In a city much smaller than Apex City, a festival was going on, celebrating the protectors of Cervix City. Citizens walked around dressed in all black, with lions dressing their shirts and jackets tied around their waist, all while holding small fake bones of any kind or one of several potted plants. The only person to stand out was a moderately-tall white woman. She wore a red plaid button-up shirt over a plain black shirt. Her jeans complemented her light brown leather jacket that was currently tied to her waist. Her hair was long and blonde, pushed to one side of her head revealing the side of her head she previously shaved off. Slouched over her shoulder was a giant femur the size of a dinosaur bone with little specks of dirt covering it.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxed27b3C9
She walked toward a booth, set up by another woman, tall yet frail. This woman’s skin was tan compared to the blonde woman’s white skin. The booth was covered with plants of all kinds with a blackboard covered in information sitting in the back. A banner on the booth’s front had the words “Plant Biology,” plastered on the front.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkLZR65KZH
The blonde woman walks up to the frail woman, tightening her jacket. “Hey Dr.S, how’s the booth going?” She asked, adjusting the sleeves that were tied together. “Have you convinced anyone to join your college classes yet?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUmFIPLr7m
The frail woman sighs as she looks at the blonde woman. The frail woman was noticeably tan; she wore a long white lab coat to compliment her skin and long black hair that was tied back with a vine. Several potted plants lined the table as this woman set them down to speak with the blonde woman. “I unfortunately haven’t Moya, but I’ve got a few people who seemed interested,” She said, her accent thick. “However, I heard, one of Andre’s brothers set up a booth based on lion evolution.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClhteZvY22
Moya put her hand to her chin, stroking it in curiosity. “Hmmm, sounds interesting. It has to be Ricky right?” she asked, taking her hand off her chin. “I mean he’s the one interested in lions right? Or was that Austin?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCaiCyDnms
One of Dr.S’s potted plants twitched subtly as she watered them. “Arabidopsis plants right?” Moya asked, reaching to gently pet one only to accidentally break a leaf. “Yeah, just be careful they’re very fragile,” Dr.S replied, shooing Moya’s hand from the plant she injured.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMNJjdmyW6
With a wave of her wrist, the leaf that Moya broke had regenerated in a light green glow. “You know, my only two students found other plants interesting,” Dr.S said with a chuckle. “Only you found the Arabidopsis plant interesting.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz2xcjsOKE
Moya chuckled as she picked up on of the free potted plants Mr.S was giving away. “Well, I do love growing potted plants, besides, Faresa and Dahlia are like princesses of the Petiole kingdom down in the Midrib islands.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0WQWm21UN
Moya carefully fondled the plant this time, just as the vine in Dr.S’s hair reached out, snatching the plant from Moya’s hands. “Aren’t you giving these things away for free?” Moya asked, slightly furious about how the vine snatched her free plant.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6YAUJyOBB
Dr.S covered her mouth as she chuckled. She ran her hand through her hair, stroking the vine that held it together in a ponytail. “Why yes, but this fella doesn’t enjoy watching leaves get hurt,” Dr.S replied, petting the vine as it stirred slightly in her hair. “I’ll just take one of these and go see if Ricky needs help setting up his stall,” Moya sighed, picking up another potted plant.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFJTALHTNP
Dr.S nodded as Moya gave a small wave as she smiled and walked off. Not far from the museum entrance, Moya found a sign pointing towards a lion petting zoo. As she followed the path to the zoo, she came across a metal pen with several tame lions. Atop of one of the lions, a 17-year old boy with dirty blonde hair sat, brushing the lion’s mane. He was short in size, but carried a foldable spear on his picket along with a series of tools to care for his lion. He opens a small pouch and pulls out a piece of steak that he carefully feeds to his lion.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwhGCARDv9
The dirty-blonde boy wore a blue t-shirt with a lion in the front. His light brown cargo shorts parallel his white tanish skin. “Hey Ricky!” Moya called out, waving. The boy looks up, waving back with a smile. “Hey, Moya! How was tryouts?” he asked, sitting straight up and adjusting the saddle he put on the lion’s back.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hSkMKGcrG
Moya sighed and leaned on the metal fence. “Well… It was something.” Moya said with a sigh, her arms fondling her femur that she deholstered. “We didn’t even make it past square one without the villains attacking.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAim3FRCaRR
Ricky perked up from the lion. His hands started to unstrap himself from the saddle. “Is everyone okay?” Ricky asked, hopping off his lion and approaching Moya. “Well… Apollo tried quitting cause he thinks he failed Andre,” Moya replied, a heavy sigh as her hands sat on her tilted lap.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCu8fReF8B
Ricky’s hands met his mouth for a second before settling. His eyes glowed a nervous intensity as he looked down. “Dang, I feel bad, I wish I could have been there, but I was busy trying to clean my lion skeleton for this festival.” Ricky pointed at a clean white skeleton that appeared to have belonged to a lion. “They’re not easy to clean you know, Dr.S had to help me since I’m new to her class.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXQRoVwAoC
Moya perked up a little, her smile returned slightly. “Oh, I forgot you and Austin were child prodigies in different fields of science,” Moya chuckled, placing the giant femur of hers back on her back. “So why isn’t Austin here?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjmhu9CrQT
Ricky sighed and then faced the museum. “Well, Andre has him distracting Apollo by having him help clean the space exhibit in the museum,” Ricky replied, his hands leaning on the gate as he joined Moya in leaning on it. “How’s Andre taking it?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneKe3LUf2X
Moya sighed and looked Ricky straight in the eyes. “It’s as if he’s been cagey lately… we haven’t went out bug hunting in a good week,” Moya explained, her smile faltering once more. “He’s hiding himself while encouraging everyone to talk about how they feel; it's almost as if he’s hiding something or trying to make up for his guilt.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc53ncwqDt
Ricky looks straight back at Moya, standing up and walking back over to his lion. He grabs the saddle of the lion and hoists himself up before speaking. “Andre is a complicated person, trust me, I know,” Ricky started, looking down at his hands as he fondled the strap of the lion saddle. “He is notoriously known for not being vocal, but it's because of several factors.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHO9wBdCN4
Moya looked up curiously as she stood up straight and stepped towards Ricky. “Did anything bad happen to him growing up?” Moya asked, walking up to one of Ricky’s other lions. Ricky reached for his belt and pulled out a brush to continue brushing the lion’s mane. “Well our older sister was a bully, so much so even our mom didn’t want to deal with her,” Ricky explained, brushing the lion’s mane. “She was given so much growing up that she was basically a spoiled princess that acted like she was depressed.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayN2bUtcZs
Ricky sighed and hopped off the lion, walking entrance of his booth. “Her name was Adrianna. Andre grew up having to protect us from her.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWKfezxUn8
Moya walked towards Ricky to follow him. They both started for the side of the museum where a barely visible door stood, camouflaged with the very wall itself. “Our family only told him to ignore her all while they continued to pamper her,” Ricky continued, as he input a code into a hidden panel. “So the day Andre gave up on dealing with her, he confronted our mom…. She kicked him out and the only ones to keep in contact with him were everyone younger than our brother Matthew.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweRIT7kNoe
The door slid open revealing a long dark hallway and another door on the other end. “So what happened to Adrianna?” Moya asked, concern in her gaze as she grabbed the wall. Ricky took a step into the hallway and turned on a light revealing many dusty doors with different labels. “Excuse the dust, it’s been a rough week for the inventors,” Ricky said, wiping some dust off a door labeled “Testing Lab.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGiCkmFxD0
He opened the door to find Rainbow shooting a beam of fiery colors at a testing dummy. Damien was behind her, adjusting his Hammer, flinching as a spec of acid burned a new hole in his clothes. “Hey Ricky,” Damien waved, reupholstering his Hammer onto his back. “What brings you here?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1yAtiw9DF
Ricky sighed and sat down in a chair near Rainbow. “Well, I heard about what happened during tryouts,” Ricky replied before turning back to Moya who had settled at the entrance to the room. “So back to what we were talking about…”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIAvmMoP10
Right pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed once more. “Adrianna had disappeared just about two years ago and hasn’t been seen since,” Ricky continued. “I last heard it was because my mom finally had enough and kicked her out too.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKgdkfQEK6
Damien sighed as his smile faltered. “Boy have I heard that story before, it's tough to hear,” Damien said, walking over to check on Rainbow. “He couldn’t shut up about it for weeks and I don’t blame him for closing himself off… Not many wanted to listen to his pain.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3PXO7VBJm
Rainbow sighed, but remained silent as she also remembered the sound of Andre’s voice that day. “That was around the time Andre met me and a couple of our friends,” Damien finished, taking his hand off Rainbow’s shoulder.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dXMdyD02C
Moya looked down at her hands. “So he’s been through alot huh?” Moya asked with a sigh. “Yeah, fortunately for him, that's when the accident happened, and Andre got Apollo and Hunter,” Damien said. “Truth is, Hunter disappeared and Andre’s been on a long search for him as well as finishing this war with my ex.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUEuBDyKjK
Moya’s hands flatered as she leaned on a wall near the entrance. “So… Apollo has seen shit too… I don’t blame him for not feeling worthy to be head tank, but I think he makes a great one,” Moya said, pushing off the wall to stand up. “I mean, it makes him empathetic and strong, that is why we all care about him, does it not?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLG1irjJcp
Ricky smiles as he faces Moya. “Yeah, you’re right, their past makes them stronger, I just wish Andre would be more vocal, but I totally understand why he’s not,” Ricky said, grabbing his spear and handing it to Damien. “This hasn’t been unfolding quickly enough. Could you see why, please?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquSFNwhKMg
Damien nodded and picked up Ricky’s foldable spear. As Damien walked over to his workbench, an explosion rang out from outside.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQBcyz7tf6
BOOM! The building began to shake. Moya shielded Ricky with her giant Femur. “Not now, we’ve barely recovered from the Bunker attack,” Moya said, holding the Femur over Ricky’s head to shield him from any potential debris.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGAGY9S9I6
As the room stopped shaking, Moya relaxed and turned around. “We have to go,” She said, unholstering her weapon. “Now!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrZeSHDyMm
One-by-one they filtered out of the building just as the shaking had begun again. The walls suddenly started caving in on the museum. Apollo approached them with a dark-haired boy on his back. The boy appeared one year younger than Ricky, and had similar features to him. “Are you guys okay?!” Apollo asked, setting down the boy and giving Ricky a quick hug before patting him down. “Andre will kill me if one of you gets hurt.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5DxrN67fj
Ricky chuckled and hugged Apollo back. “Don’t worry, we’re fine,” Ricky replied before turning to the brown-haired boy who was adjusting his Saturn themed t-shirt. “Austin, are you guys okay?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaMhhVQRPn
The brown-haired boy summoned a saucer that matched that of Saturn’s ring from his wrist watch before facing Ricky. “Yeah, all fine,” the boy replied, the saucer disappearing. “Let me guess, they chose this time to attack?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6fpc0OHLe
Moya looked at them, the femur tightly in her grip. “Unfortunately…” She replied, her grip tightening. She turned around to see the smog and debris that the museum's collapse had stirred up. Apollo spoke up as he faced the debris as well. “Damien… Rainbow… Austin… Get the citizens of Cervix city to safety…”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ffo5dzo96
Apollo turned to Moya, reaching for his longsword. “Moya, I’ll protect Ricky, you focus on fighting.” Moya nodded, gripping her femur to the point a small visible crack started forming.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpZTQ8OQ6z
As the debris settled, a huge crane holding a giant pan stood out. On top of the giant pan, a hooded figure sat, giggling as the pan turned into a giant liquid bubble. “I’m back,” he said, snapping his fingers. “And I’ve brought friends.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI4GDoRcjG
Apollo sneered as he recognized the voice. Brad. As Apollo stuck his hand out, Moya was suddenly attacked by a smaller, yet relatively large pan. “GRAH!” Moya exclaimed as the pan crossed her cheek.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6phtZKf6z
A giant almost tank like chef steps out, his torn and dirty apron. Chef Colossus. “No…” Apollo said, backing up with his hand protectively over Ricky.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssiJrA3ud7
Moya stands up straight again, sneering as she rubs her cheek. “The fog hasn’t lifted, I sense there’s more than just those two,” Moya points out, a cut visible on her face.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vOD8LbPiL
“So you can see past the smoke huh?” A crooked, but feminine voice rang out, a black outline forming in the smoke.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YiJszKl8Z
Apollo’s eyes narrowed into a silent growl as Ricky stepped forward. “Two years… It’s been two years…” Ricky growled, his lion catching up to him. “And you didn’t learn any lesson didn’t you?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZrEHOErhu
Damien tossed a Ricky’s spear, landing it in the floor next the Ricky. Cracks forming where it had penetrated the grounds. Adrianna let out a wicked laugh as she turned to face him. “Well if it isn’t the crybaby, you’re even worse than Andre, what are you gonna do, tell mommy?” She said mockingly.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y2Q9eRFvG
Ricky backed up, tears forming in his eyes. Apollo glanced over and then faced Andre. “Don’t you mock him!” Apollo growled, his fists tightening on his longsword.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi8owZU7Hg
Adrianna rolled her eyes and scoffed, lifting a black vape pen to her lips as she leaned against the crane Brad and Chef Colossus were next to. Brad chuckled and took his hood off, revealing his black skin and short dark hair along with the light black scar across his green eyes.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBIuCSPPU0
Three other people stepped up as shadows in Adrianna’s fog. “Alright!” Zyra said with a laugh. “Time to squash some bugs!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgvxZJ1bC2
Jake showed up sitting next to Brad, gun in hand. As the smoke cleared, behind Zyra was a skeleton wearing a black robe encrusted with purple and green. An upside down cross hanging from his chest. “Welcome the head of the villain supports!” Brad yelled out, looking down at the skeleton. “Pleasure to have your acquaintance, Mortis. Now that we’re here, lets get this show on the road.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iWTjEgY7w
Mortis pulls a Katana out from the scabbard strapped to his back as he face the hero team. Moya finally caved and charged in. Chef Colossus grunted as he raised his massive pan and slammed the floor. A wave of shock shook the ground, splitting it open until it hit Moya directly. “GRAH!” She exclaimed as she was cut off.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg8H7ZuioC
Apollo joined the fight as Adrianna appeared in Ricky’s face attempting to attack. “Stay away from him!” Apollo yelled, swinging his blade in attempt to ward off Adrianna.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCSVG7ysDo
Jake smiled as he hopped down to join Adrianna in the attack. Zyra attempted to aim for Ricky. “I’m coming for ya little bug!” She exclaimed, aiming her cannon at Ricky. “Sayonara brat!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpASaC11iYV
Zyra pulled the trigger sending a liquid crystal foam towards Ricky. A moment before it could land, a pure bolt of electricity struck it making it explode midair. “Not on my watch!” a voice called out as a silhouette formed in the smoke. “I recognize that bolt anywhere,” Zyra said with a grin, holstering her cannon onto her back, facing the new threat. “Yana you old bastard!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeTncdQwxe
The smoke finally settled revealing a short, tanky, black woman. Each hand was wrapped in a silver gauntlet, a small black hole in the middle with visible sparks flying from it. A smile so wide as another bolt appeared in her hand. Sister Yana, Jaylen’s older sister, the force to be reckoned with. Apollo smiled as he faltered, still attempting to hold back Jake and Adrianna. His injuries grew more and more as he stood in the way, took bullets while walking over broken glass to defend Ricky. His energy drained as the effort drained him. “Keep fighting we got you!” A voice said from behind.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iB42qeF7U
Apollo glanced back to see Mr.S next to a moderately-tall woman. Her tied-back hair a dark brown glow and her skin as soft as dark chocolate. She wore a nurse uniform with bandages strapped to her chest like grenades. “Name’s Aliana, we have you covered!” The girl said, stepping out from behind Apollo.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJUhjaHGy1
Aliana pressed a button on her wrist, a form of medical zipline summoning from her wrist. “Yana, heading to you!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvTZWkQMKV
Aliana grabbed the rope to her zipline and ziplined up to a building top. As she landed, she took one of the bandages strapped to her chest and she tossed it. “Looks like you could use some heals!” she shouted, the bandages hitting the floor between Yana and Zyra. In a blink, the bandages had exploded, wrapping Yana’s wounds perfectly. Zyra jumped back attempting to use her cannons only to be foiled by a bandage that had wrapped around her legs. “Hey! That’s no fair!” Zyra shouted, trying to detangle her feet from the bandages. “Oh, I’ll show you!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMoTXf8aI7
Yana looked over at the building Aliana was perched on. “Aliana, now!” Yana called out.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOTW8tigho
Aliana smirked and jumped down, landing in a translucent holographic ambulance and charging forward. “May help be on your way!” Aliana yelled as she crashed into Zyra, sending her flying through a building. Yana and Aliana high fived as she got off the ambulance, watching as it disappeared.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpjdm98gJG
Meanwhile, Apollo stood firm, shielding Ricky from bullet wounds and broken glass. “Grah!” He roared as Adrianna tossed more glass spikes, embedding them in his skin. Mr.S had ran off to help Moya in her brutal fight with Chef colossus. Ricky stood behind Apollo, starring with gritted teeth as he felt the need to intervene. “Apollo, stop!” Ricky called out. Apollo swung his longsword at Adrianna, slashing her chest. “Grah!” Adrianna exclaimed. Apollo turned back to face Ricky. “I can’t, if they hurt you I…” Ricky suddenly interrupted him. “I am old enough to help, so let me.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEx6UE8pOn
Apollo sighed as he turned back to swing his blade once more. “If they hurt you Andre won’t forgive me,” Apollo grunted as he continued to stand his ground. “But if you’re protecting me…” Ricky’s lion started growling. “Then at least let me protect you!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91tIOUDuJe
Ricky’s Lion turned around and roared. The roar echoed in a booming state, pushing Brad back like an explosive had just went off. “Ack!” Brad exclaimed as he crashed into a light pole.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYew9t4MeM
Apollo turned around as he heard the commotion, facing Ricky. “Fine, just don’t get hurt okay,” He sighed in defeat, raising his longsword over his shoulder. “Stay safe.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmYCHI59om
Ricky nodded as he charged off towards Brad. Apollo took the visible shards of glass sticking out of his skin as he turned towards Jake and Adrianna. Blood trickling down from every wound. “Let’s end this,” Apollo’s form catches fire with his blade in hand. “Grah!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqFckVOp4w
In a flash, Apollo had charged towards them as Adrianna’s cloud of smoke reappeared. Apollo quickly hostered his weapon and summoned his claws. “Don’t you mess with me!” He pounded the ground, his raw strength alone cracking the ground, forcing the fog to clear.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09cBC3EHHZ
Adrianna’s eyes widened as she saw Apollo appear in front of her. “I’m taking you in,” He said, a faint clicking noise sounding from his claws as they pulled back ready to launch. Just as he aims his fist at Adrianna, a bullet pierced his neck. Ricky turned around, his spear hitting the floor. “Apollo!” Ricky screamed, hopping off his Lion and running towards Apollo.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLlGS2tsd3
Mortis suddenly appears, blocking his path. “No!” Ricky screamed, stumbling back. “His death is crucial to our cause,” Mortis said, his voice low and dark, his hands fondling his Katana. “Yours is too.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYouyi3YoPa
Mortis aims to raise his weapon. With no time to get to Apollo, Ricky’s eyes narrowed as he grabbed the reigns to his lion, gripping them tightly. “I’m done,” He said, tugging the ropes in a way to warn the lion. Ricky grabs a whistle hidden around his neck and blow it releasing a loud, yet melancholic sound. “HAHAHA, and what do you think that’s gonna do?” Brad said from behind as he stepped closer, a bubble of pure acidic liquid metal forming in his hand from the metal pipe mounted on his back.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAGCEwKnKF
The ground started to shake again, but this time was different. Nothing was falling nor was the floor breaking, but a large cloud of dust was heading straight for the battlefield. Ricky’s lion booth.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkvN0UgBTS
Apollo chuckled as he weakly held his neck on the floor, trying to keep the blood in. “You fools haven;t met his entire pack just yet,” Apollo said, Aliana finally making her way to him to patch up his wound.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5PdE96EEz
Adrianna perked up facing the cloud of dust. “Nu-uh, I ain’t dealing with this,” She suddenly vanished into a mirror with a small red symbol drawn on it. “Coward!” Jake called out as he aimed his weapon towards the smoke.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvViiJFLltJ
Apollo suddenly tackled him as the pack of lions ran through the battlefield, crashing into Mortis and Brad like a stampede. The Aether core suddenly falls out from Brad’s dark green hood, breaking into two. All while releasing a light blue glow. Ricky, who had hopped off his Lion to grab his spear, grabbed onto a stampeding Lion and rode it all the way to the core only managing to pick up one side just as Brad pick up the other. “No!” Ricky yelled, sitting up straight on the lion his grip on the left side of the Aether core tight. “Fuck!” Brad said, a metallic barrier summoning around him to protect him from the remains of the lion pack still trampling the battlefield.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU1WNkAkVM
As the pack faded from view, Mortis was reduced to pieces for his skeletal parts were scattered and broken, yet his skull remained intact and alive. Ricky looked Apollo’s way, noticing him back up with bandages wrapped around his neck, holding Jake off. Aliana and Mr.S was over supporting Moya in her drawn out battle with Chef Mortus, puddles of scolding hot grease scattered about. Yana had continued her fight with Zyra. Brad was still cowering in his bubble of molten metal. “Both supports are down!” Ricky called out. “Start pushing!”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPpZ6lsQkp
Ricky mounted his main lion and charged towards Apollo. “Gift incoming!” Ricky yelled, tossing his half of the Aether core.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbrqB9t1qn
In one glance, Apollo noticed, pushing Jake and dashing towards the half of the Aether core. Just as the core landed safely in Apollo’s arms, Jake suddenly tackled him into an open manhole cover. “Shit!” Ricky said, unmounting his Lion and running that way.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XGlEVqs6S
Mr.S noticed and the vine in her hair reached to pull Ricky away. “Don’t charge that way!” Mr.S yelled, her vine wrapping around Ricky’s waist, pulling him in. “Apollo has that covered, stick with us.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT8V72Ybqc
Ricky nodded, his eyes wandering over to the open manhole cover.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11L1SXxA9j
Meanwhile, in the sewers, Jake and Apollo wrestled for the core. Splashing the toxically green puke-colored water around in attempt to grab the core from the other’s hand. “Just give me the core god dammit!” Jake yelled, disappearing into the shadows and reappearing behind Apollo, shooting his gun. The bullet whizzed pasted Apollo, embedding itself in Apollo’s hand making him drop the half of the core. However, a small fragment of the core entered Apollo’s blood stream via bullet hole through his hand and the core. Apollo feels himself rejuvenate and change slightly as a small white essence moved from his foot to his hand. “What… What’s happening to me… I feel… Better?” Apollo looked at his hand as his bullet wound closed, sealing the deal and his new perk. Apollo stared at his hand for a split second before looking back up at Jake. “What did you do to me?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LEOo85NXx
Apollo had grabbed JAke by the shirt and held him up against the moldy black wall of the sewers. “Tell me!” Apollo yelled, but his temper was shortlived for his senses tingled. Did he smell… fear? From who?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhgt1dbpD1
Apollo faced Jake and let him go. “You’re not truly one of them are you?” Apollo asked, rubbing his hand as he walked opposite of Jake.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RIYoO8hPA
Jake spit out blood as he stood up. “I am and I can prove it.” Jake aims his weapon at Apollo, then shoots his ear as if avoiding his head intentionally. Apollo stood there, arms crossed as if trying to read the room. His eyes glare down Jake as his Infra-red vision activates. The room silent with only the sound of Jake’s heartbeat ringing in Apollo’s ears. “You’re secretly on our side aren’t you?” He asked, his awareness of a hidden plan in place surfacing. “Leave, now, while you have the chance.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgow2rARh9D
Jake stood up, nodded, and then started to leave, halting at the darkside of the sewers. “Andre will inform you of everything, just don’t go yapping about it, ya hear?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU081DLVFq
With these last few words, Jake disappeared into the shadows. Apollo stood there silently for a few, questions stirring in his head. Why did he mention Andre? Is he apart of a secret plan Andre mad without me? Is he planning something bad? Andre isn’t a bad person, he wouldn’t want to kill anyone… Right?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtXC49DkEj
Apollo walked over to the core, grabbing it as his ear slowly closed up from the bullet wounds. Any bandage that was one him had washed away to the waters of the sewers. Apollo sat and starred at the core for a few seconds, noting how its only half the core with a bullet now embedded in the very metal its made of.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTRxpqW0sl
Above ground, the battle began to subside as Brad and the remains of his crew evacuated, Mortis’s bones collected and held in a bag over Zyra’s shoulder. Damien ran up to to the heros, Rainbow and Austin by his side. “Everyone within the city has been evacuated to Costochondral Junction for the time being as we fix the town,” Damien said, his face meeting Yana’s. “So, I see you made it back from vacation?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgknUfhiku
Yana chuckled as her gauntlet disappeared into a small pocket tucked away beneath her skin. “Yeah, got here as soon as I heard y’all lost my brother,” Yana’s voice held a twinge of irritation despite sounding cheery.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m9idQ2mRR
Aliana looked over at Yana and then faced Damien as the two stood silently. “Well, we’re happy to have made it in time, but what’s gonna happen now that the weapon facility under the meuseum got destoryed?” Aliana asked, trying to break the tension as she placed a hand on Yana’s shoulder.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNmZsEQiEZ
Damien sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’re gonna have to relocate to our backup in Petiole Kingdom on the Atlas Mount just west of the city,” Damien explained, his hands falling to his sides. “For now I’ll make the call to Andre and we’ll make an effort to rebuild the city.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc3e0JrDJv
Moya perked up, a memory coming back to her. She turned to Dr.S and started chuckling slightly. “You remember that plant I took from your booth earlier… right?” She asked, her fingers tapping each other frantically.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ3hyG1Gir
Dr.S faced her, her eyes suddenly dark as she realized what Moya was implying. Moya started looking up at the clouds before looking at the museum. “I maaaayyyy have left it in the weapon facility we had under the meuseum before it fell…” Moya explained, her pitch hitting an all time high for her voice. “I don’t know… Maybe you could ummm…. Fix the museum with it?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC3f0lZtXb
Dr. S sighed as the light returned to her eyes. “That’s actually not a bad idea,” Dr.S said, her accent still thick despite a heavy battle. She walked over the the debris of the museum and raised her hands. “Everyone step back!” She called out, her hands glowing a faint green.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxbI2719B2
Vines suddenly started to grow out from under the museum, grabbing the debris, piece by piece and putting it back together like a puzzle. After a few seconds, the building was in one piece again, held together by nothing but thin vines that wrapped around every piece. A giant tree stood firmly on top, rooting the museum down to the ground. “Nice touch with the Tree Dr.S!” Moya said, raising her hand for a high five. Dr.S sighed and walked off towards it, Moya followed trying to get a high five.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD3gqy2z7H
Apollo, finally climbed out of the sewers, Aether core in hand, but a grim expression on his face. Ricky notices and runs up to him. “Apollo! You’re safe!” He exclaimed, trying to go in for a hug, only to gag and back up. “But the sewers really did a number on you huh?”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc074Ncq1n
Yana chuckled as she approached. “Glad your alive, but… Maybe a bath would suit you right about now,” Yana chuckled.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKqHNmjQqp
Ricky noticed Apollo’s eyes starring at the half of the core. Ricky placed a hand on the half of the core Apollo had in hand. “Is everything okay?” Ricky asked.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefldVfT76x
Apollo sighed and crouched down a little, placing his hand on Ricky’s back. “I’m fine, just gotta talk to Andre,” Apollo sighed. “I’ll come with you,” Yana said. “Aliana will stay here with everyone to help rebuild.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcLO6PJT6t
Apollo nodded as he stood back up, core in hand. “Ok, let’s get going then, I have to tell you something on the way,” Apollo said, his hand touching Ricky’s back, patting it.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtglwwwrEI
He turns to Ricky, a smile on his face. “You fought well, but we have to go,” Apollo said. Ricky nodded and gave Apollo a quick hug. “Please get checked out by Andre once you meet up with him, I don’t know what happened to you while you were in the sewers, but you came out entirely healed,” Ricky said, releasing Apollo from the hug. “Plus you seemed upset about something and as much as I wish you’d tell me, it’s probably a grown up thing.” Apollo sighed once more, pinching the bridge of his nose as he put the core in the bag Yana had on her back. “I’ll be sure to have him check me, I promise.”101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz1sgOfW4f
Ricky nodded and waved as they set off. “Then I’ll see you soon!” Ricky called out after him. “Stay safe!” Apollo and Yana walked away, waving behind them with smiles.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrFfT3wvTh
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