Chapter 2

Dawn of a New Day

Nic, a young scrawny agent with blue eyes and brown hair, more accustomed to computer work than actual combat, is heading to Head Spikey's temporary office quite distraught from the recent capture of his girlfriend, Tiffany. He is also a little bit concerned about Jeremiah, but his main focus is on Tiffany's well-being. Nic arrives at Head Spikey's temporary office.

Right when the door closes Head Spikey, a talking dog with black fur and a brown underbelly, greets, "Hello Agent Nic."

The distraught Agent Nic simply replies, "Hello, Head Spikey," with his head hung low as he sits down in the chair in front of Head Spikey, an unusual position for him in the office.

Head Spikey speaks compassionately, "Nic, I know you have been concerned with Tiffany's recent capture. We all feel bad for it. She was a great agent and one of our best nurses. Seeing her corruption from the shadow energy first-hand must have been rough. But your mission comes first. I know you're not a field agent, but I got a special mission for you. I want you to go over to the old Agency and spy on Darkness. Under normal circumstances we would send Jeremiah over due to his vast knowledge on the affairs of Darkness but as you already know he was captured at the Battle of the Agency."

A glimmer of hope sparks in Nic's eyes as he raises his head slowly, looking in Head Spikey's direction, as he asks, "And if I find Tiffany?"

"That brings me to your secondary objective. Keep in mind, this one should only be done if possible without getting your cover blown. Your secondary objective is to rescue Tiffany and Jeremiah if you ever get the opportunity. Be warned, as we have already seen, and from what the Superheroes' research on shadow energy shows, it corrupts the mind and soul of anyone exposed to it long enough. In addition, direct contact with raw shadow energy will instantly corrupt a person. However, there is a special microchip implant designed by Jeremiah that prevents a person from being corrupted due to prolonged exposure."

Nic replies, "I see. Who has these microchip implants anyway?"

Head Spikey answers, "The Superheroes database listed four people with the implants: Jeremiah, Tech Boy, Tech Girl, and some guy named Austin Elder."

"Who the heck is that last guy?" asks Nic.

"I don't know but based on the data on him he is Jeremiah's friend, but he is not a member of the Superheroes."

Nic asks, "Is there anything else I need to know for my mission?"

"Yes, there is one more thing. You see due to Darkness's recent capture of Jeremiah, the Superheroes stated that they wanted representation on this particular assignment. We squabbled a bit over this and came to a compromise." He presses a button and speaks into a microphone, "You two may come in now."

Footsteps could be heard coming closer until the door finally opened revealing Tech Boy and Tech Girl, twin scientists with black hair and green eyes wearing lab coats and big black boots. Head Spikey finishes, "This was our compromise. These two will be accompanying you."

"What? But don't they work for the Superheroes?" questions Nic gesturing aggressively at them.

"You are correct, but they also work for the Agency so this is where the compromise comes in. They still get representation, but we got a bit more control over the agents assigned."

Tech Boy confirms, "Yep, that's correct. However, as a representative of both I feel I should tell you the real reason why they wanted representation on this particular assignment."

"And what's that?" asks Head Spikey concerned.

"They want to launch a full-blown rescue operation without causing much interference in the Agency's work," explains Tech Boy.

Tech Girl continues, "By sending heroes along with the Agency they can keep in close contact with the Agency's agents assigned to this mission and act accordingly to this information as not to interfere with their primary objective meanwhile the heroes will do everything in their capabilities to rescue Jeremiah. That is our mission assigned to us by them."

Head Spikey replies, "That's fine. That plan will actually work out in our favor as the secondary objective is the rescue of Jeremiah and Tiffany. This gives us a better chance of accomplishing that. By the way, the Superheroes have given us copies of both yours and Jeremiah's records and I must admit I'm impressed."

Tech Girl responds, "Thanks." Tech Boy turns to face Nic and tells him, "By the way they also said to rescue Tiffany as well."

"Really?" asks Nic with hope in his eyes.

"Really, but they stated that Jeremiah is top priority," answers Tech Boy a little coldly.

"May I ask why?" inquires Head Spikey.

Tech Boy turns back around to face Head Spikey and explains to the best of his knowledge, "They never said but judging on available data I would have to say it's because A: he's a hero; B: he's the best hero they got; and C: he is essential to Darkness's plan."

Head Spikey asks, "May I ask why he is so essential to Darkness's plans in the first place. While Jeremiah's file did mention he is the only known person who can harm Darkness outside the Shadow Realm, which I would like to know more about myself, it didn't mention why Darkness would need him in the first place."

Tech Boy explains, "I don't know all the finer details about how it works but essentially he needs Jeremiah's Orb. I'm assuming the Orb was mentioned in his file?"

"In great detail. It had an entire subsection on the functionalities and build of the Orb. It's pretty clear it was researched in great detail," answers Head Spikey.

"Mostly out of necessity," replies Tech Boy before Tech Girl continues for him, "According to what we were told by Jeremiah, Darkness needs him to do a special ritual on the night of a total eclipse."

"On what planet?" asks Head Spikey.

"We assumed Earth, but we're not 100% sure. We currently got the Archaeology Department working on it," answers Tech Boy unsatisfied with his own answer.

"Wait, you got an Archaeology Department?" asks Nic curiously.

Tech Boy replies, "You'd be surprised how many times these ancient legends come true and nearly destroy a world or the multiverse. I think Darkness might be the 5th or 6th one we faced thus far? I lost count. What about you Tech Girl?"

"I was never keeping count to begin with," responds Tech Girl quickly.

"So…is that everything?" asks Nic.

"They forgot to explain why Jeremiah is the only one who can hurt him outside the Shadow Realm," states Head Spikey.

"You need light energy to hurt him outside the Shadow Realm and Jeremiah's light powers allow him to weaponize it. We're working on more accessible means of weaponization but its only in beta," answers Tech Boy.

"Ok, that's all I needed to know. You may all go down to breakfast now," states Head Spikey.

"Alright see you later Head Spikey," says Nic.

"I look forward to your reports."

They all go to the cafeteria.