The Olympians: The Fall of Kin

Rally Cry

            Claressa sat with her daughter. They were staying in a FEMA shelter. Ever since the attack on Seattle, she, and thousands of other Godkin had been moved to varying empty lots throughout the city.

It sucked. Honestly, she couldn't bear it. It wasn't so much that she had to deal with bad conditions, but her daughter. She could handle it but, Lupa? Claressa couldn't help but worry for her daughter's safety.

She sighed, tears welling in her eyes as she stroked her daughter's head while they watched the television. Claressa sat on the floor, while Lupa took the cot, eyes drooping as she grew tired.

How could the humans treat us so cruelly?

Godkin were forced to stay in these unattended trailers, living off of weekly supply drops that were growing smaller and smaller every time. Meanwhile, the humans occupied brand-new apartments that hadn't been destroyed in the attack while their homes were rebuilt.

"Fucking assholes..." She muttered to herself. She too was getting tired. Tired of living this way.

The Shredders had saved her...and she owed them far too much for words to convey, but she wished that—what? They'd somehow change The World? As if that was possible. The world would always be cruel. No amount of protesting could ever change it. Nothing would save them.

The heroes, those that had actually been trying to make change, were now fugitives, accused of treason. She knew it wasn't true. And so did every Godkin they'd saved. The humans, too. But they either didn't care or were too scared to speak up in their defense.

Please...someone help us...

Her eyes jumped to the television as it abruptly changed channels to show...

Artemis...Tempest? And...those must be all the other Shredders.

"Godkin...humans...all of you. We are the members of The Shredder Corps. that have been demonized by everyone." Tempest was the one speaking. And something was different about her. "We realize that there've been some nasty things about us circulating. And honestly, whether or not they're true doesn't matter."

There was a change in the air of the trailer. The Godkin that looked so defeated, tired, seemed to perk up. Some glared, hating them just as she had before.

Artemis stepped forward now. "I'm sure all of you know about The United Nations Summit that is gathering to decide whether or not Atlantis should be made a country. It would be a huge step for Godkind. But...the people that attacked Seattle. The people that attacked D.C., they want to stop it. There are plenty out there that won't believe us, but to those that know the truth. The ones that have seen us fighting for you all. We know you are scared. Unsure of the future. But now we ask you what we've never asked before!"

A man that she hadn't met, but seemed to be the leader, stepped forward. He appeared tired, large gray rings around his eyes. He had his blond hair tied back, a brown leather trench coat falling to his knees. "To those that don't know me, my name is Clarion Knight. I've had the honor of being in charge of the Shredder Corps. since its founding. A lot of you may despise us. But we ask you, despite what you may think, to help us. We—we cannot defend the Summit on our own. The enemy is far too powerful! So, please..."

Another man, one with deep blue hair, wearing a nanosuit, stepped forward. "Take your destiny into your hands. Fuck fatalism. Fuck sitting back and waiting! It may not mean much from a human, but you need to help yourselves!"