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Video screens across the city flickered to life as the pulsating circle slowly rotated around the screen, an ominous mask silhouetted against the background. The monotone voice slowly seeped out of the speakers as the people of Toronto were stopped in their tracks, surprise, fear, curiosity all taking precedence over what they had been previously doing. 

[I][COLOR=BLACK]"Be on Guard."[/COLOR][/I]

The voice said, the screen flashing before it spoke again. 

[I][COLOR=BLACK]"Be on Guard, ye who dwell here. There is a poison in the air seeking to turn brother against brother, father against son, lover upon beloved. Blood will flow in the streets as though who possess great power will soon find themselves without it, put to death upon the sword. The crusade has begun, no one is safe anymore especially the strongest among you."[/COLOR][/I]

The screen flickered one last time before the face returned.

[I][COLOR=BLACK]"Be on Guard. Memento Mori"[/COLOR][/I]

As sudden as it had appeared, the broadcast disappeared and the people of the city returned to their Thanksgiving shopping as the brisk October air reminded them all they would rather be indoors as the screens resumed their regularly scheduled programming. 

[I][color=aba000]"...Bizarre weather continues to bombard Crescent City along the California coast. Metrologists are at a complete loss as to its cause though they have been numerous discussions that perhaps we're seeing the work of a Hyperhuman."[/color][/I]

[I][color=aba000]"Well Tom, it seems anything is possible after what happened just last year between S.H.I.F.T. and Yakob Kowalski." The anchor countered as the news entered into what must be their favourite segment. The daily debate about the merits and concerns regarding Hyperhumans living among society. "If one Hyperhuman could hold an entire city hostage then we truly are seeing a new breed of terrorist emerging. While some might call Kowalski a terrorist, I'd counter he was justified in his concerns and opening our eyes to the world hidden within our own. Perhaps he went about it in an extreme manner, but in the end if we're going to be facing what is comparable to 'Comic Book Supervillains' I would say he's justified."[/color][/I]

[I][color=aba000]"You think an attack on the Royal Mint is justified? Not to mention the numerous other lives he endangered? What about attacking the Pacific Royal Collegiate and University? It may be a school for Hyperhumans, but they're still children and young adults. Innocents who don't deserve to be put on trial for some madman's personal agenda!"[/color][/I] The other anchor countered as the young man looked up from his platter of chicken wings towards the bartender.

[color=004b80]"Yo, Seany can you change the channel or something? I'm so sick of listening to these wind bags talk about how dangerous Hyperhumans are."[/color] Zeke said as the bartender obliged with his request. 

[color=1a7b30]"Get you another?"[/color] He gestured pointing to Zeke's empty drink. 

[color=004b80]"No thanks Sean, I still have another class today and as much fun as I'm sure calculus would be loaded I'd rather not."[/color] 

[color=1a7b30]"Your loss."[/color] The bartender replied, his mild Irish accent punctuated the words as he turned back to polishing glasses, the small pub sitting rather empty at eleven in the morning. 

Looking up at the changed channel, the newswoman was going on about a new virus strain that had popped up in several so far isolated cases across the city. Zeke shook his head as he finished his last wing before digging into his pocket for a twenty.

[color=004b80]"Seriously, all the news seems to do these days is sow fear. First we had SARS, then Mad Cow, Bird Flu, Ebola and now this. Wait until it gets a name, every case will be a front headline on the Sun."[/color] He said as he placed the green bill down on the bar. 

[color=1a7b30]"You actually read the paper?"[/color] Sean said with a smile.

[color=004b80]"More like I look at the back page."[/color] Zeke said with a smirk as he nodded towards the pages of Sunshine girls plastered around the top of the pub's walls before slipping on his leather jacket and picking his helmet up off the bar. [color=004b80]"Take 'er easy Seany."[/color] 

[color=1a7b30]"Where'd be the fun in that."[/color] The bartender responded as Zeke exited the door and began walking down the street to where he had stashed his bike. If you could get over the cool autumn weather, it actually wasn't a bad day out. The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, truly still great riding weather Zeke thought to himself as he turned down an alley and rifled through his pockets for his keys. 

"Turn around slowly and give me the keys to your bike." The voice said from behind Zeke as he complied, mockingly raising his hands above his head. Looking down at the knife sticking towards him, Zeke shook his head. 

[color=004b80]"And what do you plan to do with that."[/color] He asked with a smile.

"If you give me the keys, nothing. If not, I'll cut that dumb smile off your face so that not even your mum would recognize you."

[color=004b80]"My mom wouldn't recognize me with it."[/color] Zeke replied. "Now put that knife away before you stab yourself in the foot with it."

"How would I..." The carjacker started before suddenly screaming in pain as the knife lurched from his hand and dove directly into his foot. Falling to the ground in agony, he tugged at the hilt but the knife wouldn't budge. 

[color=004b80]"Tsk, I hate when that happens. Hurts like a bitch though don't it?"[/color] Zeke asked as he kneeled down in front of the man. [color=004b80]"What really hurts is when it jumps to your thigh, makes it a real bitch to walk."[/color] Zeke said as the blade shot back out of the foot and plunged into the man's thigh as he screamed again. [color=004b80]"Now, you'll likely be able to walk again, albeit I imagine with a limp but you won't be stealing anymore cars I imagine. Just be thankful you didn't bring a gun, can you imagine how careless you could have been with that? A bullet could have ricocheted right back into your own skull and then we'd have a real mess on our hands."[/color] Climbing onto his bike, Zeke put the keys in the ignition and revved the engine. 

[color=004b80]"The nearest medical center is about fifteen blocks south, so I'd get moving if I were you."[/color] He yelled over the engine before popping the bike onto one wheel and merging back onto Bloor. He was going to be late for class now, but at least the day had been interesting.