A Marvel Of Reality

Of the three locations Mr. Slick provided, one had already seen devastation when I arrived. The entire place was cordoned off and a number of bodies littered the place. I only looked from afar thanks to my Peak Human Vision and turned to leave.

Next location turned out to be another bust, this time a big fire eating up the building while the fire brigade showered the place with water. I thought I saw the shadow of something white glittering in the moonlight, but that could've been my imagination.

 when I arrived at the last location, I had to suppress a wince as I saw the situation unfolding before me. While I had been expecting a fight, what I got was progressively worse than that. Falcon was here.

I could also make out the form of Colleen duking it out with a group of men in business suits. Of to the side, Cornell Cottonmouth fired bullet after bullet at his adversaries. It was a hot pot of stinking mess thanks to the fire that had broken out also.

I took a moment to consider my plan going forward and looked around. Unlike before I didn't have an accurate grasp of the place or the surroundings. Looking at everything from my perch did provide a valuable vintage point that allowed me to make out the pathways snaking around the building. There was even a manhole in the back that could be used to sneak away.

All in all, it was messy and making my entrance at this moment would spoil my plan. I could see no prospect for Cottonmouth to get away. Morgan would surely be implicated and cops might've been alerted. There was no time to waste.

Checking over my disguise, I sneaked down and made my way over. Shades was exchanging fire with one of Morgan's men. Even in such a stringent circumstance the two refused to work together, though that could be attributed to Cornell's wanton lust over Morgan's merchandise and the resultant fallout from the altercation.

I picked a stone from the sidewalk and aimed briefly before letting it loose. The stone hit true on the man's head and he slung backward. Shades turned toward me and gaped like a moron who saw an alien. "You're alive?!" He whispered.

"Yeah." I responded calmly. "Got lucky when the heroes arrived, I managed to sneak away."

"How did you get here?" He asked as we both took cover behind a concrete pillar. "Was it Slick?"

I nodded. "I met Mr. Slick shortly before I arrived. Then I saw you in the thick of it all, and I must say your prospects aren't looking good at all."

Shades nodded in grim resignation. He didn't show his usual hostility that he held for me. It made wonder if my act of 'sacrifice' had brought us closer.

"I have a plan." I said.

Shades looked at me with hope in his eyes and I wondered how much his trust in me had grown since the last debacle we were under. Considering I saved his life, he might not even question me if I were to request something dumb from him.

"See Falcon over there." I pointed to the tall black man that had just dodged a series of bullets to hide behind a knocked-over table. "That is the only guy standing between us and the freedom."

Shades nodded at that, agreeing with my assessment. It might sound absurd but the guy was doing quite well for a supposedly normal person. That is if we were to ignore his telepathic link to his avian companion. While Colleen was a good fighter, she was currently occupied with Morgan's men and even they were proving to be too much. In my opinion aside from Falcon none of the others could stop us from running away.

"Concentrate on that girl over there, and Falcon will no doubt move to protect her." I explained. "If he does, he will let himself out in the open. We can take advantage of that and sneak away. You fire, while I get the boss."

I desperately hoped that Shades didn't actually hit Colleen and whatever plot armor she had would keep her safe long enough for Falcon to save her. My plan worked out just as I had predicted, courtesy of Basic Detective Training that let me pick on the clues of Falcon keeping half-an-eye on Colleen while busy with his fights.

Another connection announced itself just as Falcon took cover with Colleen. This time it was another training power called 'Advanced Firearms Training' that built upon the basic version much like the Disguise Training. With this I now had expert level knowledge of all mundane firearms both terrestrial and non-terrestrial.

A minor addition to my already monstrous skill-set. I let the knowledge sink in the back of my head while I arrived near Cottonmouth who seemed surprised to see me. "How did you get here?" He asked.

"No time for that boss." I said. "This is the only opportunity we will get to run out of here. We need to make the best of it."

Cornell looked around himself and nodded. With my now Advanced Firearms Training, I easily disarmed some of the muzzles pointed at us discreetly. Cops would be crawling over the scene soon enough, and we had to make a run for it before then.

Shades was waiting as the three of us convened. He looked at me and asked. "What's the follow-up plan?"

Cottonmouth looked a bit surprised at that but I had no time to make a comment or expound on the dynamics of our relationship. I looked around and sighed. "I scouted this place before I came inside. There's a way but we would need a cover to cross the distance."

Shades stared at me expectantly but he wasn't part of the plan.

I looked at cornell and spoke. "I can get you out." I pointed toward the door. "There is an entrance leading to the side-alley where a manhole could help us escape."

Cornell caught my meaning and looked at Shades. "Shades, he will lead me out of here, while you provide cover."

"But boss—"

"Let me finish." Cottonmouth held a hand up. "Once we are out, we will help you get over. They are still distracted and there are no cop sirens. Do you understand?"

There was no way he didn't understand. In fact he knew that the prospect of him getting out would be astronomically lower once we were out. I felt no pity though.

"Let's go." I nodded at him and turned toward the exit.

Cottonmouth ran forward while I covered his back and Shades provided cover. We were halfway through when Falcon and Colleen came out of the hiding and started tearing into the mob. I risked a glance backward to see them press with startling ferocity.

"I don't think we can help Shades." I said, a bit offhandedly.

Cornell looked behind and nodded grimly. "It's not meant to be."

We were out of the building and racing toward the manhole. I helped him down the sewer and we traveled quite a bit before finding another exit.

"Whew." I let out a breath of relief. "That was quite intense."

The night wind felt a bit chilly but I welcomed the freshness with open arms. Cottonmouth seemed exhausted but was looking toward the building that rang of gunshots.

"We need to get away from here." I pointed toward my motorcycle. "I can give you a lift."

He nodded and climbed atop. I changed the gear and put the vehicle in motion. We departed from the place with none the wiser.

"So, how did you arrive here?" He asked after sometime had passed.

I smiled. "Aren't you just glad to see me, boss?"

"Oh yes, I am." He nodded. "Without you, I would be in trouble certainly."

I kicked the speed up the notch and traveled toward the place where I usually practiced my powers. The very same place with a hole in the roof. "That's true." I nodded. "Better dead than confined."

Cottonmouth gave half a nod before realizing what I said. He looked at me and asked. "What did you say?"

"It's an expression of freedom." I repeated. "It's better to be dead than captured and caged like a bird. I am sure a man like you would appreciate it."

"Stop here." He growled.

I pulled to stop near the abandoned building covered in moss and vines.

"That was quite a cunning plan you pulled there." I said after alighting the vehicle. "Get rid of me and Morgan at the same time. Brilliant." I clapped my hands.

"Who the heck are you?" He asked calmly. I could see his right hand holding the gun but he wasn't pointing at me.

"You might know me as Eddie." I bowed a little. "But that's just a face I'd adopted to get closer to you. You may call me James."

"James." He said, rolling the word around in his mouth. "I don't recall any James. What do you want?"

I shrugged. "What you got?"

"Money." He answered. "Drugs. Power. I have everything you could want."

I put a finger to stop him. "Not everything." Stepping a bit closer I spoke. "On second thought, why even am I even talking to a dead person? Seems kinda weird."

His eyes went wide and his arm lifted to fire at me. My reflexes kicked in and I leaned sideways to dodge the projectile. If I could catch a bullet, dodging it was effortless.

Cottonmouth looked stunned but I didn't give him chance to be more than that. I punched and hit him in the gut. He doubled down and coughed gastric juices. My fist was backed by full power and it was already a miracle that he wasn't coughing out his entire stomach. A kick to the chin sent him reeling on the ground, his sharp teeth dislodged and scattered on the ground.

"I've waited for this for quite a while." I said.

"Why?" Cornell wheezed out a word while holding his stomach.

It was too bad that he was bald, otherwise I could've rubbed his head on the asphalt while he struggled to get free. I wasn't confident in keeping hold of that shiny and glossy surface.

I felt my potential tip over to secure an ability called 'Blast'. It basically allowed me to fire a wave of my attribute towards a target with the blast spreading outward but loosing effectiveness. A specific application of my attribute that would've taken me weeks or even months to learn, now available to me.

"I think people like you're a stain on this world." I crouched down to look him in the eye. "I think the world can be a better place without one Cornell Cottonmouth dipping his poisonous fangs into the fountain of our youth."

A punch knocked him to the ground and I dragged him toward the building. Inside I bound the man to a rusty looking pipe and with a slap rocked him back into consciousness.

"Hi." I waved my hand in greeting. "Bye." And with another wave unleashed my newest ability.

A wave of Solar Energy that was searingly hot left my being and advanced toward the bound figure of Cottonmouth. He let out a scream as the heat sizzled his skin, burning the tissue and vaporizing any water content. He didn't scream for long as his body caught on fire and he died chocking on his own smoke. A fitting end for a person responsible for countless dead people who also died chocked to death.

With him out of the way, all that was left was Morgan.

I fired another blast to blow his body into ashes before I left the place. The fire would catch on and remove any evidence of my involvement. Just like with the club.

Finding Morgan wasn't difficult at all. He was still at his apartment drinking away his sorrows. I knocked on the window to announce my presence. He looked at my form and was momentarily surprised until I told him I was Aevitas.

"You're in a disguise?" He asked incredulously. "Is that also your power?"

I tilted my head a little and smiled. "Kind of."

"Would you like a drink?" He didn't wait for my reply before he poured a glass. Although it wouldn't do anything, I still took it with an appreciative gesture.

"You know, I met Cottonmouth today." I spoke. "And it grew quite hot. Finally he couldn't bear it any longer and departed."

Morgan laughed. "You won against him in an argument?"

I shrugged.

We took a sip both and leaned back. I looked at Morgan and finally asked. "How're you feeling about having suffered such a loss due Cottonmouth's forces?"

"You knew?" He asked, then shook his head. "Of course you know. Well, it's absolutely terrible and from what I hear Falcon is there also. That fucker always manages to screw me over."

"Well." I spoke. "If it's to any consolation, you wouldn't have to worry about Cottonmouth anymore. In fact, you won't have worry about anything anymore."

"Hm." Morgan narrowed his eyes. "Why? What happened to Cottonmouth?"

"Like I said, he departed."

"He left?" He looked at me in confusion. "Left Harlem? Or New York?"

"He went pretty far away." I pointed to the ceiling but meant the sky. I was enjoying drawing out the conversation, especially speaking in such a cryptic tone.

"That's good then." Morgan nodded. "Do I need to thank you for that?"

"You certainly should." I smiled.

"What about Falcon?"

"Didn't I say you have nothing to worry about from now on." I leaned forward. "Nothing really matters anymore."

"What does that mean?" Morgan asked.

I kept silent for a while, then spoke. "Can I confess something?"

"Go ahead." He nodded.

"I think the hardest thing to do is oftentimes easier, and it's only our inhibitions and moral values that stop us from delving into such activities." I spoke. "But once we cross the border, it becomes so much easier the next time. The disgust remains though, and I think that's human. Should that feeling also disappear than you loose everything that makes you you."

"What brought that about?" He asked.

I lifted the bottle of whiskey and said. "It has quite a thick glass. Do you think it will break against someone's skull?"

He looked at the bottle and shrugged. "Maybe?"

I smiled. "Well, I intend to find out just that."

With a swift movement my hand whipped the bottle right atop his head. The glass broke into pieces and liquid splashed on the ground. Morgan grabbed his head in agony and screamed profanities.

"What the fuck?!" He cursed. "You fucking bastard!"

I cleaned the shards that had fallen on my lap and stood up. I moved around and behind the man, and grabbed him by his neck. "shush now, you would wake your neighbors." I applied a little bit of pressure to cut off the oxygen and in about ten seconds he was limp as a noddle.

When Morgan woke up, it was to the dim lighting and a warm wetness that wrapped his head and cheek. He tried to scream or get up, but found himself gagged and bound to the chair. I sat a distance from him, watching him struggle for good five minutes before he finally calmed down.

"Didn't I say Morgan that you have nothing worry about now." I spoke. "I will send you to the same place as Cottonmouth and there you can finally fight a manly battle. Though I don't think they allow fights in Hell."

Morgan struggled and probably cursed me a ton. His bloodshot eyes glared daggers at me and I let out a mock shudder under his gaze.

"You know Alcohol doesn't really affect me." I said. "Otherwise I would've like the burning feeling in my stomach right about now, other than this nauseating one I had been struggling against since I inhaled that burnt skin of Cornell."

He was whimpering now and I realized that this verbal torture looked better than beating him with fists and kicks. Still it was getting late and cops might arrive any minute. I had to finish this fast.

I walked up to him and opened his gag. "I got one question only. Where do you keep your documents hidden?"

I felt another connection and frowned. Today had been one rapid fire connection after another. It was the opposite of calm before storm. I wonder what that meant. Oh, and as for my latest ability, it was called 'Colour Changing' and it was major deal breaker for me, if only it wasn't so restricted.

The ability allowed me to change the color of my full visual appearance into a single shade. Be it skin, hair or even eyes, I could change it all. It would have been good and all, but the fact that I couldn't focus on a single body part made this ability entirely useless, unless I went out in the forest to stand beside chameleons.

Morgan breathed roughly and stared at me intensely. "Let me leave and I will tell you."

I shook my head. "You don't seem to understand." I spoke. "You will die and there's nothing that can stop the outcome. The only choice you get is whether you want to die a quick painless death, or scream until the gates of Hell. Choose?"

He sneered at me and that was all I needed. Shunting the gag back in his mouth, I repeated what I did to Mr. Slick. This time though I didn't focus on the thigh, but on the chest and winced as the smell caught my nose. If this didn't end soon, I might puke my guts out on the floor.

When I thought he had enough I removed the gag to find him crying. "Please, don't kill me. I will tell you anything you want."

"Documents?"

Morgan nodded and pointed toward the room. He gave me the address and I fished out the folder from inside the locker hidden behind a painting. Quite a cliche setting, but then he again he was a cliche villain.

"Thanks." I nodded. "Now, off you pop."

With a flicker of my finger his alcohol smeared face caught fire first. The rest of his body followed and I let out another blast, feeling a metaphysical weakness overcome me. The blast was weaker than earlier one's, and it became apparent that I had exhausted my reserves. It mattered not, the smoke detection alarm system was triggered and I leapt out of the building before anyone could find out.

With this folder and Mr. Slick, both their gangs were fully exposed. In due time the NYPD would sweep Harlem clean of the filth until new boss takes over. That wouldn't be my duty though, I had done my part.

It was getting late and I had a meeting coming up. I was due for some goodnight's rest.

I left a message for Colleen and stowed away the phone in safe-house. When I arrived at my apartment I was feeling exhausted but more than that...I rushed to the bathroom and finally let out the acid. Since I didn't eat anymore, there was nothing to puke. It still didn't change the fact that I had killed someone. Two someone's to be precise.

When I woke up tomorrow, would I still be me?

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Powers gained this chapter -

- Basic Thievery Training [100 PP] — You have been trained on how to commit acts thievery this includes training for pickpocketing, and how to remain hidden, even in a crowded area.

- Disease Resistance [100 PP] — Your immune system is bolstered so that you're no longer affected by most mundane diseases however, you may still have the negative side effects from some persistent illnesses.

- Absorb Materials [300 PP] — You can absorb inanimate materials such as metal or water in order to temporarily take on their properties.

This can include the magical properties of specific gems or the explosive Power of specific chemicals.

You will only gain these properties for a temporary period of time in proportion to the amount of materials that were absorbed.

- Peak Human Reflexes [200 PP] — Your reactions are at the peak of human potential being comparable to those of the finest human athlete and are near-enhanced.

You can catch multiple fired arrows, bullets, and daggers in midair while responding to fast-paced combat.

You can even evade strikes from beings with Enhanced Agility if you are able to keep a clear and aware mind.

- Basic Business Management [100 PP] — Through this training you understand the required skills in running a small Business including staff management, tax management and how to promote and improve a company.

This training gives you a great deal of knowledge with economics, production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.

- Absorption [200 PP] — You can passively absorb your specific Attribute Type storing it as an internal reserve of energy.

- PHD [200 PP] — You gain the academic knowledge of any one subject to the level expected from someone who holds a PhD in that category, this knowledge updates each jump granting you the equivalent information from that jump.

- Advanced Disguise Training [100 PP] (Requires Basic Disguise Training) — You have learned a number of tricks and acting skills which allow you to impersonate anyone and quickly show others on the fly how to conceal their true nature and emotions till the right time.

- Basic Mathematical Training [100 PP] — You have learned the basics of all mathematical training, including everything learned in schools, the physical mathematics used for calculating motion of movement, Morse code and can understand more complex formulas such as the one used for calculating Pokemon catch rates.

- Advanced Firearms Training [100 PP] (Requires Basic Firearms Training) — Through this training, you have expert knowledge of all mundane terrestrial firearms and are able to operate both terrestrial and non-terrestrial firearms without difficulty.

- Blast [100 PP] — You can fire a wave of your Attribute Type towards a specific target with the blast spreading outwards in that direction but losing effectiveness the further out it is from its point of origin.

- Colour Changing [100 PP] — You are able to change your external colour allowing you to appear to be any singular shade of any singular colour such as green, coral, blue or topaz.