The Surge Aftermath
Epilogue: Birth of the Warriors
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PRIME HQ — Medical Bay | October 20, 2014 7:16 AM
It’s been three and a half days.
Six Warriors lie broken in the recovery chambers. Defeated. Bruised. Unsure of the next move.
Savage called off the hunt for Rebels for now. He felt no need to risk any more casualties.
He’s got Vantor, but with Demolisher in the wind, he doesn’t feel like he accomplished anything with a threat like him still out there.
Frank is the first to rise. Bandaged, wincing, limping toward the door. It slides open, and Director Savage walks in.
“Just the man I wanted to see,” Savage says.
“Funny, I was just about to find you,” Frank says.
Frank sits down on the chair next to his bed.
“Let me start by saying. I appreciate you fighting with us. You can stay here as long as you want for recovery,” Savage says.
“Thanks. I really appreciate that,” Frank replies.
“Of course… As you can see, I was already building a team. I think you’d be a gr—“
“Hey, hey. No need. I wanna join. I would usually be the first to run from something like this. But to meet the people you have in here. They’re different from the soldiers you have out there. They’re like me. And they may not need protection, but someone’s gonna have to watch these guys.”
Savage chuckles.
“I totally agree. So, that means the Wrecker is in?”
Frank lets out a tsk. “Wrecker? Why am I called that?”
“Did you not see how you left Summit Park? It’s in shambles. It’s going to cost me well over three billion to replace all that’s lost.”
“Well, get used to that. That seems light for someone like Demolisher.”
“Hell, it probably is. Next time, he’s gotta go down.”
“He will. I promise you that.”
“Good man. Welcome to the Warriors.”
“I like the name, too. So it’s just us, huh?”
“Yes. Six is a good start to a promising future. You all bring something special to the table. And in the short time you've all known each other, even in failure, you’ve shown glimpses of greatness.”
Frank nods.
A brief silence before Savage stands.
“Well, I’ll leave ya to rest. Thanks again, Wrecker.”
They shake hands, and Savage turns to walk out. The door hisses open, and before he fully walks out, someone calls out, “Wait!”
Savage stops, turns, and looks at Frank. Frank is looking to his right at Valor, who is now awake.
Savage walks over to Valor’s bed.
“Yes, James?” Savage asks.
“Don’t call me that. What are your plans for finishing the Rebels? Even with Vantor, that doesn’t mean that someone won’t erupt from the shadows to take over. We’ve got to be ready,” Valor says.
Savage sifts through his beard.
“We, huh? I’m assuming you’re officially joining the Warriors now?” He asks.
Valor sighs and looks to his left. He shakes his head and remains silent for a brief moment.
Savage glances over at Frank, who slightly shrugs his shoulders.
“Under one condition,” Valor says.
“I’m listening,” Savage responds.
“Never lie. And never stop me, or my team. We’ll fulfill your missions, but we’ll complete them our way.”
“Your team? I’m stronger than everyone here, shouldn’t I be the leader?” Frank interrupts.
“With all due respect, you’re strong, but you don’t know how to deal with PRIME. I’ve spent my earlier years training, learning, and evolving within their strongholds. I know everything there is to know about PRIME. I’m the only one fit for the bill at this time.”
Savage chuckles under his breath.
“Oh. Well, okay then. No argument there,” Frank says.
“About your way,” Savage says, doing air quotes. “I’m fine with you handling it how you want to. But I’ll have to establish the rules of engagement.”
“Fuck that!” Valor says sharply. “Your way is the reason my mom is dead. So it’s our way or no way.”
“Now you know that I can’t do th—“ Savage says.
“You heard him, Savage,” Frank says, stepping toward Savage.
He gets within a foot of Savage and folds his arms.
“Our way, or no way,” Frank says.
Savage sizes up Frank. Frank smiles.
“Relax. I’m not going to hurt you,” He says.
“Fine. We’ll try things your way. However, you will definitely follow every single one of my orders. Is that clear?” Savage responds.
“Crystal. Now, can you all shut the hell up! I’m trying to sleep here,” Swift interrupts.
Savage and Frank look over at Swift’s bed, and Swift is throwing a tennis ball into the air.
“Man! Y’all might as well kiss with all this tension building,” Rocket says.
Frank laughs. He places his hand on Savage’s shoulder.
With a big smile, Frank says, “We’ll make ya look good. Now get the fuck outta here old man.”
Savage nods.
“Copy that, Warriors. I’ll see you all later.”
Savage turns and leave toward the door. It hisses open, and he walks out.
Frank looks around at all his new teammates.
“So we’re doing this?” Frank asks.
“Hell yeah!” Swift says.
“Hell yeah,” Valor responds.
The Warriors have emerged.
Even in defeat, their spirit remains strong.
Only time will tell the Warriors’ story.
This concludes The Surge: Aftermath.
If you would like to restart the series from the beginning, revisit:
The Surge: Aftermath
Need to rewind the chaos? Catch up on Birth of the Warriors—it’s the previous story.
Or if you’d like to see how it all began, start wtih the prologue of Birth of the Warriors, check out:
Birth of the Warriors
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Ember Valley | October 21, 2014 11:36 PM
The midnight sky lights on fire as a fireball tears through the atmosphere.
It streaks above the calm desert and crashes violently into a distant dune.
From the smoldering wreckage, a figure pulls himself free, pale purple skin scorched and scarred.
He stumbles, slides down the dune, then stands tall.
His eyes glow a brilliant violet purple.
Marcus Shawne has returned.
At the top of the dune, three more figures appear. They descend to meet him.
Two of them— one male and one female—have golden pink skin, glowing gold eyes, and wear black bodysuits streaked with white across their torso.
The third is unmistakably human, but dressed the same.
Marcus Shawne greets them with a slow, mocking applause.
“Mitchell, I know you’ve been here before…”
He turns to the others. “But Bombshell, Warhead, welcome to Viperial City.”
Bombshell brushes sand off her uniform.
“Is this where we will find Para?”
Marcus grins.
“In time, you’ll see your sister.
But first… the three of you will help me conquer the world.”
THE END