Citizen_Stu

((OOC: Jack did not and does not scream like a girl and he is not running around in circles. This is a more serous then comical RP. Sorry, I’m just a little protective of the story (and my character) since Jennifer8, Palaquinn, Master Wonderful and myself have been running it for so long. That’s just the way I feel about it.))

The foot felt cold and metallic. Jacks mind raced as he tried to remember if any of the others had been wearing metallic boots but there was something odd. The boots were far too small. He let is hand move to ankle and felt tubes.....hydraulics......wires.......

"[censored]! Its a bloody clockwork!" He shouted and fell back as he moved to get away.

He lost sense of direction and in the darkness he didn't know where the clockwork or the others had gone. Slowly and carefully he got to his feet but remained crouched a little as he spread his hands out in front of him. Slowly he walked around trying to find the others. He tried to not make any sound so he would not give himself away to the clockwork or Syn if he was still close.

Then his hand touched something else.

((Tag Jennifer8 or Master Wonderful))

((OOC: I already know from the Whitemoore RP that Tick-Tock is a re-programmed clocked work but Jack does not know he is a good guy.))

"Ow....that bloody hurt you stupid bint," Jack said rubbing his cheek. The strike seemed to have brought him back to his old self but his head was still a bit foggy.

[ QUOTE ]
Then, without warning - a rumble vibrated through the floor at their feet, followed by a massive shockwave, knocking them all down.

The lights went out, leaving them in total darkness.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack was knocked to the ground. Quickly he got onto his knees. He couldn't see........he had gone blind. He suddenly realized that he had not gone blind, all the lights had simply gone out.

"What the hell just happened?" Jack shouted out as he crawled in the darkness with his hand stretched out in front of him trying to find the others.

Then his hands touched something....a foot. He just hoped who ever it was a friendly.

((Tag))

[ QUOTE ]
You don't have to be a puppet and you don't have to be a weapon. So go on - choose."

[/ QUOTE ]

"No....I can't choose...he has to choose for me......." Jack was deeply confused and panicked. His mind was starting to come back to him but it was conflicting with the thoughts Syn had imprinted into him.

"Better not to choose..........choices only lead to pain......" It sounded like he was talking to himself, trying to convince himself of something. "Had to choose to save Crystal......now I don't even know what happened to her.........."

Suddenly a look of strong anger came across his face. He balled his hand into a fist and punched towards Em. However he did not hit her. He struck the wall behind her in frustration.

He looked down the tunnel towards were Syn and Master Wonderful were fighting.

[ QUOTE ]
Jack was too fast. "And I have given YOU a second chance, you lunatic!"

[/ QUOTE ]

The words rang in Jacks head. He had heard words similar so many times before. Syn's earlier words rang in his head too.

[ QUOTE ]
You're actions say that you are a man with problems, yet you lash out at those who seek to help you.

[/ QUOTE ]

All the emotion that had be held back by Syn started to flood back. His betrayal of Master Wonderful, his fear for Crystals safety and his unbearable guilt and having murdered Paul. He wanted it to stop.

Jack suddenly looked like he was filled with deep sadness. He grasped Em but instead of attacking he simply pleaded with her. He seemed close to tears. "Make it stop. I can't deal with this, it hurts too much. Please make it stop."

Then his face changed looking angry again and he pushed her away.

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

"Lets face it. They are not here. They must have gone or been take some where else."

They had been searching the lab for Penny and Erik for a while and had found no sign of them. Harris decided it was time to say what (he thought) everyone was thinking.

Jack pulled the now empty needle out of his arm. In anger he through it hard to the ground and smashed it. He aimed the full power of his attack at Em. He felt the pain in his head as it charged, he took aim but suddenly it simply dissipated...nothing happened. He tried again but he couldn't even charge his powers this time.

Even worse, his connection with Syn was suddenly shattered. Jack felt horribly alone and lost. Given time Jack would return to himself. However, right now, he wanted the connection back. He wanted the feeling of peace that Syn had given to him.

"What did you do to me?" He shouted. Then he ran at Em with his fist raised high.

[ QUOTE ]
"Actually - " she gasped, "You - might have been foolish - yourself." The pain was making tears course down her cheeks, but she seemed quite sure of what she was saying.

[/ QUOTE ]

The statement angered Jack. With Syn distracted by the fight his control over Jack had waved slightly. Jack was still under his control but the check Syn had on Jacks emotions had weakened slightly. Jack leaned closer into her face.

"Oh really. Do tell." He said through gritted teeth.

[ QUOTE ]
"You gonna kill her, or do I have to kill the both of you?" Experiment asked, walking towards them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jacks head snapped to face Experiment. He didn't seem bothered by the sudden reappearance of the missing hero. Rather, he was annoyed he had been interrupted and he was annoyed that here was someone who thought they could better serve Syn than Jack himself.

"Back off," he shouted.

Then he turned back to Em and spoke more calmly, "Now..... you were going to tell me why you think I have been foolish."

((OOC: Palaquinn, I don't know if you are still reading the Whitemoore RP but Nick is looking for Obsidian. ))

((OOC: VG cats has a great COH strip here.))

Jack sent out a small pulse of pain like he had earlier with Master Wonderful. It was just enough to make all of Em's mussels seize up and make it impossible for her to move. Jack walked up to her and looked her straight in the face.

"Oh dear....Seems like you got your self in a spot of bother. That's very foolish." He said to her with a smile.

((OOC: Another VG cats fan I see ))

Jack started to come too again. The world was a blur at first but slowly came into focus. He was aware of screaming and hoped it was the annoying pink hero but he saw it was not.

The foolish girl from the meeting had some how gotten into the fight and was attacking his master with a remote device. Maybe if he had enough time Jack could teleport his master to safety he thought to himself. But first he would have to deal with anything that might interrupt this plan.

Still feeling weak from the blast Jack forced himself to stand. He was too weak to use his powers again just yet but on shaky legs he started to walk towards Emily. She would have to be dealt with first.

(OOC: Let me know if you do or don't want Jack to teleport Syn to safety))

[ QUOTE ]
"I believe it is time for you to show him your true power, Envy," said Syn as he possitioned himself between Master Wonderful and Jack.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack smiled, "Yes."

Since Jack had taken Syn's offer his skin seemed to have slowly grown paler but his ginger hair had and green eyes had gone darker.

Syn had show Jack in his mind new ways to use his powers. New ways he could manipulate people with pain. Jack channeled his pain into Master Wonderful's body. It was a small amount but just enough to make all of his mussels seize up and lock him in place, unable to move.

Jack walked around Master Wonderful confident that he was not going any were. "I'm going to enjoy this."

Jack raised a finger and coursed the pink hero agonizing pain. When he lowered his finger the pain stopped. Jack continued to walk around him in slowly circles while he smiled from ear to ear. "That is only a taste of what I am going to do to you."

Jack tried to intercept MW before he reached Syn but was a quick punch from MW push him away. Jack staggered to attack again, to protect the one who had promised him so much.

But when Jack saw that MW's attack on Syn was useless he waited. Smiling, he slowly walked around behind MW. He was in no rush to attack. MW was to busy attacking Syn, blinded by his emotion. Jack thought this was weak. Syn had shown Jack how bliss full it was to be completely empty and void of sadness, regret, fear and love. Jack new only pleaser now...and anger which Syn made sure was aimed at the right person when he allowed Jack to experience it.

In one quick movement Jack brought his hand up under MW's arms and locked them behind his head, firmly holding him in place.

Jack could not free himself from the hold. If only Master Wonderful had not used his physic blocker. Jack could have use his powers and this would be over already.

The jab court Jack and knocked him back to the floor. He was quick to jump to his feet. He tilted his head calmly to one side.

"Then I guess my only choice is to kill you. Nothing personal, Pink Boy.....who am I kidding, it is personal. I just don't like you." Jack said with a laugh before rushing at Master Wonderful.

((OOC: SeekerBlink made me laugh. I just made a charecter a bit like her called Eike. I might fill out an interview myself with him.))

Harris didn't scream and shout at Sarah like she expected he would have. His eyes lowered to the ground, "Oh."

He seemed to think for a moment. "You're talented Sarah. You'll make a good investigative reported. Just......just don't let you're greed for a story make you forget your morals......"

He stopped himself short but it was obvious that he was going to say "...like I did."

He didn't look back up to see the look on Sarah's face. Instead he turned around ready to follow Enid.

Harris took one of Amy's arms across his shoulders to help her walk. Harris attention had been so focused on Amy that he had not even noticed Sarah...until now.

"Sarah? What are you doing here?" He asked.

[ QUOTE ]
"You've changed," she said, studying his face. "You've forgotten a lot, I think." Her hand stroked his hair. "Forgotten the good things that you used to love...?"

[/ QUOTE ]

He felt a second of fear but there was something in the way she said it that made it melt away. The feeling that yes, he had changed but he didn't have to stay like it. He had already started to change since this whole adventure began.

"I'm trying to remember." He said weakly as he wiped the tears away from his eyes.

[ QUOTE ]
"When we get out of here... I will help you remember the things that you have forgotten." She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. "For now though... well it's time to find our missing members. None of us - not Sarah, not Enid, and certainly not myself - are going to leave without them. Think you can help us find them?"

[/ QUOTE ]

Her words made him feel strong and brave again.

"Yes. This is all my fault, I'm sorry. I will do everything I can." He said with more confidence.

[ QUOTE ]
"Hiya, partner," Amy said, and though her voice was hoarse from disuse, it was just as he remembered it. Could he really have forgotten her 'pet' name for him? "I was wondering how long it would be before you showed up." Her face was softly lit. "I'm glad to see you."

[/ QUOTE ]

Harris's jaw dropped. For a short while he didn't say or do anything. Despite it all she still had her happy and cheerful demeanor. That was what he loved about her.

He was filled with happiness and fear. Happiness at seeing she had not changed and fear at how much he had. Would she still love him?

Then suddenly he was on his feet, had crossed the room and was holding her tight. Tears of happiness streamed down his face.

"Thanks god. I thought I would never see you again. The doctors said you would never weak up. I did everything I could. Then you were kidnapped. I thought I had lost you. Oh Amy. Thanks god yu're safe." He was speaking fast and shaking, trying to explain everything.

The sudden shot gun blast scared the life out of Harris. In his fright he stumbled and fell into the room, landing on his back. His ears were ringing with the blast as he scurried across the floor trying to find safety. He was too scared to look for where the shot had come from.

He stopped as he was faced with the woman who had obviously fired the weapon. It took him a while to recognize the one woman army now standing over of him. Then it clicked. It seemed like a life time ago now. He remembered her from the photo he had been given back at his office with the files on Dr Sanstad's family. It was Erik's wife.

[ QUOTE ]
"Mr. Harris," she said coldly.

[/ QUOTE ]

When he had heard the shotgun blast it had scared him. The sight of the unhappy woman holding that shotgun scared him even more.

[ QUOTE ]
"I understand you are responsible for putting myself and my family in danger. We need to have a long talk, but now is not the time or the place. Now, we only need to talk about one thing: Where is my husband?"

[/ QUOTE ]

"H-he came down here on one of those over grown carpets....sorry....bear…..things. It’s right out side with the other. He must have come in here.......I think" Harris babbled.

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

[ QUOTE ]
Syn was getting agitated. Kill him already, Envy. Kill him before he kills you! The geneticist then focused his mind on thowing the pink clad hero away from his first champion.


[/ QUOTE ]

Jacks mind went blank as the voice of Syn spoke to him. It was like a person under hypnosis being given instructions before the hypnotist would snap their fingers and weak them up.

Then Jack had the illusion of being in control again. He was struggling for breath but he forced himself to laugh. It stung his throat but to annoy Master Wonderful even more was worth it. He had wanted to get him back to the crash site of the black line train before attacking but like the Pink Hero had just said.....you have to deal with the hand life gives you.

Fighting through the pain he looked Master Wonderful straight in the eyes and opened his mouth to speak. His voice was almost a whisper because of the neck hold but it could clearly be understood.

"Syn says hi."

Jack suddenly brought his knee up hard into Master Wonderfuls stomach and followed it up with a quick fist across his face.

Jack stopped in his tracks and laughed.

"You had to have a little argument with daddy to get your small office and pocket money. Oh poor you. You're right. I can't see how that compares with a small child watching both his parents murdered in front of his own eyes for what he was. It’s all so clear now. I should be happy." Jack was being sarcastic of course and putting on a voice as if he was talking to a child.

"You say we have to play with the hand life gives us. Well, life took my hand away." He started to walk again. Just a little bit more and they would be far away enough for the others to not hear them. Then he would no longer have to suffer this fool.

"So, what is this incident you spoke of?" Jack asked trying to keep Master Wonderful’s attention for just a little longer.

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Harris had locked his arms around the bear’s neck for fear of falling off. Once they final stopped he got off with his legs shaking. The creature had brought him to a door. As Harris approached it he heard a slowly clicking sound. He looked around trying to hear were it was coming from. He realized it was coming from himself. After some searching he found a small screen on the back of the suits glove. The clicking seemed to becoming from a small speaker next to it.

He held his hand out to the door and the clicking seemed to get just a little bit quicker. It was then that he realized it was a Giga Counter. The screen read, “Radiation levels safe.”

It took some effort but Harris pushed open the door. Nervously he poked his head in side and rather stupidly shouted, “Hello?”

[ QUOTE ]
"So tell me, what are your parent's like? They've probably treated you a whole lot better than my father has treated me in the past twenty years."

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack walked slowly with his hand still held tightly behind his back. The question seemed to have an affect on him as he frowned. Deep emotions still had a small effect on him and this one probably ran the deepest.

"They're dead." He said bluntly. "Killed by mutant haters for having a mutant son."

He had never told anyone at campus this, not even Crystal. Again, he pushed the emotion away. Soon Master Wonderful would be dead and everything in Jacks life would be better, Syn had told him so. Jack felt blissfully devoid of feeling again.

“How about yours?” Jack asked.

[ QUOTE ]
"We've lost contact with Erik, Crystal and Paul. Small Arms, I think you Harris and the bear should go check on the status of Erik's rescue... Jack, you and I are going to find out what happened to Crystal and Paul, besides I think you and I need to have a talk about parents." Master Wonderful pulled out a syringe of smoky pink fluid and discretely injected himself with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

This put a bump in Jacks plan. No matter, he would play it cool. He pushed his anger back and smiled as he watched Master Wonderful inject himself.

"Are anticipating we will be attacked while we look for Crystal and Paul?" He asked raising an eye brow. "They are only a short way down the tunnel. They are fine."

Jack was acting too calm but he did not seem to care if he was giving himself away. It was all a game to him.

Harris let out a little yell as the bear got up with him on its back and he almost lost his balance. They started to move down the tunnel.

Jack stood to one side and indicated down the tunnel back in the direction he had come from as if to let Master Wonderful go first. "After you Pink Boy."

Jack knew making his move with the large creature around would be a foolish move. He did not doubt that the bear could easily snap his back in two. Instead.....Jack would have to wait till the time was right. No matter. The pink hero had no suspicions of Jacks plans....he could wait.......a little while at least.

The sight of the bare coming towards him made Harris jump but the bear only sat down and sniffed at him.

"What? What?" Harris said holding his hands up. "I don't have any food..........alright....I have a Chocolate bar...here......take it.....you big dump animal"

The bears ears pricked up as it turned its head to look down the tunnel. Then it looked back at Harris.

'You want a scratch behind the ear? I don't get it. What do you want?" Harris said.

The bear nudged its head towards its back indicating from Harris to get on.

"You must be joking." Harris said in surprises. He thought about it for a moment then carefully climbed on to the creatures back taking a hold of a clump of fur. He looked worried.

"Why the hell am I doing this." He asked of himself.

[ QUOTE ]
They screamed in unison. A metallic voice echoed in the comm and in the head of every psychic for almost a mile radius.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack felt drained of energy. In a second of pure hatred he had attacked Paul with everything he had. His head was now totaly clear after the attack. He had heard the metallic scream from with in Paul and suddenly realized something was very wrong but it was too late. Jack stood breathing heavily as his heart beat in his chest. Every muscle in his body was still tense.

[ QUOTE ]
Paul wept red tears and did not register his body beginning to slide into the crater he had made.

"I... I'm sorry Jack. Did... Did not want... I liked you... When you... no drugs... Tell Crystal... Sorry... Care for her... Sorry..."

Paul's head lolled like a ragdoll as he finally fell silent.

"Crystal..."

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack watched Paul fall to the ground and the realization of what he had done hit him. He had been so blinded by rage and hate.

"Paul?........what have I done?" Jack said to himself suddenly feeling so alone, his voice was shaky and weak.

Suddenly he heard Crystal take in a sharp breath. Jack spun around at the sound to look at her. He went to take a step towards her.

[ QUOTE ]
"My end of our deal has been completed, Envy. Now, as per our arrangement, your will is mine. Kill Connor Macbeth."

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack held out a hand to Crystal's body. "Crystal....I'm so sorry."

Suddenly Jack fell to his knees in pain. He tried to bring his hands up to hold his head but they were forced out to his sides. He didn't try to fight it. He let it happen. He had nothing left to live for. Jack thought Paul was dead and he couldn't believe that Crystal would ever forgive him. He had harmed everyone who had tried to help him. He didn't want to feel anything anymore, the sorrow was more than he could bear.

[ QUOTE ]
Jack slowly felt as if he was loosing himself. All he could feel in himself was how much better everyone else's life was than his own and the feeling that his new master would help him to even the score.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack let out one final scream as he felt the last part of his mind slip away and then it didn't matter anymore. got to his feet. Everything seemed so much clearer now.

He looked down at Crystal and cocked his head to one side in curiosity. It was strange. A few seconds ago he had had such feeling for her. Now those feeling seemed like a fading dreaming. He felt nothing for her......almost nothing. Why should she have had a happy childhood while his own had been filled with misery and suffering. She didn't know what it was like to be a true mutant and she did not deserve the power. He no longer cared what happened to her. He hated her for the happy life (he believed) she had.

Stepping over her body he started to walk down the tunnle. There was a flash of light and he was gone.

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

Harris was trying his best to keep up with Master Wonderful and SmallArms but he was out of shape. The amour was light weight but it was not making running any easier either. He had lost sight of the others but he could hear them up the tunnel. Stopping to rest for a few seconds Harris leaned over and put his hands on his knees and tried to catch his breath. There was a flash of light from behind him which made him look around. He saw Jack strolling up the tunnel with his hands behind his back.

"Where...are...the......others?" Harris panted hoping Jack would not have another one of his lash outs.

Oddly, Jack smiled "They are coming. There was just a few more Vahz to clear up. Nothing to worry about."

Jack wanted nothing more then to smash the mutant hating report's head in to the side of the tunnel and watch his skull crack open but he had other things he wanted to do first.....at least he believed he wanted to do them.

Master Wonderful had dared to preach to him about Jack being responsible for his own messed up life when Master Wonderful himself had lived such a charmed life. Jack show him the meaning of suffering. He would watch him die.....slowly......and enjoy it.

[ QUOTE ]
"YOU THINK SHE WANTED YOU? YOU'RE A DRUGGED OUT FREAK OF NATURE! WORSE THAN A MUTIE! YOU'RE A BURNOUT MUTIE WITH ABANDOMNET ISSUES! WEAKLING! PATHETIC!"

[/ QUOTE ]

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Jack held his eyes shut tight and banged the sides of his head with his fists as he spoke as if trying to get Paul’s words out of his head.

The rage in Jack was building more and more. The pain in his head was becoming unbearable. It felt like his veins were about to burst. There was a feeling of static in the air, of power building up.

[ QUOTE ]
"JACK! I'M BEGGING YOU! MIND WIPE ME NOW! IF YOU LOVE CRYSTAL AT ALL YOU WILL DO IT NOW, BEFORE THEY MAKE ME KILL YOU BOTH!!! SAVE ALL OF US JACK! KILL ME!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack didn't register Paul’s last words. They both let their attacks fly at the same time. Jack let out a roar of rage as his pain and anger took on substance.

“I HATE YOU!”

There was the usual loud snapping sound and flash of light but this time the sound was deafening, the walls shook with it. The brilliant flash of light gave off heat. Jack saw spots before his eyes. The attack took on a physical form as a shock wave exploded from Jack. The attack struck Paul’s mind but Jack did not let it stop there, he took hold. Gritting his teeth in pain and concentration Jack kept his attack full focused on Paul, tightening his metal grip as much as he could.

“DON’T CALL ME THAT!”

but something was fighting back...........something more then just Paul.

The figure smiled at Jack upon hearing his agreement to the offer. A voice in Jacks comm unit brought the world around him back into focus.

[ QUOTE ]
“Paul is no longer here Jack. I am Many As One, and you are a threat. Several times you expressed a desire to kill the Master. We cannot allow this. The best way to protect him is to kill you first. We do not trust you Jack. We have records from many memories showing you lying, stealing, and hurting Paul. We intend to rectify the situation.”

[/ QUOTE ]

"What the hell?" Jack was confused.

[ QUOTE ]
“JACK! MINDWIPE ME!” Paul’s voice rang out. A metallic voice shouted back over the comm.

“NO! He is a threat! Stop resisting us master!”

“SCREW YOU, YOU LITTLE BASTARDS! JACK! MINDWIPE ME! ERASE EVERY THOUGHT IN THIS BODY! ALL OF THEM! KILL ME LIKE YOU WANT TO YOU MUTANT SON OF A [Censored]! DO IT! DO IT!!!”

“YOU HEAR ME YOU MUTIE! POISON BLOOD! FREAK! WIPE ME!”

[/ QUOTE ]

Jack didn't know what mind games Paul was trying to play and he did not care.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT! DON'T YOU CALL ME THAT, YOU [Censored]!" He shouted as he stood up from Crystal's body. His body was filled with rage but he did not attack yet, he didn't plan to make Paul’s suffering that easy. Jack was going to save a slow and pain full death for him but first he wanted answers.

"HOW COULD YOU HARM CRYSTAL?! I LOVE HER?! YOU DIDN'T DESERVE HER! WHY DID SHE CHOOSE YOU?! YOU DIDN'T DESERVE HER!" Jack screamed as he felt power building up in his body. His abilities were feeding on his rage and he was on the verge of losing control of it.