by T5, Tobias Christopher, Nowhereman and I'm Not Mister Mxypltk
Night spread its arms over Chicago, and the evil force that attacked the heroes spread its seeds over the unknowing people of the city.
At the circus, Naecken sat down and asked, "Was that booing noise the people made a way of showing appreciation?"
Tobias Christopher, a cup of tea in his hands, groaned and said, "Not exactly, Naecken. Uh, why don't you ask your human self instead?"
"Good idea."
Suddenly, a man crashed through the window and fell straight on top of Naecken. Taken by surprise, Naecken fell in Tobias' lap, making him topple backward in his chair. The tea cup flew through the room, landing on Danny Hearn's hand, who yelped with the shock of hot, scalding tea on his skin. A very angry Danny grabbed the man by his collar and looked him in the face.
"Who the f--?" His words stopped when he saw the black eyes staring back and the horrible smile on the man's face.
"Look out!" screamed Naecken, and ripped the man away from Danny just before black vomit came out of the man's mouth, missing him.
Naecken took him outside and engulfed him in holy fire. The man screamed in pain, but soon the force left him and started to hover away. Naecken prepared to fly after it, when suddenly a pure white beam shot the entity into pieces.
The team came running out of the tent just in time to see a twenty-something blond girl with red jean-shorts, a yellow vest, round sunglasses, red boots, and golden wristbands emerge from behind another tent.
"Looked like you needed some help there, man," she said while chewing gum and rewarding the fellows with a sunshine smile. "The name's Crasher. I hope you're all right. See ya sometime." She ran off into the shadows.
Naecken asked, "Do you know who...?"
"No idea," Tobias said. "But I'm tired. We really should get some rest. Maybe tomorrow we can practice some choreography or something."
"Why?" Naecken asked.
"Because, as far as circus acts go, we really look like freaks," Tobias replied. "Now let's hit the sack. We've got a lot to do in the morning."
Nowhereman thought to himself, Why the fuck did I ever get involved with these idiots again?
The next morning brought a thin dribble of rain, and the heroes helped the circus workers with covering all the supplies and animals for the day.
Elsewhere in Chicago, the infestation continued to spread among the population, causing havoc in traffic and carnage on a first-class scale.
The police and a few of the military tried bravely to fight the possessed people, but to no avail. Their powers, energized by the entities within, were too much for them.
"Where are the metas when we need them?" cried the desperate people.
In an abandoned warehouse, a small wormhole opened, and a beast dark as night with hooves and fangs emerged. "Ahhhhh, I have at last penetrated the veil between worlds. Now I will reach out and claim my new kingdom."
The beast motioned to his minions. "Go! Go! my dear obsidian servants, take them and bring the stupid men and women to me. Let the feast begin!"
"Okay, guys, start packing!" Eurostar said. "We're leaving in an hour."
Naecken was shocked. "W-what?"
Eurostar explained, "We're going to Thunder City. All of us. The whole circus is going there."
"But..." said Naecken, alarmed, "...we must stay here!"
"Why is that, Naecken?" asked Danny.
"I'm not sure..." said Naecken, "...but I feel that something in this city is probably the cause of all the chaos we've seen in the news."
"Another problem?" asked Nowhereman. "C'mon!"
Eurostar shrugged. "I've been too busy to watch the news, but... I'm sorry, we have to leave."
"Wait," said Naecken. "Thunder City -- that's where your son is kept captive, right?"
"Yes," agreed Eurostar, "but we have to leave anyway. We have to stay with the circus. On our own, we're too... showy. They'd find us right away."
Naecken sputtered, "But...!"
M'xy said, "Sorry, Nae! He's right."
Naecken's voice changed slowly from his human voice to his demonic one. "I am warning you... If we do not act now, this will spread beyond this city. I KNOW it. Now, what is your choice?"