The Reaper and the Silver Flame
Seeds of Revolution
Reaper was furious, the past few days had aggravated him. Not to mention there was talk of more restrictive measures potentially being passed such as the separation act & the Zayas Properties spawning a domino effect of companies refusing to rent to altered. Reading between the lines he saw they were passing laws to wash several altered into the criminal system & then "legally" arrest & detain them. He felt that it was only a thinly veiled layer before they went full force trying to round up all the altered & place them in concentration camps for society's "safety". It was time to go on the offensive, while he'd obtained Olivia he still needed to determine the quickest & best way to get to D.C to obtain Jack's information. For now it was time to start making things shake, for that he'd come to Vegas with Karagoz and a few others. One of the biggest Forrester Corporation Facilities in the country was in Vegas, not to mention the CEO himself Nathan Forrester & his wife Ruby Forrester were both in town right now. "Alright let's begin, it's time for us to draw blood." Reaper spoke to Karagoz and the others gathered inside a cheap motel room which he'd used his telepathy to gain access to and have a random from the street book the room to avoid any ties to him or the others real identites, he'd left Malina, & some controlled guards behind to keep Olivia secured at the mansion.
"Good... good." Karagoz nodded, putting on the gas mask he always carried around with him. The congress of ghosts in his mind erupted in celebration, or in uproar; there were two sides, one that wanted this purge to happen, and another that was appalled.
It was needless to say which one prevailed. Karagoz and the other revolutionaries, terrorists, or whatever kind of name they may give themselves, proceeded towards the facility that they intended to purify from this earth.
"Our targets are as following all check-points, other blood testing centers, a local juvenile detention center they've repurposed to be a temporary holding center for imprisoned altered, the Forrester Corporation facility & makeshift national guard bases. Those locations were selected for a few key reasons, like altered being trapped there, tools to work against us being created there or locations where our enemy forces are gathered." He explained to the others and used telekinesis to turn on a projector connected to a laptop, which he also started up with an invisible force. The screen that was projected showed a map of Vegas with their current location highlighted as well as the location of the places they were targetting. "I can have this map sent to everyone's phones via google docs, so everyone can also have live access to which destinations have already been visited & dealt with." He concluded
Karagoz looked at the screen of his phone with a blank expression, seemingly contemplating what kind of fiery madness he would visitate upon these... people. "Then let's be on our way."
Karagoz motioned towards the door, as he wanted to get this done as soon as possible. His hands were itchy; they wish to make something burn.
"Let's split up into groups and each go to a specific destination, Karagoz your with me, Clayton as well let;s go, we'll strike the biggest blood testing center next to the national guard makeshift camp, then wipe out Forrester Facility." He decided looking over the map & giving others instructions on what destination to go too first. As soon as they were out the door Reaper used his powers to lift them into the air teleknetically and after a short flight the landed in a ally near the blood testing center where there was a line of people, several parked cars, and armed soldiers overseeing scientists as they adminstered tests. "Let's begin."
"Remember that I have standards." Karagoz begun, taking off the mask in preparation bfor his napalm vomit. "We could end up killing our own kindred if we fire blindly."
Karagoz, of course, for all his insanity, recognized which targets were guilty and worthy of being annihilated, and which ones were not. Random bystanders would be better keeping around, in fact. Let them all bear witness!
Calmly walking towards the testing station, Karagoz would come in pretense of getting tested, just like everyone else... until white flames blasted out of his mouth, immolating the first of several soldiers. The fire would take on the shape of a gaping maw, travelling from one target to another like a snake having a field day.
"Who said anything about firing blindly?" Reaper said with a smirk as he used his mental powers to search the surface thoughts of those in the area, followed by relaying said thoughts to Karagoz & Clayton allowing them to be able to indicate which people in the crowd where altered humans. As two snipers on the roof fired at Karagoz Reaper used his powers to cover Karagoz in a telekinetic barrier causing the bullets to mash up against an unseen wall of force inches away from Karagoz's skin.
I'll do my best to shield you, but if you see something about to hit you and the shield's not up, just project your thoughts to me as loud as possible, that shouldn't be hard for you since you have SO many thoughts Reaper slightly teased his new partners insanity as he used his powers to lift up a truck full of blood tests raising it in the air and using it as a bulldozer smashing through the testing facility, whilst Clayton entered his solar form skin blackening and surrounded by solar power as he surged forward heading towards the makeshift detainment center for captured altered at the check-point center.
As the mayhem ensued, the travelling silver flames turned one man after another into wet ashes, the firestorm enveloping every inch of their bodies. Their screams fell in deaf ears, as Karagoz had chosen not to acknowledge them. They died, and they died painfully.
Prepared tests burned and exploded, scientists ran away with panicked screams, and the onlookers either bolted off from the action, or caught it through phones. It won't be long before they're trending.
Karagoz lowly muttered a single phrase as he burned another guardsman and stomped upon his cracked bones. "None shall find us wanting."
Oh this was a wonderful idea to bring him in, he’s better then I could have ever expected Reaper thought to himself, as he assailed the various soldiers with illusions of a demon telling them they’d chosen the wrong side in life and were on their way to the pits of hell to burn for eternity.
He felt it was a creative & horrific touch added with his powers to victims that were already being burned alive by Kargoz’s flames that snaked around. “You people are fucking monsters! We need to step in and help our soldiers!!!! Whose with me” The bystander said pulling out a Glock.
“Silence” Reaper yelled out audibly before causing the gun to fly out his hand then used his powers to snap his neck, his body hitting the ground with a thud. This only served to incite more fear in the crowd, whilst a couple explosions accompanied by the sight of visible solar energy were seen in the near distance. Shortly after freed altered humans were seen shuffling out of the facility they were detained in as Clayton flew over to Reaper & Karagoz.
“I’ve liberated our altered brothers & sisters from captivity, I even exchanged numbers with a couple of them, I’m sure many will call to join us.” Clayton added.
"I am sure that many will come." Karagoz nodded. The flames had died down now, with any stragglers either fleeing in the terror of the Altered revolutionaries, or had been killed.
"This is where the revolution begins, then." Karagoz said, touching the flames that still flickered on the concrete with his bare hands. "This is... war."
“Agreed it’s time for us the other side to fight back, I’ve had quite enough of there antics with no sight of organized retaliation in sight, where to next Reaper?” Clayton asked feeling energized by freeing the altered. In other parts of Vegas, the other teams of Reaper’s altered were similarly taking out check-points & blood testing centers.
“Straight to the motherland, we’re going to the Forrester Corporation, come on.” Reaper announced as he used his powers to once more levitate himself, Karagoz & Clayton into the air.
Seven minutes later Reaper lowered them to the ground near the front entrance of the facility, only to see it was a literal war zone. Forrester Corporation security guards, national guard, & police were duking it out with 9 foot giant mutant monsters, the exact same type of beast that had been spotted fighting Shade downtown during the Lorizilla rampage. “What the hell.” Clayton muttered, as Reaper peered through the minds of some of the lawmen, soldiers & guards fighting.
“It appears these monsters launched their attack on the facility within the past half hour, a few have made their way inside.” Reaper levitated the trio up to the roof of the facility near a stairwell entrance. “The mission remains the same, I do not know the origin of these monsters so I can’t label them friend or foe, nor do I know if they are the result of powers or some inhumane experiment conducted by the Forrester’s themselves run afoul, what do you think Silver Flame? Irregardless I think we should bring this facility to the ground.”
"We will have to go without attracting attention." Karagoz said, remembering the times when he had infiltration missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Between the guards and the monsters, we cannot afford to take fire from both of them."
"Agreed" Clayton said with a nod as Reaper used his telekinetic powers to pry the steel door open leading to the stairwell, beckoning the two to follow him as he moved down the stairwell reaching the top floor where they were greeted by armed soldiers with guns raised.
“Intruders!”One of the soldiers yelled out, while another gritted his teeth and glared at the three altered. “Monsters outside, mutants inside, there’s nothing to talk about, we will not allow these genetic mishaps to infiltrate Forrester’s facility.” The seeming leader of the squadron said as he pulled the trigger opening fire.
Reaper formed a telekinetic shield around the three to block incoming volley of bullets, while Clayton returned fire with a blast of solar energy, taking on his solar form again, while Reaper cast an illusion with his powers causing the soldiers to view each other as him, Clayton & Karagoz leading to them shooting at each other, so the trio could take them out at their leisure without worry of being fired upon. Using his power he began launching the metallic containers at the soldiers.
Just like before, napalm was brought forth as a horrendous flaming vomit, coating several of the guards with deathly liquid. They burned, and they howled in pain, but Karagoz would simply walk past their tortured, immolated bodies, not paying their suffering any heed. The flames danced around his hand, striking like an orange serpent against anyone that tried to attack him. In quick succession, those foolish humans, they who needed the most powerful of weapons to mimic even a fraction of the power of the Altered, have fallen.
"I see you a bunch of are having a bit of fun, but that all ends here, the boss needs this place up and running" A hispanic woman spoke dressed in combat gear, and with sleak white hair. Clayton fired a blast of solar energy at her, only for her to walk right through the blast unharmed. Reaper sought to peer into her mind only to be met by feedback that triggered pain causing him an audible grunt as he fell backwards.
“Don’t tell me your mojo didn’t work on her, you couldn’t get into her head.” Clayton yelled back to Reaper.
“Only got one thing her name Misaka Minisocho.” Reaper replied back as Dawn laughed clapping her hands.
“Congratulations, a name, that’s soooo helpful, if this was a video game I’d be the boss battle.” Misaka said with a smirk, she kicked a piece of rubble on the ground and it soared forward at superhuman speed slamming into Clayton slamming him into the roof, then took out a bottle cap from her pocket and tossed it, again moving at superhuman speeds bursting through the last two containers Reaper was behind and slamming into him sending him reeling, lastly she took out a small piece of hard candy from her pocket and flung it at Karagoz, the candy hurtling towards his chest at vast superhuman speed.
A candy was the last thing Karagoz had expected to be the weapon of an Altered, but they could all do mysterious things, and nothing should be underestimated. He rolled over, avoiding the candy bullet and drawing more fire from the pool of napalm that was still pulsating with raging white flames.
Putting on his gas mask, the mad veteran put his ploy into action.
Vast swathes of flame were sent out to surround the woman like the unloving arms of a hell borne demon. Karagoz intended to snuff out the oxygen, asphyxiating her. If brute force did not work, then biology will.
Misaka smirked and with a simple twirl the flames Karagoz surrounded her with dissipated. "Do you know why I've been assigned to protect this faciliy, because of my specific ability I was chosen. A rather strange and versatile ability, one which has served me well over the years, the power to manipulate vectors."
Reaper’s eyes widened under the mask upon hearing Misaka’s power.
Damn no wonder they stationed her at this facility Clayton flew forward at Misaka charging her to punch her with his super strength. As he threw the punch towards her an unseen force sent Clayton hurtling back into the wall.
Misaka then did a spin kick, using her vector control to cause the force of not one but 20 different kicks to slam into Karagvoz’s chest even though she hadn’t moved from her one spot. “With my power just by punching or kicking in mid air, not only can I amplify my power I can strike anything within my line of sight within 200 yards, as well as amplify my kinetic vectors to do he same to my.” Before Misaka finished she was infront of Reaper kicking him so hard he flew up slamming into the roof. “Physical body, so Ifyou think solar energy, white flames or mental gymnastics can stop me your wrong, any attack that produces kinetic movement of any sort is pointless against a master of vectors. Eve your flames wont help when I can vectorize the air itself” Misaka then punched the ground, performing a quick calculation, and causing a shockwave to emit from the ground right beneath Karagoz’s feet the very same instance she struck the ground.
Don’t worry Mr. Forrester, your facility is safe in my hands, first I’ll handle these monsters inside then the ones outside,"Vectors..." Karagoz muttered as he stood up, a dull pain beating through his whole form. He remembered faintly about that concept in physics classes. He was a good student back in those days, even when he was looked down upon as a Turk migrant.
Vector. A straight movement with one given direction...
Karagoz gathered up another torrent of flames on his right, firing a tongue of fire raging towards the woman yet again. This time, though, it moved in an erratic pattern; a movement dictated by his own chaotic thinking. Up, down, straight, in circles; it served to confuse and distract as another surge of fire came in from Karagoz's left. Leaving the previous fire blast to move towards her, Karagoz's focus went towards the leftward fireblast, intending to crash it down and melt the flooring beneath her.
"Oh you simple minded fools won't be able to understand so it matters not let's continue." Clayon charged again firing a solar blast only for her to redirect the blast knocking him into the ceiling while Reaper peered into Karagoz's mind since he couldn't peer into the woman hoping to uncover some possible insight into this woman's powers and how to bring her down in combat.
I’m not a good student either but what the hell do physics have to do with resisting mental infiltration unless…oh shitReaper seemed to have his own light bulb moment regarding this powered opponent, but simply issued a warning to Clayton that physical attacks wouldn’t work or help in defeating her.
“You still try foolish antics.” Misaka yelled out as Clayton charged again but instead used his powers to produce a solar flare blinding her causing her to activate her power sightless, falling prey to Karagoz’s attack the floor erupting into flames melting also dousing her in fire, at that moment Reaper moved forward to strike as well launching a telepathic blast to disrupt her mental faculties & disorient her mind.
A resulting crash and scream from her was heard as Reaper rose up and walked near to Karagoz. “Is it over did we win? How the hell did you know what to do about her powers? I admit my plan was simple, there’s no way her power defended her against mental powers, she must have had some type of resistance training, and if anything you did work then I’d try my hand again, but you got the ball rolling, the question is how?” Reaper asked inquisitive to how Karagoz knew how to stop such a troublesome power against them.
"She literally just told us what she could do." Karagoz shook his head. "Vectors can only go one direction. Suddenly changing trajectory midnflight messes with something like that."
And that is what he did. The fire blast that he used to attack the floor had first gone in a more or less straight line, and then plummeted to douse the floor in flames, and with that, her.
“Well I’m glad we have a smart guy on her team, vectors mean the same thing to me abracadabra, I barely finished high school, then went to work at the family’s mechanic shop.” Clayton retorted walking back over to the others.
“I wouldn’t call you an idiot, once I explained physical moves wouldn’t work I’m sure blinding her made it easier for Silver Flame to finish her off.” As Reaper said that they heard shooting elsewhere, and an explosion then the roar of a monster. “Looks like we have company”
“Yes indeed, and if you think you’ll stop us from destroying this building your wrong” One of the monsters SPOKE, as it came around the hallway holding the decpacitated body of a soldier before dropping it. “This building will fall and you three will not stop us from fulfilling our masters request” The beast spot again then roared and beat its chest with both hands.
"Too bad
we are going to burn this place, not you." Karagoz replied with a shrug. "I'm sorry, but who are you anyway?"
The monster growled and drew out it's claws, while Clayton gathered solar energy in his hand and Reaper focused beneath his mask to try to read the monster's thoughts and analyze it's intentions. "We were here first, this is OUR facility to destroy!" Reaper couldn't help but chuckle as he projected a mental message to Clayton & Karagoz.
if only we'd left that girl Misaka in this hallway, she'd make short work of these creatures with her vector. She survived your attack Silver Flame, but she fled. Probably not use to taking damage with her ability.“Enough time for talk, no matter how many altered work for Forrester we’ll kill them all”The monster roared and lunged forward, Reaper used his power to rip part of the wall open & flung the creature out the opening catapulting him through a few nearby buildings. Reaper projected another message to Clayton & Karagoz.
I browsed the surface thoughts of soldiers & security in the area, there about to deploy jets, tanks & military choppers here & other places our team hit. Let’s go, without Misaka these monsters should demolish this facility. But before we leave Karagoz start a fire on every floor, Clayton do the honors.Reaper fired a telekinetic shockwave to blast a hole through the ceiling to expose Clayton to direct sunlight. Channeling the direct power of the sun Clayton launched a blast of solar energy through every floor beneath them all the way to the lobby. Now all that was left was for Karagoz to initiate the same move he used to defeat Misaka, and summon his flames and have them slither to every floor to start a fire on each of them simultaneously.
"With pleasure." Karagoz spat out another torrent of napalm, and wove the resultant flames into a series of coruscating orbs, sending them up to each of the floors.
The facility burned. Documents, tests, trapped personnel, and furniture cracked and crumbled under the pyrokinetic onslaught. The flames would get stronger and stronger with every second, consuming more and more fuel. It won't be long before this place has become a pillar of flame, a testament to the annihilation the Altered could do if only they united.
As the flames spread through the facility, a gleam was in Reaper's eye one his team-mates couldn't see through his mask. Using his power he encased himself, Karagoz & Clayton in a telekentic barrier after Karagoz finished his attack on the facility, then carried them high into the air to avoid any nearby shoppers. From there he guided them to the hotel and landed in a nearby ally before Reaper released his hold on them & dispelled the barrier. Reaper removed his mask, whilst Clayton returning to his non solar form was enough so that he was indistinguishable from how he appeared while working with the group. "I hear thoughts of four of the others who've already made it back, hopefully the others will be joining as soon, then I'll summon a ride to pick us up. For now I say we enjoy some television, I'm interested to see what's said of us."
The revolution has begun.