Chapter 78

The Battle

Of Cincinnati

Disclaimer: Here we go!

A week after Sonic Blue's public defeat at the hands of the villainous Redfoot saw the city of Cincinnati, Ohio come under sudden attack by the forces of an organization known as AIM. But if the organization was expecting to roll over as they pleased, they'd soon find out how wrong as many a citizen of the city was itching for some way to take out how they felt about their Hero's current situation and AIM was the perfect way to do that. Though Heroes from outside of the city like Kid Razor, the Avengers, the Joes/Misfits, X-Factor, and the X-Men all arrived as soon as they could to help defend the city. Several of the Jammers staff had also shown up to help in the fight but despite the assistance, the battle for Cincinnati was still a difficult one thanks to the various tech and weaponry AIM had at their disposal. One such weapon in particular in the form of Redfoot was actually going from hospital to hospital in an effort to find Spencer since the hospital he was reported to be in had refused to tell him where he went after being removed for his own safety much to Redfoot's anger.

Anger that only increased the longer his search went on and took it out on any unfortunate souls that had the bad fortune to be near him. "Hey, Wanna-Be! Why don't you try on someone who can actually defend themselves, huh?" Came a mocking voice after he appeared into view and Keith's eyes widened at the sight of the Mutant Speedster known as Quicksilver.

"I want Burton but you'll settle for now!" Snarled Keith, who didn't even bother to use his visor's voice distorter.

Quicksilver smirked at him and then ran off and Redfoot chased after him, determined to end the Mutie Speedster so he'd have one less rival for the top spot in being the fastest in the world. "Aww, what's the matter? Are your batteries running out?" Asked Quicksilver two minutes later and even using his Speed to shake apart a missile intended to destroy some property.

A dark scowl came his way but it didn't bother him any as he'd seen and dealt with much worse than this sad little Human. With a snarl, a red sonic blast came from Redfoot and he fired several more after they missed his intended target but at least they were causing some damage regardless and he could live with that. "STAY STILL!"

"I think I'll pass if its all the same to you." Snarked back Quicksilver.

Redfoot rushed him with an enraged yell and yelled out obscenities thanks to missing. "Did Burton put you up to this!? If so, its one more reason to kill the little bastard!"

A laugh came from the long time Misfit and X-Factor Speedster as he stuck out his foot and caused Michaels to fall to the ground. "Nah, but since you hurt my fellow Speedster I thought you deserved this." Pietro told him and then quickly took care of several AIM Soldiers before going back and knocking Keith back down to the ground.

Something he didn't appreciate whatsoever as his rage and jealousy rose even higher! "Burton's no Speedster! And neither are you! I'm the only one as its my right and my right alone!" Screamed the rageful man.

Earning himself an eyeroll and a shake of the head. "As fun as this has been, I have things to do so I'm gonna get this over with."

And before a confused Keith could ask what that meant, he found himself losing his armor much to his horror as Quicksilver systematically tore it off with his Speed and tried and failed to fight him off. "NO!"

"Huh, I can't get this off… Weird." Muttered the Mutant Speedster as he took note of the piece of armor on the wrathful Human's back.

Keith tried to run but without armor, his speed was no match for the Mutant's and found himself knocked out. "Now to get you somewhere secure so we can get your crazy ass locked up again."

A short time later would see the surviving forces of AIM call for a retreat as it was clear this was a losing battle despite the injuries and deaths they'd caused to a number of people in the city. For they'd horrifyingly underestimated the people of Cincinnati and the quick willingness of the Heroes to come and help fight back against the might of AIM. Their retreating allowed for many to begin to celebrate the hard fought victory but in the coming days a lot of work to re-build, recover, and mourn would be rampant across the city. Unfortunately, many a citizen would also end up enraged over the decision to place Keith Michaels in a Psychiatric Hospital as he'd been ruled mentally unstable as many felt he deserved to be in Prison. Not even the fact he'd been rendered paralyzed after the tech in his Spine had been disabled had done anything to quell the anger the people of Cincinnati felt.

Even Razor thought the guy had gotten off lightly and had made that view point known to everyone! But the fact Quicksilver himself had chosen to come and live in the city to take over for Spencer Burton until he could return did provide some measure of relief for everyone in the city. Well, the criminal element might not have felt the same way but no one really cared what they thought!

Author's Notes: Short but I think it works. I thought it'd be interesting to see Pietro become something of a local Hero, at least until Spencer's able to come back.