The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[Matt Murdock]

- Robert Altum -
​

London
April 12
1900 hours

"Checking in, Sir?"

The woman behind the front desk is loud. Her voice is shrill. Two men are next to her; one is in the office behind the counter. Three pens, two pairs of scissors, one stapler on the counter.

"Yes." I mutter as I drop my duffle bag at my feet.

Two handguns, one knife, seven extra clips.

My PDA flares.

One new e-mail.

"Name, sir?"

"Robert Eames." I mutter, as I slip my PDA out of my pocket.

TARGET ENTERING BUILDING THROUGH MAIN LOBBY.

"Ah, yes, Mr. Eames. We have your room available right here."

She slides two pieces of paper across to me.

I sign my... Eames' name, and glance over my shoulder.

My target has made hie way into the lobby. He's a general from the African civil war.

He's got three guards, one next to him on both sides and one standing on the half-landing of a stairwell in the lobby.

The woman behind the counter slides a room key across to me. I take it and snatch my bag, throwing it over my shoulder.

I glare at the ground while I pass the group of Africans. Can't let them know. The four of them and I arrive at the elevators, where a group of guests are already waiting. When the elevator opens, the majority of the group enters.

One guard stays behind with me, telling his employer that he'll catch the next elevator.

A few seconds of silence pass.

BING!

The next elevator opens up and the two of us enter; alone.

We stand next to each other for a moment or two before I pull back on the emergency stop lever. He glances at me. The butt of my palm slams into his nose, breaking it with ease.

He reaches down for the gun concealed in his suit. I spin seamlessly and slam my knee into his wrist. He snorts as I thrust my forearm into his throat. With a swift extension of my legs, I slam the back of the man's head into the wooden wall of the elevator.

"What room is he in?!" I hiss as the guard's arms flail.

In response, he spits in my face.

He slams a fist into the side of my head and I stumble backwards. He throws himself forward and slams into me, driving us both into the wall.

The radio on his arm buzzes to life, as his colleagues demand an explanation for his absence.

As he reaches up to answer, I slam my extended hand into his side and he doubles over in pain. I snatch the radio and slam it into the ground, breaking it in half.

The soldier hits the emergency break, sending the elevator back into motion.

I reach into my pocket and withdraw the pen from the front desk. He lunges at me, and I duck below him. I push upwards as he's leaning over me. He lands hard on his back on the floor of the elevator. The goon wraps his hand around my ankle and I pivot, slamming the pen into his neck.

The elevator door opens, and a draft is flowing through the hallway lined with hotel rooms. I follow it and find an open door to an empty hotel room. The window on the wall opposite of the door is wide open. I heave a handgun out of my bag and slam a clip into the gun and heave back on the barrel, loading a bullet into the chamber.

Three figures are sprinting down the rooftops of a nearby sidestreet.

"****." I hiss under my breath as I throw myself over the windowsill fearlessly.

I sprint down the rooftops, leaping over tiny alleyways and sliding down shingled slopes.

BANG!

The shot takes out one of the guard's knees with ease.

He collapses to the ground, and the other two slow down, more fearful than before.

As I sprint, a cool rain starts falls upon London.

Guard on the ground is unconscious when I pass him, now only about ten yards behind the General and his guard.

I take another shot at the guard next to the African and kill him instantly. It's gritty, it's bloody, but someone's got to do it.

The rooftops come to an abrupt halt over the docks of the Thames. The General is alone now. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. I slow down as he glares over the edge. I slow down and keep my gun drawn, aimed right at the center of his chest.

"You don't need to run anymore." I call. "We can get you protection."

He shakes his head.

"Not from them." He replies, staring at the street, several stories below.

I need to get him off of this roof... He needs to be taken ali--

"Go to Moscow." He says, before taking a single step off of the roof.

"No!" I take a pace forward, but he's gone.

The sound of something crashing into a car goes off and a car alarm flares.

TARGET ELIMINATED

I send the message to HQ and wipe a few beads of sweat off of my brow.

Next stop: Moscow.
​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

The sounds of the bustling city around him did little to distract the Swordsman as he walked down the sidewalk.

He had been in Chicago for eight days now, and still no sign of Leevoth. Kensei was beginning to feel frustrated. He needed something to take his mind off of the chase. Anything.

And that's when something finally did catch his attention.

The explosion was just a dozen blocks away behind him.

As panicked screams rang out, Kensei spun and darted back towards the scene of the blast. It was the large Bank of America building, and there was a huge hole in the side.
As Kensei strode forward, gunshots echoed from just inside the building. But before the Celestial Samurai could quicken his pace, the screaming body of a guard was launched from inside the hole be an unseen force.

Kensei sprang into action, leaping into the air and catching the guard.

"T...thanks", spoke the guard as he tried to shake things off.

"Are you all right?"

"Y-yeah", replied the guard as he rose to his knees, with Kensei trying to keep him steady.
"I'm good."

A sudden growl brought Kensei's attention back towards the bank. The Swordsman was visibly surprised to see the large monster standing before him.

Spoiler

"You gotta get out of here", stated the guard as he rose to his feet.
"Get to safety. I'll hold him off until the Blur arrives."

"I appreciate your concern and bravery", replied Kensei as he moved past the guard, his mystical cloak fading away to reveal his armor and weaponry.

"But I believe I can handle things from here."

The guard said nothing, just standing dumbfounded as the samurai strode past him.

"And you are", asked Kensei as he stood face to face with the monster.

"I am Goro, warrior-prince of the Shokan", spoke the beast proudly.
"And none have defeated me in Mortal Kombat!"

"Yes, yes, Goro", came a voice from behind the behemoth.
"You're quite the fighter. We got it."

Kensei looked past the four-armed brute to see a man in a black robe riding a flying...pink marshmallow?

Spoiler

"And you...who are you? You're not the Blue Blur."

"I am Kensei, Chosen Champion of Izanagi. And I advise you to surrender yourself, peacefully, to the authorities immediately. If you do not, I will be forced to take action."

The robed man smirked, and soon began to chuckle. Then the chuckle turned into roarous laughter as the man mocked Kensei's threat.

"Ah, you definitely have a sense of humor, Kensei", he said with a smile as he wiped a tear from his eye.

"But I've got to run. Obviously I'm going to have to resort to more drastic measures to get the Blur's attention."

"Kirby, let's go. And Goro...finish him."

Goro roared as he slammed his four massive fists at Kensei. But, thanks to his super-human abilities, Kensei easily side-stepped the blow.
And as he avoided the attack, the Kusanagi flashed for the briefest of seconds before going back into it's scabbard.

Kensei walked past the still Goro, his eyes fixed on the fleeing villain.
As Kensei took his longbow off his back, Goro's body slowly split in two. But there was no trace of blood. The two halves seemed to fade into nothingness as they hit the ground.

Kensei nocked one of the White Arrows of Bishamonten and took aim at the large pink puffball the robed figure road upon. Kensei let the arrow fly, the projectile whistling all the way as it struck deep into Kirby.

Kirby let out a yelp before popping like a balloon, sending the robed man falling two stories to the ground...and money raining down across the entire area.

The Swordsman put his bow away as he calmly strode towards the fallen villain.
Clutching his right arm in pain, the robed man sneered at Kensei.
"My arm! You broke my arm! You'll pay for this!"

The man's sneer slowly turned into a smirk.

"So, you fancy yourself a samurai, do you?"

"Well, let's see how you do against a samurai's age-old enemy!"

Reaching into the folds of his cloak, the man produced a small cube and threw it to the ground.
There was a bright flash of light for a split second, and then, as if appearing from thin air, where the cube had been crouched a man.

Spoiler

"Kensei, allow me to introduce Ryu Hayabusa."

"Ryu, kill him slowly for me."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon​

Retribution proved to be tougher than I had anticipated. It wasn't just his brand of justice that made him so dangerous, it was his total lack of concern for the lives of bystanders. I watched him turn on several citizens because they were "in his way." He gave me a good fight, but I handed him over to STRIKE, they'll know what to do with him.

I land on the roof of "The Hub," and enter my apartment through the roof hatch. It's when I get inside that I realize something isn't quite right, someone is here. I take a quick look around, unfortunately out of all my gifts, the ability to see in the dark is not one of them. I reach for the light switch, but before I can flip it I hear a voice.

"So, when were you planning to invite me over to see the new place, Scotty?"

I immediately recognize the voice as I flip the switch, and see my kid sister Jenny standing in front of me.....with luggage.

 

[Spike_x1]

"Let me tell you something, Survivor." Pulse says, walking over to the dead body of Quickfire. He leans down and pushes the body over, revealing the front of the man. Pulse grabs the knife in his throat and violently jerks it from his neck. He holds up the blood soaked knife and sneers beneath his mask. "Everything can die."

Pulse runs toward Lyle at full speed, bring back his arm, preparing his attack. As Pulse rapidly approaches the yellow giant, Lyle laughs in a deep mocking voice.

[blackout]"You think you're going to hurt me?" [/blackout]Lyle scoffs.

"No!" Pulse yells back, sending a shockwave from his feet and propelling him in a quick jump over Lyle's head. "I think I'm going to kill you!"

Pulse drops down to the broken asphalt hard, hitting the rubble without a protective shockwave. As Lyle turns, Pulse throws the knife in his hand. He sends a shockwave behind it, propelling it like a bullet through the air. With great accuracy and tact, the knife hits Lyle's eye with incredible force. The metal blade snaps on Lyle's retina, breaking into two halves. Despite th knife's structural failure, it still causes Lyle great pain. He roars in rage, feeling a pain he has never felt before.

"Gotcha."

As Lyle roared in anger and pain and turned to charge at Pulse, a large heavy object smashed into countless pieces as it hurled against the back of his head. [BLACKOUT]"Ruuh?"[/BLACKOUT] the monster grunted as he looked back over his shoulder.

"Yeah, I just threw a car engine at you." The Survivor stood by the remains of the car that Lyle had torn through earlier. "And there's more where that came from, Slappy." Reaching down to the rest of the vehicle, Adam dug his hands into the bumper and hood, and lifted what was left of the front end of the car. The axle and tires were threatening to fall out of the frame as the Survivor held it all above his head.

[BLACKOUT]"Bring it on, Runt!"[/BLACKOUT] bellowed Lyle as he began charging headfirst towards Adam, grinning and laughing hysterically all the way.

An instant before Lyle would have run into the Survivor, Adam channeled his power through his hands, making the heavy metal and fuel above his head red hot. At the last second, he leaped out of Lyle's reach and threw the burning machinery into the monster's face. As it all exploded, Adam swiftly moved to Pulse's side again. "We need to lure him to the waterfront," he whispered to his ally.

 

[Watchman]

Whatever happen to the Man of Titanium?

"Look up in the sky!" A green blur smashes through the Daily Star building. The Daily Star is the longest running paper of the super city Superopolis. It is home to married reporter duo, Ethan Alridge and Lori Lance. Ethan, though, has another life. After being given the gift of super powers from an alien world he become the crime fighter, Titan. Today is a dark day for Titan. His villains have all gather together and formed the Sinful Syndicate and tried to destroyed his life. The first step his archenemy, Damien Dax, revealed on national tv that he was in fact Ethan Alridge. Dax met his fate after his Doosmday Engine blew up in his face. Now he has learned that Overmind, a psychic alien/robot hybrid, has kidnapped his wife at the Daily Star. He goes through the wall to notices Lori tied up.

"Lori!" a blast of energy knocks him across the room. He gets up and sees his enemy. "Overmind" he saids under his breath.

"Indeed, Titan, and according to my system I have 90% chance of finally beaten. I have already ran every battle plans in my head. Prepare to die."

"I don't think so, Overmind. You have tried to ruin my life today but you have failed. Now matter what you do I will always be stronger than you. I will always protect this world and the people and nobody will ever stop me."

"Wow what horrible dialog." Another voice creeped from the shadows.

"Loki, I knew that you would show up eventually."

"Yes, good for you." he started to clap. "After a while you just become a bore to torment so I'm just going to skip to the point." He held a glass prism in his hands.

"Gasp! The Prison Prism." A small beam of light shot out of it sucking in him into it. On the other end was a multicolor rainbow.

"How dare you, Loki! Titan was mine."

"Oh don't be such a stick in the mud, Overmind. You can join him to!" He turns the beam on to both Lori Lance and Overmind sucking them through the prism. "Heh, enjoy your reboots."

 

[Saved]

As Lyle roared in anger and pain and turned to charge at Pulse, a large heavy object smashed into countless pieces as it hurled against the back of his head. [blackout]"Ruuh?"[/blackout] the monster grunted as he looked back over his shoulder.

"Yeah, I just threw a car engine at you." The Survivor stood by the remains of the car that Lyle had torn through earlier. "And there's more where that came from, Slappy." Reaching down to the rest of the vehicle, Adam dug his hands into the bumper and hood, and lifted what was left of the front end of the car. The axle and tires were threatening to fall out of the frame as the Survivor held it all above his head.

[blackout]"Bring it on, Runt!"[/blackout] bellowed Lyle as he began charging headfirst towards Adam, grinning and laughing hysterically all the way.

An instant before Lyle would have run into the Survivor, Adam channeled his power through his hands, making the heavy metal and fuel above his head red hot. At the last second, he leaped out of Lyle's reach and threw the burning machinery into the monster's face. As it all exploded, Adam swiftly moved to Pulse's side again. "We need to lure him to the waterfront," he whispered to his ally.

"Waterfront?" Pulse asks quietly, keeping his eyes on the large man a head of them. "What, is he vulnerable to water?" Pulse suddenly smiles, catching on to his comrade's plan. "Or are we going to drown the bastard?"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon​

Have you ever felt like someone wasn't telling you the whole story? That's exactly how I feel as I walk down the hall toward my room, reflecting on what Jenny had told me.

It seems that our older brother Brandon has just become impossible to live with, our parents are at their wits end and Jenny just had enough. Granted...Brandon has been very bitter since his accident, and has taken his condition out on everyone, but something just doesn't seem to add up. I just can't see it being so bad that Jenny feels she has to jump on a bus for a near six hour ride, just to show up at my new place unannounced. Something just doesn't seem right. I'm gonna have to call Mom...but it can wait until tomorrow.

I mull it over as I turn on the light in my room and go over to my desk. I open the drawer and pull out the false bottom that I installed, and pull out a disc.

"Speaking of unanswered questions..." I whisper to myself as I take the disc out of its hiding place. Not just any disc, THE disc, the one that Jenkins gave me before he died, the one that has all the answers...I still haven't looked at it yet, I don't know what I've been waiting for. Ever since my abilities developed all I've wanted is answers, and I've had those answers in my possession for months...and I just can't bring myself to watch it.

I look at the disc in my hand, contemplating putting it into my computer...and decide against it. It just isn't the time, but I'll be ready soon. Right now, I have other questions that need to be answered, and those questions can be answered with a simple phone call home. Tomorrow. I'll make that call tomorrow.

And I put the disc back in its hiding place.

 

[Watchman]

Now there was only darkness. It feels like my body has been split into pieces and I can feel eace one f
a
l
l
i
n
g

Where am I? What happen to Loki? What happen to Lori. Is there I way out of this hell. Question that will go unanswer. There is a light at the end. Many lights. Is this the end?

The 1950's

Mild manner reporter, Ethan Alridge, leave the building housing the Daily Star. Outside he spots a red hair teen come running up to him.

"Mr Alridge! Mr. Alridge!" Why it's everyone's favorite photographer and Titan's Superfriend, Timmy Spencer.

"What's the matter, Timmy?"

"It's Miss Lance! She's been kidnap by a bunch of Commie Robots. We have to find Titan!"

"You get to safety, Timmy, I'll go get Titan!" While Timmy goes back to running into the building our mild manner reporter ducks into a phone booth only to emerge as the mighty hero, Titan. He flies into the air his white cape blowing in the wind. He wears his green super suit with pride. Many people see him coming with the noticing the T in the center of chest. He spots the Red Robots and dives into battle. Although the real danger is what lurking inside the head of the largest robot.

"Titan, be careful it's a trap!"

"Don't worry, Miss Lance, I'll have you out of there faster than the Blur!" One of the robot's heads open up. " I should have know, Overmind, the alien that landed in Russia and brought up as a good for nothing Red!"

"Da, Titan. Now you and your American Pig girl will suffer!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" He flies toward Overmind.

1960's

"Bah! Titan you are not match for my infinity beam!" The green alien wearing red is now cloak in a green robe. His giant robots is now a floating fortress over Supertropolis. Overmind fires a beam hitting Titan out of the sky. He lands in a carter in the ground.

"It's going to take a lot more than that to take me down, Overmind!" He flies up the his flying fortrees and tackles Overmind. He grabs Lori flying her to safety.

"Stay here Lori! I'll take care of Overmind!" He grabs hold of one side of the fortess and using his super strength tosses it into orbit. He lands next to Lori who are now surrounding by a group of kids.

"Who are you?"

"Where da Newspaper Army! Here's your paper!" The paper oddly reads,

Jan. 1st, 1970

1970's

"Also, Chief, where here to tell ya that Timmy Spencer is in trouble! Follow us!" The jump onto some sort of flying ship and take off.

"Lori, we have to get back to the Star! Do you want a lift."

"Not with you! Always think that us woman need a helping hand from you men. I'll be at the Star later but for the protest."

"The protest?"

"Yes the protest against the sexism at the Star! Ugh, nevermind!" She walks off leaving our hero confused. He flies back to the Star not finding the Newspaper Army anywhere. He looks with his x-ray eyes around for Timmy and spots him in one of the broom closet. He opens the door.

"My ward a junkie!"

1980's

The dead body of Timmy Spencer lies at my feet.

Instead of a cape he is wearing a trench coat. He has bandages covering his face. He lights a cigerette.

I have to find the guy who's sold Timmy here the drugs. He was a good kid, kind of annoying but a good kid. He open the window and jump out. The rain starts I feel the cold rain against my face. It's like the only thing I feel the coldness. I walk into this dive called The Star. Can't wish on this star this is where wishes come to die. I open the door and many back away from me. They know what I could do to them. From across the room I see her. Sweet innocent Lori. Shame that she found herself in a place like this. Maybe she knows what happening.

"Lori." I sit at the bar.

"Hey Ethan, what will it be tonight?" Her eyes are the only light in my life. The only thing that is pure.

"Whisky. Lori maybe you could help me with something?"

"Shoot."

"Timmy's dead. Found his body ditch the scene before those corrupt pigs try to pin it on me. Do you know who could have sold him the stuff." Another good for nothing drug parasite. I need to tear him off the street. Send him out of this hell and into another.

"Timmy was in here earlier. Was talking to some strange green guy....there he is now!" Pointing to the man, the filth! I give chase and wind up in some alleyway filled with the stench of piss and cheap booze. He punches and I taste blood...I smile. I give him a headbutt and begin to strangle him. His gasps give me joy. He able to push me off. That's when I know this guy. He calls himself Overmind. Sick freak, ate brains, thought it give him powers. This is going to be a fun fight.

1990's

The trench coat and super suit are gone. Now he wears a vest and army fatigues and boots. He has pouches all over his body and CLAWS! Cause Claws are cool. His muscles are big! Really Big! Too Big! He uses them to punch things HARD! Time to kill this Stoopid Overmind!

"XXXXXTREME!"

2000's

Titan goes flying into a dumpster. He gets up and shakes his head. He now wears boots, jeans, a long jacket, and a shirt with the union jack. Costumes are for idiots.

"Bloody hell, mate" He flies straight towards Overmind and rips off his head."

"Ah Titan." The head continues to speak. "I come from the fold between space and time. There is no way you can beat me."

"Overmind, there is a few things that I have learn. One is that you have to some authority around here to gain some respect. Maybe get rid of all of these stupid costumes and codenames. Maybe then you can become wanted. Also, don't ***** with me!" He kicks the head into the heart of the sun.

"***** cool" A gust of wind. Wait this is all wrong. That's not me. That's a jerk. Time and space rip. The journey is almost at the head. This is Zyr from the Planet X. We need to get the real Titan.

Next: Titan vs. The Ultimate Titan and view the true form of the Overmind.

 

[Eddie Brock]

THE CITIZEN

​

"Next up to bat: Ryan Umbridge!"

I watch as Katherine's attention is instantly drawn to home plate. I can't say I completely blame her. Ryan Umbridge is the young all-star of the Lost Haven Hammerheads. The kid's batting average is through the roof, and he's a very eligible bachelor. I know he's nothing more than eye candy to Katherine, but I still find myself turning a little green with envy.

After all, I never knocked a ball out of the park - not 33 times in a single season, anyway.

"Want to meet him?" I ask aloud. I know she's not fully paying attention to me, and that's why I ask.

Without looking away, Katherine responds, "Hm?" After Umbridge takes a strike, my question finally registers. "Oh, don't tell me you're getting jealous again!" Katherine states jokingly.

I shake my head. "No, I'm serious!" I insist. It would make her happy. "Let me pull a few strings. I'll see what I can do." I can't believe I'm going along with this. It was just a joke.

"Honey, he's just a baseball player," Katherine reminds me. She looks me in the eyes, and I can see her sincerity. "He has nothing on you - except maybe a shoe deal." Katherine leans over and gives me a quick peck on the lips. She then returns her attention to the game - just in time to see that Umbridge is down 1-2.

I fold my arms exaggeratedly and lean back in my seat. "I could have a shoe deal...if I wanted," I announce with a mocking pout. Katherine lightly hits my arm as Umbridge takes a ball high and outside. 2-2.

"What did Tom have to say?" Katherine asks.

I shrug. "Just the same old song and dance," I assure her. Umbridge takes another consecutive ball. 3-2. Full count. "You know how Tom is," I add.

Katherine nods. "Worried sick?"

"Would you expect any less?"

Just then, something...odd...happens. I feel this...itch...in my eyes, and I'm forced to close them. With my eyes closed, I see an image. Umbridge takes a hard cut of the bat, and I watch the ball get smacked deep to left field. The crowd is on their feet as Umbridge rounds the bases.

"Homerun," I mutter to myself.

Katherine turns around. "What was that?" she inquires. Suddenly, there is an eruption of cheering. Katherine shifts in her seat so fast that I half-expect her to fall out of it.

I'm completely floored as I watch the same scene I just saw moments ago - in my head. Every little detail is exactly the same as it was in my head. I can't believe it. Normally, I'd pass things like this off as a coincidence. But something in my gut tells me this was more. This was...

Unexplainable. Mystical, even.

Oh, please! Don't tell me you're buying into that superstitious crap. It's all a bunch of hocus pocus!

Even so, I find myself gripping the Amulet underneath my shirt. Maybe I'm just being crazy. Maybe this was nothing. Or maybe I shouldn't be taking folk stories so lightly. After all, that man wanted this Amulet so badly he was willing to steal it.

Was there more of a reason than I suspected?

 

[Mr. Marko]

FRED SLATER - GRANITE
Origins - Prologue

Breathe deeply, Fred Slater.

Fred sat in the lotus position in middle of the forest of Carver Lake National Park. His breathing was slow and steady. His mind was clear. If a passer-by, were there such a thing in this part of the forest, were to see him, they may have mistaken him for Buddhist monk in deep meditation. Fred Slater, however, was something different entirely.

"Oh, s***! I think a bug just crawled up my shorts!" Fred sat up quickly and squirmed frantically as a small beetle fell from his tan shorts. Cursing furiously, he stomped on the invader. "Stupid son of a--AGH!"

Fred Slater, be calm.

Fred threw his hands in the air in frustration. "SHUT UP! Why the hell am I even listening to you anymore?!"

I am the key to your destiny.

Fred scoffed. "Yeah, like hell you are!"

Fred Slater, the Spirit of the Earth has chosen you. Now you must learn to become one with it.

Fred grabbed a rock and threw it angrily at a tree. "Yeah, well nobody asked me if I wanted to have this stupid gift!"

Fred Slater, I believe-

"And enough with the 'Fred Slater' garbage. Its just 'Fred.' Got it?"

Yes, Fred. I believe that it is from your world religious text the Bible that says The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Fred stopped. "How did you know that?"

That has a significant meaning to you, doesn't it?

Fred sat back down on the ground. "Yeah...it does."

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

Cairo, Egypt. Six Weeks Ago...

Fred sat next to his mentor and employer, Professor Richard Shields as they flew over Cairo. "It looks amazing, doesn't it, Fred?"

Fred nodded. "Yeah."

Professor Shields had personally requested Fred to be his only assistant in his three week trip to Egypt to personally document the newly discovered Temple of Earth. "The temple is only three miles outside of Cairo, and yet imagine! It has taken us this long to find it! The brilliance of the Ancient Egyptian people still baffles me."

Fred sat silently as they landed in Cairo International Airport. As they exited the plane, a man outside a limosine held a small cardboard sign.

Lost Haven University
Prof. Shields

"Looks like we'll be riding in style today, Mr. Slater."

Fred nodded and smiled. "Looks like it, Professor."

The two men rode for some time through the hectic city. During the ride, Fred couldn't help but feel nervousness overcome him. "Professor, can I ask you a question?"

Professor Shields grinned. "Of course, Fred!"

"Do you ever...get nervous before heading to something really important? Like...something that could send your career into motion?"

Professor Shields chuckled. "Every time, Fred. I find comfort here." He handed Fred a small book.

Fred looked at the front page. "The Bible?" He handled the beaten and tattered book. "No offense, but I never really took you for a religious man."

"Oh, don't be mistaken, Fred. I'm as human as the next person, but the messages are a kind reminder of the truth." He took the book from Fred and opened to a passage. "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. True, isn't it?"

Fred nodded, letting the message sink in. "Yeah."

The limo screeched to a hault. "We have arrived at the museum, sir."

Professor Shields smiled at Fred. "Lets put that spirit of yours to the test."

 

[Scarab]

A Few Month’s Earlier

It’s almost like a dream lying here under the stars in the Grand Canyon. The clouds slowly drift in the darkened sky almost as if teasing the moon as they pass it. The longing returns as it always does wishing I could be up there. I cross my hands behind my head and simply let the clouds roll by I can almost feel the wind pulling softly at my skin. I realize it then I can feel it the pulling the calling it beckons and I have to answer. Slowly my eyes close as I let sensations wash over me.

When I finally open them it a whirl of input the area around me isn’t the Canyon, it’s the Pyramids, then it’s an ancient longhouse, the great Redwoods, so many so fast it hurt. Then as soon as it was there it was different and I was surrounded by the clouds of the night. He stood there watching me eyes drilling into me past my skin, past my heart and deeper then I know anyone could ever look into me. To say it is unsettling is a great understatement.

He stood there though . His eyes truly the eyes of a bird of prey, shocking in their intensity. His hair fell like feathers past his shoulders, shifting and moving in a breeze I could not feel. His skin was dark brown with bronzes interwoven shimmering with each subtle movement of his body. Dressed in garb from so many different cultures he truly was a sight to behold. I could feel my breath catch in my throat and wished nothing more then to bow to him. He spoke then with a hollow voice that seemed to echo and emanate from everywhere. It was more then sounds it was feelings and intentions. It was power and responsibility and what those things truly mean.

Faster then it started it had ended. I stood there for seconds hearing his voice repeating over and over in my head. “It’s for you to decide……..The powers answer to you…….You are chosen………” It was fragmented and most of it lost . I was tired and confused it was nothing but a jumble a bad dream. It was time to get some sleep. I took a step and felt it then the breeze on my flesh and the cool moisture around me and under foot. My heart caught in my chest as I look down and my dreams had somehow come true.

"Holy……There’s no way……."


Now

I stretched as I rolled over in bed one arm falling off the bed as my hand landed in the pizza box from last. Unfortunately I had also found the last slice as well. Rolling back over I can’t help but think this was about par for most of my mornings lately. Of course this is how mornings go sometimes, especially on a Monday.

s As I stare up at the ceiling and realize my alarm is still going off. I reach over and punch the snooze button; however I push just a little hard as my finger drives into the clock itself. I glance over and let out a small sigh that the 6th one this month, as I open a drawer and slide it in with the others. It was bordering on ridiculous I kept forgetting how strong I was now. I had to keep it in mind though it wouldn’t take anything to shake someone’s and crush it. No I had to be more careful even when I just wake up, especially when I just wake up. Luckily though I managed to get off campus housing so I have my own room and only a couple blocks from campus.

I sigh gently as I lay there. "Well time to start the day it seems".
​

 

[Spike_x1]

"Waterfront?" Pulse asks quietly, keeping his eyes on the large man a head of them. "What, is he vulnerable to water?" Pulse suddenly smiles, catching on to his comrade's plan. "Or are we going to drown the bastard?"

"We just need to get him away from here, and do this somewhere else - some place where there aren't so many bystanders around." Without another word, Adam sprinted towards Lyle as he finished picking molten metal out of his teeth, ducked one of the monster's punches, and delivered one of his own; an uppercut square in Lyle's chin. The blow knocked the villain's head back somewhat, but it had also shattered every bone in the Survivor's hand.

Tumbling out of Lyle's reach again, Adam whispered to Pulse as he passed him by, now going in the direction of the Lost Haven docks; "Hit him and fall back fast."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"So, you fancy yourself a samurai, do you?"

"Well, let's see how you do against a samurai's age-old enemy!"

Reaching into the folds of his cloak, the man produced a small cube and threw it to the ground.
There was a bright flash of light for a split second, and then, as if appearing from thin air, where the cube had been crouched a man.

"Kensei, allow me to introduce Ryu Hayabusa."

"Ryu, kill him slowly for me."

Ryu quickly moved into action, drawing his blade, and charged Kensei.
The ninja dragon was amazingly fast, his blade seemingly a blur as it cut through the air.
But so was Kensei, and the Celestial Samurai quickly raised his guard and repeled the blows.
But Ryu was an agile one, and the ninja deftly lept over Kensei, connecting with a kick to the back of the samurai's head.

Kensei stumbled, but quickly recovered and spun to face the waiting ninja dragon.

"You fight well, Ryu", spoke Kensei.

"But I sense no evil in you", continued the Celestial Samurai as the pair locked blades once again.

"In fact..."

The Swordsman ducked a slashing swipe of Ryu's blade, countering by smashing the pommel of the Kusanagi into the ninja's face.

"I sense nothing in you at all."

Ryu came at him again, and, once more, Kensei parried the blows.

"Couple that with the way you were summoned, one can only conclude that you are not a real being."

"Therefore", Kensei spoke as he side-stepped a downward slash.
"I have no qualms about this."

As he side-stepped the strike, Kensei spun around to behind the ninja, bringing the deadly edge of the Kusanagi slashing down.
The legendary blade cut deep into the back of the ninja dragon, but no blood spilled from the mortal wound.

Ryu dropped his sword and faded into nothingness before even hitting the ground.

"No! That's impossible!"

Kensei turned to regard the robed figure as he stared in disbelief at his servant's demise.

"You're good, Kensei", spoke the man as he reached into the fold of his cloak with his good arm.

Pulling out a small cube, the man held it aloft in his hand.
"But let's see how you do aga-"

The throwing dagger shattered the cube into pieces as it pierced the villain's hand.
The robed man screamed in pain as the blade ran right through his hand. Cradling his wounded appendage in his stomach, his broken arm dangling at his side, the robed man was unable to defend against the swift kick to the jaw that sent him spiraling to the concrete.

Hovering over the man stood a stern-faced Kensei, the Kusanagi's tip centimeters away from his throat.

"Now. Yield."

The robed man stood dumb-founded and frightened as his life was seemingling on the line. He wanted to say something witty, a line worthy of a great game, but all he could get out was a whimpering...

"O-okay. P-p-please don't kill me."

--------------------

"Thanks for your help", spoke the security guard as Kensei walked over to him, dragging the unconscious form of the robed villain in one hand.

"It's nothing. I could hardly sit by and watch as this menace threatened innocent lives."

"Well, in any case, it's good you came by. If you hadn't been here Game Genie might've gotten away."

"Game Genie", Kensei repeated as he looked down at the un-moving form of the villain laying next to his feet.

"Yeah, he's one of the Blur's rogues. Don't know where the Blue Blur's at though. Seems lately he's been more interested in shilling products than protecting people."

Both Kensei and the guard turned their heads as the sound of sirens cut through the air.

"Had he been aware of the situation, I am sure the Blue Blur would have been here. In any case, I leave this Game Genie in your hands."

Kensei then turned and sprinted off as the police caravan arrived on the scene...

 

[Blacklight]

Okay, BL. I think I've almost got this narration thing down...

Oh! Right...back to the superhero story thing...


Anyways, I've lived in Enferno all my life. I know where everything is, all the events that happen every year, how many McDonald's restaurants there are per square mile...and you know what? It sucks to see it in it's former glory. Ridden with crime, filled with superpowered freaks, and it makes me feel like crap. Personally, it's one of the reasons why I'm risking my neck to protect it. But anyways, no matter how bad the rest of the city becomes, there's one thing about it that'll always stay the same...

"Mr. Violette I told you that if you weren't present for detention you would be suspended..."

...The crappy school system.

"But Mr. Brown I have a reason for not being there!"

"Really? And what would that be?"

"Uh...I was at the bank with my mom that day when it was being robbed...uh...we were being held hostage..."

Wow. As good of a liar as I am, that was hard to come up with. Although technically I was at the bank when it was robbed...

"I'm sorry to hear that. If I had known that you had to suffer such an ordeal, I would've been more lenient..."

"So...does that mean I get another shot?"

Mr. Brown looked down at the files on his desk and flipped through all the papers for a few long moments. It was nerveracking. I've been suspended from school before. Many times. But I can't be suspended much more before I'm finally expelled. And that's not an ideal scenario to say the least...

"Fine, Mr. Violette. I'll give you one more shot. Instead of one detention, you'll be serving two. Back to back. Wednesday and Thursday. And if your so much as one second late, you're out of here. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mr. *****ebag..."

"What was that? I couldn't hear you. You were mumbling..."

"Yes, Mr. Brown."

"Thank you. Now get to class. You're Lunch period starts in about ten minutes."

Phew...That was close.

Now all I have to do is serve the two detentions and I'm off scott-free. I can only hope that nothing happens that will get in the way of that...

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Kensei layed above the covers of his hotel room on his back. His hands behind his head, the Swordsman thought of the events of yesterday at the bank, and did his best to put the frustration of losing Leevoth's trail behind him.

It had been difficult for Kensei as his meditations to divine answers from the gods have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
Now, with his gut telling him that Leevoth is long gone from the city, Kensei pondered his next move.

As if in answer, the phone to his room rang.
The samurai sat up from the bed and answered.

"Hello?"

<"Kensei, it is good to hear from you my friend.">

<"Hideyoshi, it is good to hear your voice. How goes things at home?">

<"As boring as it ever is when you are off on some quest. But your house is well tended to, and Ami has been feeding Kaji for you.">

<"The little devil has been staying out of trouble I hope?">

<"Do not worry, my friend. He has been confined to the property">, replied Hideyoshi with a chuckle.

<"How is Ami?">

<"She is fine, Kensei. Though she doesn't say it, she misses you. We all do. We're waiting for you to finish your quest and come home.">

<"It may be a while before my mission is over">, sighed the Swordsman.
<"The trail for Leevoth has gone cold. I am at a loss from where to begin again. And all my attempts to contact the gods have failed. With each passing day, my frustrations grow. I fear they will soon consume me.">

<"Do not worry Kensei">, Hideyoshi replied in a calming tone, <"Izanagi I'm sure has a plan. He always does.">

<"Yes, I know. But it still does not make it any less frustrating.">

<"Well, I might have something for you to take away some of that aggrevation you're feeling.">

<"And that would be?">

<"A call came for you this morning from your old friend, Whiskey Jack.">

<"Jack">, Kensei spoke as his mind began to flood with memories that seemed so long ago.

<"Yes, apparently there is a great emergency on the reservation. An emergency that requires your special services.">

<"Did he say what this emergency is?">

<"He would not speak of it to me, but I sense a great fear in his voice.">

That did trouble Kensei. The old Navajo medicine man was one of the bravest people the Swordsman had ever met. If he was frightened, then it must be a serious threat.

<"Very well">, replied Kensei, <"I will travel to New Mexico and do what I can for Jack.">

"Thank you, Hideyoshi.">

<"It's nothing, Kensei. Just doing what the Primordial Sky has commanded me to do.">

<"Still, thank you. Hopefully I will be able to finish my hunt and return home soon. Until then, take care my friend. And tell Ami...tell her that I...will see her soon.">

<"I will make sure to tell her you miss her, my friend. Take care, Kensei. And be careful.">

Hideyoshi hung up the phone, and Kensei followed suit. The Celestial Samurai sat there deep in thought over what Hideyoshi had said. If Jack or his people were in danger, danger enough to frighten even him, Kensei could not say no.

Especially after the ordeal he and Jack faced many years ago.

Skin Deep ~ Prologue​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Skin Deep ~ Act 1​

[

The plane rattled as it sped down the runway and slowly rose into the sky.
Kensei looked out the window at the city of Chicago below him as the plane gradually rose higher and higher.

The Swordsman yawned and closed the covering on the window, blocking out the morning sun. He had taken the first flight he could to New Mexico, and it wouldn't be long until he arrived.
Until then, he would catch up on some much needed sleep.

Memories of the last time he saw his friend, Whiskey Jack, danced through his mind as his eyes slowly closed...

--------------------

The mid-day sky was as black as night as the massive storm clouds covered the sun completely. The howling winds picked up, slamming into Kensei and the young Navajo warrior standing atop the mountain.

"Be ready, Kensei", spoke the dark-haired brave with the long, tight braids dancing wildly in the wind. The large drops of rain and small bits of hail came rushing in from the West at a sharp angle, pelting both Kensei and the Navajo warrior carrying a wooden staff adorned with ritual carvings.

Lightning danced across the sky, and a loud crack of thunder echoed across the mountaintop. But it was the spine-chilling, high-pitched screech accompanying the thunder that steeled the two warriors.

Suddenly, an enormous raptor flew up the cliff face to stare down at the two foolish humans below it.
The bird of prey was massive, almost the size of a city bus. And with each beat of it's wings came the gale-force winds of a hurricane.

Kensei and the brave held on to whatever they could to keep from being blown off of the mountain.
The Swordsman gripped the Kusanagi tightly, and summoned the innate power of the legendary sword to control the winds.
Almost immediately the winds died down and the pair of warriors were able to stand freely once more.

The Navajo medicine man looked sharply at the creature, noticing it's left eye was missing.

"This is the one", shouted the brave.

"Are you sure", asked Kensei sarcastically.

"Positive", replied the Navajo warrior with a smirk as both he and Kensei dove out of the way to avoid the razor-sharp talons as the behemoth dived at them.

Weeks earlier, a group of brash teenagers climbed up the forbidden mountain, tales of the warriors of old dancing in their minds from the night before.
The children brought with them traditional bows of their people, and climbed the mountain seeking adventure.

But the mountain was forbidden for a good reason. On it's high, craggy top resided the legendary thunderbirds. Creatures of supernatural power, able to conjure mighty storms with a beat of their massive wings.

The children ran in to one of the creatures, and, in their panic, fired a single arrow at the thunderbird. The arrow struck the creature in the eye, causing the powerful creature to take vengeance on the tribe.
For the past couple of weeks, the enraged thunderbird has been terrorizing the local area, slaughtering livestock, pets, and even humans.

The creature, although it was wronged first, had to be stopped. And so Kensei arrived to help and met with the local medicine man called Whiskey Jack.
Together they fended off an attack on a old woman by the creature, and Jack then led Kensei up the forbidden mountain to finish the thunderbird off once and for all.

Lightning crashed into the mountain, nearly hitting Jack. Kensei recalled how earlier Jack mentioned that the creatures could summon lightning from the storm with but a blink of it's eyes.

The thunderbird screeched as it dove towards Kensei.
The Swordsman stood his ground, and, at the last second, leapt at the creature.
The Kusanagi dug deep into the thunderbird's belly, spattering the mountaintop with it's hot blood.

Kensei rolled as he fell, but the legendary beast was able to dig it's talons deep into Kensei's back and side on the samurai's decent.

The wounded animal deftly turned towards the injured samurai.
Kensei clutched at his side where one of the massive talons had torn his flesh. His healing factor would seal up the gashes in moments, but until then he had to somehow fend off an angry thunderbird.

As Kensei raises his blade to try and fend off the biting beak of the beast, Whiskey Jack charges in from the side. The medicine man tosses a fine powder in the thunderbird's lone eye, and the creature screeches loudly in protest as it begins to thrash about.

"Now", screams Jack over the din of the storm.
"While it blind! Finish it off!"

His wounds nearly healed, Kensei rises to his feet and stabs the Kusanagi deep into the thunderbird's neck.
The mystical blade stays buried in the creature's flesh as the thunderbird tosses back and forth. The death throws of the creature are fierce, and Kensei is soon tossed away like a rag doll. But the Kusanagi remains embedded in the thunderbird's neck as blood continues to pour freely from the wound.

With a final screech of protest, the thunderbird falls to the ground, shaking the mountaintop with the impact.

As the creature dies, the winds slowly die with it. Kensei slowly rises to his feet as the storm that was raging above him quickly dissipates, revealing a bright blue sky behind it.

Walking over to the creature, Kensei removes the Kusanagi and wipes the blood clean on the thunderbird's feathers.

"It's shame", frowns Jack as he moves to stand next to Kensei.
"Such a magnificent beast. Those kids aught to be ashamed for what they brought about."

"These creatures are not normally a threat?"

"No", answered Jack as he looked to Kensei as the samurai sheathed his blade.
"They keep to themselves and leave us be. But, if wronged, the wrath of a thunderbird is a terrible thing."

Kensei could feel Jack's sadness of what they had done, and the Swordsman placed his hand on Jack's shoulder.
"I am sorry, my friend."

"It's all right", Jack sighed.
"There was nothing else that could've been done."

"Come on. Let's get back to the village. I could use a drink."

And Whiskey Jack and Kensei slowly made their way down the mountainside as the afternoon sun beat down on their tired backs.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Skin Deep ~ Act 2​

Kensei walked out of the airport, the hot desert wind blowing in his face as the sun crept slowly across the barren sky.

The flight had gone without any problems, and Kensei arrived at Grants Municipal Airport right on time. And, as expected, his friend, Whiskey Jack, was outside to greet him.

"I hope your flight was good", asked Jack with a smile.

He was much older than Kensei remembered him. The years had not been kind to Jack, years spend practicing his magicks and drinking. He was now an old man, not the young warrior who battled alongside Kensei decades ago.

"It was fine", Kensei replied, returning Jack's smile and accepting his handshake.
The pair embraced in a hug.

"It's good to see you, my friend."

"It's good to see you too, Jack", replied Kensei as he reached down to pick up his lone bag.
"So...what's the problem?"

Jack's face turned solemn as he sighed deeply.
"Come on. I'll tell you on the way into town."

Jack grabbed Kensei's bag and placed it in the back of his Jeep. The two warriors then climbed aboard the vehicle and quickly sped away, heading towards the reservation.

"Over the past two weeks, there have been some break-ins."

"And this isn't something that can be solved by the police?"

"No", answered Jack as he turned down a two-lane highway.
"These were not robberies. Whoever, or whatever, is behind this has been kidnapping infants."

"I see", Kensei replied, his tone showing the grave sorrow he felt in his soul.
"Are there any leads as to who is behind this?"

"The culprit's a slick one. Doesn't leave anything that can be used to track it down. But, last night, a young woman named Aiyana came to me in tears."

"She tells me that, as she went to check on her child, she was horrified to see a large wolf-like creature trying to get in through the kid's bedroom window. She was able to drive the thing away, but not before it tore a gash into her back with it's claws."

Kensei's brow furrowed as his mind processed the described events.
"I'll need to speak with Aiyana before I can identify what it is we're dealing with."


"Don't worry, my friend. I know what the thing is", he said as they turned down a side street towards a rural neighborhood.
"Like it or not, we're dealing with a Skinwalker."

"A skinwalker", repeated the Swordsman.
Kensei was a master in combat, and also in demonology and the supernatural. Although he had never dealt with the creatures before, Kensei knew what a Skinwalker was.
The creatures were powerful witches, able to take on the form of any animal it desired. The things were pure evil, and virtually impossible to kill.

"Yep, and I damn sure don't like it", grumbled Jack as he slowed down, pulling up to a small house.
"Here's Aiyana's place. I told her we'd be over straight from the airport, so she's expecting us."

"You told her we were be coming before I even arrived?"

"Figured you'd want to talk with her and check out the scene", shrugged Whiskey Jack with a smirk.

"You know me too well, my friend", chuckled Kensei as they exited the Jeep and walked up to Aiyana's front door.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon​

I hear a knock at the back door of the apartment. As I get into the living room I see that Jenny has already answered the door...in nothing but the long t-shirt that she wears to bed and a pair of gym shorts. Standing on the other side of the door staring at Jenny with a confused look on her face is Lisa, who obviously has the wrong impression.

"Lisa, hey. What's going on?" I ask, trying to suppress a laugh as she gives me a look that I can't even describe.

"Oh, nothing....I was gonna ask you if...uh, never mind, I can see that you're......busy."

"Lisa, this is my sister Jenny, she's going to be staying with me for awhile. Jenny, this is my friend Lisa."

Lisa looks at me, then at Jenny, and begins to turn a dark shade of red as the realization of what is going on begins to sink in.

"This is your...sister?" She said, still looking at Jenny's attire. Jenny seems to pick up on it.

"Laundry." Jenny says, seemingly knowing what is going through Lisa's head.

Lisa looks down at the floor and does that little nervous half laugh that she does when she's embarrassed, then shakes it off and looks right at me.

"Well, I was in the area and it dawned on me that we haven't hung out in awhile. So I thought it would be cool if maybe you wanted to go see a movie..." She pauses and then looks right at Jenny. "And you're more than welcome to come too. My treat."

Jenny looks at me, and smirks. Then she overexagerates as she yawns and stretches. "Oh, thanks, but I think I'm gonna sit this one out. I'm beat."

Before I can say anything, Jenny starts pushing me toward the door. "But you two go on and have a great time."

"Ok, ok!" I say as she continues pushing me out the door, then the door slams shut behind us.

"I think I just got kicked out of my own apartment." I say while chuckling about the turn of events.

"You know, I think I like that kid."

 

[Blacklight]

Chapter 38: Nightmares Act I: The Descent, pt.3...

"Had enough yet?" The robotic sounding voice of Murderball echoing from the shell asked me.

"Puh-lease..." I said standing back up and smiling at him, pulling out and extending my diamond staff in a fighting pose.

"I'm just getting started."

We both just stood opposite of each other, and I stared at the metallic sphere as it lied still. It was a stand-off like no other, but with Murderball, I've always had to wait for him to make the first move.

SCREEECH!!

Right on cue...

The ball had started to roll in place. Revving faster and faster as each moment passed by. I continued not to move. Not to lose my stance. For it was crucial...

"C'mon. Come at me..."

It continued in spinning, and I could even feel the heat from the friction in the ground, but soon enough, it bursted out of the crater and at me. I then braced myself, and at the last moment, I held my staff out in front of me horizontally, causing the ball to collide with it, and keep it from moving forward. In a matter of a few seconds, I became a human roadblock. Murderball however continued his rolling to try and advance, but my strength kept me in place. We weren't going anywhere until I wanted to move.

"RRRRAAAGGGHH! Get out of my way!!"

"Sorry...dude....but you're not....going anywhere." I said pushing forward, taking deep breaths periodically as I did.

"Let. Me. GO!!!" he said from inside, pushing harder as he got angrier.

"Hand over the sword!"

"No! It's mine now..."

"Fine. If you insist..."

Then with one swift movement, I collapsed my staff, and quickly grabbed hold of the ball before he could get any traction. And then I took off into the high skies.

"What are you doing!?!" he screamed from inside the shell. But I didn't answer. I had a plan to take care of this guy.

Once we reached as high as I could go, I started heaving and after a few spins, I used all my super-strength possible to fling Murderball up into the atmosphere, and watched as the sight of his round, metal exterior grew smaller and smaller as he went higher up.

Now you may be thinking, what's this kid up to?

You'll find out soon enough. After all, what comes up...

 

[Saved]

"We just need to get him away from here, and do this somewhere else - some place where there aren't so many bystanders around." Without another word, Adam sprinted towards Lyle as he finished picking molten metal out of his teeth, ducked one of the monster's punches, and delivered one of his own; an uppercut square in Lyle's chin. The blow knocked the villain's head back somewhat, but it had also shattered every bone in the Survivor's hand.

Tumbling out of Lyle's reach again, Adam whispered to Pulse as he passed him by, now going in the direction of the Lost Haven docks; "Hit him and fall back fast."

Pulse nods to the Survivor, smiling widely as he plots his path. As Lyle growls, drool slips from his mouth. His body is tense, eager to rip apart the heroes and end their lives. As Lyle stares into Pulse's eyes, Pulse simply stares back, unafraid.

"Hey, redbeard," Pulse mocks, trying to get Lyle's attention. "You can't kill me. I'm relentless. I'll never stop."

[BLACKOUT]"Never, huh?" [/BLACKOUT]Lyle grins as he takes a step forward. [BLACKOUT]"I think you got your facts wrong, hero."[/BLACKOUT]

"Alright then," Pulse smirks as he tenses his legs. He springs forward, sending a shockwave out and propelling himself toward Lyle. He strikes the monster on his head, making a loud "crack" as his fists drive into his face.

The monster yells in pain and anger at the attack. Instictively, Pulse bounces backward, landing firmly on his feet and hand. He looks up from the ground, position in the air by a tripod, his two legs and his right arm holding him above the rock and rubble.

[BLACKOUT]"You little insect!" [/BLACKOUT] Lyle roars in frustration.[BLACKOUT] "I'll kill you!" [/BLACKOUT]

"Excellent," Pulse whispers to himself. "Come on, stupid!" Pulse laughs, scoffing at his opponent. "Kill me!"

Pulse jumps backward, propelling himself farther and farther backward as Lyle charges him. As Pulse passes Survivor in a flip, he whispers a simple phrase to his ally. "I'll set him up. You take him down." Pulse moves backward once more, and jumps further backward, laughing as he moves.

"You talk tough," he says, landing on his feet, formed in a stand. "But I don't see you backing it up." Pulse watches calmly as Lyle runs, barreling down the street. He knocks cars out of his way like they were cardboard, the fire of hate burning in his eyes.

[BLACKOUT]"I will crush you!"[/BLACKOUT] Lyle roars with malice.

"The only thing being crushed is your pride." Pulse puts up his hands, falling into a fighting stance. "You want a shot? I'm right here."

 

[Spike_x1]

They were almost there. The waterfront was coming into view, the sweet smell of the ocean combined with the nauseating scent of the Lost Haven pollution being dumped into the water on a regular basis, was exactly what the Survivor needed. With Lyle baring down him, Pulse raised his fists and prepares to do what he can against the oncoming juggernaut.

Suddenly, with superhuman reflexes and speed, a black-cloaked blur slides on the ground around Lyle's feet. With expert timing, the Survivor wrapped one arm and one leg around the villain's ankles, tripping Lyle. Being the top-heavy freak that he was, Lyle was hurled forward, head over heels, by his own massive momentum. Seeing what was happening, Pulse easily sidestepped the monster rolling towards him.

Managing to stop himself before falling off the edge of the waterfront, Lyle growled angrily and stood upright, only to see both heroes, standing beside one another and glaring up at him.

"Together now," said Adam, not even trying to whisper and keep his plan a secret from Lyle. "Give him everything you've got, and I mean everything. Use those shockwaves until your nose bleeds." At this point, even Lyle's face was showing signs of concern at the sight of the Survivor's fists and eyes glowing with a blinding orange fire. "We're gonna blast this bastard clear over the horizon!"

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon​

I was just getting out of the shower when Jenny yelled for me to turn on the TV, something about some sort of disaster going on downtown. I can hear the reporter describing the scene as I get into costume, a bus full of tourists overturned in Sherman Square. It only takes a few moments for me to get dressed and get to the scene of the crash, and I'm almost not prepared for what I see when I get there.

Dozens of rescue workers and firemen trying to get at the people trapped in the bus, unfortunately everyone's worst fears are realized...a spark ignited the fuel that had leaked from the bus, setting the wreck and the area around it into a towering inferno.

I rush toward the bus, but just as I reach the edge of the blaze I hear a familiar voice.

"I knew this would draw you out. I just didn't expect it to take so long."

As I turn to face the source of the voice, I am hit so hard by something that I'm taken off my feet, and I find myself nearly embedded in the side of a building. Almost as soon as I hit the wall, my attacker is on my, hitting me with vicious punches and kicks, and then some sort of high powered assault weapon chimes in, hitting me for what seems like an eternity with a hailstorm of bullets.

It takes a moment for me to clear my head after the assault and get to my feet, and when I do I look right at my attacker, his arm still smoking from the thousands of rounds that he fired at me with his built in mini-gun. I almost can't believe my eyes....

It's Helos, and he's been fully rebuilt, and from the looks of things...upgraded.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Help me! Somebody, please!"

Shut it, *****", roared the mugger as he backhanded the frightened girl.

Angela Michaels always road the bus to and from school. The downtown area of Lost Haven was no place for a young, fifteen year old girl after all. But today Angela missed her bus home. Her mother at work, she had no choice to walk the ten mile jaunt it was from school to her house.
About halfway into her walk, Angela decided to cut down some side streets to make it home faster.
It was a choice she'd regret.

Walking down a lonely, one-laned road, Angela was attacked by a large man who came at her from seemingly nowhere.
Now she was on the ground, dazed from the blow, and helpless as the man towered above her, grinning like a crocodile.

"Don't worry, baby", smiled the man as he began to unzip his pants, "you're gonna like this."

"Somehow, I doubt that."

The man turned to see a slender man standing in front of him.

"Get the **** outta here, *******, before I get angry."

"Oh, I think not, my fortunate friend", laughed the man as he straighted the collar of his black red trench coat.
"Why the party has yet to begin. And you have the distinct pleasure of being part of the invitation."

"All right, dip****. You asked for it."

The man pulled out a switch-blade and stalked in on the intruder, looking to finish him off and get back to his business.
He lunged at the stranger, aiming for his gut. But the stranger moved with lighting speed, quickly stepping to the man's flank. Moving in a blur, the stranger reached out, grabbing the man's wrist of the attacking hand. With his other hand, the stranger slammed an open palm in the elbow, snapping it like a twig.

The man screamed in pain as he dropped the knife and fell to the ground, clutching his sickly dangling arm.

The stranger bent down and picked up the knife.
Stepping towards the man, the stranger rolled him over onto his back with his foot.
The stranger lunged at the man like a wild animal, stabbing him viciously again and again and again. All the while he wore a devilish grin on his blood-stained face.

Angela watched on, frozen in fear, as the stranger seemingly went on forever. Finally, the stranger stopped, seemingly coming back to his senses and reality.
Breathing heavily, the stranger slowly stood up.
Bloody knife still in hand, the man began to straighten his clothes and dust himself off.
Slowly turning to set his eyes on Angela, the man smiled.

"I do apologize, my dear. Sometimes, when I visit here, I can get caught up in the moment."

All Angela could do was let out a gasp of fear as she remained frozen like a deer in the headlights.
"Where are my manners", exclaimed the man in shock.
"You may call me Crowley. Mr. Crowley, if you please", he said with a warm smile and a low bow as he swept his black top hat out wide.

Crowley's eyes turned suddenly cold as he looked up at poor, little Angela.
"And I'll be your executioner today."

Slowly he stalked in towards the girl, the knife held firmly in his hand.
And poor little Angela couldn't seem to move or scream out until the blade sunk into her flesh.

 

[Saved]

They were almost there. The waterfront was coming into view, the sweet smell of the ocean combined with the nauseating scent of the Lost Haven pollution being dumped into the water on a regular basis, was exactly what the Survivor needed. With Lyle baring down him, Pulse raised his fists and prepares to do what he can against the oncoming juggernaut.

Suddenly, with superhuman reflexes and speed, a black-cloaked blur slides on the ground around Lyle's feet. With expert timing, the Survivor wrapped one arm and one leg around the villain's ankles, tripping Lyle. Being the top-heavy freak that he was, Lyle was hurled forward, head over heels, by his own massive momentum. Seeing what was happening, Pulse easily sidestepped the monster rolling towards him.

Managing to stop himself before falling off the edge of the waterfront, Lyle growled angrily and stood upright, only to see both heroes, standing beside one another and glaring up at him.

"Together now," said Adam, not even trying to whisper and keep his plan a secret from Lyle. "Give him everything you've got, and I mean everything. Use those shockwaves until your nose bleeds." At this point, even Lyle's face was showing signs of concern at the sight of the Survivor's fists and eyes glowing with a blinding orange fire. "We're gonna blast this bastard clear over the horizon!"

Everything I've got? Pulse thinks. As Pulse gets ready to attack, he begins to feel an inner panic. Last time Pulse gave his all, his body tore, as if it was being ripped apart from his inner energy. His powers are still unknown to him, and Pulse has been careful ever since that day. But now? His all? Will it be enough? And, if by some chance it is, will he survive?

"Fine, my all." He grunt, putting his wrists together as he aims his hands together at the yellow monster. "See you in hell, beast." He sneers. Pulse sends a strong wave from his hands, hitting Lyle with tremendous force. Though the shockwave was strong, it wasn't near Pulse's full strength. It barely passed half. Pulse closes his eyes, and forces his body to its brink.

He clenches his teeth and tenses his body. Taking in a deep breath, he holds himself steady, building the power inside him. The pressure rises as sweat pours from his body. As he builds the tension more and more within him, his sweat evaporates, and he begins to steam in the cool night air.

With one big blast, Pulse centers his power into his palms, hoping it won't blow the skin right from his bone. "Survivor..." he says in a weary voice, trying to stay strong and ready as he focuses his power. "Stand...BACK!" Pulse growls as he shoots the wave from his palms. The force of the energy evacuates from his body like an explosion. The wave errupts from his palms, tearing his skin and creating large bloody vents on his hands.

Trying to ignore the pain, Pulse keeps his aim steady, directing his attack at Lyle, using everything he has to keep steady. As he continues to unleash the strong wave, he feels a pop in his side. His uniform is quickly drenched in his blood again, his warm liquids running down his tired and spent skin.

Suddenly, just as the blast came, it ends. Stopping as if a switch was flipped. Pulse breathes heavily as he tries to regain his composure. His body shakes, and the blood flows quickly from his body. Exhausted, he drops to his knees. His hang swings to his side to hold his reopened wound. "AH! Dammit..." he cries in pain as his hand touches the wound. His hands are sore, nearly shredded from his own power.

He holds back his emotion and pens it up inside, biting his tongue as he slowly reverts back to his wounded state. I will not be weak, he instructs himself. I'm fine. Get up. The pain is a weakness. Weakness only brings death. Death is a luxury I can't afford.

Pulse rises slowly, continuing to hold his side. He turns to Survivor and smirks, passing off his wounds as a mere bruise. He turns back forward to face his enemy. As his eyes focus, he hopes that his foe is either gone, or injured. Either way, these next few moments will be a challenge.

Will you pass out and fail? He asks himself. Or will you be a man and endure?

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Skin Deep ~ Act 3​

Aiyana was still visibly shaken from her ordeal with the skinwalker just a day ago. She tried her best to remain calm while she spoke with Jack and his friend, Kensei, but the samurai could clearly see the storm raging beneath the surface.

The beautiful Navajo girl took a deep breath as she remembered the horrors of the night before.

"I had just finished getting ready for bed", she recalled, her eyes closed.

"I put Derrick to bed earlier, and I went to check up on him before I went to sleep. As I neared the door, I could hear...something coming from the room."

Aiyana shifted uneasily on the couch.

"I felt a feeling of terror come over me, but I couldn't place it. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up, and I turned the handle and opened the door to Derrick's room."

"That was when I saw it", she recollected, her hands trembling ever-so slightly.
"It was large, and covered in thick, black hair. It was almost wolf-like in appearance, and it was halfway into Derrick's room from the window."

"When I opened the door", she continued as she looked directly at Kensei, "it looked right at me...with those horrible eyes. It was like two red-hot coals."

"I grabbed the nearest thing I could, which was a table lamp, and attacked it. The thing just stood there, half-way in window, as I beat on it as hard as I could. And it did absolutely nothing."

"It was like it was more amused than anything at first. Finally the thing lashed out at me."

Aiyana turned around and carefully lifted up the back of her shirt to show them the bloody claw marks etched into her back.

"It raked me with it's claws before disappearing back off into the night."

"I see", replied Kensei as he examined the wound.

"I don't know what to do", Aiyana said as she covered the wound once more and turned to face the samurai, on the verge of tears.
"I fear it is only a matter of time before the creature returns to take Derrick and finish me off."

Kensei rose to his feet and looked down at the shaken Aiyana.

"I will not allow any harm to come to you, or your child. I give you my word."

It was like a small burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She had only just met the man, but there was something about him, his voice, his stance...she knew that she could trust him.

For the first time in what seemed like a long time, Aiyana smiled.

"Thank you."

--------------------

The buzzing of the cicadas could be heard all through the dark house.
Aiyana and her child had departed earlier that day with Jack, leaving Kensei to stake out the house alone.
The Swordsman waited in the baby's room as the dummy infant they placed in the crib "slept" soundly.

Kensei leaned up against the wall in the room's darkest corner, the dreaded Kusanagi carefully resting against his shoulder, as he ate a small ball of rice.

The sudden silence of the cicadas put Kensei immediately on his guard. He put the rice ball back in a pocket and silently rose to a crouching position.

His innate ability to sense the presence of evil was practically screaming at him that something most foul was outside the bedroom window, lurking in the black night.

And then he saw the large, bestial hand reach up and slowly push the window open.
The two, burning red eyes was the first thing Kensei truly saw of the beast. And a beast it was, covered in fur and looking like some bizarre werewolf.

The skinwalker, as silent as death, entered the room on all fours like an animal and slowly crept towards the crib.
Thanks to his magical trinket, the witch did not notice Kensei in the shadows as it approached crib.

The beast carefully reached down and then lunged it's clawed hand towards the sleeping infant.

The skinwalker snarled in rage as it picked up the small doll used as the decoy.

"You'll find no babies tonight, monster."

The skinwalker turned on it's heels towards the shadows to see Kensei, his armor shining with a divine light, with the Kusanagi gripped tightly in his hand.

"I am Kensei", stated the Swordsman, his face a mask of cold focus.
"I am the Demon's Bane, the Hunter of the Gods, Chosen Champion of Izanagi."

The eyes of the Celestial Samurai narrowed as he shifted his feet, ready to spring into action.

"And I am here to end your vile existence."