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1Dr.Giovanni-21st September 2014
2After running several unlisted tests in S.T.A.R.T through the studying of genetics, more importantly mutation of genetics, I have discovered a genetic mutation that can be infused with artificial enhancers to create a powerful unhuman like creature. Its power unmatched and one I shall certainly use. Finally, after years of being called a failure for “pointless researching” I can turn around to my fellow colleagues with two fingers up. I shall of course conduct more research but I may in fact make history. 
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428th September 2014
5I was right! I was damn right! The mutation wired into the genetic can be, as previously mentioned, and artificially infused to create essential “monsters.” Now human lives will not be lost when going to war, I’m saving the world. Again, however, I shall conduct more research finding the best way to artificially enhance this mutation for the highest success rate. I shall run a few test models as well; it may be some time before I write another entry…
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72nd January 2015
8My entire time has been spent on formulating a perfect design and after months I have established one, a glove. Other staff members are speculating and inquiring to higher authorities about my time spent in the private room, idiots, I’m trying to save the world! Of course there is the argument I could involve them in my experiments but with power like this someone may misuse it, if I become corrupt at least I only have myself to blame. I’ve used most of my wages on materials for the gloves. Several days I have had to starve, I will make history.
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107th January 2015
11Tomorrow I shall have the day off; it will be a special day, one where I will take a day out to relax for the first time. I have created the first glove, wrapped in cloth and scented in lavender. I need the day off to relax, I fear I have been harming my health through this neglect of my life and focusing all my efforts on these gloves. One of the managers have been watching me the past few days, I saw her watching me leaving the private room on several occasions, she was just at one corner of the room staring at me. Moreover a problem I didn’t acknowledge was this mutation was a mutation thus meaning the chances of finding a person with the desired mutation would be like finding a needle in a haystack, it would be near impossible, however I will not waste my effort from the past months I will try my hardest to find someone that can use my gloves. 
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139th February 2015
14No! No! No! No! No! Managers and hierarchy of the company S.T.A.R.T (Science, Technology and Radioactive Treatment) have finally prevented me going into the private room and slacking on my work I was set. I fear I may lose my job and if I do I will most likely be unable to pay for the materials and equipment I need. I will attempt to return to the private room, it has the equipment I need, and I need to construct more gloves. So far I have half a dozen with different scents, colours and textures. All I need to do is find participants, willing, of course.
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1615th February 2015
17The hierarchy finally sacked me from my job preventing me from continuing my work damn it. Fortunately a colleague and friend Mattis called by this morning offering his apologies and asking about the work I was doing in the private room. In my flustered state I told him even showing him one of the gloves I created. With a grin and widened eyes he insisted I test on him achieving his lifelong dream of immortality, the one thing that damns all humans, that one thing can now be prevented in this monstrous state. Well, at least he believes. I, of course, am not one to prevent the hopes and dreams of someone so close to me and like he suggested I will test on him tomorrow.
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2016th February 2015
21Test negative…Test subject #001 Mattis reacted to the power of the glove extremely poorly. As soon as the glove was slotted onto his left hand he began shivering screeching for me to take it off, I did not move, I remained at my distance. Yanking at the glove and screeching he fell to his knees body twitching and limbs proceeding to spasm. A minute passed in silence as with dead eyes and stained mouth he stared at the ground. His mouth was stained with black lines looking like veins. His skin turned into a sickly complexion of off-white with eyes turning red. The glove wrapped in cloth and scented in lavender transformed him into a mummy. He rose mechanically. I called to him “Mattis” but nothing happened. He just began walking around my house bumping into the occasional wall and ignoring my words. 
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2318th February 2015
24Mattis vomited onto the ground some acid which corroded the floorboards of my house. What I had created wasn’t just a monster; it was a being even Satan would be terrified of, one that would strike fear into the hearts of those that burn in hell. On the topic of the afterlife I often wondered if Mattis was dead or if this creature was still Mattis. It was a horrible dilemma to ponder. He was braindead; he still continued to ignore my words and stumbled across from room to room like before. I should put him down, even now as writing this into my journal I can hear the lifeless body clawing against the door to this very room. It was clear to see the effects of testing these gloves on others that did not have the desired genetic mutation. I still would argue however that the creation of a superhuman will outweigh the loss of life. 
2526th February 2015
26S.T.A.R.T was commemorated on the news for their new breakthrough in science however it was my research (the admittedly little amount I actually did outside my experiments.) They took full claim for it not even mentioning my name once. I am mad, I am infuriated, and I hate humanity with a passion. I will make them all pay; all other humans are selfish and care for no others. I need test subjects, with or without consent.
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2817th March 2015
29I captured a young woman in her mid-twenties today and took her home. The once innocent lady looking for a lift home to avoid the two hour walk is now a twitching monster stumbling across my house at the very moment. I can’t contain these monsters in my house. I have family arriving from Greece this weekend. They cannot see these disturbing creatures.
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3122nd March 2015
32The monsters have stabilised somewhat but I was force to leave them off in uninhabited parts of the country. I would kill them but I fear their power might be too great; I don’t want to provoke them. My life is too valuable. My knowledge is too great. I’m slowly losing hope, maybe this part of science was destined to fail, no wonder why no one has dared to test on it before.
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3410th May 2015
35Every test has been negative. A part of humanity has been sucked out of me almost watching the life drain from these beings. “This is wrong” I tell myself but there is some burning desire to persevere and continue for the greater good of humanity, that’s what spurs me and hopefully shall continue to. My new money problem has been somewhat solved thanks to benefits now which I can claim. Most of the money is now going into the medication I need to counter my stress. I have found ways however to make the overall glove more cost effective, it seems very much that the materials I design the glove with affects the monster the looks of it not the genetics infused in the being like I originally thought. It’s a small but interesting breakthrough meaning I now have free reign to the creation to the monsters in terms of looks, can I change other things like strength and speed? Acknowledging this potential fact I returned to a beach I had not visited in fifty years since I was a child. Lined across the shoreline where some of the darkest, devilish and rough stones and pebbles I had seen. Countering this however I saw beauty in these rocks others may have turned their nose at. I collected them and returned home.
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3721st May 2015
38Two boys I captured called “Jake” and “Jay” were both brought back to my house both wrapped in insulating tape and squirming on the ground. They look no older than fourteen but for some explainable reason I admire them both. Especially the boy Jake, there’s just an aura about him that excites me.
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40An hour has passed and unfortunately the boy Jake transformed into the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Purple amethyst rocks with an obsidian body and glowing white eyes was born. It was a giant stone figure roughly nine foot tall. Its sharp stones attached to its forehead scraped against the roof. It was the most majestic monster I had ever created. I placed a hand out pressing it against its rock hard chest and called it a name that popped into my head “Isknail.” I had no idea whatsoever why I called it that but it fit it beautifully. This monster would destroy humanity punch by punch and could chew bullets as if rubber was thrown at it. Everyone needs to see my work; I’ll release it, in a town centre or mall and watch them squirm. That’ll teach those selfish beings. 
41
42Isknail was released into the mall although fairly passive. The security chased me back directly to my house; I think I lost them but I’m not entirely sure. I will test on his friend tomorrow. Although these past few months have been draining and making the multiple gloves I have meant I couldn’t afford my medication. My head is killing itself a thousand times over. I want to die. Maybe in bed I shall entertain myself with suicide plots. 
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4622nd May 2015
47The subject was very aggressive attempting several times to break away from my grasp despite my warning of killing him if he attempted to escape. Maybe he saw what happened to his friend and feared it would happen to himself. I suppose keeping him in the corner of the room while testing on his friend wasn’t the smartest of ideas on my idea. 
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49 Wait, this subject Jay has reacted different to the others. He has retained the ability of consciousness and has power to fight the artificial influences from the gloves that many before him that could not. Cloaked in green cloth with a dark green snood tied tightly around his mouth doomed down on me by the chair I had forced him onto. He rose amongst the silence acknowledging me as his creator. Hands shaking and cackling to myself at my final breakthrough I reached for the three other gloves I had created. This set was inspired by the four Greek elementals. The one he had currently been wearing was air with the water, fire and earth elements in my hands. They were the elemental gloves. 
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51 Something I hadn’t learned was the bow attached to his back which was the same length as the distance from his neck to his waist. This hand, the one I attached the glove to, glowed with a white outline as if magic had corrupted him. 
52“Take the glove off,” I ordered him.
53“Why?” The boy grunted. His voice was muffled as it was buried deep underneath the snood.
54“Because I am your creator,” I reminded.
55“No, you tried to kill me like my friend. My mind was supposed to be locked into a monster I couldn’t control. I should be dead but because of some fate I survived this experiment you kidnapped me for.” The child’s maturity surprised me, it caught me off guard, I took a second to recollect my thoughts.
56“I am doing this for the greater good of humanity; I can solve lifelong problems of this universe such as potential immortality and beyond human strength. You, my friend, can help me.”
57“You are not doing this for others or for humanity. You are selfish.” That struck a nerve, I was called the very thing I hated, I lashed out to attack my creation with a determination to kill I had lacked with all other creations beforehand. He dodged and slammed the bow into my jaw forcing my body to the ground and the gloves were scattered to the floor. He stole them one by one and escaped my house before I could return to my feet. My Jaw was broken, my gloves were stolen and the months I had spent were wasted. I was mortified. 
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5915th June 2015
60Somehow several creations later had worked. I had struck lucky however the creations had all, like before, injured me then escaped. Not to mention there have also been many more failed experiments that are now stumbling across junkyards or forests. I know intend to end myself tonight with the remaining gloves left under the draw of the very cabinet you will find this book. My court sentence for abduction is soon, my discoveries like many have said have been completely useless, I know shall spend my afterlife laughing at the fact that I have indeed influenced history. Remember me, Felix Giovanni. 
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73Chapter 1-Fighting A Falcon
74The bell rang announcing the end to the last class of the last day of the week. The thirty two hours were now to be replaced with the two days of the weekend. Jay Divine the fifteen year old child despite the horrific incident where he was forced to release the true potential and power of his body through the mistreatment and kidnapping of a megalomaniac scientist still continued school. Even despite the incident of the glove testing being still somewhat fresh being roughly four months ago from the day. 
75
76 Jay elbowed the door and exited to outside the school walking alongside the football pitch. His shoes slapped against the mud, his hands buried deep in his trouser pockets. He was the type of boy that talked to many people but only had very few friends, true friends. 
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78A black earpiece was placed in his ear and was visible to others. It was often made fun of by others however the sly and smart comments were set aside in the hopes to achieve greater good for humanity. Realising the teenage boy had the power to transform and control powerful creatures MI9 handpicked him to be an agent. He had continued this job for several weeks now. His service to MI6 and the country was unrivalled. 
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80“Jay,” Rachel, one of Jay’s closest friends quickly yelped with a somewhat moaning tone. She quickened her walking pace to Jay whom during this time was standing still. She was the same age as Jay and had been a friend of his since the previous year where Jay had lost a dare with his friends Shamus and Samuel was ordered to get Rachel’s phone number, this request was mostly from Shamus, it seemed more in his nature rather than Samuel who was normally very sweet. Jay not only succeeded in receiving her number but had made a lifelong friend. She was also cute, Jay considered that as an undeniable fact, both her eyes and flowing long hair that reached her elbows were chestnut brown. She didn’t talk to many people; in fact almost all the people she did talk to were friends of Jay. She kept very to herself except in the presence to those close to her like Jay. He knew small things about her that probably nobody else in the universe did. 
81“Hey Rachel,” Jay grinned. 
82“It’s not like you to be alone,” Rachel responded.
83“What do you mean?” Rachel giggled.
84“I mean, it’s pretty self-explanatory Jay, you are usually talking to someone.” The two began walking together
85“And is that a problem?”  He inquired with the intention to tease her.
86“No,” Rachel refuted “I was just stating an observation.” After a left turn they began approaching the gate alongside every other pupil from the school who began to funnel through. 
87“School’s finally over for this week,” laughed Jay slightly raising his voice above the general chatter in the background “Looking forward to the weekend?”
88“Horse riding, homework and helping out at the vets,” Rachel answered “So, no, not entirely.”
89“You sure love your animals,” Jay muttered making Rachel smile. Waiting by the gate and just putting his phone away was Shamus. Again Shamus was a close friend of Jay’s and was in the same year. He was a guy that seemed to not know his limits, he would do what he desired, several classes he would be found spinning around on the teacher’s chair because he “felt like it.” He was also a real talker too and someone who liked the sound of his own voice. Every event that involved speaking: school play, general announcements, debating or other events that contained speaking were sure to have him. Despite his sociable nature in his speaking his careless attitude towards his looks was near hilarious. His hair was often frayed in several directions and today was no exception; he was half clean shaven and half not. Several parts of his chin and neck contained blobs of overgrown hair he couldn’t have been bothered to shave off that morning. The soles of his shoes were worn and torn. It seemed like Shamus put minimalistic effort into his looks and did enough just to get by. He of course, as per usual greeted them in the most annoying way he seemed to know possible. 
90“Hello Jay, and what a nice girlfriend you have too.” Jay grimaced; the exact same line was used no longer than a week ago. 
91“We’re really no-”
92“Shame’s joking Rachel,” explained Jay cutting off Rachel’s justification.
93“Yeah, I am,” Shame responded kicking dirt into the air with a sudden kick of his shoe against the ground.
94“You should be A-Shame-d of yourself,” Rachel winked. The two boys sighed in retaliation to the awful pun. Rachel blushed and looked behind her “Anyways, I need to get going.” She scurried off after promising to see them again Mondays. A few seconds passed with nothing but the chattering of individuals in the distance to cancel out the potential silence. Shamus dug his hands into his jeans, obviously ripped, to mimic Jay.
95“It’s funny,” Shamus began. Jay turned to look at him. Shamus continued staring into the distance “If I hadn’t made that stupid bet with you she might not be someone you talk to. You mightn’t have even known her name if it wasn’t for me.”
96“Your point is?” Shamus gave off a toothy grin.
97“You sound like Rachel. That’s how I know you two have been spending more and more time together,” he turned to Jay but immediately turned back to look into the distance again when he realised the expression on Jay’s face was one that didn’t accept or appreciate the unrelated response “I’m just theorising things, throwing ideas about Jay, normal Shamus things. I like thinking about what would happen if things or events didn’t take place. I enjoy it.”
98“Right,” Jay informally replied “Just don’t get too cryptic on me. I have another several months to bear with you if not longer.”
99“Yeah,” Shamus rasped “And on the topic of that Jay there’s something I should probably tell you.” Jay looked at him preparing to ask him “What?” but the earpiece buzzed and Jay pressed it accepting the reply. On the other end was a man in his mid-thirties with a standard voice.
100“Jay, you are required to visit MI6 headquarters for a crime incident immediately.” 
101“Seriously,” Shamus scowled.
102“I’m sorry,” Jay apologised sliding on his water glove. Then, after a second of immense light was a being. It was the same build as Jay but cloaked in blue with swirls of cloth around the legs and wrists of the outfit. With quick leap torrents of water sprayed from the heel of his shoes propelling him further into the air.
103“Duty calls!” He reminded then soared off. Shamus watched in awe, he had witnessed Jay transforming a few times but every time he was always immensely impressed. Isaac stood by the gates too and had previously been smoking a cigarette and watched Shamus and Jay during their conversation. He was the head boy of a school, a known leader with a tendency of his getting his own way; apparently even the teachers were scared of him. He was a 6.5ft African American male who had been renowned for his family trouble. His brother Jake was kidnapped months ago by Felix Giovanni during his testing for the elemental gloves and was trapped in the body of Isknail. His brother in his new form was found stumbling across the sewer by a passer-by. His family, of course, were in disbelief to this revelation originally until they realised Jake’s phone was left by the sewers with finger prints from the scientist. It was clear to say he was the newest victim but his family despite acknowledging he wasn’t the same as he was still took him in and let him return back home. Every day for the handful of months now he has been completely neutral and unreactive, he just stumbles around the house, as if a lost dog. Jake was in the same year as both Shamus, Rachel and Jay however Isaac was his older brother being two years older and had got through the days of school by bullying those younger than him. Through his power and influence nobody refuted his bullying, they were all secretly terrified of him. He had never talked to anyone outside of his year before but today would change that.
104“That’s Jay isn’t it?” he croaked, his lungs clearly not reacting favourably towards the tar filled in his lungs. 
105“Yes it is,” Shamus nodded watching the figure disappear into the distance. Isaac threw his cigarette to the ground, stopped onto it and then walked off. 
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107 The sun was setting casting golden beams of light throughout the city. Thousands of people were walking back and forth across London enjoying the city life. Meanwhile located fifteen feet upwards was a middle aged man dressed in a silver suit. Two wings with handfuls of metallic feathers stemmed from his back. An important observation was the suit, wings and general mechanics this man wore all stemmed from the glove attached in his left hand. He reached to the ground opening the suitcase by his feet and stared at the several components carefully placed within it. He began taking the two components closest to him snapping them together, grabbing a scope and attaching it as well, grabbing several more of the components to create a fully extendable stand. With that he had completely emptied the suitcase and was left with a sniper rifle in his hands. He placed it against the steel railing that outlined the perimeter of the rooftop, closed one eye, and carefully looked through the scope. He shimmied the rifle left and then to the right slightly until he had perfected and honed his aim onto his target. Visible and displayed through the scope was an elderly man in a three piece suit. His outfit was a mitch-match of colours; the peach shirt he had decided to wear completely contradicted the dark greys and blacks of the suit, trousers and boots. The man in the grey suit breathed heavily with his finger on the trigger challenging his concentration to this one task. He then moved his finger intending to pull the trigger but was blown back by a shower of water. The sniper rifle fell to the ground accompanied a second later with the man. 
108“Back to your old ways Nicholas?” teased Jay positioned on top of a crate a couple feet away. The man growled and rose to his feet sneaking a look at his rifle which was a few inches away. 
109“Why, it’s Aquarius, why am I not surprised?” Nicholas grimaced and swung his wings flicking the water off himself. 
110“So formal,” Jay commented “I don’t see why. We’ve talked so many times these past few weeks ever since you’ve been committing crimes. Hell, I’d even say we were friends.”
111“We’re not friends,” Nicholas refuted “The only reason you know my identity is beside of those asses in MI6 scrounging for information on me yet can’t confront me. They have to send some teenage boy and his gloves.”
112“Insult the gloves all you want Falcon but even you wear one,” Jay argued. With one solid front flip he landed on the rooftop and began striding towards Falcon “Now, for once can we actually talk this out?”
113“It’s cute for you to think that,” laughed Falcon “After all, as you said, I’m back to my old ways.” He proceeded to bend down picking his sniper rifle and grasping it firmly in one hand. Jay predicted this beforehand and successfully kicked Falcon in the jaw successfully knocking him to the ground, the bullet was fired into the air. 
114“Okay Falcon, let’s chat this out, if so dinner’s on me.”
115“I have a better idea,” Falcon sneered, clutching his arm and rising from the ground again. He shot one final glare at Jay then leapt off the building extending his wings after a second of falling. 
116“Chasing it is,” Jay sighed, sprinted across the rooftop and with a front flip leaped off the building after Falcon. Falcon glided to the left catching the next rooftop followed seconds after by Jay.
117“Still with me huh? I’m surprised.” he mechanically laughed whilst leaping over the several obstacles on the rooftop. 
118“Sounds like you’re counting your falcons before they hatch.” Jay did the same jumping over a steel railing. 
119“Real smart Aquarius,” Falcon retorted and proceeded to leap off the building attempting to glide towards the next one closer to ground. Jay continued in pursuit off him leaping off the building after him, he was making slight progress at closing the ground between Falcon and himself. Whilst soaring through the air and tracking Falcon Jay’s earpiece proceeded to buzz, he immediately answered while landing on the next building Falcon decided to. 
120“Jay, this is Divine. How’s the situation?” asked the same voice from earlier. Falcon reached the edge of the next building, turned and fired a volley of metallic feathers forcing Jay to leap out of the way and continue the chase. 
121“I’m in pursuit of Falcon,” responded Jay leaping off another building gaining a second or two on him because of his pause on the rooftop’s edge by Falcon.
122“You must catch up to and capture him Jay, Nicholas Smith is a dangerous man; seven MI6 agents were killed no longer than two weeks ago attempting to scout out a building that was rigged with explosives thanks to yours truly.”
123“Thanks Divine,” Jay responded. Falcon turned mid-air and fired another volley of feathers which with a torrent of water from the palm of his hands Jay avoided by propelling himself left. 
124“Is there any other news on Nicholas Smith?”
125“Don’t quote me on this but I think Falcon…Nicholas…Might be working for somebody.” Falcon landed by a two storey building, slid across the rooftop and leaped off the building, he extended his wings for no longer than half a second before hitting the ground so he wouldn’t damage himself, Falcon then proceeded to race across the street. Jay, of course, chased after him. 
126“It doesn’t seem like Falcon to work alongside anyone let alone work for someone.” Jay leaped off the roof, landed on the tarmac and ran after Falcon who was heading towards an alleyway knocking anyone and everyone over who was in his way. 
127“I know, Divine,” Jay replied. He carefully darted past the knocked over bodies “I mean, there was that information about him we discovered last week referring to his gambling addiction.”
128“You think he’s doing it for the money?” Divine questioned.
129“I don’t know, he might very well be,” Jay answered then hung up. Lined in front of the alleyway was a six foot locked gate, which after kicking off the brick wall Falcon managed to vault over. Jay propelled himself over with a sudden blast of water; he rolled with the fall on the other side and cut valuable seconds off the time between him and Falcon. Falcon’s suit was now gleaming in the orange sunlight that bathed the sky. Quiet pants could be heard from his mouth buried deep underneath his steel mouth covering that extended from the chest plates of his outfit. He turned on his heel, grasped the steel railing and proceeded to race up the alleyway stairs. Jay from the other side of these stairs propelled himself onto the first flight with a water blast. He saw Falcon in his sight bounding up the first flight of stairs and knocked him back down with a torrent of water. His body smashed against a step then against a steel railing then continued this process until he crashed to the bottom of the stairs and rolled onto the alleyway and finishing rolling momentum when he landed in a puddle. Jay slid down the railing and landed by Falcon’s side. The body of the water elemental stood dooming over that of the Falcon. 
130“Now,” Jay panted “Time to get you to the police and learn the answers to why the Falcon crossed the road.”
131“To get to the other side,” Falcon wheezed, flicking himself to his feet with his wings and firing another volley of feathers that slit Jay’s wrists that were used in a defensive reflex response to the attack. Falcon vaulted over another six foot tall gate on the opposite side of the alleyway. Jay chased after Falcon; luckily his suit had absorbed the damage of the attack so no body parts of his were cut in the process. He repeated the process he used to vault the previous gate and continued chasing Falcon who at that moment had somehow vaulted another gate into another alleyway a metre away and proceeded to climb the next alleyway’s stairs despite appearing more fatigued that the very start of the chase. Jay launched himself onto the top of the gate and with an explosion of water thrust himself onto the rooftop of the nearby building. Falcon finished the flight of stairs and continued sprinting as Jay landed feet first onto the building and raced after him. No more than a metre separated them. Once again like the previous times before Falcon kicked himself off the rooftop and began gliding off it again. Jay followed and with the realisation in his current element he couldn’t catch up with Falcon he changed gloves mid-air. The once calm water elemental was now replaced with one that was fully crimson red and grey in design with scaled armour that looked bullet proof. Its mask was the most intriguing part of the suit, it looked like a leather gas mask with the eye sockets replaced with what looked like mosquito netting; the type you might use in your car or tent. Extended from his back were two long moveable arms that looked like a mix between a steel pole and a tentacle. At the end of these arms were three sharp pieces of metal that looked almost like the fingers to the “arm.” This suit due to its increased weight due to the added armour and arms forced Jay to fall faster and unlike Aquarius which was more streamlined and aerodynamic the elemental fire glove Inferno was not. Jay essential began to fall like a sack of bricks unable to control his movements very well. Spotting Falcon a foot away from him he extended his arm, catching Falcon by the ground, and pulled him to the ground alongside his velocity. Falcon crashed face first into the tarmac of the road while Jay controllably smashed into the tarmac alongside him feet first. The occupants in the cars looked in confusion to the creatures ahead of them that had just fallen from the skies. Falcon attempted to run again however Jay caught his back with his claw and smashed him into the ground.
132“Nice try Nicholas,” Jay croaked. The desperation in his inhales for air was heard even more clearly now thanks to the gas mask. 
133“If you think this is more than a minor inconvenience then you are stupid Inferno,” Falcon cackled, his face buried underneath the tarmac. With honks and gunfire forcing the cars in front of Jay and Nicholas to move it was soon revealed that a black Jeep Wrangler with no license plate was driving at a considerable speed towards them both. The front passenger window rolled down and a man leaned over the side with a semi-automatic rifle and dressed in a burglar mask, the one comically used in the likes of comics and TV, began firing at Jay. Jay was forced to let go of Falcon and back-flipped avoiding the first few bullets then made a shield with his metal tentacles to deflect the gunfire. The jeep turned then stopped. Its doors faced Jay allowing the gunmen to fire extremely accurate shots. Falcon lay beneath this gunfire; he was a few inches from where the jeep had parked. From the back of the jeep two more men in the same outfit, same build and with the same semi-automatic rifles opened the door and began firing. One supported the gunfire of the man in the front passenger seat whereas the other with a firm tug pulled Falcon to his feet behind the individual. Falcon was carefully loaded into the jeep alongside the other masked men. Jay, juxtaposing his once defensive attitude towards the gunfire now offensively leaped over the several bullets fired and with one tentacle clamped the individual firing his semi-automatic outside the ground. His body lay motionless on the ground; the gun skidded far enough so he couldn’t grab it from his current positioning. The jeep doors closed as the second tentacle of Jay’s smashed the window in an attempt to reclaim Falcon. The gunman from the front passenger seat however fired another bullet striking Jay directly in the heart. Jay fell to his knees. The gunman whistled to the driver and began to roll up the window. The jeep raced off. Jay, who was on his knees fell to the ground, all power from his glove had died, he was now just a regular fifteen year old child lying on the road of London. Police sirens could be heard in the distance. The gunman, however, once realising he wasn’t clamped down any longer crawled along the ground and grasped his semi-automatic rifle. He rose to his feet looming over Jay with the gun titling towards his face. Jay held one hand in a desperate attempt to take the bullets that were sure to come. He closed his eyes as the gun was positioned to his forehead. Then the sound of the bang came. Jay, seconds later, opened his eyes in the awkward realisation he wasn’t dead. Instead the gunman dropped to his knees directly in front of Jay, the palm of his hand was shredded completely. The cut in his hand was that of a circular shape. The semi-automatic rifle he once held in the hand had now fell to his knees. The cop that seemed to have had shot him was an Asian man in his young twenties. The glock and the officer’s hands shook. His colleague, an older, bald gentleman reached for the handcuffs from his back of his trousers and began handcuffing the gunman while saying aloud the “anything you say may be used in evidence against you…” The other police officer however placed out his hand to which Jay gladly accepted. He was pulled to his feet. 
134“The name’s Stephen, Stephen Kokoshi,” he spoke “I’ve been a fan of yours for a while.”
135“Thanks,” Jay replied rubbing the dust and debris off his school shirt. They shook hands “Always nice to meet a fan of my work.” Kokoshi turned his head to watch the other police officer load the gunman into the car.
136“What were you doing here anyways?” Kokoshi proceeded to ask.
137“Fighting Falcon, A.K.A Nicholas Smith,” Jay answered “However things got a bit chaotic. Now I’ve learned never to bring gloves to a gunfight. Without you taking that shot I would’ve probably died then and there.”
138“That’s my job, saving lives.”
139“Kokoshi, can you stop fanboying and get in the police car? The folks at the station are waiting for us,” the man from behind called.
140“Sorry,” Kokoshi called back “Look, I really need to get back to the station, although if you call by I would love to make plans with you for maybe going out sometime and chatting or-”
141“-Kokoshi!”
142“Yes, yes, sorry,” apologised Kokoshi hurriedly.
143“I’d love to and yeah I’ll call by,” nodded Jay. Kokoshi placed his glock back into his gun holster then marched off back to the police car. As the car set off Jay looked at the state he had left the tarmac in. A small patch of the tarmac was damaged however that was nothing in comparison to the giant crater that Jay had once created with Inferno. The glove that was once growing with red and greys had been replied with the mundane toned down varieties of those colours. It would take a while for the glove to charge back up unfortunately. Jay’s earpiece once again buzzed.
144“Divine?” Jay asked.
145“Yes, glad to hear you’re okay Jay,” replied Divine on the other end “I was scared…That…”
146“Dad I’m fine.”
147“Jay,” Divine warned on the other end “Professionalism.”
148“Divine,” Jay grumbled. Noticing a bakery on the other end of the street he began walking across the pavement ignoring the confused looks from the town’s inhabitants. 
149“How did capturing Falcon go?” he proceeded to ask.
150“It’s better if I explain to you face to face and in MI6 grounds,” Jay replied as he entered the bakery. The bell rang calling to the attention of the lady at the counter. 
151“That doesn’t sound good.”
152“One gingerbread man please?” mumbled Jay. The old lady smiled with a toothy grin, nodded and began getting the gingerbread man. 
153“Anyways the Colonel will be arriving today as well, he was meant to arrive by now however he was having apparent trouble with his taxi.” Jay payed the lady and plucked his gingerbread man from the paper bag. “I know you haven’t met him before but I expect perfect behaviour. He is the head of the military after all.” Jay bit into the gingerbread man.
154“When am I not on my behaviour or when do I not have the best of manners?” Jay responded whilst eating the gingerbread man, crumbs spewed from his mouth and were scattered on the ground in every direction.
155“I’m just saying Jay,” Divine retorted “Anyways, I’ll see you when I see you.” 
156“See you,” Jay replied. Ate the reminder of the gingerbread man, shouldered open the door and slotted on his Aquarius elemental glove. At once he launched himself into the sky with torrents of water from the palms of his hand and soles of his feet. It took a few seconds for him to catch his bearings but he propelled himself forward. The cries of people below could be heard suddenly as Jay passed over them splashing water over them, some even reached for umbrellas.
157“Sorry, sorry,” Jay apologised. He ignored swears from the group of men he passed over “Sorry, look, if it’s any consolation I nearly died today. Listen it’s this or I wear the earth glove that’ll make me destroy even more of your road.” With a spurt of extra energy from his soles he fired ahead and off into the distance. 
158  Jay arrived by the MI6 building deciding to walk the final one hundred metres instead of soaring in with Aquarius. The MI6 building overall was roughly seventy five metres tall looming over the rest of London essentially. It provided a save heaven and protection for those in need. Jay skipped up the several stone steps and arrived at the main entrance. From there he took a quick left, tapping his feet against the marble floor with each step, and entered the elevator clicking for floor twelve. The ride would take a while and to make matters worse some old low quality background music was playing on the elevator. To entertain himself Jay slotted on his earth elemental glove. This creature was called “Everest” and was similar in figure to Inferno. The armour covering his body, legs and even feet were crafted from Nepheline rock with an unknown protective coating. Because of this Everest was overall a very light orange shaded monster. The hand that the glove was not slotted onto was replaced with a drill of the same colour and also crafted from Nepheline. His face mask was hollow and thick, his eyes glowed with bright dark blue as if neon. His bottom jaw was displaced somewhat from the rest of his head and top jaw as it was forced downwards further than the regular human’s. Jay produced to spin the drill that displaced his hand, even on some occasions he would drill it into his own arm attempting to spell his own name. He had made the later “J” and began on the letter “A” when a young woman entered the elevator. She looked confused and began to look the monster up and down. Jay turned to her and gave off a nervous laugh.
159“Oh hello,” he barked. She timidly clicked the elevator button, the door closed and the two occupied the elevator. She faced away from Jay when he attempted to look at her. He then proceeded to use an icebreaker to make her more talkative “Nice weather today huh?” His “huh?” was gruff and made her leap. The elevator stopped by the floor; he removed the glove, and turned to her once more.
160“Well, see you later,” he nodded leaving the woman to herself. The floor was dedicated to two rows of tables and computers with employees searching information on them. Halfway across the room and to the right, with a table, was Jay’s father. As per usual Divine had dressed to impress with a matching dark suit, shoes and dark blue buttoned shirt alongside a tie a slightly lighter blue. Accompanying him was the man Jay recognised as the one Falcon was trying to snipe. Clutched in his hand was a briefcase. In the other hand was a pocket watch. His face was worn and wrinkled with a frayed dirty blonde moustache that drooped to either side of his bottom jaw. The frayed dirty blonde also went for his hair too. Divine turned to Jay and held one hand out.
161“Colonel Harrison, this is my son, Jay Divine,” Divine introduced. The Colonel set his briefcase on the table then shook Jay’s hand with both his hands. Jay remained stone faced in defiance to the old man practically shaking Jay’s body back and forth.
162“Very nice to meet you,” he nodded and let go of Jay “However, I must say you are rather late, what was the matter?”
163“Oh, you know, just fighting Falcon, one of the greatest criminals this year,” Jay coughed.
164“And well, did you capture Mr. Smith?” 
165“No,” Jay answered wearily. The colonel’s eyes peered at him.
166“And why not?” the Colonel laughed, he turned to Divine for a second then turned back to Jay “Do you think it was some sort of joke to let the Falcon escape so he could terrorise more people?” 
167“No,” Jay replied calmly. He and Divine looked into each other’s eyes; his eyes begged for him to remain good. The colonel laughed, Jay rolled his eyes, and his laugh was completely obnoxious. It was half phlegm too. He turned to Divine who was beside him.
168“I imagine the boy is too young to understand the severity of death.”
169“I imagine you’re too old to be alive,” Jay retorted. Several members of MI6 who were typing in the background burst out in laughter. The colonel turned to Jay in disgust.
170“Divine have you taught your son any manners?”
171“I have and I do apologise colonel,” Divine apologised “It won’t happen again, I assure you sir, do apologise Jay.”
172“I won’t,” Jay refuted. Both the colonel and Divine glared at him “I saved his life today and he accuses me of losing Falcon, even though many agents dead or alive now have and to my knowledge haven’t been blamed not nearly enough as I have, I nearly got shot by a masked gunman with a semi-automatic rifle just to save you.” The colonel looked in confusion whereas Divine looked in shock.
173“Wait,” the colonel mumbled thinking the sentence Jay just spoke over “Falcon, Nicholas Smith apologies, was attempting to assassinate me?”
174“Yes,” Jay replied, nodded and watched the colonel’s face drain to the colour of white. It was a hard thing to tell someone they should be dead but it was something Jay knew he would have to mention “I’m still trying to find a motive for his attempted assassination though.”
175“When or where was this?” 
176“Downing street,” Jay replied “Presumably when you were waiting for your taxi.” 
177“Maybe he wanted to kill you for that,” Divine spoke to Colonel Harrison then pointed to the briefcase he had set on the table.  
178“What is in the briefcase?” asked Jay. The colonel growled and turned to Divine, Divine nodded. The colonel obediently opened the two locks on the briefcase. Jay stood by the table looking at the contents. Inside the briefcase was polystyrene packing with a rectangle hole cut into it. Inside the hole was a rectangular vial. Inside the vial was a red liquid that glowed. 
179“What is it?” Divine asked. Jay turned to him “I only knew the colonel was coming with an important package but not the contents.”
180“This is a one by one metre vial of what is known as DOOM.” 
181“What is this chemical’s capability?” Divine inquired.
182“It has the ability when fused with the secondary substance to be a radioactive bio-weapon with an incurable disease. It could quite honestly wipe out an entire country.” Jay looked confused.
183“Why the hell is this even in our country?” Jay snapped “It should be buried under some dessert for the rest of humanity to never discover again.”
184“I originally agreed,” empathised Colonel Harrison “However on its own DOOM is completely useless, get this vial’s contents spilt on your finger and it would have little to no effect. The secondary substance OBLIVION needs to be combined with it for it to be a danger. However there is a third substance that although undiscovered still exists called HOPE rumoured to be located in the shorelines of America. There’s an entire team of researchers and builders attempting to discover it as we speak. DOOM, OBLIVION and HOPE create the substance DOH one of which has the entirely opposite effect to that of DO in which it can cure anything.”
185“Where is this other substance OBLIVION located?” asked Divine. 
186“My lady friend and lead researcher in science in the organisation S.T.A.R.T months ago, rumoured to be thanks to Felix Giovanni, discovered OBLIVION adding to the substance of DOOM in their storage which had been discovered many centuries ago. Sarah Porter, my lady friend, after being nearly killed by Falcon weeks    ago-”
187“-Which Jay had to come to the rescue for-” interrupted Jay. The colonel took no notice of him.
188“After realising the threat of giving a known criminal with elemental glove powers both substances to creating the biggest bioweapon known to mankind she handed me one of them, as you can see DOOM, with the ideology that this substance would receive the protection from the military and after today the protection also of MI6.” 
189“You still didn’t answer my question,” interrupted Jay “Why are these two substances capable of making a bioweapon in the same country? England, nonetheless, this should be in area 51 with the entirety of that American Military protecting it. In fact, keep one here, give one to America.”
190“We were intending to actually give America both substances,” the colonel responded “They were interested a month ago in the idea of creating a bioweapon that they could use to retaliate with against any country that declared war on them.”
191“It would be an exact repeat of world war two then,” Divine commented. 
192“Somewhat, yes,” the colonel nodded “So moral of the story is to keep eyes on Falcon and make sure we get him apprehended as soon as possible.”
193“And I used all my good bird related puns on him that fight too,” Jay groaned “I guess I’ll just have to find some more.” A man dressed in full black and in his late twenties waltzed over with a classified case folder in his hands, Jay already knew he was he had heard of him before, his name was Adam Michaels, one of the best MI6 agents. It had been rumoured by many that last year he had beaten half a dozen gun armed thugs in a shootout by himself. Although the rumour could never be one hundred percent true his powerful muscles and legs that were the size of trees proved validity to the claim. His outfit was entirely black.
194“Here’s some information that might help out with Falcon,” Adam explained. The three stared at him as if he was speaking another language “Nicholas Smith?”
195“Yes?” Divine answered.
196“I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation,” Adam answered and pulled a file page out of the folder “There was some information I researched that was in relation to Falcon and this scenario.”
197“Do tell,” ordered Jay. Adam showed him the sheet showing bank account details.
198“My sister works for a bank and sent me this information, he’s three hundred thousand pounds in debt,” Adam explained. He then turned to look at the colonel “Now, how much do you think is the price on your head colonel?”
199“I don’t know,” the colonel nervously croaked.
200“See boys, I have a theory, Falcon’s a hired assassin.”
201“He gets three hundred thousand pounds for the assassination of Colonel Harrison,” Divine answered. Adam nodded. Divine turned to the suitcase on the desk “This service of clearing Nicholas of his debts is so that the person who hired him can get the vial filled with DOOM.” 
202“Bang on,” Adam replied.
203“It’s a great theory Adam but I can’t see Falcon working for anyone,” Jay answered. 
204“True,” Adam sighed “Falcon’s the top criminal at the moment I doubt there’s any criminal that would even go near him let alone strike a deal with him. With his glove he makes a thug with a shotgun look like a kid with a water gun.”
205“If there was someone more powerful than Falcon potentially we would consider it,” the Colonel jumped in “But until then we have many missing puzzle pieces to this puzzle.”
206“Colonel, I am leaving you in the presence of Adam Michael’s one of my best agents, he will act as a bodyguard and will protect you,” Divine explained.
207“Yes Mr. Divine,” agreed Adam.
208“Meanwhile, while you debrief Adam about the importance and dangers of the substance DOOM in this vial I shall have a word with Jay, my son, if you will.” The colonel agreed and went towards the table pointing out the vial to Adam. Divine dragged Jay aside.
209“I heard what you said previously,” Divine reminded Jay “About how you almost died today by a masked man with a semi-automatic rifle.”
210“And what?” asked Jay.
211“I don’t want you putting your life at risk by being a member of MI6 anymore-”
212“Dad…”
213“No, it was a stupid idea to ever let you in Jay, your service was greatly appreciated but I’m sorry. I greatly appreciate your contribution to MI6 and your country but you have to leave us.” Jay’s eyes welled with tears; the legacy he had once protected now threw him out. This place was one that accepted him and his identity for who he truly was, it was a place he could finally be free with his gloves. 
214“Okay,” Jay nodded, licked his lip and rubbed his eye “I understand.”
215“Jay…” Divine attempted to call out, but it was too late, back turned Jay entered the elevator and shut the door behind him. The elevator began moving down floor by floor. Divine watched the numbers on the screen decreasing and nearing zero. Adam marched over and placed a hand on Divine’s shoulder. He watched the numbers decreasing alongside Divine. 
216“This was the best decision as a father to do,” Adam reminded him “As someone who was a stupid kid years ago you’re mad at the start but eventually you’ll understand people do these things for your benefit and he will too.”
217“I don’t know Adam,” Divine sniffed “I don’t know if that was the right choice. I miss my son in this building and organisation already.”
218
219 The elevator stopped on the ground floor, stone faced and head bent downwards Jay left the elevator and stomped towards the entrance to the building. He brushed past a man on the steps downward, despite that there were no other obstructions to his leaving of MI6. The rain beat down from the heavens and wetting Jay’s school clothes which he still wore, they stank, and after all he had worn them for nearly twelve hours now. Jay grabbed the first glove in his pocket he could grab and slotted it into his hand. It was Shade, the wind elemental, the hood was thin and not the most comfortable that the elemental was forced to wear. The snood restricted Jay’s breathing immensely however he kept it on. Its protection was more valued than nothing. It wasn’t until the first time that Jay looked ahead of him ahead of at the ground that he saw a police car outside with the lights flashing. The window rolled down in Jay’s presence. It was Kokoshi.
220“Hey there,” Kokoshi called. Jay tilted his head downwards again and continued pacing forward “Jay, hello?” Jay tilted his head upwards and approached the police car “Scared I got the wrong person there.” Kokoshi proceeded to laugh. Despite the news that he was forced to leave an organisation he loved working for in the presence of Kokoshi he couldn’t help but smile.
221“Hello Kokoshi,” Jay greeted.
222“I hope you recall our conversation previously, when I said I’d get back to you, well I kept my promise.”
223“I remember,” Jay answered. 
224“Well not specifically you know “getting back to you” as such I actually said we could chat sometime and, you know, we’re chatting now…” Kokoshi blushed with embarrassment.
225“Its fine Kokoshi,” Jay laughed. 
226“Oh okay,” Kokoshi replied giving off a sigh. He reached to the compartment between the front passenger and driver seat and pulled out a notepad with pencil “We haven’t got any information of worth mentioning from that gunman you helped us apprehend but if you give me your phone number I could text you the information or give you a call…Unless you don’t want to have a call then that’s fine.”
227“Either works,” Jay sniggered and wrote his phone number onto the notepad. 
228“Thank you,” Kokoshi gleamed and snatched back the notepad with the pencil. There was a second of awkward silence in which Kokoshi was staring dreamily at Jay. 
229“Anyways, I’ve got to go,” Jay replied and tapped against the roof of the car.
230“Oh, yeah, of course I forgot you were so busy, sorry if I kept you back from anything.”
231“You didn’t Kokoshi, no worries,” Jay replied. His earpiece began to buzz. Kokoshi rolled up the windows gave one final sigh of relief and drove off. Jay on the other hand had to take off his glove forcing his body and school uniform to take the rain that pounded down from the sky. He answered the buzz from his earpiece and attempted to put his glove into his pocket. However, since it was raining, the glove slipped out of his hand and landed on the pavement. 
232“Crap,” Jay snapped “Thank goodness tomorrow is the weekend; I could never clean this school uniform for tomorrow if it was a school day.”
233“Hello, Jay?” asked Divine. Jay bent down to pick up the glove, instead another hand beat him too it, the hand of a female. He looked upwards locking eyes with Beth, a girl from his school except a year older. She was undeniably the best looking girl of the year if not the entire school. Her hair despite the rain was as always blonde, bright and pristine. It was also rumoured her and her father, her only parent, was a millionaire if not a billionaire. She was extremely sporty as well doing volleyball, hockey, football, netball, tennis and cricket. She did debates, school announcements (if Isaac for some reason wouldn’t) and was the main in the school play. She played four different instruments, spoke six different languages and had been talent spotted twice for two different organisations. Many had wondered how she had time to fit all her responsibilities in. 
234“Here you go Jay,” she spoke and nodded towards the glove he picked up. She had one hand buried into the pockets of her jeans; much like Jay did with his school trousers. 
235“Thanks,” Jay mime spoke and pressed two fingers against his ear to signify, as he did with most people, that he was speaking to MI6. He grabbed the glove; Beth moved forward and grasped his hand with hers. 
236“Jay? Are you there?” asked Divine on the other side. Jay and Beth once again locked eyes both staring quietly at each other. Beth tightened her clutch of her hand around his.
237“I’m here,” Jay answered finally as Beth let go of him. During the phase she held his hand he could not think of anything, it was as if his mind hit a brick wall. Beth smiled then walked off; Jay looked behind him and watched her waltzing down the pavement completely ignoring the horrific rainstorm that was happening. 
238“You took a while to respond after you picked up,” Divine commented. Jay placed his glove into his pocket. 
239“Sorry, I was a little busy.”
240“No worries Jay, look, take today and the weekend of to relax. You’ve been wrapping yourself up in protecting others so much that you need some time to yourself.”
241“Yeah,” Jay mumbled “You’re right.” The rain continued to patter.
242“In fact tomorrow your brother Johnny is having his shift in the ice cream parlour. Bring a friend and go over there to get some ice cream and of course make sure he’s not slacking.” 
243“You know what dad you’re completely right, that actually sounds like a great idea,” Jay replied. The phone in his pocket buzzed.
244“Anyway got to go back to work, the colonel wants to speak to me, chat to you when I get home.”
245“Bye,” Jay spoke. After pressing his earpiece again he reached into his pocket, pulled out his buzzing phone and answered it.
246“Hello Jay? This is Kokoshi. I just wanted to make sure I got your number correct!”
247“Yes,” Jay answered “Yes this is Jay.”
248“Nice!” Kokoshi replied “Anyways, I better get going, I just wanted to make sure your number worked. See you when I see you.” He hung up. Jay with a smile switched off his phone and placed it into his pocket. Transforming once more into Aquarius he soared in the sky, at least the townsfolk wouldn’t be too upset when getting soaked now; Mother Nature had already been soaking them. 
249
250  Saturday had come around faster than expected and before long the plans of meeting for ice cream had actually became a reality. Shamus pushed open the door followed by Jay. The ice cream parlour was half filled with people reading newspapers, on phones or just generally chatting. 
251“Thanks for inviting me Jay, I needed a break from that Physics homework,” Shamus grunted. 
252“No worries,” Jay replied “In fact if you want to pay for both of us next time just so you can get away from Physics I’ll happily agree.”
253“Okay, don’t push your luck,” Shamus winked. The two boys approached the counter and like Divine had said Johnny was there working.
254“Ah, there’s my favourite brother,” Johnny grinned, washed the scooper and approached Jay and Shamus.
255“I’m your only brother,” Jay scowled.
256“Yeah, Jay, that was the joke…”
257“Nice to meet you, I’m Shamus,” Shamus greeted.
258“Johnny,” Johnny winked and pointed the scooper towards Jay “I’m this guy’s big brother.”
259“Unfortunately,” Jay retorted.
260“What can I get you both anyway?” he asked. Johnny’s physical appearance was very different to that of Jay. His hair was dirty blonde and he was six foot while Jay was a few inches smaller. Granted Johnny was three years older than Jay and had taken a gap year out before university so he could get some work experience. Shamus and Jay got their orders and sat down by the table closest to the door. 
261“Well go on then,” Shamus grinned “You’ve got to show me your gloves.” 
262“What?” Jay asked.
263“It’s pretty self-explanatory,” Shamus retorted “I want to see one of your gloves that you use on your MI6 missions.”
264“Yeah, MI6,” Jay muttered. He begrudgingly pulled out the Inferno glove from his pocket and set it on the table. Shamus ran his fingers down the fingertips. His eyes were wide opened. It was a surprise to nobody he was immensely intrigued by this new discovery. He grasped the glove turning it in his hands and grasped onto it with one hand, the fingertips facing Jay who sat on the opposite side of the table. 
265“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jay warned. Shamus exchanged looks with him then proceeded to slide his hand into the glove. Jay ripped the glove off of him before his fingertips fully entered the glove. 
266“What the hell man?” Shamus snapped.
267“Do you know what happened to Jake when he wore one of these?” Jay countered “He turned into a one tonne amethyst and stone infused monster.” Shamus paused for a second thinking of his counter argument. 
268“I could have the genetic mutation; I could help fight crime alongside you!”
269“The chances for that to happen are insanely low and are not worth me losing a friend to,” Jay explained.
270“Oh you’re selfish aren’t you,” Shamus snarled “I get your game. You just want all the fun for yourself.”
271“Maybe I don’t want to lose another friend to these,” Jay retorted with his own snarls. He waved the glove of Inferno in front of Shamus’ face “I was there, pinned to the ground trapped in duct tape, and I saw his face and final emotions when that glove was forced onto his hand and I’d give anything to in see them.” He pressed his head against the cold table top. 
272“Jay,” Shamus croaked attempting an apology, his mouth grew dry and he couldn’t muster the words “Look…”
273“I’m the selfish one?” Jay continued, face still pressed down against the table top “You’re willing to transform into an uncontrollable monster that could damage the entirety of humanity just for your own pleasure?” Shamus held his head in his hands nodding.
274“Yes.”
275“I haven’t talked to him since the funeral months ago and beforehand I had never talked to him before, but you only need to see how Isaac is acting now at the loss of his brother, think of how your family would’ve reacted Shamus.”
276“But I want to change the world Jay. I want to do something my current form cannot.” Jay’s phone buzzed, he immediately pulled the phone out of his pocket and read the text from Kokoshi.
277“New information gained on Falcon and whereabouts. Call ASAP for more information, if I’m not called in five minutes after this text then the police will have to handle the situation.”
278“Work in a foodbank or help in a homeless shelter,” Jay instructed. He cartwheeled off the back of his seat and landed on the tile flooring feet first. 
279“I suppose,” Shamus nodded timidly.
280“Just, whatever you do don’t put people’s lives at risk for you to do what you want,” Jay ordered. Those words resonated with Shamus. He nodded his head like a woodpecker against wood. Jay began to walk off towards the door.
281“Jay, where are you going?” 
282“I need to hunt down a criminal alongside the police,” Jay replied and gave Shamus a friendly nod “I’ll make sure to see you at school on Monday.” Shamus responded with a similar nod and watched Jay leave the parlour. Shamus remained at the table and finished the ice cream he had been served. He forced his fingers through his tangled hair while thinking over what Jay had told him. The main foundation of the argument boiled down to putting others before himself and definitely not putting them at risk of his stupidity and childish ignorance. The door opens as Isaac accompanied Beth entered the ice cream parlour. Shamus faced the wall looking at a nearby framed picture of the building from 1986 to avoid eye contact from the two others from his school. They passed by however there was one important part of their relationship that Shamus couldn’t un-see, they were holding hands. 
283
284 Jay flipped onto the recycling bins that were kept in the alleyway beside the parlour. 
285“Kokoshi, pick up,” pleaded Jay as the phone continued to ring and buzzed with no answer from the recipient. Fortunately, Kokoshi did eventually pick up and answered.
286“Jay,” Kokoshi instructed sternly “Do you have your elemental gloves on you?” 
287“Uh, yes, of course, as always, why?” 
288“The gunman leaked information in the interrogation room. Apparently Falcon is staging another assassination this time on your father. He’s climbing a building and is attempting to snipe Divine in less than an hour’s time. We police officers would go down immediately but for all we know it could be another trap set up to kill us and we heard of the awful thing that happened to that group of agents not too long ago. It’s better, in my opinion, to send someone semi-immortal.”
289“Divine?” Jay murmured and flipped off the recycling bin “If Adam Michael’s theory is true then Falcon would be stopping at nothing to pursuit, target and kill the colonel. It’ll fulfil his contract and would allow him to steal one of the two DO substances, if that is his plan.”
290“Maybe DO isn’t his plan, maybe he’s just trying to pick off leaders of the big organisations protecting England. Especially because after failing to kill colonel Harrison the military and MI6 will be throwing themselves in front of bullets to save him.”
291“We have assigned one of our best MI6 agents, Adam Michaels, as a permanent bodyguard for the colonel and yes the military will probably be sticking close to him as well,” Jay replied “Still, if killing people with little protection but high authority and are responsible for DO then why doesn’t he just kill the owner of S.T.A.R.T? She’s holding onto the vial of oblivion.”
292“Falcon already attempted to kill Sarah and failed. I guess your father is the only one of the trio he hasn’t tried to assassinate yet; it’s a pretty stupid idea but Nicholas Smith has never been the smartest of individuals.”
293“Just sent me the location of the building he’s planning to climb so I can get to it before him and hopefully put him behind bars.”
294“Amen brother and I’ll send you the location now.”
295
296  Falcon pulled himself over the edge of the rooftop after climbing the drainpipe. He rose from his knees to his feet with the sniper, already assembled in his hands. From the darkness a torrent of water was fired colliding with Falcon and knocking him to the ground. The sniper knocked against the edge of the rooftop after skidding across the rooftop for a few seconds. Falcon hauled himself to his feet. Jay stepped out from the darkness. The evening night bathed the atmosphere. Several hundred metres away Jay could see his father at his desk researching on his laptop completely unaware of his assassination. 
297“Back again?” Falcon cackled. 
298“Of course,” Jay responded “I couldn’t just leave my favourite criminal to his own devices could I?”
299“Three times we’ve had this song and dance,” spat Falcon “How many more times of chasing me and failing to capture me will it take before you realise you just can’t beat me?”
300“Okay, to be fair, the first time I was inexperienced, the second time was a chase five hours past my bedtime and I hadn’t slept the night before that and the third time I had four masked gunmen firing at me also.” 
301“I’m somewhat impressed Jay Divine that you survived that assault. Last time I checked your glove was drained of all energy and I had left you with one of my finest gunmen.”
302“The police came,” Jay answered “Just in the nick of time.” 
303“In one way I’m disappointed that you weren’t killed that day,” Falcon smirked “But in another it allows me to end you myself.” He fired a volley of metallic feathers forcing Jay to front flip over them, Falcon charged towards him but was pushed to the edge of the rooftop with a surge of water. 
304“You’ve tried killing many people but attempting to kill my father is the last straw,” Jay screeched. 
305“I guess it’ll make up for one of my best colleagues shot and captured by the police yesterday,” Falcon retorted with a hiss throwing a punch which Jay ducked underneath and retaliated with an uppercut. Falcon was forced backwards a few steps, his movements grew slower than beforehand. 
306“So why are you killing these important folk to the development of science or protection to the country?” Jay inquired. 
307“I talk, I’m dead,” Falcon refuted and leaped off the building. 
308“Not this time,” Jay snarled and took off his Aquarius glove; he looked to the sniper weighing the positives and negatives of taking the shot but instead transformed into Shadow and drew his bow. He jumped off the building after Falcon spiralling down directly afterwards, the fabric of his elemental’s outfit flapping against the air which he hit with such a remarkable velocity. Bow in one hand Jay summoned an arrow which he clutched in the palm of his hand. He slotted the arrow into the bow, drew it back and fired launching the arrow into the Falcon’s left wing and forcing him to head first crash land on top of the nearest rooftop he could find. Jay followed seconds behind and rolled with the fall which allowed him to propel himself forward and rugby tackling Falcon back to the ground. Builders overseeing construction of the scaffolding to the new extension to the building, they obviously were in shock and unaware of what to do when a ninja and a man-sized bird landed feet from them. 
309“Excuse me, sir?” asked one of the older men who was accompanied by two younger men all in their orange vests. Falcon shoved Jay off him but received a kick to the face from Jay in response. 
310“Sorry to bother you boys just trying to capture this megalomaniac, annoying birdbrain,” explained Jay whilst avoiding punches from the Falcon. He launched his foot into Falcon’s chest, used the advantage of that positioning to then kick off his chest and smash his foot into Falcon’s jaw. Jay landed on his feet after the flip and Falcon fell to the roof’s edge after the impact of the attack. 
311“Excuse me, gentlemen?” the old man asked once again. He held a phone in his hands with “999” already dialled in. Falcon screamed and fired a volley of feathers at the builders. Jay sprinted and leapt in front of the feathers teaching each and every one. Their metal tips sliced through his hood and killing the energy from his suit. Jay replaced the dead glove with Inferno’s that since yesterday had become recharged. With Inferno’s new birth he breathed a gust of fire from the mouth piece of the gas mask. Falcon fired several more feathers one after another which Jay dodged with ease. Pushing himself off his tentacle which he shoved into the ground of the rooftop he gathered enough momentum to fly kick Falcon. Both feet pounded into his chest as an audible bark of pain could be heard from Falcon’s mouth despite being concealed underneath the mouthpiece. The momentum was so great that the velocity Falcon was hit with launched him off the building. In sudden realisation Falcon couldn’t glide any longer because of his damaged wing Jay shot out a tentacle and caught Falcon. Despite Falcon’s best attempts to squirm free the claws of the tentacle grasped him tight and wouldn’t let go. 
312“So,” Jay panted turning to the three builders staring in awe “You guys come here often?”
313“What are you?” asked one of the younger builders who took a few steps forward. The older gentleman held him back with his arm preventing him from moving any further.
314“I’m Jay, I work…well I used to work for MI6,” realising the sentence didn’t have much weight and would’ve provided more questions than answers he attempted to clarify again “I’m in association with the police. I’m one of the good elementals and one of the good guys.” That seemed to communicate effectively his point to the builders, at least the older gentlemen who nodded rapidly. 
315“Can you please call the police for me? Tell Jay, the kid with the elemental gloves, has captured Falcon.” 
316“Uh sure,” the builder nodded and began ringing up the police and saying the exact same words Jay had told him to. Jay slammed his other tentacle into the rooftop and carefully lowered himself down the side of the building and with the other tentacle pulled Falcon upwards him. He still attempted struggling and pulling at the claws but again, to no avail. 
317“Believe it or not Falcon but I’m here to help you, I just need to work out your motive for these attempted assassinations,” Jay croaked. His face was no more than two inches from Falcon’s. They both dangled from the side of the building with nothing but an eighty foot drop beneath them.  
318“My boss said if I said anything to anyone I was as good as dead,” Falcon spluttered and tried pulling the claws off him once again. He looked in disappointment then looked at the drop below him “However, if I did fail this assassination I was specifically told I was as good as dead to them anyway.”
319“Tell me so I can stop them,” Jay begged “Then work with the forces, go through the court sentences, spend the time in prison and then come out a better man and make something of your life.”
320“I don’t know who my boss is,” Falcon explained “That’s God’s honest truth. All I know is that they are terrifying; they summoned dozens of pink neon knives or something along those lines. I would’ve looked like a porcupine by the time that person would’ve finished with me but we made a deal. They would clear me of my debts if I killed either Sarah Porter owner of S.T.A.R.T, Colonel Paul Harrison head of the military forces or Matthew Divine owner of, as you being his son know, owner of MI6. I also needed to get the Oblivion substance or Doom substance. Then I could escape to France, make a new name for myself and live a normal life with the money I would receive. Or so my boss said.”
321“There,” Jay nodded. Police sirens could be heard from below “Was that really so hard?”
322“Yes,” grumbled Falcon “If my boss knows I gave you that information I would be dead.”
323“Well yeah, now that you mention it, it might have been a little bit harder to say than I expected.”
324
325 The three full police cars full of officers had arrived at the crime scene shortly after. Nicholas Smith had his glove’s energy drained after a permitted thrashing from Inferno, which Jay enjoyed more than he cared to admit, he was handcuffed and lead to the police car with a police officer on both sides and a third with a glock a few steps behind with a pistol trained on Nicholas’ head. Jay, dressed as Aquarius, leaped down from the building and landed on the roof of the police car which Nicholas was due to enter. He was kneeling with a hand pressing downwards on the knee that was knelt. Jay stared down at Nicholas who was already looking up and glaring at him.
326“Who knows Nick; you might have some fun in prison with the bad boys,” Jay teased.
327“Just you wait Jay Divine,” Nicholas grimaced “Every night I will dream of an overdue thrashing on your behalf.”
328“That’s uh…thoughtful?” Jay muttered. He flipped off the police cars as the doors were slammed shut. Nicholas and the four police officers had entered and were ready to leave. Several officers were collecting witness statements from the builders and bystanders passing by at the time. Approaching with a steady pace was Adam, the colonel and Divine. 
329“Good work Jay,” Adam started and nodded towards him.
330“Yes,” the colonel agreed “Congratulations in capturing the notorious villainous mastermind that is Nicholas Smith, thank you for your contribution to your country Jay Divine.” Divine looked left and right to Adam and Colonel Harrison that had both already spoke. 
331“I guess it’s my turn to speak huh?” Divine murmured and stretched the back of his neck. 
332“It is,” Adam encouraged, swivelled on the sole of his shoe and turned to Divine with a smile.
333“Long story short, Jay, Adam and I have been going through the best way to tell you this but everything I planned to say sounded stupid so I might as well say it now I’m in the moment,” he spoke. Adam couldn’t stop grinning ear from ear, even the colonel who was standing at ease couldn’t prevent a smile despite his best efforts to hide it “We…I want you back in MI6. We…I…I need you.” Jay slid off his glove and approached his dad allowing for the two to hug. The colonel temporarily wandered off panting his eye with a handkerchief. 
334“It’s funny though,” Jay commented still hugging his father, something so simple yet something he hadn’t done in months.
335“What?” Divine asked.
336“The one time I manage to capture Falcon is when I’m not associated with MI6, you lot are a bad influence on me,” his father laughed “but no, and I’ll come back to MI6. I’ll help my country.” 
337“Right then,” Divine replied, grasping Jay’s back with one hand and showing him the MI6 building ahead of them “May I show you to your new workspace?”
338“On the condition it has a glove compartment.” Jay, his father and Adam broke into laughter. 
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350Chapter 2-Clash of Morals
351Jay’s faced buried deep into the pillow mechanically rose as he heard his phone buzzing against his bedside table. He moaned, felt his forehead with his hand and then grabbed his phone. It read half nine, he should be up by now, was yesterday really that draining for him? He answered the phone, rubbed his eyes and crawled out of bed.
352“Jay?” asked Rachel from the other end of the line. 
353“Rachel,” Jay croaked with a laugh “Why the call so early?”
354“I’m doing horse riding for most of the day but after watching the news this morning I knew I had to call. Congratulations on getting Falcon behind bars finally though.”
355“It wasn’t easy,” Jay laughed. He slid off his pyjama bottoms and changed into a pair of jeans “But I appreciate it Rachel and it means one less psychotic criminal that the poor townsfolk half to endure.”
356“Just don’t get too invested in MI6; I don’t want you to stress yourself out, or worse, get yourself hurt.”
357“The sad truth is Rachel I’m in too deep; I fight crime nobody can stop. Capturing Nicholas Smith took me four attempts overall and he had also killed many MI6 agents beforehand.”
358“Just, remember to take a breather every now and again, anyway I’ve got to love you and leave you. I have a horse riding lesson now.”
359“Have fun and talk to you tomorrow,” Jay replied. 
360“Bye,” Rachel giggled on the other end of the phone and hung up. Jay stared at the phone that lay in the palm of his hand, he just stared at the name “Rachel” with a picture taken several months ago containing them two as the recipient’s profile picture. A small smile grew and extended across his face. To his left and again set astray on the table was the black earpiece once again buzzing. Jay darted across to the table, picked up the earpiece and answered. 
361“Hello?” asked Jay while slotting the earpiece into his ear.
362“Hello Jay, this is Divine, after the arrest of Nicholas Smith several members of authoritative positions in terms of wellbeing and protection of England are to meet in MI6 headquarters sharply in an hour. The near assassination of three powerful people in our society in an embarrassingly short amount of time was an eye opener Jay.  Adam Michaels and Paul Harrison are already here with Magenta Harrison and Sarah Porter arriving shortly and unlike Friday do actually be on the best of your behaviour Jay, even if the colonel does go into a rant like previously, we are trying to set an example.”
363“Yes Mr. Divine,” Jay responded.
364“Good, although admittedly with one seat left unaccompanied at the meeting it will look rather awkward.” Johnny entered Jay’s bedroom but quietly was immediately shewed out. 
365“If you have a seat that needs filling I have a good friend and someone that takes protection of society incredibly seriously that can come.”
366“Well yes,” Divine coughed “That would be beneficial, what is his name?”
367“Stephen Kokoshi,” Jay answered “He was the cop that saved my life on Friday from the masked gunman.”
368“Then if what he is saying is correct then the man is a hero,” Divine laughed “After the meeting I might very well organise a ceremony with a medal of bravery to be presented.”
369“I’d like that to happen,” Jay smirked “Anyways, I’ll swing by MI6 then in an hour’s time, see you then.”
370“See you,” Divine responded. The earpiece cut out. Johnny re-entered the room.
371“Yes, Johnny?” Jay asked.
372“I just came to ask if you were going out today for MI6 work,” Johnny responded innocently. 
373“I am, but what reason would you ask that for?” 
374“Just curious,” Johnny countered. He walked away attempting to slam the door behind him but turned and walked back into Jay’s bedroom “You should probably tell mother, who’s downstairs, you’ll be going out today. You haven’t spoken a word to her since Friday when she left you off for school.”
375“You’re right, Johnny, completely right actually,” Jay agreed.
376“I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t right,” Johnny winked and slammed the door shut. Jay yawned and began searching his room for his four elemental gloves. Inferno was lying on the table with his earpiece and Shadow was left on the blanket after his bed, it fortunately was recharged. That was half of the gloves discovered and shoved into the pockets of the jeans, now was the problem of finding the other two. Jay acknowledged his bedroom wasn’t the biggest so finding his other two gloves wouldn’t be impossible. After doing a full three sixty degree turn he spotted the third glove, Aquarius, fired on top of the book shelf. Jay grabbed it.
377“Now,” he muttered to himself “Where on earth is Everest? Of course it would be the last one I would find.” He looked to the ground directly in front of the door and laid his eyes upon it; with one fell swoop he lifted up the glove and stuffed it into his pocket. He opened his bedroom door, closed it behind him and rushed down the stairs to the living room where his mother was reading the front page of the newspaper. She was the same age as Divine with old reading glasses worn. Her blonde hair formed into a neat bun. 
378“You weren’t hurt last night, were you Jay?” Mrs. Divine asked. 
379“No,” Jay argued “Not a scratch mother.”
380“Good,” she nodded and continued reading the paper “I don’t know what you or your dad was thinking letting you fight Falcon alone.”
381“I captured him didn’t I? And uninjured too,” Jay continued. He sat down on the armchair facing his mother “Like it or not mother but my method of capturing criminals is the best way, if I wasn’t there to stop them half the MI6 agents would be killed trying to stop him.” His mother set the newspaper behind and lowered her head.  
382“I know Jay,” she murmured “I just wished that risking your life to save others wasn’t the best alternative.”
383“Unfortunately it is,” Jay responded with finality “It seems like I’m the only person in the world that has the control over their gloves and actually uses it for good.” He slotted on his glove and transformed into Aquarius.
384“Are you leaving again?”
385“Yes, I have an MI6 meeting to attend and I have to be there sharply,” he informed, opened the living room window and launched himself outwards. The torrents from his feet enlarged and grew more powerful firing him into the air and allowing him to somersault through the sky. He headfirst dived downwards to the ground until he was a foot away and fired two torrents of water, one from each palm, allowing him to be catapulted once more into the sky. He landed on a rooftop of a nearby clothes shop and took a few seconds to take a breather and admire the busy city life before him. Jay walked a few steps, approached the rooftop’s edge and then sat down once again watching the unaware townsfolk passing by, some even entering and leaving the shop directly beneath him. Jay swiped open the phone in his hand and called Kokoshi. It took no longer than three seconds before he picked up. 
386“Jay?” Kokoshi asked.
387“Yes,” Jay bluntly replied.
388“Wow, I never actually expected you to call me, uh, congratulations on the Falcon takedown yesterday by the way, I knew I could rely on you.”
389“Thanks for the callout,” Jay replied “Without you being there I would’ve never got him…On the topic of being at places; how far are you from the MI6 building?”
390“About twenty minutes. I’m going for my morning jog, why?” asked Kokoshi.
391“MI6 are hosting a meeting with the likes of Colonel Harrison and Sarah Porter to crack down on the wellbeing and protection of the country, I asked if you could come and the head of MI6, Divine, agreed.”
392“Well sure,” Kokoshi nervously laughed at the other end “I’d have to get changed though.”
393“Meeting starts in an hour, sharp.”
394“Right, I can make that,” Kokoshi replied “Thank you so much Jay.”
395“You saved my life days ago Kokoshi, it’s the least I can do.”
396“I know, but still, it’s very much appreciated and something you didn’t have to do Jay,” he laughed “And maybe afterwards we could potentially go out for something to eat?”
397“Sure, I know some of the best diners in the area,” Jay replied “Anyway, I should head on, chat to you at the event.”
398“Yes, of course, see you.” The call ended. Jay leaped off the building and landed on the pavement. Realising for the first time in a while he had some time to himself Jay wandered around the town confused. Several people looked at him in his Aquarius outfit shooting either looks of confusion or awe. After a minute or so of walking Jay approached a bakery, unfortunately not the one he had previously went to, he entered hastily. The middle aged man at the counter with a beard that different variations of hair length stopped his work at looking through the till then looked at him and opened his mouth completely drowning in astonishment.
399“Hello?” Jay asked as he approached the man frozen and firmly rooted to the spot. 
400“Hello, Aquarius,” he gulped and hurriedly positioned himself behind the counter “What can I get for you?” Jay eyed one of the baguettes in the corner of the room. 
401“Just one of the baguettes,” Jay replied. The man nodded, grabbed at the paper bag rack with the intention to lift one and instead grabbed a dozen. He nodded his head and hastily grabbed a baguette from the rack and placed it inside the bag.
402“One pound please,” he ordered and slammed the bag onto the top of the counter. Jay felt for his pockets and instead felt the fabric of his Aquarius suit. He groaned, removed his glove and began searching his pockets for the money. It took a few seconds for the man to speak, possibly that was the length of time it took for him to muster up the courage to speak again “Don’t worry, it’s on the house.”
403“Oh,” Jay blushed and snatched the baguette “Thanks.”
404“No problem,” the man nervously giggled. Jay grasped the bag and approached the door “Wait!”
405“What?” Jay asked and turned around on his heel. The man produced a chewed pen from his pocket.
406“Could I like, uh, have an autograph, but of course, you don’t have to if-”
407“Yeah, that’s fine,” Jay smiled. The man dropped all but one of the paper bags to the ground and handed it to Jay with the pen. The paper bags behind the counter were scattered across the floor, dispersed in all directions. Jay signed the paper bag and rushed out of the bakery. The man picked a paper bag from the floor and began inhaling and exhaling into it, the paper bag comically inflating to its maximum volume then crumpling over again. The customers watched in confusion. 
408
409 Jay skipped out of the bakery munching on the baguette. The sky was darkening hastily with clouds circling above. He reached for his Aquarius glove when his phone began buzzing from his pocket; immediately answering it without checking the name he realised it was Shamus. 
410“Hey Jay,” he began. His tone of voice was much gentler than the past few days, in fact weeks.
411“Hey Shamus,” Jay replied then finished off his baguette. He left his phone on a deserted bench and put on his Shadow glove then picked up his phone and continued the call, during the meantime of these sequences Shamus was still talking. 
412“I just wanted to apologise to you Jay for yesterday, what I did was completely unjustifiable, it was wrong for me to do.” Jay jogged into an alleyway then began pacing up a stairwell, with two dark railings trailing down the side of it, the stairwell was small with the two walls on either side being high and blocking out the majority of the sunlight. Still, it was often abandoned leaving Jay to himself and was the easiest ways to reach one of his favourite rooftops. 
413“Yeah, I won’t sugar coat it Shamus it was wrong, extremely wrong. However I know that you like most people are fascinated behind the power of these gloves.”
414“It’s just your life changed dramatically so much when you had the power to transform into those creatures; I just…”
415“Just what?” Jay asked after the few seconds of “uh” and “urm” on the other end of the phone. 
416“It doesn’t matter,” Shamus refuted “Anyway, I was wondering if you would be interested in going down to my Uncle Tommy’s ranch this evening and doing some shooting?”
417“Sure,” Jay replied. He approached near the end of the stairwell, light gleamed from the other end “I’m a little busy today but I’ll text you when I’m free.”
418“Certainly,” Shamus replied then hung up. Jay smiled by the convenience of him reaching the rooftop the exact second Shamus hung up. One after another and with no gaps between them was fifteen buildings that then lead, after a few hundred metres of a walk, to the MI6 headquarters. Scattered across these rooftops were bins and all sorts of ridges and bumps. To Jay this was heaven a parkour play area at his fingertips that nobody could destroy. Taking a deep breath and laughing he sprinted forward with the added backflip, summersault, front flip or other move. His head sliced through the air with every one of these flips. Admittedly Jay wasn’t too fond of fighting criminals but felt it was his duty because of his new powers. In fact, he didn’t practising martial arts or boxing like the majority of those in MI6 but instead gained his athleticism through doing parkour across rooftops. He kicked off a wall on the rooftop and with a quick push from two hands fired himself on top of the next story of the rooftop. Slowly filling his minds was the thoughts of Rachel; his friend. One he had been encouraged many times by Shamus to date but never had. It was no denying she was attractive however with Jay’s work he feared for her safety if she became too close to him, he was also debating whether their relationship was a friendship and nothing more. Landing on the last rooftop and fuelled with adrenaline he leaped off it without thinking. Face half-hidden underneath a black snood he was open-mouthed screaming as he span and rolled over and over while falling from the rooftop. 
419“Crap!” Jay screeched as he descended from the heavens and crashed to the pavement. His limp body bounded off the ground and rolled for a few more feet before landing directly in front of a red Vauxhall. The driver’s seat was shoved open and two feet hidden behind black boots stomped onto the pavement one after another. Jay looked up at the person carefully; somehow his glove hadn’t been completely damaged and had the ability to retain the suit’s power. 
420“Speak of the devil,” the person looming above Jay exclaimed. Jay raised his head to see Adam standing over him dressed in fully black attire and a pistol in a pocket beside his waist as per usual. From the passenger seat was a young woman Adam’s age with golden hair and a face that was splashed and coated with many variations of makeup. Her lips were also drawn over with rose red lipstick. Her outfit was one out of the military, matching camo jacket and leggings with boots that were alike to Adam’s but smaller and more worn. Adam held out a hand to pick up Jay, Jay accepted and was hauled to his feet. The woman approached from the other side of the car and circled around to Jay and Adam. 
421“Thanks,” Jay panted.
422“Where did you come from?” Adam inquired.
423“Uh, was doing some rooftop parkour,” Jay replied with a hidden smile “I may have misjudged where the row of buildings ended.” The woman giggled, Adam twisted his head to turn and look behind him to give her a quick glance then turned back.
424“Jay, this woman here is Magenta Harrison, the colonel’s daughter,” Adam explained and held one arm in the direction of Jay. Magenta passed by and held out a hand. Jay accepted the handshake steadily shaking her hand with the hand his glove was attached to. The second the handshake finished he pulled off his glove and set it into his jean’s pockets. He was himself again.
425“Fascinating,” Magenta nodded while attempting to hide her overwhelming awe as he transformed. 
426“Yes it is,” Adam grinned and folded his arms while staring at Jay like a proud father “The power of science.” Magenta checked her phone.
427“I think it’s about time we begin entering,” Magenta commented.
428“Yeah,” Adam agreed and walked between the two. The group of three marched up the steps leading into the MI6 building and then proceeded to enter the elevator. Adam leaned against the wall of the elevator again arms folded whereas Magenta and Jay both stood central. Magenta eyed the shadow glove poking out of Jay’s pocket. 
429“How many of those gloves do you have?”
430“Four,” Jay replied.
431“Nice and that suit I saw outside was one of them?”
432“Yes.” 
433“Very nice,” Magenta nodded sweetly. Jay stared at the floor of the elevator uninterested in the conversation, hundreds of people had asked him questions about his gloves, and the conversations had now become repetitive and boring to him. 
434“And what about you Magenta?” inquired Adam “What’s your story?”
435“A single middle class woman in her twenties that works as a soldier,” Magenta explained then let off a laugh “Probably nothing important to you.”
436“The single part is,” Adam winked. Jay despite cringing still gave off a grin as he continued looking at the floor of the elevator. Thankfully the doors opened as they reached the designated floor. The room contained solely a table with seven seats in the middle and a projector with a roll-up screen that lay against the wall. Already in the room and discussing what seemed like the meat of the day’s topic were Divine and Colonel Harrison.
437“Hey dad,” Magenta called from the elevator. Divine and the colonel who were previously debating with each other standing at either side of the table stopped and met the three others half way. Magenta flung her arms around the colonel and kissed him on the forehead several times passionately.
438“Okay, Magenta, okay,” he grumbled and weakly shoved her off him.
439“Glad to see you again sir,” Adam greeted and shook the colonel’s hand. 
440“Thank you for arriving on time,” Divine thanked and gave off a quick bow. He walked over to the table. The rest followed.
441“How many more are to arrive?” asked the colonel taking one of the middle seats and sitting down. Magenta sat to his left. Adam sat on the opposite side of the table to Magenta and Jay sat behind him thus resulting in him sitting opposite to the colonel. Divine took the seat that was between Adam and Magenta and allowed him to stare down from one end of the table to the other. There were three chairs to his left and three to his right. It was clear this chair was for the position of authority. 
442“Just Stephen Kokoshi and Sarah Porter,” Divine answered finally.
443“Stephen Kokoshi?” the colonel grumbled.
444“He’s a police officer,” Divine answered. That answer didn’t seem to satisfy the colonel as his once smile was now a gloomy frown. Divine gave off a quick cough then continued his sentence “He saved Jay’s life on Friday, the day Falcon attempted your assassination, one of Falcon’s men had held Jay at gunpoint but Kokoshi saved him.”
445“Oh,” the colonel replied “Then the boy deserves a medal.”
446“He does yes,” Divine nodded and exchanged smiles with Jay “I think a ceremony in front of the town’s people would be rather nice and I think the townsfolk of London would enjoy it also.”
447“I agree completely,” the colonel grunted. Divine turned to the two others.
448“And what do you two think?”
449“I would love to see a ceremony organised for the officer,” Magenta responded confidently. Everyone turned to Adam who was playing with a coin on his fingers.
450“Of course I’d love to see it,” Adam grinned.
451“There we are,” the colonel smiled but turned to Divine with a crumpled face “I wish however Mr. Divine you informed me of this person’s visit, you didn’t tell me.”
452“Apologies, it was last minute and you and I were talking about a serious confidential topic beforehand so I forgot to mention it.”
453“Apology accepted,” the colonel grinned. From behind the elevator dinged as the confused police officer Stephen Kokoshi exited the elevator and looked around worriedly. 
454“Yes,” Adam laughed “This is the right floor, don’t worry.”
455“Oh okay,” Kokoshi blushed and walked forward, he was in his police uniform like expected. 
456“Sit down Mr. Kokoshi,” Divine ordered. Kokoshi nervously accepted and sat down beside Jay. 
457“Hello everyone,” Kokoshi quivered. 
458“Kokoshi, if I am correct you are a hero, you saved Jay Divine from being shot,” the colonel spoke.
459“Well yes.”
460“Then we shall organise a ceremony. You will be awarded The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.”
461“Oh really, sir, that’s not necessary.”
462“Nonsense,” rebuked the colonel cutting him off “Six o’ clock on Thursday in front of the old Marylebone town hall, I have a friend I’ve known for thirty years that can get us set up there easily. You’re not to refuse this Mr. Kokoshi.” Kokoshi turned nervously to Jay who gave him a nod. A smile came across Kokoshi’s face. 
463“Well then yes, I suppose I can’t refuse,” Kokoshi grinned. 
464“Excellent,” the colonel replied returning the same grin back to Kokoshi. 
465“May I ask where Sarah Porter is?” Magenta inquired. The colonel didn’t listen to the ding that came from the elevator.
466“I wouldn’t worry sir,” the colonel replied “You’ll value every second without that lady. Sometimes she is a hurricane.”
467“I’m a hurricane am I?” Sarah screeched from the other end of the room “Colonel Harrison I am the whole damn thunderstorm.” She began stomping towards the table filled with folks.
468“Welcome Mrs. Porter,” Divine nodded. Jay turned to look at Sarah Porter for the first time in his life, he of course had heard many stories of her and messages sent by her but never actually saw her. Her face was pale looked like a piece of crumpled paper, her eyes were worn and a colour of olive green. Jay reckoned she was about fifty years old. Her frosted white hair was tied into a ponytail and swished back and forth as she walked. She pulled the chair out from underneath the table that lied beside the colonel and fell onto it. She then proceeded to straighten her jacket.
469“Well now that we’re all here,” Divine croaked “Adam?” Adam nodded and started up the projector; a PowerPoint was displayed on the screen. Adam nabbed the controller from the desk and began.
470“Hello everyone, I am Adam Michael’s a MI6 agent now acting as a bodyguard towards Colonel Harrison and his family respectively.” He flicked to the next slide which showed a picture of Nicholas Smith A.K.A Falcon and a picture of the Falcon glove taken in MI6 headquarters “This meeting is happening because of an individual called Nicholas Smith who in the past few weeks has attempted the assassination of half the people in this room being Mrs. Porter, Colonel Harrison and only yesterday Mr. Divine. Fortunately after many attempts of attempting the Falcon Jay Divine with his elemental gloves officially captured him thus putting him behind bars for good.”
471“Well then,” Sarah Porter interrupted “If he is in jail why are we having this conversation? He’s captured, well done.”
472“It’s because this experience with Nicholas Smith has been an eye-opener. Our country needs better protection; if not civilians will be injured or killed,” Adam answered.
473“I’ve seen the chaos and carnage first hand,” Kokoshi muttered “And I’d give anything to un-see it.” There was silence for several moments before Adam continued.
474“Now Mr. Smith’s intentions, although not entirely known, seemed to be from the demands of an authority more power than him that apparently could summon floating knives. Because of this Falcon accepted the contract to prevent being outright killed and in the hopes to gain enough money to clear his debt. The requirements were he had to obtain a vial of the substance Doom or Oblivion plus killing either one of the three previously mentioned which he attempted to assassinate.”
475“That sounds awful,” Magenta grumbled “Thank God for Jay Divine.” 
476“Now the main problem arises of where to keep the vials and who gets Nicholas’ glove,” Divine added.
477“I’ll take the glove,” Sarah immediately jumped in cutting off the colonel “And I’ll debate anyone until the day I shall die why I should have it.”
478“Well,” the colonel coughed “I believe I should have it.” Sarah shot a horrific glare at him. Kokoshi acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation downed the glass of water sitting on the table in front of him. 
479“And why is that colonel?” she mocked.
480“Because, unlike you, I’m in control of one of the biggest forces in the country, being the military. I can have a hundred of my finest in a finger click guarding that glove with their lives.”
481“I left you in charge of the DOOM vial and look how that worked out,” Sarah countered “You were nearly assassinated; you clearly can’t take care of anything.”
482“No you’re right Sarah; instead we should bring it to S.T.A.R.T where the whole dilemma originated and where you stole the glory for Giovanni’s creation in OBLIVION.” Sarah’s face became even more wrinkled, her lips turned into that of a pout, if anything.
483“I need that glove colonel,” Sarah snapped “I’m currently, at this very moment, investing hundreds of thousands of pounds into a serum that could cure those trapped in glove forms.”
484“And why do you need the Falcon glove to do that?” Divine inquired.
485“Because I do Divine,” Sarah retorted “I can work out more components to the glove, how they work on people and affect them.”  
486“You’re not going to make people wear the glove in this testing process?” Jay interrupted.
487“Of course not, this testing will be perfectly ethical, no loss of life whatsoever.”
488“I suppose we must trust Mrs Porter with the glove,” Divine shrugged.
489“Fine,” the colonel grumbled “Just don’t come crying to me when the plan blows up in your face.”
490“I wasn’t considering that as an option anyway.”
491“Now,” Adam began trying to defuse the situation “The next problem arrives with what is to be done with the vials of DOOM and OBLIVION.”
492“Same as usual I’d suggest,” Divine replied “One held in S.T.A.R.T and one held in MI6 headquarters under the supervision of me and the colonel.”
493“Very well,” Adam commented.
494“This may be an unpopular opinion but I’m aware of what DO can do; why are we keeping it in this country?” asked Kokoshi.
495“What’s DO?” Magenta quivered.
496“It’s an incurable deadly substance created when DOOM and OBLIVION are combined,” Jay explained.
497“Oh.”
498“Exactly,” Kokoshi grumbled and pointed one hand to Jay.
499“It’s because, Mr. Kokoshi, a third substance called HOPE, admittedly undiscovered at the moment, turns DO into DOH, a substance that can cure any disease,” Adam informed.
500“That’s all very well and good but I don’t believe the risk outweighs the reward.”
501“Well the rest of us think it does,” Adam proceeded to snarl. Kokoshi rose from his seat sizing up Adam. Unfortunately for him Adam was a lot taller than expected. The full height of Kokoshi barely surpassed Adam’s chin. Adam smirked at Kokoshi as he stood still after rising from his seat. He was frozen to the spot realising the incredible size of the agent “Just try it, mate.”
502“Adam Michaels, enough,” Divine warned. Adam doomed down upon Kokoshi.
503“Fine, Divine, it’s just I don’t appreciate lowlifes trying to tell us how we should be doing things.” With that Adam stormed off into the elevator. 
504“And with that I think I shall go too,” Magenta mumbled. She kissed the colonel on the forehead before saying “goodbye father.” That left Jay, Divine, Colonel Harrison, Sarah Porter and Stephen Kokoshi at the table. Kokoshi returned to his seat.
505“I understand the feeling of scepticism you may have Mr. Kokoshi but I assure you we have always, and will even more so now, have high protection over the vials at every given moment,” Divine reassured. 
506“As long as I have my glove I’m fine,” Sarah snarled and left the room without saying goodbye.
507“What’s wrong with her?” Kokoshi whispered as she stomped into the elevator and then descended.
508“Her husband fell into a coma last week, he was a diabetic and his blood glucose levels became very low,” Divine sighed “She really hasn’t been the same since.”
509“No, she hasn’t, you are correct Divine, you can hardly have a conversation with her anymore,” the colonel agreed.
510“Well, I think with that revelation I shall go,” Kokoshi nodded and waltzed off. 
511“Jay, can you give the colonel and me a moment to ourselves?” Divine pleaded.
512“Of course, I was about to go anyway.” Jay walked off after Kokoshi who was waiting in the elevator for him.
513“Well,” Kokoshi coughed “That could’ve gone better.”
514“You’re telling me,” Jay laughed “Surprise nobody ended up killing themselves.” 
515“Jay, are you still free for having lunch today?” Jay checked his phone immediately after the question; no text from Shamus yet, maybe he did have the time to spare?
516“Of course,” Jay nodded. That put the needed smile to Kokoshi’s face. 
517
518Isaac fell onto his bed. His mother and father were out of the house doing God knows what. They could’ve been doing drugs, prostitution or a mixture of the two. They both did extremely risky jobs for the sake of supporting the family. Times had never been rough beforehand though Isaac used to live a good life; some may even say a privileged one, however with the essential “death of Jay.” They had never recovered after the funeral losing both of their jobs and falling into a pit of debt that only know they were trying to get out of. They were both sex workers and spent barely time at the house supporting their remaining child, Isaac. Isaac often wouldn’t have spent time alone at the house, he would’ve taken a walk, but the stacks of daunting homework had forced him inside of the house. He was previously a good child in fact one of the best since he was the head boy of the school. However when summer had finished and the new school year had begun he had changed dramatically, bullying those for the pleasure or for the money, he even insulted teachers directly at their face knowing they were terrified of him. Everyone was terrified of him. They had considered him as a ticking time bomb and would eventually explode. Isaac turned to his left; he hadn’t the strength mustered up to do homework, although nowadays he never really did.  Laid on his cabinet were the unopened bills and debts that hadn’t been payed. He placed his head into his hands with elbows that rested on his knees with his body rested on the bed. His bedroom door suddenly was bashed forward and swung around smacking against the wall. The creature approached from the corridor and stumbled into the bedroom. It was Isknail. It was Isaac’s brother, well technically, although the entirety of Isaac’s family and even himself considered Jay to be dead. It was a ginormous beast of a monster with purple and glowing amethyst rocks spiking out from all directions of its body. It walked while swinging its arms that were the size of tree trunks. Its body was made of obsidian and its eyes were glowing with purple neon. Isaac although being extremely tall as an adult he was no height in comparison to the 9ft Isknail which towered over the 6.5ft height of Isaac. The house could hardly contain Isknail, in rooms like the bedroom its amethyst shards cut into the roof weaving sore marks into the roof that the pointed rocks rubbed against. It grunted relentlessly like a tired bulldog. Isaac watched the behemoth stumble into the room, it span around staring blankly at the walls. It continued this cycle, which Isaac watched for a minute. With his head buried into his hands and eyes staring against the ground which was painted with debris that fell from the roof he spoke.
519“Maybe you think I like this.” The monster paused momentarily as if acknowledging his words but continued stumbling around the room. Isaac snarled and rose to his feet confronting the monster “Hey, tin can? Are you listening?” Isknail didn’t react; instead it stared into the wall. Isaac with a sudden scream kicked Isknail’s leg and forced it to the ground. Isaac then proceeded to kick the monster several times as the beast was grounded. He kicked and kicked again as hard as he could while fighting back the tears that welled in his eyes. His adrenaline cancelled out the pain that came from each kick against the obsidian. Isknail lay on the ground having no reaction to the onslaught of kicks. All that could be heard from the household afterwards was:
520“I want my brother back, you hear me, and I want him back!”
521
522 It was about four in the afternoon. Both Kokoshi and Jay were sitting in booths of Tommy’s diner, one which many friends from Jay’s school worked part time at.
523“So tell me,” Kokoshi smiled “How do your gloves work?”
524“Oh, I could write a book about elemental gloves,” Jay laughed “But what do you want me specifically to talk about?”
525“Anything,” Kokoshi answered “I’m completely clueless about the gloves but am fascinated by them.”
526 “Well the designer of the gloves first and foremost was Felix Giovanni, an employee at S.T.A.R.T he was off his medication and so essentially became a ruthless megalomaniac or so it’s been said.”
527“Interesting,” Kokoshi commented. 
528“The problem is very few people actually survived when tested on with the gloves. The power was too much and so the participants became locked into the creatures being unable to control them, dozens are probably stumbling around mindless around sparsely located areas.”
529“Are they a threat to humanity?” asked Kokoshi. He jabbed his fork into the spaghetti and watched intently as Jay began his response. 
530“No, although they have been kept to themselves, people are too nervous to attack them in fear they’ll be attacked. Even the military stay clear. Every glove has a damage threshold; even mine that dies out after damage is taken. After twenty four hours the energy is restored and I can use it again although we’re not sure if there even is a damage threshold for people locked into their elemental monsters.”
531“And what about the likes of Nicholas Smith who have control over their powers?”
532“They’re the exact same except the likes of Nicholas use their powers for evil. Honestly Kokoshi, it seems like half the time I’m the only one doing good with their elemental glove powers.”
533“Well thank goodness you are on our side, the right side,” Kokoshi gleamed “We would stand no chance whatsoever if we didn’t have you.” Jay picked up his drink.
534“Cheers to that.” They both cheers and downed their drinks. 
535“So, do you go here often, you picked it so I guess you must?”
536“Yeah, the man that set this up Tommy is the uncle to a good friend of mine, Shamus, but three years from now he left supervising this diner and instead made a shooting ranch.” Jay turned his head to the several booths ahead of him, two booths down and slightly to the left was a boy Justin working as a rookie waiter, following behind one of the more older waiters. Justin was a hard working boy the same age as Jay who practically had to fight tooth and limb for the job, or so Jay was told. 
537“That’s fascinating Jay,” Kokoshi responded with genuine interest. He checked his phone “Anyways, I better get going, I completely forgot my girlfriend and I was going out for drinks this evening.” He tossed the full payment of money onto the table.
538“Kokoshi, it’s fine, we can split the money,” Jay offered.
539“No, it’s all good,” Kokoshi grinned and leaped out from the seat on the booth. Jay gave off a smile.
540“You’re a good guy Kokoshi.”
541“Am I good guy or just a guy doing a half decent thing?” Kokoshi grinned then left the diner. Jay stamped his fork into the final remains of the fish and devoured it. Buzzing from his pocket was his phone which Jay immediately picked up. 
542“Hey there Jay, it’s Shamus, you still free for today?” 
543“Yeah,” Jay replied “No crime to fight for once, and yourself?”
544“Yeah,” Shamus responded “Anyway, see you when I see you.”
545“See you,” Jay nodded. The call between the two of them ended leaving Jay with another responsibility for the day. Admittedly however he wasn’t the best with guns, he hadn’t fired one for months, but still it was a chance for him and Shamus to make up and because of that reason he accepted. Standing by the bar however were both Justin and Kim, Kim being another friend of Jay who was the same age. She was one of the very few friends Rachel had before meeting Jay and becoming involved in his friendship group. 
546“Yo, Jay,” Justin called and waved him other.
547“Come over and have a chat with us Jay,” Kim tempted. 
548“I can’t I’m away seeing someone,” Jay replied with disappointment.
549“Seeing Rachel?” Kim teased.
550“No,” Jay blushed “I’m seeing Shamus.”
551“Oh right,” Justin nodded “Well have fun with that.”
552“Thanks you two,” Jay replied and shouldered open the door. Stopping by the bus stop outside the diner and reading the timetable Jay realised it would take minutes for it to stop off and so instead of showering everyone with water Jay instead decided to take the more ordinary choice and took the bus to the ranch.
553
554  “Where is he?” Shamus snarled. He glared through the scope of the hunting rifle he held and fired at the oil barrel and knocking the tin can off first try that lay above it. However that was only fifteen feet, the next would be twenty. He pressed with his weight against the wooden banister and fired. The bullet clipped the tin can from twenty metres away but did not knock it off.
555“Damnit,” Shamus yelled and reloaded his rifle. His fingers were frozen; he could hardly feel anything with them. He again lent down on the banister ignoring the wildlife such as birds that could faintly be heard in the distance. He locked onto the tin can through his scope and finger on the trigger ready to fire when out of the corner of his eye he saw something. It was casually flung over the banister a foot away from him half-assed, whoever had discarded it mustn’t have realised its value, at least the value Shamus saw in it. He picked it up by the fingertips and held it in his hand. It was a glove a dusty, worn, green gardener’s glove. It was the perfect size for his hand. His breathes that were irregularly given off exhaled clouds of condensation into the environment. A red squirrel scurried by the oil barrels, its tiny feet pattering against the snow with every tap of contact. Shamus flipped the glove, his eyes widened, his breathing stopped for half a minute as he ran his fingers down the palm of it. Who knew something so simple to someone could be so valuable to other? Shamus’ heart began pumping, he could feel the blood surge through his body, and he could hear his heart beat increase. Giving off quick breathes and licking his canine teeth Shamus finally slotted the glove onto the left hand. Nothing happened. Not one thing happened. The fabric of the glove was rough and extremely uncomfortable but then again there was something so comforting about wearing it and protecting each and every digit of his finger even if the final product that he wanted hadn’t happened. For the first time in a few minutes he purposely took a normal breath. 
556“Hey Shamus,” Jay greeted several feet behind him. Shamus reflexively hid his hands behind his back. His hand still trapped in one of the garden gloves. 
557“Hey buddy,” Shamus greeted half-sadistically. His eyes were wide open with the brightness of a flare. He shivered anxiously as Jay approached; his inhales and exhales were so large that you could see the diaphragm of his body moving up and down.
558“Is everything okay Shamus?” Jay inquired. He cautiously approached Shamus who was giggling and muttering to himself. 
559“Of course,” Shamus deflected. He snatched the hunting rifle that lay against the wooden banister and shoved it against Jay’s chest “You can begin with the cans five and ten feet away, then try twenty.” Jay respected the new found enthusiasm Shamus had obtained. Shamus smacked him across the back with his palm launching him into the wooden banister.
560“Okay,” Jay nervously laughed. He placed the gun against the banister and looked through the scope “It’s been a little while since I’ve held one of these.”
561“Just quit talking and shoot the cans,” Shamus ordered. Jay nodded, looked through the scope once more and fired a bullet which whizzed past the can. It was too far left. 
562“That was my trail shot,” Jay clarified. Shamus rolled his eyes.
563“Just aim further for the right.” Jay titled the barrel of the gun to aim further to the right. The main ranch was half filled with people however this area was restricted to Shamus, one only he, friends and family could use. It was a small designated area outside Tommy’s Cabin. Jay took a deep breath and then pulled the trigger however in complete contradiction to last time the bullet landed far too right. Shamus sighed and then proceeded to elbow Jay’s shoulder. Shamus snatched back the rifle and singlehandedly, without looking through the scope, fired two bullets knocking over the two cans five and ten feet away respectively. Shamus glanced through the scope before firing and shot the tin can off the oil barrel. It catapulted onto the ground below. 
564“Wow, very impressive Shamus,” Jay complimented. He hoped that through the compliment Shamus would stop acting so strangely towards him. Shamus reloaded the hunting rifle.
565“That’s nothing,” Shamus bluntly refuted. The squirrel previously scurrying across the ground climbed on top of one of the oil barrels “Watch this if you want to see something impressive.” He aimed the rifle at the squirrel.
566“Shamus, wait,” Jay pleaded while keeping his distance. Shamus ignored him and pulled the trigger blowing the squirrel’s brains out. Its corpse was fired off the oil barrel and collapsed to the ground. Shamus grinned and let off a loud victory scream as if celebrating the death of the squirrel. The squirrel lay headless on the ground, the remainder of the body bathed in fresh scarlet blood.
567“Okay,” Shamus laughed “That, right there, was awesome.” Jay felt uncomfortable. Shamus took no notice and instead continued in his victory screams and laughs. 
568“Shamus, I didn’t like that,” Jay protested quietly. Shamus stopped dead on the spot, his face dropped and the gun was held loosely in his hand.
569“You need to grow up Jay,” Shamus warned. He stared at the dead squirrel.
570“If growing up involves killing innocent creatures then I’d rather remain a child,” Jay argued. Shamus snarled and smashed the rifle against the wooden banister, a piece of wood chipped off the banister and was launched onto the floor of the decking. 
571“I’m not allowed to do anything slightly inappropriate around you nowadays, am I Jay? What happened? Did MI6 really change you that much?”
572“I’m not having this conversation,” Jay grumbled and collected his things; he turned his back to Shamus and walked off.
573“But of course Jay, walk off,” Shamus sniggered. He clutched his rifle more firmly now. Jay stopped walking to listen to his words, nodded his head and then walked off again with increasing pace. Shamus watched in silence as he disappeared from view, leaving him and walking into the dark abyss.
574
575  “I mean, for you to capture one of the biggest criminals known to England,” Rachel persuaded.
576“It was nothing,” Jay silenced trying to defuse and then proceed to change the conversation. The two walked across the pavement leading directly to school. It had been an arrangement now for the past couple of months school had started in which Rachel would wait at the beginning of the path for Jay to arrive (because Jay lived further away) and the two would walk into school together. 
577“Jay, don’t act like it was nothing please,” Rachel insisted “For once actually say I did a courageous thing and I’m proud of it.”
578“Fine,” Jay scowled. He saw Rachel’s gleaming face and was forced to smile himself though “I did a courageous thing and I’m proud of it, there, happy now?”
579“Yes.”
580“Can we now talk about something else?”
581“Sure, how’s MI6?”
582“No, you asked a question about me last time, so now to you, how is the horse riding?”
583“Well,” Rachel began with a laugh “One of the horses, a one I’m less experienced with essentially threw me off his back and knocking me to the ground.”
584“Ouch,” Jay commented.
585“Yeah, I bruised my thigh,” Rachel added. She placed a hand on her thigh. Jay seemed slightly unentertained by the conversation and began staring into the distance “Want to have a look at it?”
586“No, I’m good thank you,” Jay laughed.
587“Thank goodness you said no, it would be a bit awkward to do it in public, you know, like taking off-”
588“-I get it Rachel, thanks.” She laughed and gazed carefully into his eyes.
589“Would you like to do something after school today?” 
590“Sure,” Jay replied “Want to invite Kim or Samuel to come with us as well?”
591“Jay,” Rachel breathed. She weaved her hand into his “I just want it to be us two at Tommy’s.”
592“Like, a date sort of thing?” 
593“Yes Jay,” Rachel grinned. Jay grinned as well.
594“Sorry, it’s just many things go over my head, I often need things spelt out for me to understand.” Rachel laughed
595“I know Jay; I’ve spent the best part of a year with you and learning that.” They walked through the open gates that lead to the entrance of the school. They did this hand in hand. 
596“So, been in many horse riding competitions recently?” Jay asked.
597“No,” Rachel replied. She combed strands of hair behind her ear “I’ve been so busy with school moreover I haven’t really been enjoying horse riding recently, well, after doing it for ten years you would imagine.”
598“I wonder how long it’ll take before I leave MI6,” Jay muttered.
599“Never, I hope Jay,” Rachel replied. Jay turned open-mouthed to Rachel, surprised she heard what he said. The sweet conversation the two were having was soon to end however as in the playground, off in the distance, one boy had knocked another younger boy to the ground and was standing over him, fists clenched. The boy was called Josh, the same year group as Jay and Rachel; he was the renowned bully of the year if not the entire school. He was a lanky African American with dirty stains dotted on his shirt and trousers. Every day, always before lunch, he had picked a fight on someone and stole money or food from them. 
600“Sorry, but I have to go Rachel and stop Josh, he’s picking on another of the boys in the youngest year group to the college,” Jay apologised. Rachel grasped his neck with her hand and pulled him close; she proceeded to kiss his cheek. She remained close to him pressing her forehead against his freshly kissed cheek.
601“Go be a hero,” she smiled. Jay nodded, let go of her hand and sprinted towards Jake. Rachel stood still and watched her lover running for several seconds. Just watching him running was so relaxing to her, it made her feel safe due to his strength, and she smiled and walked into school. After a few seconds of sprinting Jay overheard the conversation.
602“Leave me alone Josh!” the younger boy pleaded and tried calling away. Josh pulled back his foot and kicked his shoe into the boys stomach and forcing him to the ground. He let out a sharp scream as Josh crouched down beside him, grinning. 
603“I’m not asking for much little guy, just a couple of pounds.” 
604“But I need it,” the boy pleaded “I need it for my own lunch.”
605“Lunch will be the least of your concerns when you’re paralysed from the neck down,” Josh cackled. 
606“Leave him alone Josh,” Jay warned. He leaped over him then grabbed him by the shirt and threw him to ground. They both fell to the ground and rolled, Jay being the first to rise. Josh rose from the ground after him, his cheek scratched as he had collided against the pavement.  
607“Jay Divine,” Josh grimaced. He threw a punch which Jay ducked under. Josh repositioned himself after his failed assault. 
608“Josh,” Jay smirked “I don’t know whether you’re brave or completely stupid to be bullying students in a school that contains an MI6 agent.”
609“A little bit of both I guess,” Josh cackled and threw another punch. Jay leaped over his arm, landed behind him and launched his foot into Josh’s back knocking him to his knees. Josh span with one leg poised, he spun attempting to kick Jay with his leg but Jay avoided it. Josh rose once more to his feet. Jay turned to the young boy again lying in pain on the ground.
610“Scram now little guy,” Jay warned. The young boy nodded and raced off still clutching his stomach.
611“And now what am I going to do?” Josh snarled.
612“Get a job, ask your parents for money, win the lottery,” Jay suggested. Josh pressed one hand against his hip and closed his eyes.
613“You don’t understand Jay,” Josh grinned.
614“What?”
615“Most people, like me, don’t live anything close to your privileged life style.” After his response Josh threw another punch which smashed into the temple of his head and forced him to the ground. Jay covered his face with his arms as Josh mercilessly hit Jay with punch after punch. Jay took another punch then rolled out of the way of the following one, his arm hurt but he continued the fight to end Josh’s reign of bullying. Jay reached into his pocket and slotted on the Aquarius glove allowing him to transform into his elemental monster. Josh wasn’t fazed by Jay’s new transformation and charged after him.  Jay charged his palms and fired torrents of water which knocked Josh to the ground. He moved onto his hands and knees but didn’t get up.
616“Now, Josh, give up?” Jay questioned.
617“It’s sad that you have to use supernatural powers to beat one kid,” Josh laughed. He looked down at his drenched shirt and trousers.
618“It’s sad that you have to use your strength and intimidation to bully those younger than you,” Jay countered.
619“Survival of the fittest and all that,” Josh sniggered. His body shook vigorously as he sniggered as if this conversation was the most hilarious one he had ever been part of.
620“Weirdo,” Jay commented and blasted away through torrents of water stemming from his palms and heels. Josh fell back and lay in a puddle of Aquarius’ water. He continued to laugh as before, hardly able to get the words out.
621“If only you knew Jay, if only you knew.”
622
623 Jay entered the school casually with his schoolbag slung over one shoulder. Him and Kim passed by each other and exchanged hellos before she raced off; she was probably busy. Jay approached one of the abandoned cloakrooms and set his schoolbag down. Unfortunately during this moment one of his gloves, the Aquarius one, fell to the ground. Jay scowled and kneeled to the ground, picked it up and returned it to his pocket. It was five minutes before classes began, he had some time to memorise his timetable for the classes that would continue throughout the day. A warm hand was placed on his shoulder, Jay turned to look at it staring carefully at the finely painted pink nails. He didn’t recognise the hand. He shrugged his shoulder and the hand fell off. He turned around, it was Beth. She placed her pointer finger into her mouth and playfully chewed it. 
624“Beth,” Jay nervously spoke.
625“Jay,” she winked. She drew out his name especially the y. Jay blushed and folded his arms. 
626“How are you?” 
627“I’m good Jay, I’m good,” Beth smiled. She ran her fingers through her hair then flicked it “What about you?”
628“I’m good yeah,” Jay anxiously laughed. Beth countered Jay’s smiler with a wider and toothier smile; her teeth were a perfect glistening white. Another guy, much older than Jay stomped over to Beth, Jay recognised him, he was captain of half of the sports teams in the school, and every girl wanted him.
629“Hey there Beth,” he greeted. He gave a quick look to Jay then turned back to Beth.
630“Go away Jason,” Beth ordered. The boy looked around half-confused half-nervous but eventually gave off a weak nod and marched past the cloakrooms. Beth took a step closer to Jay, still smiling “Don’t mind him. He’s wanted me to date him for the past few months now.”
631“Oh, okay then.”
632“In fact,” Beth continued and took another step forward “There’s only one guy I want to date.”
633“And who might that be?” Jay questioned.
634“Do I really have to spell it out for you?” Beth winked.
635“That would…That would help yes,” Jay mumbled. She took another step forward and held his hand.
636“It’s you,” she grinned. Jay’s mind was frozen; he couldn’t think of anything, it was completely blank. What he was thinking about however was his hand which was sweating most likely through his nervousness of being wanted by such a gorgeous girl. 
637“Thanks, that’s very kind of you,” Jay mechanically responded. He could feel the blood vessels linking into his brain pounding. 
638“Because I admitted I loved you?” Beth laughed “You don’t need to thank me.” She let go of Jay’s hand, at once he could think again and it was only at that moment when he realised how stupid the sentence he had said sounded.
639“Oh, sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” Jay blushed. She placed her hand into his again.
640“Can we meet today? Can we do something just between the two of us at Tommy’s diner maybe? Can we do it today right after school?” she whispered into his ear. Jay could feel her hot breath pressing against his neck. 
641“Of course,” Jay nodded. Beth let go of him and replied with a smile.
642“Thank you Jay, I’ll see you outside the gates today.” She waltzed off. Jay watched her in awe from the cloakroom until she disappeared from view. Coming from the corridor and walking the opposite direction to Beth however was Isaac. He took a cigarette from the packet and stuffed it into his mouth; unknowingly he turned and walked into the cloakroom that Jay was in. He attempted to swear but the cigarette in his mouth forced his speech into mumbles. The two stared at each other and remained still for several moments. Jay cleared his throat then spoke.
643“Hey there Isaac,” he greeted. Isaac fumbled for a lighter in his trouser pockets; he instead decided to chew on the cigarette he had popped into his mouth. He didn’t reply to Jay, in fact he ignored the entirety of his presence “I’m sorry about what happened to your brother Jake, he was a good friend of mine, I haven’t really gotten an opportunity earlier throughout the year to tell you that however.” Isaac ripped the cigarette out of his mouth.
644“My brother is gone and I have a useless monster of rock left to remember him by,” Isaac grumbled.
645“And I’m sorry for that Isaac.”
646“Why couldn’t…” he choked on his words and couldn’t get the sentence out, instead he said a different sentence “Why’d it have to be him?”
647“Because he just wasn’t lucky enough I guess,” Jay responded.
648“No Jay,” Isaac retorted “You don’t get it. You’re not listening to what I’m saying.” He walked off. Jay rubbed his forehead and leaned against the cloakroom stand.
649
650 It was two hours later and Jay was in the canteen. The class he was previously in contained Shamus. They didn’t talk. Jay passed by the cluster of children chatting and moved them out of the way with his yogurt pot grasped in one hand. Sat at one table in the corner of the room and looking at each other’s phones were Justin, Samuel and Caleb. All three of the boys were in the same year as Jay, he hadn’t talked to them recently but was very close to all three of them last year, and hopefully his conversation with them wouldn’t result in a creepy warning or response like with most people in the past few days. Jay sat down beside them.
651“Hey Jay,” Caleb called. Caleb looked very similar to Shamus however a few characteristics were different, for example his dirty blonde hair was far more neatly arranged and he was clean shaven. His face was a baby’s face complimented with innocent olive eyes. He was slightly smaller than Shamus both vertically and horizontally. Samuel pulled away from looking at Justin’s phone to see Jay.
652“Oh hey there Jay, I didn’t see you there,” the commented. Samuel was Jay’s best friend last year and was still a good friend of his this year despite their lack of communication. Samuel was an easy to like guy, he had a good heart as was sweet, his golden hair matched well with his baby blue eyes. He was involved in pretty much every club running and always got tests back with no less than an A marked on them. 
653“Hey guys,” Jay replied back “What are you three doing?”
654“Talking through optical illusions,” Justin replied “Sometimes something bad in the moment may later be something that was actually good. Maybe something someone sees is different to what someone else might see.”
655“Deep,” Jay laughed.
656“That’s the topic for this week and the week before and the week before that,” Caleb replied.
657“We’re all very deep individuals,” Samuel replied truthfully. 
658“That’s fair,” Jay responded “It’s too much effort for me to be deep. It’s too exhausting.”
659“Understandable, but for me personally it’s in my nature.”
660“Yeah,” Jay nodded. The conversation was growing stale “I better be going now. I’ll talk to you three later.”
661“Bye Jay,” one after another they announced. Jay grasped the head rest of the seat and flipped over it and onto the floor of the canteen. He tossed his yogurt pot into the bin and raced to the door of the canteen. Thoughts swirled through his head about the conversation of Isaac and his date with Beth. His thoughts were quickly cut off by Shamus who met him at the other end of the doorway. 
662“Oh, you,” Shamus snarled.
663“I have a name, buddy,” Jay retaliated.
664“I do to.”
665“Why are you being so weird with me?” Jay inquired.
666“I could ask you the exact same thing, in fact, I did, last night and you didn’t give me a reply.”
667“I think you’re going down a path in life,” Jay breathed “A path I don’t want you to go down, because it’s a path of evil and destruction.”
668“Maybe to you it’s an evil path. To me it’s a great path, a path where I get to be the captain of my ship,” Shamus responded “Maybe look at reality from more than your clouded goody-two shoes interpretation of it.” He struck Jay with his shoulder and continued onward. 
669
670 The final class of school had ended. Jay left the maths classroom alongside Caleb.
671“Was that tough or was that tough?” Caleb laughed.
672“It was tough,” Jay concluded “I couldn’t have imagined how equations of motions could’ve got harder but it did.”
673“That’s school for you, brain-busting and heart breaking.”
674“Oh Caleb that was good,” Jay nodded in appreciation “Have you ever considered becoming a poet?”
675“You know I’m into technology and computers,” Caleb replied “I’ve already read and completed this years and next year’s work.”
676“Well feel free to come for an interview at MI6, we could really use with a new IT technician.”
677“I’ll consider it,” Caleb laughed “It’s still crazy to believe you’re literally a member of MI6.”
678“I can’t either,” Jay agreed.
679“I mean, you captured Nicholas Smith, The Falcon, on Saturday, that’s insane.” Jay looked down the corridor and found Beth who was waiting a metre away for him. She gave him a wave.
680“Yeah, it really is,” Jay responded “Anyways, I better get going, talk to you later.”
681“Yeah, see you,” Caleb grinned and walked off passing Beth however he turned and watched Jay as he approached Beth and began talking to her. 
682“Hey handsome,” she winked. 
683“Hello Beth,” Jay greeted formally. Beth slotted her hands into his.
684“Are you ready to get going?”
685“Of course,” Jay nodded. Hand in hand they walked out of the school however it was to be noted that both Caleb and Shamus side by side watched them.
686
687 Jay pressed the door handle opening the door open for Beth. She stood still in front of the diner.
688“You first,” Jay informed.
689“No Jay, you first,” Beth grinned.
690“No, I insist.”
691“Jay…” Beth retorted. A gruff, bearded man in his sixties with a newspaper approached and overheard the conversation.
692“Well, I’m going on if you both aren’t,” he cackled and passed by Beth to the open door. He passed on through.
693“Guess that’s the problem solved for us,” Jay laughed. Beth placed a hand over her mouth hiding her giggles.
694“I suppose so,” she answered and walked on ahead. Jay caught the scent of her perfume as she passed by and dreamily followed. 
695“Does this booth work?” Jay asked and pointed towards the booth closest to the door.
696“Certainly,” Beth yipped. She sat on one end of the booth and table whereas Jay sat on the other. 
697“So tell me,” Jay began. Beth watched him confidently “Why did you decide to date me instead of other guys?” Beth blushed and fluttered her eyelashes.
698“Do you want me to give you the fake answer that sounds cool or the truth that’ll probably make you cringe?” Jay, for the first time during their relationship placed his hand on hers and held it. Beth was nervous for a second but took a deep breath, puffing out her chest and then smiled. 
699“Of course I want the truth,” Jay responded. He was entranced by her eyes. 
700“Very well,” she nodded in complete agreement “The truth is Jay, I think you and I would make a cute couple. I think metaphorically and literally we’d make a power couple. You and I, Jay, we could change the world.”
701“And how long have you been thinking these thoughts over for?” Jay asked. His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket. Beth watched awkwardly as under the table he pulled it out from his pocket. Crap, it was Rachel! Of course! He only remembered now he and Rachel had also arranged a date that would take place at Tommy’s, God, she was probably wondering where he was. They were to meet each other beforehand, what had he done?
702“Who’s that?” Beth asked. She peered over the table. Jay’s sweat stained hands shook, he was in an impossible situation. He didn’t know what to do. Finally after shaking his head he declined the call from Rachel and shoved his phone back into his pocket. 
703“Sorry, it was one of those nuisance calls,” Jay lied. 
704“Ah okay then,” Beth grinned.
705“Anyway, how long have you been thinking those thoughts over for?” 
706“About a month,” Beth nodded. For the first time now they both consensually held each other’s hands. Beth’s eyes flickered with a neon glow. Jay too could feel his pupils burning for a fragment of a second before it ended. It was most likely a car passing by or changes in the lighting in the diner that caused this affect.
707“How’s your father doing?” Jay asked, he tried to change the conversation.
708“I just want to spend this time talking about us today Jay,” Beth smiled. She gripped his hand firmly. 
709“Okay, of course,” Jay nodded. From behind him the door opened which knocked against the bell. Jay turned around, open-mouthed, he stared at Rachel who had just entered and was staring at him and Beth who were both holding hands. Her eyes began to well up. Tears rolled down her face. She was completely and unbelievably disgusted in him.
710“Wait Rachel,” Jay begged. Rachel turned around and slammed the door behind her. She wasn’t wasting any of her time talking to him. Jay scowled and pressed the palm of his hand into his forehead.
711“If it makes you feel any better I did the exact same thing to Jason today,” Beth sympathised with him. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. 
712“I just feel like a prick,” Jay groaned.
713“Well, you technically are,” Beth laughed. She stopped immediately when Jay raised his head to glare at her “We’re both making sacrifices to be together Jay. Some people just aren’t going to like it and need to suck it up.”
714“This just isn’t me,” Jay explained. Beth ran her fingers down the palm of Jay’s hand. Her fingernails playfully rubbed against the straight ridges embedded into his palm.
715“Maybe it should be you,” Beth countered. Once again Jay’s mind froze; the best way to describe it was that his mind had crashed into a brick wall. He literally couldn’t think of anything, maybe it was because of Beth and how attractive she was or maybe it was because of the stress of the day, he didn’t know anymore. 
716“Maybe,” Jay muttered. He looked outside, it was dark, and he hadn’t even told his mother he was out with Beth. She would be wondering where he is “I think I’m going to get going now.”
717“Jay, we haven’t even had anything to eat yet,” Beth laughed.
718“I need to clear my head,” Jay breathed “I’m sorry but the past few days have been busy for me.”
719“They’ve been busy for me to,” Beth begged and moved her hand past Jay’s hand and onto his wrist.
720“I just need to get some rest Beth,” he attempted to tug off her hand that gripped tightly around his wrist.
721“At least kiss me before you leave,” she begged. Jay finally ripped her hand off his.
722“Maybe another time Beth,” Jay quivered “Or…I don’t even know.” He got up and left leaving Beth to deal with the waiter who had just arrived at the booth.
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733Chapter 3-Jailbird
734Jay woke up the next morning pinned down by a wooden chair; rope was tightly wrapped around his wrists and ankles. 
735“Hello?” Jay called. The room was dark and only about two metres by two metres. There was nothing but pitch black that resided in the room with him. Only a door at the end of room could be seen. 
736“Hello?” Jay called again. The door opened, a candle lit hallway could be seen, approaching from the hallway and the man who opened the door was the man himself Felix Giovanni. He held a candle in his hand. His face like usual was wrinkled and pale. It was the exact same it had been since the several months ago Jay had encountered him.
737“Hello, Jay Divine,” Felix grinned. He remained by the open door and walked no further.
738“Felix? Felix Giovanni?” Jay panted “What are you…What are you doing?”
739“What do you mean?” Felix replied, still grinning. Jay could now see his teeth uncovered as he smiled, they were yellow and brown stained, several of them were chipped. 
740“You’re supposed to be dead!” Jay screeched. Felix peered through his glasses, they glistened in the candlelight. He pulled a knife from his pocket, a rusted kitchen knife.
741“What?” Felix laughed “Like this?” he stabbed the knife into his kidney and fell to his knees. Jay recoiled in horror screaming insentiently. He pulled against the ropes which unfortunately tugged him back down onto the arms of the wooden chair. Felix calmly pulled the bloody knife out from his kidney and looked up at Jay.
742“Stop,” Jay pleaded. He winced as Felix rose to his feet; blood dripped from his shirt and stained his trousers. He stumbled over to Jay trying to steady his knife to stab his skull.
743“I’m so disappointed in you,” he grimaced. 
744“Why are you disappointed in me?” Jay pleaded. The knife was pressed against Jay’s forehead, the initial press puncturing the skin and causing it to bleed. Felix’s eyes glowed neon pink, the pink continued to grow brighter and brighter until his both his eyeballs were pink neon lights that blinded Jay. 
745“Just accept the offer, if you’re made it next time, just accept it,” he croaked. Jay attempted to break free but failed. Felix cocked back and stabbed the knife into Jay’s skull. It was at this moment Jay woke up from his nightmare and launched himself out of his bed and onto the floor reflectively to the terrifying scene. Sweat lashed from Jay’s forehead as he fumbled across on the floor. 
746“It was just a nightmare,” he muttered to himself. He took in a deep breath and exhaled it “It was just a nightmare, Jay.”
747
748 Somewhat Jay regretted he ever had waked himself up from that nightmare, sure it was horrifying but it wasn’t reality, at least now he had to fear real people who his actions affected. Already it had seemed his actions weren’t good, people disliked him, as shown even in the morning when Rachel was not present by the path him and her always used to walk down to school. 
749“What have I done?” Jay breathed. He dug his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and continued walking down the path to the school. 
750
751 Neither Isaac nor Josh was present at school that day. Jay shouldered open the door to the school and awkwardly met face to face with Rachel who was passing by. 
752“Hey Rach-” Rachel walked past him ignoring what he was saying. Jay scowled, not at the fact she ignored him but at the fact he ever let a scenario like this happen, the easiest option was meeting up yesterday with Rachel and telling Beth no, she would’ve understood surely. Kim stomped towards Jay from the other end of the corridor, Jay could tell this would be bad news but attempted to tackle the situation with an optimistic approach, maybe it wasn’t as bad as he imagined?
753“Jay, what the hell are you playing at?” Kim screeched. She pressed her hands against her thighs. It was official now to Jay that he was in trouble, big trouble. Kim was after all Rachel’s best friend.
754“I assume is about the date incident problem yesterday, isn’t it?”
755“You assumed correctly,” Kim snarled. 
756“Look, I’m sorry Kim, I just caught up in the moment,” Jay tried his best to explain.
757“You shouldn’t be apologising to me, you should be apologising to that poor girl that didn’t get any sleep last night because she too busy crying about how the guy she loved went behind her back.” Jay held his head in his hands. 
758“Yeah, okay, thanks Kim,” Jay replied with a quick smile. Kim gripped his collar tightly. 
759“I don’t think how much Rachel liked you. She has been planning that invitation for nine months now, and every day for those nine months she would talk about you, she would even tell me what you two would be like when you’re older, what pets you’d have,” Kim yanked Jay closer to her until their faces were pressing against each other “Do you think because you’re superhuman you can treat people as if they’re dirt or as if they’re indispensable?” 
760“Of course not,” Jay refuted. Kim moved him an inch away from him allowing him space to breathe.
761“I get it if you don’t like her back but you should’ve had at least the common decency to tell her that or to tell her at the very least told her you were instead going out with Beth so she wasn’t waiting outside the school until closing hours for you.”
762“I agree.” Jay nodded. Kim glared at him.
763“Then apologise to her,” Kim ordered “If she doesn’t accept then serves you right, if she accepts then you better make it up to her.” She shoved him away and then stomped off. Jay tugged at his blazer attempting to reposition it. 
764“That’s me told,” he coughed then proceeded to leave the school and entered the playground which is where Rachel had last been seen walking to. He pushed open the door allowing him and two young girls to leave the building. The two girls raced off into the distance however in front of him and leaning against a steel railing that led to the canteen was Rachel. He was snivelling and crying into a handkerchief. Beside her with his hand on her shoulder was Shamus who was consoling her. He looked carefully at her while offering words of sympathy and optimism. Shamus however turned his face upwards and spotted Jay walking towards them too.
765“Stay here,” Shamus smirked, rubbed the back of her head and then met Jay halfway. Rachel looked up to see where he was walking off too but after seeing he was approaching Jay she immediately buried her head into the handkerchief again. 
766“I guess my name’s been written in the bad books huh?” Jay asked. He folded his arms.
767“Dude, if we’re going through with this analogy she hates you so much she hasn’t even bothered to write your name into the bad books she doesn’t want to spend that much effort, it’s super bad.”
768“What all did you two talk about?” 
769“Just about the whole cheating thing yesterday,” Shamus replied “I tried justifying your side but, God; it was hard justifying what you did. It’s hard justifying most things you do anymore.”
770“I mean, I captured Falcon,” Jay countered.
771“History has shown time again an upheaval of crime can result in periods of supreme and deadly violence, locking up Falcon may result in stronger criminals creating crime,” Shamus growled “I’m just warning you, friend to friend.” 
772“And if that happens I’ll be there to stop them,” Jay nodded confidentially “Anyways, back to Rachel.”
773“I sweetened her up for you, I gave you a bit of an opening, and this will be the best chance you’ll probably get this week to get her back on your side.”
774“Thank you so much Shamus,” Jay grinned “I really…I really don’t deserve a friend like you.”
775“You don’t deserve most of your friends Jay,” Shamus snorted. He turned to Rachel immediately after stating his sentence. He then friendly shouldered Jay’s shoulder and gave him a wink “Go get her tiger.” He walked off leaving Jay and Rachel alone in the playground. The bell rang for the classes to begin but the two remained still. Only screams from the children running in from outside cut through the silence. Jay approached her casually.
776“Hey there,” he greeted as he normally did to her. However she did not respond, she gave him a quick glance though with her tear painted eyes, however apart from that she gave no reaction. He attempted to place his hand on her shoulder but it was shaken off reflexively. 
777“Look, Rachel, I came here to apologise,” Jay spoke. Rachel pulled the handkerchief down from in front of her eyes. They were red and watery, underneath her eyes were black bags. Her face was pale and her cheeks were enflamed however she still looked extremely attractive, at least to Jay. She sniffed.
778“Go on, apologise.” Jay nodded and spent a second to collect his thoughts, he had to think through every word carefully, and otherwise he would definitely have no chance of dating or even being friends with her. 
779“I’m extremely sorry I left you out in the lurch like that yesterday it was it was unjustifiable what I did. I should’ve never accepted Beth’s offer.”
780“It wasn’t that necessarily,” Rachel coughed “It wasn’t that you were with Beth but it was because you ignored my call and couldn’t even tell me after Beth had asked you that you would rather go with her.”
781“I don’t know what came over me,” Jay explained “I really wanted to go out with you yesterday, it was just…I don’t know.” Rachel stared at him. 
782“If you were to ask me it seems like a scenario where you say yes to be but can’t say no to Beth.” Jay again tried to place his hand on Rachel’s shoulder and succeeded this time, she gave off a quick smile as his palm touched her blazer. 
783“It’s something like that I guess,” Jay agreed “But, I want you, I really do, It’s just I get caught up in the moment with Beth I guess.”
784“Well until you pick me or her I can’t make any more plans for meeting up with you Jay,” she replied and brushed his hand off her shoulder. With one final sniff it had seemed for the most part she had escaped her sad mood and instead had transformed it into one of courage. Her eyes were normal now and her face looked healthier. She looked at him with pleading eyes with her final conclusion “I can’t have my heart broken again Jay.”
785“I understand completely,” Jay responded. Rachel gently pushed him away then began walking over to the school.
786“I need to get to my first class,” Rachel explained. She continued walking.
787“Rachel wait,” Rachel stopped and turned around to him. He looked at her with genuine concern “Are we still friends?”
788“I don’t know,” Rachel replied truthfully and shrugged “I’ll have to think it over.” She held her hand up to give off a wave and walked off to the school. Jay’s earpiece began to buzz as he watched the girl that could’ve been more than a friend to him closing the school door behind her, she did give him a quick glance from inside the school, peering through the glass door but inevitably walked on ahead. Jay answered his earpiece.
789“Jay, this is Divine.” Jay rolled his eyes, those four words was not something he wanted to hear when he was busy with a best friend that hated him and a girl he had pretty much messed his chances up with, there was also the issue of apologising to Beth after leaving the date extremely early. 
790“Hello, Divine, how can I help you?” Jay answered. He ran his fingers across the cold steel railing. The canteen was unlit with nobody in it whatsoever; the seats were all placed on top of the round wooden tables that were painted on the top with blue. 
791“Jay we have breaking news from the police that Falcon, sorry, Nicholas Smith has escaped.” 
792“Are you kidding me?” Jay snarled. 
793“Wait, because it gets better,” Divine reassured sarcastically. The colonel and Adam could be heard chatting in the background of the call. Jay made an expression of his face he couldn’t replicate if he tried, it was as if he had tried crumpling it, his lips were pouted, his cheeks were inflated and his eyes were forced shut. How on earth did the police let Falcon escape?
794“Go on,” Jay insisted.
795“One of the police officers with the keys to his cell just opened his cell for him and let him out. This police officer is now dead, he had a knife stabbed into his heart, it’s predicted he committed suicide.” Jay paced back and force outside the school pressing his finger against his ear, to the outsider it would appear strange as to what Jay was doing. 
796“Maybe someone broke into the police station?” 
797“That’s what we initially thought, but the police officer would’ve at least fought with the person that assaulted him if attacking him with a knife. There are no signs of a struggle on the body.”
798“What about CCTV?”
799“We’re reviewing it now. We haven’t got any idea of a time scale so we have to watch the hours of film back.”
800“Great,” Jay seethed.
801“Adam and several designated MI6 agents are with the colonel and me, we’re safe at the MI6 headquarters. Any building were the Falcon could snipe us from is being scouted as well.”
802“And what about Sarah Porter, is she safe?”
803“Yes, we have half a dozen agents guarding the S.T.A.R.T building with their lives.”
804“So, do you any ideas where Falcon went? Do you have his last whereabouts?”
805“Only the police station,” Divine explained “The reason why I’m calling is because I’d really appreciate if you could call by the MI6 headquarters for a quick chat with me, Adam and Colonel Harrison.”
806“Of course,” Jay responded “I’ll call by in half an hour.” He hung up and pulled a glove from his pocket, ready to slot it on.
807“Leaving school for an MI6 mission again?” Beth queered. She approached from behind the canteen. Somehow she was more gorgeous looking than the day previously. Jay, for the first few seconds, was immobilised by her beauty. 
808“So it seems,” Jay answered bravely “Although, let me tell you, my dad now has about twenty notes to write explaining each day and my absences from school.” Beth giggled.
809“I like spending time with you Jay. Can they not survive one day without you and let us have some more time together?” Beth teased. Jay although tempted weighed up the pros and cons in his might and rejected the idea.
810“I’m sorry, not now, maybe another time,” Jay apologised and slotted on his glove. He transformed into Aquarius.
811“Let me hold your hand babe, it might make you reconsider.” Jay shook his head and leapt over Beth as she attempted to grab his hand “Okay then, how about we meet this evening? You can stay over at mine.”
812“I’ll have to see,” Jay said “If I’m not busy crime fighting maybe.” He projected himself into the air with a blast of water and launched into the skies. 
813
814 Jay dropped from the skies, landing with a roll and arrived on the pavement of the town of London. He turned to the first person he spotted, an old bearded man who had witnessed his descent.
815“Excuse me sir,” Jay began, still wearing the Aquarius suit “May I ask what is the time?”
816“Like, just after nine little weirdo,” the man snorted and walked on by. 
817“Fifteen minutes to spare then,” Jay laughed. He looked at the bakery in front of him and rubbed his hands whilst laughing once more “Oh boy, I could use with an energy boost.” He raced into the bakery and was greeted by an old lady at the counter. 
818“Hello Jay Divine,” the lady beamed “How can I help our local hero today?”
819“You can help him out by getting me a free strawberry tart?” Jay winked.  The woman rolled her eyes but accepted his offer; she picked up the strawberry tart by the tongs and placed it into a paper bag for him.
820“Careful you don’t eat too much of those young man, we need to keep you fit and healthy,” she urged and then placed the paper bag on the table.
821“I know I know,” Jay replied. He looked inside the paper bag at his prized treasure and giggled to himself at how much he was looking forward to munching down on his sweet desert before tackling crime along three of his workmates. Jay butted open the door leading outside into the busy city. One man was standing on the middle of the road. He stood with a majestic stance; he had his face down, fists clenched with arms held at either side of his body, his legs spread far apart. The car in front was owned by a man in his mid-thirties similar age to the man in front of him on the road holding up the traffic, unfortunately it had seemed for the man he had come across the wrong driver as he was immediately screaming; his patience was burning out fast.
822“Hey buddy get out of the way or I’ll drive through you I’m already five minutes late to my appointment,” the driver yelled. The man on the road paid no attention and instead kept his majestic pose while staring at the grand overarching bank in front of him.
823“Woah wait a minute,” Jay muttered. He walked to the very end of the pavement and studied the man on the road blocking the drivers from passing by. It turns out he recognised him from a previous encounter “No way, it’s Gary!” 
824“Last chance buddy or you’ll blood will be the new coating for this tarmac,” the driver warned.
825“Incorrigible human,” Gary snorted. 
826“Fine, I’ve warned ya,” the driver yelled and pressed his foot on the acceleration pedal. The wheels started up and the car began speeding towards the man. It was a few seconds for the driver to hit Gary but if he successfully hit him then Gary would’ve been horrifically injured if not killed. Gary smirked and slotted on his glove transforming into a ginormous nine foot behemoth made entirely of bronze and brown painted metal with cogs that ticked and intertwined with each other inside the metallic structure of his body. The driver instantly in realisation to this slammed his foot onto the brakes however it was too late. Gary picked up by car by the roof with his huge gear infused hand. He cocked back and threw the car which smashed through the glass windows of the back. The wreck of a car landed overturned inside the bank. Gary marched across the road which had turned into a standstill. The monster squeezed through the doorway and entered the bank. Jay scowled and looked down at his newly purchased strawberry tart.
827“I was looking forward to this too,” he scowled and tossed the paper bag down by the steps leading into the bakery. 
828
829 Garry stormed into the bank. Everyone, bank employees and customers were in a combination of awe, fear and shock as the creature entered the bank. The wrecked car was now lit up in flames with the driver unconscious inside, every window was smashed open, and shards of glass were sprayed across the ground. Garry picked up the first person he found wearing a red uniform (meaning they were an employee of the bank) and picked them up until their face was level to his. The woman squirmed in his hand fighting for breathes but failing.
830“Where is the money?” Garry snarled. 
831“I don’t know,” she wheezed, obviously lying in a desperate attempt to safe herself and the company. Garry laughed and tossed her body against the ground. She landed on her neck and with the velocity she hit the ground with her skull was broken. The next man he noticed was in the corner of the room attempting to hide, an older man, bald and wearing glasses. 
832“All I’m asking for is fifty thousand pockets, come on, out of a back that must be nothing,” Garry roared. The old man shook his head vigorously and attempted to hide under the wooden table as the massive hand extended and moved towards him. Fortunately for him Jay thanks to two torrents of water from his palms catapulted himself into the bank and stabbed his two feet into the back of the behemoth. They both fell to the ground with a roll and rose to their feet in a synchronised manner. Despite the size and weight of the monster the attack from Jay had seemed to damage Garry. 
833“Garry Gears,” Jay laughed “Haven’t seen you in months, last time I checked you were an entrepreneur and everything.”
834“Yes, then my co-workers decided to backstab me,” Garry spat. He raised his fist into the air then crashed down into the floor of the bank. The impact was immense creating that of a shockwave. Debris was launched in all directions. Many people were knocked to their feet and the overturned car collided against the wall lying diagonally and still on fire, fortunately the fire had not come in contact with the petrol which was now dripping from the car onto the ground. 
835“And for your co-workers backstabbing you, you are going to hurt innocent people?” Jay yelled. 
836“Yes, precisely,” Garry Gears yipped, pounded his chest and then swung a punch at Jay which after a torrent of water he managed to jump over. Jay turned to his left watching the fire approaching inches to the petrol, the driver now regaining consciousness screaming from inside the death trap that was his very own car. Garry abused Jay’s empathy and swung another punch which launched him into the wall of the bank. Jay rubbed his head and turned to the driver who was bashing at the door of his car which was lit alight. Jay swapped gloves from Aquarius to Everest, avoided a punch from Garry and with his new elemental created of rock he charged his drill and raced forward. Within a split second he transformed into a corkscrew that tore up the ground as he powered through the distance between him and that of the damaged car. With a few inches to spare he left his corkscrew form into his regular monster so he could fly through the window, he cleared the first one and with split second reactions grabbed the driver and flew through the second one. The two tumbled to the ground. Jay clambered to his feet in acknowledgment the vehicle would blow any second. He crossed his arms and hid his head behind them. The car like expected blew up creating an explosion of flames which Everest managed to easily absorb. Garry leaped into the air, smashing his head against the roof and crashed into the ground causing another shockwave with again debris that was launched into the air. Pieces of the roof that were broken off by Garry’s head-butt collided against the ground. 
837“Get out, quick,” Jay ordered. The man looked at the stone nepheline monster but accepted his advice and escaped the bank without being further harmed. Jay leaped on top of the burnt out car and jumped at Garry stabbing his head with a rotating drill. Garry slanted backwards but retained his balance and threw a punch at Jay. It knocked him to the ground. He rebounded off the ground and bounced once more before finally smashing into the ground once more. 
838“If you don’t me to put any more lives at risk Divine I’d suggest you get your buddies at MI6 to write me out a cheque for fifty thousand,” Garry screeched. Jay charged up his drill once more.
839“How about no?” he panted. Garry didn’t seem to like that response and bounded towards Jay, Jay too charged towards Garry however alongside the charged drill he once again transformed into a rotating corkscrew. Garry lifted one leg and attempted to stop on him but was too slow. His foot smashed against the floor but a second after Jay had charged past the section. He recoiled in disgust after the realisation his foot was lodged deep underneath one of the floorboards. Taking full advantage of the opportunity Jay forced his spinning drill into Garry’s leg which belonged to the foot that was lodged into the floorboard. Garry writhed in pain and backhanded Jay knocking him onto his back. With eyes glowing yellow he then built a machine gun on top of his gear infused arm. He snarled then fired the machine gun. Jay back flipped over the first volley of bullets and approached a table. After managing to overturn it he stood at a range charging a laser beam from his fist and then fired it. It connected against Garry’s face perfectly and directly. Scarlett sparks flew to the floor and Garry was forced to press his hand against his metallic jaw to lock it back into place. Instead of fighting a ranged battle with Jay Garry turned to the three bystanders hiding behind an overturned table. He aimed his machine gun and fired a dozen bullets at the roof. Like he expected it the roof of the area or the second floor of the entire building collapsed on itself firing down large pieces of debris which would land and crush the innocent bystanders below. Of course acknowledging this Jay drilled underneath the ground as Everest. The rubble was allowed a few more seconds to fall before Jay sprang up from underneath the ground. There were three life-threatening pieces of rubble falling that he could spot. The first the parried off with a strong flip kick, using this momentum he bashed into the rubble with two feet knocking off track of falling on top of the civilisations. He approached the rubble and head-butted it no more than a metre above the three bystanders. He leaped off the rubble as it blasted against the ground and with a strong kick he launched himself into the air. Garry, clearly annoyed that his attack failed, raised his machine gun firing bullets which were deflected by the corkscrew which was created by Everest. He lifted his arms to protect his face from his attack, although his arms did absorb a remarkable amount of the damage he was forced onto his back. Jay landed on the ground beside him. The shockwave from the four tonne giant however caused shockwaves throughout the building, it surged through the ground into the walls and finally into the ceiling which forced the chains to snap holding a chandelier above. Directly below it and again hiding another overturned table were a man and woman of similar ages who Jay assumed were married. The chandelier surprised Jay, being pulled down by gravity faster than he ever expected. Jay acknowledged this and transformed back into Aquarius. He powered himself forward with a flood of water from his heel and flew towards the couple. Garry fired his machinegun attempting to shoot Jay out of the air but it was clear Jay was too fast for him. Jay with one arm each grasped the couple and rolled with them safely onto the ground which was out of the range of the massive explosion of flares the chandelier produced. The table was eviscerated, it was clear that the couple would’ve been easily incinerated if it hadn’t been for Jay.
840“I swear you lot are asking to die standing directly underneath these things,” Jay mumbled and then propelled himself into action. He fired water through his heels with varying velocity and thus allowing him to avoid the many bullets that Garry attempted to fire from his machine gun. Mid-air and spinning past a bullet he transformed into Shadow, firing an arrow that stabbed into Garry’s eye. He landed on the ground directly in front of him and transformed into Inferno. His earpiece buzzed but any feature or device from his human body couldn’t be reached when he was an elemental monster. 
841“Man, Garry, you’ve really let yourself go haven’t you?” Jay tormented. Garry threw another punch which Jay slid underneath. He grasped the arm with his tentacle and landed on Garry’s face.
842“What do you mean Divine?” Garry snarled still continuing the conversation. Jay took a breath and proceeded to blow a flamethrower of fire which burnt Garry’s gear instilled face. The part of his body that took the most damage however was his steel jaw which immediately transformed into a harsh, painful red. Jay avoided the next punch from Garry and landed on the ground behind him. He screeched blood-curdling screams whilst clutching his Jaw. The other arm was titled backwards with the machine gun attached on top of it. 
843“I mean you’re in tens of thousands of debt and nobody would touch you with a barge pole.” 
844“Untrue,” Garry snapped. He fired a quick volley of bullets which Jay leaped over. He landed directly in front of Garry. Garry yanked his arm back towards where Jay was standing “I’ve spent the past two weeks in bed with six different women.” 
845“Prostitutes don’t count Garry,” Jay remarked. It seemed his comment had silenced Garry but had enraged him; he cranked his arm around, loading his machine gun as it moved inches towards the direction of Jay. Jay swapped his Inferno glove for Aquarius and with both hands blasted Garry’s head with a powerful surge of water. Garry’s head was tilted uncomfortably backwards, his arms were forced to the ground, the re-aimed machine gun bullets sliced into the floorboard below completely avoiding the original target whom was Jay.
846“Is there a single criminal in England that hasn’t managed get themselves into a state of bankruptcy?” Jay asked half-mockingly. Garry coughed and titled his arm upwards with a speed that caught Jay off guard. He aimed his arm to the roof and fired bullets breaking the roof apart. Large pieces of debris fell from the roof and began falling down, crashing down towards the bank floor at an incredible rate. Fortunately, this time, there were no bystanders ignorant of their surroundings that needed saving but Jay still had to think fast in order to preserve his own survival. Garry titled his machine gun down once again at Jay too. Jay scowled. The machine gun once again fired more bullets. Jay launched himself into the air switching gloves mid-air into the Everest glove and avoided the first piece of debris. Rotating quickly enough by the time the bullets reached Jay they were fired in all directions rebounding off the corkscrew. More debris fell but narrowly missed Jay. Even one piece had got into the way but was smashed apart and broken completely open by Jay’s corkscrew. Realising his attempt of an assault wouldn’t work Garry began pulling his arms back to his body, trying to adopt a defensive stance, by covering his face with his arms. Jay speeded past two more clumps of debris watching Garry slowly pulling his arms back, he took a deep breath and concentrated before firing forward with one final burst of acceleration which scrapped past Garry and grinded into his skull. After the one final hit the elemental monster flashed white and died leaving the middle aged man nine feet in the air and falling to the ground. Jay too, still in Everest form, was falling to the ground and smashed into the floorboards of the bank resulting in a very awkward and painful looking landing. His body twisted and turned with each blow against the ground’s surface until through the resistance of friction against the wooden board’s his stone coated body slowed down to the point where it didn’t move any more. Garry cried with a roar of terror as gravity hauled him down to the ground, but he did not land on the floorboards, instead he descended further into the hole he had created with his monster’s leg. To Jay who rested on the surface of the floorboards as soon as he was engulfed into the black abyss that coated the pit. His body was no longer visible. At this moment bashing open what remained of the banks door was a police constable charging into the bank boldly with a gun pointed, three more constables followed him. The constable who led the initial charge looked around the bank at the bank but more confused at the fact that Garry had somehow disappeared, or at least what it seemed, he approached Jay who was clambering to his knees. 
847“We had reports of a giant built of gears terrorising the civilians and employees of this bank?” the constable asked. Jay panted and then proceeded to point to the hole that was metres ahead of him. The constable confused at first nodded and with a hand gesture approached the pit alongside the three other constables.
848“He wasn’t lying,” another constable laughed, a female, slightly younger than the other three. Jay somehow found the energy within him to gather himself up and walk over to the pit. Held at the bottom of the two metre pit and lying limply was Garry, a bloody scar on his forehead. 
849“Can I trust you lot to arrest Garry and get him to the police station?” Jay inquired. 
850“Absolutely,” one of the constables confidently responded from the crowd. Jay took the opportunity to approach the edge of the hole, leaned down and observed Garry.
851“I hope you have fun in HM Prison Wandsworth Garry,” Jay teased. Garry’s bloodshot eyes glared upwards at Jay “Hell, I’d say you might even have more enemies there than I do.” Jay rose to his feet, laughed and walked away leaving the constables to announce Garry’s rights to him and then slapping the handcuffs on. Jay pushed open the door which finally broke free from the loosened hinges and collapsed onto the stone steps leading into the bank. This wasn’t any of significance to Jay, he still continued down the stone steps, just the other side, enjoying his victory over a long time enemy. 
852
853 It wasn’t until he reached the pavement of the road that reached the bank that he remembered about his beloved strawberry tart which he was forced to abandon. Jay walked across the road, there was no point to hurriedly walk, and there was no traffic. The road was closed off so there were no cars to worry about running past and dodging. 
854“Oh, no, no, no,” Jay muttered to himself as he approached the bakery steps where he had left the paper bag containing his tart, it was gone, someone had taken it. He would’ve said or complained more if not the fact that once again his earpiece was buzzing. Jay removed his glove and pressed the button on the earpiece. 
855“Thank Goodness,” Divine breathed.
856“What’s wrong?”
857“I called you five minutes ago but you didn’t pick up.”
858“Sorry Divine, Garry Gears decided to rob a bank, and things, like they always do with Garry, got a little hairy.”
859“Garry Gears? Who is that?” Divine murmured. 
860“Oh sorry, he’s known more professionally and commonly known as Garry McClelland, it’s just Garry Gears rolls off the tongue a lot more easily.”
861“Jay we haven’t time to be making small talk, Falcon along with several gunmen attacked S.T.A.R.T, I sent several MI6 agents after him because you weren’t answering, they haven’t been responding however, they may very well be killed.”
862“Don’t worry Divine, the S.T.A.R.T building isn’t too far away, I’ll come and check on things in no time.” 
863“Thank you so much Jay,” Divine replied.
864“I’m just doing my bit for this country.”
865
866 Nicholas pressed his revolver against the last MI6 agent that was forced to his knees and pulled the trigger of the gun, blowing out his brains, and inevitably killing the person. The body dropped to the floor. Sarah Porter inched away until her back pressed her table of administration which oversaw the company and workforce. She couldn’t move back any more, her back was just knocking pathetically against the unmoving wood. Nicholas twisted his wrist allowing him to aim his revolver directly at Sarah. Two masked gunmen, one on either side of him, as well had rifles aimed at her. The room behind them was one of the most important rooms where most of the medicine testing, administration and creating took place. Many of the scientific equipment such as test tubes and microscopes were smashed against the ground along with the dead bodies of MI6 agents, rebellious S.T.A.R.T employees and even a few masked gunmen shot dead by the agents. Most S.T.A.R.T employees were fortunately alive but trapped in rooms and attempted escape would force them to risk their lives. Nicholas took two large steps forward with his revolver trained on Sarah who was cowering and pressing her hands against the table behind her back. 
867“Now Sarah,” Nicholas called “Give me what I came for and your life will be spared.”
868“I don’t know what you came for,” Sarah murmured, fear had completely overpowered her. 
869“I came for my Falcon glove which you pieces of scum at the S.T.A.R.T organisation took and I want the oblivion vial,” Falcon spat. He tapped the trigger of the revolver with his finger. 
870“I don’t know where they’re at,” Sarah replied attempting to act brave in comparison to her earlier more nervous reactions to Nicholas’ orders. Nicholas looked unimpressed so she reiterated her words “I don’t know where-” Nicholas tilted his revolver and fired a bullet which smashed into the table. Sarah flinched. After firing the shot he twisted his arm back again allowing him to aim directly once again at Sarah’s head.
871“Don’t lie to me Sarah, I know you know where they both are,” Nicholas screeched. One of the gunmen tilted their rifle’s upward. Now instead of aiming at her chest he was aiming at her head alongside Nicholas.
872“Tell us where the items we require are, now,” the gunman snarled “Otherwise we will kill you where you stand!”
873“Okay, okay, don’t shoot,” Sarah begged. The three kept their guns trained on her “The Falcon glove is on the first drawer by my table. The oblivion vial is in a room to my right which is finger activated, it only works when I press my thumb against the scanner.” Nicholas took a moment to register what she said. He pointed at the two gunmen one after another.
874“You, get the Falcon glove, its first shelf by the table she said, make sure she’s telling the truth,” the gunman nodded in acceptance “And you, go with her to the scanner and even into the room, make sure she gets us that vial and is telling us the truth.” The other gunman nodded too and smacked Sarah across the back with the rifle. She winced but continued forward despite the pain and begrudgingly pressed her thumb against the scanner. Falcon took a step back wearily keeping his revolver close to his chest. The gunman, who was ordered to stick close to Sarah, noticed his movements.
875“Do you think Jay Divine will arrive?” he coughed. Sarah pressed her thumb against the scanner but paid very close attention to the ongoing conversation.
876“That’s what I’m sceptical about,” Nicholas responded. It was noticed that Nicholas while saying those words became quieter. 
877“Boss, the woman was right, the glove is here,” the gunman yelled. He pulled the glove from the drawer and held it in plain sight for Nicholas to see.
878“Toss it over,” Nicholas order. The gunman obliged and tossed the glove to Nicholas who caught it in his free hand. Sarah unlocked the door into the room only unlockable through her fingerprint and entered the room like instructed. She returned seconds later with the briefcase in one hand. The gunman snatched it from her and walked over to Nicholas. 
879“Thank you,” Nicholas grinned and received the briefcase which was placed into the same hand as the one that contained the glove. He gave Sarah a quick glance “Kill her.”
880“What?” Sarah screamed. The gunman grabbed her by the arm and prevented her squirming that she attempted in an instant. He pressed the rifle against her head. Nicholas replied initially with a demonic grin.
881“How stupid of you Mrs. Porter to ever believe we would keep you alive, now I have half of the substance that’ll end all of mankind, one less member of authority to worry about, my Falcon glove and a three hundred thousand assassination contract that I’ve just got,” Sarah’s faced was completely drained. Nicholas’ smile stretched more until it grotesquely covered a large portion of his face. In his happiness however he didn’t acknowledge the figure leaping from rooftop to rooftop with metal tentacles to assist. Nicholas lifted his revolver before giving one final conclusion “The world will now be in fear once again of my power and capabilities. Falcon is back…Falcon...Is…Back!” The second he finished the sentence the giant glass window beside him and which looked out onto the rest of the city was smashed apart. He turned and attempted to fire his revolver but was too slow. His body was kicked and flung uncontrollably into the wall at the opposite end of the room. His revolver skidded a remarkable distance as it flew out of his hand, his briefcase fell out of his hand too but landed just by his feet. Jay, in the inferno suit, crashed against the ground with his two tentacles hitting the floor first and breaking his fall. The gunmen were temporarily shocked by the events that had taken place giving Sarah enough time to thrust her head back hitting against the skull of the gunman beside her and knocking her back. The second gunman, by the table, in acknowledgement moved his rifle towards Sarah. Jay used his metallic tentacles to launch himself at the gunman however, colliding with him and knocking him to the ground before he could fire the shot. His rifle fell to the ground first then milliseconds later his head crashed to the ground and connected with the rifle at such an impact that knocked him unconscious. Jay wasn’t finished however; he gripped the table with the claws of the tentacle and threw himself in front of the gunman. He wiped his bloodied mouth after the head-butt and turned once more to Sarah attempting to kill her. Jay fortunately prevented this by grasping his gun with the two metallic arms and shoved it against his face, the butt of the rifle smashed against his nose and just like the previous gunman he was forced to the ground whilst being unconscious. Jay turned to Sarah.
882“Are you okay?” 
883“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” she looked at the unconscious bodies of the men that would’ve killed her “Make sure to get Falcon now.”
884“Of course,” Jay responded and gave a thumb up. During that exact moment however Nicholas had got onto his feet, slotted on the Falcon glove, grabbed the briefcase and raced off to the rest of the room that was accompanied by the microscopes and used for scientific testing by the employees. Jay turned to Sarah once more who glared back at him.
885“Well then? Get him!” she screeched. Jay would’ve complained if he wasn’t so terrified of the woman and if one of the most notorious criminals wasn’t escaping with half of the most devastating virus known to mankind. Jay chased after Falcon, running into the section of the room with him. Unlike the bodies scattered across the floor and the broken microscopes the wooden tables for working were kept as they were. It was overall a five by five area of wooden tables which the room was filled with and which Falcon was jumping to and fro from. 
886“Falcon, stop, now,” Jay ordered, he jumped onto the first table in front of him and continued the chase.
887“Never,” Falcon cackled. He leapt off the penultimate table vertically on the row and leaped onto the ground, turned to Jay who was behind him, and fired a volley of feathers. Jay slid across the smooth surface of the table which enabled him to avoid the assault of metal bursts. He slid off the table, crashing to the floor, but immediately continued the chase. Falcon turned to the giant glass window which allowed the light of the sun to pass through. He fired his feathers against the glass which shattered it instantly.
888“Come on Falcon, if we keep fighting I’m going to have to make more bird jokes and nobody wants that,” Jay warned. Falcon rolled his eyes and leapt off the building, his wings extended allowing him to glide and aerobically cut through the air effortlessly. Jay stood by the edge of the room gazing down at the dots of people and cars that moved past each other and interacted with one another. Deciding enough was enough he exchanged his Inferno glove for his Shadow one and leaped off the building. With bow in hand and having his sights on Falcon he summoned an arrow which appeared in his hand, fired the bow with the arrow and watched as it sliced right through Falcon’s wing, his body lost all of its aerodynamic capabilities in an instant and began zooming left and right uncontrollably. His body crashed on top of the flat rooftop of a nearby hotel. Jay transformed back into Inferno as he fell to the ground. With one claw smashing into the side of the hotel, about ten storeys below where Falcon landed, Jay began scaling the side of the building. It wasn’t the most efficient of climbing processes, it involved Jay swinging one metallic arm out from underneath the other and smashing it into the wall of the hotel, Jay continued his processes several times until he had reached the rooftop. Falcon’s wing was damaged and still unable to allow him to glide however with the briefcase still gripped in one hand and a phone in the other he seemed to be making another phone call.
889“Look, no, I haven’t killed Sarah Porter,” he apologised hastily. He was nervous, it was easily seen through his movements of pacing back and forth “Look, I’m sorry however I did get the oblivion vial, please, forgive me.” Jay snatched Falcon’s phone from him with one of his claws that emerged from the darkness.
890“Business calls really? Tsk, tsk,” Jay tutted. He examined Falcon’s phone, the call had ended but the person he was calling was titled under “Demise” in his contacts. Falcon plucked a metallic feather from his broken wing and examined it. Keeping its distance but still identifiable to Jay was a helicopter with a bright light beaming down that was reporting live for the news, at least from what it seemed. 
891“Inferno, being obnoxious as always,” Falcon scoffed. He swung the feather in the air back and forth, slicing through it with the sharp metal effortlessly. Jay tossed the phone aside.
892“I know you like ruling the roost Nick, especially if it means getting your debts repaid in the end, but you can’t kill innocent people,” Jay retorted.
893“Sarah Porter’s innocent?” Falcon laughed “It’s because of her ignorance and selfishness that we were kidnapped by a psychopathic scientist and tested on!”
894“That’s wrong to think, it’s not Sarah’s fault, and you cannot blame her for the horrific actions of another.” Falcon set the briefcase down and took a step forward to confront Jay.
895“Don’t do this Nicholas, we can do this without fighting,” Jay warned. Falcon’s eyes widened.
896“This means too much to me for you to interfere Jay,” Falcon answered and with that charged at Jay. Jay sprang into the air with the tentacles allowing him to avoid Falcon’s charge at him and initial assault. He landed behind Falcon, grabbed his head with one claw and his body with the other, swung him around, into the air, and smashed him into the roof. With the impact of the metal suit hitting the roof it cracked until the zig-zag cracks could be visibly seen. Falcon in retaliation kicked Jay’s knee with his foot stunning him and allowing him to get to his feet. Jay launched one tentacle firmly onto the roof allowing him to stabilise himself. Falcon pulled back his wings before firing another one of his infamous volleys of feathers. Jay blocked his body with the pillar like tentacles which deflected the steel. 
897“Enough,” Falcon spat as he realised he wasn’t getting anywhere “Go away Jay, leave me alone.” Jay stared him down at the other end of the rooftop. 
898“You need put behind bars, Falcon, and for good this time.” Falcon jumped into the air and fired half a dozen feathers. This time Jay went on the offensive, taking the damage the feathers inflicted as they scratched against his suit, but this allowed him to swing his metallic arm and rammed the claw into Falcon’s body. With the power of Jay’s tentacle he was flung to the ground and rolled until he collided with the stone lining of the rooftop which stopped his momentum. Falcon fired a volley of feathers which Jay front flipped past. 
899“Do you know what will happen if I fail this contract?” Falcon retorted.
900“I have a faint recollection of you telling me just before you got carted off to prison,” Jay responded “You’d be killed by your boss, right?”
901“Correct. If I end up in jail again they’ll follow me the second I’m released and they’ll kill me.” Falcon charged at Jay once again. Growing tired of the situation Jay flung a metallic claw out at him then grabbed his arm and tossed him directly downwards against the part of the rooftop which he had already smashed Falcon against. The already damaged part of the roof gave way with the damage it was taken and broke against Falcon’s weight. Nicholas fell a further eight feet and slammed into the floor below. The floor unlike Jay expected was completely bare, just a plain white room with no furnishings. It did however lead into the corridor but that could only be seen because the room, or what was of it, contained no door. The floor must’ve been under renovations. Jay jumped down the hole and landed on the next floor in pursuit of Falcon. Falcon rose to his feet, clenched his fist and adopted a fighting position with one fist held further away from his body than the other that remained closer to his chest. 
902“Do you know why I have escaped you so many times Divine?” Falcon taunted. Jay avoided an incoming punch, pinned Falcon into a position with his tentacle grasping his back and Jay returned his own punch which forced Falcon back a few feet.
903“No, Falcon, tell me why,” Jay answered. Falcon wiped his nose with his glove.
904“It’s because you never fight with the intent to kill, sometimes you have to learn that in order to get what you want, or in this case to win a fight, you have to walk over a few skulls.” Jay tried his best to hold off his sniggers.
905“Nick, you’re really messed up in the head aren’t you? Don’t worry, once you’re back in prison, and for good we’ll get you some tweetment.”
906“Enough of these intolerable bird related jokes,” Falcon snorted. He punched Jay’s head, and hard too, Jay could even feel the impact despite Inferno’s headpiece being so sturdy, hard and reinforced. What was worse Falcon didn’t even seem to be fazed despite the fact he had literally punched a face of metal. Jay, taking advantage of his position blew a flamethrower of fire from his mouthpiece which forced Falcon backwards. His sleeves of his suit were glowing red as it absorbed the immense heat from the flamethrower. Jay smashed his two tentacles into the arm then fired himself vertically at Falcon, his feet collided against Falcon’s stomach and the two were flung into the corner of the room where, after Falcon’s body hit off the wall, they rebounded once again into the middle of the room. As Falcon attempted to rise Jay leaped into the air and grasped Jay with one tentacle. He spun him around his own body in a full three hundred and sixty degree spin before smashing his body once again against the ground. Jay fell down from the air and landed directly on top of Falcon and the two once again through weight and velocity broke through the ground floor and began descending into the next room which was another eight foot fall. However, this room unlike the other one was fully decorated with beds, cabinets, tables and paint. Hand in hand and pulling each other to and fro in mid-air Falcon and Jay both crashed against the floor of the next room with Jay winning the fight and once again like previously hitting Falcon against the floor, landing on top of him and then the two fell once again into the next room below. It contained a couple with two children that watched from the doorway that lead into the corridor. The two crashed into the room but the momentum had increased so much that this time, when Jay had won the tussle again, Falcon’s back merely touched the floor of the bedroom before they descended into the next room below. In this scenario Falcon pulled himself and Jay slightly more left in a hope this would allow him to reclaim control over the fight. Jay however kept grip on Falcon and used his own tactic against him. As previously mentioned Falcon had directed the two bodies more left however as seen in previous rooms and continued even in this one was the glass coffee table which Falcon unfortunately had his body been forced onto with increasing velocity. The glass shattered and so did the floorboards as Falcon hit against the floor. Because he allowed himself to be catapulted through a table the momentum had slowed and so although Falcon once again smashed into the next table, the next floor below, the floorboards beneath him, for the first time in about four floors, didn’t break. Jay flipped off Falcon’s body and into the centre of the room. It felt weird initially actually experiencing his feet being able to touch a surface that wouldn’t snap with his weight. However, behind him and scurrying sheepishly towards the door in fear were a couple in their forties that had just witnessed the destruction of their coffee table and roof. Jay turned to them with and held out a hand of sympathy.
907“Listen, I’m so sorry, we’ll only be a minute and then you two can back to enjoying your stay.” Falcon pulled himself out of the metal frame of the glass table and charged down Jay. Jay flung one tentacle into the roof and swung himself into Falcon, knocking him back and onto the ground. This gave Jay enough time to fall back to the ground and switch gloves from Inferno into the rock monster Everest. 
908“Everest,” Falcon grumbled. His breathing was heavy at this moment, his voice was weak. Jay spun the drill on his hand in an attempt to intimidate Falcon “I haven’t seen this elemental monster in a while.”
909“Want to remember how much it hurts to be hit by it?” Jay retorted. Analysing the body of the stone behemoth Falcon attempted to play the fight to his advance and fired a volley of arrows for the two to keep their distance. With the drill spinning and covering his face with his arm covering the majority of his body Jay rushed through the feather maelstrom. The metallic feathers sliced into the wall behind Jay and remained there. Jay kicked off the cabinet which lay beside the bed, activated his drill and leapt on top of Falcon. Falcon’s body was knocked off into the wall of the room and his head smashed against the window which looked out onto the city. Falcon fell to his feet but to keep his feet on the ground he had to bend down and pound one fist into the ground so his arm would stabilise him. Falcon snarled in response to the attack and charged at Jay. Jay ran at him so that the two would be charging at each other. At the last second, however, Jay sprung off Falcon’s arm and landed behind him. From his position he kicked Falcon’s back and knocked him to the ground, knowing Falcon wouldn’t stay down long forever though, Jay leaped into the air and belly flopped on top of Falcon with the drill rotating. This created his corkscrew which without question smashed through the floorboards. The very centre and smallest part of the corkscrew rammed against Falcon’s chest as they descended lower through the hotel. They smashed through floor after floor and despite Falcon’s best efforts to grab Jay and throw him away he couldn’t, Jay had now transformed into a spinning corkscrew, every time Falcon attempted to grab him his hands were just forced back and cut. It was four rooms after Jay had initially transformed into Everest where they both fell through the roof that lead into the reception. It was a vast and luxurious reception at least belonging to a hotel of four stars. It was fifteen feet of falling past chandeliers and ignoring confused employees before they had landed on the ground. In comedic fashion Falcon smashed through one final glass table in the foyer. As he bumped against the wooden planks that lined against the floor the energy of his suit and with a quick bright light his suit died and was absorbed into his glove which died seconds later too. Nicholas lay on wooden planks not moving but eyes opened and breathing normally. Fragments of glass were scattered across or centimetres away from the table he had just collapsed onto. His feet were still suspended in the air as they were held up by the metal frame of the table. His legs pressed against the frame uncomfortably, his feet stuck in the air. The staff and occupants at the hotel that were relaxing in the foyer looked around in confusion to the man half-suspended on a table frame just beside them. One of the employees were handing out complimentary foods, on his tray were dozens of cocktail sausages with wooden cocktail sticks jabbed into them. Jay took off his glove, stuffed it into his pocket as her usual fashion, and then snatched two cocktail sausages from the employee uttering stunned in awe. Bursting into the room just as Jay consumed the two cocktail sausages however were four police officers, then followed Divine and the Colonel. Divine turned to Nicholas.
910“Don’t ask,” Jay pleaded “Please.”
911“Okay,” Divine grinned “But still, good job I must say Jay.”
912“Thanks, it is tough having to deal with a birdbrain, twice,” Jay mumbled. The colonel shook his hand firmly. The colonel then proceeded to stand at ease.
913“Good job Jay,” the colonel nodded “Two criminals with the power of elemental gloves, very impressive.”
914“Jay, we reviewed the security footage and there is something we need to show you, however I’ll send you the information later when you get home,” Divine debriefed.
915“Okay sir.”
916“Jay, it seems there is a stronger, more powerful presence here that we expected, it could very well be the glowing neon thing that could summon knives that Adam Michaels told us about at our meeting days ago,” the colonel added. 
917“I’ll look into it, thanks,” Jay nodded. Divine was about to speak however the doors once more swung open. Entering the room was a woman in her early fifties. Her dress was extremely colourful with flowers patterned on it in many colours. Her brunette hair was made into a ponytail, although, admittedly, not the neatest of ponytails. She held a silver pen in her hand that she tapped against her hip against she walked. The woman approached the group of three immediately. 
918“Jay Divine,” the woman cried with an immense smile “How the hell are you?” She flung her arms around him, giving him a tight hug that prevented him from breathing for several moments. Fortunately the hug did not last long otherwise Jay might have been choked out. 
919“I’m good thanks,” Jay coughed. Her lavender perfume was sprayed on in quantities that seemed unhealthy. Even Divine coughed into his hand for the first few seconds. The colonel placed his hand on Jay’s back and held one hand out to the woman.
920“Jay, this Audrey Danforth, our lovely prime minister in England.” Jay looked at her again, he had heard things about Audrey Danforth, she was an individual apparently that was very cold to those below her and even ignored the ordinary person on several occasions. She wasn’t the people’s favourites but with half of the prime ministers becoming corrupt megalomaniacal, power corrupt and thirsty leaders because of the elemental gloves she seemed like a safe option that wouldn’t result in half of England randomly one day dying because of unnatural causes. The problem came from the fact Audrey wouldn’t change any policy or listen to someone unless they had authority or it was absolutely necessary for her to do so. 
921“Great to meet you Ms. Danforth,” Divine bowed.
922“You gentlemen are too kind, really,” Audrey chuckled.
923“Jay, you may remember on Sunday I said I would organise a ceremony for officer Kokoshi, well, here is the woman that will be hosting the event and will be handing out the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross at the old Marylebone town hall,” the colonel spoke he turned to Audrey “Thank you, once again for doing this.”
924“Nonsense, you helped me getting into the position of Prime Minister whether I needed encouragement during the past few years or whether I needed the money to fund campaigns, please, it’s the least I can do.” A business man who was at the foyer reading a newspaper before the calamity approached Audrey.
925“Excuse me, Ms. Danforth do you know what is happening?”
926“Shut up, leave me alone, I’m involved with business,” Audrey retorted. The man stubbornly remained where he stood. Audrey turned to him “Now leave at once or I shall have an entire pack of police officers set on you this instant for disorderly conduct.” 
927“But I-” realising he was fighting and losing battle the man walked off. 
928“Sorry for that,” Audrey giggled and flicked her ponytail. 
929“No, no need to apologise, don’t worry,” Divine insincerely responded. 
930“Jay, Sarah called me saying you saved her life, once again, thank you for that. However, where is the vial of oblivion the Falcon stole?” the colonel asked.
931“It’s on the roof.”
932“Ah, very well then, I shall call for a helicopter to pick it up, it shall not be a moment.” Divine placed a hand on Jay’s shoulder.
933“Again, thank you Jay.”
934“No problem Divine,” Jay replied “I’m just doing my part for his country.”
935“You better go home now and maybe review over the information I sent you, besides, the colonel and I need to inform Ms. Danforth of what will be happening in regards to the ceremony on Thursday.”
936“Will I be needed in the ceremony?” Jay inquired. Divine turned to him.
937“No Jay, but I think it would be only right you spectate from the crowd, I think Stephen Kokoshi would really appreciate your support.”
938“I think so too,” Jay gleamed and at once like Divine had instructed him to do he left the hotel. 
939
940 Jay skipped down the steps that lead into the hotel, or what was left of it now, he had brawled with Falcon and smashed through so many hotel rooms. Nicholas stood by the police car being read his rights by one officer.
941“I’ll kill you first when I escape again, you know,” Falcon snarled. He turned to the officer that had just finished reading him his rights. 
942“You won’t be escaping this time Falcon; you’ll be sentenced to her Majesty’s Prison Whitemoor.” Jay joined the four policemen and Falcon. Jay leaned against the roof of the police car with his elbow and taunted Falcon.
943“Wow Falcon, being sentenced to her Majesty’s Prison Whitemoor, the most secure prison in the whole of England with some of the toughest and fiercest criminals kept there, good job making it there with the big boys.” Nicholas didn’t even turn to look at him; he just stared at the ground. 
944“I hate you, you know that, right?”
945“Say Falcon, do you know why Hummingbirds hum?” Jay teased. Nicholas was shoved into the police car with two officers piling into the back beside him.
946“Why, Jay?” Nicholas growled.
947“Because they don’t know the words,” Jay responded. He stuck his tongue out as Falcon screamed and shook his head vigorously. The doors of the car were slammed shut by the police officers leaving Jay only to wave at Nicholas as he and the police drove off into the distance. Jay stared at the ground, the same patch of ground which Nicholas stared at. 
948“Demise…” he muttered to himself. A figure approached from the darkness, it wasn’t until they were cloaked in the light outside the hotel which Jay realised who it was. It was Kokoshi.
949“Hey there,” Kokoshi smiled. He held one hand up to wave with the other dug deep into his pocket. He was dressed in casual clothing, jeans and a striped shirt with brown brogue shoes.
950“Kokoshi,” Jay smiled. 
951“I just came back from playing some snooker with friends,” he explained “I heard the news, Divine texted me, so I had to come here immediately.”
952“Yeah, Falcon is taken care of, once and for all,” Jay grinned however there was some unexplainable sadness that filled his body as he spoke the words “In a weird way I’ll miss him trying to kill me and his friends.”
953“I get what you mean, it’s like that girl that never likes you but you keep trying it on with anyway,” Kokoshi answered and then laughed. He kicked a stone with his shoe.
954“Yeah,” Jay replied “Anyway Kokoshi, it was great seeing you but I have to get home and do some research into this whole Falcon investigation.”
955“Sure,” Kokoshi timidly replied as if he wanted something. Jay didn’t pick up on this however instead he slotted on his Aquarius glove and readied himself to take off “Jay wait.” Jay stopped and looked around at Kokoshi.
956“What is it?” Kokoshi’s face blushed as Jay asked the words as if the answer he’d give was the stupidest sentence Jay would ever hear another human speak.
957“…Can I have a hug?” Jay was taken back by this question.
958“Uh, sure, like, do you want it in my suit or just me normally?” 
959“Just, normal,” Kokoshi muttered. He held his arms between his legs with hands clasped together. Jay nodded, took off his glove and approached Kokoshi.
960“So do you want me to go over, or you to go over, or like me big spoon or you? You maybe would work better…”
961“Jay, just hug me,” Kokoshi laughed. Jay nodded once more and the two hugged underneath the light emitted by the hotel that beat down on their bodies. Their shadows mimicked them hug but made them look more like a table than anything, something Jay couldn’t help but notice despite the fact it would provide no real benefit to him. They finally let go after about ten seconds of embracing with one another.
962“Well, that was, nice,” Jay smirked.
963“Yeah,” Kokoshi replied with a massive grin as always “Thanks. It’s just I had a really weird notion to get a hug off you so I figured I’d ask.”
964“Might as well,” Jay laughed and equipped his glove. He transformed into Aquarius “See you around Kokoshi.” They exchanged waves before Jay blasted into the air. 
965
966 It was twenty minutes until Jay had arrived back home. Divine was still working on the ceremony arrangements from the colonel and Danforth as it seemed. Johnny was still working and Jay’s mother was a nurse and so was just as busy as the rest of the family. Jay plucked the key from under the plant pot, inserted it into the lock and opened the door to the abandoned house. He walked through the dark abyss, up the stairs and entered his bedroom. Hidden in the corner of the room by his bed was his laptop which would most likely contain the information Divine was to send him. Jay hoped onto his bed and pulled out his laptop, set it on his lap and began flicking through it, like he expected there was an e-mail sent to him along with an attachment of a video. Jay clicked on the video file and opened it first, like Divine had said it was the footage sent to him from the prison break except it was only two minutes long unlike the several hours the MI6 folk had to flick through, they must have condensed it down for him. Jay’s eyes illuminated as the video started. It was a normal recording of a police officer patrolling outside the cells with the keys by his waist. The time on the recording showed it to be minutes before three o’ clock in the morning. Jay watched in anticipation whilst tapping his fingers against the laptop. The initial scene caught him off guard, neon light in the form of electricity surged through a nearby vent. The police officer was initially oblivious but caught sight seconds later, unfortunately this was his demise as the neon electricity surged out from the vent shocking the guard and forcing him to his knees. But this wasn’t the most frightening of the scenes Jay witnessed. With a flash and forming in front of the guard was a pink neon glowing elemental monster retaining the figure of a human-like Jay’s or Nicholas’ suit. The monster surged with pink neon that covered its body. Its face was also consumed over pink neon with all facial features covered and the eyes were replaced with glowing white neon eyes in the shape of trapeziums. The neon monster forcefully grabbed the hand of the guard mechanically forcing him to his feet and forcing him to walk over to the cell which contained presumably Falcon. The guard involuntarily pulled the set of keys from his waist and flicked through the keys until his finger stopped at the key for Falcon’s cell. He then proceeded to open the cell, slotting the key into the keyhole and turning it. The neon creature then threw the police guard to the ground, without being gripped onto by the monster his eyes had transformed back to normal. Then, created from thin air, were the floating neon pink daggers that remained in the air floating. Finally the puzzle pieces slotted in for Jay, this was Falcon’s boss, the one he said had tortured him with floating knives just as they were doing to the police guard right now. Jay couldn’t watch and had to close his eyes as one of the knives was then forcefully rammed into the heart of the police guard leaking blood onto his suit, the life in his eyes drained, his face turned pale and gruesome. That’s where the fatal knife would come in to play. The monster then forced the knives into thin air thus giving the valid reason as why the murder weapon could not be located. Nicholas dreamily walked out of his prison cell.
967“Last chance Nicholas,” the monster snarled. Its voice was wispy, mechanical and undecipherable. Jay couldn’t tell whether it was a male or a female, the monster sounded like a person speaking through a radio with poor connection through the security cameras. Jay often had to stop the video footage before playing it again. Therefore he could work out what was actually said. 
968“Yes, of course, Demise,” he nervously answered. At least that had confirmed it for Jay. Both Demise and Nicholas’ boss were now one in the same however unlike every other elemental monster Jay had encountered he had never seen records of this monster nor actually fought them before. Demise seemed satisfied with Nicholas’ response despite the nervousness that could easily be detected through his voice. She transformed back into a neon lightning bolt and surged into the vent leaving Nicholas to his own devices. The footage stopped. Jay slammed his laptop shut and sighed. If what Falcon said was true the first time he had captured him and sent him to prison this Demise person would be a far stronger threat, maybe even the strongest elemental Jay ever had to face. Thinking about the potential increase of the strength of villains Jay would have to fight Jay thought over the words Shamus had told him that day. 
969“History has shown time again an upheaval of crime can result in periods of supreme and deadly violence, locking up Falcon may result in stronger criminals creating crime,” Shamus growled “I’m just warning you, friend to friend.” 
970Maybe Shamus was right? Maybe it really was Jay’s fault that all this horrific crime was happening. Since the remote to his bedroom TV was on his beside cabinet and thus convenient he decided to switch on the TV. The news was on; of course it was, with the two men of the hour Nicholas Smith A.K.A Falcon and Garry Gears A.K.A Gears. 
971“-Police officer Kokoshi, the hero regarded to as by many, will be having a Ceremony for him tomorrow at Six o’ clock on Thursday in front of the old Marylebone town hall alongside Colonel Paul Harrison, Audrey Danforth and Damien Divine head of MI6.  Today two of England’s biggest criminals were both successfully arrested today. Jay Divine the teenage schoolboy-”
972“-Way to be ageist-” Jay grumbled. 
973“-Through the power of his own elemental gloves stopped both Garry McClelland who was terrorising the civilians and robbing a bank whereas Nicholas Smith was stopped while trying to escape S.T.A.R.T both with the assassination of one of the world’s greatest minds, Sarah Porter, and the OBLIVION vial. Although for now the crime had been stopped the question now arises: Will it continue? Are we to see more suspicious and horrific activity during the days to come? Will MI6 and Jay Divine actually be able to stop it? That’s me Megan Witt thank you for during into The Tonight News Show.” Jay pressed the power button, stopping the TV from playing anymore. Amidst the silence Jay calmly returned his laptop, folded over to the side of his bed and left it there. He tugged the blankets of his bed over him and combed his fingers through his hair. He spent this time thinking, admittedly about Rachel, and how to make things right with her. Then, as if by magic an idea popped into his head thanks to the news broadcast, he’d invite her with him to The Ceremony! That would be it then that would be the plan, starting tomorrow. 
974
975 Jay had woken up ten minutes before he usually had. It was a cold gloomy Wednesday with various shades of frost painted across the leaves of numerous trees in the neighbourhood. Funnily enough so much had happen, the most action in months, however he had only began his spree of hunting down criminals since last Friday, five days ago. Jay had been showered, dressed and with his schoolbag fully packed. He had even set off to get to the path he and Rachel always used to meet at before she made it. On the way to the path however Jay was deliberating how he would open the conversation with Rachel.
976“So how would it go Jay? Just…Just be cool and transparent with her, yeah. Let’s see “Sup Rachel how’s it going…?” no, that’s too stupid. I’ll have ruined my chances with her before I even explained about the invitation to The Ceremony. C’mon Jay you’ve got to think…What about “Oh hey there Rachel, didn’t see you there, what are you doing…?” No, that’ll probably make her feel insignificant and that I don’t notice her and those are the last two things I need when I’m trying to save a friendship and maybe even a relationship,” Jay scowled. It seemed whatever opener he came up with sounded stupid. Fortunately however his phone buzzed which relieved Jay of his stress temporarily. Jay plucked the phone out of his pocket “Let’s hope this is some love guru calling me.” Unfortunately by the name “Kokoshi” on the contacts it wasn’t necessarily the love guru he had asked for but was definitely a person and a conversation he wouldn’t pass up.
977“Hey there Jay,” Kokoshi called. 
978“Hey Kokoshi, what’s up?” 
979“Nothing much, thanks for asking Jay. I was just wondering if you’re coming to my ceremony…I-It’s cool if you don’t want to of course, I know you’re a busy guy, I was just-”
980“Kokoshi its fine,” Jay laughed “I’m coming, of course I am, and it’s the least I can do for you saving my life.”
981“Still, it’s a super nice thing for you to be doing Jay, I’ll try and make it up to you somehow for taking basically your Thursday out just to see me being handed a medal.” 
982“Well if you do insist on making it up to me. You have a girlfriend right?”
983“Yes Jay,” Kokoshi laughed on the other end of the line “Why, what do you need?” Jay stopped off at the beginning of the path into school where he normally would meet Rachel; fortunately she had not arrived yet.
984“Let’s just say I’m in need of some good love advice or good love openers at least.”
985
986 Rachel approached from behind the corner of the terrace of building with lead alongside the path. She was surprised to see Jay standing there waiting for her.
987“Hey Rachel, how’s things?” he asked. It was clear he had rehearsed the line over beforehand as his words sounded robotic.
988“I didn’t expect to see you here Jay,” Rachel responded somewhat dismissively.
989“I wanted to talk to you,” Jay explained. Rachel took several steps forward until she was standing beside him.
990“Okay,” she nodded “Go ahead, tell me what you wanted to talk about.”
991“Did you listen to the news last night?” 
992“Yes, Jay, and I heard about your capturing of Gears and Falcon, once again.” Jay began walking forward slowly. Rachel remained firmly fixed to the spot for several moments however did follow beside Jay.
993“Did you hear the part of the news before that?” Jay asked.
994“It was about some ceremony of an officer that saved your life, wasn’t it?” 
995“Yes Rachel, it was Officer Stephen Kokoshi, a good friend of mine.” They continued walking, the cold air pressing against the fingers of the two. Their breath both condensed in the air.
996“Ah yes, Kokoshi, that’s the name,” Rachel responded. A small smile grew across her face but quickly disappeared as she snapped back to the reality of her current relationship between herself and Jay “What about the ceremony?”
997“I was wondering if you’d like to come with me to see Kokoshi being awarded his medal,” Jay responded with a smile. Rachel’s eyes quickly met Jay before she pulled them a way, she combed back strands of hair behind her ear but unlike last time her smile had stayed.
998“I don’t know Jay,” she murmured she placed her hands one over another just beneath her stomach. 
999“Rachel,” Jay replied trying his best to tempt and encourage her to come with him “I would really, really appreciate having you with me. There isn’t another girl, hell; there isn’t another person in this country I would rather invite along with me than you.”
1000“Do you really mean that?” Rachel muttered, her cheeks had regained colour, now in the shade of a rosy red. 
1001“Of course,” Jay beamed. He dug his hands into his trouser pockets. 
1002“Prove it then,” Rachel countered. She turned to him with a cheeky grin “Keep your word that you’ll come with me and only me, don’t go with Beth or any other girls behind my back like last time.”
1003“Okay, I promise,” Jay replied alongside a confident nod. Rachel stopped walking and grasped Jay’s sleeve forcing him to stop. She placed her head against his chest for a moment, placing her ear directly against his body and hearing his increasing heart rate. 
1004“Don’t let me down this time, please Jay, and keep your promise.” Jay nodded once again confidently. Although, was he doubting the power of Beth? In previous conversations with her he couldn’t think and was immobilised by her beauty and always agreed with her requests. Had made a promise he couldn’t keep?
1005
1006 It was break time already at school. It was a rare occurrence but the day had actually flown by. The single of maths was invested to watching online videos online to help with their revision of angles and the double English class had been dedicated to reading over a book. Josh was in the corner of the canteen giving quick, mysterious glances at the groups of younger children gathered around the tables and eating food. But instead of bullying them like Jay admittedly expected instead he skidded over to the vending machine. It was a surprise that Josh didn’t purchase anything from the machine and instead dropped to the ground, pressing his face against the cold tiled floor. A second later he fired out an arm which slotted under the vending machine; he retracted his arm except his hand clutched onto a pound. Josh’s eyes widened and so did his smile. He clutched the coin in his hand tightly as if it was several hundred pounds which he had just uncovered. Jay would’ve spied on him more if Beth didn’t sit down on the chair opposite to him on the other side of the table. 
1007“Hello gorgeous,” she grinned. 
1008“Hey Beth,” Jay responded, still trying to keep friendly, but still letting her know that he wouldn’t return the compliment. 
1009“How’s my favourite boy?” Jay looked up at her again; she responded with a wink and squeezed out her tongue that pressed against her teeth. 
1010“I’m good thanks, how are you?” 
1011“Good Jay, thank you so much for asking you sweetheart,” Beth playfully grinned. Jay closed his eyes to re-gather his thoughts for a moment, Beth was doing very well at getting into his head, and however, Jay couldn’t let her out prioritise Rachel this time if she made a request to meet on Thursday after school “I saw the news, about you capturing Falcon.” Jay launched into his mouth the chocolate brownie he had bought from the canteen. 
1012“And?” he asked, covering his mouth to prevent the chocolate fragments from spewing out everywhere. Beth giggled as he tried speaking to her with a full mouth. However as she spoke to him she very quickly wasn’t in the laughing mood, in fact she was rather serious.
1013“As I previously told you Jay, I’ve watched the news, and I heard the announcement, and I think Falcon should be released from prison.” Jay was in shock that Beth would ever mention this to him. He always assumed she wasn’t too caught up with the world of elemental gloves and the news around her. Jay swallowed the brownie.
1014“You mean he should be re-released from prison?” Jay responded with a light-hearted question, deliberately trying to avoid answering her, it was a very awkward situation she had forced him into. To make matters more awkward she wasn’t laughing at Jay’s attempted joke.
1015“Correct me if I’m wrong but all Nicholas wanted was money to move to another country? Correct?”
1016“Correct,” Jay replied.
1017“Then release or re-release him from prison, give him the money and send him packing? If all these criminals see the big criminals being arrested every punk with a gun and a golden necklace decide they want to be the next godfather or biggest crime lord,” Beth explained “If you listen to me and deploy my strategy claiming Falcon escaped prison again but instead send him off to France crime would no longer be a factor. Everyone would fear getting in the way of Falcon.”
1018“I’m not releasing Nicholas Smith from prison Beth,” Jay laughed. Beth wasn’t “I worked for weeks to finally capture him. He escaped me once and I sure will not let it happen twice. Besides, if we realise Nicholas with the expectation of him going off to France on a lovely little plain with those actually and admittedly really nice pretzels they serve how do we know he won’t turn back to crime? A leopard never changes his spots and from what I’ve seen a Falcon never changes his…umm…spots?”
1019“Have it your way,” Beth snapped. She pulled two arms behind her grabbing the backrest of the seat and then pulling herself over the seat, rotating in the air and then landing on the ground with her two feet behind the seat. She turned to Jay, smiling however “Just don’t blame me if the power of monsters you have to fight suddenly jerk upwards.” She stormed off. Despite disagree with her Jay could admittedly see her line of argument but he stuck to his beliefs and the beliefs he believed MI6 would hold too when confronted with a similar question. It seemed however Jay’s rally of questioning wouldn’t stop though as Beth had brushed past Shamus who approached from the door leading out into the playground. Shamus immediately slumped down on the seat Beth had previously sat on, the one that allowed him to chat face to face with Jay.
1020“Hey Jay,” Shamus breathed. 
1021“Shamus,” Jay nodded in acknowledgment of his presence. Jay didn’t know where he stood with Shamus, so many weird things in relation to him had happened the past few days, were they even friends?
1022“Mind if I ask you a deep question?” Shamus asked.
1023“Uh, sure,” Jay responded “What conversation between us would it be if you didn’t throw a deep question in?”
1024“Are you afraid to die Jay?” Shamus asked bluntly. It somewhat caught Jay off guard by how casually he asked the question.
1025“I guess, I guess I am,” Jay muttered. Shamus watched him intently “It’s just part of being a human that has been passed on through generation to generation. You don’t want to die. You want to stay on this earth to share experiences and pass down your knowledge and intelligence. What about you?” Shamus flinched.
1026“I ask myself am I afraid to die every night Jay…I am,” he proceeded to laugh uncomfortably, even Jay could feel a chill pressing against his neck, the hairs on his arm prick upwards with each laugh Shamus gave off. Shamus eventually stopped laughing “I’d hate to spectate in a world where I didn’t live a world where I couldn’t influence people’s decisions or interact with said people.” Jay felt extremely uncomfortable now.
1027“Yeah,” Jay quietly commented. Shamus stared at the table, watching his own reflexion.
1028“I’d love to meet a dead person, like a ghost. I’d love to talk to them and ask what life is like being dead,” Jay got up from the table and left Shamus to talk to himself while he continued to look at the table, entranced by his reflexion “I wonder if you can kill a dead person or a ghost…I wonder if you can snap a ghost’s neck…I wonder if you can cut its throat, like a human throat and watch hot blood pour out…I wonder…” Beth did the lap of the canteen and sat down beside Shamus in the seat that Jay previously sat in. 
1029“Hello,” Beth greeted with a smile. Shamus looked up at her “Need someone to talk to?”
1030“Sure,” Shamus nodded “I was just asking myself a deep question.”
1031“Well come on, let me hear and answer it,” Beth nodded. Shamus grinned.
1032
1033After break Jay had arrived at his next class, Chemistry. Jay, Sam and Justin were gathered around a Bunsen burner in preparation for doing colour tests on substances. Justin was already holding the matchbox in anticipation for the lesson to begin despite the bell only ringing seconds beforehand signalling the beginning of classes. The classroom assistant butted open the door with her shoulder. The teacher, realising the contents she held in her hand immediately opened the door for her.
1034“Careful,” the teacher warned. He looked down at the red box that was crammed with glass bottles that were filled with various chemicals.
1035“Sorry,” the classroom assistant apologised. 
1036“Take this bottle for example; it contains a mixture of Ovatoxin-A and Baeocystin. This mixture could be dangerous if spilt and exposed to these young children.”
1037“Again, I’m sorry,” the assistant replied. The teacher held the door open for her into the storage room for the chemicals and then slammed it shut behind them.
1038“Wait, Ovatoxin-A and Baeocystin? Why on earth is a mixture of those two allowed in school?” Samuel rasped.
1039“Why?” inquired Justin “What’s wrong with it?”
1040“It’s a substance that forces the mind to create illusions that it believes is real. Essentially, your mind begins killing itself,” Samuel explained.
1041“I’m sure they have some justifiable reason for allowing it in a school,” Justin defended. Jay’s earpiece began to buzz.
1042“I’m not sure mate.”
1043“Right, well you two have fun debating about the morality of allowing that substance in school, but I have apparent business that needs attended to,” explained Jay. The boys exchanged waves before Jay left the classroom, darted into the corridor and answered the call. 
1044“Jay, this is Divine.”
1045“Wow, shocker,” Jay laughed. Divine even on the other end couldn’t help but laugh alongside Jay “What do you need Divine?” Divine returned to his professional state.
1046“Sarah Porter, both Harrisons, Adam Michaels, myself and hopefully you will be having a meeting at MI6 headquarters addressing the Falcon glove and where it should be kept. After last night with Nicholas being able to waltz into S.T.A.R.T and snatch it for himself it’s becoming increasingly questionable why the glove should be kept in the building. Although, I’m sure Sarah Porter won’t give up easily, she is determined for some unexplainable reason to keep hold of the glove.”
1047“I’ll be over there as soon as possible Divine. What about Kokoshi and Danforth?”
1048“They’re currently running over what will happen at the ceremony tomorrow,” Divine replied “Anyway, the colonel needs me; I’ll see you when I see you.” Jay sighed and slotted on his Aquarius glove. He was looking forward to setting fire to unknown elements and substances. In the Aquarius suit he bounded through the fire exit and then fired himself into the sky. 
1049
1050 Jay landed on the pavement that directly was underneath the MI6 headquarters. He had lost count of how many times now he had arrived at this building for meetings, and how many of those meetings meant he had to miss his education. With a quick burst of water from his heel he hovered over the steps that lead to the headquarters and entered the building. 
1051
1052 The elevator ride as always was boring when alone; he just stood there, waiting to go up while listening to more cheap backing music. All Jay did on the elevator was fire quick squirts of water from one wrist of his hand into the other. The truth was Giovanni never actually explained to Jay what his gloves done, it took him a day to realise he could actually take the glove off. Then influenced by the fact he could take the glove off his own hand in his first fight versus Falcon he simply tried to pull his glove off his hand. Of course, it didn’t work, he was bashed over the head with a metal wing, as Jay now realised only the owner of the glove could remove it willingly. The only other way was to deal enough damage to the glove so it would drain the energy out of the glove and essentially kill the suit. 
1053
1054  The elevator stopped at the scheduled floor with Jay pressing his hands against his ears to cancel out the horrific music that repeated the same eight beats over and over again. It seemed he had arrived later than everyone else as everyone was already at the table participating in a heated argument.
1055“Sarah, I’m sorry but after last night’s events we cannot let you keep the glove,” the colonel explained. 
1056“No, no, I need that glove for my research into the cure,” Sarah retorted.
1057“And what scientific breakthroughs have you made currently?” Magenta countered.
1058“Magenta, honey, you’re too young and ignorant to realise that scientific research as intense and in-depth as this requires time.” It had seemed everyone had ganged up against Sarah Porter, even the colonel. 
1059“What’s happening?” Jay questioned. He walked forward to the group of people screaming at each other. 
1060“We’re trying to convince Sarah Porter that she cannot keep hold of the Falcon gloves or any other elemental gloves for that matter,” Divine explained.
1061“I need those gloves,” Sarah snarled.
1062“And you can have them yes, but you’ll have to call by the MI6 headquarters to have them, we have a few hundred agents here that can guard it and protect it,” Divine replied.
1063“I refuse,” Sarah Porter snarled “Creating a serum to cure those poor innocent people that are locked into disgusting creatures and cannot control them. Do you not care for those poor victims?”
1064“We do,” Adam replied from the corner of the room which he resigned. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded “But what if Nicholas escapes prison again? He’ll have just an easy job reclaiming his glove again.”
1065“Nicholas is in the most protected prison in England, he won’t escape, I assure you,” Jay responded. 
1066“There,” Sarah called and pointed her finger to Jay who was behind her “Straight from the horse’s mouth.”
1067“Okay, not Falcon then,” Divine added “But a person just as psychotic that wants the glove.”
1068“Then give S.T.A.R.T more MI6 agents to protect it,” Sarah snapped.
1069“Or just keep the MI6 agents here and hold the gloves here,” Magenta replied. 
1070“No, please, I am begging each and every one of you,” Sarah pleaded. The colonel and Divine looked at each other. Jay placed his hands on the table. 
1071“If I can scout out the place every now and again making sure everything is fine we shouldn’t have to worry.”
1072“Exactly,” Sarah panted. Divine threw two hands into the air and smacked them against the table. 
1073“We’ll let you keep the gloves for now until we have another meeting.”
1074“No!” Sarah roared.
1075“That’s the best we can do Mrs Porter,” the colonel explained. 
1076“Those gloves are mine,” Sarah silently seethed. She got out of her seat abruptly and then marched out of the room. 
1077“Sarah being as sweet as usual I see,” Jay commented.
1078“She’s still riled up because of her husband,” Adam justified. 
1079“From what I’ve heard he’s still in the coma and his situation isn’t improving, in fact it’s getting worse,” the colonel added.
1080“Jay you should probably go and let us talk things over,” Divine explained “I’m sorry to ever drag you out of school especially with a meeting that turned out to be so pointless on your behalf.”
1081“No problem Mr. Divine, look, I get it, and it’s a stressful situation for everyone.” 
1082“Yes, I just wish she didn’t overreact to every little thing she didn’t like,” the colonel scowled. Jay pushed himself away from the table, leaving the building just as fast as he had entered it. It was okay in some regards though; at least Jay could now justifiably ditch school and catch up on some rooftop parkour.
1083
1084 It was evening. Crimson light was splashed onto the horizon of the sky which could be seen perfectly from the window. Sitting inside the cabin, the cabin of the ranch was Shamus. His uncle Tommy was out for the day with old school friends and so it allowed Shamus time alone. The TV blared in the background playing footage of the Falcon fight vs Jay Divine which was recorded for the news. Shamus poised his fists adopting Jay’s stance and punched when Jay punched. This process didn’t last soon long though as the footage showed Jay being slashed with metallic feathers as he failed an assault. 
1085“No Jay,” Shamus snarled. He paused the recording and rose from his arm chair “Amateur mistake, you always dodge and then attack you idiot. You have four elemental gloves and friggin’ Nicholas Smith has one, you should be destroying him.” With a sigh he turned to the kitchen counter which contained a few belongings of Tommy that were cluttered on top of the counter. Most of the stuff was useless except one object Shamus was intrigued by. It was a pocket knife. Shamus tapped his two fingers against the already opened blade and moved his fingers downwards until it reached the handle. He stared at the pocket knife for a few more seconds before snatching the pocket knife and placing it into his blazer pocket. 
1086
1087
1088
1089
1090Chapter 4-The Ceremony
1091Jay with hands dug into the pockets of his trousers stomped forward along the path to school along. It was clear Rachel was still trying to make him work to get back into her good books although they did text on Wednesday night exchanging texts until they had constructed a divisive plan on where and when to meet for The Ceremony. For the first day since he had received them Jay actually decided not to bring his gloves to school nor intended to bring them with him to the Ceremony. He just wanted to spend the day not worrying, for once, about crime. Jay still couldn’t believe it was today it had seemed like it had been talked about on so many occasions but was never due to happen, as if some sort of myth. Realising he was alone on his walk to school he had tuned his phone into the radio and with earphones connected began listening to the ongoing broadcast. 
1092“Our first news headline is a good one which is a rare occasion in news in our modern world. Tommy Davis owner of Tommy’s Shooting Ranch awarded a certificate for excellence for such a well-kept business.”
1093“That’s nice,” Jay breathed. He could hardly speak; the cold air was knocking against his teeth and tongue “I’m glad Shamus’ uncle is getting recognition finally for his ranch. He worked hard on that place.” He had been clouded with his own monologue and mindlessly walking forward. It wasn’t until he approached the gates that he realised ten metres ahead with him, giving him quick glances and a grin and flipping a water bottle with one hand into the other was Beth. He could just make out her words as she yelled “Hey Jay!” Jay yanked out his earphones and approached her.
1094“Hello Beth,” he replied. Needless to say she looked impeccable. The cold had whitened or frosted many people’s faces leaving them with a pale face and enflamed red cheeks and noses. Beth on the other hand was the complete opposite, her face radiated warmth and health and was perfectly coloured. Kim passed into school but stopped by the gates opposite them, Beth’s back was turned to her but Jay managed to see Kim who shot a glare of warning before passing through the gates. Beth looked down at her bottle of water and smiled.
1095“As I’ve said I’ve been listening to the news.”
1096“Well?” Jay probed. He leaned against the gate and folded his arms. Beth twisted around to him.
1097“I know about the ceremony today,” Jay nodded “I want to go there with you.”
1098“I mean, you can go there of course and we could maybe spot each other,” Jay offered. He attempted his best to dilute her argument and prevent her from keeping to it. Unfortunately she wasn’t giving up.
1099“No Jay, I want to go with you, I want to be by your side, holding your hand.” Jay listened to his heart rather than his mind.
1100“I’m sorry Beth, I can’t, and I’m going with someone else anyway.” 
1101“Going with someone else? You mean that cry baby? What’s her name? Rachel?” Beth spat. Her looks were still nothing less that absolutely beautiful but her toxic personality that was seeping out now was getting across more and more by the second. 
1102“Yes Beth, I’m going with Rachel,” Jay slowly replied. It was clear from his tone of voice he was exhausted with arguing about the whole notion.
1103“I don’t think you know what you’re missing out on by passing up the opportunity of not inviting me along with you,” Beth explained. She moved slightly closer to Jay. Their sleeves brushed against each other “We are a power couple in the making Jay. I realise it but unfortunately you have not yet. Jay, we could rule the world.”
1104“Thanks for the invite, I’m flattered I really am Beth,” Jay replied as sweetly as possible. Beth’s smile faded away almost immediately. She could sense the rejection coming “Look, invite some other guy; I’m sure they’d be delighted to have you as company, but I’m sorry Beth but I can’t.” Jay pushed himself off the gate which he leaned against and passed by her on his way to entering the gates. 
1105“Don’t do this Jay,” Beth warned. Her tone of voice was a complete oxymoron to the tone of her voice she had used in every other word she uttered to Jay. Her tone now was deep and ghastly making the initial warning now seem like a threat.
1106“I’m already doing it Beth, I’m already leaving you,” Jay responded fuelled by defiance. 
1107“Just let me hold your hand once, for a second, and make you reconsider,” Beth begged. She attempted to grasp his hand with hers but Jay was faster and smacked her hand away, successfully parrying her. 
1108“No,” Jay retorted with finally and marched off.
1109“Don’t blame me when things turn out sour then in the next few weeks, even in the next few days then Jay,” Beth yelled. Jay continued walking, he didn’t look back “You’ll see, I’ll give you a day and you’ll see you made a mistake today! You’ll see the light, the bright light, at the end of the tunnel!” Jay continued walking and inserted back into his ears his earphones in a desperate attempt to block Beth out. The earphones worked a treat at blocking out Beth but not the six foot five beast of a man that blocked Jay’s way. It was Isaac. Jay originally tried to move to the side and continue walking but Isaac with one massive step (a leap to a normal person) once again stood in front of Jay dooming down on him. Isaac signalled for Jay to pull out his earphones and obligingly Jay pulled them out. 
1110“Divine,” Isaac snorted. Jay took a step back so his vision now wasn’t just a face full of Isaac’s chest. 
1111“Isaac,” Jay responded. Isaac dug his hands into his blazer pocket. The two of them stood by the small entrance between the storage garage and canteen that lead on from the gate. Isaac doomed down upon Jay.
1112“Do you believe our society is good?” 
1113Jay scrunched his face up in initial response to the question. It was a question he was never asked, even by Shamus. 
1114“I believe so yes,” Jay replied safely. The look on Isaac’s face however told Jay that his response was the one he wasn’t looking for.
1115“So you’re telling me you believe in what the likes of Colonel Harrison and Sarah Porter believe and preach?” Isaac asked with a snarl “Or Danforth?” Now to Jay personally he agreed with the rules and regulations upheld by the powerful hierarchy such as his father, the colonel, Sarah Porter and Audrey Danforth because he himself worked alongside them day to day. It would be hypocritical for him to disregard openly what he disliked about their regulations. However he would have to agree that the likes of Danforth and at a stretch Porter had done things that hurt the people of the country.
1116“I believe in what they believe,” Jay replied and attempted to squeeze past once more. Isaac stopped him once more and lowered his head down to Jay’s height. 
1117“That’s what they want to you to say, but you,” Isaac growled into Jay’s ear “What do you believe?”
1118“Well maybe Danforth could listen more to the requests of the people yes,” Jay nodded. Isaac looked at him with admiring eyes which screamed for him to continue “But I believe generally England is kept well.” Isaac looked down to the ground, Jay couldn’t see his eyes which were hidden behind his eyelids, and he was grinning.
1119“Okay,” he casually replied and pulled his head upwards again to allow him to doom down on Jay due to the immense height difference. With insane speed he grabbed Jay with his two hands and slammed him against the shut garage door. Jay’s feet were plucked off the ground; he was lifted over six feet into the air alongside Isaac and staring down each other face to face. Now Jay finally understood why the pupils and even the teachers were terrified of him “Just don’t come running back to me Divine when your little group of powerful people in MI6 headquarters collapse with the struggles of fighting a society of people all wanting to be like Falcon.” Isaac let go. Jay dropped about a foot and landed on his behind. Isaac walked off. Jay picked himself up and brushed the dust off the back of his blazer.
1120“What a great interaction with the glorious head boy,” Jay muttered sarcastically. He checked his schoolbag making sure it was undamaged then continued into school.
1121
1122 Entering school wasn’t too much better for Jay either. Although he had the brief friendly run in and chat with Justin on the way to his cloakroom Jay passed several other cloakrooms and stopped by the one which was used for the girls of the youngest year group. Josh was back to his old bullying tactics but with the assistance this time of Shamus who held the girl in the air, pressing her against the wall which held the hooks for hanging items like coats onto. Shamus gripped her tightly by the collar. In his hand was the pocket knife he had stolen last night and had the blade pressing gently against her neck. The young girl was snivelling with tears dripping from her eyes. Shamus’ eyes on the other hand were flared with life and reflected his enjoyment of what he was doing. Even Josh, admittedly, was scared of Shamus and what he was doing. 
1123“Not a very good day for you is it sweetheart?” Shamus barked. His breaths were like pants of a dog. His eyes were wild. He licked his teeth slowly after speaking; there was a couple of seconds before he spoke again. The silence was only displaced by the audible sobs of the girl. Shamus pressed his face against hers; staring into her worried eyes “I want to see you suffer.”
1124“And we want your money,” Josh quivered from behind Shamus.
1125“And I want your blood,” Shamus snarled. With a psychotic grin he pressed the blade further into the girls neck watching as the blood began to trickle out through her stab wound and onto the blade. Shamus grinned once more while internally rejoicing. 
1126“Stop,” Jay ordered from behind them. He stood, fists clenched and staring into the corridor which the two bullies and small schoolgirl were at. Josh turned to Jay however Shamus remained with his back turned and the same worrying sadistic grin as ever. He did however, and to the relief of Jay, fulfilled his request and pulled the girl back down onto her feet. Shamus also dropped his freshly coated bloody pocket knife into his blazer pocket. He hadn’t entirely freed the girl to the disappointment of Jay’s hopes; however, instead he threw her into Josh who caught her in his arms. 
1127“What do you want Divine?” Shamus howled. Jay took a step closer, he was now in the cloakroom officially, and the atmosphere was far more intense and scary in comparison to the corridor. Uncontrollably Jay’s legs for the first time in his life literally shook in response to the unbelievable amount of fear. No criminal he had encountered beforehand ever had this effect on him: Falcon nor Gears. Maybe it was because he had the safety net of his elemental gloves when facing off against those fiends or maybe it was because he was actually witnessing his beloved friend becoming a semi-psychopath. 
1128“I want you to leave this poor girl alone,” Jay finally answered to Shamus. He practically stumbled across the sentence and stuttered through it. He turned to look at the girl who was still bleeding from the neck resulting in bloody crimson streaks running down from her neck, the stab wound wasn’t fatal, it wouldn’t kill her, fortunately but still the intent to watch someone bleed and enjoy it was nothing less than horrifying. The blood from the girl’s neck trickled onto Josh, immediately upon realising this and with a strong push he shoved her into the corridor and sent her flying past Jay. She crashed into the wall at the end of the corridor and immediately raced off, still crying. Shamus swivelled his neck to Josh thus also resulting in his face being cranked around to look at him too. He still stood with his back turned to Jay however. 
1129“Why did you throw the girl away?” Shamus barked “Don’t you want your money?”
1130“I do,” Josh stuttered. He finally made strong eye contact with Shamus after breaking it on several occasions “I’m sorry.”
1131“Don’t worry Josh; they’ll be plenty others, besides the girl won’t tell, those kinds of people are too shy to,” Shamus grunted. He paused for a second “Go on, me and Jay need to talk.” Josh nodded and then walked off however he still purposefully smacked his shoulder against Jay’s as he walked by. 
1132“Well,” Jay scowled “What was that all about?” Shamus finally spun around to him, facing him and attempting to give a conclusion.
1133“Just a bit of fun Jay,” Shamus justified.
1134“Hardly,” Jay immediately retorted. Shamus frowned. 
1135“Tell me Jay Divine, what would you be without me or your gloves?” Shamus asked. He began waltzing around the cloakroom as he spoke acting as if the school was his. Jay attempted a reply.
1136“-Well…I…” 
1137“The truth is Jay, you’d be nothing. Who taught you how to fire a gun? Who fended off Josh when you were getting bullied by him last year? Who got you into the debating club? Who encouraged you last year to talk to Rachel and then who, literal days ago, had to save your relationship with her after you picked Beth, a girl you knew for far less time, over a girl you knew for so long and shared so many experiences with.”
1138“I got into MI6 and am practically saving the world,” Jay boasted “And you had no involvement in that whatsoever.”
1139“No Jay, I didn’t. But that’s where my second argument comes in; it was also your gloves that helped you get to where you are now. I and your genetics created you. Without those two factors you’d be nothing,” Shamus began walking towards Jay so he could perfect his argument ensuring the maximum amount of reaction from Jay possible “You’d be powerless. You’d have no friends. You’d be bullied. You’d be mocked, you’d be teased, you’d be useless.” Jay paused for a moment completely rooted to the spot. He didn’t know how to answer, what Shamus was saying was true. Many of the things he had learnt were thanks to Shamus. Shamus let the final point of his argument set in and then walked off down the corridor and disappearing from sight. Jay sat down on a nearby bench in the cloakroom and slumped onto it. He pressed his palms against his forehead which was pointed downwards and his elbows were pressed against both his knees. His eyesight was obscured. Jay sat there for several moments muttering scowls and groans. Fortunately this sequence of events didn’t last two long before he was tapped on the shoulder and rose in the presence of Kim, Justin and Caleb.
1140“Jay?” Kim asked. 
1141“Hey guys,” Jay coughed. 
1142“Is everything okay Jay?” Caleb inquired.
1143“We overheard you and Shamus talking and wanted to make sure everything was alright,” Justin added. 
1144“A little weirded out but I’ll be fine,” Jay responded.
1145“If you need any help don’t be afraid to ask us, we have your back,” Kim reassured. She placed a hand on Jay’s shoulder and gave him a smile. Justin gave Jay thumbs up alongside a wink. Caleb however gave no real positive reinforcement to Jay and just stood there with a small smile. After a few more minutes of discussion the group of four dispersed and left for classes. 
1146
1147 The day of school consisting of two tests and an in-class essay had finally ended. Lucky none of the rest of the day involved Jay getting into any more confrontations. Beth, Isaac and Shamus were enough to plenty enough to handle for one day. He walked onto the cobblestone path in front of the old Marylebone town hall. The old Marylebone town hall was a grand building that was many storeys high, coated in pristine white paint and at the top was a sort of spire that cut high into the sky. The speech was to be taken outside the doors at the front which was overshadowed by the white roof that was connected into the ground by a dozen sturdy pillars. Each and every one was the perfect distance apart from each other. Already in preparation for the speech to take place was a pulpit alongside four seats that were lined against the wall of the town hall. The old Marylebone town hall itself was often used for weddings however on this particular occasion the wedding venues couldn’t happen as there was a ceremony happening right by the doors to the venue. Jay flicked alive his phone for a moment to check the time, it was ten to six. Ten minutes before it was scheduled to begin. Divine and the colonel were already standing halfway up the steps that lead to the doors of the old Marylebone town hall and most importantly the pulpit for the ceremony. To set up the event in such a short amount of time and encourage the owners of the town hall to let the event happen was impressive. However with Danforth it was possible. It wasn’t because she was good at negotiating, in fact she was horrible at it, and instead she just abused her power of being prime minister most likely threatening those owners of the venue. Rachel walked closely beside Jay making small talk with him. Jay turned to his left, about a hundred metres to his left was his father, Divine’s car. To his right parked several metres away from the front of the old Marylebone town hall was Danforth’s car. It was a Lamborghini of course, well, one of the half a dozen she overall owned. Kokoshi stood ahead of Jay in a growing conversation with an older man who shook his hand obviously hearing about the news about him being a hero. The two ended their conversation however just in time as Jay and Rachel arrived. 
1148“Jay,” Kokoshi grinned. Before Jay could say another word Kokoshi flung his arms around Jay and squeezed him tight resulting in a bear hug. Jay after wrapping his arms around Kokoshi likewise finally broke free. Kokoshi turned to Rachel who had awkwardly witnessed the hug. Kokoshi thrust out his hand to her “Hello, I believe we haven’t met, I’m Kokoshi.”
1149“Rachel,” Rachel greeted and shook his hand “I’m Jay’s friend.” Kokoshi looked back and forth at the two with suspicious looks.
1150“You two are just friends?”  Kokoshi winked. Jay shook his head sideways viciously in response to Kokoshi’s words warning him about the awkwardness of that topic between him and Rachel. The truth dawned on Kokoshi as he opened his mouth wide in realisation and proceeded to change the topic “Excited for the ceremony?”
1151“As long as it doesn’t take too long,” Rachel truthfully replied.
1152“Ah it won’t take too long I imagine. My speech is only a couple of minutes.”
1153“Are you nervous for the ceremony?” Jay inquired “For example, making the speech?” Kokoshi gleamed.
1154“Yeah dude, it is, I haven’t had to make a speech in about five years’ time. The last time I had to make a speech was at…um,” Kokoshi began to croak. He was no longer gleaming. He would’ve stopped the sentence there but felt an obligation to tell Jay since he and him had become rather close the last few days “…a funeral…for my little brother.” Rachel and Jay turned to look at each other exchanging awkward and sympathetic views.
1155“I’m sorry to hear that Kokoshi,” Jay responded caringly. Kokoshi nodded bravely.
1156“Yeah, the saddest part though is I never got to see my little brother. Phillip. My parents were going to call him…um…Phillip. But he died almost immediately after my mother gave birth to him,” Kokoshi explained. He looked dreamily into the distance staring at the cars parked right next to the entrance to the old Marylebone town hall. Finally he turned to Jay and Rachel with a grin as always, optimism oozed out of him in his final sentence to the two “But it’s okay, my mother is still fine, she wasn’t hurt or anything, just still a little shaken. Anyway, I better go, hope you two enjoy.” 
1157“Bye Kokoshi,” Rachel weakly replied. Kokoshi skipped off to the pulpit.
1158“Poor Kokoshi,” Jay muttered.
1159“That’s awful,” Rachel agreed “It just makes you realise how privileged you are to not have such a horrible thing happen in your life.” More people, couples, groups or single people, began crowding in to the area where Jay and Rachel were standing to observe the ceremony. Police were scattered across the entire area. There were a total of four police cars and sixteen police officers. Nothing short of a lightning strike was stopping this event. The road running past the town hall was shut down too with two police officers on each side patrolling and re-directing drivers. Jay peered off into the distance finding two people he must’ve previously missed. It was Adam and Magenta. Adam seemed to be taking full opportunity of the event wrapping his arm around Magenta’s waist; Magenta even had her head pressed against his shoulder. Danforth finally scurried onto the stage after applying a fresh doze of her beloved lipstick which apparently made up for the event being held up. Kokoshi, Divine and the colonel were all in position by their seats awkwardly watching as she stumbled up the steps to the town hall in killer bright red high heels. 
1160“Looks like its starting,” Rachel whispered into Jay’s ear with excitement. Jay turned to her and admired her for once. Maybe it was because they had been friends for so long but he had never actually realised how stunning Rachel looked especially outside of her uniform. Her dress was completely black but had a front belle knot. Her shoes were matching too with again dark flat shoes. Moreover, concealed under strands of hair but still fairly visible were two small gold and silver crusted earrings. 
1161“You look gorgeous.” Jay immediately covered his mouth with his two hands in realisation he had just said the words that were only supposed to be kept inside his head. Rachel blushed and awkwardly hung her head to the sight but still maintained eye contact.
1162“Thank you Jay,” she smiled. Jay’s outfit on the other hand was jeans with red sneakers and a white t-shirt outlined in cyan. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary and he definitely hadn’t put in the same amount of effort as Rachel.  Just like school he hadn’t brought his elemental gloves with him, for once he wanted to forget about his condition. Every time he looked at those gloves there were vivid flashbacks of the abuse and quite frankly tortured he had suffered through with Felix Giovanni. Danforth after finally leaping over the steps more like a hurdle due to her heels finally waddled over to the pulpit. Her mouth pressed against the microphone.
1163“Hello is this-” the sound system let out an ear aching screech forcing the audience to cup their hands over their ears. Although to Jay Danforth speaking and the nails on a chalk board sound just screeched really weren’t that different. Danforth gave off a quick glare to the man in charge of the sound before returning to her speech “Hello, this is Audrey Danforth, your beloved Prime Minister. But unfortunately citizens we are not here for me, we are here for someone else, a man who had done a very noble deed. To my right are three powerful men in our society that deserve a round of applause each for their contribution to England. The first is the handsome and ever so intelligent colonel Paul Harrison.” The colonel took a step forward, the steps you were taught to march with in the military, before bowing for to the crowd. He then took a step back.
1164“Do you work much alongside the colonel?” Rachel whispered to Jay. 
1165“Not really,” Jay responded with more whispers “I only knew what he looked like less than a week ago from now after he was nearly assassinated by Falcon.”
1166“God, thank goodness Falcon is now finally behind bars.”
1167“Amen to that,” Jay muttered. 
1168“Next is a man who at many times has become the literal Atlas figure. It feels like on many occasions he is left to himself to hold up the world by his own two hands with nobody else to help. We value him for his determination, sophistication and positivity. Ladies and gentlemen: Damien Divine-”
1169“-Why are you not up there?” Rachel asked “You’ve done an awful lot for the country the past few days also.”
1170“I don’t know,” Jay responded and shrugged.
1171“And finally is the hero himself. The man who saved our very Jay Divine, saviour of England with his elemental gloves who six days ago was to be shot by a gunman in the very heart of London.” Rachel patted Jay on the back. Jay grinned in response. He turned to Adam and Magenta who grinned back at him and held up their thumbs, Magenta even mouthed the words “good work” even with her head still pressed against Adam’s shoulder. A familiar black jeep bigger that most of the vehicles parked in the general vicinity fairly quietly with nobody really noticing except Jay. The jeep was about a hundred metres from where the presentation was taking place in front of the Marylebone old town hall. It was at this moment Jay released just how boxed in he was in the crowd. There were about a hundred people spectating all different shapes, sizes and colours. Rachel and he were in the very middle. 
1172“This man who shot the gunman and saving Jay’s life is police officer Stephen Kokoshi. The man of the hour,” Danforth announced. Kokoshi waked over to the pulpit beside Danforth and then the colonel followed behind. Divine sat down with one leg crossed over another and calmly observed the ceremony. Kokoshi attempted to get to the pulpit and microphone but Danforth pressed him back with a firm push of the hand. She once again pressed her mouth against the microphone “Before I hand over to officer Kokoshi to make his speech before receiving his medal from the colonel I would like to say one more thing. Many of you may not know but next Thursday at six o’ clock in Blenheim Palace will be a debate between me and Georgie Black who laughably apposes my role of prime minister in this government and wants it for himself. So I encourage you citizens to remember what I have down for you, what I am doing currently in praising this young officer and hosting this event, and therefore I can stay Prime Minister of England.” 
1173“What event would it be that Danforth was invited to if she didn’t try to beg the townsfolk to keep her as Prime Minister?” Jay sarcastically murmured. Rachel laughed in response. 
1174“Do you think you’ll show up to that debate?”
1175“I don’t know,” Jay responded “I guess I should to show my support towards Danforth. She has been nice to me in every encounter I’ve personally had with her.”
1176“Well, if you’re going can I come as well?” Rachel blushed. 
1177“Sure,” Jay breathed. The two, grinning, turned back to the ceremony. Danforth finally left the pulpit and sat down beside Divine. The colonel, standing at ease, was mostly blocking her however as he stood aside to the pulpit. Kokoshi approached the microphone.
1178“Hello?” Kokoshi whimpered. His own voice was echoed throughout the ceremony and onto the crowd. Kokoshi shakily grasped his prepared and folded file page from his trouser pocket and then set it onto the pulpit “Well for anyone interested I am a police officer born in China and at about the age of eight I came originally to Scotland then five years later moved here to England. I’ve been living here now for the other ten years of my life.” Shouting from the police officers could be heard from the road. Most people turned around in response to the events. The two officers guarding their side of the road were smacking against the window of a black jeep which rumbled on down the road that was clearly blocked off. 
1179“Excuse me, sir!” one of the police officers yelled. 
1180“This road’s off limits please turn back,” the other police officer yelled from the other side of the jeep. Likewise to the other police officer he smacked his fist against the window and door every so often. It wasn’t until the jeep approached just outside the town hall when Kokoshi attempted to continue his speech. The colonel stood awkwardly beside him snapping himself out of his ease position and grasped the medal in his hand. It was at this moment one of the jeep doors facing away from the town hall was fired open flinging the police officer onto his back on the road that attempted to stop the car. The other police officer had it no better as no more than two seconds later he had the door swung open colliding against his face also. He, unlike the other police officer, didn’t fall over but was knocked back several steps. He drew his pistol from his pocket in retaliation but was easily beaten by the supernatural, all powerful neon thunder that was launched from inside the car and was forcefully injected into his body. The voltage was immense and as soon as the sparks collided with the surface of his skin his pupils and white eyes were completely deleted and replaced with pink neon eyes that flickered viciously and unhealthily. He died as he hopelessly fell to his knees. The other police officer who was hurled to the ground on his back likewise instinctively went to grab his pistol from his pocket but was shot dead by a clean, precise, well calculated shot to the heart. The killer hoped out of the driver seat immediately revealing him, a masked man with an assault rifle. The person had no significance except the outfit they wore and gun was very alike to the gunmen Falcon had. Now that Jay thought about it, the black jeeps were identical as well. The situation progressively grew worse as the two back doors were elbowed open and the three gunmen from the back revealed themselves from the back all marching against the road and clutching assault rifles. The worst monstrosity of the lot however was the last figure to leave the car, the one that had killed the police officer with a single bolt of lightning. It was Demise. Its elemental monster was so distinctive; the person’s entire body was cloaked with a neon suit. All except the white trapeziums of eyes were undistinguishable. With electricity readily surging through the fists and wrists of the suits Demise exited the car boldly. By this stage many people were beginning to bash into each other as they scurried for were a possible escape route may be. The other jeep parked a few minutes beforehand also opened up revealing five more gunmen armed with as much weaponry as the military. Each group of five had a designated gunman throw tear gas to the ground. The white clouds exploded into the air hazing down the area and reducing the sight of the people. 
1181“Jay?” Rachel coughed. She placed her hand over her eyes in a desperate attempt to find Jay. Jay could see figures all around him shuffling to and fro but not any that looked like Rachel. He couldn’t even hear her over the screams the people made in terror. The four people accompanying the stage and pulpit could still be visible, frozen by fear they remained in their spots unsure what to do. Piercing through the ever growing white mist as more canisters of tear gas were thrown to the ground was Demise. Their bright neon light burned through the clouds and showed them taking several steps forward. Once satisfied with their positioning Demise created four knives the same colour and look as their outfit. Ever growing screams could be heard in the crowd that began dispersing. Jay stood powerless and watched as Demise pointed their two hands towards the direction of the pulpit and the knives obeyed. They flung themselves right towards the pulpit. Although the main target Demise had picked out was unidentifiable the knives were definitely set to fire towards the colonel. Immobilised by a lethal combination of fear and confusion the colonel stood still watching open-mouthed as the airborne knives sliced effortlessly through the air and speeding towards him at the speed of a bicycle. The knives drew in closer and realising the risk of the colonel being completely shredded Kokoshi sprinted from the pulpit. Gunfire could be heard nearby, whether it was directed at him or not he didn’t care, he had to save this life. With a fraction of a second to spare he rammed into the colonel, he hadn’t completely saved the colonel as a knife was catapulted into his elbow. Kokoshi on the other hand had to bare the negative outcome of his bravery and took the remaining three knives which sliced and plunged deep into different areas around the chest. The two fell to the ground lifeless and unmoving as the mist once again gathered furthermore in the air and blocked anymore view from the stage. 
1182“Kokoshi!” Jay screeched in immediate response to the horrific incident. The clouds consumed Kokoshi’s unmoving body. A gentlemen, more buff that the average man, in desperation to escape charged past Jay, colliding against Jay’s body with his shoulder. The man was fine and continued on running but Jay was lobbed to the ground. His head hurt with the impact that it collided against the sturdy surface with but he still was determined. He looked around to examine the scenes that were unfolding. About twenty metres in the distance were three people, whether police officers or regular citizens were unknown, forced to their knees and mercilessly shot by the gunmen. Jay began to panic. What if that was Adam, Magenta and Rachel? What if it was Divine or Danforth? One thing Jay was certain about though was that Kokoshi and the colonel were still on the stage and in desperate need of medical attention. Jay raced off in pursuit of the stage while calling out the seven names of the beloved individuals if by some miracle they firstly heard him and secondly potentially saw him. The tear gas didn’t help however, Jay tried his best but his vision on many occasions was distorted by the river of his tears his eyes was proceeding to produce. Breathing was also an issue, often Jay was forced to take quick breathes in order to escape the sharp pain that would follow if he became too greedy. A figure bent down and coughing while clutching their stomach could be made out amidst the clouds of tear gas. Jay had no time, unfortunately, to help them. He sprinted into their direction then front flipped over their body after propelling himself into the air by pressing his two hands against their back. Despite the abyss of white below him Jay landed perfectly on his two feet. Ahead of him he could just make out the steps that led to the stage. The pulpit had been pushed down onto the steps with several part of the wood chipped off, the microphone was buried underneath and completely destroyed. Jay continued upwards fighting through the burning sensation that he felt on his eyes and in his lungs. With quick hops and climbing up the steps two at a time Jay scaled the entire set of steps to the stage. To the left of Jay’s foot was unmistakably the fallen hero Kokoshi. Only painful wheezes could be heard from his body that lay on the ground. Jay upon realising this crouched down to Kokoshi. Jay ran his fingers against Kokoshi’s once white shirt now stained almost entirely red with his own blood. The knives had disappeared but the wounds were still clear and observable. The fabric of the shirt which the blade had sliced through was completely shredded and so was the flesh. There were three stab wounds in total both about two inches deep inside the body. Jay fell to his knees and with tears welling in his eyes shook Kokoshi’s unmoving body.
1183“Kokoshi, wake up,” Jay whimpered. The lifeless body was shook vigorously by Jay in an attempt to awaken Kokoshi. Gunfire and more screams could be heard, complementing the backdrop. Two more canisters of tear gas were tossed to the ground. Kokoshi once again desperately shook at Kokoshi’s body gripping his shirt tightly. Finally, as if Jay’s prayers had been answered Kokoshi slowly opened his eyes. 
1184“Jay?” Kokoshi murmured. His vision was blurry and disoriented. He looked at Jay puzzled for the first few moments before realising it was him. His lips quivered as he spoke and breathed. Blood was stained against his teeth and tongue. Jay looked at the completely shredded man before him.
1185“Are you okay Kokoshi?” Jay reaffirmed.
1186“I can’t feel anything.”
1187“That’s good isn’t it?”
1188“No Jay,” Kokoshi refuted with a snarl “I can’t…feel…ANYTHING.” He turned to Jay with pale white eyes that became paler and more lifeless by the second. The rest of his body was unmoving. Jay pressed his hand against his stomach.
1189“Can you get up? Can you move?” Jay sniffled. He attempted to manoeuvre Kokoshi to his feet but with a sharp scream Kokoshi’s body moved back to its original position despite Jay only raising it about an inch or two. 
1190“Jay, I’m not getting up and getting out of here,” Kokoshi responded. He attempted to laugh but only ended up coughing up a small amount of blood from his throat “Go, now.”
1191“I’m not leaving you,” Jay snarled. The tears once welling but contained in his eyelids now dripped to the ground. Kokoshi with all the power left in his dying body grasped Jay’s shirt with his hand.
1192“Go and save the others, like Rachel…” Kokoshi explained. His breath in was like a wheeze. Jay could feel the pain Kokoshi was going through by attempting to fill air into his failing lungs “I just want you to know Jay you were like a little brother to me…The little brother I never got to have.” Kokoshi’s head which was originally raised to talk to Jay at once mechanically fell back and fell to the ground. The blood that was on his tongue dribbled with a combination of saliva onto his chin. His eyes were pale, unmoving and lifeless. His body too was unmoving and soulless. The hand that grasped onto Jay’s shirt fell to the ground and remained there. Jay, head bowed and on his knees, cried and sniffled by the dead body of Kokoshi. Not only was the officer his hero but a friend, someone he felt was genuine and someone no matter what he could talk about anything to. He was such an inspirational role model to him. The gunfire happening in the background was cancelled out momentarily by Jay. He just closed his eyes, tears flooding down his cheeks. He was still somewhat in disbelief to what happened. 
1193“I love you Kokoshi,” Jay wept. Biting down firmly on his lip and wincing Jay shut Kokoshi’s two eyes forcefully with two of his fingers. Jay finally rose to his feet. His lungs were burning, the lining felt as if they had been stained with lava. His eyes were burning too with the tear gas and with the realisation one of his best friends and role models were now dead. But he couldn’t remain upset forever, there were still people that needed saving, and it was Jay’s duty to save them. First was to locate the colonel as undeniably he wasn’t in the best of situations too after being stabbed also. Jay respectfully shimmied past Kokoshi and began exploring more of the stage, he just kept moving forward, covering more area that was to the right of the stage which the colonel should’ve been located. However Jay’s plan was quickly shut down as approaching from the right of the stage was a gunmen stomping through the mist with the aid of a flashlight attached to his assault rifle. 
1194“Hey,” the gunman screeched as Jay was illuminated by his flashlight. Fuelled by rage and the craving of justice; Jay then charged at the gunman and managed to grab his assault rifle with his own two hands. A bullet was fired into the distance, into one of the many clouds of white smoke. The gunmen and Jay wrestled with the assault rifle grasped in both of their hands and attempting to knockback the other person. They fought tirelessly both grunting and panting as the gun was twisted in all directions. It the gunmen who one getting Jay’s hands off his assault rifle but in doing so himself and Jay were forced backwards with such power that fired them both off the stage and caused their bodies to collide with one of the steps. The pistol in the gunman’s trouser pocket slipped out and bounced down the steps alongside the two bodies that were hurled down the flight of steps until they hit the ground. Jay stopped immediately as he hit the ground, the gunman hit the ground and skidded for a second before the friction of his body and assault rifle, which he still clutched to, stopped his body’s momentum. The pistol landed by Jay’s body. The area on the road, which they had landed on, contained far less tear gas clouds than what was on the stage. Jay could actually see the gunman now as he clambered to his feet. The only other thing that could be seen was a car two metres away from him which was abandoned, there were no occupants. Behind the car though was just white fog, nothing else was visible. The gunman clutched his forehead and held the assault rifle loosely with one hand. Jay too was disorientated in response to the numerous slams against the steps. He reached out for the pistol ahead for him and scraped it forward to his hand with his fingertips. The gunman was faster though, he had risen to his feet before Jay grabbed the gun. With two hands held on his assault rifle, looking down on Jay and shining the bright light onto his face he took a step forward.
1195“Stupid kid,” he snarled and attempted to pull the trigger. His last words were costly though as they allowed Jay the time to claim the pistol, turn and fire milliseconds before the gunman touched the trigger. The masked man collapsed to the ground unmoving. Pink neon surged through the white clouds behind the car. Jay rose to his feet at once with the pistol still aimed at the gunman in case. Upon the realisation that he wouldn’t be returning alive Jay gave off a sigh of relief and then held the pistol loosely in one hand by his side. Jay looked down at the body once again panting desperately. He had just committed murder. It was the gunman’s life or his, Jay knew that but still, it was hard to believe it had to come to that, where he had to take another human’s life. 
1196“Get off me!” Rachel yelled from the distance. 
1197“Rachel,” Jay muttered. He looked into the clouds desperately trying to find where she was located. However in an instant Jay realised he personally had bigger problems as a pink glow descended from the air and crashed into the ground. Striking through the obstruction of the haze and glowing viciously was Demise. The monster channelled the electricity that surged through their fists before cocking back and then launching it in the direction of Jay. Jay leaped as he witnessed the thunderbolts that surged right for him. He fell to the ground and the pistol flew out of his hand and skidded three inches away after successfully leaping a metre but the thunderbolt didn’t hit Jay, in fact, it wasn’t even aimed directly for Jay. Instead the thunderbolts struck against the tyres of the car and launched the vehicle into the air. The hunk of metal that was the remainder of the car crashed on top of Jay. Jay attempted to crawl out of the way and succeeded in a certain extent but his leg was trapped underneath. His face was forced to smack against the ground but immediately he lifted it up. Demise strolled towards him with more volts of electricity rushing through the monster’s body. 
1198“Pathetic Divine,” Demise cackled. The voice was as if you were hearing a radio broadcast that was breaking up with signal. The voice was wispy and unidentifiable with the pink neon mask equipped. It was even impossible for Jay to identify if it was a male or female. Fortunately however Demise’s height was the same as Jay’s so at least if he got into an elemental monster fight with them they wouldn’t have the height advantage. Jay stretched his body desperately clawing at the pistol with his fingers but he couldn’t reclaim the pistol, instead his fingernails were pathetically scrapping against the very bottom of the magazine. Demise drew near and smashed their two fists together sending shockwaves through their neon suit. Jay feared he would’ve been killed there on the spot by lethal doses of electricity. 
1199“Listen Demise, if I wanted to die by electricity I would’ve stuck a fork into my toaster please don’t do this,” Jay begged. He tried again to grasp the gun but barely failed. Demise turned to look behind them at a scene Jay clearly could not as the mist was too thick. The scene seemed important enough however for Demise to leave Jay. The monster with one quick blast of sparks against the ground rose into the air and flew away. The neon surged through the clouds until Demise had disappeared from Jay’s view. All that rushed through Jay’s mind was the question of what would be happening if he actually brought his gloves, would Kokoshi still be alive? God, it was a stupid idea never to bring them, he thought. It was an idea he tried to push to the back of his mind but couldn’t get fully rid of. 
1200“Stupid brat,” the gunman snarled. Two figures raced into line of sight of Jay. It was Rachel and one of Demise’s gunmen. The gunman shoved Rachel back. She was pushed back a few feet into sight of Jay. The gunman just like the previous one was grasping hold of an assault rifle.
1201“No!” Rachel refused attempting to charge at the gunman. She was smashed over the forehead with the back of the assault rifle. In response to the insane force of the rifle hitting her she was launched to the ground. The gunman raised his gun and loomed over her. Jay once more desperately attempted to grab the pistol, his fingers tapped against the magazine, it wobbled slightly with every touch showing signs that his attempts were slowly working but not fast enough. Rachel was going to die.
1202“Rachel! No!” Jay yelled. The gunman half-turned his head to Jay behind him but immediately turned back to Rachel. Rachel attempted to crawl away on her back. The gunman stomped on her stomach pinning her down in place and shot a bullet which was an inch off Rachel’s head. She cried with the pain of the horrific ringing that burned through her ears. The gunman laughed.
1203“Don’t worry, you won’t be in pain any longer,” he bluntly reassured. Jay panted unhealthily and at extreme rates as the gun was aimed at Rachel’s head. Jay tried again for the pistol but failed, his leg was pinned down by the car and he couldn’t move at all. The gunman looked down on Rachel with the flashlight blaring down on her eyes before getting shot. The bullet that was fired smashed through one temple and exited through the other. His brain was shredded and his life was ended. Rachel rolled to the side as the dead, bloody body fell on top of the original position where she was pinned down. Emerging from the bleached cloud was Adam fuelled by determination. In both hands he held a pistol that small wisps of smoke escaped from confirming that he indeed had fired the bullet. Magenta followed on behind looking carefully for any other gunmen. 
1204“Excuse me young lady are you okay?” Adam asked. He dropped to one knee and offered a hand up which Rachel gladly accepted. 
1205“Jay…” Rachel puffed. Adam and Magenta turned to each other.
1206“Jay Divine?” Magenta clarified. Rachel nodded slowly. Adam rose to his feet alongside Rachel. 
1207“What’s your name?” Adam inquired. 
1208“Rachel,” Rachel breathed. She pressed her hands against her knees and took a deep breath of the freshest air she could obtain. 
1209“Rachel, do you know where Jay Divine is?” Magenta asked. 
1210“I’m here!” Jay yelled. His throat was dry and that was shown clearly by the rasps in his yell. Adam, Magenta and Rachel turned to where they heard the call and discovered Jay trapped underneath the car.
1211“Oh my goodness Jay, what happened?” Magenta squeaked. She knelt down by the car side.
1212“Sorry, just a few parking issues,” Jay sarcastically croaked. His leg was still buried underneath the wreck of the car.
1213“Hold on, we’ll get you out,” Rachel reassured. She nodded to Adam and Magenta who both confidentially nodded back. At once they both began tugging at the car attempting to move it upwards. At first nothing happened but after truly challenging their strength the three collectively began slowly lifting the car.
1214“Go Jay, quick,” Adam rasped. The car had been lifted just enough for Jay to pull out his leg. He did so obligingly the first opportunity he got and leaped away from the car. Face planting onto the cold, tear gas stained ground never felt so good. Rachel pulled him to his feet.
1215“Are you okay Jay?” Rachel asked. She rubbed his arm while doing so.
1216“I’m fine yeah,” Jay wheezed. He grasped Rachel’s back with his arm “What about you?”
1217“Fine,” Rachel smiled “Well, not trapped under a three ton car at least.”
1218“True,” Jay replied with a laugh of his own. There was something about Rachel’s eyes staring into his own that made Jay so relaxed, comforted and reassured. 
1219“What about Kokoshi?” Magenta inquired. Jay pulled his arm away from Rachel and she then pulled hers from him. 
1220“Kokoshi’s dead,” Jay sniffed. Adam’s and Magenta’s hands both covered their face hiding their expressions of instant shock. They didn’t know how to respond. 
1221“God,” Magenta sniffed. 
1222“Poor guy, oh my,” Adam mumbled. Even Rachel lowered her head and cupped her hands between her legs in sympathy. In the first time in a couple of minutes now the gunfire had ceased. That was either a good thing or a very bad thing. 
1223“I’m going to try and find the colonel,” Jay spoke.
1224“No Jay, don’t,” Rachel countered.
1225“Rachel, I have to.”
1226“I’m coming with you then,” Rachel protested.
1227“No Rachel, there’s no point in us both dying.”
1228“Leave Jay to get the colonel Rachel,” Adam explained. He looked back at Magenta “You stay with Magenta, she’ll keep you save.”
1229“Where are you going?” Magenta snapped.
1230“I’m going to find Divine.”
1231“And what happens if he’s dead and you get killed as well?” Magenta retorted.
1232“Then so be it,” Adam responded “Magenta, Divine’s my boss. I have an obligation to protect him.”
1233“I know Adam. I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Magenta whimpered. Adam drew close to her, grabbed her by the waist and shared a quick yet passionate kiss with her. Rachel and Jay both smiled as the kiss happened. It was a beautiful scene. Magenta blushed.
1234“I’ll see you soon,” Adam winked.
1235“You better,” Magenta retorted with a grin. 
1236“Alright team let’s do it,” Jay encouraged “Good luck and break a leg.”
1237“Could you have said anything worse?” Rachel laughed. But the motivational talk worked, the four dispersed into their agreed directions. 
1238
1239 Jay was alone, abandoned, laughed at by his inner conscience for killing someone and getting Kokoshi killed. Still, despite this he charged on forward with the determination to save the colonel. His leg hurt, more than he cared to admit but the adrenaline counteracted the pain. Just like he had done several moments beforehand he scared the steps, deliberately focusing on the right to avoid Kokoshi’s corpse. The tear gas that had been thrown against the ground noticeably had cleared. The gunmen must have used up all the canisters in the first few minutes of the assault. Lying on the ground by the four chairs and writhing in pain was the colonel. His hand was pressed against his stab wound to urgently stop the blood from flowing out. 
1240“Paul?” Jay called as he raced towards the colonel. The colonel turned while keeping on hand pressed firmly against his shoulder. 
1241“Jay,” the colonel grinned. His eyes were half-open looking as if he was about to fall asleep.
1242“Come on colonel, we’re going, before any more of the gunmen come,” Jay ordered.
1243“My shoulder really hurts Divine.”
1244“I don’t care, a bullet in your head would hurt a lot more, come on,” Jay ushered. He grasped the colonel by the back and tugged him off the ground. Thankfully the colonel used the remaining energy stored within his body to help Jay getting himself to his feet. Once on his feet the colonel flung his arm around Jay’s neck. 
1245“Can you walk?” Jay asked.
1246“I think,” the colonel croaked. Jay faced away momentarily. The colonel smelt absolutely disgusting. The entirety of his body was drenched in sweat which then had soaked into his clothing. Jay continued nonetheless, the horrible smell was the least of his concerns. Jay helped the colonel carefully down the steps. Meanwhile in the distance, Jay saw through his peripheral vision, Audrey Danforth whom was completely uninjured scurrying towards her Lamborghini, jumping into it and immediately racing off.
1247“How brave of our prime minister,” Jay sarcastically mumbled. The colonel and he finally descended to the bottom of the steps but only to witness Adam Michaels being knocked to the ground. The gunman shot a bullet from his assault rifle which drilled against the bone of skull. Adam, who had been putting up a fight, didn’t anymore. His body was limp. The gunman attempted another shot but failed as immerging from the mist was Divine who rammed a police taser into his back. The gunman fell to the ground unconsciously. Jay hauled the colonel across to Adam and Divine.
1248“Are you okay Adam?” Divine asked. He leaned down to Adam. Adam immediately got up but there was a streak of blood across the side of his head. 
1249“I’m fine, yeah, just a little blood.” Adam pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it against the side of his head.  
1250“Are you sure?”
1251“Yes Divine. I’m sure. After all I was supposed to be the one saving you.”
1252“Divine? Adam?” Jay called. Divine turned behind him to Jay who carried the colonel.
1253“Jay, thank God,” Divine breathed. The colonel stumbled which forced Jay to heave upwards against the full weight of his body which pushed down on him.
1254“Colonel Harrison, are you okay?” Adam inquired. 
1255“Yes,” the colonel grumbled. Divine raced over to the Jay and the colonel and pulled the colonel’s other arm over his neck alleviating Jay of the pressure of supporting the entire weight of the colonel. Needless to say Jay really appreciated the support. 
1256“Where are Rachel and Magenta?” Adam asked. The handkerchief he had held to his head was now drenched red with blood.
1257“I ran into them after they said they had talked to you,” Divine responded “I left them by my car which isn’t too far away.”
1258“Okay,” Adam nodded and drew his pistol from his pocket. For the remainder of the journey Adam lead the charge pistol first and ready to shoot any gunmen or evildoers. Following behind at a slower pace was the colonel helped along by Divine and Jay. 
1259“Was my life really worth saving?” the colonel rasped. Jay knew the question was directed at him.
1260“Of course it was,” Divine rebuked.
1261“You’ve done so much for this country,” Jay added. Ahead of the four men were the two women standing outside the car. Magenta was standing guard with a pistol at the ready. 
1262“Adam, are you okay?” Magenta queried. She raced over to him and took a careful look at the cut and bloody handkerchief.
1263 “I’m better…better I see you are doing okay,” Adam grinned. Magenta grinned back however it didn’t last long before she raced over to her father too seeing the situation he was in.
1264“Dad, are you okay?” Magenta wept. 
1265“Yeah, I’m fine, sweetheart,” the colonel responded unconvincingly. 
1266“What happened to him?” Magenta ordered.
1267“Demise, the neon glowing monster thing, yeah, he or she or whatever it is threw a knife into his shoulder,” Jay explained. Magenta looked at her father with pity.
1268“That’s horrible.” Divine flicked out the keys from his pocket and opened the car. Divine and Jay left the colonel in the back seat closest to the window. Magenta took the middle seat and Rachel took the other window seat. Of course Divine hopped into the driver seat and Jay finally sat on the passenger seat beside him. That left Adam and his pistol outside of the car looking in on the five. The car was only a five seater. 
1269“I guess there’s no room for me,” Adam replied. He said it in such a way however like he wasn’t gutted, he was actually happy with the outcome.
1270“Get in the boot,” Magenta replied. Adam turned behind him to the carnage that was beginning once more to start up. There were gunshots, screaming and more canisters of tear gas. Words could not explain how unbelievably tempted he was and he fell into the temptation.
1271“I can’t come, I have to save these people,” Adam explained. Divine rolled down Jay’s window which Adam was right in front of.
1272“Adam, don’t be ridiculous,” Divine hushed. 
1273“You’re bleeding from the head, you’re injured,” Magenta explained. Adam turned once more to the newly forming white clouds in the distance. Divine slammed his fists against the steering wheel.
1274“Adam, quit wasting time and get in the car that is an order!” Adam shook the bad thoughts of the victims he wouldn’t save out of his head and like Magenta and Divine said Adam obligingly opened the boot and jumped into it. Without wasting another second Divine drove out of the carpark and onto the road. Magenta placed a hand onto the colonel’s shoulder and shook him. He placed his face against the window.
1275“You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you dad?” Magenta spoke.
1276“Of course,” the colonel coughed. Rachel pressed her head firmly against the headrest and breathed trying to ignore the fact she should be dead. Adam was in the back of the car with the boot still opened. He dreamily looked out onto the road that the car raced along. Since entering the car he had obtained another fresh handkerchief and placed it against his head. He placed the other side on his pistol that lay on the ground floor of the boot. It was almost as if Adam regarded the pistol as a pillow. He took one deep breathe, closed his eyes and shook his head. Was getting into the car the right choice?
1277 Jay in the front of the car was fairing no better. The several hits to the head he injured when tumbling down the steps seemed to be finally taking their toll on him. His vision was blurred often creating several less visible copies of the one object. Four buildings were what he saw, four bins or twenty fingers on his hand. 
1278“Jay?” Divine asked cautiously as he watched his son looking around at different objects and places with confused looks and utter bewilderment. Jay turned his head slowly to look at the four variations of his father then let finally stopped fighting what his body wanted. He collapsed into the back and headrest of the passenger’s seat and passed out.