[URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=el&gl=GR&v=6yP1tcy9a10][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]F L A S H B A C K:[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][color=silver]A Night in April 1985 | [i]New Lilith[/i][/color][/sup][/INDENT][/URL]
[INDENT][INDENT][I]Anthony 'Tony' Cleaver was a large man, impressive in size to the point of intimidating nearly everyone he met. The result of the Dark Eclipse nearly twenty years ago, a young Tony had undergone virumosis turning him into one of the world's first Hyperhumans. This transformation had lent itself to his size and incredible strength. Thanks to his size and strength, Tony had found himself constantly in charge of others, people naturally had looked to him to lead and because of this he developed into something of a bully. Arrogant and cruel, it came to no one's surprise when Tony and his friends began to commit petty crimes. But it only grew from there, with more and more people claiming to be Tony's friends and following his lead. Thus, the Harbor Kings were born, one of Crescent City's many gangs but one not to be trifled with.
 
The blackout had forced Tony to accelerate his plans to rob New Lilith National Bank. While originally, he had an elaborate day time heist planned, with the power out he was finally able to add a personal touch. Climbing the stairs leading to the large doors, Tony grinned and cracked his knuckles, flexing his broad shoulders as his skin-tight wife beater struggled against the massive muscled chest. Coming to a stop as he reached the doors, Tony smiled as he reached forward and smashed his fists through the glass panels before wrapping his hands around the door frame and pulling them from their hinges.
 
[COLOR=SILVER][B]"We're in boys!"[/B][/COLOR] He hollered as those with him cheered as they moved forward only for a figure to suddenly drop from the roof top.
 
[COLOR=BLACK][B]"I'm afraid the bank is currently closed."[/B][/COLOR] The figure growled, [COLOR=BLACK][B]"If you're looking to make a deposit, feel free to return during regular hours."[/B][/COLOR] Cracking his neck, a smile crossed the face of the masked figure. [COLOR=BLACK][B]"Withdrawals however, feel free to go through me."[/B][/COLOR]
 
[COLOR=SILVER][B]"As you wish, princess."[/B][/COLOR] Tony replied, reaching forward and grabbing the vigilante before tossing him like a ragdoll back towards the street.[/I][/INDENT][/INDENT]
[URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m7e7tCn7Bk][COLOR=DARKCYAN][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]J O S E P H   T H O R E A U:[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][sup][color=silver]Friday, April 07, 2017 - 10:04 PM | [i]Rhodes Lighthouse - New Alexandria[/i][/color][/sup][/INDENT][/URL]
[INDENT][INDENT]The man’s sudden change in attitude didn’t go unnoticed by Joseph after the older man fell out of the car. Helping the older man to his feet, Joseph escorted him to the back of the Durango, opening the back of the rapid response vehicle. 

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“You’re okay if I cut these pants right?”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph asked with a raised eyebrow and a slight smirk as the older man, rolled his eyes.

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“No, I’ll have my butler stitch them up and wear the bloodstains as a trophy.”[/B][/COLOR] The older man replied dryly.

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“Just checking.”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph replied with a slight smirk as he went to work. Sure enough the older man had been correct about the wound being a clean shot. The bullet had paced through without damaging any of the muscles or bones. The older man also appeared to know what he was doing, despite the stains on the pants from the blood, he had bandaged himself. The stains must have been from the conflict. 

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“So,”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph began. [COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]”How about we start with your name? You know mine after all.”[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“Correction, I know your surname.”[/B][/COLOR] The olderman replied. [COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“The name’s Charles Michaels.”[/B][/COLOR] He said extending a hand as Joseph’s jaw dropped slightly.

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“The Charles Michaels? Crown Prince of Crescent City, Software guru? Power industry magnate? Genius inventor?”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph asked incredulously. 

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“The one and only.”[/B][/COLOR] Charles replied as he concealed a small smirk beneath his stern features.. [COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“And you are?”[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“Joseph Thoreau, paramedic, nothing else really notable about me personally.”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph replied with a smile as he grabbed some fresh bandages. [COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“So how exactly did you get shot?”[/B][/COLOR] 

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“New Alexandria is home to the Harbour Kings, apparently they decided to try and break into my lighthouse.”[/B][/COLOR] Charles stated, the lack of fear in his voice was unnerving. Any other citizen that Joseph had rescued from a gang incident was usually quite shaken, but Charles was acting like it was just another day in the life.

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“Right, you own the lighthouse.”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph noted before asking another question. [COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“So why not just have your security team look after it? Not many men your age rushing to fight gang members.”[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“My age?”[/B][/COLOR] Charles asked with a raised eyebrow. [COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“I believe certain jobs require a personal touch. Sometimes the risk is worth a few ill-advised actions.”[/B][/COLOR] Charles stated, the expression catching Joseph off guard as his mother had been the only person he had heard say it. Continuing to answer Joseph’s question, Charles concluded his statement with a final offhanded remark. [COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“And I’m hardly too old to put a couple deadbeats in their place.”[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“Vigilantism is illegal in Crescent City.”[/B][/COLOR]Joseph stated flatly if not reluctantly as he parroted a fact that had been beaten into his head every time his grandfather had regaled the stories of the Mavericks around Silas.

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“Your father made sure of that.”[/B][/COLOR] Charles spat back, bitterness evident in his tone. [COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“This city was a better place with a couple of vigilantes roaming its street.”[/B][/COLOR] 

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“Can’t say I disagree.”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph said as he finished applying the bandage. [COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“My grandfather served with the force during the time of the Mavericks. Worked closely with IllAdvised, I grew up listening to stories of the Demon of New Lilith.”[/B][/COLOR] 

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“Fought like he had a devil in him.”[/B][/COLOR] Charles said in agreeance. Pushing off the back of the SUV, Charles leaned on his cane and began to walk towards his car again. [COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“Thank you for your help Joseph.”[/B][/COLOR] He began only to be interrupted by the revving of an engine.   

[B]“Fuck you, ya old fucker!”[/B] Came an ‘intelligible’ taunt as members of the Kings appeared. Gun shots rang out through the air, Joseph’s fists clenching as he looked around at the gang members.  Dismounting from their bikes, Joseph could see them reaching into their jackets for various weapons as they began to brandish chains, knives and knuckledusters. 

[COLOR=ROYALBLUE][B]“You have one chance to back away.”[/B][/COLOR] Charles answered as he straightened his back, dropping the blazer, beginning to roll up his sleeves. 

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“You can’t fight them all.”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph stated as he stepped forward.

[B]“Y’all fuckers is dead.”[/B] Another member of the Kings yelled as he charged forward. Tucking his cane under his arm, Charles stood ready and at the last second turned, palm outstretched as he delivered a blow to the man’s chest. Time seemed to freeze for a moment before suddenly the gangbanger was thrown backwards, tumbling head over heels until he came to a rest in the mud. 

[COLOR=ORANGE][B]“Charles! Your heart!”[/B][/COLOR] Joseph suddenly remembered the talking car as Serenity cried out. Some sort of alarm was going off inside the car as Charles suddenly grabbed at his chest, his cane dropping as he fell to his knees. Cheers rose from the gang surrounding the pair as Joseph locked eyes with each one of them, slowly pacing around Charles. Looking down at the cane and back at the gang, Joseph sized up the situation with a heavy sigh. Flipping the cane into his hands, Joseph let out a yell.

[COLOR=DARKCYAN][B]“Let’s get it over with then.”[/B][/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT]