!Notice!

I will be re-doing another one of my stories. The Fallen. I have decided that some of my stories remain separate, as in, not having too big of an impact on each other. Some of you may be rolling your eyes and saying "Duh!" but hey, I'm still learning too.

Anyway, the remake will only be from Chapter 17 forward. I'll get started on it as soon as I can.

Enjoy!

Heroes Chapter 8

The door we stopped at wasn't even a door. It was just a bunch of beads lined down from the ceiling. Past the beads I could see what looked like a little apartment with shag carpeting. There was a couch, a tiny TV, which was playing a black and white movie. There were no windows, which made sense, us being underground and all. I looked at the others, and they were just staring at me.

"What?" I asked. Mira said, "Sorry, but you have to go in by yourself." I muttered, "Of course." I went past the beads and looked around. I saw a door leading into a kitchen and I smelled cookies. I walked slowly and said, "Uh, hello? Miss Oracle? Anyone here?" I saw an old lady that could have been my grandmother. She was short, had extra curly white hair, and wore coke-bottle glasses and an apron. She turned around from the oven she was leaning over, holding a tray of cookies. She said, "Hello Alex. I know that's not your real name, but I know that its the name you prefer for now."

I blinked, I hadn't said a word about myself since I came in. "I'm guessing you're the Oracle." She smiled and set the tray on a table. Then she said, "And just so you know, these coke-bottle glasses, as you call them, are to help me see. I have terrible eyesight." I flinched. Was she some kind of "Mind reader?" she finished my thought. "Yes. I also get visions of the future from time to time. I knew you were coming one day Alex. Here, sit down and have a cookie."

I sat down and took one. I said, "So, what? Am I supposed to be some 'chosen one' or what?" She laughed. "No, no, honey. But I do sense something special about you. You see, you play a very important role in the near future." She leaned in for a whisper, "Don't tell Ares, but it's you that is supposed to lead this group. You are going to save them from those who wish to destroy them." I whispered back, "I'm no hero. I can't lead any team out of a paper bag."

She smiled, "Not a hero, you say? And yet, when you were sitting in church on the second balcony, and those terrorists came in, you dropped on them and used their own men and weapons against each other? That's heroism. As for the leader, well, there a many trying trials ahead. On each one, you will get the chance to prove me wrong."

I stared at her. Then, something came into my head. "Is Agent Walker one of those trials?"

She sighed. Then she got up and handed me another cookie. "Come on." she said, "Let's not keep the others waiting. If you're going to stay here, we might as well get you introduced to everybody."

Heroes Chaper 7

On the way back to the Punk Yard, I asked the guys, "Why are you helping me anyway? I didn't do anything for you guys, and you hardly know me." No one said anything.

Then, finally, Mira said, "The Oracle told us to." I stopped for a second. "The who?" I asked. Kenny said, "The Oracle looked after us after we ran away from home. We each came from some sort of family from across the country." Jessie continued, "She cares for us. She doesn't exactly tell us what to do, mostly. She's, like, a new mommy."

Ares cut in. "She told us to find you again. She won't tell us why. Maybe its because of something you did, or maybe something you can do?"

I shook my head, "I don't have any powers. I wasn't bit by a radioactive insect or anything." Mira's head turned on a swivel. "Excuse me? We were born with what we can do, none of us started playing in radioactive waste one day.....for your information." I put my hands up in defence. "Sorry, I'm just saying, there nothing special about this." I gestured to myself.

We got to a sealed door, like a hatch on a submarine. Ares opened it and we stepped through it. Mira let her light dim and go out, since the hallways here were lit. After crossing a hallway or two I realized that this must be another part of the Punk Yard. I just thought of something.

I asked, "How.....how many of you guys are there? Here, I mean." Kenny shrugged, "There's five of us in all here. Seven if you count yourself and the Oracle."

"Speaking of which," Mira interrupted, "We're here."

Heroes Chapter 6

Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap! Actually, what I was really thinking was a little more, um, colorful than that. You get the picture.

I mean, here I was, in a tiny town, where everybody knows each other, and here comes FBI Agent Alan Walker digging my hole for me and making it look like I did it myself. My stunt to save everybody back home was enough for him. What I call an "opportunity to stop murder," he calls an "Action of a Vigilante," and he has enough lawyers to lock me up for life and make my mother's life hell.

That's why I ran away. Without me, mom doesn't have to go through any of it any more. She can forget her old life, and live on without me to worry over. I can take care of myself.

Or...so I thought.

I ran away from the building, and through an alley between two buildings. I could hear Walker's cries after me. "Hey! You! I know you!" I risked looking over my shoulder to see him stumbling his way towards me. It's enough to keep on my tail. Come on. Come on. There has to something I can hide in to get away from him.

I saw a ladder. Too much time. I saw a dumpster. He's not that drunk, he's twenty feet away from you!

I made a turn and then, suddenly, I was falling. I was falling through a hole and almost hit my chin on the way down. This is random. I thought to myself. I heard something slide back into place and heard a drunk's confusion and curses. I sat there in the dark, holding my breath. I heard him walk away. I sighed relief, only to realize the smell I was sitting in. Ugh. Of course, a sewer, with my luck, it has to be a sewer.

"How many times do we have to save you boy?" It was Ares' voice. I couldn't see him in the darkness, then a light lit up the room enough to see parts of everybody who was in the Punk Yard. I sat there in silence when I realized where the light was coming from. Mira's hands were glowing like a high voltage flash-light.

Ares gave me a look. "What?" he said, "We told you we had super powers. You think we were kidding?" He stood up and offered a hand. I took it and he hauled me up to my feet. He said, "Follow us. You'll be staying with us."

I hesitated, but I followed them through the sewers. I said, "So, since you aren't lying about the whole 'super powers' thing, what is it that you guys do?"

Jessie came up beside me. "We can each do something small. Kenny here has, uh, telekinesis? I think that's what it's called. Anyway, he can only push. He can't really move things around." Kenny said over his shoulder, "Oh yeah? Well, Jessie here can take over your brain. Except she can't do it without turning you into a zombie first."

I turned back to Jessie, and she stammered, "It's not like that! I can take over minds, but there's this weird......side effect. They follow whatever I tell them, but they act all.....damaged. If I hold on to them for too long, they start going crazy and......" She shut her mouth and didn't say anything else.

I could tell she was uncomfortable and decided to change the topic. "So, Mira, that was you with the whole 'Shazam!' thing? With the lights, I mean?" Wow. I am such a dork that I amaze me. She turned to me and gave me a look. "Well, I never heard it put that way, but yes, I can do the whole 'Shazam' thing." I looked at Ares. "What about you?" He stopped and looked at me. "I can pull simple weapons and tools out of thin air. As long as I know how they work." I was a little surprise by this. All I could manage was, "Oh, cool. That must be pretty handy."

In my mind, kids like that should not handle a gun......of any kind.

TL&TOHJ~Hope: Devlin's Escape

Meanwhile.......

He sat there in his cell. He was hungry. Not for food of course. He needed energy. He could still smell it, the energy. He could almost see it, in the guards. Most of them were dark. Some had flickers of white, but most were dark. He was in a special cell. Made to make sure he had no contact with anyone but the guard that gave him his food. They took his watch away. They took away his soul. Without that watch he was nothing, a nobody. He looked at his fists, longing to create a couple of energy blasts right then and there. He could just.....wait.

He stood up, and quickly punched the door. The door held, but there was a dent in it. He grinned to himself. He punched again and again. His knuckles were bloody now, but he kept punching. Yes, he thought. YES! He knocked the door off its hinges. He stood in the doorway. He knew where his watch was. All he had to do was go get it.

A guard stood in his way. The guard that taunted him chronically, and threw the food at him, rather than just handing him it. He grabbed him by the throat and swiped the gun away. He lifted him above the ground and began to strangle him. He didn't want to kill him though. He only wanted to drain him dry. He began to do so.

He didn't need the watch after all! But it still had most of his powers, though. He had to go get it and drain it.

"Haley Jones!!!!" He screeched like a banshee. "You are going to regret turning down my offer!!!! For Devlin, the Ultimate Entity, has Returned!!!!!"

TL&TOHJ~Hope: Whisper

At school the next day I went to the bathroom to make sure I didn't have anything on my face. While I was doing that, my eyes caught someone behind me. Someone was in the mirror, I couldn't tell if it was a he, or a she, because the cloak he/she wore was closed, and it covered the person's body as well as the hood hiding the face. I spun around, but saw no one there. I turned back to the mirror, it was still there.

It spoke, and I could hear it as if it were next to me. It said, "Call me Whisper." The voice was so quiet that I couldn't tell anything else by it. How young or old, boy or girl, you might as well have been listening to a soft breeze. "I know where you're brother is."

I blinked at the mirror. "Who are you?" It didn't move. "I am here to help you. There are forces coming here to kill you. You must figure out your friends and your enemies quickly." I glared at the figure. "I consider myself a friend, Haley Jones. I hope that you do to."

"Ah-hem." I turned to see Candy. I said, "How long where you standing there?" "Long enough to hear the conversation going on with yourself." I looked at the mirror. The thing that called itself Whisper was gone. I looked at the spot where it was showing on the mirror. Nothing. Anywhere!

I said, "I'll tell you later. Meet me after school. Tell Joey too." She looked me up and down. "I'm not crazy Candy. Just.....please." She shrugged.

Later, after school, Joey and Candy met me outside of the school. I said, "Walk with me." We went down the block and into a back alley. I clicked my bracelet and picked both of them up by their arms and flew off to the same building I first met the Trinity. The guys met Goliath, Angel, Gemini, the Blurr, and Boom and vice versa.

Anyway, before I could say anything. My phone rang. It was Paul. He said that they finished! I hung up and turned back to the guys. "We're moving the meeting. Grab a partner an follow me." I grabbed Joe Joe and Candy, Angel held onto Gemini, while the Blurr would run after us on foot. Goliath would follow a general direction. I pointed to where the secret base was and he followed.

As soon as we get the whole gang together, we can work together to find Butch.

And find out who this Whisper is, who no one seems to notice flying beside us now.

Cyrus Noble Chapter 6

There were maybe one or two groups of those troopers before reaching the top. I saw details of there uniforms. Like the suits were black, they had helmets with visors that covered there eyes, but not the rest of them. The important detail was that I saw the same symbol I see on everything we found in this Dam. A golden seal, with a bow and arrow strung out, ready to fire. It was placed in front of the world. Or, a circle with borderlines showing the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean. I never understood what it meant. We made it to the hatch. The others have been outside a few times, but never far away from the dam. We threw open the hatch and I practically threw each of them out there. I climbed out before Arsenal. When I got out, I realized our mistake. Three helicopters hovered at level with us on each side of the Dam. I made a silent curse that I'm not gonna bother putting down. A seventh chopper landed on the far end of the dam away from us. The doors opened to more troopers. I tensed up and prepared for our last battle. I saw the troopers stop, and then line up, as if the Queen of England herself were coming out of the chopper. I wouldn't bet on it. Instead, I saw a man in a black monkey suit, and a black trench coat. He wore shades, which completed the agent character from the Matrix. He was skinny and he showed no expression what-so-ever. He called over the noise of the rotors. "Cyrus!" I flinched a little more. How did he.....No. It doesn't matter. "You don't remember anything do you?!" He grinned a little. "Still the Noble man I see. How's your little family doing there?" I extended my claws, and my fangs. "NOW!" I screamed. Megan flew off and latched herself onto the tail of a chopper, despite the down draft. She ripped it off and threw it at the one next to it. Both went down into the water. Viktor shot down another one, making a complete hole right through it. Magnet held out his hands and concentrated. The rotors on the chopper stopped completely and folded upward. He then let his arms drop, and the helicopter did the same. Jazz yelled, "Magnet!" She threw some pellets into the air. Magnet mentally held them there and made them fly into the engines of one of the choppers. They exploded on impact and caused the chopper to fall to the valley below. Arsenal switched his hands and opened fire on the last chopper, You can guess the results. My turn. I ran toward Bishop with lasers flying all around me. I slashed and kicked my way through the guards. I bit into the neck of one guy, drawing blood. I tossed him to the side and let him fall over the edge, into the valley. I gagged. Ack! Blood does NOT taste good. I turned to the man in black. I said "You're next." I got a running start and lunged at him. I must have looked like death itself, but his expression said that I was a mere annoyance. He lashed out and, some how, grabbed me by the neck. I hung there, feeling helpless. Crap. He stared at me a second, holding me in the air. Not enough to choke me, he just held me there. Then he started squeezing. I heard him say "You developed better than I expected. I am pleased. I wonder if....." He dropped me as he drifted off the sentence. I was sucking in air and then coughing up blood (that still wasn't mine), but I managed to get this out. "You the leader?" He looked at me. I couldn't see his eyes behind the shades. He said, "You can call me Bishop, for now anyway. And yes, I guess you can call me that. I am the CEO of the Archer Corporation." He turned back to the chopper and he spoke to the pilot. "Take us out!" The pilot started the engines and Bishop stepped on. We could do nothing as Bishop flew off with everything I needed to know.

Cyrus Noble Chapter 5

I ran out in out into the hallway with Arsenal, and almost ran into Jazz. They were frozen in place. I said, "Guys, come on! There could be more of them in here. We have to...." I saw why they were frozen. They were staring at the twenty or so uniformed and armed men standing there, weapons trained on us. The shadows of the hall surrounded us, but both sides knew that the other was there. "Move." I finished. I stepped forward towards them, and a blast of energy whizzed past my head. "If you move, we will kill you!" Lasers aren't supposed to be invented yet. Where did they get that stuff? I said, "That's some pretty crappy aim. C'mon, hit me right here! I dare you!" I made an 'X' on my chest. The same soldier fired and it hit me so hard I fell on my back. That hurt, a lot. Megan screamed. Everyone stood still. I could here the soldiers coming forward. I tapped the floor twice, giving my signal. I made a plan in my head earlier, and I told Sara that whenever in a fight, read my mind and give my plan to the others to make sure they got it. So, I had her tell Viktor and Jazz that when I tapped my fingers against the metal floor, they would attack the troopers that were coming towards us. Jazz threw a handful of pellets in front of her. Which sent of discharge of energy to the troopers. Viktor moved his headband away from his eyes, and his eyes lit up the hallway. The troopers were down in seconds. I got up and examined myself. Burned a hole in one of my shirts, but the wound was gone. I looked at the others. Jazz was fussing at me. "You idiot! That could have went right through you!" I flashed her a grin. "But it didn't. Let's go." We ran through the hallways towards the roof. Oh, I should explain. Remember when Jazz said that we were prototypes? Well, I was being trained and modified to be some sort of self healing soldier. Complete with claw like fingernails, and retractable fangs. (And, No. Not like a Vampire, fangirls.) Jazz has a photographic memory, and can scream at a super high pitch so high that it's painful. Not just to me or Viktor either. She said she actually managed to wreak an entire training room once. She actually has a tool belt she found and keeps making stuff to put into it. She's, like, Batgirl. You know Viktor already. Megan, they must have been testing flight capabilities, because she was grafted with big, leathery wings. She can use them to fly. She also has incredible strength, she can lift a ton and a half. I can't count the number of times she embarrassed me in arm wrestling. Magnet can control metal, to a certain extent. Sara, as you probably figured out, can read minds and contact others with her thoughts. She can have an entire conversation with your thoughts, although we discourage it. What? You mean, you can't do any of that?

Cyrus Noble Chapter 4

I was woken up from another restless night by a little blond girl. Sara. She smiled and said, "Good morning. Jazz made breakfast, with Arsenal's help of course. She wanted everybody to be up by the time its done." I took a deep breath. "Gimme a sec, Okay?" She said, "Okay!" and ran off, her toy squirrel tight in her grip. I got up and got my usual clothes on. A T-shirt, Cameo pants, and combat boots. I keep them because they can be seriously lethal when I need them. I popped my back and neck, the way I always do, and then went off to see what Jazz was burning this time. I walked into the kitchen/lounge/break room that was placed in the dam. Megan, Magnet, and Sara were watching something on TV. Magnet was wearing his favorite goggles. He found them one day and claimed them to be good luck. He hardly takes them off his head, and they are never in the too far away from Magnet. I saw Jazz and Arsenal in the kitchen, hovering over skillets and/or ovens and microwaves. I said, "Jazz! What are you doing?" She jumped and spun around to me. "What?" she asked. "We don't need it to be like Chernobyl in here." She rolled her eyes. "Oh, you are so hilarious, that I forgot to laugh." Viktor stumbled on in. He whistled to get his bearings, as if he didn't have them already. After we moved the furniture on him once, he doesn't go into any room with whistling and using his sonar to know where stuff is. He then said, "I am here. What are your other two wishes?" I rolled my eyes, then I realized that was useless on him and said, "I'm rolling my eyes Viktor. My wish is for you to go away." As I sat down on the couch he said, "That still leaves one more wish." He sat down on the other end without missing. I said, "In that case, I wish you would go even farther away." He whistled, as if he was impressed. "Harsh." he said. After we ate breakfast, I was about to head everybody down to the training room when I felt a violent rumbling. Everyone felt it and froze. I was listening intently. I looked over at Viktor. He had more advanced hearing than I did. He said, "Is that......a helicopter?" Just then the world exploded. When the ringing in my ears faded I looked around at what happened. There was a huge, gaping hole in the wall. Straight through the lounge wall and straight through the outer wall of the dam. Hovering there was the helicopter. I said, "Everyone! Back door! Move, move, move!" Viktor had Magnet and Megan by there hands and led them out the other door. I picked up a still dazed Sara and tossed her to Jazz. "Get outta here!" I said. She scrambled out the door after the others. I saw Arsenal getting up from under a pile of rubble. I said, "Arsenal, get over here, I need you!" He got over to me. "Do you have any kind of defensive protocols; besides hand-to-hand combat?" He said, "Yes." He turned towards the Chopper and put out his hands. The hands unfolded, and refolded into what looked like weapons with rounded off ends and holes on the round ends. They started spinning, and started firing. Within seconds the window of the Chopper had cracked holes in it and it reared back like an animal in pain. Then it spun toward the ground and hit it with a satisfying explosion. I flashed a grin at the robot. "Nice." I said. "Now, let's go find the others and get out of here!"

Heroes Chapter 5

My eyebrows furrowed. I shook my head and went over to grab my back pack. It felt heavier than before. I said, "Fine, you don't want to tell me, don't tell. I won't breathe a word to anyone about this place." I turned back to them. Most of them had looks of dissapointment on their faces. "Now, how do I get out of here?"

Ares showed me out. The hatch that led outside was placed in the middle of the woods. I looked around. I saw some moss on a rock. I turned back to Ares, who was out of the hatch halfway. I said, "No need to come along. I can find a town from here." He looked at me with a confused look. Then he shrugged. "Whatever man. Good luck." He closed the hatch, which had a covering that made it look like the grass that was planted next to it.

I looked at the moss covered rock. I'm not a camper, but I know enough about survival. For example, I know that moss points to civilization. I started west, and, sure enough, I found a road. I followed the road in the same general direction, and I found a small town. Huh, looks like I made it in one piece after all. I made my way to a diner. There were a few people in there, but not a lot. There was a lady at the little ring counter in the middle, wearing a uniform of some kind. She smiled when I came in. "Hey there! Can I get 'cha anything this morning, hun?"

I waved, "Nah. That's Okay." I sat down at one of the booths. I pulled out my map. Let's see, Ohio. "Excuse me, waitress?" She looked over at me. "What's the name of this town again?" She smiled and said, "Little Kettlekorn. Also known as Passerby, U.S.A." I laughed a little. She continued, "We have a visitor's center a little down the road, if ya like." I nodded, "Thank you." I folded up the map and went over to the visitor's center.

What I saw there, wasn't what I was looking for. I saw a man. He always wore a kevlar vest, smelled of alcohol, and was obsessed with my arrest. He's the reason my Mom and I had to run away so many times and he's the reason I had to run away now. He had the law watching me like a hawk. It's not something I did. It's something I didn't do, and then its something I did back home, back at the Church. Please, I don't want to talk about it right now. Plus, He just saw me.

Heroes Chapter 4

I was frozen in place. I don't know why, but this one kid scared me. He had dirty blond hair, a pilot bomber leather jacket, jeans, and combat boots. He wore a cocky grin, silver tinted blue eyes, and a scar that went over his eye, past his lip, and ended at his chin.

There were three others with him. One was a skinny black kid with a Raiders Jersey. There was a girl with olive green skin and her long black hair tied in a pony tail, which now hung over her shoulder. The last girl was pale, had short black hair, piercings on her nose and ear, and wore an assortment of black clothes.

They were laughing, as if joking about something. The first kid walked up to me and said, "Hey! Snow White is awake guys!" They all laughed, except for Dexter and myself. He turned back to me. "What's your name new kid?" I glared back at him. "Alexander. Alex if you want. Speaking of which, what do you want with me?" He laughed. "Nothing man, we're just trying to live around here, ya know? We go out and scavange for whatever we can. Nerd over here just caught a glimpse of what happened on a satelite and told us to help you out. You're in Middle-of-Nowhere, Ohio now." I looked at him, the others, the room, and the one he called Nerd.

I said, "Where's my stuff?" He jerked his thumb over to a table that had my bag. I guess I missed it. I said, "How did you guys do that stuff, that I saw back there?" The room got really quiet. The kid with the Jersey said, "Maybe we could tell him?" The first kid glared at him. The goth rolled her eyes and stepped up next to the scary one. She said, "This is Ares, I'm Mira, that's Kenny, and the girl there is Jessie. You've already met Dexter I bet." I nodded and Dexter coughed.

Mira turned her attention back to me. I just realized that her eyes are shifting colors. I couldn't tell what color they were. When she came in they were blue, just a minute ago they were green, right now they're looking brown. She said, "We're the standard freakish teens, with freakish super powers. Do you have one?"

Heroes Chapter 3

I kind of half woke up, but what I saw didn't make any sense, so I went back to sleep. When I woke up, for I think was, the seventh time, I looked around. I saw a metal roof and metal walls. Did it finally happen? Was I in jail? I slowly got up, not feeling rested at all. I saw that all I had to sleep on was a metal table that barely held me, a paper thin pillow, and a yellow blanket.

Last I checked, prisons didn't have cells that looked like crappy medical stations. I decided to get up and try to walk on my gelatin legs. They took my pack, as I expected. They didn't search my pockets, why? I walked over to the entrance. Maybe if I asked real nicely, I could get a glass of water.

What I saw didn't make any real sense either. I saw a big open room. It was dome shaped. I saw a computer on one of the end walls. A door here and there that lead to somewhere else. But this room had some tables here and there, and a desk, but the main thing was the computer with the giant monitor. I walked up to it. Where was I?

Just then, I jumped and turned around as I heard one of the doors slide open. Standing there was a short kid, with red hair, grey eyes, and glasses. He was looking at some sort of hand held device. He didn't notice me yet, so I ducked behind a table and strained to listen to his footsteps. When I heard him closing in I worked my way around the other end of the table and circled back around as quietly as I could. I looked around the corner at him and he was standing at the computer. He typed in something in his device and plugged it in. He started typing on the computer, completely oblivious to everything.

I took my chance, I stood up and crept up behind him. He was either really short for his age, or just really young, but I couldn't take any chances. I grabbed him and held him with my arm wrapped around his neck, not enough to choke him, but enough to hold him in place.

He started kicking and squirming. It was getting hard to hold this kid. I said, "Tell me where we are! Or I'll....I'll, I don't know, break your arm, or something." He settled down for a second. He said, "You're safe. My friends brought you here after saving you from those bank robbers." I let him go and he stepped away from me, breathing heavy. I just scared him, I didn't hurt him.

I said, "I'm sorry, I thought I was still captured. Where am I? Who are you?" He only straightened his collared shirt and said, "I am called a lot of things, but I prefer Dexter. As for where you are, this is my home. We call it the Punk Yard, do to the youths that keep finding themselves here." I said, "I'm Alexander." We shook hands. A different door slid open and I saw a group of kids around my age. (About fourteen or fifteen.) In front of the rest was the kid I recognized from that warehouse. He was the one who shot that man.

Heroes Chapter 2

My eyes snapped open to the robbers. I looked over to the guy they were calling Berny. He was standing there, dazed. I saw drool coming out his mouth. He was pointing the gun at one of the others lazily. He then dropped the gun and fired it at the other thug's knee. He dropped to the ground and cried out in pain. Everyone's gaze and guns were trained on him. Berny dropped the gun and lunged at one of the others, moaning. He grabbed the boss and started giving him a bear hug. Now the others couldn't fire, they would hit their leader.

I felt my eyes grow wide. Never, in all my life, have I seen something so strange. Berny sunk his teeth into his leader's arm, and I could see blood. The leader cursed and screamed even more. Then, suddenly, the other three thugs went flying, as if they were knocked away by some invisible force. I felt wind on my face, as if I were in a subway tunnel while a train was running on by.

The last two looked around. One of them wailed, "I wasn't paid enough for this!" They each grabbed one of the bags of money and tried to run. As they ran, I saw two blasts of light come from nowhere and hit there backs, causing them to fall and knock themselves out.

Berny dropped the guy and passed out, the leader fell too. Only, he got back up, holding his wound. He picked up the gun he dropped when he was attacked and pointed it at Berny's head. He saw that he wasn't waking up anytime soon, so he trained it on me, as if I had something to do with the weirdness going on.

"What. Did. You. Do." he said. It wasn't a question.

I stammered something unintelligible, then he said, "Shut up! Just, shut up!" The gun was shivering now. I felt very uncomfortable, with it pointing at me and all. Then, I heard a gun shot. I jumped a foot in the air. I waited for that feeling I heard survivors get when they're about to die, but survive miraculously. I waited for that little light at the end of the tunnel that I see on every overdramatized movie. But, I felt nothing. I looked down at myself to see a wet spot, or some other proof that I've been shot.

I saw none.

When I heard a thud on the floor, I looked up to see a dead robber and a kid holding a pistol. He said, "Huh. Here I thought this would be more of a challenge. C'mon guys. Lets go home." I heard another voice, a girl's voice, "Shouldn't we help him? We can't just leave him here for the police." The kid I saw holding the gun shrugged. "Don't matter." I heard a different girl's voice. "Maybe he can help us."

I couldn't take anymore of this. So, I ended up passing out.

Cyrus Noble Chapter 3

When I got back, what I heard wasn't at all what I expected. Laughter. I ran to the room I left them at. I opened the door and saw a machine, a robot, doing what I think is a dance, and the younger kids were laughing. The older ones were watching them thoroughly and jumped when I came in. I said, "What is this?" The machine turned to me. "I am Project: A-23, Codenamed: Arsenal. Built for service and defensive protocols. How may I be of service?" I glared at it. "By shutting down." The older, blond girl stepped in front of me. "Wait. He's just like us. He's a prototype, just like us. He was in here with us when you put us in here. He found some painkiller pills that helped the new guy. He's good." I looked back and forth between the robot and girl. I sighed. I tossed the bag of (some what) food on the floor. The kids fell on it and start snacking away. I said, "Robot." It turned to me and corrected me, "Arsenal." "Arsenal. I want you to clean out the Dam of dead bodies and/or scientists. When you are sure that its cleaned out, report back here for further orders." Then I thought of how small this room was. "Before you do that though, find a lounge, or something, and clean that out first. Then come back here to escort the experiments to that lounge." He bowed slightly. "Of course.......I do apologize, what is your name?" I thought about it. Did I have a name? Then I remembered. "Cyrus. My name is Cyrus." I walked off and the older girl called after me. "Hey! Where are you going?" I called back. "You guys want some clothes other than those gowns? There's a town somewhere near here, I'll be right back." Anyway, I did find a town less than a mile away from the cabin. It was night when I got there, so most of the shops were closed. I got a cart to wheel around town. I stole some clothes and food. I found a pair of hiking boots that looked pretty promising, so I took them. I had to work quickly, but I was trained for this kind of stuff. And more. I was able to use a natural mountain trail to cut through the woods and back into the dam. I found the robot digging a trench a little ways away from the Dam. It waved when it saw me. Looks like I got everything for everybody here. Soon, the guys started picking there own names. Jazz got hers when she picked up a forgotten i-touch and fell in love with the music it had on there. Viktor got his when he heard the name on some movie, and he ended up misspelling it. Megan found a name tag on the ground, after studying it for a long while, she found out how to say the name on it and she kept it. We called Mag Magnet when we saw what he could do. He didn't mind, in fact, he seemed to like his name. Sara just picked a name out of the air. She saw the name on a stuffed animal once, and she liked it. I still don't know how my name came to be, but its the only thing I remember. A couple months later, when everyone was claiming guest rooms, I had to go and see Sara. She saw something on TV earlier that day about a dad telling his kid a bedtime story, and now she wanted me to do it for some reason. I was making something stupid about a noble knight and a goblin saving a princess, when she interrupted with a question. "What does noble mean?" She asked tiredly. I said, "Um, oh gee, I don't know. Something good people have, I guess. Like, noble means good hearted, I guess?" She nodded in her bed, as if that made perfect sense. "You're noble, Cyrus. You're Cyrus Noble." She then drifted off to sleep, and ever sense, the name Cyrus Noble somehow stuck to me. Jazz hacked into a computer. "I just saw what they typed in on the keyboard one time." She said, "I don't know what it said, but I know what it was. We can get on the Internet, and onto some files now." The Internet was our main source of education. We all could (generally) read, kind-of write, and pretty much speak. We had a training course that was made for the maneuverability of the experiment. We used it to go over battle simulations. It went pretty well. I just thought that if we were ever attacked, we would be able to surprise them by being prepared. The only reason we stayed here was because of its convenient location. A town nearby, a fresh water lake, plus, there was already a limited number of food already. For a year and a half, we went on, undisturbed. But one day, everything changed.

Cyrus Noble Chapter 2

I found an exit to the facility. It was a hatch in the roof, with a ladder going up into it. I went through it to discover the Dam, and the woods on both sides, and the lake on the north side. The view was beautiful as I looked over the edge. No time to marvel, I need to find food. I inhaled the air and mentally sifted through the scents. Rabbits. Wolves. People? Something sweet. I licked my lips. It smelled delicious from here. I followed the scent, and, after a couple of miles of tracking, I saw a small wooden house. What do they call it? A cottage? That has to have some food in it, doesn't it? There was a vehicle in front of it. That could mean someone was home. I saw an old man come outside with an ax over his shoulder. A black haired girl came outside with him. "Grandpa! Where are you going?" The old man turned toward her, his voice soft but slightly irritated. "I'm going to work honey, stay inside, Granny will wake up in a minute, Okay? Its an emergency and I have to be there. I hate to leave ya here, but I'll be back tonight, I promise." She pouted and watched from the steps as the old man drove off. She couldn't be any more than seven. I might scare her, but I'll be able to go in, steal some clothes, and be out of there in no time. I waited till the old man's pick-up was out of sight. I saw the little girl about to go into the house, when I stepped on a twig and made a loud snap. She spun around. She said, "Hello? Is someone there?" I hid back behind the bushes. She ran up at the bushes. What was she...Hey! I started to run off, when she said, "Don't run." I half turned to her. She said, "Wait here." She ran into the house. She came back out a few minutes later with a handful of bundled up clothes. She gave them to me and turned her back to me, while covering her eyes. I looked at them, then put them on. She brought out boxers, cameo shorts, and a white T-shirt. I said, "I don't know what to say." She turned around and smiled, letting down her hands. She said, "Are you hungry?" It took a few minutes, but she came back out with a big zip-lock back of cookies and candy. She said, "Granny just made these. Are you sure you can't stay?" I nodded. "Thanks anyway." I ran off and she called out after me, "Bye! Good Luck!" Well, that's how I got some food, but what I found when I got back was the real surprise.

TL&TOHJ~Hope: Dr. Phil

Goliath tried to slam both his fists down on me, knowing that I could take it, but I didn't have to. I stopped right in front of them and flew around him. I picked up his left foot and flew straight up. He was dangling upside down now and I dropped him. His thundering thud probably woke up half of the neighborhood.


He groaned and tried to get up, but I slammed on his chest with both feet. I heard the wind rush out of his lungs in a giant whooshing sound that sounded like a hurricane blowing.


I went after Angel. We were tangling in the air when I heard Gemini. "Angel! Get out of the way! We can't get a clear shot!" Before I could react, she did a snap kick at my head that left me dazed. I turn back to her to see her a ways away, and then I looked at where I thought I heard Gemini. I saw Gemini and Boom holding out there hands against me. I saw Boom's lips move, but I couldn't tell what she were saying. Probably something like "I'm sorry."


Then I felt it. A solid force with about a thousand volts of electricity dancing along with it. Needless to say, I went flying. I made a crater about a mile away. I was on my hands and knees, catching my breath, and waiting for the tingling sensation to pass. I felt a small rush of wind, and I looked up. It was the Blurr.


He spoke, and, if I'm not mistaking, those were the first words I ever heard him say, ever. "Please stop fighting. We know you want your brother back, but you can't win against us. Now settle down before someone really gets hurt." I started to get up. I said, "You don't understand." I faltered for a sec, then started back up again. "I have to find him. I need to find him. Or he's gonna end up like that Brenda kid." He only looked at me. He sighed. "Look. I'm not going to pretend to know what you're going through. I never had any siblings, but, from what I've heard, I've been missing out." I looked down and said, "Yeah. They're annoying, obnoxious, nosey, but......they're family. My little brother, he was there for me when I needed him the most, so I need to be there for him."


He nodded. He said, "Feel better now?" I blinked. Actually, yeah, I did. I giggled, "Got any more advice, Dr. Phil?" He smirked, then replied, "Take two pills tonight and then come see me in the morning." We both laughed.


He said, "Seriously Haley, meet us at the top of that building you met the other guys, and we'll find your brother." My heart filled up with joy. I said, "Thank you, and sorry about that back there." He waved it off. "I'll go tell the others to cool it. See you tomorrow at....three?"


I nodded. "Three." He sped off, and I smiled to myself. I flew on home and went in through my bedroom window. That's when I heard a voice. "I know where your brother is." I spun around to see......no one. No one was there. I thought it was Candy until she came into the room. She let out a big breath. "I thought I was going to have to tell you parents or something, Haley!" She was still talking in a lowered voice.


I said, "Did you hear someone, just now?" She gave me a funny look. "I was downstairs, waiting for you to get back here. I didn't hear anyone else in here."


I said, "Huh, well, I made plans to meet with the Trinity tomorrow. Goodnight." I clicked my bracelet and dove under the covers. That's all I need. My best friend thinking I'm crazy.



Anyway, I feel a whole lot better. I have full confidence that we'll find my brother tomorrow.

TL&TOHJ~Hope: Understanding

I looked at my phone. Two in the morning. I took out twelve different gangs already. I didn't kill them, but I did beat the ever-loving crap out of them. I saw a lone gangster down below. I dropped down in front him, startling him. I grabbed him by his jacket and lifted him fifteen feet above the ground. Through gritted teeth, I said, "Where. Is. He. I. Want. The. Boy." He didn't even get the chance to answer, before I heard a voice behind me. "Haley!"



I jerked around to see the Trinity. They had two new members. The ones I helped with the Blood Syndicate. The Blurr and Diana, who calls herself Boom. The Blurr had a dark blue jumpsuit, lined in black and goggles. Boom had a black jumpsuit without sleeves, and a low V-neck. She had a pair of grey gloves to go with it. Goliath was the one who spoke out to get my attention. Angel stepped up, she said, "Haley, what are you doing? We heard on the police reports that you were....well, attacking people. Is that true?" I dropped the thug and he scurried away. I said, "My little brother is missing. I intend to find him. So, unless you came here to help me, stay out of my way."


Gemini stepped up. "You think you're the only one who's missing someone? There's a lot of people missing, Jones! You are not by yourself on this one! So, settle down, or we'll have to take you down!" I got into a fighting stance. "Then you're my enemy." They all got into a fighting stance. I heard Diana say, "Please, Haley. Don't make me fight a hero."


I didn't stand down. They didn't have a brother missing. They didn't care about my brother. They didn't understand that I had to do this.


I launched myself at them...........

TL&TOHJ~Hope: Incentive

That night, after the police left, I laid down in my bed. The sounds of my parents crying and trying to comfort each other, made me angrier and angrier. Candy stayed at my request, mainly to comfort me. I snuck out of my bed and went to Butch's room. It was a cool room. Race cars and Transformers covered the walls. The little Bumblebee car was the bed, which I thought was pretty cool looking, despite all my ignoring of it. I saw a picture of Butch from a recent class photo. I picked it up and looked at it for a minute. I sighed and went back to my room.


Candy was awake. "Hey, what's going on?" she whispered. I opened my window silently, like I have dozens of times. I clicked my bracelet and turned into my Hero form. Candy made a panicky whisper, "What are you doing?" I put one foot on the window ledge, and over my shoulder I said, "Hunting." With that, I flew out into the night.


I dive-bombed the first street gang I saw. I screamed, "Where is he?!!!" I started tossing them around. One of them said, "He who?!" But you know thugs like this. They lie till the very end.


I grabbed one of them by the scruff of his neck and lifted him from the ground. I took the picture of my pocket and resisted the urge to shove it down his throat. "This boy here! You remember him? Or do you need more incentive?" The thug looked at the picture. "I swear to God, I don't--"


I didn't let him finish. I dropped him to the ground and flew off to find other criminals. After flying around for a while, I saw a big man in a trench coat. He had a tail sticking from the bottom. Rex. If he's back then he has to be behind Butch.


I tackled him and ripped off his hat and coat. I saw fear in his eyes. He said, "Hey. Hey! I didn't even do anything yet!" I said, "I'm taking you down, Rex! Give back my brother before I rip out your spine and beat you with it! Give back Butch!"


He tried to throw me off. "What are you talking about?! Help!" I finally beat him down and flipped him to his back. "This kid! You remember!?" I hung the picture in his face. He shook his scaly head quickly. "I never saw the brat before in my--Ack!" I grabbed him by his throat and chucked him as hard as I could. I better get going. I have an entire city to comb through before morning.

TL&TOHJ~Hope: A Big Surprise

I was having a great day. No homework, at all. I got to beat up a bunch of bad guy's during lunch and, get this, I made it back to class on time!

Yeah, nothing can get better. Oh, wait, yes it can. We're going to the old hang out today! Joe Joe said he had a surprize.

When Candy and me got there, we saw that he fixed everything, and then some. He made a little shack of on one corner of the roof. It had a table, and a bunch of chairs in it. He said, "I know it isn't exactly entertainment central in here, but....." I put a hand on his shoulder. "Its perfect, Joey." I gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek.

After we left his house, Candy and I planned to do a sleep over, like we always do on the weekends. When we got home, Mom and Dad were sitting at a table talking in hushed voices. I said, "Mom. Dad. Is there something wrong?" Butch was nowhere to be seen.

They both looked at me with tearful eyes. Dad spoke, but his voice was cracking. "Butch. He....he was kidnapped, Haley."

I waited for that little punk to pop out of somewhere and say "Boo!" or maybe, just a snicker behind the closet door. I heard nothing. "What, is this some kind of joke?" He shook his head, and Mom just started crying.

Apparently, witnesses only saw a van open, and he was snatched and gone before anyone even noticed. Fury burned inside me. They want to play hardball, huh?

OK. I can play hard ball.

Heroes Chapter 1

Picture, if you will, a boy hitch-hiking on a highway. He must be about fifteen, going into sixteen. He dressed warmly for the still cold, January weather. He doesn't know where the road will go, and he doesn't know when he'll get to his destination. He can only hope that its secluded, and that this time he won't bring attention to himself. Oh, yeah. That's me.

My name is Alexander, OK, actually, that's just a cover name. I'm not telling you my real name. If you knew my name, then you would understand. I recently ran away from home, as you can probably tell. I made a mistake back home, a big mistake. The plan was to lay low, not bring attention to me or my family. Those stupid.....terrorists.

According to these maps, I'm heading toward Ohio. Good. There are a lot of nobody towns in Ohio, right? Please, I'm not trying to put down a state or anything, I'm just trying to find a good place to hide. With my luck, I'm probably going to be--

"Hey kid! You lost?" --harassed before I can do anything. I folded my map and put it in my pocket. I turned to the van that pulled over. A man had his head out the window. "We could use a little help here!" he said. Great. He continued, "We're on the lam here and need some insurance. Know where to get some?" The side doors opened to some goons in ski masks. No other cars. No police officer around. Plus, its almost dark. Fantastic.

Within a few minutes they had me tied up and thrown in the back of their van. These bozos had gotten lucky. Then again, so did I, back in Virginia.

I tried to move, and one of them kicked me in the stomach, which knocked the wind out of me. "Shuddup!" He yelled, which, really, sounded intelligent, considering that I didn't say anything. We sat there in silence. I noticed big bags set off to one side. From the way they slid around on the floor I didn't have to guess what was in them. These are bank robbers, and judging from there accents, I'd say they're from Boston.

At some point, they'll have mess up, and I'll make my escape. After about two hours of silence someone opened the back doors, waking me from, what I guess you could call, sleep. They ripped me away from the van and threw me to the ground. It was dark outside. I could see the moonlight streaming through big windows. This must be an abandoned gas station. Someone was talking into a phone. "Yeah. Uh-huh. Yeah, we grabbed a nobody from the road for insurance. Just some kid. OK. If you say so boss." He hung up and said, "Cops lost us. Boss said to waist the kid." He grinned through his mask. "Sorry, kid. Nothing personal. Wrong place, wrong time, ya know?"

I closed my eyes. I guess this is it. After everything I tried to do to hide who I am, it comes down to this--

"Berny? What're you doin'?"

Cyrus Noble Chapter 1

Uh. Hello. If you picked this up, then you might be a survivor after all, but there's no real way to truly tell. Anyway, My name is Cyrus. Cyrus Noble. Unlike most of you out there, reading this, I have a.....troubled past. Mainly because I don't remember anything beyond this dam. Just a dam in the middle of the woods. I'm not saying where it is, exactly, because there are too many horrors in there that no one needs to see. Anyway, its not just me in here. There used to be scientists in here. They preformed tests, medical examinations, training courses.........on me. And the other experiments. At least, before I killed them all. There's six--er, I mean, seven--of us in this dump. There's me, Jazz, Viktor, Megan, Magnet, Sara, and Arsenal. Now, I understand, you might want to close this right now and walk away, but that's OK. I won't think any less of you if you do. OK. That's a lie, but Jazz says I need to start being nicer. Can you imagine? Let me go back a bit, to tell you exactly what happened. I finished killing the last man. Some nobody scientist. I was still full of rage, full of hatred, and still didn't have any clothes. I looked around the room, there wasn't much left. It was fairly big. On one side of the room. I saw a boy that was strapped to the wall. There was an endless green flash of light coming from his eyes that looked like a laser. I looked down at one of the corpses. A few of them were walking inside the blast. They had full black body suits, and seemed unaffected by the energy. Yet, when I touched it earlier, it seered my arm. Its OK now. It fully healed over. I couldn't use this suit, too bloody. Ah, there's another one, I rememeber snapping that one's neck. I tore a strip of the arm of the the suit. Yeah, two inches, that should be wide enough. I climbed to a spot where the kid's head was being held in place. He was screaming earlier, but he got so tired of screaming that he just stopped and endured the pain. I stretched the cloth in front of his eyes and, with great effort, wrapped it around his head. I forced open the restraints and caught him before he fell. He stammered, "Th-they did something with my eyes. I can't...." I said, "I know. Let me help you out here and we'll talk later." I didn't know what or who or why they did this. I only knew that I needed to save the ones who were like me. The ones who were human enough. I put his arm over my shoulder and helped him walk over to a section of the dam that I escaped from. I got there and knocked on the door. "Its me." I said. The door opened to reveal four other kids, ranging in different ages, in gowns. I had found each of them in different test rooms. I placed the newest kid on the ground in the middle of the room. I said, "This one should be OK. Don't mess with the headband." I looked at the older blond one. She looked fearful, like the others. I said, "I am going to find food. I will return before the end of the day. Stay in this room and stay hidden. I killed the remaining humans." One of the young ones said, "The Sci-fis are gone?" I looked at him. "Yes. They should not bother you anymore. I'll return with something for us to eat." With that I went hunting.

Notice!

I will be rewrighting the first three chapters of Cyrus Noble. They will be split up into smaller chapters and told in a totally better way.
So, you have that to look forward to.

The Ultimate Prize Ch. 14: Jason

The charts that appeared on the screens showed who was fighting who first. Everyone piled into the seating area to see the first fighters. There was a section of seats that held twice the number of seats than the actual number of contestants.

The arena was split into smaller sections by walls that rose from the ground. There were two sets of parallel walls that set up nine sub-sections in the arena. The day's first fighters went into the sections, two people per room.

Once everyone was where they were supposed to be, the Host came up on the overhead speakers. "The challenge: A fight to the death!" The contestants seemed unmoved by this. "Three! Two! One! Fight!"

Jason watched as they began fighting each other. Sure, you see stuff like this in movies, or video games, but seeing it, in real technicolor and in person, it just seems so unreal. He watched as a mercenary didn't hesitate to shoot down a man in a prisoner's uniform, holding a large sharpened piece of metal. Once he fell, the body disappeared, and the wall to the right of the mercenary lowered to reveal a gangster holding a shotgun. He cocked the gun and barely uttered the beginnings of a threat before the merc shot him down too.

Jason pulled his hood back and wiped away the sweat that was there. He honestly didn't know what to expect. Deep down, he was kind of hoping that there wouldn't be this many people to begin with, much less mercenaries, assassins, and other greedy gun-weilders.
Molly was sitting beisde him, he was glad that she was there with him, but he also cursed himself for not forcing her to stay home. Sure, she had powers, but it's not like she's had training with them! The best she's gotten moving are soda cans. Sure, he was stronger than, say, a bear, but its not like there are team matches in Smash Brothers. He won't be able to protect her.

One other girl just sat down with him, He believes her name is Astrid, on the opposite side of Molly. She said to him, in a french accent, "Look, whatever the reason is for being in this tournament, we're here. We need to find out, right now, who our friends are. So who are you and what is it that you can do?" Jason glared at her. He stood up and looked down at her. "Unlike your selfish reasons, we plan to bring back our mother. So stay out of our way or die like the losers down there." He pointed to the three way fight between the mercenary, a marine, and an Asylum Patient.

He took Molly by the hand and lend them back to the personal dorms that were made between the contestants. He and Molly shared one, most likely because they were just brother and sister. He stormed her out and made his way back to the dorm. "That went well." Molly said. He grunted.

He just wanted to go to sleep and wake up back in his own bed, thinking it was all just a dream.

The Ultimate Prize part 13: Brick

All that Brick remembers is suddenly appearing in the middle of an arena. A voice, that wasn't Aggroar, telling him to sleep. He closed his eyes and now he's standing in a line up. Like a Military soldier bunk inspection. There were plenty of people on both sides of him. They are all different ages, different races, different everything, except for one thing. Each and every person he could see had a gleam in their eyes that spelled out desire. To his left he saw someone who must've been a little younger than him. He had white hair, dark clothes, and radiated power. He looked as confused as he felt. "You got any idea what's going on?" Brick asked him.

The kid shook his head. "No. But I know a fair amount of time has passed. Don't ask me how I know, I can just feel it. I was trying to break a fight one minute, and then........I'm here." They stood there in silence for a few minutes. Brick figured he might as well introduce himself. "Name's Brick." They shook hands. "Vector. What're you here for?" Brick gulped down his grief. "I....just.....have to clear something up, from my past." Yeah, as in me.

Vector nodded. Brick looked up at the edge of the arena. There was that man again! The one from the video feed. Dark, Blood red robes. A crown. The white beard. He glared at the crowd, and then exchanged it for a smile. "Welcome contestants!" He announced. "Obviously you have chosen to enter the tournament of all tournaments! It is time to introduce yourselves!

Please step on the podium when you hear your name." Brick heard a lot of names go by. These screens showed the people he announced. As far as he could tell, there were mercenaries, assassins, thieves, psychopaths, soldiers even. Then he said a name of a girl and she got up there. Brick saw that she was a kid. Fifteen years at least.

He heard a few other people chuckle. Her name was Molly Myers. He looked at Vector, just to see what he thought about kids like them being in this thing, but the look on his face was priceless. "Dude. You in love or something?" Vector looked at him, "Huh?" Brick looked back at the screens. "Never mind."

"Lady Astrid Le'Beouf, Knight of the Guardians of Humanity."

Brick's eyes got wide. Why is she here?! The whole point in beating her to this tournament was so that she wouldn't be here! He sighed. She is persistent, he'll give her that much.

"Jason Myers from Jackson Ville, Missouri. Twin brother of Molly Myers." Brick could swear he has seen him in several horror movies. Mainly as the killer. He got up there and he kept his hood up.

"Cain. The Experiment for the Survivor Project." A kid with a huge scorpion tail got up on the podium as he was introduced, glaring at anyone to say anything. Or, was he scanning the crowd while he had the chance? Did he have friends like him?

Brick shouldn't be the one to judge. He was, after all, a mystical monster himself. A Vessel. One of many out in the world nowadays.

!Notice!

My Story 81+1 Heroes will be changed and re-written. I do this because the actual story isn't exactly my best work. Its history with my other stories will still stand and most of the main characters will still have the same names. Please say whether or not I should keep the old posts up or not.

Thank you.

The Life and Times of Haley Jones~Hope: John Storm

I was flying on patrol, with visions of Christmas Shopping and Christmas Dinner. Oh God, I sound like a story book. Anyway, I was day dreaming and I barely noticed the living storm going on down there. It looked like a fight between a Blizzard and an Electrical Storm. I looked closer and I saw a familiar energy being and a little kid. People were running for their lives and swerving or speeding away from the street the event was on.
I flew a few feet above them. "Hey! Brandon!" He glared up at me. He had a black jumpsuit with a high black collar and a low V-neck. He yelled at me, "I am NOT Brandon Keith! I am Shockwave!"
I rolled my eyes. "Listen Keith!" I replied. "You can drop the act and let me help you, or you can let me beat the crap out of you, and then help you. Your choice."
He said back, "Nobody can help me now! Except those losers back at the Lab. As long as I do my job, I'll get whatever I want. Now get out of my way, Hero!" I landed and held my arms out, looking over my shoulder to see a kid who couldn't be any more than five or six. I said, "You are not getting to this kid, Brandon."
He shot a blast at me and I crossed my arms to block it. I closed my eyes, and when I didn't feel anything I opened them. I saw a pink dome in front of me. The blast ended, and I lowered my arms and the sheild faded.
I had to get over the fact that I had a new power quickly. Brandon, I mean, Shockwave had energy coursing from two light posts and redirected the energy at me. I took to the sky and tackled him. After he was on the ground he unleashed a blast that sent me flying.
Wow, my entire body is tingling now. I flew over to an abondoned garbage truck. I picked it up, with some effort, and slammed it into Shockwave. He blasted it out of his way, and glared at me. He looked at the kid I was trying to protect and his eyes got wide.
He growled and muttered a curse. He turned back to me. "This ain't over, Haley!" He shot through a lampost and dissappeared. I turned to the kid and saw the problem. He was gone.
Shoot. Where did he go? I was winning, wasn't I? I sighed and flew home. Mom and Dad will be expecting me to be there before they get home. Butch is having a Chorus Concert tonight.
Later that night......
I sat in one of the rows with my parents. They still have no idea of what I have been doing for the past few months. I need to change that soon. But hey, Christmas break is this wensday and my grandparents are coming into town. I was getting so used to lieing to them, but that just isn't me. I never......OK, not never, but I hardly lie to my own parents.
Oh, the teacher is announcing the show. I sat there, waiting a whole five minutes before Link buzzed in my purse. No, no, no! Butch's class isn't even on yet! Hmmmm. Maybe I can do this really quick, and make it back before he starts.
I whispered to my dad that I was going to the bathroom and got up as quietly as I could. I went into the bathroom and clicked my bracelet. I flew through the tiny high window that was provided. Link said that the trouble was a kid causing a blizzard. It sounded like the kid I met earlier. I flew over to Salem Avenue, where they reported he was.
I hovered a few feet above the buildings. I saw a snowstorm going on down there. I heard something between a whisper and a scream that matched the storm. "Gooooooooo. Awwwwaaaaaaaay! Leeeeaaaaaavve. Meeee. Aaaloooone!" I looked closer and I saw hints of faces. I don't know why, but I talked back to the storm. "I'm here to help you! What's your name?"
There was just wind blowing for a second. Then I heard, "I. Aaaaammm. Jooooooooohhhhhn. Sttttooooorrrrrrrmmm." I said, "John Storm? Oh, that's a nice name. How old are you?"
"Allmooosst. Ssssssiiiiix. I wwwaaaaaaannnnt mmmyyyy mmmooooommmy." My heart was starting to crumble. I said, "Its OK. Its OK. Now I need you to calm down and turn off the storm. OK? Can you do that?" Silence. "I'lllll trrrryyyy." The storm shrunk, slowly but surely.
Soon the snow, ice, and clouds took form of a child. A six year old who was on his knees. He wore a little black jacket with gloves and boots and all that stuff. I floated down to John Storm. I said, "Hey there." He looked up at me and I saw tears in his eyes. He had light blue eyes, his skin was deathly pale, his hair was black and short.
He said, "Who are you?" I stepped forward. "I'm here to help you are. Don't worry I'll get your Mommy and Daddy back. I promise." I picked him up and held him. He cried softly and I comforted him.
The Police came up and I saw a couple step out of one of their cars. I walked over holding John. I asked, "I'm guessing you two are Mr. and Mrs. Storm?" They nodded. I handed John over to the Mom and she looked about ready to break down. "I....I don't know what to say." I smiled. "Then don't say anything. It's just another day in Den-Martin." She held John closer. The father said, "Thank you. Thank you so much." I waved and then flew off.
And that was when I remembered about Butch's Chorus Concert. But, get this, I actually made it just in time for Butch to on stage.
I'm getting better at this.

Cyrus Noble: Christmas Special part 2

I woke up in my bed at seven am. Usually I sleep till late noon, but today my body was eager. I got up out of bed. I remember that we spent the entire day, yesterday, watching Christmas specials. Some good, some just plain bad. Oh, and we also went over plans for the next day. Today, we spend the morning enjoying what we got for each other. Then, we go to each other's families and enjoy the rest of the day. I even called Miss Maria and they said I had to bring the ham. I made a promise.



Some good, some just plain bad. I smiled to myself. I feel like, well, like a kid on Christmas day. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they get downstairs and see those presents around that tree.



I got up and went to each room, nudging them awake one by one. Of course, I got the older ones awake first. Jazz, then Viktor. I got to Megan and she said, "Can't it wait till later?" I sighed and strolled out the doorway. "Fine." I said, over my shoulder. "I guess that means more presents for the rest of us." I heard rustling as she scrambled out of bed and almost took flight down the stairwell.



I got to Magnet's room and I think he didn't even sleep. "Mag. Were you up all night?" He said, "No. I woke up at four, but you guys were still asleep." I said, "Well, meet us downstairs OK?" He yawned and smiled. I left as he slowly got out of bed.



I got to Sara's room. She was still asleep and I gently shook her awake. She grunted. "What?" she asked. I said, "Hey bud. You know what day it is?" She blinked a couple of times. She said, "Is it Christmas?" I said, "Yup. But if you want to stay in bed, its no big--"



She jumped out of bed and ran downstairs. I whistled. "Dang." I said in surprise. I went down the stairs and laughed when I saw the looks of awe on those kid's faces. Jazz and Viktor stood beside them, smiling. I stood next to Jazz and held her hand.



It did look impressive. The living room had the decorated Christmas tree with blinking lights. (Which was not fun setting up. The lights refused to come on.) The room was littered with presents that Jazz and I had hid. One pile of presents per person. Zeus even had one. It consisted of a resting stool with a bow on it, and a bunch of bird toys and bird feed.



I said, "All right. Everyone back to bed. I just wanted to show you the presents before the sun came up all the way." Everyone looked at me in surprise. Megan said, "Yeah, right!" She ran into her pile and started opening the first box within reach.



This is what it came down to. Megan: New Laptop, I-pod, $50 i-Tunes Gift Card, a DVD collection of Invader Zim (she's taken a recent interest in the show), and a new hoody that she said she must have. (I got that information thanks to Angie).



Magnet: An X-box 360 Kinect, three new games for both Kinect and 360, and a necklace. The necklace was made by Megan, it was a string with a little metal Washer.



Sara: A miniature toy Bakery, a DVD of My Little Ponies, a gift card for Build-a-Bear, a plush cartoon character, and a necklace. It was a pink ribbon with a tiny ornament bear on it.



Viktor: A new I-pod, a $50 dollar gift card for i-Tunes, a black lace necklace with a silver Egyptian eye hanging from it, a DVD of a famous comedian, a T-shirt that said Warning: Girlfriend may attack if you get too close! (obviously from Angie), and a book. I can't remember what the book was called, mainly cause I was too busy laughing with everyone else. Sara fessed up that she got the present and forgot he was blind. Vik hugged her and said he would enjoy the read aloud version.



Jazz: A white lace necklace with a silver microphone hanging from it, a power drill to replace her old one (well son-of-a-gun), a Kindle, and, yet, another $50 dollar gift card to go with the Kindle.



Me (Cyrus): A chain necklace that had a cross on it (from Megan), a comic book called Ultimate Spider Man (I was never into comics, but hey, I'll give it a shot for Magnet), a new Swiss Army Knife, New Combat Boots (Thanks to Vik, my other ones are torn straight up), and an empty photo album from Sara.

"I thought you could fill it with pictures of all of us." Sara said, innocently. This isn't exactly my style, but I put on my happy face and said, "Its perfect. Thanks bud." Everyone ran to their rooms or downstairs to play or hook up their stuff, leaving me and Jazz there, to clean up.

Was I rhyming? Good grief.

I watched as she started stuffing the remainder of the trash into a trash bag. She said, "Ya know, maybe it would have been smarter to keep a bag nearby." I laughed a little. "Yeah. That would be an improvement." I walked over and helped her clean up the rest of it. I said, "So, did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?" She smiled at me. She was beautiful, even in her pajamas. Her hair hanging down and over her shoulder looked good on her, rather than just tying it up in the back. She said, "I'm ready for the day to end right now. I got to spend my first Christmas morning with my family." I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" I asked in a kind of coy way.

She thought about it. Then it dawned on her. "I got something from everybody, but you." I could barely contain myself. I pulled the tiny box from my pocket. It had a smashed golden bow, but Jazz took it in both hands like it was precious. She sat there with her breath held. I said, "Uh, you want to open that, or should I?" She blinked and actually took a breath. "Oh. Of course." She said. She took the bow off and opened it to a heart shaped, silver locket. She slowly took it out and examined it. She said, "Cyrus.....its beautiful." I said, "That's not all. Look." I clicked it open and a little song started to ring.

She stared at it as the little trinket and the song played through. When it was done she closed it and I saw tears form in her eyes. She leaned against me and cried. She said, "Cyrus, this is so sweet. Will you put it on?" I locked the latch behind her and she fixed her hair so that it went over the lace. Then she stared into my eyes. She leaned in and we kissed for a while.....that is until Magnet came up and cleared his throat. I broke it and said an irratated, "Yes, Mag?" He said, "Uh, can you help me out with hooking up the system? It won't cooperate." I looked at Jazz. She smiled. "Go ahead."

I sighed and reluctantly got up. I muttered under my breath. "This better not be on of those ''I forgot to plug it in'' moments. It'll be bad for your health." But Magnet was already downstairs and out of earshot.

Reguardless of how things will turn out that day, it was a good first Christmas.

Now I got to worry about the upcoming war.

Merry Christmas everybody.

Cyrus Noble: Christmas Special part 1

Is there a war coming? Yes. Is it led by the roots of all evil? Uh-huh. Can one of them defeat me with a simple thought? Unfortunately.

Are we taking a break to spend Christmas as a genuine family? You betcha.

It was Jazz's idea and, although that I keep saying to her that I have recovered, she insists that I need a mini vacation. A Christmas break. Yeah. Like Shopping and trying to figure out what to get everyone what they wanted was a picnic.

"This is a nightmare." I muttered to myself as Magnet, Viktor, and I walk into a mall. There were people everywhere. And, let's remember kids, I am not a social person.

I sighed. "OK." I thought aloud. "What do you get for the girl, who's not a girl?" Viktor shrugged. "I know what I'm getting for my girl though." He said. I asked, "What?"

He grinned. "Something called a Chocolate Diamond Ring. I heard her talking about it. It's perfect." I nodded. Then I remembered he couldn't see. "I wish it was that simple. Jazz isn't really the one for jewelry. And I don't want to buy like a, freaking, can of motor oil either. Ya know?"

He nodded. Magnet spoke up. "Uh, maybe you can just ask her." He pointed in front of him and I looked at where he was pointing. About a couple of yards away I saw Angie, Megan, Sara,....and Jazz.

I bit back a curse and practically dove into a nearby store. The store was a Gothic, whatchamacallit. We hid behind some rack of clothes/piercings and watched as the girls walked by. Jazz was holding Sara's hand. I heard Sara in my mind, You ought to be a little more careful than that, Cy. Jazz is shopping for you too, but I won't tell her.

I am sooooooooooooooo getting her for doing that. I mean, reading random minds and finding mine amoung them is not something I encourage, and yet, I'm sending her a thousand "Thank you"'s for not saying anything.

OK. Something for Jazz, Something for Jazz. Crrrraaaaaaaaaap. A wrench? No. A T-shirt? No. Perfume? No!

I was just about to give up. That is, until I saw the perfect thing in the store next to us. I grinned in spite of myself. It was perfect. I now have everything for everybody, including Maria and Marcus.

The Life & Times Of Haley Jones: I Meet a Celebrity

(Warning: This has nothing to do with the natural story course. At least, not at the moment........)
Yesterday, I met Dr. Monroe and dropped her off to the growing Smarty Tank. I also stopped by Devlin's House with Joe Joe and Candy. We went to apologize to Mr. and Mrs. Grant. It seemed like......like the right thing to do, ya know? They were nice, and trying to keep themselves together. They were going to live with one of their relatives, since the house is destroyed.

Amazingly, they didn't blame anyone but themselves. Something about not being there when he must have needed it and they probably knew it. We tried to reassure them otherwise (I even made a cheap shot at myself), but they just didn't listen.

Anyway, today was a bit....odd. I was out patrolling and I felt a presence beside me. I tensed up, ready for a battle, but I saw a familiar face. Blond hair, white wings, really blue eyes. I almost said, "Hey, what's up Angel?" but I saw that it was a guy flying beside me. He was in a heavy coat and he gave me a casual smile, like people flying through the air was just another part of the day.

I said, "Hey. You're that kid! Gabriel Collins!" He looked at me, smiled, and nodded. "Yeah." He said. "I know who I am." He looked a little tired, I could see the rings under his eyes and he just yawned. He said, "Uh, hey. Do you mind if we take this to the ground? I'm cold, tired, and I need to have a talk with you."

I kinda just stared at him. "Uh. OK. Sure." Well, what do you expect me to say to a celebrity? An extremely cute celebrity. I shook my head. Hey, you're taken. You're with Joey, Remember?

We landed at a diner at the edge of town. Amazingly, Link didn't go off just yet. We sat down at a booth. The waitress came up and said, "Uh, can I help y'all?" She had a questioning look. Like she knew us but didn't know where.

Gabriel looked at me. "You want anything? I'm buying." I shook my head. He shrugged and turned back to the lady. "Could I get a Hot Chocolate?" She nodded. After she left he turned to me with a serious look that kind of scared me.

He said, "Haley. I came here on behalf of Operation: Broadsword. I know you haven't heard much about it, but it is known as a peace keeping, government funded organization." I sat up a little straighter. This is some serious stuff, even by my standards.

He continued, "There is a war coming up, a war between Non-humans, like you and I. A friend of mine has already went toe to toe with one of them. I spotted one, but she slipped away. The third one has yet to be defeated or identified. We all have a part to play here. We aren't exactly recruiting you, just asking if we can count on you to come and help us whenever we need it."

I was a little taken aback. Me? In a war? I mean, sure, I'm doing better, and I have a lot more confidence in myself than I did before. Can I really be any help to a world peace keeping organization, like Operation: Broadsword?

Gabriel was leaning on the table, waiting for my answer. The waitress came over with the Hot Cocoa with a "Here ya go, hon." He smiled, took it, and gave his thanks. He took a sip and turned to me again. He asked, "Well, can we?"

I shook the thought away. Of course I can. I'm a freaking Supergirl. I can do anything I want. Well, not anything, I mean, there's laws and everything. Oh, you get what I mean.

"Yeah." I said, proffesionally. "I mean, Yes sir. You can count on me. Although I do have curfew to worry about....." I tapped my chin with my finger and looked out into space. Then I looked back at him and smiled. He laughed a little. He said, "That's cool. You got a sense of humor. I don't meet too many people with that. And with a smart mouth like mine, I don't get too many friends."

I smiled. Then he said something that thunk-ed my heart into my stomach. After he drank the remainder of his Hot Chocolate, he sat up and said, "It's been a pleasure to meet you Miss Jones." He shook my hand and said, "Oh, and don't worry. We aren't going to tell you identity to anyone. That's your choice, after all. And keep up the good work."

With that he left some money on the table, a little more than necessary. I just stared forward, shocked by all this. He knew? No, they knew. How could I.....how could he......? Maybe I need a mask or something.

The waitross came up and took his cup. "He seems like a nice boy. You know him?" I just nodded.

The Ultimate Prize part 12: Vector

Vector was able to track another shard to a burned down house in Ohio. There was hardly anything left. He did a quick look around. Absolutely no one here. He felt something, something bad. He couldn't explain it. He just knew something bad and heart breaking happened here. Then two things happened at once.

He saw a girl in strange armor came by on Motorcycle and stopped right beside the house. But the thing that caught both of their attentions, was a giant meteor in the sky. It was coming straight towards them. Without thinking Vector cast a spell. "Contanimo-Proctus!"

The shadow under his feet grew and jumped over him and the girl. He could sense the impact, felt the explosion, but the sheild held. When the rumbling ended he dropped the shield. The girl said, "You're a Warlock!" Vector turned to her. "I prefer 'wizard in progress'." The girl glared at him, but then her face went fearfull when she saw what was behind him. Vector looked too and he saw why she was afraid.

He saw a young man. He had black hair and brown eyes, and had a ragged backpack. What really caught Vector's attention was that the man barely had a scratch on him or his jump-suit; and that he had a fraking tail.

The tail looked like that of a scorpian's, and it stretched a good eight feet at least. The young man looked up at him. Vector saw a crystal in his hand, and it was glowing brightly. The strange trio stared at each other. The girl pulled out a sword. "If either of you think you can get that crystal, you got another thing coming!" She ran to the remains of the house. Vector turned to the boy. If she wanted to get herself killed in that tournament, that was fine. There is someone here that could be hurt, or needs help. Apparently, he didn't need any. The Scorpian boy leaped out of the crater and hit the ground running past the girl. both looked a little taken aback, but the girl didn't stop and Vector started after them.

The creature got to the house first and picked up a shard out of the rumble. Almost at the same time, the girl pulled out a shard from the house. Vector summoned a wind that sucked the shards out of their hands and put them in his hands.

He said, "OK. How about we settle down and figure this out?" However, as he said it, the other two crystals he had came out of nowhere floated around him.

Then, almost without a sound, Vector and three out of the four crystals vanished.

TL&TOHJ~Hope: Doctor Monroe

As I flew over downtown, I saw too different machines duking it out. One looked like it was the robotic Hunchback of Notre' Dame. It was about eight feet tall, with wide shoulders, and thicker armor on the arms and shins. It's head was on it's chest, rather than up where it should be. It had a glass visor, shaped liked the letter 'T' on the face.


The other robots were attacking it. They looked looked like robotic eyes with helicopter turbines on the sides of them. They also had little machine guns on the lower sides of them.


The Hunch-Bot of Notre' Dame was swatting at them, trying to knock them out of the air. There were too many, twenty at the least. It looks like anyone with enough sense got out of here. Here we go.


I shot the first two down and they all turned their attention to me. The robot got one in each hand and crushed them. I tried to use my new power, the ice breath, but it wouldn't work. While I was trying to do it, a machine grazed my arm with a couple of lucky bullets.


I cried out in pain and slapped my hand on the arm. I could feel the blood seeping through. Then I got angry and shot that one down. There were four of them left. One flew off one way, the other three flew off the other way.


I chased the group and shot them down quickly. I returned to the machine that seemed to be helping me. I looked at its face plate and said, "Uh......Do you understand me, or am I going to have to write down a bunch of ones and zeroes?"


The machine whirred, it almost sounded like a laugh. It spoke and it sounded like whirring and sparks going off inside a recorded voice. "No. That is not necessary. I am Doctor Monroe. I was wondering when I would find you."


I looked seriously at it. "Are you human?" I asked. It sighed, which sounded like an exhaust fan going on overdrive. "I'm not sure what I am anymore." It answered. "I was a scientist that was working on a project that would save lives. A Prototype for a Mechanical Cop that can handle the things a normal Officer cannot. All I remember is this light coming from the windows of my work station, and then, when I woke up that is, myself inside this body."


I took a minute to think about this. "Um. This is going to sound weird, but......Did you see or maybe get chased by a flying boy with long white hair?" If a robot could look surprised, this one did. "Yes. He planned to absorb my 'energy'. I wasn't too sure what he meant, but I didn't know what he planned and I wasn't sure how it would affect my current condition. I found means of escape, but I could use a little help."


I nodded. "If you don't mind a little ride, I can take you to two people who can help you, and you might be able to help them." It nodded. Oh, that reminds me. "Oh, by the way, just for future references, are you a male, or female?" The machine looked at me. "I am Female. My first name is Maryanne." I smiled and flew over her. "Sorry. Just wanted to make sure."


When we left was probably the time when we missed that last drone. It must have picked up the blood that oozed out of my arm when the other drones shot it. If only I remembered at the time.

TL&TOHJ~Hope: Checking in

Hey there. I know I've been a little emo back there with me about to jump off a building (without my powers), but its OK now. No, really its OK. I talked about it with Candy and Joey.


Anyway, I was flying to the research base/compound. Joey calls it the Haley Cave. He's funny like that. Oh, uh, anyway, I met Paul at the same room as I was in the last time I was here. He was hovering over the computer like Dr. Richards was before. I said, "Paul!" I tackled him with a hug before he could turn all the way around. He laughed and said, "Hey kiddo! How's it going?" I looked at him and saw that he was covered with sweat and grease. I stepped away from him and said, "Aw, great. My Uniform is ruined." He said, "Doesn't that thing repair itself?" "Yeah, but I'm not too sure about stains." He said, "Well, anyway, look at how close we are to completing this thing!"

I saw it. The pillar that was ruined is almost completely done. The top was still opened. The Doc stuck his head out from under the structure and said, "Ah. Haley. Glad to see you're back." He got out from under the thing. He said, "Paul here is quite the genius, and he's been good company. We're having a little trouble here and there, but we should be done within...." He rubbed his greasy hand against his chin, creating a second beard of black.

I giggled without meaning to. He realized his mistake and out his hand down. He said, "Six months." I stared at him. "Is there any way we could, maybe, speed that up?" He sighed. "Miss Jones, I'm afraid we are doing everything we can here. Six months is at best. With only two of us here, that is the best we can do."

I said, "Its just that.....I'm losing people. Left and Right. One of them wasn't even affected by the lights, but she's in a hospital anyway. Is there anyway we can get this done faster? Like, if we explained what happened to the Government--" Dr. Richards' eyes got wide and he screamed, "No!"

Paul and I jumped back a little. He calmed down and said, "I'm sorry, I've lost my trust in the government lately. Most likely, they'll lock us up to just keep us quiet. This has to be done in secret."

I sighed. I admit he did have a point. I was going to sugest that we could g public, and with enough people supprting the idea, we can get the government to support us, but that as beore Link went off.

I picked it up and put it to my ear. "Machines terrorzing downown Den-Martin. No casulities yet, high possiblity still."

I said, "I gotta go. I'll come back sooner this time." They said bye and I went off to stop those crazy robots.

The Ultimate Prize part 11: Astrid

She had to do this. She just had to. If she is ever going to kill that seventeen year old, Monster of Monsters then she has to do this.

The Guardians of Humanity kept an extra shard hidden in the office of the Supreme Chairman of the Guardians. The only reason she knew about this was because she found the first shard while on patrol. Her plan is to go in and either persuade them to give her the shard, or sneak in and steal it.

As soon as she gets it, she'll be zapped out of there and (hopefully) to the tournament. She has to get that shard. For her friend. For Alex.

Unfortunately, things didn't exactly go to plan.

"Excuse me?" she said, stuffing down her frustration/surprise/anger.

The Chairman repeated. "We already gave the shard to Sir Braddock. Besides, you claim that the shard was so simple to find, why not find it yourself?" She didn't have an answer. Then she said, "I just thought that, it would be easier, Mr. Chairman. There is a shortage of crystals that are still 'up-for-grabs'. If that is the case, then I'll just find another shard sir. Good day." She got up and left without another word. She went to the cafe area and sat down, but in no way was she hungry.

Where am I even suppossed to find another crystal anyway? She thought to herself. She took out one of the crystals she collected and looked at it, slightly under the table so that no one can see it. Then, an image flashed in her head. It was quick, but she knew it. It was an open pasture, in Ohio. The skeleton remains of a house, long forgotten. It used to be Alex's house. She just had to go back there, didn't she? She put the crystal away, got her things and left.

The Ultimate Prize part 10: Cain

He cracked his door opened. No one in the hallway. At least, as far as he can tell. The lights dim or brighten depending on the time of day that it's set to on Earth. Right now, it's the middle of the night. It's been night for a few hours, and he would assume that everyone is asleep in their own quarters. Noland included.

Cain stepped out of his room. He made his way to where the Doc's office is supposed to be. He never tried this on purpose before, the last time he did what he is about to do was by accident. He focused on the security panel beside the door. He blinked and then he saw everything in a faint, purple light. He smirked. He punched in the codes that had fingerprints on them. On the third try he got it right. He liked to start with the numbers at the top and work his way to the bottom.

He entered the room and looked around. He saw a computer, a desk with a lot of drawers, and a small shelf on the right.

He sat down at the computer. Apparently the Doc saw no need to guard his files. He clicked on recordings. None of the dates popped out to him. So he clicked on the date that showed the date he woke up in the medical wing. July 22, 2009.

He found that it was a video Diary. The Doc's face appeared on the screen and if there was ever a face for relief, this was it. He said, "Today Subject 012: Cain, has awakened. He doesn't remember what had happened. Perhaps for the best. His ability to fight and carry out missions seems unaffected by his memory impairment."

That was the only bit that meant anything to him. The rest of the video is just updates, reminders for the next day.

Cain remembered one thing, they said he'd been in a coma for two weeks. So, if he just....bingo. Right there. He was about to click on the date that said, July 08, 2009, when he heard someone behind him. "What do you think you're doing?"

He spun around, out of the chair to see Banshee leaning on the doorway to the room with her arms crossed. He said, "I could ask you the same thing, Banshee." She sighed. "I was always a little worried about you, since you woke up. You were never the same. So I kept my eye on you."

Cain glared a little harder at her. "Something is going on here. I intend to find out. I need to know my past Banshee." They stood there for a minute or two. He asked, "Did......did you know Selina?"

Banshee's look said it all. She took a shaky breath. "Selina is, or was, part of our Alpha Squad. Back then it wasn't just you, me, and Noland. There was Selina. She was like, the closest thing I could get to a sister. To you, she was a little more."

She paused there and bit her lip. "You two were the most, corny, lovey-dovey, dorks in the entire base." She smiled and laughed a little while she talked. Then she got sad. "Then, she....she made a discovery. Something she wasn't supposed to know. She told you, and then you told Noland and me. Soon, they found out about what she knew and set up an attack. You and Selina tried to get away. You couldn't save Selina, in your rage you killed the threat and we found you passed out and half dead. There were one or two other casualties, but none as serious as this."

Cain was taking in huge breaths. "Why does nobody want to remember her?" Banshee cleared her throat. "She was....too special. Too nice. She loved everybody and everything. I envied her for that. I can't do anything like that. I don't know how to." She caught what was saying and followed up with, "Anyway, her death was hard. On everybody. She taught a lot of people a lot of things. It was simpler to just....forget."

Cain said, "Banshee. Please. I need to know my past. Who I was. What I've done. If I've ever been to Earth or not. What is the Doc keeping from us, that is so important?" He lowered his guard. "Banshee. Please."

There was no way to tell how long they stood there. Banshee finally said, "If you look at those files, he'll know. You can't risk it right now." She took his hand and said, "Whatever you do. Don't speak."

They ran as quietly as physically possible down the hallway. They finally made their destination: the Escape Pod Sector. Banshee finally spoke to him. "You need to get to Earth and enter that Colosseum. Here." She pulled out a strange, foot long crystal. It seemed to glow in all colors.

She said, "You are going to need this. Use it to find the other two." She handed it to him. Then she pulled out a Vanilla Envelope that was folded on half and handed it to him. "I kept this out of jealousy. You deserve it, more than me."

Cain was still overwhelmed. "What am I supposed to do?" He asked.

Banshee answered, "The Doctor is going to enter us into that Tournament, Cain. You need to enter and win it before we do. He already has enough to send me and Noland in. He's still scanning the Moon and the asteroid belt for more." Cain said, "But, why? Its impossible for someone to offer a wish. Its just not possible."

Banshee stared into his eyes. "Please, Cain. Just, trust me. Do it for Selina." She stood there and bit her lip. She then said, "Cain. If we meet again, I have to kill you. Do you understand?" Cain was upset about this situation, but he nodded.

She hesitated, but she leaned up and kissed him. Then she ran off. Leaving Cain, alone in the Emergency Pod Sector.......

The Ultimate Prize part 9: Cain

He was jumping and dodging bullets now. He was in the Combat Room. And yes, real bullets. No safety features, this is real combat. You prove your worth, or you die.

Cain was doing a simple run. Get from point A, to point B. Kill target at the end. Set a new time. Got it.

Using his powers he got through the exercise in no time at all. The timer stopped, and the buzzer sounded. "Well done Cain. Three minutes and twelve seconds. That's better than last time." He grunted. "Come up to the control room and we'll see how the others are doing." He did so.

Doc was staring at the control monitors. He looked like a regular Doctor. His hair was gone, he had a bushy, grey mustache. He wore black pants, leather shoes, a white collared, button down shirt, and a white lab coat. He also had glasses that always seemed to hide his eyes.

Cain knew he used to be a jolly and happy old man, but he doesn't know where he got that image. The Doc never smiled, at least, not since he woke up in that bed. He would say good job, and excellent, and all that, but he never smiled.

The monitors showed the other experiments working on their own specific exercise. Noland's was to to assassinate a dummy without being picked up on the monitors. He couldn't see him anywhere on there, so he guessed that's a good sign.

Cain saw the monitor showing Banshee's work. She was assigned to kill all threats in the area. She was doing a good job. In a few minutes she should be done.

Cain was thinking about what he did remember. That terrible image. He decided to ask his question. The question that burned itself into his skull. "Doc." "Hmm?" "There is something I do remember from.......from before." He didn't turn around. Doc was writing something down. "Oh really?" He said. "What's that?"

Cain hesitated, but he said it anyway. "Who is Selina?" His pen stopped. Cain started silently counting the seconds that went by. When the Doc finally started talking, he reached 47. "She was..... an experiment. Like you, and the others."

He was obviously holding something back. His right leg began shaking ever so slightly. He'd seen him do this before. When another experiment asked if he did good enough, we all knew he didn't but the Doc lied to him to make him feel better before he was......put down.

"Was she....well, not 'special' enough?" He flinched. "She was very special. There was....an accident." "An accident." Cain echoed. As if, it sounded ridiculous and he was trying to let Doc know that it did sound ridiculous. "Yes. Please, Cain. Its not good to dwell on the past. How much did you say you remembered about her?"

Cain shrugged. "Just that name. I'm not sure what it means to anybody though." Doc nodded and began writting again. "Why don't you turn in for the night, Cain? You had a long day." He grunted. He left the Doc to his notes and research.

Doc was lieing, Cain knew. He knew more than he was letting on. Cain has to find out what. He'll find out tonight.

The Ultimate Prize part 8: Jason and Molly

They were walking to there house from school. They now have six shards total. Two back home, each were holding two themselves.

This is how their day went. Jason went to a kid named Sebastian after the last period of the day. Sebastian was a kid who use to pick on Jason. He would push him while one of his friends ducked behind Jason: causing him to fall over. They ran off. Instead of hunting them down, or even telling a teacher, he went to the store and bought him a watch. He wrapped it up and everything. The act surprised him. It confused him, finally, Sebastian became a friend of Jason. He always took up for him and always volunteered helping him out. His amazing turn-around surprised even Molly.

Anyway, they approached Sebastian and Jason called his name. Sebastian turned around and smiled. "Jason! Just the man I wanted to see. I got what you wanted." He pulled out a paper lunch bag and handed it him. "Plus, I found an extra. In case you ever needed it, I mean." Jason opened the bag to see two shards that one would need to enter that tournament.

Jason nodded and handed the bag to Molly. "Thank you Sebastian. Although, I still need two more. If you find anymore, could you please......" He nodded. "Oh, yeah man. Sure."

Jason left and Molly followed. They would have to talk later, Molly thought. Before they could start walking home, a girl ran up to Jason. Molly has seen her in some of her classes. Her name was Jenna, and she is the shiest girl ever to come around.

Jason was a monster compared to her, but she stood in his way to get his attention. He stopped and looked at her. She was at a lost for words, but she pulled out something from her purse and gave it to Jason. It was wrapped up in lunch bag paper. Jason took it and unwrapped it. It was another shard.

Jenna said, "I heard a rumor that you were going into the Tournament, or whatever you call it. I don't know if its true or not, but....." She came in (and had to stand on her toes) and gave him a kiss.

It wasn't too long. After she parted, she said, "Good luck Jason." and she ran away. Molly could see her smile and she heard the way she said Jason's name. Jason was frozen and didn't know what to say.

Molly stood beside him and said, "Well, look at that. My big brother has a fan girl already." Jason said nothing as usual, but his face was burning. "W-we need to find one more. We're closer to the tournament. We're closer to that Prize than ever."

She smiled at Jason's two shards and her one shard. They have two more waiting for them at home. "I can see Mom's face al-What?" The shards started glowing.

They glowed even brighter when she put them next to her back-pack.

Molly zipped it open and she looked inside. A shard? It was inside the rings of her Physics Binder. She didn't even look at it the entire day. Her teacher must have slipped it in there when he was grading the problems they had to do. Why would he want her to go into the Tournament?

Maybe it wasn't him, it could have been anybody. Either way, thay have what they want.

"Jason." she said, zipping up her back-pack and holding the two shards.

She stood up and said, "Let's go get our mom back."