Split Up

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Ned, Brad, and Mark continued their journey to recruit Claw, the strongest Wild Gang. It had been a day since the train station incident, and the news had spread all over social media. Rumors were flying about the hijacking and the rebellion inside the train—stories that revolved around three mysterious individuals.

As Ned walked alone through the city, wearing a black hoodie to keep a low profile, massive digital screens broadcasted the latest updates.

"We are back on WillTV with breaking news about the recent train hijacking at Willage Underground Station on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. A tragic event unfolded when a group of armed attackers demanded valuables from passengers. At first, all hope seemed lost—until three unknown individuals fought back. Eyewitnesses claim these three displayed superhuman feats, defeating a heavily armed gang. Though no footage has surfaced, countless passengers swear by what they saw."

Ned listened carefully but didn't let it distract him. He hadn't expected this much recognition, but right now, it didn't matter. His task was simple—gather supplies. Dwelling on the news would only slow him down.

He kept walking until he unexpectedly bumped into someone.

Startled, Ned quickly apologized, but as he looked up at the person, his eyes widened in shock.

The man was massive—taller than Jason, with a muscular build, wearing a black and white striped tracksuit. His head was buzz-cut short, and his presence alone was intimidating.

Ned swallowed hard but brushed it off, apologizing again.

The man simply nodded and walked away without a word.

Still shaken, Ned gulped and continued toward the store.

Meanwhile…

Brad and Mark had split up to gather information on Claw's whereabouts.

Brad had ventured into the most dangerous alleyways of Willage City—areas notorious for gang activity. Mark, on the other hand, used his connections, speaking to various gangs and informants in hopes of tracking Claw down.

Back to Ned…

After finishing his shopping, Ned began heading back to their temporary base—an abandoned building they had claimed as their hideout. It wasn't much, but for now, it worked.

As he walked through an empty alleyway, his mind drifted, thinking about what to do once he got back.

Then, something moved.

Out of the corner of his eye—a blur of greenish-gray hair.

Before Ned could react, someone lunged at him with a bandage-wrapped weapon. The attack came fast—too fast.

SMASH!

Ned instinctively blocked with his arm, but the impact sent him flying into a concrete wall, cracking it on impact.

Pain exploded through his body.

His left arm was broken. He could feel the bone crack. The shock made him vomit, but he had no time to recover.

A massive dumpster came hurtling toward him.

Gritting his teeth, Ned barely rolled out of the way. The dumpster slammed into the wall, leaving deep cracks in the concrete.

Holding his broken arm tightly, Ned barely had time to think before the attacker teleported in front of him—his weapon aimed directly at Ned's head, Hurtling toward him.

Time slowed.

Ned's fight-or-flight instincts kicked in.

In that split second, he remembered Mark's fighting style—the move he had used against the spear-wielding opponent back at the warehouse.

Reacting instantly, Ned dropped his right hand to the ground, flipping into a handstand.

The weapon missed—barely.

Then, using his momentum, Ned swung his leg, delivering a kick to the attacker's face.

The strike connected.

Blood sprayed from the attacker's nose as he staggered backward, clearly not expecting that counter.

The attacker gritted his teeth, wiped the blood from his face, and put his weapon away.

"Don't think this is over," he muttered before throwing a smoke bomb.

POOF.

He vanished.

Ned panted heavily, his arm burning with pain. He growled in frustration, but before he could even sit down—

A trash can flew at him.

WHAM!

The impact slammed him against the wall.

His vision blurred. His body refused to move.

Then—darkness.

Ned lost consciousness

From a distance, an elderly woman had been watching everything unfold.

Without hesitation, she rushed toward Ned's unconscious body.

Despite her age, she lifted him onto her back with surprising strength and carried him out of the alley—leaving his supplies behind.

Meanwhile Mark

Mark had found nothing. No matter where he asked, no one seemed to know Claw's whereabouts.

Frustrated, he sat at a park bench, rubbing his temples.

He was about to give up and head back to base when suddenly—

His phone rang.

He almost ignored it, exhausted, but answered anyway.

The voice on the other end spoke four words that changed everything.

"I found him. Come quick."

Mark's eyes widened.

A smile crept onto his face.

Without hesitation, he ran as fast as he could toward the caller's location.

Meanwhile… Brad Was… Being Brad.

Instead of gathering information, Brad had somehow managed to start a fight with an entire group of people.

Now, bodies were sprawled across the alley floor, while angry gang members surrounded him.

Brad stood in the center, gripping his metal bat, grinning.

One furious guy yelled, "WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!"

Brad shrugged. "I was asking about Claw! And you dumbasses decided to shit-talk me!"

The guy clenched his fists. "We DIDN'T shit-talk you, idiot! You asked when we last saw him—I said Banana Street!"

Brad's face twisted in disbelief.

"There's no way in hell a place is named Banana Street! You're messing with me!"

The guy groaned. "IT'S LITERALLY THE STREET NAME! LOOK IT UP!"

Brad hesitated, then pulled out his phone.

Sure enough—Banana Street.

"…Oh, shit. You're right."

He chuckled.

"My bad, fellas."

The gang leader's vein popped. "MY BAD?! YOU KNOCKED OUT HALF MY CREW!"

"Eh, to be fair," Brad grinned, "y'all were kinda in my way."

"THAT'S IT! EVERYONE, KILL HIM!"

Brad laughed, threw a smoke bomb, and vanished into the chaos.

As he sprinted out of the alley, his phone rang.

It was Mark.

"Brad, get to my location now. I found him! Ned's not answering his phone, but we don't have time to wait. I'm sending you the coordinates!"

Brad glanced at his screen as his GPS updated.

"On my way."

With a smirk, he changed course and sprinted toward the meeting point.