The Omega Generation (Looking for 1-2 Players. Read first post and PM your CS to the admins)

[ShadowKatt]

To the best of his memory, Ben couldn't remember a time he'd been more uncomfortable or...as much as he hated to admit it, more scared. He'd had a long...or long enough...talk with that tactile alterationist, and below him even though he couldn't feel that one, every single other one was on the move.

The music had stopped, something was happening, but he didn't dare look. What could they be doing down there? Were they massing to strike back at him for stealing their powers earlier? This was a touchy group. So what now? That alterationist asked for his trust, and now he could be rallying all them to his cause. That had to be it. He asked for peace just so he could move himself into a better position. Well the hell with him.

Looking around the attic, he seemed to have two options, run or hide. He could run out the roof easily, but he didn't want to. Oddly enough, he wanted revenge. It was granted that of the omegas in this place, he was the strongest, but nothing ever came down to just powers. No, he made it this long because he was smart, resourceful. And they were going to learn that now.

Creeping over the roof, he found the hole that he'd crawled up through. It was bigger than his, but then again they were his powers. he was better at it. Moving along the treses, he also found the attic access. This was going to be his likely entrance point. So he comes up here, and...

That gave him an idea. Moving as quickly as he could while still being quiet, he picked up the can of yams. They were his most expendable peice, he wouldn't be sad if he lost it. Closing his eyes, he focused himself on the tactile alterationist. This was getting a bit easier. Rather than reaching for an omega he could feel, he reached in the one spot in the group he couldn't, confident that he had him.

Looking up at the roof, he knew what he wanted. Pressing his hands against it, he opened a hole just like he did in the cabinet. It was a bit easier this time, peeling back the wood and creating a small hole. First a pinhole of light, and then enough to create a small spotlight in the attic. Backing away, he looked at the circle of light, just where he wanted on top of the 2x4.

Carefully, he placed the can of yams in the circle of light. It wasn't very attractive bait, but it would be at least enough to get his attention if for nothing other than sheer curiosity. Somehow he suspected that these omegas wouldn't be smart enough to second guess anything for a trap. So he comes up through that access, looks at the yams, and then...

Crawling over to the other side of the attic, the next part of this plan was him, and those alterationists power were going to serve him well again. Once he was over he looked up to the treses running along the roof. This he wasn't so sure about, but he blieved he could do it. Pressing his hands against the 2x4, he tried to make a hole again, but shaped differently. Rather than a round hole in a flat peice of wood, he slowly sheered the wood apart, seperating the fibers. It wasn't as hard as he thought. First one side, then the other and the peice of wood came free. A length of 2x4 lumber about two feet long. He hefted the weight and got a feel for it before crouching down in the insulation.

Looking out over the bottom of the attic, he put the attic access between him and the yams. So he comes up here for me, he seems the yams. He hesitates, comes up a bit further to investigate, and I take his head off in one, clean swing, along with every single other one that comes up those stairs.

 

[John Coleman]

"We have stuff?" Enapay said, considering that the majority of them didn't have much more than the clothing on their person, with the exception of Dawn and Roar, having the bags and her guitar. He nonchalauntly sniffed once and took a few steps into the room, closer to everyone else.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Roar reply back to Enapay compliment "Errr yeah she is a friend of my. She's the one who make my mask and had outdone herself with this new upgraded one."

Dawn had raised a good point about where to placing their stuff since he had left his bag where the kids were playing.

He said "Do you mind if I tag along? I've got a bag with me."

 

[Jack and Calumon]

Ghost got up and looked around. No-one was about. He had been hiding for maybe half an hour, just staying still and not being seen. Of course, he didn't really need the cover for that, but it made him feel better. After rubbing his face a bit, invisibly and awkwardly, he decided to move on. He had some money now and was very thirsty. He walked out of the alley and into the street. People were walking around again, though nervous, they were getting on with their lives. Some disgruntled from the rioting, some scared by the explosion and the 'roar' that went through the city.

Davoren got on with what he was meant to be doing, not wanting to get distracted. He looked around to see if he could get any water, anywhere. Sure enough, there was, and he wouldn't even have to lose his money.

The same woman that had trouble with the last vending machine was trying a different one, one that sold water. This time, she seemed to be having better luck. When Davoren saw the bottle about falling, he grabbed her bag and threw it to the floor, pouring the contents along the concrete side walk. In a shock, she looked around, confused and shocked. Davoren then took the water while she picked up her spilt belongings.

Davoren twisted the cap off and drank it around the corner in another side street, out of sight. He was having a lucky day today, but that in no means meant that he would everyday. He thought as he took sips from his bottle. He needed to be with people. The drug lab that Pete left him at didn't feel safe, and just seeing it all made him feel sick. He could go back to the bar, pick up some supplies, but since Pete was already terrified, something told him it would be a bad idea.

But it was the only idea he had. After dumping his bottle down in the nearest bin, he walked along through New York city. He knew that this day was not going to get much easier.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Erica watched all the events going on around her with an air of disinterest and slight annoyance. After a moment, she opened her mouth, but then closed it.

Ah, forget it. She thought. All I wanna do now is sleep in a nice, warm bed... I sure hope Lauren has some open...

----

But unbeknownst to her or anyone else, a shadowy figure was watching them from outside, cloaked by the day's late shadows.

"This is Phantom," he said into his communicator. "I've found where the interlopers are holed up."

There was the crackle of static, then a cruel voice came from the small device. Good. Keep an eye on them, and be prepared to act as nesecary.

"Understood," the figure called Phantom replied, then faded away into the shadows.

 

[2ndblackjedi]

Marcus uncrossed his arms and put both his hands in his front pocket. He could tell by Alex's tone that he blamed Enapay for what happened earlier today, but Marcus kept the disagreement off his face, whatever would get the copycat out of there faster. He got a little nervous after Dawn and Roar entered, not wanting for too many people to know what was happening. When Enapay showed up, Marcus attempted to quickly think up a lie but was beat to it by Dawn. He exhaled quietly in relief. Marcus still felt tense, if only a little. Not just because of the current situation, but because of an unsettling feeling of being watched.

 

[AgentBJ09]

Once everyone knew what he was planning, Alex then spoke to Lauren. "Lauren, I'm sorry if I'm imposing on your hospitality by doing this."

"Oh, no. You're not." she replied, patting one of his gloved hands. "But, just promise me this. I'm sure everyone's hungry, so if you could, please make enough for everyone."

Alex looked back towards the created entrance in the ceiling. "Enough for everyone?" There were seven in the group, including him, with Ben making that number eight. Was that all she was really asking of him? "What about you?" he asked.

"I'll be making something else along with you. The children's dinner time is almost here."

Alex then checked his watch. It was nearly 7:00 p.m. "Oh yeah, that's..." His stomach then interupted them again. "Oh, geez. I'm sorry." he said with a light chuckle.

Lauren just smiled and chuckled also. Patting his hand again, she then began to lead him into the kitchen by it. Alex couldn't help but smile a bit in response; she reminded him of his grandmother, who had done similar things with him since he was a teen.

While the kitchen wasn't in the best of shape, the electric stove was still able to produce a range of temperatures and get the water he needed boiling before long. Then began the quick-paced process of cooking the pasta and preparing the sauce at the same time. While he did so, he noticed that Lauren was only making ham sandwiches for the children, along with sliced fruit.

For a second, Alex started to feel pangs of guilt tugging at his heartstrings. This was someone else's food he was making for others, even though Lauren had told him it was fine. Then, his thoughts went back to Ben, and his promise of taking the flack for him stealing food for the orphanage. Now that he was no longer near him, he immediatly began questioning why he had made that offer. He didn't steal anymore, yet he was willing to take the blame for someone who was?

With a sigh, he reconsidered the situation. "So long as he doesn't do anything stupid with me." he thought as the alarm on the stove went off, signaling the final cooking time for the pasta.

"Is it done?" Lauren asked.

"Yep. I just need the collinder." Alex replied. Heaving the heavy pot, which contained about 2 pounds of pasta, he drained it of the remaining water, followed by enough sauce to make the noodles nearly swim in it. "Nice. That should be enough."

Once Lauren got the plates he needed, he quickly made the first two plates of it for he and Ben, setting them aside before he left the kitchen. "Guys, spaghetti's ready whenever you all are." Alex said to the group. Before anyone responded, he returned to gather the two plates he had made prior to the announcement, waiting for everyone he was sure would ask questions to file past him before he departed the kitchen with the two plates in tow.

Back at the hole in the ceiling, Alex tried to figure out how he was going to get the two plates up that high. The opening was ten feet off the ground, and he could barely reach two feet. None of the stools he had used before were high enough to even allow him to reach down. He would have to go with the balancing act for this one.

Taking two of the chairs that Lauren had stored nearby, Alex arranged them to border two sides of the stool he would use. Hoping it would keep it from moving around, he took the two plates in hand and began to steadily step up, first with the chairs, then the stool. When his feet were on both the stool and one chair, he felt the stool move thanks to a slightly shorter leg. The realization of that made his heartrate jump as he tried to find a sturdy standing position for it.

Once he did, he slowly stood on the wooden stool with both legs, straightening them out slowly to keep him from falling. He felt like a gymnast, but thanks to fear and adrenaline his pulse was racing faster than any professional athlete's would be in the same situation. When he reached the full stand of his trick, he slowly looked up, adjusting one of the plates in his hand. He then lifted the plate up into the hole, letting the sounds from the china's clunking on the wooden crossbeams tell him where he could put them down.

As soon as his hands were free, he grabbed the edges of the hole, and with a single quick move, hoisted himself up into the attic, sitting on another nearby beam to let his pulse drop. "That was a hassle. The stairs would've been better." he thought. Looking over to them, he saw that Ben had once again borrowed his powers and...made a hole to hold a can of beans? Alex raised an eyebrow before he realized where it was in relation to the stairs. "Oh, ho. That's clever." He though before he then spoke aloud, figuring Ben would hear him. "I sure hope that wasn't meant for me, Ben."

 

[John Coleman]

A hungry Enapay smiled as his nose was filled with the all too familiar scent of the spaggetti. He'd been used to the bland meals of the soup kitchen in Harlem, though he'd occassionally develop enough money to feast upon more luxurious meals, such as a fast food cheeseburger or a homemade meal made by the locals.

Grabbing a saucer, he scooped himself a rather generous helping of the spagetti, knowing his own hunger and how he metabolized his food at a faster rate than most people, Omegas included. After taking a sit at the modest kitchen table, Enapay inhaled the scent and dug in with a plastic fork he had procured.

"Hey! Alex can totally cook," Enapay said to the others after swallowing his first bite, smiling slightly.

 

[Ultraman950]

Dawn also took a generous helping of spaghetti, and found some cheese to pour on it. She wouldn't admit it, but she hadn't eaten since long before she arrived in New York. She'd spent most of that time traveling. She didn't want to stay in one spot for too long in case she somehow caused trouble or was caught.

She was also very happy she finally had a hot dinner she didn't have to steal.

She giggled at Enapay's joke as she sat down next to him. She was too busy scarfing down the pasta to answer. She wasn't sure why, but she tended to burn through her food a bit faster than some ever since the Omega Event. Before, she hardly ate, and almost never ate meat.

Wait. "Burn"? Ohhhh. Why didn't I get that before? she thought. Man, I'm so stupid. Wait, why do I care? I have food! She continued eating, being extra-careful not to drop any.

 

[2ndblackjedi]

Marcus was feeling hungry, but figured now would be as good a time as any to talk to Lauren. He went to her and said quietly "Lauren, I need to talk to you in private. It's really important."

 

[ShadowKatt]

From his hiding place Ben could only wait and watch through his powers what was going on below him. The scents coming up into the attic told him that they were cooking dinner, just as the touch alterationist...Alex...had told him. He hesitated a bit at the thought of what he was about to do. If he was really going to rally them to come at him, would they really stop and have dinner first knowing he was looming over them? No, that didn't make sense, but then what did with this group...

There was a great deal of movement downstairs. He couldn't hear anything through the insulation, but everyone was moving, gathering in the kitchen. Apparently it was dinnertime and they were all sitting down to eat, so he as just going to have to wait it out. And while before he hadn't mattered much, this insulation was really starting to get to him. It was taking everything he had not to scratch his skin off while they lollygagged downstairs. Although less than the insulation bothering him, the void in the omegas that indicated where that alterationist was was missing. he was seperate from the group.

Down below him, there was the sound of moving furniture, rocking and tapping like someone was clumsily climbing up there, but that didn't make sense either. If it was Alex returning, why wasn't he using the stairs to come up? It wasn't as if he had anything to hide, not from the group or from him, unless he expected that Ben expected him to come up the stairs, in which case he's actively try to do something else, namely come up the same hole that he did before.

There wasn't time to cover the distance. Ben had entrenched himself in the insulation for cover, he'd have to climb out and somehow run across the treses with a 2x4 in his hands in a crouching position and still retain the speed and power to strike. It just wasn't possible. No, he'd clearly made a miscalculation, which put him back on the defensive.

More noise below and it was getting closer. It almost sounded like Alex was building a staircase to come up through the hole. But the noise was reduced to a rocking-ticking as he climbed and soon after a hand poked through the hole. A hand with a plate of food! Bens heart raced as he saw that. It was food, just like Alex said he'd do. First one plate, which was set on a 2x4, and then a second one before he grabbed the treses and pulled himself up into the attic, although just like Ben thought, his eyes went straight to the spotlight and the can of food.

"I sure hope that wasn't meant for me, Ben" Alex said aloud to the general space in the attic. With a simple glance he'd divulged what Ben had planned though he didn't even try to find him. Clearly he knew that Ben would be hiding, lying in wait like a snake. This made a situation for Ben. Revealing himself now would reveal that he was planning to kill him when he came back, remaining in the shadows would mean missing out on food...

Betrayal or hunger, it was a hell of a choice, though why he was contemplating it was beyond him. He could get over betraying someones trust, he wasn't going to just get over being hungry. So with a bit of hesitation, Ben rose up out of the insulation and shrugged the bulk of it off, though he kept the 2x4 board as he crept over across the attic.

"You actually came back. I felt everyone moving downstairs and I thought you'd rallied them to charge up here, a little rerun of what happened back at that burning building." Ben told him as he looked at the plate of food. He still had his misgivings about this, and he didn't exactly trust Alex yet. For all he knew, the food could have been poisoned as well, a much easier way to get rid of him with mess collateral damage.

 

[Scarim Coral]

The food had reminded him that he had not eaten anything today at all. He mind quickly forget about where to place his bag and turn his attention to the spaghetti. While Enapay and Dawn were eating it quickly, Roar had taken a slow approach at it. He only took a small portion remembering that the foods also belong to the children.

Right let see if I can eat this without spilling any sauce on my mask.

He uses the fork to dig into it, twirl it around so the spaghetti wrap onto it. He opens his mouth wide which his face correspond with his facial reading that he wanted the mask to open out. The lower part of the mask responded so it now matching along side his lower jaw. The mask had open a bit further out so that any hanging spaghetti won't touch his new mask. He slowly inserts it into his mouth and he tasted it. The taste isn't as bad as he expected. It isn't like the first class meal he usually gets but he still enjoys it.

After swallowing his first bite, he closes his mouth which in turn the mask closes up.

He said "Wow this taste great!"

His mask open again as he continue to eat at a quicker pace. He is feeling he got a better control of the mask open movement.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Erica took a bowl and sat at the table, ready to dig in to a nice hot meal, even more so, seeing as she hadn't got a chance to eat earlier.

She glanced around, seeing everyone enjoying their meal, and smiled slightly.

Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all...

And with that cheerful thought in mind, she began to eat.

 

[AgentBJ09]

"You actually came back. I felt everyone moving downstairs and I thought you'd rallied them to charge up here, a little rerun of what happened back at that burning building."

Alex sighed from the statement as he took the two plates in hand, holding one out towards Ben, who was just finished shaking insulation off himself again. At this point, he was wondering if he was just bringing that up to make him second guess his judgment. "Why are you still on that?" Alex asked frankly. "Maybe it's just me, but I just don't get why you keep thinking we, or I, are out to slip a knife between your ribs."

------------

Meanwhile, Lauren, who had finished making the meals for the children of the orphanage, heard Marcus whisper to her. "Lauren, I need to talk to you in private. It's really important."

"Oh..., sure. Please."

 

[ShadowKatt]

Ben gave the plate of food a careful look. Not as if he could see poison if it was poisoned, but Alex'intentions seemed good enough. However, maybe it wasn't altruism, maybe it was ignorance. The ignorant could become smart and change their minds.

"Why are you not suspicious? You know me, you know what I can do." Ben told him, crawling a bit closer. Though hesitant to do so, he set the 2x4 board aside, though not out of reach, "I broke into this house, stole your food, threatened your safety. I could copy any of their powers downstairs like that firebug and burn this whole place down, or that Enpay kid and crush your skull. Why do you not second guess what you're doing? What reason do you have not to tell everyone down there I'm up here and drag me into the streets so you can go back to doing...whatever it is you do...unbothered?"

Ben gave a pause as he reached out and gingerly picked up the plate of food, holding it up as an example.

"This food could be in the bellies of one of them, keeping them going for another day while you do whatever it is you do. I've seen the kitchen, this place is barely feeding itself. Why give food to someone else if you can't even guaruntee your own next meal?"

After that, Ben became silent to give him a chance to respond, and while he held the plate in his hand, he didn't take a bite of it just in case. He wanted to at least live long enough to hear a response.

 

[AgentBJ09]

Listening to Ben's reaction to his question, Alex realized he was right; He was trying to get him to question his judgment, almost in a paranoid sense. He'd never been in the same situation, having only to alter matter nearby to interfere with the people who wanted to chase him down. He would have to be careful.

Taking one forkful of the pasta he made, he took a second to respond. "I made enough for everyone, so I'll rest easy. On that, you're trying to claim that I am taking food away from someone's mouth, which is possible." Alex swallowed his piece, and took another. "But you stole from someone, whereas I am freely offering you, with permission, the same food from a place which is built on hospitality and charity."

"Also, you claim that we have a common goal, but when you found us, after borrowing Roar's power I might add, you were just seeing us working together for a common goal that was obvious: Stopping the fire. And lastly, if you really felt that way about us, how come you're sitting here and talking with me? You don't want to be forceful or a dick any more than me, which is why you're sitting here with me and eating in peace, instead of 'crushing your skull'. Am I right?"

 

[2ndblackjedi]

Marcus went out into the hallway with Lauren. Once he was sure he was where the others couldn't hear him he began.

"Look, I know you've just met me and you don't have a reason to trust me or anything but...there's this kid I've been looking after. His name's Sonny, he's ten years old and both his parents died during the Event. I met him living in an old homeless shelter and I've been trying to help him out. But...I just can't give him what he really needs. And what he really needs right now is a proper home. After all he's been through he deserves that much. And I see you have an orphanage here and...well, what I'm asking is if you can take him in."

Marcus paused, and for a brief moment of poor judgement considered not telling Lauren about Sonny's power, but that wouldn't have done anyone any good. "He's got this power though. He...breathes fire. Anytime he opens his mouth flames come out. He can't talk because of it and he's been communicating with sign language since the Event. I realize that it would dangerous to have him here and that you have an obligation to the safety of the kids you already have here and you don't really have much a reason to help Sonny and if you say no, I'm still gonna try to do what I can for him but...I just want what's best for him, and I couldn't pass up this opportunity to do something for him."

Marcus stopped, exhaled slowly and waited for an answer.

 

[AgentBJ09]

As Lauren listened, she could tell Marcus was worried. When he brought up his young friend's power of breathing fire, she felt a tad nervous. The orphanage was still a mostly wooden building, one of the few which was still standing before and after the Event, and it's age was a factor she had to consider if the orphan could do what Marcus had said.

She took nearly half a minute to respond, all the time her sight switching between Marcus's face and the kitchen. "I don't know if I can. This place is quite old, and I can't risk a fire."

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Outside the orphanege, standing on a nearby rooftop, the shadowy figure watched and waited for a chance to strike...

But before he could move to strike, his communicator went off.

"What is it?"

"Change of plans, I'm sending Voltage over to... make sure those pests know who they're dealing with." came the voice from the other end.

The shadowy figure frowned. "Not that geek! I can handle this myself! All I have to do is-"

"No!" The voice snapped. "Do not question my orders, Phantom. He will arrive shortly, and I don't want any problems you have with any of your teammates to get in the way of our plans. Are we clear?"

"Crystal, sir." Phantom sighed and put away his communicator. The things I have to put up with...

Moments later, a nearby fuse box sparked and electricity shot out, coalescing into a human form. Phantrom rolled his eyes. "Show off."

"Nice to see you too." The young man said drolly. He walked over to the edge of the rooftop, staring down at the small orphanedge below. "So, this is where they're hiding?"

"Apparently so." Phantom replied, walking over to him. "So, what does our glorious leader intend for you to do, anyway?"

"To introduce us," Voltage answered, his voice sharp and cold. "The boss has decided they've been in the dark too long, and that the brats should at least know who's in charge here!"

The young man spread his arms, and lighting ran along them, the nearby air crackling and filling with the scent of ozone. Phantom took a few steps back, wary of any stray lighting bolts.

"Do not wory," he told the shadowy man behind him. "I have mastered control of my powers, and I plan to show them off soon."

And with that, he stepped off the rooftop, hovering in the air as lighting bolts leapt from his body, striking the ground, buildings, everything around him as the nearby lights flickered and died, casting the areas into darkness.

"Interlopers!" He shouted, his voice rising over the crackling electricty, "I come to bring you a message from our glorious leader! Come out so I can speak with you. If not, then I will have to tear thishole place down!

Lighting bolts danced around him, making it clear that he was capable of doing such a thing.

And on the rooftop, Phantom just sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "Hasn't that kid ever heard of sublety?"

Spoiler: OOC

Alright, people, I've taken another step forward. The rest is up to you...

 

[2ndblackjedi]

"I understand," said Marcus "And I don't want to ask you to do something you don't want to do but..."

Marcus almost thought about giving up, but he hadn't heard a definite 'no' and for Sonny's sake he was going to keep trying until he did.

"...I'm trying to give him a normal life here. At least as normal as possible right now and this seems like the best place for him. The only place where he could have a real family."

At that moment one of the children came running. Marcus felt a sting of guilt. He was asking Lauren to put all these children in danger, and despite how much he wanted her to, he knew what her decision was probably going to be. But before Lauren could answer, the kid spoke loudly and quickly.

"Miss Lauren! Miss Lauren! There's someone outside! He's doing some lightning thingy and-"

The child was cut off by the lights shutting off and a shout from outside, a demand for an audience. Marcus didn't know who was outside, but they sounded serious enough to view as a threat.

"Get the kids somewhere safe and tell the others what's going on." Marcus said "I'm gonna go see who's out there."

Marcus didn't wait for Lauren to respond as he left, he didn't even glance in her direction. He couldn't look her in the eye, knowing the choice she was likely to make. All his frustration and guilt would come flooding out. The man outside was a nice distraction. Marcus stepped out of the building and waited until the last child had gone inside until walking towards the man who displayed power over electricity.

"Okay..." Marcus thought "Let's see what this is about."

"Maybe he needs new batteries." said a voice in his head.

"Quiet you," Marcus thought back.

"Hey there," Marcus said to the man. "You don't have to tear down anything. I'm here and the others will be in a minute. What's this message you have?"

Marcus wondered if his new group of friends could take this man down if necessary, and just how conductive he was in liquid form.