by Vee Bosse
Westin stood in silence, tilting his head to the side as he gazed upon the biggest threat that he could have imagined, yet no words came out of his mouth. He simply stepped forward, allowing his carefree smile to show on his face. He didn’t care if a deadly opponent now stood in the way of him reaching his friends, perhaps because he could see Gabby for who she really was. As far as he could tell, this woman seemed to be a jealous psycho that didn’t have the heart to kill a single person. Surely, she was simply full of shit.
Westin had stepped forward, slowly approaching Gabby as she shook in the apparent excitement of holding life and death in her hands as well. “Hey, high five?”
His opponent stood in silent shock, suddenly squinting at him as though he was the insane one. She took a step backwards, while Westin held his hand up in front of her, to see if she would leave him hanging. He stood there with his eyes closed, smiling trustingly while she began to go into panic mode.
“H...hey! I’m really going to do it now! See? Two consecutive presses of this button! HEY! Are you ignoring me!!?”
Westin opened his eyes, and he watched her pause after she pressed the button on her device once more before letting it drop to the ground. “You...you don’t understand, I never wanted to kill anybody! I haven’t killed anybody, but, Jayce freed us from that government ship that he hijacked, and then...shit, I can’t do this anymore!!”
The lady suddenly fell on the ground, letting her third eye peacefully fade away as she sobbed into her hands. “You left me hanging, didn’t you?” Westin let his hand fall to his side; he had called her bluff, unlike anyone ever had before. “Wow, Jayce must be one oblivious guy. He didn’t know that you weren’t a killer at all, through all this time. Well, I am glad...plus it looks like that ability of yours wears off pretty quickly, doesn’t it?”
Gabby looked up at Westin in amazement, astounded that such an honorable person could have been the one to face her that day. “I...I willingly released your powers that I absorbed. My ability has a decent time limit as I can keep something up for about twenty minutes, but I always just let the ability go in the end.”
Westin nodded in acknowledgement, extending his hand to help her off of the ground. She decided to imitate something else of his at that moment: his genuine smile. As he lifted her up they hugged, simply for the sake of hugging as human beings. Westin couldn’t have it any other way since more than anything at that point, that was the ending that he desperately wanted and needed.
“I’m going to meet my friends now, so that we can stop Jayce. I don’t suppose...you could lead us to his hiding place, could you?”
Chapter Twenty
Dissolution and Essence
“It’s just like I told you, Jayce is chilling in the White House right now.” Westin, Winkle, Christian, Andrea, and Haynes had all heard Gabby clearly, yet they had been battling right next to the White House for the entirety of their time in Washington D.N.C. They had heard no commotion nearby, and they had assumed that the entire city was deserted like the other cities around the country that they had been through.
“How is that possible? How long has he been in there?” Haynes asked.
“For a few weeks. You all know that this Latitude doesn’t really pay attention to what goes on here these days, since people have decided over the past few decades that total isolation from one another is the best way to achieve unity. Jayce walked right into that building, and made the Oval Office his place of business with a simple showing of force. It’s all just for show these days though, as all he does is shoot the shit and watch his shows all day in there.”
The five rebels looked at each other, never imagining that finding Jayce Wolfgain could be so easy. “So, we just walk in? Gabby, Westin says that you can be trusted, but make no mistake that if we notice anything funny from you, I won’t hesitate to strike you down.” Christian made it clear to Jayce’s Number Three agent who seemed to have unofficially defected from his ranks, and she nodded in silent agreement at his declaration.
“His other two lackeys are probably off in some other city, just shooting the breeze like I and the others have been doing. So, if ya’ll just want to walk in and hold your business, go right on ahead.” Haynes adjusted his glasses, wondering if it could really be that easy.
“I’m sure Jayce has some traps around the White House...but, it’s interesting that Jayce apparently just wants the world to himself, so that he can do whatever he wants. Our efforts have ensured that the people of this world will stay alive, yet it does seem as though he will be killing everyone sooner or later if we don’t stop him, right now.”
The five of them nodded in agreement, ready to do whatever it took. “Gabby, are you going to help us stop him?” Winkle asked, as they all turned to her to await her response.
“Well, I suppose I already did tell you where he was at. I might as well go all in. I’ll join ya guys!” The six of them leapt away, having adequately honored the memory of their fallen friends with a burial and tribute, while Derek’s grave could be seen at a noticeable distance away from all their friend’s memorial tombstones. They landed on the White House lawn, looking around in apprehension amidst the complete silence that engulfed the area.
Gabby took the lead, walking in front of everyone to show them how to safely reach the Oval Office. “I know how to reach him without stepping on any Diamond Mines...straight this way.” Indeed, as they walked through the deserted hallways of the historic building, they noticed how there seemed to be remnants of a massive struggle all throughout.
“I wonder what Jayce did to take this place over. Maybe he already has killed a large amount of people,” Winkle said, as they moved forward in cautious silence. It was a long walk, with about a half hours’ time to safely reach the sealed doors of the office that Jayce had apparently been relaxing in for weeks.
“It seems to be locked, so I guess we should just kick it down.” They could hear classic sitcoms through the large, white doors, and their courage had managed to hold strong as Haynes took out his sword to slice it into many pieces. With apprehensive eyes, they all peeked inside in earnest, eager to find out what awaited them all.
Jayce Wolfgain sat in the traditional recliner chair that the previous Presidents had always sat in. He had activated a tablet device’s hologram projector, watching a vintage television show with an indifferent demeanor.
“The Walking Dead, wow...what a classic zombie show. Back then, you see, people were really into drama and tragedy. Nowadays, people just whittle their time away, isolated.”
Jayce’s carefree words had made everyone look at each other, while Gabby nervously stepped forward. “Hey Jayce, I hope you don’t mind...before you start your killing campaign, I brought these guys here to see you.” The one who had seemingly done a marvelous job in pulling the wool over Jayce’s eyes had allowed a sassy grin to come over her face. “You mind, hun?”
Jayce tapped a button on the zombie show, turning it up a notch. “Yeah, thank you guys for stopping the Eastern Latitude. By the way, I ran into a few of your friends in the plains, and they wanted me to send you their regards.” They all looked at each other again, feeling intense hatred upon hearing Jayce’s words.
“I...I’m not a killer, and I’m not your #3 agent anymore! Yet, I suppose I will make one exception. Jayce, I’m going to stop you today!!”
Gabby readied herself to do what she had to do against the ultimate killer, as the five friends stood behind her with their swords and abilities poised to back her up. Jayce suddenly stood up, “Gabby, I know that I’ve let you guys pretty much do what you want. I’m carefree like that...but this is the one thing I can’t allow. Turning on...me?? After I freed you all from that government ship, and saved you from a life as a mindless zombie?”
The group suddenly tensed up, as Jayce pointed his finger at them. “As for the rest of you, please understand that I am the one that spurred Dylan to wake Derek up. This means that I am also the one responsible for saving you a
ll from the same fate! You all...I extended my hand outwards, offering you all a spot with me as I stood on top of this world as its lone ruler...but, you just had to bite the hand that fed you, didn’t you guys?”
Gabby and the others stepped backwards, as Jayce’s voice intensified. “Wow! You know, I just don’t get it. Please, please help me understand this!? You all decide to stand for the people of this Latitude when they enslaved you all...made you all into zombies, helplessly enslaved for a lifetime. Do you guys really think that the people of this disgusting world are going to lighten up, and just leave you guys alone? Enough of your insolence...it’s time to join with me, and it’s time to make this planet our own. WHAT DO YOU SAY!?”
Disgust suddenly came on all their faces, as Christian stepped ahead of Gabby to speak. “Jayce, listen...even if I were to let the deaths of our friends go. Regardless of whether it was you, or one of your people that killed them, the reason we are standing against you guys, is because the people of this Latitude are still innocent. The people in charge are the ones that enslaved us all, not the oblivious citizens! I won’t...I cannot let anyone else die. Not my friends, and not the people of this planet. I am going to stop you today, Jayce!”
Jayce let Christian’s words sink in, as he brushed his hair back with a carefree smile. “Hmm,” he muttered, as he sat back down in his chair. He pressed a button on his tablet, resuming the playing of his show. “Thank you all for your time. #1 and #2 will now see all of you out...except for you Gabby, you will not be leaving this building.” Jayce’s words sent the rebels into a state of resolve, as they looked around to see if there was an opponent approaching them in the hallway. There was no one that they noticed, yet Gabby was suddenly overtaken in panic.
“Shit! Marshall and Keirkess. Where are,” Jayce seemed to have suddenly tuned out that fact that they were standing in his doorway, when the rebels’ eyes grew wide in sudden horror.
“Dissolve away, instantly.” They had heard an unknown voice speak as Gabby Jennings seemed to fizzle away into the air, right in front of them. Indeed, there were two men suddenly standing across the Oval Office, and the one that was wearing a sports jacket with the word ‘Marshall’ on it had a grin that was reminiscent of an arrogant college frat boy.
“Marshall, I need you to do it quicker than that. I would like for my office to remain intact.” Jayce had given an order of absolution to his one of his two league members, but the five rebels suddenly slashed their way out of Jayce’s Oval Office upon seeing Gabby instantly fizzle away from existence.
“Shit, what the hell was that!? Did...did that guy really just dissolve her away like she had been doused with acid??” Westin was in disbelief, as they all had escaped from Jayce’s office to take a moment to rally and strategize on the White House lawn. They looked around to see if they had been followed, as the morning sun began to rise.
“I’ll have to use my dimensional abilities to strike at him before he has a chance to dissolve us away,” Haynes said, as Westin readied himself for the battle as well.
“And I can just hit him with my death energy from a distance. No need to stress too much over these guys.” Westin had spoken, noticing that Winkle was holding her bag of dragon stones in her hand. “I’m sorry again about Nova. That ninja lady stuck him before I had a chance to act, or even revive him...I’m sorry, Winkle.”
Winkle was able to let a reassuring smile come on her face. “Westin, I know you did your best, and so did Nova. He can now join Terramae in peace.” Andrea stood in silence, suddenly taking out her last cigarette.
“I can’t believe that I am already out. I’m sure that will help this fight end quickly though.”
Christian kept his Diamond Sword poised to strike, as the trees they dove in between rustled in the wind. “You guys, I can feel them coming.” They all looked around, waiting for them to show themselves.
“You damaged Jayce’s office. I am going to get my ass chewed for that.” They had instantly appeared before them, and the guy with the arrogant smile had engaged them in interesting conversation.
“You already know my name: Marshall Pheonix. I’m Jayce’s Number Two agent. The guy next to me doesn’t talk much, but he is Keirkess Kincaide. Let me ask you all something...why am I introducing myself to you five when you’re going to die in a second, anyway?” Their stances all became rigid as they got a good look at their two opponents. The talkative one wore an orange cardigan around his neck and also sported white khakis and a lavish jacket that bore his own name. He whisked his product-filled hair backwards, to enable a look that would annoy anyone with a low monetary allowance.
“Ha! All right, let’s make this quick. I’ve got things to do.” Christian scoffed at his jibe, leaping ahead of his group to strike him down with his sword.
“Back down, surrender!” Keirkess stood next to Marshall, in silent tolerance of his partner’s antics until that point. His medium-length black hair whipped in the wind, along with his black suit and polished black shoes. “As I am ranked #1 in this project, I am going to enact delegation. Marshall, you will be tasked with ending their existence.”
At this command, the preppy #2 threw his neck sweater to the grass. “Damn you, Keirkess! Keep it up, and I will make you disappear!” Marshall had taunted his outranking official, yet Keirkess suddenly snapped his fingers; he instantly disappeared from their sight.
“Piece of shit! I suppose it’s up to me to take you guys out. Maybe, Jayce will promote me to #1 after this,” The five rebels didn’t let themselves panic, but they were concerned in the face of his menacing ability.
“So, it looks like you can make people disappear...and that other guy is also able to disappear?” Winkle asked in confusion.
Marshall laughed, fixing his hair once more. “My ability is ‘Dissolution’, and that means that I have the power to telekinetically increase the pH levels of anything in this world, whether living or non-living. You need to understand, acid is a part of all that exists, and I have been given the ability to increase someone’s acidic levels to the point where they instantly dissolve away...into thin air. You’ve travelled such a long distance to die by my hands...you’re finished!!!”
Christian gripped his sword, as his four friends stood behind him anxiously. “Christian, you got this?” Andrea asked, finishing her cigarette.
“Just stay behind me, you guys.” He had made the promise there would be no more of their friends dying, and Christian didn’t care how powerful his opponents were in the face of such a promise. He leapt forward, as his opponent calmly reached out to touch his Diamond Sword.
“Say good-bye to your precious sword!” It was suddenly hard for them to hold back their increasing panic, as they saw the sword that was about to reach Marshall suddenly dissolve away.
“Shit!” He realized that he should not have charged in against such an opponent, and now he was on the defensive.
“All things are inferior! Except for me, Marshall Pheonix! Goodbye, peasants!” Christian leapt backwards in a flash, quickly erecting a diamond wall from his hands; he looked around to notice that the trees and the ground surrounding them had also begun to dissolve away.
“No!! Diamond Fortress Technique!” Christian shouted, as his smaller diamond wall grew to form a large sphere that surrounded his friends. It even penetrated the ground, ensuring that the Number Two agent would not be able to dissolve his fortress away from any direction. “We can come up with a plan from in here...he shouldn’t be able to dissolve something as powerful as my diamond energy.”
“Christian Rivers, don’t be ridiculous!” The agent threw his palms forward, and they looked on in horror as the diamond sphere they had taken refuge in began to rot away, albeit very slowly.
“This seems to have bought us some time. Christian, can you get your sword back?” Indeed, their leader was able to reform his staff out of thin air, as though it had never eroded away in the first place.
“My elemental abilities are absolute it seems. B
ut this guy, reaching him is a problem. If I throw waves of water, or walls of mud at him, he can just dissolve those away as well. I might need to let you guys take this one, after all.”
The four of them smiled at Christian. “I think we have established that we need to work together on these top guys. Our abilities, as amazing as they have become, may not be suitable for certain fighting types.” Haynes had made them all think, and they could only nod their heads in agreement. Suddenly, it was Westin that put his hands on Christian’s eroding diamond fortress.
“You guys, I didn’t send my death energy through Jayce because I saw that this guy’s eroding ability is just as quick as my power. I won’t sacrifice any of you for a victory, but since you are all safe in here for the moment, I’ll handle this. Christian, please make a small hole in front of where this guy is standing.”
Westin suddenly opened his third eye, with his friends staring at it in awe. “That...is so overpowered Westin. I don’t think there is any way that they stand a chance!” Winkle yelled, as Christian complied. He pointed his diamond sword straight in Marshall’s direction, causing a small hole to appear; it was just big enough for Westin to gaze at his enemy’s face.
“Sorry, but it looks like you’re too arrogant to change your path.” Westin had made it clear to his opponent about what he had thought of his attitude, and Marshall laughed with a blasé smile.
“Silly greenhorns! I’ll send in my dissolving ability, straight through that hole. Goodb,” It was even quicker than Marshall’s ability to distort pH levels, as the death energy stopped the Number Two agent’s heart with ease.
“This...hurts!” Their opponent barely got a change to lament as his lifeless body landed hard on the grass. Christian smiled in relief, and Westin nodded at him once his ordinary eyes had opened up again.