Swamp fever

by charles duncan

Today, while the incorporateds took a break, and brought along a new friend of theirs called Armstrong on a trip to explore some jungle areas, Speedster was busy indeed trying to personally show he'd have some leadership skills despite what Wilson had seen in Casey being one day a great leader, even in the times of darkness he wondered about in the years to come... especially if Wilson would one day be responsible for ending their legend, still, Wilson at the time had good judgement in spite of it all.. and in spite of visions continuing to haunt him even as he left his shop behind on the neverrest . And they knew of Armstrong's powers to massively hit things with extra-sized arms, and seeing him clear the forest ahead gave some of those with Armstrong the hope that their journey will go smoothly.

Although halfway along the way Poacher had fallen from the sky and gave Casey a beating, still Armstrong was able to keep him at bay, barely, as Carolina and Gazlennia were barely beat off by his skills.. and mostly, Poacher was tied up and dragged along until they got to their journey, this strange temple where there seemed to be a nexus of worlds that long-glory had visions about.. indeed, into the future, it was said, where lots of chaos was happening.. so they camped out while Poacher said lots of things about an entity called 'univys' who kept trying to call him long distance..who somehow once saw the universe through a single pipeline and went mad. 

As they camped out, and tried indeed to get some sleep, Halifax kept guard over the camp along with Armstrong, who had problems with authority.. and they would argue a lot about the sports and weather, while Wilson kept adjusting his cyborg arm over and over, feeling it was in time of replacing and upgrading..

Suddenly, Armstrong screamed and got into an argument with Speedster about his origins and other things in the universe, like how he complained about all those biochemicals speedster had maybe someday making his hair fall out, and also about some of the things casey might have done in his youth, as well as other things, and they just kept on arguing and beating up each other, which woke up casey.. and got casey mad.. 

And then, armstrong plowed his fist right into the ground, knocking many of the incorporateds into the sky, and making them fly up into the heavens.. and barely was Mindninja able to keep them from totally flying off as she managed to get control, with Armstrong nearly laughing his head off... saying "You're all fools and will pay someday..as your futures are indeed dark as i have seen", as he kept laughing.. and then again, he let off a purple wave of power from his head, causing the camp to be decimated.. but somehow, mindninja let off a pink one in return that kicked off armstrong..

And as the Incorporateds fell to the ground, Mindninja said.. "What was that for?", she said as Armstrong laughed.. and Armstrong said.. "To destroy you and ensure your future is bleak if you survive", as vines suddenly stirred and grabbed him from behind not far off...and began dragging him around.

And then, Poacher got up and ran towards Armstrong, though tied, and tried to kick at Armstrong a while while Armstrong struggled, as Mindninja got the rest of the INcorporateds to the ground.. as Casey moaned 'BETRAYAL!' at Armstrongs direction, and sensing other forces might be approaching, the Incorporateds went ahead and backed off, but not without subduing poacher and taking him away...to hopefully be sent back to the prison from which he got out of. 

Later that night, as many of the Incorporateds recovered, save for Speedster who was somehow furious, Casey said.. "To think we ever trusted Armstrong for anything.. may he never darken our doorstep in our league again... or at least until his attitude improves, anyway."

And later on, when the vines had their way with him, Armstrong wandered off to find a way off the planet.. hoping some of the weaknesses he'd learned during his brief stay would help those he wanted to help.. especially the other side.. and in a communicator of his he'd stolen he said to a mysterious force at the end.. "Their downfall has begun, Kingston,", he said.. "though I will often wonder if I will be haunted forever.. by  how I earned their trust then took it from them."

"good to hear.. soon indeed, their season in the sun will totally darken once I confront them.. or at least someone very close to me."

And with that, Armstrong vanished.. as more vines crawled over the place.. obviously hungry for some reason..