Log:Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot

Ruined Memories 2014/12/07 Paragon Shoro

3

While Third was human for a brief while, there was an even more brief encounter with a man named Garrett who recognized her. He even called her by a name she had never heard before, and was very...familiar towards her. He informed her that 'the old gang' was in town and planning to meet up soon, and gave her an address, date, and time if she wanted in. Third, knowing a little of her past as a possible former villain from what Allison dared to say, decided it was worth while to investigate. But afraid of what she'd find out about herself, she didn't tell anyone about the meeting and went alone.

The Time And Place...

The day has come and Third meets up at the address, only to find it a very suspicious location for a meeting with old friends. She gets a very bad feeling about this. Taking a deep breath and feeling an odd sense of familiarity that causes her to feel dread, Third steps into the warehouse's broken emergency exit, where four figures await and greet her with tones of camaraderie.

Twenty minutes later from that point, Shoro receives a prepared emergency text alert from Paragon addressed just to him from Paragon's broadcast systems. <>

Yutaka frowns, he's in a meeting with a potential client but the text has to be an emergency. "Gentlemen. I'm sorry, but there is an emergency I have to go. Trust me when I say, if you decide to go with me, you will have my personal attention like this one does. Emergencies are far and few between, but when there is an escalation, I do not ignore them." he stands and leaves the meeting. By the time he is out the door and in the hover Lamborghini, he is in armor. he stops the vehicle in a location a half mile away then his electron cloak is activated and he teleports out of the vehicle and races in for the location.

The Meeting Place This is the place and the time. A large derelict warehouse within the port of Colonial Bay. The windows are broken, the paint is peeling, and it's definitely not up to code anymore.

There's multiple entry points into this warehouse. Skylight and a catwalk, broken windows, an unlocked fire exit with a dead alarm. Shoro just has to tread lightly to avoid broken glass. This place must've been a storage warehouse, because the derelict sign reads Kokir_ Imp_rts.

There's a thunderous, metallic crack that Shoro can hear as he draws closer to the location. It's a familiar enough sound. And shouting that he can't quite make out the words to yet. It sounds like a man's voice. As he draws closer, the voice rises up again. "Just put her down already!" Two seconds later, Paragon's metallic ringing voice joins the fray in a cry of pain, but without any sounds of impact.

"THAT'S for punching Persephone, you backstabbing bitch!" says a sneering second male voice.

Yutaka runs into the building traipsing lightly and a single misstep on some been glass is heard he's in the shadows, but not invisible...

Upon entering, the warehouse has a very open and empty layout, with old discarded empty crates and pallets laying around. Shoro can see two metas laying on the ground unconscious. A woman who is dressed in a long flowing black gown that glitters, and a blackened crown on her head that is decorated with horns, is slumped against one of the support pillars. Another, a man with a white suit and black lighting on it and a runner's build, is half-embedded in an empty, broken crate.

That leaves the other two. The back of one is to Shoro. He's dressed in black baggy goth pants, a black worn t-shirt with a few holes revealing pale skin, a chain connecting from his belt to his pocket where his wallet may be. One side of his head is shaved, and the rest of his long black hair drapes to the side.

The other is a very fit, athletic looking meta in dark blue spandex with black accents. He must be strong, too, because he's got gripped in a bear hug from behind, facing her towards the other. She's slumped in his arms and the lights in her helm are very dim. "So this is what you've been doing all this time? Pretending to be a hero named Paragon to get away from your record? Did you THINK taking us out would hide your past!? I know what you've done, Ruin. And I'm going to make sure everyone else does, too," threatens the man holding her.

"...no. Not pretending," Paragon manages defiantly, but groggily. "I'm turning us -all- in."

"The only person going away today is you," the man gives a vicious squeeze. Plates crack. Maybe something breaks beneath. Paragon lets out a weak groan and slumps in his grip, her eyes shutting down within the helm. Suddenly, the man looks up at the sound of Shoro treading on broken glass. "Malcontent, behind you!"

Malcontent whirls around and looks with his beady eyes, but he can't see Shoro in the shadows. "What is it, Barricade!?"

Shoro doesn't speak..he's in mission mode, he was never the silent weapons specialist, but he knows how to hurt someone regardless, and he is going to do that. *pop* and he is behind malcontent, a blue fist striking from behind...

Shoro's fist strikes out of seemingly thin air, the strike is true hitting the goth Malcontent between the shoulder blades, an audible thud is heard as Shoro hits a trigger point, a pinpoint attack that sends the nervous system an overwhelming level of pain triggers, it isn't all smoke and acupressure though, because the ass wipe goes flying headfirst into a wall a,fair distance away. Shoro lands, turning in the air, lightly on his feet, staring at Barricade, "Let her go..."

"Hah. Gladly." Barricade releases Paragon and gives her a shove on the back. She just falls forward and face first into the ground, kicking up some dust from the dirty floors, and remaining there. "So you must be the cavalry. Guess she wasn't dumb enough to come alone after all." Barricade runs forward in a charge at Shoro.

As Third falls to the ground, Shoro...mission Shoro knows she will heal, so he is able to compartmentalize. Barricade charges forward, but it is a clumsy attempt, and Shoro deliberately steps forward and ducks 10 inches just under the attacks forward shoulder, he then turns with a spin move avoiding all together the man's attack...

Shoro doesn't care about this guy, he doesn't care about anything g but putting this guy down. Once again he seeks the same pressure point he hit Malcontent on...He'll figure out the rest later.

Shoro's kick comes with enough power to topple a house, but Barricade takes the well placed strike well...very well, because instead of flying forward into his friend, he takes the kick, but then slowly sinks to his knees. This is no game, no sparring match, and this is why he's been training so hard..for her. With glowing fist, he draws back and strikes the man again...and again until he is certain the brick is down...he then goes around and makes sure the rest of the motley crew are down. When he is done he kneels and cradles Third's body, drawing his chi together and transfers it to her, willing her body to heal....

Shoro holds Paragon..."Third...wake up...come on..you're going to be ok..." he says softly. he continues to pump his own life energies into her...

Paragon is gathered up by Shoro and lays there like a rag doll. Now that he's close enough to notice, there are some stress fractures in her chestplate from the crushing bear hug she was in. After a few moments of being infused with Shoro's healing chi energy, the small lights in Paragon's helm begin to gradually turn on and strength in luminosity.

Shoro nods as the lights come on..."There you go...the there you go....can you hear me?" he says while continuing..

The stress fractures remain in the armor, her self-repair systems starting to gear up and go to work carrying out cosmetic repairs that may take some time, but any damage underneath is healed. "Shoro..." Paragon says weakly in recognition. Then the fog in her mind parts and she tries to sit up suddenly. "You're in danger!"

Shoro jumps to his feet, thinking somehow one of the four have awoken..his fists glow blue and he sweeps the room for movement...

Paragon's head pans around and her HUD starts collecting data. "Ohh...they're all unconscious, it would seem," she says in surprise.

Shoro comes to the same conclusion..."Yes...they better be. Who are they Third, I didn't hear much, but it seems like they know you..."

Paragon puts a hand to her head a if still woozy, and straightens up her sitting posture as she recovers. "I'm not really sure who they are. But the man who introduced himself as Garrett," she points to Barricade, "Ran into me at the boardwalk when I was on a date with Porter after he turned me into a human. He seemed to recognize me and called me Madison..."

Shoro nods slowly.."He called you something else..."

Shoro continues, "The way they spoke it sounded like you knew them too. Talk to me Third.."

"I heard him call me Ruin...but I don't know who that is. Who these people are." Paragon sounds concerned, conflicted, like she's trying to recall a distant memory and can't place it. She looks around at the fallen again. "Garrett invited me to this address, saying 'the old gang' was in town and I should see them for old time's sake. When I arrived, they welcomed me like an old friend. And started discussing a heist they were planning." Her head turns to Shoro, her eyes dimming. "I think, whoever I was, I was associated with these...these villains."

The past Allison had hinted at has finally caught up with her. She was told it wasn't the best. But it's worse than she thought. Her head dips down and she stares at the ground. "Once I realized what was happening, I armored up and told them I was turning us all in to pay for our crimes."

Shoro nods.."I'm calling the meta unit in...now." He walks around the room checking on the four he grabs them and unceremoniously throws them in a pile, he doesn't care if they are lying on each others necks or faces. he just wants them in a pike for the authorities. He taps something on his neck and reports in, "Yes, Shoro sending you coordinates now, 4 meta suspects, they were found attempting to kill meta Paragon. I have stopped them, but they are meta, one us a brick, the rest are unknown. I will wait until you arrive."

Shoro walks back over to Paragon, "You will not turn yourself in until we understand the truth. Do you understand me? You will tell the truth, but I will not allow you to be arrested."

Paragon finally rises up to her feet, remaining silent and somber as Shoro gathers up the villains for arrest. She walks over and studies them for several moments, trying to spark a memory. But...nothing. She releases a heavy, metallic sigh, then looks to Shoro. "Shoro, if I have committed a crime, I should turn myself in and allow the authorities to investigate. It's the right thing to do," she says firmly.

Shoro nods. "Yes. If. that is the key word. right now, it is hearsay, right now, there is no proof...but I promise you I will help you research this. and help you through this."

Paragon's eyes dim further. "Shoro, there....there is something I haven't told you. Told anyone. I don't know much of the details, but Allison once tried to recover my memories. She was...reluctant to tell me all the details. And now I think I know why she wasn't very forthcoming. And since she was my sister, I didn't press." Her voice becomes weak sounding. Almost heartbroken. "After tonight, I think my nagging suspicions were right. Whoever this body was when it was alive, I think they were a villain."

Shoro nods slowly, "The truth is out there, we can find it together. What we have are clues, not truths. There is also something both symbolic, and probably legal that comes into play, whoever you were before is dead, who stands before me is clearly someone else. What is right is not always black and white Third.."

"You also said I was a beacon. I have to lead by example and face this head on. Not run from it," Paragon says with certainty, committed to her duty. "The world is shades of gray. But if I am to lead by example, I cannot compromise my heroic beliefs." She puts her hand on Shoro's shoulder. "If I am innocent in the eyes of the law, I have faith in the system to prove it. If I am guilty...then I should face justice like anyone else," she says without reservation.

Sirens can be heard on the approach in the distance, slowly growing louder. Tonight, they seem to signal more than their arrival...

Shoro stares at Paragon for a long moment and says, "Stand down Paragon..." his own helm melts away...

Paragon, realizing that may be a good idea for the police, retracts her armor instantly. "A good idea. It's the closest thing I can do to 'disarm' myself," she concludes.

Shoro has a committed look on his face and says, "I promise you to work on this. I will be with you." he steps closer, the armor melts from his hand, as he places it gently on her cheek "Third...you are not like me, you lost your life, by some miracle of fate, a new life was given to you." He motions with his other hand, "These are not shadows of your past, these are shadows of someone else's past. That person is a stranger with your face, Do not ever believe that these people have any hold on your present. You continue to inspire me. You are a beacon. Integrity is doing the right thing when know one is looking..like right now."

Shoro leans in and kisses her on the lips. When he leans back, he says softly, "Truth shall prevail." His hand armors up, and his helm reforms leaving his piercing green eyes exposed until the last.

Third stares back in surprise at Shoro's words and the kiss. She looks a little choked up by his words, but she nods and smiles softly, believing in his words. The sirens are just outside the warehouse now, and the flashing lights from the squad cars can be seen through the dirtied, broken windows. Third looks towards the windows and nods to herself. "Truth shall prevail," she says with conviction.

Shoro places a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You are turning yourself in under your own free will due to allegations of possible wrong doing. Given your reputation, they may not even take you in. Do not admit or make statements of things you do not know. and right now you do not know anything. Do you understand?" his tones are steady, as if he has been through this before.

Third clearly hasn't been through this before. Her eyebrows raise slightly as she tries to commit all that to memory and nods. "Right to remain silent, correct? I shall have to get a lawyer, I suppose. The Guardians may be able to arrange for one, but they're in Boston. I'll make a call to them with my one phone call," she nods in confirmation.

The sounds of many approaching footsteps can be heard at the side fire-exit. The door is kicked in and several fully armed and armored members of the swat Meta unit pour in with blasters at the ready in case there's still resisting metahumans.

Shoro stands calmly, silent until the Meta unit determines it clear before speaking.

Third puts her hands up in surrender. The meta unit train blasters on her and Shoro, approaching as they notice the pile of villains. They lower their blasters and someone who looks in charge enters the warehouse behind the first line. "We got a call from Shoro. I'm guessing these are the meta villains you called about?"

Shoro nods, "Yes officer, That is correct.."

Sergeant McCall radios in, "Tell cleanup to bring in four pairs of metacuffs and prepare transport to Starguard."

Third looks to Shoro one more time, smiles encouragingly to him, then looks back to the Sarge. Her expression becomes serious and she speaks up politely, "Actually, due to allegations of wrong doing by these metas, I am turning myself in willingly for the matter to be cleared up." She holds her hands out in front of her, wrists together, preparing to be cuffed."

Sergeant McCall looks Third over. "Uh. Make that transport and restraints for give," he adds over the radio. "And you are?" he asks as more members of the meta unit come in with high tech looking meta restraints.

Shoro answers for her, "This is the hero Paragon." He feels that statement needs to stand on its own.

"Paragon?" Sergeant McCall repeats incredulously as he looks Third over. "Wasn't the call about metas who were trying to kill -her-?" he asks for clarification. "I think we're going to need to take some statements on what happened here tonight. Tell me what's going on." The meta unit starts to bind the villains. A pair of techs approach Third with a set of restraints, but hesitate and look at Shoro, then back at their Sarge once Shoro drops Paragon's name.

Shoro speaks to the sergeant, "I can tell you what I know, I received a message from paragon, it seemed she was in trouble, so I came, when I arrived, the big guy there was holding her,she was already injured, those two", he says pointing "were there and there, already out of the fight, I came in time to knock out that one, and once I did that, the big guy bear hugged paragon, hurting her grievously, then he attacked me...I put him down, then healed Paragon. That's it."

The Sergeant starts to capture all this down on his small tablet. "Then...what are these allegations that Paragon is turning herself in for?" The four piled metas are cuffed. The two techs by Paragon are still hesitant to cuff her, even though she's providing no resistance and is holding her wrists out to make it easy for them.

Shoro says "The villains made allegations of Third's wrong doings, it is hearsay, but Third can not substantiate nor deny the allegations, she is turning herself in, and will be seeking legal counsel, she will be exercising her 5th amendment rights, sand will make her comments when she has secured legal representation."

Third nods with what Shoro says. The Sarge sighs and nods to the techs. "Go ahead and take her in, too." Doing as they're told, they clap the metahuman restraints on Third's wrists and press a few buttons. A green light on the high tech restraints comes on as they activate and lock, and the techs begin escorting Third away. "We'll be holding them at Starguard. Since I've taken your statement here, you don't need to come down to the precinct." The Sarge pulls a business card with his name and number on it, walking over to Shoro and extending it to him. "But if you remember anything else relevant to the case, here's my information." The villains start getting loaded onto the transport vehicles as well.

Shoro nods, "Treat her well Sargent; she is a hero."

Sergeant McCall nods solemnly. "We'll be sure she gets put in a separate cell, Shoro."