Ash was sitting at the table, eating potato chips, and thinking about what had happened before the arena match. His hand found its way to his cheek.
(Flashback)
"Just so you know", She said, "I still love you". Ash fealt lips press against his cheek.
(End)
Ash rubbed his eyes with one hand and muttered, "Awe man, this sucks".
Suddenly Millis and Sarah rushed into the room and shouted, "Turn on the News"!
Ash jumped, Surprised by the outburst, but did as they said.
On the screen was a blonde, female reporter on a beach. Actually, the beach was about a mile out. But that wasn't the most surprising thing. Behind the reporter, were landing crafts, used by the SSA, Army of Darkness, and Superhuman Union. And on pike, outside one of the ships, was Tracey, well his body, on a spike, skewered through the butt.
The reporter had already started speaking, "-recently found an hour ago, along with the body of gym leader Tracey. Shadow forces are currently investigating the craft and-"
The door suddenly began to open, steam erupting from the cracks. Inside was about four-hundred disciple personnel.
Ash though eagerly, This is only day two, it wasn't supposed to happen for another two days. Asis, did you lie to me, even for the better. Ash was puzzled deeply.
On the screen, a disciple shouted,"The Glorious conquest of our lord, Asis, has begun, loyal followers, take to the streets, and fight our Shadow oppressors!"
Ash knew that quote. It was a quote that was required to learn in SSA history class. It was actually first spoken by Jon in the second shadow war about 70 years ago. That settled it, these are legitimate SSA soldiers. Ash still couldn't understand why this was happening early.
The reporter on the screen touched her ear, and reported, "The Shadows have begun a counter attack, urging all forces to converge on this position."
Ash knew what was happening. Shadows were great at short term skirmishes, but against endurance based forces like the SSA's, they were next to helpless. Ash also realized he hadn't seen Asis since before the tournament, or Jon.
Suddenly a Large explosion flashed onto the screen, and the connection cut out. A knock was heard on the door.
Ash, Millis and Sarah all looked at each other, before Millis opened the door.
Outside was an UPS man who held up a manifest. He asked, "Are you Millis A. Steel"?
Millis responded, "I am she, what is this about"?
The UPS man responded with a small amount of shock, "You prepaid for your furniture yesterday, and had it delivered here. I may be wrong but it says that you ordered 20 couches".
Millis's draw dropped, "Twenty"!
The UPS man quickly recovered, "It may be a mistake, If you-"
Ash decided it was time to intervene, "Oh sorry, I didn't know what couch you'd like, so I ordered a bunch, and thought we'd return them. My bad".
Millis turned to him with a small glare, "Really, next time tell me if you go furniture shopping." She turned to the UPS man, "Do I need to sign something".
The UPS man shrugged, and handed her the manifest. "Sign here, and here, initial here". He walked here through the process.
When he left after helping unload the couches, Ash walked up to them, with an eager look in his eye.
Millis put her hands on her hips, "You wanna tell me why you ordered twenty freaking couches"?
Ash smiled and shook his head, before taking a kitchen knife and stabbing the back of the couch. He cut through it, revealing a large crate inside.
Sarah nodded, "I get it now". She helped Ash unload the crate, and opened it up. Inside, were weapons, anything from pistol bullets, to light machine guns.
Millis gulped, "What are you going to use those for"? She asked, not wanting to know the answer.
Ash smiled, lightning bolts swirled in his iris, "We're going to crush the Shadow's control of this city, and then claim it for lord Asis".
Millis smiled at him, "You really seem to love him don't you".
"I have a story that goes waaaaaaay back to when I first started my journey".
Millis smiled, "I'd love to hear it some time, if its that good".
Ash smiled, "When I was first starting off in my father's army, I was immediately given to Asis as a peace offering of sorts. Asis usually only allowed born and bred SSA soldiers in his company, but he took a liking to me, and granted me the position of champion, before I was even a Major". He couldn't help but think back to when his father first appeared before him, with the crackling of thunder and flashes of lightning.
Millis smirked and asked, "What are we going to do with about 40 guns?"
Ash smiled, "I managed to recruit some people to my cause".
Millis looked skeptical, "And you think 40 people will make a difference"?
Ash laughed, "No, but the stall that it will produce will allow the main force to come in, plus, I have the Armored command unit on the way, and that can end this fight in days".
Millis's eye half-closed, "So you spent 15,000 dollars on useless couches to smuggle weapons in for a rebellion that probably won't even work".
Ash frowned and paused, "… Well when you say it like that it sounds stupid".
Millis practically shouted, "That's because it is stupid"!
Sarah frowned, "Why haven't I got a say in this".
Millis placed her face in her hands, "Alright, traitor, what have you got to say"?
Serena smiled, "I think this might actually work, if we give it some time".
Ash frowned, "We're out of time"!
Suddenly a knock was heard at the door.
Millis inched toward the door, opened it, and found thirty people waiting outside the door.
In any ordinary city, these would have been Christmas carolers, but this was a shadow town, these were revolution carolers.
Ash walked up to the door, "Are you ready to be free again"?
The tallest one stepped forward, "Let's win back our town".
Ash smiled, starring into the distance. There was a transport coming, and on it, was UEF ACU, fully upgraded. This night would be the first of its kind, an uprising within a city, all for one man. This was operation: Blank-out.