Well, the kid was full of bulls***. Maybe Hercules was his uncle after all?

>>“I guess you’re right! I’m terrified! Hercules stop them! Oh, behind you!”

Yeah, no. He was used to Hercules showing off, and even Sveta knew by now that he could take a dogpile of six men, easy. That did not mean it was any less impressive to watch him do it.

>>”You hear that? My Master has issued the command.”

Oh he was sooo not an uncle.

A suit ran at Sveta, and it was time to level up. She reached under her dress to where she kept the knives strapped to her thighs, and faced him. He was not strong enough to throw people, but she could still hurt them. "Will... you... just... give... the hell... up!" she snapped, slashing at him and finally stabbing a knife into his shoulder.

Erupting upwards and throwing his hands up in the air he sent two men flying one hit a wall the other one landed on a table and collapsed it. From there he grabbed the other two and threw them at another group of two on each side of him taking out as many people as possible.

Grabbing the last one who was wrapped around his stomach he loosened his grip and made eye contact with him before tossing him to the side as if he was not evening harming. The prince of power looked over to William and Svetlana and gave a warm smile seeing the blonde wield a knife wielding warrior fend off the attacker and protect William. He was amused. Svetlana was interesting. Much different than other mortal women he had encountered.

The god turned away and focused on the men getting up. If they wanted to get back up and fight the god was more than happy to oblige in fact he encouraged it. It was the other giant who was rolling up his sleeves. He waved the god forward clearly not having enough from earlier. Charging forward like a mad bull Hercules lifted the man and ran him through one of the walls.

Unaware to Hercules a lone suit snuck behind William while Svetlana was distracted. Maybe he could take a hostage and turn the tides. A kid in a wheelchair would make an excellent hostage. He couldn’t fight back or run away.

“How about you give up?” the goon cocked the hammer back and pointed the barrel at the boy who only just realized what was happening. His expression was more surprised than anything.

Well, yeah, Hercules did not stay down. The suits were wavering in their attack, looking at each other as if they were trying to will the others to go first. Many of them were down, and the ones still standing were definitely worse for the wear. No one had told them there would be a giant glowing tank at the auction.

>>“How about you give up?”

Sveta spun around, seeing a man aim a gun at William. Sh*t. He really should have gone for cover. She held up her hands immediately, dropping the knives. "You want me, don't you?"

The wall gave way and collapsed beneath them as Hercules pressed the large man to the ground knocking the wind out of him. Getting up in triumph Hercules walked back into the room to survey who was left. There were a few who staggered to their feet clearly not being much of a threat. There was one gunman with a knife in his shoulder and then there was one with a gun pointed at... William.

Hercules’s eyes narrowed as he walked back through the hole he made seconds before. ”William?” he asked allowed as the gunman looked from the kid to Sveta then to Hercules. “Yeah, we were told to retrieve you. Maybe steal some of the stuff. Rough some people up...” he looked to all in his gang who slowly gathered everyone up. “It’s fine Herc.” William said calmly holding onto the stone still running his thumb over the runes and sigils similar to those he saw on the ‘bracers’ that summoned Hercules.

“Here’s how it’s gonna go down. You two surrender.” he looked to Herc then Svetlana. “We walk out of here, me you the kid and my guys.” he said gesturing to everyone with his free hand while still aiming at the kid in the wheel chair. “Big guy stays here. We don’t want him.” Hercules scoffed, at the idea of surrendering and started to glow more as the gunman continued to talk. It was clear he wasn’t going to give up.

“Be cool, we won’t hurt the kid. Just want her but as you can see, she’s hard to get a hold of.” the guy with the knife in his shoulder winced and pulled the thing out and dropped the blade. One of the men Hercules threw around pulled two bags from his jacket and walked them towards Svetlana.

The man with the gun continued, “You,” he looked to the blonde, their original target, “Put the bag on his head then yours then we’ll take you to meet the boss. When you sit down in front of him we’ll let the kid go. How does that sound?”

”Awful!” Hercules boomed in protest. They weren’t going anywhere. Hercules didn’t know how to surrender! He was a god! The God of Strength and Willpower. He always got back up in a fight. How could he be bested by these low level goons.

Hercules took a step forward then stopped when he saw William raised his hand to calm him. ”But WIlliam...” “They got a gun to my head. Don’t do anything to make them pull the trigger.” the child said pretending to still be scared. Hercules sensed calm in the boy and then folded his arms stopping the ‘glow.’ ”Very well. Know that if harm befalls either of them you will know my wrath!”

“I can’t promise that big guy. She’s been a problem for a while, and as long as he doesn’t do anything dumb he’ll be fine. I’d feel bad capping a cripple.” ”Handicapable!” Hercules corrected.

>>“Here’s how it’s gonna go down. You two surrender. We walk out of here, me you the kid and my guys. Big guy stays here. We don’t want him.”

Sveta frowned. She really hated this situation; it had been going so well, and now... dammit.

>>“Be cool, we won’t hurt the kid. Just want her but as you can see, she’s hard to get a hold of.”

"That's because I f*** hate getting kidnapped, and at this point I could have a punch card for it." And she had gotten free, every time. And many of those kidnappers were dead.

>>“You. Put the bag on his head then yours then we’ll take you to meet the boss. When you sit down in front of him we’ll let the kid go. How does that sound?”

"Sounds like a sh*** plan. Put me in a car and leave the kid."

>>“I can’t promise that big guy. She’s been a problem for a while, and as long as he doesn’t do anything dumb he’ll be fine. I’d feel bad capping a cripple.”

”Handicapable!”

"I have been hoping to talk to your boss." she pointed out with a sigh. She put the bag on William's head, and the other one over her own. Not like L had not figured out where the headquarters were, but it was good to keep up appearances.

They were walked out of the building to the back alley, as far as she could tell, and shoved into a car. She wondered what Hercules was going to do. He did not seem like a guy who would just stand by while his... nephew got kidnapped.

“Oh so you have experience then?” William asked trying to pretend there wasn’t a gun in his face. Hercules was there William knew he could trust the big guy to save him. Everyone else however... Everyone was expendable Hercules wouldn’t have been happy about it but the kid knew he was the priority and with his abilities. It made it easier to think himself invincible.

“Kid. It’s easier if you keep your mouth shut.” said the gunmen as he waved his hand around for everyone to wrap up what they were doing. A few of the thugs hobbled over to various items up for auction and grabbed them gingerly as they were still sore from the beating Svetlana and Hercules had given them.

The giant’s fist trembled as people were handing over their wallets and jewelry. Several crimes were committed in front of the demigod and he made sure to remember the men the best he could. Fortunately the god could follow if they took William. Something Hercules figured when he tried to read William.

”Take care of the boy.” demanded Hercules as he folded his arms and watched angrily still glowing as the bags were placed over the two. ”I will be waiting for the call.” he growled as a few of the thugs guided them out of the building. Hercules sighed loudly and waited till they left before shouting out in frustration.

After punching the ground several times he regained his composure and tended to all who were in attendance.

William sighed loudly under the bag as he continued to fumble with the stone tracing over some of the runes he was starting to identify under his breath, it might have sounded like a whimper but William was chanting.

The car ride was not long, but longer than it should have been. Svetlana was sure they drove them around a few blocks to disorient them. She didn't put much effort into paying attention. She already knew where they were taking her, and now it was only a question whether Jude, L, Remy, Ranger, Sabine, or Hercules would come raining down fury on these idiots first.
Hopefully all of the above. Wouldn't that be a sight.

"We're gonna be okay" she told William as they finally rolled to a halt. "Keep your mouth shut and do whatever they tell you. They want me. You'll be ok." I will be okay too.

The door opened, and they were hauled out. Svetlana listened to the echoes. Warehouse, more likely than not. Such a cliché.

There was a long pause before William opened his brown eyes under the hood the woman put on him. Was that a question or a statement? He wasn’t exactly sure but saw enough movies to know not to question it when someone said that. More so since Hercules has been around. Every night was a double feature because he had ‘so much to learn’ William got tired of explaining that it wasn’t all real.

The car door opened and the boy was lifted out of the vehicle and placed back into his chair without much complaints. “Easy, I’m not a sack of potatoes.” was all he could muster before going back to chanting trying to figure out the secrets of the stone as they pushed him inside of a building. He could only assume he was in one now because the lighting was different and there was a different smell. Mustier.

“Whose the kid?” someone asked. “Insurance policy. We ran into some trouble... get the doctor. Couple of the guys are pretty banged up.” the new voice didn’t hesitate, “Well it’s a good thing you finally got her.” hard to imagine she roughed everyone up like that. Anyways the boss dropped everything when he found out you got her. He’s in his office now. Might want to give him a second though, he’s talking to someone.”

William shifted a little in his chair realizing no one was holding onto his chair so he did the only thing he could think of and pretended to freak out ignoring what the blonde had told him. “Where am I!?!” he shouted making a show of being scared. “Where’s my dad?!?”[/color] he asked throwing himself from the chair hoping to create somewhat of a distraction. His dad was dead. He knew that, they didn’t.

Off in the distance there was a dog howling. Gripping the stone tighter he scrambled around on the ground making more of a scene. “Where am I!?! Someone help me! I just want to go home!” it was over acting but he was a kid. William learned early on that no one ever suspected a kid to do anything. “I need help!” he shouted. ‘I need you!’ he thought clearly. Every time he thought about calling out to Hercules he usually appeared. Now was not that much different.

Halfway across the city the behemoth looked up after helping an elderly woman to her feet and he smiled a wide grin. ”I shall return!” before punching his fist together, glowing bright then vanishing.

William saw a flash of green from behind the bag over his head. “Who the hell is that!?!” ”Justice!” the god boomed as he rematerialized in front of his master.

Sveta stood around while the goons were having a conversation. She still had the bag on her head, but they had not tied her hands. Amateurs. They were thoroughly underestimating the barefoot lady in the dress. Even though she could not punch her way out of this alone, especially not if she wanted William to get out too.

Talking about William...

>>“Where am I!?! Where’s my dad?!? Where am I!?! Someone help me! I just want to go home! I need help!”

Wait, weren't his parents dead or something? The kid had either completely lost it, or...

Sveta saw the green flash clearly, even through the bag.

>>“Who the hell is that!?!”

>>”Justice!”

"Seriously? That's your catchphrase?" Sveta pulled the bag off, shaking out her hair. She needed to carry hair ties as well as knives next time... "Hercules, darling, can you handle this while I go talk to the boss?"

The behemoth of muscles looked to the blonde and roared in laughter! ”A catch phrase?” he thought for a second contemplating what he should say, heroes in this era were supposed to have one. It helped those they were helping feel safe and secure. Hefting the one who first pulled a gun on William up by his head the god roared, ”Never fear! I am here!” then looked back to William for approval who was as well pulling the bag from his head. He didn’t have hair to shake off but grinned as he rolled onto his back.

”It would be my honor!” he smiled warmly to the blonde who was shaking out here hair. It was clear she wasn’t surprised by anything. It was also clear she was able to handle herself in this situation.

“Took you long enough” he said chastising his tethered god. “Do something about them will you?” he said pointing to the goons who were quickly scrambling for their weapons now that a towering man appeared out of nowhere. ”As you command!” he laughed grinning, ”Who is ready for round two?!?!” he looked around throwing the gunman at one of the thugs leapt and started throwing around everyone who wasn’t William or Svetlana.

There was another howl this time closer. William looked over to a knife that clattered to the ground as Hercules appeared and cut his finger on it then touched the stone. “Come forth, Shadow!” William felt another pull of magic drain from him, not as much when he called upon Hercules but the boy was skilled in storing and channeling energy. His shadow grew and a large black dog crawled from his shadow. It wasn’t a three headed dog like the stone suggested but that was fine. The beast was four feet tall at least and was thick boy.

”Truly a impressive display young William!” roared the god in delight as he leapt to another group of men who were quickly trying to warn everyone else.

>>”A catch phrase? Never fear! I am here!”

"Not that one either!" Sveta noted as she looked around. It was not hard to spot the boss' office on an elevated platform inside the warehouse. She headed there; a goon flew past her, and she bent down to pick up the crowbar he had been holding.

>>”Who is ready for round two?!?!”

"Nope! Keep trying!" Sveta yelled back as she skipped up the metal stairs towards the office. She was sure Hercules would eventually land on a catchphrase that was not horribly cheesy. In the meantime... he did what William told him. Curiously so.

>>“Come forth, Shadow!”

Sveta turned at the top of the stairs just in time to see the giant shadow dog materialize.

>>”Truly a impressive display young William!”

"Wait, he has the powers?" Oh, finally it all made sense. "I've been boosting the wrong person!"

"What in the **** is going on out here?!" boomed a voice as the office door swung open. Sveta kicked at it on instinct, and it swung back in, hitting the man in the face.

The hero of old raised an eyebrow as he tossed another person into the wall as he eyed Svetlana who was picking up a crowbar. No doubt wanting to join in the battle alongside the god himself. She truly was an impressive mortal. ”Why not?” he asked as he got stabbed but the blade didn’t penetrate his flesh but rather slid off his glowing body. ”It reassures mortals that they need not worry while I’m around.” he said backhanding the would be stabber across the room before looking back to the shadow

Hercules eyed the Hellhound and frowned as it leapt forward and attacked someone close to William. A pang of jealousy surged in him. It was his job to protect the boy. Willaim rolled over onto his stomach and crawled for his chair as the dog stood guard.

”Yes! A most impressive set!” he commented on William having powers. It was magic but he could do some pretty impressive things, like forming a pact with two spirits of old. ”I too have power!” he roared grabbing onto a nearby van as someone tried to duck behind it. Throwing the vehicle to the side Hercules tossed him aside looking for his next target.

”Why would he need a boost? I can reach anything!” he shouted to Svetlana who disappeared into a door. Hercules turned back to William who was now petting the hell hound. “Awww! Shadow’s a good boy!”[/color] the tail went crazy and Hercules fought the urge to pet the dog as well.

“What the ****?” someone asked as a few guys exited a room to see a massive jet black dog, a boy in a wheel chair, a glowing giant and all of their allies spread out unconscious. ”Hello! If you don’t wish for me to pummel you surrender now!” he said flexing showing off his glowing tattoo’s. ”You have no chance of besting me in battle!” they responded with gunfire as William and the hellhound fell into a shadow.

It dawned on Sveta that the kid in the wheelchair was not as helpless as he made it out to be. He had powers of his own. And a large shadow dog of some sort.

>>"Yes! A most impressive set! I too have power! Why would he need a boost? I can reach anything!”

Okay, Herc was still not clear on the boosting thing. Oh well. Now she wondered if his strength was due to William's power too... Because if it wasn't, then there was one more possibility.

Hercules did not look like a wizard.

>>”Hello! If you don’t wish for me to pummel you surrender now! You have no chance of besting me in battle!”

"Listen to the big guy." Sveta told the boss who was getting up from the floor of his office with a bloody nose. He reached for his gun, but Sveta smacked him with the crowbar. "You all are toast. I was trying to play nice with the neighbors, but you just had to try to run me out of town..."

While the prince of power gave the warning it seemed that the evil doers seemed keen on testing him. ”Very well.” he said making sure William was watching. He wasn’t, after rolling out of another shadow with the dog the boy seemed more interested in his new summon. Frowning and glowing a bit more Hercules strode over towards the men. One punched him grabbed their hand not realizing they were punching a brick wall.

”Is there no one stronger here?” Hercules picked the man up turned him around and shoved him forward. ”Send your best! Your strongest! Show me what you are capable of!” Hercules roared as another handful of men charged him with bludgeon tools. Again their attacks fell upon and again he swatted the weapons away.

”I grow weary of this!” he shouted finding the heaviest thing he could find nearby and lifted another vehicle over his head this time with one hand. Let’s see the dog do that.

“Sit!” William commanded he would any normal size dog that couldn’t shadow walk. “Good boy!” ”William!” Look, I found a ride!” he said trying to make a joke hoping it would get the attention of his master. It did only till Will rolled his eyes and refocused on the dog.

”Ha! Me an Olympian, getting shown up by a dog.” Hercules looked back to the gunman who were staring at him with their mouths open. At last an audience to bask in his might. ”Now do you see?” Hercules bellowed as he tossed the car to the nearest exit that some of the men were running to. They were criminals. Someone should call the police.

>>”William! Look, I found a ride!”

Whatever was going on out there, Hercules was handling it just fine. The battle was over. No one had been prepared for an indestructible, glowing, teleporting guy crashing their crime party.

>>”Ha! Me an Olympian, getting shown up by a dog. Now do you see?”

Showoff.

The talk did not last long, given that one party really had no leverage left. Sveta toyed with the idea of taking him straight to the authorities, but the power vacuum thing was bound to be more trouble on the long run. So, she extracted a solid promise of getting the *** out of the neighborhood, and leaving Haven assets alone. Hercules playing the part of illustrating what would happen if they didn't.

"So, where's that ride?" Sveta asked as she walked down the stairs from the office, crowbar resting on her shoulder. "I'm ready to go home. And maybe get a burger or something."