"Katherine! Look out!" Johan tackled her to the ground. There was the sound of an explosion behind them. Someone screamed, but Johan couldn't tell if it was Mom, Dad or Johan with all of them being thirteen. He got up to a kneel and tapped the 'V' on the band. It instantly popped up out of the bracelet and had a yellow electric current running between the ends. Johan pulled back on the current and an electric ball began to form the father he pulled it back. He let it go and the ball went flying towards Raviant. But he bent his body backwards and his shot hit the brick wall behind him. The squirrel-cat's tail twitched behind its head and body.
"Run!" Johan shouted letting out another shot. It hit the wall in a frenzy of sparks. When he turned around, he was relieved that they took his advice and made a break for it. Katherine took charge and made a hard right when they ran at the end of the alley. Johan instantly knew where they were when he turned around the corner. They were near the edge of town close the metal refinery. He knew if he could Raviant in there, he could lose him. Besides a few night owls mingling about the sidewalks and streets were empty. Most were probably in the lit up restaurants and stores. Johan snuck a glance back to see Ravaint had just came out of the alley and looking directly at him. The corners of his lips were bent into a small smile. Johan knew that look. It meant: he knew this was going to be fun. Johan could feel the corners of his lips bend into a smile. In a strange personal way, this was going to be fun. Challenging each other, like a game of cat and mouse. He pulled up next to Katherine.
"Kathrine, I know this town. Let me lead." Johan said between breaths. She started to fall back a bit.
"We should head for the Time Agency HQ!" JB shouted from somewhere behind.
"JB you're just going to have to trust me!" He called back, mainly because he didn't even know if the Time Agency has still operating. Johan turned them down onto a busier street. He slowed them down to a stop so they could catch their breaths. Johan leaned against a wall watching Mom, Dad, Katherine, and Jordan puff and paint. JB was the only besides him who wasn't tired or out of breath.
"Ahgg! I don't remember the last time I ran like that?" Dad sounded like he was going to throw up.
"W-who was that? And why did he call you Geo?" Mom asked finally recovering.
"Raviant is a friend of mine that made here. And as for the later part, don't worry about it." Johan said.
"Johan I think any information is important at this point." JB said.
"Let's talk and walk." Johan said starting the way to the refinery. He could feel Raviant approaching. If they were running, they would be easy spot. Walking was the safest; besides it didn't look like Dad could run at the moment. He twisted the bag on his back so he could unzip it and retrieve the water bottle. Kid Dad smiled at it and started chugging as they walked.
"Ok so how did you meet a guy like that?" Katherine asked. Johan didn't answer. He couldn't without giving out information he wasn't ready to let go of yet.
"Ok! How about where we're going? Have you thought of that?" Katherine said become agitated by him.
"The metal refinery." Johan answered.
"Why would we want to go there? Is that where your base is?" Jordan asked a bit on edge.
"No. This is the closet place in town where I know I can lose Raviant." He replied. Dad let out a satisfied sigh, wiped his mouth with his sleeve and handed him back the empty bottle. Johan tucked back in and zipped it up. He led them around the edge of the city switching streets every now and again. Soon he could see the fiery glow from the refinery.
The refinery was surrounded by a metal fence. But Johan knew a spot where they could slip in easily.
"This place doesn't look safe." Mom sized up the building.
"It's been under reinnervation for over two years. But due to politics; funding has been cut short so it's taking even longer to complete." Johan explained pushing a section of the fence to the side.
"Johan are you sure about this?" JB asked seriously. Johan looked him dead in the eye and nodded once. JB still uncertain but he walked through the gap. They walked into the building. The main source of light came the glowing melted metal in the center of the building. There were a few lights above but the glow of the metal made them look dull.
"Go find a place to around the exit here. I'll go lose Raviant." Johan instructed. He could feel their eyes on his back but they did what he asked. Before he walked too far way Katherine called to him and turned around to see what she wanted.
"Johan, be careful!" She sounded concerned. He looked past her to see Mom and Dad had the same expressions.
"I'll be right back! Don't worry!" Johan flashed her a smile and a thumbs up.
Johan walked up the last flight of stairs to see that Raviant was already there. He was sitting on top of a pile of creates. And the smirking smile was still there The cat-squirrel was on all fours on the one right below Raviant, like he was his right hand man.
"Took you long enough Geo." Raviant said. Johan raised his hands in defense,
"In case you didn't notice I wasn't running with gold medal runners." Raviant chuckled a bit. "Geo you know the only reason I haven't caught you yet and collected the reward is because you're my friend." Johan nodded.
"And I appreciate that. I do! But now I need a few questions answered. Like what does Rathbone want with me and my Elucidator?" He asked. Raviant shrugged,
"He never said, but I can confirm that I'm the only one that is after you." Rathbone only hired one bounty hunter to come after him? That is wired! And unsettling. "Sooner or later I will need to turn you in. You understand don't you?" Raviant may be his friend but he was still hired to do a job. Now Johan smiled.
"I expect nothing less. That is if you can catch me!" He challenged.
"In that case. Banger?" Raviant called down to the white cat-squirrel. It jumped onto his arm, his head's armor covering Raviant's hand. His tail wrapped around the arm for support. As if he was melting Banger slowly started looking less like a creature and more of horned gauntlet. Banger was a specially made for long and close range attacks. With the glove fully formed Raviant hopped down from the pile. Johan welcomed the fight by moving his googles to cover his eyes and flicked on the Electro Shot.