Wheels peeling down the interstate, the two masked men closed in on the skeletal behomoth. Red and blue lights flashed in the distance while cars moved out of the way, horns blaring. Chad tapped his hand on Wildcat’s shoulder. [color=ac3755]“Stop fast!”[/color]

[color=4d82a9]“What?”[/color]

[color=ac3755]“Throw me!”[/color] Wildcat processed before catching his intent. Gripping hard, he stopped, the motorcycle shifting to its front wheel with a grinding screech. The back vaulted up and Chad kicked off, hurtling through the air. Landing on his shoulder in front of the ruined manticore, Chad bounded to his feet, his white and magenta left fist cracking out like a thunderclap. [color=ac3755]“[i]Brazo Izquierdo del Diablo.[/i]”[/color] Striking a grazing blow against the manticore’s skull, a chunk was gouged out, the air reverberating with the force of the blow. A nearby car shifted from the pressure. The manticore stopped, cowed. Its tail was curled on the ground, paws straight, head reared back. A few moments later, the motorcycle arrived, Wildcat looking on. Chad stepped forward to the terrified creature.

He raised his hand, and to his vision and his alone a number of white ribbons unfurled in the air. It was a technique he’d learned from his friend Uryu but never had the opportunity to utilize: the ability to sense the spiritual energy of others in the form of these ribbons. One drew a path over to Ted, and anther to the manticore. He had to confirm it. The representative colors of the reiraku spirit ribbons would change based on the type of spirit. Soul Reapers were red, Hollows and Arrancar black, and spirits a light blue.

The ribbon leading to the manticore was white. It lacked most of its flesh and organs, and yet it moved and acted as though alive. It [i]was[/i] alive. It was as much an animal as the stray cat that nuzzled against him this morning. He had not registered enough myth to recognize its prior form, but he wondered what strength and majesty had been there before. It whined, its growl low. Chad could not tell what forces were keeping it active, but the terrified creature had relented to its fate. It opened its skeletal mouth. “K-kill me.”

Chad looked to Wildcat. [color=4d82a9]“Did you hear that?”[/color]

Chad clenched his fist. The beast, slowing down, had made its choice. Chad wracked his brains but no better ideas came to mind. [color=ac3755]“Who...did this?”[/color]

The manticore let out a low whine. “Man. Diablo.” Wildcat echoed his words, but the manticore had no elaboration. It lowered its head, begging. Chad looked around to see many eyes on him. Confusion. Anger. Fear. They reminded him what he was there for. His fist had never taken a life before, yet to hesitate would only lead to more suffering. The sirens of police cars were continuing to encroach, and even in what limited body language he could read Chad could tell the manticore was only holding itself back for fear of him. Chad approached, raising his left fist. [color=ac3755]“[i]La Muerte.[/i]”[/color][hr][color=4d82a9]“What next? Going back home?”[/color] Wildcast asked over the hum of the motorcycle.

[color=ac3755]“Arrepentimiento. Tsugunai... Find him. The Devil.”[/color]

[color=4d82a9]“You know where to look?”[/color]

[color=ac3755]“No.”[/color]

[color=4d82a9]“Well, that won’t be easier then. Tell you what, keep in touch. You’re new to the superhero thing, but I have a feeling you’ll work it out, with a little help of course.”[/color]

[color=ac3755]“Superhero?”[/color]

[color=ac3755]“…”[/color]

Chad rolled the fingers of his left fist. [color=ac3755]“I am not a hero.”[/color]