The Second Coming

I glanced up at Rahmi, who stood waiting for me to get ready, her back turned to me. Her long black hair was falling elegantly down her back, and she was wearing a violet cocktail dress that hugged her every curve perfectly, yet didn’t look slutty. I glanced at myself in the mirror. I was wearing my Thunderstrike costume, and it wasn’t very high budget. Rahmi had offered to make me a suit, but I turned her down.

My suit was tactical pants, a yellow hoodie with a bulletproof vest over it, and a pair of goggles that Rahmi had custom made for me. They had several fancy high-tech features, and I really liked them. I flipped up my yellow hood, and Rahmi turned.

We were in her bedroom, and she looked stunning. Her olive skin was gently, elegantly done in make-up, her full lips were a dark red color, and her pretty eyes blinked at me.

“Everything OK, Thunderstrike?” she asked curiously. I nodded, happy she couldn’t see my eyes were flicking to her amazing rack, which was hugged closely by her tight dress. As Rahmi exited her room, I followed her down the hallway vigilantly, my tactical boots and her heels making noise as we walked. When she walked out into the main room, with me shadowing her, everyone went quiet. One security guard’s hand went to his gun.

“Miss Khan, step away from the super.” he said.

“Stop! He’s my bodyguard. I was attacked by an assassin earlier today, and hired him to keep me safe.” Rahmi stopped the guard. Two people hurried over to Rahmi, and they both shot suspicious glances at me. I stepped back to give the trio some privacy, and studied the newcomers.

I recognized both, but only from news articles.

They were Rahmi’s parents. Her mother was Liyana Khan, whose claim to fame was marrying Azar Khan, the wealthy, wealthy man.

The guards all stared at me intensely as the partygoers returned to normal. Azar snapped his fingers at me, and I pretended to ignore him.

“Thunderstrike, come here please.” Rahmi said sweetly. I moved quickly to stand beside my best friend.

“I don’t approve of this.” Azar said, pointing his finger aggressively in my face.

“You do not scare me, Mr. Khan.” I said, my voice booming and deep from the voice modulator.

“I should. You look like an amateur. You’re wearing a sweatshirt!” Azar threw up his hands.

“We’re not all rich.” I boomed. Liyana, who I noticed was actually quite stunning, placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder.

“Perhaps you should simply be happy our daughter is protected?” Liyana suggested. Azar huffed.

“Fine. But I best not hear any complaints about you from my guests!” Azar threatened. Rahmi rolled her eyes and walked gracefully away from her parents. I dutifully followed. My eyes flicked around the party, taking in the environment. I wish I was just Jeremiah right now. I’d love to ask Rahmi to dance, maybe kiss her in a corner of the room. Except for the tiny fact she was WAY out of my league.

“Miss Khan!” somebody giggled, and two beautiful girls walked up, smirking. One was a tanned brunette with a flat chest, the other a rather pale blond with tits that outclassed Rahmi’s, which was no easy feat.

“Your bodyguard is so handsome.” the blond grinned, wiggling her fingers at me. Rahmi glanced back at me.

“I suppose so. His features are a little hard to make out, though.” Rahmi said.

“But you’ve seen him without the mask, right?” the brunette asked.

“No, of course not.” Rahmi shook her head.

“So... it could be anybody under that mask and hood? Oof, it could even be my own brother making me this wet!” the blond giggled. Rahmi looked a little ill at that comment.

The blond bushes past Rahmi, and held out her hand.

“I’m Violetta Keystone. Pleasure.” she purred.

“Pleasure’s all mine, ma’am.” I said. Her eyes lit up.

“So... mind giving me a peek under the hood?” she cooed, her fingers dancing along my arm.

“I do mind, actually.” I said.

“Ah, no matter.” Violetta winked, and kissed me full on the lips. It took me a second to react. But then I wrapped my arms around the sensual blond and pulled her closer as the kiss deepened. When she pulled back, she was flushed and panting a little.

“Damn. You’re a good kisser.” she giggled. Was it my imagination or did Rahmi look... upset for a briefest moment before she composed herself. Violetta and the brunette wandered off, whispering secretively. Rahmi sidled up to me.

“Seriously?” she huffed.

“She kissed me.” I said, crossing my arms.

“What if I’d been killed while you were making out with Little Ms. Busty?” Rahmi demanded.

“I’d feel terrible. No paycheck.” I chuckled. Rahmi swatted my arm, and went back into the crowd of people. I followed behind her closely, scanning the area. Rahmi turned quickly, but a handsome young Pakistani man popped out of the crowd. He made to grab Rahmi’s shoulder, but I smoothly stepped between them.

“Sorry, buddy. Miss Khan doesn’t want to speak with you.” I said firmly.

“Buddy? Who the hell do you think you are?” he roared.

“Her bodyguard.” I smirked. Rahmi turned and walked off, and I followed.

“Yeah, go on then! Be Rahmi’s little bitch!” he cackled.

“Sorry to take your position.” I shot back. He looked outraged. Rahmi kept walking out into the gardens, where a few people milled about. She led me to a more secluded area, and plopped down on a bench.

“Ugh, why’d they invite him?” Rahmi groaned. I leaned against the tree that was directly beside the bench.

“Because you WILL marry him!” Azar thundered, coming out in a fury. He pulled his hand back to slap me across the face, and I held up my arm, and blocked his slap with ease.

“Who do you think you are? Raising an arm against your betters?” Azar seethed.

“Betters? As if. You think cause you’re rich, you’re a good person?” I sneered. Azar looked flabbergasted.

“You’re fired!” he roared.

“I don’t work for you.” I said defiantly. His eyes flew open. Just then, I heard a whooshing noise, hurtling closer. I thunderclapped, and sent Rahmi and Azar flying, but I also repelled the sniper bullet hurtling towards her. I threw myself on top of Rahmi, rolling with her sideways behind the bench.

“Rahmi! Are you OK?” Azar cried out, his quarrel with me gone. I pushed Rahmi into his arms.

“Get her inside!” I roared, and ran towards the staircase leading up to the balcony where the sniper was. When I made it up, I found it was the man from the diner!

“Who the hell are you?” I grunted.

“Hitman. What are you supposed to be?” he sneered.

“I’m Thunderstrike.” I said, flatly, and I balled my fists. He simply pulled out a pistol and starred shooting. I ducked behind cover and growled in frustration. Sometimes I really wished I’d gotten that bullet proof suit from Rahmi. I grabbed the large potted plant with one hand, and winged it around the pillar, and heard an oof. I whipped around the pillar and caught Hitman with a superstrength kick. To my surprise, he didn’t move, but the area where I kicked him glowed bright orange. He threw out his hands and shot energy at me, which I ducked under, and punched Hitman in the jaw, then kneed him in the stomach, but both spots just flowed orange and he could suddenly wield energy.

“You absorb kinetic energy.” I realized, after narrowly dodging one blast of it. I stood up, and his second blast caught me in the chest. My bullet proof vest caught on fire, and I hit my head on the wall.

“Indeed. Meaning I am virtually indestructible in combat.” he grinned. I groaned in pain, and thunderclapped. Hitman shuddered as his whole body glowed orange.

“Oh, fu-“ I managed, before a powerful energy beam blasted me through the wall. I landed roughly in the now empty great room. I groaned and propped myself up on my elbows, and saw Hitman jump down, and there was a brief orange flash in his legs, and he stalked forwards. I groaned and tried to stand, but he kicked me in the back and I dropped to the floor, useless.

“You are not worthy of your powers.” Hitman chuckled. He rolled me over so I could face him, and put his hands on my chest and side. I stared up at him, uncomprehending, until the areas started burning. I gasped at the pain, and cried out as it started seriously scorching. He was using his energy influx from my thunderclap to kill me! I struggled weakly, but I was done for.

“Hey!” a female voice cried, and I saw Rahmi, lacking her Voltage gear, goddamnit. Hitman turned, and I lunged forward with a knife, burrowing it between his shoulder blades. Hitman chuckled, and I realized the knife had only caused a VERY bright patch of orange.

He laughed maniacally, and then lightning hit him in the back. I wanted to cry out, to stop Rahmi before she made him more powerful, but he actually started screaming as Rahmi fried him. I kicked his limp body aside and Rahmi rushed to me, kneeling beside me. I groaned weakly, and she bit her lip.

“You’ll be ok.” she promised. She hoisted me to my feet, and we walked shakily to her room. She lugged me to her tub, and I dropped into it, groaning. Rahmi’s tub was huge, and she climbed in with me, pulling off my scorched bulletproof vest, and my bloody and singed hoodie. Her fingers lightly brushed my severe energy burns, and I winced.

“Sorry.” Rahmi whispered. She turned on the water, and grabbed a washcloth and started dabbing at my wounds. Her gorgeous, expensive dress was soaked, but she didn’t seem to care. She was only focused on helping me out. The coolness of the water on the cloth helped stave off some of the pain, but it was still agony.

“I’ll get some medicine and bandages, just hold on.” Rahmi whispered, and got out of the bathtub, practically flying from the room.

I tried to get a little more comfortable, and laid Rahmi’s abandoned washcloth over the more severe burn on my chest.

Rahmi rushed back in, and was by my side almost instantly. Her fingers tingled against my skin, literally, which I knew meant she was emotionally wrecked. I wasn’t quite sure why, though I had a suspicion it was my injuries. Footsteps came in, and Rahmi turned to see Liyana walk in.

“Oh my! What happened? Your dress is ruined!” Liyana sighed, and Rahmi rolled her eyes.

“Seriously? Thunderstrike’s hurt, and all you care about is my stupid dress?” Rahmi exploded, and her eyes welled with tears. Liyana looked startled by her daughter, and she left uncertainly. Rahmi cupped my face.

“I’m so sorry.” she whispered, stroking my cheek.

“For, ah, what?” I grimaced. Rahmi didn’t respond, she just kissed my cheek.

“Later.” she whispered. I nodded, and Rahmi started to apply my bandages as I drifted off.