Phoenix Part 5

Even after all these years of arguments, big and small, I guess I honestly did pick up something from Tori. And that was how to put up a believable act. Unlike most dregs in this hellhole, I'm not scared of Omna; I'm afraid for her. No one in this world will ever appreciate her sacrifices, not even herself, which means that it was up to me to show that off.

Because I made a promise a long time ago that I would be the shield that would protect those who can't defend themselves, both heroes and civilians, I thought I could do that from behind a desk, but it seems that was nothing more than wishful thinking.

Across the hologram-lit skyline, I soared along with my cubic platform. And despite this battle very possibly being the last one I'll have, I have to admit that I missed this. I don't know when it all got so hard, but there was a time when this all was fun, the aimless airborne conversations, the hokey but well-meaning messages, the vicious villains that would soon find a better path under our guidance. But that time seems to be more fantasy than reality every single day.

As I was about to enter full-blown nostalgia, though, a sudden gust of chilling early October air hit me like a truck forcing my steady flight into a turbulent one. Once I managed to get back under control, I realized that I couldn't afford any more mistakes like that.

Between the parallel processing of Tori's cage plus my now rusty nature and this fight was going to be tough, going. This means I can't play by Omna's rule book, not with the mayor's daughter on the line. So the first move I make has to be the decisive one.

After half an hour, I managed to get to the site relatively on time. However, once I managed to get a good look at it, whatever sympathy I had for this place effectively drained down. For all of Omna's optimism, even she will tell you that Mayor Blakk's Gigantoplex Galleria was nothing more than a waste of money and tax returns that could get used for the people.

Another in a seemingly endless stream of schemes to fill the pockets of those who populate the upper levels. Which given the psychos M.O., it makes sense. What better way to make the plight of the downtrodden known than by destroying a living symbol of those reveling in silver spoons?

Either way, motive aside, for all intents and purposes, this means at the very least I can keep the fight contained. This mall has more than enough corporate backing to clear any building in the immediate area out while being a big enough stage not to hold back.

Combine that with the nature of the deal, and no one else would even dare to get close. All except me that is. After setting up my "trump card," I walked in with the storm of faraway police and news cameras while trying to take control of the crowd. As a representative, Commissioner Girder was the first to stand up ready and ask the questions that all of Krimo was wondering.

"Not that I'm opposed to you coming out of retirement, but what happened to Omna?"

"She's indisposed at the moment; I'm all you've got right now," I said dryly.

A twinge of worry and doubt crept in his steel-like visage. But that didn't stop Girder from saying precisely what I needed to hear.

"And that'll be enough. Go ahead. I'll try and hold off the media vultures as long as possible," he said reassuringly while grabbing my shoulder.

With that, I had nothing more to do except enter the wolf's den. Upon every step, my body only got tenser as I walked for what seemed like hours. Along the way, I got treated to half-formed support beams while reaped freshly laid plaster and concrete. Intricate designs layered out the impressive futuristic designs that made it look like I was in the middle of a cutting-edge computer.

But the real overwhelming thing was just the mall's sheer size which made me feel like an ant being in the house of a giant. Eventually, along my path, I entered the center of said complex. In there, I saw all 3 of my opponents waiting by a large empty fountain. From there, I could finally get a good look at the people who had the city by its throat.

We had our earlier wolfman on the left with his relatively wiry frame betraying godly strength. On the right, we had someone far different, a blue/white-ish jellyfish-looking hybrid in a black tank top and jeans, with thick membranes tightly wound together to form effective hands and legs. For the most part, his round face was constantly changing like gelatin, with his hair" looking like long braids.

Then there was the ringworm in the middle. Punk didn't even begin to describe her as she wore neon pink hair, a ripped-up biker vest, and wore their infamous symbol on her shirt. Her gaudy outfit continued with the symbol of Anarchy as her literal earrings and a couple of ear piercings.

Despite her human face comparatively, the woman still managed to have her distinct features. Her large black imposing wings stretched over both of her partners, with the slender talon-like arms and legs giving her a much taller look compared to her friends. They all gave off crazed expressions and terrifying auras. I could tell from that alone I had to take even more precautions.

Using sleight of hand, I misdirected their attention while making a series of intricate gestures. From there, it was just a matter of using Omna's ever so potent "talk it out" strategy.

"Damn, I'm straight insulted. I was hoping Omna was at least dumb enough to come here for sloppy seconds. But she somehow still thinks her sidekick was enough to take us," the woman said in a cocky tone.

"Yeah, you lucked out with her because I'm not as forgiving as Omna. So tell me where you put the mayor's daughter, or else I'll-"

"Yeah, yeah, we get the drill, don't get your tights in a wad. We already let that little bitch go a long time ago. We don't want to be the ones who kill Omna with a handicap, not when we have our little ace in the hole," she said while holding an empty vial of Rev. Soon enough, there won't be a man, women, and child alive that doesn't know the name of Lucia, Beowulf, and Sting!"

At that point, I couldn't help but give off an uncontrollable chuckle as I finished my construct. Now all that was left was to get them to take the bait.

"Ah, I see, so you're nothing but needy druggies who didn't get enough attention from daddy. Don't worry, though; I'm more than happy to be the belt you desperately need, " I said firmly as I geared up for the fight ahead.