The Indomitable Overdrive

         "Do you believe in fate? The fate of worlds, of Empires and of people?" An unknown woman says in darkness. Her voice soft, filled with a warmth that seems so familiar. And yet also so foreign. There was a pause. No answer from who she may be speaking to "No? Well, I do. I've seen it all. Once great dominions falling to powers born in shadows. Heroes giving their lives just so mere handfuls of their people can escape destruction. The flames of legends slowly withering away under the subjugation of evil...yes, I've seen it all. But I've seen more than just the destructive side of fate my love. Champions rising in times of need. The innocent finding salvation thanks to those Champions and the corrupt being eradicated from the Universe. I...haven't been completely honest with you. I-"

         The morning alarm starts blaring it's ring. Cruelly pulling the sleeping boy next to it from his dream once more. Smacking the snooze button he groans in annoyance. This is the fifth time he's had this dream. And the fifth time he was denied it's ending. There's nothing worse than an interesting dream left incomplete. And nothing as awful as having it repeatedly ended prematurely either. Regardless he knew it couldn't be helped now and so he got up to start his morning routine.

         First was the usual stretch before completely rising up from the soft and warm bed. It's always so tempting to just stay put. However the day's obligations forbid such an act. Once he was out of bed he made sure the accursed alarm clock would not be going off again. He hated the thing. Then again very few people didn't hate their alarm clocks. Thirdly came choosing the day's clothing. Never took very long and once his garments were selected it was off to the bathroom. Blue jeans, white t-shirt and of course his signature black vest. Really it was just a black short sleeved collared button up shirt with the sleeves removed. He liked how it looked on him though and the extra pockets on the chest were handy.

         Next on the agenda was a hot shower to help wake up and get clean of course. Followed by a quick inspection in the mirror. The boy had fair skin which wasn't really tanned well. Mostly due to so much time indoors. His hair was short and black, currently a bed head though normally he liked to spike it up as much as he could. His eyes were a dulled shade of light blue and his body...well we've mentioned the indoors and video games already. He wasn't chubby but he certainly wasn't toned either. His height was a little short for a boy of age ten. But hey, you get what you get.

         Once he was dressed and set he did the usual quick devouring of breakfast and rushed to the bus stop with his book bag. He had bad habits of taking long showers which was a strain on time when one needed a bus to take them to school. Luckily today wasn't one of the days he missed it. But it wasn't all too uncommon for such an event to happen to him. As he made it to the bus stop, panting and trying to catch his breath. Another boy gave him quite the quizzical look with a smile.

         "You know Aiden, if it weren't for your mad dashes to the bus stop you'd be waaaay overweight right?" The green eyed boy teased with a snicker

         "Ah shut it Gage." Aiden huffed in response, still trying to get control of his breathing. Though he couldn't help but smirk at his friend "I'm the pinnacle of perfect health. Can't you tell?"
         

         Gage laughed off his response and shook his head a bit. He was of Lakota descent so naturally he had darker skin. His hair was short, brown and what's best described as a controlled mess. Today he was wearing brown cargo shorts. A blue collared button up shirt similar to Aidens. Though his sleeves were perfectly fine. There was a light gray shirt underneath the blue shirt as both boys always kept them unbuttoned. And finally his black, blue and gray sneakers. Nothing too special. Much like Aiden's black and white sneakers.

         "Besides, I get more exercise than you yah know." Aiden countered after finally catching his breath

         "Oh? How do you figure?" Gage mused, raising a brow at such a bold claim

         "Cuz, I gotta run to the bus stop and run home." The black haired boy smiled, feeling confident in this verbal victory. Though his smile faded when he heard Gage laugh again. With an annoyed tone he demanded an answer "What are you laughing at?"

         "That was the best joke I've heard all month!" Gage responded, ushering in an even more annoyed look from his friend "You avoid gym class like the plague. The only times you ever get off your butt to join in is if it's a dodgeball day!"

         "Yeah cuz who needs gym class? It's only a time for the smaller kids to get picked on by the bigger kids. Why bother with it when, I can use the time to study for tests?" Aiden retorted which made Gage laugh again

         "You mean when you can secretly play games or doodle on your homework?" Gage countered. Aiden glared at him for a bit before his false anger broke and he laughed alongside his friend. Shortly the school bus came around the corner and approached it's stop.

         "Yeah well, still better than getting a baseball to the side of the head." Aiden commented as he boarded the bus

         "Thought you liked dodgeball though." Gage snickered which made Aiden laugh as he told him to 'shut it' again. This bus was one of the cleaner ones. Mostly due to a lack of students riding it in the morning from this part of the city. That being said, they found their seats together pretty easily as well.

         "So the weekends coming up. You on to see if we can final finish our LASO run in Halo 4?" Gage asked with a smile as he took his seat. Once the driver was certain they were seated she began the drive to the next few stops and then the school.

         "Of course dude! I've already got the snacks and drinks all set. Those covie duds don't stand a chance!" Aiden smiled back at him, making a small motion with his hand as if he were shooting one of the enemy characters in the head with a pistol. Even accompanied by a sound effect.

         "Yeah if Tartarus doesn't smash you like last time." Gage teased deviously

         "Wouldn't have happened if somebody didn't let the batteries in their controller die" Aiden nudged him playfully "Your controller died, my support died, I died. It's the natural order of failure. What a shameful display."

         "How was, I supposed to know my brother murdered the battery life on that thing playing Gears?" Gage asked in return but was only responded with "A shameful display!" before their conversation moved on

         "Anyways this time'll be different. We can't lose this time Gage!"

         Roughly three more minutes passed before the bus dropped off all the children it had gathered at the school. And thus another boring day of school started. Do your best in first period math. Try not to sleep through second period history. Enjoy third period science. Doodle in art class hoping for a good grade. Lunch time! Many kids favorite time of day. Astora Elementary North had a good lunch program at that. And as anyone could tell you. Good food equals good times. Though lunch rooms aren't always a safe haven for some.

         Aiden sat down with his lunch at a table with Gage and another student who was mostly just minding his own business. His lunch was a half sub custom made to the student's specifications with whatever was available. His was roast beef with provolone, peppers, pickles and onion. A bottle of strawberry milk and a small fruit cup. Aiden also often made small talk with Gage whilst they sat at the table. Unbeknownst to him the back of his head had become the target of a known bully. Who was looking around to ensure no teachers or supervisors were watching as he waited to chuck his half milk carton at his target.

         Neither Gage nor Aiden knew what plot would befall them. Though the other boy at their table saw this and sighed as he set his phone down. Watching and trying to predict when he'd strike. When one of the other students called for one of the supervising teachers with a question about class he knew the bully would strike. So he got up with his tray and walked around the table slowly as if he were putting it away. Though in reality he was getting into position. Just as he suspected, the boy Jordan had taken the opportunity and lapse in teacher security to make his move. What the bully didn't expect was his improvised projectile being smashed back at him. And his plan to shower Aiden in milk backfiring quite literally.

         Jordan braced for impact as he and a few people at his table of delinquents were doused in the healthy drink. Shouting in surprise and shock as the carton bounced off his face. This ushered in a lot of people's attention including his targets.

         "Shouldn't throw things in the cafeteria Jordan. That's how messes are made." The boys savior stated with a smile as he walked passed them to put his tray away

         "Screw off you bastard!" shouted the milk covered bully "I'm gonna get you back for this!"

         "Oh you mean you're gonna actually face me and not act like a big coward?" The boy stopped and smiled back at him "You didn't even have the guts to face him while you were trying to ruin his day."

         "Declan....Mark my words you little shit. I'm gonna SMASH YOU!" Jordan threatened, it was clear he was pissed. Everyone knew it, even the teacher who was now steadily heading this way in case she needed to intervene.

         "That'll be the day." Declan laughed, continuing on to return his tray

         Jordan growled and got up. Tossing his chair aside in anger and storming off to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Both boys just blinked at the scene in disbelief. They were targets? And their quiet table mate Declan saw it coming? Not only that but he stopped the attack? Weird, no one usually stands up for the little guys. What a weird day. The rest of their lunch was pretty peaceful. And what better period to have after getting energized with food than gym class. Or so Gage thought at least.

         Aiden used the time old excuse of forgetting his gym clothes to get out of it so he could do whatever recreational activity he deemed fit for the time. One that would carry into the period after gym which was a free study period. Since he got decent grades the teachers never bothered him with what he was doing. Usually he got A's and B's with C's coming very rarely. Though whenever Gage needed it Aiden did help him out instead of doodling, gaming or sleeping. Which ever he wanted to do that study period. He had his priorities straight. At least when it came to his friend.

         "You know one of these days I'd like to play a gym game other than dodgeball with you." Gage told his lazy friend who was sat up
on the stage

         "Basketball isn't really my thing." Aiden shrugged with an almost innocent smile. Though there was very clearly deceit behind it

         "Oh yeah? What is your thing then?" Gage challenged him and when Aiden was about to speak he cut him off "Other than dodgeball"

         Aiden took a few moments to think, comically tapping his chin and looking up at the ceiling before smiling "I like capture the flag too."

         Gage looked at him for a bit before shrugging and smirking "I'll give you that one. It is fun...but you know you're gonna fail this class if you don't start playing right?"

         "Eh, I'll start next week. By the semester's end I'll have an A. It's just gym class." Aiden shrugged before digging around in his backpack for his notebook. Gage heaved a sighed and went off to play the day's activity. Meanwhile Aiden decided to work on something very important. His plan for their gaming and movie weekend. Obviously one could only take so much of the frustration that is a Halo 4 LASO run.

         For those that don't know. LASO stands for Legendary All Skulls On. Meaning you played it on the hardest difficulty with game modifiers in the form of skulls on. It made the game often unreasonably harder. No hud, no regenerating health, bigger explosions, stronger enemies, less ammo and so forth. It was a brutal experience indeed. A Halo fans true test of mettle and resolve.

         But again one can only take the pressure for so long without a much needed break in the rage inducing gameplay. So Aiden was working out a schedule for wind down games and nice movies to watch. That of which he'd have to pick up tomorrow after school to be ready for the weekend. Both boys were big fans of superheroes. Mostly the Marvel ones of course because they were more fun than DC's. No one likes heroes that never lose or never have to really try.

         Gym class ended pretty quickly to Aiden. He was surprised to see it over when it was but noted the clock on the wall had the appropriate time for study hall on it. He packed his things and lined up at the door to wait for his fellow classmates to change and come out. Once he was reunited with his friend he headed to the library to tutor him a bit. Gage struggled in math and science often. Two subjects Aiden usually had down pretty quickly. When it came to learning, Aiden was on point. During their study time the school intercom came to life and the secretary's voice spoke over it.

         "Aiden Knight to the Office. Aiden Knight to the Office."

         Both boys looked at each other before Aiden got up to head over. He wasn't worried about it at all. No one ever got called to the Principal's office over the intercom if they were in trouble. No if he were in trouble they would've found out where he was and called the library to be more discreet about it. When he entered the office he was made to wait for a few minutes before being called into the Principal's office space.

         As it turns out the visit was for two reasons. One being for validation of Declan and Jordan's lunch time incident. Just to get facts straight and corroborate stories. Secondly was a warning about his gym class participation. One he saw coming miles away. He assured the Principal of his cooperation with gym starting as of next week and sided with Declan. Mostly because he didn't like that Jordan targeted him. He had no idea if what Declan said were true or not. He hadn't really been paying attention.

         After the talk he was sent back to the library. As he was leaving the Office though he saw that Jordan was heading his way. A bit fearful he quickly decided to duck into the Nurse's Office for a bit until Jordan passed. When the older boy did pass he glared at Aiden, their eyes locking. Aiden could see the anger in Jordan's brown eyes. He knew he would be seeing him again before too long. And Declan wouldn't be around to save him then. When the coast was clear Aiden made a dash for the library.

         The next hour passed and final bell rang. Aiden wanted to make it to the bus fast before Jordan had a chance to find him or Gage. Though no such luck as by the time they got to the courtyard the bully was waiting there for them. He smiled and brushed his messy dark hair out of his eyes before heading over to them. The boys luck wasn't all that sour as Declan headed over to them to. All Jordan was able to do was push Aiden down and snarl obscenities at him before Declan stepped in. Sending a good punch into Jordan's jaw and returning his obscenities.

         Students gathered in curiosity over the commotion. Aiden was helped to his feet by Gage who was glaring at Jordan. The bully was shouting at Declan. Asking why he would bother helping useless kids like Aiden. Declan never responded and just stood ready in case Jordan attacked. These two had once been good friends until Jordan turned into an ass. Jordan was strong and decided to make other kids lives Hell with his strength. Declan began martial arts at a young age though he wasn't as strong as Jordan. But brute strength can only go so far. So Declan uses what he was taught to put Jordan down whenever he acts up. And Jordan hates him for it.

         "You done yet?" Declan asked in a serious tone, speckled with boredom "It's the same old bullshit you keep shouting. Just come on and fight so, I can kick your ass and everyone can go home."

         Jordan's eye twitched in annoyance before he shouted and charged his former friend. The fight didn't last long. Declan hadn't taken a single solid hit and Jordan was laid out flat on his back feeling battered and bruised

         "-Tt- Pathetic." Declan scoffed, turning and heading off. Aiden and Gage saw it fit to follow him as far as they could before rushing to catch their bus. They barely made it on in time and were soon off to home and safety once more. Knowing that while they survived being beat up today. Tomorrow was another day.

         The rest of Aiden's night was spent in fear of tomorrow. It was gonna be Friday, the day before a good weekend. And Jordan was likely going to ruin it early. After dinner he resigned himself to his room to do homework and more importantly come up with a survival plan. Ways he and Gage could evade Jordan all day tomorrow. Taking longer ways to classes. Leaving through the back door of the school and walking around to the courtyard. Hell maybe just wait and walk home. Even that'd beat getting the living daylights pounded out of you.

         Time went on whilst he studied and came up with a defensive strategy. With a sigh he resigned for the night and stared up at the starlit sky outside his window. Leaning back in his chair and relaxing if not but for a moment. He liked stargazing. It always brought him peace of mind. If only he knew what little peace there was out there in the void.

         In the eternal expanse of space several ships raced towards the Earth. A small frigate colored with blue and gold tones and badly beaten. And a Fleet of menacing looking frigates, dreadnoughts and battlecruisers. They were chasing the endangered frigate, firing shots to try and disable it's engines. One good hit to the rear from a high impact plasma. The hot substance crackling as it turned the metal of the ship's hull to a molten mess of scrap. The next was a sudden precision laser strike to the engines. Cutting it's movement speed in half as the rear of the ship blew. Sending contents of the ship and crew spilling out in the dark, unforgiving void.

         The frigate still pushed forward, hoping to reach it's minimum distance from the Earth to deliver its payload. It had already been boarded by their enemy. Who was now taking advantage of it's drop in speed to try and cut it off. But it was too late. Before it could be intercepted it charged up it's primary cannon and shot it's payload towards the Earth at a terrifying speed. This frigates journey was over. But it's mission had been completed.

         Back on Earth Aiden smiled lightly whilst he watched the sky. He decided it was time for bed however and got up to stretch. Scratching the back of his head he noticed something in his peripheral vision which caught his attention. A light in the sky, burning steadily brighter as it got bigger. The boy, confused at what he was witnessing squinted a bit to try and make out what it was.

         "What the heck is that..." He asked himself before he notice it get much bigger. His eyes widening as the ground shook. A thunderous blast roaring through the air as it crashed into the woods a mile and a half away from his home. The impact was enough to knock stuff off of his shelves, crack his windows and set him off balance. He quickly put his shoes on and opened his window to leave. His room was on the second story but he had a way to get down. Often he snuck out at night to lie in the backyard to properly enjoy the stars. So he hurriedly climbed out the window and hopped onto the roof of the screened porch a short ways away from it. From there he scooted across it and hopped down onto the deck.

         It wasn't the worst of landings. But it was far from his best. He wasn't hurt which was all that mattered to him. Now it was time for him to do some fence hopping on his way to the woods. Faster and faster he tried to push himself. Wanting to make it there before anyone else did. Boy he knew his parents would be upset with him if they found out he ran out past 11pm to check out an object that fell from the sky.

         The crash site he came upon was quite the big crater. The object, whatever it was, smashed quite a few trees as it skid across the Earth. Not only that but there were small fires around on various brush. Aiden knew he didn't have much time before other people arrived. Whether it was the Police, other concerned civilians or the Men In Black. He didn't want to get caught snooping around when they showed up. Cautiously yet curiously he approached the crashed object. Which looked to be some sort of small container. No bigger than your average sized bucket and roughly the same shape.

         This pod was a washed out gray with green lights on it. Aiden approached it closed but jumped back a bit as it hissed, the external lights going out and the front opening up. Some form of white fog drifted out from the container. And once visibility improved an odd shaped device was seen. It was two shapes, an elongated rectangle that wasn't as wide on the far end and a pentagon which connected to the wider end. It was somewhat thick and clearly made of some sort of dark metal with white plating on it and more green lights.

         Once Aiden said it was an inanimate object he knelt down and carefully reached out for it. His heart raced as it neared the object whilst over and over he thought Please don't suddenly attack me. Please don't suddenly attack me. No jump scares. No jump scares. Echoed on and on. Once he touched it he reeled his hand back to find nothing changed. With a deep breath of courage he reached out for it again, much quicker than before and picked it up. It was quite weighted. He stood up with it and held it in his hand, looking it over when he heard shouting from the woods behind him in the distance which made him gasp softly in surprise.

         He looked back to see flashlights in the horizon. Whoever was coming was moving fast. While he was distracted the device whirred and suddenly metal claws sprung out of it. Forcing itself onto Aiden's wrist and clamping down which startled the boy. He tried to force it off but he was unable too. And then came the pain. Like thousands of sewing needles piercing his skin all at once. He did all he could not to scream right there. Gritting his teeth, clenching his fists and huffing.

         "Over there!" A man shouted which caught Aiden's attention as he looked back. They had caught onto where the tree's were first smashed. He had to move and quickly. Hastily he broke into as sprint and headed for some bushes nearby. He wanted to know who was interested in the thing currently drilling into his arm. Maybe they could help him. But he didn't want to just run into them. After all he shouldn't even be out here.

         The pained boy bit his lip and peeked out of the bush whilst clutching his arm tightly. He forgot completely about the pain when he saw heavily armed men dressed in black fatigues approaching the empty pod and securing the perimeter. The Military came out to investigate? No...these guys only looked Military. The patches on their right shoulders weren't American flags. But instead a grizzly wolf's head with red and white eyes and red accents for it's features. There was a ribbon the patch above it. But the words couldn't be made out by Aiden from so far away.

         "Gambit 1 to Citadel. Unidentified ordinance appears to be some form of container. However it's empty. Signs point to us being late to the party. Standing by for orders, over." said what one would assume would be an officer. He wasn't carrying a rifle and instead of a helmet he wore a simple flat cap.

         Aiden knew they'd be onto him shortly but if he moved now he'd likely be noticed. The pain in his arm was getting worse too. And these guys did not look friendly at all. He waited for the Officer to speak once more before slipping away quietly out of the bushes and making another mad dash through the woods.

         "Understood Citadel. Commencing search operation now, out." Gambit 1 responded to his CO before relaying the orders to spread out and search. Aiden was rushing through the dark woods as fast as he could manage. He didn't see the ditch come up in front of him and thus tripped into it. After his tumble down the dirt he laid on the ground panting and in pain. It was then that he ended up passing out.

         About ten minutes later he woke up groggily to the sound of voices again. He gasped and raised his arm up to look at it to find the device gone and several small puncture marks on his forearm. Only three? Felt a lot worse than that...He thought to himself before spotting the lifeless device on the ground. He didn't want that thing to attach to him again so he left it there. Besides, maybe it'd throw these goons off his trail. Quickly he scurried across the ditch. When he thought it was safe he got up and ran home. He had never run so much in his life. Let alone as fast.

         In all his acting without thinking he never stopped to think that his parents might have woken up from the initial impact and checked on him. He cursed himself out for his lack of foresight but was relieved to find his house still dark. Heading around front he decided to just go through the front door. Retrieving his keys from his pocket and opening the door as quietly as he could manage. Once he was in and the house's front door secured once more he took off his shoes and carried them off to his room. After all it was quieter to walk in socks than sneakers.

         Once he was in his room he relaxed a bit. He hadn't been caught to his knowledge but he was worried about what that device which stuck to his arm did to him. He decided now he needed the sleep and closed his window before changing into his pajamas and crawling into bed. Many questions plagued his tired mind. Mostly about what kind of trouble he ended up getting himself into this time and if he'd be okay. This however didn't affect his sleep any as soon he was out as a light.

         Yes this had been quite the eventful day for ten year old Aiden Knight. A day of trouble, excitement and worry. The real adventure had only just begun. As this boy would soon find out. What the device did to him was far from his expectations. But that is another chapter for another day. And as his mind slowly winds down from the events to which had occurred. A warm voice speaks within the dreamscape.

         "Do you believe in fate?"