Up above

Eli and Tombstone traded blows like a couple of professional prize boxers. Every once in a while one would throw a punch and the other would block and jab. For Eli this was a plan that would have worked out if not for the fact that Tombstone was stronger in the long run. Delivering a right uppercut, Eli was launched over the railing and crashed-landed into a large group of boxes stacked and packed with the MGH drug, ready too be shipped out that night.

Looking up at the laughing form of Tombstone, Elis’ anger grew with each chuckle that came from the albino's mouth. Hurrying to get out of the pile of boxes, Eli felt a hand grasp his and pulled him out.

"Looks like you could use a hand," Hulkling said.

Eli suddenly got an idea and turned from Hulkling to Tombstone who was still standing on the upper walk way, watching the scene below. "Throw me," Eli said confidant in his plan and in Hulkling's strength.

Realizing what Eli was thinking, Hulkling grinned. "No problem," he said grabbing Eli and preparing to throw him. "I've always wanted to try this ever since I saw Wolverine and Colossus do it on television."

"Just do it already!" Eli yelled looking straight at Tombstone.

"No problem. One fastball special coming up," Hulkling said using all his strength and launching Eli like a missile toward Tombstone.

Sailing through the air, Eli collided with Tombstone with enough force that it took them both into another area of the building. Rolling in some of the rubble, Eli grabbed a piece of the wall and hit Tombstone in the face in order to get the upper hand.

Staggering for a moment, Tombstone came back with a hard straight punch that knocked Eli back. Another punch was placed into Elis stomach that made him cough blood into his mask. Eli felt a couple of ribs crack under the pressure, and grunted in pain. Picking Eli up into the air Tombstone laughed for a second before throwing him across the room.

"You're pathetic kid, I've gone up against some of the best," Tombstone gloated while watching Eli stumble back to his feet. "Spider Man, Captain America - I've fought them all. You're hardly a challenge."

"You may have taken them on," Eli said rushing forward ready to attack. "But you also lost to them too."

"Come on kid," Tombstone said blocking Eli's on-coming attack and knocking him backwards to the ground once again. "Why did you even come here in the first place? You can't think you can beat me in my own house, do you?"

"Your goons killed and wounded innocent people earlier," Eli said breathing heavily and spitting out blood from the ripped hole in his mask. "That's a g-good enough reason to take you and your operation down. I'm not going to stop until you're in jail."

"I'll let you in on a secret kid. This isn't my operation. I'm just a high paid babysitter. But if you wanna try your luck," Tombstone said walking slowly toward Eli and continued. "Then go ahead and we'll see what happens when the dust settles."

As the adrenaline continued to pump within Eli, it super-charged his body and pushed him forward in order to continue the fight. Moving faster then Tombstone could keep up with, Eli punched, dodged, moved, and punched over and over again. Gathering the rest of his strength, Eli ran forward as fast as he could and drop-kicked Tombstone in the chest. Falling to the ground, Eli got back up in time to catch Tombstone off-guard. Jumping forward, Eli began to nail Tombstone repeatedly with left and right punches. When Tombstone was wobbling on his feet, Eli picked up the heaviest thing he could find, which was a large piece of metal that came from the wall, and nailed Tombstone in the face and sent him to the ground face first.

Falling to one knee, Eli coughed up blood for a moment, while trying to catch his breath. Hearing footsteps coming his way, Eli looked up to see Hulkling and Stature coming into the room along with Kate Bishop who was carrying a large bag over her shoulder. Walking over toward Eli, Hulkling helped him up to his feet.

"So, is he down for the count?" Hulkling asked looking down at Tombstone and giving him a nudge with his foot. 

"For now, but he'll recover soon," Eli said leaning on Hulkling. "Did anyone call the cops?"

"I did," Kate replied showing the phone she used. "I borrowed this off one of those guys you knocked out. I told them about what was going on. They’re sending something called Code Blue to take care of everything."

"Code Blue?" Hulkling wondered. "Who's that?"

"New York's own special SWAT Team," Stature replied looking around for a moment. "They're sent to take care of special criminals. I think we should get out of here before they show up and want to talk to all of us."

"Agreed," said Eli spitting out more blood. "We should get going."

"Here you go," Kate said opening the large bag she was carrying. Pulling out some clothes and handing them out she continued. "I thought you guys could use a change of clothes. I figured no one would suspect a group of kids watching the police work."

"Nice work Kate," Stature said looking at the clothes. "But what about the whole secret identity thing?"

"Well I already saw his face," she said pointing over toward Eli. "You guys saved me, so I think I can keep a secret. But you better make a choice soon, cause I hear sirens in the distance."

"I say we trust her," Hulkling said as he shrank down in size. The others watched as his hair went from black, too blonde and his skin went from green to white.

"Hmmmm, I thought you stayed green," Kate said looking Teddy over for a moment. "Well I guess you don't need the trench coat, hat, and shades I bought for you. And they might be a little big."

"That's okay," Teddy said changing into pair of pants and a blue dress shirt real fast. "I can grow into them," He said increasing his size a little bit in order to fit better into the clothes.

Going behind one of the wrecked vans, Stature changed clothes and came out dressed in a pair of pants and s pink shirt that said princess on it. Looking toward the others she saw Eli had gotten rid of the torn mask and black clothes for a pair of baggy jeans and a button up white shirt. Putting all their clothes into the bag Teddy slung it over his shoulder as the group headed down the alley way and came back around the other side.

Standing in the back of the crowd that had gathered near the building to watch the police force known as Code Blue work, Eli, along with the others, watched as they brought Tombstone out in some sort of special restraint device and loaded him into the back of a transport van.

"So where do you think they'll take him?" Teddy asked.

"Who knows," Eli said holding his side which began killing him.

"They'll probably take him to the Vault or Tartarus maybe," Cassie guessed as she watched what was going on.

"How do you know all this?" Kate asked.

"Let's just say that I've learned a lot over the years living with my dad," Cassie replied turning her attention and checking on Eli's injuries. "Are you going to be okay? Do we need to get you to a hospital?"

"No," Eli answered quickly. "A doctors’ visit will bring the cops, and that will get them asking questions. Questions I can't afford or even try to answer right now. Anyway, I've got bigger problems then that right now."

Motioning for the group to continue walking, Teddy waited until they were clear before asking, "What do you mean bigger problems?"

"I lost blood in there," Eli replied as they came to bus stop bench. "If they find any and have it tested..."

"Then they'll know who you are and where to find you soon enough," Kate replied. "What are you going to do?"

"For now, I have to go check on my mom," Eli said standing up. "It'll be a couple of days at the most before they get to the blood. With all the crimes in this city, I doubt this one will rank on the high priorities list."

"Taxi!" yelled Teddy before turning back toward Eli. "Look, here's a contact number if you ever need to contact us for any reason. The name’s Teddy by the way."

"And I'm Cassie," she said as the taxi came to a stop near them.

"Thanks," Eli said as he got into the cab. "See you guys around." As the taxi pulled away, Eli looked at the number for a moment before folding it up and putting it in his pocket.

While the taxi left, Cassie, Teddy, and Kate headed back to the crime scene.

"So what do we do now?" Teddy asked.

"Well, after all the media attention about my kidnaping dies down," Kate replied as she prepared to show herself to the police and media. "I'd like to talk to you guys about something I think will work out for everyone. Here - this is my address. Meet me here tomorrow afternoon."

"Right," Cassie said looking at the card as Kate walked toward the gathered media. "What do you think?" she asked looking over toward Teddy.

"I think," he began looking back at Cassie. "I think I'm hungry. Hulking out gives me the biggest appetite when it's over."

"Okay then, you big lug," Cassie said kissing Hulkling on the cheek. Heading down the street toward some restaurants she locked arms with him and continuing. "Let's go grab some Chinese food. I think the buffet is open."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

 

 

New York Memorial Hospital

A short time later.

Before going to see his mom, Eli Bradley slipped into a medical supply closet for an emergency patch up job. Grabbing the things he needed, Eli quickly wrapped his sore ribs and worked on his cuts and bruises. Looking at his image in a metal pan, Eli was surprised that some of the bruises were already starting to fade.

"Strange," Eli said to himself before putting the metal bed pan back on the shelf. Once he was set, Eli checked quickly to make sure no one was around before exiting the room. Checking with the nurse at the front desk, Eli found out what room his mother was in and made his way there quickly.

Knocking on the door a couple times, Eli heard his Grandpa Isaiah's voice say to come in. "How is she?" he asked walking into the room.

"She's doing better," Isaiah replied holding Sarah's hand as she continued to sleep thanks to the pain medication. "They managed to remove all the bullets. She's going to be okay, they want to keep her here for a while, until they know she’s out of the woods."

When Eli knelt down on the other side of his mother's bed and took her hand, Isaiah noticed how he moved and knew something was wrong with him. "Eli how did you go and get yourself hurt?"

"I caught the guys that did this," Eli replied not looking at his grandfather.

"How? Tell me what happened son?" Isaiah asked worried about what his grandson had done. "Was anyone hurt?"

Kissing his mother's hand, Eli stood and walked toward the window and looked outside over the city. "I don't know how I did it," he said looking back toward his grandfather. "I was faster, more agile, and stronger then those guys. I don't know how I did it, but I know it wasn't natural."

Isaiah Bradley sat in his chair with his head in his hands, he knew this day would come sooner or later. He had hoped for later, but he was prepared nonetheless. Taking a deep breath, Isaiah lifted his head and looked at his grandson. "Elijah, we need to talk son," Isaiah said walking toward the rooms’ door. "I think it's time you learned the truth," he continued as he closed the door to the room.

 

 

The End?

This is only the beginning for young Elijah Bradley, look for him to appear next time  as I explore Eli's past as well as set up his future in the new mini series entitled Patriot: The Game of Life. A new costume, new codename, new weapons, and plenty of action coming soon to Marvel 2000.

-Alex Hayden