1.7 Guardsmen Part 12

As Darkness goes crashing into the ground behind Guardian, she looks up to see Gears flying in the sky, holding a large gun in his hands.

The gun looks to be roughly a metre long with a trigger on the end and a large barrel at the front with a massive sphere connecting those two parts of the weapon.

“What is that?” asks Guardian over there comms.

“My BFG,” replies Gears, the fury plain to hear in his voice even with the voice distorter, “In case I ever needed something dead.”

He plans to kill Darkness?

Darkness did threaten Joan, the person he loves. Do you disagree with his decision to slay this man?

No. Strangely enough, I have no qualms with bringing about the end of this foe today. Should I?

No.

“I am with you on this one,” Guardian tells Gears.

“You dare to-” Darkness starts to say with a slight huff in his voice, but Gears just opens fire again as soon as he hears the villain speaking.

The orange beam blasts into Darkness’ chest. When the explosion has clear, the supervillain is on his knees with the ground around him destroyed. Darkness looks battered and hurt with his black spandex costume damaged in several spots, either melted or burnt away.

A barrier of black energy begins to form between Darkness and Gears, but the vigilante opens fire. 

The orange beam smashes through the barrier and the remaining energy of the attack hits Darkness again, causing the villain to cry out in pain.

As Leo prepares for another shoot, the Darkness vanishes in a flash of darkness.

As Guardian turns to look for the villain, she spots him above Gears, panting heavily. He lashes out at Gears, smacking the BFG out of the vigilante’s hands while grabbing Gears around the neck.

“I am not so easily beaten,” pants Darkness as Guardian flies at the falling gun.

Suddenly Darkness yells out in pain and lets go of Gears as he falls out of the sky even as Guardian reaches out and snatches the BFG out of the air.

“My mind is not so easily broken,” Gears tells Darkness as the stunned supervillain tumbles the air.

Before the supervillain can hit the ground, Guardian fires the BFG at Darkness. The orange beam strikes out and sends the villain flying away.

Guardian hangs back as Gears lands next to Darkness.

I’m going to wait here. Gears might need someone to cover his back.

Good idea.

***

Gears walks up to the battered and beaten man.

He tried to kill Joan!

Guardian stopped him.

He tried to kill her!

I know, but we need to be reasonable about this.

Why?

We can always kill him if things go poorly Heart.

“Let’s talk,” says Gears to Darkness as the villain covers himself in the black energy again.

“About what?” huffs Darkness.

“About those I love and the lengths I’m willing to go if it means keeping them safe,” snarls Gears.

“What do you mean?” inquires Darkness.

What do we mean! We’ll show him what we mean!

Calm down Heart.

We need to prevent this or future situations from happening.

And if he doesn’t go along with what we want?

We kill him.

Good.

“You just tried to kill my girlfriend and then you tried to kill my partner,” growls Gears.

“And what exactly are you going to do?” demands Darkness, “Kill me? With what?”

“With my Nuclear-Powered Ray Gun,” answers Gears.

“Nuclear-Power Ray...” repeats Darkness, his voice trailing off, “You would use weapons of mass destruction against me?”

“To protect my family?” replies Gears, “Without hesitation. Would you not also do everything in your power to keep your loved ones safe?”

And that terrifies me.

Indeed.

Would we really sacrifice innocent lives to keep Joan and our family safe?

Yes.

“I see,” mutters Darkness, his expression hidden by his ‘Cloak of Darkness’ as he calls it, “And yes, I would do anything I could to protect my family.”

“Then imagine what other parahumans would do to protect their families and loved ones,” says Gears, “And the destruction that would be done to civilisation and the planet in the process.”

If Darkness and we alone went at with neither of us holding back, we could easily destroy North America.

That is a sobering thought.

Indeed. You hear that Heart?

I do Lion.

Darkness is silently before replying a moment later, “So what this have to with what happens now? I assume you have some sort of plan to stop that level of destruction that somehow involves me?”

He is quick on the uptake.

Darkness is the leader of what is currently the most successful supervillain-run criminal organisation. He isn’t an idiot.

“Yes, I do,” answers Gears, “I got my team, you got your Syndicate. If we agree to a sort of code of conduct between us, we have try and keep things civilised between us. The equivalent of the laws of wars for superheroes and supervillains to follow basically. To limit the chaos and destruction in the conflict between us just as the laws of war limit the chaos and destruction in warfare.”

“That is acceptable,” replies Darkness, “I’ll tell my people to cancel their attacks on the rest of the Fowler family.”

“There was more than just this attack,” says Gears, his voice hardening.

If any of them are harmed...

We need this deal Heart!

“Yes,” answers Darkness, “I have my chosen followers attack Miss Fowler’s parents her brother and all of her sisters minus the oldest. I will say that none of them have been killed and that Mr Fowler and young Abigail have both gained powers.”

That is interesting to know. I wonder why powers they have gotten.

We shall find that out later.

What is even more interesting is that over half of the Fowler family has powers now.

Hmm, that is interesting.

“So young Leonard Geary,” says Darkness, “Let us discuss the particulars of this Code of Conduct for Capes and Cowls as I shall call it.”

1.7 Guardsmen Part 11

“Did you really just expect me to-” says the man cloaked in darkness with a throaty voice as he continues to speak whilst Guardian swings both of her stun batons into him as hard as she can.

They barely seem to faze him as the man seems more surprised by the sudden attack then hurt by it. Guardian’s stun batons on the other hand have both have had their ends broken, destroying the stun parts of the batons.

Guardian tosses them aside as she swings her right fist at the man as reaches for one of her new molecular blades.

The man recovers quickly and begins to move extremely quickly, to the point that Guardian is sure that he has some sort of super speed or enhanced reflexes. It doesn’t stop Guardian’s punch from connecting with his face however, but the man is unaffected other than being knocked back a little.

There is no way I could track him without my armour. Even now I’m going to have trouble even holding my own against him with just that speed, let alone get past his nigh invulnerability. And I don’t even know what other powers and tricks he has yet to use.

If you are willing to suffer the pain once this battle is over, I can temporarily disable your ability to feel pain. Then you may use your power so your armour may perform actions that would normal be impossible due to the harm they would inflict on your armour.

If that is what it takes to protect Joan, I am willing to pay the price. I won’t let Leo and Jay down.

Guardian dodges out of the way as the man swipes for her whilst slashing with one of her molecular blades, slicing off two and half of his fingers. The man grunts in surprise and almost instantaneously, darkness begins to appear from the wounds.

“So you wish to fight me Guardian,” snarls the man as black energy appears out of nowhere, striking at Guardian.

She ducks and rolls out of the way of the energy strikes, barely fast enough to do so. She lobs her knife at the man’s head, but he swats it out of the air.

“I am the Darkness,” laughs the man, “The second most powerful person of the planet. Do you really think you can best me?”

Completely irrelevant.

He might be trying to distract you.

It won’t work.

One of the black energy whips manages to hit Guardian’s left arm and it turns solid as it wraps around her arm. As Guardian tries to break free, more of the black energy comes at her. She tries to dodge, but is only partially successful as more of the black energy wraps around her neck, right shoulder and both of her legs, turning solid as it turns her .

Suggestions!

Stun him with a flash bang and then attack him with another molecular blade.

Using her power, Guardian activates one of the flashbangs in her utility belt. As the flashbang goes off and Darkness flinches, Guardian reaches for one of her molecular blades using her right hand.

She throws at the supervillain aiming for his head. It hits the stunned man dead on, lodging itself into his right eye.

I got good aim.

Did you really expect otherwise? You have access to over three billion years of skill and experience from the past Guardians.

Good point. A question. Wasn’t he cloaked in black energy earlier?

Yes, but I was able to filter it out of your vision. Unless the black energy composes a threat, I will keep you from seeing it. It will reduce his ability to distract you in combat.

Cool.

“I originally came here to punish Alexis Fowler for her interference in my operations,” snarls Darkness as he pulls the blade out of his head, “But it seems I will have to make an example of you instead.”

Darkness marches towards the restrained Guardian with the molecular blade in his hand as Guardian covertly draws another with her right hand. As he reaches her, he slams the blade down into her into her chest as she stabs his gut.

Guardian twists the blade as she is engulfed in darkness for a split-second.

What was that?

He teleported us. We’re now in the skies over Grand Rapids.

At least we don’t have to worry about him hurting Joan.

Indeed. He seems to be focused on us now.

Excellent.

Darkness hurls Guardian away as he grunts in pain and bends over. He looks up and glares at her as Guardian uses her KEPs to stabilise herself mid air.

Darkness grunts in pain again as he wrenches the blade out of his abdomen. He throws the blade aside as Guardian zooms at him as fast as her armour will let her, ignoring the damage it will do to her body.

“You’re going to pa-” starts Darkness as he looks up at Guardian, only to be cut off as she tackles him.

They go flying over the city for a couple of seconds before Darkness realises what is happening. He grabs her back, the Gardium bending slightly under his grip, and yanks her off of him.

Black energy tendrils come at her, but Guardian sets off a second flashbang. Darkness flinches and throws Guardian at the ground. Using her KEPs, Guardian slows her descent, but not quickly enough to stop her from crashing into the grassy earth.

Where am I?

A golf course.

And what about Leo?

Unknown, but I am certain that he will not let Darkness get away with threatening Joan. Gears will be on his way at this very moment.

I know that. Anybody who knows about him would know that.

“This no longer amuses me,” growls Darkness as he hovers above Guardian, glowering at her.

A wide beam of orange light slams into Darkness’ back less than a second later.

1.7 Guardsmen Part 10

“Thank you for coming,” says Iris to Guardian, “Especially since I forgot where the hospital is.”

“It was easy enough to find out,” replies Guardian, not mentioning exactly how easy it was.

Iris doesn’t need to know that I already had pretty much every bit of information about Joan there since it is all stored to know in Leo’s database.

“You don’t think she’ll be upset?” says Iris nervously.

“She’ll be more grateful than upset,” answers Guardian, recalling something that Leo said to her earlier as she answers, “The Corrigan Hospital has been informed that you are coming to visit your sister by the way.”

“That’s good,” replies Iris, “So Guardian, why are you a vigilante? You got a strong sense of justice from what I heard and you’re good friends with Alexandria so why do you insist on being a criminal? I’m sure the Heroes Union and DSA would be glad enough to recruit you that they wouldn’t punish you for the crimes that you committed.”

“I want to help people and fight evil,” answers Guardian as they approach the hospital, “Following the law would hinder me in doing so.”

The pair of them land outside the hospital and enter it with Iris in the lead. A middle age nurse leads them to the private room that Joan resides in.

Ohh, I finally get to meet Leo’s girlfriend! I heard quite a bit about her from Leo and Jaylyn. That’s right, she is Jaylyn’s mother. Sort of. She had no hand in the creation of Jaylyn, but then I lack biological ties to all of my family.

Family is family. Blood ties matter not as do other factors. That is what family is to those of Deltae.

So very true.

“Hello Miss Fowler,” says a wrinkly man with grey hair from outside Joan’s room, “And, uh, hello Guardian. Welcome, I’m Doctor Henderson. Joan is waiting inside. Please note that due to the time and her condition, she is rather weak and currently quite tired.”

Both Iris and Guardian nod and the doctor leads them inside.

We get to meet Joan! We get to meet Joan! We get to meet Joan!

Joan is resting her bed, but her mismatching eyes are wide open and the girl seems to be as excited as Guardian is.

Just look at her! She is also excited to meet us!

Her skin is pale and poorly while her hair is a colourless mess. Her body looks so sickly and atrophied.

Hmm, you’re right. We ought to figure out a way to deal with that.

Easier said than done if Leo hasn’t already figured out a solution.

“Hello Alexis!” says Joan as she beams at her sister before realising Guardian is there as well, “Hello Guardian!”

“Hello Joan,” says Guardian from the doorway as Iris rushes up to her sister.

“Don’t hug her too hard!” warns Doctor Henderson as Iris hugs her bedridden sister, “It could be very bad for her health!”

“I’m so sorry,” says Iris as she loosens her hug on her sister at the doctor’s words, “I never meant to forget about you.”

“It’s okay,” replies Joan in a tearful voice, “You’re here now.”

“Let’s give them some space,” Doctor Henderson whispers to Guardian and the two of them leave room.

As Doctor Henderson heads off down the corridor to continue with his work, Guardian waits outside the room, using her armour to listen in on the conversation taking place within the room.

“You’re not mad?” inquires Iris hesitantly.

“What’s the point in being mad?” replies Joan, glee in her voice, “You’re here not and it’s not like anybody can change the past.”

“Yet,” says Iris with a hint of humour in her voice.

“Yeah,” agrees Joan, “So you got superpowers now?”

“Oh yeah,” mutters Iris, sounding embarrassed, “I’m surprised you just accepted that I’m me. With my Enhanced rating and all.”

“I saw you on the news,” explains Joan, “So what can you do? You got flight, invulnerability, super speed, super strength, super senses and regeneration right?”

“You forgot energy projection,” replies Iris.

“That is so cool!” says Joan, “Even if it is scientifically impossible. I can’t believe my sister is a real life superhero! I have also been a fan of the genre.”

“Really?” replies Iris, “I suppose you must be excited to know a real superhero then.”

“You have no idea Alexis,” agrees Joan with a giggle.

Iris really has no idea.

Indeed.

“I suppose I don’t,” mutters Iris, “Oh, Gears and Guardian offered to look into a way to help you.”

“Really?” asks Joan, the hope in her voice clearly heard by anyone listening.

Of course, she already knows that Leo was looking into it.

But to have Gears looking into it would be much easier when Leo’s succeeds.

“Really,” confirms Iris.

“That is so great,” replies Joan gleefully, “Say, you wouldn’t mind doing some heroic poses for me? So I could get some photos? I don’t mind if you say no.”

“Oh, don’t worry” replies Iris, “I don’t mind. If I’m honest, I kind of like showing my drop dead gorgeous body. Just don’t tell anyone that. I don’t want people thinking I’m vain or willing to propose for photos.”

“Don’t worry,” giggles Joan, “I’ll keep it secret.”

You could upgrade Joan’s laptop while you’re out here.

Good idea.

Guardian reaches out with her power only to immediately encounter a problem with her plan.

Leo built her laptop and like with the rest of his technology, it is immune to my power.

Interesting, but not exactly surprising or unexpected when you think about.

Yeah, I suppose not.

What about software?

Oh that’s an idea-wait a moment. Is that you Jaylyn?

Yep. What are you doing here?

I was trying to figure out away to improve Joan’s laptop, but that doesn’t seem possible to me at the moment.

Father as already made her the best laptop in the world!

So it would seem. Still, I am certain some upgrades can be made. After countless years of experience, one thing I have seen time and time again is that everything can be improved.

Hello Legacy’s AI! Do you have a name?

Alpha Ceta Omegaris, but you may call me Ceta for short.

Hello Ceta, I am Jaylyn Geary, but you may call me Jay for short.

Greetings Jay. Legacy, you may wish to enter Joan’s room now. Be ready for battle.

What do you-Guardian! You have to save my mother! Please!

Guardian redraws from Joan’s laptop as quickly as possible and leaps into action. She draws two of her four stun batons as she kicks the door open.

Inside is a terrified Joan as a tall and lean man cloaked in darkness holds a struggling Iris by the throat.