Ripper 1: Death In The Family

## Chapter 1

Two men are walking through a dark building with backpacks. Their dark clothes make them almost invisible as they walk around. The flashlight on the gun is the only way you can see these two soldiers. They have visors on with green lights covering their eyes. They stop at a crate near a window.

Soldier: The boss said he wanted the substance. Give me some help.

The soldier puts a crowbar under the top of the crate. The two soldiers push down on the crowbar together. The top of the crate pops up. They see a red glow coming from the inside of the crate. One of the soldiers moves the top of the crate onto the floor. They see bottles of red liquid stacked in the crate.

Soldier: Grab as much as you can carry.

They both take off their backpacks and stuff them with the bottles.

Soldier2: We found the chemicals!

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

A shadowy figure glides across the rooftops. The figure looks like a beast. The beast is wearing all black. His eyes are red. The beast jumps off a rooftop. He grabs onto a fire escape as he is falling. The clanking of metal can be heard all around. He quickly climbs up the fire escape and jumps to the roof. He sees a window up in the distance. The beast pulls out two sai. He flips his sai around so the blades are facing the inside of his arms. He jumps off the roof. Time almost slows down as he is in front of the window. The glass shatters and he hits the ground. He rolls and gets back to his feet. He sees a guard and throws his sai. His sai cuts through the guard’s neck. The beast runs up to the guard and stabs him a few more times with his other sai. He rips the two sai out of the soldier, and the soldier falls to the ground.

Soldier: Huh?

A light shines down the walkway. The light stops once the soldier sees the dead body.

Soldier: What happened?

The soldier runs over to the body. The soldier yells.

Soldier: It’s the Ri-

The beast comes out of the shadows and grabs the soldier’s head. His hand covers the soldier's mouth. He can hear the muffled screams. The beast swings the soldier’s head around, snapping his neck. The beast gets low to the ground and slowly moves around in the shadows. Once The beast sees the red light he hears someone yell.

???: The Ripper’s here!

Ther Ripper runs up to the two soldiers grabbing chemicals.

Soldier: It’s him!

They see The Ripper. His black armored costume blends in perfectly with the dark. He has a black cape with red lining on the inside. His mask is like a helmet. The helmet has little red eyes that stare at the soldiers. He has gauntlets that make his arms look huge. His belt has many pockets on it. His dark pants are tucked into giant armored boots.

Soldier: Fire!

The two soldiers turn around and start firing off their guns. The bullets fly out of the guns. The light from every shot is like a flashlight in the darkness. The Ripper rolls to the side. A bullet goes through his side. He throws both his sai and knocks the guns out of the soldier’s hands. He runs up to the two men. He punches one soldier into the wall. The Ripper can hear the crack of the soldier’s skull. The other man right hook punches The Ripper. His fist collides with The Ripper’s helmet. The soldier winces in pain. The Ripper feels nothing. Ripper grabs the soldier’s head and slams it against his knee. The man’s face is bloody as he falls to the ground. The Ripper stomps on the soldier’s face, smashing it in.

The other soldier tries to crawl away. The Ripper grabs the soldier by the back of his shirt and throws him out the window. Ripper sees the soldier splat as he hits the ground.

Soldier: Hey!

The Ripper turns around to gunfire. A man fires off his gun. The bullets spray at Ripper. The Ripper jumps to his sai. He lands on top of his sai and throws it at the soldier. The sai slices through the soldier’s head. The soldier hits the ground a second after his gun does.

The Ripper grabs one of his sai off the ground. He walks over to the soldier with a sai in his head. He rips it out. The Ripper walks over to the chemicals.

Ripper: What are these?

He grabs one of the bottles and puts it in one of his belt pockets. He hears sirens. The Ripper runs back to the window he came in from. He takes out a grappling hook. He throws the rope and swings.

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

An alarm clock goes off. A man turns over in bed he presses a button on his phone to turn it off.

Royce: It’s noon already.

Royce gets up and throws on some workout clothes. He walks outside of his door and into the gym. He sees a few girls eyeing him. He brushes it off and sits on the bench press. His short dark hair pushed up against the bench. His dark brown eyes are focused on the bar. He moves his jaw around a little bit as he grabs the bar. His Hollywoodian beard moves with his jaw. He lifts the bar. He starts doing reps. A woman with long blond hair tied back walks up from behind him. She speaks with a soft playful voice.

???: That’s at least three hundred pounds. You sure you don’t want a spotter?

Royce speaks very drily with little emotion.

Royce: I never need help, Violet.

Violet: What if something happened? Like someone-

Violet leans over, and she pushes all her weight down on the bar.

Violet: Wasn’t paying attention.

Royce continues to lift the bar.

Royce: Then the workout would be better.

Violet lets go of the bar, and Royce puts the bar back.

Violet: Where were you last night?

Royce: Out, why?

Violet: I came by to talk to you, and no one was here.

Royce: Just cause I own the gym doesn’t mean I’m always here.

Royce gets off the bench and starts to walk off.

Violet: You’re always here. You never leave this place. You should go somewhere.

Violet sees the girls eyeing Royce as they get to Royce’s door.

Violet: Maybe... with someone?

Royce turns around.

Royce: No.

He walks through the door and shuts it. Violet looks annoyed.

## Chapter 2

Royce sits on his bed. He throws a ball at the wall. The ball hits the wall and bounces back to him. He looks at the red chemical beside him. The ball keeps bouncing. He hears the same rhythm of the ball over and over. The rhythm starts to pick up. The ball goes faster and faster. Royce thinks back to himself stabbing the soldiers. Then, as the ball is flying back at Royce, he dodges it. The ball rolls on the floor.

Royce: I’m not a scientist. I need to find someone who is.

The light in the sky starts to become darkness. Royce walks over to the side of the room. He picks up one of the floorboards, and his mask stared back at him.

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

Royce is standing on top of a building. He leans against the water tower and looks down at the streets. The darkness of the night makes him almost invisible. Royce pulls out his phone.

Royce: A few days ago, people were saying there was some kind of mad scientist around here.

Royce plays a video. People come running out from behind buildings with acid on them. Their faces were melting off. From behind the building, more acid sprays onto them. The video ends.

Royce: Who to tell if the scientist has left. I’m not, not yet.

Royce jumps down from the building. He hits the ground and drops to one knee. His cape surrounds his body. He quickly pushes off the ground and runs in the open, but in the cover of the night. He walks to the buildings that the people ran out from. He sees a small alleyway. Royce cautiously walks through. All he sees is a manhole cover. A crowbar is swung. From Royces right. Royce grabs the crowbar. He pulls it out of the man’s hands. He hits the man in the stomach with the crowbar. The man falls to the ground on his back. Royce slowly walks over to him. The man starts crawling backward. Royce towers over the man.

Thug: P-please. Don’t kill me! I-I had to protect this place. I-I didn’t want to.

Royce looks down on the man. He realizes it’s a teenager. Royce moves to the side. He swings the crowbar down onto the kid’s leg. The bone rips out of the kid's leg. Royce throws the crowbar to the other side of the alley.

Royce: There, you live.

Royce walks over to the manhole cover. He lifts the cover and slides it over. Royce jumps inside. He falls and hits the ground. Water splashes out from under him. The tips of the bottom of his cape are in the low water.

Royce: Something about this place deserves to be protected. They would have more guards if it mattered. There must be some evidence left, but the scientist is long gone.

Royce walks through the water. Each step makes a small splash.

Royce: The police should have already come through here. They must not have gotten everything. Something must be hidden. If their base was really in the sewer, they would have known it well.

Royce walks over to the wall. He walks along the wall, constantly knocking on it. He keeps knocking until it sounds hollow. Royce punches the wall. His fist goes through. He kicks the wall a few times, breaking holes in it. He pulls off the rest of the debris. He sees a small room. There is a desk in front of Royce. He walks up to it. Royce takes a step. His foot sinks a little, and he hears a click. An arrow is fired. Royce catches the arrow and snaps it. Royce looks at the book on the desk. Half of the book’s pages are ripped out.

Royce: This notebook must have been a journal. A scientist doesn’t leave behind his old work.

Royce keeps looking around. He sees a few empty barrels of devices. Royce picks up some device. He has no idea what it does. Royce sets it on the desk and turns it on. The device flashes red Royce crouches down. He looks at the ground. He presses something on his gauntlet. His visor zooms in. He looks at the ground. He sees something and picks it up.

Royce: Ash.

Royce grinds the ash between his fingers.

Royce: That’s where they are. Royce leaves the room. He walks through the water. He hears the pattering of people running through the sewers.

???: Look around! The kid said he went in here.

Royce quickly looks around the corner.

Royce: The police. I should have killed that kid.

One officer walks around the corner. Royce grabs the officer by the head, covering his mouth. Royce covers the officer’s mouth with one hand. He takes his sai out with another hand and slits the officer’s throat. The body drops into the water, creating a splash. The two other officers hear the splash. They hold up their guns and slowly walk over to the corner. They both turn the corner quickly. They see the dead body. One of the officers takes out his walkie-talkie.

Officer: The Ripper is no longer in sight. He killed one of our officers.

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

The next day, Royce has bags under his eyes. He goes into the drive-through at Donut Empire. He pulls up to the speaker.

???: Hello, how are you doing?

Royce: I’m doing well sweetheart. How are you?

???: Uncle?

Royce: Yeah, I’ll take the regular, please.

???: Be right up.

Royce drives to the window.

???: How long has it been?

Royce hands her his card, and she hands him the drink.

Royce: It’s been a few months. If you would tell your father to pick up once and a while it wouldn’t be a few months.

???: He’s just getting old and lazy. Maybe I could get him to go to your gym.

Royce: He wouldn’t pay to go to a gym. How’s his job, he's still working at the power plant?

Royce’s niece hands him the card.

Emily: Yeah, and he still hates it.

## Chapter 3

Royce drives around the corner of the drive-through and parks in front of a trash can. Royce rolls down the window and throws his coffee in the garbage. He puts the window back up and takes out his phone. Royce presses a few buttons on his phone. The phone starts ringing and he holds it up to his ear as he drives off.

Royce: Hey Violet, can you cover the gym for me?

Violet: Your never awake when your at the gym anyway.

Royce: Yes or no?

Violet: Alright. What are you going to do for me.

Royce: Think of something.

Royce hangs up the phone.

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

Emily passes the headset to someone else, and the other worker starts taking orders. She walks outside and gets in a car.

Emily: Hey dad.

Jackson: Did you have another bad costumer again?

Emily: No, today was better.

Jackson: I was hoping I would get some good stories.

Jackson pulls the car out of the parking lot.

Emily: There is one person I talked to though.

Jackson: Who?

Emily: Uncle Royce.

Jackson: That fucking guy.

Emily: He said you haven’t been picking up the phone.

Jackson: I’ve been busy.

Emily: You have not.

Jackson: Yes I have. Remember… I had work.

Emily: You have work everyday.

Jackson sighs.

Jackson: Yeah, I guess I should call him. We are brothers.

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

Two kids are running around the backyard. The backyard is nearly empty. There is a small garden, a table with chairs, and a 6 foot fence around the yard. Both of the kids look to be around ten years old. They keep throwing a football back and forth. Royce is in front of the fence, and Jackson is standing in front of their house. Royce throws the ball and Jackson misses it.

Royce: You suck jacks.

Jackson picks up the ball.

Jackson: You can’t aim!

Royce: The ball went right to you.

Jackson: The ball went right to the sky!

Royce: Whatever.

Jackson throws the ball way over Royce’s head. The ball lands outside of the fence.

Royce: Look what you did.

Jackson: You should have caught the ball.

Royce: Don’t be a pest. Now we have to climb over the fence.

Jackson: We?

Royce: You threw too high and I didn’t catch it. We’re both going to get the ball.

Royce jumps up and grabs the top of the fence. He tries hard and pulls himself up over the fence. Jackson jumps, but can’t pull himself over the fence.

Royce: I’ll just get it myself.

Jackson: No, I’m going to help!

Jackson looks around the yard. He sees the chairs.

Jackson: Got it.

Jackson runs over to the table and grabs a chair. He pushes the chair up to the fence and stands on it. Jackson climbs over the fence.

Jackson: See, I did it.

Royce: It took you an extra two minutes.

Jackson: That’s nothing.

They both look at what’s ahead of them. They are surrounded by bushes.

Jackson: Trying to find a football in a field of bushes is impossible.

Jackson grabs one of the branches.

Jackson: OW!

Royce: They’re thorn bushes, stupid.

Jackson: Then how are we supposed to get through them?

Royce looks around. He sees that there are many thorn bushes near the fence. He scans the area around the fence. He sees a few trees.

Royce: I’ll climb up a tree and try to find the football. If I can’t find the ball then it’s a lost cause.

Jackson: I’ll come with you.

Royce: You have something more important to do.

Jackson: What?

Royce: You have to figure out how you’re going to climb back over the fence when the chair is still on the other side.

Royce walks away.

Jackson: Wait a minute.

Jackson looks at the fence without the chair.

Jackson: Dang it!

Royce finds a tree. He grabs one of the branches. He looks at the branches on the trees.

Royce: Looks climbable.

Royce slowly climbs up the tree, branch by branch. The rough tree bark grinds against his hands. A few of the branches sound like they are going to break as he climbs up them. He has to switch branches several times. He finds a long sturdy branch that is high above the thorn bushes. Royce is crouching on the branch.

Royce: Jackson’s arm isn’t great. The ball shouldn’t be too far-

Royce sees the ball in the middle of the thorn bushes. It lays gently on top of the thorns.

Royce: Ugh, not worth it. I’ll just tell him I didn’t find it.

Royce hears Jackson at the bottom of the tree. Jackson picks up a branch.

Jackson: I figured it out. I’m going to jump from the tree over the fence.

Royce: You’ll hurt yourself. I’ll just hop over the fence and tell Mom.

Jackson: No, don’t tell Mom!

Royce: She won’t be that mad-

Jackson looks up at Royce.

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

Royce remembers what happened a month ago. Royce jumped over the fence and Jackson was trying to do the same. Jackson jumped up and grabbed the fence. Their mother walks outside.

Mother: Hey!

She runs up to Jackson and smacks his hand. He lets go of the fence.

Jackson: I wasn’t-

Mother: No climbing the fence. There's nothing out there for you.

Jackson: I was just-

Mother: Enough with the lies. I saw you climbing the fence. Next time you try this you're grounded.

Jackson: Okay…

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

Jackson throws the stick up to Royce. Royce catches the stick.

Royce: I told you before that she wasn’t that mad.

Jackson: I don’t want to get in trouble.

Royce: Then you shouldn’t have climbed the fence.

Jackson starts climbing up the tree.

Jackson: You climbed the fence too.

Royce: I don’t get caught.

Jackson climbs onto the branch.

Jackson: Get the ball.

Royce: I’m doing it.

Royce slowly and carefully climbs farther out of the branch. The branch shakes a bit and Royce grabs the branch with all his strength. Jackson starts laughing.

Jackson: This is the first time I’ve seen you look like a wimp.

Royce: If I fall, I land in a bush of thorns. I have to make sure I don’t fall. I’m not scared.

Jackson: Whatever you say.

Royce drops down from the branch. He holds onto the branch with one hand, dangling over the thorn bush.

Royce: This is the tough part.

Royce is struggling to hold himself up. He tries to hit the football with the stick. The stick just barely misses the football. Royce reaches as far as he can and he slowly inches the football off of the thorn bushes.

Royce: C’mon!

Royce smacks the ball off of the thorn bushes. The ball hits the fence. Royce drops the stick and climbs up the branch. Royce is breathing heavy.

Royce: My arm feels dead.

Jackson: That’s because you’re fat.

```
Royce: Whatever, just jump off the tree.

```

Jackson stands on a branch that’s on the other side of the tree. He holds onto the tree as he stands on the branch.

Royce: Are you sure you don’t want to climb down?

Jackson: I can’t get in trouble.

Royce: Is it worth it?

Jackson jumps off the branch. He hits the ground and Royce hears a snap. Jackson starts crying. Royce quickly climbs down the tree. Royce throws the football over the fence, and hops over the fence instantly after. Their mother runs outside. She holds Jackson as he cries.

Mother: I heard the crash! Royce, what happened?!

Royce: He was standing on the chair. I threw the ball to him and he jumped off the chair to catch it.

Mother: Go call 911.

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

Later that night, Royce and Jackson sit in the back of the car as they drive home from the doctor. Jackson has a cast on his leg. They both whisper as they talk.

Jackson: Thank you.

Royce: For?

Jackson: You didn’t tell Mom that we climbed over the fence.

Royce: I just did what you asked.

Jackson: You didn’t have to. So thank you.

Royce: You’re welcome.

## Chapter 4

Royce’s car is parked at a gas station. Royce is holding the pump to his car. His phone starts ringing. Royce picks up the phone.

Royce: Hello?

Jackson: Hey, you got some time?

Royce looks at the gas.

Royce: Yeah, I’m just filling up my car. What do you need?

Jackson: Nothing, I just thought you could swing by.

Royce: Alright, I’ll be there soon.

Royce hangs up the phone and the pump shuts off. Royce puts back the pump and gets in his car. He pulls the car out of the gas station.

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

Royce knocks on Jackson’s door. There is silence for a minute. Then the door opens up.

Jackson: Ah, come in. I didn’t think you would come.

Royce walks inside.

Royce: Why wouldn’t I?

Jackson: Ah, I missed your emotionless voice.

Royce: You didn’t answer my question.

Jackson: You’re always late to everything.

Royce: I’m busy.

Jackson leads Royce into the living room. The living room is clean, but still looks lived in. There is a couch, a chair near the couch, and a TV. Royce sits on the couch and Jackson sits in the chair. Royce looks at all the family pictures on the walls as they talk.

Jackson: That’s no excuse.

Royce: You don’t know what I do.

Jackson: Yeah because we haven’t talked since our mother’s funeral! That was almost a year ago! You were late to that too. You came just in time for the speech you were supposed to make.

Royce: You should have been the one to make the speech.

Jackson: She wanted you to make the speech. It was in her will.

Royce: She didn’t know she was going to die. She never had time to change it.

Jackson: You have always been like this about Mom’s death. Do you think you caused it? Why do you act like there is anything you could have done? You should have been here. Once Emily’s mother died, our mother took her role. After our mother died, Emily’s heart was broken. Then you left-

Royce: I’m sorry.

Jackson: Let me finish. You left and she had lost more of her family. Her mother’s family isn’t even in contact with her. Why did you leave?

Royce: I was busy.

Jackson: Busy with what?!

Royce: With what needed to be done.

Jackson: I know you’ve always thought you were better than me, but we're adults now and you're the one still acting like a child! I have a daughter and still make time-

Royce: You don’t need to know what I had to do. You have a daughter to take care of, I know. Without anyone in my life I made time for something more important than you could know.

Jackson: More important than family?

Royce: Far more…

Jackson: You never change. When you were young you had a mission. Now you’re an adult and still putting your mission before anything else. Is your mission really that important?

Royce leans in towards Jackson.

Royce: Yes.

Royce leans back into the couch.

Jackson: Why were you so goody goody with Emily if you have a mission to do? That’s what I’m assuming happened because you don’t drink coffee. You never have since we were young. Then she told me I should talk to you.

Royce: I wanted to know how you were doing. Emily told me you still hate your job.

Jackson: We’re just going to talk like normal people now, okay then. Yeah I hate my job. I still work at the coal power plant, but scientists showed up one day causing havoc. We haven’t been able to get rid of them.

Royce: You couldn’t call the police?

Jackson: We did, apparently they are supposed to be there. They haven’t been doing anything for the power plant though.

Royce looks pensive for a second. He gets up and leaves.

Jackson: And now you’re leaving. You didn’t come here because you wanted to know how I’m doing! You came here because you felt obligated! The next time you feel obligated to talk to someone, go to a bar!

Royce leaves the house.

Jackson: I have to go to my job anyway.

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

The night strikes. Royce is running along the rooftops in his ripper suit. Inside the power plant, Jackson is walking over to his position. A scientist stands on a walkway above one of the boilers. Two guards stand behind him. In the back a few scientists leave. Guards are standing all around the building. The workers are all standing at their work station looking frightened. Guards close the door behind Jackson.

Scientist: I have gotten all the information I need. All of you workers have been very, very helpful. I appreciate every single one of you, for all you have done. That is why I am giving all of you a gift. You get to experience my research first hand. In fact, you will be the first one it has ever been used on.

The scientist looks around. He sees Jackson in front of the door and points at him.

Scientist: You, you have the luxury of being the first to experience the truest beauty science can offer.

Two guards grab Jackson’s arms. They drag him up the stairs and to the scientist. The scientist takes out the red bottle of chemicals.

Scientist: Many scientists have been working on this, but I am the first to perfect it.

The scientist opens the bottle. He takes out a bottle of green chemicals. He puts the chemicals together, and they start bubbling. The two chemicals mix into a dark yellow color.

Scientist: Isn’t it beautiful?

The two guards push Jackson onto the railing.

Jackson: What is that going to do to me?!

Scientist: Something… Amazing!

Guards at the lower level take the cover off of the boiler. They see the turbines spinning around.

Jackson: No, please! I have a daughter!

Scientist: I said I was giving you a gift, remember? If it works? You won’t die.

Jackson: If it works?!

Scientist: You are the first to test it. Oops, I didn’t want to tell you it was a test. Far too late now.

The scientist splashes the yellow chemicals onto Jackson. The window in the roof breaks open. Royce swings down from the window. The two guards push Jackson off of the walkway. He falls through the air. His skin burned from the chemicals. Royce almost sees everything happen in slow motion. Royce reaches out his hand to grab Jackson. Jackson falls into the turbines. Royce swings off the rope and lands on the walkway. He looks down at the turbine. They hear noises that sound like the turbines are backed up. Then the noise stops.

Scientist: It’s the Ripper! Kill him!

The scientist starts running down the stairs. The two guards run at Royce. Royce slams one guard's head into the railing and kicks him back. The other guard throws a punch. Royce grabs the guard by his jaw and holds him up. The guard looks down into Ripper’s red eyes. Then Ripper throws the guard off the walkway. The other guard gets his senses back and runs Ripper. Ripper slams his head into the wall, on the opposite side of the boiler. The guard looks dazed. Ripper slams the guard into the wall again and again. Then Ripper punches the guard in the head. He slams the guards head against the wall. The guard breaks through the wall and falls out of the building.

Ripper looks around at all the guard running towards him. Ripper takes out his sai and mumbles under his breath.

Ripper: I’ll kill all of you. Your blood will fill this entire power plant.

A noise comes out from the boiler. All of the guards stop in their tracks. They hear the sound of a distorted monster’s voice. Something starts to crawl out of the boiler.

## Chapter 5

Some of the turbines are thrown out of the boiler. A red hand grabs onto the top of the boiler. A red being pulls himself out of the contraption. The man is covered in some type of clear slime. Steam is coming off of the man. The slime melts off of him. The man steps out of the boiler.

Scientist: This is true science! This is what we strive for humans to become! This man survived turbines!

Royce mumbles under his breath.

Royce: Jackson?

Jackson reaches down into the boiler. He rips out another turbine and throws it at the scientist. The scientist jumps to the side. He falls on the ground, barely dodging the turbine.

Scientist: Get him!

All the guards turn around and run at Jackson. Jackson makes another distorted noise as he pulls the slime off of his body. Royce can see Jackson’s face. His face is pure red like the rest of his body. His teeth have changed into canines. His eyes are beady and black. Jackson’s shirt has been melted off. All that is left is his pants. His shoes are gone. The guards run up to him.

Jackson: Yes!

A guard throws a punch at Jackson. Jackson breaths steam into his face. The guard stumbles back. Jackson grabs the guard’s face. The guard screams as Jackson’s hot skin burns his face. Jackson throws the guard a few feet back. Another guard is running up to Jackson. Jackson punches the guard in the stomach over and over again. Jackson’s punches melt the clothes off of the guard. Then Jackson punches the guard in the head. The guard falls to the ground. With burn marks on his face.

Jackson: You’ll all die!

Three guards rush at Jackson. One guard in the back pulls out a pistol. The guard aims the pistol at Jackson. Royce jumps down from the walkway. He lands next to the guard with the gun. He grabs the guard’s arm. Then he punches through the guard’s elbow, breaking his arm. The guard’s bone comes out of his skin. The gun drops to the ground. Royce picks up the gun and shoots the broken arm guard in the head. Royce starts shooting some of the guards.

Jackson: You can’t stop me!

Two guards grab Jackson by his arms. Another guard punches Jackson in the stomach. The guard looks at his burnt hand in pain after the punch. The two guards holding Jackson let him go. Their arms are burnt. Jackson grabs the two guards by their faces. His hands are over their mouths. Jackson can hear their muffled screams.

Jackson: You tried to boil me alive. Now I will burn your insides.

Jackson feeds hot steam into their mouths. The guard’s muffled screams get more intense. The guard with a burnt fist tries to run away. Royce shoots the guy in the head as he was running. The guard drops to the ground. The two guards in Jackson’s hands stop screaming. Jackson drops their dead bodies onto the ground.

Jackson: You’re the last one here. Except for the workers of course. Now you’ll feel what it’s like to be burned.

Royce: We don’t have to fight. You were attacked. You're innocent, enough.

Jackson: You think I’m going to kill you because you’re after me?! No, I’m killing you because you could have saved me! Then I am going to kill all the workers here!

Royce: What did they do?

Jackson: Every time they bothered me, stepped out of line, pissed me off because I couldn’t do anything about it. I’ll kill anyone that thinks like that!

Royce points the gun at Jackson. Royce thinks to himself.

Royce: ‘These people have always been Jackson’s friends. Why would he kill them?’

Royce: If that’s the way you think, you won’t be leaving this power plant.

Jackson: Says the man called the Ripper. You run around killing people! What makes you any different then me!?

Royce: Sense.

Royce points the gun at Jackson’s leg. He fires the bullet. Jackson tries to move his leg out of the way. The bullet grazes his leg. Jackson starts running at Royce. Royce tries to fire a few bullets, but Jackson ducks and tackles Royce. Royce looks at the gun. He takes the clip out and throws the two pieces of the gun to opposite sides of the room. Jackson slams Royce into a wall. Royce starts elbowing Jackson in the back. Royce starts to feel heat from Jackson. Royce knees Jackson in the stomach. Jackson lets go of Royce. Royce throws a punch with all of his weight into Jackson’s head. As the punch lands, Jackson’s head is forced back as he falls to the ground. Royce walks over to Jackson.

Royce: You caused this.

Royce walks over to Jackson. Jackson breathes steam onto Royce. The steam moves across Royce’s suit. Royce is unfazed. Royce picks Jackson up by the collar and slams him against the ground. Royce keeps slamming Jackson onto the ground. Jackson starts to get his senses back as he is being slammed into the ground. He starts thinking.

Jackson: ‘I really am going to die here.’

Jackson pictures his daughter in his mind. His eyes look bloodshot as they widen. Jackson punches Royce in the head. Royce stumbles back. Jackson gets off from the ground. Steam starts coming off of his body. Both Royce and Jackson look at each other for a minute. Then Jackson runs at Royce. Jackson starts throwing punches. Royce uses his gauntlets to block the punches. Jackson’s attacks are quick and sporadic. Royce is able to block all his punches. Then Royce hits Jackson in the head with his gauntlet. Jackson stumbles back in a daze.

Royce: You have no idea how to fight.

Royce front kicks Jackson in his stomach. Jackson hits the ground hard. Royce looks down at Jackson. Jackson is bruised and bloody.

Jackson: I won’t die!

Jackson puts up his hands. A blast of steam is shot from his hands. Royce crouches down and covers himself with his cape. Jackson sees a metal walkway above him. Jackson grabs onto the walkway and starts pulling himself up. Royce grabs Jackson’s legs and pulls him down to the ground. Royce takes out a sai and holds it above Jackson.

Jackson: Show me why you’re the Ripper.

Ripper holds the sai above Jackson for a minute. Then Royce stands up.

Jackson: You’re letting me go?

Ripper stomps on Jackson’s left leg, breaking it.

Ripper: No, you won’t go free. You’re going to jail.

Ripper walks up to the back door.

Ripper: The cops are coming. You may be able to get away if you tried.

Ripper walks out the door, disappearing into the darkness. Jackson hears the sirens. He tries to stand up, but the pain is too much. The sirens get louder as the police get closer. All the workers are in the corner frightened. Jackson tries his hardest to stand up as he hears voices. The front door to the power plant is busted open. A group of men that have military grade weapons and clothing. Jackson sees the logo B.L.A.D.E. on their torso.

Soldier: That’s a mutant! Bag him and report it!

Jackson looks at the group of military men. Jackson puts out his hands. One soldier fires his gun. A dart is launched from the gun. The dart sticks in Jackson's leg. Soon Jackson passes out.

Soldier: Throw him in the truck!

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

Royce walks inside the gym with his suit still on. All of the lights are off. He opens up the door to his room. He sees Violet asleep in his bed. Royce whispers.

Royce: Damn.

Royce walks outside of the room. He takes off the suit and walks back in. He quietly puts the suit under the floorboard. He grabs an extra blanket off his bed and lays in a chair. He looks at Violet.

Royce: She’s a pest.

Royce quickly falls asleep. As he sleeps, he dreams about the speech he gave at his mother’s funeral.

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

Royce walks up to the funeral. Everyone is outside sitting in chairs. Royce walks up onto the stage. As he stands there and looks down at a piece of paper, he looks like he is struggling to read it.

Royce: Um, my mother was loved by everyone. She was just one of those people that drew others in. I remember when we were young, she would always know when something was wrong. She had a kind of third eye. She used that third eye to help people out. She was the type of person to help you out even if she didn’t have to. Everyone loved her, and I wish she was still here with us.

Royce walks off of the stage. Royce tries to leave and Jackson stops him.

Jackson: That’s it? You’re just going to leave?

Royce: I have something I need to do.

Royce starts to walk away. He stops as he hears Jackson speak.

Jackson: Are you alright? You looked like you were struggling up there.

Royce: I’m alright. You should worry about your daughter.

Royce walks away.

## Chapter 6

Royce’s eyes open as the sunlight from the windows hit his face. Royce grunts as he gets up. Violet rolls over in the bed and turns to him.

Royce: Why are you in my bed?

Violet giggles.

Violet: Your voice is all deep.

Royce: I’m a man. That’s what happens.

Violet: I know, I’m not stupid. I got tired waiting for you to come back, so I thought you wouldn’t mind if I slept in your bed.

Royce: I mind, parasite. I only asked you to watch the store.

Violet: You have workers. Why are you always asking me to watch the store?

Royce: I don’t trust my workers.

Violet smiles.

Violet: But you trust me.

Royce: No, I know where you live.

Violet: You wouldn’t beat up a girl.

Royce: I might have to.

Royce walks over to the door. Violet sits up in the bed and takes the blankets off of her.

Royce: Now get out before someone sees you. You have work anyway.

Violet: Royce, it’s saturday.

Royce: Okay, you don’t have to work. The gym doesn’t close on weekends. Out you go.

Violet: I watched over your store for no pay. Don’t I deserve something for that?

Royce: No.

Royce opens the door. Violet slides over to the side of the bed. She gently steps out of bed and walks over to Royce. Her tone becomes more assertive.

Violet: Not no. We’re hanging out today. You can get the workers to look after the gym. It will teach you that you can trust your workers, and you won’t keep calling me whenever you need help.

Royce: That’s a deal, not compensation.

Violet: I’ll make you take me somewhere expensive. There...Deal?

Royce: Fine.

Violet slides by Royce. She walks out of the door.

Violet: I’m using the bathroom first.

Violet walks off.

Royce: I don’t have time for this bullshit.

Royce looks at the floorboard.

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

Royce is sitting on some of the workout equipment. He is in average everyday clothes. Violet walks out of the back of the gym. She is in new everyday clothes.

Royce: My gym isn’t your home.

Violet: It should be.

One of Royce’s workers walks in.

???: You two! Boss, you never let people in here early. You don’t even wake up this early- Did you two-

Royce: Cut the shit Ricky.

Ricky: Was I just reaching?

Violet: Yes, and no…

Ricky takes a quick breath in.

Ricky: I am right!

Royce shakes his head.

Royce: You’ll be watching over the store Ricky.

Ricky: Really?

Royce: You have been working here the longest and you always open up the shop anyway. I’ll be heading out. If I’m not back in time, close the shop.

Ricky: Thanks Boss, I won’t let you down!

Royce: Yeah… Just don’t over do it.

Ricky: I got it!

Royce and Violet leave.

Royce’s car is parked outside. Royce presses a button on his keys and unlocks the car. Royce and Violet get in the car.

Royce: Where are we going?

Violet: Isn’t it obvious. We’re getting breakfast. I haven’t had anything to eat and I’m starving.

Royce pulls the car out of the parking area. He swiftly maneuvers the car onto the road.

Violet: I didn’t realize how good of a driver you are.

Royce: I drive you around all the time.

Violet: Not nearly enough.

Royce yawns, still tired. He turns on the radio. A male news reporter starts speaking.

Violet: Who listens to the news in the car?

Royce: People.

Violet: Yeah, in their 60s.

News Reporter: The vigilante-

Violet: Oo, turn it up!

Royce looks at Violet in amazement of her hypocrisy.

News Reporter: Known as-

The volume of the radio gets louder.

News Reporter: Jack The Ripper or The Ripper for short, has attacked another building. He killed many soldiers using some sort of heat to melt them. The police still haven’t been able to figure out what he used. This vigilante has become one of the most dangerous men to walk our city. In response to his frequent latest attacks, B.L.A.D.E, the government military, have shown up to protect this city. We all give our thanks to B.L.A.D.E. We will inform you if any new information is-

Violet: That guy is a monster

Royce:...

Violet: Nobody knows who he is and he’s just killing people. He’s worse than corrupt cops.

Royce: He’s a menace.

Violet changes the channel. The radio starts playing a poppy hip hop song. Violet starts singing along with the music. Royce thinks to himself.

Royce: ‘I saw B.L.A.D.E. trucks arrive late that night. They must have taken Jackson, and spread a different story.’

Royce looks over at Violet. She is still singing along. She looks at him smiling.

Royce: ‘It’s still the morning. How is she so energetic. At least she seems happy.’

Royce pulls over at a diner. A sign on the top of the building says “DayBreak Diner.” Royce and Violet walk inside the building. A bell rings as the door moves. A few people are already seated in the diner.

Waitress: Sit wherever you like! There are menus already at the table for you.

Violet: Thank you.

Royce sits down. Violet sits down after him. Royce tries to look at the menu. He rubs his eyes.

Violet: Do you need glasses?

Royce: Tired.

Violet: Maybe if you were in the bed with me you would’ve slept better.

Royce: No, I just got back late.

Violet: It wasn’t being literal.

Royce: I know.

Violet: Where were you last night? I waited at least until midnight. Were you at the club?!

Royce: I was with a woman.

Violet: That’s the worst lie you have ever told.

Royce: How do you know it was a lie?

Violet: You came home and slept in a chair after you were with a woman?

Royce: Maybe it went bad?

Violet: With you?

Royce: You’re right, I don’t disappoint.

Violet giggles.

Violet: You’re so stupid.

The waitress comes over.

Waitress: Are you ready for me to take your order?

Royce: We still need a minute.

Waitress: Take your time.

The waitress walks off.

Violet: Hey, I know what I want!

Royce: But I don’t because you won’t stop talking.

Violet: Multitask.

Royce: I don’t multitask in the morning.

There is silence for a moment while Royce is looking at the menu. Violet gets anxious. She starts tapping her foot.

Violet: Remember the first time we went here?

Royce: Of course I do. What was it, 15 years ago when it first opened and a group of us came here?

Violet: Yeah, it was me, you, Jacks, and a few other friends.

Royce: You were half dead after that day. You looked awful.

Violet: Yeah, cause that day sucked.

Royce: We all just hung out. What are you talking about?

Violet: I never told you.

Royce: I never asked.

Violet: You were the one who talked to me at the end of the day. How didn’t you ask?

Royce: Didn’t care.

Violate jokingly shakes her head.

Violet: I hate you.

The waitress walks over.

Waitress: Have you figured out what you want to order, or do you need more time?

Royce: I think we’re ready to order.

## Chapter 7

An 18 year old Royce is sitting on his couch at his house, playing with a butterfly knife. Jackson walks out of his room.

Jackson: Why are you playing with that stupid ass knife?

Royce: Waiting for your punk ass to get up.

Jackson: You graduated and you still have to drop me off at school.

Royce: Ma has work. You only got one more year left. You’ll be driving yourself. Just not today.

Jackson: But do you really have to plan with the knife? You might cut yourself, or even worse, me.

Royce: Don’t be a wuss.

Jackson: I’ll throw on clothes and we can get going.

Royce: Yeah, why don’t you do that.

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

Royce and Jackson are sitting in the car. Royce turns the key and the car starts.

Jackson: So, why did I have to wake up early today?

Royce: You, me, Violet, Ashley, and Jake are going to that new diner.

Jackson: The breakfast one?

Royce: Obviously.

Jackson: Isn’t that stupid college party today. Why did they do it on a school day?

Royce: It’s a friday, and the people that are supposed to be coming to the party just graduated. School day means shit to them.

Jackson: So…

Royce: No.

Jackson: Why can’t I come.

Royce: What are you going to do if the cops come? You’re less resourceful then a fucking dog. If the police show up you’ll be caught first.

Jackson: No I won’t.

Royce: Fine, since you and Violet are both 17. If she goes, you can go.

Jackson: Yes!

Royce: But if the police catch you, you’re on your own.

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

Royce pulls up to the “DayBreak diner.” Royce and Jackson sit down at a table with the rest of the group.

Jake: Hey, what took you two so long?

Royce: The drive.

Jake: The drives like ten minutes!

Royce: And we’re ten minutes late.

Jake: You always have an excuse-

Jake and Royce keep talking. Violet looks at Jackson and talks quietly.

Violet: Jacks, are you going to the party tonight?

Jackson: Are you?

Violet: Of course I am. I had a feeling that Royce doesn’t want either of us to go.

Jackson: So we’ll both go.

Violet: Exactly.

Ashley: What are you two whispering about?

Jake: No secrets, c’mon.

Violet: The party.

Jake: That’s my boy, Jacks! I knew you would get a date to the party.

Jackson: It’s not a date.

The waitress comes over.

Waitress: Can I start you off with some drinks?

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

They eat and finish their food. Royce drives Violet and Jackson to school. Later that night, Royce, Jake, and Ashley are all in a car. Royce is sitting in the passenger seat.

Jake: You know Jacks and Violet are going to show up.

Royce: I’m not stupid. That’s what they were talking about at breakfast. It’ll be fun watching Jacks try to avoid me.

Jake: It’ll be fun…

Ashley: Young love.

Royce: Just young. Take a right.

Jake turns the car. They pull into some spot in the forest where many other cars are. Everyone gets out of the car. They see some lights down a path. The three of them walk along the path until they find everyone. Music is playing, people are talking, there is food on tables. Jake turns to say something to Royce. Jake realizes that Royce disappeared.

Jake: You know where Royce went?

Ashley sees her friends and runs off.

Jake: What did I do?

Jake walks off and starts hanging out with some of the jocks. The jocks see Jake.

Jocks: JAKE!

Jake: I know, I’m late!

Royce is sitting up in a tree. Royce is grinding one of his sai on a piece of rock. His eyes look down on the people in the crowd. There is almost a red glow in his eyes. The leaves cover Royce, and make him almost invisible in the mix of darkness.

Royce:...

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

Violet and Jackson pull into the parking area. They get out of the car and sneak through the trees. They walk into the crowd of people.

Jackson: What do we even do?

Violet: You're thinking too much. C’mon, let’s just dance.

Violet grabs Jackson’s hand and drags him deeper into the crowd.

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

Royce sees Violet and Jackson dancing. Royce doesn’t look like he cares. His eyes keep scanning the crowd. One man steps out of the crowd with a few girls. He says something to the girls and they walk back into the crowd. The blond man walks into the forest. Royce jumps across the trees. No one can hear him because of the music. Royce finds the guy a little away from the party. The music is quieter where they are. The blond man walks up to the A dark haired man. Royce can barely hear them speak.

Blond Man: You got something for spiking drinks.

Dark Haired Man: For girls?

Blond Man: What else.

The dark haired man passes a plastic bag to the blond man. Royce jumps down from the trees. He stabs the blond man in the throat. The dark haired man starts running. Royce throws his other sai. It just missed the man. Royce shakes his head and rips the sai out of the blond man. He runs the man down. As Royce is running he picks up the sai that’s on the ground. Royce slowly catches up to the dark haired man. The man is terrified. Royce throws both his sai into the man’s back. The man falls to the ground. Royce rips the two sai out of the man’s back. The man yells from the pain.

Royce: You’ve been drugging people, and selling drugs to kids.

Dark Haired Man: Please! I won’t do it anymore!

Royce stabs both of his sai through the man’s head. He rips his sai out and stands up. Royce looks at his clothes and dusts himself off.

Royce: No blood stains.

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

Violet and Jackson are holding drinks.

Jackson: I’m going to go get some food. You good?

Violet: Yeah, I’m fine.

Jackson walks off. Jake walks up to Violet.

Jake: Did Jackson leave you all alone? He can’t leave a pretty lady like you alone at a party.

Violet: He just went to go get food.

Jake: Then he won’t be back for a bit. C’mon, I want to introduce you to a few people.

Jake leads Violet to some jocks. Some girls are hanging out with the jocks. A girl walks over to them.

Jake: This is Ava.

Ava has long brown hair. She looks at Violet with big pretty eyes. Violet remembers she was one of the popular girls at school.

Ava: I’ve heard a lot about you Violet.

Violet: R-really?

Ava: Of course. I’ve heard you’ve been becoming popular too. That’s why I wanted to show you a tradition we do every year.

Violet: What’s the tradition?

Ava makes a hand sign to follow her. She leads Violet into the forest. They walk up to a little wooden hut. The hut looks like it hasn’t been touched for years.

Ava: You're going to sit in there for a few minutes.

Violet: I don’t know.

Ava: Oh c’mon, I’m going to be right here. You’ll be able to tell all your friends about it.

Violet: A-alright.

Ava opens the wood door. The door creaks as it moves. Violet sees cobwebs and dust everywhere. She cautiously walks inside the hut. Ava shuts the door and puts a plank of wood in front of the door. The plank of wood keeps the door shut. Ava dusts off her hands and walks away smiling. A few minutes later, Violet is getting worried. She can’t see anything, and she can’t even hear the music.

Violet: Ava, I want to get out.

Violet hears nothing. She tries to open the door. The door refuses to move.

Violet: Ava!

Violet tries to push the old door.

Violet starts to hyperventilate.

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

Royce walks back to the party. He sneaks up behind Jackson.

Royce: Boo.

Jackson jumps and turns around.

Jackson: Royce!

Royce: Did you do any dumb shit?

Jackson: Why?

Royce: Because I asked. Where’s Jake?

Jackson: He’s hanging out with the jocks.

Royce: Figures.

Royce walks over to the jocks. The jocks see Royce.

One Of The Jocks: Big man, where ya been?

Royce: Hanging out.

Royce walks up to Jake.

Royce: I’m guessing you're going to the “after party” with Ashley.

Jake: Hell yeah.

Royce: Good, then I don’t have to drive you home. Where’s Violet?

Jake: She left with Ava.

Royce scowls at Jake.

Royce: Where did they go?

Royce sees Ava come back from the forest. He walks up to her. As soon as Ava sees Royce she fixes her hair.

Ava: Hey Royce, wanna-

Royce: Did you lock Violet in the cabin?

Ava: Who cares?

Royce: I have to drive Jackson and Violet home.

Ava: She’ll come out eventually.

Royce: You do this shit every year. It’s getting old.

Royce hears sirens. He sighs and everyone starts running into the forest. Royce starts running through the trees. Royce finds the cabin deeper in the woods. He takes the plank of wood off of the door and opens it.

Royce: Thank god I found you. The police are here.

Violet is sitting in the cabin crying.

Royce: I text Jackson to get the car and drive it a little off away from the party. We’re going to sneak around and get in the car.

Royce puts out his hand. Violet takes his hand and steps out of the cabin.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -
The waitress brings out Royce and Violet's food.

Violet: I can’t believe you didn’t know what happened. I thought Ava had a crush on you.

Royce: I never paid attention to her. I was just looking around for you in the forest and I found the cabin. I thought you ran away because of the police.

Violet: The news reports made it look awful. With the murders and everything.

Royce: I wonder who did it.

Violet: They never figured it out.

## Chapter 8

Royce and Violet get back in the car.

Royce: Where are we going now?

Violet: You're going to drop me off.

Royce: I thought I had to spend the whole day with you.

Violet: Aw, don’t worry. We’ll hang out later. I got something to do though.

Royce: When do I have to pick you back up then?

Violet: Dinner.

Royce: Alright, am I dropping you off at your car.

Violet: Yup.

Royce drives off. He pulls into the gym’s parking lot.

Violet: Oh, You also have to let Ricky keep handling the gym.

Violet gets out of the car. He watches her wave to him as she gets in her own car and drives away.

Royce: Finally. She’s so bothersome.

Royce gets out of the car and walks around to the back of the gym. Royce opens the door and walks down a hallway. Royce walks inside his room.

Royce: I still need to find that damn scientist.

Royce picks the loose floorboards up and looks at the chemical.

Royce: I have no more leads. Jackson’s mutation distracted me. I forgot the scientist had left. Now I need to find him all over again.

Royce’s phone starts ringing.

Royce: Will nobody stop bothering me!

Royce picks up the phone. Royce snaps with a harsh tone.

Royce: What?!

???: Uncle, people are here trying to take me away. They say I’m an orphan.

Royce: Is it B.L.A.D.E?

Emily: I thought they were supposed to be good guys

Royce: I’ll be right there.

Royce walks out of the back of the building. He walks around the gym and into his car. Royce drives off. Royce quickly reaches Jackson’s house. He sees a few vehicles with B.L.A.D.E. logos on them. Royce looks furious. He sees Emily being dragged out of the building.

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: Sir, we are taking this girl in custody. Stay back.

Royce: I’m her uncle.

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: Make sure she doesn’t get away.

The soldier walks over to Royce.

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: Good, an adult to speak to.

Royce: The fuck is going on here?

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: This child's father is a mutant. We had to take him to prison. She has no mother. We were going to bring her to an orphanage.

Royce: There was no one to contact. You're the biggest military power in the world. You couldn’t have found the closest relatives?

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: Those weren’t my orders sir.

Royce nods his head.

Royce: Let that young woman go. I will take her in. At the least, until I can get in contact with her grandparents. I suggest that you do that before I contact the news that you dragged a 16 year old girl out of her house for being an orphan.

The B.L.A.D.E. soldier laughs.

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: B.L.A.D.E. owns the news. As a kind gesture, I won’t bring her to an orphanage. You just have to make sure you legally adopt her.

The B.L.A.D.E. soldier walks over to the other soldiers.

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: Let her go. This man will take her.

The soldiers get in their cars and drive away.

Emily: What-

Royce: Get in the car.

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

Royce is driving back to the gym. The car is in dead silence.

Emily: What is going on?

Royce: The soldier said your father is a mutant. They took him to prison.

Emily: Dad isn’t a mutant! He has never done anything!

Royce:...

Emily: Uncle Royce, you have to get him out of there. He didn’t do anything!

Royce: What am I supposed to do? Break into a B.L.A.D.E. prison and get him out of there?

Emily: No, but we can’t do nothing.

Royce: You’ll have to.

The car stops in the parking lot. Royce and Emily get out of the car.

Royce leads Emily around the buildings and into the hallway. Royce opens up a door. The room has some stuff in it, but the room is mostly empty.

Royce: I have an air mattress that you will have to sleep on for a little bit. Tomorrow we will get some boxes and move your stuff here. I’ll leave you alone so you can… think about stuff.

Royce walks off into his own room. Royce calls Violet.

Violet: Miss me already?

Royce: Jackson has been taken to prison.

Violet: What?! Why, what did he do?

Royce: B.L.A.D.E. sent him to prison. They said he was a mutant. I went to his house, and they were trying to put Emily in an orphanage.

Violet: Do you need help with anything?

Royce: I just wanted to tell you that because I’m going to have to raincheck picking you up for dinner.

Violet: Of course, just let me know if you need anything.

Royce hangs up the phone.

Royce: Another problem...

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

A few minutes after Jackson was captured, Jackson was asleep in the back of the B.L.A.D.E. van. Jackson starts to wake up. Two blade soldiers are in the back of the truck with him.

B.L.A.D.E. Soldier: Fucking mutants. They disgust me. It seems like wherever there is a mutant, a pile of bodies follow.

Other soldier: Their all killers.

Jackson feels his hands are getting colder. They are coming closer to normal temperatures. Jackson sees he’s in handcuffs. The handcuffs are pure metal. There is no chain between the cuffs. The cuffs have a metal bar connecting them. In the middle of the bar is a little device. Jackson tries to breath steam on the device. He breathes normally. Jackson thinks to himself.

Jackson: ‘My body is getting colder, but I need to break out of here and kill these two guards.’

Jackson holds his breath in, trying to heat it up. Then Jackson breaths out. Steam comes out of his breath. The steam burns the device. He sees a few little sparks come off of it. Jackson’s body starts heating up. Jackson breaths pure steam on the bar of the cuffs melting it. The two soldiers pull out their guns.

B.L.A.D.E. soldier: He broke the cuffs!

Jackson puts his hands out. Steam slams into the two soldiers. The soldiers are blasted through the backdoor of the truck. Jackson jumps out of the truck. The soldiers are knocked out. Jackson runs off.

Jackson: I need to get back to my house.

Jackson runs past the power plant. He hears a voice and stops.

Scientist: A beautiful specimen indeed.

The scientist looks pensive.

Scientist: Not enough aggression. The mixture must have not worked properly. Don’t worry. There will be more tests. You will have brothers by the end of the night!

Jackson: You did this!

Scientist: Yes I did.

A dart is sent into Jackson’s neck.

Jackson: Not again.

Scientist: Don’t worry. I know my mutagen. This dart will keep you asleep. I’ll see you in the morning.

Jackson collapses onto the ground.

## Chapter 9

Royce finishes setting up an air mattress. He puts a few blankets on the air mattress with two pillows. Emily is sitting in a chair on the other side of the room.

Royce: You can sleep there for now until we can get your grandparents to take you in.

Emily: What grandparents?

Royce: Your mother’s parents.

Emily: I haven’t talked to them since my mother died.

Royce: It’ll be fine. They aren’t just going to leave you on the street.

Emily: How are you gonna say that when you’re trying to?

Royce glares at Emily.

Royce: Watch your tongue. I’m not your father. I could have let the soldiers take you away. You can spend the next four years there if you want.

Emily looks down at the ground.

Royce: Got that?

Royce walks over to the door.

Emily: Uncle, did I do something?

Royce: Why?

Emily: I’ve known you all my life and you’ve never acted like… This.

Royce: Think about it.

Royce opens up the door.

Royce: I’m going out. Do you want anything?

Emily: No thank you.

The door shuts.

Royce looks out of the window in his room. The daylight quickly turns into darkness. He looks down at his bed. His suit is lying there. His helmet is almost staring back at him with red eyes.

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

Royce stands on top of a building. His red eyes scan the area.

Royce: No leads.

Royce jumps off of the building. He lands on the ground. His cape covers him. Royce runs through the streets. He uses the darkness as cover, sneaking through the shadows of the city. Royce sees a man selling drugs to another man. Once the drug dealer hands the man a bag, the man walks off. Royce sneaks around the building. He sinks his hands into the brick as he scales the wall. Royce lands his feet on the roof of the building. Royce looks down on the man. The dealer looks up. He sees Royce standing above him.

Dealer: I-it’s the Ripper!

The drug dealer tries to run. Royce throws his grappling hook. The sharp edges of the hook stab into his leg. Royce pulls the drug dealer closer to him. The drug dealer falls to the ground. He tries to rip the hook out of his leg. Royce pulls the drug dealer up to him. Royce holds him up by his leg and rips the hook out of him.

Dealer: Please don’t kill me man!

Royce: Everyone says the same thing. Should I keep you alive because of your family, kids, wife? What do those people have to do with you? You all use your loved ones as shields to protect you.

Dealer: Please.

Royce: If you survive the fall. You can live. You want a second chance, let the world decide.

Royce drops the dealer on his head. Royce hears a crack.

Royce: The world didn’t give him a second chance.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

A man sees Royce drop the drug dealer on his head. The man is staring at Royce. His breathing is heavy. His heart is beating fast. The man slowly stands up as he sees Royce start to walk away.

???: The Ripper…

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

Royce starts to run off. He jumps across buildings. Royce feels a little bit paranoid. He keeps looking behind him.

Royce: What’s wrong with me? No ones there.

???: Ripper!

Royce hears a man scream from behind him.

Royce:...

Royce turns around. A man with green skin stands. He has slit yellow eyes with black pupils. He stands a bit hunched over.

???: Do you remember trying to kill me?

Royce: I don’t remember trying to kill a frog.

???: A frog?! Yes, I guess that is what I have become. Let me remind you.

The man starts walking up to Royce.

???: You shot me down at a swamp a little outside the beautiful King City.

Royce: That’s who you are.

???: Now you remember me.

Royce: I shot you with your own gun.

???: And I’m going to kill you for it.

The man jumps at Royce.

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

Three guys are dragging a giant trash bag through a swamp.

Mason: Will, Luke, thanks for helping me.

Will: You would do the same for us. You said that it was an accident.

They drop the bag into the swamp. As they look at the bag slowly sink into the swamp, Mason speaks.

Mason: I can’t stop thinking about what I did.

Will: You were drunk, she always hit you.

Luke: That girl deserved it.

Mason: No she didn’t. I loved her.

Will: You were almost blackout drunk. She was like a tyrant. Charlotte tried to beat you up every time you got home over nothing. Remember when you tried to get her to go to therapy and she kicked you out.

Mason: Yeah, I remember.

Luke: She probably tried to beat you up again and you showed her you won’t take that shit.

Will: You shouldn’t have hit her, but there is no taking it back now. You hit her too hard, and now god will decide her fate.

Royce walks out of the shadows. He is in his Ripper costume.

Will: Jack the Ripper!

Mason reaches down into his pants.

Luke: Dude, you are my hero! You show everyone who’s boss. You don’t take shit from anyone.

Royce walks up to them. Royce stabs Luke through the throat.

Royce: I don’t want you to look up to me. Murderers don’t look up to each other. They should look down.

Will tries to run. Royce stabs Will in the back. Mason pulls out a gun. The gun is directly in front of Royce. The gun is barely a few inches away from Royce’s face.

Royce: Are you going to kill two people today?

Mason’s breathing is heavy. His heart is beating fast. He keeps looking back and forth at Royce and the gun. Royce grabs his arm and moves it to the side quickly. Mason pulls the trigger, but the gun is pointing to the side. The bullet fired off in the distance. Royce takes the gun out of Mason’s hand and kicks Mason into the swamp. Mason falls down into the swamp. He is laying in the swamp. He looks up at Royce’s red eyes. He is terrified. He hears the fire of the gun. The bullet rips through his stomach.

Mason: AH!

Mason’s view is distorted because of the pain. He sees almost flashes of pictures. He sees Royce as he slowly walks away. Royce disappears into the shadows.

## Chapter 10

Mason jumps at Royce. Royce puts up his gauntlet to block the punch. Mason flips around in the air and kicks Royce in the chest. Royce stumbles backward. He falls to one knee, regaining balance.

Mason: Surprised? You always fight people who can’t do anything to you. What happens when you have your advantage stripped away!

Mason leaps into the air. He spin kicks at Royce’s head. Royce puts up his gauntlet to block the kick. Mason’s foot collides with the metal. Mason’s unhuman-like pupils stare into Royce’s red eyes. Royce holds his gauntlet there with his other arm. He moves the gauntlet away. Mason's leg flies off course, and Mason hits the ground.

Mason: You're still using that suit.

Mason walks over to the edge of the building.

Mason: What could break it?

Mason stops on the edge of the building. A piece of brick breaks off and falls through the air. Mason catches it.

Mason: Maybe, bricks.

Royce:...

Royce takes out his sai.

Royce: You were born from the same mutagen that Jackson was.

Mason: Then you know what killed you.

Royce: I’ll learn where that scientist is.

Mason and Royce run at each other. Royce swings one of his sai. Mason laughs as he drops on the ground. His back hits the ground and he kicks Royce in the stomach. Royce falls onto the ground. Mason quickly stands up. Royce slowly lifts himself off the ground. Mason runs at him and roundhouse kicks. Royce stabs Mason’s leg. Mason grunts in pain and drops the brick. Royce, in a split second, takes the sai out of Mason’s leg and grabs Mason by the neck. Royce slams Mason into the ground. The brick breaks and they both fall into the building. Rubble lands on them. Royce moves the rubble off of himself. He looks around and puts his sai on his belt.

Royce: Warehouse.

Royce gets up with rubble and dust on him. The rubble starts to fall off as Royce brushes the dust off of himself.

Royce: It’s dark.

Mason thrashes around. The rubble moves off of him from his sporadic movements. Mason hops up onto both feet.

Mason: You ran away. You can’t fight one person! You're like seven feet tall!

Royce comes out from the shadows. He throws a full force punch into Mason’s jaw. Mason feels the metal from Royce’s suit bash his face. He hits the ground hard. Royce takes one sai out. Once Royce gets close to Mason, Mason kicks Royce’s leg out. Royce drops to one knee and Mason kicks Royce in the head. Royce falls onto the ground. Mason gets back up looking a little tired, but still energetic. As Royce tries to pull himself up from the ground he feels his helmet.

Royce: You dented my armor.

Mason: I told you I was going to break that armor.

Royce runs at Mason like a bull. Mason prepares to roundhouse kick Royce in the head. Before Mason can kick, Royce clothes lines his stomach and slams him into a wall. Royce holds Mason to the wall with one hand and repeatedly punches Mason in his stomach with the other. Royce holds one arm out for a second, like he is charging it, and then punches Mason through the wall. Mason lands on the cement outside of the building. Royce walks over to him and picks him up by his collar.

Royce: Where is the scientist?!

Mason: I don’t know.

Royce slams Mason against the ground.

Royce: Tell me where he is before I stab through both of your legs!

Mason: I don’t know!

Royce takes out one sai. He stabs Mason in one of his legs. Mason yells in pain.

Royce: Where is he?!

Mason: I will never help you!

Royce goes to stab Mason through the second leg.

Mason: He is in one of the Cole Corp factories.

Royce: Which one?

Mason: I don’t know-

Royce goes to stab Mason in the leg again.

Mason: He changes which factory every month or something!

Royce: He won’t hide.

Royce stabs Mason through the throat. Mason’s breathing stops as Royce takes the sai out of his throat. Royce stands up and walks away.

Royce: A lead.

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

The next day, Royce wakes up in his bed. Royce takes a shower and gets dressed. As he is about to walk into the gym, Emily stops him.

Emily: You were out all night.

Royce: And you were up all night.

Emily goes silent.

Royce: Why were you up?

Emily: I couldn’t sleep.

Royce: Why?

Emily: I-I don’t know.

Royce sighs.

Royce: We still have to handle how you're going to school so you’ll be taking a week off.

Emily: Alright.

Royce walks into the gym. He sees Violet walk inside from the front door. As soon As Violet sees him, she runs up and hugs him.

Violet: Are you alright?

Royce: I’m fine.

Violet: Your brother was taken to jail. He’s a mutant- Did you know?

Royce: I didn’t know.

Violet: Then how are you fine?

Royce: Emily is the one that isn’t fine.

Violet: You didn’t say anything stupid.

Royce: She’s upset because her dad was taken to jail.

Violet: No, I mean now that her dads gone. She needs someone to talk to, and you’re not exactly the emotional type.

Royce: Talk to her if you want. I’m working.

Violet looks a little frustrated with Royce. She goes to the back of the building and Royce walks away.

## Chapter 11

The scientist is holding a canister of the dark yellow chemical. The room is dark with only one light bulb hanging from the ceiling to brighten the room. Two guards are chained down to chairs.

Scientist: You two-

The scientist takes a breath in.

Scientist: Are about to become beautiful. So, so beautiful.

Guard: Please. Aren’t we fine as regular guards?

Scientist: Yes, you are “fine,” but you could be great! This will make you great!

He splashes the chemical onto the two guards. Their bodies start changing. One guard is looking up in pain at the light. The other is looking down at the darkness.The two guards yell in pain.

Scientist: Now, I’ll tell you the plan.

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

Violet walks into the back of the gym. She puts her hand on Emily’s door and takes a breath before opening it. Emily is sitting on the bed looking at her phone. Emily looks at Violet and stands up.

Violet: C’mon, gimme a hug.

Emily embraces Violet. The two women sit down on the air mattress.

Violet: I heard what happened to your father. I’m so sorry.

Emily: What happened to him? He was never a mutant.

Violet: No one knows. Your Uncle is going to try to find out.

Emily: I don’t know if he will.

Violet: You have to have faith-

Emily: He’s been acting all weird. He’s never acted like he does now.

Violet: He’s probably just stressed. Royce doesn’t like to show that he’s sad. He holds everything in, and that makes him lash out. You’ll have to be patient. Royce is a good man, he’ll find Jackson.

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

Ricky walks up to Royce.

Ricky: Do you need your papers?

Royce sounds annoyed.

Royce: Yes Ricky, of course I need the papers.

Ricky hands Royce a stack of papers.

Ricky: I think I did a good job yesterday taking care of the store.

Royce: And? That’s what you’re supposed to do.

Ricky: Can’t I get a-

Royce: I’ll think about it, but probably not.

Royce goes to the back of the gym. He bumps into Violet. Violet looks angry. She talks through her teeth.

Violet: Your room, now.

They both walk into Royce’s room. Royce set’s down the stack of papers.

Royce: Why are you angry?

Violet: You’ve been lashing out on Emily!

Royce: What are you talking about?

Violet: She said you were acting different!

Royce: She’s fourteen and her father just died! You think it's a great idea to judge me on what she says?!

Violet: Who else will I ask? You’re an asshole to everyone!

Royce: That’s who I am!

Violet: You can’t be like that with family! Especially someone who needs you!

Royce: She doesn’t need me! She needs her father!

Violet stares at Royce in silence.

Violet: He’s not here. It doesn’t matter whether you're her father or not, she needs you.

Violet slams the door shut as she leaves the room. Royce picks up a pen and starts working on the papers. Royce looks out the window.

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

Hours later, the daylight has turned to darkness. Royce is in his suit. He brings out his phone and scans for all the Cole Corp Factories. Royce looks at all the locations and starts traveling around the city. He stays to the shadows, looking through the windows of the factories for any sign of the scientist. After hours of search, he sees two guards in one factory. Both of the guards wear regular uniforms. One guard wears a black cloak over his uniform. The other is wearing a white sweatshirt. There are no workers in sight.

Royce: The workers must all be on the machines. The other factories don’t have guards like this.

Royce watches the two guards walk into other rooms. The guards hear a crash. The two guards run out into the main part of the factory. They see a broken window.

???: Void!

Void: Angel.

Angel: Why do we have to use the scientist’s code names?

Void: That doesn’t matter-

The lights go off. It’s pitch black.

Void: I’ll check the breaker. I can see in the dark, you won’t know where you’re going.

Angel: I’ll hide so I don’t get jumped.

Angel backs up to a corner. Void walks through the rooms of the factories. He walks up to the breaker. He sees the breakers being stabbed through. It has three holes.

Void: The Ripper!

Angel is hiding behind a few boxes. Red eyes are looking down on him. Angel hears something hit the ground. He looks around and sees nothing. Something grabs Angel and throws him across the room into a few boxes. Void runs out from the back.

Void: It’s the Ripper! Blast him.

Void moves his hands in front of himself. Angel’s eyes begin to light up. A beam of light blasts out of Angel’s eyes. Angel spins around, destroying the entire bottom layer of the factory. Void sees Royce slam into a wall from the blast. Parts of Royce’s armor are starting to fall off.

Void: Turn your eyes off.

Angel looks up accidentally. The beam is absorbed into the darkness before it hits the wall. Angel’s eyes stop blasting light.

Void: Light up the room!

Angel slams his hands down on the ground. A pulse of light brightens up the room for a few seconds and turns off and on, flashing. Angel sees Royce stand up. In between the flashes Royce gets closer and closer to Angel. Royce’s fist slams into Angel’s jaw with a right hook. Royce feels Angel's jaw move. Angel hits the and rolls to his side. Void appears behind Royce. Void puts a gun to the back of Royce’s head. The gun fires, and the bullet ricochets off of Royce’s helmet. Angel, still laying on the ground, looks up at Royce’s helmet and his eyes blast light. The beam of light collides with the helmet and blasts Royce and Void back. The helmet breaks and Royce hits the ground. Void hits the ground a few feet away from Royce.

Angel: What’s under the helmet?

Royce looks up and they see his furious face. Then the pulse of light turns off and as soon as the light flickers back on, Royce is gone.

Void: You almost messed up the plan.

## Chapter 12

The scientist is looking at a computer in his lab. Void and Angel are standing behind him.

Scientist: Angel, you almost destroyed the camera and ruined the plan. You are lucky you didn’t. I would have had to kill my beautiful creation.

The scientist looks at the footage until he finds Royce’s face. He pauses on the frame. The computer starts analyzing the face and comparing it to police records.

Scientist: I found a match. His name is Royce Rorrick. He owns a gym on Stone Road.

Void: What do we do?

Scientist: Kill him when he least expects it.

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

A shadow jumps from building to building. The shadow covers its face with its arm. The devilish being speaks full of anger.

Royce: Where is it?

Royce lands on a building, his feet slide a bit as he stops. His eyes dart around looking for something specific. Royce’s eyes widen as he sees a old building with a spray painted picture on the front door. Royce jumps off the roof of the building he’s standing on. His feet hit the ground hard, the impact can be heard from all around. Royce walks up to the spray painted door and looks at the image. The picture is of a man with a hood covering his face.

Royce: This is his place.

Royce puts his hand on the door knob and slowly opens it. The door creaks as it opens. Royce steps through the doorway and shuts the door behind him. He walks through the building, his footsteps on the wood floor are louder than normal. Royce walks into a little workshop with mechanical parts all around. A man jumps on Royce holding a metal bar. Royce grabs the man's arm and looks at him. The man is in his late 40s early 50s. He has white shaggy hair and greasy work clothes on.

Royce: Grease…

Grease: Have you come back to haunt me?

Royce: Maybe, but that’s not my intent.

Grease sounds annoyed.

Grease: Then let me go.

Royce drops his arm.

Grease: Your helmet. Where is it?

Royce: It was destroyed.

Grease: Impossible. Bullets bounce off the fucking thing!

Royce walks over to one of the desks and drops the pieces of the helmet.

Grease: Who… what did this?

Royce: You might hate your creation, but there’s a scientist that loves his.

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

Violet walks up to the gym. She thinks to herself.

Violet: ‘I need to check on Royce. He’s probably avoiding Emily now because of what I said. I feel bad, but I needed to say it.’

Violet grabs her key and puts the key in the lock. The key turns the lock. The lock clicks as the door opens up. Violet feels antsy because of the dark gym. She walks to the back and opens the door. Her hand knocks on Royce’s door. There is nothing but silence. Violet opens the door up, but Royce is nowhere to be seen. Violet walks over to Emily’s door and knocks. Emily opens up the door and takes out her headphones.

Emily: What’s up?

Violet: Where’s Royce?

Emily: He didn’t tell me he was leaving. He was out last night too. Has he disappeared?

Violet: No, he’s probably just at some bar or something. Now go to sleep young lady, it’s late.

Emily: Whatever.

Emily closes the door and Violet smiles. She walks inside Royce’s room and looks out the window.

Violet: Where does he go?

As Violet is just about to leave the room, she sees something in the corner of her eye. Some light is coming out of the floor.

Violet: A secret?

Violet gets down on her knees and removes the floorboards. She sees the glowing red chemical in the bottle.

Violet: What is this thing?!

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

Grease: So, they created a drug that mutates people. Have they found another way to make mutants?!

Royce: Not a drug, a chemical. I’m not sure if they are mutants.

Grease: Every useful chemical is a drug. Soon, you’ll be able to buy this thing from a street dealer and become a superhuman.

Royce: I’ll stop it before then, but I’ll need you to fix my helmet.

Grease: No. I’ve helped you too much. My conscience can’t handle it. Everytime I turn on the news I see the horrors that this shitty suit has done!

Royce: Did you forget? If you don’t help me, you’re going into B.L.A.D.E.’s prison with your son.

Grease: Haven’t I helped you enough!?

Royce: It will be enough when I never need you again.

Grease: I need to devote my time to saving my son!

Royce: You had a year without one word from me. I don’t see your son out of the prison.

Grease: B.L.A.D.E. is powerful.

Royce: Then why don’t you give up on your fever dream?

Grease: I won’t give up on my son!

Royce: Then fix the helmet. I know you have a spar helmet here. I need it.

Grease points over at a helmet on the floor.

Grease: It’s more of a prototype, but it will conceal your identity.

Royce picks up the helmet and puts it on.

Royce: Work on some new gadgets. This grappling hook is starting to become useless, and I might need something to throw. If I throw my sai, I let go of my only weapons.

Grease: What have I become. A fucking bus boy for a psychopath.

Royce: I’m not a psychopath. Just a murderer.

Grease: Check the definition.

Grease turns around and Royce is gone.

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

Violet hears a loud crash. It sounds like breaking glass. She runs to the front of the gym. Two men stand in front of her.

Angel: A pretty girl. Let’s see what she knows.

Void sinks into the ground, becoming a shadow. He reappears in front of Violet and punches her in the jaw. Violet hits the ground and groans in pain. Angel crouches down next to her.

Angel: What do you know about the Ripper.

Violet: I don’t know the Ripper.

Void grabs Violet by her hair and lifts her up.

Void: We’ll rephrase. Tell us what you know about, Royce.

## Chapter 13

Royce sneaks inside his room. He sees the floorboards have been moved. Royce quickly changes out of his armor and sets it down. The floorboards are slid back in place. Royce looks annoyed. He leaves his room and knocks on Emily’s door. He hears no response. Royce thinks to himself.

Royce: ‘That kid doesn’t sleep.’

Royce closes his eyes and listens. He can hear movement in the room.

Royce: Emily, open the door. I know your awake.

The door slowly opens.

Emily: Uncle…

Emily looks terrified.

Royce: What happened?

Royce walks in the room and Emily closes the door. She sits down on the air mattress. Royce stands up, looking down on her.

Emily: Violet came here looking for you.

Royce: She was going through my room. Why?

Emily: I don’t know. I closed my door and I thought she was leaving. I heard something in the front of the gym so I opened the door. I saw Violet run out of your room. Two men attacked her and took off with her like she was their prisoner.

Royce: Because she is their prisoner. What did they look like?

Emily: One had a cloak and the other was wearing a white sweatshirt.

Royce: Did you hear what they said?

Emily: No. I was too afraid to get closer.

Royce: Good, you would have been found and then I wouldn’t know what happened here.

Royce goes to leave and sees Emily has a weird look on her face.

Royce: What?

Emily: You don’t sound worried. You did even ask if I was okay.

Royce: Are you okay?

Emily: Yeah.

Royce: Good.

Royce leaves the room. Royce walks to the front of the store. He sees a giant hole blasted in the front of the store. He sees a crumpled up piece of paper on the floor. Royce kneels down and picks up the paper. As the paper is straightened out an address becomes more readable on the paper.

Royce: Tomorrow night, I’m going to kill Void and Angel.

Royce stands up.

Royce: I’ll call the cops. Make the attack look less suspicious.

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

Half an hour later, the police are looking around the gym for any clues. A detective walks up to Royce.

???: Hello, I’m Detective Jack Lincoln. Were you present during the crime?

Royce: I wasn’t, but my niece Emily was. I’ll get her out here for you.

Jack: That would be appreciated.

Jack sees Royce leave in the back. When Royce returns to the main part of the gym, Emily is following behind him. The detective starts questioning Emily. Royce thinks to himself.

Royce: ‘She didn’t hear anything they said. They won’t really know what to do with her information.’

The police scan the area. Royce can tell they didn’t find anything useful. The detective leaves once he finishes talking with Emily. Soon the entire police force has left in their cars. Emily closes herself off back in her room and Royce does the same. As Royce lays in his bed he can feel his dreams taking over. The light comes through the window and hits Royce’s face. He gets up out of bed tired. Royce takes a shower and changes clothes. He goes out to the front of the gym. Ricky comes through the doors.

Ricky: What the hell happened?!

Royce starts sweeping up the glass on the ground.

Royce: Some robbers or something. I’ve already hired people to come repair the building. Grab a broom. We have to clean up the broken glass.

Ricky: Do I get paid?

Royce: You can always leave.

Ricky: It was a joke.

Ricky goes to the back and grabs a broom.

Ricky: I would never leave. I love this place. It’s the first job I ever got.

Royce: A jobs, a job. No one would show up if they didn’t get paid.

Ricky: I guess…

They sweep in silence for a minute.

Ricky: Why do you gotta be a hard ass all of the time?

Royce: If I was a regular boss you would be written up for calling me a hard ass.

Ricky: I’ve been working with you for years. We talk all the time. We’re supposed to be friends!

Royce: You’re an employee. We don’t talk outside of work.

The two men sweep in silence. Emily walks out from the back of the store. She looks at Royce. Royce walks to the back of the store. They move into the hallway.

Royce: What?

Emily: W-why is it always the people we know that get taken away. First Dad, then Violet.

Royce: Coincidence.

Emily: It can’t be. It must have something to do dad.

Royce: What do you want me to tell you? I have no idea.

Emily: I want you to tell me it’s going to be okay! The way this is going isn’t one of us going to be taken away next?!

Royce is silent for a moment.

Royce: No. I’ll protect you. You’ll be fine.

Emily: What about you?

Royce: If there is anyone that’s safe, it’s me. I’ll try to get Violet and your father back. Everything will work itself out.

Royce goes to walk away.

Emily: I used to hate that Ripper guy that’s always on the news, but now I wish he would help us.

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

The scientist is sitting at his computer. Void and Angel walk in dragging Violet. Violet’s hands and legs are tied together. She has duct tape over her mouth. Her face looks terrified. The Scientist looks excited. He taps his fingers on the desk.

Scientist: Royce wasn’t there?

Void: No sir. We took this woman and left a note.

Scientist: That’s fine. I expected that would happen. Let’s show this pretty young woman a special little video.

The scientist turns around the monitor to his computer. Violet looks at the screen. The scientist plays the video of Ripper getting unmasked. Violet’s eyes widen.

Void: It looks like she didn’t know.

Scientist: Her reaction is delightful. Now bring her to the location. I just needed her to know who the Ripper was.

Angel: Why did she need to know?

Scientist: You're the brawn. Don’t question the brain.

Angel: Uh, okay.

Scientist: Get out of my office!

## Chapter 14

The night strikes. The city is covered in darkness. Grease sits at his desk working on Royce’s helmet. He uses a welding torch and metal to weld the helmet back together.

Royce: I need something from you.

Grease jumps in his seat. He almost burns himself, but turns off the flame just in time. Grease turns around and flips up his welding helmet.

Grease: Are you trying to make me mess up your helmet?!

Royce: I have a feeling I’ll be walking into a trap. You got anything for that?

Grease: Not for you I don’t.

Royce: If you have one for you, that’ll work.

Grease: I’m not giving you everything you could ever want. Get killed. It would benefit me anyway.

Grease turns around.

Royce takes out his sai and rests the point on Grease’s head. He starts to push down.

Royce: 3...2…

Grease: Fine!

Royce removes the sai. Grease stands up and walks to another one of his desks. He grabs a small ball off the desk.

Grease: It’s a smoke bomb. It has condensed smoke in it. When you throw the thing on the ground, the smoke gets released. They’ll all be blinded.

Royce: I know how a smoke grenade works.

Grease: Then leave.

Grease sits back down at his desk. He hears the noise of movement. Grease’s head whips around quickly. He looks behind himself to see Royce is gone.

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

Royce lands at the front door of a Cole Corp warehouse.

Royce: No reason to sneak in.

Royce opens the door and walks inside the building. He hears someone's muffled voice. Royce walks past the lines of shelves and boxes. He pushes forward, hugging corners. Cautiously he walks through the warehouse. He turns around a corner to see Violet tied up. Royce walks over to her. He tries to untie the ropes around her. He hears footsteps.

Void: What did the scientist say your name was again. Royce?

Royce stops untying Violet and looks at Void and Angel.

Angel: I think he’s mad. The mad titan.

Void: Who even are you? What are you even trying to accomplish?

Royce takes out his sai.

Angel: You should have untied the girl before you fought. Now, she might get hit with a stray bullet.

Soldiers jump through the windows. Ten soldiers surround Royce. They all have assault rifles pointed at Royce, ready to shoot. Their armor looks military level. They have visors on for night vision.

Void: Kill him.

Royce throws down the smoke bomb. Smoke fills the air, blinding everyone. Bullets cut through the smoke like knives. One soldier keeps shooting his gun. From under him, Royce uppercuts him. The soldiers can’t hear him hit the ground because of the deafening sound of the guns. Slowly, Royce knocks out the soldiers. One by one, the soldiers fall. Until the sound of bullets starts to quiet. A bullet pierces Royce’s thigh and side. A few bullets graze his arms. Soon the last soldier is knocked out and the smoke clears. Violet sits, still tied up, with a bullet wound on her leg.

Void: That’s like you to not die.

Royce charges the two soldiers. Angel puts his hand out and blasts a beam of light. Royce puts up his gauntlet. The blast collides with his gauntlet and pushes him a few feet back. Void rises from Royce’s shadow and punches him in the back. Royce stumbles forward and swings his gauntlet behind him. The noise of slamming metal can be heard as Void hits the ground. Royce takes out his sai. Void descends into the ground, becoming a shadow. Angel’s eyes start glowing.

Angel: Die!

A beam of light fires out of Angel’s eyes. Royce drops to the ground ready to throw his sai. Void comes up from the ground next to him and grabs Royce’s cape. Void pulls Royce up and into the blast. Void quickly disappears back into the ground. The beam of light pushes Royce into the wall with a crash. Angel walks closer to Royce, the power of the light intensifying.

Angel: The end of the Ripper’s legacy. You’ll be known as a villain to all.

Royce thinks of Emily as the beam pushes him down. He looks at his sai, he gets a gleam in his eye. Royce throws the sai into Angel's shoulders. Angel closes his eyes and tries to rip the sai out of himself as he grunts in pain. Royce drops from the wall and rushes Angel. Void appears and Royce grabs him by the neck. Angel opens his eyes again and sees Royce’s fist. Royce hears a crack as his fist collides with Angel’s jaw. Angel’s body hits the ground hard. Royce lifts Void up higher as Void tries to pull himself out of Royce’s grip. Royce’s fist slowly gets tighter and tighter. Void struggles to speak, gasping for air.

Void: Bloodthirsty motherfucker.

Royce: You brought a squadron to kill me. I killed them first. My blood would be all over the floors if yours wasn’t.

Royce starts slamming Void onto the ground. A beam of light blasts Royce back and Void hits the ground.

Void: We’ll meet again.

Void disappears into the ground. He reappears next to Angel. Void’s hand rests on Angel and they both vanish into the ground. Royce sees his sai are on the ground. He picks up one of the soldier's guns from the ground and walks over to Violet. Royce looks down on Violet for a minute. Then he takes off the duct tape off her mouth.

Violet: R-Royce, how could you k-kill people. I- you’re the Ripper! You’re a criminal! You need to turn yourself in!

Royce: I can’t do that. I protect this city. Those people are creating superhumans to do their bidding.

Violet: And you're killing more people then they are! You’re a monster!

Royce: I am a monster, but you’ll never understand that there are monsters worse then me.

Violet: That doesn’t make you any less of one.

Royce points the gun at Violet.

Violet: Royce, we have been friends since we were kids. Please don’t kill me.

Royce: You can’t be trusted. I can’t have the police on my back. They’ll bring B.L.A.D.E. to my doorstep.

Royce looks away

Violet: I won’t tell anybody!

Royce pulls the trigger. A bullet goes through her head.

Royce walks away. His cape moving as he takes each step.

Royce: Everyone I kill begs for their life. Is it that important to hold on to?

## Chapter 15

Emily sits up in her bed. She pulls the covers off of her legs and rubs her eyes. As she stands up she yawns and stretches her arms. The door comes across her view. The creaking footsteps on the wooden floor can be heard as she walks to the door. The door opens with a turn of the knob. Her eyes dart over to Royce’s door. Emily’s curiosity gets the best of her as she strolls up to Royce’s door and knocks. She knocks again to no avail. Nothing but silence is heard from the other side of the door. She slowly opens the door, a little frightened of Royce’s reaction. The door opens up and Emily peers inside. Royce is sleeping on his bed. She sees his wounded torso. Emily walks up to Royce, trying to be quiet. She reaches to put a hand on his shoulder. Royce grabs her hand without turning around.

Royce: Leave me alone.

Emily: What happened?

Royce: I got in a fight.

Emily: With who? Where you looking for Violet?

Royce:...

Emily: Did you find anything?

Royce: Nothing.

Emily: Anything about my dad?

Royce: Nothing! If anything important happened he would be here right now, wouldn’t he?! Go back to your room!

Emily: I’m sorry I bothered you.

Emily leaves the room as quickly as she can. The door slams shut. Royce lays on his back and looks up at the ceiling.

Royce: Violet…

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

The scientist is one the phone, leaning back in his computer chair. His phone is to his ear as he talks to a man with power behind his voice.

???: You get the mutagen working perfectly like I said. We’ll turn this city into my slaves. You will be my right hand man Dr. Scott.

Dr. Scott: The chemical didn’t work right. At least paired together. Only the mutagen worked.

???: I know you will figure it out Scott. If you don’t, you can always go back to the asylum.

Dr. Scott: There be no need for-

The conversation is cut short as the call ends.

Dr. Scott: He hung up. I’ll make my beautiful creations. They will always succeed. If I can’t make anyone his soldiers. I’ll just make his soldiers a more powerful army. We’ll work on the neurotransmitters. I’m sure the chemical will work. It just needs more tests!

He slams his fist on the desk. His fist accidentally hits the computer. As Dr. Scott feels the keyboard, his hand quickly jolts back. Footage of Royce plays from when he was in the warehouse. Dr. Scott watches him kill Violet. He gets an evil grin on his face. His grin’s malevolence is only matched by the idea his brain has come up with.

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

Emily sits on her bed. She holds her legs and buries her face into her knees.

Emily: Why does Royce hate me? I always thought he liked me, and then he took me in when the soldiers tried to take me away. Maybe Violet was right. He is probably getting anxious because he hasn’t found anything. I should try to do something for him. Show him that I appreciate him trying.

When Emily raises her face from her legs she sees the TV.

Emily: Royce never told me where he left the remote.

Emily looks around the room and opens a few drawers. Eventually she finds the remote and turns on the tv as she sits back on her bed. The news starts playing and Emily goes to change the channel.

Reporter: Violet-

The channel changes. Emily is shocked by the name. She quickly switches the channel back.

Reporter: The young woman was found dead in a warehouse. The police found her this morning. They got an anonymous tip that something happened in that warehouse. There were several soldiers dead. The police say it looks like the woman was killed by the soldiers and the vigilante, known as the Ripper, must have killed the soldiers.

Emily starts crying and changes the channel. She lays down and buries her face into the pillow.

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

Royce doesn’t move from his bed. He stares up at the ceiling. A shadow of himself is leaning against the wall next to his bed.

Shadow: Laying down in bed? What happened to killing people? Get out of bed. One more death doesn’t matter.

Royce: I knew her since we were kids.

Shadow: A necessary sacrifice. When did she protect this city? Get up, get back in the game. You need to find the scientist. You need to find your brother. Most importantly, you need to figure out what this chemical is.

Royce gets up from his bed as the shadow disappears. Royce looks at the floorboards.

Royce: I’ll find that scientist.

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

Emily sits lays in her bed with tears in her eyes. She hears a knock on her door. She mumbles words through her sadness.

Emily: Come in.

Royce walks inside the room. He almost says something, but then he sees the tears in Emily’s eyes.

Royce: Why are you crying?

Emily: Violet was murdered. It’s all over the news.

Royce: Who killed her?

Emily: Soldiers.

Royce: I’ll fix this.

Royce rushes out of the room and slams the door shut.

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

Dr. Scott walks through an old dark dungeon. Two soldiers lead him through the dark abyss. Cages surround them. Some are empty, others have human-like beings banging against the metal. The guards stop at a certain cage. Dr. Scott walks up to the cage.

Dr. Scott: My first creation by the… almost perfect serum.

Jackson sits on a half broken disgusting looking bed. Jackson is wearing dirty prison clothes. He stands up and walks over to the iron bars.

Jackson: What the fuck do you want?

Dr. Scott: I want to show you something.

Dr. Scott takes out his phone and plays a video. Jackson watches Violet, tied up and scared.

Jackson: Violet? How do you know her?

Dr. Scott: Watch.

Jackson sees the Ripper shoot Violet in the head.

Jackson: Who is he?! I’ll kill him!

Dr. Scott: That’s the twist.

Dr. Scott plays another video. Jackson sees the Ripper’s helmet blasted off. Royce stands in the Riper armor.

Dr. Scott: It’s your brother.

## Chapter 16

The darkness falls over the city again. Royce stands on top of a building. The cold wind moving his cape. He reaches in his suit and pulls out his phone.

Royce: I will find that scientist. He’s always in those Cole Corp buildings. He must have some connection to them. I’ll check every single building if I have to.

Royce jumps down from the building. All he can hear is the sound of his cape moving in the wind as he falls.

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

Hours later, soldiers are standing in a Cole Corp building. The soldiers are collecting the chemicals and putting them in the back of a truck. The truck has a giant Cole Corp label on the side. A man in a suit watches the soldier's load the truck up. He has brown skin and short hair. He wears dark glasses and his body is twice the size of any of the soldiers.

Soldier: Why do you wear sunglasses at night?

???: So I can see through your blinding bullshit. Finish loading the truck.

Soldier: Alright Moreno.

Royce lands on the building the soldiers are taking creates from.

Royce: This is the seventh building. Why do they have soldiers loading that truck. They have workers for that.

Moreno checks the time. When he looks up he sees the gleam of red eyes and the movement of a red cape. Moreno takes out one of the canisters of mutagen.

Moreno: The ripper is here!

Moreno shuts the door to the truck. Royce jumps down from the building as the truck starts driving away.

Royce: Who are you?

Moreno sees a sai in Royce’s hand.

Moreno: Just soldiers.

Royce: Soldiers don’t wear suits.

Moreno: Not a normal soldier.

Moreno opens the canister.

Moreno: Cheers.

He drinks the yellow chemical. Royce’s eyes widened. Moreno downs the liquid and throws the empty canister onto the ground, shattering it.

Moreno’s breathing becomes irregularly fast. He looks tired and soon drops to one knee. He stares at Royce, eye to eye. Moreno looks as if he is about to collapse.

Moreno: I’m so hungry.

Moreno rips concrete out of the ground and starts gnawing on it.

Royce: You’ve become inhuman. You’re eating the concrete you just walked on.

Moreno stands up.

Moreno: I feel empty. I’ll devour this entire building after I kill you.

Royce: You’re mad.

Moreno charges Royce. He pounces on Royce, and Royce jumps a few feet back. Moreno’s fist slams into the ground, breaking the concrete under him and cracking the ground around him. Moreno looks up at Royce while he is on the ground on all fours. Royce kicks Moreno in the head. Royce’s foot is caught in Moreno’s mouth. As Moreno bites down harder, Royce can hear the boot cracking. Royce forces his foot down onto the ground, slamming Moreno’s face into the concrete. Moreno refuses to let go of Royce’s leg. Royce stabs Moreno in the back with both sai.

Moreno: Ah!

As Moreno yells, a force of wind starts pulling rocks over to him. Moreno closes his mouth surprised. Royce rips his sai out of Morenos' back. Moreno quickly gets back to his feet and opens his mouth. Royce throws his grappling hook. The hook is about to grab onto the building, but the wind starts pulling it back. The hook grabs onto one of the cars in the parking lot. Royce holds onto the rope and looks at Moreno. He sees a black hole in Moreno’s mouth. Royce thinks to himself.

Royce: ‘I need something that he won’t just be sucked into the black hole.’

Royce takes out a smoke bomb.

Royce: ‘It could work.’

Royce throws the smoke bomb. The smoke bomb explodes and smoke covers the area. The smoke starts to get absorbed into the black hole. Royce lets go of the rope. As he gets closer to the black hole, the wind gets louder. Royce punches Moreno in the nose. Moreno’s nose cracks and the black hole stops absorbing. Moreno is thrown back by the force of Royce’s fist. He hits the ground and blood starts coming out of his nose. Royce runs up to Moreno and grabs his jaw with one hand and his nose with the other. Royce pinches Moreno’s nose and holds his jaw closed. Royce tilts Moreno’s head back.

Royce: Tell me where the scientist that created this chemical is. If you don’t I’ll hold you like this until you start choking on your own blood. Shake your head yes or no.

Moreno quickly shakes his head yes. Royce holds his head still by his hair and puts a sai to his jaw.

Royce: If you move your mouth too much I’ll stab you in the jaw. Who and where is the scientist.

Moreno: His name is Dr. Scott! He works in an old lab universal company building! Cole Corp bought it secretly and kept the old name on it.

Royce moves his sai. Moreno opens his mouth. This time he blasts rocks and other stuff he sucked in out of his mouth. Royce is blasted back by rubble. A pile of rubble lays on Royce as he is on the ground. He pushes pieces of rocks off of him, but when he looks at where Moreno use to be, he sees nothing.

Royce: He got away.

Royce looks up at the sky as it becomes brighter.

Royce: Not enough time. Daylight brings B.L.A.D.E. soldiers. I’ll have to catch him tomorrow.

Royce disappears into the shadows of the night.

## Chapter 17

Royce is sitting at his desk, watching over the gym. He sees Ricky talking to some of the gym members. Emily walks out from the back of the gym and steps to Royce’s desk.

Royce: What?

Emily: What do you like?

Royce: Excuse me?

Emily: What is something you like?

Royce: I- what? Why?

Emily looks at Royce, waiting for him to answer.

Royce: Cars I guess. I don’t have any particular interests. Go do your own thing. I’m working.

Emily walks to the back of the gym.

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

The night has taken over the day. Royce looks down on the Lab Universal building.

Royce: It’s time to finally get some answers.

Royce runs over to the building. He kicks open the doors and sees two guards turn to him. They point their guns and Royce throws his sai. The two sai stab through the soldier’s necks. Royce runs over to the soldiers and rips his sai out of their necks. Blood gushes out of their necks. Royce picks up one of the soldier’s guns and puts his sai on his belt. He quickly moves across the floor. An alarm goes off in the building. Royce walks inside the elevator. He presses a button and slides through the closing doors. Royce moves over to the stairs. He scales the stairs as fast as he can. He quietly opens the door to the third floor. He sees soldiers waiting in front of the door. The elevator stops and opens up. The soldiers look confused.

Soldiers: He’s on the stairs!

Royce unloads the gun on the soldiers. Bullets fly out of the assault rifle. The gun mows down the group of soldiers. Royce grabs one of the soldiers walkie talkies. He gets on the elevator and presses a button. The doors close and the elevator starts moving. Royce presses a button on the walkie talkie.

Royce: The elevator is a diversion! He’s on the stairs!

Royce drops the walkie talkie onto the floor and stomps on it.

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

Dr. Scott sits in his office. He hears the alarms going off.

Dr. Scott: How did he find me? Well, it doesn't matter. I’ll get away. Where are the soldiers to take me away?

Dr. Scott hears shots go off. Something is slammed against the wall. A few more shots fire off and then Dr. Scott hears something bang against the door. The door bursts open. Royce is standing in front of Dr. Scott.

Dr. Scott: Can we make a deal?

Royce slowly walks up to Dr. Scott in silence.

Dr. Scott: I have-

Royce punches Dr. Scott in the head. Dr. Scott is forced back into a wall knocked out. Royce grabs Dr. Scott by the back of his collar and drags him out of the room.

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

Water splashes on Dr. Scott's face. He wakes up and his head jolts around looking at everything. Dr. Scott is tied up to a water tower.

Dr. Scott: This is the first time we met. My name is-

Royce: I know your name.

Dr. Scott smiles.

Dr. Scott: And I know yours. Funny, the first person to use the mutagen was your brother. What a crazy turn of events. Is that how you knew where to go?

Royce: It helped.

Dr. Scott: I’m sure it did.

Royce takes the red bottle of chemicals out from his suit.

Dr. Scott: Where did you get that bottle?

Royce: What is it?

Dr. Scott: Not what you want, I’m sure of that.

Royce: Explain.

Dr. Scott: What do I get?

Royce: I won’t kill you.

Dr. Scott: You can’t kill me! I’m your only lead!

Royce: Who said I didn’t have another lead?

Dr. Scott: I did. You have been going through so much trouble just to find me. It would be a lot easier if you could kill a virus at its source, and clearly, you have no idea what that source is.

Royce takes out his sai.

Royce: What does this chemical do?

Dr. Scott: That chemical isn’t what you’re worried about.

Royce walks up to Dr. Scott.

Royce: You don’t decide what I am worried about.

Royce stabs the sai into Dr. Scott’s leg.

Dr. Scott: AH! I… was just-

Royce rips the sai out of Dr. Scott’s leg.

Dr. Scott grunts in pain.

Dr. Scott: I was… telling you what you should ask about.

Royce: Here’s something you’re not putting together. If you don’t tell me anything, then why shouldn’t I kill you? Everyone I fight, as soon as they realize their life is on the line, they beg and give everything to keep it. What are you going to do?

Dr. Scott: That chemical is neurotransmitters. It was supposed to make you uncontrollably aggressive when you transform. It didn’t work right. Instead, it made the mutagen change the way you act only for a little while after you take the chemical.

Royce: So there is another chemical. That is the chemical that transforms people into the monsters you are creating?

Dr. Scott: There are no monsters. Only my children.

Royce: You said there was a source of the virus. Who gives you orders?

Dr. Scott: I’m just a scientist.

Royce stabs Dr. Scott in the stomach and rips the sai out.

Royce: Now you might bleed out. Clock is ticking. Who do you work for. The owner of Cole Corp?

Dr. Scott: Yes! Ethan Cole!

Royce: What was the point of all this?

Dr. Scott: I made the chemical. He doesn’t tell me that kind of information!

Royce: Then let's go to the hospital.

Royce unties Dr. Scott and calls an ambulance. They both wait on top of a building.

Royce: Try not to move.

Dr. Scott: You know Royce-

Royce: Don’t call me Royce. We aren’t friends.

Dr. Scott: Do you know why this city is called King City?

Royce: You shouldn’t talk either.

Dr. Scott: Do you?

Royce: Why?

Dr. Scott: Since the first group of people came to build this city, there has always been someone trying to lead it. Throughout the years, many have tried to rule this place. That same want bleeds into you today. Whether it’s Cole or you. You’re both trying to rule the city.

Royce: We’re different.

Dr. Scott: How?

Royce: He tries to run the city through manipulation and deceit. He rules the city for money. He doesn’t care about the health of the city.

Dr. Scott: And you? You're a murderous vigilante trying to rule a city from the shadows. You say everyone begs for their lives.

Royce: They are willing to throw all their money away for their lives.

Dr. Scott: That’s because in the moment that you're about to take everything away from us. We see what’s important. Who said you're any better than Cole. Now you both know each other. Let’s see who gets to run the city!

They can hear the sirens of an ambulance.

## Chapter 18

A young Royce is sitting in the living room playing with an action figure. He looks to be about three years old. Royce hears yelling. Royce looks at the almost closed door. The yelling sounds muffled. The noise gets clearer as Royce walks over to the room. He pushes the door open more. Royce’s father throws his mother on the bed. Royce’s mother is covered in bruises.

Father: You cheated on me!

Mother: I didn’t do anything!

Father: I’m going to kill you and your boyfriend!

Mother: I would never cheat on you!

Royce’s father looks at the door and sees Royce. He starts walking over to the door.

Mother: Don’t touch him!

Father: Is he even my son?! How long have you been cheating?!

Royce’s father grabs Royce’s arm and pulls him into the room. Royce falls onto the ground from his father’s strength. He can smell alcohol on his fathers hand.

Father: Who’s kid is this?! He looks a lot like Alex!

Mother: He’s your son!

Royce’s father squeezes Royce’s arm tighter. Royce starts crying.

Royce: My arm!

Mother: Let go of him!

Father: Man up you fucking brat!

Royce’s mother grabs a lamp off of the dresser and slams it against his father’s head. Royce’s father falls onto the ground.

Father: Bitch!

Royce’s father stands up. He charges at the mother. She looks around for something. She sees a pen on the father’s desk. She grabs the pen. The father throws a punch. The force knocks her onto the floor. He picks the mother up by her hair. She stabs him in the neck with the pen. He drops her onto the ground. He holds his neck and soon falls onto the ground. Royce’s mother runs over to him.

Mother: Are you okay baby?!

Royce is still crying. His mother holds him. Royce’s mother carries him into the living room where she holds him and uses the phone. Only minutes later, Royce hears the sirens of police cars and ambulances.

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

Royce opens his eyes. He is laying in bed. The sunlight shines through his window. He looks unfazed by the dream he was just having. He stands up still tired. Royce walks into the bathroom. He takes off his clothes and hops in the shower. A dark figure stands outside the shower.

Shadow: Thinking about the past? Recalling the past? Traveling down ol’ memory lane?

Royce: Stop talking.

Shadow: I gave you my eyes. Soon, I’ll give you my ears.

The shadow disappears. Royce gets out of the shower and throws on clothes. He walks out to the gym.

Ricky: Are you leaving the store again today?

Royce: If I was, I would tell you.

Ricky: O-... kay.

Ricky walks away.

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

A man sits at his desk. The man looks older. He has jet black hair with some gray. His hair is slicked back. A secretary walks in. The woman has long hair and a pretty face. The man looks at her with foxish eyes.

Secretary: Your son is here to see you, Mr. Cole.

Cole: Let him in, but first. Have you ever been to an expensive motel?

The secretary looks a little embarrassed.

Secretary: No, my family doesn’t have the money for that sir.

Cole: Do you want to?

Secretary: Well-

Cole: Think about it.

Secretary: I’ll let your son in right away.

She quickly walks out of the room. A man with brown skin and short hair walks in. He is wearing a suit and he fixes his tie as he walks in.

Cole: Moreno.

Moreno: Father, Dr. Scott was taken into the hospital just last night.

Cole: Hm.

Moreno: Should we take him out as soon as possible?

Cole looks over at a box on his desk.

Cole: No. I think we’re fine.

Moreno: But the drug?

Cole: Which you have obviously taken.

Moreno: How do you know?

Cole: Your eyes.

Cole sighs and stands up. He walks around his desk and up to Moreno.

Cole: I had two daughters. I love my girls.

Moreno: I-

Cole: Sh, let me finish. Neither of my daughters had what it takes to run a company. So I wanted a son. Someone to take after me. Then I had you, but you disappointed me. Ever since you were born you have been such a follower. You never had any qualities that my heir needs.

Moreno: I-

Cole: I’ll just need to have another son. You can be head of security or something. You seem to be fairy decent at telling people orders that you’ve been given. You may leave now.

Moreno tries to say something. Then he just walks out of the office.

Cole: A disappointment.

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

Emily is walking around town. She walks inside a pawn shop. Her eyes dart around as she looks at all the different trinkets around the shop.

Shopkeeper: Need any help, miss?

Emily: Do you have anything someone who likes cars would want.

The shopkeeper thinks for a second.

Shopkeeper: Lemme check.

The man walks to the back of the store holding a trinket.

Shopkeeper: This is the only thing I could find.

The shopkeeper hands out a hand crafted wooden sculpture of a car.

Emily: It’s beautiful. I’ll take it.

## Chapter 19

Royce’s phone starts ringing. He picks up the phone and brings it to his ear.

Royce: Hello?

???: Hello, is this Royce?

Royce: Yes it is.

???: Oh good. I’m Violet’s mother. I wanted to tell you that her funeral will be tomorrow. I would have told you earlier but it was hard to find your number.

Royce: I’m just glad you told me. I’ll be there. Just text me where the funeral will be. You have a good day Ma’am.

???: Thank you, you have a good day as well dear.

Royce hangs up the phone. He stares out of the window looking pensive for a minute. Then he stands up.

Royce: When night strikes I’m finding Cole.

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

Hours later, Royce is looking out his bedroom window. The sun slowly leaves as darkness travels from every corner of the landscape. Emily bursts through Royce’s door. No one is in the room. Emily looks upset. She is holding the wooden sculpture in her hand.

Emily: Where did he go? I guess I’ll wait until he comes back.

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

Royce stands in front of the Cole Corp building. The building is like a beacon. The many lights coming from the windows make an intricate design. Royce quietly closes in on the building. He takes his sai out and sticks them into the wall. He uses the sai to slowly climb up the building. He finds an empty room. He brakes through the glass.

Royce: Time is ticking.

Royce finds an air vent in the ceiling. He rips off the lid to the vent. He jumps up and grabs the vent. He pulls himself into the shaft. He puts the vent cover over it.

Royce: It still looks broken, but at a quick glance they won’t notice.

Royce climbs through the vents. He takes many turns in the vents. Slowly he crawls to an opening. Royce kicks out the vent cover. He sees the elevator below him. He jumps on the elevator and holds onto one of the ropes. He cuts the rope and it starts pulling him up to the roof. The elevator is quickly dropping to the floor. Royce lets go of the rope. He forces himself through the elevator door. He kicks and he bursts through the metal door.

Royce: No alarms are going off. Something is wrong.

Royce runs through all the rooms. He checks for Cole in every room. Then he sees a closed door. Royce slams his gauntlet into the door. The door flies open. Cole is sitting at his desk, organizing papers.

Royce: You’re a virus to this city. The drug will never go out to the streets.

Cole: It wont? Are you going to find every once of that chemical and take it away? I think you overestimate your talents Jack.

Royce: You know my real name.

Cole: I do. Even if I choose not to use it. I know everything about you. Your mothers history of abusive boyfriends. Even the one she killed. I know we turned your brother into a mutant. I know that you killed the only friend you had, Violet.

Royce: She would have turned me in.

Cole: Well, us powerful people have to make sacrifices, don’t we?

Royce: What sacrifice are you making? You get money and poison people.

Cole: I’m not a monster. I like people. I don’t want to make them my slaves. It’s just good for business. I’m a businessman. It’s what I do.

Royce takes out his sai.

Royce: You’ll die a businessman.

Cole: Hold on a minute Jack. You still have family left. Emily.

Royce: Her life for yours is something I’m willing to trade. The same way I risk my own life by attacking every villain I can find. One life is worth saving thousands or even millions.

Cole: That’s cold. Your own niece though? I’m not judging. I’d do the same thing.

Royce: I don’t need my life evaluated.

Cole: No, but you won’t kill me.

Royce: Why not.

Cole: Those superhumans you fought. I control them. I tell them what to do. They follow my orders. Remember? Angel, Void, Moreno, y’know.

Royce: What do they have to do with right now?

Royce hears the same sound of the wind as he heard before. The door is ripped off and sucked out of the room. Moreno slowly walks inside the room. Angel and Void follow behind him. Cole waves to Royce.

Royce: I will kill all of you.

Royce runs over to the window, the wind pulling him in. He jumps out the window. The wind almost pulls him inside the building, but Royce falls through the air. Royce gets out his grappling hook. He throws it at one of the building's windows. The hook breaks through the glass and sticks to the windowsill. Royce swings on the rope and lands on the ground. As he lands, he rolls to take some of the pain off his feet. Royce runs off. Cole looks down on him from the window.

Cole: When will he be here?

Moreno: Huh?

Angel: Soon sir.

Cole: Good.

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

Royce sneaks inside his house. When he takes his helmet off he hears a knock on the door.

Royce: Don’t come in!

Emily: Um, I just wanted to show you something.

Royce: Give me a minute.

Royce takes off the armor and hides it under the floorboards. He opens the door.

Royce: What?

Emily shows him the wooden sculpture.

Royce: Is it for me?

Emily: Yes. It’s a gift.

Royce holds the sculpture.

Royce: So this is why you asked me what I liked.

Emily: I wanted to thank you for trying to find my dad. I know it must be hard dealing with all of that so I wanted you to give you this.

Royce looks at the sculpture.

Royce: It’s nice.

Royce sees Emily look up at him in a strange way. He weirdly hugs her.

Royce: Thank you for the gift. Now go to bed. It’s late.

Royce sets the sculpture down and lays on his bed. The shadow appears again. The shadow doesn’t speak. He imitates what Royce said.

Shadow: Her life for yours is something I’m willing to trade.

## Chapter 20

Royce puts his car in park. He opens the door and gets out of the car. The car door bangs as it shuts. Royce walks onto the grass of the cemetery. He sees a group of people sitting in chairs as a priest is speaking. Royce sits in one of the chairs. A woman up in the front of the group is crying.

Priest: She will go to a better place.

Someone sits down next to Royce.

Royce: Jackson?

They talk in whispers.

Jackson: It’s crazy to see you here Royce. I didn’t think you would come.

Royce: Why wouldn’t I?

Jackson: Don’t play dumb with me. You’re sitting here. All these people that loved her are around you. You must love to see others torture because this is your fault.

Royce: Who told you?

Royce looks into Jackson's eyes. His eyes have changed into a yellowish color.

Jackson: The scientist captured me and put me in a prison. That was fun. No one came to help. Then, he tells me all about how you killed Violet. He even showed me a video. Not only did you kill Violet, but you almost killed your own brother. You have been having one hell of a month buddy.

Royce: You came here to see me didn’t you.

Jackson: You always put things together. You don’t think about everything I just said. The normal stuff people would be thinking about. You sit here like, “is he going to fight me.” No regret, no remorse.

Royce: I wish she didn’t have to die. If she turned me in, who would protect this city?

Jackson: Have you ever stopped to think that your not that fucking important? Do you really think B.L.A.D.E. couldn’t take these guys down in like two fucking seconds? I don’t even think they need proof to do shit.

Royce: They would in a case that big. Who’s to say that B.L.A.D.E. is actually even trying to enforce the law?

Jackson: It’s kind of what they do. Y’know, that’s what their jobs are.

Royce: Their job is to listen to their director. I wouldn’t be surprised if B.L.A.D.E. allows people to get away with shit just for money.

Jackson: And you kill whomever you need.

Royce: B.L.A.D.E. sacrifices their soldiers.

Jackson: They chose that job!

Everyone turns around.

Jackson: Sorry. He’s just really broken up over Violet’s death. She was his best friend.

Everyone turns back.

Jackson: I will hunt you down and kill you Royce.

The shadow reappears, imitating Royce.

Shadow: I will kill all of you.

Royce slouches in his chair. The priest finishes and Royce overhears Violet’s mother talking.

Violet’s Mother: You’re never prepared to lose your child. She was my only daughter and now she’s gone forever.

Royce stands up and leaves.

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

Royce drives around town. He thinks about what Violet’s mother said. He turns on his blinker and takes a turn. A few minutes later, he pulls up to a building. He walks inside and he hears grease working.

Grease: No, I’m not finished with your helmet.

Royce: That’s not what I’m here for.

Grease: Then what? You need something else?

Royce: No. I came to ask you something.

Grease: What?

Royce: Would you be willing to make a deal?

Grease: This deal is?

Royce: You finish upgrading my toolkit and I’ll help you break your son out of the B.L.A.D.E. prison.

Grease: The man who has blackmailed me wants to make a deal to stop black mailing me? What, have you found someone else to make your gear?

Royce: There is no one else. No hidden agenda in the deal. Will you take my offer or not?

Grease: I will, but if you betray me, then I will never make any gear for you again. That will be it.

Royce: Deal. What prison was he sent to?

Grease: Raven’s nest.

Royce: That’s a land prison right?

Grease: Yes, there it isn’t on an island or near water. It’s called the raven’s nest because there are eyes everywhere.

Grease takes out a giant piece of paper. He rolls out the paper on the desk. The paper is a map of the prison’s layout.

Grease: The four corners of the prison are towers. The towers can see everything, and I mean everything. They have telescopes with x-ray lenses. If the alarm goes off they will look everywhere for you.

Royce: If those towers see everything, how do I get in?

Grease: That’s the easy-er part of it.

Royce: Why did you say it like that?

Grease: They have a night time roll call or last period of the day type of thing. All the towers will be focused on the inside of the prison. If you climb up a tower and take out one of the guards during that time then you can take out a tower without being spotted.

Royce: What about the rest of them?

Grease: You’ll have to circle around the perimeter. Take the other towers out quietly and move inside before the roll call is over. You’ll wait inside for the prisoners to be brought to their cell. When my son, Connor, is put into his cell, you’ll take out the guard and use the key to open the cell.

Royce: How do I get in and out?

Grease: I haven’t figured it out yet. I’ve never been there and no one releases inside schematics for the prison.

Royce: So I’m going in blind. That’s a death sentence.

Grease: No. You can use the tower's x-ray vision to find a route in and out.

Royce: I’ll have to do it quickly.

Grease: You can do it. You know you can.

Royce: I’ll try, but if I can’t find it in time I’ll leave. I can find a way down from the towers.

Grease: You won’t need to.

Royce: I’ll do it.

## Chapter 21

Royce is driving a car along the highway. He looks around at the car still getting used to it. Royce presses something on his ear.

Grease: Can you hear me?! Do the coms work?!

Royce: Yes, now stop yelling. Where will I park when I see the prison?

Grease: It’s dark out and I gave you a black car. Just park the car behind some trees and it will be fine. Did you see what I put in the back seat?

Royce: Not yet.

Royce reaches his hand into the back of the car still focused on the road. He grabs something and pulls it to the front. He opens the case up and sees a grappling gun, a silenced pistol, and three smoke bombs, and a butterfly knife.

Royce: Good, gear.

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

The sky is dark and Royce steps out of the car. He opens the trunk and takes out his armor. Royce quickly puts the armor on and fills his belt with Grease’s gear.

Royce: If I take out one tower, why won’t another tower see me?

Grease: They might.

Royce: It’s a gamble?

Grease: They should be focused on roll call, but they are still people.

Royce: Then let’s hope luck is on our side.

Royce puts on his helmet and runs through the trees. Through the leaves and branches he sees a wall. He runs out of the forest to see the giant prison. Royce takes out the grappling gun. The gun fires. A line shoots out of the gun and goes far up into the sky. The spike at the end of the rope stabs into the wall. The gun pulls him up. Royce can feel the air trying to force him down as the gun pulls him higher. Once Royce gets close to the spike, the spike gets pulled out of the wall. The remaining force pushes Royce up in the air. Royce lands on the wall and rolls. He puts away his grappling gun and takes out his pistol. He hears talking.

Soldier: Everything is clear.

The soldier is talking into a walkie talkie. Royce sees the soldier walking with his back towards Royce. Royce carefully walks along the wall. He sees a giant light on the top of the prison. The light goes around in a circle looking at everything. Royce sneaks up to the soldier and grabs him. He puts the gun to the soldier's head. The soldier is still holding the walkie talkie.

Royce: How much longer does roll call go on for?

Royce knocks the walkie talkie onto the ground.

Soldier: Ten more minutes!

Royce fires a shot. He sees the bullet fly out through one side of the soldier's head. The soldier’s body falls onto the ground. Royce walks up to the telescope type object.

Royce: How do I put on the x-ray vision?

Grease: Look around for a button. Just press random shit if you can.

Royce looks around. He feels around for anything that seems like a button. He presses something on the telescope and the lens changes into a green color.

Royce: I found it.

Grease: Look for any openings!

Royce looks around the building. He can’t find anything. The only openings are the doors.

Royce: There’s nothing. No vents, no windows, just nothing.

Grease: Look under the prisons. Any tunnels or vents that are hidden underneath?

Royce looks around. The vision is blurry but he can see some place with liquid in it.

Royce: A sewer system below the prison.

Grease: Bingo. Follow it until you find the opening. Then you can get in through there.

Royce follows the blurry vision with his telescope. He finds the opening a little ways out of the prison.

Royce: I won’t have enough time to take out all the towers and make it in time. Only one tower is near the sewer.

Grease: Just get inside!

Royce runs along the top of the wall. His heavy footsteps make his presence easily noticed. As soon as he gets close to the other tower, shots are fired off. Three bullets are fired at Royce. Two bullets miss and one rips through his side. Royce fires a bullet. The bullet tears into the soldier’s stomach. The soldier hits the ground and Royce runs up to him. Royce fires three bullets into the soldiers head and reloads his gun. Royce puts away his gun and takes out his sai. Royce jumps off the wall. He falls through the air staying close to the wall. Once the ground gets close, his sai stab into the wall. The sai slid through the brick wall, quickly slowing Royce’s momentum. Royce takes out his sai and pushes off the wall. He hits the ground on one knee. Royce starts running to the sewer. He finds a giant pipe with sewage flowing out of it.

Royce: Disgusting.

Royce climbs through the pipe. Sewage pushing past his feet. He hunches over so his head doesn’t hit the top of the pipe. He slowly pushed past the sewage. Soon he climbs into the larger sewer. He hears a monstrous noise and the clanging of chains.

Royce: There aren’t very many paths to take.

As Royce walks he can hear the monster louder and clearer. He stops at a turn. He peaks around the corner to see some type of giant green snake with four legs all chains down.

???: I can smell you! Are you a guard? They haven’t been down here in years!

Royce doesn’t answer the beast. The snake gets furious.

???: I’ll fucking eat you! You don’t speak to me! You think these chains can't stop me! I’ve been whittling them down! You’ll be my first meal in a very long time. The Mambas will eat everyone!

The chains start snapping. One after another. Royce runs past the snake tunnel.

Mambas: You can’t outrun me! This is my domain!

The Mambas’ feet move quickly across the floor. The snake looks almost like it’s slithering in the ground. Royce turns around and fires shots at the snake. The bullets bounce off. The snake gets closer and closer. Then the snake lifts itself up above Royce.

Mambas: Die.

It’s jaw opens and the snake slams down on the ground.

## Chapter 22

It’s jaw opens and the snake slams down on the ground. The Snake’s Jaw slams onto the ground. The snake closes its mouth. It’s jaw stops half closed.

Royce: I’m not a B.L.A.D.E. soldier.

Royce holds the snake's mouth open. One gauntlet at each side of the snake’s jaw, stopping it from closing.

Mamba: Your puny arms can only hold for so long. Then I’ll bite them off!

Royce grabs the sides of the snake's mouth and starts spinning around. Royce throws Mamba across the sewer tunnel. Mamba crashes into the wall, quickly recovering. Mamba starts crawling on the wall.

Mamba: Are you even human?

Royce: Are you?

Mamba crawls along the ceiling.

Mamba: I am-

Mamba pounces on Royce. Royce jumps out of the way. Mamba’s tail smacks Royce out of the air. Royce hits the ground and slides in the sewage. Mamba’s feet splash in the sewage as it runs over to Royce. Royce throws a smoke bomb in Mamba’s eye. The smoke bomb burts and Royce takes out his grappler gun. He fires the spike into one of Mamba’s legs. Mamba shakes off the dust and drops on the ground. The giant snake starts slithering in the sewage. Royce looks into the snake's eyes and sees the same eyes that were on Jackson.

Royce: You were tested on. A lab rat.

The snake slides on the ground quicker and quicker. Royce takes out his sai. The snake whips its tail at Royce. Royce blocks it with his gauntlets. Mamba’s giant mouth is about to swallow Royce whole. Royce stabs his sai through the top of the snake’s mouth. The tips of the sai stick out of the snake’s head. Royce stomps on the bottom of Mamba’s mouth, holding it there. Royce rips Mamba’s fangs out of its mouth and stabs the fangs through its eyes. Royce rips the sai out of its mouth and Mamba starts swinging around. Royce can hear Mamba hissing as it can’t see. The snake's tongue starts moving like crazy.

Mamba: I can still smell you!

Mamba slams its body onto the ground. Royce rolls to the side. Then he jumps onto the snake’s head. Royce stabs his sai through the top of Mamba’s head and drags his sai a few feet down. Royce jumps off of Mamba’s head. His feet splash in the sewage. Royce starts walking away and turns on his com.

Grease: Did you get in? Did you find Connor?

Royce: No, there was a snake in the sewer that had to be dealt with.

Grease: We'll find your way up there. Connor has dirty blond hair and resembles me. Find him.

Royce continues to walk through the tunnel. He finds a ladder and starts climbing up. The cover at the top of the staircase is already open. He gets inside a small room. The room is only three feet by three feet. There is a closed iron door in front of him. The cover to the ladder slams shut. Royce can see gas coming up from under him. Royce looks down and sees a vent.

Royce: They have a trap set. The ladder leads into a gassed room.

Grease: I can’t help you! I don’t know the inside of the building.

Royce looks around. He sees a keyhole.

Royce: ‘Must be for the workers to go down here.’

Royce takes out the butterfly knife and starts trying to pick the lock. He puts the knife into the keyhole and starts trying to turn the lock open. He keeps messing with it as the gas fills the room. Royce starts coughing. Then the lock turns and the gas stops. The cover to the sewer opens back up. Royce opens the metal door. He starts walking down the corridor. He comes to a turn. Royce hides on the wall. He hears two guards walking up to the wall. Royce quickly turns the wall and grabs the two guards by their heads. He slams their heads together with a bang, and their bodies drop to the ground. Royce checks to see if they have any keys. He sees nothing on them except for their guns and batons.

Royce: Now I have to find-

Royce hears a door close. Royce follows the noise. He walks past many cells. The criminals in the cells all watch him walk bye.

Criminal: Release us! You’re one of us, aren’t you?

Royce: No, if I was I would be in a cell.

Royce keeps walking. He hears someone whistling and the jangle of keys. Royce turns around a corner and points the pistol at their head. He sees a man in full military armor. Royce fires the bullet. It bounces off of the soldier’s head. The soldier hits the ground. As soon as the soldier hits the ground he reaches for his gun. Royce fires two shots into the soldier’s arm. Then Royce takes out a sai and stabs the soldier through the heart. Royce puts away both his sai. Then he takes the keys off of the soldier. He runs around looking at all the cells. Then he stops once he sees someone with blond hair.

Royce: What’s your name?!

Royce points his gun at the man.

???: Connor! Please don’t-

Royce: Save the speech. Let’s go.

Royce opens up the door to the cell. Connor walks out of the cell.

Connor: Why are you saving me?

Royce: I know your father. Let’s go.

Royce and Connor start running through the corridors.

Connor: Where are we going?!

Royce: You’ll know when we get there.

Red lights turn on and loud alarms go off.

Royce: Stay behind me.

Royce and Connor turn a corner to see a group of soldiers.

Soldier: Kill them!

Royce sees the door to the sewer. He opens the door and uses it as cover. Connor hides inside the room.

Royce: Start climbing down!

Royce fires a few shots back at the guards. A bullet hits Royce’s shoulder. Then another bullet hits his ankle.

Royce sees Connor has climbed halfway down the ladder. Royce slams the door shut and quickly starts climbing down the ladder. The cover to the sewer shuts.

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

Soldier: They’ll die in there. That door closes quickly. Use the radio to tell everyone they will be coming out the sewer just in case.

One of the soldiers puts the radio up to his mouth as all of the soldiers run off.

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

Royce keeps climbing down the ladder and Connor is on the ground. Royce feels pain in his ankle and shoulder. Then falls and hits the ground.

Connor: Are you okay?!

Royce: I’m fine. A few bullets grazed me.

Royce stands up and they run through the sewer and past the dead snake. Royce is a little slower than before, but they still rush to the other end of the sewer. They climb out the large pipe. Lights can be seen in the distance.

Royce: Hide in the bushes.

The both jump into the bushes as three soldiers walk past.

Soldier: Back up is coming soon. Some soldiers are already looking in the forest.

Royce fires off a few shots. The guards fall down one by one before any of them can react. Royce reloads his gun.

Royce: We need to move. Our car is in the woods.

They run through the woods. Any lights they see they try to avoid, staying in the cover of leaves and bushes. Royce runs up to the car and sees three guards pointing guns at them.

Soldier: Put your hands up and get down on your knees.

Connor disappears.

Soldier: Where did he go?! What did you do?!

Royce: I don’t know.

Soldier: Then you die first.

They all focus their guns on Royce. Then Royce sees his pistol put up to one of the soldiers heads. A bullet is fired and goes straight through all of the three soldier’s heads. Connor reappears.

Royce: You're a mutant.

Connor hands Royce the gun back.

Royce: Lets go.

They both get in the car and drive away.

## Chapter 23

Royce, Connor, and Grease are in Grease’s workshop. Daylight is coming through the window.

Grease: Connor, what did they do to you in there?!

Connor: It was just a prison. It wasn’t that bad. Tons of the other people in the prison shouldn’t have been in there.

Grease: All that matters is that you aren’t there. We need to move away. Somewhere B.L.A.D.E. won’t find us.

Connor turns to Royce.

Connor: Thank you for-

Royce moves back.

Grease: He’s always closed off. Royce, thank you for saving my son. You can keep the stuff I gave you. Use them wisely because I won’t be here to make more. Finally-

Grease walks over to his desk and picks something up. He walks over to Royce and holds out the item.

Grease: I finished your helmet.

Royce looks at the red eyes of his helmet.

Grease: I made it stronger than before. It won’t break this time.

Royce nods and walks away.

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

Royce takes off his armor and drives home. When he walks inside the back of the gym, Emily is standing there looking abnormally happy.

Royce: What’s up with you?

Emily: Dad was just here. He didn’t tell you?

Royce: No, what did he say?

Emily: He came by and told me how soldiers were hunting him down. He said he was fine and that he’ll be home soon.

Royce: Did he say where he was going?

Emily: No. He came to talk to me about how he was doing.

Royce: I’ll find him.

Royce walks inside his room. He lays down on the bed and thinks about what Emily said. His mind starts to wander.

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

Royce’s mother parks the car. Royce is in the back seat and Jackson is in a baby seat.

Royce’s Mother: I’ll be right back. I’m just going into the store for a minute.

Royce’s mother leaves the car and Royce watches her walk away. Royce starts looking around. He sees Jackson sleeping in his seat. Then Royce hears yelling. Royce’s mother is walking back to the car with a man. They are both arguing. As they get close, Royce can hear what they’re saying.

Royce’s Mother: C’mon Jay.

Jay: No more money. What are you going to do for me?

Royce’s Mother: I can’t right now. I have my kids.

Jay: So? They’re young! Drop them off!

Royce’s Mother: Sh, my sons sleeping in the back.

Jay: Like I give a fuck.

Jay starts walking around to the other side of the car. Royce unbuckles his seatbelt and checks the car's glove compartment. Royce grabs a knife and sits back in his seat. Jay opens up the car door.

Jay: See, he’s fine.

Jay reaches his hand out to touch Jackson. Then Royce cuts Jay’s hand. Jay’s arm jolts back.

Jay: What the fuck?! You’re giving your children knives?!

Jay slams the door shut.

Jay: No, that’s it. I’m outta here.

Jay walks off. Royce’s mother opens the door to Royce’s seat.

Royce: I did it like you Mom. I protected Jackson.

Royce’s mother looks at him for a second. Then she hugs him.

Royce’s Mother: You're a good boy Royce.

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

Royce opens his eyes to a dark window. He sees the dark figure on the other side of his bed. The shadow imitates Emily.

Shadow: He said he was fine and that he’ll be home soon.

Royce: He’s at his house!

Royce runs over to the otherside of the room and lifts up the floorboards. His helmet stares back at him. The red eyes have a shadowy fog coming out of them.

Royce: I’ll kill you Jackson.

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

Royce is outside of Jackson’s house in his armor.

Royce: This is a trap.

Royce walks inside the building. The house is filled with steam. Royce hears the sound of wind. The steam starts getting sucked into one direction. A beam of light blasts Royce closer to the sound of the wind. Then a person in a cloak appears behind Royce and kicks Royce forward. The man in the cloak disappears. Royce sticks his two sai into the ground to not be sucked in by the wind. The steam stops moving and the sound of the wind can not be heard. Royce sees figures walking up to him from all sides.

Royce: All four of you!

Angel, Void, Moreno, and Jackson surround Royce.

## Chapter 24

Royce stands up.

Royce: You couldn’t fight me alone.

Jackson: Why would I? We all have a common goal.

Royce: Do you want to give the mutagen out to everyone in this city?

Moreno: You're the focus right now.

Royce grabs Moreno and stabs him in the stomach with his sai. Royce throws Moreno into Angel with the sai still stuck in him. He jumps further back into the smoke.

Moreno: Fuck!

Angel: Get rid of the steam Moreno!

Moreno holds his stomach and starts sucking in the steam. Soon all the steam disappears. Royce fires a bullet out of the silenced pistol. The bullet flies across to Void. Void sinks into the ground and the bullet goes past him. Angel drops Moreno onto the ground.

Moreno: What the hell?!

Angel puts out his hands and blasts beams of light at Royce. Royce starts running around Angel, dodging the blasts. Void appears from below the ground and grabs Royce’s ankle. Royce loses his momentum and gets blasted back by the beams of light. Royce drops his pistol. Void fully comes out from the ground. Angel slowly walks up to Royce, blasting him every few seconds. Royce throws his sai into one of Angel’s arms. Jackson runs at Royce like a bull. Royce rolls to the side. Jackson’s knee slams into the wall, cracking the brick. The surrounding parts of the wall start to melt as Jackson takes his knee out of the wall. Royce gets back to his feet and Void throws a right hook. Royce blocks the punch with his gauntlet. Royce uses his other arm to slam his gauntlet on Void’s head. The force sends Void across the room. Jackson punches Royce in the head. Royce’s head moves back from the force. Then Royce punches Jackson in the stomach. Jackson leaves over holding his stomach in pain, gasping for air. Jackson looks up and grabs under Royce’s helmet. Jackson grabs Royce’s armorless neck. Jackson can hear sizzling.

Royce: Ugh!

Royce grunts in pain. Then he lifts both his arms up and slams both gauntlets on the sides of Jackson’s head. Jackson falls to the ground stunned. Royce goes to stomp on Jackson’s stomach. Moreno takes the sai out of his stomach and drops it on the ground. Moreno opens his mouth and the wind starts to pull Royce in. Royce hears someone behind him. He sees Angel with his eyes glowing. Royce throws down a smoke bomb. Angel blasts a beam of light. The beam disappears into the smoke. It comes out from the other side and hits Moreno in the chest. Moreno hits the ground with the clothes on his chest burnt off.

Void: I’ll get him outta there.

Void moves his hands. Something appears below the gas. They hear a noise and then it disappears. Void moves his hands again and a portal appears on the ceiling. Royce falls out of the portal and hits the ground, landing on his back. The smoke clears and they see Moreno on the ground. Royce picks himself up. Jackson kicks Royce over. Jackson crouches down next to Royce. Jackson grabs the armor on Royce’s shoulder and holds onto it.

Royce: Ah!

Royce swings at Jackson, and Jackson quickly punches Royce in the chest. Royce rolls to the side and gets to his feet. Royce sees the wall behind him.

Royce: Shit.

Angel, Jackson, and Void are all around him.

Royce: ‘Last one.’

Royce holds a smoke bomb in his hand.

Jackson: You made it farther than you should have-

Royce punches Jackson in the nose crushing the smoke bomb in his hand at the same time. Smoke bursts out, surrounding the area. Royce hears Jackson fall onto the ground. Royce grabs an arm next to him. He pulls the person in close to see Void. Royce punches Void in the stomach over and over again. A portal appears below them. They start falling. Royce sees they are about to hit the ground and he slams Void into the ground. Royce keeps pounding on Void’s stomach. Void spits out blood. Then Royce smashes his elbow into Void’s head. Void’s head imploads. Royce stands back up. Angel blasts him into a wall. Royce takes his helmet off and Angel blasts a beam of light at Royce. Royce holds his helmet out. The beam ricochet’s off his helmet and hits the ceiling. Rubble falls down in front of Angel.

Angel: You missed!

Royce puts his helmet on and rushes up to the rubble. Angel blasts the rubble, and it scatters around the room. Royce uppercuts Angel in the stomach. Angel bends over and Royce grabs the back of his jacket. Royce throws Angel into the wall. Royce hears a crack and Angel hits the ground. Slowly, Royce walks up to Angel. Royce crouches down and rips Angel’s spine out of his back. Then Royce stomps down on his head, pulverizing it. The smoke starts to clear and Royce hears choking. Jackson stands up coughing.

Jackson: All that smoke went right into my lungs.

Jackson looks around.

Jackson: Now you’ve killed everyone, but me.

Jackson runs at Royce. He kicks Royce in the chest. The kick pushes Royce back a bit. Royce steps forward and Jackson punches him in the stomach. Royce headbutts Jackson, and Jackson steps back stunned. Royce punches Jackson in the head and Jackson hits the ground hard. Royce walks over to Jackson.

Royce: You should have just gone home to your daughter.

Jackson: I couldn’t. A maniac took her in.

Royce: A psychopath raised her.

Jackson puts both hands up and blasts smoke directly into Royce’s mask.

Royce: AH!

Royce steps back. His face feels like it’s melting. Jackson gets up and starts strangling Royce. Royce knees Jackson in the stomach. Jackson misses an uppercut and knocks Royce’s helmet off. Royce’s helmet hits the ground with a crash.

Jackson: I get to see my brother's face. The face that’s trying to kill me and killed one of my best friends.

Royce:...

Jackson superman punches. Royce blocks it with his gauntlet and Jackson jabs Royce in the face. Royce grunt with pain as he can hear his skin sizzle. Royce kicks Jackson back.

Jackson: The only thing keeping you alive is that armor.

Royce is breathing heavily.

Royce: One more time and I’ll kill you.

Royce puts his hand on his belt showing the butterfly knife.

Jackson: I’m going to melt your face off your head.

Jackson breaths in.

Royce: Don’t Jackson. What about your daughter?

Jackson breaths out hot steam. Royce tries to protect his face with the gauntlet, but the steam still hits him in the face. Royce throws the knife and Jackson hits the floor. The steam stops and Royce sees Jackson turn around and see the knife hit the wall().

Jackson: You missed…

Royce punches Jackson in his temple. Jackson falls to the ground unconscious.

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

Royce walks inside the gym through the front door. The door is open and Royce looks on edge. Royce sees two men standing in front of him with suits on. One of the two men is holding a tablet.

Man in Suit: We aren’t here to fight. Mr. Cole wanted us to show you this video.

They turn the tablet around and show a video of Cole at the airport.

Cole: I bet you killed your brother and the others, right? Yeah, I figured. That’s why I went to the airport with the mutagen. It actually seems like Dr. Scott perfected the mutagen. Isn’t that crazy? Now, someone else will run the company building here for me.

Royce can hear someone on a speaker.

Cole: Well, I’ll be off. I have a plane to catch.

The video ends and the two men in suits leave the gym. Royce walks to the back of the gym.

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

One week later, Royce and Emily are sitting in a restaurant.

Royce: You’ll be starting school soon.

Emily: Yeah…

Royce: If you ever need counseling. I can get you someone. You have your guidance counselor if you don’t want to talk to me.

Emily: I know. I just wish dad didn’t leave. If he stayed with me he might not have died.

Royce: You don’t know what happened. Maybe the soldiers were right behind him.

Emily: But you were there.

Royce: What could I have done to a group of armed soldiers?

Emily: You could have done something. You run out every night to help people don’t you.

Royce: What do you think I do at night?

Emily: Aren’t you the Ripper?