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One man's past, one boy's actions, they could accumulate in a disastrous climax, many years down the line. A decision many would likely deem a mistake, an arrogant disposition overlooking details which drew a clear line between the living and the dead. It was this haunting presence which trickled down Nico's spine, at the final lyric of a Bonnie Tyler's Holding out for a hero.

An artist could see much from the stage, the elevation offering view of what Azure Park displayed, as if an endless, flowing dance along grass and trees. Only those robbed of sense would be forgiven for viewing the scene and leave without an understanding of joy emanating from the central and most flowery venue of Azure City. Indeed, Azure Park had hosted countless events upon its fields, blankets strewn across the grass with picnic baskets containing sandwiches wrapped in plastic.

Some would call it the jewel of Azure, a most beautiful fairy tale display of vegetation and care. Though applause filled the air at the end of Nico's performance, cheers whistles and hands clapping together, the mutant could scarcely hear them. His attention had been stolen, it had been fully and entirely confiscated by a sound echoing throughout the park. Louder than any cheer, more aggressive than any scream, the unforgiving presence of a bullet launched through a muzzle made its entrance with ear piercing precision.

Nico's eyes widened at the display, a handful of individuals forcing a path through the eastern entrance. Armed with highly illegal gear, rifles and body armor, they wore the face of death. Black like the deepest night, their outfits masked the creatures beneath. Tactical gear offered only the government's own, each pull of the trigger, as fully automatic rifles left a trail of dead, indicated their acquisition.

Soon, cheers were replaced by screams, following explosions strategically positioned throughout the park. With splintering bursts of bombs adding to the massacre, Nico was able to see more troops entering the park through both the northern and western entrance. This was only moments before another explosive cackle rung through the boy's ears, a shockwave plummeting him to the stage floor.

A deafening clang remained between the boy's ears, his equilibrium knocked from its feet, and his state one of dazed confusion.

There had been a terrorist attack. Azure Park, amidst the joyous nature of annual festivities, had been invaded. Assault rifles screamed with every shot, their battle cries echoing as they drowned out frightful shrieks.

They fired indiscriminately, randomly shooting every person taking the shape of a target. Panic had managed to blanket Azure Park in absolute desperation. The animalistic desire to live had taken full control, participants of the Azure festival trampling one another in an attempt to escape the rain of devastation. "Nico!" George ran towards the stairs connecting the stage to the grass-covered field.

Slowly ascending to his knees, Nico felt pain coursing through his body from the force which had pushed him to the floor. As he began to regain his composure, eyesight which had previously suffered a shock returned to reveal the absolute massacre of Azure Park running red with blood. "Nico!" The boy's name was repeated, before he was helped to his feet by George.

[color=#f3dba8]"Get the dogs out of here..,"[/color] Nico spoke, clenching his teeth as he saw the fear washing over his canines where they trembled at the end of their leash. This tactic, this ruthless sacrifice of countless civilians, it was not a mere act of terrorism. It was a statement, and Nico might have known who was making it.

"What!?" George returned, holding onto the dogs who were tugging at their leashes in an attempt to vacate the area. "You're coming with us!"

[color=#f3dba8]"She'll kill the boys if I'm escaping with you."[/color] Nico continued, lowering himself to a knee before his presence managed enough to calm the canines, if only a little.

"This is them!?" George exclaimed, well aware of who the smaller mutant meant. This level of equipment and chaotic approach had only been displayed by a mere few enemies they faced in the past, and only one of them was run by a woman. "But you shredded her!"

[color=#f3dba8]"Stop talking,"[/color] the boy demanded, [color=#f3dba8]"she's coming. Leave, now."[/color] Was this truly the same boy who had sung on stage, only moments earlier? His voice, his tone, and his demeanor were vastly different. He was not struck by fear, despite the chaos, but rather a sense of anger.

George needed only turn to see the slow approach of a tall, slender woman walking towards the stage, before giving into the boy's demands. Though reluctantly, he leaped down from the stage and ran toward the southern exit with Nico's beloved dogs.

This left the boy by himself on that stage, the stride of a woman walking through a massacre brimming like a flame in the picture which was being painted.
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Nico recalled her long, silver hair, her confident walk and that aura of supremacy surrounding the once beautiful woman as each step of her high heels brought her closer. Once they clicked against the stairs, a soft smirk made its way to the woman's pale lips, her ghostly blue eyes fixed on the boy before her. One would observe that she halted in her step mere inches from Nico. "Charmed, I'm sure." She spoke, her sharp voice cutting through the gathering of pain and anguish surrounding them.

[color=#f3dba8]"Amavell,"[/color] came a response from the boy who motioned toward the park. [color=#f3dba8]"Throwing a tantrum?"[/color]

With a small chuckle, the woman now revealed to possess the name Amavell tilted her head, a truly astounding face hidden beyond the devastating scar acting like a tear in silk. "A gift, for you."

[color=#f3dba8]"My gift didn't seem to take. Death too convenient, for you?"[/color] One could claim that Nico's calm demeanor, despite what was happening, revealed a far darker side to him. [color=#f3dba8]"You kept that, though,"[/color] he gently motioned toward the woman's visage.

"How I have missed you, Rayne." Amavell commented, "does it kill you inside, robbed of the opportunity to strike? A secret identity must remain secret."

[color=#f3dba8]"Mainly trying to figure out who stitched you back together."[/color] A slight frown bridged it's way across Nico's lips.

"A story for another time, my lovely," Amavell returned. "Both of us will walk away this day," her calm steps brought her behind the boy as she placed her hands on his slender shoulders. "Today, I wanted to show you, that this blood has been spilled in your honor." A whisper trickled into Nico's ear, tension spreading throughout his body. "A love song for you, my dear. Rayne will come back, and we will dance together, again." Nico heard the cocking of a gun, before it was pressed against his shoulder. "I've missed you, my angel." An incredibly sharp pain shot through Nico's shoulder, following a pushed path off the stage, darkness claiming each sense with a thud marking impact.