A/N Boatyard Bash!

Alt title: The Newest Wave Rocking The Boat

.

.

I want to ask you guys a question!

If Kitsu were a boss in an RPG, what would her Boss Battle Music be? Personally I think Inferno – Nightcore, works really well.

.

GideonBlackthorn: See, while Kitsu often projects her own emotions and experiences onto others in order to feel sympathy. She also feels no obligation to help others. That's why she was a poor hero. She's ultimately selfish and wouldn't risk her family for a random victim of the [Cycle]

Mark and Amy are in stasis, as indicated my Missy waking up and having no memory of being confined.

SonicTundra: I have no response. Not that it's a bad comment, I just have nothing else to add.

Grimnosh: I am not saying Kitsu didn't love Kratos. She did. And I get it, pets are family. Hell, my mom gets upset over the fact that I felt more attached to my dog and was more upset when he was put down, as opposed to my grandmother (mom's mom) and her death. In her words, I'm putting her mother below that of a dog.

I chose not to say what I was thinking.

Anyway! It is not that I feel this way about pets as family, it is how Kitsu feels. She feels that Kratos had no choice but to love her as his creator/mother (however incorrect that may be) while her family chose to love her.

On to the rest of your review!

It was stated earlier in the story, during the signing to raise money for the hospital incident. When Emma showed up and got Kitsu's signature, Kitsu shook her hand and scanned her brain. No Corona Pollentia. So, Emma does not have the potential to become a parahuman. No triggers for her, sorry.

Oh, Marquis is going to tear Jack a new if he finds him. Marquis went to super prison for life with no chance of parole and no visitation in order to see his daughter's safety guaranteed. Fear the wrath of a protective father.

As for the Birdcage? No one knows where it is officially. And the news of an eight hundred villain breakout would absolutely cause a panic. The PRT is currently trying to see if they cannot quietly get that under control before shit hits the fan. It will hit the fan, they know it. But if they can manage to get say, half of the villains rounded up (or assassinated) before the public finds out. All the better.

Ebon is likely not going to face a fully motivated Kitsu. As unlike the Nine, Ebon keeps things "in house". In other words, he will not involve anyone in his beef against Kitsu unless they make themselves an issue.

RadChaos897: What we saw with the Marquis is a moment of genuine sympathy. As he imagines the way Carol is, as how he would be if something happened to Amy under his watch.

Really can't comment on the Crawler situation without giving away spoilers.

Missy really is being put through it. But a core trait to her character is her ability to get over stuff. In canon, she lost her crush, team leader, her dad, was kidnapped and presumed dead, forced to kill Shatterbird with her own bare hands, and more. All in the span of a year and a half. She's made of sterner stuff than anyone around her gives her credit for due to her age and apparent cuteness (aside from Kitsu, but that's one of the reasons she loves Kitsu so much)

The blue's clues "We just got a letter" thing, was intentional and I was hoping someone would find it funny.

Ebon and Talon aren't meant to come off as explicitly romantic. But for all of his faults, Ebon cares for his own. He and his crew, Shiv, and Talon especially, have been through thick and thin for years. And I thought that bonus scene was an enjoyable way of conveying that they are not just another group of villains. They care for each other. Unlike the Merchants, who are essentially tools to Scarecrow. Unlike the ABB, which puts on a front of unity but are basically just bullies ruled by the biggest fish in town (Uwa Uwa No Mi joke! If ya get it, ya get it.) Empire 88, which is now down to two thirds of what it was and is being disassembled by Ed's careful manipulation. And others.

.

Only 4 reviews on the latest chapter, I miss when I would get 10

.

.

-Date, Time-

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

(Text)

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

-Boat Graveyard, Boathouse, Sunday, October 3rd, 5:10pm-

.

.

Jack Slash POV

.

Tossing the pink lunchbox to the side, one of Bonesaw's little spider borgs collects and scurries off to, somewhere. Probably to stash it for Bonesaw to use the aluminum later.

"Cherish." I look to the curious, freckle faced girl. "Be a dear and lend us your laptop."

"Yeah sure." She rolls her eyes and gets up, not bothering with a snarky remark as she gets her metal framed computer from her bag. Bringing it over and setting it in front of me as I sit back down at the table. "Here, just don't break it."

Bonesaw and Mannequin get up and stand behind me as I open it and type in the password. Giving Cherish a smile as I take in her worry over me knowing her password.

"Alright then, time to see what little Kitsu sent us." I say as I plug the flash drive into the laptop. Causing a new icon to boot up, labeled Shortcut 1. Opening it, I see the only thing in it is a URL link. Clicking it opens a webpage with the error sign. And I realize we're not connected to a network.

"Do we have Wi-Fi here?" I ask the three behind me.

Bonesaw shrugs and Mannequin gives a thumbs down.

"Well, that's inconvenient." I say as I unplug the flash drive. But it doesn't budge. At all, like it's magnetically attached. "Huh, well that's not concerning in the least."

"Be careful!" Cherish says. "Do you know how hard it is to get a decent laptop and not have it bugged?"

Rolling my eyes at her dramatics, I nonetheless stop. It would be a bigger inconvenience to have our only access to the internet disabled.

"Mannequin, do you think you could look at it?" I ask the faceless man.

I look back and see him nod. Getting up out of the chair, I let him have a crack at it. For all we know it's just stuck. Or it's booby trapped. But I can't think of anyway Kitsu would be able to rig an electronic. She's not a tinker or anything. Unless there's something I missed-

Click!

"Oh, did you get it out?" I ask, before noticing Mannequin twitching.

I turn as I hear the door slam shut. And notice Cherish had taken off. Leaving me, Bonesaw and the twitching Mannequin.

"Hmm." I hum as I realize the stage currently being set.

"Jack, what's going on?" Bonesaw asks with a tilt of her head.

"It seems… little Kitsu is cheating." I say as I turn to Mannequin and watch as he slumps. His limps falling limp as his finger is connected to the auxiliary input of the laptop. A loading screen now showing up on the screen.

And we see Little Kitsu show up on the screen. Smiling with eyes red. Two stripes of blonde fur on her cheeks. It looks as though she's in a rusted and abandoned building. Like us.

"If you're seeing this, you're alive and I get to have fun!" She smiles gleefully. "If you had access to wifi then the flash drive would've blown up with the force of a one pound block of TNT. Minecraft style! But, since you opened it without wifi, you no doubt tried to remove it, failed, and had Mannequin do it. Not saying what happened because you can suck a cactus for all I care!"

"Rude!" Bonesaw stomps her foot.

"So, here is how this is going to go. See, I think it's about time you got your turn to play a game." Kitsu give a smile as the camera turns to the side and reveals a caged Mimi, and the head of Crawler sticking out of the ground outside. Everything around is made to look like a jungle. Likely her illusions keeping her location hidden. "You have two of mine, I have two of yours."

'So, she intends to bargain them back.' I sigh tiredly. 'How, uninspired.'

"So, here's the game." Kitsu grins. "Ever play the new Halo game? Well, you get to be Noble Six. Welcome to the final mission."

"What?" I ask out loud.

"If you fail, Mimi dies." She smiles brightly. "And Bonesaw, your task is to return Amy and my Dad to my house. Unharmed, unchanged and in as good a condition as you took them. Otherwise, Siberian and Crawler die."

The image cuts out and the laptop screen goes black.

"What did she mean by Halo?" Bonesaw asks. "And how does she have Sibby? I thought Cherish said, wait, did Cherish lie!? Hang on, she said she has two! Is she lying, are they both lying?"

'At this point, it's likely.' I think to myself as I tap my chin. Before turning to Mannequin. "Well, there's little we can do about it now. Other than-"

I'm cut off as the roof caves in. A scaly, orange man with large bat wings crashing through the ceiling. And heading straight for me.

"Woah now!" I sidestep and dodge his charge. "So that's how it is?"

I grin as I take one of my knives out and throw a slash out. But the cut never makes contact as the man turns around and twirls midair, deftly dodging the invisible cut. And I notice him wearing a red and gold helmet visor.

"Well, that's neat." I comment as he touches down on the ground. "New style Firebreather?"

He doesn't answer as I watch his chest start to glow. And I take the chance to send out a slash as he stills. Landing a shallow cut on his chest before I have to jump away from a fire ball.

Only to get hit as he rapid fires a stream of fireballs. That's new.

"Jack!" I hear Bonesaw call out through the whoosh of flames consuming my senses. Grateful for Bonesaw's enhancements keeping me alive.

Angling a hard slash as another ball hits me. I pant as the stream ends. The orange Case 53 holding his face as the helmet lays on the floor, cut into two pieces on either side of him. Blood dripping down his face.

"Bonesaw dear." I say through pant of breath. "I believe our guest here needs a lesson in manners."

"On it!" She salutes and pulls out a small remote.

"Don't even-" Firebreather calls out, glaring as he holds his wounded face. But she presses the button anyway. Opening one of the storage crates.

"Go, Whirlwind!" She cheerfully shouts as the chimeric parahuman steps out of the crate.

Two toned skin of Caucasian mix. One eye blue and one green. Half his hair blonde and half brown. Wires coming out of his neck and going into his shoulders like corded muscles.

"That is sick." Firebreather grimaces as his one good eye looks up Bonesaw's latest work of art. A mix of Charybdis and Sky High.

With said work of art raising a hand and shooting a pulse of swirling air out with a pwoom.

The blast connects and sends him out of the warehouse. Crashing through the wall with a screech as it tears and rends the metal.

"Well, I have to say this-" I'm cut off as by the sound of something, off. Like a light, whispy bamf.

"Guten tag!" I hear behind me before a hand grabs my shoulder, and I'm suddenly several stories above the ground.

I turn around as I start to fall and see a grinning blue demon as they let go and salute.

I try to throw a slash out, but they disappear in a wisp of black smoke. My cut merely causing the smoke to waft away. Leaving me to fall to the ground below.

Looking around, I think fast as I fall. And spot a crane with an old, corded hook. Throwing out another slash, I cut the cord. Causing it to swing my way.

I reach out to grab it. Only to watch in shock as the crane itself starts moving. The base of the crane caving in on itself.

'How the hell?' I think as the old equipment falls with me.

I grit my teeth as I prepare for impact. Knowing I'll survive the landing but not looking forward to the impact. Or the crane that might land on me.

I don't have to worry about that, however. As I'm caught by a blast of air that slows my descent, if a tad roughly.

Spin and land on the concrete dockyard. Scraping my back and arms against the pavement something fierce as I roll. Stopping just as the crane lands with a loud crash in front of me. My wounds are all superficial, scrapes barely enough to bleed. But hell if it doesn't hurt.

"Whoo." I exclaim as I get up and dust off my pants. My shirt now being a mess of tattered cloth. Burned and shredded.

Looking around, I see a score of cargo containers and a few buildings. Making a veritable maze in this dockyard. One I can use to my advantage as I run and duck behind a cargo container while Whirlwind fights off Firebreather.

"Knock knock!" I hear a raspy voice say quickly before a blue streak passes by. And I feel a sharp pain in my jaw as I stare at the ground. "Down low!"

I feel the pain in my chin as I stare at the sky, a thumping pain in my skull as I land on my back.

"Too slow!" I see a brief image of... a blue lizard? Before a beeping is heard and it disappears.

Standing up, I shake my head clear. Once again grateful for the enhancements Bonesaw added to me. Otherwise, that headache might have lasted a bit longer.

'Need to hide.' I think to myself as I duck behind another shipping container.

Taking a breath. I listen to the sounds of battle as Whirlwind takes on Firebreather. Relying on my sense of sound to keep me up to date on the fight.

'No Mannequin. No Siberian. No Crawler, Burnscar or Cherish.' I think to myself as I look to the sky and try to think.

Only for my eyes to widen as they meet the yellowed eyed gaze of the blue skinned demon dropping down with a knife.

Spinning around I brandish my knife from my belt to slash his chest. One he deftly dodges with a limbo, his tail shooting up and grabbing my wrist. Pulling down as he shanks my side. The internal carbon mesh under my skin doing its job as the blade is stopped from hitting anything important past the skin.

"Scheize." He spits out.

I twist my wrist, angling the knife down to nick his tail. Forcing him to let go with a hiss of pain. And then poof out of existence.

'Need a better hiding spot.' I think as I move.

.

.

-50 feet away, abandoned work shed-

.

.

Gully POV

.

"He moved, three feet south and ten feet west of his last position." I say into the comms piece as I track Jack's movements through the earth.

"I need a minute." Ben says. "Running everyone over here took too much out of me."

"Busy!" Firebreather shouts.

"Keeping track of Bonesaw." Jenny says. "Trying to find Amy and Mr. Dallon."

"I don't think I can pull that trick again." Nightcrawler says. "Also, he has some sort of skin armor, my knife couldn't go in too deep."

"I'll see what I can do." Faultline says.

'Kitsu really does know some odd people.' I think to myself.

"Nein." Nightcrawler says. "Remember what Kitsu said about his power."

'No parahumans can be near him for more than a few seconds.' I think to myself. 'Otherwise their powers might work against the user.'

"I'll keep his position posted."

.

.

-Few days prior, New Wave Ferry Station South-

.

.

"What is it, Jenny?" I ask as we all sit in the main living room. Me, Crystal, Firebreather, Ben and Pinky.

"Okay so, I got a voicemail earlier and well." The metallic girl starts off uncertainly as she rubs the back of her head. Making a slight scraping sound. "Okay so, I'll just call her."

"Call who?" Crystal asks with a furrowed brow, having moved into the station not too long ago.

Jenny doesn't answer her as she pulls out her phone and dials. Setting it down on the coffee table as it rings on speaker.

…

'Is everything okay?' I can't help but wonder as I look to my nervous, metallic friend.

…

"Yellow!"

"Kitsu!?" Crystal stands up. "What the hell!? Do you know how-"

"Stop talking or I hang up." Kitsu says, causing Crystal to go red in the face. But nonetheless shut up. "Okay! So, I have a plan. Who wants to make a couple million bucks and kill a mass murdering psycho?"

"What?" Pinky voices our collective thoughts.

"Simple, just as I said."

.

.

-Return to present-

.

.

Pinky POV

.

"I can run in and tag him." I say over the comms. "Worst case scenario, Night can just poof me to Kitsu and heal me."

"Stay safe." Gully says. "Stay on the move."

I take a breath and let my acid pool under my feet. Low acidity, high lubricant. Basically soap.

I take another breath to steady my heart.

'Come on Pinky.' I tell myself as I come out from my spot behind a crate and start skating. 'You got this! Just treat it like a video game! Tony Hawk, pro skater Me!'

I pass the main field of combat where Fire is fighting the puppet. It doesn't seem to do much other than be able to keep Fire from closing in. So that's good.

I skirt around a blast of fire that gets diverted my way by the zombie man. Holding back a squeal of fear as I twirl and power slide under the collapsed crane. Doing my best to not give my position away and lose my element of surprise.

I slide under the crane and make it to the maze of shipping containers. Some stacked up to two or three containers high. Sliding around a corner, I leave a slippery soap trail in my wake as I slow to make the sharp turns. My heart thuds as I skirt around a container, finding the man himself right where Gully said he'd be. Five feet away and staring right at me.

I pick up the speed and coalesce the strongest acid I can make as fast as I can right in my palms. Charging right towards him, I pirouette with my arms out. splashing the acid on him with a sharp sizzling sound.

"Ahh!" He hisses, and I feel a sharp burn on my arm as I round a corner.

"Agh!" I hiss in shock at the pain, clutching my bicep as I spin out and slide into the side of a shipping container. Hitting it with loud echoing clang as my head jerks and hits the side.

Breathing heavy, my blood pumping in my ears as I hear Jack's footsteps closing in. Head pounding as I contemplate just how badly I botched that.

"Hold on!" I hear Night poof in and grab my shoulder. Then poof out with me in tow. My vision now on the coastline as I stare out from atop a roof. "Be right back!"

I don't even see him as he poofs away. And I'm left to calm my palpitating heart as I check my arm. And wince at the deep gash just below my shoulder.

"Hopefully Kitsu can fix this." I groan as I sit down and catch my breath. Not from exhaustion or anything, but from sheer adrenaline of going near one of America's deadliest. "Ugh, my head is killing me."

Hopefully Nightcrawler gets back to me soon and gets me to Kitsu. Get me patched up and back out there.

.

.

-200 ft south, atop the adjacent dockyard's shipping crane-

.

.

Jenny POV

.

Keeping my eyes zoomed in on the fight. I keep my thermals focused on the warehouse. Seeing a total of five heat signatures. One is clearly a little girl moving around frantically. Two are teen girls, and the other two being more adult shaped. One of them being large.

I watch Bonesaw's signature moves around frantically. Running from container to container. Doing, something.

And one of the beings in the containers start moving. The big one. Shakily stumbling out. Bonesaw points, and the person charges out of the warehouse.

"Heads up!" I yell into my comms. "Bonesaw just let another one loose! And it's a big one, probably a brick of some kind."

"Fuck me." Fire groans.

I resist the urge to look over to him, knowing my thermals will blind me if I do. And there's the fact I have to keep an eye on Bonesaw. We lose her, there's a chance we lose our chances of rescuing Mr. Dallon and Amy.

I shiver in fear at the thought of what Kitsu would do if that happened.

.

.

-Few days ago-

.

.

"Currently, the nine are in one of the abandoned warehouses in the boat graveyard." Kitsu says.

'How does she know that?' I ask myself.

"Wait, if you know where they are then why haven't you gone after them?" Fire asks the more important question for us all.

"Several reasons. The big one being the same reason Jack has managed to avoid being captured or killed." Kitsu says, and we all lean in curiously. "His power. In case you all haven't noticed, most powers have a gimmick. Firebreather being a human dragon. Ben being the gene splicer of the century. Pinky being what every paranoid anti vaxxer claims chemicals will do to you."

"Hey!" Pinky snaps.

"Jack is no different. His power revolves around broadcasting." Kitsu ignores Pinky. "Broadcasting his attacks, and his influence."

"What?" Crystal asks.

"TLDR, he's a master. And the longer you're around him, the more likely you are to do something that either gets you killed or makes him let you go." Kitsu says. "Heck, in extreme cases you can have your own powers fail on you."

'That would explain so much!' I look up to the others with wide eyes. And meet the gaze of Gully and Crystal as they understand the implications.

"Why are you telling us?" I ask, concerned this is a sort of now you know too much, thing. "Why not go to the PRT? And why not take him out yourself if you're aware of his influence?"

"Because I'm more susceptible to his mastering." Kitsu says, making my motor of a heart miss a beat. "And I can't risk him deciding to cut his game early and killing Amy or Dad."

"What about us? And again, why not go to the PRT?" Gully says again.

"Because there are certain capes who are less susceptible to his influence." Kitsu says. "And of the people in the room, Ben and Crystal are the only ones fully susceptible."

I look up and try to piece together what the connection could be. Then realize that Crystal and Ben are the only non Case 53s. 'But that doesn't make any sense! That would me Kitsu is less susceptible."

"Kitsu, you're avoiding the question." Gully says.

"For good reason." Kitsu says. "Anyway, I need you guys to avoid getting too close to him for too long while keeping him on the run."

.

.

-Time returned, midair above the dockyard-

.

.

Firebreather POV

.

"Fuck me." I sigh as I watch a bald, seven foot tall hulk of a man charges out of the warehouse. Bald, grey skinned, and with metal studs in his head and shoulders. His chest a blackened, bloodstained metal surface. Thankfully, he's wearing shorts.

The beast of a man looks to me, an angry scowl on his face as he crouches and jumps. Shooting up fifty feet in the blink of an eye.

I put my arms up in a cross guard as he hits me. And I hiss in pain as an audible crack rings in my ears. My arms bruising immediately.

Nothing feels broken. But something feels bruised as he grabs my wrist and clamps down. Forcing me to hold his full weight as he gradually crushes my wrist.

My heart thuds as adrenaline burns through my veins. And I decide to say fuck this guy as I flap my wings. Going up slightly before making an immediate, vertical U-turn. Heading straight down, I twist my wings into making me corkscrew down. The concrete shipping yard approaching rapidly as I angle my wings and pull up last second. Slamming my ride along into the dock. Dragging the man across the concrete as I dodge a mass of swirling air and use the momentum to fly towards the water.

I flap my wings harder and harder, dragging the mindless brute through the pavement and towards the edge of the dock. Looking down at the beast eating the concrete, I feel my chest burn as I unleash a torrent into his face right as I bust right through the guardrail. And he drops in the ocean. Disappearing beneath the calm waves.

I fly back up and keep an aerial view. The afternoon light casting a shine on the waters below.

"Ben, if you decide to go aquatic be careful." I say as I turn back to the docks and circle around the warehouse, keeping just out of the wind guy's view. "There's a nasty brute in the water."

"Noted!" The eager yet serious boy says.

I see Jack pressed against a shipping container as I circle around. And I desperately want to take a pot shot. But remember the plan and stick to it.

'Go off script now, and it all goes to shit.' I tell myself. 'Play your part.'

.

.

-Few days ago-

.

"Jack is going to catch on to the fact that he's being tracked if you keep hitting him when he hides." Kitsu says. "So, you need to keep attacks quick and spread out. Don't give him time to catch his breath. But don't constantly bombard him."

If it were me. I'd be able to rip him to shreds or just melt him.

"Wouldn't it be better to keep attacking him?" I ask, not getting the logic.

"Fire, what do you do when you're cornered, and you know the enemy knows where you are?" Kitsu asks. "You fight harder, or you flee. We can't risk Jack fleeing, so we need to weaken him and keep him off guard."

"Why don't we want him fleeing?" Ben asks. "I mean, if he's gone then I say that's a win."

"Because it's not enough." She says seriousy. "He'll rebuild his merry band of murderers and come back later. Likely more prepared and with a vendetta. But don't worry, I have a few back up plans in case he gets smart... that and I want him to suffer soooo, bonus!"

"What kind of back up plans?" Crystal asks, irritation and concern ripe in her voice. "You've been MIA for over a week! Aunt Carol is a mess and you're off playing their games!"

I put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to freeze and look to me. Closing her eyes and taking a breath as she calms down.

"That's because I was buying time." She says like it's obvious. "Buying time to get these plans in place. And I haven't reached out to Mom or Missy because I'm not willing to risk them."

"But you're willing to risk us?" Pinky asks as she crosses her arms with a frown. "You know how that sounds, right?"

"Do you want me to lie and say I have no other option?" Kitsu says dryly. "Because I will if it makes you feel better."

That has a noticeable effect on Ben. Looking more hurt than anyone else. Hearing his idol doesn't value him.

"Ow." I say in an equally dry tone. "Tell us how you really feel."

"Anyway!" Kitsu says loudly to get us back on topic. "I have a few things in place. So, when you face off against Jack, the only back up he should have is Bonesaw. I got the heavy hitters; I just need you guys to take out Jack."

Easier said than done.

.

.

-Time Resumed, Abandoned construction site across from the dock-

.

.

Benjamin "Ben" Tennyson POV

.

I stare at my watch, cursing the damn timer as I tap my foot on the ground as I stay hidden in the abandoned tent city across from the abandoned boatyard. The homeless having long since cleared out due to the psycho's who moved in next door.

'Man, judging by the number of tents here, there had to be at least a hundred people.' I think as I guesstimate the number of tents. 'You'd think word would get around and reach the PRT that there's some shady people here.'

My watch beeps and turns green as I muse to myself. Tearing me from my thoughts.

Snapping my gaze back to the device. I feel a grin stretch across my face as I cycle through the numbers and pick a speedy character. Knowing I can't stick around the guy too long.

Allegedly.

"Come on, there!" I say as I hit the icon. Feeling an initial sting as I slam the device down before the safety kicks in. Shutting off my pain receptors as I painlessly grow a thin membrane under my arms and feel my spin distend. My skin thickening and my neck growing an extra layer of muscle.

"Jetray should do nice!" I say to myself as I start to jog across the street and go to jump in the water.

Probably should have gotten closer to the water first. This splice isn't so good at running.

"You really need to stop talking to yourself." Pinky says as I hit the water before I can retort.

'And she needs to get a few clues.' I grumble to myself. 'Or, or I would've come up with something!'

Feeling my eyes adjust to the water and correct my vision. I see through the water clearly as the gills on my neck open.

…

'This place needs a janitor.' I think as I soar through the water at blistering speeds. 'Stay focused!'

Spotting the brute Firebreather mentioned. Right under a portion of the docks and going for an underwater hatch of some sort.

Going into a spin, I extend my claws out and catch the brute in the back. Causing them to let go of the ladder and sink back down.

Kiting back around, I notice he can't see under the water. Not with the way he's flailing his arms at least. And he likely can't breathe either.

'It's not a person Ben.' I tell myself. 'Whatever it was, died long ago. It's basically a zombie.'

With that thought in mind, I speed towards it and go to claw its throat. But I can't bring myself to do it.

Instead, I bring my hand up last second and claw its eyes. And swim away, content in knowing I disabled it. Removing it as a threat.

Swimming back around to the edge of the dockyard. I get to the surface and breach. Looking up, I notice Firebreather is still keeping the other zombie bozo busy. Giving me an idea as I dive down and pick up speed. Swimming around the dock, I listen and feel for the water displacements as I aim for my next target. The rumbles of air blasts guiding me to the zombie.

I flap my arms and pull up as hard as I can. Shooting out of the water like a missile as I soar up and twist. Making myself face the right direction, I dive. The blonde zombie in my sights as I prepare for impact.

Clenching my eyes shut as I hit. Only feeling a moment of pain as my watch flashes. My pain receptors turning off as I'm forcefully changed into that'll survive the impact. Feeling my tail recede into my spine, my muscles expanding as my gills are absorbed and my webbed membranes fade. My skin hardening in specific areas as I feel myself bulk up.

"Cannonbaaallll!" I shout as I roll up and charge out of there, the zombie squishing under me as I get out of here before my watch times out from the emergency transformation.

I feel myself hit a few things. But nothing stops me, and I don't hear anyone say anything over the comms. So, I don't stop until I hear the beep of the watch.

Unfurling myself just in time to skid across the ground. My shirt torn to shreds and leaving me in my stretchy cargo pants.

I land on my back, staring at the multicolored sky. The pinks and purples blending into the blue as the sun sets.

'I need to find a way to extend the timer.' I think to myself. 'Or a better way to switch forms. One that doesn't come with a chance of turning me freaky full time.'

I sit up and catch my breath. Looking down at my bloodstained body. And I notice the sticky wetness on my back.

"It wasn't a person." I say to myself as I clench my eyes shut and push the thoughts out of my head. "It was just a zombie. Like playing a video game. Like Resident Evil."

'You're fine. It's fine.' I think to myself as I feel a spicy burn in the back of my throat. Like a bad case of heartburn. 'No one got hurt. You saved Fire. You're a hero.'

'A hero on a timer.' A darker part of me whispers.

.

.

Firebreather POV

.

'Damn.' I think as I touch down on the ground, staring at the small crater in the concrete. And at the mangled pancake that was Whirlwind. 'No wonder Ben has an ego.'

Took him all of thirty seconds to jump in and take out the guy giving me trouble for the past three minutes.

"Someone, check in on Ben." I say as I turn to the warehouse and touch down.

"You broke him!" The little blonde girl peeking out of the warehouse whines. Stomping her foot angrily. "I liked that one! Do you know how hard it is to find two people with such complementary powers!? You didn't even get to see how he flies." She moans sadly at the end.

I know her appearance should be off putting. Make me feel something about her. Like, it's just a little girl! But, living around and training with Kitsu has left us all… desensitized.

"There are three left in the warehouse. I can't make out if either are Mark and Amy, or others." Jenny says. "For all I know, all three are more freaky zombie people."

"Then I say we take her now." I say as I walk towards the girl. Keeping my fire ready. Both to use, and to keep my body temp up and kill any diseases or parasites she might toss at me.

This is why me and Jenny are the ones focusing on Bonesaw and finding the hostages. Jenny isn't organic. And I can raise my body temp to absurd degrees.

"What, hey." The little girl says, her eyes going wide as she realizes who my target is. She starts back pedaling further into the warehouse. "Stay back! Stranger danger! Mister Jack! Help me!" She screams.

"I'm on my way to assist!" Jenny says. "Just in case she has something."

"She has everything." Pinky says. "Her whole deal is medicine made evil."

"Guys!" Gully calls out. "Jack is beelining south towards Firebreather."

I pivot on my feet and gather the heat in my throat as I watch Jack round the side of a shipping container. Not wasting time thinking, I let loose a torrent of flame.

"Argh!" I wince and step back as my vision is lost. Jack having somehow aimed right at my other eye with his slashes. Cutting through my flames.

"Fuck!" I curse as I cover my face. Extending my wings and taking flight immediately.

"Fire! Are you okay?" Pinky asks.

"Firebreather, what happened?" Gully asks.

"I'm blind! He managed to get both of my eyes when I tried to get him!" I hiss as the air make my wounds sting.

"I got you!" I hear the accented voice of Nightcrawler say over the comms then right next to me as I feel a hand on my shoulder. "You can stop flying."

I do as he says and feel my feet touch the pavement.

"Hey Fire." I hear Pinky say tiredly. "How's everything going?"

I sit down on the ground and let out a groan.

"At least no one's dead!" I hear Kitsu say cheerfully. "Now sit up, gotta get you new peepers or Crystal might try to shave my tail."

.

.

Jenny POV

.

I crash down between Jack Slash and Bonesaw. Raising my hands up to the two serial killers, I power my hand canons and allow them to glow with charge as I take in the two.

Bonesaw looks as creepy as always. Blood covered little girl that she is. Jack looks like a mix of Freddy Krueger and Johnny Depp. His shirt gone, his right arm and shoulder freshly burned, and pock marks of sizzling and boiling skin from Pinky's acid.

"Alright creepazoids." I say as I look between the two and try to think of something.

We need to take Bonesaw alive and kill Jack. But we can't let Bonesaw know we killed Jack. Otherwise, she might go all plague doctor and kill Mr. Dallon and Amy. Among a potential score of people.

That's why we were keeping them separate.

"Well, it seems you have us at a disadvantage." Jack smiles serenely, half his face burned with a hole in his cheek. "You no doubt know us, but might I get your name?"

'Someone, tell me what to do!' I think frantically. 'What's the call? Do I take Bonesaw and leave Amy and Mr. Dallon at the mercy of Jack? Or do I take out Jack and possibly kill off Amy and Mr. Dallon?'

And after we went through the effort of separating them!

"You got this!" I hear as I keep my eyes on Jack.

I look back over to Bonesaw just in time to see the wisps of black smoke as Nightcrawler whisks her away.

I feel a pressure on my neck as I turn to look back at Jack. And see him with a knife in his hand.

"I must say." He says as he loses his smile. "This is getting to be rather, frustrating."

"That's my line." I say as I aim both my hands at him and let the energy beams fly out.

Jack dodges to the side. Avoiding both lasers and throwing another cut out. One I feel press against my eyes. But doesn't do anything.

"Really?" I roll my eyes and aim, charge, and shoot. "Bit of a one trick pony!"

"What can I say?" He says as he kicks a metal beam in the way of my laser. "If it works, it works."

"Yeah well, it's not." I scoff and shoot him again, gritting my teeth as he somehow dodges and ducks back into the maze of shipping containers. "Rrr! Get back here!"

I blast after him, taking flight as I follow him. And immediately lose him as I take the corner he took.

"What?" I ask as I scan my eyes over the area.

"Above you!" Gully yells into the comms.

I blast forward and turn around. Spotting Jack on top of the container he had disappeared behind. And watch as he jumps down on the other side.

"Oh no you don't!" I say as I go after him.

"Jenny, you've been around him too much." Gully says. "You need to head back, make sure he can't master you!"

"I'm fine." I say as I run and round the corner, only to find he disappeared again.

"No, you're not!" Gully says. "Jenny you're being reckless. And not even in the way you normally are. He should be no match for you and yet you're struggling just to keep up with him. Fall back!"

"I'm just getting frustrated is all!" I say into the comms. "Just lay off me and let me do this!"

"Behind you!"

I feel sharp pain course through me as my vision blacks out. My limps no long responding as I try to move.

"Huh, Taser beats robot." I hear behind me. "Good to know."

'How!?' I think as I can't feel, anything! 'No, no this is not how I end up on the news!'

My vision slowly returns as I look into the brown eyes of the psychotic serial killer. His grimy hand holding my chin as he squats over me. Taser and knife in his other hand.

"Now then, let's see what we can do." He says as he sticks the blade under my eye and grins maniacally. "That's it! Now let's see what your worth to your friends."

My vision shakes as the ground rumbles. And Jack looks up, clicking his tongue as looks out at something.

"You're like roaches." He says as he lets go of the knife, and I see nothing as he presses the Taser to my head.

.

.

Gully POV

.

"Get away from her!" I shout as I stab my shovel into the ground and open a crack the dock under him. Making him fall into the hole as water fills the crack. The Taser dropping next to Jenny.

Abandoning my shovel, I run over and grab Jenny along with the Taser. Carefully dislodging the knife wedged under her left eye before pocketing that as well.

Evidence or tool, take what you can get.

"Jenny, Jenny!" I try to shake her awake. Cursing as she doesn't respond.

I heft her up, struggling to hold her entire six hundred pound frame over my shoulders as I start jogging away.

"Agh!" I cry out in pain as I feel my ankles slashed, my legs giving out and forcing me to fall forward. Jenny rolling over me and fumbling to the ground before me with a thick clang.

Looking back, I grit my teeth as I see the soaked, half burned man crawl out of the crack. One hand on the ground holding him up, the other with a knife extended. His black, slicked back hair now cascading over his face. Panting heavily with a manic grin on his face.

"You, you just keep coming." He huffs out in a shaky voice. "Hah, heh ha! To think this-"

I don't let him finish as I slam a fist to the ground and close the fissure with him inside. And grit my teeth in frustration as he pulls himself up fast enough to avoid being crushed.

"To think, Kitsu went so far out of her way." He pants as he starts stalking forward, knife in hand, open mouthed grin as he brandishes his butcher knife. "To set this all up... and couldn't even bother to show up herself. Guess I was wrong about her."

He chuckles as he runs a hand up his face and slicks his hair back.

"No matter." He sighs, his face resting to a calmer smile.

'I need to get out of here!' I think to myself as I glance down and notice the profuse amount of blood I'm losing.

"If she's not serious enough to show up, I have no reason to keep any hostages." Jack finishes.

He flicks his wrist, and I wince as I feel a deep gash form on my shoulder. Panicking slightly as I quickly lose all feeling in my arm.

"First though." Jack says as he walks beside me and looks down at me with a calm, almost friendly smile. "You need to tell me where you took little Bonesaw."

"I will." I say through labored breath as I feel my consciousness start to fade, my heart beating faster and faster in my chest as I realize this is where I die. But I feel something through the ground. Someone is coming!

'I just, just need to hold out!' I think as I feel the individual running our way.

"Just, promise me one thing… first." I tell the looming edgelord.

"If it'll put you at ease." He says as he presses the blade to my neck, giving me a sympathetic smile. "I'll make it quick. That's a lot more than some get."

"Good." I grin. "You can find her next to your grave. Now hurry up and rot in hell."

I pull the Taser from pocket and shove it into his leg. It won't kill him, but hell if he gets the last laugh.

"Aaaagh!" He tenses up, dropping the cleaver and falling back.

I crawl back and sit myself up next to Jenny, wincing when I try to move my legs. I realize I'm standing anytime soon.

"Today… just isn't my day." My chest goes cold at Jack's words.

I look up to see the man shakily getting to his feet. And balk at just all he's been put through and survived.

Jack doesn't say anything else as he walks towards me.

"We're done here." He says as he shakily bends down and grabs his cleaver. Stands up and swings his arm out.

I close my eyes and await the end. And then, three things happen at once.

The first, is the person I felt running finally makes it over. And I hear their footsteps. The second, is a sudden rumbling in the ground. The third, is Jack crying out in pain.

Opening my eyes, I feel a wave of relief and shock wash over me before I pass out. The last thing I see, is a glowing spear lodged inside Jack's shoulder. The second, is a white capsule erupting out of the ground in front of me, before it recedes into the form of a thin man with frizzy brown hair.

"Jack, long time no see."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Bonus

.

.

-Meanwhile-

.

.

Alan "Mannequin" Gramme POV

.

[Error: Auxiliary Power at 43%]

[Error: Auxiliary Power at 43%]

[Warning! Multiple System Error]

This is it. This is how it all ends for me.

[Oxygen Intake Vent: compromised]

[Photoreceptors: offline]

I can tell. Is this what it'll be like to die? An endless void?

[Sanguine Pump: operating at 23% efficiency]

[Sanguine Filtration System: offline]

[Auxiliary Filtration System: Not Found]

That's, concerning. Seems my systems are being disconnected by the virus.

[All Mobility Rotors: Offline]

Already knew that too.

[Initiating Emergency Preserva#- error. Subroutine not found]

That figures. They would've kicked in by now otherwise.

[Error: Auxiliary Power at 40%]

No big bang for me. Not even a whimper.

[Error: Essential System (Thermal Regulation Unit 1-3) Offline]

Just a slow, quiet slip into the night. An end, to the end of me.

[Error: e-err- Auxiliary Power at 34%]

Am I supposed to, feel something?

[Warning: Auxiliary Power Battery compromised. Currently running at 40% efficiency]

Why don't I feel anything?

[Error]

…

[Error]

…

[Warning: Auxiliary Life Support; Shut Down Imminent]

Finally.

…

…

…

…

.

.

A/N

In case it wasn't obvious. Kitsu is pulling some strings. She always knew that she couldn't risk getting near Jack. So once she learned Jack was targeting her, she went dark Deku. Pushed herself away from her loved ones to minimize any chance of them getting further caught up in this and forcing a face to face with Jack. So, she bought herself time while killing off the most problematic to deal with. Shatterbird because her sonics would fuck with her ears. And Siberian, for obvious reasons. Crawler to get rid of his bodyguard.

After that, calling in a favor from Wade for a virus riddled flashdrive and few other things not to be mentioned for spoilers. It was just a matter of convincing the right group to rescue Amy and Mark. The more inactive the shard, the better.

Jack's Shard still affects Thinker shards, as seen when Legend had a clear sight on him, and chose not to kill him in favor of a chance at killing Siberian who he deemed "more imminently dangerous."

.

Questions!

For Kitsu!

For NEWB!

.

Special announcement!

Next 3 chapters I release will be Kitsu chapters!

Let's make up for lost time!

.

More comments! I want them all! Every one of them! Especially speculation, I love speculative comments.

Fuel me my NOOBIANS!

.

Find me in my channel, newb's-grotto, on the discord.

Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro