The Hero Within

[QuadRaptor]

I've begun working on the last story in my quake series (but probably won't be the last story I write). Later on I'll ask anyone who wants to participate to join a side, but for now here's where I've gotten to:

[QuadRaptor]

∴ Beginnings ∴



"When the last tower falls....

....the world will end...."


The words echoed in his mind as he gazed around. He stood on an open field, though it was battered and torn from what must have been a long, harsh battle. He didn't understand this....was he colorblind? He must have become colorblind this day, because he knew what color looked like, but right now all he saw was black, white, and an infinite amount of grey hues. But there was something else that horrified him. Countless bodies littered the area around him, none moving. The bodies were already giving off a nasty stench and the man had to hold his nose due to it.

Off in the distance, the horizon was mostly flat, aside from one silhouette that protruded from the ground, what appeared to be some tall citadel. This must be the tower he kept hearing about, but what could he do? He didn't understand this....where he was, how he got there, and WHY HE WAS COLORBLIND!

He squinted a bit, and to his shock he could make out a multitude of figures that seemed to be moving away from the area, towards the lone tower. Apparently the group leaving were the ones responsible for the death that surrounded him, and he assumed may be against whatever force that defended the tower. He could run and fight them, but seeing what they've already done to some other army, he felt helpless.

"So the world's gonna end, huh?", he said to himself.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


He opened his eyes and sat up. His head was covered in sweat, and his tank top was drenched. He breathed normally, looking at his hands. The color was returned to his world, though he was confused as to why his dreams were in black and white. "It was that dream again....", he began to say to himself, "The one with the bad ending...." As he lay back down, a flurry of thoughts filled his mind, one in particular, What does it mean?, repeated itself over and over. It would be a long night....


∴ Reflection of a Hero ∴


The city of Quadropolis was located just miles of The Abandoned Base in the Quakelands, and was a fairly new city. Obviously, its main attraction was Clan Arena tournaments. In the center of the city was a great monument, a building that stretched for about a mile, known as the "Hall of Heroes". It was built like a long hallway, with a few doors here and there for various things like meeting rooms and janitor's closets. The hall was lined with portraits of former Quake Marines who gave their lives for the Earth. Each portrait generally also had photos of that person with their friends taped to the side, and at the bottom was a guestbook for them to write their tales with that person. Sadly, some of the Marines had no photos or guestbook entries, because they were not as well known as others.

At the very end of the hall stood three statues. In the middle was the Quake Marine, based on the depictions we knew of what he looked like. He stood with a lightning gun in hand, and a glare down the hallway to those who stepped in his presence. He was the only one without a guestbook. To his right was a statue of Bitterman, the hero of the Strogg Wars. He had a railgun resting on his left shoulder and his right hand extended out in a thumbs-up. He was also depicted with a slight grin on his face. There were a few entries in his guestbook, mainly of those who knew him and the generals that guided him on his way through the Strogg fortress. Finally, to the Quake Marine's left, was QuadRaptor, who the city was named for. He was depicted with a rocket launcher in his left hand, pointed down, and his right hand to his head in salute. His guestbook was filled, so filled that it was actually the second book, and the first was sitting behind the statue. The wall behind his statue held many, many pictures of him and his friends. To many, he was the favorite of the three patron heroes.

Orion exited the shuttle and began to wander down the streets. He knew where he was supposed to go and that this trip was solely business, and not for pleasure. As he was walking, several people began to turn and whisper to one another while staring at him. He began to notice this and wondered what all the commotion was about. He soon could hear a few snips of the conversations: "Hey doesn't he look like....?"; "Oh my God it's...."; "Has he come back from....", and a few others. Soon most of the people around were glaring at him and talking amongst themselves. Finally, someone had the courage to walk up and talk to him. The place fell silent as the two spoke to one another, and all eyes were on the arriver.

"Umm....sir, we need to know: did you have any relatives in the Quake Marines?", the woman asked. Orion thought for a moment, and replied, "Well, my brother was in the marines....", as he said this, the people's eyes widened, "His name is Mason, but he was sent off to another city far away." Chatter began to be heard again, and many disappointed faces slowly began to turn and walk away. The woman sighed and said, "Okay, sorry. You look just like someone we know.", and began to turn away as well when Orion added, "Although my cousin was in this division. His name is Chris Daté."


∴ Conference ∴


"It seems like only yesterday when he asked to join TU....", Ð'Rouen said to the others. She remembered the last thing he said to her - "Thanks for recruiting me, by the way. I'm really enjoying this clan." - and a tear began to form in her eye. Dammit, Ð', don't cry. Quad wouldn't want that., she thought to herself.

The various clans were appointed by the generals of the military to perform their own individual functions, based on their experience and strengths. Some clans, like SNS and XP, commanded their own squadrons of Marines and were better at training them and giving them advice for battle. Others, like TU, were more strategic and planned out their attacks in conference rooms. Ð', Fuzznut, Monty, and Zeki were currently in such a conference, waiting for a few others to show before they began. "Where has GameFreak been lately? I thought he'd be done with that ninja school stuff by now.", Zeki questioned. Ð' sighed - they had not seen Freak in a while, because he went off to do his own things without really telling anyone other than a few of the TUs. They wondered if he'd ever return to the Marines.

A call came in. Monty answered it.
"Yes?"
"Hey, this is Thresher. I think we found the guy. We'll be there in a minute."
"Alright, you don't have to knock when you get here, just come right in.", Monty answered and then hung up the phone.
"They'll be here shortly.", he said. This was something Fuzznut and Ð' decided on, bringing someone from the Army....someone who could be useful to them. "So have you all heard about this latest stuff going on?", Zeki asked. The others shook their heads, and he continued, "There are some big issues among the higher Generals, some junk about if Quad would be liberal or conservative. It seems that everyone wants his name associated with them, and they're turning him into....like....a political icon and stuff." "Sheesh, they obviously didn't know Quaddy like we did.", Monty replied. "He wouldn't have made a big deal about all the politics and all that. In fact, he said once that it was all the same to him, as long as he was able to continue to train and fight in the wars he wouldn't have cared about who makes the rules.", Fuzznut said.

About this time, the others arrived. Cookie Monster, Monster, and FoQ escorted the newcomer into the group. They looked at him in awe - he truely was a spitting image of Quad. Orion made a slight grin as he said, "So, my cousin was some kind of hero, huh?"

The group was silent. Finally, Fuzznut spoke up, "He wasn't just 'some kind of hero', he was THE hero." "Well that's suprising, since last time I saw him he had terrible aim.", Orion scoffed. Zeki got up from his seat, "How dare you insult Quad! His accuracy was badass!", he shouted. "Chill, Zeki. This guy can say what he wants because he's Quad's family.", Cookie said. Zeki sat, and Orion continued, "Well, he must have been important then, since someone would defend him so quickly. So tell me, why have I been sent here?" Monty made the speech, "I can fill you in on that. Lately this city has had a big controversy going on. The city is run jointly by two people, Baker and Sole, yet lately the two of them have not seen eye to eye, and even recently have been getting into arguements, even fights, over some issues." "What kind of issues?", Orion asked. "Just about everything. Bionics, cybornetics, war strategies.... but most importantly, they each think Quad would have supported their side.", Monty explained. Ð' continued, "That's where you come in. There was a search for any of Quad's relatives, and you were the only one in the military. The plan was to leave you in the dark about what was going on until you met with us. That's why you were told this was simply a training program." FoQ spilled the plan, "The two leaders want you to join a side, and that would count as Quad's decision."

"Hold on, they think I'd do the same thing my cousin would?", Orion questioned. "Well, they don't have any other options. After all, seances, voodoo, and such rituals have been outlawed in this city, so it's not like anyone could actually CONTACT Quad.", Monster explained. "What do you mean....he's dead?!", Orion came to a shocking realization. The group fell silent again, and Fuzznut spoke up, "Sorry you had to find out the hard way, but he gave his life so we all could live." Orion hesitated, then finally said, "Then he is a hero. I guess I need to do some research on these two factions...."

[QuadRaptor]

By the way, I have a message board now instead of a guestbook!

http://www.voy.com/207819/

[Canadian*Sniper]

:p

[Shadowswift]

Ghost Stalker should be in your story

[QuadRaptor]

Patience, young patawan. And read the first post

"Later on I'll ask anyone who wants to participate to join a side, but for now here's where I've gotten to"

[Shadowswift]

i read that...i was just sayin....

[QuadRaptor]

I always have someone gripe about me not putting them in my story.

[Shadowswift]

im not gripin. if you dont want to, thats cool. its your story.

[Canadian*Sniper]

lol. I say nothing and Quad puts me in his stories. DK asks something and Quad refuses

[QuadRaptor]

Refuse? No, you didn't read the statement either....

Later on I'll ask anyone who wants to participate to join a side, but for now here's where I've gotten to

I am not refusing anyone on this story, I just haven't gotten to the part yet. The intro is only really featuring a few people in particular so far.

Since when have I ever refused to put anyone in my stories (aside from Fishdeath when he wanted to be a fish in a bowl with a gun)?

[Net-Tyme]

i read that...i was just sayin....

I must be old, I took it as he was just making a comment that he would again bring up later. Any time the story is posted,added to someone will add their comments. Which is great. It means they are reading it in most cases. Love the stories. Think I am probably your biggest fan.

[Grim]

Love the stories. Think I am probably your biggest fan.

He accepts $50's and $100's!

[Shadowswift]

Since when have I ever refused to put anyone in my stories (aside from Fishdeath when he wanted to be a fish in a bowl with a gun)?

...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!


,........HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHA!!!!

[Fuzznut]

...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!


,........HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHA!!!!

I second that. That's funny shit!