about, and crushed all in the space of a good few minutes.
The feeling returning to my body was like drinking from holy water when you're a vampire, it stung like hell. I was so numb it took me a while before I could even open my eyes or roll onto my backside to look up to the sky. The clouds were grey, but it was still daylight remarkably, surely I couldn't have woken up that quick? Then I remembered the bridge and Emeraldian, quickly sitting up the first thing I expected to see what a disaster area with pieces of the bridge everywhere and cars toppled over each other.
Instead I'm just staring down a long grey road that just goes on, no bridge at all anywhere in sight, together or in pieces. And then the buildings around me, they seemed taller and…a lot more different then from what I remember them. I think I'm staring to get my hearing back, I can just about hear the sound of a car driving right up behind…oh crap!
Forgetting the stinging sensation on my body, I roll to the side and onto the pavement just as a car zooms past before I could even get a proper look at it, surely that guy's going over the speed limit! And then another car followed up…and what the hell? This was a car I've never seen before, smaller and more futuristic even.
As I took a moment to get the numbness out of my head, I could finally process my surroundings better…and it almost made me faint again when I saw where I was. In the words of Dorothy, I don't think I'm in London anymore. The buildings are all different! More flats, shiny and new. The street was more spaced out, with larger bike lanes on the side, and bus lanes on the other. The cars that sped past were all different as well, all more advanced then anything I've seen, I swear that I saw one that had about eight wheels on it! Even the people and their fashion were different! It's all smooth and whacky with some people blending different colours together and others in just one colour.
I'M IN THE FUTURE?
No, no, no, no, this is insane! Stupid even! How can I have been in a coma in the middle of a busy road for God knows how many years? And even seeing myself in a shop window nearby, I still look like me, a 16 year old me! And absolutely fine, no injuries from my fight with Judge. Wait? Oh crap, coma? Don't tell me I'm actually in a coma and this is like a dream!
Maybe if I pinch myself I'll wake up and everything will be just fine? Ignoring the fact that I'm making myself look like an idiot in front of passers, I kept pinching my arm as hard as I could, ah that hurts! No, no, this must be a coma, I can't wake up that easy, I'm stuck here! I don't believe this I'm stuck in the future, I know a superhero can have crazy adventures but this is just too surreal…duh, dream.
But then again, if this is just a dream I'm having while being unconscious, nothing can happen to me. And I don't have any villains after me in here, so I guess while I'm here I might as well enjoy myself. This could be handy, I could find out lottery number winners, or football bets, just to earn a little extra for Jenna and I. And then find out spoiler alerts for movies and comics, see how many Percy Jackson books there'll be, will they bring back Heroes? See if Megan made it as a big superstar…then again if this is my dream, this isn't the future that will happen. Oh well, just a little fun I guess.
Walking around the streets I can hardly recognise where I am, this must be at least 15 or 20 years in the future. The thing that baffles me is the contrast between the shiny new buildings and streets, compared to the dark sky and lack of any trees, guess I'm not really a tree hugger then if this is what I think the future will be, at least I'm not a 2012 believer.
I got a few stares of some people as they walked past me; guess my fashion sense is out dated a bit. I just keeping thinking Inception every time I…hey Inception 2 at the cinema…what? Michael Bay directing? Even in my dreams that guy has to ruin everything! I wonder if the Omega Kid series is still going? Oh Kevin wouldn't like that…my dream, not real, got to remember that.
Hold on, I think I recognise this place. Yeah, this cinema is the one Alex, Steph and me use to go to. I remember now, the alley behind it was where I once saved Stephen's life when he accidently swallowed an acorn that feel in his mouth. Walking into the alley, not a lot has changed surprisingly. Dustbins and dumpsters are more advanced and some of the buildings around have been cleaned up, but they don't look that advanced. Guess the government is still all make the rich richer and poor poorer in my mind, you know if this is my dream I wonder if I can run for Prime Minister before I wake up?
''Well look what we got here boys!'' A voice called out. Next thing I know, behind me stood three…I guess I could refer to them as hoodies, except the hoods seemed to shadow their faces and make it impossible to get any distinguish on the face, not that it would help anyway. ''Looks like a little lost lamb!''
''Yep, and this lamb is about to go find its friends, bye now!'' I tried to turn away and leave. However before I could get far, they somehow just zoomed back in front of me like Clark moving super speed in Smallville, catching me completely off guard.
They all started chuckling to themselves. ''Look at this kid, acts like he's never seen a Z jacket before.'' The jackets make them move fast? That would be cool if I wasn't in a sticky situation, still the jackets don't look that tough so I spin around and kick at the closest hoody. ZAP! Once my foot makes contact my whole body gets shocked and I'm flung at least twenty feet across the alley and into the dumpster. They all start laughing again as my body was shaking violently. ''He doesn't even have grounded shoes for the jacket's defences!''
Why the hell in my dream does the bad guys have more advance weapons than I? Slowly getting back on my feet, I looked around for something that I could use to defend myself with. Right now, anything would do, even the old dustbin lid that was next to me. Once I picked it up, they just started laughing some more. Shrugging my shoulders I advanced on them. ''Sure it's old fashioned,'' Taking them by surprise I charged and smacked it across the first one's face. ''But it's still effective!''
The one to my right started punching and kicking towards me as I blocked with the lid, he was strong mind you as I could see the lid being bent back as I blocked his blows. It was nearly bent in half, but I could use that to my advantage. He punched once more, and as his fist hit the lid I bent it down full trapping his hand in it. BAM! BAM! Leaving him open for me to give a double punch to his face, knocking him back.
The last one held up his fists, and that's when I knew they had to be wearing gloves, cause grey streaks lit up along his hands. He punched at me; luckily I dodged because the dustbin that he hit behind me went soaring and crashed into a wall, actually breaking into it. Damn, I can't afford to be hit once. He approached me flashing his fists, knowing he had me cornered he went for the finisher. BOOM! I moved out of the way as his fist punched through the wall and became trapped. Taking off my jacket while he was stuck, I wrapped it around my foot BAM! I kicked hard across his back. The blow wasn't as damaging with my jacket softening the blow, but that was better than getting shocked again.
Turning back to the first one I hit, he stood calmly as I stood ready for what he had up his sleeve next…and literally it was up his sleeve. He brought out some knife handle with no knife, flicking a switch; the knife emerged from the handle, smoking hot like it was forged out of lava. Standing still and scared, I watched as the other two cut themselves free from their predicament with their knives and advance on me. ''Just before we continue, is there anymore weapons you lot are hiding?'' I asked frustrated by the unfairness of this fight.
All three attacked me at the same time, I was forced to retreat and dodge as best as I could. Jumping on top of the dumpster and kicking away their hands as they tried to strike, I rolled off to the side as one came towards me. He tried to strike, but I sidestepped him, grabbed the knife handle and yanked it out of his hand as he tripped to the ground. At least now that I have a weapons I…ah, ah, ah, the handle's hot! The handle's hot! I tried to get a good grip on it, but it was no use, I had to throw the knife as far as I could…but then like a boomerang it just spun around and skidded next to the hoody that I took it off of.
''Are you from the stone age kid?'' One of them asked as they surrounded me. ''You freak when you see our jackets? You think you can hold someone else's heat knife? And then you just throw it back to them?''
''Not to mention his clothes make him look like a gay!'' Another one sneered. If these guys fought me evenly I could take them, but here I was outmatched. For all I know, they could be hiding more weapons I don't know about. Still, if this is a dream I can't die, right? Hope the coma bit doesn't change the rules.
Just as one sprinted forward to land the first hit, he was taken by a blinding red light that came out of nowhere. The other two were probably just as surprised as I was, as the red light moved around the place, running along the walls and even up them dragging the hoody along before just letting go of him in mid air and letting him crash to the ground in a strong heap.
''Oh Christ it's them, weapons!'' One of them said as they both brought out what looked like Star Trek laser guns, they had guns the whole time? I thought we were working to stop knife crime in London, they guys could be their own weapons shop with all the stuff they're hiding. The red light then stopped in front of us, revealing a human figure standing there. Holy crap, there's no way that I'm seeing this.
''Alright punks, who started it this time?'' The red figure asked…Hellrider? A grown-up actually bad-ass looking Hellrider? Just when this future couldn't be anymore screwed up! Hellrider brought out from behind his back a little red stick, and with a flick of his wrist the stick extended until it was a bow staff. As he started spinning it, a red light trail was behind left behind making it look like a transparent shield he was holding. Once the two hoodies opened fire on him I realised it was a shield he was making, the laser blasts were stopped in their tracks by the shield created by the spinning bow staff. Despite being the guy that almost killed me, I have to admit he looked cool at the moment, and I think I can see a beard under his mask.
Once the hoodies realised they couldn't shoot him down, they retracted their guns and brought out their heat knives again. Then the guy on my left just grunted and yelped in pain as he just flipped backwards and landing harshly to the ground, then it seemed as if he was getting punched by someone, yet there was no one there unless…an invisible superhero? This future is whack!
The last hoody didn't realise until the last minute that Hellrider was up to his face, and it was too late to do anything about it. With a swipe of his bow staff, the knife was stuck clean out of the hoody's hand and this time didn't come back. The hoody then tried to punch him, but Hellrider just grabbed his fist and held him in place like he was nothing, then quickly just crushed the hoody's fist into a bloody mess. BAAM! With a final swing of his bow staff hitting the hoody in the face, he was sent flying across the alley and landed somewhere out of sight.
The invisible hero was no longer beating up the other hoody; I knew this for two reasons. He was out cold and no longer taking hits, and I was kicked at the legs and pummelled onto the ground. The invisible hero pinned me down, he was strong cause I couldn't even budge, not until I could feel him get off but then I had Hellrider hold his bow staff to my neck. It was burning my skin with the slightest contact; oh please tell me he's forgotten his grudge against me.
''So they're sending one unequipped man to attack their rivals? Either that or they just didn't want you and sent you on a suicide mission!'' Hellrider said. He doesn't recognise me at all, and they both think I'm a rival gangster.
I held up my hands showing them I was unarmed, then again the hoodies didn't appear to have that many weapons at first, but I just went along with it. ''Listen I'm not a gangster, I was just walking…''
''And you walk to this side of the street?'' The invisible hero said…it was a woman's voice.
''I didn't know, I use to come here before…long time ago mind you but…'' Then he did the most unexpected thing, and released me from his grip and moved the bow staff from my neck. Hellrider let me go? He really doesn't recognise me at all, and the invisible hero has domesticated him probably.
''Just get out of here stupid, and don't come back. Or we'll wait until after those punks cut you to make a move.'' He said as he walked away.
''You don't remember me do you?'' I called out. ''Come on Hellrider how can you not…'' I was stopped instantly as he grabbed me by my neck and slammed me into the wall, holding me up. ''That didn't last long!'' I coughed out.
''I let you go believing you're innocent, and then you just blurt out my old name. Who are you?'' He questioned.
I was frozen with surprise for a split second. ''You changed you name? Wait to what?'' I didn't get my answer as he tightened his grip around my neck.
''Who the hell are you? And how do you know me?''
''It's me Thomas, Omega Kid! Remember? Come on, we were rivals, partners, and enemies! You almost killed me for God's sakes!'' I don't really care if it made no sense, I had to tell him something or he would take me down. We were an even match in my time, but here I could see from his fight with the hoodies he's in another league compared to me now. Not to mention he had the back up of an unseen ally, who had remained silent since her last question.
Hellrider didn't make a sound or any movement at first, as if trying recognising me; I couldn't tell what he was thinking under his mask. However, I had a feeling I knew his response when he tightened his grip even more. ''You expect me to believe that, even if you were Omega Kid, you would be at least 30 years older!''
''30 years?'' I gasped. The city didn't look that advanced, I guessed half that, I knew technology was advancing slowly but even I disagree with myself that this is a slight over exaggeration. Any moment now he would probably end it so I had to keep going. ''Please it's me; I know it's hard to believe. But it really is me! Just ask me anything only Omega Kid would know!''
''I don't have to, what you're suggesting is mental!'' Before he could apply the finishing strike though, his hand just stopped before his fist connected with my face. I could see the fabric of his costume on the arm creased in the shape of a hand, the invisible hero stopped him. Hellrider reluctantly waited, this was tense, I couldn't tell what the unseen hero was doing, or what she was thinking about me until she asked. ''What was the name of Thomas's girlfriend?'' I was about to ask why she wanted to ask that, but then she took off her mask, the cloaking device switching off revealing her face…a face despite being older I recognised instantly.
''Rachael?'' The future just got more whacked up! I'm surprised I didn't go into a coma within a coma after all these revelations.
''It is him!'' She gasped. She was much older, but still just as beautiful, even with the scars on her face and a bit of her lip almost burnt off. Realising it was her, I almost reached up to just sooth the scars and burns on her face, but held myself back thinking just how nuts all this was. And for once Hellrider seemed to agree with me for different reasons.
''You can't believe him! Look at him, he still looks no older than 18, how can it possible be Omega Kid?''
''I don't know myself,'' I replied honestly. ''I was fighting against Judge when…he blew up the bridge and…and I don't know, I got knocked out and woke up here!''
Rachael's expression was quickly shifting from confusion and sorrow as she looked back at me. ''You died after that attack.''
''What?''
''Two days later in hospital, you were in a coma and then your injuries got the best of you. But the doctors were amazed that you lasted with the damage you took…'' She was trying to make things easy and point out my bravery like she always would, but this wasn't helping at all, it was in fact making it worse. So what if I died then in a coma…and I'm in a coma now…then am I dying? No, this is a dream, that won't happen, it can't happen.
Something else came to mind. ''But what happened to Emeraldian? The others? Alex? Stephen? Stella? The others? When did you become a superhero? Why are you with Hellrider and…''
''Thomas relax.'' She said holding onto my shoulders.
''Sorry but I can't relax, I need to know more. Just answer the last one, why are you and Hellrider working together?''
She was hesitant to answer at first, but the look on my face was enough to convince her to spill. ''Try not to freak…but…we're married.''
Okay…
Okay…
No, not okay…
''Hellrider, knock me out!'' I told him.
''What?''
''I said knock me out, I need to wake up from this, knock me…'' BAAM! I wasn't even ready yet!
Rolling about on something soft, my head throbbing like mad, please tell me I'm in a hospital bed waking up from that nightmare. At first I thought it was true when I felt the bandages around my head and an ice bag on my neck, but that all changed when I could hear gruff voices behind me.
''I still don't trust him, what he's saying is just impossible!''
''I know it's unbelievable, but I know that face, those eyes, even the way he talks and goes frantic, that is him!''
After that there was another moment of silence before I could then hear Hellrider laugh quietly. ''Well if it is then no wonder I enjoyed knocking him out.''
''Still can't believe you did that.'' She sighed.
''What? He told me too!''
''He's having a rough time, and knocking him out was not the best option!''
''Rough time?'' I called out still trying to pick myself up. ''Rough time is when you get picked on by the school bullies, this is another level. And I'm already in a coma so not like knocking me out here would have made things worse.'' I could feel Rachael helping me sit up, and once I was up fully I finally got a good look around. I was sitting on their couch in a home that could fit right in my time, no advance stuff or gadgets, they even have a Nintendo GameCube next to the TV, I didn't think those things existed anymore in my time…then again, my dream.
''What do you mean you're in a coma now?'' Rachael asked.
''Like you both say, it's just impossible for me to have woken up 30 or so years in the future and not having aged a bit. Only explanation is that I'm in a coma, and this is all a dream I'm having.''
''So you're saying we're not real?'' Hellrider asked.
''No I mean…I don't know, I guess…hit to the head was real enough.'' I grumbled rubbing my head.
''So what now?'' Rachael asked me.
''I don't know,'' I summed up while standing up and pacing around the room. I need to get the feeling back in my legs, not to mention I need to walk off all this madness. ''I guess I just have to wait until I wake up.''
''What if you don't wake up?'' She asked. It's not something I want to think about, but she does pose a good question, if I don't wake up do I continue dreaming? Will I never age? Never die? What if I do die in the real world? Does this dream stop? All this confusion is hurting my head, it's like trying to explain quantum physics to a five year old or worse, explain quantum physics to me. ''Whatever you need,'' Rachael said. ''We're here for you.''
''Thanks,'' I nodded and walked around before my eyes darted over to Hellrider walking around the couch and placing a hand on Rachael's shoulders, which just made me so uneasy and jealous. ''Hold on, you lot still haven't answered my questions! When the hell did you two get married?''
''About 13 years ago!'' Hellrider explained.
''But why? Rachael the guy who almost killed me, I know he didn't mean it, it was the chemical but…I just need to know why?''
The thing was, she didn't look guilty with it. ''Things change quickly, and 30 years is a long time.''
''Yeah but…'' I couldn't even go on with the argument it was so bewildering I couldn't put words in a coherent sentence. But then there was still other stuff that I needed to know. ''What about the others? Where are they now?''
Before either of them could utter another word, the front door to their home was opened and next thing I know a ten year old boy sprints past me and starts hugging Rachael's leg. Rachael greets the boy with much joy and happiness, hugging him back. And then Hellrider started hugging him as well…no way…they have a…they have a…
''So the bus dropped you off okay?'' Rachael asked the boy as she held him tightly.
The boy's eyes never left me. ''Yeah, mummy, who's that man?''
Oh God, they have a kid? Rachael and Hellrider? Together? This was too much; I didn't even wait to see what their answer was to their son as I just made a run out of the door and down the hall, that's when I knew I was in an apartment building. I just wanted to keep running, even if this was just a dream, how long will it go on for? How long will I have to watch all the things I've missed? Watch Rachael in the arms of another man, a man that almost killed me, and has had a kid with her.
Then again, running wouldn't work for me either. I have no where to go at all, and with my scuffle with those hoodies earlier I knew I wouldn't last long out there. So I just ran upstairs and headed to the roof of the apartment building. Sitting on the edge I actually forgot about my fear of heights, until about five minutes when I moved back just for safety. Watching the sun setting was calm and surreal, it's the only thing that hasn't changed, and it's still just the same.
''Thank God,'' I heard Rachael say behind me. She took a seat next to me, watching the sun set as she spoke. ''I thought you ran off somewhere.''
''Where can I go? Until I wake up I'm stuck here!'' I said. ''Speaking of which, I think I remember this place.''
''You should, this is where my husband almost killed you.'' She said monotonically. Oh jeez now this place is starting to come back to me. This is Hellrider's apartment building, where he lived and where we had our last fight! Never thought he would be the type to be homesick. There was then a moment of silence between us, I didn't make eye contact with her, nor did I want to for the moment. Just knowing she's with someone else made me sick, I couldn't reach over and care for her or even kiss her, she had someone else to do that…two people to do that for her now.
''I waited you know,'' She broke the silence. ''Even after you passed I still waited, stupidly thinking you would get out of this mess as always. But you were really gone, no one could believe it.''
Those words reminded me of the others. ''Where are the gang now?''
She was now the one who didn't want to make any eye contact with me as she looked out to the horizon. ''We were lucky to find you, you were in a coma so there was hope…Emeraldian on the other hand…died instantly when a bit of debris crushed her.''
''What?'' I gasped in disbelief. I saw Judge get crushed partially, now all I could imagine was D in the exact same position, it was sickening to think about.
Rachael then went on. ''Jenna didn't know what to do, we tried to help her but we could never fully heal her. She's working in some retail store now; I still keep contact with her now and then. As for the others…'' She stopped, reluctant to continue. Straight away I knew this wasn't good, but I just had to know.
''Are they okay?''
She took a heavy breath and continued. ''With both you and Emeraldian gone the League just had no one to lead them. Donavan had no clue, he just lead them into one death trap after another. The team lost Hood and…Stephen…''
I felt like being sick, Steph? One of my best friends was dead? I knew Donavan had no clue, and Harry too? This shouldn't have happened; I thought the guys would do okay without me. But with D gone as well, they must have just lost all their confidence. ''How did Alex take it?''
''I don't know! After that he quit, and we haven't heard from him since. Eventually Donavan was caught by a gang and executed before the others could stop him. Hellrider went back with the team to help but it just made things worse, the team suffered from trust issues, they were unorganised and outmatched. It went down to the point I actually had to help, but that was only after…'' She stopped once again, making me uneasy.
''Tell me!'' I said firmly.
''After Stella had her accident! She was paralysed, unable to move let alone fight. I haven't spoken to her in years either.''
''What about Megan?''
''Same, haven't talked to her since Stella's accident. From the last time, she's taking care of her but I don't know where they are now. After a while, Snapshot and Big Bob went their separate ways from us.''
How could me dying have split the team up like that? Even if this is a dream and not happened yet, the thought of all this happening scared me. What if I don't wake up from my coma and this really does happen? Then I thought about someone else. ''What about Omega Girl? Didn't she help?''
Rachael shrugged her shoulders. ''No one's seen her, she's gone.'' It was a blunt and easy answer, she was too good to have just never come back.
All this was hurting my head. ''I think I need to go lay down for a bit.'' I got up and started making my way to the staircase.
''Thomas,'' Rachael called out once more. ''No matter what you think none of this is your fault! Things just happen, and if…if this is all some dream of yours, then you have to do what it takes to make sure all the bad stuff doesn't happen!''
''And that doesn't include your time with Hellrider and your kid?'' I snapped back at her unintentionally. I didn't want to but it just came out, I was so tired and confused everything seemed to be a blur including that moment and after as I walked down the staircase to leave her. Instantly, memories of me saying those things to Rachael before summer kicked back in, I wonder if Hellrider has ever said a bad thing to her? Jeez now that I think about it, I've seen Hellrider be respectful to his mother, why would his wife be any different? He might have even been a better boyfriend to her than I was.
Walking back into their home I walked over to the couch and slumped down; their kid was drawing on the floor while Hellrider watched out the window as if expecting someone. He noticed me and gave a nod. ''Didn't expect you back, thought that shock would have sent you running for the hills.''
''How do I even know the hills are in the same place as before?'' I mumbled attempting a joke but the strain in my voice made if painfully obvious I failed. ''Listen, Hellrider…''
''No,'' He interrupted. ''I changed that name a few years ago, it's Hellwrath now!''
''Hellwrath? Seriously?'' I questioned.
''Yeah,'' Their kid called out. ''My daddy's the best superhero in the world!''
''Alright Thomas, we all know that, no need to rust the trophy!'' Hellwrath told him politely and…Thomas? Did he just call that boy Thomas? Well he went back to drawing happily while Hellwrath parked himself on the couch next to me. ''What were you saying?'' He asked me.
''Did you just call him Thomas?''
''Oh yeah, Rachael's idea. It came as a complete surprise really, and she just couldn't get you off her mind she just had to name the little devil after you.''
Rachael named her kid after me? A kid she had with the guy that almost killed me? Boy, topsy-turvy huh? I looked back at Hellwrath. ''You treat her right, don't you?''
''I protect her as I would my own life!''
I couldn't help but chuckle at his statement. ''I don't know much about Hellwrath, but Hellrider always seemed to take his life for granted, a real daredevil!''
''Yeah well, Hellwrath and Hellrider are almost two different people,'' He said. ''When I heard what happened to you, and then how the others in the League were dying I thought I just had to come back for some reason. Obviously they weren't thrilled by the idea, Rachael included, but we had little option. It still wasn't enough though. Eventually Rachael and I were the only ones that were not dead, retired or mission in action. We just do what we can now.''
''So what changed with you?'' I asked curious now.
''I found that someone! When Rachael started helping us, she hated my guts, thinking I played a part in your death. And I agreed with her, so I promised I would do whatever it took to help. More often than not I almost ended up in some street corner cut up or gutted, and yet she always saved me. I suddenly found myself fighting for something new, something other than revenge, and it was all because of her. But not matter how I feel about her, I know she doesn't love me.''
''What do you mean?''
''Just look at today for an example; you come out of nowhere claiming to be Thomas, and she believes your screwed up claims over my judgement. She trusts you more than anyone, I'm always going to be second to you on that front.''
This really was a different person from Hellrider; I could hardly believe it was him I was speaking to for a moment. ''Then…why…if you know she doesn't feel the same way…''
''Already you're trying to win her back off me,'' He teased before continuing seriously. ''Cause even if it's not much, it's something to keep me on the right path, a path that I would take over my pointless old one any day.''
I'm just unable to really say much else about this, all these disasters that have happened and yet Hellrider was the one thing that came out of it for the better. And he treats Rachael right, if not probably better than I did, but then why does he think she loves me more? 13 years they said, we haven't even been dating for 13 months. Then again, this is my dream; I'm probably just hearing what I want to hear.
''Did you know,'' Little Thomas called out to me. ''That I have the same name as an old superhero that mummy and daddy knew? Omega Kid!''
Now I was smiling again, they named him after me and talked to him about me as well? I just went along with it. ''That's cool, and did you know my name is the same as well?''
''Really?'' He squealed in excitement.
Just then Hellwrath started laughing his head off. ''That's true squirt but remember, who's the best?''
''You are!'' Thomas pointed to him.
''Hold on,'' I cut in. ''Omega Kid could have taken any superhero any day!''
''Really?'' Hellwrath asked sarcastically.
''Yeah, and to prove this, I know Omega Kid's fighting style, I could pretend to be him,'' I said playfully trying to make a believable statement to little Thomas, imagine having to explain my situation to him. ''Come Hellwrath, let's see how much you've improved!'' I got up and took a battle pose in the middle of the room.
Hellwrath got up, still chuckling at my statement. I'm not stupid or blind, I know I can't take him in a fight even if this is muck about; I just want to see how much he's advanced and how much I have to catch up to be future worthy. Think Batman testing out Batman of the Future. He brought out his futuristic bow staff and stared at me for a bit, for all I know, he could have new moves that have never been seen by human eye before…well human eye from my time. However one move I wasn't expecting him to make was to throw his bow staff towards little Thomas. ''Go on then, prove it!''
Wait, what? He wants me to fight his own ten year old son? He surely can't be that over confident. ''Cool!'' Little Thomas shouted with joy as he started spinning the staff around like a pro. But still he's half my size I can't just fight him, does Rachael know about this? What would see think if she saw me fighting him?
Then again, I remember the last time I underestimated someone nearly half my age and size, and I had my ass handed to me on a silver platter. Not to mention this is Hellwrath's son, no way am I holding back this time…
BAM! I get knocked right off my feet as Thomas fly kicks me in the chest knocking me down on the couch. He then grabs my arm and pulls me forward, using the bow staff he hits both my legs causing me to buckle over and fall flat on my back. He looks over me with a little concern. ''I didn't hurt you did I?''
''No...I just…''
''Okay!'' He said before sticking his foot underneath me and kicking me up, causing me to roll in the air and slump to the ground again. Grunting in pain I silently curse the Gods, why must every child I meet beat me to a pulp in embarrassing fashion? No, not this time. I'm better than before, and this kid is no Hit-Girl. I flip myself back onto my feet as he tries to attack me with the staff, I block each time with my leg and arm. Then with a fake kick catch him off guard and grab the staff out of his hand.
''Ha, now let's see you...Ah!'' I yelp as the staff burns my hand and then flies back into Thomas's just as he jabs it into my stomach. BAM! And then whacks it across my back knocking me to the ground.
''Yatta!'' Thomas called out victoriously and run towards Hellwrath, engaging him in a loving hug while I rubbed my lowered head in humiliation, twice in my career a kid has made me look like an idiot. Thankfully both those times none of the others have seen me.
''Overall, I'll give you a five!'' Hellwrath said.
''I'll give him a seven!'' Thomas followed.
''And I'll give him ten seconds to explain what just happened?'' I could hear Rachael at the door. She walked around me and noticed the new bump on my head. ''I leave you alone for a minute and already you're picking fights with Hellwrath, just like the old days.''
''Yeah well in the old days he didn't have a ninja as his son! Did he train him?''
''We trained him,'' She answered. ''For protection purposes of course, I don't have any intention of him actually becoming a superhero!''
''But mum…'' Thomas whined, however Rachael was having none of it as all she had to do was raise one finger and silence him. He sloughed in defeat, then all of a sudden picked up and asked. ''Is Thomas going to stay with us?''
That question caught everyone off guard in truth; none of us had really thought that question over. Really though I had little other option, until I wake up or if I wake up from my coma, I'm stuck in this new world that I have no clue how to live in. Just then, Hellwrath of all people answered him. ''It's going to have to be a unanimous decision.''
Little Thomas raised his hand to the sky instantly. ''I want him to stay, he's funny!''
Oh great, if I do stay I'm going to be his punching bag. Both of them laughed. ''I'm going to let mummy answer first.'' Hellwrath said.
Rachael looked at me momentarily, after the way I talked to her earlier I wouldn't be surprised if she threw me out into the streets and let me defend myself, I think I would prefer that then say something horrible to her again. She approached me, looked me dead in the eyes and smiled. ''I have house rules!''
I smiled back in relief. ''Good ahead.''
''No going out after dark, no telling anyway your real name just in case, no getting involved with any more mobsters or gangs or…''
''With you giving me this lecture and being older you sound like my mother!'' I joked.
''Well I'm the closest thing you've got at the moment.''
''That's just freaky!'' I blurted out but she just giggled lightly. That's when I realised for the first time I got here, guess with no more panic or confusion in me anymore, I realised she still has that same laugh, the one that made my stomach go all funny.
''And I got a few rules too…'' Hellwrath called out.
''Oh great, I want to hear to this!'' I said sarcastically.
''Still going with what Rachael said about no fighting with gangs, I think we should still train him.''
''What?'' Rachael and I said in shock.
''Think about it, we'll train him until he wakes up or whatever, and then when he does he'll be a better fighter than ever before.''
''B-But…'' I stuttered. ''This is a dream, I don't think training works that way.''
''Listen a the moment, this is your life now. You're going to have to make do with it, plus I'm not going to have a weakling around the house. Rachael, you think that will work?'' He asked her.
She looked back at me before walking off to a cupboard nearby, bringing out a shopping bag with something in it. Looks like clothes, they're giving me the latest fashion already…no, in fact they were giving me something very old and very familiar…my costume! They kept it, my Omega Kid costume! Rachael handed it to me; it was all stitched up and washed, looking good as new. ''Only if he wears this!'' She said.
TWO MONTHS LATER…
''Come on, hurry up!'' The hoody whispered to his mates as they tried to hijack a car in some empty car park, they still do that after all these years? Well it is a nice car; then again this is coming from someone 30 years in the past. Funny enough, those three hoodies trying to break into the car were the ones that jumped me before, oh boy it was time for some payback.
''Hey boys!'' I called out getting their attention. Bet they got a right old shock when they saw me standing behind them in my new and improved Omega Kid costume, much more light and agile, sure it may not be real and if I ever did wake up I would sure as hell miss it.
They all burst out laughing and approached me. ''Looky here, we got someone trying to be that old hero, what's his name…''
''Omega Kid?'' I pitched in.
''That's the one!'' He grinned as he and the others brought out their heat knives.
I smirked back at them. ''That would be true, only I'm not trying to be Omega Kid…I am Omega Kid!'' Once those words left my mouth they were about to enter another laughing fit until I held up my hand to stop them. ''Before you say anything more, you might want to look behind you!''
Right on cue, the red light from Hellwrath's costume surged around the area catching the hoodies completely off guard. Getting myself into a handstand, I wrapped my feet around the first hoody's head and slammed him into the ground. The other two remembered me and jabbed forward with their knives; while I ducked forward and with my cloth covered fists punched both of them right in the stomach sending them flying back.
The first hoody that I knocked down grabbed his knife and tried to slash at my legs, but before he could I back flipped and stamped right on his back. He attempted to roll off me, as I moved away and grabbed one of his legs before swinging him into the car near me, in the future they're stronger so it didn't do much to the car (but can't say the same for the hoody).
One of the hoodies brought out his laser gun and aimed at me, but I was already standing in front of him before he could get that proper aim. BAM! I elbowed him across the face, and then quickly ducked down and swept at his back leg causing him to go to ground. While he was down, I jumped up and jabbed him in the stomach with both my knees causing him to spit out blood.
The last hoody tried to play smart and make a run for it, although he didn't get far as the red light of Hellwrath caught hold of him and started dragging him around the car park as he did before in the alley, funny enough I think it's the exact same one he got before. In mid air he let go, the hoody falling right towards me as I held out my leg. BAM! Getting a perfect kick across his chest he was out cold. This makes it my tenth villain stop since being in this future world.
''One minute, twelve seconds…'' Hellwrath called out as he appeared next to me. ''New record!''
''When do I get one of those suits?'' I asked randomly, still finding his suit to be the coolest thing I've ever dreamed of, pun intended.
''What? You don't like your old one.''
''No, it's still my favourite, I just want to try the new and cool.''
''Maybe in a year or so.'' He told me as he walked towards the exit. It's just weird how Hellwrath and Rachael are treating me like their own child with Thomas, not a bad kind of weird, just a weird kind of weird. I've helped out with other stuff, looked after the little guy (as he kicked my ass with every practice session), cleaned up around the apartment. And whenever there was free time, Hellwrath would train me. It was pretty intense I'll admit that, but only after two months I could feel how much I've improved already…then all of a sudden I didn't, in fact I couldn't feel anything. I stumbled about, having to use a car to keep myself on my feet. ''What's up with you?'' Hellwrath asked checking on me.
My head felt numb, and my body was stinging like hell…wait, that's how I felt before when…could it be? I think it is! ''I'm waking up! I think I'm waking up!'' I tried to shout with joy but my voice just didn't have the strength as I felt my eyes go heavy. ''Looks like I'm not going to try that suit after all.''
''If you stay alive for a few more years you will.'' He encouraged me. That would be so cool, I could see it now, and all my enemies would be running like headless chickens! Then again, this is what I think the future will be like; all this might not even happen, it could be entirely different. Although I'm glad about my friends being okay and getting to see them again, what about little Thomas? He might not ever exist now! This is some crazy stuff to think about, and my head was just too tired to really think anymore as I lay down on the ground, Hellwrath making sure I was okay. ''Hey, just promise me something,'' He said quickly. ''Try to find me, I know at your moment in time we might not be on the best terms, but just try to keep a look out for me okay?''
''I'll try.'' I answered before everything turned white.
The white setting then seemed to evaporate before my eyes as I looked up towards a nice clean ceiling. I groaned and grunted trying to flex my fingers and feet, I realized I was sweating I was so warm being wrapped up under covers on a nice big bed…a hospital bed, believe me I've been in them so many times I actually know what they feel like now.
''Thomas!'' I heard someone shriek, and then saw a figure just engulf me in a never-ending hug, Rachael's hug another thing I can recognize instantly. It felt so good to finally hug her back and let her know how much I cared and cherished her. She pulled back and kissed me harder than ever. ''Do you know how worried I've been?''
''Rachael…'' I tried to talk to her but she just went on and on.
''Everyone has been worried sick, it's been two days!''
''Rachael…''
''There were times when they said you might not wake up…''
''Rachael…''
''Oh, I've got to call everyone! And Jenna, she'll be thrilled to see you…''
''Rachael!'' This time I finally got her attention. ''How's Emeraldian?'' I feared the worse, but that didn't last long as Rachael gave me a warm smile. ''So she's okay?''
''Wasn't as banged up as you, she found…see here's the thing, she found you down the street from the destroyed bridge.''
''What?'' I asked bewildered.
''Someone must have pulled you away from the wreckage; you said Omega Girl was there right? Maybe it was her!''
''Maybe.'' I drifted off. She left ages ago, not to mention the fact she had a broken arm at the time, and although she appeared to be one tough cookie she wouldn't have been able to pull me away from all that and leave without anyone noticing. Unless it was…could it have been?
''I need to call everyone!'' Rachael was about to get up and call everyone when I grabbed her wrist and stopped her in place. She looked back at me with concern, wondering what I had to say…and boy did I have a lot to say.
''Have I got a story for you guys!''
To Be Continued…