Enhance: Chapter 28

Rogue crouched from his perch several stories up on an office building. He was so high up that the cars were tiny boxes running from one end of a line to another. The wind was pulling at him slightly though not strong enough to yank him down yet. As he stared down he focused through the lenses of his mask.

“Mask. What dealer is closest to me?”

The eyes of the mask flashed green once, scanning over the entirety of his vision field before a map appeared in the corner of his eye. Twenty-two dots appeared over that map and he nodded slowly. “No matter what happens. They’re always going to be peddling poison through the streets. Mask can you identify which ones, if any, could be carrying Enhance.”

Over a dozen of the dots dropped out of the running instantly.  There were only about four of the initial twenty-two left. And only one of those was actually close to where he was. “Mark them.”

As he spoke he vanished and appeared several stories below. He vanished again and started running on the rooftops. Each time he got to the edge of a roof he vanished and appeared on the next closest one.

With the mask it was infinitely easier to plan these routes. He didn’t have to worry about over or under shooting each jump. Getting use to the voice commands for the mask were one thing. The targeting thing though was weird. Whatever Darren had done making this mask; they’d made it with him in mind. A target would appear where he looked and it was the exact distance of his teleportation.

As he checked the distance between himself and his target he teleported again. Vanishing to the top of another building he watched the streets. Busy and bright with cars and stores. Theaters and food. People loud and walking together or by themselves. Snow lined the edges of the sidewalks and the wind would rise every once in a while as a constant chill.

Rogue watched them curiously for a moment. Normal people doing normal things. He couldn’t even remember the last time he did something that wasn’t fighting in the arena, stealing Enhance for Echo. Hell he could barely remember before Echo.

Tilting his head quickly he watched the dot on his map come closer to him. He thought that might be the case. Standing he watched his target pass down the street. Regular looking guy. Hoodie and scarf on. Old gloves on his hands, short hair hidden under a hat. If he didn’t know better he might have overlooked him.

“Mask. Zoom in and switch to x-ray.” The mask did just that focusing in one this man and suddenly things were black and white. As he stared at him he observed a few things. A gun in the waistband of his underwear. A knife in his boot and up his sleeve. What looked like cracked ribs. Probably recovering from some recent fight.

The main event though was in a breast pocket of his hoodie. A case, probably black and containing a vial and a syringe no doubt. He followed him from the rooftop and waited for him to at least get out of the immediate line of sight.

Stepping forward he vanished and was on street level. The guy walked into an alley and passed by Rogue, their shoulders brushing. “Hey watch where you’re going. Fuckin peo-“

Rogue grabbed him around the throat and slammed him back into the alley wall. “Shut up.”

The guy flicked his wrist and went for the knife in his sleeve. Rogue broke his wrist immediately and covered his mouth so he wouldn’t scream. He bit down against his hard and Rogue glared. He hit him hard across the head and watched his eyes lose focus. “Don’t try to threaten me. You have something I want.”

Rogue looked into his eyes and then unzipped the front of his hoodie. Reaching into it he took the case. Carefully he popped open the case. Looking it over he nodded slowly and put it into his jacket pocket. “Now I’m going to walk away. You try anything and I break more than your wrist.”

Backing away he threw him down the alley onto his shoulder hard. He vanished onto the rooftop again and started moving when a dial box appeared. Confused for a moment he glanced at the green phone symbol.

“Mask answer?”

The call came through and a picture of Yumi appeared. But he couldn’t hear anything except rustling around. Confused at it he went to hang up when a voice finally came through. “What the fuck is this shit?”

“It’s a mask dumbass.”

“No fucking shit. But look at this man. What’s all this shit for?”

“Hell if I know.”

“Whatever. She’s not going to be using it anytime soon.”

“Yeah can’t do much when you’re dead right?”

Rogue’s eyes widened and he ended the call instantly. “Mask call Feint.”

The dial tone sounded and he was already vanishing across the city. “What’s going on Rogue?”

“I just got a call from Yumi. But she didn’t call. Some thugs were fucking around with her mask. Long story short she’s in trouble.”

“What? Shit. Fucking dammit!” Rogue hadn’t heard Feint swear in the time that he’d known her. “Where are you?”

“Coming back. I have Echo’s medicine with me.”

“Good. Get it to her. We need we need to make a choice.”

By the time Rogue was back in the house Feint and Shade were ready to go. They had their mask hanging from their hands. When Rogue appeared in the house he nodded toward them before going straight to Echo.

She had barely turned her head to look at him as he arrived. Roxie sat at the edge of the couch whimpering. She growled at Rogue but backed away from him as he glared back. Loading up the syringe with Enhance he took her hand. Pressing the needle into her arm he pushed watching her.

She went still and then jerked sharply. Rogue stepped back as the drug did its work to her system. She clutched the side of the couch and pressed her head against the back cushion, “You gave her Enhance?” Shade asked.

“Yeah. Echo needs her fix or else she shuts down. What was the choice you were talking about?”

“Phase dropped off the radar.” Feint said simply.

Rogue arched his eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“It means,” Darren said as they put their laptop onto the table. There were already two on the table and they were linking the wires between the three of them. “That the special way of tracking my technology, something that I’ve put into every piece of my tech, has stopped working. Or is getting blocked. Either way Phase is MIA.”

“Maybe he’s taking some time off.” Rogue suggested.

“If that were the case, I’d be able to find his mask. Even if it was broken.” Darren held up two fingers. “Either it’s malfunctioned, and trust me that hasn’t happened. Or something’s happened to him.”

“Far as we can guess, the only people who can do something like that are the people of created us.” Feint said slowly and shut her eyes tightly. “Knowing them they’ll want to experiment on him. We can look at the area where we lost his signal but we don’t know anything for sure right now. Hopefully before the trail goes cold. But Yumi’s in danger now. We know where she is, from your message we know they’re going to probably try to kill her and she’s not in a good spot.”

“So we chase after Phase or save Yumi now?” Rogue asked.

“Not much of a choice.” Feint said and then shook her head as she put her mask on her face. “But you had to know what’s going on.”

Rogue looked at her and then nodded, slipping his own. “Echo’s not gonna be much use for a while. So the three of us are going to have to suffice.”

“That’s gonna be more than enough for these guys.” Shade turned toward Darren. “You in their system?”

“Hacking as we speak. Get moving.”

They nodded and crossed out of the balcony. They were outside and in the air fast. They gave each other space to move like a blur. It was different with when they moved for speed. If someone looked toward the sky they’d see dark blurs if they saw anything at all.

“I’m in guys. A bit of scrambling on their front. They don’t know you’re coming but they’re shutting down most of their operations to deal with Yumi. By the sound of the chatter she’s still alive.”

“Then let’s give them a little more to deal with.” Shade said as he jumped to the ground. His mask homed in on the stadium and then the area around. Parking lot was filled but there weren’t any lights on and the skylight opening was also dark.

Rogue walked beside him and watched the roads and then the main door. “How do we want to get in?”

“Skylight.” Feint said and started running toward it the pair following behind them. They jumped together and climbed to the roof together. They looked down below through the glass and into darkness. “Rogue teleport in. Shade take my hand.”

He did so and they slid through the glass. Landing on top of the arena cage. They stared at the exceedingly empty stands. That wasn’t a good sign. They hopped down and Shade led them into the hallways. It was a brighter white than he remembered.

Shade tapped his mask. “Darren you got a map of this place?”

“Just uploaded it to you.”

“Is there a basement to this place?” Shade asked. “I can’t remember.”

“No, but there’s another half on the other end of the arena.”

“Why’s this place so empty?” Rogue mumbled.

“I found them.” Shade said as he looked through a door shut tight. They peaked through the window slowly making sure to stay out of sight. “Training room. They’re gathering there.”

“Yumi.” Feint said softly.

She watched as Yumi was thrown across the training boxing ring. She bounced once across the ground before being dragged to her feet, her hands bound.

 “Hey Rogue you see that?”

Rogue followed his gaze and then switched through to x-ray again. The training room had several rafters, some with lights hanging from them. “What of it?”

“Can you teleport us there?”

He hesitated for a moment and thought. “Technically I can see it but I wouldn’t bank on it. Let me test it.”

“Be fast.” Feint told him. He nodded before vanishing. The pair of them stood together anxiously. When Rogue suddenly appeared they both nearly jumped at his reappearance.

“I can do it. Let’s go.” Holding out both his hands, they took them, and they all vanished. They were suddenly on in the rafters and had to react quickly to get their bearings.

They were in a very crowed area. Not a safe place for them to be considering things. Just hanging around the ring some in it and others jeering from the sidelines., Yumi was against the ground trying to get back up. She was bruised and one of her sleeves had been burned away. Her arms showed burns too. She struggled to get up and slumped down again.

“See this guys?” Everyone’s eyes turned as Rook walked into the training room. “This is one of the fuckers who’s been messing with our operations for the past month. And to think they thought they were good enough that they could join in the fights and we wouldn’t notice.”

He walked into the ring then kicked her in the jaw. Walking around her slowly he pointed. “But now we caught this one. We caught one of them and we’re gonna smoke out the rest. We’re gonna send them a message. A message that they can’t fuck with the Vanguard!”

They all cheered at this and Yumi managed to get herself up slightly. Gritting her teeth together she glared at Rook. “Yeah yeah. Cheer. You’re a bunch of fucks.” She got up to her feet. “You kidnap kids and think that’s alright. You kill kids on the street just to send a message. I’m going to have fun kicking you guys asses.”

Someone kicked her in the knee and she shouted. Something solid hit her in the back of the head and she lurched forward. Coughing she felt the cold metal touch her head. Tilting her head up slowly she glared at Rook holding a gun.

“You’re dead.”

Suddenly the gun was snatched from his hands. Rook blinked trying to fire what was no longer in his hand. Yumi stared at him just as confused. Rook quickly kicked her in the chest, knocking her over onto her back at an awkward angle.

She looked around trying to focus on what was going on as chaos erupted around her.  She saw flashes of light, heard the explosion of both gunshots and otherwise. She rolled over slowly and tried to sit up but her body ached again.

However someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. Grunting she started to turn and headbutt them when she saw the masked face. She recognized the black mask and grinned. “Took you long enough Shadeow.”

“Better late than never.”

She laughed. “I could kiss you.”

“Let’s get out of here first.” He reached out to her and cut off her bonds.

“No. I’m taking down Rook.”

He looked at her and she showed her face. It was peak stubborness and she was going to do it with or without his help. He shook his head. “Fine. Just stay with me.”

“You mean you’re going to stay by me, right?” She ran forward and jumped out of the ring and into the throng of gang members that were scrambling to try and either get in or out of the rumble. Yumi knew that Feint and Rogue were around, she could hear them causing trouble.

She kneed someone in the back and jumped over another to drag them to the ground. Her hands started to glow out of nowhere and the next person she struck screamed from the burn. She glanced at her hands and then smirked. She still wasn’t in control but she was getting the hang of this.

She ducked under someone’s punch and then returned with an open palm hit and knocked him back with a burn on their jaw. Someone came and clocked her in the jaw proving she wasn’t 100%. Shade came from her side slugging him and knocking them down.

“I got your back,”

“Thanks Shadeow. What I wouldn’t give to have my mask right now.”

She heard it before she saw it.. A sonic boom along the lines of something or someone breaking the sound barrier. She whipped her head around before she got hit square in the face. Her eyes hurt to try and focus on whoever it is but she got a gut feeling about Rook.

He came back at her when Shade stepped forward, his foot slammed into his chest and Yumi jumped after them but they scrambled to their feet. She glared at Rook who smirked. He darted around it grabbing her and punching her but his fist phased through her. She looked at Feint who’d come to their said and Rook put distance between them.

“Thanks for that.”

“Anytime. Though I that’s not the last of him.”

“I can track him.” Shade said.

“Then let’s go. We end this now.” She grunted as her body ached acutely but she ignored it. The fight had thinned out for the most part. The ones left were crippled, unconscious or dead. Rogue appeared beside them no worse for wear.

Rogue glanced at them. “At least they can still put up a fight. Some of them had Enhance. Didn’t know how to use it.”

“You just hit things and Enhance makes you stronger.” Feint shrugged.“Logic.”

“We’re going after Rook.” Shade said.

Rogue scoffed. “Why? We got Yumi. Let’s leave now.”

“No. I’m killing Rook. No more of this bullshit.”

Rogue stared at her and Yumi stared back. “You’re going to get yourself killed.”

“I’m going to end this.”

Rogue shook his head. “Fine fire starter. What’s your plan?”

“Get my mask. So I can be a threat.”

“We can track each other’s mask right?” Feint nodded at his question. “I’ll track her mask then teleport back to you.”

“That means the rest of us track this guy. He can’t get far.” Shade told them.

“Fine by me. You said there’s a computer in his office. I want into it.” Feint said simply.

“Then that leaves the two of us to find Rook.”

“Let’s get moving Shadeow.”

Shade took the lead using his mask to keep track of where Rook was going. Running that fast left tracks in the floor. “Fast piece of shit ain’t he.”

“Pretty much. Just forgot how fast.”

“Everyone is on Dick Squad RX these days.”

“I have an idea. I’m going to keep out of sight.” And then he disappeared. “Don’t get bodied.”

She turned and stared at Rook whose fist were lined with brass knuckles. “You just keep being a thorn in my side.”

“I live to tease,” Yumi shrugged. “You might want to give up.”

“You think you can beat me by yourself.”

She raised her eyebrow and then glanced to her side for a moment then looked back. Shade wouldn’t abandon her, which meant that he was somewhere nearby using his powers. She spread her arms and smirked. “I think I’m more than enough.”

He glared at her and then dashed forward and she raised her hands. Her arms flared with pain for a moment and she lost sight of him and tried to get ready to hit what she couldn’t see coming. She was suddenly taking a solid punch and spun around grabbing the wall. Another punch to the gut and she stumbled backwards. “Mother fucker. Shadeow you better hurry up and do what you’re gonna do.”

“Talking under your breath? Got something to say, say it to my face.” Rook shouted.

“Fuck off and fight me!”

He dashed at her again and suddenly he was moving normal speeds and tripped. Her eyes widened but she took her chance and ran forward kicking him in the face. He flipped backwards and crumpled. Getting up slowly he shook his head.

He dashed again and she got ready. He veered to the side and slammed into the wall suddenly. She ran in after that and punched him in the ribs quickly and then the jaw. He went down but sped forward and elbowed her in the chest.

She stumbled backwards and he rushed in slamming his fist into her chest repeatedly. She shouted out in pain with each blow. The blows stopped as she watched him get turned around and thrown into a wall again. She couldn’t follow up her ribs paining her.

Shade appeared physically and pinned Rook into a wall. “Been wanting to do that for years.”

“DJ.” He growled as he looked at him. “Fucker” He spat on his mask. Shade glared and threw him to the ground. 

“You wanted him. You finish this up.”

“With pleasure.” She stepped forward cracking her knuckles and then spread her palms. They were glowing brightly now. Dropping down she grabbed him around the throat and he started to scream but with a squeeze from her it turned into gurgled pain. She glared down at him and pushed him against the wall.

She was silent as she stared into his face. She watched the pain on his face. Watched the life leave him and then yanked her hands back as his head fell from his shoulders. It rolled and bounced on the ground once before settling.

Her chest heaving, she took a slow breath and then turned toward Shade. She couldn’t see his eyes or his face behind the mask. She reached out to him and lifted the mask slowly. He looked at her and all she saw was concern on his face. She hugged him tightly taking a breath. Taking a step back she looked at him and then smiled slightly.

“That was-”

“Intense.”

“Yeah. Intense is a good word.”

“You alright?”

“I just melted a guys head off. Give me a few days.”

“Hopefully we get a few days”

She nodded and glanced down the hall before turning down the other. “Where are the others?”

Shade slipped his mask back on and glanced around. “Feint’s stationary. Probably in Rook’s office. As for Rogue he’s moving around a lot. Apparently you’re also with him so he has your mask.”

“Then let’s get moving. I want to get out of here.”

She rubbed her shoulders and the pair of them made their way to the entrance. As they hit the outside Yumi shivered. Fresh air felt good in her lungs, especially after the smell of burning flesh. Just remembering that made her shiver more.

Taking off his mask he looked at her, “You alright?”

“I’m great.” Yumi started to turn and winced almost bending over in pain. Her bruises were really acting up and now that she wasn’t fighting with adrenaline on her side her body was letting her know very loudly that she was in bad shape. Shade reached out to her and wrapped his arm around her slowly.

She didn’t flinch away but he felt her tense. She looked at him and forced a smile but he knew better. “How bad are you hurt? Really.”

She frowned and glanced away. “Not that bad.”

“Yu.”

She didn’t say anything. Turning around she looked toward the skyline. Shade sighed as he looked at her,. “You had me worried.”

“Did I?”

“Every time I take my eyes off you you’re getting into trouble.”

“More like trouble finds me.”

Shade shook his head though he smiled. “Whatever you say.”

She turned to face him leaning closer. “Why so worried about me huh?”

“Someone has to be.”

“And who said it had to be you?”

“I said it had to be me.”

“And what’re you going to do? Protect me?”

“No, you don’t need protecting.”

“Glad you know. So are you gonna do it?”

“Thinking about it.”

Yumi stepped closer their chest touching now. “I might decide for you.”

“And what’s your decision?”

“That you take too long.” She leaned up and kissed him. His arm went around her waist slowly as he held her against him. He’d wanted to do that for God knew how long. She gripped his hair and shirt tightly groaning.

It was almost knee jerk when she pulled away from him. She took a deep breath and ran her fingers across his cheeks slowly. Staring at his eyes and then at his lips she shook her head and smiled. “Bout time one of us did that.”

“How much longer could you have waited?”

“Maybe another few days. Not sure.”

She gripped his shirt but she was looking down. Shade ran his fingers through her hair slowly. She stiffened and looked behind her as Feint and Rogue appeared. She looked embarrassed for a moment and Rogue shook his head. He tossed her mask to her and she hugged it to her chest.

“Really? Phase couldn’t come by and rescue me?” Yumi said looking at her busted up mask. “God I hate the Vanguard.”

Everyone dropped into a sudden silence and she looked between them raising her eyebrows. “What’s with the ominous silence? He in the dog house or something?”

Feint walked over to her first and hugged her tightly. Yumi grunted at the squeeze and patted her back. “Phase is gone.” She told her slowly. “We got you out of there. And we’re going to find him.” She squeezed her tighter glad for the mask that could hide the tears as they fell down her face. “We’re have to find him.”