It's the Final Countdown

[wearingthestars]

WHO: Billy, The Remembers, OTA
WHERE: Billy's City
WHAT: Kidnapping, and Final Showdown
WHEN: Event End
WARNINGS: TBD


Billynapping

It was nice to have a routine, and in a city like this, it could be hard to keep one, the ever changing landscape of hero vs. villain could make things difficult to predict. But this one was still going strong. Billy rode his bike through the streets, making sure to stop for his usual offering of donuts, before continuing on to the comic stand.

He offered a wave towards Peter, busy with a small group of kids, and went to lock up his bike so he could browse, holding the bag in his teeth so he could stoop on the pavement and struggle with the finicky key.


Shadow Monster

This was not good. This was a serious threat to this world where the Shadow had come to enjoy it's free reign.

The Darkness swooped in oozing and spreading like mist, its shape ill defined and ever changing, shielding Billy and attempting to drive away anyone who would try to get near. It spread up through the sky, spreading it's reach and calling out to those it had infected to come protect this world, whatever the cost.

Billy appeared to have no sway over the creature, looking just as surprised as frightened as the rest of them, though the Shadow clearly was determined to isolate him him, whether he wanted it or not.

Comments

[wearingthestars]

"Ezra?" This was a surprise. They'd hung out a bit before Billy graduated, but they hadn't really kept in touch.

Billy smiles, straightening and nodding, "Yeah, it's been a while. Donut?" he offers, holding out the bag, "They're still hot."

The question has him pausing, momentarily looking the smallest bit uncomfortable before he gives another nod. "Uh...yeah, that was weird, right? Do you think it's some kind of viral ad for something, or...?"

[demjiin]

There was enough of a building corner for Kaz to lean against while Ezra got Billy's attention. Once he did Kaz shifted his grip on his cane so his steps would be silent and moved behind Billy when he turned back to look at Ezra.

"Since It was seen by everyone, I doubt if it would spread any more."

The fact that Kaz knew what 'going viral' even meant now was courtesy of Billy's reality. But holding his own memory along with the one Billy created for him both in his head at the same time was challenging.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ezra glances back at Kaz and then back to Billy, still smiling, "Billy, this is Kaz. Kaz, Billy."

He taps his chin thoughtfully. "And Kaz is right; it doesn't really fit viral marketing. I actually think it was someone trying to be helpful."

[wearingthestars]

The silent approach has Billy starting in surprise when Kaz speaks, turning to glance at the stranger with an anxious crease of his brow. He tries to lessen that worried look when Ezra makes introduction, flushing slightly and lifting his fingers in a tentative greeting.

"Hey- uh...Kaz?" he repeats, trying to shift so he's not quite so bookended. "Well, I mean...it got us talking. Right?" he tries to joke, looking uncomfortable again, "...Helpful how?"

[demjiin]

But the idea had been to bookend Billy. Billy's greeting and little wave get nothing in return but Kaz is almost always like that anyway. He still keeps his eyes on Billy wherever he goes.

For the moment he says nothing, letting Ezra try to get through to Billy first.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ezra holds his position for the moment, because he's picking up on the fact that on some level Billy's situational awareness is on high alert. Nearly bookended my have to do.

"Well - it mentioned...Temba? That rang some bells for me. Reminded me of some dreams I've been having lately." Which is true, as far as that goes, he just also remembers Temba when he's awake, too.

"That's a weird coincidence, right?"

[wearingthestars]

Temba.

Billy stiffens a little- just for a moment- and gives an uncomfortable laugh. "Yeah, I guess that's pretty weird. Maybe it's from something?"

He silent offers the paper bag of donuts to Kaz as well, and tries to turn the subject away from that disturbing message. "So um...you looking for any books in particular this week, or-?"

[demjiin]

"No. I've been busy trying to find Bill-E."

Kaz had no patience for beating around the bush and told Billy the truth. Not that Billy could know it but not too long ago Kaz first thought of putting a bullet in Billy's brain. He was better off with Ezra's plan but it was going to be hard to get Kaz to be anything but unpleasant right now.

[cannot_flinch]

The boys have done an excellent job distracting Billy. He's focused on them and not really paying attention to anything else.

Good.

Ikora came from behind the group, moving almost silently as she approached. She said nothing to announce her presence, simply reached over and put a hand on Billy's shoulder and the other she wrapped around his arm.

Then... they Blinked. For a moment they existed in the space between atoms, crossing city blocks in the blink of an eye. They reappeared inside a warehouse with the others who were waiting for them.

"Take a breath," she said, her tone calm and gentle. "We're not going to hurt you. We just want to talk. About going home."

[wearingthestars]

Billy's eyes narrow with a frown, but before Billy can say anything he's interrupted by an unfamiliar and unexpected touch. He tries to flinch away from it, but in the space of a second they're in a whole new space, a sensation Billy's body isn't used to in this world. It's not like when Tommy zips him across town, but it does have the same nauseating effect on his stomach, face pale as he attempts to stumble away.

"What th- uggghhh- What are you- who-?" he accuses in a jumbled rush. The layout of this place is a mystery, but it doesn't stop him from trying to bolt.

[cannot_flinch]

A black cat leapt out from the shadows at Billy and hissed, trying to keep him from running.

"My name is Ikora Rey," she said calmly as she also moved to intercept him. "You have my word, I'm not going to hurt you. We've discovered reality is warped and you are the source. Remember the message?"

That she hoped would perhaps unsettle him, distract him, keep him from running. "We need you to remember. Temba. Home. A rundown city and aliens who need your help. A hero."

just gonna leave this here

[puddledancer]

Peter had left the stand for just a moment to grab another Gatorade, and came back to ... well .. Billy disappearing into thin air.

"Whoa, whoa, HEY! What -- what's -- I mean, seriously, what?!"

Meanwhile-

[wearingthestars]

Billy stumbled back from the cat, and faintly rose his palms to try and dissuade Ikora from coming any closer, stilling and eying his kidnapper anxiously.

"I have nothing to do with that message. I don't know what you're talking about. Just let me go-"