Alex hadn't planned for the night to end up like this, no way would he have thought that practicing in the dead of night would garner attention. Not like this, lost in a park forest with a gang of mutant haters on his tail. The only thing on his mind was to keep running, don't look back, find the street or something, hope that a more public area would stop his pursuers from doing anything drastic. Hope that anybody who saw would intervene, he did not want to end up as the latest victim of hate crimes in the news.

He stopped, hands on his knees, gasping for air. The guys behind him were taking their sweet time catching up. He could hear one calling, "Here muty, muty, muty. Come out you little freak." Along with the rhythmic thwacking of a metal baseball bat. He couldn't help but shudder, yeah, they were definitely looking to do some harm. There would be no talking his way out of this one.

He kept running, calling on Ace as he did, the hawk forming and flying beside him. He didn't have enough in him to call on his bigger constructs, he hadn't been planning on fighting anyone today. If he had known he was fighting for his life he would have eaten as much as he could in preparation. It was then that his foot snagged on something, sending him face first into the dirt. Groaning and sitting up he was shocked to find what had grabbed his leg. A wire snare was caught and locked tightly around his ankle.

He fumbled with the wire, desperately trying to figure out the mechanism in the dark. Cold realization hit him when he saw their flashlights heading this way. This was on purpose, they had set this trap and ran him this way on purpose, hunting him like he was some dumb animal. "...Shit, shit, shit..." He quickly pulled his knife from his back pocket, standing and trying to make it look like he wasn't threatened. Above him Ace perched and waited.

When the glare of their flashlights hit his face he felt his bravery sink away. "There he is. Hey there little freak, ready to play now?" He couldn't see who was speaking, the light too bright in his eyes. "Stay away! I'm warning you!"Alex shouted back, hoping that his words would be enough and, if not, that someone might hear him and come help him.

The gang didn't seem to buy it, laughing instead as three of the five ganged up on him. The struggle was a blur to him, the first blows were havoc, his frantic knife swipes, one of the flashlights bashing him across the face. Above Ace waited for the right time before swooping in, clawing at one man's face, while Alex's knife sunk into someone's arm before being forced from his hand. Cursing and shouting followed. The two other men joined in, the second flashlight abandoned on the ground.

Alex was able to make an insect swarm to fend most of them off, "Get off of me!" It didn't last long enough. Ace's body being crushed into the ground was enough to jolt his concentration and the swarm backed off just enough for two of the men to grab him while a third whaled on his face and body. He struggled of course, slipping out of their hold every chance he got, calling on whatever small constructs he could think effective while he was being beaten. But the bat proved an effect weapon to the bird and snake bodies thrown at them.

In the back of his mind he knew that his options were dwindling. It was them or him and he was sure as hell wasn't going to die tonight. If only he could will himself to do it.

Hades was training in the forest, at night, alone, far from human civilization. It wasn't as though he needed the training, but he would never let himself get slack. In his line of work,

getting slopy got you killed. Even if he retired at this instant, he had made enough enemies to last a lifetime, if they could ever find him. Eventially they would, but he would cross that

bridge when he got to it.

He was nearing the end of his run when he heard voices and flashes of light. It was not difficult if one mastered the art of silent running in the forrest. It was all about foot placement.

The distant voices sounded taunting, perhaps hunters and hunted? Intregued Hades started to follow, never running on their trail but keeping parallel to it. He overtook a group of people

and moved ahead of them, they appared to be chasing a lone male, probably teenager. From the way both of thenm were running Hades immediately knew they had no training. It was more than

likely that the larger group were bullys from their pathetic taunts. Their unfortunate victim was a mutant, and one with a very useful power at that. There was also something about his character. With training he could become a very useful asset. Besides Hades was not getting any younger and no matter how good you are everyone meets their end. Hades idly wondered if he was getting soft after all these years. He decided to interviene, he would rescue the troubled teen and if he turned out to be suitable and interested, offer him the chance of training.

Most of the bullys were grouped around the victum, also not the most effective way of beating someone to a pult but that was beside the point. There was one gang member holding a baseball bat circling the group ready to bat away any "creatures" that appeared. It him that Hades decided to strike first. He stepped out of the shadows, the kid already high on adrenaline and battle fever swuung at him. Hades promptly grabbed the kids wrist and shattered his elbow. He screamed to high heaven.

Deftly catching the bat, Hades unleashed a two handed swing, just for the fun of it. Bat met diaphram at speed, forcing air out of lungs, eliciting a cross between a further cry of pain and an "omph". Bat carried through to force body backwards with momentum to meet big tree. Bat compressed body between tree and bat. The group of teens stopped and turned to Hades who was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and cargo pants. Various taunts were shouted and weapons brandished. Alex was temporarily forgotten. Hades grabbed the bat and threw it to Alex. Implying that he should use it as a crutch and to defend himself if needed. To the taunts he just shrugged his shoulders as if to say "So?" and started walking slowly forward towards the teens. The first one lunged with a knife, Hades caught his knife hand, pulled him close and drove his knee into the attackers rapidly falling face before pushing him away. then he procedded to deal with them, never breaking stride, leaving bones broken, joints dislocated. He dismantled them without even breaking sweat or breathing hard.

Reaching Alex he asked in a low voice "Are you hurt? Can you walk?" as he deftly and rapidly disarmed the trap and freed Alex from his confinement. "We should leave here. Come." He said as he started to move off not looking back to see if Alex was following.

To him Hades might as well had been an angel descended from heaven for his ridiculously good timing. He couldn't see it all but from the little light provided by the flashlights he saw enough. The man dispatched his attackers with barely any effort, bat tossed in his direction, for protection he supposed. Not that he needed it, the group went down before they could think to attack him again. By the end of it his mysterious savior removed the snare just as easily as he taken care of the men.

"Are you hurt? Can you walk?"

He nodded, still stunned by the turn of events, and slowly got to his feet. His attackers hadn't been smart enough to break his legs first. A miracle in and of itself.  Before he could even ask the guys name he was already walking away.

"We should leave here. Come."

He blinked, taking a moment before stumbling after the man. "W-wait, wait up!" It was kind of a pathetic, chasing after this man in the dark but he certainly didn't want to try and find he way out on his own. "Where are we going? Who are you?" Pertinent questions to be honest, he had a right to know.

With the adrenaline fading away he could begin to categorize everything that was hurt. Thankfully nothing broken, his ribs got very close, and the snare had jerked at his ankle something awful. But nothing broken. Definitely had one black eye, split lip, and his nose was bleeding too. And on top of all that lovely he could feel his stomach clench in a familar hungry way, he had spent a good amount of energy to defend himself.

(OCC hope you dont mind the slight Gmodding, if you want I can go back and change stuff)

"W-wait, wait up!" The pannicked youth cried. "Where are we going? Who are you?"

Questions, questions, always so many questions. Without turning Hades replied. "We are leaving the area in case more arrive and to see to your wounds. You may call me Reaper."

After a few minutes of walking they reached a spot with a dirt trail. Hades vanished into the bushes and soon reappeared pushing what looked like a modified dirt bike.

"Can you ride?" Hades asked tossing Alex a helmet. He put his own on. He was testing a new gadget that he had recently purchased. Owning a web of tech companies was useful at times. This bike interacted with the helmet to provide night vision to the wearer, the bike, which was also a prototype, was electric. Upon receiving the affirmative from the teen, Hades instructed him "Hold on tight." Waited for him to mount and then they were off. The electric bike accelerating smoothly and silently. Quietly Hades was impressed, the night vision system on the helmet display was clear and good and the bike was performing well within spec.

A short and quick ride later Hades pulled up next to an out of the way small log cabin. After stowing the bike in the garage he gestured for the teen to follow him into the basement where there was a surprisingly well stocked medical layout to one corner. A majority of the space was taken up b y what was obviously a training setup with various closed cabinets lining the walls and a small kitchen in another corner. "If you want I can take a look at those wounds." Said Hades.

"We are leaving the area in case more arrive and to see to your wounds. You may call me Reaper."

Reaper, it was enough to give him a shiver. Fearful that he might be walking into another trap. But looking around him, at the park he had come to get away from the noise of the city for the day, a good couple of bus rides away from home. He really didn't have anywhere to go. He had no knife and bruised and battered he was sure he wouldn't survive another attack, especially not from a guy like this.

Still, with helmet tossed his direction, he didn't have much choice but to get on the bike. He gripped the man's shoulders, trying not to hold on too tightly because he didn't want to appear as afraid as he really was.

The night vision of the helmet was nice, giving him a chances to see that they were heading further north, further away from New York City than he intended. By the time they reach the man's home, a log cabin far from prying eyes he couldn't help but imagine the worse. Inside was both less and more than he expected. He stood there, taking in his surrounds and fighting down the panic in his chest.

"If you want I can take a look at those wounds."

He looked at the man for a moment like a deer caught in head lights before he forced fear down. Smiling and chuckling instead, "Ah, I-I guess. I mean how do I know your not planning something weird. I mean, thanks for the rescue, but the name Reaper doesn't exactly evoke someone without ill intent. No offense."

Throughout the ride Hades was observing the teen. He had some backbone. Hades was liking what he saw. He just might have the potential to become something. If the teen asked to be trained, well Hades just might agree. From the way the teen held on during the ride back he was nervous but trying to hide it. It was time to be reassuring, something that Hades did not usually bother with. Better to be matter of fact.

"Ah, I-I guess. I mean how do I know your not planning something weird. I mean, thanks for the rescue, but the name Reaper doesn't exactly evoke someone without ill intent. No offense."

Hades slowed and turned to the teen, for the first time pulling back his hoodie so the teen could see his face. At the comment he smiled slightly.

"If you must know Reaper is one of my call signs and not my name." He sighed slightly, but then again the youth had a point.

"What should I call you? Anyhow, if I wished you harm I could have easily left you to your attackers. Or alternatively I could have just killed the whole group of you, victim and attacker alike. It would make no difference to me. The fact that I not only dealt with your attackers and also brought you away from the immediate area should tell you that I mean you no harm. But if you are uncomfortable say the word and I will drop you off at a nearby bus stop and you will not see me again. The choice is yours."

Hades awaited the teens reply. After disarming the attackers he had lifted a driving license or two. From how the attackers behaved, he suspected that they were part of a larger group and that a few of them had gotten a good look at Alex. The fact that they had been defeated by someone other than Alex would have reinforced the point that Alex was a potential target. Hades suspected that they would come after Alex again, until they found him and the next time that happened they would not stop until He was either dead or close to it. Hades had brought the teen here to a unused cabin as a chance to understand the teen more. He had shown some courage in the face of his attackers and his power, or what Hades had observed of it could become a very useful asset if properly trained. But Hades would not force anything. If the teen wanted he would stay true to his word and drop the teen off where he wanted to go. Although he suspected that if he did so the teen;s life expectancy would be rather short. But at that point it would not matter. Hades generally only offered a very few people aid, and a chance, if they turned it down, it was not a big deal to him.

"If you must know Reaper is one of my call signs and not my name. What should I call you?"

"Alex." It was a generic enough name that most people would really be able to identify him by it. Not like he had any social media to speak of anyway. He wasn't thinking that anyone would come after him, just another face in the crowd after all. No reason for anyone to take any special interest.

"But if you are uncomfortable say the word and I will drop you off at a nearby bus stop and you will not see me again. The choice is yours."

The man had a point. He could have done any number of things at any time. But instead he's only been helpful. Alex was grateful and the offer for further help, well he should take it. His eyes swept over the room, taking into account potential weapons before letting a sigh slip from his lips.

"Alright, I guess I could use a bit more help before heading home." He shrugged his hoodie off, hesitating at the hem of his t-shirt. "So um, how are we doing this?"

"Alright, I guess I could use a bit more help before heading home."
A vain attempt at bravado and at least the boy did not have an ego a big as a bus, perhaps he was slightly insecure. Anyhow it was a thing to note.

"So um, how are we doing this?"
Sighing, Hades replied. "Based on the motorcycle ride over here your arms and hands are functioning as usual. so unless you have much pain elsewhere I should probably examine your ankle and chest. lets start with the ankle."

After probing for a few minutes Hades pronounced, "Moderately sprained but otherwise ok. I am going to put some ointment on it to relieve the pain and reduce swelling. The wrapping my feel a little tight but it will give your ankle extra support. Change the wrapping every two days or so." Said Hades deftly applying the ointment and wrapping the ankle with a practiced and trained hand. "Now lets move on to your rib-cage, would you mind lifting your shirt?" after a few minutes of probing Hades pronounced."Bruised but nothing broken, minor cuts and scrapes but nothing serious."

Hades moved away, washed his hands then moved towards the small kitchen and started cooking. "You know," said Hades casually. "With little training, and what I observed of your powers, you could have easily have taken on a group twice or three times that size and won. Now they have gotten a good look at you they will be out for revenge."

Soon an appetizing aroma filled the air and Hades approached carrying two bowl of steaming soup and noodles. "Simple chicken broth, noodles, chicken and vegetables if you want it. You will probably be hungry after your... ordeal." Hades placed both bowels on the table and started eating his. He was still mildly indifferent to this youth that he had happened to save, but who knew, he would never offer to train anyone, but if he asked? Hmm at that point in time Hades was not sure what his answer would be. It would more depend on the reason.

Having the man poke and prod at his body was to say the least awkward to the teen. Usually things like this he would simply sleep off, deal with the pain. He couldn't remember the last time he went to the doctor and the last time he had some one look at his wounds were...He pushed down the thought, focused on the present. Tense in case things went south and mr.reaper here turned out to be a pervert.

But no such thing happened. His foot was wrapped and he was given ointment for the pain and that was it. Next thing he knew the guy was cooking, the smell that filled the room reminded him of just how much energy he spent fighting back.

"You know, with little training, and what I observed of your powers, you could have easily have taken on a group twice or three times that size and won. Now they have gotten a good look at you they will be out for revenge."

"I think you're severely over estimating my mutation...I'm not nearly that strong. I mean I train almost every day, with my mutation but I don't think of combat when I'm doing it." He shook his head, sure if he wanted to kill maybe. But he didn't want to fight, he didn't want to become a monster that people feared. "And what do you mean revenge? It was too dark for them to get a look at me. At least...I think so..."

He paused, looking down at the food placed in front of him. He had watched the guy make it, there was probably nothing bad in it. Still he hesitated to eat it, after everything he experienced tonight, one couldn't blame him for being cautious. It took the rather loud growling of his stomach to push him to pick up the spoon and eat.

I think you're severely over estimating my mutation...I'm not nearly that strong. I mean I train almost every day, with my mutation but I don't think of combat when I'm doing it. And what do you mean revenge? It was too dark for them to get a look at me. At least...I think so..."

"Victory against superior numbers does not soley rely on brute strength."Said Hades. "For example you were in a forrest just now, if you had simply crouched behind some nearby trees and called/summoned one of your "animal Friends" to make some noise that would have distracted them. Next you could start playing to their fears. A swarm of ants crawling over them or a heard of snakes would have cooled their anger." Hades paused "Playing on their natural fear of the dark and the typical fear of things that could be poisonous would have given you a great advantage. Now if you Had wanted to say incapacitate or kill them that would be another matter, still achievable but you would probably use a different tactic."

Hades paused to take another bite and then continued. "I saw one of the members filming the scene with his iPhone. He was just a groupie and ran away when your creepy crawlies started coming out. I lifted a drivers license off one of your attackers, he belongs to the local chapter of a mutant hate group. Guess who is within the top ten of their hit list?" Hades said with a slight smirk. He slid the phone over so Alex could see the web page and the slightly blurry but recognizable mug shot of Alex with a look of fear on his face turning to run.

He listened to Hades commentary on how he could have used his powers and he had to wonder why he hadn't thought of any of that. Probably because panic had gotten the better of him. They caught him unaware and his only option had been to run for it, hope they lost interest. That had always been the first option he went to. Run, don't look back and find a place they couldn't get to.

However what the man said next made his blood run cold.

"I saw one of the members filming the scene with his iPhone. He was just a groupie and ran away when your creepy crawlies started coming out. I lifted a drivers license off one of your attackers, he belongs to the local chapter of a mutant hate group. Guess who is within the top ten of their hit list?"

He stared at the blurry picture of himself, just as terrified as he felt right now. They had his face. On a website no less, thousands of people could see this, recognize him or even people who looked like him on the street. He had finally found a place to settle and it was ruined...again.

"But why?!" It was the first words that came spilling out of his mouth. "I didn't do anything wrong! I-I wasn't bothering any body!" He stood up suddenly, panic filling him, the need for escape. "And, and why so high up?! I didn't do anything! I didn't-!" He couldn't breath, he needed to get out, leave. The constructs were roaring in his ear and all he could do was hold his head, eyes closed, try to quiet them so he could think, he needed to think.

Hades listened to the outburst then quietly but authoritatively said. "Alex, Stop!" The word seem to hang in the air. Then more quietly he said, "Calm down, it is not as bad as you think or imagine."

Hades poured some Chinese green tea from a pot into two cups, slid one towards Alex, took one for himself and took a sip. When he observed that the panic levels in the room had lessened, well as much as could be hoped for now he continued.

"Firstly, the website in question is a private site, restricted to members of the group. It just so happened that the young man in question had a very unimaginative password. So this "hit List" would be restricted to the 100+ active members." He paused for a sip of tea then continued. "Secondly, the world is not a fair place, but I understand your question, you jumped up high on the list because they see you as a weak target, someone who could potentially be easily taken out and made an example of, something to bolster their confidence or just to give them bragging rights. Also your escape angered them."

Hades smiled. "It is not the end of the world Alex, with your current skills, the advice I gave you, surviving should not be that difficult. Keep calm, don;t panic and think strategically."

"Alex, Stop!"

Hades' words were enough to jolt him back into reality. At least enough to sit down again, all the while his constructs growling and snarling, trying to shove him into running again. He did his best to ignore them and focus on the man in front of him. The new information smoothed over his worries, but it didn't make it any less frightening to know that he was on a hit list. They wanted to make an example out of him, a sacrifice for their cause.

"It is not the end of the world Alex, with your current skills, the advice I gave you, surviving should not be that difficult. Keep calm, don't panic and think strategically."

The teen took a breath and tried to think of a way out. But the only thing that came to mind, as it always did when things went south, was run away, hide, disappear. Out of sight, out of mind. However, he was tired of running, tired of scrapping by, he didn't want to be afraid. And the answer was sitting right in front of him.

"...Could you help me? I mean, teach me how to fight like you or at least...give me a place to lie low for a little bit."

It was the only thing that he could think of. He needed training at least, safer shelter than a school for mutants could provide, or at least safer in the sense that this place seemed a bit more secretive. If this hate group was looking to put a hit out on him, the first place they'd look are places actively housing mutants.

"...Could you help me? I mean, teach me how to fight like you or at least...give me a place to lie low for a little bit."

"Hmmmm..." Hades considered. "Could I help you? Yes I could. Could I teach you how to fight like me? That is a rather vague request. I could teach you how to defend yourself, I could also teach you how to fight. The question is how much do you want to learn, and most importantly, why?"

That was really the crux point. If the youth just wanted to learn how to defend himself, well with his degree of control over his powers, or what Hades had observed, that would not be hard at all. Parhaps a week to teacdh him some knife drills and to formulate a strategy or two. If he wanted to do more than just survive, well that would depend on what type of skills he wanted to learn and why. If Alex just wanted to defend himself, Hades would probably acquiesce to his request, although he would feel a little dissappointed in the youth's short sightedness. As to his final request, well that would depend on the answer to his first two questions. Out loud he said.

"As to your last request, yes I can find you a place to lay low but the conditions will depend on your answer and how long you want it for."

Hades sat back and awaited his reply

"The question is how much do you want to learn, and most importantly, why?"

He looked mildly surprised at the returned question. He really hadn't thought deeper on the why and the how of it all. Everything returned to rather basic instincts of survival. He looked down at the cup of tea set out in front of him, contemplating what would be the best answer. It seemed like this guy liked to get all the information he could before proceeding, so it would be best to fit that mind set.

"As much as I can, everything if that's even possible. I just don't want to play the victim any more. Like right now, every instinct in me is telling me to run away. But I've been running for so long...I'm tired of it. I finally found a place to call home and I don't want that to be ruined again."

It was the best explanation he could come up with. However, it still felt flat on his lips. It wasn't all that deep, it wasn't all that important. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the idea that this guy was helping him with no ulterior motive. There had to be a catch in all of this and he just wasn't seeing it.