My brother, Dimitri, lost his life two years ago, and when Victory City found out everything went to shit. I finally stepped away from being the Silver Angel, mayor Thawn's bill crippled the League, and Syrus Smith, also known as Electrode or Elecchode as some say, became the new head of the League. As expected, he did very little if anything to guide his fellow heroes back into the light.

Because of the league’s failures, criminals no longer had anything to fear, and they struck the city with all their pent up rage. The only bright side was the fact that Nelson's death left the Blood Tridents in shambles, again. This meant my final act as the Silver Angel wasn't entirely in vain.

Ever since that night, however, my life became nothing more than ashes floating away in the wind. My identity had been leaked, my reputation squandered, and the only real family and friend I had was dead. There was nothing left for me. Not even my duties as a hero. I eventually packed up what I could and moved to my old base of operations, my goal to get off the grid.

Now here I sat, in some hole-in-the-wall cafe listening to the news, as the anchor read off a list of violent crimes that had taken place the night prior.

I pulled my hood lower as a group of rowdy thugs walked in. While the city had long since forgotten about me, I remained paranoid that any second someone would recognize me and attack. The last thing I was in the mood for was confrontation.

I watched the three men closely as they took up residence at the bar. Each of them had a brand on their left hand, which told me they belonged to a local gang. One server came over to greet them, but I could see the fear lurking behind that fake smile. After she finished taking their orders one of them glanced over at me. He then nudged his buddies and gestured towards me.

This was the moment I decided it was best to leave. Grabbing my backpack I stood up and made a beeline to the cash register. I began to hand over the money to pay for my bill, but a branded hand reached out and snatched the money from my grasp.

"You must be new around here hmm?"

I turned my head enough to peer at the man from under my hood. His bald head and face was covered with tattoos. He flashed me a sadistic grin revealing a row of golden teeth.

"Silent type, huh? That's fine, I get it. Just here to welcome you to the neighborhood and uh, collect our turf tax," he said with a chuckle.

I ignored him and turned my face back to the woman in front of me. She was obviously terrified, but I remained stoic. Slipping another bill from my pocket I held it out to her. This time when the thug reached out to snatch the money, I grabbed his wrist and slammed him against the counter.

Leaning forward, I spoke into his ear as he tried to wiggle free of my hold, "If you and your friends want to keep breathing, I suggest you leave right now."

"Man, you have no idea who you're fucking with," he responded.

"Nor do you," I said, applying more pressure to my hold.

He groaned in pain and said, "Okay, okay. Let me go and we'll leave."

I released him and pushed him aside, so I could finish handing the money to the waitress. I felt a gun press against my temple.

"Give me everything you got or I'll blow your fucking head off!"

Setting the bill on the counter in front of me I turned to fully face the three gang bangers in front of me.

"Hey, no sudden movements!" the one holding the gun shouted.

Sighing, I dropped my pack and began reaching for my back pocket.

"What are you doing? I said no sudden movements."

I looked him in the eyes. His face was dripping with sweat now, which told me he's never pulled the trigger before. The other two men however, had that look in their eyes like a war veteran. The thousand-yard stare as they called it.

"Relax pal, I'm just getting my wallet," I said calmly.

His hand started shaking, "Well hurry the fuck up!"

My fingers wrapped around the handle of the knife I now kept strapped to the back of my pants, "Which is it? No sudden movements or…"

"Just shut the fuck up and give me your money, man!"

"You got it," I said, still stoic, staring directly into his eyes. I could see the fear lurking beneath.

With a quick motion I grabbed the gun with my left hand and yanked the gunman into my clutches. My right hand yanked the knife from its sheath before bringing it up to the gunman's throat.

"I warned you, did I not?" I asked.

Two guns cocked and when I looked up the other two gang bangers were now armed, guns pointed at their buddy and me.

"Let him go or we will shoot."

Returning my eyes to the man in my hold I responded, "No this is how it's going to go down. I'm going to release him, pay for my meal, and leave. If any of you fine gentlemen have a problem with that then we can get messy."

The guy in my arms began trembling violently, and a puddle began to form at his feet.

"Come on, guys just agree and let him go."

"Shut up. We knew you were too pussy to handle the job anyways."

I looked at the men, "What job?"

One laughed, "We were hired by a certain someone to take you out, Darrian Osiris."

My blood ran cold. Even after all this time I still had enemies, but who? Who would hire people to take me out? Who even knows I'm still alive? Who knows where I am?

"You got to the count of three before we shoot the both of you. One. Two…"

Before he could reach three, I shoved the man in my arms at them. They both sidestepped, which gave me an opening. I ran forward and brought my arm up against the guy on the left's arm causing his gun to discharge into the ceiling. Next I flipped the knife in my hand backwards and brought it up and slit the man's throat with a clean cut.

I ducked and twirled just as another bullet had been fired. It whizzed just over my head, and before the man could pull the trigger again, I slammed my knife into his groin. I gave a small twist before ripping the knife from his sack and he crumpled to the floor clutching the bloody remains.

Stepping over the two bodies I walked toward the remaining thug. He was now backed against the wall shaking violently, his pants now soaked with piss. I crouched in front of him and held my bloody knife up to examine it.

“If you don't want to end up like your buddies over there, then I suggest you answer my questions,” I said nonchalantly.

He held his hands up, “Y-yeah m-man. Whatever you want to know.”

I pointed the blade at him, “Who hired you and why?”

He swallowed hard before he answered, “I don't know. He never told his name. He just showed up with a small army of guards and a briefcase full of cash. He told us to take you out and gave us a list of places that you've been frequently visiting.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Describe him to me,” I responded.

“Uh, he's a short stocky Asian guy. Has a strange obsession with white and black tiger stripes. Obviously very wealthy. Uh…”

“Who else knows about me?” I asked cutting him off.

He shrugs, “I don't know man honestly. Now will you please let me go? I really just want to go home.”

I sighed and stood up straight, “If I catch you doing shit like this again,” I paused to look back at his buddies, “You'll end up like them.”

“Yes, sir. I understand a crime free life for me!” He proclaimed nervously.

I looked back at him menacingly, “Now get out of here before I change my mind.”

He scurried to his feet and bolted out the cafe door. I watched as he tripped rounding a corner, before he disappeared out of sight.

I noticed a bill laying next to my boot. Bending down, I picked up the cash and walked back to the register. The waitress was frozen in shock, her eyes full of fear. I placed the money on the counter and nodded to her.

“Keep the change, and I’d appreciate when the cops arrive you keep my name out of it,” I said before exiting the cafe and hopping on my bike.

Tonight there will be a special guest appearance and a big fish is about to be fried. This time however I'll do it my way by my rules, and anyone who stands in my way will suffer the same fate. The Silver Angel will shine once again, but this time death will follow in his wake.

***

I stood in my fortress of solitude, staring into the eyes of my mask. What was once a symbol of peace and justice will now become a beacon of darkness. A mark of death. I could only hope that this will be the last time I put this suit on. I set the mask down and looked at the chest piece, the symbol no longer visible. I took the liberty of giving the suit a fresh coat of paint. Instead of the shiny silver that once glinted in the light, it was now pitch black like the void that awaits anyone dumb enough to piss me off.

Stealing a glance at the large windows above me, I could see that the sun was almost hidden behind the horizon.

“Ladies and gentlemen take your seats. The show is about to begin,” I muttered under my breath.

Darkness filled the sky. A morbid night. Not even the stars dared to twinkle tonight. Walking over to my bike, I slid the mask on my head. As soon as I did, a blue screen lit up inside the dark lenses. Letters filled my vision letting me know the suit's internal system began running its diagnostics. When it finished, my field of view reflected everything in front of me. A small smirk crept on my face, and I brought my motorcycle to life with a loud roar that settled into a low hum.

Time to get busy.

I tapped the screen on my bike, which caused the large door in front of me to open. Before it finished opening, I revved the beautiful machine causing the back tire to squeal, before I let off the brakes. I zoomed out of my hideout and plotted a course in the suits navigation system for the mansion district in the northern part of the northeast sector.

The man I'm after is named, Sao Sung. He's Victory City's most influential mob boss. I've had many squabbles with him and his small army of thugs, but as the saying goes money makes the world go round. Such is true for all places, so no matter how much the League fought for his incarceration nothing would ever stick. At least, until now, because I'm about to give him a permanent sentence.

Barrelling through the crowded streets, I weaved in and out of traffic. One time I even had to hop on the sidewalk to avoid getting stuck, but all the way people stared at me. Some even pulled their phones out and began recording. Make sense seeing as there is a new unknown face roaming the city.

I zoomed down the ramp leading north and pushed my bike to the limits as I gave it more gas. The closer I got to Sao’s mansion, the more impatient I became. A pulse began to form in my temple, and I gritted my teeth. The fact that this son of a bitch put a hit out on me, fueled a fire in me. I left my life as a hero behind, and I stayed out of everyone’s business. Darrian Osiris didn’t exist anymore, at least until now. I let off the gas and slammed the breaks, coming to a screeching halt just outside the gate of a huge Victorian style mansion. Cars filled the giant lot in front of the house, lights came from almost every window of the house, and shadows lurked within the rooms.

I couldn’t help but let a smirk creep onto my face. Sao decided to throw a party, and I’m about to give his guests some entertainment.

I dropped the kickstand and hopped off my bike, before observing the massive stone fence. Roughly ten feet tall, it stood proud as a symbol of protection, but today the wall was nothing more than a small obstacle. I took a few steps back and leaned forward. With a running start, I leapt into the air, my next step colliding with the stone structure. I pushed myself upwards taking a few more steps, before reaching out and grabbing the ledge. With a huff, I muscled my way up and over, landing on the grassy yard with a soft thud. My chest heaved, as I tried to catch my breath. While getting over the wall wasn’t challenging, I definitely let myself go.

Rolling my shoulders and gathering my composure, I pushed on with my mission. I drew closer to the front of the mansion, and when I finally stepped into the light the two armed guards took notice of my approach. They both shouldered their rifles and took aim.

The one on the left called out to me, “Stop there! You are trespassing on private property! Leave now or we will open fire!”

I stopped and held my hands up in the air, a grenade clutched tightly in my grasp. Their eyes went wide, and they took a step back.

“Put it down! Now!” they screamed.

“Careful what you wish for,” I responded.

They looked at each other, both scared shitless. I crouched down and placed the small orb on the ground. As I stood up, I retrieved the knife strapped to my thigh.

“One,” I said.

“Get down on the ground! I’m not fucking around I will shoot you!”

“Two,” I said.

“That’s it, let's take him down.” The guard on the left said, and they both took a step forward.

“Three.”

With a quick kick, I launched the grenade at my feet into the air. It hurled towards the guards, and they both tripped as they strived to move away. I rushed in grabbing the one to my right by the hair, before sinking my knife into his throat. The second guard, realizing my bluff, rushed in and put me in a headlock. He pulled backwards, and we collided with the front door. Our bodies tumbled into the front atrium, and as we hit the ground, I slammed my head back breaking the guard’s nose. His grip loosened, and I rolled to the side grabbing the pistol holstered on his hip. The guard sat up and reached for the rifle slung around his chest. Pulling the trigger, I placed two rounds center mass, and he fell back motionless. Screams erupted as people realized what was happening. They scurried away creating a giant circle, as I stood.

I glared at them all, which caused them to create even more distance.

“What the hell is going on here! I swear if…What? Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my house?!”

I looked up at the top of the stairs to see Sao, and a small team of men armed and ready to fight.

“Sao Sung,” I said calmly.

“Yes? What do you want? The league will have your head for this,” his screeched, sweat trickling down his face.

The fear in his eyes filled me with an excitement of the like which I have never known. It brought me joy seeing the look on someone who created this same moment for so many others.

“You have been judged. Your sentence is death,” I said as I began slowly walking toward the stairs.

The team of men took up a defensive stance in front of the short Asian man, all of them zeroing in on me. I took a deep breath, before raising the pistol and opening fire. At this moment the atrium filled with the sound of gunfire, as all four of the guards began to unload their weapons. I caught one in the shoulder, and he dropped. His body came tumbling down. I gritted my teeth as rounds slammed into my armor, and charged forward, taking aim for my next victim. I caught one in the leg, one with a headshot, and grazed the last one in the shoulder. By this time, I had closed the distance. Dropping the pistol, I drove my shoulder into his stomach and slammed him into the stairs. He went to punch me, but I blocked the attack and began to repeatedly punch him in the face until I felt his neck break.

I got to my feet and returned my attention to Sao. He cowered his back against the railing.

“W-what d-do you want from me?” he asked, his voice trembling.

I climbed the remaining stairs and closed the distance with the mob boss before I answered his question, “I’m here to send a message.”

He held his hands, “Okay, you got it. What do you want me to say and to whom?”

I reached out and grabbed him by the hideous tiger striped shirt he wore and lifted him off his feet.

“You are the message. A symbol that evil never goes unpunished,” I said as I glared into his eyes menacingly.

His eyes went wide, and he made an effort to speak. I, however, was in no mood to listen. I threw him to the ground and began to stomp on his face. I stomped until all that remained was a pool of blood, bone, and brain-matter.

I heard footsteps from behind, and when I turned to find a man in an elegant suit charging me. He collided with me, and we both tumbled over the railing. I groaned as my shoulder smashed into the marble flood below. Pain exploded through my arm, and I lost all mobility. My attacker mounted me and began to assault me with punch after punch. The smell of iron filled my nostrils, as a warm substance began to ooze down my face. The fucker broke my nose. I reached up and caught his next punch. Yanking him forward, I pulled my assailant into my grasp and rolled. Now on top, I punched him in the throat causing his windpipe to collapse. He gagged and did everything he could to breathe, but he already took his final breath. I reached forward and grabbed his neck and squeezed as hard as I could, waiting for his body to go limp.

When he no longer moved, I stood once more and let out a primal scream, “Does anyone else dare challenge me?”

I scanned the crowd. They all remained still and silent, fear gripping them all.

“Then let tonight be a reminder. A message. A warning of what happens when you take from the innocent. You will be judged, and your sentence will be permanent,” I stated boldly.

I didn’t fully stand by anything that I said because I didn’t intend to keep this up, but maybe tonight will be a momentous moment in time. Maybe it’ll put some fear in the hearts of the wicked.