Craig/Oliver
Craig was seated in Maria's. His meeting with Christian had been pushed up. he was now waiting for his protege to arrive.
As he sat in the cafe he noticed an uncertain dark-haired boy arrive. There was something about the boy that bothered him. It gnawed away at him. He was certain there was something he should know.
Oliver chewed his lip and checked the sign a third time. Yep, this was definitely the place. He wondered if Ash and Isaac and Jess were here already. It was not he realised that he may not even recognise them. After all, he had only ever spoken to Ash and Jess online, Ash on the phone, and he hadn't spoken to Isaac at all. Although, there might be a chance of knowing him when he saw him on account of the poster in Miette's room. But then, that was an older poster. People grow up, you know, so chances are he might look totally different now.
He sighed. He should have arranged something with Ash. Like he'll come with a book on Egyptian mythology and they'll arrive with roses or something. Isn't that how they do that in all the stories?
He sat down and sighed.
Christian/Ashley
Christian spotted his father figure sitting at an outside table at the café. As he made his way over, replacing the sunglasses over his eyes, he noticed he seemed to have his eye on someone.
Frowning for a moment, he followed his gaze to the boy. He couldn't have been much younger than himself, and looked a bit like the kid off 3rd Rock From The Sun, or whatever that show was called. He remembered watching it with Craig when he was younger.
But this was no time to reminise (sp?) on the past. They were here for business.
He made his way over to the table, and sat opposite him.
"Sorry I took so long."
Meanwhile, Ashley pulled into the carpark of a nearby store. He'd planned to meet Ike and Jess here, and they could all meet Oliver. As he parked the car and got out, he made his way toward the café.
Checking the outside tables, he thought he saw Taylor sitting and talking to someone he didn't recognize. He began to make his way over, but thought better of it.
He made his way inside the café.
The Spider/Oliver
Craig cracked his knuckles.
"That's quite all right," Craig replied. "Now, I suggest you order something."
He sipped at his own coffee.
Meanwhile Oliver watched at the door, still fretting over whether he would know his friends when he saw them. He kept staring at everyone who entered, trying to figure out if this was who he was meeting.
Christian/Ash
Christian was soon asked by the waitress what he wanted. He asked for usual black coffee with no sugar, then looked after her as she walked away.
He noticed a few people giving him odd looks for wearing sunglasses at 5 o'clock in winter. He didn't care. He just didn't like to be easily recognized.
"So, what's happening? Are we going over to the place soon or what?"
Meanwhile, Ashley stood in the doorway looking around. If only he'd asked what Oliver looked like. Well, there were only two people by themselves, and both happened to be teenage boys.
Groaning slightly, he made his way over the the first.
"Excuse me, but is your name Oliver?" he asked hopefully.
The teenager looked up startled, and shook his head.
Ashley grit his teeth, looking for the second boy. Did he have brown hair?
Frowning a little, he made his way over. Taking a deep breath, he asked... "Oliver?"
The Spider/Oliver
"Oh we'll go over," Craig assured Christian. "But not just yet."
He checked his watch.
"There's a gap in the surveilence soon. We shall take adavantage of that to get in. But we have plenty of time for a nice snack."
**********
Oliver looked up at the guy who seemed to know his name.
"Yeah?" he asked. "Wait, Ash?"
Christian/Ash
"How the heck did you... no, wait, I know," Christian shook his head, "well, I'm not hungry. I just want to get this over with and get out of there as soon as possible."
He looked around the café nervously.
**********
Ashley grinned down at who he know knew as Oliver, and sat down across from him.
"Yeah, it's me. Who else would look like the biggest idiot in Tulsa?" he chuckled.
"I ah... Ike and Jess should be here soon. I got on the phone to Ike and told him to bring Jess, so I'm not sure what's happening there... he's kind of pissed at me at the moment for something I did yesterday."
He couldn't stop a grin crossing his face at the memory.
Isaac/The Spider
Isaac arrived at Maria's. He spotted Ash instantly and guessed that the boy he was sitting with was Oliver. Suddenly he was nervous. He was about to meet Miette's brother face to face. Dang, if he was this nervous just meeting her brother, how would he be meeting Miette?
He walked over and joined them at the table.
"Hey Ash, how you doing? I presume this is Oliver."
Craig was staring very hard at Isaac now. He leaned across the table slightly.
"Well, well," he purred. "Look at what the cat dragged in."
A smirk grew across his face.
Christian/Ash
Christian turned to look behind him. As his eyes scanned across the cafe`, he suddenly caught sight of him.
"OH my..." he began, censoring his words as he jumped from his seat - almost knocking the chair over.
The disturbance caused Ashley to look up.
"There is such a good Taylor look-a-like over there. You know, apart from myself at times," he chuckled, "but what the hell's wrong with that one I don't know."
The Spider/Isaac/Oliver
"Sit down you fool!" the Spider hissed at Christian.
"Too much coffee?" Isaac suggested to Ash.
Oliver grinned.
"So, you're the one Mi's been talking to - and about - all these years, huh?" Oliver asked Isaac.
"Umm, I guess so."
"What power was it you had again?"
"Telekinesis."
"I've pyrokinesis."
"Cool."
"Hot you mean," Oliver corrected with a silly grin.
"Pun, pun."
Christian/Ash
Christian fumbled to grab hold of the chair, and sat down suddenly. He'd seen Ashley looking at him, and pretended to be looking somewhere else.
"Who... who the hell is he with?" Christian gulped, trying to calm down.
He wasn't sure why he was so nervous.
"Pun pun pun, can't you come up with anything better?" Ashley raised his eyebrows, taking a sip of the drink he'd ordered, "and I'm a shape shifter in case you forgot."
Slowly, Ashley reached his arm under the table, shifted it into a feather duster, and tickled Oliver with it.
The Spider/Isaac/Oliver
"Well, let me see," Craig replied slowly. "I believe one of them is Ashley Greyson. He's a Hanson family friend. I'm not sure who the boy is."
That itching feeling that he should know wouldn't go away.
"We are now presented with an interesting opportunity. We could either go ahead with the plan for the tournament, or we could change it, and kill out little friend now. They won't dare to use their powers in public."
"Hey don't do that," Oliver said to Ash. "That tickles!"
"I think that was the idea," Isaac grinned.
Christian/Ash
"Is... is that Ashley guy an alien? What power does he have/ He might have telepathy or something," Christian frowned, "and that other kid might be an alien too, we don't know."
He hesitated for a moment, having an idea.
Frowning a little, he concentrated, using his telekinesis at their target's table. Suddenly, Isaac was covered in Ashley's drink.
"Hey man! I was gonna drink that thank you very much!" Ashley exclaimed, standing up and grabbing the bottle.
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
"Hey, I didn't do anything, so don't blame me," Isaac said as Oliver handed him some napkins. "Gee, you think I wanted your bashwash all over me?"
"Subtle, very subtle," Craig remarked dryly to Christian. "Greyson is a shape shifter. As for the boy... I guess I will just have to do some mind exploring to find out."
He concentrated on Oliver, just grazing the surface of his mind. His eyes narrowed and his lips twisted into a snarl when he came out again.
"That boy..." he growled. "Is Leroy Brown's nephew. Pyrokinetic hybrid."
Christian/Ash
"Oh, so it just decided knock itself over when no one was close enough to touch it, huh?" Ashley accused quietly so no one nearby could hear.
"Leroy Brown?" Christian's eyes widened.
"Maybe we shouldn't..." he began, eyeing off the trio.
He hesitated. He suddenly thought Craig might want him dead to get back at Leroy. Frowning, he tried to quickly block the thought. He didn't want to get anywhere near a member of Leroy's family.
The Spider/Isaac/Oliver
"Like I said," Isaac replied calmly. "I wouldn't want to wear your backwash. I swear man, I didn't touch the thing. Maybe the table got bumped or something, I don't know. Accidents happen."
Craig tapped his fingers on the table rapidly, and glanced harshly at Christian.
"I know Leroy is a tough man, but I've been evading him for years," he pursed his lips. "Although... it would be nice to take him out for good."
A smile grew on his face.
"Plans have changed. We're going to follow the boy and take out Leroy once and for all."
Christian/Ash
"Accidents? There was nothing here that could have knocked it over!" Ashley exclaimed, before glancing at Oliver.
He sensed he could feel tension arising.
"Ah, don't worry about it man. Let's get you into the bathroom to clean you up," Ashley indicated for Ike to follow him.
"You want..." Christian began with a frown, "you want to take out Leroy Brown? Are you nuts?! What the hell do you think is going to happen to you if you succeed, huh? You're basically the most wanted guy by the YIRAAS as it is!"
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
Isaac followed Ash into the bathroom. Oliver watched them and waited patiently at the table. That was weird.
"I've been wanting to take out Leroy for a long time. I find it very frustrating that some telepath has blocked his mind from me," Craig glowered. "And what's more, they're doing it on the boy too. Of course, as his is a growing mind it's not complete, but it's enough to stop me from implanting anything or finding any more useful informataion."
He drank a mouthful of coffee.
"And if I'm YIRAAS's most wanted man already, then taking out Leroy is not going to change that."
Ash/Christian
"Ike, you know I hate it if you lie to me. There's nothing that could have knocked that over other than telekinesis," Ashley looked up at him as he ran a napkin under the tap to help wipe some of the drink off.
"But you'll be in even more trouble after that," Christian insisted at the same time.
"Instead of just sending you off to a different planet to live a jail for the rest of your life they'd probably have you executed or something."
He frowned, not believing Craig was considering taking on Leroy and his family.
Isaac/The Spider
Isaac gave Ash an incredulous look.
"Dude, I promise you, I am not lying. I can't believe you would accuse me of that. If I had done it, I would have admitted it by now. I don't have any answers for you, man. Unless there's another telekinetic in here," he said.
**********
Oliver took a sip of his drink and glanced over at the Taylor look-a-like. The man he was sitting with... he looked familiar to him somehow. He knew he had seen that face before.
He chewed his lip. He knew that face. He was certain he knew... hot dang... He looked away quickly. Dang, dang, dang...
He wished Ash and Isaac would come out of the bathroom soon. Oh man, he had to call his uncle... no... wait...
"Calm down Oli," he said to himself. "Calm down. You know what you have to do. We've been through this remember? And besides, you don't want to accidently set a fire again. Calm down."
He clenched his jaw as he saw the Spider laughing. Then he made a strong attempt at attempting to appear like nothing was wrong.
"Oh please. If the infamous Leroy hasn't managed to catch me, and I take him out, no one ever will. Look, are you in? Or do I have to do this myself?" Craig narrowed his eyes at Christian.
Christian/Ash
"Another telekinetic? I believe there's only a few on the whole planet," Ashley raised his eyebrows, "man, in situations like this you need a telepath around."
*********
Christian bit his lip, and watched the cars go past.
"Look, you know I'm with you, all the way... I at least owe you that," he began, "I'm just worried."
He glanced nervously around the café, until his eyes fell on Leroy's nephew again. He sighed.
"I'm fine with it, as long as we take out the Hanson. That's all I'm asking."
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
"Good," said Craig. "And there's no need to worry. Once Leroy is out of the way, no one can catch us."
**********
"I'm sure if it's important we'll figure out how your drink got spilt all over me," Isaac replied.
He regarded his shirt, which had to be taken off in the process of cleaning it.
"Wow this is good. I'm gonna go back out there with a wet shirt," Isaac was not impressed. "It's time like this you actually need Zac. Oh well, I guess I'll just dry it under the blow dryer thingy whatsitwhosit here."
**********
Oliver focused on his breathing. It was one of the things that Leroy had taught him in his effort to control his powers. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. Nice and slow and controlled. Good. There wasn't anything for him to be nervous about, but then, Oliver supposed he had expected that when the moment came Leroy would be there with him.
But Leroy wasn't. He was on his own.
Oliver chewed his lip. Maybe he should tell Isaac and Ash? He couldn't tell them everything, that was for sure, but The Spider's picture was on the YIRAAS's Most wanted page - he could certainly mention that.
He rapped his fingers on the table impatiently. They were taking way too long in the bathroom for his liking. And who was that guy the Spider was sitting with anyway?
Ash/Christian
Ashley watched as Ike began to try and dry the shirt. Most of the stain had come out, but there wasn't much else they could do at the moment.
"So..." he began, a little confused, "you think there's another telekinetic in here? If there is, then he's obviously targeted one of us for some reason. Maybe we could get back at him? Or her?"
**********
'Maybe, but I don't want to be considered a criminal,' Christian thought, then quickly wiped it from his mind.
"Ah... yeah. So do you actually have an idea in mind? Or are you gonna make me stay out of it?"
He was careful not to keep looking in the kid's direction, in case he drew attention.
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
"Mmm. well, maybe he - or she - has targetted us. Or maybe he or she just likes to knock over people's drinks for kicks," Isaac suggested. "But yeah. if we can figure out who it is, I think a little payback would be fun. Hmm, I think this is about as dry as it's gonna get."
**********
"No, no, I may need your telekinetic abilities," Craig replied. "We're going to follow the boy and well, play it by ear. Hopefully, his friends will hang around too - an implanted suggested here and there may make them rather useful to us."
Oliver looked up as Ash and Isaac returned from the bathroom.
"Your shirt's still wet," Oliver remarked.
"Yeah, I know," Isaac answered.
"Hey, uhh... there's something you guys should know. The Taylor look-alike over there... he's sitting with The Spider."
Christian/Ash
"How could a shape shifter be useful?" Christian almost snorted, "admittedly a pyrokinetic and telekinetic can do some real damage, as in getting locked in a room and a fire starting."
He grinned.
"Imagine Clarke Hanson and me trying to both hold shut and open the door at the same time. We have no idea who is stronger."
He looked up as he noticed Isaac and Ashley returning to their seats.
"Man, it would be good to be shape shifter to follow them though."
**********
"The spider?" Ashley looked confused, "he doesn't look like a spider to me."
The Spider/Isaac/Oliver
Craig wagged a finger at Christian.
"Never underestimate your opponants. And never dismiss another power, just because you don't know much about it. In fact, that's why you should be all the more wary," he advised.
**********
"That's his nickname," Oliver informed Ash. "He's a telepath, and extremely dangerous. He's on the YIRAAS most wanted."
"Dang..." Isaac breathed.
"We have to tell Uncle Leroy."
"Uncle? Oh that's right, Leroy Brown. I have a phone on me."
Oliver shook his head. He coudln't ring Leroy - he was warned against this. They simply had to be in the same place.
"I... I don't know his number," Oliver lied. "But I know where he is. We'd better go."
But would the Spider follow them?
Christian/Ash
"You don't think I'm wary enough?" Christian frowned, "you of all people should know."
He glanced toward the trio again, and ran his fingers through his hair. Anyone could tell he was almost shaking.
**********
"Then..." Ashley began, careful not to look in their direction, "then I suppose we'd better go..."
He stood up with a sidelong glance at Isaac.
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
Isaac and Oliver got up, and the three headed out of the cafe, after paying for their drinks. Oliver found himself shaking with nerves.
"They're leaving," Craig said. "Let's go."
And to Oliver's delight - or horror - The Spider and his companion started following them.
"So which way do we go?" Isaac asked Oliver out on the corner.
"Mmm... this way," he replied, pointing.
Ash/Christian
"We're going to walk the whole way? Where the heck are you gonna take us?" Ashley asked, looking behind warily.
"And are they supposed to be following?"
"This doesn't feel right for some reason," Christian shook his head with a glance at Craig, "what are we going to do when we get to wherever they're going?"
Oliver/Isaac/The Spider
"They're following?" Oliver asked nervously.
Rats, he didn't think about Isaac and Ash noticing.
"Yeah, they are," Isaac said after a subtle look behind them.
"They know," Craig said to Christian. "They know we're following. No matter. It will all work out the same in the end."
Ash/Christian
"Unless the kid warns Leroy, then what?" Christian pointed out, stopping.
"He could have a whole ambush ready for you by then, probably with some telepathy shield as he knows you so well."
"Maybe he's connected you to Leroy somehow?" Ashley suggested, "what's the guy's power, if you don't mind me asking. That is... the guy we know who he is."
Oliver/The Spider
"So what if he warns Leroy?" Craig sneered. "I'm the only telepath here, and neither Hanson, nor Greyson are shielded. This time he's going down."
"Well, it wouldn't be too hard to connect me with Uncle Leroy," Oliver admitted. "Considering he's been after him for years. He's a telepath."
He paused a moment.
"Maybe... maybe it would be better fo you guys to go home. I've been shielded - so The Spider can't use his powers on me. Well, partly anyway - I'm too young for them to do a full shield on me. But you guys haven't been shielded at all, unless there's something you're not telling me."
Ash
"Unfortunately, no," Ashley took a nervous glance back.
He noticed the two followers had stopped to talk.
It unnerved him that the 'Spider' was a telepath. The only one he'd met before was Avie, and she'd pretty much left him alone. He sensed Isaac was almost as nervous for some reason.
"They've stopped following for a moment. Maybe we should make a dash for it while we can," he hinted, raising his eyebrows as they came near to where his car was parked.
Oliver/Isaac
Oliver chewed his lip.
"You guys go ahead," he said. "If he follows me, all the better - Leroy will probably see him before I tell him he's there, and he'll finally be caught. Better we know where he is than not. But you guys shouldn't be put in danger. I can take care of myself. I'm pyrokinetic, you know."
"Yeah, but that guy might be hydrokinetic for all you know," Isaac pointed out.
"Maybe. Please, just go. I... I can handle this."
Isaac looked at Ash.
Ashley
"I... don't think it's a good idea," Ashley admitted, scratching his head.
"Can't we just call your uncle and say 'hey, we have a situation' or something? I mean I could always offer my car and drive you to your Uncle... but we're not going to leave you man. We may have just met you but it's not like we want you dead already," he pointed out with a chuckle.
Oliver/Isaac
Oliver shook his head.
"No, no we can't call him. His phone's out of service."
Isaac frowned.
"A minute ago you didn't have your phone."
Oliver thought wildly. The problem with lying is that you always have to remember what you said.
"Well, yeah, that's because Uncle Leroy has it. His doesn't work so he stuck his SIM in my phone until it's repaired."
"Oh okay. Fair enough," Isaac glanced towards their pursuers. "Erm guess we wasted too much time. They're following us again."
Oliver chewed his lip.
"Why don't we drive to your Uncle? Probably get there faster that way then by walking."
"Yeah, okay," Oliver agreed.
Christian/Ash
"Why are we still following if they know that we're following them?" Christian asked, "they're obviously going to try and lose us."
Ashley indicated the car park to the left by tapping his nose. As they made their way down, he spotted his car and quickly turned off the immobilizer. The flash of the lights would indicate to Oliver which car it was.
He pressed another button to open the doors, and they all got in.
"You have to direct me, you know," Ashley said to Oliver a little worried.
He started the car, and began to pull out of the car park.
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
"Yeah, sure. No problem," Oliver said. "We take the next left. I know this because that's the way I came."
He laughed.
"I do not know these streets at all!"
"We are following them, even though they know, because an opportunity like this doesn't come along every day," Craig replied to Christian. "Get in the car."
Ash/Christian
"Well it's not like you grew up here," Ashley considered, noticing Isaac had gone quiet.
He looked back at him.
"Are you ok, Ike?" he asked, following Oliver's directions.
Christian glared at the sidewalk as he opened the car door and got in.
"I hope you know what you're doing," he said simply, "and I don't care what happens. If something goes wrong I am out of there, and I don't care if they know I'm telekinetic."
He watched as Ashley's black 4WD made it's way down the street.
"Can't we bug their car or something? Or a house or two?" he asked thoughtfully with hsi head to the side.
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
Isaac sighed.
"I'm fine," he replied. "I just... I just wish the madness would end, you know? I wish I were like normal aliens and didn't have to deal head on with hunters and YIRAAS agents because of hunters and all that kind of rot all the time."
He laughed, almost hysterically.
"Hey maybe I should just bite the bullet, and when I meet Leroy ask him about becoming an agent. It seems I already have some talent for it," he said bitterly.
"I think being an agent would be pretty neat - turn right here please Ash - I'm kinda thinking about pursuing that," Oliver said. "I dunno. I guess I'll get a lot of experience living with Uncle Leroy, and I don't have to make up my mind just yet, but you know."
**********
"Bug their car? I've bugged Greyson's mind," Craig smirked. "I'm not going to have any problems following them, or overhearing their conversation."
Ash/Christian
Ashley turned right, and scratched his head a little.
"I don't know. About being an agent I mean. A bit too full-on for my liking. I'm fine with the docs," he said.
He turned to them and sighed.
"Don't you guys have better things to do with your life? I mean, I'm not bagging out your Uncle Oliver, heck, he's one of my heroes, but still... you two could go for something less dangerous. Especially you Ike, you've had enough as it is. Hide awya and enjoy life for a while, while you still can."
**********
Christian looked out the window, and glanced at Ashley's car ahead.
"You bugged his mind? Exactly how many people have you got bugged at the moment?" he asked, suddnely feeling awkward.
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider
"I know I've had enough," Isaac groaned. "I'm just wondering if I should exploit this talent I seem to have for attracting trouble."
Oliver grinned. He was about to say something then changed it at the last minute.
"This is it," he said instead. "Uncle Leroy is in there."
"Maybe I should take a holiday. But then trouble would probably follow me there too," Isaac sighed. "Meh. The sooner Hanson gets out on the road again the better."
**********
Craig was slient for a moment.
"How many people do I have bugged? Wouldn't you like to know," he said, having one of his few moments of humour. "But if it's any consolation to you, my bugs cease to exist when the subject moves out of range. Ahh, they're pulling over. I'm bugging Isaac too now. I want to be able to suggest things at a moments notice."
Ash/Christian
"I'm with you on that one man," Ashley replied as he pulled into the driveway, "I'm itching to get out on the road again too. But at the rate you guys are making this album..."
He shook his head.
"We could be stuck here for a long time."
He kept his eye on the pursuing car, as he opened the door and got out. He turned the immobilizer back on, and they finally went up to the front door.
********
Christian frowned for a moment, suddenly wondering if he'd been bugged before. Of course he wouldn't do it now, now that he's always with him... but he wondered if he'd been bugged when he was little. After his father was killed and his mother 'ran off'.
Well if he had, Craig had erased the memory if he'd found out.
"So now what?" Christian asked as they slowed.
Isaac/Oliver/The Spider/Leroy
The Spider paused and looked around.
"We wait there," he said pointing. "And I listen. I'll let you know when we make our move, and what it will be."
**********
Oliver opened the door and they stepped inside. They walked towards the eating area of the B&B. Leroy spotted him straightaway.
"Oli?" he asked.
"He's here."
"Where?"
"We last saw him in a car outside."
"Hmm. I assume he followed you?"
"Yeah."
Leroy considered this. It was only then that he seemed to notice Ash and Isaac.
"Who are your friends?"
"Oh, uhh, these are Ash and Isaac. Guys, this is my Uncle Leroy."
Isaac stuck out his hand.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir," he said.
Leroy waved him off.
"No need to call me sir," Leroy told him. "Leroy will be fine."
Christian/Ash
Christian only nodded in reply. He trusted him.
**********
Ashley leant forward and extended his own hand, suddenly feeling shy.
"Well... it is a pleasure. I... We've admired your work for quite some time," he chuckled with a glance at Ike.
He leant against a chair.
"About this spider guy..." he began nervously.
The Spider/Isaac/Oliver/Leroy
The Spider listened closely through the bugs in Ash and Isaac's minds.
"The Spider is an extremely dangerous individual," Leroy said. "And if I know him, he's probably bugged your minds."
"What?" Isaac asked.
"Standard tatics. And chances are he's going to use you two against myself and Oli, whether things are going his way or not. Was there anyone with him?"
"Yeah. He looked like my brother, Taylor."
"Hmm... you're a Hanson, right?"
"Yep."
"It's probably Christian. He's a telekinetic," Leroy considered this for a moment. "You'll forgive me if I don't fill you in on much, but chances are The Spider is listening in, and I'd hate to give him the heads up."
Craig growled in annoyance.
"Come on boys. Let's not keep our friends waiting," Leroy said abruptly.
He stood up and strode out the front door, not bothering to see if the boys were following. Leroy walked to the side of the street, took a good look around and said loudly:
"Can Spider-man come out to play?"
"And I thought I was obsessed with that movie," Isaac grinned. "But I thought the Green Goblin was the bad guy."
"Yeah, didn't he die?" asked Oliver.
"Let's go," Craig said to Christian, moving within Leroy's sight, a sneer appearing on his face. "This is a dangerous game you play, Leroy. Lots of witnesses here. And you know me, I love to play with pawns."
He used his bug in Ash to take control of his shape shifting abilities and forced him to change his hand into a knife, and walk right over to Leroy.
"You wouldn't hurt your nephew's friend, now would you?" The Spider smirked.
*On my signal,* he sent to Christian. *Feel free to kill Isaac. I'll disable his telekinesis so he can't do anything.*
Christian/Ash
Christian gulped as he stood up and followed Craig out into the open. As he stood a little behind him, he squinted at Isaac. He felt the anger in his chest as he thought of the alien hunter he'd brought down. He clenched his fists.
"Let me know," he growled.
**********
"Uh*" Ashley began, realizing what was happening.
He gulped.
He'd never been in this position before. Damn telepaths. Except Avie.
With a silent growl, he began to fight back.
The Spider/Isaac/Oliver/Leroy
The Spider smirked. So, Greyson decided to try and fight back. Didn't he know that it was impossible? You can't fight someone who controls your very thoughts.
Isaac used his telekinesis to hold Ash back. He made eye contact with his friend and smiled softly.
The Spider growled, and used his bug in Isaac to block his power. Isaac found his hold on Ash disappear and he stared in horror the knife that was Ash's hand swooshed forward.
Fortunately Leroy dodged. A building exploded behind him at the same time, distracting the humans from their fight.
Oliver stood there and watched. What could he and his pyrokinesis do? He felt so helpless right now.
"Now, Christian," The Spider said.
Christian/Ash
Ashley continued to struggle against what had taken control of his body, as Christian put a finger to his lips in concentration.
As the building behind collapsed from the explosion, one large block of the roof was sent plummeting to the ground. Using his telekinesis, he tried to direct it towards his target.
Other smaller pieces of shrapnel came flying after like small knives attacking their prey.
"Yes," he whispered with a grin, reailsing the rock was falling right above Isaac.
The Spider/Isaac/Oliver/Leroy
Oliver spotted the rock coming towards Isaac. He leapt forward and pushed Isaac out of the way. They hit the ground two seconds before the rock struck, barely two inches away. They stared wide-eyed st it.
"My kinesis... it's gone..." Isaac managed to tell him.
"I heard the Spider can block powers," Oliver said, and a smirk crossed his face as he got an idea.
He set the grass at the Spider and Christian's feet alight. This burning sensation caused The Spider's concentration to falter, and his hold on Ash and Isaac dimisinshed, although did not completely depart. Leroy lunged towards The Spider, and Oliver doused the flames as he drew near.
"Say goodbye to your telepathy," he whispered, buckling a collar around The Spider's neck.
Craig gulped, and his eyes shot open as he tried to seek out with his mind. But he couldn't. He let out a string of curses, as his hands went to the collar, trying to pull it off.
"No amount of tugging will work," Leroy commented. "Nor will anything cut it. It's made of telepathic energy and only the telepath who created it can take it off."
"And who was that?" Craig spat.
Leroy smirked.
"Wouldn't you like to know? Now you may as well stop struggling. You're not going to disappear from my sight again until after your trial."
"Never!"
Christian/Ash
Christian stood back a little and squinted at the collar, fingertips at his right temple.
"Dammit," he cursed, when he realised he couldn't surpass the protection with his power.
Ashley had fallen over when the Spider's grip on his mind diminished, as he finally stood and brushed himself off. He glanced at Ike.
"You ok man?"
Then he looked up and saw what happened.
"Hey Leroy!" he called out, getting his attention.
He pointed at Christian.
"What about him?"
Christian's eyes widened as he backed off a little, and put his palm up to them.
"I'm not that easy you bastards," he cursed, as his telekinesis went to work.
All the shrapnel, gravel and even sand that lay on the ground suddenly whipped up towards them, creating a painful diversion as he took off down the street.
The Spider/Leroy/Isaac/Oliver
Isaac instinctively went to use his own telekinesis to stop the storm.
"Ahh!" he cried, falling to his knees.
Although The Spider's hold on him hand gone, the block he had put in place was only crumbling, not gone altogether and it hurt so bad. Still, he did manage to get enough out to divert the shrapnel, gravel and dirt, just enough to miss them. It was still an extremely close call.
"Hmm," Leroy said. "I can see we'll have to get a telepath to look at you. Come on Spidey, it's time to take a nice ride -"
"Not on your life!" Craig snarled.
And in a flash, he was running down the street.
"Hey, what happened?" asked Oliver. "How'd he get loose? Why aren't you chasing him?"
"The collar stops him from using telepathy. Not atom manipulation," Leroy replied, looking annoyed as he rubbed his hand. "I should have known he'd try that old trick. School kids do it for kicks!"
"An atomic shock?" Isaac asked.
"Yeah."
"What's that?" asked Oliver.
"You know how sometimes you can zap someone because of static?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, an atomic shock works on the same principal. Except it's a little more potent because you work right with the atoms, instead of having to drag your feet through carpet or something."
"Oh."
"No matter. He can't do nearly as much damage with that collar as he used to. He relies on his telepathy so much it's only a matter of time before we catch him. Probably picked up by police for shop lifting," Leroy smiled to himself. "C'mon boys, this way."
And on their way to the B&B, Leroy picked up his mobile phone, rang someone, and arranged to meet them in an hour.
Ashley
Ashley frowned for a moment, considering what just happened. He looked between them.
"Uh... I guess we just have to hope that blonde guy doesn't take it into his own head to come after you alone," he said, looking at Ike, "by the way, ARE you ok? Is everyone... uh oh..."
He was cut off as he saw numerous people standing around. Human witnesses.
"Oh great. I think we'd better jet. Ike?"
Isaac/Oliver/Leroy/Tanya
"Oh no," Leroy said. "You two ain't going nowhere until my friend has checked you out. Never know what telepathic rubbish the Spider may have left in your heads."
"But what about them?" Isaac asked gesturing.
"Ignore them," Leroy replied. "Most of them are more interested in the building that blew up than our little fight. And those that actually did notice anything will either think they were seeing things, or be considered crazy by anyone they tell their little story too."
He gave a short laugh.
"Let's face it boys, there wasn't much there that happened that can't be explained away. Now, how about some dinner before my friend arrives? My treat. Here's my phone, feel free to call, err, anyone you need to call to let them know where you are, and that you might be later than expected coming home."lhe finally stood and brushed himself of
Isaac looked at Ash.
"Oh come on," Oliver said. "You guys were going to hang out with me anyway."
Ash
Ashley returned the look from Isaac, then stepped forward and took the phone. He threw it to him.
"Call your family. You might wanna let them know what happened. I'm sure they'd be interested."
He looked back at Oliver and Leroy.
"The only person I'd have to call would be Mindy, and she hasn't spoken to me for weeks. My parents and sister are out of the country."
Isaac/Oliver/Leroy
They had dinner, and waited around for awhile. At last Isaac spotted a familiar woman coming towards them.
"Hi, Leroy," Tanya said pleasantly.
"Tanya, glad you could make it. Boys, this is Tanya, YIRAAS Agent, and Ga'Revali Master. Tanya, this is my nephew Oliver, Isaac Hanson and Ashley Greyson."
Tanya nodded.
"Nice to meet you."
"What's Ga'Revali?" Oliver asked.
"Roughly translated, telepathic martial arts," Tanya replied. "Now, who was it that needed cleaning up?"
"Isaac and Ash," Leroy replied.
"Okey-dokey," Tanya went to work. "Wow! The Spider sure threw mud around in here. He's one guy I'm glad never went to his full potential in Ga-Revali training. Although, it's scary enough he still had potential past Advanced."
"What do you mean?" Oliver asked.
"There are many levels of training. You can only go as far as your telepathic capabilites allow. There are only two Masters on this planet, including me. The other teaches. The lower you go down the scale, the more there are, but I suppose that's true of all martial arts to some degree, although I expect the differences aren't quite so huge - relatively speaking - and these reasons for it would be much, much different. There, you're done, Ash."
Ash
Ashley just stared at the table, blinking slowly, then frowned.
"Ok, can we pull the boat into the dock here?"
He stood up and looked at Tanya.
"Who the hell are you and what have you just done to me?"
Isaac/Oliver/Leroy/Tanya
Leroy raised an eyebrow.
"I thought we'd established that. Tanya is -"
"I have a few other names," Tanya said. "The Telepathic Temptress, the Mental Marauder, the Sorceress of Suggestion, oh, and my favourite, Venus, as in Venus Fly Trap. There are a few other, but all in all, I prefer Tanya."
"The Sorceress of Suggestion? Dang..." Isaac said. "I had no idea. Avie's your biggest fan."
"SO I found out when I visited her Ga'Revali training the other day. It's not so hard to figure out, anyway. As I said, there are only two Masters, and I'm the only female one. As for what I just did to you, I removed the bug that The Spider implanted in your head and all the other telepathic rubbish that creature left behind."
"What kind of rubbish?" asked Oliver.
"Mmm, it's hard to explain to someone who isn't telepathic. Think of it as... as a bedroom. Some theif had snuck in while you were out, and in the process of hunting down your valuables they've made a mess. And then add on top of that, you've come home early. So the theif has made an even bigger mess in their rush to get out before getting caught."
"Oh."
"You're done, Ike."
"Thanks."
Ashley
"So ah... where, where do we go from here?" Ashley asked nervously, sitting down again next to Ike.
"We just wait for the Spider to be caught or what?"
He cast a nervous glance at Tanya, hating the fact he was getting involved with more telepaths.
Isaac/Leroy/Tanya
"We do nothing of the sort," Leroy replied. "You and Isaac shall go on with your lives and carry on as you always do. The capturing of the Spider - with or without his telepthic powers - is best left to professionals."
"Well," Tanya said reprovingly, "they don't have to go home right now do they?"
"Actually, I should be getting home," Isaac said. "It's been great meeting you all."
Ash
Ashley stood up quickly, showing his nervousness.
"Yeah, I'm with you. I'll drive you back," he offered, taking his shoulder.
"It was ah... nice to meet you two," he nodded to both Tanya and Leroy, before looking to Oliver.
"I'll catch up with you later," he winked, before indicating for Isaac to follow him out to the car.
"Bye guys. See ya's later!" Oliver said cheerfully.
"Bye," Isaac grinned, and he followed Ash out to the car. "Well that was certainly a very interesting experience. I hope I never go through anything like it ever again."