Sooo I'm mostly doing this for my mom because she wants to read it but I don't want to have to fish around for chapters for her. But everyone else read here too. Usual rules, don't post, liking is okay, blah blah blahdy blah. You don't need me to tell you. So enjoy
Nexo walked into the apartment. He flopped into a desk chair, put his legs up onto the small desk and then ran his hands through his hair a few times. He was beat. But he'd finally landed the kind of high paying job that he'd needed all his life. He figured that now he'd finally be able to buy a car, to support his elderly mother who thought she was still in Montana, newly married. To get out this greasy, junk pin some called home. He sighed and let his head fall back against the peeling wallpaper behind him. This would be the past by tomorrow. And good riddance. He got up took two steps to reach the fridge and opened it. It was working today, surprise. After downing six, day old cold pieces of pizza. He brushed and fell into bed. Dead asleep before his head even hit the pillow. His night was tormented though. By memories of the past. His father, coming home, his mother crying, him and his brother hiding for hours in the cold attic, the hunger, the ridicule by the "rich" kids. Then the fire his father had started, and run away from. His mother had brought them home from a late school night, to find all they owned in flames. The fire was so hot. it was reaching out tendrils reached out and touched him. Nexo sat up suddenly gasping for breath. He stared for a moment at the dingy wall, then breathed out in a sigh. "ugg. I thought mature 18 year old's weren't supposed to get nightmares."His mother was never the same after that. She lived in a happy past life, or thought she did. He and his little brother had run away to avoid being placed in a home. He had only been 12. His 9 year old brother had come down with pneumonia pretty soon after they had left. So Nexo had done what he thought was best, and left his brother with a nurse at a hospital. But when he had gone back to see him, they had moved him. He hadn't seen his brother since. Nexo muttered and stood up to slip on a shirt. He might as well get to work, he was used to getting up early anyway. Cont.
Nexo looked in awe for a moment at the huge revolving doors, it was kinda hard for him to believe that he would be working behind them. He entered and saluted the night watch man. Even the secretary wasn't in quite yet. But then again it was still pretty dark. After turning a few corners he took a elevator to the third floor, and turned two more corners. Ah, office 354. His. He'd gotten a glimpse earlier, it wasn't massive, but it was clean, neat and nice. He smiled and reached into his coat pocket for the key, shoved it into the lock and turned the handle. Something was wrong, he could feel the presence of someone else already in the room. Out of reaction he dove into an intruder that had been going through his file cabinet. They tumbled to the ground and the intruder made a peculiar squeaking noise. "Alright. Talk before you get hurt!" Nexo growled, as he sat on the intruder. "I'm sorry I'm sorry! I didn't mean any harm! Please don't hurt me..." The last few words tapered out into a small sob. Nexo reached up and flicked at the light switch. The fluorescent bulbs revealed a young girl, probably around 16, with big blue eyes, and auburn hair, Her jaw trembled and a tear threatened to slip out. In fact she looked terrified. Not exactly the evil burgler type. Nexo quickly hopped up and then helped her up too. "Hey, listen kid. Don't go around with the lights off like that. Someone may get the wrong impression. Ok?" she nodded and wiped at her eyes with a sleeve. He walked her over to the door and let her out. "Just turn the lights on next time, K?" She nodded again and hurried away. Nexo leaned on the door post and shook his head. "Kid's, gonna get arrested on accident one of these days if she keeps that up. Kinda cute though. Funny how her skin was a bit yellow though....she didn't look even the east bit Oriental. Hm. Time for me to earn my pay. " he muttered to himself then shut the door and sat down at his new desk.
Legoshopper walked down the busy street and towards Mayne Crossing Rd. She dodged a mud slick on the cracked sidewalk. She hated this place already. It didn't help that she'd just been jumped on in the dark and threatened by some guy. At least he hadn't realized that she'd taken one of his files...the one about him specifically. She shivered and pulling her jacket closer hurried towards the building on the corner of Mayne Crossing, it would probably rain again. Yay. Just as she reached the building she swerved suddenly into the alley. Trotting down it she took a few turn and twists and soon she was free in the maze of the NYC Alleyways. Leaning against a cool brick wall she reached into her jacket and pulled out the file. A hand abruptly reached out and grabbed her wrist, making her squeal and drop the file. "Hey! Darkie you scared me! I thought you we're *KKDiastemer!" "If I was you'd be redone, and the world would probably end because you lost the file." "Ha. Ha. Don't do that again." "No promises." "So you the partner, or the pick up?" "Partner for now. Essa's the pick up. Drop date is 11/3 8:30 P.M." "Fine. Lets go." "Lead the way milady." Lego smacked him with the file. "Your mouth is still just as smart as when you first joined." "I wouldn't want to lose my dashing charm." He winked. Lego rolled her eyes and then smiled. They walked in virtual silence until they reached a small empty warehouse. "Okay lets take a good look at this thing you so daringly risked your life for." "Your wish is my command." She answered snarkily. A few hours later they looked up at each other. "This is big. We need to see the boss." "Agreed. I'll get a cab."
Luigi the Cab driver settled down for a bowl of Mama Fiergio's Special Recipe Pasta. Now he could eat his dinner, unless someone wanted a cab this late. Luigi dipped a bread stick in to the pasta and raised it to his mouth. "MAMA MIA!!!!! Santa Maria mi protegga! Who are a you? An what a you doin here!" A shadowy figure stepped closer, he was garbed in a dark grey trench coat and a fedora obscured his face. "I merely need a few questions answered." "Così a tarda notte ... e tutto strano e oscuro ... Whatta answers you be a wanten, eh?" A steel gray cat with green eyes jumped up onto the trench coated mans shoulder from behind, and the man casually stroked it under the chin. "You drove a young girl and a young man today at 1:29 P.m. today. Where did you take them?" "Non va bene ... quello che vogliono da povero Luigi ... I not a supposed to tell." The fedora tipped to the side. "Now that is a problem. Isn't it Millie?" He addressed the cat. MRROUUURRR. "I agree. Luigi, " The man fingered something under his coat, "Let try this. All. Over. Again..."
Nexo slapped at his alarm clock, then muttered when he realized it wasn't even going off. He moved to get out of bed and ended up on the floor. In sleep confused haziness he stared at the tangle of sheets wrapping his legs. Muttering a few unsavory words, mostly directed at the alarm clock and the sheets, he struggled free and staggered down the stairs. It was finally Saturday about a week after he'd first started his job, and he planned to enjoy it. After he was seated comfortably in a window chair with a cup of coffee and the newspaper his disposition was much improved. He pulled apart the sections of the paper to read separately, it was one of his quirks. Another one happened to be talking to him self, "hmm, Stocks dropped again.....Wanda Andertol was reelected as the Head Directer again, no big surprise there, especially since she's so close to the Second, Carter Whyerp......hmmm oh. They found some Italian in a warehouse....detailed investigation pending..........well, let's see what happened in sports today.." DIIIINGG DOOOONGGGG Nexo froze, then grouchily rose to answer the door, "Who is crazy enough to ring someones door at 9:00 A.M. on a Saturday" A few other words he'd learned in his former life slipped out and he practically jerked the door off it's hinges opening it. "What could you possibly be wanting, and no I'm not going to buy anything!" Three people stood on his doorstep slightly taken a back. The women in front stepped forward and flashed something shiny at him, "Special Agent Task/Yeild/Routing Force. Sorry, but I'm going to need you to come with me for a while." Nexo had a moment of confusion then he stepped back, "Uhh , nooo. I don't think I'll be going with you." The two large males behind The agent lady took a menacing step forward, and Nexo felt provoked, his shoulders instinctively squared and his spine stiffened, his arms moved away from his body about an inch. But the woman made a calming motion and spoke to Nexo gain. "Look, this doesn't have to go down this road. Maybe I can give you non-aggressive motivation." She nodded to the side, where another agent was standing by the back door of a standered issue black suv. He nodded back and opened the door, Nexo watched, waiting transfixed to see what would emerge. Instead of some kind of overly muscled guy with a ray gun, which he had expected, a curtain of red gold hair peered out tentatively, and big blue eyes peeped out shyly from it. Nexo's tipped his head to the side. It was the girl. But why, bait? He looked side long, suspiciously at the agents. The woman spoke in a quiet and convincing voice, "Nathen, " Nexo jumped at hearing his real name, he still wasn't used to it, she had his full attention. "Nathen, She's not being held against her will. Wouldn't you like to talk to her and get some answers?" Nexo was aware of his rapid breathing, his indecision was heavy. "Fine. I'll go." The woman nodded and smiled tightly, "A wise choice Nathen." He got in the car and only then realized that his white t-shirt was backwards and he was wearing socks but no shoes.
The door stood open, but the lights weren't on. A dark figure stood in the middle of the living room in front of the stairs. Items swirled around him. Nexo's items. A birth certificate floated up in front of the shadowy man, then a file full of records like, insurance, drivers registration, bills. Then a picture. It showed three people smiling and hugging each other. A mother and her two small boys. The man waved two fingers at the picture like a swipe screen and it rotated, he words on the back said, "Momma. New Happy Haven Home for the Mentally Unstable." The man smiled cruelly, he began to walk out the door. All the things swirling around crashed to the ground including the picture, the man stepped on it on the way out. A moonbeam fell onto the cracked glass as it rested among the destruction and chaos of Nexo's house. Later police came to investigate a notice about Nexo's door hanging open all day. The entered and the first officer scratched his head under his hat, "Well, Jerry. I never seen something like this before! Looks like a tornado happened inside the house?!" His partner got out a hand held radio, "I'll call it in Ben. We're gonna need some help on this one." The radio crackled loudly in the dead stillness that occupies a forlorn house. "Chief? This ones a doozy….."
Mrs. Oakhurst looked lovingly at the flower garden she was digging in, then a shadow fell across her flowers. She turned, "Oh, hello young man. Are you here to play with Nathan?" The trench coated man spoke in a gentle tone, "Yes. Could you tell me where he is?" "Oh, yes. He's just over in the house. In fact, his daddy should be home soon. Dan will take you fishing maybe, he's such a good father. We've only been married a five years but I can tell." The man continues to speak quietly. "I think I'll wait till Dan gets home, can I show you something now?" "Oh, of course lets take a little walk." He helped her up and they hobbled towards a car that was idling a short distance away. "your a nice young man, and good and strong to. I bet you help your mother chop the wood don't you." "yes, ma'am." He put her in the back of the car and then got in the driver seat and pulled away.
Nexo stared straight out of the front window of a bit then he turned to the girl. "Why where you in my office." She continued to look out the window, "I was taking a file." "Wait. Why?" She sighed and turned to look at him in the eyes. He found them actually kind of distracting. "Okay. I work with other people who are protecting the forth wall." Nexo stared at her then gave a short laugh, "Ok. Yeah thats really funny, but I'm not buying it." "I'm telling the truth!" "No. No your not." She sighed again then leaned forward and addressed the driver, "Can you take us to the Boundary please." "Wait where are we going? what are we doing!" She fixed determined eyes on him, "I'm going to show you the truth. You will soon believe. It will be a long drive, you might as well try and relax." She turned away from him. Nexo leaned back in the seat and tried to process all this. Then he saw that they we're headed out of town.
Danny King looked out over the busy city. Dirty grey skies and dirty grey streets and between… dirty grey buildings. Maybe he could take that vacation time and go to Jersey, A knock interupted his thoughts. "Come." He said turning towards the door. It opened and revealed his secretary Sweety. "Sir? I got those reports in from the Fourth Wall agents." He smiled wearily,"Ah. Put them on my desk please. Then, go home. Take the rest of the day off." She looked at him, surprised. "Yes, sir. I'll do that sir." King slumped down into his wheely chair and sighed heavily. He mused over surprising himself by giving Sweety the rest of the day off. Maybe he was just getting soft with old age. But he wasn't that old. He rubbed his eyes and delved into the files before him.
"Do I have to walk out there in my sock feet?" Nexo asked in disbelief. The girl looked at him. "Yes. This is way more important than your sock feet." Now he had a decision, either get out of the car and take a chance that all these people were crazy escappies from an asylum, or stay in the car and wait for a good time to run away. His curiosity won out in the end and he got out of the car. He slammed the door behind himself and turned around. Nothing. He walked over the the girl and her driver.She addressed him with out looking, as she fidled with a braclet on her wrist. "Do you believe that anything can happen...that what you know as reality is one of many." Nexo looked at her suspiciously, "I…..could…." She smiled, "Good."
Nexo watched closely as she stepped back and pressed a button on her bracelet, there was a bright flash and he reflexivly jerked back. When he opened his eyes! Nothing? It looked just the same. "I don't see anything." The girl looked me deep in the eyes calmly and reached her right hand out. Nexo's eyes ran down her arm and where did her hand go!!!! "WHAT THU!" He barely managed to quell a swear word. She pulled her hand back out and wigled her fingers in front of his face. "Wha? Where did it go?" "This is the Fourth Wall. It is the border between this dimension and a diferent one. Would you like to see?" "Uh, woah now. I dunno. She went nose to nose with him and he felt his knees wobble from her intense stare. "What. Are you chicken?" He straightened up and glared down at her, "No way." He spun around and took a deep breath. Extended his hand out and…it disappeared! He jerked his hand back and stared at it. Then he closed his eyes and plunged his head into the Fourth Wall.
Location: Special Agent Task/Yield/Routing Force HQ (S.A.T.Y.R force) The Break Room
"So, what so you think? Is Glubby really good at his job or does he just solve cases accidentally?" "I dunno. He has a pretty good track record, but he's just so strange!" Agents nodded in agreement all around the room, as they listened in on the discussion between Damian Swent and his partner Simon Olinty. The Coffee room ,as everyone called it, was the true life blood of the Fourth Wall agency. Though Corporate would never acknowledge that truth. All the agents of all ranks went there to chat, and de-stress. It was also the place to break in any unsuspecting newbies. Damion was about to continue the debate but his pocket buzzed loudly, he grabbed his phone and looked at it in dismay. "Oh. It's her. I gotta take this guys." He moved out side and answered the call. "Crazy Pete's Soda Shoppe . What can I blend for you?" Essa's voice came through sounding slightly annoyed. "Damian! For once I wish you'd answer the phone like a normal person, If you weren't so good at your job...." "Reeelax, Es' What's got you so uptight. Is it that new "classified" case your working on?" "Yes. In fact I need you and Simon and Fealon to come help us. I'm taken you in on this one." "Ah, just like old times.I'll get the team together." "Thanks. Meet us at the cabby warehouse. The one where they found that Italian Cab driver today. Oh and Damian..." "Yeah?' "Don't call me Es'." "Right." Damian put the phone away and glanced back towards the coffee room. It was supposed to be a quite week.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location: Thaddius Diastemer's Mansion on the Beach: New York
"Look dad. It's great to see you again, but what are you doing here?" "Is it wrong for a man to want to see his son?" The darkly clad man faced his son. Thad laughed sarcastically and looked away briefly. "Dad. You haven't wanted to see me for almost three years. The last time I saw you I was eighteen, and you gave me five thousand dollars and a clap on the back. Before that you were barely even ever there." They stared at each other steadily for a moment, KK could see his reflection in his son's name brand sunglasses. Thad shrugged, "So? What do you want." "Son. You've made your self into a great man. Now it is time that I ask you for a favor." Thad looked away and jutted his chin. Then he sighed and turned back. "What do you need."
Nexo pulled his head back into Earth and looked in amazement at Lily. "Okay. I believe you now." The girl smirked, then looked more serious. "Want to see something awesome?" "Uhh..I guess?" She smiled eagerly and held up her hands they glowed a soft blue, her auburn hair floated as if it was under water and her eyes glowed as well. Suddenly fantastic images began to move around Nexo they became more and more realistic. There was a flash of light and then Nexo opened his eyes. He looked around and saw that he was in the plains. Zebra's and gazelles roamed around him, the air shimmered with heat, and flies buzzed continually. "What! This can't be real!!!" "Your right." It all suddenly vanished and he was standing in front of Lily who looked normal. "Whoa. Can you always do that?" "Yes." Nexo looked at her in astonishment. "What are you doing here? What are you?" "Who I am doesn't matter. Why would that change anything. But you should know, that You also have powers. As do others." "Do you even exist? Or am I just hanging out with some kinda freaky hologram??" "I'm not a hologram, I'm as real as you are. Mostly." "So, there are many others like you?" "Dozens. And your going to meet them. Do you really want to know what I am?" "Yes." "Then come with me." "Uh, okay." She spun on her heel and marched back to the car, Nexo trotted after her. What could go wrong right?
Chapter Twelve: On the Case Essa looked up from the file she was holding as a black convertible pulled up to the curb next to the warehouse. A tall man who wore dark jeans and a rolled up at the cuff button up shirt got out first, he put a hand through his spiky black hair and flipped some sunglasses on. Out of the passenger side stood a thoughtful looking young man with dirty blonde hair. Finally out of the the back a very skinny 17 year old hurries to catch up to his colleagues. He pushed up round glasses that his his eyes and his brown hair flopped into his face as he speed walked to them. Essa addressed them as they approached,"Welcome gentlemen. Lets get down to business." Damian smiled and tilted his head back, "Elliea*, lets not be so formal. No code names. We've all known each other to long for that rot." "Except for me." Fealon piped up. His glasses glinted as he turned his head. "Right, my apologies. Elliea Tanter. Team leader. Welcome to the force. Arn't you some tactician?" "A pleasure I'm sure. Yes, a tactician." He muttered in reply and turned away. "Sorry, he's a bit shy." Damian butted in, "We tried to take him to O'Malley's but he was very hush the whole time." "Regardless. Welcome to the team." Essa stuck her hand out to him and he shook it gently and briefly. "Okay boys. here's the crime scene." She started off as the moved further into the warehouse. "Nothings been touched by the police via request so all the gritty details are here except the actually cabby. But here's his file and a pic of the victim as he was found." She passed it around and everyone looked at it. Simon got it last and studied it closely. Essa addressed him, "Opinion? The Cop's ballistic said knife." Simon shook his head and blinked, "No. wrong shape on the entry point. If I didn't know any better I'd say it was "One of us" but it wasn't which means..." "Half right. It was KK." Essa looked very serious. Then Damian piped up again. He whistled in amazement. "Whew, when you say top secret you sure mean it. What's he doing back again." "Don't know, I'd love to find out. I just know that this time, he means it." Fealon moved forward. "Wait you guys are talking about Kent Kane Diastemer. Isn't he just a world reformist though." Damian snorted, "Yeah, a twisted one, that thinks the only way to a perfect, peaceful world is if he's the only one with powers." Fealon didn't offer a response. But Essa picked up the slack. "Next stop, Nexo's house. We just intercepted a police ban about a break in there." "My chariot awaits." Damian said, faking a dramatic bow toward the others. They rolled their eyes and moved towards the car.
"Wow. This place is a dump. What happened, did Nexo's house cleaner quit?" Damian kicked at the broken shards of the grand piano.
"It looks like KK's the one to blame. I wonder where he went from here?" Essa turned at the waist to survey the wreck. "So..where to from here?" Simon asked turning around to face his friends. "Actually, we're waiting for Lilly and the big man himself to show up. Nexo." "Golly, and won't that be fun." Damian said in a mocking tone of voice. Essa looked at him sidelong, "You haven't even met him, don't be mean." "Yeah. Sorry, didn't mean to pick on the precious flower." Essa sent him a withering glare.... And he leered back. "ugg.... OH LOOK HERE THEY COME!" Essa speed walked to the broken half left of the door muttering, "Talk about being saved by the bell....frowsa..mrowsa..." Nexo swallowed hard and opened the door to the car, then he followed Lilly closely. Feeling slightly apprehensive about the group in front of him, he moved up warily. Essa quickly took charge. "Damian, Simon, Fealon. Please meet Nexo. Nexo, meet the guys." "Howdy." "Hello." "Greetings" Nexo eyed them all carefully, "Likewise I'm sure." Essa clapped her hands together and threw a glance towards Lilly. "Okay, let's get driving. We're going to chase down some leads, and Lilly your going to have to train Nexo on how to Unlock." Lilly nodded and the rest followed her as she moved out to the car. Fealon hung back in the group, then he stopped near a window. A sunbeam filled with lazy dust specks fell upon the broken glass of a picture. He bent down and picked it up, glass bits crunching under him. He held it in the light and looked at the same scene that KK had hours ago. Then he turned his head, his face inscrutable, the sun glinting off his lenses obscuring the expression in his eyes. He set the picture upright on the desk near by, also in the sunbeam, and turned to follow the others.
Location:Thaddius Diastemer's Mansion on the Beach: New York }The Basement{
Torchlight flickered on Thad's welding mask. After a moment he flicked the welding torch off and the flipped his mask up. He turned to look over his shoulder and called out to KK. "Hey. I hope you know what your doing. I mean it. I don't wanna spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder." Diastemer looked up from wiring a metal arm and smiled calmly. His cat leaped up onto the table and rubbed on his arm. "I know what the world needs to be at peace. My ideals may be disputed by others, but plain logic leads me to the only solution possible. Trust me." He surveyed his son. Who was leaning casually against the workbench. His son surveyed his father back, then he wiped his hands on his jeans and the white t-shirt he was wearing, "I don't. But lets finish this anyway so I can get back to my life." "Am I not a part of your life." His father looked at him steadily. Thad's expression went blank and he turned away, flipping the mask down again, "What do you think I'll say." It was quite for some time but then Thad brought the chest plate he was working on over to his father, He leaned on it and turned to his father, "How are you going to get the S.A.T.Y.R. Force." KK turned his head slowly and looked into the distance, with a vague look in his eyes. He stroked Millie's steel colored fur absently, "I have some friends." Thad sighed, slumping and gestured wildly, "Fine. It's late, I'm getting something to eat and then hitting the sack. If you want anything talk to Maya Beage (May-uh Bee-guh). She's in the first door in the hall on the right, second floor." His father didn't acknowledge his son's retreating form. And he continued to work late into the night. Thaddius changed and fell into his huge bed, he groaned and flipped his arm over his eyes. What had he gotten himself into?
But everyone else read here too. 
