Generation Next: A Superhero Adventure (The Pantheon Saga Book 3)

by C. C. Ekeke

  Quinn wasn't convinced. “Can they?” At close quarters, Therese and Geist landed vicious sequences of blows that usually ended fights. The Midnight Son wielded his tonfas batons to dish out vicious punishment, staggering Damián Hazard fleetingly. Both vigilantes dodged his wilder swings. Before long, Hazard started adapting. Then he was chucking Geist and Longshadow around like sacks of potatoes. A palm thrust to Geist’s torso knocked him several feet back. The criminal then caught Therese’s leg mid-kick, whipping her with a brutal smack.

  The two vigilantes tumbled across the floor. Neither recovered quickly afterward. And Hazard kept coming.

  Quinn panicked. “He’s too strong.”

  Blackjack grimaced. “She’s right, Dom. Hazard’s never been this tough to beat.”

  Domino almost protested but saw no choice. “Stay hidden until we finish Hazard.”

  The pair leaped into battle. Quinn dragged a shell-shocked Missy behind a pillar for safety. And to pray.

  Chapter 46

  Superspeeding in the Aegis costume–his costume–got more exhilarating each time.

  “I was born for this!” Hugo crowed, racing through the halls of the umpteenth building in The Junction’s Five Points Square. Cleaning every building in the square of residents took laser focus.

  Hugo felt like he’d passed a new speed benchmark. Around 650 miles per hour. So fast that people, objects, and everything appeared frozen instead of fleeting streaks. He carried a young Latino couple in mid-argument on his shoulders. The husband smelled like feet.

  In one half-second, Hugo dropped them with the hundreds of other residents at the edge of the poor San Miguel neighborhood. Raced back.

  Grabbed an elderly woman in her wheelchair from the building, zoomed her out, placed her beside the gobsmacked Latino couple. Raced back. Snatched up a single mom and her three children playing twister. Dropped them with the rest. Back and forth, no one seeing more than a fleeting blur.

  Hugo knew other Junction buildings were safe. Clint, Domino, and Blackjack had already disabled seven earthquake machines throughout the neighborhood. Imagining the damage those machines could've done had him quaking in his boots. No pun intended.

  Now Geist was underground with his team, rescuing Quinn and Missy. At the same time, Blackjack had been hell-bent on disabling the final machine. Hugo ached from head to heel to save Quinn himself. But Geist had ordered him to evacuate first. And the vigilante wasn’t someone he wanted to disappoint.

  Speaking of… A distorted and stretched growl filled Hugo's earpiece, almost sounding like words. Normal audio became an issue after Hugo passed certain speeds.

  He decelerated in a rundown building, tapping the earpiece within his hood. “Geist?” Hugo answered in his deep Aegis voice.

  “Is Five Points Square evacuated?” No greeting, all growl. What sounded like a vicious brawl filled wherever the vigilante was.

  “Clearing out one more building,” Hugo confirmed.

  “Hurry,” Geist pressed. A loud smack was followed by Longshadow crying out in pain. “You’re needed.” The vigilante killed the channel without another word. Typical Geist.

  “You’re welcome,” Hugo seethed, glancing at dark-purple heavens twinkling with stars. A chorus of stunned voices he’d rescued were over a mile east screamed at each other in accusation.

  Hugo turned his gaze a half-mile away to the declining mid-rise complex he’d been evacuating. It looked like where Presley and her friends used to live. That caused sudden, deep sorrow to bubble up—

  FOCUS! He scanned the building with hypersensitive hearing. Inside was a kaleidoscope of voices, movements, and heartbeats from at least thirty-five residents.

  All this rescuing was mentally exhausting. “A hero’s work is never done,” Hugo exhaled loudly and dashed back to the mid-rise, leaving a trail of dust.

  Chapter 47

  Quinn tended to Missy while watching Domino and Blackjack sail into battle against Damián Hazard.

  Domino struck first, tossing domino-shaped explosives. And Hazard staggered away, roaring curses. Blackjack followed, flinging a salvo of razor-sharp poker cards through the air. The married duo came in fast and ferociously with a barrage of strikes.

  Hazard stumbled and nearly collapsed. His torso was charred and riddled with throwing cards like a pin cushion. Domino added vicious knees and elbows to Hazard’s vital areas, showcasing her Krav Maga skills. Blackjack, the bruiser of Geist’s team, snapped Hazard’s head side to side with withering kickboxing strikes. Finally, Hazard dropped to a knee.

  Geist and Therese rejoined the thrashing.

  Quinn exhaled in relief...until Hazard exploded upright, throwing all four vigilantes aside.

  Quinn stared wide-eyed at Hazard’s rapidly shrinking burns and cuts. Damián Hazard has a healing factor.

  Wearing only tatters, Hazard beckoned his foes with a bloodthirsty smile. “Shall we continue?”

  Geist and his teammates obliged, attacking as one. Yet despite their considerable skill, the quartet only landed a few blows before Hazard pounded them into submission.

  At one point, Hazard caught Geist’s fist and slowly bent the wrist back until his knees buckled. The vigilante screamed under his mask. Hazard would’ve broken Geist’s wrist, until an arrow from Therese impaled the criminal's forearm.

  “He’s toying with them,” Quinn agonized, watching the lopsided battle. By the time Hugo evacuated Junction residents, Geist’s team would be dead. That reality felt far too certain, chilling Quinn to her soul.

  Before long, the vigilantes weren’t rising as fast after repeated beatdowns. Their postures looked pained and sluggish, any striking power behind their blows waning.

  While Hazard appeared winded and limping, he spread his arms in smug superiority. “I expected better sport from your soldiers, Geist,” he crowed. “All I see are corpses.”

  Quinn’s eyes watered. She hated feeling so helpless. Missy Magnificent was a sobbing mess, cradled in Quinn's arms. But the teen was Geist and his team’s only hope. A back elbow from Hazard snapped Therese’s head back. She slumped over and didn’t rise.

  Quinn grasped Missy’s tear-soaked face. “Geist and his team need you. They are fighting for The Junction, which you pledged to protect.”

  “I can’t,” Missy wailed, inconsolable. “I’m worthless! These last six months has been a lie—”

  Quinn slapped her, the smack echoing. Missy gaped, too stunned to even sniffle. The reporter dragged her up by the collar. “Those are my friends.” She pointed again at the battle nearby. “Unless you do something, Damián Hazard will kill them. Just like your husband.”

  Missy jerked back on wobbly legs, aghast. Quinn hated herself for saying that. But Geist and team were out of time.

  Hazard stood over their battered bodies, triumphant. “Playtime's over, Geist.” His features twisted cruelly. “Before dismembering you limb from limb, I’ll kill your three teammates in front of you.” He hauled Therese up by the hood. "Starting with her."

  NO! Quinn whirled on Missy. “Are you gonna let another person die?” she demanded. “Or are you going to be magnificent?”

  Missy aimed glowing hands at Hazard, who grabbed a steel railing to impale Therese with.

  A wounded Geist scurried forward on hands and knees to save her.

  Quinn couldn’t breathe.

  “NO MORE!” Missy unloaded a rainbow explosion of fireworks at Hazard's chest.

  Quinn shielded her eyes. When she looked back, Hazard had been rocketed off the floor, landing with a sickening crunch.

  Therese was in Geist’s clutches. Quinn let herself inhale. Thank God…

  Missy swayed, almost collapsing if Quinn hadn’t caught her.

  “Well done.” Her praise reached deaf ears. Missy had fainted. Quinn pecked her forehead and gently laid the teen down. She dashed over to Geist and his team. The battered quartet were starting to get up.

  Before Quinn could speak, Damián Hazard stirred. “This isn't o
ver,” he hissed, covered in charred flesh. “I’ll just bury you.”

  Hazard bellowed a command. The giant device in the center of this chamber rumbled to life.

  The ground vibrated, intensifying by the second until the whole area shook violently.

  Quinn stumbled back and forth. “Didn’t Domino and Blackjack disable the machines around The Junction?”

  Geist shook his masked head. “Not the machine under Five Points,” he called over the growing roar. “Clint’s still working on it remotely.”

  Therese eyed the Midnight Son, her despair obvious even under her mask. “He won’t make it.”

  “Yes, we will,” Geist retorted in confidence.

  Before Quinn could guess why, someone dropped from above. She recoiled, pulling Therese back to her.

  This hooded arrival, hulking in size, stood between the earthquake machine and Geist’s team. He opened his mouth and screamed like a banshee. His soundwaves buffeted the earthquake machine dead-on with rippling concussive force. Quinn winced, covering both ears.

  The giant machine sparked and sputtered, then chunks blew off. The earthquake ceased.

  The hooded figure, in a purple-and-black costume, turned. A mask covered half his face, but the sonic scream was a dead giveaway.

  “Hey, Quinn,” Hugo's voice was deep and over-dubbed, like two distorted voices speaking at once. The versatility of his vocal chords continued to amaze.

  Quinn smiled, unbelievably happy. Hugo, Therese, and Missy. What was it with superheroes and hoods? “Thanks for the save…” She almost spoke Hugo’s name but caught herself. “…you!”

  Blackjack chuckled. “Nice.”

  “Quiet, poker face,” Quinn snapped.

  Hugo smiled. “Call me Aegis.”

  “Ah.” Quinn had expected something generic like Atlas or Hyperion. She liked this more.

  Somehow, Damián Hazard lurched back up like a zombie. Disbelief rippled through Geist's team. “Seriously?” Quinn griped.

  Only Hugo remained unbothered. “I got this,” he said in his Aegis voice, striding to meet Hazard.

  The criminal studied his new opponent with contempt. “Another vigilante to slaughter.”

  Hugo snorted. “A half-naked asshole spouting a ten-dollar word salad.”

  Sparks from the destroyed earthquake machine sporadically displayed Hazard’s hateful glare. “Ironic how those with sharp wit usually slit their own throats.” He lunged in, rocking Hugo’s face back and forth with piston-like punches.

  Quinn gasped in concern. Until she noticed Hugo laughing, unaffected by the blows.

  Hazard noticed and stopped, grasping the threat before him.

  “Was that you picking a fight?” Hugo asked between chuckles. “Okay.” He drilled Hazard with a right cross so quick, Quinn almost missed seeing his arm move.

  The jarring crunch from the chamber's other side signaled where Hazard’s body landed.

  Hugo cocked his head sideways. “Big words. Glass Jaw. Fitting.”

  A shuddering boom drew everyone’s attention. Domino glanced around worriedly as more dust and debris showered them. “We have to leave,” she cautioned.

  Quinn didn’t disagree there. She turned to Missy, still motionless, and ran to her.

  Geist prodded Hugo. “Them first.” He pointed to Quinn and Missy.

  Quinn winced, knowing what came next. One moment, she was holding Missy. A rush of motion, and cool drafts bit at Quinn’s skin. Hugo stopped and she stumbled onto all fours, hurricane drunk. Once the world stopped spinning, Quinn found Missy's limp body beside her. They were atop a building at the edge of Five Points Square. Another whoosh dropped Blackjack and Therese on the roof. When Hugo appeared again, Geist and Domino were with him.

  Before Quinn could thank him, Hugo vanished in a flash. He'd gotten better using his powers. “Where’d he go?”

  “To retrieve Hazard and his men.” Geist shook one of his arms. “Drop them off with the police.”

  Quinn glanced over the roof. Hundreds of citizens encircled a sinkhole in the square’s center cordoned off by the police. Quinn took in The Junction’s vast stretch of dilapidated cityscape, all nearly leveled. She shuddered at this latest close call.

  From the corner of her eye she spotted one determined child sneak through the barricades, running too close to the sinkhole’s edge. The child teetered with a terrified cry, falling into the hole.

  Air whooshed past Quinn before she could shout, startling her further.

  Geist dove off the roof like an Olympic diver, trench coat flapping after him, dropping hundreds of feet into the sinkhole. The crowd strained against the barricades in horror and fascination.

  Therese, Blackjack, and Domino ogled over the roof beside Quinn, waiting and worrying.

  A few minutes later, Geist climbed out of the sinkhole’s edge, cradling the frightened toddler in one arm. He handed the child to a stunned officer, the eyes of his featureless mask narrowing as he took stock of the rabid crowd behind the barriers around him.

  Many had phones out to capture the Midnight Son in the flesh. Therese, Domino, and Blackjack backed away. Quinn scratched her dusty afro. “Not good.”

  Rushing winds signaled Hugo’s return. “Dropped Hazard and his crew with the police.” He looked about. “Where’s Geist?”

  Quinn pointed over the rooftop sheepishly.

  Hugo followed her gaze and grimaced. “Ooh shit. I’ll grab him.”

  Far below, Geist held up a hand to belay that. Therese tapped the earpiece within her hood. “He’s saying no.”

  Hugo turned to everyone, eyes widening. “That means—”

  “We know,” Blackjack stated sadly. For years, Geist had been an urban myth to the general public save sporadic sightings and blurry photos. But to save a child, soon the whole world would know.

  “What now?” Quinn asked.

  “He’s says get Missy and Quinn to safety,” Therese said. “He’ll distract the crowd.”

  In the ruined Five Points Square, Geist fired a grappler gun at a roof on the opposite end of the square. Seconds later, he zipped into the air and disappeared amid raucous cheers below.

  Hugo tossed Missy over his shoulder. “Who’s giving me directions?”

  Domino and Blackjack both volunteered.

  “Hold on, folks,” Hugo warned. In another rush of wind, he, Missy, Blackjack and Domino, vanished.

  Quinn stood alone on the roof with Therese. The rowdiness of the locals below faded, as if the volume dial had been cranked down. The bees were buzzing in her stomach. She told herself it was from processing today’s excitement.

  But one look at Therese’s weary smile and their nearing proximity sent Quinn’s thoughts toward strange places. The types of places she’d tried avoiding these last few months.

  Therese offered a hand. “Let’s get you home.”

  Chapter 48

  The motorcycle ride proceeded in silence, with Therese blowing through every speed limit.

  Quinn clung to the archer's waist, frightened yet intoxicated by the speeds as The City of Wonder’s skyline raced by in brilliant streaks. She also wished that Therese would wear a freaking helmet.

  The ride ended too soon. Therese parked in the barren alley behind Quinn’s complex, both women dismounting the motorcycle. The archer pulled Quinn in close, firing a grappling gun at the mid-rise’s rooftop. After tugging to confirm the hook had caught hold, Therese clicked the gun’s retractor. Quinn got yanked upward, whooshing past floor after floor. She’d grown used to this means of transport, but not the thrill.

  The pair landed on the rooftop ledge, revealing a closed pool area. Quinn stepped onto the roof, hugging herself as chilly winds buffeted.

  A sharp clatter from behind almost scared the black off of her.

  Quinn turned around. Therese’s bow lay on the rooftop. The archer remained on the ledge, swaying unsteadily…

  “Ooh!” Quinn dashed forward, dragging Therese off the ledge. After sitting her dow
n against the pool house wall, Quinn crouched beside the archer with hawk-like concern. Damián Hazard brutalizing Therese and her teammates was fresh in her mind. “How bad are you hurt?”

  The archer clutched her midsection. “I’m fine,” she grunted through clenched teeth, trying to stand.

  Quinn’s patience for this tough gal act was nil. “Sit.” She forced Therese back down. “Breathe.”

  The vigilante's stare was murderous, but she complied. After a few moments, her pained features lessened.

  “Better?”

  Therese blew out a sigh. “Better…”

  Quinn’s shoulders sagged. “You four got your butts kicked.”

  “Not the first time.” Therese watched Quinn curiously. “You seemed worried about me.” She reached out, brushing something from Quinn’s brow without invitation.

  The reporter rolled her eyes at the casual intimacy. “Little bit...” Therese’s touch tingling across her skin and spine. “You were my ride home.”

  Therese barked out laughter and immediately winced. “Now with the jokes?” She coughed.

  “I get sassy when I’m nervous!” Quinn covered her cackling mouth. Good. Laughter eased the tightness in her navel, which she always felt around Therese… Then, a new worry surfaced. “Crap!” Quinn popped to her feet. “My car’s at Missy’s house!”

  “I returned it before we found you,” Therese interrupted, using the wall to pull herself up. “Purse and phone are in your bedroom. Spare house keys are here.” She handed those to a stunned Quinn. The pool’s wavering blue glow highlighted her smirking smugness.

  “How—?” Quinn snapped at the flagrant intrusion then stopped, realizing the futility of her outrage. “Never mind. Thanks.”

  Therese’s smile faded. “Hold on.” She tapped the side of her hood, listening to her earpiece. “I’ll tell her,” she said after a few minutes.

  Quinn had an ill sensation. “What’s wrong?”

  Therese refocused on Quinn. “Domino told me Missy’s awake at our Arroyo Grande safehouse.” The archer’s face turned grim—correction, grimmer. “She’s in rough shape.”