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[color=lightslategray]"Nala!"[/color]

Director Powers woke with a start, the entire hospital bed ratting dangerously as he came alive, the flimsy metal frame creaking threateningly as he jerked suddenly. [color=lightslategray]"I'm here, I'm right here, I'm-"[/color] the mass of a man said, before his voice trailed off as he looked around to examine his environment. He was in what appeared to be a warehouse of some sort, with a hard stone floor and metal walls surrounding him, dim fluorescent lighting shining down from the ceiling. An IV stood resolutely next to his bed. 

[color=lightslategray]”Where the hell…”[/color]

[color=DimGray]“Are you?”[/color]

Standing by Powers' bedside was a pale young man that seemed to be emaciated in some way- his skin was stark white, his body seemed, while tall, rather thin as well, and he had a bit of a hunch. He had raven-black hair parted carelessly in the center of his hair, and dark blue eyes that looked like the depths of the ocean. He was wearing a dark bodysuit, lightly armored, and had several weapons strapped to his body- an assault rifle over his back, two pistols at his waist, a combat knife on his thigh, and several other gizmos scattered about his body. He stood over Powers like he was some sort of angel of death, or perhaps a grim reaper, looking at the Director quietly like some sort of ghost. Blade. His reputation preceded himself, [color=DimGray]“We managed to move you across the city just in time,”[/color] he said, his voice unemotive and rather plain overall. [color=DimGray]“Set up a mini-ward here in a warehouse. You're welcome.”[/color]

Powers sat up in the bed, wincing as he did so. [color=lightslategray]”What exactly happened?”[/color]

[color=DimGray]“You took a nasty fall. Luckily Christina and I were around to help. We gave you a shot of tetratrylatum ASAP, got your powers online and healing again. It probably saved your life, so be thankful there."[/color]

The director scoffed. [color=lightslategray]”Who would've thought that supernova would save my life, huh,”[/color] he said. Tetratrylatum was a chemical compound, known by the street name "supernova" or "nova," that worked exclusively on superheroes. The drug worked like a steroid for superpowers, bolstering the super-genes significantly and thus allowing for longer, more sustained, and more powerful superpower usage. It also had the side effect of having an extremely euphoric and giddy high. The drug was intended for medical purposes, similar to how it was used to save the Director's life, but it wasn't long before street gangs like the 420s got their hands on large amounts of the drug. The drug was addictive and dangerous if taken more than a prescribed amount, but the upside was obviously high enough for many superpowered individuals to take advantage of the drug's effects on them. Tigher control in the 2010s led to a decline in the drug's prevalence, which had at the turn of the century been like a plague on neighborhoods in Brookside, but it still remains popular as a party drug among some heroes, including the Destiny Knights, who have a whole stash hidden inside the large replica of Noah's Arc in their headquarters. 

Powers looked at Blade with a sense of intrigue and worry. [color=lightslategray]”Fill me in.”[/color] Blade walked around Powers' bed, hands at his belt. [color=DimGray]“Short version- Seraph made his own hero organization called EAGLES with himself in charge, framed Aria from mass murder, with help from ZERO, and also had all her friends listed as wanted. Most of that group is now causing havoc at HERO One, along with some type of protest related to the hero Starbright, and Aria is MIA."[/color]

Powers was still for a moment, before starting to get up from the hospital bed, pain in his face but determination in his eyes. [color=lightslategray]”Take this IV out. I'm going to go and beat Seraph's ass a second time.”[/color]

Blade quickly, but gently, pushed Powers back into his seat. [color=DimGray]”You aren't going anywhere. You need some more time before you're going to be in fighting condition again. Stay put.”[/color] His words seemed to not perturb Powers in the slightest, though, as he continued to struggle to stand, the bed creaking eerily as he did so. [color=lightslategray]”That winged bastard and his cronies are no fucking [i]match[/i] for me and you know it, Tyler! Let me-”[/color]

[color=DimGray]”I told you already, it's not just Seraph. He has company. He's Zero's latest pawn. Having a puppet organization in Castleburg is favorable to his plans. And considering you've made the decision, wise or unwise, to tell your new group of 'students' about Zero, you might as well let them follow through and give them a chance.”[/color]

Powers was silent for a few moments. He then spoke up. [color=lightslategray]”Keep an eye on them, at the very least.”[/color]

[color=DimGray]”My plan from the start,”[/color] Blade said quietly, moving towards the door. [color=DimGray]”You can trust me, Hugo. What I do...”[/color] He reached his metal fingers to his neck, lifting the bandana around his face. [color=DimGray]”...I do best.”[/color]

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Meanwhile, in Kingsdale, Seraph had called a meeting of his remaining confidantes. The turnout was not as good as he wanted. The group consisted of only 6 remaining trusted Wings of Law. Sitting in the common room in six ornate, throne-like chairs were the remaining members of the Wings of Law. Yama, sitting like a content cat, was curled up in one of the chairs. Next to her around the circle was her top lieutenant and loyal Wings member, Mystiko, the psychic, and next to him was Rubber Man, wearing his same armor suit and strange gauntlet. Then next to him was another original Wings of Law member, Angelhead, an old friend of Seraph's and Seraph's agent, in charge of managing all of Seraph's affairs. Angelhead was a middle-aged man with long straw-blonde, Thor-like hair and a gaunt face. His superpowers made his hair a weapon, burning hot to the touch and long like tentacles, which was very useful, but his real power was managing [i]all[/i] of Seraph's affairs and maintaining his reputation as a perfect human being when in reality, he was anything but. Then, there was Priestess, looking as dolled-up as ever and thoroughly bored with this meeting. Lastly, Seraph was sitting in the circle as well, looking awfully displeased. 

[color=FFFF66]"This is a disaster. An absolute disaster,"[/color] Seraph said, his fingertips pressed together. [color=FFFF66]"We lost contact with Brightside, Beard Man, the Admiral, Cosmetica, Perfected Physique, and even Billy...I can only assume that Spacewalker is behind this. I should've known that bastard couldn't be trusted!"[/color] Seraph raved, clenching his armchair tightly.

[color=0047AB]”To~ld you so,”[/color] Yama chirped, but Seraph's glare silenced her.

Seraph took a deep breath before speaking. [color=FFFF66]"Alright. Alright. This is alright. We can make this work. Of course we will, I'm Seraph! I don't have faults!"[/color] He stood, pacing around the room. [color=FFFF66]"We split up. Mystiko and Angelhead, head to Club 27. Clear it out. Re-consolidate it. I'll take any incriminating evidence out of this location and follow-up soon. Yama and Priestess will be heading to HERO One as soon as possible, gathering any resources we can, and taking back the location. We are not going to hold back any longer. Any questions?"[/color]

Rubber Man raised his hand. [color=pink]"Err, yes. I don't think I was included?"[/color]

[color=FFFF66]"Right, right. Well, see, the problem here is that I don't [i]like[/i] you very much. So, I've gotten a replacement! Please welcome our newest EAGLE...Phoenix![/color]

Walking into the room was a figure wearing a set of dark armor, almost like that of a medieval knight, albeit more modernized and sleek platinum black. A black cape descended from his back, and his hair, scarlet red, was spiky and messed up in a way that seemed almost threateningly. It was Blake, but a different Blake. A Blake that looked much more menacing than normal.

[color=CC5500]"Hello,"[/color] Blake said simply, his eyes glowing faintly bright, menacing red, unlike his usual lighter, more jovial-looking optics. He glared at Rubber Man, who looked furious, as Yama swooned. [color=CC5500]"I am prepared for the mission."[/color]

[color=FFFF66]"Yes, yes, excellent. Group, this is Phoenix. Phoenix, this is EAGLES. Why don't you show them what you can do, Blake?"[/color]

[color=CC5500]"With pleasure,"[/color] Blake said grimly, his cape igniting in a burst of flames. He lifted a hand and pointed it at Rubber Man, who cowered away as flames ignited at Blake's fingertips. Seraph laughed. 

[color=FFFF66]"Oh, this is great."[/color]

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