Diana Gray just let out an exasperated sigh as she sat down at the lunch table, tray in hand looking uninterested at her food. Once a popular student, and cheer-leader in a relationship with the lead quarterback of the football team, Myles her life was in a much different place. Ever since “The Incident” had occurred her life had become a living hell, even with her father Tristan’s efforts to make things better. Her father had done everything in his power to hide the effect that she was one of the people that had been disintegrated, and re-materialized especially about the notion that those who vanished were some type of freaks with superhuman powers began spreading.

Although at first, she thought that made no sense, being disintegrated was also something that wasn’t exactly a common occurrence. And sure enough soon she had manifested her own ability, leading to a car accident, beams of heat had emrged from her eyes while driving leading to a car accident. Already dealing with rumors of being a freak as her fellow class-mates were starting to put things together, actually manifesting powers was an even bigger burden that she was doing everything and I mean everything in her power to hide. Going from a cheerleader with immense popularity to being an isolated loner that even her sex appeal couldn’t help was a serious blow to her pride & struck a nerve with her vanity.

Still the rumors of what was going to become of those with powers, and how the Government was reacting was enough to keep her to herself not wanting to end up on some dissection table in a hidden lab somewhere. What a life, it’s literally already damn near a living hell damn it. Depressing thoughts about the situation that was now her life filled her mind as she looked down at the tray uninterested in her food that was steadily growing colder as she sat alone at her own table during lunch, know a daily occurrence for the once popular diva.

“Wow your really a freak, I can’t believe I use to fuck you, pussy was trash anyway” She heard her ex bark few feet away from her, elicting an erupter of laughter from nearby students.

Myles “Wow how clever, you wish you could still fuck me just scared of your little football teams judging you fuckwad, honestly that says a-lot about you worried more about what other guys think then getting pussy, maybe you’re the real freak.” Without even thinking she snapped the combination of social isolation & social obscurity now being called out in-front of people she had snapped not wanting to be disrespected by her ex in public. This response seemed to get the desired effect causing the students who’d laughed at Myles previous comment to roar with laughter even more then after what he said.

“Damn!!!!!! Bro you gonna let that bitch talk to you like that” One of his team-mates said roasting him but also somewhat coming to his defense, as Myles seemed to become furious as noted by the reddening of his face.

“Wow haha so funny, fucking freak” Not wanting to let this blow do any more damage to his reputation, he flung his tray at her launching mashed potatoes & “mystery” meat in her face and hair to win this bout between bickering students in the cafeteria. “Now your face looks like just as fucked up as your pussy, fucking freak”

Boiling with unquelled rage, finally a come back and now she was subject to even more laughter. Her rage was rising as she put her down in shame, what the hell had she done to deserve this relentless torment? Irony, although it wasn’t something she wanted to admit as one of the former “popular” mean girls she’d been a prominent individual who dished out such torment to less fortunate students herself prior to this weird turn of events. “Why the fuck…won’t you just leave me alone! Damn it! What the fuck do you want Myles, you piece of shit!”
“What do I want? Oooh not so quick with the come-backs now huh, I just want entertainment.” Flashing a cruel smile Myles was happy to know he was winning, popularity such a fickle thing in this period of their lives, yet one he & many others were in constant relentless pursuit of. The drive for social acceptance was one of major motivating factors of many cruel actions by high school students around the country.
“Fuck you…Fuck you Myles!!!!! I hate you.” Fighting back embarassement as tears welled in her eyes. No matter what it seemed she couldn’t be left alone. Hearing the continued laughter & murmur from other students regarding her predicament. Her ostracization, and now social torment getting to her just like the mesh of food lodged into her hair.
“Yeah not any more, I’ve moved on to slimer, thicker & better bitches Di, I’m never going back to you” His voice rung out in her ears and it seemed it wasn’t possible for her to have any more shame.

The rage she felt moments ago had grown immensely, and she felt herself shaking, as Myles kept talking. Although she was past the point of listening, the lunch hour nearly over her appetite lost, and her desire to be done with all of it reaching a boiling point. Then it happened, a mound of rage manifested itself in the form of searing red energy in her eyes. No not here not now….fuck…know fuck these idiots I don’t care, I don’t fucking care. I hate all of them “FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!”
“Enough with the yelling you fucking bitch, I’m done wasting my time with you. Long as you realize your place..I..”
But that was far as far a Myles comments went, as Diana looked up at him her face filled with anger & her eyes searing with energy. “What….the fu-“
Not another word escaped his lips, before a blast of energy emitted from her eyes tearing through his abdomen. Screaming in bloody horror as the beams of energy ripped through his mid-section, she fell from her seat guided by the power flowing from her body. Turning to the side in fear the beams of destructive energy tore across the room, tearing through the bodies of other students in the cafeteria.
Mass Hysteria & panic filled the dining hall of the high school, as students began running from their lives at the murderous display of superhuman power. “GO TO HELL!!!!” Now a willing participant in her explosion of power, no longer catering to her sympathies of human life she allowed her destructive power to reign free. Energy filling her eyes again as she got up and reigned fiery death from her iris her student tormentors as the desperately fled.
Myles body had fell to the cafeteria flood, now laying in a pool of blood from the damaging beams that had tore through his chest. Energy beams surged uncontrollably from her eyes tearing through not so innocent bystanders, and demolishing the structure of the facility around her. The screams of bloody murder roared through the hallways overshadowing Diana’s wails of frustration over letting her destructive power upon the rest of the school.


“It..It was horrible, I literally thought I was gonna die” A blonde haired female in some robin jeans & a truk-fit high top sat on the pulpit with a solemn look on her face. A “Survivor” as she was described of the superhuman slaying of several of her class-mates a month prior was speaking about at the destruction & blantant loss of life she experienced at the hands or rather eyes of Diana Gray’s murderous rampage.

Travis Mendez, was an influential protestant preacher who was known for his hard staunch against the Empowered & belief that they were demons in human form, if not the spawn of Satan himself. “You see this, you hear this innoncent girl’s cries! 88 students, young people, pieoneers of the next generation senlessly murdered at the hands of these monsters, 150 in critical condition, 15 of which died after succumbing to their injuries within the week following that demon’s vicious attack.”

The girl burst into tears hearing the pastor recite the horrific events she experienced at her now closed school. Travis put his hand on her shoulder to console her, and shook his head. “Please, I’m reaching out to you all, not just my fellow Believers, but all American citizens, really citizens of the world. How much more death & destruction must we allow before we put an end to this! The talk in Washington of this Empowered Registration Bill need not be stalled, in-fact I dare say the bill itself is not enough. Enough with talks of trying to control or even imprison these monsters, the only solution is death!!!!!!” The pastor balked addressing his live televised audience, pleading to the American public to put an end to the monstrosity of the Empowered.

For him, the past five months had been a living hell. I regardless of the lives lost in the “Incident” itself, having lost the lives of his son & daughter at hands of an Empowered individual three months ago, he was determined to do everything in his power to bring the American public, perhaps even the global populace together to stand firm & work together for the execution of every Empowered being on the planet. For him this wasn’t just a mission motivated by his religious belief in the heavenly father above, but a personal story of vengeance to wipe out the very “things” as he so described them that took the lives of his children & permanently plunged his every waking moment of life into a continual living nightmare.

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"It... It was horrible, I literally thought I was gonna die."

The tips of her fingers brushing lightly over the keys of her laptop, they stopped only when they had reached her goal. One tap of the space button causing the video she had been watching on the Moscow Times website to pause. She'd heard enough. She didn't need to hear anymore. Especially coming from the mouth of some preacher that was hell bent on turning the worlds citizens against one another- someone who wanted to condemn almost a third of the worlds population on the actions of only a few rotton eggs. The civil war... the Rwandan genocide- did no-one ever learn from the past..? And if that was the case, then how was it that this guy wasn't preaching such bullshit before people began showing higher abilities..? If that were the case, then he too should be a condemned man, held accountable for the actions of priests, pastors and preachers before him that had gone sour. Just off the top of her head, she could both think of and name thirteen.

The gentle nudge against her free hand catching her attention, pulling her from her thoughts, Anastasia turned her dark gaze down to the beautiful white wolf stood by her side. Watching the creature for a moment or two before she began to act. Hand moving, and fingers disappearing into the soft fur as she scratched lightly at the top of its head. Nikola. After everything that had happened; the canine was truly the only one there for her. She couldn't trust anyone else. Not even her parents... not anymore...

Turning her attention back to her laptop, she instead began manoeuvre the mouse. Closing the tab that housed the news site, and instead bringing up the one that held her blog. Annonomous, of course. She wasn't stupid enough to post this shit with her name where everyone could find it. No. Art like this-... Art like this could get her into trouble if it was connected back to her.

Scrolling down until she found the post she was looking at, her gaze flicked first to the views - which had jumped up substatially over the last month - and then across to the comments. Her mouse slowly trailing down over them until she was able to click on a link that had been posted among the mixed comments. The link itself opening up a photo of the school in question; of the devestation left behind in a new tab for her to look at. Though she didn't really need to look at it- it was a perfect replica of something she'd drawn perhaps two, maybe three months ago now. She'd written the date in the corner of the page, like she always did, for reference. The dates of her artwork, and then the corresponding real world situations was what sparked the reactions. The accuracy between what she had drawn, and what was happening however, was what had her blog blowing up with new traffic from all over the world. Hell... she'd even seen an article on buzzfeed about the school, and the piece she'd created about it.

Turning away from her laptop altogether after a few moments longer, she moved across the large room of her family home that had very quickly become her art studio. Her arms lifting, folding over her chest as she glanced about at the multitude of varying artworks that surrounded her- tacked onto the walls, resting against surfaces. Really anywhere that would allow her to see them properly. Another brush of fur, this time against her leg as her wolf made to sit dutifully at her side, Ana let out a heavy sigh. A frown crossing her lips.

"..one thing I hate, Nikola... not knowing which one comes next..."

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Location: Atlanta, Georgia

“Bruh you really the man no cap dawg, like you lawyer gotta be jewish, he jewish ain’t he” The urban tone of Cain Lewis, a notorious inner city cocaine dealer rung out as he examined a high caliber gun in his hand. The person he was speaking to Taylor Finch, a cop under heavy scrutiny for an arms trafficking case.

Taylor just rolled his eyes, he wasn’t in the mood for politicking right now. Dealing with the heat from internal investigations was enough the last thing he wanted was quips from his criminal customers, although he had been intercepting seized weaponry & selling it to members of Cain’s gang, as well as a few other dangerous criminal organizations in the inner-city of Atlanta for criminal proceeds, he still didn’t enjoy small talk with them.

“Look yall, you got ya weed, I’m getting the fuck outta here. “ Another familiar face, Floyd Banker, a marijuana dealer who was rising up in the distribution. Just like the rogue officer he didn’t want to parlay any longer then needed to get any business done.

I can’t believe I’m of the same mind as the dope dealer, maybe I’m in the wrong side business. No, that’s stupid, pot has a stench, and I really do hate the order The rogue law enforcement agent wasn’t going to be pulled into any more criminal endevours not when his case had just been closed. “Come on then Cain, you heard him, let’s get moving, I’m sure everyone’s trying to move along.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, aye BITCH bring Banker his racks, white boy too.” The narcotic salesman demanded directing his demand to a female who could be seen edging out the front door.

Making her way over to Floyd with a stack full of blue hundreds, she slipped it through his car window, then reached in her other pocket for a far more hefty stack of bills for Taylor. Floyd didn’t wait around any longer, and hit the gas making his way out of there with the deal over with. “Hmmm” Taylor pondered going ahead and counting the money bill by bill.

“Man c’mon we good money over here, long as the white selling, I’m paying full price for these motherfuckers, rather get caught with it then without it even if I’m a felon ya digg.” Cain was more then casual with the rogue man of justice, looking over the crate of weapons he delivered. He noticed the female he was with was even less chatty then him, and had little if not anything to say.

“Cmon Taylor, you see it, you got it let’s go.” She barked clearly not in the best of moods. Cain wanted to roll his eyes at Linda, Taylor’s partner even involved in crime she still had that annoying authoritian tone in his voice he’d come to dislike from the police.

“Sounds like the one wearing the pants saying it’s time to hurry up, shit well you be on your way dawg, lemme know when the next shipment coming, I’m trying to drop a dub on it.” Cain retorted, more then ready to spend 20 grand for another delivery of high powered artillery.

“Right well I’ll be on my way, pleasure….doing business.” It almost felt disgusting to utter that to such a controversial low down individual. But then what did that make him, with the illicit transaction over he made his way back into the vehicle where Linda was on edge & ready to go.

“Your wasting too much damn time, this is why you got a fucking case. We get in, get the money, and get the fuck out. You should have let me do this by myself.” His partner in enforcement retorted clearly irate with how “long” The entire process was taking, even though the entirety of the transaction couldn’t have encompassed more then ten minutes. He was well aware of the time spent doing shady conduct, although he was reaping the benefits & his financial situation was appreciative, he too didn’t want to carry on with the more compromising aspects of it any more then possible.

The police cruiser started up, and they bolted out of the slums where they’d just gotten paid. “Look I know how you feel, how the fuck do you think I feel, I literally wouldn’t have gotten away with this if it wasn’t for.”

BOOM!!!!! A loud noise filled their ear dreams, and Taylor whipped around to see what appeared to be…a boat had been flung into the trap-house he’d just sold the weapons to. “What the fu-“

BOOM, no time to react as the air-bag slammed into both him and Linda. For what felt like an eternity he felt a nauseating feeling as the cruiser they were in went airborn. Catching a glimpse of what appeared to be a man in some sort of gray uniform before the cruiser slammed into some nearby railing, further damaging the car, and causing blood to splatter on the bag from the impact. “LINDA!!!” What the fuck is..”

“Shit..it’s him he’s…he’s real…he’s.” Before Linda could speak any more, the blank suited man was punching through the driver side window grabbing Linda by the neck and with little to no force breaking her neck.

“Oh shit!!!” [i]Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck [i] Taylor whipped out his gun and began unloading firing rounds into the masked cop killer. Although to his dismay it appeared the bullets had no effect on the silent killer. “No…what the fuck, listen, you just killed a fucking cop, your going to get it you hear me, you fucking.” Before he could speak the silent costumed man lunged forward and punched a hole right through Taylor’s upper chest, then pulled his hand back the white suit now stained with blood.

Taylor let out a few gurgling noises as his life flashed before his eyes, the final moments causing him to re-direct his choices as he slipped away into the abyss. On-lookers in traffic watched In shock to see what happened, as the seemingly mute masked murderer took to the skies, and a loud boom of what they could only assume was the sound barrier breaking was heard as he took off into the distance leaving behind the mangled bodies of the rogue arms dealing police officers.

In the distance pulling into a parking lot was the marijuana dealer from earlier putting his car in park in the residential parking of his apartment complex. “What the hell!!!?” His eyes raised in disbelief as he scrolled through his twitter feed in shock, seeing a boat lodged into Cain’s house, and quickly reading.

“The Silver Predator strikes again, this time suspected arms trafficking officer Taylor Finch the latest casualty. Who is this man, one of the Empowered, perhaps something more? Little is known about this individual, except in the past two week’s he’s been spotted in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, & North Carolina, murdering 72 suspected criminals, which today for the first time included two police officers.”

Reading the caption Floyd was shaking with fear. Yo….that coulda been me, fuck…this shit is nuts…like bruh!!!! Bruh in the reject Silver Surfer costume..is really clapping folks…and this was down the street from me..Yo maybe that Liz bitch was right...that shit she been saying hell that I been seeing....maybe…naw…naw…this just a co-incidence bitch needs to take her ass home ASAP soon as she wakes up I'm kicking her ass out my apartment gotta go home baby,I'm thinking bout the wrong shit anyway this Silver motherfucker got 72 bodies right now, and the last eight people he killed was in the A. Engrossed in his thoughts and filled with fear he stepped out of his vehicle almost falling to the ground feeling as though his legs were made of jello.

“Man…fuck..if there’s a really a dude flying around, ripping dudes in the game apart, I need to lay low…for real. Fuck I need a blunt, fuck that I need a backwood, whole 3.5..to the dome Jesus…this is nuts.” Floyd muttered to himself, his rapidly accelerated breathing slowing down as he paused to look around to see if the super powered costumed killer was in the vicinity. Shit..I’m all good right now, Im finna take my black ass inside, I ain’t leaving to serve NOBODY not nun not now, uh huh hell to the fuuuuck no until this dude out capping motherfuckers in NY or somewhere far as fuck from here shit Taking one more precautionary look around to ease his mind of the tension that built up from what he just read in the twitter thread irregardless of the fact that being attentive wouldn’t do anything about someone who could fly and rip through cars like paper. Feeling at ease he made his way into the hallway of the complex, and headed to his room with some added pep in his step thanking the Holy Father & his guardian angels he hadn’t ended up getting ripped in half like Cain.

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Broadcasted on Fox news over the course of several days;

“Fellow Americans, we cannot sit idly by and let these monsters tear apart our country! Four months ago a great travesty befell the world, and our nation knew grief. Our allies, God bless them, suffered the same fate. However, 40 days after the great conflagration, monsters came back to mock our family members! They have powers that they use against the common people, good people… innocents who do not deserve the pain that was already piled onto their overflowing plates!” The man on the TV would look at the camera, his slicked back hair and clean shaven face close to his own picture that spanned the banner behind him. The big words ‘Vote for civility! Vote Granger.’
“These people are monsters, and some of them know it! These people who pretend to be the men and women that vanished over a few months ago have their face and their memory, but they hold a great evil in their heart! You have seen the news, the papers and twitter; Schools destroyed by the monsters, our young Americans- the next generation… Slain like cattle! It's outrageous!” The crowd would cheer, support growing for the Rich white conservative who had a solution for the problem plaguing the world.
“I will not stand for this, if I was your president you would be protected! These monsters would be found and labeled for what they are, and if they are deemed too much of a danger four our schools, for the American way of life, then by the grace of God in heaven, they will be destroyed!” Sweat would form on his head as he preached fire as well as many of the pastors in the deep south. Granger was a man from the construction industry, The magnolia state of Mississippi his home. This platform was perfect to raise a nobody like him to power, and with his hometown story and ‘good ethics’ from his own company, Granger construction, he was seen as a small business owner and a personable man. Many scared Americans were on the dividing line with the new issue of these super people. Most of the common citizens feared them, and rightly so. The media has slammed them with bad press since the day they returned. Many men guarded Granger, and a man by the name of Trevor Hitch had been shot trying to kill him with a power of his own. The attempt on his life was a vaulting point for his campaign, and he used it as a prime example.
“Several days ago, I was attacked by Trevor… a man made into a monster by the great conflagration, and I defended myself!” The media had proclaimed Granger quite the hero, as Granger had not only foiled the attack, but personally put a bullet into the man’s heart. This was all caught on camera, and was one of his many stories that kept the common people flooding to support him.

"Okay! Okay! Now stack the next one! I got this!" A smiling shirtless man in red swim trunks shouted as he stood on the soft sand of Sunset Beach… with a dozen beach balls stacked on the top of his head. All of the inflated striped balls rocked back and forth as he concentrated on keeping them steady with his telekinesis. People crowded around the spectacle, some of their beach balls being apart of the display. As much as "King Scott" would have loved to record this performance himself, there were enough people with their phones out to get the attention he was hoping for. He just needed to maintain focus. "Toss the next one! Lucky 13!"

The crowd cheered as another ball was tossed up high. Come on… come on… come on... The ball floated delicately onto the stack. Cheers followed as he smiled.

"Another?! Yeah?! Let's do this!" Despite his confidence, Scott was pushing himself. Balancing multiple round objects on top of each other with a decent breeze was more than just breaking a sweat. He wanted to go for 17, beating his previous attempt by two. Perhaps speeding things up would help. "14! Oh yeah! Hurry, next one!"

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It was quiet here... or well, quiet enough. No. Perhaps that wasn't the right word. More like peaceful- calming.

Her bright blues lifting from the page that she was currently working on, bypassing the textbooks she had lain in front of her in the sand, her homework lost to the distraction, Paradise stared out at the beautiful sight that was lain before her. The gentle and rhythmic lapping of the seafoam washing over the shore- the sand giving off the warmest glow of gold; almost earthen and muted. And then there was the flora. Tropical... exotic... beautiful- the strong, natural aromas that overwhelmed her every single time she found herself surrounded by nature-... It sent her almost wild these days. And it wasn't as though she didn't know why. She knew the reason. She knew exactly why she suddenly felt such a deep, almost unexplainable connection with the Earth... with Mother Nature- with Gaia.

Pen slipping through her fingers, falling to rest on the open page of her notebook, she lowered her hands. Burying them down into the hot sand on either side of her body, though her attention was still focused out on the water crashing about oh so invitingly before her. She could feel it... even from here, she could feel it. The seaweed... the coral reefs- all the flora of the ocean, resting safely beneath those salty waves, as deeply green and as vibrant in color as any high summer foliage. But her favourite..? Her favourite... everything resting there at the bottom, upon the softly rolling dunes. The tall, tall sea grass that over the last five months of her life seemed to whisper ever so sweetly into the gusting breeze, and right to her very core. Just like every tree... every shrub... every flower.

And it was precicely that reason that she no longer doubted the choice she'd made for her future. Life had just proved that by giving her these amazing abilities when she'd returned from... wherever it was she had been during her disappearance.

"Another?! Yeah?! Let's do this!"

Ripped from her thoughts by the sound of someones voice filling the air, Paradise pulled her hands out from the sand. Letting them linger in mid-air for a brief moment or two of thought before she actually, slowly, began to move. Her curiosity towards the specticle going on far too strong to think about returning to her studies. No. She was finished with homework and assignments for the day. There was no possible way she was going to be able to re-concentrate on what she needed to do.

Packing away her things back into her bag and rising, taking only a few moments to brush the excess sand from her person; she brought the strap to her shoulder. Holding it in place with a single hand as she moved to join up with the group that had been constantly growing, both in size and decible. Slipping through the gaps left between people, Paradise only stopped when she'd reached the front. Her painted red lips parting ever slightly from one another as she gazed upon the man balancing an already large number of beach balls on top of his head. Her voice soft as she spoke, her thoughts slipping out without her even truly noticing, "..heh... not possible..."

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Number 14 landed up on top of the tower of the 13 beach balls. Meanwhile, Scott tensed his face up as if he was trying to bench twice his body weight. He had to continue. He wanted to hit 17! Too bad that you don't always get what you want.

"Anoth-..."

"...not possible..." Was the only part of that he heard.

Perhaps those words were the last thing he needed to hear, or perhaps he really had reached his limit as the soft-spoken comment made it to his ears. It seemed cutting, almost the equivalent of asking "Do you even lift bro?" And it was enough to make Scott lose what he had been trying to maintain for the past several minutes.

Focus.

The fall from grace always felt like it was going in slow motion.

His eyes darted at the owner of the comment. A blue eyed redhead with red lipstick; those features alone made her standout in the crowd. That sealed the deal for sure. He kept his eyes on her as the tower of beach balls toppled and fell down. The area filled with the sounds of "Ooooooh!"s and "Ohhhhhh!"s, but not everyone backed away. Luckily the falling objects were practically oversized balloons, so there was no harm done. No physical harm at least. Scott tried to keep his smile up, hiding his faint disappointment in the moment. His eyes looking at the crowd that mostly still appeared impressed by the fun display of his powers.

"Last time you did 15 though!" There were a few haters in the crowd like always. It started to disperse a bit as other lingered wondering what King Scott might do next.

"Almost had it! Someone please DM me the video. I'll repost the best one!" Scott said before quickly turning to the female who had effectively distracted him. His smile vanished momentarily. "Hey!" He nodded his head upward before approaching her. "I was in the zone and you serve a dude a full course of doubt?" He said in a hushed voice as to not cause a scene. With a side of gorgeous. Why did she have to be a troll?

^{LOCATION: Atlanta, GA}

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She finally stood up, stretching her legs. Haley hadn't moved from her seat the entire flight, and though it wasn't that long of a trip, it sure felt like one. She stretched her arms in front of her for a moment, waiting for the rest of the passengers to get their bags and start moving towards the front. After a moment, she waved goodbye to the little girl who sat across the aisle from her. They had talked about the girl's doll, the one she currently had with her. Her name was Ann, and apparently there was some history to Ann. Haley heard about it when the girl saw that she was in her own little world, and it was then she decided to strike up a conversation with Haley. They spent a good chunk of time talking about stuff, but it was mostly having to do with Ann.

After the girl and her mom cleared the row, Haley grabbed her carry on and followed them towards the exit. It felt good to be on her feet again despite the fact that she liked to fly. She didn't mind it one bit actually, except the part where the passengers were crammed in their seats like sardines. But that was corporate greed, not much she could do there.

At that moment, she felt her phone in her pocket go off.

You land yet?

That was her brother, Ben. He wasn't picking her up, he just wanted to make sure Haley had arrived safely. He'd always been a bit overprotective of her, especially as of late. Despite the fact that she was an adult, that was something that he wouldn't shake off. Not that she minded as long as he didn't go overboard with it.

Just made it, Haley replied back before putting the phone away. She continued following the general crowd towards passport control. It was somewhat of a somber thought knowing she wouldn't need to go back to Canada any time soon. Her parents were gone, and Zach and her were done for good. But she still had Ben, and since he lived there at the moment she followed him down to Atlanta. Haley had been living there for a bit; the current trip she took was simply out of necessity in order to finalize some paperwork. Not that she had fully adjusted, but she was working on that in her own way.

A man in black plastic pants and a red t-shirt stepped out the back of a plain grey van. It was far from what many of his associates would consider his normal dress, but he'd been out of the game for a while, slowly laundering his hard, but illegally earned, money through his bookstore. Of course it was now about time he got all of his suits out of the attic.

When Alan got back after the incident he had a bit of a dispute with his microwave and had escalated this dispute to his fist when an arc of lightning shot off. It was invigorating. Alan hadn't felt alive like that moment in years and he knew from then on he was going to have to get back into the game and use this power for something huge. Something worthy of his talents. Since then he'd spent the last month trying to get a handle on just what he could do with his powers and getting the gang back together. Which is why he was now a few blocks away from some forgotten warehouse. The last man he got in touch with, a getaway driver by the handle of "Garfield" had called him out here to discuss something in private. It seemed fishy, but probably nothing he couldn't handle.

Alan walked up to the driver's window of a grey van and knocked on it to get the driver's attention. She was a short woman who went by the handle "Madison". She normally handled hacking and other computer based functions, but Alan was short on available manpower right now with everyone taking care of personal things before they were ready to come to him. Across from her was "Tyler", an expert gunman and occasional sniper. He was mostly around in case things went wrong; which was often enough to keep him on the payroll. That and he was good help around the bookstore. Madison rolled down the window and Alan directed her to drive around the warehouse until she was needed.

A few blocks of walking later Alan came upon the open door of the warehouse. Inside in the center was an expensive looking, orange sports car. All around the place though there were old moldy crates and rusting racks with various decrepit pieces of hardware strewn along them that Alan payed no mind to. Next to the car was Garfield in a fine black business suit. It was a trap. Alan's new powers were pretty cool like being able to detect the electrical signals running through people. People like the two guys Garfield had as backup behind some crates. Of course he had guessed from the moment this meeting was set up that it was going to go badly and under normal circumstances Alan would have scouted it first and then probably come in guns blazing from as many angles as possible. This time however, Alan just wanted to test out his new powers.

"You're a little over dressed for this don't you think?" Alan called across the large distance; stepping through the huge doorway. "I thought this was supposed to be a casual meeting between friends."

Garfield spat some chewing tobacco on the ground. "It is. What do you think about my new car?" Garfield said motioning to the orange vehicle with one hand while the other wiped his lips.

Alan stepped forward into the room and pointed a hand out to the stack of wooden crates Garfield's backup was hiding behind. Without warning a bolt of electricity shot from his fingers and burned a hole through the wood. The anguished screams of two unfortunate souls signified an end to that particular threat. "Now Garfield, I'm sure later that I'm going to have plenty of time to look at your car after I'm done mounting your head to it, but why exactly are you trying to kill me?"

Garfield had a look of shock on his face with eyes glued to Alan's hand. it took Alan walking up no more than a few meters away for the driver to suddenly collect himself and reach for something in the breast of his suit. Wrong answer Alan thought as a second bolt left him, this time at Garfield. It wasn't meant to kill. It was meant to stun. Alan intended to have some... fun with this traitor later. Preferably after he had tortured a motive out of him.

----

Some time later with Garfield tied up in the trunk of his own car and Alan lazily waiting on the hood the grey van drove in and with the vehicle still running Madison came out. Tyler stayed in the car with vigilant eyes scanning everything. "So, I take it that the meeting went..." Maddison paused to look around only counting the burning crates as damage "No I don't have to clarify that statement. Did you convince Garfield to be our getaway driver?"

"Not at all" Alan replied. "I'm going to need you to give me that backup one you were talking about.

"He's not" Madison stopped herself. "Sir we don't know what he'll be like on a job. He's untested. Are you sure you want that?"

"We're always going to need new blood Madison" Alan sighed. "Now give me his number or whatever." Maddison fished out a cheap looking phone that was probably just a burner and dialed a number before handing the device over to Alan. "What's their name?" Alan asked belatedly.

Niko Rasvundin - His New York City, New York

“PLEASE LET ME GO!!!!” A young woman seen hollering for help, but the eyes of a cold well dressed Russian man in-front of her seemed to show complete and utter apatahy to her perilous situation.

“Oh I’ll be letting you go alright Amanda to your destination, pending the results of your parents to come up with my money.” Niko spoke matter of factly about the situation.

The scene was one of pure horror, Niko sat with the young teenage girl tied up with barbed wire in what appeared to be a near empty room except for a television set where The Soprano’s was playing via Netflix. Outside the room stood some armed guards also of Russian ethnic descent walking around with high powered riflkes. The armed guards outside the blank holding cell appeared to be entertaining themselves by smoking Marbolo and Camel crush cigarett’s or playing on their phones. They also appeared immune to concern regarding the young girl’s pleases inside.

A ringing was heard within the room and appeared to be coming form Niko’s cellular device. Taking out the iphone to examine the caller ID, and see who was contacting him a smile appeared on his face. The contact’s name that appeared on the screen “Hector Salzaras.” Satisfied with his check-up on seeing who was contacting him he swiped up on the device to pick up the call.

“Good afternoon Mr. Salzaras.” Niko spoke with a real professional manner and raised a pistol from his pocket to smack Amanda across the head. Hearing her yell again he samcked her hard two more times drawing blood then kicked her causing her to hit the ground.

The beating however seemed to show her that silence was her best option to avoid further brutality at the hands of the Russian mobster. “Please Niko were past the formalities, I am quite the fan of your work you’ve earned the priveledge, the right to call me Hector.”

“Thank you I apologize, I like to maintain a certain level of professionalism with all my clients, even you.” The mobster retorted as he put the pistol down on the hand of the chair he was sitting in. Standing up to stretch his legs he took out his own pack of smokes, as well as a lighter to spark up. Taking a few inhale and releasing the anxiety numbing carcegenic smoke fromhis lungs put him at ease. “We have the girl, I’ve been in communication with her father. He seems to get the picture of the consequences that will be coming if he cannot produce your $150,000. As it stands he has around eleven more minutes before the deal is done and I’ll be transporting her to Mo’s Knights as they’ve offered 200 thousand for her purchase.”

“Perfect, perfect so either way we’ll get paid, seems like you’ll be receiving a bonus then? Either way the $35 grand I’ve offered you as a consultation will be paid out regardless of the results, arrangments are already set up for the transfer of payment.” Hector grinned eager to get revenge on those who wronged him financially, and also keep his word with those who furthered his goals & agenda to fuel & grow his criminal narco operation.

“Glad to hear that Hector, it’s always a pleasure doing business. I’ll keep you in touch if they decide to move forward with the payment.” After a few more short words were exchanged the conversion ended. By this point Niko had put out his smoke and ashed out, retrieving a book on the floor by his chair. Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, one of his favorite works of literature he’d ever come across.

“You’re a monster, my parents don’t have money like this! They didn’t do anything wrong, with what you could do why are you like this! You could help people, instead your acting like a monster just like the news says!” Amanda’s fear was rising rapidly as time was ticking, and mind filled with fear of being sold into slavery a couple continents over. Being captured by this man over the apparent “sins” of her father, a moral & dedicated prosecutor from New York who did nothing but his best to make the world a better place.

“You are brave, or perhaps very stupid? Regardless I don’t know whether to admire your spunk or be eager to cash you out. Honestly this is just business, but you’ve personally made me irate, and if it wasn’t for the money on your head or rarther involved with it, I might just do you in myself, I don’t know what seems more interesting eaten by sharks or pirahana’s, although I can imagine dropping you in a volcano would also be very very interesting. “He stopped pondering which of these awful methods of torture would be the most satisfactory to him. He was truly an amoral man, with the suffering his family went through he had little patience for anyone.

Before Amanda could protest further there was a knock at his door.” Open up” He retorted wondering what could be the point of the intrustion, but was pleasantly surprised when none other than his older brother Krieve stepped in. He was holding a half full bottle of Absolute Vodka and taking a shot straight out the bottle. “Hello Brother”

“Now now Krieve, this is not the time for a drink. Well it’s always time, but I’m in the middle of handling some important matters with the pale one over there.” He grinned referencing the girl he had prisoner. Being spoken about with such disregard she fought back against tears in her eyes knowing she was almost out of time before her life was to take an even darker turn for the worst.

“Understood, I’m just letting you know we’ve secured the Mao society as a potential clients for weapons transportation, they’d like a sit down either later this evening or tomorrow to discuss terms.” Krieve took another shot not even bothered by the taste of the powerful alcohol he was drinking.

“Perfect, you know me so well brother. This is actually news that I wouldn’tmind being interrupted with at any time. Go head and set it up, with the money they have we’ll grow even richer if they book us for work.” Niko was satisfied things were moving along wonderfully. To think all of this had almost ended had the DEA managed to capture him that fateful day of the Incident when he was pulled over in his truck full of cocaine.

“Will do brother, keep me informed about the matter, and what the result is. I know you’re a fan of Salzaras, just make sure we get paid.” Krieve made his way out of the blank room shutting the door behind him afterwards going about to contact the Mao Society to inform that if they were ready that Niko was on board to proceed with future plans of working together.

Within a few minutes a ringing was heard coming from an alarm he’d set on his phone, and Niko clasped his hands together.” Well well well it seems that your parents didn’t come through, your right perhaps the don’t have the money. But my handlers, those Knights oh yes they do.”

“You fucking monster! You piee of shit I hate you!!! I hate you.” Amanda yelled out now no longer holding back as whatever painful fate awaited her she was going to be subject to.” Niko walked over to her slowly when his phone buzzed againand he opened it to read a message that caused him to stop.

“Oh my….this is interesting.” Niko seemed somewhat disappointed eyes burrowing as he continued reading the message, the phone buzzed a few more times as he got a few more messages back to back.

“What…what..happened.” Amanda’s rage had immediately quelled, the tone Niko used wasn’t one utilized by him with her since her capture three days ago. Her mind was racing with ideas, wondering if perhaps an even worst fate awaited her. With the powers she knew Niko had, there were so many horrible things he could do to her, although being sold into indentured sexual servitude for the rest of her life was one of the worst things that could possibly happen.

“It seems your father might love you, well sort of. He came up with 100 grand, and Hector seems to think it’s satisfactory…your free to go.” Niko walked over to Amanda pulling out a knife and cutting through the barbed wire then taking a stpe back.

Amanda was shaking as tears began to roll down her eyes, for the past 72 hours her life was filled with fear and living hell. Besides being fed worst food then was served in the prisons and being tied up as well as hit several times for speaking out against her captors the thought of never seeing her family again was one that filled her mind, as well as the new circumstances of her life,.” What…are you serious your letting me…go…my dad got the money..” Amanda was nearly stunned it was so much to take in, after living her life in pure terror it seemed by the slightest of chances her father had come through for her.

“Yes..lucky brat, time to go home.” Niko raised his arms and a massive portal opened up sucking Amanda in with force causing her to scream. Wondering if perhaps this was a truck she clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. Within seconds she was falling through another potal appearing next to her father and mother, her parents rushing to embrace her.

“Mom…dad….oh my god I love you.” Tears rolled down Amanda’s face at her parents embrace, the whole family tearful at the reunion.

“Honey I’d never let anything happen to you, I love you!” Her father spoke in between tears hugging his daughter. He’d ended up selling his own house the only way he could possibly manage to get the money required to get his daughter back. On top of that emptying out his life savings, but it didn’t matter to him. He had his daughter back from those monsters.

“I love you dad, I love you mom.” Never thinking this moment could come again it felt as if her world had been filled with light again. She was once again able to breath, she was gone from those monsters, she was free.

“Amanda..”Her mother spoke just one word and Amanda looked up to see her mother then felt all the color drain from her face. A sword had been impaled through her neck, and her body dropped to the ground.

“MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” A toe curling scream erupted from Amanda’s lungs seeing her mother drop to the ground blood spewing from her neck, and saw that none other then Niko was standing there behind her body smiling. “NO!!!!!!! WHY YOU FUCKING MONSTER!!!! NOO”

“No…No..No…I paid you why….WHY!!!!!” Amanda’s father yelled out and Niko clapped his hands.

“Yes yes you paid Salzaras but you forgot, I took this job because you personally ruined my life! You put my brother away you destroyed my family, so now I’m here to destroy yours. Honestly I have to thank you for coming up the cash, because you’ve made my payday a hell of a lot better, say bye bye.”

A portal opened up behind Amanda who began screaming as it sucked her in and the portal closed, the father gasping seeing his daughter sucked away again. “NO!!!! WHAT DID YOU DO WHERE!!! NO!!” The father whipped out his gun only for it to be sucked through a portal. A second portal appeared next to Niko and the gun dropped in his hands.

“Shut up bastard.” Click..Click the trigger was pulled and two bullets were fired into the prosecutor’s feet, both the right and left. He screamed in pain falling to the ground, screaming & crying. “As per the original threat, your daughter’s been sold to Mo’s Knights for a life of slavery. After I told them the deal was at risk of being terminated, they offered me 250 grand, 50 more then original. Since the contract with Hector satisfied guess what. That means all the money’s mine, your daughters a slave, your wife’s dead, and you won’t be walking easy for a while. Now then that was fun business, I don’t know what to you to die. I want you to live in hell I’ve created for you, I’ve already called 911 the ambulance is on the way. Every waking moment you will remember me, and remember my brother. Every minute, every second, every mili-second more on this earth you utter a breath I will occupy your thoughts. The hopeleness and terror that stroll through that little brain of yours will dictate your emotions until the day you meet your maker. My final warning to you is this, disclose my identity to ANYONE, anyone at all, speak about it, write about it, a text and I will cut your mother's head off. She's the ONLY family you have left that you can contact and you know I mean business. You've seen what I can do, the only...and I mean ONLY reason she still draws breath is simply to use as a tool against you to keep you quiet. Don't try me or I'll pick you up to watch your mother's beheading. Now then thank you for helping me get paid almost 300 grand today, oh my gosh it’s wonderful. Enjoy Hell sir, good bye.”

The prosecutor screamed out as a portal opened up sucking Niko in, and quickly closing behind him. The Prosecutor lay on the ground screaming bloody murder laying on the ground adrenaline rushing through him and feeling pure agony at his daughter’s kidnapping and wife’s murder unable to do much more then crawl and turn his body over to not look at his wife’s dead body. Tears poured down his eyes as his fists slammed into the ground beneath him. In his mind he was pleading for help from God as he heard sirens in the distance. Years of putting away monsters just trying to do the right thing to make the world a better place. In the end what did that get him, his house was sold, his life savings depleted, his wife dead, and his daughter sold into slavery. “God..why…why…GOD WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The screams of a broken man filled the room. Twisting and turning snot rushing down his nose as he cried feeling as if the world was closing on him. He felt his chest tighten and began groaning as the pain increased, and the approaching sirens grew louder. “Why have you forsaken me.” The beaten man of law, persecutor of the unjust lay down defeated, he’d truly lost everything.

---

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---

Floyd shook his head, it was only mid-afternoon and it was already off to a rough day. Thoughts of what his morning lay had discussed with him filled his mind, as he finished rolling his honey bourbon backwood. Taking a pen on his desk he stuffed the edge of the cannabis into the construct, before reaching for a lighter.

"Yup, I need this, like really need it. Woah child, the world going crazier then a motherfucker." Letting out an expaserated sigh and shaking his head, he lit the herb up and took a few pulls. Getting a lungful of marijuana smoke, the familar stench of mary jane entering his nostrils as he let out some hefty coughs, "Shit this Gelato pulling, okay yuhhh nothing but the best for mwah." Laughing at his own self commentary, he took a few more hits of the backwood and scrolled through his Money May playlist, pulling up 'Rapper and Trapper' by Lil Bam and Lil Baby.

"Bitch I'mma geeker, I just caught a misdemeanor, I was riding around with that reefer." Singing along to the song he let himself relax as he melted into his couch, the indica soothing his brain.

Going to light the backwood again seeing it went out, the lighter flickered then went out. Trying his luck two more times and getting the same result he rolled his eyes. Tucking the partially sparked marijuana cigar behind his right ear and reaching for his car keys he went outside to retrieve his back-up lighter from his car, turning the music off preferring silence & the company of his own thoughts for the brief walk to his vehicle and back. Whistling as he walked back up the steps to his apartment he was eager to resume his session and take this buzz to the next level.

"Shit, the weather pretty good today..." He said speaking to himself as he took the last step to his floor.

"..an' that would be why I gave myself the mornin' off."

Hand lifting from her side; the action was a little rough as she ran her fingers back through her long raven locks, the other arm weighted down with shopping bags filled and heavy with groceries that she'd only just gone out a bought that morning. Mocha java chip ice-cream. She'd had to go to about three different stores in order to find one that actually had it in stock, but in the end she'd wound up with three containers of the stuff, and really, she wasn't about to go complaining about it. Her hair on the other hand...

It was still... beyond fucking weird. The usual glint of glistening red, had been replaced by an almost velvety black, and caught in the corner of her eye, it was unnerving. It was taking far longer than it should to know that no, she wasn't being followed, it was just her. It was a huge change, and she knew from what Rebecca had told her that it was going to take some time to get used to what would now be seeing staring back at her through the mirror. It was just... frustrating that she wasn't adjusting to something as simple as changing her hair color faster than when she and Owen had moved thousands of miles away from their home, to instead live in America. Why the fuck had they done that again..? Really, she couldn't even remember; but the differences in the health care system alone had her regretting the decision, but only slightly. Other things definitely made up for it though.

Quirking her brow slightly, her gaze lingered a moment on the home-roll tucked behind Floyd's ear, she motioned towards it with a light nod, "..rough mornin'..?"

"Huh? Oh yeah..."

Floyd raised an eyebrow wondering what the hell she was talking about, but realized he'd stepped out the house with the cigar tucked behind his ear. He was able to tell her to mind her own business, when he caught a glimpse & actually paid attention to who was talking to him. Oh shit, it's that chick who just moved out here I think... Nothing like an attractive woman, scratch that a VERY attractive woman to take his attention off the crazy events taking place.

"Heh, you one of the new neighors ain't you? My bad, like you said I been going through it this morning. I'm tripping, we have spoke before." The few brief conversations they had even though they hadn't talked about much were starting to seep back into his mind. He was doing everything in his power to recall, he liked to be at full brain capacity whenever it was regarding either finances or women who looked as good as her. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that his original lighter went out after he only managing to get three pulls from the ganja.

"You want some help?" He offered referring to the grocery bags she was sporting. Was it just him trying to help a neighbor out, the thirst or even more genuine then both of those scenario's the munchies...

Help her..?

Brows furrowing, her painted red lips parting ever slightly from one another, Ky' vie's attention was drawn down. Following his line of sight until her own was lingering on the bags that she held down at her side. The realization of what his sudden offer meant causing her to chuckle softly as she returned her gaze back to the man that she was currently speaking with. Giving him a light shake of her head before shooting a wink in his direction. Her arm curling, lifting the shopping bags up for him to see, "Heh. Yeah, nah... pretty sure I'm right. Besides, I'ma big, strong girl... think I can handle a few shoppin' bags on my own. Thanks for the offer though..."

Seeing her stunning smile, and getting lost in his thoughts briefly he didn't even notice an irritating and untimely stiffness starting to build up. Damn she really is sexy as fuck... ah damn it... I shouldn't wore gym shorts but I was just going to my car... Sometimes having such a high sex drive was annoying especially since he was talking to a chick that he'd only met a handful of times. No doubt the marijuana's sensory enhancement was playing a role in the unwanted display of visible lust. Hopefully she wasn't paying paying attention, quickly thinking, he took a few steps forward towards his door not trying to be in her direct line of site.

"Oh ight, shit, not saying you wasn't, just offering to help out a neighor, good ole southern hospitality."

Damn I am a little high, what the fuck did I just say Mentally rolling his eyes he decided he didn't care about being a little hot and bothered, after-all he couldn't control the fact that she looked like a model.

"Good ol' Southern hospitality, huh..?" The sound of her laugh filling the hall as she took the last few steps up and onto the landing that held both of their apartments, Ky shook her head lightly. Her smile lighting up her features, reaching her eyes as she let them linger on him. Her free hand diving down and into the pocket of her leather jacket as she searched to pull out her keys, "Heard about it... never experienced it, though."

"Hell yea that's all we practice down here." He was quick with his retort but figured this conversation wasn't going anywhere and wanted to resume when he was less stimulated. The sound of her laughter and noticing her eyes lingering on him causing him to fumble with his room keys, dropping them and not wanting to reach down to grab them with his current situation, he decided to just light up the cigar.

Man, I just avoided getting killed by the Silver Surfer, I'm not fighting awkward boners too... Whatever...

Taking a pull from the cigar and coughing, his eyes jotted down to see that his hand was engulfed in fire, and that was how he'd lit the marijuana contraption. Flustered he hadn't even noticed not using teh lighter, "What the fuck!!?"

This day was just getting more and more difficult with each passing moment. He rapidly waved his hand in an instinctual reaction making the flames dissipate but was even more startled that his hand wasn't burned. Quickly bending down to grab his keys, and trying to distract his eyes from Ky's curvy figure, lust hitting his brain again and his hand once again caught on fire causing him to curse and drop the keys while also coughing from pulling too hard on the backwood which he'd forgotten was lit. Fuck... Fuck... Fuck... Shaking his hand again to force the fire out, he let out his third exauhsuted sigh for today, this was too much...

Any smile that she'd had- any laughter that might have been passing out through her lips; it was all gone. In an instant. Her attention fixated on the flames lapping about, engulfing his hand. He was-..? Gaze flicking up to his for a moment, she turned her back to him, instead facing her apartment as she took the chance to slip the keys into the lock. Turning them and leaving them hanging once she was able to push the door open, she moved back towards him. Her free hand shooting out; it was like she didn't care about the flames at all as she took a tight grip of his wrist. Pulling him into her apartment, and making sure to grab her keys before she closed and locked the door behind them. Her gaze returning back to his.

"..you-... you can control fire..?"

"Fire, control"

That whole statement sounded foreign to Floyd, really he had no idea what he had going on. All he knew was one minute he was in his car, the next he was gone. Coming back to a massive car insurance bill from a muli car-wreck he caused from getting disintegrated behind the wheel.

"I mean... that's never happened to me." This whole odd scenario was now the sole thing that was in charge of his focus, "What? Lemme guess your the human torch too."

Still even with this disturbing revelation he still retained his sense of humor, having been in near death situations multiple times in his 22 year residency on earth, even staring the grim reaper in the face wasn't enough to remove his stubborn ties to in-appropiate comedic wise cracks. Definently not the way I hoped to get into her apartment, but the next step's gotta be the bedroom. Naw first I need to figure out why the fuck she's worried about if I'm a human flame-thrower, matter fact I NEED to figure that out..this is crazy.

"Well... I mean... I'd like ta think I'm smarter than Jonathan Storm, but... kinda; yeah." Tilting her head, unable but to help think about the similarities she had with the fictional Fantastic Four superhero, Ky' vie shifted slightly over the spot. Hesitating a moment or two longer before she moved past him and towards her kitchen so that she could begin to put her groceries away.

"Hmmm, I can digg that, definently more sexy." Floyd let that slip out...on purpose. It was if nothing could push down the attraction he had towards this fellow empowered girl, "Crazy thing is this is the first time that's ever happened to me, fire hands, last week was even worst I got really drunk and when I woke up... I was invisible for two days at first it was okay but then it became a living nightmare." He shuddered just thinking about the horrific experience he went thinking he'd never be able to be seen again

"..multiple powers..? And they aren't even closely related..." Brows furrowing slightly, a slight frown crossing over her otherwise gentle features, Ky' vie once more turned her attention back to the groceries. Pulling everything out to place down on the bench, she took a few moments to fold up the bags and to slip them into one of the lower drawers before she began putting things away in the cupboards; the cold items going into the fridge or freezer depending on what they were, "That's... really weird..."

"Multiple powers, more like multiple nightmares or several problems." A frown formed on his face at her description of his experience. Being removed from sight and a week later having his hands replace his lighters wasn't exactly his idea of winning the superpower lottery. He briefly thought about asking if she'd wanted help but decided against it as he'd already asked and didn't want to feel like he was nagging, "Yeah your telling me I'm living it, I don't know what the fuck to do this shit is really messing up my life... I mean, you seen the news... sooner or later the Feds is going do sumabout people like us."

He sighed thinking about the unfortunate implitications of being a real life mutant in these turbulent times

"..well, I mean, they can try. But they ain't got nothin' on me. Only two people including you know; and really, you haven't seen me do anything so... it'd be your word against mine." Shrugging her shoulders, closing the fridge, though only after retrieving two beers, she placed one down on the bench in front of him. Bringing the other down in front of her, using the bottom of her top to help her twist the cap off, she took a swig.

Floyd rolled his eyes, he was a fan of confidence sure but he tended to drift towards reality in most scenario's when possible, "Oh yeah, cause your such a bad ass huh?"

At the mention of her not showing him a display of powers, a fleeting sense of panic enveloped his thought pattern wondering if he'd made some grave error by lighting his cigar with his hands. Retrieving the lighter from his pocket he popped the cork off his beer and took a chug himself. Yeah I might need one of these more then I need the gas right now.

"Jeez not gonna offer to open mine huh, I'm all alone." He said teasing the literally, hot nerd.

"You're a strong bloke... pretty sure you can muscle the cap off your beer." Quirking her brow, her body falling back until she was resting against the kitchen bench behind her, Ky once again brought her own beer to her lips. Taking another drink. Her gaze never once leaving his.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... like I said earlier ma'am out here we have southern hospitality."

Floyd equipped as he took another swig from his beer. A whole different bease of an experience to smoking but honestly better for his nerves right now, "So look I've got a question for you, you said it was weird that I've had two different things going on that aren't related right? What the hell do you think's going on? I was stuck unseen for two days but ever since then it hasn't happened again but I sure as hell haven't tried again either."

The confused man poised the question to Ky'Vie it was his first time sitting down with someone else who proposed to have powers, but in the back of his head he was still toying with the idea that maybe he was being set up. After all she'd been quick to pull him into her room, and asked about his own powers but he'd yet to see her do anything other then open up a beer and put up groceries.

"..well... have you tried to do it again..?" Lowering her beer, watching him, she held it down in front of her stomach.

"Well no... like I said, it was kinda a messed up experience, not one I was hoping to repeat but... maybe it'll be better if I can control it?"

Pondering about what he said he bit his lip inquisitively. Mayne I'm tripping if I've got super powers, I damn well better learn how to use them, with motherfuckers like the Silver Predator out their if I'm going stay in the business I'm in I need to get a handle on whatever I can do before he throws me across the highway too. It was settled it seemed and he was in agreement with Ky' vie, "Alright here goes nothing."

Closing his eyes and exhaling to focus he groaned hand shaking slightly as he tried to remove himself from sight but nothing happened, "Come on... maybe I gotta say something... like Danny Phantom... Going Floyd!" Groaning again and snapping his fingers he quickly felt silly when... absolutely nothing happened, "Okay well, so much for my parlor trick..."

"..amusing to watch you try, though. Please, continue." Her bright red lips turning up in an amused smirk, Ky motioned for him to keep trying.

"Oh wow, fuck you." Floyd retorted rolling his eyes as he tried again figuring that he made the same mistake Peter Parker did in the first movie going for catch phrases. Groaning and trying not once not twice but thrice more times and nothing happened he gave up clasping his hands then picking up the beer to take a few deep swigs. "Yup nothing, nada, I can't go ghost." He said making another Danny Phantom reference at his failed attempts to reproduce invisbility.

Watching him a few moments longer, her dark gaze intense, Ky' vie eventually turned her head. Looking away from him as she first shifted against the bench, before pushing away from it altogether. Making her way around the bench in order to meet with him on the other side. Her free hand slipping down into the back pocket of her jeans, she motioned towards him with her beer, "..then maybe you don't have multiple powers. Maybe you just have one. One that lets you use other peoples powers, you know... like Mimic, or Hope Summers. Composite Superman."

Floyd paused to think he hadn't ever thought about that, really he hadn't thought about that much about his powers, "I ain't gonna lie... I'm more of a watch the movies type of guy now, so I don't really know them people you talking about, but I think I get the concept."

That could explain some shit but Ion get why I can't turn invisible

"I really don't know, and I guess I'm only gonna find out over time really. What about you; can I see your party trick?"

"..my party trick..?"

Hesitating; taking a few moments to think over the situation and what her options currently were, Ky lifted the bottle back to her lips. Draining it of whatever beer remained and putting the empty down on the counter, it looked as though she wasn't about to comply before, slowly, her dark raven locks began to glow. Brighter; a vibrant orange and red crept its way up. Embers flickering, and after a few short moments flames licked at her hair. The heat quickly filling the room as she brought her attention back to him, "..my party trick. But that's all you're gettin'. Any more an' I might set off the fire alarms..."

Floyd raised an eyebrow but felt more calm about taking this situation to the next level. Seeing the sparks of flame on her hair and getting verification that she was one of them. "Just a tease aren't you, but yeah wouldn't want your parade getting rained on."

Reaching for the glass he finished contents of his beer and set it down, the small buzz from the drink mingling with the few drags he'd taken earlier. "Well at least you can call upon yours on command, once I get to that point I'll be feeling alot better buuuut if you can do that, it won't be long before I'm caught up." Floyd spoke out with a sense of confidence that had seemed to be wavering about his abilities. Maybe what she said was going on, but he could imagine a whole lot of scenario's where a power like that wouldn't be good but it was better then nothing.

"Maybe..." Shrugging her shoulders, the flames sizzling out until there was no evidence they were ever there, Ky turned and leant herself back against the bench. Her head turning so that she was still able to look up at him, "..but if that is your power; if you really can mimic the abilities of others... you're never going to be done learning control. Every time you come across a new one; the learning is just gunna start all over again..."

"More good news; you know how to cheer a guy up don't you." The undertones of saracasm flowed as he spoke, it seemed she'd made up her mind that he was the black Hope Summers or the Black Mimic. It's a good theory. but I still don't know if that's what I could do it could just some power that ties into fire & invisibilty, but I doubt I'm going to figure it out today.

"Either way I'm going to have my work cut out for me, reminds me some of some of my teachers ooooh Floyd your never going to stop learning never! It doesn't stop." He laughed thinking back. at some of the teachers who'd chastised him when he brought up wanting to be done with learning after graduation.

Laughing softly, Ky shook her head, letting her gaze fall to the ground in front of her; though she wasn't focused on it, "Yeah... I was never too fond of my teachers either. So I feel ya on that point."

He couldn't help but chuckle. "So I guess we have more then fire in common then huh." Standing up he took his empty beer and went to toss it in thet rash. "All these magic tricks got me pretty damn hungry, sheesh you mind if I spark up in here?" He asked pulling the cigar from his ears that had once again went out as his focus had switched to trying to summon his powers of visibility distortion to no avail earlier.

"..as long as you smoke over by the window." Motioning over towards the one window in the lounge that had a seat by it, and an ashtray, Ky crossed over to it. Reaching over to pull it open, letting the fresh air flow into the apartment from outside, "Don't want the smell seeping into my clothes or furniture, that's all."

"I can dig that but lucky us, the aroma of cannabis dosen't tend to stick around for more then three or four hours. When your in the... business I'm in you've got to know things like this." Floyd made his way over to the open window embracing the fresh air and was about to retrieve his lighter when he had an alternative idea.

Hmm, let's see... I doubt this is gonna work buuut I'll try. Focusing but this time getting the wanted result he was surprised to see flames sparking off his fingers lighting the backwood as he took a few heavy pulls before coughing. "Oh..." Coughing "Shit..." More coughing "It worked." Coughing again he cleared his chest as if he was clearing out phelgm trapped and took a few more hits a little more flame then he wanted causing the cigar to burn faster then before.

"That actually worked...crazy.." A Sparkle of excitement in the corner of his eyes at actually managing to summon some form of power at will even if it was to get high

"Smart... if we end up hanging out more often, I'll teach you how make popcorn without burning it. Now that is impressive." Moving back from the window, Ky folded herself down on her couch. Crossing her legs underneath her.

"Oooh! Now that I want to know, cause I swear the microwave never seems to get it right sometimes, always just a liiiiitle too burnt for my taste literally." A few more heavy pulls was leading to his eyes starting to redden from the strong substance allowing him to truly slump into the chair she'd offered him by the window. "Your welcome to hit it if you want, I'm talking about the blunt good stuff. Honestly I'm not even gonna finish it myself." He laughed a little feeling a lot more relaxed and silly as he got higher, more entertained by the fact that he would never be plagued by problems of loosing his lighter again that's if he could keep making the sparks fly from his finger tips literally.

Shaking her head lightly, her own body falling back into the cushions, she chuckled, "No thanks... I only gave myself the mornin' off, remember..? Got cars to be fixed, and bikes to be tuned waitin' for me at the garage. Can't put off work for too long, else it'll pile up."

"Oh your one of those, can't work high huh I use to be like that." Floyd laughed taking one final hit before ashing outside the window. Taking out the wrapper he'd retrieved the woods from he sealed the half of the cigar back in and closed it. His vision now a little brighter, and everything feeling somewhat more intense the sounds of the birds chirping outside, the beating of his heart at a more brisk pace, and heaviness that he could feel in his eye lips occupied his heightened senses. "I don't know alot of girl mechanics, what got you into the business, if you don't mind me asking something about you not related to our pending X Men applications."

Lifting her hand up, fingers raking through her hair, she pushed it back off her face. Her shoulders shrugging almost dismissively, "..fell in with a slightly questionable crowd when I was younger. By the time I was fifteen, they'd gotten me into cars... bikes... When I got my learners at sixteen, they got me into the real adrenaline fix. Street racing. I was hooked. Being a mechanic just became second nature; the perfect way to feed my little obsession when I wasn't actually out there doing it, ya know..?"

It intrigued him when she said she'd fell into the wrong crowd at a younger age. Hmmm so maybe she's a bad girl after all.

This girl was certainly proving to be interesting after all, and he was starting to feel like their was more proof to what she was saying about his powers, after all he seemed to have no trouble calling forth fire around her but that led him to wonder who'd he run into who could turn invisible. I guess I wouldn't exactly see them... or would I hmmm. He realized he was getting dragged into his insightful thoughts and snapped out of it to pay attention to Ky'Vie as she spoke delivering the rest of the answer to the question he'd poised. "I get that, at least the adrenaline part and getting mixed up with some questionable behavior around that age."

"The rush of adrenaline is the best part. Aside from the rewards for winning, of course."

"Yeah gotta win right."

Floyd was about to keep talking when he felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. Being high and throughly engaged in the conversation he went to click the side of his phone to forward the call. "Fair warning though since your new around here if you pick any highways to race on and you don't want to get snagged up by Georgia State Patrol I recommend i-75 it's the one that drifts out towards the country, anywhere you try that on i-285 their gonna light you up quick."

He spoke with a foreboding tone as many motorists who were unfamilar with georgia highways would find that any of their highways were better to race on then i-285 the intersection between downtown & the metro Atlanta where GSP seemed to hide in every crook, cranny & crevice of looking for drivers speeding & transporting illicit goods.

His phone began buzzing again once again interrupting him, he went to click it again only for it to start ringing even though it was on silent. Damn it; who is it? He took out the phone to see it was Liz, and rolled his eyes, sliding on the pre-typed message option of 'I'm sorry I can't talk right now.' As the phone buzzed again he groaned and stood up to take his phone out his pocket. Quickly he went to Liz's contact and temporarily added her to the block list.

"Geez if I didn't answer the first 4 times...." Suddenly he shot back feeling a sharp pain before he fell to the ground. "Ugh ahhh!!!!!" Floyd clasped his head with both of his hands as he lay on the ground in pain closing his eyes, gritting as teeth as he felt his vision began engulfed in brief flashes of light and color.

Panic shot through her core.

"S-Shit..!" Eyes widening as she saw him collapse forward off the chair, and onto the floor of her lounge, Ky' vie struggled a moment before she managed to scramble her way off of the couch. Her body slipping slightly as her knees hit the ground beside his figure, she leant over him. Her gaze flicking about; she reached out. Her touch firm, though still gentle as she took hold of his wrists, not quite sure what to do, or just how she should be reacting, "Oi..! Oi, you-... you okay..? Can ya hear me..?"

Not getting a response other than his pained yells, and not knowing just how she could help. She stared down at him almost helplessly.

"..Jesus... what the fuck kinda blunt did you smoke..?"

As Floyd on the ground in pain his iphone had dropped and if Ky glanced down she could see the message was from one of his women he was ignoring named Liz. The text on the screen was short and simple.



When Ky touched Floyd it was if she was transported into a whole other place into what appeared to be the heart of Washington D.C, the capital city of the United States standing in the middle of the streets was Floyd looking around confused. “Ky’ vie... you're here too? What the fuck is going on? Where are we?!!!”

Floyd asked her confused how they ended up in the middle of Washington D.C, suddenly sirens were heard blaring and screaming was heard as a plane was seen falling from the sky crashing into the streets merely a few blocks away, and then a loud mechanic voice was heard all over the city. “Your time is up, your most deserved punishment commences now.” The sirens grew louder after the voice heard across the city rung out and a massive explosion went off that enveloped the entire city people running for their lives screaming as the entire city was eradicated consumed in a city wide explosion.

Floyd turned to run towards Ky’ vie as the explosion hurtled towards them disintegrating all unlucky enough to be caught in it’s path. Within an instant Ky’ vie appeared to be back in her room as if she never left, in-fact physically she hadn’t moved but the event felt completely real every second of it. The cold air of D.C, the skin melting heat as the explosion ensured them, the smell of blood, flames & chemical, the blood curling screams of the population being wiped out, the sheer pain and agony of being disintegrated. All real and synthetic as if they’d been there in person, but in actuality neither had left the apartment.

Floyd was sweating profusely getting up grabbing his chest looking around to see he was back in Ky’ vie’s apartment. “W-What... the fuck... was that? ..f-fuck.” Having been trapped in whatever effect had just occurred far longer then Ky’ vie Floyd struggled to get up before loosing both his balance and consciousness.

---

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---

A portal opened up in the mansion and out walked Niko Rasvundin. A duffel bag slung over his shoulder as he stepped through the portal which quickly closed behind him. Letting out a sigh indicating he was tired from the long range transportation from the Big Apple back to his home-land he took a seat on the nearest couch and lowered the duffel bag full of illicit proceeds onto the ground. Quite the big load for today, I'm sure Krieve will be more then pleased, Mo's Knights are going to continue doing business with us on top of that we've got future business with the Mao Society coming along nicely.

"Anatasia, I'm back. I brought you something."

Niko opened up the bag pulling out a bundle of cash $5000 dollars wrapped up in rubber bands before zipping the bag up. He'd felt that her parents were distasteful in the use of her abilities for the profit, further more they didn't seem to be splitting the loot with her directly even though she was the source of their ill gotten revenue. Niko wanted to change that, sure she was living under their roof for no cost but that was the bare minimum the owed as her 'parents'.

The mansion was large, the grounds surrounding it just as much, though nevertheless, Anastasia wasn't surprised in the least as the sound of her uncles voice floated in from the next room. Catching her ear first, and causing her to turn her head towards the call of her name. Her naturally pouted lips parting from one another, lingering in her studio a moment longer, she eventually turned away from her work. Her bare feet making dull thuds over the polished wooden floorboards as they carried her to where she had been summoned. The glorious white wolf moving, keeping pace with her as it walked at her side.

He was home.

Eyes sparkling lightly as she rounded the door and her dark gaze fell on his figure lounged on one of the couches; she made her way over to him. Her hand reaching out, the tips of her fingers running lightly over Nikola's snout, letting the canine know that it was okay to give her space, Ana closed the gap between her and her uncle. Tugging the bottom of her sleeves down and over her hands before she folded herself down to sit on his lap. Her body curling gently into his The wolf, always watching, having made itself comfortable on one of the armchairs, "..business went well, I assume..."

"Very well, my dear." Niko was happy to see his niece hugging her briefly but firmly. He was a man who truly valued his family, and was happy to see she was okay. Seeing the wolf also infused him with a sense of relief, glad to see her protection was still around. Leaning down he patted the wolf's head slightly and and laughed. Taking the money he handed it to her. "Here take, it's American money, you'll have to change it out but that shouldn't be a problem no one's going to give us a problem."

Although they weren't notorious or famous for their illicit activities, ever since Krieve inherited the family business the were known for their success in the import & export business. "How have you been, I assume working on your artistry? You've always been so talented." Niko said beaming with pride speaking of her success as an artist.

Taking the bundle of American cash as it was handed to her, no longer questioning such things like she had when she was younger, Ana lowered it down to rest in her lap. Not so much as looking at the money, her gaze, instead, drawing back the way that she had come from. Staring at the open door of her studio, "..another one of my pieces became reality... the school massacre... it happened a month ago, in the States..."

Niko knew her parents probably didn't want him giving her money especially that much but he was basically her dad at this point. Hell he was the only parental figure that was around and considering what he did that wasn't good. "Really, the school?"

Niko scowled searching his memory banks to recall what prophetic painting she was referencing then a light bulb appeared over his head metaphorically of course. "Ah that one... that;s not good at all... events like these are going to lead to some form of reaction from Government forces." The mobster's head swayed from side to side disapointed in the brutal actions being taken by people with powers that would surely accelerate the potential of them facing their demise by armed militaristic response.

"..there is a preacher... he was on the news with the survivors from the school..." Frowning, it was a moment or two longer before she turned her head, her dark gaze lifting to meet with his, "..he is calling to have all with powers condemned to death..."

"What?"

Niko's eyebrows raised alarmed at what his niece was saying, although he was no fan of religion this was concerning perhaps more so then his future business endevours. "In the states as well I assume, damn it... these men of the holy book proclaim to be the messengers of God, but spread messages of death that would even some of the most brutal members of the mob wouldn't support."

"..uncle Krieve can be cruel; but even he has moral enough not to stoop so low that he would call for a whole race of people to be ended so easily..."

But that's what they were. The people with power- they were a new race. At least, in a way they were. Shaking her head lightly, her gaze finally dropping to the bundle of cash she had held in her lap, she let her thumb brush over the top bill. An almost inaudible sigh passing through her lips, "..I shall send you the link to the article... also... you wished me to inform you whenever my parents contacted me. Father called me last night..."

"Perhaps I'd hope so at least." Niko wasn't one for jokes, but Krieve's moral depravity was one that he wouldn't compare to many. But perhaps even he wouldn't be as so foul as to advocate the genocide of an entire species perhaps because Niko was part of said species or a more depraved but honest answer is their was no paycheck involved.

"People target what they understand, especially in that country. We've all had our disagreements among people around the world, but their the hatred, the racism that oozes through the cracks of American society is truly vile, as it as been through it's whole history." Niko always found it ironic that America and by extension Americans considered themselves the paradigms of morality around the world. The Land of the red, white and blue was one of grave hypocrisy.

"He did?" A small sigh escaped him mostly breathed through his nostrils. "About what darling, what was the nature of your father's inquiry?"

Niko poised intrigued in knowing what it was about although he although had a pretty good idea.

"..my father never calls me for anything other than art that would help get my parents get ahead financially in some way..." Shaking her head lightly, sighing, Anastasia curled her body further into his. Her eyes drawing to a close as she allowed her head to rest comfortably in the crook of her uncles neck, "..he said he would contact me again within the week for answers that would pay off..."

"As I assumed."

He did his best to hide his anger in his tone, after all it wasnt her fault her father was such a user and a scoundrel. To think one could disregard their own flesh & blood like that. Niko extended an arm around his niece practically his daughter at this point and gently rubbed her shoulder. "I'm sure he will; almost guaranteed in fact. I just want you to stay safe okay. If people find out what you can do, they will have nothing but the utmost ill intentions to use your skill for their own gain and in far worst ways then your distant father." He could hardly even tolerate him, but others not even of their blood and using her in even worst ways the very thought caused him to boil with anger.

"..I have nothing to give him..." Shaking her head gently against his neck, her fingers curled over the cash she held, "..I've seen no race results... no stock highs or lows... nothing... not since the last time he called..."

Niko wondered if she truly meant that or was finally herself getting tired of her parents only using her as they'd hardly been involved with her life before.

"Don't worry and you don't have to. If you feel he's asking far too much, I don't mind giving him a stern talking to." Although he didn't plan on actually harming him he wasn't above scaring him a bit Ana felt he was getting on her back to much. "If you see anything related to the events related to what this pastor's advocating or anything of the sort do let me know. I'm not planning on any vigilante justice or anything trust me I'm keeping to myself, but i'd be good to keep an eye on these matters... if necessary... and if It can be done without drawing too much attention to myself I may intervene..."

Niko paused wondering what he was thinking, he had no plans of any stunts or heroics that could endanger the family, but perhaps altering the tide of the future to prevent the hammer being thrown down on his kind was something he'd be willing to get involved with.

Staying silent, her eyes opening, staring down at her hands, Anastasia decided not to respond any longer on the topic of the father that was never there, though always such a demanding presence in her life. Instead choosing to acknowledge his latter comment about her work and the pastor, "..I have new pieces already if you wish to look at them... I don't know if they'll be helpful..."

"Sure I might as well take a look."

He noticed the lack of response on her father's comments and decided to drop the subject for now. Taking his arm from around his precious Ana he got up to go examine the new paintings to see if their was anything. Raising an eyebrow he saw one of a man with the same color scheme of clothing he was currently sporting and a portal opening up behind him and a girl that looked the same as the Prosecutor's daughter being dragged towards it. Hmm...I wonder if she notices the similarity... it's eerily striking

Turning from that painting he noticed one that caused more then an eyebrow picking up the painting that looked especially fresh. He saw what appeared the earth, and flames ensaring the globe, continents appearing to be on fire.

Finally he noticed one that seemed almost finished but the but not yet complete. From what he could see was a group of citizens running in what appeard to be downtown New York, flames behind them enveloping buildings and a cell phone flying out of the hand of one of the people in the crowd running. Burrowing his eyes to notice the date listed on the cell phone May 25, 2023. "Oh My..." He couldn't but help be concerned seeing the last two photo's pondering what horrible fate they could imply, especially chilling as the date on the phone was only three years from now.

Having slid off his lap as her uncle got to his feet, Anastasia followed him with her eyes. Allowing him a few moments alone with her work before, taking her cue from his lead, she got back to her feet. Drawing herself up to her full height, holding the cash down at her side; she wandered back over towards her studio. Stopping- lingering in the frame if the door. Her hands coming together in front of her stomach; she toyed with the money. Watching him.

"..I haven't finished those two yet..."

Her voice soft, she leant herself against the frame. The wolf having left the comfort of the armchair, once more sitting at her side. The creatures amber eyes almost holding concern as it watched Niko examine the art, "..they're part of a collection I call Ragnarök... a series of events... leading towards the eventual destruction of our world..."

So entranced in the artwork he hadn't even been paying attention to his beloved niece. Although the prosecutor one was jarring the two unfinished pieces were truly disturbing especially knowing that her ability of prediction had yet to be proven wrong. "Ragnarok like the gods of the vikings.."

I'm no man of faith, but I do believe in things that have been proven such as her powers... this is not good for business, not mine, nor anyone's...

For the first time since returning to the aftermath of the world after the Incident he was forced to think about what these powers meant, what that event meant, what it meant not just for him but for the whole world. "The eventual destruction of the world." It wasn't often Ana would her her uncle speak with such gravity in his voice and this was after coming home from days filled with violence and truly depraved ruthless men. "Honey... this is horrifying... you... drew this with your ability? This was forseen by your powers, do you see the date in one of these..it's a mere three years from now."

He spoke softly his tone lowered to almost a whisper towards the end as he took heed of the date on the cell phone, the implications of which where being seared into his mind and etched into his memory permanently.

"..I know..."

Shifting slightly against the door frame, Ana stood up a little straighter, "..I have to live with the knowledge that in three years... the world will end... and I can do nothing to stop it... just like I can do nothing to stop any event I see from passing... I'm useless..."

The Russian superhuman was very uncomfortable, while the Incident had unintended collaterial damage from people vanishing while being engaged in such activities like driving, cooking and in some instances piloting manned air-crafts the actual death toll when those who were vaporized had returned hadn't turned out to be catastrophic on a global scale, this however was as his neice aptly described Ragnarok. Apocalyptic even- not even; definently so. To think her father's greedy ass probably wouldn't be concerned if it wasn't related to heightening his fortune.

"Now, now Ana... these powers we've been given, I'm sure you've noticed they seem to grow in intensity and capability as time passes. Perhaps we were endowed with these abilities for a reason, what I'm trying to say maybe... well not maybe definently we will be able to do something about this... whatever this Ragnarok is, to sit idly by would mean to be complicit in well... the eradication of all of us."

Niko was regaining his matter of fact stance, truly this put fear in him like nothing else had before in life. But he was not a man who oozed of cowardice, and although he had no intentions of being a warrior of justice nor taking the mantle of a traditional hero if there was something creeping on the horizon that would end civilization he felt it was his duty to do something about it, even if it was just to protect his country or more pertinent then even that his family.

"..that doesn't change the fact that I am useless- I'm not like you..! I can't teleport myself, or others." Pushing away from the door, she motioned towards the painting she'd recently done of him and the prosecutor. Her lower lip quivering lightly, a sting crossing over her eyes, tears threatening to spill out as the emotions that she had been bottling up for Gods knew how long came tumbling out and into the open.

"..I'm not like her..." She motioned towards another painting, this time of a dark-haired girl standing calmly in the middle of flames, "..I can't control fire..! O-Or like them..!" Again, she motioned, this time to several other pieces she'd done - a man generating sparks, another man flying above buildings, a woman moving water out of her path, a man balancing large beach balls on his head, a man and a woman both holding onto an end of an hourglass, a white-haired woman staring up at a full moon - before she moved onto one of the very few times her art came in the form of a statue. The statue showing a womans figure emerging out from a tree, "..I can't do... whatever it is that she's doing; and I certainly can't fucking duplicate myself like that one..!"

Turning away from the statue, she threw the stack of cash. Not caring as it hit the piece she was speaking about; one of a woman, surrounded by various versions of herself. Falling silent, her arm fell back down to hang at her side. Her gaze dropping to the ground just in front of her, her chest heaving slightly with each breath she took.

"..all I can do draw... and it doesn't help anyone..."

“I wouldn’t say that.” Niko spoke in soothing voice trying to calm his niece down

“If you didn’t draw this I wouldn’t be aware, perhaps those Americans could have prevented the deaths of those children had the heeded the images you painted of the massacre.” He did his best to encourage her, truly her ability was useful.

Sure he could traverse the boundary of space as quick as he could make his way across the street, but he had know way to foresee and depict futuristic events before they occurred. “Whatever you can see or make clear for others you can change or you can influence others to, do not disregard your talent Ana, your father certainly doesn’t and you see he’ been able to earn himself more then a small sum of change from it.” He didn’t want to direct any praise to him, but showcase an example of how someone else was using her predictions to change things before they happened.

“I admit I have no idea what this is, and I think it’s of dire importance that you finish this painting, both of the one’s your working on if it can provide more evidence about the source of what’s causing the calamity in these drawings. Your power is beneficial, it may prove to not only be useful to you but all of us…” Once again his voice took on a solemn tone reflecting on the destruction he witnessed in her Ragnarok painting series.

Turning her head, her eyes wet with tears as they met with his, Anastasia stared at him. Her voice soft as she spoke, "..you want me to finish them... I want to burn them... pretend they never existed..."

Niko bit his lip he never wanted to upset her but whatever her concern or will was he had to supercede it in this situation for the betterment of all. "I need you to finish them Ana. Please, you must." He spoke in a calm demeanor but with a sense of urgency, that artwork had to be completed sooner rather than later to see the full depiction of the horrors that were to unfold on earth in three years time.

A breathy scoff-like laugh passing through her lips, Anastasia turned her gaze away from her uncle. Not sure at all why it surprised her that he was asking her to finish the two pieces she didn't want to. Really, she wasn't kidding when she'd said she'd wanted to burn them- she wanted to burn the whole fucking Ragnarök collection. She never should have painted them in the first place.

Shaking her head lightly, her hand lifting. Using the bottom of the sleeve to dash across her eyes, ridding them of the tears that had formed, she pulled her hair back and into a messy bun atop her head. Pushing her sleeves up her arms, a preemptive strike to help prevent staining her top with paint as she turned back around to her uncle and the two unfinished canvases. Her eyes already glazing over a sickly white in color as she stared at them.

"..fine..."

Location: Atlanta

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In the Bishops private Conference room at the Diocese in Atlanta a group was gathered to discuss the fate of one priest. It wasn't for sexual misconduct or for any grievous sin. It was that the young priest had accidentally dropped the Host and instead of it falling to the ground it floated in the air.

"It was a miracle," The elderly woman had told the Bishop. Only a few had seen it and the Bishop quickly explained it away as Father Thomas liked to use magic tricks in his children's sermons. This too was one of those tricks He assured her, one the young priest would be punished for. Thomas' magic abilities were poor compared to the professional street performers. But he could pull a stick of gum from an ear, or make a wrapped life saver appear in his hands. But making something float was beyond his ability and not during the Sacraments.

On his trip back from Rome, he was one of the ones that disappeared. Over the last four months things have been happening around Thomas, mostly out of his control. But this was in his control.

The official position from the church was that those with powers were to be sanctioned in line with the government orders. Unofficially, the church had been working to help those with powers as long as they were not hurting others. Thomas was now a problem to be dealt with.

He sat in a small library praying and waiting. For the first time that his powers worked the way they should have. His confessor had forbidden him from using his powers. He had done his best to follow the rule. This, like most of his use of his powers, this had been done on accident. The difference was this was a public display. He knew that dropping the host would have been a forgivable sin.

From the conference room he could hear the yelling back and forth. The Conference of Bishops was involved. It meant that this was eventually going to make its way to the Pope who would rule on what to do with him, if the Cardinal deemed it needed to go that far. The politics being what it was, those with powers were considered public enemies. The church would protest the policy and laws as inhumane but she would go along. This would be a right-hand and left-hand problem. At the national level the church would declare those with powers outside the church, but she would also protect those they could.

After about an hour, one man came walking down the hall to the room.

It was Msgr. Flanery, his confessor. He looked like a man who was beat down and carrying the weight of the world.
"My boy," he said in a tone that said it all.

"The decision has been made to remove you from your call," the older priest said. He grabbed Thomas' arm and held it.
"It has nothing to do with you, my son," Msgr. Flanery said with a paternal tone and continued, "The Bishops are worried that if the authorities learn that you have the gift they will come after you and others under our protection."

Thomas might be young but, he understood that he was being thrown to the wolves. The priest handed Thomas a packet. It included a money to take care of him for a while.
"You are officially being placed on special assignment," the priest said.

"As your Father, I tell you that you need to go into hiding," he said. "There are those that will help you," He continued.

Within half an hour, All of Thomas' possessions that fit in two duffel bags were with him and he was loaded into a car and driven to an old junk yard in the slums of Atlanta. The Spanish speaking owner took him to a shack that sat in the yard and gave him a uniform to wear. A young girl came into the little office and translated for him. "Night watchman," she ended up telling him.

Night watchman in a junk yard in the Spanish speaking part of the slums of Atlanta. At least the Mexican restaurant next door to the sleazy hotel smelled like it had good food.

“So what’s next baby, I don’t know.” Matt shrugged talking to his girlfriend Carol while going to the fridge to retrieve a chilled bottle of Honey Jack Daniels. The scene opened up to a luxurious beach house in Miami Florida. Matt was feeling accomplished, despite the last five months of the world being Hell for some it wasn’t anything short of pure success for him.

His company was doing better then ever, and he was nine months into his marriage to model Carol Mavers, a successful model & CEO of Mavers Delights lingerie clothing line. Right now they were in the process of putting together a fashion showcase for Carol’s company.

“Honey I don’t know, I just feel like we should be trying to do something. All this newfound success is wonderful, and I love it. But with everything going on, maybe we should be putting our money to more altruistic needs. “Carol suggested, although she was always in the pursuit of financial success growing up she was of a mind that the should be doing something to help the world.

Matt rolled his eyes.” Come on babe, what the hell could we do? We’re lucky we weren’t vaporized, or collaterial damage in anything that went down. “ Matt didn’t really want to protest this any more then he had to, as far as he was concerned he wanted to stay away from anything to do with the Empowered.

Carol could feel the energy radiating from her husband, the slight tension in the air as he spoke about not wanting anything to do with him. He’s gotta point but damn I’m just like the people I protested growing up. But…I love Matt…this isn’t just about money getting tied in with these people could be the end of us literally Although she felt somewhat like she was betraying her morals, the one thing that stood before anything in her eyes was family. “Your right I don’t know what I was thinking, well it is what it is. Have you heard from Eddie? “ She equipped looking to change the subject, maybe she couldn’t help now. But who’s to say things would be that way forever.

“Naw no idea I thought you talked to him, Christ we go ahead and book one of the most expensive DJ’s in the world and he dosen’t respond” Mentally rolling his eyes about the $16,000 deposit they’d put down from him. Some say he was so good that maybe he had super powers.
“That’s not like him, we’ve used him before and he’s nothing but good” It was quite puzzling, he’d agreed to only a 40% deposit so it wasn’t like he was running off with much for his level of expertise.
“Yeah well not like him but it’s happening haven’t heard from him in five fucking days.” At this point he was pouring up two glass cups full of bourbon for each of them. Screwing the cap back on the bottle he was entertaining the idea that maybe the so called famous DJ had really just had some sort of epiphany and decided fraud was the way to go. With the world was going he didn’t know what to predict anymore.
“Hmm I’ll try to get in contact with Amber, you remember I’m friends with his agent from back in college. Even if Eddie is a prick or something out of nowhere, there’s no way she’ll go bitch mode on me.” Resassurance, something she was glad she had about this situation. Although she was confident that maybe it was simply a lack of communication or Eddie was sick or any number of possibilities there was still a way to get in touch with him no matter what.

“Well for you sake I hope your right or your gonna have to make it up for me, you know I hate wasting money.” Matt had a hint of seriousness in his voice, but a playful overtone to what he was saying. It seemed the mood was changing for the better as he sat down next to his wife finally and handed her a glass. “Cheers.”
“I like the sound of that, and and yeah yeah I know how you feel about the cash, but it’s not like I can’t replace it and maybe make it up to you.” Giggling she took the glass and toasted with her husband.
“Maybe, now that’s not what I wanted to hear.” The couple downed the shots of bourbon relaxing as the alcohol began to do it’s job delivering it’s infamous relaxation effects it was so known for.
“Alright change of subject, you know my former partner Katrina passed right. Well apparently she’s left someone in her will, another close friend of hers who worked with her on a charity they started.”
“Really, so what she’s some sort of replacement, Jesus, don’t tell me she put her in some sort of will to replace her on the LLC.” The last thing Matt wanted was any potential financial problems of a magnitude that could affect 50% of his wife’s company. Since they were joined together anything that could affect her could affect him.
“I mean…don’t run me over or anything but yes…but look I actually was reading the report and I know who it is.”
“God damn it, know who it is!? I was a little ticked off about Eddie, but this! You should have had this addressed while she was still breathing, who is this motherfucker.” Matt didn’t mean to get so aggressive, but in all reality 16k was a drop in the bucket for them compared to endangering half of his wife’s business.
“Relax baby, this is why I was waiting to tell you. Besides it might end up being beneficial to both of us, I know how much you loooove money. “Now Carol was a little peeved at her husband’s response especially a situation so delicated tied to her close friends death.

“And how is that?” Matt noticed his wife’s reaction, and decided to calm down a little bit. Although he couldn’t help but attribute some of that to the possibility that this might help him in some way, especially financially. Although he knew that she would deduce the nature of his somewhat calmer demeanor and that would only serve to make her a little more irate. He was going to have to quickly take reign of the wheels of this argument to sooth everything other. But at least she knew beyond actually trusting Katrina as her business partner as she’d proven herself a capable business woman over the past 18 months he’d known her, he actually had come to like her, especially after that threesome they’d shared in Vegas two months before “The Incident.”.

“Well well well, her name is Adora Zayas, she’s married to some guy Kareem Zayas CEO Zayas Properties Incorporated, if we’re already tied together on paper, might be a way for me to get you in further in the real estate game, especially if she’s already on paper, wife working with wife, husband working with husband type thing. Could serve to make us all some more money, I will admit I’ve researched this woman and she dosen’t seem to have any business of her own besides the charity she was running with Katrina, but you know what they say behind every great man is a powerful woman.”

Matt paused to think it over. “Hmm…I see.” It wasn’t exactly the spectacular news he’d hoped to hear, but he could understand where exactly his wife was coming from. Besides if it proved to be fruitful in the end it wouldn’t matter, as much as Katrina might be missed of course. Any opportunity to move forward in the business & stay ahead was something he was going to take advantage of. “Well see to it then, maybe your right. I’m sorry I got so pissed, yeah you know I’m worried about OUR money, but I’m worried about us to. It seems like the world is falling apart, and we’re lucky enough we’ve got a big enough slice of the pie now to have to fight over the crumbs with the rest of the world.”
“I know honey, I’m just taking it hard cause of Katrina, you really are right to be concerned.” Carol leaned in and locked lips with her husband kissing him, leading to them kissing passionately as it seemed the situation had reached a firm resolution for the time being, and the lovers wanted to enjoy the warmth & embrace of each other. As Matt had stated the were living in perilious times, and the problems of today could be far more severe tomorrow.


“Stay down damn it I won’t tell you again” Orders were being barked by a top agent of the National Empowered Division Unit, NEDU for short. Flint Marrow, a high level CIA operative who’d been drafted into NEDU. Members of Legion with influence in the highest levels of United States Government had put together NEDU as a means to devise an organization to get a handle on the thread of the very super powered individuals they’d served to create.

“No! I’m not going anywhere with you motherfucker I do what I want.” An angry dishelved man wearing a Screw the Rulers I have money T Shirt, and some gym shorts responded.

“God damn it you people never wanna make things easy, and you wonder why there trying to pass the god damn bill.” Flint held his gun close to him as he inched forward towards the man who looked like he hadn’t seen a shower since The Incident.

“Oh I told you, your not taking me anywhere!!!!” The man barked and raised his fist unleashing a wave of seismic energy that slammed into Flint disarming him and sending him flying into a tree causing him to yelp in pain.

“Damn it Arthur!!!!” Flint groaned as he hit the tree and got back up seeing Arthur back on his feet running. Retrieving his weapon Flint took chase after him, hearing one of superiors speak to him in a Bluetooth in his ear. “Yeah I’m not trying to kill him, but he’s not making it that damn easy.”

Flint was obviously not in agreement with the orders he received, but he was listening to the best of his ability. This guy had used his powers in a road rage incident that ended up killing three innocents in a car a father and his two daughters. “Your gonna regret this bitch!!!” Flint yelled out as he kept chase.

Arthur turned around and used a seismic blast on a tree above Flint causing to come crumbling, the agent jumped to the side nairly avoiding being crushed by nature. Having enough he reached in his jacket pocket and tossed an object forward. Arthur who’d turned his back to keep running from Flint hadn’t noticed until it was too late when a flash grenade went off. Struck by the explosion of sound, Arthur stumbled froward falling. “FUCK!!!!!”

Flint took that as his chance and rushed towards Arthur only for him to turn and unleash a massive seimic blast sending Flint flying up into the sky and slamming into a branch.” DAMN IT STAY DOWN!!!!! “ Arthur screamed reeling in pain and stepping forward only to be smacked in the head bya bat and hit the ground by a woman who appeared coming around the corner.

“Tsk Tsk..and you thought you didn’t need me.” The woman chuckled and reached in her jacket pocket taking out a needle and injecting the alleged road rage family killer with some sort of sedative.

“Yeah whatever Kaitlin damn it, I softened him up for you, I practically did the work.” Flint grumbled sluding towards the now downed evo and his assigned NEDU partner. Pressing a button on his Bluetooth to communicate a message with NEDU Intelligence. “Yeah Arthur’s down, Kaitlin injected him, go ahead and send a chopper for a pick-up, we need to get him to the Facility now. We don’t need this guy waking up in mid air not with his power, everyone’s going down, matter fact Kaitlin since you’re the “Better” agent why don’t you ride with him, I call dibs on driving back..oh what’s that NEDU agrees see maybe you are the superior agent.” Flint laughed and playfully punched Kaitlin in the shoulder who rolled her eyes.

“Whatever Marrow, that’s how you treat a lady, leaving me to to take the potetnally death flight. Luckily I have extra sedatives.” Pressing the button on her Bluetooth as she scoffed and responded to their handlers.” Yeah Yeah I’m flying with him, just send the damn chopper.”

Slowly regaining the pep in his step after being slammed into two trees Flint chuckled as he began making his way out of the forest area to his car parked a few miles out to where the chase had been initiated.


Carol was humming to herself and washing some dances. She’d had a very enjoyable afternoon with her husband and was a little bit past tipsy as she was cleaning up some dishes. She stopped the song playing on her Spotify playlist when she heard the doorbell. “Hmmm I wonder who’s that. Mattttt, Mattt, can you get the door I’m a little busy.”

Bing Bing…hearing the doorbell again and after an unsuccessful attempt to call her husband she went to grab a paper towl from the rack. Tearing off two sheets, perhaps one more then needed she dried her hands off and went to the front door. Guess I’m a little to good, he’s knocked out. She giggled to herself as she went to open the door.

The person behind the door was a pleasant surprise, seeing her old college friend Amber. A woman in her late two’s, with orange hair dye, wearing a tight fitting black dress and two diamond ear rings. “Ooh Amber! Just the person I wanted to see.”

“Carol!” Amber smiled and embraced her friend in a hug as she was welcomed inside, the door shut behind her.

“Girl I’m so glad you made it, can you believe Eddie’s not answering, I mean I’ve tried everything, now Matt’s a little pissed off. I can’t lie you know we’ve booked him a couple times, but I know if we get in touch with you everything would be sorted out.” She laughed as she went back to the kitchen, but instead of going for the dishes she went straight to the fridge opening it up to retrieve what was left of the bottle of Jack she’d been sharing with her husband earlier.

“Oooh looks like you’ev been fun girl.” Amber laughed looking to see that a little over half of the contents of the bottle remained.
“Yeah you know how frisky Matt gets when he’s had a little Jack, not that I mind, I swear when he’s had a couple drinks in him, he does some magic with his tongue.” The two girls shared a laugh as Carol went to pour the two of them some drinks, going for two glasses she’d just got done washing.
“Yeah about Eddie, I’m actually worried about him. I haven’t heard from in almost a week, I think something terrible may have happened. It’s not just you he’s not answering, and when I went by his house earlier today, his car wasn’t their either.” A somber look had been taken on Amber’s face as she took a seat on the couch and Carol upon seeing the look on her friend’s face took a seat by her taking a swig of her alcohol.

“Oh my gosh, are you serious?! I told Matt that wasn’t like him, what do you think happened” Carol asked both intrigued and concerned, not so much about the deposit anymore but about the potential of what might have happened to her favorite DJ.

“Well..he’s missing and…I don’t think he’s going to be found Carol, I called everyone his girlfriend, hell I even called his mom they haven’t seen him. I actually got back from the police department earlier we..just filed the missing persons report today.” Amber looked down taking another chug from her cup before setting the glass down on the table shaking her head.

“Jesus that’s horrible, I hope it dosen’t got anything to do with all the nonsense going on, the world’s really becoming messed up.” Carol sighed maybe it could be due to everything going on or just a regular dose of the messed up stuff that’s been happening in the world.

“That’s the thing..Carol..I think it is…matter fact.” She paused to guzzle the rest of the contents of her cup. “I know it is.”

Carol raised an eyebrow, her friend went from taking sips like her to downing the whole entirety of her cup, they’d been drinkers since college, but to be downing practically four five shots worth in a few minutes she knew something was going on. “What do you mean Amber?”

“I know he’s gone…because…..I…I..I killed him.”

Carol felt a chill flow through her body, and unconsciously inched a little bit away from Amber. “W….what do you mean you killed him? You…You can’t blame yourself for whatever happened, I mean yeah you’re his manager but..that dosen’t mean it’s your fault that whatever happened to him happened.”

“That’s not what I mean Carol…I mean that I killed him….myself.” A sinister smile formed on Amber’s lips as she looked at her friend with a violent look in her eyes that Carol had never seen from her friend.

“Amber….what the hell are you talking about…why the fuck would you kill Eddie? Look if your joking about all of this any of this it’s not funny.” Carol protested to her friend not liking this conversation or this weird feeling that somehow she was in danger.

“What I mean is…I’m not Amber, oh no Amber she’s gone..gone gone…like you will be if you don’t want to corporate.” She spoke the last part in a sing talk tone, and now Carol was creeped out.

This woman in-front of her WAS Amber, what the hell was her friend talking about. It didn’t make any sense not in the slightest and she was talking about she killed Eddie. She almost wanted to call out to her husband to ask him to come down and maybe even bring the gun. “I’m…not getting it…are you okay…” Has she lost her mind, is this a bad acid trip or something, we left that nonsense alone at University…maybe something DID happen to Eddie and she’s gone looney The uncomfortable feeling that was rising that felt like a sensation pricking her inth e back felt a lot stronger.

Amber reached in her purse and pulled out some paperwork at a speed that almost called Carol to yell thinking her friend had pulled out a gun. “Calm down silly.” Amber said putting the paperwork on the table.

Now she was tense, all this talk about death, and with how wuick she pulled the papers out of her purse she almost thought she had a gun. Her heart racing shr leaned down to look at the paperwork with a puzzled look. “LLC ownership papers…to sign 100% ownership over to…Adora…Zayas?”

“Yes you can read I’m glad, now listen I’m going to make this simple for you okay? Sign the paperwork, sign the company, make a public announcement, and that’s it you do that, and it’s all over? Okay, your life will go on you can be Matt’s trophy wife, just a dumb rich bitch living off her husband. This is your only chance, and I’m only giving you the chance because well I already killed Katrina, that was necessary but in order to be powerful really powerful you need connections, and people who revere you but more importantly….fear you.” Amber spoke matter of factly not even changing her emotions as she nudged a pin on the glass table over towards Carol’s hands.

Now the fear she had was being replaced, she was beginning to see perhaps what was going on. “Wait a minute….oh wow I see what’s going on huh. Your in leagues with this Adora bitch, and you think you can bully me out my company, come in here talking all scary and what not. I didn’t even know you knew the bitch, but your not gonna bully me outta my company. Wow…just wow..and to think I was just talking about how much I trusted you, lemme guess Eddie’s in on this shit too, the whole little he’s gone oh nooo that’s all part of your plan to make me scared.” Carol picked up the pen and threw it against the wall pushing the papers away. “Get out…Get the fuck out my house Amber..I’m not joking.” She was furious, perhaps Matt knew what he was talking about, when he was speaking earlier about the dangers of this mysterious Adora Zayas woman being on the LLC with her in replacement of Katrina following her tragic passing.

Oh Katrina how she missed her even more, a true friend.” Ughhhh..alright then fine, well do this the hard way. Honestly I can’t lie I do love absolutely thrillingly love what I’m about to do. But sometimes I just want to leave people to actually be around soo…I can have people scared of me. You know they say the beginning of knowledge is the fear of god or in this case a goddess.” Amber spoke but was interrupted by Carol slapping her across the face.

“I told you to get out my house you traitorous bitch.” An audible smack was heard when Carol had slapped Amber, drawing some blood from her check. Amber gasped at the socialite and fashion CEO slapping her across the cheek. Rubbinb her cheek in a disbelief and getting up looking at her friend in shock. “What are you waiting for leave! “ She was furiously typing on her friend, reaching out to her security detail just in case things needed to be escalated although it felt good to get her hands dirty. With the position she was in life she hadn’t experienced the need to put her hands on anyone in a long long time.

“You really fucked up..I hope you know I’m really about to enjoy this.” She spoke down on her friend almost growling in anger as Carol stood up unphased by her friend and pushed her causing Amber to yelp as she tripped on the couch and fell backwards hitting the ground tearing part of her expensive designer skirt.

“Get out!!!” Carol barked just as Jordan Hoover the head of her security detail and three other security guards made their way through the front door all armed. Jordan took note of the scene he was witnessing and raised an eyebrow. He was familiar with Carol & Amber as having been friends having seen Amber on the property several times. [i] Hmm a bitch fight, the way she texted us I would have thought someone was breaking in oh well..I love watching cat fights but I don’t get paid to be entertained. [i] Jordan chuckled inside his head he him and the rest of the guards should have stayed outside to finish their smokes before coming out but you could never be too careful, besides this was the best security gig he eer had.

“Hmmm Amber..I don’t know what’s going on but by the looks of your torn dress, it seems like you should get out. Come on, I’m sure you guys can make up later.” Jordan help back a laugh but getting a death glare from Carol he saw the severity of this argument and decided to pipe down less he loose his precious job.

“Okay..fun’s over bitch.” Amber got up and reached down to dust off her skirt as she appeared to be walking towards the entrance to be escorted out by Jordan & the rest of the security detail. “And your not funny mister, in fact.” Amber stopped walking as the team was leading her to the door, causing Jordan to groan.

“Look I don’t know what the fuck is on, but just make it easier and get the fuck out jesus you already got knocked on your ass by Carol what else is it gonna take, your not gonna force us to make you leave are you.” Jordan rolled his eyes but getting forceful with Amber and getting paid to do it wouldn’t be that bad.

“Oh no I’m not leaving and like I told Carol I’m not Amber.” She said the last few words slowly and Jordan raised his eyebrow.

Yup this bitch is drunk or high or both…cause if she’s not Amber, then I’m Jim Carey…crazy rich bitches. “Alright I’ve heard enough get outtt.” Jordan poked her in the ass with the butt of his gun and pushed her causing her to stumble forward slightly immediately causing Amber to get red.

“Oh my god, every fucking time I try to do things civilly it just dosen’t work!? It dosen’t, people won’t listen!!!! You have to react, but then when you do their all like oh no please nooo nooo please nooo!!!! But they wouldn’t listen, you all do this to yourself, honestly I was running an experiment on being civil and I think this concludes my experient, violence especially murder is not only a better choice it’s more thrilling and more fun.” Amber barked and Jordan sighed although inside he was laughing he could see that whatever Amber had going on she was literally a nutcase gith now.

“Get the fuck out come on.” Jordan raised his weapon although he wasn’t going to shoot Amber, now she was actually getting on his nerves. He had years of experience working security, and some dumb broad wasn’t about to make his job any eager. He’d just got done rolling a joint before Carol had pressed the team to rush in and he intended to smoke it.

“Yeah Experiment is…over.” Amber clenched her fists, and suddenly her form shifted into that of an arabian woman. Jordan immediately jumped back, and the other three agents all raised their weapons as Carol gasped. The person she’d turned into was none other then Adora Zayas. “Hello Boys, and welcome to Hell, or well the closest thing to it, honestly I’m going to make HER do most of the suffering, so I’ll take care of you quick.”

“Yo what the fuck dis bitch just do.”!!!! Terrence the only African American member of the security detail spoke up his finger already on the trigger. In an instant the four men vanished, and Adora stood unphased as Carol was screaming now terrified.

“HOLY SHIT!!! WHAT ARE YOU!!! YOUR NOT AMBER!!!! What did you do to them!!!!” Carol was filled with fear. “MATT!!!!! MATTTTTTT!!! MATT HELP COME DOWN NOW HELP!!!!!!”

“Shut the fuck up, their not dead you stupid bitch not yet anyway look at the floor!!” Carol was shaking with fear and didn’t even intend to follow Adora’s instructions but just did so out of fear but looking down caused her to nearly faint and scream even more.

Jordan looked around disoriented at his new surroundings, looking up to see the truly massive woman, and turned to the other secuirt guards who were yelling out conused somehow they’d all been reduced in size, miniaturized if you will and were looking up at the enlarged Empowered individual.

“Man what!!!!!?! I ain’t get paid enough for this shit! I knew I shoulda stayed my black ass outside and smoked the damn joint! Yall what the fuck you got me inot this sh-“ SPLAT her foot came down stepping on Terrance instantly murdering the security guard as Jordan dropped his gun running as did the other small security guards.

“The Black ones almost dies first in the movies, I didn’t have to do it, really feels racist buuuut I’m nto white so I’ll be okay.”She stepped forward making quick work of two of the other security guards killing them brutally before leaning down to pick up Jordan as she walked over to Carol screaming as she jumped over the couch. Clumsily she fell to the ground as Adora shook her head ignoring the pleas of the security guard in her hand yelling for help.

Effortlessly she shifted her hand breaking Jordan’s right arm like a potato chip causing him to scream in pain as Carol herself was miniaturized and Adora went to scoop her up walking over to a nearby counter and setting down the two miniaturized targets. Reaching for a glass cup she placed it around the two captives protesting and went over to the table to retrieve the LLC contract humming calmly.

Adora waltzed into the kitchen and retrieved the bottle as well, going to grab an unused shot glass and pour herself a shot quickly downing it. Then using her power she miniaturized the contract and the pen for good measure before placing the cup around Carol and pulling Jordan out who was kicking and screaming. “Sign the contract honey, this is literally your final chance.”

Carol was shaking miniaturized and stuck in a glass cup filled with fear, looking at her security agent fighting pointlessly for her life, wondering who the hell this girl was and what mess she’d possibly gotten herself into. Her fear was further elevated thinking about the fact that this woman wasn’t Amber, and what could have possibly happened to her friend Amber. “Oh no…no…no..”

Suddenly she heard foot-steps, and grew cold seeing her husband running down-stairs gun in hand and saw the mysterious woman. “NO MATT!!” Carol screamed but knew their was no way he’d be able to hear her miniaturized in her glass prison.” NO NON ODONT HURT HIM! BITCH ILL SIGN THE PAPERS!!!!” She screamed as Adora pressed her finger hard onto Jordan’s body causing him to scream.

“Who the fuck are you, where’s Carol. “Matt raised the gun at the woman only to leap back as the gun seemingly vanished from his hands.” Oh fuck…oh fuck.” Although he didn’t know how bad the situation was the slightly hungover businessman instantly realized he was in trouble when the gun vanished. “JORDAN!!! TERRANCE!!” He yelled out not knowing that his security team had all been silenced aside from Jordan.

“Oh honey, they can’t help you not with me, they’ve all found out the hard way except leverage over here.” Before Adora could explain any further she unleashed her ability on Matt as well reducing him in size. Taking her finger off Jordan allowing him to catch his breath literally, she raised the cup and slid him back under, going over to pick up Carol’s screaming husband who’d made a futile attempt to run away.

Picking him up she walked back over to the counter, seeing Carol on her knees in tears while Jordan was groaning in pain feeling as though he’d just had an SUV fall on top of him. “Sign or..kill him, kill the last guy, and kill you? Actually just to make sure I got the message across and cause he hit my bum.” Adora placed Mark down and opened the glass pulling Jordan out kicking and screaming.

“YOOO!!!! WAIT” Before he could protest she slammed her fist down brutally murdering Jordan causing both Matt and Carol to scream in terror leaving their last living security agent a mini blood smear on the counter top.

“Sign???!!!! OR DIE!!!!!!!!!!! I WON’T ASK YOU AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Adora screamed at their size, the noise literally causing their ears to shake. Carol had tears streaming down her face as she quickly signed the paperwork. Adora smiled and lifted the glass up taking the miniature paper and restoring it to regular size. “Perfect now was that so hard? Jeeeeez it didn’t have to be like this, but as usual a pretty face and a smile isn’t enough for you people.”

She spoke calmy while Carol rushed over to her husband also reduced in size hugging him, but then she began growing even more afraid. Jordan and the team were murdered without second thought. [i] Oh shit..now that I signed it…we’re still small what’s to stop her from..oh my god…she’s going to kill us…oh no…[i] A tear rolled down her eyes, as she embraced her husband scared for her life.

She leaned forward laughing. “Your probably thinking oh no I signed the company over, now we’re useless and still tiny. With the slightest effort I can kill both of you, and no one will ever find you any of you and I own your company.”

“Wait!!!!! You said it yourself you need followers! My husband Matt he’s one of the best PR’s around!!!! We’ll work for you do whatever you say, you have our company!!!!”

“YEAH!!!!” Matt managed to belt out, he didn’t want to end up like Jordan and was guessing a nasty fate had befallen the other security guards. Adora raised her finger to her lips squeezing as if she was thinking.

“I did say that…it’s just you didn’t seem to want to be listening until I had to get physical, although it would be nice see I have big plans in the world, of becoming a very powerful person and I’m not talking super powers. Plus it would be a little weird if right after you sold me full ownership of the company you both go missing. But then again you can tell the world about my powers, maybe get me locked up, look me up, all types of nonsense, and generally just other ways that you won’t listen. Now given Matt you just kinda of walked in on us in a bad time, I am interested in your services, but I’m not really trying to pay.”

“Pay?! I’ll do it pro bono, you have my word, trust me I won’t be talking, she won’t be talking! Honestly I support empowered rights, it’s an issue I’m very keen on really!!” Matt had gotten more words out this time, if he was good with anything it was bargaining even while his heart was beating faster then it ever was. This was an unreal situation and as much as he loved money looking at the blood stain that was once Jordan he realized their were things in life more important then money..and he was scared shitless.

“Well…PR’s going to be important, honestly with what I’ve got going on in the background it really is and luckily I’ve heard of your work Matt. It’s settled.” Adora spoke with a grin as she went for the bottle of jack to pour herself another shot. “I’ll be taking the bottle if you don’t mind.”

“No..no of course..it’s all yours…please whatever you want. .” Matt spoke as Carol was in a state of shock sobbing scared of the situation wondering if her husband had actually gotten them out of a horrific death, but wondered what type of situation they’d gotten themselves into with this Adora character.

“On second thought…I don’t know if I can trust you two, so I’ll take my chances with the authorities looking into your disappearance right after you signed the company, toodles.” Adora laughed as the couple screamed picking them up she dropped them in the shotglass, and went to drink down the contents.

Both screamed swigging the contents around like mouthwash before spitting them and the alcohol back on the table laughing. “Juuuuust joking, your hired. But you’d best do a good job if you want to live, and if you ever speak to anyone about your little security team’s mishap I’ll do much worst then put you in a shotglass, I mean trust me I’ve got some ideas. Like I’m positive getting put in a microwave at that size or boiling water’s going to do a liiiiitle more then tickle. So we have a deal, we have a deal I’m assuming. You will never get a second chance with me, that was it, I need supporters, that revere me..and more importantly fear me. Carol your going to do a press conference about WHY your giving over the company to me, and Matt I want you to get work on my image for my company and the one I share with husband immediately, oh..and uhh I might need to use your company as a front for my side hobby of running drugs, I mean I’m using ours of course but the more the merrier.”

Both of them were shivering soaked and coughing on the table, Carol seemed to have passed out while Matt was catching his breath. “You…got it boss.”

“Perfectt I knew you’d come around. We’re going to make a great team, you guys.” She snapped her fingers using her powers to restore Matt & Carol to regular size, Carol’s laying passed out on the counter leaning over the sink while Matt was still breathing heavily. She waltzed over to the kitchen and opened up the fridge humming. “Oh you didn’t think I was leaving just yet did you? I need you two to both get to work today not tomorrow, after you finish I’ll be on my way, I just feel like..if I’m here you’ll both be motivated..and get done sooner, I mean honestly can you imagine what might happen if you waste my time?” She laughed to herself as she retrieved a container full of wings from the fridge and walked over to place them in the microwave. She was one step closer to achieving her goals, and getting true power, the kind that could influence & change the direction of the world without her powers.


OOOh daddy spank me. Laura sighed as she poured up another shot of vodka and downed it with no chaser. Her life was falling apart, and none of it made any sense. She was thinking back on the sexually explicit video she’d seen, the one that shattered her life and got her husband Bruce to file for divorce. It was a video he’d been sent three weeks ago, a sex tape.

Normally she’d be furious about this, wondering who and why was sending her husband such content. But before she could dish out her misplaced aggression, her life had come crumbling down around her. For the woman in the sex tape was her…and another man she’d never seen a day in her life. No matter what she said, Bruce refused to hear it.

It didn’t make sense, was this next level state of the art special effects. Was that the source of this horrible prank that had shattered her marriage, or maybe…just maybe it was one of those people..those Empowered..some how that turned into a doppleganger of her, or maybe she had an evil twin. Her head was swelling, being a member of the Atlanta Police Department had never been an easy task. But the last few months with “The Incident” and then that video had taken her stress levels to a whole new level.

“It dosen’t make any sense…why would someone do this, who..how..” She sniffled as she fought back tears, the alcohol not appearing strong enough to sedate her of the painful emotions that coarsed through her, and occupied her every waking moment.

It was as if she’d watched her life be destroyed in a matter of moments, the disgust Bruce had in his eyes, the way he spoke to her. He’d never seen him so angry, heard some distasteful words come from his mouth during their entire six years of marriage. The worst part about this nightmare she was plunged into is she couldn’t honestly blame him.

She did but she couldn’t, she knew…100% that wasn’t her on the tape. But what was more plausible advanced CGI, a shape-shifter who just happened to want to ruin her life or her just being an unloyal wife in an already rocky marriage. She was bawling placing her head in her arm trying to fight the pain. Enforcing crime in an increasingly more dangerous world was already taking a strain on her but this was something she just couldn’t do.

Her own mother had been sent the video, and even she was disgusted with her daughter, having taken a liking to her son in law Bruce. “This is awful…I’m loosing everything, and I don’t know why! I don’t get it, WHY!!!!!!” The scorned cop screamed and threw her shot glass at her television set not even budging as the glass shattered against the screen only crying more.

“I don’t know this happened, but I’m going to find out, and whoever…whoever..is responsible..I’m going to fuck them up. I swear to God, I’m going to make them wish they were dead, I’m going to kill BOTH of them.” She clenched her teeth, and gripped her fist nearly drawing blood from her her own balled up fists. She was shaking with rage, her heart feeling as though it was ripped out her chest. Looking at the Television screen she sighed although throwing the shot glass had eradicated the alcohol container and damaged the screen the TV was still in tact.

“Fuck, I’m loosing it. I’m not gonna figure this shit out like this. “She got up sniffling again and walked over to her kitchen to retrieve another shot glass. She hadn’t drank this much since her graduation party senior year in high school, but right now this Vodka was the only thing giving her a glimmer of sanity in this uncreasingly unfamiliarity that had enveloped her life.


“Our people must rise, we must not bow down to humanity oh no, we are equipped with great power and we shall use it to rise over the humans. Listen to me, for I am your leader.” The woman spoke eloquently but with power oozing from her voice. She’d convinced a camera crew with a large amount of fear included to record her message that she wanted broadcasted through the city of Atlanta.

“Already they are working against us but fear not for we shall not fall to them. Stand with me or fall against me. I even offer my hand out to the mortals who seek santicity under my benevolent…mostly..rule.” Erica smiled beeming with pride as her message was being broadcasted through the streets of Atlanta.

She was especially ready to deliver her message after hearing about the nonsense the pastor Travis Mendez was spreading asking for the Govenrment & it’s people to work together. To form some sort of co-alition against people like her with abilities not just to imprison them but to slaughter them, tossing them into the furnace like a certain madman had done to another different group decades ago. “That ends my first message, but it will not be the last. We must strike them before they strike us, all of us who were taken and returned to this world we are the chosen ones. Now as for the camera crew who was kind enough to record this message I have a parking gift for them that I want you ALL to witness.”

Erica turned to the crew winking at them although they didn’t appear to be too enthralled about what Erica had planned for them already having a taste of her power from earlier. “Watch and beyold the great gift I give to the mortals who’d so hope to defy me.” Raising her hand and exhaling she clenched her fist. As if on cue the members of the crew collapsed, the very camera recording her hitting the ground.

The members of the crew screamed in pain clasping at their chests as they rolled on the ground in agony as Erica went to clench her fist even together. “Remember never…ever….EVER defy Erica Storm for the consequences are more then grave they are….final!!!!” Erica clenched her fist as tight as possible, and the crew members screamed in pure agony. Within seconds all of them exploded into bloody messes blood splattering everywhere from the six humans being literally blown apart on live television.

Erica was heard laughing, and many watching the broadcast were horrified to see this empowered woman who’d taken them hostage using some sort of sinister ability to hold them down by force and force them to explode into a bloody mess on camera. “As I stated before I am Erica, and I am your leader. Together we shall rise and march up to capital hall, tear down Trump’s capital building, and unite as people above the natural realm, those of us who the laws of God no longer apply, for we have grown in power to replace them, even to replace him. Dare I say no longer are we mortals, we have elevated we are gods…gods and monsters…gods in power, monsters to them…enjoy your evening,,..and Atlanta get ready…because I’m here, here to stay and I’m ready to have some fun more fun,.” Erica was laughing madly amused by the crew she had internally combusted on live television as the viewing went out, cutting to black leaving behind a blank screen with the sound of buzzing static in the back-ground.

Presbyterian Ladies' College - Perth - 12:27pm AWST

Interacting with: Other Students




"Hey, Loner Lorna!" One of the popular girls shouted towards Lorna and smacked her book away with their right hand. It was this display that caused Lorna to look up at the two girls standing in front of her. She would stand up and looked towards the one that smacked her book away. She would clench her fists into her palms before a phone started to vibrate which caused Lorna to smirk. If they were to look at her palms, they would see them surrounded in a purple energy, one of the signs that her powers were activating, although it started off small, it would eventually cause one of the girls to scream as her wrist was starting to shatter. She had endured countless days of abuse from the "popular" girls. All they did was bully and garner attention themselves by bullying anyone else that wasn't like them. Now, because of Lorna they would be the centre of attention, although it would not be the attention they would like. They would have to garner medical attention..

"W-what are you?! You're a freak! You'll be sorry, Freak!" They shouted towards Lorna, they were afraid of her now. Lorna bent down and reached towards her book and would simply walk away before answering them back with a retort all while putting her book in her backpack as she looked towards them. "Yeah, well you had it coming to you. If only your intelligence matched the price of your dress, maybe you wouldn't have to result to bullying other people to have satisfaction. Also stop trying to scare me. You're one of the hopeless ones."

“Hmmmm what I do this.” The man picked up a baseball bat laying on the floor and held it in his hand. A brief glow emitted from his hand and images of the bat’s recent history floated through his mind. With his abilty he was able to peek into the glimpses of the objects brief tunure in existence.

“Wow Kevin so you can see where things are going? You realize with this power, we’ll be the next big power couple in journalism!” His fiancée Leslie spoke out excited about the prospect of her future husband Kevin’s powers working. Already they’d gotten some pretty big leads in the city of Miami, and were able to shake stuff up moving up in the world.

“Yeah no forreal, honestly I was thinking we keep going at this pace, keep what I can do on the hush and maybe we can really approach your dad about getting him to buy us our paper, and we actually won’t run it into the ground. “Kevin quipped even more excited at the idea. Although he was a man of theuth, and he was drawn to both Leslie & this career for it’s authenticity having tasted the lavish life he could see why some of the more seedier elements in society underook the actions they did to get a pieceo f it.

They were both at their place of work in Miami, Florida. They’d snatched up cozy and very good jobs at the Miami Herald. “Hey guys! Lori wants to see you in her office in ten!!” A somewhat chubbier man called out as he opened the door briefly to the couple’s shared office instructing them that the boss waned to see them.

“Got it Ronald we’ll be right out.” Leslie answered back making a shoo motion for with her hand for Ronald to close the door.
“Jeez he never learns to mind his own business does he, annoying lad isn’t he.” Kevin went in to lock lips with Leslie, kissing her with passion.
“Any other news besides that babe? ?” His girl asked curiously as she walked over to the desk to organize some paperwork and take a sip of her mocha frappachino she’d picked up from Starbucks earlier.
“No not really, that one guy the agent dude stopped by again offering me a position, but I told him I’m not really trying to get into Government work. I mean sure I had a brief two year tenure as a cop but that was years ago, and honestly I feel like they do more harm then good.” Kevin just shook his head he’d had enough of humanity’s depravity working for the Miami Police Department all that time ago. He’d shut that door on that chapter of his life and he wasn’t planning on revisiting it any time soon. As a journalist sure he wasn’t really able to legally conceal and carry but as long as he stayed out the way he was sure he wouldn’t run into trouble. He was still on good terms with most of his co-workers on the force and since he was a journalist investigating crime & corruption as long as his work didn’t carry him towards anything that would implicate the force they tended to leave him alone.

“Yeah good no disagreements from me here.” She spoke out again before taking a few more sips of her caffeinated beverage. “Well in that case we might as well head to the office and see what that bitch Lori wants.”

Kevin laughed at what she said before grabbing a folder and his camera tucking it under his arms. “Come on don’t be mean to her yet, let’s wait until we talk your father into making us the bosses of this place, or somewhere of own making.” Locking hands with her they went out to Lori’s office to see what the hell she wanted.

After a few minutes of sitting in Lori’s office talking to her they were ready to leave. “And that’s that! I know you guys are together but number one limit the PDA in the office, if I wanted to watch something to get hot & bothered I’d be on Pornhub okay. “ Lori barked out it was clear she was having quite the difficult day today and wasn’t in the mood

“Wow your just a bundle of joy, anything else you wanna say to drain all the happiness from the office” Leslie retorted back to her employer wondering why she was always nit-picking about every single aspect of their relationship.
“Come on honey calm down.”
“That too, all those affectionate terms Kevin cut it out.” Lori interjected into the conversation, I guess more of the terms & conditions to make this better. “This is the Miami Herald, not the Miami Mentage a Tois okay?”
“Interesting because when we had our fling last year, you didn’t seem to mine both wearing some stuff that was quite revealing, and being more then a little flirtacious in the office with or without the blinds closed do you remember.” It seemed Kevin was stepping up for his woman, although the preferential treatment he had with Lori had been wavering since they’d broken up 14 months ago.
“Listen Kevin, you know…your special as in a really good worker I mean, and that;s why I tolerate you…and your friend over here.”

The nerve of this bitch, I’ve been a journalist here for four years! Before she was even hired, OMG!!! UHHH I wanna wring her neck out, I wish I was the girl with the laser version on the news Thoughts of revenge floated through Leslie’s mind and she briefly pondered about getting a stapler and applying it to Lori’s fingers.

“But anyway I need your help, a little birdie in my ear whispered to me about this talent you had, and I couldn’t help but think you could take my career to the take next level, and of course get some of the credit yourself. .” Lori smiled seeing the color drain from Kevin and his fiance’s face as she mentioned the power he was hoping to keep discreet.

“Listen Lori I don’t know…”

“Please allow me.” Lori reached for her purse and pulled out her iphone X. Opening up the photo tab, she went to her recent videos and pressed play. Kevin was stunned when he heard himself talking to Leslie a conversation about the latest story they’d broken two days ago, a discussion the’d had in their office.

“Wow your spying on us bitch!” This time Leslie didn’t hold back feeling her privacy had been utterly disregarded by her boss.
“That’s against the law! I can take you to court for this! Wow! I knew you were low down but that’s just new! What me and her take about in the confines of our office is private business, besides I still…don’t know what your talking about. I don’t have any sort of gifts or anything I was just joking…”:Kevin stood his ground bu it was clear he was un-nerved both about the fact that Lori knew about his powers and that she’d been recording him. The truth was he had no idea how long she could have been monitoring them and what sll she could have found out.

“Hhmmm..I don’t know if you’ve been falling the news, but just about a week ago the Diana Gray case right? Well people were murdered, they’ve got that popular pastor down by the beach Travis Mendez his anti Empowered sermons are gaining a-lot of tractions, I mean youtube views are rising. I’d hate to think what might happen if someone was to deliver this message to him or perhaps the authorities. Sure the way you talk about your power it’s not one that’s showy but…you know the truth so let’s say I talk to the Feds and the look into you, a power like yours, using it to further your career for your own gain, I’ve heard the dorito man talking about how he’s got “very very” good men & women looking into people using their powers to cheat in the workplace, and how it won’t be tolerated. If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed about President Trump it’s his ability to do everything within his power to target marginalized groups. Not to mention the rumors that some followers of Pastor Mendez are taking matters into their own hand with vigilante justice against people like you. I’m a very resourceful woman, you both know this, try me if you wish but the consequences will not be ones you want to deal with trust me, I will crash and burn your little life love-birds, so what is it? You going to do what I Say, and help me become a star, and get a slice of the pie yourself on top of that, or you want to go to war? “

Lori finished her rant while looking at the shocked & intimiated journalism couple. The tension so thick in the air it could be cut with a butterknife, she tapped her fingers against the tapestry of her desk going to respond to some messages on her phone while taking a few gulps from her Dasani water bottle.” I’m waiting, I don’t have all day, make your mind.”

“Your….sick…look Kevin, you know my dad has pull with the mayor, maybe.” Leslie was trying to choose her words carefully, she knew that Lori was out to get them, especially her and she didn’t want her husband’s life to be torn apart not inthis anti empowered climate that was getting worst by the day.
“No…leave your dad out of it, you know what we talked about. We can still do that, but not if Lori ruins my life..our lives. What do you want Lori, tell me.”

“Well I want you, pulling my hair, putting your hands on my ass telling me I’ve been a very bad girl, but just because I like to multi-task with men you dropped me, a girl’s gotta know her options hun. So what I want is Travis Mendez I had a thing with him back in the day, but were not on the best terms these days.” Lori paused flicking her tongue across her lip and wiping away some dryness before drinking some more of her Aquafina beverage.

“Travis Mendez…the pastor?” Kevin raised an eyebrow wondering how someone as course and sinful as her could have ever had a thing with a man like him. Maybe the pastor wasn’t the man of God he claimed to be, but that was no different then many other religious leaders.

“Yes with the campaign he has gaining traction, he’s going to be thrust forward into the spotlight sooner or later, he’s already getting a rapidly increasing amount of donations to his church. You know with social media damn near replacing us, we’re struggling to keep up. Not to mention two of my rental property tenants croaked as a result of the Incident and I’m behind on Rent. I want you to use that power of yours to get some dirt on him, compromising information, so I can force an arrangement that benefits the Miami Herald, and Mendez’s congregation. You know something he dosen’t want out there, something so bad he’ll let me stick my nails in the cookie jar, and get as many chocolate chips as I want. Not to mention I want us to get exclusive rights to his story, and any interviews he’s giving out as a result of the actions he’s under-taking. We do that and Miami Herald will be at the top, above NY Times, Chicago Tribune, none of them we’ll be able to keep up, we’ll be ahead, breaking story after story. We might even be able to get funding from that new organization NEBU, their looking to partner with and aid anyone who can help them with enforcing laws on you freaks.”

Lori leaned back in her chair finishing her bottle and tossing it in the trash bin under her desk. She could see the wheels turning her plan coming into fruition to get Mendez under her control, and run the church. Leslie lowered her head and took a seat at the desk sad that she’d basically gotten them. “Damn…it..your cruel.”

“Oh you don’t know the half, so what do you say Kevin your up for the task? Ready to take us to the next level or do you want your future with that skank to be a pipe dream ?” Lori seemed to be making her final offer, and Kevin walked over to the desk putting his hands on it and looked at her. Within a quick moment he slapped her in the face causing an audible gasp.

“Now you listen to me Lori, I don’t give a fuck what you think you know bitch! Don’t you ever call me into this office again and come at me or my future wife! You know what they say once a cop always a cop. I’m pretty sure if I make a citizens arrest, call the commissioner and say I’m looking for a job, and explain the type of power I have with proof he’ll be happy to oblige. So who do you think he’s going to support more super cop who can find out anything they need and largely reduce the number of CI’s or you borderline criminal journalistic hack. Besides you put that out there even if you ruin my life, I’ll make sure I find you and personally but a bullet in-between your eyes. Stay away from me, and my her. We’re BOTH putting in our two week leave Lori, and that’s that. I’m not doing a damn thing for you, stay away from me, and her!” Kevin lunged forward putting his hands around Lori’s neck and snatched her from the chair throwing her on the ground then brutally kicking her in three times causing her to cry out.

“Do…you..understand? Yes or no answer me!!!!”

Lori was fighting back tears, feeling pain from being kicked three times by her ex-lover and soon to be former employee. “Yes…yes..I understand…I’m sorry please don’t hurt me Kev please.”

“It’s Kevin to you I’m glad we were able to come to an under-standing, now remember what I said boss.” He said the last part sarcastically and helped her up pushing her into the chair and walking over to Leslie extending a hand to helpher up.
“Wow!” Was all she said in response to him sticking up for her, for him, for both of us. “Hit em where it hurts” Starting to collect her bearings she took his hand and got up. Wow that ws hot…I’m soaked “ Bye Lori, see you at the meeting this afternoon.”

She was beaming with pride over Kevin’s actions and they got up to leave. Lori sat in the. Chair frustrated rubbing her cheek her ears ringing from the force of which Kevin used against her and she looked down at her desk. Fucking piece of shit…I can’t believe I ever loved you….your gonna regret this…both of you..all of you! Lori Hasboro will get what she wants! “Time for Plan B.” Lori fought back some tears drifting from her eye lids grabbing her phone and scrolling through her contacts to send out a text.


Kevin & Leslie had showed up to the board room meeting late on purpose, having a tryst in the car prior to it smelling of sex and victory from their earlier refusal to give into Lori’s demands like most people In the office.

“So you see, our ratings are lower then the need to be, we’ve got to do better much better, ah Kevin, Leslie, nice of you two love-birds to join us.”

Catching a glimpse from Kevin Lori instantly decided for now it was best to stop agitating them. They’d called her bluff, and even though she wanted revenge and had utterly lost any & all feelings for Kevin for the most part it still wasn’t going tobe good to get tied in with Travis’s ministry or the CIA’s task force without some solid evidence on Kevin & his powers.

“Oh well we had some important matters to tend too, carry on Lori.” Leslie responded to her matter of factly addressing her in a demeaning tone. Some of the other members of the office noticed but none of them seemed too interested in trying to figure out the nature of what was going on.

“Ok then well like Iwas saying, it’s just you guys aren’t good enough really. And it’s sad, I do so much for this office, for our jobs and we’re loosing to the Chicago Tribune? Like come on that city is hell on solid ground, no different then Detroit. After a while nobody wants to keep hearing about gang wars tearing up the streets and rampant violence. They want different stories, if they wanted to watch organized crime be detrimental to the population every-day the could go watch The Wire.”

“So what are you gonna do fire all of us, good luck with that.” Ronald spoke out and some other members of the board laughed, even if she wanted to there’d be so many protests & the could easily band together to file complaints and expose her for the selfish & over-demanding employer that she was.

“Naw maybe she’s gonnna be like Mo’s Knights and just blow us all up, then she can cash in on the insurance I mean at least until your in jail in like what how longyou think few days?” Cory spoke out an afircan American with a slim build, sporting some ray band glasses, dress pants and a white button up T Shirt, Ronald’s best friend in the office.

“You…make a point Cory…but no I don’t intend for any acts of terrorism, your being funny but this is serious uh.” Where is she christ I’m tired of waiting

“Bomb that’s far too serious.” They heard a feminine voice ring out but didn’t se anybody, suddenly a girl seemed to materialize out of thin air. She was sporting long luscious black hair, some Robin Jeans, and a very tight yellow Truk Fit tight that seemed to be gripping her chest.

“What the fuck” Cory retorted seeing the woman who seemed to shimmer into existence.

“Hello my name is Adora Zayas, I’m an Empowered if you can’t tell, your boss invited me here, said things have been moving along in the office far too slow..”

“Hey Lori if your plan to motivate us, is making strippers come out of thin air, I take back my complaints your actually might know what your oding.” Ronald said in response to Adora coming from places unkown causing himself, Cory, and some others in the office to chuckle. Leslie had an eyebrow raised wondering who this Adora lady was, and why lori had invited them. Kevin seemed to be of a similar mind and just sat the table unresponsive but very attentive to wha wasgoin g on.

“Glad for you to finally join us Adora, why don’t you pass along the message I hired you for?”

“Sure “Adora began walking around the office table looking at the members of the board before laughing and with a motion used her ability causing the members of Lori’s office to all be miniaturized in size. As the members of the room where all reduced in size besides Lori and herself she could hear squeaks and protests from the miniature Miami herald staff.

“Now come on guys, where’s that sense of humor you just had? I guess I don’t know what I’m doing, even my pranks aren’t funny when I hire outside help.” Lori reorted as Adora walked over to the entrance to the board room stepping on and killing three people along the way covering the door. Raising her hand those that were left living were lifted into the air floating and all wound up on the table as if an invisible force had air-lifted them and dropped them on the table as Adora took a seat.

“Oh my god…oh my god!” Leslie was speaking rapidly at the horrific scene that was starting to unfold before them. One inute it was just another boring memeting aside from the girl who seemed to come out of thin air, but now they’d been reduced in size and were now being snatched by invisible hands and brought to the table.

“What the fuck?!” Even Kevin couldn’t hold back as this situation was utterly confusing to him as well, whats worst was the same invisible force that placed them in the table singled him out and lifted him into the air flying towards Adora’s hand.

“NOOO!!!!” He screamed out as Adora grabbed him now with her real hand and pinching his legs held him outside down causing him to be get disoritented as he looked to the long fall below him now looking like hundreds of feet belowat his current size. “Put…w…what do you want from me?” He was about to ask her to put him down but feeling the blood rushing to his head from being held upside down and looking at how far the drop was he didn’t want to find out if this woman had some sick sense of humor and would just release her hold on him which would surely end his life.

“Ah what was that your about to say? I think I know you might actually be one of the smart ones, shame I have to do what I have to do. Well I lied I have no shame none at all.” Turning her hand over to drop him into the palm of her hand she turned to face the wall and using her power increased Kevin in size. Kevin stumbled back into the wall before feeling like an invisible force pressed him against the wall leaving him unable to move.

“Fuck what the hell do you want! What the fuck are you talking about! Make my wife bigger again, my co-workers too now this isn’t funny!” Kevin barked he was still scared but he was starting to think maybe this was some sort of asshole prank and not someone who was there to do them great harm. What is this one of Lori’s bitchy ass friends from college with super powers fuck.

“I want you or rather what you can do, sit still honey it’ll be over quick.” Adora placed her hand on Kevin and closed her eyes. Focusing Kevin began screaming in pain as energy surged from him to her. He cried out in agony as Adora continued to do whatever it is that she spoke about hving no shame about. Gasping for breath he was finally released and fell to his knees nearly hitting the table and shaking his miniaturized co-workers frozen I nfear on top of it.

“What…the fuck did you do to do me jesus.” He was huffing and puffing trying ot catch his breath, all he could be sure of was some sort of ability had been used on him and he didn’t know what. He felt much weaker, as if he was being drained of the very essence of his life itself.

“Jesus dosen’t have anything to with this honey, wow Lori you were right. And to think at one point I doubted you, I can see me and you see eye to eye. It’s hard to find good help out here, so I’ll be keeping my end of the bargain.” Using her power and with a hand motion the same invisible force that had been moving them about twisted Kevin’s neck until it was broken. A loud audible snap was heard as his body now lifeless fell to the ground of the Miami Herald conference room with an thud.

Tears were now welling down Leslie’s eyes witnessing her now deceased lover body hit the ground. “No…..no…..Kevin no..”Falling to her knees as tears rushed from her eyes hse was ignoring the pleas of help from her other co-workers who were screaming in fear seeing Kevin murdered in-front of them.

“Thank you so much Adora, I’m in agreement with what you said, I’m certainly going to be more careful about the employees I collect. .” She was happy things were going here way but was a little un-nerved about the situation. She’d discussed it with Adora earlier, but it just wasn’t something she was use to seeing.

“You want to kill them Lori? It’s so fun snuffing out the lives of people at your mercy, pleading for you to spare them practically begging you not to send them to the afterlife” Stepping over Kevin’s corpse like some clothes strewn out in a messy room she took a seat at the table using just her thumb pressing down on a victim smushing him to death then doing it two others carelessly as if she was killing some ants running around on her kitchen table.

“Hmm…no…I mean..I do so hate the little slut he was with, but I’d prefer not to get blood on my hands if you don’t need me to. Besides you seem to be enjoying it, but we do have to make this good, so let’s get on with it not to rush you of course.” Lori was careful although she’d struck up on good terms with this Adora woman, seeing her powers at work,she didn’t want to end up as a victim herself.

“Oh alright you have a point, usually I like to have fun with my victims, but we are on short time today aren’t we.” She brushed the rest of the miniaturized survivors off the table into the palm of her hands including Leslie ignoring their pleas for mercy as she leaned down and dropped them o the ground.

Leslie was lifeless not dead at least not yet, but soon she would be. To hear this woman spoke so calmly about extinguishing them from existence sent chills down her spine. She was looking into the face of evil, shuffled around with the bodies f the other survivors she didn’t even cry. Althouhg her heart was racing at a 1000 miles per hour, perhaps she’d die with some dignity the little she’d have after all she’d just watched Kevin get his neck broken and some of her co-workers get murdered by a freaking thumb.

“It’s over…we’re gonna die…” Leslie spoke depressed as the tears had stopped Kevin was gone, there was nothing the could do no escape and Lori was going to get money, promotion & a whole new team fmor this.

“LORI!!!!! You gotta help us man fuck these fools! I was always on yo side whole team, I don’t fuck with none of these dudes even Ronald fat ass” Cory was screa,ing out trying to get mercy for himself and none of the others.

“I think Lori’s written you all off, good bye now.” Getting up fromhe r chair she brought her right foot down then her left then right then left slamming her feet down on the floor killing the rest of the team as they futile tried to run from their deaths.

The last thing Leslie experienced was getting pushed aside by Ronald trying to run to safety as a massive foot came down smashing him alive gruesomely. Laying down paralyzed by fear she could only gasp as a foot came down on her. The most pain she’d ever experienced in her life being literally crushed alive bones her body smashed into a bloody pump. But within seconds her life was out, back to Adora who yawned.

“Oh well it’s so much more fun when you get to torture them, go ahead and call 911 darling.” Adora instructed the head of the newspaper who did just did dialing.

“Hello..please help me please! I’m under attack, I have no idea what’s going on this crazy woman is here she’s …she’s a monster…my entire office was disintegrated I have no idea wher AH!!!” Before she could keep speaking the invisible force lifted Lori and flung her through the glass window of the office causing her to slam into a desk outside.

Then Adora caused the phone to zip to her. “Don’t worry officers there probably won’t be anyone alive when you get here, have a good day buh bye now” Adora hung up the phone and placed it on the table. Taking her attention to Lori who was groaning in pain Adora walked opening the front door and walking over to Lori.

“Jesus Christ…through a window….we didn’t agree on that.” Lori rolled over in pain feeling scraped from glass.

“True, you kept your end of the bargain but honestly I regret rushing the murders, I’m going to take my time with you. I know I said we could work together, but I just don’t know honestly if you’ll be a good fit for me. I mean sure we had some fun in college, but people change.” Adora grinned and Lori felt an invisible force wrapping around her neck as she was gasping for breath.

“Adora…what…the fuck…Adora” Before she could protest any longer the force around her neck was released, and Adora was just laughing as she knelt down using her power to brush the glass shards off of her “Friend” and then away formh er so she wouldn’t roll onto them.

“Calm down Lori, you know I love messing with people, friends for life right. “She leaned down and kissed her friend on the cheek. “I’m soweee I through you through a table, but look at you there’s not goin got be any doubt that you got fucked up too and were just a lucky survivor. I got you a present though” Reaching in her pocket she pulled out a small blue pill with the numbers 30 impritnedon it and placed it in Lori’s mouth.

Lori instinctively gulped down the pain killer and grimaced. Perk 30…and she’s not killing me…fuck she scared the fuck outta me “ Damn it Adora, that’s not fucking funny and you know it. Your still just as immature as you were back at our old apartment, but thanks for the perk….”

“Toodles hun, I’ll see you soon.” With that Adora faded from visibility, and now invisible made her way out the office, the sound of blaring sirens in the distance. Lori down against the desk wincing cause of the pain awaiting the opiates to kick in to reduce the amount of pain she was in, thinking about how if the hospital didn’t give her something strong she might have to go back to Adora to ask for some more pills. Those motherfuckers are gonna learn not to mess with me….when you have friends in high places…powerful places your gonnna get ahead no matter what She lay back against the desk starting to breath slower happy that she had won once again and like always in life she won.

“As I stated before I am Erica, and I am your leader. Together we shall rise and march up to capital hall, tear down Trump’s capital building, and unite as people above the natural realm, those of us who the laws of God no longer apply, for we have grown in power to replace them, even to replace him. Dare I say no longer are we mortals, we have elevated we are gods…gods and monsters…gods in power, monsters to them…enjoy your evening,,..and Atlanta get ready…because I’m here, here to stay and I’m ready to have some fun more fun,.”

The message was replaying in the mind of the APD Officer as she was throwing on her uniform and cracking open a can of red bull. The Alcohol was strong and she knew it wasn’t best to head out to the streets while drinking. But, the situation called for desperate measures. Six reporters had basically exploded from the inside out at the CNN center, and APD was issueing a call for all officers to head towards the CNN center to try to intercept this terroristic Empowered woman who’d called herself Erica.

“Maybe I’ll run into Bruce there.” The officer snorted and shook her head. Lives were at stake, innocents being killed and all that consumed her thoughts was her turbulent relationship with her husband.

“No I’ve got to think about something else.” Checking her gun, making sure it was full of ammuniation as well as locked & loaded. “Fuck it, I see that bitch and I’m shooting” She was irate more so because of one of her own friends Ezekiel was one of the journalists that had been victimized by the brutal display of power.

Although, not close friends she did have a soft-spot for the guy, and through his work he’d helped her implicate some very bad people. After brushing her teeth, gargling some mouthwash, and finishing the rest of her quiznos sandwhich she was outside tispy and in her cruiser,

The irony of being about to operate a vehicle with alcohol flowing through her bloodstream didn’t escape her. After all she’d put several people behind bars for doing the very same thing on late night runs to get fast food or barrling down the streets at high speeds simply because they were too selfish to relinquish their keys while imbing on their drink of choice.

“Fuck it, I push the rules on them, I can break em if I need to.” Getting in the cruiser, she quickly put her keys in revving the engine up. Setting up the siren she was out of there, even though she’d had roughly six shots she was use to this. Not the best habit to pick up, but it was something she’d learned from her dad. Not that he directly taught her the skill himself, but she’d witnessed it enough times growing up as well as trying it herself that she was fine.

Lost her thoughts she almost ran a red light and nearly smashed into a Kia Sohl was actually following the roads. Still the near crash wasn’t without incident and she clipped the mirror off the vehicle. The man in the vehicle was blowing the horn causing Laura to stop out the car gun drawn down on the driver and yelling. “LOWER YOUR WINDOW BITCH”

The man had stopped pressing his horn in agitation lowering his window as the officer marched over to him. “Your pulling a gun on me! Your driving like a maniac, you don’t even have your sirens flashing! It’s bad enough this city’s going to hell cause of these freaks, but the officers too! What’s your badge number.”
“What’s..my what” Laura still had the gun in a firm grasp in her hands towards the irate citizen.
“You heard me ma’am I don’t have all day, and I’ll have you know my dashcam will be picking your plates! Do you know who my father is I’ll”
“No but I know this, step out the car sir.”
“Step out the car!? I will not I-

Laura reached through the open window grabbing the guy and pushing forward slamming his head into the wheel causing the horn to go off. Then pressing the button she unlocked the car and pulled the guy out throwing him to the ground. Some other cars were driving by some stopping as Laura took out her rage on the citizen who was rightfully mad.” This will teach you to shut the fuck up and take your blessings where they come from stupid man UGH YA”

One…two…three…four..five…six….seven..eigt..nine. Nine powerful blows to the man who had tried to raise his hands in defense to block against the brutal pummeling by the inebriated cop. Blood was spewing from his face as well as tears as Laura pulled his hands apart and threw a final blow a kick to his face causing one of his teeth to come out. One woman had paused to record the incident and others were in hysterics shouting at the cop.

Taking her gun she fired it into the air, then fired a second shot with precision knocking the phone out of the recording woman’s hand at the same time drawing blood “AHH!”

“I’m getting tired of you damn people, all you do is complain.” Reaching for her radio she yelled some commands, taking some cuffs out she clipped the man and turned him over so his head was face front on the ground. Scooping him up she marched to her car opened it up and tossed him in the back seat. The woman who’d been accosted by the near miss was going over to her damaged phone in tears, as Laura went to tase her as well.

“Ah you can’t do this! Police brutality police.”

“Do you know when to shut the fuck up! I’m not having it.” Laura lunged forward kicking the woman in the back of the head, causing the latino girl no older then 19 to hit the pavement with a thud. Grabbing the shaking woman she used another pair of cuffs she had to clip her and walked her to the car throwing her in the back seat. Getting back into the car she radio’d for a police tow for the man’s vehicle, and had also taken the women’ phone.

“Both of you better shut the fuck up if you don’t want to end up in worst condition! You’ll learn your damn place as citizens.” Laura barked commands at the two, event though this was a result of her own reckless actions to get behind the wheel after drinking, she was a loose cannon. Unhinged fueled by Vodka, and a desire to make her city a better place from these mutant monsters whom she was 70% sure where responsible for the sex tape sent to her husband featuring her doppleganger.

“Hey Dispatch, I’ve got two people I’m bringing in after I get to the CNN Center. Haven’t had time to ID the subjects, but both of them are getting brought in for misdemenour resisting arrest & Felony assault on an officer.” After putting in the charges on the computer system ignoring the audible gasp from both of the victimized citizens one a younger latino woman, and the driver a black man in his 40’s she tired on her sirens this time which admittedly she forgot to the first time and blasted down the road speeding towards the CNN Center to see if she could catch up with this Erica and give her a piece of her mind with some lead thrown in for good measure.

Fucking super freaks fucking shit up, and of course it’s always some piece of shit minority that’s gotta get in the way too. Don’t even realize me, the rest of us in blue are the ones out here risking our live and your gonna complain about a fucking mirror getting knocked off or try to record me doing my job huh yeah right I’ll ruin your life, good luck with a felony, neither of these two clowns look like they can afford to bond out on a VGSA charge not to mention what I’m bringing im in for Although it wasn’t exactly cleaning up the world, she always felt good when she could take out her anger on some certain undesirables.

Really they hadn’t even done too much, but just by getting in the mix and in the path of the vengeful officer the’d landed themselves in a world of expensive legal trouble, one which could set off a chain reaction to destroy their lives especially if they had tradiational employment. Thoughts of their precarious situation and beating didn’t even phase Laura as she was nearing the entrance of the CNN Center ready to put her hands on more people to drown out her anger and sorrow from Bruce filing divorce papers on her.

Accident, FUCK!

White House, Washington D.C.

In the face of countless cameras and journalists prepared to deliver truth to the press, United States President, Donald J. Trump stepped out confidently to the podium on the stage. He was ready to address the citizens of the country.

"Good evening. I, President Donald J. Trump would like to address the American people tonight on a very new development concerning the empowered people in our country. As many of you know, many of these empowered pose a danger to our fellow citizens. Our children. Our brothers. Our sisters. Many of them possess very dangerous abilities that threaten our national security, but I come to you with what may be the first step towards a solution."

"We have successfully developed a system to test individuals for abilities... And we will begin federally mandating the testing of every single American citizen, effective immediately. This is in hopes that we can get a handle on the empowered and prevent massacres like the school in Florida." He began to loosen up a bit now. He could now riff and truly be passionate with what he was about to say next

"Very tragic thing that happened in Florida. Very tragic. And you know that if the democrats in the house. Nancy Pelosi and her democrats- if they hadn't blocked the registration bill, none of this would have happened. All of these crimes and death would have all been avoided. All of it. They say there are good ones, but I don't see any. Where are they? The only thing I hear is about how someone used their abilities to do harm."

"If there are good ones out there, they need to join our government and help stop these other freaks and monsters. Otherwise, they might as well be accomplices. That's just me. Every American has the duty to do right, so I don't see why that wouldn't apply... powers or not. Now I will not be taking any questions at this time. I'm very very busy. My Press Secretary, she can answer all of your questions." He gave a quick nod before exiting the stage. A barrage of questions being asked as he departed.