The Absconders: Issue 15

Welcome!!

This is the FIFTEENTH issue of our new Marvel Fanon-Made storyline called ''The Absconders. ''To read the previous issue, click here. This storyline is Role-played and made by a certain number of experienced RPers. These are our RPers, and their OCs: If you want to join this RP, please ask in the comments and you will need most of our approvals to RP in here. Also, you need to have a Marvel OC (Original Character) submitted to deviantART OR this wiki and must share it with us so we know who we are RPing with. Disclaimer: Any real-life or fictional brands are used in as a parody. None of us are actually sponsored, nor do we care to be sponsored. Now let us begin the RP and enjoy :)
 * TheSuperiorOne - Trey Soniak (Earth-2025)
 * Thecryingwolf3553 - Eliana Rosenheim (Earth-2025)
 * PyroHunter16 - Haruto Higashikata (Earth-2025)
 * Infamoussnake - Dominic Bernedicci (Earth-2025)
 * Guilthegreat - Alexandre Demasque (Earth-2025)

Key: -
 * Normal writing is the dialogue between the characters.
 * Italic writing is a special writing type for characters with second personalities or long distance dialogue (telepathy or calls).
 * Bold and italic writing are the actions that characters do.
 * Writing in between the *asterisk* means that the character is talking in their heads.

June 18th, 2026
Alex was outside of the VP, sitting on the corner of the street alone, a cigarette in his mouth and a coffee cup in his hand

Alex: *F-ck this sh-t...Coffee...I hate coffee, why do I even drink it, Oh yea...* he took a sip and a drag before taking out his phone to type in an unknown number, after a few seconds a man answered

Alex: Gideon?

Gideon: Himself

Alex: That's me, Red Mask.

Gideon: Ooooooh!!! Hello there Mr.Red, what is it that you desire that made you honor me with this call?

Alex: well it's simple

Gideon: Please tell

Alex: The squat, burn it to the ground and kill everyone in it.

Gideon: hahaha...hahah...that's some new type of dark humor right here sir aha

Alex: I'm not joking, burn it, kill everyone.

Gideon:....Sir?

Alex: just f-cking do it or you are the one I will burn to the ground!

Gideon: Al-Alright sir...But....Why?

Alex: It holds no value to me anymore...I'm going to die soon...Does it even matter?

Gideon: But sir-

Alex: Lilly died, because of some freak that came from this f-cking ret-rd Dominic! She was held there because she was involved with me and she got involved with me because of this squat... And to add to this, I'm gonna get killed in the year by *him*! First the squat, then the absconders...that's what I am going to do, burn everything that was even close to causing her demise, But I cannot burn the Absconders down...I need them.

Gideon: That's a lot of information sir

Alex: Yes Gideon, You are officially the new Red Mask now, everything you do will be under my name.

Gideon: But sir, my flames are not like yours, th-

Alex: They are flames, that's all I need. Good luck.

Gideon: Ok sir he hung off and Alex staid outside with his cigarette in the mouth *f-ck*

'Dominic was about to stroll into the VP, a bit more happy go lucky than usual. Then he noticed the cigar.'

Dominic: Ah Alex, I see you're waitin' for someone to get you in aren't ya'? He smiled, trying to hold back a grin, his speech patterns, general interaction, and body language seemed familiar and he had a long coat along with gloves

Alex: Yea.

Dominic opens the door, and he waita a bit inside keeping the door open.

Dominic: Come on now, can't let,anybody find this place out now, can we~? He grinned and Alex could have sworn he saw a bit of Wicked.

Alex: Do I look like I want to f-cking grin? He stands up and puts his still burning cigarette in the pocket of Dominic Because I don't want to f-cking grin.

Dominic: It burns up in his pocket, and Dominic casually pats it out Hehe, just because someone from space is coming for you doesn't necessarily mean you have to be a hardass... He chuckled, trying to stiffle it so that it wont ascend into laughter.

Alex: You are f-cking pissing me off....That sh-t came from your head and I couldn't even kill it, what do I f-cking do now? I move on? a red orb was starting to form in his palm I don't f-cking move on.

Dominic: Well "I don't f-cking move on.", live with it, accept it, you should have known humans are fragile, Hell you practically live the way you do due to that concept. And now you're moppy after one death? Then hurry the Hell up and make up your mind, will you keep not giving a f-ck and accept that sometimes you can't stop that OR will you start giving a f-ck and not know what to do!? Makes sense why you can't even ask for help, you're too clueless how! 'He makes Alex's palm go near his own chest, as his grin widened and he started laughing. '

Alex: ha...clueless? I have been alive for more time than your f-cking dad and his dad too, I can kill you right here, right now, I can destroy this whole town, right here, right now, keep that in mind, But I'm not stupid enough to engage into a fight here...he retracts his palm and his fireball ...You are nothing compared to me.

Dominic: And that arrogance wont help against him now would it? And I know which him I'm ref to, so hurry up, get your shot together, and know, that at this point you're not alone. 'He walked into the VP nonchalantly... '

Alex turns around in frustration before receiving a call, Name: Gideon, he answers it

Gideon: I'm right in front of the place

Alex: Kill em, what you waiting for.

Gideon: Okay., Inside the squat there was a man standing in the middle of the room, fire flying around his body, The Red Mask of Alex on his face along with a long coat, it was Gideon, people around were scared and were all trying to hide one way or another

Gideon: Hello. So first He walks around the room and a thin fire coat follows him I want to present myself, as you probably noticed he looks under a table to see a boy hiding I am not Alex he grabs the boy by the hair and drags him out from under the table and puts his left hand on the chest of the boy who screams immediately as he gets burned from the inside, without any sign of outside injure, at first his eyes explode and then his body just melts down, this horrible vision causes some to give away their hiding spot by screaming My name is Gillian Deon, also known as Gideon All the junkies start to panick and immediately try to run away but Gideon creates a literal wall of fire to block them, the fire is not burning anything in the room but anyone who is trying to go past is still getting burned Alexandre told me to slay all of you.

Junky: What? he would never do that!? you crazy b-stard!

Gideon: Oh? the junky that talked immediately falls on his knees and spits blood You are questioning the most loyal follower of the Red Mask? An incredible amount of steam starts to come from the eyes of the boy Well, burn. the man's body explodes in a gigantic flame I respect the Red Mask immensely, He made me who I am today all of the bodies of the junkies start to slowly burn from the inside He is what I inspire to be...

The Junkies all burned one by one and soon enough they were all dead, along with the whole squat, everything was gone, nothing was left but ashes and Gideon with his new Red Mask standing outside the building

Gideon: He is God.

June 20th, 2026
'In Sacramento, a public interview was being held for Richard Gardener, son of Thomas Gardener. He was getting ready to step out and give a speech to the public who gathered around, there was a news team recording the event. Richard was consulting with his advisor, John Rivers, behind the platform in which the speech was to take place.'

John: Stick to the cards, Richard. Sad faces, cracking voice when mentioning your father, don't be afraid to tear up.

Richard: Yes, I got it.

John: When you shake the Endo Corps Representative's hand, big smile, not too fake. Breathing exercises, remember?

Richard: Do I look like a damn robot? I'll improvise.

John: Fine. This is important, don't screw up, the only way to save your father's business.

Richard: Yeah, I know.

Man: Thomas Gardener's son, Richard, would like to give a speech to shed light on this whole subject. Give a round of applause for Richard Gardener, everyone! 'The man standing at the speech podium looked at Richard as everyone clapped. Richard stepped out to the podium and waved at everyone, many flashes of cameras were bothering him but he ignored them. He shuffled through his cards, looking what to read.'

Richard: As many of you know, my father Thomas was meant to attend a charity event seven days ago for Endo Corps. As rumours have predicted, my father didn't show up to that event, due to the unexpected yet tragic a-accident, that unfortunately lead to his death... The crowd gasps, as more pictures are taken, some people raised their hands for questions but Richard ignored them. No... No this is false. My father didn't die in an accident, he was murdered, in an assassination attempt on my family. The crowd gasps even more, a lot of people start talking with each other about it. They would've killed me if I hadn't escaped on time, but my father wasn't so lucky.

John: Whispering from behind What the hell are you doing?!

Richard: He ignored him The assassin was sent by the superhero group known as the Absconders, who are active in LA. One of the Absconders, Dominic Bernedicci, was a business partner with my father, our companies were in fact competitors but is that really a reason to have my father murdered in his own home? A man who enjoyed visiting children's hospitals because it pleased him to pay for their cancer treatments and see their smile. A man who supported the superhuman population so much he offered to fund another Superhuman Centre right here in Sacramento. My father's death at the hands of the Absconders is an act of terrorism, and I will ensure justice is brought to the Absconders. No questions. He walks off and past John, walking up to one of his guards.

John: What the Hell was that? You know how bad that was for publicity?

Richard: I don't give two sh-ts about publicity, play the clip.

Guard: Yes Sir. He takes his phone out and says something, as the projector above the podium plays a looped video of Eliana in her Gemstone suit shooting Thomas Gardener in the head.

John: Your father never wanted this. You're basically declaring war on live TV!

Richard: My father also didn't want to die. But he did. And I'm sure if he was still here he would want Gemstone dead. But since my father is just rotting flesh now, it's up to me to avenge him.

John: You are making a big mistake. You father chose me to look after you as your advisor. If you turn yourself into a vigilante, you can kiss your company goodbye.

Richard: Look at Dominic Bernedicci. There's ways of juggling vigilantism and business. Don't worry I'm still going to donate to Endo Corps, do that for me while I head back home.

John: You- ugh... He face palms as Richard steps into a limo and drives off.

The Same Day, Later, South L.A
Alex was standing in front of his burnt squat, the authorities were already trying to fix everything and some investigators were on the scene along with some builders

Alex: *Well...* He took out a cigarette to lit it *What was the point I was trying to make? Eh, who cares* he sat down on the nearest bench but noticed someone walking on the street, a young boy with short hair, Alex immediately recognized him, it was the innocent boy that was telling him the password way before all of this happened

Alex:*what the?*He called for the boy who immediately came to him clearly not at ease What are ya doing here? why are you not....You are the kid who gave me the password right?

Boy:Y-yea, What happened there?

Alex:*tsk* some mad dude got in and killed everyone, it's a miracle you are alive...how did you manage to...

Boy: Oh! I'm just lucky, I stopped coming here right on time

Alex: Stopped coming?

Boy: Yea...A girl, called Lilly I think...she told me to stop before

Alex: Uh?

Boy: Yea, she talked to me for a solid hour back then, you weren't here at that time, you were with the absconder dude I think.

Alex: what did she say then?

Boy: Nothing much, she told me to stop this because she didn't want this place to become my home, she told me that for her, this place wasn't somewhere she liked, she said that she hated how she became...

Alex:...Oh

Boy: ...she talked a lot about you and how you were the only reason she was still in this garbage...

Alex:...Shu-

Boy: But she wanted it, she wanted to stay in the garbage with you, because "you transformed garbage into gold"...that's all I remember tho sorry, she seemed to respect you and believed that you had a good side, that apparently only she could see...

Alex: *f-ck* You know what...You are a good kid...but she was wrong...he turns back to look at the burnt down squat ...I don't have a good side...*if I had one I...wouldn't have done that*, ha...I get the last word again Lilly, f-ck you...I gotta go kid see ya...he stood up and walked down the street

Boy: See ya!

Alex:*f-ck, f-ck me, f-ck this, f-ck everything*he takes out his phone and calls Gideon but receives no answer *Gideon...answer you pr-ck* The Fake Red Mask finally answered

Alex: Where are you, we need to talk

Gideon: Hello dear Alex...I am in south L.A at the very moment

Alex: WHERE!?

Gideon: I am going to eliminate the ones that troubled your mind, it will be my pleasure.

Alex: w-what, who?

Gideon: The Absconders.

Same Time at the VP
Eliana rushes into the main room and sees some of the other Absconders there.

Eliana: Did you guys see the news?!

Jason: Yep. Another gorilla got shot.

Eliana: I mean what Richard Gardener said on live TV.

Jason: Oh...no. He checks his phone and reads a news article Heheh.

Eliana: It's not funny, he told the public the Absconders are a bunch of terrorists and has evidence too!

Micah: Yeah... I’ve seen the news. 'He walks out of the kitchen room with a glass of wine in his hand while the magic armor is empty, but walking behind him, following him. He sits on the arm rest of a couch and looks at Eliana while sipping his wine.' I thought you’d make sure your assassination was completely discrete. Now we’re on the news. Plus now there’s two public members of the Absconders! He sips again and starts to think.

Eliana: I literally turned everything on that island into energy. I thought that would've destroyed all the cameras, but this video was taken by a phone, probably from a guard I didn't see... Damn it. My face isn't visible in the video, but the armour is recognisable enough, as is the hair... Oh sh-t I hope my family didn't see that! They would know it was me!

Jason: Is that so bad?

Eliana: Yes, my father hates vigilantes, he would never let me be a superhero.

Jason: So? He doesn't control you.

Eliana: Yes but I can't have my parents openly hating what I do. I need them by my side, which is why they can't know.

Jason: Well that's your problem then. Thought this whole Superhero thing was going to be fun...now it seems like a chore.

Dominic flew into the VP fast, riddled with wounds, burns, some shrapnel in his armor, and he got on a knee, panting, healing up as nanites were pushing out shrapnel, bullets, slugs, shells, metal and glass shards.

Dominic: Okay... He laughs and chuckles a bit, until it turns into a growl RICHARD GARDENER HAS OFFICIALLY GONE TO WAR ON ALL OF US! He yelled out, filled with rage, as his armor's mouth area opened up when he yelled, revealing the sharp teeth.

Micah: Yeah... Does it matter though? There’s only one of him and we’re all powerful enough to defeat him.

Dominic: I may be an honorary S.H.I.E.L.D agent, but this is hard, it's public image. And oh so coincidentally mercs started attacking me while this went on, referencing me in particular....

Micah: Well I guess for now, the rest of us stay hidden. Nobody will know we’re the Absconders.

Dominic: God, wait...Micah gimme your phone real quick.

Micah: He hands him his phone and finishes sipping his wine, setting the glass down on the table.

Dominic: He looks through contacts and sees Antonia's name Hey listen, Antonia, I know it's soon, I got you settled in your new home, you're fighting ninjas, but we have a problem...Yes it involves the latest news...I know he's an asshole, he's gonna gun for all of us, now for the sake of my company, what do you think of being head of security?...You will be paid handsomely by the day...Great, and yes you can continue your ninja business here, you pretty much are a magnet to them, which wont be a real problem...Alright, see ya' next week.

Eliana: Well that's great but, I'll deal with Richard alone. I'll focus this fight on me so it doesn't affect you guys. But now I've got to head home and make sure my family didn't...see that.

Micah: Alright Eli, best of luck. He goes back to the supercomputer room as his armor follows him.

'Eliana leaves the Vanishing Point and heads into the city streets, heading home. She sees many civilians walking past, so puts her hoodie on to cover her face in fear of being recognised. On her way home she sees a little girl hiding in an alleyway, looking over the corner of the wall at Eliana as she passes by. The girl seems to be crying, so Eliana approaches her and kneels to her, taking her hood off.'

Eliana: Hey, what's wrong?

Girl: My daddy is hurt, he's on the floor over there and he's not breathing!

Eliana: I'll take a look at him. 'She walks into the alley with the little girl and sees the man on the floor. She kneels down but pauses, then turns to the girl. She pulls her closer and places a finger on her forehead, reading her mind.' Not falling for this again. Get out of here! 'She yells at the girl, as the girl runs off. The man on the floor pulls out a gun but Eliana was prepared so she grabbed his arm and punched him across the face. Four armed Gardener guards come out from hiding and fire at Eliana, but she generates an Amethyst shield and blocks the bullets. She throws the man up and against the wall, as he falls and hits the ground, knocking him unconscious. Eliana sends out a wave of Sapphire energy, which upon hitting the guards sends four smaller waves back at her, feeding her information.'

Guard: This is definitely Gemstone, call backup!

Eliana: *Crap.* 'She looks at the guard who was on the floor and aims her hand at him, her hand generating orange sparks, as the ground suddenly opens up and swallows him in with rocky teeth, burying him alive in a coffin under the ground, as the concrete fixes itself back over him. He starts screaming, but it is muffled by being buried alive.' Woah, next...

Guard: What the Hell?! 'He takes cover behind a dumpster, throwing an impact grenade at Eliana. Eli gets hit by it, blasting her back out the alleyway. She gets up and runs back in, absorbing the dumpster and creating a barrel, which she kicks, rolling it at the guard as it hits him, making him fall over. Eliana read his fear was drowning, so she aims her hand at it and waves it, generating orange sparks and suddenly a body of water is sucked from nowhere into the atmosphere around him and traps the guard in it. The guard is stuck drowning in a floating body of water hovering in the air, as he tries to swim around while screaming. The other two guards look up in shock, Eliana holding the water there and controlling it based on his fear, laughing in excitement as she does. The water won't stop entering the man's body, he unintentionally swallows a large amount of it as he continuously screams, drowned out by the water.'

Eliana: This power... 'The other two guards start running, but Eliana read that one of their fears was heights, so she aims her free hand at one, and he shoots up into the sky, as if being dragged by a claw. He then starts falling down to the ground, but before hitting the ground, the air rips open, and the man falls into a blood red portal which loops over and he starts falling again from the sky.' Oh my God, haha! 'Every time the man enters and exits the portals, he starts withering, becoming paler and more skeletal, and his screeching voice becomes less human. Eliana sees the last guard escaping, but leaves him as she enjoys messing with the guards.' Enjoying your retribution? 'She snaps her fingers, sparks emitting. The water is sucked away, dropping the guard to the floor as he throws up dirty, bloody water and gasps for breath. The man falling is suddenly lying against the ground as if thrown back but without impact. He turns over and vomits, then passes out as he's too weak to move. Eliana walks over to the part of the ground where the last guard is buried, she can still hear him.' Don't forget to tell the others he's down there. She says to the guard who nearly drowned.

Guard: You.. you're crazy...

Eliana: Richard is crazy, declaring war on me. Leave him, what is he offering you, money? Was it worth nearly drowning?

Guard: N-no... I'm out... He can keep his damn money...

Eliana: That's what I like to hear. Don't forget to tell the others which side stands a chance. 'She smiles at him, then walks out the alleyway, putting her hood back on and walking home. After reaching her house, she walks up to the front door, but before she opens it, it opens and Thaddeus quietly walks out the front door.' What? Thaddeus? Why were you in my house?

Thad: I saw the news. Don't worry, I took care of your parents.

Eliana: You did what?!

Thad: I altered their memories, they won't trace that video back to you now. You can thank me later.

Eliana: You could've asked me, I already told you not to mess with my friends and family's heads!

Thad: They're adults, I didn't mess with Corrie don't worry. She's young, I don't know how badly my powers would affect her brain.

Eliana: Oh... But still, don't go poking around brains of people I know. I don't know how I can trust you, what if you messed around with my brain and I just don't remember?

Thad: Uh...

Eliana: Yeah, I want to trust you. So please don't?

Thad: Fine. I'm just looking out for you.

Eliana: I know. I better go inside and see the effects of what you did...

Thad: Sure. Bye.

Eliana: See ya. She enters her house, as Thaddeus goes back to his apartment building.

Meanwhile with Dominic
'He groaned after a heated argument with the board members, he drove out in a new car, as while it happned, during an entire intersection, he got surrounded by SWAT like vehicles, as they all aimed at him, in fact they were aiming with RPGs, Dominic exited, controlling the car into going back to Dinomo tower. Inactuality the SWAT guys were actually guards of Richard.'

Guard 1: Dominic Bernedicci stand down, we're taking you in!

Dominic: You're not S.H.I.E.L.D...under what accounts?

Guard 1: For the acts of terrorism you have committed...

Dominic: Ah you're paid...listen, does it look like I go around destroying thic city, does it look like the Absconders are trying to take over, if so- He was shot with a burst of a sniper rifle, and it looked like he got hit in the mouth, they loomed over him, as they were about to cuff him, but he got up, and they backed away a bit scared, and he showed he caught ut with his teeth, as he got it and put it in his pocket Who shot that? He armored up going int Speed Demon, running and finding the sniper, being behind him Was it you~? He threw him off the roof, and beifre he hit the ground, he caught him, the guards were about to fire rpgs, but they all got disabled, as Dominic rant at them dismantling each Now, done? They ran to their vehicles to get spare weapons, but Dominic got into Widower, and restrained them using the crystalizing energy, restraining them, he was about head off, but one of them broke out, Dominic a bit surprised scanned him and saw his gauntlets EMP Carbonadium High Frequency Gauntlets? He went into a crouching stance akin to Spider-man's. The guard had a name tag on him as it said "Rumble".

Rumble: Just for you -sshole! He got into a boxing stance, Dominic unarmored, smirking, as it was a like a street fight, Dominic kept bobbing and weaving, as when Dominic fought him he was dodging just as well, soon Dominic noticed he got tuckered out and Dominic casualky removed his gauntlets.

Dominic: Tired bud?

Rumble: F-F-ck...off. He panted.

Dominic: Look, it's obvious I was playing with all of you, now compare to all the things I recently did, do you think it's a good idea to fight me? He raised an eyebrow.

Rumble: Hell naw... He panted.

Dominic: Look, with how hard you were fighting this is about the other guards, so tell me who sent ya' and I'll gvie you guys enough money to have a great night of your lives, and forget this happened and say that I was let go of under further investigation... He showed the money, then Rumble chuckled taking it.

Rumble: You smart kid, but someday Imma wipe that sh-t eating grin off your face... He chuckled It was the Gardener kid...did that b-tch really kill his dad?

Dominic: Nah, she'd never...

He patted his shoulder, as more police arrived, soon Dominic flew off and some hours later he arranged a live interview for tv, Calling out Gardener.

Dominic: Me and my team has taken, lives, property, chances for a start, we know that and we regret it when that happens. But what we've given, always doubles by the second as we keep being ourselves, we lost an ally, our homes, our past, our families, but we never blame any of you, we're not above the law. We are not mere vigilantes, we're protecters, the moment we kill, everybody freaks out, the moment we don't they complain, you see, our action depend on the situation, but sacrificing civillians, that's not out schtick, and labeling us as terrorists? Captain America has dropped and picked up, even passed on his shield, but he always stands as he is. Now my words to Gardener. you are audacious enough to call me out, call me a terrorist, claim I have sent murder for what again? Competition, let me tell you, I would fight face to face, never sending someone else to do what I have to do, so you can take your claims, and shove it right back up your pompous ass, and take the silver spoon with you...Now, does the media have questions?

Interviewer 1: Mr. Bernedicci, are you denying the Absconders' involvement with the murder of Thomas Gardener?

Dominic: Investigation will be brought further, I will make sure of that, even if it did, there is always good reason, we don't fight for money, we bring justice or retribution, some of us do have innocent blood on our hands, even me, so I am not one who can judge without being a hypocrite.

Interviewer 2: With evidence against your claims, of a superhero in the Absconders murdering Mr Gardener in cold blood, why should we believe a word you say? Simply admitting your past crimes of destroying several city blocks, leading to dozens of civilian casualties, doesn't excuse you from justice. You claim you're not above the law, but then don't even consider yourself as needing to follow it. 'The crowd murmurers in agreement. The man is not a regular interviewer, he's John Rivers, Gardener's secret advisor.'

Dominic: Question, why pull that question only now, as in you look Eerily familiar....anyway the point is the concept of the fifth freedom, only give by a POTUS I know, but it stands to reason, to enforce the law, you must break it sometimes...

John: Dominic Bernedicci, unlawful use of violence, spilled innocent blood to pass his own judgement in our state. Sounds exactly like what I'd call a terrorist.

Interviewer 1: With no disrespect to the Superhuman minority, but we did learn to accept your help, and allowed for a Superhuman Centre in many states all over America, but it seems a group like the Absconders working outside the law is too dangerous for this city. You're unregistered, and given the fact that the attack on the LA Centre was caused by superhumans against superhumans, we really can't predict your motives and goals.

John: Not only that, it seems Dominic here is just using his ties to Dinomo Industries to help escape the law, and allow the Absconders to do as they please. We didn't ask for you, and now we've had enough. Thomas Gardener was a good man, how many more good men have to die before the Absconders are brought down?

Dominic: Fine, you want the truth? Well let me tell you, the bombing of the Superhuman Centre in Sacramento, other super powered individual deaths, young ones I mind you, some who just do it to actually help, and of course the sudden spike in Absconder activity, we are at war with a group known as the Virtues, they attacked a train station, killed one of the Absconders, their motives are unclear, but the Absconders, we're here to stand up to big threats in this city...

Interviewer 3: We at the Daily Bugle California Division know about the Virtues. 'An interviewer spoke out, with a whispering snake-like accent. He was pale skinned and had a blank expression.' For those of you who don't know, the Seven Virtues are an assassin company which became active only two years ago. We've interviewed two of their leaders before, and we have pictures of them performing selfless acts of heroism. You're making bold claims, they've denied all responsibility for the attack. They may call themselves assassins, but they're as much superheroes as the Absconders.

Dominic: Let me say this, the Absconders are not superheroes, or terrorists, we're people, and the fact that everybody has skeletons behind their closets, it makes you think, about how dangerous a person can be, it's not what in they do. It's what they don't do, it's why you fear the Absconders, now compare that to Thomas Gardener, look me in the eyes, tell me, that everything he has done is known to the public.

John: Every man has a private side, admittedly. But Thomas Gardener was not a superhuman, in fact he helped this city, as well as many other cities without throwing a punch. This good man turns up dead a day before he attends a charity event for superhumans, and is murdered by a superhuman, with evidence provided by his only son. His son wants justice, and now rich boy Dominic Bernedicci is saying the Absconders had good intentions when they blasted Thomas Gardener's head open. Being a superhero once, or pretending to, doesn't mean sh-t, excuse my French. It seems as if the Absconders have killed this man, and that's all that matters. The next step, is justice. He finishes off, as more people agree.

Dominic: Fine He armors up, startling some people but if we stay down, and I'm right, who will you turn to? He decides to get into his flight mode and flies off as Viv takes care of anything else.

At an apartment complex in San Deigo
'Now we are once more introduced to the Erratics, a group of teen villains who once fought the Absconders. Vice and Limit were the only ones at the apartment, since the other 2 were out somewhere doing their own business. The television was on and it was showing the news and the interview of Dominic Bernidicci. Limit watched quietly as the program finally finished with Dominic armoring up and flying off. Limit simply got up from his chair and shook his head as he went to turn off the television then looked at Vice.'

Limit: This Virtue sh*t is aggravating... I wouldn't care if they weren't trying to kill me though. Urgh.

Vice: The Absconders says they're at war with them... Haha, I've killed stronger assassins than them.

Limit: Have you? You almost killed yourself a while back... 'He keeps his hood on and lays on the couch. 'I just want this to be over... Having someone repeatedly trying to kill me is very annoying.

Vice: For your information, I faked my death, and it worked. Virtues don't see me coming, they reported me dead, heh. Hopefully the Absconders and the Virtues kill each other then we don't have to deal with either.

Before Limit can respond, a familiar voice is heard around them.

Voice: Your wish is my command... 'That's when a dark vapor surrounds the room and Limit grabs his sword off the floor and gets in a ready stance. '

Limit: It's Warp, Vice... I know where this is going...

Vice: Sh-t... She powers up her hands with white-grey energy.

The dark vapor around the room starts closing in as Vice and Limit hear a maniacal laughter from Warp.

Warp: Have fun with him, Erratics! 'The vapor closes in around them as they get transported into the building Limit was teleported into before to get killed. When Limit and Vice landed on the ground, they looked up and saw a man standing near them. He was short, wearing a fine black cloak reaching down to his knees, and had a small smile on his face. He had long shoulder length silver-blond hair and blue eyes. He was obviously a new Virtue they hadn't seen, and he nodded at Warp.'

Virtue: Thank you, Warp. Your services to the Seven are greatly appreciated. Allow me to introduce myself, Limit and Vice. The man standing before you is Karl Erikson, and I am one of the seven leaders of the Virtues. His voice was monotone yet friendly Unfortunately my friend Zacharia had failed to kill you, Vice. He believed you were dead, but that was a lie. I won't fail Arnault like he did, for I am grateful for my gifts. We are so close to making our perfect world a reality, there are only a few left that stand in our way. I'm terribly sorry we have to meet at the end of a blade, but our fates aligned as such. He pulls out two twin blades from within his cloak and kneels in a fighting stance.

Limit: Great. 'He spins his sword in his hand and bolts to the side all around Karl, shooting huge fireballs from his mouth, then skidding to a stop as the fireballs created lots of smoke around Karl. It started to disappear as the fireballs reappeared suddenly all above Vice.' Damn. 'He slammed his free hand on the ground as he used his transmutation to break down the terrain below into small debris, making him fall. He fell down the hole but then reappeared in the air looking down at Limit. That’s when Limit used his powers to reform the ground into pillars that shot out and extended at Karl.'

Vice: Sh-t! 'She got hit by the fireballs which exploded on her. She arose from the flames with parts of her face and body ripped off as light grey particles of energy were floating around her. The particles connected back into her and she reformed fully, she then jumped at Karl, eyes glowing and ready to leech him, but she suddenly was teleported and slammed into a wall. She pulled herself up, not injured but annoyed.' Ugh, bastard.

She ran at Karl again, but suddenly the distance between them increased, as the room appeared longer and longer the more she ran, making her unable to reach him.

Karl: My gift has made me untouchable by all manners of offense. 'He waved his hands at each pillar, making them teleport and punch Limit instead. Vice threw a grenade at him that attached to him, but Karl teleported to Vice and as the bomb exploded, it hit them both. The bomb used Karl's life force to power it, making the explosion huge.'

Vice: Thanks for the fuel, ahahahah! She absorbed the explosion and formed a sharp blade of energy on her forearm, punching it at Karl, but he dodged it effortlessly multiple times by increasing the distance between their bodies. Stop moving! Karl slashed her back with one of his swords then kicked her, as she was suspended in the air while bleeding. Ah! Limit, help!

Karl: Your deaths don't have to be painful. I am only prolonging the fight because of your blackened souls. But if you surrender your lives to us, I shall be merciful.

'Limit ignores her cry for help and stares at Karl from under his hood. He creeps to the side to get his sword as it was recently knocked back, but Karl teleports in front of him, spinning and kicking him in his chest. He gets sent flying backwards, but does a backflip and skids on his feet. He holds his hand out to his sword and concentrates as it suddenly gets teleported in his hands. '

Karl: Oh?

Limit: He smirks under his hood *I just disassembled my weapon and brought the molecules to me, then reassembled...* 'This is when Limit bolts at him with great speeds but Karl just sighed and held out his hand as the distance between them became longer and longer. Limit concentrated as he was running and mentally grabbed onto his own molecules and sent them towards Karl like what he did with his weapon. His body disappeared and reappeared in front of Karl but Limit seemed in a huge amount of pain. He gritted his teeth and started swinging his sword with immense precision at spots Karl shouldn’t be able to dodge, but he seems to do so with his great agility. He simply grabs Limit’s neck, but his body glows and detonated, sending Karl through the air. He landed on his feet completely fine as he simply sniffed.'

Karl: Was that all?

Limit: Agh... 'He seemed to detonate his body in a nuclear fashion but it did no harm to Karl, except some burns on his cloak. Limit got up, weak and asked.' So what’s the point of all this, who’s your leader... I know you Virtues can’t be orchestrating this all by yourself. His palms glowed as some transmutation began, unknowingly to Karl...

Vice: Ah, Limit! 'She realised Limit wasn't going to help her, and looked yearningly at him. She then wriggled and exploded her body, reforming out of particles at a safe distance from Karl.'

Karl: We are the leaders. The Seven of us. We're the ones most blessed. Soon the others will be as powerful. It's beautiful, like evolution. It's a shame superhumans are incompatible with the Eagle's Gift.

Vice: Are you going to tell us what the f-ck the Eagle's Gift is then?

Karl: It's a magnificent thing, the powers all the assassins of the Seven Virtues possess.

Vice: How did you get these powers? Aren't you guys superhuman too?

Karl: Technically, yes. A different kind, though. And as I already said, we were given them.

Vice: By who?

Karl: The Eagle Himself: Arnault.

Vice: Is he one of the Virtues?

Karl: No, no he's much more. He's the Eagle, we are his 7 Virtues.

Vice: Why hasn't that b-tch shown up by now?

'Upon hearing this, Karl instantly fires a wave at her that vibrated the air, erasing everything in the space it occupies. Vice was hit by it, as she started to disintegrate, but she turned into pure energy and dashed across the room, then charged at Karl and before he could attack, she split into two energy beings and attacked him from both sides, before reforming back into one. The energy drained his stamina, as he huffed, so he teleported around the room at high speed, blitzing them.'

Karl: Do not disrespect Arnault! He has sacrificed so much for the sake of the world!

'Limit got hit all over the room and landed on the floor once more. He got all his breath knocked out of him with each hit, so as he caught his breathe and pushed off the ground to get up slowly, he looked up at the speeding Karl and that’s when the huge room they were in, began to explode violently. Karl was dodging these explosions but finally got bombarded with a tremendous amount of explosions around the room. It created a chain reaction which then made the whole room a continuous explosive mine. Limit made a beeline to Vice who was on the floor as he holstered his katana on his hip.'

Limit: *Transmuting most of the air into here in gunpowder was difficult... But him teleporting and using friction to ignite it made this even easier. Heh...* Vice! Let’s go. As he ran to her he held out his hand and held out his other hand at a far away wall, transmuting a hole into the wall to escape.

Karl: No, I wanted this to be swift and clean. You forced my hand. He holds his hands out and claps, instantly teleporting a large group of Bronze and Silver Assassins into the room. It is I, Karl Erikson, and I have summoned you all here to kill those two superhumans who are trying to escape!

Assassins: Yes, my Virtue! They run out at Limit and Vice to attack them, overwhelming them with numbers and projectiles.

Vice: Heh, bringing more people? Big mistake. 'She aims her hands out and instantly drains the life from a large chunk of the Bronze assassins, as they drop dead. Vice then supercharges, grabbing Limit and turning into pure energy then blasts in one direction through the hole in the wall, outrunning all the assassins and managing to escape, using all her energy to transport them back home in short time.' Woah, okay, we're home...

Limit got on the floor and coughed as he inhaled some gunpowder and needed to catch his breathe from running away.

Limit: I’ve never fought someone so strong... And there’s supposed to be Seven of those guys... He gets up and looks at Vice. I think knowing the information he gave us... We should go to the Absconders with it... *Maybe we can piggyback off of them and defeat the Virtues... together.*

Vice: What?! No, we just found out there's another guy behind the Seven, we can assassinate that dude ourselves and end the Virtues alone...

Outside the VP
'Jason was outside of the Vanishing Point, sitting on one of the rocks and stabbing himself in the throat with a small knife, but healing nearly instantly after. He looked bored, waiting for something to happen for an hour now.'