The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

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Inspector Ed Smith
LHPD Badge No. 778

Little Ulster

Little Ulster, the Irish burg of Lost Haven. Turf for the McCreery Family, one of the Haven's five organized crime syndicates. While the Zano's specialize in money laundering, smuggling, and prostitution, the McCreery's are strong arm men, making their money off protection rackets and the drug trade.

Francis McCreery is the clan's leader, he's dumb as a rock and fat as a cow. In his sixty years on the planet, he has never done a decent thing for anyone other than himself. If I could, I'd put a bullet between his eyes. It's all I can do to sit across from him in his family owned pub.

"So, the Zano's want to talk to me?" He says in his slight Irish brogue. As a second generation immigrant, he's picked it up from his parents.

"That's correct. They sent me here as a peace offering. I understand the bad blood between your families. The war 10 years ago took your oldest son and Zano's youngest. The Zano's wish to put that to an end and work with your family."

"What's in it for us?" He says as his wife brings him a plate of chopped up meat only an Irishman would like.

"The Zano's are highly influential, as you can see by who they chose to serve as a message boy. They'll work with the local politicans and police to get them off your back and help you in your drug trade."

"What will he have to do?" McCreery says as he shovels the food into his mouth.

"The Zano's are in need of some muscle. They need help with unruly customers at their ****ehouses and maybe a few protection rackets. I'll let you two has out the details at the meeting tomorrow."

"I assume you'll be coming?"

"Yes. Me and my two officers will be there to make sure things don't get out of hand."

"Aww. My heart ****ing feels for you. I don't understand you, Smith. You're a goddamn hero cop, but yet you're as dirty as my ****e of a daughter."

"I'm not dirty." I say with a scowl.

"I just tolerate scum like you because I see you as a nessecary evil. If you don't control Lost Haven's rackets, someone else will. I know you, I have files on you. I know how to manipulate you and pull your strings. Not just you, but all of you dumb criminals. You think you control this town, but you don't. I snap my fingers and you get twenty years and get knifed in jail. Remember that next time you call me dirty."

I grab McCreery by his collar with one hand, and grab a pile of the sheppards pie with my free hand and shove it into his mouth.

"Eat up, slimeball. Hearts and kidneys are good for the body."

I push out from the table and stand up while he chokes on his food. I'm out of the pub and into the backseat of the unmarked car with the Eckling twins up front.

"I'm done here, boys."

"Actually, sir. We picked up something on the scanner. You're needed at the SDS contaiment facility. Apparently there's a prison break. All those super-powered crazies rioting." Mike says.

I nod at Mike and reach over Ike and grab the scanner's mic.

"Central, this is Six-Adam-One. Send out an all priority alert to all SWAT members. Meet at Central and converge at the SDC CF. This is on direct orders from Deputy Chief Smith."

"10-4" The dispatcher sqwaks. I put the mic back and motion forward with my hand.

"Let's roll, boys. Looks like we've got a super-riot on our hands."
 
Inspector Ed Smith
LHPD Badge No. 778

The blue lights flash and Mike keeps the pedal to the floor as he ignores red lights speeding towards the riot.

I remain silent as I look out the window at the speeding scenery, lost in my thoughts.


Five Years Ago

"Is there anything I can help you with, Captain?" Chief Finger says as I sit down at the chair across from his desk.

"Yes, sir. I'm here because I heard the news about Bob Schmidt."

"Yes, he's a good man. The best deputy I've had in my fifteen years as chief."

"And I understand that you're actively looking for his replacement as inspector...."

Chief shoots me a look and shakes his head.

"Ed, you're 35 for god's sake. You already became the youngest captain in LHPD history after solving that horrible murderer. You're too young and inexperienced for the job."

"But I am the best man for the job."

"I'm not here to debate your worth as an officer. You've won the Medal of Valor twice! One of the most decorated officers, even surpassing your father! What more do you want?"

"Inspector, Deputy Chief, and control over the Detective's Bureau."

Chief unloosens his tie and gingerly puts his hand behind his head.

"Why should I choose you over Thad Green and Russ Millard? Both of them run homicide and vice to perfection. Almost as good as you and the mob squad, if not better. Plus they've been on the force longer than you and earned their stripes the right way."

"Hmm...how about you look at my resume?" I say with a smirk as I slide a manilla folder across his desk.

He opens up the folder and starts to thumb through the pages.

"See, that picture, you and the Asian boy, is my favorite. I mean, just the way you manage to get it into his mouth from that angle."

"You monster!"

"Takes one to know one, sir. Now, I have made copies of those pictures, along with sworn statements from all the kids in the photos. I have them scattered around the city in bank deposit boxes. All the accounts were made using aliases, so don't try to trace them. If you try to kill me and succeed, I have it in my will that all that information goes to every paper, tv, and radio station in Haven. As it stands right now, I become inspector and this all goes away. I don't? Then we have a bit of a problem."

Chief Finger starts to turn white with rage as his hands shake. I just keep on smiling.

"Fine." He says real low.

I nod and stand up.

"Thank you, sir. Now I have to get going, I have to work on some new business cards. Let's see 'Inspector Ed Smith: Deputy Chief'? or "Deputy Chief Ed Smith'?


Now

The car pulls to a stop outside the SDS Containment Facilty. Mike and Ike follow behind me as I walk into the middle of the makshift HQ set up.

"Sir." Officer Peters says as he catches my attention. I glance only fleetingly at his coffee stained tie.

"What's the situation?"

"Right now, all the prisoners are out and on the loose. Most of the guards have been killed or taken hostage. We have Seargent Hampton in the middle of the fight. As far as the few cameras still working can tell us, he's fighting along side Mantis."

I stop and look at the officer as he mentions the last name.

"What? What the hell was he doing in an area restricted to LHPD personnel?!"

"He...uh, he dropped in for a visit."

My face starts to turn red as he slowly starts to back away.

'Well, I have to go...uh, SWAT team is here!"

I take a deep breath and turn to face the dozen men carrying weapons and wearing the best protective gear money can buy.

"Alright, you just stand down right now. I'm going to try and get a call in to our one officers in." I say as I grab the walkie talkie from Officer Peters.

"Come in, anyone that can hear me inside there come back to me. This is Inspector Smith, if you can hear this, SWAT is on the way."
 
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Mindwarp

Dylan begins viewing the videotape from the roof.

He smirks as he fixes a drink.

It's all a matter of prespective.

He begins making notes and then dials a phone number.

Dylan says, "Hello Edward this is Mr. Chambers I have two jobs for you. One install some security cameras on the roof I think I have a problem with rats. The second is a bit more complex be at my office within an hour."

He hangs up the phone and says, "Oh you poor fools have no clue how your little rooftop meeting has just sealed your fate."
 
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Reunion: Part 3 (continued)

"SWAT?" I repeat as I turn to Sergeant Hampton. He's putting handcuffs on the last of the downed inmates. "I hope they know what they're dealing with here. This is no ordinary prison riot."

Sarge wipes his brow and admits, "I'll take whatever help we can get." He takes out his walkie talkie and responds to the message. "This is Sergeant Hampton. The Maximum Security Wing is back under control. Tell me, how bad is it out there? How many escaped?"

We give each other grave looks as we anticipate the response.
 
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Reunion: Part 3 (continued)

"SWAT?" I repeat as I turn to Sergeant Hampton. He's putting handcuffs on the last of the downed inmates. "I hope they know what they're dealing with here. This is no ordinary prison riot."

Sarge wipes his brow and admits, "I'll take whatever help we can get." He takes out his walkie talkie and responds to the message. "This is Sergeant Hampton. The Maximum Security Wing is back under control. Tell me, how bad is it out there? How many escaped?"

We give each other grave looks as we anticipate the response.

I look around as the LHPD officers in riot gear shoot the super-powered freaks full of tranqs.

"The situation here is being.....contained. I've got Lieutenant Jacobs and his team ready to breach. Sergeant Hampton, I want you and Mantis to use something to identify yourselves as friendlies. You have thirty seconds to do this, because I will warn you now: The SWAT team is coming in hot."

I spot a thug leaping off the ground and trying to fly to freedom. Pulling a tranq gun out, I shoot him in the neck and watch as he falls 100 feet below and slams into a parked police cruiser.

"Clean up on aisle 3." I say coldly as I give the SWAT team the signal to move in.
 
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Reunion: Part 3 (continued)
I look around as the LHPD officers in riot gear shoot the super-powered freaks full of tranqs.

"The situation here is being.....contained. I've got Lieutenant Jacobs and his team ready to breach. Sergeant Hampton, I want you and Mantis to use something to identify yourselves as friendlies. You have thirty seconds to do this, because I will warn you now: The SWAT team is coming in hot."

I spot a thug leaping off the ground and trying to fly to freedom. Pulling a tranq gun out, I shoot him in the neck and watch as he falls 100 feet below and slams into a parked police cruiser.

"Clean up on aisle 3." I say coldly as I give the SWAT team the signal to move in.
"You'd think the green suit and the LHPD uniform would be enough to identify us," I muse, but Sergeant Hampton doesn't appear to be listening. He merely tosses me a flare. Why does he have a flare? Ignoring the peculiarity, I light it. "Cops and your toys..."

The door to the Maximum Security Wing bursts open. In a matter of seconds, the room is flooded with SWAT. They take note of the flares and brush past us, training their guns on the subdued inmates. I hear one of them announce that the wing is clear.

"Told you so," I mutter. I leave my flare on the ground as I head back in the direction of the Main Wing. Sarge is following closely. If all the inmates were freed, then even SWAT may need some assistance from Carver's Emerald Enforcer.
 
That got Blake's attention. He sat there and listened as we presented the information that Architect had given us. And when we had finished speaking, he sat there with a blank look on his face, seemingly searching for words that would not come.

"As you can see Mr. President, this is a very serious threat. Actions need to be taken in order to save lives."

"What would you have me do Icon? What suggestions do you have, any of you...that will help me make the right decisions?"

"Sir, we have to warn the people..." Blake cuts me off.

"And tell them what? That aliens who MIGHT be hostile MIGHT be on their way to Earth? I'm sorry gentlemen, but you give me little evidence that this 'threat' is a real danger. So until you can prove that the Earth is in some kind of real danger, I will do nothing. I will not allow some costumed vigilantes with vague warnings of impending disaster turn this office into a laughing stock in front of the entire world. So good evening gentlemen, I believe you know the way out."

I look to Survivor who looks as if he is ready to pounce on the man, and then to Blacklight who doesn't seem to know what to say.

I can feel the dissapointment showing on my face as I say, "You heard the man. Let's go." With that, we leave the White House.
Later that evening, only a few blocks away from the White House, all three heroes are resting atop a small office building. Blacklight appears disappointed and almost bored in this nighttime silence. Icon is rubbing his chin and obviously going over, in his mind, what just happened. The Survivor, though, can barely contain his anger. Cracking his knuckles as his fists clench, he refrains from calling the President any number of fowl adjectives, knowing that it will get them nowhere. Instead, Adam asks the question that's on all of their minds:

"What do we do now?"
 
Later that evening, only a few blocks away from the White House, all three heroes are resting atop a small office building. Blacklight appears disappointed and almost bored in this nighttime silence. Icon is rubbing his chin and obviously going over, in his mind, what just happened. The Survivor, though, can barely contain his anger. Cracking his knuckles as his fists clench, he refrains from calling the President any number of fowl adjectives, knowing that it will get them nowhere. Instead, Adam asks the question that's on all of their minds:

"What do we do now?"


"I really don't know Survivor. I wish I did." I say, unable to keep the exasperation I'm feeling out of my voice.

"But we have to do something. I thought that coming here would be the right thing to do, that maybe President Blake would take measures to save lives. But it doesn't look like we're going to get any help there. But we still have to warn the people of this planet somehow."

The three of us just stand there in silence for a moment. Each of us pondering our next move.

"I do have an idea. It's not much, and I don't know how effective it will be...but it's better than nothing."

Blacklight and the Survivor both look to me, waiting to hear the plan.

"Like I said, it isn't much. But I have a good relationship with the media in Lost Haven. I'm going to hold a press conference...We have no choice but to let the cat out of the bag."

Elsewhere, about 350,000 miles from the Earth's Moon.

<Sire, we are approaching our target. We should be arriving ahead of schedule. We now have a visual on the planet known as Earth>

<Excellent Nok'lar. Magnify the image of this planet. Let us be the last to look upon this planet in its current state. Soon, this planet will be changed forever as we make it our own.>
 
"I know that this new lunar colony is supposed to be the next stage in humanity's scientific advancement, or whatever, but..." Colonel Jacob Dent pushed one of the switches on the arm of his space suit and waited for the return signal, which would mean that the equipment was finally functioning properly. "...Couldn't one of the damn drones come out here and finish this? Isn't this the type of thing that the eggheads built them for anyway?" After several seconds, the Heads-Up-Display in his helmet's visor showed a small blinking light, indicating that everything was working well. Jacob smiled and waved to his crew that were watching through the station's window. What the Colonel had just installed was the improved circuit hub for the colony's new telescope. It was supposed to make it easier for the astronauts to send telescopic images back to Earth; and honestly, it wouldn't be hard to be an improvement over the old circuitry, which was unanimously thought to be complete garbage by the entire crew.

No one bothered to answer Jacob's question. Each of them knew full well that the drones were all being analyzed and repaired after that gravitational anomaly had come into range of the station. The astronauts couldn't talk about that over official channels, though. Information like that was a whole new level of classified. They had still told Command back on Earth about it very discreetly, but were instructed to carry on with business as usual and get the drones fixed as soon as possible.

"We're all set with the telescope now, Colonel. C'mon back inside," said Doctor Dana Carrera, Project Head of the team, into the radio. In truth, this was one of the few times since her arrival at the lunar colony that Dr. Carrera was truly pleased with herself and her team. The station had only been operating for a little more than a year. Looking like a series of domes and tunnels sticking out of the surface of the moon, such a deceptively simplistic looking design had been full of difficulties since the team's arrival. First it was the artificial gravity acting up all throughout the station, and then it was the drones going haywire, and then the telescope completely crapped out on them. Luckily the gravity seemed to correct itself, and the new hub for the telescope circuitry had already been on its way to the moon by the time the old one failed, but the drones were still inoperable. However, things did seem to be finally looking up. Dana had just gotten a transmission from both of her daughters and her husband earlier that day, telling Dana all about her eldest daughter's graduation from high school. Dana had so wished that she could have attended the ceremony, but it just wasn't meant to be. Still, her husband, Nick, had managed to videotape the whole thing for her to watch when she got back to Earth, thankfully.

Still monitoring Colonel Dent on the screens as he made his way to the airlock, as was the procedure, Doctor Carrera didn't know what to make of the readings that suddenly blared across her instruments. Unknown energy readings, more gravity fluctuations, quakes; it was a moment of sheer insanity! Like a sandstorm, the dust and rock of the moon flew in a wave coming straight towards the station! Dana didn't even get the chance to warn Colonel Dent before he was swept off of the face of the moon! It didn't even register in her brain that the Colonel was now dead. The rocks would have punctured his suit and killed him instantly, and his body would now remain careering through space forever.

That was when the full force of this...disturbance hit the center of the station. With her life flashing before her eyes after the air began to explosively decompress throughout the whole colony, Dana would be the first human in history to see just what this invasive alien force was capable of. Just before things went black for Doctor Dana Carrera, she looked out through the windows of the colony and saw a ship.

**********​

Even for someone as morally ambiguous and admittedly free from most emotional frailties of humanity like sentimentality or terror, the sight that crossed the screens and monitors in his laboratory made the Architect literally drop what he was doing. Zaine Black could not believe his eyes. Ripping his glasses off of his face and running to his central computer, he could only confirm what he already knew to be true: the moon itself had been practically cracked in half. As lunar pieces the size of small cities began sailing down through the Earth's atmosphere, doubtlessly bound to create endless carnage wherever they landed, the Architect fell to his knees and cried.
 
Paris, France 1:03AM local time.


Pierre Oullette has lived an interesting life. Being born to wealthy parents, he has had the luxury of a blessed existance. Fast cars, faster women...and an unquenchable thirst for both.

After leaving the quaint apartment of his most recent conquest, Cecilia, he races down the streets of Paris on his way home after a long night of partying.

Then something catches his eye.

A bright light in the sky. He brings his car to a stop near the Cathedrale de Notre Dame so that he could get a better look at whatever it was in the sky. Then he heard the sound, as if a thousand freight trains were closing in on him all at once, and the large object in the sky began to break apart as it hurtled toward the earth. As the object made landfall, it seemed that time had stopped. Then there was a blinding light, accompanied by a sound so loud, it was as if the planet itself had let out a thunderous roar. In the blink of an eye, a torrent of earth and fire raced across Paris, incinerating everything, and everyone in its path.

On this night, the City of Lights died.
 
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The Blue Blur

"Matt..." I hear Doctor Brown buzzing in my ear as I come to skidding stop outside Wrigley Field.

"What's up, Doc? Hehe, sorry. I couldn't resist."

There's no humor in his voice as he continues.

"Get to France as fast as you can. Bruce, Johnny, and I are watching TV. Something just destroyed Paris."

I disappear in the blink of an eye, breaking the sound barrier five times over in my wake.
 
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Reunion: Part 3 (continued)

"You'd think the green suit and the LHPD uniform would be enough to identify us," I muse, but Sergeant Hampton doesn't appear to be listening. He merely tosses me a flare. Why does he have a flare? Ignoring the peculiarity, I light it. "Cops and your toys..."

The door to the Maximum Security Wing bursts open. In a matter of seconds, the room is flooded with SWAT. They take note of the flares and brush past us, training their guns on the subdued inmates. I hear one of them announce that the wing is clear.

"Told you so," I mutter. I leave my flare on the ground as I head back in the direction of the Main Wing. Sarge is following closely. If all the inmates were freed, then even SWAT may need some assistance from Carver's Emerald Enforcer.

I follow in the direction of the SWAT team, my gun at the ready.

I manage to catch up with Hampton and Mantis as the SWAT team walks point.

"I still want to know why the hell you let him in here, Sergeant."

"Since he put half these guys in here, it seemed fitting that he get to see them in their habitat, sir."

I manage a smile at the mouthy Sergent.

"You have a mouth on you, Sergeant. Keep it up, and I'll make sure you make captain."
 
I follow in the direction of the SWAT team, my gun at the ready.

I manage to catch up with Hampton and Mantis as the SWAT team walks point.

"I still want to know why the hell you let him in here, Sergeant."

"Since he put half these guys in here, it seemed fitting that he get to see them in their habitat, sir."

I manage a smile at the mouthy Sergent.

"You have a mouth on you, Sergeant. Keep it up, and I'll make sure you make captain."
"I don't believe we've met!" I announce in the gushiest voice I can muster. I step forward and thrust out a hand energetically. "I'm the guy who catches your criminals!" I only wish he could see the broad smile beneath my mask.

Sergeant Hampton coughs. "That's more than enough, Mantis," he says in a soft, yet reprimanding, tone. I drop my arm and take a step back. "We're fortunate in that the more dangerous criminals have already been subdued," Sarge tells Inspector Smith. "Between your men and mine, it should be an easy cleanup from this point on."

I bound onto the wall and add, "Made even easier by the resident superhero that just so happens to be in the right place at the right time!"

"I'm going to head down to Control to see if we've restored all systems yet," Sarge explains. "Mantis, try to stay out of more trouble than you're already in. Whoever did this was aiming for you."

I roll my eyes. "A baddie with an agenda. How original." I salute Inspector Smith. "Pleasure meeting you, sir. Maybe we'll run into each other down there." And with that, I bound off down another hallway.
 
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As the mile wide piece of moon rock hurdles toward Lost Haven, I have only one thing on my mind: stopping it.

I fly toward it as fast as I can, knowing full well that smaller pieces of the moon have been responsible for the destruction of Paris, Vancouver, Hong Kong, and St Louis. And a chunk of the moon, much smaller than this was responsible for the tsunami that devastated everything from San Diego to Puget Sound. And I refuse to allow the same thing happen to Lost Haven.

I collide with the giant rock, trying to slow its decent. Unfortunately my efforts have little effect. The chunk of moon is anything but obedient as I try to impose my will on it, it just continues on its course...rocketing toward the city I call home. Ignoring the intense heat coming from the rock, I continue to push back.

"Come on, damn you!" I cry out as I exert more force, trying to reverse its course.

Finally, the struggle begins to turn in my favor. The rock's decent begins to slow, until it finally stops in midair, about a mile above the city.

"Yes!" I exclaim as I continue to push the giant rock back.

Pushing with everything I have, I begin my ascent, forcing the giant chunk of moon back out into space. As I reach the outer reach of the Earth's atmosphere, I give it one last push...sending it on its new course into deep space.

As I decend back down to the Earth, I breathe a momentary sigh of relief knowing that I saved Lost Haven, for the time being. Yet, at the same time grieving for the millions that I have not been able to save around the world.

One thing is certain, our alien attackers have fired their first volley, and although we are still standing, it has changed our planet forever.
 
The Blue Blur
Paris

I stand in pure shock as I see the ruins of the city of lights. The once historic city had survived two world wars, and yet here it was. Nothing but a crater. All those lives, blinked out of exsitence just like that.

"Matt. We're getting other reports. A piece of the moon crashed into the Pacific Ocean. It caused a tsuami. Half the west coast is under water.

"Report out of St. Louis, it's destroyed."

"Paris, Vancouver, and Hong Kong are the same."

"One was headed for Lost Haven, but one of their heroes stopped it. Icon is his name."

I tap my earpiece and cut off Dr. Brown, Johnny, and Bruce from my ear as I speed towards Lost Haven. I know for certain whatever is going on is too huge for me to handle by myself. I could use another superpowered perspective.​
 
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Before the Destruction: Part 1

This isn’t that bad of a party, I thought to myself as I walk around kind of bored standing by myself. Since me and Lexa got here she has been walking around talking to big important people while I do nothing but stand here.

“What a great do to spend my week night.” I say as I grab a drink off of the table as I decide to scope out the area.

As I’m just lingering at the party I hear my name being call.

“Sam what are you doing?”


I turn to see Lexa walking towards me looking beautiful as ever.

“I saw you talking to those people I just assumed it was about business so I didn’t want to get in the way so I just stayed in the back.”

She smiles. “That’s nice of you but I ask you to come here because I want you by my side.”

She then steps up beside me and rap her arms around my right one.

“Besides do you really think I want to be here chatting it up with these upper classmen?”

“I guess not.”


“Now come on lets try and enjoy this party.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Few moments had past and everything was going lovely me and Lexa are having a good time laughing and joking about the guest who has attended the gathering. And then it occurred to me, I have no clue what this is all about.

“Lexa, question.”

“What is it Sam?”

“This whole time I just realize that I have no clue what this whole party is all about.”

“Oh well it is more of a fundraiser.”

“Really that’s cool. What’s the cause?”

“My father is trying to develop a cure for people who are Metahumans.”

“What really?”

“Yeah that is at least what he is saying. He says that with all the things that have been going on he believes that this world will be better without people with powers.”

Now I see why it is so much of a big gathering with all these rich people. Maybe most of them might have encountered a Metahuman. Wouldn’t be hard to believe they have a lot of money and it would be easy for someone with powers to rob them.

“I guess when you think about it, it’s really not a bad idea.”

“No not a good idea a bad one, by making it pubic he is doing nothing but putting a target on his back.”

“Maybe but it will still is for a good cause.”

“Or maybe he is doing it for something else.”

*******
Three unwanted guest were at the party in the back room disguise as waiters during the event but it seem that now their costumes had served it purpose and now it is time to reveal themselves. One of three walks over to a closet and grabs three suitcases from out of it. Inside each one of the suitcases were another set of costumes but more of an iniquity look to them. They put on the other costumes and huddle together.

“Ok everyone this is a very simple plan Coldfront block the exits and Sonic if anybody tries anything you blast them. I’ll take it from there. Now remember we have only 5 to 10 minutes to do this but I would like to do this in 3 because we don’t want any other unwanted guest to join this little party.”


The door that leads to the back room is kick down and instantly the one named Coldfront aims his hands the main door and blast of ice shoots from out of his hands. A wall of ice is created in front of the door so no one could escape.

“Listen everyone I don’t have a lot of time and I don’t like to repeat myself so please just do as I say and promise you we shall be gone before you know it.”
 
Abraham
The Walking Dead

Man is an animal. And a highly predictable one at that.

An hour ago, news began to surface that several major cities across the globe had been destroyed. Completely wiped off the map. Hong Kong, Paris...Not places I cared for, but millions of lives were lost.

People say it was meteors. Some people think the world is ending. A question has been running through my mind...if the world dies, what happens to me?

I leap off the 6th floor fire escape, the wind grabs the tail of my coat and spreads it out like the wing of a bat. The ground comes rushing up to meet me, and when it does my feet touch it gently and without sound. The mugger further down the alley doesn't hear a thing.

"Just gimme ya money, man! Just do it!" he screams frantically. I can hear his heart pumping from where I'm standing. He's terrified. Good.

"Please, dude, this is all I have. Just t-take it!" the younger man cowering on the ground cries out, equally frightened.

With a panicked cry, the mugger grabs a wad of cash from the man's hand and turns to run. His steps echo off the walls of the buildings towering over him, as he darts through the shadows. Just before he makes it out into the moonlight, the shadow takes him. It's as if someone tripped him, and he slams down to the ground.

"Agh, WHAT THE ****!" he screams, turning onto his back. He can't see much, here in the darkness, but I can. "Who the hell are you?!?"

I kneel down next to him, I can almost taste the blood running through his veins. In a swift motion, his arm shoots forward. I look down to see that he's put his weapon, a rather large hunting knife, deep into my chest. I look from the wound, which does not bleed, back to him.

"Awww...Awww naaaahh." he whimpers. "Listen, man, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, man, I'm so sorry. I can't go back to jail, man, I can't. Please, please man, I can't go back."

"Don't worry."

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"You're not going to jail."

His screams spill out onto the streets of Lost Haven, as does the little of his blood I do not consume.
 
WONDER BOY: SIDEKICK FOR HIRE


O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN:
PART EIGHT



I've finally gotten everything somewhat close to 'settled in' since coming to town--my stuff was finally unpacked, even though the moving truck was nearly a whole day late, and made sure to leave an appropriate wad of cash under the land-lady's door along with a note saying it was for my utilities. She must have gotten it, because by that evening, I had my electricity, water, heat, cable tv, and even a halfway decent internet connection all switched on.

It's a nice little setup; a living room/kitchenette which serves as the main hub of the apartment, a small bedroom with a bathroom attached, and an 'office' containing a bunch of my old equipment that I've made sure to keep under lock and key. Oh, and a pile of shredded foam and cotton that used to be the futon I had bought for Ribeye stashed in the corner he's claimed for himself.

After getting it all where I wanted it, I took a walk around the neighborhood, to get a feel for the new surroundings. I'll make sure to do another go-round tomorrow in a little more depth, to memorize potential patrol routes.

Now, still a little winded from jogging all the way up the eleven flights of stairs to get back to my place, it's dinner time. I'm halfway through a bowl of Hamburger Helper, when there's a knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Your land-lady," says a voice on the other end of the door. "You don't have a lot of time--we need everyone to get down to the basement, now!"

"But what's--"

"NOW!"

"Okay, okay, lemme get dressed first," I protest, but by then, she's already knocking on my neighbor's door. As severe as her tone was, there was a hint of something I didn't recognize right away, but then it struck me--fear. She's afraid. This isn't some tennant meeting or safety drill; something big must be going on.

I turn on the TV to see if there's any sort of detail. And as soon as I see it, I'm afraid too.

I haven't been this scared in years.

"I haven't had this much fun in years!"

I'm seventeen, and Captain Wonder and I are right in the thick of a big slug-fest with a gang of losers called the 'Demolition Crew,' led by a roided-up nutjob by the name of Harvey 'Bull' Dozier. Their whole getup is like some evil construction crew, everyone wearing hard-hats and wielding wrenches and sledgehammers along with their actual guns. And not a single one of them could shoot straight or fight worth a damn. Frankly, I'm probably having a little too much fun knocking their skulls together. I might be a little more sympathetic if they hadn't tried to bomb a police station, though.

One of them comes at me with a wild over-hand chop. I easily roll under it, springing up into a two-legged dropkick to his back before he can turn around. He stumbles forward and goes down to one knee, and I run up behind him, planting one foot on the small of his back and using him as an impromptu springboard to somersault over another goon's head.

"Don't get too carried away," Captain Wonder calls out to me as he wrenches the gun out of a goon's hand before pistol-whipping him into unconsciousness. "We're here to take these guys down, not show off."

"Got it, Captain kill-joy," I say, abandoning by fancy capoeira moves and pulling the collapsible batons from my utility belt. "Any of you guys familiar with Kali?"

Most traditional martial arts--Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Wu Shu (which we all mis-translated as 'kung fu' thanks to that TV show)--all contain a lot of moves and drills that are purely for the sake of demonstration and meditation. Kali is a Filipino style that was regulated and safety-ized down into the more familiar Escrima, both of which basically revolve around the art of beating the ever-loving crap out of your opponent as quickly and brutally as possible, usually employing sticks or batons not too different from the ones I'm wielding.

The remainder of Dozier's gang go down into a nice collection of bloody pulps within the next minute or so. Meanwhile, Captain Wonder takes down Dozier himself by getting behind the gigantic oaf and rendering him unconscious with a jiu jitsu choke-hold.

By the time the cops arrive, the sight is really something to behold. Overall, fifteen thugs are down and out, all of them taken down by the same two people. We take a moment to pat ourselves on the back, then grappling-hook our way to the rooftops before the news vans get there.

"Why exactly are we letting the cops take all the credit for this?" I have to ask as we hoof it from building to building, on our way back to the Wonder-mobile.

"Simple," he replies. "The people here need to believe that their own are capable of bringing down the bad guys, with or without our help. The more they believe that, the closer it gets to being true. Eventually, they won't need us at--"

BANG.

At first, I don't recognize the sound for what it is--you hear all kinds of weird sounds when out on patrol. I make the leap over to the next building, executing a rather flawless roll when I hit.

"Cap, you were saying?"

I look over my shoulder, and see he's not there.

"...Cap?"

I look back towards the last building, and I see a red, white, and blue mass lying still on the rooftop, cape still flapping in the breeze, but that's the only part still moving. There's a steadily growing pool of crimson spreading around the mass. It takes me a few seconds to even register what I'm seeing, because I simply won't let myself believe it.

Captain Wonder is dead.

I catch a glimpse of a sniper on the rooftops a few blocks away, who must've caught him from behind. Cap was equipped with an electromagnetic force field to protect him from high-velocity objects like bullets. That means that this guy knew how to get past it...and was waiting for us.

I stare right at the figure with the gun, and I can tell he's looking right back at me. Then,I do the only thing I can think of doing: I run.

I leap down from the roof, grappling onto the fire-escape to slow my descent, then book it through the alleyways towards the car. Hot tears sting my eyes, and bile rises up in my throat. A deathly cold chill runs up and down my spine, numbing my brain.

He's dead.

Oh, God.

Captain Wonder is dead.

"Inconceivable tragedy, the likes of which has never been seen in all of recorded history--"

"--estimating the death toll to be well into the millions, and expecting the official count to at least triple--"

"--lunar debris causing mass destruction on a global scale. Paris, Vancouver, Hong Kong, and St. Louis are all confirmed to have been all but completely wiped from--"

"--unconfirmed reports of catastrophic tsunamis submerging countless islands in the Pacific, including nearly all of Japan--"

"--are left wondering what, if anything, can be done to stop this--"

I turn the TV off.

The land-lady knocks even harder on my door.

"Come on! You've got to get down to the basement!"

"I'm on my way," I say, then I glance over to the locked-up office with all of my old equipment.

I have no idea what the hell it is that I'm planning on doing. But the whole reason I came to Lost Haven was to do something. And this may be the only chance I get.
 
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Mindwarp


Dylan watches the various reports from around the world and in Lost Haven as the 3 CEOs of Dylan's media rivals enter his board-room.

He looks at Brenda and says, "That will be all for now my dear."

She leaves and Dylan and says, " We are facing a Global disaster of Biblical purportions. We all are trying to get the best angle on this story but I say let us pull our resources together in this time of crisis."

They all nod and Elliot Slater of Crystal Communications asks,"You control most of the media in Lost Haven what would you want with us?"

Dylan says, "Elliot I'm concerned about somehow one of you all getting the drop on my company in this situation. I hate to lose so with that in mind"

He looks at Elliot and says, "You will now listen to Peter Geller of the Haddon Network."

He looks at Peter and says, "You will now listen to Martha Wilcox of Empire Broadcasting."

Dylan says to Martha, "You will now do as I say. You will not allow your reporters to directly cover the events here and around the world. You fell it is too dangerous for them to be involved in a situation such as this. You will allow helicopter coverage but no on the ground coverage.You will tell this too Peter and you tell Peter to tell Elliot this information as well."

It all unfolds just as Dylan planned it. They all agree and thank Dylan for his time and leave the room.

Dylan calls his newsproducer and says, "James this is Mr. chambers I want every resource at your disposal covering these events do you whatever you have to do but I want around the clock coverage and every exclusive do what you must to make this happen."

James replies, "Yes sir Mr. Chambers."

Dylan pulls out the tape that he had Edward work on of the rooftop meeting and says, "Once you've got things in motion put Maggie Dixon in charge for the next few hours. I need to meet with you I have information that could be useful."
He hangs up and stares at the tape.

If information is power then I am about to become the most powerful man on this miserable mud-ball.
 
FLUX

Chrissy Jones was getting acquainted with the Earthly phenomenon of 'reality television.' She couldn't help but smile distantly at the amusing antics of 'normal' people. If these men and women were truly any indication of Earthlings, then perhaps Chrissy's initial impression of the species was way off. She knew that they were severely underdeveloped as a people, but this was beyond imagination. She though the lack of space travel was bad.

Suddenly, an invisible wave washes over Chrissy. Her mouth pops open involuntarily, and she emits a choking gasp. Chrissy slams her eyes shut to block out the emotions flooding her senses. It doesn't work. Pain, terror, and deep, limitless sorrow overtake her. Chrissy's head begins to pound as she winces. Blood trickles from her nose. Chrissy stumbles toward the electronic store's display window.

"--don't believe what I'm seeing. This is a satellite image of the Pacific Ocean, taken just minutes ago. Right here, in the center of your screen, is a tiny blip of green in the water. That, ladies and gentlemen, was once Hawaii. Officials are reporting that a massive tsunami may have--"

Chrissy slams her palm weakly against the glass. Her nosebleed is getting stronger as she soaks in the powerful emotions from across the world. She looks up through bloodshot eyes at the multiple television screens. Images of suffering and destruction are being broadcasted in high definition.

"--una vez más, nosotros todavía no sabemos el tamaño de la destruccíon, pero los oficiales están estimando el número en los milliones - posiblemente los mil millones. En los Estados Unidos--"

Tears stream down Chrissy's face, mingling with the blood from her nose. They are not her tears, however. Chrissy is shedding the tears of the millions affected by this sudden disaster. She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, not taking them off the screens before her.

"--massive chunk of lunar rock collided with the Channel Tunnel. The 50 kilometer structure immediately filled with water from the surrounding English Channel, drowning all those trapped inside. A search cannot be conducted until officials are sure that the worst has passed. A statement was issued--"

Chrissy feels like her head is going to explode. She throws it back in pain, noting a goliath-sized shadow washing over Lost Haven. People on the streets are looking up, pointing, and screaming. Chrissy can feel the terror surging through them. She does her best to block it out, thinking of Eiiga's green eyes. This is enough to get her airbourne, as she heads in the direction of what must be another lunar rock.

Much to her surprise, however, the massive meteor not only stops falling, but is repelled from whence it came. Chrissy squints and sees a small, blue man pushing from beneath the rock. With a great heave, he returns the rock to its heavenly home, saving Lost Haven from certain destruction. A small wave of relief washes over Chrissy, allowing her to venture further.

She tries to think of something to say, but nothing comes to mind. She simply flies silently towards the caped hero. Her mind is racing with a thousand things, but she takes care to keep the peaceful, happy things in the forefront. It is not an easy task, but it is all she can do to stay afloat in the sky. Beneath her, the city is buzzing with action, erupting with emotion. She simply swallows the lump in her throat and pushes forward.
 
The Blue Blur


Paris

I stand in pure shock as I see the ruins of the city of lights. The once historic city had survived two world wars, and yet here it was. Nothing but a crater. All those lives, blinked out of exsitence just like that.

"Matt. We're getting other reports. A piece of the moon crashed into the Pacific Ocean. It caused a tsuami. Half the west coast is under water.

"Report out of St. Louis, it's destroyed."

"Paris, Vancouver, and Hong Kong are the same."

"One was headed for Lost Haven, but one of their heroes stopped it. Icon is his name."

I tap my earpiece and cut off Dr. Brown, Johnny, and Bruce from my ear as I speed towards Lost Haven. I know for certain whatever is going on is too huge for me to handle by myself. I could use another superpowered perspective.​

It takes me about three seconds to race from Europe to the east coast. Another two seconds to search Lost Haven for the man in a cape and mask that they call Icon.

"You!" I say as I skid to a stop in front of Icon. Glass shatters and people hold their ears as the sound of five sonic booms crash through the city.

"Sorry. I usually, gently cruise out of Mach 5 before stopping. But this is an emergency. Do you know what the hell is going on? Why did the goddamn moon explode like a pinata?!"
 
The Blue Blur





It takes me about three seconds to race from Europe to the east coast. Another two seconds to search Lost Haven for the man in a cape and mask that they call Icon.

"You!" I say as I skid to a stop in front of Icon. Glass shatters and people hold their ears as the sound of five sonic booms crash through the city.

"Sorry. I usually, gently cruise out of Mach 5 before stopping. But this is an emergency. Do you know what the hell is going on? Why did the goddamn moon explode like a pinata?!"

I had barely touched down after the close call with the lunar rock when the man known as The Blue Blur finds me.

"I think I do." I say, still breathing somewhat heavy after sending the city sized moonrock back into space.

"Survivor and I have been following up on some data we received about a possible alien attack. It looks like we were right."

Blur stands there for a second, digesting what I had just said when I notice a second figure coming toward us. There's something familiar about her, and it only takes an instant for me to figure out where I know her from. It's the girl that helped Mantis and I take down Richter while back.

"Flux?" I say as she approaches.

"I'm glad to see you, both of you. I think we're going to need all the help we can get."
 
I had barely touched down after the close call with the lunar rock when the man known as The Blue Blur finds me.

"I think I do." I say, still breathing somewhat heavy after sending the city sized moonrock back into space.

"Survivor and I have been following up on some data we received about a possible alien attack. It looks like we were right."

Blur stands there for a second, digesting what I had just said when I notice a second figure coming toward us. There's something familiar about her, and it only takes an instant for me to figure out where I know her from. It's the girl that helped Mantis and I take down Richter while back.

"Flux?" I say as she approaches.

"I'm glad to see you, both of you. I think we're going to need all the help we can get."

I ignore the girl who lands next to me and Icon. My brain is still stuck on Icon's last few words.

"You mean 'aliens' as in, those dues from Independence Day, War of The Worlds, Alien, Aliens, and When Mars Attacks?"

Icon nods curtly.

"I thought aliens didn't exist?...Well, seeing as how I can run Mach 5 and you just stopped huge piece of moonrock from destroying a metropolis, I might want to expand my mind."


 
I ignore the girl who lands next to me and Icon. My brain is still stuck on Icon's last few words.

"You mean 'aliens' as in, those dues from Independence Day, War of The Worlds, Alien, Aliens, and When Mars Attacks?"

Icon nods curtly.

"I thought aliens didn't exist?...Well, seeing as how I can run Mach 5 and you just stopped huge piece of moonrock from destroying a metropolis, I might want to expand my mind."

I nod in agreement as Blue Blur speaks.

"Might be a good idea." I say, attempting to make a joke, but with everything that has been going on, it comepletely falls flat.

"I'm actually glad that you're here. I think we're gonna need all the help we can get."
 
FLUX
I nod in agreement as Blue Blur speaks.

"Might be a good idea." I say, attempting to make a joke, but with everything that has been going on, it comepletely falls flat.

"I'm actually glad that you're here. I think we're gonna need all the help we can get."
Flux remains silent for as long as she can muster. She barely registers a response to Icon's greeting, so she is thankful when he redirects his attention to the Blue Blur. She can tell that they're talking, but she doesn't hear the words. She's lost within her own mind, trying to deal with the thousands of emotions flooding her senses. The image of Eiiga's eyes begins to falter.

"My people did this," Flux announces in a barely audible whisper. Yet even this faintest of sounds is piercing enough to instantly grab the attention of Icon and Blue Blur. They say nothing, hoping that she will elaborate further. "They did this."

And that is all she manages to say on the matter.
 
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