Again, parts of this chapter were inspired from sci fi. Caprica the show as well as Battlestar Galactica and even A Certain Magical Index. Go watch all of these right now.
Shining Armor twirled a crystal knife around absentmindedly while he stared at what had been the cause of a few not so minor headaches in front of him.
“So… you want to be hired as a security consultant the night of the Gala?” he asked.
The android in front of him rolled his eyes, “Listen, this wasn’t really my idea. It was hers.”
He glanced at the Wonderbolt Captain sitting in a nearby chair. She just looked up with a bewildered look on her face.
“Who? Me?” she asked.
Shining frowned, “What makes you think that I would hire you for one of the most important nights of the year?”
“Well for one I’ve showed your guard up a few times. Not too hard really. Back where I’m from you can have security so tight that even the air in the room doesn’t leave.”
“Uh, huh… Well I do have to begrudgingly admit that you have done quite a bit to humiliate us rather nicely so no problems there. Now then, what kind of ‘security’ experience do you have?”
“None, however I noticed on the way into this fortress, if that’s what you want to call it, that there was approximately a five minute opening on the east wall when your guards switch shifts. In all honesty I could have just hopped the wall with a bomb or poison or something else and wreaked all sorts of havoc. And you lack redundancy in almost everything so finding spots where you are simply not looking is also rather easy to do.”
Shining looked down at an unseen piece of paper, “Yeah… that’s getting fixed.”
Spitfire gave a thumbs up.
“Now I guess all that’s left is the matter of if you can fight or not.”
Spitfire made a funny choking sound. Shining diverted his gaze over to her.
“Is something the matter Captain?” he asked.
“No, no, just, uh, kind of a stupid question.”
“Really…”
“Yes really. Perhaps a simple demonstration. Jett?”
Jett sighed, “I can guarantee that I can take that knife from you and nail you to your own desk with it.”
“Yeah right,” The Guard Captain said standing up and walking around to confront him, “I’ve had more years’ worth of training and experience than you’ve likely been alive an-”
The android’s right hand was suddenly on the Captain’s neck pushing him down on his desk while his left grabbed his hand and wrenched the knife from it while pinning it behind his back. He caught the knife and impaled it down upon the Captain’s collar, nailing him to the mahogany surface.
“One advantage that he does have over you,” Spitfire said rather amused, “Is that he’s faster than you could ever hope to be.”
“Yeah,” Shining said with strain in his voice, “I can see that. Now can you get your hand off my head and let me up?”
Jett retracted his limbs and returned to a more passive state. Shining pulled the knife out of his shirt.
“Damn, Cadence is gonna kill me for this,” he said looking at the hole in the cloth. Jett merely shrugged.
“So?” Spitfire asked.
“Yeah, yeah, he has the job. But YOU captain better keep an eye on him. Last thing I need is him wrecking another section of street.”
Spitfire glanced back at the robot, “Yeah I think I can do that.”
“Good. Show up here again tomorrow and we’ll get you started on what you need to know and how you think you could help us… improve things.”
“Sure,” he replied absent mindedly.
“Alright. Now both of you get out of here. I have to figure out how I’m going to explain this to my wife.”
Jett turned on a heel and left the office with Spitfire close behind him.
“Well you got the job,” Spitfire said happily.
“Yeah…” Jett said simply.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. Just feeling a little… off. But then again I’ve been feeling off ever since I got my head kicked in so I guess this is the new normal.”
“Well as much as I hate to say this, the Shadowbolts did actually do something right for once in getting you your old memories back. Amnesia was getting annoying.”
“Well imagine living through it. It’s like getting drunk and then waking up and remembering all the fucked up shit you did the previous night. Not fun.”
“I guess I can understand that.”
“Yeah, but now everything is just… different. I don’t know, maybe I miss home or something. But again, I have to keep reminding myself that home is probably destroyed even if I could go back.”
“Do you ever want to go back?”
“Sometimes… more recognizable people and stuff there. But none of you people are there… it’s difficult sometimes. I’m trying what you said; being more positive and trying to look at things from a different angle but still. I have to work at it.”
“Well I’m at least glad you’re making an effort.”
They walked out of the castle into the courtyard. The guards in the towers turned and glanced down at them. Jett raised his arm, made a finger gun and ‘shot’ it.
“So when our tour season starts up we’ll be gone from the base for a few months,” Spitfire said.
“And?”
“Well I was wondering if you, uh, wanted to come with us.”
“Come with you?”
“Yeah, your part of the team now.”
“I don’t fly or do anything noticeable,” he replied.
“Yes you do. You take care of our tech and help manage our planes. I’d say that’s pretty important.”
“I don’t see anyone asking for my autograph. Not to sound conceited or anything because you know how much I hate that but the job just doesn’t seem that important to me. You guys are the stars; I don’t see why you should have me around as luggage.”
“Come on, don’t be that way,” She pouted.
“I still have a few things to take care of here.”
“Like?”
“Well for one I haven’t finished all of your next generation planes yet. I’ve only done yours, Soarin’s, Fleetfoot’s and Misty’s. That and there’s still the matter of the massive weapon ship that’s been in geosynchronous orbit above this city. There’s no real place to put it.”
“Well could we have it?” Spitfire asked.
“You?!”
“Yes, make it an official Wonderbolts’ Vehicle.”
“No, absolutely not. For one it’s loaded with world destroying weapons and technology. Just disarming the nuclear warheads on that would take months! And I am not about to go reviewing nuclear physics again.”
“Relax; I’m just messing with you.”
“That ship is staying where it is until I find something better to do with it. Honestly, why did that damn thing have to come with us?”
“Would you have rather it stayed and been taken by those people now likely occupying Earth?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean I wanted it. I mean, it’s the most advanced piece of technology, minus the two androids living here, within ten thousand light years of this planet.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure out something to do with it.”
“Fly it into the sun.”
“No don’t do that.”
“Hmm. I still don’t think I’ll be coming with you. Too much stuff to do, so little time. That and I think I may want to leave the Wonderbolts.”
Spitfire stopped in her tracks, “Leave? But why?”
“No offense but my job consists of that of a mechanic. Personally I think that it’s squandering my talents. I think I’d like to work at a lab or university somewhere. I could use what I know to help propel scientific advancement here.”
“But you also design planes for us.”
“That’s easy. In all honesty I’m surprised that a race that consists of flying people would have such a hard time designing something capable of flight. You’ve already seen what I can do. I’m not living up to my full capabilities. I’m not even necessary. Dane can stay if he wants, I don’t control him, but I’d rather do something more in line with what I can really do. Here… I just fix planes Spits. You do the fun part.”
“If you want to fly I’m sure we can work something out!”
“Spitfire I don’t have wings. I’ll admit I did sometimes get jealous over your ability but that’s not my reason for wanting to leave. I don’t do anything important. Even if I built a jetpack or something I wouldn’t fit in with the rest of the team when flying. Plus that would not be fair to those who have the ability and are working hard to join.”
“What do you mean? You and Dane are far more qualified than ALL of our present candidates.”
“But not motivated. At least I’m not. I’ve heard of some girl named Rainbow Dash that’s been busting her ass to get on the team. She’s got far more drive than I do and right now I have none.”
They exited the castle and entered the streets of the city. Spitfire lagged behind him.
“I just don’t have the drive to do much of anything right now. If I’m going to have a job I’d rather it be something that can test me and my abilities.”
“But if you’re gone, when will I-we ever see you?”
“Don’t know. Probably get an apartment in the town or I may just move to another city all together if Canterlot doesn’t have what I’m looking for. But… I wouldn’t be leaving right away. I’d still be around for a little while.”
“Okay…” Spitfire said quietly.
“But for now, I’ve got to start preparing for that Gala of yours.”
***
Dane frowned, “He wants to leave?”
“Yes! He said this place doesn’t suit his talents anymore!” Spitfire said her voice an odd mix of anger and worry.
“Well to be quite honest he is a little bit right about that. I mean I’m perfectly content here but I’ve always been this way. He could just never sit still.”
“What do you mean he’s right?! Are you defending him in this?”
“Spitfire, you have to understand what we were designed for. We’re the best espionage devices ever created. And that’s just what we’re for on paper. In reality we could honestly do whatever we wanted with little effort. Really the analogy is like using a computer as a paper weight.”
“Is he really that undervalued here? Why didn’t he say anything before?”
“He didn’t even know who you were then, let alone what he was. You know he found school boring before you showed up. In fact he took as many advanced classes as possible just to make it slightly challenging but every day he would complain about why he even got out of bed in the morning.”
“So he’s just gonna leave? Just like that?”
“Well all he does is fix planes and occasionally upgrade them. It’s more of a part time job. So it’s not really necessary that he leave but he could get another job and still work here.”
“Well then why doesn’t he? Why does he have to leave?”
“You haven’t really given him a reason to stay.”
“What are you talking about? How are his friends not a good enough reason?”
“You’re forgetting that he again just lost his whole identity. I think he’s looking for an experience that doesn’t have us involved on purpose. It’s not that he doesn’t like us anymore but… he’s just confused I think. He doesn’t know what to do so he’s trying to find something else that works.”
“Well can’t he do that and stay here with us?!”
“He could… but you’d have to convince him to stay.”
Spitfire sighed, “Great, how the fuck am I gonna do that?”
“Oh I think you know.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“You’ve held off on doing it for months now to the point where if you don’t let it out I’m worried you may die.”
“I, but, I can’t. The moment has to be perfect. I can’t just go up to him and… say it.”
“Well you either do that or you may lose him. Like I said, I can’t control him and force him. But you can convince him to maybe stick around with those three little words.”
“But, how? I mean, I already almost did it already but then he got shot in the head and… well you already know the rest. It was perfect there. The music was right, the moment was perfect. And again when we were in Hawaii but then you ended up calling and spoiling it again.”
“Really? That’s what you were about to do?! Shit, fuck, goddamn it. But anyway, you have to do something. Just let him know that he has people here who care about him. He may want to try something new to figure out who he is but he doesn’t have to leave everyone who cares about him behind to do so. Just try to convince him of that.”
“I suppose I could try something at the Gala. It would be more like a second prom night if anything.”
Dane smiled, “Good. Now all that’s left is that wild card of a friend we have. So are you going to get all dressed up nice? Dress? Stiletto heels? Make up? Ear rings? The shit like that?”
“No, no. We’re flying that night so why would I wear a dress? I hate dresses; can hardly move when wearing one. I’ll probably wear just my military stuff with a bomber jacket. But I’ll try to look nice.”
“Good. So now what?”
“Well, I guess all we can do now is wait. Jet’ll be gone most of the day since he’s working security at the Gala.”
“Alright. Then mentally prepare yourself because that’s all you can really do at this point.”
***
The next few weeks were interesting to say the least. Jett was gone most of the day going over security with Shining Armor as well as setting up DNA scanners in the event that a member of a certain shape shifting race attempted to gain access to the event. Networked together they would all be controlled by the android, giving him an almost radar like ability to see the entire castle grounds. He also helped to adapt the guard shifts so everything overlapped and was redundant to the point where there would be no blind spots.
Spitfire meanwhile continued practicing with her team, preparing for their Gala performance with the Shadowbolts. She worked her team hard but they didn’t complain. All the while she mentally went over her hypothetical confession to the enigmatic robot. Still, she was finding the exercises to be rather… useless.
Dane meanwhile got closer with Fleetfoot. While not official they had gone on several dates with each other to the point where it would be unlikely anything else was happening. Fleetfoot appeared to enjoy his company immensely. She could almost always be seen receiving water from the android during practice breaks and receiving cheers from him during actual flight.
Gin and Blaze however seemed to already be in a rather serious relationship with each other. No one could really figure out just HOW it began, mainly because superficially they appeared to hate each other’s guts but somehow they made it work. But still, outside looking in you would find a more peaceful couple in that of a fundamentalist and an anti-theist.
Meanwhile across town the Shadowbolts were practicing as well for their part of the show. Many of the Shadowbolts were angry about Nightshade letting a certain robot off the hook but they couldn’t complain or voice their concerns out of fear that Nightshade would tear them all a new one, Stratus included. Still, they had to bite their tongues and prepare for the show.
Days turned into weeks as the night approached. Jett was eventually called in to meet with one of the Princesses about the new security measures put in place as well as to receive some scolding about the series of fights he’d been a part of in the city but he didn’t really care too much and in all honesty, neither did the Princess. The android carried on with his work with a certain disinterest.
However as everyone went about with their business, the Gala night crept up on them and soon it was upon them. It was going to be just another annual white-collar, rich people, nobility laden event…
***
Jett frowned as he tightened his outfit. He wasn’t in the normal guard armor as the Shining Armor wanted him to wear; rather he was wearing an officer’s suit from the Acheron in orbit. It was two pieces, generally all black with bits of grey along the collar, shoulders, and upper chest as well as the wrists and ankles. He wore the shoes that went with it. On the left part of the chest was a badge that had the fleet symbol on it. He grabbed a belt that had a chrome plated bottom feeding revolver attached to it and tied it to his torso.
He zipped up the jacket and examined himself in the mirror. He had to at least look professional enough if he was going to be doing security here. He glanced over at his workshop table. One of his older creations was sitting upon it; if needed he could use it. He grabbed the pack and slung it over his back and pulled the straps on and pressed an auto tightening on the strap. It hugged the suit and the robot wearing it ensuring he would not lose the bag easily.
Dane busted down the door wearing a simple tux, “Dude, you ready?”
Jett turned, “Yeah, yeah. Just grabbing a few things.”
“The hell’s that pack for?”
“Emergencies.”
Dane rolled his eyes, “Find more fuckin’ cheer at a funeral.”
“I’m supposed to be professional.”
“Professional doesn’t mean dead.”
“Whatever. We should get going, the team won’t wait forever,” Jett frowned walking over to the stairs.
“Yeah, special night.”
“As special as a congressional fundraiser.”
“Would you stop being so cynical? Yes it’s a rich people’s event but there’s going to be some important people there as well as your friends you could at least try to act interested for fuck’s sake.”
“Fine, but no promises.”
“Have to twist your arm on everything,” Dane mumbled.
“What was that?”
“Nothing, sorry for fucking disturbing you jackass.”
“Oh don’t worry about it; I’ve been disturbed for a long time.”
“Yeah,” Dane said with a slight smile, “I noticed.”
“What was it you said about acting interested?” Jett asked as they walked up the stairs to the cars waiting for them. A group of limousines was waiting to take the team and their dates if they had any to the Gala.
“Shut up and get in the limo dummy.”
Jett turned, “After you, paper boy. I’m in charge of security, remember?”
“Yeah, yeah, no need to be a twat about it,” Dane said as he entered the limo.
Jett pulled on a pair of black sunglasses linking him to the network of scanners already at the palace and entered the vehicle behind Dane. Dane had scooted over to sit next to Fleetfoot who was wearing her Wonderbolt’s flight suit with the hood pulled down. Next to her was Spitfire who had her hood up. Gin and Blaze sat next to her and were for once not screaming at each other. Farther down were more of the Wonderbolts with others in the limo behind them. Jett sat down across from Spitfire and raised an eyebrow.
She sighed, “Yeah I know, it’s not the most flattering thing I’ve worn.”
“Certainly leaves nothing to the imagination.”
“Well it feels like I’m wearing nothing at all,” she grinned.
“Good, then I don’t have to frisk you for weapons or anything dangerous like that,” He said removing his gun and checking the ammo on it.
“The hell is that for?”
“Your guard captain forced it on me. Apparently it serves as both a weapon and my guard badge in the event something happens,” Jett rolled his eyes.
“You look pleased.”
“Well when you have to strap this giant gun to your chest it gets to be a bit clunky but whatever,” he stopped and viewed an unseen image on his sunglasses before leaning towards the driver’s seat, “Hey driver, we’re ready to go.”
The limos started to move. Jett leaned back and started reviewing the security info about the gala. So far a few important people had arrived but Jett cared little about them. Scanners found them about as interesting as he did. Other things like the bands performing and the cooks had arrived without a hitch though there was always a chance someone could smuggle in some kind of- oh who the fuck was he kidding? This place was Candy Land. He relaxed back against the seat.
Spitfire pulled her hood down and ran a few fingers through her hair.
“So are you going to be keeping us safe all night?” she asked.
“From the looks of it,” Jett said unamused, “I have to walk around and keep an eye on things.”
“Will you be able to see us perform?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Tempt you? With what?”
“Target shooting the other team.”
“Oh.”
They rode through the city. It was night time so most of the capital was lit up. People seemed pretty excited though not all for the same reasons. While some were truly excited about that Gala others were happy for another reason. With most, if not all of the guard diverted to protect the palace there would be little if none at all in other parts of the city, allowing for almost Marti Gras like celebrations to take place. The limos however plowed through untouched and soon the castle was visible. They crossed the draw bridge and arrived at the main entrance.
Jett opened the door and stepped out, “Well this is where I leave you for the night. I may see you around the palace later tonight but unless I hear otherwise I’ll be well occupied.”
Spitfire sighed, “Alright, just… try to stay calm. Watch us perform if you can but not if you’re gonna end up killing someone.”
“No promises I can’t keep.”
With that he walked away into the crowd gathering to see the Wonderbolts exit. Camera’s flashed as the paparazzi made all sorts of noise as the team exited the limos. Questions were hurled at them and ignored as the team entered the castle.
***
Jett stood upon the castle wall and stared over the city. Bright lights, parties, good lives, decadence, what more could a person ask for? It was in a sense a city that had everything. Still, in a city that had everything he could not help but feel like the round peg in the square hole. Something that didn’t belong.
Ever since he’d busted his head and got back his identity as well as someone else’s in his break up with Starry Skies things had been different. He felt out of place, not belonging, confused and unsure of just what he was or what he was supposed to be. It bothered him to no end. Maybe leaving the Wonderbolts would be best. New experiences, new people, and living up to one’s capabilities. What more could someone ask for?
Times like this he enjoyed solitude. He could just think without the disturbances that came with Dane, Gin or Spitfire for that matter. Being alone like this allowed him to simply retreat into the confines of his mind.
A beeping noise got his attention. On his glasses it showed more people were entering the castle. He paid closer attention to the entrance. The names of everyone who was supposed to be on the guest list scrolled by as he scanned each face of every person who entered and checked them off the list. However there was one person entering that was not on the list that Shining had given him.
A blonde haired noble with two girls at his side was walking through the procession of people. He appeared to be basking in the bright lights and the attention the media gave him. But he was also exhibiting rude behavior to the other guests.
And he wasn’t on the list.
Jett glared down at the rather extravagantly dressed man before jumping down from the wall and landing directly in front of him, cracking the stone below. The girls at his side jumped while the noble flinched.
Jett frowned and turned towards one of the nearby guards and took a clip board from him and began turning through the pages.
“Nope, I was correct, you’re not on the list of guests,” he said, “Nor do you have proper identification visible to indicate your identity.”
He returned the board to the startled guard.
“Which leaves just one question. Who are you and why are you trying to get into the Gala?”
The noble recomposed himself and the aura of pompous certainty reestablished itself, “Either you’re really stupid or misinformed if you don’t know who I am.”
Jett just frowned, “Does that answer my question?”
“How can you seriously not know who I am?” He asked arrogantly.
Jett just sighed and took off his sunglasses, “Look, I don’t give a fuck who you are. Since you are so unwilling to cooperate I’m forced to give you this ultimatum.”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out the revolver and aimed it at the blond haired man’s head. The nearby crowd screamed and the noble froze.
“Either you produce proper identification that says you can attend or you can leave. Or there’s the third option though I don’t think you want to go down that road.”
In the midst of the confusion a certain voice was heard. Regal yet younger than Celestia’s or Luna’s.
Princess Cadance walked down the carpet and glanced at the scene before her. She sighed.
“Blueblood I told you to wear that badge the guards gave us,” she said, “They won’t let anyone in unless they are either on the list or have proper ID.”
She reached into her purse and produced a small credit card sized object. Jett glanced at it. She could come it. She walked up to the android.
“My apologies for the situation. My cousin isn’t always responsible when he needs to be,” she said, “But he is supposed to be here.”
Jett frowned and pulled on his sunglasses and went over the report again. Sure enough the name Blueblood was on there though no picture. Probably why he didn’t show up properly. Someone screwed up. He looked up at the patiently waiting Princess and pocketed the weapon.
“My mistake ma’am. You may enter.”
“No, we’re the ones who should be apologizing. If this guy would just remember to bring his things this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Thank you ma’am. Have a nice night.”
He sighed and crouched down and jumped back up onto the wall. Once all the excitement died down he sighed.
“Yeah, this job sucks.”
***
Spitfire flexed her wings. Their show would be starting soon.
Soarin’ walked up to her, “You know this situation seems eerily familiar.”
“Oh really? You think? Because last time we did a show like this you talked me into that teleportation stunt that landed me on another planet.”
“Uh, yeah, um, sorry about that.”
“Well you’re just lucky that I had fun while I was there.”
“Yeah, else I’d be dead right now.”
“At least this time we aren’t trying anything stupid,” she said pulling her hood up over her head.
Soarin’ blinked, “Define stupid because we’re doing this show with the Shadowbolts.”
“We’re not going to talk about it. We’re just going to fly and then enjoy the rest of the night.”
Fleetfoot walked up, “I really hope we don’t ‘enjoy’ tonight like the last few times we were here. Last time Prince Blueballs would not leave me alone and the time before that the Gala almost got destroyed by a certain six group of people.”
“Well you shouldn’t have to worry since your date is Dane,” Spitfire grinned.
“Thank Celestia for that. Now if that prick comes up to me again I can tell him to fuck off because I’ll actually have a good date for once.”
Soarin’ stretched, “Yeah, yeah, condoms are in the limo when we’re done here okay?”
“And they’re all too big for you,” Fleetfoot laughed.
“Shut up.”
“Alright, lock it all down. We have a show to do and then we have the rest of the season to do some worthwhile stuff on tour,” Spitfire said, “So let’s get it done.”
The team began lining up. Fireworks began shooting up into the air as two flight teams soared into the night sky. The crowd below uttered many oohs and aahs.
Up upon the castle walls sat Jett who watched from a distance as fireworks shot up into the sky and two groups of angels flew into the sky and began a well-choreographed dance.
Part of him wanted to stay and watch but another part was tempted to use the revolver he had in his pocket.
Finally after some internal debate he decided to leave and head inside the castle. Better to have the noise of rich and high class than to have to watch his friends and enemies perform in ways he could only dream of.
He climbed down a set of stairs, walked through a few hallways and was soon back inside the main palace. His job now would be to simply act as security and to keep things civil.
The inside of the palace was beautiful. Tall ceilings with stained glass windows reminiscent of those from large cathedrals. Most of the rooms currently open in the palace all served a purpose. The ball room housed the bands and musicians that were attending the event. The dining hall was situated to provide food as well as be a large social area for the guests to mingle while the outside gardens were available for those who wanted some fresh air or more peace and quiet.
As the show went on outside Jett moved through the different rooms in the palace before he stopped in the main dining hall.
He moved through the crowd of people towards the VIP area where Dane was seated when a tray of pastries spilled all over his suit.
“The hell?!” he said turning in the direction it came from.
Prince Blueblood and his trophies stood nearby looking rather amused. Jett flexed his fingers, resisting a series of violent urges before walking over to a table and grabbing a few napkins.
Prince Blueblood joined him, “You know, now that I think about it, you look a bit familiar.”
Jett was still ripping pissed, “Do I now?”
“Yeah, you’re the one who ruined my sports car.”
Jett turned glaring at the prince, his glasses hiding the psychological instability playing across his eyes, “Yeah well life sure does suck doesn’t it?”
“That was my favorite car.”
“And this was my favorite arm,” Jett said flexing his augment, “Quantify your car with a part a part of your body.”
“Ppfffft, please. Body parts can be regrown or reattached. Your people must be savages!”
Jett really wanted to kill this guy, “Which is why you still live on one planet.”
“Excuse me?” he asked.
“Oh I’m sorry, interplanetary travel is still beyond your capabilities. Normally I wouldn’t even associate with primitives like you but the circumstances aren’t exactly in my favor.”
The Prince grabbed him, “You still owe me a new car.”
“Touch me again and I’ll reverse your fucking blood flow,” Jett said prying the Prince’s hands off of him in a vice like grip.
“You just touched me!” he said rubbing his wrists, “Dirty peasant!”
He took a gloved hand and slapped the android in the face, knocking off his sunglasses. Jett realigned his head and gave the prince a hostile expression. One of his eyes twitched a bit unnaturally.
Jett’s fist struck out rather quickly and smacked the Prince right in the face, breaking his nose. Blood poured from his face.
“You broke my nose!” he squealed, drawing everyone’s attention.
Jett picked up his glasses, “Yeah, so I did. Life’s a bitch isn’t it?”
He turned and walked into the VIP section, not really caring to see what happened with the Prince next or more importantly, about the consequences of what he just did. He found Dane and Gin’s table, still whipping off his shirt, and sat down.
Dane blinked, “What the hell was that?”
“Remind me why I took this job?”
“Hmm, couldn’t tell you. So you wanna talk about what just happened there?”
“If my boss comes and asks then maybe,” Jett said piling up the used napkins on the table.
“Which boss are we talking about?”
“The guard captain you idiot,” Jett sighed, “Haven’t really been having the best of days.”
“Yeah, we could tell. But then again you having a bad day is about as exciting as the sun rising every morning,” Gin said.
“I’m sorry, have you tried doing this job?”
“No…”
“Good, because you wouldn’t want to do it because right now I don’t want to do it.”
Suddenly there was an extra person at the table. Jett turned. Shining Armor.
He pointed at the prince who was being attended to by a nurse, “Not okay.”
“Yeah, you know that doesn’t really bother me much,” Jett replied.
“Figured. And between you and me, not many people here like him too much so saying he didn’t deserve it would be a complete lie. Just… try to show some restraint.”
“He touches me again; I’m reversing his blood flow.”
“Don’t do that. Just… try and deal with it. Believe me, this isn’t the best of guard jobs to have.”
“Gee thanks.”
“At least you don’t have to keep track of that,” he nodded over in the direction of a certain pink haired girl rapidly eating away all the pastries and sweets on the desert table at what seemed to be physics defying speeds.
“Let’s just agree that none of us want’s the other’s job,” Dane said.
“Fine,” Jett said.
“Alright. I would say you should get back up and on the job but considering you’re already everywhere at once with that new whatever the hell devices you installed you can just stay here or do whatever you want for the night; minus killing Blondie over there.”
“Damn,” Jett sighed sarcastically.
“Well I’ll be seeing you two later.”
The guard captain stood up and left. Dane turned and glanced over at the prince before turning to Jett.
“You punched him in the face?”
“It’s not like he wasn’t asking for it,” Jett said.
“Reversing his blood flow?”
“Within the realm of possibility. I’m in a hostile mood right now.”
“Yeah, I can tell.”
***
Spitfire pulled on her bomber jacket as she left the makeshift locker rooms. She sighed. The performance went well in spite of the fact the two teams trained separately. The show allowed them to at least put on the façade that everything was A okay between the two.
It wasn’t.
Both teams still hated each other’s guts. When the Wonderbolts returned to their locker rooms there was much complaining about what the other team had done wrong or if they tried to throw a certain Wonderbolt out of formation or something along those lines.
She exited the lockers and headed into the palace to mingle the guests and fans for the rest of the night, as well as to get something personal in.
She entered the main lobby area where many guests were simply congregating to talk with each other. She was stopped by a few fans and had to sign some autographs and take a few pictures before she was allowed passage into the dining room.
Again she had to fight her way through a crowd of fans all the while with a smile on her face. Finally she made it to the VIP section and stepped inside. Other Wonderbolts who weren’t out as fast as she was were slowly making their way towards them as well. On the other side of the room some of the Shadowbolts had entered as well.
She glanced over at Jett. He looked handsome in his suit… even if it had a stain on it. She sat down next to him.
“Hey,” she smiled.
Without turning he replied, “Hey.”
“What happened to your suit?”
Dane interjected, “Prince Blueblood, if that is his name, happened.”
“What did he do?”
“Oh, he felt that my outfit needed some pastries attached to it and then he wouldn’t leave me alone,” Jett frowned.
“So Jett broke his nose.”
“After he hit me first,” Jett said.
Spitfire laughed, “I can’t really say there are any people around here who would be sad you did that.”
“He said I owed him a new car.”
“A new car? Wait… was he the guy whose car we destroyed in that fight?”
“Yes he was. And you know what, I’d do it again just for the hell of it.”
“Hmm.”
Fleetfoot and a few other Wonderbolts made it to the table, “Hey Dane.”
“Hey, girl. How was your show?”
“Awful. Blueball Bitch almost pushed me into the ground.”
“Well at least you’re here now, so enjoy the night.”
“Can we all go do something fun now?” Misty asked.
“Like?” Fleetfoot asked.
“Dancing?” Spitfire spoke up.
“Sounds like fun,” Dane smiled, “You coming Jett?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“No you don’t,” Spitfire said grabbing his hand and pulling him up out of his seat.
The group stood up, found their dance partners, and headed towards the ball room. Most of the Wonderbolts had entered when Jett and Spitfire were stopped by a young girl with a camera.
“Spitfire! Spitfire!”
She stopped, stopping Jett as well.
“Yes?” she responded kindly kneeling down to meet the young girl.
“Can I get your picture for my school’s newspaper?” she asked.
“Sure!” she responded warmly, “Can my friend be in it too?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
Spitfire tugged Jett’s hand dragging him down to her level. Spitfire smiled into the camera while Jett gave a blank though not hostile expression.
“Say cheese!”
“Cheese!” Spitfire said.
At the last moment she turned her head and kissed him on the cheek. The picture was of a certain blushing fly girl with a rather surprised robot with a pink stain on his shirt.
The girl looked at the picture as it developed with at first a perplexed expression.
“Well?” Spitfire asked, “Is that good?”
The girl smiled, “Yeah. It’s perfect. Thanks!”
“You’re welcome,” Spitfire smiled as the girl ran off excited as could be. Once she was far enough away as to be out of sight entirely, Jett turned.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“I wanted something nostalgic. Plus that’ll be one bomb the media will have a field day over,” she laughed.
“Of course.”
“Well enough of that noise. Let’s get to dancing!”
She grabbed his hand again and dragged him into the ball room. The music the band was playing was a bit softer and calmer; perfect for slow dancing.
The other Wonderbolts were already enjoying themselves with their dates. Spitfire turned and smiled at him and led him into the dimly lit room. She grabbed his other hand, feeling the cool metal in his hand and led it to her lower back.
Jett glanced around the room, “We seem out of place.”
“What gave you that idea?” Spitfire laughed.
“Well for one I’m in a stained fleet uniform and you’re in your jacket. And everyone else around us is in gowns and suits.”
Spitfire sighed and closed her eyes, “Do you think me or anyone else cares at this point?”
Jett blinked, “No, I guess not.”
She leaned her head into his chest, “Jett, are you happy here? With us?”
“Happy?” he asked before going silent, “I don’t know. I haven’t been able to feel anything for a while now.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know… I feel like a part of me is just… dead or gone. Both maybe. I can’t explain it.”
“Still trying to figure out who you are?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”
“Well you can’t do anything like that al-”
A beeping noise interrupted her. Jett sighed and tapped a button on his sunglasses.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Some drunk person’s causing trouble,” he sighed, “I have to go. Sorry.”
“No, go do your job. I’ll be here.”
“Alright, sorry.”
He left her side and ran out of the room towards the lobby.
***
Spitfire sighed and sat down at their table back in the dining room. Confusion was the one feeling prevalent in her mind. Could she still go on with her plan with him feeling this way? Hell, could she go on with it with her feeling this way?
She turned and glanced at Dane and Fleetfoot. They were enjoying themselves. She couldn’t ask Dane for advice and ruin his or Fleetfoot’s fun. There was one person she could ask for advice though.
Her sister. Though their relationship was strained at times but they still did care for each other. Nightshade had been incredibly worried about her when she learned her sister had gone missing. Even though their teams did not get along the two siblings worked out an amicable sisterly relationship.
She looked up and glanced over at her sister, sitting along at her table looking at something on her phone.
Spitfire glanced back at Dane before standing up and nervously walking over to her sister’s table.
Nightshade didn’t her approach. Spitfire nudged her. She looked up.
“Oh, hey sister,” she said casually.
“Hey,” Spitfire replied, “You got a moment?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“I found a guy.”
Nightshade blinked, “Okay, so that makes… number seventeen is it?”
“No not a guy like that. I mean… I think I found THE guy.”
Nightshade cocked her head, “Well this is new. Don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that before.”
“Because I’ve never seen someone as amazing as this.”
“Well don’t just sit there like a blabbering idiot. Who is he?”
Spitfire looked around the room, “Promise you won’t kill me or him for that matter?”
“Yes, yes, I promise. Now tell. This is juicy.”
“He’s… the guy who beat up some of your teammates,” Spitfire said uneasily.
Nightshade blinked, “Oh, so the robot that’s been hanging out at your base this whole time? Oh, well I guess in hindsight it does make sense.”
“Wait, you’re not pissed off about it?”
“No, no. While he did put a few of them in the hospital I can’t say they didn’t entirely deserve it. Starry Skies was playing two guys and Charger wanted revenge for getting beat up even though I told them not to do it. Mainly because the legal bullshit wouldn’t have been worth it. No, I’m not mad, but if he does anything to hurt my little sister I’ll tear his fucking face off.”
“Uh, yeah, well uh, here’s the thing. He’s not really feeling his best right now and I was, uh…”
“Uh, what?”
“Thinking about… confessing,” Spitfire whispered.
“Okay. So go do it.”
“What?”
“Don’t be a fucking pussy. You’re Spitfire. Go.”
“Don’t you think I should wait? I mean-”
“Let me ask you this, have you considered doing this before?”
“Yes,” Spitfire said.
“Well what stopped you?”
“Everything from bullets to people.”
“So why aren’t you trying again?”
“What if he says no? What if he rejects me? I don’t think I could take that.”
Nightshade became serious, “Then I’ll kill him.”
“Come on, be serious. This is important to me.”
“I am being serious. If he hurts you I’m going to kill him.”
“Don’t do that… Even if he says no I’d still want him to be happy in life… even if it wasn’t with me.”
“Really? Really?” Nightshade raised an eyebrow, “So that’s why you stayed out of Skies’ relationship?”
“Up until we figured out she was cheating on him. I just wanted him to be happy.”
“Then you’re fine. Just… go tell him how you feel. You’re the more expressive one. Just do it and get it over with. You’ll be happier in the end right?”
Spitfire smiled, “Yeah, I guess.”
“Then get away from my fucking table bitch.”
Spitfire just shook her head, “Eat a dick bitch.”
She stood up and headed back to her table.
“Yeah nice talking to you too!” Nightshade yelled.
Spitfire rejoined Dane at the table. Dane was still talking to Fleetfoot but now she needed something important.
“Hey,” she nudged him.
He turned, “Yeah?”
“You seen Jett around?”
“Uh, I think I saw him heading out to the gardens earlier. Why?”
“I’m thinking about doing something stupid.”
Dane blinked, her statement registering with him.
“Oh I see… go get him girl. Let us know how it goes!”
“Shut up about it! Geez, tell the whole fucking Gala why don’t you?”
“Yeah, yeah, go get your robot boy.”
“I’m gonna kill you when I get back,” she smiled standing up and heading towards the door.
***
Jett stood at the railing at the edge of the cliff. Behind him were the palace gardens. All sorts of plants and animals existed in it making it almost a Garden of Eden in the mountain tops. Some flowers and trees even had natural bioluminescence, throwing colorful glows all over the area. A head of him was a scape of mountains, drawn along the horizon. In the valley floor below, clusters of lights could be seen indicating the location of a town. Farther out along the mountains, other groups of lights signaled the locations of other settlements. The sky itself was a colorful display of stars of all colors with the Milky Way painted across it in a brilliant streak of color and light.
The cosmos at its best.
Jett pulled off his sunglasses. Nights like this, even in his current state, he could appreciate. He sighed and leaned over the railing and stared up at the night sky. Somewhere, in that endless sea of stars was his father, and hopefully the remains of a human civilization. But he could never know for sure. Light from where the events took place would still take thousands if not tens of thousands of years to reach this planet.
A noise behind him got his attention.
Spitfire.
“Mind if I join you?” she asked.
“Sure, go ahead,” he replied.
She moved up to the railing and joined him in his stargazing.
“Beautiful isn’t it?” she asked.
“Yes it is. Reminds me of Earth.”
She laughed, “Funny, when I was in your situation the stars there reminded me of here. Of course that was ignoring Jupiter but you get the point. Some things never change.”
“The stars will always be beautiful no matter where in the cosmos you go.”
“Yeah…” she said.
Jett continued to look at the sky but Spitfire’s gaze drifted to the android himself. She sighed and took a deep breath.
“Hey Jett?”
“Yeah?” he turned to face her.
“I have something really important to tell you, and I’d like you to listen.”
“Sure, what is it?” he asked cocking his head.
Here it was, she was going to do it. All this time, all the experiences, all the priceless moments; would all add up to this one moment. Nothing could stop her now. This was it.
Her heart beat accelerated. She could feel it threatening to leap out of her chest. She was more nervous than she could ever remember being before. Time seemed to slow down as she made her decision. The Captain of the most prestigious flight team in the world was being brought to her knees by a simple, skinny, average looking boy from another world. All her past relationships meant nothing now. There was only one thing in the entire universe she wanted now.
Suddenly with much force, she leapt forward and met him with a passionate kiss on the lips. Her eyes were sealed shut as she connected with him. The android himself froze up in surprise at the sudden contact, his eyes flying wide open. Spitfire let out a slight moan before she pulled herself away.
Her face was beat red as she caught her breath, feeling like she had just flown a hundred miles. Her heart beat harder than a drum.
Jett’s eyes were still wide open though he was a bit more composed.
Spitfire finally spoke, “Jett… I’ve never, ever, met a person who was remotely like you. Every day that I was with you back in Sol and even here was an amazing adventure. You made everyday life fun and entertaining and amazing just to participate in. I… I have never been so happy to have met a person as I have with you. Getting to know you was a greater privilege than captaining this flight team and… I want to keep on doing that. You… you’re my best friend in the whole world and… I’m in love with you…”
She suddenly found the ground an incredibly interesting sight as she waited for a response. Agonizing seconds felt like hours as the silence between them became an abyss of uncertainty. Finally, Jett decided to speak.
“I didn’t know you felt that way,” he said rather plainly.
“I’ve felt this way for several months now,” she said quietly.
He sighed, “Spitfire… you’re an amazing person, don’t get me wrong. You’re attractive, funny, down to earth, and outgoing. It’s been a pleasure getting to know who you were as well and… I’d like to consider you part of my family but… I just… I just don’t think I’m ready for something like that again nor do I think you should pursue something like that with… someone as broken as me.”
“W-what?”
“Spitfire you’re the epitome of what every guy dreams of having in a lover. Me? I’m a copy… a copy of someone else. An illusion... I’m fractured enough as it is and I don’t want to see you wasting yourself on a broken little person like me,” he sighed, “I'm a machine Spitfire, I have an off switch. Even my emotions can be turned off. You deserve to have a real person in your life, a flesh and blood person who can give you what you want… And that’s not me…”
“But-”
“There are some things that I just can’t give you or anyone else. Starry Skies was proof enough of that. You’re too good a person to get caught up on a house of mirrors like me. Please don’t misinterpret my meaning, I like you a lot Spitfire, you’re one of my best friends in the entire universe and I’d like it to stay that way just… I can’t be what you want me to be right now… Please try to understand… please.”
He sighed hanging his head.
It was as if someone had shattered every single stained glass window in the palace. All the beautiful stories, all the events and all the future ones that were going to happen all exploded and shattered into dust on the floor.
With that simple conversation, Spitfire’s entire world crashed down upon her faster than a beam of light. Suddenly, there was an abyss inside of her that threatened to suck her down into its dark depths like a star being devoured by a singularity.
She put on a brave face and a smile, “Sure, I can understand.”
He looked up, “You do?”
“Yeah. You’re not ready for something like that right now. I get it.”
“So… are we still friends?”
She laughed though it was forced but not in a way that was noticeable, “Of course we are you big dummy! Something like this isn’t going to change that.”
He sighed, “Good… I, uh, didn’t want to hurt you. Please don’t misunderstand me; I care about you a lot but… as a sibling and a friend.”
“I understand, and, uh, well I guess you already know I care about you a lot,” she joked.
“Yeah…”
She removed her phone from her pocket and glanced at the screen.
“Well, uh, I’ve got to go, uh, talk to some fans back inside.”
“Okay,” Jett said returning to looking at the stars.
“Well, I’ll see you later stud.”
She turned and headed back inside. Externally she tried to not let it bother her but… inside it felt like someone had just stabbed a red hot stake right through her chest and twisted it. She felt her eyes begin to water and tried to blink away the tears. She stumbled as she made her was back inside the palace. Her breathing became irregular.
She entered the palace and slowly made her way over to the VIP section again. She lifted the rope and entered and sat down at her table.
Her heart was beating heavily. Soon she couldn’t hold back the tide of grief and tears spilled down her face.
Dane noticed her presence and turned. The smile previously on his face instantly disappeared when he saw her expression.
“Oh, no… He-he didn’t? Did he?”
Spitfire couldn’t face him, “He did.”
Fleetfoot leaned over, “Hey… what’s wrong girl?”
“He said no,” Dane said.
Meanwhile on the other side of the room Nightshade noticed her sister’s distressed state. She stood up and walked over. The other Wonderbolts comforting Spitfire noticed her and while they hid their discomfort they allowed her to see her sister.
“Hey,” she said softly, “You alright sis?”
Spitfire remained silent, burying her head in her arms, refusing to look at anyone around her.
“Can you just tell your sister what happened?”
Spitfire whispered, “He rejected me…”
“Are you alright?”
She suddenly sat up and said rather angrily, “It hurts, okay?! It hurts… a lot. Please… just leave me alone…”
Her tears resumed as she hid her face from view.
Nightshade turned and left. Something odd was happening. She felt oddly empathetic to her sister’s condition as well as the expected sadness for her that came with it. She had no doubt that the people around her wished they could take away the pain she was feeling.
Nightshade however felt something else… Rage. Her sister, lost worlds away on another planet, taken in by that boy, had been led on. That robotic kid had played with HER sister’s heart and now had shattered it all over the palace floor and hurt her in a way that no physical pain could replicate.
Anger boiled in her veins.
She left the VIP section and found her team on the patio outside talking with fans or flirting with girls or boys. She walked up to Stratus.
“Assemble everyone who’s not here and get them here,” she seethed.
The white haired man nodded and walked off.
Charger walked up to her, “What’s going on Captain?”
“You want revenge? Well you’re gonna get it. That kid broke my one rule and now,” she cracked her knuckles, “He’s going to pay. Badly.”
Charger grinned.
***
Jett walked along the stone path in the Canterlot Gardens simply thinking. He had a lot to think about. Leaving the Wonderbolts, finding a new purpose in life, and now his best friend had just told him that she was in love with him.
And he was forced to turn her down.
He just couldn’t give her what she was looking for, what she was seeking. Whatever image she had of him was not what he could provide her. Being a replica of another left him with a perverted sense of just who he was. He just couldn’t be with her. He wasn’t even deserving of her. To say she was out of his league would be the biggest understatement of the century! She was light years out of his league. Funny, happy, entertaining, optimistic, beautiful, athletic, the list of traits went on. He could never hope to even be remotely worthy of her.
Hell he was just barely worthy of being her friend, let alone her lover. She may have feelings for him now but… just like everything else around him they would evaporate with time. Time destroys all things. Even him, with his incredibly long, still undetermined life span would eventually succumb to the slow march of time as his sand ran out. Even his immortality would not last forever.
Spitfire sadly would become a smaller and smaller blip the older he got. He was a machine and… he just couldn’t give her what an organic person could. What someone from her world could give her. She deserved to have a real person with real feelings with a real body. Not someone synthetic with a computer for a brain.
Still, this shouldn’t be bothering him as much as it was. He had plenty of other things to think about… so why was the only thing he could think about was… her?
It bothered him to no end. Did he hurt her by saying no? Would she resent him? She acted happy and nonchalant about it but… was she just faking it? Lying about her condition?
Maybe he should check up on her.
A noise behind him got his attention.
“You know, I told my team they could not touch you as long I was in charge,” a voice said, “You only had one rule of mine to follow that shouldn’t have been too hard for any decent person to do. But then you broke it.”
Jett turned. Coming into the garden was a girl with flame like hair similar to Spitfire’s only it was dark purple. She also looked stronger and more athletic and taller than her sister. Her body was similar to Gin’s. Built like a tank with the ability to fight like one. Behind her on her left was a familiar white haired man with a scar on his face. He scowled at the android. He was tall and heavily muscled with the profile of a heavy criminal. On her right was a blue haired girl who looked like she had lost all her screws. Her hair had an odd lightning like quality to it. A wide grin was spread across her face as she giggled to herself as she removed a pair of knives from their sheaths. A few other familiar faces were in the group. Charger and Starry Skies grinned as they cracked their knuckles. Dusk pulled up his sunglasses and pulled out a crowbar. Another unfamiliar group of Shadowbolts were seen behind the main group. A grey haired girl with a Twister on her shoulder and piercings on her face looked rather unamused. A strong looking guy with a Hurricane on his arm stretched his massive arms and ran them through his spiky white hair. Finally at the back of the pack there was a smaller looking guy with a dark storm cloud mark. Like the grey haired girl he looked like a Goth. He pulled out a machete and ran his finger down the blade with a grin.
Jett cocked his head, “I’m sorry, have we met before?”
“No, we haven’t. However you’ve met someone rather important to me. My sister.”
Jett frowned, “Spitfire?”
“Who else do you think I was talking about, asshole? Yes, her. And you broke my one rule and hurt her; ripped her fucking heart out and shattered it.”
“She said she was fine.”
“Oh did she now? Well she’s not! She’s devastated asshole! You broke her heart and now,” she reached into her pocket and removed a pair of heavy brass knuckles, “I’m going to break you.”
She nodded to her team and then thrust her wings, accelerating herself forward.
Jett’s eyes widened, “Oh shit-”
He did a backwards handspring to dodge her swipe. No sooner had he landed when a swipe from a crowbar was headed his way. He jumped and fell back to avoid the swing. Now on the ground the large muscular white haired Shadowbolt raised his fists to pound the android. Jett rolled left and sprung himself back on his feet.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her!” he yelled dodging more swipes and kicks, “She said she was fine!”
He raised his left arm to deflect an incoming blow but he did not return any.
“She’s bawling her eyes out in there!” Nightshade yelled running up and dropkicking the robot that flew back but rolled back to his feet. Suddenly there was a blade flying towards his head. He jumped to avoid it as it flew by and became embedded in a tree. He landed calmly on the edge of the blade.
“Then let me talk to her!” he said as he cartwheeled left to avoid an incoming fist, rolling to his feet once he was on the ground.
“Too late for that, you insensitive fuck! I doubt she even wants to see you right now!”
One the Shadowbolts removed their sidearm and aimed it and fired. Jett, who was busy trying to avoid the incoming blows couldn’t compensate for the bullet as it impacted his gut. He felt the wind get knocked out of him as he fell onto his hands and knees.
He looked up just in time to see a steel toed boot strike him in the chin, knocking him onto his back. Stratus walked over and raised his boot to stomp the android’s chest.
“You’re going to be nothing but spare parts by the end of this,” he said coldly and stomped down.
Jett raised his hands to catch the foot and thrust up with them and threw the Shadowbolt off him as he rolled to avoid another strike from a pair of knives. He wasn’t fast enough as one of Blitz’s blades split open the skin on his arm. He sprung to his feet holding the wound. It leaked blue fluid mixed with red ‘blood.’
“I don’t want to fight any of you!”
Nightshade smiled, “Good, this will make this a whole lot easier.”
Suddenly he was up in the air getting thrown across the garden. He emerged from the foliage and smashed into a nearby apple stand, getting showered in debris. Several guests screamed and scattered while others watched and moved to help.
He stood up and attempted to run just Shadowbolts emerged to meet him. A heavy kick to his chest sent him flying onto the back lawn. He attempted to stand up just as a fist hit him in the side, knocking him down. A foot flew to strike his head but he raised his augment in time to block it and throw it off.
In the midst of this he didn’t see Nightshade approaching, her brass knuckles gleaming in the light. She raised her fist just as her team cleared the android attempting again to stand. Her fist flew forward and smashed into his left cheek.
In a liquid like explosion of blue and red, a large almost shattering like detonation was heard as the hard metal of the brass knuckles met the android’s face.
Jett’s head flew back and hit the ground as the android rolled over onto his stomach, his head in a pool of blue and red.
Nightshade, panting lowered her fists and looked at the knuckles. They were heavily stained with the clear blue fluid as well as the dark red of blood. The android wasn’t moving.
Charger laughed, “Wow! So much for him! See? Little spit fuck isn’t even that tough!”
Suddenly there was movement. A sound similar to hydraulics was heard as the robot pulled himself up to his feet. Jett moved his head and glared daggers at the Shadowbolts.
Starry Skies gasped. Half of the android’s face was simply gone. The area on the left side of his face, just below his eye was exposed, showing off the mechanical parts below the synthetic skin. Blue fluid as well as blood flowed out of the open wound. Some of the android’s teeth and jaw were visible, giving him a disturbing looking scowl.
Someone screamed in horror.
He rotated his neck and cracked his jaw. The whole movement looked sick and disgusting as his jaw opened and closed. His eyes opened and focused on the Shadowbolts with an angry grin. However instead of their normal sapphire they were blood red and flickering.
COMBAT ANALYSIS PROGRAM ACTIVATED>>
ANALYSING>>
“Oh, you people seem so prone to making deadly mistakes,” the android said, however his voice sounded synthesized however instead of its normal smooth, natural sounding voice.
NINE TARGETS IDENTIFIED>>
“Your first was assuming I intentionally hurt her,” He said flexing his prosthetic.
COMBAT PATTERN DELTA SELECTED>>
“Your second was coming after me,” he growled.
WEAPONS SYSTEMS ACTIVATED>>> AEGIS DEFENSE SYSTEMS ONLINE>>>
Nightshade cracked her neck and raised her fists. The other Shadowbolts did the same and resumed fighting stances with either their fists or whatever weapons they had found or brought with them.
Jett stood up; however his stance was almost unnatural. His left shoulder was lowered while his right was raised up and still bleeding. The plating on his arm reorganized themselves into defensive blades as he flexed his fingers.
His eyes fixed onto Nightshade and her team.
With a yell Nightshade charged.
Without so much as a peep Jett suddenly bolted towards her, his arms trailing behind him. Their feet kicked up plenty of grass as the guests turned spectators watched in horror as one lone kid faced off against a team of nine paramilitary stunt fliers.
Nightshade pulled her fist back preparing to strike as Jett did the same. Just as they were about to meet, they both launched their arms forwards.
Jett’s robotic prosthetic impacted Nightshade’s brass knuckles with a loud bang…