Chapter 196

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> *You started this Superhero thing again for **training purposes**, and that's it!*
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*- Blyke wrestles with his conscience*

## Plot

Blyke walks through the streets of Grasshill. As always, the night is too quiet for his liking. He presses on, knowing the sooner he takes down Lennon, the sooner he can go to bed. Blyke is surprised when a young boy walks up to him and asked why he's dressed so heavily in warm weather. Blyke excuses his choice of clothing by claiming he's trying to prevent his cough from spreading. Deciding that it's worth a shot to see if this kid knows any useful information, Blyke holds up his phone to the boy and asks if he's seen who he's looking for. The kid asks if it's him in the picture without his mask. Blyke is confused until he realizes that he just showed the boy his lockscreen wallpaper, featuring Remi, Isen, and himself. Horrified by the prospect that he just blew his cover, the kid in turn asks if Blyke could help him find his dad. Suddenly, the child is called out to by his name, Brennet. They turn to see it's a woman Brennet calls "mom". She drags him off chastising him for wandering out late at night in spite of her telling him not to. Brennet protests that he wants to see his dad fight the bad guy. His mother denies this wish, saying it's far too dangerous. This exchange gets Blyke's attention, and he asks Brennet's mother if they're talking about Lennon. His question is rebuffed by the mother, who tells him to stay away from them. The encounter having gone nowhere, the frustrated Blyke resumes his search.

Elsewhere in town, there is a standoff between Lennon and a band of locals. Lennon recognizes the group, but he smugly remarks that their numbers have dwindled since the last time he was here. He boasts of his high-tier status, and tells the resistance to step out of his way before generating five large disks with his ability. Blyke stands around a corner behind Lennon, analyzing the situation. He recalls Lennon's registered level being nowhere near that high, and watches to see if he's bluffing. As he looks on, he notices that one of the fighters looks like Brennet. He realizes that it must be Brennet's father, and that this was the fight he was hoping to see. Lennon initiates the fight by launching his disks. The resistance manages to evade the attack before two of their number counterattack with rapid-fire projectile abilities. Lennon moves all of his disks in front of himself, creating a barrier the attacks can't penetrate. He tells them to give up their hopeless struggle before going back on the offensive. Blyke is able to feel the power in each of Lennon's attacks and realizes that he's got no chance against such a versatile ability. Blyke guesses that he became a high-tier through the use of an ability-boosting drug like the other criminals. Blyke realizes that his best hope for survival would be to leave and forget he ever came here. After all, he only resumed this vigilante to become stronger, not get himself killed. He remembers the consequences of engaging criminals who were far stronger than you. Blyke takes a few steps, coming up with even more reasons as to why he should run away. The risk was too great. He didn't know those people. But the sounds of the resistance fighters crying out in pain can clearly be heard. Blyke struggles to just walk away before coming to a decision he curses.

With every last member of the resistance unable to continue fight, Lennon's victory is assured. Drunk on his power, he mocks them for ever thinking they had a chance against him. He decides to finish them off, starting with Brennet's dad. Suddenly, a beam slips through the cracks in Lennon's defenses and pierces him arm. Caught off-guard, Lennon looks around trying to find out where the attack came from. Blyke rushes in, using his ability to propel himself until he's right in front of Lennon. He charges up more energy and blasts Lennon, who is forced backward, but uninjured thanks to a timely defensive use of his disks. As the resistance fighters tend to their wounded, they look at their concerned savior and ask who he is. As Blyke insists he's nobody, Lennon returns the favor by launching his disks at the interloper. Blyke barely realizes that the fight's not over yet and hastily prepares to attempt a counter. A burst of energy manages to deflect the disks, away from both Blyke and the other fighters. Blyke urges them all to leave Lennon to him and to get out of there while they still could. They accept his help and depart with their wounded, but not without warning that Lennon had backup. Lennon is furious at Blyke for ruining his plans and wasting his precious time. He swears to kill him for what he's done, to Blyke's weary dismay.

## Appearing Characters

* Blyke
* ***Brennet***
* ***Brennet's Mother***
* Lennon
* ***Grasshill Protectors***

## Appearing Abilities

* ***Conjure: Disks***
* ***Various Abilities***
* *Energy Discharge*