PAGE 1
Devlon calmly stands over Wendy. With compassion and pity in his eyes, he holds his blade at Wendy's face. Wendy, on all fours, struggles but can't seem to get up.
Wendy: He completely knocked the air outta me.
Devlon: "Wendy. Don't you see? If this were the real deal, you'd be at my mercy."
Suddenly, black smoke rises from Devlon's back.
Devlon: "Huh? What's that smell?"
Wendy struggles, but pushes herself up and holds her abdomen.
Wendy: "That…is a dud. Cuz if this were the real deal, you wouldn't be spared long enough to even be at my mercy because your entire back would have been blown off!"
The spectators are astounded.
Iris: She's so hard core!!!
Chase: "Check and mate."
Terry: "Dang." I wasn't expecting that.
Jasmine: "Seriously Devie. I didn't think you'd be this pathetic! Get a grip."
Elliot: Man. Wendy's amazing!
PAGE 2
Wendy gains her composure while Elliot walks over to her.
Elliot: "When did you even plant the bomb?"
Wendy: "When I wrapped my legs around him. It looked like an act of desperation, but…"
*FLASHBACK*
Flashback to when Wendy bit Devlon's shoulder.
Wendy: "Pretty childish way to fight, but biting still hurts. It's natural for your brain to pay more attention to the most intense physical touches. In his case, the pain on his injured shoulder."
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Wendy stands up straight.
Wendy: "Because of that pain…he didn't notice the sticky bomb I planted. Didn't even feel it. Right, Devlon?"
Devlon turns his head towards Wendy, but doesn't make eye contact. He carries a mixed look of shame, embarrassment, and guilt.
Devlon: To remain calm after being overpowered and think of that under pressure. She's definitely a genius.
Though she's still serious, Wendy appears to have calmed down.
Wendy: "You're faster and stronger than I am. But that doesn't mean I can't hold my own. I've been in worse situations. So, please…"
PAGE 3
Clearly upset, Wendy gets in Devlon's face, jamming her finger into his chest.
Wendy: "DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!"
She walks past Devlon. Devlon continues to look down, guilty and defeated.
Wendy walks past Devlon, moving her hair from her face.
Wendy: "I'll be in the hot tub. I'll be equipped with real bullets, so please don't bother me."
Elliot raises a fist, not knowing what to say.
Elliot: "Go team?"
Forte approaches Devlon.
Forte: "It seems you lost. Look, I understand how you feel. But, she's not Karla. And she's also able to hold her own. Besides, you'll be on a team with her and Elliot when the time comes."
Devlon: "I know, sir. I know that. I just…I see her. I see her every time I look at Wendy. *sigh* She must really hate me."
PAGE 4
While Devlon continues to process everything, the spectators walk past him. Jasmine leads the line, counting dollar bills.
Jasmine: "Thanks for the show, Devie. Thanks to you, I get to go shopping."
Chase: "She's got spunk, for sure." Cute, smart, AND talented.
Terry: "Now I wanna finish a fight with her. Don't feel bad, D."
Iris: "My new big sis is so cool!"
Devlon begins to walk with the rest of the crowd. Elliot's behind him.
Elliot: "Ah, don't sweat it, D. C'mon. Wanna show me where we can get some snacks?"
Forte: "That'll have to wait."
Elliot: "For real?" I'm hungry.
Forte: "Devlon. If she were an enemy, that would have cost you your very life. Underestimation is not wise in a fight."
Devlon: "I know. I wasn't trying to, I just… *sigh*"
Forte: "I know. But now you see what she's capable of. Now consider her leveling up. She'll be a beast."
Forte compassionately places a hand on Devlon's shoulder.
Forte: "Anyway, let's just move past this and go forward."
Forte turns around and smiles.
Forte: "Thanks for coming back!"
Wendy stands in the doorway next to a military bot.
Wendy: "Well, you rang for a bot to escort me back, right? Did I miss something?"
PAGE 5
Forte: "Ahh, ya know. Devlon here has something to say to you."
Devlon: "Huh? Oh…right."
Devlon walks over to Wendy in an apologetic manner. Wendy stands with her arms crossed.
Devlon: "Wendy I…"
Devlon: *Sigh* "I shouldn't have treated you like a helpless child. You have amazing reflexes, agility, and..er- anyway…I'm sorry."
Wendy's tense shoulders lower. Hearing the apology causes her to be just a bit more relaxed.
Wendy: "Mm. Well, I hope I've proven myself. I'll forgive you. But if we're gonna be a team, just remember this day. Oh, and I'll require you to pay for a professional massage."
Devlon's guilt quickly shifts to confusion.
Devlon: "What?! Why?"
Wendy closes her eyes, turning her head to the side as she pouts.
Wendy: "You hit me very hard! That is not how you treat a lady!"
Devlon: "But…but. We were fighting….and…" I am so confused.
PAGE 6
Forte: "Great! Then it's settled. I'm so glad you're all making up. I did some snooping into your info and found that you're all close in age, so maybe consider a night out some time. Just the three of you."
Elliot: "Same age group? I'm 16 goin on 17."
Devlon: "Yeah, the two of us are close in age. I'll be 18 toward the end of the year."
Wendy: "The two of you? Um, hellooo! There's still me, remember?"
Devlon: "Yes. But he's talking about being close in age."
Wendy: "Yeah, I know!"
As the back and forth continues, Elliot and Forte look extremely nervous with sweat pouring from their faces. Elliot bites his nails.
Wendy: "Just how old do you think I am?"
Elliot: Oh God! Devlon, shut up. Shut up!
Forte: Surely he wouldn't …
Devlon: "I dunno…25?"
Close up of Wendy, her jaw DROPS!
Wendy: "AH!"
Elliot and Forte are in the background, slapping their foreheads. Devlon's face is…clueless.
Devlon: "What, should I have gone higher?"
Forte and Elliot's eyes grow so large they take up more than half of their faces.
Forte & Elliot: "WHAAAAT!" He's a dead man.
Devlon turns around and looks at Forte and Elliot. He seems lost as to why the two are acting the way they are. Forte speaks at a podium with a casket in front of him. A framed picture of Devlon stands on top of the casket. Both Forte and Elliot are dressed in black. The military bot is there as well, dressed in black.
Forte: "And on this day, we'd like to remember our beloved Devlon."
Elliot: "I didn't know him long, but he was a pretty cool guy. And if no one claims it, I'd be honored to inherit that cool sword." *sob*
Devlon: "What are you guys doing? It's not like that. She carries herself well and is so experienced and-"
PAGE 7
An angry nerve forms on Wendy's head.
Wendy: "I'm 18 you jerk!"
Devlon: "I mean, you don't look old. You just act…not old, but you're so experienced and…"
Elliot: Dude, stop talking!
Wendy looks down and to the side. She rubs the side of her arm, her anger seeming to transition to a bit of sadness.
Wendy: "I just…had to grow up really fast."
Wendy lets out a sigh and turns around.
Wendy: "Well, if that's all, I'm pooped. My hot tub is calling."
Forte: Devlon lives to see another day, it seems. "I'll have dinner sent your way soon. In the meantime, I'm gonna go take care of some boring grownup stuff. We'll touch base tomorrow."
Elliot walks over to stand next to Devlon, casually resting his hands behind his head.
Elliot: "Broooo. She hates you."
Devlon: "And you think she's crazy about you?"
Elliot: "Bruh. Less than 24 hours after we met, she's requesting a unique breakfast made special for me."
The next panel displays Wendy finally getting her wish; she's relaxing in her hot tub, covered in bubbles.
Wendy: "Aaaaahhh yes. Soak all my troubles away."
PAGE 8
Change scenes.
Setting: Outside in a neighborhood dark alley. Night time.
Voice: "One thing after another, huh?"
Two teenage boys walking down the street.
Boy #1: "I can't believe it. What are the chances we'd end up being irregulars?"
Boy #2: "Right?"
Boy #1: "Maybe with a new ability you'd stop being afraid to go out this late."
The boys stop walking and face each other.
Boy #2: "That's because of all the weird stuff going on! The disappearances, and a second explosion at Maple Mall!"
Boy #1: "Yeah. I heard no one's seen that kid after he won the Super Avenue Fighter tournament. But what happens next? We should keep this a secret so people don't act weird towards us. You thnk-"
*clank
Boy #2: "What was that?"
The boys turn around, both alarmed.
Boy #1: "Who's that?"
Boy #2: "It's probably an officer. We're way past curfew. Just act natural, okay?"
Boy #2 waves.
Boy #2: " Um, we're sorry officer! We'll head back home now."
Front view of a shady figure standing still on the sidewalk.
Boy #2: "He isn't saying anything."
Boy #1: "He's probably not a cop. Look pal, if you're a burglar or somethin', just get lost!"
PAGE 9
The figure doesn't respond. It just continues to stand there.
Boy #2: "Maybe he's a patrolling military bot?"
Boy #1: "That would explain the lack of social skills. Mr. Bot, we're on our way home, alright? Nothin' to see."
The figure continues to stand, but the left hand of the figure enlarges and grows very long claws, similar to those Tyrants from the older Resident Evil games.
The boys panic.
Boy #1: "THAT AIN'T NO MILITARY BOT!"
Boy #2: "RUN!"
The boys turn around to run, but immediately are frozen in fear.
Boy #1: "You gotta be kidding me."
They're stopped by two more of these figures who were behind them the whole time.
Boy #2: "Wait. Is it money you want? Please! Don't hurt us!"
Bird's view of the neighborhood again. Nothing but screams are heard.
PAGE 10
Scene change.
Back to Site 7. It's a new day. Forte stands in front of Wendy's bedroom door with Devlon and Elliot. There's a small note on the front of the door.
Forte: "Alright, are you guys ready? Let's see if Wendy's all ready to go."
Devlon: "Okay, let's go."
Forte: "Eh, you'd better wait at a distance, Devlon."
Devlon: "Huh? Why?"
Close up on the note. It reads "No Devlons Allowed. Will Shoot."
Forte: "Mmm, no reason, really. It just only takes one person to check on her, ya know?"
Wendy opens her door, standing at the entrance of her room.
Forte: "Are you all ready to go?"
Wendy: "Yeah. It's just…you're making me take a road trip with those two because…?"
Forte: "You needed to get some stuff from your apartment, right? Well, Elliot hasn't even been home since you arrested him. His folks are probably worried."
Elliot: Took me no time at all to get ready; I don't have a single thing to pack.
Wendy's eyes dart at Devlon.
Wendy: "Okay. But why does he have to come?"
Forte: "I thought it'd be nice for you all to know each other a little better. Remember, you're a team."
Close up on Forte as he looks up to think, rubbing his chin.
Forte: Well, that and…
PAGE 11
*FLASHBACK*
In this flashback, Forte speaks with Devlon in his room, taking place just a couple hours ago.
Forte: "I'd like you to go with them, if that's okay."
Devlon: "Hm? Why? I don't have any personal belongings to bring back." I already live here.
Forte: "Well, I kinda want you to see the city they came from. You haven't really been out in a while. But I'd like you to go somewhere that isn't connected to a dangerous mission for once.."
Devlon: "So, like a mini vacation? What if I'm needed here?"
Forte: "No, scratch that. This is your first mission as leader of Unit 17. That's an order. Now get to know your team, and go have some fu.-er… I mean …observe your team's core strengths. I'm counting on you."
Devlon: "Yes sir!"
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Scene change.
Setting: Outside in the large parking lot right outside Site 7. Wendy's in the driver's seat of a car. Forte stands outside of the car.
Forte: "Hotel's already paid for. That way you can get some rest after you get your things."
Wendy: "Thanks. We'll be back sooner than later, that's for sure." I don't think I wanna extend a stay with these two.
Forte: "Oh, and consider this car yours."
Wendy: "Wait, really?!"
Forte: "Yep. I think you'll like some of the gadgets and whatnot."
Close up on the front mirror. There's a small remote dangling from it.
Forte: "Just remember to keep that remote with you. Matter of fact, it should go in your pocket. It'll come in handy if you run into trouble."
PAGE 12
Scene change. Setting: In Jasmine's room.
Devlon speaks to Jasmine in her room, alone.
Devlon: "So, what did you wanna talk about? We're gonna leave soon, so let's not play around."
Jasmine: "Look, you and I are pretty close, so I can be real with you for a moment. It's been rough lately. And I'm sure seeing that girl's pretty face is causing issues. You need a release."
Devlon: "A release? Wait, what do you mean?"
Jasmine rolls her eyes.
Jasmine: "Ugh. Is she affecting your intellect, too? C'mere."
Jasmine rests her head on the side of Devlon's face as she embraces him, her eyes closed.
Jasmine: "I'm only gonna do this once. C'mon. Hugs are mutual, ya know. I won't bite."
Devlon: "You might."
Jasmine: "You know me so well, huh?"
Devlon reciprocates Jasmine's embrace.
Jasmine: "Okay, now breathe with me. Theeeere ya go. Devie…"
Devlon: "Hm?"
Close up on Jasmine's mouth as she speaks into Devlon's ear.
Jasmine: "She's gone, Devie."
PAGE 13
Devlon's eyes widened upon hearing those words swell with tears. Jasmine lays a hand on the back of Devlon's head, embracing him tighter.
Jasmine: "She's gone. But look at what remains, you fool. We're still here. And we've got your back! Now straighten up, before I gut you."
Still embracing Jasmine, Devlon closes his eyes. He seems to be at ease now.
Devlon: *sigh* "Thanks, Jazz."
5 seconds later…
Jasmine awkwardly looks up and rolls her eyes to the side.
Jasmine: "Aaaaaaand now it's awkward. Sorry for this next part. I just can't be all sentimental for very long."
Jasmine "self destructs," causing a watery explosion point blank in Devlon's face.
Devlon stands in the middle of the room, all wet up. There's water all over the walls and dripping from the ceiling. A nerve of frustration forms on Devlon's head. Though Jasmine technically can't be seen (as her body exploded into water droplets), her voice can still be heard:
Jasmine: "Now get out. Don't wanna miss your lovely date."
Devlon: "Of course you'd bite…"
Jasmine: "You know me so well."
PAGE 14
Scene change. Setting: Back to the car with Wendy. Elliot puts on his seatbelt in the back seat.
Wendy: "Yeah, that's fine. But I will not have you singing the whole way there, got it?"
Elliot: "Fine fine. But I'll need something to do on the ride." I don't wanna be bored.
Devlon hops into the passenger's seat. He looks slightly irritated as water drips from his body.
Wendy: "Um, what do you think you're doing? You can go sit in the trunk. And why're you all wet?"
Off screen voice: "Sorry about that. He was with me."
Jasmine pops her head in the passenger's window with a smile.
Jasmine: "He looked pretty tense, so I had him stop by my room to let off some steam. Sorry if he got a little drenched."
Wendy just freezes and stares at Jasmine.
Wendy: "…"
Jasmine rolls her eyes and chuckles.
Jasmine: "Somebody's got her mind in the gutter. You can have him. He's not my type. Unlike that one over there."
Jasmine makes her way to the back seat window and winks at Elliot.
Jasmine: "Try not to blow yourself up, kay?" Too cute.
Elliot nervously smiles at Jasmine.
Elliot: "Hehehe, sure thing."
Devlon: "Jazz, we've gotta go!
Jasmine: "See ya around."
The trio takes their leave.
PAGE 15
Bird's view of the car going down a long road.
Elliot: "1 Million bottles of beer on the wall. 1 million bottles of BEER! Take one down-"
Wendy: "Elliot, I swear!"
Devlon: "Wait. How does the rest of the song go?"
Wendy: "Do NOT encourage him, Devlon!"
PAGE 16
Scene shift. Setting: Unknown. It appears to be in a lightly furnished room.
Stone, the man that Elliot encountered in Chapter 1, holds a device in his hand. There's a young woman next to him, peeking at the device. She has hot pink hair with an asymmetrical cut. She has jade green eyes. Caucasian. Very pretty.
Young woman: "Hm? Pick somethin' up?"
Stone: "Yeah. Remember that young officer we saw in the video? Well, that same night, I tracked an irregular heading north in a cop car. It might've been her."
Young woman: "Cheah, so?"
Stone: "Well, I just picked up a signal of TWO irregulars coming from that same direction."
Young woman: "You think it's the same boy and officer?"
Stone: "Maybe. I can only track up to a few miles, so who knows how far their actual location is, but I wonder where they're held up."
Young woman: "That irregular tracker is super helpful, huh?"
Stone: "Yeah, but I can only track a limited distance. So, assuming it's the same guy from the video is a stretch. This device is far from perfect."
The young woman playfully nudges Stone.
Young woman: "Like somebody I know."
Nerves form around Stone's head.
Stone: "Well, whether it's them or not, we have two irregulars that made a stop in town at a fancy hotel. Hey Jade, tell the boss I'll be back."
Stone walks away.
Jade: "Where ya going?"
Stone: "I'm gonna go introduce myself."