THE SONG OF MY PEOPLE - I.c.

The monorail in Electropolis was sleek, just as everything else architectural was in the City of Light: a large, bullet-shaped vehicle dashing through the rails above and below ground at supersonic speeds.

As it was, this transit served passengers by dashing around the district like a fast-spinning top, connecting them to a different station in short distances of time that would even make Japan curtsy.

Filled to the brim with commuters, the speed of its ability is quite impeccable- some would even say inhuman- too inhuman to be comfortable. Nonetheless, there was a sense of calmness, a stillness to what the place had to offer; a metallic tinge filled the atmosphere, a scent so old and polished, and yet new and unfamiliar.

The interior walls were composed of sterile, white matte material and a polished floor gleamed even with the dimmed lightning illuminating every corner in their path. Inside was equally as packed and tight for each passenger, feeling the effect when bumping into one another. A hum.

If there was one thing off about stations, or perhaps the lack of... it's the fact that no one seemed to speak. People preferred keeping their heads low, avoiding eye-contact and attention like a plague.

Still, regardless, there was an abundance of wealth evident from just about everyone in this close proximity, a fact evident at first glance.

Electropolis was the kind of city that harbored those who did everything their way, but being part of such a group would ensure he had virtually no say over how things turned out—

Eric Rogers needed guidance, more so than ever—like a moth drawn to a flame, the hero world and its many perks had offered him the possibility to pursue something greater than one's self-to move beyond everyday life, a glimpse of a way to thrive- both in his job and personal life…

And what he had been told was true, as ironic as it may seem. A 'new life'. As in, giving something up for yourself in the process. He had seen and wanted better of himself, too.

Then, the tingly sensation re-emerges from his upper body, causing him to shudder; again, a pang on his tongue.

Distant beeps coming from a phone.

"Hello?"

"..."

"Yeah. ......That's GREAT!"

Eric shifted his stature off to the side, leaning by the window pane from swarming waves of commuting school girls, waving their tiny cell phones near their faces.

"Yeah. I'll get it down, somehow. Just gotta tie up some things with my new assignment." Eric hollered.

One girl turned to glance at him, standing amongst a collection of coy-looking girls for a moment, then returned her attention to her own peers when they'd chipped in with a few chiding remarks and giggles.

She couldn't have been that much younger than him, so having her look at him and judging him was flattering. But the moment ended just as quickly as it had started, the reality that life outside of this fast-track for success was still, just what, NOT WHAT HE NEEDED right now.

"—Yes." The raven-haired boy tucked his phone on-between his ear and shoulder, pressing thumbs across the screen to the bling bling blingggg, a flurry of exclamation points popped in and out with each chime.

He had to end that call early, but it was well worth it to get his 'bills' paid off after the fight he went through.

Wireless earphones were his true savior, making it easier for him to drown out the crowds and listen to music on his way out. In a manner that might cause him to question why he hadn't thought of buying them sooner: he could be at an underground club and not be bothered one bit, nor disturb any rowdy patrons.

The black earbuds are hidden neatly under the mop of hair, black hair tips, bangs left to shroud the natural face that men, usually, despise- that of a baby. Even within the crowd, they barely stood out and to Eric, it was worth it to pay five times the price to blend into the background.

Eric sighed and slumped down onto his seat, his behind sore and tired. The ride shook back and forth.

'Heavy metal couldn't save this trip', he thought.

Eric lowered his head down, knowing that things had changed for good this time.

He heard tapping on the platform floor, accompanied by footsteps of someone.

Hazel hues darted over in a sloppy gesture of recognition and finally accepted that once again, life has gotten somewhat OUT OF HAND.

And he knew what he needed to do now.

...Or thought he did.

People began rising up from their seats towards the aisle; the train haven't been brought to a halt yet.

The way they marched had a certain sense of rhythm to their movements, the orchestra of clicks and heels of booths clattering in disarray.

Several, moving, swaying bodies.

Miraculously, more people had gotten on and tried to latch onto a solid foothold to keep them at balance.

Eric's brow twitches with each jostle of the vehicle's movement. The sight of pure white particles speckling before him, 'snow' was falling freely over the land at this point and his nose was the one to suffer, with his ability to hold back his sneezes.

No…

That smell, it reminded Eric of the local bakery, except the odor wasn't overpowering or any, of that nature. Despite being able to identify a distinct touch of flour or sugar, what he experienced before was close to none.

Still, the man's eyes squeezed shut and face scrunching up in an attempt to contain whatever was upsetting him inside.

Coughs.

Deep coughs, rough coughs, wet coughs, raspy coughs; a heavy feeling of tickles scraping with his mouth watering at the most unwelcome kind.

All around, the air was frigid, like a deep polar gust had hit him in the face and chilled his windpipe. With an involuntary sniffle, the stuffiness is obvious. Pouring out water from his flask onto a handkerchief, it didn't take long for him to bury his face deep in it.

He also felt the urge to shut the music off, but slightly hesitated upon spotting a smaller figure, his presence parting the sea of commuters aside.

With barely enough opening, the newcomer managed to make his way within an arm's length and, within that proximity, Eric managed to make him out.

Hat Hysteric, the master of brainwashing, with his comically large top hat inching ever closer to Eric's viewpoint, was making him sweat bullets for standing there nonchalantly.

...As to why such a figure was here, Eric couldn't put his finger on it. But between trying to shake him away like a pest, and observing, one got the sense that the intruder wouldn't stand alone there for no reason.

A tall man covered in white particulate, flour itself, or 'fallen snow'; stared hard into Eric's eyes from the crowd he parted through.

Not having much of a choice in the matter, Eric Rogers gritted his teeth against his need to be petty, being the bigger person- for a change, decided that this will not ruin his day. At least the commute didn't give him much of a fuss, perhaps it's because no one cared.

Climbing up a monorail from a broken window wasn't an easy endeavor. His shoulders were certainly sore and rubbing painfully against the exterior walls was agonizing as his limbs trembled not once, but a dozen times.

And as his feet finally found footing- and relief, Eric held his breath to let the rush wear off.

Of course, one could not blame the state of his current predicament on something like a bad life choice. And as fate would have it, fate decided he was not to stay trapped within the confines of ordinary society. The best were all trapped there.

Cramped as it was, more people piled outward from the monster's thrashing, and with the new occupants, Eric squirmed as he tried to let himself breathe.

"Just ignore it, man...OHHHH!!!"

Looking down and out from the roof, the road was not that far, an abyss dark and distant with the shimmering lights.

A sunset of golden hues, as far as the eye could see; enveloped by a sea of flashing stars, street lights.

His coat fluttered against the wind and the sound of blaring horns muffled by . The vehicle quaked below him as if some beast snarling hungrily at him- tempting fate. He couldn't endure the cramp space, not even his own height could help him gain the space he needed. It was funny; being taller was not an advantage, then again, a limo was not made to accommodate the likes of him.

The monorail's wailing bell screeched in his ears, pulling him away as soon as it hit the last stop.

Eric nearly became a statistic before Sparrow caught onto the man twice his size. His actions appeared to happen in slow-motion, blurring in and out as the boy managed to hold Eric's balance steady with effort until then, when he had shifted the man's weight sideways and away from the gap.

The world came rushing back.

It was a cacophonous blending of noises that assaulted him on every side, which only made sense since the surroundings just had gained motion, and the mass-produced noises to go along with it. Still, even amid the chaos, they too began to shift out of focus, mere bits and pieces.

"I'm surprised you kept quiet so long." said the fledgling hero, no anger in his tone but a hint of his struggle at grasping the right words and direction.

Eric took in his surroundings, gasping heavily at the seams to find themselves back on the ground below the towering bridges holding the vehicle aloft.

"WE'RE IN-"

An explosion rocked the monorail's car in massive turbulence, violently shaking it above their feet.

"Welcome to UMBRUM."

Sparrow pointed out the buildings behind them, accompanied by a worn-out billboard that read:

'Join us.'

"We try to live in peace." 

A pause.

"Mostly."

Eric surveyed the entire property, a luxurious layout and expensive at that.

A dark figure, shrouded in shadow landed gracefully alongside Hat Hysteric, slamming the bald villain down onto the pavement. It's dark, the sky is dark and vast but even under a gloomy night, a lone glowing orb, eclipsing it all in a display of art and grace to awe mortals who were foolish enough to ignore or step out of line. And in the process, he almost lost control again.

Umbrum's protector- Cloaked in tattered feathers of black, purple and indigo, keeping company with the night sky just above ground.

"Where is the GRANULE!?!!"

Sparrow quietly handed Eric his rugged suitcase; Hat Hysteric made no effort to flee,simply flopping onto the ground limply. "We meet again! GOTHIAN!"

Gothian backhanded the midget, who hit a near wall, with his purple velvet cape, and sent him flying and out of reach.

"Were you running away from something? Another mission? OR, a family reunion, perhaps."

"EWWW! SANTA'S GINGER BREAD. The Abyssal won't talk that easily." the villain adjusted his lashes, and the lenses upon them; the purple monocles, sparkling bright blue on command.

The little midget, known as Hat Hysteric- now laughing with a guttural chortle, was a much smaller person compared to the others, one that seemed to give way to the large crowds or take advantage of their attention. His whole head began to light up from the outside in- lighting up a fuse:

"YOU'RE. HOPELESS!"

Gothian immediately spread his arms wide against his protégé and Eric from the resulting blast, his cape transforming into a whirling vortex ; then another burst occurred. And another. Fireworks discharged by themselves whenever they landed, and from every direction.

"OH SH-"