“The man in white strikes again. Security cameras in Killian High School captured the image of a man in white armor walking into the school. It appears like he has, somehow, warped in an army of robots and sent them to the halls and classrooms. Wait...he has taken off his mask! Ladies and gentlemen, we are looking at the face of the man in the white armor!”
On television in his new hotel room, Brandon watched as a TV host cast live what was going on in Killian High School.
“Facial recognition systems have kicked in! The man in the white armor is identified as Jaison Bai, a sophomore in Killian High School. What he intends to do in Killian High School is unclear. We are patching you to the reporter at Killian High School right now.”
The camera shifted to a news reporter in front of Killian High School. In the background, countless police and SWAT cars were arriving. Police officers in full body armor jumped off and formed a perimeter around the school.
“Thank you.” The reporter said. “We have just gotten news from the CPD that, last night, the man in the white armor just murdered twelve police officers in cold blood. There is also evidence tying him to the murder of the entire Hellfire gang, which had over thirty people. It is reasonable to believe the hero that has saved Killian High School is not as well-meaning as the last time he was here.”
“That is sad news indeed.” The host frowned. The story of the fall of a hero was always tragic. “But what can he possibly want from the school that he attends every day?”
“All we know now is he is holding all the students inside hostage. Wait, are those gunshots?” The reporter suddenly turned around at a wave of sound of blasters firing. The officers behind him looked around anxiously as well.
The host quickly changed the topic back.
“Does the CPD have any plan to neutralize the threat of our fallen hero…”
Brandon sighed and turned off the TV. He laid back on the bed with his eyes closed.
Was Selena right? Was he really a selfish bastard who only does whatever makes himself feel good regardless of the others? For his entire life, he tried to work by a system of duties and responsibilities, but perhaps he has been lying to himself after all.
He sighed again.
If he returns to Killian High School, he didn't expect to come out in one piece. There was no way he could deliver blows meant to kill while Jaison would be more than happy to end his older brother once and for all.
More importantly, if he won, so what? His identity would be exposed. People would know his deepest secret. He and everyone he cares about would be in danger.
He would be made vulnerable.
Was it worth taking all the risks and fighting Jaison, only to put himself in a bad situation?
If he leaves, he would be ultimately free. Whatever happens with Jaison would be of no concern of his. His parents would be fine. They might be confused and feel betrayed, but they would be alive and well. If Jaison won, he wouldn’t touch them. If the government won, they wouldn’t do much to them after confirming they didn't know anything.
With all his powers, Brandon could do anything he wanted. He never had a chance with Selena, but he was sure he could find dozens other pretty girls just like her. If he wanted to, he could go to another school and complete his studies. If he wanted to, he could keep on putting down unjust wherever he saw them.
Logically, the better choice was obvious.
But something deep inside Brandon said no. Something in his heart told him leaving would be a bad idea.
The dilemma was tearing him apart.
He turned on the TV again. Only this time, he was switching through different channels. It’s not like he wanted to find anything. He was simply trying to find something to distract himself.
Suddenly, the screen froze on a certain Chinese TV show.
“Drawing Sword.”
“Even if you know you’re facing the best swordsman in the word, you will still draw your sword.”
“Falling beneath the opponent’s blade is not shameful, but if you don’t even dare to draw your sword, that is shameful!”
Brandon froze. The TV show kept on playing, but his mind was not on it.
Jaison defeated him, once. That’s a fact. But is that enough to break his spine once and for all? Jaison’s powerful, but Brandon is not weak either, and Jaison was facing the full strength of the government. If he flees now, he would have admitted defeat, and that would haunt him for the rest of his life. If he fights, maybe he would die, but at least he would be giving his life for something worthy.
Die standing over live kneeling.
There were people counting on him. Selena. His parents. Perhaps even in Jaison, there was a small part of him that respected Brandon. If he left, he would be disappointing them all.
Brandon took a deep breath. His white armor covered his body. He turned and walked out of the hotel room.
He had a responsibility to carry out.
Time for round 2.
----------------------------------------
“We move in two minutes. Squad one take the left exit. Squad two take the right. Squad three and four go in from the front. Squad five enter through the back. Security footage suggest Jaison Bai has some sort of robots with flying capabilities at his command. Proceed with extreme caution and use EMPs to deal with them.”
In front of Killian High School, Captain Marshall was issuing orders to at least fifty SWAT members. These were the best men in the CPD, and at this time of distress, against an enemy with overwhelming prowess, they were called into action.
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“And what about Jaison Bai? Last we heard, standard bullets can’t penetrate his armor.”
“I’ve brought in some tools.” Captain Marshall waved his hand. Five pairs of officers brought in five boxes. The men opened the boxes, revealing five large rifles.
“Anti-material rifles. Enough to punch through a tank.” The captain of CPD smiled. “I had to request them from the National Guards. Now, get ready.”
The SWAT members started checking their weapons and other equipment one last time. Five snipers, one from each team, grabbed onto the anti-material rifles and used whatever time they had to get familiar with them.
Suddenly, a white figure came down from the sky and landed right next to Captain Marshall.
It was as if a rock was thrown into a peaceful pond, a ripple was quickly formed. All the dozens of police officers at the sight drew their weapons and took aim at the white figure. Fresh sniper rifles were thrown into action. Reporters, as frightened as they were, ordered their photographers to turn their cameras to the figure. They knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Don’t move into the school.” The figure said quietly. “Your weapons won’t work against him.”
“Against you, you mean?” Captain Marshall frowned.
“No. Against him.” Brandon pointed at the school, where a white figure was standing in front of the window. “There are two of us.”
“Wait...what?”
“There are two of us. We have almost the same powers. Our only difference is that I tried to help people while he tried to make himself superior to everyone else.” Brandon sighed. He really didn't have time for this. Hundreds of innocent students and teachers were in that school, including Selena. Speaking of Selena, Brandon’s heart suddenly fell. Jaison surely knew the connection between him and Selena. If he doesn’t anything to her…
“Look, take off your mask.” Captain Marshall wasn’t so quick to trust Brandon. “How do we know you’re not another trick by that kid?”
“I can’t.” Brandon knew damn well there was no way he would expose his identity to the world just like this. There were cameras watching. “I have a family. I’m sure you can understand what will happen to them if my enemies know who I am.”
“Then I’m sure you can also understand why there is no ground for us to delay the attack.”
Captain Marshall wasn’t as arrogant and hostile as most government officials portrayed in films and tv shows. He didn't try to seize Brandon or anything, but he still didn't have enough reason to scratch the whole plan just because Brandon said so.
“Move in, men!”
The five squads of SWAT teams started moving into the building.
Squad three and four charged through the front door. They expected to come under heavy fire from the mysterious robots under Jaison’s command, but instead, they proceeded into the main hall without much obstacle.
That was when they saw three figures hanging from the ceiling.
“Oh my god…” One of the SWAT officers whispered.
The three figures were Mark, Dickon, and Jasmine. At least they used to be. They were covered in countless bruises, burns, and cuts. Their eyeballs were missing. When a few officers went to check on them, they found out so were their tongues.
It was safe to say they didn't die quietly.
“They disrespected me, and they paid a price for it. People must take responsibility for their actions.”
The SWAT teams turned around and found Jaison standing at the main entrance. His mask was done, revealing a cold smirk.
“What are your actions going to be, officers?”
“Take him!”
The two squad leaders commanded, and immediately twenty automatic weapons opened fire on Jaison. The Watcher sighed as bullets bounced off his armor, not causing even the slightest dent. When the officers emptied an entire magazine, Jaison was still standing where he was. A pool of shells formed at his feet.
“I’m curious,” Jaison wasn’t going to strike anytime soon. In fact, he was playing with the SWAT officers like cats play with mice. “it’s no surprise I am bulletproof. There’s no way your guns can harm me and you know it. In that case, why are you still making a stand?”
He tapped his chin. “I know. Maybe you’re hoping to distract me long enough for your comrades to rescue my hostages.”
The officers’ expression changed. The next second, screams for help started coming in from the comm.
“Taking fire! Taking fire! We need assistance now!”
Before the officers could do anything, the comm went dark.
“Something tells me you’ll try a multi-pronged attack, so I decided to place a few explosives around the entrances. Of course, it’s nowhere near enough to take care of all of you, but I’m sure a swarm of droids armed with laser blasters can fix that.”
His smile went even wider.
“Or, maybe you’re hoping to rely on the new rifles you got from the National Guard.” Jaison flickered his fingers. “You know, a 7 minute call is awfully long to acquire five rifles.”
The officers were really panicking now. It was obvious Jaison, somehow, managed to hack into and eavesdrop Captain Marshall’s communication with the National Guards. Jaison knew about the sniper rifles, but he was still standing here, right in front of them. The implication was simple.
The sniper rifles weren’t enough to threaten him.
The officers knew they needed to retreat. If there was still a chance to complete the mission, they would still make a stand, but this was already a lost cause. No need to throw away lives for nothing.
All of a sudden, both snipers in the two squads took aim with their anti-material rifles. They didn't hope to kill Jaison. They only wished to knock Jaison off his feet and open up a way for the squads to get out.
Bang. Bang.
As they recovered from the recoil, the two snipers took a silent breath of relief. Their experience taught them the fact that they were able to send the bullets flying was a good thing. But their relief disappeared when they realized, after the two gunshots, Jaison was still right where he was before. The two bullets seemed to have just disappeared.
The two snipers didn't see what happened, but the rest of the squads did. Half a second before the snipers pulled the trigger, Jaison dodged to the side. The reflex of the snipers wasn’t enough to react accordingly. The two bullets missed their target and hit the wall behind. Now safe, Jaison returned to where he was like nothing happened.
A cold smirk appeared on Jaison’s face.
Two white energy blades formed in his grip.
“This is going to be fun…”
Before he could even finish, a beam of white blast came from behind and smashed into Jaison’s side, knocking him into a wall. The two squads were taken by surprise for the moment, but they immediately knew it was their golden chance to escape. All twenty of them went for the door.
“Brandon!” Jaison screamed as he got back up. He dropped the two blades. It was impossible to deflect a sniper blaster shot. Instead, he loaded up a sniper blaster, took aim, and pulled the trigger. The moment he pulled the trigger, another shot from Brandon hit him in the chest and made him shake slightly, causing Jaison’s shot to deviate to the side.
Before Jaison could get up, a third shot completely destroyed his chance to chase down the SWAT officers.
Last time, Jaison ambushed him. This time, Brandon returned the favor.
As the last officer got out of the school and back to safety, Brandon returned his sniper blaster back into his watch and turned to Captain Marshall.
“Look, Jaison knows I’m here. The longer we wait, the more prepared he will be and the more likely he will harm the hostages. I have to go in now whether you like it or not.” He glanced at the police officers around him who were looking at him in doubts. “You can either try to stop me, or you can work with me to evacuate the hostages. Your choice.”
Captain Marshall paused before looking down on a computer screen showing dozens of body cams. Most of them were frozen. Those were from the SWAT officers ambushed and killed by Jaison.
“I have said this in an interview, and I will say this again.”
He leaned forward.
“Go and fuck them up.”