The Great Invasion | 2023

The Embarcadero Blast

Word Count: 2114 (completed, May 24, 2019)

[[Abandoned Castle Throne Room - Aokigahara | August 19, 2021 - 6:40 PM]]

The Dark King was sitting on the throne and was about to leave for the supervision of the training when The Sorrow Apprentice along with another girl wearing a crimson and black frilled dress named Tokisaki Kurumi and two elite throne guards armed with triple-edged spears showed up at the throne room. The Dark King sat back down and The Sorrow Apprentice bowed while Kurumi, armed with the modernized-version Flintlock pistol followed suit.

"My king. We got a report. Your associate has successfully detonated an incendiary explosive with 4 tons of Potassium Chloride at his intended location." she informed.

"Excellent. That would create our perfect distraction for our spies to silently take out any key targets and will leave out clues on the victims." said the Dark King.

"What should I do then?" asked Kurumi.

"Ah, you little girl. I have a special job for you. Since you are a skilled sharpshooter, I will give you a task." said the Dark King while giving off a little laugh.

Kurumi giggled sinisterly with her grinned expression. She then sadistically asked:

"What is it?"

...

[[The Embarcadero - San Francisco, CA | 6:40 PM]]

Meanwhile, everything turned into carnage, panic, and destruction as Rick is in the middle of a desperate situation. The entire Pier 26 is completely obliterated and it's on fire, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge above the Embarcadero has suffered severe damage due to the explosion and debris shooting upwards towards it, and the lower deck is on fire as fuel tanks from crashed vehicles explode, causing a chain reaction and few of the vehicles are seen dangling on the side of the bridge, and he could see some people injured on the streets. He had already notified the emergency management of the situation, but now he has to make a decision. He can either rescue the people who were too injured to walk or people who were trapped while facing against the flames and the potential collapse of the bridge that would cost his life, or he should stay here to watch the horror or drive away to safety... He knows that he is the first responder and the only officer at the scene and that doing the former may put himself at risk of serious injury or death.

Rick suddenly gets another glimpse of his memory... First, was his uncle's words during Rick's departure from Oakland in 1997...

"Always fight... for ....our nation!"

...and then to Ralph, Katelyn, and Lucy, whom they worked together through the hard times, helping out each other, and watching movies since they were kids.

His bravery first came to him when in 1989, when Rick was 15 years old. His partial memories were blurry, but he clearly saw Katelyn being beaten up by 2 13-year-old teenagers who had a bitter rivalry with Katelyn, which escalated into a physical conflict as a result. He tried to break it off, but he was no match for them and he was beaten... Then, his memory flashed as soon as he was punched, up to his persistence, when Rick, in battered condition, shielded their attacks and shouted to them:

"I will never give up! I ain't scared of you!"

...before he punched and kicked them down against their pelvis area and punching their heads, immobilizing the 2 of them temporarily, giving them enough time to carry Katelyn to safety.

At his present time, he finally recovered some of his memories, and he looked at the burning site of the destruction, then to his own palms and soon he clenched his fists. He knew that he can't be a coward, and he did not want to leave any of their injured citizens behind. Though he is the only, sole first responder at the scene, he is a police officer and he is tasked to protect the people in San Francisco, and after working with the SFPD for 24 years to which he became a Lieutenant, he wanted to make the most of it for his career before something big happens. He made a quick look around at the blast zone for potential suspects and saw nothing. Eventually, with his ounces of justice and strength, he bravely ran towards Pier 26 to help the injured citizens.