Setting
Ezrael tutted sharply, as if trying to cut off the casual introductions. "Welcome everybody to the second meeting of the Terran Militia. I notice we're short at least two members, Vegeshin Kanahashi and ah... That new woman I threw a chair at. But let's not dilly-dally, we're all very busy and quite frankly I don't wish to spend much time here."
Patchi was signalling to Derrick now, gesturing to see if he wanted to join the camping trip.
"So let's get down to business," Ezrael continued. "As our numbers grow, I think it is best we all keep well associated with each other. Not just within work but outside of it. Training, socializing, generally working as a team. But that starts here. Let us introduce ourselves and state whatever business we wish to bring to the table."
"I am Ezrael. I am an adept mage skilled in enchantments and constructions. Today I bring us enchanted Militia badges for the purpose of communicating with each other. I'll pass you on to Patchi."
The half-saiyan lowered his feet from the table and dusted himself off. "I um, hey guys, I'm Patchi Boy. I was a soldier for three years and before that I was a local playing in a band. Right now I'm on contract with some agency for the handling of dangerous creatures. I can bench press a car without too much trouble, fly and shoot frickin' laser beams. I um... I guess if anything I wanted to bring up the topic of drugs. And what we do about them..."
He shrugged sheepishly and sat down, letting the next person introduce themselves.
A light smile played across her lips as she noted that the meeting seemed to be underway in the form of introductions. "Sorry I'm late, there were orphanages that needed filling," she offered by way of explanation.
Approaching the table, she pulled out an available chair to spin it around backwards so that she could straddle it and rest her arms on the back.
"I'm Kianna, pyromancer by trade," she offered to the group. "Not a bad swordswoman either."
Sharp eyes looked over those present, lingering perhaps a moment longer on the figure of Stryfe before moving on. Ethan and Shei she had already met briefly, as well as Ezrael. The others remained less known to her and drew more of her attention for the time being.
He'd been on his way, expecting to arrive early when a series of explosions rocked the city in the distance. Obliging to his duty, he'd veered off to investigate the cause and the ramifications. As he arrived, he took note of the growing casualty rate; buildings burning and toppling whilst explosions continued to increase in number. He had to wait until local authorities and EMT's arrived before taking off to catch the source. Only when he reached the source did he realize who it was. A single being that hadn't been seen around Wing City for some time. Nox Infernal. The demented creation of his brother Kazura. Released from his bounds, Nox was free to do as he wished these days, rather than answer to Kazura. As he stared down the opposing force, he was perplexed as he witnessed strange devices within the curled arms of Nox. It was then that Vegeshin realized these buildings weren't ordinary buildings, but instead buildings that held rather interesting technology. The explosions were simply collateral damage that Nox hardly cared about. The ends justified the means, so it appeared.
"Well, Nox. Now that you have a functioning brain these days, it looks like your putting it to use. A shame you're not using it properly. Why are you doing this? For what purpose do you need those trinkets for, and why extinguish the lives of the innocent just to get it? Answer me!" He'd bellowed, expecting a rather short, snarky, answer.
"Oh how drab and droll. Of all the people on this planet I'd have to run into whilst doing this, it just had to be you. If you must know, dark days are coming half-breed. For now, you only need to know that you'd best prepare yourself. The others as well. Everyone, truly. In the coming days, expect paradise to become pandemonium."
With hardly a second to spare, Vegeshin soaked up each and every word he could before racing forward. Nox was set to pay for his misdeeds. But having encountered Nox only once, he was hardly prepared for a full fledged battle. Having discarded the equipment he'd stolen, Nox quickly set out on offense, clashing with Vegeshin in a whirlwind of punches and kicks. An explosive dome of force rippled outward as both beings were sent careening backward, Nox's right cheek left with a daunting indent that seemed comically implausible for any flesh and bone being; but then again, Nox was of flesh, and no bone. A devious creature that could manipulate his body any way he saw fit.
As Vegeshin found himself crashing into the side of a building, implanting himself within it, he was dizzied and disoriented. By the time he'd come to, Nox had already crossed the necessary distance to drive his knee into the half-Saiyan's rib cage. As the force of the strike drive saliva out of Vegeshin's mouth, a second more fierce strike of Nox's knee left Vegeshin expelled of his air. Having been unprepared, Vegeshin found his consciousness waning.
The next moment his eyes opened, Nox was gone, as was the equipment. With no signs, or signatures he could detect, Vegeshin turned his focus back upon the wounded and near dead below. He spent time aiding EMT's and other authorities in retrieving bodies, alive and dead and, when he found he could offer no more assistance, took his leave to try and make the meeting.
Upon the moment he stood before the door to the conference room, he opened it and took his entrance. Noting all the faces, some familiar, some not, he casually stalked over to an empty seat; his hand brushing at his shoulders to remove trace amounts of dust and rubble. He appeared far from in pristine condition, his left cheek swollen and showing signs of being roughed up. His outfit was slightly tattered, a large tear within his right sleeve that ran all the way to his mid back. Of course there was no time to change his clothes. He was late as it was. They'd have to deal with it. Overhearing the words of others, he realized there were introductions being made again, probably for the new faces he'd not met. As Kianna finished here words, Vegeshin, having taken a seat already, chimed in directly afterword.
"Pardon my late arrival. I ran into a bit of trouble that needed taking care off. Suffice to say, it didn't go as planned. So, do forgive my untidy appearance. It seems introductions are being made again, so I'll take my turn now." He spoke before clearing his throat. "I'm Vegeshin Kanahashi, a half-Saiyan, half-Youkai, hybrid. I'm not from Terra, in all actuality. I'm from a parallel reality, I suppose you could say. How I wound up here was out of complete chance, but I've chosen to stay and do what I can. I saw purpose in the Militia, and saw a need for figures of my type to protect the innocent, so therefore this is why you see me here." He explained before his brows narrowed. "I bring to the table brute strength, keen intellect, and an adept skill at harnessing, and utilizing, energy in various ways." He finished, before folding his hands, his fingers interlacing with one another.
What was that silly little badge Ezrael was holding? He must have missed what he'd said. Hopefully, he'd be explained its purpose in due time, but for now his focus went back to Nox and what the devious creature had said. A warning, no less. What had the being meant by dark days were to come? And why did he need that equipment. What was its purpose? He'd have to have a word with the other members when he had the opportune chance.
And with concern in his eyes he saw the trail of fresh blood glimmer in the pale light of the night moon. Oh how horrible a fate to be taken and eaten alive by some beast. This must have been the reason for the Angel's beckoning to save the poor person from this being and death itself.
John neared the underpass and recited to himself a small prayer; the prayer though wasn't one for himself but for the victim of this beast. A beast that John knew he must slay if he was given the chance. Not the first time for the warrior to have battled vileness in his long life.
So further in he went until he saw the rotting log and could hear the horrible sounds flesh being devoured. The sight of entrails lying on the dying grass and the smell of blood thick in the air.
"Beast!" John yelled. "Leave the body alone!" He said, yelling as if yelling at an animal to halt.
It was but a second before the bladed monstrosity known as Satanity would creep from the hallows. A violent, deep growl rumbling into the night air. "You want this body?" The sadistic voice would rise, before a soft laughter graced his blood stained lips, a snarl on his maw before a violent bark and a snap towards the stranger that had approached his meal.
"Be like the rest of the scavengers. Once I finish my meal you can take whats left." He growled and stood his ground. It was common in the wild to be confronted over ones prey. Not so common when you're a four and a half foot tall, five hundred pound dire wolf covered in one hundred eighty titanium blades. But he didn't have the blades his entire life. And would not give up his meal so easily. Though he was about half full, and the corpse about a quarter desecrated.
Tongue would lap over blood stained razors as his diabolic blood shot eyes would glare towards the newcomer to his feast.
His long brown hair done up in a male ponytail and his facial hair groomed in a neatly trimmed bread. His piecing green eyes looked furiously at the vile being whose maw was covered in blood soaked fur and large threatening fangs. And he didn't show any fear in his face or inclining that he was going to turn back. Except now that he knew the beast could speak his anger only grew all the more.
That an intelligent beast like this would kill this poor man while in his prime, and would rip him apart with no concern or guilt. To take the life of another intelligent being when there was other animals or meals to be had in the forests, this was unforgivable in this old warriors mind.
His usual smiling face replaced by a scowl that would appear whenever he should look on this monster. He quickly pulled back the flaps over his tanned overcoat and revealed a blade strapped to his waist. He drew the blade Naegling and pointed it at the direwolf.
"Be gone now beast or I will kill you!" he said, his voice full and commanding. "I promise you I will strike you down if you continue on with this pray. So I warn you now that it would be much easier and safer if you only eat prey that crawls in the forest. Do so now and never pray on innocent like these again or I will be forced to cut you down."
"It is easy for one such as yourself to beg for the life of these beings. It is easy, when you're not the one tortured. Torn from your home, watching your entire family die by their... guns!" He roared mightily. Tearing back a portion of the landscape with his front left paw.
"It is so easy for your kind to look at mine, with prejudice. And not care for our families that were torn, destroyed, murdered in their prime." He snarled, "While these.. things. Prey upon every life they deem themselves greater than, you mark me as scum, for preying pack." He began to laugh evily.
Yes, this wolf was very intelligent. The tests and experiments as well as thousands of injections he endured made it so he could speak with their tongue. They have to be able to communicate with their tools right?
Satanity was in no mood for this childish favoritism. "You follow a god. Ask your god if his people, hunting and eating mine, wearing our skin as clothes! Makes me a 'beast'" He lashed his tongue at the word, "in his eyes, for doing the same in return. If an eye for an eye is not fair, then by all means."
He growled and flexed his muscles, all one hundred eighty blades stood on end, "Come, and strike me down. And I will show you your god, does not scare me. For my god thrives on balance." He growled in a violent manner. While clearly enraged, this wolf did not lose himself. He seemed a well hardened, battle born warrior. The lust for blood in his eyes was gone, now only left with the look for justice. Equality. Satanity would fight for every word he spoke.
John nodded his head at every statement the creature made, and his eyes that were filled with anger also began to fill with pity. The being had been through much and certainly that was not a fate that John wished upon any living creature.
"You are correct, beast." he said. "Man has been unkind too many of the great creations of this universe, but man has also been unkind to itself as well. There are many who have lived and been torn from home and watched as their families burn. Actions have taken place that have made many children orphans and wives widows. Your kind are not the only ones to suffer at the hands of man. For many are lost and hurt themselves." He said, lowering his sword as his words carried for weight. Perhaps this being could be talked down.
"This man you have taken though...he did not do these things to you. He was not the one that harmed your body and ripped your family apart. He was innocent and you know that. And no matter how you try to reason it, my friend, this person did no wrong towards you. So do not condemn him of the crimes he didn't commit." John said, putting his sword away and looking into the being's eyes. Looking with his green eyes that seemed to look deeper into the creature. Like he was looking right at the soul.
"You are in so much pain, my friend." he said. "And do not believe the misconception of striped down verses without the full word behind them. I can help you...Heal you if you let me. This is not who you were meant to be, but what man's sin has deemed you to be." John lifted his hand to be beast and took a knee to look at him at his level. "I can help you."
What was this... feeling? These voices? He growled softly, his blades settling back against his flesh. "No, he was not one, but he was human none the less." Satanity sighed, for the first time the animosity in his voice died, and he spoke seriously, "A species that destroys itself.. need not seek my pity."
He looked away from John. As the divine energy radiated from his body he found himself unable to look at the man. More out of disappointment in himself, and he knew not where these feelings came from.
"I have not felt pain for many years.. they've made it so I can't." A slight animosity returning to his voice, "And I'm quite fine with that. My only family now, is the others... experiments. And they hunt me now as well." He turned his back towards the man.
"You may take this body," He motioned his head towards he log, "For I am finished feeding." He laughed softly, "As humans would say... you have to eat to live ya?" He glanced back over his wolven shoulder towards John, "There are many creatures in their food chain.. they just happen to be in mine. So you must forgive me if I should continue my actions." As he spoke the angelic wings seemed to vanish.
"There is no helping me... but soon we shall help this world..." He began to stalk towards the shadows of the night, only stopping wait for the mans response...
"I will thank you for standing down, but I'm afraid I can not let you devour any more innocent people like the one you took recently. While you may have to eat to survive and humans have wronged you there are those that need not be swept up by this hunger." He said, hunger holding two meaning as he spoke of the wolf's diet and his vengeance. "And while you might believe there is no helping you I am afraid I'm going to have to disagree with that."
John continued his kneel as he wished to remain on the wolf's level and show that he was concerned for him. To show the being that there was someone that cared for him. As foreign and strange that might be for many to accept, John honestly believed in forgiveness and second chances.
"Do not leave, my friend." he said. "Please come with me and I will find a way for you. To help and heal you. I will be by your side and accept you into my family." John smiled and it seemed warmth and love radiated from it. "Lord knows it's plenty big enough, but there is always more room." He laughed.
John reached behind his head and pulled on his ponytail slightly. A little mannerism of his ever since he grew the damn thing. He reached out his hand once more to the wolf. "Come follow me." he said. "The energy in you...the energy you feel I can help you with as well. Angelic energy is something I am familiar with. So please come with me and I'll help you."
He looked back towards the night and shook his head, "Show me man can carry compassion for my kind, even as I am now. That more than just a.. blessed being, can care for what is true. All creatures are intelligent, to one degree or a next."
He smiled at the thought, "And many of us require that red meat to survive. It is the cycle of life." He glance back towards John one last time, "The only thing that makes them better is their tools. I have a feeling we shall meet again. Hopefully on better terms." Satanity turned away and took off into the night. Quickly, him, and his energy, would be gone into the shadows. Off to hidden shallows at the wing city lake to clean up, and to some sanctuary for rest.
Jacob Haley, terrorist, murder, fugitive, and shell of his former self still carrying delusions of grandeur around like an ID. He looked towards Riley and the other men and women. They were all quiet, only the sounds of their breath could be heard save for the rustling of the cuffs Jacob were that kept him chained to the vehicle.
"I take it you blokes don't like appearing Human." Jacob said, "I guess that makes sense. Why ruin the mood by actually pretending to be anything but cold, unfeeling killers."
The irony was lost on the young Englishman, as always.
"Where you all from?" He asked, "I'm from London." Jacob told the group, "Nice place. The birds are fine. But, the girls here in Wing City? Pretty fuckable." Jacob continued, "Like, that one chick, the one who kept only wearing purple with the foul mouth and nice tits. I'd do things to her mouth that-..."
Jacob was cut short when Riley punched him in the face, knocking the young man unconscious.
"Why'd you do that?" A soldier asked Riley, "I dated Mary in high school. Not a fan of pricks like this one talking about her like that." Riley answered.
That special event was explosions.
There was a small, black object in the middle of the lane that the Seraphin Carrier rolled down, no bigger than a mouse. It would begin beeping, then blinking rapidly as it approached. When it rolled over it, it would begin it all.
Boom, went the bass. A group of shadowy figures watched patiently, waiting.
He had chosen his position so that behind him, the stairway exit tot he roof at least stopped his head from sticking out like a sore thumb should anyone look up; plus, it could always be used as cover should any fire go his way.
Now he had to wait. He didn't want to reveal his presence too early, after all.
"This is Alpha 2, Pack 1, what's going?" The woman asked, "I think we're being attacked, stay inside the vehicle while we do a quick scan." A voice answered over the communication channel.
"We're staying put." She said, the NPA agents outside of the truck taking positions around the highway scanning rooftops for snipers, searching for incoming aircraft, and stopping cars.
"There could be more explosives, scan under the bridge." An agent ordered, several of the NPA officers placing device down on the bridge. "Starting in a few seconds. We'll know how dead we are in a minute." One of them joked, much to the dismay of his comrades.
So why the hell was he now on his back, body burning in pain, and his bike on the side of the highway, the engine revving continuously, probably going to blow out in a few moments.
Rick groaned as he rolled onto his stomach, getting his knees under him before looking around. He wasn't the only commuter that had crashed.
The hell is going on?
The white sedan was upside down on the highway. There was glass and twisted metal everywhere she looked. There was a puddle of blood, too.
"Oh God... Bailey? Bailey!" Cassidy screamed. She couldn't see her sister. There was only blood. Blood everywhere.
"Help! Someone help! Please, oh God my sister!" Cassidy yelled out.
"Remember, Godrage, you're covering Iso. She's going to lead them out and you're going to pick them off. Do your best to clear the Carrier first. The Invictus are tough. Be careful."
The rest of the teams received various orders. There were thirty other agents apart from Iso and Godrage. That was all they needed.
Iso stepped off the roof, and in a blur, vanished as she fell. She was then seen landing atop the carrier, drawing out a long sword that had not been apparent before. She reached to stick it in the top of the vehicle and open it like a can.
Catherine threw her car into gear and hit the accelerator, turning about to start driving back the way she'd come, only to find the road totally blocked by a small pileup. "Really?" Hitting the switch on her window she stuck her head out to yell, "Get your hunks of junk out of the god damn road before you get us all killed, assholes!"
Being dressed down in such a manner by a woman in her fifties - even if it was a sharply dressed and snarky-sounding woman - probably wasn't the proudest moment of the drivers behind her, but it didn't change the fact that they weren't moving any time soon. "Christ almighty..." Catherine muttered to herself, throwing her door open and grabbing the gun she kept in her passenger seat before stepping out onto the road.
"Can't you fuckers wait till after god damn rush hour?" she shouted off in the direction of the attack angrily.
"Ready," he simply said, knowing that the others would hear him through his ear-mounted communicator. The moment someone got out of that carrier, he would be ready to shoot them right in their CBM.
"Masks on." Riley ordered, his team reaching below their seats. Almost simultaneously they were putting on gasmasks. They didn't know if their attackers were going to be using tear gas or any kind of poisons. They had to be prepared for both. "Don't I get one?" Jacob asked, a soldier forcing a mask over the young man's face.
"Prepare for flashes." One of the soldiers told the others, the group aiming their weapons with one hand at the roof. Their free hands went to the foreheads of the soldiers on their lefts.
"Be ready to head out of the back. Driver, cover us when we move." Riley ordered.
"Now's your chance, Godrage. They're in clear view."
The girl landed on the ground with hardly a sound, waiting for the driver to step out from his seat. She was ordered to kill, but if she could avoid it...