The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[NiteMare Shape]

After discussing our current situation for several more minutes, something catches my attention. I concentrate, trying to block out all the sounds of the city, honing my hearing...tuning it until I can only hear the source of the new crisis in the city. A hostage situation not far from here.

"Excuse me, I have to go. There's something going on Midtown, near the Fairbanks Building. I have to go."

After taking my leave of Blue Blur and Flux, it only takes me a few moments to get to the source of the commotion...Some lunatic has taken over a city bus.

From here I can see that there is at least one dead, from the looks of it...just a kid no older than 15, maybe younger. And I can see the attacker...

[blackout] - ULTIMA -[/blackout]
The Walking Apocalypse

Without hesitation, Ultima teleports, vanishing from the rooftop where he has been waiting, leaving behind a smoke cloud.

*Poof*

Ultima suddenly appears in the bus. The passengers are alarmed as the all stand up.
Ultima turns to the bus driver.

"I'm here to relieve you of your shift"

Ultima telekinetically opens to door and hurls the driver out into oncoming traffic.
An 18 weeler swerves to avoid the rolling body but runs over him anyway when it collides into another truck creating a large explosion.

Ultima continues to drive the bus with his mind. An exceptional multi-tasker, Ultima doesn't need to watch the road, he is faceing the passengers.

"Okay, Who's first? Eeeny meeny miney moe" he says as his fingers follow each passenger. He stops at a young boy, no older than 13.
"You! You are gonna set an example, kid!" Ultima raises his hand and pulls the child toward him with his mind. The kid begins crying and even wets himself mid-air

"This kid is first. Ladies and gentlemen I encourage you to pull out your cellular phones and call the police. Tell them that another one of you DIES every minute untill a super hero shows up. A real life, bonafied superhero!"

"I don't know what it is that you want, and I don't care. There has been enough bloodshed today, and I'm not going to let you kill anyone else."

 

[Johnny Drama]

[blackout] - ULTIMA -[/blackout]
The Walking Apocalypse


Ultima holds the boy by the throat, the boys face now a dark shade of purple. Several men on the bus try to get up in aid of the child, but Ultima has them all secure in place, telekinetically.

Ultima sees out of the corner of his eye a blue figure in the sky. It is Icon, and Ultima now has found what he's been looking for.
Just then, the boy passes out, Ultima drops the body and takes his attention away from the passengers. A young women rushes to the child to administer CPR. She may be too late.

"Ah, the one that catches the moon, Earths boy-scout. Just goes to show, you wanna catch the big fish, you need to use the right bait. THIS...this is going to be fun..."

 

[Spike_x1]

That's when I spotted the Survivor using a truck as cover to protect some bystanders from being obliterated, but as the metoer chunk crashed down, I saw a little girl straying away from her mother. The debris from the crash was coming fast, so I had to act.

I jumped in front of the girl, turning around and shielding the two of us with a force field composed of the same black energy that I generate from my hands. The large fragment of moon shattered upon the collision, leaving the girl and unharmed...

"Keep safe. Stay with your mother..."

"Ok, I will... Thank you, Mister."

I nudged her to go back to her mom. I'm just glad I was able to make it in time to help her, or else she would've become yet another casualty to this alien attack.

I looked over to Survivor, who still held the truck he used for a barricade in his hands. We have yet to converse since I joined him and Icon in talking to the President, so I think now's the time to say something...

"Survivor! We need to get the others to help us evacuate these people to safety! This city's about to become Ground Zero if we don't do something!"

For a moment, Adam ignored Black Light, concentrating on getting the people out from underneath of the truck, now that the danger had passed for the time being. At last, the Survivor let the truck down, where it bounced on its suspension for a second or two, before turning to face the other superhero.

"The city's evacuating the people now. I saw buses going by, heading off of Central Island." The Survivor gestured to three commercial buses going by, all of their passengers nervously waiting to get to one of the bridges off of the island. "They've got it covered. Of course, if you can help with the evacuation, do it. My main priority, though, is damage control. God only knows how many people are trapped under tons of rubble, and in burning buildings. Ordinary rescue crews could take hours to get to those people." Leaping upward and bounding off of a flagpole before landing on a rooftop running, Adam called back to the younger hero; "Get moving!"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Excuse me, I have to go. There's something going on Midtown, near the Fairbanks Building. I have to go."

I look and Flux and shrug.

"When you gotta go, you gotta go."

I look out the warehouse windows and see people running and trying to leave the destruction of this city.

"You know what? I can't sit in here while all these people need help. Coming along?"

Before Flux can respond, I'm gone and already zooming around the city, rescuing trapped people at unimaginable speeds. I only slow down when I see a familiar face....or familiar mask.

"Get moving!"

I hit the brakes and come to a sliding stop in front of Survivor.

"Survivor, right? Blue Blur at your service."

I kick it into high gear and pull people out of harm's way at the speed of sound.

Two dozen dirty and rubble caked people look around dazed as they appear on the street.

"That's all the ones in the immediate area. How many blocks got ripped up?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

[blackout] - ULTIMA -[/blackout]
The Walking Apocalypse


Ultima holds the boy by the throat, the boys face now a dark shade of purple. Several men on the bus try to get up in aid of the child, but Ultima has them all secure in place, telekinetically.

Ultima sees out of the corner of his eye a blue figure in the sky. It is Icon, and Ultima now has found what he's been looking for.
Just then, the boy passes out, Ultima drops the body and takes his attention away from the passengers. A young women rushes to the child to administer CPR. She may be too late.

"Ah, the one that catches the moon, Earths boy-scout. Just goes to show, you wanna catch the big fish, you need to use the right bait. THIS...this is going to be fun..."

When I first heard the commotion I half expected to find one of this city's usual suspects, but when I did arrived and saw the "man" at the center of the chaos, I knew that it wasn't the case. This guy is someone new, and by the looks of him he is not messing around.

Once I get a better look at the boy who he was attacking, I can see that he is still breathing, barely. Then I see something else...Jenny. My kid sister is on this bus.

I feel a small wave of panic wash over me, but I force myself to ignore it...otherwise I'm going to get Jenny, and everyone else on that bus killed. I can't give this guy any hint of what I am feeling, so I resist making eye contact with my sister, instead focusing on the attacker.

"You picked the wrong day to attack my city, friend. I'm going to end this now." I say to the attacker.

But he just gives an amused gutteral, grunting laugh.

"Would you care to step outside?"

 

[Johnny Drama]

[blackout] - ULTIMA -[/blackout]
The Walking Apocalypse

"You picked the wrong day to attack my city, friend. I'm going to end this now." I say to the attacker.



But he just gives an amused gutteral, grunting laugh.



"Would you care to step outside?"

"Now why would I do that? The party is right here!"
Icon and Ultima stare each other down for a good 3 seconds before Icon quickly flies towards him in attempt to bring him down, but just crashes through the windshield as Ultima teleports in the last second. Ultima is now kneeling on top of the bus and Icon collides into a parked police car, causing a huge dent in the vehicle. Icon looks on and sees Ultima smiling and waiving as the bus speeds off.

Icon quickly gets back up and launches towards the bus with an unprecedented speed.
Before Icon gets to the bus, Ultima again vanishes amist a smoke cloud and then meets Icon face to face in mid-air, deliverind a blow to Icons temple. Ultima teleports from behind Icon and hands him two more hits to the back of his head, and then once more telporting to the front of Icon with an elbow to Icons nose. Icon is caught off guard but shakes it off and dilevers a punch to Ultima so hard the menace falls to the ground before he can teleport away.
Icon speeds off in the direction of the bus in an effort to save the passengers from a tragic fate. A man from the back of the bus rushes to the wheel in the bus drivers absense, but can't steer as the bus is still under Ultimas control. Traveling at over 80 mph, the bus has gained some distance but Icon quickly catches up, but *Poof* Ultima is once again kneeling atop the speeding bus, this time with blood pouring from his nose.

"Icon, right? Nice to meet ya, The names Ultima. I've been looking for you for a long time, I am glad I finally got your attention.
3 busses have already evacuated the city. But I am taking this one with me"

"Over my DEAD body..."

"Yeah, that's kinda the plan"

 

[Pulp]

psivox



I woke up lying on the ground about twenty feet away from the Ford Fairlane. About ten feet to the other side of me was Emily Fairchild. She was moaning, but I could see no blood.

My head spun as I tried to get up on my knees. It took a great amount of will power just to even kneel. But I wasn't hurt, just dizzy. I crawled over to Emily and held her hand till she opened her eyes.

"John? Are you okay?" Emily asked. She looked stoned - maybe a result of whatever had hit us. "John?"

"I guess so. What the hell happened I want to know? The Ford's totaled."

Emily eased herself up on her elbows. By now I was recovering, I stood up. The world still seemed to spin but I was gaining control. I helped Emily stand.

Gradually I noticed our surroundings had changed dramatically. We were no longer on a desert highway. We were in some city street, gray buildings like warehouses stretched in a line down one side of the street. On the other was a Woolworths and a gas station and a diner and a huge parking lot. The Woolworths was shuttered, maybe they had closed for the weekend. The gas station looked to be deserted. The parking lot had two vehicles standing on it. One was a Ford truck, the other was Mustang GT.

Emily fumbled for the inevitable cigarette. It had ceased raining.

"We're no longer in Kansas, Dorothy," I said. "Look at the sign on the gas station..."

The sign read: LOST HAVEN SUPER 8.

I had never heard of Lost Haven. I had no idea how we had come here. That was, until Emily said:

"Something heavy hit us, like an atomic bomb. It blew us from Nevada to wherever we are now."

"Is that even possible?" I asked.

"I have no idea," Emily replied. "But I do know my father's laboratory and office is near here. Maybe we'll find the answers there."

 

[SuperBoy-CK]

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 way 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.”​

Before the Destruction: Part 2

“Lexa I must say that at first I was kind of hesitate about coming here. I thought that maybe I wouldn’t fit in with the high class but with you I’m having a good time.”

She looks at me and smiles, right when she is about to reply a door not to far from us is force off its hinges. Three guys walk through the doorway and one on the right aims his hands at the entrance and ice comes out and freezes the door shut.

“This can’t be good.” I say to myself but Im pretty sure Lexa also heard me.

The one in the middle of the three walks up to the middle of the room.

“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.”

This is just perfect, with all these people around I can’t use my powers to save them or my identity will be found out and I left my costume in the limo. PERFECT!

“Now I’m looking around and I can’t seem to find Mr. Love now I know you are here because I just handed you a drink, so Mr. Love please stand up.”

Everyone including myself is waiting for him to show himself but he doesn’t as if he is hiding. I wouldn’t blame him.

“I see. I really hate doing things this way. Sonic grab her.”

The guy points at Lexa.

“Lexa get behind me.”

She says nothing she just does what I ask her. Even though I know I can’t use my powers I can’t just let them take her.

The one known as Sonic approaches me.

“Are you going to get out of the way?”

“I’m not going to let you take her.” I say with a fearless look on my face.

Sonic looks back at his leader and his leader sighs and gave a head knob to signal a good head command.

Sonic then looks at me and smiles and to my surprise he grabs me by the hand and quickly throws me to the left towards the window. The throw caught me off guard but I made sure not to fall to the ground. He surprised me but this time I have my powers ready he won’t move me so easily. He lifts his hands up and points them in my direction. I stare at his hands knowing something is going to come out of them. Maybe fire since the other guy shots out ice doesn’t matter Im ready. While watching his hands they look as if they are vibrating.

“Bring it on.” I say waiting for the worse.

“You got it.” Sonic says as he releases his powers out of his hands. It’s a sonic wave that is so powerful that on impact it sent me crashing throw the window falling 20 stores to the ground.


*******
“NOOOOOOO!” Lexa screams out as she watches me fly out of the window.

“See this is what I didn’t want to happen. If anyone else wants to be a hero you can join him. Now that you know we are serious Mr. Love show yourself I won’t ask again.”

A man walks from behind a crowd of people revealing his self to be Mr. Love.

“You don’t have to kill anyone else im right here.”

“No one would had to die if you revealed your self earlier you coward.” His daughter says with anger and sadness in her voice.

“Strong and correct words, I don’t like violence I try to avoid it at every cost but sometimes you have to show people that you are willing to do what it takes to get what you want.”

“What is it you want?”

“Yes lets get to the point but lets take this to your office. Sonic you’re with me and Coldfront you watch everyone down here. If they try anything freeze them to death. Mr. Love if you will lead the way please sir.”

The four of them then heads towards the elevator going to Mr. Loves office as Coldfront watches over the guest.

*******

“OH MY GOD IM GOING TO DIE!” I yell while falling 20 stores to my death. I can fell my heart trying to beat out of my chest. I can’t believe that my hero road is going to stop here. If only I could fly if only I could survive this fall. I see my refection on the pasting windows on my way down. “Not yet I don’t want to die I still have much to officer this city this world.” I then close my eyes and wait for death to come.

I feel my body hit something solid. I open just my left I thinking that maybe I was still falling but I realize that I came to a stop. I open the other and see that the force of my body had rip a near by car right in half. “I can’t believe this I’m okay Im still alive. YEAH!” I scream out in joy. I then remember back to when I got hit by the truck protecting Lexa. “I guess this proves it my other power is invulnerability. Thank God.” I then see the limo out of the corner of my eye. “That’s right those people up there need me.” I move the wreckage of the car off of my so that I can get up. Quickly I make it to the limo and enter from the right side grabbing my book bag that I left in the back. Just as fast as I enter from the right I had exit from the left but instead of wearing my tux I had of my costume standing outside of the limo as The Youngster. Wasting no time I run off in super speed heading back to save Lexa and the others.


​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

[blackout] - ULTIMA -[/blackout]
The Walking Apocalypse



"Now why would I do that? The party is right here!"
Icon and Ultima stare each other down for a good 3 seconds before Icon quickly flies towards him in attempt to bring him down, but just crashes through the windshield as Ultima teleports in the last second. Ultima is now kneeling on top of the bus and Icon collides into a parked police car, causing a huge dent in the vehicle. Icon looks on and sees Ultima smiling and waiving as the bus speeds off.

Icon quickly gets back up and launches towards the bus with an unprecedented speed.
Before Icon gets to the bus, Ultima again vanishes amist a smoke cloud and then meets Icon face to face in mid-air, deliverind a blow to Icons temple. Ultima teleports from behind Icon and hands him two more hits to the back of his head, and then once more telporting to the front of Icon with an elbow to Icons nose. Icon is caught off guard but shakes it off and dilevers a punch to Ultima so hard the menace falls to the ground before he can teleport away.
Icon speeds off in the direction of the bus in an effort to save the passengers from a tragic fate. Traveling at over 80 mph, the bus has gained some distance but Icon quickly catches up, but *Poof* Ultima is once again kneeling atop the speeding bus, this time with blood pouring from his nose.

"Icon, right? Nice to meet ya, The names Ultima. I've been looking for you for a long time, I am glad I finally got your attention.
3 busses have already evacuated the city. But I am taking this one with me"

"Over my DEAD body..."

"Yeah, that's kinda the plan"

"I'm not a hard man to find Ultima. This isn't necessary...you wanted me, I'm here...let these people go."

"But where's the fun in that?" Ultima says as he drives a hard fist into my temple, forcing me to lose my grip on the bus.

Ultima winds up for another shot, but as he does so I take a small risk. I let go of the bus with one hand, and lightly shove it with the other. The sudden shift in momentum of the bus knocks Ultima forward. As he stumbles, I hit him with a hard right hand, with an added kick of a heat blast backing it up. Ultima falls from the bus and hits the concrete hard. I fly to the driver's window.

"I want you to head straight for the bridge, don't stop for anything, I'll keep him occupied, just get these people out of here."

The driver nods and presses his foot to the floor and the bus takes off down the street. As the bus barrels down the street, I turn to face my foe again.

"Let's finish this."

 

[trustyside-kick]

OOC: Previously...

The police arrive, and I stick around; something that I rarely do. Sure, when I first started out I tried to keep things on the down-low. But with the rise of so many heroes, such as the Blue Blur and Icon, the mystery behind the mask isn't what it used to be. Granted, I don't stand around for photographers to take shots of me, but I just cannot bring it to myself to leave this crime scene just yet.

Still, as I ask myself.

"Was that Jake?"

Jake was doing bad. That was for sure. I heard plenty from Grace about his issues at his new school and problems with his classmates. But I never thought...never...not once. I never thought that Jake's actions could lead him to something like this.

One of the police officers walks up to me.

"Uh...Archangel is it?"

"Yea."

"Sorry, just...never see you around these parts."

"These men are a curious lot."

"Oh yea they are. Damn cultists."

"So you're familiar with them?"

"Oooohh yea. They started sprouting out of all kinds of dirt these past few weeks. We aren't the first city to deal with 'em. They've been all over the East really. No one has seen their leader yet. All we know is he's some nut that goes by the name of Madlove."

"Madlove? What kind of a--"

"I know, right? Some freakshow nut, I don't know. Bottom line is, his followers have been spilling all kinds of crap to the youth of this city. Just last week I had to arrest 3 kids at the local high school that were trespassing, trying to get new 'followers'."

"And you guys have yet to have any clue as to where they meet?"

"Not yet. All the wackos we arrest that are a member of this cult, babbles on and on about some great church of theres. I don't know..."

A church? Obviously not your typical church if the police of Lost Haven haven't been able to pinpoint them. And now Jake is in league with these people. My gosh...Jake what have you gotten yourself into?

"So uh...does this mean we'll be see you around these parts now?"

"Maybe."

I take to the sky, soaring up towards the stars in the nightsky. It's running late. Jake's not going anywhere. Obviously Grace doesn't know anything about this cult run by Madlove; nor do his parents. They're aware that Jake's...changed, but they obviously have no clue. I'll just follow him home from sunday school tomorrow. Even if he tries to skip, his parents will be dropping him off at the nearby church school building regardless.

 

[Johnny Drama]

[blackout] - ULTIMA vs ICON-[/blackout]

Ultima smiles at Icon before letting out his battle cry...

"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Ultima and Icon rush towards each other with an astonishing quickness. Icon spears Ultima and takes the battle to the air, flying about 70 feet up before throwing the villain back towards the ground with all his strength. As Ultima collides into the ground, he shatters the concrete street around him. Ultima lays on the ground as it begins to collapse underneath him, laughing his ass off. Then suddenly, The road gives in and Ultima falls through, into the sewer.
By the time Icon reaches the street, he sees the large hole created by Ultima's crash landing.
"Best day ever" Icon sarcastically says to himself as he lowers into the sewer.
Icon studies his surroundings but can not see Ultima. He hones his hearing in and is surprised to hear the sound of a crying child...
"What the hell is a child doing in the sewer?" Icon thinks as he flies into the direction of the Child. He is shocked to find a little boy cold, wet and shivering, with rat bites and claw marks all over his body.
"Please help me mister, the scary man brought me down here" The boy responds.
"Are you alright, son? Whats your name? How long have you been down here?" Icon says as he rushed to the boys aid, helping him up.
"I...I don't know mister. It's been a long time. My name is Alex..." The boy replies.
Icon has to get this boy to safety. The hospital is down the street and Ultima wont have enough time get far, he thinks. Icon does what he has to do.
"You latch on to my back, Alex. Like I am giving you a piggy back ride. We are going to get you to the hospital and we will find your mommy and daddy, OK?"

"Okay,Mister..."
Icon opens the manhole above them and flies out with the boy on his back.

"Hey Mister?" The boy says.
"Yeah, Alex?"
"You’re really stupid, ya know that?" Alex says as he shape shifts, reverting to Ultima and using his telekinesis to throw Ultima through a window in the sky scraper adjacent to them.
Ultima teleports to the top floor of the skyscraper where Icon is now laying.
"Can't believe you fell for that one..."

Icon picks himself up and looks his foe in the eyes.
"Nice trick, Ultima? Just how many powers do you have?"

"A Lot. When I kill you I'll have more"Ultima teleports towards Icon and gives him a nice hard fist to the jaw, but Icon is done playing around, and meets Ultima with a heat blast to the face. Ultima counters with a telekinetic push, coupled with a teleporting attack as Ultima appears in Icons proximity with a roundhouse kick.
Icon delivers a flurry of punches to Ultima and then an uppercut so powerful that it puts Ultima through a wall. Icon enters the other room through the hole he created but doesn’t see Ultima.
*Poof*
Ultima appears behind Icon, pulls him close and teleports away.
*Poof*

Suddenly, Ultima and Icon are back on top of the bus as it crosses the bridge. Still in Ultima’s grasp, Icon flips Ultima over his back, causing a huge dent in the roof.
Icon kneels down and grabs Ultima by the throat.

“Why!?! Why do you keep bringing this fight here? To these people? Why won’t you leave them out of this”

“Hehehe, a bit obvious, isn’t it? Around them, you can’t go all out. You can’t kill me and protect them at the same time”

“I wont kill you…”

“You will if you know what’s good for you. I am the blackest plague to ever hit this planet. Ask yourself this, Icon…

Why now? Why did I come to Lost Have in the middle of an alien invasion, hmmm?”

“What are you talking about, Ultima?”

“When all is said in done, the corpses of your planets children will be our rag dolls, your wives will be out concubines and the graveyards holding your ancestors will be our septic tanks. This world as you know it will be taken from you, your existence will be erased."

“If that’s the case, then I have no choice but to kill you…” Icon says as he pulls his fist back.

Ultima smiles.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

[blackout] - ULTIMA vs ICON-[/blackout]

Ultima smiles at Icon before letting out his battle cry...

"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Ultima and Icon rush towards each other with an astonishing quickness. Icon spears Ultima and takes the battle to the air, flying about 70 feet up before throwing the villain back towards the ground with all his strength. As Ultima collides into the ground, he shatters the concrete street around him. Ultima lays on the ground as it begins to collapse underneath him, laughing his ass off. Then suddenly, The road gives in and Ultima falls through, into the sewer.
By the time Icon reaches the street, he sees the large hole created by Ultima's crash landing.
"Best day ever" Icon sarcastically says to himself as he lowers into the sewer.
Icon studies his surroundings but can not see Ultima. He hones his hearing in and is surprised to hear the sound of a crying child...
"What the hell is a child doing in the sewer?" Icon thinks as he flies into the direction of the Child. He is shocked to find a little boy cold, wet and shivering, with rat bites and claw marks all over his body.
"Please help me mister, the scary man brought me down here" The boy responds.
"Are you alright, son? Whats your name? How long have you been down here?" Icon says as he rushed to the boys aid, helping him up.
"I...I don't know mister. It's been a long time. My name is Alex..." The boy replies.
Icon has to get this boy to safety. The hospital is down the street and Ultima wont have enough time get far, he thinks. Icon does what he has to do.
"You latch on to my back, Alex. Like I am giving you a piggy back ride. We are going to get you to the hospital and we will find your mommy and daddy, OK?"

"Okay,Mister..."
Icon opens the manhole above them and flies out with the boy on his back.

"Hey Mister?" The boy says.
"Yeah, Alex?"
"You’re really stupid, ya know that?" Alex says as he shape shifts, reverting to Ultima and using his telekinesis to throw Ultima through a window in the sky scraper adjacent to them.
Ultima teleports to the top floor of the skyscraper where Icon is now laying.
"Can't believe you fell for that one..."

Icon picks himself up and looks his foe in the eyes.
"Nice trick, Ultima? Just how many powers do you have?"

"A Lot. When I kill you I'll have more"Ultima teleports towards Icon and gives him a nice hard fist to the jaw, but Icon is done playing around, and meets Ultima with a heat blast to the face. Ultima counters with a telekinetic push, coupled with a teleporting attack as Ultima appears in Icons proximity with a roundhouse kick.
Icon delivers a flurry of punches to Ultima and then an uppercut so powerful that it puts Ultima through a wall. Icon enters the other room through the hole he created but doesn’t see Ultima.
*Poof*
Ultima appears behind Icon, pulls him close and teleports away.
*Poof*

Suddenly, Ultima and Icon are back on top of the bus as it crosses the bridge. Still in Ultima’s grasp, Icon flips Ultima over his back, causing a huge dent in the roof.
Icon kneels down and grabs Ultima by the throat.

“Why!?! Why do you keep bringing this fight here? To these people? Why won’t you leave them out of this”

“Hehehe, a bit obvious, isn’t it? Around them, you can’t go all out. You can’t kill me and protect them at the same time”

“I wont kill you…”

“You will if you know what’s good for you. I am the blackest plague to ever hit this planet. Ask yourself this, Icon…

Why now? Why did I come to Lost Have in the middle of an alien invasion, hmmm?”

“What are you talking about, Ultima?”

“When all is said in done, the corpses of your planets children will be our rag dolls, your wives will be out concubines and the graveyards holding your ancestors will be our septic tanks. This world as you know it will be taken from you, your existence will be erased."

“If that’s the case, then I have no choice but to kill you…” Icon says as he pulls his fist back.

Ultima smiles.

I hit him with a hard right hand.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

Ultima looks at me and laughs.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to let you get off that easy. I'm going to see that you pay for your crimes. And if what you're saying is true, and you are in league with whoever it is that is attacking us, I will personally see to it that you never see the light of another day. You'll be locked away where you can never hurt anyone again. And as for your teleporting trick, don't worry, I know someone who can cake sure that you can't do that where you're going."

For the first time Ultima's expression changes from smug psychopath, to someone who isn't so sure about what he is doing. Then he charges, hitting me in the midsection and driving us off the top of the bus. We hit the ground rolling, and when we finally come to a stop he is on top of me, hitting me with what seems to be everything he's got.

"Yes." I think to myself. "The longer I can keep him occupied here, the more time I can give that bus to get away."

Ultima brings his fist up again, preparing to deliver a killing blow. Just as he lets loose, I move my head just in time. He buries his fist in the concrete. He lets out a flurry of curses that would make a marine blush, and as he's distracted I lift us off the ground and hurdle us toward the Lost Haven Central Savings Bank, where we crash through the side of the brick wall.
We get to our feet at the same time, and I meet him with an uppercut combined with a heat blast that knocks him back out through the same wall we came in through, creating another large hole in the side of the bank.

I follow him out to the sidewalk where I find him on one knee trying to get back to his feet.

"Enough Ultima, give it up."

 

[Spike_x1]

I hit the brakes and come to a sliding stop in front of Survivor.

"Survivor, right? Blue Blur at your service."

I kick it into high gear and pull people out of harm's way at the speed of sound.

Two dozen dirty and rubble caked people look around dazed as they appear on the street.

"That's all the ones in the immediate area. How many blocks got ripped up?"

Adam had to admit that it was somewhat startling to see the Blue Blur arrive in almost the blink of an eye, introduce himself, and then once again disappear before reappearing a second later after freeing a number of people from being trapped in the rubble. After a brief moment of trying to find the right words to say, the Survivor replied, "No idea. Whatever the damage is, it's obviously enough for the city to think that evacuating Central Island is in the population's best interests."

Looking out over the city skyline, the Survivor can see smoke and fires rising in the air in the distance. "I think that that's where we're needed next," he said, pointing towards the area in need.

 

[Johnny Drama]

I hit him with a hard right hand.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

Ultima looks at me and laughs.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to let you get off that easy. I'm going to see that you pay for your crimes. And if what you're saying is true, and you are in league with whoever it is that is attacking us, I will personally see to it that you never see the light of another day. You'll be locked away where you can never hurt anyone again. And as for your teleporting trick, don't worry, I know someone who can cake sure that you can't do that where you're going."

For the first time Ultima's expression changes from smug psychopath, to someone who isn't so sure about what he is doing. Then he charges, hitting me in the midsection and driving us off the top of the bus. We hit the ground rolling, and when we finally come to a stop he is on top of me, hitting me with what seems to be everything he's got.

"Yes." I think to myself. "The longer I can keep him occupied here, the more time I can give that bus to get away."

Ultima brings his fist up again, preparing to deliver a killing blow. Just as he lets loose, I move my head just in time. He buries his fist in the concrete. He lets out a flurry of curses that would make a marine blush, and as he's distracted I lift us off the ground and hurdle us toward the Lost Haven Central Savings Bank, where we crash through the side of the brick wall.
We get to our feet at the same time, and I meet him with an uppercut combined with a heat blast that knocks him back out through the same wall we came in through, creating another large hole in the side of the bank.

I follow him out to the sidewalk where I find him on one knee trying to get back to his feet.

"Enough Ultima, give it up."

"I...*cough, cough*...I haven't even begun to...fight..." Ultima says before he falls to the ground, now unconscious.
Icon stands over Ultima.
"I'm going to make damn sure you never hurt anyone again..."

5 hours ago

Detective Ari Lorne sits at the Blue Bird Diner, drinking his coffee and reading his newspaper. Amy, a pretty blond waitress, stops by to top off his cup.
"Long night, Ari?" She asks.
"Not yet, Amy. But it's gonna be" Ari says as he shoots her a grin. She smiles back as she walks away.
"Care if I join you?" Says agent Sutherland as he sits down at Ari's table.
"Sutherland, I have a cell phone you know..." Replies Ari.
"I know... I needed to see you face to face" Said Sutherland.
"I don't blame you, I've got quite a face to look at..."
"Ari, Ultima is just the beginning of our problems it seems"
"The beginning of YOUR problems, maybe... All I care about is bringing Ultima down..." Responds Ari.
"And I believe you can, Ari. That's why I chose you." Sutherland says.
Sutherland pulls a vile of a green liquid from inside of his coat.
"Omega X.1, it's a chemical that the government has been developing to combat the metahuman explosion we have encountered in the last few years. If injected into a metahumans bloodstream, it will do one of two things: Either it will 'erase' ones powers...or it will kill them"
"I like the 2nd option" Ari proclaims.
"It hasn't been tested yet, we want you to use it on Ultima" Sutherland said.
"I'd love to. Gotta find the bastard first." Ari said.
"Ultima is greedy. I have more than enough reason to believe he came to Lost Haven in search of power, so it's only a matter of time before he is taken down by the likes of Icon or another costumed hero. Once we bring him in, I want you to be the one to inject this into his aorta. You get to kill Ultima, Ari..."
Ari smiles.
"Goddamn Sutherland, It must be my birthday..."

Now

AAAAAAAAAGGH!!!

I wake up in large white room. I have no idea where I am. Goddman it's bright in here. Where was I? Oh, I just got my ass handed to me for the first time in my career as a super villain.
Icon. When we meet next I WILL kill you, and I will have your power. This is far from over. I look across the room to see a window to a laboratory. I see a man standing on the other side of the window, just watching me. My vision is still blurry and I can't make out who it is, that is, until he says my name.

"Hello Ultima. It's been a while..."

I recognize the voice. Ari Lorne. LHPD. I killed his son years ago, he's had it out for me ever since. Let it go, man. Sheesh, it was 3 years ago! hahaha...

"Ari! Long time no see! Why don't you come on in here and keep me company..."

"I would love to..."

 

[Rain Dog]

MADLOVE​

CHAPTER 6: HARK, THE ANGELS COME​

“Where are the others?” I calmly ask the boy, doing my best to hide my concern, “And where is the supplier?”

“They’re gone…the angel got them…”

“…Angel?”

“Archangel.”

“Archangel…my boy, we have discussed such things in my sermons…angles and demons are illusions created by—”

“—I saw him, Reverend! He moved the ground and got the others…I was able to stab the supplier, Reverend, but then he went for me…”

“Moved the ground? So this ‘Archangel’, he demonstrated some powers of his, did he?”

The boy nodded. Christianity was quite possibly the most powerful religion in this world and these ‘angels’ play a large role in their doctrine—odd glowing, avian humanoids or some nonsense. Could they really exist?

“And why did it attack you?”

“I’m not sure. I think he was protecting the supplier.”

Protecting?

“It is worse than I feared. The supplier must have summoned Negative.”

“A Negative?”

“Beings who harness the power of negative energies—energy that spawns from hate, fear, and anger—and use them to prevent those like us from achieving happiness, love, and enlightenment. Seldom to these negatives take a physical form but when they do it tends to be something mythical…spiritual…in this case, an angel.”

“Why would he summon one? How did he summon one?”

“One who gives off a great deal of negative energy can sometimes communicate with Negatives. How they are summoned I’m not sure but it’s likely the Negative itself told the supplier how. They are not to be trusted, lad. They may come to you with promises of power, safety, happiness but they only mean to destroy. Understand?”

The boy nodded.

“We will speak more of this at our next congregation. I trust you will attend?”

“Of course, Reverend.”

“Excellent. We should be seeing a great deal of newcomers. Many have been spiritually distressed after the recent global catastrophes. I think we can provide them guidance.”

“I hope so.”

“Of course you do, lad,” I say with a grin as I pat his head, “Now get some rest, Jake.”

 

[Byrd Man]

Adam had to admit that it was somewhat startling to see the Blue Blur arrive in almost the blink of an eye, introduce himself, and then once again disappear before reappearing a second later after freeing a number of people from being trapped in the rubble. After a brief moment of trying to find the right words to say, the Survivor replied, "No idea. Whatever the damage is, it's obviously enough for the city to think that evacuating Central Island is in the population's best interests."

Looking out over the city skyline, the Survivor can see smoke and fires rising in the air in the distance. "I think that that's where we're needed next," he said, pointing towards the area in need.

"All right. Hold on. Central Island next stop." I say as I grab both Survivor and the kid he called Blacklight and dissapear along with them.

Just seconds later, I appear holding both heroes as we skid to a stop on Central Island.

I let the two of them recover as I speed off to help the people in need.

 

[Andy C.]

WONDER BOY
SIDEKICK FOR HIRE​

"What a mess."

That's the best I can manage to describe what I see. In the fallout of the moon's destruction, Lost Haven is--for lack of a better term--losing it. The places hit by falling debris are either completely obliterated or falling apart just slowly enough for the people inside to realize it. Even the places that weren't hit are tearing themselves apart, the hysteria causing widespread looting and rioting. And I haven't even gotten out of my neighborhood yet.

Leaping rooftop to rooftop, I do what I can, chucking down tear-gas canisters to disperse rioters, swinging down on a grappling line to take down the odd crazed mugger before he even knows what hit him. No time to make witty banter or even handcuff the bad guys; I just keep on moving, the adrenaline pushing me to keep going.

I'd forgotten how exciting moments of pure, unbridled horror can be when you actually have the guts to do something about it.

As I make my way up the street, I see a crew of firefighters trying in vain to put out a burning apartment complex. I hoof it as quickly as I can (I have got to get the bike out of storage), and see that while most of the people inside have been evacuated, there's a man and woman still pointing hysterically at one of the upper windows. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that their kid is still inside.

I make it to the nearest rooftop and leap, firing a grappling line as I go, and swinging right over the crowd's heads. I hear one of them call out to me, but can't quite make out what she's saying, as a second later I crash through the window and into the burning building.

I roll forward to slow my momentum, and before I come up, I pull the rebreather mask from my utility belt and put it on. My mask's goggles switch to an image filter, dimming the blinding brightness of the flames while still cutting through the smoke.

"Hello?! Anyone still in here?!" I call out. Down the hall, I hear a muffled scream. I leapfrog over some wreckage from the next floor up, and follow the girl's scream to a closed door. I knock twice and then call to her again.

"Are you okay?"

"Wh-who are you?" she asks from the other side of the door.

"Someone who's here to help. Can you move?"

"I'm okay. Are you a fireman?"

"Not really, but I'm helping them."

"Are you...are you a super-hero???"

"...kinda, yeah. Okay, I'm gonna open the door here, so when you do, I want you to stand back from the door and get low to the ground. Okay? On the count of three. One, two, THREE!"

With that, I kick the door in, and see the girl, huddled in the corner with a doll. She can't be more than eight years old.

"All right, we're gonna get you out of here, okay? Your parents are already waiting for you, so I'm going to take you to them. Ready?"

"I can't! I'm scared!"

I crouch down to one knee, and open my arms, trying to get her to trust me. Meanwhile, I hear a support beam begin to crack. If I don't get her out soon, the whole building will come down on us.

"I know it's scary, but you're gonna be brave. You're brave, right?"

Tears streaming down her face, she nods, and clutches her doll a little tighter.

"That's good. Now just hold on tight, and hold your breath, and we'll get you to your mom and dad."

I reach out, and she takes my hand. I pick her up, and charge as fast as I can through the flaming room, dodging and weaving between debris, before leaping out the window.

With my free hand, I fire out another grappling line, and we safely rappel down the side of the building to the street. The onlookers cheer as they see I've still got her in my arms. The girl's parents just barely outrun the paramedics to take her, and I do what I can to herd everyone back to a safer distance.

"Oh, thank God! Thank God for you, man!" the father says, pulling me into the big group hug.

"It's okay, it's okay, it's what I do," I say as I try to pry myself free. Seriously, the guy has a grip like a gorilla.

Finally, the big teary moment is interrupted when another chunk of space-debris streaks overhead, slamming into the pavement a few blocks down. Everyone jumps, a few people scream, and then all eyes look to me.

"Is...is this the end of the world?" the little girl asks me.

I look around at the smoldering skyline...and then I see a blue blur zipping its way through the streets, apparently pulling people out of harm's way as it goes. And I can't help but grin.

"Not if we can help it," I say with as much of Captain Wonder's old bravado as I can manage, before I shoot a line up to a nearby rooftop and I'm off once again.

Now to try and catch up with whatever that blue speedy thing is...​

 

[trustyside-kick]

“We will speak more of this at our next congregation. I trust you will attend?”

“Of course, Reverend.”

“Excellent. We should be seeing a great deal of newcomers. Many have been spiritually distressed after the recent global catastrophes. I think we can provide them guidance.”

“I hope so.”

“Of course you do, lad,” I say with a grin as I pat his head, “Now get some rest, Jake.”

It's Sunday. Sundays have always been a little weird for me ever since I was endowed with the powers of the Archangel State. It's not like the other days of the week. On Sunday, Metatron watches over me.

Which is code for, the biggest of all the big angels watches over me. I have all the power that the others bless me with, only the knowledge of these powers are...incalculable from what I've seen in the past. It's so odd when I transform and receive Metatron's blessings. It's like...

It's like I'm suddenly a pro, for that one day. All this knowledge and skill is harnessed within my own body, and frankly sometimes I feel like I'm not even...me when I transform anymore.

But that isn't what makes this day any different than the other days for once. What makes this Sunday significant, is that I'm on my way now to Lost Haven once again to see if Jake will be able to lead to me whatever madmen that are clouding his perception on life. This Madlove...the way the cops talked about him and his cult, well...gotta say I'm not sure what to expect.

I've beaten down thugs and petty criminals. Fought a few supervillains...well I guess I could classify them as such given they were a bit above your average villain. But now I'm up against a religious cult which I can only imagine has a psychotic or seriously sick and twisted leader. I don't know what's going to go down.

But luckily today, I've got Metatron watching over me. Today I'm at my most powerful.

I swoop down onto the roof of the school building nearby the church. I wait for a few minutes, given I forgot how much faster I am on Sundays. But it's all good. At 9:30am I finally see Grace's parents pull up to drop of Jake to Sunday school. They drive off, and Jake starts to walk towards the door, looking down the street as his parents drive around the corner.

Then? Gotta say I'm disappointed. My theory was correct and was indeed proven as Jake doesn't walk into the church school doors, but rather starts to sprint around the corner of the building, heading to his new "church".

"I'm gonna find out what this Madlove has done to you, Jake. I just pray that whatever it is...you will snap out of it."

I take to the skies, following my girlfriend's little brother.

 

[Rain Dog]

It's Sunday. Sundays have always been a little weird for me ever since I was endowed with the powers of the Archangel State. It's not like the other days of the week. On Sunday, Metatron watches over me.

Which is code for, the biggest of all the big angels watches over me. I have all the power that the others bless me with, only the knowledge of these powers are...incalculable from what I've seen in the past. It's so odd when I transform and receive Metatron's blessings. It's like...

It's like I'm suddenly a pro, for that one day. All this knowledge and skill is harnessed within my own body, and frankly sometimes I feel like I'm not even...me when I transform anymore.

But that isn't what makes this day any different than the other days for once. What makes this Sunday significant, is that I'm on my way now to Lost Haven once again to see if Jake will be able to lead to me whatever madmen that are clouding his perception on life. This Madlove...the way the cops talked about him and his cult, well...gotta say I'm not sure what to expect.

I've beaten down thugs and petty criminals. Fought a few supervillains...well I guess I could classify them as such given they were a bit above your average villain. But now I'm up against a religious cult which I can only imagine has a psychotic or seriously sick and twisted leader. I don't know what's going to go down.

But luckily today, I've got Metatron watching over me. Today I'm at my most powerful.

I swoop down onto the roof of the school building nearby the church. I wait for a few minutes, given I forgot how much faster I am on Sundays. But it's all good. At 9:30am I finally see Grace's parents pull up to drop of Jake to Sunday school. They drive off, and Jake starts to walk towards the door, looking down the street as his parents drive around the corner.

Then? Gotta say I'm disappointed. My theory was correct and was indeed proven as Jake doesn't walk into the church school doors, but rather starts to sprint around the corner of the building, heading to his new "church".

"I'm gonna find out what this Madlove has done to you, Jake. I just pray that whatever it is...you will snap out of it."

I take to the skies, following my girlfriend's little brother.

MADLOVE​

CHAPTER 7: HELLFIRE

“…You are afraid, I know. You are hurt, confused, and afraid. Cities have been decimated, lives have been lost, and it feels as if though the universe itself is conspiring against us. As if it will do everything it can to wipe us from existence. But I am here to tell you, children, that it is not so. “

I was right. Lots of newcomers thanks to the global catastrophes. The sudden destruction of the planet’s moon and major cities surprised me as much as it did anyone else. Surprise…it’s a feeling I’m not too fond of. One of the setbacks of a physical body is it can only experience time in a linear fashion. It’s quite frustrating to not know what lies ahead. To have to wait for something, only to be met with an unfavorable and unforeseen outcome.

“Every cloud has its silver lining—a saying that cannot ring truer than it does today. These devastating events have united us. As a nation. As a species. And now, with help from the Church of Madlove, we shall come even closer together as we unite ourselves with the universe. Through unity we will achieve enlightenment. Through enlightenment, we shall achieve eternal happiness.”

Sunlight floods the room as the front doors open. I squint into the bright light trying to make out the figure that has entered.

“Ah, Jake! How nice of you to join us. Could you please help distribute the Cosmic Communion?”


The boy approaches the stage and an assistant hands him a small dish containing our last remaining hits of LSD.

“Now join me in a cosmic journey! Our destination? Total enlightenment! Let us rid ourselves of the fears, confusion, and pain that plague us in this realm, for they feed wicked forces! Forces that will consume and destroy you! Through enlightenment, we can conquer all! Live to love!”

“And love to live!” the audience chants back.

 

[trustyside-kick]

“Ah, Jake! How nice of you to join us. Could you please help distribute the Cosmic Communion?”

The boy approaches the stage and an assistant hands him a small dish containing our last remaining hits of LSD.

“Now join me in a cosmic journey! Our destination? Total enlightenment! Let us rid ourselves of the fears, confusion, and pain that plague us in this realm, for they feed wicked forces! Forces that will consume and destroy you! Through enlightenment, we can conquer all! Live to love!”

“And love to live!” the audience chants back.

I follow Jake to an abandoned recreational center a few blocks away from the church his parents dropped him off at. I peer through one of the small windows near the edge of the ceiling, and I see Jake waltz in with the leader Madlove recognizing him by name. Such anger starts to swell my heart as it is apparent that Jake is indeed a loyal follower of this Madlove. Then I bring all my attention to the very flamboyant and superficial cult leader.

He looks like David Bowie in The Labyrinth only much more colorful, but that's about the best way to describe it. I watch as Jake is about to serve Madlove's 'Cosmic Communion' as he describes, and I've already had enough. Clearly his own sick and demented perversion of the Catholic Church's Holy Communion, only I'm pretty darn sure that isn't Eucharististic bread.

Looks a whole lot like LSD.

Drugs. He's handing out drugs to all these young, fragile, and lost minds as though it were candy. Total englightenment? More like total suicide. I now see what I'm up against, and I indeed did not expect this. But, things cannot always be easy now can they?

Summoning the very wind in the outside air sky, I channel it to smash the window. I fly down through the broken window, my firey white angel-fire wings making sure I make a clean and safe landing. I rise to my feet dead center, interrupting their 'religiously cosmic celebration' and turn towards their sadistic and twisted leader.

"You picked the wrong group of kids to take under your colorful wings there. Religious fanatic, hmm? Gotta say I'm not fond of what you're doing here. But I'm sure you'll just say that I lack The Faith and merely need to be shown The Way. How about I show you my way? It involves a little butt kicking, pain..."

I look over at Jake, growing more furiated, and then look back at the wackjob Madlove who smiles at me with a darn smug smile.

"...oh yea, and more pain."

 

[Eddie Brock]

FLUX

Flux floated into the sky, oblivious to her surroundings. She wanted to help. She really did. But she felt lost - lost within herself, her thoughts, and the emotions running rampant within her. She suddenly became aware of those emotions which were hers and those which weren't. The fear, it seemed, was coming from within.

Flux stared into the sky, aware of the unseen destruction hurtling towards this planet. The humans seemed to believe they could do something. Their blind optimism even made Flux feel somewhat confident. Yet, deep down, she knew the bitter truth: no one had ever stopped the Arlaaekans before, and there was no reason to expect that it would start now.

The destruction of Earth's satellite moon was just a warning shot. It weakened the morale and even affected certain gravitational effects on the planet. It was simply the bang - soon to be followed by the boom. In a matter of weeks, the planet of Earth would be transformed into a veritable Arlaaek, complete with atmosphere and foliage. Flux didn't know if the human species was properly adapted to survive in such an environment. She sincerely doubted it.
​

 

[Rain Dog]

I follow Jake to an abandoned recreational center a few blocks away from the church his parents dropped him off at. I peer through one of the small windows near the edge of the ceiling, and I see Jake waltz in with the leader Madlove recognizing him by name. Such anger starts to swell my heart as it is apparent that Jake is indeed a loyal follower of this Madlove. Then I bring all my attention to the very flamboyant and superficial cult leader.

He looks like David Bowie in The Labyrinth only much more colorful, but that's about the best way to describe it. I watch as Jake is about to serve Madlove's 'Cosmic Communion' as he describes, and I've already had enough. Clearly his own sick and demented perversion of the Catholic Church's Holy Communion, only I'm pretty darn sure that isn't Eucharististic bread.

Looks a whole lot like LSD.

Drugs. He's handing out drugs to all these young, fragile, and lost minds as though it were candy. Total englightenment? More like total suicide. I now see what I'm up against, and I indeed did not expect this. But, things cannot always be easy now can they?

Summoning the very wind in the outside air sky, I channel it to smash the window. I fly down through the broken window, my firey white angel-fire wings making sure I make a clean and safe landing. I rise to my feet dead center, interrupting their 'religiously cosmic celebration' and turn towards their sadistic and twisted leader.

"You picked the wrong group of kids to take under your colorful wings there. Religious fanatic, hmm? Gotta say I'm not fond of what you're doing here. But I'm sure you'll just say that I lack The Faith and merely need to be shown The Way. How about I show you my way? It involves a little butt kicking, pain..."

I look over at Jake, growing more furiated, and then look back at the wackjob Madlove who smiles at me with a darn smug smile.

"...oh yea, and more pain."

MADLOVE​

CHAPTER 8: CONTEST OF FAITHS

So the boy was right. I have come face to face with one of these angel-creatures. I try to appear confident and mask my surprise at his intrusion. He has challenged me. In my church. In front of my followers. I cannot falter. I cannot lose my followers to this creature. I will not lose my power again.

“And there it is, babies!” I shout to the audience as I point accusingly at the angel.

“There is a creature wrought from your delusions and anxieties! Do not let it deceive you! It seeks to destroy us!”

A few are listening but others (namely those who had already consumed the communion) were too stupefied and terrified to make sense of what had happened.

“Negative, I will not let you harm my children! I will tell you once and only once—you are to leave this realm or I shall banish you myself!” I shout at the creature. In all honesty, I’m not sure what it’s capable of. I’m not sure what I’m capable of. I know I retained a great deal of my powers in this dimension but I don’t know to what extent. I suppose now would be a good opportunity to find out.

I feel my palms grow warmer as orbs of violet, glowing energy begin to form in them.

“Which will it be?”

 

[trustyside-kick]

“Negative, I will not let you harm my children! I will tell you once and only once—you are to leave this realm or I shall banish you myself!” I shout at the creature. In all honesty, I’m not sure what it’s capable of. I’m not sure what I’m capable of. I know I retained a great deal of my powers in this dimension but I don’t know to what extent. I suppose now would be a good opportunity to find out.

I feel my palms grow warmer as orbs of violet, glowing energy begin to form in them.

“Which will it be?”

Some of his followers being to spazz out, guessing its a mix of the LSD and the shock of my sight. Others remain still and silent as they turn to their beloved reverend. The look in Jake's eyes...

My gosh...he really, truly believes everything that Madlove is saying right now. That's when I almost lose complete control of myself, summoning the very fire from the candles that light up this crooked celebration and encircling them around me. The fire spinning around me, I shape it into a large warrior angel, and aim all my might at Madlove.

Harnessing those violet orbs that float around him, they come together, and he shoots out a beam of energy which blasts clean through my firey warrior. I luckily dodge in time, astonished by the damage his blast did to the back wall of the recreational facility.

What am I up against?

I fly straight at Madlove, and...well, I don't know what happens. It's like as I try to collide into him with a tackle, some sort of unseeable force from those orbs propel me back like a shield. Next thing I know I'm skyrocketing to the roof, like a ricochet from his apparent forcefield, the windows breaking slowing me down enough so that I can cling onto the edge of the roof so that I don't keep flying through the air. I rise to my feet on the rooftop, levitating just above the hole I made.

"This...isn't good."

A quick prayer allows the cut on my ribside to heal, but doesn't heal nearly as fast as I want it to. Meanwhile, Madlove seems to float atop a piece of debris heading upwards towards me. It's like he's freakin' making that debris levitate with his mind!

 

[NiteMare Shape]

It wasn't long after Ultima fell that the authorities came and carted him off. I can't say that I'm not relieved to have him off the street, this guy gave me a real run for my money for the first time in a long time.

Now that he has been taken care of I can resume my efforts to keep order in the city, which is quickly going to hell. But first, I have to go home. I have to check in on Lisa and Jenny to make sure that they are both aright. I haven't seen either of them since before I left for Washington with Survivor and Blacklight; and knowing that Jenny was on that bus Ultima attacked, I just have to get home to see them.

It only takes me moments to get to the roof of The Hub, where I head down the rooftop access door to my apartment. When I get inside I see Lisa sitting on the couch with Jenny, who is visibly shaken by her encounter with Ultima on the bus.

"Jenny...are you.." I begin, but am cut off by Lisa.

"Scott, what the hell happened out there? What is going on? The news said that.." Lisa trails off, not knowing what to say.

"It's true." Lisa and Jenny both listen as I recount the events leading up to the attack. I tell them about our meeting with The Architect, the visit with the President, and about what I know of the attackers...and then about Ultima's attack on the bus and his apparent connection to the invaders.

"And that's why I need you both to get out of the city."

"What?!" They both exclaim at once.

"Scott, I'm not leaving now. I'm not leaving you." Lisa protests.

"There's no way Scotty, I'm not leaving. This is where I belong." Jenny chimes in.

"Listen to me, both of you. This is just the beginning, it isn't safe here. I can't do what I have to do if you stay here, I'll be too distracted worrying about you...I won't be able to protect you if you stay."

A beat passes before anyone says anything.

"Where would we go?" Lisa finally asks, breaking the silence.

"I want you to take Jenny, get in your car and go back to my parents' house. My grandfather built a bunker there during the Cold War...just in case. You should be safe there."

"Fine, we'll go. But you be careful." Jenny says.

I turn to Lisa.

"Take care of my kid sister, will you?" I say, trying to sound lighthearted, and failing miserably.

"Before you go, go down into the club's kitchen and take what you need for supplies. But be quick, I want you guys on the road as soon as possible."

I open the doorway at the back of the apartment and turned to leave, but Lisa grabbed me by the arm and kissed me.

"Be careful." She says.

A small smile forms on the edges of my lips as I nod to her, then I turn my back and fly off into the city to help in the search and rescue operations going on all over Lost Haven.

 

[Watchman]

Prologue: What does it all mean? Or Smarter than you Average Bartender

The bar was lit with a a varity of multicolor light bulbs. Light machines whirled around the room. The partons dropped drugs that literally brought them to new dimensions, see heaven and hell, and gave them super human senses. You see the patrons where all ex-mad scientists infact the entire island was founded by ex-mad scientits. Of course in the middle was a volcano with a giant skull carved into it. The island was aptly named Skull Island.

One patron sat by himself. Many didn't know what his real name was. He was the man with a thousand names each one false. He sip a blue liquid out of a oddly shape glass. He lit a cigarette and watched the door open.

A short bald man with glasses walked in. He was wearing a black suit and clutched a briefcase. Glasses has been following him for sometime and he has been following Glasses for some time. He was pretty sure he was George Costanza of assassins. Glasses scuttled up to his table and grabbed his gun, an ordinary, boring pistol.

"Yawn"

"Maurice Pittlebrook? My upper managers need to you be elimate before lunch tomorrow. We also need information from your head for our books. I'm assuming right now is good for you?"

"Information?"

"Yes, just a couple of question. For our records. Is it true that you are currently not part of N.E.T.W.O.R.K anymore?"

"That's true." He took another drag. A whirl of green smoke came out forming shapes.

"And if yes, why?"

"The White House Chief of Staff and a big guy that looked like the bastard love child of Uncle Sam and the devil kicked me out of a helicopter."

"Ah, most unfortunate," he takes a clipboard out of his briefcase.

"You know if you wanted to kill me you should have shot me five minutes ago."

"No, I couldn't. There are rules."

"Heh, not here. You're on Skull Island. Let's play a game. If you blink, I shoot you in the face."

"Ah...ah...if you just sign here on the dotted line for your death reciept. I then can procedue with proper procedure."

"Yeah, yeah....." He starts to sign the clipboard, "anything else you want to know. Anything about, N.E.T.W.O.R.K? Lots of secerts that your bosses don't tell you. I could tell you everything." Sweat pour down his forehead.

"Um," he closes his eyes, "what does N.E.T.W.O.R.K mean?" He opens them to find the barrel right in his face. Its a gun that would give Dirty Harry a hard on.

"Everything," the blast shatters the time space continuum. No, seriously. The bullets are untraceable lost in some ghost dimension.

"Jee-sus Chirst, Jack!" A bear at he bartender lets a roar as brain matter flings over onto a group of orb shaped energy beings.

"Sorry, Jerry. Standards and Practices was on my ass. I hate those guys." Jerry was once a man. He owned a great little bar in Boston. Then when the Red Sox won the World Series the place was pack. Nobody notice the dwarf scientists who atomized Jerry's wife and stole Jerry's brain placing it in a bear's body. The first thing Jerry did was eat the man.

"Hey Jerry, give me some of those Professor Proton Happy Earth 90 pills?"

"Are you sure, man? Those things are pretty strong?"

"Oh yeah, I'm going to call it a night."

"Don't forget to keep one eye open."

"Always do." I throw some money on the counter and hop out the door. I down the entire bottle and take one step into the past and then and giant ****ing leap into the rest of my life."