Episode 019 Previous Episode	Next Episode
“You mean you wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept.” Dread Pirate Roberts, the Princess Bride In the narrow alleyways of the urban environment, the echo of boots rose into the featureless sky. The Rose ran straight down the alley, mindful of the garbage that littered the sides, quickly dashing in between the stacks of rubbish and overstuffed plastic bags. The running shoes made little sound, even at the speed of the sprint. Behind the Rose, Everett and Sydney closed fast. Everett’s hands sliced the air along side him like blades, his intent gaze set ahead on the Rose. In the dim light, he kept his attention fixed on the red cape that flapped behind the escaping figure. Over his shoulder, Sydney kept up, staying just a few paces behind Everett. The Rose rushed out of the alley, nearly falling onto the street in front of a car. He skidded to a halt, the sedan driving by with an indignant honk. Glancing in either direction, he looked at the people walking in the nighttime, then back as Everett and Sydney came out of the alley. “We just want…” Everett started to say. Without warning, the Rose bounded across the street as cars approached. Everett and Sydney paused as the traffic passed them and rushed after the Rose. The vigilante ran right for a waiting taxi, but rather than slow down, leapt up against it, kicking off with his foot to land on the roof. Bounding forward in one motion, he landed on the far side and darted down the sidewalk between pedestrians before turning down another alley. “This city’s got too many frickin’ alleys,” Sydney cursed as she and Everett followed. The Rose leapt up onto a large trash bin, landing in a crouch like a cat. He peered back to see Everett and Sydney closing, then leapt up again, catching the side of the building with his left hand. Swinging to get a hold with his right, he pulled himself up, swinging his right leg over. Straddling the side of the building, he rolled over on top and got to his feet. Everett kicked off the wall of the building to land on the metal trash bin. Leaping up against the side of the building, he vaulted seamlessly over the side and pursued. Sydney watched him run, then looked down the alley. The vents and antennae that littered the top of the building passed by in a flash. Hurdling over an empty sunbathing chair, the Rose ran rapidly along the top of the building. The mask released a relentless sound that echoed each footstep. Behind, Everett closed quickly. Reaching the edge of the building, the Rose didn’t even slow down before throwing himself over the side. Swinging his arms and legs quickly, he slammed against the edge of the other building, barely clearing the small back alley between the two. Clutching frantically to the top of the building, the vigilante fought to hold onto the edge. Without a sound, Everett leapt over him. The Rose looked up as Everett grabbed his arms. “Don’t flail,” he gritted before purposefully falling backwards. Collapsing onto the roof, he pulled the Rose over the side. The two sprawled out onto the gravel top. The Rose panted frantically as Everett got to his feet, breathing hard. “Are you done running?” he asked to the black and red figure. “I’m not trying to cause any trouble. I just want to talk. That’s it,” he emphasized. The Rose looked up at him. Staring into the mask, Everett found himself trying to see inside the visor. The Rose started to stand, its faceplate slowly drawing closer to Everett. “I know you,” he whispered with familiarity thick in his voice. A flash of bright light hit Everett in the eyes. “Ah!” he exclaimed, stumbling back to hold his eyes. The bright light over the Rose’s visor switched off and he turned to run. Rushing along the edge of the building, the Rose reached the front that faced out over the side street. It turned again and ran towards the adjoining two-story building. He leapt up against the wall, kicking the brick to grab hold of the water drain built into the building. Hanging onto it, the Rose scrambled up against the brick to get enough momentum to grab onto the top. He started to pull himself up. Holding his eyes, Everett was barely aware of Sydney coming up behind him. “The Rose!” he yelled, pointing towards the edge. Sydney followed his gesture, then to the second-story building. She saw the Rose running along the top towards the far edge. She sighed, then got a running start. Sprinting directly across the roof of the building, Sydney leapt straight up at the top of the wall. Kicking the brick as well, she grabbed onto the edge with one hand and pulled herself up. Swinging herself over the side, she came up in a crouching, holding one of her short swords, the willow leaf blade running along her forearm. The Rose was at the far end of the building, staring up at the next building on the block. Located just a few meters across a car-wide alley, the four-story building stood as an imposing monolith. The Rose turned as Sydney started to approach, her sword drawn but not held threateningly. Over the side, Everett pulled himself up. He blinked a few times to get orientated and turned to Sydney and the Rose. “Look,” he called ahead. “We just want to talk.” The Rose turned back to the building, staring at it desperately.
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