Getting the band together

Sunhawk brought up a good point. Even though it was important to stop the villains, it was also important not to become one in the process. It was important to know the difference between wanting to kill and having no choice but to kill. It was that simple distinction that made the difference between a vigilante and a lawless killer.

However, it seemed as though Lightning Strike did not care about that. She seemed determined to put a stop to Thunder at any cost, even if it meant crossing the moral line. In all honesty, Kenshin could not completely fault her for that. It wasn't like she necessarily enjoyed killing or wanted to do it for fun. She just understood that Thunder was highly dangerous and believed that keeping him alive would not end the troubles he caused.

Sunhawk made a suggestion. Rather than kill Thunder, they should find a way to break his spirit. Kenshin liked this idea. It was far more preferable than having to spill blood. However, he doubted that such a thing would be easy, or even possible. The boy did not know anything about Thunder, so he had no idea if he was even a man who would break easily. The boy supposed that Lightning Strike would know better than anyone else in this room whether or not it was a possibility or not.

Meanwhile, G gave his input. He wanted to be the one to kill Thunder, not because he enjoyed killing, but because he did not want the others to get their hands dirty and be charged for murder. He also said that people like Thunder were not the kind who could be broken or kept imprisoned. It seemed as though the only way to end his reign of terror was to end the villain's life. Kenshin frowned. The boy did not want any of the vigilantes to have to kill if it could be avoided. Why should G be the one to carry the burden? Why should anyone?

"Well why should you have to kill him, G? Why would it be any better for you to have to carry that burden over the rest of us? I appreciate you not wanting the rest of us to have to get our hands dirty, but I don't want yours to have to get dirty either if it could be avoided." Kenshin knew nothing of G's past. For all he knew, maybe the man did kill in the past, and maybe that's why he felt like he needed to be the one to kill Thunder over the others. Still, the boy didn't like that. Even if G did kill in the past, that didn't mean that it was acceptable for him to get his hands dirtier. "I don't disagree with you. Thunder is definitely dangerous, and he needs to go down one way or another. But still, if killing him can't be avoided, I don't want you to think that you're obligated to kill him just so the rest of us don't have to." The boy sighed. This was just a complicated mess no matter what.

Trying to get his mind off the subject of murder, Kenshin listened to Lightning Strike's suggestion of getting intel on Thunder and his clan. She explained that since he and his allies dealt with drugs and human trafficking, that's where they should focus on. It made sense. Find the serpent's tail, and then work their way up to the head.

"Good idea, Lightning. If we follow the ants, they should be able to lead us to their colony, and then eventually their leader. We just need to think of a plan to follow and track the goons without being detected." Kenshin looked around the room, glancing at the other vigilantes. "Anyone got any ideas or suggestions on how to get that done?"

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After listening to G's response, Kenshin just nodded and sighed. "Very well. I'll leave him to you two, then." There was no point in trying to argue, since it seemed that G had made up his mind. The boy just had to had faith in the man and hope that things would not go south if he did encounter Thunder. Same thing went for Lightning.

Kenshin just listened as the other vigilantes began talking about intel, and if anyone here had any intel to share. Lightning apparently had some, but she did not bring it with her because she did not trust anyone here with that information. Kenshin could not exactly blame her. He too was hesitant to say that he could fully trust anyone here. It was only due to the premise of being able to be more effective at protecting the people and cleaning the streets of criminals as a team that the boy even considered ignoring his lone wolf tendencies to give this vigilante meeting a shot.

After listening to the useful info Lightning shared with the group, Kenshin turned his attention to G and what he had to say. He suggested capturing the villain he knew and then interrogating her for information. Kenshin liked the idea. Of course, he doubted that she would talk so easily, but the other vigilantes could probably find a way to make her talk.

Kenshin liked Lightning's and G's suggestions. Personally, he was fine with helping out with either the recon, the capturing of the villain G knew, or both. Kenshin felt a bit bad that he could not contribute ideas and suggestions as well. Still, his talents lay in battle, so that would be the boy's contribution to the group. Whether he would assist with the recon, the capture and interrogation of the villain, or both, Kenshin was ready to lend his blade to help the others.

Word count: 317

Notes: text

So it seemed as though the plan was decided. The vigilantes would split into two teams, each team going to take on one of the two objectives. Sunhawk volunteered to be part of the recon team. He then asked Lightning and Kenshin which of the two was faster, so he would not have to worry about leaving his partner behind. He also did not know what the two could do.

Lightning spoke up first, saying that she was fast. However, Kenshin did not hear her say how fast she could go. Because of this, Kenshin could not tell if she was faster than him or not. In addition to speed, she could also generate lightning. Of course her alias of Lightning Strike was very fitting given her abilities.

Kenshin then spoke up. "Hey Lightning, you say you're fast, but could you tell us how fast? I can be pretty quick too, so I want to know which of us is faster." He then turned to face Sunhawk. "And to answer your question, I feel like simply explaining my quirk doesn't do it justice. Instead, let me show you why I'm called Red Edge."

Transform! With a simple thought, Kenshin activated his quirk. The green lines covered his body, crisscrossing to form a grid. On top of this grid, his armor began to materialize. The hard red part of the armor, the black and purple leather-like portion of his armor, the emblems on his chest and back of his hands, the black sunglasses-like visor, and the white hair-like cape all fully materialized. Once his transformation was complete, Kenshin dashed to the opposite wall and then dashed back to his original spot to show the others just how fast he could move.

"I'm sorry if it looks like I'm showing off. I promise that that's not my intention. But yeah, this is what my quirk allows me to do. I gain armor, I dash about as fast as a moped, and of course, I can do this." Extending his left arm, Kenshin focused on it. His hand then transformed into his signature red blade of hard light. Of course, Kenshin made sure that the blade was pointing away from the others. "And now you know why my alias is Red Edge, as well as why I don't bother wearing a proper costume or outfit."

Not seeing any reason to stay transformed, Kenshin used his non-sword hand to press the emblem on his chest. Immediately after doing so, his armor dematerialized, reverting his appearance back to normal.

"Sunhawk, it's up to you whether you want me or Lightning to join you in recon. I don't mind being a part of either team. Wherever you need me, I'll gladly go." Kenshin did not mind either way, so he would let the others decide who would do what. At the end of the day, he would gladly assist whichever vigilante was paired with him. Whatever the mission was, Kenshin would do his best to make their plans succeed. Failure was not an option.

Word count: 508

Notes: text