[h2][center][b]Escalation of Force: Part 2[/b][/center][/h2]
Farce wasn’t able to do much, though Fran certainly was more mobile at the time. The ex-villain of the Community ran through the building and carried out as many of the wounded as she could, with some favorites being played in case she recognized any of her old gang’s members. She managed herself fairly well, all things considered, before the entire group heard the crash of something big next to the building. 

A lightning bolt had smacked right into the side of the building, causing the entire thing to shake and the power for the building to cut off. A lot of people were out, but there were still a good amount left inside.

[color=gray]“Mantis, how many were left in there that you couldn’t grab?”[/color]

Mantis yelled through the clatter, carrying a young man in a business suit fireman style, [color=green]”I felt at least 5 or 6! It is hard to tell! One is fading fast!”[/color] Axel barked in the direction of the casualties. 

Healer ran towards Limbo and said, [color=00aeef]“Let's go together!”[/color] Then she sprinted toward the now powerless building.

[color=gray]”Right!”[/color] Fran rushed back into the building and darted up the stairs, whether or not Healer was following. She didn’t know where the people were, so she had to guess based on what she heard instead of what she didn’t. After a few flights, she heard the commotion a little louder, and swung the door right open for both Healer and her to dive right in.

There were two people, a man who was tending to a very bloody leg, and a woman. Fran ran over to the aid of the man and picked him up in her arms, lugging him to the staircase she went up to get to where she was. [color=gray]”You’re gonna be okay sir. We’ll get you downstairs safely.”[/color]

Healer touched the man's leg and the wound was fixed within seconds. She held it in herself until the opportune time. She then helped the woman to her feet, leading her toward the staircase. It was dark without the lighting, fortunately there were enough windows to illuminate the area. They travelled down the stairs until they exited the building without an issue. 

Mantis ascended the stairs as the duo exited with the two civilians. A few more trips and they had evacuated all the living from it. The ambulance pulled away with a full load of people. He looked at the two women and stated, [color=green]”I'm going to head toward the capes in combat with Behemoth. I will be able to use my ability to help them fight. This is more dangerous than anything we've ever faced before by far. I would completely understand if you wanted to leave now…”[/color] His eyes turned toward the sounds of destruction. Axel whined toward his master. 

[color=gray]”... this seems like a better opportunity for Gaia to talk.”[/color]

[color=yellow]”Indeed.”[/color] Gaia appeared back in Fran’s place, walking up to Judah. [color=yellow]”I’m not gonna let you go alone here. We’re fighting that monster together, and whoever lives, lives, and I’ll be damned if it’s gonna be you dying.”[/color] She hugged Judah before breaking away from him and looking at the monster from the small glimpse she could see it through the buildings. [color=yellow]”We’re a team, dammit, and I didn’t just come save you only to have you get taken away from me by this asshole.”[/color]

Healer sidled up alongside the two and wrapped her arms around them both in a group embrace. Then she stepped to the side so that the three of them were looking toward Behemoth together. [color=00aeef]“I abandoned you guys before when you needed me. Never again. This time I'm in too!”[/color] Though her voice quavered from fear, she knew that with these flawed human beings she [i]belonged.[/i] She had no intention of abandoning them again. Come hell or high water.

Mantis was taken aback by the sudden show of loyalty and affection. He hesitated for a moment as Gaia hugged him and pledged to even [i]die for him.[/i] He lowered his balaclava from his face and returned Gaia's hug. And it wasn't a halfhearted one either, it was a [i]real[/i] one. Sturdy, solid and true. Then Genevieve wrapped her arms around them Judah joined in. Without realizing it, he released a powerful emotion he had not felt in a long time. It swirled around them like a dancer in motion invading the atmosphere. Like liquid love and affection. Tears rolled down his face onto his friends. Judah couldn't figure out what was going on for some time until finally the question passed through his mind,

[center][color=green][i]"Is this my...family?"[/i][/color][/center]
Judah genuinely smiled through joyful tears. Even in the terror that was Behemoth and the evil that surrounded them there was real love. It was comforting to know there were people in his life worth living [i]with[/i] or dying [i]for[/i]. Off in the distance arose a massive silver-winged [i]being.[/i] It fired off a large silver beam at the endbringer. The environment lit up brighter around them from the display. Whatever it was, it didn’t like the Behemoth. Judah wiped his eyes and stated [color=green]”Comon, we have an endbringer to end. I don't expect anyone to hold back!”[/color] Then he ran toward their vehicle. Judah took the drivers side. Axel followed after him and hopped in the backseat calling for the others with a playful bark.

[color=yellow]”Too bad, I’ll be disappointing with my shitty power!”[/color] Farce joked as she leapt into the backseat, reaching into her bag to grab her gun and nightstick once again, maybe for the last time, maybe not. She wasn’t sure, but she wasn’t about to let this fight go without her pitching in. Plus, Axel was back here, and that was the best part of this.

They headed [i]toward[/i] Behemoth. Unsure of what they would find when they arrived. But they knew that they were going together.