The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[Carnage27]

My alarms screams into my ear on Monday morning after a full weekend of training. Penny's left me a good 10 voice mails this weekend, all asking about the movies. I completely spaced on her. I knew she wanted to go see The Crazies, but I doubt Chiron would have let me go anyway.

I hop into the shower, and as the warm water sprays against my face, I can't help but look back at the last few days and all I've learned. On the second day of training Chiron taught me how to summon the Underworld's fire for my own uses, and how to speak with the dead in the Underworld.

I get out of the shower and eat a quick breakfast before heading off to school. I know I'll get an earful from Penny, and I have no idea what to tell her.

Hey, guess what? Turns out I'm the son of a Greek god, and they all expect me to be a big hero! I know, who would have guessed!?...Yea, that'll work.

Once I step foot in the front door, and I know this is going to be one of those weeks at school. Todd Adams, the schools resident d-bag and star right tackle of the football, comes up and pushes me, "Hey, Rhodes, looking lonely as always. Where's your little girly? I don't get how she could ever like you..."

"Do we have to start this early, Adams? I'm really tired," I sigh. He laughs and pushes me again, "Don't push me."

"Or what?" he gets serious, and does it again.

"Or this," I respond, grabbing his shirt and picking him up over my head using my strength. The massive kid in my hands begins to squirm and call for help.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to find Penny's worried face, "Des...put him down."

I do so, and walk away from the crowd that's gathered. High school student go to drama like a moth to the flame. I look over to Penny, "Sorry."

"What's going on?" she says, worried. "What was that back there?"

"Don't worry about it," I respond gruffly as the bell rings signifying the start of the day.

 

[Byrd Man]

Icon holds his grip on Goddess, securing her with his other hand, spinning her around and restraining her.

"Whatever it is you did to Michael, undo it now."

Goddess struggles for a moment, causing Icon to tighten his grip. While he is restraining her, Goddess begins to chant just under her breath. Suddenly, Goddess vanishes in mid air. Icon is caught by surprise when she reappears several feet away from him, hands outstretched. Before he can move, Goddess unleashes a flurry of purple colored energy that hits him square in the chest with a charge equivilant to stepping on the third subway rail.

Icon staggers back before regaining his footing, only to find that Goddess has moved just out of reach.

Icon has Goddess good and distracted, setting it up for me to deliver my specialty.

"SUPER-SPEED SNEAK ATTACK PUNCH TO THE KNEE!" I cry out as my fist slams into Goddess at unimaginable speeds.

She falls hard to the ground and I'm beside Icon.

"That sound was your knee shattering like a piece of glass that's been dropped from the Sears Tower. Take your spell off Archangel or I'll do that to every bone in your body."

 

[Spike_x1]

​

"I guess that just makes things more interesting then."

Wiping the blood from his mouth, with a sadistic grin very unlike his usual nature, Michael points at Survivor with the sword. As though he was making strokes with a paint brush, he gestures his firey sword through the air.

"I've just marked your death, Survivor. One of my finest paintings ever I'd say. Don't worry. You'll die a good death. It is a good thing. The canvas is the battlefield we now stand in. It's time to go to work. If you're simply going to keep healing I'll just have to rip you apart limb from limb until you're body simply gives out. Now, prepare yourself cause I planned on taking off your arms first!"

As Michael deliberately tells Adam where he plans to strike, he indeed does do so as he flies at the hero, slashing at his arms. Out of, perhaps foolish, human reaction and tendencies, Adam ties to somewhat parry the sword by crossing his arms as he tries to evade and Michael slices part of his forearms; though all muscle and bone still remains intact as he had missed.

"When I'm through with you, I'm going to sow parts of your body together like a Picasso!"

"Talk, talk, talk." With the wounds on his forearms gone almost as quickly as they had appeared, Adam ignored the pain and made a mental note to not attempt to block any more of Archangel's blows. God only knows what other kind of tricks he has up his sleeve, other than a crazy fire sword. With superhuman reflexes, he ducked another swing of the sword and leapt above another one as the flaming blade cut through the lower half of his cape as if it were nothing. On his descent, the Survivor flipped over his attacker, his fists charged with glowing energy, and landed a hard punch to Michael's kidneys.

Enjoy pissing blood for the next week. With pain and rage giving Archangel a burst in speed that took the Survivor by surprise, he swung his sword out in an arch that carved a cut into Adam's forehead. Grunting in pain, Survivor swept the legs out from under his opponent and then took several backflips away to give himself some space. "You can't kill me, kid. Icon and Blur have that witch who's calling your shots. Give up already."

 

[trustyside-kick]

Enjoy pissing blood for the next week. With pain and rage giving Archangel a burst in speed that took the Survivor by surprise, he swung his sword out in an arch that carved a cut into Adam's forehead. Grunting in pain, Survivor swept the legs out from under his opponent and then took several backflips away to give himself some space. "You can't kill me, kid. Icon and Blur have that witch who's calling your shots. Give up already."

Michael looks over at Icon, who seems to have the upperhand on his Goddess with Blue Blur right beside him to keep her locked down. And then, as though struck with the worst pain imaginable, such anger and fury starts to ignite within Michael. The sight of his Goddess, in such a display and manner, infuriates him like never before.

"My Goddess!"

A sudden shell of wind roots up from the bottom of Michael, and he starts to levitate at an uncanny speed. Like a cannonball, Michael spikes at Survivor with his speed, slashing at his abdomen as he flies past the hero, heading straight for both Icon and Blur.

"Unhand my beloved Goddess! I'll fight for her to the DEATH!"

***

"...I'm ready to learn. Teach me."

"Love is many things, Michael."

Several other figures of light appear around us, all resembling the same color of this unknown spirit from...Hell...that has come to aid me once more. Like her, they do not take full shape, and remain ambiguous before my very eyes. The purpleish figure of light towering before me in a somewhat womanly frame does not speak to me, but merely gestures her hand. So, I assume I'm supposed to approach the other figures of purple light, and naturally squint my eyes a bit hoping to seeing something more clear.

As I approach the figures of light, the closer I get to the first one, the more clear it becomes. The construct starts to morph and take a less ambiguous frame, and instantly I recognize who it is supposed to be.

"Grace."

"Yes, Michael."

I look over at the other construct of light, and with my curiosity as I walk up to it, the image does not become more clear or change shape like the first one. And as I turn my head back at the previous construct, it has become ambiguous once more. But as I walk back over to it, it takes the form of Grace yet again.

"I don't understand."

"You became vulnerable to that witch's spell, because of the lack of Love you felt in your life, Michael. You felt alone and abandoned, by Earthly attachments, people in your life, and without them your heart had a hole in it. This witch who calls herself Goddess slowly sowed in the foundations to her spell, and by showing you and giving you what your heart had truly desired this whole time, a hint of Love, she was able to dominate you with her magic."

"So what are these two light figures supposed to show me? Supposed to tell me?"

"These two figures, represents the loves of your life."

"But one remains to be seen. I don't understand. Have I been wrong in thinking that Grace is the one? Is that why the other remains hidden from me? But...I love Grace. With all my heart. I want her back. I'm willing to wait forever until that day comes."

"...That is precisely the problem, Michael. You want to control things just like you wanted to control them before. You have to simply let things be, and trust in the Lord to let his plan for you take its course. Love is patient, Michael."

"Yea yea, I know the verses. Corinthians Chapter 13 and all that jazz. I just..."

"Sorry."

"Please...continue."

There is a slight look of concern in the womanly figure of light that has been guiding me now and towers above me. For some reason...just now, for a split second her face became more visible and less ambiguous. Why does this Spirit care about me so?

"She may or may not be the one for you. But that is why you have to let her go. If Grace is the one for you, Michael, then that means that nothing will ever stop you from being with her in the end. But you have to stop wallowing in your own internal suffering because you are not with her now. If you are meant to be together, you do not have to worry. Trust in the Lord and you shall be rewarded, Michael. That is why the other figure remains ambiguous before you. You haven't allowed yourself to fully heal from losing Grace. The figure which represents Grace is who you love now...the other represents your true love. You have to let her go Michael, and try to live life once again to its fullest without this hole in the pit of your heart. Just know that you are loved, and know that you will one day grasp True Love."

"To one day get Grace back....I have to give her up completely? No. I can't do that."

As the spirit approaches me, it is the first time I can honestly say I was scared of it. She approaches me, and with her hand touches my forehead. Instantly, images flash before my head, and I drop to my knees.

"Wow."

My eyes swell up, and it's near impossible to stop the tears from shedding.

"That...was beautiful."

I look up, and the spirit hugs me. I've never felt such warmth as I do now. I close my eyes. Feels like everything is going to be all right. It's like...NOTHING...can hurt me. I'm impenetrable. Nothing can pierce my heart and soul right now. I'm alive. Nothing could ever bring me down. I'm...

Loved.

"Your Mother would be so proud, Michael."

"What?"

I open my eyes, and the spirit is gone. I stand up, and all I see around me is the void of white that fills the space of my subconscious. Suddenly, a door seems to open, and a bright heavenly light seems to beam from it and strike me. I start to slowly walk over to it, trying to shade my eyes the best I can. It's so bright.

I Love you, Michael.

I stop, but as I turn the spirit isn't there still. Turning back at the doorway, I enter it, and there's no use trying to shield my eyes, because everything goes blank.

And then?

***

"AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

Michael starts to experience an unknown pain from within. He drops his sword, just before he was about to strike at both Icon and the Blue Blur and swerves out of control, crashing down as he grasps his head in pain.

"NOOO!!! AAAAARRGGGH!!!"

A heaven beam of light beams in from one of the knocked down walls of the facility, and Michael becomes enveloped in it. Seconds later, Michael is adorned in his usual colors, and his mind is clear.

OOC: Switching back to first person.

"Woah. Did...it work?"

I look around, my goodness there's so much destruction. My teammates look at me, not entirely sure what just happened. Sure, I'm back but to them technically all I've done is make a wardrobe change. Time to let the guys know I've taken control once again. I fly over to my sword, whose fire has gone out for it is no longer controlled by the power of Goddess and therefore does not light up. I point the hilt, as though it was still ablaze, pointing it at the pinned down Goddess.

"You have a lot to answer to, lady. You took control of my mind. You manipulated my body. And you made me attack my friends. The only ones who are ACTUALLY still there for me."
​

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

The second snake springs at Icon, who responds with an optic blast that hits the beast just under the jaw. Then he moves to the right as the stunned creature sails harmlessly past him.

Icon leaves his feet, surging toward Goddess, gripping her by the shoulder. Icon looks her in the eye, "Enough."

"Oh my, a grip from a strong man. Surely a situation I've never been in before... Whatever shall I do to escape a mortal?"

Icon holds his grip on Goddess, securing her with his other hand, spinning her around and restraining her.

"Whatever it is you did to Michael, undo it now."

Goddess struggles for a moment, causing Icon to tighten his grip. While he is restraining her, Goddess begins to chant just under her breath. Suddenly, Goddess vanishes in mid air. Icon is caught by surprise when she reappears several feet away from him, hands outstretched. Before he can move, Goddess unleashes a flurry of purple colored energy that hits him square in the chest with a charge equivilant to stepping on the third subway rail.

Icon staggers back before regaining his footing, only to find that Goddess has moved just out of reach.

"And now, poor soul... Your actions have earned you a seat in the realm I will never know, rather than at my side. Prepare yourself..." Goddess places her hands out again, the room filling with her lipless chants, the spell would be major, the lights brightening. However, she wasn't paying enough attention to her surroundings...

Icon has Goddess good and distracted, setting it up for me to deliver my specialty.

"SUPER-SPEED SNEAK ATTACK PUNCH TO THE KNEE!" I cry out as my fist slams into Goddess at unimaginable speeds.

She falls hard to the ground and I'm beside Icon.

"That sound was your knee shattering like a piece of glass that's been dropped from the Sears Tower. Take your spell off Archangel or I'll do that to every bone in your body."

Goddess was silent in her fall. Pain like this was nothing compared to the pain she endured for her power generations ago, when she plagued the world in its entirety.

"Imbecile... You may have damaged me with what can only be an attack of desperation..." The air around became obscured, and red, like looking through frosted glass in a dome about her. Her body began to glow in bright blue runic patterns. "Do you honestly believe a mere human, who simply moves fast, would ever be a threat to me? You have no clue the divinity you address..." her voice became angry for the first time, "You have no clue how many I eliminated, how people feared the mere mention of my name. Even though I fought for them! I staved off death! I conquered it, and became divine... And for it? They considered me the greatest threat humans have ever known in raw power and guile..." Her breathing becomes heavy, and she shuddered. Something was sapping her power, and it was burning through her like crazy. "A mere human, dares to topple a god? I shall leave you as an example of those who challenge my domain..." The dome began to glow a dark green, as she began to mend herself. "As of now, you could no sooner hurt me, than a fly could hurt my guard-" she exploded into a fit of coughing, a massive backlash of the brand she placed on Archangel. Where his mortal soul and her demonic taint flowed to him, it began to surge back with pure divine power. Goddess' fear was realized, his divine power would ultimately save him, and her current allergy to it would not stand it.

​

"AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

Michael starts to experience an unknown pain from within. He drops his sword, just before he was about to strike at both Icon and the Blue Blur and swerves out of control, crashing down as he grasps his head in pain.

"NOOO!!! AAAAARRGGGH!!!"

A heaven beam of light beams in from one of the knocked down walls of the facility, and Michael becomes enveloped in it. Seconds later, Michael is adorned in his usual colors, and his mind is clear.

OOC: Switching back to first person.

"Woah. Did...it work?"

I look around, my goodness there's so much destruction. My teammates look at me, not entirely sure what just happened. Sure, I'm back but to them technically all I've done is make a wardrobe change. Time to let the guys know I've taken control once again. I fly over to my sword, whose fire has gone out for it is no longer controlled by the power of Goddess and therefore does not light up. I point the hilt, as though it was still ablaze, pointing it at the pinned down Goddess.

"You have a lot to answer to, lady. You took control of my mind. You manipulated my body. And you made me attack my friends. The only ones who are ACTUALLY still there for me."
​

Goddess, if her eyes could be seen, would be the glare of burning fury.

"You betray me, Michael? The one who pulled you from mediocrity, and gave you divine purpose, and a chance to save the entirety of the human race? Michael, you have no clue what you turn against today..." her words were fumbling, the surge of divine power which reversed Michael greatly weakened her, and it showed in her barrier and runes beginning to fail. Her victory was quickly becoming less than definite.

"Disease, murder, hatred... I could have eliminated all of these with ease once I reclaim my true power, but you decide to aid them?" her voice pure accusation.

"I made you not attack your friends, I merely amplified your ability to love and devote. In the end, the only one to abandon anybody, Michael, was you to me. Your actions you made out of devotion to me, you chose to defend a greater purpose!" she coughed again, the blood a speckled blue, dribbling down her chin, pooling to the ground, causing it to crack in tiny tiny fragments around it due to her power.

"Join me once more, Michael. Accept my grace, and in turn, we shall save humans from the touch most frigid and unforgiving. We can save them still!" Goddess reaches her hand out as her shield begins to break towards Michael, "Ally with me one more time, and I will return love to your being..."

"I already have Grace in my life, witch. If you're not even going to show remorse, then simply submit to your fate and perish." With this, Archangel drew up his sword, and easily cleaved through what remained of her barrier, forcing a great surge outward as Goddess leapt to grasp the hilt with her hand in the confusion. Obviously, it burned her greatly, her face twisted in what can only be described as unimaginable pain.

"A shame, Michael... Do not be fooled you have returned to your old self, and you have friends, my power is more than enough for what needs doing. I didn't wish to destroy you."

~ And so this is all you can do with us? Hold on to the one thing which will kill us both. As great an ally as you were, I think I'll take what you have, and just move along. You could have probably done it, but I think I'd rather watch you die to the angel. Enjoy your reward for idiocy "Goddess". The voice was from within the Goddess, arrogant and sarcastic. Her grip began to fail as she began to bleed from every pore and hole on her body. The eye holes of the masque even bled out, her ears, mouth, her clothes soaked in it as it pooled below her, burning in a blue flame, and swilled behind her, evaporating into a blue cloud, and disappearing. Her grip gave out, but the sword would not end her. The runes protected her, but left her bleeding and injured.

"No..." Her voice was much softer again, lacking with the bravado and anger it once possessed. She clinched in pain, as her knee was still damaged, and would take more time and power than she had. The blood caked to her body belonging to her dulled to red again, the masque falling from her face, revealing bloodshot eyes surrounded by blood. She coughed a ragged cough which shot pains into her lungs. She crawled, surprised she wasn't struck down immediately as she would've done them moments ago. They pitied the pathetic, battered, beaten, defeated sight before them. Though, as sorry as they felt...

"All out of tricks, finally? Good, I'll make it quick" Michael gave out to the writhing mass on the floor, raising his sword again. Merciful, even to the end.

"I...I can't... I won't!" Goddess cried out. Her voice was basically destroyed, raspy, worn, obviously injured, terrified, and desperate. She picked up her right fist, the air around them screaming with her compounded spells, and then slammed her fist back down, burning up what was the last of her magical power. There would be no flash, no glitz, nothing spectacular, only morbidity. Her spell was a spell of dispersion, she attempted to break herself into her magical animal, the butterfly, dozens of them. And they all picked up into the air, but only for two or three feet, because they wilted. They turned black, wilted, fell back down, and died, and turned to ash. With that, the threat of Goddess, even reduced in power, ended. The bulk of her power, the demons she had Michael hunt, abandoned her, and her mortal power was too diminished to keep the fight along. Even her escape seemed to fail, the butterflies dying in the takeoff.

...All but one, highly weakened butterfly. One which floated down from the building, and landed on the ground below, laying itself flat on the ground, out of energy and awaiting its final gasp. And in all truth, the Goddess would have died completely that day, if not but for her only friend, as a cat padded up next to his mistress, and licked the butterfly, transferring some of his own great power to her, to ensure Goddess' continued survival. The feline picked up the Goddess, and then padded to the dark.

 

[Byrd Man]

I watch the cat take off with the butterfly thing and disappear down the corridor.

"Did everyone see that or am I just having an LSD flashback?"

I shake my head and turn to Archangel.

"Mike? Are you back with us now?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Oh my, a grip from a strong man. Surely a situation I've never been in before... Whatever shall I do to escape a mortal?"

"And now, poor soul... Your actions have earned you a seat in the realm I will never know, rather than at my side. Prepare yourself..." Goddess places her hands out again, the room filling with her lipless chants, the spell would be major, the lights brightening. However, she wasn't paying enough attention to her surroundings...

Goddess was silent in her fall. Pain like this was nothing compared to the pain she endured for her power generations ago, when she plagued the world in its entirety.

"Imbecile... You may have damaged me with what can only be an attack of desperation..." The air around became obscured, and red, like looking through frosted glass in a dome about her. Her body began to glow in bright blue runic patterns. "Do you honestly believe a mere human, who simply moves fast, would ever be a threat to me? You have no clue the divinity you address..." her voice became angry for the first time, "You have no clue how many I eliminated, how people feared the mere mention of my name. Even though I fought for them! I staved off death! I conquered it, and became divine... And for it? They considered me the greatest threat humans have ever known in raw power and guile..." Her breathing becomes heavy, and she shuddered. Something was sapping her power, and it was burning through her like crazy. "A mere human, dares to topple a god? I shall leave you as an example of those who challenge my domain..." The dome began to glow a dark green, as she began to mend herself. "As of now, you could no sooner hurt me, than a fly could hurt my guard-" she exploded into a fit of coughing, a massive backlash of the brand she placed on Archangel. Where his mortal soul and her demonic taint flowed to him, it began to surge back with pure divine power. Goddess' fear was realized, his divine power would ultimately save him, and her current allergy to it would not stand it.

Goddess, if her eyes could be seen, would be the glare of burning fury.

"You betray me, Michael? The one who pulled you from mediocrity, and gave you divine purpose, and a chance to save the entirety of the human race? Michael, you have no clue what you turn against today..." her words were fumbling, the surge of divine power which reversed Michael greatly weakened her, and it showed in her barrier and runes beginning to fail. Her victory was quickly becoming less than definite.

"Disease, murder, hatred... I could have eliminated all of these with ease once I reclaim my true power, but you decide to aid them?" her voice pure accusation.

"I made you not attack your friends, I merely amplified your ability to love and devote. In the end, the only one to abandon anybody, Michael, was you to me. Your actions you made out of devotion to me, you chose to defend a greater purpose!" she coughed again, the blood a speckled blue, dribbling down her chin, pooling to the ground, causing it to crack in tiny tiny fragments around it due to her power.

"Join me once more, Michael. Accept my grace, and in turn, we shall save humans from the touch most frigid and unforgiving. We can save them still!" Goddess reaches her hand out as her shield begins to break towards Michael, "Ally with me one more time, and I will return love to your being..."

"I already have Grace in my life, witch. If you're not even going to show remorse, then simply submit to your fate and perish." With this, Archangel drew up his sword, and easily cleaved through what remained of her barrier, forcing a great surge outward as Goddess leapt to grasp the hilt with her hand in the confusion. Obviously, it burned her greatly, her face twisted in what can only be described as unimaginable pain.

"A shame, Michael... Do not be fooled you have returned to your old self, and you have friends, my power is more than enough for what needs doing. I didn't wish to destroy you."

~ And so this is all you can do with us? Hold on to the one thing which will kill us both. As great an ally as you were, I think I'll take what you have, and just move along. You could have probably done it, but I think I'd rather watch you die to the angel. Enjoy your reward for idiocy "Goddess". The voice was from within the Goddess, arrogant and sarcastic. Her grip began to fail as she began to bleed from every pore and hole on her body. The eye holes of the masque even bled out, her ears, mouth, her clothes soaked in it as it pooled below her, burning in a blue flame, and swilled behind her, evaporating into a blue cloud, and disappearing. Her grip gave out, but the sword would not end her. The runes protected her, but left her bleeding and injured.

"No..." Her voice was much softer again, lacking with the bravado and anger it once possessed. She clinched in pain, as her knee was still damaged, and would take more time and power than she had. The blood caked to her body belonging to her dulled to red again, the masque falling from her face, revealing bloodshot eyes surrounded by blood. She coughed a ragged cough which shot pains into her lungs. She crawled, surprised she wasn't struck down immediately as she would've done them moments ago. They pitied the pathetic, battered, beaten, defeated sight before them. Though, as sorry as they felt...

"All out of tricks, finally? Good, I'll make it quick" Michael gave out to the writhing mass on the floor, raising his sword again. Merciful, even to the end.

"I...I can't... I won't!" Goddess cried out. Her voice was basically destroyed, raspy, worn, obviously injured, terrified, and desperate. She picked up her right fist, the air around them screaming with her compounded spells, and then slammed her fist back down, burning up what was the last of her magical power. There would be no flash, no glitz, nothing spectacular, only morbidity. Her spell was a spell of dispersion, she attempted to break herself into her magical animal, the butterfly, dozens of them. And they all picked up into the air, but only for two or three feet, because they wilted. They turned black, wilted, fell back down, and died, and turned to ash. With that, the threat of Goddess, even reduced in power, ended. The bulk of her power, the demons she had Michael hunt, abandoned her, and her mortal power was too diminished to keep the fight along. Even her escape seemed to fail, the butterflies dying in the takeoff.

...All but one, highly weakened butterfly. One which floated down from the building, and landed on the ground below, laying itself flat on the ground, out of energy and awaiting its final gasp. And in all truth, the Goddess would have died completely that day, if not but for her only friend, as a cat padded up next to his mistress, and licked the butterfly, transferring some of his own great power to her, to ensure Goddess' continued survival. The feline picked up the Goddess, and then padded to the dark.

Icon watches the spectacle of Goddess' demise in a stunned silence. Though he has been through alot, and seen even more, he can honestly say that he has never seen anything quite like this.

I watch the cat take off with the butterfly thing and disappear down the corridor.

"Did everyone see that or am I just having an LSD flashback?"

I shake my head and turn to Archangel.

"Mike? Are you back with us now?"

"No, I'm pretty sure that really just happened."

After the last of the butterflies had turned to dust, Icon turned to look at his friend Michael, who was wearing an expression that Icon had never seen on his before...a guilt ridden look, a haunted look.


"Are you alright, Michael?"

 

[J'adore]

"I don't think so, Ms Douglas"

Janine stood behind her dark wooden desk, she quickly pulled out a large laser pistol and pointed it at Pyschique, her perfect pointed eyebrows perfectly arched and her lips slightly in the form of a poker face.

"You must have a death wish."

The two women glared viciously into each others dim colored eyes, waiting for one of them to make the first violent move. Janine's P.A banged on the see-through walls next to the door, people rushing up to the door trying to get in, but Pyschique had broken off the door handle.

"You have ten seconds to get out."

"You have...no seconds left on your feet"

Pyschique brushed her hand from the left to the right, causing Janine to fly back into the window, slamming her back on to it. Janine let out a groan of pain then slid off the window, disappearing under the desk. Pyschique walked over to where Janine had dropped her gun, carefully picking it up. She stretched out her arm and span round, aiming it at the see-through wall where spectators stood in astonishment. A few people gasped and screamed running away.

"You see Janine...one less, one less staff member"

Pyschique pulled the trigger on the gun, watching as the crimson red laser shot out of the gun and pierced through the wall, burning a hole and plunging straight into the heart of Janine's P.A. Pyschique watched as she jerked backwards and hurled in pain, slamming to the floor, her eyes wide open as her pupils became smaller and smaller.

"What have you done!?"

Janine had risen from behind her desk, the bottom rim of her eyes carried a gentle line of water. Pyschique shrugged her shoulders, chucking the gun on the floor. Curling her fingers back, Janine's chest lunged forward as she hovered towards Pyschique reluctantly. Releasing her from her grip onto the floor, Pyschique smirked.

"O.K, O.K - I'll tell you....everything. Just not here...take us some where else."

Pyschique rolled her eyes. She picked up the laser gun and shot it at the window a couple of times. Janine wiped away her tears, looking at the screaming crowd calling for 911.

"What...what about Lucy?"

"Was that her name? Aw, cute. I don't have time to send those idiots to sleep so we'll have to make a sharp exit."

"She was a friend...a friend..."

***

"You're coming with me."

Janine shook her head, rolling her eyes. She dug her fingers into her forehead, leaning forwards and taking a gentle sigh. Psychique slowly sat down next to her.

"You must be mad, if you think I'm going anywhere with a crazy ***** like you. Look, I'll tell you everything just nothing more, no tracking her down either."

Psychique sat back in disappointment. She flicked out her BlackBerry from her belt and started checking it. Janine just continued to bury her head in her hands. Psychique's attention soon was grabbed by an upcoming man, holding a dark silver pistol. He walked along the golden sand, the shade from his eyebrows covered his eyes. She dropped her BlackBerry and quickly span round to Janine, grabbing her shoulders.

"DUCK!"

Psychique lunged to the floor and took Janine down with her. The man stretched out his arm as he pulled the trigger of the gun, the bullet hurling towards Janine and plunging into her, causing her to scream in pain. Janine lay on the sand, blood getting everywhere, all over Psychique.

"Ahh...I..." Janine gasped for words but didn't have the strength, she pointed her finger to behind Psychique.

Psychique quickly shot around and saw one man in front of her, raising a crow bar quickly. As Pyschique jolted her leg to hit the man's ankle, he screamed in pain and fell to Janine's level, lifeless. From behind him was Raven, smirking.

"What a tasty shadow"

"Janine! Janine! Come on...you were telling me something...where is Knox!?"

"H...him--"
​

 

[trustyside-kick]

After the last of the butterflies had turned to dust, Icon turned to look at his friend Michael, who was wearing an expression that Icon had never seen on his before...a guilt ridden look, a haunted look.

"Are you alright, Michael?"

The yellow and orange fire of my holy sword dies, leaving nothing but the hilt in my hand. But why does the sword still feel so heavy? So much heavier than before. This feeling in the pit of my stomach. I want to throw up; not just because of the horrific scene that had just passed. Did I--Goddess she...did I lead her to her death?

No. She's responsible for her own actions. She had me hunt those demons down with her, and apparently every time I thought we defeated them, in the end she just absorbed them and manifested their power for her own. She played a nasty, risky game, and she suffered the consequences.

...Right?

"I uh...I don't know man. I mean...no. Yea...I'm alright. Good to go. Heh."

I will myself out of the transformation, my helmet, gauntlets, and garments all fading away.

...Except for my angel-fire wings.

"The heck?"

"Michael."

I turn around, wearing a jacket, shirt, jeans, shoes...you know...every day normal stuff...but my angel-fire wings are still 'intact' so to speak. Immediately I recognized the voice to be Bath Kol, and to be honest I'm relieved he's finally made an appearance; it's been a while.

"Bath Kol. It's been a while."

"Yes, it would seem that we in Heaven were...outsmarted by that witch who apparently possessed you under our noses. Her magick was an Olde type...one we had thought long vanquished and no longer a threat. Which is why we need to provide you with a more potent divine protection."

"Uh...does that explain the wings still being eh...'on me'? You guys cannot exactly expect me to walk around with these things lit up. I know it doesn't ignite and burn things...but it's hard enough getting any privacy when I step out those big ol' Guardian HQ doors and try to actually live my life."

For the first time Bath Kol...chuckles? This day is all kinds of odd. I get possessed, meet some Love Spirit from Hell, and Bath Kol once again sheds a hint of emotion.

"Hahaha, no Michael. This is merely while I empower you with this new divinity. Your durability will be enhanced...as well as your strength. So I ask you to please, the first thing you do, is adjust yourself to this new physical strength. You will not be as powerful as your friend clad in black or the one clad in silver and blue...but the last thing you want to do is accidentally hurt someone. Now...stand still."

Why do they always say that? In the movies, comics...any form of media. All it does is make you more nervous than you already were. Bath Kol levitates, extending a hand outward, and my white angel-fire wings causes me to suddenly rise, and I slowly start to turn in a 360 motion. The speed starts to pick up, but nothing intense, and a white glow outlines the edges of my body like an aura, and I descend back to the ground. I turn my head to my shoulders, and notice the angel-fire wings disappear as they normally do when I'm out of the Archangel State.

"Woah."

And then I feel the power. Clenching my fists, I take a look at them, unable to believe that this power is now mine...and I feel it when not in the Archangel State.

"Given she had sown the seeds of her spell often times when you were out of your Archangel State, these attributes will now be with you at all times."

As Bath Kol nods at me as I nod back, he starts to rise and I can tell he is about to make an exit. That's when something comes to mind, and I immediately ask him.

"Wait! Bath Kol! A spirit came to me while I was under Goddess' control. This spirit...she helped me. And...she said my mother would be proud of me. Make any sense to you?"

This is the first time...I saw fear in Bath Kol's eyes. Only other emotions he barely showed was laughter and at one time concern for me long ago...but none were ever as clear and obvious as the fear in his eyes.

"A...spirit you say. And what did you feel as this spirit approached you?"

"I felt a surreal feeling of Love."

"...That is impossible. That--I will have to look into it, Michael. Fear not, I will do everything in my power so that the enemy does not try to fool you again."

Then...Bath Kol flies off into the distance. I stand there confused and a bit upset. The 'enemy'? That spirit loved me. Sure she was from hell...but she loved me. And apparently she knows my mother...or knew her. She helped me and without Bath Kol and the rest of Heaven above would've still had been oblivious to what was going on. It was only through this spirit's help that I was able to break free and what was going on made known in Heaven.

Blue Blur, Icon, and Survivor look at me with an odd look in their eyes. This is only the second time they've seen Bath Kol appear to me; guess they aren't past the whole fact that while I am blessed by an Angel Bath Kol is an angel; The Angel of Prophecy to be correct.

 

[Byrd Man]

Blue Blur, Icon, and Survivor look at me with an odd look in their eyes. This is only the second time they've seen Bath Kol appear to me; guess they aren't past the whole fact that while I am blessed by an Angel Bath Kol is an angel; The Angel of Prophecy to be correct.

I look down at the camera on my lapel. The small red light confirms that the device is still recording.

"This is gonna be one hell of a first episode!"

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Time had passed since her defeat, laying low in her animal form, tended to and fed by her pet from so long ago. It would take two weeks before she had enough power to regress back into her person, to which began the massive headaches and spams of intense pain within her body. For three days after, she fought fever, pain, vomiting, delusions, and attacks as her pet and Patches did their best to tend to her in Patches' home and bed. Her cat would do so out of devotion for his longtime master, Patches due to the fact he needed her nearby to recharge his spell passively and keep him alive once a week. Withdrawls from her demon infused magic were second in pain and devastation to her body compared to her long supressed mortal magic now ravaging her body as it comes back to the front of her being. While the demon starves, the mortal is being overfed. For a week, there was wonder if she would survive this ordeal, as her power unchecked attracted nearby minor demons looking for a quick meal. Her pet and servant were more than enough to handle them, though, and soon the Goddess would awaken.

"Don't rush things. Your recovering still, and your former power hasn't completely settled yet," the cat purred out to his long slept master, rubbing against her body.

"...Nnn..." Goddess made a weaker softer sound as she lifted her left hand up to her face, clenched it to a fist, and released it again, "My demonic powers have been completely vanquished. I'll need artifacts to use them again if I need them..." Goddess was obviously displeased by this revelation, but something she couldn't get too excited about. "However... my prior power should be enough to keep going, and put me back on my mission."

"Your mortal based magics?"

"Yes. It seems they've...grown, while they haven't been in use. Probably as I've been using it to primarily border my mortal soul from my demonic taint. When the demon left me, it must've ripped the magical barrier apart, leading to this...poisoning."

"So you're aware then?"

"Hard not to be, wouldn't you think?"

"What will you do then?"

"Firstly..." She held up her hand, palm out, fingers spread apart, as she muttered beneath her breath. She didn't want to expend too much power too quickly, as she wouldn't know how her innate power might repond. How it DID respond, however, was much more powerful than she originally planned. The palm of her hand began to condense with little flecks of light, then more, and more, becoming a large tennis ball sized mass of light which gently pulsed once outward to the corners of the room.

"Of course. Too much power... I was looking to just summon all the smaller demons in the area, to give us a few days to collect, but it seems I might've summoned all the demons in the area..."

"So your powers have returned?"

"Perfect! My Goddess, you must do something to protect us! Your cat is strong, but I am not, and the dail-"

"Shush, servant. You do not demand of the Goddess, you may only ask favors, and be grateful for what you recieve," the cat hissed in remark.

"Stop, both of you. As of yet, I can't use too much of my power for fear of what may occur upon use. It may kill both of you, and obviously, I cannot afford this currently."

A bang.

"Sooner than I thought..."

The cat grinned, Patches picked up a ceremonial sword he'd been using, obviously filled with dread of another attack. More banging, some crashing.

"They must be big, having a hard time getting around," the cat almost excited to see them coming.

And then knocking. The cat's fur raised, the human trembled, and the door opened.

Three humans, walked in, two females and a male. All three dressed in long red, plain robes like the ones Goddess saw on Patches when they first met, and all carrying long golden staffs terminating in a red triangle crystal at the tip.

"We've been looking all over for you," one female said. Fair skin, average height, slender build, mid-20's, short black hair, hazel eyes, staff slung over her shoulders behind her head, cocky attitude. "Thanks for the signal."

"We already went ahead and terminated the beasts you summoned here," the male said, average height, slightly bulky build, brown thinning hair, obviously older.

"And we need to get you back to your home where you can recover and then finally lead us like we've been asking in our prayers," said the second woman, mid to late 30's, olive skin, light brown hair, brown eyes, the tallest of the three, average build of someone her age who engages in exercise moderately.

"Well, subtelty is not your strength. Asking me outright to lead you?"

"You told us you'd come back, and vanquish death. Some of your old allies are still waiting, as are some of your old enemies... As you are, you're not safe. So I please urge you, My Goddess, allow us to get going, I'll wisp us there," the second woman said.

Goddess smiled, "So my home still stands?"

"It's occupied by some modern types, but we're chasing them out as we speak." The first woman was becoming impatient.

Goddess sort of showed some signs of discomfort.

"Look, we don't have all day. We couldn't detect you clearly before your beacon, but after it, you're clear as day. We're just here first, so let's go."

"Servants don't demand of their leaders," the cat growled.

"It's alright," Goddess spoke gently, scratching her feline's head, "Let's go."

The first woman grinned, "My pleasure."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Eight months.

That is how long he spent locked away in the prison island that the inmates came to call Tartarous.

Eight months of his life that he will never get back.

Then everything changed the night the aliens attacked this world. The wall that had been his prison were shattered, he was free. Though they may have been conquerors, he saw them as his own personal liberators.

Now he has had over six months to plan his revenge. Over that time he has put things in motion that will change things forever.

He will ruin the man who destroyed his life. He will destroy Icon, if it is the last thing he does.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

For the first time in seemingly forever, Scott Morse finds himself alone in his apartment. Jenny is out with some friends, which gives him a chance at quiet reflection.

He sits on his couch, a cold glass of water on the table beside him, and in his lap a photo album that he hasn't had the heart to look at in quite some time. As he turns the pages in the album, stopping at each photograph he is bombarded with memories from the days the photos were taken.

Days with Jenny and Lisa.

Days with friends that he hasn't seen in way too long.

He stops on a picture of he and Lisa in front of the ferris wheel at the Lost Haven Summer Carnival.

He remembers that day very well, and as he looks at the picture of he and his lost love, he feels a small smile creep across his face. He had asked Lisa to go to the carnival on a whim. That was a perfect day, he had no responsibilities that day. There were no crisises that required his attention. The Hub was closed in preparation for a live show that Eric was overseeing, all he had to do was go out with the woman that he loved, and have fun.

And they did. They rode all the rides, played all the games, and indulged in carnie food that made him glad that he had a "super" digestive system. All in all, the day was perfect.

Suddenly, he is brought back to the present by the unwelcome sound of someone knocking on his door. Scott gets to his feet and makes his way to the front door of his apartment. He opens the door to find Keira standing outside with a big grin on her face.

"Hey." He says, as if he has nothing else to say.

"Sorry, I would have called first...but you never seem to answer your phone anymore, so I figured I'd just stop in." She says with a big smile.

"Sorry, I've been..."

"Busy, I know. Don't worry about it. Jenny filled me in, it's cool."

Keira walks past him into his living room and sees the photo album sitting on the coffee table. She picks it up and begins thumbing through some of the pictures. She settles on a photo of the whole group, Scott, Eric, Lisa, herself, and even the Mark, Ryan, and Brenda who are rarely heard from these days.

"She was so happy then." Keira says as she points to Lisa.

"Yeah." Scott says, after all these months he still has trouble talking about Lisa. It still hurts too much.

"And she was so proud of you. When you'd swoop in and save the day, god...she was always so proud, even though she tried to hide it, you could just tell."

"What? Whate are you..."

"Come on Scott, you know what I'm talking about."

"How did you-" She cuts him off.

"Come on Scott, it was kind of obvious. Whenever Icon would be on TV pounding on some bad guy, she'd be glued to the set. The way she watched every move...it kinda gave it away."

Scott just stands there for a moment in stunned silence.

"I know I have a bit of a reputation as a party girl, but I'm not stupid Scott. It wasn't really that hard to figure out. She was my best friend."

"Well...I guess we have some things to talk about."

 

[Rain Dog]

The sun began to set behind the First Bank of Lost Haven. Employees were packing up, ready to relax at home after spending their day crunching numbers and dealing with ornery customers. And just as the security guards drew their keys to lock the front doors on their way out—a thunderous blast hurled them to the concrete ground. Their ears rung, their heads throbbed, and the bank was engulfed it bright orange flames.

The bank workers had yet to make it to their cars. They quickly spun about after hearing the blast and watched in a combination of awe and terror as their workplace slowly burnt away. Then, another blast—this one in the parking lot. The bankers and their automobiles were flung into the air and blown to pieces as another glorious blaze devoured the parking lot.

Operation Prometheus is underway.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

​

"Whisper, do you read me?" I say into the two way communication device built into my mask.

"Yeah, Boss. I read you. What's up?"

"I need you to monitor all police and fire frequencies. Keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual."

"Um...right. Anything unusual....in Lost Haven. Sure thing Boss, I'll keep an eye out...want to elaborate a bit?"

"The vigilantes I encountered earlier tonight said something about Operation Prometheus. I'd keep an eye out for anything having to do with fire, or the distribution of power."

"In that case, you may want to head on over to The First Bank of Lost Haven. It just came over the police and fire bands. Explosions in the bank and in the parking lot. There may be a hostage situation, they aren't sure exactly what's going on just yet."

"I'm on my way. Try and get as much information as you can. These guys are the real deal, I don't want any surprises."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I arrive at the First Bank of Lost Haven only to find chaos. Someone had firebombed the bank itself, as well as the parking lot. All around there are police and rescue workers tending to the injured bank workers and customers.

With everyone milling around the scene of the bombing, police and fire workers, the local media, victims and people just watching the mayhem, I notice who isn't there.

All throughout the bank, there is no sign of the Dummy or his men.

"Whisper, the bank was a diversion. Keep an eye out for the real target."

 

[TrueMastermind]

OOC: Switching to First Person View

" And you ask why I don't get out much! Its because of these damn days where I freeze my f***in ass off! What the hell ever happened to global warming! Jeez..." Pissed and frustrated at the frigid wind that is just constanly stinging my exposed face, I look at my pal Eric Caleen with bloodshot eyes as we trot down East Coast Boulevard.

" Now don't give me all that! You know you too damn scared to leave that sloppy pigpen because you think something bad is gonna happen to you! If you don't like the cold, then why the hell did you move to this god forsaken city! Don't make no sense..." These insults were definetly not new to me. Eric often tried to inspire me by using degrading outbursts as he thought that was the only way to get past my mental barriers, which of course wasn't true. But it still helps from time to time. However, this particular attempt came off as more of a crude put-down than a motivational message and only soured my mood.

" Look here man..... I don't mean to hurt ya or nothing, just trying to speak truth. What about we head over to Damien's to fill the tank and talk about this here paper you supposed to be writing? "

" Alright, just let me check if I got some money real quick, "
I swung my small Batman backpack around to my frontside, digging around in it for some money. Halting briefly to examine my Wanderer mask, I finally found two twenties lieing at the bottom. Unbeknownst to Eric, I had my Wanderer costume beneath my street clothes, ready for any danger that makes its presence.

" Okay, I have 40 bucks, what about-" All of a sudden, a large number of people turn the corner of the East Coast Boulevard and Atlantic Street Intersection, seemingly running away from something.

" Hey man, go over to Damien's and I'll catch up with you. I just wanna check this out real quick. " Eric suprisingly complies with no questions, even puzzling me to the point to where I almost forgot what I was doing. Once he was about out of sight, I zipped into a nearby alleyway, thanking God all the while for some action. As I finally pulled my skull mask over my pale face, I muttered to myself, " Its whoop-ass time."

 

[Rain Dog]

The butt of the rifle bashes into the back of the security guard’s skull. He instantly goes limp and crumples to the ground. Fascist. Bloody head-weak Fascist. Crunch. Zeta ***** his shotguns and blasts the ceiling.

[BLACKOUT]“EVERYONE GET THE **** DOWN!!!”[/BLACKOUT] he screams. Paiges, secretaries, security guards, and political swine drop to the floor, cowering like the sniveling, pathetic creatures they are. We’re in the heart of the demon now. It must be ripped out. There are no innocents amongst the Illuminati—all who dwell in this domain are either swine or the brain-dead servants of the swine. No longer will their iron fist come down on this city’s throat. We’ll melt it. Mold a shield. No pressure. Breathe now.

[BLACKOUT]“Positions, positions!” [/BLACKOUT]I shout. Everyone has a job to do. Do it. Do it. Do it.

Eta, Theta, Iota, and Kappa scatter—each one heading for a different entrance/exit. Chokepoints. Nothing in, nothing out. These four were trained specifically for this task—and were armed for these tasks. They were to plant mines, trip-bombs, the works all over their respective chokepoints. Nothing in, nothing out. Or else be blown straight to hell. Crunch. They were ready for the inevitable meddling of police and metas. The bank bomb would only distract them for so long. Grenades, RPGs, snipers—nothing in, nothing out.

Delta and Gamma were to secure the east wing, Alpha and Beta the west. My close-quarter soldiers. Excelled in short-range weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Shotguns, carbines, pistols, combat knives, flash bangs and smokescreens—nothing stood a chance. Epsilon, Zeta, and I were to attack the brain. The mayor. The highest Illuminati authority in the city. We’ll make him talk. Make him pay.

Epsilon, Zeta, and I head forward, sprinting through the long, winding corridor that would eventually take us to the corrupt abomination that this city calls a leader. A burly guard leaps out of an open doorway with his gun aimed at us. He fires. Clumsy idiot.

The bullet whizzes past us and drills itself into a wall. Zeta ***** his sawed-off shotgun and fires at the guard. Pieces of the clumsy idiot are splattered all over the corridor. Crunch. I raise my hand, signaling the soldiers to stop. I grab a walkie-talkie from my belt.

[BLACKOUT]“Chokepoints secure?”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Roger that.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Roger.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Roger.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Roger.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Good. Pigs on their way?”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“I hear sirens.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Are they in sight?”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Not yet.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“I have some incoming pigs in sight.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Blast them.”[/BLACKOUT]

* * *​

As the wail of sirens grows louder, three police cars come into view, screeching as they swing around a street corner and zoom towards City Hall. Iota has them in his sights. He carefully aims his rocket launcher, waiting for the cars to get in just the right spot. A second and a half later, he fires. The rocket cuts through the air and smashes into the street. The fiery blast flips the cars over and engulfs them in flames. A few officers are able to smash their windows and escape their flaming, steel coffins. The others aren’t so lucky. The fortunate officers run for their dear live as the flames reach the vehicles’ gas tanks and a massive explosion sends car parts, broken glass, and officer chunks in every direction.

* * *​

Another guard jumps out of a doorway, swings his nightstick at me. I catch it, and with all my strength, thrust the palm of my hand into his elbow. With a loud CRUNCH, his elbow snaps in a ninety degree angle and his jagged bone comes bursting out of its fleshy encasing. He screams in horror. I silence him with a jerk of the neck. The mayor’s office is in front of us. The doors shut. I kick it. Doesn’t budge. Barricaded on the other side, I’m certain.

[BLACKOUT]“Blast it.”[/BLACKOUT]

Zeta fires and the door splinters. As chunks of wood fly past us, he fires again. After a third blast, the door is gone and the pile of furniture on the other side has been utterly destroyed. A gaggle of political pigs sit on the floor, huddled together. The mayor stands in front of his desk, strangely defiant.

[BLACKOUT]“Down. Now,”[/BLACKOUT] I growl.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I leave the scene of the bank bombing. It was just a distraction, there's no point in standing around while that madman and his goons are somewhere in this city planning something....something big.

"Boss, there's something going on over at City Hall. Police have responded and are under fire."

"Sounds like my guy."

"You might want to hurry...there's something else."

"What is it?"

"Someone hit a silent alarm in the Mayor's office."

"I'm on my way."

 

[Mr. Majestic]

Some where far in the galaxy a ship hovers just outside of a planet’s atmosphere. Inside the ship sat a very powerful man who has been forgotten over the course of time. As he sat in his chair one of his henchmen had approach his quarters. Once he was face to face with the forgotten King of the Zarrtonians face he kneel to one knee.

“What news do you have for me Magma?”

“My King the child wasn’t found on this planet.”

Even though Zon had a helmet covering his face from any emotions that he might been shown his body language alone displayed his mood.

“What of Destroyer?”

“As you order he is eliminating all life on the planet.”

“Very good, but it doesn’t matter I feel that the child isn’t on this planet.”

In the background just at the entrance of the king’s quarter Striker, the king’s number one marksmen stood twirling his gun in his left hand back and forth.

“I don’t even see why we bother. The kid is most likely dead, we’re doing nothing but wasting our time. Even if he is alive it’s not like he can cause you any harm. Hell I say we just forge…”

Striker’s gun then fell to the floor. As he was about to finish his sentence all the air to his lungs had been cut off. He had his hands place on his throat trying to gasp for air. Behind Striker two blue eyes were glowing in the darkness.

“Hold you tongue Striker. If King Zon says we are to find this child then that is what we do. If you question the King’s orders again, I’ll kill you myself.”

“That is enough Psych you may let him go.”

“As you wish my lord.”

Psych instant released his telekinesis hold on Striker. Striker took in a deep breath and then grab his gun off of the floor. Everything in him wanted to put a couple of bullet right between Psych’s eyes but he knew the king wouldn’t approve.

“This place is getting boring, I’m out of here.”

Striker then began to walk away as he stood side to side to Psych he gave him a iniquity stare right before he pass him.

“We have been to eight planets and still no sign. Once Destroyer is finish set the coordinate for the other side of the galaxy. We will start our search there.”

“As you wish my king.”

Magma said as he got up off his knee and heads towards the cockpit of the ship. Once he was along King Zon looks to the left out of the window staring at the stars.

“I will find the child of Xon and when I do he will kneel before Zon and then DIE!”

As King Zon sat in his quarters resting his loyal henchmen Magma rushes to his lord with urgent news. In normal circumstances he would have to announce himself before entering but he chose not to being that this news was that of importance.

“My lord.” Magma says as he bust into his Lord’s accommodations.

King Zon sat at disbelief that anyone would dare barrage into his room.

“Magma, explain this insolence.”

Within a instant Magma falls to one knee.

“Sorry my lord, I would not disturb you if it was not an argent matter.”

“Then speak.” The King yells to him.

“Our scanners have picked up a trace of the old power."

“Someone has used the powers of the God’s?” Zon ask with so much excitement he took off his helm that covers his face.

From his Lord’s reactions Magma could tell that he was pleased indeed.

“That is right my lord, we have found the boy.”

After so many years he has finally heard the words he has been dieing to hear. Nothing can explain the feeling he was going through.

“Where is he?” He asks with an iniquity appearance.

“He is on a planet known as Earth.”

“Set a course.”

“It has already been done my lord. We will arrive on that planet within a month or 2 in Earths time. To insure that the boy is truly there I personally sent Destroyer there. With the space craft he is in he will arrive faster than we will. He will be the first to make contact on the planet.”

“Leave me now Magma, you’ve done well.”

As Magma made his exit from his king, Zon got up from his chair and made his way to the nearest window. He opens his right hand and looks down at the scare that is on his palm caused by Xon.

“After so many years I’ve finally found the son of enemy. He is finally within my grasp."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

​

After his conversation with Keira at his apartment, for the first time on months Scott felt good about things. He not only found out that Keira knew his secret, but that he could trust her...and that she could be another voice of reason when the weight of being Icon begins to bog him down.

After she left, Scott shed his civilian clothes and took to the skies as Icon. When he is soaring through the skies over Lost Haven, he tends to see things more clearly...He feels free.

As he races across the skies of Lost Haven, his mind is racing as well. He may not have always been especially close to Keira, however, she had been Lisa's best friend...and in the months since her death they have become closer.

Jenny even keeps dropping hints that she thinks the two of them should get together, but he doesn't think of Keira that way...she's a friend, nothing more...and even if he felt more for her than just friendship, he couldn't persue anything with her...or anyone for that matter...He just isn't ready to move on, he's not ready to let go.

As he soars above Lost Haven, his mind on his personal situation...he never sees the rocket heading straight at him.

The rocket, fired from a shoulder mounted rocket launcher from below him, strikes him square in the side. Caught by surprise, Icon plummets from the sky, hitting the ground with enough force to leave a crater at the place of impact. He lays where he landed, stunned by the sudden attack. He rolls over, and begins to crawl from the crater when a pair of massive legs steps down in front of him, blocking his way.

Icon up slowly at the massive frame of his old nemisis Richter, standing there with a self satisfied grin...and a shoulder mounted rocket launcher, still smoking after delivering its payload.

"Hey Icon, miss me?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

After his conversation with Keira at his apartment, for the first time on months Scott felt good about things. He not only found out that Keira knew his secret, but that he could trust her...and that she could be another voice of reason when the weight of being Icon begins to bog him down.

After she left, Scott shed his civilian clothes and took to the skies as Icon. When he is soaring through the skies over Lost Haven, he tends to see things more clearly...He feels free.

As he races across the skies of Lost Haven, his mind is racing as well. He may not have always been especially close to Keira, however, she had been Lisa's best friend...and in the months since her death they have become closer.

Jenny even keeps dropping hints that she thinks the two of them should get together, but he doesn't think of Keira that way...she's a friend, nothing more...and even if he felt more for her than just friendship, he couldn't persue anything with her...or anyone for that matter...He just isn't ready to move on, he's not ready to let go.

As he soars above Lost Haven, his mind on his personal situation...he never sees the rocket heading straight at him.

The rocket, fired from a shoulder mounted rocket launcher from below him, strikes him square in the side. Caught by surprise, Icon plummets from the sky, hitting the ground with enough force to leave a crater at the place of impact. He lays where he landed, stunned by the sudden attack. He rolls over, and begins to crawl from the crater when a pair of massive legs steps down in front of him, blocking his way.

Icon up slowly at the massive frame of his old nemisis Richter, standing there with a self satisfied grin...and a shoulder mounted rocket launcher, still smoking after delivering its payload.

"Hey Icon, miss me?"

Before Icon can get to his feet, the mammoth Richter is on top of him, pummeling him with punches that could seemingly cave in a mountain. Icon moves his hands into a defensive position, attempting to block the larger man's blows, to little avail.

Richter grabs Icon by the nape of the neck, brings him up and flips him over his back, landing hard on the ground. Grinning, Richter moves around, putting his foot over Icon's face and begins gringing the heel of his boot into his forehead.

"You didn't think we were going to let you get away with what you did to us, did you?"

Richter steps up, putting all his weight on the foot over Icon's face, attempting to do more damage. As he continues to grind, Richter suddenly lets out a shriek of pain, as Icon uses his newest ability...a fine beam of concentrated energy from each of his eyes, burning two small holes right through his foot.

Richter stumbles backward, doing everything he can do just to stay on his feet. This is just the opening Icon needs. He quickly gets to his feet, and rushes headlong into Richter, pummeling the mountain of a man with furious punches that staggers him. Icon doesn't let up, instead, he presses his attack, continuing the assault until Richter is knocked off his feet.

Icon hesitates for a moment, which allows Richter to get back to his feet. Richter begins to clap his hands together, which will create a shockwave with enough power to bring down a building. However, Icon leaves his feet, flying directly at him and clutches him in his grasp before Richter can complete the motion. Icon takes Richter high into the sky, just above the skyscrapers of Lost Haven, and lets him go.

Richter plummets to the ground, hitting with enough force to rattle the windows in buildings several blocks away. Icon touches down on the ground beside him.

"You're done Richter. Just stay down."

Richter just smiles. Then reaches one of his hammer-like hands into his chest pocket and produces a polaroid picture.

"Heh. I know I'm done, hero. I was just the distraction. The real game is just beginning." He says before passing out.

Icon takes the photograph Richter was clutching, and as he looked down at the image he felt a cold shiver run up his spine, followed by a sudden onslaught of fear.

The photograph was of another of his old rivals, Riot in front of one of the ruined buildings in the former Centennial Square, and with Riot...with a look of terror etched on her face is his own sister Jenny.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

I get to City Hall to find absolute chaos. Police scattered around the perimeter of the building, making sure no one gets in, and no one gets out. On the building itself, I see acouple of the Dummy's henchmen...no doubt the others are inside.

Sticking to the shadows, I make my way to one of the neighboring buildings, using one of my grappling lines from my wrist gauntlet I scale the building, getting all the way up to the roof unnoticed. I take a quick look around, being careful to make a mental note of the placement of both SWAT and the Dummy's henchmen, then I fire another grapple line across the way, making my way quietly over to the rooftop of City Hall.

Once on the roof, I locate an airduct that leads to the inside of the building. I take a moment to pry the cover off, then slip quietly inside. I'm not sure exactly what this "Dummy" is planning, but I plan to end it tonight.

 

[wiegeabo]

"...."

"..."

"....."

Sounds. At least I think they're sounds. I only see black, so they're not sights. But the way my head feels, I could very well be hearing smells at this point.

I wonder why I can only see black. And then it hits me. My eyes are closed. Which is weird, because I thought they were open. Of course, I also feel like I'm standing, but I'm fairly certain I'm laying down. Again, the blinding pain in my head makes things a bit iffy.

"...uch longer..."

".t sure. Sh...oon..."

I try not to groan. I want to give myself a little more time to figure out what's going on. But I make the mistake of shifting my head, and I'll be damned if a small groan doesn't squeeze it's way out.

For a second, I hold my breath. Maybe they didn't hear. Maybe I'll get-

SLAP

Oh. My. God.

"Hey! Hey, you waking up?"

My brain explodes with pain and I just about empty my stomach.

"Stop that! Your hit nearly cracks his skull, and then you slap him?"

"Stop shouting."

"Hey, look at that. The zombie returns to the living."

I know that voice. It's attached to the short, bald cockblocker who I'm guessing put the butt of his gun to the back of my head. "Either get me some aspirin or shoot me. I'm fine either way right about now."

"Oh no, Mr. Cole. We're not going to shoot you. I've put far too much time and money into our work together."

I close my eyes. Not in pain, but disbelief. And it's only now I feel the the straps on my wrists and ankles. "Now I'm really wishing you'd shoot me." I turn my head, very slowly, and open my eyes again. "Hey there, Fatman."

"Hello Mr. Cole. Impressive little escape you pulled. I never thought you'd even get as far as the Rockies if you ever made it out of our little camp. Much less all the way to Chicago."

"What can I say? I was dying for some deep dish."

"She was a dish, alright."

I suddenly feel fingertips open my eyelid as a light gets shined into my eye. "Hey! Thanks for blinding me."

"Pupil response is good," a woman's voice says. She flashes my other eye. "How many fingers am I holding up?"

I blink my eyes rapidly. "Is it the same one I'm holding up?" I force my eyes open. "Three. And about a dozen purple spots."

"He's fine, doc" the short guy says.

"I'll be the judge of that."

"No, doctor. I will." The Fatman leans over me. "Welcome to my world, Mr. Cole. I own you."

...somebody get me a gun.

 

[Rain Dog]

“Listen,” the lead swine said, his hands out, palms facing me, in a calming gesture.

“I don’t know who you are or what you want but I assure you I’ll get you whatever you need if you just let these people go. I’ll even stay behind if you want, just let everyone—“

I fire a shot into the ceiling. He shuts up.

[BLACKOUT]“Down.”[/BLACKOUT]

He reluctantly gets down on his knees, his glare fixed on me. Epsilon and Zeta stand guard at the doorway. I watch the mayor closely. I’m not sure of what the Illuminati higher-ups are capable of. No doubt a silent alarm has been hit and more authorities are on their way. Perhaps even the Guardians. But we’re prepared. I’m prepared.

[BLACKOUT]“I want some answers.”[/BLACKOUT]

“To what? You haven’t asked anything. You haven’t told us anything, I have no idea who you are!”

[BLACKOUT]“The Illuminati. I want everything you know…” [/BLACKOUT]

I stop and look around the room and the city council members taking shelter in here, trembling and lying on the floor.

[BLACKOUT]“…All of you…everything about this region’s chapter. Who’s on top, how you got the metas on your side—everything!”[/BLACKOUT]

“I don’t know what any of that means. Please, just explain to me what it is—“

[BLACKOUT]“—Talk or one of these swine gets it.”[/BLACKOUT]

He sighed and shook his head.

“I can’t talk if I don’t know—“

[BLACKOUT]“One.”[/BLACKOUT]

“There’s no need for this. Please, just listen to me—”

[BLACKOUT]“Two.”[/BLACKOUT]

“Are you insane?! Just explain to me what it is you want! I can’t help you if I don’t know—”

[BLACKOUT]“Three.”[/BLACKOUT]

I fire a shot into one of the councilmen. He screams, then the rest scream. There’s sobbing and shouting all around.

“God dammit! What are you doing?! What do you want?! Is it me?! If you want me just leave these people alone, please!” he shouts.

[BLACKOUT]“I am NOT STUPID, YOU FASCIST BASTARD!”[/BLACKOUT] I scream as I give him a swift kick to the face.

[BLACKOUT]“I know what you are a part of. I know what you are doing to this city—this nation—this world! We are tired of sitting idly as you’re organization and its agents make slaves of us all! The New World Order is doomed to fall, just accept it! You’ve failed. Now, tell me what I want to know or I assure you that we will all pay. Everyone one in this room will pay.”[/BLACKOUT]

“Listen to me. Listen. To. Me. I don’t know what the Illuminati is. I truly don’t. I don’t know what the New World Order is. I can get you some help. I can—”

I finish off the councilman I shot before. I then march up to the rest of them and brandish my gun at them.

[BLACKOUT]“You’re leader won’t talk. Let’s hope you’re not as stubborn. Tell me everything you know about the Illuminati.”[/BLACKOUT]

“Wh-what do you want to know?” one of them whimpers. The other look at him with surprise.

[BLACKOUT]“How did you get the Guardians on your side? How did you take control of the meta-humans?”[/BLACKOUT]

“If I tell you…will you let us go?”

“Robert, don’t do it, he’s insane!”

[BLACKOUT]“We’ll see.”[/BLACKOUT]

“Well, they saved us during the invasion, and we—”

I shove my pistol in his face.

[BLACKOUT]“Do NOT feed me that, blood-rice smog liar bRaIn!!!! They orchestrated the invasion didn’t they?! All of you orchestrated the invasion to make them look like heroes and grant them absolute power. Didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU?!!!”[/BLACKOUT]

“Yes!!!” he screams hysterically, tears streaming down his face. I grab hold of his throat and tighten my grip.

[BLACKOUT]“How did you find about Prometheus?! The Angel of Death attacked us nights ago, how did it know?! HoW dID yOu kNoW BRAiN?!?!!”[/BLACKOUT]

“We…uh…we had the place...bugged?”

“Robert, stop, you’re making him angrier! He won’t let you go!!!”

[BLACKOUT]“ACK!!! RUNNING DRIBBLE brain SCARLET CRY!!!! ****! Power is greater than I had thought. Need IMMEDIAT action. AfFirmAtivE?! Immediate action, IMMEDIATE!”[/BLACKOUT]

Zeta looks at Epsilon, then me, then back at Epsilon.

[BLACKOUT]“Holy ****…holy **** this guy is ****ing insane…nothing he said was true…he was just bat-**** crazy this whole ****ing time?! Oh God, what the hell are we doing?!”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“YOU! You were wearing a wire weren’t you?!!”[/BLACKOUT] I snarl at the traitor. I quickly point my pistol at him. He raises his shotgun at me in retaliation. I unload four shots into him before he fires. He hits the ground, his gun goes off, and a shower of plaster and dust comes toppling onto him from the ceiling. I point my gun at Epsilon next—was he a traitor too? Were they all traitors? This whole time, was I under the watch of the Illuminati?

Epsilon lowers his head and raises his hands submissively. I suppose not.

[BLACKOUT]“BrAiN PiG BaStARD !!!” [/BLACKOUT]I scream as I shoot at the squealing councilman’s head. Grey matter splatters all over the wall behind him and the adjacent councilmen.

“ROBERT!”

I grab the walkie talkie at my belt.

[BLACKOUT]“West wing secure?”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Roger.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“East wing secure?”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Roger.”[/BLACKOUT]

[BLACKOUT]“Kill everyone inside. Everyone. No more hostages. Out of business sale.”[/BLACKOUT]

No one can be trusted. No one can be spared. They’ve been POiSoned. Poisoned.