Playing Dirty

**Playing Dirty** is the second episode of *The Gamma Awakening.*

## Plot

*(Scene opens to the view of a large train station, though rather rundown and rusty from the looks of it. Clearly, it has not been kept up too nicely over the years. The landscape all around is covered with sand and dust, as well as broken down buildings and small shops. A group of people, clearly poor and barely surviving off the land, are crowding around the train station. Bells begin to ring in the distance, signifying that the train was arriving shortly).*

*(One particular man stood out among the crowd. He sported a black, pinstripe suit that appeared to be tattered. He wore a blue, striped tie which was loosened and its stitchings were coming apart. His hair was a dark, navy blue, with bits of white and grey popping out; it was also clearly messy. He also sported a large, scruffy beard. His eyes were filled with obvious sorrow, and he looked exhausted. A cigarette hung in his mouth. He looked down towards the right, spotting the train coming).*

*(As the train finally arrived, the doors swung open, as wind began to blow sand all around. People began to climb into the train, with only a small handful of people bothering to exit; it appeared to be rather empty, which wasn't a surprise. The people climbed in, eager to get away. The man walked in last, throwing his cigarette in the nearby trash can. The doors shut behind him.*

*(He looked around, seeing no empty seat for him to sit; he sighed. He walked over to a man who was holding a large newspaper, with the front headline reading, 'OUTBREAK BEGINNING TO WORSEN').*

Man: Excuse me, sir? May I sit next to you?

(The man holding the newspaper, bothered, sighed and scooted over a tad, rolling his eyes. He nodded and then sat down next to him, looking around at the people; they all looked gloomy and tired).

Man: Any, uh, interesting reports? I haven't been too--

*(The man holding the newspaper turned to him).*

Newspaper Man: *No.* Now, will you please leave me in peace? \*under his breath\* Jesus...

*(The man sighed and then leaned back. He looked up at the ceiling, thinking heavily to himself. As he was lost in thought, a little girl began to cry on the train. He instantly turned his head towards the girl's direction, looking at her. Her mother sat beside her, trying to quiet her down, before giving up. The man got up, struggling a bit, and began to walk towards her).*

Woman: She's always been doing this, I tell ya. *Hates* trains.

Man: \*smiling a tad\* How old is she?

Woman: About 7, almost 8. Still acts all fussy and stuff, though. Must get it from me...kinda used to be like that, too.

*(The man leaned down beside the girl, waving at her. The girl looked at him, still crying, but beginning to stop. The man began to shoosh her and then reach into his pocket, pulling out a watch).*

Man: Here ya go, just look at this. Watch the hand move around the clock and hear it go 'tick, tick' every time. Isn't this thing cool? It's called a 'pocketwatch.' They don't really *exist* anymore.

*(The little girl looked at it, smiling. She grabbed onto the watch and watched it move, then looked up at the man and began to laugh).*

Woman: Damn, this thing's awful old. Don't think the little one's ever seen one of those before.

Man: I'm kinda old fashioned like that, still carry around pocketwatches and such.

*(As the little girl began to move it around, the back of it became loose. A photograph slid out of it onto the floor. The woman reached down to pick it up and then hand it to the man).*

Woman: Be careful, deary, this belongs to him.

*(The man reached forward to pick it up and then glanced at it; the contents weren't shown. His smile began to fade).*

Woman: Do ya want it back, sir?

Man: You guys can keep it, if it keeps her distracted...thank you, though.

Woman: \*smiling\* I should be thanking *you*; you're a real kind man.

*(The man turned around, instantly bumping into another. The other man, who wore all black and what appeared to be a clown mask, grabbed onto him by his neck).*

Other Man: \*bluntly\* Dirty Sanchez, correct?

*(Dirty looked up at the man, trying to loosen his grip. The people on the train began to shout and run away from them).*

Dirty: Look, I--

*(Two other men came up from behind him, also dressed the same way. One of them held what appeared to be a bomb, attaching it to the wall. The woman screamed, grabbing her daughter and running, though her daughter sat there, mesmerized by the watch).*

Woman: \*shouting\* Honey, please come to mommy right now!

*(The man threw Dirty onto the ground, pulling out nunchucks from his pockets. The other two men armed the bomb and began to run towards the door, shooting it open, and leaping out).*

Man: I got to you first, what a luuucky day!

*(The man kicked Dirty in the stomach, then swatted him in the back with his nunchucks. Dirty coughed and tried to crawl away, looking at the girl).*

Dirty: \*struggling\* Go to your mother!

*(The girl looked at him, then at the man beating him up. She gasped and ran towards Dirty. The mother also began to run towards them).*

Girl: Stop hurting him! Leave him alone!

*(The man spun his nunchucks and went in to strike Dirty's neck, though the girl was in the way. The mother quickly slid down, pushing her daughter. The man then slapped her right in the neck with his nunchucks as her body flew towards the wall, hitting it. Dirty reached out towards her, however she already hit it. She fell face down, bleeding all over the floor).*

*(Dirty was smacked across his head, and his hearing became fuzzy, as did his vision. He heard the screams of the child, and the bomb slowly beeping louder. A voice rang in his head).*

*Voice: \*mental voice\* Violet, honey, don't cry...I'm here, okay? I'm here, everything's going to okay, just stay calm.*

*(The floor suddenly began to vibrate, and then began to shake violently. Dirty blinked, looking at the floor, and seeing it begin to break apart. The man hitting him suddenly loud out a large scream, and Dirty felt wind dragging his body away. He began to slide away from the mother's corpse and heard a large clash).*

*(Dirty flew out of the train, seeing a giant tear in it in front of him. He closed his eyes, mouthing 'thank you' to the sky. He spread his arms out to the side, smiling, and he suddenly felt his body beginning to move. He opened his eyes slightly, seeing his body beginning to float above the ground and glowing scarlet).*

Dirty: What...?

*(He looked to the side, seeing the entire rest of the train still going, and then saw a massive explosion coming from it as the man dove out. His body was being pulled towards the other end of the train. As he neared it, he saw Magtallic standing there, dragging his body back in, as well as a couple of others that flew out).*

Magtallic: \*struggling\* This'll take just a bit longer, so hold on!

*(Magtallic lunged the other people back into the train, followed by Dirty last. He dropped to his knees, exhausted. The people on the train were frozen in fear, but smiling towards Magtallic, save for the child. She broke down crying, seeing her mother's body outside, along with the pocketwatch on the ground. She quickly ran out of the train towards her body).*

Magtallic: ...I couldn't save her in time.

*(Dirty looked up at Magtallic, hearing those same words in his head, though in his voice).*

Dirty: \*coughing\* Daniel?

*(Magtallic quickly turned around, eyeing him. The people gathered in the back of the train began to climb out the back, each calling for help. He clicked the Gammatrix and transformed back).*

Castiel: I'm Castiel Rivers, so not quite.

*(Dirty looked at the mother crying over her daughter's corpse. He turned his head to the side and closed his eyes. Castiel lifted him up to his feet as blood dripped from his ear).*

Dirty: Ah, forgive me.

Castiel: We're gonna need to...talk a bit.

*(Scene switches over to the other portion of the train, which was still going forward. The other two men inside of the train looked out of the hole, seeing the smoke in the distance).*

*(The door behind them suddenly blasted open, exposing a woman wearing a clown mask. She held up a machine gun, which seemed to be modified with technology, and held the conductor's head in her other hand).*

Woman: \*giggling\* Reggie, Dustin! Great to see you guys are still alive. Too bad Kyle bit the dust!

Reggie: Couldn't get the bastard, unfortunately.

Dustin: That...Expers Esse saved him just in the nick of time. Could've sworn I saw the Gammatrix--

Woman: Hmm? Gammatrix? Ooh, that's fun! We should totally get that right after we chop off that old runt's head. What do ya say?

Reggie: Don't think we have enough time for that...

*(The wheels on the train began to spark on the track, and the entire train began to shake around).*

Raven: Welp, we better hop off now before we all, you know, die and stuff.

*(Raven threw the conductor's head aside and kissed it on the forehead. She skipped towards the hole, twirled out, and landed on the tracks. Reggie leaped from the train as Dustin fell).*

Raven: Uh oh!

*(Dustin fell straight onto the ground, with his pants getting caught in the train. His body spun around and then snapped in half as the train continued forward, starting to tip over).*

Reggie: Well, guess we can split the profit ourselves. Sucks for him.

*(Scene cuts to Dirty and Castiel walking along the railroad tracks. In the distance, there was another stop, nearby a couple of buildings; they were nearing a city. Dirty stared at the ground solemnly).*

Castiel: So, "Dirty," you knew my dad?

Dirty: Hm?

Castiel: Daniel. Daniel Rivers.

Dirty: Oh, yes. Yeah I knew him.

Castiel: How well?

Dirty: I didn't know him *that* well, I just knew of him and stuff. I mainly...knew his nephew, but Daniel and I talked a couple of times here and there, I guess.

Castiel: You also knew my cousin?

Dirty: You sure are *full* of questions...

Castiel: Pardon me for sounding like a six year old. How'd you even know him?

Dirty:\*sighing\* Bit of a long story.

*(Castiel nodded and then looked around. Dirty scratched his scruffy beard and then briefly looked back, seeing the smoke beginning to stop).*

Castiel: Oh, I almost forgot the big one! About the man on the train...

*(Dirty and Castiel both stopped walking. Dirty looked at the ground and then at Castiel).*

Dirty: Just some rubbish is all...\*coldly\* the world's *full* of them.

Castiel: He was after you and *kinda*...blew up a train to get you. Clearly there's something a bit off about that other than just some random--

Dirty: --I don't know what it was about, alright? I was just trying to get somewhere and he was just some terrorist. Guess I looked like a target? I dunno. And anyway, why were *you* there?

Castiel: Because you're in *danger?* I don't really know why, but I saw them follow you around. Not really my thing to just let someone get killed.

Dirty: *\**mumbling\* Not your business, anyway.

Castiel: What'd you say?

Dirty: I said it isn't your business, if I get killed or not. You didn't have to do all of that earlier.

Castiel: Someone's a *bit* ungrateful. I knew those people seemed off, and with them planning on blowing up a train just to kill you, it becomes my business. I saved your life, I saved all of their lives...except that poor woman...

*(Dirty sighed and then began to walk forward some more).*

Castiel: What is *wrong* with you? Sure, sure, I get it, you're kinda grouchy and irritable and whatnot, kinda happens with older people...but I'm trying to help--

Dirty: \*yelling\* I don't need help! I don't need any protection, I don't need someone watching over me! Just leave me alone. Can you do that?

Castiel: \*pausing\* No.

*(Dirty stopped suddenly, turning his head around).*

Dirty: God *damn* you're frustrating...

Castiel: You're hiding something. That's *your* business, I know, but I don't want to see--

Dirty: Will you just shut up, Violet!?

*(Castiel suddenly stopped. Dirty, with an anguish expression on his face, looked at the ground. He shook his head and turned back around).*

Dirty: \*painfully\* You...really need to--

*(A scarlet flash disrupted Dirty. Castiel jumped in front of him as Bedrock, manifesting a shield around them. A giant, blue beam of light came directly at them. Dirty looked beside him, seeing Raven and Reggie).*

Bedrock: You should pay more attention!

Raven: \*chuckling\* You should too!

*(Reggie suddenly flashed, turning invisible. Dirty and Bedrock looked around, nervously. Raven laughed and sprinted at them, continuously firing her weapon).*

Bedrock: Do you...see him? I don't know what to say, really...

Dirty: What do *you* think!?

*(Raven jumped into the air, spinning. Her eyes flashed neon purple as Bedrock began to shake. His body grew heavy, and fell to the ground; his shield deformed).*

Bedrock: \*grunting\* Some kind of...gravity effect?

Raven: Yup! Try not to *crack* under pressure!

*(Dirty, exposed, looked around frantically. He heard footsteps silently running towards him, and then was suddenly whacked. He flew back, sliding across the sand. His jacket fell off).*

Dirty: Nice one...

*(Bedrock transformed back into Castiel, his body falling to the ground. Raven smirked and ran over to Dirty, with Reggie turning visible again. They both raised their weapons at him, with lasers directly on his neck and forehead).*

Castiel: \*coughing\* Access...6.

*(Castiel flashed scarlet, transforming into Frostbyt. He quickly got up, taking in a deep breath. He spewed out dry ice all over the ground, spreading in a zig-zag pattern towards Raven and Reggie).*

Reggie: Handle it, I'll play around with him.

*(Raven bent her body back, looking at the ground. She laughed and placed her hand over the ice, raising it into the air. Frostbyt glanced at her, annoyed).*

Frostbyt: Okay, sure, do that I guess.

*(He hovered his hand over the Gammatrix and transformed into Living Laser. He sprinted towards her, raising his palms at her and firing laser beams that took the form of claws. He attempted to latch onto her, though she quickly jumped over him, landing behind him).*

*(She then grabbed onto his shoulders and shoved him down, anchoring him to the ground. His lasers quickly began to dissipate and recede back into him as he struggled to breathe properly).*

Living Laser: Dirty...t-try to run.

*(Reggie walked over to Dirty, slapping him across the face with the barrel of the gun. He then pulled him up by his tie and smacked him again. Dirty spat blood to the side).*

Reggie: Dang, this is *depressing.* Some old, weak, spineless little shit like you, dying in the most *boring* way. Not even putting up a fight? \*sighing\*

*(He kicked Dirty in the gut and then pointed his gun at his knee).*

Dirty: Hey, I remember you. You're Reggie, right? You used to be this weak little kid...

*(Reggie frowned and slammed his foot down on his chest).*

Dirty: ...Wanna make mom and dad proud, right? That's why you became a punk like this? And here I thought you had--

*(Reggie grabbed Dirty by the collar and punched him in the face twice. He then threw him back on the ground, aiming his gun at his face).*

Dirty: Stop toying around with me and just shoot the *damn* gun already!

Raven: Oh enough of this, *I'll* do it, god.

*(Raven walked over to them, pointing her gun at him, and then fired. Dirty closed his eyes, but did not feel the bullet hit. He opened his eyes, disappointed, and saw Momentum standing in front of him, holding the bullet in his left hand. His right hand was raised in front of him).*

Momentum: Surprised?

*(Reggie fired a bullet, and Momentum caught it in his other hand. The two then angrily began blasting away, as Momentum sped around and began collecting all of them. He then dashed around them and threw the bullets in the air, letting them rain down).*

Raven: \*pouting\* This was no fun!

Momentum: \*sarcastically\* I'm *so* sorry to disappoint.

*(He sped towards her, uppercutting her. She fell down, unconscious. Reggie stood there and threw his gun at the ground, dropping to his knees).*

Momentum: Listen up; I don't know what kind of connection you two have, or whoever the hell decided they wanted this old timer killed, but you get the hell out of here. Sound good?

*(Reggie glanced over at Dirty and then rolled his eyes).*

Reggie: \*pausing\* No.

*(He punched Momentum in the face and then picked up the gun again, firing off at Dirty, though realized the gun was empty. He then felt a tap on his shoulder. A chameleon-like figure appeared out of the air, smiling. He jumped onto Reggie's back, stabbing him with his tail slinger, and then squeezing his neck. Reggie gasped).*

Figure: Finally *someone* who took the bait!

*(Reggie's mouth began to foam and his limbs stopped moving. The figure leaped off and crossed his arms, staring at Momentum. Momentum got up and looked at the figure, hovering his hand over the Gammatrix. He then transformed into Frostbyt again).*

Figure: Calm down, calm down, chill! Let's all just--

*(Frostbyt grabbed his neck, freezing him. He groaned).*

Dirty: \*getting up\* Wait a second, Castiel! I know him.

Frostbyt: How many of these damn criminals do you know?

Dirty: *Also* a bit of a long story.

*(Frostbyt let him go and transformed back. Dirty walked over to them coughing, and then helped the figure up).*

Figure: Jesus, thank you, Dirt. I'm Furtim Vernon, it's a *pleasure* meeting you...

Dirty: I haven't seen you in...years, I guess.

Furtim: Yeah, yeah, same. Got a bit...y'know, busy. Also I kinda came over here cause they needed help offing an "old guy." Sorry! Hope you weren't in um...too much of a hassle.

*(Dirty punched Furtim straight in the face, then kicked him. Furtim rolled across the ground, coughing and surprised. Castiel looked at Dirty).*

Castiel: I was waiting for one of us to do that.

Dirty: He's a real pain in the ass, kinda had to just let it out.

Castiel: Well, I can take us all to--

Dirty: I think I'll have to pass, but um...\*looking down\* thank you for protecting me and all back there. Guess I'm kinda losing my touch.

Castiel: Sure thing, man, but what's the plan for you?

Dirty: \*looking at the tracks\* Well, I'll probably just go and take a rest for a while.

Castiel: \*confused\* Okay, well, I wish you the best of luck I guess.

*(Castiel activated the Gammatrix and transformed back into Momentum, dashing off, while Furtim had already left the scene).*

*(Cut to nighttime back in Castiel's city. A view of the apartment he owned was seen, with him and Olivia stepping outside. Olivia closed the door, locking it, and then turned towads Castiel. A car was parked in front of them. Castiel pulled out his eyes and turned it on).*

Olivia: So, how was your day? You look kinda sunburned.

Castiel: Oh, yeah, just had to deal with these people hunting down this older guy. Kind of a long day...it'd bore you, I'm sure.

Olivia: Eh, maybe.

Castiel: Anyway, what's the plan again? My mind's kinda all over the place.

Olivia: Right. Well, Flint has the night off so he offered to take us to dinner, so hopefully that'll relax you. It's at that um...that one Japanese place? I can't remember the name.

Castiel: Trusting him with dinner choices is a bit...risky.

Olivia: \*laughing\* Oh come on, sometimes he picks good places. *Sometimes.*

*(Olivia got into the car, followed by Castiel. Castiel looked into his mirror, seeing the glimpse of someone and then they disappeared. He looked out).*

Olivia: C'mon, can't keep him waiting.

*(Castiel nodded. He started up the car and then noticed a bruise around his shoulder, as did Olivia).*

Olivia: \*concerned\* Oh, that doesn't look too good. You ok?

Castiel: I should be, yeah. Guess I'll just have Flint take a look at it or something. It's probably just from today and stuff, it's...no big deal.

Olivia: What even happened, anyway?

Castiel: \*sighing\* Bit of a long story.

*(Scene cuts back to Dirty, who is sitting at the train station alone. He looked at the ground, his eyes reddened. He held the pocketwatch he gave the girl, which was broken and cracked, and then held the photograph in his other hand).*

*(A train's horn sounded off, interrupting Dirty's thought process. He looked forward, seeing the train beginning to come. Dirty got up and walked forwards slowly towards the tracks. The train neared as he did).*

*(As the train grew closer, so did the horn. The conductor looked at Dirty, trying to move him away. Dirty glanced at the conductor, and then breathed in. He leaped onto the train trecks).*

Voice: Now isn't the time for *that.*

*(Suddenly, the train stopped still, as did everything else. Tears rolled down Dirty's cheeks. He then opened his eyes, realizing the train was frozen).*

Dirty: *Why.*

*(A figure appeared on top of the train, jumping down in front of Dirty. Revealed by the light, he wore a black and teal cloak, with mechanical parts scattered around his body. He wore a head that hid his face, but he appeared to have a metallic mask on, and steampunk attributes).*

Figure: Dirty Sanchez, yes?

Dirty: Castiel, if that's you--

Figure: No, no! Not Castiel; the name's Eschaton, though I do recognize that name. I'll have to speak to him soon, too, almost forgot! Been busy as ever, of course. Anyway, onto the matter at hand. Clearly, you want to die.

Dirty: \*sighing, quietly\* Let me already.

Eschaton: Nooot yet! I have an offer for you, just a simple one, really. I need you to help me out a bit. I recognize that sounds kinda fishy since we don't really know each other, but--

Dirty: The hell do you want with *me?*

Eschaton: Just...your assistance, your presence, is all.

Dirty: No, I don't really accept these kinds of deals anymore.

Eschaton: What if I let you see Violet again? What if I let you see her *forever*?

*(Dirty stopped talking and stared at him).*

Eschaton: I've peaked your interest now, yeah? Great! I will repeat, all you must do is help me out here and there and I'll grant you your wish. I will let you die a peaceful, painless death. Your work will leave an everlasting mark on the world; no, the universe. A positive one, I assure you. Sound good?

Dirty: How--

Eschaton: Questioning how I know that name, probably. Ah, I guess that may have startled you. See, if it hasn't become clear to you, I'm a bit of a...foreseer.

Dirty: ...See Violet forever?

Eschaton: You'll be together with her forever. Isn't that what you want right now? I'll grant you that wish, trust me! I'm practically a genie--er, well, they're kinda tricksters aren't they? I guess a...fairy?

Dirty: What is your grand plan?

Eschaton: \*eyeing him\* That'll become apparent in due time.

Dirty: I...suppose.

(Eschaton clapped in amusement and then put his arm around Dirty).

Eschaton: Excellent! Off we go, then.

*(A portal opened up in front of them, and the two began to step in. Dirty glanced over at the train, and then looked down).*

THE END

## Notable Events

* Dirty and Furtim make their reappearances.
* Frostbyt and Momentum make their reappearances.
* Kyle, Dustin, Reggie, and Raven debut.
* Momentum showcases his ability to catch even speeding bullets.
* Eschaton recruits Dirty.

## Characters

### Protagonists

* Dirty Sanchez *(first reappearance)*
* Castiel Rivers
* Olivia Shreen

### Neutral

* Eschaton
* Furtim Vernon *(first reappearance)*

### Antagonists

* Silver Reapers *(all debut)*
	+ Kyle
	+ Dustin
	+ Reggie
	+ Raven

## Aliens Used

* Magtallic
* Bedrock
* Frostbyt *(first reappearance, x2)*
* Living Laser *(brief)*
* Momentum *(first reappearance, x2; second time brief)*