12 years ago…..
Outside the walls of Tempion, a large white aircraft descended from the skies. Its two large rocket engines pointed upwards as it slowly landed in front of a gate that was in front of the large walls that surrounded the kingdom. One of the doors on the side opened up and a man slightly jumped out of it and landed on the ground. This man was rather tall and slim. He had pale skin and hazel eyes. His hair was a bit messy and grayish brown. He wore a white hood with a cape that was tied together around his neck with a thin rope. He wore a deep blue jumpsuit and a gray belt around his waist. His shoes were worn out and dirty.
The man casually walked towards the gate where two large bodied guards wearing metal plate armor and holding long spears were standing. As the man approached them, the two guards aggressively pointed their spears at the man. The man stopped and gently held his hands up while showing no signs of fear of the guards.
Guard (1) (demandingly): Stand your business!
The Man: My name is Anthony Light. I am a member of the Apex Guardians. I am just here to see Cynthia Steel.
The guard who had asked Anthony the question looked over to his partner. They both nodded and the second guard went inside the gate. The first guard stopped pointing his spear at Anthony and held it beside himself.
Guard (1): You will wait here.
Anthony put his hands down.
Anthony: Very well.
Anthony then sat on the ground right in front of the guard.
Guard (1): You could just go sit in your plane.
Anthony then laid on his side with his arm propping up his head. He gave a grin to the guard.
Anthony: I could, couldn't I?
The guard rolled his eyes out of annoyance.
Anthony: Must be boring standing here all day.
Guard (1): You get used to it.
Anthony: What happens if you have to take a piss?
Guard (1): What-? You hold it I guess.
Anthony: But what if it's seriously bad? Like you are about to explode?
Guard (1) (getting annoyed): You use the bathroom ahead of time.
Anthony: But what if you forget? Do you get a bathroom break?
Guard (1) (irritated): No, you hold it until your shift is done!
Anthony paused for a moment.
Anthony: What happens if you piss your pants?
Guard (1) (annoyed): What?!
Anthony: Well do you get to change your pants or do you have to stand there in your piss soaked-
Guard (1) (angrily): Would you shut up?!
Anthony snickered a little.
Anthony: Alright, alright.
1 hour later…
Anthony continued to lay on the ground. He yawned very loudly. The guard watching him was getting even more annoyed. Suddenly, the gate behind him started to open. The second guard walked out and the first guard turned around towards his partner.
Guard (2): She's about to-
The second guard saw Anthony laying on the ground. Anthony annoyingly waved at him. The guard then looked back to the other guard.
Guard (2) (confused): What's he doing?
Anthony: Hey you! What do you do when you have to take a piss?
Guard (2) (shocked and annoyed): What?!
The first guard turned towards the second guard.
Guard (1): Ignore the human. What were you saying?
Guard (2): Cynthia is about to come out.
Guard (1) (relieved): Finally.
Cynthia then walked out of the gate. She was wearing her black tuxedo. She looked over to the back of her right leg and then walked towards Anthony.
Cynthia: It's been awhile Anthony.
Anthony got up and gave Cynthia a grin.
Anthony: Cynthia! Looking as sexy as ever I see.
Cynthia (annoyed): And you're just as vulgar as I remember.
Anthony gave Cynthia a grin despite Cynthia looking unamused.
Cynthia: Speaking of which, would you please tone that down along with your volume? I have a child with me right now.
Anthony: You've got a kid with you?
Anthony looked down at Cynthia's right leg. He saw two little hands holding on to her leg tightly. Suddenly, a little boy peeked from behind her leg. The boy had big curly brown hair and his eyes were a deep emerald color with a slight shade of yellow. His skin was pale and his cheeks were bright red. He wore a blue hoodie that was far too big for him. The arms were sagging off of his arms and the bottom of the hoodie dropped all the way to his ankles. As soon as the boy looked at Anthony, he darted his eyes away from him and hid behind Cynthia.
Cynthia: Come on. Anthony may be kinda dumb but he is harmless.
Anthony: Who are you calling dumb and harmless?
Anthony suddenly approached the small boy fast.
Anthony (loudly): Hi there!
The boy ran to the other side of Cynthia and away from Anthony. Cynthia then grabbed Anthony's head and pushed him away.
Cynthia (angrily): Would you cut that out?! He is very timid!
Anthony: My bad. So, what's his name?
Cynthia kneeled to the boy.
Cynthia (softly): Tell him your name.
The boy slowly walked towards Anthony nervously. He looked up at Anthony but had trouble looking at him directly in the eyes.
The Boy (nervously): M-M, My name is…. Jason.
Cynthia (kindly): Jason what?
Jason (nervously): S-Steel….
Anthony: Well it is nice to meet you Jason Ste-
Anthony paused and looked at Jason. Jason put his hood over his head and looked away from Anthony. Anthony then looked at Cynthia.
Anthony (nervously): Did he say Steel?
Cynthia: Yes, Jason is my son.
Anthony stood up and looked to be in distress.
Anthony: No. No!
Anthony then fell to his knees and looked up.
Anthony (loudly): NOOOOOO!!!!
Jason covered his ears and began to cry.
Jason (crying): Loud! Too loud!!
Cynthia ran over to Anthony and punched him in the throat. Anthony gagged and fell on his back. Cynthia then ran towards Jason who was crying and held him.
Cynthia (comforting): It's okay. The loud noise is gone.
As Jason was holding onto Cynthia, she lifted him up and continued to hold him. She then looked over to Anthony who got up and was rubbing his neck where Cynthia punched him.
Cynthia (angrily but quietly): Didn't I tell you to keep it down?! Jason has sensitive ears and he gets frightened very easily!
Anthony (loudly): How could you go and-!
Cynthia put her finger over her lips.
Cynthia (interrupting): Shhh!
Anthony (now softly): How could you go and get married like that?! I thought you and I were dating!
Cynthia: First of all, we were never dating! Get that through your thick skull! Second, I didn't get married. I adopted him and his older sister.
Anthony: Oh, well that's a relief. So this means I still have a shot?
Cynthia looked towards Anthony with an angry glare.
Cynthia (angrily): Have you been listening to anything I have been saying?!
Jason (starting to cry): Mh!
Cynthia quickly turned towards Jason and patted his head.
Cynthia (softly): Oh no, no, no. I'm sorry.
Jason buried his face into Cynthia's neck for comfort. Cynthia then began to walk forward and into the forest that was ahead. Anthony followed her.
Anthony: So why did you decide to adopt some kids?
Cynthia: Well, I could've left them at a foster care like the others but I don't think they could handle them. These kids have unbelievable destructive powers but they don't know how to use them. Even for homes for anomalies, their power would be too much.
Anthony: Anomalies?
Cynthia sighed.
Cynthia: Anomalies are the new generation of Electrens that possess unique talents and develop abilities much faster and earlier than normal.
Anthony: Uh, yeah. I knew that.
Cynthia rolled her eyes.
Cynthia: Anyways, this rapid development is still unknown on how it happened.
Anthony: So that's the reason you took a leave of absence from the Apex Guardians.
Cynthia: That was part of the reason. I do have to deal with the war the kingdom is in.
Anthony: You're at war?!
Cynthia stopped and looked at Anthony with an annoying expression.
Cynthia (exasperated): I keep forgetting how lazy you are and how little you pay attention to anything. I left a document explaining everything that was happening when I took a leave of absence! Director Lillie should've given you a copy!
Anthony: She did, but….
Anthony paused for a minute.
Anthony: I'm allergic to reading.
Cynthia groaned and continued to walk forward. Anthony followed her and put his arms behind his head.
Cynthia: Tempion is currently at war with the Obsidian Orcs.
Anthony: Wait, Orcs?! Electrens are related to Ogres so why would Orcs start a war with relatives of Ogres? Ogres are already physically superior to Orcs so it doesn't make sense that they would want to fight Electrens who are even more powerful.
Cynthia looked over to Anthony and grinned.
Cynthia (teasing): Well look who has a brain after all.
Cynthia then looked ahead.
Cynthia: Yes, it does seem like it would be suicide for Orcs to fight Electrens but the Obsidian Orcs are much stronger than any other Orcs. Normally that still wouldn't be enough to be an actual threat to the Electrens however, there's more factors involved.
Anthony stopped and sat down.
Anthony: Hold on, I'm sick of walking.
Cynthia looked at Anthony with an annoyed expression. She threw her arm up in disbelief.
Cynthia (annoyed): You are impossible!
Cynthia walked to a nearby tree. She then put Jason down by her.
Cynthia: Stay by me, okay?
Jason: Okay.
Cynthia then leaned against the tree that was behind her. Jason also leaned against the same tree right next to her.
Cynthia: Anyways, our spies have determined that the Obsidian Orcs seem to have acquired an unknown core that has increased their power by massive amounts. Making them a match for even our strongest soldiers.
Anthony: That doesn't sound good. Still, I don't see how that is a problem if you have the Anomalies.
Cynthia: The problem is that we aren't their only target. The Obsidian Orcs are targeting all Electrens. Electrens that live in separate civilizations than Tempion. And a lot of them don't possess the defenses we have because they were never involved in it to begin with so they get overwhelmed and massacred.
Anthony started to look disturbed.
Anthony: So you mean to tell me that they are killing Electrens that aren't even involved in the war?!
Cynthia looked away. She had a depressed look on her face.
Cynthia: Yes.
Anthony (shocked): This isn't war! This is genocide!
Cynthia looked back at Anthony. Jason, who was oblivious to the conversation, was drawing in the dirt with a stick.
Cynthia: Tempion is currently trying to absorb all the Electren Nations. If we all gather together, we can increase our strength and defense. We will also keep the Electren race from getting wiped out.
Anthony: How many nations have you absorbed?
Cynthia: A lot of nations have agreed to join us. In fact, over thirty have agreed. However…
Cynthia looked back down. She had a very depressed look on her face.
Cynthia: Less than half of them actually made it to Tempion.
Anthony looked very concerned.
Anthony: What happened?
Cynthia: The Orcs somehow knew the routes the nations were taking when relocating and ambushed them. Our intel suggests that they have hired humans that work as mercenaries and poachers.
Anthony tilted his head down in sadness.
Anthony: I had…. No idea it was this bad.
Cynthia: My, usually you are so relaxed.
Anthony: Well, how can I be?!
Cynthia: All we can do is try to rescue as many of our kind as possible. We have foster homes for kids who lost their families in the attacks.
Jason suddenly got up and looked towards the forest where it was completely dark. He heard heavy footsteps racing towards him.
Anthony: So, Jason and your other child lost their families to the Orcs?
Jason: Hey mom.
Cynthia: My daughter did. Jason however is a bit complicated. I actually found him at a-
Jason (interrupting): Mom!
Cynthia looked towards Jason.
Cynthia: What is it dear?
Jason (scared): Something's coming!
Anthony: What do you mean? I don't see anything.
Without hesitation, Cynthia got up and looked in the same direction Jason was facing.
Anthony: Cynthia?
Cynthia had a serious look on her face.
Cynthia: How big?
Jason (scared): Really big!
Anthony: Hold on, what are you guys talking abo-
Cynthia turned around towards Anthony. She put her finger over her lips to signal him to be quiet. She then turned back around.
Cynthia: How many?
Jason (scared): Uh…. Eight. No, ten.
Anthony, now concerned, stood up. He then took out a small black metal stick from his pocket. He pressed a button that was on the side of it and a long blade shot out from one end.
Cynthia: What sounds are they making?
Jason: Growling… And roaring.
Cynthia (muttering): There's no way. Not out here.
Cynthia grabbed Jason by his shoulders and pushed him towards Anthony.
Cynthia: Keep an eye on Jason!
Anthony (confused): What?!
Suddenly, several large quadrupedal beasts emerged from the woods. They were dark gray and possessed thick rock-like skin that covered their back, their sides, and their legs. Their heads were enormous with the biggest part being their massive jaws that were in an underbite and had enormous long canines coming from them. They had long white hair that covered their eyes and ears and extended all the way to their back. They had small slit-like nostrils that flared up when they took a breath. Their claws looked like bird's talons except much bigger.
Anthony (shocked): What the hell are those things?!
Three of them stared down at Cynthia.
Cynthia (urgently): Grab Jason and take him to the top of a tree!
Anthony: R-right!
Anthony put his sword away and leaned down towards Jason.
Anthony: Come on little guy!
Anthony grabbed Jason by the waist and lifted him up. However, Anthony started to struggle to keep holding Jason.
Anthony (straining): Holy crap kid! How much do you weigh?!
As Anthony tried to get to the tree closest to him, Jason began frantically flailing around.
Jason (panicked): Stop! Stop! Let go!
Anthony: Kid! I'm trying to help you!
Meanwhile, the beasts were charging at Cynthia who was jumping over them and making them crash into trees. She then called back to Anthony..
Cynthia: Anthony, forget what I said! Let Jason go!
Anthony (confused): What?! Okay fine!
Anthony let go of Jason. Jason started to walk towards Cynthia.
Cynthia: Jason! You need to climb the tree! Now!
Jason stopped for a moment. He then turned around and started climbing the tree that Anthony was heading to. Anthony climbed after him. Cynthia then jumped high in the air. She raised her hand up and fired an orb of electricity. The orb exploded and created bright lights. The guards that were back over by the walls of the kingdom saw the light and went through the gate and in the kingdom.
Guard 1: Sound the alarm! Fortify the walls now!
Suddenly, a blaring sound came from the inside of the kingdom. Several armored men appeared at the top of the wall with long spears. They all pointed their spears below the light Cynthia created. They then waited.
Meanwhile, one of the beasts charged at Cynthia from behind. Cynthia raised her leg up and then made a full roundhouse kick that hit the beast and sent it flying into a bunch of trees. Her kick left behind a trail of yellow light that faded away. The two other beasts then charged at her from opposing sides. As soon as they rushed her, Cynthia jumped high in the air to avoid them. The two beasts crashed into each other and fell to the ground in a daze. Cynthia then jumped on top of a tree. As the beasts got up, they started looking around. Cynthia then jumped from tree to tree until she got to Jason and Anthony. Cynthia turned around and looked at the creatures that were running around on the ground. Anthony walked over next to her.
Anthony: What the hell are those things?!
Cynthia: Gargoyles.
Anthony (confused): Gargoyles?! I thought Gargoyles were smaller, were stone statues in day time, and had wings.
Cynthia: The stone by day isn't actually true. Gargoyles are nocturnal so they look like they turn into statues. Also, there are more than one kind of Gargoyle. These kinds are known as Wandering Gargoyles. They are land-based, diurnal, and as you can see, they are a lot bigger than the ones you're thinking of.
Anthony looked down to see Gargoyles scampering around.
Anthony: Can they not see?
Cynthia: No, they are blind so they rely on their sense of smell. They are attracted to the sense of other monsters and demi-humans. However, the smell of humans is invisible to them.
Anthony: Oh so if I jump down there, they won't attack me?
Cynthia: I didn't say they wouldn't attack you. They are very large and wild. Just cause they can't smell you, doesn't mean they won't attack if they find you. If you touch them or if they hear you, they will tear you to shreds.
Jason got frightened and hugged the back of Cynthia's right leg. Cynthia placed her hand on Jason's head to comfort him.
Anthony: Well at least you warned the guards.
Anthony looked at Cynthia who had a concerned look on her face.
Anthony: What's the matter?
Cynthia: Something's not right. Wandering Gargoyles usually live in the Savage Lands. It's rare for one to wonder all the way here but for a bunch of them to end up here is just impossible.
Anthony: You think someone lured them here?
Cynthia crossed her arms and continued to watch the Gargoyles.
Cynthia: That could be a possibility. I should report this to-
Before Cynthia could finish, one of the Gargoyles charged right into the tree that they were on. The whole top of the tree shook from the huge impact.
Anthony: Whoa!
Cynthia: Crap! They found us!
Cynthia looked in the distance behind her. There she could see the wall that surrounded the kingdom of Tempion.
Cynthia: Let's hop on the tree tops and get to the kingdom!
Anthony: Okay! You go fir-
Another Gargoyle slammed into the tree and it started to fall over. Cynthia was about to jump when she felt Jason's hands start to slip off of her leg. She turned to look at Jason who had lost his grip and was falling towards the Gargoyles. His face was full of fear as he was trying to reach for Cynthia.
Jason (scared): MOM!
Cynthia (panicked): JASON!!!
Instead of jumping like what was originally planned, Cynthia doved after Jason. She grabbed Jason and shielded him with her body as they both fell to the ground where all the Gargoyles were waiting. Anthony, who was caught off guard by all this, held on to the tree as it fell to the ground. On the ground, Cynthia was standing in front of Jason who was crouched down and covering his ears. Cynthia was fighting off the Gargoyles who had them surrounded, with all her might. She kept smacking them away and blocking their assaults. Anthony, who was laying on the ground, noticed that Cynthia was struggling.
Anthony (thinking): She had no issue dealing with them before, so why is she having such a hard time now?
Anthony suddenly remembered Cynthia telling him to keep Jason away. He then looked at Jason who was paralyzed in fear.
Anthony (thinking): It's Jason! She can't go all out if she has to protect Jason!
Anthony tried to get up but he found his leg was pinned underneath the tree.
Anthony: Shit! Hey Jason! You gotta-
Cynthia (shouting): Be quiet! They will rush you if you shout!
Anthony paused for a moment. He could see Cynthia fighting for her life. Her clothes were being torn up, she was covered in bloody wounds, and the Gargoyles only intensified the assault. Anthony could see the terrified look on Jason's face. He then made up his mind. He took a deep breath and let out a scream as loud as he could.
Anthony (screaming): AHHHHHHHHH!!!
Cynthia turned around towards Anthony in horror.
Cynthia (panicking): WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Anthony continued to scream loudly. All the Gargoyles suddenly stopped attacking Cynthia and charged at Anthony. Anthony laid there, accepting his fate.
Anthony: Guess this is it.
Jason saw all the Gargoyles charge at Anthony.
Jason (crying): No, No!
Suddenly Jason got up. His hair started to glow yellow and his face turned bright red from rage. Electricity started to surge through Jason's body. Bolts began to crackle through the air around Jason.
Jason (angrily): GET AWAY FROM HIM!
Jason held his arms up with his hands open. Large amounts of electricity began to charge up in Jason's hands. Cynthia, who was still badly wounded, saw this happening and realized that Anthony was in the line of fire.
Cynthia (shouting): DUCK YOUR HEAD ANTHONY!!!
Without hesitation, Anthony laid down flat on the ground. The Gargoyles who heard Jason's scream turned around towards him. Suddenly, Jason let off a massive beam of electricity. The beam hit all the Gargoyles and they were all sent flying through the air. Anthony, who was right underneath the attack, felt the top of his head burn so he planted his face in the ground. The massive beam could be seen by the entire kingdom as it rocked by. The ground shook by the tremendous force of the attack so hard that it felt like an earthquake. The Gargoyles who were caught in it roared as they were all incinerated by the attack until there wasn't a trace of them left.
As the beam faded away, Jason was standing there still with his arms up. His whole body was bright red and he was shaking. Steam was coming off of his body. His hair turned back into its brown color and he then passed out and fell backwards. Cynthia quickly ran towards Jason and caught him before he hit the ground. She then lifted him up and placed him next to her shoulder for him to rest on. She then walked over to where Anthony was still pinned. Since the beam happened right above him, the fallen tree had the top side of it completely scorched. Anthony looked up at Cynthia who was standing over him.
Cynthia: How's your leg?
Anthony was dazed but was still able to respond.
Anthony: Just get it off please.
Cynthia stuck her foot underneath the fallen tree and kicked it off of Anthony. Anthony then stood up. His leg was bruised but he was able to somewhat stand and limp.
Anthony: Man, that was scary!
Cynthia was about to say something but she then saw the top of Anthony's head. The top of his hair was burned off which made him partially bald.
Cynthia: Uh….
Anthony: What?
Cynthia pointed to the top of her own head. Anthony reached for the top of his and felt the bald spot in his head.
Anthony (angrily): You have got to be kidding me!
Cynthia: Sorry.
Anthony sighed.
Cynthia: Anyways, what you did back there, when you were about to sacrifice yourself, I couldn't believe you were willing to do that.
Anthony: Well, I saw that it was the only way out for you guys.
Cynthia: I can't even begin to thank you. I always thought you were just a lady killer and a slacker but I guess I misjudged you.
Anthony: How about you thank me over dinner?
Cynthia suddenly gave Anthony a very angry look.
Anthony (nervously): I was kidding!
Anthony suddenly stopped and pointed towards Jason.
Anthony: Is he going to be alright?
Cynthia looked towards Jason who was asleep.
Cynthia: He's just tired.
Anthony: That kid, he really saved me. Now I know what you meant by he has unbelievably destructive power. That attack was insane!
Cynthia: I wasn't exaggerating. I was being modest.
Anthony: Still, I thought Jason didn't like me.
Cynthia: No, it's not that Jason doesn't like you. He just isn't good at socializing with others. He can't look many people in the eyes, his hearing is very sensitive, and as you could tell, he doesn't like to be touched by anyone who isn't me.
Anthony: Wow.
Cynthia: I'm trying to help him overcome this disability. It's a working process but he's getting there.
Jason's eyes then opened and he looked at Cynthia.
Jason: Mom?
Cynthia looked towards Jason.
Cynthia: Wakey wakey sleepy head.
Cynthia put Jason on the ground. Anthony then approached Jason and kneeled down so he was eye level with Jason. As Jason turned around towards Anthony, he quickly turned back around.
Anthony: Hey, Jason right?
Jason didn't say anything.
Anthony: You really saved my life there. You have incredible power that can be used to save all kinds of people.
Jason felt his chest lift up and glow warm. He couldn't help but smile in response to that.
Anthony: The Apex Guardians are always looking for people like you. You should think about joining in the future. Maybe you can even change the world with power like yours.
Cynthia smiled a bit and looked at Anthony.
Cynthia (jokingly): Who are you and what did you do with the lazy slacker I know?
Anthony (offended): Hey!
Cynthia giggled. Meanwhile, Jason turned back around towards Anthony. Cynthia and Anthony paused and said nothing. They both watched Jason. Jason's eyes were still looking away from Anthony. Suddenly, his eyes started to move slowly till he was looking directly at Anthony. Jason took a deep breath and smiled.
Jason (happily): I would love to!
Anthony had a huge grin on his face. Cynthia smiled and started to tear up as her son had worked up the courage to look at someone directly and talk to them.
Anthony (happily): I can't believe it!
Jason's smile suddenly stopped and he started to stare above Anthony. Anthony sighed in disappointment but continued to smile.
Anthony: Well, at least he tried.
Cynthia meanwhile was trying to hold in her laughter.
Cynthia (snickering): Actually, he stopped looking at you cause he's distracted by something else.
Anthony: Distracted by what?
Cynthia was trying even harder not to burst out laughing but she could not contain it any longer.
Cynthia (laughing): Your head!
Anthony suddenly realized what she meant and covered the top of his head.
Anthony (angrily): Oh come on!
Some time later….
Cynthia was talking to the guards. Informing them on what happened. Anthony was seen wearing his hood to cover his head. Jason was by Cynthia poking the ground with a stick. The guards nodded and went back through the gate. Anthony then approached Cynthia.
Anthony: So what are you going to do?
Cynthia: We are going to send some spies to investigate what happened. In the meantime, we are going to focus on the war at hand.
Anthony: I see. Well don't let me get in your way.
Cynthia: What are you going to do?
Anthony: I'll report this to headquarters.
Cynthia: Don't forget about it.
Anthony: You think I would forget?
Cynthia kept staring at Anthony.
Anthony (awkwardly): Nevermind…
Cynthia looked away from Anthony. Anthony turned around as well and was about to leave.
Cynthia: One.
Anthony turned back around towards Cynthia who was still looking away from him.
Anthony: One what?
Cynthia: A date. I'll go on one date with you. As a way of saying thanks.
Anthony's jaw dropped in response to that.
Anthony (shocked): No kidding?
Cynthia turned around and walked towards Anthony. As she stopped in front of him, she gave him a slight peck on the cheek. Anthony's face turned bright red. Cynthia held Anthony's chin gently.
Cynthia: Enjoy that. Cause that's all you're going to get.
Anthony (infatuated): O-okay….
Cynthia turned back around and walked towards the gate. She grabbed Jason's hand and the two walked inside. Anthony stood in a daze and smiled as he watched the gates close.
Anthony: She is one hell of a woman. But she is definitely out of my league.
Anthony then headed back to his ship.
Anthony: Well, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.