(This is Episode Eight, Just joining in? Find Episode One @ Heroisms: Immortality or the Previous Episode @ Heroisms: Impervious)

Julia had just finished making the two a cup of tea as they sat down at her apartment. Jason sat awkwardly in her chair and felt strangely claustrophobic. “Would you like to switch?” Jason gingerly nodded and the two swapped spots, leaving him on the couch. “Thanks for this Julia, I really just meant at the shelter. I didn’t expect to come home with you.” She smiled at him. “I know, but it’s that innocence that lets me know I can trust you here.” She sipped from her tea while she thought. “Jason, are you going to go up against the government?”

Jason was shocked at how openly she asked the question, but refocused himself. “I suppose that is an honest question. Not immediately. I severed my link with Alpha Team and I’m now looking to form an underground squad.” They both paused a moment and sipped their teas in unison. Julia looked to Jason, the concern evident in her eyes. “Will it be a few more years before I see you again?” Jason sighed and stared into his tea. “I hope not, but I make no promises that I can’t keep.” Julia stood up and joined Jason on the couch. As she laid her head on his shoulder, the two stared off into oblivion.

“Brooke, you okay?” Alex was standing over her as she threw up everything she ever ate. As he looked at her, something caught his eye in the puddle she was creating. He stood up and backed away and turned to Alison. Pointing to her vomit, he managed to catch Alison’s attention. As they both stared to where he was pointing, there was evidence of meat. “I’ll go get something to clean that up.” Alison ran off in a hurry. Alex watched as Brooke stood up wiping her mouth. “Ew, I regret not taking the bus.” Alex walked over and helped Brooke outside and onto a bench. “Maybe some fresh air will do you good.” As she sat down, Alison suddenly reappeared with Morgan from the mostly stark white garage. “We were wondering where you guys went. I asked him for help and we got back as fast as we could.” Brooke shook her head. “I’m fine really, just not used to… ‘poofing’ from one place to the next.” Alex smiled and then without warning pinned Brooke to the bench as the two others began binding her to the bench.

Alex stepped back and stared at Brooke who looked confused as ever. “Talk.” Alex demanded. It was a direct order. Brooke looked frantically to the other two but they were clearly in on it too. “What, I don’t understand-” Alex cut her off. “Brooke doesn’t eat meat. So who the hell are you?”  Brooke looked back and forth and then came up with something. “It was all they had when we were arrested, so I had some. I know I shouldn’t, but I was hungry.” She pouted and Alison walked over and slapped her, shortly followed by Morgan restraining Alison. “Where is she? Where is Brooke!?” Alison was screaming, drawing attention from some other members of Delta. Brooke looked to her hurt and offended. “I eat meat once and this is how you treat me? You’re all a bunch of…” Her words trailed off. She was fixated on a single member of Delta who didn’t seem too impressed to see her. As the large man with a scar across his face walked up he leaned in and whispered a single word to Brooke. “Virgil.” Brooke suddenly swallowed hard and everyone backed away. The man grinned, his scar twisting his smile upwards on one side. “It’s good to see you again. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say.”

The next morning Jason stood in the doorway to Julia’s room as she slept soundly in her bed. The memories he had of her might be all he would have left soon enough. He glanced to the note he was leaving behind as if to second guess it, but then turned to walk away. Last night may have been filled with passion, but this morning should be left like this. Quiet, unemotional and peaceful. He calmly walked out the front door and decided to assemble a costume. Today would be the start of his decline. He was moments away from becoming a vigilante, and only weeks away from becoming a terrorist. I guess I’d better look the part. He thought as he entered a clothing store. As he looked around the leather biker jackets, helmets and combat boots all looked appealing. This is going to be fun.

In an office across town, Mister Wilks was sitting at his desk when Dex burst in. “Yes Dex? Come in, have a seat.” Dex seemed rather out of breath, but managed to toss a report on Wilks’ desk. “They’ve finished scouring the river. As it stands, Jason never turned up.” Mister Wilks crushed the report in his hands and stood up. He stared with a look of disgust in Dex’s direction. “Congratulations, you are the biggest failure we’ve kept alive all these years.” Dex stared at him, completely unimpressed by what was just said. “Maybe if you had done your research, you’d have know Jason was impervious to all damage.” Mister Wilks stifled back a comment and shook his head. “Well neither of those really matter now, how is our friend doing in recovery?” Dex smiled, “Come see for yourself.” The two walked down the hall and stopped at a large window looking down over a gym. Down on the floor duelling with a punching bag was Dracon, and he looked angrier than ever.