Jack: Urgh... See you chickens down there.
Before anyone could react, a sharp, ear-splitting crack echoed through the air, like a miniature sonic boom. The air shimmered where he'd been, a brief distortion like heat haze. Then, a moment later, he was standing on the rooftop as if he teleported, his silhouette outlined against the sky, the sound of the sonic boom still ringing in their ears.
Michael placed his hands onto both Arthur and Ender's shoulders before all three of them disappear in a flicker of blue light, reappearing on the same building as Jack. Michael makws another trip from building to helicopter and back, bringing Rex and Kyle doen onto the building.
Michael took a deep breath, the wind whipped around them, carrying the distant hum of the city, they hear the screams of the city folks, guns bimg fired and the heavy quake thuds of the Humanoid dragon at approximately 18ft tall. They'd all walk up on the smooth, flat surface of the rooftop towards the edge, getting a wide view of what's occurring.
Below on the streets was a cacophony of terror. Screams pierced the air as the 18-foot humanoid dragon lumbered down the main street, its reptilian eyes glowing with an eerie red light. Flames erupted from its mouth, engulfing cars and pedestrians alike. The air crackled with the heat, and the smell of burning flesh and melting asphalt filled the air.
Panicked citizens scattered in all directions, tripping over each other in their desperate attempts to escape the inferno. Children cried, parents screamed, and the once bustling street descended into a scene of utter chaos.
A line of police cars had formed a makeshift barricade, their sirens wailing a mournful counterpoint to the dragon's roars. Officers fired their weapons indiscriminately, rounds impacting the creature's hide with dull thuds. The dragon, seemingly impervious to the gunfire, roared in defiance, its fiery breath incinerating the vehicles, turning them into twisted wrecks.
One by one, the police officers began to fall, their bodies engulfed in flames.
Rex: Holy sh– I mean sweet potatoes. That thing massive.
Jack: Remember, don't capture or kill it. Just need it to run to lead us to the victims that could still be alive.
Kyle: Oh, right. Said that Like it's fucking simple.
Jack: It is and can be if you follow my orders.
Jack: Michael, Ender, you two flank the beast, aim for the eyes. Arthur, Kyle, you two help get the civilians to safety. Rex, Zane, you two with me, we gonna draw its attention to us. Moment it does, we give it everything we have to make it retreat. Now... You guys ready?
A chorus of grunts and nods answered Jack. The tension was palpable, each member of the team bracing for the chaos about to unfold.
On the streets, the humanoid dragon, unleashed another torrent of fire, a searing wave that washed over the fleeing civilians. Their screams, already a chorus of terror, reached a new pitch of agony. A young woman, her face contorted in a silent scream, tripped over a discarded shopping cart, her ankle twisting with a sickening crack. She scrambled, her eyes wide with terror, as the dragon's fiery breath surged towards her, turning her into a human torch, her flesh blackening and peeling away in grotesque ribbons as her skeletal form was briefly visible through the flames. A businessman, his briefcase still clutched in his hand, stumbled and fell, his tailored suit igniting like tinder, the smell of burning wool and singed hair mingling with the acrid stench of roasted flesh.
Another woman, a mother, screamed as the flames licked at her clothes, her face contorted in a silent agony, her desperate cries cut short as she was consumed, leaving only a charred silhouette against the burning asphalt. A man, desperately trying to shield his child, was knocked aside by a wave of heat, his body a smoldering ruin. The child, a boy, no older than seven, stood frozen, trembling, his eyes wide with horror at the sight of parents engulfed by the flames. He was next.
Suddenly, a blur of motion. Jack Drake, a speedster, was a whirlwind of orange hair and clenched fists. He scooped up the boy, his movements so fast they were almost imperceptible. The world cracked with a miniature sonic boom as he deposited the child behind the makeshift barricade of police cars.
Officers, still reeling from the onslaught, instinctively aimed their weapons at Jack.
Jack: Whoa! Whoa whoa! I'm on your side! (Jack shouted over the din with his arms raised, his voice amplified by his suit.) I'm here to help!
A grizzled officer, his face streaked with soot, spat on the ground.
Officer 1: On our side? You're one of them! Why is one of your freaks attacking us, huh?!
Officer 2: Yeah, I don't buy it one bit.
Officer 1: If you really on our side, go control your fellow freak!
Before Jack could respond, a third officer intervened.
Officer 3: Easy, fellas. He just saved that kid. Show some respect.
Jack, his jaw tight, ignored the comments. He knew prejudice when he heard it. He focused on the task at hand. He shot a glance at the boy, who was now being comforted by another officer. He then turned back to the chaos. "That boy's parents... damnit i should have been faster."
The boy looked back, tears streaming down his face, expecting to see his mother's corpse. But she was alive, unharmed, inside a bubble of yellow energy conjured by Zane from his vantage point on the rooftop channeling magic.
Boy: MOM! (He called out to his mother while held back by the comforting officer by the arms.)
The mother, her face etched with fear, saw her son and shouted,
Mother: Stay here, sweetie! (She cried, her voice strained. She knew she was drawing the dragon's attention.)
The dragon gaze shifted, its eyes locking onto the woman. It opened its maw, preparing to unleash another torrent of fire.
Jack, his eyes blazing with determination, moved with blinding speed. He launched himself at the dragon, his body a living projectile, and slammed into its torso with the force of a runaway train. A sonic boom ripped through the air after the hit, his momentum carrying the creature several feet back. The impact was immense, a shockwave that rattled the surrounding buildings. The dragon staggered, its roar turning into a pained bellow.
On the rooftop, Kyle and Rex stared in stunned silence.
Rex: Holy– (His voice trailed off before Zane shoved him back.
Zane: Move! (He commanded, his eyes glowing with an ethereal light.
Zane, with a silent surge of telekinetic energy, propelled himself off the rooftop. He floated gently to the ground, landing beside the woman.
Mother: Tch! (She flinched at his sudden appearance.)
Zane: It's alright, (Zane said, his voice calm.) I'm here to help. (He helped her to her feet.)
Zane: Can you walk?
Mother: Y-yeah.
Zane: Good. Come on.
He guided her towards the relative safety of the police barricade. As they moved, Zane glanced back, watching as Jack used his speed to evade the dragon's fiery attacks.
After escorting her safely behind the police barricade. The boy ran to his mother, his small arms wrapping around her legs. The woman knelt, tears streaming down her face, and embraced her son. Zane then witnessed the reunion between them, his face remaining impassive, seeing the grim expressions of most of the officers around until she gave him a small, grateful smile.
Mother: Thank you. (she whispered to Zane, her voice thick with emotion.)
Zane's lips curved into a slight, almost imperceptible smile. He turned to rejoin the fight, but paused as he overheard the police officers' frantic conversation.
Officer 3: We've got civilians trapped in the buildings. There's rioting inside, people are too scared to come out.
Officer 5: Tch! Officer Reynolds went in to try and get them out, but he hasn't come back yet! (She added.)
Zane: (He stepped forward.) I can get them out, (he said, his voice calm and firm.)
Officer 1: You? (He scoffed.) And how are you going to do that?
Before Zane could answer, the dragon's roar echoed through the streets, followed by the sound of a building collapsing. Jack was still engaging the creature, but it was proving to be a formidable opponent.
Zane: you'll see, (He raised his hands, and a wave of raw magical energy pulsed outwards, striking the dragon with tremendous force. The creature stumbled, crashing into the side of a nearby building, the impact cracked the concrete sending shards of glass and debris raining down along with tremors through the street.)
Zane: Jack! (He yelled.)
Kyle: Ah! (He yelped after hearing Zane's yell through the comms in their ears.) You dumb son of a bitch, you didn't have to scream.
Jack: What is it, Zane? (He turned to Zane.)
Zane: There's civilians in the building, rioting... the cops sent one of their own in and hasn't come outside.
Jack nodded, his eyes scanning the burning buildings.
Jack: You guys heard? (He asked on the comms.)
Arthur: Uh-huh...
Kyle: Yep. Dumb people, doing dumb things.... Let's just them all burn inside.
Ender: Eh, Not really dumb, Kyle. I mean, to escape a threat like that thing, wouldn't you get inside a building?
Kyle: That's not what i meant. They rioting inside instead of staying quiet and hope that abomination doesn't find them or better yet, cause the whole building to collapse.
Michael: Focus. Jack what's the plan?
The dragon's roar are heard as it gets up.
Rex: AAAAnd it's back in action.
Jack: Shit. Rex, Kyle, you're with me. We're going into the building. Zane, Arthur, keep that thing busy. We'll clear the buildings, lead the civilians to safety. Michael, Ender, flank and harass it.
Arthur slid Four fingers, bare and pale across Michael's cheekbone, from temple to jaw. A faint, electric hum crackled in the air, a visible shimmer distorting the space between them.
Michael: (He flinched, a sharp intake of breath.) What the hell? (A jolt of pain, like a static shock, radiated from where he'd touched him. He rubbed his face, a bewildered frown creasing his brow.)
Arthur: Borrowing your powers for a bit.
Michael: Okay... Did you have to touch my face?
Arthur: Gotta touch the skin to copy powers man. (He grabbed hold of both Kyle and Rex, teleporting them to Jack, off the ground.)
They'd land quite roughly.
Kyle: Ah my bloody knees. (He was limping while having both knees slightly bent.)
Arthur: Sorry. First time teleporting.
Kyle: Yeah let's hope it's the last time too.
Rex: Least we made it down and not get teleported into a wall or something.
A torrent of flames catches all four of them by surprise to engulf them but a shimmering, translucent barrier erupted in front of them. It flickered and wavered, the intense heat warping its edges, but it held. Zane, his eyes glowing with an ethereal light, strained, his hands outstretched, maintaining the magical shield. The flames dissipated, leaving the squad unharmed.
Rex: Oh, I'm SO glad we got a wizard in the team.
Steam escaped the dragon's mouth before getting shot in the face by a bullet that done little as to chip off a piece of it's scales. The came from the Ender on the rooftop with Michael.
Arthur: Jack, roll up your sleeve.
Jack does so and Arthur places his palm on his forearm causing Jack to flinch and pull back his arm.
Jack: Ah... Jeez that hurt like freaking needles man.
Arthur: Sorry.
Arthur stares at his hands, turning them over slowly. A faint, crackling blue energy dances across their skin, like static clinging to a balloon. It flickers and pulses, casting a dim, ethereal glow.
Arthur: Okay, so...this is it. This is what it feels like.
Kyle: Hey so... how many abilities can you copy?
Arthur: Only one. The teleportion I copied from Michael is gone now, I would have to touch him again to copy.
Arthur clenches and unclenches his fists, watching the electricity intensify and then subside.
Zane: (The barried formed around the four vanishes as Zane puts down his arms as if they are heavy to keep up.) Hey, douches, stop touching one another and get going.
Jack nodded before His chosen team of three moved towards the nearest building with muffled screams of panic inside, its windows shattered and smoke billowing from its upper floors. Jack, using his speed, zipped through the shattered entrance, the others following close behind. Inside, the air was thick with smoke, making it difficult to see and breathe. The sounds of panicked cries echoed through the building.
Jack: Clear! (He yelled, his voice echoing through the ruined lobby.)
They moved quickly, checking each room, their senses heightened, searching for any sign of life.
Kyle kicked open a door, revealing a group of terrified civilians huddled in a corner. "Come on, move!" he shouted, his voice harsh but urgent. "We're getting you out of here!"
Meanwhile, Rex with his newfound politeness seemingly intact, was checking the upper floors, his voice echoing through the stairwell. "Hello, are there any… individuals requiring assistance?"
They moved through the building, guiding the frightened civilians towards the exit. As they reached the third floor, they heard a commotion coming from one of the rooms. Kyle, his face grim, kicked the door open.
Inside, the scene was a chaotic mess. Civilians were shouting, some pushing and shoving, others cowering in fear. In the center of the room, a woman in a police uniform was trying to maintain order. Officer Reynolds, her face streaked with soot, her voice strained.
Officer Reynolds: Please, everyone, calm down! (She pleaded, but her words were lost in the cacophony.)
Rex: Alright people. We need to leave, now!
Burly man: Like hell we are! (He shouted, pushing past a woman.) We're not going out there to be dragon food!
"They're all in on it!" another voice yelled. "They brought that thing here!"
Kyle: Alright. That's enough! (He snapped, his voice cutting through the noise.) We're here to help you. Now move!"
"Like hell we're moving!" a stout woman with a soot-streaked face shrieked, her voice cracking. "They brought this thing here! They're all in on it!"
"Yeah!" a younger man yelled, his eyes wild. "They want us dead!"
"We're safer in here!" someone else shouted, their voice lost in the general uproar. "At least the walls will slow it down!"
Kyle's patience was wearing thin: Listen to me! (He roared, his voice amplified by the confined space.) That thing is going to tear this building apart! You're not safe here!
Burly man: Says you! (He sneered, pushing his way through the crowd.) You're probably one of them! Sent to herd us into its jaws!
"He's right!" a woman with a crying child chimed in, her voice trembling. "They're all freaks! We can't trust them!"
Officer Reynolds, her face etched with exhaustion, tried to reason with them. "Please, everyone, listen! They're here to help! We need to leave, now!"
But her words were met with a chorus of angry shouts and accusations. The room was a swirling mass of bodies, fear-fueled accusations, and desperate denial.
"Get out of my way!" a man shoved Kyle roughly, trying to push past him towards a barricaded window. "I'm not going to die in here!"
Kyle: (He grabbed the man's arm, his grip like iron.) The hell you think you going? (he growled.) We're leaving together, or not at all.
"Let go of me!" the man screamed, struggling against Kyle's grip.
A fight threatened to erupt, but Jack stepped forward, his presence radiating an aura of calm authority. "Everyone, listen to me," he said, his voice cutting through the noise. "We don't have time for this. That thing can and will tear this building apart. If you stay here, you'll die. If you come with us, you have a chance.
He paused, letting his words sink in. "We're not here to hurt you. We're here to save you. But we can't do that if you don't cooperate."
The crowd hesitated, their fear and distrust warring with a sliver of hope. Some still glared at them, their eyes filled with suspicion, but others looked at Jack with a flicker of desperate hope.
"What about the others?" a woman asked, her voice trembling. "Are there more people trapped up there?"
"Yes," Jack replied. "We're going to find them. But we need to get you out of here first."
"How do we know we can trust you?" the burly man challenged, his eyes narrowed.
Jack: (bluntly) You don't. But you have a choice. Stay here and die, or come with us and have a chance to live. It's your call.
The silence hung heavy in the air, the tension palpable. Finally, a few people started to move, their eyes darting nervously towards the door. Others followed, their movements hesitant, their faces etched with fear.
Jack: Ah! That's what I thought! Officer, you should take the lead. Kyle, Rex, keep them moving.
Officer Reynolds: Wait on a second here. Who are you guys?
Rex: We. Are... SUPERHEROES! (He said proudly with his fists on his hips and chest up.)
Kyle: No. (He pointed at Jack) He's a hero, we just the "helpers."
Officer Reynolds: Yeah? Well you all heroes for saving us.
Kyle was speechless after hearing that, trying to hide a smile.
They began to file out of the room, Kyle kept a watchful eye on the crowd, his senses on high alert. He knew that even now, in this moment of fragile cooperation, the fear and distrust could erupt at any moment.
Meanwhile, outside, Zane and Arthur were keeping the dragon occupied.
The air crackled with raw magical energy as Zane unleashed a barrage of arcane blasts, each strike impacting the dragon with concussive force. His face was strained, beads of sweat trickling down his temples, his reserves of power rapidly dwindling. He floated, hovering just above the ruined street, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air, channeling the chaotic energies of magic.
Arthur, meanwhile, was a blur of motion, his body crackling with borrowed speed. He darted around the dragon, mimicking Jack's movements, but the sheer size and power of the creature made it difficult to maintain the illusion of control. He stumbled, his movements jerky, the stolen speed a wild, untamed force. He was pushing himself to the limit, his muscles burning, his senses overwhelmed by the rush of adrenaline.
On the rooftop, Ender's sniper rifle barked, the sound sharp and precise. The bullet struck the dragon's scaled hide, but it merely ricocheted, leaving a faint scratch. "Damn," Ender muttered, his voice tight. "That thing's like a tank."
Zane, his focus unwavering, floated closer to the dragon, his magical attacks growing in intensity. But the creature, its eyes glowing with malevolent fury, was growing impatient. With a swift, powerful motion, it reached out, its massive hand clamping down on Zane, pinning him against the side of a half-collapsed building.
"You fight for them?" the dragon's voice boomed, a guttural, resonant sound that echoed through the ruined streets. "You will die for them!"
Zane: (Surprised, looked up at the creature, his eyes wide.) You can talk..." (he said, his voice strained.) Great. Tell me, why are you attacking people?
The dragon's eyes narrowed, its gaze intense. "Raz'thul must fulfill the prophecy!" it roared.
Before Zane could ask further, a sharp crack echoed through the air. Ender's bullet had found its mark, striking the dragon in its eye. The creature roared in pain, its grip on Zane loosening. He was thrown off to the side, landing roughly on the ground.
The dragon, enraged, turned its attention to the rooftop, its eyes blazing with fury. A torrent of flames erupted from its jaws, aimed directly at Ender and Michael.
"Michael, now!" Ender shouted, his voice urgent.
Michael, his eyes flashing with blue light, grabbed Ender's arm, and they vanished in a flicker of blue light, reappearing on a nearby rooftop, just as the flames washed over their previous position. The rooftop that they were on was beginning to melt from the heat.