"Symbol of Peace"

Summer 2021, Week 4, Thursday midnight

Akira Kakimoto's Home, Lakeview

Isaac Crysentine

The coolness of the summer night brushed against Isaac's face as he walked down the sidewalk by what remained of his former teacher's home. The area was still fenced off with yellow tape and the little tags of numbers indicating notable pieces of evidence and whatnot about the scene. The floor was still charred as all hell and the door had been entirely removed once enough evidence had been gathered to allow for the easier movement of the forensics and officers on scene. The neighborhood itself was quiet, but there were a few heads and eyes peaking out of their windows to gaze at the young man who had given such a bold proclamation on the news and been at the scene of the crime less than a week ago.   Isaac himself was just staring somberly at the view. His reflection on the bench for several hours earlier at the University and newfound confidence was waning, and the thoughts were starting to trickle in. 'No, I can't let that happen.' The recent NoName podcast had also confirmed his growing suspicions. Congress and the Federal government were going to take some sort of action against the Mayor and the Chief, that much he was certain about. What he was only slightly more worried about was the potential for AERI to be branded hostile Evos and hunted by the HEIU. 'What a cruel twist of fate that would be, from aspiring hero to top ten on the Federal wanted list.' As he started to walk away from what was his teacher's home, Isaac started to grow more understanding of his wishes to stay hidden and work as a humble garbage man.   The whole situation was keeping Isaac on edge. His family was still being kept in the secure areas, but with the growing sentiments the government might end up being the next issue. 'I think it's time I pay him a visit. Gotta check up on the Symbol of Peace.' Taking off his sneakers, Isaac ignited his flames and flew into the night sky, heading straight for Riverview Hospital.

[Fire Manipulator, x1 Normal, -3 Ep, 37/40]

 

Randolph, City Centre

Isaac Crysentine

The fire from Isaac's bare feet briefly increased in intensity to slow his descent on the hospital's roof, allowing him to land at a brisk walk before coming to a stop. Before him was the figure of his friend and teammate, leaning against the railing of the several-story building. The brief intermittent red lights of the hospital's helipad illuminated the two as wind blew into the night. Isaac felt a little bit of unease, almost sensing that a scolding would be coming any second, but his feelings of relief for Andre and his recovery ultimately won out. "Nice to see you back on your feet, for a solid second there I thought I wasn't ever going to see you again. Can't let me handle the media all by myself now can you?" He gave a nervous smile, trying to crack a joke to avoid the inevitable lecture.

[Fire Manipulation, x1 Minor, -1 Ep, 36/40]

 

DeAndre Walker (Victory)

Andre was wearing his normal clothes after being discharged from the hospital. He had ripped off the admittance bracelet and had thrown it away as well. The night was quiet before his eyes caught a shooting star flying towards him. Letting out a slow breath, he followed it until it landed behind him, a brush of heat following the wind and warming the evening even more. "You're not the first one to say that. Apparently I was pretty close to having my own headstone for a while." Andre couldn't pad his voice with the normal relaxed tone. It came out icy and direct no matter how much he wanted to lessen the impact.   He wanted to scream at the kid. Tell him that he disobeyed orders, risked the team, let his own feelings get involved in a dangerous--deadly situation. So many dead. So. Damn. Many. Even as the angry rose it was overshadowed by a darker voice. You let it happen. Because you, DeAndre Walker, are WEAK. And like that, the anger washed away like a weak storm in the face of a powerful cold front. The darkness started to spread through his mind as the wind brushed against his skin. "What do you want, Isaac."  

Isaac Crysentine

'And he's angry, understandable.' Isaac immediately felt the cold and frustration from Andre mixed with the cold of the blowing wind. Not even his own fire could possibly warm up this situation. "I want to make sure you're ok. You nearly died. And you're just up here ready to go back out like nothing happened." He threw down his shoes on the ground to put them back on. "I know I messed up and disobeyed orders, but if it helps I like to think I'm past that childish and immature phase I went through the last month since I got attacked at the dorms. I've been a total mess, I won't deny that, and I'm a huge hothead. But I'm doing my best to improve and fix my flaws. Part of that is being more considerate of what's happening around me and others. So, what I want is for you to tell me what's going through your head, because I don't know if you've heard but the President, EHEA, and half the world isn't exactly happy with us right now." He might have put a little bit more force into the last words, but he didn't care. His friend seemed almost cold and unphased by what had happened, and Isaac was going to get him to talk even a little bit about his emotions no matter what it took. 'If it comes out as anger, so be it.'  

DeAndre Walker (Victory)

"It doesn't help to know what you think if your actions don't match that thought process, Isaac." His tone hadn't changed but he did twist his body to look at the man. Barely visible in the light was the scar of raised flesh that began at his neck before disappearing beneath his t-shirt, before reappearing on his left arm running all the way down to this fingertip. "I'm fine, obviously. Even if I wasn't, that doesn't matter. The only ones who mattered are the ones we're supposed to be protecting. And at least 17 of them are dead. Dead. So, yeah, I can guess why the President and the world aren't chanting our names in joy right now."   "People died because we messed up, Isaac. It doesn't matter what you think you're doing better if that's the result. We weren't good enough when people needed us. We weren't any better than Bolt when the city needed heroes to look up to. That's what I think."  

Isaac Crysentine

"Okay, yes, we royally fucked up. 17 people are dead and it's our fault, there's no denying that. We could've and should've done better. We're an inexperienced group of wannabe pretend heroes who never even had a proper training session before this whole mess." The words spilled out of Isaac's mouth with less of a filter, spurred by the sight of his friend's injury and the defeatist words he was spouting. "But that doesn't mean we failed entirely. I'm willing to bet half the police force would have died that night if weren't there, not to mention half the neighborhood. For every fuckup we did we had an equally not fuckup, if that makes sense. 17 people died, and that's a number we won't let die ever again. We're still just people, Andre. We live and die just like anyone else. I won't say we're not perfect, I'm not trying to devalue the lives of those 17 police officers, but I will say we were a million times better than Bolt. We never killed innocent people and we have never looked down on life like he did." His eyes were getting misty at this point. "We're still heroes. We're still the team that put an end to Blood Bolt. We can't just bend over after a loss. If we give up now, we doom the city to whoever might be the next Bolt." Isaac knew the words weren't entirely coherent, but he hadn't gotten the chance to talk about this to anyone. It was frustrating to see after everything they had done people still died and caused AERI to be branded as criminals by some, but what frustrated him more was to have one of the very few people left in his life he still looked up to almost give in to the hate and the defeatism.  

DeAndre Walker (Victory)

“We’re not just people, Isaac. People, a single person, couldn’t have killed five cops without breaking a sweat. People can’t fly, burn objects, read minds. That’s exactly why we exist. To handle the bad guys who aren’t just people.” His voice was still cold but his eyes seemed to light up a bit. “And we’re never going to be just people, not to normal folks. That’s why we have to be better. Because there are guys like Bolt out there painting a picture of what we are. We need to give them another picture to latch onto.”   He moved two steps closer to Isaac, and swept a hand out to the city. “Because I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the City doesn’t entirely agree with you that we’re better than Bolt. It doesn’t matter what we think if they don’t think the same. Bolt probably thinks he’s a million times better than us, or the President, or Mother Teresa. It didn’t matter, did it?”   “Being a hero isn’t just thinking you’re better. It’s being better. It’s being able to stop these events from ever happening, and doing it with as little damage and injury as possible. Fire fighters don’t brag about almost saving everyone. The only good days are when we got everyone out unharmed.”   “That’s what I need to get to. The level I need to achieve. And I’m pissed at myself im not there yet.”  

Isaac Crysentine

Isaac's expression remained intent and focused on Andre. The words coming from his friend felt... personal. Personal in the sense that this is what he was really feeling deep down, not just some surface level memo he would give to the rest of the team.   "That's the Symbol of Peace I want to see. It's good to actually hear what you're thinking and feeling, even if I'm only getting a brief glimpse. I have an idea of what you might be feeling now, and I'm happy to say I was wrong with my initial thoughts." Isaac strolled to the railings beside them, looking down at the vast and great city lit before them who millions of people called home. "Then lets start getting everyone out unharmed. Drill over and over and over again until Henry becomes less of a trauma and more of a lesson. I'm pissed at myself too for acting like a child the last few weeks, and I know damn well I'm putting myself in front of every bullet shot at innocent people from now on. I think I let the idea of the Response Team get a little too far to my head, and didn't stop to consider we should be helping people in situations and not just fighting the bad guys causing them." He would slowly turn back to look at Andre, unsure of what to say next. "I'll follow you to till the end of the line. Whatever you say from now on in the field is law, and I promise to not act out unless there is an absolute necessity for it. I know that doesn't mean much right now, but I also know you're clearly going through it as much as the rest of us and I at least want to reassure you on that end."  

DeAndre Walker (Victory)

Andre gave Isaac a knowing look with his Symbol of Peace line. Eventually he nodded when the younger man stopped speaking. “Never again, Isaac. So long as we can help it. Innocents first. Bad guys after. That has to be our creed. Remove the people who can’t defend themselves. Even if it means one of us needs to be the distraction. That’s the job.”   He floated up to the railing and perched on it. “I want you to put together a series of drills with the SWAT and Fire Department teams. We’re going to train with them first and then adapt what they do to our powers as a team. That’s your job while I handle the Mayor and Chief, and show my face a bit.”   “We fucked up, Isaac. These deaths will always be on our shoulders. All we can do now is make sure we learn from them and work hard to ensure it never happens again.” His voice had found some weight to it, a sense of purpose growing again. With that he smiled and fell off the railing. He fell down before curving up and flying towards downtown.  

Isaac Crysentine

"What an absolute hero," was all the fire user could mutter as Andre flew towards downtown, his form growing ever smaller until it was almost a speck against the vast shimmering lights of New Victoria. Handling and coordinating the drills with the SWAT and Fire Departments.... Isaac could do that, right? He was almost grinning by the time he ignited his feet once more - probably letting the flames fire a little too much - and zipped towards the St. Maria's dorms with an idea already forming in his head.

[Fire Manipulation, x1 Normal, -3 Ep, 33/40]