Spectacular World

Suiting Up

Hope felt it as she stared up at the large warship. It was a strange sensation that remained in the back of her head. A bubbling emotion that wasn't her own. It confused her, but she didn't have time to process it as Kevin began to speak once more.

"Any plan to deal with that?" The red monster hissed in her ear. He was still wrapped around her body, working as her costume. She'd have felt embarrassed about the fact she was literally wearing him, but with everything going on, she didn't care as much.

"Nope." Was her blunt response. Even if she had all her powers back, she was unsure if she could fight off an entire warship. "I'll just wing it or something."

"You can't seriously think you're going to fight that thing!" Kevin growled. "Are you stupid?"

She stared up at the ship, trying to keep a cool head. "Well, I can't just sit by and not do anything."

The boat was massive and old-looking. It didn't seem to be enhanced by any tech. In fact, it looked very ancient and likely wouldn't be able to sail on the sea anymore. It was most likely being lifted by a power rather than being a functional ship with Mental tech. The cannons on board of it slowly came down to point at the village, and she barely had time to turn her back as it opened fire on the island.

She was thankful she didn't have her enhanced senses because the noise was already so loud it caused her ears to nearly pop. The cannons were loud and booming, sending out massive slugs that erupted like chaotic fireworks. She took off running, but the entire island rumbled, and all the trees began to shake and crash down around her, falling to the forest floor. Red tendrils stabbed out of her backpack, slashing at all the branches that came down around her as Kevin kept her small form safe, as well as the unconscious body of Oliva, which she still carried.

She could smell smoke and spotted a massive fire forming near the village, one that was quickly starting to spread out. The ship didn't just stop with one round of cannon fire, either. They kept blasting down, tearing chunks of the ground away as they bombed the island.

"We need to get the hell out of here," Kevin suggested. She stopped dead in her tracks and looked back, balling her hand into a fist. "Why the hell are you stopping, Lauren!"

"I can't just leave them."

"Yes, you can! Don't do anything stupid!"

"The people in that village are in trouble because of me! That ship is looking for me; I'm sure of that! The villagers don't have anyone to protect them. This isn't like the cities, Kevin. The only hero out in this part of the world is the Victorian, and if she's too busy or distracted, then she won't show up in time."

"What can we do?" Kevin yelled into her ear, forming dozens of mouths along her clothes. "I might be able to take a few rounds, but a direct hit with the state you're in would reduce you to ash in seconds even if I kept you safe. We can't save them. Most are probably dead already."

"I have to try, though!"

"You'll die!"

Hope shook her head and began to remove the bag. The coat and pants she wore pulled away along with it, sliding off of her flesh. She still wore some clothes beneath it, so she wasn't naked, but she was way more exposed than before, dressed only in a T-shirt and shorts. "When you were in danger, my team came to your aid. Polaron could have killed us all then and there, but we still tried. And if I knew what Wish did to you, you can bet I'd have also shown up to help. I don't care if I don't have a chance. Those guys are after me. Maybe I can get them to talk or pretend to be controlled by their teammate or something. Anything that can get them to stop firing would help. I don't expect you to follow me. You can keep heading through the forest and find a way off this island if you want, Kevin." She placed Olivia down on the ground while Kevin just stared at her as if she were insane.