[center][img]https://imgur.com/ti71KeK.jpg[/img][/center]


[color=0072bc]“Oooh man, that looks like it hurt.”[/color]

The sound of crinkling glass slightly drowned out the still active pop music droning over the convenience store’s sound system, followed by the slow groan of the robber that was just put through the glass doors of the milk section, the white cartons dropping from their rails and crashing into the floor around the figure slumped against the tile.

[color=0072bc]“Sometimes I forget I have to be careful with guys with no powers.”[/color]  Trent continued, lowering the hand that had slammed into the ringleader’s chest and launched him across the store. [color=0072bc]“Brittle bones, delicate skin, it's really boring fighting people who don't stand a chance, you don't get a chance to really cut loose.  I kind of enjoy these things more if there’s some actual threat, y’know?”[/color]

His expression changed to a cruel sneer, letting his kinetic aura flare up around him as he began the advance on the remaining two criminals. [color=0072bc]"Still...there's a certain satisfaction in smackin' around a couple of morons who've clearly made terrible life choices."[/color]
 
One of the burglars shrieked in a panic, leveling his pistol at the meta and unleashing a full barrage of bullets, emptying the entire clip at the unemployed mercenary.  Again, the bullets all clearly found their mark as they sliced through Trent’s clothing like butter, but all that remained was the flattened bullets dropping to the floor, completely halted against the skin of the energy wielder.

[color=0072bc]“Oh right, because the shotgun was so effective you figured your pea-shooter would do better?” [/color] Trent quipped, causing the assailant to gasp and recoil in utter fear, dropping his firearm.  With one step the merc dropped low, gracefully coiling his body as he stepped into the robber’s personal space with a practiced ease.  Before the man even had a chance to react, War-Pulse’s body uncoiled in a swift uppercut, the horrendous crack of his kinetically-charged fist connecting with the man’s jaw echoing through the building before launching him straight into the ceiling.  The body shuddered as it collided with the ceiling tiles before limply crashing onto one of the isles below him and tumbling to the floor, spilling countless bag and chips of candy across the floor.

[color=0072bc]“Uh oh, clean up on isle two!” [/color] Trent taunted, pointing at the defeated foe and motioning to the bewildered janitor, frozen in place as soon as the action started. “[color=0072bc]I mean, that’s isle two, right?  You only got three isles in this place and I don’t know if you’re--”[/color]

But Trent was babbling on, the third crook was making a break for it, attempting to run by the meta and flee out the automatic doors.  While making eye contact with the janitor, Trent's hand snapped out in a flash, locking around the collar of the fleeing crook and lifting him off his feet with the same ease of lifting a bag of potato chips.

[color=0072bc]“Hey, hey, what’s the rush?” [/color] War-Pulse said, slowly turning his attention to the writhing crook helplessly struggling to free himself from his vice-like grip. “[color=0072bc]You guys interrupted my snack-time, the least you could do is entertain me for a few minutes.”[/color]

The whimpering degenerate responded with the butt of his shotgun, slamming it hard into the merc’s face.  To his horror, Trent didn’t even acknowledge that he had been hit, his efforts amounting to nothing more than a slight tickle against the kinetic sheath and genetically enhanced skin of the mercenary.

[color=0072bc]“Not bad, 'A' for effort.” [/color] Trent quipped, seeing the wide-eyed terror of his temporary captive through the mask. [color=0072bc]“For that, your prize is a trip to the great outdoors!”[/color]

And with that, Trent’s body twisted on his heel, gaining momentum as he spun a complete circle, dragging the poor burglar with him. With a flick of the arm, the robber was sent spinning through the air like a football, smashing through the aluminum and glass of the automatic doors as he tumbled end over end across the pavement outside before coming to a stop.

[color=0072bc]“I think may have overdid it.” [/color] Trent said, mockingly placing his hand over his eyes like a visor to survey the man outside from his vantage point. [color=0072bc]“...Buuuuut I’m pretty sure he’s still breathing though, so I think we can safely say that this attempted robbery has been...”[/color]  He pointed at the knocked out thug in the milk section, a grin plastered from ear to ear. [color=0072bc]"MILKED for all it's worth!"[/color]

His quip was only met with silence as both the shocked and slightly horrified janitor and cashier gawked at their trashed store with slack jaws, occasionally exchanging glances between each other and the meta.

[color=0072bc]“Jeez, tough crowd.  I'm saving your skins here, the least you could do is give me a chuckle.” [/color] Trent said, waltzing out of what remained of the shattered automatic door. [color=0072bc]“Still...sorry about the mess, I’m sure your store cams will show that it isn’t your fault, at least.”[/color]

Yet Pulse’s causal demeanor immediately dropped once he stepped outside and caught sight of the two police cruisers flashing their lights on the scene.  He looked back to peer at the cashier, putting the pieces together than she most likely tripped a silent alarm as soon as the chaos started.  Turning his attention back to the cars, he could see that the police were already behind their open car doors and utilizing them as cover.

“Stay where you are!”  The police started, their voice ringing out in earnest as Trent could see the glint of their firearms already drawn. “Put your hands where I can see them!”

Trent let out a sigh, complying slowly with a shake of his head. [color=0072bc]“Hey, spare me the ‘thank you’s for doing your job!  If I weren’t here they’d be long gone, already”[/color]

There was silence at first, clearly Trent’s calm response was unnerving to the cops, especially in such a hectic place as Lost Haven. 

“Are...are you a meta?” One of the cops asked, his voice wavering slightly as he spoke.

[color=0072bc]“No, I just beat three armed criminals with good luck and charm--OF COURSE I’M A META.”[/color]

More silence, the cops sharing a quick glance of discomfort at the relaxed shoulders and casual smile of the man before them. “Identify yourself, metahuman!”

[color=0072bc]“Really?  Y’all never heard of ‘War-Pulse’ before?”[/color]

“War-Pulse…” The cop piped up again, “Y...yeah, I actually remember that name, you were part of D-Day a few months ago, right?”

[color=0072bc]“Yes!  Now you got it!” [/color] 

“Don’t you wear one of those fancy super outfits?”

[color=0072bc]“Yeah, I don’t wear that full time.”[/color]

“Didn’t the Hounds of Humanity kill you?”

[color=0072bc]“Jesus, do I look dead to you?”[/color]

Again, silence permeated the air as the policeman scratched his head, apologetically shrugging as he lowered his weapon.  “Be that as it may, Mr. War-Pulse, sir.  We need to take a statement.  Could you come with us to the station?”

[color=0072bc]“Honestly, I’d rather not.”[/color]  The mercenary responded. [color=0072bc]“My snack was ruined and I’ve got other places I want to be rather than the polic--”[/color]

“Hey, wait a minute!”  The other policeman, who had been quietly checking his dash computer, perked up with a scowl on his face. “This ‘War-Pulse’ guy may have helped in D-Day, but he’s also got a rap sheet!  Assault, property damage...he took out a piece of Lost Haven’s Harbor!  I think he’s got an international record , too!”

[color=004b80]“Uh, look, I can explain--”[/color]

“Turn around and get on the ground!”

Trent gave a disparaged sigh, lowering his hands as the police continued to shout orders at him from the flimsy protection of their cars.  

[color=0072bc]“Yeah, I don’t have time for you guys today.”[/color]  He droned, his body slowly levitating off the ground surrounded by a humming blue aura, a consistent stream of kinetic energy lifting him into the air. [color=0072bc]“Y’all have fun with the guys I took out for you, and hey, feel free to call this in and spread that I'm not dead.  Any publicity is good publicity, right?”[/color]

And before the police had a chance to respond, they were interrupted by an eruption of energy smashing into the pavement, launching the mercenary straight up in the blink of an eye.

[color=0072bc]“Well Trent-y, if you wanted attention, you sure as hell got it…” [/color] Pulse murmured to himself, propelling himself along the skyline. [color=0072bc]“Only a matter of time before someone picks up on that.  Hopefully it’ll be a job offer and not a request to leave the city...”[/color]

An energy blast from his hand snapped him in a ninety degree turn, towards the outskirts. [color=0072bc]“Maybe I should lay low for a while, try and avoid unwanted attention.”[/color]

Of course, the hints of a smile crossing his face knew that was an impossibility, someone in this town would notice meta activity, but who?  He could only imagine.