Yawning Brook got up and stretched out his arms, gazing down at Tess' face, sunlight peaked through curtain-to him she'd never looked more radiant "Not gonna lie. When a rose wilts, in those moments I find it reveals its true beauty" Eyes fluttering open, Tess looked up at him "Got some sleep?" Brook asked "Yeah" she took his hand into hers "I actually did."

Bedroom door swung open, they could see blue sky and birds were heard chirping outside "Has the makings of a wonderful day" Brook got up, heading to the bathroom to brush his teeth; putting his NoisePods in he started going through his morning routine, leaving Tess alone in bed with her thoughts.

'Again' images flashed of New Arcadia on fire from last night's dream caused a pain to shoot through Tess' head "No!" she rubbed both temples that started to hurt, wincing in pain eyes wide shut "No" another image of them surrounded by shadows, as they closed in, they began looming large

"NO!"

Tess shouted trying to block out another replay: as the shadows grew closer, another silhouette they knew quite well attempted in vain to defend, that shadow consumed by the others is where things started to go bad and her dream came to an abrupt end.

"Tess!" Brook rushed over with toothbrush in hand, paste all over his face "What's wrong?" calming down, Tess looked up at Brook before looking down at her hands "Don't know.." she uttered as they started to tremble "Still shaken up from things....I guess...."

Brook looked aside, before looking Tess in the eye "His name, you called his name last night" Brook's voice was flat, and his face an expressionless mask "Who?" Tess "Gano." Tess looked away. "Tess, if you have fee-" Tess latched onto his arm not letting him speak "NO! No...it's nothing like that..." Brook looked away this time "Then why him while you're feeling like this? Why-Why not me?" Tess sighed.

"After we met him, I've had strange dreams...almost like..premonitions ever since-" Tess took a deep breath "Some of them don't end well...." she trailed off biting her lip in an attempt to keep quiet, this didn't go unnoticed by Brook "What do you mean?" he asked.

Clutching sheets for comfort Tess averted his gaze looking away "Death...my dreams are always full of death" This threw Brook for a loop causing him to drop his toothbrush "WHAT!? Whose!?" he asked in shock "Brook calm down.." Tess urged.

"Tess! That's something you should've been told everyone about it!! Especially me, how could you not let anyone know!?" Tess heaved a heavy sigh "BROOK STOP STOP!! STOP YELLING AT ME!" he reeled back "You don't know how messed up it is to see your loved one's death played out in front of you night in and night out over and over again!!" Tess had started kicking, screaming, punching air, and trashing about "Tess-"

Tess' head started shaking "No! Don't even go there! You know what you did!! Just blame me for everything all over gain!!" Brook rushed over and grabbed Tess by the shoulders, hoping to steady his girlfriend and shake as much sense into her as I can "Listen to me! Listen! Look at me!! Damn!" Tess had broke into a quiet sob, body limp "Don't do that again!!"

Brook's amber eyes met blue, it seemed-at very least-attention was being paid to him "Dreams are what we make them to be, premonitions are what we make them to be, fate is a wheel that we'll always have a turn to turn against if we don't play right into it's hand!! Now I'm here fighting with you!! Douglas is too!! But if you and Gano don't get on board with the program I'm delusional and into this stuff enough to get killed!!"

Out of nowhere Brook locked Tess' lips with his "You understand?" he nodded and his chest relaxed as Tess' nodded back along with him "That's good, now let's get dressed and go check on your friend" Tess gave him a look of confusion "Oh that's right, I was supposed to tell you about 'Ness-last they transferred her in town so we can go visi-"

Slipping out of Brook's grasp, Tess moved with cat-like quickness into the shower "Soon as you get ready" Brook finished, now clutching nothing but air "Sorry for telling you so late, and thanks for listening.." his said deadpan "Awh man-" Brook sighed "Really missing those pair of idiots now.."

In the dark recesses of Mayuri's mind there lied a subconscious space that was a void outlined by a gelatin purple reminiscent of clouds "Help! Help!" Amber hair and skin corn flake brown a girl could do nothing but call out-fragile, frightened, and scared in the unfamiliar place she was suddenly found "The hell?" Mayuri appeared out of nowhere "Is someone invading my mind!?"

"Help me..please..." the girl sniffled, it only took Mayuri a second to recognize who it was "Aness..Anessa? Tess's friend?!" this caused Anessa to give pause and stutter in shock "You...you know Tess?" Anessa was clothed in a hospital gown and hair that was in its usual luxurious girls was a frazzled mess. Mayuri was perplexed but could sense that as she was in front of her-Anessa did exist.

"Yeah, I'm...a friend" Mayuri tongue was bit as she forced out a half-truth half-lie "Whe-Where is this?" Anessa seemed to be calming down "Is this a weird lucid dream? Why is it taking so long to wake up??" Mayuri's fingers snapped "Of course!" Smirk plastered, this unsettled Anessa who drew back "Oh, Anessa my bad" Mayuri sighed "It seems you've developed a gift."

Out of nowhere they both drew closer til' faces were inches apart from each other "This resonance between your power and mind-do you feel it now?" Mayuri asked as Anessa nodded and gulped "Then you should know what I know-" Anessa turned away averting Mayuri's gaze "So does that mean-" Mayuri cupped Anessa's chin as they looked eye to eye "That's right. We're both in comas now.."

Anessa started to panic, pupils dilating and eyes open wide "No! No way!! I went to sleep last night!! And then-And then-" Memories flooded and flashed before their eyes "Trauma from what happened and stress from your power becoming active combined fractured your mind-that shock has you in a coma now, but if you calm your mind and give time you'll wake up after awhile."

Anessa started blank into space mouth agape, Mayuri pinched...hard to get the girl's attention again "Ouch!" Anessa winced "This has to be real!!" Anessa shrieked and whined "I can feel pain here!!" Mayuri also winced "Just a sensation like you hurting my ears with those wails. Anessa we don't have a lot of time, Tess is in trouble and if you care any about your friend I'm going to need help"

Anessa's appearance changed, now wearing regular clothes, hair in its usual style "Wait...what'd you do?" Mayuri couldn't help but laugh "Stop whimpering my dear and give me a chance to catch you up to speed. Like it or not, you've got powers now, that makes you one of us-a freak" Anessa looked down in guilt "That's...I didn't mean.....so our minds really are in sync right now..." Mayuri nodded "Yes."

"This power of yours-" Mayuri continued "Let's call it Dream Dive can help narrow and pin down someone who could bring great ruin and destruction to this city. I won't let that happen" Anessa looked Mayuri up and down "From what I'm feeling is that or revenge?" Mayuri threw her head back and cackled "Ha! Both brat!! Does it matter either way!! It's not as if we're hiding anything due to our connection!"

Anessa sighed "No I suppose not, this all hard to wrap my head around, but after what that man..." Anessa's teeth clenched in anger "Hey" Mayuri rested both hands on Anessa's cheeks "Trust me, if no else understands-" Anessa was stunned but too in need of comfort to speak "I understand."

"Tess move out the way!!" Brook scooped his girlfriend in his arms and landed hard on his shoulder, a car spun out of control almost hitting them both-it appeared the driver had fallen asleep all of a sudden. "Brook! Are you okay!?" Tess yelled in concern "Yeah" Brook nodded as helped Tess to her feet "What?" they both froze in shock as random people fell unconscious- even more cars crashed and started to collide.

"Tess" Brook started as they both shared a look "Yeah, I know, It's time" they both shared a nod "Maybe they'll pick up when we call now...if that's fine-" Tess shook her head "No Brook, I may have been disgusted and disappointed, but nothing in my heart ever told or accepted we were no longer friends....with all this craziness going on....it's only two people I trust to call" Brook smiled "That's good to know.."

Tess smiled back, but it took a second thought for that to turn into a frown "Ness..." Tess trailed off "Hey" Brook moved Tess onto the sidewalk, we go in here and check on Anessa first and then we can worry about everything else, but if things are going haywire city wide we need to contact Douglas and Gano and come up with a plan" Tess bit her lip and then sighed "Right. I understand" sprinting hand in hand they made their way two blocks down.

It was staff and not patients slipping into a deep sleep reminiscent of a coma that sent everyone into a frenzied spiral. Things had just started and Jamie was running out of breath rushing back and forth making sure there were enough beds, and making sure to triage who was sick and who had fallen under this sudden strange spell "Jamie.." Mayuri appeared beside her, floating and following her around.

"Mayuri not now!!" an anger and uncharacteristic frustration could be heard in Jamie's yell, Mayuri's eyebrows furrowed "If you don't listen Jamie-" Jamie shot the apparition a glare "Lives are on line and dire straights! Until things slow down I can't abandon my duty just to hear you out!!"

It was then Jamie's world was turned to pitch black "Heed my warning Jamie-" Mayuri's voice echoed, making sure to alter Jamie's hearing it was as if the space she was locked in was soundproof "Whether more innocent lives are lost and die depends on how fast we put a stop to the source-mark my words-modern medicine advanced as it is will not act as a cure.."

"Mayuri, It's not that your words don't have any meaning, but when I see someone bleeding right in front of me- every fiber of my being commands me to stop it and that's what I intend to do right here and right now" Mayuri scoffed "And after?" Jamie took a deep breath "I intend to hear you out..Yuri..."

Looking into Jamie's eyes, Mayuri could tell she was begging and pleading "Fine. Time's running out..."

"No!" yelled, doing best she could to keep the situation from getting dire as nurses and doctors fell out "No!! NO!" she screamed, a patient had crashed, picking up the defribillator Jamie operated it on her own "CLEAR!" a shock made the patient's chest jump "C'mon!" the precess repeated itself "C'mon!" the patient's body jumped again "C'mon!" looking up, the patient's heart rate went from flatline to normal.

"Thank God" Jamie wiped beads of sweat of her brow, out of nowhere she was paged "So people are still up?!" she ran out into the hall "Dr. Lace! Mario!!" a silver of hope poked its head, a bit of weight lifted off Jamie's chest "What's going?!" Dr. Lace seemed to be making a head count "So that's about half" he nodded along with Mario-a nurse who worked on Jamie's floor "Half of what?"

Jamie was floored "Half of the staff seems to have just fell unconscious out of nowhere" Mario answered "Not to mention quite a few patients, we were already understaffed." Answering his phone, Dr. Lace started coordinating and making plans "Damn! It's happening at other hospitals too!....New Arcadia as a whole!?.....Oh man..."

Jamie-along with Mario-was so caught up in conversation, Jamie didn't notice Mayuri standing behind "Jamie" Jumping startled, Lace and Mario ended up jumping as well "Jamie?" Dr. Lace looked at her confused "You alright?" Jamie's head was thrown for a spin "You guys see anyone behind me?" Jamie asked for confirmation, Dr. Lace and Mario shared a look of concern.

"No" Mario put the back of his hand against Jamie's forehead, taking out a small light he flashed it into both eyes "Hey-" Mario squeezed Jamie's hand "Take a minute in the break room and catch your breath, we're gonna need all the help we can get." Looking at Dr. Lace's face, Jamie could tell he was in agreement "Okay" she relented, waiting til' she walked away out of earshot til' she spoke again "Mayuri, tell me what's going on?"

"Now it's time" Akurasa chortled, he had been acting as a visitor at the psychiatric ward when out of nowhere the whole staff had been put to sleep giving him free reign "Here we" snatching a access card from staff, he opened doors and started to trespass "Now let's unlock Pandora's Chest of Treasures..."

He looked left and right at different rooms "It's time to awaken" a twinkle in his eye, he swiped his card and a red light turned green "Cassian Achyls it seems they've got you in chains-" Akurasa walked in and took a bow taking of his white top hat "Allow me to set you and those demons of yours free.."

Muzzled, strapped, strait jacketed, all that could be seen was pale skin complimented by red eyes and icy blue hair "Cassian" Akurasa walked up to him, Cassian started to struggle against his restraints "That anger, that rage, that hate, that despair...no one understands..but I do..you're just like me" tracing his fingers along his muzzle "We both want it all to disappear...."

Akurasa let a finger linger on his face for a second before pulling back "Nah uh, stop it now Cassian" Akurasa whispered and to his surprise Cassian listened "I have this special ability let's say-" he chuckled "It allows me to bestow special individuals such as yourself with a gift-" eyes becoming brighter and brighter Cassian stared unafraid looking straight into Akurasa's gaze.

"Most hearts cast shadows and are covered by them, but yours is pitch black-those shadows are the essence of your true self! That self is shackled, chained, restrained by this mortal coil and shell, I know that pain and it hurst me dearly to see that what you really want, what you truly need-" Walking up to him one more, he place a hand on Cassian's chest "Release" a sensation could be felt entering Cassian's chest, one he welcomed.

Turning around, Akurasa readied to make his leave "Bye my dear Cassian, remember in exchange for this gift....it's a certain man you may have to cross paths-" raising his white hat off his head, he made his exit "I hope you'll do what's necessary."

"Gano!" Traffic was thrown into frenzy "Already on it!" Holding his hand out the window cars that were swerving out of control came to a stop, grunting Gano willed them up into air and place them safe onside the road "Woah!" The truck driver almost crashed himself who was giving them a ride "Woah! Now that there is what I call fancy magic!!" he whistled.

Douglas sunk into his seat wanting to disappear "No....it's just a figment of your imagination" he muttered just loud enough for him to hear "Wasn't born yern'str'day son, figured already that boy there with ya' was kind of strange..y'know...with the green hair..." he threw his thumb over his shoulder, pointing at Gano backseat "Oh no" eyes now wide, all three witnessed more of the same, Gano unfastened his seatbelt "Dude no!" Douglas exclaimed pushing him back.

"Douglas I have to" Gano's gaze was piercing, it was as if he could see through and already knew all his worries and concerns "Time and time again I have been confined and shackled, having to do use my gifts, working as a dog for the government in order to get half-hearted heroics done from the shadows- and now despite sacrificing morals, hardening my heart, and living on despair's razor edge as it cut out parts of soul-darkness has risen again-" Douglas looked back and could see Gano shake and tremble.

"This time if darkness is one the rise, with this spark I've been given, gifted with by the heavens, I'll bring all those injustices we've had to stomach and suffer to light!" knuckles cracked and crackling faint sparks of green electricity could be felt by Douglas and the truck driver as Gano patience grew thin and caution was thrown to the wind-he was done holding back his aura.

"Gano there's no turning back from this..." Douglas gave pause, as the two locked eyes it became clear his mind was made "I know..." opening the back door of the truck, Gano took of into the sky with only one purpose of mind.

"Woah!" the man driving whistled "Now this here's what I signed up for!!" Green jacket blowing in the wind, Douglas leaned over and looked up out the window as Gano turned into a green speck disappearing into blue sky "Sir can I ask you a favor?" Douglas turned and asked "That's fine kid, go on ahead" making sure to drive slow and avoid any potential accidents another vehicle started spinning out of control, but was then lifted to safety out the way.

"Seems we got a guardian above watching us" the driver winked, Douglas couldn't help but offer a small smile in return "Pull over right here for a second-" coming to a stop, Douglas opened the door on his side getting ready to hop out "When I get back, I need you to send me a list of all routes, drivers, and what they're in possession to deliver....it may go against code but this is life or death"

The truck driver raised an eyebrow, staring at him as if he'd grown an extra head "Just watch and you'll see why in a sec, hoping out Douglas ran over to two cars whose passengers had passed out in the middle of the road. Picking up a brink from the ground he cracked back window and was careful as possible getting on top the car and crawling in "Oh man" the man yawned upon being touched and woken up "Supposed to be at work by now."

Checking his phone, his heart almost jumped out his chest once he took notice of time and his surroundings "Wait a second!! I was driving!!" he patted himself up and down making sure he was still alive "I remember blanking out!! Oh my gosh! I CRASHED!!" he panicked "Sir calm down" Douglas kept his tone even and steady in hopes of bringing his anxiety levels down.

"Hey!! MY CAR!! WHAT'D YOU DO TO MY CAR!!" Douglas pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration "Sir, I'm a first responder sent her until you can be seen be a professional EMT. Can you please calm down and help my rescue others who have also passed out and crashed their cars!?" the man kept on with his stammering and murmuring "People really only think of themselves.."

Hoping out through the back, Douglas came face to face with the truck driver soon as his feet hit the ground "Well, I'll be damned" he whistled "Seems that touch of yours dun' lifted a spell...got some powers from beyond this realm yer' self" Douglas looked away "Just an old trick I learned from my friend practicing medicine-she's a nurse" he started at Douglas unconvinced.

"Ah huh. Well then, whatever it is, I look at as a blessing-Imma keep calling it a gift- don't tell me you don't need help" Pulling his blue overalls, he chewed his tooth pick, and straightened his hat "Fine" Douglas threw his hands up "Another person trapped over there" he pointed "Well Alright! Let's have at it!!" The man patted his pockets and held up a crowbar as they both ran to rescue as many roadside pedestrians as they can.

"No!" Gano's hand outstretched as he manifested his manipulation over magnetism, an oiler was about to crash into a gas station, lifting it up off the ground, Gano levitated down and broke glass pulling the passed out passenger out before letting the truck down back to ground

"Whew" Gano wiped a bead of sweat that started to form "Okay, gotta get back in contact with Douglas now-it's no way I can keep this up and save everyone- got bring things to end.."

"C'mon!" Douglas was trying with all his might to pull out someone stuck in their car, body messed up and mangled, the man was only survivor in a head on collision, he and truck driver both were pulling and tugging- his arms wrapped around Douglas' waist.

"PLEASE!! HELP ME PLEASE!!" the person screamed out in anguish, cuts from glass all over hie body, one eye shut, the man could no longer feel his legs and his ribs were bruised.

"Fuck! Fuck!! Fuck!! He's not budging!" Douglas wasn't one for cussing, but seeing this innocent die before him, struggling to no avail pained him, he felt a pang-something akin to arrow- shoot him right in the chest, all hope seemed to be lost until...

"Stand back" a voice could be heard out of nowhere, as they both turned head and looked up to see Gano descending from the air "Been awhile since I've done something like this" he took a deep breath "Gano!?" Douglas started to shout "Quiet please." exchanging looks both he and the truck driver heeded request.

Silence ensued, Gano allowed all thought to exit his mind as his thoughts crystal cleared until that could be soon was dark water-a single pebble dropped in his mind's eye causing a ripple effect.

Bolt by screw, tire by tire, piece by piece, the parts that made up a whole car came undone as Douglas and truck driver both caught the man under them once he was freed, level of concentration zapping Gano of most of his mental energy, he hit the ground on both knees fatigued.

"Gano!" Douglas shouted in concern "I'm okay-" he took a deep breath bringing one leg up "No use in cowering or covering up! I said it once and I'll say it again, even if I'm playing the part and playing pretend, even if it's with my dying breath, I'll do all I can cause it's hearts and souls I can save right now!!"

Eyes aglow, the sun shone on his face, An aura emanating from him like never before, Douglas saw his acquaintance in a new light "Wow, now that's actual cool" Gano looked at him peeved "I wasn't before?" he asked eyebrow raised "Nah" Douglas chuckled, feeling lighter and breaking into a smile "Just a dork with powers before" Gano couldn't help but share a laugh and smile back.

"Hate to interrupt but uh-" the truck driver tapped Douglas on the shoulder, slung around his arm was the injured crash survivor "Right! Gano" Douglas ran over to help his friend to his feet "We gotta go!" Gano nodded as they piled in the truck making room for the man backseat.

"Where to next?" the truck driver asked "Hospital! I'm going to call my friends on the way and Gano you'll have a better vantage on who needs and how everyone should be recused, but you'll be no good if you don't take these few minutes to rest and recuperate."

Gano wanted to protest, but then relaxed and sat back "Sir don't worry we're going to get you some help!" Picking up speed and swerving past Douglas dialed fast, it took no more than a few seconds for someone to pick up on the other line "Douglas?"

"Tess!" Douglas forgot to hide surprise as his voice rose a pitch "You picked up!?"

"Douglas how could I not?? Brook and I were worried to death. Why'd you take off like that?" Tess' voice was laced with concern, but Douglas could still tell she was upset "Tess-" Douglas began, however it was a lot easier to start than finish "Save it. Right now everything's a mess, whatever's going on between us can wait...I guess.." Tess voiced died down towards the end muttering under breath.

Douglas thoughts lingered on what she meant "Okay" he shook his head "Tell me what's going on your end" Tess gulped "Not good. Annessa's in a coma, not to mention we've lost track of where her parents are, and people are dropping unconscious left and right" Tess started trembling, hand seized by tremors, worry turning into panic "That's why we called you guys" Brook took over taking Tess' hands into his.

"Right" Douglas "So meet up at the hospital then, please hold on, we're on our way man.." Douglas' lip quivered, and his eyes started to sting "Cry babies.." Brook cracked "Yeah, we'll hold of til' then, and not all news is bad, got some pretty freaky but neat stuff being shown off by our old friend-"

Douglas expression was puzzled only for a second, his face lighting up in an instant "Mayuri! I knew she'd come through!!" Brook cleared his throat "Yeah...well..not exactly how you think...but I've got a feeling if this is pulled off we might be okay.." Douglas snickered "Yeah. Yeah. Hurry up and get here. Be there in a second.."

"Wait. Why are there two of you now?" Jamie's eyes popped out soon as she entered the room "Mayuri what'd you do?" Mayuri tried to remain calm taking a deep breath "That's why I wanted to explain before we got here!" Mayuri face palmed " Crazy as it sounds, this girl is going to help us fix everything once I whip her into shape" she gestured with pointed thumb over shoulder to Anessa.

"Isn't that right-girlfriend?" Mayuri sport a shark-like grin, sparing Anessa a glance, he responded with a glare, Mayuri scoffed "Or maybe you'd rather pout than die" Anessa stuck out her tongue pulling down on her face right below her eye "Better than working for you!" , Jamie looked back and forth confused.

"Guys, people are dying...can you put differences aside..." Jamie was crestfallen from what Mayuri could tell, floating over, you'd swore she turned real for a second as placed what seemed to be a finger on Jamie's chin, tilting up so they locked gaze.

"Your soul's a ray of sunshine's, your job is to stay positive and upbeat, and be a light that shines through gray clouds!! So quit moping!!" Mayuri screamed and yelled "Let me be darkness and you continue to shine and be that light!!" Jamie's frown turned upside down, and Anessa's disposition also started to change, a fluttering felt, she found herself feeling positive and lot more upbeat.

"Mayuri..." Jamie didn't know or why, but she swore she could feel Mayuri's hand "Thank you.." Mayuri drew away, eyes playing tricks on them neither Jamie nor Annessa could believe she blushed "Well will you look at that" Anessa folded arms and floated over to get a better look "Careful now-" Mayuri stared daggers "This could be both your end" Annessa sucked teeth "Nah, empty threat.."

Jamie gushed "So cute seeing you act soft!" Both temple veins throbbed "GET ON!! Do you or do not you dolts want to hear how're going to save everyone!" Annessa eye rolled covered face in embarrassment "I was so caught up in how cut you were I forgot!!" Steam was pouring out of Mayuri's ears at this point "GAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

"Mayuri what's wrong" Jame asked in a sweet voice "Mayuri, guess this is room 371" Tess and Brook didn't even bother to knock "Took you so long?" Mayuri appeared out of thin air as far as Brook and Tess were concerned "Yuri!" They shouted in unison rushing over to hug her only to be met with grasping at thin air.

"Huh?" Brook stopped Tess and himself from both stumbling over "What, c'mon man, the hell!?" Mayuri reappeared behind them both "Not that kind of party..." Brook was incensed "At a time lie this!?" he balled up a fist "Really!?"

His face tensed "So much to explain so little time.....let me so if I can give it to you abridged but first Tess-I bring gifts" Snapping fingers, Anessa appeared right next to Mayuri, overwhelmed with emotion and unprepared Tess fell faint and succumbed to a dizzy spell.

"Okay...that I didn't expect" Mayuri brows furrowed "Jamie help out Tess" Brook sighed "These little games never go how you expect....how about clear explanation instead of always falling back on illusions.." Brook was unnerved at Mayuri's chesire cat grin "About that...." she stammered "You see-"

"No! No way!!" Brook eye's bulged out his sockets "No! No!! No!" he threw his head back and squeezed his shut in frustration "That's wack! That's wack! Don't tell me-" Jamie interjected "Well you see-" Brook let himself fall backwards onto the ground next to Tess "Both Miss Mayuri and Anessa are in-"

"Ah man!!" Douglas pointed up to the sky "We're in a lot of trouble!" Gano took a deep breath, getting ready to open the car door Douglas looked back surprised "Again?" he gasped, Gano looked down doing his best to avert his gaze "No choice this team, I'll cover you until we got there and meet up with everyone inside. It was only a matter of time..."

The truck driver placed a comforted hand on Douglas' shoulder "Not even gonna pretend to be in know 'bout all y'all boys got going on in, but as someone whose seen his fair share of war, I can tell when someone's killed in battle before, whether they got a good heart.....times such as these it's easy for people with those same traits to end up on opposite sides.."

Gano touched his face and what he felt on his fingertips left him in shock and surprise "Are you...crying?" Douglas looked at him wide-eyed "Guess...I am.." Backseat the man from earlier started to chuckle "Reminds me of my son...." he wheezed and started to cough "A kind young boy-" Continuing to cough he spit up blood "Killed a grasshopper by accident one time-kept me and his mother up half-" coughing up blood again, it was all on his hand as he attempted to cover his mouth.

"SIR STOP!" Douglas yelled, his heart feeling squeezed, fear started to seize "It's fine" the man waved his arms, dark circles appeared under his eyes, and his voice had turned into rasp.

"My son...he always believed in heroes...." he coughed and more blood splattered covering his hand "Now-" his vision started to blur as he looked up and reached for Gano "I...understand" eyes fluttering shut, Gano could sense life leave as no electricity could be felt as his heartbeat came to a stop.

"Damn" the truck driver cursed under his breath loud enough for them to hear "Douglas.." Gano turned his back opening the door "Gano-" Douglas looked up, vision blurring, he didn't have strength yet to wipe his tear-stained eyes "Find this man's name, I want his son to know how much of a hero his father was-if we pull this off he'll be why we saved the day."

Dougls nodded and without a word, Gano launched himself into the sky, facing things head on, it was in the nick of time as several helicopters were hovering over them "Sorry-" Gano apologized changing trajectory of several missiles shot down at the truck and intended to shoot him out the sky 'Let's have those land over there" Green electricity covered each projectile as they went off in a burst of flame in barren fields safe distances away.

Making sure none of the officers fell out the helicopters Gano stripped them of their weapons and made sure they didn't fall out as they flew away. Up ahead he could see police cars starting to form a barricade "No, that won't be okay" flying over that way, they aimed and fired until they were shooting blanks. Many ran and held their heads down dismayed when all the bullets and grenades were suspended mid-air and tossed away.

"Apologies, but for now...move out our way!" Gano held out both hands outstretched as a stream of electricity shot forth from his finger tips picking up cars and policemen alike, holding them in place until Douglas and the truck driver could drive by "Okay, now let's continue this little cat mouse game. Gano flew low and ducked behind several buildings as a mis-direction as local law enforcement continued to give chase.

"Ness!" "Tess!" Both girls attempted to hug and embrace rushing over to each other, but they seemed to be forgetting one thing "Don't-" Yuri and Brook attempted to warn them as Tess grabbed right through wrapping arms around herself "Oh yeah" she flushed in embarrassment "That's what you guys wanted to warn me about?" Yuri eye-rolled "Catching on quick..."

"So it's true" A forlorn expression found itself on Tess' face "I'm so sorry- I'm the reason you ended up in a coma Ne-" Ness cut off her best friend "No!! I refuse to accept!" anger was plastered on Anessa's face "It's all cause of that cruel man!"

Tess went silent "Understand?!" Anessa's gaze was intense "Yeah." Anessa made sure Tess looked her in the eye "Girl stop playing with me" Tess giggled, cracking a smile "Yeah!" Tess attempted to shoo Anessa out of her face.

"More like it!" they both beamed, a glow could be seen on their faces and as they stood close together that light started to shine twice as bright "Woah" Brook and the rest looked on "Now that's what I call hope" Mayuri smirked "Jamie squealed and squeed in glee "Oh guys, that's so cute!!"

Mayuri cleared her throat "Enough cute, let's get down to business guys, everyone here's eager to pay those guys back, and luck for you best way to do that is to save the day. I've been thinking of a master plan but it'll have to wait til' Douglas and Gano get here so they can track those bastards down.

"Douglas go in, I'll stall outside" Gano held his phone to his ear and instructed "It's no way both of us can get inside, only one of us has power to nullify and bring an end to what's going on!" Guns aimed and trained on him, a barrage of ammunition continued to be fired and rain up on him from below "There's an entrance in the parking garage. That's your best chance!" the truck driver nodded in agreement.

"Ughh. Gr! Fine!!" Douglas grit his teeth relenting "It'll be your fault if you die!!" he hung up in frustration as they took a swerve into a wide turn. With so much commotion going on outside, coast seemed to be clear and no police presence nor security could be seen inside.

Reading schematics he pulled up, the pulled in front of what appeared to be an out of order elevator, getting and pressing a code into the keypad a whirring could be heard as doors opened and the two stepped inside.

"No! NO!! NOOOOOO!!" As Gano battled outside, he noticed people were starting to fall and drop asleep 'So that's their plan huh? Wear me out..' Suspending bullets mid-air he allowed them to drop down without causing arm and flew over to pull aside a road of out of control cars. Lifting them up he placed them in a nearby pond and opened all the doors with his powers, making sure to pull all the passengers out and lay them on nearby grass.

"Helicopter" Gano's pupils shrank as shot off in a streak off green electricity nosediving and pushing against currents of wind, heart racing quicker than he was soaring to make it in time, a cackling could be heard off in the distance as too little too late proved to be his luck this time. A shockwave could be felt, throwing and pushing Gano back as he was flung through air as the helicopter and the people inside burst into flame.

"AKURASA!!!" Gano's screeching could be heard echoing "I'M GOING TO KILL YOUUUUUUUUU!!"

"GANO!" Douglas and everyone's gaze met inside the room "He's..." Tess felt a pain in her chest, placing a hand over heart "He's in so much pain...." Jamie whimpered "I can feel it too. Is that you all's friend? From the other side?" Douglas, Tess, and Brook nodded "Anessa-"

Mayuri started "Right" Anessa read her mind "It's time. Douglas find a computer and get that footage" Douglas collected himself before walking out "Got it." Jamie's pager went off "Got to go, but I'll communicate everything I can and keep an eye out for sleepy time staff" Sucking wind Jamie took off right after in a hurry.

"Guess that leaves me to find a way to get you two closer together, what was it you were going on a bout a 'Reasonance'?" Mayuri dragged a hand down across her face "A Resonance..right. For reasons I can't explain, when powers are compatible and two individuals involved have a close bond A 'Reasonance' occurs between two Psy-in this case me and your friend Anessa" Anessa waved forcing a smile.

Tess folded both arms and looked them up and down "Ah huh" Mayuri's mouth turned upward into a twisted grin "Jealous?" she teased "As if" Tess eye rolled "More perplexed" Mayuri smirked "Don't worry blue eyes I'm not stealing your best friend, I think our powers have natural overlap and we're both in similar psychological states-maybe in a subconscious way our powers our latching on to one another and forcing us to connect.."

Tess snapped fingers in realization "That makes a lot of sense! Not to mention opposites attract!! You guys' personalities are like magnets! But still similar enough that once you come into contact on a deeper level you probably und-"

Mayuri interrupted Tess thinking out loud "Okay! Leaning into psychobabble now!! Enough of that! Get a move on brat!" It was Tess now who gained upper hand "I suppose it is" Tess smirked and left with a wink "Can't mess this up-might be our only chance..." Turning on her heels Tess went to locate Anessa and Mayuri in the physical realm.

"Ready for this?" Mayuri grabbed and squeezed Anessa's hand, the girl had started shaking and trembling right after Tess' left "Yeah...I can put on a front and brave anything....long as it's for my friend..." This time a sad smile found its way onto Mayuri's face "For a friend huh? That's a different kind of strength, maybe If I'm tethered to you long enough I can figure what that means-"

"What what means?" Anessa looked over and gave Mayuri a puzzled look "Nothing" Mayuri looked away "Just keep that light alive in your heart, as long as focus remains on helping ou- your friends things should turn out fine." A warmth could be felt as they held hands, and in that moment as their thoughts and feelings intertwined, a sense of hope was given birth.

Flying high above, Gano had a bird's eye view, pulling out his phone he made sure to keep tabs on Douglas' location to make sure there was so sudden change "Okay" Observing people falling asleep at random, he started taking preventative action by removing all cars off-road, whether it was placing them in a field of grass, behind a gate, or atop of building-the most important thing was to have the element of danger removed.

"That's should be safe." Saving a semi-truck right before it crashed into a pole, he made sure to levitate and move it into an empty parking garage "Douglas, I'll make it back to you" his breathing was becoming heavy, and his body was staring to grow weary and tired "Gonna need sustenance in order to keep this up.."

Lifting up a vending machine, it took a minute before it came face to face with him in the air "Let's see if this'll work.." placing in some loose change, it distributed several candy bars "Mfffrrrphhhummmmm" gulping them up whole, it gave him the slight boost needed to continue, lowering his altitude he floated closer to ground.

"Manhole, no cameras around, this might not be a bad place to disappear....I should still be able to contact Douglas underground" Lifting up the cover, he dove into the sewers, and placed it back hoping whoever was out there trying to give chase would no longer tail.

"That's nice" Douglas mused "Jamie's keeping us up to date via text" Douglas having found a laptop, was hacking backdoor into a channel Gil left "Just need access to street cameras to give me a city-wide view-" tapping keys, it didn't take long for his laptop screen to display what he wants "We're a go!"

Leaning over his shoulder and almost startling him, the truck driver whistled impressed "Now this here is something out one of them movies boy!! You sure know how to do some fancy smancy computer work!! Color me surreal!" he hollered, Douglas couldn't help but laugh "It's you. Scared me a bit there sir. Thanks for all your help" Douglas rubbed his chest.

"Ain't nothing like bein' 'part of his'tory, not to mention once I saw you and yer' friend could tell you were a good kid-glad to help." Douglas shook his head "You don't know how much you've helped" Sitting down, he popped open a soda and threw one back, reaching into his jacket he pulled out a cold for Douglas as well."

Having access to yesterday's feed, Douglas replayed tape over and over again until he found what he was looking for "Ah" they let out in unison as Douglas zoomed in and out and continud scanning crowds" Opening up another window, he typed in several urls and passwords, continuing to scour the net. Out of nowhere his phone started to buzz "Hold on, is that Gano calling me now?"

"Douglas, please tell me Tess and Brook are alright!" Douglas released breath he didn't even know he was holding "Yeah, and they miss you and are really worried about you" he could hear Gano tense up and pause on the other end "Gano-you okay?"

"I'm..I'm okay...and...I'm happy to hear that" Gano could feel a warm sensation enter his chest "You're so weird man" Douglas chuckled as he gave his mouse a few clicks "So I'm going to send you coordinates via text, we were actually able to come up with a plan" Gano raised his eyebrows intrigued "Is that so?"

Douglas scoffed "Yeah, that so" he mocked "Mayuri and Anessa consciousness' were able to connect- some weird Psy Mer-" Gano cleared his throat "Resonance" Douglas glared at his phone pulling it from his ear "Yeah. Resonance. Anyways, I think this weird new powers of theirs gives us a fighting chance" Gano stopped and bent over to catch his breath.

"Oh yeah?" he smirked despite himself "Yeah. Mayuri's ability to astral project and Anessa's ability to dive into people's dreams means that if we can gather enough people, even if it was just a glance, triangulating and guessing Akurasa and the position of whoever's he's working should be a cinch!" Gano lifted up his head "Not gonna lie, up until now didn't thinks so, but now I know-" Green electricity danced at his finger tips "We save everyone!! We can win!"

"Of course. Working with the dream team my friend" Douglas scanned his screen, clicking on footage, he pulled up several windows and ran back tape "Okay here...here...and here...." he pointed at different windows displayed "Yeah...that's it.." he murmured aloud to himself "And send!"

Gano eyes brimmed with new life "Douglas what's this?" He could hear his friend smirking on the other end "Let's just these individuals highlighted and listed are who I need you to pick up and drop off-been a while since we've all been together-bout time for us to reunite" Gano closed his eyes trying to find train of thought.

"Suppose you're right" he folded his arms "Just don't want too many more traumatized" Douglas could be heard sucking his teeth "Don't start a war and then be unwilling to fight, day you became our friends it's what WE decide. It's a slap in the face to keep throwing that away, if you're not gonna ca-" Gano snickered.

"Okay. Okay." Gano rolled his eyes "Douglas. Thanks. Been alone for awhile and I forgot was friendship-true friendship-was like; whether you know it or not moments like these have brought me back to life" Douglas' paused on the other end unsure of what to say "Gano..."

"Anyways, it's time. Feeling recharged!! Try to find and map out where military and police presence is gonna be-I want to avoid casualty and conflict much as I can" Douglas fingers' got back to stroking and pressing keys "Think I got a idea....and there! We're a go.."

Gano looked down at his phone "Awesome! Guess that means I'm back in the game!! Dougie Thanks!" Gano yelled and jumped up and down excitement knowing which route to take "It's Douglas you dolt!" he scolded, but before words could reach Gano's ears he'd already hung up "Tch..Dummy..Gotta make sure to find Jamie and make sure things are ready in time on our end.."

"Alright! Here we go!" Gano voice echoed underground, shooting up out the sewers he glanced at his phone "First person should be around here" his eyes narrowed, picking out the right face in a crowd, he made sure it matched before lifting said person off the ground he squealed and squirmed in protest.

"Help!! Hellllpp! Someone help me now!!" Gano felt a pang in his chest hearing fear and desperation in this person's pleas 'Sorry. I'm sorry.' whoever he had only a moment to wallow in regret when bullets flew in his direction out of nowhere.

"Sorry guys-" putting his phone away, he snatched away all their firearms and halted bullets mid-air, dropping them to the ground "Can't have that! M'am my sincerest apologies" he quiped "Very important interview process we need you to be taking part in, we'll only be borrowing seconds of your time" zipping through air overhead it tugged even more at his heart strings as the woman attempted to kick and scream in fear.

"Man, guess I'm playing villain here-not that unusual I guess..." he muttered under breath "There goes our second passenger" Making sure to fly swift but not fast, he wanted to make sure no harm came to the people he was transporting through the air.

"Heya! How ya doing?" A man half-sleep on a park bench eyes shot open as he was flung upward "Nice nap you were having! But have you ever been all aboard The Electromagnetic Express!? Free tickets, bit of a bumpy ride, but there might be snacks!!" knowing where to head to next, he couldn't believe his luck "Two pickups? Same ice cream shop!? We've got frieeeennnnndssss" he sung in an alto.

Floating down to a hover, he held up his hand, beckoning both patrons forth "Sorry about your wife sir...m'am, sorry bout your friend...not a hair of harm-" Gano made to say before a gust of wind undid the woman's doo "No real harm will be done to either of you...I think."

Panic ensued as people sprinted and ran out of shop and the crowd dispersed "Awh c'mon! How much bad publicity can The Hero have!?" he shouted in frustration starting to pout, as he took back up into air with four people in tow he noticed a helicopter tagging and starting to trail.

"Nah. Not going to have too much more of that now" he shook his head, shooting forth a stream of electricity to short circuit controls and camera, before guiding aircraft to ground "Great, might have the whole of this dimension's world against me...that's two now!" he trailed of in thought, thinking of the fastest route.

'Than again-' Gano glanced at who was taking along with him now 'Whether I like it or not, these people are acting as hostages and human shields. They're in danger because of my now. Guess all I can do is put these blood-stained hands of mines to use and hope it turns out good somehow.." Body covered in electricity, his eyes flashed a bright green 'Don't worry..No matter what happens I'll do everything I can to protect you all too!'

"Mr. President!" someone rushed into Langston Benard's office-President of The Emirases States "It's a national emergency sir!! Agent or no agent on ground I don't think think we can continue to cover this up!! Press must be addressed!" Langston Benard stood at six-four, his hair slick as his demeanor and style.

"Tch. Send in a a light military presence but don't go overboard" getting up from his desk he slid on his suit mumbling and grumbling "Things I do to keep up appearances, that area's under Grips jurisdiction so make sure to tell him to take it easy-we can't afford to start what we can't finish."Tell Grip to take it easy, this isn't a battle he can win...and we need to stay on friendly terms..." With a nod from his staff, they took off walking in a brisk pace.

"Seems everything is now falling into place" he ran a finger through his dark brown curls "Whatever happens, my hope is she'll be able to get them out of there..." taking a step he took a deep breath before taking a slow plodding step outside his office door "Alright. Ready world."

"Damn it! Guess you're ready world!" Gano discharged and disarmed another group of S.WA.T. team members, this time reinforcements arrived in form of several dronesWhy don't you put us down you freak!!" a man Gano had just scooped off a building top shouted.

"Yeah!! Right now that's not a great idea!!" he screamed in frustration dodging several rounds of gunfire-he was staring to break into a sweat- keeping concentration and focus had him on the brink of exhaustion.

"Okay I've rounded everybody up, now to make sure my warm welcome is waiting soon as I get the-" texting Douglas, he almost doubled over and sent everyone along with him crashing down "Can't be" his jaw dropped, a drone outfitted with a rocket shot it towards him-making a beeline in his direction of nowhere "C'mon. What the fu-"

Gano sent a shock of lighting making it implode from a distance before it could put anyone in harms way "What's wrong with these guys. They don't even care about hostages!!" he grit his teeth "I haven't even proven I'm that much of a threat!" Out from behind several buildings more rockets were launched.

"Last waring guys-" Gano eyes glowed green "Right now...Don't...have...TIME!!" Letting out a visceral roar green lighting shot forth from several directions, making contact and sending all the rockets up in flames "Yeah. We're done now." Gano's eyes narrowed as he glared and looked around-fury could be seen in his gaze "These world's are all the same-people don't have a care for innocent lives."

Looking down in disappointment, he felt for himself for only a moment before taking flight.

"Sir! You have to believe us!" Douglas was pleading with folded hands trying to make his case to Dr. Lance "Jamie!! This is what you're wasting my time on!? People are dying!" neck and temple veins showing, Jamie shied away from seeing him so upset.

"Show me one of your staff's that fallen asleep, I'll prove what's going on isn't natural!" Douglas screamed, Dr. Lance knuckles turned white as he gripped his clipboard and his face turned red "PEOPLE ARE DYING OUT THERE!!"

Douglas tightened his lip getting ready to yell back, having had enough Jamie took off in a wild sprint "Jamie!" Dr. Lance called out "Sir, this sounds crazy I know, but this situation is already beyond suspension of belief-I'm absolutely certain you've found no medical reason half your staff is stuck in permanent state of REM!! As a man of education and sci-" Dr. Lance shook his head and turned his back getting ready to storm off "Dr. Lance Wait!! Please!!"

Turning heads, he and Douglas looked to see Jamie carrying her friend on her back "Douglas you said bring someone so you could prove it! You've got to do it now!!" Breaking out into a nervous sweat, time came to a still, he made eye contact withJamie for a spit second-trepidation and desperation could be seen in her eyes.

Labored breathing, hands clasped then clasped, lip quivering, pupils dilating, every second was a whole moment that put him more and more at unease. That's when they walked up and he made eye contact with Tess. As their gaze's met, peace washed over him as his mind came to a quiet and the waters of his troubled soul became serene.

Closing his eyes he found himself forming a mental link with Jamie's friend in front of him, he found a drop of water falling into a puddle pictured in his mind, upon splattering-water coalesced- reversing the process, and several colored chains obscuring his vision broke.

"No-" Dr. Lance gasped in awe; eyes fluttering open, Jamie's friend woke with a yawn "Man, everything went black all a sudden-what's going on?"' They asked with a stretch, eyes blinking, they looked at Jamie in confusion wondering what was going on.

"Oh my gosh" Jamie squeezed her friend in a bear crushing hug "Jamie?" Dr. Lance wracked his mind for explanation and a profuse apology for what's going on "It's fine" Douglas looked up and seemed to stare into his soul "Do you think I'm being serious now?" he asked.

Dr. Lance's only reply was a sheepish grin, pulling out his phone and pager he started sending out messages and making calls"Yes, I need all ready and available to meet me in surgery STAT!" Dr. Lance turned to Douglas, looking back and forth, hoping for further explanation from him and Jamie "Can't believe I'm doing this, but right now we're all going to follow you-right now it's doing whatever it takes to save lives."

Making an entrance with impeccable timing, Gano chose that moment tp come flying through with all fifteen requested "Gano!" Douglas, Brook, and Tess ran up to him in excitement, feeling tapped out, he was able to let go, as soon as he did the people he abducted were raring to go. Quite a few of them didn't hesitate to hurl fists instead of words and Gano was too tired to held them back.

"STOP!!!"

Dr. Lance's voice stopped them in their tracks "This man has brought you all here under MY AUTHORITY!!! NONE OF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!!!" forgetting about their captor they focused their attention and hung on every word.

"Right now it's time to use good judgement and common sense!! Right now we are under extraterrestrial assault!! People are falling out at drop of a hat, if this man wanted you dead or was responsible don't you think you'd be gone!?" Mumbling and grumbling came from them, but no response.

"These people are in the know and have been hard at work figuring out problem and solution, putting everything at risk to thing resolved. In this hospital, we pay in sweat, tears, and even blood so the least you can do is LISTEN and find out what's going on! The pubic does not take people as property, so if you're here without explanation it's on my name and license as a good doctor it's for the greater good!!"

"Well" an elder woman rolled neck and looked Dr. Lance and them up and down "Go on." Gano shook his head "No one here is obligated to sacrifice anything here but me, all we really wanted was a chance to gather you all here together to ask-"

Dr. Lance positioned himself beside him "Seeing what we're up against I'd have to disagree-you have no choice..and neither do I. Imagine driving home from work one day, and without warning an oil tanker tips over out of control. Picture not clear enough for you? Imagine a loved one, someone more close and dear to you than anyone knows having emergency surgery not being able to stay awake due to forces out of control, better yet imagine a plane upon land-" Jamie grabbed him by the arm.

"Doctor-" she pleaded for a chance to make a case "Everyone, This morning I woke up bright faced and ready for a new day-my heart filled with hope and my rose glasses colored with love. Makes it easier to ignore the blood...bad joke... everyday my soul forms a bridge and I put my life on the line for my patients and that's what we call trust. Right now I'm holding tears in a well, but tonight if I live to see another fight tomorrows they'll be spilled on the floor"

Anger quelled, everyone lent an ear "Fighting and bickering is something we can waste time on, but each second is another soul gone, another bridge that never gets to be formed, another life lost-right now we need you all to allow those bridges for your hearts and ours to both come across!! Without those bridges we'll fail and many more will fall so please-" Jamie got on hands and knees "Let us give our words and lives so we can live up to our duty and do our jobs!!"

Dr. Lance looked at the crowd and many were still torn "You've got fifteen minutes, right now I'm going to head up and prep will be going on!! Live or die! Make your choice!! For me this is a trial of triage! I don't have time waste on these who have given up and are ready to go to the great beyond! Stand up Jamie! Frontline beside me I need those who are KIND and STRONG!" Jamie took his hand and stood up.

"Your presence will be your response." a tone of finality underlined his undertone as he and Jamie walked off "You!?" a man seethed in anger, heads turned to Gano "Anything you've got to say for yourself!? FREAK!!" he berated; Tess had to hold Brook back, and Douglas held his breath in anger "Gifts don't often fall from heaven, when they do we can decide to pick them up or ignore them..." He replied in a cool tone, putting his hands in pocket, he strode off.

"Gano" Douglas watched his friend turn his back, feeling waves of sadness emanating "Honestly-" Tess started, rolling her eyes and grabbing Brook and Douglas' hand "Can't say anyone I've met today deserves help.." leaving the abductees with their thoughts, they went to find Gano and consult with Mayuri.

"Gano, you okay?" they caught up with him, tailing him to Mayuri's room, Douglas opted to stay outside as to not interfere with Mayuri and Anessa's powers "Yeah" he answered "Ness.." Tess caught sight of her friend, tears welling up "Tess.."

Anessa eyes watered and she leapt forward, forgetting she wasn't tangible enough to embrace "Can't this wait.." Mayuri groaned watching them reunite "Wha-Ahhhhhhhh!" Gano stopped Tess short from falling over "Oh" Anessa blushed "That's right." Mayuri faceplamed "Mushy stuff aside, are those lot on board?"

Gano looked down "Not too keen on on surviving then, are they?" Mayuri snorted, putting hands atop her head "Oh well" she shrugged "We'll be fine either way" Tess' blood boiled "Bunch of jerks is what they are! Gano's putting his life at risk to save these jerks and they're being all normie and skeptical!! !! Can't believe the way they talked about you!" Tess' cheeks puffed up in anger causing Gano to laugh.

"Glad to see you haven't changed-" his expression then turned solemn "But in a way they're right...this is my fault...all of this.." Gano locked eyes with Tess, gaze shifting to Anessa for a second "Tess, Anessa, I'm so sorry" he started "That guy, I should've killed him...forgiv-" Tess placed a finger on his lips "Gano hush" Tess and Anessa looked at him in dissapointment.

"My heart was set on never forgiving you: I'm broken, damaged, traumatized, and despite all that I'm loved-" placing both hands over heart, green saw into blue a depth of emotion never seen before in the other "That means more to me than anything I've lost..." Anessa nodded in agreement "That guy is more at fault than you, he was our Professor, a mentor and older person we respected and trusted, in the end that's who betrayed us" Gano wiped his eyes with his jacket sleeve.

"Of course" Gano gave a weak chuckled "Knew that already...just um...testing you guys.." Brook butted in with laughter slapping his green-haired companion on the back "Nah fam, nothing wrong with showing emotion Makes you a man!" he cheesed "Ouch" Gano cracked, looking at him deadpan.

Anessa and Tess giggled sharing a look "Sorry for not telling you about all this Ness. Would've been way more fun..." Tess apologized "Nah" Anessa waved Tess off "Knew something was up-girlfirend you was acting strange!" Out of nowhere Anessa disappeared making Tess gawk.

"Not ready for that one, huh Princess?" Mayuri teased, a knock at the door drew everyone's attention "Hey guys, sorry to interrupt" Jamie's head poked through a slip in the door "Dr. Lance says it's time to head up" Mouths forming a thin line-Gano, Brook, Douglas, and Tess headed back downstairs.

"Glad to see you guys join us, good news for you guys-fifteen out of fifteen chose to sign up..." waiting there to greet them were all fifteen Gano picked up "Name's Evan Rodger" a man in a maroon suite introduced himself "Lena Ray" an elder woman in a yellow sunflower dress introduced herself "Zack Smith" an atheletic youth in shorts and sleeveless-tee shouted, going around until everyone's name was known, they all set sights on Gano.

"Young man" Lena stepped forth curtsying "We all counseled and came together-then we say something interesting online and the news..." Dr. Lance shrugged as Gano spared him a glance "People are scare, people are confused, we don't know how to blame but-"Then Lena pulled out her phone.

Footage from that day played of Gano preventing a head on crash and instances of his other good deeds-even saving a couple cats from tree "Not always a great judge of character and I frown upon kidnapping-" wagging a finger to show she disapproved "but from doing our own look into things..you seem like a nice young man to me"

Offering a wave and smile, Gano could feel ice starting to melt "Thanks..though I'm not sure I agree" he looked down in shame "Heads up young man" Lena lectured "Our lives our in your hands, if you can't continue to look up how can we trust you to take care" Lena scolded in a mother's tone.

"M'am. Thanks Miss Lena. Thank you all..." A security leaned over, whispering something in Dr. Lance's ear "Alright. Everything's prepared. Gano right? We'll run decoy and interference to throw them off your trail, but we can only buy so much time" Gano smirked "Don't worry, as soon as we can pinpoint the cause of this chaos' location he's going down" he gave a thumbs up.

Dr. Lance rolled his eyes "A cocky one aren't we? Everyone scrub up and get ready! No mistakes can be made, we're putting every patient under and we need them all back awake! Surgery goes as well as prepared!!" Dr. Lance continued barking orders, making calls, and poking his head in rooms to make sure no one was cutting corners, as he, Jamie, and his staff got ready for their biggest test yet..

"Guess all we can do now is sit and wait" Gano exhaled "No resting yet" Brook reminded "Only when all this ends will you have made amends, Douglas going with Gano, or you want me to stay here?" Douglas' head was on a swivel "Gano go upstairs and watch over Mayuri and Anessa, been awhile since it's just been us three. Need some alone time with my boys" Tess winked "Right" Gano smirked "Not long before action picks back up again.." yawing, Gano spun and headed back up.

"Can't tell if I'm getting used to it or what, seems we should be more scared than we are right now" Brook scratched his nose "Nasty babe. Wash your hands" Tess smacked his hand away "Douglas, give us a real update on outside" a shadow casted over as soon as she finished asking the question "From murmurings, tapping into police comms, and scouring online-big guns could get involved soon. In other words-" Brook gulped "We've run out of time."

He finished "Yeah, it's a race at this point, no matter what occurs from here on, even being optimistic-" Tess bit a nail "'Cutting it close."A pen drop was heard "So that's where the expression comes from" Brook broke silence, Douglas' stomach growling soon followed "Really Douglas?" Tess eye-rolled "Yes! Now!! A crisis isn't going to stop me from getting hungry!"

Tess pointed behind him "Vending machine soon as you turn, probably won't be eating a home cooked meal any time soon, so best to load up on snacks" Tess sighed "See babe, that's why I like you..smart." Brook pulled Tess and Doulgas close to him-huddling up "One last meal for the road in-let's binge like champs!" not letting go, despite squirm and protest Brook dragged the two childhood friends along with him"Hey!" "Big Oaf Slow down!"

"Something on your mind?" Mayuri questioned Gano soon as he walked in "Kind of surprised they didn't hold a grudge" Mayuri eyes narrowed What for?" Gano snickered, covering his mouth "Turning into a mother hen aren't we?" he teased, Mayuri scoffed in response "Hey I've got a favor to ask "Mayuri looked at him and tilted her head "Go on..." Gano ruffled and made a mess of his hair "If anything happens-"

Not allowed to finish, Mayuri cut him off "Those brats are bait and of good use. Nothing will happen to them long as they''re under me" Gano's posture relaxed as he was put at ease "Mayuri, can't judge a book by its cover indeed, out of all of the people with powers I've encountered-" Mayuri blushed turning away, getting ready to look back him, words having left his lips, he was already gone.

"One of the kindest people I've known."

"That bastard" Mayuri cursed under breath as Jamie came in "Why?" Mayuri rose an eyebrow curious "Oh!" Jamie was flustered and out of breathe "Sorry if I'm interrupting, ready for you guys!" several other nurses and workers came in, getting ready to move Mayuri and Anessa to surgery "Idiot" Mayuri disappeared as Anessa and she returned to their vessels, hoping to save energy for the big moment.

"Don't go talking like you're ready to die."

"Alright" putting his gloves on, prep was over and everyone was gathered in room with exception of Douglas, he stood on standby outside within earshot and being given a clear view- phone in hand just in case. "Everything correct?" Dr. Lance checked with the anesthesiologist "Correct as it's gonna be, titrated each dose to be exact, and we also inspected all contraindication."

Having committed each patient to an entire floor, with Anessa's and Mayuri's bed placed side by side in the center, the hope was to have everyone within close proximity of each other in case things go wrong.

"Alright, let's go.." Room by room, they went around, checking and double-checking until all fifteen were put safe to sleep, feeling his phone vibrate Gano answered the call "Douglas, what's wrong?" a rumbling and shaking was felt outside as an explosion went off "Check out the link" he answered.

"Gano, Gano, Ganooooooooo" a taunting voice sung "Come out to playyyyyyyyyy" Gano's face twisted in anger "Akurasa!! You Bastard!" he cursed "Ah, it seems you've turned tail and decided to run away..." a livestream with a distorted image could be seen "Casualties and consequences of our little war game" his smirk was sly and his irises and eyes colorless and cold.

"Guro guro guro!!" he snickered in glee "First it's nap time..then wake time....then BOOM!!" he motioned with his hands as man onscreen shrieked in despair body charred and ruined as he went up in flames "Every minute! Every second you continued to hide!! Well..Guro..." he laughed "You know..."

On canary- a social media app with threads and profiles for people to interact a private account popped up with a livestream. Messages posted in a row were being posted in succession and as they were read it was easy to decipher hints and clues to various locations.

"I've got to go!" Gano tore his eyes away that were for several minutes glued to the screen "Not without saying goodbye you won't" whipping his head around he came face to face with Douglas, Brook, and Tess "Out of my way!! This is something I have to do!!!" Tess looked him up and down.

"We know, but going off on a big mission without your partners and crime-" Tess started "And leaving behind your trump card" Douglas flexed a bicep and rolled up his sleeve "Screw all that, no pow wow or throwing in on one last group hug with the crew!?" Gano's head started to cool and his shoulders drooped "Guys.."

"Gano" Tess pulled him into an embrace "No matter what happens I meant what I said that day we first me-you're one of us now. And even though we haven't had that much time to connect, we've been through a lot together, put our lives at risk...none of this really makes sense..but trust me when I say we love-" Douglas and Brook walked up using his shoulders as a rest for their hands.

"That Psy can knock someone out at drop of an hat, your plan was?" Douglas teased "Not to mention we gotta keep comms open so we can nail dude down and track where he is.." Brook gave him a light jab.

"Here Gano, give me your hand.." Gano felt restless, vulnerable and a bit unsure "Okay.." Taking out a green marker, Tess sketched stars on palm of each of their hands "Fate lines...this way with one on all our hands maybe they'll intersect.." Tess looked up at Gano-she saved his for last.

Without even thinking they slung arms over one another and formed a circle, heads leaned over in "So Mr. Football? No crazy chants?" Tess gave Brook an eye "Nah. Just want to stay like this.." Douglas took a deep breath "I want to say something-" his voice turned hoarse "I really love you guys!!" his voice cracked almost coming out as a squeak.

"Oh man!" Gano snorted "Seriously man!" Brook chimed in "Yeah Dougie. Speeches? Not your thing.." Steam shot out of Douglas' ears "All right, maybe not missing you guys!!" they all broke down into a fit of laughter at his expense "Oh c'mon!" Douglas adjusted his glasses and started playing with his hair.

"A moment indeed" Gano held his stomach, glad to have a chance to finally catch his breath "See-" All he saw and felt was butterflies as Tess caught his attetion again "This is why you gotta come back" looking at each of their faces he got the message loud and clear "Don't worry I'll return and be coming right back to where my heart is-" Walking over, Gano reached for Douglas' outstretched hand "Ready?" he asked "Ready."

"Where's that?" Tess asked, it was Gano's turn to smirk and reply.

"Right back to laugh and have more fun times with you...my friends.."

"Alright Douglas, let's go..." Gano and Douglas gave each other dape and bumped fists as they opened an empty room window "Ready?" Douglas and Gano made eye contact "Yeah" Taking off into blue skies, Douglas had his laptop in his backpack and his phone in his left hand "Okay, we're heading East to New Arcadia Museum-that's where something is going down next.."

Off in the distance, Gano shuddered mid-flight "Don't tell me-" Douglas started to sweat "Jets, guess military's up next" Gano gulped loud enough for both to hear "Good thing I packed snacks" a barrage of missiles streaked their way, but as Gano intercepted them this time instead of exploding and going up in smoke instead the sky was covered in a cloud of gas.

Douglas reached into his backpack pulling out a pair of masks "Always good to be prepared" Outfitting themselves, Gano closed his eyes, concentrating, he made sure all the cloud molecules coalesced instead of dispersing in the air "Where do I even put this?" he pondered out loud.

Douglas met him with a blank stare "Yeah. Yeah. I hate to do that to the atmosphere" Flying upwards, Gano made sure to keep a safe distance, going high up as possible, the cloud of poisonous smoke gathered was let go and released-disappearing and dissipating into the atmosphere.

"Okay, let's head down now" Gano levitated until they touched ground and entered New Arcadia Museum "No telling when they'll strike again" Gano forced doors open, and a herd of people stormed out pushing past him "What a second-" a lightbulb was turned on in Douglas' head "Are those people just now....Gano we gotta hurry!!" Gano and Douglas floated above until they arrived in front of an abandoned exhibit.

"Okay ,so what now?" Gano asked "There!" Douglas pointed " Slumped against a statue of a mythological figure sporting winged shoes and wings was a man laying down unconscious. Faint, but picked up by even Douglas' ears, as things quieted they both realized it couldn't be in their heads-a faint ticking.

"Oh Sh-" Douglas could barely get out, Gano leapt into action covering distance quick as a cat, pulling buttons apart to reveal exposed chest Gano started feeling around "Douglas!! Should we wake him up or not!? Is it inside him? Any idea where or what the detonation switch is?" Douglas started trembling as each tick had less seconds between.

"No time!! It might be rigged to explode upon waking!! Maybe we can short it then remove it from the inside "Fine!" Green electricity shot from Gano's fingertips and danced around every inch-entering the innocent victims skin "Okay, feeling around, there seemed to be an electric force much different than what he was used to when poking inside and probing in.

Feeling things out, Gano ceased all electro musculoskeletal response in addition to whatever else was going on for a split second before restoring things to how they were before. To him and Douglas' relief the ticking stopped.

"Bomb disarmed.." Gano gave Douglas a thumbs up "Let's sit this guy down on a rooftop somewhere then get a move on.."

Back at the hospital, synchronized surgery had gone well, and Anessa and Mayuri's Resonance's power's combined allowing them to dive into people's subconscious-from there it was easy to get into whoever's mind they made contact with's memory and dreams.

Miss Lena's was first and they found themselves a couple day's ago downtown "So this is before the explosion right?" Anessa asked "Yeah, keep a look out for a twisted creep freak with bright orange hair.." Anessa's amber eyes caught a glimpse "There!" she jumped up and down pointing.

Sporting trench coat and trinket the man slid past a sea of people and disappeared turning a corner back-alley. Hoping to follow him, as Mayuri and Anessa got ready to turn: sights, sounds, smells, and detail of color started to leave them and become replaced by blank canvases of white "Damn!" Mayuri cursed "We've reached Lena's 'perception limit', our observation has gone beyond the scope of her subconscious." Anessa and Mayuri faced each other and held hands.

Everything whirling and swirling in one motion, soon things crystallized "Dragons? This mind is...Zacks!! A wild imagination makes a min hard to dive in..." Mayuri complained, in the young man's dream, a war was being fough among samurai in a feudal japan "Don't have time" Mayuri complained aloud, things starting to get shaky she was being affected by Anessa's fear.

"Calm down" Mayuri gave a comforting squeeze "We have power here" Putting up a barrier to block flames and oncoming attacks "Psyche trying to protect itself, Thats all" Soon, everything around them distorted and they were surrounded by static, and then everything became clear as images of yesterday played.

As Gano and Douglas flew away loud BOOM was heard coming from the direction where they dropped off the person they saved "No-" Gano didn't even get to finish forming words as he and Douglas were thrown back by force of the shock wave "Douglas!!" Gano let momentum carry them a safe distance a way while making sure Douglas was shielded from dirt and debris.

"AKURUSAAAAAAAÀ!! THAT'S TOO DAMN FARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!"

Gano brought Douglas close to him, eyes glowing green as electric sparks started flying everywhere "YOU'RE GOING TO LET HIMMMMMM!?" Gano screamed up and at what seemed to be the heaves "C'MON!!" starting to spazz and jerk about all wild, Douglas seized opportunity slap him in the face

"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF MAN!!" Gano reeled back and sported a look of pure unadulterated rage, bu as he felt his cheek sting he was overcome with waves of sadness he found impossible to escape.

"Pity party can wait til' later, more people need our help now" Douglas held his phone to Gano's face and pulled up a picture Mayuri snuck and took of them sleeping along with Brook and Tess "You've got more than one home to go back to-everything hasn't been lost yet" Douglas' words soothed Gano allowing him to clam down "Alright..let's go.."

"Damn! Fuck! This was all such a waste!!" reaching dream's end of their last dive, Mayuri almost broke down into tears, slamming fist against pavement "No no no no no no no no no no no no.." this went on for a minute, however Anessa noticed nothing had changed and they were stuck in a sea of people "Running out of time!!" Anessa's stomach did somersaults having never seen Mayuri panic before.

"Mayuri, please don't give up...: Anessa encouraged Mayuri looked up and kicked herself mentally at the pained expression plain as day on Anessa's face "Stop that Miss Priss!! You know I won't!" Getting up, something odd entered Mayuri's line of sight.

"That person, they seem a bit off compared to the rest of the crowd.." Knowing this might their one and only lead, they drew closer to this strange person and as they approached images shaped and reshaped and they found themselves underground .

"This place...this place is familiar!" Mayuri started connecting dots, watching in third person it was clear this person was brave enough to sneak around. Specter and Spectator, in this instance all they could do is watch things unfold and the scene seen before them play out. The location was The Abandoned Train Station as the man turned around they both gasped.

The orange haired man seen before seemed to stare right at them with a creepy grin as he and Akurasa went over what was planned "Akurasa, let's wager how many fires he can put out before he becomes a flame so intense he burns out himself" a man with long orange hair dressed in a suite covered with patches of varied colors cackled.

This last person dream they dove in was a mine full of gold, they must've had a sneaking suspicion about Akurasa's orange haired accomplice and followed through "Not many, but I warn you don't underestimate him now, It's many a time I've weaved a web in hopes to catch him and he's slipped through.." it was clear this person was peaking and trying not to get caught, hoping they could eavesdrop and learn more the person started coughing a bright light blinded them both.

"Hey!! Both of them!! They're waking up!!!"

"Alright! I'm shutting off the autopilot and I'm flying this bird home!" Rick Rodgers had flown airplanes for the last thirty years "Heard things are going crazy back in town, Not gonna lie I'm anxiety to land this bird and get back to my girls back home" his partner voiced his concern "Ha ha! Woes of being a married man!!" Rick teased, nudging his co-pilot with his elbow "That missuz of yours'll kill me I don't get you back home!" his co-pilot shot him a finger.

His co-pilot shook his head "Jeez. Your wife's worse than mine when it comes to that sort of thing" he shook his head and said "Like hell man. " Rick, got ready to announce to everyone to buckle in and take precaution-turbulence and turmoil was expected when land.

"Yo Joe. Imma let you make the announcement this time" Rick looked over to see his partner out of nowhere slump against the controls "Joe!!" Rick reached over to shake him awake, only for a sudden spell of sleep to overtake him too. Lucky for them Gano and Douglas were already mid-rescue a plane that departed an hour ago had fell out the sky and this was the next location to be checked out.

"Gano this is bad! Another one!!" Douglas shouted "So that's the plan then huh? Bastard's focused on tiring me out!!" Plane nosediving and out of control, Gano landed he and Douglas on its wing. Placing a great strain on his body, it took Gano almost everything he had left to bring the aircraft under his control as he took extra care to make sure its descent was slow.

Gano's breathes became short and shallow and Douglas could feel them picking up speed right before they hit ground "Gano, don't tell me you're starting to reach your limit? Akurusa might have set this up so you'd be vulnerable now!" Digging into his backpack Gano took a mouthful of snacks and scared them down. Still he looked frazzled and worn out.

Allowing he and Douglas to touch ground, Gano tore open the airplane door and allowed everyone onboard to be pulled out and laid out on the grass on the strip "That's it" Douglas caught Gano as he stumbled a bit "No substitute for rest, we gotta get food in you and make sure you take a breather now" he looked at his friend's who he was running himself ragged his caramel complexion and green hair starting to lose luster now.

Douglas cursed their luck as a crowd started to gather now "Hey is that guy.." Someone whispered "He saved all those people!" Another person exclaimed, some were in wonder, some were in awe, others found themselves overtaken by fear as word started to spread.

The mob grew bigger "Didn't that freak on Canary say this dude's the one he's trying to catch Bastard probably shot it down!" someone accused, Douglas found he and Gano didn't have time spare as authorities and airport security arrived on scene with guns drawn.

Falling in and out of consciousness, Douglas gave Gano a shake to rouse him wake"Yo" Douglas tried to shake him awake "Gano! Gano please..not now..." In line of fire, citizens were ushered back inside despite protest, and soon Douglas and Gano were encircled.

Douglas took what little bit of snacks and treats he had left and stuffed them down Gano's throat as they closed in "Stop right there!! This is not how we want thins to end!! Surrender and Cooperate and won't shoot!" Before fingers could be placed on trigger, their weapons were magnetized and stuck to the plane, Gano shrugged Douglas off him, filled with new spark and life.

Douglas heart pounded and his vision blurred, deafening shots rang loud and it sank in that they were mere moments from hot lead sending them away "Gano you bastard" he grabbed his green blazer's sleeve "Don't ever cut it that close again!" Gano looked down his mouth forming a thin line-his expression tender and soft.

"Not a fan?" he joked, Douglas looked at him lips pursed "Near death experience? Not my drug of choice" levitating, Gano got ready to get Douglas himself out of there "Have it your way " Gano shrugged deflecting bullets.

Off in the distance, he could hear sirens starting to blare "Ungrateful bastards" Gano let his childlike impulse win, sticking out his tongue, they were a safe enough distance that people turned into dots to them.

Douglas gave him a light smack "Ouch" Gano winced "Play nice" Douglas scolded " Gano smacked his lips trying to get a sour taste out of his mouth "What was that?" he shot Douglas a dirty look "Whatever it was, did it not give you enough of a boost to save us from certain death?" Douglas threw his hands up and asked.

Gano's unwillingness to answer being his only answer, with wind back beneath their wings, Douglas took out his phone and started formulating a plan-an idea struck him(like lighting) and he could feel his mind tingles and his thoughts tying together loose threads on the verge of figuring something out.

"Tess!! Tess!" Brook startled his napping girlfriend "Mayuri and 'Ness are up!" In a stupor of sorts it wasn't long before Tess sprang to her feet "What!?" Brook could see light in his girlfriend's eyes and excitement as her face started to glow "C'mon" grabbing Tess' wrist, Brook's feet were swift and soon they were at the room where everyone was being held.

"Tess!" Anessa was cheery and glad to be up "Yo" Mayuri gave a salute "Alright guys. That's enough checking me out. Shoo. Go away" it seemed medical staff was trying to look both over and Mayuri was giving them a hard time.

Brook held up a finger unsure on how to pose the question he wanted "Yes Brook, we got the information we need. I'm going to send it via text and get Douglas and Gano on the job soon as they nags leave me alone!!" powers active, it was no telling what Mayuri forced the nurses and assistants to witness as they scurried away frightened off.

Tess put both hands on Anessa's cheeks squeezing hard as she could "It's you!! It's really you!" Both girls blinked back tears "No time for misty-eyes!!" Mayuri looked on disgust "Then again, I'm done with you now..I don't care what you do" Scanning but finding scant options for attire to change in Mayuri walked barefoot with a scowl and a snarl.

Anessa tried to get up, but felt dizzy all of a sudden "No!! We have to go after her!" Tess' look back and forth "Why 'Ness?" Anessa's bottom lip quivered "Before I woke up, Mayuri and I were in river, soon as our sentience started to separate that very same river-" Tess gagged and almost barfed.

Pulling out her phone, Tess held to her ear and let it ring "Got it. Miss Assassain's about to do something rash...she's as bad as them.." Somewhere ducking and dodging, this time tired wings left Gano and Douglas taking fight over flight as they tried to move on the ground.

Having snuck into a condemned building, Gano had emptied a whole vending machine, wiping crumbs of his mouth, he was gearing up to head back out "Dude gross" Douglas offered him a napkin "Geez. Wipe your mouth" Gano snatched the piece of paper out o Douglas' hands, giving him a tiny bit of static as a gift.

Fingers touching, Douglas drew back "Ouch!" he helped as he looked at his phone receiving an incoming text "OH MAN!!" He fist pumped "YES!! Gano! That whole 'dream jumping' thing worked!!! It was a success" Gano's could spot from outside several fighter jet's flight patterns, and they seemed to be forming a circumference overhead.

Gano used his powers to pick up Douglas and himself as they defied gravity once more and exited the building on the other end "Reserves restored, update me while I hold off those dregs...I can handle two things at one time" Gano held up a hand skyward, an electromagnetism pulled together the jets, making sure to dump the into water Gano couldn't help but count his lucky stars as the pilots called it quits and opted to eject.

"Gano!! When you get done I need you to read these texts!!" Douglas looked at Gano and frowned "Don't tell me with all you've ate your energy's not replenished yet" Gano's turned away as soon as he asked "Well, my bad" Gano apologized and began to pout "I'm only-" Gano started but then thought better of finishing.

"So what they we do now?" Douglas surveying from above he noticed they were starting to bring in tanks "Seems wherever we go they'll trail. Time to stop standing out and find a way to blend in! I've got a plan!!" Gano grinned.

"Gano..." Douglas struggled to catch his breath "They're closing in.." pulling out his phone, he got an overlook city-wide via camera "This plan of yours better be a good one" Gano laughed "You know it is!!" Making sure they were visible Gano mad sure eyes were on them as he forced open and closed the door behind them.

Douglas looked skeptical after they locked themselves in "So what? We're hiding in here?" Douglas asked Gano who was looking at as if he'd grown a third head "Needed a building with elevators and somewhere it'd take those bastards a minute to find us while I take a nice nap." Gano yawned "What do you say Douglas?" Gano wiggled his eyebrows "Bout time we take things to the underground!" Douglas checked out the building layout and looked backed up at Gano eyebrow raised "Maybe you do have a plan.."

Tanks, jeeps, and armored vehicles started surround as men poured in: comprised of military, swat, and reserve members called on due to emergency they were wearing combat gear and toting heavy artillery just in case "Make sure all civilians are evacuated, and make sure no one gets in or out! Target's cornered so this' our chance!"

Sweeping and surveying the building, they checked crack, corner, and crevice, only for nothing to be found. "Keep searching!" a voice could be heard responding over comms "No one's been seen exiting..those bastards are hiding somewhere!!" Giving a nod and cue from one of his comrades in arms, the search continued.

Dr. Lance checked his phone "No one's been allowed to enter, and we've been thorough about keeping up with who leaves.." Tess' head shook as he talked "Mayuri does what Mayuri wants "You gotta find her!!" Jame walked in panicked and out of breathe "Mayuri's gone!!" Dr. Lance had a puzzled look on his face.

Dr. Lance started rubbing Jamie's back "Jamie calm down, she's couldn't have gotten far. You've gotta let cooler heads prevail it's unlike you to favor one patient over another-it's something I've never seen before..." Tess joined in to comfort Jamie "I can feel her, before she was so warm, and now the energy she's giving off is so much colder than before" Tess payed close attention to Jamie's words.

Tess eyes darted between Dr. Lance's pager and phone "Earlier you made a call and bought us some time. Pretty well connected?" Tess asked "Well yes..I suppose.." Dr. Lance stammered "I'm going to need some strings pulled again, if we lose Mayuri that's same as this place losing you-it's going to be almost impossible for someone to fill that space" tight lipped, Dr. Lance was torn, deciding desperate times called for measures the same he took a long look at his phone.

As soon as who he called answered he pushed Jamie into Tess' arms and broke into a light jog ' 'One thing I learned over the years' Dr. Lance thought 'Youth isn't wasted by the young, it's siphoned by those who have grown old and lose hope' "Hello?" Dr. Lance spirits lifted hearing The President's voice ' We leech off the young, but that ember, that light that Jamie has...I want it to continue to burn...'

Building swarming with soldiers, Gano could feel a glimmer of hope as his powers at full tilt returned "Sure about this one?" Douglas asked, quite as mice they found themselves on top of he elevator haven't yet to be found "Things are in my favor now Douggieee, they gave me time to stallllll" Gano hummed.

"Search the whole building, turn your thermals on!!" a soldier communicated "No way they could've gone far!!" silence was heard on the other end "Sir?" a voice answered after while "We'll send in a couple more drones" Minutes later several flying machines zoomed in "Hey! Have this one search the elevator shaft!" Gano grabbed Douglas and altered him and his electromagnetic fields.

"Not good." they whispered in unison, hearing elevator doors forced open, Gano lifted the emergency exit- praying it wasn't in use "Bout time we had some luck!" Gano helped Douglas climb down being careful not to make a sound "First things first, let's clear these out." Focusing his power, Gano placed his hand on the console, crashing down at high speed, several drones were smashed, shooting back up took care of the rest.

This alerted the soldiers that something was going on "Hey! Contact with scout units has been lost!!" yelling was heard "Going up!" covering space before they could cover ground, the elevator moved up, Gano made sure to leave a silver of space for he and Douglas to climb up and lay down fat without being crushed "Damn it! There not here!!" a soldier shouted, guns aimed and ready.

"No way that was an accident!!" another exclaimed "Almost all our units in one swoop laid to waste!" hearing boots stomp and then leave, Gano exhaled 'Close. Gotta find a way to sneak out.' "Douglas follow my lead on this one. No option left other than taking risks.." Dropping the elevator slow, Gano let it down, gesturing for Douglas to get on his back they climbed back into the ventilation duct from which they entered.

Seeing two grappling hooks attached, two men climbed up, waiting for an opportune moment Gano pushed the vent out and shocked them both into unconsciousness, yanking them in, a quick exchange of attire was all that was needed.

Covered in black gear that sported helmet and air filtered mask, all that was left was the final act in Gano's plan "Douglas" head turning, Gano placed a hand on back of his neck "Sorry about this one bro" Heart beat coming to a stop as he was pumped full of volts, Gano did the same to himself.

In an eye's blink, everything disappeared around Cassian as a new sensation awakened in him' for the first in a long time he felt alive. In his mind's eye things, objects, people, existence itself appeared to him as lines that could be erased.

This filled the echo chamber of his mind with a terrible glee, there was no noise and the only music that could calm him was the sound of others screams. In his mind's eyes he found he could will it all: people, places, noise, light, dark, you name it- he could make it disappear.

Eyes opened and closed was it took for all signs and trace of life that used to surround him to vanish into thin air-actually he found out that was the only thing missing as his face turned blue, he found it impossible to inhale and exhale nothing. 'Air!' he walked forward until he felt wind against his face, taking in a big gulp of oxygen, he collapsed and collected himself.

As soon as his senses returned he found no break in action as uniforms approached, fingers and toes wiggling in anticipation Cassian mouth turn upward "Not right now you insignificant worms!! You're bothering me now!! Why don't you-

In the midst of battle for some reason he found his mind wandering to a long ago summer day "Hot outside isn't it young man?" an elder man with a wrinkled face gazed upon him-Cassian could tell from how he spoke he was kind and concerned for his well being.

He shied away feeling a bit uncomfortable "Tch. Old man hasn't anyone told you it's right to stare" a sound escaped the old man's mouth-cross between a laugh and cough. It was a rough area they were in, lots of fights and senseless violence between gangs. Everyone just gout the way as group of ruffians brushed past and pushed to the front of the line.

In an act of wanton cruelty on of them men shoved the old man to the ground an spit on him before walking away-Cassian was unconcerned and cared nothing for others but this rubbed him the wrong way "Old man get" he assisted him to his feet "You okay?" he tapped Cassian on the shoulder for good measure "I'm okay" One of the members took offense.

It was never one on one when it came to this particular gang, before long people cleared out and Cassian found himself face to face with all of them "True what they say, the pigeons really do along with the stool!" this angered them and as knuckles cracked Cassian threw caution to wind "Old man get out the way!" he announced.

Burying quick strikes into abdomens it took only a minute for him to brandish brass knuckles, and several seconds into brawling they tinged bright red. "Grgh!"a member fell back listless and lifeless a precise strike to his chest doing him in. His buddies backing him up soon succumbed to a similar fate.

Bloodied, bruised, beaten, and broken Cassian licked his lips starving, craving, deprived and depraved hoping with all his heart that his appetite for carnage could be satisfied and satiated more "Old man...thank you...not only for that act of kindness but for acting as bait" he licked his lips "Ice cream is a nectar that brings much pleasure but nothings sweeter than blood" the old man closed hi eyes and as he laid a hand on Cassian and closed his eyes he wondered if it was on condolence or prayer.

"Disappear" Done with detours, Cassian knew nothing could when it came to the past-he was tuck here in the present day. As the words escaped audible to none but himself, the police cars, swat, helicopters, and opposition from every angle that approached vanished with a trace. Silver blue eyes glowing Cassian looked down at his hands shaking in excitement.

Looking off into a distance, a large building off in the distance, Cassian soon found very little was out of his power's reach. As the building disappeared people were in shock and confusion as to why they were exposed to the outside world around them.

Before they had time to feel fear or any sort of emotion they were popped out of existence too Cassian licked his lips in anticipation

"Now I'll know!! Now this world will truly know!! The only way to pay back what was took from and what I've taken in return!!! This emotion this feeling!"he threw his head back as the clouds parted letting a silver of sunlight pass "THIS IS WHAT I CALL LOVE!!" digging his nails into his flesh, he shivered in excitement "This feeling....only this feeling...Ah I'll have to thank that Akurasa-that fiend- I thought I'd never feel this sensation ever again" Catching a whiff of something in air, he stalked off West in search of thrill that could only be found in battle.

https://youtu.be/hcJyuFJ2HFc