Riou almost couldn't believe his eyes. Rolling downward, filling the blue with streaks of red and orange, fell the balls of fire. It was like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. He didn't even realize that they were both rising from their seat. He felt as though he were trying to shove through glue or thick mud. Why couldn't he move any faster?! Suddenly, time snapped back to normal when the first meteor hit the side of a high-rise building across the street from them, tearing the side of it wide open, scattering steel and glass in a shimmering explosion.
"MOVE!" He shouted, though his voice was lost in the screams of the crowd. He didn't wait, didn't hesistate. He knelt to the floor, taking the split second he needed for the tingling sensation, and the pulse of energy. When he opened his eyes he was no longer Riou Hotaru the civilian, he was Riou Hotaru, the Incarnate. Reppu had already switched frames in the time it took Riou to shift. "Reppu, get them out of here, I'll go for the top floors!"
"By yourself?!"
"We don't have Wolf here to help us, so yes! GO! You're a lot faster than I am!" Honestly he should've given her the top floors. She didn't tire out nearly as quickly as he would, but with the building shaking, impacts like tiny earthquakes sending them shaking and stumbling, he didn't have time to plan. She was already off and away at the same time he was, both of them tearing off in opposite directions. The swarm of people shoving around him made it difficult to move. Still he manged to jump up the stairs, a set at a time. Elevators would be out of order- And he heard a screech of steel and screams from the elevator shaft! He didn't even think, he busted through the door. 6th floor, women's clothing. How ironic.
He turned and threw his fist, punching through the thick steel doors, and clawing them wide. The broken elevator was already careening downward. He leapt out into the shaft grabbing the wire. The wrenching on his arm nearly tore it from it's socket as he was dragged down. Had to think fast...if he couldn't slow their descent...He shoved one armor-plated fist into the side wall of the elevator shaft, sparks shooting up, as well as pain. Should've changed to his heavier armor! Slowly, agonizingly, the elevator slowed...slowed, and stopped. He could hear the people inside. "Get out! Take the stairs!" he shouted through his helmet, though he wasn't sure if he could be heard over the roar of the falling meteors and the building groaning. "GO!" That seemed to get their attention. They filed out, and one little girl looked over at the glass wall of the shaft and waved to him. Yes, all in a day's work!
He let go of the elevator and crawled up and over the open doors onto the above floor. The armor on his gloved hand was a mess, and he wasn't sure if he was bleeding or not from the fiery pain. His fingers still worked though, and looked intact. Nothing seemed broken. A loud 'WHAM!' like a sonicboom caught his attention and he rain for the wide window that lined this side of the building's floor. Looking out and down, he saw...a figure in red and blue, and a darker figure with eight arms duking it out. Lord Recluse and Statesman?! Arachnos? Were they behind this? Riou considered shattering the window and leaping out to join the fight, when Recluse's fist made contact with Stateman's cheek (covered by that helmet, thank goodness!) and sent the man flying...right towards the base of the building Riou was in.
He barely had time to realize what would happen when the impact made the entire building practically toss itself backwards, sending Riou off his feet. He fell on his back with an 'oof!', and then heard the building begin one, loud, groan. He realized what was about to happen when he noticed the spider-lines forming in the tiles of the ceiling.
"Oh sonuva-"
"Yeah...it was rough." He said, back in his hospital bed, leaning his head back. "...I don't know if anyone I helped out of that building survived or not...and I didn't see my friend until long afterwards." He held up his hands, staring at them, covered in bandages.
"...Son, there's something we need to ask you." It was his father this time. "I know that you know that you have my support in your super-hero endeavors. I think it's great that you're using your powers like that. Heh, you're probably our only child whose doing something like this." Riou could practically taste the inevitable next line. "But...after this, I realize now why your mother is always so worried about you." He said. Riou was tempted to roll his eyes, to frown, to show his disapproval. But he wouldn't He understood his father's position more than even his father possibly did. "Things like this...these could hit Paragon at any time...and while I realize you were here looking for your brother, well, we both know you've sort of strayed from that."
"...So, you want me to come home then, is that it?" He said. He realized that came out quite a bit more bitter than he'd intended. "Want me to quit and come back to California and possibly take up a less dangerous career?" He felt bad, but he knew that's what they were implying, and they weren't in any position to object.
"You wouldn't have to give up being a hero, you know. Admittedly, California doesn't have quite the calling Paragon does, but there'd be plenty of work to do, and you could probably start your own group of super-heroes. I'm sure the police would appreciate the help."
"Riou..." His mother's turn. "I realize what we're saying. But...honestly, don't you think you're a bit young to be doing something like this? You're only 18, you still have your entire life ahead of you. You don't need to use it risking your life like this." She was remaining remarkably calm despite the fact her voice was starting to shake. "If you're trying to get our approval, you more than have it, in measure and quantity we can't put into words. Just, please...please come home. I don't think any of us could bear it if...if you..."
She didn't need to finish. Riou knew what she was trying to say, even though she had to stop to keep from breaking down.
When Riou regained consciousness, he was in total darkness.
Darkness. The smell of smoke and fire and dust and concrete and burning. He was buried. Buried alive. That made him desperate, and he scrambled, trying to move. He could kick his legs, his hands, his feet, his arms. But there was something on his chest, something large and heavy. But he couldn't tell what it was. Wait. Why was that? He SHOULD have been able to see it! Why weren't his eyes working?! Was he blind?! Had his eyes been damaged?! For a moment, he could do nothing but panic, scrabbling and kicking like some small child or animal pinned to the ground. Then, exhausted, he slumped, his entire body going limp. No, had to relax, had to focus. His eyes didn't hurt, just his hands and his chest. Nothing broken, given that he could move.
Obviously whatever had afflicted him had knocked out his sight. He raised one hand, and tried to form some sort of kinetic emission. He could feel his arm and hand tingling, but nothing came out. Not a single drop of blue. While he was doing that, he did a quick sweep of his armor's internal systems. Nothing. No comm, no map, no signal. They'd never find him unless they just happened to look in this exact spot. So he'd have to get himself out. Not quite sure HOW he'd manage that, but he would. He took a deep steady breath, relaxing, closing his eyes. He could still hear muffled roars and thuds, impacts that sent small tremors through where he was buried.
Not too far from the surface then. Hopefully he wouldn't come up right under Statesman or Recluse. He could sense that his body was significantly damaged. What puzzled him was that his energy flow was completely intact. Except that it was somehow stuck inside of him. He couldn't get even the tiniest stream to emit from his fingers, his hands, any part of his body.
Riou moved his arms, trying to find where the object atop his chest ended. His entire body ached something fierce, and he prayed that he didn't find the end of it inside his armor or his chest. He did NOT want to die here. Not in a place like this, and certainly not like this. He was more than a little surprised to find the object wasn't actually pressing against him at all. It was actually hovering a few inches over his chest. How was this possible? And that's when he realized it. All of his energy, concetrated inside of his body! His energy, originally focused through himself to attack, was now focused entirely on himself, forming a shield, a barrier!
Empowered by this development, his gloved hands slowly moved to grip the edges of the heavy object carefully. He could very easily bring down the entire rest of the building atop him if he wasn't careful. While he couldn't emit his power, he could still use it on himself for a little boost...
"Mother." He said, finally, opening his eyes. "I know. Believe me, after today...I know." He had to weigh his words very carefully. "But, I need you to listen to me. This is dangerous. We all know this. We knew it would be dangerous when I first asked to come out here. And before you say otherwise, no: we ALL knew it could be life-threatening. That's why you made me wait till I was 18, right, remember? When I was a legal adult, and so dad could beat his training into my thick skull." He cracked a smile, and so did they. Fond memories.
"But." He continued, his tone once again serious. "I'm an adult now. I'm free to make my own decisions, and my own choices. And I don't mean this as an insult either. I've made some silly decisions since I got here, and some really stupid ones too. But I made them myself. And despite all the risk and danger, I'm sure you've seen the news, I know Dad has shown you the newspaper clippings and told you the stories." His father nodded a silent assent. "I'm doing a lot of good out here. Admittedly, so are a lot of other people, and you're right Mom, I'm sure any one of them could pick up for my slack." His mother's face reddened, he knew her arguments all too well.
"But...at the same time. The things I've done, and the people I've helped...that was me. I had friends too of course, but more often than not I had a big hand in it too. Like today. If I hadn't been there, some of those people might've died. Dad, you said it yourself. You make choices in your life, and you HAVE to take responsibility for them. No one else can make those decisions for you, you have to deal with the consequences."
"...I can't believe he actually remembers that lecture." His mother's tone was totally deadpan.
"He was eight, I didn't think he was actually listening to me!"
"Look, I understand. I'm your son. You're looking out for me, you worry about me, you care about me, you want me to be happy." He had to take a breath. His mouth was beginning to dry from all the talking. "But I have friends here. People who count on me, who worry about me, and who need me to help them as much I need them to help me. As dangerous as this is, as...absolutely terrifying as this afternoon was. I can't leave. I've got a team now, and we're dedicated to a cause. I can't give up that cause. If...if you don't want to help me, that's fine. I'll understand. But I can't quit. I won't. Issen...he'll be fine on his own. He's older and tougher than me. But I've found a calling here. And I won't drop it just because things got...ugly."
His parents looked between each of them for a moment, then back to him. "I can see that this means a lot to you. And you're not just in it for the glory or fame either, though I admit those are nice perks." His father said with a light chuckle. "But...jokes aside, you're serious about this. Well then." His father looked to his mother, who nodded. "You mother and I were going to tell you this when we visited, but since we're here now." Riou steeled himself. "We were going to donate a large sum to your cause. We're not a poor family, and we can afford to help. Besides...your brothers and sisters insisted as well. We want to help you Riou, in any way we can. All of us do."
Riou could only sit, stunned. He blinked a few times at them, just staring. "R-Really?" He said. His mother nodded, and she couldn't help herself, she'd been holding back tears this entire time, and simply couldn't do it anymore. Riou leaned forward, and the three of them met for a hug.
Riou could see it, sunlight, or rather, light. He didn't know if it was the fun, or the fires from the meteors. He couldn't tell. Either way he was just glad to finally be pushing out of there. His hand jutted free, and before he could scrabble for a firmer grip, someone grabbed his arm, yanking him from the debris. Afraid it might be Arachnos, he almost struck out, until...
"Hey are you okay?!"
"...Yeah *cough*...Yeah I'm okay, I think. What's going on?!" he blinked, looking up through his visor, at the face of a hero he did not recognize.
"Hell if I know, but we've got bigger things to worry about now. Shall we?"
"Heh sure thing, let's go!"
((Author Note: This is a singular writing piece regarding my character and the aftermath of the disaster, just wanted to share it with the class! Will likely take a few posts to get done properly!))
The sound of fire, the smell of ashes and dust and concrete. His eyes watered and it was hard to see. His ears were assaulted by the screams of Longbow fliers and jets overhead. All the world was red and orange and gray. For a moment, he thought he'd died and was now in hell...But this was far worse.
"Mr. Hotaru?" Someone was trying to speak to him. "Mr. Hotaru?" He blinked and shook his head. He wasn't in Galaxy City. He was in Atlas Park, in the Chiron Medical Center, being looked at. The nurse tilted her head her gentle face one of concern. That's right. He was here after the disaster in Atlas park. "Are you alright? You seemed to be off somewhere else. Are you feeling okay? No nausea or light-headedness?"
"No no. I'm fine..." He said, waving a hand. Yeah, his head still ached a bit, and there was spot in the back that was a little tender. "Just...thinking." He said, trailing off. The nurse simply nodded. She'd seen it before. That empty, vacant look.
"In any case, your parents are here to see you, I told them I'd check up on you to make sure you were in a condition to see them." Riou bit the inside of his cheek. Crap, his parents? Damn, they were supposed to visit weren't they? He'd even extended that invitation. He gave the nurse a nod at the silent, unspoken question. They wouldn't leave anyway until they were sure he was okay. The nurse nodded back and silently left the room. Riou let himself lean back on the hospital bed gently. This was going to difficult no matter how he sliced it.
It didn't take long before he heard the footsteps just outside the door. His parents were a rather unassuming pair. If you didn't know their super-powers ran in the family, you'd never know each of them were as capable as Riou. His father was a tall, clean-shaven man, with sharp facial features. His jaw was straight, as were his cheeks. His hair was straight too, and dark. Riou had likely inherited his hair from him. He wore a beige business suit, with a white undershirt and a blue tie.
His mother, by contrast, was softer in terms of looks. Whether it was her makeup, or just the natural alignment of her cheeks eyes and brow, she always looked as though she were in a pleasant mood. Even in her most neutral state. She often joked that it was an effective way of catching people off-guard, to make them thing she was a pushover. Now though, her face was a landmap of worry and concern. To their credit, they remained silent when they entered and sat down beside his bed. They were quiet even when the nurse left, reminding them not to strain their son. They remained quiet even after she left. It was almost an awkward silence before his mother spoke up.
"Are you feeling alright?" Riou was almost stunned. He was half-expecting her to break into fits and start shouting the moment she thought it was safe. She was remarkably subdued though. Did his father have anything to do with that?
"Could be better...could be a lot worse." He said, honestly. His mother told him 'honesty was the best policy'. "Considering what happened, well..."
"We saw the news, and we immediately bought plane tickets. We were re-routed a half-dozen times, and the tram was crowded beyond capacity. I'm sure the metro's profits will be up considerably this quarter." His father said, with a half-hearted smile. Riou managed a chuckle back. A silver lining to every dark cloud. "Still...we didn't know where you were. We heard you were having lunch in Galaxy..."
"I was." He said, his gaze falling to his bandaged hands. "At least, it was supposed to be a lunch date..."
Burgers, as planned. Pizza with Beastyle the day before had been fun, if not for the few doomsayers and arrogant jerks in Gemini Park having soured Riou's mood. Reppu was sitting across from him, Wolf was running late as usual. The pink-haired gynoid didn't need to eat, her body didn't process food at all. She could eat for appearance's sake though. "Ugh, I still can't believe the nerve of those people." He said, grumbling before he chomped around the three fries he had in his fingers. "I mean seriously, there's NO proof. And if there was-"
"Then why didn't they start getting ready weeks ahead of time, believe me Riou, I know." She said, cutting him off. He didn't even glare at her. She was just as annoyed as he was. After all, she'd been the one who had gotten into the argument with Xanatos and the others. Not that it mattered. The city hadn't taken the threat seriously. Last minute evacuation orders? The evening before? Getting over several thousand people to pack up and leave right that moment? As if. "Besides, look outside! Clear, sunny day, and not a single falling rock. And Reppu wins once again." She said smugly, taking a bite out of her own burger.
"Heh, going to have Astelion play "Another One Bites the Dust from atop the central plaza?" He asked, but before he could reply, he noticed something odd. Reppu had (oddly) ordered a turkey burger, rather than beef. And it was..."Hey, what exactly is that "special sauce" on yours anyway?"
"Huh? It's just Thousand Island dressing. Dunno why they call it "special" anyway. Why?"
"Because your burger is moving."
"Moving, what are you talk-" And she stopped, her eyes looking out past him, over his shoulder at the window. Riou almost asked her what she was staring at, except that here eyes were going wide, her mouth falling open. Not just her burger, but his, his tray, his soda, the table, everything seemed to be vibrating slowly, like a low, rolling rumble that was building. Earthquake? He turned around to look over his shoulder, to see what Reppu was gaping at.
In silence outside, fire rained from the heavens.