To Ground the Almighty (Patriot)

Overworked, that was the only word that could describe the bank's computer system. It felt like headache to Shock-Heart as she landed on the building rooftop with relative ease. It was a flat surface covered in a thick layer of pebbles that padded her landing. Gliding to a stop like some kind of flying animal, her black and yellow cape spread out behind her, controlling the decent.

From recent online chatter this was going to be the next target for a criminal group associated with someone calling themselves Deity. As of right now the group does have some backing when it comes to man power and fire power, but God like powers? She'll see about that.

A holographic reading was before her that showed many different screens, right now each resembled a different camera, spread out across the buildings interior and exterior. She took a knee to examine them thoroughly, no activity as of yet. She frowned, the banks system, being loyal as is expect, refused to let her inside without first sensing some kind of threat first, no matter her reputation.

"The longer you wait the more damage you will be in..." she thought, her brainwaves interacting with the computer on some level.
No., it wasn't an exact translation, a picture of a little kid hoarding a toy was the image that came to mind.

Stubborn thing, so many processes going on, it was a surprise it could send anything back in reply. The thought was interrupted as a black van pulled up. In the distance reports of a rather large group forming down the street made the police scanners buzz with chatter.

"Here it comes." She warned. The computer responded with a long silence, then the roof access door let out a loud clack as the lock was pulled back with significant force and the key pad turned green. "Thank you." She said aloud and dashed for the door. She plunged into the darkness, pulling down her goggles, her vision turned a sudden green and black, but the stairway was clearly seen now. She leapfrogged over the railing, falling three floors to ground level, her cape tugging at her shoulders to slow just before landing.

On one of the screens in front of Shock-heart a large man was getting out from the back of the van. In his hands was a large machine gun that he carried easily with one hand. The man was a muscle, a feat of human ingenuity, no doubt on some kind of steroid. The weapons muzzle exploded into a plume of flame and smoke as the bullets riddled the exterior of the building, shattering the outer windows and sparking off the alarm.

With a thought the bank system went to silent alarm and the lights stopped flashing. Shock-heart pushed the back door open, pulled her sword, and leaped behind one of the counters that held a glass case, most of it would be hard to see in the dark, and almost none of it was heard, save the door opening and closing.

She waited for the man to have to reload, but by that time the large crowd from down the street had gathered outside the bank. Waiting to make their rightful plunder.

These Deity worshipers were really starting to cause problems. All over the internet from all corners of social media. "These people have lost their damn minds. Following this guy is just going to get them killed or arrested. Depends on who finds them first." Andrew sighed cracking his neck in his chair. He sat at the super computer of Halo HQ alone.

"It used to be so full of life when then Talons all lived here. Like a family. Times certainly changed." he frowned slouching down as far as he could almost deflating in his seat.

The alarm went off on the screen. A bank robbery. The hero had the computer zero in on what was going on. Lots of people gathering outside of a White Consolidated bank. Clearly the goons of Deity. Andrew looked and eyes darted around the screen. They were packing some serous heat. Rockets? Heavy machine guns? For a bank? This was getting too far. Thank god it was night time. No civilians to worry about.

Andrew was already in his costume, this time he put a black cloak over his red white and blue. Connecting at his chest the hood came up. He wanted to try and keep out of the public eye right now. He just got back and drawing a crowd wasn't on his agenda.

"Computer teleport me to banks roof."
Within seconds he was gone.

Atop the bank he could hear the reaction beneath him. "That's not good."
He a leaped and rolled through an open window on the top floor.
He quickly made his way into the main part of the bank, bullets flying in and sending him to a halt as the bullets tore his cloak, bouncing off him. It was dark in there. Maybe he wouldn't need it after all. He tore what was left of it off and looked around the bank, hearing something in the corner.

He let fire dance up his arm, illuminating the place better. The white and gold embers flickered beautifully in the otherwise lightless room.

"Someone in here?" He asked with a gentle tone, before turning back and creating a wall of ice against the front of the building. That should stop the bullets, he didn't reinforce it to it's maximum and he wasn't focusing super hard, he created constructs of almost tiny gumballs, certainly to trip anyone who would bash the door and come running. With a little bit more reinforcement he looked around the bank once more.

"If anyone is in here I'm a friendly. I'm the hero Patriot. Maybe know me as Phoenix? Andrew Pettiglio." He waited the fire still flickering and brightening up more of the room.

"[ALERT]" Shown across one of Shock-hearts screen's as someone blinked into existence before the camera, the image shifted a little as a gust of wind pelted it to the left. "Now who is this?" Amanda asked herself as she hid behind the counter. With a thought her body vanished with a flicker, like lights slowly coming on, her reflective camouflage came to life.

The man's weapon finally stopped firing, it seemed like an eternity, had to be 200 plus round the man carried. She could her him shifting around, no doubt reloading. This was her chance. She stood up, slid across the counter top, began her attack. Well, until the man stepped into the room. With a quick glance over her shoulder she pushed her back against the nearest wall, bits of class clattering to the ground as she left the counter.

The man was large compared to her.

A grunt. Then the brute had finished his moving, locking the weapon's bolt back with a clack. "It's him boys!" He started an assault, the gun's muzzle exploding into action once more. The bullets bounced off the guy. She was almost stunned, but it wasn't anything she hasn't seen before. Her thoughts were more on who he was.

Lights flickered from the man's arm as he raised it like a torch. Ice walled the opening to the bank, then they were alone. People batted at the outside of the ice with blunt objects and bullets, but nothing got through it quickly.

The man called out. "Patriot, huh?" She said leaning against the wall now. Everything she could grasp about the man was instantly pulled in front of her in small screens that he could not see. "I should have figured these guys would have drawn you here." Her body flickered back into view as she finished speaking. "You've been popular on the net lately, you know that?" The suit had its way of giving her courage when she needed it. If this was in public her face would have been as red as an apple, now she was more curious than anything.

"Well I don't spend a lot of time on the internet, especially the social medias but thanks for letting me know." The hero smiled, giving an assured look to the little one in front of him.
Andrew looked around the bank once more. and then down to his presumed non enemy.

"Listen, I don't know how you ended up in a bank after hours but you aren't shooting at me, and you have this look about you that seems I can trust you. The guys outside already know I'm here. I have an idea."

Andrew pointed to the ice. "That should hold up just fine. But this whole building isn't fortified and they're gunna get in. I could draw the crowd out and make them disperse a bit. Enough to give you time to get out of here if you'd like."

Andrew looked with another smile, once more.

"Or if you're a hero that ended up in a bad situation, I suggest you follow me. Either way I'm headed back up to the roof. The less collateral damage the better."Andrew turned and almost gestured for the little one to follow.

"So out of curiosity what's the world wide web say about Andrew Pettiglio?" he almost joked. Trying to lighten to the mood as he walked made his way to the stairs to start his ascent. Light flickering around his arm starting to wrap around his neck like an accessory, still illuminating the room around him, and brightening the darkness with each step he took.

She followed the man up the stairs and back out to the roof. As they made their way she answered his questions. "Well, they are saying a lot of things. Most people are glad your back, but to be honest, they have been through a lot these last few years." She sighed, knowing she watched it all happening and did nothing, it was a pang she hopped to remedy. "Many are negative. 'Just another hero that is going to destroy yet another city.'" She quoted.

Looking out into the city for a moment, it's vast buildings stretching into the sky. "This place needs some more change if you ask me." She looked back at the man. "Now, lets get going. The longer these guys are down there the more damage they are going to do. And the bank's computer is starting to get antsy." She smiled and let her cape activate. It tugged at her shoulders and stiffened, though not enough to fight against the cities gusts, the wind still pushed it about her as she floated.

She had a good view of the group. A dozen or so where still heading towards the bank from down the road. It would add to the small throng that was already there, her goggles signaled out eighteen with prior criminal records, and another six that seemed too young to have gotten into anything. "So, what is the plan?" She moved to an attack position, just above the small crowd below. She wasn't worried about them hearing her, with the gunfire and shouting, she doubted they could hear themselves thinking.

She would wait for the man to give a sign, something with agreement before making an action. He was the most skilled at this, "team work" thing. If he gave the word, she could have black hued lighting strike downwards, not aiming at anyone, just hitting the ground between the people. It wouldn't have the force of lightning, but it would surly cause a panic. She was poised, ready for anything, a snake hidden behind a wall of calm.

Andrew shook his head as the duo continued to make their way up. "Well at least some people are happy I'm back. Can't please everyone. We can fight for those who can't though." he spoke with a gusto.

Once on the roof Patriot looked down at the crowd. "Change is exactly what's coming my friend. I just hope this time preparation will mix with power and be enough. Guessin' you're a techy based off you tellin' me the computer is getting antsy?" Andrew smiled at his new friend, flames vanishing.

"The plan? You look ready to jump in head first. Unless you're bulletproof those machine guns and assault rifles won't be your friends down there. My idea is this. They already recognize me. They probably aren't sure you're even here. I can handle their weapons no problem." He looked over the roof again. More of the saved were showing up. It was like Deity was recruiting them promising free college after 4 years of service.

"I'll drop down and take out the heavy guns. What exactly are your power?
Let's know our hand before we throw cards on the table."