The Unwilling Successors

2 Months Ago.

Mason laid in the middle of a destroyed field,his men dead on the ground.

Flames spread around his surroundings,the military vehicles that he commanded now nothing more than debris and now he, the last man standing facing down dozens of armed men who were approaching him.Mason grabbed a rifle,aiming at the crowd of attackers:" Get the hell away from me!"

"Pull that trigger,Alice,Starlio and Mitchell will die."A deep voice echoed from the crowd.

"How-"Mason spotted a tall figure,well dressed in a formal white suit and a large white hat,decorated with a red tie and the figure,holding a large cigar in his hand.

"Make your choice Mason Stex.Fight?Or Serve to see your family live another day?"The Chairman asks,the legendary figure of the underworld society.The military general had heard rumors about him, a criminal mastermind lurking in the shadows,having strings and connections all over society,controlling and manipulating millions without even them knowing but for the longest time,the military and FBI only thought of that as an urban legend.

Here he was.

"I should have been dead with the rest of my men...you want something from me."Mason says.

"Smart,like your son."The Chairman observed.

Argus,The Chairman's right hand man walked forward,tossing Mason a briefcase."Within this,instructions you have to follow.We want your son's armors by any means necessary,dead or alive.If you do not obey us...we will find you and everyone you know.You'll be six feet underground before you even realize it."

"You want me to potentially kill my son?To save him?What are you on about?"Mason growled.

"You see...we can't directly go after Starlio.No longer.Demonshot has ensured that with his failure to kill Starlio back when North Star Academy was attacked so why not get someone who is in direct relation with the kid, as well as a high ranking military official to do it for us?Who the hell would suspect you after all right?"The Chairman tells him,smoking his cigar.

"I won't do it."Mason growled when the Chairman picks him up with one arm,lifting the general into the air by the neck and crushing down on his windpipe."I'm not asking...Mr Stex."

Mason was thrown onto the ground by the hulking strength of the Chairman,his back instantly feeling a sharp swell spreading down his spine as he spat out a couple of teeth.

"You are not given an option.Obey...or everyone you know and yourself dies."The Chairman stomps onto Mason's chest,crumbling at least two of his ribs right there and resting his monstrous weight on Mason,further breaking Mason's ability to breathe properly.

"I'll repeat myself one last time.My people are everywhere,more than you could ever imagine.The only reason why I am even offering you this chance is because I don't feel like making a mess.Got it?Now...your son.Bring me his armors."The Chairman growled.

"You...monster...."Mason coughed,moments away from choking out when the Chairman released his weight on Mason.

"Says the father who failed to give his sons a proper childhood with such a well paying job.Nevertheless the deal is clear.Get the armors or die.Resources will be given to you.We will stay in contact."The Chairman tossed an old Nokia phone on the ground in front of Mason.

Now.

Argus stood behind Mason,questioning his decision to hire Titus.

"We hired you to keep things low key,make sure no one would suspect that it was you behind the whole thing and your man literally told the kid who hired him?!Now tell me which part of Titus shows ideal man to carry out the job in secret.He even made a public mess on that bridge!"Argus roared.

"I'll find him."Mason calmly replies.

"You will?The tracker is probably abandoned by this point.Starlio might even kill him already."Argus pointed out when Mason shook his head confidently:"No way. Starlio might have killed before, but not in a way like this. Titus is still alive and is just captured. If his reputation really holds true...we don't have to do anything."

"You better not be pulling any tricks on us."Argus warns when Mason slaps a file right in front of the Chairman's henchman.

Argus raised an eyebrow,picking the file and up and found himself feasting his eyes onto Titus' past combat history.

Argus' eyes widened.

"Why is he even here?He doesn't need the money at all?!Yet I thought this was another crazy bastard who signed out and killed relentlessly in order to survive in this shitty first world country."Argus couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"He's the kid of some wealthy ass man.Wants to prove himself that he can survive without his old man and happens to have exceptional combat sense and reflexes.You can see where this is going.In fact in our records he seems to have the best body structure recorded for a soldier in decades.As much as I hate to admit it,Starlio stands no chance.That's why I hired him."

Argus went through the file,now completely convinced with Mason's words.

"Single handedly fought off an invading Taliban Force,obtained over 40 kills while escorting five hostages,blew up two anti aircraft missile launchpads,killed two high ranking Taliban Terrorists and then shooting down a helicopter all within a mission while having two bullet wounds recorded in the same mission....holy shit.He's a beast."Argus's jaw dropped,getting more and more astounded with each paragraph he read.

I hope you make it....Starlio.I can't hold them back any longer.Mason prayed.

-

Titus found himself being glared at by the Model 5.

"You got me kid..."Titus sarcastically praises.

"If you're wondering if you could get saved,don't worry about that.We found the tracker and tossed in down a stinky petrol station toilet.You're welcome to try and fish for that to call for help."Starlio crossed his arms,leaning against a wall.

"It's not like I need to be rescued."Titus growled.

"Says the one in chains."Frank responds as he and Joseline, arguably two of the physically stronger students of their school, standing by the stairs of the basement,both of them armed with a baseball bat and a metal rod while glaring down at the hunter.

"You already told me my father sent you.Aren't you not supposed to do that?"Starlio asks.Titus smirked,clearly unshaken by the Model 5's pressence:"I told you that because as much as I'm supposed to,I really don't wanna kill you.Not at the moment."

Starlio saw an odd look of honesty in his eyes.

"Okay...let's start there.Elaborate."Starlio demands,grabbing a stool and sitting down.

"Your father is a piece of shit....you were born into a military family with your father being the dominant one between your parents.You were mistreated,neglected and forced to fight your way through your childhood to mold yourself into a strong individual.On that sense,I am exactly the same as you."Titus looked Starlio in the eye.

"Cliche."Starlio mutters.

"Cliche huh?Did Demonshot have similar pasts with you?"

"That's not what I meant."Starlio answers Titus,who raised his eyebrow,leaning back."You may have heard of The Alanore Bank right?"

"Of course.It's literally everywhere."Joseline replied the hunter.

"My name is Titus Alanore.Who do you think my father is?"

The three teenagers paused,their eyes widening as questions filled their heads."Then why the hell are you doing this?You don't need the money at all don't you?!What is this all just a sport to you?!Killing and killing just for the fun for it?!"Frank raised his voice.

"My father never recognized me.I was a failure who decided to go into the military in order to prove my worth in a field other than the typical law school,medical school,blah blah blah.I never intended to go in for the kills but it turned out,I was too damn good at it.In fact I even tried being good for once,taking down entire terrorists organizations,saving the lives of other fellow soldiers but what did that bring me?The government decided I was too good.I could not be seen killing so proficiently under the flag of freedom.They terminated me."

Starlio paused for a moment,using the Model 5's searching ability to browse through the internet for any signs of Titus' story while paying attention to the hunter himself.

"So why work for Mr Stex?"Frank asks.

"To prove myself,add another successful mission into my list of accomplishments which I can eventually shove in my father's face,show him that I am worthy of the Alanore Family."Titus says confidently when Starlio finally found information on Titus' words.

"Your brother's a top lawyer in a prestigious lawyer firm.Your sister is a world renowned scientist with many awards from the science community.Looks like you're the odd one out here, everything he's saying seems to be adding up so far."Starlio tells his two schoolmates.

"So what's the deal now?Why does my father want me captured?"Starlio returns to the questions.

"Who knows?"Titus didn't even show any hints of caring,leaning against the chair he was chained too looking into the ceiling,closing his eyes to rest as he began:"You see....let's assume you survive till the end of this week.I don't really wanna kill you but I have a job to do which also translates into the fact that I'll probably try to kill you once I break out of here-"

"If you break out of here."Joseline corrects.

"Once I break out of here,you'll probably go confront your father and because I'm under contract I'll be fighting you to protect that jackass.I'm telling you right now...it's not worth it,fighting to reach your father.He's already made his choice to go against his own son.You should accept that."Titus tells Starlio,who froze in place,Titus' words clearly going into his head.

"You should go back up.Take a breather."Joseline tells the prodigy.

Starlio nods,going back up to the main house's living room where he immediately bumps into Shannon."He talk yet?"Shannon asks him calmly as he notices behind them,the sky turning dark the rest of the group already setting up blankets and pillows to set up their sleeping places for the night.

"He talked what I expected him to..."Starlio clearly sounded dead.

"You okay?"

"Tired."Starlio admits after the long day."Starlio,you want a drink?"Angie asks from the kitchen,preparing fresh cups of hot chocolate.

"That'll be great.Thanks."

Joseline headed back upstairs,joining the rest of the group."I'll get some sleep first before changing shifts with Frank."Shannon pointed the way upstairs where two bedrooms where at,one for Roy's grandfather and one for the girls:"I made the beds already just grab one."

"Okay.Thanks Shan."Joseline headed upstairs first.

Starlio walked towards the kitchen to claim his cup of hot chocolate only to see a fairly distressed Roy,ravaging through the shelves of the kitchen while trying not to bump into Angie."Ahhh shit.We ran out of food.I think I'll head out so that we have food for tomorrow."Roy says.

"Yo that's very risky man."Kane overheard their conversation.

"I'll go with him,I have to buy a new SIM card anyway."Angie volunteers.

"Come back quick alright?"Starlio tells them as the duo headed out of the house."Well it's a busy day ahead probably so I'm gonna just knock out first alright?I'll probably help keep my eye on Titus early tomorrow too so you guys do you."Kane shoved a blanket over himself,knocking out on the couch.That left Shannon and Starlio,alone together once again.

Starlio didn't even notice the invisible line between them as he sat at the kitchen table,enjoying his drink.Shannon followed him,sitting opposite Starlio,simply content accompanying him.

"Sorry you were saying something?"Starlio asks.

"Nope.Just enjoy your drink."

It didn't take long for Starlio to notice that Shannon was literally doing nothing,simply sitting there in front of him."I'm sorry....for dragging you and all the others into this mess.This is on me."Starlio softly tells her,looking down in guilt.

"No....what...technically I was the one who dragged you all into this mess.If I were never kidnapped last year none of these would have happened.Starlio,don't ever say any of this is your fault.We are all in this together,we all had a part to play in causing all these to happen so...let's just accept that we have to conquer them together too.Don't blame yourself.Ever."Shannon looked him in the eye.

Starlio took a lifeless breath,nodding as he checked his watch: 7:49pm.

"Shannon..."Starlio was so lost in his thoughts to survive for the past few days that he completely forgot about how he felt about her and now that they finally had the time for each other privately,those feelings were coming back to him.

"Hm?"

"What you said that day.You said maybe we shouldn't be so close.I was-"

"It's...I don't know what are we.I mean,if we were normal teenagers having a normal life at school,maybe some financial issues to worry about which we were,I'm sure I might know what to do then but we aren't Starlio.We've been encountering life and death situations once every few months and honestly...I don't know if we should be so close."Shannon admits.

"I understand.Being with me brings dangers."Starlio responds.

"It's not the dangers that scare me Star.You are an amazing guy...really.I've never seen someone as talented,as brave or even as smart as you but...I'm not that girl.I'm not that smart,nor pretty,nor athletic like Joseline or even have a good fashion sense like Angie.I'm dragging you down Starlio."

"You aren't.You never did.I won't even be here without you."Starlio's heart melted.

"I don't..."

"Shannon.You are one of the prettiest and smartest girl I know.Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."Starlio confidently tells her."I...I...."Shannon was at a loss for words.

-

Downtown.

"You sure you have enough money for this?"Angie asks.

Roy had a giant basket of instant noodles,vegetables,eggs and stacks of packaged chicken,along with bags of chips and drinks."Starlio passed me over two hundred dollars for all these so that should be more than enough."

"He's generous."Angie smiles to herself.

"Alright you can take the lighter stuff like the vegetables and chips.Give me the heavy ones."Roy tells her as the duo exit the supermarket.Roy looked around them,scanning their surroundings to ensure that no one was following them.The chance of them actually being tracked was low as no one could have possibly known about his grandfather's place,but the risk was still there after all.

"Where's your parents?"Angie asks.

"Oh...they..."Roy paused for a moment.Angie knew she hit a sensitive topic as she quickly reverted her question:"Sorry...it's fine if you aren't comfortable with-"

"No no it's fine.It's nothing offensive just...my mom passed a few years back.I'm living with my grandpa because my Dad...well...he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months back.That's why I don't spend as much time with Starlio and Conner back then compared to before."

"Sorry."Angie softened.

"I'm okay."Roy smiles awkwardly,walking ahead of her when she adds:"Does the rest know?Starlio?"

"He'll spend his hard earned money to help me.I've seen how poor he was before.I don't wanna feel like I'm using his current wealth or anything so whatever I just told you,please keep it to yourself."Roy tells Angie who nods awkwardly,the duo walking in the sunset quietly when Roy decided to break the awkwardness a little.

"You like Starlio right?"

"Huh?!I...-"Angie instantly blushed as Roy chuckled:"Come on,no one's that dumb.It's literally the most obvious thing in the world."

"Yes...I like him.So what?"

"So you must have already noticed something going on between him and Shannon."Roy tells Angie,who stopped in the middle of the road."I know...it's frustrating.I liked him for a really long time you know,since...since before the whole kidnapping thing even happened.Since before Shannon and him even started talking when the canteen incident with Frank.I don't....understand..."

"You like him...but have you ever thought of understanding him on a personal level?"Roy asks her.

Angie looks at him confused,clearly not knowing what he said.

"I'm not saying you did anything wrong.Because you didn't.It's okay to just admire someone and have a crush.Take it from a third person's perspective.Shannon actively tried to understand his worries,she's been looking for him,being by his side when he was injured or depressed,she's always been there because she genuinely cares about him and she would do anything to keep him safe and happy.Starlio sees that from her too,that's why."Roy tells Angie who looked down seemingly ashamed.

"Angie.There's nothing wrong.You aren't in the wrong here."

"Then why did you tell me that?"Angie had tears flowing down her face.

"So you understand.Offer you a new perspective.You can say that maybe I'm mean for saying that too truthfully but I feel like its good to know.You can decide what you wanna do now that you know that.I'm just trying to be a good friend,both for him and you."

...

"I'm getting in their way....aren't I?"Angie realized.

"I'm not sure.But...if something happens between them.Give them your blessings.Shannon herself is trying to...not be friendly with Starlio which I could see it really affecting him.Shannon's your good friend right?"Roy asks Angie who nods:"You're right...I...I'm being selfish."

"Don't say that.I mean...it's normal to feel jealous.Don't take it too hard on yourself."Roy tells Angie when her expression changed,signalling for him to quieten down as they approached the street to Roy's grandfather's house.

A limousine,pulled up several houses away from his grandfather's.

Men in suits,wearing sunglasses outside.

"Shit....do you think those are..."Angie asks Roy who shook his head:"Most likely.I'm gonna give Starlio a call."Roy fished out his phone,crouching behind a bus stop and observing them quietly when Starlio picked up.

"Hello?"

"Suited men.Near the house,might be from your dad."Roy tells him.

"Understood."

Roy signaled Angie to get behind him when a figure exploded into the sky,the Model 5's bright blue beams of light shining brightly in the setting sun as Starlio descended onto the suited men,who drew their weapons on the armor.

Starlio released his thrusters,allowing himself to fall to the ground and with the power of the armor,Starlio slammed his fist into the ground,using the strength of the suit to break open the bitumen of the road,shaking the ground violently and making the suited men lose their balance,barely able to hold on to their pistols.

"You have one chance to surrender."Starlio demands.

"HOLD YOUR FIRE!"An elderly man yelled as the suited men dropped their weapons.

Starlio stopped,turning to the source of the voice as the limo's door opened,an elderly man easily eighty to ninety years old,well dressed with bright white hair,walking out of the expensive vehicle towards Starlio with his arms raised.

"Do not fight us young man.I did not come here for trouble."The old man says.

"Who are you?"Starlio asks.

"My name is Ken Alanore.I just wanna talk to my son."