Prometheus looked out at the already assembled waiting lines near the northwest entrance into 'Central City' from the Talocan district. Everyone recognized his carriage and was cheering to beat the band.

He passed the Sabbaton defensive wall and hundreds more were inside.

Most were in lines waiting to pass the security checks to enter the great Sabbaton Towers. Others were tailgating with data-scrolls tuned in for the live broadcast of the concert.

The carriage turned and stopped next to a red carpet leading to a secured entrance. Dozens of reporters and fans lined each side of the path. The cheers were already loud.

As soon as he stepped out, it was deafening. And, Pro loved it.

He showed off his usual attire, olive green hooded sweater with blue jeans and black kneepads.

He held up the classical horns, showing off his faith to the art of Quake.

Armed shock troopers of the City Guard were waiting for him as he stepped out, keeping up with his pace to ensure no one was able to assault him in any way.

Just before he reached the entrance, some reporters were allowed into the path for brief questioning.

"One at a time, people. You know the drill," Pro said comically.

"Mr. Echo! What will be the general idea of your song in tonight's concert?"

"That will remain anonymous until the performance, thank you."

Another flurry of questions.

"Is it true that your song will be in an effort to dissuade fans of Tinsel Nanaja or discredit her and her popularity?"

Pro smiled, remaining silent, looking at the cameras, adding the suspense.

"Let's just say that for a 13-year-old, she knows her stuff and she deserves every penny that she gets. But, she crossed the line with me a few years back and that's not gonna slide with me. So, let's just say that karma, like her, is a bitch!"

Over the next flurry of questions, Pro could hear the ovations from the tailgaters, watching him being caught on live television. By his command, the troopers forced their way through the paparazzi to clear a path. Pro made it through and walked into the immense lobby, which was cleared out, save a squad of security guards and Pro's band and supervisor. His supervisor, Eldrin, spotted him and rushed over.

"Hey, uh, Echo, glad to, uh, see that you could make it," he said nervously.

Pro gave him a weird look. "You okay? You're sweatin' all over. I know you're a pig and all, but if you're gonna be runnin' all over the place to get stuff ready, you need to lose some pounds."

Eldrin froze, then sighed heavily. "OH, oh yeah! You're right, Pro! Well, anyways, I just want you to get ready, so, uh, get to your dressin' room. Chop chop!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What about the autograph signings in the next five minutes?"

"They've been rescheduled for after the show, during the encore! Now, get moving! Now! Let's go! Showtime!..."

* * * * *

Pro rubbed his head as he felt somewhat forced by his escort while walking to his dressing room.

'What's with the hog tonight? He afraid Tinsel's gonna show up looking like a commando and try to kill us? I mean, what's the big rush?'

Reaching his room, Pro grabbed the doorknob as he looked back at the troopers. They stared in his direction as he turned the knob.

Feeling that something was wrong, Pro opened the door and stepped in.

The young man stopped dead. Two more troopers and the head of the City Guard stood in front of his dressing table.

Captain Ezro Tezlov of the City Guard stood with folded arms and a crooked smile.

"Prometheus Echo, you are under arrest for subversion and terrorism. Please come peacefully."

Pro felt the rifles of his trooper escort barely touching his back.

Never did he see something like this coming.

****************

*THREE DAYS LATER*

Pro's mind raced with thoughts as he sat in a cell outside the Anduruna Supreme Courtroom.

Three days earlier, he was arrested and accused of crimes against the government by Vice Captain Ezro Tezlov, who took on the rank of Captain in place of Igrath Winters, who was out on a medical leave.

Pro's thoughts didn't dwell on himself, however. They dwelled on his sister.

For the past three days, Pro has been a nervous wreck. 'Louie... he must've left by now. She's all alone. No one else knows about her but me. I've got to get this resolved as quickly as possible. She needs help!'

Pro's head snapped towards the bars as a duo of guards and a possum in a suit stopped in front of his cell.

Pro recognized the possum to be his lawyer. "Jasper! What the hell is going on? What did I do?"

Jasper raised his hands, motioning Pro to calm down. "Easy, Echo. I've been asking the same questions for days now. But, you know how strict the courts are on subversion! I seriously doubt this is going to end well."

"But, I don't understand! What did I ever do to the government? This is crazy!"

As Pro spoke, the guards slid the door open and led Pro out of the cell, already in cuffs.

"We'll have to get our answers in court, 'cause that's where we're going right now!" Jasper replied.

Pro and Jasper were led through many other cellblocks before walking through a single door into a large courtroom, where the jury and gallery had already assembled.

As Pro and Jasper walked to their table, Pro looked to the jury to see an all-too-familiar face. Tinsel was among the jury, her pampered face staring back at his.

'No way. She couldn't have anything to do with this. She wouldn't stoop that low, would she?'

Pro's heart raced as he was seated by the guards. Jasper sat down by himself.

A guard walked forward into the well and announced, "Anduruna Supreme Court is now in session with the honorable Judge Marshall Hindenburg residing."

Pro's hands were cuffed in front of him, allowing himself to place his hands over his face in fear. He just had the sickening feeling that Tinsel somehow framed him. Apparently, she has ties of some sort with the courts, because she's not even old enough to be in any jury.

"Good morning," Hindenburg said, sitting down at the bench. "February 23, 1213. Case #5BD3472866691909. The suspect: Prometheus Echo. Suspected of subversion and possible terrorism. How do you plea, Mr. Echo?"

Pro looked up, gaping his mouth, as if he suddenly woke up from a trance. Lowering his hands, he stared at the judge and said, "Not guilty, Your Honor."

The judge looked down with a frown as he scrounged through his paperwork of the case.

Pro looked down at the table, biting his lower lip as his thoughts went back to his sister. Those thoughts were taken away as the judge spoke once more.

"Mr. Echo, approximately one week ago, a series of riots had occurred on the eastern island off the coast of Talocan. Evidence of these riots were brought to the City Guard in the form of recorded video. A young man was leading the main group of rioters throughout the island. According to the video's audio, we have concluded that you were the individual who led this riot."

"Your Honor!" Jasper shouted, standing up. "The law states that evidence of possible subversion MUST be presented during the trial, not before!"

"That law does not exist! Sit down!"

Jasper's face went pale as he slowly fell into his seat. Pro looked at him with concern.

"We reviewed the evidence, Mr. Echo. Your face is never clearly shown, but your voice is perfectly clear over the crowd. You made accusations of the government being corrupt, while defining the meanings of lyrics from your musical works. Which we've noticed through the investigations have many anti-political themes."

Pro shook his head knowing, that even though none of it was true (save for the lyrics of his music), he was going to be convicted of subversion and be sentenced a whole fifty years in prison.

For minutes, the recordings were played. A wolf in an olive green hoodie, jeans, kneepads, and sneakers, stood on top of a toppled groundcar, screaming at the rioters.

"This is OUR country! Fuck the system and fuck the suits! Never let them stick their hands in your face again, bitch! Fuck YOUUU!"

After nearly an hour of reviewing the same footage, Pro was on the verge of hysteria.

"Has the jury reached its verdict?" Hindenburg asked.

Pro looked dead at Tinsel. In unison, she and the jury said, "Guilty."

"The evidence is conclusive," Judge Hindenburg sighed. "You are hereby guilty of all charges and sentenced to life in prison. That is all."

"No!" Pro screamed, jumping from his seat. Jasper rose in utter shock. "You can't do that! There's not enough evidence! I didn't do any of that! This is bullshit! You can't do this to me! I-"

Pro stopped and looked straight at Tinsel, who looked back with a barely visible smile.

Pro pointed at her, stumbling away from the table. "It was you, wasn't it? You've got connections, don't you? You BRIBED these people! You're trying to ruin me! You little bitch! How DARE you do this to ME!"

Pro bolted for the jury box, but the bailiff tackled him halfway there. His arms were held by security while he was uncuffed and recuffed to place his arms behind him.

"Take him away!" the judge ordered.

"NO! You can't! I have a sister! She's only a kid! I can't leave her alone! You can't do this to me! Don't! Let me go! Please! NO! NOO! NOO! NAAUUGHHOOO! NRAAAUUUGGHHHGHH~!"

Prometheus kept screaming down the cellblocks.

* * * * *

In an office leading out of contempt, a guard used a comm-scroll to contact the prison while another guard kept Pro detained. At this point, Pro was completely silent.

"Security, we're gonna need some guys to escort a convict to the prison and, uh, be sure to put him in solitary confinement. He's gonna need some time to cool down before he gets put in a cell."

"Uh, no can do, Courthouse," Security responded. "We've got our hands full in prison. An all-out riot just broke out down here. You're gonna have to put him in a vacant room for the time being. Uh,... take him to Floor 995, Room 6.

The guard paused. "Uh, Security, that's the Viscount's private floor."

"It's the best we can come up with right now. Take it or leave it."

"Alright, alright! Watch yourself down there."

The guard walked out of the office and both guards grabbed Pro by the arms. "Today's your lucky day, freak. You're bunkin' down on the Viscount's floor. Until the riot downstairs is over. Move it!"

* * * * *

Vice Captain Ezro Tezlov, back to his former rank with Winters recently back in charge, heard of the arrangements for the Viscount's "guest." Walking to the elevator, the doors opened and both guards dragged Pro out, his legs limply dragging the floor.

"Well, well! How nice to see you again, Pro. Hope you're ready to see your cell."

Pro said nothing.

Tezlov opened the door to Room 6 and Pro was thrown in.

"Get some workers up here to setup the locks," Tezlov ordered. "Have them male slots in the top and bottom of the door. The damage in the prisons underground is extensive. I don't think this kid is going anywhere soon."

Tezlov looked in at Pro, who sat on his knees staring out the large window that made up a wall.

The trooper smiled. "Enjoy your stay, punk!"

The door was closed and locked.

Prometheus didn't say a word for a long time.

***********************************

*FIVE MONTHS LATER*

A large slot opened in the bottom of the door to Room 6. A tray of goulash was pushed through the slot.

A smaller slot opened in the top of the door and the eyes of Ezro Tezlov peered in.

"Hey, freak show! Dinner is ser-OH CRAP!"

A face slammed itself across the open slot, its bloodshot eyes staring out at the startled trooper.

"Good eveniiiiing, Mr. Tezla Coil."

Tezlov straightened out the sleeves of his uniform. "You've got to stop doing that."

"I can see why Louie liked being crazy," Pro said. "Being crazy is SOOOOO much easier."

"Any reason why you're crazy?" Tezlov asked, not expecting a clear answer. "It's not like you regret doing what you did. You should've seen this coming. Every crook should see this coming."

Inside the room, the hunchbacked creature known as Prometheus trundled over to the window. A vicious storm had brewed over the city, casting a downpour with lightning, the clouds lit up from the last few hours of light from the day.

"I lost someone. That should be enough to satisfy you. Would you like a handjob with that? Hehe hehehe hehe heh..."

Tezlov closed the top slot, stomping away from the door.

'I can't believe that not only have I been demoted, I've been given guard duty for this retard!'

Walking down the stairs, Tezlov entered a lounge five floors down from the Viscount's floor.

One Tower guard who was acquainted with Tezlov smiled. "Yo, Tez. Taking a break?"

Tezlov snatched a coffee mug and prepped the coffee maker. "Well, it sure doesn't look like I've been laid off!"

The guard looked offended. "Maybe you should get a spot down in the prisons to patrol. I think that screwball upstairs is getting to you."

"I can handle it," Tezlov growled. "I'll find a way to shut him up."

He pulled out his data-scroll and entered a news website. A recently posted video report was available. It was related to Pro's home.

"Hey, what do you know!"

"What is it?" the guard asked curiously.

Tezlov ignored him and played the video.

"Last night, City Guard officers were called to the Talocan suburbia after receiving calls of possible looters in the home of Prometheus Echo. The home has been abandoned for some time and investigators claim that the front doors were already unlocked when the looters broke in. Five suspects have been apprehended while two remain at large. Further inspection of the house revealed the skeletal remains of a toddler from a baby's room. The City Guard has launched a full investigation into the toddler's identity and may turn to Prometheus Echo for questioning. More on this story as it develops..."

Tezlov grinned wide after the video ended. The guard had stood next to him to see the last half of the report.

"So, that's it," Tezlov discovered.

"What?"

"I'll be right back," Tezlov said, exiting the room.

* * * * *

In Room 6, Pro was on his knees, the same position that he was in when he was first put there.

Behind him, the bottom slot opened and closed. The top slot opened.

"Hey, Pro! I thought you'd like some entertainment! Enjoy!"

Tezlov stared at Pro as he made it to his feet. He turned and saw the data-scroll. Like a starving man, he grabbed it and made a stuttering gasp.

"It's beautifuuuul," Pro whispered.

"Still know how to use it? Play the video," Tezlov instructed.

"Okay," Pro whispered, barely noticing the report's title.

No rational thought was going through his head after starting the video.

When the video ended, he dropped the scroll to the floor.

Only one thought raced threw his mind. The first rational thought for months.

And, that thought was what determined his next actions.

* * * * *

Tezlov stood next to the door, arms crossed with a satisfied smile. He made a habit of making criminals suffer. This wasn't his usual method, but it was still enjoyable.

All was suddenly silent in the room.

"Liked the entertainment, buddy?"

A split second later, he found himself on his rear end as the entire floor violently shook. He looked around frantically as the tremor ceased.

He looked at the door and saw dust pouring in from the top slot.

"Crap!"

He unlocked the door as fast as he could. He suspected the ceiling gave way.

Looking in, he saw part of the ceiling missing, as well as part of the floor and the entire window.

Pro was nowhere to be seen.

"No... no no no no no no no no NOOO!"

Shaking his head in denial, Tezlov took off running.

* * * * *

Nearly 200 floors down, the Dreamkeeper sailed down the side of the structure at a frightening speed.

Down below, a large balcony jutted out from the side, with a thick concrete curve, windows that dominated the whole side of the hemispherical wall and a glass ceiling with metal supports.

* * * * *

Inside the balcony, a group of Tower security guards were discussing advancements in the Towers' security system, sitting around a long, oval table.

* * * * *

Throwing his arms up...

* * * * *

"I just don't get it..."

* * * * *

...Like a living sledgehammer...

* * * * *

"...I mean, are these advancements even necessary?"

* * * * *

...Prometheus threw his arms down.

* * * * *

"It's not like a psychotic Infractor is gonna come blasting through the ceiling or anything like that, right?"

* * * * *

Upon impact, Prometheus smashed through the glass, creating a burst of energy that sent the glass and metal supports flying off into pieces.

The guards barely had enough time to look up as Prometheus smashed into the table, sending a burst of energy that sent the severed table and the guards flying out the windows.

Standing straight up in the crater made in the concrete floor, the Dreamkeeper breathed heavily. Opening his eyes, they glowed a blinding white light.

"RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGHHHHHHHHH! SAAAAAABBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Prometheus and his Power were unleashed.

Looking at the doors to the exit, Pro trundled forward like a man possessed. Swatting the air, a psychic blast sent the doors flying off their hinges.

Pro didn't care about his newfound abilities. All he cared about was using those abilities... to avenge himself and Sabba. And, there was only one thing that would satisfy that vengeance.

Stepping out into the hallway, alarms went off.

"Attention! Attention! Attention all occupants of the Sabbaton Towers! Evacuate immediately! An escaped Infractor is loose in the Towers! Repeat, escaped Infractor in the Towers! Proceed to the elevators and stairs in an orderly fashion as soon as possible. Emergency protocols commencing!"

Slowly, Pro stumbled down the empty hallway, lined with windows. As if feeling his pain, the lightning flashed brightly outside.

Reaching an elevator at the end, Pro swatted the air backwards and the doors flew off and out through a window. Pro looked down the shaft to see the elevator going down many floors below.

He frowned. Jumping into the shaft, he grabbed the cables and slid down to the elevator's roof.

Moments later, it stopped and Pro could hear the heavy boots of troopers filing out.

Cautiously, Pro opened the emergency hatch and jumped into the elevator.

The troopers had entered a shopping mall built into the very side of the Tower, with more windows dominating the far side. Many people were still evacuating the area.

"Let's go, people! Get out of here!"

Pro recognized that voice to be Tezlov's. He must've met up with this squad many floors up after reporting Pro's escape.

Pro stepped out of the elevator. Turning around, he swatted the air again and the elevator practically exploded in the shaft, sending it tumbling down in ruins.

The troopers swung around, rifles already aimed.

Turning back around to face them, Pro pointed his arm at them. They opened fire.

As the bullets were halfway to Pro, they greatly slowed down. As they reached him, they stopped completely, in mid air.

In suspended animation, the bullets hung in the air as Pro curiously grabbed one. Looking at it, he looked at the troopers.

As the troopers stared in shock, Pro dropped the bullet and swatted the air again. The remaining bullets flew back and killed every trooper in sight.

Except for Tezlov, who was standing in an awkward pose in an effort to avoid being hit.

At this point, the evacuees were all gone, panicked by Pros' arrival. Only Pro and Tezlov were left alone.

Tezlov regained his posture. "Uh, look, Pro, I can help you. I know that whoever that kid was, she was close to you. But, don't make things any worse on yourself than they already are."

Tezlov backed away as Pro slowly walked towards him. A nearby kiosk began to crumple up like a piece of paper. The whole structure was slightly shaking. Lights and gloworbs burst, darkening the immense hallway. The windows cracked, some even broke, bringing in the harsh elements of the storm. Objects in the stores lining the other side of the wall imploded.

As quickly as it started, everything was calm. Tezlov looked in every direction, then back at Pro. His face contorted in different forms, his emotions completely scrambled.

Tezlov knew he couldn't get through to Pro. The trooper brandished a machete from a scabbard on his right leg.

"Come on! You want me?! Come ON! I can take you!"

Tezlov felt his right arm jerk forward. He looked at his blade and felt it trying to fly out of his grip. He grabbed the hilt with both hands.

"Oh, no you don't! It's mine!"

Against his strength, the machete flew out of his hands as he fell backwards from the momentum of pulling. The weapon was caught in Pro's outstretched hand.

Tezlov jumped to his feet. Pro made a motion with his left hand and Tezlov went sailing towards him.

The trooper fell right into his own blade, stuck out like a spear.

Tezlov's head shook as he stared into Pro's eyes, blood pouring from his mouth.

"You are only the first one," Pro said. He squeezed the hilt of the machete.

Tezlov let out a strained scream as his body imploded. Gore and severed limbs scattered around. Pro stared straight ahead, his body covered in blood.

* * * * *

Inside a clothing store just down the hall, Pro changed out of the jumpsuit he was given to wear into a familiar outfit. An olive green hoodie, faded blue jeans, and black work boots instead of sneakers.

Several minutes afterwards, Pro sat against a wall of the store, crying from all that he experienced.

In the minutes that passed after killing Tezlov, Pro had slowly regained what was left of his sanity.

Looking up, he finally came up with a plan.

'Tinsel, Hindenburg, the jury, the politicians; everyone who was involved... must pay. But, it has to be today. Before I leave the Towers. Preferably, during the evacuation.'

Pro stepped out of the store, looking down both ways of the hallway mall. Looking left, he saw the troopers and the splattered remains of Tezlov. The lights were all broken, in the hallway and the stores, so everything was dark. The only light came from outside by the storm.

For just the slightest moment, Pro believed that there was no limit to his Power. But, he dismissed the thought. No one had unlimited power.

Nevertheless, his Power was immense. His Power was dangerous. And, he aimed to use it to the best of his skill.

What frightened Pro about using his Power is that he seemed to already know how to use it. He already knew how to use the basic abilities of his Power, though he never tried it. It was like he already knew how to use his Power since his birth.

'I'll have to dig down deep into myself to figure it out later,' Pro thought. 'Right now, I have to find Tinsel.'

Pro paused. 'No. Her death can wait another day. I just want to have some fun with her. Better yet, she'll be the last one to die.'

Pro closed his eyes. 'Let's see just how far my Power can go.'

In his mind, Pro imagined himself flying through hundreds of floors. 'Nice! I can actually see what's happening somewhere else, without actually seeing.'

With his Power and mind put together, Pro listened. Thousands of voices poured through his head. None of them sounded like Tinsel's.

But then, he found her.

Combing through a herd of people in an indoor plaza hundreds of floors below, Tinsel had stepped out of the crowd, talking on a comm-scroll.

With all other voices silent, Pro listened to her words.

"I just want to make sure you get out, Senator," Tinsel said worriedly. "You're with another woman?! Calah, I thought you said I was the only one you were seeing! I sure as hell hope your wife doesn't know about this other slut! Okay, okay, sorry! Yes, I'm on my way out now! Where are you? You're still up THERE?!"

Concentrating, Pro jumped into her mind to hear the words of, apparently, Senator Calah.

"We're still in her apartment on Floor 809. She doesn't want to leave until most everybody clears out. She doesn't want to get separated. I'm going to have to just leave her and make sure my wife and daughter have gotten out. These affairs are getting too hectic for me."

"Will you leave me, too?"

"...No, Tinsel. You're very beautiful and very valuable. We could use a young woman like you in the senate."

Tinsel snickered. "I'm not sure how to take that, Mr. Calah."

"How many times have I told you not to call me that? Just get out while you can. We're both taking a risk standing around talking on comm-scrolls."

"Okay. Be careful."

"I will."

Pro opened his eyes. He breathed in and unleashed a powerful scream.

"FUCKING PEDO PIECE OF SHIT! HE'S THE FUCKER WHO GOT THROUGH TO THE COURTS! That law about holding evidence until the trial WAS real! He just had it taken out and increased the sentence to life 'cause that little bitch gave him a pussy to fuck! DAMMIT!"

Pro grabbed the fur on his head, screaming through his teeth.

Suddenly, he thought back to his sister. Then, he thought of Tinsel. Then, he thought of this senator and his second secret lover.

Giggling, Pro said, "Oh, you think you can screw with me, Calah boy? I'm gonna screw with YOU!"

Just then, the door to the stairs near the elevator was blasted open.

Without thinking, Pro took off the opposite way. Behind him, Sparklers went off. He was out of sight of the flash and he'd be out of sight completely when the troopers file in.

Pro spotted a door leading to more stairs. He already knew where he was going next.

* * * * *

"Calah, please! Don't go! It's not safe!"

Senator Calah sighed. "Look, Francia, just stay here, all right? I have two troopers outside the front door guarding you. I'm going to see just what exactly is going on. I'll be fine!"

Francia, a yellow feline, cupped her hands to her mouth. "Please, just... be careful."

Calah nodded. "I will. I'll knock on the door when I come back. I WILL be back! I promise!"

Sitting on the couch of her living room, she watched Calah walk out the front door. As the door closed behind him, she wiped the tears from her eyes with a tissue.

Minutes ticked by and suddenly, a knock from the door.

Francia looked up in shock. Jumping up, she raced to the door, yelling, "Calah! You're back already? You're faster on your feet than you are in b-"

Swinging the door open, she flew back into the living room, crashing back first into a bookshelf. She yelped, feeling a grip around her throat. She reached to free herself, but there was nothing there to choke her. Gasping, she looked forward to see a hooded wolf walking in. Behind him in the hallway lay two slain troopers.

Francia gasped even more as Prometheus walked up to her. Concentrating, he lifted himself off the floor so he was level with her. Getting close to her neck, he sniffed at her.

Backing up, he whispered. "What... is your name?"

Francia didn't say anything, horrified and suffocating.

"WHAT... is your NAME?!"

She croaked, "Francia... Joko...son...."

Pro turned his head towards her bedroom.

Swinging his right arm as if throwing her, Francia flew across the living room and into her bedroom, landing perfectly on the bed.

She attempted to get up, but was suddenly pinned to the bed. She struggled against Pro's psychic grip to no avail.

Methodically, Pro walked into the room.

Weakly, Francia rose her head to see him staring at her. "What do you want from me?"

Pro smiled, undoing his jeans. "I want... you."

The doors closed and locked themselves behind him.

* * * * *

"You never saw me and nothing happened since Calah left."

"I never saw you and nothing happened since Calah left."

Pro stood outside in the hallway while Francia stood in the doorway of her apartment, completely naked.

Pro waved his hand in front of her face.

"You will put your clothes back on, lay on the couch and fall asleep. You can wake up at any time."

With a blank face, she repeated. "I will put my clothes back on, lay on the couch and fall asleep. I can wake up at any time."

Lowering his arm, Francia turned on her heel and walked to the bedroom to retrieve her clothes. Pro closed and locked the apartment door behind her.

Pro looked down at the dead troopers.

'Now that that's out of the way,' Pro thought. 'Time to get down to business.'

* * * * *

"What do you mean you can't get through?" Calah shouted into his comm-scroll. "Didn't you use your credentials? Urgh, useless security guards! Look, I just got down here from the Telepad Station. There's no way I can get back up to you. Just hold on to Lilith and wait it out. Get on the telepad to the Central City telepad whenever you can. I'll be waiting for you there. Stay safe, honey."

Calah rolled up the small device and slipped it into his pocket and looked around a wide-open plaza at the base of the Sabbaton Towers. He blinked as the rain drenched him. Dozens more people surrounded him, all concerned for their friends and loved ones.

Suddenly, Calah turned towards the Towers. People near the wall screamed and ran as shards of glass rain down on them.

Calah looked up and saw something, or someone, falling towards the ground. The figure moved around in the air, as if positioning itself.

Calah gawked as the figure smashed into the concrete. A blast of air and sound knocked Calah right off his feet. Moments later, Calah leaned up, coughing as a wave of dust swirled around him. People ran all around him.

Calah stood up as the dust settled. He used the rain to wash the dust from his face.

He looked back at the source of the blast to see a large crater. Civilians lay on the ground around it, injured or killed in the chaos.

Walking up to the lip, Prometheus observed the scene.

Calah stumbled back, horrified at the sight of Prometheus Echo, his halo fully brightened.

Stepping out of the crater, Pro approached the senator. Calah fell to the ground, pushing himself away. He stopped when he realized he couldn't get away.

Calah held his arms up. "Please... don't kill me..."

Pro stared down at him. With a snarl, he slammed his machete right into the concrete, next to Calah's head.

He looked at the blade, then at Pro. The Dreamkeeper gave Calah his most intense glare, then pulled the blade out.

"I'll be watching you," Pro whispered.

Thunder clapped in the distance seconds after. Looking forward, Pro walked past the terrified senator.

Sticking the blade into his boot, Pro stopped in front of the defensive wall that surrounded the Sabbaton Towers and 'Central City.' Pro sneered at the obstacle and placed his arms next to his right side while twisting his body. His hands close together, he formed a large psychic blast. Satisfied, Pro released it and smashed a hole right out of the wall.

Pro stepped through, walking amongst the debris. Many citizens had gathered on the opposite side of the wall and were caught in the raining debris. Only several had survived and they stumbled about, screaming as they suffered serious injuries. A male Dreamkeeper gripped his right arm, shouting as he walked into Pro's path.

Grabbing his blade, Pro slashed the man's back, putting him down. A screaming woman tripped into Pro's path, gripping the air as if holding a baby.

Pro slammed his blade down into her back.

At this point, anyone who got in Pro's way was an enemy. He didn't care who they were.

All he cared about was finding the members of the jury and Judge Hindenburg. But, first, he had some loose ends to tie up.

All throughout the city, sirens wailed as the city went into full alert.

* * * * *

In an office portable near the Margate district ports, Eldrin gathered his desk items in a box and sighed. 

His career as an agent had become a complete failure. He tried to become Tinsel's agent, but after Pro was locked away, every other agent came running to Tinsel. There were too many to choose from and Eldrin was simply brushed aside.

Putting on a raincoat, he grabbed the box and walked out the door.

Stepping down the temporary stairs of the portable, he looked at his groundcar. His steers were lying on the ground.

"What?" Eldrin whispered, placing his box on the ground and running to the groundcar.

He knelt down and looked at each steer. Each one had its throat slit.

"What the hell?" he gasped.

Suddenly, he looked up to see workers and sailors from the nearby ports racing for the district shelter. He remembered that the sirens had been wailing for nearly ten minutes.

Standing up, he turned around to grab his things. Stepping out of his enclosed groundcar was an all-too-familiar young man.

"Long time no see, porky."

A brief pause. Then, Eldrin screamed.

* * * * *

In the inner Theophanies district, Jasper, Pro's former lawyer, speed-walked with a crowd of evacuees from the Towers. After hearing of an incident in Central City, Jasper and the evacuees rushed further into the district, heading for the Theophanies shelter.

Hearing that Pro had escaped using his Power and was now loose in the city, Jasper had a feeling that he was going to be in a world of hurt.

Seeing that the crowd was thickening, Jasper stepped off the street and into an alley. Hoping that it would be a shortcut, he ran down and turned a corner, out of view of the street.

He stopped as a back door light came on, revealing Pro's dark silhouette.

Jasper shook his head. "Pro? Listen, if you're thinking what I think you're thinking I had nothing to do with it! I had -"

Pro held out his arm. Sparks of electricity echoed through the alley. The back door light dimmed.

Bolts of lightning shot out from Pro's palm, striking at Jasper. The lawyer screamed as he crumpled to the pavement.

Pro stopped the lightning and stared at his hand in disbelief.

Slowly, he looked back at Jasper, his fur and suit charred from the bolts, and raised his arm. Again, lightning lashed out.

From the street, flashes could be seen against the walls of the buildings, but Jasper's screams were inaudible over the frightened crowd.

* * * * *

*THE NEXT MORNING*

Judge Marshall Hindenburg's face went pale as he watched the news report on his info-scroll in the safety of his home in the Talocan district.

"Turmoil and unrest has gripped the city. Approximately 15 hours ago, Prometheus Echo, former musical sensation who was put in prison for crimes against the government, has escaped Anduruna Federal Prison and unleashed a flurry of death and anarchy on the city. Now a Class A Infractor, reports have been pouring in last night and into the early morning hours of murders and the total destruction of private property. The homes of the reported victims were found completely demolished. Among the ruins: the victim of the murder. So far, there have been eleven reports of separate murders, each being killed via stabbing, burning or mutilation. There were also reports of two other murders in the first hour of Prometheus's escape. Further investigation has revealed that all thirteen victims were all related to Prometheus and his music career. The victims are Eldrin McReary, Prometheus's career agent, Jasper Delthray, his lawyer, and eleven of the twelve anonymous jurors' from his subversion trial. Many more unreported killings include the deaths of at least twenty-five civilians and thirty City Guard troopers and officers.

"City Guard officials claim that the twelfth juror and any possible targets will be put under well-guarded protection for the remainder of this developing situation. Meanwhile, the entire city is now under code red status with the Sabbaton Towers and the district shelter's under complete lockdown. Looters and criminals have begun to invade abandoned stores and homes, making the search for Prometheus Echo more difficult for the City Guard. Civilians in their homes are asked to remain indoors and defend themselves by any means necessary. Do not evacuate to your district shelter unless absolutely necessary. This dangerous man could attack anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

"We will have more on this breaking news story as it develops. Ladies and gentlemen, stay safe and good luck."

Hindenburg turned off the info-scroll. His hand shaking, he took a sip from his morning coffee.

"My gods...," he whispered. "What have we done?"

As he placed his cup back on its plate, someone knocked at the front door. The old man jumped in his seat, staring at the door.

From the next room, his butler rushed to the door.

"Hawkins!" Hindenburg hissed. "Grab my rifle. Ask who it is."

Hawkins froze, then looked at the door. Nodding, he rushed to the rifle's wall mount above the mantel of a fireplace and quietly walked to the door.

Barely breathing on it, Hawkins said, "Hello?"

Instantly, the door flew off its hinges, taking Hawkins with it. The door smashed him into the fireplace, his neck breaking against the mantel. The door fell to the floor, the lifeless butler falling on top of it. The butler's legs were stuck in the lit fireplace, catching fire as the flames snaked up his body.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. Hindenburg's head snapped towards his burning butler, then back at the door.

Lightning from the seemingly endless storm flashed in the doorway, revealing the bloodstained form of Prometheus, already holding his machete.

Still in his chair, the judge looked on as Pro walked towards him.

"Prometheus," the judge stuttered. "You-you don't understand! The Viscount had cut my salary! He cut everybody's salary! We needed the money! You have no idea how much I've been hating myself since that day! I'm sorry with every fiber of my being! I'm sorry! Please spare me and- and I'll find some way to help you! I'm the Supreme Court judge, after all! I'll clear your charges! I'll erase the sentence! I'll give back your music career! Please! Please, I beg of you...!"

Pro looked at the man's tear-dripping face.

"Can you bring my sister back?"

Hindenburg whimpered, "What?"

"I didn't think so."

Pro raised his blade up.

"PromeTHEU-!"

A single strike to the neck.

A pause.

A second strike.

The man's head fell to the floor behind the chair.

Looking around the room, Pro felt completely empty. He had nothing left to live for. All he could do was live and wait for the right moment to finish off those who had not yet fallen.

Seeing the flames from the butler's body spreading out across the floor, Pro retreated from the house, running through the abandoned streets.

So long as his presence was still known, the city will be difficult for him to exploit if it's always in lockdown. He would have to use his Power to manipulate the masses and gain the upper hand in any situation. But, for order to be restored, he will have to go into hiding.

Knowing that there were black market shops in the abandoned tunnels and caves beneath the city, Pro knew that was as good a place as any to hide for the time being. With luck, the smugglers, crooks and runaways will welcome him with open arms.

Finding a manhole leading into the sewers, he pried open the cover, climbed into the chamber and dragged the lid back into place. Just as an armored groundcar of troopers rumbled by.

* * * * *

With his ability to read minds, Pro was able to read the mind of a smuggler in the crowd of evacuees during yesterday's chaos.

He now knows the directions to a hidden entrance leading into a camp of black market merchants.

Finding the entrance, he twisted a water pipe and a concealed circular door opened into the sewer. Walking in, the stone door closed behind him.

Following the darkened tunnel, he began to see light from the other end.

Reaching the end of the tunnel, he looked out into a cavern carved out by the miners from ages ago. Tents and kiosks filled the bottom of the shaft.

Walking down a flight of carved stairs, Pro entered the camp.

All sorts of criminal activities went on in the camp. Purchasing of banned products, contraband, counterfeiting, drug dealing, prostitution out in the open. Just about anything criminally-related was happening in this camp.

But, soon, his presence was known by the majority of the population. In a matter of moments, he stopped as he was suddenly surrounded by a large group.

He could tell from their nervous glances that they were well aware of who he was.

"All right, all right, what's going on here?"

Pro looked to his right to see a brown and tan snake push through the crowd. He entered the circle and looked over at Pro.

"Well, what do you know?" the snake said with a smile. "Another poor soul looking for shelter. Well, you're in the right place, my friend!"

Pro looked on as the snake reached out with a hand. "The name's Scinter! I run this market."

Taking his hand, Pro dryly said, "Prometheus Echo."

"I know who you are! We all know who you are! I tell ya, a guy like you deserves to be known by everybody!"

Pro gave him a confused look. "Come again?"

Scinter walked forward and grabbed him by the arms. You're a visionary! An icon! Your music is an inspiration to us all! Your music, your ideals is what led to the formation of this camp and many more throughout the black market network. If it weren't for you, we'd all probably be rottin' in prison right about now."

Pro frowned. "Exactly how have I inspired you people?"

"You made us realize just how corrupt the government really is! How controlling they are! We've been living our lives not even realizing it! And, THAT is when you came along! Your music is what made us open our eyes! And when the government started treating each and everyone of us wrongfully, we decided to just break away! Start our own system! Let the mindless masses figure it out for themselves! Either, they'll figure it out sooner or later or they'll just fall victim like us and figure it out the hard way."

Pro looked down at the dirty cavern floor. Pro realized that Scinter was right. The government IS corrupt. He was but a mere example of this corruption. The law allowing itself to be bribed into wrongful justice. Politicians allowing themselves to be extorted into bending the rules.

Pro decided right then and there that along with his vengeance, he would avenge these people. In a way that those who have destroyed their lives would take note and know the error of their ways.

"All of you, listen to me," Pro said loudly. "I already know much about you people, thanks to my Power. I know that most of you once had bright futures. Your leader, Scinter, had his inventions taken from him. Several of you were building designers, but your designs were taken by the construction companies. Many of you were high-class barbers who tended to the hair of modern icons, but one mistake is all it took for them to approach a high seat in the government and have you unfairly punished. Some of you were from the City Guard who received less credit for a life-threatening criminal takedown than the trooper who sat behind the barricades napping. Well, I say NO MORE!

"As of this moment, I am declaring a state of rebellion! From this day forth, we, and any others who wish to join us, will strike from the shadows, exploit the system from the inside, and wreak havoc in the public eye. The fight will be long and arduous, but it will pay off in the end. Soon, no one else will suffer from the tyranny of a suppressive democracy. Soon, no one will suffer because of another person's greed or anger. Soon, all will be free to express their ideas without being robbed by the government that they hoped to contribute those ideas to.

"Soon, the name of the Troika will ring out through the streets of OUR nation! OUR people will cheer for us because we will have fought for what is rightfully theirs! Their rights, their ideas, their freedoms! For Anduruna, we will be victorious!"

The assembled crowd cheered loudly. It took no time at all to gain their trust.

"As you may already know," Pro continued. "Troika stands for 'three of a kind.' Therefore, as the founder of this rebellion, I am appointing Scinter as our head of research and development and maintaining of resources. As a result, this makes him your first leader of the Troika!"

Scinter gaped at the proclamation. "Well, I'm glad you kept me in my field of work. I'm in!"

"Good! Now, all we need are two more people to lead us. They will give you your orders, but all major changes and plans must be passed on to me. As your founder, I hold some leadership. I am sure we can appoint the other two soon. Unless, two from this group will be willing to fill in the blanks?"

The rebels remained silent.

Pro smiled. "Not a problem. I'll find your next two leaders very soon, I assure you. For now, it's time to celebrate this formation! The formation of an army that will bring our people and our nation the freedom and justice it deserves! Carry on, people!"

The crowd cheered once more as they dispersed and chattered among one another.

Scinter walked over and put an arm over Pro's shoulder. "Gotta hand it to you, kid, you're something else."

Pro shrugged. "If you say so."

Together, the allies walked through the camp, which slowly went back to its previous activities.

"How old are you, kid?" Scinter asked.

Pro stared into the distance. Even after finding himself, he didn't bother remembering his age, until now.

"Twenty-one."

"Perfect! I say I should treat you to my ever-popular fermentae, Scinter's Mark. If this is your first drink, then I suggest you take it slowly. This stuff ain't like what you get at the regular bars."

Pro nodded. Narrowing his gaze, he looked towards a group of young women who were about to service some thugs.

"Quick question," Pro said, keeping his gaze narrowed. "How much do the women charge around here?"

Scinter looked surprised. "Are you kiddin'? After what you just did, everything you do here is free of charge. Fermentae, drugs, women, weapons, whatever you need, it's all here to be shared for you!"

Pro looked back at his life as a singer. He had so much money, he could easily have gotten all of this as if he were getting it for free. Why not rewrite history in a figurative sense?

Pro looked to the side to see three young women in skimpy clothing eyeing him.

"Since you put it like that..."

* * * * *

*ONE WEEK LATER*

Senator Calah stared at the paperwork on his desk. Several moments ago, his thoughts suddenly went back to the incident one week ago. The words echoed in his mind.

'I'll be watching you...'

Calah shook himself violently. 'I've got to stop thinking about him! He's gone. He has to be! He wouldn't be stupid enough to stay in the city, would he? He must've fled to another city. Maybe Maritropa, beyond Starfall mountains, or Constantine, beyond the Dune Sea. Yes, he's gone. He's gone...'

Deciding to take a break from his work, Calah turned on his info-scroll and changed the channel to the sports network.

As he reached for a glass of water, the scroll suddenly lost connection. Ignoring it for a moment, Calah took a long swig.

The scroll regained signal and 'he' appeared on the screen.

"People of Anduruna..."

Calah spat the water out like a garden hose gun. He stared at the info-scroll, the standing form of Prometheus on the screen. A brown flag with a tan, circular crest waved gently behind him.

"As you will remember, I am Prometheus Echo. I call out to you from a new life. A life that I never wanted. But, a life that I was forced into when my former life was shattered by the corrupted government that you seek to serve..."

All throughout Anduruna, every info-scroll was reprogrammed to broadcast Pros' message.

"What I did last week was not just a massacre, but a blind act of vengeance. I punished all those who punished me. Now, you may ask, "Why would you kill all the people in the justice system just because they punished you? Don't you know you deserved it?" That's the problem. I didn't know I deserved it, 'cause I didn't know what I did wrong. Why don't I know? Because I KNOW I DID NOT do anything wrong! I was framed! Wrongfully punished by bribed officials of the justice system and extorted politicians! I went after each and every single one of them for falling victim to WHOEVER corrupted them."

In her luscious apartment, leaves of salad fell from Tinsel's mouth as she stared at her info-scroll. Pro leaned forward into the camera as he shouted 'whoever.'

Leaning back, Pro continued. "As of today, I am announcing to the nation that I have formed a rebellion. A rebellion that will punish the current and future regimes of our government. We will fight to ensure that your freedoms, your rights, your lives will never be destroyed. I will personally ensure that you will never endure what I have endured. Many of you will never truly understand our mission until it is over, but try to understand that we dedicate this mission, this WAR, to you, the people!"

All across the immense city, millions went silent as they viewed the declaration.

"We, the Troika of Anduruna, will fight for what is truly yours and forever yours!" Pro shouted. "Freedom and justice to you and only you!"

Pro glared at the camera as everyone's scrolls reverted to their original settings.

Inside his office, Calah looked around in bewilderment.

Looking down at his desk calendar, he saw what was scheduled for tomorrow.

The last speech of his run as a Viscount-elect. A speech that had been rescheduled due to last week's events.

Standing up to go to the restroom, Calah chuckled.

"He's gone," Calah whimpered. "He's gone. He'll always be gone. He's gone. Yes, he's gone. He's gone. Always be gone. He's gone...."

* * * * *

*TWO YEARS LATER* 

Inside a Kojiki district home, Igrath Winters madly packed a few necessities into a burlap sack.

'I have to get out! Find someplace to collect myself! I can't panic! I don't know why they're after me, but hopefully, I can figure it out myself. But, I mustn't panic! I'm a soldier, the former Captain of the City Guard! I mustn't panic or falter at all! With luck, they'll give up searching for me as easily as they gave up looking for Prometheus Echo.'

As if on cue, the front door was blasted off its hinges. Igrath grabbed a pistol and aimed at the doorway.

Walking into the house, wearing nothing but all black with boots, fatigues, long-sleeve shirt, a hooded cloak, and at least five fastened belts around both arms and legs, a figure walked in and spoke.

"Did somebody say my name?"

Igrath lowered his weapon. "You..."

Holding out his hand, Prometheus said, "My search has been tiring, but I think it was well worth it. By your agreement, I pronounce you the second leader of the Troika. What do you say, 'Captain?'"

Shoving the weapon into his sack, Igrath walked over to the rebel founder and, with some thought, shook his hand. The fact that Prometheus himself came here with this offer must mean that he is aware of Igrath's supposed crime and his escape from City Guard forces.

"I assume the worst has happened for me. I guess I haven't a choice."

"Good choice, old man. You won't regret it. Come on! Follow me to your new home."

Stepping out the door, Prometheus Echo looked out at the sunset of another ending day.

All thoughts on victory, Prometheus raced for home with his second leader.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~