Ed Mercer vs the Invaders: The Giant Awakening

Chapter Three: Captured

The remnants of the church ceiling lay scattered across the ground, sunlight pouring through the gaping hole where Ed’s massive form now stood. The air was thick with dust and panic. Guests fled the scene, their screams echoing as they scrambled away from the towering figure of Ed Mercer, who was still growing larger by the second.

Ed, standing in what remained of the ruined church, looked down at the destruction he had unintentionally caused. His heart pounded, panic clawing at his insides, but his voice—still unchanged—came out steady and calm. "Okay, this is officially out of control."

Darulio, standing amidst the wreckage, couldn’t tear his eyes away from Ed. “Ed, what do we do?” he shouted over the sound of the crumbling walls and distant sirens that were now growing louder.

Before Ed could respond, the sharp whir of helicopters filled the air, and the ground beneath them trembled with the unmistakable rumble of approaching military vehicles. Ed’s eyes widened as he looked up to see black helicopters circling overhead. The U.S. Army had arrived.

“Why do I get the feeling they aren’t here to congratulate us?” Ed muttered.

“Ed, they’re not going to…” Darulio’s voice trailed off as the full weight of the situation hit him. They weren’t going to talk this out—they were going to take action. And fast.

Without warning, a voice boomed through a loudspeaker from one of the helicopters. “Edward Mercer! Stand down immediately or we will use force! You are to be apprehended for the safety of the public.”

“Stand down? I’m literally trying not to fall over!” Ed shouted back, his voice carrying through the air. He lifted his hands, trying to show them he meant no harm, but his movements caused the ground to shake beneath him. The soldiers below took this as a sign of aggression, their weapons raised in response.

“Darulio, I don’t think they’re here for a chat,” Ed said urgently.

Just as he said it, the helicopters swooped in lower, and soldiers emerged from the nearby military vehicles, setting up a perimeter around the church. Ed could see them, guns raised, ready to fire.

Darulio ran toward Ed’s towering form, waving his arms desperately. “Wait! He’s not dangerous! He’s still Ed!”

But it was too late. A series of tranquilizer darts shot through the air, hitting Ed’s body with a sudden, sharp sting. One after another, they embedded themselves in his arms, legs, and torso. He flinched, his huge hand swatting one of them away, but there were too many. The sedative coursed through his system, overwhelming his body with each passing second.

“Darulio…” Ed’s voice wavered as he swayed on his feet, the sedative taking hold. His movements grew sluggish, his legs unsteady. “I don’t… feel so good…”

Darulio’s heart sank as he watched Ed struggle to stay upright. “Ed! Stay with me!”

But Ed’s towering form began to stumble. The world around him spun, and his giant frame tilted, collapsing toward the nearby field. With a thunderous crash, he fell to the ground, the earth shaking beneath him as his enormous body hit the ground. Dust and debris flew up into the air, and the remaining parts of the church groaned under the impact.

Ed’s eyes fluttered, fighting to stay open, but the tranquilizers were too strong. His vision blurred, and the world around him faded as unconsciousness took over.

Darulio sprinted toward Ed’s fallen form, his heart pounding in his chest. “Ed!” he called, his voice breaking. But there was no response. Ed lay still, his massive body motionless as the soldiers began to move in, surrounding him.

Tears welled up in Darulio’s eyes as he stood helplessly by. “You don’t understand!” he shouted to the soldiers. “He didn’t mean to hurt anyone! He’s still the same Ed!”

But the soldiers were focused on securing the area. They moved quickly, setting up containment around Ed’s body, while others loaded heavy-duty transport equipment. In a matter of minutes, they had him secured, bound with thick restraints and prepared to be transported to an unknown location.

Darulio tried to push through the line of soldiers, desperate to reach Ed, but they blocked him. “Let me see him!” he pleaded, but they held firm.

“Sir, step back!” one of the officers barked.

Darulio stepped back, his heart racing with helplessness. He watched as they began to haul Ed’s enormous, unconscious form away, loading him onto a series of flatbed trucks designed to carry the weight of a giant.

The loudspeaker crackled to life again. “Subject apprehended. Prepare for transport to the classified facility. All civilians, please evacuate the area immediately.”

Darulio stood frozen, watching as the trucks began to move, taking Ed away. He clenched his fists, feeling the overwhelming surge of frustration and helplessness. Ed was gone, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

As the convoy of military vehicles disappeared into the distance, Darulio’s mind raced with a single thought: I have to get him back.

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Ed Mercer had been captured, his giant form taken away by the military. But for Darulio, this was far from over. He knew one thing for sure: he wasn’t about to let the love of his life disappear without a fight.