FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

-Slings and arrows-

Osprey put her hood up after ducking around the corner of the building. She knew she could rely on Eddy to do what he's supposed to, considering they have worked together for so long. Fawks on the other hand was still new and unreliable in her eyes. She liked the fox just fine, but she knew little about his past or his powers, as he never did share all that much with them. He glossed over what his abilities were. He was clearly trained by a martial arts master as well, she thought. He still showed a few marks of the student when he'd be called to attention. Bowing and standing straight and such when being told a mission. Upon thinking about it, this might prove useful if someone went rouge again. As the League would have a completely different fighter to help contain the situation that wasn't taught by Eddy. That is unless Fawks was the one that went rouge, which was an idea that kept Osprey from accepting the fox fully. Still just not enough known yet. Not to mention he was a constant fountain of puns. Even if a few of them were actually a bit funny, she wasn't going to admit that freely! He was at least competent on the streets, so maybe he'll be alright here.

She shrugged and put her mind back at the task at hand! Her tail whipped as the wind picked up around her. There was little light, but her yellow contacts always helped in low light as he carefully moved up the a door at the side of the building. It was pretty solid, but nothing too major for her to handle. She pulled one of her trick arrows from it's quiver and shoved it against the lock. There was a loud crack a clang as the metal bits fell to the floor thanks to the explosive arrow head. She had some tricks for just about every occasion! With a little more jostling, she pulled the door open and slipped inside with little issue.

Osprey held her bow out and readied as she made her way down the hallway of the abandoned warehouse. Her keen eyes were able to pick up on a trail of footprints in the dust on the floor, so this places obviously wasn't so 'abandoned.' From what she could remember of the blueprints, there was a security room just down where these prints seemed to lead. Perfect, she thought. The wolf pulled out a smoke arrow and notched it securely as her lithe form continued down, seemingly unnoticed. She looked around, but there were no vents to duck into. Nothing to hide behind. This was not a position she liked to be in.

As she got closer she could see lights from under a big door marked 'Security,' but rather than open the door she grabbed out a small para-scope looking thing that she used to peek around corners where she knew others might see her. Osprey wriggled it under the gap the door left and saw the glow was coming from monitors above a big desk, but no one was sitting by it from what she could tell. With a breath she put her scope away and opened the door, flinging it open fast with an arrow ready to fire! The archer pointed it around the room until she was certain no one was there.

This room was certainly used recently after a short glance. There was still a warm cup of coffee on the table, some notes and an old VHS labeled 'Heroes,' in fancy writing with a marker. There was another door in the room too, so whoever was here can't have gotten far. They could probably even be heading back as she didn't see any cameras along the way that could have spotted her. They couldn't have known she was coming, could they? She looked at the screens to see there was a gathering in one of the basement levels. Another showed a panther and a wolf probably enjoying some kind of a break. It was odd. This place seemed surprisingly well covered for not seeing anything on the way here. "...I don't like this." Her eyes finally came upon what looked like the roof, and she could see Watchdog disappear into one of the vents on the room. "No..." They -had- been seen! Osprey actually showed a fair bit of concern on her face, which was a lot for the normally stoic wolf!

"Well! This is a surprise~"

She drew her bow quickly and aimed it at the other door in the room, which was now open with a theatrically dressed fox standing in the frame. He had what looked like a small crossbow in his hand that was pointed back at Osprey.

"Pleeeeese~ Let us not escalate things my fair maiden... I simply wish to talk, but I didn't expect to get -you- to talk to~" The fox was wearing a deep green outfit and cap with a feather in it, much like the classic Robin Hood outfits in the stories.

"Your gang can be linked to the deaths of several citizens. I'm taking you to prison, Hood!"

"The deaths of criminals, I assure you~ We don't believe in the -senseless- killing of innocents... we believe in order. The greater good. Yes... and your ilk would let those same villains go free to kill again! You're as bad as they are~"

Osprey scowled as she watched Hood monolog.

"But you... I wish to save you... -All- of you~" He spoke calmly, but his deliberately slow and dramatic sounding tone seemed to waiver as he gazed at the wolf. As if something wasn't going as planned.

"Are you trying this with Watchdog too?" She watched a monitor that showed the mutt in a the room with that big gathering of Merry Men, talking. "You can ask any of us as often as you like, but we're all going to tell you the same thing!"

"Mmmmmm... He made it? Goooood. I was wondering when he'd drop by. Hehe... please consider my offer~ Turn away from your wicked ways and punish those that deserve it! With you by my side, villains will tremble and fall to our -true- justice~" There was an infatuation in his voice that he couldn't hide as he continued to speak to the wolf.

"You.. you really think you're doing good? You're sick."

"No my dear... I'm the only sane one in a sick world~ You will know this. In time..."

The arrow from Osprey's bow was released with a quiet snap, but with an obscene accuracy the fox shot his bolt to deflect it! Smoke filled the room and the wolf could hear the quick foot steps of Mr Hood as he retreated away. She followed as fast as she could, trying to call Eddy and Fawks with her phone, but all she could get was static. Are communications being jammed in here? This is no good! She couldn't believe that they walked into this trap. That -she- didn't see this coming.

This fox was quick and was already sounding distant. "Come, Maid Osprey! Come and finnnnd me! I am the villain here, am I not?" The fox's voice echoed down the corridors and he sounded almost cheerful. It was unnerving coming from a man who had this odd, menacing presence about him.

He obviously didn't want to escape, and she knew she was probably running into a trap. Wouldn't be the first tonight!

***********************************************

-It cuts like a knife-

Back in present time, Fawks still had no idea what was happening with the others. He had no radio contact with them and they were all apparently quite expected! The clock in his mind was ticking and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he stared across the room at cowled villain decked out in knives and darts. It was like an old west standoff as the fox and red panda sized each other up. Breathing in the musty air of a stuffy, large storage room. It looked like it had some old factory stuff and old crates of toys there too. Conveyor belts and big machines up against the walls collecting dust. Their fingers twitched, both clearly waiting for the other to make a move. The tension was thick and the feeling of dread that the others might be in trouble started to get to Fawks.

Scarlet's eyes perked when he noticed the fox's feet shift. The hero dashed to the left of the menacing bad guy, which was exactly what he was hoping for! In the blink of an eye, darts were thrown into the fox's path and the knife in Scarlet's other hand was tossed just behind to try blocking Spirit's path. It forced the young hero to stop suddenly, but that spot too was peppered with shuriken that seemed to just appear in the panda's hands as he threw them. What the hell was this? Some kind of anime!? Fawks barely had time to think as he jumped into the air. The glint of metal rushing at him even up there too, meeting the fox at every angle he tried to escape to. Two darts managed to embed themselves into the fox's limbs with quite thuds before purple energy sprang from his hands to make a shield and stop the rest. The masked fox hissed a bit as he stopped to tug the stinging metal from his body. Bleeding already? Great.

"Fiend! These toys aren't fit for children... no wonder this warehouse was closed!" The shield melted away and left the fox with his a ghostly aura, lighting up the dim room just a bit more.

"I was wondern' when I'd see those powers... Woooooo boy, that's a purrdy light show."

"If only your wit was as sharp as those knives!" The masked hero was done playing games. The purple energy continued to wisp around him as he started to roll side to side on his feet, arms swaying almost like it was a dance. Eyes fixed on Scarlet with a look of complete confidence. He had this, he thought.

"Kekek.. ya hearing music? Guess the fat lady must be singing a tune for ya." His surprisingly nimble fingers groped around his holsters for more weapons. Running backward as he tossed kuni after kuni at the charging fox.

Spirit threw all of his energy into a shield in front of him as he chased Scarlet around the room. Watching every weapon bounce off his defense. "Come on! Just get to the point already~ This isn't gonna work on m-!" The fox let out a grunt in surprise when one weapon unexpectedly exploded in his face! The surprise shattered his shield and sent him tumbling back with the surprise. Every other weapon was normal until this point! With his concentration broken he felt the searing pain of a metal blade stab his shoulder before he could raise his aura again. Scarlet's eyebrow cocked, giving a smug glance at the bleeding fox. The hero tossed the dagger in his arm to the ground, rather embarrassed. "My pride..."

"Is as small as your-"

"Nooope... let's not resort to insults, villain! Both are quite impressive~"

"Kekekeke!"

Spirit rolled back onto his feet, aura blazing as he ran forward once again. The daggers fizzled and cracked as they collided with what was essentially his will. They still managed to leave little nicks and cuts because of their sharpness as he ran through them, but this only made the fox press harder. The room was large, but Mr Scarlet was running out of places to run to! With a sinister smirk, the panda's momentum shifted and he suddenly burst forward. A lone dagger flying ahead of him. It was special like the explosive! Spirit had only a moment to throw up his shield again to block the impact, as he still didn't know the full limits of his powers. Better safe than sorry! It was weird though. In that moment, Fawks could see that Scarlet's eyes were closed. You should never take your eyes off your opponent unles- BANG! The eyes! Why is it always explosions and flash bangs with this guys!?

It felt like his eyes were on fire for a few moments. Ears ringing as the fox stumbled and lost his protection, rubbing his face with Scarlet still thumping hard towards him. His instincts took over as he ducked down to avoid the attack and only lost a few hairs rather than lose his head. The fox could barely make out there large figure above him, but he had a good idea of how Scarlet was positioned. Letting his old training assert itself as he shoved two fingers in the guy's underarm, then his wrist as Spirit's vision continued to clear. Scarlet howled in pain and dropped his knife before Fawks grabbed his wrist again to twist it and flip the behemoth onto his back with a hard sounding slam. With lightning reflexes, Scarlet swept his feet to try tripping the fox, who just managed to back away!

"Light on yer feet, ain't ya?"

"Float like a fox and sting like a hero, I always say~"

"Mmmm.. throwing ain't working.. looks like I'm gonna have ta stick ya like a pig..." The panda rocked and jumped back to his feet, drawing two ornate looking knives from his hips to hold them threateningly. These ones were clearly meant for fighting compared to all the other small ones. William charged at Spirit Force like an angry bull with blades for horns. Every sweep of his arms as precise as they were powerful as they cut through the air. He was fast, and what was worse was that his movements were hard to predict! By channeling his power only to his paws and feet, Fawks could concentrate it and make solid like armor to deflect and fight back, but it took all he had to keep up with Scarlet. "What's the matter!? No more smart talk? kekekeke!" A clean cut was finally made, gashing fox's chest before our hero was able to roll to the side. The cut wasn't too deep, but it did make Fawks wonder why he ran around with an open chested outfit. He'd yell at his brother for this later!

Spirit stumbled back, clutching his chest for only a moment. Sweat beading on his brow as the frustration within him only grew. Was this guy really that good, or did the hero just not good enough yet? "Cutting it really close there..." He spun around hard to hook a leg around the panda's neck to kick him with his heel and throw him down to the ground with a triumphant grin. It was lost all too quickly however when Scarlet stabbed his blade right into Spirit's foot foot like it was nothing. Drawing out a painful yelp from the fox before he could retreat with tears of pain in his eyes. Thankfully soaked up by his mask before they could be noticed.

"I.. uhh... that hurt me heart and -sole-..."

"Kekekeke! What's the matter? You're running out of puns as fast as your blood!"

The violet energy began to glow more intensely the more flustered and annoyed the fox got. The red panda made lunge forward but the fox's reaction was faster than it had been before somehow. He was finally able to firmly grab Scarlet's arm and shoulder in a lock. With a fluid motion Fawks spun around to stand next to Scarlet with his big arm pinned to the fox's strong chest, popping it with his momentum to force the knife to fly to the floor before his other arm wrapped around the panda's neck to pile drive him to the ground. No sooner had they landed had the second knife come around to strike at Spirit's chest, but the hand was caught by the burning purple paw of justice! The wrist was twisted, but the Scarlet muscular build was working hard to resist the lock! They struggled on the floor like it was a bar room brawl. Punching and grappling until Spirit tumbled away, taking a kuni hard to the back of his leg for his troubles!

"Kek! Your friends are probably already dead, I reckon~"

"Shut up!" The fox's heroic charm had melted away, leaving his tone with a hint of anger and worry as he grabbed the knife and ripped away with a heavily drawn breath. He had no time to bandage himself, but he was going to have to soon. He can't keep up the pace forever.

"I dun even need these things if this is all ya got, boy! Comon'!" *He tucked his fighting blade away and put his paws up in a 'come and get it' way.

With every passing moment, the purple energy the imbued his paws and feet seemed to intensify. The fox was panting harder and sweating, but doing his best to not pay attention to that, his injuries, or the burning he felt in every muscle of his body. He didn't limp or moan of pain as he tuned everything else out. He wasn't going to be taken lightly like this. Not. At. All! There were no more tricks or fancy movements as Spirit took a more direct approach. They ran at each other, both of them landing punches to each other's chins with an echoing smack that would have broken a lesser mans jaws. Blood stained the floor as the two exchanged blow for blow. Scarlet seemed to take immense joy out of hitting Spirit's wounds to make them hurt even more. It made the vulpine's eyes tear up even more. Fawks's body was aching and pleading with him to pull back, but he continued to ignore it and pressed on hard. The 'Spirit Force' as so dubbed by him was completely solid and clung to his fists like heavy gauntlets instead of the more common free flowing whips he liked to use. The fox was not fighting to his strengths at all. He wasn't being graceful like water, but instead was hitting like a rock. Driven on by this little hidden voice within him that almost demanded him to push harder.

He punched and kicked Mr Scarlet's meaty body with more strength than he should have had. His speed was almost supernatural the more his eyes began to glow a flaming purple. The panda grabbed tightly around Spirit's neck, but he left himself open when he did. His fist crashed repeatedly against Spirit's face, but he simply grinned as if not himself. The hero gave a blow to the wrist, triceps and underarm that forced Scarlet to let Spirit go in extreme pain, but the hero wasn't done! With the villain staggered, Fawks struck his lower jaw, temples, stomach and collar bone to make Mr Scarlet writhe and reel back as he was systematically picked apart. He gripped Mr Scarlet by his vest to hold him there, completely wrapped up in the moment now. So much so that he didn't stop himself from uttering, "SPIRIIIIIIIIT" His fist was balled up and readying for one last punch. Every shed of violet glow collected into it to make it like a mini sun as he reared back and suddenly flung his fist forward with the force of a truck. "PAAUNCH!" Far too many video games for this fox! The hit landed squarely to the chest of the panda with thunderous strike, and it sent him flying into a bunch of boxers against the wall like he was nothing. Toys and dust flying about as the crates broke under the weight of the hit.

"Hah! Looks like I'm the new 'boxing' champion!" The angry glow in the heroes eyes was staying constant. Never for a moment looking away from his foe as Mr Scarlet tried to pull himself up, spitting blood onto the floor as he clutched his chest with great trouble breathing. The villain retched and wheezed as he struggled to regain the breath the was knocked out of him. In that instant, the purple glow faded away from Fawks as a look of concern washed over the vulpine's face "Oh fuck.." He tried to rush over to help, but his muscles seized up and he doubled over in agony. The last few moments were a blur, but he must have pushed himself too hard again as his body felt like it wanted to burn away. He couldn't move as he bled on the cold floor, looking like he was ready to die. It was just then that a door sprang open and a black fox in green came running out. He looked a little surprised at the sight in the room. With the way he was dressed, there were few it could have been. Dammit!

-Too much to handle-

"Ooooo... well look what we have here~" The masked fox's gaze went from Spirit to his badly injured number two man, Scarlet. "My my~ And I thought you said you had this, Mr Scarlet. I dare say you need medical attention... most unfortunate." He sounded oddly concerned for a bad guy, be he did hide it well.

"COUGH... no.. I've got th-" The southern boy's voice was forced as he tried to speak. William held his chest with a cringe. His ribs were clearly broken by the expression he was holding back.

"Pish posh! You have failed, so just deal with it before you puncture a lung..." With his crossbow aimed right between the eyes of the downed hero, Hood practically floated over with how lightly he stepped. Taking a knee right next to Spirit.

"Give yourself up, Hood..." His lip was swollen and he was looking less than pretty at the moment, but he did his best to give a proud grin.

"Ha.. haha... bwahahaha... Pleeeeease, Sheriff. As if a slacker like you could ever dreeeam of capturing me~" The fingers of his free paw walked down Spirit's bare chest and red stained fur. He followed the zipper of the outfit down further, enticing a bewildered blush to cover the younger fox's cheeks.

"Hey.. hey wait a minute.. what are you doing, fiend!?"

"I want to feel helpless, don't I? I'm evil, ...aren't I?" His speech was breathy, but there was an annoying tone hidden behind it like he was trying to make a point. Hood had this aloof, 'I'm better than you' grin on his face that made Fawks's blood boil while being forced to stare at the crossbow bolt that was still pointed at his head. He let out a gasp as the bulge in his shorts was played with.

"Mmmmmmm.... I am disappointed, Sheriff~ You don't have the decency to give up and then you go and nearly -murder- my dear friend... Now who is that -real- villain in these parts, hmmmmmmmm?" His voice was condescending. Speaking slowly as if Spirit had trouble understanding English.

"No I.. I didn't mean to do that.. shut up!"

"Tsk tsk.. I saw so much potential in you when I first saw you... but you're just another misguided do-gooder. Perhaps it's time I put your little story to an end, hmmmmmmmm?

There was not a hint of hesitation in those eyes. Spirit had to think fast, begging with his body to move again but it ignored him. The thought of nearly killing someone and the idea that his friends might indeed have been 'dealt' with had clouded his mind. Even his powers weren't manifesting! Was this really it?

There was a whistle through the air, and suddenly a twang of metal on metal when an arrow collided with the crossbow in Robert's hand. It was knocked away, but the impact made it's loaded bolt fire out only centimeters from the masked hero's head. "Never forget who you're fighting, Hood!" Osprey was in the doorway, already with another arrow loaded.

"Ah! Where is my mind... I should never have wasted my time here.. forgive me, Maid Osprey~"

"And stop calling me that already!" Though she was happy to not be mistaken for a boy again, she was not thrilled with -who- noticed her that way.

Fawks felt a weight lift off his mind by the sight that she was alright, through now it bugged him that he was just rescued. Again! He'd have to grumble about that later as the feeling had begun to return to his limbs. He could move!

There was another loud crash as the door Fawks came out of swung open again. The mutt was flung through it and landed not too far away from the fox. He was okay too! Well, mostly anyway. "Uggh... give me the licensee number of that truck.."

In the distraction, Osprey fired what looked like an electrified trick arrow straight at Mr Hood's back. Without missing a beat the ebon fox whipped out the repair he had at his side and deflected the shot! "How unlady-like... don't worry though~ I forgive you. We are destined to be, after all~"

Osprey seemed rather unlucky at this point in time. She was in a room with a mutt that normally got under her skin, a fox that liked to annoy her with puns that she has had to save, AGAIN. And now there is another fox that seemed to think she's his Maid Marian. 'Why me?' was all that popped to her mind. She moved in, concerned for her two comrades and failed to notice the injured red panda against the wall behind her. With the skill of an expert, he flung one of his last shuriken at the wolf. She heard it whistle through the air and tried to dodge, but the blade succeeded to cut the string on her bow. Turning it into nothing more than a club until she could fix it.

"Kekekek-COUGH HACK" He collapsed back down again, this time out cold.

Spirit regained his charming, confidant grace that had escaped him not long ago. He belted out a shout, calling his aura in an explosion of power to repel the the black fox and knock him off his feet. Mr Hood never lost an ounce of momentum as he tumbled back up to his feet, however. Looking unimpressed as the hero got back to his feet.

"And so the three musketeers are reunited! How incredibly... annoooying~"

Watchdog looked completely out of it as he climbed back up to his feet. He had taken some hard hits from Lil', and John with Mr Tuck directing them. The kangaroo however was knocked out and slung over the shoulder of Lil as they blocked the double door the mutt just flew out of. The two brothers had their share of bruises and singe marks from being shocked as they limped in. Their earmuffs were gone, but the battery on the 'doggie whistle' had run out soon after Eddy took down Mr Tuck with his two body guards out of commission. The remaining dogs were told to retreat, so it left three villains, and three heroes still standing in the room.

"Oh well now this is faaaaar too complicated~ I have injured. You clearly do too, Maid Osprey. Let's say we just run on our merry way and do this another day? Yes, this sounds perfectly acceptable~" He walked casually towards Mr Scarlet, insulting the green clad hero who was still standing and ready to fight.

"Hold right there!" Fawks looked at Cadhla and they both nodded at each other. They ran at Mr Hood together! The black fox deftly dodged their attacks, but wasn't quite able to land a blow of his own. He refused to touch Osprey in such a way, and the whipping purple energy from the fox kept intercepting the cuts of Hood's rapier.

"Boss!" Lil and John shouted together and tried to charge into the fight, but Watchdog got in their way. His arm was broken, but his senses of the fight had not. He rammed his fist into John's gut, grabbing the back of his head to pull it down and knee it too before Lil could force the mutt to back off. Lil's injuries almost mirrored the mutt's accept for having a broken jaw too. Curiosity of his brother John's redirected fist. The bonus to this is that it kept him from talking in that stupid fake accent! Which was one of the few things that went right in both John's and Eddy's eyes in their fight. He pulled out one of his last smoke bombs, vanishing with the two of them in the viscous cloud.

Mr Hood's sword finally connected, but not in the way he had hoped. It punctured Spirit's hand, but he held on firmly to it. The hero whined when Hood tried to pull it away, but one gloved hand punched through the middle with the rapier to make it snap "We're done with this 'sworded' affair. It's over!" Fawks threw the broken blade to the ground as Osprey tried to jam another electrified arrow into Robert's back, but he managed to squirm out from between them with an unwavering sense of confidence and grace that pissed Fawks off.

"Ah hah! It seems that you have caught me unprepared for you all... this is terribly embarrassing I assure you... but you forget I knew you were all coming~"

"Your trap backfired on you, Hood" Responded the fox while the yelps and smacks in the background began to die down.

"Did it? Make haste to the forests, everyone! Oh... and just to make sure you don't follow us, dear Sheriff... I have hidden a bomb in the local college. The only way to shut it off is to find the remote I left somewhere in dear Sherwood!"

"...You coward!" Fawks and Cadhla glared at Mr Hood as he hoisted Scarlet up with one shoulder.

"Tut tut, Sheriff. We shall meet again. You haaaave...." He glanced at his watch "Another 15 minutes! Tick tock, heroes~ John! Lil! Help me take Scarlet. We don't want to add murder to the list of crimes Sheriff Spirit has committed, do we? Hmmmmmmmm?"

Spirit Force gulped and bit his lip, falling to one knee as the strain of keeping himself standing was starting to get to him. The loss of blood too for that matter. The cloud of smoke had cleared away, allowing everyone to see what happens when 3 guys with a super high CON score end up doing to each other. Two pit-bulls looked far worse than they did before the screen went up, but Eddy's face was practically unrecognizable by that point too. His outfit was torn and his mask barely held on, though no one would know who he was even if he did lose it right now. He limped over to his three comrades, exchanging looks with Osprey who quickly nodded and ran out of the room to look for the remote.

"Maid Osprey! Please consider my offer... I do so don't want harm to come to that pretty face of yours..." He chuckled softly, looking back at the both Spirit Force and Watchdog.

The wolf stormed out faster, having to find that remote fast so she could turn around and kick Hood's ass right after. Once she was far enough away, Mr Hood gazed menacingly at the two injured heroes still standing there, "Ah ha.. haha.. HAHAHA.. Mmmmmmm... like I would ruin a place of education. The bomb is really in the floor above you~ I left something in 'Security' if you survive this. Farewell!" He had a small remote in his hand and quickly pressed the button before darting out the door with the rest of his crew.

Their eyes went wide as the explosion destroyed the floor above them with a deafening boom. Sending scraps of metal and cement hurtling towards them. Fawks instinctively dove onto Watchdog who was in no shape for an escape from the collapse of the ceiling. The vulpine cried out in both pain and defiance as he made a solid barrier around the two of them. This was normally easy for the fox to do, but right now the fatigue made every movement and thought difficult for him. He strained and his nose started to bleed as the crashing rubble made the bubble crack and chip away around them! The two vanished in the cloud of grit and ash.

-Mission... accomplished?-

Osprey came rushing back with her arm over her face to protect from the dust that rushed through the hall. The explosion had knocked out the power and left the place rather dark, forcing her to snap a glow stick and hold it up to look around. As the cloud settled, the green glow was slowly replaced by the faint purple shimmer. The last shards of the barrier fell away with both heroes still in one piece, just very beat up pieces. Fawks was still giving his best grin and tried to hide just how bad he felt, and Eddy's tail wagged slowly. He was annoyed that Hood got away, but he was just happy both him and Fawks were still alive. It could have gone a lot worse after all.

"Osprey? ...I used to be an adventurer like you.... but then I took a blade to the foot.. hand.. chest.."

The wolf had been very worried about them until this point. Her heart jumped in her chest when she heard the explosion and figured that the 'remote' she was supposed to find was just a diversion. She should have known from the start, as terrorism was not Hood's M.O. Too grand scale for a guy that worked in private and did surgical hits around the city. She shook her fist with a frustrated grin on her face, as the first things she hears out of the fox's mouth is a lame joke after thinking they might have been taken out.

"Oh no.... you did not just..." She stomped over through the rubble to them and whacked the fox on the head.

"OW!" Fawks whined and tried to act cute "....Too much?"

"Heheh... Lisfen.. I.. campt reelly talk!

"...They really cleaned your clock, Watch"

"Guuuh.. let's just go you two. I don't trust the building to stay up long after that blast... We need to get you both stitched up before Spirit here passes out again."

"...Hey! I don't pass out that often..." The fox pouted a bit.

"Thuckurity room furst. I donth know wath we'd do withouth you, Osssprey!" Eddy pulled out his phone and called up Buck. The lines weren't jammed anymore! Power outage must of fixed that. "Buck, It's Watth dawg-"

"...Give me that." The wolf rolled her eyes and grabbed the phone away "We ran into trouble at Sherwood. Prep the beds for two injured."

-"Wha.. what happened!? Was that Watchdog? He sounded terrible!"-

"Yes. Get all all the equipment ready. Osprey out." She handed the phone back and rubbed her face with her palm, thankful that this trap didn't go as badly for them as it really could have. She was actually even grateful Fawks had been there. If not, well, she didn't want to think about what that explosion would have done to Eddy. She had to admit that he was good to have around, and the others need a good leader. "What's he talking about, Spirit?"

"Hood mentioned that he left something in the Security room for us. You know where that is?"

Osprey nodded. She took them back after wrapping up their injuries with whatever bandages they had on hand. It would have to do until they could get back to a hideout. Watch's injuries were more internal, but he was about as light headed as the still bleeding fox. Cadhla grabbed the 'Heroes' tape as it was the only thing that seemed important in the room. There was little time to dawdle as the conditions of her male counterparts only got worse, but she stayed in contact with Buck to make sure he setup in their nearest safe house. Black and White Squirrel happened to be close by and were sent to help the trio at behest of the deer-wolf. He was already thinking ahead to make sure all members got back to base safely and quickly. There was a reason he stayed in the background! Together, their hurried off back into the shadows as the former hideout began to collapse on itself with its already old structure messed up even more by that blast. Cops were sure to be swarming on it to investigate what happened, so there was little hope of going back to search for themselves after this. Went in with nothing and came out near death. That's just a bitch.

************************************************

It was morning of the next day. Osprey and Buck were exhausted from having to patch up both Fawks and Eddy. Both were gonna have to stay off the streets for a while to let their injuries heal, but it's really hard to keep a hero off the streets of his city no matter what shape he's in. Still, Osprey can pretty scary when she wants to be. The mutt and fox were resting in the only bed in that particular apartment.

"Uhh... Fawks. I don't fully remember what happened last night thanks to the concussion Buck says I got... I do remember you diving on me... At the end?" Eddy had a splint on his leg and his arm. He managed to keep his slurring down, but his body ached all over.

"Oh... that! Well I... It was just doing my duty! You're my captain. I gotta keep you safe, you know?" His body was done with him for the moment. He couldn't move without feeling like he was gonna rip apart as he lay there on the bed.

"Right, well.. I want to officially welcome you to the family. You're one of us now! Even Osprey welcomes you, even if she doesn't wanna show it. And uhh.. I never thanked you for protecting me.. So thanks" He did his best to smile at the fox. The bandages and the swollen face made that a bit harder.

The fox started to blush, chuckling nervously, "Stooop... you would have done the same, right?"

The mutt simply tilted his head to kiss the fox on the cheek, smiling with his still busted up face, but those green eyes sparkled as bright as ever. This made the fox turn a deep red and look away for a moment. "Heh... you sure know how to make this fox hot under the collar, cap..."

Eddy's eyes peered down at the blankets, clearly taking that as meaning something else

"I mean! ..Umm.. that came out wrong..."

"Heheh... well darn." The mutt tried to whistle innocently, but just couldn't get it to sound right and went back to resting his head. Passing out as the fox looked at him with his mouth somewhat agape. Maybe he -should- have meant it that way!

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After taking care of the minor injuries, the mutt was dressed down and taken to a clinic to have his broken bones properly set and have a cast for his leg made. It was a another day before they finally took a peek at the tape Hood left behind. The black fox congratulated them on surviving the encounter and that he was deeply disappointed that Watch and Osprey would not join his organization. "...And though I would have most likely won in the end... we were simply not ready for this day~ We will go back into hiding and prepare ourselves for when I deliver my message of equality and order for all to follow! It will be a gloooorious time~ I just wish you would see it my way.. the world is dark, corrupt and just not at all that it could be for those truly in need! You have to kill the weeds if you want a rose to grow~ I bid thee farewell, till we meet again... The greater good shall win out~" The screen went staticy and then snapped back with Hood sitting at his wooden desk again. Various paintings all along the walls around the room he was in. "And yes.. I made these tapes ahead of time. I come prepared for all outcomes~ Cho!"