The Young Protectors: Engaging The Enemy Chapter 4—Page 8

February 9, 2016 Alex Woolfson 127 Comments

Kyle speaks!

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So! For the first time since The Annihilator flipped the script in the warehouse way back in Chapter 2, Kyle is able to engage in a little conversation with Duncan. I wonder what he’ll have to say?

Tune in this Saturday to find out! Hope to see you there! 😀

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127 Comments

Mr. Duncanator? Uh Duh??

Stop smoldering, Mr. Duncanator.

No one shall break the smolder! It might however change owner, but there must always be someone holding the smolder 😉

There can be only one smolder. 🙂

One smolder to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them…. Jupp this sounds like our Duncan 😉

This is so.

Or…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnrXiaPVeHY

it did not go unrecognized… adrian paul , AND richie, would have been my favorite ship, if we had that term back then…

And where I developed my love of Scottish brogues and men in kilts.

My teeth hurt. I read that whole page with a speeding heart beat and my teeth clamped together hard as if I were Kyle talking to Duncan. Yet I still ship them SO MUCH!

*crosses fingers* Please prove that you’re a good guy and win Kyle’s heart in the end!

I get so worked up over this comic. MY FEELS! Love it!!

🙂

Are you really surprised by that Anni? Your intelligence is less than I thought…

IKR?!
Even before the monster matter, there’s a serious thrust issue he should be aware of… And after all, it was Duncan who admitted he was doing all this first and foremost for selfish reasons! He should remeber that, he’s not that old (you know what I mean) but maybe the becoming weaker he talked about in chapter 2 included Alzheimer?

If looks could burn.

Ooh, kyle’s mad.

I really hope that army squad turns up soon.

hmm, I dunno guys, I’m getting worried that this won’t end in a boisterous game of seducical chairs. (like musical chairs but with more lapdances.)

There is so much glowing going on that I feel like I need ribbons, hearts and strategically placed sparkles.

My internet is being intermittent.
I’m interested in what Duncan is trying to sell…

Aw, Kyle. I know Anni didn’t mean to hurt you like this. <3 (silently hums White Flag by Dido)

Dammnnnn. Now fucking spit in his face! Lmao. It’s kinda nice that he still calls him Little Hero.

Duncan, of course he thinks you’re a monster. You didn’t just hurt him physically, you emotionally wrecked him.

Hey, he could! Spitting isn’t Kyle’s super power, I’m sure he could land one square in his eye!

Yes!! Every time I see a character spit in the bad guy’s face when they’re tied up I get so pumped lol. It’s so insulting to the person getting spit on.

it … really never ends well though, does it?

Yes, yes, he does.
Whether he’ll admit it is another matter entirely. Little hero.

Oh Kyle… I don’t think he honestly cares. Don’t fall for it again. You won’t, will you?

I think he does. It is just that saving the world is more important.

Meh. Life tells me otherwise. But maybe I’m just too ruined by life.

Not much of a reason to lie to Kyle at this point. In fact, he has incentives to stay away from him. If he is lying, then it is because he is lying to himself, because he doesn’t know what it means to really care about someone.

That is what I have learned, basically. When an ex tries to apologize for the things they did to you, they are doing it more for themselves then because they truly care about having hurt you.

He manipulated your affection to use you as a gateway to Hell to trade Earth to a demon in exchange for eternal youth. He’s a monster.

If Kyle could set people on fire by staring at them, I imagine that Anni would turn into the human torch.

I bet that in his current set of mind and without the Exsec props, he bloody well could!

I read your comment in the tune of “Time on a bottle”

What if he walks away and the commander is like.. “Kyle.. He does care what you think.”

You just made me realise Amanda is conscious and probably listening to all this. Now that is an interesting thought. I wonder if she’ll be tempted to speak up during this conversation.

She wouldn’t know… The power supressor is still on!

But if she has ‘normal’ psychological/behaviour analyst talents.

No reaction about the hand?!

But it is interesting that Kyle can speak… I guess so do the others (awake or not) hence Amanda and Kyle decided not to talk all this time! Interesting in a way.

Kyle is obviously super angry and in denial. I guess he has to tell himself that Duncan is a monster now for his own mental health! Yet he’s not that far off I guess. Whatever we know about Duncan up to this point is not much in the first place, yet I still think he really wants to do good in this whole matter for the world’s sake or whatever. But in the past he wasn’t called a Supervillain for nothing so of course he can be considered a monster!
Whether he changed now (may it be because of age or sth else that might have triggered it in him) we have yet to see. In Kyle’s place I wouldn’t trust him one bit either at this moment either.
But the fact alone that Duncan cares enough to even try and and make a point in explaining himself shows he’s not that ruthless monster anymore he might have been years ago. Or well he just really cares for Kyle in particular ^^

In my mind, Kyle jerked his head back and away from Duncan’s touch.

in my mind he was more resolute, though the biting was more of a joke I made on last page, I really could have imagined spitting! But none was shown, even if it was there >/////<

Your mind makes Kyle more mature… I like it ^^

It just made sense from last scene to this scene. Plus I think Kyle is more mature than maybe his team gives him credit for. 🙂

Though I as rooting for him to bite Duncan.

Kyle’s head is in the same position in both panels. Duncan is a monologuer and also a manipulator which means his hands are more likely to move a lot and move for a purpose. He probably took his hand off Kyle’s face to underscore how disappointed he was that Kyle came. He wanted to make Kyle feel hurt/disappointed in himself (it kiiiind of worked as you can see in the first panel), but got the opposite reaction.

I thought you were talking about Kyle’s hand in this page last panel.

Looks like he’s summoning powers‼

I actually meant Duncan’s hand from last page as you noticed by now I guess xD
But it’s true, I had the same idea for a second until I just thought he’s struggling to get free and tries to move 🙂

awww! Heart is breaking for these two!
I’ll believe you’re genuinely hurting to Duncan, but you did play him so well last time…can’t blame him for not trusting one thing you say now….;P

Uh…. what ELSE did you expect him to think about you, Duncan!? You used him and the first chance he’s ever had to experience his sexuality to OPEN A DOOR TO HELL. You hurt, humiliated, and abused Kyle… and you expect him to still like you…. News flash, that’s what makes someone a monster!!!

That thing when you fall asleep before you get to reset alarm clock time, wake up in the morning around normal time and sleepy walk around for nearly 15mins wondering why something still feels off.

Me about 5 mins ago, until I realized it’s a wednesday morning, so I missed camp and page upload xD

So Kyle speaks. Could they do that all the time, but wisely decided to shut up while a bloodthirsty PP was in front of them? I think so.

Still, I also think it’s mostly mixed another reason. A physical one. That electric powerfield must make it hard for them to move at all, maybe also speaking. Electric impulses runs our body.

Despite his rage, the only part of Kyle that has barely moved is his head, and he’s done that (and talking) with gritted teeth. Because he’s angry, but maybe also because it’s hard to react otherwise and get the words out. Seems pretty possible to me. If he could have, he would have bent those finger, reacted more to Duncan touching him than barely moving his head.

Panel 1 has Kyle’s head higher up. Looks like he withdrew the little he could from Duncan’s touch. That and the look in Kyle’s eyes say it all. Duncan reacts to that to which (to me) is what makes him address him more direct. A part of him wants to change that look in Kyle’s eyes.

This is all the reaction Kyle could come up with. Yeah, those pods really has a good grip on them.

And his left hand! Kyle moved his left hand in the last panel‼

Is he trying his power? ~~i cant remember if hes left or right handed?~~

From what I’ve looked at, panel 2&3 are the one with a different hand position from all the rest. I’m tempted to say that it’s a reversed-hands drawing error – it’s same position just opposite. Except for a panel on previous page, and these two panels on this page, Kyle has had his hands in the same position since page 1 of this chapter.

(I was nicely ignoring this when I wrote my first comment earlier, hoping it wouldn’t be commented on much *lol*)

y-yes Anni, he does, Kyle has seen zero evidence showing otherwise, SOOOO
interesting that Kyle could talk, makes me wonder if he stayed quiet during that whole thing on purpose for safety reasons. not just his own safety, but for his team as well. think he knows well enough to not get on PP’s bad (or worse) side and accidentally make her snap at him or someone else there…
random note here, but i do believe eventually these two will have their time, will be together and all that. but it’ll be a LONG while from now for sure. Kyle is still a kid basically and been betrayed by Anni, he will DESPISE him for the longest time for what he’s done, for good reason of course. and i do like that, this isn’t just Kyle being butthurt, he has veryyy good reasons to want to burn Anni into ashes where he stands. i don’t know, i just love this story overall and it’s the little details that also make it, cuz sometimes those details matter more

So he could talk the whole time. Considering Duncan was the one insisting Sircea was NOT going to kill all his friends, I can see why he swallowed his hatred and kept his mouth shut. Don’t piss off the only person who wants you and your friends to stay alive is an excellent strategy.

Judging from what we can see of Duncan’s face in the last panel, I think he found the statement: “You honestly care what I think?” a lot more hurtful and distressing than Kyle spitting in his face or biting him (two of the most commonly suggested actions by commenters here). Keep up with those dismissive comments against Duncan’s morality, Kyle.

Isn’t it inconvenient developing feelings for your pawns, Duncan? I wonder if this is the first time he’s actually thought of the people he (if you’ll pardon the pun) screws over as a person with feelings instead of pawns to be manipulated. Duncan openly admitted a while back to believing for years that the ends justifies the means. I think having Kyle loathing him so thoroughly must be the first time he’s had cause to doubt this philosophy.

He needs to learn that plans based on treachery and abuse are bad plans – regardless of one’s ends. And that there is always a price for betraying people’s trust.

“Noooo…I think you’re a really nice guy, a little misguided maybe, but I’m sure I can change you. OF COURSE I THINK YOU’RE A MONSTER, YOU LYING BACKSTABBING PORTAL-TO-HELL-OPENING SUPERVILLAIN!”

Ha!

“I don’t know Duncan, you may think your doing the right thing, but if you were, you could have tried turning yourself into us and telling us what was going on, and asked for help, rather then preying on my youth, naivety and insecurities.”

Is what Kyle would say in response when he is a little older and wiser.

Duncan do care… after all he developing feel for kyle

i don’t blame the kid for asking

“Well, you’re bringing this whole demon thing around, so yeah. You’re a monster.”

“Yeah you’re a monster‼ You didn’t have to call my dad!”

“You could have at least let me put some pants on first!”

I can’t wait for Laampros’ arrival causing Kyle’s true power to unleash and the devices to melt and PP’s silicone to burst and Duncan’s hair to burn and never grow back and and…

L: «Not bad son, not bad at all! Pretty wicked actually‼ B-Bye♥ See you soon…»

Thank you all again for such stunning artwork. The compositions, facial expressions and color-work imbue this seemingly simple page with a stunning level of emotion. Truly well done. Compliments.

(Argh, I hit my exhaustion wall and couldn’t hang in there last night.)

I’ve got to say, I’m impressed with Kyle’s cold disgust. I think Duncan was anticipating rage, not this — he seems genuinely thrown.

I still like Kyle and Duncan, but well, Duncan, you kinda screwed the pooch on that one now didn’t you?

i believe duncan’s reply is likely to be “more than i care to admit”…

Today is historic. Scientists have listened to gravitational waves produced by the merger of two black holes from 1.3 billion years ago.
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity is once again proven correct.

Kyle is basically Dean Winchester

In addition to everything that other commenters have already made about how justifiably mad Red Hot is at Annihilator, I’ll point out one more little wrinkle:

Annihilator already told Red Hot that he, Annihilator, was a monster.

Just after they got back from Laampros’ dimension, Annihilator says that he could give an explanation of the whole collapse of the dimensional walls problem, but that he won’t try to justify himself like that. So, chap.2, p.47 panel 4: “And what matters is that it was my selfishness that truly allowed me to do this to you.”
(There are several possible explanations for Annihilator’s current surprise, ranging from him being so utterly self-centered that he’s already forgotten/rewritten the memory of that statement to suit his ego, through to him practising some sort of polictians’-nitpicking where he sees a more subtle nuance in his statement that somehow justifies him than anyone else can see, through to him being deliberately obtuse for some Machiavellian reason. I haven’t got any preferences at the moment, and in any case it’s not the point I’m trying to get at here.)
Red Hot isn’t just mad at Annihilator because Annihilator tricked, betrayed and abused him, or is planning on handing the Earth over to a demon lord. Annihilator had the opportunity to explain himself, and all he could do was express regret that he couldn’t have both his deal with Laampros and Red Hot as well.

I don’t know if there’s anyone who comments regularly or reads the comments regularly who isn’t a Patreon supporter, but the *blush* bonus images sent out to $5+ supporters yesterday are WELL worth chipping a couple of bucks in each month.

I strongly recommend it to anyone who isn’t yet a Patreon supporter, but who might be thinking about it. It’s well worth it, not only to support the seriously amazing team of Alex, Adam, Vero, and the various guest artists who have worked on interim comics and bonus content, but also for that heart-thumpingly, swooningly delicious, incredible, gorgeous bonus content itself which is sent out to supporters pretty much weekly.

…dem butts.

>_>

Woooo hoo hoo! How pissed off is Kyle?!

I’d say he is about 11

And for those of us who still are basking in the discovery of gravitational waves (nerds is the word you’re thinking of) the cartoon XKCD hits the mark:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/gravitational_waves.png

Three days a week XKCD makes me laugh, two days a week TYP makes smile, and one day a week, OGLAF (modesty forbids that description)…

I luff Oglaf… *runs away*

They are delightful but I got into deep trouble. I gave the first “Book of OGLAF” to my brother for Christmas and when his wife read it — (remember the first story was the 500 splats with eyes in little glass jars) she threw it out on him. She screamed a lot too. I didn’t give him the “Second Book of OGLAF” however.

Smart. Keep it for yourself. 🙂

But how can no one like Oglaf? I mean… It’s OGLAF!!

She says there’s too much sex…

O.o

Hey, I could easier explain gravity waves than my sister-in-law.

Ha!

Let the camping begin… … oohhh this’s gonna get tenssse… ..

Monsters are what they are you have chosen to be who you are, who you use, who you hurt and who you work with. Red will chose to stop you.!.!

Finally I am back on my disqus account!

*hugs everyone* *smooch to Adam*

My itch to find out whats next is being scratched. Soooooo happy right now.

As much as I like Duncan’s character, I find myself hoping Kyle doesn’t give him a chance to pontificate here — I want this to be a conversation, not 90% Duncan talking while Kyle looks scornful/10% Kyle talking while Duncan looks chagrined. I’d like to get back in Kyle’s head and see how he’s processing everything that’s happened here.

Hi… How is everyone doing?

Good. Howz bout u Dave?

OK. It’s been a reasonably productive day.

That’s good.

Pleasantly tired. Worked on the yard today, moving rocks to the fence line instead of just piles of things.

I stayed in. Too cold out there. I revised the first 500 words of a short story. It was messed up.

It was actually really nice out today, around the mid-70’s. My dogs were not happy about it, wondering whyyyyyyy, we had to be outside so long. But we like to walk the length around of the backyard, the path is definitely smoother now.

Well at least it was only 500 words. 🙂

I have 3000 words to go. That will keep me busy.

Oy, yeah.

Tired and sore, but doing well. You?

I just folded laundry and did editing. It was like 20F out there.

Nice. Today was 32C (90F), and I started my morning with helping instruct kids kung fu, followed by intense cardio session on the bags and doing drills and kung fu ‘suicides’, followed by sparring with the heavy boxing gloves and headgear.

As you can imagine, I am currently relaxing with a frozen beverage and air conditioning.

I would too. This is the last week of winter storms.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

32C!! D:
I’m now strangely oki with the 2-5C here. Allows me to burry myself in a blanket on the couch, hihi.

Yeah, it’s frustrating, because 30+ is NOT good painti9ng weather, and we’re waiting for the right temperature at the right time 0on the right day to paint out kitchen cabinets.

Good luck getting it done soon.

Unsure how she is doing.

You’re here. That’s good.
We’re going to see a new page — that’s even better.
And yesterday, they explained how they heard a gravity wave jiggle the earth last September.

I’m still geeking out about that! I hope someone puts out a book about the project that’s accessible even for a layperson like me.

The Astronomy Picture of the Day has the video of the merging black holes today and yesterday it posted the signals that the two detector registered. I don’t know how much they help.

Hey. Looks like I made camp finally.

“Help urselves to these camping snacks.”. *opens bag and puts on folding table oranges, assorted candy bars, bottles of water and various pops and juices, potato chips and deli sandwiches. / builds fire and sits next to it covering up with a large beautiful quilt. And a nice fluffy pillow.

sandwich… 🙂

🙂

Hiya all.
Tentavely back after barely being online for a couple of days. Nooot been feeling good, with a mix of a couple things reaching from effect from meds to that time of the month – which of course wanted to say hi when I was already under the weather (f u headaches) xD – but got one day left on the meds, so I hope the worst will be over after that.

Now to spend my saturday first getting a page, watching Peter Pan (Disney classic) and Ladyhawke (love that movie) on tv for the first time in years. Time in between that will be spent sleeping or reading. Ahh, may be a grown-up, but I’m a sick and lazy one today 😉

Hey danish. Feel better.

Thank you 🙂

Yw.

Morning, Ms. Wolf. Do feel better.

Morning from here and thank you. The pills (for inflamation) has had some effect on my hand so I’ve suffering through them, but I’m happy tomorrow is my 10th and last day on them!

Yay!

I love Disney’s Peter Pan. Especially the songs.

Get well soon, Danish!

I love Disney movies, but it’s been a while since I’ve gotten to see Peter Pan. The songs are great.
And thank you.

I like the Peter Pan with Mary Martin.

Morning Danish sweet, feel better soon hun.

Thank you, you too.

Hope you’re feeling better Danish! Peter pan is the best. (I have a soft spot for Mulan too!)

patreon rings like the merger of black holes

you’re really excited about the gravity waves thing, aren’t you?

yes.
I’m so gloriously nerdy about things like that.

I’m reserving excitement until it has been verified as not a fluke or instrumental error.

If I may be more nerdy, there were two detectors roughly 2500 miles apart that saw the same signal at the 5-sigma level. That’s an amazingly tight confidence level.

I must have missed that detail. I thought it was just the one detector.

In that case, Einstein’s greatest blunder may have just become his greatest success. 😀

New Page is Up:
http://webcomics.yaoi911.com/typ/ete-ch4-page-9/

Hey errbody. I made camp! Oops wrong page!