I received some mails on posting the stories on the forum as the website is somehow not accesable to everybody...can't figure out why.
So, here it is....part 2 in the "Unstealable Jewel" series.
If you haven't read the first part...here's the link to Part 1
Unstealable Jewel Part 2
Denise and her friends are enjoying the dancing under the Globe-statue.
Suddenly she feels her phone ringing in her belt. She pulls it out and checks its display.
1 new message it shows.
She walks away from the crowd towards a quieter spot and calls the operator to listen to the message she received.
Sis, its me Nat. We are being held hostage by some thugs. Theyre robbing us and beating us with sticks. Please help us and warn the police. And make it faAAAAH!
Several screams and a loud smashing sound follow. Then its quiet for a bit, or is it.
In the background she faintly hears shouting and mumbling.
Auw! Your hurting me!
Followed by what sounds like gunfire.
Then the message ends an. Denise stands frozen in time as Infernius approaches her from behind.
You oké Denise?, he says to her as he lays a hand on her shoulder.
She slowly turns around. Then Infernius sees her face and hops back a bit.
She looks extremely angry, dangerous even a bit. Tears fill her eyes and cover her mask.
Denise whats wrong?, Infernius carefully asks.
Denises hands start to glow red and without any trouble she manages to pulverize her phone.
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!, she screams as she bursts out an enormous amount of energy.
Infernius is thrown back several feet, objects around Denise get pulverized. In a large radius around her theres nothing undamaged.
Dust clears around Denise and a few heroes gather around her. Babel One comes running through the crowd and finds Denise exhausted on the floor.
He kneels next to her while Capt. Inferno clears the crowd. Paragon Starlet finds Infernius crawling up a few feet from Denise.
You oké Marc?, she asks him while helping him to get up.
Yeah, bit overwhelmed, but Ill be fine., he responds tapping some dust off his suit.
What happened back there? What did you do?
I didnt do anything. I just asked if she was oké and next thing I know Im getting a nova up my tail.
Babel and Captn are with her now. Lets go see if we can help.
They walk back to the spot where Denise was found.
Babel One and Capt. Inferno help Denise regain her strength and get her up on her feet again.
Capt. Inferno grabs a chair that has just nearly survived the blast. Denise slowly and carefully sits down with help from Babel One.
Capt. Inferno then eases her with a stroke on the back from his gently warmed hands.
Now you tell us what just happened., he asks.
Denise swallows some tears and begins her story.
I got this message on my phone from my sister. Shes on a prom from school, and now some thugs have shot her., and she bursts into tears again.
Thank god that nova only works once., Babel One softly giggles.
Infernius and Paragon Starlet arrive at the scene.
You oké dear?, Infernius now even more cautiously asks.
Denise looks up at him and puts her hands out in a friendly gesture.
Im sorry Marc. Im so sorry, I dont know what happened. I just lost control and then
, she says through her cries.
Its oké. Im alright. I can handle some blows. Im a tank you know, a pretty tough nut to crack. A crazy nut sometimes, but a tough one., he jokes.
Paragon Starlet gives him an elbow in his stomach. Denise notices this and giggles a bit. The cry softens.
Guys, I really appreciate this but my sis is in trouble and I need to go help her.
Babel One looks at her with curious eyes.
And you think you can do this all by yourself? I dont think so. Were coming with you.
Look Babel, Starlet, Infernius, Captn, you guys really dont have to come with me. For as far as I know shes been shot by some thugs who probably are gone already. I just need to get to that building and get her to a hospital fast.
Youre not flying anywhere if youre not back to strength. Youre still exhausted from that nova stunt a few minutes ago., Capt. Inferno comments.
Yeah, what Captn says. If youre too tired to fly youll drop out of the sky in no time, killing yourself. Besides, what if those thugs are still in that building? Theres no way you can take m all by yourself. You dont know what youre up against. What if its the Circle dudes?, Infernius continues.
Denise looks somewhat confused at Infernius.
Well, it sure wasnt the Thorns. I heard gunshots, and Thorns dont use guns. And
Paragon Starlet interrupts her.
Oké, but that doesnt narrow it down. Could be the Council, or the Family, or even Nemesis running around there., she comments.
I dont think that the Council or Nemesis would get involved in a small robbery like this., Denise says as she stands up from the chair and wipes of a few tears.
Itll probably be a couple of Skulls or Hellions ruining the party to get a few bucks from the kids. The worst thing is that my sister is involved, and thats something I really dont like.
Infernius stands up and straightens his chest like a soldier would do.
Your sister is our sister Denise. Well help you to rescue her from the evil claws of whatever is in that building. Wont we guys?, he proudly states.
The other three mumble things that are not quite understandable, they turn their heads in an ignoring way.
Oh come on you bunch of comedians!, Infernius continues a bit irritated, You cant be joking about this. Time is precious and we need to rescue those kids, why else would we be called heroes?
Paragon Starlet smiles.
To run and hide when things get too tough?, she jokes.
The others giggle about it. Infernius looks at her a bit upset.
Weve hardly ever run away from anything really tough, we always stick together in rough situations.
Good point Marc., Capt. Inferno comments.
Well then its settled. If Denise is ready, well fly off to rescue those kids., Babel One states.
The four look at Denise as if waiting for a funny response.
Im ready. As Marc says, time is precious we need to hurry. Lets go., she says as she sprint away to fly off into the night sky.
Just a few seconds later the other four follow her towards the train station.
----------
Nathalie puts her arm around Michael. She gently whispers some words to him, but no reaction follows to anything she says.
The thugs with the bags are collecting everything they can from the students and teachers. Some struggle before giving up their jewels. They get beaten with a stick on their legs. They fall down almost kneeling before the thugs and hand over their jewels and watches hoping not to be beaten again.
Nathalie looks at the boss again, he grins while looking at all the goods his henchmen collect from the students.
Youre not getting away with this. And you know it., she says to him somewhat angry.
I think we will young girl. By the looks of it all, this is going to be a very nice night for us. And there are no cops or heroes around to spoil the party.
No cops or heroes around? Why not?, Nathalie thinks.
She looks back at the boss.
And why wouldnt there be? Heroes are bound to show up any minute.
Well you see sweetie, weve managed to keep the police department and the Hero Corps advisors very busy tonight. And nobody knows about this robbery except for me and my men., he continues
I bet somebody has been able to get a word outside about this crime. In fact, Im sure somebody did., Nathalie says with a confident voice.
The boss bows down and puts the gun against her head again.
Then that somebody is in for a nice treat tonight. I will see to that personally.
Nathalie turns her head back to Michael and away from the gun.
She is nervous and afraid. She hopes that her sister received the message in time to warn the police.
The boss pleasingly rubs his hands together. A smile of greed is clearly visible on his face.
This is going perfect. Everybody is cooperating as well as they should. And the bags are filling up nicely. No cops, no heroes, and no interrupt
, he doesnt finish his sentence as his eye falls on to a student trying to sneak away from the group.
Instinctively he grabs his pistol, aims and pulls the trigger.
POW!, a loud yet short shot comes from the small gun.
Everybody in the hall, including his own men shock and turn their heads towards the boss.
No sneaking away!, he shouts towards the right of the group.
One of the students is lying on the floor. His hands covering his bleeding ankles and hes crying from the pain. One of the teachers is close to the student and drops down next to him to help him up.
The boss walks towards the student and pulls out a knife from his belt. He puts the knife against the students troth and puts his other hand behind his back. He looks angry at the teacher and then to the student.
The teacher looks angry yet scared to the boss while holding the students head so he wont hurt himself.
Youre a sick man, you know? Youre a really sick man, shooting at young children like this.
I may be a sick man, but at least I get what I want when I want it. And I do care about other people. Not much, but still do.
He moves his hand from his back towards the teachers face. The teacher moves back a little thinking that the man might hit him.
Instead the man opens his hand and holds some bandages in front of the teacher.
Tend to his wounds, I dont want him to die., he throws the bandages onto the student, Yet., he finishes and pulls the knife away from the student and puts it away in his belt.
Slowly the boss walks back to the spot where Nathalie and Michael are. Nathalie managed to get up and sit, holding Michaels head in her lap. Shes stroking his hair gently as if it was a pet.
She looks up to the boss when he arrives.
Why are you doing this?, she cautiously asks him.
Why?, he says looking at the two, Simple, because we were ordered to. Thats why.
Because youre ordered to do this, by who? Who would ask you to do such a thing?
I dont know. I received a note from one of my men. On it were a date, a time and a location. And a line stating that there wouldnt be any problems we couldnt handle.
The man bows down to Nathalie again.
And except for the two of you, there havent been any problems we cant handle.
He straightens his body again and turns towards the students.
As you can see, I will shoot anyone who tries to escape!, he points towards the student that has been shot. Let his failed attempt be a warning to you all, the next one wont be so lucky to get shot in his foot.
The boss signs to his henchmen to continue with the collecting and walks towards one of the men near the door. Nathalie watches him closely and tries to hear what he is saying, but he is too far away for her to hear anything.
Its going to be alright Michael. Dont worry; my sis will be here with the police any moment. Were going to be fine., she whispers to Michael to comfort him. Although for some reason she has the feeling that shes saying it more to comfort her self.
----------
Denise and the others are standing in the train that will bring them to Skyway City where the dance and her sister is.
She stands quietly, thinking of what might have happened to her sister. Horrible thoughts rush through her mind and she tries to banish them. Paragon Starlet notices Denises sad mood.
Are you oké dear?, she asks
Hmm?, Denise looks up to Paragon Starlet, yeah, Ill be oké. Im just thinking of what might have happened to my sister. I dont want to lose her.
I understand. Im worried about her too, and about all the other kids in there. We need to help them quickly.
Paragon Starlet and Denise look around to locate Infernius, Capt. Inferno and Babel One.
Capt. Inferno stands near one of the doors of the train, ready to battle anything that crosses his path. Babel One sits on a bench next to Capt. Inferno. Hes playing with his mobile phone.
Infernius stands a few feet away from them, and hes entertaining a few children with his flames.
He magically produces flames on his fingertips and juggles with fireballs. The children around him laugh as he accidentally sets a mans newspaper on fire.
Hé man, watch it man!, the man shouts to him as his newspaper turns into a small heap of ash.
Sorry I didnt mean to, it was an accident., Infernius apologizes to the man.
Denise walks up to them and hands the man some money.
Im terribly sorry sir, for the inconvenience my friend caused. Please let me be so kind to give you some money to buy a new newspaper.
The man looks at her somewhat irritated and angry.
Keep your money, I dont want it. Just you and your freakish friend stay away from me before I smack the hell out of you., he says clearly frustrated by what happened.
What!? Freakish! Us? Why I should just sma
, Denise doesnt let Infernius finish his sentence.
Leave it Infernius. Let it rest, its not worth it., she says while pushing her hand on his chest to hold him back.
But he called us freakish. He should just b
Infernius!, she whispers pushing harder.
The way Denise looks at him doesnt please him and he knows it has been enough. He turns away from the man and looks around. He realizes hes being watched by the other people in the cabin.
Now you go and sit there with Babel and keep quiet. Were almost there., she says to him while pointing to an open spot next to Babel One.
Infernius walks to Babel One and drops on the bench next to him.
Few minutes later the train stops at Skyway Citys station.
The doors open and Capt. Inferno runs out to the front of the station. Babel One puts his mobile away and stretches while walking out of the train. Infernius follows right behind him somewhat frustrated.
Paragon Starlet and Denise finally leave the train and the five meet back at the front of the station.
So wheres this dance youre sisters at?, Babel One asks while getting a digital map out of his belt.
Its in the north of the zone. I know where to find it., Denise answers back.
Well, lets get moving then., Capt. Inferno says and starts jumping.
Oké, lets go., Denise says to them as she flies up to the sky.
The group heads for the building where the prom is, some run to it, others fly.
When Denise is only a few feet away from the building, she notices the large amount of activity and thugs around the building.
Quickly she grabs her communicator.
Stay a bit back from the building guys, theres a lot of thugs around it. Im going to take a closer look with my invisibility.
A few short answers return through the communicator.
Denise empowers her ability to turn invisible and hovers towards the building. At some point she gets close enough to see the thugs surrounding the building.
Council soldiers and Skulls? What are they doing here?, she thinks as she hovers past them without being noticed.
At a higher level she finds a window that grants access to the main hall. She peeks through it to see what they can expect inside. All she sees are a handful of Skulls walking around in the hall.
She flies back to the group which has gathered around the corner of a neighboring building.
We have Council and Skulls patrolling around the building, and Skulls inside the building. But there might be others around in there.
And where are the kids?, Babel One asks.
I dont know, I didnt see the students or the teachers. I only saw the Skulls in there, and there arent that many.
Capt. Inferno boosts up his flames and prepares for battle.
I suggest that me, Marc and Angie keep the Council and Skulls around the building busy. While you and Babel check out the inside with invisibility. Well clear the door so you can get inside., he says to the other four.
Sounds good to me., Infernius says
Me too. Angie?, Babel One replies.
Yeah, Im up for that., Paragon Starlet confirms.
Oké, then thats the plan. Lets go., Denise says while empowering her invisibility again.
The group runs towards the building, Capt. Inferno and Infernius covered with flames, Babel One and Denise completely invisible and Paragon Starlet buffering the other four with her empathic powers.
Within a few seconds the thugs of the Council start shooting at the only three heroes they can see. Capt. Inferno and Infernius arent harmed by the bullets and easily take out the first few thugs in front of the door.
As Capt. Inferno and Infernius work their way around the building, smacking every Skull and Council thug they encounter, Denise and Babel One sneak into the building.
They pass a few thugs in the hallway that somehow havent noticed the fighting outside yet and arent noticing them either. They enter the main hall and immediately get a good view of the situation. On the left are the students and teachers surrounded by a few thugs. On the right are several thugs grouped together.
They are all Skulls for as far as I can see., Babel One remarks.
Yeah, I cant see anything else too., Denise comments as she looks around.
But there are too many for us to stand a good chance, we need to wait for the others., Babel One continues.
Denise notices Nathalie and Michael on the floor. She wants to walk to them, but Babel One stops her.
Wait Denise, you dont know if its a trap. There could be more of them, or they could see you talking to them. Wait for the others.
Denise nods and pulls out her communicator. She calls to the others who are still outside with the thugs.
Guys, how far are you out there. We could use some help here. We need a big diversion.
One diversion coming up., Infernius answers.
Denise and Babel One wait, and wait, and wait some more when finally after a few minutes a loud crash sounds. The two look up and see glass falling down on the right side of the hall, followed by Infernius him self.
He really is out of his mind, isnt he?, Denise asks curiously to Babel One.
Yup, he is., he answers with a smile.
Infernius falls down and hits the floor with a loud bang. He stands up and knocks his chest like a gorilla.
Come on you fat [censored] slowpokes, its time to rumble!, he shouts as he engulfs his body in flames.
Several Skulls charge towards him with bats and sticks and Infernius starts to fight his way through them. The boss runs to Nathalie and Michael not giving Denise a chance to talk to them.
Denise and Babel One reappear several feet away from the boss who has Nathalie by her arm.
Three thugs that surrounded the students and teachers turn around and sneak towards Denise and Babel One.
Capt. Inferno and Paragon Starlet have just entered the main hall and see the three thugs; Capt. Inferno makes a short sprint and jumps in between the thugs and Denise. The thugs halt their movement and slowly walk back towards the students.
Paragon Starlet joins the three others. Infernius smacks another thug down and then jumps free of the small group that surrounded him. With some good coordination he jumps to the other four.
Denise steps forward a foot or so and points to the boss who has Nathalie.
You release that girl and these people and well leave in peace., she shouts to him.
I will not! Youre not supposed to be here. Youre not supposed to show up at all., he shouts back.
Whats this guy talking about? Not supposed to be here?, Infernius whispers to Babel One standing next to him.
I dont know., Babel One whispers back.
Ill ask you one more time. You will release these people or you will be arrested.
And whos gonna make me? You five? I think not!
The man whistles and a few seconds later a large group of Malta Operatives enter the hall through the hallway.
Maltas!, Infernius shouts, Captn, I thought you cleared it outside?!
They werent there before, I swear. There were only Council and Skulls, you saw them too., Capt. Inferno answers.
Doesnt matter if they were there or not, theyre here now!, Denise shouts back.
Within a minute the five heroes are surrounded by a large group of Malta Operatives.
Between the regular soldiers appear a few Sappers, the most feared soldiers of the Malta group.
Oh, youve got to be joking!, Infernius comments.
The buzzing sounds from the charging guns the Sappers carry, warn Denise and she acts instinctively.
Acting fast, NOVA!, Denise shouts as she bursts out an enormous amount of energy, blasting most of the Malta away from them.
Exhausted she falls to the floor. Babel One kneels besides her and Infernius and Capt. Inferno begin to fight the few Malta Operatives that survived the blast.
Paragon Starlet tries to recover Denises health but its not helping that much as she also needs to heal Capt. Inferno and Infernius from a distance.
Get those people out Babel, leave me now., Denise whispers as she stumbles to get up.
Babel One gathers the students and teachers and guides them to the door as Capt. Inferno, Infernius and Paragon Starlet try to keep the Skulls and Malta Operatives away from the people.
The boss signs two of his men to grab Nathalie.
He walks to Denise as she tries to get up.
You lose this round missy. Im taking the girl as a hostage, and youre not going anywhere.
With all the power she can gather, Denise grabs his jacket and pulls him down to her.
You leave my sister alone you *******. You can take me instead. Just leaver her out of this., she whispers.
Your sister? Well, theres a nice thing you shouldnt have told me. Now I have all the more reason to take her with me. Bye bye now., and he pushes Denise back to the floor.
He walks back to his men with Nathalie and takes an emergency door in the back of the hall to exit the building. Denise is too tired to stand up and help her sister. She cant do anything else then watch as her sister is taken outside by two Skulls.
Nathalie!!!, she shouts as the door closes.
The other four turn towards Denise, and in this moment the Malta strike back with enormous force.
They fire a rocket that explodes on hitting the roof.
Several large pieces fall down from the ceiling onto the four heroes. Capt. Inferno and Infernius cover the two girls as the pieces drop down on them.
Babel One, who managed to get the students and teachers out of the building, returns to the hall to find his friends wounded and exhausted by the fight.
----------
Nathalie, held by the two thugs, tries to break free.
The boss turns towards her as he opens the rear door of a van.
Dont struggle that much little girl. Youll only get more and more tired. Just relax and enjoy the view as we drive to our hideout.
The thugs push Nathalie into the van and close the door.
Its dark. The windows are blinded and theres no light inside the van. Nathalie hears the engine start. She crawls into a corner and grabs hold on a plank mounted on the vans hull. The van slowly drives off and she wonders if she will ever see her sister and friends again.
to be continued.
)
does that make any sense?