"Hey! You over there!" yelled a man's voice from behind Ryker.

Ryker spun around in the direction the voice came from. He took in the state of disrepair that he hadn't noticed when he rushed to the area. He had already noticed the swing and slide but didn't realize the amount of dirt and other debris strewn around the sand.

Peeking through the metal playground, Ryker could see three men approaching. Two were big and burly, and a third wasn't as large, but he had a wiry strength in his muscles, which were shown off because his shirt and jacket were missing their sleeves. The wiry man also had a tattoo of a spider on his arm that appeared to move as he fidgeted.

Ryker sensed that the thinner man would be the most trouble.

The thinner man leaned over and said something to the man in the middle, whose eyes widened at whatever was said.

The man he spoke to had greasy black hair that hung down to his shoulders. He had a scraggly beard that covered his chin and neck. His eyes were dark and cold, and his lips curled into a sneer. He had a black leather jacket that was covered in patches and studs. His jeans were ripped and tucked into a pair of scuffed combat boots.

The last guy had his head shaved bald on the sides. At the top, he had a Mohawk that stuck up in the air. He had multiple tattoos of snakes on his neck and an unflattering scar over his eye. He was wearing a wife-beater tank top that showed off his muscles. Continuing with the punk look, he had chains and studs over his leather pants.

"Danger here says you're givin' him the creeps," The bearded man said when Ryker got closer. He flicked his head over to the skinnier one to indicate who he was talking about.

"It sounds like he has good instincts," Ryker replied. He didn't know the truth of his words when he said them. Fortunately, he could come to quick solutions. The thugs weren't too smart if they gave themselves names that revealed their power.

Ryker couldn't help but smile.

"You think this is a joke, huh?" Ryker was reminded of his interaction at the orphanage just the day prior. It already seemed like forever. He hadn't even been a superhuman for two days, and he already needed a break.

"Especially when stuff like this keeps happening," Ryker thought.

"This is our turf. I was going to let you go if you paid taxes, but now I'm not feeling like it," the bearded man shouted.

Ryker looked around at the dirty and rundown area. "This isn't much of a turf. I wouldn't go bragging about it. Besides, even if I had money, I wouldn't give it to you." Ryker didn't really want to antagonize the trio. He wanted to be left alone and not have to get into a fight, but apparently, his mouth and superpower weren't going to give him what he wanted.

It's for the people! We need to think about the readers.

Ryker still couldn't really wrap his mind around what his superpower claimed to be, but he also hoped he would get some answers soon.

What does that mean?

Ryker smiled to himself. Apparently, his power wasn't all-powerful.

No. I actually already know what you did, but it's cooler this way. Well, it would have been if you didn't make me mention it.

"I didn't make you mention anything!" Ryker thought. "You just kept prying."

Hmmm…Whatever. Watch out!

A large fist smashed into Ryker's chest. Pain erupted while he was pushed back a half dozen paces. He touched the spot on his chest where he had been punched, and when he pulled his hand away, he saw it smeared with blood.

"I thought I'd have Spike here help you get back to reality," the leader, Smudge said. "You were off in LaLa Land, and that's unacceptable when I'm talking to you."

Ryker was indeed pulled back to reality. Spike was standing where Stryker had been, his fist still extended. Protruding from his knuckles were small cone spikes. The spikes were white, and Ryker thought they might be made of bone.

"Ew! Are those sanitary?" Spike seemed to consider the question for a moment but then shrugged. "Fine, I'll take you guys seriously. So, he's Spike, and spikes come out of his knuckles. He's Danger and has some type of danger sense." Ryker pointed at the first two, then at Smudge. "And you're Smudge. Do you make those in your underwear?"

"I told you," Danger said.

"I don't know how you know my name, but it won't matter in a minute. Get him!" Smudge yelled.

Before Ryker could do anything, a dark grey smudge appeared in his vision like a blot of ink. He barely had time to react before Spike was on him again. He felt a sharp pain in his chest as Spike's knuckles raked across his skin. Ryker stumbled back, trying to catch his breath. He could feel the blood running down his chest, and he knew he was in trouble.

"Aren't I invincible with my superpower?" Ryker wondered.

You're unbeatable if it's called for or I really want it. If you were invincible, you wouldn't be bleeding.

Ryker didn't take his eyes off his opponents, which was difficult, with a huge smudge in his vision. He moved backward and used the playground to help him dodge and keep the trio away while hoping the smudge would disappear.

Eventually, it slid off his vision like it was being washed away. Smudge wasn't able to tell he could see again, so Ryker used the moment to attack. His closest opponent was Spike; he was definitely the muscle of the group, or at least the bruiser since all of them seemed pretty strong.

Still, the man was lacking in speed. Ryker had mostly been able to keep away from his attacks in the time that Smudge's power lasted. Ryker dodged Spike's swing, grabbed a pole and used it for leverage as he delivered a double kick into his over-extended chest. The man flew back out of the rickety playground. He rolled over a couple of times before stopping on his stomach with his face in the sand. Ryker wished it had been concrete, but that would have been far too unsafe for a playground.

Ryker spotted Danger approaching Spike to check on him, then another smudge appeared in his vision. Ryker had to use the edge of his vision to spot the super who partially blinded him. Smudge was at the edge of the playground, keeping his distance.

"Use your knife," Smudge said.

Ryker heard the click of a blade before he noticed the advancing Danger. It seemed that Danger knew just where to stand to make it extra difficult for Ryker. It was probably an aspect of his ability.

Ryker could only assume that it was letting him know where the least dangerous spot was. Which meant that he would also know when Smudge's power would wear off. Ryker tried to stay as far away from him as he could.

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He tried to get to Smudge a couple of times, but he kept being forced into the protection of the playground.

"What's the matter, boy?" Smudge said. "Did you get tired of fighting?"

"Not even close," Ryker called back. He had plenty of energy but was at a loss for what to do. The three men were also supers, so although their power might not be as strong, they were still physically fit. To top off his bad time with the fight, Ryker got a glimpse of Spike rising to his feet.

Ryker dodged another strike at the last moment, and it must have been too fast for Danger. His attack was a swipe at Ryker's gut, and when he missed, his arm slammed into one of the loose and rusty poles. The thug hollered slightly in pain but didn't seem hurt.

Ryker noticed how the bar jiggled from the impact. He could see that the pole's top and bottom had loose bolts as if someone had already tried to take it off.

Ryker thought that with enough power, he could knock it loose and get his own weapon.

Smudge's ability wore off again, but Ryker wasn't in a position to capitalize on it. He wasn't by the pole, and Danger was quick to call out to Smudge again. Ryker had to dodge another attack from Danger, and when he did, he noticed that Spike was up and heading around the playground to try and trap Ryker. Ryker maneuvered his vision, so Danger's danger sense increased and he moved.

Danger was so overly reliant on his ability to help him in a fight that he didn't even realize it could be used against him. Ryker kept up the maneuvering until he knew he could do what he needed. Ryker unleashed a sidekick with all his strength at the loose pole.

The metal easily came off its loose bolts and pinged around the other elements of the playground. Ryker retrieved it before anyone else could stop him. Danger had backed off at the behest of his power, and Spike was still moving to the other side.

With the weapon in hand, Ryker needed to move the fight out from underneath the playground. Ryker took a swipe at Danger to get some distance, then exited away from him. Between him and Spike, he was the more dangerous threat, especially now that Ryker had the pole.

The pipe was about five feet long and an inch thick. When Ryker kicked it, one side had come off with an L-shaped connector attached. On the other end, it was broken and jagged, where it had snapped off from too much rust and the force of his kick.

Ryker pushed toward Spike with a couple of wild swings. The large man backed off, but just outside of the pole's range. Ryker turned and swung backward, forcing Danger to duck and roll backward. Ryker didn't want to focus on Danger, though, because once the smudge over his vision went away, Danger would know if he was looking at him.

Ryker continued to swing wildly in large arcs, making sure that both men kept their distance, but they were slowly inching forward. He tried not to look too much, but Ryker was getting worried about Danger; the man would be able to tell the best time to strike.

Finally, the smudge started to wash away.

Ryker swung one more huge swing to get as much space as possible. Before anyone could do or say anything, Ryker lifted the pole like an axe and hurled it at Smudge; he needed a few moments where he wasn't partially blinded.

Smudge yelled from the projectile, but no one had the ability to give it any attention.

Seeing his opportunity as the guy threw the pole, Danger rushed in. His danger sense lessened to almost imperceptible levels. If he had time to worry about it, he would have been concerned that it didn't disappear completely. Danger led with his knife to stab the man and then trap him. He was going to dig his knife in the guy's guts like a blender. Yet, just as he did, the moment of safety ended, and his danger sense screamed at him to flee, but he was already committed.

Ryker spun as he realized Danger was springing forward with his knife aimed at his stomach. He spun to his right, just in time to deflect his thrust, grabbing the thug's hand and twisting it so the man was thrown off balance. When Danger rushed in, and Ryker spun, Spike saw his chance and also rushed in.

The knife, intended for Ryker, plunged into Spikes' stomach with a wet squelch like the cutting of a melon. Spike made a horrified sob as it entered him. He stumbled back and fell; the knife slid out, still gripped by Danger.

Ryker slammed his palm into Danger's elbow, and the appendage broke with a snap. Danger screamed as he held it up, the bottom half of the limb dangling ineffectively. Ryker didn't care how much Danger was already hurt since he wanted to stab him. Still, he reared his arm back and struck Danger in the jaw, knocking him unconscious.

Ryker didn't want to hear him screaming. Unfortunately, with Danger unconscious, he had to deal with the whimpers of Spike. He was clutching his stomach, blood freely leaking from between his fingers. The Mohawked ruffian didn't notice Ryker or what happened to his friend. He was too busy trying to stop himself from bleeding.

Ryker looked at the knife lying in the sand. It had fallen when Ryker broke Danger's arm. It was a switchblade with a blade around four inches long. It was covered in sand, but about an inch or more at the edge was also stained red. The thug should be fine if he kept pressure on it.

Looking to the final combatant caused Ryker to stop cold.

The pole was sticking out of his side, having slid all the way through. It must have barely missed all his organs for him to still be alive. Smudge was kneeling on the ground, one hand holding onto the pole, probably to keep it stable. His teeth were gritted in concentration.

Although, what had Ryker frozen was that even impaled as he was and in pain, Smudge had managed to pull a gun from somewhere. It was an old-school revolver that looked as if it was pulled straight out of the old West. Its tarnished gleam and sweat-stained grip help to complete the look.

Ryker was just glad that Smudge hadn't been able to bring it fully around yet. Ryker was in front of the man with two long strides. He kicked Smudge's pistol gripping hand with all his strength. Multiple snaps sounded, followed by Smudge's stifled scream. It only lasted for a moment before the pain became too much for him to handle, and he fell to the side, unconscious.

Ryker thought this was a great time to test his endurance by getting as far away as fast as he could.

Without further delay, Ryker took off at his top speed. He barely kept track of where he was. All he did while running was to ensure he didn't run into any dead ends. As far away as he was from downtown, it was an easy task. Eventually, he decided to take his run offroad. He leaned into his run as he climbed a short rise, dodging rocks and shrubs.

Ryker wasn't worried about the police or random supers; there probably wouldn't be any that ever showed up. However, he didn't know if the three thugs were part of a larger gang that might bother to chase him. The park was also close to his orphanage when he started running, and he didn't want to lead anyone back to it, causing problems. So, he ran for what felt like hours.

The sun had dropped significantly in the sky when he decided to stop and figure out where he was. He was initially on the East side of the city, but he had run all the way to the North, but he hadn't run in any type of straight line. He was sweaty, and his legs burned with exhaustion, but the pain subsided after a few moments.

Once he stopped sweating and aired out a little, Ryker made his way to the nearest mall. He hung out there for a while going in and out of random shops. He wanted to make sure no one was following him because, in a world of supers, one could never be too careful. It was a lesson he knew, but he was always surprised at how many people didn't consider it.

The sun eventually set, and Ryker felt comfortable that he was in the clear to head back. He made his way to the nearest tram. He rode it back without an issue, but when he arrived, he changed into his work shirt and steered clear of the path to the park.

Ryker made it to the orphanage without an issue and entered. The large front doors were still unlocked. It was unusual since it was already dark, but when he entered, Ryker understood why. Sitting at the large desk at the entrance was the director of the orphanage.

She was a petite lady with grey, short-cut hair except for her permed top. She was filling out a crossword puzzle when Ryker entered but stopped as soon as she saw him. She smiled when he saw her, and it helped to relieve some of his apprehension at seeing her. Ryker knew from years of experience that she didn't bother to hide her feelings when she was mad.

"Ryker, it's good to see you. I think we have some things to talk about. Why don't you come to my office."

Based on her statement, Ryker knew that word of what happened at Circuit City finally reached her, but at least he had good news to counter it. She was a no-nonsense woman, but she was fair, and he knew she trusted him. Still, as he followed her back to her office, he hoped that he would still have a place to sleep once he left.

*Hey there! Yes, you. The Reader. So, Ryker asked for help in his dimension's internet, and it made it to this one. He asked for help on other writing websites, but it made it through to this one. Apparently, Royal Road is some type of multi-dimensional website that can allow people to communicate through time and space. Who knew?

Anyway, Ryker doesn't know that I know. Well, maybe now that I mentioned it, but I think he's probably forgotten it after the fight.

You can help if you want, and I can make sure he uses the knowledge imparted there, or you could mess with him, your choice. No one is writing about you….maybe. The Infinite Monkey Dream Theorem suggests they are, but that's probably BS.

If you want to, here is the link to the forum.

https://www.royalroad.com/forums/thread/128688