Chapter 14: 13
In the Exodus labs, Daniels is going over results with his assistant.
Daniels: I want to make sure that no more Enhuman disturbances from here on out. If I want the president to approve of this cure, I have to make sure that they know that Enhumans like the Purifiers are threats.
Assistant: Sir, if I may, with the possible threat of an alien race coming to Earth, with the Supers being are only possible line of defense.....should we wait until they've been dealt with?
Daniels: Sure, Gavon, let's wait. Let's wait until after thousands. No. Excuse me. Millions of innocent humans die because we've waited for Enhumans who do not respect the chain of Government to take care of this! We are close....as long as the Purifiers exist....we need this cure....or humans will pay the price for it.
At Parker Tower, the office, John is looking outside the window, just as Eva walks in.
Eva: Dad?
John continues looking out into the city.
John: Hmm....
Eva: Are you okay?
John: Yeah....I'm just....
Eva: Thinking about Mom?
John sighs, then turns.
John: Yeah....I just can't believe I didn't see it....the fact that she was....she was something else, all this time. Damn it....
Eva: Well....Dad, it's still Mom....it's just that thing has control of her...there has to be a way we can save her....separate that damn deity from her.
John: But what if there's not.....what if....what Charles is right? What if the only the way we can save this planet or the galaxy is to kill your mother?
Eva: Dad, you're not seriously suggesting that, are you? It's Mom.....
John sighs.
Eva: We can still save her....you know we can.
John sighs.
Eva: I hope you're right.
In the grid, Trisha, Josh, Alex, Jessica, Maria and Kala are looking over the map.
Jessica: Still no sign of Sara or those Threll creatures.....
Josh: Or Aquila crystals....
Alex: Yeah, but the ones that we have at least are secured in Ireland.
Trisha sighs, clutching her stomach.
Maria: Sis, you okay?
Trisha: Yeah...yeah...just...just stomach pains is all...
Maria raises an eyebrow.
Trisha: Yes....don't worry. Enhuman's still have periods, Maria.
Charles is typing on the computer, before James sighs.
Charles: What?
James: You know; I feel like all of this could've been avoided had you destroyed the crystals all those years ago....
Charles: Were you not paying attention to how Kala received the other crystals? There was an alien temple here on this planet....meaning they've been here before....
James: Hmm....if that's true, you think there might be more of these damn crystals.
Charles: I've had V.O.X. do a thorough search of the planet....
James looks at a sheet with a metallic body underneath.
James: You still working on that special bot?
Charles: Yes, I am....please don't mess with it.
James: So, this droid you're working on.....is it still a gonna help us?
Charles: I guess you'll have to wait and see.....Oh, it's complete.....but I'm just waiting for you all to see the look on your faces.
Suddenly, there is an alarm in the Grid as everyone in the building responds and reports to the Grid.
John: What do we got?
James: I don't know yet.
Charles: V.O.X?
V.O.X.: Suicide jumper is L.A. On the Aon Center.
Alex: Is it a regular jumper?
Charles: From what we've learned, it's an Enhuman jumper.
V.O.X.: Master McGregor, I'm detecting a factory fire in Brazil.
Trisha: Uh.....are you kidding me?
Jessica: Two things in two different countries.
John: Which means we're going to have to split up.
Josh: What's the plan, boss?
John: Okay, James, Eva and Charles and I will deal with the jumper. Alex, you've got the ice powers. You, Trisha, Jessica and Josh deal with the fire in the Brazil.
Alex: You got it.
Trisha: What about me?
Kala: And me?
John: You two stay here. We need you to keep an eye on V.O.X.
V.O.X.: They don't need to stay here, Master Parker. There is a bank robbery occurring in Boston.
Trisha: Jeez.....it never ends.
John: Okay, you two can go and handle the bank robbery.
Maria: You want me to handle a bank robbery with her?
Kala: Maria, I know we've had our past differences, but you can trust me. Your sister does.
Maria sighs.
Maria: I'll be watching you...
James: Well, Kala, you're going to need a suit to protect your identity....and codenames.
Kala sighs.
Charles: Well, at least it's simple stuff.
Eva: Yeah, we haven't had any small crimes in a few days.
In Boston, the Supers small jet is flying in autopilot as Kala, in a Super suit, attempts to fix it and then Maria in her Super suit.
Kala: I don't see how the Supers wear this shit. It's tacky.
Maria: Hmm....
Kala sighs.
Kala: Look, I'm not too thrilled to be doing this with you, either....and I know you don't trust me.
Maria: No...what makes you say that?
There is a long silence before Kala speaks again.
Kala: Look, I'm not stupid, Maria. I still see it...Your sister....she wanted to kill me.....but she let me live so I can another chance.
Maria sighs.
Maria: I know it wasn't your fault, Kala. I know Tarmac used your kid against you. Just like he used me and my Dad against her.
In Brazil, The Eagle is en-route to the fire with Power Surge giving a questioning look.
Neon Crane: What?
Power Surge: I don't know....something doesn't feel right about all three of these things. It seems like we're all being drawn away from something.
Phantom points at the apartment fire.
Phantom: There!
The Eagle descends and lands on a building, before Power Surge, Neon Crane, Thermo and Phantom exit, before approaching the police on the scene.
Brazil Police Officer: Supers! Thank god you showed up!
Behind the Supers, several anti-Enhuman protesters are jeering rude comments to the Supers.
Anti-Enhuman Protester: Hey, Enhuman freak! Go home!
Anti-Enhuman Protester: Get off the street, Super whore!
Neon Crane: Nice warm welcome.
Thermo: Officer, give us the detail, please.
Brazil Police Sergeant: A few hours ago. We got word of this apartment fire. We've tried putting it out, but here's the thing; the factory's in perfect condition.
Neon Crane: Is there anyone in the building?
Brazil Police Officer: Everyone in the building has been evacuated....but there's another survivor in there. We're just having trouble location them.
Phantom: Okay....clear this area, immediately. We'll take care of this.
The young adult Supers rush inside the apartment building fire, but as the Supers enter, the Brazil Police men speak into their radio.
Brazil Policeman: They're in.
In Boston, Maria and Kala finally arrive and prepare to stop the bank robbery.
Kala: Well, at least the bank robbery was easy to spot.
Maria: Alright, then let's go, Kala.
Kala: Hey, aren't you supposed to call me by my codename, Woman-Warrior?
Maria: I am supposed to call you by your codename. Come on, Neon Bitch.
Woman-Warrior jumps down to the roof, before Kala gives a look.
Kala: It's Neon-Ghost.
Neon Ghost then light speeds, catching up with Woman-Warrior. In Los Angeles, the Aon Building, Quantum, Dragonfly, the Owl and Sun Sorceress are flying to the Aon Building with Dragonfly carries Sun Sorceress while flying.
Dragonfly: V.O.X.?
V.O.X.: I'm scanning the Aon building....there's one heat signature.
Quantum, Dragonfly, the Owl and Sun Sorceress manage to spot a figure on the Aon Building.
Quantum: There! Let's get on the roof.
Quantum, Dragonfly, the Owl and Sun Sorceress land on the roof and approach the hooded figure, who is apparently a crying woman.
???: I can't believe it....I can't believe it.
The Owl: Ma'am, are you okay?
Quantum: Ma'am....
Dragonfly: V.O.X.?
V.O.X: Her readings and pulses are....calming down.
Dragonfly: What?
The figure suddenly turns her crying into laughing.
???: Do you know what I can't believe? That you would give your lives for a lower class race of cockroaches who seek to make you all like them.
Suddenly, the figure turns, revealing Krylla. Sun Sorceress's eyes widen as she gasps.
Dragonfly: Shit.
Sun Sorceress: Mom?
Krylla: Not your mother, girl.
The Owl: Krylla...
Krylla: As you humans say, bingo.
Dragonfly: My god. V.O.X.?
Krylla: Don't bother talking to your A.I., boy. It won't be able to help you...my telepathy is to powerful for it to reach.
Quantum: Where's the jumper?
Krylla laughs.
Dragonfly: There isn't a jumper, isn't there?
Krylla: I'm afraid not, boy. Just bait that I knew you and your team were not wise enough to decline.
Sun Sorceress: Well, your bait seemed to must've gone wrong, cause if you haven't noticed, it's four of us and one of you.
Krylla: Is it?
Suddenly, Genesis appears and blasts the team back. Quantum turns to notice Genesis.
Quantum: Adrian?
Genesis: Hello, John.
Scarlett appears and roundhouse kicks Sun Sorceress, before she initiates her energetic blade, attacking Dragonfly. The Owl uses his sonic screech to deafen Krylla as Quantum flies and grabs Krylla, who head-butts Quantum across the floor. Krylla then uses her tentacle to swipe at the attacking Owl. Quantum then flies at Krylla, struggling with her in a free fall as the two land roughly onto the streets, creating a crater. Civilians, human and Enhuman, look at the crater, before Quantum is punched out of the crater. Krylla then steps out with her tentacles sprouting out of her back. In Brazil, Neon Crane, Power Surge, Thermo and Phantom attempt to put out the fires, but Phantom notices the scorch matching the signature of a certain Enhuman.
Phantom: What the hell?
Suddenly, Mongor punches through a wall, grabbing Thermo, before tossing him into Neon Crane.
Power Surge: Alex!
Just as Thermo and Neon Crane recover, Red Dragon appears, along with Arachnica, confronting Neon Crane, Power Surge, Thermo and Phantom.
Power Surge: What the--?
Mongor: Hello, kiddies!
Red Dragon turns into his dragon form, before breathing fire at Neon Crane, Power Surge, Thermo and Phantom, who blocks the fire attack with her invisible from the attack. In Boston, Woman Warrior and Neon-Ghost arrive at the bank robbery, finding the bank completely deserted.
Neon-Ghost: What the hell?
Suddenly, Snake-Bite, Ravage and Switch arrive, confronting the two woman.
Neon-Ghost: What the--?
Woman-Warrior: The hell is this?!
Snake-Bite: It's called a trap, human.
Snake-Bite, Ravage and Switch attack Neon-Ghost and Woman-Warrior, who fend off the attack. In Brazil, Power Surge, Neon Crane, Thermo and Phantom fight off Red Dragon, Mongor and Arachnica. In Los Angeles, Dragonfly, Sun Sorceress and The Owl continue fighting off Scarlett and Genesis Quantum continues defending off Krylla's attacks.
Krylla: You know what I find so funny, John? How you don't find it a convenience that three things are happening all at once while you're fighting me?
Quantum, realizing what is really happening, gives a horrified look.
Krylla: Yeah....you all fell for the trap....
Quantum: What do you do that for?
Krylla: Because we know which one of you knows where the crystals are...
Quantum and Krylla both turn to the Owl, alongside Dragonfly, is fighting off Genesis.
Quantum: No...
Krylla: Yes.
Krylla then wraps her tentacles around Quantum's neck, before throwing him into the wall of a building. Quantum recovers from the attack, before speaking into his earpiece.
Quantum: Neon Crane! Woman-Warrior! Power Surge, do you read?!
In Brazil, Power Surge defends off an attack while in Boston, Woman-Warrior dodges an attack from Bloodlust and blocks another with her staff.
Power Surge: A little busy right now, boss!
Woman-Warrior: Fighting off the Purifiers!
Quantum: It's a coordinated attack! The Purifiers are separating us! They're after Charles!
Neon Crane is knocked into the wall by Arachnica.
Thermo: Charles? Why?!
Neon Crane: Shit...they're after Charles, because he knows where we hid the crystals.
Power Surge: We gotta get back!
Mammoth: I don't think so!
Mammoth puts his fist together and smashes the ground, creating a blast that knocks the team into the wall. Red Dragon uses his martial arts to combat with Thermo, who barely blocks the strikes, managing to get three punches to the face, but then Red Dragon breathes fire at Thermo, who bursts into his flame form, taking in the fire.
Thermo: You forget my powers take on fire?
Thermo then transforms into his ice form, before shooting an ice ball at Red Dragon, who swipes it away, then continues to physically fight Thermo. Arachnica attacks Neon Crane with her spider-legs, with her barely dodging or blocking her attacks. Eventually, Neon Crane uses the neon rope to grab one of spider-legs, before Arachnica punches Neon Crane in the lower stomach. Neon Crane then pulls Arachnica towards her, then uses a neon punch to knock Arachnica back. Power Surge dodges Mammoth's punches, before electrocuting him. In Boston, Snake-Bite attempts to bite Woman-Warrior, who hits Snake-Bite with her staff. Neon-Ghost light dashes as Bloodlust chases her around the bank then she dodges Switch's attacks.
Switch: Hold still, bitch!
In slow motion, Neon-Ghost jumps out of light speed and shoots a neon net at Switch, trapping him.
Neon-Ghost: Hold still, bitch!
In Los Angeles, Quantum and Krylla continue fighting, before Genesis blasts the Owl into a building. Suddenly, afterwards, Dragonfly grabs Genesis in a chokehold.
Dragonfly: Why are you working with Krylla?
Genesis: You should be working with your mother....
Dragonfly: She's not our mother.
Genesis: To answer your question, your mother is the only one who gives a damn about our people.
Dragonfly: She's lying to you. She doesn't care about Enhumanity.
Genesis: And you do?!
Genesis jerks his head back and blasts Dragonfly. The Owl then uses his sonic screech at Genesis, but then Scarlett crashes down into the Owl, knocking him into the street. Scarlett then confronts the Owl.
Scarlett: Say, Doc....how about telling us where you've hidden those crystals?
The Owl looks up at Scarlett.
The Owl: You're crazy if you think I'll tell you.
Scarlett: Oh, I'm very inclined to think you'll say otherwise.
Scarlett knocks out the Owl with a sucker punch, before she speaks into her earpiece.
Scarlett: Dad. Got bird boy.
Genesis: Then let's finish up!
Krylla incapacitates Quantum, while Genesis blasts Dragonfly into the wall of a building. Genesis approaches Scarlett and traps the Owl in a red energetic net, before flying off with Scarlett and Krylla. In Brazil, Arachnica slams Neon Crane and Phantom into each other, before throwing them into the floor while Red Dragon roundhouse kicks Power Surge and Mongor backhands Thermo across the floor next to Neon Crane and Phantom.
Mongor : The roof! The roof! The roof is on fire and coming down!
Mammoth brings down an entire on ceiling on the four young Supers, before Phantom uses a force field to protect themselves from the crashing ceiling.
Red Dragon: That should hold them. Let's go!
In Boston, Switch and Bloodlust manage to incapacitate Woman-Warrior and Neon Ghost, with Switch knocking Woman-Warrior out with a punch and Bloodlust kicking Neon Ghost in the chest, knocking her onto the floor. Using her bat like feet, Bloodlust grabs Neon-Ghost and slams her repeatedly on the ground. With the heroes defeated, Bloodlust and Switch escape, before the two heroes recover and attempt to locate the two Enhuman villains.
Woman-Warrior: Shit!
Neon Ghost: Where'd they go?!
In Brazil, Power Surge, Neon Crane, Thermo and Phantom emerge from the wreckage of the plant. In Los Angeles, Quantum helps Dragonfly and Sun Sorceress up on their feet.
Quantum: You guys, okay?
Dragonfly: Yeah, just about....
Sun Sorceress: Mom....that can't be her....It just can't....
Sun Sorceress looks around.
Sun Sorceress: Wait, where's Charles?!
Quantum: They took him.
Dragonfly: V.O.X.?
V.O.X.: I'm unable to locate Master McGregor.
Sun Sorceress: Damn it....should we head back to the Tower so we can locate him?
Quantum sighs, before speaking into his earpiece.
Quantum: All Supers! Retreat to the tower! The Purifiers have Charles and we need to regroup and create a rescue plan.
Thermo: Damn it.....
Power Surge: Charles is one of the few people that knows where the crystals are.....if he gives, Krylla will find them-
Phantom: Let's not waist time hoping that will happen, then.