Akira's Story

While Marc was looking out, A vortex suddenly appeared and disappeared in a blink of an eye. A naked young man hovered for a second where the vortex appeared before smashing on the ground, unconscious. His body was filled with injuries.

Abigail was hard at work in her clinic as she always was. Living in this part of Gotham kept her busy. The crime was high, injuries were common. Illness was common. People were so poor they couldn't afford to go to the hospital. The clinic was full almost all hours of the day, though the citizens at least tended to try to give her a few hours to rest each night.

The young man that had appeared from thin air was lucky he'd touched down where he had. A cry was raised in the streets and it drew Abby's attention away from the old, arthritic woman she was working with. "I'll be right back, Molly," she told the woman. Her long, blonde braid swung over her shoulder as she spun away and headed for the door.

She stepped outside and pushed through the throng of people. Abby's eyes widened when she saw the man laying in the middle of the street. Her cool, smooth hands traced over one of the cuts on his face. She looked up at a few of the men standing around them. "Quickly, get him to my clinic," she said. And she jumped up as one man lifted the stranger, running to her clinic and holding the door open so he could be carried inside.

As the man was laid down on one of the cots, Abby turned the lights so that they would be at the proper angles. She knelt next to the man and leaned over him, pulling one of his eyelids open. Then, she began to pluck at the light in the way only she understood. She sent patterns of healing colors into his eye and spoke to him in gentle, soothing tones.

It was dark and quiet. After a while there was a slow voice that sounded like its underwater and echoing. Bright white suddenly fills the darkness and the sound became clearer but the voice was still echoing.

"Who?... What?..." Akira question in confusion

He could only see white but he felt something touching his face and attempted to waved it away with his hand. Suddenly, he started to feel pain all over his body.

"uhh..." Akira moaned

Color started to fill his vision. A blur figure of something yellow can be seen and heard, calling him.

Akira was shocked when his vision fully recovered. He woke up to see a blonde haired girl and jumped up in reflex.

"what?!" Akira said with a surprised voice "where am I? Who are you?" He questioned loudly

He looked down the bottom parts of his body and notice he was naked, sitting up without any cloths on, cuts and bruises all over his body.

"What the fuck?!" He yelled in shock

Frankly, Joshua had way too much on his mind at the time "No pun intended" He thought to himself with a slight smirk, and yet he had been charged by Batman and the other absent Superheros to put together a team, a group of special people with special facilities who might aide him in cleaning up Gotham and restoring some order to the broken city.

To assist him in this task the combined intellects of Doctor Bruce Banner, Stephan Strange and Tony Stark had constructed a special recruiting device. The machine had the ability to pull any life form from the furthest reaches of space, or even another dimension, into this reality.

The mechanism was limited in that it could only effect those who were already in the process of crossing into another dimension. In effect, it changed the course of ones travel through any trans-dimensional field, to reroute that course and bring that person into a specified reality, or some other period within that same time-frame.

After that, it was only a matter of discovering the location of these individuals, the machine tends to develop a glitch from time to time, making it harder to accomplish. The task of tracking down these individuals was easily accomplished when enough money is thrown at the problem, and which Joshua Thomas paid for out of his own pocket.

Joshua was already on his way when the young mysterious man touched down, so to speak, now pulling up to the corner clinic. Alby, his driver came around and opened the limousine door and escorted Joshua out of the vehicle and into the small building.

"where am I? Who are you?" Was what Joshua first heard upon entering the clinic.

"You are on Earth my dear lad." The unexpected yet well dressed man said.

Abby jumped a little when the man jumped up. She raised her hands to show that she was not there to hurt him. The woman was about to answer his question when someone behind her beat her to it. As she turned to face the newcomer, her eyes widened and she quickly folded her arms, hiding her crystalline hands. This guy looked like he was from the government. And the government was not safe for people like her.

Abby moved away while the man's focus was on the injured, and she slipped behind a curtain, grabbing a pair of latex gloves and pulling them on. There. Now she was properly covered. She grabbed one of the cloth robes that she kept on hand for when patients needed to undress, then popped back around the curtain.

"Here," she said, still using that calm, soothing voice. "You're quite alright here." Abigail glanced over to the man, frowning. "Of course he's on Earth. Where else would he be? And who are you? We've done nothing wrong here. You're going to scare my patients."

Akira grabbed the robe given by Abby and quickly covered his bottom parts in panic.

"how did I get here?!" Akira questioned in his shaken state "What region is earth in?!"

Joshua sensed a high level of initial distrust, it was also becoming clear that his presence had caused some disturbance. Not wanting to scare anyone he stepped closer to the young doctor and the alien visitor.

"Well, you are on the planet Earth which lies within a section of the universe commonly known as the Milky Way." Joshua paused at that point to let the young man absorb the avalanche of information, then turning to the blond woman.

"Let me assure you that I'm not from the government, if that's what your thinking. I'm from a private organization, for which I do some freelancing. I have brought this young man to our planet, in the hope that he would be willing to help us."

Joshua looked back at the awestruck visitor. "I realize that I have no right to snatch you from your reality, and if you choose not to aid us Ill understand. I cannot guarantee that if I put you back on the original course from which you were liberated, that you will end up in a better situation. That one dimensional transference may have meant your death."

Joshua figured that he had bombarded these poor people with enough information, but before he stepped back to await their reply he added one final comment.

"Although I have used the same methods that the government would have used to track both of you down, let me assure you that I have used my contacts to expunge any information that other interested parties might have on you . And to you sir, I promise that no one will ever learn of your existence within this world, assuming that you accept my proposal."

Joshua had walked into a room full of pain and sadness, just to his left there lay an old woman who was crying over the recent loss of a loved one. Joshua could tell that the Abigail was very weary of him and of his intentions, she was clearly trying her best to prevent anyone from knowing about her special abilities.

Joshua needed to gain their trust before negotiations could continue and so he decided to make the first move toward achieving some sense of mutual trust.

"Abigail! Yes, I even know your name. You are no doubt wondering how I could know all these things about you, well let me assure you that there are some very powerful beings upon this planet. Some of these people, generally speaking, are all too human, but they have their own unique......gifts? You might say."

Joshua turned his head to ensure that he also had the visitors attention.

"One such individual, who may be call Mr X, can detect the presence of any......mutant, for lack of a better term, anywhere in the world. He has recently been developing his ability to detach those individuals with any variety of super powerful abilities. That's how I can know of you Abigail Brandt. You are not alone!"

Joshua then stretched out his right arm and opened his upturned hand, in an instant something spectacular occurred. Joshua's hand had burst forth into a brilliant blue spirit-flame.

In that moment the old crying widow sitting on the nearby cot immediately stopped her sobbing, as a feeling of complete and utter happiness swept over her mind.

Joshua looked over at Abigail and Akira. "You might say, that I know a thing or two about the abstract conception of true, pure goodness."

Abigail's eyes narrowed when the man said her name. Then he said her full name. Those who knew her in the slums of the city simply called her Spectra, in honor of the skills she had. Very, very few knew her real first name. And none knew her last name.

And here this man was, calling her a mutant. What kind of term was that?! She burned with anger. But he'd said… she was not alone. She'd had no idea there were others. Her heart leapt a little, and her eyes widened as she watched the man show them his own powers. It was… beautiful. Abby's eyes glanced to the widow, who was suddenly perfectly content. She could have given her the same release, had she had the chance before the injured stranger had… popped in.

Abigail peered at this well-dressed man for a moment longer, then she looked down at her gloved hands. She bit her lip, thinking for a moment, then slowly removed the rubber gloves and tossed them aside, revealing her crystalline hands, which sent glittering rainbows dancing around the room. Rainbows which, should she choose, Abby could wield in a myriad of ways. But she did not, for the moment.

The young woman turned to her other patients and moved among them, speaking softly to each. Soon enough, the small clinic had been cleared and Abby closed the door behind them. She stepped back over, peering between the two men. She looked to the apparently other-worldly being first. "Um, the robe? If you put it over your shoulders, it will cover more than just.. that part." She offered him a small smile, then turned her gaze to the other man. "Well, you seem to know a lot about me, but you have yet to give us your name." She shoved her hands into her pockets, always afraid that people would stare. "I like to know who I'm speaking to."

Akira examined the robe and realized it was some kind of clothing. He quickly put it on awkwardly.

Akira was really confused of what was currently happening. The last thing he could remember was being sucked into a vortex which should've killed him but here he is in a strange place. Both Abby and Joshua was displaying their powers which was a sight usual in his dimension. He wasn't really amazed by them but listened quietly and carefully to know more of what is happening.

Joshua's suddenly realized that he had been a bit rude not introducing himself, after all it would have been the courteous thing to do, particularly before unloading the barrage of revelations upon the unsuspecting Abigail and Akira.

"Please excuse me, my names is Joshua Thomas. I represent certain interesting parties, who have entrusted me with a most important mission, this Being the clean up of Gotham city and the reestablishment of its civil security institutions. The city is in utter chaos, as I'm sure you have noticed. Rival gangs and other organized criminal elements are vying for control over the city. Those who have charged me with this task; many of them I'm sure your are familiar with, to some degree. Unfortunately they are all away on an important mission, one which has taken them far beyond our galaxy. That is why I need your help, the both of you I mean."

Joshua stepped closer to the two potential recruits, turning his head to face Abigail.

"So, I'm sure that you have many questions to ask of me, not the least being how I have come to know your truest identity. A man by the name of Charles Xavier led me to you, you see he is that certain individual that I mentioned somewhat cryptically moments ago, that can detach any human who possesses powers and abilities like your own."

Stepping back several feet Joshua raised his left hand and again it was ignited into a blue flame, and even though Joshua was very standing very close to them they could feel no heat coming from the flame.

"You might refer to this as a spirit-flame, the archetype of all physical manifestations of flame........It is the Flame of Azure. Many years ago I foolishly sought ultimate knowledge, the ability to understand and comprehend the essential nature of human kind, the dichotomy of good and of evil. Needless to say, such absolute knowledge is not meant to be known fully by a single individual, and my head nearly exploded from the pressure of the burden of this knowing. In the end I was saved, but at a high cost, for the Unfathomable One was forced to divide my consciousness into two separate beings, in order that I might not be torn asunder. I became the keeper of the flame of knowledge of ultimate good, my counterpart became Demiorgus, the keeper of the knowledge of absolute evil."

Joshua took a deep breath before making use of the chair which stood behind him, then with his hand still raised and glowing.

"This little demonstration is the limit of what I can do, as far as showing you my abilities. In fact, whenever I become the Astral Spectre I must do so in another realm of existence, a type of pocket universe into which only I may travel. It is there that I must adorn a special designed suit which insulates my flame from the world around me, for if I should expose the true nature of that form.....Well, it could prove disastrous....on a global scale. Not so much in terms of physical destruction, but rather the harm which would befall mankind should ultimate knowledge be released into the world."

Joshua lowered his hand as the blue flame dissipated.

"Its strange, you wouldn't think that too much goodness could be a bad thing." This last sentence Joshua had spoken in a much lower tone, almost as a contemplative whisper to himself.

Abigail was silent as she listened. It was a lot to take in. A ton, actually. She had just gone from thinking herself a total freak, to finding out there were actually more like her- to hearing about other galaxies and dimensions. She felt her head spinning and she immediately reached up to put a hand over her eyes as she turned toward the light, using her powers for just a moment to calm her head.

Finally, she dropped her hand away and turned back to the two men. She didn't know what to do. She had come to the city to help- but she'd been perfectly content "helping" as a healer. What would these people do without her? Many had come to rely on her for regular therapy. But the city was a mess, as Joshua had said. If the city didn't get cleaned up, then there was little Abby could do to help these people anyway, for they'd all be torn apart by the crime.

"Too much of anything can be a bad thing," Abby responded quietly. She let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, I'll help."

Akira was on a sitting position. He stood up.

"I don't really understand everything of you are saying... what's yer name, Joshua Thomas? but from what you said. It was you who directed me to this world. I really do hope you can send me back to my world. I still have some unsettled business there"

Akira took a step forward but was stopped from the pain of his wounds

"mnnh" he grunted while placing a hand where his ribs are "do you have some healing potions or abilities to heal my wounds? It really hurts"

"Im afraid I amnot a healer, but if you are having problems dealing with the emotional state of being severly injured, I could alievatie thoseconcerns. Im sure Spectra is far more quailified to assist you in a mediacal manner." Joshua paused briefkly.

"But as to your other concerns.....Well, technically, I didn't bring you here, the machine created by Doctor Banner, Dr Strange and Tony Stark, did all the work. I just activated it." Joshua stood up once again. "And while I can indeed put you back in your own time, I cannot guarantee that you will survive. Whoever it was that had blasted you into another dimension, probably meant for it to kill you, So...."

After Joshua had explained the facts of life to Akira he turned to Abigail and thanked her. "I, and all of Gotham, appreciate what you have done today. With your help." Turning his head toward Akira. "...I'm sure we will accomplish great things. Well have this city up and running in no time."

Joshua then stepped away from Abigail and Akira, before he returned to the limousine that awaited him, he closed the conversation. "I will make the necessary arrangements. You will both....."

Pausing to cast one final gaze toward the stranger from the sky.

"...If indeed your answer is to positive Akira. I have reserved several levels of my building to serve as our base of operations, seeing as the Batcave is completely useless to us now."

Joshua turned and walked out of the clinic, his last words trailing off as his pace quickened. "You shall each have a level to your self."

Abby looked to Akira when he asked about healing his wounds. Well, she had been trying to help with that before he'd decided to jump up and freak out. She would help him, but she was distracted as Joshua turned to leave. She blinked, confused. All of a sudden he seemed like he was in a hurry to leave.

Abigail was about to ask what building he was talking about when he hurried off, muttering about them each having an entire level of this building to themselves. What was she going to do with an entire level of a building? All Abby had in her life was this tiny clinic and the little apartment above. That was all she had needed.

Once Joshua was gone, she turned back to Akira. "If you lay back down, I will do what I can for your wounds. I can bandage them and take the pain away. Then we can see about getting you some clothes." She frowned a little. "Don't worry, I'm almost as confused as you are… But I suppose he'll send someone for us… or something. It'll work out."

Only seconds after Joshua had exited the building his personal driver returned to the clinic to give the man and woman some more details.

"I'm sorry. Mr Thomas seems to suffer from the delusion that everyone knows everything about him. The double T towers are located on 5Th and Westmore. Bid farewell to the quality of life of which you are normally accustomed, Mr Thomas insists on the best of everything, for himself and his associates."

The driver ended the one-sided conversation without saying word, he simply turned on his heels and walked out of the room.

Akira watched as the driver left. He turned to Abby.

"can I just sit instead of laying down..." Akira questioned before sitting on the bench nearby. His mood wasn't great from the pain he was feeling.

He looked around, examining the clinic.

"this new world is certainly different from mine" he paused for a second before questioning "double T towers... 5Th and Westmore... you know where that is?"

Anthony got up and walked into the clinic "Do I look healthy to anyone here?" He asked cuts and bruises from his crime fighting he looked around and saw Abby and Akira he then sat down.

Abigail looked up when Joshua's driver walked into the clinic. She took note in her mind of the address he gave and was about to thank him when he turned and walked back out. Huh. These people were strange. Very strange.

Abby watched Akira walk over to the bench near the door, where her patients usually sat while they awaited her attentions. "Yes, of course. That's fine," she said soothingly. She slipped behind the curtain once more and grabbed various bandages, salves, and alcohol to clean his wounds with. The young woman walked back out and tilted the light on its stand toward Akira, then she moved over and sat next to him.

"Keep your eyes open, look into the colors that you see through my hand, and just relax," she said. Abby slid her cool, hard hand across the stranger's eyes and concentrated. With his eyes open, Akira would see each separate color of the rainbow flash by in quick progression. Each color tended to a separate system of the body. Slowly, he would start to feel less pain, have more energy, and just generally rejuvenated. After a few minutes, his pain would disappear entirely, and thus it would stay when Abigail pulled her hands away and quickly got to work at cleaning and bandaging his wounds.

Abby was taping the last bandage around Akira's leg when the teenager came into her clinic, looking quite worse for the wear. She gave Akira's a gentle pat before jumping up to walk over to the teen. "What happened to you?" she asked. She looked him over for a moment, then left his side to gather more materials. She came back and ran through the exact same process she had given Akira.

"it's complicated, I actually know how to do something like that kinda can't fix anything." Anthony said then looked at her he held his hand next to his chest and spoke "Incerta merenda." He said fire appearing in his hands he then closed it the fire going out he saw a broken part of the roof "Raparo normana." the roof started to fix itself he then looked at the floor "I'm a freak aren't I.".