"Hey Flint, could ya pass me that power drill?"
"Yeah, sure thing!" I handed the drill to the builder and went back to what I was taking care of. Gripping the bottom of the boulder, I bent my knees and lifted. No strain whatsoever. My strength has grown exponentially. With this final boulder being tossed aside, the long main road was cleared at last! Now we can transport materials and other things much faster! Incredible. The rebuilding process has been tough, but very soon I think Manhattan will be able to be as sustainable as it once was.
Taking my rag and wiping my brow, I looked out at the semi-ruined city. What was once a completely obliterated area was now a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. Tightening my old jacket around my waist, I set off for the hospital. To think that I was brought here after my first encounter with Shadow. God, those fights seem like decades ago now. And the people who brought me here? Dr Ben Lyons and Dr Sophie Reede. There they were at the front of the building, waiting for me to turn in for my break.
"Flint! Hey there!" Ben shouted gleefully.
"I saw you throw that boulder aside like it was nothing! N.A.D.A is really treating you well!"
"It really has been holding up a lot thanks to you too" I flexed my nano-prosthetic arm. "Wish I had my right arm though. Would make things much easier."
"Of course, of course. And since when did you change your hair? I'm liking it!"
"It was an impulse this morning." I said, scratching the back of my head. I was lying.
"Well, I agree with Ben." Sophie added. "And hey, do you know what day it is today?" I thought long and hard.
"Nah, I don't. The days all seem to blur into one." I said with a chuckle. They both chuckled back.
"Well it's the two-year anniversary of you defeating Shadow!" My jaw dropped. My eyes widened.
"It's the anniversary today?" I was incredibly nervous. Last year, I had to prepare a speech for it! It took me a week to write! People loved it, but now I have no time to prepare! Ben could see my panic setting in.
"Hey, it's alright, man! We're giving a speech!" Huh?
"Yeah, we have something to announce to the people in Manhattan and The Crater. We just need you to introduce us."
"I'm the introductory speaker? Wow, that's a big ask."
"Yeah, just meet us down at the podium in The Crater. We left a couple of things in your room, by the way. I think you'll like them!" Sophie winked at me. They both made their way to the podium, leaving me to discover their gifts on my own. Wandering through the front entrance, I waved at all the hospital staff I walked past, eventually reaching my room after climbing a set of stairs. I closed the door behind me. I slumped onto the floor, back against the door, head hanging. My hair wasn't on impulse.
It was from a breakdown.
Moving to my mirror, I stared at myself intently. My shoulders hurt. Both physically and figuratively. I was doing all the heavy lifting, and that was taking a toll on me overtime. Metaphorically, and literally, I am carrying this city on my shoulders. These people are relying on me to give them hope. This pressure. I can't handle it. I grip the edge of the sink with my one arm. Forcing a tear back into my eye, I swallowed my sadness. I couldn't give up hope now! I need to save the world! It's a world that needs saving and only I can do that! I can do that. Yeah.
Looking in the bottom corner of the mirror I see what looks like a briefcase. I turn. It is? There's just a briefcase lying on my bed. This must be the gift. I look again and there's two! More than one gifts! This cheered me up. I opened the first case. Just a metal bracelet? A note had come with it too:
"Something to keep N.A.D.A company!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERvxuYYniE
-Ben ;)371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm8xWv14yR
P.S: put it on the end of your right arm."
A 'friend' for N.A.D.A? Wait. Is this what I think it is? I do as the note says.
Holy shit! Another arm! Wow! How long had Ben been working on this for? It must've been for two years at least! It's exactly like N.A.D.A, if not slightly better! I made an attempt to transform them both.
"Woah!" I said out loud to myself. I gave a feel for them, swinging them a little bit. It felt so smooth! Reverting them back to normal arms, I read a second note that came in the first briefcase. It felt so good to pick it up with a right arm! Another tear rolled down my cheek as I read the note:
"Her name is L.I.M.D!371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVrpZxuxGS
•Limb371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7S14QxwyB
•Inducing371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum5CZHYdkj
•Mass371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpfph1nt1i
•Destruction371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQksjGEDt4x
-Enjoy! :D"
Mass destruction, eh? I don't think that's a good idea, considering the state of the city. But this gift is just fantastic. So what could be in this next case? I opened it up.
And it's a brand new jacket.
I undid my old jacket from around my waist and hung it up on the headboard of my bed. I took the new jacket and held it up. It was pretty much just like my old jacket, with metal shoulder guards. Except instead of brown, it was a deep blue, with a turquoise-ish inside layer. It didn't have neck guarding, mainly because I didn't need it, and there were no elbow guards. I didn't need them either. This jacket is just lovely. I put it on and strutted out of my room, starting the walk down to The Crater. It was the sight of my climactic battle with Shadow. The raw strength from my Universal Mode powers caused an enormous explosion. Flames were everywhere, making it look like a volcano had erupted in Manhattan. And from the ashes rose a settlement commonly known as The Crater. Like a Phoenix from the ashes, we built houses and facilities inside the pit. Communities thrive in there, and Ben is the one who oversees it all. Sophie is the one who supervises the rebuilding of the main city. And there they were, stood at the podium in the Market Square. Ready to make some sort of speech or announcement. A speech! I haven't thought of anything to say since I was told I'd introduce them both! Shit, shit, shit! Don't panic, Flint, don't panic! You've got this! You're quick-witted, you can improvise something on the fly! You've got this.
———————————————————————————
"Greetings, everyone!" The crowd cheered in delight at the sight of me. "Wow. What a year it's been! The Crater is looking more prosperous than ever!" People who I could only assume lived here erupted in applause. "And now the Hospital Road is completely cleared!" Even more applause. I held up my hand to signal them to stop. "I don't really have much to say, to be honest. I've been told that Mayor Lyons and Mayor Reede have something to prepare. So my final words to you are this." The crowd went silent. "YYYYEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" The crowd wooped and cheered once more. I moved away from the podium, making way for Ben and Sophie to announce what they needed to announce.
"Hey, how're we doing everyone! Good to see so many of you out here today, celebrating such an important day. Not only because it's the anniversary of the Manhattan Scramble, but because we have something quite special to announce." Ben introduced their speech well, letting Sophie take the reigns.
"We are announcing an expedition. Over the past six months, Ben, a selected group of navigators and I have been planning a journey. A journey of safe passage across America, to a place that has not been ravaged by Black Stars fury. A place that we are calling The Eden." Murmurs came out from across the crowd. Even I was shocked. An Eden? A paradise?
"Sounds too good to be true." Came a voice. That took me by surprise. It was Luca.
"What do you mean? I thought you'd be all for some form of paradise safe for all."
"Yeah, I may be a Demon, but I have a heart." He hung his head. Nevertheless, I have bared witness to the Garden of Eden. It was not the paradise that others proclaimed it to be. People suffered."
"How did you know this?"
"I'm as old as time, Flint. I have seen all of history unfold before me. These types of schemes haven't worked." He paused. A subtle smile twitched. "Yet."
"This Eden will be a bastion of hope for all those seeking it!" Sophie continued. It will extend our anti-Black Star ideals across America, so that their influence can be lessened! So that other cities can be revived, just like ours!" Sophie punched the air. Some people began to believe in what she was saying. "We will be taking a well-sized group of volunteers to help carry supplies along with us to help build up an Eden. Those who wish to help, or who have skills to offer, can come to the front desk of the hospital to sign up for this great expedition. Thank you for your time. We will be starting our journey in a few days. But for now, let us celebrate the anniversary of our victory!"
———————————————————————————
It had been a few days since that speech. Many people had signed up, or at least donated any supplies that they had to offer. I spent today using my immense speed to help load those resources onto cars and trucks. It did not take long at all, and it was midday by the time people were geared up and ready to hit the road. Ben and Sophie came up to me for a potentially final goodbye.
"You sure you don't want to come with us, Flint?" She out her hand on my shoulder.
"I can't. Not when there's more work to do."
"And great work you will do." Ben added.
"Thanks, man." I gave him a warm smile from underneath my mask. "Also I've gotta figure out who's gonna lead this place after you guys."
"Huh?" Sophie sounded shocked. "Why can't you?"
"I'm not strong enough to lead just yet. I need more time."
"That's fair." Ben embraced me tightly. "It's been great knowing you for the past two years." He sniffled. "I'm gonna miss you."
"I will too buddy." I reciprocated. Sophie also came in for the hug. A full 20 seconds passed. They broke off, waved me goodbye and got into their cars. And off they drove. Luca appeared next to me once more. Hovering.
"You better find someone to lead quick. You're gonna need to leave soon."
"Wait what?" I turned to him, shocked. "Why?!"
"Remember Operation: Beelzebub?"
"The Black Star experiment? Where they were trying to summon Demons?"
"Yeah that one." He sounded solemn. "I've made a major breakthrough." He floated ahead of me. "Follow." That I did.
He lead me to the abandoned Manhattan Black Star laboratory. The one where we discovered the whole operation. We entered, tearing off the wooden planks blocking the entrance. Luca took me down the eerie corridor to the elevator. Well, the hole where the elevator used to be. I jumped up a few floors, to the lab that I rescued those slave scientists from. Leaky pipes dripped onto the linoleum floor, echoing around the room. Smashed glass lay across the ground, so I had to be wary of where I stepped. "Ok so what did you wanna show me?" Luca cleared his throat.
"You can come out now!"
There was a small patter of footsteps, the sound of someone coming around a corner.
"What the hell?" I exclaimed, shocked, "isn't that Lion?"
He growled at me, back hunched up, seemingly ready to pounce. Luca floated between us and stopped Lion from attempting an attack.
"No stop! Friend." Luca said, gesturing at me. Lion lowered his guard at those words.
"How the hell can he see you?"
"Animal DNA. And animals can see ghosts. Is that not common knowledge amongst the human world?"
"I thought it was a myth." I looked at Lion, still perplexed. I approached him. Slowly.
"I found him last month, here in this lab." Luca informed me. "And if you look closely, he's been experimented on." I looked at Lion. He looked stranger than normal. More...
Demonic.
On top of his head was a blue horn, devilish in nature. "Operation: Beelzebub doesn't end with Shadow, Flint. It's a large scale operation that will perpetuate until completion."
"And what'll happen then?" I asked. He paused. He gulped.
"A large-scale Demon invasion."
"What? How do you know this?"
"I can't tell you."
"What do you mean you can't tell me? This is a matter of life or death here, Luca!" I shouted.
"It's not that I don't want to!" He shouted back. Lion quivered at the intense atmosphere. "I just can't!" Luca calmed himself, then continued speaking, "Because I'm attached to you, there is a Hell-Contract that I must follow."
"A contract?"
"Yes. I am contractually obliged to reveal nothing to you. Unless you prove to me that you are worthy."
"So what? I have to fight you again?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Who made up this stupid rule, huh? I'll beat his ass! Keeping information from me like this..." Luca gave me a look, "Right. You can't tell me." I looked down at Lion, who was still quivering. "So how do we stop Beelzebub, then?"
"Well, there are three options. The first being extensive research into what the Operation does to someone." He meant Lion, of course. "The second is taking it to the leader of Black Star head on."
"Rather not do that, if I'm being honest." I replied, "not strong enough yet."
"Mmmm." Luca grunted. "So I think that safest course of action is to do some research on this 'Lion' fellow." We turned to him. He was lying on the floor, rapidly convulsing. Twitching rapidly and randomly. I tried to stop him by holding him still, but he broke free and started holding his head in pain. He let out one final roar.
His soul left his body.
"What the shit, man!" I jumped back in horror. I could see that Luca's white eyes had widened in surprise.
"His Master..." Luca whispered.
"His what?" I asked, breathing heavily.
"His Master has punished him." He finished. "I can sense an immensely powerful presence. It must be his Master. The Leader of Black Star."
"Where? Where!" I jump up into a fighting stance.
"No, you idiot. His Master has killed him from afar so as to hinder any attempts at research."
"Wh-what?" I asked, vaguely. He gave no response.
"Well that brings us to the third option. And that adds some benefits now too."
"What's that?"
"You come to Hell with me."
"To Hell? How the hell do we do that, no pun intended?" Luca gave a slight laugh.
"I can only let my Host journey to Hell with me after being bested by them in combat."
"What is it with Demons and fighting?"
"Hey, I have non-violent Demon comrades! And some who dislike fighting but do it because they're forced to."
"Wait, if I beat you now, then I can learn about Operation: Beelzebub AND come to Hell with you!"
"Exactly."
"So yield."
"It doesn't work like that, unfortunately. Only a true bout of combat can extract a true benefit from the Hell-Contract."
"But that means killing you."
"Fool. Neither of us can die. You only die if I die, and I only die if Hell is destroyed. And neither or those things are ever going to happen. You can trust me on that, can't you?"
"Yes. Yes I can, Luca."
"Then shall we dance?"
371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzxWeSn3n6
