Troubled Paradise

Chapter 3 Fever City

After being tortured by Dior who had simply left his crippled body on the bed, Ian vowed never again to tease that monster again. She was simply dressing and caressing his wounds yet it felt as countless years of pain was bestowed onto him, being constantly jabbed with needles and even slowing pace so it could properly hurt.

Ian laid curled beneath the white silky sheets of his bed, lying on his side as to not tug and upset the stitches in his shoulder as he sure as hell didn't want to go through the process again. His mind wondered all over the place before he was finally able to sleep. Ian hadn't eaten anything but breakfast for the whole day and didn't even notice how low on energy his body was. As soon as he fell asleep he immediately went into his deep slumber all together.

The hours passed and the previously perfectly wrapped under the sheets, Ian, was exposed the the cold air. The sheets were basically off the bed and be hadn't even realized. He sat up just as there was a knock at his door. He looked up in question for a while before leaning back and allowing the knocking to continue. Whoever it was, he was taking the punishment for what Dior had done. The unlucky person on the other side of the door began to grow agitated. The knocking gave the illusion of the whole door shaking, as if it could burst it down any second but only utilized the matter of personal space.

  Ian looked around the room, whistling. He did all kinds of unnecessary things to pass the time. He wasn't fully awake and his childish behavior leaked through.

Finally, he grew bored and opened the door. As soon as it was opened he was greeted with a series of curses whether about him taking too long to answer the door or the way he was still sleeping even when he answered the door. Ian's eyes were already partially closed as he leaned on the door scratching at his tangled red mess of a hair.

"What? You've come to the wrong place if you want help with photosynthesis."

He said in a drowsy tone as a yawn escaped his mouth. Rico who stood by the door with his hands locked over his chest was clearly angry as he tapped one of his feet on the ground. Ian repressed a laugh as the act reminded him of an upset mother.

"You're goddamn breakfast is ready kid but if you don't want it I'll gladly take it."

An uncaring mother. Rico nonchalantly walked away as he waved behind him.

"Sure, sure whatever I'll get back to be-"  Ian turned to walk away but a strong grip on the back of his collar dragged him back.

"It's really surprising how someone like you can even assist us in taking down the enemy." Rico spoke angrily. It was directed at Ian but sounded as if Rico was speaking to himself. He continued to drag Ian down the steps until he was finally at the table, crowded with food.

Ian was more or less awake now as he scanned over the the common breakfast meals, bacon and eggs with pancakes. Ian was so surprised he woke up at once, he never expected that the same group of people who were trying to 'kill' him only a few hours ago would be able to cook. He thought back and concluded it was natural. He experienced it first hand afterall.

Ian glanced up at Rico with a raised brow, "You guys can cook?" Rico's eyes suddenly darkened throwing Ian onto a chair that was pulled out around the table.

"If you have time to chat you also have time to eat, hurry up we got stuff to do."

He said walking away towards his own room. "Surprising, even treating a criminal like a normal person." Ian responded by cutting off a piece of his pancakes before pushing it into his mouth. It was only then that he realized that it was only his plates on the table meaning the others probably had eaten already.

"Don't overestimate yourself. If it wasn't for you being our trump card you'd be locked up in prison already." Rico said with a tsk slamming the door to his room as he entered. Ian worried about being poisoned but his growling stomach instantly made him dismiss the thought. If he was to be poisoned so be it. If it could help him out of this horrendous situation then he would gladly accept it. He managed to down the whole plate before washing it and putting it to drain.

He then headed to his room, showered and found some casual clothes to put on in his dresser's lower drawers, same for the ones he had slept in for the night. He remembered that they had some task at hand and decided to change into his uniform instead. It matched the others with the same crest in the middle of his chest, black pants and a pair of black boots. It was unnaturally soft and he felt he could forget that he was even wearing it in the first place. The outfit was mostly black from the pants to half of his shirt making his bright red hair and emerald green eyes stand out even more than they had before.

He met with the others downstairs who were all more or less ready and after a while headed out. Ian decided to pop the question, "So what are we gonna be dealing with?" He asked as he observed to scenery they passed which only had occasional plants or other members within the cream coloured walls. There were also rather large windows showing another large area downstairs as they walked passed.

"We don't know how long it will take for your brother-"

Rico was cut off by Ian, "He's not my brother, my brother had already died." He said with his head to the side. Karsyon who was walking at the back with Dior and Bruno could pick up the obvious tension in the air and didn't comment on it as he picked where Rico left off.

"We're going to investigate the crime scene and also check if there's any acquaintances." Ian thought about it, the bodies were found miles apart, the only thinking linking them was the way they were killed. Some bodies had unnaturally big absentees where some body part should've been while others were cleanly cut off. It was a weird format but all the bodies had something. He guessed the different ways they used to achieve the body parts were different because it was different people. It made sense but the main question hasn't been answered, 'Who would he be working with?'

Ian thought about it but turned up with nothing. There were things he forgot but he just didn't know what he had forgotten in the first place. Again the question was brought up, 'How, what and why did he forget?' He dismissed the question as he would never have an answer for it. He asked the group instead, "What is he using the body parts for?" Rico scoffed, "We should be asking you that."

Ian wondered how they got by with such little information and how they hadn't caught Oliver in one of his acts. Ian sighed, this was going to be a long trip away from home.

Soon they arrived at Dean's office, the original black suit changed to a grey one. He was seated around his desk as usual but the pile of documents seemed to increase. Some were neatly stacked to one side and others where scattered around the table. Upon seeing their arrival Dean only did a simple greeting and proceeded to explain what they were doing,

"The most recent victim was found on the outskirts of Fever City, about an hour north. Victim is a woman by the name of Belle Campbell in her 20s. It was reported by one of her neighbors who had originally to check up on the woman but had discovered her dead instead. We want to run the body through some scans for finger prints and DNA but Oliver or his group might still be in the area. Be careful."

He explained simply then before Ian had noticed the topic changed to how they were going to travel. "Fever City is a private island for the upper class. It isn't well known and so many who reside on the island is through family and other connections. The helicopter is already ready and is only waiting in you to arrive. Dissmissed."

And with that they exited his office. Although it sounded like a job for the police and the fact that Ian arrived only yesterday were all light reasons as he remembered what kind of power he was up against. The police wouldn't be able to hold him off. It's the reason be was taken under S.P.A.R's wing in the first place. They walked along a hallway before heading up the stairs. All the while passing by members, some nodded in acknowledgment while others glared at Ian, not hiding their looks of disgust.

Of course Ian didn't care enough to pick a fight with them and proceeded up the stairs. Their walk was mostly silent except for Karsyon talking with Rico and Dior most times. After a few flights they stopped at the level before the final one, that was filled with various explosives and guns to the brim.

"Guns?" Ian asked reaching out his hand to one of the guns which was slapped away by Bruno who glared at him before turning away.

"Yeah, whenever we're going into public we carry guns. I'm sure you heard all about the riot before and so we can only give in and make them feel comfortable instead of carrying the 'strange' weapons for them to see." Rico's voice was nonchalant but it was obvious how deeply anger ran within him. Ian concluded he would've been upset too. You risk your life to fight against those with abilities but yet just because you also have these abilities you are seen no differently.

They no longer spoke and only focused on the weapons in their hand. Dior had a sniper, Karsyon had the same assault weapon as Bruno and Rico but he seemed obsessively fond of the weapon. He kept rubbing it against his face saying, 'Oh my sweet Victory.' Ian only looked at him in confusion. As they were loading up their guns and getting additional ammo, Ian saw an RPG and his mischievous ways instantly came to light. He tried to pick it up but it was heavier than he had expected. It accidentally fell out of his hand to the ground with a loud bang.

Once again all attention was on him as he moved away from the fallen weapon attempting to seem innocent by looking for other things to direct his attention to. Dior rolled her eyes as she went back to what she was doing. Not being able to bear the silence Ian spoke up,

"So which g*n am I getting?" He asked curiously as he glanced among the possible hundreds of shining metals in his sight. His dream was instantly shattered though when Bruno spoke up "You're not getting one." He said with his head still low as he checked if everything was fine with his weapon.

"Why not!?" Ian said frustrated, narrowing his eyes at Bruno.

"For two reasons," Rico spoke up.

"One, I doubt you have held a g*n before," he said standing tall appearing as someone who just gained intellect,

"And two, look at the situation from outside the box, why would we give you of all people a g*n?"

Ian thought about it and it actually made sense, he has never held a g*n before much less knowing how to use one and he was basically only there as a trump card plus his previous actions weren't forgotten.

Ian let out a huff as he leaned against a wall and watched gloomily as everyone else was suited with guns but he didn't have any. As his mind wandered he remembered Rico mentioning 'personal weapons.' He looked over to Rico and asked, "Does every Lumin user have personal weapons?" Rico looked at him, nodding his head, "Yeah, no matter it be a manifestation of nature or just a unique powerup. Guns and swords aren't the only weapons," Rico pointed at his chest as he continued, "The body is too."

"Then your ability?"

"It's purely physical, strength and toughness. The gauntlets are only there to monitor and keep my strength in check. In any case it could back fire on me."

Ian remained silent for a while, thinking if he had owned any sort of personal weapon but he couldn't recall anything of that sort so he dismissed it for now, depressed. "Anyways are you guys finished yet? You're like women getting dressed for a party."

He huffed as he leaned off the wall but once again he was only ignored. Approximately 10 or 20 minutes later they finally met on the roof where a helicopter awaited them and soon they set off towards Fever City. The ride was a lot longer than Ian thought as he relaxed in his seat that was facing a girl called Jade who was instructed to also come along for medical purposes.

Beside her was Bruno and Dior and beside Ian was Rico and Karsyon. Ian was busy trying to find all kinds of positions to sleep in but the belt he had on held him down uncomfortably. He groaned frustrated and finally gave up, observing others around him before his eyes met with Jade's brown ones before she quickly looked away. Ian smirked at her reaction and called her,

"Hey, hey Jade," she looked at him shyly, "let's play footsie." He was slapped on his head by Rico as Jade's face stood paralyzed with wide eyes as if she had turned to stone.

"Stop messing around kid, you're disturbing the lady." Rico said. Ian couldn't help it and replied, "You act like a goddamn mother cut me some slack alright? I have nothing else to do." He was only smacked over the head again by Rico as a response. 30 or 40 minutes later the island finally came into view. It looked small from above, the clear waters and lush green environment making the island give off an auroma of paradise. The helicopter, however didn't land and only hovered a fair distance off the ground. Bruno and Rico took up a long bundle of rope that was securely tied to the helicopter, giving it a pull they threw the rope outside as Karsyon and Jade got up.

They moved their guns around to their back, and lined up behind Rico and Bruno as they put on some googles to protect their eyes from all the provoked dirt. Rico and Bruno gave each other a nod before jumping off onto the rope. Ian stared at the still seated Dior who was only double checking her weapon,

"So I'm guessing we aren't going?" He asked. "Correct. They're scooting out the area from the ground while we do it from above." She said as the last person jumped off and she got up, holding onto one the rails, she took up the ropes then settled herself with one foot outside and the other hitched under an anchor in the helicopter.

She leaned back and moved the g*n towards her eyes scanning the area. Soon afterwards a voice came from her waist, Dior sat the g*n to her side and reached into her waist pulling out a walkie talkie.

"This is R&B calling ID over."

"This is ID responding to RB over." It was only a test for connection as they stopped talking afterwards. Ian laid down as he had already unbuckled his belt, freeing up his muscles as he stretched and yawned. They were in the air for almost 10 minutes circling the island to see if there was anything suspicious from above but Ian was bored out of his mind drifting in and out of sleep before just getting up and walking towards Dior.

"Hey is this what we're going to be doing for the whole time?" He asked as he held onto the railing. Dior however didn't answer only continuing to scan the area.

"What is your ability?"

"You've already experienced it." Dior responded briefly. Ian wondered if he had hit his head some time after arriving as he couldn't recall any moment when he had encountered Dior's ability. Dior knew what he was thinking and spoke up,

"I was the sniper, manipulation with any solid form."

Ian was blank for a moment after her words. He thought about it suddenly recalling the time when she was dressing his wounds.

"That means you were-"

"Yup, even when I was dressing your wounds."

Ian shrank back in fright. He remembered quite clearly how easily Dior could stretch and bend metal but then he added that to the fact she was using the same ability while dressing his wounds. He felt at his shoulder, there was no pain and it felt quite natural now but with the hole that was in his shoulder he should've been bed ridden for at least 3 months. He dare not think about the situation again and sat down far away from Dior. He only hoped it wasn't like he thought.

"But why did you guys even carry me here if I wasn't going to do anything?"

It was only after a few minutes that Ian completely dismissed the rules he had made to survive. The pilot overheard their 'conversation' and intervened.

"Hey kid, she needs to focus isn't that how you're able to control your ability?"

He shouted from the head of the helicopter. Ian was bored and upset watching around miles and miles of expensive houses but there was no person in sight and even more suspicious was that there wasn't even cars or boats. Ian thought that maybe even though the higher class had money they wouldn't spend it on boats?it seemed unlikely.

As he was looking around a bright light had almost blinded him. It came from one of the houses, before Ian could speak Dior had already realized what was causing that light. Ian looked over to another house seeing the strange glint once again.

Ian was shocked out of his dazed state as Dior dropped her g*n and quickly shouted.

"Decend! They have missiles!" A loud sound erupted through the air following with another, Ian looked outside only to see actual missiles coming straight towards them. Ian had to hold on the rail as he suddenly felt the helicopter drop. Dior took out her walkie talkie as she rushed towards the front of the helicopter.

"Danger! Danger! ID under attack!" Ian ran towards one of the seats and held onto it just as one of the missiles grazed pass the helicopter. The pilot wasted no time directing the helicopter further into the island. The other missile hit the back of the helicopter, tearing off pieces of the metal. Sparks flashed off the helicopter from the big open space. They all hang on for dear life as the helicopter went spinning.

It spun out of control before crashing down on a nearby house, luckily no ther missile was fired.

"ID Respond!" Rico shouted as he watched the helicopter spin until finally the only thing he could see was smoke, static on the other side of his walkie talkie. He repeated it a few times still not getting an answer as he finally stopped and looked at Bruno.

"Let's stick together, we don't know just how much of them there are but we have to get back to the helicopter." Rico said. Although their main objective was to investigate this place it seems they walked into an ambush instead. "Karsyon!" Rico shouted. Karsyon nodded as he activated his stealth abilities and separated to clear out any nearby enemies. He was the only one who could move around fast enough to get to the helicopter and back without being seen.

There were a couple of screams and even gunshots but it all quieted after a while. "Let's go!" Rico shouted as he directed towards where the helicopter had landed.