The Awakened - First Pillar (IC Thread)

[Jory]

Lux looked around, a bit surprised at the sudden darkness. He opened the door and peered outside, not entirely sure what to expect. He was met by complete and utter silence accompanied by complete and utter darkness. "Bartender!" he shouted. "I think we have a problem out here! All the lights are dead!"

[Sutoratosu]

"I think I might have a solution for that..." Anver said as he finally caught up to Lux, noticing what the kid was going on about as he peered outside for a moment. The man held up the hand that wasn't carrying the Vapor Scotch and focused a little, driving the Molecular motion of the air above his palm faster and faster. Within seconds the friction and resulting heat was so great that a faint reddish orange glow began to emit from it, casting the Ex-CEOs face in a fiery backlight.

"And can't you manipulate light or something?" he asked the teen, raising an eyebrow with his face still a ghostly orange. "That thing you did with your hand earlier, what about that?"

[Jory]

Lux looked the man up and down. "As long as I don't know your name, you'll know nothing more of my abilities," he said curtly.

[Sutoratosu]

"It's Anver," the man said cooly, unmoved by the boy's manner. "Anver Dun. And you don't have to be so curt about it, my friend. I don't intend to be an enemy to you; I've already decided that, but I don't think it's too much for me to assume whoever is causing or caused this blackout more than likely either won't, or already doesn't, share my thoughts on the matter."

[Jory]

Photon nodded slowly, his suspicions dispelled by the man's forthrightness. "Fine. You can call me Photon until we get back to base. It's not safe to reveal our identities out here. Personally, I think that's what got your family in trouble. But that's not our concern right now." The young man willed a ball of light into being and put his hand to his chest, illuminating the better part of the hallway. The ball of light stayed there, as if attracted to his very being. "I'm a photokinetic. I can control light, but I need a source. Right now I'm running on high thanks to the high-powered lights back at base, but using my abilities frequently inhibits my ability to perform in battle. So every expenditure counts, as it were." He left the door open a crack so they'd be able to hear people coming. "We're just waiting on our extraction now. There's another op similar to this one going on somewhere else, so our resources are a little tied up at the moment. For now, we're on our own."

[Sutoratosu]

Anver nodded, killing the Friction induced light he was making and lowering his hand again before pulling out his glock. He kept eyes fixed on the door, just encase the people who came through turned out not to be friendly. At the same time he set to using his Thermal Feild, prepared to detect any heat sigs that came near the other side of the door way.

"Just to make entirely sure I don't put a bullet into the leg of anyone working with you," he said quickly. "What will these Extraction team members look like exactly? I don't much expect whatever's doing all this to just stay in one place and leave us sitting pretty right here..."

[Jory]

"You'll know Blue when you see him. He... uh... Well, like I said, you'll know when he shows up. Bev, my partner, is a woman about my age. Very small, but if you harm a hair on her head I'll be sure to gut you first," he said calmly. "She's been through some shit. Hasn't even told me about it yet, but we stick together in the Organization. And you've already met the Bartender, so that's everyone." He shook his head at Anver's suggestion about the blackout's culprit. "I'm kinda pissed they took out the lights. Seems almost like someone knew I'd be here. But nonetheless, we're not going to engage if we don't have to. And with three members of Olympus around, I doubt we'll need to."

[Sutoratosu]

"What, do you all and this other 'Olympus' group have an alliance or something then?" Anver asked, stowing his gun again despite a tiny voice in his head, the same one that had nagged him to talk to the Barkeep, now told him it was better to be safe than sorry... but he still didn't pick up anyone besides Photon nearby on the thermal, so might as well just wait and see...

[Jory]

Photon chuckled. "An alliance? No, no. Our goals run opposite the government's. You know, real freedom of information and actually explaining to people what's happening to them rather than keeping all knowledge of the Pillar and their plans for it to themselves." He paused again in thought. "I believe the Olympus members are at least as powerful as you or myself. After all, there must be a reason Utopia picked you for a mission as dangerous as the Bartender. So it stands to reason that I don't want to walk into a fight I might not win. But, on the other hand, the Olympus members will act as our first line of defense. As far as they're concerned, we're ordinary partygoers and citizens of the United States. Therefore, it's their job to protect us."

[Sutoratosu]

"So their with the government, eh?" Anver said a little bit bitterly. He reached into his tux and pulled a sheet of paper like he had before back at the bar counter, handing it to Lux for the boy to study. It was a wanted poster, like the very same Anver had seen the day he had fled, with names and faces and other credentials for the fugitives in question listed. Somewhere about midway down the sheet was his own information, just as it had been for at least months now. He'd gotten into the habit of checking and printing the damn thing out whenever he got the chance after periods of time.

"Then I can guess they're the ones responsible for how my name, and the name of all these other individuals whom I can only assume have some type of ability as well, all got onto this list despite us having not broken any US Laws warranting it then? At least, I know that before all this shit, I hadn't. Call me bitter, But I've lost quite a bit of trust in this nation's government... but hey, whatever you say, so long as they think we're regular citizens and not 'super powered cattle that need rounding up', as I've heard once, I guess we'll be just fine." He paused, detecting the cynicism in his voice and not much liking it. "Sorry about that," he said. "But as you can see... I'm not very enthusiastic nowadays about leaving things up to our country's government..." He couldn't help but smirk a little. "But then again, I guess I wouldn't have to apologize to you all for that."

[Jory]

Photon nodded, offering a sardonic chuckle. "You could say that. Before I reached the Organization... Or rather, before they reached me I was on the run for nearly a year. Learned a lot about myself in that time. Like what it takes to survive on your own when you have powers like mine. Learned how to run through a city in ways that cops can't. Learned how to hide in plain sight. And being so young gives me a natural disguise. No one wants to believe I'm dangerous, so I let them believe what they want. But yes, the government and I have had some problems. I'm sure if you knew my name, you'd find me on that list as well."

[Sutoratosu]

"Well why don't you check for yourself?" he asked, finding his Cynicism and lack of trust in the Feds earlier a bit justified by the young man having had similar issues. "This is the most up to date version to my knowledge, got it a week ago... of course, I haven't exactly had easy, untraceable access to the web since then, so I could be a bit off about it's current accuracy..." He shook his head, again offering the sheet to Lux. "Anyways, go on... heck, you might just be surprised. I've seen grandmas in their 60's and even people not much older, or younger for that matter, than you on these things over the months."

((Sorry, Corporal Jory, but I'm afraid I need to get off for the night about now.))

[Jory]

((Sounds good. This'll be my last for the night))

Photon scanned the list, chuckling as he found his name exactly where he believed it would be. "Yep. There I am, as wanted as ever. I have to say, it's certainly an ego booster to know that the big bad feds have got it in for me. Fortunately, they'll never be able to catch me." He looked up at Anver. "You should consider an alias to hide your identity as long as we're waiting for Blue to show up."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Hmmmm, this doesn't look good. Well, I can't see anything, but you get my point." Viktor said. "Going to warn you boys, kinda hard to direct my power without vision. It will still work, but it is hard to focus it on points where it would do damage. Guess, I am going to have to shoot or use my blood as a weapon...I don't like doing that. My chances of survival fall off drastically as soon as I start blood slinging."

[rustytengo]

"Damnit, I told them i can't use my power so much in short amount of time!" Beverly said to herself as she rubbed her temples well leaning on a wall. "Why of all the things I could forget it had to be the extraction point, and not something like how to set up the balls on a pool table, and of course this thing.." Beverly holds her broken communicator "had to break when the explosion happen." As she finished speaking it went dark. "Oh great now the lights are out. What e...not going to say that it would be bad." she said with a huff as she walked down a hallway in the dark using her hand to guide her. "Why do rich people have to have such big house anyway it way to easy to get lost in them." She thought to her self as she walked.

[Sutoratosu]

"Why think of an alias?" Anver asked, scoffing a little bit at the idea. "All my friends and contacts know me by my name, and I'm talking about real friends, as in they truly know me and what I'm like, and when all this shit started flying, didn't much believe my status as a Fugitive and still had faith in the person I was and helped me out and continue to help me, not abandon me the second they found out the law was after me like a more than a few bastards in my network did. And the cops nor the feds have ever been able to really close in on me, not even once. I stay one step ahead of the idiots whenever I can, make sure to be smart and be prudent. That's how I've survived and escaped arrest this long. So I don't really need an alias; just how long will it take them to figure out to link my name to it afterwards? the second I make a movement or do something and someone calls in with my physical description, they're going to sit there and say 'Oh, hey, that must be Anver Dunn!'"

He paused, staring off into the darkness outside "Sorry about the rant, but I'm honestly not going to cast off my name or take another one to hide behind... because I've done nothing to soil it or the reputation I had, that's all been done by the fucking Feds, and if I give in and try to call myself something new, as far as I see it personally, that will mean that I'm lying down and giving those bastards a victory, letting them know that they can destroy who I am with just putting me on a list...I'm not giving any of them that satisfaction. I'm wanted now, and you know what? when they find out eventually that I'm working with you all, as I'm sure they will somehow, I'll still be wanted. An alias would be completely useless to me."

[Flux]

Cedric sat in his office, resting his chin on his clasped hands, while his elbows were propped up on his desk. He was leaned forward, thinking about the groups he had sent out. Lux had just called for extraction, meaning that he had likely succeeded. He had sent Blue there right away. Meanwhile, there was an issue on Ace and Kenny's end. Something about the woman having friends? He was surprised that they had found her as well, much less at the same time, but he had no intention to tear her away from those who cared about her enough to attempt a prison break. He sighed, mostly because he was tired rather than from stress. Sleep had been... difficult lately. He would wait for Blue to return with Lux and Beverly, so he could meet with Ace and Kenny.

(((Still waiting for Kenny to respond to Beetle's questions. No rush, but that's why I haven't updated that group again. I suppose Ace could also answer if typh wants to get things moving.)))

---------------------------------------------------------

Stratos, Jory

There was a flash of blue light in the darkness around the group as Blue appeared. He wore a dark blue tux that contrasted the lightness of his blue hair and eyes. Surprisingly, he did not appear startled by the darkness, but rather wore the same calm face as usual. He looked around, pausing for a moment on Anver, before returning his gaze to Lux.

"Where is Beverly?" he asked simply.

---------------------------------------------------------

Hukuna

Just as Viktor finished speaking, he experienced a white-hot pain as a deep gash was cut into his arm from somewhere in the pitch-black. He could hear Zeus cry out in the distance -- it sounded like he was farther away now. There was a maniacal laughter that echoed in the distance, as the deeds were done. It was impossible to tell where the silent attacker was coming from, the darkness was so overwhelming.

"Come on, beg!" a voice called out. "Let me see you squirm!"

[Ragnar]

((I cannot speak for the group,so i'll just wait for kenny to respond))

"by the way boss.." Ace voice was heard through the phone once again. "that's not all that we encounter, Do you happen to know any group named 'Utopia'?cause there's this zealot at the prison, preaching some gospel and stuff and was also looking for the girl. "

[K_H]

"Since Rebecca is part of your group, I will return her to you."
Kenny paused, then continued.
"As for your second question: All Awakened feel the same urge. You know, that one, which seems to draw us towards the Pillar? That is why the group that Ace and I are part of is trying to get to the Pillar. However, we cannot do this alone, thanks to the heavy fortification of the place by the Government. This is why our group is trying to find as many of the Awakened as we can."
Kenny paused again.
"However, I have a question to ask you: do you know who that religious nut back there was? He seemed to be completely off his rocker, judging by the religious gospel he was dithering on about, and he was also after Rebecca. I doubt it, due to the fact that he mentioned a group known as Utopia, while I haven't heard what you guys call your group."

Edited December 9, 2014 by K_H

[Jory]

Lux frowned, checking his watch. "She should be here. She's likely lost her way inside since the lights went out. We should give her a few minutes. She'll make it out just fine," he said quietly. "If she's not here in two, I'm going to backtrack inside and find her."

[rustytengo]

Beverly was mumbling to her self as she wandered though the dark hallways of the building. "Oh, come on Beverly even if you can't remember where we were suppose to meet up you should be able to figure it out." she takes a right turn down another hallway. "Lets see now in most books meeting places are usually out of the way areas that people wouldn't notice people coming and going." She opens a door at the end of the hallway. "For a party and a place like this Lux would have probably pick the ser..."she was cut off as she slipped a fell down a stairwell in form "Owwwwwww!"She says loudly as she rubbed her behind "That hurt but at least I'm downstairs now so which way would the service exit be." she said as she wandered forward against the wall.

(ooc: Beverly fell down the stairs somewhere close by Lux so he would of been able hear her)

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Viktor started to reach out to the blood within the area. It was however hard to tell what was going on and who was who. He knew Zeus and Poseidon were near him, but he wasn't sure where this attacker was. For all he knew he wasn't in the field.

((not really sure what you want me too do...there isn't much I can do when Viktor can't see anything. I reckon he could possibly try and move around blood near him to figure out where someone was, in a none lethal/damaging way of course. But otherwise got nothing sir, he assuredly isn't doing what the mystery man suggested.))

[Jory]

Lux's head perked up as he heard a bunch of banging and grunting coming from further inside. He quickly ran in, the glowing orb on his chest illuminating the hallway. He opened the second door to his right, which opened up on a small corridor leading to a stairwell. And, as he'd hoped, Beverly was groping her way along the wall toward him. "Come on, Bev!" he said quickly. "We need to get out of here!" He grabbed his partner's hand and led her the short distance outside, smiling at Blue. "The gang's all here, Blue. Take us home."

[Flux]

Kenny, Snap Crackle Pop, King Murdoc

Beetle was noticeably more at ease when Kenny stated that he'd return Rebecca. He nodded as Kenny spoke of the urge to see the Pillar. He had the same feeling, and it had been the secret dream of their little crew to make it there some day.

"However, I have a question to ask you: do you know who that religious nut back there was? He seemed to be completely off his rocker, judging by the religious gospel he was dithering on about, and he was also after Rebecca. I doubt it, due to the fact that he mentioned a group known as Utopia, while I haven't heard what you guys call your group."

Beetle frowned, shaking his head. I hadn't heard of this "Utopia" before today. He turned to the others. "What about you Alice? Alan? Eugene? Do you know anything about them?" Eugene shook his head, looking a bit shaken as he stared at the ground. Beetle's grandfather simply shrugged, looking into the distance.

-------------------------------------------------------

typhlosionrulez

"By the way boss.. that's not all that we encountered. Do you happen to know any group named 'Utopia'? Cause there's this zealot at the prison, preaching some gospel and stuff and he was also looking for the girl."

"...Utopia," was Cedric's response. "Yes, I know of them. I mentioned a bit about them before you left for this mission, but I didn't go into detail. Honestly, I didn't expect you to meet them so soon..." He was silent for a moment. "...I suppose I'll need to explain what I do know to all of you when you return."

---------------------------------------------------------

Jory, rustytengo, Stratos

"The gang's all here, Blue. Take us home."

Blue nodded.

"Of course."

There was a bright flash of light as the group was warped away. They found themselves back in Cedric's office, a familiar sight to all but Anver. The curtains were drawn over the glass wall in the back, so the view of the city was hidden. Cedric and Blue were already gone, leaving the trio alone in the room.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hukuna

Zeus stood from where he had fallen, a hand covering the gash in his shoulder. He could feel the warmth of his blood oozing from the cut as the laughter of their unseen foe sounded around him. He still could see nothing, though he had a plan to fix that. He turned to Poseidon's general direction. "Poseidon, let's light this place up!" he called out. He had enough trust in his partner's intelligence to know that he would understand what to do. He gave Poseidon a few seconds, closing his eyes and preparing himself for the task ahead. There was a crackle of electricity from his hand, and he reached out, feeling the moisture of the raindrops. He allowed the electricity to pass into it, linking once again from raindrop to raindrop, but this time he didn't not allow it to leave the previous raindrop. Within seconds, the raindrops all around the estate became glowing orbs of electricity, mini lightbulbs in themselves. What was more surprising though, was that the drops were not moving. The rain itself was frozen in midair, thanks to the efforts of Poseidon. The field was lit with these unmoving, floating orbs of light, and a dull glow slowly spread across, giving light once more in the darkness. The citizens had all fled the immediate area in the darkness, and some could be seen huddling in the distance. Zeus made sure to keep the electricity away from those people, as well as Viktor, so they would not hurt themselves. He cracked a smile through the effort it was taking to create and hold this much electricity, a task that took incredible power and mastery of his ability. Their target was visible, a look of mixed awe and fear upon his face. He was little older than a teenager, dressed in black and scrambling across the ground as he frantically avoided the electricity passing through the rain. It was easy to confirm that he was responsible thanks to the bloody knife he held. Zeus turned to Viktor, and Poseidon looked his way as well. Both of them had veins visible in their forehead and hands as they struggled through their immense tasks. Poseidon, freezing an entire downpour's worth of rain in place, and Zeus passing electricity through it all.

"Ares..." Zeus started, obviously struggling to speak from the effort. "Finish... this guy. He's... visible... now..."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Viktor focused his power again, right behind the man's eyes to hold him in place and hopefully, keep him from running due to the amount of pain he would feel. He leveled his revolver at the man's heart. "Sayonara. There is only blackness awaiting you friend." he said as he depressed the trigger 3 times. Old style execution, 2 shots heart, 1 shot head, likelihood of death, 100% if all shots hit the mark. was the thing that went through his head as he remembers his military training.