”Ha ha! Yes! Give me more! Push me as I push you together we shall climb to new heights!” the demigod shouted aloud as he blocked a punch lifting his massive arm up in a guard. The giant he was fighting with was more surprised than anything. Hercules’s tattoo’s started to glow. This gang seemed persistent on doing evil. Hercules couldn’t call himself a hero if he sat back and did nothing. The fact that his master was there was just icing on the cake.

The giant mountain of muscles used this brief surprise in his opponent to look back to see his master.... getting into a cab and pulling his wheelchair in. ‘You’re embarrassing me. I’m going home. Do whatever you want tonight, just try not to get into trouble and no club.’ the voice rang out in his head. Hercules for one, was disappointed that William didn’t enjoy the spectacle. Teenagers there was just no pleasing them. For two that meant he could engage in more heroics until the early morning. Not that he needed to sleep anyhow. It seemed this city was rampant with those who wish to do evil.

”More!” he shouted as he grabbed the giant looked confused while he was being lifted. No one should be able to lift him. He got bigger and heavier. Hercules’ oil slicked body shined in the streetlights as he threw the giant into a building causing to a wall to fall out from under the weight.

”It’s best you all come at me.” Hercules said flexing out of his shirt and allowing his sculpted body to be seen by all spectators. ”Evil doers beware! For I am here! Hercules protector of mortals!”

A knife bounced off his chest and ricocheted into the ground under him as he started to walk towards the thrower. ”Even the arrows of Apollo couldn’t penetrate my hide! You have no chance!”[/color] Hercules heard some bricks crumble as the giant was ready for round two while his gang of four cohorts tried to collect the money from the now busted ATM.

”Yes!” he blocked another punch then started to throw a chain of punches into the giant each one felt like hitting stone for both of them. Loud cracks echoed out as Hercules threw his massive fists. The giant took the combo too slow to react and was knocked off his feet. Hercules jumped upwards and then brought down an elbow falling onto the giant and forcing him to the ground. Getting up he brushed off some of the asphalt where they landed. Hercules pointed to the rest of the gang.

Among the crowd someone with a news reporter quickly shouted, “Are we still rolling? Man I thought this charity event was going to be a bust!” smoothing out her skirt she stepped in front of the camera, “As you can see there is a fight breaking out in the streets as a lone shirtless man is confronting a group of mutants trying to rob an ATM. Where did his shirt go?” she asked the camera man looking confused before adding, “Did he oil himself up?” 

The action was starting to spread. As the man with the glowing tattoos continued to take on an entire group of assailants, the crowd shifted nervously. Many were consummate New Yorkers - they’d seen everything twice and this wasn’t even the fifth most impressive mutant fight they’d seen this week. These were the ones taking pictures, carrying on in their conversations, or even trading bets and making commentary on the action.

”What are the 8th Street Aces doing over here?”

”Is that Giant’s Bane?!”

”That man can pick me up and throw me around any time he wants!”

”Do you think it’s going to rain later?”

But standing in the midst of the ebbing and flowing crowd, as the action attracted some, frightened others, and was boring to yet more, Rex Vidales stood glued to the sidewalk, his hands clenched in frustration.

He was a first responder, yet he was on hiatus. He wanted to jump in and...what? He wasn’t law enforcement and he wasn’t on duty. Besides, what could he do against the brutes and the assorted other people? Over an ATM, no less! It was smart to stand there and do nothing. Even smarter to leave and get other people away.

Rex wasn’t so smart.

He hadn’t seen the event begin, but it needed to be over. Even as the remaining thieves divied up their squad, some of them charging the man and demonstrating their weaponized mutations, two of them continued trying to make good on their theft.

Rex emerged from the crowd and approached the ones trying to gather over the spilling money.. In a loud, ringing voice of authority, a voice used to be being heard over roaring flames and collapsing buildings, he shouted, “Stand down! Drop everything and put your hands up!”

”Like I said you don’t have a chance unless you all come at me!” the demi god boasted walking away from the largest of the group. He now laid unconscious in a small crater of asphalt. Hercules found it difficult not to break things when every thing this era was meant to be repaired or replaced.

Another knife shot forward and hit the point between the eye brows. ”Ha! You gest!” Hercules took another step forward then stopped short when he heard the command to put their hands up. ”Excellent! Though I need not any back up. If you could maintain a perimeter so no one is injured that would most beneficial!” Hercules wanted a challenge, he wouldn’t get it with just this fight. Another knife shot towards his eye and stared it down his tattoos still glowing.

‘Ding’ Hercules smirked as the knife clattered down to the ground as he pressed forward his hands up in a guard. Good habits were hard to break. Closing the distance he blocked the next knife being thrown then grabbed the mutant who was clearly miss using his potential as an enhanced mortal. ”Pity, such potential wasted.” “You don’t know me!” ”I have seen you a thousand times before.” Hercules corrected the would be robber and lifted him by his shirt, ”And I will know you a thousand times more I’m sure.” the mound of muscle shot his head forward headbutting the mutant knocking him out. His body shined as he did so grateful for the correct lighting.

“He... he just headbutted that guy!” Someone from the crowd shouted clearly amped up from watching the fight as the other New Yorkers stuck around or walked off unphased by the show Hercules was putting on along with the new comer.

Dropping the knife throwing mutant Hercules strutted over to the new comer and clapped him hard on the back in a supportive show of support and comradery. ”Shall you take the two on the left?” while he wanted them all to himself he found it only right to share. ”You stand no hope of escaping us both!” Hercules boasted folding his arms and flexing making himself look intimidating as possible.

Rex did not stumble when the hulking man smashed his hand against his back. It was a close call though. Rex did let out all his air quickly though. That...that wasn’t what he was implying by...what? He wasn’t trying to fight anyone! Even the “keep people at bay” idea was better! But Rex’s eyes saw the fallen knives and another glance showed fear and hesitancy in the two thieves before him.

These people were being rapidly backed into a corner and they were liable to become very, very unpredictable, especially as they saw their comrades being smacked to the pavement in a seemingly effortless method. Rex didn’t think he could de-escalate things so maybe….time to fight fire with fire?

Perdóname, O Señor!

He stepped forward in order to get space and to stay well clear of anyone and everything that could burn. “One last time,” he bellowed. “Stand down!” One of the thieves was glancing around frantically and he actually started holding his hands up. The other thief did not. He saw Rex, clad in just jeans and a tucked-in flannel shirt and boots, no weapons of any kind, and he didn’t see a threat.

“Oh yeah? You gonna make me?” the delinquant sneered.

Rex sighed and nodded shortly. “If I must,” he said.

The thief started laughing and then thrust his hands out at Rex. His hands stretched and warped, forming twin tentacles of a shiny black tar-like substances that lashed around Rex and encircled him in a tarry embrace. Rex didn’t react, other than to close his eyes and start mumbling.

“What’s that, tough guy? You gonna cry now?” the thief sneered.

And then Rex opened his eyes. “...nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

As the last word fell from Rex’s lips, a whirlwind of flames burst into existence around his feet before rapidly spiraling up around him and immediately setting fire to the tarred appendages around him in a crackling roar.

“I warned you,” Rex said softly as he began to slowly walk forward.

Hercules was right to choose to fight side by side this stranger. He was direct, assertive, confident. Everything the demi-god was looking for in a partner against crime. The mound of muscles smirked more when he recognized someone channeling magic, his grin got even wider as he erupted into flames. ”Indeed he did!” Hercules nodded acting a man of hype behind the man now in flames.

The flames were beautiful reminding him of the chaos that would ensue after a particularly good battle. Cities would be caked in the stuff as people ran screaming in terror. It was a beacon of sorts to the hero. ‘A fight is to be had!’ and a fight would be had however being the hero Hercules was he turned to the crowd who seemed to almost swell towards them since the start of a the fight a particularly curious couple seemed to now stand a child’s stone throw away.

Hercules closed the distance with a few quick bounds his massive arms opening up his smile still plastered on his face. ”Please, for your safety stay back!” it wasn’t a request, Hercules seemed to bellow the command to match the guy who was playing with said fire. His energy matching the roaring inferno that was behind him.

“Sir can we have an interview?” the woman who was being ushered back to the crowd asked followed by the man with the recording device he had seen a few times before. It was focused on him at the moment so of course he was flexing his tattoo’s glowing giving his body a well polished look. ”In due time ma’am! There is a robbery currently being stopped you should be asking yourselves what are you doing to help.” he scolded before returning back to the scene behind him.

Grabbing the two he already dispatched Hercules piled them away from the flames. Those unconscious were not prepared for the inferno and while they might be misguided mortals he still thought they could be rehabilitated. Hercules’s smile frowned as the one who clearly didn’t want to stand down took a step forward, “You think a fire scares me? Ha!” as he said this the other man laid down face first on the pavement with his hands on the back of his head.

”It’s not the flames that should scare you!” Hercules shouted puffing out his chest as he went back to back up the guy on fire, ”It’s the man’s determination and will to stop evildoers!” his body glowed from behind the man on fire. “Whatever!” shouted the criminal who would not stand down. What a shame. So much potential. Hercules didn’t move as the criminal waved his hand and a nearby hydrant burst upwards sending a surge of water towards the flames and the man Hercules was standing next to.

The flames whipped and spun around him, casting a hellish light upon the concrete and the brick building walls. A small wind was billowing around the firefighter as well, yet at the moment there was not even a scorch mark upon the ground. The tar-like appendages burned away completely seconds after Rex began walking and he continued in a slow and steady fashion.

Until the muscleman began interjecting himself in the situation once again. Rex’s lips tightened. That man was kerosene right now, just fueling the metaphorical fires. Rex was close enough and casting enough light that he saw the moment the muscleman’s words pushed the would-be thief over the edge.

The water from the hydrant burst over Rex and the flames drowned beneath it. He himself stumbled for a moment before catching himself, having been far enough away that the water’s force was dispersed.

Darkness returned to the street as the firelights vanished.

The thief squinted, his night vision ruined by the sudden light and now the absence of flames. His eyes were drawn to the semi-glowing man and he waved a hand at the water, trying to figure out where the fire guy was.

Rex had no problems. As soon as his balance was regained, he rushed forward and tackled the thief, a swift slap knocking the knife out of the man’s hand before they both went rolling. Seconds later, Rex had the disoriented man on his knees, locked in a full Nelson hold. “Yield,” he said in a steely tone, water still running down his face in rivelets, his clothes completely soaked.

The water splashed down and Hercules closed his eyes for a moment as the water and fire clashed echoing a loud ‘hissssss’ the smoke washed over his glowing and glistening body his arms folded and he waited for a moment before opening them again. His shoes were wet now. He frowned more feeling the ‘squish’ of his socks inside his massive shoes. The demi-god didn’t hate a lot of things but wet socks was one of them.

Attention snapping back to the show of heroics before him he swelled with pride and clapped his hands after hearing his plea for the man to yield. He was in a chokehold, and by the looks of it an effective one. Clearly the man was trained to fight. Even more of a reason for Hercules to praise him later. Mortals were full of surprises. The first clap dissipated some of the smoke around him and sounded more like a shotgun went off followed by a few smaller less powerful claps hoping he’d encourage others to praise the other hero.

The would be robber clearly a man with little honor tried to struggle and raised a hand to the area where the water was pouring out of the spot where the fire hydrant once stood. Hercules spotted what was about to happen and pressed forward as a jet of water clashed with his chiseled physique. A lesser man would have been pierced. Hercules was not a lesser man. ”Wonderful!” His hand went up redirecting the jet of water as the water manipulator slowly struggled. “I’m not going to jail.”

”Well you aren’t getting away with the money so it seems we have a problem here.” the giant added starting to chuckle. He was reminded of his exploits of when he was first summoned and of the Lizard queen. Hercules suddenly remembered she had access to a healer.

”Now if he won’t be able to convince you to come quietly maybe our combined might can hmmm?” Hercules shouted flexing more after he slammed a foot into the concrete causing it to break under his show of force. The giant did his best to ignore the loud ‘squish’ of his wet socks.

A few scattered claps echoed the muscleman’s and a few phones lit up to get better video, but that was nearly the extent of the excitement. The reporter was the only one exuberant, but likely that was just because it was a slow night for news. This was New York - mutant brawls were everywhere.

Which actually made this encounter somewhat more enjoyable to Rex. He tightened his grasp as the man struggled, but it wasn’t enough to stop the blast of water. The glowing muscleman was, though.

“I’d suggest you listen to him,” Rex said in a low baritone rumble. “You could not stop me. Do you really think you can stop him?” Rex saw the cracked concrete and glanced over at the pile of other thieves, including a giant of a man.

“Come on, Doug, just give up!” hissed the surrendered thief from his prone position on the ground. “It’s not worth it.”

“Naw, I can’t do it I--”

Rex twisted one of the man’s arms behind his back and yanked, simultaneously shoving him face forward on to the wet concrete. “You should listen to your cohort. Comply!” he barked. Scriptures rose up in his mind but Rex shook them away. This was not the time for another pillar of fire.

The man struggled and some of the water started to rise but Rex harder and the thief gasped. The water fell flat. “Fine! Fine, I give up!” the man shouted.

The Prince of power continued to flex with his arms folded, his tapestry of his exploits glowing and shifting on his skin. It seemed to work, Mortals were easily intimidated by his strength and will. It didn’t help that the only one to resist was currently outnumbered even if he did have an advantage on the wielder of flames.

This was a skeptical of sorts, with the crowd behind them and the woman who wanted an interview with them. So Hercules, using his natural ‘gifts’ boomed out using his ‘outside’ noise level. HA HA! Yes! Evil doers beware! Hercules and company is once again victorious!” he leaned over and flexed hard bulging his muscles while satisfaction was painted on his face.

Walking over to the fire wielder he clapped him on the back again (with little force for Hercules this time). ”Spectaular job....” he offered his hand up to give the man a firm handshake. ”I will gladly stand beside you in battle, your show of courage even though he had natural advantage. Truly stirring.... My name is Hercules son of Zeus!”

Sirens could be heard off in the distance. Hercules didn’t notice the female reporter rushing to talk to them. Ma’am! I’ve told you before! It’s not safe in the vicinity until we get the ‘okay’ from the police. While we are capable of protecting ourselves I for one would not be able to sleep at night knowing someone was injured because I couldn’t keep a proper perimeter” he folded his arms and stood tall letting her know he was serious.

As for you...” he looked to the water wielder. ”Why did you attempt to rob the...” the word was still new to him so he had to read the name of it, A.T.M.? Surely you strapping young men are capable of finding jobs yes?” he asked knowing he too had been in a similar situation. If the Lizard queen didn’t stop him... well he didn’t want to think about things that could have been. He focused on the things that were.

The mutant surrendered and Rex….realized he didn’t know what to do next. The man only stopped because he was literally forced too. Would he remain compliant if Rex stepped away? Rex glanced at the other guy, who was staring with wide eyes and a peculiar stance the firefighter recognized as meaning his legs were logs. At least he wasn’t going anywhere.

Neither was Rex, it seemed. His apparent ally....named Hercules, it seemed...was handling the media so Rex remained where he was in a half crouch, one knee on the water mutant’s back and his arms and hands entangled in Rex’s own. It was at least a position Rex could maintain for some time without undue strain - wrestling was something he knew.

Hercules returned but Rex didn’t take the hand. What if the mutant attacked again? Hercules had shrugged the last one off, but what if the reporter, camera person, or any of the bystanders were targeted? The dwindling crowd wasn’t really respecting Hercules’s booming commands and were continuously inching closer to get better views. So Rex remained where he was.

“Thank you,” he said with a stiff nod. “Rex,” he said by way of introducing himself. What...what was this guy talking about? Battle and Zeus and what? Rex steeled his face as things clicked. Another mutant. Madre de Dios, hopefully this one didn’t turn on them. Hopefully he was at least like the X-Men.

Rex didn’t really know how to react, so he just nodded again and said nothing until the reporter rushed over, only to be hit by a vitriolic response from Hercules. That actually made Rex smile faintly. The media often underestimated dangerous situations and it was nice when someone could beat them back without suffering political repercussions.

“I ain’t tellin’ you nuthin’” the water manipulator spat. “I know my rights. I don’t have to say anything.” Rex contemplated ever so briefly twisting the guy’s arm farther, but he held off. It was true, the guy had rights. Besides, neither of them were law enforcement. However, the police seemed like they were nearing rapidly, based off the Doppler effect of their rebounding siren wails.

“We-we-needed the cash quick, man!” the compliant would-be thief said, his hands still raised and his voice shaking.

“Shut up you--!” the water manipulator’s words suddenly grew muffled as his face was pressed into the concrete again. “That’s enough from you. You know your rights, I suggest you make use of them,” Rex advised him sternly.

The compliant one kept going, even more nervously. “Brazen said he’d kill our families if we don’t pay him back!”

The demi-god lowered his hand after the other hero made no motion to take it. What was it with mortal’s being so rude. Everyone used to introduced themselves to everyone back when he was first started out engaging in heroism. It was all in a good handshake you could tell what kind of person you were fighting alongside when they threatened to break your hand with a firm shake. Hercules decided it was time he started bringing that back. Just not now.

”No! Thank you! Here I was thinking this era was out of heroes! What with all the villainy! Rex. Rex of the Inferno.” he committed the name and power to memory. The son of Zeus clapped his hands together,(it was loud but he wasn’t attempting a sonic boom this time) ”I had the task in hand though. If only they were more of a challenge.”

Hercules puffed out his chest and put his hands on his hips as stood over the pair one in an arm lock. A good one. Maybe Rex of the Inferno engaged in sparring? Giving him a once over Hercules’s smile faded. He was a little scrawny though. Hardley a challenge for an immortal such as he.

”I’m told with cooperation things could be easier on you.” he had been watching a lot of crime scene dramas lately and they never lied from what he could tell. Walking over and lifting the villain ready to talk Hercules righted him and brushed off a little mud that had accumulated on his shoulder.

”Brazen.” he repeated more for himself. ”Little honor is to be had by threatening ones family. Tell me where may I find this Brazen? We may be able to protect your loved ones by taking the initiative and stopping him before any harm is done. Even though I can not release you from the crime you committed I may give you piece of mind at least!” his tattoo’s glowed when his fist came together.

Rex was being congratulated? For tackling a man and grinding him into the ground? His forehead creased in a frown. That wasn’t right. This wasn’t right. Oh God, what was he doing there? Why did he decide to get involved in this? He wasn’t trained for this sort of thing whatsoever.

”Remember the parable of the talents, Rex. Each servant was given a different amount, but it didn’t matter how much they had, it’s what they did with them that mattered. Regardless of how you got this power, I believe what matters is what you do with it. What will you do with this fire?”

The words of his priest flowed into Rex’s mind and he slumped slightly, the frown vanishing. He was going to help people. That’s what he’d decided. Somehow he was going to use his fire to help people and…..he didn’t know what came after that. He just knew he needed to help. Even if the people said they didn’t need help, like this Hercules.

“I’m sure you did,” he said inflectionlessly with another nod. Based on the pile of unconscious people though, it was likely that everyone was going to end up with a trip to the hospital, if Rex hadn’t intervened, but that didn’t change the outcome. Hercules likely would’ve lived up to his promise.

The shaking thief shivered. “He’s on 5th and Maple, the old steel mill,” he gibbered. “But you can’t stop him! He’s too powerful! I saw him crush a guy’s face with just one hand! He’s even fought the X-Men! And he always keeps hostages when he sends us out on a job. My sister is there, and so is Doug’s!” The kid’s eyes were bugging out now.

Something started to burn inside of Rex. He glanced at Hercules and said levely, “I know where that steel mill is.” What am I doing? “It’s not very far from here.” Rex, think about this! “We can scout it out quickly.” Despierta, hombre! ¡Presta atención! “Are you game?”

”5th and maple.... steel mill.” Hercules looked to the nearest street sign and frowned. He was still getting used to the grid system that New York was comprised of. Simpler was not always smarter in his opinion. It had a feeling of ‘lead pipes’ to him but did they listen to him back then? No. Gold was too expensive and malleable. All things to him were too malleable.

His attention snapped back to Rex of the Inferno and he nodded his head enthusiastically, ”Maybe they will present more of a challenge to us!” he flexed his tattoos glowing now giving his body an oil slicked look again. Hercules’s laughter boomed out across the street alerting all to the joy he was feeling. ”With one hand? Allow me to demonstrate the power of the gods!” Walking over and grabbing the nearest parking meter he hefted it out of the ground with little effort.

Returning to the one that was still under Rex’s lock Hercules wrapped the parking meter around him. Just tight enough where he couldn’t flail his arms. Surely the police could undo his ‘handcuffs’. ”You have my word I will stop this Brazen, Mortals! As long as I have your word you will stop nonsense such as this! No more crime! Or the next time we meet it will not be a pleasant for either of us!”

The demi-god looked as the officers arrived then back to Rex. ”They will handle things from here, you lead the way!” he didn’t say because he didn’t know where the location was. If he wanted to he could launch himself into the air and find what looked like a steel mill but figured it would be easier to rely on someone else from this era. In truth Hercules didn’t have many heroes still alive he could rely on. None that would be much help in a battle.

”We must move with purpose and quickly, I promised them I would help their families and my word is my bond!” he walked in the opposite direction of the news crew police and spectators. He had business to attend to in a steel mill now. The time for an ‘interview’ was not now.

It was decided. They were going to find Brazen and put a stop to him. That burning feeling in Rex started spreading and a small smile began etching itself on his face. He didn’t know what it was, but it was making him start to feel alive. Finally.

Hercules lit up and from such close range, Rex observed more details than he had before. The man was shiny again, but so many of his tattoos were now glowing and...shifting? And what did they say? He caught a nonsense expression in Latin but it vanished into a picture of...something...and then more words appeared and

Rex blinked and looked away, just as the meter was ripped out of the ground. Very quickly Rex was replaced.

“Impressive,” Rex said, with just a twinge of envy. He’d seen such feats before, especially in the wake of mutant battles, and it was just another reminder of the problems that mutants caused. How did you imprison a man who could clearly bend prison bars?

Hercules wasn’t a prisoner though. As far as Rex knew, he wasn’t even a criminal. Besides, they had a mission. “Let’s go then,” he said as he vanished from the scene on Hercules’s heels.

It wasn’t long before they arrived across the street from the mill, lurking in an alleyway. Rex kept to the shadows and squinted to see if there were any lookouts or anything. Despite jogging there, he wasn’t out of breath and his heart wasn’t racing from it. It was racing from contemplation of what they were going to do. “How do you think we should handle this?”

While it would have been easier to carry the man there he didn’t. Hercules didn’t want to be rude, though to be carried by a god? Some would consider that an honor. The jog was a nice little warm-up for the fight to come and after words of encouragement for Rex to keep up the pace they made it.

Hercules didn’t sneak, he didn’t lurk and he didn’t hide. He was awful on steak-outs. He’d much rather eat them. ”With purpose!” Hercules said as he started left the shadows. ”I don’t know how you normally handle things but I find a direct approach often gets the best results.” he was too big to sneak around and he had little patience for it. Especially if the fight seemed like the only solution.

”Allow me to draw the attention of this Brazen and his goons! I have the utmost confidence that you are capable of freeing the hostages Rex of the Inferno!” Hercules flexed and the sigils and ruins started to glow some more. ”While I’m not allowed to fight at my full ability yet I feel this will turn out in our favor. Maybe we can encourage the troubled mutants to reevaluate their decisions to do evil!”

”Now watch! As I demonstrate an ancient tradition passed down from the heroes of old. From the times of gods and monsters!” Hercules stepped forward into direct view of the steel mill. Strutting confidently to the main entrance. Hercules inhaled flexing his muscles as he did so, ”BRAZEN!!!!!!!! I’ve come to challenge you!!!!!!!” he lowered his hands after the call and then looked back to the shadows where Rex of the Inferno was and gave him a thumbs up. It was the most direct method and Hercules was always direct!