The police soon came by and took our report. It was kinda hard to describe the guy. I mean, I basically saw a blonde lizard man. He also asked me if he had any weapons on him. What was I supposed to say to that? Yeah, he's got really sharp teeth and I think he can breathe fire? I just said a blonde kid with a knife attacked me.

After the police left I stayed with Valentina for a while. She was pretty nervous about staying home alone. So we sat on the couch and watched Star Wars while we waited for her dad to get home. I listened to her nerd out over lightsabers and the Jedi for a while. Trying my best to let her calm her nerves.

I was starting to wonder if I could make a lightsaber...

"I'm surprised you've never seen A New Hope before. It's a classic!"

"I was never really into sci-fi. But I'm actually really liking this."

Valentina patted my shoulder.

"Well next time you visit me in the night, we can watch more."

I reached down and took a handful of popcorn. As soon as I got the chance I needed to go get Jack. This lizard kid was worrying me. I wondered if he was one of the people Jack was warning me about. I hope he didn't attack anyone else...

The door abruptly swung open and a man ran into the house. Vals face lit up with excitement. The man was in a white button up shirt with blue slacks. He had short brown hair that was neatly cut like a military man.

"Oh thank God you're alright!" The man exhaled.

Valentina shot up in excitement and ran over to the man and tackled him in a hug.

"Of course I'm fine dad!" She cheered as she fell into his embrace.

"Oh dad, this is Stryder! He protected me from the assailant tonight." Valentina chimed as she slowly let go of her dad.

I quickly stood up and stepped toward the dad.

"H-hello my names stryker, I mean Stryder!" I corrected..

I didn't think I would be this nervous. But my mind was going a mile a minute, and my heart was pounding. I wondered what he thought of me, if he blamed me for the attack? Did he think I was a thirsty kid going after his daughter? Was staying here with her even a wise decision? Man having a mask on made life so much easier...

"Thank you so much Stryder." He said quickly as he reached out his hand to me.

I hesitated at first, but then I quickly shook his hand.

"I didn't do much sir. I'm just glad I was fast enough to get her away safely."

We were still shaking hands. I was so wrapped in my thoughts I didn't even notice he stopped shaking. I quickly let go.

"S-sorry about that."

Valentina chuckled a bit.

"You can relax, I know he looks all mean and grumpy. But he's like an old teddy bear."

"W-well I should be going. My sister's probably worried sick." I said quickly as I slowly moved to the door.

"R-right, well I appreciate what you did for my daughter. You should come by for dinner one of these days so I can properly thank you." The dad said.

"You don't have to do that." I began to relax some. "But I'd love to come over regardless. See ya! Thanks for the help by the way Val!"

With that I quickly slide out and shut the door behind me. Then I booked it home!

Once I made it back to my apartment I quickly swung the door open.

"Jack emergency!"

Jack had his arm around Lux sitting on my bed/couch watching a movie. I forgot the only furniture in this house was my bedding. Something for me to worry about on a later date.

"O-oh Stryder! We were just umm-"

Lux started but I cut her off.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"No time! Jack, it's a gifted! I think he came for me."

"What!?" He shrieked as he shot up.

"I'll explain on the way! Come on!"

The night air was surprisingly warm. It felt like it was wrapping around me like a blanket. The moon was still out and brightened the night like the sun.

"So I'm guessing you have a lot of questions."

"Well yeah of course-"

"Like did we make out? Was he touching my sister? And-"

"What!? No, shut up we need to focus."

"Especially with us on your....bed? I think you called it."

"Not right now Jack. Possible Hell boy on the loose. Need to focus on the task at hand."

"I'm surprised you're taking this so lightly."

"Look, Lux is happy right? She was comfortable with you as far as I can tell. Who am I to say anything about that. That's all I care about."

Jack didn't say anything back. I looked over at him from the corner of my eye. I could see a small content smile on his face. I didn't bother to say anything else. I’m sure he got the picture.

It didn’t take us long to arrive back at the park. I was hoping the guy left a trail, or something behind that we could track.

"So this is the spot huh?" Jack asked as he finally landed.

I hadn't even thought about it before, but Jack can definitely fly. I wonder if there was some trick to it. I'd ask him later.

"Yeah, this is where he attacked us. Be careful, cops could still be looking around here." I turned back to a maskless Jack, who seemed to just not care.

"Honestly, you heroes and your secret identities." Jack said sarcastically. "If I get caught, I get caught."

"Aren't you worried about your fa-" I stopped myself.

I remember what he said back at the fire escape. His only associate is Arthur. I could see Jack eyeing me curiously and I turned away. Right, I wasn't supposed to know that.

"Anyways." Jack chimed as he held out his hand.

Snowflakes slowly began to descend from his palm. It swirled around like a blizzard in the air. I could feel the cold air nipping at my skin. Then the snow flurries slowly began to form an image. I became speechless as I watched a flurry image of me, and the hooded guy form. Then an image of Valentina formed behind us, coming in with her pepper spray.

"Stryder! You were out with a lady huh?" Jack chimed as he nudged me.

But my eyes were glued onto the flurries. I could barely tell, but it looked like Valentina saw me summon my armor. I felt this pit in my stomach form slowly.

"Oh no..." I muttered.

"Well hero this is where I step off. These flurries will guide you to where he went after this."

"Wait what!?"

"I'm not here to solve your problems." He yawned and moved his hands behind his head. "You won't learn if I solve all your problems now will you?"

"But Jack, wait! I think Val saw me."

"Well, how are you gonna figure it out? If you get stumped I can help. But right now, this is your first trial Mr.hero." Jack slowly began to ascend to the sky.

This guy...I was really on my own here. Not only did I have to catch a loose psycho. But now I have to determine if Val saw me use my powers or not.

I looked to the flurries and saw the lizard kid rubbing his face. Then he took off toward me and Vals flurries. I guess I'd have to worry about my Val problem later.

I chased after the flurries. Which brought me back to the main street. The flurries went away from Vals house and I followed.

Then to my horror he turned toward my place. He sat outside of it for a while. The flurries seem to suddenly go into fast forward mode. Every movement he had was extremely fast like I was fast forwarding it. D-did the ice react to me? Is Jack watching me? I looked around me for a bit. Frosty wasn't anywhere in sight..

Then my flurry came back...I felt my blood run cold. H-he was watching me. He was watching me this entire time. As my flurry ran back out with Jack the lizard kid followed after. But he stopped. I could see ice freezing his legs.

Jack knew he was following us.

I could hear a crackling like fire coming from behind me. I turned quickly and I was greeted by three fireballs coming my way. I quickly activated my super strength and sprung myself to the left, and away from the rain of fire.

The kid stood across the street with his hand to his mouth. Smoke slowly rose off his hand. His blonde hair was now boldly exposed.

I summoned light armor over my body. A nice upgrade of my powers was fire resistance type armor. That'll protect me from his fire at least. I don't trust my swords against his scales.

I activated my super strength and charged forward, summing gauntlets over my arms. The dragon boy ran in and opened his mouth, a bright flash of light came out and blinded me. Immediately after I felt something slam into the side of my head. Then a barrage of hits slammed into me. I felt and heard the tearing of my armor.

I felt him slash my chest plate off, and with that he slashed my chest open. He noticed my eyes and before I had a chance to react. He opened his mouth and fire blasted out from his mouth. I was lucky enough to summon armor over my chest again. The fireball came out and blasted my chest and I was sent flying. I bounced back on the ground like a ragdoll. I quickly caught myself and skidded to a stop.

"Pathetic, don't tell me I came all this way for some doormat." The dragon boy groaned.

I dispelled my armor and stood up.

He's fast in close combat, so my eyes won't help. Plus his mouth has concentrated fire shots. Not to mention claws that cleaned through my armor like butter. This guy was tough.

"What exactly do you want?" I asked.

"Test to see if you beating stone and damaging Rex was a fluke or not."

"Well as you can see, I'm not all that. Sorry to disappoint."

"No, you're just not trying yet." He roared as he charged forward.

I quickly took my hoodie off and activated my strength. I threw the hoodie in his direction and he countered with a blast of fire. I used my speed and charge to the right side. I could see his ocean blue eyes get wide as I came upon him. He was still in mid breath as I clocked him! I activated my full strength as soon as I made contact. He flew back from me skidding and bouncing on the ground.

I guess that meant he couldn’t handle my speed.

I watched in shock as I saw a burst of crimson red and yellow burst from his body. He flew into the air and spun around and soon landed back on his feet

Suddenly a woman's screams echoed through the empty streets. Me and the assailant both turned toward the sound. He didn't hesitate and leaned back. Just like he did before when he was about to spew fire. I didn't hesitate. I focused everything into my legs and darted toward the fire. It burned, my thighs, my calfs. It was all on fire. But I pushed myself. I needed to save her!

I saw as the fire shot out from his mouth. There was no time to get to the girl. I leaped forward and summoned armor over me. The fireball crashed into me. It reminded me of when Jack punched through my armor, and also when Zack burnt me alive. I felt a hot burning sensation slam into my back as it broke through my armor. It was like a hot stove top was slammed into my back. I was sent flying and crashed into a building, then dropped to the ground.

I bit my lip as I tried to hold back from screaming. But I ignored the burning pain and stood up. I looked over and the girl was halfway down the road. I panted heavily and looked back toward the dragon boy.

"Well, are you gonna get serious now? Or am I gonna have to blast some more people?" He scoffed.

I growled and I stood up straight. I get it now. This was real. It was like I was fighting Stone again.

I took a breath and stood up straight. I needed to interrogate him. He not only knew where I was. But specifically who I was when he came after me and Val. Not to mention he knew where I lived. I slowly started walking toward him.

He has quick reactions, but I don't think he's faster than me. I summoned my gauntlets over my arms. I can't cut his skin. But I can rock his brain if I beat him enough. Plus, I should test and see if his stomach is a weak point. I remember some fairy tales saying something about dragons having a weak under their belly. I focused all my strength into my whole body and took a breath. I felt the burning sensation creeping all over me again and I just let it envelope me. I took one good look at him. Then I charged in.

He seemed to panic as I started running at him and he rapidly shot fireballs at me. I activated my eyes and dodged the crimson balls of death. I wasn’t slowing down one bit and I charged in. His fireballs were a lot smaller, but faster then before. Still, I managed to dodged each one of them and as soon as I got close. I clocked him with all my might! He was sent flying and I chased after him as he flew away and clocked him again. I summoned a chain around his body and skidded to a stop. I flung him back toward me and focused all my strength into my arm and as he came in I slammed my fist into his stomach and he went flying. It was like watching a bottle rocket shoot off. He then slammed into a truck on the side of the road. I panted heavily as sweat dripped down my body. Suddenly this wave of exhaustion fell over me and I stumbled forward.

I watched as his body was motionless in the car. I didn’t hear my goddesses voice. I guess that he was out.