Planetfurry BBS

[GriffinX]

OK guys believe it or not you will be the first to read this so guess what you are my proofers tell me what you think, then after i fix what ever you guy's think 'may' be wrong with it I'll post it on my site.



Chapter 2

Returning: Departing?


Next morning: “you’re kidding, he was spotted where? Damn, I never thought he’d go back there! You’re sure?” Simon said in to the receiver of his burrow cell phone, after a small pause he nodded his head “and this clerk has the tapes to prove it?” another small pause “OK, wow, Thanks for the tip private.” he hung up by closing the phone and thought <wow back to where it all began>
Just then a pain (thought all in his mind) pulled his attention away from his paperwork, to his ear. He reached up in a reflex action and began to message his left ear. <This is the last time Chris, this is the last time>

He walked down the hall from his cubicle and down two flights of stairs then rounded a corner on his left and was smack dab in front of the R&D main labs. As he looked through the small glass window to make sure no one was watching he snuck in and sauntered up to a swine in a standard white lab coat and glanced over the swine’s shoulder. Then when he was mere inches away from the swine’s ear he spoke in a normal voice “OK Doc, did you find any thing that could help me with my target?”

The ’Doc’ jumped from the start sometimes he would get so into his work that he would completely lose track of the comings and goings in the lab “Damn it Simon don’t do that.”

With a shrug of his shoulders. “Why not? It’s just about all the fun I get any more.” was Simon’s reply

The ‘Doc gave him a small grin “well then I guess it’s time I give you some other fun. After seeing the tape you supplied, I’m guessing he has some sort of time ability now whether its just slowing it down, stopping it all together, or him controlling his molecules to the point where he literally speed up beyond what we can perceive, I don’t know, I do know it not a teleporting ability like first suggested. To that extent I have developed this.” the ‘Doc’ held up tube of dark royal purple liquid “this has three functions first it will draw upon his nerve system just in case it is one of the a-for mentioned cause’s second it will increase his blood presser rise through the roof and third it will give him a clear mind.”

“A clear mind?” asked Simon

“The last two are actually side affects of the first when messing with the nerves system it’s hard to predict how things will work out.”

“You mean he’ll be able to think clearer? Isn’t that counterproductive?”

“You’d think so but no, in this case with elevated heart rate that comes with the blood presser the body is sending mixed signals to the brain and with the brain being clearer it doesn’t understand why the body’s acting the way it is. As I understand the explanation from the test subject it was quite confusing. Now I warn you this may stop him, it may just slow him down, hell it may not even work, just remember we haven’t found anything that stops the capabilities of any pyro this will not stop or slow that ability down and if he’s of the level you think he is he will have more than one, just forewarning. So think you can have your fun with this?”
As he slipped the liquid to Simon.

“You know what I think I can, thanks ‘Q’.”

“Why do you insist on calling me that? You know I hate that.”

“Movie nostalgia. I mean, I am the closest thing to a spy double 00 agent the U.S. has and you’re the closest thing to ‘Q’ that I have so you make the connection.”

“I don’t know why but I didn’t like the newest guy they got to play the last one.”

“Oh come on Doc he was good, plus I loved who they got to play ‘M’.”

Realizing this could go on for a long time ’Doc’ decided to end it “ok, go on Simon; get out, off with ya. We could go on and on about this all day if I let it but I have work to get to, now scat!”

With a slightly dejected turn Simon walked out, Simon would talk to anyone who would listen. About any of the James bond films from the old ones with the original ‘James’ Sean Connery, to the ones with the skunk Roger More, even the newest one. But ‘Doc’ was right, there was work to be done and it was going to be fun. A smile broke Simon’s mock frown. <This just might be too much fun.> he was already forming a plan to see the end of Chris whether he came quietly or went out with a ‘bang’. <Naa> shaking his head, he walked off to report to his team were they where headed to next, to relay the tip as to why they where headed back to Salt Lake City.

____________________________________________________

“God damn, hunk of junk, p.o.s. car.” the battery is dead <oh I got a piece of shit car> Chris thought while humming the tune. Ok it is the beginning of December and no snow yet but still “colder than a witch’s tit.” as his dad would say.
The cold having drained the overworked car battery “oh well, I guess it’s time for a jump.” as he checked to make sure no one was watching. He reached in under the hood of his car and popped the latch then after propping it up he reached for the battery’s positive terminal with his right hand and the frame for his car with his left, now for any other person except for an electro elemental this would be the stupidest this thing to do even if it was dead, it could still have enough charge to hurt someone, but to Chris this was quite normal. He concentrated on the feeling of white power in himself and let it build (he had wondered many a time if this is how all the other elementals controlled their powers.) he gave the battery a small jolt being sure not to overload it (you only want to do that once) he hurried around and jumped in to the drivers seat and turned the key his fingers crossed, this time the engine turned right over, first try. “Damn being a high level elemental has its advantages.”
His secondary ability of electricity had come in handy a lot more than once.

Now to any of the other elementals there are three classes of which you could be, the low’s, as in levels 1-3 these usually have only their element, the mid-range 4-6 these usually have their element and a little something like maybe a teleportation or something not pertain to an element but sometime it can be another element, and the high’s 7-10 these usually have two elemental powers and a side power, for example Chris has fire, electricity and time. If the pyro’s weren’t hunted like they are he would most likely be on the council of elements once he was properly tested. Chris had never been tested for his powers for in truth he never wanted to be found out. So he had no idea what his real level is but he could guess as to how high.

He shut the hood of his car and now that it was running he was off <over the river, ok canal, and through the wood’s, ok apartments but there’s an orchard near by so I guess that counts.>
He pulled up to a fairly nice tri level house, blue siding with red brick on the face, getting out of his car he drinks up the front yard scene the two pine trees that marked the boundary lines with the snow ball bush’s, now bare, that made a fence on one side and the cement basket ball court that he use to play on when younger on the other side of the house. <It has been to long.>
He sighed taking in all the memories that came flooding back at that moment, John the neighbors kid that like to play football on the front yard, Alex the kid panther that could hit a baseball across all three front yards and between both his house and the pine trees < I think he’s the pitcher on his college team this year.> he could see them all running in an old game of tag that never seemed to end. All good memories.
He walked up the four cement steps to the porch opened the glass storm door and rang the door bell, then quickly turned around and hid any distinguishable fetchers from view and lowered his head, he herd foot steps form inside come up to the door he heard the bolt detach from the socket and a slight moan from the door as it was slowly opened.

“Hello, can I help you?” came a mid range feminine voice the sound of slight curiosity and concern in it.

“I regret to in form you ma’am that your lowly, degenerate, wayward son has…” he turned quickly with arm’s wide spread “…returned” that’s when Chris for the first time in a long time got a good look at the middle aged, but time had been kind to, lion morph that was his mother.

With her mouth open wide shock written on her face “Chris is that you?”

“One and the same.” replied Chris; she leapt out from the door way to bear hug him around the neck. “Good to see you to mom.”

A tear ran down her cheek “oh Chris I have been so worried, and the way you started that, I almost thought you dead.”
She leaned in to him for another hug.

“Well seeing as how your hugging the stuffing out of me I think I’m still in the land of the living.” he said with a slight chuckle and a mock wheeze. His mom never did hug that hard but if she used her claws you knew not to move and just let it happen till she got her fill.

“Oh wait tell your father see’s you, then you’ll really wonder.” she said with a slight chuckle as she released him then she turned and yelled through the door “Hey Jack we have a visitor.”

“Oh any one I know?” came a fairly deep voice from up the stares.

“Yah but we haven’t seen him in a really long time.”

“Really who?” asked Jack as he rounded the last step of the stares to come to a complete stop at the bottom on the tile of the entrance way.
Now it’s not easy to surprise a grizzly but the look on their faces when you do are priceless.
“Chris….CHRIS my boy.” he ran the short distance to him and gave him a hug, now that’s a bear hug.

Chris being the odd one out in this family, if you didn’t notice Chris is human, his parent’s are not, Chris had been adopted out to this family because his real mom couldn’t handle a child. Chris has never met his real mother but he didn’t need to, he understood why and didn’t need to confirm why she did it, thought if some day he met her it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“Um dad…. nice… to… see… you… to.” the bear backed off a bit but still didn’t let go.

“Oh Chris, it is good to see you, the way you left the last time we saw you… it just wasn’t right.”
“Ya I know dad…” he said as he was escorted in to the house by the two parents eager to hear the stories of the time that he was away.

____________________________________________________

Arriving at salt lake international the team disembarked from the plane. Simon first in a heated conversation with Jason then Dave, staying out of it, this wasn’t the first argument between Simon and Jason even though they respected each other they had very different views on how to handle the target.

Behind Dave came a light haired cougar fem then a small dark colored mouse and then a large black hound of some sort most thought him a lab - New Finland mix he was overly large for a lab but not a lot seemed to notice, then two humans one a fem with blond hair she began to talk to the waiting cougar. The other a dark haired Indian * 7-11 not casino *

“…All I’m saying is we might be wrong on this one Simon. I mean has he officially hurt anyone… besides you.” Jason quickly stated. “And even then technically that was self defense. And what about that clerk didn’t he say that if it weren’t for Chris he probably would have been shot, then what about that bus incident.”

“That was never confirmed” Simon shot back.

“Oh come off it Simon, out of the three random photos we showed them only four out of the fifty passengers didn’t correctly identify him as the one that pulled them out, then kept the resulting explosion to a minimally insignificant blast so that every one would be safe…”

“Jason, stop it right now! The target is a ‘dictator class’ pyro and the law says we take him in or we take him out. You know that!” said Simon almost spiting on Jason

“Yes I know that, all I’m saying is this, in the 13 years we have worked together, all those years facing countless pyro’s’ have you ever seen or heard for that matter one that acts like Chris has? I know I haven’t and none of the other teams have ever reported any, I know I’ve looked over most of the other’s report’s as well as our own, it’s always been a fight, always, but with Chris … we have been after him for almost 7 years, and all his actions tell me that something isn’t right, weather it’s what we have to do with him or weather it’s the way he help’s people with out expecting anything in return, it’s just not natural pyro behavior.”

“Not Natural, Not Natural, he is the first ‘dictator class’ pyro since ‘the Dictator’ him self, how would you know what is or isn’t natural for someone with that kind of power?”

With that they both fell silent and turned away from each other starring forward both thinking on what the other had said. They both had good points each could see. But to Simon Chris wasn’t just some pyro, deep under his skin Simon knew Chris was all evil weather it be because he’s a level 10 pyro or the way Chris protects himself, Chris has never sat well with Simon if only because of his ear.

____________________________________________________

“I’m going out to get something to eat; I’ll be back by dinner ok?” Chris told his mom

“Why we have food here?”

“Because I just got here and I’m not about to eat you out of house and home. Besides I want to see if some of the old places are still around, I hope some haven’t changed their menu’s, what I wouldn’t give for the tuna melt from Jason’s deli.”

Slightly chuckling “ok be careful some things have changed since you where here last.”

“I will mom. Thanks.”

He had already unpacked almost every thing form his car all the handguns went in to his dad’s gun safe in the basement. His single suitcase went next to the couch where he would undoubtedly be sleeping for at least the next week or so before he found something that better suited his needs but for now a couch in a loving environment was all he could ask for. His rifle and sword remained in the car if only because he had no where else to put them.

He hoped in to the mustang started it and backed out of the driveway. Headed down town to see how much thing’s may have changed.

The LDS temple defiantly hadn’t changed. Most of the shop’s had changed and the Galavin plaza was definitely new. The biggest shock to Chris was the new light rail system. <Didn’t think that these people would ever put something like that in, I bet they love it though.>

Then Chris spotted a local sports bar called Port-O-Call he had heard good things about this place so he decided to partake. Now Chris was a fan of good food but he never drank and not because of some noble reason it was because he was scared of it. He was scared for what it might do to him what with his secrets and all. He walked in and after politely refusing a booth or table he took a seat at one end of the bar, the seat was hashed but comfortable the bar it’s self looked very old but no real damage looked to have been done to it. Just then a savvy looking bartender walked over, nice build, good kind face except for the scar on his chin <probably from some disgruntled drunk.> and with a slight southern drawl to his husky voice he asked. “Ok bud what’s your poison of choice?”

“Rum and coke hold the rum…” Chris chuckled “…and a filet minion, medium rare, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Come’n right up.” was his response he reached be hind the bar out of view and fixed Chris his drink, he handed over the drink. “There you go and your steak will be out in a little bit.”

Chris took the drink and turned to watch the big screen hanging on the wall some commercial was and describing car insurance when he lifted that cup to take a drink and instantly spat it back in the cup with a sourly bitter look on his face. It had been strait rum. He was coughing as the bartender walked up and handed Chris what he originally ordered.

“That’s what you get with a bad joke like that.”

Chris began to chuckle again “yeah I guess I deserved it.” Chris picked up the new drink and inspected it to make sure of what he got this time. Now he just had to wait on his steak. He turned back to the big screen, now showing a college foot ball game and it was rivalry week between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University.
<the Ute’s vs. the Cougars‘, good lord the rivalry seems to have gone a little over broad this year, but I always was one to route for the Ute’s, ever since I was one I still have my student ID. Go Utah.> as he took another sip from his drink, just then a news bulletin stop every one in the bar dead in there tracks, every eye on the big screen. A very nice looking skunket in a navy blue sport’s jacket just off center of the picture. “This is Kate Dale with channel 2 news and I’m reporting live from outside the channel 6 news building where a mad fur has taken hostage the entire news crew and is demanding the release of the local gang members that where taken off the streets in a raid by police not two weeks ago. If his demands are not met within the next three hours he says he’ll level the building.” The picture cuts to a shot inside a clear glass sided building.

<I know that building.>

“As you can see he has the hostages huddled around him, a bomb on his chest and it’s estimated that he has placed several more around the structure of the building.”

<Would it be too much to ask that there would be another elemental that could handle this.> he looked to the ceiling as if for an answer <I think not or the cops would have already called them in. why is it that it has to be some one that will be prosecuted that has to do it. Lets see how can I do this, I could time shift but that would require me to be dang close so I don’t run out of time, no I don’t think I could find a way in and not lose the shift mid way.
I’m not going to blast my way in with my powers that’s just asking for trouble. I’ve got to do something but wh… wait a minute, that could work and I know just the vantage point I could use.> he jumped from the bar stool and ran to his car started the engine and was off down the road.
Across town a mild distance from the bombers location Chris drives to the top level of a five story parking garage grabbing both the sword and the rifle with ammunition to spare. Then just as he entered the twenty story building that the garage was used for he time shifted and made his way to the stairs and started up, about three quarters’ of the way through the clime he had to disengage the shift which was alright he was almost on the roof anyway, one more flight and through the door he ran almost too out of breath to breath. He set up his rifle, his sword getting in his way in his hand and not wanting to forget it, tied it to his belt as tight as he could and continued to set up the rifle. He sighted the high power scope, he affixed the bipod legs, he unfolded the stock and replaced the flash suppresser, then he finally attached the sling so when he left after the deed was done it would go right on his back. <should I be doing this? I don’t know these people. Why am I doing this?> <because to let this guy get away with what he is going to do is just wrong.> <I’m going to have to leave after this if I do it, do I want to leave again, so soon?> <no but think about it, what’s worse? your leaving and spending more time on your own or the lives at stake.> slowly Chris loaded two rounds in to the five round capacity magazine, he felt he would only miss once, slid it in to place with a loud click, opened the bolt and slid one home then he set the bipod legs near the ledge and took aim. He hated this part, looking dead in to the face of the person that he was going to kill, it never sat well.
He’s only had to do this once before and it seemed like such a long time ago, he never for got the face it haunted him for a long time; this would probably be the same.

He took aim, letting his breathing slow almost to nothing, he slowly dragged the crosshairs between the lions shoulders, not the heart he would still have motor control after a shot like that, Chris was planning to take out the spine so there would be no chance of the lion hitting the detonator. Slowly he fingered the trigger, the safety still on. <Breath Chris, breath> he reached for the safety with his thumb, it released, with a small click it snapped in to place. <Breath Chris> he was having a hard time of it, he looked away. <come on Chris breath, you can do this.> he started to take small breaths here and there, suddenly small cracks where heard with the sound of falling glass, shattering Chris’s concentration. Looking through the scoop he saw the shattered glass and the bomber waving a small hand gun. Frantic Chris swiveled the scope about to see if any one was hurt he saw at least five people in uniforms hiding behind some cars wile everyone else scattered and two crouched behind a news van that’s when Chris saw that the news lady skunk that he had first herd report the situation had been hit in the arm, she look to be in shock just sitting there and holding her arm.
<Ok that dose It.> Chris refocused, his aim once again finding the target. He fingered the trigger, safety off, he braced himself, took one long heavy breath and then let it out and held his lungs empty, slowly he pulled the trigger, for what seemed like eternity he held his breath waiting, just waiting then in almost slow motion he felt the trigger click in to place, instantly there was a deafening BOOM. Now it wasn’t exactly comparable to a stick of dynamite but it sure felt and sounded like one so much so everyone down by the bomber ducked to avoid any flying shrapnel. The bullet hit it’s mark, blowing a hole the size of a bowling ball through the lions back wile only leaving a hole the size of a quarter in his chest a look of shock with his mouth open on the lions face as he fell back and hit the ground.

Chris decided to let the situation handle it’s self from there. He quickly slides the rifle over his head and rested the sling so that it was comfortable. He was off, down the stairs, his time shift on; he was barely able to make it out of the building before the shifts 15 minute window closed and was forced back to normal time. He had just shut the door, and then he released the shift and casually walked back to his car, it being the only one on the top level he knew no one would see him with the rifle on his back and attached to his side his sword.

About half way back to his car which he didn’t think he had parked that far away, he passed it off as the adrenalin rush that should now be wearing off now. Just then he heard a brief whistle and then pain shot up his right arm just below the shoulder. He looked from his car to his shoulder with a pained look on his face he saw a needle protruding from his arm

“Ow” <what the…> “Oh crap”
Was all Chris could think or say as he grabbed it and pulled it out. Examining what was left of the liquid that was inside. A dark almost royal purple. “Never seen a trank that color before. Just then he dropped the dart as he felt his skin start to go cold it was as if he couldn’t feel the world around him anymore then his skin felt as if it was actually 2 sizes to small. It hurt. It hurt badly; he reached around pulling at his skin trying to stretch it. It just felt too tight. “What the hell is going on?”

He was so preoccupied with his predicament that he had never even look as to where the vile dart had even come from tell the laughing be came loud enough to stop him dead, at first he stared strait at his car but slowly, summing up all the bravery he could muster, he began to turn in the direction he thought the sound was coming from. There almost strait behind him was Simon, snickering trying to hold back his laughter.

“Damn” Chris tried to focus on his time shift even thought he had just rested enough for about two minutes worth, that was two minutes that he would gladly take. But to his surprise he couldn’t pin down the control switch that allowed him to shift, it was like it had been moved to some place that he couldn’t feel or find.

Seeing the concentration then confusion spread upon Chris’s face Simon smiled “Nu-uh-uh if we are to do our job we can’t have you using your ability to leave. And just when the fun is about to begin. It’s just not as fun without you. To tell you the truth it was frustrating as hell. This time you’re not going anywhere but down. You know what, now that I think about it I think I will miss our little game of cat and mouse.”

“Don’t you mean Tygon and pyro?”

“Well when you put it that way it dose have a nicer ring to it.”

“So … what next?” <damn I don’t want to fight him, I could turn and run but if I know Simon, all of his team is waiting around just about every corner I could possibly go. No I’m not going to fight, I’m not going to give Simon the satisfaction of killing me or taking me in. In a way I pretty much thought it would come to this.>

“Well we can do this the easy way or the hard way, I know its kind of cliché but hey the saying has merit.”

“I think I’ll take an easy way.” said Chris

The confusion on Simons face told Chris that his prefix didn’t go unnoticed. To explain a little better what Chris had in mind he drew his sword.

Simon instantly at the ready with his issue Glock 45. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you never bring a knife to a gun fight?” then he chuckled at his own joke.

“Oh I’m not going to fight you Simon.” still holding he sword and the ready steeling him self for what he was about to do.

“Sure looks like you are.” said Simon

“Ok so how do I look now?” Chris quickly turned around. He knew this would peeve Simon off, he knew that Simon portrayed himself as the kind of fur with enough honor in himself not to shoot someone in the back. He just hoped he wouldn’t revert to not caring about his honor at a time like this. At this point chris could only guess to what simon was thinking, probably something along the lines of a curse or ’what are you doing’ then as a gesture, trying to gain confidence for what he was about to do he began to take a couple steps in the direction of his car. the fact that his car was in front of him made it look like he was trying to get to his car and get away.

That is indeed what simon thought has as just at that moment he decided to pull one of his little toys he had set up for this out of his black suit pocket. It was really very unassumingly plain, it look to all the world like a small lead pipe but this particular pipe had a little glowing red switch on one end and with a small motion and a smile on his face he flicked the switch. Instantly a small explosion engulfed the mustang sending Chris flying back on his back, sword still in hand. To Simon’s credit he didn’t even flinch at the explosion.

“damn you simon.” was all chris could think to say as he rolled over and tried to stand back up he also tried to shake off the shock of what just happened.

“Well we can’t have you leaving just yet now can we. Besides having paid all that money to draw you out would have just been a waste. Though I have to admit I didn’t think you would have killed the lion. I merely thought you would go in and do your time shift or pyro thing.”

“You paid that lion! You… you… bastard. You had me kill someone that you paid.” then in a slightly calmer voice. Now standing. “I have to say I’m disappointed in you Simon.”

“Oh how so?”

“First you should have known I would have seen the news reports and reporters. There’s no way I was going to expose myself to that kind of media. Though I should give you credit that trap probably would have worked on any lesser pyro that was in the mood to get hanged. Second I know you better then to run at least without my time shift, I suspect you have all your team deployed around two in a chopper if I’m not mistaken and one around every corner you or I could think of.”

“What can I say I have my motives.” Simon pointes to his ear “it still hurts you know?”

“Bull, its been seven years Simon and it was a clean wound, fire and electricity tend to clean any wound, it’s all in your head.”

“That it may be but every time I look in the mirror all I feel is the burning.”

“Look Simon I’m sorry I did that, really truly I am, but I was cornered and I was young, I panicked, get over it.”

“I will if you give me a reason.” again pointing the pistol at Chris.

Sword still in hand Chris contemplated his actions < if I do what he want’s I’m dead, if I don’t I’m dead by jury’s execution.> he turned his back to Simon once again.

“Damn it Chris face me when I’m talking to you.”

“And give you the pleaser of shooting me face to face, I don’t think so.” Again Chris started his walk but only after a few steps he stopped. Holding his sword in one hand he slowly turned the tip to his stomach.

Seeing this simon gasped only now realizing what chris was going to do <oh know you don’t chris you don’t get off that easy.> carefully aiming simon pulled the trigger ‘crack’ the bullet hit it’s mark right on the back of Chris’s calf.

Writhing in pain Chris’s leg buckled pulling him along with it. The sword falling harmlessly to his side. Turning as he fell if for no other reason then to see the look on the fox’s face, to get some hint as to why he had been defiled in such a way. All he really saw was the gun still pointing at him.

Taking his chance Simon saw that Chris, as he was falling with a look of shock on his face had turned around and was now facing him. Simon pulled the trigger once again this time striking Chris in the chest just to the left of center.

A rush of pain shot through Chris’s upper body and back as he hit the ground a few feet from where he had been falling. Now the only thing he could do was breath and look up in to the sun filled sky, the breathing was getting harder to do. As he blinked a couple times he noticed Simon standing over him Chris’s sword in hand.

Simon reached down and slid the sword in to the scabbard that was still attached to Chris. “For the past seven years you Chris were a worthy opponent.” no real respect in the word more enjoyment that he had finally won. Standing now simon watched chris die, so that he actually knew with out a doubt, he heard something that he never thought he’d hear, out of all the pyro’s he had faced he would only hear something along the lines of a curse or a damning, but to hear what he heard out of chris sent a shiver down his spine <could it be, was Jason right?>

He leaned over and in a confused voice Simon asked “What was that?”

In a soft voice Chris almost begged “please help me.”

Simon then felt his body shutter as the realization hit him. <Jason was right.>in an instant all seven years of chasing down a pyro took on an entirely new light before all simon could see was hate and contempt for the man now turned to respect for all the things chris could do and now most of all simon could see unlike before, that chris was not as the council of elements put it ‘evil’. Here was some one that was just trying to do his best with the hand he was given. Simon knelt down now knowing that there was nothing he could do except to say “sorry” and he meant it.

Chris took his word words as he saw them. He could somehow feel that Simon truly was sorry for this awful turn in events. Then Chris began to feel a slight pulling in his body. <It must be my time. It feels like I’m being pulled to what ever is after this life.> “good bye.” was going to be the last thing he said.
<My wish to be beyond the stars is just about to come true.> truly thinking that this was the end and with that revelation firmly in his mind he pored his soul, powers and all in to the feeling that he was experiencing his eyes still directed to the sky.

Simon sat back in surprise, not only to the last thing that his previous enemy had said but to the sight that was now unfolding right in front of him. Chris’s eyes where glowing a bright white and just staring as if locked on to something in the distance. Then Simon noticed that the bullet wound in his chest was doing the same thing, glowing the same bright white. Then Chris arched his back as if some force was pulling his body up but was holding his head, hands and feet in place.

Chris not noticing any of this just watched the stares. For Chris it was no longer mid day some how it was dark as night and he could see every star in the night like expanse before him, not feeling any pain that should have been there. < is this what death feels like? No pain and drifting, drifting in a last wish.>

Then with a gasp of air he felt the pain return to his chest. He hadn’t noticed that he was holding his breath. He shut his eyes as he heard a lady scream, not knowing who it was he let himself drift in to unconsciousness as a crowed started to gather, noise in every direction, the last thing he herd was “what the..? Oh dear Shavera! We have to get it to the med-bay!”

Rubbing the blindness out of his eyes Simon looked down to what he thought should be maybe a smoldering pile of ash or something maybe his silhouette on the ground but to his surprise there was nothing. No sign of his passing no sign that he was even there except for the burnt out car. The last thing Simon saw before going temporarily blind… he’s still seeing sunspots… was the glowing body of his former target, Chris Cali. Then hearing what he could only say was (having gone blind at that point from the light that was coming from Chris) a sonic boom. Now with his vision restored a small voice came over his ear piece.

“What the hell was that?”

Simon wiped something from his eye and replied “please repeat.”

Then the mouse replied “What was that, first it got so bright down by you I was afraid I was going to go blind. Then out of it came this glowing …thing… it took off like a rocket. But it wasn’t it was instantly to fast to track. If I hadn’t been looking away from the light that you were… engulfed in for lack of a better word. I would never have seen it.”

“That my dear Sandra was Chris Cali.”

A new voice. “You mean he got away again?”

Then Simon, with a slight smile said. “I don’t know do you know anyone besides me that could live through a blast like that…”

“Are you saying that blinding light then the sonic boom was an explosion?”

“I’m not saying it wasn’t…Derrick would you be so kind as to get the security tapes of the parking lot please.”

“Already done boss.” came a feminine voice.

“Thanks May.” <Good bye Chris.> “Alright guys lets go home there’s nothing left here but a blown up car and one very tired fox.” with that simon stud up and started walking, this was going to be his longest walk home.

[kcmack]

Nice second chapter GriffinX. I copied your story and did some quick edits with a spelling and grammar check on it. There are still a lot of what it considers fragmented sentences but I have never been able to understand why they computer hates them so.

Here is the edited version:

Chapter 2

Returning: Departing?


Next morning: “you’re kidding, he was spotted where? Damn, I never thought he’d go back there! You’re sure?” Simon said in to the receiver of his burrow cell phone, after a small pause he nodded his head “and this clerk has the tapes to prove it?” another small pause “OK, wow, Thanks for the tip private.” he hung up by closing the phone and thought <wow back to where it all began>
Just then a pain (thought all in his mind) pulled his attention away from his paperwork, to his ear. He reached up in a reflex action and began to message his left ear. <This is the last time Chris, this is the last time>

He walked down the hall from his cubicle and down two flights of stairs then rounded a corner on his left and was smack dab in front of the R&D main labs. As he looked through the small glass window to make sure no one was watching he snuck in and sauntered up to a swine in a standard white lab coat and glanced over the swine’s shoulder. Then when he was mere inches away from the swine’s ear he spoke in a normal voice “OK Doc, did you find anything that could help me with my target?”

The ’Doc’ jumped from the start sometimes he would get so into his work that he would completely lose track of the comings and goings in the lab “Damn it Simon don’t do that.”

With a shrug of his shoulders. “Why not? It’s just about all the fun I get any more.” was Simon’s reply

The Doc gave him a small grin “Well then I guess it’s time I give you some other fun. After seeing the tape you supplied, I’m guessing he has some sort of time ability now whether it’s just slowing it down, stopping it all together, or him controlling his molecules to the point where he literally speed up beyond what we can perceive, I don’t know, I do know it not a teleporting ability like first suggested. To that extent I have developed this.” the ‘Doc’ held up tube of dark royal purple liquid “this has three functions first it will draw upon his nerve system just in case it is one of the a-for mentioned cause’s second it will increase his blood presser rise through the roof and third it will give him a clear mind.”

“A clear mind?” asked Simon

“The last two are actually side effects of the first when messing with the nerves system it’s hard to predict how things will work out.”

“You mean he’ll be able to think clearer? Isn’t that counterproductive?”

“You’d think so but no, in this case with elevated heart rate that comes with the blood presser the body is sending mixed signals to the brain and with the brain being clearer it doesn’t understand why the body’s acting the way it is. As I understand the explanation from the test subject it was quite confusing. Now I warn you this may stop him, it may just slow him down, hell it may not even work, just remember we haven’t found anything that stops the capabilities of any pyro this will not stop or slow that ability down and if he’s of the level you think he is he will have more than one, just forewarning. So think you can have your fun with this?”
As he slipped the liquid to Simon.

“You know what I think I can, thanks ‘Q’.”

“Why do you insist on calling me that? You know I hate that.”

“Movie nostalgia. I mean, I am the closest thing to a spy double 00 agent the U.S. has and you’re the closest thing to ‘Q’ that I have so you make the connection.”

“I don’t know why but I didn’t like the newest guy they got to play the last one.”

“Oh come on Doc he was good, plus I loved who they got to play ‘M’.”

Realizing this could go on for a long time ’Doc’ decided to end it “ok, go on Simon; get out, off with ya. We could go on and on about this all day if I let it but I have work to get to, now scat!”

With a slightly dejected turn Simon walked out, Simon would talk to anyone who would listen. About any of the James bond films from the old ones with the original ‘James’ Sean Connery, to the ones with the skunk Roger More, even the newest one. But ‘Doc’ was right, there was work to be done and it was going to be fun. A smile broke Simon’s mock frown. <This just might be too much fun.> he was already forming a plan to see the end of Chris whether he came quietly or went out with a ‘bang’. <Naa> shaking his head, he walked off to report to his team where they were headed to next, to relay the tip as to why they were headed back to Salt Lake City.

____________________________________________________

“God damn, hunk of junk, p.o.s. car.” the battery is dead <oh I got a piece of **** car> Chris thought while humming the tune. Ok it is the beginning of December and no snow yet but still “colder than a witch’s tit.” as his dad would say.
The cold having drained the overworked car battery “oh well, I guess it’s time for a jump.” as he checked to make sure no one was watching. He reached in under the hood of his car and popped the latch then after propping it up he reached for the battery’s positive terminal with his right hand and the frame for his car with his left, now for any other person except for an electro elemental this would be the stupidest this thing to do even if it was dead, it could still have enough charge to hurt someone, but to Chris this was quite normal. He concentrated on the feeling of white power in himself and let it build (he had wondered many a time if this is how all the other elementals controlled their powers.) he gave the battery a small jolt being sure not to overload it (you only want to do that once) he hurried around and jumped in to the driver’s seat and turned the key his fingers crossed, this time the engine turned right over, first try. “Damn being a high level elemental has its advantages.”
His secondary ability of electricity had come in handy a lot more than once.

Now to any of the other elementals there are three classes of which you could be, the low’s, as in levels 1-3 these usually have only their element, the mid-range 4-6 these usually have their element and a little something like maybe a teleportation or something not pertain to an element but sometime it can be another element, and the high’s 7-10 these usually have two elemental powers and a side power, for example Chris has fire, electricity and time. If the pyro’s weren’t hunted like they are he would most likely be on the council of elements once he was properly tested. Chris had never been tested for his powers for in truth he never wanted to be found out. So he had no idea what his real level is but he could guess as to how high.

He shut the hood of his car and now that it was running he was off <over the river, ok canal, and through the woods, ok apartments but there’s an orchard nearby so I guess that counts.>
He pulled up to a fairly nice tri level house, blue siding with red brick on the face, getting out of his car he drinks up the front yard scene the two pine trees that marked the boundary lines with the snow ball bush’s, now bare, that made a fence on one side and the cement basket ball court that he use to play on when younger on the other side of the house. <It has been too long.>
He sighed taking in all the memories that came flooding back at that moment, John the neighbors kid that like to play football on the front yard, Alex the kid panther that could hit a baseball across all three front yards and between both his house and the pine trees < I think he’s the pitcher on his college team this year.> he could see them all running in an old game of tag that never seemed to end. All good memories.
He walked up the four cement steps to the porch opened the glass storm door and rang the door bell, then quickly turned around and hid any distinguishable fetchers from view and lowered his head, he herd footsteps form inside come up to the door he heard the bolt detach from the socket and a slight moan from the door as it was slowly opened.

“Hello, can I help you?” came a mid range feminine voice the sound of slight curiosity and concern in it.

“I regret to inform you ma’am that your lowly, degenerate, wayward son has…” he turned quickly with arm’s wide spread “…returned” that’s when Chris for the first time in a long time got a good look at the middle aged, but time had been kind to, lion morph that was his mother.

With her mouth open wide shock written on her face “Chris is that you?”

“One and the same.” replied Chris; she leapt out from the door way to bear hug him around the neck. “Good to see you to mom.”

A tear ran down her cheek “oh Chris I have been so worried, and the way you started that, I almost thought you dead.”
She leaned in to him for another hug.

“Well seeing as how your hugging the stuffing out of me I think I’m still in the land of the living.” he said with a slight chuckle and a mock wheeze. His mom never did hug that hard but if she used her claws you knew not to move and just let it happen till she got her fill.

“Oh wait tell your father see’s you, then you’ll really wonder.” she said with a slight chuckle as she released him then she turned and yelled through the door “Hey Jack we have a visitor.”

“Oh anyone I know?” came a fairly deep voice from up the stairs.

“Yah but we haven’t seen him in a really long time.”

“Really who?” asked Jack as he rounded the last step of the stares to come to a complete stop at the bottom on the tile of the entrance way.
Now it’s not easy to surprise a grizzly but the look on their faces when you do are priceless.
“Chris….CHRIS my boy.” he ran the short distance to him and gave him a hug, now that’s a bear hug.

Chris being the odd one out in this family, if you didn’t notice Chris is human, his parent’s are not, Chris had been adopted out to this family because his real mom couldn’t handle a child. Chris has never met his real mother but he didn’t need to, he understood why and didn’t need to confirm why she did it, thought if some day he met her it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“Um dad…. nice… to… see… you… to.” the bear backed off a bit but still didn’t let go.

“Oh Chris, it is good to see you, the way you left the last time we saw you… it just wasn’t right.”
“Ya I know dad…” he said as he was escorted in to the house by the two parents eager to hear the stories of the time that he was away.

____________________________________________________

arriving at salt lake international the team disembarked from the plane. Simon first in a heated conversation with Jason then Dave, staying out of it, this wasn’t the first argument between Simon and Jason even though they respected each other they had very different views on how to handle the target.

Behind Dave came a light haired cougar fem then a small dark colored mouse and then a large black hound of some sort most thought him a lab - New Finland mix he was overly large for a lab but not a lot seemed to notice, then two humans one a fem with blond hair she began to talk to the waiting cougar. The other a dark haired Indian * 7-11 not casino *

“…All I’m saying is we might be wrong on this one Simon. I mean has he officially hurt anyone… besides you.” Jason quickly stated. “And even then technically that was self defense. And what about that clerk didn’t he say that if it weren’t for Chris he probably would have been shot, then what about that bus incident.”

“That was never confirmed” Simon shot back.

“Oh come off it Simon, out of the three random photos we showed them only four out of the fifty passengers didn’t correctly identify him as the one that pulled them out, then kept the resulting explosion to a minimally insignificant blast so that everyone would be safe…”

“Jason, stop it right now! The target is a ‘dictator class’ pyro and the law says we take him in or we take him out. You know that!” said Simon almost spiting on Jason

“Yes I know that, all I’m saying is this, in the 13 years we have worked together, all those years facing countless pyro’s’ have you ever seen or heard for that matter one that acts like Chris has? I know I haven’t and none of the other teams have ever reported any, I know I’ve looked over most of the other’s report’s as well as our own, it’s always been a fight, always, but with Chris … we have been after him for almost 7 years, and all his actions tell me that something isn’t right, whether it’s what we have to do with him or whether it’s the way he helps people without expecting anything in return, it’s just not natural pyro behavior.”

“Not Natural, Not Natural, he is the first ‘dictator class’ pyro since ‘the Dictator’ himself, how would you know what is or isn’t natural for someone with that kind of power?”

With that they both fell silent and turned away from each other starring forward both thinking on what the other had said. They both had good points each could see. But to Simon Chris wasn’t just some pyro, deep under his skin Simon knew Chris was all evil whether it be because he’s a level 10 pyro or the way Chris protects himself, Chris has never sat well with Simon if only because of his ear.

____________________________________________________

“I’m going out to get something to eat; I’ll be back by dinner ok?” Chris told his mom

“Why we have food here?”

“Because I just got here and I’m not about to eat you out of house and home. Besides I want to see if some of the old places are still around, I hope some haven’t changed their menus, what I wouldn’t give for the tuna melt from Jason’s deli.”

Slightly chuckling “ok be careful some things have changed since you where here last.”

“I will mom. Thanks.”

He had already unpacked almost everything from his car all the handguns went in to his dad’s gun safe in the basement. His single suitcase went next to the couch where he would undoubtedly be sleeping for at least the next week or so before he found something that better suited his needs but for now a couch in a loving environment was all he could ask for. His rifle and sword remained in the car if only because he had nowhere else to put them.

He hoped in to the mustang started it and backed out of the driveway. Headed down town to see how much thing’s may have changed.

The LDS temple defiantly hadn’t changed. Most of the shop’s had changed and the Galavin plaza was definitely new. The biggest shock to Chris was the new light rail system. <Didn’t think that these people would ever put something like that in, I bet they love it though.>

Then Chris spotted a local sports bar called Port-O-Call he had heard good things about this place so he decided to partake. Now Chris was a fan of good food but he never drank and not because of some noble reason it was because he was scared of it. He was scared for what it might do to him what with his secrets and all. He walked in and after politely refusing a booth or table he took a seat at one end of the bar, the seat was hashed but comfortable the bar it’s self looked very old but no real damage looked to have been done to it. Just then a savvy looking bartender walked over, nice build, good kind face except for the scar on his chin <probably from some disgruntled drunk.> and with a slight southern drawl to his husky voice he asked. “Ok bud what’s your poison of choice?”

“Rum and coke hold the rum…” Chris chuckled “…and a filet minion, medium rare, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Come’n right up.” was his response he reached behind the bar out of view and fixed Chris his drink, he handed over the drink. “There you go and your steak will be out in a little bit.”

Chris took the drink and turned to watch the big screen hanging on the wall some commercial was and describing car insurance when he lifted that cup to take a drink and instantly spat it back in the cup with a sourly bitter look on his face. It had been strait rum. He was coughing as the bartender walked up and handed Chris what he originally ordered.

“That’s what you get with a bad joke like that.”

Chris began to chuckle again “yeah I guess I deserved it.” Chris picked up the new drink and inspected it to make sure of what he got this time. Now he just had to wait on his steak. He turned back to the big screen, now showing a college foot ball game and it was rivalry week between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University.
<the Ute’s vs. the Cougars‘, good lord the rivalry seems to have gone a little over broad this year, but I always was one to route for the Ute’s, ever since I was one I still have my student ID. Go Utah.> as he took another sip from his drink, just then a news bulletin stops everyone in the bar dead in their tracks, every eye on the big screen. A very nice looking skunket in a navy blue sports jacket just off center of the picture. “This is Kate Dale with channel 2 news and I’m reporting live from outside the channel 6 news building where a mad fur has taken hostage the entire news crew and is demanding the release of the local gang members that were taken off the streets in a raid by police not two weeks ago. If his demands are not met within the next three hours he says he’ll level the building.” The picture cuts to a shot inside a clear glass sided building.

<I know that building.>

“As you can see he has the hostages huddled around him, a bomb on his chest and it’s estimated that he has placed several more around the structure of the building.”

<Would it be too much to ask that there would be another elemental that could handle this.> he looked to the ceiling as if for an answer <I think not or the cops would have already called them in. why is it that it has to be some one that will be prosecuted that has to do it. Let’s see how can I do this, I could time shift but that would require me to be dang close so I don’t run out of time, no I don’t think I could find a way in and not lose the shift mid way.
I’m not going to blast my way in with my powers that’s just asking for trouble. I’ve got to do something but wh… wait a minute, that could work and I know just the vantage point I could use.> he jumped from the bar stool and ran to his car started the engine and was off down the road.
Across town a mild distance from the bombers location Chris drives to the top level of a five story parking garage grabbing both the sword and the rifle with ammunition to spare. Then just as he entered the twenty story building that the garage was used for he time shifted and made his way to the stairs and started up, about three quarters’ of the way through the clime he had to disengage the shift which was alright he was almost on the roof anyway, one more flight and through the door he ran almost too out of breath to breath. He set up his rifle, his sword getting in his way in his hand and not wanting to forget it, tied it to his belt as tight as he could and continued to set up the rifle. He sighted the high power scope, he affixed the bipod legs, he unfolded the stock and replaced the flash suppresser, then he finally attached the sling so when he left after the deed was done it would go right on his back. <should I be doing this? I don’t know these people. Why am I doing this?> <because to let this guy get away with what he is going to do is just wrong.> <I’m going to have to leave after this if I do it, do I want to leave again, so soon?> <no but think about it, what’s worse? your leaving and spending more time on your own or the lives at stake.> slowly Chris loaded two rounds in to the five round capacity magazine, he felt he would only miss once, slid it in to place with a loud click, opened the bolt and slid one home then he set the bipod legs near the ledge and took aim. He hated this part, looking dead in to the face of the person that he was going to kill, it never sat well.
He’s only had to do this once before and it seemed like such a long time ago, he never forgot the face it haunted him for a long time; this would probably be the same.

He took aim, letting his breathing slow almost to nothing, he slowly dragged the crosshairs between the lion’s shoulders, not the heart he would still have motor control after a shot like that, Chris was planning to take out the spine so there would be no chance of the lion hitting the detonator. Slowly he fingered the trigger, the safety still on. <Breath Chris, breath> he reached for the safety with his thumb, it released, with a small click it snapped in to place. <Breath Chris> he was having a hard time of it, he looked away. <come on Chris breath, you can do this.> he started to take small breaths here and there, suddenly small cracks where heard with the sound of falling glass, shattering Chris’s concentration. Looking through the scoop he saw the shattered glass and the bomber waving a small hand gun. Frantic Chris swiveled the scope about to see if any one was hurt he saw at least five people in uniforms hiding behind some cars while everyone else scattered and two crouched behind a news van that’s when Chris saw that the news lady skunk that he had first herd report the situation had been hit in the arm, she look to be in shock just sitting there and holding her arm.
<Ok that dose It.> Chris refocused, his aim once again finding the target. He fingered the trigger, safety off, he braced himself, took one long heavy breath and then let it out and held his lungs empty, slowly he pulled the trigger, for what seemed like eternity he held his breath waiting, just waiting then in almost slow motion he felt the trigger click in to place, instantly there was a deafening BOOM. Now it wasn’t exactly comparable to a stick of dynamite but it sure felt and sounded like one so much so everyone down by the bomber ducked to avoid any flying shrapnel. The bullet hit it’s mark, blowing a hole the size of a bowling ball through the lions back while only leaving a hole the size of a quarter in his chest a look of shock with his mouth open on the lions face as he fell back and hit the ground.

Chris decided to let the situation handle its self from there. He quickly slides the rifle over his head and rested the sling so that it was comfortable. He was off, down the stairs, his time shift on; he was barely able to make it out of the building before the shifts 15 minute window closed and was forced back to normal time. He had just shut the door, and then he released the shift and casually walked back to his car, it being the only one on the top level he knew no one would see him with the rifle on his back and attached to his side his sword.

About half way back to his car which he didn’t think he had parked that far away, he passed it off as the adrenalin rush that should now be wearing off now. Just then he heard a brief whistle and then pain shot up his right arm just below the shoulder. He looked from his car to his shoulder with a pained look on his face he saw a needle protruding from his arm

“Ow” <what the…> “Oh crap”
Was all Chris could think or say as he grabbed it and pulled it out. Examining what was left of the liquid that was inside. A dark almost royal purple. “Never seen a tranq that color before. Just then he dropped the dart as he felt his skin start to go cold it was as if he couldn’t feel the world around him anymore then his skin felt as if it was actually 2 sizes too small. It hurt. It hurt badly; he reached around pulling at his skin trying to stretch it. It just felt too tight. “What the hell is going on?”

He was so preoccupied with his predicament that he had never even look as to where the vile dart had even come from tell the laughing became loud enough to stop him dead, at first he stared straight at his car but slowly, summing up all the bravery he could muster, he began to turn in the direction he thought the sound was coming from. There almost strait behind him was Simon, snickering trying to hold back his laughter.

“Damn” Chris tried to focus on his time shift even thought he had just rested enough for about two minutes worth, that was two minutes that he would gladly take. But to his surprise he couldn’t pin down the control switch that allowed him to shift, it was like it had been moved to some place that he couldn’t feel or find.

Seeing the concentration then confusion spread upon Chris’s face Simon smiled “Nu-uh-uh if we are to do our job we can’t have you using your ability to leave. And just when the fun is about to begin. It’s just not as fun without you. To tell you the truth it was frustrating as hell. This time you’re not going anywhere but down. You know what, now that I think about it I think I will miss our little game of cat and mouse.”

“Don’t you mean Tygon and pyro?”

“Well when you put it that way it does have a nicer ring to it.”

“So … what next?” <damn I don’t want to fight him, I could turn and run but if I know Simon, all of his team is waiting around just about every corner I could possibly go. No I’m not going to fight; I’m not going to give Simon the satisfaction of killing me or taking me in. In a way I pretty much thought it would come to this.>

“Well we can do this the easy way or the hard way, I know it’s kind of cliché but hey the saying has merit.”

“I think I’ll take an easy way.” said Chris

The confusion on Simons face told Chris that his prefix didn’t go unnoticed. To explain a little better what Chris had in mind he drew his sword.

Simon instantly at the ready with his issue Glock 45. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you never bring a knife to a gun fight?” then he chuckled at his own joke.

“Oh I’m not going to fight you Simon.” still holding he sword and the ready steeling himself for what he was about to do.

“Sure looks like you are.” said Simon

“Ok so how do I look now?” Chris quickly turned around. He knew this would peeve Simon off, he knew that Simon portrayed himself as the kind of fur with enough honor in himself not to shoot someone in the back. He just hoped he wouldn’t revert to not caring about his honor at a time like this. At this point Chris could only guess to what Simon was thinking, probably something along the lines of a curse or ’what are you doing’ then as a gesture, trying to gain confidence for what he was about to do he began to take a couple steps in the direction of his car. the fact that his car was in front of him made it look like he was trying to get to his car and get away.

That is indeed what Simon thought has as just at that moment he decided to pull one of his little toys he had set up for this out of his black suit pocket. It was really very unassumingly plain, it look to all the world like a small lead pipe but this particular pipe had a little glowing red switch on one end and with a small motion and a smile on his face he flicked the switch. Instantly a small explosion engulfed the mustang sending Chris flying back on his back, sword still in hand. To Simon’s credit he didn’t even flinch at the explosion.

“Damn you Simon.” was all Chris could think to say as he rolled over and tried to stand back up he also tried to shake off the shock of what just happened.

“Well we can’t have you leaving just yet now can we. Besides having paid all that money to draw you out would have just been a waste. Though I have to admit I didn’t think you would have killed the lion. I merely thought you would go in and do your time shift or pyro thing.”

“You paid that lion! You… you… bastard. You had me kill someone that you paid.” then in a slightly calmer voice. Now standing. “I have to say I’m disappointed in you Simon.”

“Oh how so?”

“First you should have known I would have seen the news reports and reporters. There’s no way I was going to expose myself to that kind of media. Though I should give you credit that trap probably would have worked on any lesser pyro that was in the mood to get hanged. Second I know you better then to run at least without my time shift, I suspect you have all your team deployed around two in a chopper if I’m not mistaken and one around every corner you or I could think of.”

“What can I say I have my motives.” Simon pointes to his ear “it still hurts you know?”

“Bull, it’s been seven years Simon and it was a clean wound, fire and electricity tend to clean any wound, it’s all in your head.”

“That it may be but every time I look in the mirror all I feel is the burning.”

“Look Simon I’m sorry I did that, really truly I am, but I was cornered and I was young, I panicked, get over it.”

“I will if you give me a reason.” again pointing the pistol at Chris.

Sword still in hand Chris contemplated his actions < if I do what he wants’ I’m dead, if I don’t I’m dead by jury’s execution.> he turned his back to Simon once again.

“Damn it Chris face me when I’m talking to you.”

“And give you the pleaser of shooting me face to face, I don’t think so.” Again Chris started his walk but only after a few steps he stopped. Holding his sword in one hand he slowly turned the tip to his stomach.

Seeing this Simon gasped only now realizing what Chris was going to do <oh know you don’t Chris you don’t get off that easy.> carefully aiming Simon pulled the trigger ‘crack’ the bullet hit it’s mark right on the back of Chris’s calf.

Writhing in pain Chris’s leg buckled pulling him along with it. The sword falling harmlessly to his side. Turning as he fell if for no other reason than to see the look on the fox’s face, to get some hint as to why he had been defiled in such a way. All he really saw was the gun still pointing at him.

Taking his chance Simon saw that Chris, as he was falling with a look of shock on his face had turned around and was now facing him. Simon pulled the trigger once again this time striking Chris in the chest just to the left of center.

A rush of pain shot through Chris’s upper body and back as he hit the ground a few feet from where he had been falling. Now the only thing he could do was breathe and look up in to the sun filled sky, the breathing was getting harder to do. As he blinked a couple times he noticed Simon standing over him Chris’s sword in hand.

Simon reached down and slid the sword in to the scabbard that was still attached to Chris. “For the past seven years you Chris were a worthy opponent.” no real respect in the word more enjoyment that he had finally won. Standing now Simon watched Chris die, so that he actually knew without a doubt, he heard something that he never thought he’d hear, out of all the pyro’s he had faced he would only hear something along the lines of a curse or a damning, but to hear what he heard out of Chris sent a shiver down his spine <could it be, was Jason right?>

He leaned over and in a confused voice Simon asked “What was that?”

In a soft voice Chris almost begged “please help me.”

Simon then felt his body shutter as the realization hit him. <Jason was right.>in an instant all seven years of chasing down a pyro took on an entirely new light before all Simon could see was hate and contempt for the man now turned to respect for all the things Chris could do and now most of all Simon could see unlike before, that Chris was not as the council of elements put it ‘evil’. Here was some one that was just trying to do his best with the hand he was given. Simon knelt down now knowing that there was nothing he could do except to say “sorry” and he meant it.

Chris took his word words as he saw them. He could somehow feel that Simon truly was sorry for this awful turn in events. Then Chris began to feel a slight pulling in his body. <It must be my time. It feels like I’m being pulled to whatever is after this life.> “good bye.” was going to be the last thing he said.
<My wish to be beyond the stars is just about to come true.> truly thinking that this was the end and with that revelation firmly in his mind he pored his soul, powers and all in to the feeling that he was experiencing his eyes still directed to the sky.

Simon sat back in surprise, not only to the last thing that his previous enemy had said but to the sight that was now unfolding right in front of him. Chris’s eyes where glowing a bright white and just staring as if locked on to something in the distance. Then Simon noticed that the bullet wound in his chest was doing the same thing, glowing the same bright white. Then Chris arched his back as if some force was pulling his body up but was holding his head, hands and feet in place.

Chris not noticing any of this just watched the stares. For Chris it was no longer mid day somehow it was dark as night and he could see every star in the night like expanse before him, not feeling any pain that should have been there. < is this what death feels like? No pain and drifting, drifting in a last wish.>

Then with a gasp of air he felt the pain return to his chest. He hadn’t noticed that he was holding his breath. He shut his eyes as he heard a lady scream, not knowing who it was he let himself drift in to unconsciousness as a crowed started to gather, noise in every direction, the last thing he heard was “what the..? Oh dear Shavera! We have to get it to the med-bay!”

Rubbing the blindness out of his eyes Simon looked down to what he thought should be maybe a smoldering pile of ash or something maybe his silhouette on the ground but to his surprise there was nothing. No sign of his passing no sign that he was even there except for the burnt out car. The last thing Simon saw before going temporarily blind… he’s still seeing sunspots… was the glowing body of his former target, Chris Cali. Then hearing what he could only say was (having gone blind at that point from the light that was coming from Chris) a sonic boom. Now with his vision restored a small voice came over his ear piece.

“What the hell was that?”

Simon wiped something from his eye and replied “please repeat.”

Then the mouse replied “What was that, first it got so bright down by you I was afraid I was going to go blind. Then out of it came this glowing …thing… it took off like a rocket. But it wasn’t it was instantly to fast to track. If I hadn’t been looking away from the light that you were… engulfed in for lack of a better word. I would never have seen it.”

“That my dear Sandra was Chris Cali.”

A new voice. “You mean he got away again?”

Then Simon, with a slight smile said. “I don’t know do you know anyone besides me that could live through a blast like that…”

“Are you saying that blinding light then the sonic boom was an explosion?”

“I’m not saying it wasn’t…Derrick would you be so kind as to get the security tapes of the parking lot please.”

“Already done boss.” came a feminine voice.

“Thanks May.” <Good bye Chris.> “Alright guys lets go home there’s nothing left here but a blown up car and one very tired fox.” with that Simon stud up and started walking, this was going to be his longest walk home.

[GriffinX]

wow thanx um not to sound rude or else i really must be out of my own story because i couldn't see any difference but what do i know a bout spelling and grammar that's right absolutely nothing (I'm not being sarcastic i am also dyslexic and have a.d.d. so it a trip that i even was able to come up with something half way descent in terms of a story line.)

and i totally agree with you and the fragment thing though for as many as there are i think that they still work for the story.

just one small question and i know this might be presuming a bit to much but i was wondering if any of you thing this could be of 'the racoon's book shelf' quality? i read a lot there it was my first real grouping of stories that i read.

[kcmack]

Yeah, it needs a bit cleaned up from an editor but so far it is a good story line.

[GriffinX]

you know I'm kinda disappointed i didn't hear from vimir on this chapter. i don't know why but i am.

[-o<in a way i was hoping for a lot more feed back as well.

but i can see now that i was just and wile i do appreciate the comments i do get, i just feel a little.. i don't know cheated doesnt sound right but i think you all get what I'm saying and I'm sure I'm not the only one

this is one of the reasons that i say 'even if you hated it let me know you don't even have to say why (though i might pester you tell i find out why)i still want to know, you know?

at least give me a reason to think you read it and didn't just open the file and quickly back out of it.