The Guardians Omnibus

by Damien Benoit-Ledoux

  He flew out over Fort McClary and then circled back, flying over the river toward Clark Island and the baseball field and forgetting about his low altitude. Soldiers scrambled around, searching for a way to defend themselves from his airborne attacks. He spotted a group of brave soldiers taking aim at him and he brought his hands in front of him, ready to incinerate them.

  Idiots.

  Multiple blasts of hot white energy connected with his chest and stomach, burned through his sweatshirt, and caused his abdominal muscles to involuntarily coil him into a ball. He shrieked in pain, lost control of his flight powers, then crashed and rolled to an abrupt stop on the snowy baseball green.

  Ugh, those things need to go away.

  Shaking his head and recovering quickly, Dark Flame jumped and soared over the group of soldiers, but more energy beams connected and brought him down twenty feet behind the soldiers. Managing to land on his feet, he charged at and telekinetically grabbed a group of soldiers aiming their weapons at him, but the soldiers who had been hiding behind nearby equipment fired their stun guns at him.

  Multiple, focused blasts of white-hot energy slammed into his body, tearing through what was left of his sweatshirt and burning his skin. This time, they caught him from three sides and held their fire. He nearly fell over, struggling to fight against the incredible pain surging through his body. Around him, the air crackled with the dangerous hum of electrical energy.

  Holy crap, this hurts.

  “Put him down!” someone yelled. More searing hot energy blasted through him and arced across his body, causing his legs to buckle. He dropped to his knees in the snow and struggled to remain upright. He waved his arm through the air and telekinetically swiped the soldiers’ legs out from under them. A few of them fell to the ground but recovered faster than he expected.

  Get up, Blake, get up!

  “Dark Flame, you will stand down immediately and surrender to the Department of Homeland Security,” a man’s distorted, nasally voice shouted over a megaphone.

  “Never!” Dark Flame shouted, fighting the pain and pushing himself up. So, that’s who’s behind this.

  The assault on his body lessened and he pushed himself to his feet.

  “Hit him again!” a soldier shouted.

  Dark Flame cried out in pain as more soldiers fired their energy weapons at him. The white energy sparked and snapped across his body, burning away pieces of his clothing as it skipped over his skin. Then, his legs gave out and saliva frothed at his mouth. He collapsed to the ground, his face mashed in the snow and dirt. His muscles surrendered to the neutralizing electricity.

  Damn you!

  “Move in and take him into custody,” someone ordered.

  “No!” Dark Flame grunted, struggling to push himself up from the ground, but he couldn’t move. Darkness filled his vision as his eyes blazed with orange fury. He grimaced at the approaching soldiers. I’ve only got one more chance to stop them before I’m unconscious…so, take this, assholes.

  As four soldiers approached with high-tech looking restraints, he super-heated his body without igniting into flame. The snow around him steamed into the air, and the approaching soldiers covered their faces and backed away. Then, summoning what little strength he had left, he launched himself into the air. He clumsily flew forward and crashed into the SUV he destroyed when he arrived earlier. Grunting and falling to the ground, he covered his face as glass rained down from one of windows that had’t exploded when he landed on the SUV.

  When the soldiers stopped firing so they could re-aim their weapons at him, he took a deep breath and willed himself up and away from the island, soaring up into the clouds to hide from the swarm of soldiers that stung him like bees.

  As his body healed and his power levels normalized, his mind cleared and he formulated a new plan of attack.

  If I can’t take back the prison alone, then I know what I have to do…

  4-13 | December Disaster

  Quinn

  “THAT WAS FUNNY AS HELL,” Keegan said, laughing and applauding with the student body. Quinn nodded and applauded with him. The high school’s theater troupe had just finished a hilarious, ten-minute comedy sketch loosely based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It was the middle of December, a week before Christmas break, and the high school’s holiday assembly was in full swing.

  “Who knew literature could be this fun?” Mrs. White, their English Lit teacher, said into the microphone as the applause settled down and turned into brief groans at her question. Then, she addressed the student body on behalf of the faculty in Shakespearean rhyme and verse until Blake sauntered into the middle of the gymnasium, his face twisted with anger.

  Quinn had sensed him approaching but assumed he would take his seat with the student body—which was not the case. His mouth fell open at the sight of his unkempt ex-best friend. His hair was a mess and his sweatshirt—what was left of it—was ripped and charred, hanging from his muscular frame like it had been shredded by tiger claws.

  Oh no, what the heck happened to him? Better yet, what is he going to do? He looks…crazy. He looks like he just came from a fight…but with who?

  Mrs. White abruptly stopped delivering the the annual holiday message and fell silent, staring at Blake with disdain. “Mister Hargreaves, unless you plan on regaling us with a song of holiday cheer, I suggest you…”

  “Shut up,” Blake snarled loudly, surprising the student body. Students gasped in the bleachers and wondered at the disheveled spectacle.

  This not going to go well…

  “Mister Hargreaves!” Mrs. White snapped, and the principal stepped forward.

  “Darien James, where are you?” Blake yelled, searching the bleachers. Students giggled nervously with surprise and light chatter echoed in the gym.

  Quinn had already spotted Darien earlier in the assembly. The bully was seated on the opposite side of the gym with his usual cronies, Kyle and Tony. All three turned ghostly white when Blake called Darien out.

  Shit, Darien must have told Kyle and Tony about us…

  “What is he doing?” Keegan asked.

  “I have no idea,” Quinn said, lying to his boyfriend while itching to jump out of his seat. He started to stand, but immediately sat down. Don’t do anything yet…

  “Mister Hargreaves, have you been drinking?” the principal asked.

  Oh no. Has he?

  Blake appeared drunk and Quinn briefly wondered if alcohol could affect them because he assumed their healing factor would quickly metabolize the alcohol.

  Darien didn’t move, but the nearby students stared at him with wonder. Blake pointed at the bully. “Darien has a little secret he thinks he can hold over my head, but I’m here to show him that secrets only get you…burned.” Then, Blake ignited his body and his jeans and sweatshirt burned away, leaving him shirtless except for his purple tights and sneakers.

  Students and teachers screamed and the gymnasium filled with panic and bubbled up with fear. Although the frightened students didn’t move from the bleachers yet, Quinn felt the tension rising in the gym as sheer panic swept through the room and overtook his peers. Any second now, the right spark would push the student body into lethal chaos.

  “Holy shit, Blake is Dark Flame!” Loren exclaimed.

  “Blue Spekter! Where are you?” he yelled, searching the bleachers until his gaze rested on Quinn.

  “Oh…my…gawd,” Ravone said, her eyes wide with shock. She immediately looked at Quinn, but he ignored her.

  This is not how I wanted to tell Keegan I was Blue Spekter…

  Quinn swallowed nervously, and the high school’s police officer slowly stepped forward, his hand on his taser.

  Don’t do it.

  “Why does he think Blue Spekter is here?” Loren asked.

  “I know you’re in here, Quinn!” Blake yelled.

  The whimpering students in the bleachers near Quinn turned as one and stared at him, along with the flabbergasted faces of Keegan, Loren, an
d Ravone.

  “Why does he think you’re Blue Spekter?” Keegan asked nervously, but Quinn ignored him and glared at his ex-best friend. Blake scowled at him and raised his hands.

  What is he going to do?

  Quinn stood.

  Blake hurled fire at him, but Quinn projected a defensive shield that protected the students and harmlessly dissipated the flames. Thanks to Ana Maria’s training, he didn’t have to raise his hands and give away his identity…yet.

  “Quinn, what in the ever-loving fuck are you doing?” Keegan asked, tugging at Quinn’s shirt sleeve.

  “I’m the only one who can stop him,” Quinn replied, a forlorn look on his face as he looked at Keegan for the last time before his secret was out.

  “What are you talking about? Sit down!” Keegan said, his voice trembling.

  “I’m sorry, Keegan. I just hope you’ll understand.” Quinn answered. Then, his eyes and body flared with bright blue light. He jumped in a smooth arc over the students in the bleachers in front of him and charged at Blake, determined to overpower him and get him away from the high school as quickly and safely as possible.

  Blake smirked, then pulled his hand back to punch him.

  Not this time, buddy.

  Blake punched, but Quinn absorbed the telekinetic strike, surprising Blake, who momentarily let his guard down.

  A bright flash of blue and orange light and sparks exploded between them when Quinn hammer-punched Blake’s face. A loud bang shook the gymnasium and reverberated through the wooden bleachers. Then, the student body lost its mind.

  I’ve got to get him away from here, now.

  Students screamed and ran for the exits as Quinn zipped forward and his right hook connected with the left side of Blake’s face, causing another ear-shattering bang and a flash of blue and orange sparks. With Blake stunned and off-balance, Quinn made a split-second decision and grabbed his ex-best friend by the arm and then flew straight up, rocketing through the roof of the gymnasium.

  With no one around us, the chance of injury should be almost nothing…and I’m pretty sure the roof can take a small hole…although the principal’s not going to be happy with me after.

  “What the hell were you thinking?” Quinn shouted as he ascended into the air.

  Knowing Blake’s powers of flight were no match to his own, Quinn rocketed high into the sky before deciding to fly toward the Isle of Shoals where they could fight without harming anyone.

  But Blake had other plans for him.

  “Let me go!” Blake shouted, pulling his arm back. He flipped himself around and punched Quinn in the stomach, sending out a spray of colorful sparks and a loud bang. Quinn grunted with surprise and let go of Blake’s wrist. Blake didn’t fall away, but instead closed the gap between them and punched hard, his fist connecting with Quinn’s jaw. Sparks flew as Quinn grunted and raised his hands in defense.

  Wow, he recovered really fast.

  He spun around and tried to lead Blake away from the high school, but Blake was all over him, grabbing at him and pulling him back down to the high school grounds.

  “What are you…” Blake’s fist and a spray of blue and orange liquid energy sparks finished Quinn’s question for him and he tumbled down to the football field and parking lot. He wasn’t sure where he would land because the world was spinning around him so fast. Then, his back slammed onto the roof of a parked car and he froze, momentarily stunned by the abrupt stop.

  Ouch.

  The car’s windows exploded at the force of his landing and several car alarms went off around him.

  Blake landed on top of him, planting a foot on each side of Quinn, further crushing the car. Blake dropped to his knees, smashing them into Quinn’s ribs. Quinn hollered at the pain and saw Blake pull his arm back to punch him.

  Move!

  Quinn evaded the assault by rocketing out from between his legs. He zipped toward the baseball field, taking out a small tree by accident.

  Sheesh, he really wants to hurt me today. Not that this is different from before…but now the school is involved…and Agent Potter just pulled the agents out…dammit.

  Quinn landed on his back in the baseball field and Blake charged at him. Coming to a stop, Quinn was almost on his feet when Blake slammed into him. The force of the blow caused blue and orange light to flash between them as Blake knocked Quinn down once more. Quinn tumbled away in a mix of dirt grass and snow.

  “Why are you doing this?” Quinn shouted as he searched for footing. “We’re at school, you idiot!”

  Blake snarled, but didn’t answer. Instead he charged at Quinn again.

  Quinn found solid ground and jumped to his feet, ready to block Blake’s attack, but at the last second, he rapidly shifted ten feet to the left. Blake overshot and tumbled forward, cursing when he slammed into the ground. Rolling back to his feet, Blake jumped up and ran at Quinn, closing the distance between them.

  Quinn put his hands up and super-cooled the air in front of him. Seconds before Blake tackled him, he super-froze the moisture in the air and formed a thick, solid block of ice between them. Blake slammed into it and angrily yelped as he bounced off the ice wall and fell to the ground.

  Quinn raised the ice block several feet to slam it into Blake, but his friend extended a hand and melted the ice as it came down on him.

  “Nice try, asshole,” Blake sneered.

  “Why are you doing this?” Quinn asked, putting his fists up in defense of positions.

  “Like I even have to tell you, jerk face,” Blake replied. Then, Blake charged at him again, fists swinging.

  Not this again. Change it up, keep him guessing.

  At the last second, Quinn squatted and lowered his center of gravity as Blake ran at him, then launched himself forward and wrapped his arms around Blake’s waist. As Blake’s momentum carried him forward, Quinn pushed up with his legs and threw Blake over his shoulders.

  Blake somersaulted through the air but recovered, immediately flying back at Quinn.

  Dammit, he’s really got flying figured out. When did that happen?

  Blake reached out and pulled at Quinn with telekinesis, but Quinn adeptly allowed the telekinetic force to roll over him and he remained unmoved. Blake’s face expressed shock, which Quinn used to his advantage. He zipped forward and punched Blake square in the chest, knocking his ex-friend back twenty feet. Charging at him again, Quinn repeatedly punched him further and further from the high school until Blake’s anger caused him to ignite with superheated flame. Each strike created a concussive bang and a violent spray of blue and orange sparks that was a spectacle to behold against the snow-covered backdrop.

  Around them, the sound of sirens indicated the police or the DHS were approaching the school grounds.

  If I can keep him here, the agents might take him out with their TaseBolts.

  Blake blasted Quinn with fire.

  Shit, I don’t have my super suit on.

  Although he had projected a shield to deflect the fire, Quinn’s shirt burned away—except for his right sleeve—leaving his torso exposed to the winter cold. Quinn pulled the sleeve off his arm and tossed it to the ground. “Really?”

  Blake only grimaced and blasted him with fire a second time, but Quinn’s invisible shield was ready for him. Now, wearing only jeans and sneakers, Quinn glared at Blake and deflected the flames with ease.

  Blake charged at him again, and Quinn shifted ten feet to the right in less than a second, then immediately shifted back, spun, and punched Blake on the side of the head. A shower of orange and blue sparks erupted from Blake’s head as he stumbled forward, disoriented by the strike to his temple. Quinn seized the moment and flew toward him, tightly wrapping his arms around Blake’s stomach and lower back. Then, he jumped and pushed them both into the sky. When Blake recovered, he started slapping Quinn’s lower back.

  “Blake, let me help you,” Quinn shouted.

  “I don’t need anyone’s help,” he yelled back.

  “Then
tell me why you’re doing this?”

  “You screw with my world, I screw with your world,” Blake shouted. He was becoming hotter by the moment, and Quinn struggled to hang onto him.

  Just mitigate the heat like you do his telekinetic attacks…if it’s even possible.

  “The high school is our world, Blake! It’s our only safe spot!”

  “You ruined everything when you let them take the prison!” Blake yelled, trying to wrestle free from Quinn’s grasp in midair.

  Afraid of losing his hold on Blake, Quinn looped around, reversed direction, and accelerated to the speed of sound as gravity cooperated with him.

  “You knew it was only a matter of time before that happened.”

  Blake yelled in frustration, but Quinn didn’t let go. Instead, he super-chilled his upper body to combat the scorching effects he felt from holding onto Blake’s torso. Behind Blake, Quinn saw police and black SUVs pulling into the parking lot as troops and agents made their way to the soccer field. Quinn aimed and yelled as he flew toward the middle of the field, ready to smash into the ground and use Blake’s body as a buffer.

  It’ll hurt, but he’ll heal.

  “Do you think I’m an idiot?” Blake asked. Seconds before impact, Blake powered off his super-heated body and straightened his legs and arms, stiffening himself into the shape of a pencil, then abruptly stopped his descent. Quinn’s icy arms slid down Blake’s now-slippery body and he slammed into the ground at nearly the speed of sound.

  A massive plume of snow, dirt, and grass exploded into the air as Quinn lay on his back in the crater his body—his invisible shield—created.

  Wait for it…

  “Ouch,” Blake taunted, hovering nearby, “I bet that really hurt.”

  Quinn didn’t move, but listened to the footsteps of the approaching police and DHS agents.

  Hope they brought TaseBolts.

  “It’s really quite simple, Quinn. You wreck my world, I destroy yours. That’s how it works from here on out. You got that, buddy?” Blake sneered.

  I’ve got to get that chip out of your head. I can’t understand why you’re so angry.