Heroes: The Road of Good Intentions

[B4UTRUST]

Kyosuke closed the portal with another strike to the stone and set about realigning the symbols once more. In a few minutes he had it set up for Millenium City. The portal open and he stepped through, vanishing.

He reappeared in a deserted part of Times Square. His communicator came back to life as soon as he was within range of an Ultima repeater station. As he walked he reached up and tapped it to open the channel. He was well on his way to the warehouse district when he sent his message.
"Ghost, it's Kyosuke. I've got a lead. Get the team together and meet me near the warehouse district on 47th."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost jerked when Kyosuke's voice came through the channels. 'Meet me in a warehouse'? I don't think so. I'm not walking the team into an ambush.

He tapped his comm to broadcast. "Negative, Kyosuke, we've got a lead and we need your help back at HQ. The team thinks it was some left overs from Freak Legion and they have some evidence they want to show you." He said, keeping his voice calm, his many years of working for the shadier side of the government helped. He switched channels. "Team, meet me in the conference room, the suspect has resurfaced."

[B4UTRUST]

Kyosuke tapped his comm again. He knew what Ghost's message meant, he wasn't stupid. Asahi operatives had tried to nail him in a similar situation once before. He had recieved a promotion for having survived the ambush and bringing in the killers. Of course he had taken precautions to ensure that his scapegoat couldn't reveal the truth, but that hardly mattered. The few people who had suspected him had died and he had lived.
"Evidence can wait, Ghost. I have suspects cornered in the warehouse. I can't move in without backup and I'm not letting them out of my sight."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost sighed. He knows. He tapped his comm. "Understood. We're on our way." Ghost switched channels. "Team, disregard last, suspect isn't coming in. Good luck, I hope you get him." He switched channels back. "Bad news, Kyosuke, the team is too scattered. I'll be there ASAP." He stood and headed for his car. He would be there shortly.

[B4UTRUST]

While he was waiting Kyosuke prepared himself. Before he had left the Demon City he had changed outfits, though you couldn't immediately tell under the long white leather trenchcoat he wore.

His pockets were filled with sand and on his belt beneath his coat was a pouch containing two scrolls. He summoned his spirit animals to his side and sent them into hiding to await his call. He was one man, but one man could ambush an entire team under the right circumstances.

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost parked his car. He opened his cell phone and called his wife. "Hey honey, just wanted to give you a call...No, everythings fine. Just wanted you to know I'm about to do something dangerous. You know how it goes. I love you...I know, hun. Hopefully I'll see you later tonight." He hung up and stepped out of the car. Ghost drew his .45 pistol and checked the clip, holding it in his hand as he walked towards the warehouse.

"Kyosuke!" He called out.

[B4UTRUST]

Kyosuke had been waiting for Ghost. Once he heard the agent call out he looked up at him.
"Ghost, good timing. They're getting ready to move."

And with that Kyosuke ducked inside the warehouse door he had been standing by. And just inside poured out his circle of sand.

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost stopped and stood where he was. "I know, Kyosuke. I know there isn't anyone in there, except maybe your three animal friends. I know what you did. I just want to know. Why? Why Frank?" He asked, his hand clutching his Colt automatic.

[B4UTRUST]

Kyosuke glanced out the door as Ghost. This was not the way he had it planned. But he could improvise.
"The same reason as every one else in the file Indigo is investigating. And probably quite a few more they haven't linked yet. Cascade was the same as all the others and had to be stopped. Just like Mirage team will have to be stopped.

"You all are too big of a threat. With all of its power and prestige Ultima has forgotten the its purpose; to serve and to protect. The minute Ultima let agents get away with the mindless destruction that has taken place all around us was the minute it violated the very ethos it swore to protect. And every last one of you is responsible and shall be punished.

"Ask yourself this, Ghost. How many lives have you destroyed inadvertantly through battle after battle with those claimed villians? How many buildings destroyed, property damaged, lives lost? Ultima, Primus, the metahuman world of the so-called 'Heroes' has lost its way and abandoned its mission. It has blurred the lines between good and evil so badly you can no longer see who is who. And you wonder why it has to be done?

"Open your ears, roundeye, and listen to the homo sapiens cry for our blood. Their protectors have turned out to be their worst enemy and they have no means to defend themselves from it. Soon they will mob and kill us with numbers and metahuman blood will run thick in the streets. And it is on our own heads.

"I do what I do as an effort to prove to them once and for all that not all of us have lost our way, that there are those among us willing to police our own. I do it because I refuse to die because of the misdeeds of others. And I prove this all to them one life at a time. You have your answer, Ghost. I kill so that you may live."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost stared at him. "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? So that's all it was. Frank was a meta working with Ultima, and thats why he got it. As for the question of how much blood is on my hand? Probably more than on most Ultima agents. I've done things for my country, horrible things. I've gone into the homes of my country's enemies and I have spilled their blood while they sleep. I've destroyed their homes, removed their presence from the face of the earth. So, I guess that means I deserve death, doesn't it?"

"One thing, Kyosuke, killing a few meta's isn't going to be enough, is it? How do the norms know it's a meta killing each other? For all they know, it's a random group doing it. They'll think if other norms can do it, why can't they. You aren't slowing the bloodbath, you're bringing it on faster."

[B4UTRUST]

Kyosuke shook his head.
"Don't read the news much, do you? Statements have been made and left. They know who is responsible. Even if you can't piece things together. So what piece of evidence did I leave behind to lead you to me?

"Your death, Ghost? That depends. What do you plan to do? Not about me, I know where I stand in your mind. You want to put that bullet into my head. I understand that. What I want to know is what are you planning to do about Ultima and Primus and the rest. What do you plan to do to stop the coming storm?"

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost looked down at his pistol. "The sand. A splinter. Plus Astral said she saw four figures. One human, and three animal human things. I remember the fight Mirage had against you." He sighed. "As for the storm. Can it be stopped? Personally, I think it's too late. I think that there have been far too many years of metas acting without thought to the consequences. My intentions are to keep serving my country. That means when the shit hits the fan, I'll go back to my old job, spilling the blood of the foes of my Country, so they don't spill our blood. And your right. I do want to put this bullet into your head. But I know, I don't really stand a chance, unless you let me. And I doubt that you will. I'm also guessing that you've got your three little friends out here." He said, looking back up and looking around.

[B4UTRUST]

"You're right, they are here. They're trying to find the rest of Indigo team, which I'm beginning to believe isn't here. So I suppose that leaves just you and I.

"No, I'm not inclined to let you kill me. That would seriously hinder my plans, which cannot be allowed.

"I honestly believe there is a chance, slim as it may be. The attempt must be made, the effort put forth. I repeat it again, I *WILL* not die for the misdeeds of others. If that means putting to death those who have lost their way then so be it.

"Your answer, Ghost. What is it."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost looked back to him. "There isn't much I can do to stop the storm. I suppose I could do what you did and start picking of Ultima agents one by one, until there are none left. But I believe that we need Ultima. They keep the wolves at bay. And yes, sometimes innocents get caught in the crossfire, sometimes a building gets dropped by accident. But that is the way of war. And believe it or not, like it or not, this is a war. It's Ultima, and the independents, against bag guys. What the public needs to learn, is that this is war. And it's not going to stop. I don't think killing Ultima is the answer. You want to stop this storm, kill the true problem, not those trying to stop it."

[B4UTRUST]

"I have killed them as well, one by one. Those purposely breaking the law aren't the only problem, Ghost. Ultima is part of the problem as well. And until you realize that, Ghost, there can be no hope of solving the situation. Go back to your government. Your day will come soon enough. Till then we're done."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost stood his ground. "I understand that Ultima is part of the problem. But is killing them going to help? No, its only going to make them crack down more. Make them more aggressive, more willing to use their powers to kill. Like I said, you aren't fixing anything. Your making it worse. The Ultima Metas are going to be on edge, anything they see as a threat to themselves or their families, they are going to attack. Your just upping the chance of a meta killing a crowd."

[B4UTRUST]

"Not if I stop them first, Ghost. Go, Ghost. Before I remember that you're responsible too."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost held fast. "Why? Your just going to remember I'm responsible at a later time. So, why should I go, and live my life looking over my shoulder for you? If your ever going to kill me, you might as well do it now."

[B4UTRUST]

"Are you sure that's how you wish it to be? Your wife will be sad, I think. But no matter. One more dead."

With his toe he began to inscribe the correct symbol into the sand by his feet. His hand went below his coat to one of the blades, lifting it slightly and running a finger along the edge, cutting it. With the symbol inscribed he pulled his hand from under his coat and held the bleeding finger over the circle.
"Last chance, my friend. Walk away and live for awhile."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost nodded and turned, starting to walk towards the car. Suddenly, he spun around and opened fire, his pistol spitting fire and hot metal towards the Japanese meta.

[B4UTRUST]

Kyosuke was ready. He wasn't superhumanly fast or anything close to that. But he was well trained and prepared. When Ghost started to turn again Kyosuke ducked back into the warehouse out of sight. Rounds slammed into the wood and metal around him.
"Not wise, Ghost," he called out from cover.

He held his bleeding hand ready, welling blood into his palm. He peeked his head out of the warehouse to see Ghost for a second as he flicked his bleeding hand towards the sand, dropping the blood into it.

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost ran back to his car, popping the trunk and grabbing his assault rifle. He didn't have time for a vest, so he grabbed a number of clips and shoved them into the cargo pockets on his pants. He cloaked himself and ran to his left, heading for cover.

[B4UTRUST]

"Kubira, track him."

Kyosuke pushed the large warehouse door shut and disappeared further into the building. He shrugged off his white longcoat and dropped it to the ground, revealing the black outfit that currently clad his body and the seven swords attached to it.

Moving silently he sought higher ground, lifting himself up on the tops of crate stacks and shelves, constantly moving.

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost squatted down, his back against a conex box. He saw the wolf heading towards him. He raised his rifle and steadied his breathing. Last time he had faced this wolf, it had been in close quarters, and Ghost wasn't going to kill a friendly in a sparring match. Now though, this was no sparring match, and that wolf wasn't friendly. Once the wolf was close enough to ensure that Ghost had a good chance of hitting it, he squeezed the trigger, rounds streaking from the barrel at the spirit wolf.

[B4UTRUST]

Kyosuke heard the gun blast and immediately turned. With nimble leaps he closed towards the sound.

Kubira charged straight at Ghost in her spirit form. The translucent wolf bound through the air closer and closer. A low threatening growl escaped from her throat.

The rounds struck Kubira true before passing straight through the intangible wolf. Kyosuke grew closer, a moving shadow. His fingers spoke in a symbolic silent tongue as he traced them across the air. Wind picked up across the floor, whipping around and picking up dirt, dust, sand and small debris. The blinding dust storm grew in size and strength as it whipped around at waist height and rose. Stinging sand and small piercing splinters of wood and slivers of metal blew around and around.