The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[Spike_x1]

This scumbag was fast. But not nearly fast enough to outclass the superhuman speed and reflexes of the Survivor. Not even a minute of scaling buildings and rooftops had passed before the chase was quickly coming to a close as Adam was practically on top of the assassin. Suddenly, a bright red light on the killer's belt began flashing.

Some sort of proximity sensor? thought the Survivor as the man he was pursuing quickly turned on the spot and met eyes with Lost Haven's dark avenger.

Time seemed to slow down as a sly smile flashed across the killer's lips. "Showtime!" As the words left his mouth, the air itself began squeezing around the Survivor, stabbing into his body from every direction.

"AARRRGH!!" Adam called out in his explosion of pain. Opening his eyes, he found himself an entire rooftop further back from where he had just been, where his assailant remained. Adam could even see the jackass smiling at him. "What the hell was that?"

In a flash, the assassin aimed his closed fists downward and appeared to fly the short distance to Adam's new location. Landing skillfully a few meters in front of the Survivor, he crouched into a fighting position, but kept that cocky smile on his face. "The name's Tremor, hero. Apparently, you've made some powerful enemies in this dump of a city. My services aren't exactly cheap, and someone with some serious coin hired me to take you out."

The Survivor's eyes narrowed to glowing orange slits. He's a talker. Overconfident. Adam's gloved fists started glowing with crackling energy as Tremor continued rambling the usual villainous introduction.

"In case you couldn't tell from my name, I've got more than enough power to rock your world!" Tremor's hands suddenly shot forward and, faster than the eye could see, a wave rippled from his chestplate up and through to his fingers as the vibrational waves again shook the very air around them, blasting a shockwave at the Survivor.

Once more, the air itself ripped and tore at the Survivor's costume and flesh as Tremor's shockwave blasted through the night sky. Again being forced backward, the Survivor suddenly found himself knocked completely off of the building's rooftop. Just as his senses started to return to him, Adam Locke could feel the pavement below shattering his spine as he met the ground.

"C-Can't feel my legs... dammit, I hate this murdering jerk." Trying to gain leverage to sit up and wait a few moments for his back to heal and for the feeling to return to his lower extremities, Survivor heard the soft sound of feet scraping along a rough surface, coming from far above. With a mere glance above, he caught sight of Tremor gladly looking down at his handiwork, no doubt trying to see if he had finished the job or not. "It'll take a lot more than anything you've got to put me down for good, junior!" To punctuate his anger, a blast of energy flared out from the Survivor's eyes, shooting upward and punching a hole straight through Tremor's shoulder.

Having now disappeared from his vantage point on the rooftop, all that the Survivor had as evidence that Tremor was even still up there was the sound of his screams of pain. Wiggling his toes, Adam smiled and got to his feet. I think I'm going to enjoy this. With a single leap, the Survivor bounded upward and back onto the rooftop to meet Tremor, who was now nursing a bleeding shoulder.

With rage in his eyes, Tremor unleashed another shockwave at the Survivor. This time, however, Adam was not caught by surprise. Another leap powered by legs of superhuman strength carried the Survivor safely above the stream of vibrations shooting through the air. On the Survivor's descent, a skillfully placed kick to Tremor's jaw sent the assassin reeling backward. Spitting out a tooth, Tremor growled with pain and anger once again, and looked up hatefully at the dark guardian of Lost Haven.

"You little s**t!" spat the killer. "My goddamn shoulder!"

Was this little snot trying to insult the Survivor? Adam made no effort to hide his disdain for Tremor's remarks. "After you murdered all of those people in the diner, I'm sure that that little flesh wound will get you a lot of sympathy where you're going. Don't drop the soap in Tartarus." With one more kick to Tremor's head, the killer was reduced to unconsciousness. Letting out a heavy sigh, the Survivor took a long look out over Lost Haven's skyline before dropping to the streets below to search for a phone booth to place a call to the LHPD and let them know about Tremor and his current location.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Hey Charlie! Charlie! Are you gonna get off your ass and help me with these crates, or are you gonna sit there feedin' yer face all night long?" Danny says to his partner from behind the heavy crate that he is trying to load into the van.

"Hold yer horses, will ya? I'll be dere in a minute." Charlie replies as he shoves almost the entire half of his sausage grinder down his gullet.

Danny shrugs, and gets back to work with the crates. Normally he wouldn't be in such a hurry, but for some reason, on this night he just has a very bad feeling that he can't shake, almost as if someone is watching them. And he has good reason to be nervous, over the last several weeks someone has been specifically targeting Cartel activities. Interrupting shipments of weapons and drugs, as well as some of the less wholesome things that the Cartel is involved in. And Mr. Midas made it quite clear that nothing is to go wrong with this particular shipment, or there would be "severe consequences."

Danny shutters at what those "severe consequences" might be.

""Come on Charlie, get off your duff and help me with this stuff!"

But there is no response.

"Charlie!"

Still nothing.

"Charlie?!"

Danny is in a near panic. Charlie always says something, even if it's to tell him to get lost. There was a time when nobody would mess with Ol' Charlie, he was a big man who could do more than just hold his own in a fight. Danny had seen him take down three guys with lead pipes with nothing but his bare fists. But Charlie had lost something over the years, his love of pizza and grinders has slowed him down, much of the muscle the he was once so proud of replaced by an ever expanding haunch of flab. But still, Charlie was no slouch. Something is definitely wrong.

"Charlie, you alright pal?"

Then Danny sees it, Charlie laid out around the driver's side of the van. Not moving, out like a light. He spins around quickly, hoping to avoid whoever, or for that matter, whatever it was that took down Ol' Charlie. But before he could take a single step he saw it, it was a ghost or something, like a moving shadow, leaping at him from nowhere. It hit Danny with such a force that he was unconscious before he hit the ground.

Several minutes later the Lost Haven Police arrived on the scene, responding to an anonymous tip, that there was some sort of disturbance at Warehouse 32 in the commercial sector at this very moment. Shadow Walker watches from a nearby rooftop as the police load the two henchmen into squad cars, as well as secure the three dozen crates of high powered weaponry that they were trying smuggle into the warehouse. As the police secure the scene, Shadow Walker feels a small sense of satisfaction knowing that he has dealt another blow to The Cartel, but he knows that this is a long way from being finished, and that he still has a lot of work to do.

 

[SuperBoy-CK]

After my mother had picked me up from the police station I and she had a talk about what happened. She had told me that I what I did was reckless and that I should have been more careful. She was right, if I had a better understanding of my power and wasn’t running in the middle of the street no one would have gotten hurt. So the only thing I could think of to make sure nothing like this happens again was to figure out how my abilities work. So instead of going to sleep when we got back home I spent countless hours in the barn trying to figure out how to control my powers.

It was the fallowing morning I still got nothing. “This isn’t working, what I need to do is remember how it happened the first time.” For the next few moments I stood there trying to think back about anything during that moment when I first ran in super speed. I closed me eyes and began to concentrate. I heard my friend Sergio’s voice so I opened my eyes. “What in the world is going on?” As I opened my eyes I realize I wasn’t in the barn any longer I was back at school. Sergio is on the bus sitting next to same girl he was yesterday. But wait, all of this looks to familiar. I wasn’t back at school but reliving that day. It seems as if I'm watching a movie and I’m there. As I focus more I make everything stop. It’s as if I’m re-experiencing the day again.

I then fast forward to the moment right before I took off running. At that moment I then remembered what I was thinking. At that point in time the only thing on my mind was to beat everyone on that bus home but to do so I need to be fast. “That’s it. At that moment everything started to move slowly and then I took off running at super speeds. So maybe all I have to do is will myself to run fast and then I can do it.” After that shocking discovery the view of me at school fades away and I back at the barn. I grab a ball off of the table and walk to the other end of the barn wall. “Okay think fast, think about moving fast. Will yourself to move fast. You can do this.” I then throw the ball towards the other end of the wall and focus on moving fast. As the ball was traveling through the air it began to slow down. As the ball was moving in slow motion I realized i was unfazed by this. As it was heading towards the wall ever so slowly I began to walk forward. As I was walking towards the ball I was looking on at it in amazement. To believe I have this kind of power is just mind-boggling. Looking on at the ball I then begin to think to myself just moving at a normal speed and as I do so the ball went back to its normal momentum and hit the other end of the wall. “I got it I have to will myself to want to do it and I can. I wonder what other powers I might have.” I then start to think back to that day once again but this time I went to the moment of leading up to the crash.

I had to think back to the moment when my speed had slowed down. What was it I was thinking right before it happened? It took a moment but it hit me. “I remember.” I said thought to myself ‘This alone is remarkable, I wonder what other things I can do. Fly, lift cars over my head like there nothing.’ As I watch myself I notice my speed is still the same pace when I thought about flying and as I analyze it more I realize that when I think of lifting a vehicle over my head is when everything began to speed back up. Maybe I’m not just fast but strong too. I quickly look around the room for something to lift. “The lawnmower.” I say out loud. I then make my way to it. Once in front of it I get a good grip on the bottom of it. “Okay Sam remember think strong you can do this. Alright here we…” unknown to me right when I was about to pick it up someone had walked in the barn.


“What are you doing?” The person asked.

I quickly let my grip off of the mower and turn around to face the person to see it was the young woman I saved yesterday.

“Nothing I just got done changing the tire on the mower. How did you find out where I lived?”

“I have my ways. Besides I had to find out where the man who saved my life lived at to think him face to face the way he should be.”

For some reason she still believes i saved her.

“I wouldn't say I saved your life, all I did was try and grab you to get out of the way but as you saw i didn't do a good job of that.”

She then steps up closer to me and rest both arms on my shoulders.

“You can say what you want but for some reason I believe… no I feel that if you wasn’t there I wouldn’t be here today.”

Well she is half right. If I didn't run out into the street she wouldn’t have been here because there wouldn’t have been no accident.

“You know through everything that happen I didn’t get your name.”

“Your right Sam you didn’t.”

“Wait, I don’t recall telling you my name.”

“I told you I have my ways of finding things out.”

It would make since if she can find out where I live with no problem, she can find out my name. That was a smart question.

“My name is Lexa, Lexa Love.”

“Lexa Love, that’s a beautiful name.”

“If you say so, Lexa is short for Alexandrina. My father wanted a boy so he could name him after Alexander the great but since I was his unwanted child he named me after the (for some reason it just wouldn't change to the color pink) famous city for its ancient library the museum, temple and so on. I guess he figured since it was founded by Alexander the name will do.”

“I don’t believe your dad thinks of you as his unwanted child.”

A little smile appears on her faces before replying

“You must have never heard of my dad have you? Big corporation in Lost Haven with LL on the side of the building. The Love Corporation. None of this ringing a bell?”

“I really do get out much.”

“I can see.”

She then starts to walk around the barn and as she does so something hits me. LL. Those were the initials she had on her necklace. I reach in my pocket and pull it out.

“Lexa I have something for you.”

She turns around and walks back towards me and notices what I was holding in my hand.

“My necklace, how did you get it?”

“I guess during the day of the accident it must of came off. I held on to it so when I saw you again I could return it. Here.”

She grabs it out of my hand and stares at it for a while.

“My mother gave this to me before she died, thank you.”

The look on her back told it all. That necklace really meant a lot to her. I’m glad I could return it.

“No need to thank me.”

She takes a minute to look at the necklace and then she lets the moment of weakness pass.

“So tell me any skeletons in the closet?”

“None that I’m aware of.”

She then smiles and then starts to walk around the barn once more. While walking she approaches a chest.

“What’s inside here? The porno collection?”

“Things that used to belong to my father before he past away.”

“Oh I’m sorry.”

“No problem I never got a chance to meet him he died before I was born. My mother put his stuff out here. I guess it was easier for her that way.”

For a moment I notice a unset look on her face. “It never is.” The moment then passed.

“So you mind if I take a look?”

“Knock yourself out.”

She opens the chest and notices a lot of pictures and belts and clothes.

“This is nice.”

She then pulls a hoody out.

“This would look nice on you, you should wear it sometimes.”

She then places it up against my upper body.

“I’ll think about it.” I say with a smile.

Right when she is about to reply her phone rings.

“Hello…WHAT!.. I see. I’m on my way.”

She hangs up the phone puts it in her pocket.

“I’m sorry but I have to go but I’ll make sure to stop by more offend.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

I say as she walks off leaving the barn. I look down at my fathers old hoody.

“She is right it does look nice.”

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon

​

Lisa lays alone in her bed, she is tired but she can't sleep. She tries every trick she knows in order to fall asleep, but nothing seems to work. She tries clearing her mind, and breathing deeply, almost going into a medatative state, but her mind is working overtime tonight.

She has bills to pay, but doesn't get paid for another week. She needs to find a better job than a waitress at Butchie's Diner, Butchie doesn't pay well and the tips kinda suck...but it's better than nothing.

Scott ran off again to go stop some emergency. He said something about a fire before he disappeared to do what he does as Icon. Granted, the timing was lousy, but emergencies rarely happen when it's convenient for anybody...but she knew that, and she accepted it the moment Scott forst showed her that he was Icon. But that isn't what bothers her. She is madly in love with him, and she's pretty sure that he feels the same way, but for some reason he keeps holding back. She thinks that it may have something to do with his last girlfriend, he had loved her with everything that he had. She had shared his secret for years, but she just couldn't handle it. He came home one night and found her gone, she moved out without so much as a "Dear John" letter.

She just wishes that he would understand that she is not going to do that to him. She understands he has responsibilities, and that is ok with her. That even though he ran out on their dinner date tonight, on Valentine's Day of all times, she understands...and even though yes, she would have loved to finish their date, she really doesn't care. She just hopes that he understands that.

Just as she begins to drift to sleep, she hears a soft tapping at her window. She knows the sound, she has heard it often over the last few weeks. She slowly gets out of bed, reaching over to the chair in the corner and takes her robe, putting it on. She goes over to the window and pulls the shades open. And there outside her window is the man that she loves, holding a big heart shaped box of chocolates and a single red rose...wearing a big, sly grin.

"He Lisa, I was kinda hoping we could continue our date."

"Well, I don't have anything better to do." she jokes as she opens the large window letting him into her apartment.

 

[Andy C.]

WONDER BOY: SIDEKICK FOR HIRE​

O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN:
PART FIVE​

The bar I'm in is a fairly quiet little place in the outer reaches of the city--I can't stand the obnoxious loud clubs. It's karaoke night, and the guy on stage singing "Piano Man" is actually pretty good. I raise my mug in acknowledgement, and take a a drink.


This is a decent beer--some local micro-brew the name of which I didn't catch, but the bartender recommended (probably because it was the most expensive). Just about all of the major American breweries have been bought out by one European company or another, and they just don't taste the same anymore. They still have all the same ingredients and are made the same way by mostly the same people, but I don't know--it's like they've lost their identity.

I'm not a big drinker; I prefer to keep my senses sharp. Still, since I'm old enough these days and I've got something to celebrate, I might as well. Tomorrow, I'll be on the bus to Lost Haven, picking up a way of life that I thought was gone for good. All that old junk I've been carrying around will finally get put to good use again. The gadgets and costume, too.

After all, it could save my life some day.

********
​

"Remember, this could save your life some day," Captain Wonder says as I pick myself off the floor again. I sink back into my fighting stance, and he comes at me again with the foam knife. He's "killed" me eight times in the last five minutes, but I'm getting better--last time, it was thirteen.

I've been training with him for a little over six months now, and it's been exhausting. When I'm not in the gymnasium getting the snot kicked out of me (the Captain doesn't have much patience for formalized martial arts, and skips right into how it all applies into combat), I'm in the study being grilled on a completely different subject every day. For now, it's just getting the basic concept of each school, but every time we return to one, it's more in-depth and demanding. Wake up, breakfast, physical training, study, fight, study more, lunch, fight more, study more, dinner, two hours of leisure and recreation, bed. Five days a week, for the last six months. It's brutal, but I'm free to leave any time I want. I go through all this because I want to be here. I want to be more like him.

The Captain's real name is Christopher West, heir to West Industries and one of Millennium City's most prominent philanthropists. After taking me in, he adopted me as a ward--he's known for sponsoring nearly a thousand other impoverished children around the world, so him suddenly taking another one in didn't raise too much attention. Mr. West has a group of slick business-types who run most of his company for him, and his butler Mathis is brilliant at coming up with excuses for the press when West is out on patrol in costume. And he's got an automated assembly plant to put together all of the crazy devices and vehicles he uses, without having to give the plans to anyone else.

Simply put, Christopher West is a man who knows exactly what he's doing. And if I'm ever going to do my parents proud, I want--no, I need--to become like him.

Fortunately, he thinks the same thing. He doesn't just want me to be another Christopher West, he wants me to be another Captain Wonder.

He charges at me with the foam knife, and this time, instead of just trying to dodge it, I use his momentum against him. I grab a hold of his arm, and spin out to wrench his elbow back. Before he can counter, I've locked his wrist just long enough to get the knife from him. I take a shuffle-step back, waiting for the inevitable kick or grapple to send me to the ground again.

Instead, he just smiles.

"Great work, Kitt," he says, dropping the fighting stance and relaxing a bit. "I think that's enough for one day."

"But--but I was just starting to get ahead! We're going to stop now that I was winning?"

"Of course," he says brightly. "That way, you'll have something to prove tomorrow."

********
​

The second verse swells, and as the guy on stage wails, I sing along into my beer.

"And the waitress is practicing politics,
as the businessmen slowly get stoned.
Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness,
but it's better than drinking alone."

I won't be drinking alone much longer, that's for sure.

I've got something to prove tomorrow.

 

[Spike_x1]

The Architect

It was just so hard to believe. Yes, it was true that Zaine was only beginning to reacquaint himself with the study of astrophysics, but the evidence before him was still quite hard to deny. Using the equipment that he had made for himself, Zaine Black scanned the heavens, hijacking military satellite signals to bounce images back and forth from his own orbital telescope that he had had placed into orbit around the Earth. This allowed him to compare his own data with the most up to date information gathered by the rest of the planet's experts in the field of astrophysics.

Where other scientists in the field thought that this new spatial phenomenon was interestingly a unique pattern of black holes, the Architect knew the truth: something or someone was coming towards Earth. Whatever it was that was on the approach appeared to be using a means of manipulating gravity in order to guide itself through the vacuum of deep space. The gravitational anomalies that its propulsion created were admittedly easy to mistake for a formation of black holes; but only by idiots.

Knowing that he was, again, the intellectual superior to every known name in another field of scientific study did little to ease the Architect's mind. Some force was on a direct course for Earth, and was showing little regard for anything that was in its way. Aside from reviewing the evidence of shifting gravity around nebulae and other celestial bodies, Zaine was also in the middle of double checking his facts after seeing that entire moons and planets in the wake of the anomaly's path seemed to have completely disappeared. If this thing had somehow moved these obstacles out of its way, or had outright destroyed them, something had to be done.

"I might need a little help on this one."

Showing slightly less apathy than he usually displayed for others' feelings, Zaine was almost tempted to wait until Valentines Day was over before interrupting one's life, but decided against it. This decision resulted in the sudden rude intrusion for the hero known as Icon.

Not too long after the Architect's cloaked hover drone witnessed Scott Morse entering his lady friend's apartment window, Zaine Black had finally calibrated the right frequency to convey his message to Icon: "Scott Morse, Icon, this is an ultra-high frequency that only you can hear. Trust me, not even a dog will be able to listen in on this channel. My name is the Architect, and I need your help. Please, tell Lisa that there is another emergency that you have to attend to, and then fly to the top of the Chambers Law tower. You have ten minutes."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

The ArchitectShowing slightly less apathy than he usually displayed for others' feelings, Zaine was almost tempted to wait until Valentines Day was over before interrupting one's life, but decided against it. This decision resulted in the sudden rude intrusion for the hero known as Icon.

Not too long after the Architect's cloaked hover drone witnessed Scott Morse entering his lady friend's apartment window, Zaine Black had finally calibrated the right frequency to convey his message to Icon: "Scott Morse, Icon, this is an ultra-high frequency that only you can hear. Trust me, not even a dog will be able to listen in on this channel. My name is the Architect, and I need your help. Please, tell Lisa that there is another emergency that you have to attend to, and then fly to the top of the Chambers Law tower. You have ten minutes."

I was heading back into Lisa's bedroom from the kitchen when I heard the voice.

No, not now. I think to myself. But this is not something that I can just make go away, the message keeps repeating.

Whoever this "Architect" is, he knows who I am, and he knows about Lisa. I'm getting really sick of people coming out of the woodwork who know who I am, putting the people I love in danger. So I have to go to meet this person and find out what he wants.

"I have to go. Something has come up, some sort of emergency at the Chambers Law Tower. I'll be back as soon as I can, but don't wait up."

Even though she fully supports what I do, I can see the disappointment on her face. But she understands who I am, and what I have to do...and the sacrifices we have to make. And then she surprises me, when most women would pout and throw a tantrum, she just smiles and gives me a look that I just can't shake. With a sexy little smirk she just says, "Well, hurry back, okay?"


With that I leave, and I am already anticipating returning to her.

Moments later I arrive at the rooftop of the Chambers Law Tower. Upon landing, I scan the area looking for this "Architect" character. It only takes an instant to find him. Once I locate him, I make a B-Line to where he is standing. When I look him in the eye, I don't even bother to hide my anger.

"You wanted me, Architect...I'm here. And you have a lot of explaining to do."

 

[Byrd Man]

The Blue Blur
Learning Curves

Mt. Fuji, Japan

"Again."

I pick myself up the dirt and look at the Japanese man standing in front of me.

His name is Kensei, he's one of the world's greatest heroes. And he has decided to take me in under his wing. According to him, I'm here save the world.


Chicago, Illinois
One Week Ago

"Johnny? Bruce?"

I zip around the lab looking for my tech guys. They're nowhere to be found.

"Hello?"

"Mmmph!!"

A muffled cry for help catches my attention. I speed over to the broom closet and open it up.

Both Johnny and Bruce are tied up, with their mouths taped, and their hands tied together.

"The hell?"

"They talk too much."

I spin on my heels and see a man dressed as a samurai facing me.

I kick it into high gear and try to hit him, he easily dodges me. I try again, this time he grabs my wrist and throws me against a wall at full speed.

KRASH!!!

I go through the wall and land on my back into the parking lot of the Frytech building.

"I apologize for my rudeness." He says as he steps through the hole.

"My name is Kensei."

I stand up and pop my back. That's when it dawns on me.

"Say, weren't you the samurai dude who busted Game Genie last month?"

He nods silently. I just look at him.

"Well? Any reason you broke in here, tied up my assistants and threw me through a wall?"

"Yes. You are to come with me to Japan." He says with a stern look.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes. I will teach you how to be a hero."

"Umm, not sure if you've seen the news...but I am a hero. Let's see, I saved a half dozen people this morning and beat up twenty-three bad guys."

"You are still not a hero. The powers and endorsements do not make a hero. That comes from the heart."

"Why exactly do I need to learn to be a hero?"

"Because I have seen it in my dreams. The fate of the world will rest on the shoulders of a few....it is coming..."

"What, exactly?"

Kensei stares at me, a look of worry in his eyes.

"Evil."


Japan
Now
I turn on the jets and aim right at Kensei, he moves quickly and quietly, dodging my fists and hitting me hard in the stomach.

"Your powers do not make you heroic, Matthew." He says as I lose my breath.

"You think that a hero has special powers and dresses in a suit. This is not true."

He comes down hard with his right leg and kicks me in my knee....my bad knee.

"Ahh!" I scream as I fall to the ground.

My kneecap pops loudly as the bone comes out of the socket.

"Where would you be without your speed, huh? Nowhere! Because, in your mind. You can not be a hero unless you are special."

I groan in pain as I pop my kneecap back into place. The pain makes me vomit on the mountain's hard ground.

"'A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer'. A wise poet said that. Do you have the conviction to save someone if you knew it meant you would die in their place? Or do you choose to save them because you know your powers will protect you?"

I takes all of ten seconds for my knee to heal. I wipe the vomit from my lip and look up at Kensei.

"All I see in front of me right now is a vomiting baby who is dependent on his abilities. He doesn't rely on his heart, his brains. He gets by on dumb luck."

Kensei pops his neck and crouches into a defensive stance.

"Again."
​

 

[Spike_x1]

I was heading back into Lisa's bedroom from the kitchen when I heard the voice.

No, not now. I think to myself. But this is not something that I can just make go away, the message keeps repeating.

Whoever this "Architect" is, he knows who I am, and he knows about Lisa. I'm getting really sick of people coming out of the woodwork who know who I am, putting the people I love in danger. So I have to go to meet this person and find out what he wants.

"I have to go. Something has come up, some sort of emergency at the Chambers Law Tower. I'll be back as soon as I can, but don't wait up."

Even though she fully supports what I do, I can see the disappointment on her face. But she understands who I am, and what I have to do...and the sacrifices we have to make. And then she surprises me, when most women would pout and throw a tantrum, she just smiles and gives me a look that I just can't shake. With a sexy little smirk she just says, "Well, hurry back, okay?"


With that I leave, and I am already anticipating returning to her.

Moments later I arrive at the rooftop of the Chambers Law Tower. Upon landing, I scan the area looking for this "Architect" character. It only takes an instant to find him. Once I locate him, I make a B-Line to where he is standing. When I look him in the eye, I don't even bother to hide my anger.

"You wanted me, Architect...I'm here. And you have a lot of explaining to do."

"Yes." The robotic construct of Zaine Black stepped closer to Icon and showed a slight smirk. "I do." Pausing to gather his thoughts, the Architect opened his mouth to speak when something seemed to overcome his senses, distracting him. Raising an eyebrow and looking off into the skyline, Zaine at last spoke again, "Ah, here he comes. Sorry it took him so long. He's not as fast as you, and he can't fly. Still, to his credit, he dropped what he was doing the instant that he got my message. Unlike you, the Survivor doesn't really have a life outside of the superhero game."

As if on cue, the shadowy silhouette of the Survivor crawled up onto the top of the tower and looked at two men waiting for him. "I hate this building. Bad memories." Walking towards the other two, Adam Locke's eyes glowed as he studied them. "One of you I recognize. Icon. I'm a big fan. You know they make T-shirts of you now? Looking at the robotic likeness of the Architect, the Survivor's eyes narrowed. "You, on the other hand, I have no idea who you are."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

"Yes." The robotic construct of Zaine Black stepped closer to Icon and showed a slight smirk. "I do." Pausing to gather his thoughts, the Architect opened his mouth to speak when something seemed to overcome his senses, distracting him. Raising an eyebrow and looking off into the skyline, Zaine at last spoke again, "Ah, here he comes. Sorry it took him so long. He's not as fast as you, and he can't fly. Still, to his credit, he dropped what he was doing the instant that he got my message. Unlike you, the Survivor doesn't really have a life outside of the superhero game."

As if on cue, the shadowy silhouette of the Survivor crawled up onto the top of the tower and looked at two men waiting for him. "I hate this building. Bad memories." Walking towards the other two, Adam Locke's eyes glowed as he studied them. "One of you I recognize. Icon. I'm a big fan. You know they make T-shirts of you now? Looking at the robotic likeness of the Architect, the Survivor's eyes narrowed. "You, on the other hand, I have no idea who you are."

I acknowlege the Survivor. I've heard of him, but our paths hadn't crossed before tonight.

"I believe he was just about to get to that." I say, looking back to the strange figure on the roof. "As well as exactly what it is he wants."

 

[Spike_x1]

The Architect smiled confidently and looked back and forth between the two heroes. "I'm what the news papers might describe as a 'mad scientist.' I am contracted by both heroes and villains alike on a regular basis to outfit them with new equipment and weaponry, or the latest fashion in genetic augmentations. I make it my business to keep tabs on every one I can within our.. er... line of work. You can rest assured that your secret identities are safe with me; I don't sell information of that kind. If word got around that I was selling names, it would be very bad for business in the long run."

Zaine could see that the distrusting expressions in the Survivor and Icon's eyes hadn't been relieved, and didn't care. "You can believe me or not, it doesn't matter. What I've called you both here for is what's really important. The Earth is in danger. Something is coming."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

The Architect smiled confidently and looked back and forth between the two heroes. "I'm what the news papers might describe as a 'mad scientist.' I am contracted by both heroes and villains alike on a regular basis to outfit them with new equipment and weaponry, or the latest fashion in genetic augmentations. I make it my business to keep tabs on every one I can within our.. er... line of work. You can rest assured that your secret identities are safe with me; I don't sell information of that kind. If word got around that I was selling names, it would be very bad for business in the long run."

Zaine could see that the distrusting expressions in the Survivor and Icon's eyes hadn't been relieved, and didn't care. "You can believe me or not, it doesn't matter. What I've called you both here for is what's really important. The Earth is in danger. Something is coming."

I look at him for a moment, trying to get a handle on whether he is legit or not.

"That's thing though, isn't it? Something is ALWAYS coming. That's why guys like me and Survivor are here. To put them in their place when they get here. I'm sorry, but 'Something is coming' just doesn't cut it. You're really going to have to give us more to go on. Because quite frankly, I'm getting alittle sick of people coming to me with vague warnings about something that is coming. "

 

[Byrd Man]

The Blue Blur
Learning Curves
​

Previously

Spoiler

Mt. Fuji, Japan

"Again."

I pick myself up the dirt and look at the Japanese man standing in front of me.

His name is Kensei, he's one of the world's greatest heroes. And he has decided to take me in under his wing. According to him, I'm here save the world.


Chicago, Illinois
One Week Ago

"Johnny? Bruce?"

I zip around the lab looking for my tech guys. They're nowhere to be found.

"Hello?"

"Mmmph!!"

A muffled cry for help catches my attention. I speed over to the broom closet and open it up.

Both Johnny and Bruce are tied up, with their mouths taped, and their hands tied together.

"The hell?"

"They talk too much."

I spin on my heels and see a man dressed as a samurai facing me.

I kick it into high gear and try to hit him, he easily dodges me. I try again, this time he grabs my wrist and throws me against a wall at full speed.

KRASH!!!

I go through the wall and land on my back into the parking lot of the Frytech building.

"I apologize for my rudeness." He says as he steps through the hole.

"My name is Kensei."

I stand up and pop my back. That's when it dawns on me.

"Say, weren't you the samurai dude who busted Game Genie last month?"

He nods silently. I just look at him.

"Well? Any reason you broke in here, tied up my assistants and threw me through a wall?"

"Yes. You are to come with me to Japan." He says with a stern look.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes. I will teach you how to be a hero."

"Umm, not sure if you've seen the news...but I am a hero. Let's see, I saved a half dozen people this morning and beat up twenty-three bad guys."

"You are still not a hero. The powers and endorsements do not make a hero. That comes from the heart."

"Why exactly do I need to learn to be a hero?"

"Because I have seen it in my dreams. The fate of the world will rest on the shoulders of a few....it is coming..."

"What, exactly?"

Kensei stares at me, a look of worry in his eyes.

"Evil."


Japan
Now
I turn on the jets and aim right at Kensei, he moves quickly and quietly, dodging my fists and hitting me hard in the stomach.

"Your powers do not make you heroic, Matthew." He says as I lose my breath.

"You think that a hero has special powers and dresses in a suit. This is not true."

He comes down hard with his right leg and kicks me in my knee....my bad knee.

"Ahh!" I scream as I fall to the ground.

My kneecap pops loudly as the bone comes out of the socket.

"Where would you be without your speed, huh? Nowhere! Because, in your mind. You can not be a hero unless you are special."

I groan in pain as I pop my kneecap back into place. The pain makes me vomit on the mountain's hard ground.

"'A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer'. A wise poet said that. Do you have the conviction to save someone if you knew it meant you would die in their place? Or do you choose to save them because you know your powers will protect you?"

I takes all of ten seconds for my knee to heal. I wipe the vomit from my lip and look up at Kensei.

"All I see in front of me right now is a vomiting baby who is dependent on his abilities. He doesn't rely on his heart, his brains. He gets by on dumb luck."

Kensei pops his neck and crouches into a defensive stance.

"Again."
​

Now

Kensei and I sit crossed-legged in his hut, eating noodles.

"Man these are good." I say as I set down my fifth bowl.

"I forgot how fast your metabolism works. I have to travel down the mountain and get some more supplies soon."

"I could do it. Be there and back in the blink of an eye."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you use your powers as a crutch. From now until I say so, you are no longer allowed to use your speed."

"What?! Why?!"

"Because, it is important for you to see life through the eyes of those you protect. How long has it been since you gained your abilities?"

"Almost a year ago. What does this have to do with-"

"All that time and yet you still do things the wrong way. I have watched you saving people. You take too many risks, too many lives at stake. You're reckless and careless, I am amazed you have made it this far."

"I don't have to sit here and take this crap." I sling my bowl to the hut's floor and get ready to speed off.

Kensei gently places his hand on my wrist before I stand up.

"Answer me this before you go: Why do you dress up and act like a hero?"

"To save people."

"No. You do it for a paycheck. You do it because the man who used you like a lab rat has a superhero fixation. All those endorsements, advertisements, and commercials...what do they prove? That you are the world's greatest sell-out?"

I try to come up with a response to him.....but nothing comes out of my mouth. My mind skips around and flashes back to all that happened back then.

Jen.

Mom.

Dr. Brown.

The injection.

Mr. Fry's offer.

That's when it clicks: Everything he just said was right.

"Oh my god...." I wipe my forehead.

Kensei puts his hand on my shoulder and nods.

"It's okay, Matthew. Now that you have gotten to the base of it all, now we can let the real training begin."

 

[Eddie Brock]

FLUX

<"Where's your head, Ryryu?">

Ryryu - known on Earth as Christina Jones - turns her head softly and looks into Eiiga's eyes. Their cascading green tone sucks her in and stalls her breathing momentarily. In an instant, Ryryu becomes aware that her teeth are gently grazing against her drooping bottom lip. Seeing that Eiiga has no reaction, Ryryu quickly closes her mouth and hopes he didn't notice.

She sighs aloud. <"I know not, Eiiga,"> she admits. <"I was just thinking about...my father.">

Half of Eiiga's mouth curls into a smile. His eyes bounce from left to right, as if trying to study Ryryu's soul visually. His half-smile curls away, and he replies, <"Well, that makes me feel better about myself.">

Ryryu smiles calmly for a moment. <"You know as well as I that it has nothing to do with you,"> she reminds him passively. <"I just wonder where his mind has gone after the death of mother.">

<"A tragedy like that can change any man,"> Eiiga notes assuringly. Taking Ryryu's hand in his, he continues, <"I know not what would happen to me if you were gone."> The two youth meet eyes again, and the world could've ended in that instant. <"Worry not of your father. I am sure he worries not of you.">

At this, Ryryu's grip on Eiiga's hand loosens.

<"If you have something to say, Eiiga, I pray that you will say it.">

Eiiga sits up straight and releases Ryryu's hand. <"I mean only,"> he begins quietly, <"that your father cares more of the Autocrat than you. His work is his life, and his work..."> Eiiga pauses and considers his words. After sifting through the possibilities, he finishes, <"...is wrong.">

<"You think I do not know this?"> Ryryu asks offendedly. She instantly becomes flustered. <"I am not defending my father or his work! But whether I approve or not is of no concern! He is still my father!">

<"I apologize, Ryryu."> Eiiga's gaze casts downward. <"I meant not to upset you. My words are faster than my mind.">

Ryryu places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Upon contact, Eiiga raises his head to look at her. <"Let us speak no more of this,"> she suggests calmly. <"We are young, and we need not concern ourselves with such heavy conversation."> She smiles as if nothing else had happened. <"Come! You must tell me how you plan to celebrate my cycle completion!">

Smiling, Eiiga raises a hand to Ryryu's cheek. The slightest contact is utterly electric. The two find it hard to maintain eye contact, yet they are unable to do anything else. Giving in to their passions, they lean forward and...

"Stay with us, Christina!"

Without warning, the tip of a knife blade is forced a few inches into Chrissy's knee. She shrieks in pain as the images of Eiiga and Arlaaek fade. Her eyes are slammed shut, but she has no tears left to shed. She can feel the streaks running from her eyes to her chin where the dried tears died on her skin. For the briefest of moments, she is thankful for the piercing pain in her knee because it distracts her from the pain everywhere else. The feeling does not last.

"There you are," the sadistic man with the knife grins. He is seated in a chair directly in front of Chrissy. He twirls the knife a bit while the blade is still plunged into her knee. Every subtle movement sends new shockwaves of pain throughout her body. "Have you decided to talk to us yet?"

"I don't know what you want to hear!" Chrissy croaks.

With his free hand, the man smacks Chrissy across her bloodied, dirty face. Chrissy can feel the sting of his palm radiating long after the blow had been delivered. "Don't give us that bulls***, Christina!" he barks with a violent glimmer in his eyes. "You got your powers somehow!"

"What powers?"

Grimacing, the man shoves the knife as deep into Chrissy's knee as it will go. Her screams echo off the metal floor and walls of the small room. After a sharp twist of his wrist, the man removes the blade completely. Chrissy's eyes are helplessly attracted to the sight of now gushing blood. She sobs dryly.

"You dumb f***ing s***!" the man growls. "Do you think we're stupid? Do you think you're f***ing smarter than us?" Chrissy's sobs continue. "No one is going to save you, little girl. No one! You know why?"

The man leans in, and Chrissy can feel the heat of his breath on her face.

"'Cause we're the f***ing government, and no one likes a freak!"

The man stabs his knife into the chair between Chrissy's knees. Standing up, he adjusts his belt and takes several deep breaths.

"Enjoy your stay here at this luxurious STRIKE facility, 'cause you're going nowhere until we're satisfied."

Deep in her heart of hearts, Chrissy knew they'd never be satisfied. The fear of dying in this small metal room closed in as the man slammed the door shut.
​

 

[Mercy]

Siren
Origin Part Three
​

I walked around the Grand Palace, until i eventually waltzed into the main room.
"I'm glad you're here, I want you to create an alias"
I gulped, why an alias? But i didn't question,
"Yes"
"Your alias..."
"My name....the name's Siren"

"Well Siren, firstly, this relationship you have with Mirakle...end it." I couldn't believe what she had said, the chair she was sitting on had spun around, I could see her clearly. She had an eye patch over her head and an sky captain outfit on.
"Why?" I ask in Horror, she didn't reply, she just had the same horrible smirk she always does. But this woman had control over me, I couldn't say no, or else my life would be on the line.
"HEY! I kicked Launch out the hand for you! Now dump him tomorrow or else, my team will have to personally do it....and you know what Terminator's like" She growled, she was one heck of a lousy boss. Oh no, I've just realized, tomorrow is the wedding! I've got my dress and everything, no, no, this can't be happening. I run out the palace, feeling sick, I've been back for one day and my life is already ruined, no, this can't be happening.

The Next Day....
I sit in the grand hall of the Justice Knights,
"You know, it's bad luck to see the groom on the day of the wedding" Binary came and sat down next to me, bringing over two cup of tea's. I haven't picked up my costume from the boss yet, but I better enjoy not being involved in crimes whilst this lasts.
"It's okay, I sent Lead away with the boys" Sky came in, she also clutched a cup of coffee. Sky sat down with me and Binary, I wasn't really in the mood to talk about weddings or girly stuff. One thing that was important, that no one bought up my family, I think everyone knew that. You see, I was only having a small wedding. These were the guests:
Binary aka Luna Toro (She's Spanish)
Sky aka Mercedes Geld (That's a car)
Mirakle aka Harry Lead (The Groom)
Lola and Terry Lead (Mirakle's parents)
Brooke Lead (Mirakle's sister)
And the boys from Justice Knights.
So yeah, pretty small, I just hope Lola, Terry and Brooke don't bring up my family, or god help Mirakle if they do.

"Soon you'll have to go get ready, won't you, Lana" Binary smiles. I can feel my eyes rolling all over the place, I can feel my self get up out of the chair. My eyes then roll back, a terrible sickness erodes inside of me, I slam to the cold hard floor, awaiting for an answer, an answer.
"I'm, i'm alright" I mutter, giving up on waiting for an answer. Sky hasn't moved an inch, I can't sense her surroundings, I can sense her thoughts, oh dear, that's not good at all. It seems Sky is not who she claims to be, oh that lying b****, but I better keep it down, considering the Boss.
"No you're not, you clearly need medical assistance, the weddings off" Sky seemed so eager to get the wedding off. I wasn't going down without a fight, I wanted my love for Harry to last.

 

[Climperoonie]

RETURN - PART II​

Roughly a week and nineteen arrested criminals later, and finally my pidgeon hole contains the parcel. I pick it up and go upstairs to my apartment. When I get upstairs, I tear it open and the clashing colours lay folded underneath. I grab a pen and paper off the side and begin making a rough sketch of what I want. I then open the draw and pull out some scissors and a needle and thread. Looking at my sketch, I get stuck in. After an hour the costume is finished. I slip into it and admire my handiwork.​

It's perfect. I click my fingers to make sure I can still generate electricity through the thick material, and I can. I make sure I can still move fluidly, and I can. I'm back full time. I'm back in Chelsea and my father's names. But this time, I'm not my father's Electron. I'm my own Electron. And it's time for me to go back properly, instead of lurking in the shadows. First off, there's a certain police station I need to contact...​

OUT OF DEPTH - PART I​

"What have you got for me?" I ask. Joel Carson gives me a police report.

"We dealt with this criminal before. Except this time he's stole some equiptment." I skim the police report. It lists a few details. Apparently he got himself a flamethrower and some bullet-proof armour.

"I'll deal with it." I say. I feel like Batman. Which doesn't suit an eighteen year old in spandex.

"It's good to have a liason in the Metahuman business." He jokes. I crack a smile, letting him know I am a human underneath it all.

"Until next time, detective." I nod. He two-finger salutes me, and I leap off the building, letting my feet spark and manipulate the aerial electrons to displace gravity. I fly up into the air and dart between buildings. I stop on a building top and read the report still clutched in my hand. And he appears to be making his way through all the banks, each robbery an hour and a day after the previous. The next target is estimated as Hartnell First Bank, at 9pm tommorrow. Setting a pattern isn't very clever. What he lacks in brains he makes up for in toys though. Flamethrowers, Uzis, Swords. This requires improv. I take off and return to my apartment. I open the cupboard and see if there is anything I can use to reinforce my costume. I've got a lot of preparation to do.​

 

[trustyside-kick]

"AAHHHH!!!"

The pain never goes away, you know.

"AAAARGGHH!!! AHH!!!"

You'd think that after you've gone through the transformation at least once a day, you'd kinda not notice anymore, right? Sort of like, it'd be just a tingle? Nuh-uh. Don't think so.

"AAAAAH!!"

Not when you are struck by a heavenly light and the angelic symbol of faith is basically branded into your skin upon each illuminating transformation. Yup. That's right. Lucky ole me here gets to experience the same excruciating pain each time. Guess it is a sacrificial pain of my Faith? But the fiery white angelic wings don't even cause a tingle to my fingertips if I touch it as they sprout out.

Who knew Bath Kol and the boys upstairs had such a dark sense of humor.

I guess the worst part is that I don't have control always when it comes to the transformation. I know what you're thinking, right: a superhero that cannot choose when he wants to go 'super'? Well, that's sort of because let's say someone decides to mug a poor smuck just around the corner? My little 'God Sense'--

Hehe...'God Sense'. I crack myself up.

But uh, my little 'God Sense' I like to call reacts and BOOM. Transformation. I am immediately summoned to whoop that evil doers buttocks. Although there is one part I have control over: the new spandex.

Now, no I do not wear spandex perse...but just like I can willfully summon the heavenly light that causes my transformation, over the last few months Bath Kol has been teaching me how to harness the transformation to give me a more...discrete look. Let's face it. Several months ago I was flying around in a toga and spandex...not exactly very secretive.

Now I've went through my 10 seconds of pain, hopefully did NOT get cancer from all the exposure to this heavenly sunray light, and I'm all spiffy and ready to kick some bad guy's butt.

"Woah...woah!!!"

Oh, and did I mention the coolest part? Perhaps the only awesome part when I'm dragged and forced into the transformation? My lil 'ol wings here do the work for me of bringing me to the bad guy. Still trying to get used to how fast these babies can go.

Is it a bird? Nope. Is it a plane? Are you kidding me? You know how big I'd have to be? Nope.

"It's...The Archangel!"

Okay...that doesn't really go so well. Serves me right for trying to bite off of DC Comics' Superman.

 

[Eddie Brock]

FLUX

<"Pay close attention, and see what happens to those who dare defy the Autocrat!"> the voice from the center of the crowd commands.

Ryryu stands on the tips of her toes, but she can see nothing. The horde of people is too large. She can see a clearing at the center, but the swaying heads of the assembled masses block her view. She pouts in frustration while looking for an opening.

<"Ryryu!"> a familiar voice calls out. Ryryu turns to see her friend Gyynis a short distance away. Gyynis waves her arms and beckons Ryryu forward. <"Follow me!">

Ryryu slinks her way through the crowd to Gyynis. <"What is the reason for all this?">

Taking Ryryu's hand, Gyynis leads her through the compacted crowd. <"General Ssr has captured one of the leaders of the Defiance!"> Gyynis explains excitedly. For months, the Defiance had been growing in secret. Hidden backroom meetings, cryptic recruitment messages. Everything had pointed to an outright revolution. In the preceding months, both sides had taken a turn for the desperate.

Ryryu grips her friend's hand tightly as she is pushed on both sides by bloodthirsty men, women, and children. They had come to watch an execution. While being sickened by their passion for violence, Ryryu suddenly realizes that she, too, is being wrapped up in it. Here she was, forcing her way to the center so she could witness it firsthand.

<"Young man,"> the snarling voice of General Ssr announces, <"you have been identified as being in league with a dangerous organization of traitors and dissenters, and by the responsibility vested in me by the Autocrat, I have no choice but to put you to death.">

<"Hurry!"> Gyynis commands.

With one final push, Gyynis and Ryryu make their way to the edge of the crowd with General Ssr in plain sight. Seeing the accused, Ryryu has a shocking realization.

Her eyes wide, Ryryu calls out, <"Eiiga!">

The beaten prisoner lifts his head to look at her. The life, the vibrancy of his eyes is now gone. He looks at her with no emotion. A single tear rolls silently down the slopes of his face. He closes his eyes and stares at the ground.

Ryryu looks away in horror as she hears General Ssr draw his weapon. She wishes she were somewhere else as she hears the devastating blast. In a fraction of a moment, her loved one is gone forever. Killed for loving his nation too much to let the Autocrat run it into the ground. It is the first shot of the war.

"Wake up."

Chrissy opens her weary eyes and sees a new face. The skin on his cheeks is taut and lifeless. His beady eyes pierce into her soul. He is wearing a dingy suit.

"There you are," he hisses. "Now, I believe you owe me some gratitude, little girl."

"For what?"

Sneering, he replies, "For keeping you alive." The lanky man folds his arms behind his back and leans over Chrissy. "By now, you are quite acquainted with Agent Maddox, yes?"

Chrissy winces. The man with the knife.

"Then you are quite aware that he would like nothing more than to kill you." Smiling crookedly, the man explains, "I will not permit him to do so. You see, he does not understand you as I do." The man pulls up a chair - the same chair Agent Maddox sits in. "He sees you as just another freak." With a wicked glimmer in his eyes, the man continues, <"I see you for what you are.">

Chrissy immediately recognizes the airy tones of her native tongue. The pitches are not audible to the human ear, but her ears are not human. The man is speaking Arlaaek. <"Who are you?"> she asks frightenedly.

<"I am but a foot soldier of the Autocrat. You may call me Venezz,"> he answers. <"I recognize that you are more important to me alive than dead. When the Autocrat learns that I have located you, he will be most pleased with me."> Venezz smiles again. <"I will turn you over. You will either be executed or manipulated into the Autocrat's personal weapon. Either way makes no difference to me.">

<"How did you find me?">

Venezz laughs. <"That's just it! You found me! I was sent by the Autocrat to scout foreign worlds."> Venezz pauses for a moment. <"Ah yes, you left. I had forgotten. You did not see the end of the war.">

The end of the war?

<"The silly Defiance was crushed, naturally,"> Venezz explains arrogantly. Sneering, he adds, <"Even without your help. In any case, the war took a great toll on our homeworld. It can no longer sustain our quality of life.">

Chrissy's heart sinks. Arlaaek...gone? Surely, it cannot be! She may have hated what Arlaaek became, but it was still her home. Many great memories of Arlaaek are stored in her mind forever. Then again, so are many horrific ones.

Sighing, Venezz continues, <"Thus, the remaining Arlaaekans must move on. Myself and other hand-chosen scouts were sent to find a new homeworld. This planet is rich in many of the natural resources we need. I have already notified the Grand Militia."> Venezz stands and begins to circle Chrissy. <"So imagine my surprise when I find Ryryu, daughter of General Grneal, on the very same planet I find myself on! In addition to being a hero for finding a new homeworld, I now get to turn over the last piece of the Defiance personally.">

<"My father will never let harm come to me,"> Chrissy insists half-heartedly. After what her father tried to do, she's not sure what his intentions are anymore.

<"Perhaps. Perhaps not. He is a changed man since you left,"> Venezz notes aloud. Shrugging, he states, <"He will be here soon enough. We shall see."> Adjusting his tie, Venezz starts for the door. "So, please, remain comfortable, Ms. Jones. Your stay here will be coming to an end soon enough."

Venezz leaves the room, and Chrissy begins to panic. The Grand Militia is coming here, to Earth? Led by my father? I must do something. Suddenly, escaping from this place isn't just about herself anymore.
​

 

[SuperBoy-CK]

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!”

 

[Climperoonie]

OUT OF DEPTH - PART I​

"What have you got for me?" I ask. Joel Carson gives me a police report.​

"We dealt with this criminal before. Except this time he's stole some equiptment." I skim the police report. It lists a few details. Apparently he got himself a flamethrower and some bullet-proof armour.​

"I'll deal with it." I say. I feel like Batman. Which doesn't suit an eighteen year old in spandex.​

"It's good to have a liason in the Metahuman business." He jokes. I crack a smile, letting him know I am a human underneath it all.​

"Until next time, detective." I nod. He two-finger salutes me, and I leap off the building, letting my feet spark and manipulate the aerial electrons to displace gravity. I fly up into the air and dart between buildings. I stop on a building top and read the report still clutched in my hand. And he appears to be making his way through all the banks, each robbery an hour and a day after the previous. The next target is estimated as Hartnell First Bank, at 9pm tommorrow. Setting a pattern isn't very clever. What he lacks in brains he makes up for in toys though. Flamethrowers, Uzis, Swords. This requires improv. I take off and return to my apartment. I open the cupboard and see if there is anything I can use to reinforce my costume. I've got a lot of preparation to do.​

OUT OF DEPTH - PART II​

The man stands in the bank, holding two Uzis.​

"Give me all the f***ing money, I'm not joking!" He orders. The hostages cower, and the bank workers don't react.​

"The money, or I'll blow you all through multiple afterlifes! Give me the money, and no one gets hurt." Finally, the manager steps forward.​

"I-I can take you to the safe... Just pr-promise not to hurt us." He says. The Criminal smiles evily.​

"I promise." He grins. The manager nervously walks to a door and types in a code. The door swings open.​

"F-Follow me." The two walk into the room. The safe sits at the end of the room. The manager turns the wheel and the door swings open. The man laughs and shoots the bank manager in the head.​

"Collateral Damage." He smiles. He removes the metallic backpack from his back and walks over to the pile of $100 dollar bills, piling them into the bag.​

*****​

I fly towards the bank. Slightly late, but I was setting up the recorder for Lost. I fly in through the window and land in front of a group of hostages.​

"Go." I say. They stay put, and that's when I notice the collection of C4 attached to them. I nod and gesticulate to stay put for now. That's when I hear the sirens. Hopefully Carson can keep them back while I deal with the super villain.​

*****​

The man hears Electron's entry, and decides to hide, picking the prime time to strike.​

*****​

Carson and his squad stand outside the bank.​

"Wait for now everyone. Remember what I said." He orders.​

*****​

I enter the safe and am struck over the back of the head for something.​

*****​

Electron topples to the ground as the man reloads the Uzi.​

*****​

"Five minutes is up, right everyone, prepare for entry!" The police enter.​

*****​

I pull myself up, and turn to face the barrel of a gun. I'm out of my depth.​

*****​

He aims the gun and the hero's face. He's going to kill a superhero. He's out of his depth.​

*****​

Carson and the squad secure the hostages. An alliance with a hero. He's out of his depth.​

 

[Mercy]

Siren
A Siren's Song Part One

"No! Look we'll contact Curar and he'll heal her, okay Sky?" Binary explained, she helped me up and smiled, I was fine, it seemed like someone was trying to say something to me, and when it didn't work they would make me better.
"No Luna, I'm fine, honestly, I would tell you if I was not alright" I told Binary, Binary nodded but continued to support me.
"Your hair appointment that I booked for you is in half an hour, how's about being a blonde straight haired girl?" Binary smiled,
"That, that sounds great Lana...." I looked into the deep eyes of Lana, I can read her inside and out, what a kind-hearted girl, would she ever forgive me after today? I don't think so, but that's the roads you have to take when you're a messed up girl like me.

I look over to Sky, she's finished her coffee but still rests in the same position she had when she sat down.
"You two go get the bridesmaid dresses, I'll be fine by myself" I assure the two girls, Binary smiles, she walks away and Sky slowly follows.

Few. They're gone. Now I need to contact---
No, no, this can't be happening, I'm not seeing what I'm seeing. I had turned around and my eyes had fixed on the familiar figure I hoped never to see again.
"Launch" I mutter, my expression bursts with anger.

"You called?"
​

 

[Climperoonie]

OUT OF DEPTH - PART II​

The man stands in the bank, holding two Uzis.​

"Give me all the f***ing money, I'm not joking!" He orders. The hostages cower, and the bank workers don't react.​

"The money, or I'll blow you all through multiple afterlifes! Give me the money, and no one gets hurt." Finally, the manager steps forward.​

"I-I can take you to the safe... Just pr-promise not to hurt us." He says. The Criminal smiles evily.​

"I promise." He grins. The manager nervously walks to a door and types in a code. The door swings open.​

"F-Follow me." The two walk into the room. The safe sits at the end of the room. The manager turns the wheel and the door swings open. The man laughs and shoots the bank manager in the head.​

"Collateral Damage." He smiles. He removes the metallic backpack from his back and walks over to the pile of $100 dollar bills, piling them into the bag.​

*****​

I fly towards the bank. Slightly late, but I was setting up the recorder for Lost. I fly in through the window and land in front of a group of hostages.​

"Go." I say. They stay put, and that's when I notice the collection of C4 attached to them. I nod and gesticulate to stay put for now. That's when I hear the sirens. Hopefully Carson can keep them back while I deal with the super villain.​

*****​

The man hears Electron's entry, and decides to hide, picking the prime time to strike.​

*****​

Carson and his squad stand outside the bank.​

"Wait for now everyone. Remember what I said." He orders.​

*****​

I enter the safe and am struck over the back of the head for something.​

*****​

Electron topples to the ground as the man reloads the Uzi.​

*****​

"Five minutes is up, right everyone, prepare for entry!" The police enter.​

*****​

I pull myself up, and turn to face the barrel of a gun. I'm out of my depth.​

*****​

He aims the gun and the hero's face. He's going to kill a superhero. He's out of his depth.​

*****​

Carson and the squad secure the hostages. An alliance with a hero. He's out of his depth.​

OUT OF DEPTH - PART III​

BLAM! BLAM! He fires. But I'm out of way already. Dodging to one side, I upper cut him in the face. He stumbles back, but regains his composture. He fires another round, but I leap out of the way again. I'm not out of my depth. He is.

"You're out of your league." I taunt. "Toys don't make any old criminal a villain."

"But I'm not any old villain. My name is Arsenal." He bows in mock politeness. I take the opportunity to take a swing at him, but he twists out of the way.

"That's such a predictable trick, idiot." He sneers. But I don't let his insults get to me. I just shrug and blast him with electricity. He raises his wrist and a small rubber shield expands from it, absorbing the torrent.

"Wow. You know about insulators and conductors. Clever boy." I clap my hands. He's not as good as controlling his temper though, and he kicks me through the door way, with such force I am thrown in front of the crowd of police officers. They pull their guns on me, but Carson signals to lower them.

"Don't worry, he's on our side." He says.

"Get out, all of you. Not only is he armed, he has immense strength." I warn them. Suddenly, Arsenal stomps back in, and aims his gun. I dodge, but it wasn't aimed for me. His bullets mow down at least three officers. The maniac laughs even more. Now I'm p!ssed. I leap at him and punch him squarely in the jaw, and he recoils. Trouble is, it hurt my hand, too. Luckily, Carson and the remaining three officers have taken my advice and have left. Arsenal begins to recover, and I zap him with electricity again. He clutches his stomach and laughs.

"I only needed two shots." He grins, and begins to discard his armour. Suddenly, he yells in pain again. "Arsenal was just an alias. I needed to find you. For the dosage." He begins to grow. I've seen this before. "And now I'm back."

It's him. The one I "killed". Savage.​

 

[Byrd Man]

The Blue Blur
Learning Curves

I stand on a pole ten feet above the ground, over looking the mountain. I've got a tack hammer on my head.

"Remind me why I'm doing this again?"

"When you can balance a tack hammer on your head, you will head off your foes with a balanced attack."

"Okay, Kensei. I have to be honest with you..." I say as I look down at my teacher while trying to keep the hammer from falling.

"I find that saying just a little bit formulaic. 'If you want to push something down, you have to pull it up. If you want to go left, you have to go right.' It's..."

"You impatience is one of your weaknesses. You must first learn to master your impatience or-"

"Your impatience will become your master? That's what you were going to say, right?"

"...............no."
Kensei looks up at me before turning around and walking away.

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

"So do I call your master or what?" I say to Kensei that night inside the small hut.

"Kensei is fine. In Japanese a teacher is called sensei but I don't think."

"Yeah, Sensei Kensei. I have another question....what's your story? I mean, just about the whole world knows mine....but you..."

"My past is complicated...I do not wish to discuss it at this time."

"I understand."

"You need to rest, Matthew. Tomorrow we start the final phase of your training."

"And that is?"

"We are leaving Japan and going back to America. While you are well known, I know of a place where people will look at you and never see your real face."

"Where is that?"

"Lost Haven."
​

 

[Climperoonie]

OUT OF DEPTH - PART III​

BLAM! BLAM! He fires. But I'm out of way already. Dodging to one side, I upper cut him in the face. He stumbles back, but regains his composture. He fires another round, but I leap out of the way again. I'm not out of my depth. He is.​

"You're out of your league." I taunt. "Toys don't make any old criminal a villain."​

"But I'm not any old villain. My name is Arsenal." He bows in mock politeness. I take the opportunity to take a swing at him, but he twists out of the way.​

"That's such a predictable trick, idiot." He sneers. But I don't let his insults get to me. I just shrug and blast him with electricity. He raises his wrist and a small rubber shield expands from it, absorbing the torrent.​

"Wow. You know about insulators and conductors. Clever boy." I clap my hands. He's not as good as controlling his temper though, and he kicks me through the door way, with such force I am thrown in front of the crowd of police officers. They pull their guns on me, but Carson signals to lower them.​

"Don't worry, he's on our side." He says.​

"Get out, all of you. Not only is he armed, he has immense strength." I warn them. Suddenly, Arsenal stomps back in, and aims his gun. I dodge, but it wasn't aimed for me. His bullets mow down at least three officers. The maniac laughs even more. Now I'm p!ssed. I leap at him and punch him squarely in the jaw, and he recoils. Trouble is, it hurt my hand, too. Luckily, Carson and the remaining three officers have taken my advice and have left. Arsenal begins to recover, and I zap him with electricity again. He clutches his stomach and laughs.​

"I only needed two shots." He grins, and begins to discard his armour. Suddenly, he yells in pain again. "Arsenal was just an alias. I needed to find you. For the dosage." He begins to grow. I've seen this before. "And now I'm back."​

It's him. The one I "killed". Savage.​

OUT OF DEPTH - PART IV​

I have a feeling I'm screwed. I'm facing a resurrected Hulk rip-off, who's ten times as strong as me and has all my powers. But at least I know his weakness. Water. I need to lead him to the waterfront. And fast. I leap into the air and take off, followed by Savage. I'm much more agile airborne, and he's too bulky to catch me, so I can play Cat and Mouse to the waterfront. Hopefully Carson can take this opportunity to cover the area in the bank.​

*****​

Carson watches the two supers dart into the sky.

"This is our chance to check inside." He says. The remenants of the squad walk in, guns at the ready. All of a sudden, the lights turn off.

"Carson?" One questions.

"I did nothing." He says. Then the same oficer screams, as a sickening crack echoes everywhere. "Officer, report." Carson orders. There's nothing. "You two, we split up. Atkins, you take the safe rooms, Ford, you take the left stairs. I'll take right."

The group splits. Carson sneaks up the stairs, his torch held to the underside of the barrel. He finds an office. Inside, there is paper strewn everywhere and furniture upturned. Carson walks up to a piece of paper and turns it over. In spidery-writing, it says "Turn Around". Fast as anything, a twizzles, and his torch finds something opaque and black. He fires at the figure, but it makes no difference. The silhouette stalks towards him. A tendril extends from the figures chest and throws Carson to the floor, and the figure then walks up to him and raises him into the air by his throat.​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

It was almost too easy. You would think breaking into one of The Cartel's weapons storehouses would be a bit more difficult. But it wasn't.

First I took out the two gaurds around the back, then almost before they hit the ground, I took out the three on the roof. Phasing in and out, attacking the three of them almost simultaneously. The entire fight only took a few seconds.

Once I got inside, I was surprised to find that there is barely anyone inside, just a random gaurd here and there.

I keep to the shadows, making sure that anybody who might be lingering in the hallways doesn't see me. I come to a corner, and find another gaurd. I phase in right behind him, hit him with a quick shot right to the back of the neck, right under the point where the spine meets the skull. He drops fast, never seeing what hit him. And then I see it...what I came for. I found the motherload.

And entire cashe of advanced weaponry. Weapons that my father had designed, that Midas and the Cartel stolen. They used these weapons to climb to dominance in the criminal underworld, and now they are selling them to the street gangs that they use as enforcers.

I learned that from a thug named Chico, a member of The Aces. At first he wasn't cooperative, but after alittle "persuasion," I couldn't shut him up. And he led me to this warehouse.

I plant several small charges throughout the crates that hold the weapons stockpile. I set the timer, giving myself 30 seconds to get out before it blows.

I head to the entry point, where I make my escape, just as the charges I left behind detonate. A controlled explosion, only effecting the immediate area where the charges were dropped, destroys theweapons stockpile, and nothing more.

With this operation a success, I call it a night...it's time to head home, I've kept Erica waiting up long enough.