[Rail IC] Academy City

[Rhydeble]

Jirou snorted derisively and took a couple of steps towards Cale.

"That's just typical of guys like you; Always trying to play the hero."

Then another two.

"Never getting your hands dirty, but always taking cheap shots whenever you can get away with it. You push us, needle us and put us down until we're fit to burst."

With one more he reached the barrier that Cale had created. He placed a hand against its surface.

"And then, when we finally snap, you act like you had nothing to do with it. Well let me tell you something: Just because I'm the one throwing the first punch here doesn't make me the bad guy!"

He pushed lightly against the seemingly solid barrier, and the whole thing suddenly began to collapse. A growing circle of dust quickly spread from the point where his palm touched, devouring the wall as it went. Soon enough the structure wouldn't have enough substance left to support itself.

"Did you ever stop to think what would have happened if something had gone wrong with that little stunt of yours? If you'd been a bit too slow in creating the slope? If something had distracted you at the wrong moment? No, of course you didn't. You were too busy showing off."

The rage in Jirou's voice reached its absolute peak. It bombarded Cale like a verbal battering ram, in tandem with the supernatural one which was assailing the barrier.

"Don't you understand how big a deal it is to play with people's lives like that? We could have been killed! She could have been killed! That's right, your precious princess; Dead for the sake of a cheap trick! I won't let that pass. You hear me?! I won't!"

Jirou was coming, and slowly but steady he was breaking down the barrier, all the while assoulting him with a storm of insults. Cale started backing away from Jirou, trying to stay away from him, for he probably wouldn't win in a fist to fist brawl.

"You don't understand it do you? I'm not playing hero, I'm not trying to impress anyone, I'm not putting anyone's life in danger, I'm not attempting any tricks, I do not fail, and I'm not going to tolerate your ridiculous attempt at being an ESPer anymore"

Cale's talking was getting louder as well. This man did something to him that hadn't been done to him in a long time, Cale was starting to get angry.
While talking, he gathered gasses above him at a ridiculous speed, starting at a height of around two meters, there was a ceiling of air with a pressure of around seven atmosphere's covering the street. While Jirou was quickly approaching, Cale finished this battlefield preparation, and got ready to fight.

Unleashing the full extent of his powers as a level four, Cale started crushing the gasses around him towards the ceiling. This was not a moment in which he carefully controlled his power, when he would be creating translucid works of art while he was just going to throw them away in a few seconds. This was pure wild power, crushing nitrogen, oxygen and everything he could get his hands on towards his barrier barely in the sky.

"I Am Cale Schmirnovich, Scourge of Meteorology, Destroyer of secrets, Master of the atmosphere, And I do not act high and mighty"

While up to this point people might have tried to ignore the two shouting ESPers, now they could not, for the lack of air combined with Cale's rampant pushing became too much for most of the windows.

"I AM HIGH AND MIGHTY", he shouted amidst the bang of breaking glass

Smashing the air pressure around him would make it hard to breath for anyone not accustomed to low pressure, but was very taxing on his power, and Cale couldn't do much more then what he had done now. This, combined with the incredible rage boiled up within him started to work his way up to his sight, at first nearly blinding him, but then suddenly getting clear again, and now allowing Cale to "see" the pressures around him in some weird and eldritch way. Any onlooker would see that his entire eyes were, at this point, incredibly bloodshot.

[Silverraptor]

Jason was walking through the arcade, quite pleased with his performance. He quietly glance around the room until...

Suddenly, the glass in the windows shattered outward, causing the air in the building to rush quickly outwards. Everyone, including Jason, were suddenly hurrled several feet towards the glass. As Jason tried to get to his feet, he placed a hand to his throat. It had gotten increadibly hard to breath. He struggled, gasping and spluttering for breath.

[Lillith]

Jane stood frozen next to Jirou and Cale, her eyes filled with fright. Both guys looked equally scary, but Cale's eyes struck a nerve that made it hard for Jane not to panic. The changes in the air made it nearly impossible for her to breath and she dropped to her knees, completely disappearing in the background.

"Fighting... no more fighting... why does everybody fight?!" It rang through her head. "Why are they fighting?" Terrible flashbacks shot before her eyes, she couldn't deal with fighting, all the screaming. "Stop it stop it stop it stop it stop it....

[Anyr]

Jirou's advance first faltered, then halted entirely. He sank reluctantly to one knee, unable to remain standing in the suddenly thin air which surrounded him. He stared up at Cale with something approaching bewilderment, as if his brain couldn't quite accept what had just happened. He'd known his opponent was strong, but this was ridiculous; The figure that now stood before him looked more like a demon than a person. His desire to fight was just as strong as it had been before, but his body refused to move. It was probably the same for all the others-

-Kami. That's right, they weren't alone. Around them people writhed on the ground, gasping for breath and surrounded by broken glass. All of them caught in the wake of Cale's indiscriminate attack. Even Jane was among them, looking even worse than the rest; The girl who Cale supposedly cared for, discarded in an instant.

Jirou was by no stretch of the imagination a noble person. But that didn't matter, because it didn't take a noble person to be horrified by what was going on here. It just required a basic shred of human decency. With an effort Jirou rose back to his full height, still gasping for breath. He then used some of his precious air to speak, because even now he couldn't resist it.

"You know what happens to people who get too high? They stop looking up."

As if in answer to Jirou's words, a horrendous creaking began to issue from above Cale. If he glanced up, he'd see that he was standing beneath a large metal sign which jutted out from the arcade on a bar; A bar which was now rapidly disintegrating.

"No matter how high you get, there's always something above you!"

[Lillith]

Jane was kneeling on the floor, clenching her head with her hands. A tremendous amount of stress was building up inside her head. Her mind seemed to race. There was too much conflict. The moment these two had met there was conflict. All the fighting, the one upping each other. She couldn't take it anymore. People were going to get hurt!

Stop it stop it stop it stopitstopitstopitstopit.

The pressure seemed to be building up and combined with the problems in breathing Jane's body seemed to hit an all time high in stress, desperate for a release. <"Sto-"> She gasped, but it was no use, she couldn't breath, couldn't speak. Her head felt like it was catching all of her stress. It felt like it was about to explode. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Stopitstopistopitsto-"

Then... something snapped inside her. Inside her head. The walls that she had build around her powers to keep it away from others seemed to suddenly come crashing down. It braced itself and all Jane's stress and frustration seemed to flow towards it.

Within seconds the antenna inside her head turned itself to emitting a tidal wave to all those around Jane within a radius of 500 meters. To them it would feel like they were hit with a sledgehammer in the face.

STOOOOOOOOOP IIIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!

This single thought emitted itself from Jane to those around her in a tremendous force, completely overwriting their current thoughts for a few moments. As soon as it would subside, the receiving people would suddenly feel happy, calm and tranquil. Though Jane would sit on the ground, quivering from exhaustion.

[Rhydeble]

Jane's shouts might as well have fallen upon deaf ears, for Cale was far too busy admiring his newfound senses. but the power striking out did hit him. and hard. instead of being horrified by the things he was seeing, they were suddenly so incredibly beautiful.

Above him, the barrier he had created was radiating a near overwhelming presence, it looked like... like something Cale could not describe, the only thing holding it away was a fragile field that he did not understand, but must surely be his. around him, he saw the strangest thing he had ever seen. Twin sacks of light, connected by a line going upwards, pulsating between large and soft, and small but bright. around them a network of small lines, flowing around through five different directions, then going to an exquisite construct before joining the sacks of light, after which everything would flow back towards the construct only to renew its cycle.. these structures around him were covered in something that was not entirely unlike the thing holding back the sky from falling down, but still different. Their size was slightly smaller then those exquisitely straight openings in the walls around him.

Then, the effects of Jane's mental sledgehammer reached the part of his brain where Cale controlled the air around them... without guidance, the ceiling created a wind both upwards and downwards at the same time, allowing everyone too breath normally again. the upward wind, however, proved too much for the sign that had already been manhandled by Jirou, and it broke off, starting to fall down right on top of a completely delirious and happy Cale.

[Anyr]

Jirou grunted in annoyance as the sign failed to fall.

"Come on, come on! Just a little further and it'll crush that worthless piece of scum to death and sweet Kami what am I thinking?! Am I actually trying to kill the guy? Am I just as bad as he i-"

And then he thought no more. At that moment Jane's psychic scream eradicated all thought from the forefront of his mind, leaving it blank. The sign, the fight, the people nearby; All were instantly forgotten.

For a little while Jirou just stood in place, blinking. Not in confusion, because there was nothing to be confused about any more. Finally he started looking around, regarding the destruction with a casual, distant interest. He didn't quite know what was going on, but that didn't matter. Whatever it was, it was all fine. Everything was fine. For the first time in a long while he had no worries, and he was happy to stand back and enjoy it.

Look, there was Cale. Standing under a wavering sign, for some reason. It looked as if it was about to fall. He'd better be careful, or it could kill him. Not that that mattered, of course. It would surely all work out in the end.

[Silverraptor]

Jason's mind was working furiously. The lack of air, what did it mean? He looked around the room. Everything was in chaos. He continues trying to get up...

Then the psychic blast hit him. Stunned, he does as it says and stops trying to get up. He then feels reassured and happy. This feeling was also accompanied with the return of the air.

[13_CBS]

Kenta

Kenta glowers at the foreign kid who smashed his record, and is about to follow him when the sound of a dozen windows shattering makes him whip around. His combat senses kicked in. He wasn't an expert, but you can't lead a mercenary band in Academy City without having been in a fight; not merely horseplay with angry school boys, but battles between ESPers and baton-wielding security guards determined to bring you down.

"No smoke or fire...an ESPer power?"

But his attempts at deduction are irrelevant. The psychic scream rips through his mind, demanding that he STOP. Everything in his head comes to a halt--thoughts, insecurities, the loss of his hard-won arcade record...

Then his mind jerks back into working order, dulled by a strange sense of tranquility. Even the sight of that psychotic, hand-disintegrating thug from yesterday doesn't scare him. In fact, why not go say hello?

The fact that his legs are moving him right past Cale towards Jirou barely registers in Kenta's muffled mind.

[Anyr]

Jirou caught sight of Kenta almost immediately. His mind might have been addled, but it still singled out things of interest just as usual. It was somewhat surreal to watch the man approach like this, open and honest as if he had nothing to fear. The more rational parts of Jirou's brain (which were admittedly few and far between) knew full well how ridiculous this whole meeting truly was. Still, the very idea of assaulting the man now seemed completely out of the question. So instead Jirou just raised one hand in a vague greeting, as if to an old acquaintance who he barely remembered.

"Oh, hi again. What are you doing here?"

[Rhydeble]

Just what was that thing up there trying to do? Cale's mind was trying to work up an explanation, but it didn't really work that well. At that moment, it started to fal down towards Cale, and Cale knew what it wanted.


It wanted a hug.

[Lillith]

Jane sat on the floor shivering. Her body was exhausted. Years of neglecting her powers had taken their toll on this sudden burst of activity. What had that weird feeling been just now? It was like- A cracking sound above her interrupted her thoughts and made her look up. Above Cale a giant sign was starting to cave in under its weight and would come crashing down.

Cale just stood there and nobody did something, he'd get killed! <"Cale! MOVE!"> she screamed, but knew that her words wouldn't reach him. With a last bout of energy she quickly got to her knees and made her way towards Cale, happy that she didn't have to go far, before tackling him inside the arcade before the sign crashed down on where he stood moments ago. She lost control of her body movements, tripped and fell to the ground, dragging Cale with her.

[Rhydeble]

Cale was now sure of his idea. The Sign really did want a hug. But just before the sign gave him a hug, the sign changed into a pretty girl that looked very much like Jane... how strange.

[hanzo66]

"Huh."


Avery just managed to witness the sign changing into a girl, plus a bit of what happened before. Holding her Baguette with incredibly caution, she approached the girl slowly.

[Lillith]

Lillith was panting while lying on the floor. People around her seemed to barely recognize what just had happened. She would be mad, wasn't it for the fact that it was her fault that they were like that. Never before had she did anything else with her powers besides hearing peoples thoughts. The scientists had told her of her other capabilities but the idea of making people blissful zombies was scary to her. Or turn them into frightening cowards or whatever she wanted.

Slowly she took off her backpack and rummaged in it until she found her cellphone and called the alarm number. After warning the local authorities of the incident, leaving out the part of who caused it, she put away her cellphone and just laid her head to rest on the floor.

[Anyr]

After a little while Jane would see a vague shape descending to her level. It turned out to be a large hand, stretched out in invitation. High above her Jirou was waiting patiently for her to take it, so that he could help her to her feet. His expectant face was of course serene and calm, but the most surprising thing was how natural it looked on him. This new Jirou somehow seemed just as real as the grinning, chest thumping macho one who'd been with them up until now.

"Need some help?"

[Rhydeble]

Cale's sight had only just returned to something quasi-normal, when he saw Jane sit up and call someone. just as she finished, he saw Jirou come near and extend his hand, asking if someone needed help. Since Cale was the only one lying on the ground, he thought it must've been aimed at him.

"Why yes... thank you"

[shinnmoso]

Rockwell was stuck in traffic but finally arrived. He was diverted just 20 seconds before arriving at original destination. At new destination 3 Fireteams on standby.

It's a mess. Glass everywhere, few guys lying on the floor, nearly lifeless. There is still someone standing. Looks as if the chaos is spread from him.

"Fireteam Bravo and Charlie- You're with me!, Fireteam Alpha, you're on MediEvac! Use of Firearms to take down target is permitted! Out."

"Copy that, use of live rounds permitted. Out"


Rockwell readies his rifle. Hands out 4 M24 (7.62 NATO) Sniper Rifles to Fireteam Charlie. They're be providing sniper fire from above.

Fireteam Bravo- or better known as the SRT. They're the best of the Platoon, if not the best of the Battalion. Rockwell personally trained them, with a hit rate above 80%, they're the sharpshooters of the Squad.

"Stack Up, 2 men on each side, Flashbang first then we go in!"

As the team assembles to breach, Rockwell quickly glances at his fireteam and looks at their equipment.

4 Sig552, 2 2 M203 Under-slung Grenade launchers, 3 flashbangs, Two Frag Grenades and an two charges.

"Ready sir"- Bravo Two-one whispers
"Do it"- Rockwell replies

Bravo Two-one quickly opens the door, Bravo Two-Three throws a Flasbang into the room, Bravo Two-one closes the door, quick.

*Foom!*

Bravo Two-one enters, then Two-Three, followed by Two-Four while Rockwell covers the back.

"Clear Left"
"Clear Right"
"Center Clear!"
"Move up!"

Rockwell's team slowly makes their way through the large building.

[Anyr]

Jirou regarded the armed Anti-Skill team with mild curiosity as he helped Cale to his feet. They seemed to be in an awful hurry, but then they usually were. Always rushing from one place to the next, never stopping to admire the view along the way. What a shame.

"Shall we get going? It looks like we won't be getting inside that arcade any time soon."

[Lillith]

Jane stood up and nodded. Right now she just wanted to go somewhere quiet and try to rest. <"Yeah... I doubt we'll ever find out where those crazy robots came from anyways.">

[Anyr]

"[Actually, a guy who might have sent them is standing right over there. But yeah, it's been a long day. Let's just wander for a while and take in the sights.]"

With that Jirou ambled off down the street. While walking he took the time to whistle a new melody that had just come to him. New ideas seemed to be pouring in by the bucketload at the moment, and for once he was happy to simply let them come.

[Rhydeble]

While Cale got up and started to walk along with Jane and Jirou, when he wondered what Jirou said about someone inside sending the robots, he turned his head around, but couldn't really see who Jirou meant, there wasn't anyone with a red cape or a skull on his jacket or anything.

[hanzo66]

Avery made her way to Jirou carefully while preparing an introduction. Clearing her throat, she said to him...
"Hey, erm... Here to help, and it looks like you need it."

[Anyr]

Jirou didn't bother to slow his pace as he approached Avery. Instead he just gave her a friendly smile and a shake of the head.

"No, we're fine. Thanks for the offer, though. If you're looking to help you could try the others back down the street; Some of them look like they could use it."

[Lillith]

Jane gave Avery a really depressed look. "Yeah. But they'll act funny. It will wear off in a bit." She looked at both Jirou and Cale. She wasn't actively trying to keep them in the state they were right now, so it should be wearing off in about 15 minutes or something she figured. They'd have to deal with it longer because she was around them, the people in the arcade would be snapping out of it sooner. Perhaps it was best if she'd just go home and... stay there forever and never show her face again...

[Silverraptor]

At this point, Jason is starting to snap out of his stupor. He slowly starts to make his way up onto his two feet. After testing himself unsteadly for a few steps, he then begins to pick himself amoungst the glass. He then looks out side to see what had happened.

[shinnmoso]

"Bravo Tow-Two to Overloard- Target sighted. Three personnel Request Permission to engage"
"This is overload- Permisson to engage is given. Non-Lethal Take down Only."
"Roger that. Out"

Rockwell aims the crosshair on his ACOG at the target's leg, puts the rifle out of safety to Semi.

"Team- Aim for the Legs. Wait for my mark."

Bravo Two-one and Two-three aims their rifle.

"Ready"

"Open Fire"

Rockwell makes pulls the trigger once. So does Bravo Two-one and Two Three.

"Did it hit?" Rockwell asks.

[Rhydeble]

While Cale watched the meeting between Avery and Jirou, a thought crept up into his mind.

Why wasn't anyone singing.

No-one in the immediate surroundings seemed to be depressed or threatening or anything, and they all seemed happy, so shouldn't someone burst out in song around now?


"Always look on the briiiiight side of life"

[Mina Kobold]

"Always look on the light side of life!"

The song is continued by a long-haired boy who seemingly appeared just a second ago, walking around, looking at the wreckage and wondering what's going on.

But for now he just whistles and sings along.

"If life seems a bit jolly rotten!"

((Yes, these are the actual lyrics. I'm a geek, I can't help looking it up ))

[Anyr]

Jirou had never heard the cheerful tune which Cale and the suddenly present stranger were singing, but he liked the sound of it. It didn't take long for him to catch the melody and start whistling along. Together the three of them managed to create quite a pleasant effect; Just the right counterpoint to their pleasant stroll. Jirou briefly wondered if Jane would join in as well to make it a quartet, although for some reason she didn't seem to be in the mood. Ah well, at least she was in the best position to appreciate the performance. Enclosed as she was in a rough triangle between the three of them, she'd surely catch the best acoustics from it.

"De do...de do de do de do..."