Chapter 18 – Shadow Invasion part 1
Silence had fallen upon the park in the middle of the night. Now that Wilfre’s gone, Michael can properly process what the hell he’d just discovered. Chaos Man had been his childhood friend, Alex Laytham, the entire time. Never in all his years would he have been able to deduce that. But now it was all starting to make sense. Why he’d been feeling this sense of familiarity whenever he saw him. Why he felt he could trust him despite all of Aegis viewing him as a potential threat.
There were a lot of mixed emotions running through him. He wasn’t sure whether to feel amazed that his friend is a superhero or mad that he’d kept this from him for so long. He assumed he had his reasons.
Michael: Alex… You’re Chaos Man?
Alex: Yes. I’m sorry I kept this from you, Michael. I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time, but Omnius said it could put you and your loved ones in danger. Are you mad?
Michael: Mad? Hell no! I just- I can’t believe it’s been you this whole time. I mean, that’s amazing!
Alex: Hehe, thanks, I guess.
Michael: When did this all happen?
Alex: It all started the day you left Hillside with your dad. That night, a huge emerald fell to Earth. I don’t know where it came from, but when I touched it, I suddenly gained all these powers. Omnius adopted me so that he could train me to control this… “Chaos Energy” he calls it.
Michael: That explains why he felt the need to visit him first before heading back to Jackson. Just how much does this Omnius guy know? …Does anyone else know?
Alex nods slowly.
Alex: Jackson knows. He caught me changing into my super suit.
Michael: Damn, that must’ve been awkward for both of you.
The boys talked it out in the isolated park, unaware that they’re being watched by a shadow bat hanging upside down on a high branch of a tree a few meters away from them. Its white dot eyes hadn’t moved away from them once, and through them Wilfre was watching from the safety of the Big Ben clocktower.
Wilfre: Jackson knew all this time?! Bu-but why? Why wouldn’t he tell me? I’m his favourite! He tells me everything!
Dark Voice: Why do you still have faith in people? You should now by now that everyone in this world is out to get you, especially those you once called “friend.” Nobody is innocent, Jason, they just haven’t had the chance to hurt you yet.
Wilfre: Yeah… You’re right. I thought Jackson was different, but he’s just like everybody else. I’ll make him pay just as I did the others, and as I will do with them.
Wilfre turns his attention back to the black smoke screen. Alex and Michael began to talk about Aegis which instantly piqued his interest.
Michael: …Don’t you see? This is a good thing. Since you’re Chaos Man, my dad is sure to listen to me and accept you as an ally.
Alex: Whoa whoa whoa! You’re not gonna tell him, are you?
Michael: What? No! Do you really think I’m stupid enough to give away your secret identity? Wait- Don’t even answer that. …What I’m saying is you’ve gotta come with me to Aegis and talk to him.
Alex: I already tried that, and they responded with bullets and helicopters. I doubt your dad will be any different.
Michael: As long as you’re with me he’ll listen. Trust me, Alex, neither you nor Aegis can stop Wilfre on your own, we have to work together.
Alex pauses as he considers his proposition. Having Aegis as allies would be nice and it’s not like he abhors the idea, but like any other military organisation he’d seen in fiction, they would always assume the worst of those who are seen as too different. The military in his favourite cartoon series never trusted Captain Cosmic at first since he was from another planet, but in time he was able to earn their trust. But that took a lot of episodes of buildup. He ain’t got that kind of time for that.
However, he had faith in Michael and him being the son of the organisation’s leader. If anyone can convince Chase it would be him. He agreed to the idea and follows Michael out of the park. His mask quickly reappears over his face, completing his appearance as Chaos Man in case any late-night joggers came by.
Michael heads over to and climbs on top of his parked bike, puts his helmet on, the key in the ignition and attempts to start up the engine. But the needle on the fuel gauge was pointing towards empty, preventing the engine from springing to life.
Michael: Damnit! Why now of all times?!
Chaos Man: Hold up. Didn’t you refuel it yesterday at the petrol station?
Michael: I did, but there wasn’t a lot of petrol left. This is why everyone’s driving Magna Tech’s electric cars now. Fuel is becoming scarce. I genuinely thought I had enough left to get us to Dad’s house.
Chaos Man: Don’t worry, I’ve got an idea. We’re going to get there my way this time. Hold on tight to the bike.
Michael: Why? What are you-
He takes Michael by surprise by picking up the bike from underneath while he was still on it and hauling it over his head like they weighed nothing. Michael lets out a scared yelp and clings to the bike tightly like he’s hugging it. Chaos Man begins ascending into the air whilst holding the bike over his head.
Michael: WAIT! NONONONO! PUT ME DOWN, PUT ME DOOOOOWN!
Chaos Man: If we’re going to do this your way, we’re travelling to Aegis my way. Now which way?
Michael was too terrified to respond and trying to keep his focus forward and not look down. He could feel a cold sweat on his forehead and palms. But that little intrusive voice at the back of his head was nagging him to peek over the side and see just how high he was. He screamed and looked away as he saw the ground growing further away from him.
Chaos Man: I was about to say don’t look down, but I see you already failed that.
Michael: Fuck off! Damnit, I wish I thought to install seatbelts or something to keep me secured!
Chaos Man: Seatbelts on a motorbike? I don’t think that’s a thing. Just tell me which direction to go and I’ll fly us there as gently as I can. This is new for me too, y’know. I’ve never carried passengers before.
Michael: Dad’s house is about 50 miles west from here! Now please go! I don’t fucking like this!
Chaos Man chuckles and flies west of the park, following Michael’s finger whilst trying his best to simultaneously balance the bike and its rider while keeping his pace to a manageable level for him. Both are still unaware that the shadow bat is following behind them.
Wilfre: That’s it, lead me straight to Aegis.
Michael was scared for his life as he clung to his bike, keeping his eyes closed to help him not think about being flown through the air by his friend, putting all his trust in him not to drop him. Alex showed no signs of exhaustion. He’s lifted things much heavier than a man on a bike. He used old train carriages as weight lifts during strength training. This was like holding a figurine over his head when he was a toddler.
Even at the reduced flying speed Chaos Man was going, the high winds were too much for the young Mercer to handle, forcing him to pull down the visor on his helmet. Once he’d gotten used to being up so high at the speed they were going, Michael was able to slowly open his eyes and take a look at the city below. This was his first time seeing it from the sky out in the open. All it’s shimmering lights, the faint sounds of traffic. It was strangely beautiful given how messy and loud New London can get most of the time. It helped remind him of what it is they need to protect. He won’t see his home be destroyed in another monster war.
He envied Alex. He got to see sights like this all time as he’s flying around as Chaos Man, yet he doesn’t seem to share the same level of astonishment as him. Maybe it’s become the norm for him by this point though it hadn’t been that long since Chaos Man first appeared.
Michael instructed Alex to start descending to the ground as they were nearing Chase’s mansion. The only building in sight hidden among the trees in the nice open stretch of countryside. Now seeing it from above, Michael tried to imagine the entire layout of Aegis HQ, wondering just how far it stretched out underground. He’d been living and training down there for almost a year and he still hasn’t seen all of it in its entirety.
Gently touching down on the driveway right outside the front door, Alex carefully puts the bike down. He had to practically pry Michael off it and set him down on his feet, nauseous from the flight.
Chaos Man: You alright?
Michael: No, I’m not alright, dude. Flying through the air like that’s got me freaked out! I don’t ever wanna do that again! Ever!
Chaos Man: Haha, no promises. Come on, let’s get this over with. You still got a spare key?
Michael: Course I do. Dad gave it to me in case I changed my mind and came crawling back. But I’m determined to get my own place soon once all this is over.
As soon as his body stopped shaking and he could feel his legs again, Michael fiddled with his keys until he found the one to unlock the front door and opened it. He ventured in first with a curious Alex following closely. Just like his friend before him, Alex was impressed by the size of the mansion and the décor within. It made sense that a man like Chase would have a place like this.
Chaos Man: Whoa! Nice house.
Michael: Heh, that’s what I said to dad too when I first stepped inside… It must’ve gotten much lonelier for him when I left, I hope he’s doing well. Follow me, his office is upstairs to the right.
Chaos Man: Why are we going to his office?
Michael: There’s a secret elevator that takes us down to Aegis. He may be down there now.
They slowly make their way upstairs and take a right towards the hallway that had Chase’s office on the left. Being in this big house at night provided an eerie atmosphere that they couldn’t explain. Michael had spent many nights in this house, why now is he feeling any unease?
Upon turning the doorknob and entering Michael unexpectedly finds Chase sitting in his chair at his desk. He was in the middle of sorting through some paperwork until he was disturbed by his son.
Chase: It’s not polite to enter a room without knocking, Michael.
Michael: Dad, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you down at Aegis?
Chase: I had a feeling that you might stop by once you heard about all the random terrorist attacks.
Michael: That’s the thing, Dad. We just found out who’s behind these attacks and they aren’t random.
Chase: We?
Michael: Right… Don’t get mad, but I brought along the last person you probably wanna see right now.
He enters the office and stands to the side, allowing Chaos Man to make his presence known. Chase stands up from his chair in shock, not at all expecting Chaos Man of all people to set foot into his office and sheepishly wave at him with a nervous grin on his face.
Chaos Man: Nice to finally meet you, General Mercer. Don’t mention the eyepatch! Don’t mention the eyepatch! Don’t mention the eyepatch! … Nice uhh… Coat?
Chase: What’s HE doing here?!
As expected, Chase retaliated by pulling his handgun out of his holster and pointing it at the multi-coloured hero. Michael quickly gets in front of him and holds his arms out to the side, pleading him to put it down and hear him out.
Michael: Don’t! He’s here to help! That’s why I brought him here!
Chaos Man: Whoa! Easy sir, just put the gun down and cool off.
Chase: You brought a dangerous being into MY home and expect me to calm down?! He’s still a wanted man!
Chaos Man: Listen to me! I’m not the one who killed Zack, Liam and James or committed all those acts of terrorism. It was all the work of a being called Wilfre.
Chase: Wilfre?
Michael: That’s what he calls himself now, but his true name is Jason Dark.
Chase: Jason Dark? The boy my men rescued during the war? I’ve heard that he’s wanted for murder in Stratford. But he’s just one shy, skinny kid, how can he be capable of multiple homicides?
Michael: Because he’s using the same scepter the monster queen used to kill Mum. It turned him into a shadow demon. He’s already murdered all the people who tormented him, god knows what he’ll do next.
Chaos Man: It’s true, sir. I’ve had the displeasure of trading blows with him. His powers are on par with my own. If he can’t be stopped, he could destroy New London. Or worse… the whole world.
All of this sounded farfetched to the general. He had no reason to believe anything Chaos Man says, but Michael wouldn’t make up something like that. He already knows that the scepter had been stolen. The thought of the same skinny child who was barely alive the day he first saw him now using the scepter to kill people sounded unbelievable. His arms relaxed, lowering his gun. Chaos Man and Michael let out a relived sigh, glad to see he was listening.
Chase: If what you say is true, then we must act quickly. I’ll send every resource at my disposal against him.
Chaos Man: It won’t be enough. Wilfre is more powerful than any monster you’ve encountered. You’ll need my help to stop him.
He uttered as he stepped further inside. But Chase quickly raises his gun at him again, forcing him to halt his approach.
Chase: I still don’t trust you, Chaos Man. For all I know, you could be secretly working with that lunatic.
Michael: Oh, for the love of- Dad! Can’t you see that there is another super-powered being out there that IS a threat?! Chaos Man has been using his powers to protect the world, Wilfre wants to destroy it! He won’t hesitate to kill everyone down there and bring down Aegis itself.
Chase: That won’t happen. One man is no match for a legion of tanks, bombers and robots.
Chaos Man: Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? I fought Wilfre one on one, he’s proven to be just as powerful as I am. If I couldn’t stop him alone, how will you?
He approached the general again, not showing any signs of fear of getting shot despite Chase taking his gun, flickng the safety off and pulling back the hammer. Michael tried to intervene, but Chaos Man raised his hand, telling him not to. He’s got this one.
Chase: General, I know what you’re afraid of and it isn’t me. It’s not monsters or aliens or whatever. It’s the unknown… You see me as a threat because my powers came from something beyond human understanding. But I’m telling you, I am not someone you should fear. I can be your best friend and a valuable ally if you let me. We both want the same thing, to save the world. So, let’s save it together.
He extends his right arm to Chase whilst he has the barrel of his gun pressed right against his forehead, offering a handshake. He wasn’t even afraid he might pull the trigger. In fact, as a further show of trust he has for Michael’s father, the top of his mask where the gun rested against pulls away, exposing his vulnerable skull. His suit is bulletproof so what better way to prove himself than to risk dying right here and now.
Chase’s only eye widens in shock; his eyebrows raise as he gazed into the pure-hearted hero’s emerald eyes. He could tell by looking into them that he was being serious about being an ally or dying right here and now to earn his trust. Chase slowly lowers the gun once more, this time putting it back in its holster. Chaos Man smiles and takes a step back as his mask repairs itself, sighing in relief
No words were needed to let them know that he managed to win him over. Instead, Chase walks over to the bookshelf and pulls out the fake book, unveiling the hidden elevator Michael mentioned and inviting them in.
Chase: Get in, both of you.
Michael: Thank you, Dad.
Chase: I’m doing this for you, Son, not him. It’ll take time for him to earn my respect.
Chaos Man: I’ll take what I can get, Sir.
They enter the elevator and ride it down to Aegis. Chaos Man was standing awkwardly in the back with Michael, staring at the back of the general’s head. The ride was silent, and all Alex could do to pass the time was think about Chase’s eyepatch. He understood that he lost his eye during the Monster War, but he always wondered why the leaders of fictional military organisations always had an eyepatch. The one in the Captain Cosmic cartoon had one, as does one of the playable characters from his Road Boxers game back at the orphanage.
The slow-moving lift soon touched down on the ground floor and opened its doors, revealing Aegis to the hero for the first time. It was much bigger than he imagined, not to mention sleek and well organised for a military base. Of course, he was only seeing a small sector that contained a training area, several labs, a storage warehouse for weapons and further up ahead he could see a sign that read “Monster Containment Area” But the hall was so long and wide that it would take a car to get someone there on the same day.
Chaos Man: Wow! This is Aegis? It’s fricken huge! This makes Area 51 look like one of those paintball arenas.
Chase: Area 51 is actually an extension of Aegis itself in the US. The idea behind it was to make the public believe it’s a secret facility that research extraterrestrials or test out new aircrafts. But realistically it’s just 1 of 59 outposts we have stationed worldwide, covering almost every corner of the globe.
Michael: Huh, I didn’t know that. Why though?
Chase: When people are told something is secret, they do everything in their power to figure out what it is. You know how conspiracy theorists online are like. By making them believe we’re hiding things from the public at Outpost 51, we’re able to keep our true secrets secure here at our main base. I don’t have to remind you that this conversation be kept confidential, Chaos Man.
Chaos Man: My lips are sealed.
The sudden appearance of Chaos Man didn’t go unnoticed by the soldiers wandering below the balcony the three of them are walking on. His brightly coloured suit made it easy for him to stand out compared to all the greys, browns and blacks of Aegis itself.
Some of them raise their rifles at him but were ordered by Chase to stand down, that he’s here with him and was only brought down to Aegis to further discuss Wilfre and what they should do to stop him by going into Chase’s proper office downstairs.
The shadow bat that had been stalking them undercover of darkness watched them enter the office and close the door behind them before sneakily flying down the hallway, following the signs that pointed in the direction of the Monster Containment facility. As expected, the entrance was heavily locked and guarded by several soldiers and a state-of-the-art security system. All of which were useless to stop it from phasing through the wall and entering the prison.
On the other side was a massive room with hundreds of titanium boxes covering the walls, most of which were filled with all sorts of monster specimens sealed behind heavily reinforced glass. The monsters all turn their differently proportioned heads towards the entrance as they see the bat fly through and land on the floor in the centre of the room. The bat then evaporates in a puff of black smoke that grew larger and moulded itself into the shape of a man.
Wilfre steps out of the smoke with the scepter in his hands and takes a good look at all the caged monsters around him. The monsters recognise the scepter as the weapon wielded by their queen and respond by roaring and banging their fists, tentacles, talons and tails against the glass.
Wilfre: Aww, poor widdle things. I know exactly how it feels to be locked in a cage. Don’t get too excited, I’m not your precious queen. But I have come to grant your freedom… Tell me, who was it that put you in there?!
Monsters: HUMANS!
Some of the higher intelligent monsters roared as loudly as they can behind the glass.
Wilfre: That’s right! For years humans have been hunting your kind down! Slaughtering you like animals! Locked you in these boxes so they could experiment and torture you! How does that make you feel?!
All the monsters roar simultaneously and stomp around whilst banging their appendages on the walls.
Wilfre: I thought as much. Well rest assured, my friends, today that. All. Ends!
Wilfre lets go of the scepter, allowing it to hover in place as he stretched both arms outwards and unleashes a massive burst of dark lightning that short circuits every single cage in the room, automatically unlocking the doors. The monsters all escape and spread out amongst themselves before standing in front of Wilfre and dropping their heads in appreciation for his generosity.
Wilfre: And now that I set you free, what is the first thing you’re going to do?!
Monsters: DESTROY THEM!
They all declared furiously as they raised their fists – or whatever – in the air.
Wilfre: Good answer.
Back in Chase’s main office, Michael and Chaos Man were going in depth of what they know about Wilfre and what his objectives were now that he’d offed everyone on his hit list. The deaths weren’t random; they were all people who had hurt Jason in some way. Jackson was right. The more people he killed the less guilty he felt. People were nothing but insects for him to step on now. That’s the kind of thinking that defines a monster whether they’re human or not.
The situation soon got a whole lot worse once the alarms rang out throughout the entire base, interrupting their discussion. Chase quickly picks up his radio and demands a full report on what was happening.
Chase: What’s going on?
Soldier: All the monsters we’ve captured have breached containment! They’re all out and running amok!
Chase: What?! How the hell did they escape?!
Soldier: They were released by some kind of black- Argh!
The connection was cut off with the only sounds being heard on the other side being the cries of the soldier followed by the sputtering sounds of death.
Michael: It’s him.
Chaos Man: Wilfre! He must’ve followed us.
Chase: You fool! You’ve led him right to us!
Michael: Not the time, Dad! We’ve got bigger things to worry about. We’ve gotta stop those monsters from getting out!
Chase: You’re right, go! You and Chaos Man take them out; I’ll activate the lockdown. Trap them all down here.
Chaos Man and Michael respond with a nod before running out the door. Chase soon takes out a small key he kept in his tiny pocket hidden inside his sleeve and inserts it into a keyhole underneath his desk. Upon turning it, a small piece of his desk opens up, and a big red button slowly rises up to the surface. He slams his whole fist down onto it, triggering a black out and the base’s emergency red lights to come on.
Computer Voice: Warning! Full lockdown is now in effect. Soldiers prepare for combat. All other personal must evacuate to the bunkers immediately.
Everyone inside Aegis responds accordingly to the warning. The soldiers, both veteran and rookie, prepared for battle and grabbed their weapons and armour to combat the monsters while the workers and scientists all took the emergency hatches in their stations and retreat into the underground tunnels that’ll lead them to the bunkers.
Chase soon joined the boys out in the open area of Sector 33 of the base. Already monsters had gotten in and are on a rampage, bulldozing through doors and walls, killing anything that stood in their way. This provided him a good opportunity to see Chaos Man in action for himself rather than through satellite footage. Though his personality was equivalent to that of a teenager, he was highly skilled in combat. The way he channelled his chaos energy into his fists, working his powers into his strikes, it was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. Not even he could deny that he was a competent fighter.
Michael also had his time to shine, displaying all he’d learned over his months of training here. It was the first time seeing him utilising Duty and Sacrifice in battle. Firing one high-caliber round into a monster’s head without even looking in its direction. Instead focusing on another bird-like monster approaching him from above attempting to swoop down and slice him with its talons. The young Mercer responds with a spinning roundhouse kick to the side of its large beak followed by a point-blank shot in its eye, killing it dead.
Chase: That’s my boy!
But this touching moment was rudely interrupted by Wilfre who shocks the two of them with his lightning. Then, to Chase’s confusion, all the monsters suddenly stopped attacking and stood down now that he’s entered the fight. He slowly gazes up at the shadowy being hovering in place, looking down on them like the weaklings he perceived them to be. He focused on the scepter in his hand. He could feel his heartbeat increasing just from looking at it, reminding him of the day his wife was murdered by that particular weapon.
Wilfre: Hello “Chaos Man,” how nice of you to invite me to the party. My new friends and I are having a blast, quite literally! And look, it’s Michael and his daddy.
Michael: Wilfre!
Wilfre: Hmph, at least one of you got my name right, thank you. Almost makes me wanna spare your life.
Michael: Wish I could say the same.
Chase: So, you’re the one behind all this. The murder of those three boys, the attack on Will Craft’s tower, and now you dare to infiltrate Aegis and break out our captured specimens.
Wilfre: They’re NOT your specimens! They are living creatures that deserve to be wild and free.
Chase: That’s not gonna happen, Jason Dark. Yes, I know who you are. You were just a kid when we first met. If I’d known what kind of danger you’d become, I would’ve left you to die in that burning apartment.
Wilfre: Hehehe, and people wonder why you call yourselves the “good guys.”
He snickered with a wide grin on his blackened face. Chase and all the other soldiers all point their rifles at him, ordering him to surrender. But all Wilfre did was laugh at them.
Chase: I’m only gonna say this once! Stand down and surrender the scepter. The entire base is sealed off; you’ve got no way out.
Wilfre: Oh really? Then I suppose we’ll have to take the emergency exit.
With a swift wave of his hand, the scepter opens dozens of black portals directly underneath all the monsters, growing large enough for them all to slip into. They all vanish through the black holes before anyone could process what just happened. All of the monsters had been transported out of the base, including the ones that weren’t within Wilfre’s line of sight. The soldiers all scan the area, trying to spot them in case of a surprise attack, but there was nobody in the room but them.
Soldier 1: The fuck?
Soldier 2: They just vanished!
Chase: What did you do?!
Wilfre: I transported them to the centre of New London. They need to stretch their legs.
Everyone gasped in response. This must’ve been his plan from the get-go. He freed all the monsters knowing Aegis might try to contain the chaos by sealing off the whole base, keeping them locked in so they can exterminate them. Instead, they locked themselves in and are now incapable of protecting the city. Chase gritted his teeth and angrily glanced at Wilfre, his trigger finger itching to put a bullet in his smug, cartoonishly evil face.
Chase: No! What have you done?! Those people you killed before, I can understand that. But why risk all the innocent lives of New London?! They haven’t done anything to you!
Wilfre: Nobody’s innocent! They just haven’t had the chance to hurt me yet.
Chaos Man: Jason-
Wilfre: For the billionth time! IT’S WILFRE!
In a fit of rage, Wilfre points the scepter at Chaos Man and fires a concentrated dark energy blast at him and Michael who was standing right next to him, knocking them both backwards and into the wall.
That pose he took, it was the same one Oculus Abyssi made when she stabbed Jade. It was all too much for the general. His own anger flared up as he directed his rifle at Wilfre. He will make him pay for hurting his son and putting the city in danger for no reason.
Chase: Open fire!
Chase and his men all open fire on Wilfre from all directions, but the bullets pass through his body just as he knew they would. He didn’t even so much as put up his hands to block them. He laughs to their feeble attempts to gun him down as he dispatched them all with a flick of the wrist, unleashing an omnidirectional wave of dark energy.
Wilfre: You think you can kill a shadow with bullets? What idiots. I don’t have time for this; I’ve got more important stuff to do…
He turned to Chaos Man and Michael who are now back on their feet and taking up a fighter’s stance.
Wilfre: Starting with you two! You took everything from me, now I’m doing the same to you! Try and stop me if you can, Hero. I’ll meet you at the place where it all began. But will you be fast enough to figure out where before what happens next? Hahahaha!
Wilfre falls backwards into another black portal that opened behind him. Chaos Man launches off the ground and desperately tries to follow him through it, but the portal closes just as fast as it first appeared, leaving him trapped down there with everyone else. Michael rushed to his father’s side and helped him get back on his feet. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt from that attack, just winded. But now things have gone from bad to worst now that they’ve sealed themselves off from the world, unable to defend the people from the freed monsters.
What did he mean by “the place where it all began” Alex wondered as he caught his breath in midair? That could have many meanings. It couldn’t be the apartment building he was born in, he already burned that place to the ground. Perhaps he was talking about a place where all his struggles started. Where their friendship fell apart. It suddenly hit him in the face like a sack full of bricks. He knew exactly where he was heading.
Chaos Man: The orphanage! He’s going to destroy Hillside House! I’ve got to stop him!
Chase: You can’t leave, none of us can. The whole base is on lockdown. We can’t get out until we restart the main reactor.
Michael: How long is that gonna take?
Chase: Too long. Jackson and everyone there will be dead by the time we restore power.
Michael: Wilfre knew it! He freed the monsters knowing we would lock down the base, trapping us inside while he lets them loose on the city… Damn him!
Chaos Man: I won’t wait! I’ll go out through the elevator shaft and face him alone.
Michael: Like hell you are, I’m going with you.
Chaos Man: Michael, you’re not strong enough.
Michael: Jason was my friend too. I won’t let him cause any more destruction. I’m coming whether you like it or not!
Chaos Man groaned in annoyance. There was no time for arguing when the lives of innocent people were at stake. He knows Michael won’t let this go until he agrees to let him tag along which he reluctantly agrees. He picks Michael up in his arms and flies them up to the upper level where the elevator is. Using his super strength, Alex forces the doors open. Due to the lockdown the lift had lost all power, leaving them no choice but to fly up the shaft themselves. But not without bidding one final farewell to Chase.
Chaos Man: We’ll do everything we can to defeat the monsters as soon as we stop Wilfre. Oh, and sorry for damaging your elevator. Hope your insurance covers that.
Michael: Really? Making jokes at a time like this?
Chaos Man: It’s not a joke; it’s a serious concern.
Chase: It doesn’t matter, just get that bastard! And Chaos Man? Michael? Good luck.
They both nod and give him a thumbs up in response before Chaos Man flies up the elevator shaft with Michael holding onto him for dear life. He forced open the doors at the top of the shaft just as easily as he’d done the first ones and flies through the mansion, dodging around the chandelier and bursting out the front door. From there he began climbing, causing Michael to tighten his grip on his body, even wrap his legs around his midsection.
Michael: Somehow this is worse than being flown while on my bike!
Chaos Man: Hey, you’re the one who wanted to come… And you better hold on real tight, cuz I ain’t slowing down this time.
Michael: OH SHIIIIIIIIIT!
Mass hysteria shattered the accustomed normality of New London’s background noises when dozens of black portals opened up all over the city, spitting out all the captured monsters. Now freed after years of being locked away in those cramped glass boxes, they stretch their appendages and are running wild in the streets, taking what they wanted, vengeance, and destroying anything – or anyone – in their path.
Their numbers were so overwhelming that the standard MT police robots wouldn’t be enough to hold them back whilst keeping the people safe. Drastic measures might be needed if this kept up. Magna Tech will have to send out their new prototype SWAT robot force, unless Chaos Man arrives on the scene and cleared them out as he’d done every other time he stole the company’s thunder.
The Rising Sun pub was only an hour away from closing its doors before the city-wide alarm sounded. It was a Saturday night too so a disaster couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Saturdays were when business was booming heavily with many young people coming in to get drunk and party. Sean and Helen didn’t mind as it meant more business for them. There was something oddly satisfying about younger people taking an interest in his old-looking pub when many clubs in New London would be more modern for their tastes.
But tonight, nobody was in the mood to party. The sudden appearance of all those monsters forced the patrons to hide in the pub rather than risking their lives getting home. Sean graciously offered his place for them to take shelter in until the matter is resolved. He even helped board up the windows and move heavy furniture in front of the entrances, keeping them out. As an added precaution, he shut off all the electricity to ensure the lights don’t attract the monsters’ attention.
Random Man 1: What do we do?!
Random Woman: Where’s Chaos Man?
Random Man 2: Yeah, Chaos Man’ll save us. He’ll send these monsters back to hell!
Sean: Everybody, please keep it down. There could be monsters out there now listening for us. If they hear us we’re done for.
He whispered to the trembling crowd, putting a finger to his lips and shushing them. Helen soon comes downstairs and whispers to her husband.
Helen: I’ve checked on Violet; she’s still in her room. I told her to close the blinds, turn off the lights and keep quiet.
Sean: Just to be safe, I think you should be with her. I don’t want her up there all alone.
Helen: What about you?
Sean: I’ll be fine, I gotta make sure these people stay safe until help arrives.
Helen nods and gives her husband a quick peck on the cheek before turning around and walking ever so quietly back upstairs.
Meanwhile Violet is sitting in the middle of her bed occasionally peeking through the tiny gaps in her blinds to see what’s going on outside. She can hear the screams of panicked people running away from pursuing monsters. Few managed to get away, others were not so lucky. Deep down inside her there was a burning urge to go out there and try and save someone she saw being pinned to the road under the enormous talon of a giant bird-like creature. This part of the neighbourhood didn’t have any patrolling robots, and Aegis was nowhere to be seen, nor Chaos Man. But she couldn’t. With what she can do, she’d be no help. Even if she was, she had a feeling that man wouldn’t be grateful for her assistance because of what she is.
But she still can’t just sit around and do nothing. She can at least reach out to all the people in her contact list and send them a warning text in case they hadn’t already received the alert on their magna phones, the brightness of her phone screen acting as her only light source. She hoped Alex and Michael were alright. She hadn’t seen or heard from them since they left the pub in such a hurry today. That news report about the stolen scepter had really gotten to Michael, acting like he’d seen a ghost. And Alex left just fast as if he was needed elsewhere. Just what was it that was so important that he had to leave her behind?
Violet: Alex, Michael, I hope you guys are safe.
The darkness and silence of her room was beginning to affect her more than the terror outside her window. Being alone in her room made her feel uncomfortable. Maybe she’d feel better if she went downstairs to check on her parents and do what she can to help them instead.
As her hand slowly reached out for the door handle, she was unexpectedly grabbed by a blackened, boney claw-like hand covering her mouth and pulling her backwards. Her phone drops to the floor and its light shines upwards, illuminating the room just enough for her to catch a glimpse of her unknown attacker in her desk mirror. Standing behind her with his head peeking out over her left shoulder was Wilfre, slowly coming into her line of sight and displaying his signature wide grin.
Wilfre: Hello my dear.
Violet’s terrified screams were muffled out by his hand. She tries to struggle free of his grasp but his hold on her was beyond an average person’s strength. It was at this moment Helen knocked on her door and announced her presence.
Helen: Violet, honey, it’s Mum, can you unlock the door please?
Wilfre’s grip on her face and arms tightened as a shadowy tentacle with a blade at the end slowly hover in front of her eyes, he then whispered to her quietly.
Wilfre: Tell her everything’s fine and you don’t need anything. Scream or try to warn her, and I’ll slit your throat! But not before making you watch me killing everyone downstairs first! Nod if you understand.
Violet, shaken up and scared, reluctantly nods her head gently. Wilfre slowly releases his grip on Violet’s face and pulls his hand away. It then morphs into a long scythe blade that he positioned over his head. Violet can see it clearly in the mirror which he knew she did. Another clear warning not to try anything. With a nervous gulp, she answers her mother’s call.
Violet: Um, n-no! Don’t come in, Mum. I-I’m changing!
Helen: Changing? At a time like this?
Violet: I- uh- I… wanted to put my normal clothes back on in case we have to evacuate. I don’t want to run out in my pyjamas.
Helen: Oh, I see. Still, I need you to open the door. Your father wants me to stay with you in case something happens.
Violet: NO! I-I mean you don’t have to. I’m fine, honestly! I just need a moment of privacy please! I… want to call Alex, make sure he’s okay… Can you come back in 10 minutes?
Helen: … Hmm, alright, but I don’t know if you’ll have much luck getting a signal. I’ll come back later, just remember to keep your lights off, your blinds down and your door locked until we say otherwise, okay?
Violet: Got it, Mum.
Wilfre waited a few moments as the sound of Helen’s footsteps faded out completely before throwing Violet onto her bed and approaching her. Violet was seriously creeped out by his white eyes and toothy grin, but there wasn’t any other place to look as they were the only parts of him – as well as the white highlights in his hair – that stuck out to her as his shadow-covered body blended in with the darkness of her room.
Violet: Wh-who are you?! What do you want with me?!
Wilfre: I need you to help me settle a score with a certain someone we share a history with… Huh, you don’t know either.
He says surprisingly as he tilted his head slightly to the side.
Violet: Know what?
Wilfre: Hahaha, it goes to show how little Alex cares for little people like us.
Violet: You know Alex? Wait… Jason, is that you?
Wilfre: Not anymore. That weakling was consumed by the darkness the world had let him sink into, the same darkness that gave birth to me, Wilfre!
Violet couldn’t believe it. The last time she’d seen Jason was when he attended the same group therapy session she took part in. She knew he had a lot of pent-up anger, but she never dreamed he’d let it fester this much. The dots started to connect in her head once she discovered the convenience of him being here at the exact moment all these monsters mysteriously appeared.
Violet: It was you! You brought those monsters here! But why, Jason? Why would you endanger all these innocent people?
Wilfre: Like I told your boyfriend, nobody is innocent! People are the scum of this world and need to be culled! You’re guilty too, Violet… Guilty of being the love interest of Chaos Man!
Of all the shocking things that entered her ears tonight, that last statement had to be the most surprising. Her boyfriend was Chaos Man? All this time and she had no idea. It did explain why he left in such a hurry earlier in the day, all those times when he had to reschedule their meetings, or how he got in great shape in only a few months.
Using his shadow-kinesis, Wilfre levitates Violet off of her bed by wrapping one of his back tentacles around the neck of her shadow. Violet claws at her throat, trying to cut herself free. But all she did was break her own skin with her nails.
Wilfre: You didn’t do anything wrong, but Alex has to pay for what he did to me. The only way to make him hurt is to see you suffer, nothing personal. Now let us depart. Next stop, Hillside House.
As soon as the alert reached the quiet town of Fordwich on the outskirts of New London Jackson made it his mission to get the children downstairs to the secret bunker under the orphanage and activate the house’s security system. Chase personally had it installed for just this type of emergency and Magna Tech helped provide the funds and technology required to build it.
Without May Li around it was hard making sure all the children were accounted for or keeping them calm for that matter. The moment he mentioned that monsters may be in the area they wouldn’t stop screaming and crying, scared that they’d get them.
Once he was absolutely certain that everyone was safe and secure in the shelter, Jackson locks the thick metal door behind him and heads back upstairs to the basement entrance. The switch to activate the defence system was in his office. Once activated 18-inch-thick steal plates would cover up the doors and windows, completely cutting them off from the outside world as well as keep out any monsters. There wasn’t any prowling around in Fordwich now, but it was better to be safe then sorry.
However, once he entered the main bottom level of the building, he sensed that something was wrong. He can hear the sounds of the living room TV blasting on high volume. Someone was still here, but he was positive he didn’t miss anyone; he counted them all three times. All 17 orphans were accounted for. Originally there were 20 and by now he knew what had happened to the missing 3. So, who was in the living room? Did one of the kids accidentally leave it on before he gathered them up? No, that couldn’t be it. The TV can’t change channels all by itself, not without at least someone’s voice commanding it to.
The answer became clear when he wandered far enough to the living room. It was Jason Dark laying back on the sofa with his legs crossed and one hand behind his head while holding the remote with the other. He was just casually surfing through the channels, acting like he wasn’t a wanted criminal. Jackson was so shocked to see him again that the keys slip through his fingers and hit the carpeted floor with a jangling thud, attracting Jason’s attention.
Jason: Ugh, there’s never anything good to watch on live TV these days. Everyone’s just been spoiled rotten by streaming services.
Letting out a fake frustrated sigh, he tosses the remote aside and sits up on the sofa so that he can address his former care worker.
Jackson: J-Jason!
Jason: Hi, Jackson, I’m home… You don’t seem happy to see me.
Jackson: Y-you shouldn’t be here… I know what you’ve done. You killed Zack, Liam and James.
Jason: Yeah yeah, it was me the whole time, yada yada. I killed Zack and his A-hole friends! I also killed my real parents, May Li, that fat abusive police chief, and-
Jackson: Wait, did you say you just… killed May Li?!
Jason: I did. That bitch got what she deserved!
He leans over the back of the sofa and menacingly tilts his head at Jackson, showing off his psychotic side.
Jason: I made sure this face was the last one she ever saw before she died of fright! Hahahahaha!
Jason snickers as he reminisced on what he perceived to be one of his proudest moments, triggering a negative response from Jackson. How could he just laugh that off? Does he not recognise the gravitas of what he’d done? May Li was right about him all along. He was evil.
How could he have let this happen? He thought he’d done a good job raising Jason to the best of his abilities. That if he treated him just a little bit better than the other children, he might grow up to be a good person and learn to let go of the trauma his parents put him through. Seems he wasn’t a good judge of character as he thought.
Angered by his mocking laughter, Jackson shouted furiously at who was once his favourite child, startling Jason out of it.
Jackson: You think killing people is funny?!
Jason: …I do, and I’m tired of pretending it’s not. You were the one who told me comedy is subjective, that I shouldn’t be ashamed of what I find funny or not. Now here you are getting angry at me. You’re confusing me, Jackson.
Jackson wanted to yell again, express how disgusted he is with the way he’s acting. But his battle-hardened instincts he obtained from his Aegis years were telling him not to provoke him. He’s already killed people and showed no remorse for his actions, the smart thing to do is to keep calm and think up a plan to keep him distracted until help arrives. Maybe if he plays the card of a concerned father figure again, appeal to his better nature he might get out of this alive.
Jackson: …Do you mind if I say something?
Jason: Hmm, I guess I can spare a few minutes.
Jackson: I-I cannot forgive you for what you did to May Li, she did nothing wrong to you. But… I get why you killed the others. You’re right, your parents were horrible people, unworthy to shed tears for. And I know Zack, Liam and James treated you just as bad. Forcing you to steal a van and leaving you alone in a big city where anyone could get their hands on you.
Jason raised an eyebrow at him, intrigued by how calm he was acting around him now compared to his ranting moments ago. Of course, Jackson was only saying what he thought he’d like to hear while he slowly backs himself towards his open office inch by unnoticeable inch. He just had to keep talking.
Jackson: I made sure they were punished for what they did and made it my mission to find and get you home safely, because I love you, Jason. You’re like a son to me.
Jason: What about Alex, Michael and the others?
Jackson: Them too, I love all my kids like a parent should. You all had no homes, no family to go to. I started this orphanage to give you kids a second chance at a better life; everyone deserves a second chance.
Jason: Even… me?
Jackson stumbled a little in response to that question. He wasn’t sure how to answer that. It should be easy, just lie and say “Yes, even you.” But the mere thought of those exact words escaping through his lips sickened him. His heart and mind wouldn’t let him say it even to save himself. So instead, he lays out the hard, honest truth.
Jackson: No, Jason. What you did was beyond evil! You’ve become a-a murderer! A monster! You perverted everything I’ve taught you and are using your pain as an excuse for evil, and you have to be stopped!
The middle-aged black man races like the wind into his office and pulls his bottom drawer in his desk all the way open, rummaging through his belongings until he pulls out his old revolver and some ammo. He quickly loaded six of them into the chamber and points it in the direction of the living room, only to see that Jason was no longer there.
Holding his nerve, he slowly steps out of the office and begins searching for him. He can’t see any signs of him anywhere, but he can still hear him. His voice sounded like it was coming from every direction all at once and it had a high-pitched, demonic tone to it now.
Wilfre: Hahaha, I think that’s the only honest thing you’ve said to me since I got here. You’re pretty good at lying, Jackson. All these years I’ve been living under your roof I believed everything you said.
Jackson’s head desperately scours the bottom level of Hillside, trying to spot Jason in the darkness of the empty rooms, but he was nowhere to be found. Just how did he manage to get away so quickly? And how is he speaking to him in all directions?
He quickly performed a 180-degree turn in response to the sudden loud crash of something getting smashed up in his office. He was beyond stunned to see a shadowy figure standing in his office through the open doorway slamming his golden scepter down hard on the controls to the defence system he planned to activate once he’d gotten the children safely locked away in the bunker. With the controls destroyed, Hillside House was vulnerable to attack. When Wilfre turns his head in his direction, Jackson panics and unloads every round from his revolver into his body. But the bullets do nothing to harm him. They pass right through his black, transparent body and impact the wall behind him instead.
Wilfre: Poor naïve Jackson, you really didn’t hesitate to kill your “favourite” child just now, did you? Guess you lied about ever loving me too, huh.
Jackson: Wh-What are you?!
Wilfre: What you’re looking at is my true self. This is what all those who’ve tortured me saw before I snuffed out the light from their eyes! I hope they’re rotting in Hell! I’m no longer the same scared, pathetic, skinny kid I used to be… And now, Jackson, you will share their fate.
Wilfre slowly walks out of the office and points the blade end of the scepter at scared man. Jackson discarded his empty revolver and starts backing himself into the living room while the shadow demons list his reasons for wanting him dead next.
Wilfre: It’s funny, Jackson. Of all the people who hurt me, I never would have guessed you’d be the worst of them all. You knew all this time that Alex was Chaos Man, and you never thought to tell me? Never?! Did you never once think, not ever, that you could’ve prevented all this?! Ended my suffering?!
Jackson: You know about that?! J-Jason, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I wanted to tell you, but-
Wilfre: Spare me your excuses, it’s far too late for apologies… You were the only one who was ever nice to me. For once in my life, I thought someone in this world actually gave a damn about me.
Jackson: I did care about you, Jason-
Wilfre: Bringing me food, checking in on me, it was a masterful performance. Must’ve been hard for you to keep a straight face the whole time, huh? I bet you were having a lot of fun watching me squirm.
Jackson: That’s not true! I was trying to protect you!
Wilfre: Blah blah blah! I’ve already heard that excuse before. You’re just like the rest of the filth that infest this planet! I knew nobody in this world cared about me, but you pretending just to crush my hopes and dreams, that makes you the worst of them all!
The increase in volume and malice in Wilfre’s voice startles Jackson, causing him to trip over the power cord for the TV and fall backwards, Wilfre remained unfazed by his desperation to get away from him. Jackson inevitably backs himself into the actual corner of the room with nowhere to go. The spear end of the scepter inches closer from his face. Dark energy sparked from the tip, coiling around it like a swarm of tiny snakes.
Jackson: Jason please…
Wilfre: THAT IS NOT MY NAME! Not anymore… Jason Dark is gone forever, I killed him long before I killed the others. The creature standing before you is who I really am.
Jackson: Then… who are you?
Wilfre: I. Am. Wilfre!
He announced in the form of an eerie whisper before plunging the blade into Jackson’s chest. All the built-up dark energy seeps into his body, shocking him, further adding to his pain. Jackson screamed until he wasn’t capable to any longer. His body went limp, merging into the corner of the room. Wilfre pulls the scepter free and swings it to the side, splattering the poor man’s blood all over the walls. A few droplets land on the row of picture frames placed on the mantle above the fireplace, tarnishing the treasured memories they held.
Yet another person was crossed off his revenge list, but his job isn’t finished yet. Wilfre knew it was only a matter of time before Alex and Michael found a way out of Aegis and discovered where he went. They’re most certainly on their way right now and he needed to get things ready for their arrival, all he’s missing are the party guests.
Down in the basement all the children were all huddled together, relying on each other for comfort and support as they awaited Jackson’s return. He’d been gone much longer than he should have, some of the older kids were starting to worry that something had happened to him. But they needed to keep the little ones calm. They’re already on edge with all that’s going on in the city, they don’t need this on their conscience.
Little girl: Enid, is… is Jackson coming back?
Older Girl: I-I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He’s probably making extra sure the house is secure first.
Older Boy 1: Don’t tell her that!
Older Boy 2: He’s right, Jackson’s taking longer than he should have. What if something’s happened to him?
Older Girl: Shush! You’re scaring the others.
Older Boy 2: I’m just saying that he should’ve been back by now.
Older Boy 1: Wait, you don’t think… one of the monsters got him, do you?
He whispered quietly so as to not terrify the younger children.
Older Girl: Stop it! Jackson’s fine, he’s just setting up the defence system. There’s no chance that a monster will get in here.
She stated confidently, only to be instantly proven wrong by the sudden appearance of a black claw-like hand breaking through the thick steel doors like they were made of thin paper, scaring all the children inside. A second hand squeezes through the hole the first one made and together they grab the sides and begin to forcibly rip the door open.
All the children scurry to the back of the room and clump together, trying to hide amongst themselves from this creature that had somehow wandered into their home and is strong enough to completely rip the door open. All of Wilfre is shown to them. His presence alone inspired fear into their very souls. They all tremble and try to look away when he enters the room, stopping a few inches from the group. His piercing white eyes stare intensely at the helpless little children, looking down on them like a bird of prey circling a warren of fuzzy little bunny rabbits. They were beyond terrified of him to the point that their bodies weren’t responding to their instincts, screaming “Run!” like there’s no tomorrow. Wilfre’s sinister smile only worsened their paralysis.
Wilfre: It’s all true, kids. The boogie man is real… and you’re looking right at him. Hahahahahaha!
To Be Continued