Jason helped Katie get her luggage into the all too literal treehouse, while simultanuously ducking down into the rather small entrance.
"This'll be my first time staying in one of your houses." He said somewhat quietly.
"...I like it. It's like a log cabin: homely yet still pretty natural. I've remember living like this when I was still in the Corps. But how do you stay warm? Are the walls made with some type of insulating wood or something?" He asked, taking a seat, indian-style, on the surprisingly soft floor.
"Indeed this way." Dustin lead Leland back to the Jaguar and they road farther down the roads of New El Dorado.
"So tell me Leland what was the circumstance that lead to Tommy staying at your home?" He asked as the tower came into view, it was a massive classical building, made of stone masonry, and towering high above all the other modern sky-scrapers.
"I see no problem with that Richard. Hell it sounds like a great idea," Garrus replied, taking a seat next to Patriot who was busy getting everything ready.
"Alright then Richard. Whenever you're ready. Everything is prepped up, so I'll allow you to do the rest," Patriot told him.
----
"Oh, about that. Well, you know what it's like. You go into a lab of a mad scientist, you get infected with a killer virus. I brought them to my house and they were healed there. They recovered there too," he said as if it were a common occurrence, looking around at all the sights.
As it turned out, the little gun on Mel's shoulder was a machine gun. As he opened fire Alister quick darted from his current spot, an instant after it was riddled with bullet holes. For the moment, the speed Alister gained from Excalibur was enough to keep him ahead of the bullets. But only barely, and not forever. He needed a plan.
Unfortunately, Alister was never the planning kind; with no suitable plan, Alister resorted to a rather desperate tactic. Taking a leap forward to ensure he'd stay ahead of the bullets he threw Excalibur at Mel, neatly slicing the gun from its place on its shoulder. A string of new curses came from his mouth as Excalibur continued to fly, embedding itself in the wall.
Suddenly, Mel spotted where the sword was, and began to make a rather shrill laugh.
"What's so funny?" Alister asked. He already knew, but had a strange need to make conversation.
"Well, let's see. You just threw your sword into a wall, for one. A wall that is separated from you, by ME! And if I recall, that sword gives you most of your power, right? Well, if you can't take a punch from me WITH the sword, let's see how you do without!" He began pumping his fists in anticipation.
Alister was unfazed. The sword was a relatively recent addition to his arsenal. He'd gotten by without it before, and he'd do it again. He rushed towards his old foe, watching in anticipation as the brute threw a punch at him. With all his might, he rammed arms-first into the large metal fist, catching it as it came; the shockwave reverberated throughout the building, a bit of dust falling from the ceiling.
"You're wrong, Mel." Alister grunted. He didn't want to admit it, but it took all of his energy just to match the strength of one of Mel's arms. "The sword unlocks my strength. It's already here, I just have to dig a little deeper!"
With all of his might, he got a tight grip on Mel's fist and swung him over his shoulder. With a shriek, he went barreling into a conference room branching off from the lobby.
Completely drained, Alister turned to remove his sword from the wall. As he stumbled over, he noticed a quintet of hostages tied up in the corner, just a few feet from the wall. Among them was a rather attractive woman, about his age. With a bit of an effort, he cocked an eyebrow, the most suggestive thing he could do with a mask and hood covering everything but his eyes.
"Hey there." He said.
"Look out!" She responded.
"Ehh-wha?" Before he even realized what had happened, Mel had seemingly teleported behind him, smashing Alister into the wall with one of his fists. All he could make was a pained groan before he was thrown across the lobby into a waiting chair.
Hm. Lucky. He mused to himself.
Mel turned to luck at Alister, a bloodlust even more evident on his face than it was before. He turned back to the sword, grasping it with one hand and yanking it from the wall.
"What do you know?" He chuckled. "Guess I'm a king." He began to walk across the room, making what Alister thought to be the worst mistake any villain could make. He began to monologue.
"You know, Warrior King, we've been doing this little dance for a couple years now. I commit crime, you violently stop me and send me packing, then I break out of jail and the cycle starts anew. And every time I'm in prison, I wonder to myself 'just how does that hero do it?' Well, during out little reunion here it finally struck me. Look at how tired you are now without your precious sword. That thing completes you. Without it, you're no match for me! So, I realized: the sword must give the user power! And then, oh-ho, then I started thinking: what would happen if I held the sword? Well, I gotta say, the answer is simply beautiful."
He smashed his free fist into the ground, sending a shockwave that threatened to tear down the whole building.
"It feels GREAT!"
As realistic as this setting seems to be, I wondered what it'd be like to have a more cartoony and outlandish villain. As it turns out, they end up being more sadistic than the down-to-earth guys.
"It's good for a boy to have a few near deaths experiences, builds character."Dustin pulled into the parking lot of the tower and got out.
"Alright it might be a bit hard to get and audience with the council but I'll manage, just think of everything you need to know." as he finished speaking a man in a trenchcoat appeared at his side.
"Dustin Stitch, it's good your hear, I was just about to collect you, the Archmages want your testimony at a trial." He said in an obviosly forced monotone.
"Alright hold on one second." Richard said before grabbing the comm from the room. He took it out of the helmet before turning it on.
"Signal override code Rico Alpha Mike One Nine Eight Five." All the comms immediately turned on and captured his signal. He would be the only one able to talk into the comm and be heard until he re-entered the code.
"All right Patriot, I'm ready." Richard said, the comm picking up his words and broadcasting them to everyone. The television screen in the room began displaying the leaders of every nation the United States currently had an alliance with on the screen as well as all those who were military powers. Each leader had a device in their ear that would translate to their native language.
"Greetings world leaders, friends, and partners. My name is Richard Masterson and I bring to you a warning which all of you will be concerned about. Recently the plans for a piece of technology designed in secret by myself for your nations was stolen. These plans detail an early prototype for a suit which is meant to be resistant to most of your arsenal, and we know an enemy to all of you is having it produced. This person is not doing it for any nation or group, but for his own ends. We do not know what his plans are, but they will end in either our destruction or subjugation. He cannot be reasoned with or talked to, and he will attack all of you. I am warning you so you may have time to prepare, to protect your people from this coming threat. Our enemy will be powerful, but he can be defeated if we all work together. Unfortunately, loss of many lives will be inevitable, but both myself and the United States are reaching out in an attempt to minimize the damage. This is a war, make no mistake, and one which will determine the future of all humanity. It is not a war that can be fought in shadow, using stealth and discretion, our enemy will not allow that. Because of this I implore all nations to warn their populace, prepare their armies, and get ready for the battles that are to come.
I also implore you to warn your respective families, just as I have already done and implore my friends who are listening in to this warning to do as well. Your people, your families, and your nations rely on you for safety and protection. In this instance, the only safety will come from your people's ability to hide, to stay safe from the impending destruction. He will target cities, suburbs, and farmlands. He will not stop until everything is destroyed or under his control unless we stop him. Your people need to be told everything I will be telling you this day, or many of them will die.
The suits are not invincible, weapons can defeat them, specifically aiming for the joints, helmet screens, or using electronic weapons systems can destroy or disable them. This is the weakness of our enemy, and it is a weakness that is fatal. Though these methods take time in and of themselves, they will save many lives. Between this military information and having your people prepared to hide for the impending attack, billions can be saved, but all of this information needs to be shared. I hope that you will all take my warning to heart and that we will all come out of this alive. Thank you for your time and may god have mercy on us all." Richard gave the speech before ending the call after all the other nations had already exited. Shock was evident on all their faces and he knew they would follow his suggestion. He spoke into the comm only now.
"Please everybody, warn your families, tell them to get somewhere safe. This matter affects all of us, super and non super, good or evil, magical or scientific. Your families need to be warned if they want to survive, and they need to be warned soon. Signal override code Lima Whiskey Foxtrot Two Five Seven." The comms reset to their normal setting, they could be turned off and all of them could be heard again if they spoke.
Katie sat down next to Jason, and rested her head on his shoulder. "It does take a little getting used to, sleeping in somewhat cold conditions," she answered. "I usually wrap myself in a couple of sheets made of specially thickened leaves. In wintry weather such as this I double the thickness of the outside walls -"
She was cut off by their communicators bursting to life. Katie's had somehow turned itself on. She pulled the small device out of her jacket pocket and fit it in her ear to listen, hearing Richard's speech start. As it progressed, an expression of fear began to show on her face, gradually building to accommodate shock and panic.
Once Richard had stopped talking, Katie took her comm out of her ear and switched it off. She stared sightlessly at the floor, thinking over the situation. "World leaders" had been mentioned... this was a crisis on a global scale. The entire world would be affected by this uprising. The word "war" had also been used. It added to the fear in Katie's mind, and brought thoughts of fire, death and destruction to her in its wake.
Katie simply sat there on the floor, stunned by the turn of events.
Jason was taken slightly aback by the transmission that occured over their communicators.
"Hrmph...call my parents? Hell no! Does it LOOK like I wanna die?!" He thought in a mix of frustration and anger.
He began to get up in a huff, but immediately stopped once he saw Katie and the look of complete fear and shock on her face. His expression softened. Never before had he seen her so scared. His heart began to race, and he too, began to take on a look of shock. He began to feel fear as well. But not for his well being. He felt scared for Katie, for her family, and for anyone else that would take part in the horrendous events to come. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her, locking himself into a warm embrace. They silently stayed like this for serveral minutes until Jason spoke up.
"'Katie...we gotta warn your parents...get them to safety..." He said quietly, solumnly.
"Most underground military bunkers should be safe. I personally suggested the Cheyenne Mountain NORAD facility to my family. Perhaps you should suggest somewhere in a similar vein." he replied.
As Mel got up after his demonstration of power he saw Alister already back on his feet, holding the chair he'd landed in.
"Let's see how good you feel when I'm finished with you!" He flung the chair at the behemoth, only to watch it be sliced in two by his own sword. Mel feigned a yawn, saying "Is that the best you can do? A shame, really." He charged across the lobby, plowing Alister right through the wall into the street. As the hero struggled to recover Mel grabbed him with his free hand, lifting him into the air as he began to cackle in a demonic voice.
"It's about damn time I killed you, Warrior King! But before you die, I've got one thing to say to you. Your name is just about the DUMBEST thing I've ever heard!"
"Worse than Mechanical Bull?" Alister spat back.
"Shut up!" Mel shrieked. "You went your entire career with that stupid name, and you never thought about changing the damn thing?!"
"Well, what am I supposed to change it to? The Monarch? Ooh, or maybe the Mask--"
"SHUT UP!" Mel squeezed with his fist, nearly crushing Alister underneath it. "Just for those references, I'm going to make you suffer before I kill you. So, then, if you can even gather the energy; any last words?"
"Ready..."
"Really? That quick?" Mel asked, a bit confused.
"Aim..."
"What? Oh... oh no." Mel looked up to notice a massive perimeter had been formed around the two, dozens of SWAT officers and a tank, of all things. Each gun barrel was pointed directly at them. "You wouldn't, King, you wouldn't! You'll never survive it!"
"Oh, I've gotten a few upgrades of my own since then. Now, what was I going to say? Oh, right, FIRE!"
Fifty guns fired off at one, peppering Mel with suppressive fire. Realizing with horror that his organic body was not protected, the behemoth dropped Alister to the pavement and shielded himself from the blasts. As he took a peek from beneath his armor the tank blasted him, knocking him right back into the bank. As the SWAT charged in after him, a pair of officers helped up Alister and pushed him in the direction of the fight. He stumbled in to find the Mechanical Bull flattening team after team as they got near him. He was a powerhouse.
Not for long, though. Alister thought.
He began to walk forward as quickly as he could, limping over the broken bodies of the officers around him. Mel finally spotted him and raised Excalibur, shouting "I can still kill YOU before this is all over, King!" He charged forward and made a stab at Alister's chest.
As it came within a foot of him, Alister clapped his hands, stopping the blade with the palms of his hands.
"No, Mel. You can't. In case you've forgotten, I'm at my best," he spun around, ripping the sword from Mel's grip, and coming around with the blade in his hands. "when I'm at the head of an army!" He smacked Mel square in the jaw with all of his strength, sending him straight up into the ceiling. With a thunderous crash he went nearly halfway through before he weight brought him tumbling back to the ground unconscious.
The SWAT formed a perimeter around Mel's body as Alister approached it, sword raised haphazardly about his head. With a deliberate swing he brought Excalibur down on Mel's leg, slicing it clean off. He then moved on to the other leg, and then the arms. After all of his mechanical limbs detached Alister walked up to where Mel's head was, finally coming to. He looked up with hatred in his eyes. Alister's only words were "Try escaping this time, Mel."
He got up and began to walk away only to notice the woman from before was finally untied and looking around a bit nervously.
Might as well. Alister thought. He walked over to her, trying to play off his extensive injuries as nothing more than a few cuts and scrapes. She noticed him as he got within a few feet. Unsure how to proceed, he stuttered out "So, um, what's your name."
"My name's Melissa." she said. "You can call me Mel if you want."
"With all due respect, I'd rather not." Alister replied. "So, um, Melissa... do you maybe want to catch a movie or something?"
"Uh... sounds good." she said. "I'll meet you at the theater at 8:00, um, Warrior King, was it?"
"Actually," Alister said. "I think I prefer Knightwatch."
He turned and walked away, returning to his motorcycle where he'd left it. He stumbled on and began the long ride back to the Promenade.
At long last it's done. Alister's first fight, and he's gained an arch-nemesis. Not to mention the beginnings of a Romantic Plot Tumor. Where will the good times end?
"First of all it's NORAD, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and I'm sure I could. Also, Patriot is the president, and he's right over there." Richard said before pointing to him.
"I have to say Richard that was a wonderful speech. I'm so proud," he added, Garrus rolling his eyes in the background.
Patriot then turned to answer Dona. "Well now that wouldn't be a problem. Why I could vouch for everyone's parents if they all wanted to go to NORAD. It's a nice place," Patriot told her, "And when it comes to new members that have to go through checks and the like first. Cillian usually deals with that but he's still busy with his new 'career path', so I'll let Garrus and Richard here deal with that. And by the way, where was everyone last week? I know you were sent out on a mission but I haven't heard anything about the aftermath."
Katie flinched at Jason's touch, but allowed him to hold her close. "Right, yes..." she murmured. "But where can they go? How safe will they be, wherever they go? If this crisis spreads across the world, there'll be nowhere safe... except maybe Antarctica." She let out a humourless chuckle, and turned within Jason's embrace to look into his eyes.
"Perhaps we should get Mum and Dad to safety sooner rather than later," she said after a while longer. "I'll go and talk to them, help them pack up some things. Could you please talk to Richard and find out where they can go?"
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