An Assassin's Rematch

Remember yourself dying?On my shoulders?

6 Months Ago.

Shannon and Starlio's anniversary had just passed,an event that both teenagers had anticipated for a long time only for the actual day itself to arrive and Plex City factory,having a major fire that day that made Starlio spent the entire day helping out in rescue operations,missing the anniversary completely and now,the couple had just met up,ready to go to Starlio's apartment where his mother had prepared dinner and invited Shannon over.

"Hopefully that never happens again."Starlio joked as he and Shannon walked up to his door,hand in hand to be greeted warmly by Alice Stex.

"Hello Shannon."Starlio's mother welcomed Shannon who smiled warmly in return:"Hello Auntie hello Mitchell."Shannon waved at Mitchell who was sitting at the living room table doing his homework,waving back awkwardly.

"I hope you're okay with these,it's just a few simple dishes.There's fried butter prawn there,I heard from Starlio you like them."Alice offers as Shannon nods:"All these are more than enough.Thank you so much Auntie."

Starlio recalled that day,one of the happiest moment he had felt in years.

People he loved,all gathered together happily and enjoying a delicious meal.He didn't want anything else,there was no need for some multi billion empire for him to rule,no need for the immense fame he was receiving for being a hero,no need for the recognition he had gotten from his actions.

That was it.He was satisfied with his life just like this.

After the meal,Starlio,Shannon and Alice gathered at the living room for desserts while Mitchell resumed his homework.

"I'm just happy that he's actually willing to love someone else.For the longest time I was worried Starlio refused to date or something you know?"Alice jokes with Shannon who looked at Starlio,mocking him and pushing him jokingly.

"Did he not have any crushes?"Shannon asks.

"Apparently not."Alice says as the two women looked at Starlio who blushed:"Come on,I'm like barely 16 it's not that weird."

"Not even like a little?"Shannon reconfirms.

"Not really,I mean some girls were cute but that was pretty much it."Starlio admits.

Alice raised an eyebrow as she smiled:"I'm just glad you guys found each other.Shannon,you're a really nice girl and my son might be stubborn at times but he is a genuinely brave and kind boy.I don't wanna come off as pressurizing but I really am happy to see him being loved by someone else other than us,just really hope the two of you to walk down the journey of life together nicely."

Shannon giggles:"I will take care of him Auntie,don't worry."

Now.

A Day had passed.

Shannon and Starlio hid in Stex Enterprises,placing their bets that the enemy had already cleared the facility from their targeted places.The building was shut down with minimal light turned on,employees were all given a mandatory one week leave break as Starlio began gathering all the people around him,people he believed were in danger.

Roy,Angie,Mitchell,Dakota and Javier were already there with him and now,they were awaiting the arrival of Joseline,Frank and Kane whom the Chairman should be aware about from previous events.

Starlio and Mitchell were still both fairly distraught about the events of yesterday,the two brothers sitting opposite each other barely eating the porridge in front of them.

"Bro...what...where will you be sending me?"Mitchell asks.

"For now...upstate Seattle.There's another building,a Stex Enterprise owned building that may be empty,but there with basic supplies that should last you guys for a few weeks at the minimum.The building is not yet registered so the chance of you guys being found should be relatively low.But the problem now is how..."Starlio tells his brother.

"Then what about you?Will you-"

"I will remain here,I will finish this.I will not let Mom and Dad die for nothing.The Chairman must be taken out."Starlio looks his brother in the eye,hoping that he would understand."You cannot do this alone bro.There's-"

"I'm not alone.I made the mistake already....Mom wouldn't want that.Shannon will be here with me."Starlio tells him when Mitchell protested:"Mom would want us to be together!I can't just run and let you-"

"Listen to me Mitch,the whole thing,all of this started with Shannon and I.It only makes sense for it to end with the both of us.I have accepted Shannon to help me but I really won't risk another person.Okay?That is final."Starlio tells Mitchell who sighs,nodding his head reluctantly.

Javier Navarro walked towards the canteen,noticing that the brother's hasn't taken a single bite of their food.

"Starlio,Mitchell,you both need to eat up."Javier tells them.

"I don't-"

Before Starlio could finish his sentence,Shannon stomped up to him from behind,grabbing a spoonful of porridge and shoving it into his mouth."Star...your mother would want you to take care of yourself.So do I,eat up."

Starlio closed his eyes,holding back his tears as he agreed with her,following her wishes.

Following the meal,Starlio decided to hold back his emotions for the next few days,deciding that the evacuation of his friends and family will not be held back because of his loss.Starlio gathered his friends along with Shannon,Dakota and Javier.

"I will be renting a private jet that will fly all of you upstate Seattle where I have a building you guys can use.I will also be pumping some finance and resources over to allow you all to last at least a few weeks,so while I handle the Chairman here,I need all of you to minimize your movement,the Chairman has men everywhere,so you all need to keep that in mind."Starlio tells them.

Roy was the first to speak up.

"Starlio,you're telling us to run away when you stay here alone?!What makes you think we will allow that?!"Roy stood up as Angie quickly held him back."No...I think I understand."Angie looks at Starlio,before looking towards the rest.

Kane,who had just arrived seemed to understand as well.

"Starlio...I know you see us as people to protect.Maybe you're right,maybe it's too much for us to think that we can help even when we...you know.We can't do much.But maybe...I know it's not much but I have some money,my parents don't really check on their own bank accounts but I...let me provide the food when we're there.Use your wealth for the fight here."Kane offers.

"I have too much money for my own good Kane.It's okay."Starlio declines.

"Okay Starlio.I will follow what you say."Joseline says,standing up as well:"You have always tried your best to keep us safe and without you,many of us would be dead already.I trust your judgement,as much as I want to stay and fight as well....we might just hinder Starlio in the end."

"But what if we could do something...?Are we just supposed to hide it out?"Frank argues.

"Pretty much.I don't want him to use anymore people as hostages or leverages to use on me.Take it as...allowing me to stop holding back.I want to use my full power...I'm afraid I can't do that if you are all around."Starlio successfully convinces them as his friends all nod,understanding what he meant.

Shannon knew that she herself had to keep up with him as well.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

All these months,she had tried her best to train next to him,studying martial arts alongside him and doing her best to keep up.All Shannon could do now is to try and keep up or at least,serve as a body shield for him when the time...will likely come.

"Alright...I think we got this.The plane is confirmed to be at Plex City Airport tomorrow on the private lane.We go there,first thing in the morning."Javier tells them.

"I'd suggest you all get as much rest as you can.The journey there might be troublesome."Dakota tells the teenagers who all nod,heading towards their sleeping bags that they brought to Stex Enterprises which was their only safe haven at the moment.

Starlio headed back to his lab,watching as his armor was being repaired by his automated arms,machines he had built to help his repair his armor mostly automatically as he picked up a screwdriver,about to burn the midnight oil once more when Shannon caught up to him,pulling the screwdriver out of his hand and placing her hands on his chest,stopping him.

"Star...please."Shannon begged him.

"I have to check-"

"You always say that.You already know your machines can fix it,come on,sleep.I'll cuddle you."Shannon held his hand as Starlio gave in,following her as she dragged him to their sleeping bags,Shannon making sure to roll right next to Starlio for him to hug.

"I know you're worried."Starlio tells her softly.

"How could I not...?Who knows what they will send after us next?I-"

"Sorry...for pushing you away.I shouldn't have...saw you as a burden."Starlio apologized to her as Shannon turned around,planting a kiss on his lips and allowing him to soak in his emotions:"That's what couples do right?Even wedding vows say that,through thick and thin,we'll stay together till death drives us apart.You don't have to lie already Starlio,I know you didn't see me as a burden,you just don't want me to get hurt."

Starlio smiled,hugging her tighter:"Alright...let's just,clear our heads for now.We need this night to sleep."

"Yup."

-

Dawn hit as the group woke up,their bags packed and prepared to leave.

Shannon went upstairs with Starlio,the two preparing to suit up in their armors as Shannon noticed something different,Starlio wasn't trying to repair the Model 15 yesterday,the Model 15 looked brand new,probably already repaired before last night but in fact,a brand new armor was on the work desk,one that she hasn't seen before.

A light red armor with hints of pink and white across it,Shannon's favorite colors.

"So...this is the Model 16-[Agile.]I spent the most time,money,effort and resources on this one.This is why I...I finally trust you to follow me in the upcoming fight,I mean...not just because of this armor of course but this armor,it will keep you safe."Starlio tells her.

"You better not pull that shit and EMP me again."Shannon mutters.

"I won't."The prodigy promised as Shannon walked over to the armor,admiring it.

"What's new about this one?"Shannon turned to Starlio,who proudly smirked:"I used the same technology and structure of the Model 15,which can tank crazy amounts on damage onto the Model 16.In addition there are many more muscle joints for faster and sleeker movement,the armor itself is extremely light as well,barely 40kg in total and has pistons to enhance your own movements.Most importantly,it's sensors installed around the armor would make you dodge danger before you even realize it,acting like a sixth sense that basically makes you move before anything even hits you."

"Shannon!Starlio!Are you guys ready?"Dakota's voice called them out.

"Alright,time to go."Starlio says,suiting up in his Model 15 Armor and Shannon,into the Model 16 respectively.

An ordinary school bus was rented as Dakota took the driver's seat,Roy,Frank,Joseline,Angie and Kane all boarding the bus with Javier along with the two armored heroes,all of them carrying bags of their own personal belongings,heading to the airport.

Kane opened up a pack of Korean Snacks,Kimchi Flavored Chips as he held it up high:"Anyone wants chips?"

"Ooo gimme!"Angie went ahead and grabbed one as well,passing the bag around the group for each of them to get one.

Chip....Starlio stayed silent,recalling the earlier days before everything went down.Conner would want him to do this,right?"I don't know if this is illegal but I bought some beer too if anyone wants to try!"Frank raised a bottle of Guinness.

"Come on Frankie you're the only one here old enough."Roy poked fun at the fact that Frank retained several years as the ex bully growled:"Ah fuck off mate.Your loss."

"Yo Starfish here."Kane offered Starlio the chips as Starlio raised his hand:"Nah I'm good,I don't want any crumbs in my armor you know?"

"Alright fair enough."Kane backed off when Javier got up from his seat,turning to Starlio with a grim expression on his face:"Starlio,reports of an armored individual flying near Aor Street towards...North Star Academy."

"Shannon,I'm leaving them to you."Starlio sprung into action,grabbing his helmet and opening the door of the moving bus,jumping out of it and taking off into the air before anyone in the bus could even talk to him.

"North Star Academy,full speed."Starlio commands,the armor speeding up past the speed of sound.

It didn't take long for Starlio to arrive as he scanned the surroundings with his armor,spotting nothing too out of the ordinary except for his ex schoolmates and teachers who seemed to notice him flying above the school."Starlio?Starlio what are you doing here?"A voice called out from the crowd below.

"I have reason to believe an attack is coming.Move all the students and staff into the bomb shelter now!"Starlio tells the people below him who all began running for their lives.

Armored individual...?Starlio went to brainstorm his potential enemies when a voice called him out,saving him the trouble to thinking further:"STARLIO STEX!"

Starlio recognized that angry unhinged voice in an instant.

The prodigy turned around to see the armored figure of Titus with his signature glowing orange heated blade in his arm,hovering off the ground and his armor,mostly similar with the exception of several chunkier pieces of armor.

No warning signatures...that's troublesome.

"So,you're the diversion now?"Starlio asks.

"Call me a diversion...but this is more like a chance for me to redeem myself in the eyes of the Chairman.To prove my worth,to redeem myself from the last fight,this time I will bring him your head."Titus says calmly.

Starlio didn't even bat an eye.

"I understand your past and childhood made you a heartless man.I will give you a chance now....walk away.Go live your life,move on.You don't have to do this anymore.I know the Chairman freed you,I will close an eye,leave.I am not the same kid you fought last year,I spared you the last time.If you decide to do this...I will kill you."Starlio says,drawing his own plasma blade that glowed blue.

"Getting cocky now?You'll regret this."Titus flew towards him,unleashing a battle cry as he slashed his sword with into Starlio's,the two armored heroes beginning their battle in the sky.

Titus swung his sword,using clearly all his strength into that swing as Starlio blocked it.The strength released made Titus' arm wobble a little as Starlio looked at him,completely unfazed and barely even resisting back.The Model 15 was barely struggling against Titus now.Starlio recalled their previous fight where he had to put in more than his strength in order to keep up but now...

Their powers level were clearly on two separate planes.

Starlio was the stronger one.

The prodigy grabbed Titus by the arm before punching his heated blade apart,shattering it like glass before delivering another punch that caught the assassin off guard,sending Titus falling towards the ground and exploding into the grass beneath them.

"What-"Titus was horrified by the new Starlio.

"I warned you."Starlio looked down at his opponent,readying his cannon as his arm began transforming into the weapon.Titus growled,jumping backwards and firing several missiles at Starlio who deployed his plasma shield,tanking the attacks as an explosion engulfed the armored teenager.

As the smoke slowly settled,all Titus could see was the menacing blue eyes of Starlio's helmet glaring down at him,his shield completely protecting him and him,having no damage done at all.

"You had your chance."Starlio fired his cannon,instantly blasting a large chunk of Titus' armor off him and before the assassin could recover,Starlio rocketed himself forward,striking the broken armor of Titus right in the chest and launching Titus backwards as his former opponent crashed into the side of a random brick wall,smashing through it and before Titus could recover,Starlio already closed the distance.

"Let's not get anyone else involved."Starlio tells him,grabbing him and flying towards the sky holding Titus in his hand like a rag doll.

"Let...go!"Titus realized the wrong tree he was barking up on as Starlio looked down at him:"Sure."

Starlio tossed Titus across the air,firing a missile that Titus tried to block with his forearms only for more armor plating to be torn off himself.Starlio closed the distance once more and smashing his fist across Titus' helmet,shattering it's eye plating and sending Titus crashing back onto the ground,bursting into a nearby pathway as Titus quickly recovered,enduring his pain and trying to escape Starlio.

Titus barely got up when Starlio shot in front of him,slamming his plasma shield into Titus and knocking him back as the assassin roared,jumping into the air and kicking Starlio in the chest.The teenager barely fell back as he drew his sword again,dodging under another one of Titus' attack,going behind the former marine and slashing at his back,leaving a huge scar.

"Agh!"Titus groaned,falling onto the ground in pain as Starlio pinned him down with his body weight,stomping on Titus' chest.

Starlio raised his sword,ready.

"You...kid...heh...look like I was wrong about you."Titus groaned as Starlio lifted his blade away:"Go home Titus."

The teenager turned around,walking away as Titus hissed,getting up and drawing his remaining heated blade,charging towards Starlio and determined to back stab the armored teen who to his horror,turned around at inhumane speeds,impaling his plasma blade right through Titus' chest.

"UGH...."Titus managed,his eyes wide open and shocked.

"You asked for this."Starlio says,kicking the lifeless body of Titus onto the ground.

Next Chapter- The Legion of Steel