The ENTV feed, in actuality the ECPD feed that ENTV got to livestream, picked up the return of Spectrum to the fight, provoking another gender discussion on the feed; "After that intimate little moment, poll numbers on Spectrum being male have risen by three points," Idonia reported, "With that discussion seeming passionate at the very least, others are arguing that the fact Spectrum returned to and is staying at Dragon Heart's side is evidence of some connection between the two. Ship-to-ship combat on the ENTV.com forums, people, sign up and log in to follow the whole discussion and contribute!

"And ironically, for a speedster, Comet shows up late to the party! Surely the Sharp-Tongued Speedster heard the warning? Or perhaps he took the long way around!" Idonia remarked. "Spectrum makes a brave attempt to hit the Rat King, but the monster sees it coming! The portal wall is back up, which must mean Traveler is as well. Let's recap for those of you just tuning in; Spectrum and Dragon Heart fighting back to back northward on Ninth, while both Stark Crusader, living up to his name, and Vice are absolutely destroying any rats in their way. A woman healer, who we're told is named Yag... Yaegna-" She gives up, "Stargazer, is keeping the two men uninjured and somehow avoiding the worst of the Swarm; just because they make it look easy, don't try it at home; and the ECPD has sealed off the intersection! Were it not for the Rat King, a four-bodied monster, I'd say this would be all over but for the cleanup."
 
It happened in a split second, and the camera only caught it by being in the right place. As Vice jumped into the air, the Rat King rocked backwards. The fiery claw immolated the nearest body a second later, leaving the other three burned and screaming. The impact sent up a wave of dust and shattered windows nearby. "What?! What just- A powerful strike from Vice just destroyed one of the Rat King's bodies!" Idonia shouted, "We can't see what's going on! As soon as the smoke clears, we will let you know."
[hr]

The air itself shook visibly as someone, or something, collided with the Rat King. Spectrum couldn't be sure, not with the Swarm and the follow-up by Vice in the way. "Spectrum!" Dragon called, stepping in front as a wave; really the only word that came to mind; of dust and ash billowed in their direction. On instinct, Spectrum spread out a shield over them, and the cloud billowed past them. Dragon looked up, seeming a little perturbed. "I forgot you can do that."

"I can do lots of things," was the reply. Was that flirting? Spectrum hoped it was cute flirting. They stood together in the little bubble, and Spectrum suddenly noticed how close he was. Alex' comments from earlier came back and the inside of the armour was suddenly uncomfortably hot.

Dragon Heart laughed. "So, the Hero's Bistro, Friday, about seven?" After a moment of trying to say something, Spectrum eventually managed to nod. The bistro was really popular, and there'd probably be a lot of people there. They could sit near the back, and she wouldn't have to see out the window. It'd also hopefully be dark enough that the window would just be a mirror and the restaurant would be a lot smaller. "Ah, shit." The expletive broke that line of thought, and Spectrum dropped the shield just as the Rat King stood up.

Well, most of it. Three bodies were badly burned across their left, back and right halves, and the fourth hung limply from the knot in the middle. Screeching in pain and rage, the Rat King turned and immediately began swinging its clubs at anything in reach. Swarm, epic, building... It was rampaging. Spectrum shot into the air to get a better look. Dragon began shouting to the nearby Epics, trying to coordinate. The rest of the Swarm fled, disappearing back underground.

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