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[color=c0c0c0]“I programmed our communicators to locate one another,”[/color] Iron Knight explained over the intercoms, [color=c0c0c0]“but if you would prefer directions, I’m located 12 blocks west north-west of Lost Haven University. You can’t miss the mass of aliens clogging up the streets.”[/color]

Icon adjusted his trajectory slightly as Iron Knight's words rang in his ear. As he flew, he scanned the city, and for the first time in his life, he wished that he didn't have enhanced eyesight. The charred and burning husks of buildings, bodies strewn throughout the streets...the sheer destruction within the city was utterly devastating. Icon had to fight every instinct to stop what he was doing to search the rubble for survivors, to try to somehow comfort those on the ground. 

But he [i]couldn't.[/i] There simply wasn't time. From the sound of it, the invaders were amassing west-north-west of Lost Haven University, and he was needed there. So he pushed on toward the location that the Iron Knight had indicated was being overrun by invaders. As he approached the area that Iron Knight had indicated, he the scene he saw was dire. Iron Knight and Terra Firma were holding their own against the aliens, but there were just too many of them, and the heroes were in danger of being overrun. 

However, when he saw a group of the attacking aliens break off from the main group and begin advancing toward a group of civilians, several of whom were children, who were trying to get away from the carnage, his blood began to boil.

[b] “I don't think so.” [/b] he said to himself as he again slightly adjusted his course and accelerated toward the aliens.  Icon crashed into the street between the invaders and the civilians, the impacted buckled the concrete and sent a shock wave that sent the aliens flying backwards, leaving them sprawled out on the fractured pavement.

[b] “Go now.” [/b] Icon said to the civilians, pointing north them to the north, which from what he saw was relatively clear of the alien threat. 

“Well, that's one way to make an entrance.” said a familiar voice from behind. 

 “Alexa...” Icon said softly. He had been so focused of fighting of the invading aliens he hadn't had the time to check in on her, or anyone else for that matter.

“You know, this...-” she said, waving her arms at the chaos unfolding around them. “-is not how I thought I'd be spending my wedding day.”

[b] “Tell me about it.”[/b] Icon said as he unleashed an optic blast which struck a larger alien square in the chest, toppling it. 

“I think it's time we joined the rest of the party.” Radiance said with a grin as she nodded toward Iron Knight and Terra Firma, who were still fighting off the invaders near them.

Icon nodded in agreement as the pair began making their way toward their allies, putting down alien attackers as they tried to overpower the duo. Icon  and Radiance pressed toward their friends, beating back the invading horde as they inched closer and closer, until, finally, they joined the other Guardians in the center of the street. 

 [color=c0c0c0]"About time the cavalry arrives. Now let's show these aliens why we call ourselves the [b]Guardians[/b]!"[/color]

“Sorry, we were kind of busy.” Radiance said with a smirk, “But I like your way of thinking. It's time to send these E.T.'s home.”

However, the levity did not last. There was a sudden rumbling which seemed to shake the very ground they stood on.

[b] “That's not good.”[/b] Icon said as the rumbling grew louder. After several moments, they saw the cause of the commotion: A massive armored vehicle which stood about three stories tall, which looked like some sort of futuristic tank with a quartet of turrets which were spaced out across the top of the vehicle. A lone figure stood atop the tank. He was adorned in black and purple body armor, and a half mask hid his face from the neck up to his eyes, his long black hair hung down the front of his face, hiding the rest of his features. The tank itself  was flanked by an entire legion of black clad aliens. 

“Yeah, really not good.” Radiance said as the enemy force advanced on them.