Chapter 14: The Game Begins


    As the snow began to fall from the dark sky above, the sound of his burnt-out watch barely ticking went off, young Charlie, who sat on a cold roof, along with his sister, only turned off the buzzer without taking an eye off the sky. "Well, it''s begun," he muttered.


    "Our job is not to stop the outbreak, it''s to stop the apocalypse, and to do that we need to find," Ah-choo, she sneezed, "Da, Dad," she shivered.


    "We''re not going to get to do anything if we don''t find somewhere warm tonight," he told her as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around his sick sister, and handed her a cup of hot coffee.


    "Well, do that later. Right now, keep an eye out; he''s likely going to make a move tonight," she told him. In response, he leaned over the edge of the building with a pair of binoculars, keeping an eye on the town hall, which had a podium set up, and a crowd of warmly dressed news reporters lined up in a large crowd waiting for the mayor of the city.


    …


    After another half hour, Sky''s brother was completely knocked out, and was being loaded into his car with help by Cornelius and his girlfriend Tia, who planned to drive them to their hotel.


    Once he was in the car, she turned back to Sky, there was no room for a third person because it was a sports car, but she was slightly worried about Sky getting home since she was clearly drunk, dancing around like an idiot.


    Seeing this, the Reaper chuckled. "I''ll take her home; I know where she lives. Don''t worry about it."


    "What! You do?" asked Cornelius a bit tipsy himself.


    "Just get to work!" He yelled at him before walking over to Sky.


    Cornelius smiled never diminished as he chuckled. "Whatever you say, boss."


    Hearing this, Jaime pulled his head out of his book and looked between Cornelius and his boss and the girl in question with a confused look. "Umm, am I missing something?" He asked Cornelius.


    "Seriously?" Cornelius asked a bit rudely. Jaime shrugged, not understanding. "You''re dense as hell," Cornelius groaned. "What? What is it?" He asked, but received no answer as Cornelius followed the Reaper.


    "Sky, come on; I''ll take you home," The Reaper offered his hand.


    "What? But the night is young," she giggled. "I don''t want to go home," she whined like a little girl in trouble before immediately cheering up. "I want to go out dancing; come on Charlie, dance with me," she grabbed him.


    A bit annoyed, he danced with her only to spin her around and get her closer to his bike. "There we danced; now get on the bike." He helped her sit on it.


    She huffed, "Fine; I like our bike anyway. Oh oh I know; can we go riding around? I want to see the city?"


    At this, it was Cornelius whose eyes twitched a bit. "You know why don''t you drive her up the hill? It''s quite the scenic route." At this suggestion, his boss glared at him but it sounded like a splendid idea to the drunken lady. "Oh a scenic route; yes yes yes; can we go after that I''ll go home just let me see it. Please," she begged like a little girl.


    The sight of a full-grown woman begging Mr. Wolfric nearly made him lose his posture but he stood his ground and was about to reply with no when she looked him in the eye; he shook his head a bit but finally gave in: "Alright but only if you behave."


    "Oh oh I''ll behave," she said a bit seductively on accident. At it, the Reaper mentally cursed himself for his choice of words but jumped on the bike and ignored it.


    He then snapped back to his employee and business partner: "Just get to work! I want it done by tonight!" He shouted at them before he rode off.


    "What was that all about?" asked the clueless Jaime.


    "Ahh just go do your job and I''ll do mine," Cornelius patted him on the back before heading off in his own car leaving Jaime with a confused look on his face as he approached his car.


    …


    Ray slowly came to her senses as she heard tapping in the background. When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself tied to a chair. She was in a dark interrogation room, the kind a spy would use in a TV show. But this wasn''t a TV show; this was her real life, and she slowly began to panic as she heard a familiar voice call to her. Only now it sent shivers down her spine.


    "Well, well, well, look who''s finally awake," said a familiar voice.


    Her eyes shot wide as she saw the figure in the dark move. She turned on a light, and it slightly blinded Ray for a moment. "Miss Thompson," Ray questioned.


    "You''re one of his workers," she growled before lunging at Ray, tilting her chair back. "So tell me what do you know about the Reaper''s army?"


    "The Reaper''s army?" she asked nervously.


    "Your boss!" she yelled at Ray.


    "No, no, I don''t know anything; I swear," she sputtered frantically.


    The Agent was about to stomp on Ray''s head when her powers kicked in. Her shot wings burst through her shirt, and she used her agility to catch her attacker off guard.


    The spy was taken by surprise but quickly gained the upper hand by swiping the chimera off her feet with a kick, tripping her over. She then pulled out her own gun and pointed it at the creature''s head


    "Wait wait let me explain, I am one of the heroes capturing mutants."


    Miss Tompson nodded, “I know of you. So are the heroes working for him to.?"


    "No, no, we''re trying to stop him. I was undercover, I didn''t know those were weapons had I known I would have stopped them. Me and my friends were mutated by him and we''re trying to stop him. We just don''t know who he is. Honest." She splutters panicked.


    The agent narrowed her eyes she was so close to pulling the trigger when a voice called out.


    "Lower your weapon, Agent Tompson."


    Ray''s eyes widen once again, I know that voice. she said as a familiar man stepped into the light.


    "I know this one personally, she is a friend of my son."


    "Mr Crush?" Ray tilted her head.


    " I had this under control," yelled mrs Tompson.


    "Oh sure ya did, and that''s why you were about to shoot her." Mr. crush narrowed his eyes at her. but then put on a friendly smile, the same friendly smile he used when they met at the Christmas party. though he didn''t say much then.


    "Ray, my apologies for my subgradient mistreatment of you. but you see this is a national security issue." He walked over to Ray and held out a hand..


    She glanced down at his hand for a moment only to tighten hers,as the feathers on her back stood on all ends.


    After a moment releasing, she wasn''t going to take it, Mr. Crush gave, and continued the conversation. "Yes well, it seems we have found ourselves in quite a dilemma. the Reaper and his army is a serious threat to the..."


    "I know, that''s why me and my friends want to stop him, After all, it was him who mutated us."


    "You and your friends," he said as sternly as possible. "Tell me the truth ." his voice deepened a notch to show how serious his tone was. "Is my Son also a mutant?"


    Ray''s eyes nearly shot out of their skull, though at this point her eyes couldn''t get much bigger. What could she tell him, that hes son, was targeted, by a maniac, and mutated into a guy with horns.'' though it was the truth, she lowered her her head, and kept quiet. however her silence told the man everything he needed to know.


    "I see." he said nearly emotionless. A silence spread among the room, only for him to scream out!! THAT CRIMINAL!!!! Startling ray.


    "You''re working undercover is that right, trying to infiltrate their ranks?" mr crush groaned, turing his back on her. Even with his back turned he could tell she nodded yes.


    "Alright,” The large man steamed, “you were there the night of the dance, Did he have you perhaps look at a computer or something?"


    "I wasn''t working for him at the time. We just went there to have some fun." Ray shrugged trying to ease the tension in the room.


    Turning on his heel, growing in furry by the second, he barked "The night of the christmas dance we had a security breach, data showing the locations of our bases were copied and downloaded, by the Reaper… HOW I AM NOT SURE, I WATCHED HIM THAT ENTIRE NIGHT!!!” stepping past Ray, Crush set his hands behind his back, contemplating what he knew. "The Reaper is planning something, something that could put this whole city if not the world in jeopardy. the question is, what?"


    …


    The mayor walked up onto the stage in front of her town hall. Cameras flashed, and the reporters lifted their mics and recorders, all excited to hear what she would have to say. She gave a smile as she always did, but wasted no time getting into the nitty-gritty of the situation.


    "My fellow citizens," she began, "I am glad to say that with the help of these masked heroes, captures have been easier and easier. That isn''t to say I trust them. No, far from it. But I can''t deny their results. My message to whoever these masked heroes are is simple: Thank you for your contribution to keeping this city safe. But please turn yourselves in. If only asking were that simple, no one listens to that, do they? Especially in this town. I have talked with the FBI, and they agreed to send the National Guard to help us in our time of need. The entire city must be quarantined for the safety of the city and of this world. Rest assured that we are making progress on finding a cure for the infection..."


    She was cut off by the sound of a gunshot. Her assistant, who was standing off to the side, leapt over to her, tackling her to the ground. Only to be hit by a bullet in the neck. It looked like a fatal wound.


    …


    "Yeash! Eddie complained as he rubbed his shoulder, seriously is it just me or are these mutants getting stronger?"


    "It''s just you," smirked Maroo, "Seriously tho, why isn''t Ray responding to her phone?"


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    "I don''t know," but when is Sky supposed to be back? I have a few gifts to give her."


    Before anyone could answer, Sarah jumped up. "Guys, we have a problem - the mayor was just attacked." The two boys'' eyes widened at the news. "We gotta go!"


    "Oh come on, I just got done with work," complained Eddie, but followed Sarah as she headed in the opposite direction.


    …


    As the two drove up the road, Sky marveled at the dancing lights of the city, gasping as they began to head up a small mountain road. The city below became little more than a field of stars to stare at. Seeing her expression, Mr. Wolfric tapped her hand, which was on his shoulder, to gain her attention. He pointed up, and she tilted her head, amazed by the view. Only to gasp louder at the sight of the stars above. It wasn''t too far from the city, but far enough you could see some of them. Eventually, he pulled over to the side of the road, a barricade blocking their entry from going any further.


    "Why have we stopped? I wanted to keep going," she whined like a little kid. "You wanted to see the scenic route, well I promise, this is the best view just up ahead if you please," he held out his hand, and she took it, only to be guided by him over the barricade and onto the grassy side of the mountain. Above them were little clouds and mostly stars, no moon to be seen. Below the city lights glistened as if they were jewels. Straight ahead of them, they could see the sea, and to the right, a dense forest.


    Sky twirled around and headed to the tree giggling as she went. Mr Wolfric watched her as she danced, Her eyes were wide and her smile was bright. Though his gaze drifted everywhere but her eyes, only to shake his head annoyed with himself. But at the sound of a few rocks crumbling, he turned to see her about to fall over the ledge.. As she began losing balance he caught her by the waist and pulled her close only trying to help her onto her feet.


    But to his surprise, she looked up into his eyes and began to get closer to him, But when her little voice giggled again catching every bit of attention he had. His eyes caught hers, and he could even see how the stars sparkled within them. she lowered her head and snuggled into his chest, he could feel how close she was, how warm she was. He was at a loss for Words. He didn''t know how to respond to being so close to him and it showed in his stiff posture, as he stood barley able to move, again.


    "You''re so sweet for doing this," she sighed into his jacket. "You''ve always been so sweet to me."


    At first, nothing she said registered with him because he was in a full daze. Lost beyond what he could say or do.


    Meanwhile, Sky was gazing into Mr. Wolfric''s eyes with a smile on her face as she tried to close the gap between them; her lips puckered slightly.


    At that moment, the Reaper internally panicked. "Woah, woah, woah! What are you doing?" he stammered, taking a step back.


    "I was going to kiss you," she pouted bluntly.


    "Kiss me? Why?" he asked, his voice laced with hesitation.


    "Cause you''ve been so sweet and I want to," she replied happily, swinging her head around.


    He then chuckled slightly. "You''re kidding, you''re drunk, I''m drunk... I mean, I''m pretty sober compared to you... but I had a few drinks and you... you look... and we''re here... you... you have to be kidding me." He chuckled nervously and backed away a bit, making sure she wasn''t near the edge.


    "No, I''m not," she said, annoyed at him.


    He began laughing and swaying back and forth as he facepalmed.


    "I like you alright; what''s the big deal?" he argued.


    "What do you want to kiss me?" he asked again.


    "Yes, I do," she argued back.


    "Really? You''re sure about that?" he growled.


    "Yes, I am," she huffed.


    "Alright, fine," he waved his arms out.


    "Yes, I... wait what?" She replied, expecting a fight.


    "If you''re so keen on it then do it, but only a peck," he snarled.


    Her mood brightened up as she jumped into his arms slightly. Knocking him back against the tree. The Reaper caught her in his arms as she smashed her lips against his, pinning him to the tree. Due to the height difference, he had held her in place. What was supposed to be a little peck on the lips quickly became a full-blown kiss.


    The feel of her against him, his lips against hers only made him hungrier for more as he let her take over their kiss. Later on, he would blame his own intoxication for letting her do this, let alone enjoying it, but didn''t fight it, as he let his claws hold her tight.


    Wait, claws. He mentally noted. He opened his eyes a bit in horror, but they weren''t his usual eyes; they were glowing emerald snake-like eyes. She however kept hers tightly shut never even realizing the change in grip from hand to claw.


    He felt his hat nearly about to fall off due to the growing horns he had under it. He needed to stop this. He couldn''t risk her finding out. She began to pull away, and with it, he feared she would open her eyes and see his true self. He forcefully put more pressure into the kiss, not letting her get away as he quickly began to morph his claws back and lowered his head ever so slightly, so she didn''t notice the differences in height.


    It morphed back to what he had before as they eventually separated. Both stood gasping for air, a bit stunned. He was fearful, but she only figured it was because he was nervous and simply laid her head against his chest. He leaned against the tree still in disbelief of the night''s events.


    …


    Agent Thompson was skeptical of Ray, but she asked in a calm manner, "So what do you know about the Reaper then?"


    "I wish Sarah was here instead," he said. "She''s the brainy one. All I know is that this guy mutated us, and we believe Cornelius is connected to him. I infiltrated to get proof, but I haven''t met the boss yet. And you - how are you involved in this?"


    "That is easy, we are the FBI. after all." Mr.Crush told him.


    Agent Thompson rolled her eyes. "I''ve been on a case for a very long time, and I''m close to catching the main culprit in all of this."


    "We''re just trying to cure ourselves and bring him to justice," she said, her tone growing more enthusiastic.


    "I want you and my son out of this," he said suddenly. "I understand that you have superpowers, but you have no idea what he''s capable of."


    “I want you and my son out of this, I get it, you have superpowers but you have no idea what he''s capable of.”


    Ray remembered what Cornelius had told her and soon made up her mind. "I need help," she said determinedly. "I understand about your son, but perhaps I can keep him busy while you help me. He''s mostly focused on his machine, and if you help me, I promise you he''ll be safe."


    "He''s my friend," Ray added, her voice filled with emotion. "I want him to be safe."


    Eddie''s father looked at her skeptically. "Why are you so fixated on this?"


    "It''s because they''re my friends," Ray replied. "They depend on me."


    Just then, Agent Thompson began to chuckle. "What''s so funny?" her boss asked.


    "Not much," she replied with a smile. "Ray just reminds me of myself - or my daughter, for that matter."


    "I want to protect her too," she said.


    The boss raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about this?"


    "She could be useful," Agent Thompson replied. "She has powers that we don''t possess."


    Just then, another agent burst into the room. "Storm, we''ve got an issue - the mayor''s been attacked!"


    "What," Mr. Crush uttered in disbelief.


    …


    Guards began blocking off the citizens from the crime scene trying to control the pure chaos of the streets. They all ran in fear, as more shots went off. "7 no 8" shots, one of the guards rushing the mayor and his unconscious Assistant down the stairs.


    "Strange she was shot but there is no blood, perhaps she just got knocked out." Said a member of the medical team. "Well, I have to stay here and wait for an ambulance." Shouted the guard.


    Miss Shaw herself began to toss and turn with a few moans showing she was coming to. "Oh, thank heavens. Miss Shaw, please wake up." Cried her boss, "I don''t know what I''ll tell you son if..." Her shot open, and she began to scream from the pain. A horn emerged from her head, as did two feathery wings.


    "Ma, Miss Shaw shouted the mayor. But the guard pony grabbed her and pulled her away, just in time as the now mutated, woman took flight, her eyes glowing like a snake. She then burst through the wall taking flight.


    …


    The camera shook Miss. Tails, trying to make sure she was okay. She was breathing, and there was no blood to be seen, but she was definitely hit with something. out of nowhere catching him off guard Miss. Tails jumped up and grew four large goat horns out of her head. Her eyes glowed as she began to go crazy. more shots were fired at the crowd as more emerged into mutants.


    Arriving on the scene the masked vigilantes looked down from the building above. Sarah and the others looked at the chaos below. "Ahh man." Ediee expressed. "It takes all of us to take out one how many do we have."


    "Six or seven and counting." Sighed Maroo.


    "Come on guys it''s gonna take all of us to deal with this." Sarah chimed in.” and how we don''t know where Ray is, and Sky is still at that bar.


    Just call them again, Sarah told him.


    Na, no, Sky never gets to spend time with her brother, let''s just deal with it ourselves. Maroo, do what you can to get in contact with Sky.


    On it, he replied and pulled out his phone again.


    This is gonna be a long night, muttered Sarah.


    …


    The team all jumped down with the call to action by Sarah, she punched a mutant in the face, as she used her ice powers to shield herself from another. Eddie was surrounded by three of them, luckily they all seemed interested in everything else but him. He quickly ran through them and punched each in the head and neck, only to realize it wasn''t going to work. They were strangely strong. “Were, gonna need some help,” Maroo called out and jumped with his roller skates and rolled around with a cane tripping some of the mutants. “THERE''S SIMPLY TOO MANY OF THEM!!! Shouted Maroo.


    "I agree, you need some help!" Ray called out of nowhere. "And luckily the cavalry''s here." used her speed to knock out a mutant with a punch.


    "Ok, I admit that helps quite a bit." Smirked Eddie.


    Sarah back kicked another mutant on the ground, while Maroo was escorting civilians away from the scene. It''s ok just follow me" he told a few scared people.


    "Even so, we have to put a stop to whoever is shooting those darts," yelled Eddie as another gunshot went off. “I''m on it to keep them busy here,” shouted Sarah as she took off towards where the gunshots were coming from.


    …


    Ray was able to get better control of the fight from the air. She zapped several flying chimeras with her lightning powers as Radiance punched them and then caught the unconscious ones setting them down easily. " Where is Sky when you need her, Ray called out.


    “I don''t know if she said something about going out with some old friends,” Maroo called out.


    “never here when you need..." Ray was cut off by another mutant swinging at her "Uh, guys we have a problem."


    "RAY," Eddie called out and whacked the creature with her tail. Only the creature didn''t go flying; instead, it stayed out of her reach and attacked, knocking her to the ground but to everyone''s surprise, it was Marro with his stick that was able to knock the creature cold.


    …


    The shooter was dressed in all Black, with a helmet on. She took after it as it dived into another building. Shadow Star wasted no time jumping in through the window and smashing the glass.


    "Hold it right there," she raised her tranquilizer gun at him. But the cat kicked the gun out of her hoof. He was agile and quick; she barely had time to. Block his next move. He was a tall slender man, and in these tight spaces, he had the upper hand. He jumped from one wall to the next punching and kicking her, with what only could be described as Kung Fu moves.


    Shadow Star never went up against someone who had this much agility. Tho the punches and kicks did little due to her being a chimera she stood on the defensive, she couldn''t even think of getting a good hit on him. He spun around whacking her with his tail and doing a back flip kick into her jaw as he landed on all fours. The kick, though her back into a wall. She slid down with a moan as she struggled to stay conscious. With his opponent down the guy ran out of the building and jumped into a car, sarah heard him drive away.


    Moments after, Eddie came in. "Sarah, where''s the shooter? Are you ok?"


    "Got away." She huffed. "And I''m fine just a little beat up," she moaned.


    ..


    In a car rushing down the road, the driver took off his helmet revealing to Jaime. He then pulled out a phone and immediately called someone.


    …


    Mr. Wolfric lay with his head back against the tree staring out into the sky. he watched as a simple leaf fell off the tree branch and was carried away by a soft breeze, his expression unreadable. he slowly stroked a piece of fine soft hair with his long fingers. Sky passed out not long after their kiss and laid on top of him snoring away.


    He silently cursed himself for letting her get the upper hand on him, even more, so that he actually liked it, Yet he didn''t fight the urge to pat her on the head as she slept and play with her hair. As he did she gave a restful sigh in her sleep, and the sound of this, made his grumpy demeanor fall to the waist side as he felt at peace, A smile tugged at his lips, as his gaze dropped from the floating tree leaf down to the sleeping woman by his side. only to be interrupted by his ringtone.


    "And." He asked as he answered his phone.


    "Sir I''m sorry Mission failed, I had to abort."


    "Oh and why is that," he asked in a bored tone. his anger couldn''t even fluster at the moment with her by his side.


    "Sir, you are not near a television, are you?"


    "No, I''m on my way home why?" he lied, the last thing he wanted to do was admit to anyone that he was currently in a romantic setting with a sleeping woman on top of him.


    "The town hall was attacked. Several civilians, I don''t know how many were turned into chimeras."


    "Interesting. I''ll have to think of my next move then." He said back.” Get back to the hideout and let them all know to lay low while I think of a new plan. I can use this to my advantage." He said with an almost cheerful voice now. that would have disturbed Jaime, had he not been used to it. "Yes sir," he replied before he hung up the phone.


    As Mr. Wolfric set his phone down he raised his sights back to the skies above him. Well, at least I''m in my happy place. He raised his hand from her hair, she shifted a bit in her sleep but otherwise didn''t wake up. Now I just need to think, he stroked his beard, as his eyes flickered from normal, to glowing.