Topic: RPG-Superhumans

"So, listen, first off, I'd like to apologize for that line I pulled on you. I'm usually better than that. Other than that, I'm here to offer you a side on the winning team. You probably know about what's going down Friday, so I won't waste time on that. Personally, I think you should come. There'll be champaigne, french food, and the beginning of a glorious new age where we live like royalty. I'm talking so-rich-I-can-afford-to-blow-my-nose-with-100-dollar-bills kind of money. This isn't any fly-by-night scheme either, I've done my homework." Oni noticed Flame smile, presumably at something Haze had thought.

"Okay, seriously, quit that." Oni was getting slightly annoyed.

"Why? Does it bother you...?" Haze crooned, so cooly that Oni couldn't help but be impressed.

"Why don't you pluck the answer out of my head yourself, you little brunette beastie? Listen, you don't have to give me a definite yes-or-no answer tonight, but there'll be a chair with your name on it come Friday Night."

Oni secretly hoped she wouldn't pluck his thought from his head, he had some doozies at the moment.

Haze looked at Flame momentarilyAre you in on this?
After all I have been through at the hands of "normal" humans, I cant possibly protect them. I would prefer not to have to fight you. You seem like a nice person.

Jericho caught up with Flame and the little company of people around him. He parked his car, got out, and walked up beside Oni.
"Flame is doing it again, isn't he... talking telepathically I mean." Jericho let out a little smile.
"Yes and it is getting annoying." Oni shot back.
"So who are these new friends of yours?"

Flame here, and shes, well I should let her introduce herself, if she wants to.

A S.W.A.T. van pulled to the alley where Haze, Jack, and Oni stood. Rather than having cops burst out, a lone man got out. He stood a little over six feet, and wore a white cloak, with a hood that covered most of his face. Smiling at the troupe before him, he said "Fancy seeing you all here, in an alley, on the run from the cops. Fortunately, they're nowhere near here. If you all want to live, I'd suggest you'd get in the van, these city cops are quite dim-witted and will instantly think we're on their side if they saw a S.W.A.T. van cruising along the road. There's only one place that's safe for you, and I know where it is." Not sure if they could trust him yet, they discussed this deal to themselves before giving an answer.

Haze, Oni, Jericho, & Flame huddled to the side, football-team style, speaking in low whispers.

"What do you guys think?"Oni began.
"Isn't that the same man from the Holliway & Strain episode?" Was Flame's first question.
"The what now?" Jericho asked.
"Long story, Jericho. Nothing too big, just a little run-in that was exacerbated by the wonderfully disorganized way things are handled in this city." Oni shot back at his old friend. "Woudl've been nice to know you were back in town, might I add."
"Aw, get it over it, inspector gadget." Jericho replied.
"I take it you two know eachother?" Haze inquired.
"yeah." Oni concluded. "Back to the point, do we get in the van or not? Personally, I vote yes. This guys part of the assassin's order. Turning down an offer of protection from them is like spitting on a a parent's newborn baby."
"Did you even consider they might kill us?" Haze asked, emphasizing the 'k' word.
"Well, of course, but personally, I'm confident enough in myself that I believe I can handle it. What, you don't have enough faith in yourself to tackle one man in white?"
"Says the guy hiding behind a battlesuit."
"Shut up Jericho."

"It doesnt matter. I can get rid of him if it needs to be done." Flame stood, and began fliping and lighting the coin agian.

(ok mandal hasnt posted in a while so forget that i followed him i guess...or i decided to turn back or something)
Chromium was watching the conversation between Haze, Oni, Jericho, and Flame. He stood on the rooftop of one of the buildings along the alley. He had made his decision at this point, he would be a hero. The determining factor had been Oni as a matter of fact. The man was clearly a fool, an arrogant disrespectful fool. He would follow no such man. The heroes however seemed sensible and well intentioned. All he waited for now is to see whether Haze would become a pawn for Oni.

Darklght's mind had cleared throughout his flight over the city, enough so, that he was able to catch a glimps of a silvery pursuer.  After a time, the being turned about, and headed back the way it had come.  That was interesting; if it had been following him, why would it turn back.  Curiosity got the better of Darklight, and he too flew back the way he came.  And when he arrived, he was glad he decided to use the old fashioned method of walking rather than flying in a sheathe of light.  He leaves Jack alone for five minutes, and WHAM.  He's surrounded by the fire-lizard-guy, a white robed and hooded figure, some guy who looked like he belonged in the Matrix, Haze, and a weird black-armoured figure, who faintly reminded him of Voidhunter, although only in colouration. 

Darklight wrapped his cloak around him, thankful for the black colour on the outside, that kept his presence hidden from unwanted watchers. From his vantage point, he watched the confrontation in the streets below, wondering whether or not Haze would decide to help him and Jack.  Considering how riendly she seemed to be with the lizard-man and the armoured man, he doubted she would decide to help him.  Just great.  One les friend or ally to help him against the villains.  It was a pity his old compatriots had left the city; Burnout, Rift, Sunburn, Hypothermia, all of them had left long ago to take up arms against evil in other places, leaving Darklight behind.  Right about now, he REALLY wished they had stayed....Pushing that thought from his mind, he turned back to the street, and peered out from under his hood at the events unfolding down below.

As Chromium watched the group, the gold caped one eventually followed him back to this meeting just as he wanted. Chromium wanted to see how he would react when he saw these supers conversing, as well as the possible defection of Haze.

Darklight crouched on the rooftop, watching and observing.  He was also weighing his options.  For one thing, there were no more civilians on the street; having all fled when the lizard-man returned.  No possible casualties or injuries.  He was seriously considering trying to take them all on.  The black suited one looked like a gadget-reliant; he'd by unpredictable.  Darklight didn't know what he had concealed in that suit.  The pyrokinetic was with him, but without his chains, so he didn'tknow what that meant.  The white hooded man didn't look like a dangerous person, but then, neither did Darklight, if you looked under the mask.  And if someone dresses like they belong in Matrix, you know they've got something up their sleeves.  Take Jack for example... Anyways, Darklight determined that if he moved quickly, he could take them by surprise, and possibly reduce their chances of fighting back.  He was only really worried about Haze; he didn't know whether she'd side with him or the others.  If he attacked her just to be safe, she definitely WOULD join them.  But if he left her alone, he was opening himself up to a possible stab in the back.  He sighed, and made his choice.

He dropped into an adjacent alley, silently as possible, not originally engaging his field of light to give his presence away.  And then he let loose.  His field was up in a radiant instance, and he rocketed over the heads of the villains, firing a series of well calculated blasts at their feet and eyes, being careful not to hit Haze or Jack.  He also made sure not to try to overly hurt the lizard-man; the bolts aimed at him were more like warning shots.  The black suit man and Matrix dude, however, he didn't take any chances with.  From what he had gathered from their conversation, they knew each other, and the black-suit guy seemed to be in charge.  He made sure that when he attacked, he kept on the fly, making it difficult, at best, to strike back.  This difficulty was enhanced by the brightness of his bolts; it was midnight now, and his power was at its fullest, just begging to be unleashed.  And unleash it he did.

Chromium was surprised that the gold caped man attacked. He didnt see that sense in attacking more than 3 opponents and a nuetral party who might change sides at any second. Perhaps he was very confident in his skills, but Chromium was still unsure in his choice to attack.

The defendants were startled at the surprise attack and the light show that was going on around them. This did not help Chromium's stealth. The wind generated by the flying of the gold caped one blew his black cloak away from his body and the hood was thrown off, it was hanging by his arms. The light reflected off his silver skin and cast an opposite reflection of light into the alley. He stood in full glory as he reflected light and looked down upon the startled group. He decided his hiding was done.

Okay, maybe he had attacked too soon.  Weren't bullets and flying fireballs somewhat dangerous?  NAd hat black armoured guy, he had just disappeared, either being an invisibility powered mutant, or having some sort of camouflaging device.  And to top it all off, there was a newcomer, standing on a rooftop, illuminated by Darklight's powers.  He was a silver-skinned man, standing tall on the brickwork of the roof.  Darklight assumed he hadn't wanted to be seen.  Whoops.  Still though, the villains were the main focus here.  He had to make sure he distracted them long enough to get Jack out of there.  If that meant nearly getting himself killed, so be it.  If worst came to worst, he could always pull his flash-bang trick, and escape in the confusion.  But he preferred not to have to do that; he didn't like retreating.  He just hoped that the other silver guy wasn't an enemy.  If he was neither friend nor foe, Darklight hoped he wouldn't get himself hurt in all this; his earlier assumption that there would be no possible collateral injuries had been shot down.  He made sure that his flight and fight strayed away from him, hoping that he could keep the villains from noticing or hurting the guy.  It was times like this that he really hated how impulsively he made decisions.  The fact that he knew his own impulsiveness only served to prove his point

Haze watched as Darklight dropped from the sky and started to fight the group she was with. She shook her head, typical male super. Thought he could take on anyone.

Haze had never been a fan of Darklight, but she sure wasn’t a fan of Oni. She decided to take the side she always took: her own. Jack was still slumped in the corner but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be useful. Haze stood him up with her powers and manipulated his body so he could use his weapons.

It seemed she had chosen a side, good for now. But that didn’t mean she’d stay that way inclined. Haze liked to think of herself as a “Catwoman” type of super, if you were the baddie she was the goodie. If you were the goodie then she was the baddie. In this case baddies outnumbered goodies so she’d help discreetly.

She left Flame alone, she did like him and she understood his hatred of people. If you were different you were feared and shunned. She could relate to that, even if she did look normal. When people found out that she was telekinetic they lost trust in her.

"Oh, for Christ's sake! Just one day, I'd like a calm situation to NOT erupt into bedlam at the drop of a hat! Is that too much to ask?" Oni yelled, shifting into invisibility. Darklight flew around, attacking the villians.  Oni decided to get to work. Oni guessed Darklight was after Jack, but Oni didn't really care. Flame had stolen Jack's memories so Darklight could have him, but Oni was really itching for a fight after all the insanity of late.

Oni deployed his stunwhip which curled around Darklight's feet, giving the hero a jolt of electricity. 

"Gaah! What-?" The hero fired a beam of light to where the pain originated, and the energy corsed through the durable cable straight to Oni.

"Hmph. Really should have seen that coming." Was all Oni had to say. He tried to avoid the attacks of his comrades, who could not see him. Fireballs & bullets filled the air. Oni used the grappling hook feature of his stun-whip to reel himself closer to his foe. Still cloaked, two long blades popped out of his right wrist gauntlet (think Predator)) and Oni slashed at Darklight's heel, which was protected by a solid light fore-field. The hero must've covered himself in protection after Oni electrocuted him. Oni decided to take a hail mary play. He once again fired up his repulsor rays to go off. He didn't expect to atomize Darklight, but hoped the bright light would at least temporarily zonk-out his powers. The gloves began to glow, the beam went off, and Oni could only hope for the best.

Chromium saw the battle going on and noticed something very odd. The previously knocked out Jack was up and firing as if nothing had happened. Very strange. Haze did nothing but look at Jack, whos eyes were closed. She was using telekinesis to manipulate Jack and use his powers to fight the villains yet look as if she was doing nothing and remain neutral. It seemed she was in the same predicament of choosing sides that he himself was in. He would consult her later and speak with her about this current problem. For now, he felt that her use of the unconcious Jack was unwise, as he might get hurt if he didn't utilize his own talent himself. So flew down and morphed his silver metal arm into a long tentacle and grabbed Jack. He flew back up again and placed him on a rooftop away from danger and out of Haze's range for the moment. She didn't expect such a move from the newcomer. He took over Jack's position and morphed his arm into a giant silver hammer and swung it at Jericho.

Jack awoke on a rooftop immediately noticing a silver man with a giant hammer as an extremity swiping at a battle down on the street.  He noticed Darklight, his old friend amidst a pack of people who looked vaguely familiar.  Oh thats right, last he remembered he had his butt kicked by a telepathic attack from the lizard-man.  The one in the Japanese mask was priming his weapons about to fire at Darklight's back.  Jack pulled out his shoto and katana ran to the side of the building and jumped in the waiting garbage bin below.  "That's going to smell in the morning."   He charged at the Japanese-masked man pulling out his shoto and katana.  Using his "photo-reflexive" memory to call up several fighting styles he had seen on TV. 

"Wait for me guys!  I want to play too!"  He delivered a flying kick to the Japanese one, Oni, he recalled.  The pulse fired just as Oni was knocked off his feet, barely missing Darklight.

"By the way the mask really works on you!  It really brings out the angry on your face.  Angry never worked for me.  My psychiatrist said pent-up anger can really be bad for you.  Something about leading to stress which in turn shortens your life.  Are you a stressful person?"  Oni charged at him with his wrist-blade which Jack parried with relative ease.  Gotta love the photo-reflexiveness.

"Careful or I may work up a sweat."

To many bullets. Flame took a shot in the shoulder. Luckily, his bones were muche denser then a normal persons, so the shot didnt do much damage to them. He could not stay here, he was to vulnerable out here. How ever, he needed to help someone. Oni could handle himself he had armor. Haze, however, seemed to be still neutral. And she wasnt shooting at him.
We need to get out of here. Now.
She nodded, suprisingly calm despite the situation. She, however had not been shot.

"Well, well, if it isn't Jack, the man who can literally do anything! Well, anything but escape the D-list!" Oni snarled as he traded blows with Jack. Both wristblades were out now, and the two warriors were battling out with their blades clanging loudly in the quickly exacerbating warzone. Soon, Oni got fed up and just grabbed Jack's blades and snapped them in half with his strength enhancers.

"However, thanks for complementing my mask. I'd love to say something positive about your outfit, but..." Jack pulled out a revolver and a bowie knife. The bullets bounced off Oni's armor, but impact was slightly painful. "Well, it does suit you. Your a pathetic and impulsive ruffian who wears the jacket of some smelly hobo whom you no doubt stole it from. Personally, the hobo would probably be more of a challenge."  Oni attempted a roundhouse kick, but Jack grabbed his leg and spun Oni like a top.

"Round and round you go!" The vigilante piped up.

"aright kid..." Oni pressed a button on his wrist gauntlet. "Try copying this!" He screamed as he activated his flamethrower.

Jack barely managed to roll out of the way.  "Oni you strike me deep.  These quips really hurt coming from a guy who relies on fancy gadgets.  And I'll have you know the hobo was not smelly!  He actually smelt quite nice.  And that 3-legged dog that he sicked on me was quite a challenge.  Jack rolled again as a gout of flame clipped his trenchcoat. 

"Oh there you go burning it.  It really wasn't that bad."  Jack tore his trenchcoat off and threw it to the ground. 

"I was really quite partial to it.  Good memories in that trench coat.  There was the time that a small baby I had just rescued puked all over it.  Some stains just don't come out..."  Jack grabbed a stun grenade and hurled it at Oni's feet.

Darklight spung in midair, his cape flappng behind him in the slight evening breeze.  Jack was up and at 'em, i seemed, and he was really ticking the armoured guy off.  Who had activated a flamethrower.  Now, a flamethrower against a guy with more weapons than the U.S. military seemed kinda harsh. Poor armour guy.  But then, Jack semeed to be having some trouble completely avoiding the fire bursts.  Darklight clenched his fists, and summoned the power within him, charging both hands with a brilliant light.  He then unleashed all the fury of his power at the armour-wearer, who barely managed to duck out of the way.  A stream of fire shot towards Darklight, who barely had time to erect a weak light shield.  The barrier was instantly over come by the fire, the force throwing him to the ground below.  He scarmbled to his feet, and unleashed a volley of light-bolts at the armoured man and the Matrix guy.  He was starting to get annoyed.

Oni barely dodged the light attack, firing back in midair.

"Your right, Jack, some staind don't come out. Blood, for instance, is particualrly tricky." Oni lunged at Jack with his jet boots, tackling the hero. They collided with an alleywall, Jack's back taking the brunt of the blow. Jack countered with a kick to Oni's groin, which was surprisingly effective. Some places just can never be padded enough.

Oni returned the favor by backhanidng Jack accross the face. "That was a cheap shot, ya little putz!"

Flame! Oni screamed inside his head. If you can hear me, I need you to probe Darklight's mind. Find his real name, where he lives, details about his family, whatever we could use for leverage. Then look for some old foes,or weaknesses, things or people that could possibly take him down. Then take the girl and get out of here. You two are the most at risk of the bunch of us. Jerich ocan handle himself, and frankly I'm not worried about the assassin. There's too many of them in this world anyway. Plus, I'd rather not have you or her die, truth be told.

((That's it for tonight, ladies and gents. Sev, is it just me, or am I having way too much fun with the wordplay between our characters?))

((Who says writing an evil maniac can't be fun ;) ))

Darklight saw the armoured man tackle Jack, and blasted him again, while trying to avoid a stray bullet from the Matrix-man.  It clipped his shoulder, sending him into convulsions of pain, at the same time as he felt a tickle in his head.  That was weird.

Flame had goten Haze out, and he was still bleeding from his shoulder.He clenched his teeth, and pulled the slug out. He then cauterized the wound. He had just heard Oni's message, barely. Oni's thought was strong enough for Flame to hear it without trying. He didnt know what to do. Darklight had tried to kill him, but he had moved him to safety. He was unconciusly speaking mentaly. Haze was hearing him, though he did not know it.

To be frank, Altair wished he had some popcorn and a soda to watch the fight between these genetic anomolies. Flame and Haze escaped the fightscene barely conscious. Taking up the advantage, Altair stood in front of Flame.

"You'd best take up on my offer now, chum. No doubt someone's already informed the police and- oh damn, that truck is receiving messages. Yep, they know alright. You'd best come with me."

"What about Oni?"

"He knows of the location I spoke of earlier. After all, I had you mistaken as the intruder. I was wrong. Anyways, you'd best get in if you want to live, Darklight's quite a mercenary. Do you accept or not? And any attempts to kill me would be foolish, as you saw me dodge your fireballs before."

Chromium's hammer struck Jericho and it sent him flying through the window of a store. Chromium then turned and swung his giant hammer at Oni while morphing his left arm into a giant blade.

The tickling in his mind had stopped, and Darklight now saw the lizard-man talking to the white hooded guy.  He decided to take the initiative in this business.  He flew into the air, cape flaring behind him, the reflective goden undercoating shining in the light.  He angled his hands back, and fired a burst of pure light, with no concussive force.  The cape reflected the blast outwards, in the form of a giant flash of light, brighter than a magnesium flare, and radiant enough to force everyone to shield their eyes from the light.  While they were recovering, he dropped to the ground, and nimbly climbed on top of the SWAT van, covering himself with his dark cape, and distorting the light immediately around him, making him out to be nothing more than a hazy vision t those who stared at him.  Suffice to say, for all intents and purposes, he had effectively disappeared from the battle. He had heard the white hooded man mention something of a hideaway earlier, and he had arrived in this van.  WHen he left, he was pretty sure they'd use this same vehicle.  He just hoped that Jack would take his quick distraction, and get out of there fast.

"Holy- Whoa! Thats not nice!" Jeicho flipped over the top of Chromium and hastily gave him a double-blast in the top of the head. Jericho proceeded to reload while dodging bolts from Captain Lightbulb up there. Jericho holstered the shotgun in exchange for his Desert Eagles and unloaded on Darklight. Before he could get in some accurate shots, here comes the hammer again.
"What is with you people?! Won't freaking die!" Jericho dodged it a second time and kicked Chromium in the chest, but his foot would not come out.
"...???!!!"
Chromium smiled and finally hit an immobile Jericho with his hammer-for-an-arm.
WHAM! right through the window.
"Hrrg..." Jericho stood back up and looked around. "ErrOoo." He was in a gun shop.

"Your an assasin right? Then your most effective at close range. If you attack me, and you touch me, there wont be any fireballs to dodge Take that as a warning. Now, about this hideout of yours. How do I know you dont plan to kill me. Or anyone else" He added, glancing at Haze slightly. She didnt notice. But she looked at him oddly, she had heard nothing before "Take that as a warning."

"'Haze, we have an unwanted guest. On the S.W.A.T. Van'"

Haze was starting to consider breaking up the fighting. It seemed the males thought she was too weak to fight with them. None seemed to have noticed that she'd been deflecting bullets from hitting her person, simply by thought.

She turned her head as Flame spoke to her with his thoughts. She did something that surprised them all. She lifted the van with a simple thought, holding it up about 3 stories, I can shake the van, which being do you want removed? She asked Flame mentally.

He looked at her with surprise.

She shrugged and dropped the van. It crashed to the ground.

"What'd you do that for?" Oni shouted at her.

"Just to shake things up a bit," Haze said with a cheeky grin. Then she surprised them all by pushing the supers against the walls, the good supers were on the left wall, the bad on the right wall. "The police are coming, you should all leave before you're arrested." She looked at Oni, "Or should I say arrested again." Then she released them and walked through the clear path she'd created for herself, seeming to have shocked them with her abilities. Now they knew she was not to be trifled with.

((Ph34r this is way too much fun.  Slightly insane characters are always fun to write.))

Jack was momentarily stunned by Haze's display of power.  While he wasn't looking, Oni again backhanded him nearly knocking him off his feet.

"Ouchh.  I totally see where you come from with the blood stains.  That hobo's 3 legged dog I talked about earlier managed to latch onto my leg after I jacked this coat.  So I stuck it.  Who knew dogs bled so much?  And all over my new coat!"  He dodged a backfist with the right claw parrying the other, "Oh and there was this time when I was like 10 and this bully named... oh what was his name?  Oh right Fred!  He was beating me up.  He broke my nose.  The blood came gushing out my nose all over my school clothes.  My parents got so mad.  Speaking of broken noses..."

Jack saw his opening and shoved his open palm up into Oni's mask.  He heard the delicious sound of cracking bone and through the mask saw Oni's eyes beginning to water.  "Sorry to leave you Oni but I must depart."  Jack ran after Haze to trying to catch up.  He needed some help.  He knew she was a tele-person and maybe she could help him build a defense.

Haze turned to look, it seemed that Jack and Oni were fighting again. "Men," she said quite simply. The sound of sirens was already getting louder.

Then she heard footsteps heading her way. She turned to look and see Jack pursuing her. "Get bored did you?" She asked.

Jericho looked around the shop, everything was nice and neat. He was looking for spare clips and ammo.
"Let's see here...umm...da...da...Desert Eagle. There you are, hello." Jericho pulled open the drawer and grabbed 6 brand new clips and 2 boxs of .50 Action-Express cartriges.
"Damn these thing are getting expensive. I'll have to come in tomorrow and pay for this stuff." He smirked.
Jericho opened the door and walked out like nothing happened. He noticed everyone lined up against the wall like a picket fence. Jericho walked to his car, started it up, and waited for the opportune moment.

((500th post.))

Haze was momentarily distracted as a Shelby GT drove passed. She noticed Jericho behind the wheel and smiled.

Jack cleared his throat.

"Oh sorry, you wanted to talk to me," Haze said. "We should probably get away from here before the Police arrive. Or as I said before, are you bored?"

"Yes.  No.  That's not what I meant.  Well what I mean is, I need your help.  I feel this urge to ask you for some help.  Why, I do not know.  But I need some help.  I have this nagging to ask you to help me learn how to block my mind from telepathic attack.  The last time I was attacked mentally was by Mr. Hot-hands back there and he wasted me.  I'm would rather not that happen again in the future.  Think you'd be willing?"

Haze put her hands on her hips for a moment, then took Jack's hand. "Come on we've got to get out of here and since I owe you a favour for saving me from Mr Hungry I show you how."

"Great," Jack grinned.

Haze led Jack through a few alleyways and into a less seedy part of town. She could have taken him to her apartment but she didn't trust him that much just yet. Instead she took him to a small cafe that stayed open late. They sat down at a table and Haze spoke. "I must admit I'm telekinetic, although I do have some telepathic abilities. The simplest way to defend yourself is to count out of order."

"What?" Jack said looking confused.

A waitress placed two menus before them and Haze realised that she hadn't had dinner. "I mean you count like this: 10, 24, 80, 1.204, 1 etc. It confuses the person trying to probe your mind because you're making no logical sense."

Jack nodded starting to understand. "But how do I shield my mind?"

"That takes a lot of practice," Haze said then placed her hand on his forehead. Can you hear me?

"Yes," Jack said then released that Haze had spoken with her thoughts rather than her mouth.

I can only talk to you when I touch you because I'm not naturally a telepath. I can talk to Flame easily because he is a telepath. Now that you can hear me, try and push me out. Haze instructed.

With a quick tug on the E-brake, the Shelby slid around the corner flawlessly. Jericho reached over and popped open the door for Oni.
"Get in!"
Oni jumped in and slammed the door. Jericho floored it, and massive 428 engine pushed them over 120 Mph as they pulled out onto the road leading away from the alley.
"One thing though Oni, even though you are my boss, if you get any blood on the carpet, door panels, dashboard, the seats, the windshield or any other part of my car, I will kill you. Just remember that. Oh, and I kinda need to know where are we going, by-the-by."

Jack tried.  He was pretty sure he gave it his all.  But she was always there. 

"Well the counting numbers I can do because it is completely random.  I do random very well."

"You need to take this seriously Jack.  Of all the times you choose to continue on with me it has to be now.  Focus!"  And focus he did.  He was pretty sure the vein on his forehead was throbbing.  He was getting nowhere with this.  So he relaxed and tried this differently.  He envisioned everything.  He saw a 'hand' going through his mind.  Into his deepest thoughts.  He saw himself setting up walls around each individual memory.  The hand attempted to breach one of these walls but immediately recoiled.  He smiled to himself and opened his eyes and saw Haze take her hand away from his forehead smiling as well.

"And now Jack you have only begun to learn the first step.  Barring me from entering individual thoughts.  You must now learn how to keep me out completely."

"That was fun!  I especially like the self-gratification that comes with it.  Hey while you were probing my mind you didn't happen to find out any of my deepest darkest secrets did you?  By the way the teddy bear I slept with until I was 8 wasn't mine.  It belonged to my imaginary friend Joe.  HE was quite nasty to me sometimes..."

Hearing Flame's words echo in his head, Altair would have wanted to just shout his answer right then and there. However, his eyes were still recovering from Darklight's beam. Thinking loudly, Altair started with Well, figure that if we stay here, we die here. And I'm sure neither of us is up for that. So, do you want to live or not? Because I have no problem leaving you here. But I'd need more than just myself if I was to fight Darklight anytime soon. And considering we're the only ones still here, it might be smart to move before the two of us end up back in the slammer. So, hot-head, whattaya say?

Haze smiled, "No I can't read your mind, I can only talk to you and hear you talk back when we're touching. As I said I'm not really a telepath, it's just an extension of my telekinesis."

"Oh," Jack said looking a little embarrassed by his admission.

At that moment the waitress returned, "Are you ready to order?"

Haze didn't miss the fact that the waitress was looking at her funny. "I'll have a chicken salad and soda water."

Jack blinked and looked at the menu. "Ah, I'll have a steak sandwich and a coke."

With that the waitress took the menus and left them.

Haze now touched her fingers to Jack's. His hand was on the table top and once again she spoke directly into his mind. Now try pushing me out again, but try shielding your deeper thoughts and feelings.

She could feel the barriers going up so she could no longer communicate with him. If she wanted to she could shout in his mind, but that was the extent of her telepathic abilities. Flame would be the true challenge to Jack's fledgling skills.

Then Haze jumped slightly as she felt Jack's mind reach for hers. Hello? he called.

You're a fast learner. Haze said rather surprised.

You're a good teacher. He replied and smiled.

The waitress came out and looked at them. "You're a new couple aren't you? Can't stop staring into each others eyes. How sweet."

Haze felt a slight blush touch her cheeks. She didn't date, at least not very often. She tended to freak guys out when they found out that she could move things with her mind.

Jack folded his fingers around hers and brought them to his lips. "Yes we are a new couple," he told the waitress. She walked off looking rather dreamy. Once she was out of sight he released his hold on Haze's fingers.

"Nice cover," Haze said in response, feeling a little uneasy.

"Thanks for the lift, Jeri." Oni was very thankful of the get-out-of-jail-free card he had been given in the form of Jericho's car. "Personally, we should probably bebop on back to double H's. I need to recharge after all the tricks I pulled in the fight club. Can't believe that little punk broke my $^%# nose."

"Happens to the best of us, chief." Jericho replied.

Oni removed his cloaking device and placed it a compartment in Jericho's car, causing it to go invisible. "That oughta keep the fuzz off our beeline to the honeycomb hideout."

"People don't talk like that anymore, man. You can quit." Jericho told Oni, regarding the latter's form of speech.

Oni ignored him. "You stole that ammo, didn't you?"

"Yep."

Chromium watched as the heroes and villains fled the scene. He was disappointed with himself, he had accomplished nothing. He still needed to talk to Haze. Oni was, regretably, still alive. He decided to first speak with Haze and looked to see her and Jack running through an alley. Darklight was no where to be seen so he followed Haze and Jack. He covered himself with his black cloak but hesitated. He walked through a nearby broken shop window and got some civilian clothes and a back pack. He regreted stealing, yet he would be back later to reimburse the store because he didnt have his wallet on him at the moment. He took off his black cloak and stuffed it into the bag. Then he looked at himself and his silver metallic skin. Its sheen was undamaged and still shown brightly after the battle. Jericho's bullets bounced off like nothing and his kick to his chest was averted by liquifying his chest so it simply sank in. He was merciful with him however, he could have kept his chest solid and broken Jericho's foot. Chromium relaxed his body, taking the metal back in was more painful then releasing it through his pores. He sucked the liquified metal back through his pores and his normal skin shown once more. His shoulder length brown hair shot out ofhis scalp and his mustache and beard slowly grew from his face. His eyes of pure white light faded and his hazel eyes shown once again. He collapsed on the ground, naked and sweating. He heard the police sirens nearly there and quickly dressed in the civilian clothes. He then ran after Haze and Jack and hid in an alley as they walked into a restaraunt. Quite the hideout. He casually walked in and sat in the darkest corner of the restaraunt and ordered some coffee, which was terrible, and really wished he had his pipe. He glanced over at Haze and Jack. The waitress asked them if theyw ere a couple. Jack kissed her hand and said they were. They never lost eye contact. Either they were truly in love over having a telepathic conversation. That meant he couldn't eavesdrop this time. No matter, he only needed to speak to her about whether she was going to be a hero or a villain, he did not want to intrude upon their possible romance. He would have to wait it seemed.

When Jericho and Oni returned to Happy Harry's it was late that Wednesday night. Instead of going around back to the base, they parked out front & walked in the front door like repsectable customers. Happy Harry, a fairly overweight balding man in his late 50's was getting ready to close down for the night.

"How's it going, Oni? Things going good?"

"Not exactly." Oni grumbled. "Fix me a Sputnik cocktail, will ya?" Harry filled a glass with vodka and added some sour grape juice. One lone olive stuck to a toothpick bobbed in the drink like a buoy at sea.

"So," Jericho began, taking a shot of whiskey straight from the bottle. "Did you see that silver-looking guy? I kicked him, he felt like he was made of silly putty or something."

"Never heard of someone like him before." Oni said, troubled by the newcomer. "Just what I need, a frikkin' wildcard with less than 2 days till the meeting. You see where Flame went?"

"Big dragon guy? Last I saw him, he was talking to the white boy."

"Freakin' assassins. Just hope they don't kill the guy, he's kinda crucial to what I got planned."

"What about the gal-pal?"

"She worries me more than the silver guy. I dunno who's side she's on, and if she sides with the goodies, I may have to do something I'd regret."

"Lady Rosarie probably wouldn't like to hear that."

"Good thing she's locked up then." Oni finished his drink and moved to his back room to make some repairs and upgrades to his suit.

Jericho followed into the back room.
"Eh Oni, you got a gun cabinet or something? I mean, I'll pay for what I take or whatever, if you don't mind."

"What did you have in mind?"

"I'm thinking military grade weapons."

"I have a small collection, but I'm not really a gun guy."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Maybe."

"i don't usually use the stuff in here; I'm more of a concealed weapon kinda person. Element of surprise, ya know." Down in Oni's bunker, Oni opened a closet filled with military weapons. Rifles adorned the walls. In the room could also be found a few rocket launchers, a bazooka, a gatling gun, and even an old blunderbuss.

"What's this for?" Jericho asked, holding the final gun up.

"Blunderbuss. Can use anything that'll fit as ammo. Great in a pinch, you may want to keep that."

"How much is this gonna ring me up?"

"Consider it on the house, unless you break something."

"Seriousloy?"

"Nah, just take what you want and we'll chalk it up to rewards for your steadfast friendship."

Oni walked over to a workshop desk and began making adjustments to his armor after it was recharged and replenished. Among the new toys were blades that ran along the sides of his arms ((think Harry Osborn from Spider-man 3)). On his right arm there was a sonic emitter, on his left a small concussion blaster. He also took the liberty of adding more padding to his facemask and jockstrap. To top it off, Oni made some adjustment to the electrical current that was used in the stun-whip and stun bolts to run through the whole suit, so every blow would slightly shock his attacker.

"whoa! Oni, the heck are you ding with a chick in your basement?!?" Jericho screamed suddenly. Oni assumed he had found the body of Starlight ((see page 1)), still sedated until Oni needed her.

"Oh, her? Yeah stopped her from busting a drug ring the other day, decided to keep her as a possible hostage in case $#*^ goes down Friday."

"You really went the extra mile, eh?"

"Yep. And things are still going all topsy-turvy."

Jack could only smile awkwardly.  What the heck was he thinking!  He wasn't sure if he was attracted to her.  The last time he thought he liked someone was in the 10th grade just before his parents died.  But as soon as he told her about his superhero parents and that he had the smallest mutant ability she ran away.  He had dropped out of high school 2 weeks after when his parents died.  He slowly rose and began to make his way back. 

"Thanks for the lesson."  Stupid idiot.  That was all you could say?  When it comes to this stuff Jack was never Dr. Smooth.  He made his way back to the battle scene to grab his trenchcoat.

Tanis saw Jack get up and leave abruptly and he saw his chance to talk to Haze, yet he waited a moment to see if she would stop him.

Haze watched as Jack left like he’d just be told she had rabies. She shouldn’t have been surprised, such behaviour towards her was the norm. The waitress returned with their meals and looked surprised, “Where’d your boyfriend go?”

“Oh he’s a fireman, got a call.” Haze told.

The waitress nodded, “I’ll leave his meal in case it was a false alarm.”

Haze nodded and started eating her chicken salad. She wondered why she bothered helping Jack. But now she didn’t owe him anything. He however owed her for the dinner bill.

Once she’d finished, Haze paid the waitress and left. She had a feeling she was being followed but didn’t see anyone. She made her way home, taking the most indirect route. Eventually she lost the sense of being pursued.

Haze walked into the rear entrance of her apartment block and climbed the stairs that no one seemed to use. When she reached the fourth floor she took her key from her vest pocket and went into her apartment.

Elmo her black and white cat meowed at her demandingly. “I know I forgot to give you dinner.” Haze smiled as Elmo as she scratched him under the chin. He was only 8 months old. She’d found him in a garbage bag left on the street. At such times Haze wondered why she hadn’t joined the bad supers.

After feeding Elmo, Haze checked her messages and had one from her cousin, Maria. Haze sighed Maria Dunlap was actually Starbright in the super’s world.

Haze shucked off her vest as the recording played: “Hi Kaylene, this is Maria. Just letting you know that I’m going out. I’m checking out some news on Oni. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

Haze froze, she’d seen Oni tonight and Starbright hadn’t been one of the supers fighting him. Haze immediately picked up the phone to call her cousin. The phone rang out and went to Maria’s voicemail. Haze left a quick message then hung up.

Haze decided to go to Maria’s apartment. She had a feeling that things had gone very wrong with Starbright’s plan.

Tanis stood at the foot of the stairs of Haze's building, he was debating whether to just walk up and knock on her door or not. He waited for her to finish her meal and then he would go over and speak with her at her table. Yet she quickly left and never gave him a chance to talk. Just then he heard a door close and lock. He backed up into the shadows and watched as Haze walked down the stairs. He had his cloak on over his civilian clothes and he walked in front of Haze and blocked her path. She stopped and he stood there for a few seconds. His cloak blowing gently in the breeze and the silence of the night was only slightly disrupted by the sound of distant sirens and city noise.

Haze looked at the man who blocked her path, he seemed vaguely familiar. “What do you want?” She asked.

“Just a moment of your time,” he said.

“Look if you’re trying to sell me something, I’m not interested.” Haze told as she started to move around him.

Once again he blocked her path. “I want to know who’s side you’re on.”

Haze tilted her head slightly, “Really? At the moment I’m on no one’s side. I’ve got something to do.”

“What is so urgent at this hour?” He asked.

“I’m looking for Starbright.” Haze told more out of frustration than anything else.

That surprised the man, “Why Starbright?”

“Why not?” Haze retorted, really starting to get annoyed.

“It just surprises me, Starbright is in league with Darklight.” The man said.

“That’s nothing new, I’m told they’re something of an item. Although that’s merely the press for you.” Haze said, trying to find out what exactly this man wanted.

The man reached out and touched Haze’s arm. She recoiled immediately, he felt strange. Her telekinesis sensed something different about this man. “You’re a super, aren’t you?” She asked.