Everybody Wants A Piece

"Titus.One of the best soldiers within the military,yet dismissed by them."

Mason stared at Titus,who stared him down,noticing Mason wearing his military uniform as he grit his teeth in anger:"You guys already made me lose my one chance at redeeming myself and proving my worth,what does military shitheads like you want from me this time?"

"This is off the books.No records,no affiliations with the United States Armed Forces.Just business between a guy who pays and a guy who executes."Mason offers.

"I'm done with you military fucks.Go fuck yourself goodie boys."Titus turned around,about to walk out the door when Argus' men stopped him,blocking the door."I'm not here on behalf of the military Titus,I'm just here to offer you resources from the military.You mentioned you wanted redemption right?We are here to give you a chance to do so."Argus joined the conversation.

"Make it quick."Titus turned back.

"Starlio Stex.We want you to capture him alive,bring us his armors.Simple enough?"Mason tells Titus who raised his eyebrow:"That teenager?What's the deal with him?Why do you need a mercenary to do the job?"

"Like we said,this is an off the books mission."Argus explains.

"We will be providing you with an experimental armor,one that will rival Starlio's.In addition we will be providing you with a classified performance enhancing drug known as Silverblood.This will grant you with peak physical strength,speed and stamina.After the job is done you can get to keep the effects of the drugs and in addition,five million dollars in hard cash."Mason offers,clearly peaking Titus' interest into his offer.

"Okay...consider me in then."Titus smiled.

"Remember,Starlio might put up a fight.But as much as you can I want him unharmed.Your job is to simply disarm him of his armors.Nothing more or you will not receive your payment."Mason reminds Titus.

"Still have feelings for your boy huh?"Argus mocked.

"My money.My terms."Mason silenced Argus.

-

Starlio found himself back in his lab at 6am.

Despite having no obligations to return to his workplace at such a timing,Starlio's passion got the better of him,eager to return to a new project he had to leave behind yesterday to join the Navarro Brothers and the staff for dinner.

The Model 5 Armor-[Strength].

The brand new armor was almost complete,with just a few refinements here and there Starlio knew it could be ready for it's first flight test at the end of the week and now with his current experience in constructing armors,he was sure that it would take him just a month to construct an armor from scratch the next time around.

His phone alarm rang,reminding him to go to school as Starlio quickly set down his work tools,using a conveyor belt built into the floor of his new lab that moved the armor to the display stand at the end of the room where the Model 5 found itself standing right next to it's 4 predecessors.

"Alright,time to go."Starlio looked around for his schoolbag,which was covered by dozens of blueprints sheets.I hope I'm not late...Starlio quickly rushed out of the lab to the main facility which already had several of it's guards,armed with high tech weaponry to and even automated guns that surrounded the new Navarro facility.

"Off to school?"A security guard asks.

"Yep."

"Don't overwork yourself young man,you come here too early."The security guard tells the teenager who smiled:"I like it.I'll take a break if I need to."

6:45am.

Starlio found Shannon waiting for him at their neighborhood's bus stop."I brought something for you,here."Shannon fished out a small bracelet from her pocket,handing it over to Starlio who blushed:"You made this...?"

"Nah it's leftover stock from my Dad's shop.It's the heart that counts right?"

"Of course.Thank you."Starlio smiled to himself.The two found the awkwardness that once was between them seemed to have completely melted away.Within the hour,the two of them reached North Star Academy,which was now mostly rebuilt and as a precaution,armed security guards were now posted at the entrance of the school,conduction bag checks before anyone,including students were allowed to enter.

"Look it's him."Starlio overheard several girls talk about him in the distance as he placed his bag on the school's guard table for a security check.

"Juniors have literally joined this school because of you."Shannon reminds him."Still hate the attention.I'm literally being asked for pictures and signatures everywhere I go.Sometimes people just forget that I'm only 15."

"Let's just get to class quick."Shannon and Starlio both briskly walked towards their new classroom,brushing past the many eyes that focused onto Starlio.Even though the school semester was well under halfway through,people still seemed equally curious and excited to see Starlio simply walking around school.

In the distance,Starlio spotted Frank Basto.

The infamous school bully who was once always picking on everyone and anyone who was getting in his way,even in the slightest way but after Starlio witnessed him selflessly using himself as a distraction for the gunmen when they shot up the school,Starlio had a newfound respect for him.

"Hey penis brain!"Frank spotted Starlio.

"Sup penis face."Starlio responded,the two of them having an extremely vulgar greeting every time they met since that day."Boys..."Shannon mutters when the two of them found themselves squeezing through a crowded corridor of students towards their classroom and running right into their classmate,Angie Snow who saw the both of them together closely.

"You two..."

"We just met each other outside of school."Shannon quickly blurted.

"You two looked like you held hands though...Shannon.Are you two together?"Angie sounded devastated as both Starlio and Shannon replied in unison:"No!"

Starlio had heard rumors from the other girls in the class that Angie seemed to have a crush on him since over a year ago.Even before the whole kidnapping thing began,even before he and Shannon exchanged their first conversations."It's not like that Angie...we are just friends man and after all,he did save us from those traffickers,don't think too much girl!"Shannon tried to break the ice between her friend and her.

Just friends...?I mean...we are but...

"It's nothing like that alright?There's nothing going on between us.Right Starlio?"Shannon turns to him,hoping that he would back her up as Starlio forced himself to answer:"Yea we...we're just friends Angie."

Angie quietened down as Joseline Fisher,another one of their classmates spotted them:"Why are you guys standing outside?Come on Mrs Wells is gonna give our test results back today!"Joseline dragged the girls in as Starlio followed in.

Kane fist bumped Starlio as he walked in:"You ready to lose?"

"Can't wait man."Starlio joked along with his former academic rival as Roy,his best friend dragged Starlio to his seat:"Come on,Mrs Wells is right outside."

Just a year ago,Starlio would have hated where he was.For a time Starlio recalled hating everyday school life,bored out of his mind with each passing day,his ego telling him that he was better than everyone else in the school and that everything was beneath him,merely just wasting his time.But now...Starlio found himself looking at the multiple empty seats in class,including the one nearest to him...Conner's seat.

I guess having a normal life isn't that bad after all.

"Alright,your Chemistry test results have been marked and processed.I'll be announcing the top three scorers in class shortly so while I do that,please prepare your green pens for corrections and check your answers on the screen here.If there's any mistakes in marking please let me know."Mrs Wells,their new chemistry teacher says,taking the stack of exam papers out of her bag.

"God I hope I pass."Roy whispers to Starlio.

"Relax dude,we revised this many times already,you'll do fine man."Starlio tells him.

"No surprise,top scorer with a perfect score,Starlio but this time...sharing the top spot with him,Kane Kyoung.Congratulations to the both of you,well done."Mrs Wells says as a shocked Kane froze in his seat in disbelief."Come on man!Snap out of it fellow top scorer!"Starlio genuine joy for Kane,who he had seen working his entire school life to catch up with him.

"I...I..."

"Come on man!"Starlio dragged Kane out of his seat as the two of them collected their paper.

"Alright,second and third place with scores of 91 and 87 respectively,Shannon Ray and Roy Brandon."Mrs Wells announced:"Very good improvement from the both of you."It was Shannon and Roy's turns to be frozen in shock next as Starlio felt both of them turn to him with grateful stares.After all,Starlio did spend months guiding them with different academic subjects,giving them tips and methods to improve their grades.

"How...?87...?"Roy stood at the front of the class still dumbfounded.

"We worked hard,plus Starlio of course."Shannon reminds him.

School ended on a high note that day as majority of the students leave the classroom,more than satisfied with their results.Joseline and Angie,on the other hand seemed to have noticed Starlio's and Shannon's closeness,something even Starlio himself knew he wasn't really hiding.He could feel the stares from Angie throughout the class's duration.

I'm not going to let her stop me.

"Shannon,you wanna head back together?"Starlio found himself immediately approaching her once the class ended."Starlio...I think we should maybe...you know,not be so close.I mean-not like what you mean I don't dislike you or anything but..."

"The attention that I bring...I understand."Starlio correctly predicted.

"It's...not...it's complicated.Please don't mistake this.I...don't..."

"It's okay Shannon.You can go,I understand."

"I'm sorry...I'll...text you later.Let's just separate for now."Shannon tells him,walking out of the class to her locker as Roy tapped Starlio on the shoulder:"She reject you?"

"No,it's complicated...you wanna go home together man?"Starlio asks Roy who shook his head:"Nah sorry man I'm gotta go help my Dad out with some stuff.I'll be going a different direction."Starlio nods,hiding his disappointment as he found himself walking out of the school alone and to add on to a day that was already worsening,Starlio spotted three well dressed men,in formal suits and sunglasses awaiting right outside the gates.

Oh joy I wonder who those guys are looking for.

Starlio lowered his head,putting on his hoodie to blend into the sea of students that was leaving the school and just when he set foot outside the school gates:"Starlio Stex!"

How the-

"Starlio,we are official agents from the-"

"Dude,just let me be.I'm not interested in whatever you guys are offering."Starlio tried to brush the agent off who in returned,grabbed him by the arm,literally holding Starlio back as the three men surrounded him."We are not here with any bad intentions Mr Stex.As much as we want,the government and the military is trying to avoid conflict with a teenager."

"Wow okay...let's start by loosening that grip of yours."Starlio tells the agent,who let go of him.

From the corner of his eye,Starlio spotted Shannon,Angie and Joseline walking right out of the school,spotting him as well and looking on with curiosity."We need you to surrender your armors.All of them,someone of your age does not have any right to own such dangerous machines."

"Based on what law exactly?"

"The law on Congress has not made such a specific law for your case yet,but-"The agent was cut off by Starlio who quickly responded:"Then I am well within my rights.I haven't done anything that harmed the general public in any way or form,you guys have no legal statements or authority to take away an asset from a citizen right?"

"It is a law that will be passed anytime soon."The agent tells him."We are telling you to hand over your assets nicely before anything bad happens.You are young,you may not know how to best utilize these incredible machines."

"And yet I built them,what makes you think I don't understand the own power of my creations?"Starlio questions them.

"This is not a request Mr Stex."

"It's a warning I know same old quotes from every single adult figure of authority I have ever freaking met in this short 15 years of my life.Guys,why?You have literally no law,no right and authority to even be speaking to me here right now.Leave me alone alright?I will and never surrender my armors or inventions to you."Starlio raised his voice,unintentionally grabbing the attention of the students leaving the school at the heat of the moment.

"Alright Mr Stex.We did our jobs and conveyed the information we were needed to.Whatever comes next is on you."The agents hopped into a black SUV,driving away.

Starlio found himself standing alone with yet another crowd having their attention on him.Shannon heard the entire conversation,standing not that far away from him as she diverged away from Joseline and Angie to talk to him."Starlio,you alright?"

"Yea...just really irritated."Starlio softened his voice,his heart lifting a little upon hearing Shannon's voice.

"Alright...take care alright?I'm gonna go to a movie with the girls."

"Yea...yea you too."

Shannon went back to her two friends.Starlio spotted Angie's expression from afar,clearly a jealous look striking across her face.Starlio knew better than to stay for long,going towards the bus stop outside his school to take off.

So I'm just a friend...okay...so this is what friend zone feels like.At least now I know.

The bus arrived to him as Starlio quickly hopped on.Something felt off however as the entire vehicle was mostly empty and when he turned around,no one else went onboard the bus and the vehicle began moving off quickly before Starlio could even find his seat.

"The f..."Starlio stumbled onto the nearest seat when the paranoid side of him resurfaced.

Something IS wrong.This was the peak hour,school just ended and normally buses around this timing would be flooded by students all rushing home.The driver himself seemed fishy as well as Starlio quickly activated his watch,calling the Model 3 to him.

Should I make a run for it?But...how?God I hope I'm right.Starlio observed the driver quietly from a far as his watch alerted him:Model 3,one minute away.Starlio looked up again and to his horror,the bus screeched to a halt as two black vans braked at the front of the bus,the bus driver opening the door as several masked men boarded the vehicle.

"Starlio Stex!Put your hands in the air !"

Ten seconds.Starlio stared at his watch nervously."Who's Starlio Stex?"Starlio quickly responded to the masked men,who stopped in their tracks for a few seconds,reconfirming their target.That was more than enough time as the Model 3 crashed through the side of the bus without warning,Starlio instinctively jumping into his armor,ready for action.

"What the hell?"

"Fire!"One of the masked man drew a pistol out of his belt when another stopped him:"Wait,we were told to take him in alive!"

Starlio didn't want to waste any time,boosting himself forward with his rockets and launching a punch that struck the first gunman right out the front of the bus windshield as the others panicked,opening fire onto the Model 3,every bullet bouncing off mostly harmlessly against the armor.

Starlio ducked under another gunman,grabbing his arm and with the superhuman strength of the armor,tossed the second right into the third only for the fourth gunman to fire his pistol right into the head of the armor,the bullet ricocheting right back at him,striking him in the shoulder and putting him out of battle.

The bus driver charged at Starlio,who quickly reacted and knocked him to the ground with a clean punch,catching his breath as all five attackers were dealt with.

"I'm so done with this."Starlio muttered under his breath,grabbing the bus driver by the collar:"Who sent you after me?!Huh?!Sending gunmen after a 15 year old kid you kidnapped from a school zone?!How messed up can you guys get?!"

"You know who.We warned you many times are you stupid kid."The bus driver groaned.

"You think you guys,just five guys with a pistol can actually capture me?What kind of plan is this?!"Starlio mocked when he noticed something from the corner of his eye approaching him at high speeds.Every muscle in his body kicked into overdrive as he ducked back,another figure crashing through the side of the bus,breaking another hole through the vehicle.

Starlio only managed to spot a humanoid metallic figure as a missile struck him,blasting a huge chunk of the bus into flames and knocking the prodigy right back onto the road.

Armor integrity:82 percent.

"What..."Starlio got up from the shock as the latest attacker walked through the flames of the exploded vehicle,revealing his dark green and silver armor,a mecha like suit just like his but it's designed,more hard edged and with heavier armor plating stretched across each major muscle joint.His sharp helmet,a singular beam of gold glaring right at Starlio who got up,drawing his own twin blasters from his wrist and firing it onto the mecha figure.

The attacker ducked,launching himself into the sky and drawing a heated red sword,jumping at Starlio who quickly ducked backwards,firing a blast that knocked the attacker back.

"I knew you had trained in combat.But I wasn't expecting much from a kid.Looks like you aren't to be estimated."The attacker says.

"Who the hell are you?!"Starlio demands.

"Titus.The man who is going to stop your private weaponry creating spree."

"What the hell are you even talking about?!Who sent you?!"Starlio tried to talk it out when Titus launched himself forward,slashing at Starlio who found a clean piece of his armor being sliced clean off his forearm armor.

No way...Starlio was surprised by the amount of heat that sword could produce.

"I was told...not to harm you but to just deactivate your armor.Think you can do that for me?"Titus says,jumping forward and kicking Starlio right in the chest piece,knocking him down.Starlio quickly rolled aside,using his thrusters to take him back into the air as he fired several missiles from his shoulder cannons at Titus,who surprisingly accelerated into the air,dodging the projectiles,slashing his sword and leaving a deep cut across Starlio's chest piece.

The teen jumped back further,firing his built in wrist lasers at Titus,denting the latter's armor bit by bit and without warning,burst forward,slamming right into Titus and flying the mechanized soldier right through a nearby bus stop,crashing him onto the road's side pavement.

Titus was clearly more combat experienced as he recovered easily,ducking right past a few of Starlio strikes before closing their distance,grabbing Starlio by the helmet and tossing him right into the side of a passing car,scaring the living daylights out of the driver.

"Sorry..."Starlio shook his head to regain his senses when he saw Titus,ripping out a stop sign from the side of the road and chugging it towards Starlio like a javelin.

The teen quickly realized that the driver was at risk as he used himself to tank the projectile,denting a hole into the side of his chest piece as parts began falling off.He can't use more missiles without risking the environment and people around him being in danger and at the moment,there was only one thing he could do if he didn't want anyone to get hurt.

"You're outmatched."Titus says,accelerating once more and pinning Starlio down onto the ground.

Starlio tried to push back,doing his best to free himself from Titus's grip."Your armor's strength is strong,but not as strong as mine.Give it up!"

"Whoever sent you probably told you I'm plotting something against the government or something.I'm doing nothing!All I've been doing is making cool security products and these armors are just a safety precaution for myself and the people around me!You can literally see what I've been doing on the news!You don't have to take me down!"

"You're young kid...trust me.There's more reasons that that why people want you dead."Titus grabbed his sword again,raising it above Starlio who quickly accelerated his boosters,using that window of time to fly into the sky without turning back.

"This pesky little shit..."Titus complained,taking off into the sky to give chase.

I have to get out of the city,lure him away to somewhere I can take him out.