Chapter 30: A Hero No More

Ferral lifted his foot, moving it away and walking off. He reverted back to his awakened state as he made his way back to the room where his father was originally. It was the main control center on the 27th floor, that’s where he was going to give the order for Project New World. Ferral looked down upon the large keyboard and then up at the large monitor, the order was already in place. Six switches on the top of the board and a red blinking light flashed on the right. Ferral remembered how this worked when he read the information on the drive. As he typed away at the keys, figuring out how to change the order. He almost left it as it was, but knew it wasn’t the right way. Once he finished this new order, Ferral ensured that every experiment would have their free will after it was complete and they would have no memory of what happened. He flipped the six switches up from left to right, pressed the red light, and walked off. The new order: EXTERMINATE 66% OF HUMANITY.

He left the room and headed to where his clone siblings were. Most of the other scientists seemed to have fled, but the ones Ferral did manage to pick he, he grabbed a keycard and headed to the 15th floor. He opened the door, flipping a red switch on the right side of the entrance, the fronts of each cage rising up. The five as well as Leona walked out, confused about what was happening and they noticed Ferral. “My father is dead,” He said, “So unless you want to join him, I’d suggest you come with me.” They looked at each other, Leona walking closer. “Ferral? What’s happened?” She asked. Ferral looked at her, “Do I know you?” He coldly replied, “C’mon you five.” He motioned with his head for them to follow and they did so without hesitation. They walked out, heading down to the main floor and passing by the massacre. “What happened here?” 9322 asked. “Justice.” Ferral said. “What now, brother?” 9321 questioned. “Peace can only be obtained through force, so that’s what we’ll do. And the first step is to kill every world leader.” While they talked, Leona was left inside the room, still processing the words she heard. But she couldn’t dwell on it for too long and ran out after Ferral.

Leona was stunned, she was at a loss for words. “W-why?” “The path to peace can only be achieved through force.” “THAT’S NOT PEACE, THAT’S CHAOS!!!!” Leona shouted, “What possessed you even think of something like this?!?!” “Years of seeing the hatred and pain in this world. Having my eyes opened to just how terrible it is, that’s why, I’ll fix things. Why I’ll be humanity’s avenger.” “THAT’S INSANITY!” Leona got into a fighting stance, “I won’t let you!” Ferral scoffed, “You couldn’t stop me before, what makes you think you can now?” He ripped off his jacket and shirt, crouching down and moving his hand out. It was a stance Leona had never seen before, it was so different, so beast-like. He burst forward, his speed was faster than normal, and Leona didn’t have time to react. He rammed his head into hers, then uppercutted her chin followed by a spin kick across the face, sending her flying through some of the trees and landing on the beach.

Leona rolled in the sand before stopping herself and getting back up. Ferral charged out of the forest on all fours, leaping to deliver another spin kick, but Leona blocked it. The two engaged in a back-and-forth, blocking, striking, and dodging each other’s attacks. Leoan swept Ferral’s feet and as he fell, he swept her. They landed their hands and moved away from each other.

Ferral got up, jumping back toward the ocean, and Leona went after him. She went for a punch that he blocked, then Ferral grabbed her other arm and pulled her forward to bash his head into her face. “Just as I thought,” He said, pulling her closer, “You’re still weak.” She sneered, bashing her head into his face then socking him in the cheek and kicked him away. As he flew back, she jumped after him, going for another punch that Ferral grabbed and slammed her into the water before he fell in. They continued their brawl, however, their attacks were slowed by the water. Leona managed to pin him against a rock, her forearm against his throat. He struggled for a bit before stopping, smirking at her as a swirl of bright yellow filled his eyes. She looked on surprised before Ferral grabbed her by the throat.

The other five made their way toward the beach, looking out to the ocean to see where Ferral and Leona had gone. It wasn’t long before Leona’s body came shooting out from the water and landing face-first on the sand. Blood started to sweep into the sand from slash wounds in her chest. Ferral swam back to the shore and got up, in his new form. They all looked at Leoan’s lifeless body, Ferral scoffing as he reverted back to his awakened state. “Alright, c’mon.” He walked off, heading toward one of the small boats that were scattered along the shore. He saw the mini-sub he came in, but it wasn’t meant for more than two people so he found a boat that could just barely fit the six of them. As the others gathered inside the boat, Ferral began starting it. “Where are we going?” 9325 asked. “I have to make a quick stop in Central City. Hopefully, I’m not too late.” The boat sped forward and they left the island, leaving Leona behind.

It took them a few hours, but once they finally reached the shores of Central City, the group got off and followed Ferral. The city was in chaos, with people screaming, cars crashing, and even some gunfire. They hid in a large group of bushes, “Stay alert,” Ferral said, “Right now, no one’s our friend. We’ll try to keep it stealthy, but if we’re attacked, kill them.” They nodded and the group cautiously ran through the city, passing by burning vehicles, ensuing fights, and even the dead. They finally stopped at Clare and Buck’s apartment, Ferral jumped up and grabbed the wall with his claws. “You five stay down here and guard the building, I’ll go alone for now.” They nodded and he scaled up to the top floor. Once he reached their room, Ferral shattered the window and went inside. He scouted the area, but the only thing he could find were outlines drawn on the floor of where Buck and Clare’s bodies were. He walked out, then closed his eyes, his ears twitching as they listened to every sound on this floor.

Finally, Ferral picked up Laura’s crying coming from the left room next to theirs. He knocked on the door, and an elderly lady slowly opened the door. “Mrs. Jones, it’s me, Ferral.” She fully opened the door, “Ferral? Oh, thank goodness! What’s happening out there? Everything's in chaos, Clarence and Clare were found dead this morning, and I’ve been looking after their daughter.” Ferral placed his hands on her shoulders, giving her a somber look. “I know, it’s been a nightmare. I wish I was here to protect them, but I’m here now to take Laura somewhere safe. If you could just hand her over?” She nodded, walking over to grab her and giving her to Ferral. “Bless you, Ferral. You were always one of the good ones.” He smiled, “Thank you, now stay in here and find somewhere safe to hide.” Just then, a savage experiment came rushing into the hall. Ferral scoffed, looking at Mrs. Jones before back at the experiment. He didn’t want her to die in such a brutal way, so Ferral swiped his right hand up, deeply slashing Mrs. Jones’s chest. Her body fell with a thud on the ground, the experiment heard the noise and ran over toward Ferral. In a flash, Ferral got past the experiment, their head falling off and rolling on the floor as their body collapsed.

Ferral held Laura tightly in his arms as he ran toward a window and jumped through it, catching the side of the building and slowly stopping their descent. Once on the ground, Ferral whistled for the others and they joined him. “Let’s go.” They went through the city, the five wolves circled around Ferral and Laura to protect them. Once they got back on the boat, the group raced off and away from the collapsing city. “Where to now, brother?” 9321 asked. Ferral comforted Laura in his arms, “Into hiding. For now, at least. Then we’ll get the plan going.” “Where would we go?” 9322 asked. “To a place I’ve had my eyes set on for a while. A place where we’ll never be found. A place where we can build an ideal society, without hate or suffering. You you with me?” They clamored with agreement. “Well then, let’s get going.”

The world in flames. The death toll reached 7,000,000 and climbed. World leaders are being put into hiding until the chaos has ended, however, some being killed beforehand. It was days of tragedy, loss, and pain. No, it was the first step toward true peace. Started and led by someone who would make sure that peace was achieved. Declared by his followers as The Hellhound Avenger. His name…..….Ferral.