Create a Hero RPG GAME THREAD (MOD Approved)

[Matt Murdock]

I press down on Farmer's chest as his eyes glow red. All his mental powers are operating reflexively. The fire dissapears and his body starts to frost over.

"Jesus!"

I start to vibrate my hands at superspeed to keep from getting frost bite. Farmer's psycho attack continues as he uses his telekenisis. Dr. Brown gets thrown up against a wall and House's head snaps back like it's been hit hard. I only hate myself a little after I secretly smile at House's misfortune.

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXI

Rage, fury, and fear are a terrifying combination.

A frozen fist wraps itself around the Blue Blur's neck as he tries to save his hands.

House was unconscious on the ground, and Brown was groggy at best.

"Where am I?" Benny farmer screamed, his eyes still burning.

The Blur simply wriggled around in Farmer's grasp.

"WHERE AM I?" Farmer screams as electricity surges from his hand, shocking Brown, on the floor.

"Tell me." He says, extending a finger towards the doctor in agony. "Or he dies."

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXI

Rage, fury, and fear are a terrifying combination.

A frozen fist wraps itself around the Blue Blur's neck as he tries to save his hands.

House was unconscious on the ground, and Brown was groggy at best.

"Where am I?" Benny farmer screamed, his eyes still burning.

The Blur simply wriggled around in Farmer's grasp.

"WHERE AM I?" Farmer screams as electricity surges from his hand, shocking Brown, on the floor.

"Tell me." He says, extending a finger towards the doctor in agony. "Or he dies."

I struggle to talk through Farmer's stranglehold. Damn the little bastard has a strong grip.

"Hos-...Hospital...."

 

[Matt Murdock]

I struggle to talk through Farmer's stranglehold. Damn the little bastard has a strong grip.

"Hos-...Hospital...."

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXII

"MORE!" Farmer cries as his hand rapidly transforms from ice to electrified flesh, shocking the Blur slightly; enough to slowly cook the Blur.

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXII

"MORE!" Farmer cries as his hand rapidly transforms from ice to electrified flesh, shocking the Blur slightly; enough to slowly cook the Blur.

I mash my teeth together as the pain slowly sinks in.

"You're..."

I look at Farmer with pure, unfiltered rage.

"You're here becuase I kicked your ass!"

I speed up my arms and use the kenetic energy to break free of Farmer's graps. I stand at a defensive position before charging him at superspeed.

"Ready for some more?!?"

 

[Matt Murdock]

I mash my teeth together as the pain slowly sinks in.

"You're..."

I look at Farmer with pure, unfiltered rage.

"You're here becuase I kicked your ass!"

I speed up my arms and use the kenetic energy to break free of Farmer's graps. I stand at a defensive position before charging him at superspeed.

"Ready for some more?!?"

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXIII

Farmer's body bursts into flame as the Blur tackles him.

"Round two!"

Bennie's scream tears through the hospital as the fire on his body begins to burn white and blue.

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXIII

Farmer's body bursts into flame as the Blur tackles him.

"Round two!"

Bennie's scream tears through the hospital as the fire on his body begins to burn white and blue.

I spin my arms at superspeed. In a few moments, I've kicked up 60 mile an hour gusts into the small hospital room.

"Let me turn up the AC, man. You're burning up!"

God do I love making puns.

 

[Matt Murdock]

I spin my arms at superspeed. In a few moments, I've kicked up 60 mile an hour gusts into the small hospital room.

"Let me turn up the AC, man. You're burning up!"

God do I love making puns.

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXIV

Farmer slides backwards for a split second before sending a burst of flame to the ceiling.

The fire extinguishers activated and covered the men in the room in water.

"Chill out." Farmer said, stopping the flame and, in a split second, transforming into solid ice and freezing the air, and water, surrounding himself and the Blur.

As the water grew colder, it froze the hero in place, locking his knees, jaw, and eyes all solid.

"Lets see how fast you are without your leg." He said, sliding in front of the helpless Blur.

He took a knee in front of the man and slammed his fist onto the side of his right knee, sending a deafening CRACK through the room.

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXIV

Farmer slides backwards for a split second before sending a burst of flame to the ceiling.

The fire extinguishers activated and covered the men in the room in water.

"Chill out." Farmer said, stopping the flame and, in a split second, transforming into solid ice and freezing the air, and water, surrounding himself and the Blur.

As the water grew colder, it froze the hero in place, locking his knees, jaw, and eyes all solid.

"Lets see how fast you are without your leg." He said, sliding in front of the helpless Blur.

He took a knee in front of the man and slammed his fist onto the side of his right knee, sending a deafening CRACK through the room.

Oh god, not the knee. Not that knee. The knee that, despite being healed by Dr. Brown's serum, still bothers me to this day. The same knee that I held in pain over two years ago. The same knee that ruined my chance at playing college football, the same knee that made me cry myself to sleep each night for two months as I had no sense of purpose in direction.

Yes. He hit that knee.

"Ahh!"

I fall hard to the floor. I'm lucky that my superfast metabolism can heal me at ungodly speeds. And unlucky for him that I take this very personal now.

"Alright, that's it!"

My knee heals in about two seconds, I leap up quickly and deck Farmer with a superspeed uppercut. He flys through the air and crashes against the hospital wall, he comes about six inches from going out the window. Lucky him.

"See, Farmer. Usually, I'm a pretty laid back guy. I don't mind you wailing on me, because in a few seconds I'm as right as rain."

I dissapear from sight momentarily, I appear at Farmer's side and *****-slap him at superspeed. He sails through the air again and I meet him before he lands. I drive my elbow into his gut and he slams onto the floor hard.

"But now that you've really pissed me off. I'm gonna enjoy this."

My whole body speeds up, I quickly move Dr. Brown and House out of the room. I then turn my attention back to Farmer, I speed around the whole room as fast as I can, turning into a literal Blue Blur of motion, too fast to be seen by the naked eye. Hurricane force winds start to fill the room and send the hospital bed and all the equipment into the air with Farmer himself.

 

[Matt Murdock]

Oh god, not the knee. Not that knee. The knee that, despite being healed by Dr. Brown's serum, still bothers me to this day. The same knee that I held in pain over two years ago. The same knee that ruined my chance at playing college football, the same knee that made me cry myself to sleep each night for two months as I had no sense of purpose in direction.

Yes. He hit that knee.

"Ahh!"

I fall hard to the floor. I'm lucky that my superfast metabolism can heal me at ungodly speeds. And unlucky for him that I take this very personal now.

"Alright, that's it!"

My knee heals in about two seconds, I leap up quickly and deck Farmer with a superspeed uppercut. He flys through the air and crashes against the hospital wall, he comes about six inches from going out the window. Lucky him.

"See, Farmer. Usually, I'm a pretty laid back guy. I don't mind you wailing on me, because in a few seconds I'm as right as rain."

I dissapear from sight momentarily, I appear at Farmer's side and *****-slap him at superspeed. He sails through the air again and I meet him before he lands. I drive my elbow into his gut and he slams onto the floor hard.

"But now that you've really pissed me off. I'm gonna enjoy this."

My whole body speeds up, I quickly move Dr. Brown and House out of the room. I then turn my attention back to Farmer, I speed around the whole room as fast as I can, turning into a literal Blue Blur of motion, too fast to be seen by the naked eye. Hurricane force winds start to fill the room and send the hospital bed and all the equipment into the air with Farmer himself.

IC: Bennie Farmer Part XXV

Pathetic.

Ever the teenager, Bennie Farmer panicked.

Then he got a hold of himself.

Then he panicked again.

Then he got mad.

"How cute."

Farmer glanced at the ground and saw that, courtesy of his superspeed, the Blue Blur had melted all of the ice and was now making a vortex of wind, water, and medical equipment.

In a single split second, the air around the Blur was electrically charged at incredible voltage, burning his flesh to a crisp and sending him slamming into a wall with a dramatic THUD.

As the wind stopped, Farmer slumped to the ground and watched as the Blur began healing from his injuries.

Only temporarily dazed, Bennie groggily got to his feet.

There was something about that leg that had cut to the Blur's core.

"You think you're pissed off?" He asked, placing a foot on the Blur's knee.

He raised his foot in the air and brought it down on the Blur's leg with surprising force.

The Blur winced as his seared flesh was torn off by Farmer's foot.

"You don't even know 'pissed off.'" Farmer muttered, a devilish grin slithering onto his face.

Using his telekinetic abilities, he snapped the Blur's calf forward causing his toes to touch his upper thigh, sending blood shooting onto the ground from behind the Blue Blur's knee.

In that single moment, he looked into the future, as he had on his old tests in school, and saw the Blur's next move.

The Blur was hoping that his injuries would heal and he'd be able to get past Farmer, delivering a fatal blow to the back of his skull.

Half of that had already happened: The Blur's injuries had healed.

In a fraction of a second, Farmer shocked the Blur again, sending his head slamming into the sheetrock.

"When I'm done with you, you'll be missing more than your precious leg." He said, enraged. "Then maybe, just maybe, you'll get "pissed off.""

Farmer had a distinct upper hand. He knew two of the Blur's weaknesses: his leg and his doctor-friend.

He had already exploited one of them today and the other was soon to come.

 

[Climperoonie]

Chapter 32: Surge II pt.2



"I had an epiphany. Now let's finish him off."

I had then started summoning large amounts of light
energy, and it grew larger and larger in radius, until I, using both hands, fired a huge bright black-beam that had engulfed GunPowder until it was over.

"Your turn."

"Gladly." then he charged up his hands and summoned one huge lightningbolt that electrified him immensely. The villain couldn't help but succumb to our combined powers. He fell where he stood. It was over.

Electron then descended from his disc of lightning, and I noticed he wasn't wearing his costume.

"Good job, man. But here's a tip in Crime-fighting 101. Never fight crime without a costume..." I say jokingly.

"What's your name?"

GunPowder's return/Blacklight Team-Up - Part I
​

"At least I have my mask." I say, gesturing to it. I decide to trust him, and remove it. "I'm Jake, you?" I hold out my hand.​

 

[Saved]

We’re away from them, rushing off hoping not to see any ****ing comic book action I look towards Joey, covering up the blood with his shirt, “You alright Joey?”

“Yeah Frankie?”

“Okay, basically we get the **** out of this area of town and find out that ****!”


THUMP! There’s a large noise from the car, me and Joey look around all of a sudden a knife slits open the car, like a surgeon slitting up a patient, then that freak shows up at least I see him fact to face now.

“Miss Me Zano?”

“What the don’t you die?”


Ha! Ha! Ha! Finally! After all this time……Now, answer me truthfully, or I'll cut through your neck and into your head. Did you and Tony Viti control the drug trade in Blitzen?"

It hits me, like a bullet, this other was coming here to kill me, “You ****ing killed Tony?”

“Answer my question!”

Moving the car I start getting him unbalanced, Joey tries to punch him, idiot, the freak grabs his arm but Joey punches his face, good Joey still the thing holds on, it’s stuck to the dam car.

“Zano! Answer me!” Getting out a knife, he’s trying to intermediate me, two ****ing weeks we’ve been searching for this guy now we found him, “Yeah me and Tony did business, the only guy I would help with the drug trade!”

Just then Joey gets his gun out from his jacket aiming the freak notices and dodges the first bullet, Joey then shoots again, this time hitting him straight in the knee “AHHH!”

Swirling the car round he starts to lose his group, still trying to take hold of the car, finally Joey aims again and fires, narrowly missing, this other jumps from the car like to a mile away into the sidewalk.

“Let’s ****ing kill this guy!”

“Agreed!”


Stopping the car, I see him limping tiring to get over a ****ing gun shot wound! Starting up the engine and driving head first towards him, I hit him with the car and he goes flying to the other side.


“Take that you ****ing freak!”

​

Strike the Heart Part VI

Pulse's body flies like a rag doll across the road. He hits the asphalt hard, his side scrapping against the abrassive ground and ripping his skin to shreds. Pulse yells in pain as the blood begins to flow from his injuries. He rolls around on the ground, struggling to come to. Son of a *****, he thinks. They ****ing hit me with a car. Suddenly, a striking pang of pain comes from his knee. Pulse grabs his leg and begins to feel the injury. To his dismay, he finds the extent of the damage is worse than he had thought.

Not good. Not good at all. My knee cap is cracked. Most likely a hairline fracture. The bullet went right past the bone and into the tissue. Great. It's a less serious wound...but a more inhibiting injury at the present. Pulse releases his knee, his hands dripping with his own blood. He holds his side tightly as he begins to rise to his feet. Ah, pain in my side. Oh no. Cracked rib. Pulse winces in pain as he examines the injury. Damn. This isn't like the TV shows. You can't just ignore these types of wounds.

As Pulse begins to gain his bearings, he hears the screaching sound of tires on the street. Pulse looks up to see the bright headlights of Zano's car barreling down the road toward him.

"****. I forgot about him." Pulse raises his arm slowly, his legs shaking furiously. As the car gets closer and closer, Pulse strains to keep his arm lifted. "Can't...falter..." He says to himself nervously. Pulse releases a shockwave from his hand, knocking his body to the ground. The shockwave hits the windshield of Zano's car, shattering the glass instantly. As the glass shards fill the interior of the car, Franco Zano desperately tries to gain control of the car. As it narrowly misses Pulse on it's travel down the road, the sound of Franco's curses echo throughout the streets.

Pulse winces in pain once again, once again getting to his feet. As he watches Zano's car come to a screeching halt, he begins to feel a feeling he hasn't felt in years. Fear.

"Outstanding." He says sardonically. "My knee is broken with a bullet in my calf, my left side is completely smashed up from the car, and my right side is bleeding more profusely than my knee." Pulse sighs, his grip on his ribs tightening. "It's never been this bad before...loosing so much blood...powers could rip me apart...loosing consciousness fast..."

Pulse's vision begins to blur as he hears the sound of car doors slamming shut. Pulse sees Franco and his younger companion walking toward him briskly, as their figures begin to blur and get caught in a white haze. Pulse's body begins to shake as his limbs become weak, the blood draining from his body more rapidly by the moment. As Zano closes in on Pulse, still he does not loose focus. Pulse keeps his attention on the threat at hand, his mind searching for a solution. I could attack, he thinks. But I can't retaliate nor can I escape. God this hurts. What to do? Pulse sighs, and releases his grip on his side. He uses all of his strength to stand firm and proud, asserting his dominance and superiority as best he can. A smile comes accross Pulse's face, his mouth showing underneath the torn and tattered mask. Zano steps in front of Pulse, an angered grin firmly planted on his face. The two men stare at eachother in silence for a few moments, their eyes staring into the others. I can't win. I know that for sure. I can't run. I can't fight. My only option left is to plead for mercy. But I will not take it. I will not loose my pride. It's all I have left.

"So, freak." Zano says, breaking the silence. "You know what comes next."

"Heh." Pulse laughs, spitting blood from his lips. "That I do."

"Why don't you beg for your life, punk?" Pulse lets out a small laugh that soon turns into a cough. Blood and saliva spew from his mouth. Pulse clears his throat, a wide smile coming across his face.

"I do not give mercy." Pulse says, his white teeth glistening in the light. "Therefore, I do not expect to receive it."

"What are you?" The other man says. "No one talks to Franco Zano like that!" Pulse slowly turns his head to him, his face changing from a smile to a stern frown.

"I believe I just did." Pulse raises his arms, his fists balled tightly as his arms shake. "Come on, then. Let's finish this."

"My pleasure." Franco Zano throws a punch at Pulse, his fist aimed for his head. Pulse narrowly ducks the blow, and he thrusts his fist into Zano's sternum, sending him backward. The other man charges Pulse, his elbow prepared to strike Pulse's back. In a swift motion, Pulse grabs the man's elbow, and twists it around. With every bit of strength left in his body, he forces the man's arm back into it's socket, causing a loud popping sound. The man yells in pain and falls backward. Pulse smiles an exhausted smirk, as his legs grow weak. Pulse stares at the two men with pride. He watches them holding their injuries and laughs.

"It's been fun. ...I win." As soon as the last word escapes Pulse's lips, his eyes roll back in his head, and his body falls limp to the ground. As he lies sprawled out on the side of the street, his body becomes still. The blood continues to run from his wounds, and soon trickles down into the sewer. As the sky grows darker, and the night moves into it's darkest time of the day. The backdrop of the buildings fade away into the horizon, and the only light left is that of the soft dull shine from the moon. The rays seem to cast upon Pulse's fallen body. Broken. Crippled. Bloodied. Alone, but not beaten.

Pulse had finally fought the battle he has waited so long to fight. He had faced his demise, starred death straight in the face, and did not flinch. Pulse had finally found a peace, knowing he had fought the good fight. As he lies there on the cold street surrounded only by his enemies, a smile still comes across Pulse's face.​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon

​

"So, how about Devito's?"

"I dunno, I'm not really in the mood for Italian tonight."

"Hmmm...Chin's?"

"That could work."

Scott was relieved, he and Nicole had been going through the long list of their favorite restaurants for what seemed like hours. Spending an evening on the town was usually a difficult task for them. Often they couldn't decide where to go or what to do, and even if they decided on their activities, getting the specifics was always a chore. As was the case tonight. First it was the never ending list of movies to see...after trying unsuccessfully for what seemed like forever to narrow the field down, Scott suggested they just go to the multiplex and decide once they got there.

Dinner was even more frustrating...they went back and forth forever going over the same places several times, never agreeing on where to eat. The place they finally decided on, Chin's was brought up four or five times before Nicole decided that it would do.

"Well, now that it's settled, I think I'm gonna go get changed, then we can go."

Scott got out of the suit he wore to school that day, and changed into something more fitted for him, a pair of jeans and a sweat shirt...Not what he'd normally wear for a date, but dinner at the Chinese buffet and a movie doesn't exactly constitute a big night out. Scott heads for the living room when he hears the breaking news cut into the rerun of "Friends" that Nicole has on the TV.

"This is Cam Johnson with a WLHN Special Alert. Lost Haven Police are currently pursuing several men suspected of holding up a local convenience store. There was one confirmed fatality in the hold up, and several were injured when police arrived on the scene, and were engaged by the suspects. The suspects are armed and extremely dangerous, and have taken several shots at officers during the pursuit. If you are in the area of......"

Scott never heard the end of the anchor's report, as he had already stripped out of his "civies" and now wore the costume of Icon. In a split second he opened the living room window and slipped out into the night heading toward the chase. He didn't see the look on Nicole's face, a look of anger mixed with extreme disappointment.

He also didn't see the man watching his apartment from across the street, or his high powered binoculars.

 

[Karem-Knight]

ARGH! ****ing, ahhh, that freak’s goanna pay, I feel like a bowling ball just hit me in the ****ing chest! I use some the wall up for support, takes a while to get my breath back, the freaks on the ground, looks dead. Can be playing games with us, I get my gun out, no more playing nice!

Limping and leaning over there, I notice Joey, lying on the floor, holding his arm tightly, “Joey! Get up”

I yell, he hears me, moaning what the hell is he moaning about? “Get the **** up!”


“AHHH Frank! ****! It ****ing kills, AHHH!”

“What the ****s are you talking about?”

“My arm, Frank! AHHHH! **** I think he ****ing broke it!”

“He did?”

I help Joey up, my age catching up with me as I just about manage to get him up, holding my gun and Joey with his holding it with his left hand, I stand up straight picking up the other’s head.

“So, you think you ****ing won? Ass hole!”


I pound my fist in him, pay back from the ribs, I hear a slight moan and stand up again straight Joey kicks him in the face and stamps him on the head, “You know what we’re goanna do with you? We’re goanna take off that mask of yours, chop you up and find everyone you know, and chop them up!”

The smallest hint of a moan is heard, I aim my gun at the freak’s head.

“This is what happens when you **** with the Zanos!”

Both me and Joey aim our guns, all of a sudden I hear police sirens from the distance, “JOEY! WAIT!”

He manages to drop his arm quick enough, ****! The cops are heading this way, turning around putting the gun away, Joey stares at the street before turning around, I turn around also to the other.

Gone.

“Where the **** did he go…..?”

 

[ScarletVenom25]

THE ASSAILANT
The Clan: Part One​

I throw my books inside my backpack, another neverending stream of homework done. I checked the clock on the wall-7:00 PM. Just the right time to head out and do my duties. I throw the backpack on my bed and open my closet. To the naked eye, there was just a large shelf of clothes. But to me and Uncle Chet, it was the doorwayto the most important thing in my life. I slid my hand down the crease between the shelf and the wall. I found the right spot and pulled, opening the wall like a door.​

I walk right through the newfound hole and shut it after I was in. Inside, I see my uncle at his desk, working on new gizmos and gadgets for me to use. I walk by him unnoticed, and head over to the glass wall in the back of the makeshift "headquarters". Behind it was all of my equipment-my Otherworld Katanas and Warrior Sword (both given to me by the Superior), and my "costume". This "costume" consists of a black trenchcoat and bandana for my head, a pair of sunglasses, and black jeans and boots. Nothing too special.​

I suit up, only keeping my white tanktop on of all my original clothing. I holster my blades, then head over to check in with Uncle Chet. "I'm heading out," I say, using a voice deeper than mine to disguise my identity.​

"Alright, but I gotta scoop that you need to hear about." he replies, turning away from his work.​

"What is it? Armored truck robbery? Bomb threat?" I say, naming off some of the crimes that Uncle Chet's revealed to me ahead of time. You see, my uncle used to be a weapons developer for hire, so he naturally heard about plenty of big heists before they happened.​

"Nope, but I did hear that this new crime organization called The Clan were gonna be up to something big tonight. Keep your ears open, okay?"​

"No problem." I told him. And with that, I headed over to panel on the eastern wall of the room. Three taps with my knuckles and it opens up to reveal a great view of Rockton, California from 45 stories up. Without hesitation, I jump out of the opening and into my favorite part of any day:​

Crime fighting.​

THE ASSAILANT
The Clan: Part Two

​

I shoot downward, the wind rushing across my face. The first building was coming up, and I had to focus on my timing. I started crouching myself into a ball until the building was just feet away. I rolled through my landing without one bruise. Perfect, as always.

After I give myself a mental pat on the back, I jog over to the other edge of the roof. It overlooked most of this part of Rockton, and would give me an advantage when it came to finding criminals. I scan my eyesight over the sidewalks and alleyways, but no luck. So I backed myself up and ran to the ledge again, faster though. I jumped right before the roof's end, and I leaped across the road 20 stories below.

I saw the fire escape on the building I was about to hit, and grabbed the railing. I climbed onto the structure fully, and pulled myself up the rest of the way. I walked to the center of this rooftop, and saw something very peculiar a few blocks away. About 15 men, fully grown, were loading crates onto two helicopters. Remembering Uncle Chet's words about this Clan group, I maneuver my way towards the building.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice tons of people staring up at me in awe. To Rockton, I'm still a bit of a myth, so when someone spots me they go nuts. This is actually one of the first times I've let myself be noticed, but hopefully the exposure won't get to me. I turn my full attention back to the helicopters-they were getting ready to take off.

I was just a few rooftops away from the building, but I wasn't going to make it. I looked everywhere for a way to get aboard the helicopters, and then I saw a tall building next to the one I was on. I ran in its direction. There was only a tight alleyway inbetween the two structures. I pulled out my katanas an ran for the building. When I was close enough, I stabbed the blades into the brick of the building, and hung for a few seconds. I pulled one blade out and thrust it in higher. Then the other one, until I was at the top.

The helicopters are as high as this building now, I thought, this is my only chance. After I had holstered my katanas, I ran at one of the flying objects. In a last effort, I lunged for one of those ski-like things at the bottom of the aircraft. I held on tight, and off we went. With ease, I started swinging myself back and forth until my momentum was going. I went back too far on the next swing, and I acrobatically made my way inside the helicopter.

Eight of the fifteen men, plus one at the controls, were there to greet me. "I'm sorry, but this is a no-flying zone." I said, and pulled out my katanas.​

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Asteroid-Man woke up, still in his suit. He had been strapped down to a table which was also hooked up to a generator.

"You let out a lot of power don't you, Asteroid-Man?"

Shade was standing in front of him. Joe brought his head up a bit and moved it from side to side slowly as his vision blurred back.

"See this generator? I've put a months supply of energy in it because of you. The odd thing I found was when I put the suction on high..."

Shade pushes the lever on the generator up as Joe twitches and his body pulls out.

"...you get tired and fall unconscious within five minutes."

He pulls the lever back down as Joe smacks back against the generator platform. Ge slowly clicks his finger on the phone to redial and presses mute. He knew his friend could trace the call and fit the pieces together as he listened in on the conversation.

"Do you know what I do to those who are threats to me Mr. O'Neil?"

He picks up a syringe.

"I make them my soldiers."

He motions as two iron knights walk over and remove Joe from the platform, holding him firm.

"But you do get some benefits."

As the Count came closer to Joe the syringe began to glow more.

"I had this one made to fit your specific needs Mr. O'Neil. That weakening crystal of yours that you shot into my soldier was recovered, duplicated and one of them is about to run through your blood. You see, for some reason, the first time we tried when you were "sleeping" was being rejected by your body. It seems your immune system is much stronger then that of the average human... so I decided to experiment! Here goes!"

***************************

Meanwhile Killer Kristo had already entered the building.

As Kristo went up the towers he could here a generator starting up and he saw the light polluted sky get brighter. Then, Kristo was confronted by an army of knights.

"If you don't get out of my way now, I will kill every last one of you. Understand?"

The leading knight spoke in a mimic of Kristo's voice.

"He said you might try something like that."

All I need to do is be quick enough for them not to mimic my style of fighting...

Kristo pulled out his baton and pressed the first button as a double-sided diamond blade pops out. Kristo whirls it around and jumps into battle taking down every single one of then and finally presses the second button and the baton splits into two. Kristo fights the oncoming army with two swords and takes a few steps down the stairs as he is being overwhelmed by the attack. Kristo presses the last button on each baton and an extra blade pops out of each sword. Kristo now battles with two double sided swords until finally all the knights are dead. Then he hears the sound of marching and clanging metal and sees a new army coming forth.

"Oh **** this!"

He pulls the blades in, attaches the batons and puts it back in his pocket then presses on his bracelet as the hover-cycle fies in. He jumps instantly and lands on the cycle without it stopping. He presses a button on the front of his cycle and two blades poke out in front, two come out on the side and a silver baton shoots out the compartment in front. Kristo catches the baton and presses a button as it lets out a long paladin-like weapon which he holds out in front. He flies through the army and up the stairs. All he has to do know is pass the bridge when *WHAM* he flies off the cycle and loses the paladin staff. He opens his eyes to see a sword, jabbed into the floor had stopped him. He gets up off of the floor and a dart hit's hit in the back.

"ARGH!!!!!"

He turns to see Jen and gets three more darts thrown into his legs. He was too distracted by the thought of his love attacking him that he let his guard down. Jen pulls out an ax from one of the empty knight suits and runs it into Kristo as he slides between her legs while grabbing the ax. Jen flips over. Jen, now lying in between two knights hits the bottom of the knights' fists to launch up their swords and she flips herself up just in time to catch them.

Kristo pulls out his own two swords.

"Jen, I don't want to fight you."

Jen lunges at him as he parrys and takes a step back.

"How could you do it?"

Twelve-o'clock swipe at the head. Block and repost.

"You're a killer."

3 o'clock to the arm, repost.

"No I swear! I didn't kill his father!"

Kristo lunges into Jen's wrist guard and throws the sword away. He pulls in with his back, holding her remaining sword arm to the wall while holding out her other hand.

"And you still lie to me!"

She knees him in the crotch. As he pulls away she makes fast movements that are all blocked. Still in pain from the kneeing, Kristo smacks Jen's sword, twice between his own, locks it in both of his in with hers and smacks hers away. He stabs his swords to her sides, pinning her to the wall.

"I'm not the bad guy here and I'm going to prove it to you."

He takes his swords and drops sleeping gas. He jumps into Shade's office as he throws the darts from his back and legs into the joint slits of the knights, killing them instantly. Shade looks to see Kristo jumping through the door.

"Now I've got you!"

"Not yet!"

Shade stabs the syringe into Asteroid-Man's neck and steps back. Kristo raises his swords ready to fight as the Count exits and Asteroid-Man transforms into a more enhanced Mimic Soldier.

Kristo watched as Asteroid-Man turned into a Giant Asteroid. His shoes popping off his legs, his shirt ripping, his coat ripping open and his tie ripping loose. Asteroid-Man had became an Asteroid-Thing!

"Joe? Joseph! Answer me!!!"

He stood as still as a rock then something inside Joe's head made him move instantly. His rocky body crackled and powdered rock smeared off of him. He nodded as he moved behind the desk. He's taking orders from Shade!

The Asteroid-Thing picks up a flag on a pole and rips the flag off. Is there anyway I can reverse this without fighting? Kristo retracts his two swords. Asteroid-Thing ran the flag-pole for Kristo's stomach. Kristo quickly dodged it as the pole smashed through a titanium sealed door. As he turned around, the pole ripped through the sage and it glimmered. The pole had turned to diamond!

That's it, when he was here, he was injected with something so he could transform into the image being sent to his brain! He's probably getting the orders the same way too... but how do I know for sure before hitting him in the head?

All of a sudden, the Asteroid-Thing flew Kristo out of the tower as the landed into the main tourist entry building falling through the floors until they hit a stop at ground level. Before Kristo could get up, he was tossed across the room and into a small tunnel. Where am-I'm in the xray! As the Asteroid-Thing picked the xray machine out of the bolts that had it pinned to the ground, Kristo climbed his way to the outside of the other end. Once the Asteroid-Thing looked inside the xray, Kristo jumped from the other side and slammed the machine back down into A-Thing.

Kristo threw his baton with the blades retracted, into the start button for the xray. After the start up finished, the machine beeped and the screen on the machine showed exactly where the chip was. Kristo pulled out another baton, bent it and clicked the button back, shooting a sliver sized diamond through the machine and into Asteroid-Things rocky-head and out the other. The machine stopped beeping and Asteroid-Thing fell onto his back with Kristo falling off the side of the machine. As Kristo rolled off, Asteroid-Thing pulled the machine off of the top of his head, tossing it aside.

"Kristo? Kristo get up!"

"Joe?"

"It worked, thanks."

Asteroid-Thing helps Kristo onto his feet.

"No problem."

"Question though."

Kristo dusting himself off.

"Shoot."

"When I transform back, will I have a piercing hole through my head?"

"Well let's fill it in."

Kristo ran for the room to the side.

"Where are you going?"

"Security room."

Kristo can't get in, Asteroid-Thing takes it off and throws it aside.

"Thanks."

"No problem"

Kristo sits in the chair.

"I think the fight was recorded."

Kristo rewinds to before the shot was fired and zooms in on the side of Asteroid-Thing's head. Asteroid-Thing looks at it and concentrates. The hole is filled in.

"Ok, I'm gonna fly us over to the security room in the Office Tower and as I do, call up the protesters and get them to find all boats and jets they can. As soon as the barriers are brought down, they can get off of the island and let the world know what's going on."

Kristo presses eject and grabs the disc.

"They'll need proof."

As they leave, Kristo picks up the first baton he had thrown.

*****************************

When they get to the office, Kristo hangs up his cell and walks into the safe that Asteroid-Thing had torn through. He meets Asteroid-Man, transformed back to normal, outside the safe with folders in his own arms.

"What's that?"

"Printed copies of all the projects he had."

Kristo grabs a briefcase from Shade's desk, empties it on the floor and puts the folders in as well as the security recording.

"Here, it's the rest of the recordings from this past month."

Asteroid-Man hands more discs to Kristo you puts them in the briefcase.

"Let's go."

*************************************

Kristo looks off the cycle to see Asteroid-Man shivering in his stretched and ripped clothes while riding an asteroid.

"Cold?"

"A little."

Kristo presses a button off of the hover-cycle and a pack shoots out. Kristo catches it and tosses it to Asteroid-Man. All of a sudden they start falling.

"What the hell!?"

As Kristo struggles to use yet another tool out of his hover-cycle, Asteroid-Man regains control of the asteroid and flies it by Kristo. Asteroid-Man picks Kristo up and off of the cycle, just before it crashes into the earth.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

***********************

Asteroid-Man, now changing into of Kristo's suits realizes something.

"With me wearing Monty Gem's clothes after only having contact with you after that little brawl, don't you think Shade'll figure out what's going on?"

"Let him. That doesn't matter anymore because tonight he dies."

Kristo walks onto the asteroid as Joe finishes suiting up. He stands on the Asteroid and it flies forward instantly, a wall shoots up in the back of the asteroid to stop Kristo from flying off.

"Thanks."

A chair pops out under Kristo.

"Got any seatbelts?"

A rocky "X" hatches Kristo into the seat as another line hatches over his legs. As Joe picks up speed for the barriers, the green coat flies off of Joe. The asteroid slows down and the seat disappears as Kristo falls on his but and Asteroid-Man jumps up and lands on the ground ahead, staring down Shade and an army of mimics.

 

[trustyside-kick]

OOC: Previously...

Spoiler

Zadkiel Flows through You

I awake, to where at first I do not know. It takes me a while to recognize my own apartment. Was the fall that hard? Was it--wait a second. I didn't fall. I couldn't have fell. I would be dead. Then how did I get here? Is that...the sun is just now rising? How long was I out?

"Calm yourself, Michael."

I turn my head over and I see Bath Kol sitting, arms crossed and holding prayer beads in his hands, staring at me as I lay in my bed. I get up, and lean my upper body against the bedpost, allowing my aching body to rest easy.

"What happened? What day is it?"

"You committed a most foolish act, Michael. Most foolish. This is not like those movies and films on the television, or those fictional tales. You cannot simply fly up to Heaven. Even if one could, you would not be able to pass through regardless. The Gates of Saint Peter will not open for you; not yet."

I remember somewhat, now. But...I don't feel the same. Why is that? Was it really just an emotional outburst? He didn't answer both questions, however.

"What day is it?"

"It is Thursday, Michael. You were out cold for the duration of Wednesday after I caught your fall. You must remember to be more calm about this whole ordeal, Micheal. You really should."

"That shouldn't be an issue. For some strange reason...I am calm. At least, more calm than I normally would be. I--I do not quite understand."

"Zadkiel."

"Hmm?"

"Zadkiel is the Archangel whom watches over you today, Michael. You really must try to understand this all better, or you will truly fail. You fill this sensational, yet confusing, desire to let go all grudges you feel and forgive, yes? When Zadkiel's aura is upon you, you embrace his blessings, as well as exert them on others around you. Such is the way with each Archangel, Michael."

Woah. Isn't that something?

"I thought all this understanding of such a celestial thing as this was something you and Father Damian were for. How can you, or God, expect me to hold this all on my own?"

I expect some sympathy. Something. Anything. Anything at all that is positive from Bath Kol. Do I want some pity right now? Yea. Sure. Is that such a bad thing considering the whole situation right now? But, no. That's not what I get.

"...You simply must."

"I'm only human!"

"Half."

"You don't know what it's like, okay?!"

I...I have to clear my head a bit, so I get up from my bed, removing the sheets, and walk out of my bedroom and walk over to the living room of my apartment. I sit on the couch for a brief moment, and look over at the window.

Fresh air. Yea, that'll help. So I get up from the couch and open the window, spreading the drapes open wide. I feel the shine of the sun and the faint cool of the wind rush at my face and embrace it. After a good indulging of fresh air, I drop back to my couch, and turn on the 'ol TV.

"Hope will guide you."

"What?"

I turn, and there is Bath Kol again, floating into the living room through my window.

"Faith will keep you strong."

"I do not understand what all of this is--"

"Love will drive you."

That's when it hits me.

That's when I understand.

That's when the boy becomes a man.

This isn't just about me. Sure, I get a one-way ticket to Heaven instead of an eternity in Purgatory...but it isn't just about me. Each person I help save and change, is another person that much closer to reaching Salvation and Penance. I have to put others ahead of myself. They are really what it's about. Me? I'm just another one of God's servants.

And now, the man becomes The Archangel.

Zadkiel Flows through You

I took to heart what Bath Kol told me. Hope will guide me. Faith will keep me strong. Love will drive me. I'm at peace at the moment. I decided to spend the remaining of the day at Church.

I know it sounds odd, but I'm actually hanging out in the courtyard, working on that painting of mine. In between masses, Father Damian steps out, to see how I've progressed. I guess he tries to forget the significance of it, because he keeps telling me how beautiful it is turning out. But even knowing what it means...I feel compelled to paint it anyway.

It is significant to me in another way. Because it serves as reminder, for what I must do. The meaning of the painting may depict Lucifer's fall from Heaven, but it reminds me that my mother faced a similar fate. All because she was an angel. Were she a human, she could share her love between God and her significant other; but angels don't have a choice.

We take advantage of a lot of things. Course when I say 'we' I refer to us humans. I plan on not taking for granted a lot of things anymore. I gotta cherish everything I can. If I don't, it will all be for nothing. So I paint this painting for her, so I can forever hang it upon my wall. She wouldn't want me to suffer for her sin.

Father Damian steps into the courtyard once more.

"So how did the Youth Mass go?"

"I'd prefer it without all those darn guitars and drums. Christian Rock, who would've thought such a thing would occur."

"You should be proud, Father. Helps reel in the younger crowd. Don't want the youngins to be turning away from God at such a young age."

"I suppose. At least the singers don't do any of those rock hand signs. You know what I mean..."

Father Damian is about to do the classic 'rock-out' hand-sign but I quickly stop him, and interrupt.

"--I...I know what you mean, Father Damian. How about you don't try to show me and I just visually interpret it into my brain?"

I smirk a cocky smirk, and dab my brush into some paint. I make a few strokes of the clouds in the sky of the painting and Father Damian smiles.

"There is a saying in which 'God couldn't have painted a prettier picture', Michael...but this is the one time I think he actually could not. Beautiful work you are doing, my son. Beautiful indeed."

"I'm a little unsure about one thing though."

"What is that?"

"Well, I do not want the wrong message to come across..."

I finish a few rays of sunlight beaming through the clouds and put my brush down for a moment. I pull the painting as far away as my arm stretch will allow and look hard for a moment.

"...What if someone thinks of it as a suicide or something?"

Father Damian shakes his head, and signals me with his hands to hand over the un-finished painting to him. He takes it, gets up, and walks around the courtyard fountain for a while. He ponders about something, what exactly I do not know. As he comes back around the fountain a fourth time, he smiles and walks back over to me on the bench and places the painting back on its stand.

"You can title it, 'A Leap of Faith'."

"Hmmm...'A Leap of Faith'...I like it. But that isn't exactly what it--"

"Art can be interpreted in many ways, Micheal; this you know. What matters is what you, the artist, interprets it as. For the bystander? Why not put a bit of joy into their heart? It is two-fold, Michael. It can also shed some good and light upon others, rather than be a burden to remember."

I look at my painting for a moment, and pick up my brush again. I can't help but smile, cause Father Damian really did take away my worries; artistic criticism isn't always so pretty.

"...I'll think about it."

Father Damian nods his head, gets up, and pats me on my shoulder. As he walks away, my grin gets a little bit bigger the more I think about it. Before, the face was hidden to me as to the man falling off the cliff of the mountain. Then I learned of its significance and resemblance for when Lucifer fell. But with its new meaning to me...I know who the man actually is. It's me. A Leap of Faith...pretty powerful stuff, old man. Pretty powerful.

I got a new reason to hang it on my wall now.

 

[Saved]

Strike the Heart: Epilogue

Lost Haven

The streets of Lost Haven are empty when the clock strikes one. The sound of the bell echoes throughout the city, alerting all who are awake of the time. The bats fly low in the sky, and the rats crawl along the building walls, rummaging for food.

In the location where Pulse had once lay, there are small puddles of his blood on the sidewalk. The street is littered with empty bullet shells and broken pieces of glass. Franco Zano and his companion Joey Testfara are long gone, staying safe in one of their various hideouts around the city.

As the night progresses, the moon rises higher in the sky, casting its light onto the city like a soft flame. All is calm and quiet, but at Lost Haven Hospital, things are very different. In the emergency room, a woman sits holding a towel to her head with pressure. The towel used to be tan, but now, it is stained with red from her blood. As tears of fear rush down her face, her husband holds her tightly in his arm, rubbing her back and whispering into her ear. On the other side of the room stands a man who holds his arm carefully, his face contorted in an expression of agony. Around the room sit other individuals, each with a problem their own. The nurses rush around the hospital, trying to keep order amongst the injured citizens. As they struggle to see to it that each patient is examined, they are constantly interrupted by a doctor asking them for something.

A nurse walks down the long hallway of rooms and into the ER room. Her scrubs are covered in blood, and a smile is planted on her face. One of the other nurses walks up to her, and puts her hand on her shoulder.

“Well?” She asks excitedly. “Did Mrs. Johnson’s labor go well?”

“Amazingly. I didn’t think she’d get here in time. I mean, going into labor on the city bus is a scary and risky thing. She’s lucky she got here when she did.”

“So, what are they?”

“Two beautiful boys.” The other nurse sighs in happiness as she reminisces back to her pregnancy. Suddenly, the two women are pulled out of their happy thoughts by the sound of screams coming from the ER waiting room.

“My, word. What’s this about?”

“Let’s find out.”

The two nurses turn the corner, and walk into the room. To their surprise they see a man stumbling in through the automatic doors, dragging his leg with him as he walks. He wears no clothes, no shirt, no pants, not anything. His skin is covered in blood, both stained and fresh. What isn’t smeared with blood is an open gash or laceration, spewing blood down his body more. The man’s face is obscured by bruises and swollen flesh. His blood shot eyes flutter as he struggles to keep consciousness. The two nurses stare in horror at the man’s condition, and look at him speechless.

“My…God…” One of them stammers.

“Please…” The man speaks, his words slurred together. “I’ve been…mugged…” As the last word passes through his lips, he slips into unconsciousness, and collapses to the floor. One of the men sitting in the chairs gets up and rushes to the aid of the bloodied man, keeping his body from smashing into the hard floor.

“Get over here!” He yells to the nurses. “Get a doctor! Get a doctor!” The nurses rush to the side of the fallen man, calling out for help. Within seconds a cart and gurney are rolled into the room, and the doctors begin their work of getting him ready to be operated on.

“Take him to room five, Ms. Sharpner. He’ll need emergency surgery. Now!” The men help lift the man’s body onto the gurney, and he is soon rushed down the hall and into the room.

“I’ve never seen anyone in this bad condition before who was able to walk into the place alive.” The doctor states in disbelief. “He’s a lucky man.”

******​

Alman City, Blitzen

Police Chief O’Brien walks into an abandon shop from off the street. Inside, Policemen and forensics experts dust, examine, and sample every inch of the building. Various pieces of trash and cans cover the empty interior. On the wall is a word smeared in blood. Unity. On the far side of the room are two outlines made in chalk of bodies. O’Brien sighs and shakes his head discontently. He walks over to the outlined bodies, and folds his arms.

“What do we have?” He says apathetically.

“Two men dead. They appear to have been placed here because the blood stains don’t match.”

“Well, where were they killed? Gang killings?”

“No way, sir. Haven’t had one of those since the huge massacre at the warehouse on the water front. That’s about two to three weeks ago now.”

“Has it been that long?” O’Brien says surprised. “I guess all this time searching for Pinlen eats up my day. Anyway, what do you think?”

“My guess, sir? I think they were killed in hand to hand combat in the other room. Then, they were picked up and dropped in here.”

“Now…why would someone do that?”

“Well, sir, there’s more. Notice anything odd about this place?”

“Not really. But, enlighten me.”

“The rooms. Empty. No wallpaper or floors. It’s all been stripped.”

“A lot of foreclosed buildings are. What’s your point?”

“Well, what else is here? Like, what’s everywhere around this place?”

“Litter, it looks like. But, this is a hang out for crack addicts. You expect them to clean up?”

“No, sir.” The Policeman says in a heavy sigh. “The beer bottles and cans, the liquor bottles, the food, all of it is fresh. Like, anywhere from one day to hours old. Just as old as the bodies.” O’Brien pauses and thinks to himself for a moment, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.

“So we got a regular Dracula on our hands, huh?”

“The vampire?”

“No, the real man. He used to slaughter people for fun and eat his meals as he watched them die a painful and bloody death.”

“Well, as possible as that is, there is no way one man could eat or drink all the remnants scattered around this place. It was a group. Anywhere from ten to thirty people.”

“Thirty people, huh? Anything peculiar about the bodies?”

“Only two. There were broken weapons in the other room. Knife and an axe. Both had their fingerprints.”

“Wait, wait. I’m sorry, did you say an axe?”

“Yeah.”

“Like…a fire axe?”

“No. Like, one of those medieval replicas. The kind you could get at a flee market, but better quality.” O’Brien’s eyes widen as he falls deep into thought. Moments pass as the two men stare at the bodies in silence. Suddenly, the policeman speaks, and breaks O’Brien’s deep thought.

“The other thing about the bodies, sir, was that they had a burned in circle on their forehead. About the size of a quarter.”

“God, it’s like the friggin Anti-Christ.” O’Brien lets out a small worried laugh, rubbing his face in nervousness and confusion. He clears his throat, and places his hands on his belt authoritatively.

“So, lets look at the facts. Two men dead with their bodies placed in a different place then that where they died. Strange weapons in another room with their fingerprints on them. A completely empty building except for the fresh liquor bottles and food scraps, an odd circle embedded on the dead men’s foreheads. And to top it all off, the word ‘Unity’ is written in blood on the wall.”

“What do you think we have, O’Brien?”

“I don’t know.” O’Brien says with a sigh. “But I’m starting to wish the gangs were our biggest problem again.”

 

[Karem-Knight]

The Subway, haven’t been on this in years, but tonight I needed to go on it, that freak who tried to stab me is in the middle of no where, probably dead in some gutter, but he hit me in the ****ing chest, and broke Joey’s arm. Joey keeps sitting holding his arm tightly, rubbing it as he keeps moaning about it.

“Hey! Be a man, you got to take a beating every once in a while, just think of something else!”

“It isn’t that easy, Frank, and besides what I need to see a doctor, it might get infected, you know?”

“You ****ing stupid? A place like a hospital in the middle of our situation?”


“Yeah I forgot I’m sorry, still can you get one to come see me, Sal has a cousin who’s a doctor, right?”


“He’s a surgeon, oh ****, which reminds me, Bill Basanova, had surgery need to find out what happened to him.”


I get out one of my cell phones, calling Lu’s number he answers me instantly, “Hey Frank, what’s up?”


“Hey Lu, how’s Billy?”

“Well, they failed, he’s dead.”

“Aw ****, ok look no need to worry about that right now, We got a major problem right now.”


“What is it?”


“One of the others tried to clip me and Joey, along with our “friends”, me and Joey got out okay but I don’t know about them, right now we’re in the subway.”



“So, we don’t have our legal back up?”


“We might not, just a heads up, oh and Joey might have broke his arm, where’s Jackie?”

“Oh he’s with me here, want to talk to him?”

“Nah, we’ll talk later, me, you, Jackie and Joey might want to go to Vegas soon though, things are goanna get pretty messy.”

“Yeah, I set up the rooms two days ago, so not to worry.”

“Okay.”

Hanging up on this call, I’m heading as far down south as possible calling one of my guys, Sammy to send someone down here to take us to somewhere safe.

“Hey, Sammy?”


“Hello? Frank, Jesus Christ how are you, I heard what happened are you alright?”

“No I’m not alright, but look I need someone to pick me and Joey up, the Carlos are patrolling the entire ****ing city for us. Tell them to stay inside and honk to signal it’s for us.”

“Oh yeah, sure of course Frank, where do you want them to take you?”

“Where are you right now?”


“In this small hotel place, we took your advice, none of Carlos guys can find us, I’d recommend it Frank.”


“Okay, sure meet ya there.”

Hanging up the phone again I spend the rest of the journey waiting to get home, this war is on it’s third week now, already almost 20 guys dead, most of them mine, The D’Cunos and Cusones have been suspiciously quiet, keeping out of the war but they’re just waiting for a reason to join Sonny, they’re all sick of me. There’s no honour in this town anymore, it’s all about getting ratted out, being whacked or money.

As that thought comes through my head some guy comes towards us in the subway, talking to us, “Hey!”

I stare at him in the face, “Are you talking to me?”

“Well, what if I am?”

Getting up, who does this ****ing punk think he is, Joey holding his arm gets up as well, “What’s this guys-“

“Sit down!”


I point to him staring at the **** in the face, as he stares at me, “Now you shut the **** up, I’ve been working my ass off all day, and I don’t need some ****ing **** babbling on about how he needs a lift!”

“Do you know who I am?”


“No, and I don’t ****ing care, been cleaning all day, working fixing the linings-“

“You’re a ****ing plumber?”


“Yeah!”

“I’m being, mocked, by a ****ing plumber!”


“Hey **** off, ass hole!”

Taking a swing at me, he pushes me, I punch him in the face with an upper cut, he falls to the ground, running to him and picking him up, I start kicking him and punching him again.

Blood comes all around his face, he tries to hold me but I head butt him and trip him up, dragging him across the floor, I start bashing his head into the door way, the passengers in the train are to afraid to say anything.

Finally I stop, Joey stands there, laughing at the ****, and grabbing his head I stare at him.

“Listen, you shut the **** up! Don’t talk to me ever again, you’re lucky I don’t blow your head off right now, but trust me you’re goanna regret being such on such a ****ing period!”

Grabbing his wallet, I take out his driver’s licence, “Irish, huh?”

I punch him in the face again, before kicking him straight in the jaw, finally the train stops and the doors open, grabbing him by the shoulders I throw him off the train and he lands on the floor, making a blood stain on it.

“Franco ****ing Zano! Look it up!”

He stares, in fear of what he just did, the train closes and starts driving off, I walk over to my seat and sit next to Joey.

“Well done!”

 

[Feature]

AGNUS DEI
Season I - Part 11


Brendan Cronin appears in the alley next to the church, the same alley where he had encountered the amnesiac yesterday evening.

Teleporting was not as easy as it looked. It required a great mental and physical effort. Disassembling the molecules in your body, transporting them through space, and successfully reassembling them was like running a marathon while solving advanced mathematic equations. The others at the Institute did not... could not understand.

Cronin's mother had been a researcher at the Institute for the better part of her life. Unfortunately for Brendan, the scientist in her overruled the mother. She had experimented on herself while pregnant and the results were success of her hypotheses were evident in her only child. When she died giving birth, Brendan became the property of the Institute. That is still what they saw him as...

Due to his mother's experiments, Brendan could teleport. He also had one other gift, which he was going to exercise now. They called it psychometry. The ability to locate and track people using telepathy. Brendan could touch something that had been handled by someone and see where that person had gone afterwards. It worked unreliably. Sometimes it was very clear, sometimes it was vague.

Brendan knelt down in the alley and pressed his fingers into the powdery asphalt that had been demolished by the amnesiac. A flood of images appeared in his mind and he soon learned that the amnesiac was in the basement of the church with a policeman. He would not tell the men at the Institute this. He wanted the amnesiac to remain free. Hell, he was the one who had freed him.

He would simply tell the men at the Institute that he could not pick up the trail. They'd have no way of knowing the truth. They were stupid men, Volkaw and his dog, Pollard... they were imbeciles in lab coats. He could outsmart them. His mother's gifts assured him of that.

Cronin reached up and felt the large goggles that rested over his eyes. These goggles ran up over his forehead, their stems drilling down through his skull and into his brain. Though teleportation and psychometry had been blessings that came from his mother's experiments, there were curses as well...

Brendan had been born without eyes. These goggles, connected into his brain, mimicked sight. Without them, he would be blind. Utterly and completely blind.

Sighing as he touched the glass lenses, Brendan teleported back to the labs, preparing himself to lie to his superiors.

 

[Eddie Brock]

Season I, Part 60

With the chaos of the holidays behind me, I can focus on my life. My relationship with Brooke is still 'unofficial,' but it's become public knowledge. And though no official break-up occurred with Marilyn, I don't think either of us would consider us a 'couple' anymore. I'm actually quite surprised that Marilyn didn't yell at me. I guess she's moving on to guys that are more willing to be her servant.

God help them.

During lunch, Jim slips me some information about a crime taking place in the Carver District of Lost Haven. Why is it that crimes always happen during lunch? Can't they occur during math or something? I'd kill to skip history to stop a robbery! But no, I have to give up my only free period of the day.

I hate criminals.

From my position high above the streets, I spot a man running down an alleyway - in the opposite direction of the sirens. As if that wasn't suspicious enough, he was carrying a sack of money over his shoulder. So either he made a huge withdrawal, or this is the perpetrator. And in my line of work, no one makes withdrawals that big.

"Hey, where are you headed?" I ask while cutting off his path. He looks at me in terror. Yep, this is definitely my guy.

First, he tries to use the sack as a weapon - swinging wildly at my head. Needless to say, that's pathetically easy for me to dodge. While he's wrapped up in his momentum, I deliver a crushing right hook to his jaw.

Suddenly, I hear something crack in my own mouth. I stumble backwards and hear my jaw clicking. The criminal smiles at me while wincing through the pain.

"Mantis, right?" he asks while trying to readjust his jaw. "I'm Voodoo."

"And you've made a big mistake."
​

 

[Spike_x1]

"I don't how anyone could survive what that guy was put through!"

"It looked to me like the dude was damn-near dead, but the police said that there was no body when they got to the scene. Dude must've been a friggin' tank if he walked away from that."

Blood was everywhere! I swear, I can't even raise my kids in the world today, with all of these superfolk running around and causing so much violence!"

All of the news casts in Lost Haven were blaring with sightings of the vigilante Pulse fighting a group of criminals in a seedy neighborhood. It wasn't long before the Survivor had caught word of what had happened and, thinking that finding and talking to Pulse could lead him away from his current dead end on his hunt for Franco Zano, Adam decided to keep watch over the nearest hospital to where the recent battle between Pulse and Zano had taken place. If the eyewitness accounts of Pulse's actions and injuries were the least bit reliable, it would mean that Pulse would not have been able to get far, so the closest hospital would be the only sensible choice for him to go.

Landing on the roof of Lost Haven General Hospital, Adam removed his costume and fixed his civilian clothes into place and made his way down into the building through the roof access. It didn't take long to find the perfect mark in one of the Emergency Room nurses who was on her break. In only a few minutes of flirting with her, Adam had learned that a severely beaten man had been admitted a short time before, with injuries fitting roughly with what witnesses had described Pulse as taking the brunt of. Smiling seductively, the nurse told Adam that she could meet him for coffee in half an hour once her shift was over. The Survivor flashed his best smile and agreed to meet her, but of course had no intention of following through with those plans. Instead, Adam had an urgent meeting with the vigilante from Blitzen later that evening.

 

[Saved]

​

“Help!” A voice calls from the hallway. Eric sits upright in his hospital bed, his body now clothed in a hospital gown. He hears the cries coming from outside his door, and immediately springs up from the bed. His feet land flat on the floor, the cold tiles sending a shiver through his body. Eric runs into the hallway without a second thought, the cries becoming louder.

“Help me!” The woman calls. “I don’t want to die!”

As Eric steps through the open door, he stops in the middle of the hall. He looks both ways, trying to pinpoint the sound of the woman in distress. He hears her voice again, and turns right, running to the end of the hallway. As he reaches the corner, he abruptly moves into the next corridor. As he enters the new area, he suddenly finds a familiar figure standing in front of him. It is Crosshair, also known as Rudolph Pinlen. Crosshair stands in his full suit, his camouflage mask covering his face. He holds a nurse tightly in his grasp, holding her above the floor, her body in front of his like a shield. Crosshair holds a gun to her head, his finger itching to pull back on the trigger. A haunting laugh comes from beneath his mask as the nurse struggles to break free.

“You…” Eric says in disbelief, his body becoming filled with rage.

“Hey, buddy. I heard about what happened to you. Thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing.”

“I’m going to kill you! Put her down!” Eric says, his fists tightly clenched.

“No. I don’t think I will.” The woman twists and turns as she desperately tries to break free from Crosshair’s grasp. She looks straight into Eric’s eyes, her eyes showing her desperation and fear. Tears soak her face as they drip from her jaw.

“Help me.” She cries, her breathing heavy and rapid. “Please, help me!”

“Ssh. Ssh. Ssh.” Crosshair whispers in her ear. “Don’t worry. He can’t help you. It’s just you and me.”

“Pinlen, drop her now! I swear to God, there is no force on this planet that can save you from me if you kill her.”

“My name is Crosshair!” He yells in anger. “And you aren’t the one giving orders around here!”

“Don’t do it, Rudy. You’ll make the biggest mistake of your life!”

“And the biggest mistake of your life, was meeting me.” Crosshair lets out an evil chuckle as he pulls the trigger. A loud bang echoes throughout the hall as blood splashes into the air. It soaks the front of Crosshair’s mask, leaving large red splotches amidst the camouflage. He releases his grip on the nurse, and her body falls to the ground. As she hit’s the ground, her body makes a large thud. Her eyes are opened wide, her face contorted into a look of horror. Crosshair lifts the barrel of the gun up to his face, and gently blows away the smoke. Eric stares at the woman’s body in astonishment and terror, his mind failing to comprehend the sight.

“Rudy…” He says softly, his tone beginning to rise. “How…could you kill an innocent…like that?”


“Easy.” He says spinning the gun on his finger. “I pulled the trigger.”

“You bastard! You monster! You killer!” Eric’s face begins to turn red as the anger swells inside him.

“Kinda’ like looking into a mirror, huh?”

“What are you talking about! You killed a civilian! A human being!”

“Is it any different from what you do? You kill kids who have lost their way. Are they so far gone that they must be killed? Who is to say it is your choice to decide who lives and who dies?”

“The people I kill have killed others! They have taken lives! They must die!”

“Then by your own rationalization, you should be killed too.”

“I kill to prevent killing!”

“Do the ends justify the means, Pulse? Do they? What would your father think of what you do?”

“He’s dead! What business is it of yours what he would say?”

“What would your mother think? To discover that her baby boy, her own flesh and blood murderously slaughters people in the streets?”

“What does this have to do with anything? They are dead because of people like you! They aren’t here to have a say!”

“But what if they did?” Pulse stops, and calms down for a moment, pondering Crosshair’s question. He closes his eyes, and takes a heavy sigh.

“I wouldn’t care.” Pulse says apathetically, a saddness lingering in his tone. “I do what I know needs to be done.”

“As do I.” He says as he raises the pistol in his hand, taking aim at Pulse. Crosshair pulls the trigger, and the bullet fires from the barrel. It flies through the air in the blink of an eye, and instantly loges itself in Eric’s arm.

“Ah!” He yells in pain, dropping to his knees. He immediately grabs at the wound, trying to easy the pain. Crosshair walks closer, shifting the barrel of the gun. He pulls the trigger once again, and fires a bullet into Eric’s other arm. Eric yells out in agony again, the pain surging through his body like a disease. He feels the blood excrete from the injuries, it’s warm temperature heating his cold skin.

“See what I mean, Pulse. If you let anyone decide who lives and who dies, you could wind up dead.”

“You kill at random.” Eric says as he cringes, his eyes closed tightly. “There is no rhyme or reason to your slaughter.”

“Maybe. But think about it, I am hired to kill. It is not I who decides. I just do the dirty work.”

“You’re a tool, Rudy. A pawn in a larger game of chess. And you know what the pawns are?” Eric looks up at Crosshair, a wide smile coming across his face. “Expendable.” Crosshair whips Eric across the face with the handle of his pistol, knocking him to the floor. Crosshair leans down to Eric, waving the gun in the air. He grabs Eric’s hospital gown at the neck, and pulls him up, bringing his face close to his. Crosshair sneers beneath his mask, his eyes burning with fire.

“At least I have a side.” Crosshair lets go of Eric with the hand holding the gun. He aims the gun at Eric’s leg, and pulls the trigger without a thought. The bullet rips through his calf, sending another shock of pain. Crosshair violently pulls him close, pulling the trigger on the gun once again. Another bullet tears through his leg, and Eric yells in pain. Crosshair smiles as he begins to shout.

“You are a loner! A martyr! No one thinks you are a hero! No one! Those who know your name want you dead! What kind of existence is that?”

“I cared once, Rudy! Now I don’t give two ****s about anyone else!”

“Oh, you think cause your partner, your lover, your damn fiancé getting killed is your fault, you have the right to give up? You think you know what bad is? You think you’ve got nothing left to live for but vengeance? Let me tell you something, Pulse. You have had it easy. Don’t be selfish!”

“How do you know about my partner?” Eric says groggily, his mind beginning to fade from the blood loss.

“I know everything about you, Eric. I know it’s your fault your parents died. I know it’s your fault Jen died. You know what else I know? No matter what, everyone you love will always die at your hands because you’re a selfish reckless ****!”

“You know nothing about me!”

“Yes I do. And the blood shed will only continue.” Crosshair laughs. “Infact, I can see it now. Little Daddy and Mommy Renden, burning in hell next to sweet innocent Jenny. You know what they are crying out, Pulse? 'You put us here, Eric. Why did you do this to us?'”

“Liar!”

“Don’t forsake the truth! You said it yourself, you don’t care about anyone! It’s you who put them there! You and you alone!” Eric shakes his head in confusion and sorrow, taking Crosshair’s words to heart. He soon begins to find his words to have truth, and the guilt sets in on him like a crashing wave.

“No, no.” He says in denial. “I couldn’t have. I didn’t!”

“Yes you did!” Crosshair yells in Eric’s face. “They exsist in agony now! Everyday! Their souls never put to rest!”

“What do I have to do to end their agony? I will do anything! Oh, God! Please!”

“Wake up, Pulse! You need to wake up!”

“No!” Eric yells as he awakens from his deep sleep in a violent fit. He sits up right in the bed, his body soaked in sweat. He suddenly feels a pain in his side, and grabs at it with his arm. As he breathes heavily, he feels the stitches in his side. Eric rips the sheets off of his body, and stares at his legs. He sees no bullet wounds and takes in a deep breath. He feels the pain in his back, and winces in agony. After a few moments, Eric realizes it was all a dream. A haunting vision projected by his subconscious. He looks around the dark room, surveying his surroundings. He remembers where he is, and slowly leans back in the bed.

“A nightmare.” He says, struggling to catch his breath. “All a dream.” Eric rests his head gently on the pillow, his fingers slowly gliding over the stitched and stapled wounds on his body. He stares up at the ceiling, his mind racing with his thoughts. Zano put me her, he thinks. Franco Zano. Crosshair isn’t here. It was all a dream.

Eric stays silent, his mind still lingering on the memories of the vision. Eric’s eyes focus as he suddenly thinks a question to himself. One that he hopes he can answer, but he knows he cannot. “It was a dream…but was it the truth?”

******​

Nightmares Part I

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon​

The wind rips at his costume as Icon flies toward Centennial Square at breakneck speed. He had just finished his 4th period history class when he heard the news of two super beings wreaking havoc in the very same square that he had made his first public appearance. Icon had a bit of difficulty getting away from the school this time, almost getting caught heading to the roof by Mr. Michaels, the school principal. However, he did manage to get to the roof unseen, where he was able to take his leave.

When Icon arrives at the scene of the disturbance, he realizes that something is very familiar to this...too familiar. The two men that are attacking Centennial Square are two of the same guys that had attacked Sherman Square several weeks before along with Richter and another guy who was never caught. The men here he recognized as the ones called Stinger and Tex. Tex, the largest of the bunch was nearly as strong as Icon, but not all that bright. And if he recalled correctly, stinger was able to send poison projectiles out of his fists, the poison potent enough to kill several large elephants. He sets down a few yards away from the bigger of the two men.

"Didn't you guys learn your lesson last time?" He says.

"Its about time you showed up Icon, we've been waiting for you." The larger man said, as he hurled the propane filled tank of a large tanker truck at Icon, the explosion from the impact rocking the entire area, and shattering windows in buildings miles away.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Zadkiel Flows through You

I got finished with my painting around nightfall, and I told Grace I would meet up with her at my apartment to let her see. Hope she doesn't get there before me. I headed back to my place, to put my stuff away, and then headed out once more. Had to do some little reading. I couldn't quite find a peaceful place to read the Gospel of Angels Father Damian gave me, so I chose a coffee shop. Okay, so maybe I chose it cause at the same time, when ordering my cup of joe, I got to mess with the coffee guys too.

She's going to be stunned. Well, she kinda already would have an image of it in her head since she saw my sketches, but...I'd prefer to think she will be dazzled. Yea, I'll go with that one.

I'm walking out of the coffee shop along the sidewalk, down the curb, and I look up at the gorgeous night sky. I decide to try to make a mental snapshot of the scene before me--could definitely use this shot for a background of a future painting, it's so perfect--and notice something a little out of the norm here. Is that a...man hopping out of that window?

I sprint across the street, 2 more blocks until I'm I can see more clearly. It's so dark, the streetlights only do so much. And the stars aren't exactly as bright as the sun. My goodness...that is a man. What is he? What is he thinking? He'll fall from--WOAH!

What happens next? Don't quite know. I drop my book, start sprinting on impulse, and immediately transform as a beam of light blinds the sky for a moment, and I'm flying in the air, heading towards the guy. Never knew this transformation thing had a mind of its own!

"I really gotta get the hang of this transformation thing..."

Gotta pick up the speed on these wings. Not going to make. Oh crap. Oh crap.

"OOFF!!"

I catch him just in time, and he fights me in the air; we struggle. The heck? I just saved his life! I hate to do it, but I try to hold him tight, restraining him, and I let him down gently into the nearby park as we land. He quickly gets outta my grip as I loosen up, and gets into a fit.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING?! DID I ASK YOU TO BE SAVED?"

"What? No...but I--wait a second. You were trying to commit suicide?"

"WHO ARE YOU TO PLAY GOD AND PICK AND CHOOSE WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES? I WAS READY, DAMNIT! ALL OF IT WAS GOING TO BE GONE! AND THEN YOU DO THIS!"

I'm blown away, confused, and I guess I'll use that excuse for not dodging his swing at my face with his fist which knocks me down. I quickly get back up, and the guy is angry as ever. He tries to swing at me again, but I catch his fist this time.

"Listen to me!"

The man struggles as before, but I don't let him go. He's unstable at the moment, and apparently out of his mind. He just tried to kill himself. I don't know what's up...but I'm going to help this man. I have to. He can wiggle all he wants, I'm not letting go. Eventually, he gets tired, that or just gives up, and falls on his own feet as I finally let go, weeping.

"What could possibly be going on in your life that you would go and kill yourself? And you are right I'm not one to play God...but neither are you. God gave you life, and a purpose...who are you to throw that away?"

He sniffs a bit, and I think he is finally coming into reality. He's a somewhat stocky man, a few gray hairs, a beard and 'stache...probably in his 40's.

"A purpose in life? My purpose, in life, ended 3 days ago when my wife cheated on me. Not to mention that I didn't end up getting that promotion. 15 years with the goddamn company. 15 YEARS! And I get the pat on the back, 'Better luck next time, Chuck' from my co-workers? Then I get into the office, and the mailroom guy hands me my mail. What do I see? A subpoena! I'm getting served! My wife wants to divorce me! You think I didn't think about this? I've thought about it the entire day! I--I can't do" this anymore!

"You mean you are afraid. You're afraid that the last 15 years at your job was a waste, and that your marriage that lasted...how long?"

"21 years..."

"And your afraid your marriage that lasted 21 years is a waste as well. You feel that there is no point to live on, but you are wrong. You don't throw in the towel when the going gets tough! Go ahead and start making changes in your life, for the better. 15 years on the job? Go find a new job! A similar company, one that recognizes your efforts."

I can start to see it on his face. Either I'm doing one heck of a job, or these effects Zadkiel has on me that Bath Kol says I exert on others are doing their trick.

"And your wife? Okay...not nearly as easy of a heal to wound. You said she cheated on you...did she give you any somewhat valid reason? Not that there is ever a good one..."

"She claimed I didn't give her enough attention. Said I cared about moving up at work more than her; I was rarely home. And when I was, it was after working overtime, sometimes double overtime at work."

"Then there can still be hoped. You cannot fully heal that scar of that feeling of being betrayed by her cheating...but perhaps you can still patch things up. Make more time for her, and perhaps try to add a little bit of romance back into your married life. But before you can get anywhere...you're going to have to forgive her. Balance out work and your marriage, and you just may see the brighter things in life."

I see a tear shed from his eye as he wipes it away and a smile upon his face. I just saved this man's life. Sure, I did it when I stopped him from becoming roadkill...but I was able to make him see the glass half full. Maybe this whole Archangel thing won't be so bad after all. All I gotta do is get the hang of these blessings and such, and I can get the job done.

Uh oh. It's nearly...crap. I told Grace to meet me at my apartment.

"So, we good now? If I leave, I'm not going to have to turn around and catch you out of the sky, am I?"

He chuckles, and wipes away another tear, and nods his head.

"Nope."

"Good. May God bless you and guide you on your new journey..."

I take off to the sky.

"...and may he watch over my butt when I explain to Grace why I'm late."

I make sure to swoop back down, and pick up the book I dropped. If I lose this book, I'm royally screwed. I gotta get the hang of this.

Lucky for me, these wings of mine can take me to pretty impressive speeds. I was worried all this time about not making it back in time, but I made amazing record time in fact. Course, I had to sneak in through my window...but now I'm faced with a new problem.

"Oh, crap..."

How the heck do I transform back to normal? Let's look back for a second? My first time 'turning back', was due to the fact that I rendered myself unconscious. Great, now all I have to do is purposely knock myself out, and hope and pray Grace barges into my bedroom door after breaking off the lock, and finds me passed out on the floor.

"Okay okay...think...OH!"

I place the book onto my dresser, and try to find the page I'm looking for. Sadly, what I'm looking for doesn't exist. I keep forgetting, it isn't a manual book. Why does this have to be so hard?

"Hun? Is that you?"

Crap, she must've heard me as I closed the window. I hear her footsteps. I'm so screwed. I close my eyes--I know, what a wimp--and pray she checks the bathroom first. The door opens.

"Oh, there you are. I must've gotten distracted when I was fixing something up in the kitchen. I didn't even think to check if you were home yet. You have a nice nap?"

I open my eyes, surprised she didn't freak out, and look down at myself. I'm...normal. Did I just have to concentrate and sort of 'wish it away' or something? Mental? Well, I did sort of think of a prayer of some sort. Looks like it saved my butt.

"Uh, yea...yea."

I get up from my bed and kiss her on the cheek.

"Let's head into the kitchen, and then we can exchange our surprises."

"I think you'll like mine..."

"...ditto."

 

[Blacklight]

Chapter 33: Surge II conclusion

GunPowder's return/Blacklight Team-Up - Part I​

"At least I have my mask." I say, gesturing to it. I decide to trust him, and remove it. "I'm Jake, you?" I hold out my hand.​

Before I grab his hand, turned my hair and eyes back to their normal brown and green, then introduced myself.

"Jon. Nice to meet you, Jake. Good to know I'm not the only hero out here in the world."

But then my cell-phone starts ringing in my pocket. I pull it out and check the caller ID.

"Steph?" I asked myself dumbfounded. It's probably something important.

"Sorry I gotta cut this short, Jake. Enferno needs me, but here. Take this."

I then tossed him a small, pocket-sized beacon that's linked to my phone.

"Use this in an emergency. I'll help you. But only dire, life-or-death emergencies. Got it?" I ask seriously.

"Yes." he replied nodding.

"Alright then. See you around, Jake."

Then I flew off and flipped open my phone.

"Hello?"

​

* * *​