Ula was making sure her children still have plenty of food to eat, as the shrinking pantry still had enough for about two weeks. With the possibility of things getting worse, she wasn't surprised that it could ruin her estimated schedule. There was nothing she could truly do but hope for some type of miracle or competency from the Defense Corps to complete their goals.
"Is Pa fighting outside?" Laken had some curiosity, as he stared at the fires several blocks away from the home.
"I don't think so. I'm sure that wherever he is, he's beating the bad men with no problems."
Jackie appeared to be in agreement in her seat, as she started clapping her hands as soon as her mother finished talking. That gave the woman a bit more confidence, as she pulled out two cans of soup. Even with the afternoon waning down, she didn't really know how much longer the power would stay on, so the stove would have to do tonight.
"Laken, tomato or chicken?"
Not even hearing the whoosh from outside, probably mistaking it for wind, she was a bit surprised by the look Jackie was giving. The baby had stopped clapping and was instead trying to grab something she couldn't even touch. Ula probably assumed that the kid was seeing some things or whatever babies truly did. It wasn't necessarily a priority at the moment.
"Uh," Laken started to think.
"Chicken would sound nice." another voice erupted their conversation, causing all heads to turn.
Standing at the kitchen doorway, was a tall black, and very powerful man watching the family deciding what would be for dinner. To most, it would be either a shock or an honor to be graced by this person's presence, but to these people was a loving man and father, and the shock was quick to wear off.
"Pa! Pa's back!" Laken, like always, was the first to react, as he rushed to his legs.
"What's good, my little man?" Jamal rubbed the kid's head. " Have you guys been alright?"
"Jamal." Ula was already quick to grab Jackie out of her seat, before the woman planted her lips on his for as long as Jamal let her.
"It's so good to be back for-" Jamal started to say once the couple parted before peeking at his watch, "Twenty-six minutes and forty seconds."
"Twenty-six minutes?" Ula was a bit confused, while Jackie started picking at Jamal's clothes, which was a skin-tight suit similar to what he wore at the tournament all those years ago.
"Oh, I have to explain this really quickly. To sum it up, I'm doing my best to clear out the invasion but Alice teleported me to the city with a limited amount of time. So I actually do have to go now."
"Oh," she deflated a bit, but still understood. "Don't fail us now."
"Actually, there is one thing I want to tell you to start doing," Jamal asked after kissing her one last time. "Start packing everything."
"Wait, what?" She was confused as Jamal started backing up.
"Yeah, um, once we hopefully occupy Appleridge, I want you and the family to come meet me there. I don't want you to have to worry about this mess ever again. I'll have someone contact you guys when it's safe." He started to focus on the watch more intensely and mumbled off in the end, as he was close to the exit. "Twenty-five minutes and fifty-eight seconds now..."
"Alright, we love you Jamal!" Ula shed a quick tear, as Jackie lit up with a smile. "Say bye guys!"
"Bye Pa!" Laken waved away.
"See you guys soon, for real this time." Jamal gave them one last grin, "And enjoy the show!"
Through the window, they could see Jamal nod something to the guards still posted outside the complex, before igniting himself and launching himself towards the shoreline. He was a brave man, fighting for many things and for many people. But one thing most people respected about him, was his word on any subject. Whether for family or other business, he didn't back down from any situation until it was done or could no longer be of service. That was why he was missed.
"I should have told him about Bandit." Ula stared at the soup in her hands still.
"Who?" Laken was confused.
"Don't worry about that. Say, you can go watch your father's work from upstairs. Just be careful by the windows and I'll call you when the food is done."
"Okay, thanks Ma!" the boy hugged her leg before rushing towards the stairs.
...
The marines were pressing intensely towards the destroyed apartments, almost circling around all the sectors under the Defense Corps' control. Even as things were intensifying, one could hold such strong hope for any relief to come. It was a futile thought, but a needed one nevertheless. Cole was pinned down against the stairway, waiting for more marines to pile in. One quick peek could show about seven of them laying dead on the stairs, a clear sign to avoid.
"They will not give up," Cole muttered under his breath, as the few of those remaining under his command were popping off occasional shots towards the shoreline to conserve ammo.
"Sir, two of the guys are out of bullets!" someone shouted in his direction.
"Use your powers!" he replied back, as two more marines were carefully coming up.
Holding his breath, Cole waited for the perfect to get a clear shot as the pair finally past the last body. While they were still focused on not tripping over, Cole fired four shots at his enemies. They reached their target with ease, as they were quick to join their fallen comrades. A quick check of his magazine showed that he only had three more bullets left before he would have to resort to his powers. Their supply route had been blocked a few days ago, and all things considered, have things been getting desperate.
Moving out of the stairway, he pointed to one of his men still with plenty of ammo to go watch, as Cole glanced outside. The air had been hazy from the constantly raging battles, as the port a few miles away seemed to be the most intact in all this chaos. Efforts had been in place to do as much damage as possible in that location, as the cranes that would have normally been used to lift up crates and other cargo were crumbled up and fallen into the water. The reinforcements for the marines would now have to land on the beach once again and risk getting lit up if they could still hold down their positions.
Another loud boom snapped Cole out of those horrific thoughts, as a new explosion rocked one of their other sectors, the building that was hit already seventy-five percent destroyed. Only the strongest walls in the center as well as parts of the stairwell were up by now, and he could see Youden's marines storming the area with ease. With one building down, they could all amass onto the remaining two sectors before an all-out defensive order was given. Fighting to the very last person would have to be done in order to spare the city.
What surprised him the most in those fleeting moments, was a strange attack that crashed into the marine-occupied building. As large and colorful as it was, Cole and the soldiers with him could not help but watch as their enemies were writhing in pain as they were being burned alive. More smaller balls followed suit, as it was quick to force many of them to hide behind some cover in mass confusion. Could that truly be who they thought it was? The city of Appleridge was four hours away, and that was by aircraft, so is it possible that the person here now could be him? The one and only?
"Sir, it has to be. It has to be him." the soldiers were quick to holler with joy once the view was clear enough, "The request made it through!"
"Wow, it really is him." Cole was at a loss for words. "Jamal Wrint has returned."