I told you I'd finish the chapter shortly. I do feel that this is a good chapter, almost double the first one (which I might revise, spruce it up a bit, felt to rushed towards the end.) So anyway, here it is (If I make any mistakes with the Gang, please inform me, I've only just encountered them in the game.)
Spark of Heroism
Chapter 2- Realization
WHATS HAPPENING TO ME?! The boy screamed out, now shaking in fear rather than pain
He threw himself out of his room and down the stairs quickly. He got out of his house, and began to stumble down into an alleyway
He was so scared, so confused, why was this happening, was he going to die? He ran as far as he could
he didnt know where he was going though. But he couldnt keep his pace, all that had happened tired his mind and body, he soon fell, and gave up. Moments later he heard the soft smack of footsteps against the pavement. Somebody was coming, half unconscious, he didnt know who they were, and could barely hear them
Whats up with him?
Hes a Mutant
No [censored]
You sure?
Looks like it
What the hell is happening to him?
Mutations accelerated, he must have had some sort of shock today
The ******* must have been jumpy all day.
Well quick, pick im up before he ends up dieing on us
He then felt arms under his body, and he was carried off to somewhere
he couldnt tell how long he was being carried, slipping in and out of consciousness, and when they arrived at wherever these people had decided to take him he couldnt even start to guess where, but it smelt ancient, old paper, dust, and oil. Maybe a factory? He felt his shirt being pulled off, and the voices became harder to hear. Something about
a doctor
Mutations
new recruits. He couldnt make anything from it. He felt instruments being placed on him, doctors equipment most likely. Something was shoved down his throat, water splashed into his mouth and his throat rubbed, he swallowed. Finally, after a while of stress, he passed out
An unknown amount of time passed, but it couldnt have been long, for Jakes body still felt awful when he awoke. His eyes slivered open, and slowly, he raised himself up. He screamed, pain shooting up from his arm, and into his chest
Groaning his eyes turned to his left wrist, where an IV was placed piercing his flesh. He took a breath, and braced himself. Ripping the syringe from his body hurt almost as bad as it did when he realized it was there. He shook silently, grasping his arm as he stared down at the bloody instrument that once lay in his vein. It was long, well, to him it was.
So our patient is up? Jake whipped around, startled by the new voice from behind. Standing there was a tall man, smiling gently at the confused young boy. He walked slowly towards the boy, and placed a hand on Jakes shoulder. When Jake jumped at this, the man simply chuckled. Theres no need to be frightened
Where am I? Jake was not going to trust this guy even with his kind smile. He wouldnt trust him if he sat him next to a fire and gave him hot coco. This was just too weird.
I can understand that youre frightened. Many of your kind are when the change starts
You just need to understand, that until your transformation is complete, you have to stay calm
What
What do you mean? Change? Transformation? What did you do to me!? Jake was really messed up at this point. Just yesterday he was a normal 16 year old boy, and now this
When he wished for something more, this is defiantly not what he meant.
The man sighed, looking down at Jake slightly. He started gripping the boys shoulder a bit tighter, as if trying to protect him from some unseen monster
This part was never easy, but it had to be done.
Son
You are a Mutant. Your body is like a battery, your very cells feeds off of electricity. But this is no curse. When you take this electricity in
you can then throw it out again. Electric currents themselves are at your disposal
The man stared down at Jake, who did not share the enthusiasm. In fact, the boy stared out with more fear than before.
A
. Mutant? That cant be! Jake shook his head, no he wasnt, he couldnt Mutants are ridiculed, theyre hunted and hated. Hem would never be accepted if every time he passed a light he drained its charge
Jake
This is not a bad thing. There are placed where Mutants are accepted. You can be free of worry, be open, and above all, be free! Its a great life, and I think you would be perfect to join us. I want you to think about it okay? Ill be here tomorrow at eight. Go home, and remember
Stay calm. Jake took this into his head, and numbly agreed. He was lead out of the building, and into the streets. As the boy left, others entered. They were tall as well, though not as tall as the good Doctor, they smiled and chuckled mockingly at the boy as they stood behind the man.
You think hell join us? Said the broader of the two in a thick gruff voice. The Doctor turned and pushed him from his path.
Of course he will! He has no choice but to join us
Theres nowhere else hed be accepted. Dont worry, we have the wildcard remember?
But boss, hes just a kid? What do we need him for? The slim one spoke in a long sharp voice, the bigger one nodded at his assessment, and stared at the Doctor.
You fool! Do you not realize his potential? He doesnt create Electrical charges like the others
He absorbs them, and expels them! Imagine his power if he drained a power plant. He could level half of Paragon! The Doctors face soon changed into a malicious scowl, eyes glowing with a thick fiery red
Steel
Canyon? Jake stared at his surroundings as he exited the building, conveniently put right in front of the Yellow Line monorail. He was unsure how he had gotten to this part of the city, but he shrugged it off silently, and walked onto the train, waiting for Kings Row to come up on the Next Stop display. He finally stepped up to his house, slowly opening the door, and creeping in through the hallway. Each stair seemed to cry out to him as he crawled up towards his room, and even his door seemed to betray him as he closed it, and locked it behind him. Finally, he collapsed in his bed, and passed out once more
What was a boy to do? So much confusion and Fear in one day.
The next day came too soon for the young one, as the damned alarm clock once again went off, and the rapping on his door commenced again. Why did I buy you that rant once more came, and Jake was forced to allow his mother into his room. She flew in, and threw another set of clothes atop his head
He rolled over, and let a very pathetic groan escape his lip. With this, his mother turned to him.
Jake honeys
where were you last night? When I came home, you were gone, and I heard you trying to sneak in during the middle of the night. The query caused Jake to panic, could he tell her that he was a Mutant? A living battery
no, he couldnt put that on her.
I went to the late showing of a movie, didnt realize it would take so long. Im sorry mom
Can I please stay home today? I feel so sick. He lied through his teeth, but the truth would only worry her, and cause so much more problems than the lie. His mother looked at her son, and cocked her head to the side, pressing her hand to his forehead.
You are a little flushed. Youre getting sick because you dont sleep right. Fine you can stay home. But Im having Craig bring your assignments here for you to do. School is not something you can just miss and not suffer from. Youre going to make it up
Yeah okay ma
He admitted defeat, he would defiantly make it, and his mother would make sure of it. She departed to let her son sleep some more, and sleep he did. He awoke a few hours later, feeling no better than he had that morning. He lifted himself up from his bed, and pulled the band from his long green locks, realizing just now that he had forgotten to remove it before bed. Now a tangled mess, it would not be pleasing to brush. He pulled the brush through his head wincing at every knot he came to. It was then that he again realized that he had problems ahead as the static electricity that came from the brushing sank into him, and fired off into his Television
He stood there staring now, it wasnt enough to cause damage, but it made him remember what the Doctor had said.
Eight Oclock
It was still only noon, but he was already nervous, what should he do? The man obviously knew something about mutants, but who was he, and what group was he talking about? He would think about this for the next few hours, plopped down on the living room couch. His thoughts were smashed however as a knock on his door came. He stood and headed for the entrance to the house, finding Craig standing on his porch. Within his hands, of course, were Jakes assignments.
Did you have to? Asked Jake as he opened the door, taking the books from his friend.
I had to; your mom told every one of your teachers I would be there
I feel sorry for you man. The young boy chuckled as he walked in. The two friends walked into the living room, and threw their books aside. Ah youth, it was a beautiful thing. Not a care in the world, well, almost none. Eventually, around six, the topic came up. Jake was sure he could trust Craig; they had been friends since pre-school.
And he wants me to come back at eight
What should I do man? Jake was finished with his story, and was almost regretting that he did, Craig was just staring at him with wide eyes
What was he thinking? Jake was about to say something.
Whoa, A mutant
Cool! Well that was hardly the reaction Jake was expecting, but it was a lot better, though maybe unorthodox. I think you should do it, he seems to know what hes talking about, whats the harm? He did have a point, the man seemed kind enough, and all he wanted to do was help. It was then that Jake made his decision.
Okay, I think Ill go see him. You want to come along? He looked up at Craig, who now had a disappointed look on his face. Oh no, bad news.
Oh man would I
But I gotta do some stuff. Dad wants me to watch Caroline while hes out coaching the game. Sorry man. He looked down, he looked really disappointed.
Its okay. Might be better if I went alone, it would be kind of rude to bring a friend without asking I guess. Jake chuckled slightly, neither he not Craig seemed to realize just how dumb that sounded. Well one hour passed, and Craig had to leave. The next hour passed just as quickly, and Jake found himself outside of the building once more. He was about to walk away when the doctor opened the door.
Ah Jake, welcome back. Youve made a wise decision. Come in. The Doctor placed his hand on Jakes shoulder again, and led him into the building. They walked through some hallways until they reached the same open room where Jake had been the previous night, though this time there were many people around, men and women of various ages, were they all mutants? Jake hadnt known there were so many.
Youre not alone in life Jake, each man and women here is a Mutant, and part of our greater cause. The Doctor looked down at the boy beside him, that kind smile once more gracing his lips.
G-greater cause? Jake inquired as the doctor made the statement. It was all new to him; he didnt know what that meant.
Yes, Mutants are the next link in the chain of evolution, but Humans are afraid of us, ostracized us. For that, we have become the Outcast. Jake jumped at this; his eyes widened with realization, fear engulfed him
Now he understood.
The Outcasts are a Gang! Theyre bad people
They steal and hurt the innocent! Jake jumped back from the Doctors grasp, a sense of pride filling his body.
No, no! Thats nothing but propaganda created by the Paragon Police force. We take nothing more than what we need to survive. As Mutants, we are not given the right to earn our fair share. We are forced to take it, with much regret I might add. We are the victims in this Hate crime, my boy
Jake looked at the Doctor as he spoke, the confusion taking him, and thats what the Doctor wanted.
Youre
the victims? Jake took another step forward taking his place once more at the Doctors side.
Yes. Humans feel that we are freaks, and force us from our jobs, from our home. We only take what we need. He spoke as honest as he could
We will make a life for our kind, but we must first take our rightful place, and gain respect from the Humans. Jake thought about this
It did sound true, what life could he make with people fearing his gifts. Yes, they were gifts werent they? And the Humans had no right to take his life away! As the young boy thought this over, the man beside him smiled a new smile, one of success. He had gained his new puppet.
Yes. My heart may be made from cold Steel, but it still beats with enough power to lead forward against the Scum of our fair city!