[indent][b][u]August 7th, 9:03 AM
Hope Springs, West Virginia[/u][/b][/indent]

The chirping of birds, the soft rustle of leaves in the wind, the occasional crunching of an animal’s paws against the forest floor. The sounds wove together in a gentle song, sunlight filtering through the waving tree branches above, a peaceful scene deep in the heart of the forest…

Then a loud snore broke the tranquil air, followed by a yawn.

Joshua Christophe, AKA ‘Demon’ to most people, slowly roused as the heat of the morning sun spilled over his navy skin, prompting his glowing white eyes to slowly open. The sight of the green above his head immediately got a grin to blossom on the youth’s face, stretching around the large, pointed white teeth jutting up from the bottom of his mouth. It had been nearly a month, and he didn’t think he’d ever get tired of waking up to that sight! Sure, it wasn’t his bedroom back home with the posters of athletes and that one korean pop star he liked, but it sure as heck beat the sewers!

Plus, he had a bed now! … Sort of.

Slowly the large teenager lumbered to his feet off the hammock he was occupying, the large swath of vines and leaves stretched between two trees. Josh rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms above his head, cracking the joints. Slowly he rose up, scratching his onyx nails against the thick black stubble on his jaw as he looked around for his ‘mentor’.

Though… to be honest, there hadn’t been much mentoring going on. Well, no, that was super rude to Mr. Harris! He had done lots for him! He even made a pair of pants for him which were sort of weird since they were made of leaves, but [i]super[/i] soft. Plus they discussed his powers, but considering how destructive they were he couldn’t really… you know … use them in the forest. Apparently it made ‘The Green’ angry. Or when he drooled in his sleep and accidentally burnt a hole into the forest floor. Josh made sure to apologize to one of the trees for that one, at least. His bad.

… Still, it had been nearly a month. Josh was sort of expecting… you know, to do something. Like stop the riots, like Mr. Harris had! That way people would know he’s not some monster!

A roar sounded throughout the forest… as Demon’s stomach rumbled. He felt red - purple? - even beneath his navy skin and began to venture out of his little ‘bedroom’ - AKA the hammock area - to find his mentor.

[color=skyblue]“Mr. Harris?”[/color]

Harris was rather tired to be honest. He had never expected to be tutoring someone on a subject he didn’t even understand himself, especially not one as energetic as Joshua, he had to have a shouting match with the Green just to let him stay after he burnt a hole in the forest floor. He was just glad to have the chance, a year or so ago and he wouldn’t have even had the chance before the Green took over his body and… well, he didn’t want to think about that.

He could tell that the teen was at least a little bit disappointed, even if he had told him over and over again that he really had nothing to teach. He had come to Harris expecting to meet this heroic figure, when all he’d found was… well, Harris, a big loser who also somehow had become a plant deity. Harris strode out of a tree-trunk, a large branch sprouting under his feet as he walked. He had to admit to himself that he related to Joshua, he had been in the exact same situation, and the time that they had spent together, though somewhat awkward, was enough for Harris to understand that the kid was a kind soul.

Harris sighed and thumped down onto the branch, holding his chin up with a fist and swinging his feet over the forest below.

Then a sound, a rumbling, and a beeping, he knew that sound, he’d lived in a city. That was the sound of construction.

[color=olivedrab]”But there’s no city in miles, Hope Springs never builds anything, and I’m in the middle of a forest, what the hell is going o-”[/color]

A hideous screeching noise from within his skull interrupted his train of thought, and gave him a splitting headache that’d probably last for the rest of the day. Thankfully he had the ability to morph his head to the point where all the original nerves were no longer there, meaning he no longer felt the pain… for about five seconds. Clearly this construction was happening somewhere in the forest due to the Green’s screeching, so Harris tapped into it in order to discover where in fact it was coming from.

The southeast portion of the forest, closest to civilization, that made sense, now just to deal with them and get the Green to shut the hell up and then he’d come up with something to tell Joshua-

Harris was struck with a realization. This was exactly the opportunity he needed to come up with a “lesson” for the blue teen. Harris smiled and walked back into the tree.

He appeared from beneath the ground not far from Josh’s hammock, where he seemed to have already awoken, Harris maintained a smile as he approached the massive boy.

[color=olivedrab]”Morning Josh,”[/color] Harris said in a chipper tone of voice. [color=olivedrab]”I’ve got big plans! I can’t wait to show you!”[/color]

Josh let out a yelp at the sudden sound of his mentor’s voice, the ground shaking slightly as he jumped and whirled around. His large hand went to his chest and he tried not to look as startled as he felt.

[color=SkyBlue]”Y-You sure are sneaky when you want to be, Mr. Harris!”[/color] Demon stated weakly, but quickly straightened up. As soon as the Vine Stalker’s words registered the demonic youth brightened, the glowing white of his eyes seeming to grow in intensity and his lips turning up into a wide grin.

[color=SkyBlue]”Seriously? We have somewhere to go?! W-Where?! Do I need to bring anything? … Should I cover up my horns?”[/color]

[color=olivedrab]”Hold on a second, we’re not going anywhere,”[/color] Harris responded with a wave of his hands. Perhaps that was a little less calming than he thought it would be, he was probably right to assume that living in a forest isn’t the best environment, but hey, it was better than lying, he supposed. [color=olivedrab]”We’ll still be in this forest, but It’ll still be fun, or enlightening or something. I know I haven’t exactly taught you anything, but that changes today!”[/color] Harris exclaimed with an over-exaggerated stomp.

Harris turned towards the direction where the construction crew had begun their work and placed his hands on his hips.

[color=olivedrab]”There’s something that requires my presence over thataway, I’d like for you to come with me so that you can watch and learn,”[/color] Harris said confidently, perhaps as confidently as he could be. He supposed he’d have to tell Josh what they were doing rather than keep it in secrecy as he had planned on doing at first, though that would have greater impact he doubted Josh would understand what he was intending to show by beating up a few construction workers. [color=olivedrab]”There’s a group of workers over there planning to… do something that the Green is very, [i]very[/i] displeased with, so it’s probably clear-cutting or something of the sort, what I have to do is stop it from happening without hurting the workers too much. I know you don’t have the same abilities I do, but perhaps watching what decisions I make can help you be better at stopping bad guys without hurting them too much. Not that… construction workers are bad guys, it’s just that they’re in the employ of the bad guys… well, they’re not really bad, they just want money so that they can live good lives… you get my point.”[/color]

Harris summoned up two pieces of a wooden shell from the ground, positioning themselves on each side of Joshua.

[color=olivedrab]”That sound good with you?”[/color] he asked, scratching the back of his neck.

[color=Skyblue]”...Oh.”[/color] Josh blinked slowly at the revelation of what his mentor’s plan was, slowly nodding along. As he did so a grin worked its way onto his face, and the giant of a man almost bounced in place. [color=Skyblue]”That’s so [i]cool[/i]! We’re gonna protect the forest! I can help, right? I mean, Mr. Green is still sort of mad at me so I can help and get back on his good side! While learning from you! Yeah!”[/color] The demonic looking youth pumped his fist in the air. This was so awesome! He was finally going to get to see Mr. Harris in action! Well, at least in real life - he’d seen news reports of the riots occasionally, and clips from one of those metawatch channels late at night back in the sewers.

Then the shells came from the ground, Josh staring at them with puzzlement clear even on his warped features. He tilted his head, scratching at one of his horns.

[color=Skyblue]”What are these for?”[/color]

Harris had to take a step back at Joshua’s usual brand of enthusiastic word-salad. He had become at least a little bit used to the kid’s enthusiasm, but it still was a little much for him sometimes, not that he’d ever say anything to him about it, Harris wasn’t exactly one to just state his mind without another thought. Hey, he supposed, at least he knew Josh would be a hand in case things went wrong, not that there was really any reason to believe something would go wrong, but the reinforcement was appreciated.

[i][color=Lawngreen]This is an awful idea.[/color][/i]

The Green voiced its displeasure.

[i]It’ll be fine.[/i]

Harris reassured it.

How routine those two things had become.

[color=olivedrab]”Yes you can help, just follow my lead, and don’t do anything you don’t think you’re ready for,”[/color] Harris said with a smile, which grew as he heard Josh question the wooden shells that had appeared around him. [color=olivedrab]”Oh those?”[/color] Harris said coyly.

[color=olivedrab]”Don’t worry about them.”[/color]

As soon as Harris finished speaking, the shells slammed shut around Joshua.

[color=olivedrab]”Think of it like an elevator, it won’t take long,”[/color] Harris reassured as the shell lowered itself into the ground, visible to Chris through the seam where the two halves met. Harris gave a small nod, and then sunk into the ground himself. The shell was pulled through the dirt by massive tree roots at a speed that was probably just enough to make Josh uncomfortable, Harris would have to apologize. Soon after, the shell forced its way out of the dirt and split open not far from the hum of heavy machinery and the roar of chainsaws.

Harris’ voice echoed from the spent shells;

[color=olivedrab]”Watch and learn.”[/color]

[color=olivedrab]”Hear me!”[/color] Harris roared in his “serious voice”. [color=olivedrab]”You have disturbed this forest, and as such you have drawn my wrath, I, the Vine Stalker, demand you retreat from this place!”[/color]

[color=olivedrab]”Or…”[/color] Harris’ voice boomed from the trees. [color=olivedrab]”You shall pay the consequences!”[/color] 

As he said this, a massive vine sprung from the ground and lifted a bulldozer ten feet into the air.

“Holy shit!”

“It’s true! The stories are true!”

The screaming of the construction workers informed Harris that he had done a good job, but the bang of firearms informed him that he hadn’t been altogether successful.

“Get back in there you idiots! These meta-humans are all frauds!” one of the construction workers yelled over the popping of gunshots. This clearly wasn’t some normal construction. These people had heard the stories people told about him, and they had come prepared. Harris sighed and prepared to force himself out of the ground, he didn’t want to have to hurt people, he wanted to show Josh that you could be a hero without doing that.

Oh well, not much he could do about it now.

The ground trembled suddenly, as the huge, demonic creature that had emerged from the shell, watching over the scene with his glowing white eyes… threw himself to the ground. A whimper built up in Josh’s throat and he pulled one of the shell halves in front of him, seeing how his large hands shook in doing so.

… Great, great impression, Josh. A+.

He couldn’t help it, though. The excitement that had built up in him through the, admittedly rather rough, ride through the ground in the two shells had died an ignoble death the instant those gunshots rang out. A phantom pain had blossomed in his head, turning the quesiness from the ride into pure, stomach-twisting fear. Now here Josh was, cowering behind the shell and shaking like a [i]leaf[/i].

That’d be kind of ironically funny if he wasn’t so afraid he thought he might vomit.

Harris felt through the shell as Josh grabbed onto it and hid himself behind it. Harris sighed, at least he was paying attention.

Harris appeared before the men, a massive creature, with insectoid exoskeleton and wings, and focused, single-colored eyes. One of the men had been behind him when he shot up, and turned to gawk in horror at Harris, which was rude. Harris punished his rudeness by extending his tail and wrapping it around the man’s neck, slamming him face-first into the ground  and into unconsciousness. He dropped the bulldozer on its side and pulled the worker from within, roaring in his face and leaving him to run away. A bullet slammed into his hard chest, shattering the exoskeleton, but not penetrating the soft tissue within. Harris rose an arm, and a plant-fist rose from the ground, wrapping its fingers around the man and lifting him off the ground. Harris growled and made one last motion with his arm, causing the fist to toss the man through the air, where he slammed into another gun-wielding worker.

They were just doing their job, he knew, but he had to protect himself. With one massive punch, he knocked the last worker on his ass. Examining the knocked out workers for a second, he turned and looked over towards Josh’s position, giving him a thumbs up. One last worker rose behind him, preparing to shoot him in the back of the head. Harris knew about this, but ignored it, giving Josh a chance to help out, would make him feel good, Harris knew.

Wasn’t like he was in any danger, the bullet wouldn’t get through his armor.

As bullets continued to ring out Josh slowly edged from behind the shell to peek over at the fight going on nearby. Well, calling it a fight was a bit of an exaggeration. Mr. Harris seemed to have it all in hand - which was no surprise! He was a hero, after all!

He even had time to give Josh a thumbs up. Wow. Mr. Harris really [i]was[/i] amazing at what he did! Josh fumbled to return the gesture, but movement behind his mentor caught his attention, making his breath catch in his throat and an icy dread to fill his chest. There was a man, and he was raising up with his gun while Mr. Harris was distracted - distracted with him! His stupid, [i]stupid[/i], scared little tag-along!

The roar that ripped from Demon’s chest absolutely shook the air, more than any construction equipment. The strength contained in his new body coiled before he shot forward, in a flurry of motion football-tackling the man. He learned that in high school!

… And there was a crack. Oops.

Josh stood over the man now on the ground, a few feet away from him from the sheer force of him slamming into him. He was rolling around, clutching his arm.

[color=Skyblue]”Ohhh,”[/color] Demon whimpered, his glowing white eyes darting around unseen. [color=Skyblue]”I… I didn’t mean to do that! I’m sorry, dude! I just wanted to - well you were gonna shoot - don’t shoot people!”[/color]

Harris was surprised by the loud roar that Josh let out, and the ferocity of his tackle was another surprise, this kid could be quite a force if he knew what he was doing.

The sickening crack that rang out informed Harris that no, he did not know what he was doing, ouch.

[color=olivedrab]”Okay, okay, okay, it’s fine you’re fine he’s fine I’m fine the Green’s fine we’re fine.”[/color]

He felt like he was more trying to convince himself than he was trying to convince Josh. He placed himself in front of Josh and held up his hands in what was intended to be reassurement but probably didn’t come off that way. He moved towards the rolling man’s head and crouched next to him.

[color=olivedrab]”You okay? Yeah, you’re okay,”[/color] he said softly. In one smooth motion he rose his hand and slammed a fist into the man’s head, knocking him out. He stood back up and shook his hand, clearing off any blood. [color=olivedrab]”Good job Josh! You saved my bacon there!”[/color]

[i]’Saved my bacon’? What the hell is wrong with me? [/i]

[color=olivedrab]”Just next time try to knock the guy out without breaking anything, you know, be kind,”[/color] Harris instructed, trying for once in his life to act like he knew what he was talking about.

[color=SkyBlue]”I’m - I’m still - I’m really sorry - I didn’t-”[/color] Demon’s stutter was obvious as he fumbled over his words, even beginning to tear up. No, no, no! That wasn’t cool! Heroes didn’t cry, especially not in the middle of the ‘battlefield’ or in front of their mentor! Well, unless their mentor was like, an old dude who just imparted wisdom on them… Josh didn’t think Harris counted. 

Nope, okay, yeah he was crying.

Josh sniffled and raised a large hand to rub at his glowing white eyes, peeking up at Harris. [color=SkyBlue]”... I’ll be more careful next time. I was just - I was worried. He was gonna shoot you, and I [i]hate[/i] guns. I didn’t want you to be shot! … And now I want bacon...”[/color]

[color=olivedrab]”You do know I can’t be hurt by bullets right?”[/color] Harris asked with a bit of humor in his voice. [color=olivedrab]”Don’t worry about it, you did the right thing, you should be proud!”[/color]

[i]I shouldn’t be parenting.[/i]

[i][color=Lawngreen]Then get him out of my forest![/color][/i]

[i]No thanks, I got this.[/i]

[color=olivedrab]”As long as you make the attempt to do the right thing, no-one can fault you… unless you do it [i]really[/i]wrong, but that shouldn’t be a problem, you’re not that kind of kid, I know that much, you’re a good guy, Josh,”[/color] Harris said reassuringly. [color=olivedrab]”Now come on, let’s bring these guys into town.”[/color]

[color=Skyblue]”...Oh,”[/color] Demon said lamely in response to being told Harris was bulletproof. He rubbed a little more furiously at his eyes, specifically the one that was destroyed by a bullet all those months ago. The teenager was of course very, very careful not to let any of the acidic tears hit the forest floor. Mr. Green didn’t like that. [color=Skyblue]”O-Okay. Thanks for … you know … believing in me, Mr. Harris.

“... Can we use my burrito coupon while we’re in town?”[/color]

 [color=olivedrab]”Yeah sure, just don’t overspend, I’d rather use my own money than have to give it to you. Not that I wouldn’t help you if you didn’t have enough it’s just… I don’t have a lot.”[/color]

[color=SkyBlue]”That’s okay, I have 15.74!”[/color]