Author: So you'll figure out which other energy user I added into the story, to help with the conclusion, which is slowly coming around the corner. I've actually almost finished writing it and I hope the ending will satisfy all my readers. I believe it's a twist. Muwahaha! I'm so cruel. Anyway, thanks for reading everyone! I debated not posting this chapter just yet, buttt I figured what the heck, may as well. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I only own the energy users. That's all. DC isn't mine.
The wind had picked up as dawn flew by. Hours were spent tracking, searching, moving. San and Silvy had many miles to cover and couldn't risk a loud entrance so they had to walk on foot once close to the vicinity of the forest. The later half of August was starting to change into that Fall style, the evergreen trees ahead protecting the building within from view even though the rest of the trees in the area had lost some of their leaves.
The travel was quiet and the pair spent much of the time brooding.
"San, when we get here I want you to stay back, let me handle all the fighting. I don't.. I don't want you to get hurt-"
She snorted and he looked at her. She gave a skeptical flash of an expression, lips twitching upward in humor. "I recall you saying; San and I are capable of handling such a task." She mocked. "You're not doing this alone. I'm helping."
He sighed, knowing she'd argue the point. Yet she hadn't commented on his apparent worry of her safety. That amused him silently. He didn't need her getting that head of hers around the idea that he felt something to her akin to concern, let alone anything further. He wasn't willing to admit he enjoyed her company and even more so any notions of liking her in general. He put up with her. Simple as that.
He was pulled back to focus as her arm pointed out the forest ahead. "It'll be in the center of the forest." San said softly.
He merely nodded and the pair advanced toward their destination, a bounce in their step. They had to hurry.
The chirping of the birds above was quite soothing. After dozing for several minutes arms finally stretched, a yawn echoing shortly after. Fallen asleep again, twice on the job. That was bad for the reputation.
Hunters weren't exactly paid for sleeping on the clock and so a reprimand was sure to follow unless the task was completed. Unlike the comrades from previous events, the project, the journey of this one had taken a dark route. While the rest were either neutral, unknown or heroic this young one had decided to do what was profitable.. even if that meant doing a 'dirty job', which equaled to killing. Mercenary work was hard, but the money, when right, was so worth it.
Atty was nothing if not resilient and stubborn. He didn't give up until he was done, but that often resulted in endless days of work.. and sometimes he'd collapse under the strain and sleep for several days. Two years of this stuff and you'd figure he'd be used to it by now, but alas he wasn't. He was skinny, short and young. People often laughed at him considering he was a teenager, but he was talented. His powers were advancing monthly as he spent his spare time training, honing his gathered skills.
Atty had discovered early that he could do other stuff with his powers, marvelous things, but that was to be explained later on. The crunching of footsteps on ground came a bit of a ways off and he crouched low to the forest floor, eyes scanning. He finally spotted two figures stepping out from behind a tree and he watched them curiously. Who was in this forest and why?
Cool grey eyes narrowed beneath short bangs that dangled down in his face. His hair was shaggy, lengthy, but soft and very much blonde. He was dressed in simple clothes as he was working currently, but even so it was clearly noted the crisp clean scent of the grey turtleneck that was not tucked in, half concealing the studded belt that fitted through pant loops and was secured at his waist. He wore casual holy dark jeans that was over mid-knee length tug-on boots (they had no buckles or strings, just slide into them) with a red and black sash at his waist. He scooped up his ball cap, placing it onto his head before following the pair as silently as he could; he had a lot of factors on his side.
He was completely silent, which was from training, and he knew this forest like the back of his hands. He also had the element of surprise on his side and with his appearance he looked like a city boy who was lost. That gave him the advantage as they would assume him weak, couldn't fight, and he could trick them. No one would expect him to be a hired mercenary at his age.
He waited as he hung at the base of a tree branch, feet planted on mossy bark.
The figures had stopped, like they'd detected him, which was strange considering how stealthy he was, and spun to search the trees for any danger.
"We got company." The female said and he felt a slight ping of recognition from this voice and he studied her. The brown hair was vaguely familiar as if.. wait, did he know this chick? Who was she? Who was her silver haired companion?
He had an idea. He dropped to the ground and bent low, hiding, and called out. "Halt! Who goes there?" From his position he saw them jerk their heads toward the sound of his voice, surprise registering on their faces.
"We come seeking someone who was taken against his will. Are you friend or foe?" The male's emotionless voice asked, echoing gently.
"Kidnapped? Who might that be?" He ignored the question about his role.
"His name is Sari and he was brought here hours ago." The female filled in, arms folded across her chest impatiently after pulling her cloak's hood down to show her head.
It suddenly clicked into place. He materialized from the shadows, stepping forth to show them who he was. He lifted a hand, widened eyes locked on the female. "I know you.. You're San."
The moment he had revealed himself she had known his identity, even after all those years since the project. He had gotten taller certainly and had matured more, but he was still young, like her.
He was about five foot one, around a hundred pounds and he had the attitude that older people carried; worn out, like he'd seen a lot. What had he been up to since their split?
"Atty.." She smiled, a warm gesture of familiarity that bloomed on her face like a flower.
"And Silvy!" He'd finally figured out who her male comrade was and he gave a short chuckle. "My, you two look better for wear."
"You too." She giggled.
"So wait. Sari's in this forest? I haven't seen him." Atty rubbed his right cheek, 'hmm'ing to himself.
"Yeah, but.. why are you here?" The silver haired man asked, picking up on that piece of information.
"Guard duty. I do.. patrol work, highest bidder. My employer owns this land and for the day I'm.. y'know, patrolling." San noticed how smoothly he lied.
"Ok, so, why don't you tell us what's really going on." She wouldn't let him off the hook.
He sighed, cupping his face before giving her a blank stare. "I'm a mercenary. I'm basically your guard dog." He gestured around him. "I was hired for the day to keep people out."
"Who hired you?" Silvy.
"Never met the guy, we just talked over the phone, but the name he gave me was Red X."
The pair spared a look at each other, dread on their face. San felt something similar to worry dousing her like a thrown bucket of water.
"What?" He looked between them, eyebrows bunched in confusion. "Am I missing something?"
Silvy jabbed a finger at the male, calm radiating from his tone. "You need to get out of here."
He shook his head, shifting on his feet. "Not a chance."
Silvy allowed grey energy to flare at his hands, a serious expression appearing. "Now."
San had connected the dots. The Brotherhood of Evil knew they'd come for Sari and Ruba (now only Sari) and had posted a hired mercenary, most likely not knowing that he was like them. He was a distraction, to delay them from saving their friend.
"We don't have time for this. Atty, what are you being paid?" She demanded, stepping between the pair.
Silvy watched her with a baffled look, lowering his hands and letting the energy fade.
"A couple grand." He stated as if unimportant.
"I'll double the price if you'll come with us to save our friend." She said, parting her cloak to reveal her satchel.
"Why should I?"
"Because if you don't he's going to be used to power a machine that will control all of us. If you value your freedom please assist." She said convincingly.
He rubbed the back of his head, exhaling lightly. "Alright, but-" His eyes locked on San's and they held a dark quality to the grey stones. "-if I don't get paid I'll take your life as compensation. Capiche?"
"Deal." A sprinkle of rain landed on San's finger and she peered up to see a darkened sky scattered with deep grey clouds. She gestured up, indicating the oncoming bad weather. "We need to hurry." The males nodded and they took off in a run.
"Follow me!" Atty led the way. San tugged up her hood, sighed, and followed.
The structure was tall, about two stories in height, yet long, a football field at least in length. Grey steel walls were stacked beneath overhanging attached metal sheets that both covered the skeletal frame of the building. A long line ran down the center of the roof and it was known that the roof could part open. There were retracing doors that slid to the sides like those on an airfield. Upon inspection chain locks barricaded the doorway and so Silvy picked himself to handle this issue.
Their arrival put Atty in a state of quiet. He wasn't much of a talker in general, very timid to some extent, but even this was much for him.
Grey energy floated about Silvy's hand which he swiped down into the chain to sever it, allowing use of the door. San pried off said chains and tossed them away before her and Silvy pushed the doors open.
What was inside momentarily stunned them. The machine stood tall like a phantom watcher, casting a deep shadow from the light that flooded into the room. The room was empty, but wide, lengthy, just as it looked from outside. Support beams kept the thing upright and the base control was lit, signaling to them that it was on. That was bad news. They entered, closing the door behind them; it was oddly quiet and no rushing footsteps approached so they were alone for the moment. The room had light, enough to see without squinting, and so they ducked behind some crates nearby and peeked over.
It was strange as they observed the room. A form appeared by the console, glancing around to scan the room, his masked face glinting in the overhead lights. They ducked when he moved his head toward their direction and waited. When they looked, several seconds later, the male was gone.
Just as they were about to stand to investigate further footsteps did indeed sprout up, coming from the back part of the warehouse. They drew near and soon four shapes came into view.
A giant gorilla, a machine, the masked male and a woman with a body in her arms. San tensed as she realized it was Sari the woman held, unconscious, and she gritted her teeth against the desire to dive in. No, they had to think this through.
As they watched tendrils of cables shifted out from the sides as the woman stepped onto the raised platform. She held out Sari's body and the cables grabbed his limbs, holding him in the air as she went to join her comrades.
San poked Silvy, getting his attention before pointing at the control, mouthing the word 'destroy'.
He got the idea and moved to stand, but Atty's hand halted him. 'I'll go' he mouthed.
Silvy nodded and crouched back down, watching as the golden user strolled over to the four. The gorilla was currently messing with the machine, the Brain beside him while Red X and Rouge talked together a bit away.
At his movement the latter pair glanced over, noting it was him.
"Vhat are you doing? You're supposed to be guarding the forest." The French woman said in a suspicious voice.
He lifted his hands in mock surrender before golden light sparkled around his fingertips, concentrated and controlled. A smirk creased his face before he crouched into a fighter's stance. "My job has changed." Adrenaline pumped his system.
With that said Silvy and San darted out and a new battle commenced. San's cloak was yanked off and she prepared herself.
Mallah and Silvy fought it out, locking air as they say. The former slashed at the beast with energized hands that were shaped into points (fingers lined) while the latter blocked with furry mitts and evaded to the sides and backward. He pushed, forcing the gorilla back several feet as they went at it.
San had amazing reflexes. They kicked in the moment Red X materialized beside her, a staff produce to strike at her shoulder. She leaned back, the weapon slicing through the air in front her. With sharp movement her hands grabbed said staff and jerked to the left, tugging him forward just as her right knee shot up into his suited stomach. He gasped, stunned, giving her enough time to toss the staff from his hands, grab his collar, spin and chuck him at the closest wall. Her enhanced speed, which she discovered she had, allowed her to do this within seconds.
His body connected with a metal beam and he grunted as he fell to the floor in pain.
Atty had his hands full, ducking beneath stretched limbs that the red woman sent his way. She was elastic, clearly able to extend her limbs. That was going to be a problem if he didn't finish her off quickly.
He grabbed the next arm, yanked and she flung at him, feet planting toward him. He didn't have time to move, so he ducked, but that was a bad choice as her feet connected with his upper area of his shoulders and he was thrown back, releasing her arm in the process. He snarled as he slid several feet before regaining his balance. She was already upon him, slashing with her arms like they were swords instead of hands. He dodged, side stepped, flipped and rolled beneath her. He grabbed her right leg, jerked, his foot twisting around to knock the other from it's standing position. While doing so he managed to propel himself to his feet and elbow dropped her back once she hit the floor. Nice, a mix of break dancing and wrestling. He concentrated and when he let off and stepped back she stood, glancing wildly around him for him.
"Vhere are you, boy?" She snarled angrily, hands curled into fists as she searched for him.
He peered down at himself.. and yet couldn't see his own body. Woah.. wait, did he have invisibility?! That was so cool! He smirked and darted forth, wrapping an arm around her neck, spun while crouching and launched her onto the floor.
Red X had stood, laughing at San like he was impressed. "You're cute like that one red user." She had retrieved his lost staff and twirled it threateningly. "Be a real shame to have to hurt you."
She snorted. "As if you can." She charged forth and he pulled out an extra staff and the echoed sounds of their struggle filled the room. They clashed like two flickering bolts of carnage, devastating anything they touched. Dents formed in the metal wall as they missed and wooden crates burst into shards when struck.
Mallah was big, but fast for a gorilla, surprisingly so. Silvy was having difficulty keeping up, he was tiring himself out. Though capable of combat he didn't have a whole lot of experience in it and lately he'd been slacking. His endurance had dwindled. His stamina was depleting.
Silvy found himself at a rapidly increasing disadvantage. He spared a glance toward his comrades and saw they were doing better. San was holding her own and Atty looked like he was enjoying himself.. until he vanished. This momentarily caught him off guard and he blinked in surprised before a meaty paw grabbed his face, throwing him down onto his back in a dive-slam. He growled at the paw, clawing at it with his fingernails before allowing grey energy to float around his hands. One touch of the energy and Mallah jumped away in pain. He smirked barely before rising to his feet to tackle that beast head on- whether it killed him or not.
They would win this battle.