Episode 018 Previous Episode	Next Episode
“Let’s be careful, but let’s get it done.” Dr. Tommy Oliver, Power Rangers Dino Thunder The fight moved in a red and black blur. The Crimson Rose leapt out from the alleyway directly behind the two thugs that had pinned the woman to the ground. The man on her hands, in a red grimy shirt and jeans with a Fu Manchu mustache, was startled by the sight, but the Rose kicked him straight in the face. The blow knocked him off her hands and onto his back. The man holding her legs leapt up, forgetting the girl as she crawled away. Pulling a knife out from behind his knee-length shorts, he readied to fight. But the Rose reached to his side, drawing out a rapier. The steel blade flashed in the light of the night while it’s hand guard, shaped like a spinney length of a rose bush, glinted with it’s multitude of jagged points. With the blade aimed at the man’s neck, he shivered in fear. The reflection of his eyes captured his attention, his breath fogging up the near-mirror reflection. Behind the Rose, the other man stood up. Blood gushing from his nose, he lunged at the vigilante, swinging his thick arms wide to capture him with a bear hug. The Rose spun around, taken by surprise but prepared, slicing the blade at the man. The nimble tip sliced his cheek, drawing more blood. The strike didn’t dissuade the man as he grabbed the Rose just over the arms. Drawing him into his crushing grip, the man lifted the Rose off his feet, pinning him to his meaty chest. “Everett,” Armand whispered into his phone. “The Rose is here and he’s in trouble.” The Rose slammed his facemask down into the man’s nose. The sick sound of snapping cartilage echoed off the city street as blood covered the mask. The Rose fell as the man with the knife moved to stab him in the back. Landing on his feet, the Rose continued to collapse, falling beneath the stab meant for his kidney. Landing on his back, he snapped his right foot back, kicking the man in the stomach and knocking him back. Drawing his extended legs over him, the Rose flipped up to his feet, landing with his rapier ready. The man with the knife started to back away, but the Rose lunged forward, stabbing him in the thigh. The simple but debilitating wound made the man collapse, shouting in pain. As he withdrew from the lunge, he kicked back at the big thug who was still holding his nose. Catching the man in the stomach with the full force of the kick, the Rose knocked the air out of his lungs. The big brute fell to the ground, gasping. The Rose stood, reconnoiterering the area. Seeing no other aggressors, he turned to the man with the knife. Everett sprinted along the sidewalk, Sydney right behind him. Their trench coats flapping in the air behind them, both of them raced down the street, running for all they were worth. The man with the knife tried to struggle, but the Rose flipped him over onto his stomach, quickly drawing out a silken black rope and tying him like a calf. He did the same the wheezing, but compliant bigger man. The Rose stood, turning to look at the woman still on the ground, her eyes wide in amazement. In the lead, Everett turned the corner of the street, ducking into an alley. Sydney slowed, confused. She glanced around, suddenly connecting their location. Understanding, she rushed to catch up. The Rose seemed to stare at the woman for a moment, then sheathed his sword and drew out a red rose. He extended his gloved hand, holding the rose to the woman. Hesitant and fearful, she took the flower, unable to pull her eyes away. Everett came out from the alley on the other side of the Laundromat. He came to a halt just short of the light. He looked across at Armand. The younger knight nodded to him, then glanced at the Rose. Everett turned and faced him. Standing tall over the woman, the Rose looked out, seeming to see the three knights for the first time. Cautiously, his hand reached for the rapier at his side. “Hold up,” Everett said, holding his hands up carefully as he stepped into the light. “We just want to talk.” The Rose glanced around, cautious, then stood still. The woman looked at Everett and the others, then at the Rose. Quickly gathering herself up, she dashed off, disappearing into the city. Everett watched her go, then turned his full attention to the Rose. “My name’s Everett,” he said carefully, slowly taking a step towards the elaborately dressed figure. “I’m the Knight-defender of this city,” he explained. The Rose’s head tilted slightly as if contemplating a puzzle. Then as soon as he had appeared, he turned and leapt back into the alleyway he had come from. Behind Everett, Sydney sighed. “Okay,” she said. “We do this the hard way.”
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