(Here's the next chapter guys.)
Noble Six: Thanks.
OfficialUSMWriter: All things will be revealed.
Chapter 3: An Unclear Path
(Manhattan, New York University, a few days later)
Connell woke up in his bed. His class had returned back to New York City after their last day in D.C. Their trip was for a few days long, financed by the university. Since the voices came to him at the White House, they had remained quiet. Connell was unsure of what to think about it: who were they, where did they come from, why were they here, why him? But his mind also still wandered to the revelation he learned of. Gyrich had lied to the public about Agent Rhodey's involvement in the war, and instead of being killed by Captain America and Iron Man…Maria Hill executed him.
'Urrh…the government…they…fascists…bastards.' Connell growled in his mind.
He sat up in his bed, both hands rubbing his grief stricken face. He hadn't slept after that day, his mind raced with too many troubled thoughts. He got out of bed, staring at the wall in front of him.
'Everyday since the resistance's leadership died…all forms of crime have been wiped out…but vigilantism within any stage of development has been weeded out. They've recruited several superhumans in their ranks. How many were willing participants though?' Connell grunted in his mind.
Since their deaths, the government has aired times where mutants, inhumans, etc. had signed up onto the Registration Act in the slowly growing ranks of the government. However, there weren't as many as people would've thought. Connell was unsure of what was going on. But he did know that the government had lied to the people…hid the truth that one of the key turning points of the war was by their command…and not at the hands of a vigilante force.
'But what can be done?...The government…at this point…' Connell whimpered in his mind.
The possibility to argue with the government in any manner, let alone the notion that caused their rise to greater power over the country and the people. So much of the populace sided with the government's actions. Connell had seen speak out against them, but the government didn't have to respond themselves often. Masses of their supporters would both verbally and physically attack those that disagreed with the government's choice of conquering the heroes.
'What could possibly be done? Revealing the truth?...At this point…I don't even think that would do any good…' The young man groaned in his mind.
After an inconclusive series of thoughts, Connell left to walk to clear his mind. Despite the notion to calm himself of the chance to stand against such authoritarianism…anger, rage, and vengeance filled within his heart, begging him to fight back in any way. But at the moment…any possibility of that seemed practically impossible. For now, he needed something to eat and the time to calm himself.
(About an hour later, on the walk back to his dorm)
Connell is walking in the dark at night. His mind ran with a bounty of thoughts. Suddenly he heard a commotion to his left. He turned to see a few guys corning someone around the corner of a building. As he approached he recognized their target: the young, small man who questioned the tour guide at the White House. Connell could see the look of fear on his face as the other guys.
'I…hate…bullies…so…much.' Connell snarled in his mind, approaching the scene.
The guys were crowding over their target, angry glares and grimaces marked their bulging faces.
"You little son of a bitch, did you really think you could be a traitor and get away with it?!" One of the young men growled.
"W-What...What are you talking about?" The small guy gasped nervously.
"You questioned this country's authority and credibility by spitting that bullshit at the White House!" One of the guys growled.
Connell noticed despite the nervous mask on the small guy's face, some of the original fear present had faded away. That struck him as odd, but then his attention went back to the trio's angry response to the questioning of the government's current state about vigilantism and superhumans.
"I…I…I was just curious…" The small guy whimpered nervously, his face sweating.
His hands twitched nervously, more sweat flooding down his skin.
"Hey!" Connell shouted angrily.
The group turned to see the young man approaching them swiftly, his posture aggressive in nature. His gray eyes narrowed in anger at the three young men who had cornered the small guy.
"What the hell do you think you three are doing?" Connell hissed.
"Teaching this tra…" One of the guys stared to shout.
"I was there you dicks! It was a damn question! I imagine he was just curious! There's no reason at all for this bullshit!" Connell snarled, teeth bared and fists clenched.
"Hey! It isn't our fault if you snowflakes can't handle it if your precious little beliefs are challenged." One of the guys grunted, scoffing at Connell's reply.
"Leave him alone, there is no need for this. Also, really? We're doing the liberal vs conservative thing?" Connell grunted, unfazed by the other's accusation.
"You've lost the argument so you're making excuses to avoid being humiliated further?" Another of the guys scoffed, a smug grin across his face.
"You three are a bunch of jackasses bullying someone who doesn't share your beliefs and appears weaker than you. You're cowards, and you consider yourselves so morally mighty…pathetic." Connell growled, more anger in his voice than he expected.
His eyes narrowed angrily at the three. One of the guys growled as he lunged forward, throwing a right haymaker. Connell grabbed his arm with his left fist then swiftly pushed him back with his right hand. The other two young men charged, one grabbing his shoulders, trying to hold him in place. The other grunted as he tried punching Connell's torso. The young man grunted as he struggled to free himself of his attacker's hold on him. Each blow hit him hard, the pain building as the fists landed repeatedly.
"Can't take the beat-gah!" One of the bullies grunted as he suddenly was hit by the back of Connell's head.
The bully's grip on Connell was instantly gone. The young man grunted as he twisted his body, his right elbow slamming into the second young man's face, sending him to the ground with a thud. The third growled as he crawled away, shocked by the change of events. The three young men groaned in pain as they struggled on the ground. Connell grunted as he rolled his arms, his back popping in the process. He turned to the small guy on the ground. He walked over and held out a hand.
"You ok?" Connell asked.
"Y-Yeah…t-thanks." The small guy answered, shock thick within his voice as are his bright blue eyes are wide with surprise, taking the hand.
Connell helped him off his feet. And they stood apart, the two young men unsure of what to say or do.
"Sorry I didn't arrive here sooner." Connell said.
"You showed up just in time…stupid…bullies…" The little man grunted in annoyance.
"I know you're in my history class, but I don't know many people here. What's your name again?" Connell said.
"Humphrey…I…I can't thank you enough." Humphrey replied, not looking so sickly and tired as he originally did.
"Connell." Connell replied.
The two shook hands and smiled.
To be continued…