Danger Squad Legends: The Shadow

IS THAT A GIANT BIRD?!

Jake saw the giant bird flying closer and closer and soon he saw it wasn't a bird but rather..

A jet.

A jet shaped like a bird? What kind of weirdo would have.."

That's when he remembered a conversation he had a long time ago..

Why is everything he has bird themed?" Jake said, just 2 months ago in his apartment as he was talking to Zack, his nerdy roommate and Superhero expert.

Because that's his gimmick, birds."

Really? Birds? That's it?"

Well mostly hawks since he is the Hawk knight."

Hawk knight? He even has a stupid name to boot. Why do you idolize these people so much?"

Why do you hate them so much?"

I don't hate them. I..."

Is it because they have actually achieved something in life while you're still working your damn dead end job?"

What? No!Is that what you think of me?"

Wait you heard that? Aw geez! Why do  I keep doing this?! S..sorry Jake."

Zack had a tendency to say what he thinks. But what he was thinking wasn't wrong.

He was jealous of them having a purpose. But that was then.

Now he has powers. Now he can join them and achieve his new dream.

But that's when he remembered,

He has the powers of their worst enemy, the shadows,  power that almost destroyed the world. He was now a walking target.

Jake tried to hide his powers by deactivating the darkness but it didn't work since released too much.His only hope is if he can talk his way out of a fight.

He knew only supers would use jets like these and wasn't surprised when one jumped out of the jet, which was now hovering above him.

The Super landed  incredibly or at least tried to land incredibly as he tried to do a backflip midair but the currents interfered and spoilt his posture, causing him to fall on his face

SPLAT*

He went *splat* yet there was no blood or bones or anything indicating injury, just annoyance and a green skin suit that was to cringe inducing to look at for more than 10 seconds.

Aw geez! I can't believe I couldn't stick my first Superhero landing! Ok at least I still have my banter."

Aw geez..wait...that voice?.." Jake thought as he heard those two words. There's only one person who says that.

Hey man. Are you ok?" Jake said, actually concerned.

Keep your villainous quotes to yourself you dark coloured dirt bag! Or face the wrath of Expanding man!"

*Expanding man*? Wow what an awesome name to strike fear into the hearts of millions of planet ruling evildoers man!"

Aw geez man! Its my first time  trying to come up with something cool on such short notice! Cut me some slack.

He said it again. Could he really be Zack?

I'M SO ASHAMED!"

That the voice of a another Super. This one was muscular and huge. He wore a white business suit and green trousers with boots. He had orange hair and a large mustache and was wearing green sunglasses.

His name was..

Captain Rocket sir! I h..had the situation under control! You didn't need to come!

Yeah I could see by your *incredible* landing and witty banter.

Aw geez was it that bad? I really thought I had him under my palm of

justice.

Ok that settles it. Only one person talks like that.

Zack?"

Aw geez! How did you...I mean uh.. I don't know this Zack citizen evildoer! I think you have me confused with someone else!"

Enough with the act boy! It's clear Jake has figured you out. Not really a hard thing to do."

Aw geez."

Wait, do you know my name?"

Oh I know a lot about you Jake. Considering the fact that you work at my store.

You're Mr Buford? How? You're twice his size. He's small, old and chubby while you're the opposite."

Well that's thanks to this little device right here."

He then removed a tiny little circular disk from his back pocket

It's a cloaking device. I had a friend of mine make it for me for a favor.

Well how did you know it was me.

Because I've been following you for 2 years Jale, just for this moment.

W..what?! Why?! H..how?"

Yes, let's go back  20 years shall we? Listen, during the great war between the humans and mumans around the world, an alien race called the Shadow clan invaded the earth, viewing this period as a time of weakness.And.."

Yeah I know the rest, some humans and mumans worked together to defeat the shadows, creating the world's first supers and ending the war since they were proof that humans and mumans can coexist."

But what most people don't know is there was a cult called the Lost light who worshipped the shadow clan and viewed them as gods who deserved to rule the earth.

What?"

Yup. That's the cult your old buddy Max worked for. "

Oh.. but how did he get these shadow powers?"

The same way you did. By drinking the black water, which is actually the remains of a dead shadow. The shadow is supposed to take over the hosts body after the host consumes the black water, but one with strong will can resist it. Like Max.

And me."

Yeah that's the big question. No offense Jake, but  I've known you for 2 years and you don't seem like the most strong willed guy around.

And I know it's the Shadow Baron's water you drank so it seems unlikely you could resist him. They need a weak willed person and you were a prime candidate. That's why Zack and I kept an eye on you. But it seems we were too late.

Nah it's fine. I agree. I didn't even resist him on my own. I was given control by the Baron."

And what makes you so sure he won't take control again?"

Well he said..."

Shadows lie Jake. They have no emotions. They only do what's best for themselves. He knows we might spare him if you convince us. Thats when he'll take over and bring another war on our hands."

Oh I see."

And that's why you have to die. Zack now!"

Yes sir!"

Wait.. what?!"

At that moment Zack came rushing towards Jake  trying to punch him but he used his speed to dodge him.

Wait I don't have to die r..right? Come on!"

Actually Jake I'm sorry to say, you do. We can't let the Baron return. I..it's for the greater good."

Zack said with a sad expression on his masked face.

He then extended his hand and it began to expand and enlarge. Hence the name Expanding man.

Which was still stupid by the way.

He the tried to crush Jake with his gigantic hand but Jake got out of the way and used his darkness to jump high enough to escape them.

Zack chase him down!"

Once Captain Rocket said this Zack expanded his legs which reached Jake's  location  in seconds and since he was in midair he had nowhere to run and he used his giant hand to grab Jake.

Come on Zack! I can't die now! I know you don't want to do this."

Sorry Jake. I really don't want to do this. You're my best friend and this  hurts. But an order is still an order." Zack responded and expanded his other hand and raised it above Jake

He was going to crush him.

Please Zack! Give me a chance to talk!"

Zack then looked at Captain Rocket and back at Jake, giving him the signal that he was ready to listen.

And Jake to his chance.

Listen Zack, all my life I've been nothing but a useless prick but once I got these powers I saw they weren't a curse, they were a blessing. Now I have a purpose! A goal! I want to help people any way I can so please give me a chance. I promise on my life I will never allow the Baron to control me! I will never allow him to hurt anyone ever again!"

There was a loud silence.Until..

Hey Zack my boy! What are you doing?! Kill him!"

Zack let Jake go and returned to his normal size but he looked miserable.

I c..can't do it sir! Jake is my best buddy! He's put up with me for 2 whole years and never complained! Not even my own foster parents could. I..I can't kill him. I just can't."

Oh damn what am I gonna do with you?"

You can give a chance sir. Let me see if I'm up to the task and if not, you're free to kill me.

There was another loud silence.

Captain Rocket was thinking while Zack and Jake were nervous. The funny thing was Zack was sweating more than Jake even though it was Jake who was going to die.

Oh all right you can live.

Zack and Jakeimmediately celebrated like a bunch of young schoolgirls. It was weird to watch but that's the kind of bond they had. That's when Jake realized Zack was his only real friend

Only if you prove you're in control and won't be a danger to anyone."

Of course sir! Let me prove it."

Jake then tried to deactivate his powers but it was still too difficult. He released even more darkness than before so it proved hard to suppress all if it.

And if he couldn't it would be a very bad sign.Plus he couldn't live his life like this.

It was embarrassing

He was about to give up until Zack gave him a pat on the shoulder and told him...

C'mon Jake don't be overdramatic! We know you're just faking."

Zack wasn't lying. He almost never lies. He really believed in Jake. No one ever believes in Jake.

That's when Jake did it. He suppressed all the darkness and turned back to his human form.

See I knew you were faking! See how easily he did it too. Like a piece of cake."

Y..yeah.

Ok you two head home. Meet me at the convenience store tomorrow and we'll see what we can do about all this. See ya.

Captain Rocket then jumped all the way into the jet and flew away.

Hey uh.. Zack?"

Yeah Jake?"

Aren't you supposed to be in there?"

Aw geez come on! Captain Rocket wait he said and began to run after the jet. Jake followed him without using his powers because honestly he needed something fun to distract him from all the nonsense of today...

And he had a feeling it was only getting worse from here.

In a dark room in an unknown location a meeting was taking place.

Listen I know I lost the Baron but give me a chance I can.."

It was Max and he was begging for his life.

The Lost light gives only one chance. And you have exhausted it. Now surrender your abilities. You are unworthy of the them."

Max refused the bishop, and that enraged him even further.

Seize him and cleanse the shadow of his impurity!"

Once the bishop said this, multiple people in dark robes appeared and tried to capture him but he escaped by turning himself into his gaseous form. He later left the hideout through it's vents.

Must we chase him down my lord?" A woman dressed like a nun said.

No my lady. Let him go. We have a more pressing matter at hand" the bishop replied.

Yes! We must return the Shadow Baron to his people!" A large man in executioner's attire said.

But how do we do that? We were not informed of the individual that fool handpicked." A slim man in a priestly garment also said.

We shall discuss that later. Right now we have a much bigger matter than that" Said the bishop.

Much bigger than the Baron? What could it be?" Asked the nun

The Super Society has found our spy..."