Page 1
Setting: Maple City West Hospital, Iris's room. The boss dude stands over Iris, who's peacefully resting. He places his hand over her.
Close up on Iris, who sleeps with her mouth slightly open. The boss dude's open palm gets closer, just inches away from her little nose.
The boss dude stops as someone from behind shouts out.
Female voice: "What do you think you're doing?!"
The man turns his head. Behind him, standing at the door is Wendy!
Boss dude: "And here I was sure this disguise would work."
Wendy: "You're literally dressed differently than the doctors. And your skin color doesn't even match the I.D. you stole. Plus, your I.D. says you're some chick named Wanda!"
Page 2
The man unenthusiastically turns around completely to face Wendy. They stand about 12 feet away from each other.
Boss dude: "The staff sure fell for it."
Wendy: "People aren't too bright in this part of town. But again, what are you doing here?"
The man looks over at Iris.
Boss dude: "I have some business with this child, here. But I have a feeling you won't let me be."
Wendy: "Not a chance!"
The man closes his eyes.
Boss dude: "You humans are all the same."
Wendy is taken by surprise.
Wendy: "Humans?" So, he's an irregular?
Close up on Wendy's hand reaching for her gun.
Page 3
The man looks down at Wendy's waist as she reaches for her pistol.
Boss dude: "Protect yourself at the first sign of an irregular, huh?"
Wendy: "Oh please. You're an unauthorized guy with some unknown 'business' with this girl."
Boss dude: "Yet you continued to question my motives. But the moment you suspected I'm an irregular, there were no more words."
Wendy: "…"
Wendy freezes, thrown off by that last comment. Still focused on the Boss Dude, you can tell she's troubled.
Boss dude: "I was inches away from her face. As a human, I could suffocate her, snap her neck, anything I want."
The man puts both hands up at his sides.
Boss dude: "But as an irregular, facing away from this child, more than 3 feet away from her, there are no more questions."
Wendy hesitates, doubt written over her face.
Boss dude: "For irregulars, it's shoot first, then ask questions, right? Tell me, how did this girl end up here?"
Wendy: "I…"
Page 4
Close up on the man's legs as he steps forward.
Wendy raises her guard again, but unsure about her pistol.
Wendy: "I see your point, but I still don't know who you are! I'm here to protect her."
Boss dude: "We've all heard that one before. So, are you going to stop me?"
Wendy:I can't fire a gun here…
With a troubled expression, she looks down at her hands.
Wendy:But I reached for it on instinct. Ugh, but WHY?!
That short moment of hesitation was enough for the man to close the distance between the two. With a calm and chill demeanor, he looks down at her, only being a few inches away. Surprised, Wendy looks up at him, unprepared for a potential confrontation.
Boss dude: "Can you really afford to be stuck in thought around one you consider an enemy?"
For height reference, she stands at the top of his chest.
Page 5
Wendy quickly aims her gun at the guy's face.
Wendy:I don't have a choice. He's too close and I don't know his ability!
The man backhands the gun out of her hand. The gun has a yellow glow to it as it…doesn't hit the floor. Instead, it lie suspended in the air.
Wendy raises a leg for a kick, which the man cuffs.
Boss dude: "Nice kick. You're a lot stronger than the average human."
Wendy follows up with a backflip, using her free leg to flash kick the man. The man dodges with a back step, his eyes on Wendy. He still has a calm expression.
Boss dude: "Quick on your feet, too."
As soon as Wendy's foot lands on the floor from her backflip, she takes off, dashing at the man with a fist cocked.
Wendy's fist is caught by the man. He stares into her eyes.
Boss dude: "Much stronger than the average authority, too. Yes, I can tell…"
Page 6
Wendy throws a punch with the other hand, but the man effortlessly blocks it. He calmly stares into her eyes. Wendy, on the other hand, expresses frustration as she fails to pull free.
Boss dude: "I can tell you've pushed to get to this level. You've been through a lot."
A yellow aura starts to cover Wendy's body as she struggles.
Boss dude: "Unlike others in your life, I recognize that. I can see it plain as day. Your strength is commendable. It truly is. But…"
Suddenly, Wendy is pushed back with tremendous force. But right before she crashes into the wall on the other side of the room, she stops. She now floats near the door, unable to reach the floor.
Boss dude: "Against me, it's far from being enough."
Wendy:I…can't move!
The man turns away from Wendy towards Iris.
Boss dude: "You are powerless before me. So just stay there and watch."
Wendy: "W-wait! Don't hurt her. I really…am trying to do what's best for her!"
The man now stands over Iris.
Boss dude: "And what would you know about what's best for an irregular? Let me guess; good intention? Can good intention alone bring positive change?"
Wendy: "…"
Page 7
The man turns to glance at Wendy.
Boss dude: "Good intention from a race of people that refuse to acknowledge us as people? This is what your people caused. Now I have to end her suffering."
Close up on Wendy's leg moving slightly.
Wendy: "Wait!"
Wendy begins struggling…a lot. But she's able to reach a hand out towards the man.
Wendy: "P-please. Just leave her be…"
The man raises an eyebrow ever so slightly, but still that calm demeanor. He's impressed.
Boss dude:She's able to move? The amount of will power in this one…
He looks down at Iris again.
Boss dude:All for this girl?
Page 8
Wendy is released from the energy, landing on her feet.
Boss dude: "You're more impressive than I thought."
Wendy:Took everything I had to move just a little. "Look, I see your points. And I'm…no match for you."
She then goes to all fours and bows.
Wendy: "I'm…begging you. Please."
Boss dude: "A human kneeling before an irregular…how prophetic. But what about pride?"
Wendy: "Someone precious is on the line. I'll swallow that pride pill if I can protect her."
Boss dude:This one is different… "Nice sentiment, but…"
He turns away from her, back to Iris, placing an open pal on the middle of her chest.
Boss dude: "No."
Wendy tries to run toward him, reaching out a hand. A bright, almost electric-looking blast emits from the man's hand into Iris's chest, causing her body to jerk as if a defibrillator was used on her.
Wendy: "Nooo!"
Page 9
Close up on the monitors displaying Iris's vitals. The line is flat.
Another close up on Wendy's face, full of hopelessness and despair.
Iris lays still on her bed, eyes rolled back, mouth open with a line of drool.
Boss dude (off panel): "There..."
Devastated, Wendy falls to her knees.
Boss dude (off screen): "No more misery."
Wendy: "H-how…could you?"
Wendy starts shaking, unable to hold in her rage. Thick veins appear in her neck and part of her face. Her eyes are full of hurt, sorrow, and hatred.
Wendy: "How COULD YOU!"
Page 10
Just as she's about to attack in a blind rage, Wendy stops. She hears something.
Beep...Beep
The veins in her face and neck start to fade. With red eyes and cheeks wet from tears, she slowly looks to the side.
Wendy: "Huh? I…don't believe it."
The monitor is showing a pulse. And it's getting stronger by the second.
Wendy looks towards the bed. It's Iris. She's sitting up. She looks out of it and confused, but…she's alive.
Wendy: "Iris? You're okay?"
The man walks towards Wendy, who stands to her feet. Completely dumbfounded, she slowly looks up at him.
Wendy: "You…healed her?"
Boss dude: "No. I can't heal. But I energized her body down to a cellular level."
Close up on Iris looking at her own hands as she holds her palms open. She already looks better, though still confused.
Boss dude (off screen): "Her cells should reproduce ten times faster for a time, without burning out. Her healing process speeds up as a result."
Page 11
The man starts to walk away. His back facing Wendy's back, he stops for a moment.
Boss dude: "This will result in a very hyper child in a few moments. But she's still injured, so you'll have to keep her in check."
Wendy: "Just who are you? And why did you help us?"
Boss dude: "I didn't do it for you. But we will look out for our own."
Wendy: "We?"
Boss dude: "You'll be seeing a lot more of us soon enough."
And with that, the man takes his leave. Wendy quickly turns to Iris, who sits up on her bed.
Iris: "Wendy? Can you do something for me?"
Wendy: "Yes. Anything for you, sis. What is it?"
Suddenly, Iris busts a beer bottle on her own head. Totally bug-eyed, she looks insane.
Iris: "THRILL! I NEED SOMETHING TO GIVE ME A RUSH! TAKE ME SKYDIVING!"
Wendy: "Where'd you get that bottle from?!"
Wendy takes hold of Iris with both arms. Wendy pulls Iris's head to her chest in an attempt to hold her down.
Wendy: "You need bed rest!"
Iris: "I need to feel aliiiiiive!"
Page 12
Scene change. In the emergency entrance, the Boss dude walks up to Jade.
Boss dude: "No need to worry. The girl will be fine."
Jade: "Huh? Really?"
Boss dude: "You feel guilty, right?"
Ashamed, Jade looks down.
Jade: "I… just wanted irregulars to get the spotlight they deserved. They've been looked down on for far too long."
Boss dude: "I understand. But we also shouldn't act rash. We still have time, anyway. Two years to be exact."
Jade: "Yeah. I'm sorry. Even with my intention, I-"
The man pats Jade on the shoulder.
Boss dude: "It's fixed. Don't worry about it. Besides, this may work in our favor. Now the seed is planted, and those cops saw first hand what it's like…"
The man starts walking away.
Boss dude: "I'll have you stick with them. And see if you can find out anything else about him."
Jade: "Is he really that special?"
Page 13
The man gives Jade a nod.
Boss dude: "Yes. He'd be a great asset for the things to come."
Jade: "I guess. I saw a glimpse of his power when he sliced those cop cars."
Boss dude: "Good. The seed's planted. Now we have to draw more of that out of him."
The man opens the door, his back to Jade.
Boss dude: "The time is near for the tables to turn on our enemies."
Page 14
The time is 9:36 pm. Wendy makes her way back to the lobby. To her surprise, she sees Terry and Forte.
Wendy: "Huh? Terry? Forte? What's going on?"
Elliot: "Wendy!"
Wendy looks over and notices that Elliot is there, too. They both run over to embrace each other.
Wendy: "Elliot!"
Elliot: "You good, girl?"
Wendy:I am…quite happy to see him. "Yeah. More tired than anything, but I'm good."
Terry walks over.
Terry: "Where's Iris? You made it sound pretty bad over the phone. She alright?"
Wendy: "I think so. She's recovering well. But they um…"
Close up on Iris, currently snoozing on her bed with spiralling eyes.
Wendy (off panel): "They kinda had to put her to sleep."
Iris: "Dragons…reploids…martians…monsters...pale fighters…scythes…kekeke. Yay, fun…zzzz"
Back to Wendy, speaking to Terry and Elliot.
Wendy: "Yeah, she's pretty out of it."
Terry: "Where's everybody else?"
Page 15
Forte: "Actually, you should gather them and bring em in."
Wendy: "Oh, I can't. You see, there was an issue with them being irregulars and-"
Forte calmly raises a hand.
Forte: "We've got that all sorted out."
Wendy: "I don't understand."
Forte: "Fransiscus did his thing and spoke with the ones running this joint. It helps that you're all cops, but his authority as the peacemaker of the world has its perks."
Elliot pops in the conversation.
Elliot: "Oh, that was 'saggy cheeks' on the phone with you earlier? Guess he pulled through."
Wendy: "Well, I'm gonna go let everyone know."
Wendy walks outside and sees Jasmine and Chase.
Chase: "Wendy? How is everything?"
Wendy: "Sorry that took a while. Iris is fine, but I need to talk to you all about something that happened."
Wendy looks around for a moment, then back at Chase.
Wendy: "Uh…where's Devlon?"
Jasmine: "He's over there. Think he just needed a minute alone to process."
Chase: "More like an hour."
Page 16
Wendy walks over to Devlon, who appears to be in deep thought as he looks at the sky above.
She walks up behind him and gently places a hand on his shoulder, startling him for a moment.
Wendy: "Devlon? It's going on 10 o'clock. You should get something to eat."
(Time reference, we've now caught up to the present from Chapter 23: Part 1).
Devlon and Wendy make their way to the ER entrance and see the gang in the waiting area.
Wendy: "So, there's some stuff I gotta tell you guys."
Devlon: "Me too."
Chase: "I'd like to see Iris first, if that's alright."
Wendy: "Ah! Of course! Let's go see her. It's okay now, right Forte?"
Forte: "I've purchased plenty of baseball bats at Wee Wee's sporting store in case there's a problem."
Wendy: "Then it's settled. Let's go!"
Page 17
Female voice: "Where…am I? Eh? Who…are you?"
Iris slowly opens her eyes to see everyone in her room. Elliot is in her face, excited.
Elliot: "Ayyy, she's waking up!"
Chase: "You had us worried, kiddo."
Iris: "You guys… are all here."
Devlon lowers his head and turns to the side, hesitating.
Devlon: "It's good to see you're recovering well. That's um…"
Wendy: "It's okay to be sentimental, ya know."
Jasmine pokes fun at Devlon in a playful manner.
Jasmine: "Devi over here couldn't even eat until he knew you were okay."
Page 18
Iris sits up and smiles towards Devlon. Devlon continues to look away, embarrassed.
Iris: "Big bro Devlon's always a big sweetheart. We all know you're the softest. ^_^"
Everyone else (save Devlon): "Hahahaha!"
Iris: "Guys, I had the craziest dream. But it ended with us all at the beach. Can we go? Together as a family?"
Devlon: "Anything for you, Iris. But, maybe wait until you're all better."
Elliot pushes Devlon out of the way and gets in Iris's face with wide eyes.
Elliot: "Hold up. You said everybody was in this dream? Including ol saggy cheeks? At the beach? I just pictured him at the beach. That booty looks like gravy in a plastic bag."
Chase facepalms.
Chase: "I can't unsee it now."
Jasmine:Count on him to lift everyone's spirits.
Devlon looks as if he's trying to delete the mental image.
Devlon: "Just…why?"
Terry: "Noooo, I just pictured him in a two-piece!"
Page 19
Forte jumps in the conversation from behind everyone while Elliot continues the description.
Elliot: "Booty cheeks draggin' across the sand."
Forte: "Anywho! I'm glad to see you up and kicking, Iris."
Forte: "Devlon, I believe there was some info you needed to share regarding those new enemies?"
Elliot: "Ah, c'mon Fortz. Let's enjoy the reunion a lil bit, no?"
Forte: "I'm afraid not. Wendy has something important to share regarding a recent event as well. Devlon, care to go first?"
Devlon: "Huh? Uh, sure." Sorry Iris.
Devlon clears his throat.
Devlon: "It's about those faceless. I suspect that they're probably not trying to kill us. But I think…"
As Devlon continues to explain, the scene shifts to the middle of some street in the dead of night.
Devlon (off screen): "…maybe they have some other motive in mind for the irregulars."
Page 20
Devlon, who's still off screen, continues to explain his thoughts to his friends.
Devlon: "I dunno. I just get the feeling that…maybe they're acting as part of a mission. Like they attacked us, but with a goal in mind."
A closer look at the street reveals that this is the street of the neighborhood where Devlon and Jasmine fought the faceless, which is now without potholes thanks to Stone. There's something on the ground. It looks like a white piece of clay.
*FLASHBACK*
This flashback takes us back to Devlon's fight with the faceless. Specifically when he diced the faceless into pieces. The faceless had sharpened its arm and extended it to attack Devlon, but he dodged and cut the arm off.
A close up reveals that, even though Devlon dodged it, the attack still grazed him.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Back to the present. An unfamiliar hand reaches and picks up what looked like a piece of clay, but is clearly a small piece of the faceless.
Page 21
A dark silhouette holds up the piece of faceless meat, examining it.
The silhouette places the piece in a jar.
Silhouette dude: "Hm. A fine specimen indeed. One of the finest."
Silhouette dude walks away, rubbing the jar.
Silhouette dude: "Time to get to work."