****
"By the Gods, I heard you were dead!"
"Well, evidently, I'm not".
"When people realise the stunt you've pulled, you may end up dead as far as they're concerned.
Erin Coleman was a young woman with an extraordinary gift. She was the illegitimate daughter of Greek Gods Poseidon and Athena. Although she was born out of wedlock, Poseidon made a deal with Zeus that, should the time come, Erin would take control of Earth's waters and everything within it. Living in an underwater city called 'the Dominion', Born with Poseidon's fierce temperament and Athena's beauty, Erin Coleman is the Queen of the Ocean. An old friend of Jody's, and a friend far enough removed from the situation to confide in.
Erin allowed Jody into her throne room in the Dominion.
"It's not often the friends on the surface come and say hi now. Social calls are something from the past, it seems".
"I need someone to confide in, Erin..."
"That's all you ever wanted, Jody Kent. But, as usual, I shall lend a sympathetic ear".
Erin sat upon her throne. Jody stood facing her in the middle of the room. Jody sighed.
"I've...been away".
"I'll say. 4 years is a long time to be 'away'. I trust you had a reason?"
"Of course I had a reason. I don't just run out of my friends when the..."
He couldn't finish that sentence as he knew it was a lie. Erin raised her eyebrow.
"I've known you since we were children, Jody, you always ran when you could. Even before you discovered how fast you could run!"
Jody wondered around the room.
"I've been chasing Tamarind..."
"The Speed-Demon. Yes. Any success?"
"What do you think? He's always one step ahead of me. He always has been! Ever since we met he's been able to get one up on me and I can't seem to outrun him".
"That is the nature of the beast, Jody. You can't catch all of them. Sometimes, there are things that even YOU cannot outrun".
"Tell me, Erin, has anyone told you that you're starting to sound like your mother?"
"Tell me what happened, Jody. You've been gone for 4 years yet you're somewhat different. More bitter, you could say..."
Jody sighs again.
"I found a group of them. There's a group of people we've fought. The Freaks. We've all fought them and they're planning something together".
"Which ones?"
"Speed-Demon, BodyBuilder. Timeman, Energie, Fairie, Slipshod and Fool's Gold".
"Tragedy?"
"Nope".
"Necron?"
"No".
Erin looks nervous.
"What about Phaze?"
"She wasn't there, Erin, I promise".
She sits back in her chair in relief.
"What are their intentions?"
"I'm not sure. I couldn't hear most of their meetings. I bugged one and they talked about someone called 'Polaris'. Do you or your friends over Olympus happen to know anything about him?"
Erin thinks.
"I haven't heard anyone by that name. That doesn't mean he's not known though. I will ask my grandfather when I next see him".
Jody chuckles.
"Sorry. It's always weird when you refer to him as your 'grandfather'".
"He's still not keen on you by the way. He thinks that when we see each other, I keep bad company",
"Yeah, well, he shouldn't have tried to retake the Earth and make me kick his arse then, should he".
"He doesn't like the fact you're Edenic".
"I don't care what he thinks. I care what YOU think. Do you dislike the fact I'm Edenic?"
Erin sighs.
"My tradition dictates that I do. Given the history between our two people. However, you and I are friends. Therefore I cannot. I love you for who you are, just as I hope you love me for who I am".
"Of course I do".
"Then, as always, I will help in any way I can should you require it".
"Thanks, Erin".
Jody ran back to Trillingham, changed out of his suit and walked into the police station. His sister, Laura, looks up from the main desk and gives him an evil look. Despite this, they go into a secure interview room.
"I thought I made myself pretty clear the other day, Jody..."
"I know you did but...things have changed".
"I doubt this somewhat".
"I need you. I need Ghost!"
Laura angrily whispers.
"Will you KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN?"
"I need you, sis..."
"You've never NEEDED me. You've only wanted me when you're out of your depth".
"This time it's different. I promise!"
"I don't want to hear it, Jody..."
Exasperated, Laura walks to the door. She opens the door slightly.
"Energie isn't dead..."
Laura freezes for a moment. After a short time, she closes the door, pushes Jody against the wall.
"What did you just say!?"
"You heard me..."
"HOW is she not dead? I killed her myself!"
"Well she's not dead..."
Laura stares at Jody for a moment.
"How do you know?"
"If you let me go, I'll tell you what I've been doing for the past four years...and why I need your help. I need the Freaks' help!"
Laura lets him go.
"Start talking..."
Jody takes a seat.
"After the Long and Winding Road and...Alicia's...I tracked Speed-Demon down. I tracked him down to a village in Yorkshire. I bode my time until I was ready to strike and then, just as I was about to, a load of other bad guys turned up. Energie being one of them. I don't know how she survived either but she did. A load of others turned up too and that's when I realised. They're planning something! I'm not overly certain what but I've been tracking all of their movements these 4 years. It's the only way I could do it. Complete secrecy and acting at the highest discretion. Eventually, I noticed an increased activity back here in Trillingham. So I came back. I thought it'd started but it hasn't. Not yet anyway..."
"Why would they come here?"
"It's where the Split is. Why wouldn't they come here? Control the Split, you control the world!"
Laura looks into the mirror and stares at herself.
"How fucked are we?"
"That depends if you're willing to help".
"I can't. I'd rather be on the civilian defence than on the front line!"
"We NEED you, Laura!"
"Have you spoken to Sarah yet?"
"No...why?"
"She was devastated when you left. I constantly hear she's been arrested for one thing or another. Anymore and she'll end up in Juvenile detention!"
"I raised her better than that..."
"YOU LEFT! YOU LEFT ALL OF US! YOU RAN AWAY AND NOW YOU EXPECT US ALL TO HELP YOU NOW THAT YOU'RE BACK!? THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS, JODY! YOU CAN'T EXPECT THAT OF US! AND NOW MORE WEIRD SHIT'S HAPPENING! ERIN'S QUEEN OF THE SEA, A HUMANOID FIGURE'S JUST FALLEN SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHAMPTON AND THE RUSSIANS IN LONDON ARE STARTING TO ACQUIRE AUGS IN ORDER TO ROUGH PEOPLE UP! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CARETAKER VANISHES!"
As she finishes this, she hears a bang coming from somewhere in the station.
"Laura...what as that!?"
"I don't know..."
They both run out of the room and into the reception of the police station. As they arrive, a large piece of debris flies towards them. As it nears, Jody runs out of the way and Laura phases out of existence. The debris goes through where they were and ends up flying through the wall. Laura quickly phases back into existence and Jody rejoins her.
"Thanks for speeding me away, bro..."
"You had it covered..."
They look over in horror as the culprit walks into the wreckage of the station. She stands there proudly in the rubble. Wearing nothing but leather, long flowing black hair and a resting bitch face to win them all. She looks around and smiles evilly.
"Hello, everyone. Don't mind me. I'm just looking for an old friend. I hear Speedfreak's back in town..."
Jody and Laura look at each other worriedly.
"He'd better be here. I've been tracking him for a few days now...and I think it's only fair he gives me that famous welcome, no? Anyone know where he is?"
Jody whispers.
"Are you going to arrest me if I quietly slip away and take her on?"
"No...but don't expect me to get involved..."
"Ok".
"Just get her away from here. We don't want her going nuclear..."
"Got it"
Jody quietly slips out of the room and quickly changes into his suit.
The young woman walks down from her perch and walks around triumphantly.
"No-one knows? Well, I'm very unimpressed. I genuinely thought you guys kept tabs on Naturals and Augs! Do I need to get...hot...headed?"
As she finishes that statement, she opens her hands and reveals two fireballs. They lay in her hands like she has complete control of them.
"You guys remember what I'm capable of, right? So it's in your best interests to answer me...where...is...Speedfreak!?"
Her hair then turns to fire. The remaining officers try to get back in fear but there's no-where to run. Laura looks increasingly worried that she may have to use her powers to intervene. But, her worries are soon allayed...
"OI, HOTHEAD!"
The young lady turns around to find Speedfreak in the opening of the debris. She smiles evilly again, while trying to look flirty.
"There you are, my dear..."
"Heard you were looking for me, Flame?"
"You're damn right I'm looking for you...I fancy a bit of...fun".
"Why not bother someone else? I know a guy in London who's always up for a bit of fun...you'll have to excuse his manners though..."
"Why would I want Leviathan? I'm...hot...for you..."
Speedfreak smiles.
"Come and prove it, then. As Agatha Christie said on Doctor Who... 'the thrill is in the chase, never in the capture..."
He speeds away. Flame smiles and looks around.
"Looks like I've got my man. I'll be back later when I burn the bastard alive..."
She runs out of the building and pursues Speedfreak. Laura looks at everyone and then at the opening, worried about her brother.
Flame runs through the streets of Trillingham trying to find her prey. Every so often, he'd appear as a blur near her but then he'd elude her once more. Before settling at a crossroads, she looks around, he's nowhere to be found.
"I'M NOT ENJOYING THIS GAME, SPEEDFREAK. HOW ABOUT I HEAT THINGS UP A BIT?"
She throws a fireball into a nearby shop which causes an explosion. People duck for cover as the fireball flies in. They start screaming as Flame throws a couple more into various establishments.
"I CAN DO THIS ALL DAY, MY LOVE..."
Speedfreak runs speeds in front of her and stops, grabbing her hand.
"ENOUGH!"
"There you are! I was starting to think that you'd forgotten about me..."
"What do you want, Flame?"
"What I've always wanted...you..."
"Why? So you can try breaking my heart again? You caused enough trouble last time..."
"You call it trouble. I call it 'drama'!"
"Either way, you can't have me..."
"I could so have you if I wanted to...unfortunately...I wouldn't be able to keep you all to myself..."
Speedfreak looks confused.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means there's another interested party...you interested?"
"Who is it?"
"Come with me and find out. Or I could roast this entire town centre to a crisp!"
"Tell me and then I'll consider coming..."
"NO. IT'S MY WAY OR BOOM"
"You know I can stop you so why even try!"
"BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU CAN SAVE AT ONCE..."
She closes her eye and starts to burn brighter. Speedfreak steps back as she does. The energy and fire within her starts to become more pressurised. He knows what's about to happen.
"Oh...shit..."
She keeps on building up energy ready to fire. As she does so, Speedfreak himself closes his eyes and coils up like a tightly coiled spring. After about 10 seconds, he lets go and everything appears to stop. But it hasn't stopped. Everything's just become SUPER slow. In real terms, Speedfreak just outran time itself. Having utilized this ability, he grabs Flame and runs through Trillingham with her until they're clear of the town. He pushes her away as she lets the energy go. The fireball is significant but, as they're alone in a large field, no one else gets hurt. Speedfreak gets flung some way away from the blast.
Flame looks around and looks upset.
"YOU QUANTUM JUMPED! THAT'S NOT FAIR!"
With his suit half damaged, he gets up to face her. Half his mask remains. He's pretty distinctive to her without it but she already knows his real identity.
"That's the face I wanted to see..."
Jody walks closer but stops 11 feet away.
"Yeah, well, you got your wish. Now leave this town. And tell the fucker who employed you that I'm coming for them..."
"Oh, Jody, you think you're going to get to them first..."
As she finishes this, something zooms in and punches Jody in the face. He goes flying and lands on the grass. He looks up and notices someone next to Flame.
"You've done well, my dear, your idea worked!"
"Of course it worked. If there's anyone who I know well enough to trick, it's Jody Kent. Josh Peterson, no. Alison Pally, no. Hell, even Sarah Jones is a bit tricky to trick. But Jody Kent, sucker".
The other man walks over to Jody and looks over him with utter contempt.
"Tamarind...how nice to see you again..."
"The pleasure's all mine, Jody..."
Tamarind picks him up and throws him into a nearby tree. He then grabs Jody by the throat.
"You really think I wasn't aware of you being there in Yorkshire? You really think you could be THAT FAR AHEAD OF ME THAT I WOULDN'T KNOW?"
Tamarind sonic punches Jody. Jody slumps to the ground.
"I KNEW YOU WERE THERE AND YOU HAD THE AUDACITY TO TREAT ME LIKE AN IDIOT?"
Tamarind kicked him in the gut.
"YOU THINK YOU WERE BEING SO CLEVER IN SPYING ON ME. BUT I WASTED FOUR YEARS OF YOUR LIFE, ALIENATED YOU FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND JUST GENERALLY HANDED YOUR ARSE TO YOU! HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, SPEEDFREAK!?"
Jody spits blood out as he tries to stand up. However, he can't.
"You...and the...others...what is...Polaris?"
Tamarind smiles.
"Oh...so you heard that? Well...with any luck...he'll kill you once he gets here...you and your pesky friends..."
Jody tries once more to stand up but slumps again. Tamarind laughs.
"Come, Flame...it's time we left the impostor alone..."
He turns around to see a young woman in a pink costume holding Flame by the throat. Flame can't speak but the young lady smiles.
"Oh, sorry, was I interrupting? Please, do continue..."
"Miss Invincible. Aren't we lucky! How's my favourite Daddy's girl today?"
"Here's the deal, Tamarind, leave Speedfreak alone and I'll give you your monkey back. Hurt him once more and you may find your cyber unit ripped from your body. I don't know if that'll hurt but I'm more than prepared to find out!"
Tamarind laughs.
"Oh, I'm done with Speedfreak. Just remember though, Invincible, that we're not done here. There much more Speedfreak and I need to discuss soon".
He turns around to Jody once more.
"Remember I knew you were there. So don't believe everything you hear...and only half of what you read..."
He speeds in and takes Flame from Miss Invincible and disappears. She goes over to Jody who's in the process of healing.
"You've been out of this too long..."
"Good to see you, Elsie..."
"You too, Jody. Now, what was all that about?"
"You wouldn't believe the half of it".
"I'll bet I would".
They chuckle as Speedfreak's phone rings. He looks at it.
"It's Sarah..."
He answers it and listens. He gets up, winks at Elsie and speeds away. Elsie stands in the field and watches as the purple streak vanishes over the hills. She sighs to herself.
"Yeah, I'm fine thanks, Elsie. How have you been these past 4 years?"
She flies into the air and heads in the direction of where Jody went.
At the police station, Sarah turns around and he's there. Speedfreak. They both hang up.
"Hello, Sarah..."
Sarah looks at him expressionless.
"So...Doctor Eureka, huh?"
Miss Invincible lands next to him.
"Did I hear Doctor Eureka?"
Sarah is still shocked.
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