The Create-A-Hero RPG Season II IC Thread

[Pulp]

psivox

November 30, 1962

I'm glad the Cuba business is over. Daddy told me that the fallout shelter would have saved us. Mommy would have been back from visiting Granma and we would have been safe. Graham is leaving for Vietnam. My brother is stupid. He's a photographer and the paper wants him to go to Saigon along with Mitch to write a story. Why can't they use a local guy and let Mitch figure it out himself?

Daddy has been away since last weekend. He drove down to Vegas to see Uncle Art. I wonder if he'll win any money?

Lately I have been seeing the stranger. I call him the stranger because I don't know him, I don't know where he came from and he's always in Woolworth's buying stationery. Maybe he's a writer like Mitch. He's quite tall. I think he's handsome. He wears an old Air Force jacket.

I may dream of him tonight.

***

I stopped reading. Emily was talking about me. But I had never seen anyone in the store. Maybe I was just being conceited, assuming whoever Emily was talking about was me.

A voice made me jump.

"That's my diary, you thief!" I stood up and turned around to see a girl aged about 25 wearing the tightest sweater you ever saw, Levis and riding boots walking towards me. Her hair was dark, cut in a short asymmetric bob. Her eyes were blue and her cheeks were red, probably she was pissed with me reading her private journal.

"Emily Fairchild, I presume?" I asked. It seemed the right thing to say. She pouted. "I'm sorry, I thought you were -" I paused, I could hardly say 'dead' as she was here in the flesh looking very much alive. "-gone."

"Yes, I'm Emily. What are you doing here, the library is closed. I should know. I work here."

"What year is this?" I asked, damned if I was going to beat about like they do in the movies.

"I don't know what you are doing here, but asking me silly questions like that is not going to help."

I handed back the diary. Emily took it and placed it on the table next to her. Then she smiled. "Never mind, stranger, there are bigger things to be cross about. Let's go grab a soda and you can tell me all about yourself."

I felt like I was losing control of the situation. I immediately lit up a smoke. Assuming Emily did not have an apoplectic fit at this, I was probably back in time in the past. Frankly I did not think my new found powers allowed me to travel through time, much as it might be fun to do so. Instead Emily leaned forward and took a cigarette.

"Thanks, stranger, I left my pack in the car."

Ok, so maybe I could travel through time, or more likely I was having a really lucid dream. I could even smell the tobacco smoke and behind it a faint smell of flowers which was Emily's perfume. I sniffed again, no, it was strawberries.

I found myself quickly outside the library. It was still raining, and water dripped from the lamppost by the sidewalk entrance. In front of us stood a red and white Ford Fairlaine. There was nobody about.

Emily opened her door and indicated for me to get in the other side. I did so, throwing away the cigarette. The cigarette end hit the roadway and floated away. As I said, it was still raining.

Emily finished her cigarette. The rain drummed down on the car's roof. "Well, stranger, you know my name, so tell me yours." I told her. "Okay, John, let's go."

We drove off down Main Street. About a hundred yards down the street she pulled over and parked. Emily leaned across me, opening the glove compartment. Inside I could see a pack of smokes and a handgun. Emily took out the smokes and lit another. She puffed the smoke into the windshield.

"I am Emily Fairchild. My father is, or rather was a scientist with the Government. I can read minds. I read yours. I know you are from 1953. I know you are displaced, that you are desperately lonely which is why you go to the Library each day to fill in the space. I can help you."

It was a succinct speech. I opened my mouth and shut it again, as Emily continued: "You find my physical appearance attractive. You don't know what to say to me."

I nodded.

"But since the soda shop is shut, we'll go to your base, I mean motel, and figure out what happens next." Emily stuck the cigarette in her mouth, ground the gears and pulled away. I watched the rain be swept from the windshield by the twin windshield wipers. I held my hands together because they were shaking.

 

[Rain Dog]

The Dummy​

Free. Finally free. Both in body and in mind. Free. Must keep moving. Must keep running. No time to hide—not just yet. Need to find safety. Need to find a sanctuary. Need to find it fast. If not, they’ll get me. They’re everywhere, almost always watching you, no matter who you are or what you’re doing. I have to find a blind spot--a place where they cannot see me. Somewhere devoid of their mind-controlling devices, their corporate installations, their suit-wearing spies. Somewhere where I can see them. Where I can watch them. Keep running.

The more I run, the fewer and fewer lights I see. The further I go, the more cracked windows, flickering streetlamps, slumbering vagrants, and spray-painted walls I see. Police sirens are constantly wailing in the distance. Good. Very good. Looks like this is the blind spot.

I run to what appears to have once been an apartment complex. The windows are cracked. Graffiti covers its outer walls. I open the front door—lock is broken. Its dark inside but I can hear the scurrying of rats and cockroaches, their tiny feet scratching against the cold floor. Very good. I look around and notice a pair of tiny glowing orbs. I jump back. Startled. The orbs rush towards me. I’m frozen with fear. The orbs then moved out of the shadows and its true form.

​

Meow
[blackout]

“W-What’s that? How did you know my name!?”
[/blackout]

 

[Andy C.]

WONDER BOY: SIDEKICK FOR HIRE​

O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN:
PART TWO​

"Now this," I say to Rosie, my waitress, "is one heck of a sandwich. Tell Floyd he's really outdone himself."

Rosie gives me a smile, pours me a fresh cup of coffee, and heads back to her counter. I shift a little in the unsettlingly sticky green vinyl booth, trying to get to a position where the sunlight isn't shining directly into my eyes, the glare coming through the dirty window and obscuring my view of the city outside.

It's a shame she probably won't relay my compliment back to the cook, because this is, in fact, one of the better Reubens I've ever eaten. The rye's been toasted just right, so it's good and crisp without losing its flavor. The beef's got plenty of juice, sliced thick the way I like it. The kraut and the sauce actually compliment each other instead of fighting for dominance over the whole sandwich. And the cheese? Forget about it.

This is indeed among the best Reuben sandwiches I've ever had. The absolute best, however, was a long while ago.

********​

It's eleven years ago, and the novelty of having a costumed crime-fighter running around the streets of Brooklyn has worn off. Captain Wonder's been taking on local gangbangers and drug dealers for all of last year, but hasn't been a headline in months. People just kinda got used to him.

I'm on my way home from the library, where I'd spent the last six hours going through whatever science books I could get my hands on. Most other kids stop caring about learning when the semester ends, but I keep it up during the summer. There's really not a whole lot the public schools teach that I haven't already taught myself--I've even had to correct the teachers a few times--and my folks just can't afford to send me to a private school. But I don't complain; I just make do.

I round the corner to the bus stop, and I see them. Three big guys, decked out in gang colors. They've gotta be between eighteen and twenty, and they all fix their eyes on me, a twelve-year-old white boy who shouldn't be anywhere near this part of town. At the time, I don't know a whole lot about the gangster lifestyle and why they do what they do. I just know that I'm going to get hurt.

"Where you think you goin', white boy?" The one in the middle says, shoving me hard when I try and get past them. I stagger back a few feet, but I don't fall down. I've been in too many fights in school to go down from one push.

"Just leave me alone," I say, eyes locked intently on my own shoes.

"I don't think so, kid. You wanna go through our hood? You gotta pay up. You got money?"

"N-no...just....j-just change for the bus."

"*tsk, tsk*...ain't that a shame, son. Looks like you gonna pay up with a beat-down instead!"

He swings with a big right hand, but I'm a lot faster than he is, and duck under it. I can't possibly fight him, so I do the only thing that makes sense. I wind up and land a field-goal kick right between his legs, then turn and start to run.

I barely make it three steps before the other two catch up with me. They shove me to the ground, and then the whole world explodes into colors and blurs around me.

I come to a second later, a sharp kick to my ribs bringing me out of my daze. The two gangsters take turns kicking me, and all I can do is curl up in a ball and hope they stop. They don't.

My eyes clenched and burning from hot tears, my back and sides still in throbbing pain, I hear the sound of a pistol being cocked.

"You little mother-****er! I'ma kill you fo--"

He doesn't get out his sentence, cut off by a hard thwack, then the thud of him hitting the sidewalk. I hear the sound of a brief scuffle, but I'm too afraid to open my eyes. Two more thwacks, two more bodies hitting the concrete.

Then nothing, for a few seconds.

"Are you okay, kid?"

And that's when I see him in the flesh for the first time.

He's not quite as muscular as the cartoons make him out to be--more lean than bulky. The costume's exactly like it, though: white with a blue V-stripe and utility belt, red boots and gloves and a matching cape and cowl. The thugs around him are out cold, and he hasn't even broken a sweat. The other kids my age make fun of the guy for showing up with that outfit and the goofy smile, but in person, it's something else entirely. He's Elvis, the President, and God all rolled into one...and he just saved my life.

"C-C-Captain Wonder?"

He nods, and repeats the question.

"Are you okay?"

"I...yeah, I think so."

I've got a bloody nose, and I'm gonna have bruises all over, but nothing's broken...and more importantly, I'm talking to Captain Wonder!

"What's your name?"

"...Kitt. Kitt Carson."

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner, Kitt. I've notified the police, so they'll be taking these guys away," he says as he casually produces a few zip-ties from his utility belt and binds the unconscious gangsters' hands. "In the meantime, are you hungry?"

I nod absently.

He grins, then puts his hand up to his ear. "Mathis, I've just dealt with an attempted murder on the corner of 21st and Allport, and I'd like some refreshment while I wait for the police. A Reuben on rye for me, and..." he pauses, turning towards me.

"What'll you have, Kitt?"

********​

I tip Rosie a little more than usual, then head back out into the street. I've still got most of the afternoon ahead of me, so I can make up for the extra money I spent.

The card game's gotten a little old today. I think I'll head back to my apartment to pick up my juggling gear.

A few more days of this, and I can afford to get all of my actual gear moved to where I need to be. No point in moving to where the action is if I can't get into the action myself.​

 

[Gallagher]

Kyle Carmack
Rock 'N' Roll $tar Part 1

"5 minutes Mr. Carmack." Announces the stage manager as Kyle stood infront of a mirror adjusting his hair and brand new jacket. The smug look on his face increasing as he looks at himself. Popping another peice of gum into his mouth he chewed loudly, almost abonxiously.

'Good lookin' bugger' He thought to himself, ignoring the stage manager, leaving him standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"Mr. Carmack?" He called again timidly. This time he got a reaction, Kyle turned his head and looked at the man like he was dirt.

"**** off." He said politely, contradicting the language he saw fit to use on someone beneath him.

"5 minutes." The manager said, holding his hands in a sign of surrender and closing the door behind him.

Kyle turned back to the mirror and struck a laid back pose.

"Be there in ten."

****

2 hours later, the roar of the crowd had finally dissipated, Kyle's enthusiasm and energy however had not.

"Come onnnnn!" He yelled looking around the room at his bandmates, a cigarette in one hand, a bottle of beer in the other."****in mega." He exclaimed, bouncing around the room like a hyperactive child.

"Oi, calm down. Yeah it was an a'right show but you need to tone it down mate." His brother David announced, apparently speaking for the rest of the band.

"You onabout?" the younger Carmack brother asked, nodding his head aggressively, sticking his chest out in an almost mock sign of dominance.

David simply gestured to the items in his hands.

"Your voice is nackered, too many cigs and too much booze. Just sayin lay off a bit. Next show is in Lost Haven an I wanna make it a good 'un."

"Piss off, you know damn well it 'int about talent it's about soul man."

"You can keep sayin that bollocks all you like Kyle but if you sound ****, you make us all sound **** 'n' no amount of magical mojo powers is gonna help."

The young vocalist stared his older brother down for a few moments before walking closer, putting an inch between him and his sibling.

"You don't know **** about my 'gifts' mate."

"I know you're the luckiest ****er alive to have 'em."

Kyle smiled at David malevolently.

"You're jealous you are." He said, pointing a finger in his face. "You want what I got."

The older brother looked taken aback, his face contorting into one of confusion and disbelief at his brother's accusations.

"Mate, I'm the songwriter, I EARN MORE THAN YOU DO."

With that, Kyle's face dropped as he stepped back from his brother. Placing a pair of rounded sunglasses over his eyes he left the room.

"Did you have to play that card again?" Piped up Tony, the band's bassist.

"Gets 'im every time."

 

[Climperoonie]

I slowly awake from my dreams to the sweet smell of Chelsea. I look over at her, my beautiful angel in a human guise. I look at my alarm clock, and it reads 7:27. It's the 31st of December, which means in only sixteen and a half hours I'll be free from this year of pain and so-called heroism. Free from Electron, free to be with my girl. I wrap my arms around her chest and slowly drift off to sleep.

"YOU'RE A HERO! YOU'RE MEANT TO BE GOOD!"

The line that has haunted my dreams for near enough a year awakes me. Now, the alarm clock reads 11:03. My second sight that morning is of Chelsea standing over me.

"Rise and shine, Jake." She grins a grin that would cheer even a blind man up. She leans down and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, my dove." I smile at her as I pull myself out of bed. Wandering over to the closet, I open it and rummage through. I catch sight of a small box at the bottom of it. Inside is a reminder of a time I do not want to be reminded of. I grab a black T-shirt stylized with embroidered green paint splodges. I also pick up a pair of jeans.

"I was thinking we could go and see a movie, just whatever's on?" She suggests. I nod at her, smiling. She returns the smile. "I just need to nip back to mom's though, I left something there."

"That's fine by me. See you in ten minutes." We kiss and she leaves as I pull the T-shirt over my head.

~^*^~
​

Half an hour later, and Chelsea isn't back. I begin to wonder what has happened. So, I decide to go and see for myself. Grabbing my keys and coat, I leave the apartment and lock up. I pull my coat on and walk down the stairs. As I leave the Tennant block, police cars flash past, lights blaring. A year ago, I'd be on a disk of electricity following them. Not now. A year ago, I'd be investigating these weird deaths. Not now. Suddenly, the thought of the deaths plants a cruel suspicion as to Chelsea's whereabouts. So I break into a jog. Well, a jog for me but a run to everyone else. A minute and three blocks later, I skid to a halt outside Chelsea's mom's house. Urgently, I knock on the door, and she answers.

"Hey Jake, how are you?" She asks.

"Fine, um, have you seen Chelsea?" I query.

"No, what's ha-" Is the last I hear. After the first word, I'm running. Please don't be dead. Please. I close my eyes and wish. Hard. Before I know what I'm doing, I'm in a alley and taking off with my feet shrouded in electricity. I fly as high as I can, high over McFarlane City. Looking down, I see the blue lights of the police cars. Stuffing my hand into my pocket, I pull out something I kept only for emergencies. Something I hoped I'd never use again. I pull the mask over my head, looking out through the tight eye holes. It's quite small, now. But it'll do. I need to conceal my identity. I am Electron again.​

 

[Climperoonie]

Detective Joel Carson stands outside the building. Inside is the man who claims to have commited the seven recent murders. His unit also surrounds the building, all waiting for the sergeant to give the order to enter. The man had hostages, which meant he had the advantage.

"Come out with your hands up." The sergeant ordered. No reply came. Suddenly, in a shower of wood splinters, the door flies off of it's hinges. As the police duck for cover, a huge hulking brute walks out. On closer inspection, it is a mecha-suit coloured a metallic blue. It stands eight feet tall. Where the head hsould be is a glass dome like viewport. Inside this, a horrific skull peers out. The monster raises it's arms and shoots a streak of purple light from a small tube under each hand. On contact with one of the police, he is turned to a smoldering skeleton himself in a blinding flash.

"Love to stay and kill more of you, but I have a New Year to crash!" And then the Robotic Demon's feet glow, and he shoots into the air, leaving behind scorch marks.
​

~^*^~
​

I arrive to see the end of this spectacle, which gives me enough evidence to deduce he committed the murders. This also leads me to believe he must have something to do with Chelsea disappearing. So, I take off again. Despite his size, the thing is quite agile in the air. Funny the things you think of while chasing a skeleton driving a mechasuit. Like how he reminds you f the Hulk and Iron Man rolled into one. Due to my wandering mind, I soon round a bend to find no sign of him. Then, without warning, I am launched through the air onto a building top. I roll onto my back, and the dodge out of the way as the thing crashes on the building top right on the spot where I was mere moments before.

He regains his composture and takes aim with his weapon. I dodge as the violet blade melts into the floor behind me. I leap over his head, the beam still following. As I land, I notice a pipe from the fluid in the dome to his wrist gun. I repeat my jump but this time I land on his back. As he twists, I take a firm hold of the pipe. But then, he grabs me with his free hand, and pulls me off. I look at my hand and see the pipe still in it. The cyborg roars and clogs the hole with a peice of melted concrete, then takes off again. With his ammo destroyed, this time it's a safe bet I'll be able to safely track him.
​

 

[Climperoonie]

(OOC: Doesn't anyone else post on here?!)

I've been following this freak through McFarlane city for over an hour. It had occured to me he was trying to get me fed up so I left, but I'm not letting him get away so easy. It was now about two in the afternoon. Ten hours until 2009. They say start as you mean to go on. I hope this doesn't mean I'm spending 2009 chasing looneys in a mask and casual clothes. So I call his bluff. I turn round and begin flying away. I turn a corner and keep following from a distance. Eventually he lands at an old warehouse on the seafront. The Mechasuit shimmers into invisibility, but I see the doors open and close. I decide to take the window. I minimize the electricity on my feet, which although I can no long fly fast, it minimizes the glow and sound. I fly in through the window, and see him with two other skeletal things. These look similar to him, but are only about five foot and their armour is glass plating with the same liquid inside as in the Mechasuit's helmet.

"Master Skell, did everything go as planned?" One asks.

"I instilled fear into the mortals. Unfortunately, the metahuman known as Electron got in my way. Anyway, bring out subject #3 for skeletalization!" Skell answers. The lackeys comply with the order and press a few buttons on the wall. From my vantage point behind some equiptment, I see Chelsea, unconscious and strapped to a table, brought out.

"This young human will be perfect! She has been subjected to natural electricity and survived. She will become my first leiutenant" So this is my fault. Well I won't let Chelsea become one of them. I step out from behind the machinery.

"Hello there." Immediately all three turn towards me, the two guards switching on violet electrical buzz saws on their wrists.

"Electron! You are a brave one!" Skell laughs. "Finish him."

The two advance at me, wrist saws whirring. I charge my hands and blast the first with electricity. He raises the saw and blocks it back at me. I absorb it and throw it at the second. It catches him off guard and he is thrown backwards. In the split second I'm concentrated on this, a sharp pain engulfs my cheek as I feel blood run into my mouth. My reflexes mean I can punch him before he makes it worse, but it still hurts. My speed creates a crack in his chest, which gives me an idea. I flip to the side and slam my hand into the crack, widening it to allow the fluid to escape but it also electrocutes it. The Skeleton collapses in a smash of glass and clatter of bones. I look over and see that while I've been fighting, Skell has been preparing Chelsea. I throw a bolt of electricity at him.

"Hey. I defeated your 'elite'. Now it's your turn." I shout.

"Ha! The guards were merely pawns. I will defeat you easily." Skell gloats. Suddenly, in a single bound, he is in front of me and before I know it, I've been punched to the other side of the warehouse. I get to my feet and jump at him. He steps out of my way but this is what I what I was expecting. I grab his arm and swing onto his back, like in our last fight. This time, there is no pipe to use against him. But that wasn't what I was aiming for. I repeatedly punch his glass dome until it cracks. Liquid slowly seeps out, so I punch it again and leap off at the same time so he is thrown into the controls. With him down, it is time to get Chelsea out of here. I rush over to her wheeled table she is clamped to and start trying to prise one of the wrist clamps off.

Suddenly, the table travels down the set of tracks it is on. I leap forward to intercept it, but at a set of points, it veers off, straight into the water. I rush forward to dive in and rescue her, but with a horrible realization I remember I cannot go into water for over a minute due to my powers. I look over and see the corpse of Skell, in a pool of the blue liquid, but with his finger on a button on the control panel. I let out a scream of anguish and drop to my knees. I don't know how long I was like that but I am torn away from my memories by a countdown chanted by happy people outside.

"10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!" It's 2009. They say start as you mean to go on. What a start. But then I realise. I have started as I'm meant to go on. I didn't lose Chelsea for nothing. I've lost her but regained another part. I've regained Electron. It is time to move on. The days terrible events are now last year. And it is time for me to rebuild Electron using my new resources. I have an apartment. I have money. I have a part-time job. I can train and become as good as any of those heroes like The Blue Blur or even fictional ones like my old idol, Spider-man. I Raise myself into the air, and fly off.

Not everything that is lost is never regained. Jake learned that with Electron. It may apply to other things to. For some of the merry citizens that night on the seafront, may have noticed a hand rise from the sea water. Just for a second. But that second in the first hour of 2009 may also be the beginning of something else new. Something else more heroic. ​

 

[Mercy]

Siren
Origin Part Two
Penultimate End of Arc I
​

Then everything faded again, i was back. I was outside the Hospital, round the back.

"Hello Lost Haven" I smirked, i saw heroes and villains fly around the city, the public didn't seem to bothered, almost like they were use to it. It really had been a year since i had gone, everything looked so different, but at least now i can fit in with the rest.

Encase your wondering where i went, i disappeared to the cold depths of China for a year, learning how to use my powers from the inner self and being trained by "Mother" on the mystic arts of kung-fu. I can now speak fluent Traditional and Mandarin Chinese. I had no luggage or stuff to carry, so it was easy for me to get around. I'd changed the way I'd looked since the last time Lost Haven saw my face. I had put in green contacts and kept them in my eyes for a year and they're not coming out. My red hair had grown. Did I forget to say, i was kicked out the mystical art club thingy because i was engaged to a Superhero.

"Hello gorgeous" Mirakle landed to the ground, his cape blew everywhere. I walked forward and kissed him.

"They found out about us didn't they?"I sighed.

"Yes, they were all like your a villain and Mirakle's a good guy, you don't go, now get out and never return!" I wasn't really a Villain though, i preferred to be called a Rogue, someone who walks the line.

"Are you still up for the offer of joining the Defenders of Justice?"
I leaned against a long black lamppost,

"I don't work with you lot, i already told you the first time we met, ya know when you found me round the back of the hospital and then so on..." I replied, I liked getting money not working for Justice.

I looked up at the sky then round at the busy city,
"Lost Haven's changed since I last came here" I looked at a big poster with Harry (Mirakle) on it, pointing. Big bold red words were on it; it read:

'I WANT YOU! TO JOIN THE D.O.J'

I laughed and turned round to Harry, kissing him once more.
"I see you still where your ring" He smiled,
"Yes, the guys back in china fought me for it, those scumbags"
Suddenly, the side of Mirakle's mask beeped.
"I gotta go, see ya around Lana!"
Harry flew away, I rolled my eyes, him being a Superhero held me back from doing my job. The only person that could really help me at this time of need was The Boss. I don't know his real name or what he looks like, because whenever I go to see him, he sits in the shadows and he speaks through a computer. His league of assassins are also quite jealous of me that I get the most jobs and i'm not even part of the team.

After controlling a taxi driver to get me to the Grand Palace, i stood outside the gates.
I used my minor telekinetic skills to open the gates. I walked up the path, i sensed the aura of two meta human assassins. I spun round, flying my leg up. I'd managed to kick an assassin who leaped down from a high tree. I back flipped, dodging fireballs.
"It's me Lana Bannon, idiots"

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!"

 

[Rain Dog]

The Dummy​

[blackout]“The…’The Proletariats?’ No, no, I haven’t—“[/blackout]

Meow.

[blackout]“ Wait…yes…yes, it all makes sense now! And it was them who liberated me from the ward, wasn’t it?”[/blackout]

….

[blackout]“Why have they chosen me?”[/blackout]

…

[blackout]“They…they really believe I can do it?”[/blackout]

Meow.

[blackout]
“…Yes. I’ll do it. But they’ll be looking for me. If they find me…God knows what they’ll do.”
[/blackout]
Meow.

[blackout]“A new identity?”[/blackout]

…

[blackout]“Yes…I understand. And what about you? What’s your name?”[/blackout]

Meow

[blackout]“Oh…I understand. But I need to call you something.” [/blackout]

Meow

I lifted the creature up of the ground and looked into its glowing eyes.

[blackout]“Nice to meet you, Mubbles.”[/blackout]​

 

[Climperoonie]

RETURN - PART I​

First of January. Properly, I mean. Not still early morning. I turn over and hug Chels. Except she's not here. I've been used to her being there for so long, it's still hard for me to swallow she's gone. Blinking back tears, I walk over to the closet. I open the door and pull out the box. Letting out a deep sigh, I open it. Inside, the black circle with a lightning bolt through the middle blares out. I pick up the costume and hold it against me. It is far too small. I fold it up and lay it inside. I walk over to my laptop and open it. I switch it on and enter Internet Explorer. I decide to try something other than lycra this time, so on Google, I type Spandex, as it is more durable. I find a site on ordering it. This time, I decide to modify my design. I order blue and yellow spandex, so I can improvise when it comes. It costs $16 and will take up to 5 days. I decide to just wear a yellow top, jeans and my old mask for now as a homage to my original costume.

I change into my current choice of clothes and lift the window. I clamber out of it and let myself plummet towards the ground. Despite everything, it still gets my adrenaline pumping and my excitement going. My feet spark, and I take off, rushing between skyscrapers and apartment blocks. I fly high again, before rushing forward toward the Pertwee building. The perfect vantage point. 1'427 feet high, not including the mast, and 130 stories. I see flashing lights on 31st street and leap again. I posistion myself so it is like I am lying on my front, and the zoom in th direction of the lights.

It's good to be back.​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon​

"What's this Scotty, new girlfriend?" She says in that voice of hers that is both friendly and borderline mocking.

"Haze...What are you doing here?"

"Look, I hate to interrupt...whatever it is you're doing here, but we need to talk."

I look directly at her, still shocked to see her here in my club. Still shocked that she called me by my real name. Then the fact that she did call me by my real name hits me like a ton of bricks....I never told her who I am.

"I'd say we do."

Myself, Haze and her two companions head to my office where we can talk out of earshot of anyone who may be passing by.

"What's going on Haze? Who are these people?" I ask.

"Yeah, good to see you too."

"Haze..."

"Relax, they're friends."

"Okay, well...you want to tell me what this is all about?"

"Well, while you've been hanging around 'The Haven' doing your thing...I've been out looking to do real good. I've been looking for others, like us. I found Zen and his sister Synergy over in London. And there are alot more. But that's not why we're here."

"Well...?"

"I'm getting to that. While we were overseas, we came across some information...and we thought that you needed to know what we found."

"What is it?"

"It's Blackwind. He's ready to make his move. It's starting soon."

"How soon?"

"Tonight. Tomorrow. I don't know, all I know is that it's imminent."

I knew I'd have to face this eventually, but I didn't expect it so soon. But there is something else on my mind at the moment.

"How did you know...who I am I mean?"

"How do you think? I used to serve Blackwind. There isn't alot that he doesn't know."

"Who else?"

"What?"

"Who else knows who I am?"

"As far as I know just me and Riot. Richter doesn't know what day it is, and Forsaken could care less. But I wouldn't worry too much about it."

"How can I not? With someone like Blackwind, and that psycho Riot knowing who I am...I've got to get..."

"Don't worry about it. Blackwind wouldn't go after your friends. Basically, your friends and family are off limits. At least until after he kills you. He's a bastard like that. He wants to take you out publicly, he'd want them to see die."

Somehow, her words aren't very comforting. But after a quick change of clothes, we leave the club, taking to the skies so that when Blackwind and his followers arrive, we're ready.

 

[SuperBoy-CK]

Origin:Understanding of Powers

4:27pm

While running I notice to the left of me that I pass a sign that read Lost Haven. A trip that would normally take 35 to 40 minutes only took me a couple of minutes to get to. This running at super speeds is just more then amazing. Not only am I running at fast speeds but it looks like a path is already set out before me and all I have to do is just fallow it. I move just at the right times to ease by passing vehicles.

‘This alone is remarkable, I wonder what other things I can do. Fly, lift cars over my head like there nothing.’ I thought to my self. Then as I was running my speed began to slow down to the point I was moving at average speeds. I stop in the middle of the street and look at the cars around and notice that they are not moving as slow as they were before. Before I could figure out what was happening everything went back to its original speed. The sound of a car slamming on its breaks brought my attention a head of me. I stood there not able to move just looking as the car was about to hit till the driver made a sharp turn to the right crashing into a pole. Others tried to avoid the car that crash into the pole but by doing so they did nothing but hit other cars causing a big accident.

While all of the chaos was going on I notice out of the corner of my eye that a black truck was heading straight at young woman who was dining at an outside restaurant as if nothing was going on. I knew that if I yell for her to look out it would be to late I would I have to get to her myself. Not knowing what was going to happen I took off running. I notice while running to catch the truck before it hits the woman that man speed wasn’t quite as fast as it was before. I pass the truck and as I do so my speed goes back to normal. The woman looks at me as I just appear right in front of her face. ‘My speed is gone there is only one thing I can do.’ I thought. I quickly grab her in my arms and get down on the ground using my body to shield her from most of the hit. I start praying to God that a miracle occurs.

I close my eyes and brace my self for impact. Then it takes place, the truck hits my back but shocking to me it doesn’t hurt. I feel the front of the truck cave in against my back. As the impact of the truck hit against me I look up and see the truck flipping up in the air. As it was passing by I notice debris hit the woman on her head. The truck lands on a bunch of tables luckily once people notice the truck coming they all ran out of the way so know one got hurt.

First thing I do is look around and make sure that what just took place wasn’t seen. As I take a quick glance I observe that no one seen the truck hit me. I feel the woman beginning to move in my arms so I look down and make sure she is alright. She starts shaking her head slowly and rests her hand on her forehead.

“Hey take it easy okay your head got hit by some of the wreckage from the truck but it looks like you’ll live.” I stay to her hoping she didn’t notice me run to her in super speed.

“I… who…wait…you? I saw you… there…here.”

From the jump I could tell the hit to the head had taken its toll. Nothing she was saying was making since. She waits a couple of moments and got her thoughts together.

“The truck I saw it hit you, head on.”

Dang she notice but maybe I can play it off since she did get hit in the head.

“If I did, I’d be dead. I ran to you to get you out of the way and then as I grab you another car had hit the truck sending it up in the air. That’s when we drop to the ground and a side mirror or something had hit you in the head. It must have given you some kind of imagination.”

She then slowly gets to her feet and looks at the truck and looks at blue Honda accord that was behind me and notice that the hood of it was damage. She didn't see that the Honda had got hit by another car and lost control and just happened to end up next to us.The evidence around us was so convincing that she had to believe what I told her.

“Must have.” She said while rubbing her head.

As we were standing there three men came out of no where shouting and heading in our direction.

“Ms. Love are you okay did you get hurt?” One of them ask.

“I’m fine. Go get the car.”

Right away the men quickly did as they were told it was obvious she is a young woman with power.

“Looks like I have to go but I will see you later. Today is your lucky day.”

“Your injury shouldn’t you stay till the ambulance gets here so they can check it out?”

She then leans in and kisses me on the forehead softly and looks me in the eyes.

“No need. I’ll be fine thanks to you.”

She steps back and smiles. She looks at me and then starts to walk away. As she is walking I notice a necklace on the ground. I grab it and see two L’s that must be initials that stood for something.

“Hey your…”

Before I can finish I notice that she was already gone.


​

*******​

Lexa sat in the back of her father’s limo heading back to the mansion.

"Ms. Love we are so sorry that we wasn't able to intersect them before they got to you. When that accident occurred it put a dent in our plans ther…” Before he could finish what he was saying he was cut off.

“No more accuses. I almost died and the only thing you have to say is that a few cars got into your way? The plan was simple. How am I going to take my fathers company from under him if I have dumb lackeys like you all? You know what don’t answer that because it doesn’t matter. This time tomorrow you all will be died unless you give me all the information on that guy who saved me”

“Yes Ms. Love right away.”

Lexa then pulls a champagne bottle out of the little figurate and grabs a glass.

“This time if you fail me, your family will all get into a tragic accident.”​

 

[Climperoonie]

PREY - PART 1
​

The human drops to the floor, cowering against the wall. I merge with the darkness, so all he can see are my red eyes. Then, I blink them out. I watch, as he cautiously gets to his feet. He begins to edge toward the end of the alleyway. And that's when I strike. Roaring and growling, I pounce on him, pinning him to the floor. He screams and pleads, and I lock my eyes with his.

"I'm going to kill you. You are a pathetic meat sack, you do not deserve life." His eyes flare in pain. I feel warmth from his stomach. "It's a dog eat dog world." He is unable to scream. My eyes keep him in the trance. His breathing gets raspy as his lungs ignite. "And in case you haven't noticed." Tears roll down his cheeks. "I'm a dog." I plunge my teeth into his throat. They are hot, so that the flesh is cooked and the blood is congealed. It's nicer that way. It stops the blood from getting everywhere, because although I'm a dog, I don't like mess. Suddenly, my meal is interrupted.

"Stop right there." I turn and see a man. His hands are on fire. At last, a metahuman. He throws a fireball at me, and I catch it in my mouth, in a mock impersonation of a true dog. He takes a step back.

"Heh, I'm a demon, you know. Demon's like fire." I pounce at him. He punches me in the jaw, sending a slight pain through my face. But I bite down on his hand, severing it completely. It tastes good. He screams as he looks at the bloody stump on his wrist. I laugh, and lunge at him once more. He doesn't even get a chance to scream.

 

[SuperBoy-CK]

6:38pm



It’s been about two to three hours and Im still sitting here at Lost Haven Police station waiting for my mother to come pick me up. For the first hour I kept telling all the police officers my story over and over again. It was as if once I told them my story they got the case of amnesia. I guess here in Lost Haven the officers are always looking for the bad guy. Can’t really blame them this is a troubled city.

As I’m waiting an officers walks pass me and looks me [FONT=&quot]strangely[/FONT]. He begins to stare as if he knows me. He puts some files down on a desk and head my way.

“Hey, how you doing?” He ask.

Only thing going through my mind is why is this officer just going to just talk to me out of the blue.

“I’m fine sir and you?”

“I’m good. Look I’m sorry for bothering you it’s just you look so familiar. What is your name?”

“Sam Osborne.”

“Osborne? Where have I heard that name before?” It takes a minute before it finally hit him.

“Is you mother name Janet?”

“Yes that’s my mom."

He then takes a step back and looks me once over again and a big smile appears on his face.

“Oh my God, little Samuel it has been to long get up and give you uncle a hug.”

This guy must be crazy I have no clue who he is. He must have me confused.

“Sir I think you might have me mistaken I have no uncle my mother only has a sister and my father was the only child.”

“Well you never really met me before. My name is Eben, me and you father Jim were partners or more like brothers before he pasted. I never really got a chance to stop be and see you and your mother after his death. Back then finding the people reasonable for your dad’s murder was my only concern. I’m sorry I never got a chance to watch you grow up.”

“No problem you can’t miss what you never had right? Besides you didn’t miss out on anything special.”

He laughs a little bit, I guessing something I said must have been funny to him.

“Wow even though you never seen your father your just like him. I also hear you’re the hero like him to, running in front of cars to save a young girls life.”

I got a bit embarrass and start to scratch my head. “Nothing really heroic about that I was just doing anything any other person would have done.”

He then rests his hand on my shoulder. “Maybe in Reedsville but not here in Lost Haven, by the way what are you doing way out here?”

My mind was stump I didn’t know what to say. All day out of all the question the other officers were asking me that wasn’t one of them.

“Oh that’s simple see I was huh yeah and then like…”

And while I was trying to come up with a lie on the stop another officer had yell for him.

“Look we have to finish this later okay?” He then pats me on the back and walks away and while he was leaving he shout. “Yell your mother I said hi.” And continue to walk off.

“Will do.” I say sitting in my seat waiting for my mother to get here so I can go home.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon
​

After listening to what Haze and her new friends had to say, the four of us leave The Hub in search for Blackwind and his groupies.

Once we were outside and away from prying eyes, the four of us split up in order to cover more ground. Haze and I headed for the south side of the city, while Zen and Synergy went on their own.

The search didn't take long, but Blackwind's men, led by the one called Forsaken weren't exactly trying to be subtle.

Only minutes after splitting up, I hear a voice inside my head...it's Zen, the telepath, speaking to all of us at once..."I've found them. Head over to the Lost Haven Power Company auxillary plant."

At once both Haze and myself begin heading in that direction. Finally, this is going to be settled one way or another.

 

[Blacklight]

N i g h t m a r e s:
Act I​

Chapter 43: The Descent, pt.8...


School the next day was... You know, I really don't want to say the word "interesting" again, but I have no choice, bcause it was. It was also frustrating amongst other things.

So I was going about my normal activities. It was passing time, and kids all around me were talking about the bank robbery I had foiled yesterday, in my Blacklight persona.

"Dude you gotta read this article... This guy is freakin' awesome. Look at his moves!"

"I could never do that with a yo-yo!"

"Blacklight's a cool dude. I wanna do that stuff..."

I brought a smile to my face to hear how much of a public icon I've become to people and kids of Vernova. Not to mention how good I've gotten at being a hero since I got the sword. I swore to myself that it was doing nothing but making my life better.

"You've got to be f***ing kidding me..."

Hearing all of my praise caused me to forget that it was Joe King's first day back in school since he was expelled for pushing me into the light ray that gave me my powers. Heh... I guess it didn't take long for him to feel right at home again by causing another one of his scenes.

"Blacklight is nothing but a freak. He's nothing but a family-destroying, spandex-wearin', evil freak..."

"HEY!!" I shouted at him on impulse. Normally, I would've kept my mouth shut, but Joe was dissing my alter-ego. Slandering it. So I thought it was time to shut him up for once...

"Well if it isn't the little ***-boy... Ready for another beating, Small?"

"No. I want to know what it is you have against Blacklight, because last I knew, he was a hero that's done nothing but good for this city..."

"What does it matter to you, huh? You have a little gay crush, Jonnyboy? Is he you're knight in shining armor?" he mocked, and as he started to laugh, time slowed down around me and all I could hear was his slowed down laugh ringing throughout my head, and I had had enough.

I snapped...

As he turned his head for a moment and turned back, my fist slammed into the left side of his nasty face, and he stumbled back. Then I smirked at him as he turned redder than a cherry. He then tried to swing back at me, but I caught the fist in my palm, and twisted it as he cried out in pain. I was loving it. Making the one person who's made made my life hell suffer... It was bliss, and I couldn't stop either.

"AARGH! I'm going to kill you!!"

I didn't even respond. This was too rich, I thought. I mean, he thinks he can kill me, but the truth is, he couldn't. Not with my powers. No. I was in control.

So he got back up as blood trickled from his nose, and went for another hit, but I turned out of the way and grabed his arm to make him face me as I kicked him into the lockers. He then screamed out in fury. He was at his limits in terms of anger, while I was just having fun.

So then in one last futile attempt to hit me, this time, I let him. His fist connected with my cheek, and suprisingly enough to him and everyone around but me, I didn't even budge. No bruise, no nothing. Unscathed. It horrified him, and I just smiled. So then I lifted him up and held him up against the lockers again, with my other fist raised.

"Now, you're going to listen to me, King. And listen good. Blacklight's a friend of mine, so I don't want you bad-mouthing him ever again. Do you HEAR ME!?!?!"

"No. *cough* You listen... *cough* That bastard took my father away..."

"What the hell are you talking about, you lunatic?!" I asked disgusted.

"My dad *cough* was one of the robbers... he *cough* was jsut trying to steal enough to get our family *cough* out of debt..."

At that point, it was all clear. I knew the man looked familiar... It was Joe's dad. I was so shocked that I dropped King and walked away as fast as I could...



How could you, Jon? You broke up a family... Now lord knows what Joe will do. He'll be homeless, and it's your fault...

How so? Did his father not try to rob a bank? Did he not commit a crime?
​

Well... yes... but

But nothing, Jonathan. As this city's protector, you had to help the police arrest the offenders. Just because one of them was a father doesn't mean that he had the right to steal that money. You did the right thing, so don't try to convince yourself otherwise...​

I guess you're right....

Besides, why should you care what happens to Joe? He's made your life miserable, and as far as I'm concerened, he has this coming to him.​

You know what? You're right. Screw Joe. He deserves this...

There you go... Now that's more like it...​

 

[Climperoonie]

RETURN - PART I​

First of January. Properly, I mean. Not still early morning. I turn over and hug Chels. Except she's not here. I've been used to her being there for so long, it's still hard for me to swallow she's gone. Blinking back tears, I walk over to the closet. I open the door and pull out the box. Letting out a deep sigh, I open it. Inside, the black circle with a lightning bolt through the middle blares out. I pick up the costume and hold it against me. It is far too small. I fold it up and lay it inside. I walk over to my laptop and open it. I switch it on and enter Internet Explorer. I decide to try something other than lycra this time, so on Google, I type Spandex, as it is more durable. I find a site on ordering it. This time, I decide to modify my design. I order blue and yellow spandex, so I can improvise when it comes. It costs $16 and will take up to 5 days. I decide to just wear a yellow top, jeans and my old mask for now as a homage to my original costume.​

I change into my current choice of clothes and lift the window. I clamber out of it and let myself plummet towards the ground. Despite everything, it still gets my adrenaline pumping and my excitement going. My feet spark, and I take off, rushing between skyscrapers and apartment blocks. I fly high again, before rushing forward toward the Pertwee building. The perfect vantage point. 1'427 feet high, not including the mast, and 130 stories. I see flashing lights on 31st street and leap again. I posistion myself so it is like I am lying on my front, and the zoom in th direction of the lights.​

It's good to be back.​

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...​

 

[Andy C.]

WONDER BOY: SIDEKICK FOR HIRE

O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN:
PART THREE​

"Hey, Ol' Dumbass," I call out to Ribeye as I open the door to my apartment. As always, the spastic dog scrambles to the door, tripping over his own legs as he does, that ridiculous smile on his face.

"Didn't let anyone burn the place down while I was gone, did ya?" I ask, patting him on the head. "That's a good dog: ever vigilant!"

Ribeye barks, hops up on his hind legs for a treat, then gets distracted and goes back to his corner to lick himself indecently.

Meanwhile, I get out the broom and dustpan to sweep up the huge wads of cotton all over the living room floor--Ribeye, in his never-ending crusade against my furtniture, has torn open another couch cushion. I'd be a little more mad about it if I wasn't about to move out of this place soon.

That's kind of what I do these days, just move from 'place' to 'place.' And I've had a lot of them over the years.

It's been too long since I've actually had a home.
​

********​

It's about three months after I was saved by Captain Wonder, and I'm at home. Mom's in the kitchen, making spaghetti before going to the PTA meeting. Dad's in the living room recliner, remote in one hand and beer in another. At this point I'm old enough to realize that he's not a bad person, but I'm still too young to appreciate how hard he works down at the docks to keep the family fed, so I just think he's lazy.

Me, I'm upstairs in my room, getting changed after my weekly karate lessons. At first, Dad balked at how expensive they were, but Mom said they'd be good for me, especially after my experience getting beaten up by those thugs. And for the most part, it has been good for me, even if I haven't really gotten the hang of it.

"Kitt?" Mom calls out from downstairs, "Dinner's almost ready. Wash up before you come down, okay?"

"O-kayyy" I reply. At this age, most of the communicating between me and my parents is from opposite sides of the house. Again, it's not that they're bad parents--far from it. I'm just at that age where I don't want to be around them.

I pull on a clean shirt, and that's when I hear what sounds like a pop from outside the house. There are some muffled shouts, but I can't make them out. Then there's another pop, and another. Pop-pop-pop.

Then, I hear glass breaking. And those pops start to sound an awful lot like gunshots.

"Mary!" I hear Dad shouting. "Mary, get down! KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN! Oh God, oh God, where's Kitt?"

"He's in his room!"

"KITT! STAY IN YOUR ROOM! GET UNDER THE BED!" He shouts over the gunfire. I do what he says. "Mary, stay where you are, I'm gonna go get the gun from the closet!"

I hear some shuffling, and more gunshots.

"Randy? Oh God, RANDY! Hold still, I--"

The gunfire grows louder, and I don't hear my parents anymore. After a while--could have been a few seconds, could have been minutes--I hear police sirens, and the gunshots slow down, and finally stop.

I stay under the bed for what feels like hours, until finally the door to my room opens.

"Not seeing anyone. Doesn't look like they--wait."

A figure walks up to my bed and crouches down, shining a flashlight right at me. I blink a few times until my vision's not as blurry, and I see he's wearing a police uniform.

"It's gonna be okay, kid. I'm a cop. It's gonna be okay."

He reaches out his hand, and reluctantly, I take it. I crawl out from under the bed, and the whole room feels like I've never been in it before. Nothing in it has changed, but it feels...wrong.

"Where...where's my Mom and Dad?"

********​

Ribeye absently gnaws on one of his chew-toys, while I rummage through the apartment, shoving aside all the piles of dirty laundry, stuffed duffle-bags, and boxes that I haven't opened in years, until I finally find my juggling pins.

Looks like I have my plan for the afternoon. Now to find a prime spot to make a few more bucks. With what I've made from the rest of this week, I'll have enough to get that bus ticket tomorrow.

And then, I'll be off to another 'place,' a place that needs me more than the people there even know.

 

[Rain Dog]

[BLACKOUT]THE DUMMY[/BLACKOUT]
​

With the Vessel of the Proletariats in hand, I decided to press onwards on explore the dark building in which I discovered him. Nearly pitch black inside. Reeked of mothballs and stale urine. Perfect hiding spot.

[blackout]“How long have you been waiting here, Mubbles?”[/blackout]

Meeeow

[blackout]“My God! Are there more? Like you and me?”[/blackout]

Raaaow

[blackout]“Where ar—“[/blackout]

Before I can finish my question I stumble into something. I reach one hand out to feel it--a staircase. I carefully climb up the steps, only able to see the glowing aqua-colored eyes of my companion. As I climbed higher and higher, I stumbled into something else. I reached one hand out to feel it—not a staircase. It let out a groan. Startled, I jumped back and dropped Mubbles who then scampered off into the shadows.

“W-Who’s there?” a groggy voice said.

[blackout]“I…”[/blackout]

“Who’s there?!” it repeated. Much louder. Much more frightened.

“Who are you?!”

[blackout]“…John…Smith?”[/blackout]

“No, I’m Baxter! Who are you?!”

[blackout]“John…Smith.”[/blackout]

“No, I’m Bax—“

[blackout]“My name…is John Smith.”[/blackout]

“ I don’t know you. What do you want?”

[blackout]“I wanted to see—“[/blackout]

“Are you here to take me?! Don’t take me! Please!”

[blackout]“Take you? No, I was just looking for the others. Are you one of them? Are you with the Proletariats?”[/blackout]

“No, I’m Baxter! Who are you?!”

[blackout]“John Smith…Mubbles said there are more in here besides him. Are you one of them?”[/blackout]

“…Yes...I’m Baxter. I’m going back to sleep now…tired…”

[blackout]“Nice to meet you, Baxter.”[/blackout]

“Back to sleep now…tired…” he said, his voice gradually fading away. Seemed like a very odd man. I knew better though. Clearly a test. I continued climbing until I reached the top of the staircase. It was too dark to go on now and I was too tired. I sat up against the wall and prepared to rest for the night. As my eyelids grow heavier and heavier, I can see a pair or glowing orbs peering out at me in the distance.
[blackout]

“Goodnight, Mubbles.”
[/blackout]

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon
​

I drive another fist into Riot's face, sending him crashing through a nearby wall. I watch as he tries to get to his feet, but before he is able to steady himself I am on him, pummeling him with lefts and rights, knocking him to the ground. Again, Riot gets to his feet, and as I move in on him, he hits me with some sort of bright energy flash, which momentarily dazes me. As I try to get my bearings, he is on me, punching and kicking, and finally he tosses me hard into the ground. Something has changed since the last time we met on Nautican Island, he's stronger, nearly as strong as me.

He's like a Pit Bull, unrelenting in his attack. He hits me with everything he has, repeatedly pounding my head into the ground. He grabs me by my neck and begins to spin me around and lets go, hurtling me into the air. In mid flight, I'm able to redirect myself, and I fly right at him. I begin to charge a heat blast, and as I connect with a hard right cross, I release the heat blast, knocking Riot to the ground. He tries to get up, but collapses again, he's out.

Then I hear a sudden rumbling. I turn to look at the source of the sound, at first I see Haze and Synergy double teaming Helos, but then I locate the source of the rumbling...Zen is down, and Richter is running straight at me at full speed.

 

[Spike_x1]

Just as the Survivor had finished his meal and pulled his mask back down to cover his mouth, Adam suddenly stopped and looked around the diner. Something was off. Someone was watching him; the Survivor could feel another man's eyes digging into him.

And then the entire building collapsed into rubble, dust, and glass. It was so sudden and unprecedented, the Survivor didn't have time to rescue any of the restaurant's patrons, except for the few that were already next to him prior to the building's demolition. Underneath of the wreckage, Adam was holding up several tons worth of rubble, while four innocents cowered at his feet in the small pocket of safety that the hero had created.

"Stay close to me," he ordered. Waiting another moment for the rubble to settle a little more, the Survivor finally pressed upwards, ignoring the glass and metal shards that sliced into his hands and arms. In moments, he had dug himself and the people he had saved free from the totaled diner. Rescue workers were already at the scene and waiting to escort them to an ambulance, but the Survivor waved them off, declining medical help.

As his wounds and the tears in his costume mended themselves, Adam studied the rooftops around the neighborhood. Someone had taken a shot at the restaurant to initiate its sudden collapse, killing everyone inside except for the Survivor and the small group of people that he had managed to save.

There!

On the roof of one of the smaller buildings down the street, a vague silhouette was standing and watching the scene from afar. "You're mine, punk," Adam whispered to himself as he took a long jump, scaling the nearest building and began jumping from rooftop to rooftop, chasing after his would-be assassin.

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.

 

[Andy C.]

WONDER BOY: SIDEKICK FOR HIRE
​

O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN:​

PART FOUR
​

"HEY! GET BACK HERE! STOP!"

This is always so embarassing, yelling at some pickpocket like he's going to listen to me. The jerk I'm running after is plowing through the people on the sidewalk, shoving them out of his way as I weave carefully between them, bowling pin in hand.

He thought he could swipe my coffee can of money while I was looking away in the middle of my juggling act. Now he thinks he can outrun me. And he's probably right--I'm not in the shape I used to be. Fortunately, I don't need to run him down. I just need to keep up long enough to get a clear shot. I can throw one of these bowling pins pretty hard, and I've got really good aim.

As soon as there's a decent opening in the crowd, I hurl the bowling pin at him. It wheels gracefully through the air, before slamming into the back of his neck with a loud thunk. He stumbles forward and face-plants into the concrete, quarters and dollar bills scattering everywhere as he drops the coffee can.

I strut over to him, pick up the bowling pin, and as he rolls over, I get right up in his face with it.

"See, that's why crime doesn't pay, man. I mean, really, it's easy to make a buck even in a city like this. A little effort is all you need. Look at all the effort you put into trying to rip me off, and what did you get? A crack in the head. I guarantee you an honest line of work involves a lot less blunt-force trauma."

He nods absently, but I'm not too optimistic about how much of that actually registered to him. As cynical as it is to say "he'd probably just use the money to buy booze or crack,"...well, he would probably just use the money to buy booze or crack. Still, it's worth at least making the effort, even if they never do learn.

I pick up my coffee-can and a few loose bills before walking back down the block to the small crowd that was watching my act.

"Wow, that was amazing!" a boy in the crowd says. "Where'd you learn to throw like that?"

I smile, twirl the bowling pin in one hand, set the coffee-can down with the other, then pick up the other two pins and go right back to juggling.

"I had a really good teacher."

********​

​

It's two months after my parents were killed. I've been staying at St. Francis' Orphanage since then, since most of my extended family has either passed on or is too old to take care of me. The nuns there are pretty strict, but I've gotten good at slipping out at night when they're not looking.

I've been spending a lot of my nights just walking around, trying to clear my head. The nuns keep telling me that faith will 'heal the wounds of your heart,' but I'm not convinced. If faith was supposed to be a reward, then God would play fair, right?

Mom and Dad were gunned down by enforcers from the Giambroni family, in what seemed at the time like a completely random act of violence. Then the investigation revealed they were acting on a tip about an informant within the family....only the tip was bad, and sent them to the wrong address. My parents died because of a wrong address. Is that fair?

No. And the shooters had bail posted for them the same night they were arrested. So if God is just going to let this sort of thing happen, and the cops can't take the bad guys down, then the only way any of this turns out fair is if I take matters into my own hands.

I always made sure never to get involved with gangs, but I know a lot of kids in school who did. About a week ago, I was able to get one of them to tell me where the Giambroni family meets. Yesterday, I went to another one of them with all that was left of my birthday money--that I was going to buy a new Game Boy with--and I bought a gun.

Tonight, I'm sneaking through back alleys, making my way toward the back door of the restaurant where the family does their dirty work. At age twelve, with no family, I figure I've got nothing to live for. I might as well try and make them pay for Mom and Dad.

I come around a corner, and I see the door, with two big guys in suits standing outside. Guards? I've only got six shots with this gun. Maybe if I shoot them first, I can take one of their guns and use it on the gangsters inside. I have to do something. I have to make this count. I pull the gun from my pocket, and pull back on the hammer.

"HEY!" I shout out to the big ugly guards. They reach inside their coats, and I aim my gun at them. Mom, Dad, this is for you!

Then, I feel something hit me hard on the back of the head, and it all goes dark.

********​

​

When I come to, I'm up on a rooftop somehow, and handcuffed. I hear police sirens in the distance, and as my vision un-blurs, I see a pair of red boots...

I look up, and it's him again.

"Captain Wonder?"

This time, he's not pleased to see me.

"What the hell were you thinking, kid?! Those men were trained killers--you would have been dead before you took another step!"

Every other time I'd seen Captain Wonder, he'd been bold, carefree, that big grin almost glued onto his face. But as he yells at me, I see something besides his anger--fear.

That doesn't do much good when your idol is shouting in your face. Hot tears start streaming down my cheeks, stinging my eyes, and I can't stop sobbing.

"I had to! They killed my Mom and Dad! They, they killed my Mom and Dad--" is all I can manage before I start sobbing again.

"Wait...kid, you're..." he says with a hint of recognition, "...Kitt, right? Kitt Carson?"

I look up at him, my ruined mind overcome with awe. He remembers me?

"Y-y-yeah...and th-those guys...they--"

He looks in the direction of the flashing police lights below.

"They'll pay for what they did. I just helped the NYPD take down their drug-trafficking ring they were running in that restaurant. I've been working on bringing down the Giambroni family one piece at a time."

"Then why'd you stop me?! I've got no family, no future, all I got is revenge! Why'd you take it from me?!"

There's an uncomfortably long pause, as he thinks to himself. Then, he turns to me, pulling a key from his utility belt, and unlocks my handcuffs.

"Because there's a better way, Kitt Carson. And I can show you the way, if you want it."

********​

The incident with the coffee-can nonwithstanding, this has been another fairly profitable day. I finally have enough for that bus ticket, plus enough to hire some movers for Ribeye and all of my stuff. With that much in my pocket, I'm planning on finally breaking open the big 'savings' jar for a down payment on a new apartment.

Tonight, I'm going to hit a good bar and have a good beer, and bid the Windy City goodbye. By this time next week, I'll be where I really need to be.

Lost Haven, here I come.

 

[Spike_x1]

The Architect

"General, I'm already well aware that you know who I am, despite all of the evidence pointing towards the fact that I am dead." The synthetic voice of the Architect buzzed through General Taylor's war room as he and his staff stopped pacing around, no longer wondering why they had been summoned there. "However, my saying that I'm Zaine Black doesn't mean that it's true. I could be lying, and that's why your superiors aren't going to accept your opinion on the matter. They are going to pursue the investigation of my activities and identity how they see fit. Of course, we both know that it won't do any good. Too bad."

"What do you want, Black?" growled Taylor. Not a single member of his staff dared to speak.

Silence came from intercom for a few precious moments. Finally, "All I wanted, General, were my files. See, I'm an engineer, chemist, biologist, and geneticist; astrophysics weren't my expertise - just a hobby that I was only beginning to become familiar with when I left your organization. As such, I hacked into your computers because I wanted to review my old notes."

The men and women in the war room could swear that the vein on the General's forehead was about to explode. "So why round us up in here? You didn't need to do that to get your files, you little punk!"

"True," admitted the Architect. "The reason that I've gathered you all there is simply to show that, whether you know it or not, I can control your every movement if, and when, I want to. I also got a chance to look at the algorithm for the codes in your keycards as you used them to gain entry into the war room; so I guess that means that you'll need to come up with a new set of unbreakable codes to replace the ones that I just compromised. Sorry about that."

Not a word in response from the General as he popped open with bottle of blood pressure medication and swallowed a pill.

"Anyway, I've got my files and have finished humiliating you. With that, my work for today appears to be done. It was good talking to you, Gramps."

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."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon and his allies stand victorious. An advanced tactical STRIKE team came in shortly after Richter had fallen, and subdued the villains. Well, at least some of them. The android, Helos was deduced to scrap when Synergy and Zen combined their powers and directed a massive wave of electricity right at him, shorting out his system. And the man known as Forsaken teleported out of the fray as soon as things started going in the heroes' favor.

Leaving Richter and Riot. They were both loaded into specialized containment tanks and quickly moved to an undisclosed location, most likely where STRIKE would question them about their activities and then process them for a nice long stay at Tatarus.

Icon and his allies say their goodbyes, for now. They know that sooner or later they will be brought together again. In reality they will once again join forces sooner than any of them expect.


Elsewhere...

Forsaken makes his way into the cavernous "throne room" where his master, Blackwind rules over his makeshift "empire."

"So, it is done then? Icon thinks us defeated?"

"It is done...Master."

"Good. And what of Richter and Riot?"

"They have been detained my master."

"Splendid. Just as I had planned. And what of my android.?"

"Regretfully Helos was destroyed before he was able to accomplish his mission."

"His loss is indeed regrettable...but not totally unexpected. I did not expect that we would not suffer our losses. But the plan was a success. The hero...this 'Icon' will be lulled into a sense of security thinking that we have been defeated. It will make it that much sweeter when I finally get to look him in the eyes as I destroy him. It in almost unfortunate that I am forced to sacrifice two loyal soldiers in this cause, but their sacrifice is necessary to sell the deception. I am very pleased."

"Very good.....my master."

 

[NiteMare Shape]

Icon

​

I heard the panic in the woman's voice from miles away, she and her husband flying over the city in his smaill single engine Cessna Cardinal when he suddenly slumps over. More than likely a heart attack. She is screaming into the radio begging for help, the air traffic controllers are trying to talk to her, to guide her into the airport, but it's no use, she is in complete hysterics.

She can't get herself under control, she can't control the plane. She is going to crash. Because she can't get herself out of this panicked state, she is going to kill herself, her husband, and anyone who happens to be unlucky enough to be in the impact zone. But I won't let that happen.

As I approach the plane I can see that it is already losing altitude. I position myself underneath the plane and reach up, grabbing it right underneath the nose, immediately leveling the plane off. And slowly, I bring the plane down to a safe landing in Anderson Park. Fortunately because of the snow and ice, there aren't that many people in the park right now, so that makes bringing the plane down easier.

Once the plane is stopped I open the door and turn off the engine. Emergency personel are already arriving by the time I get her out of the plane. Unfortunately it doesn't look like they will be in time to save the woman's husband. He's dead, probably died instantly from a massive coronary.

The woman is still in hysterics, crying, begging me to bring her husband back even as the paramedics continue to work on him. One of the paramedics comes over to where we are standing, and he gives her the bad news...it is too late, there is nothing that can be done.

I put my hand on her shoulder and giver her my condolences, even though I know that nothing can make this woman feel better right now, and I fly away. Even though my heart is breaking for this woman right now, I have to continue on, I'm off to the next emergency...because there is always "the next emergency..." and maybe the next one will have a happier ending than this one.