War! What’s it Good For?

Both Magnus and Dallas return to the Magnus Lair. With the assault vehicle still being worked on, Magnus has to rely on his assault bike. The two walk towards the computer with EJ going over some files.

"Is that Elizabeth?" Dallas asks,

"Yeah." Magnus answers.

"Are you two?"

"No! Just friends and partners in crime."

"That's a shame."

"Now you're sounding like her when she brought up Ariel."

"Ariel's around?"

"Yeah, met up at the charity ball a while back. We talked, we danced, then Kade hit the centre."

"You danced with Ariel? I'm proud of you! Damn, I'm surprised you didn't share a kiss."

"Shut up! She gave me a kiss on the cheek, but that's it!"

"Well you're getting there."

"Give me a break!"

They reach the computer area. EJ looks up. Looking surprised, she runs to Dallas and gives him a hug.

"Mr. Lockyer!" EJ proclaims happily, "I haven't seen you in a while!"

"Same here." Dallas replies, "Thanks for looking after Steven."

"Oh he's a handful." EJ says with a strained look on her face.

"What's wrong EJ?" asks Magnus,

"There's something I need to show you." answers EJ

She bring up a recording of the breaking news update that was broadcast an hour ago along with a bunch of online news articles and social media posts. Magnus freezes in shock.

The reports state that both the Lord Mayor Charles Damian, and the famous artist and novelist Ariel Queen had been kidnapped a few hours ago, and that both are being held hostage by the infamous mercenary Max Kade. They also read a statement letter that was issued at the place where Ariel was abducted. It says that Max Kade will release Charles Damian and Ariel Queen under the condition that Omega Magnus comes to the South Bank Piazza and faces him in a battle of the ages. If Omega Magnus doesn't appear with three hours after the message is read, he will kill both Charles Damian and Ariel Queen.

Magnus punches the wall in anger, putting a hole in the rocky wall.

"NO!" Magnus shouts,

"It has to be a trap!" EJ replies,

"I have no choice!" says Magnus, "I can't let Ariel die!"

"They'll have an ambush set up nearby." Dallas mentions, "No doubt that commissioner and sergeant are pulling the strings. Kidnapping the Lord Mayor as well obviously tells us that both Keith and Carter now see the mayor as a threat, given that he's basically given you his support."

"I'm going now after Kade! Can you handle the ambush?" Magnus asks Dallas,

"No problem. I'll also see if they're more surprises waiting." Dallas answers,

"EJ, locate Commissioner Keith and that Sergeant." Magnus asks EJ, "I'm going after them after I rescue Ariel and the mayor."

"You don't suppose Keith and Carter are at the Piazza, do you?" asks EJ,

"Not when they can be someone else putting their feet up." answers Magnus. "They're desk jockeys, especially Carter since he's too much of a coward to get into a fight."

"Alright, I'll let you know when I get something." EJ replies. "Just keep a clear head, okay? You can't risk Ariel and the mayor getting hurt."

Moments later, Omega Magnus and Dallas ride towards the Piazza. Dallas has his own bike this time. Magnus simply gave Dallas his old assault bike that he set aside after upgrading to his current one. It looks more like a sports bike and less of a tactical one, but it does it's job.

"I'll cut along this road." Dallas shouts as he turns off the main road.

Magnus continues along and eventually reaches the Piazza. The inside of the Piazza looks like a modern Roman amphitheater but with a roof and with more of an open approach in regards to outdoor staging. Looking around the area, he spots Max Kade walking through the tunnel, and stops just at the entrance to the tunnel.

"Omega Magnus! Welcome!" proclaims Kade, "So glad you can make it!"

"Where's Ariel and the mayor?!" shouts Magnus.

Max Kade stands in between two objects on either side, both being covered by white sheets.

Kade pulls the cover off on his left, there sits the Lord Mayor Charles Damian, tied up and gagged. He is only dressed in slacks and a white shirt, his hair all messed up and sporting a few bruises on his face.

Kade pulls off the cover on his right next, there sits Ariel tied to a chair with her mouth gagged. She wears a beautiful red designer dress, with a beautiful veil at the bottom. Tears stream from her eyes as if fearing for her life.

"Let them go!" shouts Magnus, "This is between you and me!"

"Sure!" proclaims Kade, "Just beat me, and they can go."

"Been there, done that! Hell, I'm pretty sure you left the charity ball with your manhood crushed."

"Shut it! This will be my crowning achievement!" proclaims Kade, "You humiliated me two years ago! That ends today! All criminals, mercenaries and terrorists will bow before the man who defeated the all-powerful Omega Magnus."

"Like hell that would happen." Magnus laughs, "You're nothing but a show-off! All bark, no bite! What makes you think you can spark fear in the eyes of this city!"

"I will show you!" shouts Kade, "Rejoice Omega Magnus, this is the beginning of a long glorious war for this city!"

The two assume fighting stance.

Omega Magnus, the vigilante. Max Kade, The mercenary.

Kade fights for fame and glory, Magnus fights for the city and its people.

Neither will give up without a fight.