"The hell did you do to him? Hittem with a train!?" Jack cried out as he looked over the lizard kid.

Well, he wasn't exactly a lizard anymore. After he passed out. He changed...

"Did you beat up a model!?" Lux cried.

The kid was ridiculously handsome. Even with all the welts and bruises on his body. He still looked like he walked right out of an action movie. He had creamy skin that seemed blemish free. And his blonde hair seemed unrealistically bright. I had him chained up to a tree deep in the woods. Jack and Lux were examining him like he was a alien or something.

"Its actually unfair how handsome is..."Jack grumbled.

"You said Zack's on his way right?" I asked.

"That's what Arthur texted me." Jack replied as he stood up.

I took my mask off and sighed. I wondered how long it was gonna be till he woke up. Jack was refusing to say anything at all to help me. Just here to watch the show. But to be honest, I felt relived he was here still. If he broke out I wasn't sure I'd be able to catch him again.

"Woo hoo! And the wiza! Has arrived!" I heard that idiot wail from above...

We all looked up, and there Zack was. The green flares form his fire were illuminating the night sky. He rocketed down and landed in the middle of all us. To my surprise he was in his mask. But the surprise didn't end there. He was also wearing a bunch of new threads! He wasn't in his same old AC/DC shirt anymore. He was wearing brand new red van's highstops ,New Black ripped Jean's and a black and dark red hoodie. His Hood was up and his masks colors complimented it quit nicely.

"Zack?" I asked.

He snickered."The one and only."

"Where did you..?"

"Big man Arthur gave the Alley of justice some dona-" He stopped talking as he seemed to catch sight of the kid chained up."The hell happened here? Kid looks like he's leaking hamburger helper!" Zack shrieked.

"Did you steal those clothes!?" I yelled.

"W-what!? Me!? Steal!? I'm a superhero now that's behind me!" Zack yarped back.

"You just stole some snickers from the convenience store last week!"

"Forgot that place! They were trash talking the wizard!"

"I mean you did rob them after all."

"Hey that was only after-"

"Boys!" Lux roared.

We both jumped to her voice and looked back to her.

"Sorry Lux.." We both said in unison.

"Did Arthur give you the credit card?" Jack asked as he turned to face Zack.

Zack flung his hood off and went to take his mask off.

"Damn right he did. Plus!" He went into his pocket and pulled out a smart phone. It looked sleek and brand new. The back was red and the front just looked like all screen."This bad boy!"

"I-is that a smartphone?" I asked.

"Yup, you got one too." He chimed.

He went into his pocket again and pulled out a similar looking phone. He tossed it over to me and I caught it. The phone really was slick and cold to the touch. I'd never seen a phone as fancy as this. The back of my phone was blue.

"Plus your own credit card." Zack said as be flicked a card toward me.

I jumped and I quickly caught it, fumbling a bit with it.

"And why did Arthur give us these?" I asked.

"Who knows and who cares. All I know is Tinder has opened my eyes to some hot babes over here." Zack purred.

"Of course the first thing you do is tinder.." I sighed.

"Anyways, whose short blonde and handsome over there?"

"Don't know yet. He hasn't woken up since I slammed him into a car."

"Damn Stryder what did he do? Jay walk across the street?"

"He attacked me and Valentina when we were walking and-"

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Hold on, hold on go back. You were out with who?" He chimed as he happily hoped over to me.

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I looked away from him.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Wait Stryder! Where you out on a date! And you didn't tell me!?" Lux roared.

I suddenly felt Lux tackle me into a hug from behind.I had to activate my super strength to not fall over.

"Nothing it was nothing really!" I assured her.

"You old horn dog! As soon as I leave you start making moves. That Valentina chick is pretty hot. But way to stuck up...guess that sounds about right for you." Zack chuckled.

"Its nothing, really. We were just hanging out because you and Jack were..." I stopped and looked up to Lux.

I could see her cheeks gain a rosey pink shade.

"D-did he tell you!?" She cried.

"Tell you what!" Zack roared.

He held out his hand as fire erupted into his palms. He glared at Jack. Who just started picking his nose with his pinky.

"That me and Lux are totally in love!" He chimed as he flicked something off his Pinky.

"Your what!?" Zack roared as he stomped over to him.

Jack smirked and moved a hand to his hip.

"L-o-v-e." Jack sounded out.

"Jack!" Lux pleaded.

"Could you people shut the hell up!?"

We all went silent.

We all slowly turned toward the chained up boy. Who was aggressively glaring at all of all.

"Shut the hell up blonde!" Zack roared as held his handout toward the kid.

The ground shook and vines shot out of it, quicky wrapping around his mouth. The kid groaned and the faint memory of fireballs hit me. Jack just smirked and I watched as the vines melted away.

Zack didn't notice however, and continued to march toward Jack. The kid leaned back and seem to hacking a loogie. I looked to Zack, then back to Jack. Who clearly was banking on the kid.

I looked over at Zack again. Then the memory of Alexis and him blared into my mind. Guess he kinda had it coming. I stepped back and Leo flung his head forward. Mini lava loogie shot out from Leo's mouth and rained down onto Zack and his new threads. Burning through them all and his cheek. He yelped like a little girl and jumped back. That's when I noticed there was ice below him. He slipped on it immediately and fell back.

Then something odd happened. He crashed...on the air. My eyes widened and Jack just smirked. D-did Jack do that on purpose? I'd never seen this spell before? It was like he was on an air seat.

"What the hell.." Zack grunted.

"Is that a new spell? Or a changed form of the sheild?" I asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know.." Zack grumbled.

He turned to the kid and I decided to drop the spell topic. This kid mattered a lot more right now.

"So kid, are you ready to talk?" Zack asked.

He didn't even pay attention to Zack. He just ignored him and looked away. Zack pointed his finger at Jack who was yawning.

"I'll deal with you later!" He declared.

"Whatever." Jack yawned. "Come on Lux, it's time to let the heroes be heroes."

"R-right..." Lux said defeatedly.

"I know you want to see cool hero stuff. But its safer with me." Jack replied.

I turned to Lux, she was staring hard into my eyes. I looked back and gave her a smile.

"I'll be fine." I said cheerfully.

Luxs look of concern turned to a small soft smile. She nodded toward me and stepped toward Jack. I smiled and turned back to the kid.

Zack looked back to them and he grumbled.

"I'm gonna melt that damn popsicle.."

"Focus." I replied.

"So you said you came here to see if I was who I said I was. How do you know...anything about me?" I asked.

"One of the swordsmen who were coming to challenge you had your info. I just came along."

I raised my brow.

"Swordsman?" I asked.

"Right you two are in the boonies. That Arthur guy you were talking about. He has a tournament coming up this summer with his seven hand picked swordsmen. A few were visiting around and scoping out the competition. It's a big event most of us in the community are looking forward to."

Suddenly I was reminded of that phone call I had with him. Him mentioning his little game.

"So, there are more people coming like you? When?" I asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon I'd assume. If they keep the same pace that is." He replied.

"Your surprisingly cooperative." Zack pointed out. "What's your aim?"

"I just have nothing to loose by lying at this point. I lost my fight, for now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"I don't intend on leaving until I can best you."

"Why? After all there are plenty better then me."

However the kid didn't reply. He just stared at me. What game was he playing at...

"What's your name?" Zack asked.

"Leo."

Zack took out his phone and started typing. Occasionally looking up at him. Then he just stopped. His eyes got wide and he seemed star struck.

"T-this kid is A rank! He's above us in the threat category!" Zack hollered. "And you scraped him all by yourself!?" Zack asked

I shrugged.

"I guess so?"

"Ah if you could beat him, that means I definitely would have stomped him." Zack chuckled.

Leo just grumbled at his comment.

I kneeled down and looked looked Leo in his eyes.

"Leo, do you think you could take me to meet the swordsman?" I asked.

He looked me in my eyes for a moment.

"If you agree to a rematch. Then I'll accept." He said flatly.

"Then it's a deal." I chimed.

I prepared myself and dispelled the chains. Leo stood up and stretched immediately.

"I'll meet you at your home around ten am tomorrow. Sound good?" Leo asked.

"Are we just gonna trust him?" Zack asked.

I stood up and stretched myself.

"Not like we have a choice. We don't have anyway of holding him down all night." I replied.

Leo yawned and started to walk off, and I tugged Zack In the opposite direction. After we were far enough away I leaned over to him.

"Send bean to follow him." I whispered.

"Way ahead of you. I was wondering why you were taking such a risk and letting him go like that."

"I just have no way of verifying anything, and I also have no reason to think he won't just go and attack some random people. So this is the best option. Since we can't just chain him up all night." I replied.

"Makes sense. Since that's handled I can share the good news with you."

"What? Did you buy a race car?"

"Huh, that does sound like something I'd do." He took out his phone and started typing.

"What are you doing?"

"Reminding myself to buy a race car for homecoming, got it."

"You don't even have a license."

"Bribe DMV, got it."

I sighed.

"Anyways, the good news?" I reminded.

"Ah! Right!" He cheered. "Its about Annual! She's awake! And feeling a lot better!"

I stopped walking as this tingling sensation washed over me. I felt my heart begin to race as I stared at Zack in shock.

"Y-your serious!?" I cheered.

"I would'nt joke about this. Next time you get a chance, you should go visit her. Shes able to walk. Take her shopping." He suggested.

His words from earlier rang into my mind. I thought he wouldnt want me around her because of what I did. Because I ran away.

"Do you mean that?" I bluntly asked.

Zack's charismatic smile slowly began to fade. Until he adoned his rare serious look.

"The idea petrifies me if I'm being honest." He said bluntly. "However, when I mentioned your name. It brought a smile on her face I could never make. No matter how hard I tried."

"Zack, I-"

"No, it's fine. I could tell just by looking at her eyes. It just be hurting her more if I kept you away from her."

My mouth felt dry. I wasn't sure how I felt, what I should say. I wanted to vomit. But at the same time I felt fine. My chest was slashed open today. But this pain in my chest right now. Was real pain.