Hunter swore in surprise and, with a speed and agility that went beyond the realms of "normal," dodged the beast as he threw a few knives at it from each hand. His reflexes had always been quicker than most. It was almost as though he could sense things an instant before they happened. He drew his tanto, cursing under his breath that he had left the katana in his apartment.
Alex smiled when her combos were having their desired effect. She decided she was going to go ahead and finish this round then take it easy on him for round two; she didnt want to discourage him from playing after all. Positron sent an Electron Haze toward Synapse and began the extra-long combo for his nuke attack, which would quickly conclude the battle.
You play well enough, Alex began, knowing the end was near, Just need to get a feel for the
She stopped talking as the lights in the Pizza Port began dimming then brightening, as if a power surge was coursing through the building. Then suddenly the power was lost, plunging the area in darkness
which was met by at least a dozen screams.
Silence overcame the Pizza Port and a few kids began joking about it, and whispers were exchanged between groups. Blast, Alex cursed, Just when I was about to
Then the sound of a deep growl could be heard emanating from somewhere and a bark. Panic ensued and kids were blindly trying to flee through the darkness, someone nearly pushed Alex to the ground but she used the momentum to lunge forward into Blake. She grasped his arm because she didnt want to get separated.
The wolf swiped Hunter with a massive paw and he rolled with it. His suit jacket and shirt were badly torn, but fortunately he always wore a kevlar vest underneath them. He had learned the hard way that he was not faster than a speeding bullet and now always took precautions against guns. He threw a few more smaller blades at the thing before kipping up to his feet and leaping onto a fire escape in an attempt to get some height on it. He glanced down the street, hoping to see someone with a gun. There was no way his little knives were going to take the beast down and he didn't want to get too close to it, even if he had his sword.
By now, every civilian within a two block radius of the fight was running away from the fight with their lives, and Hunter did not see any reinforcements incoming.
The monstrous wolf glared at him murderously from the street, pawing at its face to remove knives embedded there. It seemed more annoyed than actually hurt. After removing all the proverbial thorns in its side, it pounced right onto the fire escape after Hunter in one gigantic and seemingly impossible leap from the center of the street. It proceeded to approach him cautiously, snarling and dribbling spittle everywhere with incisors bared.
Something may or may not have occured to Hunter at this point: The wolf could have gone after any of the civilians as they had started running, but it had specifically targetted him to attack and follow.
Hunter backed up the fire escape, scanning his surroundings and thinking fast of anything that could help him either escape or take the wolf out. He noticed one fire escape over the ladder was rather rusted and rickety. He jumped for it and barely managed to catch one of the narrow steps. The fire escape groaned as it started to pull away from the wall. He climbed toward the top and pulled out his phone. He quickly found the number Agent Smith had just programmed into it and hit send.
"I'm in trouble," he said calmly as soon as the man answered.
Blake was in trouble, and he knew that. He gave up trying to attack and sped backwards, attempting to dodge the oncoming blow. As Alex did the combo, the lights flickered and went out. Blake swore under his breath and looked around the blackness before someone bumped into him and grabbed him. "Hey, what are-" he started before he recognized Alex's voice. "Sorry" he said absently, trying to keep away from the mob of people before he heard a loud bark.
"A dog?" Blake said before he could stop himself. The darkness was starting to unnerve him before a ball of fire erupted near the ceiling of the room like a giant candle. Blake seemed to ignore it like it was an everyday occurrence while he took a look around. He immediately wished he hadn't as he saw the biggest wolf-dog-thing he had ever seen come in the doors, eyeing the crowd of teens like a buffet.
Blake swore again on impulse and the wolf whipped it's head around, glaring at him. Blake looked at the wolf, then at Alex, then back at the wolf. "Go" he said shortly, ripping Alex off his arm and dashing towards the pool tables. As soon as he moved the wolf dashed after him, knocking down teens and arcade machines and anything that was in it's way. Blake slid under a pool table as the wolf almost caught him, instead the beast destroying the table, splinters showering everywhere.
The teen grabbed a pool stick and used both hands to smash it on the ground, breaking it in two. The end snapped off and flew against the wall, Blake holding on to the end, the stick now having a sharp end like a knife. The boy and the wolf stood there for a moment, facing each other before the beast lunged. Blake swung the stick like a baseball bat at the animal's face, succeeding only in breaking the stick again. He got thrown backwards and smashed into a wall, blood starting to come down the side of his head.
Blake blinked twice, then got up slowly and groaned. "Damn" he said slowly and painfully, then glanced at his 'weapon' and sighed. He shrugged to himself and ran at the wolf. As the beast swiped at him he slid under it, jamming the sharp end of the pool stick into it's stomach. He rolled out from under it and stood up, hoping to see the wolf fall to the ground dead. Instead it grabbed at the pool stick until it broke off, the wolf looking unharmed.
Blake swore, again, and circled his shoulders, sighing. "Lets do it the hard way, then" he said, and snapped his fingers. Instantly, a circle of fire erupted around the wolf, causing it to howl and sneer at the fire like it was a living being. Blake's hands suddenly lit up, engulfed in orange flame. The wolf howled and jumped above it's cage, trying to land on the teen. A sword appeared in Blake's hand made of pure flames. Blake smiled widely. "Let's dance, buddy"
"What kind of trouble?" Agent Smith asked as the wolf snarled.
"Just hurry," Hunter stated as the wolf leapt at the fire escape. Hunter swung up toward the roof and the heavy beast hit the rusty metal. The bolts snapped away from the wall and the wolf clawed at the building as it fell three stories to the alley below. It lay still for a moment and Hunter sat on the edge of the roof, thinking it was over. Then it got up, shook its massive head, and glared up at him.
"You have got to be kidding me," Hunter remarked as the wolf leaped at another fire escape.
Nyte spent several hours attempting to make the apartment display some sort of personality, it was always a challenge in such places and she vowed to stick around long enough to actually make painting the wall's worthwhile this time around. In the end the place seemed lived in if not yey homey. Oh well- it was a start.
She still had some time before Grifters specified meeting time but clamouring around the apartment was hardly a thrilling idea - neither was clumbering out the window - although that was worth it if it ment escaping time with Mabel.
Her mind made up Nyte slipped through the window and lept off the side of the fire escape, she let herself fall for several thrilling seconds before unfurling her wing and letting them catch the wind proppeling her up and out of the alley.
Since she was out and about she thought perhaps she should drop a line to Agent Heine..if for no other reason then to get the surly little man off her back for a little while. Grifters explaination was a good as any and they'd just have to suck on some lemons if they didn't like it.
Powerful strokes ofh er wing propelled her towards the building in which she had left Hunter earlier - it was much faster flying, as she got closer however a general disturbence in the emotional atmosphere somewhere nearby caught her attention.
Typically Nyte had to be fairly close to a person in order to get any sort of emotional readon from them, in fact her 'emotional radar' as it were was quite limited compared to other empaths she had met. However when a large group of people all expirienced the same emotion - in this case fear - it became for all intents and purposes a rather shiny beacon on said radar.
Drifting from her original path to follow this disturbence Nyte flew for only a few moments before she came across some more substantial evidence that something was wrong in the general area - Citizens were running in every which way like a flock of petrified pigeons. It might have been amusing ...if it didn't mean something nasty was afoot.
She didn't bother asking the paniced citizens what had scared them - paniced people were rarely very helpful, instead she simply continued towards the epicenter of the mass exodus.
As she came closer she recognized Hunter and landed lightly beside him before peering over the buildings edge where a source of large irritation was emenating, the sight of a giant snarling wolf making his way up a fire escape made her arch her brow somewhat.
"Seem's you made fido a bit angry Hunter"
The wolf was quickly making his way into leaping distence and Nyte frowned slightly, she very rarely exhibited the second side of her abilities in public, indeed it was almost as if she was ashamed of her shadowy control of the nether...still when it came down to useing said ability or being lunch ofr a wolf Nyte decided on the first option.
Sighing slightly she relaxed her inner hold of said power - it was like relaxing a tightly held fist deep within her own being, as the mental fingers released thier constant grip tendrils of shadowy nether began to escape, flowing around her like snapping wraiths. Nyte hated the feeling - it was like being covered in the very essence of death and it chilled her to her very bones.
But it was necessary and she was capable, turning her mind from the disgust over the tendrils she wretched control and flung them towards the approaching wolf. The beast howled as the shadowy energy knocked him from his foothold once more to send him sprawling in the alleyway. Nyte shuddered slightly at the tendrils joyiously turned on the wolf inky black tendrils springing upwards to encase him as they leeched his lifeforce.
Nyte was fairly certain he wouldn't stay there long and turned to Hunter.
"That won't keep him for long and he seems fairly determined to get to you, I suggest we move"
"Right," Hunter stated. "Agent Smith should be on his way. For once...I wish I had a gun." He backed up and made a running jump to the roof of the building on the other side of the alley. He rolled as he landed, got to his feet and did the same thing to cross another alley. Then he stopped and looked around to get his bearings.
The giant wolf paid no attention to Blake's banter nor his blazing blade. It leapt for him with the intent of ripping him to pieces. It weighed a good 700 plus pounds, and had plenty of muscle to boot in order to support its own body mass. Which meant that Blake would be hard pressed to actually STOP the wolf from attacking-The sheer momentum behind the leap would carry the wolf's body forward even if Jake somehow killed it md-jump.
***
The wolf tore away from the nether tendrils sucking it dry, leapt oo the wall of the alley, and freaking [u]wall jumped[u] onto the top of the building. Hunter had already fled to the other rooftop, but Nyte had not yet moved, and the wolf lunged at her...
***
Halfway to Hunter's location, Erik sensed a second sensation similar to the one that had startled him earlier.
CONSUME
TORMENT
CORRUPT
He was about the same amount od dstance away from both sites. He hesitated for a brief moment before dashing off in the direction of Pizza Port...
"Oi!" Hunter exclaimed when he turned to see the wolf lunge at Nyte. "Over here, ya great beast!" He threw several knives at it to get it's attention. Miraculously they all hit their target. The wolf turned and growled low as it stared at Hunter. It crouched and made a powerful leap at the other building.
Alex couldnt scream or really breathe for that matter; she was caught between terror from the wolf-beast and awe from Blakes hidden talent. She also really couldnt move so much, so she ignored Blakes command to Go as she witnessed the events unfold.
She took a step forward when the beast shattered the pool table with Blake sliding underneath it but had to quickly dodge an eight-ball that was flung in her direction from the explosion. Alex finally got her wits about her and decided it was time to act as adrenaline pumped through her veins. Fight or flight? She thought to herself.
Then Blake got slammed against the wall, and, in the orange glow provided by the flame in the center of the room, Alex saw Blakes head-wound. Blake was a fool to think he could handle this fight and try to play the hero; she grabbed the previously mentioned eight-ball and flung it at the wolfs head. While the ball was traveling accurately on its trajectory, Blake summoned his flaming sword. Perhaps he can
Her thought was cut short as ball slammed into the beasts head. It immediately took notice of its new, and weaker, attacker and charged toward Alex. Whos the fool now? She thought as she turned tail and ran the other direction.
Nyte having knon that her tendrils would not hold the beast for long was not surprised when it tore free and at long last found its way to the roof - the fact that it wall jumped there was suitably impressive but she didn't think the beast would really cared if it was impressive of not - all it wanted to do was destroy something and she was now the closest target.
The wolf lunged and Nyte lept into the air, a powerful downstroke of her wings taking her out of harms way...for the most part at least a scattering of feathers told that the wold had come perilously close to finding a truer mark.
Nyte was used to such things however and didn't flinch at the close call, Feeling the creatures anger first at missing her and then from the sting of Hunters blades Nyte twisted in mid-flight to send a bolt of darkness at the creature from above as it lept for the next building. Due to her height and the beasts leap she hoped the bolt would catch it between the shoulder blades and send it either crashing down into the alley - or at the very least mess up its jump enough so that it hit the wall not the ledge.
"Hunter! RUN!"
She yelled at the man, darting foreward through the air towards him while attempting to draw on enough darkness so that she could hit the wolf again if it preservered through her latest strike.
A deafening sound filled the alley. The wolf briefly spun upwards before crashing down to the ground. Before it could try to get up, Agent Smith held the shotgun to its head and pulled the trigger a few time just to be sure it was dead.
"Took you long enough," Hunter called down, leaping from the roof and landing on a fire escape before jumping the rest of the way down. "Get stuck in traffic, did you?"
"Next time you say 'I'm in trouble,' give me a few more details," Agent Smith chided. "You're lucky I had my gun in my truck or there wouldn'tve been a blasted thing I could do."
((I'm not going to be able to post for a while. My computer died and I have to send it in for repair. The estimate is ten business days from the day they get it which won't be until Tuesday at the absolute earliest.))
OOC:
What say we have Hunter taken back in with his people for questioning over the event for X reason then until it's all fixed?
((Sounds peachy, come back soon Hunter...I have a surprise for you))
((No problem Hermie hope everything gets situated for you, computer problems are never fun))
Nyte glanced over the edge of the building at the wolf was quite literally put down, she cringed slightly because frankly she loved animals...not giant mutated rabid animals...but animals none the less.
Seeing that Agent Smith was there and as Hunter hopped down to talk to him Nyte decided it was time to make herself scarce - it was past time to meet Grif anyways and she didn't feel like dealing with the department.
Stepping back from the edge Nyte made her way to the opposite side of the building unclipping her cell phone as it rang.
"I'm on my way" Pause "I know I"m late I was sort of busy being chased by a giant rabid wolf....No..I'm completely serious....Everything fine I'll be there in a few"
Clipping the phone closed she lept off the roof edge taking wing towards her supergroups base.
"Well let's get you check out and debriefed," Agent Smith stated as Hunter collected his knives. He frowned up at the man.
"I'm fine," he stated.
"All the same, I need you to come back to headquarters with me," Smith said in a serious tone. "We have some questions we need to ask you."
"I thought the agreement was I would have a few days to settle in first," Hunter stated in a flat tone. Agent Smith motioned to his car.
"This is an order, Agent Black," he told him. "Non-negotiable. Let's go." Hunter sighed and got in the car. He knew was going to be in for a long interrogation.
((Alright, that should keep him busy until I can come back))
((For ten days...that's one long interrogation :P, good luck Hermie))
((I might not be able to post either, in Maine and only connection to the outside world is my itouch. I'll try to post as soon as I can.))
As Ramon sat threw several briefings on new tactics and weapony he got very borded and deside to go a work bench and see what he can get him self into. "Sir" a man said from behind him. "Yes." he replied. "I was hoping if you would help my team with something in Galaxy City." "Tell me" "Well ........" ........ "Im in when do we move?"
"Now and sir here something that might help" "Whats this a box?" "No sir a special Heavy Unit Core which allows us to teleport one Heavy Unit to and agent on the field at any time." "Wow Thank You...." "Its Sgt. Brite" "Thank you Sgt. Brite." OK men lets move." As that was said Ramon Sgt. Brite and two new recuits all headed to Galaxy City.
Erik suddenly burst into the pizza port, and immediately sighted the wolf chasing Alex. Little did she know that the creature was leaping for her at more than four times her top speed...But fortunately she now had backup. Erik raised a splayed hand swiftly, and the wolf smashed into an invisible barrier of telekinetic force. It grunted, as if dazed, regaining its footing and balance.
"Alex. Do you have any powers? If not, run." Erik said to Alex, not removing his gaze from the wolf.
Alex looked in shock at the proximity of the wolf after Erik stopped its leap telekinetically. She glanced at Blake at the other side of the room, then at Erik. She didnt want to leave Blake behind, but she knew that, if anything, she would only get in the way.
She nodded at Erik. Make sure Blake makes it out safe, Erik, Shivers from fear could be heard in her voice. Alex glanced one more time at Blake and raised a hand to show she was ok before she ran out of the Pizza Port back to the apartments.
Hunter should have listened better to Erik's warning earlier. Although one of the safest zones in Paragon City, even Galaxy was getting more and more dangerous every day. Especially for heroes.
There was almost no warning at all. As Hunter passed by an alley in Orion's Beltway, a giant wolf 6.5 feet tall and much stealthier than it had any business being seemed to materialize in his peripheral vision half-way through its leap at him with the intention of ripping out his lungs and chewing on his head. There was no help nearby immediately, the street only bustling with civilians who would doubtlessly pick up the pace rather quickly in the form of wild mass panic...
***
Erik sat in his apartment, the illumination of his laptops screen the only light in the room. I should talk to him about getting a new partner. He thought as he typed up the report Vanessa hadnt bothered to write herself. Erik did not like staying in any one place for too long when he could be patrolling the city. As it was right now, he was stuck with examining the entire zones atmosphere one district at a time once an hour. It was an exhausting, lengthy and inefficient process. Just about time. Might as well. Erik thought, putting his laptop aside.
He closed his eyes and concentrated. Every city zone had a number of districts that, over the years, had been not only gained physical boundaries but also immaterial ones. Each district had a certain feel to it. Erik started with the Nebula District: Age, some neglect, and lots of nothing. A warehouse and general storage district with little in the ways of civilian housing. Then he moved onto Orions Beltway, expecting to sense the standard hustle and bustle of activity mixed with trivial deaths of feeling and small sparks of meaning in a dark world.
His eyes snapped open as he saw something else entirely:
CONSUME
TORMENT
CORRUPT
Twenty-five seconds later Erik had cleared the apartments front doors and was making a mad dash for Orions Beltway