Powers Against The World

With the final row of southern houses under their control, Leon could finally be greeted with the main section of Appleridge, with little change of damage compared to where they were.

"All that fighting, just to go through even bigger buildings." Leon huffed out in a tired state, "I mean, I like a challenge, but man are we so screwed with the rate we're going."

"Yeah," Brat was back in his human state, clothes ragged from the constant switching and fighting. "I don't know how much longer I can go on."

The nearby soldiers looked at each other in shock, as even some of their stronger fighters were on the verge of giving up it seemed. Morale couldn't have at a greater standstill, and the constant reinforcing and firepower from the Reserve Guards would make it near impossible for them to fully link up with their other flank. One side needed a major boost, and they needed it soon.

The sound of nearby explosions, shots and powers being used, and other machinery was temporarily broken by a loud whoosh close by, bringing those near Leon and Brat to turn towards the noise. A glowing woman was standing among them, with Hops latching a hand on her shoulder.

"Alice?" Brat was a bit confused, "I thought you needed rest?"

"There's no time to worry about me, but Jamal's in major danger if you haven't heard yet. He'll probably die within the next few minutes if we don't get close now, so hurry while I still have the power." Alice raised her hand, "Only Leon and Brat though, I don't have the energy to bring any more reinforcements."

None of the Port-O-Bea soldiers wanted any part of that challenge, as they backed away for the Viligantes of Power to do their thing. They knew that this was a serious and decisive situation that could turn the tide for either side and the only thing they could do was continue giving their all.

"Do you have enough energy to get the others?" Leon muttered once he and Brat placed their hands on her.

"Of course I do, we'll need all of the best to save him. Regular troops won't be enough." Alice huffed, "Now hold on, let's get the last of them."

.....

Loud shouts broke through the hallway, as Lero, Ben, and Henry were moving toward the back of the complex with many of the residents. Stuffing as many valuables as possible within any possible bags, Lero was pretty much carrying the family's heavy stuff, as his original possessions had long been lost some time ago.

"You'll need to move down to the second-floor exit by room 275 and follow the road to the evacuation station! We will move everyone to the eastern section of the city from there!" a lead soldier was shouting commands, as shots were coming closer to the group.

"We aren't going to make it." Henry mumbled, as they were in the middle of the line.

"Nonsense, we'll be just fine, just keep going." Ben stayed montone, not looking behind to make sure Lero was fine.

"Yeah, you heard the old man, keep bloody walking forward." Lero tried to be positive, but a loud grunt informed him that the words didn't come out as expected.

Only a couple of steps away, did more aggravated shouts come up, before the leading soldier got popped in the face.

"Oh bloody hell!" Lero stopped moving, as anyone within range got sprayed down.

Whole families and residents within the span of seconds fell onto the ground, as flying pieces of lead filled the space. Ben's most natural instinct was to grab his son and press themselves onto the ground, with Lero quick to spring in action. Launching his heavy bags full of metallic goods in front of them, he placed themselves in front of the pair, willing to take anything that came their way. It was practically instinctive, with no second thought at hand.

The shooting continued for what was probably around ten more seconds, before someone yelled at them to stop firing.

"What are y'all doing? Did you not see most of these people were trying to flee!" a feminine voice roared in anger, "Have some dignity, and I want those responsible to be held back home."

Quick steps up the stairs caused Lero to take a quick look at who it could have been. Holding a slender blade, a dark but powerful woman stared at the massacre before turning in his direction. They both made temporary eye contact, before the woman made her way to them.

"Looks like you all didn't get hit," Sera turned to the multiple other residents cowering in fear, "That wasn't supposed to happen, so I'll be the first to say sorry. Now, who are you?"

The woman was speaking to Lero, as the remaining survivors looked in his direction. A quick glance at Ben, and the man could see him and his son looking towards him, knowing the truth now.

"My name is Lero. Lero Bentom."

"Wait, Lero?" another woman's voice came through, as a younger girl stepped over the fallen and next to the black woman, "Sounds kinda familiar. Weren't you back in-"

"Yes, I was the one who brought Jamal home back in the Ariocaster." Lero dropped his head.

"Wait, what!" Ben, Henry, and the dark woman spoke up in shock, "You really do know him?"

"Yeah, that was the plan." Lero pushed himself up, "So I can get my aircraft back."

"So," Ben looked him in his eyes, filled with anger. "This is what you truly wanted to come back to? Killing our people as you just saw with no hesitation or questioning, and you still side with them?" 

"I don't really get a choice, well, never bloomin' mind that." Lero was already standing next to the women, "If it gets me back to what I want, then so be it." 

"You, you traitor!" Ben was shaken, as he staggered to put his hand against the wall. "Youden was right about you people."

"Sir, we'll let y'all go-" Sera started to clear the confusion, but was stopped abruptly.

"No, fuck that." Lero heard the man speak in a tone he hadn't heard come from him ever. "You placed my son in danger, so let me become that danger."

With Sera already having her hand on her blade's hilt waiting for him to make the first move, a white light burst between the space, blinding all. Was this his power, Lero shielded himself for a brief moment, before being greeted by more people in between, one woman and three other guys.

"What the world?" Hops was the first to look between the space before seeing the dead bodies. "Uh, who-"

"We don't have time, we gotta go now." the curly-haired woman spoke with sincerity, although the tallest of the men was clearly holding her up. "Hurry up and latch on."

"Wait a sec, is that actually Lero?" Brat was the second to point out.

"Yeah, I'ma join ya quicker than sandstorm yerndows before old man finish us off, ya?" Lero didn't even hesitate to grab onto Alice, who almost shook back in shock.

"Watch it." Hops stared down the former prisoner's soul, as Sera and Fonda were still in awe of their presence.

"What's going on?" Sera noted the severity of their looks.

"Jamal's finna die if we don't go. That's all I can say right now." Leon made the motion for them to join quickly. "And as for you, stay put or leave with your people, it's none of your concern." 

Ben was still, against the power in the room that he could visibly feel, knowing that the most powerful of the current group was speaking to him directly. His own power wasn't even that good, especially in combat, but those mere words stopped him from making any attempt at his initial plan.

"What about Heskins?" Hops looked for him, before taking a quick look at Lero. "Not a word."

"He's on the other side of this complex, so I don't know how deep he's in it." Fonda shook her head.

"Welp, guess you'll have to do then. Hope you got a decent enough power." Alice cracked a grin at the former prisoner, before muttering a quick phrase.

Before Lero could even let them know of his condition, the group vanished from thin air, leaving the survivors of the initial assault under the helm of the Port-O-Bea soldiers. Just as they thought they were clear of danger, quick bursts of the rifles came from the staircase, before weak cries and calls of betrayal echoing through.

"Dad?" Henry said, which even Ben knew he rarely ever called him when he knew something bad was to come.

"Stay behind and start running." Ben pushed him back, as five coastal soldiers came up from the entrance, uniforms covered in blood.

"You all thought you were going to get away with everything you've done to our people and expect to go free like that. Nah, we'll kill off our own just so y'all suffer first." the soldier leading the pseudo-mutiny spoke with cockiness, as he cocked back his weapon and had the group aim at the civilians, "Let's have some justice for lunch, and you scum our main course meal! Enjoy our appetizers while they're hot!"