Chapter 3 The Hero

As Spector rushed through the streets of town trying to catch up, to the mutants on foot, the days that led her to where she was plagued her mind.

A sound of the a gunshot, causing her parents death, to the crazy cackle of the man who did it. To the news articles of the rise in the number of mutant cases, causing mass panic throughout her hometown the past few week’s. “A hero,” she questioned in her mind, as flashes of herself running rampant due to the uncontrollable rage, she felt, brought on by her terrifying mutation, when she was younger.

Her eyes turned from a normal brown, to a sinister green, with slit pupils, giving her heightened sight. Her ears twitching as she snarled, taking in the heightened sense of smell, remembering the metallic scent of Blood.

At the memory her gag reflexes kicked in, bringing her to a stop. Luckily the mask hid her sicken state as she slowly came back to reality of the situation. A monstrous, mutant creature with wings, was terrorizing her city, a victim of the same thing that caused her own. There was no time to waste. Ducking behind a building, she blended into the shadows to observe the scene before her. Crowds of people were fleeing in mass panic. A young child who ran away from the creature caught its attention.

As it did, Sarah got a glimpse of its demonic eyes. Like all mutants it had the same eyes as the one who did this to her. Forcing Sarah to freeze in her tracks. Her leg trembling from fear., forcing sarah to take a step back. “What am I doing?” she asked herself out loud as she remembered the horrid eyes of the one who killed her parents. Even so, as the creature spread its wings, and launched an attack at the child, Sarah momentarily forgot her fear.

Taking action, Spector threw her arms out. A blast of icy and snow erupted from her hands creating an ice sculpture stopping the beast it inches from crushing the boy. Someone then grabbed the child and ran off, more terrified of the shadow in the corner than that of the monster that attacked it. "No need to thank me, I guess."Spector shrugged, only for her witty thought to be interrupted by the monster's Roar!,'' Now in the light it was easy to see the beast. It was a pale woman with dark blond almost brown hair, She had two sharp fang-like teeth, yet strangely she had wings of that of a bird, spread out from her back. Her black dress was torn slightly, due to her now larger size that stretched it to its limit, along with the blue jeen jacket she had on. To say she was strong, was an understatement.

Turning to face its adversary, the mutant lunged another attack, this time heading stright for Spector. Who barely dodged its punch.

"You're pretty light on your feet, Ill give you that" she joked and jumped mid-twist with a back-kick to the monster. Though her foot made contact, it didn't even phase the creature."Oh, okay? This could be a problem," Spector muttered nervously as the mutant girl once again roared in response. “Ok if hitting wont work,” Spector mumbled as she raised her hand for another attack. Using her powers a stun blast of fire erupted from her hands,irritating the mutant more.

Having had enough of the fight, the mutant swung at Spector, making contact with its fist and flinging her like a ragdoll into a wall.

"Ugh... ah yeah that's gonna hurt in the morning," Spector complained as she shifted her shoulder. “Ok Sarah, all yo got to do is, get one shot, she muttered as she took out her pistol, the mutant roared in its victory over her. “Yeah, yeah keep on thinking you won,” mumbled Sarah as she made sure to aimed carefully for it.

Being so focused on what she was doing, Sarah never noticed the other creature coming up behind her. With blinding speed, and an iridescent light, Sarah felt a hard kick to the gut, before she could even blink.

Spctor hit the ground hard, causing, her halloween mask to fly off. Trying to get back to her feet, she felt as if one of her ribs might have been broken, causing her to groan in a little from the pain. Looking up to see what caused it, Sarah instantly recognised, Ray Mavric, from her school profiles. Only difference is she had canine like fangs, and two large wings, that she used to keep herself hovered off the ground. Flapping when ever necessary to keep her altitude.

"great, you again." Muttered Spector sarcastically.

"stay away from my friend," Ray warned crossed,

"No Rachel, I'm here to help!" Sarah called out, despite the pain she felt to her left side.

The creature flung open her eyes in shock. "How do you know my name?"

"Mindlessly attacking her is not gonna work, Sky’s only going to get crazier if you attack that way."

Rachel gripped her tight by the front of her hoodie. "What do you mean? You seem to know a thing or two about whatever happened to us so spill it!" She yelled, through grit teeth,her eyes glowing brighter than before.

"Ok, ok just calm down!"Sarah sputtered in a panic. In response Rachel growle. "No seriously if you don't you'll just end up like her!" Sarah told her.

"Explain!" Rachel snarled.

"I'm a mutant too, someone turned me into this, Someone is turning innocent people into raging monsters. While it's not a cure, taking some medicines can stop the descent into pure madness, I know because it's how I stay sane." She nervously chuckled, looking insane herself.

"I," Rachel shook her head. "I don't believe you. You, you want to hurt my friend!"

"No Rachel, no, I want to help!"

"You tried to shoot her!"

"With a tranquilizer! These darts have medicine, They're not heavy enough to knock out anyone, just enough to calm them. I use the same medicine on myself to deal with my own mutations!!!"

Rachel shook her head in disbelief, "I. I can't." She let go of her hold on Spector "I can't, ahhh!” with her right hand Rachel punched a hole through a car door. "I can't calm down!!!" Her eyes burned emerald.

Spector didn't hesitate, knowing this would be her one chance to and shot Rachel with a dart. As soon as it hit her, ray began to mellow out.

"Breathe, just breathe. Sarah told her as she collapsed in her arms.”

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"Thank you, who are you anyway?" asked ray sounding exhausted, the medicine clearly taking its effect.

"Some call me Specter,” Though I think it's a ridiculous name, she thought to herself, “I'm not about to reveal my identity to you."

"Ah, shucks." The girl complained.

"It's alright Rachel."

"Ray."

"What?"

"Ray. I just prefer it that way. You're a real friend for doing this."

"Ok, Ray. Tell me, how did you end up like this?"

She took a moment to catch her breath with one more sigh. "We were all at College. There are a lot of students, who are studying to be scientists and doctors. Sky wants to be a vet. Me and her were hanging out walking home when something hit her. At first we thought it was a mosquito but it actually was some sort of dart. She soon collapsed, and i called for an ambulance, but before they got here, sky sprouted wings, and took off. I tried to follow but with no way of keeping up i, well- She's my best friend. "Ray said, looking away ashamed of herself."

"So you mutated yourself to help her huh?" Spector asked gaining a nod from Ray. "Stupid," Specter reprimanded her, causing Ray to wince like a child in trouble. "But brave. Still, you need to stay out of this one." Spector told Ray while reloading her gun. "Turn yourselves in and get some help, Leave Sky to me." She replied, beginning to walk away.

"Wait, you can't do this on your own, we'll work together on..."

"No... I work alone."

Sarah looked over her shoulder at her. Seeing Ray's eyes turn back to their normal state. "Leave Sky to me."

"How in the world do you know our names?!"

"I read your files," Spector smirked and ran, leaving a confused Ray.

…

Specter jumped up in front of the hissing mutant Sky who spotted her. "Oh god, maybe I should have thought this through." Specter muttered as she jumped from car to car, barely evading punches from the roaring giant. "Ok come on," Sarah growled as she grabbed her tranquilizer gun. "Too late," the monster kicked her in the gut, sending her flying. "Again come on, I already got kicked there!" She complained with a moan of pain.

"There is no way you can do this on her own," Ray yelled out, she quickly grabbed one of the down power lines and used it as a rope, flinging it around, catching Spector by the waist.

As Sky came in for another punch, Ray pulled Spector to safety just in time before the beast could land a blow.

"Uh, umm, thanks for the save," Specter muttered, not knowing really what to say in the situation.

"Thank me later, run!" Ray shouted, as Sky came in for another blow! Quickly the two ran, with the mutant following them.

Not keeping track of where she was going, due to the crazy beat on her tail, Specter tripped over a rock plummeting to the ground, causing her to lose grip on her weapon.

"My gun," she shouted as the Pistol flew out of her hand.

"Not the time," Ray called out and grabbed her by the belt, easily caring her to safety. The ducked behind a building, in hopes of not being spotted. Ray covered both of their mouths in hopes to quiet down their heavy breathing, so that they wouldn't be heard.

Sky, looked every wich way, for where the two could have gone, only for some other sound to catch her attention.

Peeking over the side of the wall, Ray watched Sky headed towards the source,facinated like a wild animal would be for any sound. Once she was far enough away, sky let out an exhausted breath, "Ok, any bright ideas?"

"Without that gun, no.” Spector shook her head.

At the sound of a nother Roar, Ray took a glance at Sky, who was currently spreading out her wings, in preparation of flight. "Oh, no, If she takes off now, there's no chance of catching her, what do we do?"

"No idea,"Spector wine with a nervous smile, unsure of the next step, when a familiar bang went off, causing the two women to jump.

They quickly looked over the side at the building, finding Maroo, standing with a pistole in his hand. "Night, night monster." He smirked, bringing the weapon up to his lips and blowing the smoke from it

"Ahh, who is that?" chuckled Ray.

Spector slapped her face with a sigh. "Oh no."she griped, before running out to the twelve year old boy. "I told you I work alone, didn't I? And what about, uh..." Sarah paused, knowing she was in front of Ray. But Ray just crawled out behind the wall and ran over to check on her friend.

"Well, I say it's a good thing the boy didn't listen," she called out to Spector, as Sky began to shrink back to normal. “you saved our lives, squirt"

"They don't know about this. I promise," the boy assured the angry hero..." I didn't want to see you get hurt, so I followed and stayed out of it, But when I saw the opportunity, I took it. And what do ya know, I saved the day," he set his fist on his hips.

Sarah rolled her eyes, before finally giving in, "Yes. Yes, you did." She replied giving the kid with a hug.

"So is he a mutant too?" Asked Ray watching the two.

"Nope, just a ninja fan, glad I got to save the day, though!”

Just then, Sky finally came to. "Uh, what happened?" She asked as she held her head in pain. "Seriously, can someone fill me in." She said as she looked around. "Where are we, and why does it look like we're in the middle of a war zone?" She started to shake nervously, a bit scared.

"Yeah, well, that's a long story. But you see..." Ray began to tell the story.

...

One explanation later.

…

"Oh, sorry sorry, sorry. I, I." Sky began to cry in Rays arms.

"Doesn't matter, you're mutants and as such you need to turn yourselves in and get medical help." Sarah scoffed.

"Uh-huh... says the mutant hero," Ray complained. "I'm not gonna be some test subject. I have school and things to do."

"But, but, you can't just run around like this. Unwatched with your mutant powers."

"Yeah, but Specter, we know how to control them, now thanks to you. Just tell us what medicine you use and well get some." Ray began. "Hell, We could all stick together even and..."

"No, no, no, I work alone, For safety reasons, I can't let some random civilian’s get in the way. Especially those who are mutated."

"Uh-huh?" Maroo chimed in. "Because you were doing so great on your own tonight." He rolled his eyes, gaining a dirty look from Spector.

"He's right?" Sky said softly, gaining their attention. With their eyes all on her now, Sky Shifted uncomfortably for a moment before continuing."All of you are right. You all make good points. Speaking from my experience. I ..." she hid behind her own hair. "I don't ever want to be in that state again. I don't want others to be either. they're so hurt, and angry. And I don't want to be locked away in a cage either. Especially when we have the ability to help those like us. Mutated. But specter, you are right as well. We can't just run around willy-nilly. Perhaps if we all team up. Shadow Star can keep an eye on us, and we could help those who are hurt..." she nervously smiled.

surprised it was her to make the most sense, they nodded, in simultaneous agreement.

"Ok, then this is what's happening I guess, my name is Sarah Stone,I was mutated, just like you a few years ago. I have researching a cure for all of this, but have come up short as of late. If were going to do this, we have to keep this between us. And we we should go by aliases, when stoping other mutants."

"Allice what now?" Ray asked.

"Hero names," Maroo told her, gaining a look of realization from Ray.

"Ok, but then..." Sky said as she nervously turned to Sarah. "The question remains right."

Sarah slowly nodded. "Who's turning people into mutants... and it seems our best lead is at Casper College."

"You don't think someone at the college is behind all this, do you?" Asked Ray in concern.

Sarah shook her head, "I don't know Rachel. I don't know."