SHATTER #3 Special Edition

Written by Brett "Shatter" Six

Chapter#1 Lockup

Jason woke up and found himself chained to a wall.I suppose this is some kind of a dungeon.He pulled at the chains, to no avail they were solid steel. No problem I'll just blast my way out.He triggered his power, no blue aura. Drained,Nimrod must have drained me. No prob I can just yell loud enough to make some break out noise. He tried to yell but nothing came out. Then he felt a mute collar around his neck. And plugs in his ears.

Man these guys did their homework, can't hear anything to charge up, can't yell for Remy to bust me out of...Hey!I wonder if they were dumb enough to put us both in here. He strained his eyes and looked around through the dark. He saw his friend, chained to the opposite wall, out-cold.

SHOOT ME! How am I gonna wake him up?

Just then his answer came as the door opened, a light came on and two of the Commander's men walked toward him.

"Well well what do we have here? Two gumbo eatin' mutie jackasses. Not so hot now are ya." Just wait until I get loose punk. Wait a second how did I hear him, I couldn't hear myself pulling the chains? Then he noticed one of the ear plugs fell out while he has struggling.

Just then the two men began hitting him, then the other plug fell. After a few minutes then men went away. "I can't wait 'til we beat up his friend next!" "Yeah that'll be fun." The door closed.

Jason could hear them and charge up, a little, but still there wasn't enough noise. He felt blood trickle from his mouth where they hit him. Gambit must be drugged, he would have woke up by now. Jason didn't see any way to get free, unless he could absorb the noise from all the hits & kicks he would soon get. By then he might be dead before he had enough power to get loose.

Just then he heard his pocket pager beep. Huh? My beeper? The only way I'd get a call is if..His eyes opened wide. Michelle's alive! She made it. The beeper went off again and Jason could feel a surge. He felt his power returning, his hope building. He triggered his powers again. And his blue aura blasted off the chain cuffs. He was free!

He then yanked off his collar and waled toward Gambit who was slowly coming around. Jason spoke, "Remy, wake up swamprat. We're bustin out of this place."

Chapter#2 Lifesigns

The past few hours in the E.R. were very tedious at the least. Michelle's vital signs became steadily worse. Until a few minutes ago, when things went bad.

*Beep* Then the machine went, and then it went silent. She flatlined. "Doctor Strange! Get in here code blue!" The doctor rushed in, shouting orders. The machine read flatline, but she was still breathing, just barely. The doctor was ready for the worst then Michelle sat straight up.

"JASON!", She screamed, looking horrified. "Where am I, Jason, where are you?"

The medical staff began calming her. "Calm down miss, that was quite an explosion you were in", The doctor said.

Just then a nurse rushed in. "Doctor Strange you're needed. A young man has been attacked by a gang."

"That's the fifth one tonight.", Dr.Strange said. He shook his head and rushed out the door.

Michelle began to calm down when Danielle & Kelly entered. The 3 friends embraced. "Good to see you're okay kiddo.", Kelly said.

"Glad to be ok.", Michelle answered.

Dani said, "I'd better go give Jason a call, he wanted to know the second you were awake."

"Where did he go?", Michelle asked.

"He said he had to talk care of some business.", Dani said just before she walked to the pay phone.

"Don't worry,", Kelly said "I have a feeling he'll be in no time."

Michelle shook her head. "I knew he would try this, he's going after those animals."

"Who?", Kelly asked.

"That Friends of Humanity gang.", Michelle said.

A janitor rushed in with a pocket radio in his hand. "Hey people listenup,the newsguy just reported that there was a big explosion at the wharehouse a few blocks down from here. The police are calling in S.H.I.E.L.D. They said there were a couple of guys busting some heads down there."

Michelle smiled and looked at Kelly. "That's my Jason."

Chapter#3 Breakout!

Remy stood in the darkness, quietly waiting for the men to come. Jason stayed close to the wall, still pretending to be chained up. The door creaked open as the guards walked in.

"Time for another beatin' freak!", One of them said. Then a flash of light came up behin them, knocking them down.

"My friend here don' like to be called names.", Gambit smirked.

The other man said, "Where did the other one go?"

"Right here.", Shatter yelled as his glowing fist hit the guard in the jaw. Gambit jumpkicked the other guard, slamming him into the wall.

Then Shatter put his charged fist right in front of the guard's face. Gambit spoke up, "Shatter! You didn't forget to take your medication did you?"

The guard studdered, "W.w.w.w.what medication?"

Gambit said, "The kind that keeps his powers from burning the skin clean off your bones, if he gets mad, you'll need a whole new head."

Shatter grinned, "You know I threw that away when they bombed my apartment." He could hardly keep a straight face when the guard began wetting himself.

"Y...y..you mean he's gonna burn me?" The guard was almost sweating bullets.

"Only if you lie to him.", Gambit said.

Jason moved closer and asked, "Where's the commander? And you better have the answer!"

"Top Floor!", The guard said.

"Thanks, maybe we better zap him anyway so he don't rat on us." Gambit said. Then the guard fainted.

"He really thought I was a psycho, where did you get that idea?", Jason asked him almost laughing.

"On an episode of Big Easy.", Gambit told him.

Chapter#4 Takedown

Gambit and Shatter blew the door open at the top of the stairs and rushed into the main room where they were before. A few F.o.H. men were there playing cards at a table. They saw Gambit and Shatter and stood up. "Let's rock!" Shatter yelled and blasted one of them which sent him smashing through the table. Gambit pulled a some cards and thew them at the men. They hit like a small bomb. The fight continued, but not for long. The gang was no match for them.

"Deja vu, eh mon ami?", Gambit told him. "Yeah but this time we're ready for Nimrod." Just then they heard a metallic beep, and Nimrod came plodding toward them.

"Gambit, remember our plan!" Shatter yelled, then they split up. Nimrod's tentacles came snaking after them. But they moved slower this time, it seemed confused. Gambit tossed two cards at Nimrod, blowing the tentacles into pieces. Nimrod pulled back.

"Your turn, Shatter.", Gambit said. Shatter quickly fired several bolts of energy at Nimrod's hands, exploding them.

Nimrod pulled back again then paused. "I think we hurt it.", Gambit said to Shatter.

"Then let's finish it!" Glowing, exploding cards and blue soundshock bolts flew at Nimrod, overwhelming it. "Keep it up, we've got him." Shatter said.

"Close your eyes mon ami, this will be a big one." Gambit said as he charged one more card, more than usual then hurled it at the clanking, smoking robot. Nimrod exploded and fell to pieces on the floor. "I always have an ace up my sleeve.", Gambit said, kicking Nimrod's head across the floor.

Just then a scream came from a control room above them. "NO my Nimrod..it can't be destroyed." It was The Commander, yelling his head off. Shatter and Gambit smiled at each other, then ran to the two ladders leading up to the control room.

Seconds later, they had The Commander cornered. "I'm taking you down Commander, your terrorist game is over!", Shatter said as he kicked the door open. Gambit stood back watching the door incase any of The Commander's men tried a sneak attack. Shatter grabbed The Commander and slammed him against the wall.

The Commander remained calm. "You fool, you'll never get out of here alive.", He laughed.

"Yeah sure, who's gonna beat us you hooded rat?", Gambit smirked. Then Nimrod came crashing through the door. And pulled Gambit out on the catwalk.

Shatter threw The Commander aside and went to help Gambit. "Let me handle this one, I have one more ace up my sleeve." Gambit told him. Then he jumpkicked Nimrod sending him back a little. Shatter wanted to protest but he knew it was no use. "Don't let The Commander get away!" Shatter knew he was right, he took one last look at his friend's desperate fight. He looked up and saw a hatch leading to the roof.

Chapter#5 Gambit v.s. Nimrod

This catwalk doesn't leave much room to move.Gambit thought to himself. His cards were holding him at bay but only just. Nimrod had re-built himself, he was tougher but slower. Gambit could beat him if he had more room to move.

Then he saw a rope hanging from the ceiling. He leapt off the catwalk and grabbed the rope then swung down to the floor. Nimrod followed, landing hard, he didn't have Gambit's agility and he cracked his armor when he hit the floor.

Before Nimrod could get fully mobile again Gambit grabbed a chair, charged it, and slammed it across Nimrod's back. Nimrod slowed slightly, he started to re-form again. "Hey you don't play fair.", Gambit joked but he doubted Nimrod had a sense of humor. I gotta do something fast, I'm running out of cards. Then he heard sirens outside. Cops, don't like them much but maybe they can help.

Gambit ran outdside and Nimrod followed. "That robot's part of the terrorist group!", He yelled to the policemen and pointed at Nimrod. The police opened fire on Nimrod, but it wasn't having much effect.

Then Nimrod fought back.He picked up two of the officers and slammed them together. "Keep firing men, I'll call S.H.I.E.L.D." The sargeant yelled.

"He's gonna slaughter these cops if I don't do something." Gambit thought. Then he saw an empty police cruiser. He jumped in, hot-wired it quickly and turned the sirens on. "Hit the dirt y'all!", Gambit shouted as he revved the engine.

He turned the car toward Nimrod who was too busy fending off the police to notice. Gambit sent energy through the steering wheel, charging the whole car with explosive energy. He floored it and drove straight at Nimrod and jumped out at the last second. The car struck Nimrod, blowing him into pieces. Gambit got up and grabbed a shotgun from one of the cops. Then he looked down and saw Nimrod's head glowing, wires pulling him together. "No you don't!", Gambit said and fired at Nimrod, blowing his head to pieces.

The police sargeant rushed to Gambit. "Where are the rest of them?" Gambit pointed inside. The police moved in. Gambit looked up and saw a burst of blue energy coming from the roof.

Chapter# 6 Shatter v.s. Commander

Shatter started up the ladder after The Commander. The hatch was locked. Shatter blew it open and crawled up through. The Commander turned around when he saw the blue flash. Shatter was standing there face to face with him.

"Nowhere to run Commander, my friend is gonna wreck your toy, and I'm gonna wreck you."

"NO.." The Commander gasped, "Master Onslaught will kill you, kill you all." Then Shatter blasted him, knocking him down hard.

Shatter then powered down and pulled The Commander up to his feet. "This is for my friends.." Then punched him in the gut, doubling him over. "This is for Michelle." Then he hit him again, knocking him down. "And this is in case I forgot any!" Then he backed up, ran and kicked The Commander in the ass, leaving a footprint. Shatter then pulled him up again and said, "Your kind makes me sick." Then headbutted him, knocking him out.

Chapter#7 S.H.I.E.L.D.

Jason came walking out of the buliding, dragging The Commander behind him. He saw his friend leaning against a buliding resting. "Where y'at Remy?", Jason said as he walked up to him. "Jason, you got him huh?" Gambit said.

"An' I see you put down Nimrod.", Shatter said. He dropped The Commander and kept an eye on him. "Looks like we took out the trash.", Shatter said with a smile.

"I could'na done it without you, you're welcome to stay with us for a while." Shatter told him.

"Sorry J, but I gotta run. I don't much like staying in one place too long.", Gambit said.

"I know, but you can't blame me for tryin'.", Shatter said and handed him a set of keys.

"What's this for?", Gambit asked. "Keys to my bike. It's stashed around the corner. I know how much you don't like cops, this will get you out of here quicker."

"Thanks alot Jason, and tell your girl I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye." Then he walked around the corner into the alley. Seconds later, he started the bike and rode away.

I wonder what's next? Jason thought as he dragged The Commander over to the police. A few seconds later spotlights were shining everywhere. "What is that?" Jason asked the sargeant.

"S.H.I.E.L.D." he said.

Then it set down. A ramp moved down from the bottom and a tall, well-dressed man wearing an eyepatch stepped out. Flanked by dozens of men in uniforms wearing jetpacks, carrying guns Jason had never seen before.

"Okay where are the terrorists?" The man said. "Right here Fury.", The sargeant said.

The man turned toward him and lit a cigar. "That's Director Fury to you." The sargeant gulped and apologized. "So who took down these terrorists?" Fury made a gesture and the armed men began moving about collecting Nimrod's parts and the F.O.H. gang members.

"A couple of mutants as far as we know Director Fury.", The sargeant said.

Jason spoke up, "Director Fury Sir!" That got Fury's attention.

He turned toward Shatter. "Yes son?"

"I'm one of the mutants who nailed the gang.", Jason said. Fury shook his hand.

"Good job son, maybe you'd like to come and work for S.H.I.E.L.D.?" ME! Work for SHIELD? The thought shot through his mind, then he thought of Michelle. He had to go see her.

"Sorry Director Fury, I have someone waiting for me." He turned and walked away.

"What's your name son?", Fury asked him.

Jason answered, "Call me Shatter!"

Chapter# 8 Friends

Jason got in the car and sped to the hospital. When he got there he jumped out, put the keys in his pocket and ran to the front desk. The receptionist looked up. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, can you tell me what room..." Just then Smiley and Michelle came out of the hallway in wheelchairs pushed by Kelly and Danilelle. "Smiley,Michelle!", Jason said as he ran toward them.

He hugged Michelle tight and said, "Oh chere' I thought..I'm glad to see you." Smiley stood up and looked at them.

Jason turned around and Smiley said, "Man,don't even try to hug me."

They all laughed and then Kelly said, "Come on Dani, let's give the lovebirds time to catch up."

"Yeah come on Smiley." Dani smiled as she grabbed his shirt collar and they went outside.

Jason then said, "Michelle, I thought I'd lost you chere..." Then he held her close.

"I got better hon, somebody has to keep you in line.", She said. "I heard about you and Remy taking down those terrorists." She added.

"I had to do something.", Jason said. "I know, just be careful ok? I was worried about you." Michelle said. Then she stood up and kissed him.

Chapter# 9 Decisions

A few minutes later the 5 friends met up on the roof of the hospital. "We've been thinking..", Jason said. "After all this Michelle and me are going on vacation for a while."

"Yeah, we need to unwind." Michelle added. "What about the shop?" Dani asked.

"Well," Michelle said, "I'm leaving it to you and Kelly."

Kelly almost choked. "Us? Run the hottest coffee shop in New Orleans?"

"Are you serious?", Dani asked.

"Sure am." Michelle said. They both hugged Michelle.

Jason then spoke up. "Oh you gals need a good band. I do happen to know a good one. How about it Smiley?"

"Even tough I'm all beat-up?", Smiley joked.

"Hey there's no better sax in the world.", Jason said.

Smiley threw his head back and laughed. "So true" He said.

They hung out a little longer, cruising around town, having a blast until early morning. Then they parted company and went home.

Chapter# 10 End

Hours later, Jason and Michelle woke up together in her apartment. "Mmmm.... good morning chere'.", Jason said.

"Morning yourself handsome.", She yawned then kissesd him.

He kissed her and said, "Keep that up and you're gonna make me a morning person."

Then Michelle got up. "I'll go get breakfast." Then kissed him on the cheek. Jason turned on the tv. The news was on. "Last night the government-sanctioned S.H.I.E.L.D. came to town to gather up the terrorist group Friends Of Humanity..." Jason yelled, "Michelle come here for a sec. I might be on tv." Michelle rushed in and sat down beside him.

The reporter kept talking. "This has been the most public "superhero" event since New York local heroes Cloak and The Spider battled a mysterious creature known as Bat-Wing, who is said to be responsible for the death of Millionaire Kirby Moore..."

Jason put the tv on mute. "Chere remember how you always said you wanted to visit the Big Apple?", Jason joked.

She sighed and snuggled comfortably next to him. "Jason Dallas what am I going to do with you?"

"Well, I DO have a list somewhere...", He said. Michelle laughed and playfully hit him with a pillow.

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Well, dear reader, this brings an end to to the Shatter trilogy. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Until next time this is you Friendly Neighborhood Slammer saying good bye. Be here next month for Shatter #4 an ONSLAUGHT tie-in.