Patriot City Nights - part 4
by Law2

"I was walking home from school when I heard the commotion from the one you call Pan. I ran over to take a look. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. A huge tree was in the middle of the street. It was like something out of a fairytale, I was so shocked that I could not move. People were running in terror.

I saw the man-bulls and several half naked women tearing the city apart. Then Freedom Force arrived and fighting broke out. While you guys were fighting the villains I was hit by a flying man-bull. I don't remember much from the impact except that I was crushed between the man-bull and a brick wall. I had never experienced so much pain in my life. I was laying on the ground dying...the last thing I recall before passing out is seeing an open canister of the energy X.

When I woke up I found that I was a hideous creature. The muy feo, El Toro. I could not go home. People feared me. I've lost my friends and family because of Freedom Force. I swear that I will kill you all!"

"You can not blame us for what happened to you senor," said El Diablo. "We did what was necessary to save the city from destruction. It is unfortunate that you got caught in the middle. Perhaps we can do something to reverse your condition and return you to your normal life."

"I don't want any help from you."

"Are you saying that the reason you attacked us is for revenge?"

"I'm not answering anymore questions."

"You will answer our questions or I will turn you into carne." El Diablo could see Alche-Miss straining out of the corner of his eye. "How are you holding up Alche-Miss?"

"I can't maintain it much longer. The pressure of keeping two purgatories is giving me a big headache."

"Liberty Lad, place some or your proximity grenades around our bovine friend."

"Already on it El Diablo." Liberty Lad surrounded the purgatory El Toro with proximity grenades. When he had set the last grenade, sirens could be heard in the background.

"Ah, the Calvary is on its way," said Detective O'Brien. "What school did you go to El Toro?"

"Patriot City High School."

"So, you were just some punk kid playing hookey?"

"School is for losers."

"Who are you working for kid? I know you didn't just hire some thugs and plan this bloody ambush on yer own."

"Like I said before I ain't saying anything."

"Suit yerself kid. Either you tell me and we make a bargain or I spread the word around the streets that you sang like a canary and your boss makes you a pair of cement boots."

There was a long silence though which only the sounds of the approaching sirens and the burning of nearby fires could be heard.

The emergency teams arrived in a large procession. Seven squad cars accompanied two fire trucks, an ambulance, and a large patty wagon. The patty wagon was unlike any that El Diablo had ever seen. He estimated that it was well over ten feet high and nearly as wide. It was also much more heavily armored than normal. The only recognizable details were the black and white paint and the emblem of the Patriot City Police Department on either side of rear section.

The entourage came to a screeching halt in front the heroes and their prisoners. The firemen promptly scrambled to extinguish the various fires. Several policemen exited the squad cars and patty wagon; many were dressed in a fashion El Diablo had never seen. These wore all black with matching metallic armaments on there chests, legs, and arms. Helmets concealed their faces

"Close your mouths kids or something might fly in," said Detective O'Brien to the awe struck heroes. "This is the Energy X Enforcement Team, EXET. It was formed shortly after energy X hit Patriot City. I'm surprised you guys haven't seen them. What do you think we've been doing with super powered criminals? "

"Detective O'Brien," said one of the EXET officers. He was very tall and visibly muscular in spite of the armaments. He walked over and saluted Detective O'Brien. "I'm sergeant Lucas. We'll be taking over from here."

"Ah c-can't h-hold it any longer," said Alche-Miss. She collapsed and the purgatory was removed from El Toro and the injured gunman. El Diablo rushed to catch her before she hit the ground.

"Medic!" yelled, sergeant Lucas in the direction of the parked vehicles.

"Alche-Miss," said El Diablo. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be all right, ah just need some rest." El Diablo slowly set her on her feet, paramedic moved in to examine her and the gunman. EXET surrounded El Toro.

"Liberty Lad," said sergeant Lucas, "we need your help."

"My help?"

"Those are your proximity grenades surround the prisoner. Are they not?"

"They are. Oh, you need me to remove them before you can arrest El Toro."

"That's right."

As Liberty Lad proceeded to remove the grenades El Toro stared at him.

"Dead meat chico," said El Toro, "dead meat."

"You're one to talk," said Liberty Lad. "I'm suddenly in the mood for a hamburger." He finished removing the grenades and EXET used long prods that delivered electrical shock to direct El Toro towards the patty wagon.

"Thank you Liberty Lad," said sergeant Lucas, "we'll take care of the rest."

"No, problem."

"Cement boots El Toro," said Detective O'Brien. "That's what you're gonna get. You'll be wishing you talked to me soon enough." El Toro lashed out, sticking one of the EXET officers. The others moved in to subdue him. He lowered his head and charged horns first maiming another officer.

"Take him down!" said Sergeant Lucas. EXET and police officers withdrew their guns and began firing.

"Hold your fire!" said Detective O'Brien. "Let him go. I've got him right where I want him."

To be continued...